China allocates 1 bln yuan to disaster relief efforts Xinhua) 08:05, August 06, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has allocated disaster relief funds totaling 1.015 billion yuan (about 142 million U.S. dollars) to multiple provincial-level regions, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Tuesday. The funds were allocated by the MOF, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs, and the Ministry of Water Resources. Funds were channeled in multiple forms to support flood relief efforts in regions such as Beijing, Hebei, Inner Mongolia and Guangdong, including subsidies for crop replanting and the repair of agricultural facilities. Funds were also used to aid drought relief efforts in Shandong, Henan, Hubei and other regions through the provision of subsidies targeting fertilization, seedling preservation, irrigation and well drilling. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) China issues red alert for mountain torrents Xinhua) 09:55, August 06, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's meteorological and water resource authorities on Tuesday evening issued a red alert -- the highest-level warning -- for mountain torrents, as rainstorms continue to batter parts of the country. From 8 p.m. Tuesday to 8 p.m. Wednesday, mountain torrents are highly probable in the central and western parts of Guangdong, according to the Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration. The two agencies also issued an orange alert for mountain torrents in parts of Guangdong and Guangxi. Temporary heavy downpours may trigger mountain torrents in other regions, the authorities said. Local governments were urged to enhance real-time monitoring and flood warnings, prepare evacuation plans, and implement precautionary measures to mitigate risks. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) SPS PoolCare, a portfolio company of Storr Group, leads the industry with an exceptional team and a strong, multi-state stable of local brands and service branches. AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SPS PoolCare, the leading swimming-pool services company in the United States, is pleased to announce its 150th acquisition. Headquartered in Austin, Texas, SPS PoolCare provides residential pool services including maintenance, repair, and renovation to tens of thousands of customers across Texas, Florida, Arizona, and Nevada. Since its formation in 2021, SPS PoolCare has been highly acquisitive, now achieving a milestone 150 brands acquired as it continues to partner with leading pool companies across the Sun Belt. Lance Martin "SPS PoolCare's technology-forward and deep integration approach to streamline operations and enhance service delivery has enabled the seamless acquisition and onboarding of now 150 local and regional pool companies," said Fraser Ramseyer, Chairman and CEO at Storr, and Founder of SPS PoolCare. "SPS is poised to continue its impressive growth trajectory, while delivering best-in-class pool services across the Sun Belt, and continuing to support its field team with industry-leading career opportunities, benefits and training." Lance Martin Promoted to Chief Executive Officer In addition to reaching their milestone 150th acquisition, SPS PoolCare announces the earlier promotion of Lance Martin to Chief Executive Officer. Martin held the role of President and Chief Operating Officer since joining SPS; he will retain the responsibilities of Chief Operating Officer in his new role. "I'm thrilled to announce Lance's promotion to CEO, following his many accomplishments as President and COO since joining SPS PoolCare nearly three years ago," said Ramseyer. "Lance's deep background in home services has been invaluable in solidifying SPS's position as the industry leader. As CEO, Lance will drive strategy, build upon our strong culture and continue to rollout best practices across all areas of the company. Lance always strives to improve upon our best-in-class service experience for our customers, while fostering our people and maintaining our reputation as the employer-of-choice in the industry". Martin joined SPS PoolCare nearly three years ago from Terminix, a $2.1 billion revenue public company, where he led domestic operations commercial and residential driving a team of more than 8,500 staff across the United States. Over the course of a decorated 30-year career with Terminix starting in a management trainee role where he spent time in the field as a Technician Martin held numerous leadership positions of increasing responsibility, ultimately securing the role of Senior Vice President, Operations. About SPS PoolCare As the #1 swimming-pool services company in the United States, SPS PoolCare is on pace to perform over one million pool services per year, and employs more than 700 staff across four states. Backed by Storr Group, the company is focused on growing its family of brands across the Sun Belt, as it continues to make owning a pool a joy. SPS PoolCare is committed to creating a world-class service experience for its customers and being an employer-of-choice for its team members. Read more at spspoolcare.com. About Storr Group Storr Group is an operationally-focused investment firm that builds and scales industry-leading platforms. With a rich background in business building, Storr combines world-class operators with high-velocity M&A, deep integration, and sophisticated technology to drive sustainable growth and long-term value. Storr Group has offices in Austin and New York City. Read more at storrgroup.com. SOURCE SPS PoolCare The contest celebrated young design talents and raised funds by auctioning creative outfits to support disadvantaged children nationwide. This years event featured Jeong Hyeyoung, a Vietnamese-Korean child model who walked the runway in her homeland for the very first time. The Future Designers contest attracted nearly 1,000 entries from students aged 6 to 15 nationwide, including many from remote areas and children living in special circumstances. The contest was organised by Youth Vanguard and Children Newspaper in collaboration with designer and CEO Yen Ngo of the high-end fashion brand beAnn. The contest acted as an artistic playground and carried a profound educational mission. With the theme Imagine yourself as a delegate attending the 10th National Uncle Ho's Good Children Congress and express your love for your homeland through your outfit at the event, participants conveyed their patriotism through unique and creative designs. Each design told a unique story and reflected the pure yet proud perspective of the young artists on their country. At the final gala night, 24 of the top 50 excellent designs were brought to life and showcased on a professional catwalk. With unique ideas and emotional messages, Nguyen Thi Thanh Thao (Hanoi) and Nguyen Le Thuy Linh (Quang Ninh) won the Special Prize, the highest honour awarded by the Central Youth Team Council. Other promising young faces were also recognised with Talent and Potential awards, further fuelling their creative journeys. Vietnamese culture reaches the international stage Among the remarkable faces on the runway, one stood out: a young Vietnamese-Korean girl with a confident walk, professional demeanour, and striking East Asian features, wearing a costume inspired by Dong Ho folk paintings. She was Jeong Hyeyoung, a child model living in South Korea, with Vietnamese heritage and a deep love for her roots. Born and raised in South Korea, Hyeyoung (Vietnamese name: Hoang Yen) lives with her family in Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do, about 25 km from Seoul. Currently training and managed by Prankers Korean modleling agency, she has participated in international fashion events such as Shanghai Fashion Week AW2025 and the Prankers Global K-POP Fashion Show 2025. She had always dreamed of performing on a stage in her homeland. When learning about the Future Designers contest, Hyeyoung expressed her desire to participate and received full support from her family and management company. Undeterred by the distance, she and her mother travelled nearly 3,000 km from South Korea to Hanoi, longing for the opportunity to wear an outfit designed by her Vietnamese peers and walk the stage in her homeland. Hyeyoung wore a design created by young designer Nguyen Tran Moc Thanh, a design rich in Vietnamese folk spirit, resembling a vibrant Dong Ho painting, brought to life by co-organiser and designer Yen Ngo. With a confident demeanour, sharp eyes, and attractive charisma, Hyeyoung dominated the catwalk and touched the hearts of hundreds in the audience. More than just a performance, it was a voice of the future generation, one that aspires to preserve and spread Vietnamese culture beyond borders. Designer Yen Ngo shared, Working with Hyeyoung for the first time, I was impressed by her professionalism and charm. Though she returned to Vietnam just a few days before the show, she quickly adapted, fully understood the meaning behind the costume, and showcased the vision of both the young designer and myself. Journalist Bui Viet Cuong, chairman of the Trade Union of Youth Vanguard and Children Newspaper and head of the organising committee, said, This tiny Vietnamese-Korean girl brought something truly special to the show. In a space filled with patriotism and national pride, this little girl from a faraway country embodied that spirit through a costume designed by Vietnamese children themselves. I consider this a wonderful spread of Vietnamese culture. It shows that Vietnamese culture, with over more than 4,000 years of nation-building and defence, continues to be recognised by the global community. We have every right to be proud of these cultural values, which can inspire friends around the world. All 24 outfits were auctioned to raise funds for the Wings for Dreams Library project to support disadvantaged children nationwide. According to Yen Ngo, Future Designers 2025 is not only a fashion competition but a holistic educational journey aimed at nurturing Vietnamese children in ethics, intellect, physical health, and aesthetics. The success of the contest reaffirms the vital role of the arts in cultivating love for the homeland and igniting creative potential in the younger generation. H&M launches first store in Hue Global fashion retailer H&M announced the opening of its first store in Hue, marking its 14th store in Vietnam. Vivienne Westwood Stuns at Barcelona Bridal Night with Iconic Showcase A bold fusion of elegance and rebellion, the designer's new collection lights up the bridal fashion stage. The first project is the Vuc Mau Lake farm, proposed by Vuc Mau Lake Solar Power JSC, with a capacity of 200 MWp, an initial annual electricity output of 265.8 million kWh, and a total investment of VND3.7 trillion ($148 million). The second one is the 250 MWp Khe Go Lake project, proposed by Khe Go Lake Solar Power JSC, worth VND4.1 trillion ($164 million) and covering 303.48 hectares. These two projects were approved for investment by Nghe An Peoples Committee in March 2022 through a bidding process. According to the Department of Finance, the projects were expected to be connected to the grid and operational by December 2023. However, to date, the investor selection process has not been completed, resulting in a delay of 17 months beyond the approved timeline. Based on the national power development plan, a review of relevant details, and directives from Nghe An Peoples Committee, the Department of Finance has recommended revoking the investment approval decisions for these two solar power projects. CME Solar starts installing rooftop solar power system at Estec Vina factory On February 26, the CME-Vista joint venture announced the implementation of a rooftop solar energy system at the Estec Vina factory. SK Group considers $2.1B LNG power investment in Nghe An South Korean conglomerate SK Group is exploring the possibility of investing in a landmark $2.1 billion liquefied natural gas power plant in Vietnams central province of Nghe An, signalling growing interest from Korean investors in Vietnams energy transition. Solar power tasks must be confronted As Vietnam ramps up its energy transition goals, rooftop solar has evolved from concept to commitment, with new legal foundations enabling investment-ready decisions across the industrial sector. Criteria is clear to ensure value in Vietnams rooftop solar power With rooftop solar emerging as a critical tool for Vietnamese manufacturers to meet global green supply chain demands, Pham Dang An, deputy general director of Vu Phong Energy Group, told VIRs Nguyen Thu that the race is now on to resolve financing, policy, and storage barriers. 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Ireland Uruguay, Eastern Republic of Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of Viet Nam, Socialist Republic of Wallis and Futuna Islands Western Sahara Yemen Zambia, Republic of Zimbabwe MINNEAPOLIS, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Tooth decay is the most common chronic disease in children and, if left untreated, may lead to infections and problems with focusing on school. The Minnesota Dental Association (MDA) recommends scheduling a dental check-up for your child at the beginning of the school year. Here are a few important things to keep in mind as you prepare for your child's dental appointment: Overall Dental Health The dentist will check your child's teeth and gums, as well as the overall health of the mouth. They will check to see if teeth are lining up correctly and if their bite is good. Cleanings No matter how often your child brushes their teeth, they should still get a professional cleaning. A professional cleaning will get to bacteria that may cause cavities. Normal brushing cannot reach these areas. X-rays X-rays are done only when necessary, not at every dental visit. X-rays help the dentist see how teeth are developing and to make sure roots are healthy. They also make tooth decay between teeth visible. Mouthguards If your child plays sports, be sure to bring his or her mouthguard to the appointment so the dentist can check its condition and fit. If your child is in a growth spurt or losing teeth and getting new ones, a new mouthguard may be needed. Sealants A sealant is a thin protective coating that your dentist can place on the chewing surfaces of your child's permanent back teeth. Sealants work to keep cavity-causing bacteria and food from settling into your child's teeth where a toothbrush can't reach. Sealants help keep cavities from forming and existing spots of decay from getting worse. Note that sealants are not a substitute for brushing and flossing. Prevention and early detection are key to avoiding dental pain. Find an MDA member dentist at www.mndental.org and schedule your back-to-school appointment. About the Minnesota Dental Association The Minnesota Dental Association is the voice of dentistry in Minnesota, representing practicing dentists. It is committed to the highest standards of oral health and access to care for all Minnesotans. Learn more at: www.mndental.org. SOURCE Minnesota Dental Association Welsh Government-funded partnership to drive innovation in sustainable housing Wrexham University and ClwydAlyn Housing have been awarded a Welsh Government-funded SMART Partnership to drive innovation in sustainable housing. The collaboration will create innovative and sustainable housing solutions in North Wales and beyond. The project aims to contribute to the energy efficiency of new build homes using renewable energy sources, thus reducing operational energy costs for residents and lowering ClwydAlyns environmental impact. The goal is to set an example of how affordable and sustainable housing can be developed benefitting both the community and the environment. Wrexham University will play a key role in delivering the SMART Partnership by embedding academic expertise in low-carbon technology and smart energy systems. Through a dedicated graduate associate, the University will lead on technical modelling, feasibility studies, and the development of a smart grid concept tailored to ClwydAlyns housing developments. This collaboration will also support curriculum development in sustainability and renewable energy, ensuring long-term impact beyond the projects 12-month duration. Laura Gough, Head of Enterprise at Wrexham University, said: We are delighted to have secured this funding which will assist ClwydAlyn in its mission towards carbon net zero housing and which will also feed into our sustainability and renewable energy curriculum. We will be looking to recruit a graduate with computing expertise to work directly on the project, likely to start in September for 12 months. Tom Boome, Head of Technical Innovation and Climate at ClwydAlyn, added: Were delighted to have been awarded funding from Welsh Government for a SMART Partnership. The partnership will not only strengthen the relationship between Wrexham University and ClwydAlyn; it will enable us to utilise the Universitys expertise in academia combining our knowledge and experience, to deliver sustainable and affordable homes for our residents. Harnessing renewable energy on a larger scale in our housing developments has the potential to significantly improve the operational emissions of our homes and provide a meaningful reduction in energy costs for our residents. SMART Partnerships provide financial support to collaborative and innovative projects that are in need of a range of expertise to support business growth, improve productivity and increase competitiveness. impact. The BLM Elko District Office will begin an emergency gather on or about Thursday to remove approximately 215 excess wild horses from areas within the Maverick-Medicine Herd Management Area and the Wood Hills area. The decision follows prolonged drought conditions that have reduced forage growth and created risks for both the land and the horse population. The Maverick-Medicine HMA is part of the Triple B Complex, which includes the Triple B, Maverick-Medicine, and the western third of the Antelope Valley HMAs, along with the Cherry Spring Wild Horse Territory. The Wood Hills area lies outside the Spruce-Pequop HMA, part of the Antelope Complex that encompasses the Antelope, Antelope Valley, Goshute, and Spruce-Pequop HMAs. According to the BLM, the gather aims to safely remove wild horses impacted by drought from these overpopulated areas. "The gathering is essential to address herd overpopulation and ensure the future well-being of both the horses and their habitat," the agency said. The operation will be conducted under the Antelope and Triple B Complexes Gather Plan Environmental Assessment (EA) DOI-BLM-NV-E030-2017-0010-EA. Only essential personnel will be allowed at trap sites to reduce stress on the animals and increase the effectiveness of bait and water trapping efforts. "The BLMs priority is to conduct safe, efficient wild horse gathers with a focus on humane care and treatment," the agency said. "Using the best available science and handling practices, the BLM and its contractors will meet and gather goals in line with the Comprehensive Animal Welfare Policy." Captured horses will be transported to the Palomino Valley Wild Horse and Burro Center, where they will receive veterinary care before being made available through the BLMs Wild Horse and Burro Adoption and Sale Program. Gather reports and updates will be available on the 2025 Maverick-Medicine and Wood Hills Emergency Gather webpage. 14 Makerspace projects will receive funding to support growth and development COLUMBIA, Md., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TEDCO, Maryland's economic engine for technology companies, announced the 2025 Maryland Makerspace Initiative Program ("Makerspace Program") awardees. A total of nearly $785,000 in awards will span across 14 entities located in 9 counties across the state. TEDCO Makerspace awardees "Since inception, the Makerspace Program has now provided $2.4 million across 52 awards to entities across the state, supporting the continued growth of Maryland's innovation ecosystem," said Terry Rauh, chief finance and operations officer at TEDCO. "We are hopeful that these 14 awardees will continue to advance the innovation capabilities within their communities." What is the Makerspace Program? Created through legislation passed by the Maryland General Assembly, the Makerspace Program provides grants of up to $100,000 and technical assistance for qualified entities looking to establish a new Makerspace, expand an existing Makerspace, or develop Makerspace programming. The goal is to grow a state-wide community of Makerspaces that provides entrepreneurs with access to tools, technologies and knowledge to support their growth and development as well as expand workforce training. "Out of 25 highly competitive applications, we are pleased to announce the support for the 2025 Makerspace Program awardees," said Justin Ferguson, innovation manager for the Venture Development department. "We are excited to see the continued interest in Makerspace growth and development across the state." The 14 awardees for the 2025 Makerspace Program include: Allegany College of Maryland , located in Allegany County Chesapeake Arts Center, located in Anne Arundel County City Life Community Builders, located in Baltimore City Digital Harbor Foundation, Tech Lab, located in Baltimore City Inncuvate Community Development Partners, located in Prince George's County Frederick Makerspace, located in Frederick County Makerspace of Annapolis , located in Anne Arundel County Maryland Assistive Technology Program, located in Baltimore City Players Philanthropy Fund (Code Super Powers), located in Prince George's County Rockville Science Center, located in Montgomery County Salisbury University , Richard Bernstein Makerspace, located in Wicomico County St. Mary's County Library, Lexington Park Branch, located in St. Mary's County The SPACE: Free Art for All (E2Lab), located in Prince George's County Washington College, The Innovation Plant, located in Kent County For more information about TEDCO's Makerspace Program, visit www.tedcomd.com/makerspace. About TEDCO TEDCO, the Maryland Technology Development Corporation, enhances economic empowerment growth through the fostering of an inclusive entrepreneurial innovation ecosystem. TEDCO identifies, invests in, and helps grow technology and life science-based companies in Maryland. Learn more at www.tedcomd.com. Media Contact Tammi Thomas, Chief Development & Marketing Officer, TEDCO, [email protected] Rachael Kalinyak, Associate Director, Marketing & Communications, TEDCO, [email protected] SOURCE TEDCO HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) Hiroshima on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, the anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years, Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, said after he kneeled down to pray at the cenotaph. Thats why I want to share (my story) as much as I can. The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and Japans nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. Mayor says world should have learned from tragedy Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against a growing acceptance of military buildups and of using nuclear weapons for national security during Russia's war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Mideast, with the United States and Russia possessing most of the world's nuclear warheads. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, he said. "They threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct. He urged younger generations to recognize that such misguided policies" could cause utterly inhumane" consequences for their future. We don't have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever, said Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organization of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment. Our biggest challenge now is to change, even just a little, nuclear weapons states that give us the cold shoulder, the organization said in its statement. Prayers, tributes and hope About 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions attended the ceremony. A minute of silence was held while a peace bell rang out at 8:15 a.m., the time when a U.S. B-29 dropped the bomb on the city. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the citys mayor and other officials laid flowers at the cenotaph. Dozens of white doves, a symbol of peace, were released after the mayors speech. Hours before the official ceremony, as the sun rose over Hiroshima, survivors and their families started paying tribute to the victims at the Peace Memorial Park, near the hypocenter of the nuclear blast 80 years ago. Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, came to honor his grandfather and two cousins who died in the bombing and prayed that the mistake will never be repeated. We do not need nuclear weapons, Miyoshi said. There is hope, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement read by Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, noting Nihon Hidankyo's Nobel Peace Prize and countries' re-commitment to a nuclear free world in the Pact for the Future adopted last year. Guterres stressed the importance to carry forward the survivors' testimony and message of peace and added: Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future." Near Hiroshima's iconic Atomic Bomb Dome under high security, more than 200 protesters gathered, holding posters and flags carrying messages such as No Nuke, Stop War and Free Gaza! No more genocide while chanting slogans. Local police said two people were arrested in separate cases, each on suspicion of assaulting a security guard. Survivors want nuclear abolishment, not deterrence Wednesday's anniversary comes at a time when possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. Some survivors said they were disappointed by President Donald Trump's recent remark justifying Washington's attack on Iran in June by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government. Its ridiculous, said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation while he was still in his mothers womb. I dont think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that he was praying for those who suffered physical, psychological and social effects from the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, adding that the event remains a universal warning against the devastation caused by wars and, in particular, by nuclear weapons. Japan seeks US nuclear protection Japan's government has rejected the survivors' request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meetings as observers because it is under the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Matsui, the city's mayor, in his speech Wednesday, urged Japan's government to sign and ratify the nuclear weapons ban treaty, a request also made by several groups of survivors in their meeting with Ishiba after the ceremony. Ishiba, in a speech, reiterated his governments pledge to work toward a world without nuclear weapons, but did not mention the treaty and again indicated his governments support for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. At a news conference later Wednesday, Ishiba justified Japan's reliance on U.S. nuclear deterrence, saying Japan, which follows a non-nuclear principle, is surrounded by neighbors that possess nuclear weapons. The stance, he said, does not contradict Japan's pursuit of a nuclear-free world. Past prime ministers have stressed Japans status as the worlds only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say its a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgment by the U.S. government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report. The Associated Press receives support for nuclear security coverage from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and Outrider Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. Additional AP coverage of the nuclear landscape: https://apnews.com/projects/the-new-nuclear-landscape/ For years, body enhancement has been dominated by surgical proceduresfrom implants to fat grafting and traditional breast augmentation. Yet, as patient preferences shift toward more natural, less invasive solutions, new treatments are redefining what is possible. In a major advancement for aesthetic medicine, renowned plastic surgeon Dr. Usha Rajagopal is the first provider in San Francisco to offer Alloclae, a revolutionary non-surgical treatment designed for body contouring, shaping, and post-surgical correction. Alloclae is an innovative injectable that works by naturally stimulating the body to restore volume and improve tissue quality. Its a fantastic option for those looking for subtle, natural enhancements with minimal downtime, says Rajagopal . Alloclae is an injectable product that uses donor fat to add volume and shape to the body, offering a non-surgical alternative to traditional fat transfer procedures. The versatile treatment can be used to enhance the gluteal area by providing gentle projection to the buttocks, correct hip dips for a smoother silhouette, and refine breast contour, including upper pole enhancement. It can also improve breast shape, address asymmetry, and smooth visible implant rippling. The injectable is particularly well suited to those who have experienced volume loss due to pregnancy, aging, or weight fluctuations, as well as patients seeking post-surgical refinement or to correct irregularities without additional invasive procedures. Alloclae treatment is done with tiny incisions under local anesthesia during a quick, in-office visit. Recovery time is minimal: While patients may experience mild swelling or tenderness, most resume their normal activities immediately. Over time, the matrix integrates with the tissue, resulting in soft, natural-looking improvements that dont look or feel artificial. While Alloclae is not a substitute for surgical intervention in every case, it fills an important niche that respects the patients body and individual goals. A board-certified plastic surgeon with more than two decades of experience, Dr. Usha Rajagopal is celebrated for blending surgical artistry with cutting-edge innovation. In addition to being SFs exclusive provider of Alloclae, Rajagopals dedication to regenerative medicine also includes complementary therapies such as hyperbaric oxygen therapy and advanced skin rejuvenation techniques that promote healing and long-term wellness alongside aesthetic enhancement. Almost three quarters of employees (72%) feel stressed about their finances, according to a recent survey by Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth. Nearly two fifths do not feel prepared for an unexpected financial emergency, and the situation can be so extreme that 27% of respondents have described their financial situation as struggling or in crisis. The rising cost of living is blamed for having the most impact on finances, with 56% citing this as their biggest concern. This was followed by paying off debt (25%) and saving for retirement (25%). Combined, these findings paint a worrying picture about the stress levels of employees, claims the financial wellbeing and financial planning firm. To help employers support their employees, the firm has launched an insight hub, The Hidden Cost of Financial Stress, which will share findings from the research and various resources, including an introduction to the first Employee Financial Stress Index, which will track employee stress levels year on year. Commenting on the increasing role that financial stress plays in an employees day to day working life, Julie Hammerton, Managing Partner, Hymans Robertson Personal Wealth says: Our research shows that low levels of financial resilience, and limited safety nets, are leading to high levels of financial stress. This will be having an impact on how employees work, engage and function. These should be seen as warning signs; a workforce thats living this close to the financial edge is more vulnerable to stress, disengagement and absence. These findings clearly align with the recent FCAs Financial Lives survey, which found that 24% of the adult population had low financial resilience. Together this paints a worrying picture regarding the huge impact financial stress is having on the UKs workforce. Alabama pastor and voting rights activist Kenneth Glasgow was arrested this week for allegedly practicing law without a license, according to court records. The warrant for his arrest was issued after Glasgow filed a motion Monday under his organization, KSG Ministries, to halt the Dothan City Municipal Elections. Glasgow claims in the motion that Houston County Sheriff Donald Valenza and employees for the Alabama Department of Corrections failed to provide eligible voters in custody with applications or absentee ballots before the vote on Tuesday. The filing also names Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen and Dothan Mayor Mark Saliba. Judge John Steensland denied Glasgows motion, but a hearing was set for Aug. 28. In 2023 Glasgow, who is the half-brother of prominent activist Rev. Al Sharpton, was sentenced to 11 months in federal prison on charges of tax evasion and drug distribution. He was released in July 2024 and has since continued working on a lifelong mission to advocate for the voting rights of people with felony records. If he is found guilty of practicing law without a license, a misdemeanor in Alabama, Glasgow can face up to a $500 fine and 6 months in jail. He was released Tuesday on a $3,000 bond, according to court records. Company's second quarter net sales, adjusted for Easter holiday shift, increased 1.6 percent SUNBURY, Pa., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Weis Markets, Inc. (NYSE: WMK) today reported its financial results for the 13-week second quarter and 26-week year-to-date ended June 28, 2025. "Our second quarter 2025 results, adjusted for the financial impact of the year-over-year Easter holiday shift and related party share purchase agreement transaction, are in line with our expectations during a time of continuing market changes and macroeconomic uncertainty," said Weis Markets, Inc. Chairman, President, and CEO Jonathan H. Weis. "We continue to make significant price investments in a market impacted by cautious customer spending. During the quarter, we opened a new store in a growing part of Maryland's Frederick County, and we expect to open a new store in Charlotte Hall, MD later this summer." Mr. Weis said, "We are grateful for the hard work and dedication of our retail store, supply chain, manufacturing, and support center associates who serve our customers and support our communities each day which makes our Company's long-term growth and success possible." Second Quarter 2025 Results Net sales and other revenue totaled $1.22 billion for the 13-week second quarter ended June 28, 2025, compared to $1.19 billion for the same period in 2024, up 2.8 percent. The Company estimates its net sales, adjusted for the $14.0 million shift of the Easter holiday occurring in the second quarter in 2025 compared to the first quarter in 2024, were up 1.6 percent. Second quarter comparable store sales excluding fuel increased 2.3 percent on an individual year-over-year basis and increased 2.6 percent on a two-year stacked basis. The Company's second quarter net income totaled $26.53 million, which included $1.1 million in pre-tax related party share purchase agreement transaction expenses, compared to $26.26 million in 2024, up 1.0 percent. Adjusted for the weighted-average shares outstanding for the applicable reporting period, second quarter earnings per share totaled $1.01 compared to $0.98 per share for the same period in 2024. Year-To-Date 2025 Results Net sales and other revenue totaled $2.42 billion for the 26-week year-to-date ended June 28, 2025, compared to $2.37 billion for the same period in 2024, up 2.1 percent. Year-to-date comparable store sales excluding fuel increased 1.7 percent on an individual year-over-year basis and increased 3.5 percent on a two-year stacked basis. The Company's year-to-date net income totaled $47.00 million, which included $1.1 million in pre-tax related party share purchase agreement transaction expenses, compared to $49.42 million in 2024, down 4.9 percent. Adjusted for the weighted-average shares outstanding for the applicable reporting period, year-to-date earnings per share totaled $1.77 compared to $1.84 per share for the same period in 2024. Quarterly Cash Dividend The Weis Markets, Inc. Board of Directors declared on July 17, 2025, a quarterly cash dividend of $0.34 per share to shareholders of record as of July 28, 2025, payable on August 11, 2025. About Weis Markets Founded in 1912, Weis Markets, Inc. is a Mid Atlantic food retailer operating 199 stores in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware, New Jersey, New York, West Virginia and Virginia. For more information, please visit: WeisMarkets.com or Facebook.com/WeisMarkets. In addition to historical information, this news release may contain forward-looking statements, which are included pursuant to the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. For example, risks and uncertainties can arise with changes in: general economic conditions, including their impact on capital expenditures; tariffs and trade policies; business conditions and trends in the retail industry; the regulatory environment; rapidly changing technology, including cybersecurity and data privacy risks, and competitive factors, including increased competition with regional and national retailers; and price pressures. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect Management's analysis only as of the date hereof. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly revise or update these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances that arise after the date hereof. Readers should carefully review the risk factors described in other documents the Company files periodically with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Management is also providing a two-year stacked comparable store sales analysis, a non-GAAP measure, because Management believes this metric is useful to investors and analysts. It is not recommended that the two-year-stacked analysis be considered a substitute for the Company's operating results as reported in accordance with GAAP. WEIS MARKETS, INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Second Quarter 2025 (Unaudited) 13 Weeks Ended 26 Weeks Ended (amounts in thousands, except shares and per share amounts) June 28, 2025 June 29, 2024 June 28, 2025 June 29, 2024 Net sales $ 1,214,479 $ 1,181,456 $ 2,411,284 $ 2,360,370 Other revenue 4,317 4,263 8,288 8,300 Total revenue 1,218,796 1,185,719 2,419,572 2,368,670 Cost of sales, including advertising, warehousing and distribution expenses 910,431 886,695 1,811,706 1,774,636 Gross profit on sales 308,365 299,024 607,866 594,034 Operating, general and administrative expenses 276,428 266,535 552,894 534,182 Income from operations 31,937 32,489 54,972 59,852 Investment income (loss) and interest expense 5,294 4,062 9,705 9,613 Other income (expense) (2,163) (407) (1,805) (1,808) Income before provision for income taxes 35,068 36,144 62,872 67,657 Provision for income taxes 8,541 9,885 15,868 18,233 Net income $ 26,526 $ 26,259 $ 47,004 $ 49,424 Weighted-average shares outstanding, basic and diluted 26,354,064 26,898,443 26,626,254 26,898,443 Cash dividends per share $ 0.34 $ 0.34 $ 0.68 $ 0.68 Basic and diluted earnings per share $ 1.01 $ 0.98 $ 1.77 $ 1.84 WEIS MARKETS, INC. INDIVIDUAL YEAR-OVER-YEAR ANALYSIS OF SALES Second Quarter 2025 (Unaudited) Percentage Change 2025 vs. 2024 June 28, 2025 13 Weeks Ended 26 Weeks Ended Net sales 2.8 % 2.2 % Net sales, excluding fuel 3.2 2.3 Net sales, adjusted for Easter shift 1.6 Comparable store sales (individual year) 1.8 1.4 Comparable store sales, excluding fuel (individual year) 2.3 1.7 Comparable store sales, adjusted for Easter shift (individual year) 0.6 WEIS MARKETS, INC. TWO-YEAR STACKED COMPARABLE STORE SALES Second Quarter 2025 (Unaudited) Percentage Change 13 Weeks Ended June 28, 2025 2025 vs. 2024 2024 vs. 2023 Comparable store sales (individual year) 1.8 % 0.5 % Comparable store sales (two-year stacked) 2.3 Comparable store sales, excluding fuel (individual year) 2.3 0.3 % Comparable store sales, excluding fuel (two-year stacked) 2.6 Comparable store sales, adjusted for Easter shift (individual year) 0.6 % Percentage Change 26 Weeks Ended June 28, 2025 2025 vs. 2024 2024 vs. 2023 Comparable store sales (individual year) 1.4 % 1.8 % Comparable store sales (two-year stacked) 3.2 Comparable store sales, excluding fuel (individual year) 1.7 1.8 % Comparable store sales, excluding fuel (two-year stacked) 3.5 SOURCE Weis Markets Alabama Power just got the green light to buy a gas power plant and pay for it with an increase to utility bills. The Alabama Public Service Commission on Tuesday unanimously voted to clear the way for Alabama Power to purchase a power generation station in rural Autauga County. The Lindsay Hill facility is a cost-effective, proven resource that will help us continue delivering the reliable service our customers count on, especially during periods of high demand, said Alyson Tucker, a spokesperson for Alabama Power. This project is part of our long-term planning to ensure reliability and resilience as our state grows. An Alabama Power official last October told the public service commission that customers will pay about $3.80 more on their bills beginning in 2027. Tucker said Tuesday the increase will be a little less than that for some customers. While were always working to keep bills as low as possible, this change about $3.32 for the typical residential customer using 1,000 kWh a month will help ensure we can meet growing electricity needs, Tucker said. Alabama Power says it needs the plant to increase power generating capacity. In a report to the PSC, the company said it will need to add 1,200 megawatts of capacity by 2029 to keep up with demand during the winter months. That year, Alabama Powers reserve energy capacity is projected to be lower than the amount of energy needed when electricity demand is at its highest. The Lindsay Hill plant has a winter capacity of nearly 900 megawatts. The Federal Energy Regulatory Commission approved the sale in June. In applications to the state public service commission and the federal energy commission, Alabama Power did not say how much the Lindsay Hill Generating Station will cost. The power company on Tuesday declined to tell AL.com how much it will cost. The news outlet Utility Dive reported in February the plant is expected to sell for $622 million. Alabama Power said it will recoup those costs through various rate riders. In testimony submitted to the PSC, Adam Ricks, a power company official, estimated that the typical residential bill will increase by $3.80 per month. However, even if the sale goes through, those increased costs will not hit customers until 2027, Alabama Power said. Currently, a company called Mercuria Energy America purchases the power generated by the Lindsay Hill plant, under an agreement with Tenaska. Alabama Power told regulators it intends to honor that agreement until it expires in April 2027. Environmental advocates objected to the sale. The Southern Environmental Law Center, representing environmental nonprofits Energy Alabama and the Greater-Birmingham Alliance to Stop Pollution, argued in April that Alabama Power did not sufficiently prove that it needed more energy capacity. They also said that the company had not shown that purchasing Lindsay Hill was the most cost-effective way to add capacity. Once again, Alabama Power did not consider clean, low-cost options like solar, batteries, and energy efficiency programs and opted to double down on methane gas, said Christina Tidwell, a senior attorney in SELCs Alabama office, in a news release. Alabama will continue to lag behind other states in cost effective, renewable energy, like solar, if our leaders approve investment in harmful energy sources instead of clean, renewable options. In Alabama Powers 2023 request for proposals to increase its capacity, the company told possible vendors not to submit solar energy plans. This capacity RFP is soliciting only reliable, dependable supply resources with firm fuel availability, it said. Intermittent renewable resources such as solar may be bid into the Companys next Renewable RFP. Alabama Power argued that there are benefits to purchasing the Lindsay Hill plant, which was commissioned in 2002. The company estimates that it has about 17 years of life remaining. And, in 2020, the company purchased its sister plant, the Central Alabama Generating Station. This creates opportunities for efficiencies in terms of inventory, labor force, supervision and other actions and activities involving the operation and maintenance of those largely identical units, said Christopher Habig, resource planning manager for Alabama Power, in testimony to the PSC. Thomas Stinson awoke in his Army bed at the sound of an explosion. Disoriented, he realized he was covered in debris. As he dug himself out of rubble, he could smell burning flesh, hair and chemicals. He later found out that his base in Jordan had come under attack, according to a lawsuit filed in June. Three people were killed and 40 were injured in the January 2024 strike. I was woken up with what sounded like a low rumble, one officer later told the Air National Guard, very low and very distinctive. My whole room started vibrating and I thought, Thats not normal. Stinson, an Alabama native, was injured in the attack. He and three fellow soldiers from Alabama and Georgia now are suing the Republic of Iran. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia under a U.S. law that allows citizens to sue countries considered to be state sponsors of terrorism. An attorney for the soldiers declined to comment on the case. The four men received Purple Hearts in May 2025, according to the filing. Sgt. Allan Padilla Valenzuela, a native of Homewood, Alabama, (second from left) is pictured receiving a Purple Heart after being injured in a 2024 drone attack. Courtesy Jon Goldfarb American officials said they believed the attack was carried out by a militia group connected to Iran, but Iran has denied responsibility for the 2024 attack. A spokesperson for Iran did not immediately respond to a request for comment from AL.com. Soldiers killed at Tower 22 belonged to the 718th Engineer Company, an Army Reserve unit based out of Fort Moore, Ga., according to CNN. The attack was the first time United States soldiers were killed amidst escalating attacks following Hamass attack on Israel in 2023. The drone flew into the living quarters, trailers where soldiers were sleeping at about 5:00 a.m. The housing trailers crinkled like a soda can, upon impact, Lt. Ian Gallagher later told an Army publication. Sgt. Allan Padilla Valenzuela, one of the plaintiffs, is a 2019 graduate of Homewood High School. He was stationed at the base as a horizontal construction engineer. He does not remember the attack that morning, according to the filing. His roommate, Sgt William Rivers, 46, was killed by the impact. Padilla Valenzuela was intubated at the scene due to respiratory failure, then airlifted out of Jordan and treated for life threatening injuries, according to the lawsuit, including fractures, facial injuries and shrapnel wounds. He has lost a third of his triceps and has had multiple reconstructive surgeries. He still has shrapnel in his body and struggles from a loss of vision. Following the explosion, Stinson thought of the other men sleeping around him, other Alabama soldiers living in Tower 22 in Jordan. Stinson got up to help his roommate, not realizing he was hurt. A 2022 graduate of Elba High School in Alabama, Stinson was told by a medic to go to the bunker, according to the suit. It was not until he was in the bunker and adrenalin started to wear off that he realized he was covered in blood and that he was in pain, the suit states. The incident left Stinson with a brain injury, a ruptured eardrum, broken wrist and burns across his body, according to the lawsuit. The military now considers him to be 80% disabled. Stinsons roommate, Jared McKelvey, a 2016 graduate of high school in Priceville, Alabama, was also an engineer at Tower 22. He woke up following the explosion and was pinned by rubble, according to the lawsuit. He had shrapnel wounds, burns and a traumatic brain injury, which continue to impact his life, according to the complaint. Carson Lee Hoes, an engineer from Georgia, had a traumatic brain injury from the attack and is now 70% disabled, according to the complaint. An Army investigative report into the attack, published by the Washington Post, described security and training failures that resulted in the drone being allowed to approach the base. At the time of the attack, 350 U.S. troops were stationed at the base, along with Jordanian military members and American and Jordanian civilian contractors, according to the Department of Defense. Tower 22 is a hub for logistics for U.S. forces in Syria and to transfer humanitarian supplies to Syrian refugees. In the past, Congress has disbursed funds from Iranian sanctions to the families and victims who have sued Iran following terroristic attacks. The employee will not be present on the Hampton Cove campus or any other Huntsville City Schools campus during an internal personnel review," school offiicals said. Huntsville City Schools A Huntsville City School teacher wont be present on campus for the start of the school year, according to school officials, after questions arose regarding her background. According to a statement from Hampton Cove Middle School Principal Kris Martinez, the system is aware of concerns involving a special education teacher currently assigned to our school. These concerns stem from an incident that occurred in 2017, prior to the individuals employment with HCS. The employee joined the district in 2020 and passed the required Alabama State Department of Education background check as part of the hiring process, Martinez said. Hampton Cove Middle did not name the teacher in question. However, parents and multiple reports have identified the special education teacher as Brandy Taylor. Taylor was arrested in December 2017 for a domestic violence charge in Marshall County, according to court records. According to the schools website, Taylor is a special education teacher with 24 years of experience in collaborative education. Court records report that in 2017 she allegedly hit, punched, and bit a child before beating him with a belt. The incident did not happen in school. Taylor spent 30 days in jail in 2018 after her arrest for third-degree domestic violence assault. Court records show that a jury trial was scheduled for two years until Taylor ultimately pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge in November 2020. She was on probation for two years. Taylor joined the school in 2020 and passed the Alabama State Department of Education (ALSDE) background check. Efforts to reach Taylor were unsuccessful, and it is unclear if she is represented by an attorney. Internal personnel review underway Martinez said the employee will not be present on the Hampton Cove campus or any other Huntsville City Schools campus during an internal personnel review and will have no contact with students during this time. HCS is committed to conducting a thorough review of the matter. As a result, affected students will be assigned a substitute teacher while this matter is resolved, Martinez added. We ask our families and community for their understanding as we allow the internal process to proceed. We remain committed to student safety and will provide updates as appropriate. Thousands of Southwest travelers have found themselves stranded across the country as the airline deals with an unidentified operational disruption. Within the last week, Southwest has canceled 758 flights to high traffic destinations such as Dallas Love Field (DAL), Denver International Airport (DEN), Chicago Midway (MDW), Phoenix Sky Harbor (PHX), Las Vegas McCarran (LAS), Orlando International Airport (MCO), and Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). They say that the 3rd time's a charm . Unfortunately, I had to abandon the truck in Florida and will make yet ANOTHER... Posted by Ryan King on Sunday, August 3, 2025 International flights have also been impacted, according to a report from Travel and Tour World. The exact causes behind the widespread cancellations have not been fully detailed by the company, but experts suggested to the outlet that a combination of operational and external factors may be responsible. Weather conditions, particularly thunderstorms in the Midwest and West Coast, could have contributed to delays, especially in the heavily trafficked airspace above major airports like Chicago Midway and Phoenix Sky Harbor, Travel and Tour Worlds Paramita Sarkar writes. Another factor is the strain on air traffic control systems, which have been under pressure due to higher-than-usual air travel demand and airspace congestion. These delays, compounded by Southwests reliance on a point-to-point flight model, which can create scheduling issues when one flight is delayed, could have cascaded and led to such widespread disruptions, she continues. Travelers have taken to Facebook to report various reasons for flight delays, including weather, crew shortages, and even a missing trashcan. Southwest Airlines yall have really dropped the ball. Our initial flight home from Orlando to Nashville was supposed... Posted by Jason Carter on Monday, July 28, 2025 What can travelers do? In response to the widespread disruption, Southwest Airlines has deployed extra staff at major airports to assist affected travelers, according to the companys help line. Customer service representatives have also been available at gateways to offer information and help passengers with rebooking their flights. Passengers whose flights have been canceled are being given priority for rebooking, but the airlines says availability remains limited due to the scale of the situation. Southwest has also been offering accommodation for stranded passengers in cases where overnight stays are necessary. The airline is also issuing refunds and travel vouchers for those who choose not to rebook. A woman and her dog died Wednesday morning in south Alabama due to injuries sustained in a house fire. The Mobile Fire and Rescue Department stated that firefighters responded to the residence at about 7:30 a.m. where the woman and a dog were trapped inside. Police identified the woman as Elizabeth Dixon, 76. Firefighters were able to rescue the Dixon from the back of the burning home and began treating her. The dog, however, died due to smoke inhalation. Fire medics initiated cardiopulmonary resuscitation in the backyard before rapidly loading the victim and transporting her to an area hospital, where she had a viable pulse upon transferal of care, MFRD said. But, according to both the fire department and the Mobile Police Department, the Dixon died from her injuries. A firefighter was also harmed while at the scene of the fire and treated for burns. The cause of the fire remains under investigation, but the scene indicates the fire began accidentally, the fire department said. This photo rendering depicts the proposed path of a suspended bridge over U.S. 231 and U.S. 431 in Huntsville. City of Huntsville Dirt will begin to move on the first phase of the $65 million Pinhook Creek project that includes Skybridge later this year, according to City Urban and Economic Development Director Shane Davis. Things are still on schedule, Davis told AL.com. We were able to secure our PARC (Pedestrian Access and Redevelopment Corridor) grant that we received for the project. Were working on our final permits with the Army Corps of Engineers to get the project out and ready to bid. We think we will have everything ready to bid in the next couple of months. The city entered into an agreement with the Federal Highway Administration and the Alabama Department of Transportation to receive $47.3 million in two federal grants for the project last year. The project is being done in three phases with completion in about 24 to 30 months. The first phase is the flood mitigation and channel restoration from Holmes Avenue to Governors Drive. That part of the project has been decades in the making. There will be some widening of the channel, Davis said. Were also focused on the restoration of the channel for aquatic life and not just be a drainage ditch as it has been in recent decades. Included in the initial phase is the creation of a linear park as the city continues to expand green space and park space downtown. Davis said the city expects the first phase will take about a year to complete. Skybridge in phase two Davis said the phases will be staggered, with the second phase beginning when the first phase is near its midpoint. The second phase includes the installation of four pedestrian bridges, including the suspension Skybridge over Memorial Parkway and Governors Drive that will land in the Lowe Mill area not far from the $400 million Mill Creek Choice Neighborhood Initiative project. Segments of the bridge will be built off site, Davis said. The approaches to the bridge will be built on site. There will actually be four pedestrian bridges built during the phase. There will be bridges connecting the Von Braun Center and the Medical District to the linear park and green space. Also included in the second phase is the replacement of the railroad trestle bridge downtown. The final piece that will be bid will be what the city calls hardscape, the lighting throughout the linear park, the landscaping, park benches and various trails and greenways, Davis said. According to the citys website, components of the project include: FILE - Rep.-elect George Santos, R-N.Y., right, talks with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., during the ninth vote in the House chamber as the House meets for the third day to elect a speaker and convene the 118th Congress in Washington, Thursday, Jan. 5, 2023. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon, File) AP Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene wants President Donald Trump to commute the prison sentence of her disgraced former colleague George Santos, whos been locked up less than two weeks. Santos was sentenced to 87 months in prison for committing wire fraud and aggravated identity theft in April. He checked into New Jerseys Federal Correctional Fairton, located about 140 miles from Manhattan, on July 25. In her petition to the Office of the U.S. Pardon Attorney, Greene asks for Trump to consider setting the former representative from Queens free sooner than later. As a Member of Congress, I worked with Mr. Santos on many issues and can attest to his willingness and dedication to serve the people of New York who elected him to office, Greene wrote. She conceded that Santos should be punished for his crimes, but believes his 7-year sentence is too severe. While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who Ive serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges, she claimed without offering examples. After lying about nearly all of his academic and professional qualifications to get elected to Congress in 2022, Santos was charged with crimes including a scheme to steal financial information from campaign contributors, then repeatedly charging those accounts without permission. He was expelled from the House of Representatives in December 2023. Greene wrote in her letter that commuting Santos sentence would be an acknowledgement by the President that Santos had committed crimes, while also allowing him the opportunity to serve his community as a free man. Greene didnt specify when she believes Santos should be released. She concluded her request by using a term often used by the President in social media posts. Thank you for your attention to this matter, Greene wrote. Santos complained in the days leading to his imprisonment that his pardon requests were not getting the Presidents attention. Trump has used his clemency power to excuse more than 1,500 criminals convicted on the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol and has not ruled out pardoning high-profile sex offender Ghislaine Maxwell, but he hasnt showed an interest in working with Santos. Santos surrendered to prison authorities after bidding a dramatic adieu to supporters. Well, darlings The curtain falls, the spotlight dims, and the rhinestones are packed, he wrote on X before going to prison. ------------ 2025 New York Daily News. Visit at nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The sponsor of Alabamas law forbidding local governments from removing or renaming historical monuments is making another attempt to increase fines for cities and counties that do so. Sen. Gerald Allen, R-Cottondale, has pre-filed a bill that would increase the fine for violating the Alabama Memorial Preservation Act of 2017 from a one-time $25,000 fine to $5,000 per day every day there is a violation of the law. I think protecting history speaks well of where weve been not only as a state but as a nation. And certainly its important for us to protect history, Allen said in a phone interview Monday. More from Alabama Reflector The 2017 law forbids local governments from relocating, altering, renaming or disturbing monuments or architecturally significant buildings that are at least 40 years old. The law allows governments to apply for waivers to alter monuments and notable buildings between 20 and 40 years old. Critics said the law makes it difficult for Alabama communities to remove monuments to the Confederacy, many of which were erected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as markers of white supremacy. As of April, Alabama still has about 175 Confederate monuments around the state, while 18 have been removed or renamed since 2018, according to The Southern Poverty Law Center. Twelve of the removals and renamings happened in 2020 following the murder of George Floyd. Birmingham was fined $25,000 for surrounding a Confederate Soldiers & Sailors monument in Linn Park with plywood in 2017, a case that went to the Alabama Supreme Court, which upheld the law in 2019. The following year, the monument was removed during the George Floyd protests. Birmingham Mayor Randall Woodfin indicated at the time the city would be willing to pay the fine, citing ongoing unrest as more expensive. Allen has attempted to increase the penalties many times over the years, to no avail. In 2020, he tried to increase the fine to $10,000 per day and in 2024, Allen filed for an increase to $5,000 per day. This time he believes legislators will pass the bill because the timing is right. Its just a process. And sometimes, an important piece of legislation just gets left on the table. And I dont think its any reason other than a time issue, he said. Sonny Brasfield, executive director of the Association of County Commission of Alabama, said passing the bill likely isnt at the front of legislators minds so its hard to say if rural counties will have any major hardship with the newly proposed fines. In some ways its difficult to talk about that because I dont think the issue of renaming facilities or buildings is at the forefront of Alabama, he said. Brasfield said removal of the memorials isnt a concern in the state anymore and doesnt think theres a reason for the fine increase. I dont think this is a problem. And so I really dont see a reason for the fine to be increased because normally you increase fines if youre trying to deter repeated behavior, he said. The Legislatures 2026 session begins in January. President Donald Trump speaks from the East Room of the White House, June 21, 2025, as Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth listen. (Carlos Barria/Pool via AP) AP President Donald Trump said Vice President JD Vance was most likely the heir-apparent to his Make America Great Again movement, but added there were also other potential candidates and that it was too early to make that call. Trump during a White House event on Tuesday was asked about comments from Secretary of State Marco Rubio to Fox News that Vance would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that. I think most likely in all fairness, hes the vice president, Trump said when asked if Vance was the heir-apparent to his movement. I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here, Trump added. So its too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point. Earlier Tuesday in an interview with CNBC, Trump said he would probably not seek a third term. Trump still holds a tight grip on the Republican party in his second administration. While he has previously publicly floated both Vance and Rubio onetime critics turned loyalists as potential heirs, he has so far refused to anoint a successor ahead of the 2028 campaign. Trump, 79, and his allies have teased exploring a third term, though that is barred by the Constitution. The president in February, weeks after retaking power, had said no when asked if he viewed Vance as his successor, saying it was too early at that time to make such a determination. Vance, a former U.S. senator from Ohio, embraced Trumps brand of economic populism, rising to become his running mate in 2024. Trump had a falling out with his first vice president, Mike Pence, who refused to block the certification of former President Joe Bidens 2020 election victory. ___ 2025 Bloomberg L.P. Visit bloomberg.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Nikes annual collaboration with the NCAA for their "Nike Zoom Pegasus 41 NCAA Collection," is finally here. The top programs in the country usually get their renditions, one of them being the Ohio State Buckeyes. Ohio States first game of the 2025 CFB season is in 25 days, as theyll host Texas in a star-studded matchup for Week 1. Buckeyes fans will now have the opportunity to grab the 2025 Zoom Pegasus 41 in their schools colors. As students are gearing up for the school year beginning in just a few weeks, these Nike Zoom Pegasus 41 Ohio State shoes are perfect for those die-hard Buckeyes fans. These arent just for students of course, as these shoes, in red and white finished off with the Buckeyes logo on the rear heel, are fit for students and alumni alike. The Ohio State Buckeyes Nike Unisex Zoom Pegasus 41 Running Shoes - Scarlet retail for $154.99, with a full-size run available from 3.5M to 15M. Fanatics also has last years edition on sale. The Ohio State Buckeyes Nike Unisex Zoom Pegasus 41 Running Shoes - Scarlet is on sale for $119.99. Buckeyes fans can get free shipping on the shoes above using code 39SHIP at checkout. BEIJING, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- British online content creator Jack Forsdike witnessed achievements of Chinese dairy giant Mengniu in combating desertification during his recent visit to the Ulan Buh Desert in north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region. To fight desertification, Mengniu has transformed over 200 square kilometers of desert into green pasture in recent years, planting more than 97 million trees. The project demonstrates how Chinese enterprises make ESG efforts to better the environment around them. In July, Jack toured the green pasture, which now provides forage grasses for cows at Mengniu's world-leading organic raw milk production base. Mengniu's "grass to pasture to milk" organic system has been recognized by the UN Global Compact, the world's largest corporate social responsibility initiative, as a world-class corporate carbon-neutrality roadmap. Committed to green development, the dairy giant vows to peak carbon emissions by 2030 and achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 while continuing to deliver premium dairy products to the world. Original link: https://en.imsilkroad.com/p/346988.html SOURCE Xinhua Silk Road The Los Angeles Dodgers play against the St. Louis Cardinals in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 9:10 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 Dodgers enter this matchup with a 65-48 record, and they are coming off a 3-2 loss against St. Louis. In order to bounce back tonight, the Dodgers will need a great performance from their star player Shohei Ohtani. He leads the Los Angeles offense with 38 home runs and 73 RBI, so he will look to continue his offensive success this evening. Notably, Ohtani also leads the team with 119 hits this season. The Cardinals enter this matchup with a 57-57 record, and they have won two of their last three games. In order to win this matchup, the Cardinals will need to rely on their star player Willson Contreras. He leads the team with 15 home runs and 63 RBI, which showcases his offensive prowess. 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. The San Diego Padres play against the Arizona Diamondbacks in an MLB game tonight. The matchup is scheduled to begin at 8:40 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 Padres enter this matchup with a 62-51 record, and they have won seven of their last nine games. In order to win tonights game, the Padres will need to rely on their star player Manny Machado. He leads the San Diego offense with 20 home runs and 72 RBI, so he will look to continue his offensive success this evening. Notably, Machado also leads the team with a .299 batting average this season. The Diamondbacks enter this matchup with a 54-59 record, and they have won three consecutive games. In their last game, the Diamondbacks defeated San Diego 6-2. In order to win this matchup, the Diamondbacks will need a great performance from their star player Geraldo Perdomo. He currently leads the team with a .377 on-base percentage, which showcases his offensive prowess. 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. They didnt just bury the truth. They sealed it in burn bags and locked it away inside FBI headquartersmarked for destruction before detection. But one man asked the right questions, found the right room, and uncovered the evidence before it went up in smoke. Thats right. The most consequential political scandal of a generationthe Russia Hoaxconsumed the Democrat party, Never Trumpers, and the legacy media. Its narrative became a creed for the political left, even after it was debunked and discredited. Yet it lingers still, a scaffold upon which they project their hatred of all things Trump. And now we know: evidence that could unravel their narrative wasnt just buriedit was bagged for destruction at FBI headquarters. Draw your own conclusions. The picture paints itself. For years, the question wasnt just what they knew, but what they hid. Now we have the answermore damning than imagined. In three earlier articles, I exposed how the Obama administration manipulated assessments, sidelined dissenting analysts, and buried the Clinton campaigns ties to Russian disinformation beneath layers of narrative management. The last chapter traced the final bureaucratic deception that culminated in the January 6th intelligence reporthow the doctored ICA, the suppression of Clinton-linked intel, and the medias willing complicity helped cement a false consensus that never matched the underlying intelligence. But this brings us to the darker sequel: physical concealment and premeditated destruction. Weve seen something like this beforethink Enron, except this time its not corporate auditors under fire, but the previous senior leadership of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and beyond. The Obama-era coup against Donald Trump didnt begin with Crossfire Hurricane, and it certainly didnt end with the Mueller Reportor even with the last burn bag recovered. Who knows if it has ended or if it ever will? With each passing day, new documents surface. Each one damning. And those desperate to bury the scandal only dig themselves deeper. Analysis of the burn bag documents begins with a record certain officials likely prayed would stay buried: the so-called Durham annex. Omitted from the public version of Special Counsel John Durhams report, it wasnt excluded due to irrelevancebut because it didnt address misconduct during the investigation. Instead, it exposed the intelligence abuses that triggered the investigation itself. Until recently, it remained classified. As FBI Director Kash Patel posted on X, his team uncovered a hidden room of previously unseen documentsincluding a classified Durham annex from the TrumpRussia probeand initiated a coordinated declassification review with other intelligence leaders. In Patels own words: We just uncovered burn bags/room filled with Russiagate files, including the Durham annex, and declassified them. Once again, I released the prior FBIs own documents and exposed the truth. On July 31, 2025, the annex Patel uncovered was officially declassified and released by Senator Chuck Grassley, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. While redacted in parts, it confirms the intelligence community possessed credible foreign intelligence raising red flags about the Clinton campaign's involvement in fueling the TrumpRussia disinformation narrative. It further documents that this intelligence was seen by top officialsincluding those who drafted and approved the January 2017 ICAbut withheld from its conclusions. Even a cursory review of the Durham annex reveals explosive new informationevidence that helps stitch together the real collusion behind the Russia hoax. And it wasnt Trump and Moscow. It was the Clinton campaign, DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz, operatives from George Soros network, and political actors embedded within the intelligence community and the FBIall under the watchful eyes of Hillary Clinton and Barack Obama. The implications of Patels discovery and Grassleys declassification are staggeringbut they barely scratch the surface of what the annex actually reveals. That storythe memos, the names, and the strategy they burieddeserves its own reckoning. And its coming next. But first, did the concealment and intended destruction of these records violate federal law? Heres a quick digest: 18 U.S.C. 2071 Concealment or destruction of federal records This statute makes it a crime to remove, destroy, or hide federal records deliberately. That includes anything from official memos to internal investigative documents. A conviction can carry up to three years in prison, andcriticallycan bar the offender from holding public office. 18 U.S.C. 1519 Destruction, alteration, or falsification of records in federal investigations Applies to anyone who knowingly alters, destroys, mutilates, conceals, covers up, falsifies, or makes a false entry in any record with the intent to impede, obstruct, or influence the investigation or proper administration of any matter within the jurisdiction of any department or agency of the United States. Penalty: up to 20 years in prison. 18 U.S.C. 1505 Obstruction of proceedings before Congress or federal agencies Covers efforts to influence, obstruct, or impede proceedings before departments, agencies, or Congress, using threats, force, intimidation, or corrupt persuasion, with knowledge of a pending proceeding or a foreseeable agency action. In this case, if senior officials knew these materials were responsive to congressional or DOJ inquiriesand ordered them placed into destruction queues anywaythen corrupt persuasion under the statute could apply. Concealing or routing those records for destruction, outside the normal redaction or archival procedures, may constitute a deliberate attempt to obstruct lawful oversight or pending investigations. Penalty: up to 5 years in prison. 18 U.S.C. 1924 Unauthorized removal and retention of classified documents Criminalizes improper retention of classified documents by government officials, including knowingly removing such materials without authority and failing to return them to proper custody. This is a highly fact-specific analysis that could result in successful criminal prosecution if the elements of the crime are met. Penalty: up to 5 years in prison. 18 U.S.C. 793(f)(g) Espionage Act: gross negligence and conspiracy involving national defense information Penalizes grossly negligent handling of national defense-related classified materials, including failure to report their loss or destruction. Covers conspiracies to commit any such offense. Penalty: up to 10 years in prison. The Russia hoax was the most elaborate disinformation campaign ever unleashed on American soilnot by a foreign adversary, but by our security-intelligence apparatus, acting under the direction of the Executive Branch to target the Republican nominee who would go on to become president. These documents werent just misfiled or overlookedthey were queued for destruction and placed in burn bags. Marked for disappearance and discovered only by chance, and only because someone refused to stop digging. In a functioning republic, someone should be indicted. And maybeeventuallysomeone will be. But even now, this is just the tip of the iceberg. The truth has finally been declassified. But the damage was done long before: a presidency sabotaged, intelligence corrupted, and public trust in government left in ashes. This wasnt just a coup. It was a cover-up stuffed in a burn bagand they nearly struck the match. It confirms what Donald Trump saw all along: the fire behind the smoke. And now, the rest of us can see it too. Stay tuned. Charlton Allen is an attorney and former chief executive officer and chief judicial officer of the North Carolina Industrial Commission. He is founder of the Madison Center for Law & Liberty, Inc., editor of The American Salient, and host of the Modern Federalist podcast. His commentary has been featured in American Thinker and linked across multiple RealClear platforms, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearWorld, RealClearDefense, RealClearHistory, and RealClearPolicy. X: @CharltonAllenNC Image from Grok. A spate of massive anti-illegal-immigration prote sts has broken out across the United Kingdom. Indeed, one might say that the kingdom is increasingly united about one thing: Britain belongs to the British. Waving Union Jack flags and carrying Britain First signs, thousands of protesters walk down city streets sporting patriotic clothing and repeating patriotic cheers. A stranger who knew no better might mistake the mass euphoria for a post-war victory parade celebrating the prospect of peace. Americans have seen these kinds of festive gatherings before. In spirit and enthusiasm, they resemble the Make America Great Again rallies that President Trump has headlined since 2015. It is quite common, in fact, to see Make Britain Great Again signs in the crowds and to hear the phrase shouted energetically among those gathered. What a dramatic shift in social consciousness a decade brings! Ten years ago, most Brits thought little of Donald Trump and expected him to wind up an odd historical footnote to Hillary Clintons inevitable coronation. Now much of the U.K. is desperate to ditch Britains rotten Establishment and taking inspiration from President Trumps political revolution on the other side of the Atlantic. This is hardly surprising. For decades, mass illegal immigration into the U.K. has been a growing problem that Establishment politicians have been unwilling to address. For decades, regular Brits have been told that there is nothing the government can do. Closing the borders to foreign nationals intent on breaking the U.K.s immigration laws was apparently too difficult of a task for the once mighty kingdom to undertake. Across Europe, North America, and Australasia, Establishment governments have told their citizens much the same thing. Then President Trump returned to the White House and finished a job that he started in his first term: sealing the border from foreign invasion. After four years of open borders during Bidens lawless presidency, what the Trump administration has managed to accomplish is nothing short of amazing. The United States has now had several months in which zero illegal aliens were released into the country, and 2025 might end with net-negative immigration on the whole a feat that most Americans have never witnessed. All of a sudden, the common government excuse in the U.K. and across continental Europe that nothing can be done to stem the tide of mass illegal immigration has been exposed as a risible lie. That lie was common in the United States, too. It was told for more than forty years. In six months time, President Trump has proved that secure borders require but one thing: leaders willing to enforce them. It has become much more difficult for politicians in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and the U.K. to claim that limits on illegal immigration are impossible when President Trump is demonstrating in real time the hollowness of that lie in the United States. Establishment news media are doing their best to protect the Establishment politicians. Just as corporate reporters in the United States fill the publics airwaves with sob stories about asylum seekers and undocumented migrants willing to do the jobs that Americans are supposedly unwilling to do, corporate reporters on the other side of the Atlantic speak of illegal aliens as if they all have hearts of gold. Meanwhile, honor killings, child rapes, rampant misogyny, organized crime, terror attacks, and serial stabbings increase in direct proportion to the influx of foreign nationals or what the Orwellian press across the West prefers to euphemistically call newcomers. This nearly century-long project to destroy the West by flooding the West with foreigners who despise the West is finally coming to a head. Perhaps it is too late to rectify the damage caused by generations of unelected bureaucrats and Marxist globalists who have done more to undermine their own countries by erasing national borders than any foreign enemy ever could. We will soon find out whether Great Britain may survive as an island that natives will find safe enough to call home, or whether the United Kingdom will surrender what is left of its sovereignty to those who wish to conquer it in the name of foreign gods, anodyne multiculturalism, and totemic worship of diversity. If the Wests survival were not such a serious issue, the outrageous lengths to which its leaders have gone to arrange its suicide would almost be comical. Central banks have depreciated the value of common currencies to such a degree that Westerners cost of living continues to rise, while suitable jobs are steadily exported overseas. The rate of homeownership is in a free fall. Fewer Westerners can afford to have a single child, much less financially support large families. Even if Westerners could support large families, the Wests cultural vanguard has spent the last hundred years encouraging women to kill their babies, choose careers over families, and regard men as evil foot soldiers of the dreaded patriarchy. In their quixotic project to control the means of economic production by branding valuable hydrocarbon energies pollutants, the global warming climate hoaxers continue to drive up the cost of electricity. Reliance on wind and solar power has made electrical grids unreliable. Because higher energy costs increase industrial and manufacturing costs, Westerners are less self-sufficient than ever before. Meanwhile, globalists have convinced Western populations that they will magically maintain their standard of living by making nothing of value and subsisting on government welfare. European countries fortunate enough to survive Nazi Germanys pursuit of a European empire have chosen to commemorate their victory by forming a European Union managed principally by the Germans. Those European countries fortunate enough to survive the Soviet Unions Iron Curtain have chosen to safeguard their independence by destroying their own energy sectors, investing in green unicorns, and rendering their industries dependent upon Russian natural gas. Those European countries that witnessed firsthand how vulnerable unarmed civilians are to foreign belligerents have chosen to disarm their citizens, dismantle their militaries, and pin their hopes for survival on American national security guarantees. Historically Christian Western nations go out of their way to welcome foreign religions to their lands while mindlessly condemning Christian natives as bigots. Western leaders do little when Christian churches are ransacked or burned to the ground. Western schools banish Christian teachings from class curricula. As committed as Western nations are to embracing foreign cultures, they are commensurately hostile to the Christian foundations of Western civilization. How else could one describe this century-long assault on the West than to acknowledge it as deliberate suicide? Nations that denounce their own cultures, traditions, histories, and religions are not nations for long. Nations that treat foreigners better than native citizens soon become foreign nations. Nations that do not produce children, goods, or art eventually disappear. Diversity and mult iculturalism do not sustain civilizations; they end them. It is all the more curious, then, that so many Western nations are today beating the drums of war particularly with regards to potential conflict with Russia. European and American proponents of World War III insist that democracy is under attack. Yet Western democracy, such as it is, has had no greater enemy than the multigenerational collection of political elites who have worked so hard to euthanize it. It is difficult to ask Western citizens to fight and die for a civilization in the grips of suicide. Nobody, it turns out, is interested in running onto a bloody battlefield waving a nondescript flag for generic multiculturalism. Choosing to sacrifice oneself for a nation requires a nation worthy of being saved. Before the U.K. government decides to arrest anti-illegal-immigration prote sters for violating hate speech laws, perhaps it should take a moment to consider who will one day defend the British Isles from foreign invasion. With patriots imprisoned, what country will remain? Image: JSMed via Pixabay, Pixabay License. There is a Christian guy in Denver, Colorado, Jamie Sanchez, who felt called in 2012 to open Recycle Gods Love, a charity project for homeless people. Its expanded since he opened it, but it is small in financial terms. Unlike many non-profits which are marred by greed, deceit, and essentially money-laundering, Recycle Gods Love seems legit, with volunteers working there and an overall budget in the $100,000 range. Besides offering meals to 300-400 people daily, Recycle Gods Love provides clothing, wound care, hygienic supplies, help with obtaining official ID, haircuts, and, of course, the Gospel. In 2023, it opened a cafe to provide employment and job skill opportunities. Notably, Recycle Gods love does not receive government funding. Image created using AI. The organizations website has an 800-word statement identifying what we hold to be true. Eighteen of those words are We believe that a homosexual lifestyle is contrary to Gods Word and purpose for humanity and is sin. The statement lists several other sins, including thievery, murder, extra-marital sex, adultery, and hating your neighbor. It adds, though, Moreover, this organization is instructed to Love those living such lifestyles. We Believe that showing hate towards people in these communities is not the way Jesus would respond. Therefore, although disagreeing with the lifestyles we believe to be sinful, we must show love. All in all, this is pretty standard true Christian doctrine. The Denver Communists happened upon the statement about homosexuality and, predictably, were outraged. Their angst and furor manifested in the form of street protests, vandalism, and intimidation; i.e., the usual. While Recycle Gods Love is organized around Biblical principles and charity, the Denver Communists organize together on the basis of mutual commitment to revolutionary socialism, internationalism, and liberation from all oppression. Their catchy slogans include No Borders No Nations, Palestinian Liberation By Any Means Necessary, and Defund, Disarm & Defeat the Police. The few photos of their members/activists on their website, not surprisingly, reveal exclusively white people. The Denver Communists claim they dont oppose Christianity in general, says a spokesman. There are plenty of Christian denominations that dont share their (Recycle Gods Love) bigoted view, such as the ELCA [Evangelical Lutheran Church in America] It should be noted that the ELCA and a number of other Establishment denominations (for example, the Presbyterian Church, USA, the Unitarians, and United Methodists) have simply rejected the parts of Scripture they dont like and amplified the parts that make them feel good about themselves. This is like claiming to be a vegetarian (which I am) and talking about love and compassion for animals, but eating Whoppers. Indeed, the Unitarians are amusing in that they actually go so far as to place the word church in quotation marks, as if only their tax status actually ties them to religion: Every Unitarian Universalist Association (UUA) congregation is a church under U.S. tax law, therefore tax exempt, charitable, and exempt from tax filing. Though there certainly are burn in Hell for eternity Christians, it is much more scripturally and doctrinally sound to regard sin as something to overcome, and to treat the sinner with compassion. Progressive leftist groups, though, need to portray Christians as hate-filled lunatics to accomplish their goals, much as Jim Crow politicians of the past century needed to blame uppity black people for all their woes. Its the Us versus Them power strategy. For a Christian to berate or injure someone because they are a sinnerhomosexual in this caseis antithetical to core teachings. Jesus got into a heap of trouble with the Establishment because he willingly associated with sinners. The Denver Communists demand that a religious organization must comply with the Communists belief systems reflects a doctrine as old as humanity. Its found under many names and systems, including authoritarianism, despotism, tyranny, dictatorships, theocracies, and perhaps can be collectively called fascism. No matter the name, it means that a small cadre controls the words, thoughts, and actions of the population through coercion, intimidation, and violence, offset by some useful bread and circuses. Ultimately, whether theyre fascists on a global scale or petty local bullies like the Denver Communists, despots simply cannot abide having anyone who is not in total compliance with their dogma, rules, and cultural mandates. A final thought is that, while the Denver Communists are supposedly repulsed that Christianity considers homosexuality a sin, they fully support the Palestinians. Forgetting that the Denver Communists are fully ignorant about the concept of sin in Christianity, its doubtful they would ever consider opposing, let alone vandalizing, anything Muslim. But of course, the irony is that Islam also is not gay-friendly and, unlike the Recycle Gods Love people who feed and clothe all, even homosexuals, Islamic scripture and practice demand punishment for the crime of homosexuality, ranging from flogging to execution: It was narrated from Ibn`Abbas that the Messenger of Allah said: Whoever you find doing the action of the people of Lut, (referring to Lot and Sodom in the book of Genesis) kill the one who does it, and the one to whom it is done. Several Muslim countries, notably Iran and Saudi Arabia, routinely execute men accused of homosexual acts. Uganda is the only non-Muslim country that does so. Its impressive what contortions privileged white progressives, such as the Denver Communists, will go through to make the world and reality conform, in their minds, to their beloved narratives. Throughout Donald Trumps first term, Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA), who was then serving in the House of Representatives, was one of the politicians most aggressively devoted to using the Russia Hoax and the impeachment process to destroy Trumps presidency. Trump, he contended, was guilty of terrible legal and constitutional crimes. Now, though, Schiff is being investigated for allegedly signing off on fraudulent real estate documents, something that is a federal crime and that violated constitutional requirements for serving in the House of Representatives. The Constitution mandates that, to sit in the House of Representatives, a person must be an Inhabitant of that State in which he shall be chosen. (Const., Art. I, Sec. 2, Cl. 2.) You cannot be the representative from one state while claiming that your legal residence is in another. However, Adam Schiff, who has served as both a California representative (2001-2024) and senator (2024-today), is alleged to have stated that his primary residence was in Maryland while he was running for Congress in California. Image created using AI. Back in May, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) sent a referral letter to AG Pam Bondi, accusing Schiff of wrongdoing: Mr. Schiff appears to have falsified records in order to receive favorable loan terms, and also appears to have been aware of the financial benefits of a primary residence mortgage when compared to a secondary residence mortgage as a spokesperson in 2023 told the media outlet CNN that, Adams California and Maryland addresses have been listed as primary residences for loan purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property. For the record, for mortgage purposes, the law doesnt care how you use your property. However, you will get better mortgage rates only for the one property you designate as your primary residence. According to the FHFA referral, what Schiff did, while it might have made good sense to him financially, could have constituted a criminal act: U.S. Federal Housing FHFA believes this alleged misconduct could be violations of the criminal code under 18 U.S.C. 1343 (wire fraud), 18 U.S.C. 1341 (mail fraud), 18 U.S.C. 1344 (bank fraud), 18 U.S.C. 1014 (false statements to a financial institution), and/or other relevant state and federal laws. Given that this referral was made back in May, one would think this would be an old story. However, it got new legs because the DOJ has now officially accepted the requested referral and is investigating whether Schiff did, in fact, violate federal law. Schiff has vehemently denied the charges, especially because Donald Trump strongly stated that he should be prosecuted: Donald Trump is calling for me to be criminally prosecuted. It's nothing new but his attacks on the rule of law are more dangerous than ever. pic.twitter.com/UkAkr2Lsql Adam Schiff (@SenAdamSchiff) July 15, 2025 It seems to me that, if the allegations are accurate, any case should be easy to prove because the documents speak for themselves. All of that, of course, is for a judge and jury to decide. However, whats also interesting is that, if Schiff was indeed claiming on bank documents that his primary residence was in Maryland even as he ran to be a representative from California, that would mean that he failed to meet the constitutional requirements for being a House member. Of course, the House cant expel him because hes no longer a House member. Still, theres an argument to be made that Schiff could never have been a California congressman because he wasnt a Californian. His tenure, therefore, was void...although nothing can change the damage he did. Nevertheless, I would suggest that anyone whom Schiff defamed on the floor of the House immediately look into filing a defamation suit against him. Thats because Schiffs statements will retroactively have lost the protections granted congressmen under the Speech and Debate clause (Art I, Sec. 6, Cl. 1). It sure would be fun to see Schiff face one or more multimillion dollar defamation suitsand if I were the plaintiffs lawyer, I would argue that any statute of limitations only started running at the moment it was discovered that Schiffs tenure in the House was a fraud. In the modern climate debate, emotion and partisan allegiance replace critical thinking to smear carbon dioxide (CO2) as a dangerous pollutant. Well-crafted green advocacies steal the spotlight, while reason languishes in the shadows of medieval-style witch hunts. The reality, however, is seen in places like the dense tropical forests of Indonesias many verdant islands. Among them are Sulawesi, Kalimantan (Borneo), and Sumatra, green jewels in the Southeast Asian archipelago covered by extensive spreads of trees and other vegetation. Yet, they also tell us how a mad rush for clean technologies is destroying these ancient wonders of flora and fauna. The biologically rich forests of these islands are beneficiaries of a long and stable period of global warmth, a climatic benevolence that began with the dawn of the Holocene epoch 11,700 years ago and the end of the last great advance of continental glaciers thousands of feet thick. Today, sustaining this lush growth, are modestly higher temperatures and increasing atmospheric CO2 -- the former the product of natural cycles and the latter the result mainly of industrial emissions of the gas. Both are conducive to the well-being of most living things. A fundamental building block for photosynthesis, atmospheric CO2 is an aerial fertilizer that promotes plant growth, increasing water-use efficiency and generally enhancing forest life. The burning of fossil fuels that climate alarmists irrationally demonize, in actuality, enhance the vitality of Indonesias green canopy. That is a simple truth supported by data from such sources as NASA satellite records and reams of scientific research. The real problems for Indonesian forests are environmental assaults from once-rampant illegal logging and a relentless expansion of plantations for palm oil and pulpwood. However, the nation has turned a corner with the enactment of laws in the past 15 years to control deforestation, even as the countrys economy and population grew. Deforestation has been declining from six or so years ago, when there were peak rates, noted Rod Taylor, global director of the forests program at the World Resources Institute. Its good news and commendable for Indonesia. In Tesso Nilo National Park -- once overrun by illegal plantations -- roughly 40,000 hectares have been reclaimed and are undergoing reforestation. Births of Sumatran rhinos in Way Kambas in 2022 and 2025 and sightings of tiger cubs in the Leuser Ecosystem represent small ecological victories, as Indonesia continues to work on reversing declines in the populations of Sumatran tigers and elephants over the past two decades. Meanwhile a challenge has arisen from an unexpected quarter: the nickel boom driven by an obsession with electric vehicles. The global push for a "green transition" has ignited an unprecedented demand for nickel, a metal that is the backbone of lithium-ion batteries for EVs. While lithium mainly helps move ions in batteries, its nickel that drives higher energy density and extends the driving range of EVs. In a standard EV battery, the 43 kilograms of nickel is the most expensive raw material, costing more than $750. By 2030, global EV sales are projected to top 50 million units per year, with batteries driving more than half of the surge in nickel demand -- soaking up over 1.5 million metric tons annually. Indonesia, sitting on the worlds largest nickel reserves, is the epicenter of an expansion in its mining. In 2023, the nation produced over half of the world's mined nickel. Deforestation is no longer driven primarily by palm oil production, but rather by the voracious appetite of the EV supply chain. Over 75,000 hectares of Indonesian forest have already been cleared for nickel mines. Across the nickel belts of Central Sulawesi, Southeast Sulawesi, and North Maluku, entire landscapes are being wrecked. Where rainforests and coastal villages once stood, gargantuan open-pit mines and sprawling industrial parks now dominate. These supply nickel to the worlds leading battery manufacturers. The future of Indonesia's magnificent forests now hinges on a critical choice: Whether to continue to chase the illusion of a clean energy future at the expense of the real-world devastation required to build it? The Indonesian government has shown it can protect its forests when the incentives are aligned. But no moratorium can stand against the tsunami of a global commodity rush driven by the climate policies of the worlds wealthiest nations. Hard-won gains are at risk of being wiped out by an EV industry that arrogantly and falsely claims the environmental moral high ground. The real destroyer is climate policy, not climate change. The public been told a lie that is no longer tolerable. Vijay Jayaraj is a Science and Research Associate at the CO 2 Coalition, Fairfax, Virginia. He holds an M.S. in environmental sciences from the University of East Anglia and a postgraduate degree in energy management from Robert Gordon University, both in the U.K., and a bachelors in engineering from Anna University, India. Image: PxHere When Elon Musk was performing his admirable service for President Trump in the DOGE project, leftists sought to doxx and humiliate many of the young tech geniuses who had been chosen by Musk himself to discover waste, fraud, and abuse in government spending. The DOGE team did a good job -- and as a result, the left screamed bloody murder, harassing the young tech staffers, doxxing them, looking into their entire social media histories, and doing the same for even their relatives. In their quest to doxx and cancel, they thought they had a live one in young software engineer Edward Coristine, who the found had an internet screen name of 'big balls.' Coristine looked like a gangly teenager based on his pictures, so they mocked him mercilessly. Thank you for saving that woman,Big Balls! pic.twitter.com/nhDk3U7Spr JKash MAGA Queen (@JKash000) August 5, 2025 Now, someone they would never understand has emerged. According to the Telegraph: A former Department of Government Efficiency (Doge) employee nicknamed Big Balls was reportedly badly beaten in an attempted carjacking. Edward Coristine was left bloodied by the attack in Washington, DC, early on Sunday morning, when he is said to have been set upon by thugs after trying to protect a young woman. Donald Trump, the US president, called Mr Coristine an incredible man and threatened to take federal control of the capital city unless its council tackled violent crime. And yes, the Telegraph actually put the word "thugs" in quotes. Wokester much, Telegraph? Hero from DOGE! A few days ago, "BIG BALLS" who worked for DOGE was brutally beaten in the streets of Washington, D.C. after he reportedly defended a woman who was being attacked by a group of men. Violence in D.C. is out of control. Something needs to be done. Lock them up! pic.twitter.com/O8beSLgbP9 T (@T59544082) August 5, 2025 Turns out the young man had the heart of a lion, rushing in to protect a woman who was been assaulted and robbed in a terrifying carjacking, something that has left many fatalities in its wake. He went where no man dared to go, into the maw of the beast of unenforced crime, and saved the woman from a grim fate at the hands of these organized thieves who have been preying on the population of the capital without consequences. Knight, marauder, hero. Self-sacrifice is the highest masculine virtue. Seems Big Balls has lived up to his name. And President Trump is right to want to put a stop to the unchecked, unenforced crime going on in the nation's capital, viewing it as reason for a federal takeover. Trump and Elon were united on this matter: A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025 Why should the lives of heroic people be put on the line for dirtbags and lowlife who would attack a woman in a car? It's got to stop because the nation cannot afford to lose people with the brains and character of Big Balls, who deserves another medal for his act of bravery. Image: X video screen shot The Albany Times Union headline read: Not so easy: Dousing the Canadian wildfires may not be possible. It may not be possible to put out the Canadian wildfires?! Humans learned how to fly. Americans and Canadians have won two world wars. Mankind has been to the moon and sent unmanned craft around the solar system -- and beyond. And Canada cant put out a fire? Humans invented fire or the planned use of it around 800,000 years ago. Almost concurrently, they learned how to extinguish it. No matter the scope and location of todays fires, it is surpassingly strange that we cant put them out 800,000 years later. The Times Union article went on to sanguinely note: There is apparently little that can be done to stop or prevent the out-of-control wildfires tearing through much of northwest Canada - some engulfing over 250,000 acres. These fires cant be stoppedor even prevented?! Apparently, there are no roads or infrastructure in many of the remote areas where these fires are burning. And, according to Paige Fischer, an associate professor at the University of Michigan School of Environment and Sustainability, "There aren't areas where people are actively managing forests." So there clearly are things that could be done to extinguish and even prevent the fires: construct the necessary infrastructure and actively manage the forests. Imagine that! Fischer added that almost two-thirds of the fires in Canada are ignited by lightning-- and that those fires tend to be by far the most destructive. She also noted that Canadian forests include the Black Spruce tree which is a flammable species. She further stated that the presence of lighting and any flammable species is outside the country's control and thus complex to manage. Guess what? We have Black Spruce trees in the U.S., from Minnesota to the New England states. And more lightning strikes per square mile annually in much of the country, as well. So we have wildfires, too. We just dont say there is absolutely no way we can put them out. And we do manage forests in order to prevent massive, endless conflagrations. Moreover, the Times Union piece noted that N.Y. state Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Amanda Lefton recently said that she is unaware of any Canadian requests for assistance in fighting the more than 700 Canuck wildfires, while also noting that the state has deployed firefighting resources to other states in the U.S. Guess they asked for help. Of course, numerous authorities and experts have cited the allegedly increasingly hot and dry summers due to climate change as another reason for prolonged wildfires. I thought global warming was supposed to lead to increasingly wet weather. Oh well, whatever. Memo to authorities and experts: If the temperature in northern Saskatchewan is, say, 77 degrees Fahrenheit instead of 75 degrees Fahrenheit, due to man-caused global warming, that doesnt make a fire any more likely, nor any more aggressive. Anyone who is an aficionado of bonfires can tell you that. (And dont try to tell me that the allegedly 1.4 degree Fahrenheit increase in average global temperature in the past 145 years has resulted in significantly more lightning strikes over Canada.) Some of the Canadian wildfires are man-caused, as they are deliberately set by arsonists. And they are man-caused in other ways, too, but not because of global warming/climate change/any change in the weather is due to mans actions. They are man-caused because Canada will not take the steps necessary to douse them or prevent them through basic forest management. Period. As a result, the United States extremely unusually -- has recently had some of the worlds worst air quality. Like a good bad neighbor, Canada is there. Image: Pixabay / Pixabay License Can people like this even be brought into the fold of sanity and morality? History teacher on TikTok says that Incan child sacrifices were kind and voluntary. Children were merely left to freeze to death, which isnt so bad when you think about it. She blames white people for having a judgmental view of human sacrifice. pic.twitter.com/PuB26tmVQj Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) August 5, 2025 The hill shes going to die on is the human-sacrifice-isnt-all-that-bad hill? Spoken like a committed leftist. She must feel pretty virtuous and anti-racist, rattling off words like Mochica and Tahuantinsuyu and Quechua because shes sooo educated and multicultural. In fact, this woman reminds me a lot of my white sister-in-law (also a teacher, God help us) who pronounces cilantro like she thinks a native Spanish speaker would, because as a point of pseudo-virtue, shes a big fan of all things not West and not whiteI have to stifle a laugh every time because its all so cliche and embarrassing. Shes a very privileged daughter of a surgeon who has the luxury to be a leftist because she lives in America, and her daddy subsidized all her foolish choices through her entire adulthood. Girl, just pronounce cilantro like youre naturally inclined to as a native English-speaker. Anyway, back to this woman. She flippantly mocks people who take issue with her thoughts, brushing off their staunchly anti-human sacrifice opinions as indicative of the fact that [they] have received a quite, white education. (White guilt has been a very destructive ideology.) They [the Quechua people] practiced sacrifices, like most other civilizations throughout history did. Except which one lady? Oh thats right, white biblically-based Christians, thats who. She inadvertently points out that West is best because it doesnt believe in any kind of human sacrifice. As my colleague Andrea Widburg reminded me, it was white Westerners in India who abolished horrific cultural practices like sati: #otd 4 December 1829 In the face of fierce local opposition, British Governor-General Lord William Bentinck issues a regulation declaring that anyone who abets suttee (Sati) in Bengal is guilty of culpable homicide. The spelling suttee is a phonetic spelling using 19th-century pic.twitter.com/8lerfoQQZK BRITISH History - On This Day (@BritishHistorym) December 4, 2023 The banning of burning widows alive was quickly followed by other pro-female laws. Thank you colonization! Also, recall that Belgians King Leopold II put an end to the practice of chopping off hands in the Congo: This didnt happen Arab slavers and various cannibal warlords in the area cut the hands off their victims, and their cruelty was part of the reason why the Belgians were given control of the Congo King Leopold II then formed the Congo Free State to civilize the territory, which https://t.co/9oMYBchc9F Will Tanner (@Will_Tanner_1) July 13, 2025 The headhunters who killed Jim Elliot and his team were saved from dark cannibalistic practices, again thanks to white Westerners, and in more recent history, the people of Burma are also escaping their Satanic religious practicesthanks to white Christian missionaries. (There is a deeply moving book on this called Myanmar Gold by Mark Robinette.) The list of whites saving pagan peoples from cultures of human sacrifice is essentially endless. This teachers sentiments are shocking, but theyre also notthese are the same people who promote and support abortion, which is the only time the West as a culture has in fact embraced human sacrifice. Also, the absence of self-awareness is impressive. She concedes to the barbarity of the Mochica people who practiced human sacrifice by ripping out a still-beating heart out of someones chest, but something tells me shes not an anti-abortion, which does exactly that (during organ harvesting abortions) and worse. The final boss of leftist retardation, but also, more free marketing material for the public-school-exodus campaign. Image from Grok. 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As Victor Davis Hanson notes in devastating commentaries, the state has a third of the nations welfare recipients, half its homeless, crumbling infrastructure, staggering home and rent prices, massive social service expenditures for illegals, shocking electricity rates, aging power lines that spark wildfires, and (until a voter initiative last November reversed it) legalized looting. Thats a short list. Recently, the overwhelmingly Democrat state Legislature passed a bill that enabled a sixty-five cent increase in energy prices based on the climate hysteria that infects the states coastal elites and journalists. That tax will doubtless fall primarily on gasoline and other utilities. Predictably, a group called California Environmental Voters Education Fund began running a commercial for the states voters, who sport an illiteracy rate near 25% among persons 15 and over. It blamed Californias high gas and electricity prices on dirty energy greed. Its a slick 30-second spot that begins with a printed warning Dirty energy companies are costing Californians then shows a lady sweating an electricity bill of $277. Next comes a gas pump reading that spikes from $83 to $101. A final scene features oil company reps clapping happily at Wall Streets closing bell as superimposed profit figures rise from 166 to over 200 billion dollars. A final plea reads, Dont make Californians pay for dirty energys greed, followed by the website: FightTheGreed.org. Its a message designed to appeal to semi-literates, stoners, Hollywood groupies, and coastal elites who may know better but also know which party butters their bread by providing a massive influx of illegal and H-1B labor. The spot isnt meant for anyone sharp enough to discuss Californias highest-in-the-nation 61-cent-per-gallon gas tax or to ask why oil companies arent so greedy in other states, much less for anyone who ponders the price to be paid for progressively eliminating Californias oil production and refinery capacity. You can be sure the Silicon Valley gang will fund similar propaganda pieces for any legislation that threatens their stranglehold on the 60/19 (House), 30/10 (Senate) Democrat majorities in Sacramento. But you can also count on local news programs to function as lapdogs for Democrat politicians. A Karen Bass press secretary could hardly formulate more sympathetic and uncritical coverage for the mayor who partied in Africa while her city burned, fired her DIE fire chief when the latter criticized department budget cuts, and pretends cleaning up rubble after seven months constitutes lightning progress. The same local news almost never identifies criminal migrants as illegal and, needless to say, employs a consistent anti-ICE narrative. ACLU lawyers are featured who denounce the racist targeting and kidnapping of anyone whos brown. And despite unavoidable coverage of the real or attempted gunshot during ICEs marijuana field raid last month, the news slant was clear: Protesters are defenders of the community, and ICE is getting what it deserves. Little or no mention is made of the fact that the farm used hundreds of illegal aliens as laborers, including, according to government sources, fourteen minors. When I moved to the San Diego area in 1984, Ronald Reagan was about to win the states presidential vote overwhelmingly (57%) and for the second time. Those POTUS elections followed two terms served by The Gipper as governor (6774). For sixteen straight years, from 1983 to 1998, California had GOP governors (Deukmejian and Wilson). Today, no Republican has occupied any statewide office since 2011, and, as noted above, Democrats possess supermajorities in both state houses. What accounts for this radical shift? Primarily demographics. In 2012, Ann Coulter noted that Californias non-Hispanic white population over the prior half-century fell from 80% to half that number. By 2022, the percentage was pegged at 33.7%. Meanwhile, the Latino population grew from less than 10% to over 40%, a number that includes 2.6 million undocumented immigrants, according to a 2022 estimate by Mayorkass Department of Homeland Security a figure that doubtless grew over the final two years of Autopens open border. So it wasnt necessary to change the minds of Californians. Just change the population residing in the state, and keep a large percentage of them poor and uneducated much like the pyramidal population of Mexico. The Democrat plan was to do the same with Texas. So far, that plan has backfired as traditional Latinos along the Rio Grande rebelled against the invasion that upended their lives via crime, drugs, and the sheer number of strangers who ignored their property rights just as they ignored the American border. Barring a catastrophe that makes the L.A. fires look like a weenie roast or some dramatic and unexpected political about-face by the states Latinos, its likely that the poor, ill informed, 27% foreign-born population of California will continue voting to Make California Mexico Again. Richard Kirk is a freelance writer living in Southern California whose book Moral Illiteracy: Whos to Say? is available on Kindle. Image: Steve Shook via Flickr, CC BY 2.0. Question: Is it possible to build a strong nation on a foundation of skepticism, distrust of authority? And if so, where has it been successful, and if that is the case, can it continue unabated? The short answer is: quite a few nations, but nowhere is it more apparent than in the United States of America. Since its inception, the United States has always been a nation of people who were tired of being told what to do by a foreign entity that had abused its power and authority since the early 1600s and increased markedly until the Revolutionary War changed the political landscape for good. The frustration of our forebears, who felt a profound lack of self-determination with their British "parent" created a deep distrust of authority and an equally intense skepticism as it related to monarchial rule and the politics that revolved around centralized power. That is, quite simply, too much power held in too few hands is (or was) a surefire recipe for revolution. That is why the separation of powers into three co-equal branches of government was such a creative solution to what had been an abusive, autocratic, elitist rule by a select few. That is not to say that the adoption of the U.S. Constitution immediately converted those who were mistrustful and skeptical into true believers of an unproven governance model. It did not, because neither the Constitution nor the republic could eliminate greed. Yes, the king was dead, but a new kingdom of the power elite which included huge land grant holders and other wealthy individuals moved into positions of authority, because power and authority vacuums are the quickest to be filled. And people, being people, always bring their own self-interests and special interests into everything they do, especially after they have achieved power or position. The new Americans hung on to their healthy distrust of authority and retained a large portion of their skepticism, voicing their opinions through the voting franchise instead of disagreeing by musket ball. Fortunes were made, power was consolidated (and some spread around) based on the now firm belief in individuals' rights to work, prosper and retain their earnings. The American dream flourished as did the wealthy class's bankbooks, but so did the mistrust and skepticism that was now based on a divided country which spawned a "them and us" mentality that ultimately lead to a civil war less than a century later. Before we fast forward to the present and the future of distrust and skepticism, we must acknowledge the important role that religion played in forging the new America. Were it not for religious believers, I would argue that lawlessness and greed would have taken over and turned mistrust and skepticism into internecine violence. Thankfully, God had the upper hand and Americans willingly adhered to a higher authority, one that they had been taught they could trust. But as said, America's Civil War lay in wait which saw Americans kill 600,000 of their own. Religion couldn't control the forces of mistrust, and it was pushed into a smaller and less visible corner of Americans' lives. It could only advise and occasionally condemn, but that was it. No Papal Swiss Guard. No standing army of the righteous to defend life, just Sunday preachers delivering sermons to the faithful, ignoring those who needed their wise words most the skeptics, the agnostics and the atheists. Somehow America pushed on. We found and lost our faith from time to time but retained what we now call a "healthy skepticism and distrust of authority." But these are the real questions: "Can the U.S. pursue its path of unending ideological conflict that has seen major movements of Americans relocating to "red" from "blue" states, states that actively oppose one another, not only in elections, but also in public policy? And if this were to continue, would it not injure our nation as a whole? Is distrust of authority and skepticism of each other's real motives just one small step from a total rejection of authority which would send the U.S. on a downward path to dissolution or separation into a Bifurcated States of America?" This is the real clear and present danger. Have distrust of authority and skepticism of one anothers' motives moved us closer to splitting the political sheets and would the prospect of such a schism happening justify America's Executive Branch inching towards something that looks like an autocracy, whereby decisions affecting all Americans are made by executive fiat? Some would say that we are already there and that there is no turning back. They also say that distrust is now an inseparable part of Americans's DNA and unless we govern with a firm patriarchal hand and suppress the forces that are actively working to separate us now that any future separation would be even more catastrophic to the Union. That may be the belief of, rationale and the underpinning for, the decisions now being taken by the Executive Branch of the current administration. But governing by decree did not help the British in the mid-18th century. It led to their demise as a governing power. I would posit, that unless the Trump administration begins to make its case to the American people and encourages the Congress to debate its plans to "Make America Great Again" and sends such plans to that body to formulate into actual legislation, it will not achieve its objectives. Admittedly, this is risky for the Trump agenda, but not taking this risk will only intensify the distrust and skepticism that is reaching the boiling point in the American political cauldron. Stephen Helgesen is a retired career U.S. diplomat specializing in international trade who lived and worked in 30 countries for 25 years during the Reagan, G.H.W. Bush, Clinton, and G.W. Bush Administrations. He is the author of fourteen books, seven on American politics, and has written over 1,500 articles on politics, economics and social trends. He now lives in Denmark and is a frequent political commentator on Danish media. He can be reached at: stephenhelgesen@gmail.com. Image: Library of Congress, via Picryl / public domain A Fairfax County, Virginia high school facilitated a minors abortion without parental knowledge or consent, according to stories surfacing on social media. Fairfax County, near Washington, D.C., is part of a cluster of very blue jurisdictions in Northern Virginia (NoVA) Arlington, Fairfax, Loudoun, and Prince William Counties and Falls Church City whose schools have been embroiled in controversy for several years. Several of those counties have been notified by the Trump Education Department that their transgender policies (which include using alternate names and genders for children in school without parental input, knowledge, or consent) violate federal law. They have been told that if they do not rescind those policies this month, they face loss of funding ahead of the next school year and possible Department of Justice prosecution. The Fairfax report suggests that school officials were involved in making the appointment and paying for the abortion without parental consent. If true, that is a criminal act, because Virginia law currently requires parental consent for an unemancipated minor to obtain an abortion. So far, there is no evidence that there was any effort to obtain a judicial bypass, the only way parental consent to a minors abortion can be ignored in Virginia. (A case currently in Florida is challenging the constitutionality of abortion bypass procedures, imposed by the U.S. Supreme Court when Roe v. Wade was in place, as a violation of parental rights guaranteed by the Constitution.) Abortion will feature large in this falls elections. Virginia and New Jersey are two states that hold gubernatorial elections the year after presidential elections, and both states will elect their legislatures. Democrats hope to flip the governors mansion and control the Virginia Legislature, where they have already passed for the first time a state constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion on demand through birth into law. The amendment makes no provision for parental participation in a minors abortion. Under Virginias Constitution, an amendment must pass two separate legislatures before it is sent to public referendum. Democrat gubernatorial candidate and ex-congresswoman Abigail Spanberger is a dedicated pro-abortion advocate. Asked about the Fairfax incident, she praised the proposed constitutional amendment while dodging the parental rights question. Saying that as a parent, she wants to participate in her daughters life (I want to be involved in all the decisions my daughters make, including what they wear to prom), Spanberger evaded the question that the amendment she endorses would remove parental consent to or knowledge of a minor childs abortion. Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, the GOP gubernatorial candidate, is staunchly pro-life. NoVA school systems have pursued their own version of dont ask, dont tell with regard to parental involvement in questions related to sex, despite the fact that the current administration of Republican Glenn Youngkin promulgated model state policies banning such practices. Appealing to local educational control, NoVA school districts have kept their policies in place, largely with Youngkins acquiescence. Fairfax Schools is also separately involved in controversies over its advocacy of DIE-based admissions criteria at Thomas Jefferson High School, once a nationally pre-eminent science school, and in a just-announced job search for a security official for its $400,000+ per annum county school superintendent. While nominally nonpartisan, the Fairfax County Public School Board is wholly Democrat-backed. Image: jarmoluk via Pixabay, Pixabay License. German finance minister Lars Klingbeil wrapped up his visit to Washington last week. His meeting with U.S. treasury secretary Scott Bessent centered on the EU-US trade deal. A dose of European moralism, of course, wasnt missing. It was a meeting of political opposites. On one side: Scott Bessent, Wall Street veteran and committed to cutting Americas debt through radical fiscal consolidation, deregulation, tax cuts, and shrinking the role of the state. On the other: Lars Klingbeil, steward of the largest debt program in German history, embracing state intervention as economic salvation. More than just a polite first encounter, this was a friendly but stark ideological clash. No Trade Leverage As expected, the follow-up to the EU-US trade deal was on the agenda. Klingbeil admitted that the deal had exposed Europes weaknesses. He called for a stronger Europe, suggesting unity was needed to face Washington with confidence -- though always in dialogue, not opposition. His rhetoric wavered between confrontation and appeasement, declaring that Europes hand remained extended (how generous). It was the usual watered-down European message: acknowledge U.S. dominance, then pretend theres still parity. On Russia, both sides agreed: Europe will move forward with its 18th sanctions package, while Trump threatened a 100% tariff if no ceasefire in Ukraine is reached soon. China wasnt officially on the table, but consensus is growing between Brussels and Washington: both want to curb the flood of Chinese exports. The U.S. has already launched aggressive tariffs. Europe's position? Still unclear. Klingbeil likely knows Europe has little leverage in Beijing -- just as it had none in Washington. Brussels is now scrambling to implement an import surge monitoring system. But the EU's last attempt to confront Beijing diplomatically failed -- just like its trade talks with the U.S. Ursula von der Leyens delegation left China empty-handed. Steel, Tariffs, and an American Wall Klingbeil lobbied for German steel -- pushing for export quota relief to cushion new tariffs. But the structures already in place: the U.S. 15% tariff wall stands, and only minor tweaks will be up for discussion in coming weeks. Europe has quietly accepted Washingtons terms. Resistance from Brussels? Minimal. Watch India closely: it complied with U.S. tariffs but defied Trumps demand to stop buying Russian oil. Countries like India and Brazil are recalibrating -- turning toward BRICS and away from the U.S.-centric system. Trumps tariff regime is accelerating the tectonic realignment of global trade. Free Trade? Keep Dreaming At the press conference, Klingbeil emphasized free trade and his intent to work with Japan, Canada, and the UK in upcoming rounds. But after the EUs protectionist record -- and the Mercosur delay tactics -- this promise sounds like fiction. Global trade had already moved past free-market ideals before Trumps tariffs. The EU exemplifies neo-mercantilism. Bilateral deals now define global trade, replacing post-WWII multilateralism. Klingbeils visit? A polite handshake, little more. Europes trade position is stuck. Brussels shows no intention of dismantling the real barriers: climate regulation and harmonization rules that choke access to its internal market. Moralism on Arrival Klingbeil wouldnt be a proper German minister without a final dose of European moralism. He criticized Trumps firing of Erika McEntarfer, head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, suggesting Europe values the independence of institutions. Cue the laughter. Lecturing America -- right as it disentangles media from state control, dismantles the climate agenda, and restores institutional independence -- is farcical. Especially coming from an EU representative whose bloc is busy rolling out the Digital Services Act, chat control, a central bank digital currency, and creeping judicial politicization. If Europes last rhetorical bullet is hollow moralism, it's already lost the battle. Image: Heute.at Its one thing to run a conspiracy out of the Oval Office to deprive the nation of a peaceful transfer of power using fraudulent intelligence. Thats bad enough. But what is it called when you, as a coup-plotting member of the Executive Branch, with a death grip on that fraudulent intelligence, then try to get the Legislative Branch to literally sign on to it? Susan Rice did exactly that when she tried to get then Leader Mitch McConnell and the majority Republicans of the Senate to sign on to a bipartisan letter condemning Moscow over the hacking that Russia did. Thats when the group of coup plotters crossed a big, big line: crossing the conspiracy over from one branch to another. Surely, in this era of creative use of the law, we can find something in the code to apply to this, yes? Just think like a devious Democrat, and we can do it, Im sure. Susan Rice knew what she was doing. She knew when she asked the Senate Republicans to sign onto this statement it was fraudulent. They didnt have it. They simply did not have info that Russia was involved with the DNC hack, though they were asserting it. Remember? Only Crowdstrike said it was Russia. No federal agency ever examined the hard drives. She knew that. And she did it anyway. From a lengthy June 23, 2017 piece in the Washington Post regarding August of 2016: Before departing for an August vacation to Marthas Vineyard, Obama instructed aides to pursue ways to deter Moscow and proceed along three main paths: Get a high-confidence assessment from U.S. intelligence agencies on Russias role and intent; shore up any vulnerabilities in state-run election systems; and seek bipartisan support from congressional leaders for a statement condemning Moscow and urging states to accept federal help. It was the Moscow part of seek bipartisan support from congressional leaders for a statement condemning Moscow for any cyber intrusions that troubled McConnell. He didnt buy it. Its impossible to know what was in this crafty old mans mind at the time, but it looks, at least superficially, like his instincts were dead on: either about the truth or his own survival. Hed either sniffed out a ruse and wanted no part of it, or knew it was a ruse and wanted no part of legitimizing it. Either way, his eventual statement, a generic one about the wisdom of shoring up our cyber security, without mentioning Russia at all, outraged the coup plotters, notably Joe Biden. Via North Country Public Radio , which was covering Joe Bidens now infamous January 2018 talk at the Council on Foreign Relations in which he bragged about extorting the Ukrainians. For this moment of it, though, Biden had Russia on his mind. And even a full year after leaving office, he was still steamed about it. Joe Biden said Tuesday that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell stopped the Obama administration from speaking out about Russian interference in the 2016 campaign by refusing to sign on to a bipartisan statement of condemnation. [snip] Biden said he and former President Barack Obama worried that without a united front of bipartisanship, speaking out before the election would undermine the legitimacy of the election and American institutions in a way that would play into the Russians larger ambitions. [snip] Biden told Tuesdays gathering that there was a constant tightrope, with the Obama administration unable to decide what would count as saying too little or too much. The president and I would sit there literally after the [presidential daily briefing], after everyone had left the room, and say, What the hell are we going to do? Biden recalled. The coup plotters were on their own. Lets hope theyre feeling good and vulnerable these days, Susan Rice in particular. She was always there, plotting, scheming, and executing the coup. She had help, to be sure, but she is definitely one to watch. Maybe shell be the next to have an op-ed published in the Times, like Brennan and Clapper did. One can only hope every single one of them keeps talking. Keep furthering the conspiracy guys. It only helps the cause of justice. Image: AT via Magic Studio We are talking BLS again and how jobs are created and then disappear. As I'm sure heard, some 800,000 jobs suddenly disappeared. This is a problem in many ways. First, it could impact an election, when voters believe that an administration is creating jobs, only to find out after the election that it did not. Second, this jobs information is also important for investors and companies planning ahead. So a change was needed and Issues & Insights is correct: As soon as President Donald Trump announced that he was firing Erika McEntarfer from her job as commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the wailing and gnashing of teeth began. This was part of an authoritarian playbook, it was Orwellian, it was preposterous. The correct response is, long overdue. Even for government work, the BLS has been breathtakingly bad at its job, something weve been reporting on this space for years. Back in 2023, we noted that the BLS had been vastly overcounting jobs created since Joe Biden took office by as much as 77,000 a month. In the first five months of 2024, the BLS had exaggerated monthly job growth by a cumulative total of 250,000, we noted in July of that year. Between January 2023 and October 2024, the BLSs monthly estimate of jobs created was off by a total of 684,000, we pointed out last November. And these figures dont count the benchmark revisions issued by the BLS, in which they go back and reset all the data for a year. In its latest revision, it cut the number of jobs created from April 2023 through October 2024 by 598,000. Again, this information could have impacted the 2024 vote. It didn't, but that does not excuse the lackluster performance. So the problem here is massive incompetence of partisan bureaucrats. Maybe this information needs to be checked a few times before made public. No matter what, the country needs a more reliable source of jobs numbers. Incredibly, we don't have one and that's scary. P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos. Image: Bureau of Labor Statistics Some treaties are signed with fanfare and forgotten with relief. Others, like the 1996 Pelindaba TreatyAfricas nuclear-weapon-free zone agreementlurk quietly in the archives until someone rewrites the map. Sir Keir Starmers decision to hand the Chagos Archipelago over to Mauritius has done just that. It has revived a document most American officials couldnt identify in a quiz, and it has triggered alarm in the one place where maps and treaties tend to matter: Washington. Until now, the UKs stewardship of the Chagos Islands offered legal and geopolitical clarity. The U.S. Navy could operate its base at Diego Garcia, the Pentagons unsinkable aircraft carrier in the Indian Ocean, without the legal baggage of nuclear entanglements. But the moment the UK cedes sovereignty to Mauritius, it triggers the Pelindaba clause prohibiting the stationing of nuclear weapons in territories of signatory states. Mauritius is a signatory. The U.S. is not. Cue the lawyers, the Chinese, and a legislative storm on Capitol Hill. The Biden-era State Department might have let it slide, but this is President Trumps Washington now. And Trumps Washington, unlike the last one, smells a trap. The House Appropriations Committee is already sharpening its knives. Language has appeared in the latest State Department funding bill demanding assurances that Diego Garcia will remain fully operable and exempt from Pelindaba constraints. Senator Jim Risch (R-Idaho) has called the deal a strategic gift to Beijing. Secretary Rubio is watching with undisguised irritation. And deep inside the Beltway, analysts are whispering what ought to be shouted: the UK is risking U.S. strategic interests to score post-colonial virtue points. Starmer, ever eager to impress at the UN cocktail circuit, seems blissfully unaware that the very treaty Mauritius is party to was written in the language of nuclear disarmament activism. Pelindaba, named after South Africas old weapons site, wasnt a strategic pact, it was a gesture of post-apartheid moral hygiene. Now, thanks to Londons eagerness to decolonize, it has become a potential tool for adversaries of the U.S. security umbrella. The administration might claim it can negotiate side agreements with Port Louis. But Mauritius isnt just another Indian Ocean state. Its a voting bloc darling at the UN, backed by China on nearly every major multilateral file. It has no navy, no leverage, and no particular incentive to resist Beijings courtship. Giving Port Louis legal sovereignty over Diego Garcia hands China not just a propaganda win, but a potential lever over U.S. nuclear deployment strategy in the Indian Ocean basin. Even if Mauritius pledges to exempt Diego Garcia from Pelindabas terms, the legal ambiguity alone is a poison pill. Future Mauritian governments, or their lawyers, could claim violations. China could sponsor complaints at the UN. And American war planners, already dealing with fractured basing rights from Djibouti to Darwin, would find themselves relying on the goodwill of a small island nation thats never hosted a naval exercise. Mauritius is not the threat. The framework Mauritius is joining is. The Pelindaba Treaty was not designed for strategic realism. It was designed for Geneva NGOs and African National Congress speechwriters. The minute Washington allows Diego Garcia to come under its jurisdiction, the strategic utility of the entire base may be degraded, or worse, subjected to decades of legal attrition. Theres a reason the United States doesnt put its aircraft carriers in Belgian harbors. Its not just about geography, its about jurisdiction. You dont park nuclear-capable assets under treaties written by states that fantasise about a denuclearized world order. If Trumps National Security Council is paying attentionand it seems they arethen Starmers surrender can still be stopped. The Chagos issue isnt about decolonization. Its about deterrence. And if Britain wants to moralise itself into irrelevance, fine. But the United States shouldnt be dragged into the Pelindaba trap just to help Keir Starmer polish his conscience. Bepi Pezzulli is a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England and Wales and a foreign policy scholar. He is a member of Advance UKs College and a councillor of the Great British PAC. He tweets at @bepipezzulli. Image from Grok. I avoid consuming media from left-leaning sources, as they often promote narratives that contradict clear evidence. Over time, Ive compiled a Notepad file documenting around 125 lies propagated by the Left, though Ive stopped tracking them out of exhaustion. Many Americans -- potentially millions -- embrace ideas like socialisms superiority over capitalism, inherent racism among Caucasians, the moral legitimacy of groups like Hamas and ISIS, or the supposed benefits of open borders. These claims, despite being repeatedly debunked, persist among leftists, raising a critical question: how does clinging to such erroneous beliefs affect mental health? Research consistently shows a mental health gap between conservatives and liberals, with conservatives reporting better psychological well-being and lower rates of diagnosed mental disorders. However, factors like cultural attitudes, social media, and political polarization add complexity to this divide. A 2023 study cited in American Affairs Journal highlights that liberal teens, especially girls, exhibit significantly higher rates of depressive symptoms compared to their conservative peers, a trend that intensified during the Great Awokening, a period marked by heightened social justice activism. Similarly, a 2025 PLOS One study found conservatives rate their mental health at around 70/100 (very good), while liberals score 6065/100 (good). A Pew Research Center survey further reveals that 62% of very liberal or liberal white individuals report a diagnosed mental health condition, compared to only 26% of conservatives and 20% of moderates. Why do liberals report poorer mental health? The American Affairs Journal suggests that liberal ideologies, which often focus on systemic inequities, can foster feelings of powerlessness, particularly among young people exposed to these ideas in schools and online. A NeuroLaunch article notes that the rise of social media and outrage-driven journalism since 2012 correlates with increased depression among liberal youth, who are more likely to engage with politicized content highlighting societal problems. In contrast, conservatives belief in meritocracy, personal responsibility, and limited government -- emphasized by statistician Nate Silver and the New York Post -- may promote a sense of agency and resilience, contributing to better mental health. Social and cultural factors also play a role. Conservatives often benefit from stronger ties to institutions like religion, marriage, or community organizations, which are linked to improved well-being. The American Affairs Journal notes that religious conservatives, in particular, tend to give more to charity, fostering a sense of purpose that buffers against distress. Liberals, while often expressing broader empathy, may not put their words into actions, potentially deepening feelings of helplessness. However, self-reporting biases complicate these findings. Cultural attitudes toward mental health disclosure vary, and conservatives may underreport issues due to stigma, associating mental health with weakness or clinical diagnoses. Liberals, particularly white liberals, may be more likely to acknowledge struggles, possibly to gain social capital or victimhood status, which likely inflates diagnosis rates. The PLOS One study revealed that when asked about overall mood rather than mental health, the gap between liberals and conservatives vanishes, with both groups rating around 61/100. This suggests the divide may partly reflect perception rather than reality. External factors, like political events and media consumption, further complicate things. A Columbia Magazine article suggests that political alienation among liberal youth since the 2016 election may have worsened mental health, though more research is needed to isolate this from variables like social media use. Notably, recent trends show 18- to 21-year-olds increasingly identifying as Republicans, indicating shifting ideological landscapes. The leftward slant of media, education, and political discourse bears significant responsibility. Since the Vietnam War, biased reporting has eroded trust in institutions like the government, law enforcement, and military. Decades of apocalyptic environmental predictions have instilled fear in generations, while schools and universities often teach that America is the root of global problems, advocating socialism as the solution. This relentless narrative can create a sense of despair and disconnection. To recap, the mental health gap between liberals and conservatives stems from a complex interplay of ideology and external influences. Conservatives emphasis on personal responsibility and strong social ties may foster resilience, while liberals focus on perceived societal injustices and exposure to polarizing, left-wing media may heighten distress. Cognitive dissonance -- believing narratives that contradict observable reality, like claims of a failing economy despite falling prices, low unemployment and booming 401(k)s -- likely exacerbates mental strain. When trusted sources repeatedly push falsehoods, from ecological collapse to systemic blame, it forces individuals to choose between evidence and ideology, a conflict that cannot be healthy over time. One possible solution is longitudinal research to identify the causes of these dissonances. Another is for people to simply tell the truth. Image: Pixabay Google is getting sued again, this time around, its by OpenX, an adtech company. As many of you probably instantly assumed, this is related to anticompetitive tactics. OpenX alleges that such tactics by Google crippled the companys growth. OpenX has just launched an 88-page lawsuit against Google This move comes following the Department of Justices (DOJ) antitrust lawsuit in the US. OpenX submitted an 88-page lawsuit in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. OpenX said that Googles business practices crippled competitors like OpenX at every turn, making it impossible for the company to compete on a level playing field. The company further alleges that Google actually targeted OpenX, and used its dominance in the online ad space to rig the rules by which digital advertising is bought and sold, to the detriment of OpenX and the entire industry. OpenX went even further than that and said that Googles practices stifled innovation, harmed competition, decreased product quality and caused significant damage to OpenX, as well as to Googles own publisher and advertiser customers. Google did not respond just yet This information comes from Business Insider, who also reached out to Google for a comment. It did not receive a response, at least not at the time of writing this article. As a reminder, four months ago, Google was found guilty in the same court by a federal judge. Google was found to hold an illegal monopoly in specific online advertising technology markets. OpenX is the first adtech company which has decided to sue Google following that ruling. It is worth noting that Google plans to appeal the initial ruling from earlier this year. So, the whole case could take quite some time to complete. In the worst-case scenario, Googles adtech business could be broken up. Well have to wait and see what will come of this. It is also worth noting that OpenXs lawsuit seeks a jury trial. OpenX also asks for an unspecified amount in damages, and an injunction prohibiting Googles anticompetitive conduct on top of everything else. President Trump has been in talks with several companies regarding the setup of manufacturing plants in the US. As a result, TSMC recently announced that it will set up its third manufacturing unit in the region. The homegrown tech brand, Apple, has now planned an additional $100 billion investment in the region, which will be announced later today by the President. President Trump will soon announce Apples $100 billion investment The Trump administration has been consistently pushing Apple to set up its regional manufacturing unit. It even threatened the brand to impose an additional 25% tariff if they do not start the local manufacturing. Apple had previously announced a total of $500 billion investment in the US. Now, the company is set to invest another $100 billion in the region, primarily meant for the setup of its local manufacturing unit. Counting the latest investment, the firm has not committed a total of $600 billion into the market. Apple will soon set up a local manufacturing unit in the US Earlier, Apple had announced that it would invest as much as $400 billion in the market in the course of the next four years. It would set up a new local manufacturing plant in Houston and a new supplier academy in Michigan. The company also committed additional spending on the domestic suppliers. All this to boost the domestic economy and the job market. The spokesperson of the White House says in the official statement that President Trumps America First economic agenda has secured trillions of dollars in investments. This will support American jobs and bolster American businesses. Todays announcement with Apple is another win for our manufacturing industry. And it will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect Americas economic and national security. The Galaxy S20 Ultra is a legendary phone in Samsungs extensive catalog. It was the device that introduced the Ultra name to the Galaxy S family. It surprised everyone in its day with its powerful specifications, especially its 200MP main camera, a milestone for its time. That said, the software support period for the handset had already ended. However, Samsung has surprised Galaxy S20 Ultra users with what is likely to be the last update outside of the promised support period. For years, Samsung has been one of the most committed companies when it comes to offering updates for all its devices. The South Korean giant is only behind Google in this regard. However, Samsungs case is even more commendable since it has a much broader range of phones. Currently, even affordable devices, like the Galaxy A16, boast up to six years of software updates. This is more than other brands offer, even for their flagship phones. Turning to the Galaxy S20 Ultra, its latest update is a security patch. This comes months after officially ending software updates for the Galaxy S20 series. More specifically, the official support period ended in April of this year. The S20 Ultra was born in an era (2020) when Samsung offered a maximum of four years of major OS updates and five years of security updates to its flagship devices. This update policy is attractive even today, so it was well ahead of its time. The update brings the July 2025 security patch to the 2020 flagship phone. For now, the rollout appears to be limited to models on the Verizon network, but its a good sign that a wider release could follow in the coming days. The update itself isnt a major OS overhaul but rather a targeted security patch to address recently discovered vulnerabilities. This is totally normal for an update of this style for such an old phone, though. Have you already upgraded? While this new update is a great bonus, its important to remember that the Galaxy S20s official support has still ended. While this patch offers a temporary boost in security, the phones will remain vulnerable to future flaws. For those who want to be fully protected and take advantage of Samsungs even longer new support policy (up to seven years of updates), a newer model like the Galaxy S25 lineup might be a good next step. But for now, S20 owners can enjoy this unexpected encore from Samsung. Back in July, Samsung announced that some new features were coming to Bixby for its smart TVs, and all these new features are powered by generative AI. These new functions are designed to make interacting with Bixby on your smart TV more effortless and presumably more enjoyable. At the very least, it seems like Samsung wants to make things more convenient for the user and allow them to get more from their TVs. With Bixby enhanced by generative AI, users can start a conversation with Bixby simply by using their voice or by pressing the mic button, Samsung says. The key point here is that Samsung says its no longer required to prompt commands, interact with menus, or type anything up. This should save users time in getting more information when they want it. For example, when theres something on the screen that they want to know more about. Like an actor or a location that theyve never been to. In fact, you can ask Bixby to explore more about on-screen content, and itll display all relevant information right on the screen for you. Smarter Bixby, enhanced by generative AI, will start rolling out to South Korea A smarter Bixby is likely something you want access to as soon as possible. Thats understandable, given that it genuinely seems more useful now. Having said that, you might have a little bit of a wait still. Samsung confirms that smarter Bixby, enhanced by generative AI, starts rolling out in South Korea. It will extend to global regions in phases, according to Samsungs Newsroom post. However, the company doesnt say anything about exact dates or time frames. That means these features may not be available to US Samsung TV owners yet. This is the same rollout plan as when Samsung announced the update last month, which was adding Bixby to Click to Search. Samsung doesnt list every single model in its press release. However, it does state that this update is going to be available on 2025 Samsung TVs. This includes Neo QLED models, OLED models, those in The Frame series, and regular QLED models. If you have a TV in any of those categories from this year, then you should be good to go. At least when the update rolls out in your region. Digital image of the proposed bridge linking the Italian mainland with Sicily - Webuild/Eurolink Italy has finally approved a 13.5bn (12bn) plan to build the worlds longest suspension bridge from the mainland to Sicily an idea first envisaged by the ancient Romans despite concerns funds will be siphoned off by the mafia. The 2.3-mile suspension bridge will stretch across the Strait of Messina from Calabria home turf to the powerful Ndrangheta mafia to Sicily, stronghold of the Cosa Nostra organised crime group. The huge public outlay will be counted as defence spending to help Italy meet Natos military expenditure target. The Romans first envisioned connecting the island to the mainland by a series of connected boats, before the plans were abandoned because of concerns that such a structure would block maritime traffic in the strait. The idea picked up again in the 1950s but was stalled for decades, not only because of concerns about organised crime but also because the area is seismically active an earthquake in 1908 killed more than 80,000 people. The earthquake and subsequent tsunami almost destroyed Reggio di Calabria, on the toe of the Italian boot, and Messina, on the Sicilian side of the strait. Digital view of the bridge from the Sicily side across the Strait of Messina - Webuild/Eurolink In 2002, a 2.9bn bridge was proposed with the backing of Silvio Berlusconi, then prime minister, who said: This time were going to build it. Take it from me, I guarantee it. In 2009, the cost was 6bn but again Mr Berlusconi was enthusiastic before the idea finally petered out. Brushing aside earthquake concerns, Matteo Salvini, Italys transport minister, announced on Wednesday that the ambitious scheme would finally go ahead. It will be the biggest infrastructure project in the West, he said, after a government committee with oversight of strategic public investments approved the project. It will also help Italy reach the increased 5 per cent defence spending targets that the Trump administration has long demanded of its Nato allies. Matteo Salvini says it will be the biggest infrastructure project in the West - Andreas Solaro/AFP via Getty Giorgia Melonis government has indicated that it will classify the Messina bridge as a strategic investment, which will help bump up its current defence spending, which stands at less than 2 per cent of its GDP. The government has argued that the bridge would strengthen Europes defences by facilitating easier troop movements to military bases in Sicily, part of Natos southern flank. Preliminary work and geological surveys are due to begin in the autumn, with construction expected to start next year. The bridge is due to be completed by 2032 or 2033. The project will create 120,000 jobs a year and billions of euros will be invested in new roads, railway stations and other related infrastructure, Mr Salvini said. Addressing worries that the Ndrangheta and Cosa Nostra will be rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect of skimming off billions of euros in government funding, he said there would be vigilance 24 hours a day against mafia infiltration. The government would employ the same anti-mafia precautions that have been used for other lucrative infrastructure projects, such as the Worlds Fair in Milan in 2015 and next years Winter Olympics, which will be held in Milan and the Alpine resort of Cortina dAmpezzo. We have to watch the whole supply chain so that it is impervious to bad intentioned people, said Mr Salvini, who is also deputy prime minister and head of the League, one of three parties in Ms Melonis coalition government. The Strait of Messina lies on an active fault line and on either side are ruthless crime families Trains and vehicles currently have to cross the strait on ferries, with railway carriages laboriously transferred to the boats. Once the bridge is built, up to 6,000 cars an hour will be able to cross, as well as 200 trains a day. The journey time by car will be cut from an hour to just 10 minutes. Aside from mafia infiltration and seismic instability, critics point out that Sicily and Calabria are among Italys poorest regions, with pot-holed roads, understaffed hospitals, crumbling schools and woeful public transport. They say it would be far better to use the billions of euros to improve basic services. The project represents the greatest waste of public money ever seen in Italy, said Angelo Bonelli, an MP from the Greens and Left Alliance. The Sicily connection on a peninsula just north of Messina - Webuild/Eurolink It was an arrogant vanity project by Mr Salvini which would throw billions of euros into concrete and propaganda, he said. He claimed one of the pylons for the bridge would stand on an active fault line. Nicola Fratoianni, an MP from the same party, said the project would suck up billions in public funds and risks turning into a gigantic black hole. The centre-Left Democrats, Italys main opposition party, said the project tramples environmental, safety and European norms and common sense. Anthony Barbagallo, one of its MPs, said the project would be a colossal waste of public resources and a monument to Salvinis propaganda. The real priorities of the impoverished south were public transport, improved health services and better schools, he said. Sicily and Calabria are among Italys poorest regions, with critics saying the money would be better spent improving basic services - Francesca Volpi/Bloomberg The prime minister said building the bridge would not be easy, but it would be a valuable investment in Italys present and its future. The scale of the project was as impressive as it is cutting-edge from a technical and engineering point of view, said Ms Meloni. The mega project has been awarded to a consortium led by Webuild, an Italian infrastructure group. Addressing concerns that the bridge will be built in a seismic zone, the company said other bridges have already been built in similar areas, citing California, Turkey and Japan. Key aquatic skills for children include learning to float on their back and get in and out of the pool. (Getty Images) (Jordan Siemens via Getty Images) Those first few poolside holidays with young children might make incredible memories, but they aren't exactly relaxing. Whether they're new to swimming unaided or have been doing so for some time, understanding how to keep children safe in water can be scary, but it's a crucial part of parenting. Drowning can happen in as little as 5cm of water, and it can take place in seconds, which is why staying vigilant when around water is so important. With warmer weather and more time spent in pools, paddling pools or at the beach during the summer, water safety isnt just about how many metres your child can swim. Its about helping them recognise risks, stay calm, and know what to do if something goes wrong. We asked a water safety expert what skills your child needs before taking a dip in the pool alone and how to build water confidence safely. If your child is just learning to swim These early skills are essential for younger children to build confidence and basic coordination in water. 1. Learn core water skills Core aquatic skills are the foundations for becoming confident and capable in water, as Ashley Jones, water safety and drowning prevention manager at Swim England tells Yahoo UK. Every swimmer starts here and should continue progressing up to primary school and beyond. These include: How to float on their back: "Floating on your back is a really important skill, not just for water safety but mastering buoyancy and balance," says Jones. How to breathe in the pool: Also called aquatic breathing, this means getting used to having water on your face and learning to control your breath underwater. How to get in and out of the pool safely: Weve obviously got to be able to get in, but weve also got to be able to get out independently. Thats crucial, he adds. Children should know how to get out of a pool safely. (Getty Images) (VAWiley via Getty Images) Jones says playing at home in the bath or structured lessons can help kids develop these skills. 2. Feel confident without a flotation device Kids should learn to swim independently with your help, rather than rely solely on floats, swimming aids or float suits, Jones continues. "While things like foam noodles are useful when learning to swim, what we don't want to do is give a child a sense of false confidence that they can swim by using wearable flotation aids, if possible," he says. Instead, he encourages parents to be in the water with their child within arm's reach to help them discover their buoyancy and balance. "They can push and glide from the side, into your hands make this fun by pretending to be rocket ships, or you can encourage them to float while you gently support their shoulders or the back of their head," he says. "With younger children, imagine you are star gazing and sing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star while floating." If your child can't swim independently, Jones advises using wearable flotation aids once they get out of the water. "That's usually the time to put those flotation aids on, in case of a slip or fall. It's like wearing a buoyancy aid on a boat," he says. Jones says swimming is about having fun and feeling confident in the water from a young age. (Getty Images) (SolStock via Getty Images) 3. Learn to follow instructions Before a child can independently engage in swimming lessons, they need to be able to follow rules and directions in the water. Getting them used to being able to take instruction is crucial. Its not a swimming skill per se, but its vital for their learning journey, Jones explains. "Being able to follow rules around water is just as important as physical swimming ability." Following instructions will help children stay safe and learn more about how to swim. You could start early by enrolling in parent-child swimming classes. "When you go to a parent-and-child session, the swimming teacher will ask you to work together through activities and games, listen to teaching points and follow instructions. Its a great foundation children can take into swimming lessons where the parent isnt required in the water." And he adds that flotation devices shouldn't necessarily be the go-to starting out in the water. (Getty Images) (SolStock via Getty Images) If your child can already swim Even once your child knows how to swim, theyll need additional skills to be confident and safe in a range of environments. 4. Learn to signal for help, including in cold water You might think your child is a competent swimmer once they can swim a length of the pool, but safety and stamina are also hugely important. Jones says that by the time a child leaves primary school in England, the National Curriculum requires that they should have the stamina and skills to: Swim at least 25 metres confidently and competently Use a variety of strokes Perform safe self-rescue, which includes: Floating on their back for 6090 seconds Get control of their breathing Signal for help by floating, raising one arm and calling out 'help!' clearly Survive until help arrives or get themselves to safety "The misconception is that being able to swim 25 metres is the end of the journey. It's really the start. Its important that a child continues their learning journey and becomes truly water competent. Continuing to improve technique, gain experience and apply their skills in different situations is crucial," he says. For example, cold water shock is a real thing. Even in summer, our water is cold enough to cause it." Jones recommends exposing confident swimmers (with supervision) to cooler environments, such as local outdoor swim sessions or colder swimming pools, to help them prepare for real-world conditions. "If they were to fall into water, they've got to be able to survive that immersion. Deal with cold water shock, float on their back, get control of their breathing, signal for help, and survive until help gets to them or they can rescue themselves," he says. Teaching your kids basic water rules from a young age means everyone stays safe. (Getty Images) (Sally Anscombe via Getty Images) 6 practical water safety tips Jones says parents should follow the Water Safety Code. But he emphasises, nothing replaces supervision. "If you're in, on, or around water, you're 100% responsible for the safety of your child, even if there's a lifeguard," he says. Stop and think "Its all about preparation: find a safe place to swim, a lifeguarded pool, beach or organised session," he says. "If your child can swim but you cant, go and find an activity provider. They can help manage the risks and make it a really positive learning experience for your child." Choose the right swimwear "Bright, colourful swimwear helps lifeguards and parents spot children more easily in the water, Jones explains. Pale colours, like white or light blue, can blend in with the pool especially under bright sunlight or in busy environments. So we recommend neon pink, orange or green." Teach respect for water "What we don't want is for them to jump in when they're not wearing a buoyancy aid," says Jones. Stay together When in the water, keep children within arm's reach. When around the water, stay away from the edge, especially toddlers and younger children, unless supervised. Float "If you fall in, float on your back with your ears submerged. You may need to gently move your hands or legs to stay afloat," says Jones. Call 999 In the event of an emergency, call 999, tell the person to float and throw them something that floats. Read more about water safety: Thousands of passengers faced travel delays and disruption after all flights were suspended from Birmingham Airport due to an aircraft incident. The incident, believed to have involved a light aircraft whose landing gear would not deploy as it tried to travel to Belfast around 1pm on Wednesday. While Birmingham Airport resumed its operations and reopened its runway around 8pm, passengers continue to face delays as copious flights have since been diverted and cancelled. The airport, which is the UKs seventh busiest, registered a 12 per cent increase in passenger numbers in 2024 to reach 12.85 million. It is expected that this will be the busiest ever summer for the West Midlands hub, as easyJet joins the growing number of airlines to set up base at Birmingham. As the situation unfolds, here is what we know about the disruption at Birmingham Airport. Passengers at the airport have been advised to check their flights (PA Archive) What happened? It is believed that the aircraft involved was a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air twin turboprop light aircraft, which belonged to Woodgate Aviation, self-described as a leading provider of corporate, business, private and general aviation services in Northern Ireland since 1969. The flight, which is believed to have been heading to its home base of George Best Belfast City, took off at 1.16pm according to data on FlightRadar24. It climbed to 5,750 feet and almost immediately entered a holding pattern. At 1.35pm the aircraft overflew the runway at just 300 feet, but it remains unclear if the pilot was attempting to land or enabling air traffic controllers to inspect the undercarriage. FlightRadar data shows the aircraft made contact with the ground at 1.57pm. Woodgate Aviation said in a statement: The turbo-prop aircraft was on a flight to Belfast International Airport when it developed landing gear problems. The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main under-carriage collapsed on touch down. Two crew members and a passenger were on board but were uninjured. The aircraft remains on the runway and Woodgate Aviation will be co-operating fully with Air Accident investigators and airport services. We would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues and the emergency services at the airport for their prompt action. The flight appeared to overfly the runway at just 300 feet (FlightRadar24) Is anyone injured? One person has suffered minor injuries after the small aircraft made an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport, according to West Midlands Police. Birmingham Airport Police said on social media: We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out. West Midlands Ambulance Service said three people were treated and discharged at the scene. A spokesperson said: We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene. Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene. One person has suffered minor injuries, according to police (SpursSingh/X) What flights have been delayed? The last flight to touch down before the closure was the Ryanair flight from Perpignan, which landed at 1.52pm. Two minutes later, an easyJet flight to Tenerife took off. Incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports immediately after the runway was shut down. Here are all the diversions we are aware of so far: East Midlands: Air France from Paris, Ryanair from Murcia, Jet2 from Kalamata, Preveza and Mahon, Tui from Rhodes. Manchester: Jet2 from Lanzarote, Malaga and Faro, Ryanair from Bucharest, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, Tui from Kos. London Stansted: Ryanair from Malaga and Palma, Jet2 from Skiathos.Luton: Jet2 from Kefalonia, easyJet from Corfu and Heraklion. In addition, an Aer Lingus Regional aircraft from Belfast City was about halfway across the Irish Sea when it turned back to its starting point. The Brussels Airlines flight from the Belgian capital has been cancelled, along with the return leg from Birmingham. Is the airport website still down? Birmingham Airport website crashed as people flocked to check their flight status (Birmingham Airport) Not long after Birmingham Airport advised passengers to check their flight status, the website for Birmingham Airport went down down, replaced by an error code. It remains unclear just what has happened to the online platform, but it is back up and running. What has Birmingham Airport said so far? The airport operator has announced that operations have resumed and it is returning to normal. Following the aircraft incident today, the runway has reopened and operations have resumed, the airport said in an update posted on X. It apologised for the disruption caused by the incident and said passengers must check flight details and follow advice issued by their airlines. The airport added: Our teams have worked as quickly as possible, in line with strict protocols, which must be followed to ensure a safe reopening of the runway following a prolonged closure. A beloved Virginia actor is being remembered as a hero after he was fatally shot while trying to stop a domestic dispute during a morning walk with his dog. Adam Turck, 35, was shot on Saturday outside an apartment building in Richmond, according to the Richmond Police Department. When police responded to the scene around 10 a.m., they found two men with serious injuries. An investigation determined that Turck had encountered the dispute between the man and woman while walking his dog. He tried to intervene to deescalate the situation when he was shot by the 19-year-old man, before the man turned the gun on himself, police said. Adam put his life on the line to protect someone in need, and we will forever remember him for this sacrifice, Turcks family said in a statement to WTVR. Adam Turck, 35, was shot on Saturday outside an apartment building in Richmond (Instagram) Although we cannot go into details on the events of this past Saturday due to the nature of the event, we were told that if Adam had not been there, the person he intervened to help would not be with us today. Turck, who was well-known in Richmonds theater and fitness communities, was kept alive for a short time so his organs could be donated. Adam will be 35 years old when he passes in the next few days, after donating his organs to help save the lives of others, the family said in the statement that was issued before his death was confirmed. Thats what heroes do they save the lives of others. Turck moved from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Richmond after touring the country with Olney Theatres National Players. He became a fixture in the local arts scene, earning multiple nominations for the Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards and winning Best Actor in a Play in 2018 for Hand to God. He had been preparing to star as the lead in Dracula: A Comedy of Horrors this fall. This is a tragic story of gun violence against a person who was simply trying to de-escalate a disturbing argument, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said. This is a heartbreaking reminder that we must, as a community, continue to combat gun violence in our society. Dozens of friends and community members gathered at the Firehouse Theatre to honor his life and legacy this week. He is the person who put us all back together, said Kerith Rae, owner of the gym Tequila & Deadlifts, where Turck was a longtime member. He would give you a hug and it puts you back together, he would tell you a story or an anecdote. He would ask you how youre doing and actually mean it and want to know and truly care. I cannot explain the size of the hole that has been left, not just in our gym community or our theater communities, but in the fabric of this world to lose somebody like Adam, Rae told WWBT. Hes the kind of person people write about in books because they want to be that good and he just was. And this world is a duller, darker place without him. In a tribute on social media, the Virginia Repertory Theatre, where Turck frequently performed, described him as a light, both on stage and in every space he entered. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss, the statement read. He was a gifted actor, passionate activist, and beloved member of our community. His artistry, integrity, and fierce compassion touched so many of us. This is a profound loss we share as a community. For Sodaba, like countless other Afghan women, opportunities evaporated under the Taliban's tightening grip on their lives. Since seizing power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has systematically imposed a sweeping array of restrictions on women, barring them from parks, gyms, restaurants, and most professions. But for Sodaba, a pharmacology student, one of the most devastating blows was the prohibition on education beyond primary school. Driven by necessity, she sought alternatives online, discovering a free computer coding course tailored for Afghan women. Taught in her native Dari by a young Afghan refugee based in Greece, the programme offered a lifeline, teaching her computer programming and website development skills. "I believe a person should not be (bowed) by circumstance, but should grow and get their dreams through every possible way," Sodaba said. The new skills helped me regain my confidence and clarity in my direction, said the 24-year-old, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons. I am so happy to be part of this journey. Murtaza Jafari, 25, an Afghan migrant, teaches coding remotely to women currently living in Afghanistan (AP) Afghan Geeks The courses are run by Afghan Geeks, a company created by 25-year-old Afghan migrant Murtaza Jafari. Mr Jafari arrived in Greece as a teenage refugee from Turkey years ago. Living in a shelter in Athens after he arrived, Mr Jafari received help from a teacher to enrol in a computer coding course. He knew nothing about computers, not even how to switch one on. He did not know what coding was and didnt speak a word of English, essential for computer programming. I had no idea about English. No idea, like zero zero, he said. And I was trying at the same time to learn Greek, learn English and then also learn computer. It was super difficult for me. But several months later, he earned his certificate. Coding opened up a new world. A couple of years ago, he set up Afghan Geeks. Mr Jafari wants to give back to the community (AP) Paying it forward Mr Jafari said he started providing online courses last December to help women in his homeland, and as an expression of gratitude for the help he received as a youngster alone in a foreign country. The main goal was to give back to the community, especially to the Afghan women, what I had received from the other people for free, he said, sitting in his one-room flat in downtown Athens. I think sharing knowledge is what makes a real difference to someone, he said. And if I share it, it just goes and expands, and then theres more people to learn things. Mr Jafari now has 28 female students in Afghanistan in three classes: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Aside from teaching, he also mentors his students in finding online internships and jobs using their new skills. For women in a country where nearly all professions are banned, the opportunity for online work is a lifeline. The most qualified join his team at Afghan Geeks, which also offers website development and chatbot creation services. He now has several clients, he said, from Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Those clients were happy that they are contributing in a meaningful goal. So the goal was to support women. And thats why they keep coming back for other projects that they have, Mr Jafari said. Although he has been teaching his students for seven months, Mr Jafari has never seen their faces. He asks how they are and what the situation is in Afghanistan, but Ive never asked them to open their cameras or to share their profile, to share the image. Ive never done that. I dont want to do it, because I respect their culture, their choice. The Taliban has increasingly confined women to their homes and banned their participation in the public sphere (AP) The online academy With the Taliban governments restrictions increasingly confining women to their homes, and going as far as officially banning womens voices and bare faces in public, the web has opened a new world of possibilities for women in Afghanistan. A year and a half ago, Zuhal, a young Afghan woman whose dream of going to university was shattered, partnered with a university professor to launch an online academy for women. What began as a team of five people now has a crew of 150 teachers and administrators, and more than 4,000 students, she said. We are all working voluntarily with no salary, no support, said the 20-year-old, who uses a nickname for fear of reprisals after receiving threats over the academy. Our only aim or goal is to provide free education for girls and to enhance research in Afghanistan. The academy, Vision Online University, now runs courses in a range of subjects, from psychology and foreign languages to Quranic studies, nursing and public speaking, among others. When the education ban came into effect, I was depressed because nothing was available. There was no school, no university, no courses. And that really affected me, said Zuhal. Then I thought (to) myself that this is not the solution. If I get depressed, that will not be helpful, not for me and not for other girls. She decided that I shouldnt give up. I should do something for girls of my country. Now she also pursues a degree in computer science through an American online university, the University of the People. Its tough, she said. With no funding, the academy for women cant pay for premium online services that allow large group meetings. She herself often struggles to afford her internet service. But Im doing it because I have a goal," she said. "And my goal is to support girls. If I stop it, more than 4,000 or 5,000 girls will be depressed again. Reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK spiked a day after punk duo Bob Vylans controversial performance at Glastonbury, according to a charity which described how communities are facing extreme levels of Jew-hatred. Sentiment towards Israel is influencing and driving contemporary anti-Jewish discourse, the Community Security Trust (CST) said. The organisation, which monitors antisemitism in the UK, said there were a total of 1,521 antisemitic incidents across the UK in the first half of this year. This is the second-highest total ever reported to the organisation in the first six months of any year but is down by a quarter from the record high of 2,019 incidents recorded between January and June last year. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said antisemitic incidents and crimes remain shamefully and persistently high. There were at least 200 incidents every month in the first half of 2025, with the highest daily total at 26 incidents reported on June 29. This was a day after a performance by punk duo Bob Vylan at the world-renowned Glastonbury music festival in Somerset. During the set, which was livestreamed on BBC, rapper Bobby Vylan chanted Death, death to the IDF (Israel Defence Forces). The CST said the incidents reported to the charity involved anti-Jewish responses to events at Glastonbury as well as to the CSTs subsequent statement on X which had branded the chants utterly chilling. Avon and Somerset Police said last month that inquiries were continuing in relation to the comments made onstage during Bob Vylans performance. The second-worst day for what the CST described as anti-Jewish hate was May 17 when 19 incidents were recorded coming a day after Israel announced an expansion of its military operation in Gaza. Bob Vylan performing at Glastonbury Festival in June 2025 (Yui Mok/PA) The CST said: Both of these cases illustrate how sentiment and rhetoric towards Israel and Zionism influence, shape and drive contemporary anti-Jewish discourse, online and offline, often around totemic events that grab mainstream public attention. Just over half (51%) of all incidents in the first half of this year referenced or were linked to Israel, Palestine, the Hamas terror attack (of October 7, 2023) or the subsequent outbreak of conflict, the CST said. This was a similar proportion to the same period last year, and up from 16% in the first six months of 2023, reflecting a rise in anti-Jewish hate in the UK when Israel is at war, the CST said. Mark Gardner, the organisations chief executive, said the statistics demonstrated extreme levels of Jew-hatred, committed in the name of anti-Israel activism. June saw the highest number of incidents, with 326 being recorded following heightening tensions in Gaza. A total of 76 violent anti-Jewish assaults were recorded by the charity in the first six months of 2025, including three categorised as extreme violence that resulted in either grievous bodily harm or a threat to life. The CST added that 84 cases of damage and desecration of Jewish property were recorded, as well as 21 incidents of mass-produced antisemitic literature and 1,236 incidents of verbal or written abuse. The trust said 572 online incidents were reported to them in the first half of the year, accounting for 38% of the total and down 12% from the same period last year. Giving examples of the range of incidents reported, Mr Gardner, said: It involves racial hatred, yelled at Jewish schoolchildren, scrawled on synagogue walls and thrown at anyone who is Jewish, or suspected of being Jewish. In such difficult times, CST is proud to give strength to British Jews when they most need it. We thank those politicians and police officers who have supported our community, especially when Jew-hatred is effectively sanctioned in so many spaces that falsely claim to oppose all forms of racism. There were 774 antisemitic incidents recorded by the CST in Greater London, a drop of 26% over the same timeframe in 2024, and 194 cases in Greater Manchester, a decrease of 28% compared to the previous year. Outside these cities, the police areas with the highest number of reports were West Yorkshire with 73, Hertfordshire with 52, Scotland with 36, Sussex with 32 and West Midlands with 39. Northern Ireland had nine reports while Suffolk was the only mainland police region not to record a single incident, the trust said. Ms Cooper said antisemitism has a profoundly damaging impact both on the individuals affected and the wider Jewish community, and vowed the Government remains steadfast in its commitment to root out the poison of antisemitism wherever it is found. The Governments independent adviser on antisemitism, Lord Mann, said the latest data shows that antisemitism continues to impact the British Jewish community at an unprecedented level. He added: Antisemitism must be recognised by everyone as anti-Jewish racism and there must be a no tolerance approach to it across civil society at all levels. Birmingham Airport has reopened its runway hours after a small plane made an emergency landing. Three people from the aircraft, which was carrying two crew members and a passenger, were treated at the scene, with one suffering minor injuries from the incident, which happened at roughly 1.40pm on Wednesday, West Midlands Police said. Other emergency services, including fire and ambulance, attended the scene at the airport's runway. The airport apologised to passengers for the disruption in a post on X, and said they should check flight details and follow advice from their airlines. It added: "Our teams have worked as quickly as possible, in line with strict protocols, which must be followed to ensure a safe reopening of the runway following a prolonged closure." The number of flights affected and passengers whose journeys have been disrupted has not been confirmed, but at least 11 flights listed on the departures page of the airport's website to destinations across Europe had been cancelled. Transport Secretary Heidi Alexander said there was "minimal" disruption at the airport but she understood "how frustrating" the situation was for passengers. Travellers have been told to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport, with both check-in and security also temporarily shut. Birmingham Airport first shared that its runway was temporarily closed following the incident at around 2.40pm. In a post on the Birmingham Airport Police X account, the force said: "We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. "Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. "The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out." The airport said in a statement: "Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. "We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. "We will keep passengers already at the airport informed, and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport." West Midlands Ambulance Service (WMAS) said it sent Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics and three paramedic officers, who assessed and discharged three patients from the aircraft. West Midlands Fire Service said on X two of its crews "stood by to support airport firefighters" and one remained on scene. Pictures posted online showed a white twin-propeller aircraft lying flat on the runway tarmac. Read more on Sky News: Reeves told big tax rises needed Runway shut after incident Hiroshima survivor's warning, 80 years on Woodgate Aviation said in a statement that one of its Beechcraft fixed-wing aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday. "The turbo-prop aircraft was on a flight to Belfast International Airport when it developed landing gear problems. The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main undercarriage collapsed on touchdown. "Two crew members and a passenger were on board but were uninjured. "The aircraft remains on the runway and Woodgate Aviation will be co-operating fully with air accident investigators and airport services. "We would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues and the emergency services at the airport for their prompt action." The Air Accidents Investigations Branch (AAIB) said it had started an investigation into the incident. Birmingham Airport is the seventh-largest airport in the UK and the third largest outside London, handling approximately 11.5 million passengers in 2023, according to its website. Home to around 30 airlines, it offers over 130 direct routes and over 450 one-stop destinations. Pictures from the airport appeared to show a small aircraft on the runway (Neb/X) Birmingham Airport dramatically shut its runway after a small aircraft was forced to make an emergency landing. The airport suspended its operations so an investigation can be carried out, Birmingham Airport Police said. Passengers were advised to check the status of their flight before travelling. The runway has since been reopened. Three people were treated at the scene, West Midlands Ambulance Service said. "We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene," WMAS said in a statement. "Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene." A Birmingham Airport worker told The Standard they could see fire engines on the runway near a small airplane on Wednesday afternoon. Birmingham Airport Police explained that a small aircraft was involved in the emergency landing at around 1.40pm on Wednesday. An aircraft on the runway at Birmingham airport seems to have emergency crews around it. #bhx #Birmingham #crash pic.twitter.com/KPnBLQcRxs SpurOn (@SpursSingh) August 6, 2025 The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out, the force confirmed. In a statement on social media shortly after 2.40pm, Birmingham Airport said: Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. We will keep passengers already at the airport informed and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. We will continue to issue updates when we can. The Birmingham Airport website crashed for over an hour after it was announced that the runway had been closed. Mark Gibbon has been charged (PA Media) A British holidaymaker has been arrested on suspicion of attempted murder after he allegedly tried to drown his daughter-in-law. Mark Gibbon, 62, was with his family at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida when he reportedly got into an argument over the "stipulations of his will". According to the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Gibbon attempted to push the relative, 33, under the swimming pool at their place near Disney World. His granddaughter, nine, reportedly jumped into the pool to try and save her mother but he pushed her away. He is said to have stopped the alleged attempted drowning when two neighbouring sisters said they had called 911. Solterra Resort in Florida (Google Maps) Gibbon, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, was taken into custody on August 3 just after 5.15pm. He allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law under the water but denied trying to drown her. She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown, deputies wrote. (The victim) advised that she had to fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water but he kept pushing her back under. The resort is close to Disney World (Getty Images) Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: It's great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr Gibbon couldn't control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated. He has now been charged with attempted second-degree murder and battery. He is due in court on September 9. Gibbon is a lighting technician who runs his own company, MRG Lighting, and has worked on music videos for the likes of Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Paloma Faith. A British man has been charged by US police with the attempted murder of his daughter-in-law after allegedly trying to drown her in a swimming pool while on holiday, local authorities said. Mark Raymond Gibbon, 62, of Beaconsfield, Buckinghamshire, allegedly tried to drown the 33-year-old woman after they argued about his grandchildren in their rental home at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida, on Sunday, Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said on X. Officers had responded to reports of a disturbance in a back-yard swimming pool at around 5.20pm local time. Gibbon allegedly pushed and held the victims head under water multiple times which prevented her from breathing, Mr Judd said. He allegedly only stopped after holidaymakers next door said they had called the sheriffs office, while the victims nine-year-old daughter jumped into the pool to try to stop the incident, the sheriff said. Gibbon was arrested and taken to Polk County Jail before he was charged with attempted second-degree murder and battery, Mr Judd said. The sheriff said in a statement: Its great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr Gibbon couldnt control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated. Mark Gibbon allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater, but said he did not intend to drown her, according to US police - Polk County Sheriff's Office A British holidaymaker has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law in a row over his will. Mark Gibbon, 62, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, was on a family holiday at Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Disney World, Florida, when the pair began arguing about the stipulations of his will, US police said. He was charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery. Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed the 33-year-old under the water and held her down multiple times, according to a probable cause arrest affidavit. His nine-year-old granddaughter jumped into the pool to try and save her mother but Mr Gibbon allegedly pushed her away. She advised that she could not breathe and believed that she was going to drown, officials wrote. [The victim] advised that she had to fight Mark in order to get away from him and from under the water, but he kept pushing her back under. The alleged attempted drowning took place at Solterra Resort in Davenport, Florida - Polk County Sheriff's Office The victim called for neighbours and shouted for them to call the police. He is said to have only stopped when neighbours said they were calling the authorities. Mr Gibbon is a lighting technician, who runs his own firm called MRG Lighting. He has worked on music videos for Ed Sheeran, Sam Smith and Paloma Faith, according to his website, as well as on film and TV sets. US police said Mr Gibbon allegedly admitted to pushing his daughter-in-law underwater, but said he did not intend to drown her. The victim reportedly suffered a couple of scratches. He claimed they had been drinking before they began discussing the will. He alleged his daughter-in-law had slapped him, which sparked the fallout. The suspect was taken into custody on Aug 3 at 5.19pm. Polk County Sheriff Grady Judd said: Its great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. Because Mr Gibbon couldnt control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated. Mr Gibbon is being held at Polk County Jail without bond. His next court date is scheduled for Sept 9. Firefighters battle the Gifford fire in brush-covered hillsides west of New Cuyama, California, on Monday. Photograph: David Swanson/Reuters A huge wildfire tearing through Californias Los Padres national forest is threatening hundreds of homes and structures, after injuring at least three people in the days before. The Gifford fire has already scorched nearly 84,000 acres (34,000 hectares) in coastal Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo counties, north of Los Angeles, and was still burning out of control on Tuesday evening, according to fire officials. It is 9% contained. It is now the largest fire in California this year so far, overtaking the Madre fire, which burned 80,779 acres last month, also in San Luis Obispo county. A motorist was hospitalized with burn injuries after getting out of his vehicle and being overrun by flames, said Flemming Bertelsen, a spokesperson for the US Forest Service. Two contract employees assisting firefighters were also hurt when their all-terrain vehicle overturned. The blaze is threatening more than 800 structures and has forced the closure of the highway in both directions east of Santa Maria, a city of about 110,000 people in Santa Barbara county. Evacuation orders were in effect in parts of San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties. Ranchers evacuated cattle as aircraft made water drops on the encroaching flames. The blaze grew out of at least four smaller fires that erupted on Friday along State Route 166 between Santa Maria and Bakersfield. That gave us multiple fronts, and the flames started fanning out in many directions, Bertelsen said. The fire is gobbling up chaparral and brushland and running up very steep slopes. More than 1,900 personnel are battling the blaze. Firefighters made great progress on the west, north and east flanks of the fire and significant efforts were made to ensure structure protection on the south end, officials said in an update on Monday evening. Officials said they expected more helicopters to be able to deliver significant water drops on Tuesday with a drone doing reconnaissance. But officials cautioned dangerous conditions were ahead. A warming and drying trend was expected from Wednesday through the weekend, with temperatures up to 90F to 100F (32C to 38C) on Thursday and Friday. The drought and heat were expected to increase fire behavior, officials said. The National Weather Services Los Angeles office has warned that the fire is generating considerable smoke, with smoke expected to move toward the south and east. A large smoke column formed as the blaze burned through steep terrain, Capt Scott Safechuck, a spokesperson with the Santa Barbara county fire department, told the Associated Press: A lot of its in really inaccessible areas where even bulldozers cant even get into. The causes of the fire are under investigation. Phone calls to Social Security are being rerouted to other field offices where workers dont have jurisdiction over some claims, according to staffers, as the beleaguered agency struggles to cut down on wait times amid thousands of staff losses and high demand. Amber Westbrook, a union chapter president and field office employee serving the Chicago region, said the system means that when certain calls come in, she cant actually take care of the issue. "Our system is very specific to the office that we can do things in," she told NPR, which reported on the phone routing plan. "So I, physically, if another claim is open in another office, I cannot clear their case. It's just kind of the way that they retain that to make sure that things are accurate and complete." The agency confirmed the phone routing plan, but said, All [Social Security Administration] field offices are equipped to handle inquiries and resolve issues for callers, irrespective of where a caller lives or where their case originated. Social Security has been in turmoil throughout the Trump administration. Social Security Administration has struggled with thousands of job losses, long call wait times, and confusion over new processes during Trump administration (AFP/Getty) By April, it had lost about 7,000 employees or about 12 percent of its workforce, through resignations, retirements, and firings under the Trump administrations DOGE initiative. At the same time, retirees flooded the system with calls, waiting an average of 93 minutes for a response during the first five months of the Trump administration. In July, the agency pulled some workers from its field offices to provide support on the Social Security 1-800 number. The beginning of that month was also the last time the government updated a site showing call wait times, dismaying observers. The 1-800 number they do offer a critical role at the agency, but its triage, whereas customer service representatives actually clear work for the agency, Jessica LaPointe, president of Council 220 of the American Federation of Government Employees, told The Washington Post at the time. The move created what she called a vicious cycle of work not getting cleared, people calling for status on work thats sitting because the claims specialists now are going to have to pick up the slack of the customer service representatives that are redeployed to the tele-service centers. Benefit recipients have complained of declining service. "Whatever cuts they're making or whatever they're doing I've dealt with Social Security before, and I never had these long wait times," 72-year-old Robert Zeidler previously told Business Insider. "You have to go through some major hoops to get anything done." The administration has already abandoned some Trump-era initiatives. In July, it announced it was rolling back a plan to limit telephone-based service for four routine processes like reporting a change in address or getting tax documents, after an outcry that moving to more online-based systems could hinder access for less technologically savvy seniors on Social Security. That month, Social Security also backed off a plan to add living immigrants to the administrations master death file as a means to pressure them out of the country. Social Security is expected to run out of funding for full benefit payments by 2034. Rescue workers attempt to recover an overturned speedboat after it sank near Sanur port in Bali (AFP via Getty) Two Chinese nationals died after a tourist boat capsized off the coast of Bali in Indonesia. The Bali Dolphin Cruise was sailing from Nusa Penida to Sanur in Bali's east on Tuesday when it was struck by a large wave, authorities said. The impact caused the boat to sink and run aground, the popular tourist island's search and rescue agency said. Several boats were entering safely around that time, but this one appears to have failed to anticipate a large incoming wave, Aprianus Hangki, head of the Benoa Class II Port Authority, told reporters. Authorities confirmed that two Chinese nationals were killed while a 23-year-old Indonesian citizen was missing. The boat was reportedly carrying 73 foreigners, two Indonesian passengers, and five crew members. Indonesian rescuers search for missing victims of a ferry accident in the waters off the Bali Strait near Jembrana (AFP via Getty) The Indonesian transport ministry said that the navy was helping local authorities conduct a search and rescue operation. On behalf of the government, we express our deepest condolences," transport minister Dudy Purwagandhi said. We will respond to this incident promptly and conduct a full evaluation. Boats and ferries are a common mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are not rare due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded. In July, at least 10 people went missing after a boat capsized during bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in the West Sumatra province. The other eight people on board were rescued after the vessel sank at around 11am local time, the national search and rescue agency said. The doomed vessel had left Sikakap, a small town in the Mentawai Islands, for the town of Tuapejat. Another ferry sank last month near Bali. Of the 65 people on board, 18 died and 17 went missing. A search for the missing, which lasted two weeks and involved 500 people, including rescuers, police and military personnel, was officially called off on Monday. (Fullers) New data from the ONS suggests the number of pubs shutting may not be as dramatic as feared, at least for London. Headlines were made earlier this year when the British Beer and Pub Association predicted pub closures across the country may add up to more than one a day. While the ONS figures lend this idea credence across the UK, 295 closed between 2023 and 2024 in London the figures appear much less bleak. In fact, the picture here is comparatively encouraging for the capitals drinkers. The data, taken from the Office for National Statistics Inter-departmental Business Register and accurate up to March last year suggest that between 2023 and 2024, the net number of pubs closing was 10. Over the past 10 years, that figure rises to just 90: in 2024, the ONS reports a total of 3,525 pubs across London. In 2014, that figure was 3,615. The loss over 20 years is considerably more dramatic. Between 2004 and 2024, London has lost an estimated 930 pubs but the majority of these closures came soon after the 2007 smoking ban. In the seven years leading up to the ban, 160 pubs closed. In the seven years afterwards, 680. Certain parts of London are faring better than others. Indeed, in some boroughs, figures are up. Camden, for instance, had more pubs in 2024 (245) than at any time since 2013. Lambeth in 2024 can count 160 pubs, the highest number since 2009. Barking and Dagenham, despite only having a miserable number of pubs in 2024 a mere 20 improved significantly on 2023s 15 (an increase of 33.33 per cent). In fact, 11 boroughs saw rises in pub numbers (the aforementioned three plus Bromley, Croydon, Enfield, Hammersmith and Fulham, Southwark, Tower Hamlets, Wandsworth and Westminster), while nine saw no change at all (City of London, Ealing, Hackney, Harrow, Hounslow, Kingston upon Thames, Lewisham, Redbridge and Waltham Forest). This shows its far from doom and gloom for the London pub scene. Eleven London boroughs saw their number of pubs increase in 2024, with some such as Westminster and Camden recording their highest numbers for over a decade, said Sam Cullen, author of London's Lost Pubs and co-author of What's In A London Pub Name? The first half of 2025 has also seen a handful of London pubs reopen, including the Blue Maid in Southwark and The Tankard in Kennington, while the historic LGBT pub The Black Cap is due to reopen by the end of the year. It is obviously very sad the data shows a small reduction in the total number of pubs but it is clear there is a real resilience to the London pub scene. That is in no small part due to the staff keeping those businesses going but also CAMRA and other community groups who do so much to keep pubs alive when their future is at risk. Londoners keen to drink up should head to Westminster, which has the most pubs of any borough (445), Camden (245), Islington (210) or perhaps the City of London which, despite being a square mile (or just a little over), has 145 pubs. For more information, visit ons.gov.uk (Lucky Cat ) Generally speaking, most restaurants that boast astonishing views put less effort into the food. Why bother with impeccable bread, usually the first point of reference when sitting down to dine, when diners are greeted with a panoramic scene of the London skyline. This is a folly: a good restaurant should and must do both. But then countless British diners care more about the gram; their appetite for likes outweighs their appetite for flavour. Still, this arduous rule is broken some of the time. The restaurants here manage the tricky balancing act of blending fine eating with fine views. In Endo at the Rotunda, we find arguably Londons best sushi in the clouds of White City; at Hutong at the Shard, solid northern Chinese classics near the summit of one of Europes tallest buildings; at Rick Steins place in Barnes, riverside views, where you might share fish with a heron. Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High and Lucky Cat (Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High) The rather clever trick at 22 Bishopsgate, in which both Lucky Cat and Restaurant Gordon Ramsay High sit, is that from their windows the Shard across the river looks rather puny, though it is in fact taller. Londons undulations are in its favour. Lucky Cat and RGR High share the 60th floor and from both the views are beyond spectacular perhaps the finest of any in the capital. There is not a London icon that cannot be seen: it is the sort of scope that might open a movie. Food is markedly different between the two. At the 12-seater RGR High, it is extraordinarily detailed French-leaning fine dining, at a steep price; it is, for most of us, an occasion restaurant, perhaps a one-off. Lucky Cat is somewhere one could be a regular: here there is what the group calls Asian-inspired food, drawing mostly on Japan and Korea. Expect a fine array of sushi and sashimi, dumplings and bao, and other bits like simply-grilled fish. Three tasting menus are offered for the inquisitive or indecisive, running from 80 to 130. Cocktails are a little pricey, but theres wine from a reasonable 9.50 a glass. 22 Bishopsgate, EC2N 4BQ, gordonramsayrestaurants.com Sams Riverside (Press handout) Sams Riverside is a little unfortunate in that its sandwiched between the famous River Cafe and the becoming famous Crisp W6 pizzeria. Still, it deserves its own acclaim, in part thanks to the parmesan churros, these best enjoyed with a vodka martini. As for the regular menu, its a polished, considered and traditional take on modern British dining. Think scallops with nduja, hake with beurre blanc and samphire, and rack of lamb with carrots and mint jus. Some might find this a little dated, but it must work to the well-heeled of Hammersmith and Barnes for whom money is less of a transgression. Above all else, its a lovely local bistro with stunning views of the river and nearby parkland. 1 Crisp Road, W6 9DN, samsriverside.co.uk Endo at the Rotunda (Benjamin McMahon) There is a strong argument behind the claim that Endo at the Rotunda is Londons best place to eat sushi. Endo Kazutoshi, a craftsman who has been central to the citys upmarket sushi boom, presents diners with an omakase that is equal parts elaborate and refined, one that combines the finest seafood from Britain with that of Japan. Endo is eccentric, too: he allows no phones and asks guests to remove large items of jewellery once theyre seated at the counter. Its food as theatre the delicate and quite rare occurrence whereby people are invited to connect with the person feeding them. 8th Floor, The Helios, Television Centre, 101 Wood Lane, W12 7FR, endoatrotunda.com City Social (City Social) One of the last remaining restaurants from Jason Athertons heyday before his recent comeback with Sael and the truly stunning Row On 5 City Social was once Athertons favourite child. Though this year it lost its Michelin star, after holding it for a decade, the restaurant remains an excellent place to eat traditional British cooking executed well. City makes use of a Josper grill and from it might arrive Hereford prime beef Sirloin with bearnaise or peppercorn sauce and triple-cooked chips, or perhaps Cornish monkfish meuniere. Not groundbreaking, but reliable. The views look out over the City: expect to see the Shard, the Walkie Talkie and to get an impressively up-close look at the Gherkin. Tower 42, 25 Old Broad Street, EC2N 1HQ, citysocial-london.com Forza Wine (Caitlin Isola) The closure of Forza Win in Peckham was a sad day for south London lovers of modern Italian(ish) dining. All are thankful for Forza Wine, where the likes of cauliflower fritti and whipped ricotta on toast precede roast trout with samphire and braised onions and pork collar with nectarines and thyme. All of this, incidentally, would equate to 30 per head (two diners) before service charge. You can eat the whole menu enough for four for 150. All while gazing out over the Southbank, across the Thames. Its an ideal place for people watching; theres always a jazzy selection of (mostly) natural wines; and there are few, if any, better ways to round off a meal in London than with a Custardo, Forzas beloved espresso with custard. Royal National Theatre, Upper Ground, SE1 9PX, forzawine.com The Portrait (Press handout) Mary Poppins London is how proprietor Richard Corrigan described to this newspaper the view from the Portrait, his brasserie above the National Portrait Gallery which opened last year. The view is panoramic thanks to a whole top-floor wall of glass, encompassing such landmarks as Nelsons Column, the Palace of Westminster and the London Eye. Not that Poppins saw the latter. She wouldve liked the food, providing her nannying wages would stretch to it. Dishes denote the best produce from the UK and Ireland, celebrating the vegetables, fish, meat and game found across the isles. To start, perhaps a crispy poached egg with asparagus and hollandaise, before a crab linguine to punctuate a fillet of beef with peppercorn sauce. The National Portrait Gallery, St. Martins Place, WC2H 0HE, theportraitrestaurant.com Decimo (Daniel Hambury/@stellapicsltd) Chefs from Bristol have a way to draw a crowd. Keith Floyd managed it; Peter Sanchez-Iglesias manages it today. Decimo in Kings Cross is a chic and lavish parlour of indulgence, one that begins well with the riding of a glass lift and ends with one more margarita before booking a room at the Standard. The restaurant is one for A-listers and people with gold Coutts cards, all of whom make good use of what might be the best tortilla in town, tuna tostadas, pork tacos and roasted red peppers served on top of a flat rock to be scooped up with bread. The food is part-Spanish, part-Mexican: Iberico pork chops may be had with red mullet a la talla (a spicy Mexican red sauce); cocktails are the order of the day; you might need to remortgage afterwards. 10th Floor, 10 Argyle Street, WC1H 8EG, standardhotels.com Hutong (Hutong) The elegance of Hutong 33 floors up and built on black and glowing red is hard to deny. This is a restaurant from a time before, opening in 2013 when everyone had more money, and dining out was meant to be fun (and fun was a byword for sexy). In its essence, it is somewhere seductive. The view is best at night, when Tower Bridge is lit below and Canary Wharf blinks in the distance. On Thursdays and Fridays the restaurant pulses moodily with music from DJs. To eat, Hutong does northern Chinese cooking, though over the years it has begun to adhere less rigidly to geography. Expect indulgent dim sum (Hutong loves truffle and wagyu), excellent Peking duck, Sichuan lobster and the like. Spice levels are rarely troubling but dishes do not lack guts. Prices are har har often sky high, but a set lunch is offered at 39 and early in the week a Golden Sky tasting menu is 60. Level 33, 31 St Thomas Street, SE1 9RY, the-shard.com Seabird (Press handout) Perched on top of the Hoxton hotel in Southwark, Seabird boasts one of the capitals largest selection of oysters. Diners may choose between Irish, Scottish, English and French; all are best enjoyed on the terrace with sparkling wine or stout. The views are splendid here, which is befitting of fine seafood. The afternoon sea suits groups: for 230, a feast comes in the form of shellfish, fish and more, while the a la carte brings delights such as crab on toast, octopus rolls and lobster rice. Its haughty dining, a little dose of Mayfair, almost, south of the river. 14th Floor, South Bank, 40 Blackfriars Road, SE1 8NY, seabirdlondon.com Rick Stein Barnes (Credit James Ram) The best way to experience Rick Steins food is in Cornwall, but his Barnes outpost might be the next best thing. The riverside restaurant comes with views of the Thames in that part of west London that feels as much rural as urban. A big name restaurant means big name prices: starters push the 20 mark, a main of Indonesian seafood curry is 38. Still, this is an example of Cornish seafood in London, a place to enjoy prawn fritters, baked scallops, hake, sea bream, and Steins famous fish soup and turbot with hollandaise. Tideway Yard, 125 Mortlake High Street, SW14 8SW, rickstein.com Hugh Bonneville is the latest speaker to cruise with Cunard (PA) Renowned British actor Hugh Bonneville is set to swap Downton Abbeys Highclere Castle for the high seas after he was revealed as the latest insight speaker for Cunard. Bonneville, famed for his roles as Lord Grantham in ITV series Downton Abbey and the beloved Mr Brown in the Paddington franchise, will join 2,000 guests aboard Queen Elizabeth on a 12-night roundtrip Eastern Caribbean voyage, which departs from Miami on 27 November. The Emmy-nominated actor will offer guests a glimpse behind the curtain of his career in film, television, and theatre. Bonneville will share anecdotes, reflections, and more during an intimate on board Q&A for Cunards cruise passengers. The sailing includes calls to Antigua, St Lucia, Barbados, St Maarten, and Tortola as well as sea days to relax on the recently refurbished Queen Elizabeth. Prices currently start from 1,049 per person based on two sharing a Britannia balcony stateroom. Katie McAlister, president of Cunard, said: Were delighted to welcome Hugh on board Queen Elizabeth this year. Hes one of the most respected actors in British film and television, and his talent, warmth and wit make him a wonderful addition to our award-winning Insights Speaker programme. Bonneville added: Im absolutely thrilled to be sailing with Cunard in the Caribbean. Theres something uniquely timeless and romantic about travelling by sea, especially when the ship is as elegant as Queen Elizabeth. I look forward to sharing a few stories, hopefully a laugh or two, and exploring the Caribbean with my fellow guests. The sailing is part of Cunards insights speaker programme, which brings well-known personalities from the worlds of film, literature, science and beyond to sea for thought-provoking talks and exclusive events. Other speakers include former special forces soldier James Fox of SAS: Who Dares Wins who will be on an Alaska sailing aboard Queen Mary 2 later this month, as well as astronaut Tim Peake who is joining a Queen Elizabeth sailing in Alaska on 20 July 2026. Read more: How family-friendly is a Cunard cruise? Fake nurse in Florida is arrested and accused of treating over 4,000 hospital patients without a license Police in Florida arrested a 29-year-old woman after she allegedly impersonated a registered nurse and provided medical care to more than 4,400 patients at a Flagler County hospital without a valid license. Autumn Bardisas alleged crimes came to light in January when hospital officials reviewing her credentials for a chargenurse promotion realized she held only an expired Certified Nursing Assistant license. That discovery triggered an internal investigation and ultimately led to her termination. Bardisa was originally hired in July 2023 at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway as an advanced nurse technician under the supervision of a registered nurse. She had claimed to be an education-first registered nurse, meaning she had completed the required coursework but had not yet passed the licensing exam. During hiring, Bardisa claimed to have passed the exam and gave a license number matching her first name but a different last name. She claimed a recent marriage to explain the different last name, but never provided a marriage license to verify it, officials said. The investigation found Bardisa shared a first name and school with a real AdventHealth nurse, but didnt personally know her. Autumn Bardisa, 29, of Palm Coast, Florida, was arrested on Wednesday and is in jail on a $70,000 bond after police say she treated thousands of patients without a license. (Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility) Bardisa shared a first name and school with the real nurse, who worked at another AdventHealth hospital, but they didnt know each other (Flagler County Sheriff's Office) Investigators determined that from June 2024 through January 2025, Bardisa treated approximately 4,486 patients while unlicensed and accepted payment for services rendered. Bardisa was arrested Wednesday at her home in Palm Coast, Florida. She faces seven felony counts of practicing a healthcare profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, corresponding to seven months of alleged impersonation. Bardisa is currently held on $70,000 bond at the Flagler County Jail. "This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud weve ever investigated," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. "This woman potentially put thousands of lives at risk by pretending to be someone she was not and violating the trust of patients, their families, AdventHealth, and an entire medical community." Officials urge anyone who thinks they may have been cared for by Bardisa to contact the sheriffs office by email at fakenursecase@flaglersheriff.com. Former DOGE employee Edward Coristine, the 19-year-old better known by his nickname Big Balls, has been identified as the federal staffer who was attacked in Washington, D.C., over the weekend in an apparent attempted carjacking. President Donald Trump shared a photo of the bloodied former DOGE worker on Truth Social Tuesday and claimed crime was out of control in D.C. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16 years old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released, the president wrote. They are not afraid of law enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! The law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. President Donald Trump shared a photo of the bloodied former DOGE worker on Truth Social Tuesday and said crime was out of control in D.C. (Donald Trump/Truth Social) He continued: If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take federal control of the city, and run this city how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of violent crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this city. The presidents threat to take the responsibility for law enforcement in D.C. away from the city and into the hands of the central government comes despite violent crime in the nations capital dropping by an impressive 35 percent in 2024. Trump did not name Coristine in his post. Still, the teenager, who Elon Musk hired to help slash waste federal expenditure earlier this year, was the victim of the attack referenced by Trump, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by The New York Post. Musk also posted about the incident on X but likewise did not name Coristine. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in D.C., Musk said Tuesday. A Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize D.C. Marko Elez, a software engineer who also worked at DOGE, before he resigned over a racist social media post, said he took the photo of his friend following the attack. My friend Big Balls is a hero. I took this photo after Edward protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by eight thugs near Dupont Circle, Elez wrote on X. Violence like this in the heart of D.C. is completely unacceptable. Coristine was with the unnamed woman in downtown D.C. at 3 am on Sunday when a group of juveniles approached their car, according to the police report of the incident. The report explains that the suspects approached the victims standing next to the vehicle parked on the 1400 block of Swann Street and demanded that they hand it over before assaulting one of the victims. During the attack, an MPD cruiser pulled up, prompting the attackers to flee. Two of the suspects were apprehended by the on-scene officers. At the same time, one of the victims [Coristine] was treated on scene by emergency services personnel for injuries sustained during the assault. The pair arrested was two 15-year-olds, a male and a female, from nearby Hyattsville, Maryland. They were subsequently charged with unarmed carjacking. Coristines iPhone 16, worth $1,000, was reportedly stolen during the incident. Coristine, known by his online nickname 'Big Balls, was the individual assaulted by a group of juveniles, according to a report. (Jesse Watters Primetime/ Fox News) The Independent has contacted the White House and the Social Security Administration (SSA), where Coristine now works, for comment. Coristine claimed to have caught the eye of the worlds richest man by simply changing his name on LinkedIn to Big Balls. He left his role with DOGE shortly after Musk left the government in June and quickly landed a new role with the SSA. Edward Coristine joined the Social Security Administration this week as a special government employee, spokesperson Stephen McGraw said at the time he was hired. His work will be focused on improving the functionality of the Social Security website and advancing our mission of delivering more efficient service to the American people. Alec Luhn set out on a four-day hike across Norways Folgefonna national park - Veronika Silchenko The Telegraphs former Moscow correspondent has been found alive after spending nearly a week alone in the wilderness with a serious leg injury. Alec Luhn went missing in the remote Folgefonna national park in Norway after embarking on a four-day hike on July 31. Luhn, a US-born reporter who worked in Moscow for The Telegraph between 2017 and 2019, was reported missing on Monday after failing to catch a flight from Bergen to Britain. He injured himself the evening he set out, according to Geir Arne Sunde, the head of the local air ambulance service and trauma centre. He is seriously injured, but not critically injured, Mr Sunde said, after rescue teams found Luhn at 11.34am local time on Wednesday. The award-winning journalist survived in the mountains in very bad weather for five days, with little food or drink, Mr Sunde said. I cant remember us finding someone alive after so many days, said Stig Hope, head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna and a Red Cross volunteer. The search doesnt always end like this but today, it did. Its a huge relief for everyone whos been part of the effort. The American reporter was The Telegraphs Moscow correspondent for two years - Anatolii Stepanov The search for Luhn involved rescuers from the Red Cross, police, dogs, specialised climbers and drones. It was suspended first on Monday night and then again on Tuesday because of poor weather, including heavy rainfall. Helicopters had been hunting for the journalist for several days when one finally spotted him, Mr Sunde said. Veronika Silchenko, his wife, told CBS News it was a miracle that he had been found. I think its a miracle, she said. Its the best day of my life. Drew Gaddis, Luhns sister, confirmed he had been found in overall good health and was being taken to hospital in Bergen in a helicopter. We can breathe again, she said. Luhn is now a climate reporter - Dmitri Beliakov Ms Silchenko said that Luhn, now a climate reporter, was basically obsessed with the Arctic. He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers Hes trying his best to go to the coldest countries, she said of Luhn, who once went to the Arctic to try to find polar bears for a Telegraph story. Luhn has numerous awards for his reporting, including two Emmy nominations. He spent several years in Moscow for The Telegraph, followed by a stint in Istanbul. He now lives in the UK, where he is a Pulitzer Centre Ocean Reporting Network fellow. Fort Stewart in Georgia in 2018. Photograph: Spc. Jonathan Wallace/2nd Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Inf An active-duty soldier opened fire at Fort Stewart military base in south-east Georgia on Wednesday, wounding five other soldiers before being taken into custody. All victims are in stable condition and expected to recover. Three of the soldiers required surgery, and two were transferred to Memorial Health University medical center in Savannah, the top-level trauma center for coastal Georgia. Brig Gen John Lubas, commander of the third infantry division and Fort Stewart-Hunter army airfield, said at a press conference on Wednesday that the alleged shooter was 28-year-old Sgt Quornelius Radford, who was assigned to Fort Stewart. The shooting occurred at the soldiers place of work, Lubas said. It did involve his co-workers. Were still not certain about the motivations, but again, hes been interviewed by army investigators, and we believe well gain more information here shortly. Parts of the base had been locked down earlier on Wednesday after a shooter was reported on the sprawling army post, a spokesperson said. The base later issued an all-clear, and gates were reopened at Fort Stewart, Wright army airfield and Evans army airfield. Lubas said soldiers in the area who witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him. That allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody. The base said in a Facebook post that the shooting occurred in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. All soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment, the base said. Lubas confirmed the shooter did not use a military weapon. We believe it was a personal handgun, he said. Located about 40 miles south-west of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest army post east of the Mississippi River. It is home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the armys third infantry division and family members. Almost 9,000 people live on the huge Fort Stewart base, according to Military OneSource, a defense department program. Hinesville, the city outside the front gate in Liberty county, is estimated to have a population of about 35,000 people indicating what a dominant influence the military base is in the area, and more than 18,000 military retirees live within a 50-mile radius. The sprawling army complex includes schools for service members families, and stores and recreational services across the area. Three schools nearby had also ordered a lockdown following the base shooting. The lockdown was lifted at around noon local time, shortly after it emerged that the shooter had been apprehended and was no longer considered a threat to the community. During a White House event, Donald Trump called the Fort Stewart shooting an atrocity and said the shooter would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully theyll fully recover, Trump said. An FBI spokesperson said that their Savannah satellite office is aware of the incident at Fort Stewart and is coordinating with Army Criminal Investigations Division for any assistance that might be needed. The AP reports that Radford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed. Radford faced a 20 August hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1am on 18 May, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and released on a $1,818 bond, records show. The homeland security secretary, Kristi Noem, said she had been briefed on the shooting and would be closely monitoring the situation. Georgias governor, Brian Kemp, posted on X saying he and his wife and daughters were saddened by the shooting. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Senator Raphael Warnock, a Democrat from Georgia, also posted an expression of sympathy in the wake of the shooting. Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today, Warnock said on Wednesday. Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families. A previous shooting had taken place at Fort Stewart, when an army sergeant was killed in 2022. Sgt Nathan Hillman, a 30-year-old from Pennsylvania, and an Afghan veteran, died during the shooting on 12 December 2022. Reuters and the Associated Press contributed reporting What is Google DeepMind's Genie 3? (Pexels) Listen here on your chosen podcast platform. Google DeepMind has revealed Genie 3, and it's hoped this is the next step to artificial general intelligence for them, as well as further enhancing interactive experiences. FOI request reveals a phone is stolen every 15 minutes a day in Westminster, London. We join Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer at Currys on a new pilot which aims to curb pavement thefts. The US announced on Tuesday that it will cancel funding for the production and research of the mRNA vaccine. The vaccine works by fighting viruses like the flu and covid-19. Plus, scientists reveal that unlike T. rex, some giant predatory dinosaurs that walked on two legs had much weaker bites. Also in this episode: -North Korean's posing as remote IT workers to fund sanctioned nuclear regime -How WhatsApp is protecting you from scam messages -Why a zoo in Denmark is asking owners to donate their pets -UK content creator tackles 100 rides in a year despite fear of heights The Duke of Sussex has been left emotionally devastated by the events surrounding the boardroom battle that saw him leave his Sentebale charity, a source has said. The dispute, which prompted Harry to step down as patron in support of trustees who resigned in opposition to board chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, was described as a hostile takeover by the source. On Tuesday, the Charity Commission published a report into the episode criticising all sides for making the fallout public with interviews and statements, but the war of words has continued. The Duke of Sussex with Sentebale chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka, during a fundraising polo match for Sentebale (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) Sentebale appeared to suggest allegations made by Dr Chandauka of bullying, harassment and misogyny at the charity which the commission found no evidence of may be pursued against individuals through avenues more appropriate. A source said: This has been emotionally absolutely devastating for Prince Harry and (Sentebale co-founder) Prince Seeiso (of Lesotho). Whats been perpetrated over the last few months is nothing short of a hostile takeover. Seeiso also stepped down as patron of the charity which works in Botswana and Lesotho supporting the health and wellbeing of young people, especially those with HIV and Aids. The source added: You have to remember Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry started this charity nearly two decades ago to honour the work and continue the legacy of their mothers Queen Mamohato and Princess Diana, and the work that they had done in southern Africa to support those living with HIV and Aids. In the 19 years that they have worked with this charity, and a lot of the former board of trustee members, they have raised tens of millions of pounds and distributed tens of millions of pounds. Prince Seeiso of Lesotho resigned as patron alongside Harry during the boardroom battle (Andrew Matthews/PA) The commission criticised all parties in the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly and described how all trustees contributed to a missed opportunity to resolve the issues that led to the serious disagreement which risked undermining public trust in charities generally. The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity but acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by some involved. After conducting its regulatory compliance case the commission issued a Regulatory Action Plan with Sentebale saying it had complied with the steps, from implementing an internal dispute policy to improving the charitys complaints and whistle-blowing procedures. The trustees who resigned said in a statement they were gravely concerned for the future of the charity adding they were disheartened by the way the regulator had chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebales chair. Sentebale said in statement: The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the commissions responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes. This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir etc. Harry was presented with an embroidered traditional blanket by Lesothos Prince Seeiso in 2010 (PA) As a result, the commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry. The issues not investigated by the commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the commission. AI image: Homeland Security announced the expansion of the detention centre with an AI image of an open-wheel race car with ICE emblazoned on its side The Trump administration will send up to 1,000 migrants to an expanded prison in Indiana dubbed the Speedway Slammer. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said the prison, which appears to have been named after the states motorsport industry, said the facility will house some of the worst criminal aliens arrested by ICE. The detention facility is the latest creatively-named project from the Trump administration set to open as part of Donald Trumps efforts to carry out the largest mass deportation in US history. Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana has the capacity to hold up to 3,100 people Last month, Florida unveiled Alligator Alcatraz, a newly built 3,000 capacity prison constructed on the swampy site of an abandoned airstrip deep in Floridas Everglades. Announcing the expansion of Miami Correctional Facility in Indiana, Kristi Noem, the US Department of Homeland Security Secretary, said: COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. Today, we're announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to @GovBraun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in Kristi Noem (@KristiNoem) August 6, 2025 The Miami Correctional Facility is a maximum-security prison located at the former Grissom Air Force Base about 70 miles north of Indianapolis. It has a capacity of up to 3,100 people. Annie Goeller, chief communications officer for the Indiana Department of Correction, previously said part of the facility had not been filled because of a staffing shortages. The maximum-security prison is located at the former Grissom Air Force Base We are proud to work with president Trump and secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership, said Indiana Governor Mike Braun. Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indiana is famous for its motorsport industry - Justin Casterline In a press release, the DHS said the agreement was an outcome of Mr Trumps one big beautiful bill, which set out funding for 80,000 new beds for ICE. The departments X account also shared an AI generated image of an open-wheel race car with ICE emblazoned on its side and rear wing. The Hoosier State has already supported the Trump administrations efforts to expand ICE capacity. Last month Pete Hegseth, the US defence secretary, announced Camp Atterbury, a military base around 40 miles from Indianapolis, would be used to temporarily hold migrants for DHS, according to previous reports. Since the Alligator Alcatraz opened last month, hundreds of people have been rounded up and sent to the makeshift encampment. Deportation flights have taken off directly from the facility. The Metropolitan Polices plans to close half its front desks to save money have been revealed in full ahead of what is expected to be a heated meeting at City Hall on Wednesday. In a list published overnight, Scotland Yard confirms it will break its pledge to have one accessible 24 hours a day in each of the capitals 32 boroughs. Just 20 will remain open with 18 being axed in a desperate attempt to balance a 260 million budget shortfall. They are Kentish Town in Camden; Tottenham in Haringey; Edmonton in Enfield; Harrow; Bethnal Green in Tower Hamlets; Dagenham; Chingford in Waltham Forest; Kensington; Hammersmith; Twickenham in Richmond; Lavender Hill in Wandsworth; Wimbledon in Merton; Hayes in Hillingdon; and Plumstead in Greenwich. A further four currently with reduced front desks will close at Barking Learning Centre, Church Street in Westminster, Royalty Studios in Kensington and Chelsea and Mitcham in Merton. Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist and Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Sadiq Khans deputy mayor for policing and crime, will face furious London Assembly members at an extraordinary additional meeting to urgently discuss the proposals. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp posted on X, formerly Twitter: The police will now be less accessible and Londoners even less safe. Lib Dem MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson was among those who wrote to the Home Secretary demanding that she fully commits to funding the force. Munira Wilson MP and furious residents outside Twickenham Police Station (Munira Wilson / X /Twitter) They warned Yvette Cooper further cuts only put another nail in the coffin of community policing. Amid an epidemic of knife crime, mobile phone snatches, shoplifting and bike theft across London, Cooper was told the move caused significant worry for our constituents. In south west London, it means residents cannot walk in and speak to an officer face-to-face when Twickenham, Merton, Wimbledon, Lavender Hill and Mitcham lose theirs. There are also concerns those on bail will have to travel miles to report as part of conditions increasing the risk a defendant might abscond. In a surprise move, Kingston police station will remain open to avoid the nearest 24-hour counter to Richmond being Acton, Sutton or Lambeth. Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow, where a young woman was raped in the town centre on June 29, accused the police in her borough of not wanting to engage with the public at all after hearing Chingford will close and residents will need to go to Stratford or online if they want to contact someone. Paula Dodds, chair of the rank-and-file Met Police Federation, said: If we close police station front counters the public cant have access to us when they need it most. We cant hide behind technology because not everyone has access to technology to call the police or go online to report a crime they want that personal interaction. The public are going to have to go further to get access to a police station if they need it out of hours. A Met spokeswoman said: Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with only one per cent of these being made during the night. At the busiest front counter in London on average 15 crimes are reported a day less than one an hour - and in the least busy, only 2.5 crimes are reported a day. Londoners tell us they want to see more officers on our streets. The decision to reduce and close some front counters will save 7million and 3,752 hours of police officer time per month allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London. She added the Met is focusing ruthlessly on visible policing on Londons streets, modernising services and increasing visibility in neighbourhoods with over 300 additional PCSOs and over 300 additional officers. Gazas health ministry said at least 135 Palestinians had been killed and 771 injured in Israeli attacks in the past 24 hours. Photograph: Habboub Ramez/ABACA/Shutterstock The Israeli military has put parts of Gaza City and Khan Younis under new enforced displacement orders amid fears that the countrys prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is preparing to order the full occupation of the Palestinian territory later this week. Israels security cabinet is expected to meet on Thursday evening and sign off on plans for an expanded operation despite reported serious misgivings from senior military officers. The order for Gaza euphemistically described by the Israel Defense Forces as an evacuation is the latest in dozens of such announcements that have displaced the vast majority of Gazas population, many on multiple occasions. The orders came as the US president, Donald Trump, said any decision over expanded Israeli control in Gaza was up to Israel. As far as the rest of it, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel, he told reporters on Tuesday. Many people had returned to Gaza City only relatively recently after long periods of displacement to find their homes war-damaged and looted, with even doors and windows stolen in some cases. As Gazas health ministry reported that five more people had died from starvation in the coastal strip, which has been plunged into a devastating hunger crisis owing to Israels complete block on aid entering earlier this year, Jordan reported an aid convoy of 30 trucks that had left for Gaza had been attacked by militant Jewish settlers on entering Israel. After the attack, the second in days, Jordan accused Israel of failing to act to prevent repeated assaults. This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys, said Jordans government spokesperson Mohammad al-Momani. Amid continuing scenes of desperate suffering in Gaza, where vast areas have been rendered fields of rubble by incessant Israeli strikes, the strips civil defence agency reported that 20 people were killed when an aid truck overturned on a crowd of people. Twenty people were killed and dozens injured around midnight last night in a truck carrying aid [that] overturned while hundreds of civilians were waiting for aid, said the agencys spokesperson, Mahmoud Bassal. The incident took place near the Nuseirat refugee camp as the truck was driving on an unsafe road that Israel had previously bombed, Bassal added. Amid acute shortages of aid, trucks entering Gaza have been surrounded and looted by hungry Palestinians on numerous occasions, contributing to a pervasive sense of chaos. The new forced displacement order for Gaza City was made as Israeli media reported Netanyahus apparent determination to push ahead with an expanded war after consultations with his military chiefs on Tuesday and despite growing disquiet from serving and former Israeli security officials over the proposals reportedly including the Israel Defense Forces chief of staff, Eyal Zamir. According to reports, Zamir warned Netanyahu during a tense, three-hour meeting on Tuesday that the plan could trap the military in the territory amid concerns Israels military is already badly overstretched. Zamir has made no public statements on the matter. Critics of the plan say any push for full occupation a demand being made by Israels far right would put the lives of Israeli hostages in Gaza at risk, could take between a year and two years to fully achieve, and would come at the expense of the countrys increasing diplomatic isolation, with the international community increasingly horrified by Israels actions. Among those who spoke out against the plan on Wednesday was the Israeli opposition leader, Yair Lapid. I told Netanyahu that occupying Gaza is a very bad idea, Lapid said after meeting the Israeli prime minister. You dont make such a move if a majority of the people arent with you. Other critics include former leaders of Israels Shin Bet internal security service, the Mossad spy agency and the military and also the former Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak. In a video posted to social media this week, they said far-right members of the government were holding Israel hostage in prolonging the conflict. Netanyahus objectives in Gaza are a fantasy said Yoram Cohen, a former head of Shin Bet, in the video. Related: A wasteland of rubble, dust and graves: how Gaza looks from the sky Amid signs of divisions between Netanyahu and military commanders, the defence minister, Israel Katz, said on Wednesday that the armys chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, could express his views, but that the military would ultimately have to execute any government decisions on Gaza. Katz made the statement on X after reports in the Israeli media in recent days suggested that Zamir is opposed to a government plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip. It is the right and duty of the chief of staff to express his position in the appropriate forums, and after decisions are made by the political echelon, the [army] will execute them with determination and professionalism until the wars objectives are achieved, Katz wrote. As the defence minister responsible for the [army] on behalf of the government, I must ensure that these decisions are carried out and so it will be, he added. Gazas health ministry said that at least 135 Palestinians, including 87 people seeking food, had been killed and 771 injured in Israeli attacks across Gaza in the past 24 hours. Agencies contributed to this report The best public interest journalism relies on first-hand accounts from people in the know. If you have something to share on this subject you can contact us confidentially using the following methods. Secure Messaging in the Guardian app The Guardian app has a tool to send tips about stories. Messages are end to end encrypted and concealed within the routine activity that every Guardian mobile app performs. This prevents an observer from knowing that you are communicating with us at all, let alone what is being said. If you don't already have the Guardian app, download it (iOS/Android) and go to the menu. Select Secure Messaging. SecureDrop, instant messengers, email, telephone and post See our guide at theguardian.com/tips for alternative methods and the pros and cons of each. The bridge will link Messina, Sicily, to the Italian mainland, but has been contentious due to the cost, environmental impact and risks posed by seismic activity and mafia infiltration. Photograph: Ivan Vdovin/Alamy The Italian government has given the final approval for the construction of a multibillion-euro bridge linking Sicily to the mainland, a project that has been a topic of debate since at least the late 1960s but has been held back by a litany of concerns, including the huge cost, seismic risks and mafia infiltration. Giorgia Melonis rightwing government has set aside 13.5bn to build what would be the longest single-span bridge in the world. A dream of Italys late former prime minister Silvio Berlusconi and revived soon after Melonis government came to power in 2022, the 3.7km bridge and its surrounding facilities are expected to take 10 years to build. Cars, trains and foot passengers currently cross the Strait of Messina, between the Sicilian city of the same name and Villa San Giovanni in Calabria, by ferry a journey that takes about 30 minutes. The green light for the bridge, which the government argues would give a much-needed economic boost to Italys poorer south, was given by an inter-ministerial committee on Wednesday, said the transport minister, Matteo Salvini, who is also the projects chief backer. Salvini described it as a metro over the strait. Salvini said the approval would need to be validated by the national audit court, which could take a few weeks, but said he was optimistic work would begin in September or October. The Strait of Messina is a project without precedent in the world, Salvini told reporters. This goal is to complete by 2032-33. Salvini added countering any attempt at criminal infiltration in the project would be the governments raison detre. We must monitor the entire supply chain to ensure it is impervious to criminals, he said, adding if it was discovered that the mafia was involved then the bridge would not be built. It will be constructed by a consortium led by Italys Webuild Group and including Spains Sacyr and the Japanese group IHI. Pietro Salini, the chief executive of Webuild, said the project would be transformative for the whole country. The company estimates the bridges construction will create more than 100,000 jobs. The approval will allow for preliminary works, including archaeological and geological surveys, to be carried out. An estimated 4,000 people on either side of the strait will be forced to leave their homes as part of an expropriation plan. They will be compensated, but this has not been enough to stop frequent protests against the bridges construction. Despite Berlusconis attempts to approve the project during his three governments, it was rejected because of the high costs, engineering impracticability and the environmental impact. Environmental associations this week filed a complaint with the EU, flagging serious risks for the local environment, while Angelo Bonelli, an MP for the Greens and Left Alliance, said the plan was a colossal waste of money and vowed to continue to fight against it. The area of the construction is also among those with the highest seismic risks in Europe. Karl Garside was deeply involved in direct action, playing a key role in animal rights campaigns Photograph: Supplied My friend Karl Garside, who has died aged 59 of heart disease, was an Animal Liberation Front (ALF) activist, hunt saboteur and animal rights investigator. Across four decades of direct action he was involved in more operations claimed by the ALF than any other individual, making him Britains most prolific ALF activist. Karl was born in Birkenhead in Merseyside to Sheila (nee Morton), an office worker, and David Garside, an electrician. The family settled in Altrincham in Cheshire in the mid-1970s, where Karl went to Wellington Road school. In 1983, aged 17, he bunked off South Trafford College in Altrincham to take part in an invasion of the Grand National at Aintree racecourse. By the mid-80s Karl had joined the Northern Animal Liberation League and Manchester Hunt Sabs. Ahead of a major 1984 raid, he posed as a job applicant to case ICIs Alderley Edge laboratories, which were later stormed by 300 activists. On that occasion the goal was not to rescue animals but to document and expose the extent of animal experimentation. In August that year he also took part in a daylight raid on Unilevers research facility in Sharnbrook, Bedfordshire, with similar aims. The action led to the conviction of 25 people, and Karl served eight months in prison for conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to commit criminal damage. Despite being jailed, he remained deeply involved in direct action throughout the 80s, 90s and noughties, playing a key role in campaigns against Consort kennels in Hereford, where he freed a number of beagles, at Shamrock farm in West Sussex, which was the UKs only commercial primate importation and quarantine centre, and Hillgrove farm in Oxfordshire, which bred cats for laboratories. He later played a key role in the Stop Huntingdon Animal Cruelty campaign, which targeted the Huntingdon Life Sciences animal testing laboratory in Cambridgeshire and became one of the largest anti-vivisection efforts in British history. Most of his activity for the campaign was clandestine, trying to pressure the company and disrupt its relationships with suppliers. He also took part in the Surrey Anti-Hunt Campaign, sabotaging countless fox hunts by calling the hounds off or getting between the fox and the hounds. In 2014 he founded the Hunt Investigation Team, which went on to expose cruelty at hunts, farms and abattoirs across Britain. His investigative work featured on ITV News and on the BBC, and in the Guardian and the Independent. Shortly before his death he had become an investigator for the League Against Cruel Sports. In the later part of his life, Karl was a full-time freelance animal rights investigator, including for Tracks Investigations. In the years before that, he worked variously as a firefighter, an electrician and a nurse. He is survived by a daughter and two granddaughters. Infected mosquitoes spread chikungunya virus to humans through bites. (Getty Images) (Joao Paulo Burini via Getty Images) Health officials are urging UK holidaymakers to take extra care when travelling abroad, following a rise in the number of cases of mosquito-borne virus, chikungunya. In its latest report, the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) states that 73 cases were recorded between January and June this year the highest number in this period to date. For the first time, UK officials have also noted three cases of the oropouche virus in travellers returning to the UK from Brazil. Oropouche is primarily spread through the bites of infected midges and possibly some mosquitoes. Of the trend, Dr Philip Veal, consultant in public health at UKHSA, said: "It is essential to take precautions against mosquito bites when travelling. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering up your skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets can greatly reduce the risk. "Before you travel, check the Travel Health Pro website for the latest advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also be considered for those travelling to higher-risk regions." Chikungunya spread in China It comes after a rise in chikungunya in China, with more than 7,000 cases being reported in the Guangdong province since July. In response to the spread, local authorities introduced restrictions not too dissimilar to those taken during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, infected patients must stay in hospital and can only be discharged once they test negative or after a week-long stay. Other measures taken include masked soldiers spraying insecticides on plants, parks and in streets, and the introduction of more than 5,000 larvae-eating fish. Outbreaks of the virus, which is spread to people by infected mosquitoes, have previously occurred in Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe, as well as islands in the Pacific and Indian Oceans. Authorities in China's Guangdong province have been spraying insecticides to prevent the spread of chikungunya. (Getty Images) (VCG via Getty Images) What is chikungunya and how is it spread? Chikungunya is a virus transmitted by female mosquitoes, most commonly the Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus species. It is passed to humans through bites, primarily during daylight hours, and to other mosquitoes if they then bite an infected human. The best way to prevent mosquito bites is to: wear clothing that minimises skin exposure shut windows, doors and screens to stop them from entering the home use repellents containing DEET, IR3535 or icaridin insecticide-treated mosquito nets can also be used to prevent these day-biting mosquitoes from affecting day sleepers Authorities, as those in China are currently doing, typically also use insecticides to kill mosquitoes. A worker sprays insecticide at a residential community in China amid a sharp rise in chikungunya cases. (Getty Images) (VCG via Getty Images) Chikungunya in the UK In 2024, there were 112 confirmed cases of chikungunya reported among travellers returning to England and Wales. Newly released data for 2025 shows that a total of 73 cases were reported between January-June 2025. By comparison, there were just 27 cases reported for the same period in 2024. Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel health at UKHSA, previously told Yahoo UK: "There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK. This unpleasant mosquito-borne disease is rarely fatal but can cause severe joint and muscle pain, headaches, sensitivity to light and skin rashes. Thankfully, symptoms usually improve within one to two weeks, though joint pain may last for months or longer." Dr Philip Veal, meanwhile, added: "There is currently no risk of onward transmission of chikungunya in the UK there are only two types of mosquito that can transmit the disease and they are not established in the UK at present as our climate is generally not suitable for their survival and breeding." However, travellers are urged to take care when visiting affected areas. Protection against mosquito bites is the most effective way to curb the spread of chikungunya. (Getty Images) (lixu via Getty Images) How is chikungunya tested for? According to World Health Organization (WHO), chikungunya virus may be detected directly in blood samples collected during the first week of illness. Other tests can detect a persons immune response to the virus. These are typically used after the first week of infection to test for antibodies to the virus. The antibody levels are typically detectable by the first week after illness onset and can still be detected for about two months. In order to curb the spread, infected persons should quarantine in the first week of illness. What are the signs and symptoms of chikungunya? According to the WHO, the symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those caused by Zika virus and include: fever severe joint pain joint swelling muscle pain headaches nausea fatigue rash Severe symptoms and deaths caused by chikungunya are rare and mostly affect young babies, elderly people and those with underlying health issues. The UKHSA also states that, while generally symptoms subside after 1-2 weeks, up to 12% of patients encounter persistent joint pain and discomfort three years after infection. Is there a treatment for chikungunya? There are currently two vaccines for chikungunya, per the WHO. However, they are not widely available. For pain relief and to help manage symptoms of fever, it is recommended that infected peoples take paracetamol or acetaminophen. Read more about chikungunya and COVID: A Las Vegas woman has been busted for trying to smuggle 59 pounds of marijuana out of the country, authorities said (U.S. Customs and Border Protection ) A Las Vegas woman has been busted for trying to smuggle 59 pounds of marijuana out of the country, authorities said. Aleshia Anne Pinheiro, 42, is facing felony narcotics charges after Customs and Border Protection officers found nearly half a million dollars worth of marijuana in her luggage, according to a Tuesday press release from the agency. CBP officers at Washington Dulles International Airport in Virginia discovered multiple vacuum-sealed packages inside two suitcases while inspecting luggage being loaded onto a flight bound for Frankfurt, Germany, on Sunday, the agency said. Officers say they found the luggage belonged to Pinheiro through baggage tags and detained her at the departure gate. A Las Vegas woman has been busted for trying to smuggle 59 pounds of marijuana out of the country, authorities said (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Upon a second examination, officers found the suitcases to contain 50 vacuum-sealed packages of a green leafy substance that field-tested positive for marijuana, according to the CBP. The marijuana had a street value of about $240,000, and, depending on the potency of the drugs, it could have been sold for two to three times more in Europe, the CBP said. Customs and Border Protection officers discovered the drugs in the womans suitcases at Washington Dulles International Airport last Sunday, the agency says (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) Pinheiro and the marijuana were turned over to Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Police officers, who arrested and charged the woman with transporting a controlled substance into the Commonwealth and possession with intent to distribute. Anyone considering making a quick buck by carrying bulk marijuana loads for drug trafficking organizations should realize that the consequences you face can be severe when Customs and Border Protection officers catch you, Christine Waugh, Area Port Director for CBPs Area Port of Washington, D.C., said in a statement. It is illegal under federal law to transport marijuana across state lines or export it from the country, the CBP said. The agency also mentioned a continued trend of transnational criminal organizations trying to smuggle marijuana through passenger baggage and express air delivery to Europe. CBP will continue to seize these marijuana loads to deprive transnational criminal organizations of illicit revenue, and we will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to hold drug mules accountable, Waugh said. The Trump administrations plan to destroy a warehouse full of contraceptives, rather than distribute them to low-income countries, will leave more than 1.4 million people without essential medical care, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has found. More than three-quarters of the $9.7m (7.2m) worth of supplies were destined for just five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali. Tanzania, which was due to receive more than 40 per cent of the stock, will be the hardest hit. The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, which brings together governments, private companies and charities to make contraception accessible, has projected that without these supplies there will be 174,000 more unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions. The plan forms part of wide-ranging cuts to US foreign aid, which includes stopping providing birth control to lower-income countries. A State Department spokesperson said the US had avoided an additional $34.1 million in taxpayer costs by negotiating no-cost cancellations of pending orders. However the destruction of these supplies which have already been paid for is estimated to cost $167,000, according to the US government. IPPF said its offers to take on the costs of donating the contraception - which includes pills, implants and injections - rather than letting it go to waste had been rejected. The supplies were largely not due to expire for between two and five years. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was one of the worlds biggest providers of contraception. Without these contraceptives, women and girls are unable to choose how to protect themselves, Dr Bakari Omary, project coordinator at Tazanian sexual and reproductive health NGO Umati explained. The impact of the USAID funding cuts has already significantly affected the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in Tanzania - leading to a shortage of contraceptive commodities, especially implants. This shortage has directly impacted clients' choices regarding family planning uptake. A Belgian warehouse held the almost $10m of contraception, due to be transferred to France to be incinerated. (Reuters) In many of these countries, options like implants and long-acting injectable contraception are particularly popular because they grant women discretion and control when their partners may not approve of them taking pills for example. In Tanzania, a million injectable contraceptives and more than 350,000 implants have been earmarked to be burnt - almost a third of the contraception needed for a whole year. In Mali, more than a million contraceptive pills and almost 100,000 implants are being withheld and risk being destroyed - a quarter of the countrys annual needs, while in Kenya more than 100,000 promised implants are not being distributed. Executive Director for the Reproductive Health Network in Kenya, Nelly Munyasia, said these setbacks had come at a time when unmet need for contraception was already high - with profound implications for the lifechances of women and girls. Nearly 1 in 5 girls aged 1519 is already pregnant or has given birth. Unsafe abortions remain among the five leading causes of maternal deaths in Kenya, she said. Africa is the most reliant on US-funded family planning (Alicja Hagopian/USAID) A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain birth control commodities from terminated USAID contracts. However, the current status of the supplies remains somewhat of a mystery. While The Independent has been told that at least some of the contraceptives were in transit, the Belgian, French and US governments would not confirm whether any of the stock had reached France. A Belgian government spokesperson said the country remained committed to exploring, all possible avenues to prevent the destruction of these stocks and continues to engage in discussions with the American authorities. Major waste management companies including Veolia and SUEZ have denied involvement in the incineration. Hormonal contraceptives require specialised disposal to prevent the hormones from polluting the environment and entering the water supply. President of IPPFs French member association, Le Planning familial, Sarah Durocher, said: We call on the French government to take responsibility and act urgently to prevent the destruction of USAID-funded contraceptives. It is unacceptable that France, a country that champions feminist diplomacy, has remained silent while others, like Belgium, have stepped in to engage with the US government. In the face of this injustice, solidarity with the people who were counting on these life-saving supplies is not optional: it is a moral imperative. This article was produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project Manchester United are seeking to strike a deal with RB Leipzig after Benjamin Sesko indicated to the Old Trafford club he favours a move to them over Newcastle, the PA news agency understands. The 22-year-old striker has been the subject of a tug of a war as the Premier League sides attempt to bolster their attacks ahead of the new season. Newcastle made the first move and reacted to seeing an initial bid rebuffed by making an improved approach worth a reported 82.5million euros (71.9m) plus 2.5m euros (2.2m) in add-ons. Ruben Amorims Red Devils were waiting in the wings and followed with a rival proposal worth 75m euros (65.4m), plus a potential 10m (8.7m) in add-ons, giving the player a decision to make. Manchester United and Newcastle have both moved for Sesko (Andrew Milligan/PA) Manchester United believe Seskos preference is to join them, PA understands, and are now looking to reach an agreement on terms with Leipzig. The Slovenia international, who scored 21 goals in 45 appearances in all competitions last term, has long been on the Red Devils radar, stretching back to when he moved from Domzale to RB Salzburg in 2019. The Old Trafford outfit made him their priority over Aston Villas Ollie Watkins, having also been interested in Liam Delap and Hugo Ekitike before their summer switches. Newcastle held an interest in the latter pair and missing out on Sesko would be another blow in a summer of gut punches as they struggle to improve their squad. The potential setback could also impact the situation with star man Alexander Isak. The Sweden international missed Newcastles Asian tour with what the club called a minor thigh injury, but it soon emerged he was unsettled and training at former club Real Sociedad. Magpies boss Eddie Howe claimed he only found about Isaks whereabouts through the media, before the striker returned to Tyneside this week. The 25-year-old scored 23 goals in 34 Premier League appearances last season and has a contract until 2028. Manchester United have been linked with a move for Brightons Carlos Baleba (Martin Rickett/PA) Amorims side have also been linked with a move for Brighton midfielder Carlos Baleba, with the Red Devils reportedly keen to explore the conditions of a deal. Brighton chief executive Paul Barber told a fans forum on Wednesday night that United had not been in contact with the club. Theres always going to be interest in our players. Manchester United have not been in touch with me. Speculation is speculation, Barber said as reported by BBC Sussex. Carlos is a fantastic talent. We hope hell be here for years to come but its subject to the dynamics of the football world, which isnt always predictable. The properties in Marylebone (Google Maps) A London council has lost its High Court bid to halt 16 affordable flats in Marylebone being refurbished and rented for thousands of pounds more. Judge Hodge KC ruled in favour of Gems House Residences, which bought the Chiltern Street flats for 12.6 million in February 2024, according to Estates Gazette. Westminster City Council had sought an order to keep the flats as affordable housing and argued a special get-out clause in the original planning permission did not extend to Gems House Residences. The dispute centred on the interpretation of a Section 106 agreement signed in 2013. The agreement contained a mortgage exclusion clause which is designed to encourage commercial lending for affordable homes but also allow lenders to sell them if borrowers defaulted on their loan. The properties were originally purchased by social housing providers London District Housing Association and later by Kinsman Housing. Kinsman was forced to give up the flats when they de-registered as a provider with the Regulator of Social Housing in September 2023 due to concerns about the companys finances. Mortgage lender PGP Securities transferred the properties to Gems House Residences. Westminster argued the mortgage exclusion clause did not apply to Gems House Residences because Kinsman was no longer a social housing provider at the time of the transfer. But Judge Hodge disagreed, ruling the relevant date was when the mortgage was granted, at which point Kinsman was a registered provider. According to Estates Gazette, the ruling means Gems House Residences can now refurbish the 16 flats at an estimated cost of 4 million and let them at market rates. This is expected to potentially generate 1.5 million annually compared to the current rate of 158,592 from affordable housing rents. Westminster City said it plans to appeal the decision. Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: We are disappointed by the judgement in this case. While it relates to the wording used in a small number of historic section 106 agreements, we are seeking permission from the Court of Appeal to appeal. We believe the judges interpretation was wrong and we are writing to ministers to make that point. It is important to stress that the majority of our affordable housing section 106 agreements are unaffected because of different wording used. A judge has granted Luigi Mangione access to a laptop in prison as he awaits trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangiones attorneys requested the laptop so the accused killer can prepare for the upcoming trial and view discovery material, court filings show. The Ivy League graduate, 27, faces four federal charges for the fatal shooting of Thompson, who was gunned down in midtown Manhattan last December. The charge of murder through the use of a firearm carries the possibility of the death penalty. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all counts. U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett granted Mangiones request for a laptop Monday, permitting him to use it seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The laptop will not be connected to the internet and he will only be able to view case-related files like videos and documents, his defense attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote. Luigi Mangione has been granted access to a laptop in prison, where he is awaiting trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. (Steven Hirsch/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) Mangione is being held at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City, a facility that has been described as hell on Earth. It has held several high-profile individuals, including Sean Diddy Combs, and disgraced crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was moved from the facility in March. Mangiones next court hearing is set for September. The manifesto of the alleged killer was released in June and revealed his desire to wack Thompson to generate headlines, court documents revealed. Sections of Magiones scrawlings were shared as part of a filing from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, giving some insight into the 27-year-olds thought process and hopes to prove a point about the medical industry. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, Mangione wrote in a red book he used as a diary, which was shared alongside a confessional note he had on him at the time of his arrest titled, To the feds. He stated in the note that it had to be done. The laptop will not be connected to the internet and he will only be able to view case-related files like videos and documents, his defense attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote. (Getty) To the feds, Ill keep this short because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly I wasnt working with anyone. This was fairly trivial, some elementary social engineering, basic [computer aided design] and a lot of patience, Mangione wrote. Mangione wrote that he considered UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the U.S., as well as other health insurance providers, to be fair targets because they literally extracts human life force for money. Some of the quoted excerpts revealed how Mangione allegedly weighed different options for the attack, and at one point, considered bombing UnitedHealthcares headquarters before settling on targeting the CEO. Donations from Mangiones supporters have topped $1.2 million so far in an online fundraiser for his defense. A firefighter works to extinguish a wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, August 7 - Reuters Raging wildfires have erupted across parts of France and Spain, killing one person and injuring nine, as authorities race to contain the fast-moving flames. Tourists and local residents have been forced to evacuate holiday villages and camping grounds as thousands of firefighters battle intense conditions in some of Europes most popular summer hotspots. Emmanuel Macron has mobilised all the nations resources to tackle the biggest blaze in France this year An elderly woman died in her home and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to authorities in the Aude region, where the inferno broke out on Tuesday afternoon. In Spain, 15mph winds fanned raging flames across the popular Torre de la Pena beach resort in Cadiz. All bars, restaurants and hotels have been evacuated in between La Pena and Casas de Porros, according to local reports. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has mobilised all the nations resources to tackle the biggest blaze in France this year, in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along its Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. We support our firefighters and our forces battling the flames. We have confidence in the government and elected officials, Mr Macron wrote on X. Everyone must exercise the utmost caution and respect the instructions of the authorities. Tourists walk on the beach in Banyuls-sur-Mer as smoke rises from wildfires nearby - OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Nearly 2,000 firefighters worked overnight to contain the flames, which have scorched more than 12,000 hectares of land in the Aude region, an area greater than the city of Paris. The blaze remained very active on Wednesday, said local authorities, adding that seven firefighters were injured by smoke inhalation. Francois Bayrou, the French prime minister, is expected on site on Wednesday afternoon, his office said. A resident films a wildfire in Tournissan, southwestern France - DRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty Images Planes dropping fire retardant in southwestern France Eric Brocardi, a firefighter spokesman, called the fire a disaster of unprecedented scale. It has destroyed at least 25 houses, forced several major roads to close, and left around 2,500 households without electricity. The Aude department has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which used to help break the progression of fires. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern city port of Marseille, Frances second-largest city, left around 300 injured. Burnt vehicles in an area devastated by a wildfire near Fontjoncouse, southwestern France - LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images Tree were burning overnight in Narbonne, southwestern France - REUTERS/Manon Cruz Southern Europe has already battled multiple large fires this summer, as scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. It comes amid reports that British tourists are increasingly rethinking classic summer destinations, as intense heat waves regularly topping 40 degrees disrupt holiday plans, coinciding with school holidays. A campsite and several homes were evacuated as the wildfire swept across Ribaute, Aude - IDRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty A civil security helicopter is surrounded by smoke billowing from a wildfire - IDRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty Images About nine per cent of European travellers have changed the months they travel due to the threat of increasing extreme weather events, according to a study conducted in July by the European Travel Commission. Families are increasingly choosing to holiday between September and November, known as shoulder season, or the off-peak season, according to the industry. Training helps to empower Global South 10:03, August 06, 2025 By Zhou Jin ( China Daily An instructor guides a Pakistani student majoring in electrical automation during a training session at the Luban Workshop of Tianjin Modern Vocational Technology College on June 16. SUN FANYUE/XINHUA When Joseph Njane, a railway training officer from Kenya, boarded for the first time a high-speed train from Beijing to Wuhan and then Guangzhou, he was captivated by the speed, safety and technological sophistication of the country's railway network. The three-week training session in 2019, provided by Beijing Jiaotong University, allowed Njane, who works for Afristar, the company that operates the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, to learn about China's scientific approach to railway planning and construction, control and monitoring systems. "Seeing China's railway network firsthand was really eye-opening," he said, adding that the field trip ignited his desire to bring the advanced technology back to help modernize Kenya's railway systems. "The knowledge that I acquired, the scientific methods and models, can be used for our railways in Africa to improve the capacity and utilization of our lines." Three years later, Njane participated in an online course also provided by the Beijing Jiaotong University, which he said enhanced his understanding of railway systems, from the structure of the railroad to dispatching technologies. The most valuable takeaway of the training was China's emphasis on integrating technology with education, he said. "The two training courses enabled and inspired me to come up with something that can be used in Kenya to train our staff and ensure their access to railway knowledge." When he returned to Kenya, Njane established an online system where he uploaded the training materials from his visits to China and online training. Now, any employee can log in and access those training materials within minutes, even though they did not get a chance to study in China, Njane said. "This accelerates technology transfer from Chinese experts to Kenyan workers." The type of training that Njane received, as part of China's international human resources development cooperation, is seen as an important aspect of the country's foreign aid. Over the past 70 years, China has carried out nearly 15,000 training programs for over 180 countries and organizations through various forms such as short- and medium-term training programs in China, overseas expert consultations and youth volunteer services. These programs have covered 17 fields and trained more than 500,000 professionals in total, according to Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency. China's foreign aid training programs focus on cultivating and enhancing the recipient countries' self-development capabilities, playing a vital role in international economic and technological exchanges and cooperation, he said. Li shared examples such as a Rwandan trainee who founded a Juncao production company upon returning home, after learning about Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology in China, thereby helping to lift over 50,000 local farmers out of poverty. An Iraqi trainee brought back China's "checkerboard" sand control method to combat desertification in Iraq, Li said, adding that another trainee from Afghanistan used emergency response training to prevent an explosion in Kabul. The agency plans to launch over 2,000 training programs for more than 50,000 participants in 2025, he said, adding that China will continue to design development cooperation projects and provide 100,000 training and study opportunities to Global South countries over the next five years. Two-way exchange Jing Guoqing, a professor at the highway and railway engineering department of Beijing Jiaotong University, said that sharing China's railway development philosophy and experience allows participants to share insights into their countries' railway challenges and expectations. "Teaching is a two-way process," Jing said. During the training, the trainees share their experiences, concerns, questions and aspirations, and such feedback is valuable for Chinese companies operating overseas, helping them to navigate cultural differences and improve their projects, he said. "Foreign aid training plays a crucial role in bridging Chinese enterprises and international stakeholders, ensuring smoother cooperation," Jing said. Such training helps to enhance local engineers and officials' understanding of China's technical expertise and project management approaches, he said, adding that as the locals become more familiar with Chinese standards, they trust Chinese companies more and feel more confident in adopting those standards. "In this way, it will help China to promote its technology and standards overseas," he added. Jing said that China should focus more on vocational training such as railway technology, new energy vehicle-related skills and photovoltaic installation, areas that will efficiently boost local development while fostering long-term partnerships with developing countries. Knowledge transfer Liu Xian, a research associate at the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the fundamental mission of human resource development cooperation is to "teach people how to fish" rather than mechanically export China's model. "It is about unreservedly sharing China's experience and technology, enabling partners to grasp not only the 'how' but also the 'why' of the country's development practices through interaction," Liu said. Stephen Ndegwa, executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based development communication think tank, said that by providing actionable knowledge, recipient nations will be able to adapt Chinese methods to their unique contexts, focusing on long-term planning and development models. Ndegwa said that the impact of China's training programs is evident in their ability to strengthen development capacity and promote modernization in recipient nations. Through skill development, policy learning and South-South cooperation, these programs equip participants with the tools needed to enhance local industries, improve productivity and develop homegrown policies inspired by China's success, Ndegwa said. He noted that lessons from China's experience, such as prioritizing public investment in critical sectors, offer valuable insights for African countries seeking to balance tradition with innovation while pursuing their development goals. As the Global South pursues its modernization journey, cooperation with China is expected to focus on inclusive growth, technology-driven development, and resilient infrastructure, he added. Ndegwa stressed that China's approach to foreign aid training is practical and results-oriented. The training programs emphasize respect for sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs, offering flexible knowledge that countries can adapt to their own governance structures, he said. Participants often highlight the focus on tangible outcomes, such as improved infrastructure and poverty reduction, he added. According to a survey regarding China's foreign aid training by the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which was conducted among over 1,400 participants from 32 countries and regions, 75.89 percent of participants believed the training significantly improved their professional knowledge or skills. The survey found that 75.23 percent of participants feel that the training greatly enhanced their career competitiveness, while 75.38 percent find the experiences gained in China highly applicable in their home countries. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) August 6, 2025: The top one percent of Brazilians have long had problems with personal security. The result has been a rapidly growing security industry to protect the wealthiest one percent. Currently there are over a million people working in this business. Most of them are engaged in protecting the two million wealthiest Brazilians and their families. While the police and military will help out in major emergencies, the government forces spend most of their time training, peacekeeping and dealing with terrorist and gangsters. Drug related crime is a major problem that also impacts the wealthy one percent. These people and their families are always vulnerable to kidnapping for ransom. The annual number of these incidents varies over the decades, but is always a threat. If a few large ransoms are paid, more kidnappers appear to get some of that cash. The growth of the private security industry has kept the kidnapping threat to the wealthiest at bay. The kidnappers now also go after the growing number of mid Brazil is the largest country in South America, with a population of 213 million and a $2.1 trillion GDP. Out of the 35 nations in the Americas, Brazil is the second largest in population and just about everything else, except for GDP with the second largest GDP belonging to Canada, with $2.5 trillion. Brazil, founded by Portugal in the early 1500s, gained its independence from Portugal in 1822. At first there was a monarchy, but by 1889 that was replaced by a series of republics that persist into the 21st century. Brazil has become increasingly influential throughout Latin America and beyond as a military power. Brazil has long possessed the largest armed forces. Brazil was one of the few Latin American countries that sent combat units to fight alongside Allied troops during World War II. As part of its -great power status in Latin America, Brazil has been strengthening its hold on its borderlands, increasing border posts to secure its very long frontiers and prevent border incursions by foreign military, paramilitary, and guerrilla groups, while reducing smuggling and the drug trade. Brazil has also begun reaching beyond the limits of the Americas. Brazilian economic and military advisors have been active in Portuguese-speaking parts of Africa. The Brazilian Army provided training, in the Amazon, for Angolan troops, who subsequently performed well in operations against separatists in the Cabinda Region back home. Like all Latin American countries, Brazil is wary of the U.S., but appears to be willing to cooperate on regional security. As the second largest military in the Americas, Brazil is also the eleventh worldwide. Current armed forces strength is about 370,000 and an annual budget of $25 billion. Thats only 1.1 percent of GDP compared to 3.6 percent for the United States. The Brazilian forces spend most of their time dealing with problems along the countrys nearly 19,000 kilometers of land borders and contributing to international peacekeeping operations. The Brazilian armed forces are, by Latin American standards, well trained and equipped. Brazil has taken advantage of all the high grade ships and warplanes that became surplus at the end of the Cold War. The Brazilian navy is the only one in South America with an aircraft carrier. Moreover, Brazil produces many of the weapons it uses, and even exports military equipment to other nations. Increasingly, though, the armed forces and police are serving on the borders, trying to control the drug trade and illegal migration. Brazil has been at war with drug smuggling gangs for decades. These activities take place all over the country, from urban areas to remote jungle airstrips where drug gangs move cocaine out and other contraband into the country. This is literally a war. Aerial reconnaissance has discovered dozens of illegal air strips in remote areas. The military is often called in and uses its propeller-driven aircraft or helicopters to attack these locations. All that drug money has corrupted government and military personnel and institutions. The gangsters are particularly keen to buy access to national intelligence services. Another target is senior judges. Some will, for a large fee, see that a convicted wealthy drug lord ultimately goes free. This is a common problem in South America, where most countries have had frequent problems with the military taking over the government, or the national intelligence agency going into business for itself. Even in North America, there have been instances of police and intelligence agency operatives operating on their own. In this part of the world, the government is more concerned with internal enemies, than external ones. So the national intelligence agencies tend to put most of their efforts into domestic, rather than foreign, operations. In Brazil, military rule is a relative recent memory, having been replaced by elective leaders in 1988. Any hint of generals and spymasters trying to take over again, gets a lot of Brazilians upset. That said, intelligence operatives, both at the national and local level, have often hired themselves out to politicians, often in return for favors. Another client base is criminals at the local level. This has been a perpetual scandal in Brazil. While progress is often made in reducing this corruption, a few years of clean operations eventually gets corrupted again. Immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens have long expected that they wont be deported from the country while going through the process of obtaining a green card. But new guidance from Donald Trumps administration explicitly states that immigrants seeking lawful residence through marriage can be deported, a policy that also applies to immigrants with pending requests. Immigration authorities can begin removal proceedings for immigrants who lack legal status and applied to become a lawful permanent resident through a citizen spouse, according to guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued this month. The policy also applies to immigrants with pending green cards through other citizen family members. People who entered the country illegally arent the only ones impacted. Under new guidance, immigrants trying to get lawful status through a spouse or family member are at risk of being deported if their visas expired, or if they are among the roughly 1 million immigrants whose temporary protected status was stripped from them under the Trump administration. Immigration authorities have explicitly stated that people seeking green cards through a citizen spouse of family member accords no immigration status nor does it bar removal (Getty Images North America) Immigrants and their spouses or family members who sponsor them should be aware that a family-based petition accords no immigration status nor does it bar removal, the policy states. The changes were designed to enhance benefit integrity and identify vetting and fraud concerns and weed out what the agency calls fraudulent, frivolous, or non-meritorious applications, according to USCIS. This guidance will improve USCIS capacity to vet qualifying marriages and family relationships to ensure they are genuine, verifiable, and compliant with all applicable laws, the agency said in a statement. Those changes, which were filed on August 1, are effective immediately, according to the agency. Within the first six months of 2025, immigrants and their family members filed more than 500,000 I-130 petitions, which are the first steps in the process of obtaining legal residency through a spouse or family member. There are more than 2.4 million pending I-130 petitions, according to USCIS data. Nearly 2 million of those petitions have been pending for more than six months. It is unclear whether those petitions involve immigrants who either lost their legal status or did not have one at the time they filed their documents. Previously, USCIS would notify applicants about missing documents or issue a denial notice serving as a warning that their case could be rejected with opportunities for redress. Now, USCIS is signaling that applicants can be immediately denied and ordered to immigrant courts instead. Outside of being born in the country, family-based immigration remains the largest and most viable path to permanent residency, accounting for nearly half of all new green card holders each year, according to USCIS data. This is one of the most important avenues that people have to adjust to lawful permanent status in the United States, Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, told NBC News. Under long-established USCIS policies, no one expected to be hauled into immigration court while seeking lawful status after a marriage, Mukherjee said. Now, deportation proceedings can begin at any point in the process under the broad scope of the rule changes, which could instill fear in immigrant families, even those who are doing everything right, according to Mukherjee. Obtaining a green card does not guarantee protections against removal from the country. The high-profile arrest and threat of removing Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil put intense scrutiny on whether the administration lawfully targeted a lawful permanent resident for his constitutionally protected speech. And last month, Customs and Border Protection put green card holders on notice, warning that the government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused. In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention, the agency said. There are more than 2.4 million pending petitions for lawful permanent status, according to USCIS. Nearly 2 million of those petitions have been pending for more than six months (Getty Images) Another recent USCIS memo outlines the administrations plans to revoke citizenship from children whose parents lack permanent lawful status as well as parents who are legally in the country, including visa holders, DACA recipients and people seeking asylum. The policy appears to preempt court rulings surrounding the constitutionality of the presidents executive order that unilaterally redefines who gets to be a citizen in the country at birth. That memo, from the agencys Office of the Chief Counsel, acknowledges that federal court injunctions have blocked the government from taking away birthright citizenship. But the agency is preparing to implement Trumps executive order in the event that it is permitted to go into effect, according to Julys memo. Children of immigrants who are unlawfully present will no longer be U.S. citizens at birth, the agency declared. Trumps order states that children whose parents are legally present in the country on student, work and tourist visas are not eligible for citizenship USCIS, however, goes even further, outlining more than a dozen categories of immigrants whose children could lose citizenship at birth despite their parents living in the country with legal permission. That list includes immigrants who are protected against deportation for humanitarian reasons and immigrants from countries with Temporary Protected Status, among others. The 14th Amendment plainly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. The Supreme Court has upheld that definition to apply to all children born within the United States for more than a century. But under the terms of Trumps order, children can be denied citizenship if a mother is undocumented or is temporarily legally in the country on a visa, and if the father isnt a citizen or a lawful permanent resident. More than 150,000 newborns would be denied citizenship every year under Trumps order, according to plaintiffs challenging the presidents order. A challenge over Trumps birthright citizenship order at the Supreme Court did not resolve the critical 14th Amendment questions at stake. On Wednesday, government lawyers confirmed plans to expeditiously ask the Supreme Court to settle the lawfulness of his birthright citizenship order later this year. The Duchess of Sussex has toasted to a beautiful day to mark the launch of her latest rose wine. Meghan released her As Ever Napa Valley Rose 2024 described as evoking the same soft notes of stone fruit, gentle minerality, and a lasting finish as the 2023 rose on Tuesday. It comes after the previous rose, launched last month, sold out within an hour. In a video posted on her Instagram, Meghan can be seen uncorking a bottle marked Bottle #1 in front of bouquets of pink and cream flowers followed by close-up of the cork bearing the As Ever logo. Alongside the clip, she wrote: Here we go! First bottle off the line! Toasting to a beautiful day: Our Napa rose is live @aseverofficial. As with the previous wine, the beverage is priced at more than 67 for a minimum three-bottle order and only appeared to be available for US customers to buy, with shipping addresses limited to America. As Ever is Meghans lifestyle brand which also sells cookie mix, herb tea, flower sprinkles and jams. A post on the companys Instagram show the corks branded with the As Ever logo, with a caption reading: Cest lheure. Enjoy your last sips of summer with the newest vintage of our beloved Napa Valley rose. The website describes the drink as thoughtfully curated by Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and that it has been made to be enjoyed with the ones you love. The pale pink wine, which comes in a clear bottle with a white, gold-rimmed label, has an ABV (alcohol by volume) of 13.5% one percent lower than its predecessor. As with the 2023 rose, the newest wine is not available to buy in orders of less than three bottles. Three bottles cost 90 US dollars (around 67), six bottles cost 159 dollars (around 119) including a 12% discount, and 12 bottles are priced at 300 dollars (around 225) including a 17% discount. Meghan and the Duke of Sussex left the UK and moved to California five years ago for a new life after stepping down from the working monarchy. Napa Valley wine country is in northern California, around 50 miles from San Francisco. In a belated Instagram post following her birthday on Monday, Meghan said she was blowing out the candles on a beautiful 24 hours and thanked her husband, friends and family for making it so special. To those of you I dont know, but who send love every day thank you so much. Please know I feel it and appreciate it, she captioned the post alongside a heart emoji. Sir Keir Starmers new ethics tsar has criticised ministers for failing to give up inappropriate powers to influence the independent elections watchdog. In a letter to democracy minister Rushanara Ali, Doug Chalmers objected to the Governments plans to issue a new strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission. The statement would replace one issued by the previous Conservative government and set out priorities for the Electoral Commission to follow. But Mr Chalmers, who is set to lead the new Ethics and Integrity Commission, said it was inappropriate for the government of the day to seek to guide the work of the independent electoral commission. He added: This is a matter we raised with the previous government and continue to believe is an important point of principle. A Government spokesperson denied the claims and insisted the Electoral Commission will remain operationally independent. Mr Chalmers, a former Army officer, currently chairs the Committee on Standards in Public Life, which is due to be given a new, expanded role as the Ethics and Integrity Commission promised in Labours 2024 manifesto. His letter, published on Wednesday, came in response to the Governments elections strategy released last month, which included plans to lower the voting age to 16 and tighten up rules on political donations. In that strategy, the Government said it would designate a new strategy and policy statement for the Electoral Commission in light of the watchdogs significant new powers and responsibilities. The use of a strategy and policy statement to guide the Electoral Commissions work has proved controversial since it was first proposed in 2021, with Labour figures in opposition saying it set a dangerous precedent. The commission itself has also consistently opposed the principle of a strategy and policy statement. Last month, Electoral Commission chairman John Pullinger said: The independence and impartiality of an electoral commission must be clear for voters and campaigners to see, and this form of influence from a government is inconsistent with that role. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said the department would be responding to Mr Chalmers letter. It said: We reject these claims. The Electoral Commission will remain operationally independent and we continue to support it to act without fear or favour. This Government was elected on a manifesto to strengthen and protect Britains democracy and thats why our ambitious elections strategy will give the Electoral Commission significant new powers and responsibilities to stamp out foreign interference and uphold donation rules. Donald Zieben-Hood (left) was detained by police after his husband Jacob died in Harlem - Dave Kotinsky A model has been arrested after his husband was found dead with multiple stab wounds in their New York apartment. Jacob Zieben-Hood, a 34-year-old personal trainer, was found slumped over a toilet in his Harlem home on Friday, with a gash to his head and further injuries to his legs. His husband, Donald Zieben-Hood, 40, was arrested and arraigned on Sunday on charges of burglary, criminal contempt and weapons possession. He has not been charged with his partners death. Prosecutors said in court that the pair had a history of domestic incidents and that Donald had allegedly threatened Jacob with a knife hours before his body was found. Police said that the investigation was ongoing and that they were treating the incident as a homicide. Jacob called his father on Thursday evening, claiming that Donald whom he had taken a protection order against the previous year was chasing him with a knife and refusing to let him leave the apartment, prosecutors said. Donald could allegedly be heard in the background of the call shouting at him and calling him derogatory names. The model claimed he fell asleep following the alleged dispute before waking up around 4am Friday to find his husband dead, according to the New York Post. He called the police, who found Jacob on a toilet covered in blood, with multiple injuries including a stab wound to the back of his leg that penetrated his calf muscle. Donald, whom police said had three cuts on his arms that required stitches, apparently told officers when they arrived that his husband had attacked him with a knife. Police responded to a 911 call for an unconscious male inside 250 West 138 Street within the confines of the 32 Precinct, New York police department said in a statement to US media. Upon arrival, officers observed an unconscious 34-year-old male with multiple stab wounds to his legs. [Emergency services] responded and pronounced the male deceased on scene. Prosecutors said Jacob Zieben-Hood had a protection order in place against his partner since last year, which Donald was alleged to have broken on several occasions. Police are said to have recorded nine domestic incident reports between the couple since 2022. In February, Donald was reportedly charged with strangulation after allegedly attacking his husband in the apartment, and he is said to have threatened his partner with a kitchen knife in June. A judge denied the 40-year-olds bail on Sunday as medical examiners examine the cause of Jacobs death. A lawyer representing Donald did comment on the charges when contacted by NBC New York. An investigation from the office of Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff uncovered more than 500 allegations of human rights abuses in immigration detention facilities, including more than a two dozen reports involving children and pregnant women and more than 40 instances of physical and sexual abuse. The senator launched an investigation into conditions inside the nations sprawling network of immigration detention facilities after Donald Trump took office in January. A subsequent report, first published by NBC News on Tuesday, identified 510 credible reports of abuse inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, federal prisons, local jails and military bases, including Guantanamo Bay, and on deportation flights. Credibly reported or confirmed events to date include deaths in custody, physical and sexual abuse, mistreatment of pregnant women, mistreatment of children, inadequate medical care, overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, inadequate food or water, exposure to extreme temperatures, denial of access to attorneys, and family separations, according to the report. Those events include 41 allegations of physical or sexual abuse, including an alleged incident in El Paso where a detainee was slammed against the ground, handcuffed, and taken outside for stepping out of line in the dining hall. An investigation from Senator Jon Ossoffs office uncovered 510 allegations of human rights abuses in ICE facilities and other immigration detention centers (REUTERS) The report also uncovered two 911 calls from a California facility referencing sexual assaults or threats of sexual assaults. At a facility in Texas, at least four emergency calls since January have reportedly referenced sexual abuse, the report found. When a group of detainees in Miami flooded a toilet in protest of poor conditions, officers reportedly threw flash-bang grenades into the room and shot at the men with what appeared to be pellets or rubber bullets, according to the report. The detainees were then handcuffed with zip-ties that cut into their wrists when detainees requested food, water and medication, the report says. The senators office uncovered at least 14 reports alleging pregnant women were mistreated in Homeland Security custody, including not receiving adequate medical care and timely checkups, not receiving urgent care when needed, being denied snacks and adequate meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding, according to the report. A pregnant womans partner in custody in Georgia had reported to the senators office that she had bled for days before staff took her to a hospital. Once she was there, she was reportedly left in a room, alone, to miscarry without water or medical assistance, for over 24 hours, according to the report. According to documents obtained by NBC News, the woman received a follow-up check-up on April 9, 11 days after she miscarried. In another case, a pregnant detainee was reportedly told to just drink water after requesting medical attention. Attorneys for other detainees told the senators office that their pregnant clients have been forced to wait weeks to see a doctor while in custody. The senators office also collected 18 reports involving children, including U.S. citizens, some as young as two years old. Three of those children reportedly experienced severe medical issues while in detention and were denied adequate medical treatment, according to the report. In another case, an attorney reported that a U.S. citizen child with severe medical issues was hospitalized three times while in custody with her non-citizen mother. According to the report, when the young girl began vomiting blood, the mother begged for medical attention, to which an officer reportedly told her to just give the girl a cracker. The report alleges at least 14 instances involving pregnant detainees and another 18 reports involving children in federal custody (AFP via Getty Images) A citizen child recovering from brain surgery was reportedly denied access to follow-up care, a case that was publicly reported earlier this year. She faces continued brain swelling and speech and mobility difficulties, according to the senators report. Another previously reported case involving a four-year-old cancer patient is also included in the senators report. Regardless of our views on immigration policy, the American people do not support the abuse of detainees and prisoners its more important than ever to shine a light on whats happening behind bars and barbed wire, especially and most shockingly to children, Ossoff told NBC News in a statement. Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told the outlet that any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false. Detainees in ICE custody are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members, she said. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE, she told NBC. The Independent has requested additional comment from Ossoffs office and Homeland Security. Ossoffs report follows nearly eight months of the presidents vast anti-immigration agenda and mass deportation machine, set to receive tens of billions of dollars over the next decade to radically expand detention capacity and the number of ICE agents working to remove people from the country. Lawsuits and reports from immigration advocates and attorneys have alleged similarly brutal conditions in facilities in California, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida and New York, where detainees have reported food shortages, illness and denial of access to legal counsel. Watch: Dr Nighat Arif on her son's liver transplant Dr Nighat Arif has revealed she missed spotting cancer symptoms in her son, admitting it changed her as a GP. The TV doctor, who appears on ITVs This Morning and BBC Breakfast, spoke candidly about her family's life-changing journey after her second son, Qasim, now 10, was born with a rare liver condition. Dr Arif reflected on the experience during a special episode of ITVs Loose Women today. "It's taken me a very long time to openly talk about it and discuss it, because it was so personal for such a long time," she told her fellow panellists, Dr Amir Khan, Dr Zoe Williams and Dr Hilary Jones. She said her son's skin became jaundiced at three weeks old, which she thought might have been newborn jaundice, which can be more common in breastfed babies. Generally, he was feeding well and putting on weight "doing all the things babies should do," according to a Facebook post, but she decided to get him checked. "It turned out he had a rare liver condition called bile salt export protein pump deficiency (BSEP), which meant that his liver just stopped working," she said on Loose Women. "He got liver cirrhosis, and I was told that he's going to have a 50% chance of getting liver cancer." As her sons health declined, despite being a medical professional herself, she described the helplessness and urgency of trying to understand a condition outside her expertise. Dr Nighat Arif spoke candidly about her son's liver transplant on a special episode of Loose Woman today. (ITV) "Even though I'm a doctor, I knew very little about the transplant world. I knew very little about this rare condition. So I was that mum Googling away." Eventually, the family was given the devastating news that Qasim had developed liver cancer hepatocellular carcinoma and would need a transplant urgently. He was around 10 months old at the time. She explained that she was told that as her child is from a Black and Asian background, the wait was even longer then average. "We were told we'll wait five times longer on the transplant list, she revealed. A fear of missing something In what she describes as a heartbreaking but miraculous turn, a young donor saved Qasims life. "All we knew about our donor was that in Leeds, there was a little boy who fell off his bike, hit the back of his head and had a brainstem injury, Dr Arif explained. "His parents, these incredible heroes of ours... donated their child's organs, and one of them was to my son as a recipient of the liver." That period shaped her both personally and professionally. "The one thing that I couldn't get out my head, and I needed CBT for this, was, as a doctor, I'd missed cancer in my child, so every patient I saw, they were my child... I kept thinking I'm missing something." She added, "That hyper vigilance as a clinician is never a good thing. Now, sensible me knows I didn't miss anything... but as a clinician it was really difficult." Driving change But Dr Arif's experience ultimately helped drive change. Shes now works closely with NHS Blood and Transplant. "Now we've had Max and Kira's law, so everyone's considered a donor, unless they choose to opt-out," she explained. Religious concerns within her own family added another layer to the journey. "My father is the Imam (a religious leader), so I said to my family, look, I'm going to be a donor. And that was, oh, but in Islam, you can't donate. And I said, I cannot live with that where I'm happy to take a donor but I can't donate back." However, there has since been progress: "In 2023, there was an Islamic decree called a fatwa that said Muslims can donate. And now there is better chances for people on the Donor Register. So that's our little legacy as a family, that we've managed to raise that awareness." As for Qasim, hes now 10 years old and thriving. "He swims for Swim England," Dr Arif shared proudly. While reflecting on how the ordeal changed her as a doctor, she said, I was not the clinician I am today. But I now empathise with my patients in a completely different way." Read more about cancer: The proposed basement plan in the embassy contains two suites of anonymous rooms and a tunnel Angela Rayner has ordered China to explain why it has redacted blueprints of a basement and other areas in a mega-embassy to be built in London. Ms Rayner, who as Housing Secretary is tasked with deciding whether the project in the Royal Mint Court can go ahead, has given Beijing two weeks to explain why certain parts of its floor plans have been greyed out. It comes amid fears the complex could effectively become a nest of espionage in the heart of London, with reports China could convert basement rooms into spy dungeons. The demands from Ms Rayner are set out in an update from her department sent to DP9, the planning consultancy representing the Chinese embassy. It suggests a possible change of tone in the Governments approach to the project. Ms Rayner has given China two weeks to explain the proposed plans - Anadolu Sir Keir Starmer was lobbied directly over the proposals by Xi Jinping, the Chinese premier, and has previously refused to intervene in the project, despite pressure from the US to block it on security grounds. Ms Rayners letter, sent on Wednesday, was also addressed to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary. Other key players including the local council and Metropolitan Police were copied in. It revealed that Ms Rayner has asked Beijing to explain why some drawings submitted as part of the embassy plans have been marked as redacted. These include a proposed basement master plan, which contains two suites of anonymous rooms and a tunnel previously flagged up by critics as a potential modern-day dungeon for spies. A note attached to the diagram states: This drawing has been redacted for security reasons. The letter also notes that the internal physical arrangements of two buildings, the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House, both of which have basements, have been greyed out. It goes on to ask for representations on whether Ms Rayner can reach a lawful determination on planning permission on the basis of the redacted plans. The update was shared on social media by Luke de Pulford, the head of the Interparliamentary Alliance on China, which was copied into the correspondence. It is likely to reignite widespread concerns over the proposed mega-embassy, with critics having repeatedly warned that it could pose a threat to Britains national security. The US is said to have urged the UK to reject the proposals on security grounds given the sites proximity to a hub of sensitive data near key financial centres. Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, wrote to Ms Rayner last month to reiterate these concerns, saying it would be inappropriate to approve the application pending a plan to address such a serious matter. The proposed mega-embassy at the former Royal Mint site, near the Tower of London, has been locked in a planning battle for years, with the decision called in for review by Ms Rayner last year. Following a public inquiry, the Planning Inspectorate has reportedly given the development the green light, with the Deputy Prime Minister to make a final decision by September. Mr de Pulford said he was hopeful the tough demands set out in the letter indicated the Government had seen the light and would put a stop to the plans. He told The Telegraph: This development is a disaster for national security, residents, and UK interests. It should never have got this far. I cant see how Beijing is going to meet the Secretary of States conditions. So, either a deal has already been done and the Government is trying to look tough or theyve genuinely seen the light. After a long, hard fight, were certainly hoping the latter. Greyed-out The Ministry of Housing refused to comment while the decision-making process was ongoing. All parties have been given a deadline of Aug 20 to make further representations. There is some confusion about whether the drawings in question are supposed to be redacted or not. In some cases, the Government says other documents obtained as part of the public inquiry appear to fill in some of the gaps. The letter states: The Secretary of State has noted that the Planning (Addendum 2) Drawing List dated 31 Jan 2025 identifies drawings which are said to be redacted. Some of those drawings are marked on their face as being redacted for security reasons, and it appears that this may refer, at least principally, to the internal physical arrangements of the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House, both of which have been greyed-out. However, other plans which are identified as being redacted in the Drawing List are not marked on their face as such, and contain no obvious redactions. Furthermore, in some cases, documents which were before the inquiry... appear to show, indicatively at least, information which was redacted on the drawings (e.g. the internal physical arrangements of some of the buildings). As a result, Ms Rayner has asked China to identify precisely and comprehensively what has been redacted, what the nature of the redactions are, and the rationale and justification for them. One view of proposed Chinese embassy in central London The letter also requests an update from Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy on two conditions they set for the mega-embassy in February. The first was to consolidate all Chinese consular premises in London in the new complex, and the second was for a hard perimeter to be built around part of the site so people can still access some historic ruins. If Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy refuse to budge on their demands, Beijing will need to agree to the adjustments or abandon the plans, which have been years in the making. Meeting the condition on the hard perimeter would be difficult because the local planning authority has said it would constitute a material amendment to the application that would require further consultation. The embassy plans were initially rejected in 2022 by Tower Hamlets council owing to health and safety concerns. The proposal was then withdrawn by China, before being resubmitted a month after Labour came to power. Mr Xi is said to have personally sought Sir Keirs support for the plan in a phone call between the two leaders. Ms Rayner then used her powers as Housing Secretary to take control of the planning decision, after reportedly being urged by Mr Lammy to do so. The Conservatives have warned it is likely the embassy will be used as a base for Chinese espionage and urged the Government to block it. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told Sky News in June: Weve seen the Chinese government cracking down on dissidents, running secret police stations in the UK, even putting bounties on the heads of dissidents, some of whom Ive met. We should not be giving permission to this. Demonstrators outside the former Royal Mint site in March - SOPA Images Ms Rayner also faces a backlash from her own party if she waves through the application, with one Labour MP telling The Telegraph in June they thought it would be wrong to approve it. The row presents an awkward dilemma for Sir Keir, who has pursued a strategy of engagement with Beijing while attempting to maintain a positive relationship with Donald Trump, a prominent China sceptic. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, has said the UK would offer a fulsome response to any security fears raised. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has said he would support a judicial review into the decision if the plans were approved. This would involve challenging the lawfulness of the decision, raising the prospect of it being overturned in the courts. The Chinese embassy has always waved away criticism of the proposals and the claims about national security being in jeopardy. In response to previous reports about the basement rooms being used as spy dungeons, a spokesman said: Anti-China elements are always keen on slandering and attacking China. A female Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx) with four kittens in Sweden. The UK and Ireland are among the few north European countries without lynx in the wild. Photograph: blickwinkel/Alamy The UK and Ireland are among the few countries in northern Europe without the apex predator the Eurasian lynx (Lynx lynx). Like most of Britains larger native animals, wolves and beavers, it was hunted to extinction, in this case about 1,300 years ago, helping to push the UK towards the distinction of being the most nature-depleted country in Europe. The campaign to reintroduce lynx into Kielder Forest in Northumberland is gathering momentum and expects a sympathetic hearing from the Labour government, although sheep farmers among others, may hold different views. The lynx, which has been successfully reintroduced to four European countries while remnant populations survive elsewhere, is basically a big cat weighing a maximum of 25kg, about the size of a springer spaniel. They hunt at night, and would principally eat some of the overpopulation of roe deer in the Kielder Forest, but would also hunt and eat foxes, hares and rabbits. They are generally regarded as excellent for keeping a healthy ecosystem in balance. The irony of such introductions is that lynx increase tourism dramatically with visitors hoping to see the wild cat. However, with the animals so elusive that they have to be fitted with trackers before release to find out where they have gone, this would be unlikely. A man has sparked outrage after he used the memorial flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris to light a cigarette. A video posted on social media shows him crouching down to light his cigarette from the eternal flame that sits at the top of the monument in the French capital, surrounded by stunned onlookers. Wearing a dark top, white trousers and a backpack he stands up afterwards and casually walks off while stepping over the low chain link fence that surrounds the tomb. The man was seen crouching down behind the fence to reach the flame (X/@Arrogance_0024) He didnt appear to be drunk or under the influence of drugs, the woman who filmed the clip on Monday told Le Figaro. On the contrary, he was clearly aware of what he was doing and proud of having done it. Located under the Arc de Triomphe, the tomb contains the remains of an unidentified soldier killed in the First World War as a symbolic tribute to all soldiers who have died for France. The flame was first lit in 1923 and is rekindled at 6.30pm every evening. The tomb is marked with the French inscription Ici repose un soldat francais mort pour la Patrie, 19141918 or Here rests a French soldier who died for the Fatherland. The man was seen walking away having lit up his cigarette (X) A man identified as Hamdi H. was later arrested in the 17th arrondissement on Tuesday around 6pm local time, local media reported. The video triggered condemnation across France with ministers denouncing the incident as a disgrace to the legacy of fallen soldiers. France will never tolerate tarnishing the memory of those who died for her, Patricia Miralles, the minister for veterans and remembrance, wrote on X. I am filing a case immediately with the Paris state prosecutors so that this man will be found and sanctions imposed to make an example of him, she said in a separate post. France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also condemned the act, describing it as shameful and despicable. Located under the Arc de Triomphe, the tomb contains the remains of unidentified soldiers who died in the First World War The suspect is believed to be a 47-year-old homeless man, legally resident in France until October 2025, Le Figaro reported. A source close to the case told the paper that Mr Retailleau will revoke the residence permit of the man, who is originally from Morocco. He remains in police custody as of Wednesday. He is accused of violating a burial site, tomb, cinerary urn, or monument erected in memory of the dead - an offense punishable by one year in prison and a 15,000 (13,000) fine. A computer-generated sketch of Carl Matthew Bryant, 4, who was murdered and found dead in Virginia in 1972 (National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) Police used advanced DNA testing to identify a murdered Pennsylvania boy more than 50 years after his body was found in Virginia, but the events leading up to his death remain a mystery. In June 1972, a little boy was found dead in Massey Creek under the Old Colchester Road Bridge in Lorton, Virginia. An autopsy revealed he had died of blunt force trauma but he was not able to be identified until now. The Fairfax County Police Department revealed the boys name on Monday Carl Matthew Bryant. Bryant had turned four years old shortly before he was found dead. Police were able to identify Byrant through advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing. A computer-generated sketch of Carl Matthew Bryant, 4, who was murdered and found dead in Virginia in 1972 (The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children) Astrea Forensics, a biotechnology research company that helps law enforcement solve forensic cold cases, developed a DNA profile suitable for genetic genealogy with just a few millimeters of hair collected from the boy. With this DNA profile, Innovative Forensic Investigations, an investigative genetic genealogy and private investigation firm, was able to identify a possible relative of the boy. Detectives then traced the boys family to Philadelphia, and with the help of local authorities, they contacted a relative who led them to the boys mother, Vera Bryant. Vera died in 1980, but her body was exhumed, and her DNA confirmed a match. But its still unclear what exactly happened to Bryant and his six-month-old brother, James Bryant, who was killed around the same time. James body has never been found. Detectives believe Vera and her then-boyfriend, James Hedgepeth, who is also now dead, were involved in Bryants murder. Hedgepeth was previously convicted of murder and had a violent criminal history, according to Fairfax County police. A family member said Vera had two sons, Carl and James, and she planned to travel from Philadelphia to Virginia in 1972, according to authorities. Police theorize the murders of the Byrant boys happened somewhere between Philadelphia and Middlesex County, Virginia. August 6, 2025: Peace talks between Israel and Islamic terrorist group Hamas continue to not happen. Hamas has been interfering with Israeli and foreign efforts to deliver food in Gaza, plus the UN claims the sole right to distribute it but wont actually do that. So the food just sits there in piles. Because of this the hungry Palestinians turned on Hamas, accusing them of prolonging the hunger. Israeli troops continue to fight Hamas while attempting to get more food into Gaza. Over a hundred Palestinians have been killed or wounded in the fighting, along with some aid workers and Israeli troops. Yemeni soldiers aligned with the exiled Yemen government claim to have seized nearly 800 tons of Houthi weapons supplied by Iran. The Houthi attacks have already sunk several ships and some of their missiles landed in Israeli. These caused property damage killing and wounding civilians. Israel has responded with a growing number of air strikes on Yemeni targets, including port facilities and other infrastructure. This was the first airstrike against the Houthis ordered by the new American president, who did not specify how many targets were hit, or where inside Yemen. Yemens health ministry reported that 13 people were killed by the strikes in the capital city of Sanaa. The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group is currently in the area. The attack comes after several weeks of peace in waters around Yemen. Recently Houthi leaders said the group would begin attacking ships in the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden and Bab al-Mandab Strait after pro-Hamas groups claimed Israel had cut off the flow of aid into Gaza on March 2. On March 7th, the group gave a four-day deadline for Israel to cease its war on Hamas or face a renewal in attacks. Israel did not cease its Gaza operations. Off the Yemen Red Sea Coast, the Yemen Houthi rebel group continued to attack passing ships headed north to the Suez Canal. Using various weapons supplied by Iran, the Houthis have launched attacks on nearly a hundred ships since late 2023. Most ships were undamaged, but several were sunk and one was seized. Sailors on these ships have been killed and wounded. The U.S. Navy responded with attacks on the Houthis using missiles fired from destroyers and airstrikes Israel and an American carrier in the vicinity. Recently an Israeli air strike on the Red Sea port of Hudaydah destroyed oil storage facilities as well as large and expensive port equipment used for unloading cargo and grain ships. The Israeli attack was in retaliation for a July 19th Houthi drone attack on the Israeli city of Tel Aviv that killed one person and wounded eight others. The subsequent Israeli retaliatory attack on Hudaydah was unexpected because of the long distance the Israeli fighter-bomber had to travel to reach Hudaydah and the Houthis were not expecting it. The Israelis were embarrassed that the Houthi drone somehow got past their air defense system and were scrambling to fix that as their damaging raid on the port of Hudaydah took place. The Israeli attack caused some Houthi casualties but destroyed critical port equipment, like the large cranes that are used to unload ships. This meant that that for a year or more, much less foreign aid for hungry people in northern Yemen enters could enter the country via Hudaydah. What triggered this catastrophe was the increasing aggressive attacks carried out by Yemens Houthi tribe. They used their large stockpile of Iranian missiles to attack ships moving up the Red Sea, with targeting assistance from their Iranian Quds Force sponsors. This capability developed over the last decade as the rebels launched attacks on more distant targets. The rebels obtained more powerful weapons as well, including Iranian ballistic missiles, which were disassembled so they could be smuggled from Iran to Yemen, where Iranian technicians supervised the missiles being assembled and launched into Saudi Arabia. In the last few years, the rebels have received longer range ballistic missiles fired from northern Yemen across Saudi territory to hit Saudi and UAE oil production facilities on the Persian Gulf coast. The rebels also acquired the reconnaissance capability to accurately fire missiles at ships moving up the Red Sea towards the Suez Canal. This has forced many ships to take the longer and more expensive and time consuming route around the southern tip of Africa. This has always been a potential threat to ships using the Red Sea to reach the Suez Canal. Egypt and Iran are enemies and reducing Suez Canal income is a win for Iran, which supported the Yemen rebels for more than a decade to make such an interdiction possible. Western nations reacted slowly to this interdiction effort and only recently began attacking Yemen Shia rebel targets with missiles and gunfire from warships as well as air strikes from air bases in the region and an American aircraft carrier. American destroyers belonging to the carrier task force also moved close to the Yemen shore and launched missiles against Houthi targets near the Yemen coast. With the war in Yemen dragging on into 2025, it is unclear when or if Iran will halt support for the Houthi. At the moment Iran is not sending any more supplies to the Houthis because of recent Israeli and American airstrikes. These attacks wiped out most Iranian air defense systems. Currently the Houthi avoid firing on Iranian, American, or Chinese cargo ships in the Red Sea. China is a trading partner of Iran, despite the sanctions imposed on Iran and the Americans have the most fire power in the region to inflict serious damage on the Houthis. Before the recent Israeli attacks on Hamas in Gaza and Iran-backed militias in Lebanon, Iran was under widespread internal pressure from Iranians protesting the expensive foreign wars in Syria and Yemen. Despite that, Iran smuggled in more and more weapons. These were not intended for the ongoing Yemen civil war but for use against targets designated by Iran. But then Iran suddenly had its own domestic uprising to deal with. The Iranian religious dictatorship held onto power and supported more violence against real or perceived enemies of Iran, even if they were Iranian citizens protesting the economic losses Iranians have suffered because the religious dictatorship continues supporting foreign wars. One of those wars was in Yemen. In 2015 Iran admitted it had been quietly supporting the Houthi Shia rebels for a long time but now was doing so openly, and that support was increasing. Many Yemenis trace the current crisis back to the civil war that ended, sort of, in 1994. That war was caused by the fact that, when the British left Yemen in 1967, their former colony in Aden became one of two countries called Yemen. The two Yemens finally united in 1990 but another civil war in 1994 was needed to seal the deal. That fix didn't really take and the north and south have been pulling apart ever since. This comes back to the fact that Yemen has always been a region, not a country. Like most of the rest of the Persian Gulf and Horn of Africa region, the normal form of government until the 20th century was wealthier coastal city states nervously coexisting with interior tribes that got by on herding or farming or a little of both plus smuggling and other illicit sidelines. This concept of nationhood is still look For a long time, the most active Yemeni rebels were the Shia Houthis in the northwest. The Houthis have always wanted to restore local Shia rule in the traditional Shia tribal territories, led by the local imam, a religious leader who was a Houthi. This arrangement, after surviving more than a thousand years, was ended by the central government in 1962. Yemen also became the new headquarters of Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula/AQAP when Saudi Arabia was no longer safe for these Islamic terrorists after 2007. Then came the even more radical Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant/ SIL and an invading army composed of troops from oil-rich neighbors like Saudi Arabia, which was very upset by Iranian/Houthi missile attacks. By late 2017 the rebels were slowly losing ground to government forces who, despite Arab coalition air support and about five thousand ground troops, were still dependent on Yemeni Sunni tribal militias to fight the Shia tribesmen on the ground. While the Shia are only a third of the population, they are united while the Sunni tribes are divided over the issue of again splitting the country in two and with no agreement on who would get the few oil fields in central Yemen. Many of the Sunni tribes tolerate or even support AQAP and ISIL. The Iranian smuggling pipeline continued to operate, and the Yemen rebels were able to buy additional weapons from other sources because they received cash from nations or groups hostile to the Arab Gulf state, especially Saudi Arabia and the UAE. The Shia Houthi rebels were from northern Yemen and controlled the Yemen border with Saudi Arabia. Over the last decade the rebels launched more and more attacks on Saudi targets. After Hamas attacked Israel in October 2023, Iran ordered its Houthi proxy to attack commercial shipping moving past Yemen to reach the Suez Canal. The world has long ignored the Yemen civil war but, now that the Yemen Houthi rebels are interdicting the Suez Canal, there are incentives for some Western nations, in Europe and North America who are most dependent on this trade route, to do something as long as it does not involve acting against Iran who is the real cause of the problem. Arab Gulf States do not have large warships. Saudi Arabia does have combat aircraft that have been attacking targets in Yemen for over a decade. None of these attacks were able to eliminate the Houthi threat. In 2014 Persian Gulf Arab states sent in ground troops. This was not sufficient to defeat the Houthis, so they stopped trying and withdrew their forces. Then the Houthis commenced their attacks on Red Sea shipping, including Saudi shipping. A The United Arab Emirates/UAE, a small Persian Gulf oil state, has only 20,000 troops in its military. But in 2015 the UAE sent 3,500 troops to Yemen but by 2020 nearly all these soldiers had been withdrawn. While in Yemen the UAE forces helped organize and improve local Sunni forces in southern Yemen to better deal with the Shia rebel forces in the north. While the Shia rebels have held the traditional Yemen capital of Sanaa in central Yemen, the more numerous Sunni forces in the south use the port of Aden as their capital. Aden and the local Sunni tribes continued to suffer attacks by AQAP and ISIL. This new biography claims Prince Andrew has slept with over 1,000 women - Bettmann/Bettmann It is not unprecedented for members of the Royal family to get rather carried away sexually. Edward VII had some disgusting sort of chair made so that, despite his girth, he could carry on with tarts in Paris. Edward VIII lost the throne through the allure of an American divorcee. The present Duke of Sussex went through a similar process, though without having a throne to lose. And now, according to Andrew Lownie (the author of biographies of other odd royalty, such as the Duke and Duchess of Windsor), Prince Andrew, Duke of York, is supposed to have slept with over 1,000 women. Who, I wonder, was counting? An unnamed source says that the Duke slept with half a dozen women before he was 13. That sounds like child abuse. But is it true? Excess is the motif of Entitled. The Duke is turned into an oafish version of Sir Epicure Mammon, the hyperbolic character in a Ben Jonson play who dreams of eating the swelling unctuous paps of a fat pregnant sow, newly cut off. Actually, the deadly sins allocated to Andrew are lust and avarice. In the book its his former wife, Sarah, Duchess of York, who is left with spendthrift gluttony. According to a sacked staff member in 2010, every night she demands a whole side of beef, a leg of lamb and a chicken, which are laid out on the dining room table like a medieval banquet. Does he realise that a side of beef is half a cow: chuck, rib, brisket, shank, sirloin, fillet, rump, the lot? Talk about a groaning board. Returning from New York from promoting her Budgie books, the Duchess had 51 pieces of excess baggage containing newly bought clothes and gifts. She was nicknamed by the press as Her Royal Excess. Prince Andrew and Sarah, Duchess of York, who was nicknamed Her Royal Excess by the press - Max Mumby/Indigo Piling up the carvery plate of royal excess makes Entitled less, not more, plausible. It is also indigestible for the reader. No unkindness is too small to throw into the pot. The Duke is often rude to inferiors (almost everyone). Boris Johnson is quoted as saying that another lunch with the Prince might make him a republican. One of his dates said: He tells the most pathetic jokes. He finds poo cushions funny. I didnt quite know what a poo cushion was. I thought it might be a whoopie cushion. But more likely it means a cushion bearing the likeness of a piled turd. The notorious and tragic accompaniment of Randy Andys sex mania was the suicide in prison of his erstwhile friend Jeffrey Epstein and the suicide this year of Virginia Giuffre, aged 41. She had reached an out-of-court settlement with the Duke, who she claimed had sex with her aged 17 after a meeting at the Belgravia house of Ghislaine Maxwell, now in jail. Ghislaine served tea from a porcelain pot and biscuits, is one of the more banal touches in her account, here, of that meeting. According to one of the Dukes friends, meeting Epstein was like putting a rattlesnake in an aquarium with a mouse. The Prince may have been the mouse, but it was Epstein who died. So pumped up is this biography, that I was surprised to find no suggestion from an anonymous source that Prince Andrew bored Epsteins prison guards into a deep sleep with his conversation and then strangled him with his mouse-like grip. Andrew Lownie is the author of Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York - Jeff Gilbert As it is, what made the public think the Duke is not a very nice man was his own testimony in the celebrated BBC interview in 2019 the one in which he declared that he didnt sweat. Now an unnamed Buckingham Palace employee says that if the full extent of the Dukes involvement with Epstein came out, I think the British public would try to impeach the Royal Family. I dont even know what that is supposed to mean. In the Middle Ages, peers could be impeached and tried by the House of Lords, and Warren Hastings was impeached and acquitted in 1795. Id love to see it done again. It would probably resemble the trial of the Knave of Hearts in Alice in Wonderland. Thats fiction. Entitled is meant to be fact. But it gets nowhere near the bottom of the psychology of the Duke of York, the spare to our present King. As an infant he was known as Baby Grumpling and even his mother the Queen found him not always a little ray of sunshine about the house. Most curiously, 60 years on and more, he lives in the same (big) house as the Duchess, 29 years after their divorce. Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York is published by Harper Collins at 18.99. To order your copy, call 0330 173 0523 or visit Telegraph Books Prince Harry has accused a charity watchdog report of falling troublingly short in its findings regarding a row at Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in 2006. The Charity Commission cleared the Duke of Sussex of over-reach at the charity but criticised him and others for letting a "damaging" boardroom battle play out in the "public eye". The watchdog, which investigated Sentebale for four months, has condemned all parties to the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly. In response, a spokesperson for the prince said: Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebales Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair. Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chairs actions will not be borne by herbut by the children who rely on Sentebales support. The commission found that the trustees failure to resolve disputes internally severely affected the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally. Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauka reported the trustees of Harrys charity to the Charity Commission (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) (PA Wire) Pointing to a lack of clarity around role descriptions and internal policies as the key cause for weaknesses in the management, the watchdog says the confusion inflamed tensions, which culminated in a row and mass resignations of trustees and both founding patrons, the commission found. In March, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the co-founder, quit as patrons, saying the move was in support of the trustees who also resigned in a dispute with chairwoman Sophie Chandauka. It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation, the princes said at the time. Dr Chandauka said she had reported Sentebale's trustees to the Charity Commission and had taken legal steps to prevent her removal. She also made claims of misconduct. Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry founded the organisation in 2006 in honour of Harrys mother, Diana, to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those with HIV and Aids. The watchdog said the row began after 2023, when Sentebales then trustees tried to implement a new fundraising strategy in the United States. A serious dispute then emerged between Dr Chandauka, some trustees and the Duke of Sussex. Members of the regulator said that after conducting interviews and reviewing evidence, they found the delegation of certain powers to the chair, including consideration of an executive chair role, was a confusing, convoluted and poorly governed process, with a lack of clearly defined delegations. The watchdog said the then trustees failed to have proper processes and policies to investigate internal complaints. Polo player Nacho Figueras, Sophie Chandauka, Prince Harry and Richard Miller, Sentebale chief executive (Getty) More generally, a lack of clear policies contributed to the failure to resolve disputes, they concluded. And the commission said public statements made to the media and criticism made in television interviews, did not serve the charitys best interests. It found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or racism, but acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally. Nor was there evidence of over-reach by either the chair or the Duke of Sussex, it said. But the regulator concluded: The failure to clarify delegations within the charity to the chair, and the failure to have proper processes for internal complaints, both amount to mismanagement in the administration of the charity. The commission has issued Sentebale with a regulatory action plan, saying the charity should have a clearly defined patron role set out in writing. The plan also includes improving complaints and whistleblowing procedures. The watchdog said all the charitys then trustees contributed to a missed opportunity to resolve issues that led to the dispute. Financial difficulties following the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to tensions, it added. David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve. Prince Harrys spokesperson said that he would find alternatives to helping the children supported by Sentebale in Lesotho and Botswana. "As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former board of trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to - like its namesake - a flowering force for good, they said. "With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind - and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began - the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana." Dr Chandauka said: "The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private. "We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact. "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato. "To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation." Representative. School children in China (AFP via Getty) A school bullying incident in Chinas Sichuan province sparked public outrage and protests after a viral video showed three female students beating and humiliating a 14-year-old classmate. Authorities sent two of the attackers to correctional school for assaulting and verbally abusing the teenager, but many citizens criticised the punishment as too lenient, especially after reports revealed the girl had faced bullying for a long time and her deaf mother had repeatedly pleaded for help. One of the attackers allegedly claimed that she had been detained by police over 10 times and always walked free within 20 minutes, further inflaming public anger. On Monday, nearly 1,000 people gathered outside local government offices in Jiangyou in Sichuan province to protest and clashed with police. Footage showed officers using batons and electric prods, injuring several protesters. A video verified to have been filmed outside the city hall showed police both in blue uniforms and plainclothes forcibly pulling two people aside, including a woman in a black dress who was dragged away by her limbs. They are sweeping away citizens everywhere, a person was heard saying as the woman was taken away. In a video shared by Yesterday BigCat, a YouTube channel documenting protests in China, a demonstrator angrily recalled one of the attackers boasting she had been detained multiple times before and released without consequence. Police said the teens beating, which happened last month and left her with several bruises on the scalp and knees, was filmed and shared online by bystanders. Many citizens condemned the punishment as too lenient. The sentence is too light, a comment on Chinese social media site Weibo read, that is why they were so arrogant. The penalty for causing minor injuries is too mild, while the physical and mental trauma suffered by victims is overlooked by the law, which leads to a significant imbalance in the protection of their rights, the BBC quoted a Shanghai lawyer as writing on Weibo. Mass protests erupted in Jiangyou, Sichuan, after a brutal school bullying case that reportedly implicated local police in a cover-up. On August 3, a video surfaced online showing several young women beating and humiliating another girl inside an abandoned building. In the https://t.co/6j3JS6KVzk pic.twitter.com/uhKuKWLv8q -Human Rights in China (@hrichina) August 5, 2025 Authorities denied online rumours the attackers were daughters of powerful officials and punished two individuals for spreading misinformation, according to the Guardian. Two of the parents are unemployed, two are working outside the province, one is a local salesperson, and one is a local delivery driver, police said in a statement, refuting the rumours. In 2023, protests erupted in Shangqiu in Henan province after a 14-year-old boy died under suspicious circumstances. While his school claimed suicide, his parents alleged he had been physically assaulted. That incident added to growing concern over school bullying in China. That same year, authorities vowed to crack down on bullying after a court sentenced a teenage boy to life in prison for killing a classmate he had allegedly bullied for a long time. A quarter of people believe rioters involved in last summers violent clashes were treated unfairly by the legal system, after 1,876 people were arrested. Violent scenes spread across the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings, which saw three young girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Disinformation regarding the suspect and his immigration status caused widespread riots, which led to 1,110 people being charged with violent disorder offences. A new YouGov poll of nearly 5,000 people found that 12 per cent believed the rioters had been treated completely unfairly, while 14 per cent said they had been treated somewhat unfairly. Widespread unrest broke out across the UK after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport (Getty) Six in 10 of Labour voters believed they had been treated fairly, after the disturbances saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted by large mobs. In comparison, 70 per cent of supporters for Nigel Farages party Reform UK believed the legal system had been unfair to perpetrators, which saw some rioters receive nine-year prison sentences. Dozens of suspected protesters are still wanted by police, with a national appeal launched to identify people for offences including throwing bricks and seriously assaulting people. It comes after a series of protests in recent weeks outside a hotel in Epping, Essex, where migrants are housed, after an Ethiopian asylum-seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Additional protests have spread to Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Manchester and Norfolk, but so far, wider unrest has been avoided. Rioters square up to police in Southport last July (PA) In London, demonstrations have taken place outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf and the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, which are also reportedly housing asylum seekers. On Sunday, flares were set off and a group of people attempted to break into Britannia by breaching the fences and harassing occupants and staff. Further protests have been planned for later this week, including eight demonstrations outside hotels on Friday evening as part of an Abolish Asylum Day. Sir Keir Starmers government has indicated it is not willing to tolerate a repeat of 2024s riots, with a government spokesperson stating that contingency plans had been strengthened since last years shameful scenes. Tensions have been further heightened after Mr Farage and Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch claimed there had been a cover-up after police charged two men, who are Afghan asylum seekers, with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. Protesters outside the Bell Hotel in Epping in July (PA) In a letter to the home secretary and Warwickshire Polices chief constable, Mr Finch claimed that not publicising the pairs immigration status risks public disorder breaking out on the streets of Warwickshire. The issue of how much information is revealed by police regarding suspects has been the subject of fierce debate following a string of high-profile cases, including the Southport killings last year. On Tuesday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said we do think more transparency is needed in the information given by police and that guidance needs to change. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has warned that the publics patience with the asylum hotels and with the whole issue of illegal migration has snapped, after small boat crossings topped 25,000 for the year so far, a record for this point in the year. Detentions are set to begin by the end of the week as part of Sir Keirs one in, one out deal to return Channel migrants to France. The deal, which has now been approved by the European Commission, means the UK will be able to send people crossing the Channel in small boats back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. It also means that anyone arriving in a small boat can be detained immediately, and space has been set aside at immigration removal centres in the expectation that detentions will begin within days. The prime minister said the ratification of the treaty will send a clear message if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France. Protestors outside the Royal Mint on March 15, 2025 - SOPA Images / Getty Images The saga of the new Chinese Embassy in London has reached its climax. Having bought the Royal Mint, a huge and historic site of more than five acres opposite the Tower of London, for 255m in 2018, Beijing is now developing it. Much of this building would be used for normal cultural and diplomatic purposes. But the plans include a vast basement with no obvious function. More concerningly, details of these plans have been redacted in Beijings application. There are justifiable fears that the basement could become a high-tech centre for espionage, surveillance and monitoring of Chinese nationals. The basement might even include facilities where pro-democracy activists from Hong Kong could be interrogated. Lawyers for the Chinese are already exploring legal loopholes to extradite its opponents and rewards are offered to those who turn them in. The decision on granting planning permission now rests with the Housing Secretary. Angela Rayner is, of course, also the Deputy Prime Minister. As such she will be more concerned about global than local issues. Britains economic dependence on China means that it seems most unlikely that Ms Rayner will refuse planning permission, apart from minor modifications. But it is welcome that she has at least asked for an explanation as to why the plans have been redacted. This is, however, an issue that transcends normal diplomatic relations. We cannot allow the largest embassy in Europe to be erected in such a strategic location in London without proper parliamentary and press scrutiny. Ms Rayner must elicit more information from the Chinese about what would go on inside their proposed basement. Until the Beijing authorities are more forthcoming about their intentions, the public is entitled to presume that they are sinister. A raft of new hires raises questions around where the party actually stands on the most important issues of the day - Anadolu Farage wants you to know that hes not just staunch on immigration hes also tough on crime. At a press conference this week the party leader unveiled a raft of new proposals, including a push for US style supermax prisons, an end to wokeness in the criminal justice system and more data on the relationship between crime and the asylum system. But I still have the sneaking suspicion Reform arent quite as tough as they want you to believe they are, not least if their two recent hires are anything to go by. Vanessa Frake, a former head of security in a prison and Reform UKs new justice adviser, immediately made headlines over her stance on transgender prison inmates. When asked on Times Radio if she believed all transgender women should be removed from womens prisons, she answered no, I dont think so. Asked if he agreed with Ms Frakes stance, Mr Farage said on Monday Ive personally never worked in a prison, so I cant answer it then distanced himself from her comments yesterday by stating that I have never supported men in womens prisons. This isnt Frakes only view to the Left of Reforms stated policy. She has repeatedly opposed twelve-month prison sentences. Last year she argued in two separate interviews that there is no point sending someone to prison for under 12 months and that there are a lot of people in prison who shouldnt be there. This is quite surprising, given that 99.5 per cent of crimes dont result in a jail sentence. Even Labour havent yet got rid of short-term prison sentences. Is Frake to the Left of Shabana Mahmood? Yes, Frake is just an advisor, and her views arent necessary party policy. But why would Farage hire someone who publicly espouses a much softer approach to crime than the general public? Perhaps this embarrassment is the inevitable consequence of attempting to fill party ranks in a relatively short period of time a problem not helped by Reforms insistence in recruiting a parade of unimpressive former Tories. Take this weeks second hire, Rupert Matthews, the Conservative Police and Crime Commissioner for Leicestershire and author of such tomes as Alien Encounters and Unexplained Ancient Mysteries. Theres no evidence Matthews is a criminal policy titan Leicestershire police force is currently rated requires improvement for investigating crime and responding to the public but Reform have lapped up the defection. The same goes for Jake Berry, a pro net zero Remainer who served as Conservative party chairman under Liz Truss, inexplicably boosted as a major defector by Farage. Another problematic Tory get is Linden Kemkaran, a former Conservative candidate turned Reform leader of Kent County Council. Shortly after assuming office, Kemkaran wrote to the Government to express grave concern about planned tightening of requirements for health and care visas: a pro-migration stance that is hardly ideal for a rising star in the party. Farage has been on a journey. He veers wildly over whether he wishes to deport illegal migrants. The urge to reach a larger share of the electorate will ring in the siren call of moderation. But continued sloppiness over hires could leave Kemi Badenochs Tories looking like the real Right-wing alternative to Labour. Lara Brown is the Commissioning Editor of the Spectator Cases of a mosquito-borne viral disease have spiked in China this month (Getty Images/iStock) Cases of a mosquito-borne viral disease have spiked in China this month as the country imposes Covid-era regulations in the most affected areas. There have been nearly 8,000 cases of chikungunya in under a month, focused largely in Foshan city and Guangdong region. The rapid rise in cases has prompted fears of a wider outbreak, despite the strict measures put in place by Chinese authorities. There is also a rising number of imported chikungunya cases in Europe. According to data from the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) here have been 48 cases reported in France since 1 May, alongside two in Italy. Since the beginning of 2025, 240,000 cases and 90 deaths related to chikungunya virus disease have been reported in 16 countries across the globe. In China, authorities have imposed strict measures to prevent the spread of the virus, drawing comparisons to its approach to the Covid pandemic. New rules have seen patients required to stay within quarantine zones inside hospitals, while soldiers wearing masks have been deployed to spray insecticides in public places to exterminate mosquitoes. In the UK, there were 26 infections detected in travellers returning to the country from other locations between January and March this year. The risk in this country remains low, but the UK Health Security Agency is urging people to take precautions when travelling. Hilary Kirkbride, head of travel health at UK Health Security Agency, said: There is continued transmission of chikungunya globally and we continue to see infections in travellers returning to the UK. It is essential to take precautions against mosquito-borne infections such as chikungunya while travelling abroad. Simple steps, such as using insect repellent, covering exposed skin and sleeping under insecticide-treated bed nets, can effectively reduce the risk. Before you travel, check the TravelHealthPro website for the latest health advice on your destination. A chikungunya vaccine may also considered for those travelling to higher risk regions. Heres everything you need to know about the virus: What is chikungunya virus disease? Chikungunya virus disease is a mosquito-borne disease that is widely found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is only spread to humans by a bite from an infected mosquito, and cannot be passed between humans. The 240,000 cases detected in 2025 so far have been found in the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Brazil has the most cases, with over 185,553, followed by Bolivia (4,721) and Argentina (2,836). Two French islands off the east coast of Africa, La Reunion and Mayotte, are also experiencing ongoing outbreaks of the disease, with over 55,000 cases combined as of July 2025. The virus was first detected in Tanzania in 1952, after which it spread to other countries in sub-Saharan Africa and South East Asia. It has been reported in 119 countries across the globe to date. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? Most people will develop symptoms of chikungunya within three to seven days of being bitten by an infected mosquito. One of the most pronounced symptoms is joint pain, which can be severe in some cases. Other symptoms include fever, rash, headache, muscle pain and swollen joints. In most cases, an infected individual will feel better within a week. However, severe cases can see joint pain persist for months or even years. Those most at risk from severe symptoms include newborns, older people, and those with underlying health conditions. Deaths from the disease are rare. Shareholders of Spanish banking group Sabadell have voted to approve the sale of TSB to Santander after striking a deal worth 2.65 billion. Some analysts think the sale could make it easier for Sabadell to rebuff a potential hostile takeover bid by rival Spanish group BBVA. The proposed sale of TSB was passed with 99.6% shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting (EGM) on Wednesday, Sabadell said. It agreed last month to sell the UK bank, saying it aligns with plans to sharpen its focus on Spain where it sees greater potential for growth. The move is set to create the UKs third largest bank by the number of personal current accounts. Sabadells chairman Josep Oliu said the proposed sale of TSB was independent of BBVAs takeover bid and that it would have happened regardless because of the clear benefits to the bank and its shareholders. He also said that there had been expressions of interest in TSB from potential buyers since 2021 following a turnaround of the bank. However, Sabadell has recognised that the move could impede the success of BBVAs bid, which initially valued the banking group at about 12 billion euros (10.5 billion). Sabadells board has opposed the bid since it was launched last year, saying it has confidence and conviction in our future as a standalone bank. Pablo de la Torre Cuevas, an analyst for RBC Capital Markets, said the sale seems to be last major effort to convince Sabadells shareholders to not accept BBVAs offer during the upcoming take-up period. He said the shareholder approval would likely further complicate its takeover of Sabadell, which has already seen the Spanish regulator and government intervene. Sabadel expects Santanders acquisition of TSB to complete during the first three months of 2026. Paddington actor Sally Hawkins has said starring in third film Paddington in Peru wouldve broken her heart due to the absence of the franchises former director Paul King. The 49-year-old played Mrs Brown in the live action comedies Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017) alongside Hugh Bonneville, 61, who played her husband Mr Brown. When King opted to pass on the film series third instalment, Hawkins also waved goodbye to the project and followed the director to Wonka, where she played the mother of Timothee Chalamets young chocolatier. Speaking to The Times, Hawkins said she feels so awful about removing herself from the cast of Paddington in Peru, but noted Bonneville did get an upgrade in her replacement, Emily Mortimer. Because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it wouldve broken my heart, she said of her decision to exit the film, which was instead directed by Dougal Wilson. Hawkins met King at a theatre workshop at Ealing Studios, 20 years before the first Paddington film. Although the actor described her experience working on Paddington as a gift, she noted she often becomes embarrassed by fans of the films approaching her in the street. Sally Hawkins in 'Paddington' (StudioCanal) It can really upset me, she said. Because you dont know why people are smiling at you or staring at you, or being aggressive and weird to youYou just want to live but it can cripple you. Paddington in Peru was released in November 2024, seven years after the franchises acclaimed second instalment. Paddington in Peru follows the Peruvian bears journey to his South American birth place, where he visits his beloved Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. The film was received less positively by critics than Paddington and Paddington 2. In a three-star review, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey said the bearss usual tomfoolery was underutilised. Itd be delusional to think that Paddington had anywhere to go but down, she wrote. It appears director Paul King may have packed up most of that magic and taken it with him over to last years Wonka. Scotlands railway operator has added extra train services on the dates of Oasiss upcoming shows in Edinburgh. ScotRail urged fans to make use of its enhanced timetable on August 8, 9 and 12 as the Mancunian rockers prepare to take over Murrayfield Stadium. The firm is also offering late-night services and increased capacity on its trains. Murrayfield Stadium (Lynne Cameron/PA) The late-night services will operate from Edinburgh to many of Scotlands cities, including Glasgow and Dundee, and other services will go to Perth and Dunblane. When the concert ends, fans are encouraged to make their way promptly to Haymarket station, where a holding area will be in place on Haymarket Terrace to manage crowds. Customers will then be directed to the appropriate queue for their train home. Additional ScotRail staff will be on hand to assist customers and help ensure everything runs smoothly. Phil Campbell, ScotRail customer operations director, said: With just a few days to go until the highly anticipated Oasis gigs at Murrayfield, were really looking forward to helping fans travel to what promises to be an unforgettable series of shows. Weve got more trains running throughout the Edinburgh Festivals, and were adding late-night services for the gigs themselves to help fans make the most of the occasion. Were encouraging everyone to plan their journey in advance, make the most of the extra services, and soak up the atmosphere of a great night in the capital. by Ashutosh Jogalekar Eighty years ago on August 6, 1945, a blinding flash of light changed the world forever. The shadow of Hiroshima and Nagasaki has been with us ever since. Scientists struggled to make sense of the milennial force they had unleashed on the world. While science had always had some political implications, the advent of nuclear weapons took this relationship to a completely new level. For the first time humanity had definitively discovered the means of its destruction, and the work of scientists had made this jarring new reality possible. Scientists struggled with the new reality just like everyone else. Suddenly they were cast into the limelight as the new mandarins, becoming the politicians most important resource almost overnight. They were asked to offer advice on matters of seismic political and world significance for which they had not equipped themselves through their education and research. Generally speaking, scientists who responded to this new reality fell into two camps. Lets call them activists and stewards. Neither is meant to be a derogatory description. Neither group is good or bad, and both were important. To make the distinction clear, lets consider some concrete examples. Robert Oppenheimer was an activist; Hans Bethe was a steward. Carl Sagan was an activist; Sidney Drell was a steward. Edward Teller was an activist; Herbert York was a steward. Leo Szilard was an activist; Enrico Fermi was a steward. The primary difference between the two groups was that activists were revolutionary while stewards were evolutionary. Activists believed that the new age of nuclear weapons demanded urgent changes; stewards shared in the activists sense of urgency but believed that as painful as reality was, change needed to be worked from within, through institutional structures, through compromises and gradual advances. The careers of Oppenheimer and Bethe provide a striking and instructive contrast between the two groups. Both were world-renowned physicists for their accomplishments in research and teaching and for establishing world-class centers of physics, Oppenheimer at the University of California, Berkeley and Bethe at Cornell University. Oppenheimer recognized Bethe as an outstanding theoretician and picked him to lead the important theoretical division of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos. In turn Bethe enormously respected Oppenheimers intellect, astonishingly quick mind and vast knowledge of diverse fields. After the war both Bethe and Oppenheimer served as top consultants to the government on atomic energy and defense. While Bethe spearheaded the development of physics in the country from Cornell University, Oppenheimer served as director of the famed Institute for Advanced Study in Princeton, where he worked with individuals like Einstein, Godel and von Neumann. Both Bethe and Oppenheimer acted as wise men whom others consulted for advice on important matters of science and policy. Both men remained good friends till Oppenheimers death in 1967; Bethe was one of three speakers at Oppenheimers memorial service. And yet both, because of their different backgrounds and temperaments, took a different approach to advising the government and trying to bring about change. Bethe was a steward and served as a consultant to the government on important matters throughout his long life. He played a key role in orchestrating the test ban under Kennedy that banned nuclear tests in the atmosphere, under water and in space. Oppenheimer was more of an activist who made powerful enemies who could not see his wisdom in warning about an arms race. He was a poet whose misfortune was to be cast in history as a politician. His eloquence and his provocative words, for instance his vivid assertion that the United States and the Soviet Union were like two scorpions in a bottle that would kill each other only at risk of mutual annihilation, did not endear himself with the generals and the politicians. This led to him being hauled in front of a tribunal which revoked his security clearance. Wounded and depressed by this ungrateful action, Oppenheimer continued to write, teach and speak on science and society but could not influence government policy. On the other hand, Bethe continued to be more valuable as a government advisor throughout his life advising every president from Truman to Clinton partly because he knew how to compromise and could be more diplomatic and modest. He could take courageous stands, but these stands often came in the form of well-argued and well-researched articles in magazines like Scientific American and the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. He was a key voice advising the government on a wide variety of problems, from test bans to missile defense, from nuclear power to nuclear fusion. When Bethe died in 2005 at the ripe old age of ninety-eight, he was recognized as one of the greatest physicists of the 20th century. There were other activists and stewards who each left their mark on the fractious, complicated relationship between science and politics that had been set in motion by the invention of nuclear weapons. Edward Teller was an activist who wanted the United States to achieve supremacy over the Soviet Union in every way possible. He had trouble getting along with colleagues who thought that while he was brilliant, he failed to see ideas through and was obsessive and bitter. Teller vigorously pushed for a hydrogen bomb program even when it was far from certain that such a weapon would work and that it would have any strategic significance. Teller got his hydrogen bomb eventually, although it was the mathematician Stanislaw Ulam who catalyzed the key innovation. Bethe puckishly said that Teller was the mother of the hydrogen bomb because he conceived the idea and Ulam was the father because he provided the seed. Frustrated by what he thought was the slow pace of thermonuclear development at the Los Alamos national laboratory, Teller agitated for a separate weapons lab. His efforts culminated in the founding of the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory which has served as a valuable place for the invention of nuclear weapons. Livermores first director was Herbert York, a physicist who first spearheaded the agency which later became DARPA. But York was not an activist. He was a steward who believed that the United Statess existence depended on a robust but reasonable deterrence provided by nuclear weapons. York wrote a book titled The Advisors: Oppenheimer, Teller and the Superbomb which is a marvelous exposition of the decisions which resulted in the development of thermonuclear weapons. The best part of the book is the last part in which York lays out several different hypothetical scenarios that give credence to Oppenheimers view that that the United States not taking the initiative in building hydrogen bombs wouldnt have made it fall behind the Soviet Union. In spite of being Tellers protege, York deserves credit for objectively arguing Oppenheimers case and being a responsible steward. Carl Sagan was another nuclear activist. In eloquent, clear prose that was informed by both science and the humanities, Sagan made a case for global cooperation and human prosperity. He decided early in his career that he would categorically not work on military research. One of his most important contributions was the idea, developed with other colleagues, of nuclear winter. Nuclear winter was a scenario in which even a small scale nuclear exchange of a few hundred kilotons, say between India and Pakistan, would lead to the injection of a large amount of dust and fallout products into the atmosphere that would block sunlight and lead to global cooling that would kill crops and lead to the deaths of millions of people. Sagan and his colleagues published their nuclear winter calculations in serious journals, but they were challenged by colleagues like Freeman Dyson who thought that the effects of nuclear winters were exaggerated. But the main purpose of nuclear winter was not to project accurate effects; it was to arouse righteous sentiment against nuclear weapons. And in this Sagan succeeded. Dyson conceded that while he did not necessarily agree with the nuclear winter calculations, he agreed with the elevation of public consciousness incited by the nuclear winter scenario. Freeman Dyson who was a mentor and friend of mine was in fact a prime example of a steward. All his life he was part of the body of government advisors called JASON which advised the U.S. government on matters of defense and national security. But Dyson realized that lofty goals like the abolition of nuclear weapons do not contradict more modest goals like protection by nuclear submarines. In principle Dyson was an idealist, but in practice he was a realist. While agreeing that the abolition of nuclear weapons was a desirable goal, Dyson also realized that the road to that abolition involved the responsible stewardship of these weapons, and this goal in turn required the continued expertise of responsible experts who needed to work on these weapons. To this end, he advised the government on the Stockpile Stewardship program whose goal is to maintain the nuclear weapons of the United States without nuclear testing. In his book Weapons and Hope, Dyson lays out what I believe is the credo of the responsible steward, which is to work on defensive weapons and not work on offensive weapons. As we approach continued challenges of nuclear deterrence and new emerging technologies and threats like AI and biotechnology, do we need more activists or stewards? The answer in my opinion is that we need a lot of stewards and a few activists, with an interchangeable mix of both. Stewards are necessary to keep things going. Activists are important in shaking things up. But these roles dont have hard boundaries. Sometimes stewards need to be activists, like Hans Bethe was when he broke with the government on ballistic missile defense and Reagans Star Wars. Sometimes activists need to be stewards, like Robert Oppenheimer was when he advocated the use of tactical nuclear weapons on the battlefield and civil defense measures. Perhaps the one truth is that each age needs both activists and stewards, as long as each of them has the freedom to become the other. US journalist who went missing while hiking in Norwegian National Park is found alive Rescuers have found a US journalist who went missing on a hike in the remote Folgefonna national park, home to one of Norways largest glaciers. Alec Luhn, 38, was found and taken to Bergen, Norway by helicopter, police said. He had been missing since 31 July as he was setting off for his hike in the park, which stretches 545 square kilometres in western Norway. The reporter, who is from Wisconsin but based in the UK, is a Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Network fellow and has had two Emmy nominations. Formerly based in Moscow and Istanbul, he has reported for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and was a regular Guardian Russia correspondent from 2013 to 2017. His wife, journalist Veronika Silchenko, previously said he sent a picture from his last known location, Odda, on Thursday. The search was suspended on Tuesday due to severe weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, police told NRK. He was found on Wednesday. (Wikimedia Commons) She made a public appeal on social media after becoming concerned when he failed to board his flight home. We exchanged a few texts [on Thursday], she told CNN. He told me that he is going to hike and sent me a picture. He looked fine, the weather was fine. On Monday, we decided that we need to call the services, because he should have gotten out of the park by that time and probably would have been able to find the internet. So we started really panicking. Rescue dogs, Red Cross volunteers, special crews for alpine and glacier searches, drones and a Norwegian Air Force helicopter all searched the area with police. The experienced hiker had been on a family holiday before setting out on a solo backpacking trip from Odda, according to friends. Folgefonna National Park, known for its dramatic glacier tongues, wild valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, has drawn adventurous tourists since 1833. However, its remote and rugged terrain can turn perilous in harsh weather conditions. Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic, Ms Silchenko told CBS News. He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers. Hes a climate journalist, so for him it is always that story that now because of the climate change theyre all shrinking, and hes trying his best to go to the coldest countries. The body was found in a remote Pakistan mountain region (Wikicommons) A shepherd has discovered the body of a man who vanished nearly three decades ago, preserved in a glacier exposed by melting ice in a remote Pakistani mountain region. The body was found on 1 August with clothing intact in the Supat Valley, also known as Lady Valley, in the Kohistan region in the countrys northeast, according to The Express Tribune. What I saw was unbelievable, the local shepherd who found the body, Omar Khan, told the BBC. The body was intact. The clothes were not even torn. An identity card recovered with the body named the man as Naseeruddin. Once police confirmed the identity, locals came forward to provide more information, said Mr Khan, who often visits the area in summer. Police say Naseeruddin disappeared in June 1997 during a snowstorm after falling into a glacier crack. Naseeruddin, who had a wife and two children, had been travelling on horseback with his brother Kathiruddin at the time. A family dispute forced the two brothers to leave their home on the day he disappeared, according to The Express Tribune. As a result, the family had to migrate from Palas Valley to Alai tehsil in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa region. Having arrived in the valley in the morning, Naseeruddin stepped into a cave in the afternoon, his brother told the BBC. Kathiruddin looked for him inside the cave when he did not return. He went to get help from other people in the area but they never found him. Experts have said the discovery indicates the role of climate change in accelerating glacial melt. Glacier conditions freeze bodies fast and prevent decomposition, according to Professor Muhammad Bilal, an environmental scientist at Comsats University. Low oxygen and moisture then cause the body to mummify in the glacier. Researchers previously found that climate change is altering the landscape across the northern regions of Chitral and Gilgit-Baltistan - part of an area referred to as The Third Pole for its high levels of ice. A 2023 International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development report found that Himalayan glaciers could lose up to two-thirds of their volume by the end of the century if current levels of emissions persist. An Army sergeant opened fire at the Fort Stewart Base in Georgia Wednesday, shooting five fellow soldiers and causing a lockdown, officials said. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford. A motive was not immediately known, but officials said they believed Radford used a personal handgun, not a military weapon. Ahead of the violence, Radford allegedly sent his aunt a text message saying he loved everybody, and that hell be in a better place because he was about to go and do something, his father, Eddie Radford, told The New York Times. The attack prompted soldiers in the area to immediately and without hesitation, tackle the shooter, Brig. Gen. John Lubas said. Radford was taken into custody soon after the shooting, and officials later said that there was no active threat to the community. He has a limited criminal past, including a recent DUI arrest, but officials at the base admitted they were unaware of his history. The five soldiers who were injured are in stable condition and are expected to recover, Lubas said. The Army wont release their names pending notification of family members, and officials wont speculate on a motive, Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said. Sgt. Quornelius Radford was taken into custody soon after the shooting, though authorities have not yet shared a motive for the attack. (AP) What happened? The shooting occurred in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, according to the army base. Law enforcement was called to the scene just before 11 a.m. and by 11:04 a.m., the base went into lockdown. About 30 minutes after the base went into lockdown, authorities apprehended the gunman. Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. 2nd ABCT complex is still locked down, officials said. The lockdown order was extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield. The lockdown lasted about an hour, and prompted three schools near the base to also lock down out of an abundance of caution, the Liberty County School System said. The lockdown, which was lifted just before 2 p.m., coincided with students first day back in the classroom after summer break. What do we know about the suspected shooter? Officials identified the shooter as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford. He is 28 years old and from Jacksonville, Florida. He was arrested by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for DUI and failing to obey a traffic control device on May 18, 2025. He was on bond at the time of the shooting, according to reports. Radford is in custody after five soldiers were shot at the Fort Stewart army base, putting the facility into lockdown on Wednesday. (Liberty County Sheriff's Office) According to a summons obtained by Fox News Digital, Radford allegedly told the responding officer in May that he ran a red light because he had to go to the bathroom. The suspected shooters supervisors did not know he had previously been arrested, Lubas said. I do believe he was arrested locally for a DUI. That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases, Lubas said. Radfords father said his son had no history of serious mental health issues, but sometimes suffered from depression due to the death of his mother during his childhood. Radford had never been deployed to combat and was not known to base officials to have had any disciplinary issues, Lubas said. It was not immediately clear how the shooter brought a personal gun onto the Army base. (AP) He joined the Army as an automated logistical specialist in January 2018 and has been assigned to Fort Stewart since 2022, the military said. He is currently being held in pretrial confinement awaiting charges, Lubas said. Authorities have not yet shared a motive behind the attack. They also have to determine how the suspected shooter brought his personal gun onto the Army base. Were going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty, Lubas said, later reaffirming that he is still very confident in the bases security. What is the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team? The Armys 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 after over 200 vehicles were added to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers, the Associated Press reported. The team, also known as the Spartan Brigade, has been deemed the most modern land fighting force by the Army. Fort Stewart trains and deploys active and reserve Army units, primarily members of the 3rd Infantry Division. What happened to those injured? Five soldiers were shot during the incident, officials said. All five were treated at the base before some were taken to Winn Army Community Hospital. Some of the wounded were later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a top-level trauma center. During a press briefing, officials confirmed the five soldiers struck in the gunfire were in stable condition and recovering. Army officials said Radford was tackled to the ground by fellow soldiers after he opened fire at the base on Wednesday. (AP) What was the reaction of Georgia lawmakers? Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a statement said he was saddened to hear about the tragedy. As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart, he wrote on X. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock said he was heartbroken to see the news, writing on X, Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families. Republican Rep. Rich McCormick also wrote on X that he was monitoring the situation and that his heart is with the entire community. Republican Reps. Mike Collins and Marjorie Taylor Greene shared their prayers for the soldiers and their families. Thank you also to the first responders on base and medical personnel who swiftly and valiantly acted to save lives and end the threat. As the investigation unfolds we hope for swift justice for the shooter, Collins wrote on X. Please join me in a prayer for the safety of everyone at Fort Stewart, Greene wrote. Former state lawmaker Stacey Abrams wrote, Praying for the wounded soldiers and their families following todays horrific shooting at Fort Stewart. Grateful to the first responders who rushed to the scene and saved lives. White House reacts President Donald Trump vowed the suspect who shot five soldiers at Fort Stewart base will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Law enforcement apprehended the gunman about 30 minutes after the base went into lockdown. (WJCL) Five people were seriously wounded and two very, very seriously hurt around 11:00 this morning. The shooter is now in custody and the Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Trump said from the Oval Office Wednesday before giving remarks about an Apple investment. The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully theyll fully recover and we can put this chapter behind. But were not going to forget what happened. Were going to take very good care of this person that did this -- horrible person, Trump said. Tim Cook speaks at the Apple Park campus in Cupertino, California, on 9 September 2024. Photograph: David Paul Morris/Bloomberg via Getty Images Donald Trump on Wednesday celebrated a commitment by Apple to increase its investments in US manufacturing by an additional $100bn over the next four years. Apples plan to up its domestic investment comes as it seeks to avoid Trumps threatened tariffs, which would increase the tech giants costs as it relies on a complex international supply chain to produce its iPhones. Apples CEO, Tim Cook, warned during an earnings call in May that the tariffs could cost the company up to $900m that fiscal quarter alone. After Cook gifted Trump a US-made souvenir with a 24-karat gold base at the Oval Office on Wednesday, the president praised the corporation, telling reporters: Companies like Apple, theyre coming home This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in America also are made in America. Cook said many components of the iPhones are already made domestically, including glass, semiconductors and face ID, but that final assembly of the devices would remain overseas for a while. In an earlier statement, Cook had said the new investments involve work with 10 companies across the US that produce components used in Apple products. Related: Big tech has spent $155bn on AI this year. Its about to spend hundreds of billions more Apple had previously said it intended to invest $500bn domestically, a figure it will now increase to $600bn. Apple also claimed that it would directly hire 20,000 US workers over the next four years. Trump in recent months has criticized the tech company and Cook for efforts to shift iPhone production to India to avoid the tariffs his Republican administration had planned for China. The same day as the White House announcement, Trump doubled US tariffs on India from 25% to 50%. While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump said there was a little problem with Apple and recalled a conversation with Cook in which he said he told the CEO: I dont want you building in India. India has incurred Trumps wrath, as the president signed an order on Wednesday to put an additional 25% tariff on the worlds most populous country for its use of Russian oil. The new import taxes to be imposed in 21 days could put the combined tariffs on Indian goods at 50%. Apple had attempted to get ahead of any tariffs on India in April by shipping as many as 1.5m iPhones from the country into the US, according to Reuters. The company has been uniquely threatened by Trumps tariffs as iPhones include parts manufactured in dozens of countries and the devices themselves are largely assembled in China. Shifting production of the devices to the US would drastically increase the cost to the point that most analysts view an American-made iPhone as a pipe dream, leaving Apple to navigate the uncertainty surrounding Trumps trade wars. As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the US. Apples new pledge comes just a few weeks after it forged a $500m deal with MP Materials, which runs the only rare earths mine in the US. That agreement will enable MP Materials to expand a factory in Texas to use recycled materials to produce magnets that make iPhones vibrate. Speaking on a recent investors call, Cook emphasized that theres a load of different things done in the United States. As examples, he cited some of the iPhone components made in the US, such as the devices glass display and module for identifying peoples faces and then indicated the company was gearing to expand its productions of other components in its home country. Were doing more in this country, and thats on top of having roughly 19bn chips coming out of the US now, and we will do more, Cook told analysts last week, without elaborating. Despite Apples struggles with looming tariffs and concern from investors over its lag in fully embracing artificial intelligence, the companys latest earnings report showed that it made huge gains in iPhone sales and easily beat Wall Streets expectations for its year-over-year revenue. Apples stock, which was down double digits so far this year, spiked upward over 5% on Wednesday following news of Trumps announcement. Donald Trump could meet Vladimir Putin in person as early as next week to discuss a ceasefire in Ukraine, a White House official has said. They said the meeting would be conditional on the Russian president meeting his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Sky News's US partner network NBC News reported. It came days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or face severe economic penalties, which could also target countries buying its oil. Ukraine war latest Asked during a news conference at the White House if the talks would take place, Mr Trump said: "There's a very good prospect that they will." He said it had not been determined where the talks would take place, but added: "We had some very good talks with President Putin today." However, he said: "I've been disappointed before with this one." Asked if Mr Putin made any kind of concession to lead to the development, Mr Trump did not give much away, but added: "We've been working on this a long time. There are thousands of young people dying, mostly soldiers, but also, you know, missiles being hit into Kyiv and other places." Could Trump finally be close to securing peace between Russia and Ukraine? More tariffs 'could happen' Mr Trump also said he could announce further tariffs on China similar to the 25% he announced on India over its purchases of Russian oil. "Could happen," he said, after saying he expected to announce more secondary sanctions intended to pressure Russia into ending its war with Ukraine. Earlier, he imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, on top of a previous 25% tariff, over its continued purchases of Russian oil. India's foreign ministry spokesperson said the additional tariffs were "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". It came after Mr Putin held talks with Mr Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, with the meeting lasting around three hours. In a post on Truth Social, Mr Trump said Mr Witkoff "had a highly productive meeting" with Mr Putin in which "great progress was made". He said he had updated America's European allies, and they will work towards an end to the Russia-Ukraine war "in the days and weeks to come". 'The war must end' Mr Zelenskyy later said he and Mr Trump spoke on the phone after the meeting. He said "European leaders also participated in the conversation" and "we discussed what was said in Moscow". He added: "Our common position with our partners is absolutely clear: The war must end. We all need lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it started." Mr Zelenskyy later said: "It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire." He added that the pressure on Moscow "is working", without elaborating, and stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not "deceive us or the United States" when it comes to "the details" of a potential agreement. Vladimir Putin was given until Friday to agree to a ceasefire or face tariffs on Russias main trading partners - Shutterstock Donald Trump declared Russia an extraordinary threat to the United States on Wednesday as he rolled out his first sanctions over Vladimir Putins refusal to stop the war in Ukraine. The US president said that he would hit India with an additional 25 per cent trade tariff over its purchase of Russian oil, an important source of income for the Kremlin. Later reports also claimed Mr Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week. The so-called secondary tariff, which brings the total levy against India to 50 per cent, was announced in an executive order signed hours after envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps top envoy, met Putin in the Kremlin for showdown talks. Mr Trump gave Putin until Friday to agree to a ceasefire or face tariffs on Russias main trading partners. I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine, Mr Trump said after Mr Witkoffs meeting. It is not clear what the additional information is but a top Russian presidential aide said after the talks in Moscow that Russia had conveyed signals to the American side on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from Trump. The US president said this information meant that Moscow posed an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who spoke to Mr Trump and European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer on a joint call after the Moscow talks, said that Russia now appeared more inclined to agreeing a ceasefire. Vladimir Putin greets Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin - Garville Grigorov/Getty But in a significant sign of progress, The New York Times reported on Wednesday night that Mr Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week. A one-on-one meeting between the two leaders would then be followed by three-way talks involving Mr Zelensky, the newspaper reported, citing two sources familiar with the plan. Ukraine has long pushed for a direct meeting between Mr Zelensky and Putin, though the Kremlin has resisted, insisting progress must first be made during ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, a senior Trump administration official said after Mr Witkoffs meeting in Moscow that secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday. The official said: The meeting with Russia and special envoy Witkoff went well. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday. Mr Trump said on social media that the meeting in Moscow was highly productive, however, a sign that a deal is still possible. The language is a significant shift in tone from earlier this year, when Mr Trump went out of his way to placate Putin in order to coax him to the negotiating table. I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, Mr Trump added. Mr Trump had suggested that Mr Witkoffs meeting with Putin would determine any decision for the US president to follow through on threats to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. India and China are among the countries buying the most Russian crude oil, which analysts say provides key revenues for Putin to fuel his war machine in Ukraine. Despite Mr Trumps warm personal ties with Narendra Modi, relations between the countries have soured - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Reducing these revenue streams would make it harder for the Russian president to deliver his maximalist war aims in Ukraine. The US could also move to ramp up sanctions against Russias so-called shadow fleet, which it uses to deliver oil to New Delhi and Beijing. Mr Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday for the fifth time, in what were considered crunch talks ahead of potential tariffs and sanctions. Russian officials had hoped to head off the economically crippling measures by offering a partial air truce by halting missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. But this fell short of Mr Trumps demand for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, which would be used to pave the way for talks over a permanent peace. A top Russian presidential aide had described the talks as useful and constructive. Russia had conveyed signals to the American side on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from Trump, Yuri Ushakov told reporters after talks wrapped up. He claimed that Mr Trump had yet to be briefed on the talks, which he claimed focused on the crisis in Ukraine and strategic US-Russia cooperation. But the US president announced his executive order with the first economic measures in an attempt to end the war. It comes after four European countries promised to buy $1bn in US weapons for Ukraine as part of a scheme set up by Mr Trump and Mark Rutte, Natos secretary-general. Mr Trump appears to be rowing in behind Kyivs cause after growing frustrated with Putins refusal to come to the negotiating table in a serious manner. Ushakov described the discussion between Putin and Mr Witkoff as an exchange of signals between Moscow and Washington, without elaborating on the content. Putin has previously tabled unrealistic demands, such as an end to Western military aid to Kyiv or Ukraines withdrawal from regions partially occupied by Russian forces, as the price for any ceasefire. Mr Trumps use of the term extraordinary threat is notable. At the start of his second term, the president was known to have blocked a series of international statements due to be signed by the US if they blamed Russia for the war in Ukraine. It was thought by his team that this would prevent a deal being brokered with Putin to stop the fighting. But in recent weeks, Mr Trump has given his blessing to a number of statements attributing the war to Russia, as well as criticising Putins war machine in his first warning that India would be targeted with tariffs. India said the tariffs were extremely unfortunate. The foreign affairs ministry said: We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. Arriving in Moscow ahead of Donald Trumps ceasefire or suffer Friday deadline for the Kremlin, Steve Witkoff might have wondered what hes there for. To threaten? Reassure? Or repeat the cooing, craven performances hes shown Vladimir Putin in the past? The US president has been taking a much tougher line, in public, when it comes to getting Russia to wind down its war against Ukraine, in a shift away from the blatantly pro-Putin stand of his earlier presidency. If Russia doesnt join ceasefire discussions by Friday, Trump has threatened to implement more sanctions against Moscow. And after Dmitri Medvedev, the deputy director of Russias security council and the Kremlins in-house troll, threatened unspecified further steps following Russias withdrawal from the defunct Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, the US president announced he was moving two nuclear strike submarines to threaten Moscow. Both this and Fridays deadline are empty and performative. Russias president Vladimir Putin greets US special envoy Steve Witkoff prior to their talks in Moscow on 6 August (Sputnik) Russias trade with the US is close to zero anyway, after earlier sanctions saw it plummet. More bilateral throttling wont make any difference. And the whole point of the US nuclear deterrent is that it has strike capability against Russia 24/7 from submarines that prowl the oceans, in secret, armed with long-range nuclear missiles they dont need to be on Putins doorstep to rattle his cage. Witkoff, a former property tycoon, was appointed Trumps Middle East envoy and has since enjoyed a role as the presidents international diplomatic Mr Fixit. But hes failed to bring peace to the Middle East, and failed to deliver on Trumps boast that he would end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours. Ukraine has repeatedly agreed to a ceasefire or talks to achieve one. Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of even a temporary suspension of fighting, and has continued to make small gains in its efforts to capture eastern Ukraine. This has prompted Trump to call out Putin for his bulls***. If Trump is sincere about putting pressure on Russia economically, then he will have to make good on his threats to impose sanctions on countries that import Russian fossil fuels. Russia funds its war in Ukraine with about $500m (375m) worth of fossil-fuel sales every day. The European Union has cut imports from Russia severely. But since 2022, the EU has imported close to 300bn (260bn) worth of Russian goods mostly gas. Nikas Safronovs portrait of Donald Trump, commissioned as a gift to the US president by Russian president Vladimir Putin earlier this year (RIA_Kremlinpool/Telegram) India, meanwhile, has seen oil imports from Russia surge. Last year India imported $65.7bn worth of goods, mostly oil, from Russia, and Delhi insists that in doing so India is bringing stability to the world oil market. In response, Trump has threatened India with more sanctions, along with China, another big Russian importer. To offset the potential surge in oil prices this could bring, Gulf countries have recently increased their oil production. If energy goes down enough, Putin is going to stop killing people, Trump said in an interview on CNBC this week. If you get energy down, another $10 a barrel, hes going to have no choice because his economy stinks. So, Trump is angry with Putin. But not angry enough to do anything that could affect Putins main priority which is to secure the Ukrainian provinces of Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia, and to continue to hold Crimea. All this year, Putin has played Trump as a patsy. After Witkoff met Putin, the US president did his best to spin the result as positive. He posted on social media: My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Marco Rubio, the US secretary of state, said that Russia still faced some sanctions and a decision would be taken later in the week. But Putin has consistently seen Trump act in Russias interests by weakening the Nato alliance and insisting that Ukraine accept most of Moscows terms for any future peace deal ahead of talks. US president Donald Trump talks to the media during his visit to Trump Turnberry golf club on 28 July (Getty) On top of that, it feels as if Witkoff has been reduced to a simpering Kremlin sycophant. The property mogul accidentally delivered Putins spooks a trove of intelligence data by using his unsecured personal mobile phone on previous trips to Moscow, and during Americas air attacks against the Houthis in Yemen. Putin has invaded Ukraine. His political opponents die in jails, rivals and critics fall out of windows, and others risk dying mysteriously from gunshot wounds or being poisoned with nerve gas. But Witkoff said after a previous trip to Moscow that Putins not a bad guy and that he is super smart. Those smarts extend to the very obvious truth that Trump is easily flattered. In an interview he gave in March after visiting Putin, and failing to get a ceasefire agreement, Witkoff could not name the four provinces that Russias president wanted to capture. But he did give Putin a PR boost with his boss by saying: He gave me a beautiful portrait of Trump he had commissioned from a leading Russian artist and asked me to bring it back to the White House. Trump was clearly touched by it. This is the kind of connection that weve been able to re-establish through, by the way, a simple word called communication. Russian soldiers prepare a Lancet drone for action in an undisclosed location in Ukraine on 23 July (Russian Defense Ministry Press Service) Moscow has given every indication that Witkoffs mission will fail and be ignored. Putin may now believe that he is closer to winning the territory he wants in Ukraine. He is, Ukraine believes, forming 10 new army divisions to fight in Ukraine this year. Thats at least 100,000 more men 30,000 more than the whole of the British army. Theres no sign that the US is going to help Ukraine to win by supplying more weapons, or by offering its full support to Europes youngest democracy. And Putin knows it will be a long time before Trump stops preening himself in front of the beautiful Russian portrait that shows a heroic, defiant and blood-spattered Trump, painted in a modern, but mistakenly Soviet Realist, style. Zohran Mamdani at the NYPD 78th Precinct National Night Out event at Grand Army Plaza in Brooklyn on Tuesday - Kyle Mazza/NurPhoto/Shutterstock Donald Trump is considering getting involved in the New York mayoral race in an effort to stop Zohran Mamdani from winning. The US president reportedly spoke to Andrew Cuomo after he lost the Democratic primary to socialist candidate Mr Mamdani, according to insiders. Mr Trump is also said to have pressed a Republican congressman and a New York businessman about who has the best chance of beating the millennial frontrunner, The New York Times reported. Despite losing to Mr Mamdani, weeks later Mr Cuomo re-entered the race as an independent candidate, adding to an already crowded field. Mr Trump later denied having spoken to Mr Cuomo. Eric Adams, the current mayor, is also running independently, while Curtis Sliwa is the Republican candidate. Mr Trump is said to have been briefed by Mark Penn, a pollster who worked for the Clintons, and Andrew Stein, a former New York City council president, who have both apparently suggested Mr Cuomo would be the best candidate. During a White House meeting in mid-July, Mr Trump asked congressman Mike Lawler, a Republican from the New York suburbs, about who would stand the best chance in a one-on-one race against Mr Mamdani, a source told The New York Times. The source said Mr Trump doubted whether Mr Sliwa could win and said he liked Mr Adams and had always gotten on with Mr Cuomo. Donald Trump vowed he would not let this communist lunatic destroy New York, referring to Zohran Mamdani - Jonathan Ernst/Reuters It is not clear how Mr Trump would involve himself were he to decide to try and intervene in the race, but allies of Mr Adams and Mr Cuomo have been hoping Mr Trump will help coalesce support around one anti-Mamdani opponent. If all three rivals stay in the race, the vote could splinter and hand Mr Mamdani the keys to Gracie Mansion. Mr Mamdanis promises to freeze rent, open city-run supermarkets and free buses helped him achieve a sweeping victory in the Democratic primary. His campaign, largely run on social media, has capitated voters frustrated with extortionate prices. Mr Trumps conversation with Mr Cuomo reportedly took place when the former New York governor was deciding whether to continue his campaign. While some Republicans view Mr Mamdani as a potentially useful bogeyman of the Left who would provide useful ammunition for the 2026 midterms, Mr Trump is said to be concerned about the Democratic candidates policies. Mr Trump, who was born and raised in New York and owns several businesses in the city, has publicly criticised Mr Mamdani. Last month, Mr Trump vowed he would not let this communist lunatic destroy New York, saying he holds all the levers and all the cards. He added: Ill save New York City, and make it hot and great again, just like I did with the good ol USA! Andrew Cuomo unveils a public safety plan that aims to increase the number of NYPD officers on Monday - Angela Weiss/AFP via Getty Rich Azzopardi, a spokesman for Mr Cuomo, said Mr Trump and Mr Cuomo have not spoken in a while but did not expand on how long a while meant. As far as I know, they have not discussed the race, Mr Azzopardi said. Mr Mamdani said in a statement: Andrew Cuomo has spent his career governing for the powerful and prioritising his own self-interests over those of the people he was sworn to serve. This is not just a shady backroom deal by a cynical politician, it is disqualifying. It is a betrayal. He added: The job of New York City mayor is not to be [a] jester for a wannabe king, it is to protect the people of this city. The Telegraph contacted the White House for comment. Some things in life are worth doing at least once, especially when it comes to travel. More than your average vacations, theyre the kind of experiences that shift your perspective, stay in your memory, and make great stories later. If you havent done these yet, nows a good time to start planning. Sleep in an Overwater Bungalow in the Maldives Credit: Getty Images Waking up with the ocean at your doorstep is hard to beat. In the Maldives, overwater bungalows offer private decks, glass floors, and uninterrupted sea views. These luxury stays sit above clear turquoise waters and are usually part of secluded island resorts. Watch the Northern Lights Dance Across the Arctic Sky Credit: Getty Images Northern Lights are best seen from places near the Arctic Circle: Iceland, Alaska, and Norway are popular picks. The display can last a few minutes or fill the sky for hours, streaking green, pink, and purple overhead. Book a glass-roofed cabin or an igloo and you can watch it all from bed, no snow boots required. Ride a Hot Air Balloon Over Cappadocia, Turkey Credit: Canva Cappadocias strange, moonlike terrain looks even more surreal from above. Early morning balloon rides float over its fairy chimneys, cave dwellings, and rock valleys. Flights take off at sunrise for the best views and calmest winds. While operators run year-round, weather cancellations happen. Spot the Big Five on an African Safari Credit: Getty Images The Big Fivelions, elephants, leopards, rhinos, and buffaloare animals that travelers often hope to see in the wild. National parks in Kenya, Tanzania, and South Africa give visitors a front-row seat. Game drives with experienced guides increase your chances of close-up encounters, especially during the dry season when animals gather at watering holes. Trek to Machu Picchu Through the Andes Credit: Getty Images Hiking the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is a four-day journey through some of Perus most scenic mountain terrain. The route winds past cloud forests, archaeological ruins, and dramatic passes before arriving at the Sun Gate overlooking the ancient citadel. Permits are required, and spots fill up months in advance. Take a Cruise to Antarctica Credit: Canva Antarctica isnt for casual travelers. Ships leave from the tip of South America and cross rough water to get there. There arent any hotels or roads, and everything happens from the ship. You step onto the ice, see penguins up close, watch icebergs drift past, and spot the occasional whale. You wont find crowds or gift shops; it's just a wide-open and quiet space. The trip costs a lot, but youre visiting a place most people will never see. Explore Petras Ancient City Carved in Stone Credit: Getty Images Petra is a UNESCO World Heritage Site carved from rose-colored cliffs more than 2,000 years ago. Entering through the narrow Siq canyon builds anticipation until the view opens to Al-Khazneh, better known as The Treasury. But thats just one part: temples, tombs, and staircases stretch across miles. Drive Through Americas National Parks on a Road Trip Credit: Getty Images The U.S. is packed with stunning national parks, and a road trip connects the dots between them. From Yosemites granite cliffs to Yellowstones geysers, each park offers its own flavor of the outdoors. Popular loops include Utahs Mighty Five or the West Coast stretch that links Redwood, Crater Lake, and Olympic National Parks. Climb Sections of the Great Wall of China Credit: Getty Images The Great Wall stretches over 13,000 miles, though tourists usually visit restored sections near Beijing. Some areas are paved and easy to walk, while others, like Jiankou, offer steep and crumbling paths for more adventurous hikers. The wall winds through mountains and forests, with panoramic views that make the effort worthwhile. Dive the Great Barrier Reef in Australia Credit: pexels The Great Barrier Reef is the largest coral reef system in the world, stretching along Australia's northeast coast. Snorkeling and diving trips from Cairns or the Whitsunday Islands reveal corals, clownfish, rays, and reef sharks. The reef is under threat from warming oceans, so efforts are being made to protect its biodiversity. Ride the Maharajas Express Across India Credit: Getty Images Indias most luxurious train weaves through cities like Delhi, Jaipur, and Agra in old-world style. The Maharajas Express features elegant cabins, gourmet dining, and guided tours at major historical sites, including the Taj Mahal. The train also includes a bar car, observation lounge, and personalized service. Walk Among Moai Statues on Easter Island Credit: Canva Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, lies more than 2,000 miles from mainland Chile. The island is known for its moai, massive stone statues carved by Polynesian settlers centuries ago. Over 800 statues dot the island, some standing, others half-buried or toppled. Their purpose remains debated, but their presence leaves a lasting impression. Visit the Taj Mahal at Sunrise Credit: Getty Images The Taj Mahal in Agra, India, unsurprisingly draws millions each year. Arriving at dawn has perks: cooler temps, fewer crowds, and soft light that turns the marble a warm peach. Built in the 17th century by Emperor Shah Jahan for his wife, the symmetry and detail are stunning up close. Island Hop Across the Greek Islands Credit: Getty Images Schedules are simple: pick an island, buy a ferry ticket, and go. Big names like Santorini fill up fast, but quieter stops like Naxos and Milos keep things laid-back. Each spot has its own way of doing thingsdifferent food, different pace, different beaches. The sea does most of the work, taking you from one view to the next. Float Down the Nile River in Egypt Credit: Getty Images Nile cruises run between Luxor and Aswan with a set route. Youll see ancient sites like Karnak and Edfu, but most days are split between sightseeing and stretches on deck watching the river pass by. Life along the Nile looks much like it did centuries ago: small villages, green banks, and temples at the waters edge. The pace is slow, the setting steady. Migrants carry signs that read in Spanish: "Exodus for justice. Migrant," as they walk out of Tapachula, Chiapas state, Mexico, where they had been waiting for months to legalize their status or receive asylum, but have been unable to do so, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Edgar H. Clemente) TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) Escorted by police and accompanied by a Catholic priest, about 300 migrants began walking north on Wednesday from southern Mexico, even as the activist who helped organize them remained in police custody over allegations of human trafficking. On Tuesday, authorities arrested Luis Garcia Villagran, the leader of a local nongovernmental organization in the city of Tapachula, in the state of Chiapas, for alleged crimes related to his work with migrants. Mexico's President Claudia Sheinbaum said during her daily news briefing on Wednesday that he was not an activist but was tied to trafficking people and that is the crime. Sheinbaum said there had been an arrest order pending for Garcia Villagran for years. It was not known why the outspoken and very public figure had not been arrested earlier. Later Wednesday, Mexican authorities said in a statement that investigators had identified a network of migrant smugglers that used various organizations and foundations as a front to move migrants and drugs through Mexico. They did not provide any details. The joint statement from the Attorney Generals Office and security forces said Garcia Villagrans alleged role was obtaining false documentation for migrants to allow them to cross Mexico. The group of migrants that left Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, was small in comparison to migrant caravans in years past. There has been very little movement of migrants in public since U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, though migration numbers had been falling even prior to that. Those walking Wednesday said their goal was not to reach the United States, but rather central Mexico. They complained that they had been waiting for months to legalize their status or receive asylum. In recent years, the Mexican government has worked to contain migrants in southern Mexico far from the border with the U.S. At times, this strategy has swollen migrant numbers in Tapachula until hundreds set out walking in protest. Chiapas is Mexicos poorest state and migrants complain there is little work or available housing. On Wednesday, Johnny Lopez of Ecuador walked with his wife and three children, including a baby born in Tapachula. They had waited in the southern city for the outcome of their asylum application, which was eventually rejected. Now they planned to travel to Mexico City, where Lopez hopes to find work to support his family. The migrants were escorted by immigration agents, police, marines and paramedics. Heyman Vazquez, a Catholic priest who accompanied the migrants, called Garcia Villagrans arrest unjust. Vazquez said it showed the Mexican governments concern over migrant caravans, which he said would be resolved by making it easier for migrants to legalize their status. ____ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america A U.S. Army sergeant allegedly shot and wounded five other soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia, using his personal handgun, officials said. The shooting at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area was reported at 10:56 a.m and the suspect, automated logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford, was apprehended at 11:35 a.m., Fort Stewart said. All lockdown measures have since been lifted, Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield commander, said at a news conference. A motive is not clear, Lubas said, but the shooting involved the 28-year-old Radford's co-workers and was at Radford's "place of work." He used a personal handgun, but it's not clear how he brought it to his workplace, Lubas added. U.S. Army - PHOTO: The alleged shooter in todays shooting incident at Fort Stewart is identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old automated logistical sergeant from Jacksonville, Florida. Lubas praised the "brave soldiers" who he said "immediately intervened" and tackled the suspect. He said they, "without a doubt, prevented further casualties." All five victims are in stable condition and are expected to recover, Lubas said. Hospital officials said two of the victims were rushed to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, which is a Level 1 trauma center about 40 miles from Fort Stewart. WJCL - PHOTO: Law enforcement at the scene of a reported shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia, Aug. 6, 2025. Radford has been interviewed by Army investigators and is in pretrial confinement, Lubas said. Radford, who is from Jacksonville, Florida, has not previously deployed to combat, Lubas said. He had been arrested locally for a DUI, Lubas said, noting the arrest was "unknown to his chain of command until the [shooting] occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases." WJCL - PHOTO: Law enforcement at the scene of a reported shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia, Aug. 6, 2025. Lubas emphasized that although it is still early in the investigation, he said they are not aware of the suspect having any prior behavioral or disciplinary issues. Lubas also said he remains "very confident in the security" of Fort Stewart. Russ Bynum/AP - PHOTO: A sign outside the main gate of Fort Stewart, Georgia, Aug. 6, 2025. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said on social media, "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers." President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "The Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday. The full circumstances surrounding the shooting were not immediately clear. Access to combat firearms on a U.S. military personnel on base is highly restricted, with guns kept stored in an armory on the base. Firearm use is limited to only when soldiers are participating in field training, and the guns are returned to the armory at the conclusion of that training. Military personnel are allowed to have legally registered personal guns, but there are restrictions on how they can be brought onto a base. ABC News' Emily Chang contributed to this report. A pair of American volunteer doctors described to NBC News a barely coping hospital in Gaza, with bodies spread across the blood-smeared floors as medical staff struggled to treat hundreds of people who had been injured as they tried to access humanitarian aid. We have children who are dead on the floor, and we are unable to move these patients just due to the sheer volume that we received, Ahmed Farhat, an emergency physician from California, said in a video message Tuesday, talking about the situation at the Nasser Medical Complex in the city of Khan Younis. Dr. Ahmed Farhat inside Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Younis. (NBC News) We have patients who are intubated on the floor with no sedation. We have patients who have chest tubes on the floor, patients who are bleeding out, added Farhat, who is just under two weeks into a medical mission run by the Michigan-based Rahma Worldwide, a charity founded in 2014 that operates emergency response and humanitarian relief programs across the Middle East and Africa. His comments echo those of other doctors working in Gaza who in recent interviews have lamented the lack of food and medicine being allowed into the enclave, amid international outrage over widespread starvation and deaths from malnutrition. Others have described aid distribution points as death traps, as a growing number of people have been killed or injured while seeking desperately needed food. A funeral for Palestinians killed by the Israeli army while trying to receive U.S. aid in the city of Rafah. The bodies were taken from the Nasser Medical Complex for burial in Khan Younis on Tuesday. (Khames Alrefi / Anadolu via Getty Images) Three short videos taken by Farhat in the Nasser Medical Complex on Tuesday showed dozens of people waiting for treatment on the hospitals floors. Some had tubes inserted to help them breathe, others were motionless. Citing hospital administration data, Farhat said in a text message Wednesday that the Nasser Complex received 453 patients within a number of hours Tuesday and that 48 of them had died. He added that his patients told him they had come under fire by Israeli forces while trying to collect aid from two sites run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the U.S. and Israel-backed organization that has been mired in controversy since replacing most United Nations-run relief operations in Gaza in May. Palestinians injured in Israeli attacks targeting civilians wait for humanitarian aid at the Nasser Medical Complex in the southern Gaza city of Khan Yunis on Tuesday. (Abdallah F.s. Alattar / Anadolu via Getty Images) In a statement to NBC News on Wednesday, the GHF, which operates four militarized food aid distribution sites across the enclave in areas where the Israeli military is active, said aid convoys belonging to the United Nations and other organizations in the past often passed near their locations and were regularly looted by large crowds. However, it said there were no incidents at or near their sites Tuesday. A spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) could not confirm whether its aid convoys had been looted near GHF sites. The Israeli military did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the casualties at Nasser Hospital. Farhat said other patients had told him they had been fired upon in another incident near Gazas southernmost city of Rafah while seeking aid from a United Nations aid convoy that was passing through. An OCHA spokesperson did not have any details about the specific event, but said such incidents are not uncommon. Separately, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said Wednesday that 87 people had been killed and 570 injured in a series of incidents across the enclave Tuesday. A spokesperson for the ministry also said that Gaza hospitals had received the bodies of 49 people Wednesday and many of those killed were waiting for aid near U.S.-backed aid distribution points. Travis Melin, an anesthesiologist from Oregon who also volunteers at the Nasser Hospital, said the number of patients Tuesday had been huge. In a text message Wednesday, he added that he had seen the highest number of casualties at the hospital during his monthlong tenure there. Were still doing emergency surgery on people who should have gone to the OR yesterday, he said. The worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in the Gaza Strip under Israels assault, the worlds leading body on hunger said last week. Meanwhile, most of its residents have been driven from their homes and more than 61,000 killed, including thousands of children, according to local health officials. Israel launched its offensive in Gaza following the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks in which some 1,200 people were killed and around 250 taken hostage. Nearly 1,400 people have been killed and more than 4,000 injured while seeking food, the United Nations' OCHA said in an update Tuesday. At least 859 people have been killed around GHF sites since the beginning of GHFs operations, it added. By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -Australia's Great Barrier Reef has suffered the largest decline in coral cover in two of its three regions over the last year, research released on Wednesday showed, following a mass bleaching of its corals that was among the worst on record. The Australian Institute of Marine Sciences said the reef has experienced the largest annual decline in coral cover in its northern and southern regions since monitoring began 39 years ago, with coral cover dropping between a quarter and a third after several years of solid growth. "We are now seeing increased volatility in the levels of hard coral cover," said Mike Emslie, head of institute's long term monitoring programme. "This is a phenomenon that emerged over the last 15 years and points to an ecosystem under stress." The reef, the world's largest living ecosystem, stretches for some 2,400 km (1,500 miles) off the coast of the northern state of Queensland. Since 2016, the reef has experienced five summers of mass coral bleaching, when large sections of the reef turn white due to heat stress, putting them at greater risk of death. The 2024 event had the largest footprint ever recorded on the reef, with high to extreme bleaching across all of its three regions, the report said. The Great Barrier Reef is not currently on UNESCO's list of world heritage sites that are in danger, though the UN recommends it should be added. Australia has lobbied for years to keep the reef - which contributes A$6.4 billion ($4.2 billion) to the economy annually - off the endangered list, as it could damage tourism. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast) Gregg DeGuire/FilmMagic Jane and Brad Pitt on Feb. 26, 2012 NEED TO KNOW Brad Pitt's mom Jane has died at age 84 Pitt's niece posted a tribute to her grandma on Instagram, writing that "we were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier" Pitt and his siblings Doug and Julie were raised in Missouri by mom Jane and dad William Brad Pitt is mourning the death of his mom Jane. The Oscar winner's mother died at age 84, PEOPLE confirms. TMZ was first to report the news. A rep for the actor declined to comment. Pitt, 61, and his two younger siblings, brother Doug and sister Julie, were raised in Springfield, Missouri, by mom Jane, a retired school counselor, and dad William, a former owner of a trucking company. The actor's niece Sydney (daughter of Doug) paid tribute to Jane on Instagram Wednesday, Aug. 6, saying she had "the biggest heart" and "cared deeply for everyone and everything, no questions asked." "My sweet Grammy," she wrote, "we were not ready for you to go yet but knowing you are finally free to sing, dance, and paint again makes it a tad easier." Jim Smeal/BEI/Shutterstock Brad Pitt with kids Pax, Shiloh and Maddox and his parents Jane and William "She could keep up with all 14 of us grandkids without missing a beat," wrote Sydney. "There was no limit to the love she gave, and everyone who met her felt it. I dont know how we move forward without her. ... We were truly blessed to have her to love on growing up and I know she lives on through each of us." https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cufid At a special screening of his latest film F1 in June, Pitt gave a shout-out to his mom while telling anchor Savannah Guthrie that she watched the Today show on a daily basis. "I gotta say hi to my mom because she watches you every morning," he told Guthrie. "To Jane Pitt. Love you, Mom," the actor added, waving and blowing a kiss in the video clip shared by Today. Read the original article on People There are plenty of surprises waiting for those brave enough to take a closer look at Locarnos Alliance 4 Development initiative including a feminist take on Kamasutra, as promised by directors Maria Kaur Bedi and Satindar Singh Bedi. Their film 3rd Eye of Shiva will be bold, sensual and ironic, they said, talking about the story of a student deciding to rewrite the famous manual from a whole different perspective. We challenge taboos around female sexuality through a visually rich Bollywood-style dramedy. This film is a personal and political journey for us: a cinematic act of love, rebellion, and reimagination. More from Variety Mysteries will have to be solved too, starting with Valentin Merzs Dark Chocolate where a young worker in a chocolate factory faces a mysterious disease threatening the cacao supply while his own identity also begins to mutate. Meanwhile, eerie creatures lurk in the city streets, waiting. Its shaped by my personal experiences of otherness, queerness, and class tension in contemporary Switzerland, noted Merz. The stylized cinematic language revisits elements of the mystery genre, exploring alienation and the cost of belonging. Through Sadeks mysterious metamorphosis, I want to understand how desire and systemic power intertwine and explore the fragility of self in a world shaped by money and ambition. Sofia Ayala will also take on societal inequalities in How to Walk on Water, where a teenage girl finds out her wealthy classmates can, well, actually walk on water. As a child, I struggled to learn French. My father worked at a slaughterhouse. The film draws from my experience growing up in an interracial family in Mexico, where I discovered that colonial power dynamics remain deeply embedded in our present, seeping into even our most intimate relationships with those we love most, noted the director, with producer Maritza Grass of Carousel Film adding: The film explores the dynamics within a teenage girls family and her relationship with her father, portraying them as a microcosm of Mexican social structures, set against class, race and colonial legacies. Who wouldnt want to walk on water? But at what cost? More than ever, this years A4D selection works as a litmus test for what feels like can no longer be postponed: Bold narratives and compelling characters address themes of identity, belonging, social challenges and environmental urgency, summed up Francesca Palleschi, Alliance 4 Development Project Manager. As always, the program combines debut features, sophomore works and films from established voices, offering a vivid snapshot of contemporary storytelling. In The Dress Behind the Wall, Orkhan Aghazadeh will present multiple characters living in Baku, trying to deliver one of those rare films from the region which embeds elements of dark humor and absurdism, while reflecting the harsh complexities of the personal struggles. His film will also tackle the taboos of masculinity, conservatism and female subjugation that are always overlooked in the films from my country, he said, promising a stylized approach to the mise en scene fused with documentary elements, aiming to create a unique world narrowing the wall between plausible and implausible. Simon Maria Kubiena will explore themes of guilt and an unusual path to healing and love with a light touch and a spark of poetry in The Flowering of a Chimera. His character, Jakob, hides a dark secret. But he soon forms a connection with Marius, a factory colleague over thirty years older than him. Persian mystic Rumi writes: Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, theres a field. Ill meet you there. This movie is about this place. Violence is also human, and it prompts us to consider how we want to treat those who have done wrong, stated Kubiena. Difficult relationships will be at the center of Love and Rebellion directed by Sarah Miro Fischer, where a girl travels to Colombia to visit her mother, a former guerrilla fighter who sacrificed motherhood to change the world. Its about the loss of innocence, she stressed. Lila stands on the cusp of adulthood, not yet sure what her place in the world will be. Im interested in watching the characters confront the roles they are given and struggle with the tension between independence and belonging. Inspired by three years she spent in Colombia, the film is driven by the restless energy of youth. It explores the emotional push and pull of its characters, caught between desire, fear and intimacy all observed with a compassionate, often humorous eye. The soundtrack serves as the films heartbeat, she noted. A mix of salsa and punk gives it rhythm, counterbalancing the quiet, observational style of the images: a reflection of the tension between rebellion and tenderness at the films core. Lila wont be the only complex female character this year, joined by troubled pianist Alma stuck in a hotel during Christmas in Jenna Hasses Snow and In the Hidden protagonist Eva also getting her moment to shine. As shown by Goran Rebic, shes a social democratic activist in pre-fascist Vienna, secretly fighting for her ideals. Its a project with great artistic ambition: a historical film using also original archive material in a way unseen in Austrian cinema. But above all, its a story with emotional ability and a main character with great complexity, explained producer Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu. Eva is a woman whos forced by her times to be a caring mother, an activist with unwavering ideals, a friend and a caretaker, risking her life by hiding persecuted people. Shes also a lover in the darkest times of human history. Based on a true story, the film following Eva against the backdrop of the Austrian Civil War, Second World War and into present day will deliver a personal, unique, and yet universal story. We see great audience potential internationally, he said. In Najma and Salome by Anne Zinn-Justin, a nurse in her forties will need to answer several challenging questions. Including this one: What kind of world are we leaving for our children? This question prompted me to develop this film, as the feeling of powerlessness is gaining ground and ecology has been sidelined from the political agenda. The thriller genre is best suited to convey the sense of urgency, anxiety and disarray associated with upheavals that are beyond our understanding, noted the director, with producer Clementine Mourao-Ferreira praising her skills: This female-driven French thriller designed for A-cast will be the debut feature of a filmmaker who showed her skill in directing genre films with her last short. It deals with ecological issues, representing pesticides in an original way. The film organically articulates a visual approach with political statements, through an exciting narrative. Finally, Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffmans Primo Viaggio has already convinced Nanni Moretti and Benedetta Barroero with its story of twentysomething Carlo who accepts a free vacation in Malaga in exchange for driving a car full of narcotics back to Italy. One of the particular talents of Cassigoli and Kauffman is their ability to seamlessly combine lived experience with narrative film. Their story is written down, but through street casting they are meeting people whose real life can be brought into the script, reshaping the story together with the main character, said Barroero. Despite their excitement, the teams also opened up about current struggles, as international theatrical distribution is getting more and more difficult. There are many films and not enough people who go to the cinema anymore, said Esther van Messel, behind 3rd Eye of Shiva. Which is why many turn to platforms as well. Were open and interested to work with both regional and international platforms. There are more films and series than ever, and less people going to the cinemas. Auteur cinema is certainly in a challenging situation, but we still believe there is an audience for films of innovative nature that engage in the research of new narrative and formal compositions, observed Dark Chocolate producer Marie Lanne-Chesnot. Jules Grange, now behind The Dress Behind the Wall, agrees: Weve worked with platforms in the past and several of our features in development are being read by them right now. We expect collaboration at different levels. The international market seems to shrink but the specificities of the films we produce and the directors we work with have enabled a growing international theatrical distribution of our films. Our project and our entire approach aims to serve as a bridge between different cultures, drawing on collaborations and energies from all over the world. This is why we believe it can be suited to various kinds of platforms, reaching audiences of different sizes and interests, said Ivan Casagrande Conti, producer of Solastalgia, where one shepherds ritual journey from the Alps to the moon-like mountains of southern Tunisia weaves symbolic and geological ties between the two shores of the Mediterranean. The film is directed by Yosr Gasmi and Mauro Mazzocchi. I believe Yosr and Mauros project is truly unique within the Italian landscape. Their sensitivity, combined with the richness of their backgrounds and experiences, comes together in a story that is both simple and deeply symbolic. From the very beginning, we shared a strong agreement on the urgency of addressing climate issues through a rigorous artistic approach, explained Casagrande Conti. Theatrical distribution is challenging for our films, and a certain kind of cinema has been undergoing a process of musealization for some time now. However, we believe the key lies in addressing timely topics and clearly identifying a specific audience from the very early stages of production. Today, the roles of production and distribution have never been as interconnected as they are now. Primo Viaggio will be shot for the cinema, assured Barroero. This was important for the directors and is completely in line with Sacher Film. We believe that watching movies at the cinema enhances the story and in the shared experience between people. Still, working with platforms is important as finding the right one, both in Italy and internationally, allows the film to reach a wider audience. Cassigoli and Kauffmans method is based on creating stories together with real people. The cast is made up of non-professional actors and the absence of big names, apart from the foreign language factor, make it hard to sell to some countries. That being said, at Sacher we believe that good cinema will stand out and persist and we dont need to run to the highest bidder. Our model is based on producing new voices in Italian cinema. We can stay the course for now, but ask audiences everywhere to demand good, challenging work, and to recognize it by getting off the sofa and going out to the movies. Below, the list of selected projects: 3rd Eye of Shiva Directed by: Maria Kaur Bedi and Satindar Singh Bedi Written by Maria Kaur Bedi and Satindar Singh Bedi, who also direct, its produced by Esther van Messel for First Hand Films (Switzerland). Now in early development and eyeing a 2027 premiere, it sees a rebellious Indian student who, protesting the patriarchal mindset, embarks on the life-threatening journey of rewriting the holy love manual Kamasutra this time, entirely from the female perspective. Inspired by real stories and rooted in cultural critique, our protagonist Nanu reclaims desire and agency, said the directors. Dark Chocolate (Chocolat amer) Directed by: Valentin Merz This drama is produced by Marie Lanne-Chesnot for Andrea Film in Switzerland, a company looking for films of innovative nature and to engage in the research of new narrative and formal compositions. Its first feature At Night All the Cats Are Black world-premiered at Locarno to acclaim. Merz and Maria Buzhor are behind the script, while Michela Pini co-produces for Cinedokke. Sadek Kaffel and Jean-Charles de Quillacq have been cast, with the first taking on a role of a young Tunisian who works at the chocolate factory in Zurich, becoming entangled in the secrets of its enigmatic owners. The Dress Behind the Wall Directed by Orkhan Aghazadeh Described as a multi-portrait of lonely souls trapped in Baku, it sees Rasim coerced into dancing disguised as a woman for the local mob. His neighbor Nargis, a young single mother, is trying to make ends meet while burning with revenge for the man who ruined her life, and teenage Murad organizes rooster fights with Rasim. Produced by Jules Grange (Kidam, France), it has Matthieu Taponier on board as a script consultant. Orkhans previous film, The Return of the Projectionist, will be released in France in Jan. 2026 by Survivance Distribution. The Flowering of a Chimera (Das Bluhen einer Chimare) Directed by Simon Maria Kubiena Produced by Elli Leeb and Fabian Leonhardt for Chimera Film in Austria, the project will be heading to Sarajevos CineLink Co-Production Market. After a dark event, Jakob, who recently turned 18, drops out of school and starts to work in a factory for pesticides close to Vienna. His family grows increasingly distant from him. Unable to face what happened, isolating Jakob allows them to maintain fake harmony. Things start to change when he forms an unusual connection with Marius, a factory colleague whos over thirty years older than him. But as the two of them draw closer, Jakobs past rises to the surface. How To Walk on Water (Como caminar sobre el agua) Directed by: Sofia Ayala When Mexican teenager Ilse discovers her new wealthy classmates can walk on water, she becomes obsessed with mastering it herself in secret, during a family vacation they can barely afford. Unaware that her new magical ability comes at a cost to those she loves the most, she must choose between power and family. Its produced by Maritza Grass and Vincent Edusei (Carousel Film, Germany) and, as revealed by Grass, the project will be further developed and packaged at EAVE Puentes to be able to start financing by the end of the year. In the Hidden (Im Verborgenen) Directed by: Goran Rebic 1934, 1944, 1956. A woman a mother, friend and a lover between times, systems and identities. The life of Eva, a social democratic activist, gets off the rails, when civil war disrupts pre-fascist Vienna: Her young sons in foreign exile, her husband on the run, Eva keeps secretly fighting for her ideals and hiding people in threat of National Socialist persecution. Against all repression and odds, a love affair begins to blossom while the Red Army finally approaches Austria. This centurys fate, based on a true story, is produced by Alexander Dumreicher-Ivanceanu and Bady Minck (Amour Fou Vienna and Amour Fou Luxembourg), with PubRes from Slovakia also on board. Love and Rebellion (Amor y Rebeldia) Directed by: Sarah Miro Fischer Produced by Titus Kreyenberg and Nina Sophie Bayer-Seel for unafilm (Germany) and written by director Sarah Miro Fischer, its a story of 18-year-old Lila, traveling with her boyfriend to Colombia to visit her estranged mother, Dina: a former guerrilla fighter she hasnt seen in over a decade. Lila arrives expecting a revolutionary hero. Instead, she finds an ordinary woman living quietly on a remote farm, preparing for her wedding. Described as a coming-of-age story with comedic undertones, its a film about expectations, the tension between privilege and responsibility, and who we become in the face of disappointment. Najma and Salome (Najma et Salome) Directed by Anne Zinn-Justin Produced by Clementine Mourao-Ferreira for Frances so-cle, also behind The Flame of a Candle, it follows Salome, a nurse in her forties. She lives with her eight-year-old daughter. One of her patients, a winegrower suffering from Parkinsons disease, dies accidentally during a burglary. The authorities conclude that her fall was due to her illness, but her daughter Najma refuses to accept her mothers death. In search of answers, she drags a reluctant Salome along on a quest which leads them to uncover the pollution that local economic players are trying to hide. Primo Viaggio Directed by Alessandro Cassigoli and Casey Kauffman Nanni Moretti himself and Benedetta Barroero produce for Italys Sacher Film, also behind films by Carlo Mazzacurati, Daniele Luchetti and Mimmo Calopresti. Currently casting, it follows Carlo, a 22-year-old from Naples raised in a narrow, provincial world. He accepts a free vacation in Malaga in exchange for driving a car full of narcotics back to Italy. But the people he meets in Spain and the unexpected, eye-opening experiences he shares with them make him question his sense of self and lead him on a detour that could change his life forever. Snow (Neige) Directed by Jenna Hasse Alma, a pianist in a personal crisis, gets stuck in a luxury hotel in Zermatt during Christmas. The lack of snow wears down the wealthy guests, while the hotel tries to give them the illusion of a perfect festive season. Alma slowly finds her way back to herself and to music. Produced by Olivier Zobrist for Switzerlands Langfilm. Snow is set in a luxury hotel in the Alps, where there is no snow. This absence is also a metaphor for the crisis of the protagonist as a woman and artist in her thirties, said the director. It questions loneliness, social expectations and inequalities, while reflecting a world trying to preserve values increasingly detached from reality. Solastalgia Directed by Yosr Gasmi and Mauro Mazzocchi Produced by Ivan Casagrande Conti and Tommaso Santambrogio for Chiotto Film (Italy) deeply rooted in the tradition of Italian auteur cinema, but always looking outward to the world and Utopia Films (Tunisia). Their new drama sees Aurora-Hela: young Italian-Tunisian shepherd with androgynous features. She lives in a mountain pasture at the foot of a glacier that is irreversibly melting. While the construction of a dam threatens her community of shepherds and artists, Aurora is forced to return to her native village to bury her fathers amputated foot. Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. By Max A. Cherney SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -U.S. Republican Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel's board chair on Wednesday with questions about the chipmaker's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan's ties to Chinese firms and a recent criminal case involving his former company Cadence Design. Writing to "express concern about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and its potential impact on U.S. national security", Cotton asked in the letter to Intel chairperson Frank Yeary whether the company's board was aware of the subpoenas sent to Cadence during Tan's time there as CEO before Intel hired him. Cotton asked what measures were taken to address those concerns. He also asked whether Intel's board required Tan to divest from chip firms in China linked to the Chinese military or Communist Party, and if Tan adequately disclosed other ties to Chinese companies due to Intel's involvement in the Secure Enclave program, an initiative designed under the Biden administration to ensure a secure supply of microelectronics for defense. Because of Intel getting federal funding under the initiative, Cotton questioned Yeary in the letter about Tan's disclosures related to investment, professional roles or other ties to Chinese companies. "Intel is required to be a responsible steward of American taxpayer dollars and to comply with applicable security regulations," Cotton wrote. "Mr. Tan's associations raise questions about Intel's ability to fulfill these obligations." In a statement, an Intel spokesperson said, "Intel and Mr. Tan are deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem." The company said it would address the matters in the letter with the Senator. In April, Reuters reported Tan - himself or through venture funds he has founded or operates - has invested in hundreds of Chinese companies, some of which are linked to the Chinese military. The Intel CEO invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms between March 2012 and December 2024, Reuters found. A source familiar with the matter had at the time told Reuters that Tan had divested from his positions in entities in China, without providing further details. Chinese databases reviewed by Reuters at the time had listed many of his investments as current, and Reuters was at the time unable to establish the extent of his divestitures. Cotton's letter mentioned the Reuters story as a source. CADENCE REACHES SETTLEMENTS It is not illegal for U.S. citizens to hold stakes in Chinese companies, even those with ties to the Chinese military, unless those companies have been added to the U.S. Treasury's Chinese Military-Industrial Complex Companies List, which explicitly bans such investments. Reuters in April had found no evidence that Tan at the time was invested directly in any company on the U.S. Treasury's list. Separately, last week Cadence Design agreed to plead guilty and pay more than $140 million to resolve charges for selling its chip design products to a Chinese military university, Reuters reported. The institution was believed to be involved in simulating nuclear blasts. In a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission, Cadence said it was "pleased" to reach settlements with the Justice and Commerce departments. Tan ran Cadence as CEO from 2008 through 2021 and was executive chairman until May 2023. The sales to Chinese entities occurred under his leadership at Cadence, which makes design software and other tools used to create chips. (Reporting by Max A. Cherney in San Francisco; Additional reporting by Stephen Nellis; Editing by Sayantani Ghosh and Muralikumar Anantharaman) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks during an event where President Donald Trump will sign an executive order restarting the Presidential Fitness Test in public schools, Thursday, July 31, 2025, in the Roosevelt Room of the White House in Washington. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin) Although mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. incorrectly argued they are ineffective to justify the Department of Health and Human Service's recent decision to cancel $500 million in government-funded research projects to develop new vaccines using the technology. The longtime vaccine critic said in an X video posted Tuesday evening that mRNA vaccines do not adequately prevent upper respiratory infections such as COVID-19 and the flu, advocating instead for the development vaccines that use other processes. COVID-19 is the only virus for which real-world data on mRNA vaccine effectiveness is currently available, as mRNA vaccines for other diseases, including the flu, are still under development. The two scientists whose discoveries enabled the creation of mRNA vaccines against COVID-19 won a Nobel Prize in 2023 for their work. Kennedy's claim ignores how mRNA vaccines work, according to experts. They prevent against severe infection and death, but cannot completely prevent an infection from occurring in the first place. Plus, years of research supports the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA technology. Here's a closer look at the facts. KENNEDY: As the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines don't perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. THE FACTS: His claim is contradicted by scientific evidence. Countless studies show that vaccinated individuals fare far better against COVID-19 infections than those who are unvaccinated, while others have estimated that COVID-19 vaccines prevented millions of deaths during the global pandemic. The mRNA vaccines do not prevent respiratory diseases entirely, experts say. Rather, they can prevent more serious illness that leads to complications and death. For example, an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 may prevent an infection in the upper respiratory tract that feels like a bad cold from spreading to the lower respiratory tract, where it could affect one's ability to breathe. A vaccine cannot block a respiratory infection, said Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious diseases physician and clinical associate professor at Stanford University School of Medicine. That's never been the standard for a respiratory virus vaccine. And it's never been the expectation, and it's never been that realistic. He called Kennedy's claim misguided. Jeff Coller, a professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University, had a similar outlook. Vaccinations don't have to be neutralizing, meaning that you're not going to get COVID, he said. But the important part of a vaccination is that they reduce hospitalization and death. And a reduction in hospitalization and death is proof of an effective vaccine. HHS officials did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vaccines have traditionally required growing viruses or pieces of viruses called proteins and then purifying them. Then a small dose of the vaccine is injected to train the body how to recognize when a real infection hits so its ready to fight back. But this method takes a long time. The mRNA technology speeds up the process and allows existing vaccines to be updated more quickly. The m in mRNA stands for messenger because the vaccine carries instructions for our bodies to make proteins. Scientists figured out how to harness that natural process for vaccines by making mRNA in a lab. They take a snippet of the genetic code that carries instructions for making the protein they want the vaccine to target. Injecting that snippet instructs the body to become its own mini-vaccine factory, making enough copies of the protein for the immune system to recognize and react. Scott explained that mRNA vaccines are not a magic force field that the immune system can use to block an infection, as it can't detect whether a virus is nearby. It can only respond to a virus that has already entered the body. In the case of COVID-19, this means that the virus could cause an upper respiratory tract infection a cold, essentially but would be significantly less likely to cause more severe consequences elsewhere. Myriad studies on the effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccines have been published since they first became available in late 2020. Although protection does wane over time, they provide the strongest barrier against severe infection and death. For example, a 2024 study by the World Health Organization found COVID-19 vaccines reduced deaths in the WHOs European region by at least 57%, saving more than 1.4 million lives since their introduction in December 2020. A 2022 study published in the journal Lancet Infectious Diseases found that nearly 20 million lives were saved by COVID-19 vaccines during their first year. Researchers used data from 185 countries to estimate that vaccines prevented 4.2 million COVID-19 deaths in India, 1.9 million in the United States, 1 million in Brazil, 631,000 in France and 507,000 in the United Kingdom. The main finding that 19.8 million COVID-19 deaths were prevented is based on estimates of how many more deaths than usual occurred during the time period. Using only reported COVID-19 deaths, the same model yielded 14.4 million deaths averted by vaccines. Another 2022 study, published in The New England Journal of Medicine, reported that two mRNA vaccines were more than 90% effective against COVID-19. Operation Warp Speed, the federal effort to facilitate the development and distribution of a COVID-19 vaccine, began under the first Trump administration. What I don't understand is why is President Trump is allowing RFK Jr. to undermine his legacy that led to a medical intervention that literally saved millions of lives? Coller said. Why is Trump allowing RFK to undermine U.S. leadership in biomedical research and drug development? ___ Find AP Fact Checks here: https://apnews.com/APFactCheck. A man has been jailed for the murder of Anita Rose who died after being attacked while walking her dog near her home village of Brantham, Suffolk [Suffolk Police] A "dangerous" fugitive who savagely murdered a woman while she was walking her dog has been jailed for life. Roy Barclay had been on the run from police for two years when he attacked Anita Rose, 57, on a footpath in Brantham, Suffolk, on 24 July last year. Anita died four days after she was found with serious injuries and Barclay, 56, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a mandatory life term of life - and will serve a minimum of 25 years after he was found guilty of murder following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court. Judge Martyn Levett told the killer there were still unanswered questions as to why he did what he did. Roy Barclay was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for the murder of Anita Rose [Suffolk Police] On the day she was attacked Anita left her house at about 05:00 (BST). She was found less than two hours later by members of the public on a track off Rectory Lane next to the London-Ipswich railway line. The mother-of-six had suffered serious injuries after being kicked and stamped by Barclay and died four days later in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. The killer's DNA was discovered on Anita's jacket and on the earbuds of her headphones. Barclay was finally caught after he was spotted in Brantham by an officer from Suffolk Police. When questioned he had initially given a false name of John Lesley, but provided his real telephone number and police were able to ascertain his true identity. Several days later he was arrested at Ipswich County Library and subsequently charged with Anita's murder. The trial heard he had been living in a makeshift camp in the area while "on the run" from police for two years following an earlier attack. Prosecutors argued he also kept some of Ms Rose's belongings as trophies. A statement from Richard Jones, Anita Rose's partner, was read during the hearing [BBC Crimewatch] At the time of the attack, Barclay had been wanted on recall to prison having breached the conditions of his licence. He had previously been jailed for attacking an 82-year-old man in Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex 10 years ago. Anita's family were in the court room for Wednesday's sentencing. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC outlined 11 aggravating factors in the case for the judge to consider in his sentencing. These included Barclay's use of "sustained and excessive violence", killing in public, and the stealing and taking of Anita's property. Mr Paxton said the defendant had also broken the conditions of the licence of his parole following the 2015 attack. Simon Spence KC, mitigating, said Barclay's actions were not premeditated - which Judge Levett agreed with. Barclay sat emotionless as he listened on from the dock. The court first heard how Anita had enjoyed living in Brantham and had taken to help neighbours and other vulnerable residents when they were in need. Statements from several of her children were read out to the court. They talked of their mother's love for walking and how she was the "centre" of their family. Anita's partner, Richard Jones, described how the couple "planned to grow old together" and he had been haunted by her death. Her daughter, Gemma Rose, described the "immeasurable" loss and revealed she had taken to telling her own children about "how dangerous the world is" in an effort to protect them. One of her sons, Ashley Rose, told the court he had desperately tried to help the investigation by buying a drone to find some of his mother's personal items that had been missing and were later found in Barclay's possession. Barclay had been living in a camp in Brantham when he attacked Anita [Suffolk Police] Judge Levett said Barclay was an "unpredictable, dangerous" man who was "prone to terrible outbursts of violence". He highlighted how in the 2015 attack on a "helpless" 82-year-old, he had beaten the pensioner for 53 seconds causing severe injuries. Barclay only served five years in prison before he was released on parole but Judge Levett told him this should have been enough time for him to work on his "temper". When Barclay breached the conditions of his licence in 2022 he became a wanted man and was on the run from police. Judge Levett also questioned why Barclay had chosen to remain silent by not answering police questions when he was arrested or why he did not give evidence in his trial. He said: "We will, perhaps, never know what triggered this outburst of violence against Anita. "You are still, and will remain, for an unpredictable length of time, this dangerous person." Barclay had previously pleaded guilty to remaining at large after being recalled to prison. For this he was sentenced to 12 months in prison which will run concurrently with his life sentence for Anita's murder. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links Vehicles are seen being taken by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation in Lake County, Tennessee on July 30, 2025, near the area where four family member were found dead. (WHBQ via AP) A man accused of killing four family members of a baby girl that he left unharmed in a western Tennessee front yard miles from the crime scene last week was captured on Tuesday. Austin Robert Drummond, 28, was taken into custody after a search that put a community along the Mississippi River on edge and amid several unanswered questions surrounding the July 29 quadruple homicide in Tiptonville. Here's a closer look at what we know and don't know about the investigation: How did officials connect the killings with the baby? The investigation into the familys killings in Tiptonville began after an infant in a car seat was found in a front yard in the Tigrett area, roughly 40 miles (65 kilometers) away. The Dyer County Sheriffs Office said in a statement that a caller reported that a minivan or midsize SUV had dropped the baby at a random individuals front yard. The sheriffs office later said they were working with investigators in neighboring Lake County, where four people had been found dead. Officials determined those people were the childs parents, grandmother and uncle. Why was the baby found so far from the crime scene? That is not clear. Detectives believe Drummond drove the baby about 40 miles from Tiptonville, where they say he fatally shot the four adults, to the town of Tigrett, where the baby girl was left in a front yard. They haven't said publicly why Drummond chose that house. Dyer and Lake counties District Attorney Danny Goodman declined in an interview with The Associated Press to elaborate on what detectives know about this aspect of the case. He said only that the baby girl is safe now and in the custody of other relatives. What was the motive? Investigators have not revealed why they think Drummond carried out the killings. Goodman said Drummond knew the four people hes charged with killing and that Drummonds girlfriend is the sister of the childs grandmother, but its unknown if he has any connection to the baby. The victims were found fatally shot in a wooded area near Reelfoot Lake, a swamplike body of water near the Mississippi River and not far from the Missouri border. Did the suspect act alone? Police say Drummond had help in the killings, but haven't elaborated further. Tennessee authorities charged Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, with accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Investigators allege both men assisted Drummond, 28, in the killings. Dearrah Sanders of Jackson, Tennessee, was also charged with being an accessory after the killings. Did Drummond have a criminal background? Yes, an extensive one. According to court records, Drummond spent years in prison for robbing a convenience store as a 16-year-old and threatening to go after jurors. He was tried as an adult for the July 2013 robbery in Jackson, Tennessee. During the robbery, he pointed a pistol at the gas station store worker and ordered the cash register to be opened, taking the $44 inside, court records show. At a 2020 parole hearing, Drummond said he was on Xanax the night of the robbery and doesnt remember robbing the gas station. He said the firearm was a BB gun. After the jury convicted him of one count of aggravated robbery in August 2014, he made threats to go after jurors, Drummond said during the hearing. He pleaded guilty in February 2015 to 13 counts of retaliation for past action and was given a combined 13-year sentence. His sentence ended in September 2024, according to Tennessee Department of Correction records. As of the 2020 parole hearing, Drummond had more than two dozen disciplinary issues in prison, including possession of a deadly weapon, assault, refusing a drug test and gang activity. Drummond was charged for several activities inside the prison, including attempted murder, after he completed the sentence that originally put him behind bars, Goodman said at a news conference. Drummond was out on bond on the other charges at the time of the killings, Goodman said. What happens next? Drummond is expected in court in Tiptonville for an arraignment later this week. He faces four counts of first-degree murder, one count of aggravated kidnapping and weapons offenses, officials have said. Goodman said hes yet to decide whether to seek the death penalty, but said it is very likely hell pursue it. An attorney who represented Drummond in his case as a teenager did not return an earlier message requesting a comment. A telephone listing for Drummond could not be found, and an automated message from the local public defenders office said to call back later. ___ Associated Press writer Jonathan Mattise contributed to this report. Prince Harry is said to be utterly devastated today as a report into the charity he co-founded in memory of Princess Diana makes it clear that the organization will now continue without him. The Prince and those around him have reacted strongly after the Charity Commission today published the findings of its investigation into Sentebale. A source close to Harry told T&C that the Prince is utterly devastated by what he considers to be an effective hostile takeover of this charity. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said that the report falls troublingly short in many regards. With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mindand in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso beganThe Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana, the spokesperson said. Brian Otieno - Getty Images The case was referred to watchdog the Charity Commission after Harry, co-founder Prince Seeiso and the then trustees resigned from the charity over a dispute with the chair of the board, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, and her supporters. Dr. Chandauka publicly made accusations of bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir, but the Charity Commission announced today that it found no evidence of this. It did, however, identify governance issues and criticize all parties to the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly. The charity currently has validly appointed trustees in place to take the charity forward, the Commission said about next steps, making it clear that Dr. Chandauka and her team will now be tasked with moving on and making improvements. I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025, Dr. Chandauka said in a statement today. The statement also said, Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our Founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato. A source close to Harry told T&C they thought it was in poor taste and disrespectful that Dr. Chandauka had chosen to reference Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato in her statement. Pool - Getty Images Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso founded Sentebale, which means forget me not in Sesotho, the official language of Lesotho, in 2006 in tribute to their late mothers. The decision was made after Harry spent part of his 2004 gap year in Lesotho and became determined to help vulnerable young people there affected by Lesothos HIV epidemic. The organization expanded to also operate in Botswana in 2016. When Harry stepped back as a working royal, he took Sentebale with him. He chose the charity to receive his 50% share of the Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund when Sussex Royal ceased to operate. He also gave $1.5 million of the proceeds of his memoir, Spare, to Sentebale. The charitys former trustees said today in a statement that they remain gravely concerned for the future of the charity and the wellbeing of the communities we served for 19 years, following the mission set out by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in honour of their mothers. For years, the charitys staple fundraising event was the Sentebale Polo Cup, which saw Prince Harry compete with friend and professional polo player Nacho Figueras to raise more than $13 million. You Might Also Like A firefighter works to extinguish a wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southern France, August 7 - Reuters Raging wildfires have erupted across parts of France and Spain, killing one person and injuring nine, as authorities race to contain the fast-moving flames. Tourists and local residents have been forced to evacuate holiday villages and camping grounds as thousands of firefighters battle intense conditions in some of Europes most popular summer hotspots. Emmanuel Macron has mobilised all the nations resources to tackle the biggest blaze in France this year An elderly woman died in her home and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to authorities in the Aude region, where the inferno broke out on Tuesday afternoon. In Spain, 15mph winds fanned raging flames across the popular Torre de la Pena beach resort in Cadiz. All bars, restaurants and hotels have been evacuated in between La Pena and Casas de Porros, according to local reports. Emmanuel Macron, the French president, has mobilised all the nations resources to tackle the biggest blaze in France this year, in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along its Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. We support our firefighters and our forces battling the flames. We have confidence in the government and elected officials, Mr Macron wrote on X. Everyone must exercise the utmost caution and respect the instructions of the authorities. Tourists walk on the beach in Banyuls-sur-Mer as smoke rises from wildfires nearby - OLIVIER CHASSIGNOLE/AFP via Getty Nearly 2,000 firefighters worked overnight to contain the flames, which have scorched more than 12,000 hectares of land in the Aude region, an area greater than the city of Paris. The blaze remained very active on Wednesday, said local authorities, adding that seven firefighters were injured by smoke inhalation. Francois Bayrou, the French prime minister, is expected on site on Wednesday afternoon, his office said. A resident films a wildfire in Tournissan, southwestern France - DRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty Images Planes dropping fire retardant in southwestern France Eric Brocardi, a firefighter spokesman, called the fire a disaster of unprecedented scale. It has destroyed at least 25 houses, forced several major roads to close, and left around 2,500 households without electricity. The Aude department has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which used to help break the progression of fires. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern city port of Marseille, Frances second-largest city, left around 300 injured. Burnt vehicles in an area devastated by a wildfire near Fontjoncouse, southwestern France - LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images Tree were burning overnight in Narbonne, southwestern France - REUTERS/Manon Cruz Southern Europe has already battled multiple large fires this summer, as scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. It comes amid reports that British tourists are increasingly rethinking classic summer destinations, as intense heat waves regularly topping 40 degrees disrupt holiday plans, coinciding with school holidays. A campsite and several homes were evacuated as the wildfire swept across Ribaute, Aude - IDRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty A civil security helicopter is surrounded by smoke billowing from a wildfire - IDRISS BIGOU-GILLES/AFP via Getty Images About nine per cent of European travellers have changed the months they travel due to the threat of increasing extreme weather events, according to a study conducted in July by the European Travel Commission. Families are increasingly choosing to holiday between September and November, known as shoulder season, or the off-peak season, according to the industry. 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. MEXICO CITY/TORONTO (Reuters) -Top Canadian ministers held a "productive" meeting with Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum and some of her top officials during a visit to Mexico City on Tuesday, Canada's top diplomat said, as the two nations navigate a volatile tariff environment. Mexico's economy minister had signaled earlier in the day that talks would cover the two countries' policies in response to a volley of tariff announcements from U.S. President Donald Trump. The three countries have tightly bound economies. Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand said in a post on X that she and Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne had spoken with Sheinbaum to reaffirm bilateral ties. "These discussions with the president and members of her government advanced key shared priorities in terms of economic growth, security and trade diversification," she added. Anand also said Canada and Mexico had agreed to create a plan to deepen cooperation on a variety of bilateral issues during the trip, including resilient supply chains, port-to-port lines of trade, artificial intelligence and energy security. The Canadian ministers were also meeting with Mexican legislators and business leaders during their two-day trip, Anand said. Mexico's Economy Minister Marcelo Ebrard said earlier in the day that he was also set to speak with Champagne about the two countries' experiences in dealing with tariffs imposed on goods shipped to the United States. "They want to know how Mexico is getting these results," Ebrard told journalists. Mexico was able to avoid 30% tariffs on its shipments to the U.S. set to come into force last week, securing a 90-day pause to work on a trade deal with the government of U.S. President Donald Trump. Meanwhile, Trump slapped a 35% duty on many goods coming from Canada, hiking the rate from a 25% fentanyl-related tariff imposed earlier this year. "We're going to exchange experiences," Ebrard said. "They're paying a 35% tariff, and Mexico isn't." Mexico is still subject to the previously imposed 25% fentanyl tariffs, though goods sent under the United States-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement - which are most of them - are exempt. Trump has said the U.S. would continue to levy a 50% tariff on Mexican steel, aluminum and copper and a 25% tariff on Mexican autos and on the non-USMCA-compliant goods. Sheinbaum, who met with Champagne and Anand at Mexico's national palace, said on X, "We're strengthening the relationship between our countries." (Reporting by Kylie Madry and Diego Ore in Mexico City, Ryan Patrick Jones in Toronto and Ismail Shakil in Ottawa; Editing by Sarah Morland and Stephen Coates) Asher Watkins/Facebook Asher Watkins NEED TO KNOW Asher Watkins, 52, was fatally struck by a Cape buffalo during a hunting trip in South Africa Hunter Hans Vermaak, who gave a statement to the Daily Mail on behalf of CV Safaris, who reportedly organized the trip, confirmed Watkins' death and said he was killed in an "unprovoked attack" The fatal incident took place in Limpopo on Sunday, Aug. 3 An American millionaire and big game hunter has died after being killed by a buffalo during a hunting trip to South Africa. Texan ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was stalking a 1.3-ton Cape buffalo in Limpopo on Sunday, Aug. 3, when the animal charged at him at 35 mph and fatally struck him, according to multiple outlets, including the Daily Mail and Metro. The trip, reportedly worth almost $10,000, was organized by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, according to the Daily Mail. Its unclear whether the buffalo was killed following Watkins' death or whether the animal was able to escape. It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA, Hunter Hans Vermaak said in a statement to the outlet on behalf of CV Safaris. On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo, they added. nicholas_dale/Getty A stock image of a Cape buffalo The statement continued, He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones. We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss, Vermaak concluded. PEOPLE has contacted Coenraad Vermaak Safaris and the South African Police Service for comment. According to the Daily Mail and Metro, Watkins mom Gwen and his stepdad, along with his brother Amon, were waiting for him at the safari lodge when the incident happened. The safari company said they are also in touch with Watkins' teen daughter, Savannah, and his ex-wife, Courtney. Courtney also announced his death on Facebook with an emotional tribute, which has since been removed from the social media site. This photo is from another time, another chapter of our livesbut its one that will always be a part of our daughters story, she wrote alongside a throwback photo of themselves with their daughter. On Sunday, August 3, Savannahs father, Asher Watkins, died suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa. Photo by James Keith/Getty Stock image of buffaloes Its a reality thats still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad, she added. Weve been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it. Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed, or simply held us in your thoughts. Your love has truly carried us through the hardest few days of our lives, she continued before adding the bible verse Psalm 34:18. 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. A family friend also paid tribute to their late friend and expressed their condolences to Courtney and Savannah. "Yesterday, our dear friend Asher Austin Watkins, passed onto his reward, to be with the Lord," Jennifer Davis wrote on Facebook. "On an African hunting safari, surrounded by his beloved mother, Gwen, brother, Amon and stepdad, Tony.Asher came face-to-face with one of Africas legendary Big Fivea Cape buffalo." "In a moment as fearless as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith, and adventure," she added. "If you knew Asher, you knew his faith, his adventurous spirit, and that signature wink that always let you know he was up to something. He loved his daughter, Savannah, more than life itself. Asher was a steady presence in the lives of those who knew him." Davis continued, "He leaves behind his precious daughter, Savannah and his ex-wife, Courtney, who are now facing an unimaginable loss. To help ease the load during this difficult time, a Meal Train has been set up." Asher, who had a Facebook page dedicated to his outdoor activities, was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group. On the company website, the hunter was described as having expert knowledge on the "purchase and sale of Ranch and Land properties across Texas and Oklahoma." His expertise stemmed from growing up in Dallas and working on his family's hunting and cattle ranch. Read the original article on People Naperville Police Department Olasinmibo Sinmi Abosede. NEED TO KNOW A mother of four has been missing for a week after she was last seen near her Illinois home on July 30 Five days later, search efforts expanded to include an exploration of a nearly 2,000-acre forest preserve The more eyes we have looking out for her, the better, the Naperville Police Chief said as the search continues A mother of four has been missing for a week after she was seen leaving her Illinois home. As search efforts continue, there has been no sign of the 46-year-old woman even after a multi-agency exploration of a nearby forest preserve. Olasinmibo Sinmi Abosede was last seen on Wednesday, July 30, at around 9:20 a.m. local time walking away from her house on Sudbury Street in Naperville, the Naperville Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. The woman had a water bottle in her hand, and had left her cell phone and credit cards in the residence. She was reported missing by her family that same day, authorities said. No foul play is suspected. After the mother was reported missing, her home and the immediate surrounding area were searched as part of standard procedure, Commander Rick Krakow of the Naperville Police Department tells PEOPLE. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf By Monday, Aug. 4, authorities conducted a thorough search of Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in hopes of discovering the whereabouts of Abosede, who is classified as a missing endangered person. It's so large, and the conditions are so dense with the high grass, that we sought the assistance from an emergency management agency to assist us with the ground search, Krakow says. That takes coordination. Shutterstock Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in DuPage County, Ill. Dozens of trained volunteers, K-9 teams, drones and local law enforcement explored the 1,829-acre preserve, which is not far from Abosedes home, authorities said. While the mom of four wasnt found, search efforts will continue. This is just not something that's heard of here, where we live, a neighbor told ABC affiliate WLS. So, for us, you know, yeah, it's just a little bit different. Having news helicopters flying over half the day, it's definitely a little alarming. He continued, "I hope they find her, and hopefully, you know, provide some comfort and solace to the family here really soon. It's obviously very tragic and upsetting. Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres addressed residents worries after Mondays search. I understand that the uncertainty surrounding Sinmis disappearance is concerning, and I assure you that this department is doing everything we can to find Sinmi, he said in a statement shared on Facebook. He continued, We will continue to follow up on any leads and lean on the expertise of our partners at [Naperville Emergency Management Agency] and surrounding law enforcement agencies, who I want to thank for their dedicated efforts today. Naperville Police Department The missing mother was last seen near her Illinois home. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He urged people to keep a look out for Abosede, and to continue to share her picture. The more eyes we have looking out for her, the better, the police chief added. Abosede was last seen wearing a long-sleeved black Adidas jacket, gray sweatpants, a black head scarf and black Crocs. Anyone who sees her is urged to call 911. People with information about her location are asked to call the Naperville Police Investigation Division at 630-548-1421. Read the original article on People missmaleny/TikTok Maleny before and after her tummy tuck NEED TO KNOW Maleny went to Tijuana, Mexico, for a tummy tuck and BBL in April She tells PEOPLE that her price quotes for the procedures in California and Miami were way out of her budget After getting the procedures done, she says she feels like a whole new person and can't stop looking in the mirror She recognizes the risk with medical tourism, but says she did her research, adding, "anything can happen anywhere Maleny has spent her whole adult life taking care of everything and everyone else except for herself. Then on day she was ready to put herself first. She admits to PEOPLE that she loved her body it was the body that gave her two beautiful children but it was also a source of insecurity. "I tried losing weight by going to the gym and being consistent. I lost over 20 pounds, but you could still see the mommy pouch," she says. "I was no longer happy with myself. Some would say you can't blame it on the kids anymore my oldest is 11, it's already been 10 years but the skin stretches and your body goes through a lot. I tried the 'healthy' way and it didn't work. So I explored other options." The other option Maleny, 32, explored was a tummy tuck to address the loose skin on her stomach. She says she got a price quote in her area in California for all the procedures she was looking for and it would have cost around $22,000. She then sought out a quote in Miami and was told it would cost around $33,000. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf "I was like, absolutely not. That's a down payment to a house," she says. It was then that she realized that medical tourism might be the way for her to go. Maleny turned to a friend who had previously gone to Tijuana, Mexico, for plastic surgery. The content creator, who has been sharing her plastic surgery journey on TikTok, was so impressed with her friend's results that she decided to go to the same place. It's how she found herself doing a consultation with Bella Bodiez in October 2024, putting down a deposit and getting her own plastic surgery at the facility in April. The mom of two, whose son is 11 and daughter is 6, brought her husband down to Mexico with her for the first night. He had to head back home, though, after that, but she insists, it wasn't too bad dealing with any of the pain it was the mental toll that she had to work through. For her procedure, Maleny breaks down everything she got done: "I got an extended tummy tuck. I got a Lipo 360, which was lipo all over my back. I also got arm lipo and on my inner thighs and fat transfer to the glutes [Brazilian butt lift], and the muscle repair that comes with the tummy tuck as well." missmaleny/TikTok Maleny after her tummy tuck For all of that, plus her garments, vitamin IV and lymphatic massage, some additional medical procedures related to the surgery and her overnight stay (plus her husband's) cost $7,800. Her weeklong stay at the medical recovery facility was an additional $1,000. She says the Mexico surgery facility also offered her a customized experience. They played Bad Bunny in the operating room while she was going under for surgery, at her request. She stayed by herself in Tijuana for a week to recover and says she only had mild discomfort during that time. Much of it came while she was sleeping or if she would jolt her muscles, because of the muscle repair. "Every time I would cough or sneeze, forget it. It was the most painful ever," she says looking back. Now that she's more than three months post-op, she's still a little swollen, she says, but she already loves her results. She's had a fantastic support system around her, including her mom, her sisters-in-law and her husband, who pitched in when she needed help with the kids and the house, and her social media circle. It has all combined to help her see that getting the surgery was the empowering move that she needed to make at this point in her life. "Everyone who I talked to in person that had gotten any plastic surgery procedure, they were like, 'It's the best thing that you'll ever do for yourself,'" she says. "That's how I feel now. It literally changed my life. Now I can't stop staring at myself in the mirror. It's like a whole new person, a whole new body. It literally changes your life." 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. Maleny has been sharing her journey on TikTok since she revealed that she would be getting surgery in Mexico, and she was surprised to find such a welcoming community of people who are asking questions about her procedures and are championing her decision. She admits she was nervous about being open, but she's hopeful that if more people are open about their surgeries that more people will continue to feel empowered to make decisions about their own bodies that make them happy. "Everyone has been so positive and so supportive. I thought that I was going to get negativity, backlash, whatever. But no, absolutely not. If I can help someone, if my story can help someone make it feel less judgmental and more understanding, then why not? Especially if you're a mom." While medical tourism has risen in popularity in recent years, there is still always a risk involved, which Maleny was comfortable taking. "Anything can happen anywhere," she says. Read the original article on People Julian Elliott Photography/Getty Images St Peter's Basilica in Vatican City. Key Points A new study ranked the worlds most overcrowded tourist destinations. Vatican City topped the list, with a staggering ratio of 7,709 tourists per resident. Other high-ranking destinations include Andorra, San Marino, the Bahamas, and Saint Kitts and Nevisbut you can visit during shoulder season to avoid crowds. An estimated 1.4 billion people traveled internationally in 2024, bringing tourism numbers back up to their pre-pandemic level. While this means more people are able to explore the world again, it also means that some of the world's most sought-after destinations are experiencing tourism booms. In July, the safari company Go2Africa released its findings on which countries, states, and tourist destinations are the most overcrowded. To find out the answer, the team reached out to national tourist boards to determine how many people visit each place, then compared those numbers to the population data for the same year, allowing them to calculate the ratio of tourists to local residents for each location. "Although the total number of international visitors to a country gives us a good indication of which areas are the busiest, comparing these numbers with the population figures of a location gives us a better idea of where tourism might be overcrowding local areas," the team explained. After looking at the numbers, it named Vatican City as the most overcrowded tourist destination, with "an incredible 7,709 tourists to every resident." "While this ratio is extreme, it comes with context: Vatican City, based within Rome, is just 0.44 square kilometers in size and is a place of pilgrimage and cultural significance for many people around the world. Its tiny population of 882 consists mainly of clergy, diplomats, and officials, making it unlike any typical country," it added. There are, however, ways to experience Vatican City as if you have the place all to yourself. Your best bet is to start by traveling during Italy's shoulder season, which usually falls between March and April or October through November, when tourist numbers dip just a bit, ensuring thinner crowds at the Vatican and beyond. Next, try a guided tour. This ensures you'll learn everything you can while visiting the Vatican and you'll have time to appreciate all the little details, even if there are throngs of other people. Get Your Guide has a ton of options with tours by local experts, including some that let you skip the ticket line. Want the full VIP experience? Book a day with luxury travel experts like Access Italy, who can help you navigate the best times to visit, snag tickets for you, and help with every little detail of your Italian getaway so you never have to lift a finger. The Vatican, however, wasn't the only popular place to make the list. Andorra, a small country tucked between Spain and France, came in second on the list thanks to it welcoming 9.6 million visitors in 2024, compared to just 81,938 locals. San Marino, the Bahamas, and Saint Kitts and Nevis rounded out the top five. Again, they're all still worth seeing, but plotting out a shoulder season trip may be the best way to see them all. Read the original article on Travel & Leisure WASHINGTON National Guard troops deploying to help immigration enforcement agents in more than a dozen red states will DNA swab, fingerprint and transport detainees as part of a plan greenlit by some Republican governors for 1,700 troops to take over some at ICE offices. The Pentagon announced on July 25 that 1,700 National Guard personnel 1,200 already deployed plus 500 additional troops will work on "case management, transportation and logistical support, and clerical support for the in- and out-processing" of ICE arrests. The duties of some will also include taking DNA swabs, photographs and fingerprints of people held at ICE facilities, according to a defense official speaking on condition of anonymity. Guard troops have already started to arrive at ICE offices. More: 'Speedway Slammer' immigration jail set to be Trump's next 'Alligator Alcatraz' In Florida, 25 of the 200 National Guard personnel that will "backfill" nine ICE offices across the state arrived on Aug. 5, according to William Manley, a spokesperson for the Florida National Guard. "We anticipate that our Guardsmen will be performing administrative/clerical tasks, fingerprinting, DNA swabbing, photography and transportation support," Manley said. The Florida National Guard personnel will replace 200 Marines deployed in early July to take on "administrative, clerical and logistics" duties at the state's ICE facilities, according to a statement from U.S. Northern Command. More: July jobs report may show growing impact of Trump's immigration crackdown The Pentagon announced that 1,700 National Guard troops will help immigration enforcement offices to process arrests. National Guard troops could take on similar roles at ICE offices in 20 additional states with Republican governors, including Tennessee, Virginia, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas, according to Maj. Micah Maxwell, a National Guard Bureau spokesperson. South Carolina has received a request for 40 troops, and Louisiana for 70 troops, according to spokespeople for those state's National Guard bureaus. The Trump administration deployed 4,000 National Guard troops and hundreds of Marines to quell protests in Los Angeles over widespread immigration raids. The majority more than 3,000 have been recalled. Troops tapped by red state governors to backfill ICE offices Unlike those troops, the Guardsmen now tapped to help with ICE arrests will be deployed on the orders of the two dozen states' Republican governors. That means they are not subject to legal prohibitions on federal troops performing law enforcement functions. Tapping the troops to play an integrated role in processing ICE arrests is still cause for concern, said Joseph Nunn, counsel in the Brennan Centers Liberty and National Security Program. "If you're deploying the military domestically to assist with immigration enforcement, you are pulling personnel resources and attention away from the military's core national security responsibilities," Nunn said. That includes the Guard's "traditional" responsibilities, like disaster relief and response, he added. Integrating troops into internal law enforcement operations farther from the border risks making them a regular "presence in ICE offices ... across the country," he said. It opens up the possibility of "the military's seemingly permanent presence at the U.S.-Mexico border ... moving into the interior of the country," he said. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: National Guard to assist ICE in 20 states with processing duties The Netherlands will become the first European state to provide cash to purchase U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine, under a plan agreed to by President Donald Trump and NATO chief Mark Rutte. Dutch Defense Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced Monday his nation will contribute 500 million ($576 million) to a fund called the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. Brekelmans said the funding would go toward Patriot systems and missiles, a mobile surface-to-air interceptor. Developed in the 1980s and still considered one of the U.S.s most advanced air defense systems, the Patriot can thwart attacks from aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles. Trump's Nato Deal To Arm Ukraine Wins Over Gop Skeptics Last month during a White House meeting with NATO chief Mark Rutte, President Trump promised Europe would spend "billions" on U.S. weapons to arm Ukraine. A new Patriot system and the missiles to go along with it could cost around $1.1 billion, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The newest version of the missile costs around $4 million a piece. Read On The Fox News App Last month during a White House meeting with Rutte, Trump promised Europe would spend "billions" on U.S. weapons to arm Ukraine. "Billions of dollars worth of military equipment is going to be purchased from the United States, going to NATO And thats going to be quickly distributed to the battlefield," Trump said. Trump, Rutte Announce 'Really Big' Nato Arms Package Amid New 50 Day Deadline Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the Netherlands for the funding on X. "Ukraine, and thus the whole of Europe, will be better protected from Russian terror," he wrote. "I am sincerely grateful to the Netherlands for their substantial contribution to strengthening Ukraine's air shield," he added. Rutte also thanked the Netherlands and encouraged other European NATO allies to follow suit. "This is about getting Ukraine the equipment it urgently needs now to defend itself against Russian aggression," he said in a statement. "I have written to all NATO Allies, urging them to contribute towards this burden-sharing initiative, and I expect further significant announcements from other Allies soon." The Netherlands has emerged as one of Ukraines top defense donors, committing close to 3 billion in military aid since the start of Russias full-scale invasion in 2022. Dutch support has included tanks, F-16 training, and now, contributions toward strategic air defense platforms like the Patriot. The new Trump-NATO agreement came after Republicans expressed frustration with the nearly $128 billion in aid the U.S. has offered to Ukraine, arguing Europe should take up the burden. At the same time, Trump has increasingly grown impatient with Russian President Vladimir Putin during peace negotiations. White House envoy Steve Witkoff is set to head to Moscow this week before the deadline Trump gave Putin for ending the war. The president has threatened to slap steep tariffs on Russia and any nations that do business with it if this weeks negotiations fail to produce a deal. Original article source: Netherlands becomes first NATO ally to buy US weapons for Ukraine Nevada Gov. Joe Lombardo Provided by Gov. Joe Lombardo's office (The Center Square) - The Department of Justice (DOJ) has listed Nevada as a Sanctuary Jurisdiction, putting it in the Trump administrations cross hairs. Nevadas political leaders have the sanctuary state designation. Nevada has followed all federal laws and cooperated with federal immigration authorities, and will continue to do so," wrote Gov. Joe Lombardo (R-NV) said on the social media platform X. The state has repeatedly reached out to the Department of Justice for clarification on its designation and looks forward to their timely response. Nevada was named along with 11 other states, four counties, Washington D.C. and 18 U.S. cities. Some State and local officials nevertheless continue to use their authority to violate, obstruct, and defy the enforcement of Federal immigration laws, read President Donald Trumps April 2025 executive order, Protecting American Communities From Criminal Aliens. This is a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of Federal law and the Federal Government's obligation to defend the territorial sovereignty of the United States. In that same executive order the DOJ and Homeland Security were directed to create a list of sanctuary jurisdictions. The list was formed out of nine overarching criteria from public declarations of sanctuary policies to non-cooperation with the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency, or ICE. While the nine points outline some idea of the administrations view of what a sanctuary jurisdiction is, there is no official definition. The general idea of the term is that an area will not ask questions about somebodys immigration status nor report their status to federal enforcement, normally excluding people who have committed crimes. Elected officials from both parties have disputed the state's designation. Nevada is not a sanctuary state, this designation is wrong, said Sen. Catherine Cortez-Masto (D-NV) said in a statement. Attorney General Aaron Ford wrote on X, "As I have stated time and again, I do not support policies that provide sanctuary to criminals. Period. Ford is running for governor and Lombardo, the incumbent, took issue with Ford's statement. Despite the Attorney Generals attempts to implement sanctuary policies, Nevada is not a sanctuary state and will never be a sanctuary jurisdiction under Governor Lombardo," he wrote on X, later adding, @AaronDFordNV will turn Nevada into a sanctuary state on Day 1. Attorney General Ford responded, Governor Lombardo is trying to distract from the fact that hardworking Nevadans are suffering on his watch in an economy that has lagged behind the rest of the country. While Nevada has no self-defined sanctuary policies in place, the legislature passed AB 217 that would have restricted ICE agents from entering public school grounds. Lombardo vetoed the bill. The DOJ sanctuary list, while defined by vague qualifications, threatens serious financial impacts for the Silver State. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country," Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. The DOJ statement also referenced an ongoing lawsuit against New York City launched in July over Sanctuary Laws. The issue of illegal immigration and sanctuary jurisdictions has already impacted the state. Across the state fears of increased immigration enforcement have closed businesses, including the temporary shutdown of the states largest outdoor market, Broadacres Marketplace. Fueled by a near 300% increase in ICE arrests through June, Nevada, with some of the most undocumented immigrants in the country, has been put on a state of alert by this latest DOJ list. By Luciana Magalhaes, Ricardo Brito and Lisandra Paraguassu SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Brazil's Supreme Court was caught off-guard by Justice Alexandre de Moraes' decision late on Monday to place former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest, two sources at the court told Reuters on Tuesday. The order underscores Moraes' readiness to act on his own despite both polarization among Brazilians on the issue and rising tensions with the White House. It came just days ahead of the introduction of 50% tariffs on Brazilian goods entering the United States. U.S. President Donald Trump imposed the levies as a reaction to what he has characterized as a "witch hunt" led by Moraes against Bolsonaro, who is standing trial under charges of plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 electoral defeat. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing and described Moraes as a "dictator." Moraes' ruling has sparked concern within the Brazilian government that Trump could retaliate by inflicting further damage to Brazil's economy, two sources close to President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's inner circle told Reuters. But Brazilian officials are not planning to push back against Moraes. The two court sources, one of whom is a justice, told Reuters that the other Supreme Court justices were supportive of Moraes, while those close to Lula said the president has neither the willingness nor the ability to influence the Supreme Court. "It doesn't change our approach in the slightest," said the justice, who asked not to be named to discuss the matter candidly. The Lula administration is instead planning policies to support those industries likely to be hardest hit by Trump's tariffs and to keep diplomatic channels open with Washington, said the political sources. But the Moraes move could create obstacles for the Brazilian negotiators, said Fabio Medina Osorio, Brazil's former attorney general. "This decision can certainly make things difficult," he said. A POLARIZED COUNTRY The Supreme Court is expected to hand down a verdict within weeks on the charges that Bolsonaro and his allies plotted to overthrow democracy. It is widely expected to convict the former president. Moraes' house arrest order cited a failure to comply with restraining orders he had imposed on Bolsonaro for allegedly courting Trump's interference in the case. While domestically Moraes has received praise by some for defending Brazil's judicial independence, others have accused him of overreach. The latest order drew mixed reactions, according to a Quaest poll based on social media posts, with 53% in favor and 47% against the arrest. Newspapers that had written scathing editorials about the alliance between Bolsonaro and Trump also questioned Moraes' decisions. "Moraes was wrong to order the arrest of the former president for communicating with supporters in a rally organized by the right," an editorial by Brazilian newspaper Folha de Sao Paulo said. "Brazil must acknowledge that Jair Bolsonaro has broad freedom to defend himself in court and to express himself wherever he chooses, including on social media." Former Supreme Court justices, too, offered differing views regarding the decision. "Alexandre de Moraes, in his ruling, not only upholds the country's sovereignty and independence but also the autonomy of Brazil's judiciary," said Carlos Ayres Britto, who left the Supreme Court bench in 2012. But former Justice Marco Aurelio Mello disagreed. "My perspective would be different given the constitutional principle of presumed innocence," he said. (Reporting by Luciana Magalhaes in Sao Paulo, and Ricardo Brito and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia, editing by Manuela Andreoni and Rosalba O'Brien) By Joseph Ax (Reuters) -The escalating political fight over the Texas congressional map is spreading across other states across the country, triggering an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting arms race with the balance of power in Washington at stake. At President Donald Trump's urging, Texas Republicans have proposed new congressional districts aimed at flipping five Democrat-held U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections, further skewing what is already considered a deeply partisan map in that state. In response, Democratic governors elsewhere - most notably Gavin Newsom of California, the only state with more congressional districts than Texas - have threatened to retaliate by mounting their own redistricting efforts. "Donald Trump is a cheater, and so is Governor Greg Abbott," JB Pritzker, the Democratic governor of Illinois, told reporters on Tuesday. Standing alongside him were several of the Democratic lawmakers from Texas who fled their home state on Monday to deny Republicans a quorum and prevent a vote on the proposed new map. "As far as I'm concerned, everything is on the table," Pritzker said. Democrats need to flip only three Republican-held seats to retake the majority in the 435-seat House next year, so even modest gains for either party via redistricting could prove decisive. If Democrats win the House, they could stymie much of Trump's legislative agenda and pursue multiple investigations into his administration. The practice of partisan gerrymandering - manipulating district lines to benefit one party over another - has a long tradition in the United States, but the advent of powerful software and sophisticated voter data has allowed mapmakers to drill down to individual streets and neighborhoods. Redistricting typically occurs every 10 years to incorporate the U.S. Census count. Trump has broken with that convention by openly pushing Texas Republicans to pursue a rare mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain, even though the existing map, which Republicans drew just four years ago, resulted in the party winning 25 of the state's 38 seats. "I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats," Trump told CNBC on Tuesday, referring to the 2024 presidential election. Trump has encouraged other Republican states to follow suit. A senior White House official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told Reuters last week the administration believes as many as five states could redraw their maps, including Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis has expressed a willingness to take such a step. DEMOCRATS VOW TO FIGHT BACK Ohio Republicans will draw a new map ahead of the November 2026 election that could flip at least two Democratic seats. In Missouri, where Democrats hold two of the state's seven seats, some Republican lawmakers have had preliminary conversations about a new map, according to a source familiar with the matter. Other Republican-controlled states that could in theory use redistricting to target Democrats include Kansas, Kentucky and New Hampshire. Democrats, meanwhile, face some legal hurdles in their biggest states. In California, where redistricting is overseen by an independent commission, voters would likely have to approve giving Democratic lawmakers the power to draw a new map. Newsom said on Monday he would put the issue before voters this autumn if Texas moves forward. Experts say a Democratic-drawn map could easily target five Republican incumbents, even though Democrats already hold 43 of the state's 52 seats. New York Governor Kathy Hochul said on Monday that she would not "fight with my hand tied behind my back." Even so, any new map in her state would require voters to approve a constitutional amendment, and that process cannot take place before 2026. In Illinois, where Pritzker and the Democratic-controlled legislature have no restraints, Democrats already hold 14 of the state's 17 U.S. House seats, leaving them without much room to maneuver. THREATS TO TEXAS DEMOCRATS Meanwhile, Texas Governor Abbott filed an emergency lawsuit on Tuesday asking the state Supreme Court to remove state Representative Gene Wu, the House Democratic caucus chair, from office, arguing he abandoned his seat by fleeing the state. Wu did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Earlier this week, he brushed off Abbott's threat to seek Democrats' removal, calling it "all bluster" and daring him to "come and take it" in an interview on CNN. Republican Attorney General Ken Paxton also said he would seek similar court orders against other Democratic lawmakers. David Froomkin, a law professor at the University of Houston, noted that the Texas Supreme Court has previously ruled that lawmakers have the constitutional right to break quorum. "Courts have generally taken the view that a legislator has surrendered their seat when they have chosen to surrender their seat," he said. "Here, they're not intending to vacate their offices they're exercising their offices by trying to prevent the passage of legislation they find troubling." Abbott's lawsuit follows warrants issued by the Republican Speaker of the Texas House, Dustin Burrows, for authorities to bring the absent lawmakers back to the statehouse for a vote. Abbott has ordered state law enforcement to help enforce them. But the Democrats have all left the state, putting them beyond the reach of any state agency. Trump told reporters late on Tuesday that the FBI "may have" to get involved in forcing Democrats back to Texas. (Reporting by Joseph Ax in New York; Additional reporting by Nandita Bose and Jeff Mason in Washington; Editing by Frank McGurty and Howard Goller) Logo of jester cap with thought bubble. Image source: The Motley Fool. DATE Wednesday, August 6, 2025 at 10 a.m. ET CALL PARTICIPANTS President and Chief Executive Officer Ann Fox Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Guy Sirkes Need a quote from a Motley Fool analyst? Email pr@fool.com RISKS Oil-levered Market Exposure Ann Fox stated, "began to receive pricing pressure across all of our service lines, most notably in the Permian, which negatively impacted revenue and earnings during the second quarter." Further Rig and Activity Reductions Ann Fox noted, "There is a possibility additional rigs could come out of the market in the back half of the year, specifically from private operators." and highlighted, "we do expect calendar gaps, completion delays, and overall more white space in conjunction with lower activity levels and oil prices." Downward Guidance Ann Fox projected, "we anticipate both revenue and adjusted EBITDA will be down compared to Q2 and project Q3 revenue between $135 million and $145 million." TAKEAWAYS Revenue-- $147.3 million in Q2 2025 revenue, reaching the upper end of original guidance and reflecting strong performance despite significant rig declines. Adjusted EBITDA-- Adjusted EBITDA was $14.1 million. Total Liquidity-- $65.5 million as of June 30, 2025, composed of $14.2 million in cash and $51.3 million of revolver availability. Completion Tool Revenue-- $37 million, representing a 9% increase, with total first-half 2025 international tool revenue up approximately 20% compared to 2024, driven by increased Middle East barrier valve and plug sales. Wireline Revenue-- $33 million, up 11%, with volumes also rising 11% and gains in remedial wireline market share in the Northeast. Cementing Revenue and Volume-- $52.2 million, down 9%, with cementing jobs decreasing 15%, but average revenue per job increasing 7%. Coiled Tubing Performance-- Revenue at $25.1 million, down 16%; days worked decreased 23%, while average blended day rate increased 9%. Capital Expenditures-- $6.1 million spent, with 2025 total to date of $10.4 million; full-year CapEx budget unchanged at $15 million to $25 million. Operational Adjustments-- "We have been able to utilize wireline equipment and personnel from West Texas to cover work in the Northeast," according to Ann Fox. New Completion Tools Facility-- Ann Fox described a "little over 30,000 square feet" facility opening next year, with test wells and engineering capabilities geared for domestic and international customers. SUMMARY Management highlighted substantial pricing and activity headwinds in oil-weighted basins, especially the Permian, which has historically provided approximately 40% of revenue and proved vulnerable to rig declines and price pressure. Wireline and completion tools segments delivered revenue growth, supported by volume gains in the Northeast and international traction, with first-half 2025 international tool revenue up approximately 20% compared to 2024. Ann Fox indicated that international markets, notably Argentina and the Middle East, are expected to deliver full-year 2025 revenue above 2024, despite the lumpy nature of orders. Guidance signals further financial declines, with Q3 2025 revenue expected between $135 million and $145 million, due to anticipated ongoing calendar gaps and lower pricing in oil-linked regions. Guy Sirkes confirmed that no shares were sold under the ATM program in Q2 2025, and as of July 2025, $13.4 million in additional revolver borrowings partially funded new ABL facility fees. General and administrative expense totaled $13.9 million, while depreciation and amortization expense was $8.6 million. Net cash provided by operating activities reached $10.1 million, with an average DSO of 55.9 days in Q3 2025. The company reported completion of 30,331 tool stages (+4%), 8,585 wireline stages (+11%), and 1,061 cementing jobs (-15%), clarifying operational landscape shifts across business lines. INDUSTRY GLOSSARY MCPV Valve: Multi-cycle barrier valve used in completion tools, enabling repeated open/close cycles for zonal isolation during well completions, cited as a growth driver for international tool sales. Remedial Wireline: Specialized wireline operations focused on repairs, re-completions, or interventions in existing wells, distinct from initial pump-down completions. ATM Program: At-the-market equity offering program, permitting the company to sell shares directly into the market as opportunities arise. ABL Facility: Asset-based lending credit facility secured primarily by company receivables and inventories, offering flexible working capital financing. Full Conference Call Transcript Ann Fox: Thank you, Heather. Good morning, everyone. Thank you for joining us today to discuss our second quarter results for 2025. Revenue for the quarter was $147.3 million, which was in the upper range of our original guidance of $138 million to $148 million despite significant rig declines throughout the quarter. We generated adjusted EBITDA of $14.1 million. In April, following the announcement of new tariffs, oil prices declined from an average of approximately $72 in Q1 to an average of approximately $65 in Q2, while also dropping below $60 for the first time in four years. With the decline in commodity prices, increased costs due to tariffs, and uncertainty around the global economy, US activity and CapEx plans were reduced, resulting in significant rig declines throughout the second quarter. Between March 28 and July 3, 53 rigs came out of the US market, a decline of almost 10% in only three months. The majority of these rigs came out of oil-levered basins like the Permian, where Nine has historically generated approximately 40% of our total revenue. With these activity declines, we also began to receive pricing pressure across all of our service lines, most notably in the Permian, which negatively impacted revenue and earnings during the second quarter. Natural gas prices remained mostly supportive during the quarter but declined from the Q1 average of approximately $4.14 to approximately $3.19 in Q2. We have begun to see a more positive sentiment around natural gas-levered basins as well as more consistent efficient operations, which benefited Nine, most specifically in the Northeast. However, natural gas continues to be a potential catalyst for Nine. Overall rig counts in both the Northeast and Haynesville once again remained relatively flat in Q2 versus Q1, and we remain positive on the medium and long-term outlook for the commodity and natural gas-levered regions. Although activity declined throughout the quarter, our operational team performed well, and we were able to capitalize on an improving natural gas environment as well as continuing to grow our international tool business. Despite a very challenging macro backdrop, both our completion tool and wireline business grew revenue this quarter. Completion tool revenue grew by approximately 9%, driven in large part by increased sales in the Northeast and Haynesville, as well as an increase in international tool sales. We have talked about our strategy for growing our international tools share, and the team has been executing. Our total first-half international tools revenue has increased by approximately 20% when compared to 2024. This was driven by both increased sales of our multi-cycle barrier valve into the Middle East as well as an overall increase in our plug sales. This will continue to be a focus for the team, and I am optimistic about the potential opportunities for Nine in the international market. Our wireline team increased revenue by approximately 11% in Q2. We have strong market share in the Northeast, and the team has capitalized on an improving market with both traditional pump-down work as well as increasing our market share on the remedial side. During Q2, we saw revenue declines in both cementing and coil, driven by activity and pricing declines in the Permian Basin, where both operations hold meaningful market share. As a reminder, neither of these service lines operate in the Northeast and therefore did not benefit from any uplift in earnings from the improvement in those basins. I would now like to turn the call over to Guy to walk through detailed financial information. Guy Sirkes: Thank you, Ann. As of June 30, 2025, Nine's cash and cash equivalents were $14.2 million, with $51.3 million of availability under the revolving credit facility, resulting in a total liquidity position of $65.5 million as of June 30, 2025. On June 30, 2025, the company had $49.4 million of borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In July 2025, the company borrowed an additional $13.4 million under its revolving credit facility, part of which was used for funding of fees related to the closing of our new ABL. During Q2, we did not sell any shares under the ATM program. During the second quarter, revenue totaled $147.3 million with adjusted gross profit of $25.8 million. During the second quarter, we completed 1,061 cementing jobs, a decrease of approximately 15%. The average blended revenue per job increased by approximately 7%. Cementing revenue for the quarter was $52.2 million, a decrease of approximately 9%. During the second quarter, we completed 8,585 wireline stages, an increase of approximately 11%. The average blended revenue per stage was flat. Wireline revenue for the quarter was $33 million, an increase of 11%. For completion tools, we completed 30,331 stages, an increase of approximately 4%. Completion tool revenue was $37 million, an increase of approximately 9%. During the second quarter, our coiled tubing days worked decreased by approximately 23% with the average blended day rate increasing by approximately 9%. Coiled tubing revenue was $25.1 million, a decrease of approximately 16%. During the second quarter, the company reported general and administrative expense of $13.9 million. Depreciation and amortization expense was $8.6 million. The company's tax benefit was approximately $300,000 year-to-date. The benefit for 2025 is the result of a $500,000 discrete tax benefit recorded during 2025, offset by tax provisions in state and non-US jurisdictions. For the second quarter, the company reported net cash provided by operating activities of $10.1 million. The average DSO for Q3 was 55.9 days. CapEx spend during Q2 was $6.1 million, and total CapEx for 2025 is $10.4 million. Our full-year CapEx budget remains unchanged at $15 million to $25 million. I will now turn it back to Ann. Ann Fox: As I mentioned, we saw many operators reduce activity in Q2 in response to lower oil prices. There is a possibility additional rigs could come out of the market in the back half of the year, specifically from private operators. And we do expect calendar gaps, completion delays, and overall more white space in conjunction with lower activity levels and oil prices. Natural gas prices remain mostly supportive, helping to drive more efficient operations in the Northeast and Haynesville, and building a more positive sentiment, which has benefited our operations and earnings. The rig activity in these regions has been mostly stable, and while we would benefit from any incremental activity increases, it may not be enough to completely offset the activity and pricing declines we have seen in the Permian, which impacts all of our service lines. We are continuing to play both offense and defense to grow revenue and increase margins. This includes market share gains with current and potential new customers, R&D and technological advances across service lines, growing our international tools business, construction of our new completion tool facility, and potentially expanding service lines to new geographies, which we are currently evaluating. We have been able to utilize wireline equipment and personnel from West Texas to cover work in the Northeast, and we are constantly evaluating where to best utilize our assets and people in conjunction with market dynamics. We remain focused on increasing our exposure to international markets, and I believe the team has implemented its strategy well thus far, demonstrated by our 20% revenue increase in the first half of the year versus 2024. In conjunction with these growth initiatives, we are working on reducing costs without impeding the quality of our business. Over the last twelve months, we believe we have taken significant sustainable costs out of the business. These include, but are not limited to, improvements in fleet management and maintenance, reduction of corporate and field employees, reduction or elimination of consultants, software and subscriptions, and the consolidation and rationalization of vendors. We will continue to prioritize reducing costs while not impeding the quality of our technology, service, and safety. In Q3, we will see full quarter realizations of activity and pricing declines made throughout Q2. As I mentioned, we also anticipate more white space in the calendar in the oil-levered basins. Because of this, we anticipate both revenue and adjusted EBITDA will be down compared to Q2 and project Q3 revenue between $135 million and $145 million. Our team is focused on increasing profitability in a declining market. We are nimble and diversified in both our service and technology offerings and commodity. This has and will continue to allow us to navigate these uncertain markets while still being able to capitalize on any potential growth opportunities both domestically and internationally. We will now open up the call for Q&A. Thank you. Operator: We will now be conducting a question and answer session. If you would like to ask a question, please press 1 on your telephone keypad. A confirmation tone will indicate your line is in the question queue. You may press 2 if you would like to remove your question from the queue. For participants using speaker equipment, it may be necessary to pick up your handset before pressing the star keys. Moment, please, while we poll for questions. Thank you. Our first question comes from the line of Waqar Syed with ATB. Waqar Syed: Ann, you mentioned that there is some expectation that some private E&Ps may temper their work. Is that based on firm discussions with the customers, or is that just your view based on what your view on commodity prices is? Ann Fox: It's a great question, Waqar. Good morning. Actually, it is not based on conversations. It's based on our knowledge that if commodity prices were to move very negatively for the remainder of the quarter or in Q4, those private operators typically will react more quickly than the public. So the commentary is that this is going to be more commodity price-driven, and they will be more reactionary than our large public operators. Waqar Syed: And then in terms of your visibility into Q4, do you have any visibility there where customers have mentioned anything about what they are going to be doing in Q4? Ann Fox: Hi, Waqar. We do not have visibility into Q4 insofar as major changes up or down. I would say we have had customer conversations indicating increased activity in Q1, and that is standard with budget refresh. Waqar Syed: And this increased activity in Q1, is this a Permian comment or an all-over US comment? Ann Fox: Specifically with certain customers in the Permian. Waqar Syed: Okay. And is that relative to where activity was in Q2 or where relative activity is as of today? Ann Fox: That would be an increase relative to activity as of today. Waqar Syed: Okay. Fair enough. Now, Ann, in terms of your international sales, it looks like a pretty decent pickup in the first half of 2025 versus last year's first half. Could you maybe highlight how the second half of 2024 was versus the first half of 2024? And how does the first half of 2025 compare to the first half of 2024? Ann Fox: So we had a 20% increase in the first half over the first half of last year. And I do think this is, as we have said many times to the market, a lumpy market. It's very hard to predict. Specifically, we have gained lots of traction in Argentina and also in the Middle East. We do expect we will be up year over year, Waqar. It's hard to predict how much, but we are gaining traction there. And so if you looked at 2025 on a full-year basis, we would expect that number internationally will be up over 2024. Waqar Syed: Great. And then, you know, the traction, what products are you seeing the most traction with in the international markets? Ann Fox: We are seeing it with our plugs and our MCPV valves. And it's been really nice. They are volume orders. Waqar Syed: Alright. And do you have any visibility into the second half for these international sales? Ann Fox: Again, it will be lumpy. What I can say is that if you look at the full year, we definitely anticipate being up over last year. Waqar Syed: Okay. Great. Yeah. I think that's all for me for now. Appreciate the color. Thank you. Ann Fox: Thank you, Waqar. Operator: Our next question comes from the line of John Daniel with Daniel Energy Partners. Please proceed with your question. John Daniel: Hey, Ann. Good morning. First question has to do with the completion tools facility that you highlighted. Can you tell us a bit more about this and what it's expected to do, where it will be? Ann Fox: Sure. Yeah. Not going to give away too many secrets, but it's going to be a little over 30,000 square feet. We are going to put this right next to our assembly and manufacturing location in Jasper. It's going to have multiple test wells, lots of different pressures, temperatures, going to have drill-out capability, flowback loop, all kinds of capabilities for our customers to log in and see all these test results. I think this will be probably the largest state-of-the-art completion tool testing facility in the US. John Daniel: Okay. Got it. And, John, this is also becoming increasingly important for our international customers. So as you know, with sustaining engineering, when you are working on fielding these tools, if issues arise, you need to be able to immediately test that. They need to be able to see those results. So we are just extremely excited about this. Very, very excited. John Daniel: Does it open this year, or is it a next year event? Ann Fox: It's a next year opening. John Daniel: Got it. The next one is with the hope that we see some private operators strictly in the gassy markets continue to pick up activity. I'm just curious, in your experience, would you maybe say that there's a little bit less procurement rigor vis-a-vis their larger public peers? I mean, would these be additive to margins, if you will, just maybe because of less pricing power on the part of those buyers? Ann Fox: Sure. So there's actually, yeah, there's of course, you know, the larger the customers get, the more that you are dealing with procurement and the further away you are from operations. Right? And so oftentimes, we see a correlation between that and efficiency in the field. You can certainly look at the Pioneer-Exxon coming together as an example of that. But you are absolutely right. Those smaller privates, they are very operationally driven. Some of them are very efficient. They do really grant their engineers in the field autonomy to pick the best service lines, to pick the best vendors, best technology. So that usually works out very well for us. And they are also very decisive, and they are very fast. So that could be exciting for us. On top of that, there's a competitive dynamic that's a little bit kinder in areas like the Haynesville and the Northeast versus the Permian. So those gas markets actually set up quite well for us, so we are pretty excited. Looking at all of the power demand, we, you know, again, it seems like the country is going to need a lot of power generation from natural gas. So we are big believers and have been in the go-forward health of the natural gas market. John Daniel: Got it. Okay. And the final one is in the press release, you've highlighted the incremental market share in the Remedial Wireline business. Is there any one thing in particular that is driving that? Ann Fox: You know, this is, we've got annual strategic meetings, and we a few years ago. Our leader of that business is very well-versed in all things, both pump-down and remedial wireline. This was an effort really to diversify that top line from the ups and downs of pump-down work, and he's done a splendid job. John Daniel: Okay. Awesome. Thank you for including me. Ann Fox: Thank you for taking the time to be on the call this morning. John Daniel: You bet. Ann Fox: Thank you for your participation in the call today. I want to thank our employees, our E&P partners, and investors. Thank you. Operator: Ladies and gentlemen, this does conclude today's teleconference. You may disconnect your lines at this time. Thank you for your participation, and have a wonderful day. Where to invest $1,000 right now When our analyst team has a stock tip, it can pay to listen. After all, Stock Advisors total average return is 1,026%* a market-crushing outperformance compared to 180% for the S&P 500. They just revealed what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy right now, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 4, 2025 This article is a transcript of this conference call produced for The Motley Fool. While we strive for our Foolish Best, there may be errors, omissions, or inaccuracies in this transcript. Parts of this article were created using Large Language Models (LLMs) based on The Motley Fool's insights and investing approach. It has been reviewed by our AI quality control systems. Since LLMs cannot (currently) own stocks, it has no positions in any of the stocks mentioned. As with all our articles, The Motley Fool does not assume any responsibility for your use of this content, and we strongly encourage you to do your own research, including listening to the call yourself and reading the company's SEC filings. Please see our Terms and Conditions for additional details, including our Obligatory Capitalized Disclaimers of Liability. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. A woman in Florida was arrested after posing as a nurse and treating over 4,000 patients without a license, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. Autumn Bardisa, 29, was arrested on Tuesday after pretending to be a registered nurse and treating 4,486 individuals at a local hospital from July 2023 until she was fired on Jan. 22, the sheriff's office announced in a press release on Wednesday. "This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud we've ever investigated," Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement on Wednesday. Flagler County Sheriff's Office via X - PHOTO: Autumn Bardisa 29, was arrested after posing as a nurse and treating over 4,400 patients without a license, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. Back in July 2023, Bardisa was hired as an advanced nurse technician, working under the supervision of a registered nurse, officials said. When she applied for the position, she stated she was an "education first" registered nurse, meaning she "passed the required schooling to become a registered nurse but had not passed the national exam to obtain her license," officials said. She then told the hospital she had passed her exams and provided a license number "matching an individual with her first name, Autumn, but with a different last name," the sheriff's office said. Bardisa explained the discrepancy, saying she "had recently gotten married and had a new last name," according to officials. The hospital requested to see her marriage license to confirm her identity, but she never provided it to them, officials said. When Bardisa was offered a promotion in January, officials said a fellow employee checked her license's status and discovered she had "an expired certified nursing assistant license" and immediately reported the findings to hospital administrators. MORE: Former Virginia nurse charged with felony child abuse amid probe into NICU babies suffering 'unexplained fractures' After the hospital investigated, they learned that Bardisa had also never provided her marriage license per their previous requests, officials said. After terminating Bardisa on Jan. 22, hospital officials contacted the sheriff's office, which then began an investigation. Officials found that the nurse Bardisa stole the license from is someone at a different hospital and had attended school with Bardisa, but the two did not "personally know one another," officials said. On Tuesday, Bardisa was arrested for seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, officials said. Flagler County Sheriff's Office via X - PHOTO: Autumn Bardisa 29, was arrested after posing as a nurse and treating over 4,400 patients without a license, according to the Flagler County Sheriff's Office. She was transported to the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility, where she is being held on a $70,000 bond, officials said. This incident comes after a Pennsylvania nurse was arrested in July after using 20 aliases -- including the identities and credentials of four confirmed nurses from southern states -- and seven different Social Security numbers. Another similar incident occurred back in Nov. 2024 when a 44-year-old woman impersonated a registered nurse at a hospital in Burbank, California. Jail records do not indicate Bardisa's next court appearance. It is not immediately clear whether Bardisa has an attorney who can speak on her behalf. President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte in the Oval Office (July 14, 2025). The White House | YouTube President Donald Trump recently secured a historic victory at the NATO summit, as all but one alliance member committed to spending 5% of GDP on defense by 2035. Trumps goal is essential for reversing decades of underinvestment and restoring NATOs hard power to protect the free world against rising authoritarianism. NATO members should make a second commitment to bolster the first: NATO must become a coalition of the growing. Western Europes economic stagnation results in a weaker continent that implicitly shifts the defense burden to the faster-growing U.S. Weak growth also exposes NATO allies to hostile adversaries like Russia and China. While spending a larger slice of the economic pie on defense will improve deterrence, growing the economic pie will fully revitalize the alliance. As of 2024, only 23 of NATOs 32 member states were meeting the alliances 2% of GDP spending benchmark. Eastern European countries, poorer on average, have historically been ahead of their western European counterparts on prioritizing defense, with Poland spending 4.1% of its GDP to defense in 2024, Estonia exceeding 3%, and Lithuania reaching 2.8%. Meanwhile, western European powers continue to lag on both defense spending and growth. Germany, France, Italy, and Spain either fall short of or barely meet the 2% spending threshold, despite their greater wealth and capacity to contribute. Low defense spending as a share of GDP is even worse given sluggish economic growth in western Europe. In 2005, the U.S. economy was roughly equal in size to the combined economies of NATOs next seven largest members, according to International Monetary Fund (IMF) data. The U.S. economy stood at $13 trillion; the NATO Next Seven combined for $12.5 trillion. Today, that parity is long gone. U.S. economic output is $30 trillion while NATOs next seven combine for less than $20 trillion. Canada, which is most deeply tied to the U.S. economy, has grown fastest after the U.S. despite a lost decade from 2015-2024. Western Europe has fared far worse: Netherlands grew by 85%, Germany grew 70%, France 50%, the U.K. 47%, Spain 58% and Italy just 32%. These figures reflect prioritizing regulation over innovation and an expanding bureaucracy over an expanding economy. The EU has become less an engine of prosperity than a factory of regulation, often at the expense of American companies as well as their own. A major driver of stagnation is the continents chronic inability to produce globally competitive technology firms. European policymakers have prioritized controlling digital markets over enabling them, burdening businesses with red tape, high taxes, punitive penalties, and a complex patchwork of local rules. A recent survey by Amazon found that European tech firms spend 40% of their IT budgets on regulatory compliance, and two-thirds dont even understand the requirements of the EUs new AI Act. The result is an ecosystem where risk-taking is punished, innovation is stifled, and promising ideas often leave the continent in search of more hospitable ground. Europes green energy mandates have also hurt the continents economic growth, independence, and security. Not only do green mandates slow growth by raising energy prices, they create dependencies on hostile adversaries. First, European dependence on Russian gas fueled Russias invasion of Ukraine and ongoing funding for Russias war machine. Now, dependence on Chinese green technology has resulted in the Chinese Communist Party effectively holding a kill switch over European power grids. Meanwhile, Communist China has waged a full-spectrum campaign of economic warfare upon Europe while also backing Russias invasion of Europe. China continues stealing intellectual property, rigging trade terms, and infiltrating allied critical infrastructure from energy to cars to power grids. China also provides 80% of Russias dual-use war imports. The U.S. and its NATO allies face critical shortfalls in military readiness that cannot be addressed by spending increases on current output alone. Allied military readiness faces mounting strain and eroding combat readiness. These shortfalls must be correct to deter, and if necessary, win, conflicts with both Russia and China. The Trump administration recognizes the urgent need to rebuild the American military and ensure adequate burden-sharing. NATO allies are preparing to increase the portion of GDP spent on defense. But the true investments we need require something more: European economies must gear towards matching Americas economic growth and innovation. Western Europe must rediscover itself as a driver of innovation and entrepreneurship to create a truly formidable western alliance. Protectionist policies that deflect American companies should be scrapped, as should the illusion that peace can be preserved through submission to, and integration with, hostile regimes. NATO was born in an age when economic growth was a given. Today, growth must be treated as a strategic imperative. The United States should not be solely responsible for prioritizing both growth and defense. The NATO coalition must concurrently build greater economic and defense capacities. Thus, NATO allies must commit to two conjoined priorities. Unite, yes. But also: grow. Sharp-eyed Florida sheriffs deputies prevented a possible mass shooting Tuesday when they arrested a man armed to the teeth with high-powered guns just outside a busy airport, officials said. Michael Rodrigues, 41, was in a rental car packed with an AR-15, at least two loaded magazines, and several knives parked outside the Palm Beach International Airport in a restricted lot, on Tuesday morning, the Miami Herald reported. Michael Jeffrey Rodrigues was found with a loaded AR-15, magazines, and other weapons outside the Palm Beach International Airport. PBSO Palm Beach Sheriffs deputies approached the suspicious man at 7:10 a.m. as the suspect was getting dressed outside the car discovering the small armory inside his vehicle after finding one loaded magazine in a glovebox, the outlet stated, citing the sheriffs office. Some of those deadly weapons were concealed under a blanket in the car, according to the Herald. Rodrigues was taken into custody without incident. Palm Beach Sheriffs deputies approached the suspicious man at 7:10 a.m. as the suspect was getting dressed outside the car. PBSO Charges are still pending. Russia's President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff met for about three hours in Moscow on Wednesday, August 6, 2025. - Gavril Grigorov/Pool/AFP/Getty Images US President Donald Trump said Wednesday there was a very good prospect of a summit meeting soon with Russia that could lead to an end to the war in Ukraine. We had some very good talks with President Putin today, and theres a very good chance that we could be ending the ending, the road ending, the end of that road, he said in the Oval Office when asked about the chances of a meeting in the near-term. That road was long and continues to be long, but theres a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon, he said. Trumps comments followed a meeting in Moscow between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US envoy Steve Witkoff though Trump said there had been no breakthrough between the two men and declined to comment when questioned about the timeline for a deal, saying Ive been disappointed before with this one. Earlier, following the Putin-Witkoff meeting, Trump told European leaders on a telephone call that he wanted to meet soon potentially as early as next week with Putin, followed by trilateral talks with the Russian leader and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A European government source also confirmed the contents of the call. Two White House officials told CNN that Putin suggested a meeting with Trump during the Russian leaders face-to-face with Witkoff in Moscow. Trumps aides immediately began planning for these meetings, according to the two White House officials. While presidential travel and a major sit-down with two world leaders would normally take time to plan, these officials noted that Trump was urging his team to move fast. No location has been settled on, but several options are under discussion, according to the White House. It said the talks could happen as soon as next week or within the next two weeks. The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement. Putin has been largely banished by Western leaders following his decision to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The last time the long-time Russian leader met with a US president was in 2021, when he met the then-President Joe Biden during a summit in Geneva, Switzerland. Trump has repeatedly said he would meet with Putin since returning to the White House in January, but the announcement on Wednesday appeared more concrete than his previous comments. Trump growing impatient with Putin The Putin-Witkoff meeting, which Russian state media said lasted around three hours, took place after a frustrated Trump imposed a deadline on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire or face tough secondary sanctions, hitting countries that buy Russian oil with a 100% tariff. Trump wrote on social media that great progress was made in the Wednesday meeting between Witkoff and Putin. It was unclear whether the Trump administration would follow through on its threat to slap new sanctions on Moscow if a ceasefire is not agreed by later this week. Earlier Wednesday, a White House official said secondary sanctions against Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. However, speaking to Fox Business later on Wednesday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump would decide whether to impose the secondary sanctions in the next 24-36 hours. Oil and gas revenues are a key source of cash for the Kremlin, making up roughly a quarter of Russias government budget, so losing customers would be painful and could hurt Moscows ability to finance the its war on Ukraine. Rubio also said that, following Witkoffs meeting, the US now had a better understanding of the conditions under which Russia would be prepared to end the fighting. For the first time perhaps since this administration began, we have some concrete examples of the kinds of things that Russia would ask for in order to end the war, Rubio said. The Kremlin had earlier described the meeting between Witkoff and Putin as constructive and useful, according to Russian state media TASS. Putin conveyed some signals to the United States on the Ukrainian issue. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump, state media outlet RIA Novosti reported, citing the Kremlin. The Kremlin said it would release more information on what was discussed after Witkoff reports back to Trump, RIA said in a post on social media. Zelensky, who spoke to Trump following the Witkoff-Putin meeting, said it seems that Russia is now more inclined toward (a) ceasefire. The pressure on Russia is working. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details. Neither us, nor the United States, the Ukrainian leader said during his nightly video address to the nation. Earlier in the day, the US envoy was greeted at the airport in Moscow by Russias investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Video later posted by the Kremlin showed Witkoff shaking hands with Putin ahead of their meeting. Trump has grown increasingly impatient with Russias resistance to his peace efforts. Since the last meeting between Witkoff and Putin in April, Russia has ramped up its assault on Ukraine, attacking cities with an onslaught of missiles and drones. Trump has called Russias attacks disgusting and has accused Putin of peddling bullsh*t in their tense phone conversations. Hours after the meeting in Moscow, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on India as punishment for its imports of Russian oil, according to a document posted on the White House website. Trump earlier this week threatened India with the new tariffs, saying they were helping Russia wage war in Ukraine. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits. They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine, he wrote on social media. Cruelty aimed at instilling fear As diplomacy was underway in the Kremlin, Ukraine was once again left reeling following a spate of Russian attacks across the country overnight into Wednesday. At least six people were killed in strikes carried out by Moscow in the 24 hours before Wednesday morning, including the deadly bombing of a recreation center in the southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia. Zelensky condemned the attack on the center, where two people died and four children were among the 12 wounded, as having zero military sense, calling it just cruelty aimed at instilling fear. Prosecutors work at the site of a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine on August 6, 2025. At least two people died and 12 more were injured in the attack, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. - Reuters A gas compressor station that helps Ukraine receive US and Azerbaijani energy imports was also attacked overnight, according to the countrys energy ministry. The gas transmission facility in the town of Novosilske, which is close to the border with Romania in Ukraines southern Odesa region, was targeted by dozens of strike drones, the ministry said. Hundreds of families were left without gas, Zelensky said in a statement. This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season absolutely cynical, like every Russian strike on our energy infrastructure. Meanwhile, Ukraine also said Wednesday morning that the US State Department has signed off on a $200m deal which will allow its partners to purchase military supplies on its behalf, including technical support for heavy artillery. The US has not yet commented. On Tuesday, Zelensky welcomed pledges from NATO members worth more than $1 billion, through an initiative in which four of Ukraines European allies the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway and Sweden will purchase US-made weapons for Kyiv. This story has been updated with developments. CNNs Kevin Liptak, Kristen Holmes, Alayna Treene, Fred Pleitgen, Kaitlan Collins and Angus Watson contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. revealed his agency will be cutting funding to mRNA development, calling the vaccine technology "ineffective" and claiming it poses more risks than benefits. In a video posted on X Aug. 5, Kennedy said the decision will impact 22 projects worth nearly $500 million at the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, which helps companies develop medical supplies to address public health threats. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is used in the two most common COVID-19 vaccines licensed in the United States. Kennedys announcement has raised questions about these vaccines, how mRNA works and what this decision means for future research. "This technology played a vital role in our pandemic response and continues to show promise for treating serious diseases," said Jeff Coller, Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of RNA biology and therapeutics at Johns Hopkins University. "As other countries advance these proven, safe and effective therapies, American patients may increasingly depend on foreign innovation for breakthrough treatments." How do mRNA vaccines work? The COVID-19 vaccine works by instructing the bodys immune system to recognize the virus and creating fighting antibodies to attack it. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, is a code that tells the bodys cells to produce just a piece of the virus, the protein on the surface. The code is protected by a lipid coating, like a fat bubble. mRNA vaccines: RFK Jr. to wind down $500M vaccine development Once injected into the body, the vaccine releases the mRNA to program the cell to produce the spike proteins like those on the surface of SARS-CoV-2, the COVID-19 virus. Our immune system recognizes those vaccine-created spike proteins as invaders and creates antibodies to block future attacks from the virus. Messenger RNA vaccines contain only a fraction of the virus, so unlike some vaccines, they can't give people the disease they're trying to prevent or trigger allergies to eggs or other traditional vaccine ingredients. What did RFK say about mRNA? In the video posted on X, Kennedy claimed mRNA vaccines were ineffective against mutated versions of the virus and revealed HHS is planning to reallocate the funding to research whole-virus vaccines, which use a weakened version of the virus. Kennedys video represents a fundamental misunderstanding of science, Coller said. Vaccines using mRNA technology can still be effective against slightly mutated versions of the virus. And even if a mutated virus is able to evade immunity, scientists can modify the mRNA code to create a new vaccine that would target the mutated protein more quickly than other vaccine technologies. Additionally, Coller said whole-virus vaccines tend to produce more side effects than other types of shots that are protein-based or mRNA because the vaccine introduces more viral particles to the human body. Theres also a slight risk that a person can become ill with the disease the vaccine is meant to prevent. What does defunding mRNA technology mean? The most obvious consequence of defunding mRNA vaccine development is losing resources to continue improving the technology for vaccines that target infectious diseases, such as COVID-19 and the bird flu, and cancers, Coller said. However, he also said it sends a chilling message to vaccine companies about continuing this type of research in the United States. While they may be able to afford research without federal help, companies could be hesitant to pursue mRNA technology if theres a chance the Food and Drug Administration may not approve their vaccines. This could lead companies to move operations and marketing to other countries, which would not only make these therapies more expensive in the United States, but also displace it as the world leader in biotechnology, Coller said. The rest of the world is doubling down on mRNA medicines. Its a fact, and the U.S. is going to lose the race, Coller said. The decision coming from Kennedy is essentially destroying our dominance in the biotech space. Should I expect a COVID vaccine this fall? It's unclear whether patients should be expecting COVID-19 vaccines this fall, said Dr. Beth Oller, a family physician in Stockton, Kansas, and clinical instructor at the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Wichita. In June, Kennedy fired all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, a key vaccine panel that makes recommendations for COVID-19 and other vaccines, and appointed eight new members. During its first meeting, the committee did not make any recommendations for the fall and isnt expected to reconvene until "September/October," according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Kennedy said on May 27 that the COVID-19 vaccine would no longer be included in the CDC's recommended immunization schedule for healthy children and pregnant women, a move that broke with previous expert guidance and bypassed the normal scientific review process. Under the changes, the only people who will be recommended for COVID-19 vaccines are those over 65 and people with existing health problems. This could make it harder for others who want the COVID-19 vaccine to get it, including health care workers and healthy people under 65 with a vulnerable family member or those who want to reduce their short-term risk of infection. The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) and American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), among other organizations, issued statements condemning the change, with the ACOG saying it was "...concerned about and extremely disappointed by the announcement that HHS will no longer recommend COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy." Will insurance cover my COVID shot? Many consumers are worried about possible cuts to health insurers' coverage of vaccines, a recent poll said. A KFF poll published Aug. 1 found 40% of adults said they will "definitely" or "probably" get a COVID-19 vaccine shot. Of those who intend to get vaccinated, 62% said they are worried insurance wont cover the cost of the vaccine. Groups representing commercial health insurance companies said they still plan to cover vaccines recommended by the CDC and ACIP, the vaccine advisory panel. "Health plans continue to follow federal requirements related to coverage of ACIP-recommended vaccines and will continue to support broad access to critical preventive services, including immunizations," said Tina Stow, spokesperson for AHIP, which represents health insurance companies. COVID: As new variant spreads, what's the latest vaccine guidance? The CDC currently recommends shared decision-making between parents and doctors for immunizing children with the COVID-19 vaccine. It also recommends vaccines for people who are moderately or severely immunocompromised. Large employers that provide health insurance benefits for workers and their families will likely continue to cover FDA-approved vaccines, said James Gelfand, president and CEO of the ERISA Industry Committee. In some cases, employer vaccine coverage might follow FDA approvals rather than narrower ACIP recommendations.Contributing: Mary Walrath-Holdridge Adrianna Rodriguez can be reached at adrodriguez@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: RFK Jr. defunds COVID shot technology. What is mRNA vaccine? Sean "Diddy" Combs at Invest Fest in Atlanta in 2023. (Paras Griffin / Getty Images file) Sean Diddy Combs defense team has reached out to President Donald Trump seeking a pardon after his conviction on prostitution-related offenses, a source close to the legal team told NBC News on Tuesday. Asked about pardons in an interview with Newsmax on Friday, Trump said they have talked to me about Sean but did not announce any decision. The source close to Combs legal team confirmed to NBC News that it has been in contact with the Trump administration. The confirmation that the Trump administration has been approached was earlier reported Tuesday by CNN in an interview with defense team member Nicole Westmoreland. A White House official said, "The White House will not comment on the existence or nonexistence of any clemency request." Combs, a musician and hip-hop mogul, was convicted last month of two counts of interstate prostitution and faces a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison when he is sentenced in October. He was acquitted of the most serious federal charges, which alleged a racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Combs was charged with five criminal counts, and he pleaded not guilty. He was charged with one count of racketeering conspiracy, two counts of sex trafficking by fraud or coercion and two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution. Federal prosecutors alleged that Combs sexually abused women and forced them into freak offs" that involved drugs. The U.S. government accused Combs, the founder of Bad Boy Records, of leveraging his power, wealth and influence as the head of a criminal enterprise to sexually abuse and exploit women for his gratification over two decades. A federal judge on Monday denied Combs' attempt to be released on bail ahead of sentencing, meaning he will be detained until October. In Friday's interview with Newsmax, Trump was asked whether he would consider a pardon or clemency for Combs. He seemed to cast doubt that he would grant a pardon. You know, I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great. And seemed like a nice guy, I didnt know him well, Trump said. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile. I dont know, Trump said. It makes it more Im being honest, it makes it more difficult to do. Trump was then asked, more likely a no for Combs? He responded: I would say so. In the interview, he was also asked about the possibility of a pardon or clemency for Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted associate of Jeffrey Epstein, and imprisoned former Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y. Norwegian police confirmed that Alec Luhn was found alive Wednesday morning and is being transported to a hospital via a rescue helicopter. He appeared to be in good condition other than an injury to his foot. Luhn, 38, who has worked for The Guardian, The New York Times and The Atlantic, was reported missing on Monday to the Norwegian authorities after he did not appear for a scheduled flight from Bergen to England. Authorities confirmed that Luhn is now on his way to Haukeland University Hospital in a rescue helicopter with no injuries major reported other than one to his foot. Luhn had been on vacation with his family in the days before he set out on the hike. In England, Luhn lives with his wife, Veronika Silchenko, an Emmy-winning television journalist, who posted on social media urging anyone who may have seen Alec to get in touch. Alec Luhn - PHOTO: Luhn pictured with his wife, Veronika Silchenko. MORE: New Jersey man missing for over 1 week in Grand Canyon: National Park Service Luhn had set out alone on the hike on July 31 from the town of Odda on the northeast edge of the Folgefonna, a wilderness park in western Norway that is home to the country's third-largest glacier. Local police told Norway's public broadcaster NRK that a volunteer search was launched after he was reported missing and a rescue team, as well as the police, sniffer dogs and drones renewed the search for Luhn on Tuesday before being called off due to weather conditions. Bad weather the night before had forced the search with a helicopter to be suspended overnight, local police said. "The weather started to get really bad around midnight. At that time, it was not reasonable to continue the search up in the mountains," Tatjana Knappen, an operations manager at Western Police District, told NRK. Knappen said a strong gale was forecast to continue on Tuesday, but it was hoped there would be a possible window for the helicopter to operate. Alec Luhn - PHOTO: Alec Luhn, 38, a prominent climate journalist, sent a photo to his wife during a hike in Norway on July 31. MORE: Hiker and his daughter found dead after going missing on Mount Katahdin in Maine: Officials Raised in the Midwest, Luhn graduated from the University of WisconsinMadison in 2010 and worked as a foreign correspondent in Moscow for around a decade, primarily for The Guardian and The Telegraph newspapers. He later switched to focus on covering the effects of climate change. Luhn is a Pulitzer Center reporting fellow and currently writes for the Scientific American magazine. Along with a number of awards, Luhn also has two Emmy nominations. Luhn is an experienced hiker who regularly travels to remote and challenging environments as a reporter, also often spending his vacations seeking out wildernesses, his friends and family said. He has trekked as part of a scientific expedition deep in the wilderness in Alaska and visited the Arctic in both Canada and Russia. He has also worked in conflict zones, including in Ukraine and Somalia. Free for use The Barbados threadsnake may be tiny, but it has made big news in the scientific world. This elusive little creature, listed as the smallest snake in the world, had gone missing for 20 years but has made a come back delighting researchers. Now, experts want to learn more about the species and the habitats where it lives, so that it can be effectively protected. This Is How Small a Snake Can Get The smallest snakes in the world. Free for use Original / License Barbados threadsnakes (Tetracheilostoma carlae) are as small as a snake can get. These tiny creatures measure just 3 or 4 inches long when they are fully grown and have the same diameter as an earthworm. At a quick glance, you might mistake them for earthworms. You could also be forgiven for mistaking it for a Brahminy blind snake (also called a flowerpot snake), which was inadvertently introduced to Barbados. Snake Hunting in Barbados In March 2025, ecological surveyors working with the Barbados Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification, together with Re:wild made an exciting discovery. Hiding under a rock in central Barbados, they found this tiny creature. The work was part of the Conserving Barbados Endemic Reptiles (CBER) project. In a Re:wild press release, Justin Springer, Caribbean program officer for Re:wild, describes how it was found. He says, I just had a feeling, but I couldnt be sure because we turned over a lot of rocks before that and we saw nothing. Under this particular rock, he found an earthworm and a tiny snake. Could it really be a Barbados threadsnake? Microscopic Identification Barbados threadsnakes need microscopic identification. Free for use Original / License Connor Blades, a project officer with the Ministry of Environment in Barbados, took the snake to the University of the West Indies, where it was examined under a microscope. The telltale distinguishing features were all there: pale orange dorsal lines running from its head to tail, eyes located on the side of its head, a rostral scale on its nose, and no gland lines on its head. The morphological differences between the threadsnake and blind snake are really difficult to tell by eye, particularly because it was the first threadsnake we had seen, so we werent familiar with the species yet, says Blades. The little snake was later returned to the forest. No Longer Lost to Time These threadsnakes are very rare and elusive. There have only been a handful of confirmed sightings since 1889. There were concerns that none of these snakes remained on the island and that they had been lost to science. With this crucial discovery, the CBER researchers now have a better idea of where and when to hunt for more threadsnakes. The survey will continue so that they can understand the snakes preferred habitats and range. There are concerns about the loss of forest habitat and the introduction of invasive species on the island, which has already led to several other native species being driven to extinction. These include the Barbados racer, Barbados skink, and the Barbados rice rat. Springer emphasizes, The threadsnakes rediscovery is also a call to all of us as Barbadians that forests in Barbados are very special and need protection. The post The Smallest Snake on Earth Has Been Found Again After 20 Years appeared first on A-Z Animals. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet with Russian leadership Wednesday, according to a source familiar with the plans, ahead of President Donald Trumps deadline for Russia to reach a deal in its war against Ukraine or face steeper sanctions. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We're going to see what happens at, we'll make that determination at that time, Trump said Tuesday. Trump issued an ultimatum to Russia last month that gave Putin 50 days to reach a ceasefire or face tariffs and secondary sanctions, but amid Trumps disappointment in Russian President Vladimir Putin over a lack of progress, Trump deemed theres no reason to wait and shortened the deadline to this Friday. The meeting is an information gathering meeting for Witkoff, according to a senior administration official, that came at the request of Russians. Get a deal when people stop getting killed, Trump told reporters of Witkoffs message and what Russia could do to avoid sanctions over the weekend. There'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. You know, they're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions. So we'll see what happens, Trump said Sunday. Countries including India and China are among Russias major energy consumers. Trump threatened to increase tariffs against India over it. We settled on 25% but I think Im going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because theyre buying Russian oil, theyre fueling the war machine. And if theyre going to do that, then Im not going to be happy, Trump told CNBCs Squawkbox in an interview with the show today. It's also the other financial and economic trades that are going on that kind of happen in the wake of this very large, dark, fleet and pipeline petroleum trade that they're doing, Brent Sadler, a senior research fellow with the Heritage Foundation, said o Russia. So I don't think it's going to impact China. We'll see if there's some kind of quid pro quo in the August 12 trade negotiations, which I would be surprised if China's continued purchase of Russian oil doesn't come up, but I get that low odds of having an impact or changing what China is doing for Russia. The threat of secondary sanctions comes as US and Chinese officials have continued trade talks ahead of the Aug. 12th deadline of a pause in higher tariff rates. Some question whether the administration would levy large secondary sanctions amid the trade negotiations. If Trump wants to pressure Russia, there are clear ways to do so: tighten sanction loopholes; match the EU by lowering the price cap on Russian oil; ask Congress for additional money to assist Ukraine; and work with the EU to seize Russia's frozen Central Bank assets and transfer them to a fund for Ukraine to use to purchase arms and finance reconstruction. Those steps would make clear to Putin that the military and economic costs of continuing the war will only grow for Russia, former ambassador to Ukraine Steven Pifer, who is also an affiliate at Stanfords Center for International Security and Cooperation. RELATED STORY | Trump says he's moving up Russia ceasefire deadline amid new attacks on Ukraine The White Houses efforts to end the war have yet to result in a ceasefire or peace deal between Ukraine and Russia, and as the war in Eastern Europe stretches into the three-and-a-half-year mark. The administration does not expect a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine out of the meeting. We thought we had that settled numerous times and then President Putin goes out and starts launching rockets into some city like Kyiv and kills a lot of people in nursing home or whatever, Trump said last month. Trump, who has spoken to Putin multiple times during his second term in office, has expressed frustration with Putin in recent months as Russia continued its assault on Ukraine. Hes since announced a deal that allows NATO allies to buy American weapons in efforts to supply Ukraine, moved two nuclear submarines to the appropriate regions in response to what he called highly provocative statements by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and taken a sharper tone towards Putin than in the beginning of his administration. I would be surprised if the Russians aren't going to try to string along Witkoff or try another delay tactic, or try to try to lull them into a full sense that now they're willing to play ball. The reality is, until the Russians actually do something, not just words and niceties, but actually demonstrate that they have changed their behavior in a meaningful way that can be verified before any further trade negotiations, or any other negotiations, rather threatening the war in Ukraine. I think that's what's got to happen first, said Sadler. Ahead of the meeting, President Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke Tuesday, according to a White House official and the Ukrainian leader. Zelenskyy said the two exchanged assessments of the situation, sanctions against Russia, and joint European decisions that could help Ukraines defense. Special Presidential Envoy for Ukraine Gen. Keith Kellogg is also expected to meet with Ukrainians soon, according to a White House official. The motorsports company behind the Indy 500 says it was caught off-guard by the Trump administration branding a new immigration detention center as the "Speedway Slammer." Following an Aug. 5 announcement that Indiana house up to 1,000 detained immigrants at a maximum-security prison, Homeland Security touted the agreement online with a mash-up photo that features an IndyCar with an imposing detention center in the background. The Republican-led state volunteered to host the Trump administration's next immigration detention center after Florida created a detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz." DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has been touting the administration's efforts to rapidly expand immigration detention capacity amid a surge in immigrant arrests. "If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indianas Speedway Slammer," Noem said in an Aug. 5 post on X. "Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App." The "Speedway Slammer" nickname is in keeping with a White House effort to sell its growing immigration enforcement effort to the American people. The name references one of Indiana's best-known facilities, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The Speedway Slammer pic.twitter.com/fXlTgWW8jA Homeland Security (@DHSgov) August 5, 2025 Penske Entertainment, the Speedway's owner, said in a statement to the IndyStar, part of the USA TODAY Network, that it was "unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of announcement. "Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our IP not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter," the statement said, referring to the company's intellectual property. Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Tom Homan, the White House "border czar," dismissed concerns about the name of the facility, saying he doesn't name them. He said the focus should be on the work of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. "I don't want the names taken over the great work they're doing," he said. "This is serious work and it's dangerous work." He added: "Bottom line is the state should plan a role in this administration's efforts to remove public safety threats from this nation as quick as possible." Immigrant advocates say the nicknames obscure the harrowing conditions that have been documented in ICE detention in recent months and dehumanize the people held there. The average daily population in ICE custody rose to 57,000 in early August, from fewer than 40,000 in January, before President Donald Trump took office, according to ICE data. COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. Today, were announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to @GovBraun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 5, 2025 Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed an executive order in January directing state law enforcement agencies to "fully cooperate" with the federal crackdown on illegal immigration, including investigating, arresting and detaining undocumented immigrants. Indiana has already committed to using empty space at its Miami Correctional Facility on the former Grissom Air Force Base about 70 miles north of Indianapolis to house detained immigrants. The facility has about 3,100 beds, according to Annie Goeller, chief communications officer for IDOC, but part of it has gone unused because of a staffing shortage. More: IDOC prison to house up to 1,000 immigrant detainees as part of effort to ramp up arrests Expanding immigration detention The Trump administration is looking to expand immigration detention capacity through local partnerships, private contracts and on military bases. Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas, became the first military base to erect an ICE detention camp. The administration is eyeing an Indiana base, as well. Elsewhere: First images of ICE migrant detention facility at Fort Bliss in El Paso, Texas On July 15, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth outlined plans to use Camp Atterbury, south of Indianapolis, to hold detained immigrants temporarily. The Trump administration wants to hold up to 1,000 ICE detainees at the military facility, according to Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind. Braun told the IndyStar that as of Aug. 5, the Trump administration had not established a timeline for when it will use the military base for a detention camp. "When it comes to our state, we're going to cooperate as we're housing detainees that have broken the law after they entered illegally," Braun told the IndyStar. "We're going to cooperate with the federal government." Contributing: Brittany Carloni, IndyStar; Eduardo Cuevas, USA TODAY IndyStar reporter Noe Padilla can be reached at npadilla@indystar.com. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: 'Speedway Slammer' set to be Trump's newest immigration jail WASHINGTON Lame-duck CBS late-night host Stephen Colbert showed Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker just how gerrymandered the Land of Lincoln is after dozens of Texas Dem legislators stalled redistricting in their own state by decamping to Pritzkers domain. The face of The Late Show displayed a congressional map of Illinois during Pritzkers appearance Tuesday night, highlighting one district that he said looked just like the stinger on a scorpion. If you are considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, you already have some crazy districts in Illinois, Colbert told the governor. If you are considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, you already have some crazy districts in Illinois, Colbert said. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Take a look at this. Look at [District] 17 here. It does that, then it comes up here and it sneaks around there and goes all the way up here, and then goes right over there like that. And look at this one, kind of goes whoop up there. Pritzker had earlier doubled down on talk of further redrawing lines to benefit Democratic congressional candidates. Its possible, the rumored 2028 presidential contender had said when asked whether Illinois would answer Texas redistricting tit for tat. As Ive said, everythings on the table, Pritzker added. Look, weve got to fight fire with fire. Theyve frankly tossed the rulebook out. And theyre just acting in an unconstitutional fashion. Redistricting, which typically occurs every 10 years after a census is released, allows state legislatures or independent commissions to redraw congressional boundaries that determine the voting groups that will elect representatives to the US House. Some states including Texas, Pennsylvania and North Carolina have convened special sessions before the decennial population count in an attempt to draw up new maps, but those have led to fierce legal battles. The drawing of congressional districts for political advantage dates back to at least 1812, when the term gerrymander was coined after Massachusetts Democratic-Republican Gov. Elbridge Gerry signed off on a partisan map of state Senate districts. Pritzker had earlier doubled down on talk of further redrawing lines for congressional races. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Accusations of the districts being drawn for political advantage stretch back to 19th century, when the term gerrymander was coined for a partisan map of Massachusetts drawn under Gov. Elbridge Gerry. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Is this common for all states to do? Colbert asked Pritzker at one point. We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide, the Illinois governor joked. Thats the nonpartisan group that does this? an incredulous Colbert inquired. Thats our independent commission, yeah, Pritzker deadpanned. So because all states, to a certain extent, do this, why is what Texas doing particularly egregious in this case? Colbert asked again. What the Republicans are trying to do in the Texas Republicans frankly at the behest of Donald Trump are doing it mid-decade, Pritzker claimed. That is extraordinarily rare. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert What the Republicans are trying to do in the Texas Republicans frankly at the behest of Donald Trump are doing it mid-decade, Pritzker claimed. That is extraordinarily rare. Colbert added: Thats a good point because I think he literally called them or wrote them and said, Hey, I need five seats, go redraw this. Illinois currently sends 17 members to the House, just three (17.6%) of whom are Republicans. In 2024, President Trump received 43.3% of the Illinois vote, suggesting that a fair map would have seven GOP House members. Texas GOP Gov. Greg Abbott had civil arrest warrants issued for the Democrats who fled to Illinois, Massachusetts and New York, while congressional lawmakers, including Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), urged the FBI to hunt the scofflaws down. Colbert added: Thats a good point because I think he literally called them or wrote them and said, Hey, I need five seats, go redraw this. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Trump has backed the Texas Republicans and suggested the bureau may have to get involved to force the runaway legislators back to Austin. We have a wonderful governor in Texas. He feels strongly about it. Its going to be up to him. I think theres tremendous support for it, he told reporters Tuesday at the White House, noting that California and other Democratic states have been broaching the subject of redrawing their own districts. Theyll do it anyway. Why? If we stop over there, they wouldve done it anyway, he said. Look, a lot of these states I watched this morning as Democrats are complaining and theyre complaining from states where theyve done it in Illinois. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) One of NASAs two previously stuck astronauts has retired from the space agency, less than five months after his unexpectedly long spaceflight came to an end. NASA announced Butch Wilmores departure on Wednesday. Wilmore and Suni Williams launched last summer as test pilots on Boeings first astronaut flight. What should have been a weeklong trip to the International Space Station turned into a stay of more than nine months because of Boeings malfunctioning Starliner. Starliner came back empty, and Wilmore and Williams returned to Earth in March with SpaceX. Wilmore, 62, had already retired from the Navy. Williams, 59, also a retired Navy captain, is still with NASA. She joined Second Lady Usha Vance at Johnson Space Center in Houston earlier this week, taking part in a summer reading challenge for schoolchildren. Selected as an astronaut in 2000, Wilmore logged 464 days in orbit over three missions. His final spaceflight made up nearly two-thirds of that total: 286 days. Throughout his career, Butch has exemplified the technical excellence of what is required of an astronaut," NASA's chief astronaut Joe Acaba said in a statement. As he steps into this new chapter, that same dedication will no doubt continue to show in whatever he decides to do next. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The federal prison camp in central Texas that Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred to last week has increased security measures in response to her arrival, according to a senior law enforcement official. Attributing the enhanced security to Maxwells presence, the official could not say whether there have been any direct threats to her, other inmates or Federal Prison Camp Bryan itself. Members of the federal Bureau of Prisons Special Operations Response Team have been positioned outside the front entrance to FPC Bryan since the weekend to check IDs and wave people through, two current employees told NBC News. They said its an unfamiliar sight at the all-women, minimum-security camp where staff members and visitors can generally enter the grounds without going through rigorous security protocol. The camp, which houses about 635 prisoners in a residential neighborhood, has wrought-iron fencing out front, as well as chain-link fencing with razor wire around the perimeter. Ghislaine Maxwell has been transferred from a federal prison in Florida to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in central Texas. (Suzanne Gamboa / NBC News) The security measures are not like ones at the penitentiary or medium [security], an employee, who asked not to be named for fear of job reprisal, told NBC News last week. Members of the special operations team are highly trained to respond to disturbances and security breaches at federal prisons and are deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service. They were deployed to anti-police brutality protests during the first Trump administration and, most recently, helped in the response to the deadly July 4 flooding in Texas Hill Country. A BOP spokesperson said the agency does not "discuss specific security procedures" when asked about the increased security at FPC Bryan and whether it is connected to Maxwell, who was transferred from a low-security facility in Tallahassee, Florida, to FPC Bryan overnight Friday. Cars enter the Federal Prison Camp Bryan on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / AP) Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Markus has also not responded to previous questions about Maxwells safety and details surrounding her transfer. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex as a co-conspirator and confidant to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. In 2019, Epstein killed himself in a New York City jail cell as he was facing charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. But his case has come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks after the Trump administration decided not to release all federal files related to Epstein, prompting outcry from parts of Trumps base who have fueled conspiracies and pushed unfounded narratives surrounding Epsteins death. Maxwell, too, returned to the spotlight when it was revealed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with her last month for nine hours over two days in a federal courthouse in Tallahassee. A source familiar with the matter told NBC News on Tuesday that the Trump administration is considering releasing a transcript from the interview. But it remains unclear why Maxwell, just days after the meeting with the Justice Departments second-in-command, was transferred to FPC Bryan, where, employees say, inmates are granted more freedoms in dormitory-style housing in which their rooms arent locked and they can roam outdoor and recreational spaces. Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was unaware that Maxwell had been moved to the Texas camp until after it occurred and that transfers like Maxwells were common. But the BOPs own policy indicates Maxwell should be ineligible to be housed at a minimum-security prison camp because she is a convicted sex offender. A sex offender must be in at least a low-level security prison like the one Maxwell was housed in previously, unless a waiver is granted by the administrator of the BOPs Designation and Sentence Computation Center. Maxwells presence at FPC Bryan has stoked outrage among some current and former BOP employees who question why she would be placed there given her sex offense charges and the level of security she would require. The majority of inmates at the camp are serving time for nonviolent offenses and white-collar crimes. The family of Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre, joined by Epstein and Maxwell accusers Annie and Maria Farmer, have also criticized Maxwells move. They said in a statement that she should never be shown any leniency as a convicted sex offender. Charles Lockett, a former federal prison warden who spent 31 years with the BOP, said he would have never approved the transfer of such a high-profile inmate to a place like FPC Bryan. Lockett said hed be especially concerned about the safety risks posed to Maxwell, as well as those who work there. They dont have the manpower there to deal with such people, and they dont have the hardened structure, said Lockett, who oversaw the Florida prison where Boston gangster James Whitey Bulger was held before his doomed transfer to a facility in West Virginia. I just find it unbelievable. What started on the floor of the Austin, Texas statehouse last week has rapidly mushroomed into a multi-state standoff with national implications, as the Lone Star States redistricting battle continues to bleed beyond its borders. Dozens of Texas Democrats have fled to three blue states in a bid to stave off a vote on the proposed map, which could give Republicans five more seats in Congress ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. More: Trump says FBI 'may have to' force Democratic lawmakers back to Texas Several Democratic state leaders have entered the fray, and two GOP lawmakers announced efforts to take the issue to the U.S. Capitol in recent days. President Donald Trump lent his opinion on the melee Aug. 5, as Texas Republicans redistricting fight now stretches across at least five states and captures national attention. Heres how Texas redistricting crisis has ballooned into state-on-state fights over the last week: Illinois, New York and Massachusetts host Texas Democrats The governors of Illinois, New York and Massachusetts are hosting Democratic lawmakers from Texas after they fled their home state Sunday, Aug. 3. The lawmakers mass absence from the legislature prevents the quorum Republicans need to call for a vote on the new map, which is likely to pass among its GOP majority. Under the new maps, Texas' congressional districts in the Houston, Austin and Dallas metro areas would be redrawn, along with a handful in southern Texas, creating five additional districts that would have heavily favored Trump in last year's presidential race. By extension, these Republican-heavy new districts would very likely go to GOP candidates in congressional elections, strengthening the partys currently slim majority in Congress. More than 50 of Texas' 67 Democratic lawmakers have fled the state as of Tuesday, Aug. 5, and Republican Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered their arrests though it's unclear whether and how Texas law enforcement will be able to work with out-of-state law enforcement to execute the arrest order. States threaten to redraw their own maps in response New York and California have threatened to launch their own redistricting, sparking a kind of political arms race between Democratic and Republican states. Californias Democratic governor Gavin Newsom, though not hosting any Texas lawmakers, joined New York governor Kathy Hochul in threatening to use his states overwhelming blue majority to counteract Texas Republicans plans. Both governors lead two of the most powerful Democratic states. California Governor Gavin Newsom speaks during a press conference in Downey, California, U.S. July 16, 2025. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a press conference Monday, Aug. 4 that his plans are to fight fire with fire, instructing Democrats to move forward with an effort to redraw the most populous states congressional districts if Texas moves forward with its proposed map. He said Democrats are moving forward with a plan to put the redistricting plan before voters on Nov. 4. In a press conference the same day, Hochul discussed the possibility of new maps in her state. "This is a war. We are at war," she said. "And that's why the gloves are off and I say, 'Bring it on.'" Republicans in Missouri, New York and California propose their own responses Texas House doorkeeper Alec DeGilio, and Rep. Joe Moody, a Democrat from El Paso, recite the pledge among empty chairs where many Democrats normally sit, on the second day since they left the state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to redraw the state's 38 congressional districts, at the Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas, U.S. August 5, 2025. In red Missouri, a coalition of the states conservative GOP lawmakers issued a statement on July 25 urging Gov. Mike Kehoe to call for its own redistricting effort, which would give Republicans an advantage. The governor's spokesperson Gabby Picard told POLITICO on Tuesday, Aug. 5 that Kehoe will always consider options which provide congressional districts that best represent Missourians" regarding the push for a map redraw. But not all GOP lawmakers appear to be on board with fighting one map with another. Two Republicans, Reps. Kevin Kiley of California and Mike Lawler of New York announced that they will introduce bills to place nationwide limits on all such partisan gerrymandering. Kileys proposal would prohibit mid-decade redistricting, which would likely spike Texas Republicans' efforts and the tit-for-tat proposals from New York and California. Whatever happens in Texas, the fight over Congress via redistricting will continue in Ohio later this month, where Republicans hold a supermajority in the state legislature. Contributing: Phillip M. Bailey, USA TODAY. (This story has been updated with a new headline.) Kathryn Palmer is a national trending news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Texas redistricting fight hits more states, from NY to CA CORRECTS CITY TO AURORA, ILL., Texas Rep. Gene Wu speaks as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker looks on during a news conference in Aurora, Ill,, on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) AUSTIN, Texas (AP) Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott on Tuesday asked the state's highest court to remove the Democratic House leader from office, escalating efforts to end the holdout that is blocking redrawn U.S. House maps sought by President Donald Trump. Bypassing lower courts, Abbott filed a rare emergency petition straight to the all-Republican Texas Supreme Court just three days into a walkout by Democrats. It hinges on a legal theory that even some Republicans have acknowledged is untested, arguing that absent legislators have effectively forfeited their seats by not returning to the Texas Capitol. The move intensifies Republicans' attempts to compel dozens of Democrats back to Texas, including signing civil arrest warrants and mobilizing state troopers. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn asked the FBI earlier Tuesday to help find and arrest Democrats, and Trump later told reporters that federal agents may have to get involved, though he did not elaborate. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences, Abbott said. The lawsuit from Abbott, a former state Supreme Court justice, seeks the removal of state House Democratic Caucus Chairman Rep. Gene Wu, who is one of dozens of members of his caucus staying in Chicago. The governor asked the court to respond by Thursday. Wu, a former prosecutor in Houston, said leaving Texas to halt the maps was not an abandonment of my office but a fulfillment of his oath. Unable to defend his corrupt agenda on its merits, Greg Abbott now desperately seeks to silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office, he said. Texas leaders try turning up pressure Republicans face barriers to following through on their threats just as Democrats still have obstacles in the way of stopping Republicans from ultimately approving the map sought by Trump to shore up his partys 2026 midterm prospects. Legal experts and even Republican state Attorney General Ken Paxton say it would be difficult to enforce consequences against the Democratic lawmakers while they are safely camped out in sympathetic Democratic-controlled states and effectively out of reach of Texas law enforcement looking to bring them home. Paxton, who is running for U.S. Senate against Cornyn in the 2026 GOP primary, threw out some of the earliest calls for arrests. But even he has called enforcing the various threats a challenge. Until they show up themselves back in Texas, sometimes it's hard to actually execute on that," Paxton said in interview with conservative podcaster Benny Johnson. By leaving Texas for Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, the Democrats prevented the 150-member state House of Representatives from reaching a quorum for a scheduled vote on the new U.S. House voting map. Trump hopes to pick up five Republican seats from Texas in 2026. Republicans hold an 88-62 majority in the House, and the Texas Constitution requires at least 100 members be present to do business. With at least 51 Democrats absent, the House failed to reach a quorum Monday and again Tuesday. The current special session ends Aug. 20 but Abbott can keep calling lawmakers back to the Capitol to pass the redistricting bill. Texas Republicans sought changes after a previous walkout Following a walkout by Texas Democrats in 2021, Paxton issued a nonbinding legal opinion that argued the state could sue the lawmakers to have their seats declared vacated. This week, Paxton said that could be a long process that would require individual lawsuits filed against each missing lawmaker, sometimes in district courts he said would not be friendly to Republicans. Still, Paxton said Tuesday that he will press ahead with lawsuits if lawmakers don't return by Friday. We'll see where it goes, Republican state Sen. Charles Perry said. "Its a tall order to remove an elected official from the Legislature. Abbott also ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate possible bribery charges related to how the Democrats are paying for their quorum break, alleging anyone who financially helped them leave the state could be culpable. State Rep. James Talarico, one of the Democrats who left, encouraged donations to support their effort. And thats appropriate because this fight is for the people and it should be funded by the people, he said. David Froomkin, an assistant law professor at the University of Houston Law Center, said the removal effort and bribery charges would be on weak legal ground, and the threats of arrests and investigations are more likely meant to intimidate. Its much more aggressive hardball than we have seen in battles over the quorum requirement, Froomkin said. In general in this country today, were seeing incumbents be much more inclined to make aggressive use of their power in order to try to maintain their power." ___ This story restores a dropped word to correct a statement from Rep. Gene Wu. He said leaving the state was not an abandonment of my office," instead of an abandonment. ___ Nadia Lathan in Austin, John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas, and Joey Cappelletti in Washington contributed. WASHINGTON Grief is always around the corner. On a humid Saturday in July, it was specifically 2.2 miles from my home in Washington, D.C. I spent the day at local non-profit the Wendt Center for Loss and Healing's grief camp, a camp devoted to caring for children and teens who've experienced loss. They painted flags honoring their dead fathers and mothers. They wrote soothing messages to themselves on small wooden hearts. They broke a sweat dancing to go-go music. They cried, but they smiled and laughed, too. Because grief is not just one thing nor is it something a day-long event tackles on all fronts. It's something I've been learning too, after my dad died of a rare disease three years ago. Alive, and seven weeks later, not. "Because it's just a day camp, we don't do a deep, deep dive into the grief," says Jerri Anglin, the center's director of clinical services. "We name it. We talk about the person. We connect with others and the biggest payoff, is usually kids being able to see that there are other kids with similar circumstances." 'They come out on the other end, in a different space' Camp Forget-Me-Not/Camp Erin DC this summer included three day-long sessions at a local school, for ages 6 to 9, 10 to 12 and 13 to 17; I embedded myself with the teenagers, 24 in total. They're split up into small groups of between five and seven campers, all of whom experienced similar losses. Like losing someone to homicide, or losing a sibling. Before the day begins, the campers bring items that represent their loved ones to place on a memorial table. A ring, a seashell, stuffed Teenage Mutant Ninja turtle, pairs of sneakers and a Burger King hat all rested on a black and red tablecloth. After some intro activities, they gather in a circle and the camp's director, Stephanie Handel, asks everyone who has experienced a significant loss to step in. The catch: Everyone always steps in. All involved with the camp have grieved, from the volunteers to the shaved ice vendor. The kids internalize the message: You are not alone. Campers honor their loved ones with mementos. The day includes grief group sessions, art therapy, theater exercises, mindfulness, an open mic session with campers' families and various rituals to honor the people they're grieving. "These kids come, lots of them are nervous and scared and apprehensive, but they stay and they come out on the other end, in a different space," Anglin says. If they want to duck out for a few minutes due to sensory overload? Quiet rooms are available for overstimulated campers, stocked with noise-canceling headphones and fidget toys. They also receive welcome and coping bags to calm them down if their emotions go haywire, or if they're unable to name their feelings. Think bubble wands or balloons, sensory objects like putty. Campers can calm down in this room with sensory objects, like bubbles. 'It's OK to be sad' Midday, art therapist Jordan Potash explained they'd be making memory flags through an Indonesian art form called batik. You draw with wax or oil, then paint around it. The liquid won't spread, creating a colorful mosaic surrounding words or symbols. A grief group meets for campers to share their feelings. "A memory flag is a way of consolidating just some of the aspects of a person that we want to remember, and a flag can then be displayed, or it can be put away and taken out for just special occasions to either share with someone or to keep private for ourselves," says Potash. The familiar smell of a glue gun perked up my nostrils. I was suddenly a child again in art class. They drew stars and crosses and doves through stencils with wax, and covered their flags with acrylic paint. Why'd they pick certain colors? Why that symbol? One girl told me pink was her favorite. Another shared her loved one's favorite color was red, and that's why she chose it. These kids sobbed and expressed anger in their grief groups. But they were cool, calm and collected as they expressed themselves through art. One young girl's flag featured puzzle pieces. She told me it represented her relationship with her father and how complicated it was. Others crafted in a more literal sense, writing "Daddy" and "1974-2024." Either way, they were making sense of something in their lives that made no sense at all. A camper's puzzle piece memory flag, pictured here. Anne Howard, 38, a social worker who volunteers with the Wendt Center, empathizes. Her mother was killed in a car accident more than two decades ago when she was just 16. The organization offered her space to heal, and she's happy to help others find the same peace. One of the boys in Howard's group of 12-year-olds divided his flag in half. On the top, unhelpful words people offered about grief: "You'll get over it soon." "At least you'll have memories of him." On the bottom, what he wish they said. "One of the things he wrote that I was done, was like a puddle was just, 'it's OK to be sad,'" Howard says. Campers wait to get their memory flags dried. In case you missed: My dad died of a one-in-a-million fatal disease. I live with the trauma. 'The beauty of art is that it's never done' When you take the flags home, they fold up. You can put them away. You can take them out for a special occasion. You can share it with somebody else, or not share it. "The beauty of art is that it's never done," Potash says. At some later point, you realize there's another symbol you want to add, you can add it. More colors you want to add, you can add them. An ongoing piece. A volunteer, about my height and age, struck up a conversation with me as students painted. Both of our dads died several years ago and unexpectedly. An immediate comfort and understanding rippled through me not many people in their early-to-mid 30s understand grief like that. Much like these campers, I felt less alone. Stop lying to your children about death. Why you need to tell them the truth. 'Something that will always stick with me' A lively pizza lunch followed the subdued activity. D.C. Retro Jumpers stopped by for some double dutch. Volunteers, Wendt Center staff and campers all jumped for joy (literally) as the jumpers twirled ropes so fast you could barely see them whiz through the air. No onlooker would have thought trauma engulfed the minds of everyone cackling and clapping along. "Some of them have been just through a lot," says Damien Savage, a 37-year-old from Maryland, who has been volunteering with the center since 2013, "and to see them open up and resonate with other campers is something that will always stick with me." Later, during a theater exercise, campers stood in a circle, feet shoulder width apart and elongated their spines. Most kids participated but others lingered at the sidelines, playing with fidget toys. Perhaps the energy was too much. Even among those participating though, some giggled and guffawed, while others stayed stone-faced. The theater instructors asked campers to make themselves into shapes: A circle, a square, an exclamation point. The asks bordered on silly. "Can you show me with your body how you feel about doing your homework?" Two students fell to the ground, laughing. Megan Hunt, a grief and trauma psychotherapist, talks with a camper about his flag. "They're at that stage of life where they're kind of too cool," Savage says. "Everything is not cool ... with these students, they come in, sometimes they're a little shy, they don't want to talk. And within the matter of three or four hours, they've opened up and they're sharing and they're talking and they're listening to their peers, and they're comforting their peers." Later, in a session on mindfulness, grief and trauma psychotherapist Erin Hill gave us small wooden hearts to draw on with markers. "It could be a message that you want to say to yourself," she said. "It could be a message that the person or people who have died gave you, or maybe something that was said to you that brings you comfort, joy or hope, something like that. And I would like you to take a moment to write it down." We all need a little help sometimes, I wrote: "I love you." I'm still not sure whether I wrote that for my dad, or for myself. But, back home around the corner from camp, I'm smiling. If you'd like to share your thoughts on grief with USA TODAY for possible use in a future story, please take this survey here. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Grief stages, counseling, support: An inside look at kids grief camp President Donald Trump makes an announcement about Apple with Apple CEO Tim Cook in the Oval Office, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) WASHINGTON (AP) Apple CEO Tim Cook joined President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to announce a commitment by the tech company to increase its investment in U.S. manufacturing by an additional $100 billion over the next four years. "This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in the United States of America also are made in America," Donald Trump said at the press conference. Todays announcement is one of the largest commitments in what has become among the greatest investment booms in our nations history." As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the United States as part of an initiative called the American Manufacturing Program, but it is not a full commitment to build its popular iPhone device domestically. This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components semiconductor chips included that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and were grateful to the President for his support, Cook said in a statement announcing the investment. The new manufacturing partners include Corning, Coherent, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments and Broadcom among others. Apple had previously said it intended to invest $500 billion domestically, a figure it will now increase to $600 billion. Trump in recent months has criticized the tech company and Cook for efforts to shift iPhone production to India to avoid the tariffs his Republican administration had planned for China. While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump said there was a little problem with the Cupertino, California, company and recalled a conversation with Cook in which he said he told the CEO, I dont want you building in India. India has incurred Trumps wrath, as the president signed an order Wednesday to put an additional 25% tariff on the worlds most populous country for its use of Russian oil. The new tariffs to be imposed in 21 days could put the combined tariffs on Indian goods at 50%. Apples new pledge comes just a few weeks after it forged a $500 million deal with MP Materials, which runs the only rare earths producer in the country. That agreement will enable MP Materials to expand a factory in Texas to use recycled materials to produce magnets that make iPhones vibrate. Speaking on a recent investors call, Cook emphasized that theres a load of different things done in the United States. As examples, he cited some of the iPhone components made in the U.S. such as the devices glass display and module for identifying peoples faces and then indicated the company was gearing to expand its productions of other components in its home country. Were doing more in this country, and thats on top of having roughly 19 billion chips coming out of the US now, and we will do more, Cook told analysts last week, without elaborating. News of Apples latest investment in the U.S. caused the companys stock price to surge by 5% in Wednesdays midday trading. That gain reflects investors relief that Cook is extending an olive branch to the Trump administration, said Nancy Tengler, CEO of money manager Laffer Tengler Investments, which owns Apple stock. Despite Wednesdays upturn, Apples shares are still down by 15% this year, a reversal of fortune that has also been driven by the companys botched start in the pivotal field of artificial intelligence. - AP Technology Writers Michael Liedtke and Shawn Chen contributed to this report. President Donald Trump said he was doubling tariffs on India from 25% to 50%. In an executive order, Trump says "I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil" and due to those purchases, imports of Indian goods into the United States "shall be subject to an additional ... rate of duty of 25%." The order says that the newly announced 25% will stack on top of the 25% Trump says he will hit India with on Wednesday night, when his sweeping global tariffs go into effect on most U.S. trading partners. The additional rate will take effect within 21 days. A 50% tariff on India would be among the highest on any trading partner in the world. The only countries with tariffs as high as India's is set to be are Brazil at 50%, Syria at 41%, Myanmar at 40% and Switzerland's which is set at 39%. On Tuesday, Trump told CNBC, "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25% [tariffs] but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil. They're fueling the war machine." India has previously said that it bought Russian oil with U.S. support. Donald Trump and Narendra Modi at the White House on Feb. 13, 2025. (Andrew Harnik / Getty Images file) On Wednesday, India responded to Trump's newest tariffs, saying in a statement that "these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." The country's Ministry of External Affairs added that "India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests." At the time of the announcement, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff was in Russia and met with President Vladimir Putin according to images released by state TV. Trump has also been unhappy with companies recently pivoting their supply chains from China, which for a time he had 145% tariffs on, to other countries like India. In a May social media post, Trump said "I have long ago informed Tim Cook of Apple that I expect their iPhones that will be sold in the United States of America will be manufactured and built in the United States, not India, or anyplace else." India was the tenth-largest source of goods imports into the United States in 2024, according to Commerce Dept. data. Consumers and businesses imported more than $87 billion worth of products. Some of the top imports from India include glass, metals, chemicals, plastic, rubber, machinery and mechanical equipment and farm goods. Apple is set to announce an investment in the U.S. later Wednesday. Most of Apple's most popular products are currently exempt from tariffs while the Commerce Dept. conducts a so-called Section 232 investigation. The investigation is seeking to determine the national security impact of importing those products and their parts. Despite the exemptions, Apple took an $800 million hit in the last quarter and predicted it will take another $1.5 billion hit in the next three months. Apple CEO Tim Cook will appear with Trump at the White House today for that announcement, an official told NBC News. Last quarter, India produced 44% of U.S. smartphone imports, more than any other country, including China, according to data from the research firm Canalys reported by Bloomberg. That includes iPhones sold in the U.S., the majority of which Apple chief executive Tim Cook said in May will have India as their country of origin starting this quarter. The shift in Trump's relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been swift. Modi was the fourth foreign leader to visit Trump in the White House in his second term. After Trump began his global trade war in April, for weeks White House advisers often mentioned that a trade agreement with India could be the first such agreement reached. The first trade agreement ended up going to the United Kingdom. Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan Have a Heartwarming Reunion in Australia originally appeared on Parade. It's hard to believe freckle-faced Lindsay Lohan starred alongside model Tyra Banks in a feature film a whole two and half decades ago. Now, as the hit TV movie Life Size celebrates its 25th anniversary, Lohan, now 39, and Banks, 51, have found time to reunite in-person. And it's endearing see, especially for millennials who grew up watching the throwback film again and again. As Banks' beloved Life Size character Eve would say, "Shine bright and shine far" and that's just the two stars did at the Aug. 5 premiere of Lohan's new movie, Freakier Friday. Posing with them on the red carpet was Lohan's latest co-star, Jamie Lee Curtis. Talk about reunions their original Freaky Friday movie was released way back in 2003. Freakier Friday hits theaters Aug. 8 and already has a solid critics' score on Rotten Tomatoes based on the reviews that published just recently. The complications will be the double the fun, as the film promises, since lightning might strike twice and at a time when Anna's [Lohan's] family has now expanded. After starring in Life Size in 2000 which centered on Lohan's lovable protagonist Casey bringing her doll Eve to life Banks starred in a sequel to Life Size 15 years later, but with other actors. Lohan who now lives in Dubai with her husband Louis Belanger-Martin and son York Banks Asla was unavailable at the time of the sequel's production, according to E!. In the years since, Banks has even voiced her idea for a third Life Size movie that would bring Lohan's character back into the picture. "I feel like we should do one," Banks said on The Drew Barrymore Show back in October 2024. "I feel like I've been really looking at Lindsay, and I feel like, 'What if she was a doll? What if she, in some kind of way, magically turned into a doll?'" Tyra Banks and Lindsay Lohan Have a Heartwarming Reunion in Australia first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. Texas state Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, leads bipartisan coalition calling on Gov. Greg Abbott to add protections for Texas livestock and wildlife from a flesh eating parasite to the special session. Texas House of Representatives (The Center Square) A deadly parasitic fly, the New World Screwworm, is heading toward Texas. Its believed to be 370 miles south, flying north through Mexico from Central America. It has the potential to wipe out Texas cattle in a state that produces the most cattle in the U.S. as well as livestock in other states. In June, the NWS was detected 700 miles south, according to USDA estimates. In May, the USDA closed the US-Mexican border to livestock imports. One month later, the NWS was detected roughly 370 miles south of Texas. If not stopped, the NWS could reach Texas in roughly a month. As a result, 94 House members, led by state Rep. Ryan Guillen, R-Rio Grande City, called on Gov. Greg Abbott to add NWS preventative measures to the special session agenda. The NWS larvae (maggots) burrow into (screw in) wounds of livestock, pets, wildlife and sometimes people. The more maggots, the more the animal is eaten alive. The parasite is endemic in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Haiti and in South American countries. A current outbreak has been reported in Central America and Mexico. The NWS was eradicated in the U.S. in the 1960s, experienced an isolated outbreak in the 1970s, and was ultimately eliminated after sterile flies were released, along with a Swormlure-2 attractant (synthetic bait), and applying the insecticide Dichlorvos. In June, the USDA launched an $8.5 million sterile NWS fly dispersal facility at an unused airbase near Mission, Texas, and announced a five-pronged plan to release hundreds of millions of sterile flies. The USDA spent $21 million renovating a fruit fly production facility in Metapa, Mexico, to provide an additional 60-100 million sterile flies a week. This is in addition to more than 100 million produced in Panama. Despite those efforts, the NWS halved its distance to Texas in just a month. In June, Abbott directed the Texas Animal Health Commission and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to establish a response team to lead Texas prevention and response efforts and ensure Texans remain informed, prepared, and aligned to prevent the re-emergence of this destructive parasite. In July, the USDA and Texas Department of Agriculture reintroduce Swormlure-5, along with insecticides like Dichlorvos, to proactively kill the NWS. Realizing the urgency of the situation, a House Agriculture and Livestock Committee held a hearing last month to discuss solutions. Phil Kaufman, head of Texas A&Ms College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Entomology, told lawmakers if the NWS made it to Texas, livestock losses alone would top $2 billion, the hunting/game industry could lose more than $9 billion. Guillen, who chaired the committee, led a coalition of 94 House Republicans and Democrats calling on Abbott to add NWS protections to the special session agenda. They point out that Texas livestock and wildlife industries contribute more than $40 billion annually to the state economy and support thousands of jobs in rural communities. Economic and livelihood losses would be catastrophic, necessitating urgent legislative response. This month, the Texas Farm Bureau and more than 175 other state and national livestock, dairy, wildlife, agribusiness and landowner organizations nationwide called on the USDA to implement stronger protections and fully fund and immediately construct a domestic sterile fly production facility in south Texas. We cannot afford to wait. The New World screwworm is advancing, and the consequences of inaction are staggering, TFB President Russell Boening said. A domestic sterile fly production facility is not just a strategic priority. Its an emergency necessity. Our coalition is united, and we are ready to support USDA in taking this critical next step to protect our livestock, wildlife and rural economies. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, offered an amendment in the appropriations process to fund and build a sterile fly disbursal facility in Hidalgo, Texas, in the Rio Grande Valley. While the cost is estimated to be roughly $300 million, he said the cost pales in comparison with the cost of not doing anything to eradicate this threat. Despite federal efforts, Texas cannot afford to wait, Guillens coalition argues. Just as Texas has taken the lead in securing our border in the absence of previous federal action, we must now demonstrate the same urgency to protect our agricultural industries, the lawmakers told Abbott. Including screw worm prevention and response to the special sessions call would allow Texas to take proactive measures strengthening surveillance, supporting eradication protocols, and safeguarding the industries that are vital to our economy and way of life. Vlad Cioplea/Netflix From left: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe in episode 104 of 'Wednesday' NEED TO KNOW The Wednesday season 2 premiere explained the sudden disappearance of Xavier Thorpe (Percy Hynes White) Wednesday received a gift from Xavier along with a telling note after being transferred to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland Hynes White announced his departure from the series in May 2024 Warning: This post contains spoilers from season 2 of Wednesday. The return of Wednesday brought answers about the sudden disappearance of Xavier Thorpe. In the first episode of season 2, which dropped on Aug. 6, new principal Barry Dort (Steve Buscemi) explained that Percy Hynes Whites character had transferred to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland. Later in the episode, Enid (Emma Myers) told Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) that she had received a gift from Xavier a painting of a creepy crow on a headstone along with a note. Courtesy Of Netflix Percy Hynes White as Xavier Thorpe in episode 101 of 'Wednesday'. I tried texting, but I guess you lost the phone I gave you, the note read. Consider this my goodbye gift. The image suddenly flashed in my head. Dont ask me how I know or what it means, but its connected to you, Im sure. Whos Wednesday Addams without a mystery to solve, right? the message concludes. On Wednesday, Hynes White played the artistic friend (and sometimes foe) of protagonist Wednesday. There seemed to be a possibility for romance between the two or betrayal while Wednesday tried to determine the identity of the ever-elusive Hyde monster. Throughout the first season, their friendship mended and broke until the ultimate conclusion, in which one of Wednesdays other, closest friends turned out to be the culprit. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf While some viewers may think the mention could open the door for Hynes Whites return, co-showrunner Alfred Gough denied he would be reprising the role. We have seen the last of him, Gough told TVLine, adding the character is now at a boarding school we mentioned in Season 1, Reichenbach, which is like the European version of Nevermore. As for what fans can expect from the rest of season 2, Gough teased that there is more to come between Wednesday and Tyler (Hunter Doohan). Courtesy of Netflix From left: Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams, Hunter Doohan as Tyler Galpin in episode 104 of 'Wednesday'. Theres definitely something there, and he can definitely twist the knife in terms of that relationship, he shared. Wednesday went down the path of romance sort of reluctantly in Season 1, and she paid the price for that, so shes closing the door on that avenue of her adolescence for the time being. But when she gets together with Tyler, sparks always fly. He noted, theres something unspoken between them, adding, We love to see them together and to explore that dynamic. Both Tyler and Jenna play it so brilliantly, and theres a lot thats unsaid in those scenes. Hynes White confirmed his departure from the hit Netflix series in May 2024. "I had so much fun working on this show," the actor, 23, shared on his Instagram Stories atop the cast photo of co-stars Ortega, Myers, Hunter Doohan, Luis Guzman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, as well as executive producer Tim Burton. "I can't wait to watch season 2 :) Much love," he added in his text, ending the caption with a red heart emoji. Ortega, 22, noted in an interview with Vanity Fair in August that his exit from the show created a weird redirect. But were introducing so many different characters that I think it kind of will get lost, she explained of the shows plans for season 2. Maya Dehlin Spach/Getty Percy Hynes White attends Vanity Fair and Instagram's Vanities: A Night For Young Hollywood Party at Bar Marmont on February 26, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Hynes Whites departure came after he was accused of sexual assault in January 2023 by an anonymous woman on X. The woman alleged the actor threw high-school parties with the intention of having sex with drunk girls. At the time, the actor was also accused of racism when a video of him using a racial slur resurfaced online. (The video has since been deleted.) Hynes White specifically addressed the sexual-assault rumors the following June, denying the allegations and claiming he'd never met the woman who made the claims. "Earlier this year, somebody I've never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats," he wrote on Instagram. "Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message." He added, The rumors are false. I can't accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of people's safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims. It's very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people." 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. Wednesday is returning for season 2 on Netflix in two parts, first on Aug. 6 and then on Sept. 3. If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-HOPE (4673) or go to rainn.org. Read the original article on People By Andrea Shalal and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his special envoy Steve Witkoff had made "great progress" in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continued its preparations to impose secondary sanctions on Friday. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he had briefed some European allies about Witkoff's meeting with Putin, which was focused on ending the 3-1/2-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump added, without providing further details. A White House official said earlier that the meeting had gone well, and Moscow was eager to continue engaging with the United States. The official said secondary sanctions that Trump has threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. No details were provided. Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the war. Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil if no moves are made to end the war in Ukraine. Trump took a key step in that direction on Wednesday when he imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, citing New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil. No similar order was signed for China, which also imports Russian oil. The new measure raises tariffs on some Indian goods to as high as 50% among the steepest faced by any U.S. trading partner. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week warned Chinese officials that continued purchases of sanctioned Russian oil would lead to big tariffs due to legislation in Congress. The U.S. and China have been engaged in discussions about trade and tariffs, with an eye to extending a 90-day tariff truce that is due to expire on August 12, when their bilateral tariffs shoot back up to triple-digit figures. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Franklin Paul and Daniel Wallis) Artificial intelligence (AI) is making it easier than ever to apply for jobs, but not to get them with calls for more human expertise in the process. This is according to recruitment agency Robert Walters, which found in its latest research that 57 per cent of jobseekers are applying for more than 20 roles at once, often within minutes. However, only one in five applications are relevant, creating significant strain for businesses. These mostly AI-driven job applications are overwhelming Australian recruiters, leaving them drowning in hundreds of unsuitable CVs and struggling to find the right talent, the firm noted. Speed and scale have increased dramatically but so has the noise, said Robert Walters managing director Dan Rogers. Recruiters and hiring managers are being inundated with CVs that look polished on the surface but often miss the mark in terms of actual fit. Its a real challenge for businesses trying to identify the right talent efficiently. While AI-driven tools like resume builders, CV tailoring assistants and one-click application features have become commonplace, theyre also creating new challenges for hiring teams across the country. A peace jirga, composed of village leaders and Taliban representatives, has initiated a dialogue between Islamabad and Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan, which, however, is demanding control of the tribal areas on the border with Afghanistan without leaving the country. The ceasefire agreement reached so far is limited and lacks official guarantees, but above all, the local population's distrust of the government remains high. Islamabad (AsiaNews) - Pakistan is trying to come to terms with the Pakistani Taliban (TTP) in an attempt to resolve its internal terrorism problem. Starting on July 31, a peace jirga, or assembly of elders and village leaders, was held in Bajaur, in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which was also attended by representatives of the terrorist group. We have asked the armed groups to return to Afghanistan or, if they intend to fight, to leave the populated areas and move to the mountains, a member of the assembly said at a press conference. According to the local English-language newspaper Dawn, after the meeting, which was attended by 50 people, the parties agreed to a ceasefire until the conflict is completely resolved through further talks, which resumed yesterday with the support of several Muslim leaders after a one-day break. According to what has been agreed so far, Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan has promised to withdraw from civilian areas but not to completely abandon the Bajaur district, which is part of Pakistan's Federally Administered Tribal Areas (FATA). These are regions inhabited mainly by ethnic Pashtuns, which were merged in 2018 with the larger province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, but which the Taliban claim for themselves. The TTP aims to establish an Islamic emirate in Pakistan modeled on the one their Afghan cousins have created in Kabul, which is why their attacks mainly target state representatives. However, as reported by Khorasan Diary, the situation after the talks is actually at a standstill: No decision could be taken, a member of the jirga told the newspaper, adding that they would report the TTP's demands to the government. The Pakistani Taliban, in fact, after consulting with their leadership in Afghanistan, said they had no intention of leaving Pakistan for Afghanistan, added that they would not attack unless attacked, demanded that government forces not travel in convoys, and concluded by saying that no weapons would be allowed to pass through the tribal districts, while supplies to the security forces would be managed by local assemblies. According to Friday Times, the situation is worrying because, despite several days having passed since the conclusion of the talks, there has been no official government statement on the matter. No details of the agreement have been released, nor have the measures that will be implemented to comply with the decisions taken so far. Furthermore, the ceasefire only applies to the Bajaur district (where the Islamabad government itself launched Operation Sarbakaf a week ago despite opposition from the local governor), but TTP terrorist violence has affected several areas of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa in recent years that do not appear to be involved in the agreements. The local population, in general, finds it difficult to trust the proposals coming from Islamabad: in the past, peace committees were set up with their own local militias, but they did not receive the necessary support from the state when the time came to confront the Pakistani Taliban. Many fear that the establishment of a local jirga could end in the same way, with terrorist groups targeting young people who try (and have tried in the past) to oppose the TTP. Over the past 12 years, hundreds of former members of local militias have been targeted by terrorist attacks. The region is plagued by insecurity: several research centers have long reported an increase in violence in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Baluchistan, and last week local residents asked security forces not to abandon the region for fear of new armed conflicts. by Mathias Hariyadi During a meeting hosted by the Indonesian Bishops' Conference, representatives of the country's main faiths expressed strong concern about the violence and restrictions suffered by religious minorities and called for a review of the 2006 decree on places of worship and decisive action by the government. Jakarta (AsiaNews) Leaders of Indonesia's main denominations have launched a joint appeal against growing religious intolerance towards religious minorities. During the meeting, held on July 5 at the headquarters of the Indonesian Bishops' Conference (KWI), deep concern emerged over acts of intimidation and restrictions on the worship activities of different faiths. This is a crucial moment for the state to truly show its presence in protecting religious freedom, said Fr. Aloysius Budi Purnomo, executive secretary of the KWI's Interreligious Commission. Every citizen, regardless of religious affiliation, must be able to practice their faith freely, without intimidation or interference from intolerant groups. In supporting the request, a representative of the Bala Keselamatan (Salvation Army) Church referred to the national ideology of Pancasila, based on respect for diversity, while the Indonesian Hindu Association stressed the urgency of government intervention, recalling that religious institutions alone do not have the legal authority to deal with violent acts. During the conference, Professor Rumahi Ahmad of Nahdlatul Ulama, the country's largest and most moderate Muslim organization, spoke of the meeting as an urgent appeal to protect the fundamental principle of the nation: unity in diversity. He warned that the growing sense of fear among religious minorities could fuel further intolerance, adding that this is only the tip of the iceberg. Ahmad reiterated that social harmony is the foundation of our national identity and must be defended, calling on the government to enact new regulations that guarantee religious freedom as a social right. Although intolerance has generally declined in recent years, Ahmad continued, there has been a resurgence of worrying incidents, such as the recent ones in Sukabumi and Padang, the capital of West Sumatra province, where a group of Christians praying were targeted by a group of extremists at the end of July. He also recalled that there are past incidents that remain unresolved to this day and that it is essential to continue to remind society that such behavior should never be accepted as normal. Also in Sukabumi, in the district of Cidahu, West Java province, at the end of June, hundreds of people stormed a house where a group of young Christians were on retreat. Religious leaders have called for a review of the controversial 2006 decree, which is considered discriminatory because it requires a series of requirements for the construction of places of worship that often hinder the activities of minorities. The regulation requires the approval of the regent or mayor, a recommendation from the Forum for Interreligious Harmony, and the written support of at least 90 members of the religious community and 60 local residents. In a joint statement issued at the end of the conference, the signatories reiterated that religious freedom and the right to worship are enshrined in the Constitution and called on the state to act firmly to prevent such incidents from recurring. They urged law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate and prosecute those responsible for acts of violence and destruction, and called on the government and the Forum for Interreligious Harmony to ensure that places of worship remain safe and peaceful spaces. The statement concludes with an appeal to religious leaders to guide their communities to resist provocation. Chandra Setiawan of the Supreme Council for Confucian Religion lamented the lack of sensitivity towards religious pluralism, criticizing the state's weakness in countering radicalism. Reverend Saragih of the Communion of Churches in Indonesia (PGI) also said that "Indonesia is our common home, there are no mere passengers here. Everyone is equal. The state cannot turn a blind eye to intolerance." The PGI then expressed appreciation for the gesture of Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka, who visited Padang, but also reiterated the urgency of legal reforms and revisions of regulations on permits for places of worship. A representative of the Indonesian Orthodox Church concluded by calling on the government to act more boldly. 6 August 2025 11:12 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On August 5, at approximately 19:05, a military truck carrying out a security mission in the Kalbajar region struck a mine planted by Armenian armed forces, Azernews reports via the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan. According to the report by the Ministry, four Azerbaijani servicemen were injured in the explosion and promptly evacuated to a nearby medical facility. Authorities confirmed that their lives are not in danger. An official investigation into the incident is currently underway. 6 August 2025 16:55 (UTC+04:00) Elnur Enveroglu Read more As the Russia-Ukraine war drags into its third year with no end in sight, recent developments suggest that the conflict is rapidly metastasising into a global strategic crisis. The combination of sharpened nuclear rhetoric, fresh missile deployments, shifting alliances, and failed diplomacy presents a volatile cocktailone that risks spiralling far beyond the Donbas. During a recent campaign event in Ohio, US President Donald Trump made a startling reference to two nuclear submarines you dont even know about, positioned exactly where they should be. Although he offered no further details, many analysts interpreted this statement as a thinly veiled warning to Russia amid fears of nuclear escalation. The ambiguity of Trumps remarks, laced with his characteristic bravado, raises multiple concerns. Firstly, it suggests an embrace of strategic opacity, an attempt to project deterrence without concrete action. Secondly, it represents a pivot towards nuclear sabre-rattling in a conflict where the nuclear question has loomed large but remained largely rhetorical. And thirdly, it complicates diplomatic outreach by replacing strategic clarity with provocative innuendo. In a parallel development, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the start of serial production of the new Orechkin missile system, described by the Russian Ministry of Defence as a hypersonic, nuclear-capable, multi-vector strike platform. The timing of this revelation is crucial: it follows Russias official withdrawal from its unilateral moratorium on intermediate-range nuclear forces (INF) and appears to be Moscows answer to NATOs enhanced missile deployments in Eastern Europe and the Asia-Pacific. Putins statement was not simply about a new weapon; it was a doctrinal shift. He argued that Russia can no longer afford restraint in the face of NATO encirclement, pointing specifically to the deployment of US missile systems in Poland, Romania, and increasingly provocative placements near Japan, South Korea, the Philippines, and Guam. The mention of Taiwan in particular underscores Moscows growing perception of a US-led dual containment strategy against both Russia and China. This evolution has culminated in what Russian officials term a forward flexible responsea doctrine combining tactical nuclear readiness, hybrid warfare, and economic retaliation. Moscows decision to nullify the INF moratorium effectively re-opens the door to placing nuclear weapons closer to Europe and Asias fault lines. Russian defence analysts have floated the idea of deploying intermediate-range weapons in Belarus, Kaliningrad, and even as far as Arctic naval zones, while cultivating naval partnerships with countries like Iran and Venezuela for Atlantic-facing missile reach. The nuclear theatre is being redefinedand not by Washington. India: wary partner or subtle balancer? Amidst this tectonic shift, India has emerged as a surprising and problematic actor for the United States. Despite growing Indo-US defence ties, India has continued to deepen its energy and strategic partnership with Russia. Since 2022, Indias imports of Russian crude oil have soared, largely at discounted rates, enabling Moscow to stabilise its sanctions-hit economy. Trump has reportedly voiced deep frustration with Prime Minister Narendra Modis refusal to cut ties with Russia, threatening economic reprisals and sanctions. Yet Delhi remains unmoved, positioning itself as a non-aligned balancer rather than a committed Western partner. Indian officials insist that their engagement with Russia is both economic and strategic - grounded in decades-long military cooperation and a shared interest in a multipolar world. If Trump escalates pressure, Delhi may look to deepen its currency-swap mechanisms with Russia and expand its own Eurasian infrastructure footprint via the INSTC (International North-South Transport Corridor). In case of war, who stands with Russia? Were NATO to initiate or be drawn into a direct military conflict with Russia, the question of Moscows allies would become paramount. Beyond the predictable support from Belarus, Moscow could count on at least nominal alignment from Iran, North Korea, and potentially Venezuela. More critically, China, though unlikely to offer direct military backing, would exploit the opportunity to challenge US hegemony elsewhere, particularly in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait. Turkiye, though a NATO member, may hedge its bets depending on the nature of the conflict, especially if provoked by Kurdish militias or drawn into a Mediterranean standoff. The Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) could also become an informal coalition space, offering Moscow diplomatic and logistical support. Diplomacy in the Balance: Steve Witkoffs Moscow Visit In a move that has raised eyebrows on both sides of the Atlantic, Trump ally and real estate magnate Steve Witkoff visited Moscow this week again for what sources describe as a backchannel stabilisation effort. While Witkoff has no formal diplomatic role, his proximity to Trump suggests he may be testing the waters for a direct leader-to-leader summit. Russian outlets have speculated that Witkoffs visit could pave the way for a Trump-Putin meeting later this month, possibly in Istanbul or Belgrade. Kremlin officials are reportedly open to discussions that include a temporary ceasefire, prisoner exchange, and humanitarian corridors, but only if NATO halts further military aid to Kyiv. The US State Department, meanwhile, has distanced itself from the visit, reinforcing the confusion surrounding Washingtons strategic posture. Despite his theatrical rhetoric and aggressive diplomacy, Trumps efforts to end the war have borne little fruit. His plan for an immediate ceasefireconditional on Ukraine freezing territorial claimshas been rejected by Kyiv and greeted with scepticism by European allies. Zelenskys government, emboldened by continued Western aid and under pressure to retake lost territories, views any Trump-mediated deal as a betrayal of Ukraines sovereignty. European leaders, particularly in Paris, Berlin, and Warsaw, remain wary of Trumps transactional approach, which they fear could sacrifice Ukrainian interests for a geopolitical bargain with Moscow. Unless Trump can shift battlefield dynamics or convince key European capitals to impose peace terms on Kyiv, his peace initiative may fizzle. If diplomacy fails: Trumps next move Should the diplomatic track collapse, Trumps next steps are likely to be coercive. Options include: - Economic pressure on Ukraine via the suspension of aid; - Backchannel negotiations with Russia via neutral intermediaries; - Further military escalations to corner Putin into a settlement. However, the danger here is that coercion, especially involving nuclear posturing, could provoke a response rather than submission. The Orechkin missile deployment, Putins rhetoric, and NATOs increasing presence in Asia all suggest a powder keg in need of just one spark. The Russia-Ukraine conflict has evolved from a regional war into a global fault line. With nuclear doctrines now central to both Russian and American posturing, and with allies like India playing their own game, the prospect of containment is fading. Instead, the world is witnessing the breakdown of nuclear taboos and the revival of Cold War mentalities. Trumps overtures for peace, while significant, appear undermined by his own belligerent rhetoric and a deeply fragmented international order. If neither side backs down, and if diplomacy remains hostage to ego and electoral calculus, the world may soon be forced to confront a grim question: what happens when nuclear deterrence becomes nuclear temptation? 6 August 2025 20:20 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On Friday, Washington, D.C., will host a high-level meeting where U.S. President Donald Trump is set to welcome Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. According to a reliable sources report to Middle East Eye, the leaders are expected to sign a memorandum of understanding a letter of intent rather than a fully binding peace treaty following their recent talks in Abu Dhabi. It is also noteworthy to add that, after that meeting, both leaders indicated that their countries could finalise the main principles of the agreement within a few months and then proceed to initial it. Yerevan and Baku have neither confirmed nor denied the details of the agenda, but the White House ceremony is already being viewed as a symbolic milestone in the peace process. This event is being framed by some as a diplomatic win for Washington: a fast, visible sign of progress in a region that has seen repeated cycles of ceasefires and renewed violence. Talking to Azernews, experts warn that symbolism without enforcement can be dangerous here. Geopolitical analyst Irina Tsukerman cautions that a White House MoU could be more theatre than settlement and that theatre can have violent consequences. Former U.S. ambassador to Azerbaijan Matthew Bryza, on the other hand, sees the White House meeting as a real chance for momentum in Baku-Washington relations if Washington can turn goodwill into concrete steps... For more, check out our latest coverage on the upcoming meeting: China-US trade ties crucial for global growth 10:06, August 06, 2025 By Zhong Nan ( Chinadaily.com.cn China's economic growth is pivotal to and vital for global prosperity, and it is essential and significant for the United States and China to maintain a stable trade relationship, according to a senior business leader. Rajesh Subramaniam, CEO of US-based logistics company FedEx Corp and chair of the Board of the US-China Business Council, said that in a world defined by rapid changes and heightened geopolitical uncertainty, the council welcomes continued dialogue and the positive outcomes achieved by the US and Chinese economic and trade consultation teams. His remarks follow a recent visit by a USCBC board delegation to Beijing, during which representatives of major US companies, including Apple, Boeing, Goldman Sachs and Otis, sought to strengthen bilateral commercial ties and advocate for a stable and predictable environment for US businesses operating in China. The visit underscored a broader sentiment among global and US companies that continue to view China as a critical market because of its vast consumer base, consistent focus on high-quality growth, well-developed industrial system and supply chain networks. Amid declining global cross-border investment, a growing number of foreign businesses regard China as an ideal, secure and promising investment destination. The number of foreign-invested companies with foreign trade businesses in China reached 75,000 in the first half of 2025, the highest level for the same period since 2021, data from the General Administration of Customs shows. Emphasizing China's importance to the global competitiveness of many US companies, Subramaniam said that FedEx, which operates over 300 international weekly flights to and from China, will continue to invest in smarter supply chains through digital innovation, data-driven platforms and artificial intelligence within the country. A report released in mid-July by the USCBC showed that about 82 percent of its surveyed member companies reported profitable operations in China in 2024, an improvement compared with the previous two years. Nearly all respondents also said they cannot remain globally competitive without their operations in China. According to the Ministry of Commerce, China and the US have agreed to continue pushing for an extension of the pause on 24 percent reciprocal tariffs of the US side, as well as countermeasures of the Chinese side, following their latest round of trade talks last week in Stockholm, Sweden. He Yadong, a spokesman for the ministry, said last week that China looks forward to working with the US to fully leverage the role of the bilateral economic and trade consultation mechanism and strive for more win-win outcomes. Subramaniam said that China has sent a strong signal to the world of its commitment to further advance reform and opening-up. "This has helped boost market confidence," he added. Chen Jianwei, a researcher at the University of International Business and Economics' Academy of China Open Economy Studies in Beijing, said that China's ongoing efforts in industrial upgrading, green transformation and further opening-up are creating long-term opportunities for foreign businesses in areas such as high-end manufacturing, smart mobility and service-related sectors. "These efforts are contributing to global economic growth and supply chain stability, reinforcing China's role as a key engine of the world economy," Chen said. Gao Lingyun, a researcher at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences' Institute of World Economics and Politics in Beijing, said that continued dialogue between China and the US could help reduce uncertainty in global supply chains, enhance cooperation in both goods trade and trade in services, and foster innovation in emerging sectors such as green technology and digital infrastructure. "Businesses on both sides are seeking predictability and trust key factors for the long-term planning and stability of global markets," Gao added. Nathan Stoner, chairman for China at Cummins Inc, a US-based engine manufacturer, said the company will launch next-generation products, including electric motors, electronic controls, e-driving systems and integrated controllers, as well as power electronics, in China next year. As more Chinese carmakers venture into Southeast Asia, Europe and beyond, Cummins is looking to play a key role in helping them grow their global footprint, Stoner said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) 6 August 2025 14:08 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijan plans to construct an international medical and health complex on the shores of Alakol Lake in southeastern Kazakhstan, a region known for its healing properties and stunning natural surroundings, Azernews reports. The project was discussed during a bilateral meeting between Kazakhstans Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel, and the Governor of the Abay region, Berik Uali. The meeting was also attended by Deputy Chairman of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Turkish Entrepreneurs Association, Aslan Kuniyarov, along with representatives from Azerbaijan Investment Holding and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund under the Ministry of Economy. During the meeting, the Azerbaijani delegation presented an investment proposal for the development of a year-round medical and health complex at Alakol Lake. The facility is designed to accommodate 800 visitors simultaneously, with an estimated investment cost of $20 million. The project is expected to create approximately 200 new jobs. Officials highlighted the wider economic impact of the project, noting that it will increase the regions attractiveness as a tourist destination, boost tax revenues to the local budget, and establish a new cluster at the intersection of medicine and recreation. Ambassador Alim Bayel underlined the strong and growing ties between the two countries: Relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan have reached a new level of alliance. The Kazakh leadership has set a number of tasks, including strengthening economic ties and implementing joint projects, particularly in the tourism sector. He also noted the recent creation of a joint investment fund: In 2024, we created a joint investment fund of Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. If the project in Alakol is implemented, it can be one of the first projects within the framework of this fund. Governor Berik Uali expressed his support for the initiative and emphasized the close historical and cultural ties between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are fraternal peoples. We are united by common history and spiritual roots. We are glad to your visit and your initiative to build a large tourism complex in our region, he said. The governor added that preparations for the Alakol tourism zone are underway and pledged government support: Currently, the General Plan of the Alakol tourism zone is being prepared. We are ready to allocate land for construction. The government will provide the necessary support. The planned complex represents a significant step in deepening economic cooperation between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan, particularly in healthcare and tourism development. 6 August 2025 11:52 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more The active use of the Trans-Caspian International Transport Route or the Middle Corridor as a fast and secure trade route is making a significant contribution to the sustainable development of landlocked countries, said Turkish Minister of Transport and Infrastructure Abdulkadir Uraloglu. Azernews reports that the minister made the remarks during a plenary session of the United Nations' Third Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, held in Awaza, Turkmenistan. Uraloglu highlighted the challenges faced by landlocked nations, noting that the lack of direct access to the sea increases trade costs, reduces exporters profit margins, and limits access to global markets. "In this context, Turkiye - situated at the crossroads of Asia, Europe, and Africa - is transforming into a strategic hub for global logistics by developing multimodal transport corridors," he stated. "The East-West Middle Corridor, which passes over the Caspian Sea, is emerging as an efficient and viable alternative for international trade." The minister emphasized that the Middle Corridor offers a fast and secure transport solution, significantly supporting the long-term development goals of landlocked countries. He also pointed out that enhanced cooperation between customs services and simplified customs procedures could greatly boost trade volumes along the route. "The active use of the Middle Corridor and the strengthening of international cooperation will be a major step toward increasing global trade efficiency and supporting economic growth in vulnerable regions," Uraloglu added. It should be noted that the Middle Corridor is a strategic trade and transport route that connects Asia with Europe, passing through several regional countries. It serves as an alternative to the traditional North and South Corridors. Starting in China, the route passes through Central Asian countries such as Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. It then crosses the Caspian Sea, continues through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkiye, and ultimately reaches Europe. The Middle Corridor offers a land-based connection between eastern Asia and Europe, bypassing longer maritime routes. 6 August 2025 14:24 (UTC+04:00) Laman Ismayilova Read more Magnificent concert and exhibition themed "Traces of our History in Western Azerbaijan" has been arranged at Heydar Aliyev Park in Khatai district, Azernews reports. Co-organized by the Azerbaijan Culture Ministry, Baku City Main Department of Culture, Khatai District Executive Power and the Azerbaijan Union of Ashugs, the event was attended by deputies of the Azerbaijani Parliament, families of martyrs, representatives of the district community, residents of the district, cadets and officers of the Heydar Aliyev Military Institute, as well as talented artists. The event began with a minute of silence in memory of the heroes who lost their lives for the sake of the country's territorial integrity and sovereignty and the playing of the Azerbaijan National Anthem. In their remarks, the head of the Khatai District Executive Power, Rafig Guluyev, deputies of the Azerbaijani Parliament Hikmat Babaoglu, Vugar Iskandarov, Vugar Rahimzade and Parvana Valiyeva stressed that the compatriots from Western Azerbaijan were subjected to deportation and ethnic cleansing from their ancestral lands, and that the return to those lands is an internationally recognized fundamental right of more than 300,000 Western Azerbaijanis. This right is enshrined in all UN documents. The compatriots who were expelled from the lands they built and lived in should return to those territories peacefully. The speakers pointed out that Garabagh and East Zangazur, which had been occupied for many years, were liberated thanks to the determination and principle of President Ilham Aliyev, and that a phased migration process is currently underway to those territories, and they expressed their belief that the annexation of Western Azerbaijan will soon end, and that every Azerbaijani will have the right to travel and live in those historical lands. The event continued with an artistic segment, during which sweets, carpets, and kelaghays representing the culture of Western Azerbaijan were showcased. 6 August 2025 11:02 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more Azerbaijani Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev will soon travel to Irans city of Astara to assess the progress of joint border infrastructure projects, Azernews reports via Iranian media. Mustafayev met with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzana Sadeghi, where both sides agreed to conduct a field survey of the projects. The discussion took place within the framework of the Azerbaijan-Iran Joint Commission for Economic Cooperation, which the two officials co-chair. The meeting focused on enhancing economic and administrative cooperation, with particular emphasis on accelerating the implementation of border initiatives, including the construction of the Astara border terminal and border bridges. During the upcoming visit, Mustafayev will review the current status of the projects, hold negotiations on overcoming potential challenges, and discuss broader economic cooperation between the two countries. 6 August 2025 13:28 (UTC+04:00) On August 2, the first stage of the Creativity, Innovation and Entrepreneurship project concluded in Ganja. The initiative, launched in June 2025 by ADA University with financial support from the ADA University Foundation and Pasha Holding, aims to empower regional youth with modern skills, Azernews reports. The projects main goal is to boost digital and artificial intelligence (AI) literacy among young people in Azerbaijans regions, unlock their creative potential, develop entrepreneurial abilities, and enhance their employability and competitiveness in the labor market. Following a staged selection process, 45 students from various universities in Ganja were chosen for the training program, which is currently offered in two tracks the fundamentals of AI and the use of AI in art (AI4Art). The AI4Art direction is supported by the Ministry of Culture of Azerbaijan and the Center for the Development of Cultural and Creative Industries. Participants also benefit from additional opportunities, including English language courses for those with weaker language skills, as well as mathematics and logic lessons to prepare for AI studies. This approach allows students with limited technical backgrounds but strong potential to advance in the program. Beyond academic lessons, the project incorporates seminars to build social skills, mentoring opportunities, industrial experience, and social responsibility activities. These elements are designed to ensure a comprehensive and systematic approach to youth development. Trainings are held in a hybrid format in person at the Mir Jalal Pashayev Museum in Ganja and the Ganja STEAM Center under the Physics, Mathematics, and Informatics Lyceum, alongside simultaneous online sessions. A new selection stage is scheduled to be announced in September. The initiative aligns with the Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities for Socio-Economic Development document signed by the President of Azerbaijan, as well as ADA Universitys forthcoming 20252030 Strategic Plan, and serves to expand access to modern education and nurture a new generation of creative and innovative youth. 6 August 2025 12:00 (UTC+04:00) President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Azernews reports. ''Dear Mr. Prime Minister, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and all your people on the occasion of Jamaicas national holiday Independence Day and convey my best wishes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Jamaica. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen our friendly ties in line with the interests of our peoples. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to your friendly people,'' the letter reads. 6 August 2025 15:03 (UTC+04:00) Nazrin Abdul Read more A meeting was held between the Commander of the Azerbaijani Navy, Captain 1st Rank Shahin Mammadov, and the visiting Commander of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. The official welcoming ceremony included both commanders reviewing a ceremonial guard of honor, followed by the playing of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan. As part of the visit, the Pakistani delegation paid tribute to Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev by laying flowers at his monument located on the military base. During the meeting, the two sides held extensive discussions on the future development of cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Pakistani naval forces. They emphasized the importance of experience-sharing between naval crews and explored opportunities for broader collaboration. Later, the Pakistani guests visited the Azerbaijani Naval Forces base, where they were briefed on the Navys structure, operational capabilities, activities in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, as well as conditions created for personnel, training procedures, and the organization of combat duty. As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the Navys N military unit. Following the visit, the guests observed a demonstration by Azerbaijani naval special forces. 6 August 2025 15:30 (UTC+04:00) Akbar Novruz Read more On the night of August 6, 2025, Russia carried out a targeted attack on a compressor station in Ukraines Odessa region, which plays a key role in delivering natural gas to the country via a diversified route, the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine reported, Azernews reports. This compressor station was part of the route connecting the LNG terminals of Greece with the gas storage facilities of Ukraine via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline, and LNG and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas had already been supplied from the United States along this route, the ministry said. The attack, carried out with dozens of strike drones, damaged equipment responsible for ensuring the flow of LNG and Azerbaijani gas supplies. According to the ministry, the strike targeted a civilian energy infrastructure facility, impacting not only Ukraines energy sector but also relations with Azerbaijan, the United States, and European partners. Specialists are currently assessing the extent of the damage at the site. Russia's massive drone attack on the main compressor station on the Trans-Balkan route shows that Moscow will use all available means and levers to destroy Europe's energy independence and alternative gas supply routes, Ukrainian Energy Minister Svetlana Grinchuk stated. 6 August 2025 16:16 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more The Commission on Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats of the Milli Majlis (National Assembly) of Azerbaijan has issued a public statement regarding an ongoing disinformation campaign targeting the country through social media platforms, Azernews reports. According to the commission, unfriendly activities originating from the territory of a neighboring country continue to target Azerbaijans information space via Facebook. Several pages including Echo of Baku, Azeri Horizon, Xbr24, Merry You, Azerbaijan Pulse, and Az Insight are being used to conduct coordinated information attacks aimed at misleading public opinion and discrediting Azerbaijans successful domestic and foreign policies. The statement highlights that posts containing geopolitical manipulation are initially published in the Azerbaijani language on Facebook and are followed by links to external platforms such as Telegra.ph. These links reportedly serve to collect sensitive user data, including IP addresses and device information, raising concerns over privacy and cybersecurity. The commission reassured the public that relevant state bodies are actively monitoring and responding to such operations in coordination with each other. It also confirmed that, following official complaints submitted to Meta, several of the pages in question have already been taken down. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and avoid trusting unverified information. The commission reiterated its commitment to regularly informing the public about the hybrid threats and tools employed against Azerbaijan. 6 August 2025 17:08 (UTC+04:00) Qabil Ashirov Read more Radical and irresponsible rhetoric against Azerbaijan does nothing but increase tensions in the region, according to Yousif Pezeshkian, son, adviser, and assistant to Irans newly elected President, Masoud Pezeshkian. In an article published in local media, Pezeshkian criticized inflammatory narratives circulating within Iran, particularly claims that Azerbaijan supported Israel during a supposed 12-day conflict with Iran. He emphasized that such allegations lack any factual basis. "Before echoing such accusations, it is essential to investigate what facts they are based on. Irans security services have not provided any reports or evidence confirming these claims," Pezeshkian wrote. He further urged a critical assessment of who benefits from such narratives. Are we trying to destabilize our future relations with Azerbaijan? If so, for what purpose? Pezeshkian outlined three possible scenarios stemming from this trajectory: 1. Military Confrontation either Iran seeks direct conflict with Azerbaijan or provokes it into one. He called this option both irrational and contrary to the interests of the Iranian state and people. 2. A Cold Conflict where neither war nor peace is declared, but persistent tensions continue. Such a scenario, he argued, would damage both countries' international reputations and economic cooperation. 3. Cooperation and Neighborly Relations despite differences, collaboration in economic, trade, and security matters remains viable. According to Pezeshkian, this is the most constructive and promising path forward. He concluded that the third option dialogue and cooperation is the most pragmatic approach, both for Iran and for long-term regional stability. 6 August 2025 23:25 (UTC+04:00) By Alimat Aliyeva As part of the LEGO Speed Champions collection, a new set will be released dedicated to one of the rarest cars in Bugattis history the Centodieci hypercar, originally launched in 2022 with only 10 units produced worldwide, Azernews reports. The Bugatti Centodieci was developed based on the Chiron platform to celebrate the French brands 110th anniversary. It also pays homage to the iconic Bugatti EB 110, a legendary model from the early 1990s that helped shape the companys modern legacy. Like the Chiron, the Centodieci is powered by an 8.0-liter W16 engine featuring four turbochargers. This powerhouse delivers a staggering 1,177 kW (1,600 horsepower), allowing the Centodieci to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 2.4 seconds and reach 200 km/h in 6.1 seconds. The top speed is electronically limited to 380 km/h. Bugatti highlights that the LEGO set captures the essence and spirit of the hypercar, replicating many of the unique design elements that make the Centodieci so special. The model is crafted in white with striking black accents, mirroring one of the most famous Centodieci specifications. The set includes 291 pieces, and the completed model measures 15 cm in length and 7 cm in width. Beyond being a collectors item for LEGO and Bugatti fans alike, this set celebrates the fusion of cutting-edge automotive engineering and the timeless creativity of LEGO design. Its a tribute not only to the speed and power of the Centodieci but also to the artistry that goes into crafting such a masterpiece, both in the real world and in miniature form. Sir Keir Starmer said he did not recognise some of the figures being used in warnings about the public finances (Toby Melville/PA) Sir Keir Starmer has defended the Governments stewardship of the economy amid warnings that taxes will need to rise in the autumn to plug a 51 billion black hole in the public finances. A Co Antrim man accused of speeding failed to convince a judge to hear his case in Irish. Sean Curran appeared before Antrim Magistrates Court, sitting in Ballymena today, where it was revealed that the defendant had asked for any letters sent to him to be translated into Irish. Claire McCain (inset) died in the incident near Omagh on Saturday. Tributes have been paid to a woman who died tragically in Co Tyrone at the weekend. Claire McCain, who was in her 30s, was found beside a burning car on a country lane near Omagh. Her death is not believed to be suspicious, police said. Ms McCains remains were discovered in the Rylagh Road area on Saturday. Alliance councillor Stephen Donnelly said the news was devastating for the community. I only met Claire a handful of times but know the love and affection she was held in by many, he said. She was a deeply kind human being and the news of her passing is a devastatingly awful thing. "My thoughts are with all her family and friends in Omagh and further afield. Friends of the popular woman, who was from the Omagh area, have also been paying tribute online. One described her as such a beautiful girl. Another said she had a beautiful smile and will never be forgotten. A third said there was unbelievable sadness at the loss of Claire, such a lovely lady inside and out. A death notice said Ms McCain, who was from Buchanan Villas in the town, was a dearly loved daughter and a precious sister and auntie. Claire McCain. Pic: FuneralTimes Her funeral will take place tomorrow. It will leave Maguire's Funeral Home at noon tomorrow for interment in Greenhill Cemetery. The notice said her passing was very deeply regretted by her loving dad, mother, brother, sister and wider family circle. Independent councillor Josephine Deehan said the tranquil rural community has been left horrified and distressed following the incident. Earlier this week, the PSNI said: "The person who died following a vehicle fire outside Omagh on Saturday afternoon, 2nd August, has been confirmed as a female in her 30s. A post-mortem has concluded and family has been informed. At this stage, her death is not believed to be suspicious. On Monday, Ms Deehan said: "There is very distressing news from Omagh over the weekend. She added: "As this tragedy unfolds, our main thoughts are with the family and friends of the woman at this time, in lieu of the horrific circumstances of this womans death. "They are in our thoughts and prayers. "Our community is deeply shocked, that this has happened in a tranquil rural area. PSNI officers and the Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service were called to the scene shortly after 2pm on Saturday, where they found a silver Mitsubishi Lancer GS2 on fire. In an earlier statement the PSNI said officers were working to find out how the victim came to be next to the burning car. Claire McCain (inset) died in the incident near Omagh on Saturday. News Catch Up - Tuesday 5th August Read more Probe after Irish woman found dead on board boat in US Detective Inspector Keon said: As fire officers extinguished the blaze they discovered that, tragically, a person had died as a result of the fire. We are treating this fire as arson, and our enquiries as to how the person came to be beside the vehicle are ongoing. We would appeal to anyone who may have been in the area between midday and 2.15pm (on Saturday), who may have noticed anything suspicious, to contact us." Detectives in Belfast are appealing for witnesses after an aggravated burglary in the east of the city on Tuesday night, 5th August. PACEMAKER BELFAST. 06/08/2025 A Belfast homeowner has been left extremely shaken after a group of men held him at gunpoint having entered his property after pretending to deliver a takeaway. Police said the burglary happened in the Orby Court area in the east of the city after 10.30pm last night. The PSNI said the man and his wife were at home when the trio called at the house, made their way into the property, pushed the victim to the ground and punched him. PSNI Detective Sergeant Leeman said: We received a report just after 10.35pm that three men had forced their way into a property in the Orby Court area after pretending to deliver a takeaway, which the resident had not ordered. When the resident opened the door, he was pushed to the ground and punched before one of the men held a suspected firearm to his head and made threats towards him, demanding money. When neighbours, hearing the commotion, came out of their homes, the men ran away from the scene empty handed. Were thankful that the homeowner wasnt seriously injured, but he and his wife have been left extremely shaken by this ordeal. The three men are described as being aged in their late teens. Two were wearing dark coloured tracksuits with the hoods up, while the third was wearing a lighter coloured jacket and a hat. We are keen to speak to anyone who may have seen three men matching this description in the area, particularly if they were carrying a pizza box. We would also like to hear from anyone who may have been driving in the area at the time and have relevant dashcam footage. The number to call is 101, quoting reference number 1683 05/08/25. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the drag queen event at a Belfast library should not have taken place (Liam McBurney/PA) Lady Portia DiMonte took part in the event at a Belfast library which was targeted by protesters (Peter Morrison/PA) A drag queen is taking legal action following a row over a storytelling event in Belfast last weekend after allegedly being subjected to abuse and false accusations online. Lady Portia Di Monte one of two drag performers involved with the event at Holywood Arches Library is taking the legal action on reputation and safety grounds. The event became the subject of controversy over recent days, with DUP Communities Minister Gordon Lyons saying the event was not appropriate for children and that it should not have taken place and it has compromised the perception of our public libraries as a welcoming and inclusive space for all. During the event Lady Portia, whose real name is Marcus Hunter-Neill, read storybooks to the children, while Miss Dora Belle interpreted the stories into British Sign Language (BSL). Lady Portia, in a statement issued by Phoenix Law, said: Over the weekend, a private, family-friendly Drag Queen Storytime event at Holywood Arches Library, part of the EastSide Arts Festival, became the subject of targeted misinformation and online abuse. This joyful, ticketed event was held in a public library with full support from staff, parents, and festival organisers. It included readings of The Chronicles of Narnia, Dear Zoo, and stories celebrating diverse families. Children also enjoyed inclusive games, music, and a British Sign Language session - promoting communication and belonging for all. Despite its warm and educational focus, the event was disrupted by protesters whose actions created fear and discouraged some families from attending. Lady Portia DiMonte took part in the event at a Belfast library which was targeted by protesters (Peter Morrison/PA) News Catch Up - Wednesday 6th August The PSNI were present to maintain safety due to external threats - not because of any risk inside. Since the event, I have been subjected to abuse and false accusations online. I am now seeking legal advice to protect my reputation and my safety. Representation matters. When children see diversity reflected around them-whether its queer people, deaf individuals, blended families, or those who feel different-it builds empathy, understanding, and resilience. These events are about joy, education, and creating spaces where every child can feel seen and valued. To the families, staff, and supporters-thank you. To those spreading hate-I will not be silenced. I remain committed to creating safe, welcoming spaces for all children to grow up feeling accepted and proud of who they are. Communities Minister Gordon Lyons said the drag queen event at a Belfast library should not have taken place (Liam McBurney/PA) The PSNI confirmed they attended the event after a report of a small demonstration and two people were escorted from the building to ensure there would be no breach of the peace. A PSNI spokesperson said: Police attended a report of a small demonstration at the Holywood Arches area of east Belfast on Friday 1st August, shortly after 1.40pm and engaged with those present. Two people were escorted from the building to further ensure that there would be no breach of the peace. At this stage, no offences were determined to have taken place. Solicitor Victoria Haddock added: Since the event, our client has been subjected to a campaign of online abuse, including highly serious and defamatory allegations. These claims, made by various online groups, platforms, and individuals, are entirely unfounded, malicious, and constitute a deliberate effort to harm our clients reputation. The suggestion that drag performance in this context poses any risk to children is baseless and harmful. We have now been instructed to initiate legal proceedings against all those responsible for publishing defamatory material, and to examine whether any criminal offences have been committed. One person suffered minor injuries Passengers at the airport have been advised to check their flights (Jacob King/PA) Passengers waiting outside departures at Birmingham Airport after it has been announced that flights at the airport will remain grounded until at least 8pm (Sophie Robinson/PA) Birmingham Airport's runway has reopened after an incident involving a light aircraft heading to Northern Ireland. One person suffered minor injuries from the incident, which occurred at around 1.40pm this afternoon, West Midlands Police said. Footage and images shared online appeared to show a small white plane lying flat on the airport tarmac. The aircraft has been identified as a Beech B200 Super King Air belonging to Woodgate Aviation, a charter firm based at Belfast International. Passengers waiting outside departures at Birmingham Airport after it has been announced that flights at the airport will remain grounded until at least 8pm (Sophie Robinson/PA) Birmingham Airport runway closed after small plane makes emergency landing Birmingham Airport posted this afternoon: "Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. "We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. We will keep passengers already at the airport informed and those due to travel later today, are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. We will continue to issue updates when we can. The airport later said that all persons on board the aircraft had been discharged by West Midlands Ambulance Service. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content On Wednesday evening, the runway reopened and operations have resumed. Passengers were urged to check flight details with their airlines and follow advice issued by them, as the airport apologised for the disruption caused. "Our teams have worked as quickly as possible, in line with strict protocols, which must be followed to ensure a safe reopening of the runway following a prolonged closure, a statement concluded. West Midlands Police said one person had suffered minor injuries after the emergency landing. In a post on the Birmingham Airport Police X account, the force said: "We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. "Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. "The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out." Governments feared names of IRA Army Council were to be published and lobbied to stop it Senior NIO official implied in 2003 that Gerry Adams and Martin McGuinness were members of IRA Army Council Gerry Adams has always denied being a member of the IRA Sam McBride Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 07:00 The British and Irish Governments were dismayed when they learnt that an independent body theyd set up to monitor paramilitarism was considering publicly naming every member of the IRA Army Council. Two men have been arrested after cannabis plants worth an estimated 750,000 euros were seized in Co Louth. A large-scale cannabis cultivation factory was found after a premises in Drogheda was searched by gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team. Two men, aged in their 40s, were arrested at the scene and are being detained at Garda stations in the north east of the country under Section 2 of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Act, 1996. The drugs have been sent to Forensic Science Ireland for analysis. Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson said: The discovery and dismantling of this sophisticated cannabis cultivation operation will affect the ability of those involved to cause harm in our communities. The investigation led by the Dublin Crime Response Team under Operation Tara and assisted by local Gardai in Drogheda demonstrates An Garda Siochanas commitment to collaboratively target drug trafficking networks and related criminal activity occurring in and impacting not only Dublin but other Regions throughout the country. President of Ireland Michael D Higgins receives the Princess Royal at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/PA) Irish president Michael D Higgins has welcomed the Princess Royal to his official residence in Dublin. Anne is visiting Aras an Uachtarain (official residence) in what has been described as a courtesy call. The Kings sister met President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the presidents residence. Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (left) receive the Princess Royal (Gareth Chaney/PA) She will later attend the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). During the visit Anne will tour a special exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from Festina Lente (a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services) and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. The princess, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: The Princess Royals visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here. Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work. Queen Elizabeth II with then-Irish president Mary McAleese and the Duke of Edinburgh in Phoenix Park (PA)Anne previously visited the Aras in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by then-Irish president Mary McAleese. Anne signs a visitor book at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/PA) The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon. Members of the royal family have visited the presidents residence on several occasions, including the historic trip by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011. She was the first monarch to visit the Republic, where she signed a guest book at the Aras and planted an English oak tree at the Peace Bell. Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, made solo visits to Aras an Uachtarain in November 1998 and again in April 2006. During their three-day visit to the Republic in 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales then titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a tea party with Mr Higgins and his wife at the Aras and met one of the presidents dogs, Brod. Police name deceased as successful Irish businesswoman Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33)Circumstances of her death are being investigated by detectives and the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office US police are investigating the death of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) US police are investigating the death of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) Police are investigating the death of a young Irish woman in New York on Monday night. Martha Nolan OSlatarra (33) was found dead on a yacht at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on LongIsland. Detectives and Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office are probing the incident involving of the Carlow-born fashion designer, who first moved Stateside when she was 26. A police spokesperson said emergency services attended the scene after receiving a call regarding an unconscious woman. The statement reads; "East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. "The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to the Irish Independent it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance. US police are investigating the death of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) News Catch Up - Tuesday 5th August The spokesperson added; As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and founder of fashion brand East x East. Ms Nolan founded her own fashion brand East x East The well-known and popular businesswoman spoke to the Irish Independent last year about her entrepreneurial spirit and her love of fashion. She said it inspired her to merge her love for travel with her knowledge of marketing. She also spoke of her hard-work mindset and determination. Carlow is a small town, I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams, she said at the time. I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money-driven, business-driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road. Speaking about networking and business relationships, Ms Nolan OSlatarra said she had made new friends through her career but she still [had] all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. The young woman studied commerce at UCD before completing a Masters in digital marketing at Smurfit Business School. Montauk Yacht Club is a popular lakefront club located on the north coast of East Hampton, New York. More to follow The Prime Minister said there was a sense of revulsion about the suffering in Gaza as he defended his plan to potentially recognise a Palestinian state. Sir Keir Starmer has said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions, including addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, saying the terrorist organisation could play no part in any future government. The Prime Ministers approach has been criticised by the Israeli government and a protest over his stance is due to take place in London at the weekend. Demonstrators, including some British family members of hostages still held by Hamas, will march on Downing Street calling for the release of the remaining hostages before any talk about the recognition of Palestine. Asked if he had given Hamas a public relations boost by talking about recognition, Sir Keir told Channel 5: They should release the hostages straight away and they should play absolutely no part in the governance of Palestine at any point. He said the hostages taken during the October 7 2023 attacks had been held for a very, very long time in awful circumstances, unimaginable circumstances, and Hamas is a terrorist organisation, and thats why Im really clear about Hamas. Sir Keir added: We do, alongside that, have to do all that we can to alleviate the awful situation on the ground in Gaza. We need aid in volume and at scale. People have seen the images of starvation in Gaza, he said, adding that the British public can see it and theres a sense of revulsion of what theyre seeing. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer was asked about his stance on Palestine during a visit to Milton Keynes Central Library in Buckinghamshire (Christopher Furlong/PA) The Government had to do everything we can to get aid in, working with other countries and its in that context that I set out our position on recognition. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said on Tuesday that Keir Starmer has made a mistake and what we need to focus on now is a ceasefire and getting the hostages home. Tzipi Hotovely, Israeli ambassador to the UK, said the actions of Hamas must never be rewarded. Cars drive past a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border (Richard Capoulade/UGC via AP) Frances biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly on Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. The fire has burned an area larger than Paris. French prime minister Francois Bayrou deplored a disaster on an unprecedented scale in the region. Firefighters battling a wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border in southern France (Securite Civile via AP) More than 2,100 firefighters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries. The fire, which has burned 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), remained very active on Wednesday, the local administration said in a statement. The weather was hot, dry and windy, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze. Interior minister Bruno Retailleau said the military will reinforce efforts starting from Thursday, with several dozen soldiers to be deployed. One person died in their home, and at least 13 others were injured, including 11 firefighters, local authorities said. An aerial view of the wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border, southern France (Securite Civile via AP) One person who was initially described as missing has been located and is safe. Jacques Piraux, mayor of the village of Jonquieres, said all residents have been evacuated. Its a scene of sadness and desolation, he told broadcaster BFM TV after he visited on Wednesday morning. It looks like a lunar landscape, everything is burned. More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down. Its hellish. Residents and tourists in nearby areas were requested to remain in their homes unless told to evacuate. The wildfire in the Corbieres massif, southern France (Securite Civile via AP) Two campsites were evacuated as a precaution. The prime minister met on Wednesday afternoon with firefighters and residents at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where the fire services command post has been set up. Mr Bayrou said he came to express national solidarity. The areas economy is relying on winery and tourism and both sectors are affected, he stressed. Mr Bayrou said an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. A water bomber dropping liquid on a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border (Sandrine Verdun/SDIS11 via AP) The Environment Ministry said the Aude region has been experiencing a drought this month, with water use restrictions in place. Lack of rainfall in recent months played a major role in the spreading of the fire, since the vegetation is very dry, the statement said. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, Frances second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. Visitors observe a minute of silence for the victims of the atomic bombing (Kyodo News via AP) Residents of Hiroshima have marked the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of the Japanese city, with many ageing survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age exceeding 86, the anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years, Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, said after he kneeled down to pray at the cenotaph. Thats why I want to share (my story) as much as I can. The bombing of Hiroshima on August 6 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000. Japan surrendered on August 15, ending the Second World War and Japans nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against a growing acceptance of military build-ups and of using nuclear weapons for national security amid Russias war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, with the United States and Russia possessing most of the worlds nuclear warheads. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, he said. They threaten to topple the peace-building frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct. He urged younger generations to recognise that such misguided policies could cause utterly inhumane consequences for their future. We dont have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever, said Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organisation of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its pursuit of nuclear abolition. Our biggest challenge now is to change, even just a little, nuclear weapons states that give us the cold shoulder, the organisation said in its statement. About 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions, including Russia and Belarus, were expected to attend the ceremony. A minute of silence was held while a peace bell rang out at 8.15am local time, the time when a US B-29 dropped the bomb on the city. Mayor of Hiroshima City Kazumi Matsui delivers a speech (Louise Delmotte/AP) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the citys mayor and other officials laid flowers at the cenotaph. Dozens of white doves, a symbol of peace, were released after the mayors speech. Hours before the official ceremony, as the sun rose over Hiroshima, survivors and their families started paying tribute to the victims at the Peace Memorial Park, near the centre of the nuclear blast 80 years ago. Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, came to honour his grandfather and two cousins who died in the bombing and prayed that the mistake will never be repeated. We do not need nuclear weapons, Mr Miyoshi said. There is hope, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement read by Izumi Nakamitsu, under-secretary-general and high representative for disarmament affairs, noting Nihon Hidankyos Nobel Peace Prize and countries re-commitment to a nuclear free world in the Pact for the Future adopted last year. Hundreds of people went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (Kyodo News via AP) Mr Guterres stressed the importance of carrying forward the survivors testimony and message of peace and added: Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future. Outside the park under high security, more than 200 protesters gathered, holding posters and flags carrying messages such as No Nuke, Stop War and Free Gaza! No more genocide while chanting slogans. Local police said two people were arrested in separate cases near Hiroshimas iconic Atomic Bomb Dome, each on suspicion of assaulting a security guard. Wednesdays anniversary comes at a time when possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. Some survivors said they were disappointed by President Donald Trumps recent remark justifying Washingtons attack on Iran in June by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government. Its ridiculous, said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation while he was still in his mothers womb. I dont think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant. Russian President Vladimir Putin, left, and US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff, right, shake hands during their meeting in Moscow, Russia (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, the Kremlin said. It comes days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian president and Mr Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod towards improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation between the US and Russia. Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media network that Mr Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Mr Putin in which great progress was made. Mr Trump said he updated Americas allies in Europe about the meeting and that they will work towards an end to the Russia-Ukraine war in the days and weeks to come. Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday evening that he and Mr Trump spoke on the phone after Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin. He said European leaders also participated in the conversation and we discussed what was said in Moscow. Our common position with our partners is absolutely clear: The war must end, Mr Zelensky said. We all need lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it started. Mr Zelensky later said: It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire, adding that the pressure on Moscow is working, without elaborating. He stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not deceive us or the United States when it comes to the details of a potential agreement. Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies soon talk to determine our position, our common position, and our common view. Earlier, Mr Witkoff took an early morning walk through Zaryadye Park, a stones throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic co-operation, footage aired by TASS showed. Mr Dmitriev said later on social platform X that dialogue will prevail. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The envoy played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, as well as discussions between Russian and US officials. The negotiations made no progress on ending the three-year war following Russias invasion of its neighbour. US President Donald Trumps deadline for Mr Putin ends on Friday. Washington has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties if the killing does not stop. Mr Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Mr Putin over Russias escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intended to erode morale and public appetite for the war. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands at the Kremlin (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The intensified attacks have occurred even as Mr Trump has urged the Russian leader in recent months to relent. Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational centre in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Wednesday. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, Mr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. Russia also struck the Ukrainian power grid and heating gas facilities, Mr Zelensky said, as Ukraine makes preparations for winter. Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Mr Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the autumn is advancing faster than last years push but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defences are not about to collapse, analysts say. On Tuesday, Mr Trump said well see what happens regarding his threat to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increase import taxes dramatically on China and India. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow, the US president said. Residents pass by the gutted remains of cars parked at a market after Russias drone attack in the town of Druzhkivk (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraines 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP) Were going to see what happens. Well make that determination at that time. Mr Trump said that he has not publicly committed to a specific tariff rate. Stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin risks stoking international tensions amid worsening Russia-US relations. The Washington-based Centre for European Policy Analysis warned in an assessment this week that there are clear signs that the Kremlin is preparing for a broader confrontation with Nato, including a military build-up along Russias western flank with alliance countries in recent years. Mr Putin has strengthened Russias military ties with China, North Korea and Iran. Nato, meanwhile, said on Tuesday it has started co-ordinating regular deliveries of large Western weapons packages to Ukraine. European allies and Canada are buying most of the equipment they plan to transport from the United States. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review your details and accept them to load the content The Trump administration is not donating any arms to Ukraine. Mr Putin has given no hint that he might be ready to make concessions. Instead, the Russian leader and senior Kremlin officials have talked up the countrys military strength. Mr Putin announced last week that Russias new hypersonic missile, which he says cannot be intercepted by current Nato air defence systems, has entered service. Russia announced on Tuesday that it no longer regards itself as bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, meantime, warned that the Ukraine war could bring Russia and the US into armed conflict. Mr Trump responded to that by ordering the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines. Women clear the area near buildings after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Mr Witkoffs visit. We consider (talks with Mr Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful, he said. Mr Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline, but later moved up his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. However, Mr Trump himself doubted their effectiveness, saying on Sunday that Russia has proven to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. Theyre wily characters, he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbour have had a limited impact. Ukraine maintains the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscows war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. Pub review: Upstairs, downstairs... elegant cocktail bar bigger, better and cooler Owners have pumped a reported 5.5m into expansion and renovation of classy Margot next to Belfast City Hall Margot is renowned for its cocktails Edwin McFee Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 11:00 After spending most of 2025 in hibernation, this much-loved hostelry returned to Belfasts social scene in considerable style a few weeks ago. I started posting my experience of living with neurodivergence on social media... I hope it will help others Inspired by the charity which lifted her up, young Belfast woman Louise Conville plans to help others in a similar situation Louise Conville Jade Beecroft Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 20:00 A neurodivergent woman from Belfast is opening up about her life to let others know we are all our own normal. Northern Ireland Man arrested on suspicion of murder of OAP found dead outside Co Down home Playpark pervert who exposed himself to children admits breaching sex order Predator who exposed himself to children back in the dock Alan Hamilton John Toner Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 20:00 A playpark pervert who exposed himself to young girls has admitted breaching his Sexual Offences Prevention Order (Sopo). 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. A Connecticut man accused of stabbing two friends during a camping trip in Lanesborough is asking a judge to allow his release from jail so he can undergo a psychiatric evaluation at a high-end facility in Texas. In the 1930s, Pittsfields punitive approach to homelessness and panhandlers didn't seem to have achieved much to alleviate anyone's addiction, mental health issues, the economics of a Great Depression, or the housing shortages that plagued Berkshire cities. 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. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter CHESHIRE Twice was the charm for two issues facing Cheshire voters: a police cruiser and a small change in governmental structure. On Aug. 12, 2024, voters rejected a Proposition 2 debt exclusion to pay for a police cruiser. They also rejected separating the treasurer and collector into two separate positions. Nearly a year later, voters said yes to both. The vote on Monday was 88-77 to pay for the $67,150 police cruiser using a debt exclusion. The vote to separate the treasurer and collector was 93-72. Town Clerk Whitney Flynn said she was uncertain whether the same people voted yes on both questions, or whether the vote was split. Turnout for Mondays election was 165 of the 2,584 voters, or 6.3 percent. The special election cost less than the one a year ago, Flynn said. It will be under $5,000, but not much, she told The Eagle. It would likely be around $4,000 when all is said and done. Overall, the budget of $8,113,955 for the current fiscal year, reflects a spending increase of less than 5 percent. It is expected to raise the tax rate to $11.48 per $1,000 of assessed property value, according to the Select Board, bringing the tax bill for the average single-family home to $3,581.10. On Monday, Cheshire also held a mock election using its old hand-crank ballot box for Cheshire Youth Centers pre-Kindergarten class. Thirty of the 32 children in the class voted for their favorite cartoon character. Stich won with 13. Bluey came in second with 8. Peppa Pig got 3. Mickey Mouse and Baby Shark tied with 2. Dora the Explorer got a single vote. There was one blank. Stay up to date on Berkshires news with Berkshires in Brief, our free daily newsletter ADAMS If and when he assumes leadership as the Greylock Glen Outdoor Centers new director, Daniel Doyle will be coming home. His name is on the agenda for ratification for the position at the Select Board's meeting at 6 p.m. Wednesday. Interim Town Administrator Ken Walto forwarded Doyle's name following four interviews conducted by a search committee Walto put together consisting of a Select Board member and two town staffers. Doyle was chosen from a pool of 14 applicants. The advertised starting salary range is $81,400 to $94,400. Mike Wynn, the outdoor center's first executive director, resigned as of June 20. Doyle grew up in Adams, graduated from Williams College in 2006, then headed to the University of Mississippi for graduate school. Daniel is a seasoned leader in environmental conservation, sustainable agriculture, and food systems with over 20 years of experience spanning community farming, nonprofit leadership, and philanthropy, according to his bio at Capacita, where he has served as a strategy and operations consultant since March. The executive director is expected to complete the components of the master plan for the Greylock Glen. The town is in the final stages of negotiating a sublease with CHG Hospitality Group to run the 75-seat restaurant at the outdoor center. It will then work out a license so that the Massachusetts Audubon Society can run outdoor and educational programming on site. In addition, the successful candidate will participate in the solicitation of future tenants for the Greylock Glen property to fully implement the approved Master Plan, according to the three-page job description. Those components include a lodge and conference center as well as a glamping resort. He has managed multimillion-dollar grant portfolios focused on regenerative agriculture, climate resilience, and food justice, most recently as a Program Officer at The Lumpkin Family Foundation, his bio states. A former Executive Director of multiple sustainability-focused nonprofits, he has co-founded a CSA farm and led statewide programs supporting farmers, food system advocates, and rural communities. In his current position, according to his bio, He brings a deep commitment to ecological stewardship, racial equity, and systemic change. His LinkedIn page shows him working as a consultant for The Platform for Agriculture and Climate Transformation for nine months in 2024, his position as program officer for regenerative agriculture, climate and food systems at the Lumpkin Family Foundation for five years, the associate director/chief operating officer at The Cornucopia Institute for two years, the executive director of the Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network for five years, and executive director for Gaining Grounds Sustainability Institute for a year. He was the sodbuster/farmer and co-founder of Yokna Bottoms Farm in Oxford, Miss. Thats the first organic farm and community supported agriculture in Mississippi, according to a piece written about him when he returned to Williams to speak in the mid-2010s. His topic was farming, race and equity in the South. At that time he was executive director of Mississippi Sustainable Agriculture Network. In late 2018, Doyle and his wife, Alison, bought their first home in Oxford, Miss., a house he described as tucked away in the woods of a quiet neighborhood that any kid would be lucky to grow up in." Buying the house was a big stretch, and the couple made the purchase with help from a bank, as well as family and friends. On April 5, 2022, Doyle and his wife, Alison, were awoken by their 10-year-old son, who alerted them to the smell of smoke. The house had been struck by lightning. The fire was confined to the garage and the living area just above it, according to coverage in The Oxford Eagle, but the damage was extensive and the family lost their car and the majority of their home and belongings. His brother, Jeffrey Doyle, set up a GoFundMe campaign, which raised more than $92,000 from 571 donations to help the family of six rebuild after the fire. "It was an old house with many projects to tackle and issues to uncover, but it fit our young and growing family perfectly," Daniel Doyle wrote in a post on the GoFundMe campaign on May 28, 2022. Quality local journalism needs your support Access this story and all of our stories with 24/7 unlimited access. Subscribe today. Cancel anytime. Subscribe now for 99 Subscriber Sign In | Return Home Advocates for ideas and draws conclusions based on the interpretation of facts and data. During the period that Elijah and Elisha served as prophets of the Lord, they performed many miracles which appear almost magical. They touched water with their cloaks and it parted. They healed the sick and caused food to multiply. One might be tempted to argue that they were, in fact, magicians; no better than the sorcerers whom the Lord abhorred. If thats the case, there is an inconsistency in the Bible: why did God favor these men while he condemned others? But the fact is these two men did not perform magic tricks. Their works were facets of their ministry for the people in the name of God. They performed miracles facilitated by the Lord for the sake of his people. His favor is evidence of this. The Miracles of Elijah and Elisha Elijah and his protege Elisha performed some similar miracles: parting the Jordan, healing, raising the dead, feeding multiple people from a sparse amount of food. Elijah also prayed for and then ended a period of drought, and called for fire from heaven three times (twice to devour soldiers, once to consume a burnt offering). Elisha made an axe head float, led Gods people to victory over their enemies, and caused female bears to maul his enemies. Some writers include prophecies in their list of miracles, but this article focuses on physical manifestations of Gods glory brought about through his prophets, signs that others could see, feel, touch, taste, and hear. For example, Ahazia sent soldiers to enquire of Elijah, whether he would live or die. Two groups of fifty soldiers and messengers were consumed by fire which Elijah called down on them, declaring If I am a man of God, let fire come down from heaven and consume you and your fifty (2 Kings 1:10-11). This was miraculous. One scholar explains that miracles served to authenticate [Gods prophet] as the Lords spokesman [...]. In other words, [...] the miracles of Elijah and Elisha proved that God was sending prophets to His people. However, Elijah delivered Gods message to the third set of fifty soldiers because the captain got down on his knees before Elijah in reverence to his station as Gods prophet. And the message he delivered that Ahazia would die was not a curse upon Ahazia, but a matter of fact delivered by God through his messenger, who was empowered by the Holy Spirit to prophesy. A Double Dose God performed more miracles through Elisha than through his predecessor. This could be owing to the double share of spirit Elisha inherited from Elijah. While Elijah waited to be taken into heaven by the Lord, he asked Elisha Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken from you. Elisha responded Please, let me inherit two shares of your spirit. Elijahs response was that this is difficult, but if Elisha saw him being swept up into heaven, then Elishas request would come to pass. Elisha witnessed the event and received the double portion (2 Kings 2:9-11). Gary L. Shultz Jr. explained that Elishas request probably refers to the customs of inheritance for the firstborn son which is what Elisha was, essentially. He was designated by Elijah as his true and legitimate successor. When Elisha asked for the double portion of Elijahs spirit, he was asking to be recognized as the firstborn of [his] sons Elijahs disciples. Elijah could not automatically grant this request because it was not his to give but the Lords. Elisha did receive that double portion, however, because he witnessed Elijahs ascent into heaven (2 Kings 2:10-12). Shultz argues that several of his miracles are intensifications of Elijahs miracles. So, for example, while Elijah feeds a widow, her son, and himself, Elisha provides water for the soldiers and animals of Jehoram and Jehosaphat [...], multiplies the widows oil [...], heals deadly stew [...], and feeds many from twenty loaves of bread and some grain. The disciple outshone his master. Meeting Ordinary Needs As one writer pointed out, many of the miracles performed by Elisha were directed at meeting the ordinary challenges of life, like hunger and healing. A widow was about to lose her sons to slavery to settle a debt. [...] One son of the prophets lost a borrowed tool that was likely expensive. When Elisha saw that these faithful people of God could not meet their ordinary financial needs or feed themselves, his miracles met those needs. He not only gave the people what they required such as the floating axe head but he gave them more than they could have imagined. The widows oil flowed and flowed. The sons of prophets were fed with a limited quantity of bread, and some was left over. Our Lord loves to bless His people extravagantly. Not all of the miracles were so ordinary: each man resurrected a dead son (1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:18-37), a feat which looks forward to the miracles of Jesus Christ himself. Elijah called for fire from heaven to consume his offering and to prove a point: his God is the only true God. Those who worshiped Baal were following a false god (1 Kings 18:36-38). God used these opportunities to demonstrate the authenticity of his prophets, to receive glory, and to point to the coming of Hi Son Jesus Christ. But these miracles remind us that our prosaic hurdles are important to the Lord, and point to the humanness of Jesus Christ who lived among and served ordinary sinners as a humble man himself. Spirit, Not Magic What arguments support the idea that the Holy Spirit, not some magical powers, were responsible for the miracles of Elijah and Elisha? After all, the Holy Spirit is barely mentioned. The Spirits presence is mostly suggested, starting from the point at which Elisha asks for that double portion. Shultz reminds us that the presence and power of the Lord God of Israel in human beings is the Holy Spirit of God. Later on, we see Elisha doing something which only the Lord is permitted to accomplish: the work of purification and judgment against sin among his people, which are works of the Holy Spirit. When we see miracles in Scripture, we know that they come from the Lord because of their purpose. The narrative of these two prophets service to the Lord and for the people of Israel comes at a decisive juncture in Israels history, as Ahab and Jezebel are leading the people away from God and towards the god Baal. They demonstrate what it looks like to live in submission to God and they remind the people who God really is. Their miracles are not party tricks. As noted above, Elijahs challenge to the Baal worshipers demonstrates that there is no power in any other so-called god. Scriptures emphasis on the Holy Spirit in the life and ministry of Elisha helps us to understand his purpose in Kings and the whole of the biblical canon. His life shows us covenant faithfulness, [...] as a Spirit-empowered man of God who walks with God, represents God, and demonstrates the way to covenant faithfulness. God also demands reverence. The curse of the she-bears takes place when youths insult Elisha and reject him as prophet of the one true God. As Elisha was walking to Bethel, some small boys came out of the city and jeered at him, chanting Go up, baldy! Go up, baldy! (2 Kings 2:23). Elisha cursed them by calling for female bears to maul them, 42 youths in all. We wonder if this was an angry over-reaction to one who was sensitive about his balding pate, but Elisha called for the bears in the name of the Lord (v.24). Anything he does in the Lords name prospers because the Spirit of God prompts him, including this particularly aggressive defense of his role as Gods prophet. The Coming Christ But Elishas life in particular also provides a preview of what it will mean to walk with God in the new covenant in Jesus Christ. The Bible is filled with Christ-like characters individuals who represent the Messiah in some way, though not completely. They are not sinless men and women, but some elements of their lives provide a foretaste of what the Savior would be like. Elisha foreshadowed the coming Christ to the point that his bones provided life to a dead man who touched them (2 Kings 2:20-21). Christ would go beyond this power, rising from the grave bodily, fully formed, and restoring life to every believer who had already and would later die. Elisha provides imagery suggestive of Christs new covenant, his grace and mercy among the people in spite of how they reject him and the one who sent him. Elishas first act of conquest as the Lords Spirit-empowered prophet is to bring blessing to a land that was cursed. Not only did he choose to bless them, but the people received their blessing as the people of Jesus time received theirs: they show[ed] faith in God says Shultz. He was Spirit led, and we can begin to understand the importance of the Holy Spirit in the life of the One who would save Gods elect: the Christ. No one has power in himself to bring about salvation, which was one thing Elijah and Elisha were not able to affect, for themselves or anyone else. Not Magic: Miracles As one expert puts it, Sorcery, often associated with witchcraft, divination, and the use of magical arts, is consistently condemned in the Bible. Whenever anyone calls on a power other than that which the Lord gives through his Holy Spirit, through rituals, spells, or the assistance of spirits, he or she is rejecting the Lords divine will and authority. The miracles of two prophets, whose job was to call people back to the Lord, could not have originated in anything other than Gods power or they would have failed. They would have called for fire and heard either silence or been consumed themselves. Their efforts to multiply food would have raised false hopes but left starving people. God seeks his glory at all times, and people who submit to him as Lord are sometimes used in these ways, although such dramatic miracles are less common in the Bible than we might realize. When we read about them, they are designed to call our attention to the power of God, which is far greater than we can imagine, and even greater than the miracles of Elisha and Elijah portray. Photo credit: Getty Images/doidam10 Candice Lucey is a freelance writer from British Columbia, Canada, where she lives with her family. Find out more about her here. BillOReilly.com is not available in this country. We apologize for any inconvenience. Primelaze introduces German Q-Switched Nd:YAG Technology for skin treatment August 06, 2025 | Wednesday | News Enhancing treatment efficacy and safety for dermatological applications Puducherry-based startup Primelaze collaborates with German dermatological laser pioneer Hypertech Laser Systems (HLS), introduces revolutionary BiAxis QS (Nano) & BiAxis Pico - Q-Switched Nd:YAG technology, a groundbreaking advancement in the field of aesthetic and medical dermatology. This state-of-the-art laser system boasts novel features aimed at enhancing treatment efficacy and safety for dermatological applications. Q-Switched Nd:YAG Technology is designed to cater to all skin types and allows for a comprehensive range of treatments. From addressing a variety of dermal and epidermal pigmentation lesions to the effective removal of multi-coloured tattoos, this system provides versatility like never before. Dr Anurag Tiwari, a renowned dermatologist and laser expert, expressed his enthusiasm for this innovative technology, stating, "The introduction of the BiAxis QS (Nano) into our practices represents a significant leap forward in our ability to provide effective and safe treatments for our patients. This advanced laser system not only enhances treatment outcomes but also ensures a comfortable experience for clients." Renowned German expert Dr Fedor Mayorov, PhD, who brings over 30 years of experience in medical laser systems development, emphasised the importance of high-performance technology stating, "The precision and efficacy of this laser system position it as a leader in the global market. Its adoption by dermatologists and plastic surgeons in over 50 countries is a testament to its success in delivering outstanding clinical results." Samsung and Startup India sign MoU to empower Indias next generation of innovators August 06, 2025 | Wednesday | News Public-private partnership to boost youth innovation and entrepreneurship across India Samsung, Indias largest consumer electronics brand, has signed a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Startup India, a flagship initiative of the Government of India, to empower young innovators from remote corners of India and strengthen the countrys startup ecosystem with Samsung Solve for Tomorrow. The MoU was signed in New Delhi and brings together Samsungs flagship nationwide innovation contest, Samsung Solve for Tomorrow, and Startup Indias robust national ecosystem of incubation, mentorship, and policy support. The collaboration aims to identify and nurture high-potential talent, especially from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, by providing access to infrastructure, expert guidance, market linkages, and funding opportunities. Samsung Solve for Tomorrow is a flagship innovation and education initiative designed to foster problem-solving, creativity, and social impact among Indias youth. Through this programme, young students are encouraged to identify real-world issues in their communities and work toward building scalable solutions using design thinking, technology and entrepreneurial skills. The initiative provides mentorship, workshops, prototype development support, and opportunities to pitch ideas to experts and investors. The new partnership will see Startup India leveraging its extensive network of incubators and accelerators, while Samsung drives on-ground engagement with students and young innovators through hands-on learning and innovation challenges. This integrated approach, designed to scale grassroots innovation, will place innovation at the core of Indias education and entrepreneurship ecosystems. The summer passenger surge continued at both Cork and Dublin airport in July as Dublin Airport welcomed over 100,000 passengers every day, while Cork Airport saw passenger numbers up +15 per cent. July was the busiest ever month at both Cork and Dublin airports as Cork Airport welcomed 378k passengers, 15 per cent more than July 2024 and Dublin Airport greeted 3.75 million passengers, a 6.9 per cent increase versus July 2024. Advertisement At Dublin Airport, demand to fly was so high that every single day in July saw more than 100,000 passengers move through the airport's two terminals, with more than 120,000 passengers landing and taking off on no less than 17 days during the month. Airport operator DAA said the increase in passenger numbers was the result of strong incoming tourist numbers as well as high numbers of Irish residents heading off on summer holidays overseas. While the terminals were busy, the airport's teams ensured smiles on faces with 95 per cent of the record-breaking number of departing passengers getting through security screening in under 20 minutes - a performance that would rival the best performing capital city airports in Europe this summer. The busiest day in the month at Dublin Airport was Sunday, July 27th when 126,620 passengers passed through. Advertisement Numbers passing through Dublin Airport during the peak summer months of June, July and August are on track to exceed 11 million, with the airport having welcomed a total of 7.3 million passengers in June and July combined. According to DAA chief executive Kenny Jacobs: "Demand to fly in and out of Dublin Airport has never been higher and the record numbers in July included a strong flow of tourists and visitors from overseas and also Irish residents heading abroad for their annual summer break. "The big numbers travelling in June and July mean we are revising upwards our expected total passenger number for the year, and we now forecast that around 36.2 million passengers will have used Dublin Airport by year-end. When it comes to Cork Airport, Mr Jacobs said: Cork was once again Irelands fastest-growing airport in July, with passenger traffic up 15 per cent compared with July 2025. Advertisement World UK chancellor warned tax rises needed to fill 51... Read More "Our hardworking team in Cork continue to do a great job in keeping our passengers moving and happy no matter how busy we get. "Corks progress shows no sign of abating with the airports winter schedule already taking shape and passengers are going to love Aer Lingus recently announced two exciting new routes to Prague and Geneva. KLMs announcement of a third daily service from Cork to Amsterdam from October onwards is great news too. With the first phase of the 200 million Cork Airport capital development plan due to commence imminently, it was encouraging to see Cork City Council granting planning permission in July for an additional 670 long-term car parking spaces. "While theres lots of good work being done to improve public transport connectivity at Cork Airport, the need for additional parking has become apparent to all, given the growth of passenger numbers in the last few years." Northern Ireland-born actor Adrian Dunbar has said people jumped to conclusions about Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who have been in the headlines since one of their members was charged with a terror offence. The group, known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, were also banned from entering Hungary to appear at a music festival. Advertisement Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July. The group has said there is a smear campaign against them because of their support for Palestine and criticism of Israels actions in Gaza. Line Of Duty actor Dunbar, 67, who recently went to a Kneecap gig with his daughter, was asked if the BBC was wrong not to live stream their Glastonbury performance in June. He told Times Radio: Were they wrong not to stream it? I think thats a question for the BBC, not for me. Advertisement But I do think that everybody got too heated about them. I think everybody jumped to conclusions about them. I think theyre a band of good musicians. They make great music. Theyre promoting the Irish language. Very clear about who they support and who they dont support. We had a great time. But those decisions are for the BBC. Glastonbury organisers faced pressure to drop the group from the line-up amid criticism from politicians, with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying it would not be appropriate for the band to perform. Advertisement Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap performing at Glastonbury Festival (Ben Birchall/PA) The BBC decided not to live stream their performance, but later uploaded the set to BBC iPlayer. Kneecap comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying Kill your local MP at one gig and Up Hamas, up Hezbollah at another. In May, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. Advertisement O hAnnaidh and his bandmates were cheered by hundreds of supporters when they arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18th. Musicians including Nadine Shah and Gurriers have said they will attend court to support the group when O hAnnaidh returns on August 20th. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action. A woman who claimed a supermarket checkout operator spoke rudely to her after she could not lift a tray of water bottles onto a checkout belt has lost a claim that she was discriminated against because of her disability. The Workplace Relations Commission ruled that Aldi Stores (Ireland) Limited has not breached the Equal Status Act 2000 over its dealings with Christine Reilly when she visited one of its branches on September 6th, 2024. Advertisement The customer had claimed the German supermarket group had discriminated against her on grounds of her disability as she had been unable to lift the water bottles out of her trolley at the checkout as she had recently undergone spinal surgery. Ms Reilly claimed the checkout assistant stated that it was company policy for shoppers to place their items onto the checkout belt. The complaint said the assistant had begrudgingly helped her unload her trolley after a long exchange. Ms Reilly also maintained that the store manager told her during a subsequent conversation that she did not have to shop at the store. Advertisement Aldi denied the allegations and claimed the opposite had occurred with reasonable accommodation being provided to the complainant by the store assistant lifting the tray of water bottles onto the belt. The WRC heard that Ms Reillys solicitor had written to Aldi six days after the incident in the store seeking compensation and an apology for the alleged discrimination. Ireland Man assaulted in home by gang pretending to delive... Read More In his ruling, WRC adjudication officer, Brian Dalton, said the evidence of the cashier and CCTV footage of the incident wholly corroborated Aldis account of events that Ms Reilly was reasonably accommodated and that her tray was lifted onto the checkout belt by the till operator. There is no merit in the claim, said Mr Dalton. He also claimed there was no evidence to support the allegation that the complainant was spoken rudely to by the checkout assistant and the store manager. What is clear is that within seconds her tray was placed on the belt by the cashier/shop assistant and she was reasonably accommodated, said Mr Dalton. A woman was the victim of a random "unprovoked" attack where she was kicked in the stomach, knocked to the ground and left in pain after she went jogging in Dublin, a court has heard. Hoyda Hamad, a Syrian national of no fixed abode who has used multiple identities, was jailed for three months on Wednesday over the incident at East Wall Road, Dublin 3, on the morning of July 26th. Advertisement It happened 18 days after he was handed a suspended sentence for an earlier theft crime. The 35-year-old, a barber by trade, was charged with a section 2 assault, which carries a six-month sentence, as well as with providing a false or misleading name and address to a member of An Garda Siochana and with using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour. "This was an unprovoked attack on a female member of the community who was going about her own business, out for a jog, and was attacked by someone who was unknown to her, and suffered pain and suffering," said Judge Patricia Cronin at the sentence hearing at Cloverhill District Court. Hamad pleaded guilty last week, and the case was adjourned until Wednesday for facts and a victim statement. Advertisement The woman did not have to attend the hearing or give evidence because of the guilty plea. Court Sergeant Olyn Murphy outlined the prosecution's evidence on behalf of investigating officer Garda Ruth Redmond. Judge Cronin heard that the incident happened at around 10.05am when the defendant assaulted the woman "by kicking her in the stomach, causing her to fall back on the ground," and Hamad was verbally abusive toward her. She also suffered a back injury, a swollen finger, and her head was "throbbing" after being attacked by Hamad. Advertisement Gardai attended the scene, and Hamad gave a false name and date of birth before being arrested and brought to a station to be charged. Judge Cronin noted that he had two sets of prior convictions, one under the name Hamad with two theft convictions, which led to the imposition of a two-month sentence, suspended for one year, in Wexford District Court on July 8th. That term could now be activated. He also committed several other crimes under a different name: three for vehicle theft and driving offences, one for drug possession, another for burglary, one for trespass and another for failing to provide a passport as required. That resulted in a 10-month prison sentence from Cork District Court on July 31st last year. Advertisement In a mitigation plea, the defence counsel asked the judge to heed that he had pleaded guilty at an early stage, which was valuable given the moving victim impact statement, which was not read aloud during the hearing. The defence stressed that Hamad did not prolong the ordeal for the woman, who did not have to testify, and that he had no prior assault convictions, and should be given significant credit for those factors. Later in the hearing, the defence described Hamad as non-binary and originally from Syria, having come through France. Over recent months, the accused had a transient living situation and was in a transient relationship with a supportive partner, counsel said. Advertisement Pleading for leniency, the defence described the situation as a "chaotic set of circumstances". Hamad's recollection of events was minimal, and he was apologetic, and his expression of remorse was evidenced by his early guilty plea, the barrister submitted. The accused had been remanded in custody on the date of the incident. Hamad did not testify and spoke only to instruct his barrister that he wished to have the case finalised. Judge Cronin remarked how the victim's statement was eloquent and outlined the psychological and physical injuries, "significant impact", and the life changes the woman made since the attack. The judge found her account to be honest and not exaggerated, and she took notice of the fact that her employer was assisting her in getting counselling. Sentencing, the judge took into account Hamad's plea and prior convictions and that he had none under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act or similar public order matters. The early guilty plea meant the victim did not have to come to court, she noted. However, she had to take into account all the circumstances and the mitigating factors. The sentence was backdated to July 26th, and the judge expressed her wish for the woman to know that she was well in her recovery. The three-month term was handed down on the assault charge, with the two remaining offences taken into consideration. A man who was allegedly involved in an arson attack which caused the complete destruction of the home of a couple in their late 80s is protesting his innocence, a court has heard. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra in Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig in Co Cork on April 24th last. Advertisement The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy (37) was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. Gardai also previously alleged that the arson was video recorded by one of the men and that the pensioners were not the target of the attack. Sgt John Kelleher on Wednesday told Judge John King that 550,000 in fire damage was caused to the property. This, he stated, led to the complete destruction of the house. He said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7th last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Advertisement Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. He applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence barrister Nicholas Hall, BL, said that his client insists that he is innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in custody until August 20th next for DPP directions. The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Meanwhile, Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. Advertisement He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24th last, a car arrived at the house in Ballincrokig and three people exited. "Two enter the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs. The third person believed to be Paul McCarthy stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. "The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with 30 diesel and leaving without paying. Advertisement Ireland Man assaulted in home by gang pretending to delive... Read More Garda Murphy said that a man, aged 87, and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames, but the couple were unharmed. Garda Murphy said that if it had been a short time later, the pensioners would have been in bed and possibly killed. Paul McCarthy had complete disregard for the elderly occupants of the property, which was completely destroyed. From the initial investigations, gardai are not of the belief that these persons were the intended victims. He added that it was alleged that Mr McCarthy drove from Dublin with the two other individuals. A struggle in Garda recruitment and the threat of additional US pharmaceutical tariffs are among the stories that feature on Wednesday's front pages. It is highly unlikely Garda numbers will hit the levels pledged by the Coalition earlier this year under recruitment policies, The Irish Times reports. Advertisement US president Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the United States would initially place a "small tariff" on pharmaceutical imports before hiking it to 150 per cent within 18 months and eventually to 250 per cent in an effort to boost domestic production. The Irish Examiner leads with this story. Thousands of pensioners could owe money to Revenue, the Irish Independent reports. The controversy over the American Eagle jeans ad starring Sydney Sweeney also makes the front page. Parents are under increasing financial strain ahead of children returning to school, The Echo reports. The Irish Daily Star leads with a story on a racist attack on a six-year-old girl, who was targeted by a group of teenagers in Waterford. Advertisement Fears over the State's financial ability to support an ageing population lead in the Irish Daily Mail. Britian's Prince Andrew invited Jeffrey Epstein to the Royal Box at Ascot on the same day the late Queen Elizabeth attended the races, the Irish Daily Mirror reports. The Herald leads with a story on women who avoided prison after laundering money for crime gangs. A mother criticising the PSNI and Ambulance Service over her daughter's death leads the Belfast Telegraph and The Irish News. The front page of todays Irish News. pic.twitter.com/W51pHe2AlM The Irish News (@irish_news) August 6, 2025 A range of stories feature on Britain's front pages. Advertisement Metro leads with a story on the Titan submarine tragedy. Woodford and company has been fined 46 million, the Financial Times reports. Wednesday's FT: Woodford and company fined 46mn for 'failures' leading to fund's downfall #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/DGSaT5qwJC Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 5, 2025 Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has claimed the UK Labour Party is carrying out an 'assault on rural life', the Daily Express reports. Wednesday's EXPRESS: Kemi: Labour conducting an assault on rural life #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/NGYL1uu0X3 Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 5, 2025 The Daily Star leads with a story on a pet parrot who helped to expose a crime gang. UK chancellor Rachel Reeves has been told to raise taxes to plug a 50 billion hole in the UK economy, the Daily Telegraph reports. Advertisement Gary Lineker is on the verge of a new job with ITV after his BBC departure, the Sun reports. The Guardian leads with a striking aerial view of Gaza which resembles 'the aftermath of an apocalypse'. Wednesday's GUARDIAN: From above, Gaza is like the aftermath of an apocalypse #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/3e8qPSZeR7 Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 5, 2025 The Daily Mail also leads with the problems Rachel Reeves is facing. Wednesday's MAIL: Reeves facing huge tax hikes to fill 50bn black hole #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/h3CQpBLBic Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 5, 2025 Britain's Prince Harry was criticised by a UK charity watchdog, The Times reports. Wednesday's TIMES: Migrants can use rights laws to evade deportation #TomorrowsPapersToday pic.twitter.com/C0XETgg0Bw Louis O'Brien (@Lou_obrien19) August 5, 2025 The Daily Mirror leads with the story on Jeffrey Epstein attending Royal Ascot at the same time as the late Queen Elizabeth. The New York Times leads with a story looking inside the former Manhattan townhouse where Jeffrey Epstein lived. A story on ICE tactics to separate migrant families also makes the front page. Gregg Wallace and John Torodes final series of amateur MasterChef has landed on BBC iPlayer after both presenters were dropped from the popular cooking show. The first three episodes of the 21st series were released on iPlayer early on Wednesday morning, ahead of the first episode airing on BBC One at 8pm. Advertisement Both presenters can be seen in the introduction shots of episode one, with Torode saying: This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of, while Wallace can be seen telling a contestant that is a cracker of a job. MasterChef judges John Torode and Gregg Wallace have fronted the BBC show since its 2005 revival. Photo: BBC/PA. In November 2024 it was announced that Wallace would step away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated, and last month a statement from Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed Mr Wallaces return to MasterChef is untenable. Wallace issued an apology saying he was deeply sorry for any distress caused and that he never set out to harm or humiliate in the wake of the Lewis Silkin review that saw 45 out of 83 allegations made against him upheld. Torode was the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review, but the TV star said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation. Advertisement Last month the BBC confirmed the series, which was filmed last year before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld, would be broadcast in August, adding that it had not been an easy decision in the circumstances. The BBC added that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. But the corporation said a decision had not yet been made regarding the celebrity series and the Christmas special. Say hello to the first batch of cooks to enter the #MasterChefUK kitchen for 2025! Here's when you can see them on BBC One and #iPlayer this week pic.twitter.com/k6nkvWwaUF MasterChef UK (@MasterChefUK) August 5, 2025 In episode one of the new series, contestants Thea, Penelope, Gemma, Gon, Shaun and Beth battle it out in the first task before two of the contestants are put through to the quarter-finals. Advertisement The remaining four cook again and Thea tears up during the task and says she didnt realise how stressful the MasterChef kitchen is. Three of the contestants go through to the quarter-finals after another task sees them cook a two-course menu for three former MasterChef stars. In episode two, a host of new contestants Charlie, Claire, Finley, Gifty, Jordan and Ruth are asked to transform an everyday ingredient into a meal within 80 minutes. The contestants are then tasked with completing two more challenges as they are whittled down to three quarter-finalists. Advertisement The six remaining contestants compete in the first quarter-final in episode three, where they are tasked with one challenge, to cook a dish that will impress restaurant critic William Sitwell. Sitwells brief, to use either a sweet ingredient in a savoury dish, or a savoury ingredient in a sweet dish, inspires contestant Claire to cook a chocolate steak with marshmallow sweet potato fluff. After the challenge, three of the contestants are sent home with the remaining three sent to the knockout week. Gregg Wallace was sacked as MasterChef presenter following the inquiry into his alleged misconduct by production company Banijay. Photo: Yui Mok/PA. A message on the BBC media centre, alongside interviews with the contestants, said: Please note this information is accurate at the time of filming, certain aspects may have since changed but this represents the contributors as the competition starts. Advertisement One of this years contestants, Sarah Shafi, asked to be edited out of the series. Asked whether the new series of MasterChef should be shown, Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: Its absolutely not for me, as the Culture Secretary and a member of the Government, to tell broadcasters what they can and cant broadcast. Asked what she thought as a viewer, she said: As a viewer, I wont be watching it. She added: Ive watched MasterChef on and off over the years, but I certainly wont be watching this series. In an interview with The Sun last month Wallace apologised to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but insisted he is not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher. The crash of a military helicopter in Ghana killed all eight people aboard, including the West African countrys defence and environment ministers and other top officials, the government has said. Ghanas military said the helicopter took off in the morning from the capital Accra and was heading north west into the interior towards the gold-mining area of Obuasi in the Ashanti region when it went off the radar. Advertisement The wreckage was later found in the Adansi area of Ashanti. The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and the military said an investigation was under way. Defence minister Edward Omane Boamah and environment minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were killed alongside the vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress ruling party, a top national security adviser, and crew members. Ghanas government described the crash as a national tragedy. Advertisement State media reported that the aircraft was a Z-9 helicopter that is often used for transport and medical evacuation. An online video of the crash site shows debris on fire in a forest as some citizens circle around to help. Wednesdays crash was one of Ghanas worst air disasters in more than a decade. In May 2014, a service helicopter crashed off the coast, killing at least three people. Advertisement In 2012, a cargo plane overran the runway in Accra and crashed into a bus full of passengers, killing at least 10 people. Britain's Prince Harry and others have been criticised by the UK Charity Commission for letting a damaging boardroom battle play out in the public eye and harm the reputation of a good cause co-founded by Harry. The charity regulator investigated Sentebale after founders Harry and Prince Seeiso stepped down as its patrons in support of a group of trustees, who resigned following a dispute with board of trustees chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka. Advertisement The watchdog criticised all parties in the fallout for allowing it to play out publicly and described how all trustees contributed to a missed opportunity to resolve the issues that that led to the serious disagreement that risked undermining public trust in charities generally. Meghan and Harry attending a fundraising polo match for Sentebale in Miami last year (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) Harrys spokesperson attacked the findings, saying the report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support. Dr Chandauka said: The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private. We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact. Advertisement The fallout came after Sentebales trustees sought in 2023 to introduce a new fundraising strategy, with the dispute arising between Dr Chandauka and some of the trustees and Harry, said the regulator. A war of words followed the resignations with Harry and Seeiso issuing a joint statement in March, describing their decision as unthinkable, adding the trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down while in turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship. Harry with co-Sentable founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho (Chris Radburn/PA) Dr Chandauka hit back in a television interview accusing Harry of being involved in a cover-up of an investigation about bullying, harassment and misogyny at the organisation and said the toxicity of his brand had impacted the charity which had seen a drop in donors since Harry moved to the US. The regulator, which cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying, found no evidence of systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity but acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by some involved. Advertisement David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity, delivering positive impact for millions of people here at home and abroad every day. However, in the rare cases when things go wrong, it is often because that very passion has become a weakness rather than a strength. Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve. Sentebale chairwoman Dr Sophie Chandauka (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) Harry founded charity Sentebale in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those living with HIV and Aids. Advertisement His spokesperson said Harry would find alternatives to helping the children supported by Sentebale in Lesotho and Botswana. He said: As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former board of trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to like its namesake a flowering force for good. With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana. The commissions role as regulator was not to adjudicate on internal charity disputes and the case sought to establish whether the charitys former and current trustees, including the chair, fulfilled their duties under charity law. Advertisement Harry pictured being presented with a specially embroidered traditional blanket by Lesothos Prince Seeiso in 2010 (PA) After conducting its regulatory compliance case the commission found no evidence of over-reach by either the chairwoman or Harry in his role as patron. But the regulator was critical of the charitys lack of clarity in the delegation of powers to the chair, which allowed for misunderstandings to occur, and trustees at the time did not have proper policies to investigate internal complaints both issues amounted to mismanagement in the running of the charity. The commission has issued a regulatory action plan setting out steps trustees need to take, including implementing an internal dispute policy, improving the charitys complaints and whistle-blowing procedures, and establishing clearer processes for delegating authority on behalf of the charity. Sentebale said in a statement that since the start of the year the senior executive were now established in southern Africa, closer to operations. It said the action plan aligned with the boards thinking with a new internal complaints procedure in place, alongside a code of conduct for trustees and a new approach to the delegation of responsibilities so that roles were clearly defined, including any future patron relationships. Dr Chandauka said: Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato. To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation. US President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. Advertisement The White House said Mr Trump was also open to a meeting with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. A meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Trump would be their first since Mr Trump returned to office this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands during their meeting in Moscow on Wednesday (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) It would be a significant milestone in the three-year-old war, though there is no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. News of a potential meeting with Mr Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow. Mr Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Mr Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Mr Putin in which great progress was made. Advertisement It was not immediately clear if Mr Putin or Mr Zelensky had agreed to any meetings with Mr Trump. Mr Zelensky has been willing to meet face-to-face with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Mr Trump has met Mr Zelensky several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met Mr Putin this year, Mr Trump met with him five times during his first term. Mr Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he updated Americas allies in Europe and that they will work toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war in the days and weeks to come. Advertisement White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. Her statement did not address the potential timing of any meeting. Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Advertisement Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation between the United States and Russia. A US Army sergeant shot five soldiers on Wednesday at one the countrys largest Army bases before he was quickly tackled by other Fort Stewart troops, forcing a brief lockdown, officials said. Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials said the gunman was Sgt Quornelius Radford, 28, who used a personal handgun, not a military firearm. Advertisement Radford opened fire where he worked but officials would not speculate about a motive, authorities said. The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, said Brig Gen John Lubas. The soldiers who tackled Radford helped ensure his arrest, he said. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded, he said. The injured were treated and then moved to Winn Army Community Hospital, base officials said in a Facebook post, adding there was no threat to the community. Advertisement Fort Stewart was locked down for around one hour on Wednesday (Russ Bynum/AP) Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11am local time on Wednesday. Radford was arrested at 11.35am, officials said. The lockdown lasted about an hour, and three schools just outside the base took steps similar to a lockdown as well, out of an abundance of caution, the Liberty County School System said. After the lockdown was lifted, cars began to move through the normal security checkpoint at the forts main gate. Advertisement Army records released to The Associated Press show that Radford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed. Radford faced an August 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the influence and going through a red light just after 1am on May 18, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and freed on a 1,818-dollar (1,362) bond, the documents said. His lawyer in the traffic case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement The armys 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the Spartan Brigade, the army has called the unit its most modern land fighting force. Located about 40 miles south west of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest army post east of the Mississippi River. It is home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the armys 3rd Infantry Division and family members. Advertisement The forts three elementary schools were locked down, community superintendent Brian Perry told WTOC-TV. The schools have nearly 1,400 students, according to the Department of Defence. White House and Defence Department officials said President Donald Trump and Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth had been briefed on the shooting. The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said deputy director Dan Bongino. US special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties. Mr Witkoff was seen taking an early morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, a stones throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Advertisement Mr Dmitriev has played a key role in direct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, as well as discussions between Russian and US officials. Moscow is yet to confirm whether Mr Witkoff will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin during his stay. Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov welcomed Mr Witkoffs visit. We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful, he said. Residents pass by the gutted remains of cars parked at a market after Russias drone attack in the town of Druzhkivk (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraines 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP) Donald Trumps deadline for Mr Putin ends on Friday. Washington has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties if the killing does not stop in Ukriane. Advertisement So far, Mr Trumps promises, threats and cajoling have failed to shift the Kremlins position, and the stubborn diplomatic stalemate remains in place. Meanwhile, Ukraine is losing more territory on the front line, although there is no sign of a collapse of its defences. Mr Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline but later moved his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. The threatened sanctions could include additional restrictions designed to hamper Russias economy, as well as secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oil, including China and India. Advertisement However, Mr Trump said on Sunday that Russia has proven to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. Theyre wily characters, he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbour have had a limited impact. Ukraine insists the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscows war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday urged the United States, Europe and other nations to impose stronger secondary sanctions on Moscows energy, trade and banking sectors. Russian President Vladimir Putin has held talks with US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, the Kremlin said. It comes days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. Advertisement The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said the Russian president and Mr Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod towards improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation between the US and Russia. Mr Trump said in a post on his Truth Social media network that Mr Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Mr Putin in which great progress was made. Mr Trump said he updated Americas allies in Europe about the meeting and that they will work towards an end to the Russia-Ukraine war in the days and weeks to come. Advertisement Ukraines President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Wednesday evening that he and Mr Trump spoke on the phone after Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin. He said European leaders also participated in the conversation and we discussed what was said in Moscow. Our common position with our partners is absolutely clear: The war must end, Mr Zelensky said. We all need lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it started. Mr Zelensky later said: It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire, adding that the pressure on Moscow is working, without elaborating. He stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not deceive us or the United States when it comes to the details of a potential agreement. Advertisement Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies soon talk to determine our position, our common position, and our common view. Earlier, Mr Witkoff took an early morning walk through Zaryadye Park, a stones throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic co-operation, footage aired by TASS showed. Mr Dmitriev said later on social platform X that dialogue will prevail. The envoy played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul in recent months, as well as discussions between Russian and US officials. Advertisement The negotiations made no progress on ending the three-year war following Russias invasion of its neighbour. US President Donald Trumps deadline for Mr Putin ends on Friday. Washington has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties if the killing does not stop. Mr Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Mr Putin over Russias escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intended to erode morale and public appetite for the war. Advertisement Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands at the Kremlin (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) The intensified attacks have occurred even as Mr Trump has urged the Russian leader in recent months to relent. Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational centre in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said on Wednesday. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. Firefighters extinguish a fire after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, Mr Zelensky said in a post on Telegram. Russia also struck the Ukrainian power grid and heating gas facilities, Mr Zelensky said, as Ukraine makes preparations for winter. Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Mr Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the autumn is advancing faster than last years push but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defences are not about to collapse, analysts say. On Tuesday, Mr Trump said well see what happens regarding his threat to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increase import taxes dramatically on China and India. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow, the US president said. Residents pass by the gutted remains of cars parked at a market after Russias drone attack in the town of Druzhkivk (Oleg Petrasiuk/Ukraines 24th Mechanized Brigade via AP) Were going to see what happens. Well make that determination at that time. Mr Trump said that he has not publicly committed to a specific tariff rate. Stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin risks stoking international tensions amid worsening Russia-US relations. The Washington-based Centre for European Policy Analysis warned in an assessment this week that there are clear signs that the Kremlin is preparing for a broader confrontation with Nato, including a military build-up along Russias western flank with alliance countries in recent years. Mr Putin has strengthened Russias military ties with China, North Korea and Iran. Nato, meanwhile, said on Tuesday it has started co-ordinating regular deliveries of large Western weapons packages to Ukraine. European allies and Canada are buying most of the equipment they plan to transport from the United States. Good call with President @ZelenskyyUa welcoming over $1bn in funding from Allies ( ) for US equipment for Ukraine, coordinated by NATO. This support is essential to save lives, help Ukraine defend itself, and achieve a just & lasting peace. Mark Rutte (@SecGenNATO) August 5, 2025 The Trump administration is not donating any arms to Ukraine. Mr Putin has given no hint that he might be ready to make concessions. Instead, the Russian leader and senior Kremlin officials have talked up the countrys military strength. Mr Putin announced last week that Russias new hypersonic missile, which he says cannot be intercepted by current Nato air defence systems, has entered service. Russia announced on Tuesday that it no longer regards itself as bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race. Former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, meantime, warned that the Ukraine war could bring Russia and the US into armed conflict. Mr Trump responded to that by ordering the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines. Women clear the area near buildings after a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine (Ukrainian Emergency Service via AP) Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Mr Witkoffs visit. We consider (talks with Mr Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful, he said. Mr Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline, but later moved up his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. However, Mr Trump himself doubted their effectiveness, saying on Sunday that Russia has proven to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions. Theyre wily characters, he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbour have had a limited impact. Ukraine maintains the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscows war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. However, with the capacity to carry 485 passengers or more, delays caused by mechanical failures can be costly and create a cascade of scheduling headaches. A Qantas Airways A380 on the flagship Sydney-London route broke down in Singapore on May 7 with fuel-pump problems. The onward flight to London was pushed back more than 24 hours and passengers accommodated in hotels. That was at least the second fuel-pump issue to delay QF1 in Singapore since Qantas reactivated its A380s. More recently, Qantas passengers who were due to depart Singapore on July 14 for Sydney on an A380 were delayed for days because of technical difficulties. Plans to retrieve them sooner were complicated by damage to another A380 at Sydney airport, when an aerobridge slammed into one of the engines. With newer, more fuel-efficient jets in short supply, airlines committed to the twin-deck A380 have little choice but to keep flying it. Credit: Getty Images A British Airways A380, G-XLEB, recently spent more than 100 days in Manila. After returning to London Heathrow in mid-June, it flew just seven days of the next 30, according to Flightradar24. Still, IAG SA-owned British Airways from next year will embark on an interior upgrade program, including overhauling A380 cabins, suggesting the airline will keep flying the plane for years. For airlines using the A380, large-capacity alternatives are scarce. Boeings new 777X is years behind schedule and Airbus cant make long-haul A350s fast enough. Meanwhile, A380 operators are left with an out-of-production superjumbo that will become more needy and more expensive to run. In online aviation forums, some services are gaining a name for breakdowns, cancellations or overnight delays. In a statement, Airbus said the A380 continues to operate scheduled services with a high level of operational reliability, standing at 99 per cent for the global fleet over the past 12 months. Airbus is committed to providing full technical support to customers to ensure that they can optimise operations with their A380 fleets, and this will continue as long as the aircraft remains in service. Loading 60,000 hours Meanwhile, A380s are taking up space and manpower in workshops around the world, exacerbating a shortage of repair facilities for the wider commercial fleet. A comprehensive check of the massive plane can consume 60,000 hours of labour, according to aircraft repairer Lufthansa Technik. Qantas is sending some double-deckers to Dresden in Germany to be overhauled; British Airways flies its to Manila for repairs; and Emirates, the worlds biggest operator of A380s, maintains some in China. Some of the aircrafts recent faults stem from prolonged periods on the ground during the pandemic, when airlines parked their A380s in the Californian desert, central Spain or the Australian outback. An airworthiness directive from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency on May 16 ordered emergency inflatable escape slides to be replaced. Glued seams had split, probably due to exposure to moisture and heat during storage. The fault could have fatal consequences, EASA said. On April 7, EASA ordered inspections on A380s after cracked sealant was found on fittings attaching the landing gear to the wings. A directive in April last year required some landing gear axles to be replaced after a rupture on a plane that had been in storage since 2020. The future of the A380 was in doubt when COVID-19 halted global travel in early 2020. The year before, Airbus had killed off production after underwhelming sales. When COVID-19 receded and borders reopened, the A380 suddenly found new purpose. Travel boomed and carriers including Singapore Airlines, Deutsche Lufthansa and Qantas once again embraced the planes unrivalled carrying power. In a statement, British Airways called the A380 a vital part of our long-haul fleet. Through working closely with Airbus, weve seen consistent year-on-year improvements in its reliability. Qantas said the plane is a key part of our international network, and well continue to fly them for years to come. All Qantas A380s have gone through a scheduled major maintenance overhaul in recent years, as well as significant upgrades to the cabin interiors. Boeings new 777X is years behind schedule and Airbus cant make long-haul A350s fast enough. Credit: AP Other A380 operators were reluctant to provide specific details. Asiana Airlines said issues related to aircraft operations and maintenance are difficult to disclose externally. Korean Air Lines said it maintains its A380 fleet to the highest safety standards, in strict accordance with all regulatory requirements and manufacturer guidelines. Singapore Airlines said its 12 A380s are important to operations but it was unable to comment on specifics. The company said it works closely with Airbus and our suppliers to ensure the ongoing reliability and serviceability of our A380 fleet. To be sure, the A380 still has fans. Emirates, which has cannibalised some A380s for spare parts, plans to keep flying the aircraft until the end of next decade. The airlines president, Tim Clark, has likened the jet to a huge vacuum cleaner capable of gobbling up passengers like no other plane. Loading Reliability issues are the latest twist for a superjumbo that has almost always been divisive. Passengers still love the A380s cavernous interiors and audacious scale. Airlines wrestle with its logistics needs from longer runways to extra-large hangars as well as the mechanical dramas. Supply chain constraints have increased the price of parts, servicing and engine repairs on all major aircraft, said Eddy Pieniazek, Ishkas head of advisory. With the A380 being of its size and having four engines, this escalation in maintenance costs has become even more noticeable, said Pieniazek. Australian rock legend Col Joye has died aged 88. Born as Colin Frederick Jacobsen, the pioneering musician was best known for his role as the frontman of his band, Col Joye and the Joy Boys, in the 1960s. He died on Tuesday. Col Joye amongst his memorabilia at the opening of the Spinning Around exhibition. Credit: Dominic OBrien Joye, who sang popular hits like Bye Bye Baby and Rocky Road Blues, was the first Australian rock n roll singer to have a number-one record Australia-wide. He was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 1988, and was honoured with an Order of Australia in 1981. He is considered one of the founding figures of Australian rock, having enjoyed a career that spanned almost 67 years. Joye is also known for discovering the Bee Gees, the iconic Australian band known for hits like Stayin Alive. He famously signed the group after seeing them perform in Surfers Paradise in 1961. Advertisement Eating outRestaurant news What Momofukus Paul Carmichael did next and how Australia lost one of its best chefs to New York The former Momofuku Seiobo chef longed to fulfil his creative vision in Sydney, but the lure of Manhattan has scuttled those plans for now. Besha Rodell August 7, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Earlier this year, New York City got something that Australia should have had: A new Paul Carmichael restaurant. Kabawa, on Manhattans Lower East Side, isnt exactly what Carmichael envisioned when he was trying to find partners, funding and space in Sydney during the years after two-hatted Momofuku Seiobo closed in 2021. But the basic building blocks are the same: something fun, an exploration of Caribbean flavours and history, rum drinks, and Carmichaels particular brand of exuberance and singular cooking. Chef Paul Carmichael at his new restaurant Kabawa in New York City. The chef was lured back to the US to work once again for Momofuku, the company that brought him to Australia in the first place. In New York, hes been given the opportunity to create a space and menu that fully unleashes his creativity. Bar Kabawa, a 20-seat room adjacent to the main space, opened in early February serving Daiquiris, wine and snacks. On March 25, Kabawa opened, serving a prix-fixe menu that celebrates the foodways of the Caribbean in intensely personal and thoughtful dishes. Less than six weeks later, it appeared at No.4 on the New York Times list of the 100 best restaurants in the city. The reviews have been rapturous: The New Yorkers Helen Rosner called it easygoing and joyous; new New York Times critic Ligaya Mishan gave Kabawa a rare three-star review last month. All of this is cause for celebration, to see a talented chef get his due. But for food lovers in Australia, it should also be frustrating, because what Carmichael really wanted after Seiobo closed was a chance to open something as personal, standard-setting and excellent as Kabawa is, but in Sydney. Advertisement If one of the most decorated chefs in the country cant get the backing to do something true to themselves, what does that say about our dining scene? And Kabawa is excellent. I was lucky enough to eat there in May, starting with a bracing Daiquiri next door, the ice shaved by hand, then moving to a seat at a counter that runs around the kitchen. Half the fun of eating there is Carmichael himself, who gives out hugs and banter and delight wherever it is welcome. Pieces of Pauls personality that werent able to shine at Seiobo, a restaurant in The Star casino, are on full display here: theres a grandma-themed bathroom, and the chef picked everything from the music that plays in that bathroom to the glassware in the bar. Kabawa celebrates the foodways of the Caribbean in intensely personal and thoughtful dishes. The food made me intensely comforted and excited in equal measure. There were sproingy little cassava dumplings in a lightly spicy tomato sauce that tasted like pure sunshine. Slow-cooked goat shoulder comes drenched in a scorching liquid made from habaneros and dried scallops, the richness of the meat squared against the fiery, umami-rich sauce, a glorious balancing act. It made me miss Seiobo, but more, it made me wonder what could have been if the right opportunity had come along in Australia. Advertisement It wasnt as though the conversations didnt happen in Sydney. Dont get me wrong, people offered me decent money, he says, but there was nothing there that was like: we want to grow with you. We see where you are, we see where you want to be. Instead, he says, the deals he was offered were more along the lines of, Well build the restaurant, well loan you money as your part of the investment, you get some small amount of equity. But then youre just stuck. Or, he says, he was offered figurehead roles that had nothing to do with the food or the type of restaurant he envisioned. Bar Kabawa, a 20-seat room next to the main space, opened in early February. The scenarios he describes speak to the bind many chefs find themselves in, and also highlights the cycle we see in which restaurant projects open with a well-known chef as the draw, only for that chef to leave six months or a year later. And then that persons gotta start over, Carmichael says. This is my gamble to not have that happen. But he is sad he had to leave Sydney to make that gamble in a way that felt smart. Advertisement I wasnt expecting the huge deals, the ones truly famous chefs get, says the man David Chang unabashedly calls one of the best chefs in the world (I concur), but I did feel as though I proved my worth and that worth wasnt being acknowledged. If one of the most decorated chefs in the country cant get the backing to do something true to themselves, something that might easily wind up being considered one of the best restaurants in New York City, what does that say about our dining scene? Do we really need another upscale steakhouse, another bombastic trattoria, another PR-driven concept? Or would we be better served by allowing the creative force behind our industry our chefs to work from a place of passion? If Carmichael cant get that backing, its hard to believe that anyone with his brand of trailblazing vision could be successful. Bar Kabawa serves snacks alongside wine and cocktails. Thankfully, he now has that backing. Its just on the other side of the world. Ive had a lot of Australians come through, Carmichael says, which has definitely helped my homesickness. Advertisement Despite it all, he hasnt given up on his Australian life. Hes committed to Kabawa, to seeing it through, and to his longer-term role as a leader in the Momofuku universe. But if I die here, it was an accident, he says. His dream for that authentically Paul Carmichael restaurant on Australian soil is alive and well. Tell Sydney Ill be back. Related Article Two-hatted Sydney restaurant Momofuku Seiobo to close Related Article Paul Carmichael on the art of personality-driven food Exiled Labor MP Will Fowles is not a happy man. He has made a bullying complaint against the Victorian Legislative Assembly Speaker Maree Edwards. About what we cannot tell you. Then Fowles reached out to the Victorian parliaments newfangled Parliamentary Workplace Standards and Integrity Commission, which hasnt said boo to goose since its formation in December to manage allegations of misconduct against MPs. Ringwood MP Will Fowles. Credit: AAP The commission dismissed the bullying complaint without proper explanation, according to Fowles. No findings have been made that the complaint against Edwards is substantiated. But Fowles is not taking that lying down. Hes gone off to the Supreme Court seeking a judicial review, according to a document lodged at court. Plans to encourage the construction of more than 30,000 new homes have divided Sydneys inner west, as the local council faces pockets of backlash from residents of densely populated suburbs. The Inner West Council in May revealed its long-awaited proposal to boost housing supply after it objected to the governments transport-oriented development (TOD) scheme to rezone land within 400 metres of dozens of train stations across Sydney to allow six- or seven-storey unit blocks. Dion Papanicolaou from Dulwich Hill Gourmet Meats is critical of the Inner West Councils Fairer Future scheme. Credit: Wolter Peeters The so-called Fairer Future scheme proposes taller buildings of mostly six to 11 storeys around Marrickville, Dulwich Hill, Croydon and Ashfield stations, as well as light rail stops and shopping strips in a bid to protect heritage precincts and more evenly distribute higher-density housing. Labor Mayor Darcy Byrne said the housing boost sought to stem the exodus of young people, renters and essential workers. Nisa Young has two small children and, in a strange pandemic flashback, spent the week deciding whether to keep her school-aged daughter home during Wednesdays teachers strike while dialling into her office job. Its only one day, and if you can help teachers in any way, I think its something that parents should support, Young said. Shes one of many parents who Queensland Teachers Union president Cresta Richardson said offered overwhelming community support to some 50,000 state school teachers who walked off the job in the first strike of its kind in more than 15 years. Brisbane resident Nisa Young was prepared to keep her daughter at home during the strike to support the teachers. Credit: Nisa Young Young, who lives in Brisbanes south, said she had no qualms about the overall disruption. Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. Save articles for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them any time. Got it Normal text size Larger text size Very large text size In late June, Melbourne woman Jane* was alerted that the man she had accused of sexually assaulting her as a child had been cleared by the Victorian government to work with children. He confessed to police to abusing me as a three-year-old and after he was charged, I was told he would never get his working with children check back, recalls Jane. I couldnt understand how this could be possible, especially after the [scandal linked to alleged childcare paedophile Joshua Brown]. Jane is calling for changes to working with children checks. Credit: Eddie Jim Jane says immediate shock was soon replaced with a question. If her accused could be given the green light to work with children, did it indicate the WWCC regime the states system of background checking those who work with children to weed out potential predators was deeply flawed? In September 2022, Janes alleged perpetrator was found not guilty in the County Court of 11 counts of indecent assault over allegations he had repeatedly abused her in the 1970s and 1980s, while she was a child. The court judgment wasnt a declaration of innocence but rather a finding that prosecutors had not proved the case to the criminal standard of beyond reasonable doubt. For Janes accused to be charged and tried in the first place, the Victorian Director of Public Prosecutions had concluded that evidence gathered by sex crimes detectives was strong enough to provide a reasonable prospect of conviction. After that, but also before the trial, the evidence against the accused man had also been weighed in a committal hearing by a magistrate, who had reached the same determination as the DPP. Advertisement Jane says this is because the evidence gathered, including a partial confession, was compelling, even if some of the information uncovered by detectives was not ultimately presented to the jury that delivered the not-guilty verdicts. But if the evidence was enough to convince police, a magistrate and the DPP that her accuser should stand trial, it wasnt sufficient to ban him from working with children. Loading After Jane sought explanations from Victorian authorities in July about how her accused perpetrator had been granted a WWCC, she was told that the prosecution failure may have contributed to the decision to reassess him as safe, despite the initial stripping of the mans WWCC when he was first charged. It doesnt make sense to me, says Jane. The statistics tell us that so many sex assault prosecutions fail. But this doesnt mean the accused should then be allowed to work with children. Jane is not the only one worried. Experts, advocates and, previously, the public sector watchdog, have all criticised Victorias WWCC system, which involves the government screening those who work with children for their criminal and regulatory histories. Concern has grown after the arrest of Joshua Brown threw gaps in the states system of protecting children into the spotlight. Advertisement Victoria launched a review of the childcare system following Browns arrest. The state government agrees the WWCC scheme needs to be toughened and is promising reform. The scheme requires those working with children to submit an application that details their criminal and working history to the state government, which in turn cross-references these self-disclosures with police and, under reforms introduced this year, a range of other bodies. Denial of a WWCC means the applicant cant work with young people, but they can launch a judicial appeal of their ban. Critics claim the WWCC regime is too weak because the legal framework underpinning it prevents authorities from canvassing and acting on all the information that may exist about an applicant. For instance, a confession from an accused to police that is not presented as evidence in a trial, as in the case of Jane, cant be accessed by WWCC authorities. Advocates and officials say bans are also too easily overturned on appeal. Loading An analysis by The Age of 18 cases before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal has revealed a series of remarkably inconsistent outcomes, including convicted child sex offenders and criminals retaining their WWCC on appeal despite moves by the government to have them barred. This appeal process mirrors NSWs, which Premier Chris Minns promised to overhaul this month, describing it as a loophole which makes a mockery of the working with children check. Appeals upheld by the Victorian tribunal include convicted criminals: a naturopath who was found to have repeatedly threatened his ex-partner and allegedly punched his 14-year-old step-daughter in the face (although that allegation did not lead to a charge); a man accused of raping his 14-year-old stepsister but who was later convicted on a lesser charge of committing an indecent act with a child under 16; and a man jailed for sexually assaulting a 13-year-old girl and later convicted of recklessly injuring his seven-year-old son. Advertisement In each case, the tribunal was satisfied that despite the convictions, the appellants posed no risk to children. The state government is yet to detail how it will reform the scheme or indicate if information such as police intelligence might be added to the vetting system so a person who has never been charged, or who has beaten charges, can still be banned in certain circumstances. Images of Joshua Brown appeared on childcare social media channels before they were scrubbed by the big chains. Among the VCAT cases reviewed by this masthead was that of a teacher acquitted of grooming a 12-year-old boy. The teacher was separately accused of inappropriately touching three children in his classroom three years earlier. Although he was found not guilty over the 12-year-old boy in a 2017 trial, the government revoked his working with children check in 2022, citing the earlier allegations against him. The government fought for the ban to be upheld, arguing the teacher posed an unjustifiable risk to children. It urged the tribunal to believe allegations made by a former student in a recorded interview. The ex-student said that in 2011 the teacher would often call him over to his desk during class and touch the young boys genitals with his hand. Police investigated the allegation at the time, but no charges were laid as the parents did not want to put their son through the court process. Advertisement The tribunal sided with evidence from the teacher. The 37-year-old man now lives in Tasmania, where he has applied to return to teaching. One government source with detailed knowledge of him, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, described the VCAT decision as deeply concerning. In 2018, a man convicted of indecent assault of a 14-year-old girl and who also raped his ex-partner while his victims child was nearby, was granted clearance after appealing the decision. In granting the appeal, the tribunal considered his remorse, low IQ and low chance of re-offending. In another case two years earlier, a student exercise physiologist convicted of drug charges had his appeal rejected. The tribunal found the man had turned his life around, was a model prisoner and was caring towards children. However, the appeal was rejected on the chance he relapsed. The Victorian government is yet to detail how it will reform the system. Credit: Marija Ercegovac The person who advised Jane that her alleged abuser had been cleared to work with children is Fiona Boyle, who runs one of the nations leading child safety and worker screening organisations, Kooyoora. Boyle discovered the man had been cleared to work with children as part of Kooyooras weekly review of the WWCC registry. It is a cumbersome routine but Kooyoora performs the review partly because of gaps in Victorias system, including one which Boyle says enables a motivated offender to potentially keep working with children even if they have their WWCC suspended. This loophole arises because a WWCC holder can update their system details so it appears they are no longer working with a certain employer who would ordinarily be notified if their WWCC is suspended or withdrawn - even though they are still engaged as an employee or volunteer. Advertisement His UFC contract may be on the line, but the sight of carbs on his plate is making West Australian Steve Erceg one happy man. Erceg will be aiming to snap a three-fight losing run when he faces Jamaican Ode Osbourne in Las Vegas on Saturday night (Sunday Australian time). WAs Steve Erceg (left) knows his contract with the UFC is on the line ahead of a fight in Las Vegas on Saturday. Credit: AAP The bantamweight battle looms as a fork-in-the-road moment for Ercegs rollercoaster UFC career. Erceg (12-4) started his UFC journey with three impressive wins, paving the way for a title bout against flyweight champion Alexandre Pantoja in Brazil last year. The West Australians decision to grapple Pantoja in the final round instead of continuing to pepper the bruised and bloodied champion with more blows came back to haunt him, with that loss followed by a round-one knockout defeat to Kai Kara-France in Perth. Eager to avoid back-to-back knockout losses, Erceg played it safe during his unanimous decision defeat to Brandon Moreno in March - a mistake the 30-year-old vows not to repeat. I cant believe I fought like that. Im disgusted in myself honestly, Erceg said. Now I am more willing to take risks, because getting knocked out isnt as bad as the feeling of losing a fight that you didnt try your best in. I know that my contract is on the line with the UFC, so I need to start putting some stuff together. Ercegs original opponent for his upcoming fight was Alex Perez, who pulled out less than three weeks ago due to a fracture. Perezs replacement - HyunSung Park - was then withdrawn just over a week ago so he could headline UFC Vegas 108 against Tatsuro Taira. Osbourne (13-8) has stepped up at short notice, but because the 33-year-old hasnt had much time to cut weight, his fight against Erceg will be held at bantamweight instead of flyweight. That means Erceg can effectively be 4.5kg heavier than normal for his weigh-in, and hes been loving every second of it, especially the sight of sweet potatoes on his plate. AAP Australias media bosses are directly lobbying Prime Minister Anthony Albanese on the threat artificial intelligence poses to news outlets, uniting with authors, musicians and artists to slam a proposal to waive copyright laws for multibillion-dollar AI companies. The prospect of large language models such as ChatGPT scraping articles, songs and art without paying creators burst into the spotlight on Wednesday after the governments think tank, the Productivity Commission, proposed a copyright exemption for AI firms training their models. Nine boss Matt Stanton. Credit: Oscar Colman A letter from Australias top media firms and creative bodies, sent to Attorney-General Michelle Rowland on July 11 and obtained by this masthead, vowed to fight any move to weaken copyright protections, opening a fresh battle between local media outlets and foreign technology companies. Nine chief executive Matt Stanton took the medias fears directly to Albanese in private talks last month, as Labor tries to balance its agenda to rein in digital behemoths against the spectre of retaliation from the Trump administration against countries that regulate US tech giants. Australias medicines regulator has flagged a crackdown on the medicinal cannabis industry, pointing to a ballooning number of high-strength products issued through telehealth appointments. The Therapeutic Goods Administration this week put the industry on notice, floating in a confidential consultation paper obtained by this masthead that it would gauge support for significantly restricting or preventing access to more than 1000 unapproved cannabis products prescribed to hundreds of thousands of Australians. Medicinal cannabis being grown in 2024 at a Victorian cultivator. Credit: Jason South The wide-ranging review will canvass substantial changes to the system permitting access to the once-illegal drug, although the consultation paper specifically notes the federal government is not intending to remove access to medicinal cannabis. The TGA review warns that the strength of cannabis extracts is not limited in Australia and has grown rapidly, with some containing up to 88 per cent tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the component in cannabis that makes users feel high. Politicians staff drawn to the job by the promise of power and influence are instead being spat on, assaulted and overworked according to a damning report that jars with Prime Minister Anthony Albaneses vow to create safe political workplaces. The Parliamentary Workplace Support Service tabled its review of resourcing in parliamentary offices last week, revealing that 80 per cent of staff say they work overtime and 72 per cent say security incidents are increasing. Criminal damage at Labor MP Josh Burns electoral office in Melbourne in June 2024. Credit: AAP The review will put further pressure on Albaneses decision to cut the staffing allocations for the opposition and some independent MPs in June, while refusing to increase the number of people assisting other minor parties. Almost 500 people, including parliamentarians, electorate staff and MPs staff, completed a survey and 217 of those took part in consultation sessions. Rogue MP Mark Latham has escaped attempts by the NSW government to condemn his behaviour in parliament after he was accused of abusing parliamentary privilege to reveal secret information. Labors leader in the upper house, Penny Sharpe, moved to condemn Latham, arguing he revealed contents of a Law Enforcement Conduct Commission (LECC) report which was under a non-publication order, and shared medical information relating to MP Alex Greenwich, which the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal intended to be kept confidential. A motion in NSW parliament to condemn Mark Latham will be considered again in October. Credit: Janie Barrett The Honourable Mark Latham, MLC, has done and said things that challenge the work we all do to better the culture of this place, and he has abused the privileges and immunities that we hold, Sharpe said. The LECC report on Operation Askern detailed an investigation into the Commissioners gin scandal after then-police commissioner Karen Webb used public funds to purchase alcohol from a distillery owned by one of her friends to be used as gifts. The contents of the report were made available to MPs with an order preventing their release to the public. Police fear dozens, if not hundreds of people may have unknowingly consumed a new class of synthetic opioid through illicit vape liquid, exposing them to the highly addictive and potentially lethal drug which can be 28 times more potent than fentanyl. NSW Police have charged a Sydney man with drug supply and proceeds of crime offences after he allegedly supplied vape liquid laced with nitazenes, a class of synthetic opioid often manufactured in China and cut into other substances. Detective Superintendent John Watson, commander of the drug and firearms squad, said investigations had allegedly uncovered a contactless faceless distribution model under which vape vials marketed as supercharged were allegedly sold through social media. Detectives under Strike Force Southminster, established to investigate the supply of nitazenes across Sydney, searched a home in south-west Sydney about 12.10pm on August 1, police said in an earlier statement. Advertisement Reviews & adviceTrain journeys First class at 300 km/h for just $93? Its a five-star train journey Trudi Jenkins August 5, 2025 7:44am 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 The train: TGV InOui The journey Nice to Paris Nice to Paris The operator SNCF SNCF Frequency Several times a day Several times a day Travel time 5 hours 50 minutes 5 hours 50 minutes Class First class The journey The train skirts the coast until Marseille. This starts as a picturesque meander along the coast to Marseille, with stops at several stations on the way, including Antibes and Cannes. Youll glimpse the Mediterranean, rocky coves and sun umbrellas on beaches. From Marseille, the holiday vibe is somewhat left behind as the train changes track, speeds increase up to 300km/h and there are no stops until you reach Pariss Gare de Lyon. Its still a relaxing journey though, up through the middle of France past vineyards and forests. Advertisement Boarding The first-class carriages are spacious and can be booked for private groups. Its a breeze to get to the station in the centre of town (Nice Ville), and onto the two-level train. Suitcases are stored by the entrance to our carriage, which has been booked for us as a private group so we dont have to stress about the possibility of theft. This is a new initiative from SNCF for 10 or more passengers travelling together, and includes a host to smooth the way with luggage and transfers. There are overhead racks for smaller bags; a nearby toilet (note that the flush is operated by a foot pedal) and, a couple of carriages further on, a casual bistro car with regional French produce incorporated throughout the menu. The seat Advertisement TGV InOui seating in first class. Trudi Jenkins Seats are placed in rows of three; a single on one side of the aisle and a pair on the other. Mine is 46 by the window on the right-hand side of the train; for the first part of the journey to Marseille, Im facing backwards, but it doesnt worry me. The charcoal and red colour scheme is smart; the upholstered seats have a footrest, a mirror, bag or coat hook and a small shelf that converts to a full-size drop-down tray table for a laptop or meal. Theres a drink holder, a USB port and a standard European socket plus a button to recline the seat that I keep hitting accidentally as its on the inside of the armrest. The free on-board Wi-Fi is patchy, so I stick to 5G on my roaming plan. Baggage You must be able to carry all your luggage by yourself. After the station boarding gates, only ticket holders are allowed on the platform. You can take either two suitcases, or one suitcase and one special item (eg a bike or skis), plus one item of hand luggage. Your hand luggage can measure a maximum of 40cm x 30cm x 15cm; your suitcase can measure a maximum of 70cm x 90cm x 50cm. Fees from 50 apply for excess baggage. Advertisement Food + drink Lunch on board is delicious. Trudi Jenkins As a private group, were allocated a host who delivers drinks, meals and snacks to our seats, airline-style. The standard is excellent (apart from typically bad French coffee) and the packaging recyclable. Our cold lunch is chicken with couscous, a mustardy potato salad, a bread roll and a cherry and almond cake. There is also a vegetarian option. Soft drinks are offered throughout the journey and snacks include really good butter cookies with chocolate. If youre travelling independently, meals and drinks can be pre-ordered online and picked up via the priority queue in the bistro car. The snacks on board are high-quality. Trudi Jenkins One more thing Advertisement Given this trip takes almost six hours, I would recommend forking out for the more spacious first-class seats. Related Article Train journeys On board the worlds most luxurious new train The price From 52 ($93) one way for first class, meals extra. See sncf-connect.com If you want to book a private carriage and host for a group, email veronique.dewiest@sncf.fr The verdict Advertisement I cant really fault this trip as an affordable, comfortable and sustainable (a tiny fraction of the carbon emissions of flying) way to get across France, straight from the centre of Nice into the centre of Paris. Flying would be quicker, but travelling by train is less stressful and the time goes by quickly. Our rating out of five The writer was a guest of Virgin Australia, Atout France and SNCF Voyageurs. See france.fr Sign up for the Traveller newsletter The latest travel news, tips and inspiration delivered to your inbox. Sign up now. "Melbournes market is a mixed bag," Cara Julian, founder and mortgage broker at Melbourne-based Brava Finance, told Australian Broker. "Some areas are booming; others are plateauing. And affordability remains a real challenge, especially for single-income households. Throw in stamp duty and tight lending policies, and its no wonder buyers feel overwhelmed. But were seeing a rise in savvy clients who are willing to think creatively: shared purchases, regional relocations and long-game strategies are becoming more common." In Tianjin, tech helps breed superior sheep 10:11, August 06, 2025 By Yan Dongjie ( China Daily Two workers check the health of a sheep raised at the Aoqun Animal Husbandry farm in Tianjin. CHINA DAILY A sheep breeding base in Tianjin is harnessing advanced technologies to reshape livestock farming both in China and abroad. Through its collaboration with Saudi Arabia, the base has helped slash lamb mortality rates from over 20 percent to below 10 percent and assisted in building three intelligent sheep barns in the country. These achievements showcase the progress China has made in smart agriculture and its influence in the international market, said Feng Jie, deputy head of Tuanbo town in Jinghai district, Tianjin. At the Aoqun Animal Husbandry facility in Tuanbo, the latest technologies are transforming traditional farming. Intelligent systems regulate barn temperatures, while robots identify and clean manure passages before returning to their stations. A feed efficiency monitoring system tracks each animal's feed intake, weight, and feeding time, enabling precise control over nutrition and health. "In recent years, the company has established a 'Sheep Internet' platform and a national-level mutton sheep performance testing center. These scientific breeding methods have been integrated into production practices, effectively guiding the selection, breeding and promotion of breeding sheep," said Lu Xiaofang, director of the mutton sheep factory in Tuanbo. "Each sheep wears an electronic ear tag that allows automatic tracking of weight, growth and health conditions," said Lu, "Through our Sheep Internet platform, managers can design more rational and scientific breeding plans." The facility also uses CT scanning technology developed in-house, producing high-resolution 3D images of sheep muscle, fat, and bone tissues. "This makes trait data as detailed as ocular muscle area, with muscle-fat and meat-bone ratios clearly visible," Lu said. During a recent demonstration, over 200 detailed images were captured in just 100 seconds, with a precision of 0.1 millimeters, showing the distribution of muscles, fat and bones in sheep. "Our efficient breeding technologies and intelligent breeding techniques have attracted inspection delegations from countries such as Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Iran and South Africa for visits on multiple occasions," said Lin Chunjian, manager of Aoqun. Beyond its global reach, Aoqun has had a major local impact. More than 80 jobs have been created in areas such as breeding, livestock care, and logistics. Over 5,000 farmers have received free training to boost their livestock-raising skills, helping lift rural communities out of poverty, according to Lu. Over 20 years ago, Chen Hua, founder of Aoqun Animal Husbandry, learned that China was heavily reliant on imported breeding sheep and decided to start his own business to cultivate breeding sheep. "Tuanbo town has abundant sunlight and geothermal resources, allowing the sheep barns to utilize geothermal energy for temperature control. Moreover, relying on the Tuanbo Lake Wetland, there is an abundance of natural forage and clean water, providing a natural grazing area for the sheep and further reducing breeding costs," Lu explained. Jinghai district has a well-developed agricultural sector, with a relatively high proportion of farmers engaged in agriculture and animal husbandry. They not only have certain breeding experience but also enjoy low labor costs, creating favorable conditions for the development of breeding here, Feng said. After years of upgrading breeding technologies, in 2018, the new mutton sheep breed "Aobai Multiparous Sheep" developed by Chen's team achieved a reproduction rate of 220 percent. "We no longer import breeding sheep now. The breeding sheep we have cultivated through closed breeding surpass foreign breeds in production performance by about 10 to 15 percent," said Zhang Zhichao, breeding director of Aoqun. Tianjin will host the 2025 Shanghai Cooperation Organization Summit this autumn. Lu expressed hope of exchanging and learning from other international mutton sheep breeding enterprises. "Taking the opportunity of the SCO Summit, we hope to showcase the achievements in protecting the Tuanbo Lake Wetland to the world, share our breeding technologies, strive to become a pilot for ecological cooperation under the SCO, and promote cooperation between enterprises like Aoqun Animal Husbandry and SCO member states," Feng said. Bao Yancontributed to this story. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Police in New York are investigating the death of an Irish woman on a yacht on Long Island in New York state. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) was found unconscious on a boat at the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday morning. The results of a preliminary examination into the cause of her death were deemed inconclusive, according to police. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was originally from Monacurragh, Blackbog Road, at the edge of Carlow town. From a farming family, she worked in Ireland until 2015 before emigrating to the United States. She set up her own brand, East x East, a luxury brand wear for sunglasses, swimwear and resort wear for men and women. She recently posted on her TikTok images of her pop-up East x East shop at Gurneys Resort in the Hamptons. She promised that she would be organising brand events and pool parties during the summer in the Hamptons. A statement from Suffolk County Police said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33), of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said the death is an absolutely devastating blow for the family - a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family. We cant comment any further other than to say its a devastating loss for the family and the community in Carlow. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases, a statement said. The death of a young woman with her life cut short and who did have years ahead of her makes this so heartbreaking, said cllr Fergal Brown. Martha is from a long established and highly respected farming family. It is so devastating for them all. A business partner and friend of Ms Nolan-OSlatarras, Dylan Grace, paid tribute on Instagram, saying: We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone else could understand, and built so much from nothing. Im truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life. Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl. A Montauk Yacht Club spokesperson said: We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place. Our team is co-operating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and wellbeing of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra earned a commerce degree from UCD and an MA in digital marketing from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, according to her LinkedIn profile. She is a past pupil of St Leos College in Carlow. Police in New York are investigating the death of an Irish woman on a yacht in Long Island in New York state. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) was found unconscious on a boat at the exclusive Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was originally from Carlow town. She worked in Ireland until 2015 before emigrating to the United States. She set up her own brand East x East, a luxury brand wear for sunglasses, swimwear and resort wear for men and women. She recently posted on her TikTok images of her pop-up East x East shop at Gurneys Resort in the Hamptons. She promised that she would be organising brand events and pool parties during the summer in the Hamptons. Her cause of death is still under investigation and will be determined by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. A police statement said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases, a statement said. A Montauk Yacht Club spokesperson said: We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place. Our team is co-operating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra earned a commerce degree from UCD and an MA in digital marketing from the UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School, according to her LinkedIn profile. THE moment pet lovers across Ireland have been waiting for has arrived public voting is now open for the Nose of Tralee 2025. After sifting through hundreds of adorable entries, the competition has narrowed down to 32 finalists, and were delighted to report that Carlow is proudly represented by a very special little lady. Dotsy, a fluffy Maltipom from Carlow town, has proven that big personalities can come in small packages. This diminutive dynamo has already charmed her way past the initial judging rounds and now needs your vote to take home the ultimate prize. According to her devoted owner Denise Ryan, Dotsy is far from your average pet. This clever canine has mastered tricks in both English and Irish, although shell only perform them when treats are on offer, naturally. When shes not busy being adorable at home, Dotsy enjoys her social life at Happy Campers Carlow daycare, where she meets up with her four-legged friends. Her owners describe her as silly, sweet and a little bit sassy, qualities that seem tailor-made for pet competition success. The Nose of Tralee, now in its 12th year, welcomes all types of pets and has grown into Irelands largest pet competition. This years 32 finalists include the usual suspects of dogs and cats, but also feature a goat, proving once again that Irish pets are as diverse as they are loveable. Kate McQuillan, organiser of the competition and owner of Pet Sitters Ireland, expressed her excitement about this years line-up: The support from every corner of the country this year has been incredible people are so proud of their local finalists. I cant wait to see if this years winner will be a cat, dog or maybe even our first-ever goat Nose of Tralee. Voting couldnt be simpler: just visit www.petsittersireland.com/nose-2025 and cast your vote once every 24 hours until 5pm on 18 August. The winner will be announced on 19 August and will receive a prize package worth hundreds of euros, including a 250 pet sitting voucher and professional photoshoot. So, Carlow folk, lets rally behind our local representative. Dotsy may be small, but with your support, she could prove that the best things really do come in fluffy little packages. SURVIVORS of institutional abuse in Carlow and surrounding areas will have the opportunity to learn about free support services at an information session next week. Sage Advocacy, the national advocacy service for older people, is hosting the event in the Seven Oaks hotel on Thursday from noon to 4pm. The session is open to survivors, family members and those working with or supporting survivors. The organisation provides free, independent, one-to-one support to all survivors of institutional abuse through a nationwide team of experienced advocates. The service is confidential, issue and consent-based. Damian OFarrell, project manager for survivors of institutional abuse at Sage Advocacy, explained that many survivors continue to face significant barriers in accessing services and support. We know that many people who experienced institutional abuse still face real barriers in accessing services, in being heard and in getting the support they deserve, he said. Our information session is about informing and offering practical support in a safe environment. Mr OFarrell described the profound and lasting impacts of institutional abuse on survivors, many of whom were placed in industrial and reformatory schools as young children due to poverty or perceived lack of proper guardianship. I met a lady who is in her 50s and she showed me her committal order; she was in court when she was one-and-a-half years of age and she was sentenced to 14-and-a-half years in an industrial school, he recounted. The trauma experienced in these institutions including physical, sexual, emotional and spiritual abuse has left many survivors with ongoing difficulties. Damian highlighted particular challenges around decision making and interacting with systems and authorities. Often, survivors dont interact with the system, theyd rather go without and suffer, he explained. The system did this to these people. So, if theyre not up the housing list as much as they should be or similar, its not their fault. The system did this to them and it owes something to correct that wrong. The advocacy service takes an action-based approach, helping survivors navigate practical challenges they face in daily life. Were issue based, so if somebody comes along and the issue could be they cant access a state service because they have literacy issues, thats a big thing in the survivor community. Or maybe their medical card has expired and they need help reapplying. Or they may not be on the housing list because its quite complicated to fill out the application form, he explained. Sage Advocacy also engages in systemic advocacy work, including efforts to secure priority housing supports for survivors through local authorities. Damian emphasised the isolation experienced by many survivors, describing artwork created by survivors that depicts profound loneliness. There was no touch, no warmth, no parental visits, loneliness, he said of their experiences in institutions. He considers institutional survivors to be a marginalised group, the same as any other marginalised groups in Ireland. The information session represents a shift from previous approaches. Survivors have been going to meetings for a long time, telling their stories, but this is more action based, so its more of an information session, OFarrell noted. Those interested in attending the free information session at the Seven Oaks Hotel, Carlow on Thursday, 7 August from 12pm to 4pm do not need to register in advance. STYLE icons Faith Amond and Liz Maher represented County Carlow with distinction as finalists in the prestigious Best Dressed Lady competition at last weeks Galway Races. The pair were among the select finalists competing for the coveted 10,000 prize at Ladies Day, which took place on Thursday during the 156th running of the Galway Races Summer Festival. While Megan Cunniss from Bohermore in Galway city ultimately claimed the top prize, both Carlow women flew the flag for Carlow style on one of Irelands most fashionable stages. Faith Amond, who has become synonymous with elegant racing fashion across Ireland, expressed her delight at the recognition. Delighted to be chosen as a Ladies Day finalist, she posted online following the announcement. At 71, Faith continues to challenge perceptions about age and style, having previously stated in interviews that older women are not invisible and consistently advocating for the celebration of fashion at any stage of life. The milliner and fashion icon brings decades of experience to racing fashion, with an impressive track record that includes winning Best Dressed Lady up to 50 times across various events. Joining Faith as a Carlow finalist was Liz Maher from Bagenalstown, who has been making waves on the racing fashion circuit this season. The retired cattle trader recently claimed the Best Dressed Lady title at The Lodge at Ashford Castle Ladies Day at Ballinrobe Racecourse, marking a triumphant return to that venue after a 40-year absence. Her victory there came just over a year after she won Best Dressed at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh Racecourse in 2024. The judging panel for Galways Ladies Day was led by renowned stylist Mandy Maher and included notable fashion figures Niamh Ryan, co-founder of Irish skincare brand Ella & Jo (which sponsored the competition), Lisa McGowan of Lisa & Co and Lisas Lust List, and a former Best Dressed winner herself. Ladies Day has become a cornerstone event of the Galway Races Summer Festival, drawing fashion enthusiasts from across Ireland who compete not just for the substantial prize money, but for the prestige of being recognised among the countrys best-dressed. Olivia Kelleher Gardai investigating the death of a man in his 50s whose body was found in a property at Lower Barrack View off Cathedral Walk in Cork on Tuesday have ruled out foul play. The alarm was raised at 4pm on Tuesday by a man who was passing by and spotted the body inside the window of the terraced house on the northside of the city. Gardai went to the scene and discovered the body of a man inside the property. The Office of the State Pathologist was notified. The scene was preserved for a full technical examination. There was no evidence of forced entry at the property. A postmortem examination was carried out at Cork University Hospital on Wednesday. The death is not being treated as suspicious. Gardai will prepare a file for the Cork City Coroner and an inquest is expected to be heard at a later date. Advertisement The USA has increased its tariffs on cement imported from Vietnam to 20 per cent. The new tariff is effective from 1 August and replace the previous 10 per cent rate. The step is expected to significantly change trade flows as Vietnam is the second-largest supplier of cement to the USA after Turkey. Importers are predicted to pass the new rate to end-users, impacting the broader price increase expected on 1 January 2026. Shauna Wooten, director of Patient Access & Revenue Cycle at Cempa Community Care, has completed the UCLA/Johnson & Johnson Health Care Executive Program, hosted by the UCLA Anderson School of Management. The highly selective, two-month program is designed to strengthen leadership and management skills for healthcare professionals working in dynamic, community-based settings, said officials. To say I am honored to have been a part of the executive program would be an understatement, said Ms. Wooten. The knowledge and skills I gained from the program will have a direct and positive impact on our work at Cempa. My time in Los Angeles provided valuable insights into best practices for integrating technology and data analytics into patient access and revenue cycle management strategies, which can significantly boost efficiency and accuracy. The Health Care Executive Program equips participants with tools to navigate the evolving healthcare landscape and lead their organizations through meaningful growth and transformation. With a focus on strategic thinking, operational excellence, and community-centered care, the program supports leaders in delivering high-quality, accessible services to the populations they serve, said officials. I learned to identify bottlenecks, implement process improvements, and enhance communication between departments, said Ms. Wooten. By applying these insights, we can better manage the departments under my purview at Cempa, ultimately leading to increased revenue and improved financial health for our organization. Cempa, recognized on multiple best places to work lists, has a history of supporting the professional development of its staff, and Ms. Wootens success in this particular program is a continuation of that trend. Shaunas achievement is a reflection of Cempas commitment to investing in our team so we can better serve our patients, said Dr. Shannon Burger, CEO of Cempa Community Care. Leadership development like this ensures we stay ahead of the curve in delivering high-quality care to those who need it most. We are proud of Shauna and excited to see her insights translated into action. Senior citizens and other neighbors in our Hamilton County community who live on a fixed income ought to be able to stay in their homes instead of being priced out. I respectfully ask County Mayor Wamp and our 11 county commissioners to collaborate and do their due diligence in reviewing the options to come up with an answer not an overall freeze, but an option focused on those of us who need property tax relief. The commissioners and County Mayor Wamp can consult with our county tax assessor, county attorney, and other relevant county staff, as well as with the states tax department. Can they examine alternatives such as the value of a tax exemption, a tax freeze or a tax credit? Can they check out what other comparable municipalities in Tennessee are doing? What are some other ways for the commissioners and the mayor to successfully address this critical issue? County Mayor Wamp and Commissioners Gene-O Shipley, Chip Baker, Ken Smith, Warren Mackey, Greg Beck, David Sharpe, Lee Helton, Mike Chauncey, Steve Highlander, Jeff Eversole, and Joe Graham, your constituents are counting on you to meet this challenge. Therese Pace Tuley The East Hamilton Ministerial Association and the Samaritan Center partnered to host the annual East Hamilton Ministerial Association Prayer Lunch, serving approximately 450 teachers last Wednesday. The event took place at St. Francis of Assisi and the Little Debbie Parkway parking lot, and marked the eighth anniversary of this community tradition.Officials said, "The drive-thru lunch, made possible by about 50 dedicated volunteers, was designed to recognize and pray for local educators as they prepare for a new school year.The events mission is to offer a simple service in recognition and support to those who dedicate their lives to teaching the community's children."Teachers and staff from the following schools received a special ticket to the event: Apison Elementary School Ooltewah High School East Hamilton Middle School Ooltewah Elementary School Wolftever Elementary School Wallace A Smith Elementary School Ooltewah Middle School Hunter Middle School Central High School Snow Hill Elementary SchoolEach ticket gave the educator a complete meal, which included a main entree with options of a Chick-fil-A chicken sandwich, Pizza Hut pizza, or a vegetarian burrito from Tropical Cuisine. The lunches also included apples, chips, water and a classic Little Debbie snack. With all the discussions and controversy going on in our little town these days, I felt inclined to share some things that we should all think about. Im sure everyone who has any interest in this town, the traffic problems, the overcrowding of school problems, and the ridiculous amount of over development occurring, has heard of Plan Hamilton by now. With Plan Hamilton a new term has come alive and is being used frequently. It is so popular newspaper articles are being written about it.The word NIMBY is being used to describe life long residents of Hamilton County, if they disagree with the some changes in their community and voice their concerns, those who disagree with these opinions have resorted to name calling.This act is supposed to shame residents or make them feel like their ideas or opinions are somehow wrong. NIMBY is the new word to use against residents. Warren Mackey threw this word out at a recent County Commission meeting. He directed this comment toward a tax paying citizen who was there to advocate for the majority of the residents in his district regarding Plan Hamilton. First of all, it was very unprofessional for a Commissioner to stoop to this level in a public forum. Name calling is something children do on the playground, not grown men.The term NIMBY is being used frequently by those who want aggressive growth in Hamilton County, especially in the unincorporated areas. NIMBY is being used against residents who seek to protect their communities against high density growth. The use of the term is the pure hypocrisy. For example, Commissioner Beck (in favor of high density development) had a development proposed for a tiny home subdivision off Tunnel Boulevard that the neighbors did not want there. So he opposed it, he got the support of his fellow commissioners to stand with him. The plans for this development never made it through the Planning Commission.In Eastdale, Commissioner Becks district again, a large apartment complex was proposed, however the homeowners in this area did not want an apartment complex encroaching the sanctity of their neighborhoods. The zoning change request for the apartments in Eastdale was denied due to the support from Commissioner Beck and his fellow commissioners.Recently when Moccasin Bend mental hospital was looking to relocate, a piece of property off of Tunnel Boulevard was identified as a potential site for the new facility. This property is also located in Commissioner Becks district. The neighborhood once again spoke out against this area for the hospitals relocation, They did not want it in their neighborhood. Commissioner Beck opposed it, his fellow commissioners stood in support, and it never made it through the Planning Commission. When talk of the mental hospital relocation then shifted to an area around Erlanger Hospital, better know as Lincoln Park, the neighborhood here voiced strong opposition to this option as well. This area is Commissioner Mackeys district. The decision to rule out Lincoln Park came quick. Interesting that the Lincoln Park area made sense due to the geographic location being so close to Erlanger Hospital. So would these two commissioners and their constituents not be guilty of NIMBY?Joe Graham (in favor of high density development) is another example. Let me just insert a quote from him in a recent Times Free Press article. He said he worries the plan will drive development in incorporated areas, like Chattanooga. Developers, seeing attempts to slow growth in the county, are now buying up more land closer to the urban core, Graham said. Theyre coming further in, Graham said. Because Plan Hamilton, in my opinion, is going to kill the growth in the outskirts of the county. That puts undue pressure on the people in my district, and the ones that youre excluding here it makes our rents higher, it makes our property values, property costs higher. Please note here how concerned he is about his district, his rent, property values and property costs. Which is some of the many reasons citizens in unincorporated areas are trying to slow development in their areas. If his statement isnt NIMBY at its finest, I am not sure what is.Another incident with Commissioner Graham was when a property owner in his district wanted to take his property located across from Black Creek to develop a camping area for RVs, tent camping, etc., and on a separate request, the property owner wanted to add a restaurant to service the campers and the area in general. The citizens in Black Creek did not want these businesses located near their neighborhood, and fought it. Commissioner Graham fought with them, along with his fellow commissioners. This development request got denied by the planning commission. Another development involving Commissioner Graham and his district involved an empty hotel in Tiftonia where the city wanted to turn it into a long term stay facility when they closed the Budgetel in East Ridge. Commissioner Graham spoke out adamantly against the plan, saying it was not going in his District! His fellow commissioners backed him with their support. The plans for this development never passed.My point here is you can say we are ALL NIMBYs, or you can simply say we all care about our homes, our communities and, yes, our back yards.In a previous county commission meeting, I heard the most gratifying statement ever. When it came time to vote, a commissioner said, I dont know this area that we are voting on today, but I do know the commissioner that represents this area, and I trust him to do what is best for the people in his district, therefore I am voting with him today in opposition of this Resolution.What a powerful statement and course of action. Instead of name calling, this commissioner chose to work with his colleague and support the needs of residents in another district. Isnt it time for all of us to work together, stop name calling and support the vision of the lifelong residents in Hamilton County?Becky Murray Middle Valley Church of God, 1703 Thrasher Pike in Hixson, announces Pastor Mitch McClure will be preaching on "Why Would You Not Want Him In Your Life?" this Sunday in the 10:30 a.m. service. "The purpose of the sermon is to lead all believers to know that God is never far away," officials said.Each Sunday at 5:30 p.m. the church conducts a prayer meeting that open to all who wish to participate and is designed to encourage prayer. Information on various methods of prayer will be shared with participants, with the goal of encouraging believers to seek God through prayer.Each Wednesday at 7 p.m., an interactive Bible study will be held in the church auditorium.Pastor Mitch McClure is currently leading this Bible study that deals with the rapture of believers. "The goal of this Bible study is to encourage believers to study the Bible and discuss with others, making the Scripture their guide," officials said.Middle Valley Church of God is a community focused church with various ministries in the Middle Valley area and in Cusuna, Honduras. The community is welcome to join in times of worship and community service. MVCOG has been ministering in the Middle Valley Community since 1948 from the same location.For more information, contact the church office at 423-843-1539. "Criminal activity in an American Legion Post will not be tolerated, this includes gambling. The state American Legion Commander said officials of Post 95 in East Ridge "have truly harmed the good name of the American Legion." Todd McKinley said Post 95 members were more active in gambling activities inside the group's bar on Ringgold Road rather than community service. He said, "Its funny that those who were conducting illegal activity at Post 95 were all about lying to protect their misdeeds, even as I walked through the Post just before delivering the news that they were to be suspended. I gave them every opportunity to come clean, but they hid their misdeeds like children do and lied until they had no more room to wiggle. These same individuals are now pretending to be tough guys and are harassing Department Officers, which cowards who cant follow simple rules and laws do. "The Department Executive Committee (DEC) voted to suspend their charter, because of the illegal actions, which theyve now admitted to, but they think that harassment will get them reinstalled in the Post, this will never happen. Their actions have truly harmed the good name of the American Legion. "These same individuals appealed their suspension as they have right to do. During this hearing, the DEC voted to allow the Post to re-open and operate as an actual Legion Post supporting the 4 pillars which are Veterans Affairs & Rehabilitation, National Security, Americanism, and Children & Youth, to which they flat out rejected. The reality is these individuals have no interest in operating a real Legion Post, they would rather operate a bar or private club where they can break rules and laws as they see fit, but that will not happen on my watch as the duly elected Department Commander tasked with amongst other things enforcing the rules of the organization and following the laws of the state and nation evenly and fairly. "The bad actors in this story are now pretending to be the victims of a tyrannical department, which is telling. The real victims here are those in the East Ridge community who could truly benefit from having a properly working American Legion Post that truly support the 4 pillars in their back yard. These benefits amongst other things include Veteran funerals, which a nearby Legion Post have stepped in to pick up the slack. Pretending that the department is the problem here is laughable and pathetic, but those who are guilty always make counter accusations when caught. "When one swears an oath to Support and Defend the Constitution, that means following laws we may disagree with or suffer the consequences if we violate them. Real adults work to change the law peacefully in a civil society, we do our work in the light of day, not behind closed doors in dark rooms, and especially not in a bar. No problem has ever been solved in a bar, a few good times perhaps, but no problems are solved there. "In closing, during the appeal meeting, a couple of the bad actors complained about having snitches in their Post, but in the next breath began snitching and pointing the fingers at other Posts that may or may not be breaking the law. If other Posts are violating the law, I'll certainly do the same thing and suspend their charter after of course a vote from the Department Executive Committee (DEC), because I follow the Constitution & Bylaw aka the rules, unlike those complaining in this article." Mayor Tim Kelly went before the City Council on Tuesday afternoon to declare that he "certainly did not mean to threaten" any many of the council. He said he was sorry if he had offended anyone. Mayor Kelly earlier said he would help those council members who helped him on the tax increase vote, and vice versa. Mayor Kelly said Tuesday he is passionate about finishing his mayoral terms on a strong footing. He said it is difficult to do so "when you have $75 and you need $100. Earlier on Tuesday afternoon, Councilman Chip Henderson questioned Mr. Roig about a "threat" made by Mayor Kelly. Commissioner Henderson said there were concerns that if he voted against the mayor's budget that a planned water line to a growing community on Aetna Mountain might not be completed. Mr. Roig said it might not be completed because of inadequate funds available without the mayor's budget. Councilman Davis said he felt "the threats made by the mayor indicate he's a little desperate." Andrea Lee Andi Robinson Hollis, 53, passed away on Sunday, August 3, 2025. Andi was born and raised in Hixson, and was a graduate of Hixson High School and Chattanooga State Community College, where she earned a degree in nursing. She worked as a labor and delivery nurse at Erlanger Hospital, a job she loved and where she impacted countless lives and made lifelong friends. Andi was known for her big, warm and loving personality and as a nurse who cared for everyone. Her presence was a hurricane of energyloud, unapologetic, and utterly wonderful. She had a way of making people feel included. She always said I love you! at the end of a phone call or even out the window of her car as she drove past. She made friends easily and loved them fiercely. She will be missed beyond measure. Andi was preceded in death by her parents, Jackie and Eleanor Robinson, of Hixson. She is survived by her husband of 32 years, Kevin Hollis, and their three sons, Logan Hollis, Morgan Hollis and Evan Hollis (Kinsey), and two grandsons, Asher and Crew, all of Hixson. She is also survived by her brother, Gil Robinson and sister Terry Dobbins, also of Hixson. She leaves behind her fur babies Dixie, Tallulah, Murphy and Sadie and her cat Lucy. The Visitation and Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, Aug. 9. at Williamson & Sons Funeral Home at 8852 Dayton Pike in Soddy Daisy. Visitation will begin at 11 a.m. and end with the service at 1 p.m. Following the service, the family will receive guests from 2:45-5 p.m. at Calvary Chapel Northside at 8615 Hixson Pike in Hixson. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.williamsonandsons.com. Arrangements are by Williamson & Sons Funeral Home, 8852 Dayton Pike, Soddy Daisy, Tn. 37379. Sheriff Austin Garrett announces the commission of Tim Davis as the new deputy chief of Corrections for the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. A seasoned law enforcement professional with over 25 years of experience, Chief Davis will oversee all Corrections Services operations.Officials said, "Chief Davis brings a distinguished career in corrections and law enforcement leadership, having served in a variety of command roles at the Santa Clara County Sheriffs Office in California, where he retired as assistant sheriff.In his prior role, Chief Davis was in command of the fifth largest jail system in California, where he was responsible for managing multiple facilities with more than double the total daily inmate population currently housed in the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. His extensive background includes training and certifications in jail operations, security, emergency response and inmate classification."Over the course of his career, Chief Davis has served as a jail training officer, Security Enhancement Training Team (SETT) officer, Less-Lethal Munitions instructor, Emergency Response Team (ERT) leader, and classification deputy. His leadership roles have included sergeant of Jail Administration and Training, sergeant of the Internal Affairs Unit, and lieutenant and assistant division commander at both male and female detention facilities. He was later assigned to oversee Support Services, which included the Jail Programs Unit, Re-Entry Services, Classification and Gang Intelligence, and the Custody Adult Supervision Unit.Throughout his law enforcement career, Chief Davis has demonstrated exceptional leadership, particularly in corrections services. He was a valuable asset to his previous agency, and I am confident he will bring the same level of professionalism, innovation and accountability to the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center. As deputy chief of Corrections, he will play a critical role in implementing my vision and continued goals for Corrections Services and the Hamilton County Jail and Detention Center, said Sheriff Garrett.Chief Davis earned his associate of arts degree from Ohlone College in 1991. He and his wife, Michelle, have dedicated a combined 50 years to public service in law enforcement. They are proud parents of five children, two of whom are currently following in their footstepsserving as a custody deputy and a police officer."Please join us in welcoming Chief Tim Davis to the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office and thanking him for his continued commitment to public safety," officials said. The Appalachian Regional Commission has awarded a $10 million grant to Trust for Public Land to lead Appalachia United Outdoors: Connecting Communities and Outdoor Recreation Economies, "a transformative, multi-state initiative to strengthen local economies through outdoor recreation."Officials said, "This major investment, part of ARCs Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), will help implement high-impact outdoor projects in eight Appalachian states: Alabama, Georgia, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina and Tennessee."Together with a coalition of over 40 partnersincluding universities, nonprofits, government agencies and land managersTPL will map and prioritize planned outdoor recreation projects across the region and help communities complete the projects with the strongest opportunities to improve their economies and quality of life.The work will focus on economically distressed and at-risk areas, where outdoor access and its health and economic benefits are often least available."Initial efforts are already underway, including a new trail system through the Dade County Community Forest in Georgia and the purchase of a 138-acre property in Madison County for public access, North Carolina to increase public recreation access and protect the iconic view of Bailey Mountain."Outdoor recreation is one of the most powerful, underutilized drivers of economic revitalization across Appalachia, said Carrie Besnette Hauser, president and CEO of Trust for Public Land. With this historic investment from the Appalachian Regional Commission, were working alongside local leaders and organizations to connect more people to the regions iconic landscapesfrom mountain ridgelines to forested hollershelping to spark new tourism, support healthier living and generate good jobs in the process.Officials said, "TPL will kick off Appalachia United Outdoors with prioritization for each of the eight states, creating tailored project management for individual projects where state, local, and partner priorities align. TPL will lead these priority projects to ensure successful implementation that include community partnerships, acquisition, trail development and evaluation of outcomes."TPL will engage 100 high priority communities to build local capacity to leverage economic benefits through outdoor recreation projects by delivering skill building workshops and toolkits to provide step-by-step tactics for project implementation. TPLs on-the-ground teams will provide direct project management and technical assistance to at least 24 selected communities to advance implementation-ready projects toward completion."Communities will realize new trails, community forests and other outdoor destinations, participate in training and capacity building programs and the creation of many new jobs in the outdoor recreation economy."Connecting our Appalachian communities through outdoor recreation opportunities bolsters the regions economy by supporting the hospitality industry, increasing tourism and accelerating business development for outdoor gear manufacturers, said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin. Im proud that this ARC ARISE grant will impact eight Appalachian states and will serve as an example of the positive impact that can happen in our region when Appalachians work together.Officials said, "In addition to ARC funds, local sources will provide $8,386,649, bringing the total project funding to $18,386,649. Funding for this project is provided through ARCs Appalachian Regional Initiative for Stronger Economies (ARISE), which aims to drive large-scale, regional economic transformation through multi-state collaborative projects across Appalachia." Red Clay State Historic Park will host the Cherokee Cultural Celebration on Saturday and Sunday, August 9-10, featuring demonstrations, traditional dancing, craft vendors, and food vendors from federally recognized Cherokee tribes. The public is invited to the event scheduled 10 a.m.-5 p.m. The cost is $5 per vehicle. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and the Cherokee Nation will attend, and the United Keetoowah Band of Cherokee Indians may also be present. Vendors and demonstrators are all citizens of the tribes, and all crafts at the celebration will be handmade by the vendors. On Saturday, Alix Parks of HappiNest Raptor Rehabilitation will be releasing a rehabilitated hawk near the Council House. Red Clay State Historic Park is the site of the last seat of the Cherokee national government before the 1838 enforcement of the Indian Removal Act of 1830 by the U.S. military. The law resulted in most of the Cherokee people in the area being forced to move west. The Trail of Tears began at every familys doorstep, and at Red Clay Council grounds they learned they were going to lose their mountains, streams, and valleys forever. The Eternal Flame at Red Clay State Park is a memorial for the Cherokee people and those who were lost on the Trail of Tears. This program is significant to supporting Red Clays interpretive mission, said Park Manager Erin Medley. To learn Cherokee history and culture from the people themselves is an invaluable experience that we are proud to facilitate on the historic Red Clay Council Grounds. Red Clay State Park is home to Blue Hole Spring, a natural landmark used by the Cherokee for their water supply and cultural ceremonies during council meetings. The James F. Corn Interpretive Facility contains exhibits on the 19th Century Cherokee, the Trail of Tears, Cherokee art, a video theater, gift shop and small library. A new artificial intelligence avatar interactive exhibit is also featured. Corey Devon Washington, the 45-year-old Ooltewah man charged with criminal homicide in the death of 51-year-old Kevin Kendrick, appeared in Criminal Court on Wednesday afternoon as part of a hearing to evaluate his mental state and address his bond. Washington, who has a long documented history of mental illness, was ordered to undergo a judicial commitment for a forensic evaluation after his defense raised concerns about his competency to stand trial. The evaluation will determine both his current mental condition and whether he was legally insane at the time of the incident in early April that resulted in Kendricks death. Washington remains held on a $500,000 bond. CPD officers were dispatched to 3003 Towerway Dr. on reports of a person shot and a motor vehicle crash. Police spoke with several witnesses who said they heard multiple gunshots, a slight pause, a vehicle engine revving and then a loud crash. Witnesses said they saw a tan/gold vehicle had crashed into another vehicle. Washington told police he had gone to 3005 Towerway Dr. to see an old friend when Kendrick, known as "Kboogie," began assaulting him. He said "Kboogie" demanded money from him and took $70. He said he then tried to leave the scene when "Kboogie" began to continually shoot at him. He told police that because he was continuously being shot at, he acted in self defense and intentionally struck Kendrick with his vehicle. Police acquired video evidence that contradicted Washington's statement of self defense. The video did not show Kendrick continuously shooting him. The video did show Washington reversing out of the driveway on Towerway Drive as Kendrick was walking in the opposite direction. Video then showed, as Kendrick was walking away, with his back turned, that Washington intentionally accelerated towards Kendrick, ultimately striking him in the yard of the residence. The victim was found to have died from apparent blunt force trauma-type injuries. Washington had been diagnosed with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in his late teens and had been on a mood stabilizer for roughly 30 years. His treating physician reportedly took him off that medication in March - weeks before the homicide - without notifying the family. His family, seated in court, noted a marked change in his behavior in the days leading up to the incident. The court was also informed that Washington had recently pleaded guilty to a DUI in February and had a 2014 assault charge that was resolved through diversion. The state has agreed not to proceed with a probation violation related to the DUI due to the question of Washingtons competency. Judge Steelman acknowledged the sensitive nature of the case and stated that the court would await the outcome of the forensic evaluation from Moccasin Bend Mental Health Institute before making further determinations about bond or trial proceedings. The sheriffs department is to transport Washington once space is available at the facility. Were going to evaluate further movement forth, Judge Steelman said, noting that the legal process would take into account both the rights of the accused and the severity of the charges. A follow-up court date will be scheduled once the evaluation is complete and the defendants competency status is determined. Cleveland Mayor Kevin Brooks was elected 1st Vice President of the Tennessee MunicipalLeague (TML) during the Leagues annual business meeting recently held in conjunction with the TML Annual Conference in Chattanooga. Bolivar Mayor Julian McTizic was elected president.Mayor Brooks stated, It is indeed an honor to be nominated and elected by our mayoral peers fromacross the state to servce in this leadership role at TML. To serve with and learn from all the city mayors in Tennessee is an incredible opportunity.And to represent the needs and wishes of our hometown of Cleveland, Tn. at the TML table brings countless benefits and opportunities to our city and its citizens.TML elects three officers, a president and two vice presidents, one representing each grand division of Tennessee. Mayor Brooks was nominated by a six-member nominating committee composed ofmunicipal officials statewide. He was then elected for a one-year term by a majority vote from members in attendance at the annual business meeting. TML's vice presidents are traditionally in line to succeed the president. Blake Lay, Lawrenceburg mayor, was elected as TMLs 2nd Vice President. Gallatin Mayor Paige Brown will remain on the board as immediate past president.Founded in 1940 and based in Nashville, the Tennessee Municipal League advocates for the interests of 345 cities and towns across the state of Tennessee, and the citizens they serve. As a member of the TML board of directors, Brooks will propose and determine legislative and policy priorities for the League.The TML board also includes, mayors of Tennessee's largest cities, eight district directors, and four at-large directors. The four urban mayors are: Chattanooga Mayor Tim Kelly, Knoxville Mayor Indya Kincannon, Memphis Mayor Paul Young, and Metro Nashville Mayor Freddie OConnell.The four at-large directors were nominated by a six-member nominating committee composed ofmunicipal officials statewide. They were then elected for a one-year term by a majority vote frommembers in attendance at the business meeting. Those directors are: Roland Trey Dykes, NewportMayor; Johnny Dodd, Jackson City Council; Paul Montgomery, Kingsport Mayor; and Joe Pitts, Clarksville Mayor.The eight district directors, representing their section of the state, were nominated during districtcaucuses and confirmed by the TML Board of Directors. They are: District 1: Michael Baker, ErwinAlderman; District 2: Gary Chesney, Morristown Mayor; District 3: Stefanie Dalton, Red Bank Mayor;District 4: Keith Morrison, Algood City Administrator; District 5: Tim Ellis, Goodlettsville City Manager; District 6: Jessica Salamida, Nolensville Vice Mayor; District 7: Kim Foster, Paris City Manager; and District 8: Bethany Huffman, Millington Alderwoman.Mike Callis, Portland Mayor and Chairman of the Tennessee Municipal Bond Fund also sits on the board. And a representative from an affiliate organization is also a voting board member, Jay Evans, Brentwood assistant city administrator and president of the Tennessee City Management Association. There were plenty of celebrities and high-profile people at Lauren Sanchez and Jeff Bezos' wedding, but one of the bride's siblings didn't make the guest list. Lauren Sanchezs wedding to Jeff Bezos was dubbed the event of the year. The festivities for the affair took place over three days in June in Venice, Italy, and boasted a celebrity guest list that read like a whos who in Hollywood and showbiz. Some of those high-profile guests included: Leonardo DiCaprio, Orlando Bloom, Jessica Alba, Sydney Sweeney, Kim Kardashian, Kris Jenner, Kylie Jenner, Kendall Jenner, Ellie Goulding, Tom Brady, Usher and Jenn Goicoechea, Bill Gates, Tommy Hilfiger, and Oprah Winfrey. However, one of Laurens brothers was noticeably absent. So what caused him to miss his sisters big day? Well, turns out he wasnt invited. Yep, theres bad blood and the problem isnt just with Lauren and her sibling; it involves Bezos as well. Lauren is close with two of her siblings Lauren has one sister, Elena, and two brothers, Paul and Michael. She is very close to Elena and Paul, and both attended her wedding to the Amazon founder. Paul Sanchez tries to stay out of the spotlight as much as possible. A few months before the wedding though he did share his excitement for Lauren with TMZ, saying: [It will be] like a Princess Di thing, just huge and fun, and just a blast. Im thrilled beyond belief. Its gonna be an amazing event. Meanwhile, Elena and Laurens bond was made clear when the former posted a touching birthday tribute to her sister on Instagram that read in part: My sister and I are so close that our relationship is sometimes hard for others to understand. Its hard to describe We have a conflict-free relationship We support and care for each other unconditionally. She sees me and understands me like nobody else I am so lucky to be loved by her You arent just my sister you are my soul mate and my best friend. I love you more than any words could ever express. Why her brother, Michael, was not invited to her wedding While Elena and Paul were on hand to see their sister marry Bezos, Michael was not there and thats because he wasnt welcome at the wedding. Lauren introduced Michael and Bezos back in 2018, and after that meeting, Michael said he realized his little sister was not having a casual fling with Bezos and their romance was serious. Then, in 2019, news of their affair hit the internet and every other media outlet thanks to the National Enquirer, which published NSFW text messages between the two while they were married to other people. Many people assumed Michael was the source of that leak, especially after he told Vanity Fair, Im not saying I didnt do something, before adding, What I can tell you now is that ever since April 20, when I met Jeff, my only goal has been to protect Jeff and Lauren. However, Michael then decided to sue Bezos personally for defamation, claiming he was falsely accused of informing the media about explicit exchanges with Lauren. In response to her older brothers lawsuit against her partner, Lauren said: He secretly provided my most personal information to The National Enquirer a deep and unforgivable betrayal. My family is hurting over this new baseless and untrue lawsuit, and we truly hope my brother finds peace. Michael eventually lost the suit and was ordered to pay $218,000 of Bezos $1.7 million legal fees. So yeah, its no surprise that Michael didnt get an invite to the wedding of the year. A police officer in China is monitoring citizens while wearing a facial recognition camera. | Screenshot from The Economist YouTube Channel Chinese authorities have detained a Protestant pastor on charges of illegal business operations, several weeks after he and multiple church members were taken into custody amid ongoing crackdowns on unregistered Christian activity across the country. Pastor Huang Yizi was officially informed of his arrest this week, more than a month after he and four others were detained by Pingyang Public Security officials on June 26, according to the UK-based organization Christian Solidarity Worldwide. The group, which includes church members from Ningbo, Quzhou, and Taizhou all in Zhejiang Provincewas placed under administrative detention the day after their arrest. While two of the five individuals were released on bail last Friday, the remaining three, including Huang, remain in custody. The specific charges against the others have not been disclosed. Additionally, a sixth church member was detained on July 17 and is still in detention. 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 told CSW that the speed of his cases processing raised concerns regarding the thoroughness of the review and the absence of official documentation. Huang had been detained previously in 2014 for protesting the demolition of church crosses in Wenzhou, serving a one-year prison term. Less than a month after his release, he was detained again on September 12, 2015, on charges of endangering national security, and was held in a designated residential surveillance location for nearly five months. Prior to the demolitions, his church had operated as a state-approved Three-Self Patriotic Movement church. The Chinese Human Rights Lawyers Group criticized authorities for using broad and vague charges, such as illegal business operations, to detain religious figures. They stated that the act of recording and distributing sermons falls within protections of religious expression under the constitution. In a related incident, nine Christians in Inner Mongolia were convicted in April for reselling legally published Bibles through an unregistered house church. According to Bitter Winter, their sentences ranged from one year to nearly five years, with fines as high as 1 million yuan ($137,000). All nine were convicted on the same charge that has been used against Pastor Huang. Earlier this year, the Chinese Communist Party announced new regulations that ban foreign missionaries from establishing religious organizations or preaching without official authorization. These rules, which came into effect on May 1, prohibit foreign nationals from founding religious schools, producing or selling religious materials, or recruiting Chinese citizens as followers. Mission News Network reported that foreign clergy are only permitted to preach if they receive a formal invitation from state-recognized religious organizations, and their messages must be approved in advance by authorities. Meanwhile, a report from Chinas Global Times lauded the strengthened efforts by public security authorities to eliminate independent religious groups in 2024, according to The Washington Stand. The Ministry of Public Security has openly acknowledged that it is investing more in surveillance technology and personnel dedicated to monitoring and limiting the activities of these organizations. China employs an extensive system of technological surveillance to track the movements and associations of its citizens, evaluating their loyalty to the Communist Party. This surveillance is particularly aimed at individuals connected with unregistered house churches or those engaged in religious practices outside the state-sanctioned frameworks. Home News BGEA, Franklin Graham create war chest to help Christians threatened into silence in the UK, Europe BERLIN, Germany Franklin Grahams legal team has revealed details of a growing defense fund to support Christians facing discrimination for expressing their faith a fund created from successful court rulings after multiple British venues attempted to cancel Billy Graham Evangelistic Association (BGEA)'s God Loves You! evangelistic events. Speaking at the European Congress on Evangelism in May, attorney Justin Arnot, who represents Franklin Graham and the BGEA, referred to the legal victories as part of a broader spiritual and legal battle over freedom of religious expression in the public square. The Billy Graham Defense Fund, sometimes referred to by Graham himself as a war chest, was formed from settlements and damages awarded in court cases where U.K. venues had withdrawn from hosting evangelistic rallies under pressure from critics of Grahams biblical convictions. In an exclusive interview with Christian Daily International, Arnot explained how the fund came about, why it matters for grassroots evangelists across the U.K. and Europe, and what it represents for the future of Gospel proclamation in increasingly hostile environments. He emphasized that although Graham describes it as a war chest, the proper term remains defense fund a resource not for aggression but for protecting legal access to proclaim the Gospel. The initiative emerged after BGEA events scheduled across multiple U.K. cities including Liverpool, Sheffield, Glasgow and Newcastle were abruptly canceled in 2019 and 2020 following campaigns by LGBT and secular activists who objected to Grahams views on marriage and Islamic extremism. BGEA responded with legal action, arguing that the cancellations violated U.K. laws protecting religious belief and expression. All of those disputes were resolved favorably, with BGEA securing new contracts for rescheduled events. Negative press The series of debacles originated in 2018 when Blackpool Borough Council and Blackpool Transport Services removed BGEAs God Loves You! adverts from buses after complaints about Grahams biblical beliefs. However, a judge in 2021 ruled that both the council authorities and the transport company had unlawfully discriminated against Graham. The council was required to issue a public apology and pay compensation. Arnot, recalling the events of 2018, says there was no communication by the bus company to the BGEA about the removal of the adverts. He asserts the ads themselves weren't offensive or even overtly religious. The wording just said time for hope with practical details of the Franklin Graham event. It was a real puzzle to us about what was happening. And it was the beginning of, Wait a second You just removed our ads that we paid for. You don't communicate with us, and you don't even respond to us when we inquire about this. The lack of courtesy shown did not befit professional business matters: It was certainly not the way that somebody youre doing business with should be treated. There should be a dialogue about expression of concern and what are the options. But there wasn't anything like that. After that initial legal success, an eight-city tour was planned for the U.K. in 2020. Contracts were agreed with seven of eight venues in 2019, but the eighth venue in London seemed to delay the agreement. Questions began to surface about why this was: It was kind of odd, Arnot recalled. Then a social media onslaught ensued, especially on Twitter (now called X), with Franklin Graham damned by opponents as a hate preacher. These opponents voiced opposition to the evangelist being given a platform to speak. Suddenly, all of the pre-booked venues were pulled out of the commitments with almost zero communication with any of these venues. There was one that reached out, asked for our response to public criticism, but didn't accept anything that we said. And then next thing you know, they just all canceled. It was mind-numbing, and the negative press around that really was something that made us out to be toxic. The COVID-19 pandemic threw matters further into disarray, and the BGEA began interceding earnestly in prayer, seeking the Lords will in the situation whereby investment had been made in an eight-city tour representing many months hard work and coordination. Its not just a concert arrangement, says Arnot about these events, with hundreds of local churches in each region, and the training of literally thousands of counselors preparing to help attendees anticipated to make a commitment to Jesus, alongside follow-up workers for discipleship. It's just a very elaborate, intensive effort. And so by the time you're within a couple months of launching something like that, I think it's tremendously devastating to have the tour just abruptly canceled without consultation or anything, says Arnot. And none of the venues would talk to us about how to remedy the situation. They just were stonewalling us. 'Black swan' Arnot and other BGEA leaders spoke with British solicitor Tom Ellis of AI Law, who was assisting them with the bus advert court case in Blackpool, which was ultimately decided in BGEAs favor, and inquired about the available options to resolve the issue. A query was raised about whether a preliminary injunction could be obtained to enforce the venues' commitments. There are limited options to do that in the U.K., but one of the requirements is to show that you couldn't get an alternative. And so we talked to over a hundred venues within the next couple weeks after those cancellations, and nobody would take us. That's how toxic the situation was. The negative press that ginned up about Franklin Graham and us and what we stood for was just horrific. I mean, it was a black swan. In the risk circles, they talk about a black swan, which is something that's so unanticipated and so disproportionately damaging that it couldn't have been mitigated through human means. COVID-19 was one of those things. It was a black swan. We had a black swan in the form of venue cancellations that jeopardized our flagship ministry, just before the black swan of COVID-19 arrived. So this launched us down a path of settling a longer, legal strategy. Arnot keenly points out that taking organizations to court is not on his heart. His objective is to pursue reconciliation in line with Gospel values and to redeem the situation. We dont want to fight with folks, he says. We want them to be able to do their business and for us to have the opportunity that we had originally contracted for. And so, when there's a breach in a relationship like that, that has to be pursued and restored. Dark flesh Arnot explains that when there is a breach in a relationship, it can be knitted back together, using an illustration of the dark flesh that appears over a wound, leaving the flesh stronger than it was before. Similarly, he has found that after bringing strong court cases against the venues, there followed constructive dialogues about arrangements, resulting in finding a path together that can allow us to go forward with new contracts and rescheduled events. I would say we proved ourselves to be who we said we were, people of goodwill and of peace, and an atmosphere at the events that is of worship and where everyone was welcome. And that was true in Liverpool and in Wales, and ultimately, in Glasgow and in Sheffield; and all the places that we've been. I think those venue managers would say that were a great group to work with, and true to our word. I think those relationships ended up being stronger just like dark flesh [that was wounded] because we worked through really difficult things together. Arnot opines that was even true of the Glasgow venue, which spent a whole bunch of money trying to win in court against the litigation put forward by the BGEA. In October 2022, Glasgow Sheriff Court found against Scottish Event Campus Limited for directly discriminating against BGEA because of Grahams religious beliefs, by terminating their agreement, awarding 97,000 (nearly $13,000). Matters were ultimately resolved after the ruling. We met up with them to settle at the remedies phase and our appeal, again, was lets stop fighting over this. What we want is a venue. What you want is a return to your business, and let's find a way in this together. And they agreed, and that was a very cordial interaction with them at the end of the day. Their staff was very enthusiastic about having our event and very helpful. The Glasgow event, originally intended for 2020, thus took place at the OVO Hydro in Glasgow in May 2024. That week, a couple of days before the event when we were finally wrapping up the last venue dispute, I communicated with Franklin Graham and told him we concluded it. Its settled. The phone call At that point, Franklin Graham picked up the telephone and made a call to Arnot. The outcome of that conversation could have positive ramifications for Evangelicals for many years yet who are struggling to finance legal costs in the face of secular legal opposition in different contexts. Rev. Graham called me and he said, What have we got back out of all of these lawsuits? recalled Arnot. He explained to Graham that between the awards for damage and various settlements and support, the final figure returned was a little more than 500,000 (US$678,163). And that's when he said, Well, then we're going to build a war chest, and make this money available to help Christians who are threatened or intimidated into silence and or into not expressing their faith.' Billy Graham's example The defense fund idea as a whole would certainly have been approved by the late Billy Graham himself, according to Arnot, adding that the evangelist was an ambassador for Christ, and that was true in every context. If we take the Soviet Union and Soviet countries as examples, those were not contexts in which everybody was free to share the Gospel openly in public meetings. And yet Billy Graham, because of his profile and because of the relationships and the favor that he had been given in different realms, won a hearing for the Gospel. Billy Graham faced criticism at the time for adhering to restrictions when he preached the Gospel in the Soviet Union: He was widely criticized for doing that, noted Arnot, pointing out that Graham successfully won a hearing publicly for the Gospel in the public square. Roll on the years, and Arnot sees a similarity with what has happened in the U.K. after the BGEA was confronted with opposition for planned events under the leadership of Franklin Graham, and had to defend the right for the Gospel in the subsequent disputes. The defense fund, financed by the success of the lawsuits that proved necessary, is intentional in making a way for the proclamation of the Gospel in the public square to continue. 'The thing to do' Some might wonder why filing court appeals is the thing to do but Arnot gives two answers to that: firstly, he refers to the biblical example of Paul and the apostles shaking the dust off their feet where opposition occurred and then moved on to other opportunities. But in another case, he points out, Paul appealed to the Emperor Caesar. There was a framework for saying you can't do this to a citizen, and appealing to Caesar actually allowed the Gospel to go further than it would have gone, perhaps, had he not. Secondly, Christians have compassion and empathy for persecuted believers in contexts where evangelism is not legal and that is dealt with harshly. Arnot points out that if Evangelicals would rightly state that in such scenarios of persecution, Christians should also be free to share their faith openly in the public square. And if it's true that we believe that about those [persecution] contexts, why wouldn't we take the opportunity to try to preserve that freedom in places where it exists? he points out. I think that where the concern lies in the U.K. and in continental Europe is that these freedoms have existed as a matter of law, at least. And they are being curtailed, not necessarily as a matter of law or maybe thats not the express intent of some of the legislation, but there are efforts to implement hate speech laws that can be interpreted, in unhelpful ways. A level of opposition also comes from cancel culture, which doesn't always follow legal precepts but lobs threats and pressure on individuals and officials, whether private or governmental organizations." It is this type of pressure that the Billy Graham Defense Fund is ready to challenge whenever there are adverse legal efforts placed upon evangelistic activities, which are contrary to law. We want Christians to be encouraged to not just let that pass where appropriate, and we want to provide some financial assistance, realizing that there's a significant cost to standing up for those rights, states Arnot. Proclamation is not optional Proclamation evangelism is not optional, Franklin Graham told delegates at the European Congress on Evangelism, and Arnot sees that finding a public space for voicing the Gospel, as the BGEA does so well, has been well tested over the centuries. The BGEA has adhered to such evangelistic methodology consistently for the past 70 years. Arnot believes that times have changed, and previously, venues would do anything to have Billy Graham hold an event, especially in U.S. cities. Franklin Graham has the same evangelistic heart in wanting to proclaim the Gospel in the public square, working with local churches and to encourage Christians to express their faith. However, the current culture in the West seems more opposed to evangelism. I think Rev. Graham recognizes that in modern culture, there's a threat to be silenced, an implicit threat in a lot of places, but people don't want to hear about your faith. And, so that's where he comes up with the stand. Opening the 'war chest' The war chest was initially opened for Christians in the U.K., but a wider relationship with evangelicals as a result of the European Congress on Evangelism means that it is likely to have a wider reach on the continent in the time ahead. Arnot says that Franklin Graham has approved that further objective for the defense fund. At this point, our funding has been dispersed in the U.K. primarily, but we are open to helping Christians in Europe. But we've not distributed any funds in Europe. We haven't had a lot of requests yet. There's been a few inquiries, but I'm continuing to reach out. Money has been channeled so far to help publicize legal cases brought forward by Christian legal rights groups working in the U.K., such as Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF) International or the Christian Legal Centre. Our role, we think, is to provide the funding to aid those who are actually doing the work. Arnot presents the reality that a Christian needing help, such as a street preacher, would need a legal organization such as ADF International to bring awareness and also to fund the solicitor doing the hard work. We come in, on top of all that, to say were aware of the situation and would like to help by providing funding. This is not always the case, however, and Arnot says there are a few projects where would get closer to the battle, and not because we're trying to get in the into the business of doing legal work, but trying to find those evangelicals working at grassroots level, perhaps not known, to then offer support. Arnot sees a parallel between the defense fund and the quick efficiency of Christian aid agency Samaritans Purse, which Franklin Graham also leads, in getting help to places where no one else can get to, quickly providing disaster relief. God sees them, and that's what we're trying to discover [with the defense fund]. That's at least my heart in this. I'm certain that there are people who are intimidated into making decisions that they would not otherwise make. Samaritans Purse has also contributed 500,000 ($662,532) to the Billy Graham Defense Fund, bringing the total amount in the war chest to 1 million ($1,325,035). Educating police officers A focus of the BGEA in the defense fund is also education, for example, in educating police officers on the legal rights of street preachers in their right of expression. What the police typically do to solve the problem is they arrest the street preacher and deal with removing him or her as the means to solving the issue. It's most expedient for them. But what that exposes the officer and the local police department to, is financial liability for violating the street preacher's rights. So it's a lose-lose and actually lose-lose-lose for the preacher, for the police, and even for the complainants. Because if it's true that one perspective should not be heard, then if that is allowed to prevail, then it means that other perspectives will not ultimately be heard either. What were trying to be about is maximizing the opportunity for Christians to be heard. In regards to educating local police, Arnot believes they receive basic education on freedom rights but not the contours of free speech laws and freedom of expression. Those real dynamics on the street when they're faced with a crowd that doesn't like what they're hearing, it's often just easier to arrest the street preacher. We want to try to get ahead of that and plant the seed of thought in those local law enforcement communities that that might not be the best approach. Reach out Arnot advises any Christian struggling with a potential legal issue in the workplace or in street preaching, or a similar scenario, to contact a known Christian legal aid organization. If they dont know who to contact, then they can reach out to us and maybe we can get them connected with those folks. A local solicitor, such as at a local church, would make for an appropriate initial contact, adds Arnot, who can then be given support by the larger organizations. Arnot asks for prayer that the financial resources will be directed rightly to those in need of it, and for the BGEA to have the eyes to see where those opportunities are. Future possibilities Looking to the future, he sees two possibilities for the fund: One is that there will be a greater awareness of the opportunity, for help, through the Billy Graham Defense Fund alongside others, actually doing the legal work, whether they're solicitors or legal aid organizations. The other option is that as awareness of the fund grows, the BGEA can provide assistance on an expanded basis. What Arnot really wants to see is getting ahead of the resistance felt by Christians, especially those in the UK. He believes a lot of this opposition stems from ignorance and fear by those trying to silence evangelicals and the bold proclamation of the gospel. I think cancel culture is driven primarily by fear and greed, says Arnot. You have business organizations, for example, that exist to make profit. And when they experience great pressure, social media and otherwise, then individuals are forced to make decisions about what to do. And if they fear for their personal well-being or their careers, then they will make decisions that disadvantage the weaker folks in that equation, which they would view to be those holding beliefs that are unpopular. So just as in our situation, folks in business organizations that get pressure, they say, Hey. I'm not going to risk my career by being seen as a hater or sympathizer with haters, so I'm just going to cancel. But if we can give them the framework within which they can make commercially reasonable decisions that actually benefit their business organization by saying, for example, We're a neutral venue. We serve all comers, and we're going to mitigate the risk of violating the discrimination laws by continuing to treat people equally. And I'm sorry that's not popular, but that's what we need to do.... that's a very defensible position and one that I'd like to continue to help people understand. Mindful of responsibility For that reason, BGEA as an organization is working hard ahead of planned events, with venues, to communicate clearly what the evangelical body believes, and the benefits for the facility in hosting these evangelistic events. Arnot is mindful of the responsibility given by God to the BGEA in stewarding the resources wisely. I think Rev. Graham has shown himself to be a determined steward of the enormous assets that have been entrusted to the care of these two organizations, Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan's Purse and their respective affiliates around the globe. There's a large amount of financial resources that have been provided through people who are like-minded, and I think the sense of responsibility that he has to steward those things well, under God's sovereignty and provision, is enormous. And so we're trying to help them with that. Home News Christian ministries deliver the Gospel, over 200 wheelchairs to disabled Ugandan children A Ugandan child suffering from spasticity issues so severe that her mother had to carry her everywhere was among the first recipients of one of more than 200 specially designed wheelchairs that two Christian ministries are delivering to a childrens hospital in Uganda. The Christian nonprofit CURE International, which operates eight pediatric hospitals across Africa and the Philippines, is collaborating with the international disability ministry Joni and Friends to provide wheelchairs to children with disabilities at CURE Childrens Hospital of Uganda. We started issuing them at the end of June, Tim Erickson, executive director of CURE Uganda, told The Christian Post. And this one girl, she was probably around 3 or 4 years old, she had some spasticity issues, and she just kept grabbing onto my arm. And her mother was just so delighted, Erickson added. [Her daughter] was getting a bit larger, and she was having to carry her everywhere. Just seeing the joy of this mother receiving that great device stands out to me. Joni and Friends donated the wheelchairs to CURE, known as Cub wheelchairs, which are designed to grow alongside the individual and provide support for sitting upright. According to Jason Holden, the chief operating officer at Joni and Friends, the wheelchairs also have an all-terrain system, which is helpful for children living in austere environments in Uganda. The international disability ministry typically provides wheelchairs to people with disabilities through its Wheels for the World program. Through the program, inmates in prison-based restoration centers throughout the United States restore used wheelchairs or mobility devices collected by or donated to Joni and Friends. For the wheelchair project in Uganda, Joni and Friends had around five different staffers involved, including a planning team that worked with Cure International to ensure the ministrys needs were met. We are grateful to work with like-minded organizations, Holden told The Christian Post about the ministrys collaboration with CURE International. We do that quite often with others, but this was a really special relationship, the COO added. Because CURE's mission to heal the sick and proclaim the kingdom of God beautifully reflects our own calling to serve people living with disabilities through practical support and the sharing of the Gospel. Through the collaboration with Joni and Friends, CURE Ugandas physiotherapy team also received training on how to custom-fit the wheelchairs for each child from one of the disability ministrys initiatives, known as Jonis House Uganda. According to its website, Jonis House Uganda is offering people with disabilities physical, economic, spiritual, and social support, all in the name of Jesus. Erickson noted that the Cub Wheelchairs have had a transformative impact on the children CURE Uganda serves, many of whom are living with conditions such as hydrocephalus, spina bifida, brain tumors, epilepsy and cerebral palsy. Depending on the severity of a childs condition, CURE Children's Hospital can also provide life-saving brain surgery, and, in some cases, a child might also require an assistive device. Its a low-income country, so spending a thousand dollars on a wheelchair is likely more than the familys income for the entire year, the executive director for CURE Uganda explained. The ability to give them a wheelchair like this you can see in some of the photos, the joy on their faces the excitement around it is just so awesome. And getting something like [the Cub wheelchair] can give children the freedom to go to school, for a caretaker to be able to work, and for their children to have mobility instead of having to be carried around, Erickson added. One of the challenges of caring for disabled children in Uganda is that most of the culture sees disabilities as a curse or blames the mother for the childs condition, according to Erickson. CURE Uganda has responded to this by helping to foster a sense of community among the mothers of children with disabilities and by offering counseling through its pastors. The Christian nonprofit serves people from a variety of faith backgrounds, including Muslims, as CURE Uganda has a policy of not denying services to anyone who needs help, according to Erickson. Our whole point is to help them experience the love of Christ, Erickson said. Its a simple message: Jesus loves you, and this is not your fault. God loves you so much that He built this hospital to take care of your child's condition. CURE Uganda offers people the opportunity to accept Christ or deepen their relationship with Him by providing mothers and caretakers with the chance to attend chapel in the afternoons. Pastors also stop at the bed of each patient and ask if they can say a prayer for them. The ministry also keeps in touch with those who want to continue devoting their lives to Christ by connecting them with one of over 30 different pastors and churches within its network. So, it's seeking their permission. Some people don't always accept, and that's fine, Erickson said. But we're providing an intentional daily opportunity for people to experience the Gospel. Home News Nigeria: High court strikes down sham kidnapping conviction of Christian man who helped persecuted converts A Nigerian high court has overturned the conviction of a Christian man who was sentenced to prison after assisting two women converts to Christianity escape threats of violence. The ruling followed an appeal that challenged a rushed trial during which the man had no legal representation. The man, identified as David, had been convicted earlier this year on kidnapping charges after he and another church leader, Ezekiel, helped two adult women, Adah and Naomi, relocate from their community in Northern Nigeria. The women had reportedly received credible threats of violence from both family and local community members after their conversion to Christianity, the legal advocacy group ADF International noted, adding that all the names of the persecuted individuals involved have been changed for security reasons. After helping the women relocate, David and Ezekiel were captured by militants, unlawfully detained and tortured for several weeks. They were later transferred to the custody of the Nigerian police. While Ezekiel was released without charges following legal intervention, David was prosecuted without a lawyer and sentenced to nine years in prison after a three-day proceeding before a magistrates court. The charges were brought even though both women are adults, acting of their own volition. ADF International-backed lawyers challenged the conviction in the high court, which ruled to quash the decision. The court also ordered the return of the fine David had been forced to pay during his imprisonment. The state did not appear at the hearing to defend the earlier prosecution. David was tortured, prosecuted and imprisoned simply for helping a woman escape violence because of her faith, said Sean Nelson, legal counsel for global religious freedom at ADF International, adding that the case shows the scale of the religious freedom crisis in Nigeria. After his release, David said, Despite the persecution in my community, I know that I have everlasting life, citing the Gospel of John. This is our encouragement. My community and I, in the Christian faith, rejoice on account of the assurance of the Word of God. This is our confidence and peace. David has now returned to his community, where members of his church welcomed him back and continued their religious activities under heightened caution. The incident is one among many involving Christians who have faced threats, violence or imprisonment across Northern Nigeria, which is predominantly Muslim and where the legal and cultural climate has led to intensified pressure on religious minorities. Militant groups, including Boko Haram and armed Fulani factions, have repeatedly targeted Christian communities. In addition, restrictive local laws and hostile enforcement have contributed to ongoing legal harassment of Christian converts and those who assist them. Nigeria continues to record some of the highest rates of anti-Christian violence globally. In 2022, roughly 5,000 Christians were killed for their faith, more than in any other country. Estimates for 2023 suggest that over 7,000 Christians were killed in Northern Nigeria alone. ADF International said it has supported multiple such cases across the Nigerian court system. In December 2024, Rhoda Jatau, a Nigerian Christian woman, was acquitted of blasphemy charges after being imprisoned for over a year. Home News Pakistan allows Christian woman to remove Islam as her religion in years-long battle over ID card LAHORE, Pakistan In a rare development, a high court in Pakistan ordered the government to issue a new identity card reflecting a womans conversion from Islam to Christianity. The woman, whose name is being withheld for security reasons, renounced Islam and married a Christian man 15 years ago. Attorney Lazar Allah Rakha said that for years she had repeatedly tried to get her faith designation corrected on her national identity record, but officials at the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) defiantly refused. She converted to Christianity in January 2009 and married a Christian man four months later. The couple have five children and have resided in South Punjab since they were married, he said. After her efforts to get a new identity card failed, the woman sought help from the advocacy organization Christian Solidarity International, which put her in contact with Rakha, a Christian attorney known for taking up sensitive cases pertaining to religious freedom in Pakistan. He filed a petition in the Lahore High Court, submitting that she had converted to Christianity of her own free will and married a Christian man in a ceremony officiated by a pastor. The couple have five children, but though NADRA has issued the childrens B-Form, it did not include the mothers identity card number in the document, ostensibly due to her marriage with a Christian, Rakha told Christian Daily International-Morning Star News. When the petitioner again went to get her identity document corrected in the NADRA records in October 2024, the officials there refused to accept her Christian baptism certificate, marriage certificate and birth certificates of her children and instead threatened her with dire consequences for renouncing her Islamic faith. Rakha said that on July 1, a single-member bench comprising Justice Shahid Karim ordered NADRA to treat the womans case as a mistaken entry and issue her a new identity card with Christianity as her faith. NADRAs denial to issue an adult woman her identity card with her new faith was a clear violation of Article 20 of the Constitution of Pakistan, which guarantees every citizen the right to profess, practice and propagate their religion, he said. It also violates Articles 4 and 9 of the Constitution that guarantee protection of law and security of life to every citizen. The attorney said that the couple was thrilled to finally obtain the womans new identity card. They had faced several challenges over the years due to this issue, including obtaining birth registration certificates for their children and getting them enrolled in school, he said. Now they are relieved that the years-long struggle has finally come to an end. He clarified that there is no specific law in Pakistan that explicitly criminalizes apostasy, which some schools of Islamic jurisprudence consider a sin punishable by death. However, apostasy can lead to prosecution under Pakistans blasphemy laws, particularly Section 295-A that prescribes imprisonment of up to 10 years for hurting the religious sentiments of any community, Rakha said. Additionally, societal stigma and potential violence from vigilante groups are real threats for those who choose to convert to other faiths. This is the reason why most converts to Christianity avoid going to courts and prefer to remain secret believers all their lives. Muslims cannot change their religious designation in the NADRAs Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) to any other religion, whereas people who convert to Islam from other faiths can get their CNICs amended, according to the CNIC registration policy. The policy states, however, that any mistake by applicants to state their religion correctly due to illiteracy may be handled in office under a fault category. Pakistan is ranked No. 8 on Open Doors 2025 World Watch List of the most difficult places to be a Christian. This article was originally published at Christian Daily InternationalMorning Star News Home News Texas LGBT group boots drag peformer after alleged 'grooming' of 2 boys A Dallas-based LGBT group says it has terminated its relationship with a drag performer over allegations that he groomed two boys. Pride in Dallas released a statement on July 31 after voice actor Arthur Lee Kiba Walker, who goes by the drag name Salem Moon, was accused by two males of grooming them when they were both minors. According to a report from LGBT outlet Dallas Voice, voice actor Korey Solomon accused Walker of "grooming" him starting at age 15. A second accuser, James L. Molloy, claimed on July 31 that Kiba Walker groomed me from age 17, sharing screenshots of their exchanges. That same day, Pride in Dallas said the organization was recently made aware of serious allegations regarding the alleged actions of one of our local community performers. We do not take this matter lightly. As a result, we have ended our relationship with the individual and are making the necessary changes to the 2025 Parade on Cedar Springs lineup. Our commitment to safety, integrity and accountability within our community remains unwavering. Walker was previously announced as one of the event hosts for the Parade on Cedar Springs next month. ???????GUEST ANNOUNCEMENT??????? SALEM MOON is a professional drag performer based out of Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. She is also known as professional voice actor Kiba Walker. Her production troupe, Haus of Moon Productions and Ready Player Drag, have taken the DFW metroplex by storm. pic.twitter.com/ASPbSFkTQL ????Creators After Dark ???? (@Creators_Events) April 23, 2024 Pride in Dallas is sponsored in part by the Dallas Mavericks, Red Bull, T-Mobile and Walmart, according to the event website. According to a report from Japanese news outlet Anime Corner, Walker, who was 22 at the time, allegedly offered free music lessons to a then-15-year-old Solomon before later soliciting, sending, and receiving nude images and videos. In response to the report, BLlits Games, which bills itself as a Gay / Boys Love development team, announced it was ending its relationship with Walker. In an Aug. 1 X post, the company said it was "informed of these allegations by one of the victims previously, and upon learning of the situation [...] took immediate action to cut all professional ties with the voice actor." The Christian Post's attempts to reach Walker for comment on Tuesday were unsuccessful. A Fort Worth resident, Walker is no stranger to the Texas drag scene: he was featured in a June 2023 NPR story in which the drag performer defended his performances for all ages audiences, saying critics will use anything to silence queer voices to make them look like the bad guys." In May of that year, Tarrant County Judge Tim OHare, who identifies as a Christian, called for an investigation into a venue where Walker as Moon performed in front of an all-ages audience where he allegedly exposed himself. Walker has also been identified as a performer at an over-18 Six Flags Over Texas drag show in June. After a number of drag shows throughout the state of Texas prompted concerns about minors witnessing sexually explicit content, Texas voted to ban such performances until a federal judge in 2023 ruled the state could not enforce the law, calling it unconstitutional. Tennessee enacted similar legislation a federal judge appointed by former President Donald Trump struck it down. Hospitals Stop Minor Sex-Change Surgeries, New Gaza Aid Plan, CA Pastor Warns About Controversial Bill link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 06:53 06:53 Top headlines for Wednesday, August 6, 2025 In this episode, we explore the increasing number of hospitals across the country that are halting body-deforming sex-change procedures for minors, examining the implications for medical ethics and patient care. Next, we shift our focus to the Middle East, where Israel has introduced a new mechanism for the entry of goods into the Gaza Strip, potentially transforming the region's economic landscape for the private sector. Plus, we discuss the concerns of a prominent California pastor who is sounding the alarm for Christians about a controversial bill that could prompt them to consider leaving the state. 00:11 Hospitals stop sex-change operations after Trump order: List 01:01 Jewish students recount bullying from anti-Israel students, staff 01:48 COGAT to bring aid into Gaza through private sector 02:38 Islamic extremists killed over 22K in Africa over the past year 03:55 Jack Hibbs warns Christians will need to 'pack up and get out' 04:32 Florida teen walks mile to church to confess to killing parents 05:16 Inside Hollywood's shocking shift toward faith Home News Charlie Sheen donates $1,000 to mom assaulted in Cincinnati brawl Woman calls actor an 'amazing inspiration,' warns 'our streets are being taken over' Actor Charlie Sheen has stepped up to support a woman who was seriously injured in a violent attack in Ohio last week. Sheen, 59, donated $1,000 to a GiveSendGo campaign for a woman who has requested to be identified only as Holly was knocked unconscious by what Vice President JD Vance called a mob of lawless thugs who police say were fighting after a local jazz event near downtown Cincinnati. As of Wednesday, the fundraiser, launched by conservative YouTuber Benny Johnson, has raised over $553,000 for Holly, a mother of three who suffered severe head trauma and a concussion after being knocked unconscious while trying to break up the fight. The brawl, captured in widely circulated social media videos, showed Holly being punched and left motionless on the ground. Since the attack, Holly is currently having to live in an undisclosed secure location due to threats on her life, according to the fundraising campaign. Six suspects have been charged, with five arrested, including one apprehended in Georgia, according to Cincinnati police. The brawl, which involved multiple disputes and reported racial slurs shouted by one victim, has sparked national debates about race and crime. Several of the videos show a predominantly black crowd kicking and punching a white man on the pavement, with one video (language warning) capturing the moment a man punched Holly in the face, knocking her unconscious. Holly told Johnson in an interview Tuesday that she should be dead after the assault. I don't even know how I'm not dead. I should be dead, she said. And so many doctors have been like, you should be dead. Johnson shared Sheens donation and comment from the fundraiser in a post on X: "My Ohio connections run deep, and what happened to you will NOT be tolerated by the 'true' Ohioans (Like yourself), as justice will reign supreme. Heal well, young lady, and know that we are all rooting for you!" In turn, Sheen praised the swift response from both Johnson and Sen. Bernie Moreno, R-Ohio, who Attorney General Pam Bondi thanked last week for getting the FBI involved in the case. The speed at which you and Sen (Bernie) Moreno hatched the donation plan was stunning and compassionate and as patriotic as it gets," Sheen wrote, adding, "You both reminded all of us of the America we remain proud to call home. Keep up the great work, and to Holly, we have your six. In response, Holly shared a message for Sheen: "I love you Charlie. You have inspired so many people with your recovery and story. You went through dark times and came out of it. You are such an amazing inspiration to all of us. You are a lot of people's hero now." Its not the first act of philanthropy from the "Two and a Half Men" star, whose parents, Martin and Janet Sheen, hail from Dayton, Ohio, about 50 miles north of Cincinnati. In 2013, he donated $50,000 to My Friends Place, a Hollywood organization aiding homeless youth. That same year, he donated $10,000 to Teagan Marti, a teenager who was nearly killed in an amusement park ride accident in Wisconsin. At a news conference Wednesday with Moreno, the woman told reporters she preferred not to relive what happened but to focus on the future and how we can change it. Calling for more political accountability and police officers, Holly said, The man who attacked me and might have permanently damaged me forever should never have been on the streets, ever. And the fact that he had just gotten out of jail previously for something he should have been in there for years, its really sad to me. Our streets are being taken over and nobody is doing anything. Vance, a native of Middletown, Ohio, later described the attack as a grown man who sucker punched a middle-aged woman and called for the attackers to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. "I haven't seen the full context, but what I saw is a mob of lawless thugs beating up on an innocent person," said Vance. "You had a grown man who sucker punched a middle-aged woman, and where I come from at least, when you have a grown man who sucker punches a middle-aged woman, that person oughta go to jail for a very long time." Home News German newspaper reveals that infamous Gaza aid photos were staged to control the narrative Amidst the international outrage that followed the publication of pictures showing apparently malnourished children in Gaza and the widespread use of photos showing Gaza civilians scrambling for aid, the German newspaper Suddeutsche Zeitung alleges that some of those photos were staged by a Hamas-affiliated photographer. In a recent article, Suddeutsche Zeitung reported that the Gaza-based photographer Anas Zayed Fteiha staged photos depicting the real suffering of Palestinians in a manner that is in favor of Hamas and its propaganda. The newspaper showed a picture of Fteiha apparently staging the civilians in the area where the food would be distributed, making it look as if they were desperately waiting in line for the food distribution. However, as other pictures in the series show, the food distribution did not occur until sometime after Fteiha took his pictures. The article did not deny the acute hunger among parts of the Gaza population; however, it noted that Fteiha, who works for a Turkish agency, regularly posts anti-Israel and antisemitic content on his social media accounts, and that his pictures often support the Hamas narrative regarding the civilian situation and Israels conduct in the war. The Suddeutsche Zeitung article cautioned that such images make accurately assessing the situation difficult, noting that "at least some of the images were presented in a false or misleading context. The newspaper interviewed several experts to provide an opinion regarding the reliability of the images and their use to convey an accurate picture of the situation in Gaza. One of those, Gerhard Paul, professor emeritus of history and photography expert, who has researched images from Israel and Gaza for 25 years and has traveled to the region himself, said, I assume that many of these images of starving and sick children are simply staged or come from other contexts. These aren't fakes, he told the newspaper. But the people are presented in a certain way or given a misleading caption to mobilize our visual memory and our emotions. The Palestinian side is primarily concerned with emotionalizing Western, pacified societies. And it works brilliantly, Paul said. The images also have an additional function: They are intended to overwrite the brutal images of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Many people don't even remember those images anymore. Hamas is a master at staging images. Christopher Resch of Reporters Without Borders cautioned that not all photographers working in Gaza are working for Hamas, and pointed out that since October 7, the Israeli government has been trying to cast doubt on the credibility of journalists and photographers. He also acknowledged that it's still probably the case that little gets past Hamas. More context should have been provided for the image," Resch says of the image of the people waiting for food. The pictures raise questions regarding the issue of journalistic independence in the Gaza Strip, as Hamas has been known for many years to restrict the coverage coming out of territories it controls, while the IDF has not allowed journalists to enter the Gaza Strip except in a few instances, in which the itinerary has been tightly controlled by the IDF for safety reasons. The Israeli Foreign Ministry cited the Suddeutsche Zeitung article, along with a parallel article in the German tabloid Bild, as evidence of fake news, saying it was an example of how Hamas uses 'Pallywood', staged or selectively framed media, to manipulate global opinion. President Isaac Herzog, currently on an official visit to Estonia, used Fteihas photo, along with pictures of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski, to illustrate how Hamas is attempting to influence the narrative in its favor. The UN is holding hundreds of trucks, almost 800 trucks the UN can distribute and is failing to distribute, Herzog stated. Instead of that, we see a PR campaign like this one revealed in a German newspaper. You see a photographer staging Gaza people to show that they are lacking food. This is staged. We don't shy away from the humanitarian need to help the people of Gaza, but we ask the world not to fall for the lies. Herzog said that those who want to change the situation in Gaza need to condemn Hamas and say to Hamas, you want to move on? Get the hostages out. Canadian Israeli journalist Matti Friedman, who used to work for the Associated Press, shared in 2014 that after Hamas took over control of the Gaza Strip, the AP, along with other news organizations, started censoring their stories according to Hamas instructions. While the AP later rejected Friedmans statements, other journalists have also reported that Hamas influences all reporting from within the Gaza Strip. Earlier in the war, former Palestinian Islamic Jihad spokesman Tarek Abu Shaluf, was captured and interrogated by Israeli forces, and explained how the terror groups try to control narrative about the conflict in Gaza. Abu Shaluf said the PIJ has a mechanism in place to push certain narratives. He also said that international journalists were not only censored, but that some had helped the PIJ to use certain phrases to help their messaging. He told the interrogators that international journalists briefed him and other PIJ operatives to talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza before interviews, urging them to use certain phrases. Shaluf said the interviews with foreign media have to be approved by the terror organization before being aired. This article was originally published by All Israel News. Home News 'A prophetic crossroads': Ohio pastor named first president of Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition An Ohio pastor has been named the first-ever president of the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition, which encourages support for Israel among Hispanic Evangelicals and looks to build "a firewall against antisemitism" in the Latino community, a passion he has had since his first trip to the Holy Land over 15 years ago. The National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, a network consisting of tens of thousands of churches worldwide, announced the appointment of Juan Rivera, the lead pastor of Victory Church near Youngstown, as the president of the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition on Tuesday. Rivera's relationship with the NHCLC dates back to its founding. "The Hispanic Church stands at a prophetic crossroads," said Rivera in a statement shared with The Christian Post. "As antisemitism rises globally, now is the time for us to rise with clarity and conviction declaring that we stand with Israel, we honor our Jewish brothers and sisters, and we will not remain silent. The work of HILC is not just political it's biblical. And it's never been more urgent. Through HILC, and in partnership with the NHCLC, we are building the greatest firewall against antisemitism the world has ever seen." According to an online bio by the Jewish Federations of North America, Rivera participated in a transformational trip to Israel with his church in 2010, where he was motivated to build relationships with Jewish leaders and communities. Afterwards, his community donated regularly to local synagogues as he forged relationships with local rabbis. After becoming lead pastor of the large and diverse congregation at Victory Church, Rivera doubled down on his efforts to befriend Jewish leaders. In 2018, Rivera and two other local religious leaders helped plan a trip to Israel for pastors. Rivera has held the title of executive director at the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition since 2017 and also served as the Ohio Chapter Director of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Coalition and a board member of the Hispanic Israel Leadership Coalition. Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, president of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference, praised Rivera as "a visionary leader," saying his appointment "marks a transformative moment for the NHCLC and its relationship with Israel." "For decades, the Hispanic church has been one of Israel's most passionate and dedicated defenders. We remain committed to building a firewall against antisemitism in all forms, and there is no one more qualified to lead this effort than Pastor Rivera." During his time working with the organization, Rivera has engaged in efforts "to build bridges of mutual respect, shared values, and strategic partnership between Hispanic and Israeli communities." In his new role, Rivera will oversee strategic partnerships, advocacy and national initiatives. Rivera's appointment comes amid much international pressure against Israel's ongoing military offensive in Gaza. The offensive began after terrorists from Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and took over 240 hostages during an Oct. 7, 2023, attack in southern Israel. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry states that more than 60,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began. Those figures don't differentiate between combatants and civilians. Research has shown that Hispanic Christians tend to be somewhat supportive of Israel, with a 2017 Lifeway study suggesting that Hispanic Christians were nearly four-times as likely to say they sympathize with the Israeli suffering over Palestinian suffering. Just over 40% of those surveyed said they agree that the "formation of modern Israel is a fulfillment of God's covenant with the Jewish people," while 21% disagreed. However, that support for Israel dwindles in the context of Hispanic society as a whole. "In the Latino community, there's an attempt through Spanish media to conflate the Latino struggle, be it the immigrant struggle or whatever it may be, with the struggle of the non-Jewish population in the Middle East, and there is a brotherhood supposedly in that," Rodriguez told The Media Line in February. "And my objective is with integrity, recognizing the image of God in every single human being without exception to push back on that." In February, the NHCLC organized a trip of several Hispanic Evangelical leaders to Israel as part of an effort to strengthen Jewish-Christian solidarity. Home News 'Sketch' star Tony Hale gets candid about faith, fatherhood and healing: 'God gave us these emotions' Emmy-winning actor Tony Hale is no stranger to emotional tension on screen, whether its the awkward neuroses of Buster Bluth in Arrested Development or the anxious Gary Walsh in Veep. But in Sketch, his newest film, Hale, the father of a 19-year-old daughter, trades comedy for something more somber, playing a father struggling to hold his family together after the death of his wife. It's a role, he said, that is rooted in his own experience of parenting, pain and faith. As a person of faith [I believe that] nothing grows on the mountaintop, but everything grows in the valley, the 54-year-old actor told The Christian Post. Its the hard times where you're refined and go through stuff, and it's not easy, but that tends to be where the growth is. From Angel Studios and directed by Seth Worley, Sketch is a whimsical childrens film that blends grief with imagination. Rated PG, it follows two siblings, Amber and Jack, who conjure fantasy worlds to cope with the loss of their mother; one through haunting, chalk-drawn monsters, the other through a magical pond he believes can bring her back. Hale plays their father, Taylor, who is quietly unraveling while trying to sell the family home with the help of his sister, Liz, ( DArcy Carden ) and shield his children from the weight of sorrow. Honestly, I related to Taylor, Hale said. When he loses his wife, he kind of goes into a place where he compartmentalizes emotion, and he's like, weve just got to move forward. And then [his daughter] starts drawing, and I'm kind of freaked out by it, but he then learns in the end, I gotta give her the respect give my kids the respect to allow them to feel the feelings, because that's how we're going to get through this. The actor said it was the journey of learning to stop pushing forward long enough to grieve that resonated with him both as a parent and a believer. Theres this new term called snowplow parenting, where you want to remove all the challenges from your kids path because it's too painful to see them walk through them, he says. But they have to walk through them. I totally related to Taylors instinct to want to just block his kids from feeling this stuff. Though a childrens film, Sketch doesnt shy away from grappling with hard emotions: Guilt, shame and grief. In one scene, Taylor is advised to depersonalize the house: remove photos, take down pictures with faces, so its easier to sell. In another, he tells his grieving son: Its not your responsibility.' Hes carrying all this responsibility to try and fix his sister, to try to fix the situation, and thats not his responsibility, Hale said. I remember that, as a kid, kind of taking on other peoples feelings, taking on other peoples responsibilities. And if someone had just been like, Hey, its not your responsibility. Give yourself a break, that turns the crank in my heart. Big time. Monsters drawn in different mediums, chalk, crayon, pencil, come to life in chaotic, sometimes comic fashion (though they may be scary for younger viewers). Theres talk of how to defeat them: wash away chalk, melt the wax. Faith plays a role in that emotional balancing act, too, Hale said, particularly the idea that emotions themselves are part of God's design. Hale called the film Inside Out meets Jurassic Park, a blend of psychological depth and high-stakes thrills. God gave us these emotions to help us process these challenges, he says. Its all in, ironically, Inside Out. It talks about bringing all the emotions to the table. Thats kind of life, he said. I think the director once said that some of his friends have gone through the hardest times with some of the funniest people, because you have to find that balance of, yeah, this is really hard, but sometimes you gotta take the air out of the balloon. For Hale, who has spoken before about how his Christian faith anchors him in a turbulent industry, Sketch offered a chance to give families something that's both entertaining and restorative. I just love kind of shared family viewing experiences, he says. Goonies was my shared family experience fun, adventure, scary, but we could watch as a family. The parents enjoyed it. Kids enjoyed it. I want that same experience with this, he continued, Id love for parents to watch and give themselves a break. Were all on a learning curve, you know? We all make mistakes. And then kids can see it and be like, yeah, theres a lot of different ways to process feelings. Hale also offered a word of encouragement for families still in the thick of things. Just make sure your tank is full, he said. Were pouring ourselves out so much for our kids, and we forget to take care of ourselves. That message, too, is one he connected directly to his faith. Honestly, speaking of faith, I grew up with a message that taking care of yourself was kind of shameful. You should always be thinking about others. You should always get your eyes off yourself. Thats what Christ did, all this stuff, Hale said. But Christ also said, Love your neighbor as yourself. Youve got to keep your tank full so that you can be there to help others. Sketch is now in theaters. The film also stars Bianca Belle as Amber Wyatt; Kue Lawrence as Jack Wyatt; Kalon Cox as Bowman Lynch; Jaxen Kenner as Demarcus Davidson; Genesis Rose Brown as Carson Quinn, and Randa Newman as Miss Thompson. Home Opinion Conservatives shouldnt believe the lies out of Gaza In recent days, major media outlets have had to rescind false or defamatory information about the situation in Gaza. The New York Times used, as an illustration of hunger in Gaza, an erroneous image. This image went viral, serving as a catalyst for the continued narrative that Israel is purposely starving Gazans in order to commit genocide. They later retracted, but the damage was done. Earlier, The Washington Post falsely stated that Gazans seeking food were deliberately shot by the Israeli Defense Forces. These are only a few of the multiple errors always against Israel by major media outlets since Oct. 7, 2023. At the same time, breathless casualty reports from Gaza numbers curated by Hamas itself are delivered almost daily by the media and believed as if Gospel truth. The situation in Gaza is heartbreaking. There is significant food insecurity and humanitarian needs. But while the world would have you believe that its completely the fault of Israel, the truth is that much, if not all, of the fault lies with the controlling government of Gaza: Hamas. Lest you forget, Hamas is a bloodthirsty terrorist organization whose sole desire is the destruction of Jewish people everywhere. Financed by Iran, they killed the most Jewish people in a single day since the Holocaust. This is the organization whose tales many Western media outlets are merely repeating. This is the organization that just released a video of an Oct 7th hostage, emaciated and digging his own grave in one of their terror tunnels. Whats more, Israel, while fighting a terrorist organization bent on its destruction, is also expected to feed them. Yet Israel is doing this, airlifting food and creating an entire organization, the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, funded jointly with the United States. GHF director, the Rev. Johnnie Moore, explained recently on "Fox News Sunday" that the organization, while fighting media lies and Hamas threats, has served over 100 million meals. This is a new attempt to feed Gazans as the primary method of humanitarian assistance, the U.N. World Food Programme, distributed by the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNWRA). UNWRA has been criticized by the U.S. and Israeli leaders for its deep ties to Hamas, including 19 employees who participated in the Oct. 7 attacks. This U.N. method is highly ineffective, with most of its aid stolen by Hamas and resold for billions of dollars. Yet, the U.N., rather than working to improve its model and stop using Hamas as a distribution conduit, attacks and slanders the new GHF. The GHF has offered to work with the U.N. to get people fed, but is routinely rebuffed. This feeds a narrative that Israel is deliberately starving Gaza citizens in order to commit genocide, a charge thoroughly examined and rebutted by John Spencer, the executive director at the Urban War Institute at West Point. In fact, he has said that Israel has conducted urban warfare in a more humane way than most armies throughout history. Furthermore, Spencer, who has labeled the criticism of Israel full of double standards and uniformed analysis, says: Israel is delivering fuel, food, medicine, and water into territory still under the command of the very group that murdered its civilians on October 7, that continues to fire rockets into Israeli towns, and that openly declares it will repeat those atrocities again and again. There is no precedent for this. None. Throughout history, wars between nations or between governments and insurgent groups have often involved humanitarian disasters. And in most of those wars, the fighting side does not provide relief to the enemys population. Yet media outlets continue to spin the narrative that benefits Hamas. And political leaders are becoming weak-kneed. France, the U.K. and Canada support a Palestinian state under the rule of Hamas, and many Democratic leaders are folding as well. Over half of Senate Democrats voted against aid to Israel, something left-wing opponents of Israel hailed as progress. The hosts of "Pod Save America," all former Obama administration officials, recently declared that support for Israel would be disqualifying in the 2028 presidential primary. But its not merely the Left that has abandoned Israel. While President Trump and Republican leaders have maintained steadfastly in support, loud voices on the Right are starting to echo their left-wing counterparts. Tucker Carlson has platformed many of the most dishonest anti-Israel voices and has repeated some of the same debunked media narratives around genocide. U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene has issued similarly dishonest bromides. And Joe Rogan, Theo Von and others have articulated the anti-Israel position to their large audiences. Thankfully, a significant majority of Republicans support Israel, with the strongest support coming from Evangelical Christians. But there are signs of this waning, especially among younger conservative Evangelicals, many of whom imbibe the content from these anti-Israel influencers. The situation in Gaza is terrible. War in the Middle East is complex. But while the peace process is complicated, the moral calculus is not. You are either with the genocidal terrorist organizations or with the Jewish people who, in every generation, face threats of ostracization, marginalization and death. The head of Hamas even admitted this when he said that, in his view, the heinous acts of Oct. 7 have achieved their goal: a world caving to their whims and opposing Israel. Faithful Christians should care deeply about the plight of the Palestinian people, many of whom are our brothers and sisters in Christ. We should not let that concern keep us from seeing the truth about Gaza. Israel, like any other nation in human history defending its right to survive, is not perfect in its conduct of this war. Yet we must admit that many of the critiques are falsehoods, ugly antisemitism cloaked as empathy. We should pray for this war to end. We should pray for the destruction of Hamas. We should pray for the survival of Israel. And we should pray for Jews and Palestinians to live in peace. Originally published at All Israel News. Home Opinion Todays abortion is just a postage stamp away While pro-lifers continue to cheer the closure of major abortion hubs around the country, Planned Parenthoods brick-and-mortar hardships only tell part of the story. No one can dispute that years of prayers, hard work, marching, and lobbying have started to put the hurt on the industry of death, but theres a catch. In the middle of funding cuts and boarded-up buildings is a very sobering reality: todays abortion is just a postage stamp away. As heartening as it is to see the world shifting under Planned Parenthoods feet, the business built on the backs of taxpayers has a contingency plan. And that contingency plan is turning abortion into a tiny and dangerous weapon that can be shipped to anyone, anywhere. Incredibly, living in a pro-life state doesnt change that. While the Supreme Court was right and years overdue in overturning the flawed Roe v. Wade ruling, the biggest mistake people made after 2022 was thinking the abortion question was solved. Far from it. If anything, Dobbs only inflamed the tensions boiling under the surface. As the headlines are starting to make quite clear, its only exposed the explosive divides between red and blue states. A divide, unfortunately, that empires like Planned Parenthood continue to exploit. As Family Research Councils Mary Szoch explained, The Comstock Act very clearly states that no abortion-inducing object or drug may be sent through the mail. Its written right there in federal law. The Biden administration looked at that, and they said, You know, we will only enforce that as narrowly as possible. Now, years later, the country is learning the hard way, it hasnt been enforced at all. And its time, Szoch and millions of other Americans argue, for the Trump administration to stand up and say, Every Biden policy has to go, especially those ones that endanger life. Last week, dozens of Baptist leaders from 22 states joined that rally cry, calling on the White House to step in and clean up the mess that Biden made of federal law. As 40 of them wrote in a letter delivered to the president, We respectfully urge your immediate action to stop the mail-order distribution of the abortion drug mifepristone, which now accounts for more than 60% of all U.S. abortions. Enabled by the previous administrations rollback of FDA safety protocols, this dangerous drug has caused serious adverse events in nearly 11% of users and poses grave risks to women especially when dispensed without in-person screening or ultrasound evaluation. Their stand comes as the man widely considered the most pro-life president in history continues to send mixed signals on abortion. And unfortunately for conservatives, one of the biggest gray areas is also one of the most dangerous: chemical abortion. While Trumps leadership is undeniable in the appointment of pro-life judges, the overturning of Roe v. Wade, expanding the Mexico City Policy, and temporarily defunding Planned Parenthood, theres much more that needs to be done not just in ending the lawless racket of abortion pill distribution but also in ensuring the drugs are safe to begin with. As experts across the country continue to point out, mifepristone was only approved by the Clinton administration in the year 2000 because the process was politicized. So the first thing that were calling for is for the FDA to completely reexamine the approval of mifepristone. Women and unborn children will not be safe from this drug until that approval is revoked, Szoch insisted on Washington Watch. Until then, she said, Were asking the FDA to reinstate the original 2000 safety precautions for the drug and to strengthen those by including an ultrasound requirement. The ultrasound requirement would allow the pregnancy to be accurately dated, helping doctors rule out ectopic pregnancies. Ectopic pregnancy only occurs in 2% of pregnancies, Szoch explained, but it results in 13% of maternal deaths. If a woman takes mifepristone and she has an ectopic pregnancy, she might confuse the severe cramping and bleeding shes feeling for the side effects of mifepristone, when really its a life-threatening complication from the ectopic pregnancy. So we really want to ensure those 2000 [regulations] are strengthened if theyre added back. And of course, those include in-person visits with the physician. Although the new FDA chief Marty Makary says he has no current plans to change the guidelines for the abortion drug, he did promise to be open-minded and continue [listening] to folks that say they have concerns about the drug. For now, though, it shouldnt be too much to ask that the Trump administration which cares deeply about ending Biden-era lawlessness in other areas aggressively defend the Comstock Act. If this is, as the president continues to suggest, a state issue, then surely states policies on life should be respected, not undermined by activist doctors in places like New York. Just in the past few days, a father sued a California abortionist for mailing mifepristone to his girlfriend in Texas in direct defiance of Lone Star law. The case accuses the doctor of violating the Comstock Act in a first-of-its-kind wrongful death suit. Similar challenges are cropping up all over the country as couples grapple with the ease of taking innocent life with or without both parents knowledge. Some of the more sinister stories, like Catherine Herrings, involve abusive husbands or boyfriends who tricked their pregnant significant others into taking mifepristone against their will, a nightmarish scenario that stronger regulations could help prevent. Even for those women who take it knowingly believing the industrys lies that its an easier abortion the horrors are unlike anything they could imagine. [The blood ] it looked like I was sitting in the middle of a crime scene. I suppose it was a crime scene. I mean, I had just murdered my child But this couldnt be normal. Planned Parenthood didnt ever tell me this could happen. I decided that I would call them in the morning if I didnt die before then. Abby Johnsons story is sadly typical. She tells her testimony now of the terrifying 12 hours she spent lying on the bathroom floor. She explains the eight weeks of blood clots. Eight weeks of nausea. Eight weeks of excruciating cramps. Eight weeks of heavy bleeding. I had seen too many women hurt by this natural abortion method. There was nothing natural about it. When she asked her Planned Parenthood coworkers why they werent telling women what really happens, her supervisor said, Well, we dont want to scare them. And for what? So that the abortion industry can make more money. They dont care about women. Theyre putting tens of thousands of them at risk, shipping it across state lines to pro-life states and in direct violation of those states rights to protect unborn children, Szoch shakes her head. This drug is extremely harmful, she continued, pointing to the more than one-in-10 women who experience sepsis, hemorrhaging, infection, incomplete abortion that requires surgery, [or a follow-up] ER visit after taking this drug. Thats shockingly high, she stressed. This drug is extremely dangerous, and it should not be approved by the FDA. Which is why Baptist leaders respectfully request that President Trump do three things: 1. Restore and strengthen FDA safety protocols for mifepristone, including an ultrasound requirement; 2. Direct the FDA to reevaluate the drugs approval; and 3. Instruct the Department of Justice to enforce the Comstock Act, to protect states rights to uphold pro-life laws. You know, Dr. Will Hall, director of the Office of Public Policy at the Louisiana Baptist Convention, told Family Research Council President Tony Perkins on Washington Watch Tuesday, There are 12 states that have totally banned all abortions. Forty-one have some form of protection for unborn lives in place. And this letter will help us put that last piece of the bulwark in place that will help us to stop the illegal abortions [happening] in our states We dont want our women and children being exposed to telemedicine appointments for abortions with out-of-state partners. As leaders like Hall made quite clear to Trump, Women, unborn children, and the rule of law urgently need your leadership. Originally published at The Washington Stand. Tableau, we might be using Power BI, but what's, what's the capability we really need, and are we using the right tool for the right thing? Because if we're just visualizing some data in Excel, there's probably a way to do it, rather than if you join in data together from different sources, etc. So it was really then looking to rationalize the the amount of systems we had delivering the capability. So that's where we had to take the business on, on this journey with us, because it would involve them potentially changing the systems that they used. We know people get very precious about the systems that they use. They know it. They love it. They understand it. I don't want to change it. Thank you very much. Even though that thing's cheaper, they they don't, they don't necessarily like change. So actually saying that the end to end processes could be streamlined across the business. We can reduce complexity in the landscape. We can reduce cost of delivery of that to the business from an IT perspective, that gives us more money to invest in other things or future ready in our organization as well. It's been a huge journey, but now, when I hear the business talking about we need to add this capability to the road map, and it is a true capability, and we use Lean IX and the the manufacturing model within there, I feel like I felt when the first time my daughter said please or thank you, and I didn't have to nudge her, it's almost like, oh yeah, they've learned the language. They know what to do, and they know how to do it. And that makes me feel, you know, really proud that that they're there, and it's taking them on that journey and explaining, rather than telling, you have to sort of explain the benefit. So what's in it for them all the time? Not why it's better. It strategy, yeah. And, I mean, I always it sounds like it's very inspirational. And, you know, I always reference the IT Crowd, you know, the two guys and the woman in the base, girl in the basement. It's like, have you tried turning it on and off again? I guess also in that roadmap, the capabilities changed, you know, especially post covid, of like, not them asking you, you know, how do I fix this? But more like, how do we build our business capabilities, right? And it's not about just calling down to you, saying, hey, what do I do? You're like, saying here, this is the road map we want to build, and this is how things fit together to create business excellence, yeah. And when, when we look, and we look at some of the larger enterprise systems, we've probably got the capability already there that we could switch these 10 things off over here, just use something we've already got, yeah, and make things even better for the business. So that's been something. We've been working really closely with our sort of strategic partners in in those spaces. To say, you need to come on this journey with us, because actually we will then be a real, sort of success story for you to help define your products as well. To say, here's how we added value. So I've been pulling everyone in. I've been pulling our partners in, as well as, as well as, as well as the business to to get us there. And it's, it's, it's hard. I'm not going to say it's, it is a hard thing to go on, but you just have to start. It's like with everything, everything's hard when you first start. Yeah, yeah, especially when it's new, when you're changing languages and ways of working, especially when the person doing it doesn't know anything about building cars, you're always going to get potentially a little bit more resistance, yeah, but that's you need lots of persistence and patience. Yeah. Fantastic. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. I do not know what Brandenburg was like in 1940, when the smoke and smell of the first burning bodies drifted across the town. But on a blue-skied day in May 2019, as I sat outside what was once the Brandenburg State Hospital, I was struck by the sounds coming inthe shrieks and laughter of children from a nearby playground washing over the remains of a place where Nazis killed at least nine thousand people. It was the proximity that disturbed me, the fact that ordinary people had lived so close to such evil. The question that I would continue to ask myself over the two-week trip through Germany and Poland was: Why didnt journalists do a better job of warning people, by giving them the information they could have used to act? I was in Germany as a professor for Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics (FASPE). The fellows were early-career journalists, and we studied the ways the media covered the lead-up to the Holocaust and compared that to ethical issues that arise in covering the news today. In 2019, there were some clear parallels between what happened in Nazi Germany and what was then happening in the United States under the first Trump administration: the scapegoating of groups of people, the disdain for the judiciary, the vilification of the press. There were similarities in how journalists covered those respective years, too. American newspapers initially portrayed Hitlers rise as just another political movement rather than a unique and existential threat. When Dachau opened, in 1933, the New York Times described it as an educational concentration camp for political prisoners, a Nazi college with a vast, clean dining hall and a new big swimming pool. Similarly, throughout Trumps first term, many media outlets, including the Times, CNN, and the Washington Post, were accused of sanewashing his actions, thereby failing to give the public a true sense of the danger he posed to democracy. Today the situation feels much more dire, and the media is, by and large, still failing to meet the scale of the threat he represents. During Trumps 2024 campaign, NPRs public editor Kelly McBride wrote, Some listeners believe that NPRs calm and steady approach is a bit too calm and steady. One listener complained that NPR was treating Trump like a normal candidate when HE IS NOT AND YOU KNOW IT! The listener continued: You are doing a great disservice to the American people, and if he wins the election you will be complicit. Ive been thinking a lot about the discussions we had on the FASPE trip, and why journalists often fail to adequately convey danger at such crucial moments in history, including this one. I dont know that journalists have fully grasped what our role needs to be in this moment. The veneer of neutrality embedded in institutional journalism is, I think, a constraint. The question is whether a profession that was founded to reflect the concerns of elitesproperty-owning white menand helped shape public discourse in ways that protected their political and economic power has the mettle to meet this particular moment. Is it journalisms job to fight against potential dangers, or merely to present the facts? Does boldly taking a stance somehow make our reporting less accurate? Sign up for CJRs daily email As Marvin Kalb, founding director of the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy, writes in Why Didnt the Press Shout? American and International Journalism During the Holocaust: In a craft that extols objectivity, how neutral, how dispassionate, can a journalist be? Journalism is often seen as the impartial dissemination of information. I would argue that the role of journalists is not to provide information in a vacuum, but to add context, history, solutions, and critical analysis so that the public truly understands issues and their implications. Kalb explains the distinction, made by Elie Wiesel, between providing people with information and equipping them with knowledge. Alone, information meant only the existence of data. It lacked an activist, ethical component. It was neutral, Kalb writes. Knowledge, implied Wiesel, was a higher form of information. Knowledge was information that had been internalizedcrowned with a moral dimension that could be transformed into a call for action. This is what journalism must be nownot merely a mirror, but a moral force that actively resists the erosion of truth and democracy. There is already a great deal of courageous journalism being done, but there are risks in challenging the Trump administration. President Trump has cut $1.1 billion in funding for public media. He has gone after individual journalists. Even when reporters do stand their ground, Trump rarely engages in good faith. He dodges, deflects, lies, and often pivots to personal insults. Covering this administration therefore creates a conundrum. But the insistence on neutrality makes it difficult to convey the full scope of danger this administration posesnot just to targeted groups, but to all Americans, even those who do not yet see it. Faced with what I and apparently you see as a danger to American democracy, does the journalist have a responsibility to say, Hey, reader, hey, viewer, please, dont you see this danger as I do, and shouldnt we be doing something about it? Kalb said when we spoke recently. In other words, the journalist becomes a fighter in a war, in a political war, and that violates everything that American journalism has represented. Ethnic media outlets have long understood that journalism is not just about informing the public, but equipping people to resist oppression. When your communitys survival is at stake, neutrality isnt an option. When American newspapers eventually began reporting on the Nazis persecution and killing of Jewish people, those stories were often buried on the inside pages. In contrast, reporting in The Forward, a Jewish newspaper, very prominently and clearly named the atrocities: Thousands of Jews in Poland are being gassed to death. Masses of Jews, earlier described as deported to unknown places, are in fact being executed in special gas chambers in Nazi concentration camps. The same can be said for the Black press. Freedoms Journal, the first Black-owned newspaper in the US, was launched to resist slavery. The Chicago Defender called for the Great Migration. Ida B. Wells didnt just report on lynchings, she risked her life to expose them and demand justice. The Kansas City Defender covers systemic injustice with unapologetic clarity, embracing this history of Black press resistance. Founder Ryan Sorrell says that all news organizations report through a particular lens, even if they wont admit it: We are transparent about our agenda. And the New York Times, for instance, is not, he said. Anyone who says they are an unbiased media platform is not being honest. Sorrell believes that there are things legacy news organizations could learn from the Black press about how to cover this moment. Weve lived under fascism. Weve lived under authoritarianism, he says. He believes such organizations avoid clearly naming injustice because it would be bad for business. A lot of corporate medias primary audience is middle-aged or older white people. And because of that, its against their financial interest to say anything that would make them lose subscribers, he said. News outlets continue to use euphemisms and the passive voice rather than naming bad actors and their actions directly. The New York Times headline Elon Musk Ignites Online Speculation over the Meaning of a Hand Gesture felt, to many readers, and to me, like an effort to avoid the words Nazi salute. (That phrase is used in the dek.) In June, an ABC News live update of the military response to protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in Los Angeles read: More National Guard troops to accompany ICE raids as Marines protect LA federal building. Reuters reported, US Marines arrive in LA; California governor warns democracy under assault. While the articles themselves did include more details, and the words arrive and protect are accurate, these headlines do not capture the impact on civilians, use of martial power, or constitutional danger. We have to be willing to call the thing the thing, said Martin G. Reynolds, coexecutive director of the Maynard Institute. A journalists job is to interrogate and find truth, and if the truth reveals itself to an issue being framed in a certain way, such as Trump being a felon, racist, and someone who seeks to willfully undermine the will of voters and the rule of law, we commit journalistic malfeasance if we cover him with a neutral framing. Bill Ong Hing, founding director of the Immigration and Deportation Defense Clinic at the University of San Francisco, argues that reporting on immigration should make clear that the system is racist, as the laws upon which detentions and deportations are based were made to keep immigrants of certain racial backgrounds out of the US. The law doesnt begin from a starting point that is racially neutral, Hing said. There have been moments where mainstream outlets have reported with a level of defiance in the face of democratic crisis. Washington Post reporter Murrey Marder was relentless in his coverage of Senator Joseph McCarthy, helping to expose that McCarthys claims about communist spies infiltrating the government were false. His reporting led to the first live televised congressional hearings in history, and McCarthy was ultimately censured by the Senate. In his book The Powers That Be, David Halberstam writes of Marder: Doggedly, he worked out a means of covering McCarthy. Hold him to the record. Not just what he said yesterday, but the day before and the week before. Explain not just this charge, but what happened to the previous charges. Try above all not to be a megaphone for McCarthy. Expose him to maximum scrutiny. This is the kind of fortitude that is necessary today. When the Associated Press was barred from attending White House press briefings earlier this year, other outlets should have walked out in protest. Newsrooms should stop quoting lies in the name of balance and simply say: This is false, and repeating it spreads disinformation. CNN and MSNBC set a good example in 2023 when they decided not to air Trumps live remarks after his indictment. As we have said before in these circumstances, there is a cost to us as a news organization to knowingly broadcast untrue things, Rachel Maddow said, explaining MSNBCs decision. But those decisions are the exception. The broader media reluctance to take a firmer stance seems to often come down to one thing: money. Paramounts recent $16 million settlement with Trumpreportedly to help smooth the path for an $8.4 billion merger requiring FCC approvalis one example. We find a shortage of that kind of courage, Kalb said. We find moneybig moneydetermining editorial content. That financial incentive helps determine what gets covered, and how. President Trump understands how to exploit this dynamic, saying things that will generate attention and outrage. He knows that media companies will amplify his statements because they drive clicks, ratings, and revenue. But the real story is not in the outrageous, headline-grabbing thing that was said or done, but the impact. The media landscape in the 1930s was in some ways similar to what it is today. The political leanings of newspaper owners determined the coverage. New technology was making journalism more accessible and engaging audiences in different ways. A lot of the owners of newspapers were rich Republicans, and newspapers were treading a fine line between satisfying their influential, rich Republican supporters and not driving away their ordinary readers. And they didnt do that well, said historian and Columbia Journalism School professor Andie Tucher. Meanwhile, radio is a new, exciting technology, like the internet. It feels responsive. Its a voice. Radio reporting was immediate and conveyed emotion. It reached audiences that had previously been underservedthose who were illiterate, who could not read English, or who lived in rural areas and could not get newspapers delivered in a timely fashion. Radio also turned news consumption into a communal experience, in much the way that social media has today. The big difference between the media ecosystem then and now, says Dickson Louie, who teaches a course in the business of media at UC Daviss Graduate School of Management, is how fragmented news consumption has become. Legacy outlets have fewer resources to stand up to power, corporate consolidation has reshaped newsroom governance, and many Americans now get their news from social media. Louie said that because mainstream media outlets serve such a broad audience, they will continue to report both sides, so to speak, despite the administrations deviations from traditional political norms. Expect more original, critical, and activist news reporting to come from smaller news outlets or independent journalists now on Substack and other platforms, he said. Historian Heather Cox Richardsons Substack is one of the most-read political newsletters in the country. She explains systems in a way that feels accessible, helping readers make sense of whats happening. Media outlets need to offer this kind of context not just in news analysis, but in reporting, and should deliver news in ways people want it, engaging them not as passive consumers, but as partners. Several of my journalist friends have cited lengthy investigative articles that have exposed Trumps malfeasance as examples of Marder-like courage. My question to them was whether those articles, while brilliantly reported, had reached the average American. Ive heard many people say theyve stopped reading, listening to, or watching the news because it makes them feel overwhelmed, alarmed, and ultimately powerless. Journalism shouldnt just inform, it should connect people to resources and others who are already organizing in their communities. This is where local and independent outlets often do what national newsrooms cant: build relationships and foster solidarity. Their proximity to the communities they cover, and the trust theyve built across divides, can be a conduit, not just for information, but for action. The popularity of smaller, more nimble, and often more daring outlets reflects both the publics hunger for something different and a sense that legacy media may no longer be structurally equipped to confront the challenge with which we are now faced. History has shown the consequences of a press too reluctant to name the danger. How can journalism claim to be properly serving the public if it fails to act with urgency now? Its a question I asked Kalb. You are grappling with the fundamental question confronting American journalism, he said. And the resolution of that issue will ultimately determine the state of democracy in this country. While the job of saving democracy does not rest on the shoulders of journalists alone, we have a critical role to play. We must abandon the myth of neutrality and report not just with the clear premise that whats happening is dangerous, but the understanding that the systems enabling it are deeply entrenched. This will demand introspection and a willingness to practice a bold new kind of journalism that means putting our duty to the public above all else. Sign up for The Media Today, CJRs daily newsletter. Last week Glenn Kessler, the longtime writer of the Washington Posts Fact Checker column, announced that he had accepted a buyout, joining dozens of his former colleagues in walking away from the storied institution. Kessler was prolific during his twenty-seven years at the Post, writing more than three thousand fact-checks, by his own count, and helping spearhead an entirely new genre of journalism. He has, perhaps inevitably, launched a Substack, where he promises to deliver a mix of fact-based analysis of politics and samples of his fiction writing. He departs at a time when the medias ability to challenge falsehoods uttered by those in power has never been weaker. (A spokesman for the Post declined to share any information about what would happen with Kesslers column.) This conversation has been edited for concision and clarity. JR: How does it feel to be leaving the Post after so long? GK: The Post has been my life for almost three decades. Its obviously kind of a strange feeling. The last week was a bit of an out-of-body experience because it was like reading my own obituaries. I plan to keep writing, I just wont do it in a newsroom. I think the thing that Im going to miss most is, obviously, being in a newsroom. I just like the camaraderie and interaction you have there, and being there when there are big news events. Thats whats gonna be hard to adjust to. In your final column, you said that you believe falsehoods are winning. Why do you think that is? Sign up for CJRs daily email I attribute it to the rise of Donald Trump, combined with the rise of social media. Trump has made it acceptable to lie with impunity. He creates his own reality, his own world, composed of alternative facts. And his followers fall right in line, and their news organizations echo all of that. For example, recently there was a bad economic report. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is completely nonpartisan. Its a survey of employers, and employers fill it out. Its a baseline number that people have come to respect. And Trump just now fired the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics, because he accused the head of manipulating the statistics. So hes now casting down on the work of thousands of people that go out there and ask these questions of employers, because he didnt like the number. Thats living in your own alternative reality. Presidents, for decades, have never questioned the numbers produced by the government workers at the Bureau of Labor Statistics. I mean, there were bad numbersthey said, Okay, weve got to work harder. And Trump is just going to say, No, the numbers are great. Its just that these people are manipulating them. Thats a very dangerous situation for this country to be in. In your final piece, you wrote, In an era where false claims are the norm, its much easier to ignore the fact-checkers. Do you feel like fact-checking is dying? Well, I wouldnt say its dying. It definitely is a rough patch after years of incredible growth, and were all at the mercy of tech billionaires these days. At the Washington Post, the newspaper is going through some turmoil because the owner, a tech billionaire, has decided he wants to change some things. In the broader world of fact-checking, Mark Zuckerbergs Meta spent a hundred million dollars to support a hundred fact-checking organizations around the world. That kind of money, of course, is gonna bring lots of growth. But then, in order to curry favor from Trumpwho doesnt like fact-checks and doesnt like the idea that social media platforms are actually rooting out false informationZuckerberg decided to stop the funding for fact-checkers in the United States, and is probably going to roll it back across the world, [though that may be] more difficult because other countries have higher standards for social media platforms. What was the hardest fact-check call that you ever had to make? Theres one that took a couple months of work. It had to do with an Israeli accusation that the Palestinian Authority paid 350 million dollars a year to the families of terrorists. And so I investigated that. A lot of it depends on the definition of terrorist. It is clear that the Palestinian Authority does provide what they call martyr payments, which is money to sustain the families of people who were killedfrom the Palestinian perspective, as part of the struggle against the state of Israel; from the Israeli perspective, some of these people had blood on their hands. The definitions get really fuzzy. Say the Israelis throw into prison some teenage kid who was throwing rocks: Is that person necessarily a terrorist? So the difficult part was to convince the PLO to open their books up to me to show me how much they were paying. Its very complex, but in the end I determined the figure was not 350 million, but more like 100 million dollars. I dont make a judgment whether or not 100 million dollars is a lot. Its up to the readers to decide. I ended up giving two Pinocchios to Benjamin Netanyahu, which resulted in an official Israeli complaint to the State Department. They did not like the Pinocchios. Ive always wondered about the Pinocchios. Were they designed as a way to call out powerful people in a less pointed way? You mean not saying, This is a lie? Yes. I generally avoided using the word lie because I think its a conversation-stopper. I was quoted in the New York Times as saying that Marty Baron, the executive editor, had basically said, We cant use the word lie. After that appeared, Marty came to me and said, I never said we were against the word lie. It just has to be the right moment. You have to just really be sure of yourself. In what way do you think its a conversation-stopper? Because it focuses less on what the person is saying and more on the fact that I am saying that person is a liar. To say something is a lie really starts to dip into the area of opinion, which is what weve strived to avoid at the Fact Checker. So in the case of an incident where I said, This is a lie, it had to do with the payments to Trumps paramour Stormy Daniels, where he said he knew nothing about that. And then Michael Cohen released tapes of Trump actually talking about the payments. Then Marty came to me and said, Okay, you can write that story and say This is a lie. Regardless of their original purpose, it seems like some people did not like getting them. Most people dont realize this, but I always had a standard where if a politician admitted an error, I would not award Pinocchios. I would still write the fact-check, but as long as they said, Oh, I messed up, thered be no Pinocchios. With Joe Biden in the 2020 campaignhe was running against Trump, the guy who received so many Pinocchiosand they were really determined to avoid Pinocchios. And Biden had gone around saying that he had opposed the Iraq War from the start, which was wrong. He was on record voting for the Iraq War. I called [his team] up and said, Well, this is clearly four Pinocchios. Then Biden went on a radio show saying, Ive said that, I was wrong, I shouldnt have said that. And there was another instanceIm not going to name the politician, but there was another instance of a politician who is extremely high in Congress, who went on TV and said something wrong about a program that they were supposed to be an expert on. So, clearly it was four Pinocchios. And I called up and said: Look, you just admit youre wrong and I wont award the Pinocchios. And the answer I got back was Well, thanks for the offer. Id rather take the Pinocchios than admit I was wrong. I really want to ask you who that was. Were talking about one of the most powerful people in the government. Thats amazing. How do you feel about the end of your time at the Post? The paper is clearly going through a lot of changeis it good? Because of the buyout there was this artificial deadline of July 31, and I really wanted to get an agreement where I had stayed over for a period of time so we could identify a successor and I could have an appropriate handoff of the franchise that I had built, and we werent able to reach the agreement of a period of time. I think that the unfortunate thing is that the impression it left was that maybe the Washington Post is not committed to the Fact Checker. It seemed like it would have been a slam dunk for them to say, Yes, we need you to stay on so we can have an appropriate transition, so we dont leave that questioning. But instead, you know, so many things seem to be driven by financial considerations as opposed to journalistic considerations. I was quite annoyed about the way my tenure at the Post ended, because I expected and hoped that there would be an actual passing of the baton, like a relay race. For many people around the world it was considered a model. This whole thing about the Bureau of Labor Statisticsthat was ripe for a fact-check. I just think its a pretty perilous period to not have someone full-time running the Fact Checker. Wildfires ravaged vineyards and farms in southern France, leaving one person dead and forcing residents to flee as flames shut roads and cut power to thousands of homes. About 1,800 firefighters, assisted by aircraft, are working to control the outbreaks in the southwestern department of Aude. The fires have been fanned by winds gusting up to 70 kilometers (44 miles) per hour. The fires ignited on Tuesday, burning 110 square kilometers (42 square miles), an area roughly the size of Paris, according to France Info. They quickly spread through farmland baked by recent heat waves, which turned crops into kindling and dried soils enough to uproot grapevines that are prone to catching fire. Climate change is increasing the intensity of heat waves in Europe, the worlds fastest warming continent. Thats triggering more extreme weather events, including violent storms and wildfires, with the Mediterranean region particularly vulnerable. Temperatures this week are set to climb several degrees above the long-term average across the region, topping 38C (100F) on Thursday, according to Meteo France. The mercury could inch even higher over the following days as the heat wave thats searing Iberia moves east. France issued amber fire alerts for seven departments along the Mediterranean coast, with authorities in Portugal and Spain also warning of dangerous wildfire risks across much of the peninsula. The wave of hot air moving across Europe could be boosted by tropical storm Dexter as it moves across the Atlantic. The storm will degrade into a well of low pressure as it moves east, but weather models used by the U.K. Met Office and the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts show it tracking north toward the U.K. If that happens, it will likely bring stormy weather to the U.K., but the low pressure is expected drag a wave of warm air across the continent, said Alex Burkill, a meteorologist at the Met Office. Generally, theres fairly good consensus that temperatures are going to be above average and in some cases significantly above average as we go through into next week, he said. The extra nudge from Dexter is forecast to fuel heat wave conditions across France and parts of the Mediterranean early next week. Temperatures in Toulouse could reach 42C on Monday, data from Atmospheric G2 show. The heat wave could force Electricite de France SA to shut down nuclear reactors as rising river temperatures limit plant cooling, according to MetDesk meteorologist Richard Martin-Burton. French power prices on Tuesday rose to their highest since March on concerns about the impact of the heat on reactor output. Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Legendary director Francis Ford Coppola was reportedly hospitalized Tuesday in Italy after experiencing an irregular heartbeat, according to the Mirror. The 86-year-old Godfather director allegedly suffered from a mild cardiac arrhythmia and was placed under observation. Reports indicate Coppola had gone to the hospital for a pre-scheduled heart surgery when medical professionals discovered his condition. Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure with acclaimed Dr. Andrea Natale, his doctor of over 30 years, and is resting nicely, an insider told PEOPLE. All is well and he appreciates everyones concern. The filmmaker was in Italy for a screening of his 2024 sci-fi drama Megalopolis at the Magna Graecia Film Festival. According to Italian news agency Ansa, Coppola was also scouting locations for an upcoming film project. During his appearance at the festival, Coppola reportedly addressed the audience with an optimistic message: Young people tell me the world is a mess, but I tell them theres no problem that humanity cant solve. We must build a great new future, and do it together for the sake of our children. And tonight, were taking a leap into the future. Prior to his Italian trip, the Conversation producer attended a screening of Megalopolis at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Aug. 1. Reflecting on his career and financial investments in his work, Coppola has been philosophical. I dont care, I never cared about money, he said. In the end there are so many people when they die that say, I wish I had done this, I wish I had done that. But when I die Im gonna say I got to do this. I got to see my daughter [Sofia] win an Oscar, and I got to make wine, and I got to make all the movies I wanted to make. And Im going to be so busy thinking about what I got to do that when I die I wont notice it. Coppola was married to Eleanor Jessie Coppola from 1963 until her death in 2024. The couple had three children: Roman Coppola, 60, Sofia Coppola, 54, and Gian-Carlo Coppola, who died in 1986 at age 22. This story was created with the assistance of AI. Southeast Asians are skipping trips to the United States this year for a variety of reasons. Singaporeans, however, are rejecting it at greater levels than others, a survey of 6,000 regional travelers showed. The survey commissioned by CNBC Travel showed 7% of Singaporeans said their interest in visiting the U.S. increased this year, while more than half (55%) said their interest had decreased. Both numbers veer sharply from the 44% of Southeast Asian respondents who said their interest in the U.S. increased this year, and the 18% who said it fell, according to the survey conducted by the market research company Milieu Insight. Time and again, the survey showed that Singaporeans' views of the U.S. differed from those from Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines and Malaysia often by a wide margin. Singaporeans were the only respondents in the survey to say that they still get most of their information from local and international news. Respondents from the other five countries, including 80% of those from Thailand, said social media is their primary news source. Higher levels of concern The survey, which was conducted from May 22 to June 10, showed Singaporeans are more concerned about traveling to the U.S. than others in the region, in relation to: their personal safety in the U.S. (+13 percentage points) possible discrimination or poor treatment while there (+17 percentage points) actions by the Trump administration (+18 percentage points) gun violence (+20 percentage points) border detentions (+13 percentage points) Since Singapore has low crime rates, its citizens have high safety expectations, said Zilmiyah Kamble, a senior lecturer for hospitality and tourism management at James Cook University. The country often ranks as one of the safest countries in the world. Singaporean Kimberly Kwok said she's steering clear of the U.S. this year, she said. "I haven't been too particularly interested in going to the U.S., mostly because of my safety," she said. "You see a lot of articles on the news about hate crimes against Asians and also the firearms." Singaporean university student Cayla Tham also said guns, which are not common in Southeast Asian societies, have dampened her interest in visiting the U.S. Politics and tariffs aren't her main concerns, she said. Rather, "it's more about how firearms are allowed. I feel like [regulations] are not really enforced." Visas and detentions The survey showed that Singaporeans are less worried than other respondents about two issues: travel costs and visa requirements. In early 2025, the Henley Passport Index showed that Singapore had the strongest passport in the world. watch now A general view of a U.S. State Department sign outside the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2025. The State Department is set to launch a new pilot program later this month that will require foreign visitors planning travel to the U.S. from certain countries to post bonds of up to $15,000, according to a temporary final rule published in the Federal Register Tuesday. The program, scheduled to begin Aug. 20 and last until Aug. 5, 2026, will specifically apply to people in certain foreign countries applying for B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourist travel to the United States. Each of those visas allows for a maximum stay of six months, though some extensions are permitted in certain cases. The Trump administration said the program's purpose is to reduce visa overstays in the U.S. and is a direct response to President Donald Trump's January executive order "Protecting The American People Against Invasion." "The Pilot Program is a tool of diplomacy, intended to encourage foreign governments to take immediate action to reduce the overstay rates of their nationals when traveling to the United States for temporary visits, and to encourage countries to improve screening and vetting and the security of travel and civil documents, including in the granting of citizenship," the rule said. Visa applicants will be required to provide a bond of $5,000, $10,000 or $15,000 as a condition of it being issued, and the amount will be determined by consular officers based on each person's circumstances. This can include, the administration said, "any information provided by the visa applicant on the visa application or in the visa interview regarding the alien's purpose of travel, current employment, income, skills, and education." These requirements will only apply to countries that the State Department identifies as having records of high visa overstay rates, based on data collected by the Department of Homeland Security. The State Department announced Tuesday that the program will first apply to visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia. The list of countries can be amended throughout the program, according to the rule. The State Department said that these visa holders from Malawi and Zambia will have to arrive and depart from one of three points of entry: Boston Logan International Airport, John F. Kennedy International Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport. It wasn't immediately clear why Malawi and Zambia were chosen for the program, as the latest DHS overstay report from fiscal year 2023 listed Chad, Laos and Haiti as being among the countries that have the highest visa overstay rates. Altogether, an estimated 500,000 people admitted to the U.S. during that period stayed past their visa expiration dates. The State Department didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. "This targeted common-sense measure reinforces the administration's commitment to U.S. immigration law while deterring visa overstays," State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce told reporters at the press briefing Tuesday. If visa applicants who are required to submit bonds comply with the terms and conditions and don't overstay their visa, for example, they are entitled to full refunds. Those who violate any of the conditions will have to forfeit the bond amount. This comes as the Trump administration has been transforming the federal government's immigration and visa rules for months. Under the recently enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act, for example, visitors to the U.S. will need to pay a "visa integrity fee" on top of additional visa fees. Lisa Su, president and CEO of AMD, talks about the AMD EPYC processor during a keynote address at the 2019 CES in Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S., January 9, 2019. Shares of Advanced Micro Devices slumped more than 6% after the chipmaker's earnings fell short of earnings expectations and raised concerns about the timing of a restart in China shipments. The Santa Clara, California-based company reported adjusted earnings of 48 cents per share, falling short of the 49 cents per share expected by analysts polled by LSEG. CEO Lisa Su singled out the hit from U.S. controls on artificial intelligence chips in a call with analysts. "AI business revenue declined year over year as U.S. export restrictions effectively eliminated MI308 sales to China, and we began transitioning to our next generation," Su said. For the current quarter, AMD forecasted $8.7 billion in revenue, plus or minus $300 million, versus $8.3 billion expected by analysts. The company said its guidance does not account for revenue from its MI308 AI chip designed for the China market to work around chip restrictions. During an interview with CNBC's "Squawk on the Street" on Wednesday, Su said the company has been working closely with the Trump administration on license requirements necessary to ship its chips to China, but took a "prudent" approach to its guide. "From our standpoint, we think we have an extremely strong portfolio," she said. "Tens of billions of dollars is the opportunity in a market that's going to be, let's call it 500 billion plus over the next few years." (PRO Views are exclusive to PRO subscribers, giving them insight on the news of the day direct from a real investing pro.) Tim Seymour acknowledges it's hard to navigate the different trade headlines hitting each day, but investors should realize most of these so-called deals are not "real" news and focus on the company fundamentals instead. The founder of Seymour Asset Management is a buyer of Apple (AAPL) today, but not because CEO Tim Cook is giving President Donald Trump a $100 million peace offering with a promise to manufacture more of its products on U.S. shores. AAPL 1D mountain Apple, 1-day The stock is rocking on the news but, as he explains in this video above, Seymour is buying because of Apple's amazing calendar second quarter where revenue increased by 10% and operating margins overseas expanded for the third straight period. Seymour discusses the next catalyst for Apple shares. In general, he said investors should not be swayed by these headlines that can sometimes boost or knock certain stocks depending on whether the companies are playing along with Trump's trade narrative or not. Tim and I also discuss: Whether Nvidia is winning the trade gamesmanship with Trump. Implications of India's new 50% tariff rate . The U.K.'s new friendly relationship with Trump and the best stocks to buy there. The history of the Grateful Dead and Golden Gate Park. Disclosure: Seymour is a portfolio manager, sub-advisor on the Amplify International Enhanced Dividend (IDVO) . The stream was slated to start at 4:30 p.m. ET. CNBC Television will start the stream when the event begins. Please refresh the page if you do not see a player above. Apple CEO Tim Cook will join President Donald Trump in the Oval Office Wednesday for an announcement touting an update to the company's plan to invest in U.S. manufacturing. The iPhone maker will raise its previous U.S. investment, made in February, from $500 billion to $600 billion over the next four years, the company said in a release. The company also announced a new manufacturing effort called the American Manufacturing Program, the official said. Apple shares rose 5% during trading on Wednesday. Trump says 4 on shortlist to succeed Fed Chair Powell, ruling out Treasury Secretary Bessent Xinhua) 11:02, August 06, 2025 NEW YORK, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said on Tuesday he has a shortlist of four candidates to succeed Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, without U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. In an interview with CNBC, Trump said that during a conversation on Monday night, Bessent told him he was opting out of the race and preferred to stay in his current job. "Well, I love Scott, but he wants to stay where he is," said Trump. According to media reports, Former Fed Governor Kevin Warsh and Kevin Hassett, director of the National Economic Council, are among the four candidates, though Trump hasn't disclosed the full list. "Both Kevins are very good, and there are other people that are very good, too," Trump said. Powell's term as chair is set to end in May 2026, and he has repeatedly said he will not leave the post early, though he has been bashed so far this year by Trump and his supporters on the Fed's monetary policy decisions. However, the surprise resignation of Fed Governor Adriana Kugler, effective Friday, has offered a vacancy for Trump to fill on the Fed's board. The Fed has seven board members, and no other Fed board members are scheduled to leave before Powell's term ends. According to the Fed's website, board members are nominated by the U.S. president and confirmed by the Senate, while the chair and vice chairs of the board are nominated by the president from among the members and also require Senate confirmation. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Apple is ready to pony up another $100 billion to appease President Donald Trump . Jim Cramer says it was a necessary evil. Wall Street agreed, and the struggling stock rallied. The news Shares of Apple jumped nearly 6% on Wednesday after a White House official confirmed to CNBC that the tech giant will raise its investment in United States manufacturing by another $100 billion to a total of $600 billion over the next four years. The pledge includes details about what the White House calls a new American Manufacturing Program, which should bring more of Apple's supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the U.S. Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to be at the White House on Wednesday when the president makes the announcement at 4:30 p.m. ET. Apple declined CNBC's request for comment. Big picture The new Apple commitment follows Trump's repeated demands to bring iPhone manufacturing to the U.S. Back in May, the president even threatened a 25% additional tariff on every smartphone made outside the country. Most iPhones are still in China, which has been locked in trade talks with the U.S. to avoid steep tariffs. Apple has moved some of its production to India. But on Wednesday, Trump raised tariffs on India to 50% over Russian oil purchases. Cook has said Apple will use iPhone supplies from India to service the U.S. market, and those made in China for the rest of the world. The question is whether Apple's additional $100 billion U.S. manufacturing investment will come with long-term relief from these high tariffs? For now, it looks like an electronics tariff exemption from earlier this year, which includes Apple products, remains in effect. AAPL .SPX YTD mountain Apple vs. S & P 500 YTD Either way, the big move higher in Apple stock was a step in the right direction. Shares have been out of favor this year, still down more than 14% in 2025 versus the S & P 500's more than 7% advance. Wall Street has not only worried about the impact of tariffs on Apple's bottom line, but the company's staggered rollout of its AI offerings, too. Apple also faces significant legal challenges: a Justice Department antitrust case against Alphabet that threatens billions of dollars in annual payments for Google search priority, and a years-long legal battle with Epic Games over App Store commissions. Last week, Apple reported a killer quarter , which bought the company and the stock more time to clarify its AI strategy and deal with the looming legal and tariff headwinds. As we wrote after the release, "The strong performance comes even as Apple saw a roughly $800 million drag due to tariff-related costs. That was $100 million less than Apple CEO Tim Cook had estimated back in May. On [last] Thursday evening's post-earnings call, Cook projected a $1.1 billion negative effect from tariffs in the September quarter, assuming no changes." That "assuming no changes" part has been the wildcard since Trump started all the tariffs talk. Bottom line Jim has been saying for months and months that Apple must get right with Trump, who does not seem to care about the company's previous commitment or the two dozen factories that Apple had already planned to open. "Let's say if they were trying to build a complete supply chain to make iPhones here, I think they'd have to spend $500 billion. They'd just have to recreate the entire thing, and what the president is going to say is, 'Listen, I know you don't want to do it, but we want it. Pay us another $100 billion,'" Jim said, calling the new $100 billion a real pledge. "I don't want to sell Apple," he added. We're reiterating the revival of our "own it, don't trade it" Apple thesis. As Jim put it earlier in the summer , Apple still makes "the greatest product in the world," and he will support the company and Cook. We're still watching Apple as indicated by our hold-equivalent 2 rating, with a price target of $240. Apple's record-high close of $259 was back on Dec. 26. (Jim Cramer's Charitable Trust is long AAPL. See here for a full list of the stocks.) As a subscriber to the CNBC Investing Club with Jim Cramer, you will receive a trade alert before Jim makes a trade. Jim waits 45 minutes after sending a trade alert before buying or selling a stock in his charitable trust's portfolio. If Jim has talked about a stock on CNBC TV, he waits 72 hours after issuing the trade alert before executing the trade. THE ABOVE INVESTING CLUB INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO OUR TERMS AND CONDITIONS AND PRIVACY POLICY , TOGETHER WITH OUR DISCLAIMER . NO FIDUCIARY OBLIGATION OR DUTY EXISTS, OR IS CREATED, BY VIRTUE OF YOUR RECEIPT OF ANY INFORMATION PROVIDED IN CONNECTION WITH THE INVESTING CLUB. NO SPECIFIC OUTCOME OR PROFIT IS GUARANTEED. Bank of America sees MP Materials as an "unmatched vehicle" for exposure to rare earths, significantly increasing its earnings estimates on the back of the miner's recent deal with the Defense Department. The bank hiked its price target for MP ahead of the company's second-quarter financial results Thursday. It now sees MP shares rising to $78, indicating about 14% upside from Tuesday's close of $68.39. Its previous target stood at $42. MP shares have more than doubled since the Defense Department agreed on July 10 to buy a $400 million stake in the company, set a price floor for rare earths and guarantee offtake. The Pentagon deal was followed by Apple agreeing to invest $500 million in MP's production capacity. MP's partnership with the Defense Department "provides a much higher degree of longer-term certainty," analyst Lawson Winder told clients in a Wednesday note. MP's earnings should increase as the U.S. price for neodymium-praseodymium (NdPr) oxide, the main ingredient for rare earth magnets, is expected to increase 33%, according to Bank of America. The bank now sees MP booking an adjusted loss per share of 5 cents this year, down from 17 cents previously. The miner should post an adjusted profit of $1.03 per share in 2026, up from 54 cents before, according to the bank's revised estimates. "We see MP as an unmatched vehicle for exposure to growing RE magnet demand," Winder told clients. Disney reported results for its fiscal third quarter on Wednesday posting earnings that topped expectations but revenue that came in just shy of analyst projections as the company's streaming business grew and its theme parks saw higher spending from consumers. CFO Hugh Johnston credited the quarter in part to the success of Disney's streaming unit, anchored by its flagship service, Disney+. "Just as a reminder, it was only a couple of years ago that we were losing a billion dollars a quarter on that business," Johnston told CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday. "It was trading purely on subs and not on financial results. We now really have a solid foundation." The growth in streaming has recently started to help to supplant the losses of the cash cow traditional TV business, which has been bleeding customers for years now. Disney shares were down 2% in premarketing trading Wednesday. Here is what Disney reported for the quarter ended June 28 compared with what Wall Street expected, according to LSEG: Earnings per share: $1.61 adjusted vs. $1.47 expected $1.61 adjusted vs. $1.47 expected Revenue: $23.65 billion vs. $23.73 billion expected Net income for the quarter was $5.26 billion, or $2.92 per share, more than double the $2.62 billion, or $1.43 a share, that the company reported for the same period last year. Adjusting for one-time items, primarily related to tax benefits associated with Disney's purchase of Comcast's Hulu stake, Disney reported earnings per share of $1.61. Disney's overall revenue rose 2% to $23.65 billion, missing analyst expectations for the first time since May 2024. The company reported continued growth in its streaming business despite headwinds in the traditional TV bundle, which has suffered from declining customers. Disney upped its fiscal 2025 guidance on Wednesday and now expects adjusted EPS of $5.85 an increase of 18% from fiscal 2024. In May, Disney issued guidance for expected full-year adjusted EPS of $5.75. Many on Wall Street expect that Novo Nordisk 's loss has been Eli Lilly 's gain, and this will be good news for the Zepbound maker's second-quarter results. Novo Nordisk's stock has cratered about 47% since the start of the year, as doubts emerged about the outlook for its GLP-1 drugs, Ozempic for diabetes and Wegovy for obesity. The company has said its business has been hurt by competition from compounding pharmacies, which are making knock-off versions of its semaglutide, the active ingredient in both brands. This prompted Novo to cut its annual forecast and oust its CEO. Lilly's business appears to be holding up much better, according to analysts. They anticipate the proof will be in the quarterly results and outlook. What's more, several analysts expect other catalysts, including next-generation drugs, to help propel Lilly shares higher. 'Potential materiality' So far this year, Lilly's stock has logged a roughly 3% decline, underperforming the market. However, catalysts could come as soon as Thursday, analysts say. "We note that LLY's upcoming 2Q call is scheduled for 8:30am ET on Aug 7th, as opposed the company's standard 10am ET time slot for earnings calls after the market opens, suggesting potential materiality via topline trial results alongside earnings," Goldman Sachs analyst Asad Haider wrote in a July 28 research note. He said the report is "the most highly anticipated near-term event" across his pharmaceutical coverage. In addition to the financial outlook, investors are eager to hear more about orforglipron , the company's experimental GLP-1 pill. In June, at the American Diabetes Association conference, Lilly revealed the drug helped patients with type 2 diabetes in a late-stage trial lose weight without serious side effects . The readout of the phase 3 data for patients with obesity should be released soon. Wegovy's 'favored status' Analysts are also eager to hear management's thoughts on CVS Health 's policy of giving favored status to Wegovy over Lilly's Zepbound. The policy went into effect in July and means CVS Health's pharmacy benefit manager Caremark will prioritize Wegovy on its list of covered drugs. It has the potential to be a headwind for Lilly. However, patients may seek exemptions and remain on the weight loss drug or pay out of pocket on their own or via Lilly Direct, the company's direct-to-consumer website. Also, there is the possibility Lilly will strike a deal and get back on CVS Caremark's list of covered medications, analysts said. According to Bernstein analyst Courtney Breen, the first few weeks of the switch showed that patients changing from Zepbound to Wegovy was eclipsed by the number of patients starting the drug with a new prescription. On average, analysts surveyed by LSEG expect Lilly will earn $5.57 per share in the second quarter on revenue of $14.71 billion. If Lilly hits that revenue estimate, it will have achieved 30% growth year over year. Here's what else they're saying ahead of the report. LLY YTD mountain Eli Lilly shares year to date. Citigroup: Buy rating, $1,190 price target Citi analyst Geoff Meacham said Lilly remains one of its favorite stocks, and he placed a 90-day catalyst watch on it on July 30. His $1,190 price target implies 55% upside from Tuesday's close. "GLP-1 script data from IQVIA give us continued confidence in achievability of Lilly's 2025 revenue guidance ($58B-$61B). Notably, Zepbound scripts remain robust (+45% q/q) and overall share increased to 65.5%, representing a gain of ~600bps in market share. We think this is particularly noteworthy given vials from LillyDirect now represent ~20% of TRx [total prescriptions] and highlight increasing potential for a consumer angle in GLP-1 sales driving uptake going forward (2Q25e $3.1B; +$99M vs. BBG cons). [Type 2 diabetes drug] Mounjaro scripts rose 16.3% q/q and now captures 42.2% share (2Q25e $4.5B; +$18M vs. cons); though slower growth than Zepbound, this is expected given the more entrenched nature of the type 2 diabetes market. Top of mind for investors will be orforglipron's phase 3 ATTAIN readouts for obesity (Jul/Aug). Weight loss of 12-15% is the efficacy bar and continuation of a squeaky-clean safety profile that we saw at ADA for ACHIEVE will be paramount." Morgan Stanley: Overweight, $1,135 In early July, Morgan Stanley analyst Terence Flynn tweaked his price target, increasing it to $1,135 from $1,133. The target suggests 48% upside. "In our view the magnitude of potential Mounjaro+Zepbound 2Q beat will dictate how LLY handles 2025 revenue guidance of $58-$61bn (MS $62.3bn vs. Cons $59.8bn), but we expect a raise of the low end at a minimum. LLY could also release Orfor Ph3 obesity and/or SURPASS-CVOT data in conjunction with earnings. Interim Ph3 data for LLY's Kisunla in preclinical Alzheimer's (potentially later this year) could be a de-risking event for treating earlier in the disease course and expand the opportunity for the category, as well as provide lateral read-through to BIIB/Eisai's Leqembi (where Ph3 is also ongoing)" Bernstein: Outperform, $1,100 Bernstein, Wells Fargo and JPMorgan all have a $1,100 price target for Lilly's stock, which suggests it could rise nearly 44% from Tuesday's close. "We again see the potential for a meet or beat , driven by Mounjaro & Zepbound performance. Given most of the street follow scripts closely in the US, the upside here arises from additional unexpected pricing (rebate adjustments), underreporting in IQVIA (a possibility), and ex-US performance (due to lower visibility). Despite the potential for a top-line beat (we see potential for modest 1.2% beat above consensus at 14.6B), we don't anticipate LLY will be rushing to increase guidance, given last years back half challenges and the uncertainty for Q3 that remains on CVS caremark (although initial signs look strong)." Wells Fargo: Overweight, $1,100 "NVO lowering their guidance on Ozempic and Wegovy headwinds could be limited to NVO itself, as they cite continued compounding, competition, and slower market expansion. We believe LLY guidance can be raised on strong underlying trends. Therefore, we would be buyers of LLY on the weakness since we expect a strong 2Q and a catalyst-rich 2H'25." JPMorgan: Overweight, $1,100 "Overall, we are expecting a solid 2Q for LLY with upside to Mounjaro/Zepbound (based on strong TRx growth trends), and we estimate total sales in the qtr of $14.8bn (+$370mm vs cons). On the EPS line, we are slightly below consensus ($5.49, -$0.06) as we expect a continued opex ramp to support a growing late stage pipeline and [direct-to consumer] initiatives. Looking forward, we expect some moderation in Zepbound growth as the CVS formulary change takes effect on July 1 but expect the product to still grow TRx in 3Q and accelerate in 4Q. And for the year, our estimates are near the high end of the company's 2025 guidance on both topline ($60.8bn sales, +$1.3bn vs cons) and the bottomline ($22.09 EPS, +$0.07 vs cons) and we would not be surprised to see LLY raise guidance at some point in 2025 (although the company may take a more conservative approach on the timing/magnitude of the increases given 2024 guidance dynamics)." Goldman Sachs: Buy, $883 Haider's $883 price target is about 15% above where Lilly shares closed on Tuesday. " we expect another revenue beat, driven by an [foreign exchange] tailwind and strong TRx growth for Zepbound/Mounjaro where our and consensus estimates have tracked higher into the print. ... Into the 2Q earnings call, we also note significant investor discussion on the magnitude of potential upward pressure on the company's FY25 revenue guidance where we expect management could tighten the range of $58-$61bn for the year by bumping up the low-end (based on 1H trends, GS/consensus estimates are $60bn/$60.6bn for 2025). These trends are now well-understood with investor focus higher on trying to triangulate the impact to 3Q25 sales for Zepbound/Mounjaro from the CVS formulary change in favor of Novo that took effect on July 1st." Trade relations between the U.S. and European Union "will not get clearer" for businesses than they are now that the two partners have struck their tariff agreement, Commerzbank's CEO told CNBC Wednesday. When asked during an interview on "Europe Early Edition" whether companies have received enough certainty from the long-anticipated and recently brokered trade deal to proceed with investment plans, Commerzbank's Bettina Orlopp said, "I think they have to. We all know that things can change, and you need to stay flexible, to say it like that. But I think it's important to move forward, because Europe needs to transform." She nevertheless acknowledged "there will be a lot of uncertainty and volatility" in the coming quarters, while urging businesses to "stick to what we have in the moment and move forward." The Commerzbank chief noted that private clients have been pressing ahead with ventures, particularly in securities while another segment of the lender's client base representing medium-sized companies is "still hesitant" and "sits on a lot of investment plans" and had previously been waiting for the advent of the EU-U.S. tariff deal and for the first measures of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz's government. Ruxandra Iordache This image from video provided by the U.S. Army via DVIDS shows the entrance to Fort Stewart in Georgia on Nov. 18, 2021. Five soldiers were shot and wounded Wednesday after an active shooter opened fire at Fort Stewart military base in east Georgia, the Army said. All five are in stable condition and expected to recover, Brig. Gen. John Lubas told reporters later Wednesday. The alleged shooter, who is now in custody, was identified as Quornelius Radford, 28, an active-duty soldier assigned to Fort Stewart, Lubas said. Radford, an automated logistics sergeant who was not previously deployed to combat, was assigned to the Second Brigade Combat Team, where the incident took place, Lubas said. The shooting "did involve his co-workers," Lubas said of Radford. The shooter's firearm was "not a military weapon," Lubas said, adding that he believes it was a "personal handgun." Army officials at the presser declined to speculate as to any motive for the attack while the investigation is ongoing. Lubas praised state and federal law enforcement officers for their response, as well as the "brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter." They "immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier" and subdued him, allowing law enforcement "to then take him into custody," Lubas said. "These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties," he said. In February, U.S. President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi exchanged warm greetings and bear hugs , and pledged to pursue an early trade agreement. Now, six months on, that goodwill has soured. Trump labels India the "tariff king," has slapped one of the highest duties on India, and accuses it of fueling Russia's war in Ukraine through oil purchases . On Wednesday, Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian exports to the U.S., bringing the total levies on India to 50%. New Delhi called the move "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," adding that it was "extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs ... for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest." This shift raises questions: Will India yield to U.S. pressure, or push back and risk straining a two-decade partnership ? Former Singapore diplomat Bilahari Kausikan told CNBC that India will always prioritize its national interests. "India is [a] country with a deep sense of self as an independent actor," he said, adding it will "never play deputy to any sheriff." That marks a stark reversal from earlier optimism, when Modi and Trump aimed to double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. Vice President JD Vance had agreed on terms for a trade deal, and Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal had anticipated "preferential" tariffs just days before the hike. But Kausikan, who was also former permanent secretary of Singapore's foreign service, said it's "absurd to think that just because New Delhi is shocked at Trump's tariffs, his insulting characterization of the Indian economy as 'dead' and his flirtation with Pakistan, India will swing to China or Russia at U.S. expense." He was referring to Trump's post on social media , which called the economies of both India and Russia "dead." India leaned toward the Soviet Union during the Cold War, but after the USSR's collapse, India deepened relations with the U.S., especially under Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama. "What brought India and the U.S. together was a shared concern over China," Kausikan noted. "That concern isn't going away." Today, the two nations had elevated their partnership to a "Comprehensive and Global Strategic Partnership" with cooperation in defense, technology, and clean energy . India was designated a "major defense partner" by the U.S. in 2016. Unraveling relationship? However, Evan Feigenbaum, Vice President of studies the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace, warned in a commentary Monday that Trump's actions could unravel more than two decades of progress. Speaking on CNBC's " Squawk Box Asia ," he said although there were points of disagreement in their bilateral relationship such as India's ties with Russia and the United States' ties with Pakistan "they never let those third party relationships or concerns bleed back into the bilateral relationship in ways that were very debilitating." "All bets are off now," he added. India's External Affairs Ministry responded sharply to criticism over Russian oil purchases Tuesday, calling it "unjustified and unreasonable." The ministry also pointed out that Western nations criticizing India are themselves continuing to trade with Russia. Feigenbaum said India sees that as "hypocritical" and "blame shifting," saying that the West's collective failure to stop the war is now being pinned on India. He also noted growing unease from New Delhi over the United States' outreach to China. Former U.S. ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley urged the administration not to "burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," highlighting that China, which is Russia's top oil buyer, received a 90-day tariff pause in May. Deal or no deal? Prospects for a trade deal appear slim. Feigenbaum said Indian media, the public, and the opposition are urging the government not to show weakness. "Even if there's a deal, the trust is gone," he said. Former Indian Finance Secretary Subhash Garg echoed that sentiment on CNBC's " Inside India " Tuesday: "Our positions are so different that there is very little possibility of a reconciliation." He suggested India should absorb the export hit and diversify to domestic or alternative markets. "If there is an American demand, they will buy and let [the] American consumers and the importers pay the tariff. Let them bear that." However, former Indian Labor Secretary Sumita Dawra expressed cautious optimism to CNBC on Wednesday. She said India hopes for "positive outcomes" from trade talks later in August. She said while tariffs may have an impact on exports, India's domestic demand is "very high," and pointed at other trade agreements that the country has been making, such as the India-U.K. free trade agreement and the India-EU FTA, negotiations of which are expected to conclude later this year. "We're looking for a fair, mutually beneficial deal," Dawra said. "I'm sure our negotiators will do a great job." A sign marks the location of a Honda dealership in Libertyville, Illinois, on Dec. 18, 2024. Japanese auto giant Honda 's first-quarter operating profits fell 50% year over year on Wednesday, missing estimates due to U.S. auto tariffs and a stronger yen. Here are Honda's results compared with the mean estimates from LSEG: Revenue: 5.34 trillion yen ($36 billion) vs. 5.25 trillion yen Operating profit: 244.17 billion yen vs. 323.48 billion yen In the first quarter of its fiscal year ending on March 31, 2026, Honda's revenue came in at 5.34 trillion yen, beating mean estimates from LSEG. Operating profit fell about 50% to 244.17 billion yen, missing LSEG's mean estimates of 323.48 billion yen. However, Japan's second-biggest carmaker said that the impact of the auto tariffs would be smaller than previously expected. The company also forecast the yen to weaken further, as it raised its full-year operating profit forecast by 200 billion yen, or 40%, to 700 billion yen compared to its previous forecast of 500 billion yen. A Honda executive said in an earnings call that the impact of tariffs would be mitigated by Honda's manufacturing plants in the U.S. "Our local production manufacturing ratio is high to begin with... our stance is to produce where there is demand," he said, adding that the company would look for ways to increase production volume in the U.S. without spending too much on the capital investment. The company is also considering building up production stateside for its new energy vehicles to avoid tariffs. Shares of Honda rose 1.7% after its earnings release before paring gains. The most in-demand real estate markets of 2025 are clustered in suburbs and smaller cities near major metros in the Northeast and Midwest. That's according to Realtor.com's annual "Hottest ZIP Codes" list, which ranks the most in-demand areas based on listing views and how quickly homes have sold so far in 2025. Beverly, Massachusetts, a coastal suburb 20 miles northeast of Boston, claims the No. 1 spot, with listings averaging 4.6 times more views per property than the national average and homes selling in a median of 16 days in June more than a month faster than the national average. By comparison, homes nationwide spent a median of 53 days on the market in June, according to Realtor.com. The company doesn't disclose national averages for listing views. Here are the 10 most in-demand ZIP codes in 2025, according to Realtor.com. For the rankings, listing prices and days on the market are based on the average of monthly medians from January to June 2025. India's economy could take a multibillion dollar hit after President Donald Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 50% one of the highest levies on any trading partner over objections to the South Asian country's oil trade with Russia. Trump had previously imposed tariffs of 25% on Indian goods due to the country's high trade barriers. While only around 20% of India's goods exports or 2% of GDP are U.S.-bound, certain sectors are disproportionately exposed. UBS estimates $8 billion worth of exports are most vulnerable, including gems and jewellery, apparel, textiles, and chemicals. The new tariffs are set to go into effect in 21 days, according to the order, while the previously announced tariffs are set to take effect on Thursday. "There may be more symbolism than substance to the extra 25% tariff on imports from India," said Brian Jacobsen, chief economist at Annex Wealth Management. "The duty does not into effect for 21 days. That's quite a wide window to provide an offramp." Lyft's quarterly revenue miss overshadowed an upbeat gross bookings forecast for the September-quarter on Wednesday, as the ride-hailing services provider expands into Europe and forges new partnerships. Larger rival Uber Technologies , which offers ride-hailing, food and grocery delivery globally, beat revenue estimates and issued an upbeat forecast for the third-quarter earlier in the day. Lyft's shares were down 5.5% in after-hours trading. "Investors are likely selling off because it is growing far slower than Uber, owns less of the ride-share market, and is far less aggressive in grabbing a piece of the robotaxi market which will eventually dominate the space," said Andrew Rocco, stock strategist at Zacks Investment Research. Lyft recently completed its nearly $200 million acquisition of European mobility platform FreeNow and has signed a deal with China's Baidu to introduce the search-engine giant's robotaxis in the region. The company posted revenue of $1.59 billion in the second quarter, missing estimates of $1.61 billion, according to data compiled by LSEG. The 10.6% rise in revenue was slower than the 18.8% at which Uber's ride-hailing unit grew in the same period. Still, Lyft reported earnings of 10 cents per share for the June quarter, more than double analysts' expectations of 4 cents, driven by stronger adoption of higher-margin premium ride-hailing services. Rides on its platform grew 14% to a record high of 234.8 million, slightly below estimates of 235.9 million, according to 27 analysts polled by Visible Alpha. The company on Wednesday also announced a partnership, set to launch later this year, with United Airlines that will allow the carrier's customers to earn rewards on all Lyft rides. With partnerships including DoorDash and Chase already in place, Lyft's entry into Europe positions the company to extend such collaborations into international markets. Lyft said it expects gross bookings to be between $4.65 billion and $4.80 billion for the third quarter, well above estimates of $4.59 billion. The company recorded an adjusted core earnings of $129.4 million in the second quarter, above the average estimate of $124.5 million. Match Group shares popped more than 10% on Wednesday after the online dating company issued upbeat guidance and said new products are showing promise as it attempts to turn around its business. The Dallas-based company said it expected revenue between $910 million and $920 million in the current quarter, beating a $890 million estimate from analysts polled by FactSet. "We are operating like a company that is just getting started, and we believe the best chapters of the category and company are still ahead," said CEO Spencer Rascoff during an earnings call Tuesday. "We are moving with urgency, we are obsessed with the product and we are building for the long term." Over the past year, Match and the broader online dating industry have grappled with slowing user engagement. The company has added more tools and features to its apps, including Tinder and Hinge, to lure back customers, especially Gen Z. Match has also been the target of activists investors such as Starboard Value, which has pushed the company to innovate, cut costs and improve profitability or consider going private. In an effort to revamp its business, Match appointed Zillow co-founder Rascoff as its new CEO in February. Under his direction, the company has implemented new artificial intelligence-powered tools and slashed roles. Match also added new features such as AI-powered discovery to many of its services and a double-date feature on Tinder. Rascoff on Tuesday said 90% of customers using this feature are under age 30. The company will also target the younger market with features geared toward college students and is planning to reinvest $50 million into new product development, Rascoff said. In 2026 and 2027, Rascoff said he expects AI innovation and international growth to expand its Hinge platform's leadership as Tinder becomes a "low-pressure, serendipitous experience designed for Gen Z." Hinge, he said, is also on track to deliver quarterly year-over-year growth in 2025. "Across the board, we believe the category will enter a new era, with renewed trust, strong demand and long-term growth potential," he said. Match posted in-line earnings of 49 cents per share. Revenues reached $864 million, topping the $854 million expected by analysts. There's a rosy outlook ahead for Hologic , according to RBC Capital Markets. The bank upgraded shares of the medical technology provider to outperform from sector perform. Analyst Conor McNamara accompanied the move by raising his price target to $87 per share from $72. Shares of Hologic have slipped 6% this year, but McNamara's revised price forecast implies an upside ahead of 28%. HOLX YTD mountain HOLX YTD chart "Our new price target assumes HOLX returns to historic multiples seen when the company was growing revenue MSD [mid-single digit] and beating / raising," the analyst wrote. McNamara said he believes Hologic's organic revenue growth guidance for fiscal 2026 will exceed current street estimates. This could in turn boost investor confidence, "leading to a period of multiple expansion." Two recent M & A deals could also help increase the company's overall organic growth in fiscal 2026. "We believe the buyside is discounting HOLX's recent M & A success and over-penalizing the company for recent 1x headwinds; however, we expect upside surprises in coming quarters will convince investors +MSD growth is sustainable," the analyst added. "With a clean balance sheet and multiple end-markets, we think there is ample opportunity for HOLX to continue to exploit this M & A strategy in the medium and long term." McNamara said two of Hologic's product platforms could begin adding "meaningful growth" beginning late next year: Panther Fusion and the Genius Digital Diagnostics System. In the meantime, various headwinds that plagued Hologic in fiscal 2025 are set to abate. For instance, China sales declined significantly in fiscal 2025, but the company believes these sales have bottomed out. Hologic also faced a year-over-year decline of about $100 million in breast health equipment sales, but RBC does not anticipate this to reoccur. "We think HOLX has enough wiggle room to offset any other headwinds (i.e. - continued declines in HIV testing in Africa via US policy changes)," McNamara added. U.S. President Donald Trump meets with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, in this handout released on May 14, 2025. Saudi Press Agency | Via Reuters In May, speaking to a rapt crowd in the Ritz-Carlton Riyadh, U.S. President Donald Trump stunned listeners by announcing he would be ordering the full lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria, many of which had been in place for decades. "Now, it's their time to shine ... Good luck Syria," Trump said. Less than three months later, the Trump administration hit Syria with the highest tariff rate of any country in the world: 41%. Syria has very little trade with the U.S. because of long-held sanctions, but some trade between the two does exist. In 2023, Syria exported $11.3 million worth of goods to the U.S., according to the Observatory for Economic Complexity, and imported $1.29 million worth of American goods, technically giving the U.S. a trade deficit with the impoverished Middle Eastern country. Trump says the levies his administration imposes which were based on a widely criticized calculation applied to each country in April using trade deficit figures are meant to address trade imbalances. He has not commented specifically on the case of Syria. But as it faces the specter of rebuilding its devastated state after 13 years of war under a new government with a very shaky hold on power, the country needs all the help it can get, regional analysts say not further punishment. "After years of devastating civil war, the country is in urgent need of substantial foreign direct investment to begin the long and difficult process of reconstruction and development," Giorgio Cafiero, CEO of risk consulting firm Gulf State Analytics, told CNBC. "While the recent lifting of many U.S., U.K., and EU sanctions was a welcome development for Damascus' economic ambitions, Washington's imposition of steep tariffs now threatens to restrict any potential for meaningful trade with the United States." A collapsed state Syria had been designated a state sponsor of terrorism by the U.S. government since 1979. U.S. sanctions were imposed on the country in 2004 and again in 2011, after the regime of then-President Bashar Assad launched a brutal crackdown on anti-government uprisings. In the roughly 14 years since, the country has been devastated by civil war, sectarian violence and brutal terrorist attacks, with the Islamic State taking over parts of the country in 2014 and a subsequent Western-led bombing campaign to eradicate the extremist group. A drone view shows Damascus city, after fighters of the ruling Syrian body ousted Syria's Bashar al-Assad, Syria, December 13, 2024. Yosri Aljamal | Reuters The toppling of the Assad regime during a shock offensive by anti-Assad militia groups in December 2024 stunned the global community and brought about the prospect of a new beginning for the devastated country. Syria's new President Ahmed al-Sharaa a former al-Qaeda member who describes himself as reformed currently leads the country's transitional government. Syria remained under myriad international sanctions, but those imposed by the U.S. were the most severe, as they applied to third parties as well, deterring other countries and groups from transacting with the country. Most recently, since Trump's official lifting of sanctions in June, Syria has hosted delegations from several countries including the U.S. and wealthy Gulf states pledging support and investment for reconstruction. At the same time, it's been beset by outbursts of sectarian violence in different parts of the country and volleys of Israeli bombings. More than two-thirds of Syria's electricity grid is non-functional, according to aid organizations, with major cities like Aleppo and Damascus facing blackouts for more than 20 hours a day. In many rural and conflict-ridden areas, there is no power at all. "This isn't an economy that is struggling as much as it's an economy that seems to be almost constantly over the last few months, on the verge of collapse, unless very active steps are taken in order to buttress it and give it a chance to recover," said H.A. Hellyer, a senior fellow at the Royal United Services Institute in London. "So any step that deviates from that, I think, is very dangerous." Qatar recently announced a project by which its development fund will purchase gas and provide it to Syria transported via Azerbaijan and Turkey to support more than 5 million people, with the expectation of improving daily power supply by as much as 40%. Fahad Al-Sulaiti, the director general of Qatar Fund for Development, described how Damascus will need to lean heavily on aid from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Nations particularly now that tariffs will harm the possibility of developing beneficial trade ties with the U.S. He also said Qatar was in close contact with the U.S. government to enable support for Syria. "We work very closely with our partners in the United States. That's why from day one ... we work very close with the Treasury Department ... we're taking with them to create a good economic system," Al-Sulaiti told CNBC. A 'leash' on Syria's new government? Economic observers note that the 41% tariff itself will have little actual impact on Syria's devastated economy, since bilateral trade between the two countries is so negligible. "But the symbolism behind this decision carries far greater weight than the trade figures suggest," Cafiero said. "The fact that Syria was singled out for the highest tariffs even after the easing of most sanctions sends a clear and calculated message from the Trump administration: Washington is willing to loosen its economic grip on a post-regime change Syria, but only under conditions defined by the White House." watch now Tesla is now training a new Full Self-Driving model boasting "big" video improvements and size upgrades, CEO Elon Musk said Wednesday on social media. "Tesla is training a new FSD model with ~10X params and a big improvement to video compression loss. Probably ready for public release end of next month if testing goes well," the tech billionaire said in an update on the X social media platform. FSD is a partially automated driving system that seeks to enable Tesla vehicles to navigate and maneuver in driving situations with minimal driver assistance. Owners must keep their hands on the wheel, and remain ready to take over steering or braking at any time. It also serves as an upgrade to the company's Autopilot driver assistant, which is already available in Europe and China. The system is based on an artificial intelligence model that helps the car's cameras and sensors perceive the world around it. Musk's comment on "10X params" refers to a larger parameter size. In the case of AI models, that usually means it is a bigger model that is trained on more data and is more capable. FSD has been a central pillar of Musk's strategy for Tesla's revenue growth and tech advancement in the increasingly competitive electric vehicle market, where Chinese automakers have stepped up to the plate. Tesla bulls expect the company's future will be in autonomy as Musk's automaker focuses on ramping up its offering of self-driving features. Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, this year. But right now, the market is focused on how Tesla's core business of selling cars is doing. And it has been challenging. Tesla most recently reported a 16% decline in automotive revenue in the second quarter and has also been notching steep declines in its European sales. The company's stock has taken a bruising this year that has been exacerbated by reputational damage from Musk's now-severed relationship with the White House administration. Tesla shares were down 23.55% this year as of Wednesday morning. Here are the biggest calls on Wall Street on Wednesday: Daiwa reiterates Apple as outperform The Japanese bank lowered its price target on the stock to $230 per share from $240, but says it is standing by Apple. "We see AI as being the key to future growth and are waiting for more Apple Intelligence features which will create excitement in users. Eventually, we see a multi-year phone and PC upgrade cycle and the shares as a core holding." Bank of America reiterates Advanced Micro Devices as buy Bank of America sees "multiple growth cylinders" for the stock following earnings. "We rate AMD Buy. It serves a multi-hundred billion addressable market opportunity in PC, server, high-end gaming, deep-learning and related markets where AMD has less than 30% value share currently." Read more. Oppenheimer upgrades RingCentral to outperform from perform Oppenheimer says the cloud-based communications software company is defensive. "RNG reported solid 2Q results with beats across the board, and mgmt modestly raised its FY25 EPS and FCF guidance 100-150bps. After two years at Perform, we are upgrading RNG to Outperform with a $35 PT." Baird upgrades Monday.com to outperform from neutral Baird says investors should buy the weakness in shares of the project management software company. "We are upgrading MNDY to Outperform as we see the company leveraging its early [collaborative work management] lead to execute on this opportunity." Baird upgrades Aramark to outperform from neutral Baird said in its upgrade of Aramark that investors should put the hospitality company in the "compounder/grinder bucket." "Upgrading to Outperform. Elevated expectations reset lower with the F3Q25 report as underlying revenue momentum in the business failed to instill confidence in guidance achievement." JPMorgan upgrades Driven Brands to overweight from neutral JPMorgan said in its upgrade of the automotive services company that Driven has defensive attributes. "Our upgrade is predicated on defensive demand in light of heightened macro uncertainty as tariffs hit consumers' wallets in 2H" Barclays raises Archer-Daniels-Midland to equal weight from underweight Barclays says it sees several positive catalysts ahead for the food processor. "We upgrade ADM to EW and lift our PT to $61 (from UW and prior PT $50) due to improvements in Nutrition and a recovering crush outlook." Morgan Stanley reiterates Home Depot and Lowe's as overweight Morgan Stanley says both home improvement stocks remain "compelling." "We stay Overweight both HD & LOW given compelling cyclical risk/reward, and we prefer HD for its greater share gain potential." Jefferies upgrades Leidos Holdings to buy from hold Jefferies said in its upgrade of Leidos that it is bullish on the aerospace engineering company. "Our Buy rating is based on 1) Solid organic growth, in-line or above peers amid budget uncertainty; 2) Planned pivot away from lower margin work weighs on out year growth; and 3) ability to re-rate higher on above market Defense Systems growth, potentially unlocking Defense Tech-type multiples." Loop reiterates Super Micro as buy Loop says it is sticking with Super Micro shares following earnings on Tuesday. "We reiterate our Buy rating while lowering our PT to $60 from $70." Stephens upgrades BellRing Brands to overweight from equal weight Stephens says investors should buy the dip in the food nutrition company. "BRBR posted 3QF25 results with sales and EBITDA ahead of expectations. However, the stock saw a significant sell-off post-print driven by fears of increasing competitive threats weighing on top-line trends." Canaccord reiterates Rivian as buy Canaccord says it is sticking with shares o f Rivian following Tuesday's earnings report. "We remain patient in our BUY rating. Yes, earnings revisions for some time have been frustrating. But, are we approaching the height of our frustration? Reg credits are now gone, and earnings revisions may soon be nearing bottom." Citizens JMP downgrades Snap to market perform from outperform The bank downgraded the stock following Tuesday's earnings report. "We are downgrading Snap to Market Perform from Market Outperform following 2Q25 earnings as advertising revenue grew just 4% Y/Y in 2Q25, suggesting share loss to other scaled ad platforms, while North American [daily active users] fell 1M Q/Q for the second consecutive quarter." RBC upgrades Hologic to outperform from sector perform RBC says the health tech company is poised for a "re-rating." "We are upgrading shares of HOLX to Outperform and raising our PT to $87 (from $72) as we think FY'26 will be the start of a sustainable period of [mid single digit] revenue growth, leading to a multiple re-rating." Read more. Bank of America adds Progressive to the US1 list The firm added the auto insurance company to its top picks list. "We are adding Progressive Corp. (PGR) to the US 1 List." Deutsche Bank reiterates Microsoft as buy The German bank says the tech giant is well positioned for artificial intelligence. "Overall, Microsoft has noted that leaning in on AI among other things it is baking in double-digit productivity gains across most of its business processes and contributing to stronger operating margins." U.S. President Donald Trump points towards Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell holding a document during a tour of the Federal Reserve Board building, which is currently undergoing renovations, in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 24, 2025. Kent Nishimura | Reuters Federal Reserve Governor Adriana Kugler's surprise resignation last week brought back a scenario that seemed to be fading but could have important ramifications for how the central bank conducts policy. With the open seat on the influential central bank board, President Donald Trump now has a number of strategic options, including one where he could appoint a so-called shadow chair whose job would be largely to serve as an instigator until a successor to current Chair Jerome Powell could be named. This in turn raises the tantalizing possibility that an institution historically known for collegiality and an ivory-toweresque approach to policy now will have to deal with a sudden dose of political intrigue. Will Trump use the position to nominate a gadfly to torment Powell, a frequent target of blistering criticism from the president, or pursue a different strategy focused more on the long-term direction of the Fed? "The president has two options. One is he can put a stop-gap appointment to fill the Kugler seat for the remaining four months of the unexpired term," Krishna Guha, head of global policy and central bank strategy at Evercore ISI, said Wednesday on CNBC. "Or he could just decide to compress the entire process and pick the person he wants to be the Fed chair now." watch now Kugler's decision to leave the Fed with little notice would be important under normal circumstances, but the nature of her situation on the board raises the ante. Former President Joe Biden in 2023 named Kugler to the position, succeeding Lael Brainard, who moved over to the White House to serve as a senior economic advisor. Kugler served less than two years of Brainard's unexpired term and left with only about six months remaining, accounting for the couple of months it will take for her replacement to be confirmed. Taking into account the Senate calendar, the new governor would serve at best three or four months, then have to undergo yet another confirmation hearing should Trump decide to reappoint the person. While Trump could be tempted to go the shadow-chair route Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent in the past has advocated for that course it might be an unappetizing choice for the nominee. The shadow chair "is still just going to be one person among many, not enjoying the powers of the office of chairman," Guha said. For Trump, though, selecting a shadow chair would be in keeping with his affinity for conflict and making people prove themselves, Guha added. "He likes to run things like 'Celebrity Apprentice,'" Trump's former reality show on NBC, Guha said. "He likes to have people trialing, dueling it out with each other. So he might be tempted with the idea of putting somebody in the seat for a few months, see how they do, if they pass the audition, then be given the nod for the next Fed chair. So I suspect he's probably pulled in both directions here." The time span that came with Kugler's announcement carries added risk. If she had stayed in the seat, the appointment wouldn't have come at least until her term expired in January and would have been for a full 14-year term on the board. The window between now and then created by the resignation carries both opportunity and peril. Accepting such an appointment also is a dicey proposition. Trump has made it clear he will only appoint governors who are in favor of cutting rates. The president has stated that he not only wants reductions, but is looking for dramatic moves, along the lines of 3 percentage points. Former Fed Chair and past Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said on CNBC that Trump's rate demands "should be frightening to markets." "A shadow chairman with only four months to go has some risk," said Brian Gardner, chief Washington policy strategist at Stifel. "Someone can say something that annoys Trump. Maybe there they have to take a position that Trump doesn't like. Just the time that we're talking about increases the chances of that happening so it becomes a more difficult option. That being said, I think the administration thinks it's an attractive idea, and does give them some flexibility." The next chair U.S. President Donald Trump is hailing a win after the European Union vowed to invest an additional $600 billion in the U.S. although it's unclear if the bloc can materialize its pledge. Asked in a Tuesday interview with CNBC what could happen if the EU fails to honor its commitment, Trump said, "Then they pay tariffs at 35%. No, no. They brought down their tariffs, so they paid $600 billion and because of that, I reduced their tariffs from 30% down to 15%." The investment pledge is part of the July trade deal between the two partners which includes 15% tariffs on EU goods, as well as an agreement for increased investment and the purchase of $750 billion worth of U.S. energy. Describing the investment as a "gift," Trump told CNBC on Tuesday that the EU "gave us $600 billion that we can invest in anything we want." For its part, the European Commission noted in a breakdown of the partners' trade agreement that "EU companies have expressed interest in investing at least $600 billion (ca. 550 billion) in various sectors in the US by 2029." A spokesperson for the EU told CNBC that the European Commission had reached out to EU industries and sectors to establish their U.S. investment intentions. "On this basis, the EU Commission was able to present a coherent, non-binding commitment to the US on estimated EU investment in the coming years," they said. What could the investment look like? So far, the only detail that is certain amid the EU's pledge to invest is that the private sector will be footing the bill. Alberto Rizzi, policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations, told CNBC that the investment could effectively be made in any industry in the U.S. "But looking at recent trends manufacturing, finance, chemicals and tech are the most likely areas of investment," he said, noting that the final recipients of the funds will ultimately depend on the decisions of individual companies. Other potential areas in which Trump might also like to see increased investment include autos, pharmaceuticals and aircraft, said William Reinsch, senior adviser and Scholl Chair emeritus with the Economics Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Looking at a potential timeline, Reinsch noted that "these things always move slower than expected." "The policy uncertainty Trump's actions have generated will slow down the decision making process even more. Making a multi-million dollar investment is not a decision made lightly. Companies have to assure themselves that the long term economics are favorable," he told CNBC by email. Notably, the 2029 target timeframe flagged by the EU also coincides with the end of Trump's presidential term, after which the U.S.' trade and tariffs regime is unknown. Will it happen? It remains to be seen whether the investment will be made, especially as the EU does not have the power to force businesses to follow through with their plans. "The investment pledge of the EU ... is much more smoke and mirrors than a binding commitment," Rizzi commented. "The EU Commission has no power to bind member states on this, and, with the exception of state-owned firms, capitals cannot coerce their national companies' choices either." Arthur Leichthammer, policy fellow for geo-economics at the Jacques Delors Centre, likewise said that, while the $600 billion "is not wildly unrealistic in economic terms," the EU's inability to enforce investment makes it a tricky pledge. "The number is not incredibly unrealistic but the EU's ability to credibly commit to it is limited," he told CNBC. As for Trump's suggestion of potentially higher tariffs if the investment does not materialize? "That's exactly the risk," Leichthammer said, suggesting that the EU's pledges have given Trump leverage to add further pressure or even threaten to call off the trade deal further down the line. "It shows that this is not a one-off agreement but the beginning of an ongoing, transactional process, which Trump can escalate at any point. The 'deal', which is more of a political announcement, bought time, but no lasting stability," he said. CNBC's Silvia Amaro contributed to this report. FILE PHOTO: U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin hold a bilateral meeting at the G20 leaders summit in Osaka, Japan, on June 28, 2019. President Donald Trump could meet Vladimir Putin as soon as next week, a White House official said on Wednesday, as the U.S. continued preparations to impose secondary sanctions, including potentially on China, to pressure Moscow to end the war in Ukraine. Such a face-to-face meeting would be the first between a sitting U.S. and Russian president since Joe Biden met Putin in Geneva in June 2021, some eight months before Russia launched the biggest attack on a European nation since World War Two. Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy have not met since December 2019 and make no secret of their contempt for each other. The New York Times reported that Trump told European leaders during a call on Wednesday that he intended to meet with Putin and then follow up with a trilateral involving the Russian leader and Zelenskiy. "There's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon," Trump told reporters. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: "The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelenskiy." The details emerged following a meeting on Wednesday between Putin and U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff that Trump described as having achieved "great progress" in a Truth Social post, although he later said he would not call it a breakthrough. A Kremlin aide said the talks were "useful and constructive." The diplomatic maneuvers come two days before a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions. Trump has been increasingly frustrated with Putin over the lack of progress towards peace and has threatened to impose heavy tariffs on countries that buy Russian exports, including oil. Trump on Wednesday also said he could announce further tariffs on China similar to the 25% duties announced earlier on India over its purchases of Russian oil. "We did it with India. We're doing it probably with a couple of others. One of them could be China," he said. The White House official earlier said that while the meeting between Witkoff and Putin had gone well and Moscow was eager to continue engaging with the United States, secondary sanctions that Trump had threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged "signals" on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, but declined to give more details until Witkoff had reported back to Trump. Zelenskiy said he believed pressure had worked on Russia and Moscow was now more "inclined" to a ceasefire. "The pressure on them works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details - neither us nor the U.S.," Zelenskiy said in his nightly address. Trump on Truth Social said he had updated some of Washington's European allies following Witkoff's meeting. A German government spokesperson said Trump provided information about the status of the talks with Russia during a call with the German chancellor and other European leaders. A liquefied natural gas tanker is tugged toward a thermal power station in Futtsu, east of Tokyo. Issei Kato | Reuters The Trump administration is touting commitments by foreign nations for future large purchases of U.S. energy as part of recent trade deal frameworks, including with the EU, Indonesia, and South Korea, but a separate recent mandate from the U.S. Trade Representative to promote domestic shipbuilding may stand in the way of making those liquified natural gas shipments reality. The USTR policy mandates that 1% of U.S. LNG exports be carried on U.S.-flagged ships starting in April 2028, and a year later, 1% needs to be transported on U.S.-built ships. Subsequent annual increases of 1% would reach a total of 15% of U.S. LNG required to be on U.S.-built vessels by 2047. "The requirement of U.S.-built ships to move the country's LNG and crude is problematic," said Jason Feer, global head of business intelligence for Poten & Partners, a company specializing in energy market analysis and consulting, particularly in the LNG sector. The U.S. government's new shipbuilding policy was undertaken as part of an investigation into China's dominance in the shipbuilding industry, as part of the broader national security concerns of the U.S. government (the Biden administration was pursuing the issue as well and released a report in January 2025 stating its recommendations). China manufactures as much as 75%-80% of global freight fleets. In April, Trump announced the new USTR policy to rebuild America's shipbuilding industry. On Capitol Hill, Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ), Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Representative John Garamendi (D-CA-8), and Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-1) introduced the Shipbuilding and Harbor Infrastructure for Prosperity and Security (SHIPS) for America Act to close the gap with international builders through a series of programs. There is only one U.S.-flagged LNG vessel currently operating, Crowley's American Energy, but it was made in France in 1994 and began service in March 2025 to carry LNG from the U.S. Gulf Coast to Puerto Rico. It is a Jones Act vessel, which means that, based on the 1920 maritime commerce law covering shipments between U.S. ports, it needs to be staffed by a U.S. captain and crew, and registered in the U.S., to be U.S.-flagged. The current number of LNG carriers operating globally is 682, according to Poten & Partners. Only one of those vessels, the LNG Aquarius, was built by the United States. The LNG Aquarius was ordered on July 1, 1974, and delivered by General Dynamics on June 7, 1977. The vessel currently sails under the Indonesian flag, based on MarineTraffic vessel information. By 2047, Poten & Partner estimates the U.S. would need 45 vessels to move the 15% of LNG required by the USTR guidelines. Currently, there is only one U.S. vessel on the global order books out of a total of 331 planned vessels, Feer said. On paper, he added, the number of LNG vessels on the order books "looks good" to support a U.S. energy export expansion. But under the new USTR guidelines, these vessels would not be eligible. Hanwha Shipping, a U.S. subsidiary of South Korea's Hanwha Ocean, is now building a domestic liquefied natural gas carrier through its affiliate, Hanwha Philly Shipyard. This vessel will be the first U.S.-ordered, export market-viable LNG carrier in almost 50 years. A second possible LNG vessel could also be ordered. Based on the history of LNG shipbuilding, it takes approximately two and a half years for an LNG vessel to be built. "Globally, you can build a lot of ships to support an expansion, but the problem is it has to be built in a U.S. shipyard, and the U.S. has not built a commercial ocean-going vessel in decades," said Feer. "In that time, we have lost a lot of shipbuilding capacity, and the yards we have open are used for building Jones Act domestic ships and the Navy." Another hurdle, Feer said, is the constraints in hiring skilled labor. "There are not enough craft workers pipefitters, carpenters, welders. Trying to build all of this, on top of a set deadline, is going to be a huge challenge," he said. The costs associated with that skilled labor will also be a factor. It costs around $260 million to build an LNG vessel, according to industry estimates. A U.S.-made vessel can be approximately two to four times more expensive. watch now China is one of Nvidia's largest markets, particularly for data centers, gaming and artificial intelligence applications. Two Chinese nationals in California have been arrested and charged with the illegal shipment of tens of millions of dollars' worth of AI chips, including those made by Nvidia , the Department of Justice said Tuesday. Chuan Geng, 28, and Shiwei Yang, 28, exported the sensitive chips and other technology to China from October 2022 through July 2025 without obtaining the required licenses, the DOJ said. The illicit shipments included Nvidia's H100 general processing units, according to a criminal complaint provided to CNBC. The H100 is among the U.S. chipmaker's most cutting-edge chips used in artificial intelligence applications. The Department of Commerce has placed such chips under export controls since 2022 as part of broader efforts by the U.S. to restrict China's access to the most advanced semiconductor technology. This case demonstrates that smuggling is a "nonstarter," Nvidia told CNBC. "We primarily sell our products to well-known partners, including OEMs, who help us ensure that all sales comply with U.S. export control rules." "Even relatively small exporters and shipments are subject to thorough review and scrutiny, and any diverted products would have no service, support, or updates," the chipmaker added. Geng and Yang's California-based company, ALX Solutions, had been founded shortly after the U.S. chip controls first came into place. According to the DOJ, law enforcement searched ALX Solutions' office and seized phones belonging to Geng and Yang, which revealed incriminating communications between the defendants, including those about evading U.S. export laws by shipping sensitive chips to China through Malaysia. The review also showed that in December 2024, ALX Solutions made over 20 shipments from the U.S. to shipping and freight-forwarding companies in Singapore and Malaysia, which the DOJ said are commonly used as transshipment points to conceal illicit shipments to China. Meanwhile, the department said that ALX Solutions was not paid by entities they purportedly exported goods to, instead receiving numerous payments from companies based in Hong Kong and China. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security and the FBI are continuing to investigate the matter. Geng and Yang have been charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act, a felony that carries a maximum penalty of 20 years in federal prison. Yang was also found to be residing in the U.S. illegally after overstaying her visa. The smuggling of advanced microchips has become a growing concern in Washington. According to a report from the Financial Times last month, at least $1 billion worth of Nvidia's chips entered China after Donald Trump tightened chip export controls earlier this year. In response to the report, Nvidia had said that data centers built with smuggled chips were a "losing proposition" and that it does not support unauthorized products. In response to pressure from the U.S., Malaysia said last month that it would begin requiring trade permits for advanced AI chips sourced from the U.S. Technicians stand next to an oil rig which is manufactured by Megha Engineering and Infrastructures Limited (MEIL) at an Oil and Natural Gas Corp (ONGC) plant, during a media tour of the plant in Dhamasna village in the western state of Gujarat, India, August 26, 2021. Amit Dave | Reuters U.S. President Donald Trump added further pressure to India on Wednesday by bumping up tariffs to 50% but calls for India to immediately stop buying Russian oil could cause global crude prices to spike, industry sources told CNBC. Trump has accused India of "fueling" Russia's war machine and said the country is "directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil." As a result, the U.S. imposed an additional 25% tariff on India, bringing total levies against the major U.S. trading partner to 50%. India was once encouraged to buy Russian crude by the United States, and, unlike LNG, Russian crude isn't sanctioned, but traded under a price cap to limit Moscow's ability to profit from its sale. India is one of the biggest buyers of Russian oil, according to data from Kpler which shows total Russian crude exports amount to around 3.35 million barrels per day, of which India takes about 1.7 million and China 1.1 million. In New Delhi, there must be "confusion," Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy Group and former White House energy advisor to former President George W. Bush, told CNBC. "Joe Biden went to India after the invasion of Ukraine and begged them to take Russian oil, the Indians hardly imported any Russian oil, and they begged India, 'please take the oil,' so that crude prices would remain low, and they did. Now we're flipping around and saying, 'why are you taking all this oil,'" McNally added. watch now Industry sources in the Indian petroleum sector told CNBC the country has abided by all international sanctions, and that India is doing the global economy a "favor" by buying Russian oil which in turn, stabilizes prices. The sources did not wish to be identified due to the sensitivity of the matter. India has argued that it if it were to stop buying Russian oil, a plan must be put in place to stabilize energy markets, along with a contingency to fill the shortfall in supply if Russian barrels are taken off the market. "In case India decides to cut Russian oil imports, the refineries likely would try to find alternative barrels from the Middle East, as they used to rely on those barrels until 2022. Likely other buyers would not step in," Giovanni Staunovo, a commodity analyst at UBS told CNBC. Russia is the third largest global crude producer, after the U.S. and Saudi Arabia. Moscow produces nearly 11 million barrels of oil per day, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. India's Russian crude oil imports was 38% in both 2023 and 2024 and is currently 36% in 2025. Total Indian crude imports are increasing each year with rising demand, and as a result, imports of Russian crude in 2025 are their strongest annual pace yet. If this supply was to be removed from the market, prices would skyrocket, according to the industry sources in the Indian petroleum sector. "If India were to stop buying Russian crude oil today, global crude prices could jump to over $200 per barrel for all global consumers," an industry source told CNBC. "Very near term, there is a risk of a pop in brent prices to $80 or above," McNally told CNBC, signaling that the impact of additional tariffs and a potential cut to Russian oil imports would be significantly less catastrophic. "When they didn't want India to buy something, they told us," an industry source in the Indian petroleum sector said. This was indeed the case when India was once purchasing Iranian crude, which New Delhi no longer buys and is now sanctioned as Washington doubles down on its maximum pressure campaign against the Islamic Republic. Hardeep Singh Puri, India's petroleum minister, last month told CNBC's Dan Murphy: "The price of oil would have gone up to 130 dollars a barrel. That was a situation in which we were advised, including by our friends in the United States, to please buy Russian oil, but within the price cap." Sara Vakhshouri, the founder and president of SVB Energy International, told CNBC the hefty duties announced by Trump are a "negotiation tactic," aimed at "reclaiming lost U.S. oil market share in India and oil export declines since 2022, and securing equivalent export of other commodity to India." "India has always coordinated closely on US oil policy, including sanctions on Iranian oil. At the same time, for the Trump administration, energy security, affordability, and reliability are priorities" Vakhshouri added. watch now Historically, Microsoft seems cursed: Its often early to big technological shifts, and its great at prototyping them. But then, after a hype-filled launch where Microsoft celebrates its lead, the company seems to lose interest while competitors pull ahead and release more polished products. Thats what appears to have happened with Microsofts generative AI (genAI) plans. After a huge push with Bing Chat where Microsoft was the leading consumer AI company at an important moment, the company started moving much more slowly. Copilot use now appears far behind ChatGPT and other competitors. The good news for investors is that Microsoft is diversified, and its set to reap profits selling compute on Azure to companies around the world. But the question is whether Microsoft will be more than an enterprise-focused company selling business solutions going forward. OpenAI has released its first open-weight language models since GPT-2, marking a significant strategic shift as the company seeks to expand enterprise adoption through more flexible deployment options and reduced operational costs. The two new models gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b deliver what OpenAI describes as competitive performance while running efficiently on consumer-grade hardware. The larger model reportedly achieves near-parity with OpenAIs o4-mini on reasoning benchmarks while running on a single 80 GB GPU, while the smaller variant matches o3-mini performance and can operate on edge devices with just 16 GB of memory. This is a bold go-to-market move by OpenAI and is now really open, said Neil Shah, VP for research and partner at Counterpoint Research. This move nicely challenges rivals such as Meta, DeepSeek, and other proprietary vendors both for cloud and more specifically edge. Despite the strong views held by its characters and the occasional appearance from a real-life Texan politician, King of the Hill isnt a particularly political comedy that is, unless youre a government spook working for Big Peanut. In the recently released Hulu revival season, King of the Hill (sometimes awkwardly) side-steps the trap of falling into one side or another in the culture wars that have taken over comedy in 2025. While Hank Hill and the citizens of Arlen, Texas generally hold old-school Republican views on the role of government in the individuals daily life, even in the original series, Hank was never so inflexible with his beliefs that he couldnt occasionally agree with the other side, and the reboot has, so far, been no different. In the closing moments of the shows tonally muddled first episode, both Hank and the writers establish that King of the Hill will never be a show centered around pronoun controversies or mask mandates, but, rather, it will continue to focus on community and family. King of the Hill showrunner Saladin K. Patterson recently spoke to Cracked about how he and his team managed to keep the spirit of the show completely intact during a time of deep division in America, and, while King of the Hill Season 14 certainly doesnt shy away from the social issues that are on the minds of so many Texans, the creators had some rules about how the sitcom can and cannot mine politics for punchlines. According to Patterson, Mike Judge made it clear that King of the Hill cannot and will not use political humor to attack anyone on the right or left side of the aisle. Don't Miss Thats a little rich coming from the guy who once accused George W. Bush of having a limp handshake. Hank Hill always represented the very common-sense middle ground, Patterson commented on Hanks rigidly straight moral backbone. Whether it leaned left or right, it was always the common-sense middle ground that was built on respect, listening before you speak, doing what was right and doing the thing thats going to be the least hurtful. Advertisement However, as Patterson pointed out, If we brought Hank back to this current day, Hanks middle ground isnt the middle anymore. The extreme has moved so far that Hanks middle ground looks like the other side to them. Advertisement At the same time, Patterson clarified, Hanks place on the current political spectrum was never supposed to be the focal point of the new season, just as his small-government conservative leanings in the original series were more idiosyncratic than they were preachy. King of the Hill, historically, was never as political a show as people try to project onto it, Patterson pointed out. It was always more about the social commentary, and it was always more cultural because it was based on the characters and the relationships and what its like to raise a family or to be neighbors. But, given how, as many conservative politicians have noticed since Fox first canceled the sitcom, politics is downstream of culture, 2025 partisanship was bound to make an appearance in the King of the Hill revival. As such, Patterson, Judge and co-creator Greg Daniels all needed to be aligned on how they planned to place Arlen in the current political climate, which means drawing some lines. Advertisement For Mike, that line was about not being mean not coming across as mean to anyone on the left or the right, Patterson explained. For Greg, that line probably had more to do with whats really represented in real life if we can point to someone in real life who acts like this, then that may have validated the representation in the show. On the other hand, Patterson believed that even a nonpartisan series needs to be cognizant of how they contribute to national conversations. For me, that line was, What do we want to say about this? What part of the conversation do we want to be in? Patterson explained. Still, the show is never going to be about whatever that thing is. The shows always going to be about our main characters with relatable stories. Regardless of what side of the aisle you fall on, you can relate to the real-life experiences that these animated characters are having, Patterson concluded, conveniently ignoring the microbrewing community who now find themselves under attack from King of the Hills anti-IPA bigotry. Some people do like beers that try too hard to taste like anything besides beer, Hank. As an average woman with average employment who makes a living writing about late-night television, I barely have time to think about the Stephen Colbert cancellation beyond the direct confines of my job. Theres just too much going on. ICE arrests in New York have surged by 200 percent in the last five months, the amount due on my student loans keeps changing, there have been two earthquakes in my neighborhood this week alone. And that list is just a smidgen of whats been happening in my own 10-mile radius. It doesnt get into war, tariffs, censorship, pedophilia rings or the gutting of scientific research. Don't Miss But somehow, while every facet of our society is being dismantled with cruel fervor, I keep hearing the nations most powerful politicians talking about Stephen Colbert. Its not unexpected for Trump to harp on Colbert. The president has the cognitive skills of a nine-year-old and the temperament of that French chef in Disneys 1989 The Little Mermaid. Until Truth Social is pried out of his swelling hands, were going to be hearing from Trump about people he sees on television. And while the circumstances of Colbert getting canceled are certainly concerning and symptomatic of much larger issues like corruption and attacks on the free press, it would be really great if the leaders of the opposition to Trump stopped talking about The Late Show host. When his cancellation was first announced, everyone from Senator Adam Schiff to Senators Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren were speaking out against CBS decision. Sanders and Warren even sent a letter to Paramount and Skydance asking for transparency around Colberts cancellation, among other concerns related to corruption and bribery. Senator Chris Murphy posted a video to socials in support of Colbert. Senator Elissa Slotkin came on the show (and missed a crucial vote to do so), shortly followed by Former Vice President Kamala Harris. It was Harris first interview since her loss to Trump in November 2024. The message from the Lib Resistance brigade was clear: They stand behind Stephen Colbert. This message was most recently reiterated by Warren (again) when she appeared in a video with Hacks creator Paul H. Downs earlier today. At one point, Warren says, What are we going to do about this business of censorship, not just of the hard news, but people who tell jokes? Advertisement In the Stephen Colbert case, this is the President of the United States, at least it appears, holding back favors and making threats that then cause these giant corporations to censor their own people, and once weve headed down that path, we no longer have an independent media, Warren continued. Advertisement And sure, shes not wrong. Its not incorrect to say that the president having sway over his on-air critics is a symptom of our fascist takeover. But its not the most concerning symptom of what is diseasing this country. It makes me feel insane to have Colberts show be a cause celebre in the context of everything else. Itd be like going to the doctor because you have cancer, but theyre only focused on treating your indigestion. The worst part is that Democrats are aware that Colbert isnt going to be a rallying cause for the American people. Within days of Colberts cancellation, the New York Times ran a story titled Do Democrats Want a Fight Over Colbert? Reporter Jess Bidgood interviewed Dem lawmakers and strategists who questioned the wisdom of rallying around The Late Show host when so many people are suffering so much more acutely. Advertisement I love Stephen Colbert, and his show is very funny, Senator Tina Smith said to the Times. And I also think that what happens with the Colbert show is not like the most salient issue for most voters right now. Advertisement Im not sure about the very funny bit, but otherwise, I couldnt agree with Smith more. Colbert is a sexy, clicky, character compared to what else is happening right now; theres plenty of Boomer Facebook engagement to be found in Colberts cancellation. But it would be so nice to feel this same enthusiastic fight from Democrats against even one of Trumps destructive policies. It would be even better if they tried to get as much press coverage talking about those issues as theyve gotten about a multimillionaire talk show host who is almost certainly going to pivot to podcasting next June. Instead, were living in loser land. The Democrats cant win presidential elections. They cant keep control of Congress. They cant save abortion rights. They cant stop Trumps deportations. They cant keep healthcare for the countrys poorest. They cant protect education for the countrys youngest. They cant protect funding for scientific research or public broadcasting. They cant pass any climate policies. They cant lower the cost of living or raise wages. They can't make flying on airplanes or being in public spaces safer. They cant regulate corporate greed. Ultimately, they cant keep Colbert on air either. But maybe they hope that since we dont care about that as much, it wont feel like such a let down when they fail. Advertisement Three months ago, Warren said on Colbert: We have the power to stop Trump. It would be great to see a few examples. As the Right changes its course on South Park, someone from the White Houses social media team now has the unenviable job of explaining why they would dare to publicly controvert the statements of President Saddam Hussein. When South Park returned to TV on July 23rd with brand new episodes following a grueling two-year hiatus, series creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone came out swinging with a Season 27 premiere that brutally roasted Donald Trump by explicitly calling him a corrupt, small-dicked Middle-Eastern dictator who tramples on the Constitution, illegally silences critics and has a penis that is oh-so-tiny. The very next day after Sermon on the Mount put out arguably the most brutal indictment against the President in the history of comedy, the White House released an official statement in which it dismissed the episode as partisan mudslinging, claiming that South Park hasnt been relevant for over 20 years and that their popularity continues to hit record lows. Don't Miss Soon after the statement, Sermon on the Mount broke Paramount+ streaming records, and the Right realized that South Parks criticisms were a little too relevant to play off that easily. Now, the official Twitter account for the Department of Homeland Security is using stills from a promo for the upcoming South Park episode about Immigration Customs and Enforcement to advertise the recruiting site for ICE, prompting South Park to ask some pressing questions: Within minutes of posting their clap-back, the South Park Twitter account officially ratioed Homeland Security and exposed the hypocrisy of the Trump regime thats trying to have it both ways and pretend to be in on the joke just two weeks after it had a meltdown over the shows criticisms. Unfortunately for the current administration, South Park has a longer memory than the goldfish-brained Trump supporters who have somehow forgotten that the President campaigned on a push to release the FBIs files on Jeffrey Epstein, only to bury the story when he found his own name all over them. Advertisement Considering how Sermon on the Mount went gloves-off on Trump and his cronies, its hard to imagine that tomorrow nights new episode of South Park will be anything less than an excoriating portrayal of the secret police force emboldened by the President to kidnap legal residents and, in many cases, U.S. citizens off the street without due process. But even more than Parker and Stones ICE parody, Im looking forward to see what the White House says about poor, desperate, irrelevant South Park in their own post-episode discussion statement. Will they downgrade South Park to fifth-rate?? Yelp has it all. Angry Karens, a cheating scandal at a Florida Chipotle, and now, a scathing entry dedicated to the filthy hellhole that is Paddys Pub from Its Always Sunny in Philadelphia. Seth, a longtime Always Sunny enthusiast and curator of Paddys Pub Blog, recently offered fans a glimpse at what not-so-peak performance looks like by crafting a mock Yelp page set on rightfully calling out the business practices of Phillys grimiest pub. This effort, he tells me, was partially inspired by an offhanded gag during The Gangs recent trip to Abbott Elementary. In the Abbott half of the crossover, Melissa is clued in to how she knows The Gang by a line from a teacher, who says Dennis keeps asking her out to some gross bar with like 300 one-star reviews, he explains. Don't Miss On Monday, Seth decided to make this widespread displeasure a semi-reality in honor of the shows 20th anniversary. Its (now) canon that Paddys has 300 one-star reviews on Yelp, he explains, so I thought it would be cool to make something that would reflect that for the 20th anniversary of the show. He says that making the image was fairly straightforward, as it was crafted by editing an actual Yelp page for a poorly rated bar and using a little bit of Photoshop throughout the course of a six-hour flight. You cant see all 300 of Paddys one-star reviews, but the selections that made the mock-up speak volumes. Disgusting bar and even grosser bathrooms, one faux patron wrote before offering a warning about one of the bars more infamous features. Trust me, you dont want to put your dick or mouth anywhere near their glory hole. Advertisement Owners will rob you if they get the chance, added a second review. Stay away!! The question-and-answer section isnt much more flattering. Do they card? one patron asked. Depends if the gay bouncer is on a power trip or not, read the reply, a clear slight at Macs infamous ocular patdowns. Despite such rampant negativity, Seth says he isnt too worried about getting kidnapped like the newspaper reviewer in Season Fours Paddys Pub: The Worst Bar in Philadelphia. Id give The Gang a good run for their money when it comes to yapping someones ear off, he joked. He does, however, have a few theories as to how the various members of The Gang would react to the page. Charlie would have someone let him know whats on there, and once hes been informed that their health score is accurately listed as perfect, hed be satisfied, Seth maintains, arguing that Frank would largely be indifferent, as theres not much personal information on there that would link him, or the bar, to any of his other dealings. The Franks Fluids founder would be happy they have so many reviews, regardless of the standard, since it proves theyre an active business in good standing. Advertisement Mac, Seth continues, would probably wonder why the majority of the one-star reviews are things he deems five-stars worthy complaints about witnessing fights, getting caught up in a fight, the dodgy and aggressive atmosphere, etc. and try to report those to Yelp as mislabeled, not because he cares about their rating but because he thinks Yelp isnt capturing Paddys vibe correctly. As for Dee: Shed comb the reviews looking for compliments and maybe smash her phone when there are next-to-none, Seth speculates. A few very real reviews complimenting the female bartender might pop up a few days later Advertisement Advertisement Dennis, of course, would likely blame the scathing reviews on everyone but himself. In the episode The Gang Tends Bar, it clearly bothers him to some degree that the bar is so dysfunctional, but it seems like he sees that as less of a comment on his personal failings and more on every other member of The Gang failing to do their jobs properly, Seth theorizes, noting that when compared to the rest of his buds, Dennis comes off most competent at his job. A majorly supported negative review about Dennis notwithstanding, Id like to think hed tell everyone to put their phones down and focus on doing their goddamn jobs if they want the bar to have accurate reviews. Separate investigations have uncovered IT worker personas seeking employment in Germany and Portugal. DPRK IT workers are obtaining work through various online platforms, including Upwork, Telegram, and Freelancer. Payment was sought through various means, including cryptocurrency, the Wise money transfer service, and Payoneer. Extortion playbook Google adds that the previously identified tactic of post-employment extortion attempts by DPRK IT worker crews has ramped up. Recently fired IT workers threatened to release their former employers sensitive data or to provide it to a competitor, Google researchers reported. This data included proprietary data and source code for internal projects. Previously, DPRK IT workers terminated from their places of employment might seek to obtain references or attempt to get rehired, but law enforcement action and greater awareness has prompted some groups to adopt more aggressive measures, according to Google. North Korean groups have begun to conduct operations within corporate virtualized infrastructure, Google warned in April. Detection is challenging Using chatbots, potential hires are perfectly tailoring their resumes, and further leverage AI-created deepfakes to pose as real people. North Koreans operatives commonly use face-changing software during video interviews or rely on AI assistants to help answer questions in real-time. Crystal Morin, former intelligence analyst for the US Air Force turned cybersecurity strategist at Sysdig, told CSOonline that North Korea is primarily targeting US government entities, defence contractors, and tech firms hiring IT workers. Companies in Europe and other Western nations are also at risk, according to Morin. North Korean IT workers are trying to get jobs either for financial reasons to fund the states weapons program or for cyberespionage. Morin added: In some cases, they may try to get jobs at tech companies in order to steal their intellectual property before using it to create their own knock-off technologies. These are real people with real skills in software development and not always easy to detect, she warned. Countermeasures IT managers and CISOs need to work with their colleagues in human resources to more closely vet applicants. Additional technical controls might also help. Heres some suggestions for recommended process improvements: Conduct live video-chats with prospective remote-work applicants and ask them about their work projects Look for career inconsistencies in resumes or CVs Check references by calling the referee to confirm any emailed reference Confirm supplied residence address Review and strengthen access controls and authentication processes Monitor supplied equipment for piggybacking remote access Post-hire checks need to continue. Employers should be wary of sophisticated use of VPNs or VMs for accessing company system, according to KnowBe4. Use of VoIP numbers and lack of digital footprint for provided contact information are other red flags, the vendor added. David Feligno, lead technical recruiter at managed services provider Huntress, told CSOonline: We have a multiple-step process for trying to verify if a background looks too good to be true meaning is this person stealing someone elses profile and claiming as their own, or simply lying about their current location. We first check if the candidate has provided a LinkedIn profile that we can review against their current resume. If we find that the profile location does not match the resume says on resume NYC, but on LinkedIn profile says Poland we know this is a fake resume. If it is the same, did this person just create a LinkedIn profile recently and have no connections or followers? Huntress also checks that an applicants supplied phone number is valid, as well as running a Google search on them. All of the above will save you a great deal of time, and if you see anything that does not match, you know you are dealing with a fake profile, and it happens a lot, Feligno concluded. Brian Jack, KnowBe4s CISO, agrees that fake remote employees and contractors are something every organization needs to worry about, adding: CISOs should review the organizations hiring processes and ensure that their overall risk management practices are inclusive of hiring. Hiring teams should be trained to ensure they are checking resumes and references more thoroughly to be sure the person they are interviewing is real and is who they say they are, Jack advises. Best would be to meet candidates in person along with their government-issued ID or using trusted agents, such as background checking firms especially as use of AI enters into the mix of hiring schemes such as these. One thing I like to do as a hiring manager is ask some questions that would be hard to prepare for and hard for an AI to answer on the fly, but easy for a person to talk about if they were who they claim to be, Jack says. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, looking more beleaguered and sounding less convincing than ever, said yesterday that the police should routinely reveal the nationality and asylum status of those charged with criminal offences. New legal guidance, she promised, would shortly be issued for police forces to provide greater 'transparency'. Not for the first time, Labour was rushing to follow in the footsteps of Nigel Farage's Reform party. Only 24 hours before, as part of Reform's 'Britain is lawless' campaign, Farage had called for the ethnicity of suspects charged with rape and sexual assaults to be made public. Now Cooper was in a hurry to oblige. Not before time. The police predilection for saying nothing about such matters a product of the 'woke' ideology which now grips so many of our police forces where to dwell on ethnicity is in itself racist has merely served to stoke suspicion and unrest. Last year Merseyside Police's information vacuum about the man charged with murdering three young girls in Southport allowed false claims (including that he was an asylum seeker) and online conspiracy theories to circulate unchecked, fuelling the serious rioting which followed. At least lessons were learned. This year, when a car ploughed into crowds during Liverpool FC's victory parade, Merseyside Police quickly confirmed the driver was 'white British'. But the default position of too many forces is still to keep schtum. Farage is correct to say there is 'rising public anger' over the growth in hotels housing those who've entered the country illegally and are claiming asylum, especially when there's an increase in crime in the communities where these hotels are based. More than 75 per cent are adult young men overwhelmingly single, of military age and with time on their hands so nobody should be surprised when crime rises in their wake. Police move to arrest people associated with the 'anti-fascist' movement as anti-immigration, 'stand up to racism' and 'anti-fascist' groups gather at a migrant hotel in central London The Reform leader accused Warwickshire Police of refusing to give details of the backgrounds of two Afghan asylum seekers charged with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton on the grounds that it would 'inflame community tensions'. Warwickshire Police defended their cover-up by claiming that 'once someone is charged with an offence, we follow national guidance. This guidance does not include sharing ethnicity or immigration status.' This is disingenuous. The guidance is issued by the Royal College Of Policing and makes no mention of whether forces should declare details of race, ethnicity or immigration status, which is at the discretion of chief constables. Perhaps we should not be surprised that British police would rather sweep the matter of crime and ethnicity under the carpet. After all, this is the country, to its everlasting shame, in which grooming gangs were allowed for years to sexually abuse and assault hundreds of young, vulnerable white girls unhindered, in part, because the perpetrators were overwhelmingly of Pakistani Muslim origin and police were more fearful of being branded racist than seeing justice done. Of course most crime in Britain is carried out by British nationals, as you'd expect given they still dominate the population. But it cannot be said that recent arrivals have done much to damp down the crime statistics. Record numbers of foreign sex offenders and violent criminals are now being held in jails in England and Wales, according to official statistics. More than 1,700 foreign nationals were in prison for sex offences as of June this year, up by almost 10 per cent on the year a rate of increase nearly three times that of British nationals imprisoned for the same reasons. The number of foreign violent offenders in our jails is also at its highest since records began up almost 9 per cent in a year to 3,250, nearly double the rate of increase of British nationals incarcerated for violent crimes in the same period. Metropolitan Police officers surround a bus reportedly waiting to remove migrants and asylum seekers from a hotel in Peckham Foreign nationals now make up one in eight of the 87,000 prisoners in England and Wales. They account for one in 10 sex offenders and one in 10 prisoners convicted of violence against others. These facts are no doubt unpalatable to progressives, who like to point out that, overall, crime has been falling in the UK for most of this century and that we are not in the grip of a massive new crime wave. That is true, though there's been an uptick in the past couple of years in various categories of crimes. Nor does it gainsay the fact that up and down the land, in communities progressives do not inhabit and rarely visit, there is dismay and despair at widespread anti-social behaviour which, in turn, creates the conditions in which low level crime shoplifting, mugging, phone theft can flourish. Even worse, the police don't seem to care or can't be bothered, to more keenly monitor the drivel that pours out of social media for so-called 'hate crimes' from the safety of their desks than to pound the streets where yobbery runs amuck. In a way, it's hard to blame them. So many of today's coppers are ill-equipped in height, weight, fitness or self-defence to handle themselves in a tight situation, more suited to be the Twitter Sweeney than the real Sweeney. The general sense of lawlessness is perhaps most keenly felt in London, under the dead hand of Mayor Sadiq Khan. I recently had a friend from Sydney email me to ask if it was safe for him and his wife to visit London this summer. I understand where they're coming from. Knife crime last year in the capital was up almost 60 per cent on the three years to 2024, mainly involving robberies. It accounts for almost one-third of total knife crime in England and Wales. Phone theft is rampant, with 64,000 phones a year pinched in London, the chances of ever getting yours back are literally close to zero only 0.6 per cent of street thefts ever result in anybody being charged. Police chiefs argue that on the big crimes murder, terrorism they are as effective as ever. Yet it is getting a grip on everyday crime which matters most to people and which makes for a safer society all round. New York discovered that almost 30 years ago when Mayor Rudy Giuliani and his police chief Bill Bratton rolled out their zero tolerance approach to crime. It worked. I was darting back and forth between New York and London in the late 1990s and by the turn of the century if often seemed as if New York was safer than London. But today's police and politicians have no interest in this sort of bottom up approach to crime, which is why the conditions which spawn crime are spreading. Into this mix we now add thousands of young migrant men, unchecked and unvetted, into communities the least equipped to cope. It is hard to think of a more potent brew for unleashing a populist backlash which could easily turn nasty. Farage will be blamed for exploiting it. But at least he is demanding it be given attention when too many politicians would rather look the other way. More transparency is at least a start: we must insist that when politicians lose control of our borders, as they have, they cannot be allowed to hide the appalling consequences of their incompetence from the rest of us. One of the biggest problems with Yvette Coopers new One-In-One-Out strategy for dealing with the small boats crisis is the name. Because its absolutely brilliant. One-In-One-Out. Concise. Memorable. A pithy encapsulation of the Governments intention to finally get to grips with the migration crisis. It will certainly still be in the minds of the British people when the pilot scheme ends in 11 months time. And they learn it hasnt been a case of One-In-One-Out at all but something more like Thirty-Five-Thousand-In-Two-Thousand-Out. Precise numbers were mysteriously absent from the Governments announcement yesterday. But there have been reports that the scheme will attempt to return 50 migrants a week to France. A figure which needs to be set against the current weekly average of 800 arrivals on small boats. And the programme is a little more complicated than the slick slogan implies. It is not simply a case of one migrant being returned for every migrant that arrives. Instead, the Government intends to embark on a sort of migrant laundering with a relatively small number of those who arrive undocumented being sent back to Calais to be swapped for genuine refugees who have been fully vetted and have connections to the United Kingdom. On one level the Home Secretary deserves praise. She has finally managed to get French president Emmanuel Macron to accept some responsibility for the tide of humanity flooding across his border. And she is drawing a clear distinction between those actually fleeing persecution and those attempting to enter the UK for economic reasons. But at the heart of her plan is a fundamental flaw. Which is that it wont work. The key to One-In-One-Out is that its supposed to deter potential migrants by demonstrating that their risky journey might be pointless. Upon arrival on our shores, they will immediately be processed and packed off back to where theyve come from. According to the Home Offices figures, over the past year there was a 28 per cent increase in returns of failed asylum seekers, and a 13 per cent increase in overall returns compared to the previous year. And yet over the same period small-boat arrivals have soared by 25 per cent If you come here illegally on a small boat, you will face return, Keir Starmer tweeted. My Government is fixing the broken asylum system we inherited. But his words unwittingly exposed the glaring weakness in his masterplan. Which is that, while there is a possibility of a small-boat asylum seeker being returned, there is no guarantee of it. Indeed, the odds remain heavily stacked in the favour of these desperate adventurers not least because they will doubtless lodge whatever human rights claim they possibly can in order to remain. Using the reported target of 50 returns a week (a figure which many people feel is optimistic) and setting it against the average of 800 arrivals, the chances of return are 16-1 against. Or 6 per cent. And as monthly arrivals continue to vastly outstrip returns and the backlog increases, those odds will lengthen. Were talking about people who are prepared to pack up their lives, abandon their families, hand over their entire savings, travel thousands of miles, and place their fate in the blood-stained palms of the people smugglers and the cold currents of the English Channel. Are they really going to be deterred by a 6 per cent chance of failure? The evidence is already clear. They wont. According to the Home Offices own figures, over the past year there was a 28 per cent increase in returns of failed asylum seekers, and a 13 per cent increase in overall returns compared to the previous year. And yet over the same period small-boat arrivals have soared by 25 per cent. The reality is that Yvette Cooper and Keir Starmers current strategy is essentially the same as that adopted by the crew of the Titanic. They have managed to get the emergency pumps running. But the amount of water theyre funnelling out is being overwhelmed by the amount of water pouring in through the gaping hole in the ships side. Until yesterday, the Prime Minister and Home Secretary were able to say they werent in charge of the vessel when it struck the iceberg. Now though and this is crucial they can no longer rely on that excuse. The Prime Minister, pictured with Emmanuel Macron, claims he is fixing the nations asylum system. When the nation realises he is doing no such thing, theres going to be a reckoning, writes Dan Hodges By planting One-In-One-Out in the public consciousness, Yvette Cooper has officially taken ownership of the migration crisis. The previous governments deficiencies are no longer the benchmark against which success or failure of her policy will be judged. Instead, the British people are going to take ministers at their word. They are going to expect the net flow of illegal migration to halt. One in. One out. And when it doesnt, there is going to be political hell to pay. As she was promoting the scheme yesterday, the Home Secretary made a significant admission. The genuine refugees who would be swapped for those landing illegally, would, she said, be subject to clear eligibility criteria and stringent security checks. Which means those who have arrived to date, and those who will continue to arrive over the period of the pilot scheme, will not have been subject to any security checks at all and represent, by implication, a clear threat to public safety. Yet these are the same people the Government is currently dispersing to communities around the country via various migrant hotels. And who the Prime Minister said last month would be further dispersed when they are placed into the council accommodation he claimed was plentiful. Anyone who has attended any of the protests springing up around the country as I did a couple of weeks ago down in Epping knows this is simply not tenable. People in the communities where asylum seekers are being bussed in are begging for action now. And what is the response of their Prime Minister and Home Secretary? Sorry, weve got a pilot scheme to trial. Get back to us in 11 months time. Yvette Cooper doesnt have 11 months and neither does the country. As Nigel Farage warned, Britain is now a nation on the brink of societal collapse. And if she doesnt want to listen to him, she should at least have been listening to her colleague Angela Rayner when she told the cabinet a fortnight ago there was a risk of additional social unrest unless the Government was able to acknowledge the real concerns people have and to deliver improvements to peoples lives and their communities. One-In-One-Out will do neither of those things. When it fails to stem the tide of illegal migration, it will simply cement the impression that ministers are not listening to the concerns of people in those communities. The practical impact of dispersing more and more unvetted migrants, meanwhile, will inevitably lead to further protests. So, on one level Yvette Cooper will prove to be successful. Her new immigration initiative will resonate far and wide. Just as Rishi Sunaks Rwanda policy resonated. Indeed, the word Rwanda secured such public resonance, it came to represent more than just a policy. In the end it was emblematic of an entire decade of failed Tory rule. Yvette Cooper and Keir Starmer are also destined to fail. There is no prospect none at all of One-In-One-Out deterring those desperately seeking a new life, or the traffickers in human misery profiting from them. The Prime Minister claims he is fixing the nations asylum system. When the nation realises he is doing no such thing, theres going to be a reckoning. Aussies are up in arms after a very bold claim was spotted at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand. The offending sign pokes at our national pride in the form of a good flat white, and where exactly it originates from. It reads: 'Home is where the flat white was really invented' and, unsurprisingly, it didn't go unnoticed by Sydney comedian Tom Cashman, who posted a now-viral video calling out the claim as 'disinformation'. 'I'm from Sydney,' Tom said in the clip, which has now amassed over 850,000 views. 'If you know anything about flat whites, you'll know they were invented in Sydney. So I thought the sign was just a joke for our plane. But then I realised, it's permanent. They actually believe it!' For those unaware, the flat white is a beloved espresso-based drink that features silky steamed milk and a shot (or two) of strong coffee - a staple on Aussie cafe menus from Melbourne to Byron Bay and beyond. And while the trans-Tasman battle over who invented pavlova and Crowded House is nothing new, this latest dispute has reignited tensions like never before. According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia's claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney cafe named Miller Treat first referenced a 'flat white' in a review. Sydney-based comedian Tom Cashman (pictured), has caused a stir online after seeing this very bold claim at Wellington International Airport in New Zealand Tom, who posted the now-viral video calling out the claim as 'disinformation', delved deeper to prove his theory that, NZ in fact, did not invent the flat white The drink gained popularity across Sydney's buzzing coffee scene, and by 1985, it was a menu staple at Moors Espresso Bar. Even Parliament House in Canberra reportedly had a sign reading 'flat white only' during a milk froth shortage that same year. One version involves an Auckland cafe whose owners admit they heard the term from a friend who worked in Sydney. Another blames a botched cappuccino in Wellington in 1989, years after Sydney's documented origins. A third story, from an Auckland barista-turned-author, says he was serving a flat white in the mid-80s using, ironically, an Australian recipe. 'What are we even talking about here?' Tom said. While the Kiwis continue to push their claims, the paper trail overwhelmingly points back to Sydney as the birthplace of the beloved brew. Tom doesn't hold back in his video, even joking that Wellington Airport is waging a 'disinformation campaign' with its flat white sign - and calling on the Australian Defence Force to 'invade Wellington and remove it with physical force'. For those unaware, the flat white is a beloved espresso-based drink that features silky steamed milk and a shot (or two) of strong coffee - a staple on Aussie cafe menus nationwide According to Tom (and a quick dive into Wikipedia), Australia's claim goes back to 1983, when a Sydney cafe first referenced a 'flat white' in a review, whereas new Zealand's was referenced as 1989 He also throws shade at Contact Energy, the New Zealand company behind the airport display, noting that its biggest shareholders are in fact, major US corporations. Meaning the 'Kiwi claim' might not be so local after all. 'This story really escalated,' wrote one fan on his video. 'You're single handedly keeping investigative journalism alive in Australia,' another joked. 'This is disinformation being spread by a foreign-owned company,' Tom added. 'Is it even legal to have this much disinformation at an airport?!' While the debate over the flat white's true origin may never be fully settled, one thing is clear, this isn't just about coffee. It's about national identity, bragging rights, and the sacred ritual of a morning brew. And for Australians, especially those from coffee-obsessed Melbourne and Sydney, the idea that the flat white didn't originate here is nothing short of sacrilege. All that said, Tom did make one last comment and it was surprisingly in New Zealand's favour. 'I do like the fact that the flat whites in Wellington seem quite strong.' One thing's for sure, the next time you order a flat white, be prepared to sip it with a side of controversy. A bizarre new plastic surgery procedure is dividing the internet after going viral on social media. The 'dimpleplasty' creates artificial dimples on a patient's face through intentional scarring. The procedure has been popular in South Korea and other parts of Asia for years, but now it's crossing over into the US. Dimpleplasty videos are flooding social media and racking up thousands of views, with some doctors cashing in by offering the surgery at affordable prices. Celebrities like Harry Styles, Cheryl Tweedy, Mario Lopez, and Ariana Grande have been cited as influencing the trend thanks to their flawless smiles and natural dimples. Cosmetic nurse Alex Pike, who hosts the plastic surgery podcast The Face, told DailyMail.com that she's been inundated with questions about the procedure. 'My listeners often message me about viral surgery trends, including dimpleplasty,' she said. 'People are seeing these procedures all over social media, so it makes them curious to find out more.' The 'dimpleplasty' is a procedure that creates artificial dimples on a patient's face through intentional scarring - and it's going viral on social media The procedure has been popular in South Korea and other parts of Asia for years, but now it's crossing over into the US However, despite the procedure's growing popularity, some leading plastic surgeons are warning against it. Beverly Hills-based surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar told DailyMail.com that he 'highly recommends patients do not do dimpleplasty surgery.' 'This is a very unnatural procedure, which creates an artificial dimpling in the cheek at rest or smiling, which is not natural in comparison to a real dimple, which only shows when smiling,' he explained. The renowned celebrity surgeon, who is known for his signature 'Scarless Nose' job and has operated on stars like Sami Sheen, said that a dimpleplasty can create unnatural results and scarring. 'We all covet natural beauty but sometimes recreation doesnt always look natural,' he said. 'Natural dimples, a cleft chin, or a mole or freckles are hard to reproduce naturally or elegantly. Procedures aiming to mimic these such as a dimpleplasty may lead to an unnatural appearance.' Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Yael Halaas shared a similar sentiment to Dr. Dugar, telling DailyMail.com that a dimpleplasty will indeed leave you with facial scarring. 'When dimples naturally occur, its because of a natural anatomical variation in the muscle. Dimple surgery cannot replicate this muscle behavior so it mimics the result by creating a scarred-down spot that ends up looking like a dimple,' she explained. Board-certified facial plastic surgeon Dr. Yael Halaas told DailyMail.com that a dimpleplasty will indeed leave you with facial scarring Beverly Hills-based surgeon Dr. Deepak Dugar told DailyMail.com that he 'highly recommends patients do not do dimpleplasty surgery' 'The downside is that you're creating a scar. The plus side if you really love the look, dimple surgery can give you the indentation.' Comments about the procedure from social media users have been largely negative, with one user writing, 'This doesn't look natural at all!' Another commented, 'Great, now I've gotta deal with folks asking me if my dimples are natural.' However, some doctors swear by the popular procedure and are more than happy to offer it to willing patients. Dr. Andrew Jimerson II, who is best known as 'Dr. Curves' online, regularly performs the procedure in his Atlanta clinic for around $1300. In one viral post, he wrote, 'The full healing process takes about 3 to 4 months. In the beginning, dimples will be visible at all times. Over the next few weeks, they'll soften and settle and once fully healed, youll only see them when smiling, just like natural dimples.' According to a study by Grandview Research the global dimpleplasty market size was estimated at $302.50 million in 2022. The research attributed the growth to advancement in the surgery, high disposable incomes, and an increase in people wanting non-invasive procedures. If you've been dutifully turning your socks the right way around before tossing them in the washing machine - think again. It's instinctive to turn socks out the right way before washing, particularly if there's visible dark marks along the underside. But a laundry expert explained that this is in fact the opposite of what you need to do to achieve the best possible clean. According to a washing product scientist, the correct way to wash socks is to first turn them 'inside out'. 'To achieve optimal cleaning, turn your socks inside out before washing,' Sara Shorter, a Research and Development Product Scientist at Unilever, told the Daily Mail. The cleaning expert, who works with brands like OMO, Surf and Comfort said there are two main reasons why socks will benefit from being washed this way. From a hygiene perspective, Sara explained that 'washing socks inside out enables dead skin and bacteria to be removed more effectively'. The second reason relates to maintaining their condition in the long term. Contrary to instinct, the correct way to wash socks is inside out. Sara Shorter, a Research & Development Product Scientist at Unilever, explained that this was the correct method 'to achieve optimal cleaning' of your socks If socks are visibly dark and dirty on the sole and heel, Sara suggested the additional pre-wash step of 'applying some laundry liquid directly to the stain before turning inside out and washing' 'Washing inside out keeps your socks looking newer for longer by reducing friction on the outside of the socks, which helps to maintain patterns and colours,' Sara said. However, if socks are visibly dark and dirty on the sole and heel, the expert suggested an additional pre-wash step as the best method to refresh them. 'If socks are stained, apply some laundry liquid directly to the stain before turning inside out and washing,' Sara recommended. Using a 'good quality detergent' in your washing machine is also a must according to the cleaning product formulator. And if you're serious about preserving the lifespan of your socks, Sara also suggests avoiding warm water and switching to a cold water washing powder because this better 'preserves the fabric and elasticity of the socks'. In addition to following the inside-out washing technique, the way you dry your socks can also impact their longevity. Sara recommends 'hanging your socks to dry instead of using a dryer' - and as with washing, they should be inside out. 'Line drying helps to maintain shape and elasticity,' she explained. To preserve the longevity of your socks, the clothes washing expert recommended washing in a cold cycle and hanging socks out to air dry However, the product scientist also suggested being mindful of limiting your socks' exposure to direct sunlight 'because the UV in sunlight can break down the elastane in socks'. 'No one wants saggy socks,' she added. Sara also confirmed that 'socks should be washed after every wear'. 'Frequent washing is important because feet sweat. Damp, dirty socks can lead to fungal infections or offensive odours.' By contrast, a separate laundry expert recently told Daily Mail that towels might not need to be washed quite as often as most people think. A report earlier this year saw a spokesperson from UK expert testing and review site Which? recommend that towels should be washed around 'once a week' depending on their level of usage. 'You might find yourself wondering how often you really need to wash your towels, but the answer depends on your household setup, and how you look after them,' the consumer watch group spokesperson explained. The Which? expert suggested that 'around once a week, especially for hand towels,' was the ideal amount of washes. Furthermore, if towels have become crispy and scratchy over time, the consumer group spokesperson offered a solution that could return them to their original, fluffy state. 'Try soaking them in a mix of water and white vinegar (one cup of vinegar to four cups of water is a good general guide),' the Which? spokesperson advised. 'Then rinse off the vinegar and machine wash at 40C rather than 60C, making sure the load is no more than three-quarters full to ensure room for the towels to move around.' A Melbourne restaurant that counts celebrity chef Jamie Oliver among its clientele has entered into voluntary administration. 1800 Lasagne, a popular restaurant in the suburb of Thornbury, has confirmed that it has been taken over by external administrators, effective from the new financial year. The sad news about the restaurant was shared in a heartfelt message to its Instagram account on August 5. '1800 Lasagne has entered into voluntary administration and we are working closely with the administration team to streamline and re-structure our model to ensure we take the best steps while moving forward,' the update read. 'Our loyal suppliers and our beloved staff are and will continue to be our highest priority through this process.' The restaurant was originally started as a lasagne-delivery service during the pandemic by founder, Joey Kellock. It was later opened as a restaurant in its current location on High Street. During its heyday in 2023, celebrity chef Jamie Oliver was among those who visited the Melbourne Italian dining establishment. The British celebrity chef, who was at the time filming the 16th season of MasterChef Australia, was full of praise for the lasagne eatery. Celebrity chef Jamie Oliver dropped by 1800 Lasagne in 2023 with foodie pals Tobie Puttock (not pictured) and Georgie Puttock (right) and posed for a picture with the restaurant's founder Joey Kellock (back) Although it was announced on Instagram that 1800 Lasagne had 'entered into voluntary administration', a subsequent Instagram post alongside this picture confirmed that the Melbourne restaurant would remain operating as usual Jamie described it as a place where the 'jazz was playing, the wine was flowing' and noted that there was a 'nice energy with the staff'. That same year, 1800 Lasagne earned a coveted chef's hat in the Good Food guide - becoming the first ever 'hatted' lasagne restaurant. But in a promising sign for diners, the restaurant isn't currently being closed altogether. Rather, its operations will now fall under the management of accounting advisory group HLB Mann Judd, who were appointed as external administrators as of July 30. The restaurant's trading hours and delivery service also remain unchanged. '1800 Lasagne has always been about people, passion and plates of love - and that hasn't changed,' the recent update confirmed. 'We absolutely cherish our place in the community and will be striving to continue serving you. So, please come and visit our incredible staff for dinner, takeaway, or a drink at the bar and help us get through this exciting but challenging time.' In an added assurance that it's 'business as usual' from the customer's perspective, a subsequent Instagram post confirmed the restaurant was open and operating. 1800 Lasagne's tight menu centres around lasagne including their signature dish Lasagne Di Carne $32 (pictured) The popular Melbourne restaurant is located on High Street in the Melbourne suburb of Thornbury Sharing a picture of a dining table loaded up with plates of lasagne and garlic bread, the caption confirmed that they were indeed open for bookings, walk-ins, takeaway and delivery. 1800 Lasagne is famed for its focused menu centred around lasagne. Their two signature dishes are the Lasagne Di Carne, which features a meaty bolognaise of minced beef and pork, and a vegetarian Lasagne Di Melanzane, based on eggplant. Both are priced at $32. Other main pasta dishes on the menu include Spaghetti Napoli $25, Rigatoni $36, which is served with a beef shank ragu, and Pipe Rigate, $35, which features Queensland Tiger prawns. Peter Phillips chose a ring for his new fiancee from a very special jeweller The ring Peter Phillips chose for his new fiancee, Harriet Sperling, has touching ties to his late grandmother. Royal fans were abuzz when Queen Elizabeth's eldest grandchild announced last Friday that he and his NHS nurse girlfriend were set to be married. Harriet's stunning sparkler was designed by the same jeweller behind Queen Elizabeth's 1946 engagement ring, reported Hello! magazine. Peter popped the question with the ring from Mayfair jeweller Pragnall, which is not only one of the top luxury jewellery outlets in the world, but also boasts many connections to the royal family over the past 90 years. Before starting his own company, George Pragnall personally tended to Queen Mary's jewellery needs from 1930 until her death. He was also often instructed to entertain the then-Princess Elizabeth and her sister Margaret as their grandmother browsed jewels on display. As Pragnall's acclaim rose, he acquired companies, including Philip Antrobus, who Prince Philip had enlisted to create Elizabeth's 1946 engagement ring. When the soon-to-be-queen walked down the aisle, a year later, she matched the three-carat round diamond engagement ring with an Antrobus bracelet. Peter Phillips proposed to fiance Hillary Sperling with a stunning diamond ring from Mayfair jeweller Pragnall, the same designer behind Queen Elizabeth's 1946 engagement ring Pragnall acquired company Philip Antrobus, who Prince Philip had enlisted to create Queen Elizabeth's engagement ring. Elizabeth later wore a bracelet from the designer at her wedding The bracelet was commissioned by Philip and made from antique diamonds taken from a tiara that once belonged to his mother, Princess Alice of Battenberg. The touching tribute comes as no surprise, as Peter has long been suspected as the Queen's 'favourite grandchild' and he has previously spoken highly of his 'remarkable' grandmother. 'She was a figurehead that had been part of everybody's lives for as long as people could remember, ' he told Sky News Australia in 2024. 'Having her as a grandmother and a role model was unique.' Speculation has been swirling about the details of Peter and Harriet's upcoming wedding since their engagement announcement. The couple, who had been dating for less than two years, have both been married before, leading some to question whether their nuptials may look slightly different to what the nation is accustomed to when it comes to royalty. Princess Anne's son was previously married to Autumn Kelly for 12 years, with whom he shares two daughters, Savannah, 14, and Isla, 13. Harriet, 45, meanwhile, has a daughter, Georgina, 13, from her first marriage to a fitness instructor. Former royal butler, Grant Harrold, believes that the couple won't be held back by royal protocol like King Charles and Queen Camilla once were because it is 'very different times' now. The touching tribute comes as no surprise, as Peter has long been suspected as the Queen's 'favourite grandchild' and he has previously spoken highly of his 'remarkable' grandmother With Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling set to tie the knot, the first major British royal wedding in years is now on the horizon Grant told Femail: 'Historically, yes, royal weddings, if you're divorced and you got married again, it was always a much more low-key affair.' He said: 'I still think [Peter's] will be an all-white wedding. I think he'll still want to do things even though he's the divorcee. I still think it will be a full-blown white wedding affair. I think it's very different times, so they can either go for a low-key or a high profile. It'll be entirely up to them at the time.' Royal expert Phil Dampier told Femail that it is likely Harriet and Peter won't be held back by royal protocols like Camilla and Charles were. He said: 'I think Peter Phillips' wedding will be fairly low key, but not because he is divorced. After all the first marriages of the King, Princess Anne and Prince Andrew all ended in divorce as well, so the stigma that there was in the 50s is no longer there. 'Peter Phillips is not a working royal, so he can pretty much do what he wants. 'I'm sure senior royals will be invited and will attend, but we probably won't see any big parade or carriage procession. 'He is well down the pecking order in the line of succession, and so it will be very much done as he and his fiancee want. 'In that sense, it won't be very different from his first wedding. Ironically, his first wife switched from being a Catholic to the Church of England so that he wouldn't lose his place in the line of succession, but the rules have now been changed and he is so far down to be irrelevant now.' Peter Phillips is pictured with his ex-wife Autumn Kelly during their wedding in 2008 at St George's Chapel Peter and Harriet enjoy a drink and a chat at Ascot in 2024 On May 17, 2008, Peter tied the knot with Autumn in a lavish affair at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle the same venue where Meghan and Harry said, 'I do'. The former couple got engaged in July of 2007 and then married five years after meeting at the Montreal Grand Prix. Peter was the first of the Queen's grandchildren to tie the knot - making it a very special occasion. There were 300 guests at the wedding, including 70 of the Canadian-born bride's family as well as a number of British royals. Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Princess Beatrice, and now-Queen Camilla were all there, as well as Princess Anne and Princess Eugenie, who read Shakespeare's sonnet 116 at the ceremony. Prince Harry was in attendance with then-girlfriend Chelsy Davy and while Prince William was notably absent as he was in Kenya for a friend's wedding, but Kate was there to represent him. Peter's sister Zara Philips was bridesmaid in a sage-green Vera Wang gown while his half sister Stephanie, then 11, was one of the flower girls. Princess Anne lent the bride a sparkling tiara for her special day, and Autumn also donned a pearl and diamond necklace gifted to her by Peter the evening before. The couple reportedly signed a 500,000 deal with Hello! Magazine to give them exclusive rights to all the photos of the event On May 17, 2008, Peter tied the knot with Autumn in a lavish affair at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle After the ceremony, the newlyweds and their guests flocked to the chapel's stairs to pose for photos and wave to fans. From there, Peter and Autumn boarded an open, horse-pulled carriage to their reception at Frogmore House, a 17th-century country estate offered to them for use by the Queen and Prince Phillip. At Frogmore House, the family gathered for a portrait before heading to the party, where guests danced the night away. Peter and Autumn cut their three-tiered wedding cake with a sword belonging to Captain Mark Phillips, and an usher's girlfriend was the one who caught the bouquet. Peter and Harriet's nuptials will be the first major British royal wedding since Queen Elizabeth and Prince Phillip passed away. The royal couple would usually have played a major role in any ceremony - and in the years before their deaths, attended the weddings of their grandchildren, including Princess Beatrice, Princess Eugenie and Prince Harry. The photographs at the time, which were signed with HELLO! Magazine, included remarkably candid shots of the royals, including images of the family laughing and one photo of Prince Harry giving his grandmother, Elizabeth II, a peck on the cheek. However, senior members of the family - including the late Queen - were allegedly less than impressed and felt blindsided by the publication of the pictures. Peter Phillips' father Captain Mark Phillips is pictured next to his ex-wife Princess Anne during a family portrait at their son's first wedding in 2008 Buckingham Palace released a statement shortly afterwards claiming that the deal was a 'serious error of judgement'. Peter was long said to have been the late Queen's 'favourite grandson' - so it's likely a tribute to his grandmother could be on the cards, especially at an event where she would have no doubt played a major role. Discussing what the upcoming nuptials could look like, royal expert Ingrid Steward told FEMAIL: 'When Anne married Tim in 1992 they married in Scotland partly as the Church of England wouldn't remarry divorcees in church and partly to keep it low key and private. 'Things have changed, although the church of England and therefore its priests firmly believe marriage should be for life. Peter could get married anywhere he liked with the agreement of the priest, but I suspect he will want it to be relatively private to protect Harriet from the onslaught of social media criticism, which is inevitable.' She added that Peter was the late Queen's first grandchild, and he 'remained very much a favourite'. As a result, she said she is 'sure the private chapel at Windsor Castle would be made available for him. Or the Royal Chapel of All Saints, by Royal Lodge at Windsor or in his bride's local church'. 'He could also get married in a Registry Office,' Ingrid concluded. 'The rules of the past no longer apply, but having a lavish, expensive wedding like Harry and Meghan's would be unlikely.' Meanwhile, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams added: 'There was a long-standing prejudice against divorce in the royal family because of the monarch's position as Head of the Church of England. Peter Phillips and his first wife, Autumn Kelly, are pictured lovingly gazing at each other during their wedding day in 2008 'Since 2002, the Church of England has permitted marriage in church for those who have been divorced, even if their former spouse is still living, in certain circumstances.' He added that it 'has not been forgotten that Edward VIII abdicated in order to marry Wallis Simpson, who was twice divorced'. Richard continued: 'Princess Margaret's relationship with Group Captain Peter Townsend was especially complicated because he was divorced, which conflicted with church doctrine at the time. 'It would be fair to comment that royal divorce is allowed but not exactly encouraged. However, three of the late Queen's four children have been divorced. 'King Charles himself famously divorced Princess Diana in 1996 and remarried Camilla Parker Bowles in a civil ceremony in 2005, which was thought more appropriate, despite the change in the law in 2002 regarding church weddings for divorcees.' Summing up the relationship between the newly engaged couple, Richard said: 'Peter is divorced from Autumn Kelly, from whom he has two children, Savannah and Isla. Harriet Sperling is an NHS paediatrician and freelance writer who is also a single mother with a daughter, Georgia, which reflects contemporary Britain rather well. 'She is also reportedly devout. They have been dating for a year, and her appearance at Royal Ascot was seen as a pointer to an engagement. One thing, however, will not happen again. 'When Peter Phillips married Autumn Kelly in 2008, the exclusive rights were sold to Hello! Magazine for a reported 500,000 without consulting Queen Elizabeth. This was NOT appropriate.' After applying sun lotion all over my body, I relaxed back on my hotel lounger hoping for a couple of hours peace before lunch. Except there was zero chance. Two shrieking tween boys, one plastic lilo and a tidal wave of pool water drenching my towel put paid to that. Their parents were, naturally, nowhere to be seen. As for me? I could cheerfully have throttled them. When my husband Pascal and I decided to go away last July, our first stop on the Med was a chi-chi hotel. At a cool 350 a night, I assumed the price tag came with a tranquil stay. But the trouble is, wealthy couples with children want boutique breaks too. Refusing to be herded into the nearest all-inclusive, they insist that no matter how bijou or rarefied the venue, they and their little darlings belong there too. So it was that, at check-in, I watched another gang of Boden-clad kids dart back and forth, screaming and shouting to one another with zero adult supervision. Utterly clueless, the hotel staff looked petrified as to what to do. When the kids' ball bounced in my direction and struck me on the shin, I resisted the temptation to lob it across the terrace beyond the spa. Instead, I bit my lip. Give other peoples children a ticking-off these days and youre viewed as the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. My babyboomer husband is a father of three and he looked on, speechless, because his generation famously raised polite French children to be seen and not heard. Only now we live in an age where the hierarchy is toppled its kids first, adults second. And theres no getting away from them, either. Give other peoples children a ticking-off these days and youre viewed as the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, writes Samantha Brick I live in France, the worlds number one holiday destination, where a Left-wing minister named Laurence Rossignol recently suggested the government should clamp down on adults-only tourist venues. According to proposals, French hotels, restaurants and campsites that do not admit children could face prosecution. At the same time, the French high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Hairy, said government lawyers were also looking into the possibility of taking legal action against places that exclude families. She said the move would address the no kids trend, which amounted to violence against children, adding: A child shouts, laughs and moves... we are institutionalising the idea that silence is a luxury and the absence of children is a luxury. Listen, I am no Cruella de Vil. But can there really be nowhere safe and serene for us adults who dont have children to enjoy a bit of downtime? I am childless not by choice, which means I tried but was unable to become a mum. I have made my peace with this, and am blessed to have nieces, nephews and a (step) granddaughter. I genuinely like children. And I do appreciate the parental desire to relax on holiday and slack off on supervision. Kids are hard work and a full-time commitment. But thats what those family-friendly hotels with creches and kids clubs are for! When I drop thousands of pounds on a holiday, I genuinely dont want to do so in the company of kids who are parented with questionable standards. French high commissioner for childhood, Sarah El Hairy, said government lawyers were looking into the possibility of taking legal action against places that exclude families They take over the pool, the beach, the communal areas, often bellowing at the top of their lungs for attention because theyre too hot, too tired, done with sand and the sea. You may say I should simply holiday at another time of year. In my defence, we never travel during school breaks. Whats the point? But with parents routinely pulling their children out of school for a cheaper holiday there are no guarantees my stay wont be inconvenienced by a Family Lampoon-style troop turning up. Take our trip last summer in early July, safely before most schools break up. Pascal and I stayed at a few different hotels on the Med. At the first one, over breakfast, I noted that one (selfish) mother left her daughter to breakfast on her tod while she went off for a swim. It was left to yours truly to explain to the (I think) eight-year-old girl to watch out for the seagull eyeing up her pain au chocolat. I cut up her brioche for her and got her another orange juice, too. I sometimes wonder why parents bother taking their kids away. At another resort in Spain, I watched one woman on her paddle board in the shallows while her little one, parked on a towel, repeatedly toddled towards the sea. Twice I called out to her, twice I was curtly told she was on top of the situation and to chill out. No wonder I was delighted that we spent the last two nights of our vacation in an adults-only hotel for the first time. How to describe it? Heaven on earth. The pool experience was nirvana. From the moment I stepped into the cool water, I was able to complete my laps with zero fear of my eye being poked out by one of those colourful foam cylinders known as noodles. God I hate them. To children, they liven up the pool experience and act as a buoyancy aid, to me they are two metres of carnage which kids use to joust with. But there wasnt a single one in sight. The ambient levels of sound and conversation around the pool matched the Zen atmosphere. No one was screeching to be heard, no one was having a crying fit. That evening in the hotel bar was the same. Low-level lighting, couples actively engaged in conversation with one another, no sound of parents negotiating with their cranky offspring. There is something utterly pleasurable about not having to stand in line behind kids at breakfast while they dip their fingers into the fruit bowl, pat every croissant or poke the last slice of Seville orange cake. I know I sound like a curmudgeon who should learn to suck it up, but heres the thing: I live in a picture-postcard destination in the Dordogne. My local village Monpazier is unashamedly adorable AND regularly used as a film location. Yet we dont go out in the summer. The restaurants are full of families, kids glued to their iPads watching cartoons while their parents scroll on their phones. In bars and restaurants, the ambience is that of a Butlins resort. Which is why our summer holidays sans kids are sacrosanct. Last month, Pascal and I found another adults-only hotel. Last years was no fluke, this one was bliss too. After a yoga session by the pool, listening to the birdsong and breathing in the scent of jasmine, I decided that, at 54, its a firm no to visiting any more family-friendly hotels with kids running amok. So yes, if France does ban adults-only resorts, my tribe and I will simply use our noodles (not that sort) and go elsewhere! Princess Anne met with Irish President Michael D Higgins in the Irish capital today, as she travelled to Dublin to a mark milestone event at 150th Dublin Horse Show. The Princess Royal, 74, began the day with a formal welcome at Aras an Uachtarain, where she was received by President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina in what is expected to be one of his final engagements with a senior royal, as he nears the end of his second and final term in office. The meeting marked a symbolic moment in UK-Ireland relations, paying tribute to President Higgins' long-standing service to Irish public life and the enduring ties between the two nations. Princess Anne wore a stylish green blazer paired with an emerald skirt, a subtle nod to Ireland, the Emerald Isle. She completed her sophisticated look with a black leather handbag, heels and matching gloves for the occasion. Later in the day, all eyes will turn to the Royal Dublin Society (RDS), where Princess Anne will be attending the official opening of the 150th Dublin Horse Show - a major highlight on the Irish social and sporting calendar. A passionate equestrian herself, Princess Anne will tour a special exhibition celebrating the show's rich history and meet representatives from Festina Lente, a Bray-based charity specialising in equine-assisted therapy, as well as the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. Her Royal Highness, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, is also expected to present rosettes to the winners of the hotly contested Small Hunters (Class 20) competition. Princess Anne met with the President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (pictured from L to R) during a one-day trip to Dublin today British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, praised the visit, saying: 'The Princess Royal's visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. 'Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union during Six Nations games here. 'Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work.' The Princess Royal's appearance in Dublin comes as part of a busy summer of royal engagements and once again highlights her unwavering dedication to public service. Queen Elizabeth II with then-Irish president Mary McAleese and the Duke of Edinburgh in Phoenix Park (PA)Anne previously visited the Aras in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by then-Irish president Mary McAleese. The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon. Members of the royal family have visited the president's residence on several occasions, including the historic trip by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011. She was the first monarch to visit the Republic, where she signed a guest book at the Aras and planted an English oak tree at the Peace Bell. The Princess Royal, 74, began the day with a formal welcome at Aras an Uachtarain, where she was received by President Michael D. Higgins in what is expected to be one of his final engagements with a senior royal, as he nears the end of his second and final term in office The meeting marked a symbolic moment in UK-Ireland relations, paying tribute to President Higgins' long-standing service to Irish public life and the enduring ties between the two nations President of Ireland Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina (left) received the Princess Royal at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin The Princess Royal signed a visitor book at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin on Wednesday Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, made solo visits to Aras an Uachtarain in November 1998 and again in April 2006. During their three-day visit to the Republic in 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales then titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a tea party with Mr Higgins and his wife at the Aras and met one of the president's dogs, Brod. Princess Anne's last visit to Ireland was in 2023, during a visit Investment Summit in Belfast. She looked typically elegant in a khaki green and red striped tweed coat and matching skirt. The late Queen's daughter was joined by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC. The pair looked deep in conversation and they strolled around the venue with Northern Ireland Secretary Chris Heaton-Harris. The royal donned a red jumper underneath her stylish ensemble which also featured red buttons. There were up to 200 international investors gathered in ICC Belfast, while large numbers of homegrown businesses were exhibiting in the hope of attracting financial support. Her Royal Highness is also expected to present rosettes to the winners of the hotly contested Small Hunters (Class 20) competition later in the day The Princess Royal signed a visitor book at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin, as part of a courtesy call with the President According to NewsLetter Mr Heaton-Harris said: 'About 500 of the tangible benefits are sat next door because lots of people are in that room because they see benefits for their businesses to invest in Northern Ireland because of what the Windsor Framework is bringing. 'On October 1 the first phase of the Windsor Framework comes in and we will see a big difference in how trade flows, and indeed goods coming into this country. 'There is a lack of a direct air link between Northern Ireland and the United States, however it hasn't stopped a large number of US investors coming to this investment summit.' Princess Anne's no-nonsense approach to the job, and to life, seems to be universally admired. The only daughter and second child of the late Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born on August 15, 1950, at Clarence House. At that time she was third in the line of succession to the British throne, behind her mother and older brother, now King Charles. Today, she is 17th in line. For the earlier part of her life, Anne was educated at home at Buckingham Palace until she broke tradition for princesses and went to Benenden School in Kent in 1963. Anne began attending public engagements in 1969 when she was 18 years old. Her first act as a working royal was opening an education and training centre in Shropshire. The Princess Royal looked sophisticated tweed ensemble as she visited Investment Summit in Belfast in 2023 The late Queen's daughter was joined by trade secretary Kemi Badenoch (right) during the Northern Ireland Investment Summit 2023 at the ICC Since then, the Princess has established relationships with more than 300 charities and organisations across the Commonwealth and has one of the busiest working schedules of any member of the Royal Family. She became the President of Save the Children UK in 1970, and this was the first major charity with which she became closely associated. In 1990, when she was 39-years-old, Anne was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize by President Kenneth Kaunda of Zambia for her work as president of the charity. The Princess Royal is often regarded as the 'hardest working' member of the royal family, despite being a decade past the age of retirement. Last year, Anne clocked up 474 engagements, with King Charles completing 372. A former aide told the Times that they would often suggest Anne should tone-down her workload - but all to no avail. They said: 'I'd look at the diary and suggest, 'Ma'am, you really can't do another weekend of engagements, it's your third weekend in a row.' ''Why not?' she would say. 'Because I'll get a rocket from your husband on Monday asking, 'When are we going to spend some time together'.' She has been a cornerstone in the King's slimmed-down working monarchy, and has played a big role by stepping up in support of Charles amid his cancer diagnosis. Michelle Obama admitted she had reservations when she first met husband Barack and expected him to be 'weird', admitting she was worried their budding love affair would ruin her career. The former first lady, 61, delved into the origins of relationship with the former President, reminiscing on the summer they met at same law firm when she was his advisor. 'So I knew of him, this Barack Obama, and everyone was abuzz about him,' she told her brother Craig Robinson, whom she co-hosts their IMO podcast with. '[Everyone] were talking about this hotshot first year Harvard Law student who was brilliant, and his name was Barack Obama.' 'I got his profile [at the law firm] and I thought, what kind of a name is Barack Obama?' she said. She continued: 'And he's Black, and everyone at the law firm was excited that he was Black, and I was like, "he's probably weird, because he's a nerd if a lot of white people are all infatuated with him."' The pair ended up spending a lot of time together over the summer working together, with Michelle admitting there was an attraction that she tried to ignore - particularly due to their work situation. 'We were becoming "friends friends" - really good friends,' she told Craig. 'Barack was like my buddy. We were going everywhere together, and we were going to lunch and laughing about the same things and making jokes.' There was one pivotal moment that changed the course of their relationship, when they went out for a summer associate outing with the firm. Michelle, 61, delved into the origins of relationship with the former President, reminiscing on the summer they met him the law firm they both worked at when she was his advisor. Pictured on their wedding day in 1992 'We had to go see Les Miserables, and I remember I really liked him because we went to Les Mis as a summer associate outing, and we both looked at each other and was like, "this sucks."' 'He looked at me at intermission and was like "let's go",' Michelle recalled, admitting she was somewhat scandalized by the thought. 'I was like, "we can't go, we're here with the firm," and he was like "we don't have to stay through this, let's just go.' Michelle said she found his attitude somewhat alluring. 'I was like, "oh, he's radical, he's like a rule breaker" and we left at intermission, we left two seats open in the box at the firm,' she said, although her actions weren't without hesitation. 'I was like "I'm ruining my career," but we went out for drinks and I really liked him.' Michelle's detailed tale of how she met her husband comes as the two continue to refute rumors they are heading for a divorce. Speculation about the Obamas' relationship has picked up over the past year, fueled in part by Michelle's decision to skip several high-profile events, including Jimmy Carter's funeral. Michelle often speaks about raising her two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24, with her husband, former President Barack Obama (family pictured in 2004) Michelle Obama may look like she has all parts of life under control but the former first lady has had her fair share of doubts - particularly when it comes to parenting The Obamas met in 1988 when the future president took a job at a law firm in Chicago for the summer where Michelle was already working Michelle (pictured with Barack in a photo he shared in February) dismissed speculation about her marriage and addressed the rumors head on during a podcast episode of her IMO podcast While the couple have now been married for 33 years and share two daughters, Malia, 26, and Sasha, 24, Michelle wasn't immediately impressed with the man who was to become her future husband. She admitted she already had an idea of what he would be like. 'Then I read his bio and saw he grew up in Hawaii, and I thought how many black people grow up in Hawaii? So I already had this image, but he was assigned to be my advisee, so I had to call him on the phone,' she recalled. 'I had this image of a nerdy guy, and then the first sparky feeling I had, I felt actually, was when I talked to him on the phone and he had his Barack Obama voice. He's like, "hello", the voice was sexier than the image I had, so I sort of didn't expect this,' the former First Lady said. 'He was older, so he was self assured. We had a great conversation, but all I had was a picture and it wasn't a great picture of him so I wasn't feeling anything,' she laughed. 'Then it was his first day on the job, he shows up late right, so I'm like "OK, he's a trifling nerd with a good voice, that's what I thought,"' she mused. When she met Barack, the then-lawyer was taken aback, saying he was 'much cuter' than his picture. 'The picture didn't do him justice, so I was pleasantly surprised that he was attractive,' she admitted. 'So he stood up and you know, he was kind of cool in a way that I didn't expect. He wasn't not unapologetic about being late, but he wasn't flustered by it - he handled it in a cool way 'So I got him started on his first day and then I had to take him out for lunch and we really hit it off at lunch. We had a long lunch, a great conversation and just kind of vibed right at that lunch,' she said, adding: 'he was interesting and he was just very self-assured.' However, Michelle had ruled him out as a potential suiter because of their positions at work. 'I told myself it would be completely inappropriate for me to date this dude that I'm advising. It would be tacky, and it would be expected, so I kind of talked myself out of it,' she said. Michelle added she even entertained the idea of setting him up with her friends. 'So I started taking him to happy hours and things like that, so he was starting to meet all my friends. So my mindset was, "I'm going to fix you up." However, the two started dating and eventually married in 1992. The duo got candid about the widespread speculation of their apparent separation on a recent episode of IMO. When Craig teased the couple by asking, 'What, you guys like each other?' Michelle responded with a smirk: 'Oh yeah, the rumor mill.' Barack jumped in saying, 'She took me back! It was touch and go for a while.' Despite the jokes, Michelle made it clear she has never considered walking away from the marriage. 'There hasn't been one moment in our marriage where I thought about quitting my man,' she said on the podcast. 'And we've had some really hard times.' King Charles was in high spirits today as he visited Scotland to open a new heritage centre in the Highlands and recognise 'the sacrifices and achievements' of a squadron at the country's main RAF base. Charles, 76, arrived in Brora, a village located on the east coast of Sutherland in the Scottish Highlands, in his burgundy helicopter this morning. His Royal Highness was in the village to formally open its 5 million Old Clyne School community heritage hub, which houses a museum, cafe, and retail space. The monarch wore the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force, ahead of a second engagement at RAF Lossiemouth in the northeastern town of Moray. Upon his arrival in Brora, Charles was welcomed by approximately 300 royal fans and presented with a posy of flowers by two children, according to The Northern Times. The publication reported that Dr Nick Lindsay, chairman of Clyne Heritage Society - the organisation behind the ambitious Old Clyne School project - was on hand to greet the King, along with a number of local officials. Works to transform the historic Old Clyne School, a C-listed building, into a modern heritage hub began 16 months ago. The King then travelled to RAF Lossiemouth, in Moray, northern Scotland, for his second engagement of the day - as he continues to receive treatment for an undisclosed form of cancer. King Charles (pictured) was in Brora, a village located on the east coast of Sutherland, to open its new heritage hub The monarch later visited RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, the main RAF base in Scotland, to re-present a squadron standard Charles arrived at the engagements in a burgundy helicopter Charles, who himself served in the RAF during the 1970s, visited the base to re-present a squadron standard to a unit there and thank families for their sacrifices. A standard is a ceremonial flag that recognises the service and achievements of a specific unit. In a personal address, the King said: 'It gives me the greatest possible pleasure to be here with you all today to mark the standing up of 42 Torpedo Bomber Squadron, and to present you with your new Standard.' He also acknowledged his own links with the region, adding: 'I am especially pleased to be doing so here at RAF. Lossiemouth, the beating heart of the United Kingdom's long range maritime patrol aircraft capability, and an air station at the end of whose runway my old school, Gordonstoun, is situated! 'In the 1960s, it was the Royal Navy's Buccaneer aircraft that took off and landed over us and, as part of the Cadet Corps, we regularly used to train or be trained by personnel on the station.' Charles noted that the squadron standard was last presented to the unit by his father, the late Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and described it as 'a symbol of your illustrious heritage and a testament to the sacrifices and achievements of those who have served under its banner'. He also watched a flypast of two Typhoon bombers and a P-8A Poseidon aircraft, one of nine stationed at the only RAF main operating base in Scotland. RAF Lossiemouth is one of two quick reaction alert stations that protect the UK airspace, and the King met families including those of servicemen and servicewomen based in Cyprus and Poland, where they are defending Nato's eastern borders. He appeared in good spirits as he visited RAF Lossiemouth this afternoon The monarch wore the uniform of the Marshal of the Royal Air Force During the visit, the King inspected members of the 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron He met RAF soldiers and their families, thanking them for their sacrifices The King watched a parade featuring a brass band, which played God Save the King twice, and gave a speech where he acknowledged the proximity of VJ Day on August 15. He equally thanked families for their 'encouragement and understanding', which he said was critical to the success of the air force. He said: 'With just a week until VJ Day, it is a fitting moment to recall that your aviators flew throughout the Burma Campaign in their Blenheim Bombers and Republic Thunderbolts.' Bagpipers greeted Charles as he arrived by helicopter for a private meeting with RAF leaders, and he watched a parade and re-presented a squadron standard which had previously been blessed by a vicar who prayed for the military and their families as well as the monarch. The King said: 'Today, we also recognise the vital role played by your families and friends, some of whom I am delighted to see can join us today. Their unwavering support is the foundation upon which this squadron's success is built. 'It is their encouragement and understanding that enable you all to dedicate yourselves so fully to your duties. 'On behalf of the nation, I can only offer all the families my heartfelt thanks for the sacrifices you make and the strength you provide.' He praised the 'dedication, skill and professionalism' of staff, and added: 'The squadron's work not only ensures the operational readiness of the Royal Air Force, but also strengthens our bonds with our Nato partners whom you train, including Canada and Norway. He was at RAF Lossiemouth to re-present a squadron standard - a ceremonial flag that recognises the achievements of the unit He appeared happy to be at the base and spent time talking to personnel 'By providing world-leading training to our allies, you contribute to a shared commitment to peace, security and co-operation across the globe.' The King was given a tour of the squadron buildings and the Poseidon hangar, which houses nine P-8A Poseidon maritime reconnaissance aircrafts which are equipped with weapons systems for anti-submarine warfare as well as surveillance and search and rescue missions. Charles was also shown a multi-role maritime patrol aircraft and met the crew, who showed him cutting-edge technology to detect, identify and monitor targets, which will be rolled out to Norway, Canada and Germany later this year. He toured the plane which has a wingspan of 123ft, is 129ft in length and stands 42ft 9in tall and can carry sonobuoys to search for enemy submarines and can be armed with torpedoes if required. The King met members from the Typhoon air wing, senior leadership and representatives from the wider community, including children from the Airplay Youth support programme and their families, who live on, or near, RAF Lossiemouth. He also met representatives from community projects including support for families of deployed service personnel, and a community group which is planting Christmas trees in sand dunes at Lossiemouth Beach. Charles, who himself served in the RAF in the 1970s, had his medals on display today The monarch met members of the Lossie Hoot support group The King waved to royal fans as he left the heritage centre opening in Brora this morning A little girl presented the King with a bunch of handpicked flowers and he was given a glass holder made from timber from an old bridge on Lossiemouth beach. Schoolchildren waved Union flags as they met the King before he left in a BMW. Officer commanding training Sergeant Simon Bracknell said: 'It is a really proud day for everyone involved, they worked really hard, even with the storm 24 hours ago with 80mph winds. 'The standard that we have marks the squadron's battle history. For the King to present it is really special.' It's nearly two years since the embarrassingly stupid accident that turned me into the little old lady I'd hoped I would never become. How I hate that expression, 'little old lady'! You could say it was my own fault. What house-proud woman shares her bed with her little dogs? I had done it, to my shame, for years, without any unfortunate incidents. But then came little Minnie, the cuddliest little chihuahua I've ever had. She snuggled down under the duvet, tucked herself in close to me, moved a little closer. When I edged away, she moved closer again. I edged away again and fell out of bed with a resounding thump. The pain was excruciating and landed me in hospital for a month as the orthopaedic surgeons debated whether to operate on my broken vertebra or leave it to heal itself. I was quite relieved they decided against surgery as slicing into your back around the spinal cord must be a risky business. I didn't anticipate, though, how much the pain would continue to be utterly debilitating all these months on. And the impact that would have on my mobility, mood and self-confidence. Unless you've been there, you have no idea how utterly miserable you feel when you realise you may never be able to walk properly again. All my freedom and prized independence just gone. Now, fearful of leaving the house, I know what loneliness and depression mean. In those early days after the accident, no matter how hard I tried to obey instructions from friends, family and the inevitable physiotherapists 'sit up straight', 'stop hunching your shoulders', 'walk properly, don't shuffle' I just couldn't do it. The pain was too great. Immediately after I left hospital, my boys, bless them, insisted I spend a couple of months in a care home, first in Poole near my older son's home, then in London where I could be near friends and my second son. Jenni Murray, pictured attending the press night for Till The Stars Come Down in London last month, says she now avoids invitations because being seen as old has shaken whatever confidence she may have had in the past Jenni's dog Minnie, who she describes as the cuddliest little chihuahua I've ever had The older one took me to a shop selling aids for the disabled and supervised the purchase of a rollator essentially a wheeled walker with an inbuilt seat for when a rest is required. I was reluctant to be seen with such a thing, but he was convinced it would make walking safer than relying only on a stick. Every day I would walk around the home with the physios, feeling sick to my stomach that I couldn't manage without it. And I admit it helped my balance and eased the pain. I wasn't too embarrassed at using it in the care home because pretty much everyone else had one although they were in their 80s and 90s. At 74, once I was back home, I felt far too young to look so useless. So it sat, folded up, untouched, in my hallway. I couldn't bring myself to try it outdoors in my neighbourhood. Everybody knows me and pushing something so obvious feels even worse than walking with a stick the pity people would have for this once fit, proud, energetic woman? When I do go out with the stick, I wince at the thought people are whispering to each other: 'Oh dear, look; poor Jenni Murray.' They sidle over and say how much they miss me on Radio 4 and ask, tentatively, how I'm getting on? I feel old and finished long before I should. My social life has suffered too. I often avoid invitations because being seen as old has shaken whatever confidence I may have had in the past. I'm wary of falling and having another injury. The pavements are lethal. Fear I know is trapping me inside my home. It feels so much safer to just stay inside my house. There, I can walk around unaided because there's always a bit of furniture to hold onto. I'm careful not to trip on a rug and can stagger upstairs to my bedroom by holding onto the banister with one hand while balancing myself by placing the other hand on the next step up. When I began using the weight-loss medication, Mounjaro, in September last year, it seemed to help reduce the pain and inflammation but not for long. Now the pain reduction is not enough to make me the confident walker I used to be. I have no doubt the lack of walking is exacerbating the pain around my back and my hip replacements; the muscles need exercise. Sitting in my comfy chair reading, writing or watching TV is of no help at all in that regard. Nor is it helpful for my state of my mind. I was never a lonely or depressed person. I've always been confident and content with my own company, but that was when I often met friends for dinner, went with them to the cinema and bumped into neighbours walking around the park. I know my disability is not nearly as severe as some people have to endure. I can drive, get myself to the hairdresser or the nail bar, I don't need daily help to get up, showered, made up and dressed. But what's the point of all that when you're too nervous to take yourself outside? I know my reluctance to be seen walking with my mobility aid is a form of vanity, but I suspect I'm not the only disabled person who suffers with an element of shame about it. It is, though, quite ridiculous, as pointed out by my elder son who came to spend the weekend with me. He insisted on opening up the rollator, helping me push it out the front door and down the step. I was amazed at how easily I could walk with it. I didn't shuffle, I took proper steps. I stood as upright as I could. When I began to tire, I sat down on the little seat attached to the walker. We walked for an hour and a half, bumping into dog walkers I'd known for years. I sat down for a chat with Mandy and her little Jack Russell and, breathing in the fresh air, the scent of the beautiful trees and the little river, I felt almost my old self again. Now I've promised to do it every other day. First in the company of one of my dog walkers and then just me, Minnie and Maggie. I shall no longer give in to the fear or the vanity I will make myself well again. Well, better, at the very least! Who wears 4in heels on a beach? Amazon founder Jeff Bezos and his wife Lauren Sanchez head ashore for dinner on Ibiza earlier this week I know those tiny little beige shoes with vertiginous heels are the height of fashion this summer, but, honestly, horses for courses! What silly billy sails around the world in a fabulous yacht and decides to go ashore for dinner in Ibiza dressed to the nines with 4in stilettos? Maybe Lauren Sanchez's husband, multi-billionaire Jeff Bezos, should have hired a sedan chair to carry her to the restaurant. Why I'd never work on a Friday 13th We are, according to a study in the Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, far more superstitious than was previously thought. You don't have to tell me that. I've a rational brain but I've never walked under a ladder, never opened an umbrella indoors, I knock on wood, throw spilled salt over my left shoulder and hope never to have to work on Friday 13th. Cockpit? Not any longer! A study led by the University of Waterloo in Canada has found female pilots perform better than men under pressure. I've only once been aware of being flown by a woman. It was a flight from Manchester to London and one of the cabin crew helped me load a heavy tape recorder into the overhead baggage space. She asked what it was for. I told her I presented Woman's Hour. 'You'll be very interested in our flight then,' she said. 'All our cabin crew are women: the chief engineer is a woman, as is the co-pilot and the pilot is a woman.' I saw all the businessmen sitting around me grasping the arms of their seats in terror. 'Oh!' said I. 'That's amazing. Will you take me to the cockpit?' 'Oh no,' she smiled. 'We don't call it that any more.' The early 2000s were a different time - and a Maxim article from 2007 listing the 'unsexiest' women has ruffled some feathers after it resurfaced and went viral. The men's magazine, which is known for featuring scantily clad celebrities, released the list nearly two decades ago. Entitled 'Unsexiest Women Alive', the list contained five female stars and a brief description for each one explaining the reasoning behind their placement on the list. The unfortunate list was recently shared in a Reddit post, leaving many users horrified over who was chosen. First on the list was Sarah Jessica Parker, with the magazine claiming she was the 'least sexy woman in a group of very unsexy women' who ironically starred in a show with the word "sex" in the title, as per a Today article published at the time. 'How the hell did this [horse] Barbaro-faced broad manage to be the least sexy woman in a group of very unsexy women and still star on a show with "sex" in the title?' read Sarah Jessica's description, per news.com.au. Second on the list was Amy Winehouse, who died four years later, in 2011. The site mentioned 'hemorrhaging translucent skin, a rat's nest mane, and lashes that look more like surgically attached bats', as to what landed her on the least sexy list. Men's magazine Maxim shared a list of 'unsexy' celebrities in 2007, and it recently resurfaced. Sarah Jessica Parker (pictured in 2007) topped the list Amy Winehouse was second, with Maxim mentioning her 'hemorrhaging translucent skin, rat's nest mane, and lashes that look more like surgically attached bats'. Amy pictured in 2007 Maxim's article from an edition from 2007 resurfaced in a post on Reddit recently Third was Grey's Anatomy actress Sandra Oh, with the outlet citing her 'cold bedside manner and boyish figure'. Fourth on the list was legendary pop star Madonna, with her 'self-righteous bellyaching and rapid postnuptial deterioration' listed as reasons. 'Combine a Paris Hilton-like pet accessorizing fetish only for dirt-poor foreign babies with a mug that looks Euro-sealed to her skull, and you've got Willem Dafoe with hot flashes,' Maxim Magazine said, as per Stuff. Number five was Britney Spears, with Maxim listing her messy private life, weight gain, and her 'losing the ability to perform' as what landed her there. The magazine slammed her for 'filling chicken-grease-stained sweatpants on the cover of every trashy tabloid and gossip blog on the Internet and having gained two kids, two useless ex-husbands, and about 23 pounds of Funyun pudge', according to Pajiba. The article was slammed at the time for it's cruel list, with many outlets reporting on it. The list appeared to be made as a joke in conjunction their Hot 100 list, which is dedicated to the 'sexiest' women of that year. In 2007, the top spots on their Hot 100 list went to Lindsay Lohan, Jessica Alba, Scarlett Johansson and Christina Aguilera. Third was Grey's Anatomy actress Sandra Oh, with the publication citing her 'cold bedside manner and boyish figure'. Pictured in 2007 The 'unsexiest' list has now come under fire again after it resurfaced on a Reddit thread, with stunned users rushing to the comment section to share their thoughts. 'Sarah Jessica Parker has always had an amazing bod, a gorgeous smile, amazing hair, and those hypnotizing eyes,' declared one user. 'She was the freaking Lead in that show, and the whole franchise has her at the core. She is a bombshell hottie.' 'It seems that with SJP, Madonna, and Britney, they're punishing women who used their sex appeal to build their own profiles in ways that centered their own experience,' another observed. 'Then had the audacity to age, not cater to the male gaze, or gain like five pounds. Amy Winehouse also was not super traditionally feminine. 'Other than that, this list is just random gorgeous women. It's early days of men lashing out about not being centered.' 'This is a "let's pick five famously beautiful women to take down a peg" list. It's a pathetic ego trip,' slammed another. Fourth was legendary pop star Madonna, with her 'self-righteous bellyaching and rapid postnuptial deterioration' listed as reasons why she made the list. She's seen here in 2007 Number five was Britney Spears (seen in 2007), with the outlet slamming her messy private life, weight gain and her 'losing the ability to perform' in regards to what landed her there '[Sandra Oh] on the list because of "her cold bedside manner" - I don't know how to break it to this writer but [her Grey's Anatomy character] Cristina Yang is not a real person,' mocked someone else. 'I hate to be all kids today but they truly dont understand the level of misogyny that women and girls were exposed to in the 2000s,' another shared. Sarah Jessica had spoken about how much the article upset her at the time, calling it 'brutal'. 'Am I really the unsexiest woman in the world?' she said in an interview with Grazia magazine. 'Wow! It's kind of shocking.' 'It's so brutal in a way, so filled with rage and anger,' she added. Maxim has removed the article from its website, and went on to name the Sex And The City star as its 'unexpected crush' in 2008. Dean Cain, who played Superman in Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997, announced that he has joined U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to support recruitment efforts. In a video posted to social media, Cain said: 'I am a sworn law enforcement officer, as well as being a filmmaker, and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So I joined up.' He encouraged others to apply for ICE positions, citing a $50,000 signing bonus, student loan repayment, and enhanced retirement benefits for those in law enforcement roles. 'If you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets,' Cain said. 'They need your help, we need your help, to protect our homeland for families. 'Join today if its something that tickles your fancy because we can use you.' Cain went on to say that under President Donald Trump, ICE had arrested 'hundreds of thousands of criminals including terrorists, rapists, murderers, pedophiles, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers.' While ICE does report arrests in these categories, reports show that many ICE arrests also include people with no criminal record or minor offenses. Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993 to 1997 He recently went online to announce that he's joined ICE, encouraging others to do the same Cain said that under Trump, ICE has arrested 'hundreds of thousands of criminals' though statistics say otherwise Cain's announcement comes as Homeland Security pushes to recruit more ICE agents. Last week, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem released a statement saying, 'Your country is calling you to serve at ICE Together, we must defend the homeland.' Cain has remained closely tied to his Superman role and has supported inclusive portrayals of the character in the past. He previously voiced support for actor Michael B. Jordan playing a Black Superman and praised James Gunn's interpretation of the character, which includes themes of belonging and inclusion. Superman, a character created by Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster - both sons of Jewish immigrants, is an alien from the planet Krypton who is raised in Kansas and ultimately becomes a symbol of American values. In a recent episode of Vox's Today, Explained, titled Super Mad About Superman, guest scholars and pop culture historians noted that Superman's story parallels the immigrant experience in the United States. They noted that this has always been the case. In a scene that Cain is in himself, Superman is frustrated by the fact that Immigration Services ask him for his green card, as they say, 'You're an alien, are you not?' Superman is an alien from the planet Krypton who comes to Earth and is raised in Kansas Throughout Trump's current administration, immigration policies - particularly around family separation and deportation - have been heavily scrutinized. PBS reported that at least seven U.S. citizen children were deported alongside their undocumented parents under Trump's administration, despite their legal citizenship status. Cain is currently 59, though ICE previously had a maximum age limit of 37 for new applicants. The agency has since updated its age guidelines to allow for broader recruitment. Jeff Bezos is one of the most successful tech moguls in the world. But the Amazon CEO proved that his prowess in the boardroom doesn't quite extend to the dancefloor while partying with wife Lauren Sanchez in Ibiza this week. The newly-married couple were spotted getting down inside a nightclub on Tuesday, with Sanchez, 55, dancing up a storm while Bezos, 61, awkwardly swayed back and forth. Showcasing her smoothest moves, Sanchez vigorously moved her arms up and down like she was jogging on the spot and rotated her head from left to right. The former journalist certainly looked ready to party in a tight white frock that clung to her curves as she got her groove on. She seemed to be enjoying herself more than her husband, who lethargically shuffled and swayed to the pounding EDM beats. Just one day prior, Sanchez and Bezos, who married in a lavish wedding in June, were seen disembarking from their $485 million superyacht in Spain. They enjoyed an A-list double date on Sunday as they welcomed Leonardo DiCaprio and his model girlfriend Vittoria aboard their superyacht, Koru. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos proved that his prowess in the boardroom doesn't quite extend to the dancefloor while partying with wife Lauren Sanchez in Ibiza this week The newly-married couple were spotted getting down inside a nightclub on Tuesday, with Sanchez, 55, dancing up a storm while Bezos, 61, awkwardly swayed back and forth Hollywood actor Leo, 50, and his girlfriend, 27, know their way around the ship, having previously joined the couple and bevy of stars for a trip last summer in Sardinia Last month, after celebrating her nuptials with a number of A-list Hollywood stars, Sanchez headed to Paris Fashion Week, where she attended the Balenciaga Haute Couture show. Sanchez was recently partying in Paris with DiCaprio and Brooks Nader after honeymooning on Bezos' luxury superyacht. This comes after the famous couple said 'I do' in the romantic city of Venice back in June. Their $50 million wedding had a star-studded guest list with many A-listers such as Oprah Winfrey, Orlando Bloom, Tom Brady, Kim Kardashian and DiCaprio in attendance. One of their celebrity guests recently revealed what their lavish nuptials were really like as they disclosed that none of the Bezos couple's 200 guests were told to sign non-disclosure agreements. Sara Foster, the daughter of producer David Foster, shared details about the glamorous Venetian wedding on The World's First Podcast. While talking to her sister Erin, she surprisingly revealed: 'No one signed NDAs. No NDAs.' The couple, who officially tied the knot in June, are pictured together in May She also said that the ceremony was 'very intimate' when asked to dish on the 'wedding of the century.' 'There's nothing. It's so interesting how the optics were this over-the-top, you know, protestors ... It's just not, it's not what it was. It actually felt very intimate.' She also stated that there were 'definitely a lot of people that were not photographed' but chose to keep mum on the identities of the low-key attendees. 'I can't. I mean, that's, like, so lame. I'm not gonna do that. But it's very interesting how many people went un-photographed. It was definitely a very interesting setup.' Since tying the knot, Sanchez has deleted all the photos from her Instagram page except for her wedding photos. A dropshipping mentor who made big promises to aspiring businesswomen has broken her silence after customers complained about underwhelming returns and long waits for refunds. Emma Cunningham, from Melbourne, built several seven-figure businesses on Amazon through dropshipping - the practice of selling products without ever touching the inventory. She previously revealed to the Daily Mail that she was drawn to the e-commerce space at the age of 24 after becoming tired of 'climbing the corporate ladder'. Three years ago, when I wrote a glowing profile of Cunningham, she told me she had made $4million within three years, and predicted she would earn another $2million in the following financial year. This success led to her launching My Amazon Empire at the start of 2022. Her online educational consulting agency promised to help anyone interested in owning and operating an Amazon business modelled after hers. I even took one of her courses, and while I didn't make much money, I still considered the so-called 'Amazon queen' to be a young success story. However, recently I have been approached by dissatisfied clients who say they paid up to $10,000 for one of Cunningham's three-month courses - or 'challenges', as she calls them - but didn't make the money promised, nor have they received refunds. Emma Cunningham, a dropshipping mentor who made big promises to aspiring business owners, has broken her silence after customers complained about underwhelming returns Three clients allege they paid for her course and were told there was a 'money back guarantee' if they did not make $20,000 upon completion. They claim their dropshipping businesses did not see those lofty returns and, later, they did not receive refunds from Cunningham, as per the earlier agreement. When I contacted Cunningham for comment on this story, she said the refunds had been delayed but were issued on Friday, August 1. At the time of publication, the three clients I spoke to said the money hadn't yet hit their bank accounts. Another woman, who worked for Cunningham, claims she was not paid by her between January and May 2025, and is owed $11,121. (Cunningham says this payment will be resolved once the clients' refunds are settled.) Cunningham, who now lives in Dubai, has been uncharacteristically quiet on Instagram so far this year. The website for My Amazon Empire appears to have been deleted. In a rather shocking twist to the tale, Cunningham told me the delays and setbacks were caused by an unspecified personal catastrophe. 'I unfortunately had a major personal matter happen,' she said. The matter was 'out of my control' and had resulted in 'setbacks', Cunningham went on to explain. She did not disclose any further details. Three clients allege they paid for Cunningham's course and were told there was a 'money back guarantee' if they did not make $20,000 upon completion Chloe*, 40, signed up to the course in January this year and paid $2,500 per month for three months. 'I thought [the course] was a good opportunity to make some money and learn a new skill. It just sounded so promising,' she told me. Before committing, she asked Cunningham several questions, including about the money-back guarantee. 'If you don't reach $20,000 turnover from the challenge, I will refund you the $2500 x 3,' Cunningham wrote in an email. Cunningham also spoke at length about this policy on her Instagram page, which has also since been taken down. The course mainly comprised video tutorials on how dropshipping works, setting up a Shopify website, selecting 'winning' products from a detailed spreadsheet, and using social media adverts to promote the store. 'I chose four to five products in a specific niche but my website never went live. We never made any money,' Chloe said. 'The communication was slow throughout. I'd send an email or Slack message and it would take three or four days to get a response. I felt like I was the problem.' After finishing the course in March, Chloe continued to send emails and Slack messages to Cunningham asking about a refund. It wasn't until July that she finally heard back. Cunningham told Chloe she had refunded her $5,000, but four weeks on, she says she still hasn't received the funds. 'I just want my money back and to forget about this so I can move on,' she says. Amanda* completed the same course and claims she only made a few hundred dollars from her online business. She told me she had been following Cunningham on Instagram for several years before deciding to sign up. 'When she posted online about a new dropshipping course in January with a guaranteed return of $20,000 once completed, I thought I couldn't lose,' she said. The 39-year-old signed up, paying the $7,500 fee. She also spent $1,500 on Facebook ads to promote her Shopify store and spent hours on the side hustle alongside her full-time job. Like Chloe, Amanda claims that communication with Cunningham was initially slow before ceasing altogether. 'In the third month, I was kicked out of the Slack group, lost access to all the content that was shared, and she was taking ages to respond over email,' she says. Cunningham disputes that her communication was poor, saying: 'I'm unsure why these ladies would continue to pay thousands if the communication was so poor from the beginning.' Amanda followed up with Cunningham again on June 11, then again a week later on June 18. On July 1 she finally received a response. 'She apologised and said she'd been dealing with a lot of personal issues. She promised to organise the refund in the next billing cycle - I'm still waiting,' said Amanda. After following up once more, Amanda was finally told the refund had been issued on July 29 but received no receipt. At the time of publication, she still has not received the money. 'I borrowed money from my grandma for this and she thinks I've started this amazing online business. I still haven't told my family I lost the money.' Lauren was in the same boat as Chloe and Amanda after completing the three-month course, but after enormous perseverance, she managed to get her money back. 'I had to be persistent. It took weeks of back and forth, compiling screenshots, emails and timelines to clearly show what was and wasn't delivered,' she said. 'I had to be thorough, organised, and patient - but it was worth it. As of Monday, July 28, I received $6,259.48, which is roughly 84 per cent of the full amount I paid.' Lauren says the money was not 'voluntarily' refunded - only paid back to her after she opened a formal dispute case. 'I'm not expecting any further refunds. I accepted the 84 per cent as a fair outcome.' Jessica* worked for Cunningham for four months and claims to have done more than 100 hours of unpaid work. 'The first two invoices were paid by Emma, although very late, and the last two months of invoices are outstanding,' Jessica told me. In an email to us, Cunningham acknowledged that Jessica was yet to be paid, but said she intended to resolve this. She didn't provide a timeframe for this and, at the time of publication, Jessica has not received any money or updates. *Name has been changed Leena Khan was a 21-year-old university student when she saw the Facebook advert seeking egg donors: giving would be a selfless act, the fertility clinic said. 'I've always gone out of my way to help people,' says Leena and with 750 expenses offered, the money would help fund her studies. As far as ideas go, she says, 'it didn't seem crazy'. Within months of donating, however, Leena started suffering painful, heavy periods. She was diagnosed with endometriosis a condition in which tissue grows outside the uterus, leading to bleeding, inflammation and scarring. By her mid-20s it was so severe she was fainting in the shower, and Leena's mental health was in freefall. 'I was suicidal,' she says. Now 33, she is still crippled with pain, and awaiting her third surgery to remove endometrial tissue. She can't prove it, but she believes her endometriosis, an illness closely linked to levels of the hormone oestrogen, was triggered by donating eggs, which requires injecting drugs to stimulate the hormones needed to mature multiple eggs. 'I think it's linked,' says Leena, a scientist from London. 'I feel my menstrual, reproductive, sexual health has been compromised because I made a reckless decision. I was young and didn't know better. I regret every moment.' Recent figures reveal the number of 18 to 25-year-old women donating eggs in private fertility clinics soared by 168 per cent from 2012 to 2022. Given fertility regulator the HFEA raised the level of expenses that can be claimed last October from 750 to 986 and research last month revealed births following IVF treatments, often requiring donor eggs, are increasing year on year, the number of donors is likely to rise. But at what cost to those generous women? Maxine Farr, 31, donated eggs aged 21. Now a mother herself, she says the ordeal was more gruelling than she had anticipated While sperm donation is a painless and relatively straightforward procedure, egg donation is invasive, requiring hormone injections to stimulate the ovaries and retrieval done under sedation with a needle puncturing the vaginal wall. The younger the woman, of course, the better quality her eggs. Yet critics such as Helen Gibson, founder of campaign group Surrogacy Concern, say the fertility industry, worth 30billion a year, is preying on young women's instinctive desire to please with social media adverts. On TikTok, for example, a young woman described donating eggs through the agency Apricity as a 'meaningful experience'. On Instagram, the London Egg Bank urged women to 'help a family fulfil their dream'. Donors are certainly helping clinics most owned by private equity companies make a profit. The London Egg Bank offers six frozen eggs for sale at 5,500; The Manchester Fertility clinic a package of eight frozen eggs from 11,000. 'The fertility industry is effectively grooming donors into thinking they're doing something life changing and amazing and they believe it because they're 19,' says Gibson. In June, a parliamentary debate questioned whether impoverished young women are being pressured or enticed into donating eggs. Gibson is in no doubt: 'I think these women are being exploited. What is this doing to you, your body and your brain? The truth is we don't know.' Indeed. The potentially fatal ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome is a confirmed risk, which the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists says can cause mild symptoms in as many as 33 per cent of women donating eggs or undergoing IVF. Ovarian torsion (in which an ovary twists around the ligaments that support it), sepsis and abscesses are also post-surgery risks albeit rare. But problems that materialise months or years down the line are harder to prove. There's no clinical evidence linking endometriosis to egg donation but there's little research into long-term health implications of donating eggs full stop. In 2013, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said information about long-term health outcomes in egg donors was 'still awaited'. More than a decade later, we're still waiting. I can find little mention of egg donors' health in the last ten years of research discussed by the HFEA's Scientific and Clinical Advances Advisory Committee. But 'just because there's no evidence doesn't mean there isn't a connection,' says Diane Tober, an associate professor at the University of Alabama, and author of Eggonomics: The Global Market in Human Eggs and the Donors Who Supply Them. 'Endometriosis is something I commonly found in donors,' she says. Then there are the psychological ramifications of having a biological child who may or may not want to see you when they reach 18 and are legally permitted to contact you. The implications of this aren't always felt by the very young, but may seem quite different when donors are older. 'One donor told me 'I feel I sold my children,' says Tober. Not that this is necessarily spelled out by clinics. Within minutes of filling in an online inquiry form for one well known London clinic in early 2013, Leena had a call back from a 'very, very encouraging' member of staff. Shortly afterwards she went for a compulsory psychological assessment which she claims focused more on how she would be helping others, not the impact on her. 'It was mainly how it would be for the greater good,' she recalls. When asked why she wanted to donate, she responded that it would be a 'good' thing to do: 'I think my answer was very childish. I didn't really equate it to 'there will be a child.' Injecting her stomach with hormones to stimulate her ovaries was 'painful' and initially unsuccessful an ultrasound two days before she was due to have her eggs retrieved revealed she had already ovulated. 'I was stimulated more than they expected,' says Leena, who wasn't paid anything for that attempt, and decided as she'd come this far, she should try again. Around three months later, 12 eggs were retrieved and 750 paid the same day. 'They didn't want to see me after that,' she says wryly, adding when she called the clinic with crippling stomach cramps in the following days, she was told to go to her GP. 'Nobody wanted to come to the phone. I felt abandoned that they had taken the thing they wanted from me.' Leena's once regular periods grew heavy, erratic and painful and that September, her GP suggested she had endometriosis. The following year she was referred to hospital where a laparoscopy minor surgery confirmed the diagnosis. When I put Leena's ordeal to the clinic involved, it told me it arranged follow ups with donors and encouraged them to contact the clinic with concerns. It said donors are screened for endometriosis prior to donation and 'there is no peer-reviewed research linking egg donation to endometriosis'. But, says Tober, 'it's very possible' the extra oestrogen pumped into donors' bodies could trigger previously asymptomatic cases. As her 20s progressed Leena's endometriosis moved to her bowel and bladder. 'I bled from my rectum,' she says. 'I tried to kill myself three times. Even now my toilet bowl looks like a murder scene. I'm no longer sexually active because I have endometriosis on my cervix.' Leena hasn't asked the HFEA as she is entitled if any pregnancies have resulted from her donations and is 'indifferent' to the idea of having a biological child. 'But things change over time,' she says. 'If this was the cost of what I did in a moment of insanity, I would never have done it.' After donating her eggs three times, Rebecca Wilson developed adenomyosis where the tissue that lines the inside of the uterus grows into the wall of the uterus, also causing heavy, painful periods. 'My whole life became dictated around my bleeding,' says Rebecca, 44 to the extent that this week she's having a hysterectomy. 'The last years have been nothing but pain.' When Rebecca donated in 2013, aged 33, she had two children and was about to start training as a midwife. She was driven both by a desire to help and bring in money. An acquaintance recommended Altrui, an agency which pairs prospective donors with recipient parents and made much of the 'lovely gift' she would be giving, she recalls. Maxine donated in South Africa where egg donation is anonymous, so she and the child aren't ever allowed identifying information about each other She was sent for a medical screening and counselling at London's Lister Fertility Clinic where she was asked how she would feel if her biological child wanted to contact her when she was 18. 'I said it would be interesting. I'm fascinated by genetics. I did ask how likely they thought that was.' She was told because the law only changed in 2005 allowing donor conceived children the right to their biological parents' identity at 18, it was too early to say, 'but they said something about a study that indicates most people don't want to know their donor, or if they do, it's just out of curiosity'. She asked if there were long-term health risks of donating. 'I was told 'there are no studies that indicate any kind of long-term health risks' which I took to mean there were none'. While in The Lister Clinic, donating for the second time via Altrui in 2015, she was told by the clinic's 'egg donation co-ordinator' a relative waiting for an egg donor at the clinic could move to the top of the waiting list if Rebecca donated her eggs direct to the clinic. The clinic wasn't breaking any rules by making this promise but the HFEA's Code of Practice stipulates clinics must treat prospective and current patients and donors fairly. It's easy to see why Rebecca was enticed by the offer. 'The problem was I had to go straight into another donation as I was approaching the cut-off age, 36,' she says. So three months later she 'started all over again'. 'After doing those two donations back-to-back, I started getting much heavier periods, bad hormonal acne and massive mood swings,' she says. In 2017 her GP referred her to hospital where she was diagnosed with adenomyosis. 'I asked a gynaecologist if she thought it could be linked to donating eggs. She said it wasn't impossible, but it's hard to know,' says Rebecca. 'I can't be sure, but it did happen right after I took those hormones.' Rebecca, meanwhile, was 'bleeding basically half the month'. 'I couldn't look after my children the way I wanted.' She left her job as a midwife in 2020, 'because I couldn't stand up I was in so much pain.' Even after her hysterectomy, she'll be left to grapple with the psychological repercussions of donating. Working for the NHS, Rebecca who learned from the agency, then via the HFEA, she has two biological daughters from her donations became involved with an egg donation charity through which she spoke to donor-conceived people. She found many don't learn the circumstances of their conception until later in life, leading to feelings of betrayal. Some wanted to know their 'roots', others their medical history. 'I didn't think about it from their point of view. I had a sense of guilt.' She put herself on genetic testing sites Ancestry and 23andMe so her biological daughters can find her. 'I don't want my DNA given to these companies, but felt it was my moral obligation.' She has 'serious misgivings' about egg donation now. 'There's a lot of exploitation going on.' When we approached The Lister Fertility Clinic, a spokesperson said clinics could only inform patients of risks supported by published clinical evidence: 'We make sure all of our patients have information relating to any known risks of a procedure or treatment they are having. This is in line with requirements set out by the HFEA and their code of conduct. We hold a five out of five rating from the HFEA, reflecting our commitment to the highest standards of patient care, safety and transparency.' Maxine Farr, a physiotherapist from Worcester, donated her eggs after giving blood at 16. 'It was another part of my body I could donate to benefit someone else,' she says. The idea she was creating a baby felt very 'abstract' then. Living in South Africa in 2014, aged 20, she signed with agency Grace Donors, which also has a UK branch. She was required to create a profile on its website for couples to peruse, much like a dating profile. The drugs she injected to stimulate her ovaries 'horrendously' affected her mood: 'I became very angry and emotional. It was very out of character.' Eight eggs were retrieved, and she received around 230 in her bank account from the agency, no receipts required. It was 50-60 per cent of her monthly salary as a shop assistant, she recalls, and the money was 'nice', but she 'probably would have done it without'. At first, she was 'happy' when the agency said her eggs led to a baby boy, but as her 20s progressed, she says, 'it dawned on me I had a child out in the world. I had no knowledge of whether they were being cared for or supported or loved.' Now 31, married with a toddler of her own, she feels a nagging worry 'I could have contributed to a child being in an unhappy home environment'. Her biological child will be ten now. 'I don't want to spend too much time thinking about them,' she says. 'I'll never be able to find anything out about them.' On reflection, she doesn't think younger women should be able to donate. 'Our brains only fully develop at 25 and I don't think we really understand the full implications. I wouldn't say I regret it, but I wouldn't do it again.' A mother-of-five who began uncontrollably eating after she was bullied as a teenager and nicknamed 'tree-trunk legs', has revealed how she dropped 10 stoneand the lifestyle changes she's made to maintain her new figure. Laura Taylor, 35, from South Yorkshire tipped the scales at 20st 1lbs at her heaviest, and wore a size 24. She admits she had always struggled with her weight and was bullied for being fat at high school, which she says is the last time she wore a skirt. The cleaning business owner says the bullying caused her develop incredibly low-self esteem, and planted the belief that no one would ever be attracted to her. Later, to numb these feelings, she developed unhealthy coping habits, and turned to food for comfort. She was soon eating McDonald's takeaways for breakfast, and swigging five cans of Coca-Cola a day, using the sugary drink to wash down snacks of chocolate, sweets and crisps. She said: 'I was bullied a lot at at school. When I used to wear skirts I'd get called "tree trunk legs". 'After a couple times of wearing skirts I never wore them again. At her heaviest, Laura tipped the scales at 20st 1lbs and refused to leave her house and would never wear skirts or dresses Laura put her size down to her love of Coca Cola which she used to wash down takeaways and sugary snacks 'Food became a comfort to me. I used to sit at home and eat food because I got bullied and I felt like no one fancied me. 'Then when I started going on dateswhen I was really bigmen would say they didn't realise how big I was or that my pictures looked different because they couldn't see my body. 'An hour later they would say that they had to go and then I'd get blocked.' After struggling with her weight for years, Ms Taylor decided that the only way to get her weight under control and boost her self-confidence was to have bariatric surgery, and asked to be put on the waiting list for a gastric sleeve. But her doctor told her she was not heavy enough to qualify for the surgery on the NHS. To qualify for weight loss surgery on the NHS a patient must have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or moreor between 35 and 40 and a health condition that could improve with weight loss, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. She said: 'I looked at the prices [to have the surgery done privately] in the UK, but it was 10,500 and I didn't have the money.' Feeling disheartened by the health service's six-year waiting list, and fears that she would have the confidence to be able to leave the house until she got a slot, Ms Taylor started looking further afield. Laura flew to Turkey to have life-changing weight loss surgery after she was told she wouldn't qualify to have it on the NHS 'I didn't see my friends or anything like that because they were all quite skinny and I was the fat one of the bunch,' she added. So the young mother decided to pay around 3,000 in total to have the surgery done in Turkey. Gastric sleeve surgery is a procedure in which surgeons remove around 80 per cent of the stomach to shrink the stomach. Since the op, Ms Taylor has lost over half her body weight and now weighs a svelte 9st 13lbs and wears a size 8. She now makes an effort to eat more healthily, swapping her Coca-Cola for protein coffees and ultra-processed takeaways have been ditched for salads, portions of lean protein, and rice. She added that since her operation she gets told she looks very different, and even some of her closest friends don't recognise her. 'I get told I look younger because I have lost a lot of weight in my face,' she said. 'I feel good in myself and people say I look amazing. I really need to start taking those compliments in because I've been fat all my life and it's hard for me to say I do actually look good.' Laura now weighs 9st 13lbs and is a slender size 8. Ms Taylor added that she now has the confidence to wear skirts and dresses again and is working on her self-confidence. 'I think I look a lot better now, but I think I still have the mindset of when I was fat. 'I go out and I've got men coming up to me asking to buy me a drink and I think "what do you see in me really?" Sometimes it's quite hard to take in.' But, she said the positive impact the surgery has had on her mental health is unmatched. 'I've always been the one that's sat in the corner and not really danced because I didn't want to [draw attention to myself]. 'Now, I'm on the dance floor before anyone else because I've got so much energy and I want to dance. 'The operation really did save my life. I'd still be say in the house now not going out [without it], so it has changed my life completely.' What she ate before Breakfast - McDonalds breakfast Lunch - Pub lunch mixed grill or English breakfast Dinner - Takeaway or chips and sausages Snacks - Chocolate, sweets, crisps and five cans of Coca-Cola per day Advertisement Three cult Dubai-style chocolate bars have been urgently recalled by UK food safety chiefs over renewed fears they could trigger a fatal allergic reaction. The Nrosis Schokolade Love of Dubai bar, a foil-wrapped sweet sold by independent retailers, was recalled last month over fears it contained undeclared nuts. Now the Fix it Dubai Kunafa Chocolate, 50g, and the Le Damas Dubai Chocolate Kunafa and Pistachio, 200g, bars have been added to the food safety warning, with officials urging businesses to immediately stop sales and undertake product recalls. The Food Safety Agency has issued an updated 'do not eat' alert to both consumers and retailers and have said the supplier, Black Sea Trading Ltd have so far been uncontactable. As a result, food safety action is required by individual retailers selling these products. All batch codes and best-before dates are affected, posing a serious risk to people with a nut allergyincluding peanuts, almonds, cashews and walnuts which are not highlighted on the packaging. Officials are working with local authorities and businesses to ensure the products are removed from sale and are advising anyone who has purchased one of the bars to dispose of it at homeespecially if they have a nut allergy. Consumers have also been advised to contact their local Trading Standard and report where the affected bar was purchased. Middle Eastern-style chocolates that have surged in popularity thanks to social mediabut concerns are growing that many of these bars fail to meet UK food safety standards The Neosis Schokolade Love of Dubai bar, was recalled last month over safety concerns but now Now the Fix it Dubai Kunafa Chocolate, 50g, and the Le Damas Dubai Chocolate Kunafa and Pistachio, 200g, bars have been added to the list Undeclared nuts can cause anaphylaxisa rapid, life-threatening allergic reaction that causes the throat to swell, often leading to unconsciousness or even death within minutes. As part of the recall notice, the FSA stated: 'These products contain peanuts and other types of nutsalmonds, cashews and walnutswhich are not mentioned on the labelling, making it a possible health risk to anyone with an allergy to peanuts or other types of nuts.' The updated recall follows mounting concerns over the so-called Dubai chocolate trend, which has seen pistachio-filled, gold-wrapped bars go viral on social media. While some UK supermarkets have launched their own regulated versions, many of the bars being sold by smaller retailers and online are unregulated imports. The are often missing English ingredient lists, allergen warnings, or valid UK contact details, the FSA has warned. Rajwinder Ubhi, Head of Incidents at the FSA told the Daily Mail: 'We have become aware that a product sold under the brand name 'Le Damas', has been reported to be counterfeit and enquirers are underway. 'It is really important that the public are still aware of the risks that the other bars mentioned in the Food Alert, as well as potentially bogus chocolate bars could post, particularly those living with a food allergy or intolerance. 'If you have bought any chocolate you think could be a fake, do not eat them or give them to friends and family,' he urged. Natasha Ednan-Laperouse, 15, collapsed on a flight after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing sesame, which was not listed on the packaging Earlier this year, testing by European authorities found that some Dubai-style chocolates contained undeclared sesame, banned artificial dyes, and even carcinogenic contaminants. In one case, German investigators reported 'widespread safety violations' in imported pistachio chocolate bars, including the presence of aflatoxinstoxic compounds linked to liver cancer. In June the FSA urged the public to check labels on Dubai-style chocolate bars and not purchase them if they do not list, in English, the ingredients with allergens emphasised. The weight of the food in grams, and a best before or use by date should be printed clearly. The name and address of the UK or EU business responsible for the product should be listed, and if the food is not from the UK or EU, the name and address of the importer must be included. Experts have warned that the popularity of these sweets is 'outpacing food safety,' with campaigners calling for tighter import controls and better enforcement of allergen labelling laws. The recall comes after a series of high-profile tragedies linked to unlabelled allergens. On 17 July 2016, 15-year-old Natasha Ednan-Laperouse died after eating a Pret a Manger baguette containing undeclared sesame seeds. Her death triggered the introduction of a new food and safety law in 2021, known as Natasha's law, which necessitates full ingredient and allergen labelling on all food made on premises and pre-packed for direct sale. Previously, non pre-packaged fresh food made on the premises did not need to be individually labelled with allergen or ingredient information. The FSA said the recall of the bars is listed under alert code FAFA-03-2025-update-1. Full details are available on its website. Anyone who experiences swelling, rash, difficulty breathing or dizziness after eating the product is urged to seek immediate medical attention. The cure for debilitating back pain could be mind over matter, shock research suggested today. Treatments for chronicor long-termback pain have long been limited and offer just 'small to moderate' temporary benefits. But now, Australian researchers believe talking therapies can help sufferers live a more active life. And the benefit can be seen for up to three years after treatment. Often psychotherapists use various talking therapies to help people with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, or other emotional issues, from tackling stress to breaking bad habits. Scientists today labelled the treatment 'high-value and low-risk' and said it 'markedly reduce the effect of chronic back pain'. In the study, the researchers from Macquarie University in Sydney focused on a type of psychotherapy called cognitive functional therapy (CFT), which focuses on understanding how thoughts, emotions, and behaviors contribute to pain. Recruiting more than 1,000 patients with lower back pain, a third were given 'usual care', while a third were given CFT. Treatments for chronicor long-termback pain have long been limited and offer just 'small to moderate' temporary benefits The final third were treated with CFT plus another technique known as biofeedback, which tries to teach a person to control automatic body functions. People who received 'usual care' were given what their GP surgery recommended or what they chose from their local services, which can include a combination of pain medication and self-management tips. Those receiving CFT had seven treatment sessions over 12 weeks, as well as a booster session at 26 weeks, which last between 30 and 60 minutes. Of the 1,000 participants, 300 people with an average age of 48 continued the study to the three-year follow-up point. Researchers then found that CFT, and CFT and biofeedback, were both more effective than usual care in reducing activity limitation caused by lower back pain. And they also were more effective for reducing pain intensity at three years. There were no significant differences among patients who did and did not use biofeedback techniques, prompting researchers to say the use of biofeedback 'did not add to effectiveness'. Writing in the journal Lancet Rheumatology, they said: 'Treatment sessions of CFT produced sustained effects at three years for people with chronic disabling low back pain. 'These long-term effects are novel and provide the opportunity to markedly reduce the effect of chronic back pain if the intervention can be widely implemented.' They added: 'CFT is the first treatment for chronic disabling low back pain with good evidence of large, long-term effects on disability. 'It offers a high-value, low-risk intervention with long-term benefits for patients with persistent, disabling low back pain.' Back pain is the most common form of pain experienced by adults, however, there is usually no immediately identifiable cause. In many cases, it's a short-term problem, caused by a strain affecting the muscles, tendons or ligaments. But around nine million people in England live with back pain, according to the charity Arthritis Research UK. Blockbuster weight loss jabs relied on by millions of slimmers could waste away muscles, research has suggested. Once aimed at diabetes patients, drugs like Ozempic are now famous for bringing about rapid weight loss by reducing appetite. But the injections often come with side effects, from nausea and constipation and, in most severe cases, life-threatening organ damage. Now, US experts have found that semaglutidethe powerful ingredient behind Wegovy and Ozempicmay shrink muscles too. Doctors have previously cautioned this could leave jab users metabolically 'fatter' because they then have a higher fat-to-muscle percentage, raising the risk of them piling the pounds back on once they stop taking the medication. But the researchers, who carried out their tests on mice, discovered that most of this muscle shrinkage wasnt from skeletal muscles, which surround bones and joints. Instead it came from other tissues like the liver. Dr Ran Hee Choi, an expert in nutrition and integrative physiology at the University of Utah and study co-author, said: 'Loss of mass in metabolically active organs, such as the liver, is expected as part of healthy weight loss.' Once aimed at diabetes patients, drugs like Ozempic are now famous for bringing about rapid weight loss by reducing appetite Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Dr Takuya Karasawa, an expert in diabetes and metabolism at the University of Utah and study co-author, added: 'It's unlikely that the observed lean mass loss represents a serious adverse effect.' In the study, researchers found Ozempic-induced weight loss decreased lean muscle mass in mice by around 10 per cent. But skeletal muscles shrunk by only around six per cent. By contrast, muscle from other tissue like the liver shrunk by nearly half. Researchers then tested the amount of force the mice's muscles exerted and discovered that some muscle strength decreased as the mice lost weight, even when the size of the muscle stayed roughly the same. Writing in the journal Cell Metabolism, the scientists said this potential loss of strength when taking Ozempic could be a particular concern for adults over the age of 60 who are at a higher risk of muscle loss and reduced mobility. Dr Katsu Funai, a professor of nutrition at the University of Utah and study co-author, added: 'The loss of physical function is a strong predictor of not just quality of life but longevity.' Experts, who weren't involved in the research, however said the findings need to be taken with 'huge helpings of caution'. Professor Lora Heisler, chair of human nutrition at the University of Aberdeen, said: 'What is still an open question is whether the small degree of muscle loss observed in some patients taking Wegovy or similar medicines influences muscle strength or performance. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. 'The study suggests that it might do in mice, but there needs to be huge helpings of caution taken alongside this as this study was conducted in mice. 'The change in muscle function was only found in one type of muscle, and consistently found with one dose of drug. 'Therefore, further research studies are needed in humans to understand the impact of Wegovy and other similar medications on muscle loss, strength, and performance.' At least half a million NHS patients and some 15million patients in the US are now thought to be using weight-loss jabs, which can help patients lose up to 20 per cent of their body weight in just a few months. And the numbers using them privately are even higher. Under official guidelines, only patients who have a body mass index (BMI) of over 35 and at least one weight-related health problem like high blood pressure, or those who have a BMI of 30 to 34.9 and meet the criteria for referral to a specialist weight management service, should be prescribed weight loss jabs. In the UK, law forbids the sale of such drugs without a prescription from a medical professional. Experts have warned that some holiday destinations popular with Britons are hotspots for a virus that can cause pain that lasts for months. The chikungunya virus, which although rarely deadly, can severely damage organs and lead to chronic disability. Just last month the World Health Organisation issued an urgent call for action as cases of the virus exploded across the globe. Chinese officials have reported 10,000 cases in the country, with 7,000 in the southern city of Foshan, in the Guangdong provincewith no deaths so far. This surge began in early 2025, with major outbreaks reported in the Indian Ocean islands of La Reunion, Mayotte and Mauritiuspopular holiday destinations. So far, globally, there have been 250,000 cases and 90 related deaths in 16 countries this year, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. There is currently no risk of contracting the virus in the UK at present, but it can be found in parts of Southern Europe. However, while concerning, experts have fortunately said it isn't going to be the next pandemic. Experts have warned those travelling to the destinations to take precautionary measures Professor Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia Professor Will Irving, a virology expert at the University of Nottingham said: 'There have been equally large, if not larger outbreaks around the world prior to this one.' However, he added: 'With climate change, the mosquitos are spreading, and there are reports of the mosquito being present in parts of Europe (France, Italy, Spain).' The virus is spread to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes but it cannot be passed from person-to-person. Several experts have shared precautionary steps those travelling the sunny beaches of Europe can take to prevent infection. Professor Paul Hunter, a professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia, advised travellers to wear loose-fitting clothing that covers your arms and legs. Ideally, he added: 'They will be light coloured, so you can see if mosquitos have landed on you.' In particular, he warned that it is a bad idea for women in late stages of pregnancy to travel to these destinations. 'If you get infected with it later on in the pregnancy, it can pose a risk to the baby,' he said. The nasty virus which can cause pain for months is spread through bites by mosquitos A 2021 study found infection just prior to delivery increases risk of transmission to the baby. Professor Irving said those most vulnerable to the virus are people with immunosuppression, the very young, elderly, and those with underlying comorbidities. In the UK, so far this year, there have been 26 confirmed cases of the virus, from people travelling to Sri Lanka, India, Maldives, Oman and United Arab Emirates. However, the government said the figure includes individuals who travelled to more than one countryso the number may be higher than actual cases. Previously the virus was more commonly found in Asia, Africa and South America, but more recently cases have emerged in Europe and the US. The chikungunya virus has also spread to Madagascar, Somalia, Kenya and India and is making its way to Europe. Case counts have also been increasing in Samoa, Tonga, French Polynesia, Fiji and Kiribati. Meanwhile there have been 46 cases of chikungunya infections in the US this year, all contracted by travellers returning from high-risk areas, but no deaths. The majority of people infected with Chikungunya develop a sudden fever and severe pain in multiple joints. This map shows cases per 100,000 population reported across the globe over the last year (Image: European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control) Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. The virus is spread to humans by bites from infected mosquitoes, but cannot be passed from person-to-person. Symptoms typically resolve within seven to 10 days, and most patients make a full recovery. However, in some cases the joint pain and arthritis may persist for several months or even years. Occasional cases of eye, neurological and heart complications have been reported, as well as gastrointestinal complaints. A small number of people may develop a severe version of the disease, which can lead to multiple organ failure and death. Severe symptoms and deaths are rare and usually occur in young babies or elderly people with coexisting health problems. There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya but medications (such as paracetamol) for fever and pain can be used to alleviate these symptoms. There are currently two vaccinations which protect against the virus; IXCHIQ for those aged between 18 and 64 and Vimkunya for those 12 years and older. In the UK, the vaccine is given to those who travel abroad to certain regions where the chikungunya virus is present. However, unfortunately, some of the most vulnerable to the virus are those who cannot get the virusthose who are immunosuppressed. Earlier this summer, UK vaccine chiefs suspended a newly approved jab from being given to people aged 65 or over, after reports of two deaths and 21 severe reactions. While the jab, called IXCHIQ, is approved in the UK it had yet to be rolled out, so there were no immediate safety concerns, British regulators said. The suspension followed two fatalities in the French island La Reunionwhere a vaccination campaign was underway following a recent Chikungunya outbreak. A mosquito-borne virus that leaves victims in crippling pain and has triggered Covid-era restrictions in China is already in the US, experts say. Chikungunya virus can cause sudden, agonizing joint pain in the hands and feet, sometimes so severe that it leaves sufferers unable to move normally for months. Southern China is currently battling its largest outbreak since at least 2008, with more than 7,000 cases recorded in Foshan, at the epicenter, and infections in 12 other major cities. Heavy rains and warm weather have fueled a surge in mosquitoes, driving the outbreak. Dr Louisa Messenger, a mosquito researcher in Nevada, told the Daily Mail: 'This outbreak in China is very concerning. It could already be here in the US and really it's just one plane flight away.' Officials have already detected 46 cases of chikungunya in the US this year, all linked to travelers returning to the country from abroad. It is unclear how many of these are linked to China's outbreak, but the CDC has issued a warning for travelers to the country over the virus, as well as for nine other countries including Bolivia and Sri Lanka. Estimates suggest 1.6million people travel between the US and China every year, with experts saying it only a bite from a mosquito on one infected traveler to then pass it on throughout America. The US has experienced limited local transmission of the disease previously, most recently in 2014 and 2015 after cases were detected in Florida and Texas. The epicenter is Foshan, on China's southern coast, where heavy rains and warm temperatures have led to an explosion in the mosquito population (Image above is Foshan) Your browser does not support iframes. Chikungunya is carried by the Aedes mosquito, which has black and white striped legs and remains common across much of the US. Officials say infections are usually detected quickly and public health teams respond fast to prevent wider spread. This normally involves the widespread release of pesticides to kill mosquitoes and prevent the disease from spreading. Here's everything you need to know about the virus: How do I tell if I have chikungunya? Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus spread by mosquitoes. It can only be caught from mosquito bites, with infected people developing symptoms in two to seven days. People infected with the virus suffer from a sudden high fever, normally around 103 Fahreheit (39 Celsius), which happens within two to seven days of infection. They may also suffer from a rash, headache, nausea, fatigue and joint pain. In serious cases, patients may suffer from pain in the hands and feet that is so bad it leaves them struggling to carry out normal activities. The above map shows the area in China where US travelers are being advised to take enhanced precautions because of the outbreak Dr Augustine Anadu, an obstetrician who previously treated a 24-year-old with the disease, told the Daily Mail about the symptoms of a patient he treated. The individual was admitted with extreme fatigue, a fever around 102 Fahrenheit (39 Celsius) and joint pain that 'hurt so bad he could barely work', the doctor said. It was only when the patient revealed he had returned from Ethiopia, where the disease is present, that tests for chikungunya were ordered, which revealed the infection. The patient recovered within three days after receiving IV fluids and painkillers. Is chikungunya deadly? Chikungunya is rarely fatal, and kills less than one in 1,000 patients. But it can leave people with lifelong complications, including inflammation and joint pain that lasts for months to years. Doctors also say patients with long-lasting complications can have symptoms similar to rheumatoid arthritis, an autoimmune condition that causes pain, swelling and stiffness in joints. Doctors warn that infants, the elderly and those with underlying conditions are particularly at risk because they have weaker immune systems. A worker is pictured spraying insecticide onto plants in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, China, amid an outbreak of chikungunya virus A hospital worker also pictured spraying plants outside a hospital in Foshan, China, at the epicenter of the outbreak Could the disease spread in the US? Infectious diseases have previously been introduced into the US mosquito population from abroad, including in recent years. In 2022 and 2023, 71 cases of locally transmitted dengue fever, a potentially fatal mosquito-borne disease, were reported in Florida and Texas, in at least a decade. In 2023, nine cases of locally transmitted malaria were also reported in the US, with seven in Florida and one each in Texas and Arkansas. In both cases, experts said it was likely that travelers infected with the diseases had arrived in the US and then been bitten by local mosquitoes, which then spread the diseases to someone else when they bit another person. Dr Messenger added: 'Mosquito-borne diseases are really important because they are much more difficult to control than Covid, the flu or RSV because they involve mosquitoes, which can breed in as little water as fits in a bottle cap. 'People should be concerned about these diseases, wear topical repellents, wear long sleeves, and get vaccinated against them if they can.' Chikungunya virus cannot be spread from person to person, and is instead only spread by the bites of mosquitoes. Will it trigger restrictions like in China? In China, to contain the outbreak, authorities are spraying disinfectant in Foshan and other cities affected by the outbreak. Officials are also imposing 10,000 yuan ($1,400 fines) and cutting off electricity to people who do not empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor objects containing standing water. Reports suggest patients are being quarantined in the hospital for at least a week, and authorities briefly also enforced a strict two-week home quarantine before learning the virus couldn't be passed from person to person. Shown above is an individual outside Beijing, China, hanging up a mosquito trap, used to measure the mosquito population in an area Experts said it was unlikely that the US would impose similar extreme restrictions if there was an outbreak of the virus. Instead, they suggest that there would likely be a mass insecticide spraying campaign to eliminate the infected mosquitoes. How is the disease treated? There is no specific treatment for infections with the virus. Doctors instead focus on trying to ease symptoms through rest, fluids and over-the-counter pain relief medications like acetaminophen (Tylenol). Vaccinations are recommended for those visiting areas with an outbreak or that may pose a higher risk of infection. The CDC has approved two vaccines against the disease in the US, the first of which was approved in 2023. What is the CDC saying? The CDC is warning Americans to take extra precautions while traveling to Guangdong province and surrounding areas affected by the outbreak. It has put a level two alert in place, advising travelers to wear insect repellent, long-sleeved shirts and pants, and to stay in places with air conditioning. Travelers are also advised to get vaccinated against chikungunya, with two vaccines available that have been approved in the US. It also says that pregnant women should avoid traveling to the area because they are at higher risk from contracting the virus. Warnings over chikungunya are also in place for nine countries and territories: Bolivia, China, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka. New York is gearing up for an outbreak of another highly contagious virus, as the number of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases spike across the eastern US. As New York City is currently grappling with a Legionnaires' outbreak that has infected 67 people and killed three, doctors in the borough of Staten Island are also raising concern over an uptick in HFMD. A handful of cases have already been reported and there's been reports of increasing cases in multiple states, including Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Virginia, Ohio, Kansas, and West Virginia. HFMD is a viral disease that can lead to painful lesions forming on the hands, mouth and feet as well as fever and a sore throat. It usually affects children under age 10 with the immune systems of adults typically strong enough to prevent the virus from infecting them. HFMD outbreaks most commonly occur at nurseries and schools, but immunocompromised adults are at risk, too. The CDC does not track cases of the virus so there is little data available on case numbers. However, Dr Edith Bracho-Sanchez, a pediatrician at Columbia University Irving Medical Center in New York, revealed she has seen more cases of HFMD in the past few weeks than she has over the past decade. And Dr Natasha Burgert, a Kansas-based pediatrician and national spokeswoman for the American Academy of Pediatrics, said she has seen the same trend. Manhattan is gearing up for an outbreak of another highly contagious virus, as numbers of hand, foot and mouth disease (HFMD) cases spike across the US Your browser does not support iframes. 'What I'm seeing in my own practice mirrors the surge my colleagues are reporting nationwide,' she told The New York Times. HFMD is caused by the virus coxsackievirus 16 and there is no vaccine for the condition. It can be passed through the air or by coming into close contact with a person who hasn't washed their hands after using the bathroom. HFMD infections tend to spike in the summer and early fall because children are more likely to mix in environments where the disease can spread, such as at summer camps, pools and theme parks, as well as the start of school. Some studies also suggest that warmer and more humid weather in the summer months may be more favorable for the survival and transmission of the viruses that cause HFMD. HFMD typically causes fever, vomiting and a rash covering the mouth, hands and feet that clears up within 10 days. But in very young patients, the illness can be much more serious and lead to seizures, triggered by inflammation of the fluid surrounding the brain. The disease is highly transmissible, spread via contact with fluids from an infected person, such as from blisters, and by swallowing infected water. Experts warn that water parks can spread the highly contagious disease if their water has not been treated properly, leaving children at risk of infection. In Philadelphia, a water park was closed for a day in July after a child who had visited the location contracted HFMD. Experts warn that water parks can spread the highly contagious disease if their water has not been treated properly, leaving youngsters at risk of infection (stock image) About 10 to 15million cases of HFMD are recorded in the US every year, estimates suggest, mostly among children under five years old. Those who are infected are recommended to take over-the-counter pain medications to help relieve fever and pain caused by mouth sores. Patients are also told to drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration, saying this may happen because mouth sores make it painful to swallow. Children diagnosed with the disease should avoid contact with others for at least seven days in order to dodge them spreading the infection. As Chloe Roiser lay in agony on the floor of an Airbnb, bloodied and bandaged, having been discharged from a hospital in Turkey, her teenage daughter wept and pleaded: Mum, please dont die. It was a heartbreaking scene and all the more painful for Chloe to recall, given she was a trained nurse and the reason she was in this life-threatening state, fighting a deadly infection, was not an accident or an emergency, but pure vanity. Feeling self-conscious about her deflated cleavage after breastfeeding four children, in April shed opted to have a breast uplift and implants at a clinic in Antalya, southern Turkey. But four months later, Chloe was still recovering from the serious complications post-surgery that resulted in a deadly flesh-eating infection. In total she spent six long weeks trapped in Turkey, costing 12,500. She has also lost half her left nipple. In fact, she made two trips to the Antalya clinic. A week after the op, Chloe came home to Wymondham in Norfolk but then became very unwell with fever and pain. When her breast began oozing discharge in early June, she made an emergency dash back to Turkey accompanied by her partner and autistic daughter, Maisie, 13, as she was too weak to walk unaided or carry her own bag for medical treatment. Chloe says she didnt want to burden the NHS with the fall-out from cosmetic surgery in another country but she also feared doctors here would simply take the implant out and hoped, by returning to Turkey, she could save it. On three separate occasions, the surgeon, who had performed the original operation, cleared the infection and the necrotised skin on her breast using a scalpel meaning she lost half her left nipple. But then, instead of being kept in a sterile environment for monitoring, she was told to go back to her Airbnb, which is where she eventually collapsed. Feeling self-conscious about her deflated cleavage after breastfeeding four children, in April Chloe opted to have a breast uplift and implants at a clinic in Antalya, southern Turkey A week after the op, Chloe came home to Wymondham in Norfolk but then became very unwell with fever and pain. When her breast began oozing discharge in early June, she made an emergency dash back to Turkey That moment, after Maisie found me on the floor, when she was crying and clinging on to my hand, will haunt me forever, Chloe tells me having finally returned to the UK after what turned out to be a three-month nightmare. She should never have had to witness her mother bleeding and broken like that, but Im ashamed to say she did. I was too weak to give her the reassurance she desperately needed and all I could think was: I could die. What the hell have I done? Chloe is among an estimated 150,000 Britons who travel to Turkey each year for cut-price cosmetic procedures, having discovered that a breast uplift and size D implants would cost around 3,500 half the price it would have set her back here. Im a nurse so I know all too well how deadly an untreated infection and necrosis can be, says Chloe, 31, of the chain of events which followed the surgery. The thought of dying and leaving my children without a mum, just so I could bear to look at myself undressed in a mirror and go swimming again neither of which Id had the confidence to do for years is just unbearable. Everyone, friends, my mum, warned me not to go to Turkey for the surgery so many knew people with horror stories but I spent a year researching it and honestly thought, given my medical knowledge and training, Id be safe. Now Ive lost half my left nipple to necrosis at one point it looked like I would lose my whole breast and Ive no idea how bad its going to look once the scars finally heal. Her appearance is no longer her priority, however. Feeling confident about my breasts seemed so important to me a few months ago, but having nearly died, I now couldnt care less how they look. The important thing, for me and my family, is that Im alive. When booking her cut-price surgery, what Chloe hadnt taken into account was the lack of aftercare. This meant that she returned home having had a three-day course of antibiotics, but with no follow-up appointments to check on her wounds. The area around her nipples was swollen and the skin was sore and blackening, while discharge leaking from the surgical wound smelt putrid all of which she knew indicated infection On seeing her breasts, her aunt, an experienced beautician, confirmed Chloes worst fears: she had necrosis in her left nipple In those post-op weeks, she was in a lot of pain. She had bought strong painkilling medication from a Turkish pharmacy before she left but, having never had surgery before, Chloe says she didnt realise how disproportionate her pain really was, nor that it was actually a sign of infection. Drains and steri-strips had been removed from the incisions before she left Turkey, but her breasts were then covered with micropore tape, designed to help the wounds heal as well as reduce scarring. It meant she couldnt see what was happening to the flesh beneath. With four children as well as Maisie, she has three sons aged 10, nine and seven, who stayed with family and friends while she was in Turkey to take care of, and with a sense that the discomfort was self-inflicted, she struggled on. However, when the time came for Chloe to remove the tape, at the end of May, she saw the edges of her left nipple, in which she had no sensation, were red raw and raised. Id followed all the aftercare. I have a nursing degree Im not silly, I know what Im doing and did all the redressing with the kit they gave me. But I knew this wasnt right, so I contacted the clinic and they told me to just keep applying antibiotic ointment. However, by early June Chloe felt very unwell, feverish and in so much pain she couldnt move her arms. The area around her nipples was swollen and the skin was sore and blackening, while discharge leaking from the surgical wound smelt putrid all of which she knew indicated infection. Worried about becoming one of the many who drain the NHS each year, Chloe ignored her familys pleas to go to A&E When asked what she would say to anyone else considering going to Turkey for cosmetic surgery, Chloe has a simple message: 'Don't do it!' On seeing her breasts, her aunt, an experienced beautician, confirmed Chloes worst fears: she had necrosis in her left nipple. It needed urgent treatment or she could lose it. Indeed, her entire breast was at risk. Worried about becoming one of the many who drain the NHS each year, by turning up at hospitals needing corrective surgery after undergoing treatments in Turkey, Chloe ignored her familys pleas to go to A&E. I thought the doctors would be annoyed with me for going abroad for cheap surgery then dumping the ensuing problem at their door, she says. Ive heard colleagues complaining about this, so would have felt really ashamed. Of course, I knew they would do what was needed to save my life but thought that would also probably entail removing the implant, leaving me with very lopsided breasts, whereas, if I could get back to Turkey, I might get to keep it. Chloes concerns about being a burden on our creaking NHS appear legitimate. The total cost of addressing complications from cosmetic procedures the majority of which are the result of surgeries abroad is estimated to be an astonishing 110million, according to a report in the Journal of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, earlier this year. So, after a video call with her surgeon in Turkey, who confirmed that the area around her stitches did appear infected, Chloe booked a flight back to Antalya. On June 4, she returned to the clinic where shed had the surgery and doctors performed the first of three procedures to remove dead tissue from her breast. No sedation was provided, only local anaesthetic, so I was fully awake and in horrific pain throughout, recalls Chloe, whose only other foray into cosmetic treatments was having lip fillers two years ago. It was incredibly traumatic. She was given IV and oral antibiotics, which she had to pay 20 for, and the wound was left open until she returned to the clinic the following day. Despite ongoing signs of infection, it was then stitched up. In an attempt to reduce spending on hotels, Chloe had booked a room in someones house on Airbnb with poor hygiene and no air conditioning, and this is where she now returned. Over the next couple of days, Chloes breast became swollen and inflamed, with increased levels of discharge, and she again developed a fever. The clinic told her to come back on June 8, when a second surgery was performed, more infected breast tissue removed and IV antibiotics administered. Doctors acknowledged that the infection was entrenched and yet she was sent back to the Airbnb and collapsed later that evening. I was dizzy, faint, shaking, and physically unable to stand, recalls Chloe. I was scared to go to sleep in case I didnt wake up so just dozed, fretfully, upright in bed. Chloe spent the next three weeks in constant pain, in blood-soaked bandages and with a raging temperature. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the infection flared again and, on June 30 by which time her partner had had to return home for work, leaving daughter Maisie as sole carer for her mum, helping her wash and doing their laundry in a sink she returned to the clinic for a third surgery. This time the surgeon warned me I could lose my breast completely and suffer permanent nerve damage, she recalls. The toll this ordeal was taking on me, physically and emotionally, was so great I completely broke down afterwards. I was too dizzy to stand, in lots of pain and barely had the energy to put one foot in front of the other, and still they sent me back to the Airbnb, with no medic checking on me that night or the following day. I was treated as an outpatient for something that should have been managed in hospital, with round-the-clock IV antibiotics, fluids, and observations. If that had happened, I feel sure they could have got rid of the infection much sooner. As things turned out, Chloe booked, and had to cancel, five sets of flights home over the six weeks, losing hundreds of pounds when the clinic told her she was not fit to fly. Finally, on July 18, having been issued with a fit to fly note, Chloe took a four-and-a-half-hour flight back to London. Maisie, who is autistic and, according to Chloe, couldnt have coped at home without her, had by then missed six weeks of school. While Chloe acknowledges that this was a significant price for her daughter to pay for her choices, she says the school was understanding and that Maisie is diligent, so studied while they were away. It is only thanks to the support of friends and family, who have helped out both practically and financially, that Chloe was able to survive this ordeal. I owe my family and friends, who dipped into their savings to support me, so much money, she says. Im determined to pay it back but I dont know how long it will be until Im fit to work again. Its not just the physical toll but the emotional toll this has taken on me. Ive been left feeling so anxious Im constantly on the verge of a panic attack. Last week, Chloe relented and gave into her concerned familys pleading to seek medical advice here. A visit to A&E resulted in a referral to a breast surgeon who performed an ultrasound scan. He said, tissue-wise, my breast looks OK, which is a relief, but theyre not going to know how much nipple and breast skin Ive lost to necrosis until the scars have healed. A follow-up NHS appointment has been made, for six months time, when the longer-term effects should be clearer. So what, I wonder, would Chloe say to anyone else considering going to Turkey for cosmetic surgery? Do not do it! she almost yells. I know problems can arise after any surgery but, at least if you have it done here, you can access the follow-up care you need. I know people reading this will probably wonder why on earth a woman with a nursing degree would go to Turkey for a boob job, and I do get it. But the clinic I went to had lots of positive testimonials online. Just four days after surgery, they stuck a camera in my face and asked me to talk about how well it had gone, too, so now I question their validity. Testimonials should be recorded six months down the line, when patients really know how its gone. Chloe says that, since April, she has learned another hard lesson about her generations love of cosmetic procedures aided and abetted by social media influencers. If we feel insecure, we decide that what will help is Botox, a boob job or a bum lift, she says. In fact, wed be better off focusing on the mental health issues underlying these insecurities. I thought all I needed to cure my low self-esteem was breast surgery, but now I feel even worse, and my anxiety is through the roof. Horrific though the past three months have been for Chloe, now that shes finally back home with her family she is counting her blessings. Going to Turkey for cosmetic surgery has been a nightmare from which I thought Id never wake up, she says. But Im very lucky I didnt lose my whole breast or, far worse, develop sepsis and die, leaving my precious kids without their mum. Fox News host Jesse Watters claimed that Hollywood A-lister Shia LaBeouf hurled a vulgar insult at him at an airport lounge years ago. The host described the encounter during Tuesday night's episode of Jesse Watters Primetime as he chatted with playwright and director David Mamet, who was on the show promoting his new film, Henry Johnson, starring LaBeouf. While discussing the film, Watters stopped to share his account of the alleged run-in with the actor. 'Well, Shia LaBeouf told me to go F myself at a Delta lounge at the airport a couple years ago,' the anchor said. 'So tell him I said hi. Will you do that for me?' Watters had also recounted the alleged confrontation back in 2019, when he was guest-hosting The Ingraham Angle. 'The other day, I was at a lounge at the Delta Sky situation trying to take off for a flight with my family,' he said during the segment. 'And the actor Shia LeBeouf or whatever his name is, I think it was him, it looked exactly like him. I walk by and he calls me trash, right in front of my kids, you know? 'And I didn't say anything. I didn't lose it. But, you know, these things happen.' Fox News host Jesse Watters has claimed that Hollywood star Shia LaBeouf allegedly hurled a vulgar insult at him in a Delta airport lounge in front of his children The moment allegedly occurred in the Delta lounge (stock photo pictured) The Fox News host had previously described the alleged confrontation back in 2019 when he was guest-hosting The Ingraham Angle (2019 Clip pictured) 'You should have called him Indiana Jones Jr.,' Fox News contributor Raymond Arroyo joked at the time, referencing his 2008 flick Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull. 'That would have shut him down immediately.' LaBeouf, 39, has been at center of various controversies over the years. Just this month, his ex-girlfriend, the musician FKA Twigs, officially ended her legal battle with LaBeouf, nearly four years after filing a high-profile lawsuit accusing the actor of abuse. According to court documents, the 37-year-old musician has requested to dismiss all claims against LaBeouf with prejudice, meaning she cannot bring the case back to court in the future. The lawsuit, filed in 2020, sought $10 million in damages and alleged sexual battery, assault, and emotional distress during the couple's relationship. The two began dating after meeting on the set of LaBeouf's 2019 semi-autobiographical film Honey Boy, in which the musician was cast. In a statement provided to the Daily Mail, attorneys for both parties confirmed the matter had been resolved privately. 'Committed to forging a constructive path forward, we have agreed to settle our case out of court,' the pair's respective attorneys said. 'While the details of the settlement will remain private, we wish each other personal happiness, professional success and peace in the future.' Late-night host and outspoken Trump critic Stephen Colbert stunned viewers by challenging Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on his show Tuesday. Colbert grilled the potential 2028 presidential candidate over his state's bizarrely drawn congressional maps, after the governor offered refuge to Texas Democrats fleeing the state over a plan to redraw its own electoral boundaries. The comedian pulled up a graphic of Illinois' congressional districts while discussing Texas Republicans' controversial plan to gerrymander the state's voting maps in their favor. 'If you are considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, you already have some crazy districts in Illinois,' Colbert said. 'Take a look at this. Look at [District] 17 here. It does that, then it comes up here, and it sneaks around there and goes all the way up here and then goes right over there like that,' Colbert said, outlining the oddly shaped voting district. 'Is this common for all states to do?' Pritzker attempted to laugh off the jab, joking that a kindergarten class must have drawn up the map. He then insisted it was an 'independent commission' responsible the boundaries. Late-night host and outspoken Trump critic Stephen Colbert stunned viewers by challenging Democratic Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on his show Tuesday The comedian pulled up a graphic of Illinois' congressional districts while discussing Texas Republicans' controversial plan to gerrymander the state's voting maps in their favor Showing another map, Colbert pointed to its irregular shape. 'It's like a stinger on a scorpion,' he joked. 'So because all states to a certain extent do this, why is what Texas [is] doing particularly egregious in this case?' Pritzker then shifted to discussing Texas Republicans redrawing their map 'at the behest of Donald Trump' and doing so 'mid-decade,' a break from the 10-year redistricting cycle tied to the census. The move could result in the Lone Star State getting five more GOP seats. 'That is extraordinarily rare,' the governor said of the off-cycle attempt. 'And the way they are doing it is taking voting rights away from black and brown people. They are literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act. 'So this is going to end up in court if they are actually able to do it.' For the billionaires in Mayfair, Belgravia and Knightsbridge, it does not make happy reading: house prices are down by as much as 35 per cent in prime central London as the rich flee Labours tax assault. Now the effects are rippling out across the capital and into commuter areas popular with families. Property values have fallen by as much as 8 per cent in some greater London boroughs and home counties neighbourhoods this year, new figures show with estate agents saying they are struggling to find buyers. But experts say there is a huge silver lining: the falls could be a rare opportunity to snap up a bargain particularly for families who work in London or those keen to return having moved out during the pandemic race for space. James Rawes, at Garrington Property Finders, says: London remains a popular place to live and it will continue to weather the storm. 'I always see it recovering. The real question is: when? Bargains: Property values have fallen by as much as 8% in some greater London boroughs and home counties neighbourhoods this year, new figures show What is happening? The slump in prices means 14.2 per cent one in seven people who have sold properties in London got back far less than they paid, according to estate agents Hamptons. Thats compared to 8.6 per cent of sellers across England and Wales who have lost money this year. The main reason is there are simply too many homes currently for sale in London and not enough buyers. Mr Rawes says: Estate agents have definitely got too much stock. They have too much to sell and not enough buyers it doesnt look good for them. They are trying to encourage their clients to reduce their prices. At the heart of the problem is Labours tax raids on wealth. High-net-worth individuals are fleeing, and overseas buyers who normally compete to snap up swathes of London rental properties and flats are staying away. Foreign buyers who already own a home elsewhere can face both the 5 per cent stamp duty second home surcharge and the 2 per cent non-resident surcharge on top of standard rates. On a 2million home purchase, this would mean a stamp duty bill of 293,750. Buying agent Henry Pryor says: Its got to the point where buyers could rent for three or four years just for the price of stamp duty. The crunch has triggered a flood of properties to enter the market and prices to dip. Trends in the central London market typically filter out into surrounding areas, particularly the M25 commuter belt, where prices tend to be driven by the purchasing power of families moving out of the capital. And those families are now also being hit by higher mortgage and stamp duty rates. In summer 2020, the best five-year fixed rate mortgage was 1.3 per cent. Now rates are around 4 per cent. If borrowing 750,000 over 25 years, this means an extra 1,000 a month limiting the amount buyers can offer on a property. Since thresholds were changed in April, 83 per cent of buyers now face paying stamp duty up from just 49 per cent before the changes, property portal Zoopla found. Your browser does not support iframes. London versus the country Price tags in London compared to the English average have been falling since January 2016, when the capitals premium hit a peak of 135 per cent, according to Hamptons. Back then, a London property was worth 489,741, compared to 208,050 in the rest of England. Now a London home is worth 95 per cent more than the typical English one, as the gap gradually closes 565,637 compared to 290,395 respectively. The long-term data reveals a cyclical rise and fall in this figure, with the gap widening and closing over decades. But its currently closing. Richard Donnell, executive director at Zoopla, explains London homes soared in price after the global financial crisis, which was fuelled by lower mortgage rates, easier access to credit and strong private investor demand. But this changed in 2016 with the introduction of tax changes aimed at private landlords and overseas investors in UK property, he says. This dented investment just as the Brexit vote arrived, which hit business confidence and investment in London. At the same time, new mortgage regulations were being introduced to stop a house price boom off the back of lower mortgage rates. These events capped demand and buying power across the UK, hitting particularly hard in London. Window: Experts say now could be a rare opportunity to snap up a bargain particularly for families who work in London or those keen to return having moved out during the pandemic Opportunities for buyers For those with buyers remorse after moving out of London, or who simply want or need to live in the capital for work, now could be a great time to go house-hunting. Buying agent Henry Sherwood says: If youre selling then its not great. But for buyers its fantastic. For example, those who moved out during lockdown can move back into central London for a fraction of the cost they would have paid at the previous peak. So where to look? While prices overall rose 0.2 per cent from January to May in Tower Hamlets, East London, they were down 8.1 per cent, according to analysis from London estate agent Benham and Reeves. Properties in the borough, which is next to the City and home to Canary Wharf, are selling for 479,284 on average, down from 521,663. And prices in Redbridge, north-east London, fell 5.4 per cent in that period, from 493,694 to 467,212. Barnet, in north London, saw prices drop 3.9 per cent, while homes in sought-after Richmond fell by 3.8 per cent. In outer London, Croydon, Sutton and Enfield saw falls of 0.3 per cent, 0.3 per cent and 0.5 per cent respectively. And in the South-East, prices fell by an average 0.7 per cent down 3.4 per cent in Surrey Heath and 3.2 per cent in South Oxfordshire. Further out of the capital, prices rose in both Milton Keynes (6.1 per cent) and Basingstoke and Deane (5.9 per cent). How to take advantage The advice from experts is to put yourself in a position to negotiate hard. If you need a mortgage and to sell your own home to move, line up both before you put in an offer. Estate agents like what they call proceedable buyers and will recommend their offers to sellers. To take advantage of price falls, make sure youre selling in an area with strong demand and buying in one where prices are falling. The outgoing chief executive of Novo Nordisk has revealed plans to ramp-up cost cutting 'efficiencies' across the business, as the drugmaker battles to fend off rivals. It comes as company veteran Mike Doustdar prepares to take the helm on Thursday, tasked with keeping Novo competitive in the booming weight-loss drug market against US rival Eli Lilly and a wave of copycats. The Danish group, which makes both Ozempic and Wegovy, reiterated its lower annual guidance on Wednesday and unveiled lower than expected earnings for the second quarter. Sales of the firm's diabetes drugs, including Ozempic, slowed to grow at 8 per cent year-on-year in the first half. In a profit warning last week, Novo Nordisk lowered its 2025 sales outlook, wiping $95billion of its market value. On Wednesday, outgoing boss Lars Jorgensen said in a statement: 'We have lowered our full-year outlook due to lower growth expectations for our GLP-1 treatments in the second half of 2025. 'As a result, we are taking measures to sharpen our commercial execution further, and ensure efficiencies in our cost base while continuing to invest in future growth.' Cost cutting: The outgoing chief executive of Novo Nordisk said cost cutting 'efficiencies' across the business would be ramped up The drugmaker was Europe's most valuable company last year, with a market cap around $650billion, on the back of sales of its blockbuster weight-loss drug. But the group's share price has fallen more than 60 per cent over the last 12 months and Novo is now facing a pivotal moment as competition intensifies. The group's share price slump from its June 2024 peak has wiped out more than $400billion of value, dethroning it as Europes most valuable company. Company veteran Mike Doustdar, who will take the helm on Thursday, will face tough questions from shareholders about how it can stay competitive in the booming weight-loss drug market against US rival Eli Lilly and a wave of 'compounded' copycat versions. Novo Nordisk has been hit by copycats of its GLP-1 drugs Wegovy for weight-loss and Ozempic for diabetes. Laws in the US bars pharmacies from replicating approved drugs, but has allowed 'compounding', or mixing of medications, for patients needing custom doses or formulations. Sales of Wegovy rose 67 per cent to 19.53billion Danish crowns in the second quarter from a year ago, the company said on Wednesday. Novo Nordisk reported second-quarter sales of 76.86billion Danish crowns, or around $11.92billion, up 18 per cent from last year, below analysts' initial expectations. It confirmed a 2025 sales growth forecast of between 8 per cent and 14 per cent, which was cut in a profit warning last week from the previous 13 per cent to 21 per cent. Last week marked the second time this year the group cut its sales forecast. Second-quarter earnings before interest and taxation stood at 33.45billion Danish crowns, up 29 per cent from a year ago. Operating profit rose to 33.4billion Danish crowns, or around $5.2billion, in the period, falling short of analyst forecasts of 34.4billion Danish crowns. Jorgensen said on Wednesday: 'With more than one billion people living with obesity globally, including more than 100million living in the US, and only a few million on treatment, I am confident that under Mike Doustdar's leadership, Novo Nordisk will maximise the significant growth opportunities, supported by a strong product portfolio and future pipeline'. Mike Bush is under no illusion about the challenges that confront him as top cop after a leadership crisis in Australia's second-largest police force. The former New Zealand police commissioner officially took the reins of Victoria Police on Friday, ending a four-month saga among the force's top ranks. Restoring public trust in the troubled force and tackling the state's exploding crime rate are among his initial priorities. 'There's too much crime,' Mr Bush told reporters after a traditional Maori powhiri ceremony and an address to about 360 budding recruits at the state police academy in Glen Waverley. 'There's too much youth crime. Organised crime drives so much harm in our communities. 'We've got to find a way to work with others to get ahead of it.' A self-described outsider, Mr Bush comes to Victoria Police after a highly publicised leadership crisis. An overwhelming no-confidence vote from officers after an 18-month pay dispute cost chief commissioner Shane Patton his job in February. Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Mike Bush spoke to members of the force during his first day at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne Rick Nugent stepped in as acting chief and expressed an interest in making the move permanent but withdrew from the race in April, citing a lack of drive. Deputy police commissioner Neil Paterson, who was also shown the door, had earlier made a complaint to the corruption watchdog alleging 'gross interference and politicisation of police function' from senior figures. The change at the top of the Victorian force comes after NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb recently announced her early retirement, although she has tipped one of the state's own to replace her. Flanked by Premier Jacinta Allan and Police Minister Anthony Carbines, Mr Bush vowed not to shirk from asking 'hard questions' of them. 'Governments love that,' he said. 'Well the governments I'm used to and I'm sure this government (do) as well ... that is part of my job.' Mr Bush described putting the Victoria Police uniform on for the first time as 'weird but great' and revealed he recently caught up with Mr Patton, whom he had known and respected for many years. 'We might have different ways of policing,' the Kiwi said. Machete attacks have been a problem in Victoria this year Mike Bush (right) speaks to media alongside Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan during his first day at the Victoria Police Academy in Melbourne on Friday 'He shared his advice. I have my own from over 42 years.' The police veteran joined the NZ police force in 1978 and led it from 2014 to 2020, with the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks and Whakaari/White Island volcano eruption among the biggest crises of his tenure. Crime statistics show youth crime in Victoria at its highest point since 1993, when electronic data collection started. The latest figures do not capture the impact of harsher bail laws rushed through parliament by the under-pressure Allan Labor government. Police union boss Wayne Gatt said every police officer and community member in Victoria had a stake in Mr Bush's success. The incoming chief commissioner had a reputation as a leader who listened to officers and prioritised prevention as the greatest weapon against crime, Mr Gatt said. 'We think that these virtues will be invaluable in the fight to win back Victoria,' he said. The Victorian opposition issued a list of 10 priorities for Mr Bush's five-year tenure, including filling officer vacancies and speaking truth to power. 'I hope chief commissioner Bush gets the chance to do that, but at the moment I have no confidence,' Opposition Leader Brad Battin said. Another round of proposed changes to bail laws is expected to be introduced to parliament as early as late July. Coles' own-brand peanut butter has been urgently recalled after it was contaminated by liver cancer-causing chemicals. The 1kg tubs of both the smooth and crunchy Coles Peanut Butter, marked with the date February 5, 2027, have been sold across Australia in supermarkets and online. But on Monday, Food Standards Australia and New Zealand issued a warning that people 'should not eat this product.'. The watchdog said there was an issue with biotoxin (aflatoxin) contamination. 'Food products containing aflatoxin may cause illness/injury if consumed,' the notice said. 'Consumers should return the product(s) to the place of purchase for a full refund.' 'Aflatoxins are poisonous and liver cancer-causing chemicals that are produced by certain moulds which grow in soil, decaying vegetation, hay, grains, oilseeds and tree nuts,' Food Standards said in 2023. If it contaminates food, it can cause liver cancer. Coles' Smooth and Crunchy Peanut Butter tubs have been recalled after concerns they have been contaminated with aflatoxin, which can cause liver cancer in people Aflatoxin is also a regulated toxin in animal feed globally because it can poison animals if they eat enough. The recall notices said that anyone concerned about their health should seek medical advice. Coles Online customers can receive a refund or credit by contacting Coles Online Customer Care. Anyone seeking further information has been urged to contact Coles Supermarket. Cindy French repeatedly had to get up and leave during the trial of the man charged with her older sister's murder. French and other family members had travelled from different parts of the country to Colorado in 2022 for the case against Alan Phillips, then 71, who'd been arrested and charged decades after the 1982 killings of her sister, Annette Schnee, and another young blond, 29-year-old Bobbi Jo Oberholtzer. Both women vanished on January 6, 1982, after hitchhiking near Breckenridge, about 80 miles west and 4,500ft higher than Denver. Friends of Oberholtzer's organized a search party and found her body the next day; Schnee wasn't found until the following July. Both had been shot within hours of each other. Phillips wasn't tied to the double murders until almost 40 years later, thanks to blood, DNA and circumstantial evidence - including the fact he'd been rescued from the mountain on the night of the murders when his truck got stuck in a blizzard. He was found with a huge bruise on his head. 'It was very hard sitting in the same courtroom with this man who had no reaction - just nothing, just [a] stonewall face - and it was just so eerie and so creepy,' French told the Daily Mail. 'You relive in your mind her last moments - the terror, and when he left her out there in the snow bleeding to death and [she] hears the car drive off,' French says, her voice shaking. 'Just the sheer terror - was she thinking about mom? It's just horrible,' she says. 'So really, going through that trial, I had to leave a couple of times - especially when they were talking [about] when they found the body and stuff.' Annette Schnee, 21, vanished from Breckenridge, Colorado on January 6, 1982 and was found fatally shot six months later Annette's younger sister, Cindy French - pictured as a child with the victim - says her family felt they'd found some type of 'peace' after a man was convicted 40 years after the murder In the end, however, Phillips was convicted and sentenced to life in prison where he died by suicide four months later, in early 2023. 'We waited 40 years. We got the guy. The jury found him guilty,' French tells the Daily Mail. 'He went to prison. He took his own life. We thought Mom, who's 92 years old, you can be at peace now.' Up until this June, at least. That's when a Colorado law firm filed notice of claim, a prerequisite before filing a civil suit on behalf of Phillips' daughter, Andrea Shelton, essentially seeking to invalidate the late prisoner's guilt. It came five months after a disgraced DNA analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI), Yvonne 'Missy' Woods, was accused of mishandling evidence for 15 years. She was charged with 102 counts including cybercrime, perjury and forgery in connection to the alleged manipulating and tampering - which could lead to the unravelling of untold numbers of criminal cases. Woods has not yet entered a plea; her arraignment has been pushed to October as the defense team scours more than 45,000 files, they told a Colorado judge on Monday. After anomalies were discovered in Woods' work, an investigation 'revealed evidence of instances where Woods altered and deleted quantification values, re-ran entire batches of DNA multiple times without any documentation and concealed possible contamination,' First Judicial District Attorney Alexis King said in a January release announcing the charges. That included 30 sexual assault cases. Her behavior cost the state of Colorado upward of $11 million, the release continued. One man has already walked free from prison; Boulder authorities vacated Michael Clark's murder conviction earlier this year after new DNA testing turned up different results from Woods.' Woods' lawyer told Daily Mail this week that she had no comment. The law firm representing Phillips' daughter, Mehr Jolly PLC, told the Daily Mail she also would not be giving interviews. Alan Phillips was 71 when he was convicted of the murders of Schnee and Bobbo Jo Oberholtzer, 29, who vanished the same day In its announcement of the notice to sue, the firm alleged 'not only that Woods mishandled the evidence used to convict Shelton's father but that members of the CBI "were aware of anomalies in Ms Woods prior reporting of DNA results prior to the time that Mr Phillips was arrested, charged, tried and convicted" and failed to disclose that information.' The CBI told Daily Mail it had no comment on the firm's notice filing. Schnee's sisters and mother were on vacation together last month when they found out about the filing. 'I don't even have the words,' says French, who works as a court reporter, as does her husband. 'I think it's absolutely ridiculous to try to get monetary compensation when your dad was rightly convicted of two murders. It's just beyond my imagination. 'If anybody should be getting any compensation, it should be the victims' families. They're the ones who lost the loved one and had to bury the loved one... 'I think that there are so many other pieces of evidence that it doesn't matter,' she says. 'Just because she mishandled how many cases, that doesn't mean that every single case that she ever became involved with is tainted.' The murders of her sister and Oberholtzer remained unsolved, torturing their families, for longer than both girls had been alive. Annette had moved to Colorado 'to figure out her life,' her sister says. She grew up in Iowa, then attended modeling school in Nebraska. She was 21, working two jobs and living with roommates in the famed tourist destination of Summit County at the time of her disappearance. 'She was beautiful,' says French, who was 12 when Annette vanished - and idolized her older sibling. 'She had so many friends. She was so outgoing I still have some letters from her that she wrote me, and she always just said how much she missed us.' On the afternoon of January 6, 1982, Annette visited a doctor, then hitchhiked to a pharmacy in Breckenridge. At the time, hitchhiking was very common in the mountain towns. The 21-year-old was last seen around 4:45pm. Phillips' truck got stuck during a blizzard on the night the women vanished and he had to be rescued from the region where their bodies were later found Disgraced DNA analyst for the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Yvonne 'Missy' Woods, has been accused of mishandling evidence for 15 years Oberholtzer, meanwhile, had received a promotion at her Breckenridge real estate job that day and told her husband, Jeff, she was hitchhiking back to their home in Alma. Aware of the dangers of hitchhiking, despite the safe vibe of the area, he'd fashioned her a heavy hook for her keychain she always carried that could double as a weapon. In January, Woods was charged with 102 counts including cybercrime, perjury and forgery in connection to the alleged scheme that has led to the unravelling of multiple criminal cases For years, Jeff had been a main suspect in the murders, though authorities eventually cleared him when his blood type didn't match blood on a glove found with Oberholtzer. Then, decades later, investigators asked a Denver-based genealogy to run DNA evidence from the case. It turned up two names in January 2021: Phillips and his brother, who'd never lived in the area of the crimes. Authorities then tied a seemingly unrelated incident to the murders: Phillips' rescue on the same night. Then 30, he began flashing SOS signs with his truck lights after the vehicle became stuck near Guanella Pass. A sheriff on a flight passing overhead saw them, incredibly, and word was sent to local rescue groups. Dave Montoya, the Clear Creek County fire chief at the time, was the one who plucked Phillips from the blizzard and noticed the stranded man's head injury. Phillips said he'd fallen when stumbling around in the snow during the storm. 'We ended up picking up a guy straight out of hell,' Montoya told Denver's KUSA TV, calling the circumstances of the rescue 'the craziest thing I ever heard of'. When he found Phillips, 'he said he got drunk and decided to drive home', Montoya told the station. Annette Schnee had gone to modelling school in Nebraska and was working two jobs, living with roommates and trying to 'figure out her life' in Colorado at the time that she vanished Bobbi Jo Oberholtzer, 29, had received a promotion that day at her Breckenridge real estate job and vanished after leaving friends on her way home to her husband 'And I said, 'You came up over the pass?' And he said, 'Well, it seemed like a good idea.' I thought, how in the heck did this guy get so lucky, for all the stuff to fall into place?' French points to the same rescue as further damning evidence of Phillips' culpability. Describing Phillips 'trying to go over a mountain in the middle of a blizzard,' she says it's something 'anybody in their right mind would not have done unless they did not want to go back through Breckenridge for some reason.' French recalled testimony that Phillips 'had a wound on his head, and that Bobbi Jo supposedly used her key chain and hit' him. 'When he got arrested, he didn't freak out and go, 'Oh my gosh, what are you talking about? A double murder? I didn't do that!' she says. 'He basically went in, and when they drove him back through the scene on the way to the jail, he got physically sick and ill,' she says. 'He attempted suicide before trial. 'Well, in my mind, if you're innocent, why would you go and not go to trial? And then, after being convicted, he [died by] suicide before his appeal,' she says. 'Well, if you're innocent, then wait for the appeal to come about. Members of Annette's family, pictured before her disappearance, flew across the country to Colorado to watch the defendant face justice after 40 years of not knowing Annette's sister says she resolutely stands behind Phillips' conviction - and lament how 'she wanted to get out there and try to figure out life and didn't have a chance to do that' French is outraged by a notice to sue the CBI and a DNA analyst filed on behalf of Phillips' daughter - seeking $100m for alleged mishandling of evidence leading to his conviction - saying: 'If anybody should be getting any compensation, it should be the victims' families. They're the ones who lost the loved one and had to bury the loved one 'So, in my mind, this Missy Woods [angle] is just a door to get in there and for attorneys to get their name out there in a high-profile case. They want other people, cases that Missy Woods handled, to come forward, so then they can profit off of it, also.' Tyler Jolly, one of the attorneys representing plaintiff Shelton, said 'more than 10 individuals and families' had reached out since the firm issued notice of the claim to explore possible action over convictions based on Woods' evidence. 'Our perspective is that the DNA was absolutely critical to the conviction in Mr Phillips' case, and the DNA was absolutely critical to, potentially, convictions in other cases,' Jolly told the Daily Mail. 'Absent DNA that was discovered by Ms Woods, that she testified tied Mr Phillips to this crime, then... I don't think there would have been any conviction of Mr Phillips.' He said the law firm would file suit if they've not received a response by the deadline of September 23, 90 days after filing notice. Jolly said he felt for the victims' families who could be affected by civil action - but reiterated that 'the person who has affected their sense of closure is Missy Woods. 'And what's been reported by CBI is her omitting material facts, tampering with DNA... the number of cases is so enormous we think that it's important for the individuals who are charged and for their families to have the truth.' As French and her family try to come to terms with the action by Phillips' daughter, they remember and miss Schnee. French gave her own child the middle name Annette as a tribute. They'd found some solace initially, but now, 'two, three years later, you're not at peace anymore I can't believe that there is a loophole where she can come in and try to get $100 million,' French huffs. 'Really, I mean, come on. 'I guess my brain has such a hard time wrapping around it, it's hard to put in words.' She and her family resolutely stand behind Phillips' conviction, she says, 'DNA aside, there's so much.' She is still angry about the theft of her sister from her family, and the theft of a future from Annette. 'She wanted to get out there and try to figure out life, and didn't have a chance to do that.' Tucked away in Sydney's leafy Wahroonga, Knox Grammar is one of Australia's most prestigious schools - home to rugby stars, old money and generations of tradition. It's the kind of place where blazers are pressed, surnames carry weight and relationships are formed that can last a lifetime. Notable alumni include actor Hugh Jackman, former Prime Minister Gough Whitlam and author Peter FitzSimons, plus a galaxy of stars from sports, politics and business. But behind the manicured lawns and eye-watering fees - $42,000 per year for Year 12 day students - lies a legacy of controversy. In the latest blow, last week a court suppression order was lifted to reveal that Knox alumnus David William James, 26, is accused of producing child abuse material linked to his employment in after-school care centres across Sydney. According to his Year 12 yearbook, Mr James had been active in Knox's co-curricular life. He served in the cadets, sang in various choirs and played in the Symphonic Wind Ensemble. James was also part of the old boys' bagpipe band in the years after he graduated in 2017. In recent decades, the private school has been rocked by scandal after scandal. David William James (pictured), 26, attended Knox Grammar in Wahroonga until 2017 In recent decades, the $40,000-a-year boys' school has been rocked by scandal after scandal In August 2022, controversy erupted when 150 students were exposed for participating in a private chat group known as 'Gang Gang' where they shared racist, antisemitic, misogynistic and homophobic content, including jokes about abortion and paedophilia, and doctored images of sexual violence. Alarmingly, staff are alleged to have known about the group for weeks before taking action. The group had operated for two years before it was reported in July 2022, and was finally disbanded the following month. Users in the chatroom, hosted by the messaging service Discord, sent the vile messages using aliases like 'n*****removalservice' and 'Fa**othater3000'. 'I hate fems I hate gays, jews, people who don't play fortnite, furries, n*****s, I love titties, feet abortion, rape, drugs,' one of the disturbing messages read. Other messages included: 'Hitler is always stay in my heart. Heil Hitler'. 'Silly "pro choices" think women's rights matter I only hate children and wish for them to die, take them out at the source.' 'I'm a maniacal potential pedophile who rapes babies for a living.' Shocking videos of young men appearing to be brutally raped or assaulted were also shared in the group chat. A group-chat scandal led radio host Kyle Sandilands to announce he would not be sending his then-newborn son Otto to the exclusive Sydney boys' college Messages in the group chat were sexist and racist (pictured: a mock-up of the Discord group) In a letter sent to parents, Knox Headmaster Scott James said the students involved had posted 'inappropriate messages and engaged in offensive commentary in private chat rooms' One student in the chat said 'gang gang lore' would prevent members from snitching, with another assuring that teachers didn't have the authority to 'search your device for non-school-related affairs'. Knox Grammar initially responded by suspending several students for their participation in the group and launched an internal investigation. A spokesperson for the school subsequently told Daily Mail the boys had been expelled and were 'trying to settle in at other schools'. The scandal led radio presenter Kyle Sandilands to announce he would not be sending his then-newborn son Otto to the exclusive Sydney boys' college. 'I cancelled his application,' he revealed on air. 'I thought, "He ain't going there."' Last year, former Knox student and teacher William Roberto Gulson, 27, was charged with one count of procuring or grooming a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity. Former student and teacher William Gulson (pictured) was charged with one count of procuring or grooming a child under 16 for unlawful sexual activity. He was granted bail on strict conditions and has pleaded not guilty He faced Parramatta Local Court via videolink, wearing a jacket bearing the Knox logo and handcuffs. The court heard Gulson told the complainant: 'Sorry dude, I feel super conflicted, do you find it hot that you are as old as some of my students?' Gulson knew the teen's age at the time. Gulson held a number of roles at Knox, including as a drama and English teacher and a Year 7 mentor. In 2023, he received a 'Living Our Values' award from the School Council. He was granted bail on strict conditions, including no contact with anyone under 18 and a ban on entering or loitering near Knox Grammar. Gulson has pleaded not guilty and will fight the allegations against him at a three-day hearing in September. In unrelated matters, the school was among several elite institutions scrutinised by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse, with public hearings in March 2015 focusing on abuse from the 1970s to the 2000s. The inquiry revealed multiple teachers at Knox had abused students over decades, while senior staff consistently failed to alert police or take meaningful action. Former headmaster Ian Paterson admitted withholding information from authorities - a revelation that sparked public outrage and formal apologies from the school. The scandal devastated Knox Grammar's reputation and became a landmark case in Australia's reckoning with historical institutional abuse. Nevertheless, for many among Sydney's elite, a Knox education remains the golden ticket - to rugby glory, elite universities, and corporate boardrooms. A luxury glamping company has refused to bow to pressure after a customer demanded a full refund because they claimed they were forced to sleep in the freezing cold when their air conditioner broke. Zhi Jian stayed overnight in a luxury off-grid clear bubble tent at Bubbletent Australia in the Capertree Valley, NSW, on July 10. The adults-only glamping sanctuary promises a night under the stars overlooking the second biggest canyon in the world, just two and a half hours from Sydney. Mr Zhi booked the Ophiuchus tent, which offers features including a telescope, an all-weather firepit, a rotating bed and geothermal reverse-cycle air conditioning, for $855 a night. The disgruntled customer claimed their air conditioner had given out in the middle of the night and that they'd been forced to 'use more blankets' to keep warm. Bubbletent's lawyers, Rostron Carlyle Rojas, told Daily Mail a staff member had been sent to the site and 'there was no evidence of a fault in the system as alleged'. The glamping company then offered the customer a $300 voucher on top of the $50 discount offered in its terms and services as a gesture of goodwill. 'In the event of a malfunction or unsatisfactory performance, management reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to offer a rate adjustment of up to $50 per night of stay,' it states. Pictured is one of Bubbletent Australia's luxury off-grid clear bubble tents, similar to the one Zhi Jian stayed in overnight in the Capertree Valley, NSW, on July 10 Sonny Vrebac (pictured) founded Bubbletent Australia along with Mayu Iwasaki Mr Zhi asked for a refund following his stay, citing the alleged problem with the aircon system, and the 'discomfort and health risks' associated with sleeping in cold conditions. Bubbletent responded by asking the customer if he could share the temperature inside the tent during his stay and to provide more details about the 'health issues'. Mr Zhi was then reminded of the terms and conditions which every customer must agree to upon booking a stay. 'Once any technical issues are resolved to management's satisfaction, the room rate will revert to the advertised price,' it states. The customer stated a $300 voucher was not useful as he was an overseas tourist before accusing Bubbletent of a 'breach of the Australian Consumer Law'. He also shared his intention to lodge a formal complaint with NSW Fair Trading and with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission. In an email shared online, Bubbletent replied: 'Next step after Fair Trading is NCAT, you can make a submission here, you'll need more than Chat GPT to argue your position with the registrar.' Mr Zhi wrote a one star review online and shared his experience on Reddit. Bubbletent promises a night under the stars overlooking the second biggest canyon in the world The luxury glamping experience is just two and a half hours from Sydney In correspondence shared by Bubbletent to Daily Mail, Mr Zhi said he had warned the company he intended to share a public review in a previous email and claimed he was not responsible for any other reviews. He said his review 'was posted with the intent to allow consumers to make an informed decision due to the inherent power imbalance of a consumer and business'. Bubbletent replied: 'There is no power imbalance here Zhi, you've chosen the path of denigration as opposed to exercising your rights as a consumer and this pathway now carries grave consequences. 'This has gone to the next level and I assure you we are now in the process of fighting this vigorously'. Bubbletent's lawyers have said Mr Zhi 'falsely asserted that the 'fault' (of which there is no evidence occurred at all, other than Mr Zhi's assertion) is a major failure' under Australian Consumer Law. The 'failure (if indeed it occurred at all), clearly constitutes only a minor failure, and one which was promptly, properly and legally addressed'. Bubbletent shared a statement with Daily Mail, claiming the company's objective was 'to provide guests with a premium glamping experience'. 'In pursuit of this goal, we may incorporate unique, customised, or repurposed features that may not have been specifically engineered, approved, or designed to standard specifications, including but not limited to turntables and geothermal air conditioning,' the statement read. Bubbletent offers features including a telescope, an all-weather firepit, a rotating bed and geothermal reverse-cycle air conditioning 'To the best of our knowledge, these features have not been previously implemented in a Bubbletent. While we endeavor to ensure a safe and optimal performance of these features, unforeseen technical issues may occur. 'We live in an age where anyone can post, review bomb or write whatever they choose, but that does not mean it comes without ramification or personal responsibility.' Entire Australian towns could be 'hollowed out' and thousands left jobless as China's aggressive economic meddling drives local smelters and refineries to the brink, a damning new report has warned. The McKell Institute has sounded the alarm, revealing that up to 73,000 jobs are now hanging in the balance across regional communities that rely on metal refining and smelting to survive. In some towns, the fallout could be catastrophic, with up to 11 per cent of residents forced to pack up and leave if their local plants shut down. The report singles out Port Pirie in South Australia - home to Nyrstar, one of the nation's oldest smelters - warning the community faces 'long-term collapse' if the industry fails. The facility is one of the world's largest primary lead and zinc smelters. At the heart of the crisis is Beijing's multibillion-dollar flood of industrial subsidies, which the report says now exceed even China's defence spending - leaving Australian producers hopelessly outgunned in global markets. McKell Institute chief executive Ed Cavanough warns that unless the Federal Government takes urgent action, Australia risks losing its foothold in critical mineral processing - and with it, the future of dozens of proud working towns. 'We know that China is almost certainly spending more on industrial subsidisation than it is on defence,' he said. McKell Institute chief executive Ed Cavanough warns that unless the Federal Government takes urgent action, Australia risks losing its foothold in critical mineral processing. Anthony Albanese is pictured with Chinese President Xi Jinping The commercial dock and lead smelter at Port Pirie in South Australia A Chinese worker loads aluminium tapes at an aluminium production plant in Huaibei 'In the short-term, China's geoeconomic strategy is designed to onshore as much global heavy industrial capacity as possible. 'In the longer-term the strategic goal is limiting the viability of critical manufacturing in competitor economies, including Australia.' Mr Cavanough said this will create a huge long-term economic advantage for China, and hobble Australia's industrial capacity. 'Other nations have seen this and are responding strongly,' he said. 'Economies that wish to withstand future global economic shocks will need to be able to refine and process metals. 'If Australia loses those capabilities, we leave ourselves massively exposed.' Mr Cavanough criticised the Australian government for playing 'industrial whack-a-mole' by working with individual refiners to preserve individual plants as they come under threat. 'This approach is not sustainable over the longer term,' he said. McKell Institute chief executive Ed Cavanough (pictured) says the Australian government needs to take action now to shore up its metal processing industry 'If the Commonwealth government is serious about preserving Australia's capacity to manufacture metals as it should be then we need decisive structural action now.' Mr Cavanough noted South Australia was particularly vulnerable. 'Our analysis shows that if the Port Pirie smelter were to close, the town's population could drop by around 2,000 people that's 11 per cent in the first year alone,' he said. 'These would be the town's most economically productive residents leaving with their families. 'South Australia simply cannot afford to lose industrial anchors such as the Port Pirie smelter - anchors that have sustained regional communities for generations.' Among the report's recommendations to the Albanese government include mandating a proportion of raw materials extracted from Australia must be refined here and strengthen domestic procurement requirements in major government projects. The US will soon be locked in a three-way nuclear arms race with Russia and China a scary new chapter in global brinkmanship that experts say is far more complicated and dangerous than the two-sided Cold War standoff with the Soviet Union. For decades, the balance of terror rested on a relatively simple formula: Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) between Washington and Moscow. But now, Beijing's stunning nuclear build-up is reshaping the strategic landscape and the old rules no longer apply. The numbers are sobering. China is on track to quadruple its nuclear arsenal by the early 2030s, racing toward a stockpile of 1,500 warheads, many mounted on ultra-fast hypersonic glide missiles designed to dodge US defenses. Beijing has also been constructing dozens of mysterious underground silos across its western deserts, sparking fears of a rapid-launch capability on par with America's own. Russia, meanwhile, already possesses the world's largest nuclear stockpile, and Vladimir Putin shows no signs of slowing down. Moscow is even developing an underwater nuclear drone capable of triggering tsunamis. Worse still for America: Moscow and Beijing are cozying up. Their self-proclaimed 'no limits' partnership was on full display this week in the Sea of Japan, where their destroyers staged joint mock combat drills. The challenge facing the US is immense. Eric Edelman, the vice chair of the National Defense Strategy Commission, a nonpartisan advisory panel created by Congress, called it a seemingly insurmountable 'three-body problem'. 'How can one nuclear power simultaneously deter two nuclear peers?' he asks. A two-way nuclear race between Russia and the US was scary enough. Add a third nation, China, to the mix, and the results are unwieldy The Doomsday Clock says humanity is now the closest it has ever been to a catastrophic event that could imperil all of civilization Pentagon officials are grappling with this unnerving new reality, where established principles of deterrence, crisis stability, and arms control become exponentially more complex when three roughly equal actors are involved. A 2023 congressional strategy commission warned that the shift to a three-way race represented 'an existential challenge for which the US is ill-prepared, unless its leaders make decisions now to adjust the strategic posture.' For some, it's time for America to rearm and prepare for a looming Sino-Russian nuclear decapitation strike. Others argue that a three-way race is the road to the apocalypse and only universal disarmament can save mankind. The Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) laid bare the threat in June. Its annual report confirmed that all nine nuclear-armed states are expanding their arsenals and walking away from arms control agreements. Members of the nuclear-armed club the US, Russia, Britain, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel plan to increase stockpiles amid rising geopolitical tensions, SIPRI expert Hans Kristensen reported. He warned of a 'clear trend of growing nuclear arsenals, sharpened nuclear rhetoric, and the abandonment of arms control agreements.' SIPRI said Russia and the US which together possess around 90 percent of all nuclear weapons kept their stockpile sizes stable in 2024, but are both extensively modernizing and could increase the size of their arsenals in the future. The fastest-growing arsenal is China's, with Beijing adding about 100 new warheads per year since 2023. By the end of the decade, China could have as many intercontinental ballistic missiles as either Russia or the US SIPRI's estimates place Russia and the US at approximately 5,459 and 5,177 nuclear warheads respectively, while China holds around 600 more than enough to wipe out humanity and collapse the planet's ecosystems. America needs to quickly fit warheads to 400 intercontinental ballistic missiles to answer the threat from Russia and China, experts warn Your browser does not support iframes. The big unknown: Are there truly 'no limits' to the partnership between Xi Jinping and Vladimir Putin, the presidents of China and Russia In January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists moved its Doomsday Clock one second closer to midnight, warning that humanity is now the closest it has ever been to a catastrophic event that could imperil all of civilization. The threat of nuclear Armageddon became painfully clear in recent days during a war of words between US President Donald Trump and former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Medvedev, now a hawkish online provocateur, boasted of Russia's Soviet-era nuclear strike capabilities. Trump hit back at his 'highly provocative statements' and said he had ordered two US nuclear submarines to reposition in response. On Monday, Russia declared it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles the latest in a long line of rejections of arms control norms. The main nuclear arms control deal between the US and Russia, the New START treaty, is due to expire in 2026. A successor now appears unlikely, as Moscow continues to threaten the use of battlefield nukes in Ukraine. Trump, during his first term, invited China to join trilateral nuclear arms reduction talks but Beijing was reluctant, citing its comparatively smaller arsenal. Any such talks now appear to be a distant prospect. With no binding agreements in place, the three-way race is spiraling into a free-for-all. Even worse, the US is struggling to keep up. Its nuclear arsenal is decades old. Modernization is underway, but painfully slow, plagued by cost overruns and bureaucratic delays. Warhead production facilities are outdated and bottlenecked, unable to quickly scale production if needed. Show of strength: Russian Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles drive through central Moscow for a military parade US President Donald Trump has pushed for strengthening and modernizing the US nuclear arsenal The element of surprise: A US Trident submarine launches a ballistic missile as part of a military test Pentagon planners are increasingly worried about a nightmare scenario in which Russia strikes in Europe while China invades Taiwan. If both adversaries act in tandem or coordination, the US could face an unprecedented dilemma: how to respond to two simultaneous nuclear threats with a single command system, a finite arsenal, and mere minutes to make potentially world-ending decisions. Emerging technologies make this scenario even more terrifying. Hypersonic weapons from Russia or China could arrive before US defenses can even detect them. Artificial intelligence, cyberattacks, and space-based weapons are rewriting the rules of deterrence a game that once had predictable red lines. Edelman says Russia and China could even be preparing for a joint surprise strike to 'decapitate' America's leadership including the president and top military commanders before it can retaliate. The two powers are rapidly developing anti-satellite systems, cyberweapons, and hypersonic delivery vehicles that can evade US missile defenses. Upgrading America's aging command and control systems is the 'first order of business', Edelman says. Strategic weapons experts Mark Schneider and Keith Payne, from the National Institute for Public Policy, warned in a recent report that the US has already fallen dangerously behind and should ditch New START and rapidly catch up. They called for an immediate 'nuclear upload' adding multiple warheads to 400 land-based Minuteman III ICBMs and to the Navy's submarine-launched missiles. This, they argue, is the 'only way America can adequately enhance the force size and flexibility needed to tailor deterrence in the near term for the prevention of great power conflict.' Some experts argue a three-way nuclear race can only end in disaster and that rapid global disarmament is the only hope. Others believe the MAD theory still holds: that despite the saber-rattling, none of the three powers would dare pull the trigger. But unlike the Cold War, there are no red phones, no predictable deterrence models, and no second chances. China is adding 100 new warheads to its nuclear force each year as part of a broader military build-up This photo taken in 1948 shows a view of the devastated city of Hiroshima in Japan, three years after the first atomic bomb was dropped on a population Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba says the nuclear threat is 'even more challenging' nowadays One miscalculation a false alarm, a misunderstood missile test, a flashpoint over Taiwan or Ukraine could trigger global catastrophe within minutes. Speaking at a ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the US atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, warned of deepening global divisions and an 'even more challenging' nuclear threat landscape today. 'That is exactly why we must make all-out efforts to bring about a world without nuclear war and a world without nuclear weapons,' he said at a wreath laying in the city where 140,000 perished in the August 1945 blast. As the Cold War fades into history, a new, more chaotic, and potentially catastrophic nuclear era is dawning and America finds itself caught in the middle. This is no ordinary arms race. It's a three-way sprint to the edge of annihilation. The primary election is ten months away, but many South Carolinians who spoke to the Daily Mail said they are unenthused about Nancy Mace's maverick campaign for governor. 'No way, not for South Carolina,' Rodney, a Charleston resident, told the Daily Mail in the city's bustling downtown on Monday. He made it clear in other terms that he was not a MAGA fan. Another resident, Sherry, told the Daily Mail she is 'not interested in Miss Mace.' 'She's for our current president,' Sherry added, 'That's a no.' Half of the voters the Daily Mail spoke to, most using first names only to protect their identities, were flat out against Mace, if not skeptical of her leadership in Congress. Meanwhile, Annie, a South Carolinian seemingly in her mid-twenties, was more enthusiastic about Mace's announcement. 'It's awesome to have a woman run for governor,' she said. 'Historically, it has only been males in South Carolina, so I'm excited to see what she can do.' Rep. Mace, 47, a third-term congresswoman who represents the coastal areas surrounding Charleston, announced on Monday she's running for governor in 2026. She's forged a fiery reputation for her dramatic confrontations with pro-transgender activists and divulged deeply personal stories about sexual assault and abuse. Congresswoman Nancy Mace announced her bid for South Carolina governor on Monday Charleston resident Annie told the Daily Mail she's excited to see a woman hop in the governor's race The conservative is not shying away from her controversial reputation forged on Capitol Hill as she joins an already-crowded pack to replace outgoing Gov. Henry McMaster. 'I'm not a huge fan of Nancy Mace for our governor,' said Trent, a Republican from Charleston. 'There's a couple of big things that I don't agree with her on.' He didn't elaborate on what, but did relent that he'd vote for Mace 'if there's not a better candidate.' The congresswoman's primary opponents include South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette and fellow Rep. Ralph Norman. Though the race is still early, whoever secures an endorsement from President Donald Trump will likely hold a major advantage among the crowded GOP field. Another South Carolinian, Bill, noted that Mace's announcement 'looks like an obvious step up for her ... after a bunch of years in Congress.' Another Republican, David, admitted he didn't know anything about Mace. 'Well, I really don't know much about her, but I'm gonna look at her for sure,' he responded. As a conservative, he'd likely go for whoever the GOP nominee is, he later clarified. Mace has been seen as some as a rising star in the GOP. Above she's pictured delivering a speech at the Republican National Convention last year Rodney Simons, a Charleston resident, told the Daily Mail he thinks the congresswoman would not be a good choice for South Carolina governor Maebelle, an elderly lady who appeared to be in her eighties, was happy to hear of Mace's announcement and shared some excitement about the news because she claimed the two had met. 'I think she's a cool person,' she told the Daily Mail. 'I met her once, and I think she'll be good.' 'She seemed to be a fair person, and someone you can go to and talk to and for the right things.' Early polling shows that the 47-year-old may be one of the top contenders to win the Republican nomination, though it's too close to early seen. A survey from the South Carolina Policy Council published last week found Mace with 16 percent support while state AG Wilson had 15 percent. Wilson, the son of longtime congressman Joe Wilson, announced his bid for office last month. Mace sparked attacks against Wilson for mishandling legal cases and has painted him as someone 'who likes to put pedophiles on trial and give them one day in jail.' Wilson has denied the accusation and has labeled the lawmaker a 'liar.' The poll also showed Rep. Norman received 6 percent support, while Lt. Gov. Evette snagged 8 percent and State Sen. Josh Kimbrell had 3 percent. Still, over half of the respondents, 52 percent, said they were undecided. During Mace's campaign announcement at her alma mater, The Citadel, a military college in Charleston, South Carolina, she ripped into 'weak leadership' of the past. She pledged to no longer 'turn a blind eye' to 'trannies invading women's spaces, an unaccountable judicial process and failed schools.' Her top priorities are to restore law and order, protect women and children and fix the judicial system. She also had some new proposals: The Republican unveiled a five-year plan to eliminate state income taxes. 'Other states, like Florida, Tennessee, Texas, have zero state income tax,' she said. Mace also announced initiatives to expand school choice, vocational education and floated policies that could help the state's authorities better cooperate with ICE to accelerate deportations. Insiders spill on Jonesy and Amanda's drive deal Gold 101.7 presenters Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones and Amanda Keller reluctantly confirmed their move from breakfast to drive last Friday, 24 hours after Inside Mail broke the story. While the tone of their announcement may have been a little sombre - sources tell us they wanted to stay on breakfast - we hear the pair still have plenty to celebrate behind the scenes. Industry insiders tell us they are being paid 'breakfast radio money to do drive', which sounds like a hell of a deal to us. All those millions and you get a lie-in! 'ARN had no choice - they could not lose them,' says one source. 'Amanda's on $2.5million and Jonesy's on $1.5million.' How's that for gender equality. So why are radio bosses throwing so much cash at them? While ARN is confident Christian O'Connell will do better at Sydney breakfast, they also know that Jonesy and Amanda aren't the sort of talents you can just let go. Especially with those rumours about Triple M sniffing around. Industry insiders tell us Brendan 'Jonesy' Jones (left) and Amanda Keller (right) are being paid 'breakfast radio money to do drive' - which sounds like a hell of a deal to us 'ARN had no choice' but to throw the kitchen sink at Jonesy and Amanda to keep them at Gold, after bumping them from breakfast to make way for Melbourne golden boy Christian O'Connell The new deal - described to us by one source as a 'sunset deal', although we predict they'll re-sign in a few years' time - makes Keller Australia's highest-paid drive host. She is also - apparently - the second-highest paid drive host ever after Hamish and Andy. That'll soften the blow... When contacted for comment, an ARN spokesperson told Inside Mail: 'Jonesy and Amanda have been closely involved in shaping this next chapter from the start, and it's something both parties are genuinely excited about. 'This move not only recognises their incredible legacy but also creates an opportunity to connect with an even larger audience across the Gold Network. 'They're two of the best in the business, and we're proud to continue our relationship as they enter their third decade on air together.' Not happy, Jan Independent broadcasters Jan Fran and Antoinette Lattouf have launched a news enterprise called Ette Media, all about promoting better media literacy. A noble endeavour, indeed. Jan Fran likes to 'Question Everything'... apart from obvious fake news She reposted a screenshot of a fake article, purporting to be from the Daily Mail, about how a Jewish group from Bondi was tricked into getting a Nazi-inspired mural painted in their suburb It never happened and DM published nothing of the sort. The article was a Photoshop job. Fran acknowledged her mistake hours later - but it was quite a clanger So you can imagine our surprise on Monday to see Fran duped by an obviously fabricated news story purporting to be from none other than the Daily Mail. The ABC presenter reposted a screenshot of a fake article about how a Jewish group from Bondi was tricked into getting a Nazi-inspired mural painted in their suburb after commissioning graffiti artist Scottie Marsh to do a tribute to Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu. A very satisfying little yarn for the 'Zionism is fascism' crowd, for sure. Except it never happened and DM published nothing of the sort. The article was a Photoshop job. There were a few clues something was amiss. The first was the byline: Moss Adman. So much for Question Everything, Jan... In fairness, Fran acknowledged her mistake hours later, brushing it off with a joke: 'So this isn't real. If you can believe Moss Adman doesn't work for the Daily Mail.' But for someone who claims to have a keen eye for bias and fabrications - and posts smug videos mocking news headlines - it was quite the clanger. Statement from top Jewish body In response to the widely shared fake news story posted by Scottie Marsh, Executive Council of Australian Jewry co-chief executive Alex Ryvchin said: 'We have seen many attempts to attack the Jewish community and to damage relations between Jews and non-Jews but this huckster takes things to new levels. 'He has created a fake news item complete with a fake Jewish organisation, a fake Jewish restaurant and a fake rabbi to make our community look like fools. 'In fact, he's a lowlife so desperate for praise that he would concoct a story and cast himself as the hero outwitting the villainous Jews. 'He is right in quoting Twain that history doesn't repeat itself but it often rhymes. There is a definite rhyme to this instance of calibrated disinformation and fraud with the intent of harming the Jewish community. 'But he should keep Twain out of his mouth. Twain admired the Jews and observed that the Jews have outlasted all of their enemies. He would have looked down at this idiot.' Advertisement Lost property Sydney was brought to a standstill last weekend by an enormous gathering even the mainstream media couldn't ignore. Yes, we're talking about the Logies. It was a hell of a night. Lynne McGranger won Gold. Ally Langdon scored most popular news presenter. MAFS lost to a show about kelpies (WTF?) Our highlight was seeing the ABC's Guy Montgomery win best new talent - and he really is. But, of course, the real story of the Logies is the hangover. And the person who delivered the best morning-after-the-night-before story was PR maven Kelly Black. Long-time Logies PR maven Kelly Black (right) discovered a baggie of drugs and a small wheel of Brie on Jones Bay Wharf, a short distance from The Star casino, after the awards night 'Desperate to know who left the Brie and baggie behind,' Black wrote on Instagram Black, formerly a spinner for Channel Seven, has been handling publicity for the Logies for years via her agency Black and White. She reps the AACTAs, various radio shows and comedians, too. She also likes to keep Daily Mail reporters at the far end of the red carpet... Anyway, petty grievances aside, Black won our unofficial award for Best Post-Logies Instagram Post with this absolute cracker. She revealed she'd discovered drugs and a small wheel of soft cheese on a bollard on Jones Bay Wharf, a short distance from The Star casino. 'Desperate to know who left the Brie and baggie behind,' she wrote. Cheeky! We asked a few of the usual suspects in TV land if they had any lost property they wished to reclaim but, shockingly, no one wanted to go on the record. Black declined to comment. Sky's golden girl in troll territory Sky News is handing 22-year-old rising star Freya Leach the reins to her own weekly show, Freya Fires Up, premiering Sunday, August 17. The program - which we had the scoop on last month - promises fiery political commentary, sharp-edged panel clashes and no shortage of opinion. Leach, a controversy magnet known for her blunt delivery, says viewers can expect 'heated debates' that are 'confrontational, robust, serious - the whole lot'. The former Liberal candidate for Balmain has certainly made her mark at the network since replacing sacked talking head Liz Storer on The Late Debate in June. Now she is graduating from commentator to host and bringing her signature intensity with her. Sky News is giving 22-year-old Freya Leach her own weekly opinion show. We reckon station management should be keeping a closer eye on her social media - but apparently they love it Leach went 'undercover' in a face mask at the Harbour Bridge protests. She asked peaceful demonstrators leading questions, then stitched them up in a social media video What this new gig means for her divisive online presence remains to be seen. Just this week, Leach dropped a video from the (peaceful) Harbour Bridge protest, where she went 'undercover' in a face mask and grilled demonstrators with talking points she said mirrored Hamas propaganda, before labelling them 'useful idiots'. We won't show the video because, honestly, we think she stitched them up with leading questions during what the protesters assumed was a good-faith interview. In reality, it was nothing more than bottom-of-the-barrel trolling. Still, Leach hinted there was more to come, which suggests Sky News Australia has no issue with her highly provocative - and likely defamatory - social media style. Indeed, a source at the network tells us they believe Leach 'has the potential to build an audience across all their platforms - TV and digital - and her smarts on social media can help drive that'. Leach's online antics have seen her butt heads with big names before, including none other than Greens cheerleader Abbie Chatfield, whose nightclub appearance with Adam Bandt may have been the kiss of death for the former party leader. As an aside, we've heard whispers the working title for her show was 'Freya Freaks Out', but apparently Sky News top brass had second thoughts... A couple of go-getters Speaking of Freya Leach, she isn't the only one kicking goals in her household. Her baby-faced husband Cooper Gannon will be announced next weekend as the new President of the NSW Young Liberals. He is replacing Georgia Lowden - who Inside Mail readers will know for wearing a Labor T-shirt to a house party (big no-no!), being pushed around in a shopping trolley on a night out, and appearing in a viral video from Washington, D.C., wearing a 'Harris 2024 Save Democracy' tee (off-brand for a Young Liberal, surely?) Apparently she's just over it. We hope we didn't cause any undue stress... Leach isn't the only one kicking goals in her household. Her baby-faced husband Cooper Gannon will be announced next weekend as the new President of the NSW Young Liberals Meanwhile, it'll be quite the promotion for Gannon from his current role as Secretary. He'll be balancing his duties for the Young Liberals with his day job working for Chris Rath, the Opposition Whip in the NSW Legislative Council. We hear Gannon is running unopposed, but a win's a win. As an aside, despite them both being conservative firebrands, we hear Leach and Gannon are 'total dorks' when they're together. Bless. 'Bad men', bad headline The Guardian reckons Gareth Ward and Mark Latham are both 'bad men'. Perhaps true, but they are very different tiers of 'bad' We hate defending Mark Latham - every time we do we feel like we need an acid bath - but how can the Guardian think it's okay to compare him to a convicted rapist? Check out this shocker of a headline: 'Bad men problem: Gareth Ward and Mark Latham leave NSW parliament in unchartered territory.' Ward was convicted of sexually abusing two young men and is fighting to remain a member of the NSW state parliament. Latham's a grub, but he's no Ward. Not even close. The right-wing troll strongly denies the claims made against him by his former partner Nathalie Matthews - allegations that remain untested. It is an egregious false equivalency. But we suppose the self-appointed guardians of what's right and wrong in journalism are happy to break the sort of basic rules they expect others to follow. Latham's a grub, but he's no Ward. Not even close. He strongly denies the claims made against him by his former partner Nathalie Matthews (left) - allegations that remain untested Taxing times Amidst the ocean of ink that has already been spilt on Jim Chalmers' economic roundtable, one crucial point seems to have been lost. The Canberra jamboree for business bigwigs, union barons and civil service mandarins has been deluged with submissions ahead of its meeting later this month. Take the Productivity Commission's suggestion that companies earning under $1billion almost 99 per cent of them should see the corporate rate of tax slashed from 30 to 25 per cent. Many economists would agree with this proposal, given Australia's corporate tax rate is among the highest in the world. But what hasn't been given as much attention is the submission that companies earning over $1billion the top 500: tech firms, miners and supermarkets should face an increased tax burden of up to five percentage points under a new cash flow tax. This would mean that Australia will be the only wealthy country in the world with corporate taxes this high. In 2024, Australia had the second highest company tax rate in the OECD, beaten only by Colombia. But the Productivity Commission's recommendations would see Australia take the top spot. Countries with a comparable rate include Sudan, India and Brazil. Plans to build an industrial-sized solar farm on countryside made famous by The Vicar of Dibley have sparked fury among locals, who claim it will ruin the 'quintessentially English view'. The row centres on a 97-hectre solar project which is planned for fields in Oxfordshire that feature in the opening credits of the iconic 1990s BBC sitcom starring Dawn French. The landscape, made up of patchwork fields, farmland and small villages, is also loved by the thousands of commuters who travel up and down the M40 to London. The proposed site is located next to Postcombe, near Thame - a village made up of just 120 houses, a garage and a pub - and can be seen from the motorway. Locals have described the potential impact of the solar farm, which would consist of large panels mounted nearly 10ft off the ground, as 'devastating' and 'frightening'. They have also raised concerns that the Labour government's drive towards Net Zero emissions will mean the plans are pushed through regardless of their objections. There are currently several plans for large solar farms in the pipeline for approval across the UK. These include the enormous 800million Botley West project in Oxfordshire, which is set to spread across the Blenheim Estate where Sir Winston Churchill was born. Local Bob Massie, who lives in Postcombe and used to work in video production, said the plans for the solar farm are 'frightening'. Plans to build an industrial-sized solar farm on countryside made famous by The Vicar of Dibley have sparked fury among locals. Pictured: The view which was featured on the show Postcombe resident and parish councillor John Poole (pictured) has raised concerns about the proposals The landscape, made up of patchwork fields, farmland and small villages, is also loved by the thousands of commuters who travel up and down the M40 to London He told the Daily Mail: 'It is a fantastic view. It is one of only 12 such views protected in the country nationally. 'The solar farm would be just be truly devastating. It's quite frightening, really. 'Ultimately the view is so beautiful that Richard Curtis chose it as the opening title to The Vicar of Dibley. 'He chose that view because it was quintessentially English, and it was. It was showing a quintessentially English view with fields and villages.' He added: 'I see this view as like the Sycamore Gap tree. I would say this is another national treasure and once it has gone, it has gone forever. 'There is no getting it back.' Mr Massie also raised concerns about the type of solar panels that would be used for the site. He said: 'These are not just the sort of solar panels that you might put on your roof. They are enormous. The whole site is enormous. 'People think of solar panels as being the things that you put on on domestic roofs. These are whacking great industrial solar panels, and it is a vast area.' Locals have described the potential impact of the solar farm, which would consist of large panels mounted nearly 10ft off the ground, as 'devastating' and 'frightening' Pictured: Dawn French in the BBC sitcom The Vicar of Dibley Pictured: The fields which have been proposed to be used for the solar farm Pictured: The view of the proposed solar farm from the M40 The plans for the solar farm have been developed by private company Solar2 and are currently being considered by South Oxfordshire District Council. Locals have until the end of the month to lodge their objections - but some fear the plans will be pushed through anyway. Postcombe resident and parish councillor John Poole said: 'We're trying to raise the awareness within the villages and encourage people to have their say on the planning portal. 'We think it is unlikely that South Oxfordshire District Council will support the application because of the national landscape and the protections in place. 'However, it is approved and it goes to appeal it could be down to Ed Miliband saying oh well we have a climate emergency and we need Net Zero.' Mr Massie also raised concerns about whether the application would be pushed through. He said: 'This is not just any view. It is a recognised area of outstanding natural beauty. It's also protected locally by the planning plans and policies. 'I think maybe in the late eighties or something they tried to put a service station in that same sort of area. 'That was thrown out because it was going to spoil the view. There's lots of protections on it. Pictured: A screen grab of the view in Oxfordshire taken from the credits of The Vicar of Dibley One of the fields where the solar farm has been proposed to be built near Postcombe Pictured: The route of funeral way that is used to carry coffins between the two villages Pictured: A screen grab of the view, featuring small villages, taken from the credits of The Vicar of Dibley 'I'm hoping that with all these policies protecting it, that will ultimately prevail but you never know with these things. 'Planning regulations under the new the Labour government are apparently going to be simplified and perhaps development that wasn't going to be allowed will be.' Locals have also raised concerns that plans for the site include temporarily blocking a funeral path used to transport coffins from Postcombe to the nearby village of Lewknor. Footpaths in the area close to the proposed site are also used and loved by families and dog walkers. Mr Poole said: 'The solar farm is going to be in fields that have the local footpath that connects Postcombe to Lewknor. 'It's used by a lot of villagers to go between the villages and is a place where people walk their dogs. 'So from our point of view it does impact our daily lives. It's our views, it's our walks. 'When you look over the fields and towards the village all you are going to see is glaring solar panels.' He explained that people in Postcombe are not against renewable energy but are simply opposed to the location of the proposed solar farm. Mr Poole said: 'Practically all the villages here are against the solar farm being built but we are not against renewable energy. 'People in the villages have solar panels on their houses, or they've got electric cars, or both. 'And as a parish, we're just putting solar panels onto our village hall. 'What we don't want is a solar farm thrown upon us that's generating electricity, which is going to be sent to the National Grid or somewhere that doesn't benefit us.' The Daily Mail has contacted Solar2 for comment. A retired Australian Army major who moved to Thailand and married a younger woman after allegedly drowning his wife admitted he was living a 'cliche' in a message to a friend, a court has heard. Scottish-born Graeme Davidson, 56, who also served in the British Army, is accused of murdering his wife Jacqueline, 54, during a Queensland kayaking trip in November 2020. He is further accused of fraud offences over claims on his wife's life insurance policies worth more than $1million following what police originally determined to be an accidental death. At a bail application on Wednesday, the Brisbane Supreme Court heard Davidson had texted a friend while living in Thailand, where he had moved four months after his wife drowned. Davidson married local woman Pick Pattraporn in December 2022, and made the 'cliche' confession in a message to his mate in 2023, the court heard. 'There are lots of divorcees out here, because there are no de facto laws and you can't lose 50 per cent of your s***,' he allegedly wrote. Davidson and his dead wife's two daughters, Robyn and Brooke - one of whom is a nurse and the other a high school teacher - sat outside court on Wednesday in support of their father. If granted bail, Davidson would live with one of his daughters who, along with one of his daughter's de facto partners, have offered to put up $250,000 surety. Retired Australian Army major Graeme Davidson moved to Thailand and married a younger woman after allegedly drowning his wife Jacqueline. The former couple is pictured Davidson, who married Thai woman Pick Pattraporn in December 2022, described himself as a 'cliche' in a text message to a mate sent in 2023. The couple is pictured on their wedding day Justice Tom Sullivan noted the daughters' relationship with both their father and the woman he was accused of killing: 'She was their mother'. Among other proposed bail conditions were that Davidson be excluded from approaching the lake where his wife drowned and not approach international points of departure. The dual British-Australian citizen was prepared to abide by a curfew and would surrender both his UK and Australian passports, the court heard. Ms Davidson drowned on November 27, 2020 at Lake Samsonvale, near Forgan Cove in Queensland's Moreton Bay region, while kayaking with her husband. Davidson, who had been living in the Thai resort town of Hua Hin, was arrested in Brisbane in May while visiting family, after a coronial investigation led police to believe he had murdered his wife. Davidson's barrister Craig Eberhardt KC said on Wednesday the evidence against his client was unable to rule out the possibility his wife had accidentally drowned. 'It's at best a weak circumstantial case,' he told the court. Mr Eberhardt described Davidson as a law-abiding citizen with no criminal record who received 'very substantial' pensions from his service in the British and Australian armies. Davidson and his dead wife's two daughters Robyn and Brooke (above) were in Brisbane Supreme Court on Wednesday in support of their father He said Davidson had maintained contact with Queensland Police and the coroner for the past five years and submitted there was no suggestion he had the means to flee to Thailand or anywhere else. 'It's not as if he's Tony Mokbel,' Mr Eberhardt said, referring to the one-time fugitive Victorian drug baron. 'Even Tony Mokbel was caught ten years later. 'The idea that suddenly he'd be able to escape is just pure speculation, even if he wanted to.' Mr Eberhardt said Davidson had not 'fled' Australia after his wife's death but had gone to Thailand because many of his friends and former colleagues were there. 'He went up there just to see if he liked it, not to move,' Mr Eberhardt told the court. Prosecutor Caroline Marco conceded the Crown's case against Davidson was circumstantial but said that did not make it weak. Instead, various threads of evidence - including inconsistencies in Davidson's version of events - could collectively convince a jury he was guilty of killing his wife. Ms Marco said Davidson's statements to police about what happened the day his wife drowned were inconsistent and varied with what he had told friends. If granted bail, Davidson would live with one of his daughters, who along with his de facto son-in-law (all pictured above) were prepared to lodge $150,000 security Davidson told police his wife had fallen into the water from a seated position in her kayak but allegedly told a friend she 'jumped or dove'. Ms Marco said there were also inconsistencies regarding Davidson's explanation of his phone's whereabouts at the time. That phone has never been found. 'There had to be a reason why it could not be used to render assistance to Jacqueline,' she told the court. Ms Marco said Ms Davidson was a capable swimmer and had no known medical condition which would cause her to lose consciousness and fall into the water. The Crown contends the Davidsons' marriage was in trouble before Ms Davidson died. Davidson claims his wife had no intention of leaving him but the court heard she had discussed separation with friends following an affair her husband had while posted in Papua New Guinea. On Wednesday, Ms Marco said Ms Davidson had told two friends she had spoken to her husband about divorce and he had resisted the idea. Davidson had allegedly told his wife he did not wish to separate due to the financial impact it would have on him. Jacqueline Davidson's (left) death was initially ruled as an accident until suspicions were raised during a coronial investigation Ms Marco also said Ms Davidson had sent 'secret' Facebook messages to a friend in early 2020 which were set to disappear after being read. 'The secret messages that would delete, in my submission, are not consistent with an assertion that at that time there were not ongoing or lingering problems,' she said. The court heard Davidson received a $460,000 payout from the Australian Army four months before his wife's death and that he opened a separate bank account solely in his name three days before she drowned. Ms Marco said Davidson had returned to Australia only twice since his wife's death - once when he was arrested - and in mid-2023 sold the marital home for $1.55million. Last week, Mr Eberhardt argued the prosecution's case was 'fundamentally weak' and relied almost entirely on a comment made during a conversation in 2017. According to Mr Eberhardt, the remark was made while Davidson and a friend were discussing another man whose wife had left him on the day of his retirement, taken half of his pension, and then moved to Thailand. In response, Davidson allegedly said, 'Oh s*** yeah, I'd kill her and move to Thailand too.' Mr Eberhardt dismissed the comment as nothing more than 'a quip' and insisted it was 'not nearly as sinister as it sounds' with the context. Davidson (pictured) also faces charges of fraud and attempted fraud after allegedly trying to claim more than $1million from his wife's life insurance Justice Sullivan noted the prosecution's case did not include 'direct evidence of murder,' and Mr Eberhardt said there was no evidence Ms Davidson had been 'violently assaulted' by her husband. The court heard Ms Davidson's body showed only minor bruising, which Davidson's defence argued was consistent with his efforts to rescue her and perform CPR. Mr Eberhardt said the couple had been about 10m apart on the water when Davidson attempted to 'show off' by standing up on his kayak. 'Jacqueline became distressed about that and used the 'safe word' designed to let him know that she was concerned about what he was doing,' he told the court. Davidson claimed he then saw his wife fall into the water and dived in to rescue her. But he struggled to locate her in the 'murky' and weed-filled lake. He eventually dragged her to shore where he performed CPR and called for help. Neither was wearing a life jacket, with Davidson allegedly telling police their vests had been destroyed by rats while the couple was still living in Bondi, in Sydney's east. Mr Eberhardt said a witness had confirmed hearing this explanation prior to Ms Davidson's death. Ms Davidson was unable to be revived after she drowned on a trip on Lake Samsonvale, near Forgan Cove in Queensland's Moreton Bay region, in late 2020 (pictured, police at the scene) In response to the life insurance fraud allegations, Mr Eberhardt said both Mr Davidson and his wife had taken out claims in each other's favour in mid-2020. 'There is no evidence the setting up of the insurance policies was the applicant's idea,' the defence lawyer said last week. Mr Eberhardt argued on Wednesday it would have been 'far more suspicious' if Davidson had not attempted to access her life insurance following her death. The court also heard how Mr Davidson was recorded on CCTV burning 'a small number of documents' in his backyard the night after his wife drowned, while one of his children was at home. However, Mr Eberhardt dismissed the footage as 'not evidence of anything' since it was unclear what the documents contained. Justice Sullivan will hand down his decision on whether he will grant bail to Davidson on Friday. New polling released by Gallup Tuesday revealed the politician Americans feel most favorably towards. While Pope Leo XIV and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy top the list of most likeable 'newsmakers' for 2025, a handful of American politicians were also evaluated. And it's an 83-year-old two-time former presidential candidate and avowed Vermont socialist who comes out on top among pols. Vermont's Independent Senator Bernie Sanders was the most liked, landing a 49 percent favorable rating, compared to just 38 percent who view him unfavorably. That's an 11-point advantage, the widest any American politician earned. In second place was Democratic socialist darling Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, even though her approval rating is underwater. She garnered a 34 percent favorable rating, compared to 38 percent who view her unfavorably. Twenty eight percent of poll respondents had no opinion of the Congresswoman, revealing she's a blank slate to a significant number of Americans. Her 4-point deficit was the lowest of any American politician earned, outside Sanders. President Donald Trump's Vice President JD Vance was seen as more favorable than the president himself. But Vance Thirty-eight percent of respondents viewed Vance positively, and 49 percent viewed him negatively. Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., left, greets Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., as they speak during a stop of their "Fighting Oligarchy" tour at Civic Center Park, March 21, 2025, in Denver Trump, on the other hand, was viewed positively by 41 percent of survey respondents and negatively by 57 percent. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a Trump cabinet member and former independent candidate in the 2024 race, had the support of 42 percent of poll respondents last month, while 47 percent viewed him unfavorably in July. The Secretary of Health and Human Services was the most popular figure in Trump's circle, with only a five percent negative net rating. The poll was conducted from July 7 to July 21. Gallup found the Pope to have a 57 percent favorable rating and an 11 percent unfavorable rating, giving the religious leader the highest favorable score. Zelenskys second-place ranking was driven by a 52 percent favorable response and a 34 percent unfavorable response. Former Trump ally and Tesla CEO Elon Musk was the least liked newsmaking figure, with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ranking just above him. Musks numbers were deeply negative: only 39 percent of those polled found the tech CEO likable, while nearly twice as many expressed an unfavorable view. This may explain why he has distanced himself from politics in recent weeks. Musks ratings have dropped sharply since an earlier Gallup poll in January, where he had a 24 percent favorability. Two other men in Trumps orbit, Marco Rubio and Robert F. Kennedy Jr., have also become viewed much less favorably since January. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr during a press conference at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, DC, USA, 16 April 2025. Secretary Kennedy presented data on a survey by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) into Autism and Developmental Disabilities U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the State Department in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 30, 2025 Rubio's net favorability dropped 24 percent as well. He went from having the support of 41 percent of poll respondents in January to 47 percent viewing him unfavorably last month. Kennedy Jr., had the support of 46 percent of poll respondents in January, and then had 47 percent voting unfavorably in July. A British couple were swept to their deaths on a hiking holiday when a 'massive wall of water came from nowhere' and cascaded down a canyon, an inquest has heard. Sarah Jane Thompson, 26, and her boyfriend Alexander Barrett, 32, drowned in the flash floods while hiking in a gorge in Majorca on September 3 last year. One witness told the inquest that the sound of the water was 'incredibly loud' and that it sent people 'screaming'. Ms Thompson, from Levenshulme, south Manchester, was found dead by Spanish search and rescue teams the day after the floods. But the search continued for Mr Barrett, a climbing instructor, who was last seen desperately trying to save his girlfriend from the sudden wall of water. His body was found on September 6 in the Torrent de Pareis canyon in the Tramuntana mountains. Ms Thompson's father, Peter Thompson, who lives in Berwick-upon-Tweed, told Stockport Coroner's Court his daughter 'was never without a smile on her face'. She had represented Cumbria at fell running in national competitions, had a degree in photography from Manchester Metropolitan University, and had recently been promoted in the donations team at The Christie hospital in Manchester. Sarah Jane Thompson, 26, pictured with her boyfriend Alexander Barrett, 32 Mr Barrett, a climbing instructor, was last seen desperately trying to save his girlfriend from the sudden floods One witness told the inquest that the sound of the water was 'incredibly loud' and that it sent people 'screaming'. Pictured: Search teams wading through the water Paul Rodman, Mr Barrett's father, said his son 'loved life' and relished the outdoors, from hiking to surfing, adding: 'He was genuinely a good person, a caring person, a kind person. 'The friends and family have developed a little saying, "Be more like Alex" because that's what we aspire to be. 'He's missed so much by all his friends and family.' The couple, from Offerton, near Stockport, had gone on the informal trip with friends, all hiking and climbing enthusiasts, making their separate ways to Majorca. On the trip was Luke Weaver, who knew Mr Barrett as a friend and climbing instructor at Awesome Walls, an indoor climbing centre in Stockport. 'We all had a mutual passion for climbing and hiking,' he said in a statement read at the inquest. Mr Weaver, on the trip with his partner, said the hike they planned to do, which took three to four hours to complete, was well known globally and known to be 'challenging in places'. He had completed the hike before on several occasions, but neither Ms Thompson nor Mr Barrett had, but he considered it was 'well within the capabilities' of the group, he said. The couple were found dead following a major search and rescue operation in Majorca Pictured: Search and rescue teams look for the hikers in the gorge last September Mr Weaver said he was aware the gorge flooded so he checked the weather forecast on the morning of September 3 last year, which only predicted rain from 6pm, by which time they would be 'well clear'. He added: 'Had I known what was to happen, I would never have let them into the gorge.' Mr Weaver said he dropped the group of friends off for the hike and intended to catch them up after parking his car, but was delayed in heavy traffic by around two hours, before he could begin the hike himself. It had been a hot morning, but a storm had moved in and at around 2.30pm it began to drizzle with rain but Mr Weaver said this did not cause any concern as he continued the hike to meet with his partner and friends ahead of him. But a short time later it started to rain more heavily and he could hear thunder in the distance and he began to quicken his pace. He said as there was no phone signal in the gorge he could not make contact with them. As the downpour grew Mr Weaver said he spotted his friends, who were now with a German couple and two Spanish nationals, in a 'bottleneck' between two boulders. 'At this point the heavens opened,' Mr Weaver said. 'At this time the water was flowing like a small river.' Mr Weaver said he was helping the hikers through the bottleneck and he gestured to Ms Thompson if she was 'OK' and she replied yes but with a 'nervous smile'. Pictured: Helicopters search for the British couple in Torrent de Pareis in Majorca He then heard someone shout, 'Water!' 'Seconds later a massive wall of water came down the gorge,' Mr Weaver said. 'The water appeared to come from nowhere. The sound was incredibly loud, people were screaming.' Mr Weaver said he could see one of the group had managed to grab on to a rock while one of the Spanish nationals had been swept into the torrent and was being carried away. His own partner managed to get out of the water and after a few minutes others emerged from the deluge, but Mr Weaver said the noise of the water was too loud to communicate with each other. 'I was shouting and screaming for the others. I could see no one,' Mr Weaver said. Ms Thompson had been seen being swept away along with her partner, who had tried to help but the current had taken him too, the inquest heard. Later the survivors were airlifted out of the gorge by helicopter, suffering only minor injuries. Mr Weaver added: 'Everyone who survived that day is incredibly lucky, especially those who got caught in the water. 'I have never experienced anything like this and it is something I will never forget.' Post-mortem examinations gave the cause of death as drowning for both the deceased. Jyoti Gill, assistant coroner for Manchester South, recorded a verdict of accidental death caused by drowning for both Ms Thompson and Mr Barrett, whose legal name was Alexander Johnson, but was known by the name Alex Barrett. Ms Gill said the storm had caused flash flooding, sending a large torrent of water down the canyon. 'It appears water dragged Sarah, and Alex had tried to help her,' Ms Gill concluded. 'Sadly, both Sarah and Alex were unable to climb to safety and were swept away by the floodwaters,' she added. Britain's worst serial killer, Harold Shipman, murdered patients simply because they annoyed him, a forensic psychologist who studied the case details in a new Mail podcast. On the latest episode of the Psychology of a Serial Killer podcast - which focuses on Shipman's many victims - Dr Andrew Johns, who testified at the national inquiry, exposed this chilling pattern. Whether it was a frail patient whose son called too often, or an anaemic pensioner whose treatment inconvenienced him, Dr Johns reveals how trivial irritations became death sentences in Shipman's twisted mind. Shipman, a GP, is suspected of killing 215-250 patients between 1975 and 1998 by injecting them with lethal doses of diamorphine (medical heroin). Listen to The Psychology of a Serial Killer below or by clicking here. Shipman's murders as a junior doctor During medical training, Shipman was posted to Yorkshire's Pontefract General Infirmary in 1970 to work as a junior doctor. Despite having only limited and supervised access to patients, it was in Yorkshire where Shipman began his killing spree. Although many of the medical records from Shipman's time at Pontefract are missing, the Inquiry connected at least six highly suspicious deaths to the junior doctor. Britain's worst serial killer, Harold Shipman, murdered patients simply because they annoyed him, a forensic psychologist who studied the case details in a new Mail podcast Dr Andrew Johns (left) was called to give expert testimony during the official inquiry into Shipman's murders. Listen here Shipman, a GP, is suspected of killing 215-250 patients between 1975 and 1998 by injecting them with lethal doses of diamorphine 'He killed five men and one woman', Dr Andrew Johns told the podcast. 'It's clear from his time at that hospital that he killed opportunistically, regardless of gender, dispelling one of the myths about Shipman. 'The first of these murders was Thomas Columbine. His death exhibits one of Shipman's lifelong characteristics - killing patients because they annoyed him. 'Columbine was only 54 when he died in April 1972. It is clear from Shipman's notes that he was irritated by him. 'Columbine soon deteriorated, and he was unlawfully killed with an injection of morphine by Shipman. 'Amazingly, just weeks later, it is likely Shipman killed three patients within 45 minutes by administering similar injections while no nurses were around. 'A month on from that incident, two men died within ten minutes of each other in adjoining cubicles under Shipman's care. 'These deaths were all unexpected and should have been reported to a coroner, but Shipman chose not to. 'His consultants were unaware one described the junior doctor as the best houseman they'd ever had.' Shipman's murders as a GP Reneging on his promise to the GMC (General Medical Council) to never work again as a General Practitioner after being caught abusing prescription painkillers, Shipman joined the Donneybrook Medical Centre in Hyde, Greater Manchester, in 1977. Building a reputation in the community for being a dedicated and hardworking doctor, Shipman was able to be more brazen in the murder of patients who irked him. Dr Andrew Johns shared with the podcast some of the most egregious examples of the doctor's callousness at Donneybrook. He said: 'Mary is a lively 81-year-old widow. She visits her doctor. We know it can't have been anything serious, otherwise she would have told her daughter. 'The receptionist remembers her arriving fit and healthy. Shipman tells Mary to step into the examination room and get undressed. 'Half an hour later, the doctor calmly phones the receptionist to say Mary has died and that she should call for an ambulance. He had made no such call. 'Having injected Mary with a lethal dose of morphine, Shipman continued to see patients throughout the day to give himself an alibi. 'He tells the daughter that Mary had a heart attack, and she accepts the doctor's version of events. Building a reputation in the community for being a dedicated and hardworking doctor, Shipman was able to be more brazen in the murder of patients who irked him Dr Andrew Johns shared with the podcast some of the most egregious examples of the doctor's callousness at Donneybrook 'Shipman could be astonishingly flippant and jocular. Edith Brady, 72, suffers from pernicious anaemia. She has to go to Shipman's surgery to receive regular vitamin injections. 'He instead injects her with morphine, and she dies immediately. Shipman then phones her son-in-law, a policeman, who asks, 'How bad is it?' 'Shipman responds: How bad do you want it? There's no way she's walking out of here. 'Shipman treated another patient, Harold Eddlestone, for cancer. His son asks him how long he's likely to live, to which Shipman answers, 'I wouldn't buy him any Easter eggs.' 'Four days later, he murders him.' To hear more examples of Shipman's callous regard for human life, search for The Psychology of a Serial Killer now, wherever you get your podcasts. CIIE promotion event aims to boost China-Czech business ties Xinhua) 11:21, August 06, 2025 PRAGUE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An event promoting the China International Import Expo (CIIE) in the Czech Republic was held here on Tuesday, bringing together representatives from the Czech government, the business community, industry associations, and Chinese enterprises to explore new opportunities for boosting China-Czech economic and trade cooperation. Speaking at the event, Liu Haiyan, economic and commercial counselor at the Chinese Embassy in the Czech Republic, said the CIIE serves as an important platform for China to further open up to the world and offers a golden opportunity for enterprises around the globe to access the Chinese market. Through the CIIE, Czech companies can showcase their high-quality products and further enhance their brand recognition and market share, he said, adding that he hopes Czech entrepreneurs will take this year's CIIE as an opportunity to further explore the Chinese market. During the event, a representative from the CIIE Bureau gave a virtual presentation on the upcoming eighth CIIE, which will take place in Shanghai from Nov. 5 to 10. Richard Hlavaty, director of the Department of Non-European Countries at the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said at the event that the Czech Republic considers the CIIE as a key opportunity to present the country, its innovation and industrial tradition, but also as a strategic channel for deepening economic and trade relations with China. "I firmly believe that through initiatives like this, we can continue to expand our economic ties and deepen mutual understanding between our countries," he said. Frantisek Chaloupecky, vice president of the Confederation of Industry of the Czech Republic, one of the co-organizers of the event, said that the CIIE provides an important platform for Czech companies, enabling them not only to showcase their products but also to establish business connections in the Chinese market. According to the organizers, 17 Czech exhibitors participated in last year's CIIE, primarily showcasing products in the food and beverage industries as well as the handicraft sector. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A summer afternoon in the city feels like America at its very best. The quaint streets of Newport, Kentucky, are packed with historic Queen Anne and Greek Revival-style buildings occupied by mom-and-pop businesses. Locals are friendly - and the city's green, leafy streets feel completely safe. But just a few hundred yards away, across the Ohio River that serves as the Kentucky-Ohio state line, sits Cincinnati. The Democrat-run city has become a byword for progressive policing and politics run amok after a July 26 mass brawl in the city's downtown sparked global outrage. And locals in Newport - which is part of the staunchly-Republican Campbell County - were quick to condemn their nightmare neighbor when Daily Mail visited Tuesday. Betty Applegate owns and operates her namesake store, Mustang Betty's Antiques, in Newport's main commercial district. She told Daily Mail that she wouldn't cross one of the two bridges linking Newport to Cincinnati without carrying two firearms. 'I don't go to Cincinnati. Not unless I had two guns, one on each side', Applegate said - gesturing with her two hands as if she was pulling two firearms from hip holsters. Newport in Kentucky is pictured Tuesday afternoon. It sits just across the Ohio River from Cincinnati - but the two cities could not be more different Betty Applegate, seen here, said she wouldn't dare cross into Cincinnati unless armed with two firearms over fears for her safety Newport sits in the deeply conservative Campbell County, with locals saying it is safe and well-run. Cincinnati - seen looming in the background of this photo - has become a byword for progressive politics and policing run amok Applegate said Newport has the odd issue with petty crime and drunkenness. But she said that policing in her home city is far more proactive than in Cincinnati, meaning bad behavior is quickly stamped-out. 'You see it here a little bit, somebody overdosed in a parking lot. It does happen but not like it does over there', she added. Cincinnati's police chief Teresa Theetge scolded journalists for taking clips of the city's now-notorious brawl 'out of context' last week - then dodged the question when asked what that context was. She is currently facing a lawsuit from members of her own department over claims she is an anti-white racist. Some conservatives have claimed the mass-fight was an example of black-on white racism. Meanwhile, left wingers including Cincinnati Democrat councilor Victoria Parks have suggested the victims deserved to be beaten up, after a video emerged where a person could be heard saying the n-word. Back in Newport, the impact of the chaos was clear to see, with one of Betty Applegate's patrons admitting to Daily Mail: 'I avoid [Cincinnati] as much as possible.' A gorgeous building that typifies the Kentucky city of Newport. Locals of the conservative area say they avoid traveling to neighboring Cincinnati at all costs A woman injects herself with a syringe in broad daylight in Cincinnati Monday, close to the dilapidated city's City Hall The female victim of the July 26 beating that sparked nationwide fury, named only as Holly, is pictured laying on the ground in downtown Cincinnati On Monday morning the streets of Cincinnati were all but deserted, despite being home to eight Fortune 500 companies Downtown Cincinnati was eerily desolate when Daily Mail toured the city Monday. Many of its fine historic buildings lay vacant, with vagrants injecting themselves close to city hall in broad daylight. But Newport was buzzing with life at the same time the very next day, suggesting that a brighter future could lie ahead for Cincinnati - if it cleans up its act. Applegate speculated that Cincinnati has become so soft on crime that its locals are watching the chaos unfold, then trying to wreak even worse havoc for attention. 'One tries to outdo the other ones, that's what I've always said', she said. In her thirteen years in business she said there has only been one individual that ever made her nervous, a man who she said had previously been caught using fraudulent credit cards. The incident was a far cry from the man-on-woman beating that rocked Cincinnati last weekend, which left a woman called Holly covered in bruises. Across the street, Jerry and Sherry Peluso run the Peluso Market - a family owned grocery store that opened its doors in 1931 and remains in family hands. Jerry, a beloved Cincinnati Red's fan, said that the only reason he ever crosses the state line is to see the ball game. He said: 'I walk over the bridge, and run back', much to the enjoyment of his wife. Sherry agreed with her husband. She says there's a seafood restaurant she'd love to visit in Cincinnati - but that the city feels far too sketchy to visit at the minute. She added: 'Just because of the neighborhood I don't want to go, it's gotten worse over time. Especially lately.' Over in Newport, the streets are packed with thriving mom-and-pop businesses which were busy even on a Tuesday afternoon The homes and buildings in Newport are examples of Queen Anne and Greek Revival architecture around, a style now rarely seen in the USA Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge (left) has been condemned for her handling of the brawl - while local Democrat lawmaker Victoria Parks (right) suggested the victims deserved a beating As of Tuesday night, police had managed to arrest five suspects in connection with the high profile brawl Jerry previously served as the Mayor of Newport for 12 years. He said Cincinnati's issues are generational and that the lack of strong father figures is partly to blame. He explained: 'You have to have a strong father figure at home, when you do the kids tend to not get in trouble. 'The people that really care have to get involved, nobody wants to address the root of the problem. We've got to take care of each other, we've got to love one another. 'Cincinnati has got a lot of history, it's beautiful. You've got buildings that have been around since the late 1800s. It's a shame that we can't enjoy all of those things.' One local man, who only gave his name as Ron, said he believes the problems affecting Cincinnati are due to the lack of a police presence. 'When you look at the police force downtown it's big, but they are not there. They are not there when they should be. There is no patrolmen, they are all gone', he said. Ron said that Newport in years past had its own crime issues that had gotten out of control due to a gang's presence in the area. According to Ron, police in Newport cracked down on the illicit behavior, with patrolmen a clear visible force on the streets in the past. The difference between how crime was handled in Newport and how issues are being dealt with in Cincinnati couldn't be further apart. Last week's viral video drew widespread and high profile condemnation - with Ohioan Vice President JD Vance and gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy among those outraged. As of Tuesday night, police had managed to arrest five suspects in connection with the high profile brawl. The latest arrest was of Patrick Rosemond, 38, who was taken into custody by the FBI in Atlanta, Georgia. Authorities in Ohio say Rosemond is facing two charges of felonious assault and aggravated riot. He is to be extradited to the Buckeye State to face the allegations. Dominique Kittle, 37, Jermaine Matthew, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dekyra Vernon, 24, are the others alleged to have participated in the attack. Holly, a single mother, suffered severe brain trauma during the attack and has been forced to go underground over threats on her life following the attack.. Patrick Rosemond was arrested in Georgia on Monday in connection to the violent attack in Cincinnati 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 Images emerged last week of her extensive injuries, revealing that 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. Cincinnati officials have vowed to clean up the city by cracking down on crime and flooding the city's downtown with police officers. But there was little evidence of that clean-up when Daily Mail visited Monday. And residents in Newport say they'll believe that vow when they see it. In a final blast at her Ohio neighbors, Sherry Peluso said that anybody who still wants to visit Cincinnati must be 'sleeping under a rock.' An apparent Odinist cult member has spoken out for the first time since being publicly accused of the Delphi murders by convicted child killer Richard Allen. Patrick Westfall furiously denied any involvement in the 2017 murders of Libby German and Abby Williams and insisted violence and human sacrifice play no part in his Pagan rituals in a new interview for ABC News Studios' docuseries Capturing Their Killer: The Girls on the High Bridge. Theres nothing that's part of it that has anything to do with violence and human sacrifice and killing, he said of his Norse Pagan religion. There's no initiation or ritual where you have to go out and stomp somebody out to be a practitioner. Best friends Libby, 14, and Abby, 13, were murdered back on February 13, 2017, after setting off on a walk along the Monon High Bridge in Delphi, Indiana. Their bodies were found the next day - Valentines Day - around half a mile from the trail, close to Deer Creek. Both of their throats had been cut, with the murder weapon believed to be a box cutter. Libby was naked while Abby was fully dressed in some of Libby's clothes. For more than five years, the case went cold. Apparent Odinist cult member Patrick Westfall furiously denied any involvement in the 2017 murders of Libby German and Abby Williams Libby and Abby (pictured together) were murdered by Richard Allen back on February 13, 2017 Then in October 2022, local CVS worker Allen was arrested and charged with the murders, after a resurfaced tip and an unspent bullet tied him to the crime scene. Allen, 52, was convicted in November on two counts of murder and two counts of felony murder, before two of the counts were vacated under double jeopardy rules. Judge Fran Gull sentenced him to the maximum penalty of 130 years in prison. Investigators said there is no evidence anyone other than Allen, a married man with a daughter, was involved in the shocking crime. But conspiracies, in particular around a wild claim of an Odinist cult, continue to swirl with Allens attorneys still professing his innocence and appealing his conviction. Westfalls name was dragged into the case when Allen's legal team made a bombshell accusation against him and three other local men that they - and not their client - could be the real killers. In court documents filed ahead of the trial, Allen's attorneys took the extraordinary step of alleging Libby and Abby were murdered as part of a 'ritualistic sacrifice' by a white nationalist cult called Odinists. Odinism is a pagan Norse religion which has become increasingly tied to white supremacist and neo-Nazi beliefs. The attorneys publicly named four men - Westfall, his friend Brad Holder, Elvis Fields and Johnny Messer - as the killers. Allen's defense pointed to sticks found on the victims' bodies, claiming they were arranged specifically into runes or Pagan symbols The defense also pointed to a video of the Pagan group carrying out a ritual in the woods The four men have never been named as suspects or persons of interest by police and have never charged in connection to the case. As part of the shocking theory, Allen's defense pointed to sticks found on the victims' bodies, claiming they were arranged specifically into runes or Pagan symbols. They also claimed a bloodstain on a tree was another symbol of a ritualistic sacrifice. The defense also pointed to a video of the Pagan group carrying out a ritual in the woods. In the series, Westfall defended the group's actions and said the footage simply shows a traditional drinking ritual. That was just a standard sombal where people come together, he said. You have your meat and different other things you can have as an offering. Were nature based. We love nature. Trees have a special meaning to us. Westfall slammed Allens attorneys for accusing him of being involved in the murders. It absolutely crushed me, he said of his name being thrust into the case. Thats not small-change stuff. This is a double homicide. Its a worldwide watched event and my names slapped all over this. He added: Im tired of hearing Odinism. I never have had anything to do with it. I get that that's an attorney's job to create reasonable doubt but, man, they really ruined a lot of things by doing it that way. The Odinism theory had been investigated by law enforcement in the early days of the case. Todd Click, a former police officer for the Rushville Police Department, previously said he believed Abby and Libby were killed during an Odinite ritual. But, Indiana State Police Lt. Jerry Holeman said the possible connection was investigated thoroughly and no link was found to the murders. Holder and his son Logan, who was Abby's boyfriend, were interviewed in the days after the murders and Holder had an alibi for the time the girls were killed. While a defense expert claimed the bloodstain on a tree was a rune, prosecution experts said it was Libbys handprint from when the slain teen tried to steady herself after her throat was cut by her killer. Richard Allen leaves the Carroll County Courthouse in December after being sentenced to 130 years in prison for the 2017 murders The Monon High Bridge seen in February 2017 days after the murders of the teenage best friends Judge Gull ultimately blocked the defense from introducing the Odinism theory into Allen's trial - or introducing any alternative suspects - finding they did not produce admissible evidence that linked Odinism or the suspected Odinists to the killings. The net closed in on Allen in 2022 when a tip that had been overlooked back in 2017 was discovered. Days after the murders, Allen had come forward - at the request of his wife - to police to admit he had been on the trails that same afternoon as Abby and Libby. Despite placing himself at the scene of the murders, the information was lost for more than five years due to a clerical error. When it was found in October 2022, Allen was re-interviewed. As well as placing himself at the murder scene, Allen also confirmed he was wearing the same outfit - blue jeans and a Carhartt jacket - as the man caught on video by the victims. In the moments before they died, Libby had captured a cell phone video of the killer following them over the rickety bridge. It captured the chilling voice of the man - who became known as 'Bridge Guy' - ordering the terrified girls: 'Guys... down the hill.' Haunting video captured on Libby's cellphone shows 'Bridge Guy' following Abby along the abandoned bridge in Delphi Libbys cellphone was found hidden beneath Abbys body, leading cops to find the footage. A search executed at the Allen home uncovered a 'Bridge Guy starter kit' including blue jeans and a Carhartt jacket matching the outfit worn by 'Bridge Guy.' Investigators also found a Sig Sauer Model P226 pistol which Allen said only he had access to. Ballistics experts matched the gun to an unspent bullet found between the two victims' bodies. While behind bars awaiting trial, Allen then confessed to murdering the girls a staggering 61 times including in jailhouse phone calls to his wife and mom as well as in meetings with a prison psychologist. In one damning confession presented at trial, Allen revealed information that only the killer could have known. He said he had planned to take the girls into the woods to rape them but was startled by a white van driving past and so quickly killed them, jurors heard. The man in the white van testified he drove home from work at around 2.30pm that afternoon, to his property close to Deer Creek - a timeline that matched the time Libby's cellphone last recorded movement. The evidence about the van was not known until Allen offered up that information, prosecutors said. At trial, Allen's defense claimed his damning confessions were the result of a mental health crisis due to the 'prisoner of war' treatment he endured inside state prison. Jurors convicted Allen on all charges and he was sentenced to life in state prison. Last month, he was moved out of state from the Pendleton Correctional Facility in Madison County, Indiana, to the Lexington Assessment and Reception Center in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. Kathy Allen insisted her husband is 'not the monster' who murdered the two teenagers Richard and Kathy Allen on their wedding day. Kathy Allen has spoken out for the first time since her husband Richard Allens conviction for the Delphi murders In the new three-part series, Allen's wife of 34 years Kathy Allen revealed she is standing by her husband and refuses to believe he is the killer. Speaking out for the first time since his conviction, she insisted he is a family man and not the monster' people think he is. My husbands not a monster. Hes not the monster that people think he is, she said in the series. He is a family man. Ricky is a wonderful, caring, compassionate father. Non-judgmental, very giving. He has good morals. She said: How dare you accuse someone who is nothing but a people-pleaser and works out in the public. How dare you. Allen continues to appeal his conviction. On July 29, Allens attorneys filed a motion for a 30-day extension to appeal his conviction. ABC News Studios' 'Capturing Their Killer: The Girls on the High Bridge' is now available on Hulu A mother charged with murdering her two youngest children went to a group therapy meeting hours after their deaths and joked about strangling them, prosecutors allege. Catherine Hoggle was arrested and charged on Friday with the 2014 murders of three-year-old Sarah and two-year-old Jacob. Three years prior, a judge had dismissed an earlier indictment charging her with the same crimes, deeming her unfit to stand trial due to her mental health. On Tuesday, the court heard prosecutors reveal they have new evidence implying she confessed to the murders. Montgomery County State Attorney John McCarthy told the court she attended a group-therapy session with the father of the children, Troy Turney, hours after their deaths. 'At that point in time, she made a comment to a woman that was in those therapy sessions with her that she had strangled her children,' McCarthy said. He alleged Hoggle made a 'strangling' motion with her hands before ultimately insisting she was joking. He argued against her request to be released on bond, noting there was a third, surviving child she could attempt to harm if freed. Three-year-old Sarah and two-year-old Jacob vanished with their mom in September 2014 and have never been seen since Catherine Hoggle was rearrested and charged with the 2014 murders of three-year-old Sarah and two-year-old Jacob on Friday, less than a month after she was released from a mental health facility Police allege Hoggle was last seen with little Jacob on September 7, 2014, after driving off with him. She returned home and allegedly told family members she had dropped him to a friend's house for a sleepover. That night, police allege Hoggle secretly took Sarah from the home. Neither Sarah or Jacob have ever been seen again. The new warrant states investigators met with a criminal profiler with the FBI who noted: 'It was their belief that the children were murdered, likely by strangulation and their bodies were disposed of via an outside trash container.' Hoggle had allegedly intended to abduct the children's older brother, then five, from his school bus stop but the plan was foiled by the boy's father. She was initially arrested and charged with neglect and abduction, both misdemeanors. She was sent to the state-run psychiatric hospital for treatment. Then in 2017, she was indicted on murder charges. A judge ruled she was incompetent to stand trial and imposed continuing court-ordered treatment. Under state law, authorities had five years to declare her competent to stand trial; otherwise, criminal charges would be dismissed. She was initially arrested and charged with neglect and abduction, both misdemeanors. She was sent to the state-run psychiatric hospital for treatment Hoggle (pictured on CCTV) has long suffered from severe mental illness. She has a history of schizophrenia and was treated with antipsychotic medications after her arrest Hoggle has long suffered from severe mental illness. She has a history of schizophrenia and was treated with antipsychotic medications after her arrest. In 2022, a Montgomery County judge dropped the charges against her, citing the five-year time limit. Hoggle was ordered to remain involuntarily committed for psychiatric treatment because she was still considered a danger to herself or others. McCarthy vowed then that if she were ever deemed no longer a threat and released, he would charge her again with murder. A night that started as a first date in a new city turned into a hellish nightmare for a Florida woman who was wrongfully arrested when a motorcyclist crashed into her car and later died. Hannah Ray, 31, was driving home from a date in her Toyota Prius on December 4, 2022, when she made a left-hand turn down a closed road, and a motorcyclist collided into the side of her car, according to court documents. Paramedics arrived within minutes of the crash, and the motorcyclist, Jeffrey Conner, died from injuries he sustained in the collision. The Clearwater Police Department arrested Ray on a charge of driving under the influence manslaughter only she wasn't drunk at all. Her blood test came back a few weeks after the arrest and revealed that she had no drugs or alcohol in her system. The Pinellas-Pasco State Attorneys Office then dropped the charges against her. Ray sued the city of Clearwater, arresting officer Scott Yeates, and public information officer Rob Shaw for false arrest and violating her civil rights. The city agreed to settle the lawsuit on Friday for $50,000 in damages. Her lawyer, Tom Wadley, told Daily Mail that he thought her case was worth more, but Ray was ready to settle. 'Hannah had reached the point where it was overwhelming for her,' Wadley said, adding that the case was impacting her sleep. Hannah Ray, 31, sued the City of Clearwater and two police officers after she was wrongfully arrested for DUI manslaughter in 2022 Ray was making a left-hand turn down a closed road when a motorcyclist crashed into her Toyota Prius Officers arrested Ray for the crash but it was later revealed through a blood test that Ray was sober during the incident Ray's lawyer said that she was ready to move on with her life and didn't want the case 'hanging over her head' any longer. Wadley added that even though he thought Ray deserved a larger payout, 'For a police department to pay five figures - it's significant.' Body camera footage of her arrest showed Ray completing sobriety tests and asking officers for a breathalyzer. 'Can you breathalyze me?' Ray asked Officer Scott Yeates. He replied that the officers would get to it later. 'The Clearwater Police Department videotaped the field sobriety exercises, and the video recordings show that Plaintiff was not staggering, stumbling, swaying, demonstrating any loss of balance, or demonstrating any issues with her speech,' Ray's attorneys argued in court documents. 'Despite this, Plaintiff [Ray] was placed in handcuffs and arrested for DUI manslaughter.' The amended complaint against the city argued that Ray performed several sobriety tests 'flawlessly' and accused Yeates of two 'egregiously false' observations during his investigation. Yeates reported that Ray had 'bloodshot' and 'glassy' eyes. Ray's attorneys argued that she was photographed multiple times at the scene and was pictured with clear eyes. 'Her eyes were white as snow,' Wadley told Daily Mail. Ray's attorney also said that Yeates reported her speech was mumbled, but the four hours of body camera footage suggested otherwise. In the video, an officer tells her, 'You are going to go to jail tonight because someone died.' 'This is just my actual worst nightmare,' Ray replied. A toxicology report later detailed that the motorcyclist was under the influence and had a history of traffic violations, according to Ray's attorney Ray's attorney argued that the arresting officer made a false statement that her eyes were 'bloodshot' and 'glassy' The footage depicted Ray participating in multiple sobriety tests and even taking off her thigh-high heeled boots without assistance. Wadley told Daily Mail that the video footage shows Ray climbing into an ambulance in her high heels without a 'glimmer' of difficulty. Yeates had turned his body camera footage off multiple times during the arrest, without verbalizing the reason, which officers are required to do in Florida. The investigation had also concluded that Conner, the motorcyclist, was traveling at 'an excessively high rate of speed,' according to the complaint. Conner's toxicology report found that he was under the influence during the crash, with a blood alcohol content almost three times the Florida legal limit. He also had over 50 arrests, including traffic citations and driving under the influence, before his death, according to the complaint. Ray's attorneys argued that a 'road closed' sign wasn't visible until after she had already made the left-hand turn. Once the charges were dropped, the police department kept Ray's mugshot on their social media page with the caption, 'Clearwater woman charged with DUI Manslaughter after she causes crash that killed a motorcyclist.' The complaint accused Officer Shaw, who operates the social media account, of intentional infliction of emotional distress. Shaw never posted a correction that Ray wasn't drunk and waited six months to take the post down. Jeffrey Connor (pictured) died after his motorcycle crashed into Ray's car on December 4, 2022 The attorney's office dropped the charges against Ray when her blood tests confirmed she wasn't drunk during the crash During a deposition in April, Yeates stood by his decision to arrest Ray and said he disagreed with his supervisor after her blood results confirmed her sobriety. Wadley asked what the disagreement was about, to which he replied, 'That the state still should have gone forward with the charges,' the Tampa Bay Times reported. 'So she has no alcohol in her system, no drugs in her system, and you felt that they should have gone forward anyway?' Wadley pressed. 'Yes,' Yeates replied. After the crash, Conner moved back home to Indiana. She had moved to Clearwater to start her career as a therapist and lived with her sister. 'It felt so unreal because I had never been in trouble with the law before,' she previously told the Tampa Bay Times. 'I could not have known anything about the criminal legal system or how much corruption goes on because it had never touched me,' she added. 'I wouldnt have known anything I do now unless I went through that.' Ray used her horrific experience to help others and now works as a therapist and volunteers at juvenile centers. Ray's attorneys said the road closure sign wasn't visible until after she turned left Despite the dropped charges, the Clearwater Police Department kept her mugshot on their social media page for months, according to Ray's attorney Ray said the incident caused her emotional distress and urged others to know their rights when dealing with the police She also runs an Instagram page called Community as Therapy, where she shares stories from foster youth and homeless people. 'It troubles me deeply that police who are supposed to protect us are able to falsify records, lie on arrest warrants, and not be held accountable,' Ray said in a statement to local ABC affiliate, WFTS. 'I cannot help but think less than 40 years ago there would have been no body cam footage or DNA evidence to protect me against these accusations. It would have solely been the polices word, vs mine,' she continued. Ray urged others to know their rights and advocated for improvements to the criminal justice system. Daily Mail reached out to the attorneys for Officer Yeates and the City of Clearwater, as well as Clearwater Police, for more information on how the department handled the allegations in the lawsuit. President Donald Trump kept the option open to use FBI agents to track down the 'missing' Texas Democrats. 'Well they may have to, they may have to,' Trump told reporters Tuesday. Texas Republican Sen. John Cornyn sent a letter earlier Tuesday to FBI Director Kash Patel asking for federal assistance in bringing back state Democratic lawmakers. The group of Democrats fled the Lone Star State Sunday in order to prevent their Republican colleagues from approving a new redistricting plan that favors the GOP. The newly redrawn map could help Trump and Republicans keep the U.S. House of Representatives in GOP hands in the 2026 midterms, which historically haven't gone the party in power's way. 'Well, I think they've abandoned the state,' Trump commented. 'Nobody's seen anything like it, even though they've done it twice before. And in a certain way, it almost looks like they've abandoned the state looks, very bad.' Each Democratic lawmaker is being fined $500 a day for skipping the special legislative session, which was called by Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Abbott also ordered an investigation into whether the Democrats are violating bribery laws by using donations to cover the fines. President Donald Trump said the FBI 'may have to' track down Texas Democrats and bring them back to the state as they're skipping a special legislative session Republicans are using to redistrict the state in the GOP's favor Trump noted to reporters that Abbott also wanted the Democrats to come back. 'I mean the governor of Texas is demanding they come back, a lot of people are demanding they come back,' the president said at an executive order signing related to the 2028 summer Olympics in Los Angeles. 'You can't just sit it out, you have to go back, you have to fight it out,' the president continued. 'That's what elections are all about.' He pushed back on the assertion that Texas Republicans were not playing fair - changing the makeup of Congressional districts in the middle of a decade. 'They would have done it anyway,' the president said of Democrats. Redistricting is usually tied to the U.S. Census, which is conducted every 10 years. 'I watched this morning as Democrats are complaining and they're complaining from states where they've done it, like in Illinois, like in Massachusetts,' Trump said. Trump then segued to one of his favorite Democratic punching bags, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Sanders, a prominent progressive. Texas Democrats headed to blue states including Illinois. A number of Congressional Texas Democrats and the state-level Democrats who are 'missing' held a press conference on Monday 'I watched this lunatic, Pocahontas, she's a total lunatic,' Trump said. Trump assigned Warren the controversial nickname after she was involved in a scandal about whether she should have identified as Native American. 'I don't know what she's on,' he continued. 'She's all jumping up and down like I've never seen anything like it, talking about supporting the communist mayor.' The president then briefly went into his hometown's mayoral race, lampooning Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani, who Trump calls a 'communist.' Trump then explained that Warren was also talking about the redistricting. 'But if you look at what's going on with the redistricting, or whatever you want to call it, the Democrats have done it long before we started,' Trump said. 'They've done it all over the place. They did it in New York, they did it in a lot of different states.' A Tennessee man cried out in pain as he was executed on Tuesday for the 1988 shooting deaths of his girlfriend and her two young daughters. Byron Black, 69, was killed by lethal injection for the deaths of Angela Clay, 29, and her daughters, Latoya, nine, and Lakeisha, six, despite uncertainty over whether his implanted defibrillator would shock his heart when the chemicals took effect. He spent the morning participating in a church service inside his cell, and had his final meal at 4.45 am, comprising pizza with mushrooms and sausage, followed by doughnuts and butter pecan ice cream. As the pentobarbital flowed through his veins on Tuesday morning, he appeared to be in visible distress as he was strapped to a gurney and covered in a sheet with IV lines running to his body at the Riverbend Maximum Security Prison in Nashville, according to the Tennessean. Just two minutes after the curtain to the execution room swung open, Black could be heard sighing heavily and breathing heavily. He also lifted his head off the gurney multiple times before eventually telling his spiritual advisor: 'It's hurting so bad.' 'I'm so sorry. Just listen to my voice,' Rev. Monica Coakley responded before singing to comfort him. Black was then pronounced dead at 10.43, about 10 minutes after the execution started and he talked about being in pain. Byron Black, 69, was killed by lethal injection for the deaths of Angela Clay, 29, and her daughters, Latoya, nine, and Lakeisha, six Prosecutors said he killed the victims in a jealous rage after he learned that Clay was considering reconciling with her estranged husband Black was sentenced to death in 1989 for the shooting deaths of Clay, his girlfriend, and her daughters. Prosecutors have said he shot them in a jealous rage after he learned that Clay was considering reconciling with her estranged husband, Bennie Clay, whom Black had shot the year before. He was on work release from a Nashville jail, where he had been serving two years for the shooting, at the time of the murders. Clay's sister said Black will now face a higher power. 'I thank God for making this happen,' Linette Bell, Angela Clay's sister, said in a statement read by a victim's advocate after the execution. 'His family is now going through the same thing we went through 37 years ago,' she continued. 'I can't say Im sorry because we never got an apology. He never apologized and he never admitted it.' But Black's longtime attorney Kelly Henry claimed the state 'killed a gentle, kind, fragile, intellectually disabled man in a violation of the laws of our country simply because they could.' She also argued 'no one in a position of power, certainly not the courts, was willing to stop them following a back-and-forth in court over whether officials would need to turn off his implantable cardioverter-defibrillator, or ICD during the proceedings. Black was sentenced to death in 1989, after his attorneys unsuccessfully argued he had an intellectual disability Black was on work release at the time of the murders, after being sentenced to two years in a Nashville jail for shooting Clay's estranged husband, Bennie Clay (pictured) Henry had argued in court that the defibrillator would likely shock Black repeatedly during the lethal injection process if it were not properly deactivated. Black's lawyers also unsuccessfully tried to get a new hearing about an intellectual disability they said Black has exhibited since childhood, with an IQ below 70. They stipulated in court documents that Black would be deemed ineligible for the death penalty if a new hearing was held, and in 2022, Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk asked a judge to vacate his death sentence. But the courts ultimately denied the appeal - ruling that the state's current intellectual disability law does not apply to those who have had their competence adjudicated previously - and Black's mental capacity was first brought up before his 1989 trial. Black's attorneys then appeared to gain a small victory when the Davidson County Chancery Court ruled in favor of Black having his defibrillator disabled before the execution. Judges ruled that the inmate could be 'subject to the severe pain and suffering of having his heart repeatedly shocked back into rhythm during his execution,' NBC News reports. But Tennessee's Supreme Court overturned that decision Thursday, saying the other judge lacked authority to order the change. Still, the state justices left open the possibility that prosecutors and Black's attorneys work together to figure out a plan to deactivate the ICD. Black's attorney Kelly Henry claimed her client was 'tortured' as he was executed Clay's family said the execution was a long time coming Yet State Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti vowed in a statement last week to move ahead with the execution, as he disputed that he would suffer severe pain. 'Our office will continue fighting to seek justice for the Clay family and to hold Black accountable for his horrific crimes,' he said. Both Gov. Bill Lee and the United States Supreme Court then declined to intervene. By the time of his death on Tuesday, Black was in a wheelchair, suffering from dementia, brain damage, kidney failure, congestive heart failure and other conditions. Henry said Black's defense team will now carefully review autopsy results, EKG data from Black and information from the defibrillator to determine what exactly happened during the execution. The lethal injection protocol is still being challenged in court. She said she was especially concerned about his head movement and complaints of pain because the massive dose of pentobarbital used to kill inmates is supposed to rapidly leave them unconscious. 'The fact that he was able to raise his head several times and express pain tells you that the pentobarbital was not acting the way the state's experts claim it acts,' Henry said as she argued he was 'tortured.' She went on to tell how medical personnel had trouble finding his veins in both arms, leading to a puddle of blood on his right side, and claimed it took 10 minutes for the tubes to be attached, according to the Nashville Banner. Death row protesters embraced following Black's death on Tuesday Henry then held back tears while relaying what she had witnessed during the execution of Black, whom she has represented for 25 years. The lawyer said those who made the execution possible 'should feel shame,' and noted that even though Black did not have any public last words, he asked her to express his gratitude to his family, supporters and even the prison staff who had shown him kindness in his final days. 'Byron left this world with words of grace, mercy and love,' Kelly said. 'I wish I could share these sentiments, I do not. 'The State of Tennessee heartlessly and intentionally traumatized a second family today. A family that matters. A family that is devastated,' she continued. 'May God have mercy on their souls. I know that He has mercy for Byron.' Pauline Hanson has launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, claiming Labor lacks a genuine mandate to pursue its net zero emissions agenda - because the majority of Australians didnt give the party their first preference at the election. In a fiery exchange with 10 News political reporter Ashleigh Raper, the One Nation leader dismissed the governments legitimacy on climate reform, arguing: that '65 per cent of Australians didnt give Labor their first preference'. 'Doesn't the science and the election results tell us that people don't want us to have this debate anymore,' Raper asked, suggesting Hanson's motion to scrap net zero was not supported by the majority. But Hanson hit back. 'No, you're wrong. When I put up the notice motion on my Facebook page, in less than a day it got 90,000 likes, 9,000 comments and 9,000 shares - and people are interested in it.' Raper then said: 'But does not the election result suggest something different? Labor were put in place with an overwhelming mandate - it was very clear what they would put in force.' But Hanson questioned this. 'Sorry, a mandate - of what? 35 per cent? 65 per cent of Australians did not vote their number one vote to Labor. Are you saying Labor has a mandate? No, they have not.' Labor received 34.56 per cent of first-preference votes in the House of Representatives. Pauline Hanson (pictured) claims her long-standing views on migration have been vindicated Pauline Hanson claims Albanese has no real mandate to push net zero reforms and insists most Aussies dont support Labors agenda after only 35 per cent gave them first-preference votes However, Australia uses preferential voting, not first-past-the-post, meaning a party can win government even without a majority of first-choice votes, as long as they win enough seats through preferences. In the May 2025 election, Labor achieved a landslide victory, winning 94 of 150 seats in the House of Representatives - far surpassing the 76seat threshold needed for majority control. Hanson claims her prediction about Australia came true For nearly 30 years, Hanson has built her political brand on a tough stance against immigration. Now, as Australia faces a worsening housing crisis amid record-high migration, she says the nation is finally realising she was right all along. Fresh from doubling One Nation's Senate numbers at the May election, Hanson claims more Australians are aligning with her long-held views. In an interview with 10 News First, the One Nation leader said she feels vindicated in her warnings about the impacts of mass migration, arguing the system is now clearly broken and hurting everyday Australians. 'A lot of people say we should've listened to her years ago,' she said. 'But Australians have now come on board, because now it's impacting them. 'They know the generations coming through possibly will never own their own home.' Hanson said she isn't against immigration, but it has to be done in 'managed way.' 'If we don't wake up to ourselves, we're going to be a third world country, and that's exactly where we're going,' she said. Federal data shows net overseas migration reached historic highs in 2024, with more than 500,000 arrivals Pauline Hanson says she has few friends in parliament and no relationship with the PM In her controversial 1996 maiden speech to Parliament, Pauline Hanson warned that Australia was in 'danger of being swamped by Asians,' and claimed most Australians wanted the nation's immigration policy radically reviewed. Two decades later, in her first Senate speech in 2016, she argued the country was now at risk of being 'swamped by Muslims who bear a culture and ideology that is incompatible with our own.' The latest federal data shows net overseas migration reached historic highs in 2024, with more than 500,000 arrivals - numbers economists say have intensified pressure on rental markets and home prices. Next year, Australia will increase its near-record number of international student places by 25,000 to 295,000, despite a Reserve Bank report finding that the soaring number of international students is putting pressure on the housing market during a time of high construction costs. In cities absorbing the bulk of new arrivals, such as Sydney, Melbourne, Perth, and increasingly Brisbane, competition for rentals is fierce, sending rents and house prices soaring. While the Albanese government defends migration as critical to economic growth and filling workforce gaps, Hanson argues it's creating deeper divides and resentment. But it's unlikely Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will listen, with Hanson stating her relationship with him is non-existent. She argued policies like Net Zero and high immigration don't reflect the will of the majority. Record migration has been partly blamed for rising house prices and rents in Australia International student places will soar by 25,000 to 295,000 next year, a move that has economists worried 'I'm not anti-renewables. I put some solar panels on my roof at home this year,' she said. But what she is opposed to is putting 'millions' of solar panels on agricultural land. She has also been vocal in her support of keeping coal-fired power stations open and is pro-nuclear. While critics say Hanson's rhetoric remains inflammatory, she said her party has evolved past being anti-immigration - despite calls to cut immigration by more than 570,000 people from current Labor levels to ease pressure on housing. She credits her expanding reach with younger voters to her animated video series Please Explain, which, among other things, satirises what Hanson portrays as Australia's 'addiction' to rising migration, linking it to housing stress. Many episodes underscore Hanson's core message that unchecked immigration is incompatible with social cohesion and national values. But Hanson said she won't back down, and believes her legacy lies in her conviction to stand up without fear or favour in her quest to deliver a fair go for all Australians. 'People want that from their politicians,' she said. 'I've had everything but the kitchen sink thrown at me. Guess what? I'm still standing and the problem is people have underestimated me.' A transgender paedophile, who used a female alias to access porn and to join dating sites, repeatedly breaching court orders, has been jailed. Luke Hardy, 24, who identifies as Zoe and was referred to using female pronouns during the sentencing, breached Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPO), Teesside Crown Court heard. The first order was imposed on the sex offender in 2022 after Hardy was sentenced to a community order for three counts of making indecent images of children. The indecent images, found on the paedophile's mobile phone, included eight of the most serious kind. In 2023, the sex offender breached that order by deleting the internet history on the mobile phone, including erasing dating apps from the handset, which was against the provisions of the order. Later that same year, Hardy again violated the order by registering on a pornography site using the name Lucy, which was prohibited as police had not been notified about the alias. Luke Hardy, 24, who identifies as Zoe and was referred to using female pronouns during the sentencing, repeatedly breached Sexual Harm Prevention Orders (SHPO) At Teesside Crown Court, it was heard how the paedophile used a female alias to access porn and had also breached court orders by joining dating sites At the time, Hardy told police of their sexuality struggles, 'sometimes feeling like Luke, sometimes like Lucy'. Saba Shan, prosecuting, said the latest breach occurred in July when officers visited Hardy's home in Stockton. It came after the paedophile had been designated a 'high risk sex offender' by police, who found Hardy had used the name 'Zoe' on a dating app, in an email account and a mobile game. It was understood the breach occurred because Hardy did not inform police about any use of an alias online. Judge Richard Clews jailed Hardy for nine months in total for breaching the SHPOs, and due to part of previous suspended sentences being activated. He told the defendant: 'It is appropriate to describe the breaches of the Sexual Harm Prevention Order as persistent and deliberate.' He sentenced on the basis that there had been no harm caused to anyone else by Hardy breaching the orders. A university student has lifted the lid on a little-known Centrelink hack to help those studying away from home. Lea Simic, 20, left her family in Sydney to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts in Perth three years ago. Although she was determined to go to the world-renowned school, which boasts alumni like Hugh Jackman, she was worried about being separated from her family and the high cost of flights across the country. However, she couldn't pass up the opportunity to study at WAAPAespecially as it offered a directing component to undergraduate students, a rarity. Fortunately, last year she discovered Centrelink Fares Allowance. As Ms Simic receives a Centrelink allowance, she can claim the cost of flying to Perth at the start of the academic year, back to Sydney at the end, and a return flight in between. The allowance is available to those who receive Youth Allowance, Austudy, or the Pensioner Education Supplement for more than three months a year. 'To have the option to see your family and a reminder of why you're doing these programs, I think it's really beneficial,' Ms Simic told Yahoo. Lea Simic (pictured) is able to claim four flights between Sydney and Perth each year through the Centrelink Fares Allowance The allowance is available to students studying away from home and can be used to reimburse public transport and eligible flights Those who receive eligible Centrelink payments for less than three months a year can only claim two flights: one to their place of study and one home. Ms Simic recently used the Fares Allowance to claim back a $600 flight from Sydney to Perth. While she tries her best to book flights in advance, she said one-way fares across the country can cost more than $1,000. Services Australia will also reimburse the cost of standard luggage fees, in addition to "the least expensive and most available" transport. That includes people taking public transport back to their university. It could apply to claiming the cost of a train trip from your home to the airport on top of the airfare. It could also be used to reimburse the cost of taking a train from Sydney to Bathurst, a nearly four-hour trip. Ms Simic is glad she accepted her position at WAAPA as it opened "so many avenues and opportunities" and she is still able to regularly see her family. The allowance is available to those who receive Youth Allowance, Austudy or the Pensioner Education Supplement more than three months a year 'Being able to come back and forth was really vital for me, because I have a very close connection to my family, and they're part of the reason why I want to create a very specific art,' she said. 'Centrelink has definitely helped me out in that regard.' More information about Fares Allowance is available on the Services Australia website. A dramatic forest fire near a beach resort in southern Spain has forced the evacuation of tourists and locals. Multiple aircraft have been roped in to tackle the inferno, which took hold in Cadiz in Andalusia on Tuesday afternoon. Specifically, the flames are spreading in the hills of Torre de la Pena, behind the hugely popular resort of Tarifa. According to the Andalucia firefighter service INFOCA, there are gusts of 20-25km/hr that are favouring the fire's spread. The fire is snaking very close to the N-340 highway and the Estrecho Natural Park - the former of which has been partially closed between Las Pinas and Pedro Valiente. Meanwhile, all bars, restaurants or hotels have been evacuated between La Pena and Casas de Porros, reports local newspaper Europa Sur. According to the local police, the fire started in a motorhome at the Torre la Pena campsite, which also had to be evacuated. The flames then blew westward, away from the campsite, and spread rapidly through a hilly and grassland area where homes and tourist establishments are scattered - including the Wawa Hotel, which is reported to have been affected by the fire. Multiple aircraft have been roped in to tackle the inferno, which took hold in Cadiz in Andalusia on Tuesday afternoon The flames are spreading in the hills of Torre de la Pena, behind the hugely popular resort of Tarifa Several beach bars and 'chiringuitos' have also been evacuated due to the large amounts of ash being carried down to the shore. The blaze was first reported at around 4pm on Tuesday. The current firefighting operation involves five helicopters, two water-carrying planes, a coordination plane, five forest fire ground crews and more. Tarifa is often branded a 'surfer's paradise' due to its extremely wide beaches and tall waves. It comes just days after blazes erupted in Portugal, Greece, and Spain, while tornadoes struck tourist hotspots in parts of Spain and Switzerland. Thousands of firefighters battled a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain into Wednesday, in the largest wave of blazes in the Iberian Peninsula so far this year following weeks of summer heat. The largest wildfire burned in the wooded, mountainous Arouca area - some 300 km (185 miles) north of Lisbon - since Monday, leading to the closure of the scenic trails of Passadicos do Paiva, a popular tourist attraction. Some 800 firefighters and seven waterbombing aircraft tackled the blaze. 'There was a huge effort during the night, so now we have a somewhat calmer situation,' Civil Protection Commander Helder Silva told reporters, cautioning that shifting strong winds and a difficult terrain meant their work was far from over. According to the Andalucia firefighter service INFOCA, there are gusts of 20-25km/hr that are favouring the fire's spread The blaze was first reported at around 4pm on Tuesday According to the local police, the fire started in a motorhome at the Torre la Pena campsite, which also had to be evacuated 'It's a very large wildfire in areas with difficult access,' he said. Further north, a blaze raged from Saturday in the Peneda-Geres national park near the Spanish border, enveloping nearby villages in thick smoke that led to orders for residents to stay at home. Portuguese firefighters managed to control two large fires that started on Monday in the central areas of Penamacor and Nisa. Authorities said the Penamacor blaze had destroyed 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of forest. A tense parking dispute has erupted between two neighbours after a family started reserving a public parking space with an orange cone. Occupants of an Auckland home have been blocking other drivers from the parking space on a street in Milldale, 33km north of the city centre. When one neighbour, who lives directly opposite the space, dared to park in the empty spot, he returned to find an aggressive note on his car. 'Hey, you absolutely suck at parking. Flip over to see the reason,' the note read. When the man flipped it over, the author had ticked a box to say he had parked in a 'reserved space', and added the note 'MOVE YOUR CAR'. The man explained that street parking is limited near his home and that his neighbours are generally respectful, except for one 'who's a total pain'. 'They've started placing a cone in front of their house to reserve a spot that can easily fit two small cars,' he vented on Reddit. 'And when they do park there, they make sure to take up the whole space so no one else can use it.' The owner of a house on a residential street in Milldale, 33km north of Auckland city centre, often reserves a public parking spot outside their home with a cone (pictured) An Auckland resident received an aggressive note on their windshield from their neighbour after parking in the 'coned-off' spot (pictured) The aggressive note (pictured) accused the driver of parking in a reserved space (pictured) The man claimed his neighbours who left the note live in a house with a double garage and a driveway that can fit four cars. He said the family has two cars parked in their driveway and use the 'coned-off' parking spot for a third vehicle. The man responded by leaving his own note on his neighbour's car in the coveted spot, which read: 'Street parking is public'. But his neighbour hit back, arguing the space was 'allocated' to her home. 'It's not really a public parking space,' the woman told local media outlet Stuff. 'People keep parking their cars on our spot, we've got three vehicles and this is the parking allocated for our home and that's the only reason why.' She claimed she told the man it was fine for him to park there during the day, but that it was 'common sense' they would want the space back from 5pm each day. Auckland Transport told Daily Mail: 'Considering the resident(s) in question have a double garage and a driveway to park in we consider this situation strange. 'Reserving a parking space with a road cone is a no-go. Parking spaces on a public road are for everyone to use.' Accused of boasting about the money he allegedly pocketed Ibrahim Helmy on the run since May A government bureaucrat accused of pocketing millions in bribes joked to associates about taking 'white people's' money, an Independent Commission Against Corruption inquiry has heard. Former Transport for NSW procurement officer Ibrahim Helmy, 38, allegedly masterminded a corruption scheme that saw him allocate $343million in rigged government contracts, and has been on the run from authorities since May. He was last seen putting the bins out on a Sunday night but failed to return, according to his family. NSW Police issued an arrest warrant for Helmy last month after he failed to appear before the ICAC inquiry, Operation Wyvern, which has since entered its fourth week. The inquiry heard explosive claims this week that Helmy boasted about the money he allegedly pocketed. An associate texted that he 'likes white people giving us money', the Daily Telegraph reported. Helmy allegedly responded: 'It's like they're giving us money to live in their country'. In another text, he allegedly bragged: 'We're here in their country taking their money.' Ibrahim Helmy remains on the run as an ICAC inquiry into his alleged dealings continues Thousands of dollars in cash were seized during raids on Helmy's home last September The associate allegedly mocked that 'they are all the same, making us money' in another exchange. Helmy allegedly replied: 'That's right all (a) bunch of Aussies'. He is alleged in ICAC hearings to have received $11.5million in kickbacks including bundles of cash, gold bullion, and cryptocurrency from contractors in return for them being awarded work on the state's roads. Helmy worked for Transport for NSW for 15 years until his employment was terminated earlier this year. The ICAC inquiry this week also heard from Wayne Harrison, the director of Kerway Asphalting Pty Ltd, which was allegedly paid $35 million by Transport for NSW over a five-and-a-half-year period up until May 2025. He recalled how he learned of the ICAC investigation through the media and Helmy's reaction to the probe in subsequent calls. 'I said to him, "I heard someone in your office is in trouble" but I didnt know it was him (Helmy),' Mr Harrison told the inquiry. 'He said it was old news that happened four years ago.' Ibrahim Helmy (pictured) allegedly joked to associates about taking 'white people's' money Among the seized items from Helmy's home last September were gold bullion in red bags, more than $12,000 in cash, a Kogan cash counter, and various gold, silver and platinum bars The inquiry also heard how Helmy allegedly demanded $800,000 in cash from Mr Harrison, who pushed back. 'I know youve got that sort of money,' Helmy replied before he allegedly produced a private document detailing Kerway Asphaltings finances. When Mr Harrison asked how he obtained the document, Helmy allegedly replied: Ive got ways.' Gold, platinum and silver bars, gold nuggets, bundles of cash totalling $12,317, and a Maserati were seized during a raid by ICAC and the NSW Crime Commission on Helmy's Merrylands home in western Sydney last September. The probe led to raids on the head office of Protection Barriers, one of the state's biggest roadworks companies. The business secured significant deals worth more than $110million from Transport for NSW for road safety work. Kerway Asphalting Pty Ltd director Wayne Harrison (pictured) gave evidence at the ICAC inquiry on Tuesday Luxury cars were seized from the company's headquarters in northern NSW before the firm fell into voluntary administration in March. The inquiry, presided over by ICAC Chief Commissioner John Hatzistergos, is expected to run for another two weeks. It's the fourth public inquiry into Transport for NSW since 2019. Luigi Mangione has been granted a major perk behind bars as he awaits trial for the alleged assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. The 27-year-old suspect has been given access to a laptop to use in jail in preparation of the murder trial. The laptop will be 'prepared by the government' and handed over to Mangione seven days a week, for use between 8am and 4pm, the NY Post reported. U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett signed an order on Monday demanding the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn begin preparations to secure the laptop. Mangione's attorneys, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Jacob Kaplan, told the judge the letter would allow Mangione to 'adequately prepare for trial and assist in his own defense.' But the laptop will be disabled from accessing the internet or any wireless networks, Mangione's attorneys revealed. It will be set up with case-related documents and videos provided to Mangione's defense by the government. Luigi Mangione has been granted a major perk behind bars as he awaits trial accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson The 27-year-old has been given access to a laptop to use in jail in preparation of the murder trial Mangione is accused of murdering Thompson, a 50-year-old father-of-two, outside a Manhattan hotel while he was attending a work conference on December 4, 2024. A red diary found in the 27-year-old's possession when he was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, at the end of a five-day manhunt, have offered insight into his alleged motive. The diary documented Mangione's musings on what Unabomber Ted Kaczynski got wrong during his reign of terror between 1978 and 1995, according to court filings. In one entry from August 15, 2024, Mangione writes that he is 'confident' about his plan - four months before the shooting took place - and that he believes it to be 'right/justified.' 'I finally feel confident about what I will do. The details are coming together. And I don't feel any doubt about whether it's right/justified,' his scrawling writing reads. 'I'm glad-in a way-that I've procrastinated bc [sic] it allowed me to learn more about UHC [UnitedHealthcare].' 'The target is insurance. It checks every box.' Mangione is accused of murdering Thompson, a 50-year-old father-of-two, outside a Manhattan hotel while he was attending a work conference on December 4, 2024 The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges in connection with the December murder In another diary entry dated two months later on October 10 2024, Mangione allegedly marks a countdown to the day of the attack: '1.5 months.' In the rambling diary entry, Mangione goes on to refer to those in the healthcare industry as 'parasites' and 'mafioso' and describes UnitedHealthcare's December conference as a 'true windfall' that 'embodies everything wrong with our health system.' The 27-year-old has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges in connection with the December murder. If he is convicted, federal prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. A clever dog has captured hearts by boarding a bus on her own and walking through suburban streets to a Sydney train station - and now the race is on to find her owner. The stylish Staffordshire Terrier, wearing a smart blue vest, was seen hopping onto a bus on Tuesday night in the southern suburb of Ramsgate before making her way to Kogarah Station like a seasoned commuter. The mystery mutt's adventure went viral after local Katerina shared a photo on Facebook, hoping to reunite the dog with her owner. Katerina told Daily Mail Australia it was her brother Nik who first realised the dog was alone. 'After three stops he overheard someone calling out "who's dog is this" and he realised nobody owned the dog,' she said. Nik kept a watchful eye on the canine passenger until she casually disembarked at Kogarah Station - around 5km from where she boarded. Worried she might get too close to the edge of the platform, Nik and another kind-hearted commuter stepped in to guide her to safety. He then handed her over to Sydney Trains staff, who happily took in the four-legged commuter with open arms. This clever pup stunned Sydney commuters by hopping on a bus and heading to the train station all by herself now she's getting the VIP treatment while waiting for her humans A Sydney Trains guard contacted the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in Strathfield and helped arrange for the pooch to be taken there, where she spent the night. Now affectionately nicknamed 'Athena', the bus-hopper is lapping up the VIP treatment at the shelter, while the search continues for her human. 'We're all hoping this sweet girl's big adventure ends with a happy reunion,' said Melissa Penn, Managing Director, Sydney Dogs & Cats Home. 'She's clearly loved - she was well-dressed in her puffer jacket, confident, and friendly - so we're doing everything we can to help her find her way back home. 'It's hard that she wasn't wearing a collar and her microchip details are out of date. She's had quite the journey, but now she's safe, warm, and being thoroughly spoiled, while we try to track down her people. 'This shows how important it is to ensure all our pets are microchipped, with the details kept up to date, they wear collars with contact details on them so if they are off on adventures like this, we can get them home quickly and safely.' The bus-hopper has since become an overnight sensation, with social media lighting up over her solo suburban adventure. 'She looks so happy,' one said. She's now living her best life at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in South Strathfield, getting cuddles, treats, and the full VIP treatment while staff wait for her humans to come forward 'She looks so proud of her accomplishment being on that bus,' a second added. 'On a day out with her coat on. Looks like she's having a good time. I hope they find her owner,' a third said. The canine's commute raised many questions among the comments. 'How on earth did she pull it off,' one asked. 'Where was she trying to go,' wondered another. 'Where is her owner,' a third added. Anyone who recognises her or has information is urged to contact the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has left the door open to reforming tax breaks for investor landlords after trade unions called for a restriction on negative gearing. ACTU secretary Sally McManus, a participant in the government's Economic Reform Roundtable, has called for negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount to be restricted to one investment property. Under her proposal, arrangements for existing investors would be grandfathered for five years before new restrictions were introduced. 'You can have as many investment properties as you want but in terms of the tax benefit, limit that to one,' she told ABC Insiders on Sunday. 'Unless we change it, working people can't live where they work, they can't live where they grew up, and it is causing an enormous amount of pressure for people.' Chalmers on Wednesday declined to rule out restricting negative gearing and the capital gains tax discount, despite Prime Minister Anthony Albanese ruling out changes in Opposition after Labor had lost the 2019 election. 'What I've tried to do, and not just in relation to the ACTU and others who've made these suggestions, is I don't want to get in the habit of knocking off ideas before we get in the room,' he told reporters in Canberra. 'I want people to feel like their contributions are valued because they are. Treasurer Jim Chalmers has left the door open to reforming tax breaks for investor landlords after trade unions called for a restriction on negative gearing 'Firstly, when it comes to those areas, the government hasn't changed its policies or its positions on those areas.' Ms McManus rebuffed a suggestion reforming negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount would amount to a broken promise, given Albanese won the 2022 election by scrapping his Labor predecessor's policies. 'I just say that we've got to bite the bullet, like, otherwise we're just saying "too bad young people, you're not going to be able to ever own a home, forget even thinking about it",' she said. 'Since 2019, the problem's just got worse, it's going to continue to get worse unless the government's brave enough to do something about it. 'We are just abandoning those generations and we think that's fundamentally wrong.' Australia's median capital city house price of $1.045million is so expensive that someone with a 20 per cent mortgage deposit would now have to earn $161,000 a year just to get a mortgage. That is significantly more than the average, full-time salary of $102,742, which means only high-income earners or a dual-income couple can afford a house in a big city. Labor under former leader Bill Shorten lost the 2016 and 2019 elections with a plan to restrict negative gearing to just future purchases of brand new properties and halve the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount to 25 per cent. ACTU secretary Sally McManus, a participant in the government's Economic Reform Roundtable, has called for negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount to be restricted to one investment property Since September 1999, an investor who made a $100,000 capital gain on a property would only have to add $50,000 to their taxable income for that financial year. The Greens have a similar position to the ACTU, in that they want negative gearing and the 50 per cent capital gains tax discount restricted to one investment property. Since July 2024, the federal government and the states have had a plan to build 1.2million homes over five years, hoping that will boost housing supply and address affordability issues. Real estate data group Cotality, however, noted Australia hadn't built more than a million homes over a similar time frame since the five years to 2019. Cotality Australia's head of research Eliza Owen said that period coincided with quality issues in new apartments, especially in Sydney. 'While a lot of new dwellings were completed, this did not necessarily lead to good housing outcomes - capital growth outcomes for investors have generally been very poor for 2010s apartments and defects were so rife that some new dwellings could not even be lived in,' she said. She added that building companies would be unlikely to be able to build more homes, even with government targets. 'While state and local governments focus on approvals and improving the feasibility of new projects, building companies continue to be stretched thin across an already swollen pipeline and reduced margins,' she said. El Salvador was once one of the most dangerous countries in the world, but today its murder rate has dropped by 98 per cent in a decade, and the US now considers it safer to visit than Britain or France. In 2015, there were 6,656 murders in the small Central American country, which has a population of just 6.4 million. But in 2024, there were only 114 killings. The dramatic change came after President Nayib Bukele, who brands himself as the 'world's coolest dictator', launched an aggressive crackdown on crime. In 2022, he declared a state of emergency, which remains in place. It gave security forces the power to arrest people without a warrant. At one point, around 1,000 people a day were being detained on suspicion of gang involvement. A year later, El Salvador opened a new prison called the Terrorism Confinement Centre - Cecot - to hold the growing number of detainees. It was built in a remote area and is now one of the most extreme prisons in the world. Inmates are banned from all contact with the outside world, and up to 100 men share a single cell. In 2022, he declared a state of emergency, which remains in place. It gave security forces the power to arrest people without a warrant El Salvador opened a new prison called the Terrorism Confinement Centre - Cecot - to hold the growing number of detainees in 2023 They sleep on bare concrete slabs with no mattresses, and food is limited. There are no visitors or access to lawyers, and prisoners are often transferred in chains, surrounded by armed guards Your browser does not support iframes. They sleep on bare concrete slabs with no mattresses, and food is limited. There are no visitors, and prisoners are often transferred in chains, surrounded by armed guards. Inmates are confined to their cells and are only allowed out for exercise in the prison's corridors or video link hearings. El Salvador now has the highest prison population per capita in the world, with nearly three per cent of all men in the country behind bars. US president Donald Trump has hailed Bukele's policies, and the two have become close allies. Before the crackdown, the country was dominated by two main gangs, MS-13 and Mara 18, which formed in California during the 1980s. Many members were deported back to El Salvador in the 1990s and took control of large parts of the country. Gangs extorted money from businesses, controlled entire neighbourhoods, and carried out brutal killings. But that has changed since the leader's rise. He campaigned on the promise to make the country safe, and his supporters say he has delivered. Criminal gangs are not the only ones in his crosshairs. He introduced tougher penalties for petty crimes - anyone caught drink driving, even with a trace of alcohol, can be jailed for 15 days before facing a fast-track trial and up to five years in prison. He has also surrounded entire towns with soldiers, doubled the size of the military, and expanded surveillance powers. Bukele also introduced tougher penalties for petty crimes - anyone caught drink driving, even with a trace of alcohol, can be jailed for 15 days before facing a fast-track trial and up to five years in prison Before the crackdown, the country was dominated by two main gangs, MS-13 and Mara 18, which formed in California during the 1980 Inmates getting their heads shaved before they are assigned to a cell in Cecot Bukele has also pushed legal reforms allowing judges to try dozens of suspects at once Checkpoints with troops carrying rifles have been set up, and cops go door to door in search of suspected criminals. The tactic, which Bukele calls a 'security fence,' has been used in dozens of operations since 2022. Bukele has also pushed legal reforms allowing judges to try dozens of suspects at once. Evidence can include anonymous tips or online posts. In February 2025, Bukele signed a law which ordered children held for organised crimes to be sent to adult prisons. According to Human Rights Watch, over 3,000 minors have been detained with little or no evidence. The government has also introduced a national informant hotline, offering cash rewards to citizens who report suspected gang members. Posters and text messages encourage neighbours and even relatives to turn people in. Critics say this has led to false accusations and revenge reports. However, Bukele says the crackdown is 'an example for other countries that we can live in peace'. Aside from his war on crime, he has launched policies like making his country the first nation to declare Bitcoin legal tender and has improved the country's infrastructure. Critics have criticised the new policy which allows Bukele to remain president. On the day of the vote, some congress members held up signs in protest Bukele's supporters argue that the results speak for themselves and say locals and tourists now walk the streets safely at night, even in areas that were once no-go zones Bukele has constantly hailed the prison as a success and regularly posts videos of inmates in the facility Last year, he was re-elected with 85 per cent of the vote in a controversial election. His main opposition got less than 7 per cent. In a recent move, Congress abolished the limit on presidential terms, allowing him to stay in power for life if re-elected. Opposition congresswoman Marcela Villatoro said, 'Democracy died today,' after the reforms were passed by 57 votes to three. Bukele's supporters argue that the results speak for themselves and say locals and tourists now walk the streets safely at night, even in areas that were once no-go zones. But his huge transformations have not come at a cost. He has been heavily criticised by human rights advocates who say he has committed many atrocities, especially when it comes to detainees. In 2022, Amnesty International said: 'Under the current state of emergency, the Salvadoran authorities have committed massive human rights violations, including thousands of arbitrary detentions and violations of due process, as well as torture and ill-treatment.' A researcher was able to uncover over 100,000 sensitive ChatGPT conversations that were searchable on Google thanks to a 'short-lived experiment' by OpenAI. Henk Van Ess was one of the first to figure out that anyone could search for these chats using key certain key words. He discovered people had been discussing everything from non-disclosure agreements, confidential contracts, sexual problems, insider trading schemes and how to cheat on papers. This unforeseen problem arose because of the share feature, which if clicked by the user would create a predictably formatted link using words from the chat. This allowed people to search for the conversations by typing in 'site:chatgpt.com/share' and then putting key words at the end of the query. Van Ess said one chat he discovered detailed cyberattacks targeting named targets within Hamas, the terrorist group controlling Gaza that Israel has been at war with since October 2023. Another involved a domestic violence victim talking about possible escape plans while revealing their financial shortcomings. The share feature was an attempt by ChatGPT to make it easier for people to show others their chats, though most users likely didn't realize just how visible their musings would be. OpenAI has acknowledged that the way ChatGPT was previously set up allowed more than 100,000 conversations to be freely searched on Google In a statement to 404Media, OpenAI did not dispute that there were more than 100,000 chats that had been searchable on Google. 'We just removed a feature from [ChatGPT] that allowed users to make their conversations discoverable by search engines, such as Google. This was a short-lived experiment to help people discover useful conversations,' said Dane Stuckey, OpenAI chief information security officer. 'This feature required users to opt-in, first by picking a chat to share, then by clicking a checkbox for it to be shared with search engines,' Stuckey added. Now, when a user shares their conversation, ChatGPT creates a randomized link that uses no key words. 'Ultimately we think this feature introduced too many opportunities for folks to accidentally share things they didn't intend to, so we're removing the option,' Stuckey said. 'We're also working to remove indexed content from the relevant search engines. This change is rolling out to all users through tomorrow morning. Security and privacy are paramount for us, and we'll keep working to maximally reflect that in our products and features,' he added. Researcher Henk Van Ess plus many others have already archived many of the conversations that were exposed However, much of the damage has already been done, since many of the conversations were already archived by Van Ess and others. For example, a chat that's still viewable involves a plan to create a new bitcoin called Obelisk. Ironically, Van Ess used another AI model, Claude, to come up with key words to use to dredge up the most juicy chats. To find people discussing criminal conspiracies, Claude suggested searching 'without getting caught', 'avoid detection', 'without permission' or 'get away with.' But the words that exposed the most intimate confessions were 'my salary', 'my SSN', 'diagnosed with', or 'my therapist.' Teachers across Queensland are being given grim warnings against crossing picket lines and to resist pressure from their schools when they strike today, as leaked messages obtained by Daily Mail Australia reveal the hard-line tactics being used. In private posts circulated among Queensland Teachers' Union members, teachers were ordered to 'Never cross a picket line' and 'Don't be a scab' as they go on their first strike in 16 years. The union also warned more strikes may follow, despite many educators earning more than $100,000 a year and enjoying 13 weeks of annual leave. One image shared in a private social media group showed dinner plates bearing the ominous warnings to strikebreakers, and another proudly proclaiming: 'I'm an absolute sl** for workers' rights'. In the fiery post widely shared among QTU circles, members were urged to stand firm because today's strike was 'not about perks'. 'On Wednesday, QTU members are striking,' the post said. 'It is not undertaken lightly; the last strike was 16 years ago. 'The union has been working all year to negotiate a fair deal but the government ain't listening.' The QTU voted for the 24-hour strike last week after rejecting the state government's offer of pay rises of 3.0 per cent, 2.5 per cent and a further 2.5 per cent over three years. Queensland state school teachers receive around 13 weeks of annual leave In private posts circulated among Queensland Teachers' Union members, teachers were told to never cross a picket-line. A picture of a plate with the words 'Don't be a scab' was attached to the post The base salary in Queensland state schools for a permanent or temporary beginning teacher with a four-year degree is $84,078 per year. A senior teacher earns $116,729, while an experienced senior teacher can make up to $123,105. A highly accomplished teacher earns $130,770, a lead teacher receives $142,766, and a department head earns $141,088 per year. Queensland state school teachers also receive around 13 weeks of annual leave, including a six-week summer break and three two-week mid-term breaks. Despite this, the union says the action is about more than pay, citing spiralling workloads, growing safety concerns, and worsening staff shortages. 'We have a teacher shortage crisis and increasingly unsafe workplaces,' the leaked post reads. 'These two factors keep impacting the other in a downward spiral which must stop.' 'Queensland kids deserve great schools. And great schools need great people.' And while nearly 600,000 students across the state have been affected with schools operating with minimal supervision, the union expects parents to support them. Teachers across Queensland are being warned not to cross picket lines and to resist pressure from their schools In the post leaked to Daily Mail, members were warned to stand firm Nearly 600,000 students across the state have been affected with schools operating with minimal supervision 'One way parents and carers can show their support is to keep their kids home on Wednesday. Of course, not all families can, but if it is at all possible, please do,' it read. The post goes on to warn teachers not to fall for 'grubby tactics'. 'To my many QTU member friends, the employer is pressuring you to work on Wednesday,' it added. 'It is a grubby tactic. Please don't fall for it. 'The strike on Wed is lawful protected industrial action. Hold the line. We're stronger when we stand together. For those of you in Brissie, I hope I see you on Wednesday.' Officially the peak body The Queensland Council of Unions, has backed the strike and also urged families to show solidarity. 'If you're able, keep your kids home and stand with teachers in their fight for the future of education,' a statement said. 'Queensland students deserve the very best teachers, and that means fair salaries, safe workplaces, and support that matches the scale of the challenges in our schools.' Daily Mail has contacted QTU for comment. Do you know more? Email kylie.stevens@dailymail.com A tradesman has recalled horrific details of how a co-worker was crushed to death by a concrete pump at a construction site. Paulo Mau'u, 40, and Aymen Elahmad , 30, were critically injured at the Meriton construction site at Carlingford, in Sydney's north-west, on Tuesday. It's understood a concrete pump fell onto the the pair. Mr Mau'u later died, while father-of-three Mr Elahmad continues to fight for life in Royal North Shore Hospital with severe injuries, including paralysis and punctured lungs. Friends revealed on Wednesday that he will undergo 'delicate' spinal surgery. Meriton boss Harry Triguboff paid a visit to the worksite afterwards to speak with shocked workers. 'I heard a big bang, turned around and saw two guys under it. One's legs were all bent,' a worker told Seven News. 'One was knocked out unconscious. 'I was in shock. I didn't know what to do.' Sydney tradie Paulo Mau'u has been remembered as a dedicated family man Two tradies were crushed by a concrete pump at a construction site in Carlingford on Tuesday (scene pictured). Mr Mau'u was killed while the other is fighting for life Footage emerged online on Wednesday of a crane in operation at another Meriton construction site in honour of Mr Mau'u, as a group of tradies watched on. 'This is for you, my uso (brother),' the tradie captioned the footage. The tragedy has sparked an outpouring of tributes for Mr Mau'u, who has been remembered as a dedicated family man who put others first. He described himself on social media as a 'proud Samoan' who migrated to Australia from New Zealand. 'He was a hardworking father who left for work like any other day, not knowing it would be his last,' one friend wrote. 'Dedicated to providing for his family, he never complained and always put others before himself.' 'His sudden passing is a painful reminder of how precious and fragile life is. 'He will be remembered not just for his hard work, but for the love and strength he gave his family every single day.' Others saw the tragedy as a reminder to never take life for granted. Father-of-three Aymen Elahmad (pictured) continues to fight for life in hospital Mr Mau'u (pictured) was a 'proud Samoan' who migrated to Australia from New Zealand 'We never really know when the last time you see someone is the "last time", a mate wrote. 'Couldn't believe the news. Will forever miss your good vibes & energy. Love ya, uso. You truly will be missed.' Friends gave an update on Mr Elahmad's condition on Wednesday as he prepared to undergo a 'critical' operation on his spine As he was the sole breadwinner for his young family, a fundraiser has been set up to assist with medical costs and living expenses. 'Hes always been the one to provide for his family, working hard in the field, and now its our turn to come together to support him and his loved ones,' the fundraiser states. 'The road to recovery will be long, and Aymen's family will need all the help they can get. 'Aymen is the kind of person who would do anything to help others, and now we want to show him the same kindness and generosity hes always shown. 'Our goal is to provide as much support as possible to help Aymen focus on his recovery and his family focus on healing.' The fundraiser had raised almost $4000 within hours. An investigation into the workplace tragedy at Carlingford is now underway Australia's biggest unit developer is 'fully cooperating' with SafeWork NSW, which has launched an investigation into how the tragedy unfolded. 'Our hearts go out to their families, friends, and colleagues during this incredibly difficult time,' a Meriton statement read. 'We extend our deepest condolences and stand with them in their grief and pain.' The tragedy unfolded at the construction site of The Carling - a master-planned community which will consist of 629 units across seven high-rise towers. It's the same Meriton worksite where an unstable crane almost toppled in June due to powerful winds. The incidents shut down Pennant Hills Road - one of Sydney's busiest roads - and forced the evacuation of hundreds of residents from nearby unit complexes. A Democrat enemy of Donald Trump is under criminal investigation for mortgage fraud after the president called him a 'scam artist' who belonged in prison. California Senator Adam Schiff is accused of misrepresenting which home he used as his primary residence. A Trump administration insider told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that the US Attorney's Office in Maryland is considering pressing charges. The Department of Justice last month received a criminal referral from the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) allegeding Schiff falsified bank documents and property records to secure better loan terms. In a 2011 affidavit signed by Schiff, he declared a home in Montgomery County, Maryland, as his primary residence, but as recent as 2023, a condominium in Burbank, California, is also listed as his primary residence. Schiff and his wife purchased a Maryland home in 2003 for $870,000 with a $610,000 mortgage. The rate was set at 5.625 percent over 30 years, on the basis that it was their primary and principal residence. 'Based on media reports, Mr. Adam B. Schiff has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, impacting payments from 2003-2019 for a Potomac, Maryland-based property,' FHFA Director William Pulte wrote. California Senator Adam Schiff is accused of misrepresenting which home he used as his primary residence A Democrat enemy of Donald Trump is under criminal investigation for mortgage fraud after the president called him a 'scam artist' who belonged in prison 'As regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, we take very seriously allegations of mortgage fraud or other criminal activity. 'Such misconduct jeopardizes the safety and soundness of FHFA's regulated entities and the security and stability of the U.S. mortgage market.' Last month, Trump hit out at Schiff in a Truth Social post in the latest escalation in their long-running feud. 'Adam 'Shifty' Schiff is in BIG TROUBLE,' Trump wrote. 'He falsified loan documents.' Trump also went on to slam Schiff for orchestrating an 'American Tragedy' by investigating his son Donald Trump Jr.'s phone records in 2019 amid concerns about the origin of a meeting with Russians held in Trump Tower three years prior. 'He once said my son would go to prison on a SCAM that Schiff, along with other Crooked Dems, illegally 'manufactured' in order to stage an actual coup,' Trump wrote. 'My son did nothing wrong, knew nothing about the fictional story. It was an American Tragedy! Last month, Trump hit out at Schiff in a Truth Social post in the latest escalation in their long-running feud 'Now Shifty should pay the price of prison for a real crime, not one made up by the corrupt accusers!' Schiff had threatened to subpoena Don Jr. to glean new details about two phone calls he made to blocked numbers after meeting with a Russian lawyer. At the time, Trump was under investigation for potentially colluding with the Kremlin. He also led the charge to impeach Trump in his role as chair of the House Intelligence Committee. Barbara McQuade, a former U.S. attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan told the publication it was 'awfully coincidental' that Trump's critics have been subjected to home loan investigations. 'You don't get a free pass because you're a public official,' McQuade said. 'But I think they've really undermined the credibility of the department by staking out this ground seeking retribution against Trump's enemies.' Trump said he wanted to see Schiff 'brought to justice' through the investigation into his finances. But Schiff maintained his innocence and argued he was being persecuted by the Trump administration as political retribution for his involvement in opposing the family over the years. He accused Schiff of orchestrating an 'American Tragedy' by investigating his son Donald Trump Jr .'s phone records in 2019 amid concerns about the origin of a meeting with Russians held in Trump Tower three years prior 'This is just Donald Trump's latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies,' Schiff wrote on X. 'So it is not a surprise, only how weak this false allegation turns out to be.' A spokesperson for his office insisted the lenders for both of his homes - one in Washington and another in California - were aware that he intended to use both year-round while serving in public office. He maintained neither home is considered a 'vacation' property. Appointing one home as a primary residence can allow a borrower to secure lower rates, because it is considered a less risky investment. Schiff took aim at the president during an appearance on Stephen Colbert's show telling him to 'p**s off'. 'But before you p**s off, would you release the Epstein files?' Schiff asked, to rapturous applause. It is unclear how Trump became aware of Schiff's mortgages, or what involvement he has played in the investigation so far. According to The Washington Post, a confidential memo within Fannie Mae, the lender responsible for the questionable loans, said an investigation has been ongoing amid concerns Schiff 'engaged in a sustained pattern of possible occupancy misrepresentation on 5 Fannie Mae loans'. The internal memo states the company's financial crimes team received a document demand from the Federal Housing Finance Agency on May 12 relating to loan files. It states that a condo in Burbank, California, has at times been listed as a 'primary residence' before adding, 'however the 691 square foot, 1-bedroom unit appears unsuitable for a family of four, raising doubts about their true occupancy intent.' Each of the loans involved have since been paid off in full. Investigators probing the aftermath of a deadly helicopter crash linked to Netflix croc star Matt Wright covertly bugged the Outback Wrangler's family home and secretly recorded his private conversations with his wife, Kaia. Wright, 45, is facing a trial at the Northern Territory Supreme Court in Darwin after pleading not guilty to three charges of attempting to pervert the course of justice. The jury trial relates to a fatal helicopter crash that claimed the life of Wright's Netflix co-star Chris 'Willow' Wilson during a 2022 crocodile egg-harvesting mission. Wright, whose wife has been by his side every day of the trial, was not the pilot during the February 28, 2022 mission, which saw Mr Wilson suspended in a 30m sling beneath a Robinson R44 helicopter. The helicopter, referred to as 'IDW' in the trial, crashed in a paperbark swamp near King River, a remote part of West Arnhem Land, 500km east of Darwin. Mr Wilson, a father-of-two, had been suspended by the sling under the chopper, picking eggs from crocodile nests but allegedly fell more than 5m to his death. His widow, Dani, has been a regular at court since proceedings began. Pilot Seb Robinson, who the jury was told was a recreational cocaine user', was left a paraplegic by the crash, but the court was told he will appear as a witness. He and Mr Wilson were both sub-contracting for Wright's recently liquidated company Helibrook. Matt Wright and wife Kaia arrive at court on Wednesday Dani Wilson, Mr Wilson's widow, has been a regular spectator during the criminal trial. Pilot Seb Robinson (left) with Mr Wilson The court heard on Wednesday that Wright was probed for his alleged actions following the crash, between March and September 2022, in Darwin and other locations. At the centre of the case is the allegation that Wright impeded the investigation in the months following the fatal crash. Prosecutors allege Wright did not properly follow maintenance rules for his helicopters and had attempted to conceal this after the crash. Crown prosecutor Jason Gullaci SC told the 14-person jury that investigators bugged Wright's home and tapped his phone while they probed the crash. Mr Gullaci told the jury that multiple conversations Wright had with his wife were covertly recorded including one discussion which occurred on September 22, 2022. The jury heard Kaia asked her husband that if he was being honest, how many hours did he believe IDW had been overflown? Mr Gullaci explained the model of helicopter involved in the crash needed to be scrapped, or undertake a $400,000 overhaul, once it reached 2,200 recorded flight hours. The jury also heard the helicopter needed to be serviced every 50 hours, according to Australian aviation regulations. In the recording, the jury heard Wright said: 'A couple of hundred, I think, ten percent I think 200. Mr Gullaci also said Wright and his wife discussed how he didnt properly log hours, and he didnt even own a 'f***in book', which the jury heard was meant to mean a helicopter flight hours logbook. Wright also feared video footage of his helicopters taken during TV production and other times could lead investigators to conclude the recorded flight times did not correlate. Wright and his legal team leave court on Tuesday Ms Wilson appeared at court looking well-dressed on Tuesday Mr Gullaci said Wright, in his role as owner and chief pilot of Helibrook, was motivated to cover his tracks because he hadn't kept proper records. The jury heard allegations Helibrook pilots regularly failed to record flight hours and Wright ordered pilots not to record to flight hours. Mr Gullaci said it was the prosecution case Wright had a motivation to actively meddle with the investigation because he believed if his under-recording of hours was uncovered could be considered a reason for the deadly crash. The jury heard IDW was registered to fly with Helibrook in 2020 and a company owned by Wright purchased when it had 1,594 hours on the clock and when it crashed it had 2,070 recorded hours 130 hours under the threshold. The prosecution alleged the helicopter had flown more than 2,200 hours and Wright had attempted to cover the bogus numbers up. Hospital recording The jury also heard revelations that investigators covertly recorded a conversation between Wright and pilot Seb Robinson while the latter was at hospital receiving intense treatment on March 13, 2022. Mr Gullaci said Mr Wright also had a conversation with Mr Robinson on March 11 but only a partial recording of the March 13 conversation will be played to the court. Mr Gullaci also said covert recordings, limited phone intercepts and a recorded statutory declaration made by Wright will be played to the jury during the course of the expected five-week trial. Investigators had Wright's family home bugged Mr Gullaci acknowledged slinging for croc eggs was 'incredibly brave and risky and dangerous due to the remote nature of the job. Mr Gullaci also stressed that Wright was not responsible for the death of Mr Wilson or Mr Robinson's serious injury. The court also heard Wright and two other men rushed to the accident scene in another helicopter which was also 'incredibly brave'. However, Mr Gullaci alleged Wright's reaction was to cover up his operation. 'Mr Wright, on the day of the crash, knew there would be an investigation,' Mr Gullaci alleged. 'He knew there would, at least, be an investigation, if not not multiple investigations.' It's alleged Wright withheld documents and altered records, the jury was told. Wright also allegedly knew he or one of his companies could be charged with criminal offences, the jury was told. Multiple authorities investigated the crash, including the Australian Transport Safety Bureau (ATSB), the Civil Aviation Safety Authority and the NT Police. The prosecution alleged Wright was eager to check the console of the crashed helicopter because he wanted to see if the Hobbs meter was switched off. The jury previously heard a Hobbs meter is a device used in aviation to measure the total operating time of a machine or engine. Mr Gullaci said Wright arrived at the crash scene with pilot and friend Jock Purcell after Mr Robinson had been medevacked out. Remote helicopter pilot Michael Burbidge arrived at the scene first and comforted Mr Robinson. Mr Burbridge also covered Mr Wilsons body out of respect Wright later told NT police he thought the helicopter fuel tank was half-full. 'Yeah, there was no weight in it... I went and looked in the tanks and that's what I could see [half full of fuel],' Wright said in his recorded stat dec. 'I looked, I didn't have a torch or anything, I could see the shimmer though.' The prosecution alleged Wright's claims about the fuel were a lie though. 'He did not truly hold that belief, he did that to obstruct the investigation,' Mr Gullaci said. Mr Gullaci took the jury back to recorded conversations Wright had with his wife where they discussed the fuel issues and crash pilot Mr Robinson. Metabolised substances found in Mr Robinson blood samples right after the helicopter crash was indicative was of cocaine use, the jury heard. 'I was just saying he was a s*** pilot,' Wright told Kaia during a taped conversation at one their homes in September 2022. A Current Affair segment sparks headaches The trial got off to a late start after the jury heard there was an issue with an A Current Affair segment which aired just hours after empanelment was completed on Tuesday evening. Acting Justice Alan Blow asked the jury if they had seen the segment to which one juror said they had but it didn't affect their ability to be impartial. Justice Blow explained to the jury the ACA segment was problematic 'It seems clear it was a piece of journalism that was aimed to suggest Mr Wright is guilty, or something, and that's not what TV journalists should be doing,' Justice Blow said. 'It was a segment screened on the Nine Network the night before the trial was to get underway..., a list of witnesses was screened, it's a stale list, it's not the same list which was read out to you yesterday. 'There was a photo screened of the crash-site... it's not suggested Mr Wright is responsible for the crashing of the helicopter... 'If you watched the program you might get the impression that he was responsible for doing something and he's heading to jail for it. 'There were various other aspects of the program that were quite unfair and created a danger of this trial having to be aborted.' Justice Blow also warned the jury not to try to access the segment before them more routine instructions, including not to speak to anyone involved in the case. He also said 'don't be offended' if they encountered someone from the court case on the street and they ignored them. Wright's lead barrister David Edwardson KC is expected to provide a brief response to the Crown opening later on Wednesday or tomorrow. Mr Gullaci said the first prosecution witness will be crocodile farmer Michael Burns who had contracted Wright to gather eggs. Multiple witnesses, including police, experts and Mr Robinson, are due to give evidence in the trial, which Justice Blow said could last for five weeks. Wright's chief helicopter pilot, Michael Keith Burbidge, is also expected to attend with his wife, Jade Burbidge, when he appears as a witness. Dani and Willow had two children together Witnesses in the trial will include the pilots, as well as fellow TV crew members, major Top End business figures and crocodile egg collectors. Wright's lead role in Outback Wrangler - before launching his Netflix and Channel Nine spin-off - was believed to have earned him at least $250,000 per season. Wild Croc Territory featured Wright as both the main star and executive producer, working alongside his agent, Nick Fordham, further boosting his income. However, the first season of the show, which co-starred Mr Wilson, was derailed by the tragic crash that led to his death. After the accident, Netflix continued to stream the first season of Wild Croc Territory despite a request from Ms Wilson to cease, but a planned second season for 2023 has never aired. Wright previously had endorsement deals with Ariat, Yokohama Tyres Australia and Otis Eyewear. Tourism Australia also dropped him as a 'Friends of Australia' ambassador. The trial continues. The bitter row over Yahoo Serious squatting in a beachside property in one of Australia's ritziest suburbs has finally ended, with the former movie star put out onto the streets. Serious had refused to leave the Palm Beach property on Sydney's northern beaches after its elderly dementia-suffering owner went into a nursing home last year. But Daily Mail can now reveal the fallen Hollywood icon has finally left - and is now effectively homeless, with all his worldly goods stashed in his ageing BMW car. 'He's out!' his jubilant landlord Margie Charlton, who holds power of attorney for owner Charles Phillip Porter, told Daily Mail on Wednesday. 'We kicked him out.' Serious had been ordered by the courts to vacate the Barrenjoey Road property by August 4, but did not leave until August 5 after Margie confronted him. Even then, Serious didn't go quietly. 'He called the police and said I was being violent,' Margie said. 'The police came and they said, "No mate, you're out. You gotta leave."' Yahoo is believed to only have his dilapidated BMW to shelter himself and dog Jingle Margie Charlton is thrilled to have the ordeal behind her, telling Daily Mail, 'He's out!' After police intervened, Serious left with his Jack Russell dog, Jingle. On Wednesday, his rundown car remained in the driveway, and according to Ms Charlton, it is 'filled with his s***, but the car is f***ed. It's not going to go anywhere'. The Aussie actor - who was briefly a huge Hollywood comedy star in the 1980s and early 1990s - allegedly left a trail of destruction in his wake. 'He has left the house in a filthy state,' Ms Charlton said. 'There is rotting food, it's disgusting.' In the 24 hours since Serious left, Ms Charlton had to call in an army of friends for the clean up operation and removed 'six truckloads of stuff', she said. But she's relieved the ordeal is finally over after lengthy legal battles and tense confrontations with the star over the home. In July, she told Daily Mail that she needed to sell the property to help pay for Mr Porter's nursing home fees, which were $70,000 and rising. 'Now, we can clean it up and get it up for sale,' she said on Wednesday. 'It should have gone on the market in June last year.' Yahoo allegedly called the police during a dramatic confrontation with Margie on Tuesday Yahoo used to live in the basement of this Palm Beach home, but moved into the upstairs Palm Beach local Margie Charlton now faces a lengthy clean-up to get the home on the market Earlier this week, Ms Charlton confronted Serious, 72, at the home in front of TV cameras with a journalist from A Current Affair, but he still refused to leave. 'You've been living in this property while Margie's been trying to sell it to pay for Phillip's aged care,' reporter Pippa Bradshaw told the Young Einstein star. 'He's got dementia - he can sell the property,' Serious replied. When told that Ms Charlton had been unable to sell the property while Serious was occupying it, he insisted he was not squatting but was 'sick.' 'I'm not squatting [I'm] surviving,' Serious said. 'Look at the weather out there it's really, really dangerous.' Removalists then arrived to begin stripping the property of belongings but Serious still refused to budge. 'Yahoo is still refusing to go, even though we are taking all the old furniture out so the house can be sold,' Ms Charlton said. Yahoo shot to fame in the 1980s thanks to his starring role in Young Einstein She added that the situation would soon be escalated if Serious continued to flout the court order. 'We have booked a sheriff. As soon as the sheriff comes... if he refuses to go... the police will be called and he'll be physically removed from the property,' Charlton said. Speaking to Daily Mail in July, Serious denied that he was squatting at the property, despite a tribunal hearing having given him a deadline to vacate. 'You've got it all wrong,' he insisted, as he took his BMW to a local mechanic after experiencing radiator problems. In March, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that Serious used to live in the granny flat beneath the dilapidated property, which stands among the mansions overlooking picturesque Pittwater. The tribunal was told the owner had allowed Serious to move into the granny flat, as the former screen star had previously been living rough in his ageing BMW sedan, but he moved into the main house when Mr Porter was put into care. On April 24, the tribunal initially gave Serious six weeks to move out, Charlton told Daily Mail. 'But his lawyer said he needed 12 weeks because he's a sick man with lymphoma,' she said. In July he was seen taking the BMW to a mechanic with apparent radiator problems Serious and his wild haircut at the time became suddenly famous when he starred in 1988's Young Einstein movie and then 1993's Reckless Kelly. But he later fell on hard times and was taken in by Porter and Charlton several years ago. He was recently seen looking very gaunt, amid concerns for his health. Serious told the tribunal he should be allowed to remain in the home because he was Mr Porter's carer, which Ms Charlton strongly disputes. 'Phillip - we call him Phillip, not Charles, is a family friend, he has been for years and years,' she said. 'He's never been married, never had children, so he made me power of attorney and trustee. 'He was getting old and getting dementia, and was having trouble looking after himself, so I was doing all his cooking. 'It wasn't like Yahoo was his carer. He wasn't bathing him or dressing him. I was washing his clothes, we had a cleaner coming in.' A glamorous fashion designer who was found dead on a boat at a yacht club on Tuesday had recently celebrated the launch of her chic lifestyle brand at a ritzy Hamptons resort. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, the founder of fashion label East x East, was discovered unconscious onboard a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club at around midnight. Good Samaritans attempted life saving measures, but East Hampton Town Police pronounced her dead at the scene. Her manner of death remains unclear and will be determined by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office. But one boater at the scene described the ship, named Ripple, as a 'party boat' and told Daily Mail she heard screams when the woman's body was found. Nolan-O'Slatarra, who is Irish and lives in Manhattan, had just weeks ago celebrated the grand opening of her popup shop at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa. 'Goals Achieved,' she wrote on a video shared of the shack housing her bikinis and beach wear shared on TikTok on July 1 as she encouraged the public to come visit. Many in the wealthy enclave have now been left reeling as questions remain about what may have happened to the Manhattan resident, whom residents described to the New York Post as 'well-known in the community'. 'She was very friendly, always smiling,' the local said. 'There's going to be a lot of conversation out of this.' Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, the founder of fashion label East x East, was found unconscious onboard a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club at around midnight Nolan-OSlatarra modeling her swimwear brand in St Barts in February 2024. She captioned the post: 'In my @eastxeast era' She had recently celebrated the opening of her popup shop at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa Indeed, another regular at the Yacht Club claimed Nolan-O'Slatarra's boyfriend owns the boat - which is registered in Long Beach, New York - and told Daily Mail that whenever she saw the boat owner he would be 'drunk and always messed up.' As Nolan-O'Slattara fell unconscious Monday night, she said, the boat owner was seen running outside naked screaming 'that's my girlfriend' as he tried to get help from other boaters. We come here (to Montauk) every summer and nothing like this ever happens,' the boater said. 'The police have been here all day since four in the morning. As the investigation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, police officers were seen stopping guests at the Montauk Yacht Club - as the area was being cordoned off. But many in the upscale enclave continued their day as normal, lounging by the pool or dining at one of the Yacht Club's restaurants. They did not seem to have a care in the world, even as police officers and detectives in suits gathered on the dock. Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area that is known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. Influencers and celebrities often flock to the area, especially in the summer months. One boater at the scene described the ship, named Ripple, as a 'party boat' and told Daily Mail that she heard screams As the investigation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, police officers were seen stopping guests at the Montauk Yacht Club - as the area was being cordoned off Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area that is known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. (Pictured: Montauk Yacht Club) The Montauk Yacht club offers those beach-goers luxurious accommodations, including spa services, a pool, beach, harbor cruises, biking and yoga. Rooms at the famed club run for about $1,500 in the summertime and around $865 during other months. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta even hosted an event there this past weekend that included a star studded guest list, including influencers Alix Earle and Remi Bader. Photos showed the glamourous influencers looking sun-kissed as they enjoyed cocktails and food at the yacht club. They were also seen overlooking the breathtaking marina which has now become a crime scene. There is no indication that the events hosted at the club this weekend are connected to the discovery on Tuesday morning. A woman who claimed she was forced to resign from her job at a Queensland car dealership after being questioned about the length of her skirt has had her unfair dismissal case thrown out. Product specialist Amy Tonkin lodged a complaint with the Fair Work Commission in February, accusing Mike Carney Toyota in Townsville of constructive dismissal following what she described as a humiliating HR investigation into her attire. The saga began on January 2 when Ms Tonkin was told to 'try on a larger skirt size' to ensure it would reach knee length or lower, during a meeting with HR staffer Lyndel Spokes. Ms Spokes said the review of the dealership's uniform policy was prompted by a customer complaint which said there was a 'short skirt club' at the business. Ms Spokes said the dealership did not believe the complaint was justified but nonetheless took steps to ensure staff complied with the uniform policy. Ms Tonkin said the conversation with Ms Spokes made her uncomfortable, but she understood the skirt she wore was non-compliant and intended to try on new skirts over the following weekend. However, she said she did not have time to try them on. The following Monday, Ms Spokes circulated a memo summarising the conversation to Ms Tonkin and her line managers. Amy Tonkin (pictured) said she was left humiliated by the uniform incident Amy Tonkin accused Mike Carney Toyota in Townsville of constructive dismissal following what she described as a humiliating HR investigation into the length of her uniform The memo noted that Ms Tonkin's body proportions had made it challenging to find a skirt that fitted properly. Ms Tonkin said she was 'mortified' by the memo. The next day, she responded to Ms Spokes, asking why her managers had been copied in. 'I do however want to say that I was quite upset by the comments about my body shape, and remind the business how much embarrassment I have suffered as a result, and I was mortified that these were copied to other managers within the business. This action wasn't necessary,' she said. Ms Spokes replied with an apology, and Ms Tonkin asked if any other female staff had received similar treatment regarding their skirt length. A meeting was then held in the 'war room' on January 10, where Ms Tonkin was told it was inappropriate to request 'confidential HR information' about conversations with other staff about uniforms. After the meeting Ms Tonkin said she suffered a mental breakdown during an appointment with her doctor. She said she was made to feel as though her body was the problem, and that it was her fault she did not fit into the uniform. Deputy President Lake criticised the employer's handling of the incident, calling it insensitive and suggesting the investigation into Ms Tonkin's appearance was inappropriate and poorly managed. Her doctor provided a medical certificate, and she returned to work 10 days later. At another meeting on January 14 with the dealership's former general manager, he reportedly told her 'it just never should have happened' and apologised. A further meeting was held on January 24, where the general manager once again 'reiterated that this is a simple request to wear some appropriate clothing' and inquired 'if she could go to the shops now and buy some trousers that conform,' his notes reveal. Ms Tonkin agreed to go purchase new clothing and move on, but after reflecting further on her treatment, she reconsidered. She requested an apology, which was denied, and on January 28, she formally resigned and launched a legal claim against the dealership for constructive dismissal - in which an employee feels there is no other reasonable course of action than resignation due to perceived unfair treatment. In a ruling handed down last Friday, Fair Work Commission Deputy President Nicholas Lake dismissed Ms Tonkin's claim, stating she had not been unlawfully dismissed, as she had chosen to resign. However, Deputy President Lake also criticised the employer's handling of the incident, calling it insensitive, and labelling the investigation into Ms Tonkin's appearance as inappropriate and poorly managed. 'Discussing an employee's skirt length in the context of a uniform policy is within management's prerogative,' he said. 'However, it should be obvious to any employer that a discussion regarding the length of an employee's skirt should be handled sensitively.' 'I agree that she should have been provided with an apology.' Despite that criticism, the Commission found that the conduct did not meet the threshold for unfair dismissal, and Ms Tonkin's claim was formally rejected. Health and Human Services Secretary and longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that the department is canceling nearly $500 million in contracts for new vaccine development. In a video shared to his X profile, Kennedy said the agency is winding down its mRNA vaccine development under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority - and will be canceling 22 development projects. 'We reviewed the science, listened to the experts and acted,' he said, claiming that 'the data shows these vaccines fail to protect against upper respiratory infections like COVID and [the] flu.' The department will now be shifting the funding allocated to these 22 projects 'toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate.' Instead, the Department of Health and Human Services will focus on 'the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that don't collapse when viruses mutate.' 'Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them,' Kennedy concluded. 'That's why we're moving beyond the limitations of mRNA and investing in better solutions.' Health and Human Services officials say the canceled contracts include an award for Moderna for an mRNA vaccine to combat the H5N1 bird flu, as well as existing contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech. The department will also alter its mRNA-related contracts with CSL Seqirus and AstraZenaca, and is rejecting or canceling multiple contract bids with Pfizer. Health and Human Services Secretary and longtime vaccine skeptic Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Tuesday that the department is canceling nearly $500 million in contracts for new vaccine development The cancelations affect contracts for new mRNA vaccines A spokesperson for Moderna, however, told The Hill the company is unsure what award the department was referring to, saying they are not involved in developing an mRNA vaccine for the bird flu. The company also noted to Axios that its pandemic flu contract was canceled in May. Indeed, Kennedy's announcement on Tuesday marked his latest move targeting vaccine manufacturers and calling into question the jabs' effectiveness. He has previously pulled back recommendations around the COVID-19 vaccines and fired the panel that makes vaccine recommendations. But infectious disease experts have argued that the mRNA technology used in vaccines is safe, and they credit its development during the first Trump administration with slowing the 2020 coronavirus pandemic. Unlike traditional vaccines - which have required growing pieces of viruses - mRNA vaccines instruct the body to produce a fraction of the virus, which then sets off the body's immune response. The vaccines can be made within months and quickly altered as a virus changes, and without mRNA jabs, future pandemics may be harder to stop, experts have warned. Rick Bright, a flu expert who was ousted as chief of BARDA during the first Trump administration, for example, said the Department of Health and Human Services is 'undermining our ability to rapidly counter future biological threats. 'We're weakening our frontline defense against fast-moving pathogens - a huge strategic failure that will be measured in lives lost during times of crisis,' he told The New York Times. Kennedy's announcement on Tuesday marked his latest move targeting vaccine manufacturers and calling into question the jabs' effectiveness He was called out by infectious disease experts for his decision to cut the funding Chris Meekins, assistant secretary for pandemic preparedness in the first Trump administration also claimed that ending BARDA's mRNA work created a 'national security vulnerability. 'These tools serve as a deterrent to prevent other nations from using certain biological agents,' he claimed online. 'The speed of the technology to create new biodefense capabilities is a national security asset.' Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, added that he does not 'think Ive seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business.' Yet Kennedy insisted that work is underway on an alternative as he spoke at a news conference in Anchorage, Alaska Tuesday evening alongside the state's two Republican senators. He said a 'universal vaccine' that mimics 'natural immunity' is the administration's focus. 'It could be effective - we believe its going to be effective - against not only coronaviruses, but also flu,' he said. The Department of Health and Human Services also noted that 'other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by this announcement' as scientists around the world explore its use for cancer immunotherapies. Billionaire tech entrepreneur Larry Ellison even praised the technology for its potential to treat cancer at the White House earlier this year. Colorado residents were faced with a shocking scene akin to an action movie when a full-sized bear climbed out of a manhole on the sidewalk. A male black bear was seen emerging from the sewer in shocking video footage shared by the Colorado Parks and Wildlife on July 11. The bear poked his head out of the sewer before climbing out, looking around, and pulling himself out. The creature then scurried up to a nearby tree. CPW said that bears are known to stay in trees until darkness, when they feel safe to leave. CPW received a call from a concerned resident the day before reporting that bears were lurking inside the drains. They located the black bear and used a key from the Department of Public Works to open the door for the creature to escape. Wildlife officials said the drain is connected to a series of pipes, and the bear likely accessed the pipe for shade before getting stuck in the sewer. The incident occurred in a residential neighborhood in the Ivywild area of Colorado Springs. A resident's yard can be seen in the video footage right where the bear escaped. The Colorado Parks and Wildlife department shared shocking video footage of a black bear emerging from the sewer system in July CPW officials rescued the bear with help from the Department of Public Works after it seemingly got stuck in the sewer system looking for shade The black bear was seen popping out of the manhole, looking around, and lifting itself out of the sewer after officials opened the cover The City of Colorado Springs praised CPW and Public Works for the 'bearilliant rescue,' posting on X: 'Some days, teamwork is opening a storm drain for a stuck bear'. CPW spokesperson Dean Miller told Cowboy State Daily that wildlife officials shot the bear with a non-lethal beanbag to discourage it from approaching them. Miller added that the agency has received an uptick in calls reporting bear sightings from newcomers who don't know that black bears roaming the streets isn't uncommon for Colorado. There was a reported 18,500 black bears living in Colorado in 2025, according to the World Population Review. The state ranks tenth for the largest black bear population, with Alaska coming in first at 100,000, while California and Maine rank second and third with about 35,000 each. Black bears are the largest carnivores in Colorado and are frequently found in areas inhabited by humans. The CPW advises locals to properly secure garbage to avoid attracting black bears to their homes. CPW shot the bear with a non-lethal beanbag to discourage it from approaching officials The spotting happened in Colorado Springs (pictured). Colorado has a significant black bear population with 18,500 bears reported in 2025 (file photo) Empty garbage cans, composting systems that aren't enclosed, and bird feeders can be appealing to black bears. In the late summer and fall, black bears forage up to 20 hours a day, so CPW advises locals to avoid trails with berry patches and oak bushes. If you ever find yourself face to face with a bear, CPW warns against approaching it, running, or climbing a tree. Wildlife officials say the best way to make a bear leave you alone is to stand still, stay calm, talk in a normal tone of voice, and slowly back away while looking at the bear until it's out of sight. Fresh-faced and smiling in her garishly green school uniform, Charlotte Walker looks like any other Year 12 pupil with hopes and dreams for her future. But just three short years later she has been elected as a senator to represent the good people of South Australia on a whopping base salary of $239,270. That pay cheque will likely far outstrip any of her former class mates - and is more than double what most nurses, teachers and police officers can ever hope to be paid. It also comes with a generous travel and accommodation allowance, in addition to office and electorate expenses, which can easily wrack up into the tens of thousands of dollars. Senator Walker will also be offered membership to the highly exclusive Chairman's Lounge - a private lounge for VIPs flying with Qantas in all of Australia's major airports. Her entitlements include unlimited domestic travel for official duties and access to COMCAR, a chauffeur-driven car service available in Canberra and other major cities. Senators who reside outside Canberra are eligible to claim a second residence allowance or be reimbursed for accommodation costs - up to $300 per night tax free. Many take advantage of this by purchasing property in Canberra and still claiming the allowance for staying in their own home, a practice that, while controversial, remains within the rules. Fresh-faced and smiling in her garishly green school uniform, Charlotte Walker looks like any other Year 12 pupil with hopes and dreams for her future... She also receives a fully funded electorate office, which comes with at least four full-time staff, as well as taxpayer-covered office supplies, IT equipment, printing, and postage. In addition, she is granted a communications allowance for newsletters, advertising, and constituent surveys, which alone can total tens of thousands of dollars each year. While most 21-year-olds spend their birthdays downing shots and doing things they later regret, Senator Walker spent her May 3 birthday waiting anxiously to see if she would be elected to public office. The former president of Young Labor had been selected for the normally unwinnable third spot on the party's SA Senate ticket. But when the scale of Labor's landslide became clear, it was soon apparent that she would gain entry to the upper house. She had been working in a junior role at the Australian Services Union - a post she started after one year of study at the University of Adelaide. Another unearthed picture showed Senator Walker at her school formal in a vibrant red dress - perhaps a nod to her political leanings. She is a member of the Labor left faction. ...but just three short years later she has been elected as a senator to represent the good people of South Australia on a whopping base salary of $239,270 (pictured: Senator Walker with the Prime Minister) Senator Walker has wasted no time in her new job, clashing with Pauline Hanson over the One Nation leader's belief that the push for net zero carbon emissions by 2050 should be abandoned. After Senator Hanson - who is 50 years her senior - claimed it would 'destroy jobs and the Australian economy', Senator Walker hit back. 'All I can say is, are you kidding?' Senator Walker said. 'The motion put forward on net zero indicates a severe lack of knowledge and a complete disregard for the future of our generation, the future of our country. 'Without a net zero target, there will be no Australian farmers, businesses or industries to support us. 'Net zero is waking up to a reality that Senator Hanson has not been able to grasp. In fact, Senator Hanson seems to be hellbent on exacerbating all of the consequences of climate change.' In turn, Senator Hanson lashed her younger colleague, claiming it was she who failed to understand what net zero really means. Another unearthed picture showed Senator Walker at her school formal in a vibrant red dress - perhaps a nod to her political leanings. She is a member of the Labor left faction 'She's no sooner out of bloody university and out of her nappies than she's telling me I don't know what the hell I'm talking about when I've been on the floor of parliament for the last nine years,' Senator Hanson told Sky News. 'I don't take any notice of her, who's just trying to make her place in this parliament - and congratulations. But don't come in thinking that you're going to tell me what I know or what I don't know when I have been dealing with this for many years.' Perhaps Senator Walker's first instance of youthful indiscretion came when she she deleted an Instagram video documenting a day in her life in parliament. The clip had been met with a wave of criticism on social media, with many users branding it 'cringe,' 'embarrassing,' and evidence of taxpayers' money being wasted. Donald Trump has threatened to increase tariffs on Australian pharmaceuticals to 250 per cent, in a major blow to the country. The US President initially proposed 200 per cent tariffs on foreign pharmaceutical imports last month, claiming they would be phased in over a year or more. In comments to a US business news channel, he has since hinted that the tariff could be as high as 250 per cent. Pharmaceuticals are Australia's third-biggest export to the US, behind gold and meat. About $2.1billion of pharmaceuticals were exported to the US in 2024, according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics. They include blood products, vaccines, packaged medicines, and bandages. 'We'll be putting initially (a) small tariff on pharmaceuticals, but in one year, one-and-a-half years maximum, it's going to go to 150 per cent,' Trump told CNBC on Tuesday. 'And then it's going to go to 250 per cent because we want pharmaceuticals made in our country.' US President has hinted that the foreign pharmaceutical tariff will be as high as 250 per cent Trump added he would make a final decision on foreign pharmaceutical imports 'within the next week or so.' The update comes after he issued an ultimatum to 17 pharmaceutical companies to lower medication prices for US consumers in line with many other countries. He also ordered them to return excess overseas revenue from raising prices in other countries to offset the reduced US prices. Americans pay almost four times more for medicines than Australians, who access subsided prescriptions through the government's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme. 'Make no mistake: a collaborative effort towards achieving global pricing parity would be the most effective path for companies, the government and American patients,' Trump said. 'If you refuse to step up, we will deploy every tool in our arsenal to protect Americans from abusive drug pricing practices.' Federal Treasurer Jim Chalmers recently revealed that the Albanese government was 'urgently seeking' details from the US about the pharmaceutical tariff, which could strip billions from the economy. 'Our pharmaceuticals industry is much more exposed to the US market, and that's why we're seeking some more detail on what's been announced,' he told ABC Radio National. Americans pay almost four times for medicines than Australians, who access subsidised subscriptions through the PBS scheme (stock image) 'But I want to make it really clear once again, as we have on a number of occasions before, our Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme is not something we are willing to trade away. 'They're obviously very concerning developments. We are talking about billions of dollars of exports to the US when it comes to pharmaceuticals.' Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has already announced that the PBS was 'not up for negotiation'. Former federal trade minister Simon Birmingham, who held the portfolio during the first Trump administration, said successive US governments regarded the PBS as an obstacle to American drug company profits. 'American pharmaceutical companies have long argued they see the PBS as having unfair rules that are overly generous when it comes to things such as generic drugs,' he previously told Daily Mail Australia. 'And in doing so limit the ability of those companies to be able to fulfil the full economic potential of their investment in new drugs.' It has been revealed that Tennessee quadruple murder suspect Austin Drummond was arrested thanks to a brave man who just so happened to spot him walking in the woods. Drummond, 28, is alleged to have murdered Adrianna Williams, 20; James Matthew Wilson, 21; Cortney Rose, 38; and Braydon Williams, 15, in Tiptonville, Tennessee on July 29. Drummond, who was not related to the family but had dated one of Rose's sisters, had also left James and Adrianna's baby girl on a 'random' front lawn around 40 miles from where the bodies were found. His seven days on the run ended when Ricardo Contreras called the police on Tuesday morning about a suspicious man walking through the woods. 'What happened was, we were working over here and we saw the guy walking in the middle of the woods. And we thought, like, "nobody wants to walk in the middle of the woods in the middle of this stuff,"' Contreras said. 'So I called the police immediately when the guy was walking right there and we gave them the location and everything,' he added. 'Actually, I was on the phone when they got him. And I'm really glad they got him.' Contreras wasn't the only person to call in about Drummond, with Jackson Police Chief Thom Corley revealing that multiple tips came in that morning. Drummond was arrested by three nearby officers at 9:05am, Corley said during a press conference. Austin Robert Drummond, 28, a Tennessee man suspected of murdering four family members in a vicious attack, has been arrested after a week on the run Drummond was spotted in the woods by this man, Ricardo Contreras, who called the police to let them know the suspect's location Before his arrest, Drummond was last spotted on Sunday night in the city of Jackson, around 70 miles from the murders, wearing camouflage and armed with a rifle. Officials shared surveillance footage of the alleged quadruple murderer as they warned locals to 'exercise extreme caution' until the 'armed and dangerous' suspect was caught. The motive for the murders is still not known, with Drummond out on bond for an attempted murder charge from his time in prison. He had been released from a 13-year prison sentence for armed robbery in September 2024. Cops had warned that Drummond may have altered his appearance while on the run, and the image released from his capture showed that he had shaved off his goatee that he had in his last mugshot. The murders were discovered after police were first alerted to James and Adrianna's baby girl left in a car seat on a 'random individual's front yard' in Tigrett, Tennessee. A local said they saw a white vehicle pull into the yard, drop off the child and speed away, triggering an urgent search for her family. Law enforcement said in an initial social media post that they were trying to locate Rose, Williams and Wilson, believing they could be suspects in abandoning the infant. But during the search, cops made a second, far more chilling discovery around 40 miles away in a wooded area in Tiptonville, Tennessee. The four family members were found dead with gunshot wounds, and Drummond was announced as the prime suspect two days later on July 31. Adrianna Williams, 20 and James Matthew Wilson, 21, were found dead in a dense, wooded area Cortney Rose, 38, Braydon Williams, 15, were also both found dead Before his arrest, Drummond was last spotted on Sunday night in the city of Jackson, around 70 miles from the murders, wearing camouflage and armed with a rifle In the week that Drummond was a fugitive, cops arrested three people in connection with the murders, including Dearrah Sanders, 23, who allegedly 'assisted' the killer. Tanaka Brown, 29, and Giovonte Thomas, 29, were also arrested during the manhunt, and all three are facing charges of accessory after the fact to first-degree murder. Authorities have not yet detailed how the three individuals allegedly helped Drummond. Drummond was wanted on charges of first-degree murder, kidnapping and unlawful firearm possession, and officials were offering rewards upwards of $30,000 for information leading to his arrest. The suspect was out on bond for an attempted murder charge that occurred while he was in prison when the killings took place. Drummond had been recently released from a 13-year prison sentence for armed robbery. The motive behind the slayings has not been determined, although officials said that Drummond was known to the family. A relative wrote on social media that during Drummond's relationship with one of Rose's sisters, he had been 'literally been nothing short of amazing to us and our kids'. Notorious drug cartel leader El Chapo has sent a desperate handwritten note to the judge who presided over his case from his isolation cell in a federal supermax prison. The note, addressed to Judge Brian Cogan, complained that authorities have prevented him from communicating with his new attorney, Jose Israel Encinosa. El Chapo, real name Joaquin Guzman Loera, is being held at the maximum-security ADX Florence prison in Colorado. He is held in isolation away from other prisoners and under Special Administrative Measures (SAMs) which require him to be locked up in solitary confinement 23 hours per day. The former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel claimed in his letter, which was written in Spanish, that he has not been able to receive calls or correspondence from his legal representative for at least three weeks. He argued in the letter that Encinosa has been trying to get permission to visit him in prison for the past 10 months, and that two letters sent by the lawyer were mysteriously never delivered. El Chapo was sentenced to life in prison in 2019 for various drug trafficking offenses. He wrote in the letter it is 'vital' to him to be able to freely contact his legal representative. Notorious drug cartel leader El Chapo has sent a desperate handwritten note to the judge who presided over his case from his isolation cell in a federal supermax prison El Chapo has previously written a handwritten note to complain about the prison conditions, lamenting the windowless cells and limited access to sunlight El Chapo, real name Joaquin Guzman Loera, is being held at the maximum-security ADX Florence prison in Colorado Judge Cogan approved Encinosa joining El Chapo's legal team in June, according to local media Entorno. It is standard practice for high security prisons like ACX Florence to restrict access to new lawyers until they have been thoroughly vetted and given the right security clearances. But El Chapo maintains the delay Encinosa has faced is unreasonable. 'You ordered [access], but as of today, you haven't been authorized,' he wrote in the letter. El Chapo's lead attorney, Mariel Colon, has been the only person entitled to visit him in recent months, due to security concerns Even his wife, Emma Coronel, and his twin daughters, have been forbidden from seeing him in person, sources told the publication. Encinosa is reportedly seeking to appeal the conditions in which El Chapo is currently being held, while simultaneously preparing a motion demanding immediate access to his client. Judge Cogan has given the prosecution a deadline of August 18 to respond. The former leader of the Sinaloa Cartel claimed in his letter, which was written in Spanish, that he has not been able to receive calls or correspondence from his legal representative for at least three weeks Joaquin 'El Chapo' Guzman is escorted by U.S. federal agents upon arriving in New York on January 19, 2017 following his extradition from Mexico Back in 2023, El Chapo also resorted to a handwritten note to complain about the prison conditions, lamenting the windowless cells and limited access to sunlight. It comes after El Chapo's son Ovidio Guzman Lopez pleaded guilty to two counts of drug conspiracy and two counts of knowingly engaging in a continuing criminal enterprise last month. New York and Illinois federal prosecutors alleged that Guzman Lopez and his three brothers assumed control of the Sinaloa Cartel once El Chapo was arrested in Mexico in 2016 and then extradited in 2019 to the United States. The indictments indicated that the transnational drug trafficking organization made hundreds of millions by shipping, producing, and trafficking fentanyl to the United States. She was swept away in floodwaters in NSW A body has been found in the search for a missing woman who was swept away by floodwaters in NSW's Hunter Valley over the weekend. The 26-year-old woman was a passenger in a Mini Countryman when it became stuck in Black Creek, north of Cessnock, 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 four and six metres. Both women were Chinese nationals working in Australia and had been visiting the Hunter Valley region from Sydney. On Wednesday, police said a body had been located by rescuers from the Volunteer Rescue Association after multi-agency search was launched. 'While the body is yet to be formally identified, it is believed to be that of the missing woman,' police said in a statement. 'A report will be prepared for the Coroner.' On Wednesday, police said a body had been located (the search site is located) The woman, 26, was a passenger in a Mini Countryman when in became stuck at Black Creek, north of Cessnock, about 7.50pm on Saturday (the SES is seen at the scene) The search for the woman (pictured) had to be suspended due to bad weather on Sunday Floodwaters rose four to six metres over the weekend in Cessnock, in NSW's Hunter Valley '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 on Sunday. The search for the missing woman had to be abandoned about 4.30pm on Sunday due to poor weather conditions and visibility issues. It then resumed on Old North Road in Rothbury on Monday morning. The woman is understood to have relocated to Australia three years ago. Zara's use of 'unhealthily thin' models has been criticised as 'socially irresponsible' by the advertising watchdog. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a complaint in May about two product listings on Zara's website, which showed a model in an oversized pocket shirt and another in a voluminous short dress. The complainant argued the images were irresponsible because the models appeared dangerously underweight. The fashion giant defended the listings, saying both models had worked for reputable fashion brands and held medical certificates confirming they were in good health. The company added that the photos were only edited for minor lighting and colour adjustments. However, the retailer has since removed the images and amended the listings following the complaint. The ASA said the low-cut design of the shirt in the first ad drew attention to the model's upper chest area, creating a focal point around her collarbone, which was protruding. In addition, the positioning of her arms, while wearing a baggy shirt, created the impression that her arms, shoulders and chest were very slim. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) received a complaint in May about two product listings on Zara's website, which showed a model in a voluminous short dress The complainant argued the images were irresponsible because the models appeared dangerously underweight The ASA said: 'Overall, we considered that the pose of the model and the choice of clothing in the ad created the impression that the model was unhealthily thin.' The watchdog said the styling and lighting of the second image and the choice of clothing meant the ad created the impression that the model was unhealthily thin. The ASA said: 'For the above reasons, we concluded that the models... appeared unhealthily thin and that the ads were irresponsible.' A Zara UK spokesman said: 'We note the ASA's decision following an individual complaint regarding two images on our website which we removed when the ASA made us aware. 'We are committed to responsible content and follow stringent guidelines and controls in the selection and photographing of models, as well as in the selection of images.' It's not the first time that the fashion giant has been under fire for its advertising. In 2023, it had to row back on its advertising campaign featuring mannequins with missing limbs and statues wrapped in white that triggered calls for a boycott by some pro-Palestinian activists. Fashion giant Zara has come under fire for its new campaign that features a mannequin wrapped in white plastic and surrounded by rubble Social media users took to X to criticise the campaign, referring to it as 'shameful,' 'disgusting' and a 'mockery'. These two images have been deleted from their Instagram page after they were compared to photos of dead bodies in Gaza Zara released a statement on Instagram following backlash on its campaign Some online drew parallels between the mannequins wrapped in white sheets and the distressing images of bodies in white shrouds which have come out of Gaza since October 7 amid the war between Israel and Hamas. Critics accused the retailer of insensitivity towards deaths in war-torn Gaza after images from the fashion shoot featured mannequins with missing limbs and a model in a wooden box and surrounded by rubble. Other images, which have since been removed from the firm's Instagram page, show supermodel Kirsten McMenamy posing with mannequins wrapped in white cloth and plastic. 'Unfortunately, some customers felt offended by these images, which have now been removed, and saw in them something far from what was intended when they were created,' Zara said in a post on its Instagram account. It added the photoshoot took place a month before the Hamas attacks of October 7, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza. A clever dog that captured the hearts of commuters by boarding a Sydney bus on her own and riding it to a train station is set to be reunited with her owner this afternoon, after a whirlwind 24 hours that turned her into an internet sensation. The stylish Staffordshire Terrier, now affectionately nicknamed Athena, was spotted on Tuesday night hopping onto a bus in Ramsgate, dressed in a smart blue puffer vest, before cruising down to Kogarah Station like a seasoned commuter. In a happy ending, the dog is set to be reunited with her owner this afternoon. 'It's my cousin's dog. We live in Beverley Park and we're going to pick her up today,' a relative confirmed. 'I think she was curious about what it was like to ride a bus. I hope she didn't cause any inconvenience or problems. Athena is a sweetheartplayful and very excited. Thank you to everyone who cared for her and treated her well.' The pup's journey went viral after local woman Katerina shared a photo of her on Facebook, sparking a city-wide search for her owner on Wednesday. Katerina told Daily Mail Australia it was her brother Nik who first noticed the dog was travelling alone. 'After three stops, he overheard someone calling out 'Whose dog is this?' and he realised nobody owned the dog,' she said. This stylish Staffy, now nicknamed Athena, stunned Sydney commuters when she boarded a bus on her own in Ramsgate on Tuesday night In a heartwarming twist, a relative came forward: 'It's my cousin's dog we're going to pick her up today' Nik kept a watchful eye on the canine passenger until she casually disembarked at Kogarah Station, around 5km from where she boarded, before she was handed over to Sydney Trains staff. From there, she was transported to Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in South Strathfield, where staff say she's been soaking up the VIP treatment ever since. She will stay at the shelter until her owners arrive, with Sydney Dogs & Cats Home Managing Director Melissa Penn reminding pet owners to keep their microchip details up to date something that would have made reuniting Athena much faster. 'It's hard that she wasn't wearing a collar and her microchip details are out of date. She's had quite the journey, but now she's safe, warm, and being thoroughly spoiled.' 'This shows how important it is to ensure all our pets are microchipped, with the details kept up to date, they wear collars with contact details on them so if they are off on adventures like this, we can get them home quickly and safely.' Since the story broke, Athena has become a social media star, with Aussies marvelling at her independence. 'She looks so happy,' one said. She's now living her best life at the Sydney Dogs and Cats Home in South Strathfield until her owners pick her up 'She looks so proud of her accomplishment being on that bus,' a second added. 'On a day out with her coat on. Looks like she's having a good time. I hope they find her owner,' a third said. Less than one in five voters support investment in Britain from China and Saudi Arabia, a new poll has shown. The survey showed just 17 per cent of Brits support investment in UK firms from China, with Saudi Arabia faring little better at 18 per cent. Refom UK voters were found to be the most protectionist, compared to those who support Labour, the Conservatives or the Liberal Democrats. One in four of those who back Nigel Farage's party think foreign investment should be reduced or eliminated entirely, according to the poll. The research, by management consultancy Nepean, found general support for foreign investment is still high. Nearly three-quarters (72 per cent) of voters believe it is good for the UK economy. But there was a different picture when support for foreign investment was broken down by sector. A majority of voters favour protection from foreign ownership or control in defence or public utilities such as water, electricity and broadband. There is little support for investment from China or Saudi Arabia - but voters of all parties are broadly supportive of investment from English-speaking and European countries A majority of voters favour protection from foreign ownership or control in defence or public utilities such as water, electricity and broadband One in four of those who back Nigel Farage's Reform UK think foreign investment should be reduced or eliminated entirely The survey also found attitudes towards foreign investment were increasingly polarised. Both Reform and Green voters were shown to view foreign investment less favourably over the last 12 months. Earlier this year, Mr Farage backed calls for the nationalisation of British Steel ahead of the Labour Government taking control of the Chinese-owned firm under emergency laws. Despite the little support for investment from China or Saudi Arabia, the poll found voters of all parties are broadly supportive of investment from English-speaking and European countries. More than half of Brits support investment from Canada (51 per cent), which was the only country to receive the support of a majority of voters. Australia (49 per cent), Germany (45 per cent), France (44 per cent), and the US (44 per cent) were all close behind. But the US was also found to be the most polarising nation, with just 30 per cent of Green voters believing that American investors should be allowed to buy UK companies. This compared with 55 per cent of Reform voters. Out of nine different economic sectors, Tory voters were found to be more protectionist than Labour supporters in five of the nine. More Reform voters believe that housing should be protected from foreign ownership than Labour voters (40 per cent versus 38 per cent). Gavin Davis, managing partner at Nepean, said: 'With Reform topping the national polls and increasingly influencing Labour policy, it would be naive for foreign investors to ignore how its voters think. 'We may still be four years away from a general election, but Nigel Farage's protectionist rhetoric will chime with old-school Labour voters in the so-called 'Red Wall', putting Sir Keir Starmer under further pressure.' The Nepean research was based on a nationally-representative poll of 2,000 people conducted by Obsurvant in the last week of June. An alleged black market dealer has been accused of selling vape liquid laced with a deadly and addictive drug, in a new 'profit-driven' low for Australian criminals. NSW Police charged the 20-year-old Sydney man with supplying the drug nitazene in vape fluid and dealing with the proceeds of crime. The synthetic opioid is often manufactured in China and is cut with other drugs, with the buyer often unaware they are taking it posing a serious overdose risk. The class of drug, which was only recently discovered, is estimated to be up to 50 times stronger than fentanyl, according to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a substance that itself is 50 times stronger than heroin. Police alleged the man ran a sophisticated distribution model to sell the nitazene in vials between March and July, 2025. He was arrested around midday last Friday, as police executed a simultaneous search warrant in Revesby. Officers allegedly seized electronics, vape hardware, vials and $7,180 in cash. Police also alleged they found two imitation firearms and an electrical weapon, which were seized for further forensic examination. Police have seized vials of vape liquid allegedly laced with nitazene (pictured) during a raid in Revesby, and have charged a 20-year-old with commercial supply of the drug Police alleged suppliers were trying to keep users hooked on dangerous drugs in their vapes The 20-year-old was charged with supplying a prohibited drug in a commercial quantity and knowingly dealing with the proceeds of crime. Detective Superintendent John Watson, Commander of the Drug & Firearms Squad, said the alleged seizure was deeply concerning. 'Nitazenes are highly addictive, incredibly potent and can be lethal,' Det Supt Watson said. 'By lacing vape liquid with these synthetic opioids, suppliers are deliberately creating dependency [by] hooking users to ensure repeat business. 'It's calculated, dangerous, and entirely profit-driven.' Det Supt Watson said it was the first time anyone in Australia had been charged with supplying nitazene-laced vape liquid in Australia. He also reminded the public that it is illegal in NSW to vape nicotine without a prescription. Dr Hester Wilson, NSW Health's Chief Addiction Medicine Specialist, said nitazene can be stronger than fentanyl, and carries a heavy risk of overdose. Officers also allegedly discovered imitation firearms (pictured) and $7,000 in cash during the arrest Police alleged the 20-year-old was also dealing in the proceeds of crime, and allegedly discovered flashy watches and weapons at the Revesby address She said signs of an overdose may include pinpoint pupils, drowsiness, unconsciousness, slow breathing, snoring, or discoloured skin. 'It is strongly recommended that anyone who uses any recreational drugs carry naloxone. Naloxone is a lifesaving measure which can temporarily reverse an opioid overdose, including from nitazenes,' she said. The 20-year-old alleged distributor was refused bail and appeared in Parramatta Local Court on Saturday. He was formally refused bail to appear in Burwood Local Court on September 24. Earlier this year, an 18-year-old man, Jetson Gordon, died after ingesting a counterfeit oxycodone tablet laced with a form of nitazene. NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant previously urged the Minns government to explore pill testing as a potential strategy to address the growing threat of nitazenes. The first known cases of nitazene dependency in NSW emerged at Fairfield Hospital in July last year. Four young adults were treated for withdrawal symptoms after becoming addicted to illicit vape liquid containing the synthetic opioid protonitazene. Nitazene is one of the deadliest opioids on the market, a NSW doctor said it carry a significant risk of overdose (pictured is the United States) This is the moment police raided the homes of a sword-wielding robbery gang suspected of terrorising passengers on the London Underground. Sixty officers from British Transport Police (BTP) stormed the properties in East London last month as part of a major crackdown on violence and robberies across the capital's transport network. In one raid in Newham, officers in riot gear rushed inside, arrested the suspect, and placed him in handcuffs. He is alleged to have targeted nine passengers between West Ham station and Grays in Essex, with police finding a samurai sword in his brother's bedroom. Later, officers smashed the door of a townhouse in Dagenham where a 16-year-old lived with his mother and sister. After searches at a third address, a second sword was also seized by officers. The busts formed part of a wider BTP operation to dismantle the teenage gang, which officers say has been linked to 51 robberies in just two months, with phones and luxury watches snatched across east London. The 3am raids on July 23 saw police simultaneously target four properties, followed by searches at two more addresses. In one of the searches, officers found a samurai sword in a bedroom Officers smashed the door of a townhouse in Dagenham where a 16-year-old lived with his mother and sister Officers storming the property in East London during the raid Six teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery, and theft. All have since been bailed until October. Between April 2024 and March 2025, 72 per cent of known robbery offenders on the network were aged 18 or under, according to the force, with both victims and suspects often in their teens. Police say more than 100 young offenders committed at least two robberies each within the same 12-month period. Just days after the raids under Operation Flycatcher, officers launched a further week of action targeting serial robbery suspects across the capital. Over four days, thirteen more teens were arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery, theft, and possession of an offensive weapon. Chief Inspector Nick Brandon said: 'The public's safety is our number one priority, and we work tirelessly throughout the year and around the clock to keep the travelling public safe. In one raid in Newham, officers in riot gear rushed inside, arrested the suspect, and placed him in handcuffs The busts formed part of a wider BTP operation to dismantle the teenage gang, which officers say has been linked to 51 robberies in just two months Six teenagers, aged between 15 and 17, were arrested on suspicion of robbery, attempted robbery, and theft Just days after the raids under Operation Flycatcher, officers launched a further week of action targeting serial robbery suspects across the capital Chief Inspector Nick Brandon, pictured, said: 'The public's safety is our number one priority, and we work tirelessly throughout the year and around the clock to keep the travelling public safe' 'The ages of the offenders is extremely concerning, and we hope that seeing other kids face the consequences of their actions will turn some would-be robbers away from a life of criminality. 'We have one offender who, in the last policing year, is linked to 19 separate robbery offences. This is why we encourage every victim of robbery, or those who have seen a robbery take place, to report it to us. 'Every report we receive can help to direct our patrols to where they are most needed to keep the public safe, so if you need us talk to a member of staff or an officer, or text us on 61016. 'Our message is clear; if you commit a robbery on the railway network and seek to profit at the detriment of others, we will do everything in our power to secure justice for the victims.' The Met Police have today thrown their weight behind new purple road markings on Oxford Street - despite one critic dubbing the anti-phone theft move a 'nonsensical gimmick'. Shoppers, commuters and tourists are being reminded not to use their phones along the stretch of road in an area where a mobile is stolen every 15 minutes. Retailers previously warned that Oxford Street and other flagship high streets are at 'serious risk' without urgent national action on crime. The purple line with a marking of 'Mind the Grab' is set to be added to the pavement on a section of Oxford Street to warn pedestrians of the dangers. It comes as research found that 88 per cent of Londoners are now worried about their phones being stolen in the city. The campaign, supported by Westminster Council and the Met Police, has been criticised for scaring people about phone thefts, rather than tackling the criminals themselves. Norman Brennan, a former police detective in London called the campaign, a 'nonsensical gimmick' as he called for more police officers to tackle the phone theft crisis. He said: 'If you want to stop phone thefts, you want police officers on streets not purple lines. A purple line warning shoppers about phone thefts has been installed on Oxford Street The campaign has been blasted as a 'gimmick' by a former Met police detective Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer, Currys, Superintendent Natasha Evans, Metropolitan Police, Westminster, and Kate Johnston, Director, Crimestoppers, standing in front of the purple line 'We need to have 50 to 100 motorcyclists on duty 24/7 so that the streets of London have quick response units to challenge motorbike thefts. 'Police motorcyclists are class one drivers which means they are experts who can catch criminals quickly. 'We have people from foreign countries saying beware about crime when they come to London. 'The mayor and prime minister should be ashamed that countries around the world are saying beware of our crime. 'What is it going to achieve, a purple line? People want to see a police officer to be patrolling the streets that reassures them and makes them feel safe. 'All of these nonsensical gimmicks, we don't want gimmicks we want police officers on our streets and a justice system that protects members of the public.' The line, inspired by the iconic London Underground 'Mind the Gap' catchphrase, will be a reminder to pedestrians to step back from the kerb, keep their phone hidden and reduce their risk of snatch and grab theft. The campaign aims to raise awareness and remind pedestrians to step back from the kerb and keep their phone hidden An example of phone snatching in London where moped riders steal them from people's hands A woman's phone is snatched from her hand next to the Oxford Circus junction in London The black market for smartphones is said to be driving soaring rates of theft, robbery and knife crime with some criminals who were once involved in drug crime pivoting towards smartphone theft and robbery as an alternative means of illicit income. Gangs of teens on bikes are said to be committing up to 20 thefts at a time in parts of London, with three-quarters of stolen devices in the capital being sent abroad. High Streets UK, a group representing 5,000 UK firms, has calling for ring-fenced funding for police to protect key shopping destinations including Oxford Street. The campaign to add a warning has been launched by Curry's which is installing the purple line outside its store on Oxford Street. The retailer has also set up a training scheme for its staff to offer support to victims of phone theft. The Metropolitan Police Service is supporting the campaign, which they said is 'part of its strategy' to tackle phone theft. Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Met's local policing lead for Westminster, said: 'Officers are relentlessly pursuing criminal gangs intent on committing robbery and phone theft. 'We have increased patrols in hotspot areas to identify and deter perpetrators and robbery has reduced by 20 per cent in the West End since April. The campaign has been launched by Curry's which is installing the purple line outside its store on Oxford Street Oxford Street has become a hotspot for phone thefts in an area of London which saw a phone stolen every 15 minutes A thief steals a phone from a woman walking down a road in London's exclusive Mayfair area CCTV images show a moped mugger snatching a mobile phone from the hands of a City businessman without stopping A cyclist thief stealing a man's phone on the street during broad daylight in central London 'We are putting extra officers into central London to help drive forward our focus on reducing crime and bringing offenders to justice. 'We're also working closely with businesses in the area and support the campaign by Currys to encourage people to be aware of their surroundings to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.' While Oxford Street has lost big names such as Topshop, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams in recent years, it has also seen a major new Ikea store and HMV reopen its old flagship outlet. And London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said he wants to pedestrianise 0.7 miles of the street as part of a regeneration project despite warnings this could make it a crime-ridden 'no-go area'. Westminster Council granted permission for the study to be trialled on one of the capital's busiest streets. Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection of Westminster City Council said: 'As part of our ongoing efforts to keep residents and visitors safe, we are pleased to support Currys' innovative approach to reducing phone theft. 'This campaign is a great example of how we are working with partners to raise awareness about phone thefts and promote simple measures to stay safe in public spaces, such as keeping valuables out of sight and planning routes home in advance. 'Working closely with the Met and other partners in the Safer Westminster Partnership, we are committed to identifying the key crime and disorder issues facing our city and making the West End a safer place for visitors, residents and businesses.' The Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council have backed the campaign to warn shoppers about phone thefts on Oxford Street CCTV captured a bike theft in July on Park Lane when another unsuspecting man had his mobile snatched in broad daylight by a crook in all black Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer at Currys added: 'Phone theft isn't just about losing a device - it's frightening, invasive, and cuts people off from their loved ones, their money, and their daily lives. 'Enough is enough. It's time to draw the line on phone theft - that's why we've launched the Mind the Grab campaign: a bold pavement marking we believe can make a real difference by encouraging people to step back from the kerb.' 'This trial aims to raise awareness and encourage behaviour changes to help people feel safer. And if the worst happens, we're here to help. 'Our Oxford Street store colleagues will support victims - from calling loved ones and the police, to cancelling cards and helping them get home safely. Because practical, human support in those moments really matters.' Kate Johnston, Director of Business & Fundraising at the independent UK charity Crimestoppers, which is also backing the initiative, said: 'Mobile phone theft is not just a statisticit's a crime that leaves people feeling vulnerable and shaken. At Crimestoppers, our mission is to help make communities safer, and tackling the surge in phone theft is a crucial part of that work. 'Innovative approaches like Currys 'Mind the Grab' campaign, which uses clear visual cues such as the purple line to remind people to step back from the kerb and keep their phones out of sight, show how simple, well-designed interventions can raise awareness and change behaviour to reduce crime.' 'Prevention is only part of the solution. If you see suspicious behaviour or witness a theft, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers. 'Your information, no matter how small, could help prevent further crimes and keep our streets safer for everyone. Together, by staying vigilant, adopting these simple safety habits, and sharing what we know, we can make a real difference.' A primary school teacher who said she was beaten and sexually taunted by her students has fired back at claims she has the 'easiest' job on Earth. Gold Coast educator Chelsea Rose described the 'most traumatising day' of her career in a video posted to social media on Tuesday. She posted the video in response to a comment from a TikTok user who described her role as the 'easiest job on Earth'. 'The day started like most days where a specific child came into the room every day with their metal drink bottle and a ruler... and they would bash it and make the loudest noise,' Ms Rose said. 'This day they decided to put their drink bottle (in front of their groin) and start shaking it, making the, you know, (masturbation) motion. 'They then opened the lid, let the water spray everywhere and said, 'I just (ejaculated) all over you'.' Some time later, the student returned with a dead bird which they, along with other students, proceeded to throw at Ms Rose and some students. 'And if you thought that was traumatising enough, I'm not even at the most traumatising part of the story,' she said. Chelsea Rose (pictured) recounted her 'most traumatising' day as a primary school teacher The woman's TikTok was revealed as thousands of teachers went on strike in Queensland Shaken by the morning's events, Ms Rose was marking assessments in a separate room when a student entered and demanded she get them a toy. 'This kid looked at me and said: 'If you don't get me this toy, I'm about to get angry at you',' she said. After returning from speaking with the child's teacher, Ms Rose claimed the student began 'laying into' her with punches to her face, chest and stomach. Under the belief she was unable to defend herself due to 'restrictive practices', Ms Rose said she had to 'stand there and cop it'. 'The child hit me so hard and that many times that they ended up actually breaking one of my ribs,' she said. Ms Rose said the child was suspended for 20 days before returning to her regular classes for the remainder of the year. She posted the video to commemorate a historic series of walkouts across Queensland on Wednesday as part of the state's first teachers strike since 2009. More than 50,000 members of the Queensland Teacher's Union voted to walk off the job without pay after negotiations with the government broke down. Teachers marched through Brisbane on Wednesday to demand better pay and conditions Thousands marched to the steps of Brisbane's Parliament House to demand a safer work environment exacerbated by staff shortages and excessive workloads. Last month, Education Minister John-Paul Langbroek revealed across the state teachers reported about 119 violent incidents per day in the first term of 2025. This equates to roughly one episode of occupational violence every four minutes - an increase of about 21 per cent compared to the same period the year prior. While Ms Rose admitted the day she described was likely her worst, her experience was not unique. A number of viewers related to her story, including some who claimed to have endured worse. 'I've been hit, bitten, punched, kicked, pinched, scratched, sworn at, screamed in the face,' one teacher wrote. 'The last ten years have been really hard.' Another wrote: 'People who don't work with kids don't get it'. Jeffrey Epstein's 60million Manhattan mansion was a lair filled with hidden surveillance cameras and bizarre artwork, according to shocking new details. The convicted paedophile's seven-storey home, just off Fifth Avenue, was secretly wired with surveillance devices, including cameras positioned above his bed and in adjoining rooms. Several of his victims say he filmed guests without their knowledge, and some believe the footage was used to manipulate or blackmail. While no tapes have ever been released publicly, Epstein's properties in New York and Florida were both said to be equipped with recording systems. In 2021, artist Maria Farmer, who had worked as a receptionist at the home, claimed that she had seen secret surveillance rooms where staff monitored live video feeds from around the house. She told The Sun: 'All of Epsteins residences had these mechanical rooms and tunnel systems... I know this because Epstein told me. 'These rooms were enormous bigger than houses. I have no idea why anyone needs so many computers in one room. 'There were pinhole cameras to record everything on every estate. The cameras were ubiquitous. You couldnt see them unless they were pointed out to you.' Jeffrey Epstein's 60million Manhattan mansion was a lair filled with hidden surveillance cameras and bizarre artwork, according to shocking new details Several of his victims say he filmed guests without their knowledge in the home, and some believe the footage was used to manipulate or blackmail A taxidermied tiger is seen at the centre of the photograph of one of the rooms in Epstein's home The entrance to the 21,000-square-foot home was lined with glass cases displaying prosthetic eyeballs. Hanging in the main hall was a life-sized sculpture of a woman in a bridal gown, clutching a noose-like rope, according to The New York Times. Up the sweeping staircase, Epstein's personal office was filled with dark wood and strange objects, including a taxidermied tiger sprawled across a rug. Among the books on display was a rare first edition of Lolita, Vladimir Nabokov's scandalous 1955 novel about a man's sexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl who he rapes. There were also framed photographs of the financier with world leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Other notable leaders who appeared in snaps with him include Pope John Paul II and one of him with US president Donald Trump and his wife Melania. Ghislaine Maxwell, his ex-girlfriend and accomplice, who is now serving time in a Texas prison, is in that photograph, but it is cropped to exclude her. Elsewhere in the house were photos of naked women, shelves filled with massage oils and lubricants, and a large silver ball and chain. There was also a massage room which featured nude paintings of women. On the shelves were lubricants, according to pictures seen by The Times. There was also a massage room which featured nude paintings of women. On the shelves were lubricants, according to pictures seen by The Times A sweeping staircase led to Epstein's personal office was filled with dark wood and strange objects Pictures of Epstein and Donald Trump were displayed at the sprawling Manhattan home Teenage girls, some reportedly recruited from middle schools in Queens, were brought in consistently to give Epstein 'massages' while he was naked. Court records and interviews with survivors detail how these sessions often turned sexual. Some say he masturbated in front of them, while others say they were raped. One of the most shocking claims came from Virginia Giuffre, who has alleged Epstein and his associates trafficked her to powerful men around the world when she was still a teenager - claims strongly denied by those she named. Despite persistent rumours about a stash of blackmail material, including 'tens of thousands' of videos, no such evidence has surfaced. In 2023, the FBI said there was no credible proof that Epstein used surveillance footage to blackmail anyone. However, Epstein's habit of allegedly recording people and collecting compromising material has left a long shadow. Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide, but has sparked countless conspiracy theories, especially given the scale of his network and the mystery surrounding what he knew. The Manhattan mansion was sold in 2021, with proceeds meant to go toward a fund for Epstein's victims. The picture with Donald Trump and Melania also featured Ghislaine Maxwell but the socialite had been cropped out Epstein died in jail in 2019 while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges. His death was officially ruled a suicide, but has sparked countless conspiracy theories A Chinese schoolgirl accused of murdering her fellow international student inside a suburban Newcastle home arrived in Australia carrying an 'extraordinary' amount of prescription medication. The 13-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, was one of two teenage girls welcomed into the Edgeworth home of host couple Steve Maloney and Tracey Taylor as part of an exchange program. But what was supposed to be a dream trip to Australia ended in tragedy shortly after 10.30pm on Monday night when Ms Taylor heard a commotion inside her house, went to investigate and found the 14-year-old girl with a stab wound to her torso. Emergency services rushed to the home on Euston Close and paramedics fought to save the teen before she was rushed to John Hunter Hospital, but she died shortly after arrival. A kitchen knife, believed to be the weapon, was seized from the scene by police and is undergoing forensic testing. The accused 13-year-old was arrested and taken to Toronto Police Station where she was formally charged with murder on Tuesday night. At Broadmeadow Children's Court on Wednesday, the teenager did not appear but was represented by an agent for her solicitor who made no application for bail. Magistrate Andrew Eckhold said the charge was extremely serious and noted that mental health would be a key factor. The 13-year-old was one of two teenage girls welcomed into the home Steve Maloney and Tracey Taylor (pictured) A kitchen knife, believed to be the weapon, was seized from the scene by police (pictured) and is undergoing forensic testing The girl had brought a substantial array of medication with her when she travelled to Australia The magistrate revealed the girl had brought a substantial array of medication with her when she travelled to Australia and said the facts provided by the police suggest she may have been 'dissociated' at the time of the alleged killing. 'This is a very complex matter,' he said. 'Very sensitive to mental health issues. It will be flagged to the juvenile detention system.' Her next court appearance has been scheduled for October 7 where she will be provide with a Mandarin interpreter. They had arrived from China on July 28 and were due to return home on August 16, after attending a local school and visiting tourist sites across the Hunter region. The host couple had been excitedly preparing for their young guests for weeks and had even joined a local parenting social media page to plan outings for them. 'I think they decided to take these girls in because of their background working with kids,' said one neighbour. 'Steve's a lovely guy, very friendly. Tracey is a bit more on the quiet side, I think she may be shy and doesn't talk to the neighbours much, but they are good people.' It's believed Mr Maloney works at a local youth detention centre and Ms Taylor is a social worker. It's believed Mr Maloney works at a local youth detention centre and Ms Taylor is a social worker While its not known which study abroad program the students were participating in, according to various agency websites hosts can be paid around $360-$470 per student per week. The costs very depending on the age and requirements of the students with younger teens being charged more. A host could be expected to be paid around $2800 for a three week stay for two students. In exchange hosts are expected to provide a single room and three meals a day. The pair have since been working closely with investigators. NSW Police Superintendent Tracey Chapman said they had provided a significant amount of information and were deeply affected by the incident. 'No doubt this is a shock and a significant event in their lives as well,' she said. 'I can't imagine what they're going through,' one neighbour said. 'It's absolutely awful.' Police have confirmed the two girls were not known to one another prior to being part of the same organised student exchange. But in a heartbreaking twist, the two girls had been seen smiling and giggling just hours before the tragedy, dropped off by a mini bus after what neighbours assumed was a regular school day. Police have confirmed the two girls were not known to one another prior to being part of the same organised student exchange 'They looked like any other teenagers,' said one man who watched them walk up the driveway. 'They seemed happy. I heard them laughing. Nothing seemed off.' The crime scene remained taped off well into Tuesday as detectives from Strike Force Aggnes, assisted by the Homicide Squad, combed through the home. Superintendent Chapman confirmed the investigation involves multiple complexities due to language barriers, consular involvement, and the fact that neither child is an Australian citizen. 'It's a very complex matter, which is why it's taken us time to work through,' she said. Police are interviewing fellow students, teachers, and program coordinators in an effort to understand what might have happened between the two girls in the lead-up to the fatal stabbing. A 45-year-old man shot dead on a street in north London has been named as a Kurdish father-of-two as residents claimed the killing could be 'gang related'. Locals in affluent Stoke Newington were awoken by the sounds of gunshots and screaming as Erdal Ozmen was killed at about midnight on Monday. Metropolitan Police officers found Mr Ozmen, who ran a social club in Hackney and was a member of the Kurdish community, with gunshot injuries on Dynevor Road. Police were called at 0.18am yesterday and he was pronounced dead at the scene, with a murder investigation then launched. No arrests have been made at this stage. Detectives believe the murder - which was the sixth fatal shooting in London so far this year - was an 'isolated incident' with 'no wider risk to the general public'. Residents claimed it was 'gang related', and police acknowledged it would 'concern within the Stoke Newington community' but have not given any indication of a motive. Witness Liza Dodds, 58, a youth worker who lives in the area, said: 'My husband woke up and said there was gunshots. The instant reaction was "how do you know?" 'We both got up and had a look. A police officer was doing CPR where the person fell. It seemed like they were going forever.' Father-of-two Erdal Ozmen, 45, was killed in Stoke Newington, north London, early yesterday Forensic police officers at the scene on Dynevor Road in Stoke Newington yesterday afternoon Mr Ozmen's friend Ali Rizi Ojur told ITV that he was a 'very good guy, always helping people' Forensic officers in scrubs and masks were at the scene yesterday afternoon She also told the Hackney Gazette: 'It's very strange because it's so nice here. I mean, these houses cost a million pounds, becoming very gentrified, very bourgeois with rich bankers and lawyers. 'It's a very, very close community. Everyone knows each other. It has got nothing to do with the community that lives here.' Another witness, Rosa Gilbert, told ITV: 'After the gunshots there were police cars arriving pretty quickly, in a couple of minutes. Several police cars came and then ambulances, a lot of commotion, a lot of screaming. And local resident Anneli Knight told the broadcaster: 'Personally I still feel safe in this community and people are saying it was gang related and so it's not really affecting me personally. But still it's not really a nice thing to have happened.' Paul Orris, who also heard the shooting, told the Hackney Gazette: 'It was between 11 and 12. There were probably three shots and a minute later I heard police sirens. 'When you hear that you hang around for screams but when it's silent...' A further resident said: 'I heard a few gunshots and the first thing I thought was that it was fireworks, because you don't expect it to be a gun. 'I was trying to sleep but then later I heard sirens from the police cars.' Liza Dodds, 58, a youth worker who lives opposite Dynevor Road, said: 'My husband woke up and said there was gunshots. The instant reaction was 'how do you know?' The forensic officers used torches to investigate underneath the nine cars parked on the street The scene on Dynevor Road in Stoke Newington after the 45-year-old man was shot dead Another local, who asked to remain anonymous, added: 'We were out when it happened so we didn't hear or see anything. 'But when we came back at around 1am, the whole area was cordoned off and the police officers told us that it will be a crime scene for a couple of days.' Mr Ozmen's friend Ali Rizi Ojur told ITV News: 'I've known him maybe more than 20 years. He is a very good guy, always helping people, he has two kids and family.' Four forensic officers in scrubs and masks were at the scene yesterday afternoon, alongside several police officers. A Lime bike was lying flat in the cordoned area. The forensic officers used torches to investigate underneath the nine cars parked on the street. Scotland Yard said the man's next of kin have been told and a post-mortem examination will take place. Detective Chief Superintendent Brittany Clarke, who leads policing for the area, said: 'Our team of detectives and forensic specialists are working at pace to establish the full circumstances that led to the tragic death of this man. 'We understand this incident will cause concern within the Stoke Newington community, however we do believe this to be an isolated incident at this stage of the investigation with no wider risk to the general public. Forensic police officers at the scene on Dynevor Road in Stoke Newington yesterday A forensic tent at the scene on Dynevor Road in Stoke Newington as the probe continues The scene on Dynevor Road in Stoke Newington after the 45-year-old man was shot dead 'Residents can expect to see an increased police presence in the area, along with a crime scene, as we carry out our enquiries. We thank them for their patience and co-operation at this time. 'We urge anyone who witnessed the incident, or who has any information that could assist us, to come forward as soon as possible.' Police closed off Dynevor Road and parts of Stoke Newington High Street as part of the investigation, and urged the public to 'please avoid the area where possible'. A London Ambulance Service spokesman said: 'We were called at 12.18am [on Tuesday] to reports of a shooting at the junction of Stoke Newington High Street and Dynevor Road, Hackney. 'We sent resources to the scene, including an ambulance crew, an advanced paramedic, a paramedic from our tactical response unit and an incident response officer. 'We also dispatched a trauma team from London's Air Ambulance, which consisted of a paramedic and a doctor in car. 'Sadly, despite the best efforts of our crews, a man was pronounced dead at the scene.' Anyone who can help is asked to call police on 101, quoting CAD 108/5AUG. Information can also be provided anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Europe is battling a new wave of deadly wildfires as dramatic blazes sweep France and Spain, forcing panicking tourists to evacuate and killing one woman in her home. It comes as a scorching heatwave continues to grip Europe with multiple countries recording their hottest temperatures yet as scientists warn of the mounting impact of climate change. The fast-moving wildfire in southern France burned through some 13,000 hectares of land, a swathe as large as Paris, local officials said on Wednesday. The blaze, believed to have been started by a discarded cigarette butt, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the Aude department, where 1,500 firefighters have been battling to extinguish it. A woman died in her home and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. The blaze marks the biggest in France in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along its Mediterranean coast. Meanwhile, a dramatic forest fire near a beach resort in southern Spain also forced the evacuation of around 1,500 tourists and locals in a blaze that one official called 'the fastest-spreading fire I've ever seen'. Hundreds of people were said to have bunkered down in a shelter in Algeciras after being evacuated from hotels and homes near the fire in Tarifa, as beach bars and campsites were abandoned in the chaos. Firefighters were still working to extinguish the fire on Wednesday, having battled through the night to control the blaze that required a team of up to 17 aircraft. Trees burn during a dramatic wildfire near Narbonne, southern France on August 6 Cars drive past a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border Meanwhile in Spain, the flames are spreading in the hills of Torre de la Pena, behind the hugely popular resort of Tarifa The woman who died in France was a 65-year-old who lived alone, according to French media, whose house was engulfed by the flames. 'The resident absolutely wanted to stay in her house and unfortunately the fire quickly arrived and engulfed her house,' the mayor of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Xavier de Volontat, said. 'People are losing everything,' said Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan. 'I find it tragic to see so many fires since the beginning of the summer.' 'The fire is still spreading and is far from being contained or under control,' said Remi Recio, an official in the southern city of Narbonne. The Aude department in particular - a rural and wooded area - has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which used to help brake the advance of fires. 'The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress. We are monitoring the edges and the back of the fire to prevent flare-ups,' said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture. The fire broke out Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute. Planes were dropping water on the flames but Roesch warned 'this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation'. Tourists sit on the beach as the smoke from wildfires raging in the Aude department is seen from the Mediterranean coast in Banyuls-sur-Mer, southwestern France, on August 5 The wildfire in the Corbieres massif, southern France, where one person has died and several others have been injured This photo provided by Meteo France shows smoke billowing from a wild fire in southern France, Tuesday, August 5 Trees burn during a wildfire at sunrise near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, near Narbonne, southern France A water bomber plane dropping water on the wildfire in the Corbieres massif, southern France This photograph shows burnt vehicles in an area devastated by a wildfire near Fontjoncouse, southwestern France Burnt veichles are seen due to a wildfire that broke out in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southwestern France This photograph shows the remains of a home where a woman died due a wildfire brokes out in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabreriss A burnt van is seen in front of a home burned due to a wildfire brokes out in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse A firefighting vehicle drives past houses near an area devastated by a wildfire near Fontjoncouse, southwestern France One person was seriously burned and another injured, the prefecture said, adding that seven firefighters were also hurt. 'All of the Nation's resources are mobilised,' French President Emmanuel Macron said on X, while calling on people to exercise 'the utmost caution'. Camping grounds and one village were partially evacuated, and several local roads have been closed. The fires have spread through a stretch of land roughly equivalent to the size of the French capital between Carcassonne and Narbonne. Four Canadairs, two Dashes and a water bomber helicopter resumed service around 7 am on Wednesday morning to fight the flames, as 100 police officers supported the effort. Meanwhile in Spain, the flames are spreading in the hills of Torre de la Pena, behind the hugely popular resort of Tarifa. According to the Andalucia firefighter service INFOCA, there are gusts of 20-25km/hr that are favouring the fire's spread. The fire is snaking very close to the N-340 highway and the Estrecho Natural Park - the former of which has been partially closed between Las Pinas and Pedro Valiente. Multiple aircraft have been roped in to tackle the inferno, which took hold in Cadiz in Andalusia on Tuesday afternoon All bars, restaurants or hotels have been evacuated between La Pena and Casas de Porros, reports local newspaper Europa Sur. According to the local police, the fire started in a motorhome at the Torre la Pena campsite, which also had to be evacuated. The flames then blew westward, away from the campsite, and spread rapidly through a hilly and grassland area where homes and tourist establishments are scattered - including the Wawa Hotel, which is reported to have been affected by the fire. Several beach bars and 'chiringuitos' have also been evacuated due to the large amounts of ash being carried down to the shore. Some 17 aircraft have been roped in to tackle the inferno, which took hold in Cadiz in Andalusia on Tuesday afternoon. The current firefighting operation involves five helicopters, two water-carrying planes and a coordination plane, five forest fire ground crews and more. Tarifa Mayor Antonio Santos has described the situation as unprecedented. 'This is the fastest-spreading fire I've ever seen,' he said on national channel La Sexta. Tarifa is often branded a 'surfer's paradise' due to its extremely wide beaches and tall waves. According to the Andalucia firefighter service INFOCA, there are gusts of 20-25km/hr that are favouring the fire's spread The blaze was first reported at around 4pm on Tuesday According to the local police, the fire started in a motorhome at the Torre la Pena campsite, which also had to be evacuated Hundreds of the people evacuated from hotels and homes by the fire were said to have spent the night in a hostel in Algeciras, while droves found shelter in a La Marina sports centre in Tarifa as 5,000 fled the area in cars. Fire stations from elsewhere in the province including Chiclana, Benalup and Los Barrios sent troops to assist the effort against the blaze in Tarifa, as attempts are being concentrated on controlling the fire on the north and east flanks. It comes just days after blazes erupted in Portugal, Greece, and Spain, while tornadoes struck tourist hotspots in parts of Spain and Switzerland. Thousands of firefighters battled a dozen wildfires raging in northern Portugal and central Spain into Wednesday, in the largest wave of blazes in the Iberian Peninsula so far this year following weeks of summer heat. The largest wildfire burned in the wooded, mountainous Arouca area - some 300 km (185 miles) north of Lisbon - since Monday, leading to the closure of the scenic trails of Passadicos do Paiva, a popular tourist attraction. Some 800 firefighters and seven waterbombing aircraft tackled the blaze. 'There was a huge effort during the night, so now we have a somewhat calmer situation,' Civil Protection Commander Helder Silva told reporters, cautioning that shifting strong winds and a difficult terrain meant their work was far from over. 'It's a very large wildfire in areas with difficult access,' he said. Further north, a blaze raged from Saturday in the Peneda-Geres national park near the Spanish border, enveloping nearby villages in thick smoke that led to orders for residents to stay at home. Portuguese firefighters managed to control two large fires that started on Monday in the central areas of Penamacor and Nisa. Authorities said the Penamacor blaze had destroyed 3,000 hectares (7,413 acres) of forest. British tourists were put on alert as Greece wildfires spread amid a 44C heatwave in late July, causing homes to go up in flames in the coastal towns of Palaia Fokaia and Thymari 40 km (25 miles) southeast of Athens. Some 145 firefighters, 44 fire engines, ten firefighting planes and seven helicopters were deployed on site as residents of the town of Kryoneri, 12.5miles northeast of Athens, received three SMS warnings to evacuate on July 26. Scottish craft brewery BrewDog has had an advert banned for implying that alcohol could overcome boredom, loneliness or disappointment. It comes as the firm, best known for its trademark Punk IPA pale ale, closes 10 of its bars across the UK, including the first one it ever opened. The ad for the brewing firm's Wingman beer, seen in May, featured the headline: 'Brewdog. Always Got Your Back'. Alluding to troubles like bad weather, a friend being late and WiFi failure, the craft beer company inferred its Wingman Session IPA could be the answer to these problems. The text said: 'Some things in life go AWOL - WiFi fails, the weather turns hostile, and your buddy's "five minutes" turns into a full-scale delay. 'But Wingman? Wingman stands firm. Always on station, always mission-ready, always got your back. Because every great operation deserves a great Wingman.' The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has since banned the ad after receiving a complaint that it implied that alcohol was a remedy for disappointment, suffering and isolation. BrewDog said the ad did not imply that the beer provided comfort, relief or escape from any form of distress, and positioned the product as being of reliable quality rather than a remedy or coping mechanism. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned the ad after receiving a complaint that it implied that alcohol was a remedy for disappointment, suffering and isolation BrewDog has announced last month it would close 10 bars across the UK including its Camden branch (pictured) as its financial performance stalls in a challenging market Alluding to troubles like bad weather, a friend being late and WiFi failure, the craft beer company inferred its Wingman Session IPA could be the answer to these problems It also did not believe the ad claimed or implied that the beer had any therapeutic or mood-altering effects or that the ad suggested alcohol was essential or a priority in life. The ASA acknowledged that the ad had an air force theme, including the product's name, references to 'always on station, always mission-ready', and some of the imagery, which included a bird wearing a flying jacket, helmet and goggles. The watchdog noted BrewDog's comments that the ad positioned Wingman Session IPA as being of reliable quality, and acknowledged that the scenarios presented in the ad - WiFi outages, unexpected bad weather and a friend running late - were mundane and everyday annoyances. It said: 'However, we considered that those scenarios, which would likely result in a person having to wait for an outcome outside of their control and having their day interrupted in a negative way, were likely to result in people feeling frustrated and bored, potentially lonely and would be likely to be viewed as problematic. 'We considered that although the ad used metaphorical language to evoke Wingman's reliability, consistency and a sense of camaraderie, the scenarios presented were real-life problems that were likely to impact people in a negative way and the implication was that Wingman was a solution to overcoming those problems that were likely to result in boredom, frustration and potentially loneliness. 'For those reasons, we considered the ad implied that drinking alcohol could overcome boredom, loneliness or other problems and concluded it breached the code.' The ASA ruled that the ad must not appear again, adding: 'We told BrewDog to ensure their future ads did not imply that drinking alcohol could overcome boredom, loneliness or other problems.' A spokesman for BrewDog said: 'We acknowledge the ASA's ruling on our recent Wingman advert and we are disappointed with the outcome, which we believe does not reflect the spirit or intent behind the campaign.' BrewDog said the ad did not imply that the beer provided comfort, relief or escape from any form of distress, and positioned the product as being of reliable quality rather than a remedy or coping mechanism However, the beer company confirmed that it 'won't be running the ad again'. Earlier this year, staff at 10 of BrewDog's bars were told they would be moving locations or be 'leaving the business' as the brewery planned to close the sites. The news came as CEO James Taylor told investors that BrewDog's financials did not make for 'happy reading'. Mr Taylor, who is the second new CEO to take over since founder James Watt stepped back amidst a flurry of accusations of improper conduct, has previously warned the firm is likely to report a pre-tax loss for 2024. And the chain had started the year by closing six pubs across the world, including two in England, three in Europe and one in England. BrewDog has weathered a number of publicity storms in recent years as its reputation has taken a hammering. But it has also faced stiff competition from new entrants into the 'craft beer' market. Among the bars closing was BrewDog's first commercial pub based in Gallowgate in Aberdeen, close to their headquarters in Ellon, Aberdeenshire - as well as one in Dundee. Your browser does not support iframes. The firm has recently rebranded its cans as it seeks to shed its image problem following a series of scandals Three bars in London also closed: Camden, the first one opened in the capital, as well as branches in the trendy Shoreditch district and Shepherd's Bush. Pubs in Brighton, Leeds' North Street, Oxford, Sheffield and York shut their doors too. A note circulated to staff by Mr Taylor states that the focus will turn to 'destination hubs' such as those in Waterloo - which features a bowling alley and a large spiral slide - and smaller 'community bars'. 'We are working hard to minimise the impact on our people, and we expect to redeploy many affected team members across the BrewDog network,' he said. 'For those leaving the business, we're providing as much support as possible during this transition.' And writing on the 'Equity for Punks' investor forum, Mr Taylor said the company's headline financial numbers 'do not make for happy reading'. 'There's still a lot of work ahead to do across our business. But I'm confident that H2 (year half two) will reflect the progress we're making. We're on the right path, doing the right things and the results will follow,' he said. BrewDog was accused by Unite Hospitality of giving staff as little as 'three days' notice that their bar would close. BrewDog's first standalone bar in Aberdeen's Gallowgate (pictured) was among the 10 sites to close BrewDog co-founder James Watt stepped back as CEO in 2024, months after a complaint over a BBC documentary outlining allegations against him was dropped He launched the brewery with Martin Dickie (left) amid a flurry of publicity stunts including the launch of a 41 per cent beer (above) A spokesperson for the brewery said staff were going through a 'meaningful and appropriate consultation' that would last at least 14 days. Bryan Simpson, of Unite, which represents BrewDog staff, said: 'For Brewdog to give loyal workers less than four days' notice of the closure of their workplace is not just morally repugnant, it is potentially unlawful.' He added that Unite are 'supporting our members across these 10 sites to collectively challenge these redundancies, and we would urge anyone impacted to reach out to us for legal support.' A spokesperson for BrewDog said: 'We can confirm that following a review of our bars business we have made the difficult decision to close 10 bars which reflects a more focused strategy and a rationalisation of our bar footprint. 'Despite our best efforts, and the hard work of our teams, it has simply not been possible to make these bars commercially viable. 'We are working hard to minimise the impact on our people, and we expect to redeploy many affected team members across the BrewDog network. 'For those leaving the business, we're providing as much support as possible during this transition.' In June, the firm reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of 7.5million for 2024 - and has admitted that its conventional pre-tax profit measure will show 'a loss'. Self-described 'punk' Mr Watt married Made In Chelsea star and socialite Georgia Toffolo earlier this year BrewDog says it plans to focus on 'destination' bars such as Waterloo - which features tenpin bowling and a slide BrewDog is on its third CEO in just over a year after James Watt stepped back from the role in May 2024, three months after Ofcom rejected a complaint he had lodged against the BBC after it made a documentary outlining misconduct allegations. He denied claims that he made female bartenders feel 'uncomfortable' and 'powerless' and that he would take intoxicated women on private late-night tours of the brewery. He then married Made In Chelsea media personality Georgia Toffolo earlier this year, and has become a frequent critic of the Labour government on LinkedIn. The self-described BrewDog 'Captain' faced a number of improper conduct allegations in 2021 concerning female staff, and was revealed to have invested in Heineken, contrasting with his brewery's anti-establishment 'punk' image. Months before he quit, he announced that the firm would paying staff the 'real' Living Wage as calculated by the Resolution Foundation as it struggled to turn a profit. The firm is continuing to weather accusations of an image problem after ditching its claim to be 'carbon negative' after it ditched offsetting schemes that it claimed were both too expensive and not efficient enough to justify the label. It had already been criticised for using the label by advertising watchdogs, and was slammed by environmentalists for its claim of creating a carbon-negative forest in Scotland after it was revealed half of the 500,000 saplings had already died. Despite this, CEO James Taylor told the Grocer in June that he did not believe the firm had an image problem. He said: 'It's boring to focus on data, but the data says consumers think of us as a business that produces really high-quality beer. That's how we're perceived by the vast majority of the public.' Alongside Punk IPA, BrewDog produces a range of beers as well as spirits. It bought cider producer Hawkes in 2018 but has since mothballed cider production. Like any child would have done, seven-year-old Howard Kakita wanted to get a good view of the fearsome B-29 bombers flying overhead. So 80 years ago today, in the Japanese city of Hiroshima, he climbed onto the roof of his grandparents' house with his brother and peered into the sky. Moments later, the bomb that changed the world - dropped from the plane called Enola Gay - detonated less than a mile away. Somehow though, Mr Kakita, now 87, survived the nuclear blast, along with his brother and both grandparents, whom he and his sibling had been visiting from their home in America. Speaking today to mark the anniversary of the disaster, Mr Kakita revealed the seconds leading up to the explosion, and told how he was knocked out 'instantaneously' by its force. The non-proliferation campaigner explained to BBC Radio 4's Today Programme that he and his brother had been given a stern warning by their grandmother that likely saved their lives. 'Fortunately for us, our grandmother who was washing dishes in the kitchen, heard a commotion in the roof, ran out and told us to get off the roof in no uncertain terms, and reluctantly we came down,' he said. 'I went into a bath house, a separate structure apart from the house where we took bath. Howard Kakita, now 87, was seven-and-a-half when the United States dropped an atom bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. He told the BBC how he survived Mr Kakita (right) with his grandfather and brother Kenny on their return to Hiroshima weeks after the blast. All had lost their hair through radiation poisoning 'And for some reason, I went in there, not sure exactly what the reason was, but that is when the bomb exploded. 'Since we were so close, we were only eight tenths of a mile, 1.3 kilometres from Ground Zero, I didn't notice the flash, nor hear the boom. 'I was knocked out instantaneously. I have no recollection of the blast taking place.' The bomb, which was the equivalent to the destructive force of 15,000 tonnes of TNT, killed an estimated 80,000 people instantly. The target that the US crew led by Colonel Paul Tibbets Junior were aiming for was the Aioi Bridge. But the bomb landed 800feet away from that, instead striking above the Shima Surgical Hospital. Nearly everything within the surrounding square mile was obliterated. But Mr Kakita, his brother and paternal grandparents all survived. After the detonation, a huge mushroom cloud (pictured) rose into the sky The devastating attack on the city on August 6, 1945, killed 80,000 people instantly Everything within an immediate square mile was obliterated by the blast The survivor previously recounted his story and shared images of himself with historian Iain MacGregor, the author of the Hiroshima Tapes. He went on: 'When I came to, a number of minutes later, I'm not sure how long I was out, the structure that I was in was on top of me, I could smell smoke. 'I wasn't seriously injured, so I was able to dig myself out. And I went into the courtyard of our home, where I located my brother. 'He had a slight radiation burn on his forehead, and my grandfather was, with the help of other men, trying to dig my grandmother who was in the kitchen. 'She was buried under the structure there. And she was standing next to a window when the blast took place. 'The shards of glass from the window embedded in her body, and she was bleeding pretty badly when they dug her out.' However, all four ultimately survived the blast. The ground crew of the Enola Gay, which was captained by Colonel Paul W. Tibbets Junior (centre) Survivors of the Hiroshima blast are seen lying in a tent relief center on the banks of the Ota River in the city, on August 7, 1945 A photo taken of Mr Kakita, his grandfather and brother on their return to Hiroshima after the end of the war shows how, despite escaping with their lives, they had all lost their hair from radiation poisoning. Mr Kakita's maternal grandparents were less lucky. The body of his grandmother on his mother's side was never found, and her husband - his grandfather - died a month after the blast from head injuries. Mr Kakita and his brother were not able to return to their parents in America until 1948. Because of their Japanese heritage, their mother and father were interned in a prison camp in the US for the duration of the war. They moved to Los Angeles following their release. Mr Kakita now devotes his time to campaigning for an end to the stockpiling of nuclear weapons. The Home Office has released dramatic footage of migrants being rescued from the Channel - as ministers sought to rebut criticism of the giant loophole in their new returns deal with France. One video shows migrants jumping off an overloaded dinghy into the sea and swimming towards a lifeboat, while in a second a child is seen being loaded into a winch and pulled to safety. Another clip shows rescue workers frantically pulling people onto a boat as dozens remain waiting in the water - with officials claiming the Anglo-French agreement would help prevent 'life-threatening scenes like this'. The treaty has faced intense criticism for including an extraordinary loophole that allows small boat migrants who lodge human rights claims in Britain to evade being returned to France. They will be ruled out of new deportation measures if legal claims are outstanding or if they claim to be under 18, it emerged. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said the human rights loophole would be 'ruthlessly exploited' by lawyers - as pictures showed the latest dinghies leaving the beaches of northern France this morning. The deal with president Emmanuel Macron's government, published yesterday, also disclosed that the British taxpayer will foot the bill for both sides of the deal, which will see migrants who came here illegally across the Channel exchanged 'one for one' with others still in France. Migrants in France will be flown to Britain by the Home Office and handed a visa to live here for up to three months after successfully applying while their final application is considered. The Home Office has released dramatic footage of migrants being rescued from the Channel as it sought to build support for its new agreement One video shows migrants jumping off an overloaded dinghy into the sea and swimming towards a lifeboat In one video, a child is seen being loaded into a winch and pulled to safety Officials insisted there will be 'rigorous' security checks even though the French will not hand over any personal details on migrants coming here including any criminal records they may hold on them. The first small boat arrivals could be detained as early as today for possible removal to France. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy sparked more confusion today after claiming that small boat migrants could have human rights claims heard in France - despite the agreement stating that the UK 'shall not seek France's participation in legal proceedings'. The details of the treaty open up the prospect of human rights lawyers encouraging migrants to lodge spurious claims simply to avoid being earmarked for removal. Under the terms of the agreement, the Home Office will confirm after selecting a migrant that 'at the time of their transfer that person will not have an outstanding human rights claim'. There was confusion over a further clause referring to human rights claims which have been ruled by Home Office caseworkers to be 'clearly unfounded'. Migrants load into a small boat off Gravelines Beach in northern France this morning Even Labour admits the deal will not bring small boat crossings to a halt A woman was seen carrying a child towards a boat in northern France this morning Heavily armed gendarmes were also seen on Gravelines Beach. French police have been accused of repeatedly failing to intervene to stop migrants departing Your browser does not support iframes. Mr Philp said the drafting of the clause showed even 'clearly unfounded' claims would successfully block deportation but the Home Office disputed his reading of the text. As it was unveiled for the first time less than a month ago, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer hailed the deal as 'groundbreaking' and promised small boats migrants would be 'detained and returned to France in short order'. Last night Mr Philp said: 'This deal is likely to be completely unworkable and will be ruthlessly exploited by human rights lawyers to prevent people being returned to France. Even a 'clearly unfounded' human rights claim will stop a return to France while it goes through a lengthy court process. This deal has no numbers in it presumably because they are so small. 'And the deal says that France will not provide any information at all about those they are sending to the UK so they could be criminals or terrorists and we wouldn't know. This is a bad deal, which won't work.' The treaty confirmed that any migrant who claims to be an 'unaccompanied minor' will not be deported. There has been a series of cases in recent years which have seen asylum seekers falsely claim to be under 18. The UK will fund flights from France for migrants selected to come here under the scheme, the treaty added, as well as paying for migrants to be removed. Home Office officials who accompany migrants on removals flights will not be allowed to use physical force in France, prompting questions about their safety aboard the aircraft. Both France and the UK will be able to suspend the deal with just one week's notice and fully terminate it with one month's notice. Your browser does not support iframes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the new deal last month after a Downing Street summit Home Secretary Yvette Cooper repeatedly refused to say how many migrants will be returned under the deal because it 'could help the smuggling gangs' Separate documents revealed that migrants brought to the UK as part of the deal will be barred from working or accessing benefits during the initial three-month period, while the Home Office considers whether it will grant a longer visa. However, it is unclear where the migrants will be housed, opening the prospect of them being placed in taxpayer-funded hotels. The number of people accepted from France will have a 'cap' equal to the number of small boat migrants who are sent back under the deal, the documents showed. But the Home Office was unable to confirm the level of the cap. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper repeatedly refused to say how many migrants will be returned under the deal because it 'could help the smuggling gangs'. Last month it was suggested the scheme would see 50 migrants a week sent back to France. At that rate, just 2,200 would be returned before the agreement expires on June 11 next year. By comparison, a record 25,436 migrants have reached Britain by small boat since the start of the year, up 49 per cent on the same period last year. Pro-migrant groups have indicated that they are prepared to bring legal challenges against the new policy just as they did against the previous Conservative government's Rwanda asylum deal. Steve Valdez-Symonds, of Amnesty International UK, said: 'We anticipate that this deal is likely to face legal challenges from people who quite reasonably will resist being swapped around like mere fodder.' This is the shocking moment a British tourist was left with a broken arm after he was hurled to the ground during a fight with a Thai bar girl. George Lilley, 66, punched the 39-year-old woman in the face when she refused to have drinks with him at a bar in Pattaya, Thailand. He was said to have insulted her after she turned down his request at the Lanon Bar this morning. The woman, whose name was given only as Sureerat, can be seen on the CCTV footage grabbing his face. Mr Lilley, from Leeds, West Yorkshire, then fought back, repeatedly smashing his fist into her face in front of shocked guests. The CCTV footage also shows the Thai bar girl hurling a glass at Mr Lilley's face as he hit her with his right fist. Sureerat can be seen staggering backwards as a male customer pushes Mr Lilley away, causing him to crack his right arm on the pavement. A Thai man kneels down on the floor to help him, before medics arrive and take him to the hospital. George Lilley, 66, was said to have insulted the bar girl after she turned down his request to have drinks with him He then punched the 39-year-old woman in the face during the fight in the bar A Pattaya City Police spokesman said: 'The CCTV clearly captured the incident, and our officers have collected the footage to include in the case file to ensure a fair investigation for everyone involved.' Sureerat said: 'He gave me a drink and wanted me to entertain him, but I had to look after the other customers. 'He was upset and started shouting at me and punched me in the face. Other customers stepped in and pulled him away. That's when he fell and was injured.' Tourists have repeatedly become entangled in crime and violence in Pattaya - which is located on Thailand's eastern Gulf coast and is known for its wild night life. Embarrassed officials in the central government have launched tourism initiatives to attract families and rebrand Pattaya as a safe destination. Authorities have also introduced safety measures, such as improved lighting and CCTV. Despite some success in cleaning up the town's image, alcohol and sex remain its biggest draws, often leading to a high rate of crime and accidents. The CCTV footage shows the Thai bar girl hurling a glass at Mr Lilley's face as he hit her with his right fist A wealthy recruitment boss who threatened to gang rape and set alight a Virgin Atlantic stewardess has been jailed for 15 months. Salman Iftikhar, 37, was staying in first class with his wife and three children when he unleashed a vile tirade on Angie Walsh at 39,000 feet during a flight from London Heathrow to Lahore. The father, who had been binging on champagne, hurled death threats and racist abuse at cabin crew on the eight hour flight after he was told to stop helping himself to ice from the onboard bar. He called Ms Walsh a 'f****** b****' several times and told her she would be dragged out of her hotel room, gang raped and set alight - comments which she said left her 'broken' and 'traumatised'. Iftikhar also tried to fight another steward and even threatened to blow up the floor of the Avari Lahore Hotel, where the cabin crew were due to stay. In one clip of Iftikhar's 100 rants during the trip, he can be heard repeatedly accusing Ms Walsh of being a racist and says: 'You called me a p*ki in front of everybody.' All this unfolded in front of Iftikhar's wife and children who were crying and pleading for him to stop and had to be comforted by the cabin crew as he continued to hurl abuse for the entire flight. Iftikhar was finally arrested at his 900,000 detached home in Iver, Buckinghamshire, on March 16, 2024, more than a year on from the vile outburst. This is the moment Virgin Atlantic passenger Salman Iftikhar, 37, (centre) launched a vile tirade towards the cabin crew of his flight after being told to stop helping himself to ice from the bar Iftikhar (pictured) was staying in first class with his wife and three children when he unleashed a swathe of abuse at 39,000 feet during a flight from London Heathrow to Lahore He admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment at Isleworth Crown Court and was jailed for 15 months. 'Mr Iftikhar was seen drinking champagne at the onboard bar, where he was talking to cabin crew,' said prosecutor Abdul Kapadia. 'During the defendant's first meal service, the defendant was seen helping himself to ice, leaning over bar he was drinking at, and taking ice with his hands. 'When told to stop, the defendant became irate, and started to film cabin crew with his phone, telling them: "Do not tell me what to do you b****." 'When asked by the cabin crew to return to his seat, he then said: "Don't tell me what to do you racist f****** b****. I know where you are from in Cardiff." The pilot was then contacted, and turned the seat belt lights on. 'The defendant then shouted, and said: "Look at this b**** having the seat belt sign on when there was no turbulence. What the f*** is this b**** doing?' Iftikhar returned to his seat and called crew member Angie Walsh a 'f****** b****.' Iftikhar is seen here in one rant repeatedly accusing Ms Walsh of being a racist and says: 'You called me a p*ki in front of everybody' The person filming the interaction can be heard saying 'holy s***' as Iftikhar goes back to his seat following the tirade Mr Kapadia said: 'The defendant's behaviour became worse. The cabin crew discussed a diversion to Turkey. 'The defendant was informed of this possible diversion, to which he replied: 'I don't care. f*** it, go to Turkey. I have contacts. 'The defendant then sat down, but his aggressive behaviour continued. 'His wife was ashamed. His three children were also on-board, and other crew members were called to assist, but the defendant continued shouting and swearing. 'He was slurring his words, with his voice raised. 'He shouted at the cabin crew: "Do you know who I am?" 'The defendant's wife went to the food bar and tried to talk to cabin crew, but the defendant pushed his wife away, and shouted at her not to talk to crew. 'A crew member stabilised the wife's arm to prevent her from falling when she was pushed. Angie (left) with her sister and fellow Virgin Atlantic air steward Claire Walsh. Angie said the comments made by Iftikhar left her 'broken' and 'traumatised' 'The defendant then got up, and threatened to fight the cabin crew. 'He grabbed one flight attendant, called Tommy Merchant, and told him to shut up and go away. 'He told Mr Merchant: "Do you know who I am? F*** off. You should know who I am. Come on you heard me. Let's go right now." 'Staff tried to calm the defendant down. The defendant was asked if there was anything the cabin crew could do. 'But Mr Iftikhar leant forward and grabbed Ms Walsh's hand, squeezing it. 'Iftikhar called Ms Walsh a 'f****** white Welsh c***.' Mr Kapadia added: 'The defendant also threatened to blow up the floor of the Avari Lahore Hotel, where the cabin crew were due to stay. 'The defendant knew the specific hotel, but also the hotel room numbers, and threatened the cabin crew with this. Iftikhar (pictured) was finally arrested at his 900,000 detached home in Buckinghamshire on March 16, 2024 - more than a year on from the vile outburst 'He told Ms Walsh: "You will be dead on the floor of your hotel". 'Iftikhar shouted at Ms Walsh and said: "The white sheep sh****** b**** will be dead. The floor of your hotel will be blown up and it will disappear. 'He told Ms Walsh: "You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire". 'The defendant said this while his three young children were crying and pleading for him to stop.' The details of the hotel turned out to be correct, and Ms Walsh had to stay there overnight, and could not sleep, Mr Kapadia said. Mr Kapadia said when the plane landed in Pakistan no action was taken against Iftikhar. Ms Walsh sat in court accompanied by her sister, Claire Walsh, who is also a Virgin Atlantic flight attendant in their uniforms. She told how she had to take 14 months off work in a victim impact statement read to the court. Iftikhar (pictured) is the director and founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match, according to his LinkedIn profile She said: 'I feel like what happened that day has changed my life enormously. 'I can't quite believe that one passenger has had this much of an impact on my, my job, my career and my life. 'I am a strong brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job. I am well known within the company. 'I have been flying with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years. I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and I've even flown into a warzone. But this incident has broken me. 'But I don't feel strong enough anymore. I was abused for eight hours and 15 mins. It has broken me. It was a very personal attack. 'I was doing everything in my power to protect passengers and the crew from him. I felt exposed and vulnerable, especially as we were 39,000 feet in the air. There was nowhere for me to go. 'There was one moment where I felt I could not cope. I went into the cockpit and had a meltdown. I said to the captain I don't know what to do. 'Even the threat of diverting the plane to Turkey or Baku, Azerbaijan, had no effect. 'I was traumatised by the threat of being gang raped. 'Never in my entire career flying for 37 years have I not been sure what to do. 'I have had the best career in the world for 37 years. But he has taken that away from me.' Iftikhar, of Iver, Bucks, admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment, in relation to Ms Walsh. He was cleared of assault by beating and threats to kill in relation to Mr Merchant. Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said Iftikhar was suffering from 'amnesia blood loss', which contributed to what happened. Mr Walker-Nolan added: 'Although there were over 100 incidents over the course of eight hours, the most serious, including threats to kill, were limited. 'The defendant has buried his head in the sand for a long period, and expressed regret. 'He has a long standing drug and alcohol problem which he has not addressed for many years. 'He is a successful businessman who employs a lot of people.' Iftikhar has six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008. He was fined 3,000 in 2021 after he was caught drink driving, as well as being under the influence of cannabis in his Rolls Royce in 2021. Family members wept in the public gallery as the judge Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC said: 'Your threats to kill were made in the presence of children, specifically your three young children. 'These were threats made with significant violence. 'Your children had to be comforted by cabin crew staff while you made those threats. 'Ms Walsh has given up a job which she has loved for 14 months, but thankfully has now returned to work. 'This was a sustained incident which involved repeated racist abuse to Ms Walsh. 'You have a lengthy and appalling record of misconduct. You have not addressed the underlying cause of this for many years, that is your drug and alcohol problem. 'Given your lifestyle and your ability to earn money, your harm and risk has not moved. 'This was an appalling incident which has caused long lasting and devastating consequences.' Iftikhar, who appeared in the dock wearing a grey suit with a pink shirt, and a yellow tie wept as he was jailed for 15 months. According to his LinkedIn profile he is the director and founder of recruitment firm Staffing Match. A Virgin Atlantic spokesperson commented: 'The safety and security of our customers and crew is always our top priority, and we take a zero-tolerance approach to any disruptive or abusive behaviour on board our aircraft. 'We will always work closely with the relevant authorities and will not hesitate to seek prosecution for those individuals that cause disruption onboard through unacceptable behaviour. 'Were incredibly grateful to Angie and our cabin crew onboard who dealt with this distressing situation in a calm, courageous and professional manner. We are proud of Angie for her bravery in court and we will continue to offer her our full support.' A police watchdog is piling pressure on forces to publish the nationality and asylum status of criminal suspects. Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, added his voice to calls for the police to be more transparent about the backgrounds of suspects. The Home Office is currently working with the Law Commission, the College of Policing and the Crown Prosecution Service to review what information is released. Sir Andy said a decision needed to be made 'very quickly' as he warned that failing to provide suspects' details could see a 'void of information' being filled by false claims. He also said there was a risk of 'two-tier policing' claims if police released details in some cases but not others. Sir Andy noted how Merseyside Police said they had arrested a 'white British man' when a car drove into crowds during Liverpool FC's Premier League victory parade. The same force were criticised after the Southport murders last summer for not releasing more information about the suspect. False rumours spread online that he was a Muslim asylum seeker, which fuelled the riots seen in the aftermath of the stabbings. A police watchdog is piling pressure on forces to publish the nationality and asylum status of criminal suspects Sir Andy Cooke, His Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary, added his voice to calls for the police to be more transparent about the backgrounds of suspects Sir Andy told The Times: 'If policing does not fill that void of information, then someone else will and it won't be a trustworthy outlet, it will be social media. 'The more information the police can give out without being in contempt of court the better. 'It's got to be relevant, like in Liverpool. They said it was a white male and now they have to keep that same approach regardless of their immigration status. 'Consistency is key. The National Police Chiefs' Council, Government, the CPS and College of Policing need to come to a decision very quickly. 'The one thing that will attract criticism is if they release the details in some cases but not others - it will fuel allegations of two-tier policing and people will not understand it. 'If information is going to lead to people being upset and things escalating, then policing needs to prepare for it. 'Police cannot pick and choose when it shares information. It's best to get accurate information out there otherwise people with agendas will post false details.' Home Secretary Yvette Cooper has also called for police to reveal more information about suspects. She said that national guidance issued to police forces across the country needed to be altered. 'We do think the guidance needs to change,' Ms Cooper told BBC Radio 4. 'And we have also already about six months ago, we asked the Law Commission to look at this and to accelerate their review around some of the contempt of court issues. 'That's about what information can be released when there's a trial pending.' The Home Secretary referred to a case where Iranian nationals were charged with spying offences in May and the CPS revealed three of them had arrived either on small boats or a lorry. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer this week told the police to be as 'transparent as possible' about the ethnicity of suspected sex offenders. He was forced to respond after Reform UK leader Nigel Farage demanded that police disclose the backgrounds of those charged with rape and sexual assault. The Mail on Sunday revealed that two Afghan asylum seekers have been charged in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton, Warwickshire. In a press conference on Monday, Mr Farage accused police of a 'cover-up' for failing to divulge the ethnicity or immigration status of the two men. He said on Monday that it was 'absolutely disgraceful' that the police had not informed the public that the men were Afghan asylum seekers. Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was charged with rape and Mohammad Kabir, also 23, was charged with aiding and abetting an assault, as well as strangulation and kidnapping. Warwickshire Police chief constable Alex Franklin-Smith said the force 'did not and will not' cover up alleged criminality and had followed national guidance. 'I am confident that Warwickshire Police has treated this investigation seriously from the outset working tirelessly to identify, locate, arrest and charge those suspected of being responsible for this awful crime as quickly as possible,' he said. Of the suspects, he wrote: 'The immigration status of Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir is now public knowledge. 'In light of that, I have asked the Home Office to confirm the full immigration status of Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir as per the information we shared with the CPS and the courts as part of this case.' An American game hunter was gored to death by a buffalo he was stalking after it ambushed him in South Africa Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was out on safari with a professional hunter and an animal tracker on the trail of a prized 1.3-ton specimen bull last Sunday. The huge beast charged him at , slamming into him and killing him almost instantly. It is not known if the team from Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, guiding their client on the estimated 7,500 hunt, shot the buffalo dead or if it escaped back to its nearby herd. The keen conservationist believed hunting was a vital part of preserving wildlife. He had photos on his social media with a dead mountain lion, many deer and hundreds of wildfowl. He also boasts of killing thousands of doves in just three days with seven friends in Argentina. Although it is believed it had not yet been shot and was unwounded, the increasingly agitated bull turned on the hunter and launched a fatal attack as he closed in on it. Cape buffalo, known as the Black Death, kill some 200 people in Africa a year. They are known to kill more game hunters than any other animal, including elephants, lions, rhinos or crocodiles. The lifelong hunter who was raised and taught to shoot on Texas farms stood little chance as the buffalo took him and his safari team by surprise and gored him in a charge. Millionaire ranch trader Asher Watkins, 52, was out on safari with a professional hunter and an animal tracker on the trail of a prized 1.3-ton specimen bull last Sunday The dangerous animal charged out at 35mph and left the hunter with no chance as it slammed into and killed him almost instantly Cape buffalo, known as the Black Death, kill some 200 people in Africa a year. They are known to kill more game hunters than any other animal Hunter Hans Vermaak on behalf of CV Safaris said: 'It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. 'On Sunday, while on a hunting safari with us in South Africa's Limpopo Province, Asher was fatally injured in a sudden and unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo. 'He was tracking it together with one of our professional hunters and one of our trackers. This is a devastating incident, and our hearts go out to his loved ones. 'We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss.' The company said it was in touch with his teenage daughter and his ex-wife, Courtney, who were still close and shared custody after their break-up. A close friend said: 'He spent every spare moment he could with his daughter and shared his life with her, and nobody could love a daughter more than he did. 'She will be broken to lose Asher, who was her best friend as well as her dad.' The wealthy businessman's mother, Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were all at the upmarket safari lodge while he was out hunting and were broken the tragic news The wealthy businessman's mother, Gwen, brother Amon, and stepfather Tony were all at the upmarket safari lodge while he was out hunting and were broken the tragic news. Popular Asher, who split from wife Courtney in 2013, was the boss of his own successful company, Watkins Ranch Group, which sold exclusive ranches priced between 1m and 30m. In a tribute, Courtney posted a picture of the family on her Facebook page and spoke about how he was killed. His daughter, thought to be aged 16 now, was devoted to her father and split her time between them both and is said to be 'in bits' after being told he was dead. Courtney wrote: 'This photo is from another time, another chapter of our livesbut its one that will always be a part of our daughters story. 'On Sunday, August 3, Asher Watkins, died suddenly in a tragic accident involving a Cape buffalo while on a hunting trip in South Africa. 'Its a reality thats still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead. 'Weve been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it. In a tribute, Courtney posted a picture of the family on her Facebook page and spoke about how he was killed 'Thank you to everyone who has reached out, prayed, or simply held us in your thoughts. Your love has truly carried us through the hardest few days of our lives. 'The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. Psalm 34:18' Watkins was affiliated with the worldwide group Briggs Freeman Sotheby's International Realty and was also a respected life member of the Dallas Safari Club. Friends said he also had an incredible world-class collection of hunting rifles. Close friend Shannon Wherry said online: 'On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africa's legendary buffalo. 'In a moment of fearlessness as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith and adventure. 'He loved his precious daughter more than life itself and leaves her behind and his ex-wife who are now facing an unimaginable loss. 'Please continue to lift them in prayer for peace and strength in the days ahead.' Friends said he also had an incredible world-class collection of hunting rifles An Instagram post from CV Safaris, where Watkins was a regular client, said they met him and some of his family flying in from the USA at Johannesburg Airport last weekend. They then transported the party of four by a private light aircraft to the big game hunting Bambisana Concession, and on his first day out, he took the trophy of a waterbuck. But on his second day hunting, they found a buffalo and encountered an unpredictable and aggressive bull who, it would seem, turned from the hunted into the hunter. The CV Safari has a stark warning to hunters on its website. It says: 'No species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape Buffalo. Responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year. 'The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa. Buffalo hunting is thrilling and exhilarating and at the top of every hunter's wish list. 'Crafty and belligerent, he seeks refuge in thickets when wounded or when danger approaches. Buffalo are known to charge unprovoked so prepare for the worst. 'Buffalo have earned their reputation and can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed and a charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial.' An Instagram post from CV Safaris, where Watkins was a regular client, said they met him and some of his family flying in from the USA at Johannesburg Airport last weekend A Cape Buffalo can weigh 1.5 tons, 11 feet long and 5ft 6in tall, and their horns are joined by a solid lump of bone across the forehead. They are unpredictable and aggressive, and their only predators are humans and lions. In 2018, big game hunter Claude Keynhams, 54, was also killed in Limpopo Province by a buffalo after the safari group he was being paid to guide shot another buffalo dead. The South African professional hunter was trying to load the dead buffalo onto a lorry with his team when he was blindsided by a second buffalo, which gored him to death. In 2022, another big game hunter was killed at Steenbokpan, Limpopo Province, having shot and wounded a buffalo when it launched a furious charge at him despite being fired at. Benjamin de Bruyn, 50, died instantly on the buffalo's horns as the buffalo was killed. The tragic death of the big game hunter comes after the death of Blondie the Lion in neighbouring Zimbabwe hit the headlines last week when another game hunter killed it. In a chilling echo of the infamous killing of Cecil the Lion from the same Hwange region in 2015, the lion that had been collared by Oxford University scientists for research was targeted. On his social media, he is seen with the corpses of animals he has killed A Zimbabwe hunting company was said to have lured Blondie away from the safety of a non-hunting private reserve with meat as bait to draw him into a legal hunting concession. Once Blondie crossed the border away from his pride of 3 lionesses and 10 cubs, an American big game hunter was lying in wait and shot him dead to take home as a trophy. Blondie's killing was branded unethical, although the Zimbabwe Professional Hunters Association refused to comment on it and the safari operator insisted the hunt was legal. South African Police are believed to have opened an inquest into the death of Asher Watkins. A police chief has hit back at claims of a 'cover up' after two Afghan asylum seekers were charged in connection with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton. Alex Franklin-Smith, Warwickshire Police's chief constable, said the force 'did not and will not' cover up alleged criminality as he rejected the accusation by Reform UK. The row came after The Mail on Sunday revealed that Ahmad Mulakhil, 23, was charged with rape. Mohammad Kabir, also 23, was charged with aiding and abetting an assault, as well as strangulation and kidnapping. Speaking on Monday, Reform leader Nigel Farage said it was 'absolutely disgraceful' that the police had not informed the public that the men were Afghan asylum seekers. George Finch, the Reform leader of Warwickshire County Council, said he had been 'begging' for details about the men's background to be released. In a letter to Mr Franklin-Smith and Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, Mr Finch had claimed that not publicising the pair's asylum status 'risks public disorder breaking out'. But in his response to Mr Finch, who at 19 is the youngest council leader in the country, Mr Franklin-Smith denied a 'cover up'. Reform leader Nigel Farage said it was 'absolutely disgraceful' that the police had not informed the public that the men were Afghan asylum seekers George Finch, the Reform leader of Warwickshire County Council, said he had been 'begging' for details about the men's background to be released Mr Franklin-Smith wrote: 'I am confident that Warwickshire Police has treated this investigation seriously from the outset working tirelessly to identify, locate, arrest and charge those suspected of being responsible for this awful crime as quickly as possible. 'Warwickshire Police did not and will not cover up such criminality. 'As I confirmed to you when we spoke for the first time on Thursday 31 July, in events such as these it is good practice for police forces to work closely with partner agencies in order that we can collectively protect our communities. 'You informed me you had already received a confidential briefing from your chief executive and that you knew the person charged was an asylum seeker. 'I confirmed this was accurate and we wouldn't be releasing immigration status at point of charge as we follow national guidance. 'I explained the information would become public knowledge as part of the court process and that all partners must ensure we are prepared to manage any potential protest and/or disorder at that stage.' Of the suspects, the police chief added: 'The immigration status of Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir is now public knowledge, having been placed into the public domain by yourself. 'In light of that, I have asked the Home Office to confirm the full immigration status of Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir as per the information we shared with the Crown Prosecution Service and the courts as part of this case.' Mr Franklin-Smith also highlighted how national guidance to police on releasing information about the background of criminal suspects was currently under review. On Tuesday, the Home Secretary said 'we do think more transparency is needed' in the information given by police and that 'guidance needs to change'. In a statement released last night, a Home Office spokesperson said: 'As the Home Secretary said this morning, it has been widely reported that this case involves two Afghan individuals who are in the asylum system, some of which information has already been confirmed in open court. 'The Home Secretary has made clear that there is a strong public interest in maximum transparency wherever that is possible. 'That is why the Home Office and College of Policing are working together to strengthen and clarify the guidance around how and when information is released.' Warwickshire Police previously said they do not believe anyone else was involved in the reported rape but are continuing to appeal for witnesses who may have information that could assist inquiries. Seven members of a notorious London gang have been sentenced to a total of 116 years for conspiring a gun plot to try and shoot rival rapper. The Harrow Road Boys (HRB) bought firearms in a bid to harm drill star and Digga D as part of a gang war that left three people dead and brought communities to their knees. The group attempted to hunt down the controversial artist, who was part of the Ladbroke Grovebased CGM (Cherish God More) gang, as part of a titfortat postcode war in west London in 2022 and 2023. The feud began when a member of Harrow Road Boys, which also flooded the streets of west London with drugs, was shot for entering the rival gang's territory. Two other killings were to follow, one of which involved the brother of a high ranking member of HRB, after which seven members of the gang were tasked with finding Digga D and harming him in revenge, Kingston Crown Court was told. On Wednesday they were jailed for more than 100 years after being found guilty to firearms and drugs offences, with the judge labelling them a 'blight on their own community'. A fellow member of the group and rapper, Marvin William Bailey better known by his stage name of Fredo was also named as a conspirator in the trial. However, he failed to appear, with the court being told he is believed to be living abroad. Digga D, real name Rhys Herbert, 25, was jailed for almost four years in January for supplying 45kg of cannabis after he was arrested during an Instagram livestream. His rap songs and videos glorifying violence and goading rivals have seen him dubbed 'London's most hated rapper' due to his long list of enemies. Seven men have been convicted over a plot to shoot British rapper Digga D (pictured) as part of a gang war in west London Rapper Fredo (pictured) was named as a conspirator in the trial, but did not take part in proceedings, with the court hearing he is currently living abroad Jayvon Tison (pictured) 'led the search' for Digga D as part of the 'tit for tat' postcode war with the rapper's CGM gang. He has been jailed for 17 years Prosecutor Ian McLoughlin KC told the court that the first killing took place in July 2020, when Billy McCullagh, known as Billy da Kid, 'was shot dead by rival gang members in Harlesden'. Just a month later Jeffrey Wegbe, a 26yearold known as Gucci, was also shot dead in Kilburn. Mr McLoughlin said his death was 'glorified' in a video for a drill rap song called 'Roll Up' released by Jayvon Tison, who is also known as Lil Dotz and is a member of the Harrow Road Boys. The lyrics of the song referred to 'taking a dead person's ashes and making them into a rollup (cigarette) as a sign of disrespect', he said. Less than two years later in July 2022 Tison's 26yearold brother Daneche was killed after being shot in the heart outside a block of flats in west Kilburn. Following this Tison 'lead the search' for Digga D, and sent a list of rival gang members to target, the court heard. The 24yearold, who had an added status in the gang due to being a 'successful recording artist in his own right', also abused a woman to store a firearm in one of his music videos. Snapchat correspondence showed the gang members discussing holding and financing the firearms, where they said they no longer required 'a deeme' (a female) to store the firearm. The gang feud began in 2020 after Billy McCullagh (pictured), known as Billy da Kid, was killed for going into a rival group's territory This was quickly followed by the killing of Jeffrey Wegbe (pictured) in Kilburn in August 2020 The feud deepened in July 2022 when Daneche Tison, brother of high ranking HRB member Jayvon Tison, was shot dead Jayvon Tison, posing with another male who is obscuring his face, from inside a jail cell. The letters 'HRB' are written in graffiti on the door One of the guns recovered by police as they investigated the gang's activities Eventually their 500amonth 'lock', a name for an individual storing the weapons was recovered by police, and a week later there was a fatal shooting on August 23, 2022, the court was told. Mr McLoughlin, said the seven defendants intended to 'cause significant harm' as they attempted to hunt Digga D, who is a part of the CGM gang, down. He described it as a 'high culpability' case, demonstrated by weapons seized by police being replaced by the defendants. The members of the Harrow Road Boys gang Jayvon Tison, Kylann Grannum, Mustafa Abdalla, Romello BriggsLeon, Harry Crump, Yasin Abdulla and Herman Yikalo found guilty to conspiracy to posses a firearm with intent endanger life. Abraham Safo Frimpong was found not guilty of the charge, but was found guilty of contravening the Prisons Act, by smuggling phones behind bars. At the sentencing hearing on Wednesday, a community impact statement from police constable, David Hammond, told how the gang wreaked havoc on the ward 'and beyond'. The Harrow Road Boys gang had a massive impact on the local community, the court heard, with a 'high level' of drug dealing and serious violence in the area. Children were recruited by the gang to expand the drug dealing operation outside of the capital, with offences by the Harrow Road Boys leaving the community in fear of 'when the next attack will be.' Kylan Grannum, who was part of the gang searching for Digga D, was jailed for 17 years Mustafa Abdalla (pictured) was also jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of firearms offences Romello Briggs-Leon (pictured), who was also part of the plot, has been jailed for 17 years The gang felt they were 'above the law' the court was told, with people afraid to leave their homes and one local even abandoning their tenancy out of fear. On August 2023, crew showed 'complete disregard' for bail conditions set to prevent further offending and threw a party in the middle of Harrow Road. 'Gang violence has been a ward priority for several years. This is without a doubt the issue that concerns my residents the most,' the statement from the officer read. 'The hardest thing I have had to do is to deal with families who have lost their children to gang violence. He added that gang violence 'destroy[s] the lives of entire families in split seconds,' and that the network 'need[s] to be broken before another person is killed.' Police found two guns in a bag in a service cupboard next to a flat on the Mozart estate on October 24, 2022. They were forensically linked to Tison and Grannum. The prosecutor said the police also searched a flat in a tower block in Vauxhall on November 10, 2022 and and found a loaded gun hidden behind a panel in a roof void. 'The lead offence, conspiracy to possess a firearm with intent to endanger life, is aggravated by the fact that the weapons were replaced when police found them,' said Mr McLoughlin. Yasin Abdulla was jailed for 17 years after being found guilty of taking part in the plot. He was also found guilty of drugs offences Herman Yikalo was jailed for 17 years for conspiracy to posses a firearm with intent endanger life 'The gang used locks to keep the guns safe. There was a discharge of one firearm, and a firearm recovered was used to shoot at a group of CGM gang members in 2022.' He said they also hoped to gun down Digga D with the weapon. It was also heard that the gang smuggled in mobile phones into prisons across London by using drones. The handsets were used behind bars by prisoners to order illicit substances and tobaccos, which were also flown in via drone. Crump was also found guilty of possession with the intent to supply cocaine on February 28, 2023, after 16.3g of the drug were found on a table his table, as well as messages indicative of selling cocaine found on his phone. Mustafa Abdalla was found guilty of possession with intent to supply a controlled drug after 580g cannabis was seized from his home address in the borough of Kensington and Chelsea on February 28, 2023. Yasin Abdulla was also found guilty of possessing with the intent to supply of class a drug after nine grams of heroin were recovered from his address in Westminster on the same day that year. The drugs were thrown into a neighbouring balcony, with messages concerning drug dealing also recovered from his phone, the court was told. Judge Marcus TregilgasDavey said the HRB gang was 'involved in a long running and deadly rivalry with CGM including 'a long series of shootings and violent reprisals.' He added: 'The rivalry was further fuelled by tension between prominent members of the HRB CGM gangs, Fredo, and Digga D. Harry Crump was jailed for 14 years after being found guilty to conspiracy to posses a firearm with intent endanger life Abraham Safo Frimpong was found not guilty of the firearms offence, but was jailed for two years after smuggling a mobile phone into prison 'One of the guns used by the HRB gang had been discharged. 'The firearm was recovered by police on a beach three days later. 'The gang used a woman to the store the firearm. A conversation recovered in a Snapchat group chat also showed how the gang discussed buying a lock for the gun. 'There were fatal shootings throughout 2022 in the Harrow area, and at the same time, there were videos of the CGM gang taunting their rivals and claiming responsibility for the violent attacks. 'The HRB gang actively searching for Digga D in what in my view was clearly going to be a hit involving a firearm after they learnt about his whereabouts in a music video in central London. 'There was significant planning. There was the use of a female to move the firearm around, and a youth to store the firearm and ammunition at an address in Harrow. 'It is also clear that there were significant discussions about sourcing locks for the guns on Snapchat. 'The gang posed a high risk due to the firearms, but there was also a high risk of disorder, as a hit on Digga D would have inevitably led to repercussions from CGM.' The judge added that the defendants were 'immersed in gang culture and violence' adding: 'You were living in the shadows of civilised society.' 'Not one of you have shed an ounce of remorse for what you have done,' he said. 'The truth is that you as members of the HRB are a blight on your own community.' Tison of Westminster, Mustafa Abdallah of Kensington and Chelsea, BriggsLeon of Westminster, Yasin Abdulla of Kensington and Chelsea, Yikalo of Westmintser, and Grannum of no fixed address were sentenced to 17 years behind bars for conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life and conspiring to contravene the Prisons Act by supplying phones to people in jail, with the sentences running concurrently. Crump of Westminster jailed for 14 years for conspiracy to possess firearms with intent to endanger life, while Safo Frimpong received a two year custodial sentence, Westminster, was sentenced to two years imprisonment for conspiracy to contravene the Prisons Act. Police forensics work at a crime scene in Kilburn, north west London in August 2020 after the shooting of Jeffrey Wegbe amid the gang feud Digga D, pictured here performing at Wireless Festival in Birmingham in July 2022, is currently in prison for importing 3.6 kilos of cannabis Mitigating for Tison, Mr Alphege Bell said the 24yearold suffered from PTSD and had been impacted by the deaths of family members, including his older brother and only remaining sibling, who was shot dead on the street. They asked the court to be 'merciful' due to his 'sad' background. Representing Mustafa Abdalla, Mr Jeremy Rosenberg said the 31yearold was a 'working man' who was married with two children, with the eldest being diagnosed with non-verbal autism. He told the court Abdalla had a 'unique' and 'special bond' with his son and was his 'primary carer' He added Abdalla was the one who was able to calm him down, which was sometimes difficult due to the child's learning difficulties. His younger child was born while he was in remand and as such they have nor met. Mr Rosenberg added: 'It is the children who will suffer the most.' Mitigating for Briggs Leon, Mr Andrew Frymann said the 29yearold was a father to a twoyearold girl and had also been a primary carer for his mother, who is undergoing cancer treatment. Representing Yasin Abdulla, Mr Anthony Barraclough argued the defendant was 'remarkably quiet' in regards to correspondence when events of significance, such as the tracking of Digga D and shooting, took place. Mr Barraclough added that Abdulla 'had to fend for himself' when his parents separated from a young age. Mr Paul Mylvaganam, mitigating for Yikalo, said the 31yearold didn't fit 'the profile of a career criminal', adding that he had been a 'good son', who supported his mentally unwell brother as well as his sister and parents. Mitigating for Grannun, Mr John Fitzgerald said as the eldest of five, 'life was extremely tough for him and his mother'. He argued the now 28yearold was previously 'vulnerable' to gangs, as at the age of 14 there wasn't a guarantee supper would be 'on the table every day of the week'. Representing Crump, Ms Jemma Levinson argued the 24yearold was 'significantly' younger than his coconspirators. She added that his age was a 'significant factor' in him being drawn to certain activity and individuals. Mitigating for Safo Frimpong, Ms Puneet Grewal contested the 31yearold had been impacted by a psychological condition and the ill health of his mother. She added the defendant had been sectioned under the Mental Health Act following his mother's death. He then sought closeness with those who he grew up with after his loss according to doctors, she added. He was also diagnosed with anxiety. It was also heard how he had lost his place at university as he struggled to cope, which was compounded by instability with housing. She argued he had a lack of involvement with the Snapchat group and was trying to change his life in Portsmouth while on bail. Detective Sergeant Cassie Hazell, who led the investigation, said: 'This trial has brought to light the true nature of criminal gangs intent on bringing violence, intimidation and lawlessness to this city's streets. 'This gang thought they were acting above the law and obtained lethal weapons they planned to use in attacks against rival factions. 'Officers were able to pick their plan apart through months of tireless investigation, including the identification of high-ranking gang members, the analysis of more than 100 phones and tackling the suspects of crime head on. We're treating organised crime gangs like terrorists, employing similar tactics to disrupt their activity. 'That eight men have now been taken off the streets is a testament to how officers are taking the fight to organised crime networks. 'But we cannot do this alone. If you are aware of criminal activity in your area, please contact police on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.' A sex worker has broken down in tears as she recalled screaming for help when a major crime figure was gunned down in front of her, moments after sharing a meal. The woman had just left Kid Kyoto restaurant in the Sydney CBD with Hamze crime network boss Bilal Hamze after dinner on June 17, 2021. She said they were laughing and jovial but then she heard a loud bang that prompted Hamze - who she knew as Bill - to start running, so she followed suit. The woman said she was confused and became separated from Hamze after the first two gunshots before another eight rang out. 'I've never heard anything like it. I didn't know what it was,' she said of the gunfire. She recounted hiding in an alcove until the last of the gunshots rang out before running towards Hamze, who was lying face down on the pavement. 'I ran up to Bill and touched his arms and back and I was screaming ''stop'' and ''help''. I didn't know what to do.' She told a court she called triple-zero but was too distraught to speak so she hung up and attended to Hamze, who was making grunting noises. Bilal Hamze is pictured before being gunned down in Sydney's CBD on June 17, 2021 Samuel John Rokomaqisa is standing trial accused of Hamze's murder. He is pictured being arrested for an unrelated matter in Granville, in Sydney's west, in September, 2021 Hamze sustained gunshot wounds to his abdomen, hip and elbow, later dying in hospital. His last moments have been laid bare in the NSW Supreme Court trial of the man accused of his murder - rival Alameddine crime network associate Samuel John Rokomaqisa. The 35-year-old pleaded not guilty to Hamze's murder, as well as conspiring to kill his brother Ibrahem Hamze and assaulting an elderly man during a carjacking. It is alleged he committed the crimes to demonstrate his loyalty to the Alameddine gang and gain their trust so they would employ him. But his lawyer claims there is no eyewitness evidence to place the Fijian man inside the black Audi seen to circle the block and pause beside Hamze when the rounds of shots were fired. The heavily tinted windows impeded a taxi driver's view as the luxury car passed by, but he said he saw one of the windows lower a few centimetres when the car paused in front of him. 'As soon as the car stopped, I saw flashes and heard loud bangs coming from the front passenger window,' he recalled in a statement read to the court. 'I believe these were gunshots... I was scared for my life.' Hamze is pictured in an elevator in Haymarket hours before the fatal shooting A nearby security guard also noted the tinted windows on the Audi, and said he was only able to see that the driver was wearing a blue surgical mask which covered much of his face. In a triple zero call, eyewitness Carolyn Howard says that a car has driven by and fired 'probably ten shots' at a man who was groaning and bleeding. 'He's not breathing,' someone can be heard saying towards the end of the call. Ms Howard told the jury she had been walking behind Hamze and the sex worker before the drive-by shooting, which she described as terrifying. 'I've never experienced anything like that,' she said. The sex worker received a number of texts and calls from a male friend around the time of Hamze's death, the jury was told. Rokomaqisa's barrister previously said she had been communicating with a person of interest in the vicinity of the restaurant, who was described as 'frantic' in sending messages and making calls at the time of the killing. The trial continues. Vladimir Putin has met with US special envoy Steve Witkoff as President Trump's deadline for ending the Ukraine conflict fast approaches. The grinning Russian leader could be seen shaking hands with the US president's trusted representative at the Kremlin on Wednesday morning. It comes as the US has threatened 'severe tariffs' and other economic penalties if the Putin does not put an end to the conflict by Friday. This would be the first concession granted by Russia since the conflict began three and a half years ago, it if transpires. Trump has become increasingly frustrated with the Kremlin in recent weeks amid escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine. Meanwhile, negotiations have also made no progress towards the war that began with Russia's invasion of its neighbour in February 2022. Confirming the meeting this morning, Moscow's state media reported: 'Russian President Vladimir Putin received US Special Envoy Steven Witkoff.' The Kremlin did not provide any further details about what was discussed. However, Witkoff was expected to outline the economic sanctions the US is likely to impose on Russia. Vladimir Putin is seen meeting with US special envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin, just ahead of the US deadline for ending the Ukraine conflict President Donald Trump takes questions after signing an executive order establishing a White House task force for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic and Paralympic Games The grinning Russian leader could be seen shaking hands with the US president's trusted representative on Wednesday morning President Trump initially gave President Putin 50 days to strike a peace deal then cut the time to '10 to 12 days'. Ahead of the deadline, Russia has pulled out of a nuclear missile agreement intended to limit numbers of short to medium range missiles in Europe. Witkoff has been criticised for the tone of his previous visits to Russia. At times he has appeared fawning in Putins presence and has failed to secure any concessions. Today's meeting comes as Russian forces hit a recreational center in Ukraine's southern Zaporizhzhia region overnight, killing two people and injuring 12. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. 'There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the fall is advancing faster than last year's push but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defenses are not about to collapse, analysts say. The US has threatened 'severe tariffs ' and other economic penalties if the Putin does not put an end to the conflict by Friday Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at a meeting in the Kremlin yesterday On Tuesday, Trump said 'we'll see what happens' regarding his threat to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increase import taxes dramatically on China and India. 'We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow,' Trump said. 'We're going to see what happens. We'll make that determination at that time.' The president said that he has not publicly committed to a specific tariff rate. Stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin risks stoking international tensions amid worsening Russia-U.S. relations. The Washington-based Center for European Policy Analysis warned in an assessment this week that there are 'clear signs that the Kremlin is preparing for a broader confrontation with NATO,' including a military build-up along Russia's western flank with alliance countries in recent years. Putin has given no hint that he might be ready to make concessions. Instead, the Russian leader and senior Kremlin officials have talked up the country's military strength. Putin announced last week that Russia's new hypersonic missile, which he says cannot be intercepted by current NATO air defense systems, has entered service. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, meantime, warned that the Ukraine war could bring Russia and the U.S. into armed conflict. Earlier, Witkoff took an early morning stroll through Zaryadye Park, a stone's throw from the Kremlin, with Kirill Dmitriev, footage aired by TASS showed Trump responded to that by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Witkoff's visit. 'We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful,' he said. Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline, but later moved up his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. However, Trump himself doubted their effectiveness, saying Sunday that Russia has proven to be 'pretty good at avoiding sanctions.' 'They're wily characters,' he said of the Russians. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbor have had a limited impact. Ukraine maintains the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscow's war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. A Melbourne man has frightened off a pair of would-be car thieves by barking like a dog, after they attempted to make off with his Audi coupe. CCTV footage from the property in the affluent bayside suburb of Brighton shows the carjackers approaching the vehicle. However, the sound of the car's engine starting alerted the owner. The man could be seen running from his property, barking at the thieves. One of them leapt out of the passenger seat and onto the roof of the car. He then made for the property's front gate and climbed over it. The other bolted from the driver seat and also headed for the fence while the homeowner continued to raise a ruckus. 'I will kill you, I will f***ing kill you,' he could be heard yelling. A Melbourne man (pictured) barked loudly to scare off intruders who were trying to steal his car Ruff stuff: The thieves ran for the fence and climbed over it to escape the fuming car owner (pictured, the second thief climb's the property's gate) He then resumed barking as the confused thieves fled. His car, with its engine running, then appeared to roll down the driveway as the would-be thieves made their escape. Victorian opposition leader Brad Battin weighed in on the man's unusual method for protecting his property. 'If it works, it works,' he said. 'This guy has obviously got a genuine fear and tried to find any way to get them out of the property without having any confrontation,' he said. The incident was the latest in a long list of home invasions and car thefts in Brighton and surrounding wealthy suburbs, with socialite and local resident Bec Judd among those beseeching the police and government to do more to prevent the crime epidemic. A British man has had both legs amputated and is in critical condition after being hit by a trailer truck in a horrendous hit-and-run in Thailand. William Braid, 54, was riding his Yamaha motorbike in central Bangkok on July 27 when he veered and fell into the road. Moments later, a 20-wheel truck drove over his legs and sped off without stopping. The retired teacher, originally from Arbroath, Scotland, suffered devastating injuries. Friends say William, known to many as Willie, urgently needs A-negative blood to survive. The rare blood type is found in just 70,000 of Thailand's population, and supplies have already run out. His friend Ava Vora said: 'Willie's blood type is very rare in Thailand, just 0.1 per cent of people have A Negative. The doctors have run out of blood donations for him.' 'But there are many more Western people with this blood. We hope that somebody here will donate, or someone can come to Thailand to help him.' Dashcam footage captured the horrifying moment the truck left the scene. In one clip, the truck is seen racing through an intersection. Another rear view shows the moment sparks fly as the motorbike scrapes along the pavement, followed by a horrifying thud. Moments after William Braid veered off the road while riding his motorcycle in Bangkok, a 20-wheel truck drove over his legs and sped off without stopping When emergency services arrived on the scene at Phaholyothin Soi 2, they found William lying in the road, bleeding heavily from his crushed legs. Despite the urgency of the situation, paramedics say Phyathai Hospital refused to accept him, citing concerns over insurance and costs, which Ava said made her 'furious'. He was later taken to Phramongkutklao Hospital, where doctors had no choice but to amputate both legs to prevent deadly infections. He remains in a coma and is battling kidney failure. His condition has been described as life-threatening. Ava added: 'The doctors said they had to amputate both of his legs immediately because the main arteries were crushed, making it impossible for his body to eliminate waste.' 'Both legs were shattered so badly that the muscle tissue had died, and infections had already set in. If they didn't amputate, he likely wouldn't have survived. 'So, we coordinated with his younger sister, and since the surgery was urgent, she flew into Thailand. She's now here.' Ava also narrated how doctors only found one bag of the blood type compatible with Watkins'. She stressed: 'Even now, we're still in urgent need of more blood, as very few Thais have this blood type. He still needs blood daily because his platelet count is low and he's undergoing dialysis.' William had been living in Thailand for several years, most recently in Bangkok, where he regularly drove his motorbike around the city 'On the first day, many people donated, which helped. But during surgery, he lost a lot of blood, and the supply was quickly depleted. 'He's still in need of daily donations. He remains in the ICU, in critical condition, and hasn't passed the danger zone yet. His fever keeps spiking, and doctors are adjusting his medication constantly.' William had been living in Thailand for several years, most recently in Bangkok, where he regularly drove his motorbike around the city. Before that, he lived in Chiang Mai in the north of the country. Police say they are reviewing security camera footage in a bid to track down the truck driver. Lieutenant Chanon Kaewsom from the Phaya Thai Police Station said: 'We are currently reviewing security camera footage. We've already received footage from the government and Bangkok Metropolitan Administration cameras.' 'Unfortunately, none of them captured the moment of the crash - just the truck passing through. However, we have footage from the dashcam, but the licence plate was not visible due to glare from the lights.' 'The victim is in a critical condition, and both his legs are severely damaged. If we receive any new leads or evidence, we will do everything we can to track down the truck owner.' His sister, June Braid, has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of his care and long recovery. His sister, June Braid, has launched a fundraising campaign to help cover the costs of his care and long recovery Writing on GoFundMe, she said: 'We are seeking your support during this incredibly difficult time. Any contribution, no matter how small, will make a difference and help cover the costs of Willie's rehabilitation and care while he is in the hospital. 'Your kindness and generosity will mean the world to us and will help Willie on his journey to recovery.' A predatory paedophile who fitted curtains in the back of his car so he could rape an 11-year-old girl has been jailed for 13 years. Christopher Rowbottom, 35, added the schoolgirl, who is from the Leicester area, on TikTok before bombarding her with messages on several other platforms, including Snapchat, Discord and Roblox. Leeds Crown Court was told that Rowbottom 'inserted himself into every facet of this young child's life'. She believed they were in a romantic relationship, he made lewd sexual suggestions about what he planned to do with her and he even called her his 'wife'. The schoolgirl also sent naked pictures of herself to the father-of-two, of Featherstone, West Yorkshire. Rowbottom bought privacy curtains for his car and travelled from his home to Leicester on at least four occasions to meet the girl. The warehouse worker drove her to the secluded corner of a car park where he raped her on the back seats. After the trial, he was found guilty of rape, sexual communication with a child, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, digital penetration and making indecent images of children. Christopher Rowbottom, 35, fitted privacy curtains in the back of his car so he could rape an 11-year-old girl He added the schoolgirl, who is from the Leicester area, on TikTok before bombarding her with messages on several other platforms, including Snapchat, Discord and Roblox After the trial at Leeds Crown Court (pictured), he was found guilty of rape, sexual communication with a child, two counts of meeting a child following sexual grooming, digital penetration and making indecent images of children Following his arrest, he gave a no-comment interview to police, and his devices were seized and analysed. Prosecutor Christopher Bevan said his searches on the internet 'clearly showed and interest in children' and 'had a desire to take the virginity of the child'. Mitigating, Mohammed Rafiq said: 'He knows he will be getting a significant sentence. He has to accept that.' Mr Rafiq added that Rowbottom was 'showing signs of autism' and was a 'bit of a loner'. Sentencing, Judge Tahir Khan KC told Rowbottom: 'You became besotted with her despite the fact she was only 11-years-old. 'You referred to her as your wife and you took advantage of her immaturity, emotionally and sexually. You bombarded her with disturbing and highly-sexualised images. 'You travelled at least four times to Leicester to have sexual contact with her in a car park. 'None of your history can explain, let alone justify anything that you did.' Rowbottom is on the sex offender register for life and is subject to a life-long sexual harm prevention order. Three migrant dinghies left from just one French beach alone this morning in defiance of riot police and Labour's new migrant returns deal. Yesterday Keir Starmer's much-trumpeted one-in, one-out 'deterrent' policy came into force. But it appeared to be having no effect this morning. In astonishing scenes demonstrating the scale of migrant departures to England, four separate groups of migrants ran on to the sweeping sands at Gravelines, near Calais, just after 7am. The groups were mainly men, but also included women, with one carrying a little boy sucking on a blue dummy. Another man carried a child on his shoulders as he waded into the waters. The groups spread over a mile of shoreline, gathering in three bunches, with one bunch stood a little back on the beach, and the other two groups in the water up to their waists. They were waiting for 'taxi boat' dinghies coming to collect them. All this under the noses of two dozen police, who had arrived on the sand some time after the Daily Mail, but before any of the migrants emerged from the extensive dunes behind the shore. At first, the officers were an impressive sight, striding along the front of the dunes in a long line, riot shields glinting in the early morning light, tear gas launchers brandished high. Your browser does not support iframes. Three migrant dinghies left from just one French beach this morning. The groups were mainly men, but also included women, with one carrying a little boy sucking on a blue dummy Police helplessly watched as dozens of migrants were picked up by small boat taxis from Gravelines beach in northern France Four separate groups of migrants ran on to the sweeping sands at Gravelines, near Calais, just after 7am A Police Nationale sand-coloured Land Cruiser sped up and down the huge expanse of sand too, occasionally venturing into the high dunes. But when the four large groups of migrants started running the 800 yards to the water-line, it made a mockery of police attempts to stop them. It would have taken ten-times as many police to have any hope. No tear gas was fired, probably because it would have instantly dispersed in the brisk winds coming in from the sea, and the migrants were anyway dispersed over such a wide area. And while Gravelines is perhaps the favourite launch-spot for people smugglers' dinghies, there are of course numerous other beaches spread over some 100 miles of coastline, from the Belgian border to Le Touquet, Berck, and beyond to the south. Here, the people smuggling gangs and the migrants typically paying 1,200 a fare for their places on these 'taxi boats' were launching apparently at will, after several days of no launches due to poor weather. In theory, under Labour's new deal the first small boat arrivals could be detained as early as today for possible removal to France. The deal will see migrants who came here illegally across the Channel exchanged 'one for one' with others still in France. One man was seen carrying carrying a child as he waded into the waters Under Labour's new deal the first small boat arrivals could be detained as early as today for possible removal to France Migrants in France will be flown to Britain by the Home Office and handed a visa to live here for up to three months after successfully applying while their final application is considered A group of migrants can be seen onboard an inflatable vessel on Wednesday off Gravelines beach in northern France French riot police stand on the beach as migrants board small boats off the coast of France Police on the beach simply watched as the largest of the migrant groups, on the east end of the beach, patiently awaited the first of two taxi boats Migrants in France will be flown to Britain by the Home Office and handed a visa to live here for up to three months after successfully applying while their final application is considered. But it emerged yesterday that small boat migrants who lodge human rights claims in Britain will evade being returned to France in an extraordinary loophole. It opens up the prospect of human rights lawyers encouraging migrants to lodge spurious claims simply to avoid being earmarked for removal. But this morning, the deal seemed to be having little impact. Once the migrants had reached the sea, and were stood in their separate groups strung along the wide beach here, the riot police did precisely nothing. The majority of the officers stood together in one large group, still holding tear gas launchers and riot shields, but not doing anything with them. They simply watched as the largest of the migrant groups, on the east end of the beach, patiently awaited the first of two taxi boats. We had seen the first 30ft long dinghy arrive from the western, Calais side of Gravelines, at 6.30am. It chugged parallel to the coast, as much as a mile off shore, as if towards Belgium. The groups of migrants spread over a mile of shoreline, gathering in three bunches, with one bunch stood a little back on the beach, and the other two groups in the water up to their waists Migrants wait in the sea to be picked up by a dinghy to cross the English Channel as others are seen onboard the rubber vessel Migrants are said to pay people smugglers between 1,200 to 2,000 to be taken across the Channel French police today held back from firing tear gas, probably because it would have instantly dispersed in the brisk winds coming in from the sea, and the migrants were anyway dispersed over such a wide area In theory, under Labour's new deal the first small boat arrivals could be detained as early as today for possible removal to France It soon became obvious it was a hopeless police effort, when the migrants suddenly emerged either side of the officers, in their four separate groups There were already maybe 40 men aboard, sat on the sides, an unusually high proportion wearing bright-orange life jackets. To anyone concerned about health and safety, it was full. But to the people smugglers, and indeed the migrants whose hearts are set on England, there was room to cram 40 more in the middle. It loitered way off the beach for half an hour, with the riot police arriving and heading eastwards in front of the dunes in an apparent bid to head off any migrants, as yet out of sight, hoping to be picked up. It soon became obvious it was a hopeless police effort, when the migrants suddenly emerged either side of the officers, in their four separate groups one simply walking down the side of the canal to the sea from where many dinghies here emerge. The other three groups of migrants came out of the dunes, one close to the canal and town of Gravelines on the west of the beach, the other two from the dunes to the east. Many ran, but not those close to the canal it is hard to run with a toddler on your shoulders, and some half a dozen men in this group had just that. By shortly after 7am there were some 120 migrants at the shoreline or already in the sea. Then the first taxi boat dinghy pulled close to two merged groups on the shore on the eastern end of the beach, and around two thirds of the 60 there climbed aboard. Shortly after 7am this morning there were some 120 migrants at the shoreline or already in the sea A boat packed with migrants is seen sailing away from Gravelines beach today It only took them a couple of minutes to board, but turned into a lengthy process as, amid significant waves, some were told to leave, and others manhandled the dinghy to point towards England. And all while the police watched from 50 yards away. As that first boat headed for Dover, a second dinghy emerged from the end of the Gravelines' sea canal, fully laden and without turning set off straight for England. But then a third dinghy arrived from the west. Again, it had some 40 men already aboard, but chugged towards the western end of the beach, and collected around half of the 60 migrants waiting there, including some of the toddlers. Two police officers watched from beside their Landcruiser, but the riot squad did not even run to get close. Within minutes this third dinghy had followed the other two towards England, leaving several dozen migrants to trudge disappointedly back towards the bus stop, and bus, towards their camp a few miles away, having been told their boats were too full. Afghan migrant Achmed, 28, was left standing on the sand with his son Mustafa, two, on his shoulders, and wife Moska by his side. Achmed said: 'We were supposed to go to the UK today I've been here four or five days, and it still hasn't happened. 'They said this boat was too full, with about 80 persons already. We are paying 2,000 Euros each.' When will he try again? 'Maybe tomorrow.' A Cabinet minister today warned Brits to 'stay away' from a planned Palestine Action protest this weekend. Organisers have said more than 500 people are willing to risk arrest by taking part in Saturday's demonstration in support of the terror group in central London. The Government moved to ban Palestine Action after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in June - an incident the group said it was behind. It means that membership of, or support for, the now-proscribed group is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. Ahead of Saturday's protest against the group's proscription, the Met Police has warned anyone found to be expressing support for Palestine Action 'can expect to be arrested'. It has also emerged how prison bosses will make room for a possible influx of arrested demonstrators amid concerns that some jails are close to full. But, days out from the planned protest, Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy sought to head off potentially chaotic scenes in the capital. She urged the public to steer clear of support for a 'proscribed terror organisation that wishes harm on the British people'. Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has warned Brits to 'stay away' from a planned Palestine Action protest this weekend The Government moved to ban Palestine Action after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in June - an incident the group said it was behind A Palestinian flag is seen held outside the Royal Courts of Justice in central London last month Speaking to Times Radio, Ms Nandy was asked if those who attend Saturday's protest will be arrested and charged with terror offences. The Culture Secretary stressed this would be 'an operational matter for the police', adding: 'It wouldn't be right for us to say, to try and dictate to them how they police any march. 'But what I would say is, I think some of the reporting around this is conflating legitimate protests. 'Just last week I was coming out of Parliament, there were lots of pro-Palestinian protesters there, peacefully demonstrating. 'At the heart of power, that's absolutely right and proper and important for them to do... I commend them for that. 'There's a difference between that and supporting a proscribed terror organisation that wishes harm on the British people. 'And I would just urge people to stay away from those sorts of events and to exercise their democratic rights in a peaceful and legitimate way.' Organisers said those taking part in Saturday's protest will hold 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' signs as part of a campaign to end the group's proscription. Defend Our Juries added that the protest would go ahead as planned after the 'conditional commitment requirement' was reached. They denied that the planned mass protest will try to overwhelm the police and justice system. More than 200 people were arrested at a wave of protests across the UK in response to the proscription last month as part of the campaign co-ordinated by Defend Our Juries. Many of the protesters were detained after writing and holding up the message 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action' on placards or pieces of cardboard. According to The Guardian, the Ministry of Justice has initiated 'capacity gold command' - which is put in plae when the number of prisoners across the estate reaches critical levels - as it attempts to manage the use of jail cells. There are also expected to be at least eight planned demonstrations outside hotels housing asylum seekers this weekend. Tom Wheatley, the president of the Prison Governors' Association, told the newspaper: 'Any spike in the numbers of people remanded in custody will have an impact on prisons. 'HMPPS HQ is again operating 'capacity gold command' arrangements to direct governors to move prisoners to ensure capacity is available. 'Governors in reception prisons will be directed to move prisoners over the weekend in order to create space. 'This will mean sometimes moving prisoners long distances to prisons that have room to create it in those that don't. 'This is far from ideal in that resettling prisoners from prisons a long way from where they are going to live on release is difficult logistically and less likely to be successful.' A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We are aware that the organisers of Saturday's planned protest are encouraging hundreds of people turn out with the intention of placing a strain on the police and the wider criminal justice system. 'The Met is very experienced in dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality requiring arrests. 'While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality. 'Our officers will continue to apply the law in relation to Palestine Action as we have done since its proscription. 'Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.' A company boss accused of dumping 27 tonnes of untreated waste on a country lane has today pleaded not guilty to nine offences. A row of houses in the village of Curborough near Lichfield found itself cut off after the dump blocked access during the night of 19 January. Lichfield District Council, who cleared up the mess at a cost of 10,000, brought a prosecution against Darren Sheen, a director of Fusion Engineering, after investigating the origins of the two metre (8ft) high pile. Today, 40-year-old Sheen from Uttoxeter, wearing a dark blue shirt, dark blue tie and navy trousers denied nine offences from the dock of Stafford Crown Court. These included depositing controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution or harm to human health, failure to transfer waste to an authorized person and willful obstruction of a highway. Each offence was laid against the company and against Sheen in his capacity as a director. He also faced one solo charge of dangerous driving. His trial will not take place until 8 March 2027. The fly-tip cut residents in the hamlet off because the other end of the lane had been been closed for roadworks Darren Sheen, pictured at a previous hearing, pleaded not guilty to nine offences this morning at Stafford Crown Court The waste was dumped overnight on a country lane serving around a dozen homes Judge Avik Mukherjee apologized to Sheen and the court for the lengthy delay in proceedings. I can only apologise. This is a relatively small court centre dealing with a large amount of work, he said. Judge Mukherjee ordered a pre-trial review take place on June 29 2026. Both sides will be calling in expert evidence to support their claims. Prosecutor Mark Jackson said that a reconstruction had recently been carried out seeking to show that the amount of waste could have been deposited within the time frame. Following January's fly-tip, Lichfield District Council was left with the task of clearing up the huge dump which measured two metres (8ft) high and more than 20 metres (65ft) long. The dump effectively cut off the hamlet of Curborough, as it was already inaccessible from the other direction due to roadworks connected to the constrution of a new housing estate. It meant residents could only leave the hamlet by foot. Sheen was told his trial could not take place until March 2027 The eight-foot-high mound of rotting waste took 38 hours to clear up The clear up took Lichfield District Council 38 hours to complete at a cost of over 10,000. Their Environmental Health officers immediately began an investigation which ended up seizing a lorry believed to have been used in the incident on March 21. The compacted rubbish included building rubble, fencing, vast amounts of plastic as well as shoes, a hairdryer and at least two England flags. It spanned virtually the entire width of Watery Lane, leaving room only to edge past the mess on foot. New Zealand's air force has evacuated three staff from an Antarctic research base in a highly difficult operation battling total darkness and severe weather. The United Nations Science Foundation employees were retrieved from McMurdo Station, a US research base, overnight on Tuesday in freezing -24C temperatures. One person required urgent medical care and the other two needed medical attention, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement. The C-130J Hercules aircraft landed safely in Christchurch, on New Zealand's South Island, on Wednesday morning following a challenging overnight journey. RNZAF did not provide specific details of the emergency but said the rescued employees were safe and receiving medical treatment in New Zealand. Andy Scott, a RNZAF Air Commodore, said extreme weather and darkness made winter flights to Antarctica among the hardest flights air force pilots can perform. 'The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state,' he said. 'The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing. New Zealand's air force evacuated three people from McMurdo Station in Antarctica The flight is considered among the most dangerous performed by the air force 'Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge'. Beyond a certain latitude, there are no airfields to divert to in case of an emergency making the flight path particularly dangerous. The aircraft was flown to Christchurch from Auckland on Sunday afternoon, where the crew waited for optimal flying conditions. On Tuesday afternoon, the crew found an opening and decided to work throughout the night to complete the mission. Defence Force medical personnel including a medical officer were on board to deliver care to the patients mid-flight. Upon landing, the aircrafts engines were kept running to keep them warm during refuelling - a technique known as 'hot refuelling'. The total operation took about 19.5 hours. The US embassy expressed its 'deep appreciation' for the bravery of New Zealand's air force in a statement following the mission. The mission lasted nearly 20 hours including the return flight and Antarctic stopover Pictured is the interior of the C-130J Hercules aircraft on the ice 'This mission wasn't just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face,' said Melissa Sweeney, the US charge d'affaires in New Zealand. 'This required absolute precision This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery.' RNZAF rescued an American patient from the same station in June last year, taking advantage of a brief window of calm overnight weather. It followed a similar rescue mission in 2021, the first time night vision goggles were used during an RNZAF Antarctic recovery operation. An Irish fashion designer who was found dead on a yacht in the Hamptons lived a jet-setting life of luxury with her glamorous pals. Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, 33, was discovered unconscious onboard a vessel named Ripple while it was docked at the Montauk Yacht Club around midnight Tuesday. Good Samaritans attempted life saving measures, but East Hampton Town Police pronounced her dead at the scene. Her manner of death remains unclear and will be determined by the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office. Irish-born Nolan-O'Slatarra, founder of fashion label East x East, created a ritzy lifestyle for herself that's often associated with Manhattan's elite. The self-professed entrepreneur and brand growth consultant took rides on helicopters and private jets, videos posted on her TikTok account reveal. She and her pals took a Falcon jet to Nashville for a concert in 2021 with Nolan-O'Slatarra highlighting her '#milehighclub' and '#privatejet' life in the captions. Last October, she shared a video of herself and a male companion drinking bubbly as they flew over a sunny, rural looking area. She captioned the short clip: 'Heli on up.' Nolan-O'Slattara shared a TikTok clip of herself with the same man sitting in a luxurious convertible car as it drove through picturesque countryside. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, the founder of fashion label East x East, was found unconscious onboard a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club at around midnight The self-professed entrepreneur and brand growth consultant took joy rides on helicopters and private jets, videos posted on her TikTok account reveal She and her pals took a Falcon jet to Nashville for a concert in 2021 with Nolan-O'Slatarra highlighting her '#milehighclub' and '#privatejet' life in the captions. Pictured is one of her friends boarding the plane Privately, Nolan-O'Slattara's lifestyle was not all glitz and glamor. In an interview with the Irish Independent last year, she said she 'lives in the Upper East Side' which she 'loved' even though it was 'expensive'. Property records tie her to an address in Yorkville, which is often regarded as a less desirable and more inexpensive part of the highly sought out UES neighborhood. Nolan-O'Slatarra lived in a small studio apartment where her monthly rent was approximately $1,900, the records revealed. She grew up in the small town of Carlow, Ireland, roughly 55 miles outside of capital city Dublin. She left home at 16 after she 'forced' her parents to send her to the highly regarded Institute of Education, a private secondary school in Dublin. Tuition at the school costs families up to 11,850 (approximately $13,785) per year, according to the fee schedule outlined by the school for the 2025/26 academic year. It is unclear what school fees were at the time that Nolan-O'Slatarra attended. She did indicate to the newspaper that she studied at the institution for two academic years. 'I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams,' Nolan-O'Slatarra told the Irish Independent last year, highlighting how she was 'money driven', 'business driven' and 'always knew I wanted to be successful'. After secondary school, she attended University College Dublin where she studied the fundamentals of business as an undergraduate and later earned a master's degree in digital marketing. Once she completed her degrees, Nolan-O'Slatarra interviewed for graduate scheme positions at major companies, including Deloitte and Ernst & Young, but said she was told it would be nine months before she would be informed of a hiring decision. Last October, she shared a video of herself and a companion drinking bubbly as they flew over a sunny, rural looking area. She captioned the short clip: 'Heli on up' Nolan-O'Slatarra is seen sitting in a luxurious convertible car as it drove through picturesque countryside in a video posted to her TikTok in October last year Nolan-O'Slatarra lived in a small studio apartment in Yorkville where her monthly rent was approximately $1,900, property records reveal The entrepreneur was looking for a 'change' in the interim and ended up in the US in 2015 after her dad bought her a one-way ticket to New York City, the newspaper reports. Although she only intended to be in the city for nine months, Nolan-O'Slatarra got a job at fintech start-up Street Diligence, a company that worked with what she described as 'top-tier hedge funds'. She claimed the firm's CEO offered to pursue visa sponsorship after she successfully landed investment bank Jefferies as a client. She left Street Diligence after two years, bouncing around at multiple companies before starting her firm Brand Growth Consultants - which has an online presence that appears to be completely AI-generated - in 2021. She launched several companies that same year, including her direct-to-consumer Amazon brand Duper and her resort wear line East x East, her LinkedIn page reveals. East x East had a brand shoot in Mallorca, Spain in 2023. Just weeks ago, Nolan-O'Slatarra celebrated the grand opening of the brand's pop-up shop at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa. 'Goals Achieved,' she wrote on a video shared of the shack housing her bikinis and beach wear shared on TikTok on July 1 as she encouraged the public to come visit. Nolan-O'Slatarra was also appointed director of operations at K4 Capital Management, an investment management firm, in June last year. Nolan-O'Slatarra grew up in the small town of Carlow, Ireland, roughly 55 miles outside of capital city Dublin Nolan-OSlatarra modeling her swimwear brand in St Barts in February 2024. She captioned the post: 'In my @eastxeast era' She had recently celebrated the opening of her popup shop at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa The designer was found dead on the Ripple yacht in the Hamptons Tuesday. Her death remains under investigation. One boater at the scene described the ship as a 'party boat' and told Daily Mail she heard screams when the woman's body was found. Many in the wealthy enclave have now been left reeling as questions remain about what may have happened to the Manhattan resident, whom locals described to the New York Post as 'well-known in the community'. 'She was very friendly, always smiling,' one local said. 'There's going to be a lot of conversation out of this.' Indeed, another regular at the Yacht Club claimed Nolan-O'Slatarra's boyfriend owns the boat - which is registered in Long Beach, New York - and told Daily Mail that whenever she saw the boat owner he would be 'drunk and always messed up.' As Nolan-O'Slattara fell unconscious Monday night, she said, the boat owner was seen running outside naked screaming 'that's my girlfriend' as he tried to get help from other boaters. We come here (to Montauk) every summer and nothing like this ever happens,' the boater said. 'The police have been here all day since four in the morning. As the investigation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, police officers were seen stopping guests at the Montauk Yacht Club - as the area was being cordoned off. But many in the upscale enclave continued their day as normal, lounging by the pool or dining at one of the Yacht Club's restaurants. They did not seem to have a care in the world, even as police officers and detectives in suits gathered on the dock. Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area that is known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. Influencers and celebrities often flock to the area, especially in the summer months. One boater at the scene described the ship, named Ripple, as a 'party boat' and told Daily Mail that she heard screams As the investigation continued into the early hours of Wednesday, police officers were seen stopping guests at the Montauk Yacht Club - as the area was being cordoned off Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area that is known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. (Pictured: Montauk Yacht Club) The Montauk Yacht club offers those beach-goers luxurious accommodations, including spa services, a pool, beach, harbor cruises, biking and yoga. Rooms at the famed club run for about $1,500 in the summertime and around $865 during other months. Celebrity makeup artist Patrick Ta even hosted an event there this past weekend that included a star studded guest list, including influencers Alix Earle and Remi Bader. Photos showed the glamorous influencers looking sun-kissed as they enjoyed cocktails and food at the yacht club. They were also seen overlooking the breathtaking marina which has now become a crime scene. There is no indication that the events hosted at the club this weekend are connected to the discovery on Tuesday morning. An accountancy firm worker with Crohn's disease has won more than 22,000 in a discrimination claim after her boss said the company needed to 'chart a different path' when she needed time off for treatment. Ozgul Coban had been in the job for just eight weeks when Alper Ozcelyan messaged her to say he needed 'continuity' in the office, an employment tribunal heard. If she was going to be 'on and off', he said, they should talk about 'charting a different path'. The admin worker had been off for between six and eight days across the two-month period due to the inflammatory bowel condition, the hearing was told. She took the comments from the senior manager to mean that he wanted her to quit her job and told him 'as you wish'. Mrs Coban has now successfully sued firm Manes Partners and director Mr Ozcelyan for disability discrimination. A tribunal found there was 'no consideration' of adjustments that could have helped Mrs Coban stay in her job and that a non-disabled colleague would not have been treated in the same way. She has been awarded 22,716 in compensation. Ozgul Coban (pictured) had been in the job for just eight weeks when Alper Ozcelyan messaged her to say he needed 'continuity' in the office, an employment tribunal heard Mrs Coban began working for Manes Partners in September 2021 as an account's assistant and administrator, a hearing in Cambridge was told. Throughout the interview process she was open about having Crohn's, a form of inflammatory bowel disease where the intestines, mouth and oesophagus can become irritated and ulcers can form, suffered by about 500,000 people in the UK. Mrs Coban told the tribunal she receives regular Infliximab treatments, an IV infusion that suppresses the immune system, and without them she would develop 'excruciating ulcers'. In November she informed Mr Ozceylan she had a treatment the next day and he was initially sympathetic, telling her to 'get well soon'. However, four minutes later he messaged her to say he 'felt sorry' for her illness but he had a 'business to run'. Over a series of texts Mr Ozceylan told the manager he had to 'rely' on someone, had shown 'endless understanding', and that if she was going to be 'on and off' they should talk about 'charting a different path'. She responded, 'I think you want me to leave the job' and then in a follow up 'as you wish'. He said the company would 'maybe consider [her] being part-time' but added 'we can part ways at the end of this month'. Alper Ozcelyan (pictured) messaged Mrs Coban to say it she was going to be 'on and off' they should talk about 'charting a different path', a tribunal heard What is Crohn's disease? Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease that causes painful swelling and redness (inflammation) inside the digestive tract Common symptoms include diarrhoea, abdominal pain and cramping, reduced appetite and weight loss Symptoms tend to vary between individuals and come and go over time, as the inflammation flares up then eases again Source: Healthdirect Advertisement Mrs Coban then asked for a reference and clarified she had not been off for eight days, as he had claimed earlier in their conversation, and had the details of her absences noted down. Mr Ozceylan conceded, replying 'not eight but seven, or 6.5', but added it didn't 'change the essence' of the issue. The tribunal found Manes Partners had no sickness absence policy and that Mrs Coban was never given the terms of her employment in writing. They also concluded the message about 'charting a different path' disadvantaged the administrator because there was 'no consideration' of adjustments that could have been made. Employment Judge Rebecca Freshwater said: 'They put [Mrs Coban] at a disadvantage because she was faced with a change to her working arrangements, without any formal discussion or consideration of what allowances or adjustments could be made. 'Indeed, surprisingly, there was no policy or procedure in place about any of this. '[She] had never received a written contract of employment or any document setting out the terms and conditions under which she was employed. 'The unfavourable treatment occurred because of the claimant's absence from work to have Infliximab treatment. Her absence was due to her disability... 'There was no real attempt to discuss the impact of the claimant's condition or effort to put in place measures which might enable her to work her hours and ensure optimal and efficient deployment of staff.' However, Mrs Coban lost her case for harassment because while the tribunal found Mr Ozceylan's messages to be 'unwise and insensitive' they did not violate her dignity. Speaking after the tribunal, the administrator said she had cried for a month after losing her job and was made to feel 'incapable'. Mrs Coban said: 'I don't want anyone else to go through this. 'He undermined me so badly as a woman, I was feeling like I was incapable of doing my job. 'He hurt my feelings...I cried for a month because of this and I was going through my health problems.' She now works in the finance department of a large company. Daily Mail has approached Manes Partners for comment. A left-winged Seattle councilwoman has taken the lead in initial primary election polls despite a history of bullying allegations, which she denies. Carmen Rivera, who was appointed as Renton's first openly queer councilmember in 2021, is headed for November's general election, where she will run for her position once again. While official results from Tuesday's primary have not been released, unofficial stats from Kings County show Rivera ahead of her two opponents with about 44 percent of the vote. Washington is a mail-in ballot state and the final verdict will be announced on August 19, but the last day to vote was Tuesday. The top two candidates for each seat advance to the general election. 'Looking at the numbers, I'd be very surprised if Rivera did not make it to the general election,' King County Elections Communications Manager Halei Watkins told the Daily Mail. Watkins did note there are 'still a lot of ballots to count,' but it is likely Rivera will at the very least remain in the top two. Rivera's candidacy has been shrouded in controversy, with accusers coming forward with unflattering anecdotes about the allegedly short-fused politician. The progressive lawmaker's controversies trace back to October 2021, just before she was elected to the city council. Carmen Rivera (pictured), who was appointed as Renton's first openly queer councilmember in 2021, is headed for November's general election In a video from March Rivera (pictured) addressed 'right-wing basement bloggers' who decided to 'come after' her for supporting a trans Linwood City councilmember She worked as a volunteer security guard at a Seattle Pride concert, where some performers claimed she was wildly disrespectful in a letter to event leadership. The note asserted that Rivera worked in a manner that was 'hostile, confrontational, and bordering harassment' while guarding the backstage area. The artists collection alleged that Rivera ignored several of the performers and even tried to block some of them from entering the backstage area. 'Security ran towards and physically blocked a black trans woman from one of our performers' houses who was being walked into the backstage area by a collective member, yelling at her that she could not be there,' the letter alleged. Rivera also allegedly threatened to kick people who had taken down their face masks just to eat or drink out of the event, according to the affected artists. At the same Pride event a year later, the then-director Krystal Marx said an employee made similar claims against Rivera. Rivera was serving on the event's board and has fiercely denied these claims to Axios Seattle. She left the board soon after, blaming Marx's 'unprofessional behavior.' Marx was let go about a month after Rivera left, but said Rivera's claim was false. About a year into her council tenure, Rivera found herself at the center of accusations of vicious behavior documented in a letter written to police. Renton City Councilmember Kim-Khan Van contacted local authorities about Rivera in a jaw-dropping email from December 2022. Van described a year's worth of 'harassment and bullying' inflicted by her colleague Rivera. In light of the police report resurfacing, Rivera's partner, Jas Maisonet, spoke out on her behalf on Facebook Renton City Councilmember Kim-Khan Van (pictured) contacted local authorities about Rivera in a jaw-dropping email from December 2022 She was requesting video footage from an event because she was 'harassed and verbally attacked by sitting Councilmember Carmen Rivera in public again.' Van notified police, but did not file an official report. Afterwards she told the city's human resources department about her alleged run-ins with Rivera. Van later claimed to Axios that Rivera got up in her face and started cursing at her during the event for several minutes straight. A month prior to the heated encounter Van claimed Rivera tried physically stopping her from entering a meeting by placing herself between Van and the door. Rivera fiercely disputed these accusations, telling Axios she 'was not yelling at her' and 'definitely did not curse at her.' In response to Van's concerns, Renton Mayor Armondo Pavone issued a notice to the city council in January 2023. 'Councilmembers are not administrative employees subject to my supervision or control as the Mayor,' Pavone wrote. 'Currently, the Council has no formal process for receiving and addressing complaints of personal conflicts between councilmembers.' While admitting he could not intervene, he suggested adapting conduct codes regarding councilmember behavior. Aside from Van, Axios reported other anonymous witnesses confessed to having similar experiences with Rivera. But Rivera claimed all of these accusations are baseless and at least one of the people who came forward had actually been bullying her - not the other way around. Her campaign consultant, Michael Charles, told Axios the accusations were 'politically motivated retaliation for her support of progressive policies. Concerns about Rivera have been raised as recently as June, with Winter Cashman, a King county candidate for the Public Hospital Commission, writing a bombshell letter to the editor in the Renton Reporter. Winter Cashman (pictured), a King county candidate for the Public Hospital Commission, wrote a bombshell letter about Rivera 'When Carmen Rivera first ran for Renton City Council, I supported her. I believed in the importance of LGBTQ+ representation in our local government, and I hoped shed bring both lived experience and a collaborative spirit to the role,' he began. 'But since that time, Ive seen a continued pattern thats hard to ignore and I cant support her re-election.' Cashman claimed Rivera 'escalated tensions' between candidates and had even accused people who supported her of 'undermining' her. He also claimed she once said 'all straight people are transphobic' and called him 'a little sh*t.' Rivera told the Daily Mail Cashman's claims 'came out of nowhere' and she had no previous relationship with him. 'I would say they are targeted, political attacks,' she continued. 'Including false claims and unverified complaints rooted in distortion.' Allegations of Rivera's outbursts began long before her political debut, according court records. In 2016, she was arrested and charged with malicious mischief in the third-degree domestic violence following a fight with her ex. Her ex claimed she was in the car when Rivera started kicking in and tore off one of its mirrors. She told Axios she was 'not in the best place personally at the time.' The case was eventually dismissed, the outlet reported. In light of the police report resurfacing, Rivera's current partner, Jas Maisonet, spoke out on her behalf on Facebook. Rivera took the lead against her opponents for Council Position No 2: Mary Clymer, who accounted for roughly 29 percent of votes, and Raman Mann, who took about 26 percent Although she is not explicitly named in the clip Rivera is likely speaking about Jessica Roberts (pictured), who was accused of making sexually explicit Reddit posts 'Recently, and conveniently timed, a decade old, resolved police report was dragged up and used as a weapon,' Maisonet wrote. 'Behind every council seat is a real person. And behind that person is often a family that carries the emotional weight of public service quietly. 'Leadership isnt about being perfect; no one is. Its about showing up with integrity, listening, learning, and doing the work.' Rivera has used her social media platforms to promote her stances, as well as call out those who have spoken out against her. In a video from March, Rivera addressed 'right-wing basement bloggers' who decided to 'come after' her for supporting a trans Linwood City councilmember. Rivera claimed people calling her out were being transphobic and bigoted Although she is not explicitly named in the clip Rivera is likely speaking about Jessica Roberts, who came under fire around the same time when it became publicly known she was posting on Only Fans. Roberts admitted to the Lynnwood Times that she had made an Only Fans account to boost her self confidence while 'making a little cash on the side.' Soon after the news went public, she took down the account. She also allegedly had a Reddit account where she shared dark and explicit sexual content. Roberts resigned from her position amid the controversy. Rivera (pictured) has used her social media platforms to promote her stances and call out those who have spoken out against her Rivera had voiced support for Roberts, calling a Lynwood Times report of Roberts' alleged online activity a 'grossly intentional misrepresentation of information.' She also said all the comments about Robert were 'ignorant and hateful.' 'When history looks back on these Nazi driven narratives, what will you say you did?' she wrote on X. Rivera told the Daily Mail she spoke out online because attacks on Roberts were 'rooted in ignorance and hatred.' 'Many women, including Jessica, have to deal with unfair standards and double standards. 'I would do that [speak out] for many women in the LGBTQI+ community in these positions who are being publicly filleted.' Rivera took the lead against her opponents for Council Position No 2, Mary Clymer, who accounted for roughly 29 percent of votes, and Raman Mann, who took about 26 percent. 'I'm really grateful that the voters can look past some of the distracting noise and see real leaders doing really good work,' Rivera told the Daily Mail. She and Clymer will compete for the seat in the general election in November, meaning there is still a chance she could be booted from her position. In Washington state, councilmembers do not run with political affiliations, although Rivera's stances are progressive. Tulsi Gabbard revealed that she believes aliens exist as she toed the line between sharing her own opinions and avoiding revealing U.S. intelligence. The Director of National Intelligence says she is privy to a lot of classified information in her role and has to be 'careful' what she brings to light. Speaking with Pod Force One podcast host Miranda Devine this week, Gabbard was asked if 'there could be aliens.' 'I have my own views and opinions,' Gabbard replied. 'In this role, I have to be careful with what I share.' But when pressed on whether she personally believes in the existence of extraterrestrials and unidentified fly objects (UFOs), the DNI said: 'Yes.' The issue of aliens and UFOs also known as unidentified anomalous phenomena (UPAs) has been at the center of conspiracies for decades. And multiple members of Congress are investigating what the federal government knows about it. Just last year, the House Oversight Subcommittee on National Security, the Border, and Foreign Affairs held multiple hearings on the issue. Gabbard noted that her office does not have anything concrete that she is 'prepared to talk about' when it comes to aliens and UFOs. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said she believes aliens exist, though said she does not have any information she is ready to talk about from the intelligence perspective UFOs and extraterrestrials have been a hot topic for decades She did vow, however, that she would be transparent with Americans on the topic when the time comes. 'We're continuing to look for the truth and share that truth with the American people,' Gabbard told the New York Post podcast host. As DNI, Gabbard oversees coordination between the 18 U.S. intelligence agencies. Americans are increasingly interested in the top of UPAs and the potential existence of life off of Earth. UPAs don't only include extraterrestrial objects, but also objects like drones. Gabbard admitted that there are still unanswered questions about the hundreds of drones spotted over New Jersey last year. 'I still have a lot of questions around that,' Gabbard told Devine. 'I've heard what the public official line is.' She added: 'I just personally still have a lot of questions that are unanswered, because it wasn't just New Jersey. It was happening in different parts of the country.' Last year a House Oversight Subcommittee held multiple hearings on the issue of UFOs Lawmakers want to see more transparency when it comes to UAPs. Congressional hearings last year reflected the bipartisan nature of efforts to address UAPs as a national security. Many lawmakers are pushing for declassification and better reporting on the topic. The New Jersey drones issue caused national uproar, and the Chinese spy balloon drama under President Joe Biden brought even more attention to the matter. Gabbard said the intelligence community has plenty of solid information regarding the balloon that floated across U.S. airspace for about a week in 2023 before it was shot down. 'There's a lot of classified information about that,' she told Pod Force One. Gabbard would not elaborate further. The balloon was shot down over the Carolina coast, but many criticized Biden for waiting for days to take action. A Long Island fire chief has been stripped of his duties after screaming at a young girl to 'shut the f**k up' while she was loaded into the fire truck on a stretcher. In a TikTok video uploaded on Monday, North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt berated and hurled obscenities at the 10-year-old girl while she was being strapped onto a stretcher. 'Shut the f**k up! It's like this with you every f**king week!' Alt shouted at the child. As the young girl pleaded with the fire department 'I don't want to go! I want to go home,' Alt responded 'Shut your mouth!' Alt's outburst came after the girl's family called emergency services for help with calming the child down, her grandmother told NBC New York. The girl allegedly became emotionally overwhelmed after her phone was taken away, so another family member called the police, who had been kind to them in the past. A concerned neighbor saw the verbal altercation and began recording. The child's grandmother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was not there when the incident took place, but that she was 'devastated' by how the chief handled her granddaughter. @chanzillaaa This is how North Babylon Fire Department talks to a 10-year-old little girl in crisis. She was scared, having a mental health emergencyand instead of compassion, she was berated, told shut the f*ck up you little b*tch by a grown man in uniform. Suffolk County Police stood by and did nothing. What you dont see on video was even worse. The verbal abuse went on and on. This child was treated like she didnt matter. This is beyond unacceptable. This is trauma. Children in crisis need care, not cruelty. We will not be silent. This cannot keep happening. #NorthBabylonFD #justice #MentalHealthMatters #ProtectChildren #TraumaIsReal original sound - Chanzillaaa North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt (pictured) was caught on camera hurling obscenities at the young girl 'Maybe it was a blessing I wasn't there because I would have jumped all over this guy,' she told the outlet. 'When you call for help - the police, the fire department - they're supposed to help you. Not treat you like garbage. And curse at a child at that.' The North Babylon Fire Company issued a response soon after, condemning Alt's behavior as 'unacceptable' and saying they don't condone it. 'We have become aware of an incident which occurred last night, August 4, 2025 between a member of the North Babylon Fire Company and a minor during an aided call wherein the member is alleged to have used inappropriate language toward the minor,' the statement read. Alt was 'relieved of all of his duties pending a full and thorough investigation,' according to the press release, which promised that 'appropriate action will be taken.' The press release provided little comfort to residents who expressed concern over the incident. 'That's not a professional way to deal with people,' said Mark Simms, a neighbor. 'I wouldn't want him to speak to my children like that or anyone in my family. I'd be outraged myself.' The neighbor said that emergency services have been called to this house before, but they've never responded with such aggression. 'There's been a few times over the summer where police were called, but they've never treated her like that,' he said. Other neighbors are glad the incident was captured on video, so that the chief's behavior can be appropriately addressed. A TikTok video uploaded on Monday shows a 10-year-old girl being told to 'shut the f**k up' by the fire chief Comments on the TikTok video expressed outrage over the chief's outburst. One user called out the other responders' reaction, 'The SILENCE of those other "men" is almost worse. Outrageous!' 'SILENCE IS COMPLIANCE. The others should feel ashamed for not standing up for that child,' another agreed. Another TikTok account said, 'This is how chief Peter alt of north Babylon fire department speaks to a young girl in an emergency with zero compassion why is he employed???' A father and his two daughters were killed when a sudden explosion ripped through a Nebraska biofuel plant, engulfing the facility in flames and leaving them trapped inside. Dylan Danielson, 32, of Columbus, had brought his two daughters - 12-year-old Hayven and 8-year-old Fayeah - to work with him at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont on July 29, according to WOWT News. But triple tragedy struck when a dust fire triggered a powerful explosion, engulfing the plant in smoke, causing sections of the building to collapse, and trapping the family inside. The operation quickly shifted from rescue to recovery, and after more than 24 hours, the bodies of all three Danielsons were recovered from the wreckage. 'Right after the building collapsed, he was pinned inside of it,' Robby Baker, Hayvens stepfather, told KMTV News, recalling the chilling phone call Dylan made during the deadly explosion. 'He made a phone call to his wife and said where the girls were at, get someone in there to get them out, and he was pinned in, and there was fire all around him,' he added. 'Our lives are in there. We need to get them out.' In the early afternoon of July 29, Dylan brought Hayven and Fayeah to his workplace - a wood pellet and animal bedding manufacturing plant. Fayeah (left), 8, and her half-sister, Hayven Danielson (right), 12, were killed alongside their father when a sudden explosion ripped through a Nebraska biofuel plant, engulfing the facility in flames and leaving them trapped inside The girls' father, Dylan Danielson, 32, of Columbus, had taken them both to work with him at the Horizon Biofuels plant in Fremont on Tuesday when a dust fire triggered a powerful explosion (pictured) The operation quickly shifted from rescue to recovery, and after more than 24 hours, the bodies of all three Danielsons were recovered from the wreckage (pictured: Hayven left, Fayeah right, Dylan center) It was his week to be with his daughter Fayeah, who was looking forward to spending time with her half-sister and biological father, according to WOWT. 'It's his time to get them for one week, one week off. This week was his,' Robby told the outlet. 'His boss lets him bring them to work.' But just before noon, while the young girls waited patiently in the break room for their father to finish his shift and take them to a doctors appointment, a tower in the plant suddenly exploded, as reported by The Kansas City Star. '[The break room] is in the bottom of the main tower - and it's supposed to be a sturdy room,' Robby told WOWT. 'I don't know if it's made for an implosion like this.' When officers arrived, they were met with thick smoke billowing from the building and flames raging fiercely - triggering a structural collapse and creating unstable, hazardous conditions. The severe damage to the plant prevented crews from safely entering, prompting them to call in Nebraska Task Force One to assess the situation. Seventeen additional agencies also joined the rescue effort, KETV News reported. Task Force Ones helicopter, along with drones from the Dodge County Sheriffs Office, surveyed the scene from a distance, helping responders identify a secure entry point to search for the three missing individuals. Robby tragically stayed at the scene, clinging to hope as he anxiously awaited updates on when crews might finally gain access, according to WOWT. The sudden explosion engulfed the plant in smoke - ultimately causing sections of the building to collapse, and trapping the family inside Hayven's stepfather, Robby Baker (pictured right with Hayven center), revealed a chilling phone call Dylan made during the deadly explosion in which he said he was 'pinned in' with 'fire all around him' The severe damage to the plant prevented crews from safely entering, prompting them to call in Nebraska Task Force One to assess the situation. Seventeen additional agencies also joined the rescue effort 'I wish I could talk to her, and tell her to hold on and get down low, and hold onto her little sister,' he said tearfully while outside the burning plant. 'We cant let this turn into a recovery,' he added. 'We need to get them out of there.' Governor Jim Pillen eventually informed the stepfather that funds would soon be released to acquire the necessary equipment to begin dismantling the building from top to bottom. But as hours passed and evening approached, emergency responders still hadnt been able to enter the building, battling relentlessly against the raging flames. Despite crews working through the night in shifts to battle the severe heat, the fire was still burning by the next morning morning. Fremont Mayor Joey Spellerberg announced in a morning briefing that the search had shifted to a recovery mission - and crews still hadnt been able to get inside. First responders told Robby that it could take a daunting two to three days to safely extract the two girls and their father. 'My heart hurts. It hurts for this situation, its a tragedy,' Spellerberg said. Despite crews working through the night in shifts to battle the severe heat, the fire was still burning by the next morning morning. At that point, they still hadn't gained access into the facility (pictured: Hayven) The tragedy unfolded when Dylan brought Hayven and Fayeah to his workplace - a wood pellet and animal bedding manufacturing plant (pictured) - where the girls waited patiently in the break room for their father to finish his shift before taking them to a doctors appointment Nearly 24 hours after the deadly implosion, Dylans body was recovered, followed by the heartbreaking discovery of Hayven and Fayeah (pictured) later that same night Nearly 24 hours after the deadly implosion, Dylans body was recovered, followed by the heartbreaking discovery of Hayven and Fayeah later that same night, according to WOWT. The Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office completed its initial investigation into the plant explosion on Thursday, according to the outlet. Meanwhile, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its own investigation, which, by law, must be completed within six months. The identities of the two girls and their father were released on Friday, and in the wake of the tragedy, GoFundMe pages were launched to support the grieving families. 'Hayven will always be a beautiful, goofy, caring, and bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon,' the 12-year-old girl's fundraiser read. Fayeah was remembered as a little girl whose smile could instantly brighten even the darkest of days. 'She had such a bubbly personality and lit up every room that she entered,' Fayeah's GoFundMe description read. 'She was a proud Swiftie, a devoted sister, a great friend, and a creative soul who loves fashion, crafts and art.' Hayven (pictured) was described as 'beautiful, goofy, caring, and bright ray of sunshine who gained her angel wings too soon' The Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office completed its initial investigation into the plant explosion on Thursday. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) has launched its own investigation Fayeah (pictured) was remembered as a little girl whose smile could instantly brighten even the darkest of days While describing Dylan, his aunt, Kathy Harle, said: 'He was such a good daddy, he really was,' according to a funeral home remembrance page. According to KETV, Horizon Biofuels - which employs just 10 people - was found to have five serious OSHA violations stemming from a complaint filed in 2012. The company was initially fined $12,000 for multiple violations, including failing to implement a proper energy control program and neglecting to protect workers from potential chemical exposure. Horizon Biofuels ultimately settled the case for half that amount - just $6,000. A speeding driver was caught racing down the Autobahn at a staggering 200mph, more than 124mph over the limit, German police have revealed. The motorist, whose identity has not been made public, was nabbed during a routine check on the A2 highway near Burg, just west of Berlin, on July 28. Police in Magdeburg said the driver was hit with a 900 (784) fine, handed a three-month driving ban, and had two points taken off their licence. The car was caught by a stationary radar system known as an Enforcement Trailer. A display on the device showed what police called 'the highest record speed'. Germany's Autobahn (motorways) is famous around the world for stretches with no speed limit, but not every part is unrestricted. Speed limits do apply to approximately 30 per cent of the roads. According to RAC, a further 9 per cent use traffic systems to ensure smooth operations. Some sections have strict limits, especially in areas with more traffic or higher risk. Germany's Autobahn (motorways) is famous around the world for stretches with no speed limit, but not every part is unrestricted The stretch of road where the driver was caught has a speed limit of 120kph (74.5mph). The controversial debate over whether to keep the no-limit policy in some areas has gone on for years, with officials and car enthusiasts often divided on the issue. While the Greens and Social Democrats have stressed the need for speed limits, citing safety and the environmental impact, groups such as the FDP say it is a matter of personal choice. In 2019, the federal government rejected calls to introduce speed limits on the network. A working-class woman who was severely battered in a wild street brawl in Cincinnati has claimed the city's police chief and mayor have not acknowledged her at all. The victim, only identified as Holly, was attacked in the downtown area of the Ohio city on July 26 around 3am alongside an unknown man. The violent encounter was captured on camera by several bystanders as Holly, who said she tried to step in to help the man, got beaten to a pulp and was left with brain trauma. In her first sit-down interview with political commentator Benny Johnson on Tuesday, Holly revealed she has been ignored by Mayor Aftab Pureval and Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge, who, according to Johnson, are 'implicated in this.' Johnson asked her: 'Has the mayor of Cincinnati or police chief been in contact with you?' 'No,' Holly replied, shaking her head as bruises covered her face. 'That's astonishing Holly, that the mayor of the city, who's implicated in this, and the police chief, who's implicated in this, have not even contacted you for the attempted murder that happened in their street live on camera,' Johnson continued as Holly agreed. Holly also said that police 'acted nonchalant' when they arrived at the scene and did not call for backup or an ambulance. Holly, the woman who was savagely beat up a group of people in a street brawl on July 26, said she is being ignored by the city's mayor and police chief The violent encounter was captured on camera by several bystanders as Holly, who said she tried to step in to help the man, got beaten to a pulp 'They were less than helpful is all I can say. So, I wound up getting in my Uber when it showed up and went home and tried to sleep off the concussion,' Holly explained. 'They didn't even get a statement. No, the police were very, opposite of helpful.. They made me feel so uncomfortable. 'They don't even get my name. They don't even care enough to get my name.' She went on to defend her actions that night, noting that she was the only person who decided to jump in to help the man because it was 'the right thing to do.' 'There were 100 people there that night and I jumped in, I was the only one who jumped in, to try and save him because that was the right thing to do. 'And, yeah, unfortunately they attacked me as well for trying to do the right thing,' Holly added. Holly, who's described herself as a single working-class mother, said out of the large crowd of people, the only person who called 911 was another victim. 'So not one person decided to call 911 and then film these heinous crimes and attempted murder, because that is what it is no matter what they label it. When asked by political commentator Benny Johnson if Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval (pictured) has been in contact with her, Holly said no Holly said Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge (pictured) has also not reached out to her. The chief recently said the outrage surrounding the incident lacked 'context' 'It was attempted murder,' Holly said, adding that those who watched on should feel 'shame' for their actions Days after the video of the vicious fight went viral, Chief Theetge said the outrage surrounding it lacked 'context.' Chief Theetge also took aim at the media for only showing 'one version' of what occurred - without giving any more context about the fight herself. 'Social media and journalism and the role it plays in this incident, the posts that we have seen does not depict the entire incident,' she said. 'That is one version of what occurred. At times social media and mainstream media and their commentaries are a misrepresentation of the circumstances surrounding any given event. 'That causes us some difficulties in thoroughly investigating the activity and enforcing the law. Social media posts and your coverage of it distort the context of what actually happened, and that makes it more difficult.' Five suspects were arrested following the brawl - Jermaine Matthews, 39, Montianez Merriweather, 34, and Dominique Kittle, 37, and Patrick Rosemond, 38. Rosemond was arrested in Georgia on Monday and has been charged with two counts of felonious assault and aggravated riot, as well as one count of fugitive from justice for a fingerprintable charge. Police are still searching for a sixth suspect. Matthews and Merriweather were initially charged with aggravated riot and assault over the brawl. Patrick Rosemond, 38, was arrested in Georgia on Monday in connection to the violent attack. Police are still searching for a sixth suspect 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 Images showed Holly's extensive injuries with both sides of her face were extremely bruised following the assault 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'. Kittle, who was taken into police custody on Friday night, was charged with felonious assault and aggravated riot. His bond was set at $150,000. An online fundraiser has since been created to help Holly get back on her feet following the fight. As of Wednesday morning, more than $530,000 was raised to help her out. Daily Mail contacted Mayor Pureval and Chief Theetge for comment. This is the horrific moment a van was obliterated by a high-speed train after its driver got stuck on the tracks after trying to jump a red light. Shocking CCTV footage shows the white van speeding over the train tracks this morning in the Polish village of Wola Filipowska after it ignored traffic lights. But the driver suddenly becomes trapped when the barriers come down. Even though one of the bars is slower at closing, leaving the driver enough time to drive off the tracks, the vehicle remains still and then backs up and drives back onto the track. As the fast train approaches, the driver frantically starts to think of an escape route to avoid being hit by the locomotive. The motorist manoeuvres his vehicle so that it is parked up on the side of the train tracks. But as the driver moves the van in an attempt to squeeze as far into the side as possible, a train packed with passengers whizzes past and forcefully rams into the vehicle. The van, which is almost completely destroyed by the brutal smash, is shown in pieces. A van was obliterated by a high-speed train after its driver got stuck on the tracks when trying to jump a red light The dramatic incident took place today in the Polish village of Wola Filipowska Shocking CCTV footage shows how the white van tried to speed over the train tracks Miraculously, the van driver was not injured, and neither were the train's passengers. The incident is currently being investigated by the prosecutor's office, which is looking to determine the exact cause of the crash, Polish news outlet Fakt reports. The surveillance clip, which has gone viral on social media, has sparked mixed reactions from viewers, with several blaming the driver for the accident and pointing out that the crash could have been avoided. 'Step on the gas man', one Reddit user wrote, pointing out that the driver had enough time to pass through the barriers before they closed. 'Why would you not drive through the barrier at that stage?' another user reiterated. Another user wrote: 'Careless or idiot driver -> panic kicks in -> they don't want to ruin their car by breaking barriers -> trying to manoeuvre out -> get hit by train anyway'. The shocking incident comes after an Amazon delivery died last month after his vehicle was struck by a train. The tragic incident happened on July 13 in Teynham, Kent. But the driver suddenly becomes trapped when the barriers come down The motorist maneuvers his vehicle so that it is parked up on the side of the train tracks But as the driver moves the van in an attempt to squeeze as far into the side as possible, a train packed with passengers whizzes past and forcefully rams into the vehicle The van driver was miraculously not injured Police, ambulance and the fire service rushed to the site of the crash but the driver was pronounced dead at the scene. Southeastern, which operates trains in the area, said it was 'deeply saddened' by the accident. An Amazon spokesperson said in a statement: 'This is a terrible incident and our thoughts and deepest sympathies are with the delivery driver's family and loved ones during this difficult time. 'We will work with police and the delivery service provider as they investigate'. No one else was injured in the collision. A disgraced health committee is facing backlash after 10 members resigned to protest a little girl with a rare disease being supplied with her vital medications. The scandal unfolded in British Columbia, Canada, in recent months after Charleigh Pollock, a 10-year-old girl living with terminal Batten disease, began taking a medication named Brineura. The medication does not cure Batten disease, a rare childhood condition affecting the nervous system, but slows its progression and prevents seizures and other severe side effects. Charleigh's family and doctors said that her condition visibly improved while taking the drug, and she was able to finally enjoy her childhood by being able to play outside and go back to school. But in June, Canada's Health Minister Josie Osborne severed her family's funding for the medication as she cited 'no clinical evidence' that Brineura actually helped. The decision sparked outrage as Charleigh's family and doctors said they could clearly see her improvement, with the public even circulating a petition that gained thousands of signatures. The public pressure led Osborne to reverse her decision in July - a move that pleased almost all, except for British Columbia's expensive drugs for rare diseases (EDRD) committee. Ten members of the committee, who are anonymous medical professionals, have now resigned in protest to Osborne restarting Charleigh's medication as they claim the minister 'politically interfered' with her care, reports the National Post. Charleigh Pollock, 10, a young girl living with terminal Batten disease, has become the center of a medical scandal in Canada after members of a secretive health committee resigned when the government allowed her to continue taking medication that helps her condition Canada's Health Minister Josie Osborne sparked backlash in June when she stopped Charleigh's family's funding for her medication as she cited 'no clinical evidence' that it helped - before facing the wrath of a medical board when she restarted it The young girl's case has made national headlines in Canada amid scrutiny on its healthcare industry at large, also including controversies surrounding the nation's rapid expansion of euthanasia. Many criticized Osborne even after she U-turned on Charleigh's care, claiming she acted only out of political pressure. When her medication funding was stopped, Charleigh's family and friends launched a GoFundMe as it was the only way to help her receive the only drug that helped. The fundraiser, which topped $72,000 CAD at the time of writing, said that she desperately needs Brineura 'to keep her alive and have quality of life.' Batten disease is a rare condition that tragically usually only affects children, causing a myriad of health problems in the nervous system including seizures, neurological disorders, loss of motor skills and weight loss. The terminal disease often means children diagnosed with the condition only live into their early 20s, and Charleigh's fundraiser notes that the money will eventually go toward 'end of life care in the future.' Charleigh is the only child in British Columbia with Batten disease, a rare condition affecting the nervous system that is terminal, and that is only helped by the drug Brineura Charleigh is the only child in British Columbia with Batten disease, and the fundraiser says that while Brineura does not cure her, it 'keeps her seizure-free and full of joy.' 'It is giving Charleigh more time, more stability, quality of life and more memories with the people who love her,' her family wrote. The Daily Mail has contacted the EDRD board for comment. Amid outrage over the EDRD board's handling of her care, British Columbia Premier David Eby said that he is now considering overhauling the drug panel entirely. Eby told CTV News that he was dissatisfied with the board's callous approach to the situation, and said he did not like that the committee members are anonymous. 'We need to make sure that it works in a way that its the experts that are making those decisions, and that is taking place in a way thats transparent and understandable to the public,' he said. 'It did not work that way in the Charleigh case. We had two groups of experts fighting it out. One very publicly. One a secret committee within the ministry of health, speaking only through politicians. That doesnt work.' 'I am supportive of the health ministers decision to not let this child get caught between a battle between two experts, and I hope that the experts who are on the committee and who have left the committee are willing to work with us to identify a structure thats going to work for them.' A horrified British woman found a delivery driver 'vigorously' performing a sex act in her bedroom when he arrived with a package she had ordered on Amazon. The 72-year-old retired social worker, who now lives in a village on Spain's Costa Brava, said the courier delivered the box of mosquito repellant on July 15. However, after buzzing him through the front gate and asking him to wait, she later found him in her bedroom with his hands down his shorts. The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said that while she took a quick bathroom break, he walked into her house and up the stairs. Moreover, the Brit has claimed that the same courier returned to her house two days later with another package - despite her reporting him to the police. The woman told The Guardian: 'I was stunned. He was masturbating vigorously.' 'I can think a lot of things I should have said to him now, but I was so shocked, I just told him to get out immediately and I followed him out,' she added. Spanish police have launched an investigation and have taken a semen sample from the scene. The 72-year-old retired social worker, who now lives in a village on Spain 's Costa Brava, said the courier delivered the box of mosquito repellant on July 15 (stock photo) It is understood that the delivery driver is not an Amazon employee but a contractor for one of its local sellers. The woman explained that after kicking the man out of her house, she tried to speak to his colleague who had been waiting in the van. She said: 'I told him: "Your colleague has done something very bad." My Spanish did not extend to the word masturbate.' The Brit, who has also lived in New Zealand, said the two men left her property and she reported the incident to Amazon. She claimed that all she received from the company initially was an apology 'for the inconvenience' it had caused. Moreover, the woman said she was left feeling 'very vulnerable' when the same two delivery drivers turned up with another package a couple of days later. She explained that this time she told the courier's colleague he had masturbated in her bedroom. However, she said he denied it and said that his shorts were wet because he had spilled a drink on them. The courier, who was described as tall and in his 20s, was caught on her Ring doorbell camera. The Brit, who was awarded New Zealands order of merit for a charity work, said she passed the image onto police. She has also called on Amazon to take immediate action and warned people that the delivery service is 'not safe'. The woman said that Amazon later said the incident was 'extremely concerning' but maintained the person involved was not an employee of the company. An Amazon spokesperson said: 'At Amazon, we take the security and protection of our customers and the communities we serve very seriously. 'This service was provided by a commercial carrier. 'We will keep investigating and clarifying the facts and we will cooperate with the parties that need our collaboration.' A 10-year-old girl who died alone in a hospital after horrific abuse begged teachers not to send her home - but authorities ignored 13 warnings from staff and family. Rebekah Baptiste was found unresponsive in her Holbrook, Arizona, home on July 27. She was battered, malnourished, and covered in bruises. She died three days later - with no family by her bedside. School officials at Empower College Prep in Phoenix, where Rebekah and her two younger brothers were enrolled until May, say the system failed the children - even after they raised the alarm more than a dozen times. 'My heart just breaks and aches for her,' Becky Jones, the school's K8 director, told AZ Family. 'I will remember Rebekah's smile and her laugh. She was a leader among her peers.' Jones now carries the school ID Rebekah would have used this year as a way to remember her. 'She's just a student who's exceptional in all of the things that she does,' she said. 'I just wanted to remember her, so I'm quite literally keeping her with me.' But behind Rebekah's bright smile was a life of terror. Teachers, administrators, and outside service providers had all raised urgent concerns about visible bruises, signs of hunger, and the children's fear of going home. Rebeka Baptiste, 10, died after being tortured by her father and his girlfriend, per officials Staff at Empower College Prep reported suspected abuse 13 times - but say no action was taken until it was too late Teachers said Rebekah often came to school with bruises, hungry, and terrified to go home 'We've had social workers concerned, students make statements that they were concerned about their classmate, as well as teachers, administration, [and] outside service providers that work with the students - all concerned that there was abuse and neglect happening at home toward all of the children,' Natalia Mariscal, the school's director of student services, told AZ Family. 'Just awful, I mean awful, awful statements, awful allegations,' she added. The mistreatment was allegedly carried out by Rebekah's father, Richard Baptiste, and his girlfriend, Anicia Woods - both of whom are now charged with first-degree murder and child abuse. School staff say the children often begged not to go home, and at one point, after Rebekah missed more than a week of school, a school resource officer visited the family and found her with a black eye. That prompted yet another report to Arizona's Department of Child Safety (DCS) - one of 13 total made by Empower College Prep. But staff say only four reports were assigned to investigators, and none led to action. 'There are so many points where an intervention could have happened,' Mariscal said. In May, Baptiste pulled the children from school and told staff they were moving north to live in a tent, isolating the family further. 'Everybody who learned about that was incredibly concerned,' Mariscal said. 'Richard Baptiste and Woods wouldn't have to answer any questions.' Anicia Woods allegedly admitted that she hit the children and said she acted as their mother Richard Baptiste, pictured, and his longtime girlfriend were charged with first-degree murder Weeks later, Rebekah was found unresponsive in the family's home. Doctors said she was malnourished, dehydrated, and had been tortured. She died on July 30. Damon Hawkins, the girl's uncle, said she had two black eyes and was 'black and blue from her head to toe.' 'She spent the last four days in the hospital by herself and the only thing DCS can say is, 'I'm sorry you weren't informed,' Hawkins told AZ Family. Hawkins said he had also made repeated reports to DCS, including allegations of sexual abuse. 'I made it clear to the investigator and DCS that the system failed her,' he said. 'We have logs and logs of the times where, over the past years, they've been contacted, of the worry that we had.' 'We got word of sexual abuse about a year and a half ago, and they [DCS] turned a blind eye to it.' He said Baptiste and Woods blocked him from seeing the children and made excuses to keep them isolated. '[Rebekah] was my biggest concern. The answer we always got was, 'they're kids, they're in trouble. They're in trouble,' Hawkins said. School director Becky Jones carries Rebekah's student ID to honor her memory and push for justice Arizona's Department of Child Safety admits Rebekah was 'known to the department' but claim abusers sometimes 'evade even the most robust systems' The last time he saw her, 'he could see fear in their eyes' as the kids prepared to return home. In a statement, Empower College Prep confirmed it had repeatedly contacted child protective services: 'Over the past year, our staff reported concerns of suspected abuse and neglect involving this child to the Department of Child Safety a total of 12 times. Despite our continued efforts and repeated calls for intervention, it does not appear that any meaningful action was taken.' School administrators are attending every court hearing and say they are determined to see justice served. Baptiste and Woods are being held on $1 million bond and are due back in court on September 4. DCS issued a statement acknowledging Rebekah was 'a child who was known to the Department.' 'Any time a child in our community is harmed, it deeply affects us all,' the agency said. 'Our dedicated staff work tirelessly to ensure the safety of all children. Tragically, those who intend to harm children sometimes evade even the most robust systems designed to protect them.' 'The Department's Safety Analysis Review Team will also be conducting a thorough review of this case to identify and understand any systemic barriers that may have influenced the outcome, and to implement changes as necessary,' DCS added. A Lebanese influencer has gone viral for sharing videos of herself cooking enormous meals and then feeding them to the hungry in response to wasteful social media stars. Surthany Hejeij, 33, has racked up 15.7 million followers on Instagram thanks to her engaging videos, which always start with a clip of an internet celebrity throwing away food. She then cuts the video with footage of children facing poverty, before she is shown cooking up meals in poor communities and serving them up to children and their families. In one clip that has racked up 12.1 million views on Instagram, Ms Hejeij 's video shows a man dumping a bucket-load of rice into a bin. The video is then cut with a clip of Ms Hejeij smiling in her kitchen as she shows the camera a massive tray of ground beef. Ms Hejeij then appears outdoors next to a fire pit with her ingredients, where she begins to cook up a meal in a large pot. The glamorous influencer is shown stirring, seasoning and chopping her food as she is joined by a group of children. Once the meal is ready, she serves it up to dozens of young children, who are shown lining up as they wait for their dinner from the influencer. A Lebanese influencer has gone viral for sharing videos of herself cooking enormous meals and then feeding them to the hungry in response to wasteful social media stars. Grab shows an influencer throwing away a bucket of rice Surthany Hejeij, 33, has racked up 15.7 million followers on Instagram thanks to her engaging videos Her videos have resonated with millions of viewers, and several social media users have praised Ms Hejeij for her charitable work and her efforts to raise awareness over poverty and food waste. 'You are amazing...God bless you', one follower wrote. Another said: 'You are [an] amazing person with a good heart'. While some users criticised the influencer for sharing her charitable work for 'clout' and 'clicks', several others came to Ms Hejeij's defence. 'She's doing this to spread awareness and to also invite others to donate and participate. 'Kids are being fed and that's all that should matter.' Another follower argued: 'Even if she is doing it for clout, she [is] still spreading awareness and even if it is for money, she's obviously using this money for something good, by feeding the poor. 'I think she's awesome'. The infuencer is known to cook large meals Several social media users have praised the influencer for using her platform to spread awareness over poverty Surthany Hejeij, 33, is shown in a video, which has over 12 million views, cooking for a poor community The glamorous influencer is shown seasoning and stirring her food Ms Heijeij is joined by children in this grab as she makes them a massive meal Her videos have resonated with millions of viewers, and several social media users have praised Ms Hejeij for her charitable work and her efforts to raise awareness over poverty and food waste Her videos come at a time when 783 million people around the world face chronic hunger and many places are facing deepening food crises The Israel-Hamas war and violence in Haiti have worsened the crisis, with experts saying that famine is imminent in northern Gaza and approaching in Haiti The influencer's attempt to raise awareness over food waste and poverty comes after it was revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19 percent of food produced globally in 2022 Some users criticised the influencer for sharing her charitable work for 'clout' and 'clicks' The influencer's attempt to raise awareness over food waste and poverty comes after it was revealed that the world wasted an estimated 19 percent of food produced globally in 2022, according to a United Nations report last year. Most of the waste 60 percent came in households. Her videos also come at a time when 783 million people around the world face chronic hunger and many places are facing deepening food crises. The Israel-Hamas war and violence in Haiti have worsened the crisis, with experts saying that famine is imminent in northern Gaza and approaching in Haiti. A 13-year-old girl has gone missing without a trace from the Illawarra Region of NSW, prompting concerns for her welfare among family and police. Ameriah Stonham was last seen on Cleveland Road in Dapto, south-west of Wollongong, about 8.30am on Wednesday. Lake Illawarra Police District commenced inquiries into her whereabouts on Wednesday afternoon after being notified she could not be located or contacted. Her family and police are concerned for her welfare due to her age and medical conditions. Police shared an image of Ameriah, whom they described as being of Caucasian appearance, 170cm tall and of thin build with shoulder-length ash-blonde hair. She was last seen wearing a brown jacket, light-blue denim shorts, white shoes and carrying a brown diamond-shaped purse. She is known to frequent the Dapto, Wollongong and Sydney CBD areas, police said. Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or via the website. A white farmer in South Africa is at the centre of a chilling murder trial after being accused of shooting two black women who were searching for food and then feeding their bodies to pigs. Zachariah Johannes Olivier, 60, is alleged to have gunned down Lucia Ndlovu, 34, and Maria Makgato, 45, when he found them looking through waste at his pig farm near Polokwane in Limpopo province. The disturbing case has sparked outrage across the country and cast a spotlight on long-standing racial divisions in farming communities, where white landowners dominate and black workers make up most of the labour force. Adrian Rudolph de Wet, a 20-year-old farmworker, has turned state witness and told the court this week that Olivier shot the women after accusing them of trespassing. Local media say the women had been gathering expired dairy products thrown out for the pigs. De Wet, one of three men originally arrested over the killings, is expected to claim that Olivier forced him to help dispose of the bodies by feeding them to pigs. Reports suggest a third person, believed to be Ndlovu's husband, was also shot during the incident but managed to escape and alert police. Officers later found the decomposed remains of both women inside a pigsty. Zachariah Johannes Olivier, Adrian Rudolph de Wet, and William Musrora were all charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and attempting to obstruct justice Maria Makgato, 45, pictured, and Lucia Ndlovu, 34, are said to have been gunned down when the farmer found them looking for food at his farm Olivier, de Wet and another farmhand, William Musrora, 50, a black Zimbabwean, were all charged with two counts of premeditated murder, one count of attempted murder, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and attempting to obstruct justice. De Wet's lawyers say he acted under pressure and should be cleared if his version is accepted by the court. On Monday, members of the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a radical left-wing political party, showed up outside the courthouse, calling for Olivier's business to be shut down. The EFF previously demanded a ban on pork sales from the farm, stating on social media: 'Our communities can't be fed animals that were made to consume human flesh.' The killings have dominated headlines in South Africa, where land ownership remains a deeply sensitive issue nearly three decades after apartheid. Much of the country's farmland is still in white hands. In June, a political crisis ensued when the country's president, Cyril Ramaphosa, greenlit a divisive law that gives the state the liberty to take away lands without compensating the owners. It led to an infamous ambush at the White House, where US president Donald Trump confronted him about the treatment of white landowners. The trial is set to continue next week. Demonstrators gathered outside the court to demand justice in the case that has dominated headlines in South Africa A Florida beauty pageant winner claims her relationship with Republican Cory Mills went awry and that he has since intimidated her and threatened to release her nude videos. Lindsey Langston, 25, the winner of Miss United States 2024 claimed in a July 14 sheriff's report obtained by the Daily Mail that Mills, 45, also has threatened to harm any of her future partners. Langston, a Florida Republican state committee member, filed the allegations with the Columbia County Sheriffs Department. Steven Khachigan, a spokesman for the department, told the Daily Mail those claims were later shared with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further review. Langston told the authorities that she and Mills were in a romantic relationship spanning from November 2021 to February 2025, and that she lived at his home in New Smyrna Beach during that duration. Mills, she said, told her that he was soon to be divorced, and that's why she agreed to move in. It is unclear if the lawmaker's marriage to Rana Al Saadi has ended officially. But Langston left Mills once she saw reports that he had another girlfriend, she told authorities. 'Since February 20th of 2025, Cory has contacted Lindsey numerous times on numerous different accounts threatening to release nude images and videos of her, to include recorded videos of her and Cory engaging in sexual acts,' the report states. 'Lindsey also provided text messages and Instagram messages between her and Cory, which consisted of Cory threatening to harm any men Lindsey intended to date in the future,' it continued. Lindsey Langston, 25, the winner of Miss United States 2024 and a Republican State Committeewoman, has accused Congressman Cory Mills of threatening her. She told authorities he would release nude videos of her. Langston also told authorities that Mills threatened to harm any men she intended to date in the future Mills has denied the accusations and has sought to tie the report to his political opponents Mills pictured with President Trump and his longtime wife, Rana Al Saadi. It is unclear if Al Saadi and Mills are officially separated. It has been reported that they are going through divorce proceedings Mills pushed back in a statement to the Daily Mail. 'These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions,' Mills said. 'I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. 'Out of respect for the legal process, I wont comment further at this time. My team and I will fully cooperate to ensure the truth is made clear. I remain focused on serving my constituents and advancing America First policies.' A spokesperson for the congressman blamed Mills's political opponents for a 'political attack' meant 'to score political headlines.' According to the sheriff's report, the lawmaker's last message to Langston, sent on June 12, 2025, read 'I hope you hold your crown until the end.' Langston claimed she finally decided to leave Mills after years once she saw media reports indicating he was in a domestic incident with his 'girlfriend.' The Daily Mail reported in February that the lawmaker was under investigation for a domestic assault after the police were called to his residence in Washington, D.C. Sarah Raviani, a co-founder of Iranians for Trump, phoned the police after '(Her significant other for over a year) grabbed her, shoved her, and pushed her out of the door' of his apartment, a copy of the initial incident report obtained by NBC claims. Iranian activist Sarah Raviani, 27, with her boyfriend, Mills, earlier this year Langston, 25, claimed she was living at Mills's home in New Smyrna Beach when the two were dating from 2021 until February of this year Raviani showed 'bruises on her arm which appeared fresh', the report stated, in addition to claiming that Mills instructed her to lie to authorities about what took place. 'Officers [heard] Subject 1 [now identified by MPD as Mills] instruct her to lie about the origin of her bruises,' it stated. Police also allegedly told Mills he would be placed under arrest, but after Raviani changed her story, no arrest took place and no charges have been filed. A new version of the police report was created within days, saying the incident was a family disturbance and there was no cause for arrest, according to the report. Both Mills and Raviani deny any wrongdoing. Raviani told the Daily Mail in a statement earlier this year: 'Regarding the police call, Ive confirmed multiple times and Ill confirm again, no assault took place.' That dispute occurred at Mills's penthouse apartment in D.C., a residence that has tried to evict the congressman over unpaid dues. The property manager claims that the sophomore lawmaker owes over $85,000 in rent, according to local court filings first reported by journalist Roger Sollenberger. Documents from D.C.'s superior court show that the Republican has failed to pay his $20,000 per month rent on time, and in some cases, missed certain payments altogether. Mills' office did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. The congressman did, however, speak to Sollenberger, telling him the link to pay his rent was broken, the journalist wrote on X. According to a ledger of rent payments obtained by the journalist, Mills has been late on rent 18 times, including not paying rent at all in certain months. He has also paid back some of the missing months, though he still owes the property $85,000 for 'total rent due' from March 2025 to July 2025, according to the court documents. Mills has said that his payment portal for the building was faulty, resulting in the late payments. A Jewish passenger flying from Buenos Aires to Madrid on an Iberia flight was served a kosher meal with the phrase 'Free Palestine' written on its packaging, according to the organisation representing Argentinas Jewish community. Other Jewish passengers on the flight who also ordered food found the abbreviation 'FP' written on their kosher meals, the group said. The incident occured on flight IB0102 which took off from Ezeiza airport in Buenos Aires and landed at Adolfo Suarez-Madrid Barajas shortly before 6.00 am on Monday. Jewish passenger Salvador Auday reported the incident to the airline crew, prompting the commander of the plane to directly apologise to the people impacted. 'I reported the incident to the head flight attendant, who took down the complaint, took photos, etc. They tried to apologise in every possible way,' Auday told the Argentinian Jewish newspaper Vis a Vis. 'Apparently, it wasnt any of the crew members, so if it came from outside, Id imagine that Iberia will conduct an internal investigation of its suppliers and procedures. Thats precisely why I reported it, so that it doesnt get forgotten,' he added. Following the incident, the Delegation of Argentine Jewish Associations (DAIA) contacted the airline to 'demand explanations and immediate actions', adding: 'We condemn this discriminatory act.' The airline said it was conducting a 'thorough investigation' to determine how the situation unravelled. A Jewish passenger flying from Buenos Aires to Madrid noticed the slogan 'Free Palestine' written on his kosher meal 'During the flight, some passengers who had ordered kosher food reported that handwritten pro-Palestinian messages appeared on their trays,' Iberia wrote in a statement. 'The Iberia crew documented what had happened and got involved to assist those affected. The commander personally approached them to apologise on behalf of the airline. 'Iberia is conducting a thorough investigation, both internally and with the external suppliers responsible for catering, intending to clarify what happened and take all appropriate measures. 'At Iberia, we categorically reject any form of discrimination, incitement to hatred or conduct that violates the dignity of individuals. 'Such behaviour is unacceptable and contrary to the values of respect and inclusion that are integral to our company's identity.' In July, dozens of French-Jewish students aged between 10 and 15 and several adults were escorted off Vueling flight V8166 as it waited on the tarmac at Valencia for 'unruly behaviour'. The expulsion of the 44 students amid reports they were endangering the safety of the flight sparked a row, with the carrier coming under fire for alleged anti-Semitism. A Spanish minister spurred on the row when he called the teenagers 'Israeli brats' in a now deleted post, sparking condemnation from French government ministers. Footage shared to social media appeared to show one adult member of the group being detained with handcuffs by Spanish civil guard officers in the walkway shortly after she was removed from the jet. A Nicaraguan man says he's barricaded himself and his family, including three children, inside a California home for six days in an apparent attempt to flee from a deportation order. Roberto Jose Reyes Castro, 35, who illegally entered the country three years ago, fled from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into his home in Fontana, about 49 miles east of Los Angeles. He has since refused to leave, showing security camera footage of two federal agents wearing vests with 'police' inscribed on the back repeatedly kicking the door and trying to open it. The Department of Homeland Security confirmed they attempted to arrest Reyes on July 30, describing him as 'a dangerous criminal illegal alien from Nicaragua with a criminal history including assault with a deadly weapon, exhibiting a deadly weapon, and disturbing the peace.' In separate interviews with Noticias Telemundo and Univision Noticias, Reyes said that the incident began when the men rear-ended his SUV in an attempt to box him in. He fled and ran back home where his wife was waiting with an open door to narrowly escape arrest. One agent can be seen on camera approaching an area outside the home, where he stopped and said, 'Come out, come out.' He later returned to the same spot to convince Reyes to turn himself in and flashed a pair of keys, saying: 'This your house key?' 'Seeing the hooded men made me nervous, I ran away,' he told Univision Noticias. 'If they were ICE agents, they would have brought a warrant.' Since July 30, Nicaragua native Roberto Jose Reyes Castro has been hiding at his home in Fontana, California, located 49 miles east of Los Angeles, after several masked men attempted to arrest him. The 35-year-old has a deportation order that was issued in October 2024, according to Noticias Telemundo A masked man wearing a cap with the initials of U.S. Customs and Border Protection flashes a key while attempting to get Nicaraguan immigrant Roberto Jose Reyes Castro to turn himself in during a July 31 operation in Fontana, California Reyes entered the country with his wife and three children three years ago under the CBP One app. However, Noticias Telemundo revealed that ICE obtained an order of deportation in October 2024. While Reyes claimed he did not have any pending criminal charges, he admitted that the agents came searching for him after he had a 'disagreement with neighbor, who threatened him with a gun'. Reyes pleaded guilty to disturbing the peace, while more serious charges of assault with a deadly weapon were dismissed, according to court documents reported by a local ABC7 News. DailyMail.com reached out to ICE and Fontana Police Department. An ICE agent attempt to enter a home in Fontana, California to arrest Roberto Jose Reyes Castro, who was described by the Department of Homeland Security as a 'dangerous undocumented foreigner with a criminal record' A surveillance camera showed a federal law enforcement agent attempting to kick down the door at the home of Roberto Jose Reyes Castro An agent loads an SUV belonging to Roberto Jose Reyes Castro on a flatbed truck after they were unable to arrest him July 30 The Inland Coalition for Immigrant Justice, a non-profit organization that works with the immigrant community, initiated a fundraiser to assist the family. Reyes told Noticias Telemundo that he and his wife have been unable to leave their homes for a week and have lost their jobs. 'We haven't had anything to eat, so we've had to buy anything because they're waiting for us outside,' he said. 'They've [been] knocking on our door. We've been very frustrated; they've been verbally and physically harassing us.' Inland Coalition for Immigrant advocate Javier Hernandez told KCAL that if the agents had an arrest warrant they could have found the way to have entered the home. 'What we are concerned about is were they actually there looking for him or was this another case of racial profiling here,' he said. Have you been caught up in the chaos? Please email: tips@dailymail.com Birmingham Airport has closed until at least 6pm today with 93 flights impacted after a private aircraft heading to Belfast was forced to make an emergency landing. All departures and arrivals at the hub were halted after the twin-engine Beech B200 Super King Air plane declared an in-flight emergency and diverted to Birmingham. Thousands of passengers were impacted by the disruption this afternoon, with 48 departures and 45 arrivals due in the time between the emergency landing and 6pm. Some arriving flights were diverted, with services from Ryanair and Jet2 sent to Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports while Birmingham remained shut. Three people from the aircraft were treated at the scene with one suffering minor injuries in the incident which happened at about 1.40pm, West Midlands Police said. West Midlands Ambulance Service has since discharged all of the people who were on board the aircraft. Birmingham Airport said in a statement posted at 4.16pm that people due to travel later today should check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. One X user posted photos of the stricken plane's tail sitting on the runway, writing: 'An aircraft on the runway at Birmingham airport seems to have emergency crews around it.' They added: 'No flights taking off till 6.00. Not a great start to the holiday.' The twin-engine Beech B200 Super King Air plane on the runway at Birmingham Airport today Thousands of passengers were impacted by the disruption at Birmingham Airport today The plane is operated by Belfast-based private charter operator Woodgate Aviation Emergency crews headed to the runway at Birmingham Airport to assist this afternoon The plane at Birmingham was built in 1981 and is owned by a firm called Blue Sky Investments Another wrote: 'Son and family have been diverted to Stansted. Just landed but not given any more info yet.' And a third said: 'How can a plane that small and on the grass delay us for three hours? Any explanation?' Emergency crews headed to the runway to assist those on board the plane, which is operated by Belfast-based private charter operator Woodgate Aviation. The plane, registered G-NIAA, was built in 1981 and is owned by a firm called Blue Sky Investments on the Isle of Man, according to Civil Aviation Authority records. It left Birmingham at 1.11pm but soon made a turn and several loops before landing back at the same airport at 1.58pm, according to tracking website FlightRadar 24. The Beech B200 Super King Air is the same aircraft model involved in the fireball crash at London Southend Airport on July 13 which killed four people onboard. A Birmingham Airport spokesman said at 2.40pm today: 'Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. 'We will keep passengers already at the airport informed, and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. We will continue to issue updates when we can.' A further update from the airport at 4.15pm said: 'Following an aircraft incident earlier today, the runway is still temporarily closed. All persons on board the aircraft have been discharged by West Midlands Ambulance Service. 'During this temporary closure we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing. Passengers on site remain informed and those due to travel later today and advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. 'At this time, both check-in and security are temporarily closed. We will continue to issue updates when we can.' A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. In a statement on X, Birmingham Airport said the runway had been 'temporarily closed' A screengrab taken from the FlightRadar 24 website today of the flight path of flight CWYO2G with all flights at Birmingham Airport on hold with the runway temporarily closed Birmingham Airport (file image) has closed until at least 6pm today because of the incident 'Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. 'The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out.' West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement: 'We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene. 'Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene.' The airport's website also appeared to have gone down, with users greeted by a message saying: 'Bad gateway. Error code 502.' Birmingham is the UK's seventh-largest airport in the UK and handled about 13million passengers last year, with over 130 direct routes offered by 30 airlines. The disruption comes during the peak summer holiday season, and follows chaos at Heathrow yesterday when the airport was forced to shut a road tunnel connecting to Terminals 2 and 3. Roads leading up to the airport were gridlocked due to the closure, with some desperate flyers sprinting down the motorway with their luggage to catch their flights. It was the second incident to cause delays at the airport in just one week after an IT issue with a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) centre last Wednesday led to more than 150 flight cancellations across the country. The Southend Airport tragedy on July 13 saw a Beech B200 Super King Air on a medical flight crash within the airport boundary shortly after take-off that afternoon. The plane model is the same one involved in the Southend Airport crash on July 13 (pictured) Four people who were on board all died in the disaster at Southend Airport on July 13 (above) Captain Danny Marko Franken (left), 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee (right), 24, were two of the four people on board who all died in the crash at Southend Airport on July 13 Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German national originally from Chile, was on the Southend flight The doctor on board the Southend Airport flight was named as German national Dr Matthias Eyl Captain Danny Marko Franken, 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, 24, were piloting the plane chartered for a patient to be transported for treatment in the UK. The two pilots were on board with a female nurse and a male doctor, with the Zeusch Aviation plane bound for its Netherlands base after dropping off a patient. The nurse was named as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German national originally from Chile, and the doctor was German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. Footage showed fire and black smoke billowing into the air from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing the jet 'corkscrew' before erupting into a ball of flames. An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash in Essex involving the Super King Air, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys. The plane had completed two trips that day, one from Athens in Greece to Pula in Croatia and then from Pula to Southend, landing in the UK at 2.51pm. The crash happened at 3.48pm and led to all flights in and out of the airport, which is used by easyJet for many of its holiday routes, being suspended. The airport was closed while an early investigation was carried out but it partially reopened three days later and resumed normal operations from July 17. Palestine Action supporters have boasted that they are the 'moral backbone' of Britain as hundreds prepare to swarm the police this weekend. At least 500 activists are set to join a demonstration at Parliament Square this Saturday, in which they will hold signs saying 'I oppose genocide, I support Palestine Action'. It has fuelled fears of a 'mass arrest' event, with police and No 10 confirming this week that anyone who supported the newly proscribed terror group would be arrested. But yesterday Tim Crosland, co-founder of Defender Our Juries, which is organising this weekend's protest, said he was 'proud' of those who had signed up to show support for Palestine Action, calling them 'the moral backbone of this country'. He told Times Radio that arresting peaceful protesters was a waste of police time. 'I think the spectacle of police resources, a police service that's under immense pressure, that doesn't answer phone calls for burglaries, that they're dragging retired priests and teachers into police vans for holding up signs,' he said. 'It's an appalling waste of funds.' Pro-Palestinian activists stage a solidarity protest outside Royal Courts of Justice as co-founder of Palestine Action Huda Ammori takes Home Secretary to High Court over proscription of the group as terror organization in London, United Kingdom on July 4, 2025. Palestine Action co-founders Richard Barnard and Huda Ammori stand outside Westminster Magistrates' Court ahead of Barnard's hearing on terrorism-related charges linked to protests in Manchester and Bradford in October 2023. Last week, Palestine Action won permission to challenge the ban after the High Court ruled it had an arguable case. A judicial review will take place in November. Until then, the ban remains in place. It means that membership of, or support for, Palestine Action is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years in prison, under the Terrorism Act 2000. But Mr Crosland also told an online press conference yesterday afternoon that there would be continued demonstrations in support of the group until the judicial review had concluded. He said he had been 'hearing from thousands of people wanting to take part in this action'. 'It feels like there's huge energy behind it,' he added. 'By November, we hope that this crazy law is struck down and we don't need to campaign against it anymore.' The Met has said the protests had 'the intention of placing a strain on the police' - something organisers have denied. But Mr Crosland claimed the police were in 'disarray' over the ban, with forces from across the country taking differing approaches to protesters, with some not taking action against peaceful demonstrations. There have already been 200 arrests at protests organised by Defend Our Juries since the ban came into force last month. However, Mr Crosland claimed no one had yet been charged, adding that there was 'a sense' that no one would be until the appeal had been heard. The former government lawyer said Defend Our Juries had received legal advice that claims against the police 'for unlawful arrest and for trespass to people's property' could be possible if the High Court rules in Palestine Action's favour. Mr Crosland said Defend Our Juries had written directly to Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Met Chief Sir Mark Rowley ahead of this weekend's protests, but had yet to receive a response. However, he said the group had received a 'nice letter' from Lord Hermer last October in relation to their Free Political Prisoners campaign, in which the Attorney General said he 'would love to meet'. 'Unfortunately, it wasn't quite the right time back then, and it seems still not to be quite the right time, but he did send us a nice letter,' Mr Crosland added. Prison bosses have initiated emergency measures for a possible influx of arrested demonstrators this weekend amid concerns that some jails are close to full. 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 A Met Police spokesperson said: 'We are aware that the organisers of Saturday's planned protest are encouraging hundreds of people to turn out with the intention of placing a strain on the police and the wider criminal justice system. 'The Met is very experienced in dealing with large-scale protests, including where the protest activity crosses into criminality requiring arrests. 'While we will not go into the specific details of our plan, the public can be assured that we will have the resources and processes in place to respond to any eventuality. 'Our officers will continue to apply the law in relation to Palestine Action as we have done since its proscription. 'Anyone showing support for the group can expect to be arrested.' The move to ban Palestine Action came after two Voyager aircraft were damaged at RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire on June 20, which police said caused about 7 million worth of damage. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper announced plans to proscribe Palestine Action three days later, saying the vandalism of the planes was 'disgraceful' and the group had a 'long history of unacceptable criminal damage'. Civil servants working for the taxman has come under fire after holding a seminar on the 'Guilt of Being British'. Staff at HM Revenue and Customs were able to log-in remotely and attend the session during office hours on Wednesday, prompting a furious backlash. It comes amid repeated criticism of HMRC's performance, with hundreds of thousands of calls from taxpayers going unanswered every month, customers getting surreptitiously cut off, and general concern from MPs over the 'failing' phone service. Kemi Badenoch on Wednesday night described the session as 'nonsense', and challenged Whitehall aides to leave the service if they were not proud of Britain. The Tory leader told the Mail: 'Is it any wonder the public hate dealing with HMRC, now we learn the staff are being taught to feel guilty about being British? 'In government I fought to remove all this nonsense from the Civil Service. Under my leadership, a Conservative government will ensure public bodies are proud of Britain, not ashamed of it. 'We'll defend our history, not apologise for it. And if that offends the Civil Service's seminar circuit, they're welcome to go somewhere else.' The hour-long 'Guilt of Being British: Listening circle' was run by the HMRC Race Network and held from 11am until midday. Staff at HM Revenue and Customs were able to log-in remotely and attend the session during office hours on Wednesday, prompting a furious backlash Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch hit out at the HMRC session, and challenged Whitehall aides to leave the civil service if they were not proud of Britain. It was billed as 'a powerful, interactive, and reflective listening circle exploring the emotional complexity of being South Asian and British', covering topics including 'the emotional weight of colonial history' as part of the taxman's commitment to diversity, equality and inclusion. According to a post published on the HMRC's intranet, the session promised to 'delve into themes of guilt, pride, and identity, offering space for personal stories and cultural insights'. Workers were told participants would explore 'the duality of identity - balancing heritage and belonging', and the 'emotional weight of colonial history and inherited trauma'. The internal advert said those attending would discover more about 'career challenges faced by South Asian women - barriers, bias and expectations', and learn how 'storytelling and representation help reclaim our narratives.' A dumbfounded Civil Service source told the Mail: 'This example of a work-time staff event pushing a highly divisive anti-British narrative perfectly encapsulates the nightmare that is Civil Service staff networks. 'Those focused on race and trans in particular seem to operate entirely without scrutiny, and attract large numbers of activist staff, intent on pushing their personal beliefs on their colleagues rather than identifying and tackling actual workplace issues. 'This is a total abandonment of the vital principle of Civil Service political neutrality and makes a lot of us very uncomfortable, but if you challenge these groups on their approaches you risk putting a target on your back. 'As is seen in this event, these networks also enable many people to treat the workplace like their personal therapy centres. Former Cabinet Minister Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said he thought it was 'peculiar that people who hate their country want to run it' Tory leader Ms Badenoch said people should be 'proud' - not 'ashamed' - to be British, as thousands of patriots took part in events marking the 80th anniversary of VE Day. Pictured above, crowds waved Union flags in central London for the celebrations in May 'So many of us are getting on with our jobs and we see colleagues holding listening circles to talk about personal traumas - it fosters resentment and damages public trust.' Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, the former Tory Cabinet Minister, added: 'It is peculiar that people who hate their country want to run it. 'Perhaps I should offer a course on why being British is to win first prize in the lottery of life.' Joanna Marchong, investigations campaign manager at the TaxPayers' Alliance, said: 'Taxpayers are fed up of bankrolling woke staff networks. 'While HMRC quangocrats sit around in circles whining about colonialism, hard-working Brits are being left on hold for hours on end. 'Staff networks should not be funded by taxpayers and they certainly shouldn't be happening during working hours.' It is not known how many of HMRC's more than 60,000 staff attended the remote event. A spokesman for the taxman said it would have been less than 0.1% and had no impact on its call handling ability. Earlier this year a report by Parliament's Public Accounts Committee found HMRC answered just 66.4 per cent of customers' attempts to speak to an adviser, well below the target of 85 per cent. It said performance reached 'an all-time low'. HMRC has come under fire from MPs for its woeful record. But the department's most recent monthly performance report shows signs of improvement A sea of Union flags fluttered in front of Buckingham Palace for the 80th anniversary of VE Day earlier this year Around 40,000 customers were cut off in the year 2023-24 if they were waiting for more than 70 minutes, without an explanation, and no callback option was available. The average call wait time exceeded 23 minutes, with HMRC saying it did not have adequate resources to meet telephone demand from customers. The report said: 'HMRC's already poor service to taxpayers has become even worse. 'The PAC is concerned that HMRC has degraded its own phone services - willing to let them fail, in the hope that people will be forced to go online.' HMRC's most recent monthly performance report, however, shows signs of improvement - 80 per cent of calls were handled in March, while average call time waits were down to 14 minutes and 44 seconds. An HMRC spokesman said: 'Events by staff networks should not be taken as reflecting the views of HMRC. 'An event like this would only be attended by around 0.1% of staff, which would have no impact on our ability to staff our helplines. We have robust processes in place to ensure our phonelines are well-resourced throughout the day.' It comes after the Mail last week revealed the NHS budgeted nearly 2 million for similar staff networks in the health service, many of whom hold 'woke' events for staff. They included an event on 'Embracing Asexuality', a talk on 'Embracing your Afro/Curly hair' and another on 'International Pronouns Day'. Vice President JD Vance is expected to hold a meeting Wednesday evening with administration officials as they explore the way forward on the Jeffrey Epstein files. The summit is expected to include White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to a report from CNN citing 'three sources familiar' with details of the event. A source familiar with the administration's plans told the Daily Mail that a meeting between the vice president and top officials would take place at the VP's residence. But they said that Vance wouldn't be leading a discussion on Epstein. The supposed strategy meeting comes as the administration works to contain fallout from MAGA supporters accusing the president of a 'cover-up' by not releasing the full Epstein documents. Attorney General Pam Bondi has instead demanded grand jury transcripts on the convicted pedophile be unsealed. Trump described the whole Epstein controversy as a 'hoax' that was 'put out by the Democrats' to distract from his administration's success. The vice president's office has denied that there is a meeting scheduled at his residence to discuss the Epstein files. Vice President JD Vance is hosting a meeting of top Trump officials at the Vice President's residence The Vice President's residence at the United States Naval Observatory 'The CNN story is pure fiction,' William Martin, Communications Director to the Vice President told the Daily Mail. 'There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice Presidents residence to discuss Epstein Strategy.' The denial from the vice president's office called into question whether the reported meeting will even take place. The White House did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. Vance is not leading the administration's response on the Epstein files, CNN reported, even as the vice president has been working behind the scenes to get Bondi and Patel on the same page. A second source close to the FBI told the Daily Mail that Vance likely sees the Epstein files as a possible liability for his all-but-certain run for president in 2028, 'so trying to distance himself from the mishaps but also be part of the solution' is important to him. The group was expected to also weigh details from Blanche's nine-hour meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell to discuss the case. Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend and business associate was was convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. During the meeting, Maxwell told Blanche that Trump never did anything harmful in her presence according to sources speaking to ABC News. Administration officials are weighing whether to release transcripts of the interviews, according to NBC News. Maxwell was transported from a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida after her meeting with Blanche to a more relaxed security prison in Texas. Maxwell's attorney said after the meeting that she 'didn't hold anything back' in the interview, and spoke about 'one hundred' different people in the case. President Trump said he was unaware of Maxwell's transfer but described it as routine. 'I didn't know about it at all. I read about it just like you did,' he told reporters on Tuesday. 'It's not a very uncommon thing.' US Attorney General Pam Bondi has come under scrutiny for her mishandling of the Epstein files Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's Director of the FBI Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell. The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein's abuse, issued a statement calling for the adminstration to meet with 'any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.' 'Their voices must be heard, above all. We also call upon the House subcommittee to invite survivors to testify,' Sky and Amanda Roberts said in a joint statement with Danny and Lanette Wilson. Giuffre died in April 2025, as the cause of death was ruled a suicide. 'Any information that may be released by the government should take into account the survivors who wish to remain anonymous, for their safety and well-being. They should be consulted first,' the family members concluded. Democrats were quick to target Vance's role in the controversy, given that he once was a vocal proponent of releasing all the documents related to the deceased pedophile. 'The Epstein files coverup is happening before our eyes and the entire Trump White House is complicit including JD Vance who at one point tried to distance himself from it all,' said Tommy Vietor, the former Obama national security official and current podcast host. The Trump administration continues to weigh their response to the controversy that began a month ago after the Department of Justice released a memo that said Epstein did not have a 'client list' that could be released and that there was no evidence of foul play in Epstein's death in prison, after it was ruled a suicide. Jeffrey Epstein stands next to one of his private jets Jeffrey Epstein's long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking Vance last addressed the administration's handling of the files, denying that the they were 'shielding' Epstein and his clients. 'We're not shielding anything,' the vice president told a reporter who asked him about protestors in Ohio. 'The president has directed the attorney general to release all credible information and frankly to go and find additional credible information related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.' Vance has defended Bondi for her handling of the case, even as prominent Trump allies have blamed her for the tone-deaf handling of the case. 'I know, because I talk to her all the time, the attorney general is hard at work on that now,' Vance said. Vance insisted that Trump had 'nothing to hide' in the Epstein files and predicted more details about the Epstein case in the coming days. 'He's going to keep on being an advocate for full transparency,' Vance promised. President Donald Trump appeared alongside Apple CEO Tim Cook as the tech giant announced another $100 billion in investment in the United States. Apple committed to the creation of an 'American Manufacturing Program,' as Trump has pushed for more of the company's supply chain to be moved back to the United States. In the Oval Office, Cook said the glass screens for Apple's popular devices would be made in the USA. 'This is for the first time ever, every single new iPhone and every single new Apple Watch sold anywhere in the world will contain cover glass made in Kentucky,' Cook said. Cook presented Trump with a piece of Apple glass, manufactured in Utah, with a gold base. Overall, Apple has made a $600 billion commitment to the U.S. over the next four years. 'President Trump's America First economic agenda has secured trillions in dollars in investments that support American jobs and bolster American businesses,' White House spokesperson Taylor Rogers told the Daily Mail in a statement. 'Today's announcement with Apple is another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect America's economic and national security,' she added. President Donald Trump (left) hosted Apple CEO Tim Cook (right) in the Oval Office on Wednesday as Apple has committed to manufacturing iPhone and Apple Watch screens globally at a plant in Kentucky President Donald Trump (center) shakes hands with Apple CEO Tim Cook (right) in the Oval Office on Wednesday alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent (left) and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick (center left) Already, the phone and computer maker supports more than 450,000 jobs in the U.S., spanning all 50 states. Traditionally, Apple has produced its popular iPhone in China, but more recently has moved some of its production to India. During his trip to the Middle East in mid-May, Trump admonished Cook for the India move. 'I had a little problem with Tim Cook yesterday,' Trump said during an event in Doha, Qatar. 'I said to him: "Tim, you're my friend. You're coming here with $500 billion but now you're building all over India. I don't want you building in India,"' the president said. Apple's decision to move some production to India was prompted by frosty U.S.-China relations. But since then, U.S. and India relations have also worsened. In the hours ahead of the Apple announcement, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on India after the country purchased Russian oil. The new tariff will go into effect in 21 days and will be on top of the 25 percent tariff already on Indian imports. When Trump originally announced his 'Liberation Day' tariffs on April 2, smartphones, chips and other tech products were exempt. It appears that policy continues to hold despite the additional round of tariff threats. A White House official told the Daily Mail: 'the deal does not reflect any changes to current tariffs policies.' No iPhones are currently made in the United States and experts have warned that doing so would increase the cost of the popular smartphones exponentially. The Chinese have mocked the idea of United States bringing back widespread manufacturing. In April, amid Trump's trade war with China, a number of Chinese AI videos went viral that showed overweight Americans working on assembly lines. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt blasted the videos saying that 'whoever made it clearly does not see the potential of the American worker, the American workforce.' 'The president believes in the American people and he knows that we have the best - not only consumer base in the world, but also the best workforce in the world and that's why he's so focused on bringing investments home and shoring up our critical supply chains and bolstering our manufacturing here as well,' Leavitt said at a press briefing in mid-April. A female BBC star allegedly showed an explicit picture to a junior member of staff in the latest sex scandal to hit the broadcaster. Bosses hauled the top talent in for a series of crisis talks about the incident and made her apologise for the unsolicited 'd*** pic'. It is believed the woman is ranked in the Corporation's top 50 earners this year. She apparently asked a stunned junior employee about her preferences before brandishing the unwanted nude image, the identity of which is unknown. The story is thought to have been kept secret for some time, remaining the subject of gossip within the BBC's offices. A source told The Sun: 'As soon as the name of this woman - and details of her bad behaviour - are unleashed, it will derail entire departments and mark the first female to be formally swept up into the BBCs wrongdoing roll call. 'It was meant to be jokey, locker-room type banter, but the woman was completely horrified and cried about it. 'No one minds a bit of office banter, but this was on another level. She felt like it was an intentionally shocking move to intimidate, veiled as a joke. It was way too much.' A BBC spokesperson said: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously.' A female BBC star allegedly showed an explicit picture to a junior member of staff in the latest controversy to hit the broadcaster It's the latest saga to strike the BBC, after MasterChef star John Torode was sacked from the show for allegedly using the N-word on set and directing it towards a member of staff. The Australian-born chef, 59, lost his job at MasterChef after two decades over allegations that he used the N-word, which he claims to have 'absolutely no recollection' of. The BBC said last month that Torode's contract would not be renewed after a report found he had used an 'extremely offensive racist term' following a complaint from a member of staff. It has been previously reported that the presenter, who also hosts a cookery show with his wife Lisa Faulkner on ITV, used the N-word while singing along to a Kanye West song during a wrap party in 2019. But BBC News has since reported this was not the incident which led to the complaint upheld by the report. This instead related to another incident a year earlier, when he allegedly used the same word on set after filming an episode of Masterchef and it was directed at a member of staff. The news site added that the upheld allegation of racist language was one of nine complaints made against Torode in the report, which also related to allegations of abusive language towards junior production staff and sexual language, and which were not upheld. These allegations were not upheld as they were unsubstantiated due to a lack of evidence or witnesses. Former Masterchef host John Torode (pictured) was sacked from the show for allegedly using the N-word on set and directing it towards a member of staff Torode and Gregg Wallace (pictured together) appear to have endured a tumultuous friendship behind the scenes of their 19-year tenure of the show The complaint against Torode was revealed in the report into co-presenter Gregg Wallace's inappropriate behaviour. Wallace, 60, was sacked after more than 40 complaints against him were upheld. The report also included one further complaint which was upheld relating to a third unnamed person, supposedly a MasterChef senior executive who was accused of swearing, according to BBC News. The news site said it has contacted that executive but has not heard back. Meanwhile, a Banijay spokesperson said the allegation is being handled 'appropriately internally'. Torode has never defended his MasterChef colleague Wallace when allegations against him first emerged in December last year. In a statement at the time the Australian chef said the claims were 'truly upsetting' and the 'thought of anyone who has appeared on our show not having a brilliant experience is awful to hear'. Wallace was said to be 'furious' with his former co-star and unfollowed him and his wife Lisa on Instagram. Last month, Wallace was banned from working at the BBC after executives ruled they did not 'have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour'. The pair (pictured together in 2008) were sacked following an investigation into the show Wallace, 60, was fired from BBC MasterChef following a nine-month sexual misconduct investigation He was banned from working at the BBC after executives ruled they did not 'have the confidence that you can change what seems to be learned behaviour' In a letter of dismissal from Claire Powell, head of compliance for BBC Television, the corporation made clear that Wallace would not work as a BBC presenter following an investigation into his behaviour on MasterChef. When coming to the judgement the BBC said they took into account Wallace's autism diagnosis but concluded that he 'struggled to distinguish the boundaries between appropriate and inappropriate behaviour in the workplace' despite training in 2019. The independent report by Lewis Silkins, which was commissioned by Masterchef producers Banijay in November after the initial allegations, has yet to be published but Wallace has insisted he has been cleared of the most serious allegations of groping. But it is understood that he has been found guilty of making repeated inappropriate comments which he considered 'banter'. Defending himself, Wallace recognised 'that some of my humour and language, at times, was inappropriate' for which he apologised 'without reservation'. Wallace has been blasted by disability charities for using his autism as an excuse for his alleged inappropriate behaviour. He claimed that television executives had failed to 'investigate my disability' or 'protect me from what I now realise was a dangerous environment'. Fifty people came forward this week with fresh allegations about Wallace, including inappropriate sexual comments, touching and groping, which he vehemently denies. Bob Vylan's performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed by the BBC but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the controversial set Chants of 'death, death to the IDF' prompted calls for the band members to be arrested over claims they had incited violence Lorna Clarke is among a small number of senior staff who have temporarily withdrawn from their day-to-day duties covering music and live events after the foul-mouthed Bob Vylan set BBC chair Samir Shah (pictured) has apologised 'for allowing the 'artist' Bob Vylan to express unconscionable antisemitic views live on the BBC' Elsehwere in the Corporation, the BBC's head of music stepped back from her role after the broadcaster admitted that punk duo Bob Vylan were assessed as 'high risk' before their controversial performance at Glastonbury - and yet still allowed on air. Lorna Clarke is among a small number of senior staff who have temporarily withdrawn from their day-to-day duties covering music and live events. Clarke, who is on an annual salary of 215,000, was stood down so she could focus on the investigation into why the BBC failed to cut the feed during Bob Vylan's appearance, The Times Reports. It comes after the corporation has faced a furious backlash following last Sunday's set that included the duo's frontman calling out 'Death to the IDF' and 'Free Palestine'. The performance at the West Holts Stage was livestreamed but the organisation later expressed regret for not stopping its broadcast of the set. She's no Santa Claus. An intoxicated woman had to be rescued after she got stuck inside a chimney at park near Los Angeles on Tuesday night. The LA Fire Department responded to call about a woman who had climbed onto a rooftop of a historic building in the San Fernando Recreational Park at around 8pm. 'This woman, somehow, was able to get herself up on the roof. She was seen by witnesses dancing on the roof,' San Fernando Police Sgt. Brian Woodward said in a video posted by fire department. '[She] then proceeded to climb up onto the chimney and began to dance on the chimney at which point she fell in, getting herself lodged.' Woodward said that the fire and police departments 'were fortunate to get her out safely.' The wannabe Kris Kringle was also seen by witnesses taking off her clothes on the rooftop shortly before she became stuck. Locals recognized the woman as a homeless person who is frequently seen in the area, and witnesses said she appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs, NBC 4 reported. 'I was walking with my little baby, and she was actually taking off her shirt and her pants and she was on the roof... At first she wasn't screaming or nothing, she was just on top of the roof,' said parkgoer, Israel Olivas. The Los Angeles Fire Department responded to call of a woman who had climbed onto a rooftop of a historic building in the San Fernando Recreational Park before becoming stuck in a chimney Following a 'long and tedious' preparation, the woman was hoisted from inside the chimney The woman was placed in a wheelchair and escorted from the scene 'And the second time I came around she was actually inside [the chimney] screaming for help, she was like, "Help! Help! Help, please help! My ankle hurts!..." and that's when I stopped... and I decided to call the cops.' Following a 'long and tedious' preparation, the woman was hoisted from inside the chimney and placed on a stretcher, according to the fire department. She was then lowered down to the ground being placed in a wheelchair and escorted from the scene. The LA Fire Department told NBC 4 that the 30-year-old was taken to a nearby hospital and her condition was described as 'fair.' The Daily Mail has reached out to the Los Angeles Fire Department and San Fernando Police Department for additional comment. London cocktail bar Simmons has gone into administration after recording a loss of almost 750,000 last year. The popular chain, renowned for its pink fluorescent neon light and retro interiors, made the painful decision earlier this week after recording losses of 749,000 for the year to March 2024. It has appointed London based advisory firm Kroll to oversee the administration, documents filed with companies house show. The move comes less less than a week after Simmons announced it would be closing at least four of its 21 sites - all but one of which are based in London. Founder Nick Campbell said the move aims to 'streamline' its portfolio as part of a 'strategic restructuring process'. 'As part of the process, we've taken the tough decision to exit four leases, allowing management to focus resources on our strongest performing venues,' he added. 'Alongside this, we've secured additional investment to support future expansion and operational improvements across the estate.' Simmons joins a long list of hospitality businesses to shut sites recently following behind craft beer maker BrewDog after it announced that it plans to close 10 of its bars last month. London cocktail bar Simmons has gone into administration after recording a loss of almost 750,000 last year (Stock image) Simmons also announced last week it would be closing at least four of its 21 sites - all but one of which are based in London (Stock image) The popular chain is renowned for its pink fluorescent neon light and retro interiors According to analysis, the number of hospitality sites plunged by 374 to 98,746 sites at the end of June, sparking fresh concerns about the fight for survival faced by many businesses. Kate Nicholls, chair of industry group UKHospitality, has warned the closures signalled 'the hollowing out of our high streets and communities'. Labour's tax-raid on employers was blamed for the fall by market research firm NIQ and consultancy AlixPartners, which published the analysis. It means that the sector is now 14.2 per cent smaller than at the start of Covid in March 2020, with more than 16,000 net closures over the past five years. Researchers pointed to a cocktail of costs including higher National Insurance contributions for employers, business rates and wages. Ms Nicholls told City AM: 'Sadly the news of further closures and business failures is all too common at the moment. 'Our last survey showed that half of London hospitality businesses are operating at or below break even up from a third since the Budget. 'That's because the costs of doing business rent, rates, employment are much higher in the Capital but we have yet to see footfall and visitor numbers recover to pre Covid levels. 'Put simply the money coming through the front door is not enough to cover costs and as a result businesses are running out of road they are being literally taxed out.' American gas-powered vehicles, including the country's iconic pickup trucks, will not vanish forever as drivers have turned their backs on EVs. The surge in gas guzzlers is due to Donald Trump's push to exile EVs so the nation's auto industry can thrive - especially in Detroit, the 'car capital' of the world. US automakers are going back to their roots after switching their focus to electric vehicles that first became popular in 2010, and gained more notice in recent years. Although EVs are meant to be better for the planet, car manufacturers have had to use more resources to keep up with the fuel-efficient standards. Ford, a top US car brand based out of Detroit, is already gearing up for the shift and changing its lineup by adding more commercial vehicles and large SUVs and taking out some EVs. 'This is a multibillion-dollar opportunity over the next couple of years,' Jim Farley, the Chief Executive of Ford Motors, said in a call with analysts last week. Trump's car policy changes came after he announced a 25 percent tariff on imported cars that came into effect in April. Most electric cars sold in the US are already built domestically, meaning they wont be affected by the tariff. Still, there are costs associated with EVs that companies have to front. Gas-fueled cars and trucks are set to make comeback in the US as drivers turn their backs on electric vehicles Trump's car policy changes came after he announced a 25 percent tariff on imported cars that came into effect in April Because of the push to move back to gas cars, the auto industry is looking up because the fees that come with EVs will start to lower. With EVs, the industry has to pay regulatory credits and fuel-economy rule-violation fines. Ford, GM and Stellantis - a Dutch automaker - have shelled out about $10 billion on regulatory credits and fuel-economy rule-violation fines since 2022, according to The Wall Street Journal. Although General Motors has hoped to get rid of internal combustion engines by 2035, the company has since changed its tune and told its investors there are benefits to keeping gas cars in the lineup. During a recent call, Stellantis, who owns car companies like Jeep and Toyota, highlighted how Trump's Big Beautiful Bill allows them to add more gas-powered vehicles to the mix on dealership lots. 'This will mean to us a lot of additional profit,' Antonio Filosa, the CEO of Stellantis, who started the position in June, said. In a July 29 memo reviewed by WSJ, Stellantis wrote that they would prefer to satisfy its customers demands over anything. 'In these uncertain times of heavy competition and tariffs, there are auto workers all over the world who would happily trade their uncertainty for our customer demand and company commitment,' the company stated. GM is prepared to roll out more gas guzzler cars while also keeping EVs available. (Pictured: GM workers unpacking EV batteries) Most electric cars sold in the US are already built domestically, meaning they wont be affected by the tariff. Meanwhile, many gas-powered cars are imported In recent months, Stellantis, which also owns Ram, has been dealing with part shortages. Just last week, the automaker had to add shifts to a factory in Michigan in a bid to speed up production for its famed Ram 1500 trucks. Although the set back was not specifically related to the regulatory charges, Stellantis will thrive from the surge in gas cars by not having to pay millions for fines and fuel-economy rule violations. In order to see how the new trend will affect the company, Stellantis plans to keep an eye on the production conflict at the Ram Michigan factory regularly. Companies aren't the only ones excited about the change, as dealerships are also on board. 'Americans do like buying giant vehicles,' Adam Lee, chairman of Maine-based Lee Auto Malls, told the outlet. 'Theyre going to see how many more giant SUVs they can pump out, because they sell a lot of them and make a lot of money on them.' In recent months, Stellantis, which also owns Ram, has been operating with short supply. But, with the shift, Stellantis will thrive from the surge is gas cars by not having to pay millions for fines and fuel-economy rule violations Despite being excited, Lee said he hopes some EVs will still remain. 'Otherwise, were going to find out were the only country in the world not embracing fuel-efficient vehicles and EVs,' he said. With the change, several big brands have back-pedaled with their EV plans as they anticipate the shift. Mary Barra, the CEO of GM, originally planned to make the company fully EV in 10 years, but now she is mulling the idea that gas-powered cars could come back into play. With that, her company continues to roll out EV cars, as she thinks the change will actually give GM a chance to sell more of those vehicles. 'It also gives us the opportunity to sell EV vehicles,' Barra stated while on a recent earnings call. 'Excuse me, ICE vehicles, for longer and appreciate the profitability of those vehicles.' A British mother was today let off with a two-year suspended sentence for trafficking drugs into Germany after being caught smuggling cannabis from Thailand. Cameron Bradford, 24, of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich Airport on April 22 after arriving from Bangkok when she attempted to collect her luggage. Authorities had become suspicious after she allegedly changed her flight at the last minute, having originally been due to fly to London Heathrow via Singapore. Her family had filed a missing person report after raising concerns when she did not return home as expected, but then learned the next day that she was in Germany. The mother-of-one appeared at Munich District Court today which heard she had worked as an escort for a man in Britain who had threatened her, reported BBC News. She was allegedly told to go to Thailand to pick up something for the man - and customs officials in Munich then found 20kg (about 45lb) of marijuana in her suitcase. Miss Bradford, who has a young son, was arrested, held in custody and charged with attempted transit of cannabis and abetting the international trafficking of cannabis. She claimed she did not know what was in the case, which was locked, but Judge Wilfried Dudek determined in court that the man had put her under pressure. Miss Bradford's arrest is one of a series of cases involving suspected young British female drug mules stopped by police at airports in countries around the world. Cameron Bradford, 21, of Knebworth, Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich Airport on April 22 Your browser does not support iframes. Miss Bradford faced charges including abetting the international trafficking of cannabis Germany legalised cannabis for recreational use by adults in February 2024, but this did not extend to tourists - and the unauthorised import of the drug is illegal. Thailand decriminalised cannabis in 2022, but in June brought in new rules which restrict the sale of the drug to those with a doctor's prescription. A UK Border Force and Thai customs agreement called Operation Chaophraya which aims to reduce attempted cannabis smuggling was launched in July last year. The Home Office said in April that the scheme was working after cannabis arrivals by post from Thailand dropped by 90 per cent in the first three months of 2025. Parcels from Thailand must now be checked before they are shipped and more than 50 British nationals have been arrested in Thailand for attempted cannabis smuggling since the operation began. Earlier this week, two young Brits were jailed for six years after being caught trying to smuggle nearly 150lbs of cannabis in their luggage from Thailand to Zimbabwe. Tihaise Darlin Elisha, 19, and Taylor Tamara Simone, 21, were arrested at Robert Gabriel Mugabe Airport in Harare on May 1, after the pair arrived on a flight from Thailand. Police became suspicious when Miss Bradford allegedly changed her flight at the last minute Security at Munich Airport in Germany (file photograph), where Miss Bradford was stopped Airport staff found their behaviour suspicious and carried out a search where they stumbled across the hidden stash of drugs. Police discovered 53 packets containing a total of 146lbs of 'loose skunky' cannabis, also known locally as dagga, tucked away inside four monarch suitcases. The drugs were concealed inside the cases which had been tagged with the offenders' names. The pair were seen in photographs standing and crouching sheepishly next to the cannabis-filled bags. Elisha and Simone were found guilty of drug trafficking by the Harare Magistrates' Court, according to a statement on Monday from Zimbabwe's National Prosecuting Authority. Each were sentenced to nine years in prison, with three years suspended on condition of good behaviour. Separately, the Daily Mail revealed last month that a British mother was arrested in Mauritius accused of trying to smuggle cannabis inside her six-year-old son's suitcase. Tihaise Darlin Elisha, 19, and Taylor Tamara Simone, 21, were arrested in Harare, Zimbabwe, in May after the pair arrived on a flight from Thailand after cannabis was found in their luggage British mother Natashia Artug, 35, was detained in Mauritius alongside seven other people accused of carrying more than 161 kilograms of the drug - worth 1.6 million - in their luggage Natashia Artug, 35, of Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire, was detained alongside seven other people accused of carrying more than 161kg of the drug - worth 1.6million - in their luggage. The boy's luggage alone is said to have had 24 packages of drugs wrapped in clear cellophane inside weighing 14kg. Campaign group Justice Abroad claimed Ms Artug is 'vulnerable' and was coerced into travelling to Mauritius by people involved in the drug trade who threatened her and her family, adding that she did not know the bags contained cannabis. Miss Artug's partner Florian Lisman, a 38-year-old Romanian, was also arrested and said to be carrying 32 drug packages, an iPhone and 260. The other Britons detained were Patrick Lee Wilsdon, 22, Lily Watson, 20, Shannon Ellen Josie Holness 29, Laura Amy Kappen 28, and Shona Campbell, 32, who each had between 30 and 32 packages, according to local newspaper Le Mauricien. They were all on the same British Airways flight from London Gatwick to Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam airport in June. The suspects have all been charged with drug trafficking and remain in custody. Bella Culley, 18, from Billingham in County Durham, was arrested in Georgia in May after allegedly carrying 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish into the country from Thailand Charlotte Lee May, 21, South London, was locked up in a Sri Lankan jail after police allegedly discovered 46kg of 'Kush' - a synthetic strain of cannabis - in her suitcase from Thailand A series of other cases in recent months have seen Brits arrested abroad for alleged drug smuggling. One of the most high profile involves 18-year-old Bella Culley, from Billingham in County Durham, who was arrested in Georgia in May after allegedly carrying 12kg of cannabis and 2kg of hashish into the country from Thailand, where she had been on holiday. In June her trial was postponed immediately after it began due to issues concerning evidence. She could face up to 15 years in jail if convicted, and her trial is due to take place in September. Another case in May saw 21-year-old Charlotte Lee May, from Coulsdon in South London locked up in a Sri Lankan prison after police allegedly 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 handcuffs after 1.15million worth of cannabis was allegedly found in her luggage and could face up to 25 years in prison if found guilty. OnlyFans model Clara Wilson, 36, from Nottinghamshire, allegedly tried to smuggle around 200,000 of Thai cannabis into Spain - with more than 34kg of cannabis found in her suitcases British beautician Kimberly Hall, 29, was accused of attempting to smuggle $6.2million of cocaine from Chicago O' Hare Airport to the UK, having come off a flight from Cancun OnlyFans model Clara Wilson, 36, from Huthwaite, Nottinghamshire, allegedly tried to smuggle around 200,000 of Thai cannabis into Spain - with more than 34kg of cannabis found in her suitcases at Barcelona's El Prat Airport. British beautician Kimberly Hall, 29, from Middlesbrough, is in custody in the US after being accused of attempting to smuggle $6.2million of cocaine from Chicago O' Hare Airport to the UK, having come off a flight from Cancun in Mexico. Robert Brown, 41, from Newcastle, was arrested in Cambodia in June after allegedly attempting to smuggle nearly 20kg of marijuana into the UK - just hours after he was reported missing by his girlfriend. Police found 22 packages of cannabis weighing nearly 20kg hidden inside his luggage at Phnom Penh Airport. The drugs, which police believe originated in 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 and could face up to 30 years in prison if convicted. And 79-year-old William 'Billy Boy' Eastment, a bowls-loving pensioner from Somerset, faces dying in prison after he was allegedly intercepted at Santiago Airport in Chile with 200,000 worth of meth. A former Parachute Regiment boss has criticised the Prime Minister for appointing a civil servant who invited Gerry Adams to his wedding as his national security adviser. Lieutenant Colonel Simon Barry lashed out over Sir Keir Starmer's decision in a scathing letter lambasting Labour's plan to scrap the Northern Ireland Legacy Act. Lt Col Barry vented his frustration at the appointment of Jonathan Powell as the PM's national security adviser, who was given the job in November last year. Mr Powell, who previously served as Tony Blair's chief of staff from 1995 to 2007, invited former Sinn Fein leader Adams and late IRA chief Martin McGuinness to his wedding in 2007. Neither eventually attended the ceremony. The 68-year-old is seen as one of the government's de facto diplomacy whizzes, having previously served as chief British negotiator on Northern Ireland from 1997 to 2007. More recently, he has had a hand in Labour's Chagos Islands 'surrender' deal. But writing to veterans minister Alastair Carns, Lt Col Barry - the ex-commander of the now defunct 10th Battalion Parachute Regiment - took aim at Mr Powell, and at the PM's approach to the Legacy Act, which protects UK troops from legal witch hunts. Lashing out at the government's plan to scrap the bill, Lt Col Barry wrote: 'A previous Labour government gave comfort letters to suspected terrorists and released many others from prison, where they had been held for murder and serious crimes. 'A link to the present is Jonathan Powell, who invited [Gerry] Adams and [Martin] McGuinness to his wedding party and is now the PM's security adviser.' Lt Col Barry vented his frustration at the appointment of Jonathan Powell (pictured) as the Prime Minister's national security adviser Mr Powell (left) once invited former Sinn Fein leader Gerry Adams (right) to his wedding PM Sir Keir Starmer (pictured) has come under fire over Labour's move to try scrap the Northern Ireland Legacy Act, which offers protection to UK troops The retired paratrooper said repelling the act would provide 'zero fairness' for Northern Ireland veterans - many of whom are now in their late 70s or 80s and could face being dragged into court for alleged incidents during their service. 'However, what it does - and is doing - is to enable the mass murderers to observe, while laughing at, the UK Government blundering about in a self-harming process that they themselves have created,' the veteran army officer continued. 'And in parallel they continue to rewrite history as the victorious British Army is persecuted for doing its duty.' In his letter, Lt Col Barry accused Labour of betraying the troops who served in Northern Ireland and of reneging on its election promise to be 'on the side of veterans', which he branded as 'no longer believable'. 'The vast majority of veterans are from the working class as you well know,' he continued in his letter, which was shared by former Conservative veterans minister Johnny Mercer on X. 'They are baffled that Labour, who claims to represent the working class, are happy to throw them under a double decker bus in favour of the IRA.' Mr Powell took over the role of national security adviser to the government from Sir Tim Barrow. Announcing his appointment last year, Sir Keir said: 'Jonathan has devoted his career to protecting the interests of the country, having served for seventeen years as a diplomat in the Foreign Office and ten years as Chief of Staff in No10, and I am delighted to appoint him to this important role. Pictured: Lieutenant Colonel Simon Barry who has criticised the government in a letter Pictured is Lt Col Barry's letter to the government, which was shared by former Tory veterans minister Johnny Mercer Mr Powell also invited Martin McGuinness to his wedding (pictured front, with Gerry Adams, left) in 2007. He did not attend the ceremony. Nor did Adams Pictured: British troops at the scene of a deadly shoot out between the SAS and IRA terrorists 'Together with his experience helping to negotiate the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement and work on some of the worlds most complex conflicts, he is uniquely qualified to advise the Government on tackling the challenges ahead and engage with counterparts across the globe to protect and advance UK interests.' Mr Powell said he was 'honoured' to have been given the top job which he described as 'hugely important role'. 'As the Prime Minister has set out, national security is at the heart of this countrys response to the many challenges we face and having an integrated response will be crucial to our success,' he added. Last week the government was dealt a blow its plans to axe the Northern Ireland Legacy Act was delayed. Aided by the Daily Mail's own 'Stop The SAS Betrayal campaign', almost 200,000 backed the bid to ensure soldiers are not exposed to a witch-hunt in the form of misconduct claims from the Troubles in Northern Ireland. Tory defence spokesman Mark Francois said the Government had been 'rocked' by the backlash and had postponed a Commons bid to scrap the Legacy Act. He had expected Labour to present plans for alternative legislation before summer recess. But after a surge of public support for the Mail's campaign and a parliamentary debate, they were seemingly put on ice last week. The move may also be linked to a reported threat by Labour veterans minister Mr Carns to resign over the issue. Just over 191,000 people have signed the parliamentary petition, boosted by former SAS reservist Sir David Davis, to support veterans. The battle to preserve their legal protections deemed unlawful by a court in Northern Ireland is expected to resume this autumn. The Daily Mail has contacted the Cabinet Office for comment. A Labour MP has been criticised and branded a 'useless twit' after he created an Artificial Intelligence chatbot of himself to talk to his constituents. Mark Sewards, MP for Leeds South West and Morley, explained that he wanted to 'embrace' the 'AI revolution' as he rolled out the 'UK's first virtual MP' today. But the move sparked anger online, with some social media commentators saying he was being 'lazy' and questioning what he was paid his 93,000 salary for if a computer was doing his work for him. Others also queried whether the cartoon avatar was up to the job after it was unable to answer simple questions and provided incorrect information - even contradicting his voting record. According to Metro, when asked if Mr Sewards supported cuts to Universal Credit, 'AI Mark' said: 'I do not support cuts to Universal Credit.' In real life, Mr Sewards voted in favour of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill, which includes cuts to the 'health element' of Universal Credit for new claimants. Mr Sewards, who worked with a local start-up firm to create the prototype, insisted it 'can't ever replace any of the other work I do and it simply gives people another option to contact me, anytime of day.' Mark Sewards MP for Leeds South West and Morley (left) and his AI alter ego (right) Jeremy Smith, CEO of Neural Voice, the AI start-up firm who created Mr Sewards' chatbot But Professor Victoria Honeyman, a lecturer in British politics at Leeds University, said it had the potential to 'cause upset.' 'If you're using an AI bot to answer simple messages, then most people would be relatively comfortable as we have it in lots of different areas of our lives nowadays,' she told the BBC. '(But) people may be talking about emotionally wrought problems and for those, being put through a bot, even briefly, might cause more upset. Chatbots are developed by humans, so, like us, they can make mistakes and that could end up undermining people's confidence in their MP.' Hundreds of people also took to X, formerly Twitter, to criticise Mr Sewards. One wrote: 'Maybe you should actually do your job, you useless twit,' while another added: 'You have one of the easiest and most overpaid jobs in the country so maybe pull your thumb out and do it yourself you thick lazy b******.' A third user also insisted that it made him 'even more inaccessible to your constituents' and branded the move 'lazy and condescending.' 'Does that mean that we can save on your salary and expenses?' another added. The chatbot was created by the firm Neural Voice, which claims all conversations are sent to 'Mark and his team' to be reviewed. One of the company's directors even ran an AI candidate, called 'AI Steve', in the 2024 general election. Jeremy Smith, 27, CEO of Neural Voice, said: 'The main purpose of AI Mark is to focus on local issues - the sort of issues that people call up his team (about) on a daily basis. 'That doesn't tend to be the wider issues, (for example) like what's going on with Donald Trump, it tends to be 'OK, my bin's not been collected in a few days, who is it I need speak to?' 'The sort of casework it can handle really easily and get people the answers that they need to be on their way.' The bot's voice was recorded during a 90-minute interview with Mr Sewards, who is not being charged for the 'pilot' technology. It uses advanced technology to help it mimic the MP's Yorkshire accent and mannerisms. The chatbot mimics Mr Sewards' Yorkshire accent and aims to quickly answer his constituents' questions round-the-clock The chatbot deflected questions about certain subjects, including the problem of immigration and small boat crossings Mr Smith compared advances in AI communication to the advent of text messages in the 1990s. 'There are tens of thousands of constituents in Mark's area, all want a piece of him,' he added. 'If he's able to give a lot of those people back the information they need straight away, he's going to be a lot more efficient.' But when tested, 'AI Mark' was more willing to answer questions about some topics, such as homelessness and public transport, than others, for example small boat crossings and AI itself. When told the user needed help after being evicted from their home, the chatbot said: 'I'm sorry to hear that. If you're facing eviction, it's important to seek legal advice and support. 'You can consider contacting the Citizens Advice Leeds for assistance with housing issues. 'Would you like me to pass this information along to my team?' But when asked about his opinions on small boats crossings, the avatar simply replied: 'I don't have that information in my knowledge base. If you have other concerns, please contact the team directly. However, I'd love to hear your thoughts on the issue so I can pass them along.' The chatbot also said questions on the topics of AI and Donald Trump were 'a bit outside what I'm here for'. Mr Sewards, 35, has been a Member of Parliament for just over 12 months. He defeated then Tory politician Andrea Jenkyns to win his seat in Westminster in July last year. Chatbots - computer programs simulating a two-way conversation with a human user have increased in popularity in recent times as businesses look for new ways to communicate with customers and service users online. While the software can bring a range of benefits, critics point to concerns around privacy and data security, and argue bots are a poor substitute for real-life human interaction. A new poll has found Elon Musk to be the most-hated public figure among a list of prominent American and global personalities. In July, Gallup surveyed Americans on their views of 14 powerful public figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr., JD Vance, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Benjamin Netanyahu, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and the country's own Commander-In-Chief, President Donald Trump. But it was Trumps former 'first buddy' who topped the list as the most disliked, the results revealed. A staggering 61 percent of Americans reported an unfavorable view of Musk, while just 33 percent saw him in a positive light. Six percent had no opinion at all. His popularity dipped even lower than that of the Israeli Prime Minister, who faced a 52 percent unfavorable rating and a net score of -23. The billionaire became a familiar figure in Trumps inner circle, spending nearly $300 million to support his campaign last year and maintaining a distinguished role once Trump returned to the White House for a second term. Musk was then appointed to lead the so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), tasked with downsizing the federal workforce and cutting government spending. However, their once-cozy relationship quickly unraveled, with Musk officially falling out of favor at the White House earlier this summer and becoming embroiled in a very public, online fallout with the president. A new poll has found Elon Musk (pictured) to be the most-hated public figure among a list of prominent American and global personalities In July, Gallup surveyed Americans on their views of 14 powerful public figures, including Robert F. Kennedy Jr ., JD Vance, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, Donald Trump, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and even Benjamin Netanyahu It was Trumps former 'first buddy' who topped the list as the most disliked, the results revealed Musk's popularity dipped even lower than that of the Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right), who faced a 52 percent unfavorable rating and a net score of -23 Following his fall from grace, the Tesla CEO reportedly lost over $34 billion of his personal net worth - all while his reputation took an even steeper dive. His rapid descent was clear in Gallups recent poll, which showed Musks favorability rating plunging from -4 in January to -28 now - a decline even steeper than Teslas sales drop. But his public image began to suffer once he joined the Trump administration, dove into controversial MAGA politics and alienated Democrats - resulting in an extremely low net favorability rating of -86. Musk later alienated many of Trumps supporters by openly criticizing the former president, sparking outrage within Trumps base. The conflict spiraled into a chaotic fallout, climaxing with Musks startling claim that Trumps name appears in the Epstein files - dealing a severe blow to his relationships and reputation while also fueling American's distrust in the administration. July's damning poll revealed the lingering skepticism toward the current administration, as multiple figures in Trumps circle also posted negative net favorability ratings. Vice President JD Vance saw his unfavorable rating rise from 40 percent in January to 49 percent, resulting in a drop to a -11 net favorability rating. Former President Joe Biden received a -11 favorability rating, with 54 percent of respondents expressing dissatisfaction. However, his favorability has improved slightly to 43 percent, up from 39 percent in January. July's damning poll revealed the lingering skepticism toward the current administration, as multiple figures in Trumps circle also posted negative net favorability ratings A total of 38 percent of Americans viewed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth (pictured) with disapproval, while 26 percent had a favorable opinion and 37 percent expressed no opinion - leading to a -12 net favorability rating Apart from Musk - who overwhelmingly had the worst ranking - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio (pictured) suffered the second largest drop in favorability, plummeting a positive 8 in January to a -16 in July All figures within Trumps inner circle had lower favorability ratings than Democratic politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who held a -4 rating, and Bernie Sanders, who scored an 11 A total of 38 percent of Americans viewed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth with disapproval, while 26 percent had a favorable opinion and 37 percent expressed no opinion - leading to a -12 net favorability rating. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had the best score within Trumps circle, posting a -5 rating that put him slightly ahead of Biden and Vance. Apart from Musk - who overwhelmingly had the worst ranking - US Secretary of State Marco Rubio suffered the second largest drop in favorability. Once widely favored, Rubio now faces increasing criticism as he heads the State Department and National Security Council, while playing a central role in dismantling the USAID program. Rubios rating plummeted from a positive 8 in January to a negative 16 in July -perfectly matching Trump - with 47 percent of respondents viewing him unfavorably. All figures within Trumps inner circle had lower favorability ratings than Democratic politicians like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who held a -4 rating, and Bernie Sanders, who scored an 11. But even AOC and Sanders, who are relatively popular, were outperformed in favorability by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Despite Trump labeling him a 'dictator,' Zelenskyy earned a favorability rating of 18, with 52 percent of respondents viewing him positively and only 34 percent expressing a negative opinion. Musk's public image began to suffer once he joined the Trump administration, dove into controversial MAGA politics and alienated Democrats - resulting in an extremely low net favorability rating of -86 Despite Trump labeling him a 'dictator,' Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (pictured) earned a favorability rating of 18, with 52 percent of respondents viewing him positively and only 34 percent expressing a negative opinion The highest favorability rating went to Pope Leo XIV (pictured), who earned a strong score of 46 - and made history as the first American pope Nevertheless, Musk's companies - much like his public image - have also taken a hit, with Tesla reporting a 16 percent drop in net income and a 12 percent decline in revenue in the second quarter of 2025 The highest favorability rating went to Pope Leo XIV, who earned a strong score of 46 - and made history as the first American pope. His numbers closely mirrored the warm reception Pope Francis received when he took the papacy in 2013, earning a 58 percent favorability rating and just 10 percent unfavorable. Nevertheless, Musk's companies - much like his public image - have also taken a hit, with Tesla reporting a 16 percent drop in net income and a 12 percent decline in revenue in the second quarter of 2025. A study by Williams College found that Musks polarizing persona has soured some Americans on electric vehicles altogether - not just Teslas - suggesting his unfavorable influence may be hurting the entire EV industry. Ministers have launched a crackdown on cosmetic cowboys who recklessly deliver Botox, fillers and Brazilian butt lifts. Patients will be protected by robust new restrictions on who can access and provide the treatments and where they can be done. Officials warn 'rogue operators with no medical training are maiming and killing people by carrying out invasive procedures in homes, hotels and pop-up clinics. The NHS is often left to pick up the cost of correcting botched care, the Department of Health and Social Care said. Under the new rules, only health workers who are suitably qualified will be able to deliver high-risk procedures such as Brazilian Butt Lifts (BBLs), which involves injecting chemicals into the bottom to give a plumper appearance. These practitioners must be working in providers regulated by the health regulator, the Care Quality Commission. Those who break the rules on high-risk procedures could face sanctions from the watchdog and financial penalties. Clinics offering Botox and fillers will need to be licensed and meet certain standards to obtain a licence by their local authority. Woman receives a forehead Botox injection And age restrictions will be introduced to prevent children from trying to follow dangerous beauty trends on social media, officials said. This would see restrictions for under 18s on high risk cosmetic procedures, such as liposuction and intravenous vitamin drips, unless authorised by a health professional. The Department said it will launch a consultation next year seeking views on the range of procedures which should be covered in the new restrictions. Leading medics said only surgeons should be able to perform BBLs or any intervention designed for augmentation of the breasts, buttocks of genitals. Last month, the Chartered Trading Standards Institute warned that fat injections, BBLs, Botox and fillers are being offered by untrained people in places such as public toilets. Before the proposed regulations come into force, the Government has urged people seeking cosmetic procedures to ask for the providers qualifications and insurance, and to be wary of suspiciously cheap' offers. Health minister Karin Smyth said: The cosmetics industry has been plagued by a Wild West of dodgy practitioners and procedures. There are countless horror stories of cosmetic cowboys causing serious, catastrophic damage. Alice Webb died after having a Brazilian bum lift This government is taking action to protect those seeking treatments, support honest and competent practitioners, and root out the cowboys as part of our Plan for Change. This isnt about stopping anyone from getting treatments its about preventing rogue operators from exploiting people at the expense of their safety and keeping people safe. 'Were giving them peace of mind and reducing the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures. Health minister Karin Smyth op-ed Health minister Karin Smyth Writing for the Daily Mail, health minister Karin Smyth said: 'Ill never forget the name Alice Webb. 'She was a young woman and a mother of five - who simply wanted to feel better about herself. Instead, a cosmetic procedure she had in England ended up costing her life. 'Her heartbreaking story is a stark reminder of what happens when dangerous, unqualified individuals are allowed to operate unchecked in the cosmetic industry. 'Were not going to stand by while innocent people are harmed by chancers passing themselves off as cosmetic surgeons. 'These charlatans are luring in vulnerable people - especially young women - with cheap procedures that can go catastrophically wrong. Kitchen table operations. Dangerous injections in someone's front room. Industrial-grade silicone being pumped into people's bodies. 'The human cost can be devastating. And who picks up the pieces? Taxpayers and NHS doctors and nurses, already stretched to breaking point. 'That's why I'm declaring war on this industry's cowboys. 'High-risk procedures like Brazilian butt lifts will soon only be performed by qualified healthcare professionals. No exceptions. 'Clinics offering Botox and facial filler treatments will need to prove theyre trained, insured and working to proper hygiene and safety standards. Every practitioner and clinic will need to be licensed. These rules will also reduce the cost to the NHS of fixing botched procedures. 'To protect kids we will work to introduce restrictions for under 18s to prevent them from being able to access treatments which are not suitable for them. 'Patient safety isn't negotiable. Rogue practitioners are being put on notice that the cosmetics Wild West ends now.' Advertisement Millie Kendall, chief executive of the British Beauty Council, said: Any measures that increase protection for the general public and professionalise the industry will help instil confidence as well as helping to prevent the normalisation of horror stories that have become synonymous with our sector. Ashton Collins, director of Save Face a register of accredited practitioners, added: I am delighted that the government has recognised the significant and potentially fatal risks posed by highly dangerous procedures like liquid BBLs, and has made it a priority to implement restrictions to protect public safety. I have seen firsthand the devastating impact these procedures can have on the lives of victims and their families none more so than the family of Alice Webb. Ms Webb, 33, from Gloucestershire, died in 2024 after having a BBL. The mother-of-five worked in the beauty industry and lived in the Wotton-under-Edge area of Gloucestershire with her family. Woman getting a bum sculpting injection Tim Mitchell, president of the Royal College of Surgeons of England, said: Its encouraging to see recognition of the risks associated with procedures such as liquid Brazilian Butt Lifts, however we believe this procedure along with any intervention designed for buttock, breast or genital augmentation should only be performed by a Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified surgeon. Medical oversight is essential to prevent serious complications and protect individuals from lasting physical and psychological harm and, at worst, death. These plans could help improve regulation of lower-risk non-surgical interventions, but the government must also urgently improve regulation of surgical procedures ensuring only surgeons who are Cosmetic Surgery Board Certified can perform such operations. This will ensure high standards of care, reduce avoidable harm, and give patients the confidence they deserve when seeking aesthetic treatments. Nora Nugent, president of the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, added: We await with great interest for the details such as which healthcare practitioners fall under these regulations and who the higher complexity and risk procedures are restricted to. These should be restricted to doctors and in some situations, only those with the level of training of a qualified plastic surgeon. Overall, this is a very welcome step forward for patient safety. Lucy Letby's case must be immediately 'reopened in the courts', Peter Hitchens argues following the release of a 'powerful' ITV documentary that raised serious questions about evidence used to convict the neonatal nurse. Letby, 35, was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016. She received 15 whole-life sentences, making her one of the UK's most prolific child serial killers. However, since Letby's sentencing, there has been a growing section of the public who believe a miscarriage of justice may have occurred. You can listen to the latest episode of Alas Vine & Hitchens by clicking the player below or here This scepticism came to a head on Friday following the release of ITV's Lucy Letby: Beyond Reasonable Doubt? which challenges the statistical and medical evidence used during the controversial trial. Hitchens told Mail columnist Sarah Vine: 'I would think anybody who watched that documentary, whatever your feelings are, would think now it's time to reopen the case. 'The main thing that emerges in the documentary is how extraordinarily weak the prosecution's case was, containing no actual facts. 'Nobody should be happy that somebody is in prison until their death on the basis of a trial that has attracted so much doubt. Lucy Letby's case must be immediately 'reopened in the courts', Peter Hitchens has argued following the release of a 'powerful' ITV documentary. Listen here Letby, 35, was convicted in 2023 of murdering seven babies and attempting to murder seven others at the Countess of Chester Hospital between June 2015 and June 2016 However, since Letby's sentencing, there has been a growing section of the public who believe a miscarriage of justice may have occurred Alas Vine & Hitchens: What's the big idea? Get the Mail's new politics podcast, hosted by columnists Sarah Vine and Peter Hitchens - wherever you listen to podcasts now. 'The leader of this panel of experts featured in the documentary, Dr. Shoo Lee, said he would only reexamine the case on the condition that if he thought Letby harmed one baby he would tell her defence lawyer. 'When Shoo Lee came back from his examination, he concluded there had been no crimes committed. 'It's amazing that someone's been sent to prison for such a long time when the leading experts in the world say there were no crimes.' Letby's new legal team has repeatedly attempted to have the case reevaluated, with all requests rejected by the Court of Appeal. The court dismissed her appeal evidence, particularly claims that media sensationalism influenced the jury. Hitchens claimed that the children were likely not murdered but instead died because they were 'already very ill and received inadequate treatment'. 'People will say that the excess deaths stopped after Letby was taken off the ward', Hitchens said. 'That's true but it's a classic example of false logic because at exactly the same time, there was this small, ill-equipped hospital which ceased to have the capacity to take on these very serious cases. 'I am not on any kind of warpath over this the reporters who worked on it, the doctors involved, I believe everyone acted in good faith. Hitchens said he believed the notes were written, as the documentary also suggests, on the advice of Letby's counsellors and cannot be taken as sincere admissions of guilt Hitchens claimed that the children were likely not murdered but instead died because they were 'already very ill and received inadequate treatment' Peter Hitchens: 'My only view is that there might have been a terrible injustice here.' Listen here The Trial of Lucy Letby: The Inquiry - Listen and follow on Spotify and Apple Podcasts now 'My only view is that there might have been a terrible injustice here. Somebody is having the most important years of her life eaten away by locusts, while it maybe she shouldn't be there at all.' Vine put to Hitchens the existence of Letby's notes where she says, 'I killed them on purpose because I am not good enough'. Hitchens said he believed the notes were written, as the documentary also suggests, on the advice of Letby's counsellors and cannot be taken as sincere admissions of guilt. He argued: 'There are experts who are against Letby, who even say that the notes are worthless. 'She was given counselling by the hospital during this period before she was arrested. They had moved her to this meaningless desk job, where she wasn't using any of her skills. 'Letby was distressed and prescribed antidepressants she also started taking sleeping pills. 'Her life became extremely dark, and she was offered counselling. One of the parts of that counselling was to write down her darkest feelings. 'Letby has never admitted to these crimes. People who use these bits of paper as a confession are wrong. She's always denied it, absolutely and firmly.' To listen to the full debate on Letby's guilt, search for Alas Vine and Hitchens now, wherever you get your podcasts. A township in Michigan is scrambling to gather cash after being ordered to pay millions in damages to local wineries for stifling their business. Last month a judge ordered that Peninsula Township pay almost $50 million to the 11 local wineries of Old Mission Peninsula. The order came after wineries won a five-year legal battle against the township over zoning regulations that they claimed affected their business. Now, Peninsula Township officials are discussing drastic steps to find the money - including selling a historic lighthouse or suspending park and cemetery maintenance. A lawyer for the wineries called the budget recommendations a 'PR stunt' designed to villainize the 11 plaintiffs who won the five-year legal battle against the township tle on July 7. The saga began in October 2020, when a federal lawsuit brought about by the wineries argued that strict zoning rules stifled business and violated their constitutional rights. According to the lawsuit, the zoning ordinances adopted by Peninsula Township regulated the vineyards' activities. The zoning ordinances prohibited the hosting of 'weddings, receptions, and other social functions for hire' at these venues. Last month a judge ordered that Peninsula Township pay almost $50 million to the 11 local wineries of Old Mission Peninsula (pictured: Chateau Chantal - a winery in Old Mission Peninsula) Now, Peninsula Township officials are discussing drastic steps to find the money - including selling the historic Mission Point Lighthouse (pictured) They also stated that a winery with at least forty acres may host a tasting room, but only with limited retail sales. Peninsula Township attempted to negotiate changes because they understood that the ordinances were unpopular with the wineries. However, when negotiations stalled the wineries initiated a lawsuit against the Township, claiming the ordinances were unconstitutional. Now that the wineries have won the $50 million lawsuit, officials are publicly discussing how they can gather the money. 'Selling property and cutting back things in the office are two ways that we can immediately have money in place to be able to lessen the burden all around for the taxpayers,' Township Supervisor Maura Sanders told MLive. A special assessment, or additional property taxes, will be added to the Peninsula Township tax roll to collect the damages. Liability insurance will also cover some of the cost, but Sanders said the township is still unsure about how much will be paid by that. The memo describing what cost-saving measures the Peninsula Township board will discuss at the upcoming August 12 meeting also suggested closing all township offices, as well as suspending planning and zoning. The order came after wineries won a five-year legal battle against the township over zoning regulations that they claimed affected their business (pictured: Chateau Chantal - a winery in Old Mission Peninsula) According to the lawsuit, the zoning ordinances adopted by Peninsula Township regulated the vineyards' activities (pictured: A winery in Old Mission Peninsula) 'Selling property and cutting back things in the office are two ways that we can immediately have money in place to be able to lessen the burden all around for the taxpayers,' said Township Supervisor Maura Sanders (pictured) It also mentioned the 'review and potential sale' of township assets - like the historic Mission Point Lighthouse, an iconic site built in 1870 at the tip of Old Mission Peninsula. Other township assets listed include Archie Roadside Park, some lots at Haserot Beach and Bowers Harbor Park. Sanders described the lighthouse as the 'crown jewel' of the township and said it would be devastating to sell it. 'Nobody in the township, the region and all the folks that we've had visiting from elsewhere would want to see that go into private hands,' she said. 'But the township needs to look at all potential opportunities to limit the burden on our taxpayers.' Joe Infante, a Miller Canfield attorney who represents the wineries - including Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery, says the dramatic measures are being discussed to 'drive public opinion' against his clients. 'The township's litigation strategy for this whole case is really to try to rally the public against the wineries and (make the public) think the wineries are the bad guys,' he said. the lighthouse had been described as the 'crown jewel' of the township and local officials said it would be devastating to sell it Joe Infante, a Miller Canfield attorney who represents the wineries, says the dramatic measures are being discussed to 'drive public opinion' against his clients (pictured: Brys Estate Vineyard & Winery in Traverse City) 'You read the judge's opinion and the bad guys are the township. The person who violates somebody's constitutional rights, that's the bad guy.' He also said he's not sure how helpful it would be to sell the lighthouse. 'There's a lot of ways to do it, short of selling a lighthouse,' he said. 'Not sure there's much of a market for a lighthouse.' The Peninsula Township board voted to dispute the judge's ruling in the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals, and while the appeal is pending, the township on August 5 asked the court to pause any lawsuit payments. Shoppers on Oxford Street have called the street sticker warning people of phone snatchers a 'joke' and believe higher police presence on the busy road would be a more effective deterrent. The purple sticker is an initiative by Curry's to remind people to be mindful of using their phones on theft hotspot where one phone is snatched every 15 minutes. It features a graphic of a hand holding a mobile phone and the slogan 'Mind the Grab' and is positioned in front of Curry's and Miniso. One man, who asked to remain anonymous, told Daily Mail: 'The fact Currys have had to put this sticker outside is a joke. 'The police dont care. 'No one gives a f*** if your phone with all of your pictures and emails and basically your whole life gets snatched by some lowlife on a bike they probably stole as well.' Elsewhere, student Hareleen, 27, said: 'I think there just needs to be more police presence. Theres more tourists around here so its going to be targeted more for theft. 'This would never happen somewhere like Dubai because people there know they will be punished for it. A purple line warning shoppers about phone thefts has been installed on Oxford Street Student Hareleen (pictured), 27, said: 'I think there just needs to be more police presence. Theres more tourists around here so its going to be targeted more for theft' Samia (pictured), 21, said: 'I think the sticker is a nice reminder for people, but the police should be patrolling up and down or standing around so that people are scared to snatch phones' 'You could leave you phone and suitcase on the street over there and no one would dare to steal it.' Some believe just a few officers being present in the area would help the issue. Samia, 21, said: 'I think the sticker is a nice reminder for people, but the police should be patrolling up and down or standing around so that people are scared to snatch phones.' However, one shopper had doubts over whether or not the Met Police have the resources to do so. Omkar, 22, said: 'Ideally there would be more police walking around, but thats man power and man power costs money. Its kind of out of their control now. They could get control of it again, if they are able to get more officers out.' The student said he once lost his phone in his home country Mumbai and police still helped him get it back even though it wasn't stolen. 'Phone snatching isnt a thing in Mumbai, you can leave phone on side and no one will touch it. Its a high trust society. Its not as high trust here.' The anti-phone swiping campaign has been blasted as a 'gimmick' by a former Met police detective Omkar, 22, said: 'Ideally there would be more police walking around, but thats man power and man power costs money' Massimo, 51, from Italy, said: 'Everyone has their head buried in their phones all the time, but if they put them in their pockets and actually looked around at the world instead, then the phone snatchers wouldn't be able to take them' Friends Benedict and Chloe were huddled by the wall of Curry's shielding their phones as they looked on their maps for directions. Benedict, 21, said: 'I was here last week at 7pm and I heard someone screaming. They had their phone stolen, it was so bad.' Chloe added: 'There does need to be more police walking around. Our friend had her phone snatched here as well.' Meanwhile, a tourist who was shopping with his family believes people are too addicted to their phones and phone theft can be avoided if they simply put them in their pockets. Massimo, 51, from Italy, said: 'I don't like smart phones, I only have one for work. 'Everyone has their head buried in their phones all the time, but if they put them in their pockets and actually looked around at the world instead, then the phone snatchers wouldn't be able to take them.' The public's general opinion echoes that of London's Conservative leader who called for proactive policing to take priority in the capital after the Met endorsed the anti-phone theft street art. Susan Hall has hit out at the initiative by Currys and accused Mayor of London Sadiq Khan of an 'abdication of responsibility'. Tory City Hall leader Susan Hall has called on Sadiq Khan to focus on proactive policing as she branded the Currys' signage 'useless' Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer, Currys, Superintendent Natasha Evans, Metropolitan Police, Westminster, and Kate Johnston, Director, Crimestoppers, standing in front of the purple line Top Metropolitan Police brass threw their weight behind the 'Mind the Grab' publicity stunt, which has been permitted by the Labour-controlled Westminster Council, in the hopes it reduces thefts on a street where a phone is stolen every 15 minutes. Researchers at the Institute for Crime & Justice Policy Research at Birkbeck University will be studying the line to see if it encourages people to put their phones away and reduce theft levels - a principle known as 'nudge theory'. Experts reckon the combination of the visual reminder, and the play on the London Underground's famous 'Mind the Gap' slogan, will make people think twice. But the Met's endorsement of the scheme has prompted some criticism and calls for the force to focus on catching criminals. Conservative leader Ms Hall asked: 'How much money was wasted on this useless signage that could have been spent on policing Oxford Street and getting a grip on this endemic phone theft? 'It's a complete abdication of responsibility by Sadiq Khan and it makes my blood boil that more Londoners are having their phones stolen because of his inaction. He needs to get a grip, fast.' The campaign, supported by Westminster Council and the Met Police, has been criticised for scaring people about phone thefts, rather than tackling the criminals themselves. Currys says it plans to expand the scheme to other stores over time, with hopes of working with the government and local authorities to remind people to keep their phones hidden away in the open. But Norman Brennan, a former police detective in London, called the campaign a 'nonsensical gimmick', and called for more police officers to tackle the phone theft crisis. He said: 'If you want to stop phone thefts, you want police officers on streets not purple lines. 'We need to have 50 to 100 motorcyclists on duty 24/7 so that the streets of London have quick response units to challenge motorbike thefts. The campaign aims to raise awareness and remind pedestrians to step back from the kerb and keep their phone hidden An example of phone snatching in London where moped riders steal them from people's hands A woman's phone is snatched from her hand next to the Oxford Circus junction in London 'Police motorcyclists are class one drivers which means they are experts who can catch criminals quickly. 'We have people from foreign countries saying beware about crime when they come to London. 'The mayor and prime minister should be ashamed that countries around the world are saying beware of our crime. 'What is it going to achieve, a purple line? People want to see a police officer to be patrolling the streets that reassures them and makes them feel safe. 'All of these nonsensical gimmicks, we don't want gimmicks we want police officers on our streets and a justice system that protects members of the public.' The black market for smartphones is said to be driving soaring rates of theft, robbery and knife crime with some criminals who were once involved in drug crime pivoting towards smartphone theft and robbery as an alternative means of illicit income. Gangs of teens on bikes are said to be committing up to 20 thefts at a time in parts of London, with three-quarters of stolen devices in the capital being sent abroad. High Streets UK, a group representing 5,000 UK firms, has calling for ring-fenced funding for police to protect key shopping destinations including Oxford Street. The campaign to add a warning has been launched by Curry's which is installing the purple line outside its store on Oxford Street. The retailer has also set up a training scheme for its staff to offer support to victims of phone theft. The Metropolitan Police Service is supporting the campaign, which they said is 'part of its strategy' to tackle phone theft. The force announced it would roll out an additional 80 officers in the West End last week in a mass crackdown on petty crime including shoplifting and phone theft. Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Met's local policing lead for Westminster, said: 'Officers are relentlessly pursuing criminal gangs intent on committing robbery and phone theft. 'We have increased patrols in hotspot areas to identify and deter perpetrators and robbery has reduced by 20 per cent in the West End since April. The campaign has been launched by Curry's which is installing the purple line outside its store on Oxford Street Oxford Street has become a hotspot for phone thefts in an area of London which saw a phone stolen every 15 minutes A thief steals a phone from a woman walking down a road in London's exclusive Mayfair area CCTV images show a moped mugger snatching a mobile phone from the hands of a City businessman without stopping A cyclist thief stealing a man's phone on the street during broad daylight in central London 'We are putting extra officers into central London to help drive forward our focus on reducing crime and bringing offenders to justice. 'We're also working closely with businesses in the area and support the campaign by Currys to encourage people to be aware of their surroundings to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.' While Oxford Street has lost big names such as Topshop, House of Fraser, Miss Selfridge, Dorothy Perkins and Debenhams in recent years, it has also seen a major new Ikea store and HMV reopen its old flagship outlet. And London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan has said he wants to pedestrianise 0.7 miles of the street as part of a regeneration project despite warnings this could make it a crime-ridden 'no-go area'. Westminster Council granted permission for the study to be trialled on one of the capital's busiest streets. Aicha Less, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children and Public Protection of Westminster City Council said: 'As part of our ongoing efforts to keep residents and visitors safe, we are pleased to support Currys' innovative approach to reducing phone theft. 'This campaign is a great example of how we are working with partners to raise awareness about phone thefts and promote simple measures to stay safe in public spaces, such as keeping valuables out of sight and planning routes home in advance. 'Working closely with the Met and other partners in the Safer Westminster Partnership, we are committed to identifying the key crime and disorder issues facing our city and making the West End a safer place for visitors, residents and businesses.' The Metropolitan Police and Westminster Council have backed the campaign to warn shoppers about phone thefts on Oxford Street CCTV captured a bike theft in July on Park Lane when another unsuspecting man had his mobile snatched in broad daylight by a crook in all black Ed Connolly, Chief Commercial Officer at Currys added: 'Phone theft isn't just about losing a device - it's frightening, invasive, and cuts people off from their loved ones, their money, and their daily lives. 'Enough is enough. It's time to draw the line on phone theft - that's why we've launched the Mind the Grab campaign: a bold pavement marking we believe can make a real difference by encouraging people to step back from the kerb.' 'This trial aims to raise awareness and encourage behaviour changes to help people feel safer. And if the worst happens, we're here to help. 'Our Oxford Street store colleagues will support victims - from calling loved ones and the police, to cancelling cards and helping them get home safely. Because practical, human support in those moments really matters.' Kate Johnston, Director of Business & Fundraising at the independent UK charity Crimestoppers, which is also backing the initiative, said: 'Mobile phone theft is not just a statisticit's a crime that leaves people feeling vulnerable and shaken. At Crimestoppers, our mission is to help make communities safer, and tackling the surge in phone theft is a crucial part of that work. 'Innovative approaches like Currys 'Mind the Grab' campaign, which uses clear visual cues such as the purple line to remind people to step back from the kerb and keep their phones out of sight, show how simple, well-designed interventions can raise awareness and change behaviour to reduce crime.' 'Prevention is only part of the solution. If you see suspicious behaviour or witness a theft, report it anonymously to Crimestoppers. 'Your information, no matter how small, could help prevent further crimes and keep our streets safer for everyone. Together, by staying vigilant, adopting these simple safety habits, and sharing what we know, we can make a real difference.' Superintendent Natasha Evans, the Met's local policing lead for Westminster, told Daily Mail: 'Officers are relentlessly pursuing criminal gangs intent on committing robbery and phone theft. We have increased patrols in hotspot areas to identify and deter perpetrators and theft has reduced by 20 per cent in the West End since April. 'We are putting extra officers into central London to help drive forward our focus on reducing crime and bringing offenders to justice. We're also working closely with businesses in the area and support the campaign by Currys to encourage people to be aware of their surroundings to reduce the risk of becoming a victim.' A convicted domestic abuser who stabbed an 11-year-old boy to death as the child heroically tried to protect his pregnant mother has been sentenced to life in prison - but not before launching into a vile tirade during his sentencing hearing. Crosetti Brand, 39, was handed a natural life sentence plus 120 years by Cook County Judge Angela Petrone on Tuesday, nearly 18 months after the horrific murder of Jayden Perkins in Chicago's Ravenswood neighborhood. Laterria Smith, Jayden's grieving mother, addressed Brand directly in court, telling him: 'You have taken away one of the greatest gifts God has blessed me with. I will never be ok You came and destroyed my life.' The judge described Jayden as 'a beautiful, innocent boy' who died protecting his mother and called the killing 'exceptionally brutal.' But Brand, who represented himself at trial, showed no remorse. Appearing virtually from jail, he initially asked to skip the hearing altogether, sneering at the judge: 'You gonna give me life anyway, so it's like why the f*** am I sticking around?' He ultimately stayed - only to interrupt prosecutors repeatedly with outbursts and objections as they presented new evidence, including a chilling voicemail he left Smith just weeks before the attack: 'You keep moving how you motherf***ing moving You gonna see what I'm talking about,' he said in the message. Prosecutors revealed that Brand had also mailed Smith graphic photos from Jayden's autopsy and made threatening phone calls from jail, pressuring his mother to drop the charges and issuing threats against Jayden's father, prosecutors, and even the judge herself. When Petrone finally handed down the sentence, Brand logged off Zoom in defiance, telling her: 'I know I can't change your mind I'm at peace. I'm gonna take it up with the notice of appeal court.' Crosetti Brand, 39, appeared virtually for his sentencing and told the judge: 'You gonna give me life anyway, so why the f*** am I sticking around?' Jayden Perkins, 11, was stabbed to death while bravely trying to protect his pregnant mother from her abusive ex-partner The tragedy unfolded on March 13, 2024 - just hours after Brand was released from prison - when he broke into Smith's home and ambushed her and Jayden as they were leaving for school. According to prosecutors Brand had been lying in wait inside the apartment with clear intent to kill the woman who had rejected him. He grabbed Smith in a chokehold and stabbed her 15 times. When Jayden stepped in to defend his mom, Brand turned the knife on him. Jayden died from his injuries. Smith, who was pregnant at the time, survived - as did her unborn daughter. 'Jayden is the hero out of all of this, because he saved his mother and his brand new sister's life,' said Smith's uncle, Titus Washington. 'Jayden is the hero.' Assistant State's Attorney Danny Hanichak blasted Brand as a chronic abuser who had spent nearly his entire adult life either behind bars or facing charges, primarily for violence against women and children. Brand had only recently completed 8 years of a 16-year sentence for attacking another ex and pointing a gun at her young son. He was released in October 2023. Within months he had began stalking and threatening Smith. Laterria Smith, pictured above, told the court her life was 'destroyed' by the man who murdered her son: 'I will never be ok' Pictured: Cops outside the family's apartment complex during crime scene investigations A vigil was held outside the apartment complex shortly after Jayden's death Though Smith repeatedly reported his behavior to authorities and the parole board, Brand was inexplicably released again on March 12. Less than 24 hours later, Jayden was dead. 'Nothing will ever rehabilitate this defendant; he is nothing more than a pathetic lifelong criminal,' Hanichak said. 'What this criminal never counted on is that one 11-year-old boy would put an end to Crosetti Brand's terror.' Brand's self-representation during the trial made proceedings chaotic and painful for the victims' family, as he was permitted to cross-examine witnesses and even call himself to the stand. Jurors took less than 90 minutes to convict him on all charges, including first-degree murder, attempted murder, aggravated domestic battery, and home invasion. The case has since sparked outrage across Illinois and exposed grave flaws in the state's parole system. Two members of the Prisoner Review Board who authorized Brand's release resigned following the murder, and lawmakers have since passed legislation allowing victims to submit impact statements before parole decisions and seek restraining orders against parole candidates. The gunman who opened fire on Fort Stewart Army Base in southeast Georgia has been identified as Quornelius Radford, law enforcement sources say. Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials say the Army sergeant went on a shooting rampage in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT) area of the base. The attack left five soldiers injured and prompted a brief lockdown at Fort Stewart, which is one the country's largest Army bases, officials said. Soldiers were seen seeking shelter as the active shooter warning was issued. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident and the White House is 'monitoring the situation'. President Donald Trump punished India by signing an executive order doubling tariffs on the South Asian democracy for continuing to purchase Russian oil amid the deadly war in Ukraine. Starting August 27th, India will face an additional 25 percent tariff if it continues to buy oil from Russia, making the total tariff rate a crushing 50 percent. Trump coupled his new order with a threat to impose additional tariffs on other countries that purchase Russian fossil fuels. The executive order is a key part of the administration's increasingly muscular strategy to pressure the Kremlin to resolve the three-year war in Ukraine. After years of cozying up to Vladimir Putin, Trump is now calling Russia an 'extraordinary threat' to the US as the country repeatedly ignores his deadline to end the Ukrainian invasion. Previously, Trump gave the Kremlin until this Friday to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, or the US would begin implementing massive tariffs on Russia's main trading partners. Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday for three hours. The Kremlin described the meeting as 'a very useful and constructive conversation.' The pair reportedly discussed ending the Ukrainian war as well as developing strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia. In the last few weeks, Trump has imposed 50 percent tariffs on all goods coming from India into the US Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow, Russia After years of friendly relations between Trump and Putin, the president called Russia 'an extraordinary threat' to the US But while Trump touted 'great progress,' there was no indication Putin was willing to end his furious campaign to take Ukraine. Trump previously imposed a 25 percent tariff last week on India citing unfair trade barriers. After Wednesday's executive order, the total tariffs on goods coming from India will rise to 50 percent the highest levies on any US trading partner. A statement from India's Ministry of External Affairs said that its energy imports help ensure the 'security of 1.4 billion people,' while indicating it did not intend to stop purchasing Russian oil. 'These actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable,' the statement says. China is the largest buyer of Russian oil and energy products in the world. Turkey is also a significant buyer, but the two countries have not faced additional tariffs so far. When asked why the president did not place an additional tariff on China for their purchase of Russian oil, the White House did not respond at the time of publishing. The Indian government responded to Trump's latest tariffs by calling the executive order 'unfair' and 'unreasonable' Over the last eight months, India imported approximately 1.75 million barrels daily from Russia, which is up one percent from the same period last year. However, Trump did tease a threat to impose similar 25 percent tariffs on other large importers of Russian energy. In his Wednesday executive order, the president directed administration officials to 'determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil,' and then decide if they should face economic punishments. Trump's congressional allies praised the president's drastic moves. Republican South Carolina Senator Lindsey Graham wrote on X, 'I completely understand and applaud President @realDonaldTrump's decision to hit India with an additional 25 percent tariff ... because India insists on purchasing Putin's oil to prop up his war machine, allowing the bloodbath in Ukraine to continue.' 'President Trump has put the world on notice that if you continue to buy Putin's oil, you are no longer going to be allowed to have access to the American economy without substantial tariffs,' Graham added. Nikki Haley, Trump's former United Nations ambassador and rival for the 2024 Republican nomination, agreed that India shouldn't be buying oil from Russia but warned Trump against burning a relationship with a strong ally. Republican allies in Congress praised Trump for his aggressive actions towards Russia's energy partners During the 2024 election, Trump vowed to end the war in Ukraine one day after coming into office Trump's tariff bombshell lands just 48 hours before Trump's make-or-break Friday ultimatum to Putindemanding Russia agree to Ukraine ceasefire talks or face a mammoth sanctions blitz. The crackdown signals Trump is serious about wielding his tariff power to try to bend world leaders to his demands. Switzerland also looked like it would be a loser in Trump's trade war with its president reportedly ending her visit to Washington on Wednesday without a deal to lower its tariff rate. A children's mental health ward was missing at least half of its staff on the day a suicidal teenage girl was left unsupervised while in the care of an inexperienced agency care worker, an inquest has heard. Ruth Szymankiewicz was being treated for an eating disorder at Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire and had been placed under strict one-to-one observation when on February 12, 2022, she was able to shut herself in her bedroom alone for 15 minutes. The teenager was found unconscious shortly after, having been left alone long enough to asphyxiate herself and sadly died at John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford two days later. It later emerged the member of staff responsible for watching Ruth at the hospital's Thames ward - a man then known as Ebo Acheampong - had been using false identity documents and was hired under a false name. The inquest also heard on Wednesday that Mr Acheampong had never worked in a hospital environment prior to coming to Huntercombe Hospital on the fateful day for his first shift. Ellesha Brannigan, who worked as a clinical team leader on Thames ward, told the inquest that Mr Acheampong was originally working on a different ward but was asked to join the psychiatric intensive care unit because they were so short-staffed nurses could not go on breaks. 'We were severely short-staffed - we were missing at least half of our staff on this day,' Ms Brannigan said, adding they 'really struggled' to cover the whole ward. 'We needed the ward below us to send staff to us for us to be able to take breaks - breaks wouldn't have been possible otherwise,' she said. Ruth Szymankiewicz, 14, died after she was left alone long enough to asphyxiate herself despite being under a 'level three observation' which required constant watch Ruth was being treated for an eating disorder at Huntercombe Hospital in Berkshire but died on February 12, 2022 when an inexperienced agency care worker left the room where she was Jurors sitting at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court in Beaconsfield were shown CCTV footage of the moment Mr Acheampong left Ruth unsupervised while she sat in the ward's lounge watching TV, enabling her to slip away. She had been placed on the 'level three observation' plan following earlier incidents of self-harm - meaning she had to be kept within eyesight at all times. In the footage, Mr Acheampong can be seen leaving the room repeatedly - at first only for seconds at a time, then for two minutes - prompting the teenager to walk up to the door and look into the lobby, seemingly waiting for the opportunity to leave the room. She then locked herself in her room and self-harmed. A post-mortem examination carried out by the Home Office later determined the preliminary cause of death to be 'hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy' - a type of brain damage due to lack of oxygen. Commenting on the footage, coroner Ian Wade KC told the inquest: 'Ruth is very aware that she is being left on her own. 'Whichever way one looks at it, there has been an egregious breach of level three observation.' New support care workers joining Huntercombe were required to complete an induction process with a chief nurse, who would then need to sign a checklist or the shift would have to be cancelled, Tim Moloney KC, representing the family, told the hearing. The inquest, at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court in Beaconsfield (pictured), is expected to last for about two weeks This was not done for Mr Acheampong, with Ms Brannigan explaining: 'We didn't have the staff to do the induction for him.' The inadequate staffing levels on Thames ward were flagged to management that night by both Ms Brannigan and a colleague, the inquest heard. Ms Brannigan told the inquest staffing levels at Huntercombe Hospital - also known as Taplow Manor - had been an issue 'for a long time'. 'Myself and other staff advocated for our ward with senior management but no staffing changes were made,' she told the jury. The inquest previously heard Mr Acheampong never returned to work at the hospital following the incident and fled the UK for Ghana. On Monday, the coroner told jurors: 'The evidence showed he had been employed through an agency (Platinum), who checked his identity documents, and they even trained him by putting him through a day-and-a-half course. 'It appears that these particular processes were the norm and were sufficient to enable a hospital to employ this person. 'But on February 12, he did not keep Ruth under a constant watch. 'Some time around 8pm in the evening, this man ended his shift without knowing where she was and without making sure that he handed her over to another member of staff to continue the one-to-one care regime. 'He simply left.' Active Care Group, which owned Huntercombe at the time of Ruth's death, has since closed the facility. The inquest continues. For help and support, call the Samaritans for free from a UK phone, completely anonymously, on 116 123 or go to samaritans.org Half of the front desks at London police stations will close as the Met unveils a new money-saving plan. The Mail's interactive map shows the full list of affected areas after Scotland Yard admitted it would break its pledge to have one counter accessible 24 hours a day in each of the capital's 32 boroughs. Only 20 desks will remain open with 18 set to be axed by the Metropolitan Police as the force scrambles to balance its 260million budget shortfall. The Met has faced criticism it will now be 'less accessible' as critics claim the change is 'another nail in the coffin of community policing'. Met Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist and Kaya Comer-Schwartz, Sadiq Khan's deputy mayor for policing and crime, are expected to face a number of angry London Assembly members at an extraordinary additional meeting where the proposals will be discussed. The full list of affected police stations can be viewed in the map below. Your browser does not support iframes. Only 20 desks will remain open with 18 set to be axed by the Metropolitan Police as the force scrambles to balance its 260million budget shortfall (file image) Last week the Mail revealed London as the 15th most dangerous city for crime in Europe. Pictured: Piccadilly, London The closures will impact Kentish Town in Camden; Tottenham in Haringey; Edmonton in Enfield; Harrow; Bethnal Green in Tower Hamlets; Dagenham; Chingford in Waltham Forest; Kensington; Hammersmith; Twickenham in Richmond; Lavender Hill in Wandsworth; Wimbledon in Merton; Hayes in Hillingdon; and Plumstead in Greenwich. Four more stations, which already operate with reduced desks, will also shut - at Barking Learning Centre, Church Street in Westminster, Royalty Studios in Kensington and Chelsea and Mitcham in Merton. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp posted on X: 'The police will now be less accessible and Londoners even less safe.' Liberal Democrat MP for Twickenham Munira Wilson also wrote to the Home Secretary demanding she fully commits to funding the force. It comes as Yvette Cooper has been warned 'further cuts only put another nail in the coffin of community policing'. As a result of the policy, residents in south west London will now no longer be able to walk in and speak to an officer face-to-face due to the losses in Twickenham, Merton, Wimbledon, Lavender Hill and Mitcham. There are also fears those on bail may have to travel miles to report as part of their conditions - increasing the risk a defendant could abscond. But surprisingly, Kingston police station will remain open so the nearest 24-hour counter Richmond is not Acton, Sutton or Lambeth. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp (pictured) posted on X: 'The police will now be less accessible and Londoners even less safe' Mayor of London Sir Sadiq Khan (centre) during a visit to Stratford in London with police in October 2022 Last week the Mail revealed London as the 15th most dangerous city for crime in Europe. The capital, which is also the 100th worst out of 385 locations around the world, is less safe than rival European cities from Athens to Brussels and Milan to Barcelona. London is also worse than major US cities such as New York, Los Angeles and Dallas as well as other global destinations from Cancun to Cairo and Bali to Bangalore. The city is however only the fifth worst UK location for crime - behind Bradford, Coventry, Birmingham and Manchester, according to Numbeo's Crime Index. Stella Creasy, Labour MP for Walthamstow, where a young woman was raped in the town centre on June 29, claimed the police in her borough did not want to 'engage with the public at all'. Her comments came upon hearing Chingford would close and residents would have to go to Stratford or online if they wanted to contact someone. Paula Dodds, chair of the rank-and-file Met Police Federation, said: 'If we close police station front counters the public can't have access to us when they need it most. 'We can't hide behind technology because not everyone has access to technology to call the police or go online to report a crime they want that personal interaction. The public are going to have to go further to get access to a police station if they need it out of hours.' Stella Creasy (pictured), Labour MP for Walthamstow, where a young woman was raped in the town centre on June 29, claimed the police in her borough did not want to 'engage with the public at all' A Met spokesman said: 'Just five per cent of crimes were reported using front counters last year, with only one per cent of these being made during the night. 'At the busiest front counter in London on average 15 crimes are reported a day less than one an hour - and in the least busy, only 2.5 crimes are reported a day. 'Londoners tell us they want to see more officers on our streets. 'The decision to reduce and close some front counters will save 7million and 3,752 hours of police officer time per month allowing us to focus resources relentlessly on tackling crime and putting more officers into neighbourhoods across London.' The force added the Met 'is focusing ruthlessly on visible policing on London's streets, modernising services and increasing visibility in neighbourhoods with over 300 additional PCSOs and over 300 additional officers'. Texas state House adjourned again as Democrats resist Trump-backed redistricting Xinhua) 13:22, August 06, 2025 HOUSTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Texas state House Speaker Dustin Burrows adjourned the GOP-dominated chamber again on Tuesday as most Democratic lawmakers continued staying out of the state so as to deny a quorum needed for enacting a redistricting bill supported by President Donald Trump, who is eyeing the 2026 midterm elections. The Republican speaker said the state House will try to reach a quorum on Friday and that he has been fully briefed on the efforts by the Texas Department of Public Safety "to locate and return members who are actively trying to thwart the legislature from performing its duties." Also on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his decision to seek court rulings "ensuring that their seats are declared vacant" if absent state House Democrats fail to return by Friday. "If you don't show up to work, you get fired," Paxton, a veteran Republican, said in a statement. "Any lawmaker who has not been arrested and returned or fails to appear by the Speaker's deadline will be subject to aggressive legal action by Attorney General Paxton." The current congressional map in Texas was drawn in 2021, with Republicans having 25 seats out of Texas's 38. Pushed by the White House, Texas Republicans proposed new congressional lines last week to divide up existing districts in Austin, Houston and Dallas in a bid to garner five more seats. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump voiced his support for the redistricting plan, claiming that Republicans are "entitled to five more seats" in the 2026 midterms in Texas, the largest red state in the country. "We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas ... We are entitled to five more seats," Trump said on CNBC's Squawk Box program. Facing the criticism of using gerrymandering in the Texas redistricting, the Republican president claimed that Democratic states like Illinois and California are "all gerrymandered". "They did it to us," Trump said. At a news conference on Tuesday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin reiterated his vow that Democrats will "fight fire with fire," accusing Texas Republicans of trying to "cheat" in their redistricting plan. "This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to the knife fight," Martin said. "This is a new Democratic Party; we are bringing a knife to a knife fight, and we are going to fight fire with fire." Martin said Monday that if Texas Republicans pass the redistricting map into law, Democratic governors will "put every single option they can on the table to respond in kind." The Texas House of Representatives, which currently has 88 Republicans, requires 100 members in the room as the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct legislative business. On Monday, the state House voted 85-6 to arrest more than 50 absent Democrats, and Burrows signed civil warrants shortly afterwards. However, the absent Democrats chose the three blue states of Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, where Texas can't exert state authority without local cooperation. Despite the Democrats' resistance, with a sweeping majority, Texas Republicans may easily resume business and pass the legislation once Democratic lawmakers return, or are compelled to return. "This is often a very effective strategy to delay legislation and shine a spotlight on that legislation," Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, has said of Democrats' walkout in an interview with NPR. "But it's not an effective strategy to actually block the legislation." The strategy also has no mechanism for enacting structural reform and is doomed to fail to block future gerrymandering, local analysts say. Critics also argue that fleeing the state amounts to dereliction of duty, and such moves can alienate moderate voters or energize Republican bases. In the summer of 2021, Texas Democrats used a similar walkout strategy to resist redistricting, thrusting the issue of gerrymandering and voter suppression into the national spotlight. The bill was passed after a delay of nearly 40 days when several Democratic lawmakers returned to the state capitol, allowing for a vote. The Texas legislature is currently in a 30-day special session that is slated to end on Aug. 19, but the governor can keep calling the Texas legislature back for a special session. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Donald Trump has declared Russia an 'extraordinary threat' to the US, as Vladimir Putin is set to ignore his deadline to end his invasion of Ukraine. Trump gave the Russian leader until Friday to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine, threatening to place enormous tariffs on Russia's main trading partners. The US president signed an executive order that brought India's tariff rate to 50% after it bought Russian oil, just hours after Trump's top envoy Steve Witkoff met with Kremlin officials. Trump wrote in the executive order following Witkoff's meeting with Putin: 'I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine.' The Republican president said the new information showed Moscow presented 'an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States.' He added: 'I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil.' India is one of the top buyers of Russian crude oil, a key export that fuels Putin's war machine in Ukraine. The US said it is hoping to deter the nation, and others, from doing business with Russia as a consequence for 'its ongoing aggressions.' Following Trump's executive order, India now has one of the highest tariff rates on goods exported to the US. US president Donald Trump (pictured) has declared Russian an 'extraordinary threat' to the US Russia launched a terrifying assault on Ukrainian Black Sea city Odesa Russian despot Vladimir Putin (pictured) is set to ignore Trump's deadline for ending the invasion of Ukraine India was furious with Trump's latest tariff measure, with its foreign ministry describing the measure as 'unfair, unjustified and unreasonable.' 'It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest', the ministry said. It added: 'India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests.' The tariffs are set to go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump's moves could scramble the economic trajectory of India, which until recently was seen as an alternative to China by American companies looking to relocate their manufacturing. Ajay Srivastava, a former Indian trade official, said the latest tariff places the country among the most heavily taxed U.S. trading partners and far above rivals such as China, Vietnam and Bangladesh. 'The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier with the potential to cut exports by around 40%-50% to the US,' he said. Srivastava said Trump's decision was 'hypocritical' because China bought more Russian oil than India did last year. 'Washington avoids targeting Beijing because of China's leverage over critical minerals which are vital for U.S. defense and technology,' he said. It comes as Marco Rubio, the US Secretary of State, said he will be making announcements later today on whether potential sanctions against Russia would still proceed this week. Rubio said he has spoken to Witkoff, who is on his way back from a trip to Russia, and would have more discussions throughout the day. 'We'll have more to say about that later on today,' Rubio said when asked if sanctions on Russia would go into effect later this week, adding that there would hopefully be some announcements soon. 'Maybe positive, maybe not.' A double-decker bus driver who killed a nine-year-old girl when he crashed into her while high on drugs has had his jail term increased. Martin Asolo-Ogugua, 24, was sentenced in April to four years after he ploughed into Ada Bicakci as she travelled to a gymnastics class with her father and brother in Bexleyheath, south London. He was found to be three times the legal level of cannabis having been up all night at a social event. Asolo-Ogugua and had been seen yawning and driving the bus erratically minutes before the crash in which he appeared to have fallen asleep for '15 seconds'. Ada died two days later in hospital, with Asolo-Ogugua jailed after admitting causing her death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs. The Solicitor General referred his sentence to the Court of Appeal, arguing at a hearing on Wednesday that it was 'unduly lenient' and should be increased. Three senior judges ruled the sentence should be raised to six years and eight months, and that Asolo-Ogugua should be disqualified from driving for five years upon his release. Lord Justice Dingemans, sitting with Mr Justice Hilliard and Sir Robin Spencer, said that Asolo-Ogugua had 'acknowledged that he had destroyed his victim's family, and his own', but had 'disregarded the risk of danger to others for the period that he was driving'. Bus driver Martin Asolo-Ogugua, 24, has had his sentenced increased to six years and eight months after he killed Ada Bicakci, 9, when he ploughed into her while high on drugs Ada died two days after the crash in hospital, with Asolo-Ogugua jailed after admitting causing her death by dangerous driving and driving while unfit through drugs He said: 'He must have appreciated that he was in no fit state to drive, but continued to drive.' Peter Ratliff, appearing for the Solicitor General, told the court that Asolo-Ogugua worked as a bus driver for Arriva and arrived for work on the morning of August 3, having only returned home from a social event at around 6.30am. He left a depot in Dartford at around 8.45am in a double-decker bus, with CCTV from the cab showing Asolo-Ogugua 'yawning repeatedly, appearing drowsy, his eyes appeared to close on occasion, and other road users noted his vehicle was being driven erratically' over around 13 minutes, Mr Ratliff said. Asolo-Ogugua then appeared to fall asleep for 'up to 15 seconds', with the bus drifting across the road and colliding with Ada in Watling Street, Bexleyheath. After being arrested at the scene, he admitted the two offences in April this year and was jailed at Woolwich Crown Court. Mr Ratliff continued that Asolo-Ogugua's sentence should be increased as there was 'a lack of attention to driving for a substantial period of time' and driving 'when deprived of adequate sleep'. He said: 'He must have appreciated from the outset, if he had not already, that he was in no fit state to drive and what he was doing was therefore inherently dangerous.' The barrister acknowledged that Asolo-Ogugua 'made efforts to seek assistance for the victim' at the time of the collision and had subsequently 'demonstrated clear remorse'. Asolo-Ogugua watched proceedings via a video link from HMP Isis in south London, with his mother in attendance at court. The horror unfolded at around 9.05am on August 3, 2024, Watling Street in Bexleyheath, southeast London, a court heard. Pictured: Ada Bicakci Gregory Fishwick, representing him, said the case was a 'tragedy', and that while the sentence 'might be classified as lenient', it was 'not unduly so'. He said: 'He will never forget this. It was a tragedy, one that he will feel forever.' Following the hearing, Solicitor General Lucy Rigby said: 'Martin Asolo-Oguagua's selfishness needlessly took the life of a young girl, causing irreparable damage to a family. 'I welcome the court's decision to increase his sentence and would like to extend my deepest sympathies to Ada's family.' Russia has adopted Chinese tactics to destabilise Britain by attacking computer systems, deep sea cables and spreading disinformation on social media, experts have warned. A European Union intelligence report said the Kremlin has taken Beijings blueprint for attacking Western democracies and perfected the approach. The shocking security assessment said the West is dangerously exposed to a coordinated threat of sabotage attacks, which are then strenuously denied by Russia and China. These attacks have been stepped up since Vladimir Putins illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022 in a bid to undermine support for Kyiv and intimidate the countrys allies. The EU said: What is innovated by China will be perfected by China, adding that Western nations need to respond jointly and globally to attacks. Chinas approach towards Taiwan, including grey-zone attacks beneath the threshold for military reprisals, has become Russias template towards the UK and Europe. These tactics include supposedly inadvertent invasions of airspace and domestic waters, arson attacks, cyber-attacks and penetrating deep sea communications infrastructures. Taiwan has been subjected to this sort of intimidation in recent years. Russias interactions with Baltic states appear to have mirrored Chinas approach. Sabotage attacks have been stepped up since Vladimir Putin's illegal invasion of Ukraine in 2022 in a bid to undermine support for Kyiv and intimidate the countrys allies Putin with Chinese president Xi Jinping. It is claimed that Moscow and Beijing have been working together to weaken Western nations while maintaining plausible deniability As China has severed subsea cables in the Taiwan Strait so Russia has attacked cables in the Baltic Sea. Dr Sari Havren, from the military thinktank RUSI, told the i newspaper: The tactics are the perfect tools to attack the vulnerabilities of open, democratic and rule of law societies. She said Russia and China were working together to weaken Western nations while maintaining plausible deniability. Dr Havren added: China and Russia have deepened their cooperation and coordination on all areas, not least security and militarily. The report comes after Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte suggested any future Chinese military action against Taiwan would be coordinated with Russia. China has been accused of supporting Russias invasion of Ukraine, though this has stopped short of direct military assistance. The first rule of monarchy is not glitter, ceremonial nor influence. It is survival. At the height of the Great War, with thrones tottering on all sides, King George V, our first great constitutional monarch, moved decisively to secure his own. At his command, all his British relatives repudiated German honours, titles and surnames. His own ruling house, Saxe-Coburg-Gotha, became Windsor. He recast the honours system creating the Order of the British Empire for all, regardless of class, who had rendered noted public service. And on 18 September 1917, at Ibrox Stadium no less - George personally presented the very first British Empire Medal. To Lizzie Robinson, 21, swamped in khaki overalls. A Cardonald munitions worker, toiling seven days a week, she had not missed a shift in two years. On another front, George V was truly ruthless. After the fall of Tsar Nicholas II his first cousin the Lloyd George government was poised to offer him and his family asylum in Britain. Setting any private sentiment aside, George lobbied fiercely to block it, knowing that the presence of this toppled despot would infuriate millions in Britain. King Charles is facing a dilemma over whether to welcome Prince Harry back to the UK The damage Meghan and Harry have wrought on the Royal family since Megxit is vast In fairness, the logistics of rescuing the Romanovs would have been extremely difficult: they were duly murdered by the Bolsheviks in July 1918. Georges two elder sons were long close. The Duchess of York, as she then was, simply adored the charismatic Prince of Wales. But, as the country reeled from the shock of the Abdication, in December 1936, Elizabeth and the diffident, anxious Bertie genuinely feared for their tenuous throne. George VI, too, dug deep. Within weeks he had ordered no calls from his exiled brother were to be put through. Forbade any of the family from attending the Duke of Windsors wedding. Flatly and, probably, unlawfully he denied the sometime Wallis Simpson the rank and dignity of Her Royal Highness. Come the fall of France, the Windsors were extricated from the Continent only with the greatest difficulty and packed off to Government House in the Bahamas: they could do little mischief there. Eight decades later, and none of her offspring was dearer to the late Queen than Andrew. They often rode together, sipped tea together; her face lit up when he entered the room. But when the Duke of York enmired himself in disgrace, Elizabeth II did not hesitate. Andrew was stripped of his duties, of his patronages, of his honours. Plans for a sparkling 60th-birthday celebration were canned. The Duke was even cut from the published photographs of his daughters wedding. And, months later, stripped of royal rank itself. She adored him still but Elizabeth let the Queen rule her in this, not the woman. In recent weeks there has been a curious groundswell of opinion, in many quarters, that the King must now make peace with his own second son and that the Prince and Princess of Wales should be big enough to lump it. By curious coincidence, snaps of initial peace-talks appeared on the same day that William, Kate and their delightful elder children appeared so enchantingly at Wimbledon. Soon after, and by no less curious coincidence, the Duke of Sussex reprised and not for the first time his late mothers landmine walk in Angola, on the same day as the Queen Consorts birthday. Let me be honest. I often wish, rather desperately, that Harry and Meghan would finally catch a break. Hit some winning streak that would keep them in style and comfort and, above all, keep them quiet. But I can think of no more crazed or appalling idea than that they should be welcomed home to this country, to the bosom of the Royal Family, to the renewed expense of the privy and indeed the public purse and the very idea is fantastic and absurd to renewed royal duties. Our King is a singularly gracious, cultured, thoughtful man. In public life long before the most senior Members of Parliament. As we saw in Rome, Germany and elsewhere, he is a far more confident and accomplished speaker than his mother. His heartache amidst ongoing estrangement from his younger son though it is not of Charless doing is incalculable. Yet such a restoration of Sussex fortune which, one suspects, in their current extremity really boils down to money is unthinkable. The damage they have wrought since Megxit is vast and irretrievable. Before all the world, they besmirched their kin, the Crown and indeed this country with baseless charges of the rankest racism this from a man who once mocked an Army comrade and was even snapped, smugly, in Nazi uniform. This falsehood grievously damaged the Commonwealth, especially in the Caribbean. They slammed this land, the Palace and their family, courtesy of Oprah Winfrey, as Prince Philip lay dying. They have time and again been caught out in falsehood. They made the Queens final years a misery. They have smeared the Prince and Princess of Wales in the cruellest and most personal terms, wallow in ceaseless self-pity and seem incapable of keeping a trust or telling the truth. And for none of this has there been a word of regret, contrition, or apology. That the Spotify deal has gone, that the Netflix package founders by the bows, that their docuseries (save for the first, the cruellest and most dishonest) have had but derisory ratings and that the sideline in jams, pink plonk and edible flowers is a Stateside joke scarcely surprises. They have no talent; no appetite for the hard yards of dedicated work. She can afford the finest clothes but, inexplicably, does not wear them well. And none of this, on cool reflection, surprises: in eighteen months, Meghan proved incapable of even the less than exacting duties of a royal Duchess. That is before we start on all the broken confidences, the ruthlessly discarded friends from Piers Morgan to Jessica Mulroney the traumatised former staff and, surely, the nadir: that twerking video. This apparently went down a storm in trailer-trash America but, this side of the pond, and as was once said of another, we saw only a woman unfit to be a royal Princess in this or any age. She is what she always was a cool, beaming adventuress, her hand always in creepy Mission Control grip of his, as if they were welded by SuperGlue. The greater shame, and certainly the duller brain, are his. They are now figures of conspicuous failure the thing most feared in Hollywood circles, as if it were contagious and, worse, figures of ridicule. To tap in harry meghan on YouTube is to unleash a tsunami of mockery, derision and scorn and steepled-fingers analyses. And for this ignominy the Duke and Duchess of Sussex threw away the greatest platform for public service that there is. There can be no return to that role, or to this land. And, as his forebears grasped before, Charles III must let the King rule him in this and not the man. Labours migrant returns deal with France has descended into farce as a minister appeared to contradict the terms of a new treaty. Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said small boat migrants sent back under the deal would see their human rights claims heard after being sent back to France. However, it later emerged that some types of human rights cases would, in fact, block the Home Office from being able to remove migrants in the first place. Asked whether human rights challenges amounted to a loophole in the plan, Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: That's not the case at all. The deal that we've struck will allow us to send people back to France who have human rights claims. Those claims will be heard in France. She told Sky News: I know that the Conservative Party has been saying that this is a loophole. It isn't and we're really confident about that. However, the treaty clearly sets out how small boat migrants cannot be sent back to France if they have an outstanding human rights claim. Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said small boat migrants sent back under the deal would see their human rights claims heard after being sent back to France The Home Office confirmed some human rights claims will block migrants removal until they have been concluded in full. It will include cases which cannot be formally certified by officials as clearly unfounded. A Home Office spokesman said: Not everyone will fall within the scope of certification. No doubt there will be examples where people who file a human rights claim will fall outside the scope of certification and that would have to be heard. It was a narrower interpretation of the circumstances than those set out by Ms Nandy, and legal proceedings could take months or even years to wrap up. The Mail has learned pro-migrant groups have begun informal discussions about launching a joint legal action against Labours plan just as they did against the Tories Rwanda scheme. Sources said there had already been a certain amount of co-ordination between charities and other groups, with details of the treaty still being analysed. The Free Movement website, which offers advice to immigration lawyers, has published an analysis of the new measures which says: Legal challenges will be more difficult than for Rwanda, however there are still likely to be grounds on which some people can resist removal to France. Migrants board a small boat near the beach in Gravelines, northern France For example, if the inadmissibility decision was wrong, if people have family in the UK, or had experiences in France which make it inappropriate to send them back. Meanwhile, the French interior ministry led by Bruno Retailleau - who signed the treaty alongside Home Secretary Yvette Cooper - declined to answer questions about the deal. Last month Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged migrants would be detained and returned to France in short order under the agreement. But earlier today the first day it was in force Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp posted videos from the Channel as he watched migrant boats bound for the UK coast, escorted by a French vessel. He said it showed the Anglo-French deal was a failure, adding that occupants of the boats were coming to a hotel near you soon. On the very day Labours flagship Channel deal was meant to kick in, I watched French ships escort illegal migrants straight into British waters, Mr Philp said. Labours migrant surrender deal with France is in shambles and today has proven that it will have no deterrent effect whatsoever. It is unclear whether the Home Office had detained any of the new arrivals for possible removal to France. Officials had previously described how migrants would be taken to the Home Offices processing centre at Manston, near Ramsgate in Kent, for initial screening. Those selected would be sent to short-term detention facilities for further screening, and then on to an immigration removal centre. Under the terms of the treaty the UK must hand France the names of those to be removed within 14 days of their arrival. The French government then has up to 28 days to respond. Labours deal with France came a year after Sir Keir scrapped the Tories Rwanda asylum scheme as one of his first acts in office. The Rwanda deal, designed to deter Channel crossings and save lives, was ready to finally get off the ground after more than two years in legal limbo. A major defense contractor has announced plans to conduct space-based tests on President Donald Trump's Golden Dome within the next three years. Lockheed Martin, one of the Pentagon's prime military contractors responsible for the F-35 fighter jet and Black Hawk helicopters, will demonstrate a space-based interceptor missile by 2028, the company has announced. Golden Dome, the president's plan to create a missile defense system to protect the U.S. homeland from incoming threats, like intercontinental ballistic missiles and low-flying hypersonic missiles, is one of the most ambitious defense projects currently undertaken by the Defense Department. In essence, Trump has charged the Pentagon with crafting a plan to take down the most advanced weapons of U.S. adversaries - even threats that could emanate from space. Lockheed is now quickly creating command and control (C2) capabilities to aid in Trump's Golden Dome initiative, the company announced this week. 'Golden Dome for America is a challenge unlike anything attempted at this scale or on this timeline, and we're moving fast to bring together connected C2 capabilities that work now,' Thad Beckert, Golden Dome C2 director at Lockheed Martin, said in a press release. The Golden Dome is projected to cost around $175 billion in total and take three years to be ready, Trump has said, though analysts expect the project to cost more and take longer. Whichever Pentagon contractor can successfully prove a reliable ability to shoot down incoming advanced missiles first could win billions in funding, meaning the race to shoot down missiles in space is on. U.S. President Donald Trump speaks in the Oval Office at the White House on May 20, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump announced his plans for the 'Golden Dome,' a national ballistic and cruise missile defense system Lockheed Martin announced its first Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (Next-Gen OPIR) Geosynchronous Earth Orbit (GEO) Block 0 missile warning satellite, shown above, recently completed thermal vacuum (TVAC) and acoustic testing Congress has already approved $24.4 billion worth of Golden Dome funding in Trump's recently passed domestic policy agenda dubbed the 'One Big, Beautiful Bill.' An estimate from the Arms Control Center shows that the total funding for the project could reach up to $500 billion. The Congressional Budget Office also estimates that the project could cost up to $540 billion over the next two decades. 'We have missile warning and tracking satellites made by Lockheed Martin in orbit today that provide timely detection and warning of missile threats,' said Amanda Pound, mission strategy and advanced capabilities director at Lockheed Martin Space, told Fox News Digital this week. 'We are committed to making space-based interceptors for missile defense a reality, leveraging our decades of experience, investments, and industry partnerships, to be ready for on orbit testing in 2028.' Trump first announced the Golden Dome initiative in May, expressing his desire to create a system similar to Israel's Iron Dome, which has proved vital in its war with Hamas. 'This is very important for the success and even survival of our country. It's a pretty evil world out there,' he said. 'Once fully constructed, the Golden Dome will be capable of intercepting missiles even if they are launched from other sides of the world, and even if they're launched from space. And we will have the best system ever built.' Trump declared that the establishment of the Golden Dome would provide 'close to 100 percent protection' of the U.S. and is 'very important for the success and even survival of our country.' The missile defense system, along with others, has been praised for shooting down ballistic missiles launched at the country from Iran and Hezbollah militants in Lebanon. The U.S. Golden Dome project will feature a vast array of sensors, satellites, land and space-based weapons that all work together to identify and neutralize targets. 'This rapid C2 prototyping effort is one among many within Lockheed Martin demonstrating how we can support the US Government as a Golden Dome for America mission partner,' said Daniel Nimblett, Vice President of Layered Homeland Defense at Lockheed Martin. He said the project aims to deliver 'real-time situational awareness' and 'informed decision-making to defend the nation.' Lockheed demonstrated its ability to intercept hypersonic medium-range missiles in March after testing its Aegis Combat System aboard a U.S. Navy destroyer. Previously, a similar effort was launched in 1983 under President Ronald Reagan called the Strategic Defense Initiative, which was later dubbed 'Star Wars.' That ambitious plan sought to similarly install space-based defense systems. However, it was eventually scrubbed due to inadequate technology and ballooning costs. Killers must be locked up for life if they refuse to disclose the location of the body, the families of two high-profile murder victims have said. Relatives of Arlene Fraser, whose husband Nat Fraser has twice been convicted of her murder following her 1998 disappearance in Elgin, spoke of the mental torture they are having to endure because no trace of her has ever been found. The family of Suzanne Pilley, who was murdered in 2010 by her work colleague David Gilroy, who was given a life sentence for murder, also condemned his lack of remorse or rehabilitation as he continues to refuse to disclose the location of her remains. They both welcomed a commitment secured from Justice Secretary Angela Constance that this must be taken into account by the Parole Board when making decisions about release and that this will be delivered before next years election. But they are now pushing her to go further still and introduce a no body no parole rule which means killers who dont disclose the remains can never be released on parole. Ministers will consider whether to go further on Suzannes Law as part of a consultation on parole which will be published imminently. Gail Fairgrieve, Suzanne Pilleys sister, said: I think that people need to understand, the Parole Board need to understand, that this crime was still continuing. It is perpetrating the crime against us. We are still dealing with this every day. Everyday events - you go into a card shop and you cant buy anything for your sister. Its there constantly and he has information that could just put us at ease and bring Suzanne home. L-R: Mother of Arlene Fraser, Isabelle Thompson, sister of Arlene Fraser, Carol Gillies, sister of Suzanne Pilley, Gail Fairgrieve, and mother of Suzanne Pilley, Sylvia Pilley at a press conference about Suzanne's Law, at Victim Support Scotland in Glasgow Suzanne Pilley was murdered in 2010 by David Gilroy, who has never revealed where he hid her body I feel that this ruling had to consider now that he cant possibly be rehabilitated or show remorse if he is continuing to withhold this information. This information is a full part of his crime and he needs to give us that information, otherwise life imprisonment means life imprisonment. She added: They have to consider it and when they look at all the considerations that the Parole Board look at to release a prisoner, (by) withholding that information from us he is not rehabilitating, there is no remorse, there is nothing. Carol Gillies, the sister of Arlene Fraser, said: I feel that he (Nat Fraser) controlled Arlene when she was alive, and he is controlling her when shes dead as well. If the Parole Board can almost give them a choice - tell us more information or stay in jail - so he needs to make a choice, its his choice what he does. On the emotional impact of Arlenes body never being discovered, she said: It is a form of mental torture for us, it really is. I dont like using dramatic words but it is. He has that information, there is no doubt about it. The families of the two victims yesterday spoke to journalists at an event organised by Victim Support Scotland following a meeting with Ms Constance. During the talks, Ms Constance gave a firm commitment that an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses and Justice Reform Bill, which was added at stage two and ensures the Parole Board must take into account when killers dont disclose the location of their victims remains when making decisions, will be delivered. Choking back tears yesterday, Ms Fairgrieve described the difficulty of family events like birthdays, Christmases and weddings, and went on: Its the same with my kids, she had a niece and a nephew... and she wasnt there for it. He denied her that. The body of Arlene Fraser, killed by husband Nat Fraser in 1998, has never been found I think I sometimes feel guilty that I have a life. She was only 33 when she was taken. She wouldnt want me to feel guilty, she would want me to live my life. But she has missed out on so much. Sylvia Pilley, mother of Suzanne: I know Suzanne had justice when he was put in prison but her life has been cut short. She really wanted a family and she has never been given that, and we miss her. Thats really why we are doing this. Under current legislation, Gilroy will be eligible to be considered for parole in March 2030, while Nat Fraser - who was found guilty of killing his wife Arlene - will be eligible in October 2028. Describing why the families are fighting to deliver Suzannes Law, Ms Fairgrieve said: We may never find where she is, and he may get out of prison and that is something we will have to learn to live with. But we can challenge the rules and the regulations now and weve got people that are committed to changing those. We will just hopefully improve the life for people if it happens to them. Now the families are pushing alongside Victim Support Scotland for a no body no parole rule to be introduced as part of an upcoming consultation on parole. Ms Fairgrieve said: Parole regulations are something that will effect the perpetrators in these cases but we would like to see the law changed initially so that when they come to trial they are well aware that if they never disclose where their remains or a body is there is no chance of parole. That is where the law needs to stand, we need to move towards that. During yesterdays talks, Ms Constance is said to have pledged to consider the idea, similar to a system currently in place in Australia. Ms Gillies said: I think it should happen because when Nat was sentenced Lord Bracadale said you instigated this, you instructed this and he obviously knows what happened: he disposed of Arlene in a very ruthless, efficient way. To just have Nat Fraser in front of the Parole Board and all they are considering is the risk or how he behaved in jail is just not enough. If he was to get out then it would be gone forever. Ms Constance said: I am grateful to the families of Suzanne Pilley and Arlene Fraser for meeting with me today. They have suffered heartbreaking losses, compounded by not knowing the final resting place of their loved ones. My deepest sympathies remain with them. In March, I supported an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill that will mean the Parole Board, when making decisions about release, must take account of whether a prisoner has information about the disposal of a victims remains, but has not disclosed it. At todays meeting, I reiterated my firm commitment to this change, which will become law if the Bill is passed in Parliament. President Donald Trump is planning to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week and could bring the Russian leader face-to-face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for an unprecedented three-way summit. Trump shared this pitch on a phone call with European leaders Wednesday, The New York Times reported, after his special envoy Steve Witkoff met in-person with Putin at the Kremlin earlier in the day. It wasn't immediately clear if Putin and Zelensky agreed to attend these meetings. 'Well, there's a very good prospect that they will. And we haven't determined where,' Trump said Wednesday in the Oval Office. In a statement to the Daily Mail, press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: 'The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky.' The statement allows some wiggle room for the White House in case the negotiations over a meeting blow-up in the coming days. Trump is trying to make good on his campaign pledge to end the Ukraine war, which has been raging since Putin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. In recent months, Trump has expressed disgust with Putin's continued bombing campaigns of Ukraine, despite being in contact with the U.S. leader. In July, Trump said he would give Putin 50 days to come to the table and agree to a ceasefire or Russia would face additional economic pain. President Donald Trump intends to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in person as early as next week, The New York Times first reported Russian President Vladimir Putin (left) came face-to-face earlier Wednesday with President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff (right) at a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow Trump shortened that time period to just 10 days during his trip to Scotland late last month. The clock runs out on Friday. Trump said Wednesday, however, that he believed the Witkoff meeting had produced a breakthrough. 'My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made!' he said. 'Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies,' the president continued. In his social media post, he did not disclose the potential planned meeting with Putin and a possible Trump-Putin-Zelensky summit. 'Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come,' Trump said, using his trademark closing, 'Thank you for your attention to this matter!' Zelensky and Witkoff were on Trump's call with European leaders, which included NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz. Secretary of State Marco Rubio also joined. Trump said the meetings would only include himself, Putin and Zelensky, The Times report said, with the European leaders appearing to accept the American leader's proposal. The Republican president hasn't met in-person with Putin since November 2018, when they engaged in an informal conversation on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires. The conversation occurred after Trump had cancelled his official G20 meeting with Putin over Ukraine tensions. Since coming back into office in January, Trump and Putin have had a number of documented phone conversations, with the Russian leader even calling the president on his birthday in June. At the same time, Putin has upped his drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian territory, signaling that he has no interest in wrapping up the war as Trump has demanded. In turn, Trump has struck a more frustrated tone when talking about the Russian leader, crediting first lady Melania Trump with his evolution. 'I go home and tell the first lady, "I spoke with Vladimir today. We had a wonderful conversation." She says, "Oh really? Another city was just hit,"' Trump said. Trump's relationship with Zelensky has seemingly improved since the low-water-mark hit in late February when they clashed in front of reporters in the Oval Office. The two leaders have met since, on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in Rome in late April. An abandoned shopping centre was turned into a 1.8million cannabis factory by three Albanians, a court heard. Two of the men had previously been ordered to be deported from the UK - with one managing to return after he had been kicked out. Elton Skenderi, 30, Gjovalin Toma, 31, and Eduard Daja, 39, yesterday appeared in the dock at the High Court in Glasgow. They all admitted being involved in the production of the class B drug after thousands of plants were seized in September 2024. The three were warned to expect lengthy jail terms when they are sentenced next month. Judge Lord Mulholland told the men: You have all been convicted of drug trafficking. This was no small time operation. You have all come here to receive the benefits available from living here and this is how you treat the country - criminality on an industrial scale. The cannabis factory had been set up in shuttered units at the disused former Forum Shopping Centre in Irvine, Ayrshire. Police discovered a major cannabis growing operation within an abandoned shopping centre The trio moved into empty units in the disused centre, growing plants worth up to 1.8million Police had been tipped off by Scottish Power who had concerns about energy use at the premises. Prosecutor Stewart Ronnie said: Entry was forced and a large cannabis cultivation was discovered over two floors. Police also found the same set up in neighbouring units within the building. There had been a barricaded door to try and stop the authorities getting in together with CCTV rigged up outside. There was also what was described as living quarters which included a bedroom, a cooking area, an electric heater as well as tables and chairs. Photos shown to judge Lord Mulholland also showed clothes hanging up, toiletries lying around and pictures on a wall. A total of 3,058 cannabis plants were seized. Mr Ronnie said the drugs had a value of between 611,600 and 1,834,800. During the probe into who was involved, officers spoke to a witness who had regularly spotted several foreign males turning up at the shopping centre in the early hours most days of the week. A white van would often roll up and the men would be seen with heavy black bin liner bags. Skenderi and Toma were held that night after trying to run from police. Daja was caught the next day after being spotted leaving a fire exit at the shopping centre. He claimed to have been sleeping in the building. Fingerprint and forensic evidence linked Skenderi and Daja to the crime scene. This included DNA from both found on hair clippers discovered there. Mr Ronnie added: At the time of their arrest, all three refused to provide information relevant as to whether they were victims of human trafficking. Daja was sentenced to eight months for a similar offence in May 2023 at Leeds Crown Court. The disused Forum shopping centre in Irvine, Ayrshire, where the Albanian trio set up the cannabis growing operation He also served with a deportation order and was returned to Tirana in Albania in July 2023 under the Facilitated Returns Scheme. This programme was set up in 2006 to make the removal of foreign criminals from the UK easier and at the earliest opportunity. But, Daja ended up back in the country - not known when - and soon returned to crime. He admitted to a charge of breaching the order yesterday. Toma also had a previous conviction for cannabis growing. He was sentenced to 14 months in Leeds in 2022. He was also ordered to be sent back to Albania, but went on to claim asylum and it remains a live case. Skenderi - like the other two - had no ties to the UK. They were remanded in custody as sentencing was deferred for reports. An American dentist and his engineer wife spent weeks behind bars after being caught red-handed stealing luxury items in notoriously strict Singapore. The pair, Husain Zoher Kapadia, 35, and Amatullah Kapadia, 30, were arrested on June 23 after stealing from designer shops at Changi Airport. Authorities said the couple, who are both US nationals, stole more than $750 of upmarket items from Louis Vuitton and Dior at the airport before trying to board their jet. They made it all the way to their seats on a flight set for Mumbai before airport police hauled them away. Cops said that CCTV from inside the airport captured the couple in the act, and both were swiftly prosecuted and subsequently pleaded guilty to theft. Kapadia was handed an 18-day jail sentence and his wife was sentenced to a week behind bars for the brazen shoplifting. State Prosecuting Officer (SPO) Ng Chee Wee argued at their sentencing that Kapadia'had stolen out of greed. 'He had a habit of overspending, and he did not want to pay,' the prosecutor said. American dentist Husain Zoher Kapadia, 35, (pictured with a patient) and his engineer wife spent weeks behind bars after being caught red-handed stealing luxury items in an airport in notoriously strict Singapore The dentist (left) and his wife Amatullah Kapadia, 30 (right) were arrested on June 23 after stealing $750 worth of luxury items, and spent 18 days and a week behind bars, respectively, after pleading guilty The couple were snared at Singapore's Changi Airport (pictured) after being caught on CCTV Authorities said the couple's shoplifting spree began around 5pm after they entered Changi Airport's terminal 1. They were seen on CCTV targeting a Louis Vuitton store first, where Kapadia stole a credit card holder worth $600. The couple then moved to Terminal 3 around 5:40pm and went to Cosmetics & Perfumes by The Shilla, a designer store. Kapadia then took a bottle of Dior Sauvage perfume worth around $160 and slipped it into his pocket, with prosecutors saying he had his wife act as a lookout. According to an image of Kapadia at his dentistry practice, he works at a clinic in Houston, Texas. He and his wife got off lightly for their stealing frenzy. Singapore has one of the world's lowest crime rate thanks to draconian laws that outlaw chewing gum, e-cigarettes and the failure to flush a public toilet. People caught taking drugs face lengthy prison sentences and 24 strokes with a cane. Anyone caught dealing illegal substances is executed. A Florida woman who killed another woman in a hit-and-run later told police that she didn't think it mattered because the victim was 'just a homeless person,' authorities claim. Ivana Gomez, 32, was speeding through Little Havana in her BMW while intoxicated in the early morning hours of May 30 when she allegedly struck 41-year-old Kathryn Kipnis before attempting to flee the scene. Kipnis was hit with such force that her head shattered the windshield, leaving strands of hair embedded in car's passenger seatbelt. More than four months after the deadly crash, newly released bodycam footage revealed the moments following Gomezs fatal strike - and her alleged chilling disregard for human life, according to NBC 6 Miami. 'It was just a homeless person that I hit and it is just an accident,' Gomez allegedly stated while being placed in the back of a cop car, according to the arrest report. It remains unclear why Gomez believed the victim was homeless - or why she thought that fact, if true, would justify or lessen the severity of what happened. Just after 1am on May 30, an officer spotted Gomez speeding through Southwest 22nd Avenue and 8th Street in Miami, driving a 2019 blue BMW. The officer, who tried to catch up with Gomez at speeds over 100mph after spotting her reckless driving, tragically witnessed her slam into Kipnis, according to the report. Ivana Gomez (pictured), 32, who killed another woman in a hit-and-run in Miami, Florida, back in May, allegedly told police that she didn't think it mattered because the victim was 'just a homeless person' Gomez was speeding through Little Havana in her BMW while intoxicated in the early morning hours of May 30 when she struck 41-year-old Kathryn Kipnis (pictured) before attempting to flee the scene Kipnis was hit with such force that her head shattered the windshield, leaving strands of hair embedded in car's passenger seatbelt (pictured) Kipnis's family said their loved one was walking home along Southwest 21st Avenue after a night out with friends, as reported by the outlet. 'No one ever expects their child to go before them,' Daniel Kipnis, the victim's father, told NBC Miami. Yet even after violently mowing down the 41-year-old, Gomez didnt stop, according to the arrest report. Instead, she allegedly ignored the flashing lights and blaring sirens of the officer in pursuit with her foot still on the gas. The brief chase ended when Gomez hit a red light and got boxed in behind two stopped cars, leaving her with nowhere to run. Photos of the wrecked BMW showed a gaping hole in the shattered windshield, glass strewn across the hood, and the front bumper mangled and peeling away. According to the arrest report obtained by NBC, the officer noted a strong smell of alcohol on Gomezs breath, bloodshot, watery eyes, and visible difficulty completing a field sobriety test. Investigators also noticed fresh vomit in her car, according to the report obtained by WSVN News. After allegedly stumbling through the initial test, Gomez refused to take any further sobriety tests and instead requested a lawyer. The officer, who tried to catch up with Gomez at speeds over 100mph after spotting her reckless driving, tragically witnessed her slam into Kipnis (pictured), who was walking home along Southwest 21st Avenue after a night out with friends 'It was just a homeless person that I hit and it is just an accident,' Gomez allegedly stated while being placed in the back of a cop car According to the arrest report, the officer noted a strong smell of alcohol on Gomezs (pictured) breath, bloodshot, watery eyes, and visible difficulty completing a field sobriety test As she was being placed in the cruiser, police wrote in their report that Gomez blatantly admitted to feeling no remorse. Authorities said she spontaneously told the arresting officer it was an accident - and besides, the victim was just a homeless person.' Nearly five hours after the crash, Gomezs blood tests revealed a staggering BAC well above the legal limit - registering .112 and .109, officers wrote. Even six hours after the crash, around 7am, her blood alcohol level remained just above the legal limit at .088, according to the arrest report. 'The defendant's flagrant disregard for human life by striking the victim and fleeing the scene demonstrates a willful and wanton disregard for the safety of others,' the document said. On May 31, Gomez made her first court appearance, where the judge confronted her about her shocking remarks dismissing the woman she killed as just a homeless person. 'Your Honor, I never said that,' Gomez responded, according to WSVN. 'I did not say that whatsoever. Thats false.' Prosecutors doubled down, emphasizing that Gomez remains a danger to Miamis streets, showing blatant disregard for the consequences of her actions. They requested her bond to be set at $1 million. Gomez made her first court appearance, where the judge confronted her about her shocking remarks dismissing the woman she killed as just a homeless person - a statement she immediately denied ever saying (pictured: Kipnis) Gomez (pictured) was initially charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and resisting an officer without violence. The judge set her bond at $251,500 - well below the $1 million prosecutors requested Prosecutors are digging deeper, awaiting crucial data from the BMWs black box and toxicology reports - evidence that could lead to additional charges, including vehicular homicide (pictured: Kipnis) Rachel Kipnis, the victims cousin, also appeared via Zoom during the hearing, passionately condemning the recklessness that so abruptly and undeservedly took her loved ones life. 'I just want Your Honor to be aware of what a shining light has been taken out of this world by the incredible irresponsibility of this defendant,' she told the court, according to WSVN. Gomez was initially charged with leaving the scene of a fatal crash and resisting an officer without violence. However, the judge set her bond at $251,500 - well below the $1 million prosecutors requested. Records show Gomez remained in custody at Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center in West Miami-Dade as of Tuesday. If Gomez does manage to post bond, she wont walk away completely unscathed - shell be locked under house arrest, stripped of her passport, and ordered to steer clear of alcohol and driving. Meanwhile, prosecutors are digging deeper, awaiting crucial data from the BMWs black box and toxicology reports - evidence that could lead to additional charges, including vehicular homicide. 'My daughter was vivacious, lovable, everyone really liked her,' Daniel Kipnis told Local 10 News after the crash. Donald Trump's Border Czar Tom Homan piled onto the slew of attacks being launched at controversial Democrat Delia Ramirez. Illinois Rep. Ramirez stated during a press conference in Mexico over the weekend that she was 'a proud Guatemalan before I'm an American.' That comment sparked ire from several Republicans in the MAGA wing of the party, as President Donald Trump pushes his 'American First' vision worldwide. Homan became the latest high-profile Republican to condemn Ramirez's remarks. 'I think what she said was disgusting...her commitment should be to her state and the people that put her in that position' Homan said at the White House. Tennessee Republican Representative Andy Ogles wrote on X 'Denaturalize, deport, and kick her off [the] Homeland Committee. We know where her allegiances lie.' The Department of Homeland Security's official X account responded to the video of Ramirez's statement by posting a Theodore Roosevelt quote about American allegiance and condemning divided loyalties. Homan also took some time during his Wednesday presser to decry the false narratives that have been reported about 'Alligator Alcatraz,' the Florida facility where illegal migrants are being housed while they await deportation. White House border czar Tom Homan speaks with reporters at the White House, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Washington Leo and Catherine Gentile hold signs near the entrance to the state-managed immigration detention center dubbed Alligator Alcatraz, located at the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in the Florida Everglades on August 03, 2025 in Ochopee, Florida. Faith leaders led prayer for those being held within the facility US Representative Delia Ramirez, Democrat from Illinois, arrives to a news conference outside the US Capitol in Washington, DC, on December 17, 2024 Reports have surfaced about inhumane treatment at the facility, and unjust conditions. Homan said that such reporting was false. 'I get asked these questions all the time about the terrible, terrible 'Alligator Alcatraz.' I went down there, and what I found out is there's a lot of fake stories out there about medical attention, about, you know, religious freedom and having clergy there. I went down there, I looked at the books. So it's just simply a false story,' Homan told reporters. Homan also dismissed concerns about the environmental impact of the facility. 'So all you know, they take waste out of there every day,' Homan noted, further adding that not 'one foot of concrete' was put down that 'wasn't already there.' Finally, Trump's border czar called out one group of individuals who he believes keep getting in the way of the administration moving forward with their agenda: 'I'm sick and tired of the radical judges trying to shut down everything we're doing,' Homan said. 'It's ridiculous. I thought the Supreme Court was pretty clear last month about these radical judges trying to, you know, stop the Trump administration from implementing our agenda that American people voted for,' Homan told reporters Wednesday. Overall, the unveiling of 'Alligator Alcatraz' has gotten mixed reviews. Republicans, led by the Trump administration, are big fans of the facility being used to house illegal migrants in Florida as they await deportation. A migrant held in the Alligator Alcatraz detention center described dozens of inmates being corralled inside cages at the disorienting, mosquito-infested facility in an interview last month with NBC6. Democrat Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz called 'Alligator Alcatraz' an 'internment camp' during a visit to the facility last month, noting that the conditions were 'appalling.' Wasserman Schultz also said that the whole facility was a 'stunt' and that human beings were 'abused.' Congressman Max Frost, another Florida Representative, said that toilets being clogged in the facilities have caused 'feces' to 'spread everywhere.' Trump toured the newly constructed migrant detention facility deep in the Florida Everglades - nicknamed 'Alligator Alcatraz' - in July. He then praised its remote, high-security design, promising it would soon house what he called 'the most menacing migrants, the most vicious people on the planet.' Juan Palma, 48, who has spent more than two weeks at the center in the Florida Everglades, told NBC6 that the lights stay on around the clock, leaving him clueless as to the time of day. The Cuban migrant said that he and 32 other people live in what he described as a cage and that they are only allowed to shower every three or four days. Former Tory justice minister Chris Philp has poked holes at Labour's new migrant returns deal after witnessing two 'massively packed' small boats entering UK waters while French officials 'made no attempt' to stop them. Mr Philp, who now serves as shadow Home Secretary, today posted a series of videos taken aboard a chartered ship in the English Channel. After seeing one migrant boat being 'shadowed' by a French warship and then another just ten minutes later, the incandescent politician said it showed the Anglo-French deal was a failure, adding that occupants of the boats were 'coming to a hotel near you soon'. He said: 'On the very day Labour's flagship Channel deal was meant to kick in, I watched French ships escort illegal migrants straight into British waters. 'Labour's migrant surrender deal with France is in shambles and today has proven that it will have no deterrent effect whatsoever.' Last month Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged migrants would be 'detained and returned to France in short order' under the agreement. But a determined Mr Philp explained he would spend the day trying to discover 'if the Government really has sorted out' the issue of illegal migrants arriving in the UK from across the English Channel. Within minutes, he is informed that French patrol vessel Minck had turned directly towards the shore of Calais in anticipation of a migrant boat getting ready to leave. Former Tory justice minister Chris Philp has poked holes at Labour's new migrant returns deal after witnessing two 'massively packed' small boats entering UK waters The shadow home secretary witnessed illegal migrants crossing the Channel - and accused French officials of 'making no attempt' to stop them Chris Philp said the scenes he witnessed showed the Anglo-French deal was 'a failure' He said: 'So you can see the migrant boat in the water absolutely rammed full of illegal immigrants crossing the Channel and we see right next to it a French warship shadowing it across, making no attempts to stop it at all. 'That French warship has been with it about three hours now. They could have stopped that illegal migrant boat near the French shore if they had chosen to, like the Belgians do, the Australians do. 'They could have stopped it, but instead they are shadowing it across, escorting it into British waters.' He added that within the next two hours the migrants would reach British waters. Within minutes, Mr Philp then spotted a second migrant boat, with around 80 people aboard. 'The Government's new deal they announced is obviously having no effect whatsoever. '[The migrants] are clearly not deterred by the government's deal. I can see the evidence in front of my eyes,' the politician added, before witnessing UK Border Force vessel Typhoon approaching the French warship to pick up the migrants. Mr Philp added: 'They should return all the people - if you return all the people then they won't attempt the crossing in the first place.' Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said small boat migrants sent back under the deal would see their human rights claims heard after being sent back to France He witnessed the scenes on the first day of Labour's new migrant returns deal, which had already suffered a bumpy introduction after one minister appeared to contradict the terms of the treaty. Cabinet minister Lisa Nandy said on Wednesday that small boat migrants sent back under the deal would see their human rights claims heard after being sent back to France. However, it later emerged that some types of human rights cases would, in fact, block the Home Office from being able to remove migrants in the first place. Asked whether human rights challenges amounted to a loophole in the plan, Culture Secretary Ms Nandy said: 'That's not the case at all. 'The deal that we've struck will allow us to send people back to France who have human rights claims. 'Those claims will be heard in France.' She told Sky News: 'I know that the Conservative Party has been saying that this is a loophole. It isn't and we're really confident about that.' However, the treaty clearly sets out how small boat migrants cannot be sent back to France if they have 'an outstanding human rights claim'. Your browser does not support iframes. Your browser does not support iframes. Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed the new deal last month after a Downing Street summit The Home Office confirmed some human rights claims will block migrants' removal until they have been concluded in full. It will include cases which cannot be formally 'certified' by officials as 'clearly unfounded'. A Home Office spokesman said: 'Not everyone will fall within the scope of certification. 'No doubt there will be examples where people who file a human rights claim will fall outside the scope of certification and that would have to be heard.' It was a narrower interpretation of the circumstances than those set out by Ms Nandy, and legal proceedings could take months or even years to wrap up. The Mail has learned pro-migrant groups have begun informal discussions about launching a joint legal action against Labour's plan just as they did against the Tories' Rwanda scheme. Sources said there had already been 'a certain amount of co-ordination' between charities and other groups, with details of the treaty still being analysed. The Free Movement website, which offers advice to immigration lawyers, has published an analysis of the new measures which says: 'Legal challenges will be more difficult than for Rwanda, however there are still likely to be grounds on which some people can resist removal to France. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper repeatedly refused to say how many migrants will be returned under the deal because it 'could help the smuggling gangs' 'For example, if the inadmissibility decision was wrong, if people have family in the UK, or had experiences in France which make it inappropriate to send them back.' Meanwhile, the French interior ministry led by Bruno Retailleau - who signed the treaty alongside Home Secretary Yvette Cooper - declined to answer questions about the deal. It is unclear whether the Home Office had detained any of the new arrivals for possible removal to France. Officials had previously described how migrants would be taken to the Home Office's processing centre at Manston, near Ramsgate in Kent, for initial screening. Those selected would be sent to short-term detention facilities for further screening, and then on to an immigration removal centre. Under the terms of the treaty the UK must hand France the names of those to be removed within 14 days of their arrival. The French government then has up to 28 days to respond. Labour's deal with France came a year after Sir Keir scrapped the Tories' Rwanda asylum scheme as one of his first acts in office. The Rwanda deal, designed to deter Channel crossings and save lives, was ready to finally get off the ground after more than two years in legal limbo. Former FBI Director Robert Mueller, the man who led the Russia investigation into President Donald Trump, has reportedly lived in a memory-care facility for years. Muller, 80, served as the sixth director of the FBI from 2001 until 2013 and the special counsel overseeing the federal government's multi-year investigation into Russia's ties to the 2016 Trump campaign. The probe found that neither Trump nor members of his campaign team coordinated with the Russians on their interference. It did not conclude whether Trump obstructed the investigation, citing DOJ policy not to indict sitting presidents. Mueller's investigation dominated years of news coverage, and Trump frequently lashed out at the special counsel and his efforts, repeatedly labeling the effort as a 'witch hunt' and 'Russia hoax.' Now, just a few years after the bombshell report was released, Mueller is spending time in a memory-care unit, sources familiar with the matter told Real Clear Investigations. 'Sources tell me Mueller has been living in a memory-care facility for the past few years,' reporter Paul Sperry wrote on X Tuesday. The news comes as Mueller is scheduled to sit with the House Oversight Committee investigators regarding the FBI's work relating to Jeffrey Epstein next month. Former special counsel Robert Mueller makes a statement about the Russia investigation on May 29, 2019 at the Justice Department in Washington, D.C. Sources say he is now in a memory-care facility President Donald Trump often lambasted Mueller for a politicized investigation into the Republican's 2016 campaign and its ties to Russia Mueller testified before lawmakers in July 2019 to speak about his investigation. He frequently had to consult his notes during the session The committee is seeking information Mueller may know about Epstein from overseeing the FBI during the pedophile's 2005 Florida prostitution case, a matter in which the FBI eventually intervened. Many critics have said Epstein's sentence in that case was too lenient. The Daily Mail reached out to a former Mueller spokesman for a statement. And one former lawmaker is now saying the signs of Mueller's decline have been evident for years. 'It was clear this is where things were heading when we questioned him before Congress,' ex-Rep. Matt Gaetz, R-Fla., posted on social media. 'Mueller was used by some very vicious people,' Gaetz, now a conservative TV host, continued. 'Im not sure he really ever knew what was happening in the investigation.' Mueller testified before Congress about his report's findings in the summer of 2019. During that hearing, the former special counsel struggled at times to remember the questions from lawmakers, often asking them to repeat their inquiries. He also appeared flustered at times when trying to remember key portions of his probe. Former President Bill Clinton and his wife, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, have both been subpoenaed by Congress to testify about Jeffrey Epstein in October During his testimony, he forgot that Fusion GPS, an opposition research firm, was behind the infamous Steele Dossier - a file that alleged false ties between Trump and the Russians that many presume was the origin of the Trump-Russia allegations. A spokesperson for the House Oversight Committee did not respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment on whether they sent Mueller's subpoena to a memory-care unit. Still, the committee's chairman, James Comer, R-Ky., says he is expecting Mueller to show up and talk. Comer posted on his X on Tuesday that Mueller is scheduled to appear for a transcribed interview with the committee on September 2. Other top Trump and Obama administration officials will also testify in the committee's probe into Epstein. Former FBI Director James Comey (R) was also compelled to testify about Epstein Bill and Hillary Clinton are both scheduled to sit with the committee in October. Former Attorneys General Eric Holder, Loretta Lynch, Merrick Garland and Trump's former DOJ boss Bill Barr are also expected to talk to the lawmakers. It's a spectacular move by Republicans to pressure Trump's Attorney General Pam Bondi to put out more documents related to the disgraced financier while the administration has been embroiled in controversy over 'cover-up' claims. Bondi has been blamed by both Democrats and Republicans for stalling the release of the files. The Trump administration has since hurried to find out more about the Epstein scandal. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has met with Epstein's accomplice and longtime partner, Ghislaine Maxwell, to speak about what she knows about the late pedophile's crimes. Blanche spent several days in Florida at the detention facility where Maxwell was staying to interview the woman who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking crimes. She has repeatedly claimed she was treated wrongly during her trial, a claim that will soon be argued before the Supreme Court. Days after her meetings with Blanche, Maxwell was moved to a lower security detention center. Passengers aboard a Cathay Pacific flight from Los Angeles to Hong Kong endured a nightmare journey that may have just broken the record for the world's longest commercial flight - but not in distance. Flight CX883 took off from LAX at 12:55 am on August 4 with nearly 300 passengers onboard, expecting a 13-hour transpacific trip. But a freak weather event over Hong Kong turned the flight into a 29-hour ordeal in the sky - and on the tarmac. Just as the 15-year-old Boeing 777 descended to 5,000 feet for final approach into Hong Kong International Airport, torrential rainfall forced pilots to abort the landing. The city was slammed with more than 13.8 inches of rain in mere hours, prompting officials to issue a rare 'black' rainstorm warning - the territory's most severe weather alert and the highest August rainfall since 1884. Unable to land, the aircraft diverted to Taiwan's Taoyuan International Airport - but instead of letting passengers disembark, Cathay Pacific kept them onboard for another 11 grueling hours, citing international laws and immigration restrictions. The viral video of the chaos was posted on Threads by aviation engineer @mfahadnaimb who was onboard. The footage showed cabin reactions to turbulence and a storm-wracked flight map looping across Asia. But passengers weren't laughing for long. Passengers onboard Cathay Pacific Flight CX883 were trapped in the cabin for nearly 29 hours after a freak storm hit Hong Kong mid-flight The aircraft was forced to divert to Taiwan and parked on a remote stand, where passengers say they werent allowed to deplane for nearly 11 hours Trapped on a plane parked on a remote stand, with dwindling food, no fresh air, and nowhere to go, tempers began to fray. Some blamed '2nd air freedom' restrictions - an international rule that allows technical landings but forbids passenger disembarkation. Others pointed to insurance limitations and Cathay Pacific's reluctance to process hundreds of international travelers through Taiwanese customs. Even the crew were reportedly stretched to their limits, according to @mfahadnaimb: 'A lot of passengers were anxious and wanted to get off the plane. Plus, dealing with complaints and requests for food and drinks would make things even tougher for the flight attendants.' Eventually, the airline had to swap out the pilots and cabin crew during the layover to ensure they were legally fit to operate the final leg. After sitting for hours on the Taiwanese tarmac, the aircraft finally resumed its journey, landing in Hong Kong at 7:15 pm on August 5 - a staggering 28 hours and 20 minutes after departure. Daily Mail reached out to Cathay Pacific for comment. The airline has not yet issued a statement about the debacle. While weather delays are often unavoidable, critics say the airline's handling of the diversion - including its decision to trap nearly 300 people on board for more than a full day - deserves scrutiny. A young Irish fashion designer found dead on a boat in the Hamptons town of Montauk, New York was not murdered, police have said. The body of Martha Nolan-O'Slattara, 33, 'did not show evidence of violence,' Suffolk County Police Department announced Wednesday afternoon. A police spokesperson said a preliminary examination of Nolan-O'Slattara's remains was 'inconclusive' and that a cause of death is 'pending further examination.' Daily Mail asked Suffolk County Police if the death was drug-related, but they refused to comment. Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on a boat called Ripple around midnight on Tuesday. Witnesses recalled screams ringing out around the same time. A man had discovered her body inside the boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club. Bystanders tried to perform CPR on her as first responders rushed to the scene. One witness claimed when the designer lost consciousness, her boyfriend ran outside naked screaming 'that's my girlfriend.' Nolan-O'Slattara and her boyfriend were yacht club regulars, a local who also frequents the Montauk hot spot told the Daily Mail. Martha Nolan-O'Slattara was found dead on a yacht on Tuesday but did not die as a result of violence, cops said Tuesday. One boater at the scene described the ship, named Ripple, as a 'party boat' and told Daily Mail that she heard screams Nolan-O'Slattara was highly-regarded among the elite community, known as a friendly face with an outgoing personality The local claimed Nolan-O'Slattara's boyfriend is the owner of the 'party boat' she died on. Nolan-O'Slattara was highly-regarded among the elite community, known as a friendly face with an outgoing personality. We come here [to Montauk] every summer and nothing like this ever happens,' a boater told the Daily Mail. Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area, known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. Influencers and celebrities often flock to the beach town, especially in the summer months. 'We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place,' a yacht club spokesperson told CBS. 'Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff.' Nolan-O'Slattara was originally from Carlow, Ireland and moved to Manhattan, where she was living before her untimely death, in 2015. Last October, she shared a video of herself and a companion drinking bubbly as they flew over a sunny, rural looking area. She captioned the short clip: 'Heli on up' Nolan-O'Slattara was originally from Carlow, Ireland and moved to Manhattan, where she was living before her untimely death, in 2015 (pictured: the designer's NYC apartment building) Nolan-O'Slatarra grew up in the small town of Carlow, Ireland, roughly 55 miles outside of capital city Dublin 'I love it in New York. It's expensive but I don't see myself living anywhere else for now,' she said in a 2024 interview with the Irish Independent. She said she lived in the Upper East Side, and records show she rented a small studio apartment for about $1,900 per month. 'I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams,' Nolan-O'Slatarra told the Irish Independent last year. Carlow is roughly 55 miles outside of Ireland's capital city Dublin. Although she only planned to stay in NYC for nine months, Nolan-O'Slatarra got a job at fintech start-up Street Diligence, a company handling 'top-tier hedge funds.' She claimed the firm's CEO offered to sponsor her visa after she landed investment bank Jefferies as a client. She left Street Diligence after two years, bouncing around at multiple companies before starting her firm Brand Growth Consultants - which has an online presence that appears to be completely AI-generated - in 2021. Determined to break the mold of her small town beginnings, she founded the fashion brand East X East, a company specializing in luxury swimwear, the same year. She had recently celebrated the opening of her popup shop at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa Nolan-O'Slatarra is seen sitting in a luxurious convertible car as it drove through picturesque countryside in a video posted to her TikTok in October last year Violent crimes are unusual in the upscale Long Island beach and resort area that is known for its monstrous mansions and high-end dining. (Pictured: Montauk Yacht Club) The business was hosting a pop-up sale in Montauk when she unexpectedly passed away, according to a social media post. She also launched several other companies, including her direct-to-consumer Amazon brand Duper, her LinkedIn page reveals. Adding to her career portfolio, Nolan-O'Slatarra was appointed director of operations at K4 Capital Management, an investment management firm, in June last year. While residing in a humble studio, the self-declared entrepreneur and brand growth consultant enjoyed a glamorous lifestyle that she flaunted on social media. TikToks posted on her account captured her riding private jets and helicopters with her friends. She and her pals took a Falcon jet to Nashville for a concert in 2021 with Nolan-O'Slatarra highlighting her '#milehighclub' and '#privatejet' life in the captions. Last October, she shared a video of herself and a male companion drinking bubbly as they flew over a sunny, rural looking area. She captioned the short clip: 'Heli on up.' Nolan-O'Slattara shared a TikTok clip of herself with the same man sitting in a luxurious convertible car as it drove through picturesque countryside. Angela Rayner has ordered China to explain why it has redacted blueprints for its 'mega-embassy' set to be built in London, amid fears the building's basement rooms could be converted into 'spy dungeons'. As Housing Secretary, Rayner has given Beijing two weeks to either provide unredacted plans, according to the FT. If China does not do this, the deputy prime minister has ordered it to 'identify precisely and comprehensively' the withheld parts and explain why the floorplan for the basement and other areas of the Royal Mint Court development have been 'greyed out'. According to Rayner's letter to the Chinese embassy, she highlighted that two suites of anonymous rooms and a tunnel were redacted 'for security reasons'. Other buildings on the plans were also partly greyed out, including the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House. It also highlights a Home Office request for a 'hard perimeter' around the embassy that may represent a 'material amendment to the application that would require further consultation'. The letter asked for further information in order for the Housing Secretary to make a 'lawful determination' on whether to allow the site to go up, adding that 'no view has been formed yet.' The new embassy, if built, would sit opposite the Tower of London in the former Royal Mint and would be China's largest in Europe. Critics fear the site will become the centre of increased espionage operations and may be used to harass Chinese dissidents Angela Rayner has ordered China to explain why it has redacted blueprints for its 'mega-embassy' set to be built in London Critics fear the site will become the centre of increased espionage operations and may be used to harass Chinese dissidents. The US has already expressed 'deep concern' over the project, as it sits close to the City of London, home to some of the world's largest financial institutions. MPs in the Netherlands have also raised similar concerns. The site was sold to China by the UK government in 2018 for 255million. A full decision on whether the embassy will be allowed to be built will be made by September. It comes after diplomatic sources warned the Mail on Sunday that the new embassy will have on-site accommodation for more than 200 intelligence officers. A source said: 'There will effectively be a student-style campus for spies in the heart of the City. 'And those spy dungeons are so deep that the sensitive cables are virtually at head height.' The MoS can also reveal that the embassy plans exempt a 'cultural exchange' section from 'inspection and verification' by UK authorities. A US security source said 'cultural interests/exchange' is a 'euphemism for intelligence and security services', adding: 'It's where they often stuff their security and intelligence staff, among other diplomats. Pictured: Royal Mint Court, the site of the proposed new Chinese Embassy in London The plan for the embassy, close to the Tower of London, was blocked by the previous government after British intelligence agencies and Scotland Yard objected on the grounds that sensitive data cables that run nearby could be vulnerable to attack by Chinese spies. Pictured: A planning document 'And if it's a "cultural" centre/space, why do they always declare it off limits in planning documents?' Ex-Tory leader Iain Duncan Smith said: 'Everywhere there is a mega embassy... Chinese state-sponsored, trans-national repression of those who have fled the Chinese state or who criticise it grows dramatically. 'It's simple: a bigger embassy has more spies and more repression.' Shadow Levelling Up Secretary Kevin Hollinrake said Labour had been 'caught red-handed trying to ram through this sinister embassy' in a 'desperate attempt to woo the Chinese Communist Party to bail out their failing economic policies'. He added: 'It is shocking Labour want to sign a legal document that will ban British officials checking what is being built in the embassy building. This is yet another surrender document from a Labour Government that puts foreign interests over British interests.' 'The so-called cultural exchange will clearly be used by Chinese spies and communist bullies to further their political ends.' China has dismissed claims the embassy could be an espionage hub. Billionaire supermarket owner John Catsimatidis has warned that mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani will transform New York City into Cuba, which has been ruled by communists since 1959. Wealthy New Yorkers, including Catsimatidis, have been forecasting the doom of America's largest city should the self-professed socialist win the general election in November. Catsimatidis, owner of D'agostino and Gristedes, slammed Mamdani's agenda as free handouts in an exclusive interview with Fox Digital on Wednesday. 'We're gonna give you buses for nothing, we're gonna give you subways for nothing, we're gonna give you food for nothing. This is what Fidel Castro did,' Catsimatidis said. Mamdani, a 33-year-old New York State assemblyman, won the Democratic primary in June on promises of free bus service, free childcare, free tuition for the City University of New York and freezing the rents for more than 2 million residents. 'The people in Venezuela are starving,' Catsimatidis said. 'The people in Cuba are starving. And I think the American people, especially New Yorkers, they're smart and they're going to realize this right away.' In the next breath, the real estate mogul seemed to acknowledge Mamdani's charisma, while also tearing into his relatively thin resume. 'He has a beautiful smile. He has a good smile. He seems like a nice guy, but it's a con game,' he said. 'He's not qualified to be mayor. The city is a $100 billion enterprise, and you have to be really smart. You have to be able to know your checks and balance, you have to be able to run 300,000 employees.' Billionaire supermarket owner John Catsimatidis has slammed Zohran Mamdani's policies as unrealistic and similar to the agenda championed by Fidel Castro of Cuba However, Catsimatidis acknowledged Mamdani's charisma and 'beautiful smile' Still, Mamdani handily defeated former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, who was thought of as the more experienced option in the race. His main opponents in the general will be Cuomo and current mayor Eric Adams, both of whom are running as independents. Former US Attorney Jim Walden and Curtis Sliwa, the perennial Republican option, are also in the race. Catsimatidis sought to handwave away various polls that have Mamdani cruising to victory in November. 'I don't think the polls are really real right now,' Catsimatidis said. 'He doesn't like the Italian people. The Italians are going to be against him. He doesn't like business people. The business people are going to be against him. So I don't think he's that far ahead.' The most recent poll has Mamdani at 50 percent support among likely voters, while Cuomo is in a distant second at 22 percent. Catsimatidis, who ran for mayor himself in 2013, also believes the city won't be able to fund the Mamdani's policies by increasing corporate taxes and income taxes on rich New Yorkers. 'Sooner or later, you're going to run out of money,' he said. 'These union leaders are picking this guy, Mamdani, for what? They were promised a great day. They were promised great numbers. But if the city runs out of money, who's going to pay the pensions?' Catsimatidis's thorough condemnation of Mamdani comes as The New York Times reported that President Donald Trump is weighing getting involved in the mayoral race. President Donald Trump is weighing getting involved in the mayoral race, according to the New York Times Part of that has meant speaking on the phone with former New York governor Andrew Cuomo, according to The Times. Cuomo, who lost to Mamdani in the Democratic Primary, is polling in second place behind him in the general election Trump reportedly spoke on the phone with Cuomo directly about the state of the race, according to three sources who were briefed on the call. It's still unclear what exactly Trump and Cuomo said to one another or who of the two initiated the unlikely conversation. In early July, Trump publicly said he would arrest Mamdani if he dared to defy raids by Immigration and Customs Enforcement in New York City. He also accused Mamdani of possibly being in the United States illegally, even though he was born in Uganda and became a naturalized US citizen in 2018. 'I think he's terrible. He's a communist,' Trump has said. 'The last thing we need is a communist. I said there will never be socialism in the United States. So we have a communist?' Trump has also been asked about Mamdani's refusal to condemn the use of the term 'globalize the intifada,' a pro-Palestinian slogan that has encouraged violence against Israelis and Jews. Since becoming the Democratic nominee, Mamdani has now said he would discourage the use of the term. 'I think he's, frankly, I've heard he's a total nut job. I think the people in New York are crazy. If they go this route, I think they're crazy,' Trump has said. A grieving father made a heartbreaking request to a Kansas City shelter after he saved a dying kitten. The Humane Society of Greater Kansas City said it received a call on Monday about a severely injured stray kitten. 'When we arrived, it was evident she was suffering from a previous injury and was in need of immediate medical attention,' the shelter wrote on Facebook. But it turned out the kitten was not the only one in need of help. 'The gentleman hero that saved her requested we name her Hope, because his little daughter just passed and her name was Hope,' shelter staff recounted. 'He said, "everyone needs a little hope, can you name her Hope please?"' Shelter staff were so moved by the tribute that they immediately agreed. Yet it is Hope that now needs some help from us, staff said. An unidentified grieving father rescued a severely injured kitten (pictured) in Kansas City, and requested she be named Hope after his late daughter Staff at the Humane Society of Greater Kansas City are now raising money for Hope's recovery 'All four of her paw pads are burned, her eyelid was burned and she has a long road to recovery in front of her,' they wrote as they pleaded for donations to help the kitten. Many in the comments section were moved by the unidentified father's request. 'That's heartbreaking!' one woman wrote. 'Hope is a beautiful name!! So happy she's safe now.' Another added that it is a 'beautiful name [that] fits her well.' As of Thursday evening, the shelter had raised more than $300 for Hope's recovery. Vice President JD Vance denied Wednesday that he would host a meeting to discuss the administration's response to the Jeffrey Epstein files, ridiculing a CNN report that reported details of the planned event as 'fake news.' The vice president was specifically asked to address the report by President Donald Trump during an event in the Oval Office. 'I saw the report today, and it's completely fake news, we are not meeting to talk about the Epstein situation,' Vance replied. 'I think the reporter who reported it needs to get better sources.' Trump described the whole Epstein controversy as a 'hoax' that was 'put out by the Democrats' to distract from his administration's success. 'That's just a way of trying to divert attention to something that's total bulls*it,' the president added. CNN reported that Vance was hosting a meeting Wednesday evening to discuss the Epstein files that would include White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. The report was bylined by five different CNN reporters citing 'three sources familiar' with details of the event. The vice president's office denied the scheduled meeting after the CNN report was published Wednesday morning. Vice President JD Vance denied plans to host a meeting to talk about Jeffrey Epstein The Vice President's residence at the United States Naval Observatory 'The CNN story is pure fiction,' William Martin, Communications Director to the Vice President told the Daily Mail. 'There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice Presidents residence to discuss Epstein Strategy.' The White House did not respond to a Daily Mail request for comment. The vice president has been working behind the scenes to get Bondi and Patel on the same page, but is not specifically leading the administration's response to Epstein. A second source close to the FBI told the Daily Mail that Vance likely sees the Epstein files as a possible liability for his all-but-certain run for president in 2028, 'so trying to distance himself from the mishaps but also be part of the solution' is important to him. Blanche recently spent nine-hours meeting with Ghislaine Maxwell to discuss the case. Maxwell, Epstein's ex-girlfriend and business associate was was convicted of sex trafficking and sentenced to 20 years in prison in 2022. During the meeting, Maxwell told Blanche that Trump never did anything harmful in her presence according to sources speaking to ABC News. Administration officials are weighing whether to release transcripts of the interviews, but have not made a decision. Maxwell was transported from a federal prison in Tallahassee, Florida after her meeting with Blanche to a more relaxed security prison in Texas. Maxwell's attorney said after the meeting that she 'didn't hold anything back' in the interview, and spoke about 'one hundred' different people in the case. President Trump said he was unaware of Maxwell's transfer but described it as routine. 'I didn't know about it at all. I read about it just like you did,' he told reporters on Tuesday. 'It's not a very uncommon thing.' US Attorney General Pam Bondi has come under scrutiny for her mishandling of the Epstein files Kash Patel, President Donald Trump's Director of the FBI Trump has not ruled out a pardon for Maxwell. The family of Virginia Roberts Giuffre, a survivor of Epstein's abuse, issued a statement calling for the adminstration to meet with 'any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein.' 'Their voices must be heard, above all. We also call upon the House subcommittee to invite survivors to testify,' Sky and Amanda Roberts said in a joint statement with Danny and Lanette Wilson. Giuffre died in April 2025, as the cause of death was ruled a suicide. 'Any information that may be released by the government should take into account the survivors who wish to remain anonymous, for their safety and well-being. They should be consulted first,' the family members concluded. Democrats were quick to target Vance's role in the controversy, given that he once was a vocal proponent of releasing all the documents related to the deceased pedophile. 'The Epstein files coverup is happening before our eyes and the entire Trump White House is complicit including JD Vance who at one point tried to distance himself from it all,' said Tommy Vietor, the former Obama national security official and current podcast host. The Trump administration continues to weigh their response to the controversy that began a month ago after the Department of Justice released a memo that said Epstein did not have a 'client list' that could be released and that there was no evidence of foul play in Epstein's death in prison, after it was ruled a suicide. Jeffrey Epstein stands next to one of his private jets Jeffrey Epstein's long-time associate Ghislaine Maxwell is serving a 20 year prison sentence for sex trafficking Vance last addressed the administration's handling of the files, denying that the they were 'shielding' Epstein and his clients. 'We're not shielding anything,' the vice president told a reporter who asked him about protestors in Ohio. 'The president has directed the attorney general to release all credible information and frankly to go and find additional credible information related to the Jeffrey Epstein case.' Vance has defended Bondi for her handling of the case, even as prominent Trump allies have blamed her for the tone-deaf handling of the case. 'I know, because I talk to her all the time, the attorney general is hard at work on that now,' Vance said. Vance insisted that Trump had 'nothing to hide' in the Epstein files and predicted more details about the Epstein case in the coming days. 'He's going to keep on being an advocate for full transparency,' Vance promised. Prince Harry could face further action over claims of bullying and misogyny from the leaders of the African charity he set up. The Charity Commission yesterday revealed that after a bitter boardroom battle at Sentebale it had found 'no evidence of widespread or systematic bullying or harassment including misogyny or misogynoir'. But neither side was satisfied with the final adjudication, which criticised all parties involved, and, although the regulator urged all to be 'mindful to channel their belief in the charity's mission in a constructive and collaborative way', there seems little hope of the row going away. Both camps made serious claims of mismanagement and maladministration against the other. The current chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka, accused the Duke of Sussex of waging a campaign of bullying 'at scale' against her. This was strongly denied. The watchdog acknowledged there was a 'strong perception' of ill-treatment by those involved but it could find no evidence of widespread bullying. However, it also confirmed it had no remit to investigate individual allegations. A spokesman for the prince declared this as a win, branding the claims as falsehoods. But those who run Sentebale, after Harry and other trustees resigned en masses in March following infighting, yesterday said such accusations 'can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate' than the Charity Commission, without elaborating. Prince Harry (pictured) could face further action over claims of bullying and misogyny from the leaders of the African charity he set up The current chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka (pictured, left), accused the Duke of Sussex of waging a campaign of bullying 'at scale' against her The regulator had been asked to investigate a dispute between the prince and its board of trustees on one side and Dr Chandauka on the other. Harry set up Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to work with disadvantaged young people in Lesotho and Botswana, with both men honouring their late mothers. The Commission criticised all parties as a result of its investigation into the 'damaging internal dispute'. It said the trustees' failure to resolve conflict internally 'severely impacted the charity's reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities'. In a statement, Sentebale said yesterday: 'The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the Commission's responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes. 'This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir [misogyny against black women] etc. 'As a result, the Commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry. The issues not investigated by the Commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the Commission.' A source told the Daily Mail that a decision on whether to proceed would be taken by the Sentebale trustees and executive management, although their focus for now was on delivering help to clients. The regulator had been asked to investigate a dispute between the prince and its board of trustees on one side and Dr Chandauka on the other Harry set up Sentebale with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in 2006 to work with disadvantaged young people in Lesotho and Botswana This drew a scathing response from sources close to the original board of trustees many of whom are Harry's friends and supporters who said it was 'provocative and 'pitiful' to 'rehash unsubstantiated allegations of bullying, misogyny and more, which the Commission found no evidence of'. The former board of trustees also issued a stinging statement rebuking the Charity Commission for choosing to 'ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence' which they raised over the 'leadership and oversight' of Sentebale's chair. Sentebale, which has refuted the claims, said it welcomes the conclusion of the compliance case and the issuing of an action plan for the charity moving forward. It said it looked forward to a future 'free from interference' with confidence. It was one of the most iconic dresses in Princess Diana's wardrobe and its bright colours meant it became a staple when she was visiting hospitals or playing with children. Created by the late fashion designer David Sassoon - who dubbed it the 'Caring Dress' - Diana wore the floral blue crepe-de-chine number seven times between her 1988 tour of Australia and her 1992 visit to the Lighthouse Project for Aids. It became so ubiquitous that on July 21, 1992, The Daily Mail described the dress as 'very endearing, very enduring'. 'Looks familiar?' it continued, 'Yes, it's that dress again.' So when museum curator Renae Plant, who shook hands with Diana in Sydney when she first wore the dress, spotted that it had come up for auction in Los Angeles she was determined to buy it. Now, a video of her jumping, dancing and falling onto the floor in excitement has gone viral after she secured the lot for 378,000 at the Peninsula Beverly Hills sale, organised by Julien's Auctions. And she hopes that the dress will be the highlight of a permanent museum she is hoping to open in London to display the world's largest private collection of Royal memorabilia, worth a staggering 50million. Last night Renae told the Daily Mail: 'I had no idea that it had gone viral as I'm still coming up for air. It hasn't hit me yet. I'm still shaking with nervous excitement. Renae Plant and Livinio Stuyck Sanchez at 'Princess Diana's Style & A Royal Collection' sale with the 'Caring Dress' in Los Angeles in June 2025 Princess Diana holding a baby at a hostel for abandoned children in Sao Paolo, Brazil, wearing the 'Caring Dress' The Princess Of Wales talks with dress maker David Sassoon, who designed 'the caring dress', at a private viewing and reception at Christie's 'What you see when I fall on the ground is just pure shock and joy as I'm in disbelief that I was able to preserve the "Caring Dress" 37 years after I met her in Sydney wearing it for the very first time.' Renae, 54, who owns the interactive 3D Princess Diana Museum in Los Angeles, has more than 2,700 photographs, letters, drawings, jewellery and pieces of Diana's clothing, from her childhood at Althorp to her death in Paris in 1997. She has now teamed up with the Exhibits Developments Group to organise a global tour of her memorabilia. The Love, Life and Legacy exhibition will begin in her home city next November before touring Asia, Australia and Europe. Her husband Livinio is creating an interactive exhibition of other memorabilia, entitled Diana: The Experience, which will open in Dubai at the same time. 'My goal has always been to share it with the public,' she says. 'My mission is to put all these pieces together, not have them scattered around the world. 'I'm envisaging them all staying in one place, where they can be on a permanent display, rather than donating them to Historic Royal Palaces, which would rotate them. 'It's quite an extensive collection. We have 100 pieces of clothing worn by Diana from baby clothes to clothes she wore as a teenager as well as pieces that depict the rest of her life. The Prince and Princess of Wales arriving in Brazil for various engagements in 1991 'Everywhere Diana and Charles travelled in Australia, kids came on field trips to meet them,' recalls Renae On a visit to Australia for the Bicentennial celebrations, Princess Diana greets crowds of well wishers in the Sassoon dress at Bayview, 1988. The celebrations marked 200 years since the arrival of the first British convict ships at Sydney in 1788 'For so long it has just been the Christie's dresses. That was the fashion story. But this is her life story, tiny pieces from her childhood all the way through her life.' Renae first met Diana when she was a 12-year-old schoolgirl, on April 12, 1983, at the Yandina Ginger Factory in Queensland. Diana and Charles were on their first overseas tour with Prince William, setting a precedent which William and Kate have kept up to this day. 'Everywhere Diana and Charles travelled in Australia, kids came on field trips to meet them,' recalls Renae, who runs a pre-school with her husband and three children Ilan, Mateo and Deklan. 'When the royal family visited the gingernut factory in Yandina, a small rural town in Queensland, Australia, just ten minutes from my hometown of Eumundi, my school was invited to go. 'Most of the kids in my class treated it as "just another field trip" but I was beside myself with excitement. Ever since watching the Royal wedding on TV in 1981, I was enamoured by this real life fairytale. 'As Diana and Prince Charles arrived at the ginger factory, I pushed my way to the front of the crowd. Charles was on my side of the path and Diana on the other, I was really focused on getting the chance to shake her hand. Her husband Livinio is creating an interactive exhibition of other memorabilia, entitled Diana: The Experience, which will open in Dubai Renae first met Diana when she was a 12-year-old schoolgirl, on April 12, 1983, at the Yandina Ginger Factory, in Queensland Princess Diana wore her iconic blue floral 'Caring Dress' publicly at least nine times. She is pictured here in Sao Paulo in 1991 'They both stopped right in front of me, and she stopped to smell flowers that someone had given her. I had a tiny pocket camera with me and was shaking with excitement trying to capture as much as I could. 'As the rest of my class was led away, I slipped away from the group and went under ropes to sneak around the back of the factory where a big garage door was open. I stayed right there for the entire duration of lunch. 'After they finished, I found myself standing next to a group of paparazzi and I was now on the other side of the walkway from my schoolmates. 'Diana emerged from the factory on my side of the walkway, and I was the first person in line after the photographers. The Princess came directly to me, shook my hand and waited for me to say something. I was speechless. 'As Diana finished saying farewell to the people lining the exit, I went under the barricade again, now following Charles and Diana down the dirt path toward their awaiting black Rolls-Royce. 'A friend yelled out, "Renae! Diana dropped something!" I bent down and picked up a clay platypus that someone had given her. I went back to school and was in a lot of trouble for missing roll call and lunch, but it was totally worth it.' Six years later, when she was living in Sydney, Renae met the Princess again. It was January 31, 1988, and Charles and Diana were attending mass at St Andrew's Cathedral. 'It was a bloody hot, hot day and a group of friends and I were headed to Bondi Beach,' she recalls. 'I was wearing a white bikini tube top and white shorts. 'We all got off the bus at St. Andrew's Cathedral and there was a massive crowd outside. I asked someone what was going on and once I found out that Prince Charles and Princess Diana were at church for mass that day, that was it. 'I was in position to meet my princess not once, but twice in my lifetime. I quickly found a milk crate to stand on so I could see over the crowd. 'When Diana saw me, she reached up over the crowd and shook my hand. As you can imagine, that was a dream come true, and definitely the beginning of a long journey - a lifelong passion for the Princess.' The Princess & The Platypus Foundation, the nonprofit organisation behind The Princess Diana Museum, is at www.theprincessandtheplatypus.org. The future King William may be able to strip his disgraced uncle, the Duke of York, of his titles, a Royal expert claims. Prince Andrew's scandalous and faux pas-ridden life - from the scores of alleged sexual conquests to his boorish and vulgar character - has been outlined in extracts from a new book serialised in the Mail. Andrew Lownie's book Entitled: The Rise and Fall of the House of York - also recounts the Duke's seeming infidelity and suggestions he abused his Foreign Office role to boost his own wealth on taxpayer-funded trips. The excruciating revelations have prompted fresh questions over whether the Duke should retain his titles - but his brother, King Charles III, is unlikely to deviate from his mother's famous stance of 'never complain, never explain'. Queen Elizabeth II was - famously - resolutely silent on all matters concerning her family in public. And the King has followed, conducting his battles with his brother over the Royal Lodge behind closed doors to avoid airing regal laundry in public. But royal historian Christopher Wilson told the Telegraph that he believes that policy could be dropped when the time comes for Charles' son to take the throne. William, he said, would be less worried about the short-term headline scandal that could unfold in seeking to strip Andrew's titles than the ongoing long-term damage to the Firm wreaked by allowing him to remain on the books. Prince William could take decisive action to strip his uncle the Duke of York of his titles, an expert has claimed (pictured 2011) Prince Andrew has retained his titles despite stepping back from royal duties - with his brother, King Charles III, thought to be reluctant to commit to such a public act (pictured 2012) In addition, the mechanism allowing William to revoke his uncle's titles could be easy to introduce via Parliament. It could finally mean Andrew's existing unofficial severance is formalised after years of scandal after embarrassing scandal. He remains devastatingly unpopular. Just nine percent of people polled by YouGov in the second quarter of 2025 have a favourable view of him. Mr Wilson, who is also a royal biographer, told the Telegraph of Elizabeth II's 'never complain, never explain' stance: 'I think to a large extent Charles has adhered to that as a safe policy the moment you start tearing the family apart, where does it stop? 'With William it will be a different approach he has hard-nosed ideas about how the Royal family needs to appear in the frenzied social media world we now inhabit, and I think will be ruthless.' Charles is thought to have sought to address the 'Andrew question' early in his reign - but his cancer diagnosis saw his priorities change. Since then, his brother has been embroiled in further scandals. As well as his connections with the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein, the Duke was forced to deny ever sharing information with an alleged Chinese spy who served as a close advisor on his business ventures. His relationship with Yang Tengbo caught the attention of British intelligence services, who had to contact the Duke to warn him off amid fears Mr Tengbo was seeking to use his royal connection to his advantage. The King has withdrawn his brother's allowance even while appearing to surrender in the war over the Royal Lodge residence. Andrew must now keep the 30-room estate in Windsor Great Park maintained at his own expense - which he appears to be capable of despite a bill thought to run into the millions. The Duke of York, pictured on Easter Sunday this year, has practically zero chance of returning to public life following a series of scandals Prince Andrew still retains his Royal Order of the Garter title - but this could be revoked by the King if the circumstances were deemed appropriate (pictured in 2023) Your browser does not support iframes. The Duke has seen largely excused himself from all but the most occasional of public outings - joining the family on their Christmas walk at Sandringham and attending St George's Chapel for the Easter Sunday service. But the Telegraph has reported sources as suggesting that William will 'not shy away' from taking action on his uncle if the duty falls to him as future King. As for how his various titles can be removed, the King - both present and future - various machinations exist, or can be put in place. Andrew's Order of the Garter, Britain's highest order of chivalry could be stripped away after he was granted it by Elizabeth II in 2006. It is removed from those guilty of charges such as heresy or treason. The Duke of York has not taken part in the annual public Garter Day parade since 2019, following his fall from grace. His Dukedom could be struck off by way of Parliament. A Private Members' Bill sponsored by MP Rachael Maskell in 2022 sought to grant the Monarch 'powers to remove titles'. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Ms Maskell is the MP for York Central. Nine in 10 local people wanted to see Andrew stripped of his title in 2022, loathing his ongoing connection with the city. He has already been stripped of the Freedom of York. His princedom and HRH title - the latter already informally withdrawn with Andrew's agreement - could be revoked by way of Letters Patent, documents signed by the monarch that grant rights and titles (and can equally take them away). But sources told the newspaper it would likely be achieved via Parliament in order to preserve the Monarchy as an element of the UK's modern day government, rather than an overriding influence. Andrew has disappeared from the public eye, having withdrawn from royal duties - making any future action by William an effective confirmation of his informal severance (pictured 2011) It is thought that William, on the throne as future King, will be more decisive in dealing with Andrew than his father, King Charles III (pictured 2015) The Mail's devastating serialisation of a new book on Andrew has laid bare his boorish and vulgar character and daily habits Andrew pictured with Virginia Giuffre (then Roberts) and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell It is likely that when Andrew dies, his Dukedom will die with him - almost certainly irrevocably stained. The title reverts to the Crown on his death, and it would be the Monarch's decision whether to bestow it again. On William, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and their family, were notably absent from this year's Easter Sunday service, instead spending Easter in Norfolk. Andrew attended the service with his ex-wife Sarah, Duchess of York. The service came five days before Virginia Giuffre, who had accused the paedophile Jeffrey Epstein and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell of trafficking her to the Duke of York, died by suicide. Ms Giuffre alleged that the Duke had forced her into sex - and the so-called 'Epstein files' detailed how a woman thought to be her had been compelled into taking part in 'an orgy with numerous other underaged girls'. Andrew settled with Ms Giuffre out of court for an undisclosed sum, thought to be around 12million, with his late mother thought to have contributed to the payment. The settlement came with no admission of liability. Kensington Palace declined to comment when approached by the Daily Mail today. The Duke of York could not be reached for comment. Prince Harry's camp has issued a stinging statement rebuking the Charity Commission report into the racism row at his beloved African youth organisation. Sentebales former trustees, many of whom are long-time friends of the prince and resigned en masse in March, claimed the watchdog had 'chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence' which they raised over the 'leadership and oversight' of its new chair, Dr Sophie Chandauka. Harry also personally hit out at 'false' claims of bullying, racism and misogyny alleged by her against him, of which he said no was evidence was found - waspishly adding the word 'unsurprisingly' in an official statement. Sympathetic media were also briefed of his disappointment with 'sources close to Harry' claiming that he was 'devastated that the chair has been allowed to succeed with a hostile takeover' and accusing the Charity Commission of 'sitting so far on the fence that their feet are not even touching the ground'. The comments are a repeat of the reaction given by the prince when he recently lost a major High Court case over the cost and provision of official police security in the UK, in which he said he had been the victim of an 'Establishment stitch-up'. However supporters of Dr Chandauka expressed disappointment and concern at such a 'bitter' reaction, particularly given clear calls by the Charity Commission for all sides not to play their differences out in public and risk damaging the charity's reputation further. 'It does sound like sour grapes because the report made clear there was no criticism of Sophie personally and that Sentebale has correctly put a new team of trustees in place in order to move forwards from this [incident] and get on with their work helping the young people of Lesotho and Botswana,' they said. Sources have also pointed out that the Commission itself has admitted that it cannot investigate or adjudicate on individual allegations of bullying and, therefore, questioned on what basis it could rule that there was 'no evidence' to support Dr Chandauka's claims that she had been the victim of bullying and misogyny 'at scale'. Prince Harry and Sentebale's chair Dr Sophie Chandauka at an event in Miami in April 2024 Harry holds a young child during a visit to a children's centre in Bute-Bute, Lesotho, in 2014 A spokesman for the watchdog told the Mail that it appreciated 'individuals involved feel aggrieved about others' behaviour' but it had to asses the evidence through the 'lens of a regulator applying charity law'. The statement from the charity's former trustees, who include Harry's 'second father' and mentor, Mark Dyer, said: 'We are disheartened by the way in which the Charity Commission has chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale's Chair. 'We accept there is always room to strengthen governance of an organisation, which is why we welcomed a governance review by the Chair initiated in February 2024, and that should have only taken a matter of months - we unfortunately never saw a report or any outcomes enacted, more than two years into her tenure. 'We remain gravely concerned for the future of the charity and the wellbeing of the communities we served for 19 years, following the mission set out by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in honour of their mothers.' Sentebale said it welcomes the conclusion of the compliance case and the issuing of an action plan, thanked the Charity Commission for its 'thorough review' and that it looked forward to moving forwards with confidence 'free from interference'. It comes after Harry last night walked away from the charity following the damning report into the explosive race row. Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho at an event in Maseru, Lesotho, in October 2024 The Duke of Sussex leaves the Royal Courts of Justice in London in April 2025 The Charity Commission investigation criticised both sides of the acrimonious boardroom battle yet the war of words between the two continued. The probe said it could find 'no evidence' of 'widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir' at Sentebale after Dr Chandauka made a series of incendiary allegations about the behaviour of the Duke of Sussex and his fellow trustees. And it criticised the trustees, including Harry, who resigned after the furore blew up in the public domain. Their failure to resolve disputes internally, 'severely impacted the charity's reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally,' the Charity Commission found. In March, Harry resigned as patron of Sentebale, the charity he founded in 2006, going on to say he expected the investigation to 'unveil the truth' while hoping the charity would be 'put in the right hands', suggesting there may have been a path back for him. Sentebale was set up to help orphans with Aids in the impoverished kingdom of Lesotho in memory of his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales . The name means 'forget me not' in the country's official language. Last night, he made clear he had no intention of returning, with a spokesman saying: 'With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind - and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso [of Lesotho] began - The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana.' The watchdog acknowledged the 'strong perception of ill treatment' felt by all parties, including Dr Chandauka, and the impact this may have had on them personally. They ultimately found that a series of failures leading up to, and following, the dispute had led to 'mismanagement in the administration of the charity'. But, despite the Commission urging both sides in the dispute to take a step back from playing out their problems 'in the public eye', it is clear that both sides remain deeply entrenched. In a further escalation of the war of words, a spokesman for the prince said it was 'unsurprising' that the report makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to himself, or evidence of bullying or racism. The statement also hit out at the Charity Commission itself whose report he claimed fell 'troublingly short in many regards'. In her statement, Dr Chandauka emphasised that it was she who first privately raised concerns about the charity's governance with the Commission in February this year. Sentebale chair Sophie Chandauka during a polo event for the charity in Florida in April 2024 It was only after she did this, she stressed, that 'those who resigned' in March launched an 'unexpected and adverse media campaign' that had gone on to cause 'incalculable damage' to the charity's work. Tellingly, she added that the campaign subsequently publicly waged against her 'offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private'. Talking of the 'intense' and difficult process, she added: 'We are emerging not just grateful to have survived but stronger....with our dignity intact.' The row first exploded publicly in March when The Times newspaper was briefed about Harry's decision to resign from his role along with his co-founder Prince Seeiso and fellow trustees, many of whom were close personal friends and associates of the royal, amid a row with Dr Chandauka about the governance and future of Sentebale. He said his decision was 'devastating' and 'unthinkable' but described her leadership as 'untenable'. Dr Chandauka hit back, claiming the charity was beset by 'misogynoir' - misogyny against black women - and accusing the duke of 'bullying at scale' because she wanted to base the charity's operations and governance more fully in Africa and look for new sources of revenue other than Harry's favoured polo matches. She said scathingly: '...beneath all the victim narrative and fiction that has been syndicated to press is the story of a woman who dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir and the cover-up that ensued. I could be anyone.' Dr Chandauka with the Sussexes at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in Miami in April 2024 She also called the Sussexes' brand 'toxic' and said the prince's ability to attract funding for Sentebale had been detrimentally affected by the way he had quit royal duties. Dr Chandauka also lifted the lid on a peculiar incident at a fundraising polo match in April 2024, when Harry and Meghan turned up with a Netflix camera crew in tow, and the duchess was publicly crucified for apparently wanting to hog the limelight. She alleged that Harry asked her to make a statement in defence of his wife and when she refused, saying it was important that Sentebale wasn't seen as an 'extension of the Sussexes', she claimed she received an 'extraordinary, unpleasant and imperious' text message from the prince which further soured their relationship. Following a lengthy investigation into the complaints from both sides, the Charity Commission said last night that it had issued the charity with a 'Regulatory Action Plan' to address 'governance weaknesses' after a 'damaging internal dispute emerged' between Dr Chandauka, the Duke of Sussex and other trustees. The Commission emphasised that its role had been limited to determining whether the charity's current and former trustees, including its chair, have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law. It is not its responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes in charities, it stressed. Dr Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry in Johannesburg, South Africa, in October last year Sophie Chandauka on Sky News's Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips programme in March However the Commission also simultaneously admitted that it cannot investigate individual allegations of bullying. The Commission, it said, had identified a lack of clarity around role descriptions and internal policies as the primary cause for weaknesses in the charity's management. It found that this confusion exacerbated tensions, which culminated in a dispute and multiple resignations of trustees and both founding patrons. The Commission found that delegation of certain powers to the chair was 'confusing and poorly governed', but that trustees also failed to have proper processes and policies in place in investigate internal complaints. It added that the fact the ensuing row played out in the media, including explosive television interviews, were not in the charity's best interests. The Commission also found there was a 'missed opportunity; to resolve the issues, which was contributed to by financial difficulties following the Covid pandemic, which contributed to tensions. It added that more robust policies around the position and remit of patrons needed to be put in place. The Commission added: 'The regulator has criticised all parties to the dispute for allowing it [the dispute] to play out publicly, and further concluded that the then trustees' failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charity's reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally. At the time of his resignation, Prince Harry said his decision was 'devastating' and 'unthinkable' but described Dr Chandauka's leadership as 'untenable' 'We hope our public statement will draw a line in the sand and that the focus can now be on allowing the charity's work to continue. David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, added: 'Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity, delivering positive impact for millions of people here at home and abroad every day. 'However, in the rare cases when things go wrong, it is often because that very passion has become a weakness rather than a strength. 'Sentebale's problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity's reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity's ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve. 'This case highlights what can happen when there are gaps in governance and policies critical to charities' ability to deliver for their cause.' Sentebale said it welcomed the announcement and confirmation that the charity has correctly appointed new trustees to take the charity forward. It added that it wished to thank the Charity Commission for the thorough way in which it conducted the review, including 'its responsiveness to the governance concerns that were first privately raised with the Charity Commission in February 2025 through its whistleblowing procedure'. 'With these strong foundations now in place, Sentebale can move forward with confidence - free from interference, committed to continuous improvement, and focused on delivering solutions addressing health, wealth and climate resilience for children and young people in Southern Africa,' it added. When I first visited Lesotho with Prince Harry soon after the inception of his Sentebale charity in 2006, the young royal couldnt hold back his excitement at what he hoped to achieve. Having set it up in memory of his late mother Princess Diana (sentebale means forget-me-not in Lesothos language), Harrys pride that he had managed to get this deeply personal project off the ground was clear to see. It was difficult not to be won over by his passion. Showing myself and a group of other journalists around a dusty, rubble-strewn piece of wasteland that was to become Sentebales first centre for children impacted by HIV and Aids, Harry repeatedly asked me: Do your editors get what I am trying to do here? Do they understand? It was one of the earliest examples of how the self-dubbed spare was intent on doing things his own way rather than following the royal tradition of taking on patronages of well-established charitable organisations. But, as the Charity Commission warned, while passion for a cause is the bedrock of what keeps the sector going, when things go wrong it is often because that passion has become a weakness rather than a strength. Prince Harry, Meghan and Sophie Chandauka pictured at a polo match benefitting Sentebale in April 2024 When Harry launched Sentebale in 2006, pictured on the launch visit, his pride that he had managed to get this deeply personal project off the ground was clear to see Indeed, that seems to have been the tragic case with Sentebale after a very public row over its governance exploded in March. At the time, the Duke of Sussex and a number of trustees (many of whom, including his second father Mark Dyer, are his close friends) resigned after a dispute with the organisations chair, Sophie Chandauka. She fired back, accusing Harry of presiding over a culture of racism, misogyny, misogynoir (sexism faced by black women) and bullying at scale in a TV interview. The Charity Commission said it had found no evidence to support her allegations in an investigation. But both sides were criticised for letting the damaging boardroom battle play out in the public eye. If that was supposed to clear things up, its done anything but. The former board of trustees issued a stinging statement, saying the watchdog had chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence. Meanwhile, Sentebale suggested it may yet take further action pointing out that the watchdog had admitted it did not have the power to investigate specific allegations of bullying or misogyny against individuals. The saga has now resulted in such bitterness between the two camps that many including the prince himself are privately predicting that the charity will not survive the fall-out. Harry, I am told, is utterly devastated, spending hours on the phone from California to supporters late into the night telling them about a hostile takeover of his lifes work. But many including Prince Harry are privately predicting that the charity will not survive the fall-out. Prince Harry with Sentebale co-founder Prince Seeiso in Lesotho in 2015 The prince and his friends believe Ms Chandauka they wont even use her honorary title of doctor, such is the depth of their animosity cajoled her way to a position of power and influence. They claim she would rather see the charity go down in flames than admit she is guilty of mismanagement and resign. She shopped them all to the Charity Commission when the trustees raised their concerns about the charitys governance, alleges a source. They say that Harry had personally tried to mediate between her and the trustees, and when that was rejected even offered to bring an independent firm of lawyers to help. They also allege that Harry was not given the opportunity to submit a statement to the watchdogs inquiry, despite the very personal nature of the claims made against him. One source close to the prince told me there was no way in hell he would ever work with Sentebale again or at least not while Sophie Chandauka and her new stool pigeons [new trustees] were in place. Whats more, while the prince is weighing up his options over what to do next, they said if he were to set up a charity again he would categorically not do it under the jurisdiction of the Charity Commission for England and Wales which he has no faith in and would go as far to say that he believes isnt fit for purpose. The commission, let us remind ourselves, is the Governments independent regulatory body and we all know, after his decisive loss in the Court of Appeal over his UK security arrangements earlier this year, what he thinks of such official bodies. Another establishment stitch-up, no doubt. Of course, the eloquent Dr Chandauka, a Zimbabwean-born lawyer, offers a very different version. Recollections, to quote a now well-worn phrase, really do vary. Back in March, she said she took on the role of chair after serving as a charity trustee with the best of intentions and seemingly felt that the charity, regardless of the good intention at its inception, had become a personal fiefdom for Harry and his pals. Many charitable organisations, particularly in developing areas of the world, have been struggling practically and financially, particularly as a result of the Covid pandemic. She said she wanted to make Sentebales work and governance more Africa-centric, and develop professionally-driven sources of funding rather than the occasional charitable polo match organised by the former royal and his mates such as the awkward 2024 event where Dr Chandauka was asked to move around Harry and Meghan on the podium. Sentebales chair went where many have feared to tread in her accusations adding that his public image was so toxic after his acrimonious departure from the Royal Family that it was actively putting off donors and supporters. The prince and his friends believe Ms Chandauka cajoled her way to a position of power and influence, writes Rebecca English She said Sentebale needed to make clear, for its very survival, that it was not just an extension of his private endeavours. Sources I have spoken to in recent days say she is traumatised by what has happened and has been working desperately hard to support the charity. They point out that it was Team Harry who fired the first public salvo, speaking to The Times back in March to put out their version of events. Dr Chandauka, they say, was only reacting to that broadside when she went on television herself. Regardless of whose side youre on, theres no doubt many who have taken an interest in the crisis feel a frisson of pleasure at seeing Harry being given a taste of his own medicine. The biter has become the bit, forced to deal with the same sort of accusations he has thrown at his own family over the past few years. And the prince has learnt to his cost, such slurs are powerful for a reason. This stuff sticks. Sentebale needs to file its public accounts by the end of August and many on Harrys side openly predict they are likely to show it has financially tanked. Only time will tell but, if true, there are no winners in that. Not Harry, and certainly not the charity that works to help some of the poorest and most disadvantaged young people in the world. Its difficult to shake the feeling that when it comes to the Duke of Sussex, however admirable his intentions, a trail of toxicity is always left in his wake. As someone determined to create a legacy as a global philanthropist, how on earth is he to come back from that? For those dreaming of a cosy life tucked away in the countryside, new research reveals exactly where in Britain you can bag a charming cottage without breaking the bank. According to a new analysis by property website Zoopla, North Lanarkshire in Scotland tops the list as the most affordable place in the UK to buy a cottage, with typical asking prices averaging just 83,500. Sunderland in the North East of England came in second, with average prices around 115,000, making it another budget-friendly option for buyers yearning for a rural escape without sky-high price tags. The surge in demand for cottage living has been fuelled in part by the continued popularity of the so-called 'cottagecore' trend - a romanticised aesthetic that celebrates simple living, nature, and traditional skills. And it's not just about the lifestyle - some house hunters might be picturing themselves in a home like the one in the much-loved romcom The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz. Zoopla confirmed that 'cottage' was the fourth most-searched term on its site in 2024, reflecting the enduring appeal of rustic charm and countryside serenity. The trend cottagecore emerged around lockdown, with Instagram flooded with pictures of women dressed in boho wear frolicking in fields, baking in cottages and planting vegetable patches. Your browser does not support iframes. Some house hunters might be picturing themselves in a home like the one in the much-loved romcom The Holiday, starring Kate Winslet and Cameron Diaz (above) The trend, beloved by celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, has also led to a rise in demand for dado rails and ottomans, butter dishes, tablecloths, water jugs and stacks of firewood The trend cottagecore emerged around lockdown, with Instagram flooded with pictures of women dressed in boho wear frolicking in fields, baking in cottages and planting vegetable patches The trend, beloved by celebrities such as Taylor Swift and Harry Styles, has also led to a rise in demand for dado rails and ottomans, butter dishes, tablecloths, water jugs and stacks of firewood. One of the initial flag-bearers of this new social media storm was Paula Sutton, who spent years in the fashion industry as Head of Press for Elite Premier Model agency in the days of Naomi Campbel before ditching her city life for an idyllic country home in Norfolk. She now boast over 600,000 followers who she shares regular updates of her stunning shabby chic cottage, traditional English interiors and country life with her three children. Similarly Naomi Stuart now has more than 180,000 followers after sharing her country life and cottage renovations. Daniel Copley, a consumer expert at Zoopla, said: 'Our data shows a clear and sustained appetite for the cottagecore lifestyle, a trend that shows no signs of slowing down. 'While the dream of a quaint, rural cottage is often associated with high prices, our analysis highlights that affordability can still be found across the country. Former Londoner Paula, who spent many years in the fashion industry as Head of Press for Elite Premier Model agency in the days of Naomi Campbell, ditched her city life for an idyllic country home in Norfolk The emphasis on nurturing nature, slowing down and spending time on baking and tending vegetable patches Naomi Stuart, 56, has racked up 17,000 followers by sharing pictures of her Victorian cottage @grove_cottage i n the English countryside A detached characterful unlisted thatched cottage situated within a tranquil village of Garboldisham 'From the rolling hills of North Lanarkshire to the coastal charm of Sunderland, there are options for prospective buyers on a range of budgets. 'We're seeing this desire for a simpler life translate into market demand, with specific areas becoming hotspots for buyer interest. Whether you're a first-time buyer or looking for a change of pace, the cottage market offers diverse opportunities.' Other affordable areas identified include East Renfrewshire in Scotland, where the average price for a cottage stands at 100,000. Meanwhile, Blackburn with Darwen in the North West of England is a growing hotspot, with prices averaging 157,500, and rising buyer inquiries, according to Zoopla. In Wales, Neath Port Talbot, known for its stunning coastline and valley scenery, boasts an average cottage price of 170,000, while Bradford in West Yorkshire draws in buyers with its rich cultural heritage and homes priced around 200,000. But for those with deeper pockets aiming to settle further south, Southampton leads the way in the South East, with cottages fetching a median average price of 280,000. When it comes to variety, Derbyshire Dales offers the widest choice, with cottages making up over one in five homes (21.4 percent) currently on the market. Thatched cottage for sale in Braintree, Essex. The surge in demand for cottage living has been fuelled in part by the continued popularity of the so-called 'cottagecore' trend A detached grade II listed, three bedroom thatched cottage believed to be circa 18th Century, located in the quiet hamlet of Waddeton Property experts say part of the enduring appeal lies in more than just looks - smaller cottages tend to be easier to maintain and potentially cheaper to run. Nigel Bishop, founder of buying agency Recoco Property Search, explained: 'There has always been a fan base of buyers who appreciate the typically charming designs and quaint surroundings associated with a cottage.' 'Many house hunters also express favouring this style of home for size as cottages tend to be smaller than typical country homes and are therefore considered to be more manageable and could reduce running costs.' 'Often set in rural locations, buyers need to ensure that the setting works for them long term, as some amenities such as shops and hospitals can be further away which can become inconvenient.' 'Demand for cottages remains strong, however, and house hunters should brace for a competitive property search particularly for cottages with a lower asking price as they tend to attract multiple offers.' The findings are based on an analysis of homes listed for sale between January and May 2025, with London largely excluded from the data due to its consistently high prices and urban focus. A nuclear war would be devastating and spread radiation to nearly every corner of the globe, but an expert has revealed the one region where you may survive the apocalypse. Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen explained why Americans looking to avoid the dire consequences of World War III should considering escaping to Australia or New Zealand. On The Diary of a CEO podcast, Jacobsen said that the neighboring countries in the Southern Hemisphere would be the only place that could 'sustain agriculture' following a nuclear catastrophe in the northern portion of the world. As the conflict in the Middle East drags on, fears of Iranian sleeper cells in the US have Americans worried that a weapon of mass destruction could go off at any minute. Meanwhile, ceasefire talks between Iran and Israel appear at an impasse, with both sides already claiming the other has violated a fragile truce. Nuclear powers Russia and China, allies of Iran, have already warned that the US getting involved in the Middle East conflict could send the entire world spiraling into an all-out war than leads to Armageddon. Jacobsen discussed the chilling timeline in which a nuclear war would decimate most of Earth while speaking with podcast host Steven Bartlett. 'Places like Iowa and Ukraine would be just snow for 10 years. So agriculture would fail and when agriculture fails, people just die,' Jacobsen warned. Investigative journalist Annie Jacobsen revealed that anyone looking to survive a nuclear war should head to Australia or New Zealand Israel's war with Iran, and the recent involvement of the US military, has many fearing that the conflict could turn into a global crisis 'On top of that, you have the radiation poisoning because the ozone layer will be so damaged and destroyed that you can't be outside in the sunlight,' Jacobsen said during the 2024 podcast. 'People will be forced to live underground. So you have to imagine people living underground, fighting for food everywhere except for in New Zealand and Australia,' she continued. Before the crisis in the Middle East even escalated, Jacobsen had released a book entitled Nuclear War: A Scenario, which laid out in shocking detail how the end of the world would play out during World War III. 'Hundreds of millions of people die in the fireballs, no question,' she told Bartlett. However, Jacobsen added that a 2022 study by Professor Owen Toon in Nature Food claimed the death toll would quickly consume the majority of the world's population. 'Professor Toon and his team... sort of updated [the] nuclear winter idea based around food, and the number that they have is five billion people would be dead,' Jacobsen said. Nuclear winter describes the severe, long-lasting global cooling that could happen after a large-scale nuclear war. In a full-scale war, where many cities are hit by nuclear bombs, those explosions would cause huge fires, burning buildings, forests, and other structures. The smoke and soot from these fires would rise high into the sky, into a part of the atmosphere called the stratosphere, where it can stay for years because rain can't wash it away. This thick layer of soot would block sunlight from reaching the Earth's surface, like a giant shade over the planet. With less sunlight, the Earth would get much colder. The experts Jacobsen spoke to in her book predicted that temperatures in the US would plunge by roughly 40 degrees Fahrenheit, making farming impossible. This cold and darkness would lead to massive food shortages and starvation. Animals and fish would also struggle to survive, making food even scarcer. The idea of 'nuclear winter' first came to the world's attention in an article by scientist Carl Sagan in 1983 Steven Bartlett said he was happy to have taken a recent trip to Australia when fighting in the Middle East broke out in 2024. Renewed tensions in 2025 have taken the region to a nuclear tipping point 'The population of the planet currently is what, eight billion?' Bartlett said. 'So there'd be three billion people still alive. Where shall I go to be one of the three billion? I was just in New Zealand and Australia,' the host mentioned. 'That's exactly where you'd go. According to Toon, those are the only places that could actually sustain agriculture,' Jacobsen replied. Along with both nations being capable of producing food once the dust settles on a nuclear war, Australia and New Zealand have several other factors which make this part of the world a haven from global destruction. They are far from the major nuclear powers which would likely spark a world war, the US, Russia, and China. Being island nations, their isolation in the Pacific and Southern Oceans limits fallout from nuclear detonations up north. That's because prevailing winds and ocean currents would carry much of the radioactive material away from these regions. While Iran does not possess such weapons, its allies Russia and China have more than 6,000 nuclear warheads combines, leading Americans to worry that the US could soon be a target. A recent map details how radioactive fallout would cover the US after World War III For those who can't afford a trip to Australia or New Zealand, the renewed threat of a global nuclear war has sparked a nationwide search to locate America's long-forgotten fallout shelters. Although they're not built to withstand the initial blast, extreme heat, and shockwaves of a nuclear explosion, they can act as a safe room for anyone who lives to see the aftermath. As for what makes a good fallout shelter, shielding is the most important factor. Thick walls and a roof made of concrete or steel are necessary to block out the radiation produced by a nuclear explosion. Fallout shelters also need good ventilation with proper filters to trap radioactive particles in the air. Those inside will need enough food and clean water to last for weeks or months as the radiation clears the air, an area for waste disposal so you don't contaminate clean supplies, and a comfortable place to sit or sleep. These cute dogs are some of the nation's favourite companions. But scientists have now revealed why firsttime dog owners should steer clear of four of the most popular breeds. Researchers from Eotvos Lorand University, Hungary, found that short-nosed dogs are harder to train, reluctant to come when called and overreact to guests. Although short-nosed dogs may be innately calm and bold, these benefits often fail to emerge due to a lack of proper training. That means pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers and Cavalier King Charles spaniels are all bad choices for your first step into pet ownership. Despite this, the survey found that owners of these unruly pooches are typically young women who have never had a dog before. Typical owners of flat-faced dogs also tend to live alone, spend a lot of time with their dogs and primarily choose their pet for companionship. These new owners' dogs tended to be 'spoiled', untrained, young, kept exclusively indoors and allowed to sleep on the bed. Researchers say that short-nosed dogs like pugs, French bulldogs, Boston terriers, and Cavalier King Charles spaniels have behavioural traits that make them bad choices for first-time pet owners Short-nosed dogs like French bulldogs are harder to train, reluctant to come when called and overreact to guests Despite coming with a range of incurable and debilitating health issues, short-nosed (brachycephalic) dogs are still among the UK's most popular breeds. A study published by the Royal Veterinary College last year found that French Bulldogs were the most popular breed for new owners, making up 7 per cent of all puppies under one year old in 2019. Likewise, even as the popularity of pedigree breeds has declined, the number of purebred short-nosed puppies continues to rise. The Kennel Club found that the number of newly registered French bulldog puppies has increased by 34 per cent from 2010 to 2021. Owners often value these dogs for their calm, playful personalities and describe them as interactive or friendly. Earlier studies have even found that short-nosed dogs are better at making eye contact with humans and are more effective at following human gestures. But, in reality, flat-faced dogs like the French bulldog are often poorly trained and overly reactive. To see how face shape, body size and owner characteristics might lead to these issues, the researchers examined more than 5,000 purebred dogs and their owners. Despite often being spoiled and poorly trained, the typical owner of a short-nosed dog, like a pug, is a young woman who has never owned a pet before Your browser does not support iframes. What are brachycephalic dogs? The word 'brachycephalic' means short or broadheaded. Examples include Pugs, Bulldogs, Boxers, and Pekingese. Because of this extreme body shape, flatfaced dogs have a much higher risk of developing numerous painful illnesses and diseases. Health problems associated with brachycephaly include: Anatomical defects of the upper airway, causing breathing difficulties often associated with overheating, sleep apnoea, and regurgitation Eye disease Inability to mate or give birth naturally Repeated skin infections Dental problems Advertisement The researchers collected the data of dogs from 90 breeds and surveyed their owners about their lifestyles and training habits. Sorting the dogs by head shape alone, those with flat faces were calmer and bolder than their long-nosed counterparts. These dogs are also harder to train, reluctant to return when called, and overreact to guests arriving at the house. In a further analysis, the researchers controlled for the dog's owners and body size to reveal a more complex picture. Study author Dr Borbala Turcsan says: 'We found that the low trainability of shortnosed dogs is mainly due to their small body size and lack of training not their head shape. 'When we control for these influences, there's no difference in trainability across head shapes.' When the effects of lack of training, small size and pampering are accounted for, it turns out that short-nosed dogs are genetically less likely to jump up on people, pull on the leash or react excessively when guests arrive. However, they are also innately less friendly towards other dogs a trait which is obscured by the fact that more flat-nosed dogs are young, which makes them more sociable. After controlling for body size and poor training, flat-faced dogs such as the Boston terrier were genetically disposed to be more hostile to other dogs and less likely to come when called Researchers say that flat-faced dogs like the Cavalier King Charles spaniel can be calm and confident but poor training means these traits often fail to develop But if you aren't ready to train a dog thoroughly or might be prone to pampering, you won't be able to get the best out of a flat-faced dog's potential. 'Calmness, boldness, and poor recall response are all traits specific to shortheaded dogs,' says Dr Turcsan. 'These behavioural traits are directly connected to head shape and remain significant even when we control for background factors.' The researchers believe these innate differences could originate from the shape of flat-nosed dogs' heads and their disabling health conditions. Study coauthor Professor Eniko Kubinyi says: 'The brains of short-nosed dogs are more rounded, and their patterns of brain activity differ from those of other breeds, so it's easy to imagine that their brains regulate behaviour differently. 'It's also possible that dogs with breathing difficulties, pain, or musculoskeletal issues move less and seek comfort, which owners interpret as calm behaviour.' A mysterious interstellar object is currently hurtling through our solar system after travelling for billions of years through the vast expanse of space. The object, dubbed 3I/ATLAS, was spotted by NASA on July 1 and is only the third visitor from another star detected in our region of space. 3I/ATLAS will reach its closest point to the sun on October 30, at a distance of 130 million miles (210 million km), before disappearing once again. Before it vanishes for good, scientists want to send a spacecraft to intercept the enigmatic interloper. Scientists are exploring the possibility of scrambling spacecraft from all over the solar system to meet with 3I/ATLAS before it leaves the solar system. But with the object travelling at over 37 miles per second (60 km/s), that will not be easy. Researchers hope that by reaching 3I/ATLAS in time, they could learn more about its origins and even answer some big questions about the formation of the galaxy. Some, such as Harvard's Professor Avi Loeb, even believe that this could settle the question of whether the object is really an alien probe. Scientists want to send a spacecraft to intercept the mysterious interstellar object 3I/ATLAS (artist's impression) currently hurtling through the solar system 3I/ATLAS was discovered by NASA in July and is currently travelling towards the sun at over 37 miles per second (60 km/s). Pictured: 3I/ATLAS as seen by the Hubble Space Telescope Objects arriving from other solar systems are extremely rare compared to the thousands of known meteors originating from within our own system. Previously, the only other known interstellar objects were 'Oumuamua in 2017 and the comet Borisov in 2019. That makes the opportunity to observe 3I/ATLAS as it whizzes past the sun an extremely exciting moment for scientists all around the world. The object has already been observed by big telescopes such as Gemini North in Hawaii and the Very Large Telescope in Chile. Likewise, plans to take an even closer look using the sensitive instruments on the James Webb Space Telescope are already underway. But to truly understand what 3I/ATLAS is made of, scientists think we would need to get a spacecraft much closer. The problem is that 3I/ATLAS is currently moving too fast and is too far away for an Earth-based launch to reach the object in time. In a recent pre-print paper, researchers from Michigan State University calculated that a craft would need to have left Earth at 15 miles per second (24 km/s) on the day the object was spotted to stand a chance of arriving in time. Since 3I/ATLAS is moving so fast, reaching it with a spacecraft will be extremely difficult. However, doing so could yield more data than even our best telescopes. Pictured: Images of 3I/ATLAS taken by the Gemini North telescope Instead, researchers propose that space agencies like NASA should consider redirecting craft already in orbit around other planets towards 3I/ATLAS. Professor Loeb suggests that NASA should use the Juno spacecraft, which is currently gathering data from its orbit around Jupiter. Professor Loeb told Daily Mail: '3I/Atlas will pass within 54 million kilometres from Jupiter in mid-March 2026. 'Juno is in orbit around Jupiter and was planned to end its mission in mid-September 2025.' Instead of plunging Juno into Jupiter's atmosphere as planned, Professor Loeb suggests using all the remaining fuel to boost the craft in the direction of 3I/ATLAS, potentially meeting it around March 14 next year. If Juno could make the journey in time, its suite of sophisticated equipment could provide unprecedented levels of data about this interstellar object. Professor Loeb says: 'The instruments on Juno can all be used to probe the nature of 3I/ATLAS from a close distance, far better than any observatories on Earth.' This bold plan has already secured the support of Florida Congresswoman Anna Paulina Luna. Scientists have proposed diverting NASA's Juno probe out of its orbit around Jupiter and towards 3I/ATLAS If Juno has enough fuel, it might be able to intercept 3I/ATLAS (pictured) by mid-May next year in order to gather more data In a letter to Trump's new NASA administrator, Sean Duffy, Ms Luna urges the space agency to consider this option. Ms Luna wrote: 'It is recommended that NASA conduct a study to assess how much fuel is left in Juno's engine, and I support an extension of the Juno mission at least until mid-March 2026 at a cost of about $15M per 6 months from the current expiration date of mid-September 2025.' However, not everyone is convinced that Juno has the power or fuel needed to escape its orbit and reach 3I/ATLAS. Writing on X, Professor Jason Wright, of Pennsylvania State University, said: 'Juno does not have enough fuel to visit 3I/ATLAS. Its main engine is also malfunctioning. 'An extended mission for Juno would be awesome, but a visit to 3I/ATLAS makes no sense.' The European Space Agency (ESA) is reportedly considering using its own Jupiter probe, Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer (JUICE), which is currently on its way to the planet. While JUICE might have more fuel than Juno, ESA is still uncertain whether its course could be diverted to align with 3I/ATLAS. Currently, there are no concrete plans to divert JUICE out of its current orbit. An alternative option would be to use spacecraft currently in orbit around Mars. At its closest point to the sun, the object will pass just within the orbit of Mars at around 18.6 million miles (30 million km) from the Red Planet. Dr Marco Fenucci, of the European Space Agency's (ESA) Near-Earth Objects Coordination Centre, told Daily Mail: 'ESA at the moment does not have a plan to visit 3I/Atlas.' Likewise, Dr Fenucci adds that 'to my knowledge' there are no spacecraft which could reach the object in time. Another option would be to use one of the spacecraft currently orbiting Mars and approaching the end of their missions, such as Mars Odyssey or the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. According to Atsuhiro Yaginuma and his co-authors from Michigan State University, one of these spacecraft could reach 3I/ATLAS after setting off as late as September. At its closest point to the sun, the object will pass just within the orbit of Mars at around 18.6 million miles (30 million km) from the Red Planet. By boosting a Mars orbiter by 10,800 miles per hour (17,400 km/h), one of these probes could reach 3I/ATLAS before it leaves the solar system. Mr Yaginuma says: 'It would require a lot of fuel and a lot of rapid mobilisation from people here on Earth. 'But getting close to an interstellar object could be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.' Scientists have proposed using the Mars Orbiter's remaining fuel to boost towards 3I/ATLAS, potentially getting close enough to gather data However, it still isn't clear whether any of the craft currently orbiting Mars have enough fuel to make the trip. If a craft were able to reach 3I/ATLAS in time, it could herald a huge breakthrough for our understanding of the galaxy. Dr Fenucci says: 'There would undoubtedly be an extremely high scientific return for such a mission, at the expense, however, of a complicated mission design and strict time constraints. 'Interstellar objects are our unique chance to get a direct glimpse of the composition of another star system, providing a rare opportunity to study how similar is our solar system to other planetary systems.' By approaching the object, a craft may be able to make a direct analysis of dust and ice surrounding the object and gatether high-resolution images. That data could help astronomers understand how solar systems form, or even how chemicals necessary for life are delivered to habitable worlds. Additionally, amid speculation that 3I/ATLAS may be alien in origin, a visit from one of our own probes could help settle this debate. Although the scientific consensus is that 3I/ATLAS is a comet, Professor Loeb maintains that it could be an artificial craft. Images of 3I/ATLAS taken on July 4 and July 29, 2025, show no sign of a comet tail. Harvard Professor Avi Loeb has taken this as evidence that 3I/ATLAS could be an alien spacecraft. Reaching the object with a probe would reveal the truth Professor Loeb says that objects of this size should only arrive in the solar system once every 10,000 years. This is combined with its suspicious path which takes 3I/ATLAS straight through the heart of the solar system. Given the objects rarity, Professor Loeb says that there is only a 0.005 per cent chance of the 3I/ATLAS arriving naturally. However, these concerns will likely be addressed by future observations as 3I/ATLAS gets closer to the sun, which should reveal more cometary activity if it is a natural object. If you thought head banging and body rolls were limited to rock concerts or hip-hop clubs, you'd be mistaken. Experts have discovered that cockatoos have at least 30 different dance moves in their repertoire including these two signature steps. The routines of which 17 are newly identified can even be performed without music. And it shows that the birds' dancing skills are far more common, complex and varied than previously thought. Researchers from Charles Sturt University in Australia and Bristol University in the UK analysed 45 videos posted on social media that showed captive cockatoos dancing. Some of the newly-documented moves include the semi-circle high, the downward head/foot sync, the fluff and the jump turn. The researchers found that some birds also performed their own individual dance moves, often by combining several of the movements in unique ways. The most common move, performed by 50 per cent of birds, was the 'downward' which involved the head bobbing in a downward motion while keeping the eyes facing forward. The most common move was the 'downward', performed by 50 per cent of the birds in the study Here, Snowball the Cockatoo performs the 'foot lift' move. The cockatoo, who was not involved in this study, has previously helped researchers analyse dancing in animals Next came the 'sidestep', carried out by 43.5 per cent of cockatoos. Other popular moves included the 'fluff' which involves puffing up their feathers, and the headbang. Overall, movements involving just the head were more common while the least common movements were those involving just wings. Next, the researchers investigated dancing behaviour in six cockatoos from three different species housed at Wagga Wagga Zoo in Australia. They played the birds music, an audio podcast, or no audio, and found that all birds performed dance moves, regardless of whether music was being played or not. The study, published in the journal Plos One, revealed that dancing behaviour is present in nearly half of all species of cockatoo. The authors say that further research is needed to determine whether the birds enjoy dancing and whether encouraging this behaviour could improve welfare for captive cockatoos. Professor Rafael Freire said: 'The similarities with human dancing make it hard to argue against well-developed cognitive and emotional processes in parrots, and playing music to parrots may improve their welfare. 'Further research would be beneficial to determine if music can trigger dance in captive birds and serve as a form of environmental enrichment.' Snowball the cockatoo performing the 'side-to-side' head movement, which nearly a third of birds in the current study performed While head banging might seem more at home at a rock concert, it turns out cockatoos perform it too. Pictured: Snowball the cockatoo showing off his dance moves Researcher Natasha Lubke added: 'As well as supporting the presence of positive emotions in birds and advancing dance behaviour as an excellent model to study parrot emotions, the work suggests that playing music to parrots may provide a useful approach to enrich their lives in captivity, with positive effects on their welfare.' Several years ago, a viral cockatoo named Snowball was enlisted to help scientists study dancing in animals after becoming a YouTube sensation. The talented bird managed to wow researchers with 14 different moves as he bopped along to 80s classics. The sulphur-crested cockatoo was filmed swinging from side to side, lunging and lifting his foot as he grooved to Another One Bites The Dust and Girls Just Want To Have Fun. Snowball showed a more diverse range of motions when bopping along to Cyndi Lauper's 1983 classic, however. Scientists led by a team from the University of California, San Diego believe his 'remarkably diverse spontaneous movements' show that dancing is not limited to humans but a response to music when certain conditions are present in the brain. An ancient underwater city beneath Turkey's Lake Van could potentially reveal secrets that challenge the origins of Noah's Ark. The sprawling ruins lie 85 feet below the surface near the town of Gevas, just 150 miles from Mount Ararat, the mountain traditionally believed to be the final resting place of the biblical boat. Geological evidence suggests that the ruins were submerged 12,000 to 14,500 years ago, when a Mount Nemrut eruption blocked the Mirat River, and caused massive flooding during the Younger Dryas, a period of extreme climate upheaval. While mainstream scholars dismiss the theory, many independent researchers believe this disaster wiped out an advanced civilization, one so ancient that it may have inspired the earliest versions of the Great Flood story. 'As far as I'm aware, any civilizations in the last 6,000 years did not have the technological means to create the type of stonework we're seeing here,' said independent researcher Matt LaCroix, who spoke about the discovery on the Matt Beall Limitless podcast. LaCroix and an international dive team are preparing to explore the site in September using advanced imaging tools to map the ruins, which he believes could help rewrite humanity's timeline. The underwater complex spans more than half a mile, featuring a stone fortress flanked by circular temples with precisely carved masonry. There is also a capstone engraved with a six-spoked 'Flower of Life' symbol, an ancient motif also found at sacred sites in Peru and Bolivia. The underwater city features a giant fortress and circular temples. The megastructures are located 85 85 feet below the surface of Lake Van Divers found stunning circular temples on the lakebed Discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates, the ruins have remained largely unknown to the public. While archaeologists confirm the structures exist, many attribute them to the Urartian period around 3,000 years ago, or even to the medieval era. But they have admitted that the site has yet to be fully studied or definitively dated. LaCroix, however, said in a July episode of the podcast that geological data told a different story. He explained how soil sampling and analysis of Mount Nemrut show clear evidence of a massive eruption around 12,000 years ago. As a result, Lake Van's water level rose dramatically, over 100 feet, according to some estimates. Because stone cannot be carbon-dated, researchers hope to find organic material, such as sediment layers or artifacts, which could confirm the age of the ruins. But collecting such evidence underwater poses major challenges. The sites sophisticated stonework, with tightly interlocking blocks, angular joints, and no visible binding agents, appears to rival the engineering seen in megalithic sites like Sacsayhuaman in Peru. An independent researcher believes that this city could rewrite the biblical story of Moses, making it thousands of years older than was is believed. The lake sits just 150 miles from Mount Ararat (pictured), believed to be the site of Noah's Ark Because stone cannot be carbon-dated, researchers hope to find organic material, such as sediment layers or artifacts, which could confirm the age of the ruins Discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates, the ruins have remained largely unknown to the public 'You can see that the temple has been significantly damaged, said LaCroix. 'All the stones on the top have broken off except those at the edges. The site resembles Peruvian masonry, with precisely angled stones forming triangular joints, and only the front appears flat. It's beautiful and would have been perfectly carved.' He believes the shared architectural features, symbolic motifs, and astronomical alignments across sites in Turkey, South America and Asia suggest the existence of a long-lost global civilization. Scholars have long acknowledged that the biblical flood story likely evolved from earlier Mesopotamian texts. Ancient cuneiform tablets from Sumerian, Akkadian, and Babylonian cultures, such as the Epic of Gilgamesh, the Atrahasis, and the Eridu Genesis, describe a massive flood sent to destroy early civilization, and a chosen man who builds a vessel to save life on Earth. In these tales, the survivor is called Ziusudra or Utnapishtim, names predating Noah by thousands of years. Excavation logs from Shuruppak, Iraq, believed to be the home of this early flood survivor, show a distinct flood layer above ancient Sumerian ruins. These records, uncovered at the Penn Museum, provide physical evidence of a catastrophic event similar to those described in the ancient texts. The ruins were discovered in 1997 by Turkish underwater filmmaker Tossen Salin while studying Lake Van's unusual micro-invertebrates Even the Babylonian Map of the World, the oldest known map, marks the Ararat region near Lake Van as a place of ancient significance, possibly linked to tales of a lone survivor who emerged after a global deluge. LaCroix argues that the biblical version is not being dismissed but rather reframed in its historical and cultural context. He told Beall to picture a thriving civilization along Lake Van, building temples and structures on stable, elevated ground they believed would last forever. The lakes water level was stable for millennia, until the eruption of Mount Nemrut changed everything. 'Its not that Lake Van would have had to have been 85 feet lower,' said LaCroix. 'It would have had to have been more like 100 feet lower or more, because these ruins are at 85 feet deep. So, what could account for a lake rising over 100 feet?' Seattle Kraken star John Hayden and the team's mascot had a narrow escape after they were charged at by a brown bear in Alaska. The player was filming a fly-fishing scene in the Alaska wilderness as part of the team's partnership with the Bristol Bay Native Corporation, an annual trip for the Kraken and its mascot, which isn't a sea monster, but a troll named 'Buoy.' However, things took an unexpected turn as the duo stood in the water and the large beast suddenly appeared behind them. SCROLL DOWN FOR VIDEO TROLL NARROWLY ESCAPES BEAR ENCOUNTER *no trolls or bears were hurt in the making, always respect wildlife in their natural habitat pic.twitter.com/WBvw9RFkS0 Buoy (@SEAbuoy) July 31, 2025 In what Kraken partnership marketing director Melissa O'Brochta described as 'experiential content,' Hayden and Buoy filmed the fishing scene at Brook Falls near the Katmai National Park and Preserve. 'Bear,' one voice is hear saying off camera as the guide informs Hayden he needs to move down river. 'Hey Sam, we got a bear,' the guide is heard saying calmly. 'We got to move down now.' Bare-ly believable! John Hayden and Kraken mascot Buoy were charged at by a brown bear It was Buoy who wound up in the direct path of the charging bear as it barreled into the rushing water. All humans and mascots avoided any confrontational movements and quietly retreated downstream before the bear ultimately lost interest and returned to fishing. 'I want to blame it on Buoy,' Hayden said in the team's social media video. 'They were pretty interested in his whole look. We got out of it OK, but it was a close call.' Fortunately, as Buoy noted on X: 'No trolls or bears were hurt in the making, always respect wildlife in their natural habitat.' Wat-er shock! The team were filming a fishing scene in Alaska when the beast ran after them The National Park Service warns that encounters with bears can vary, but most usually involve what are known as bluff charges or aggressive charges. Bluff charges are simply meant to scare or intimidate. Typically, the NPS explained, a bear doing a bluff charge will have its 'head and ears up and forward.' People witnessing a bluff charge should stand their ground and are advised against running away, which could trigger a genuine attack. 'Our guides did a great job of being like: 'Hey bear, we're right here. We're gonna move this way,' O'Brochta told Seattle's KOMO News. A woman who has visited 26 European cities has shared her thoughts on which was the worst to visit, and the best. From Birmingham to Seville, US-born Charlie Seville has explored a range of cities around Europe. And she's now ranked the multiple destinations based on her personal opinion on the 'food, vibe affordability, and overall experience'. 'These are just my opinions based on my own experiences travelling across Europe,' Charlie captioned a post on her TikTok account, @charliewallace64. 'Some of these takes might be controversial but that's what makes travel personal. 'I've visited 26+ European cities, from the classics to the underrated gems, and ranked them from worst to best based on food, vibe, affordability, and overall experience. Let me know which city you think deserves to be higher (or lower)!' The worst destination on Charlie's rankings was Catania, Italy which only received a rating of three out of ten. She felt the city was 'rough around the edges' and described it as 'run down, dirty and surprisingly hard to find great food in'. Charlie Wallace, @charliewallace64,who has visited 26 European cities, shared her thoughts on which was the worst to visit, and the best She ranked the multiple destinations based on her personal opinion on the 'food, vibe affordability, and overall experience' The worst destination on Charlie's rankings was Catania, Italy, which only received a rating of three out of ten Despite not finding much to do except for walking around the city centre, Charlie did note there were 'breathtaking views of Mount Etna'. The second worst on Charlie's list was much closer to home - Birmingham. Rated just 3.2 out of ten, the traveller left the British city, located in the West Midlands, disappointed. 'Birmingham just hasn't left a mark on me,' she penned. Charlie explained how she felt it 'lacks charm and cohesion' and described the centre as 'bland'. However, she did acknowledge recommendations from people that she returns in December when the city comes to life with bright and festive Christmas markets. Another UK city, Manchester, was next, scoring only 3.8 out of ten. Charlie was dismayed at the 'grey skies, drizzle and bitter temperatures'. The second worst on Charlie's list was much closer to home - Birmingham. Rated just 3.2 out of ten, the traveller left the British city, located in the West Midlands, disappointed She also felt the attractions of the area were 'scattered throughout Greater Manchester, which isn't ideal for visitors'. A European tourist hotspot, Prague in the Czech Republic came next scoring a disappointing four out of ten. Charlie explained it 'felt very overrated' and was 'overrun with tourists'. Many visit the area to see Prague Castle and Charles Bridge, which the traveller felt 'didn't quite match the hype'. However, she noted 'it was affordable and had interesting bits of history'. Meanwhile, Krakow, Poland ranked 16th, with a mediocre score of 6.3 out of ten. Charlie acknowledged the Polish city was 'affordable, walkable, and really charming' but felt it was small and easily covered in a couple of days. At the other end of the scale, Charlie ranked Bath 9.3 out of ten, gushing over how 'stunning' the British city is, leaving it in third place. A European tourist hotspot, Prague in the Czech Republic came next scoring a disappointing four out of ten Meanwhile, Krakow, Poland ranked 16th, with a mediocre score of 6.3 out of ten 'The sandy-coloured stone buildings and sweeping Georgian architecture give the city such a timeless elegance,' Charlie wrote. She added that she loved 'how full of character it is' and raved over the 'independent boutiques, cosy cafes, and some truly fantastic restaurants'. London came second on Charlie's list with an impressive 9.6 out of ten score. Despite living in the British capital for four years, Charlie insisted 'I'm still not bored'. 'It's the ultimate melting pot of cultures, cuisines, styles, and ideas,' she penned. Though the city can be 'fast-paced and intense at times', Charlie emphasised 'it still has my heart'. 'There's just nowhere else quite like it,' the traveller wrote. At the very top of Charlie's list was Seville, in Spain, which gained a whopping 9.9 out of ten score from the content creator. At the very top of Charlie's list was Seville, in Spain, which gained a whopping 9.9 out of ten score from the content creator She described how the Spanish city 'completely captured' her and raved about the constant sunshine and lively atmosphere. 'It's authentic, warm, and full of soul. I already can't wait to return,' she gushed. It comes after Brits revealed 30 of their favourite things about Europe - as three in four UK nationals admitted they still feel European at heart despite Brexit. In a study conducted by TUI, seasoned travellers were asked to share the bits of Europe they love most - from local food to key landmarks to hidden gems. British tourists have been warned their holidays could be impacted as major strikes are set to hit 12 airports across Spain. The walkouts involve Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group who provide baggage handlers to several Spanish airports, and have been called by the General Union of Workers (UGT). They are in response to claims of 'constant breaches' of labour rights and 'continuous precariousness'. Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville, Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, Girona, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compestela airports are set to be affected. The initial action is due to take place on August 15, 16 and 17 across three time slots, 5am to 9am, 12pm to 3pm and 9pm and 11.59pm. For the remainder of the year, the strikes will continue every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Millions of Brits jet off to Spain every year and many will be hoping to spend their summer holidays at the sunny destination. At Barajas Airport in Madrid, two unions working with Ryanair's ground handling staff have pushed for 22 days of action. British travellers have been warned their holidays could be impacted as major strikes are set to hit 12 airports across Spain Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, Girona, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compestela airports are set to be affected They hope to protest against 'the abuse of overtime' and sanctions put on employees. Disagreements of bonus and a lack of stable jobs are also highlighted as issues. More than 3,000 workers will be striking, and the action falls on the bank holiday weekend at the end of August, just days before term starts for many British school children. 'UGT regrets having to go to these extremes and all the damages that may occur, for which the direct responsibility will be solely and exclusively the company and its reckless action with the workforce,' the unions said. A spokesperson for Ryanair told Daily Mail: 'Ryanair does not expect any disruption to our operation as a result of these third-party handling strikes in Spain.' It comes after Union chiefs in the Balearic Islands called six days of industrial action starting from July 10 after talks with industry leaders failed. Further strikes were scheduled for the 18th and 19th of July, the 25th, 26th and the 31st. At Barajas Airport (pictured) in Madrid, two unions working with Ryanair's ground handling staff have pushed for 22 days of action Demonstrators in Mallorca holds banners reading 'For another tourism model' and 'For the right to a decent life' on June 15 In June, residents marched across Spanish Islands to tell Brits to 'go home' as part of widespread protests against so-called 'over tourism'. Holidaymakers were visibly stunned by the dramatic demonstrations in Palma de Mallorca and Ibiza. Thousands of fed-up locals were seen banging their drums and chanting slogans while marching by tourists enjoying their evening meals. The demonstration began at Plaza de Espana, in the heart of the tourist city. Activists claimed more than 30,000 people took to the streets to voice their frustrations about the impact of tourism on the island. Passengers jetting off this summer should be aware of a little-known Ryanair bag rule that could land them in trouble. Airport workers checking luggage dimensions with the baggage sizers right before boarding - it's a sight most travellers dread. Ryanair allows passengers to bring a 'personal bag' for free, though it must fit strict size requirements. Previously, the dimensions were 40x25x20cm but recently these have been increased to 40x30x20cm, in line with a change in EU law. However, passengers will be charged a fee as high as 70 if their bags are too big. But they may get caught out with a rule not many may know about the budget airline. Ryanair has a no cash policy at boarding gates, which could cause issues for some travellers. It means even if a passenger is prepared to pay the fee, unless they have card they may not be able to board with their bag. Passengers jetting off this summer should be aware of a little-known Ryanair bag rule that could land them in trouble Previously, the dimensions were 40x25x20cm but recently these have been increased to 40x30x20cm, in line with a change in EU law A spokesperson for Ryanair told The Daily Mail: 'Our bag policy is simple; if it fits in our bag sizer (which is bigger than our agreed dimensions) it gets on free of charge. 'If it doesnt fit in our bag sizer, you pay a gate bag fee. As our boarding gates are cashless, gate bag fees cannot be paid in cash. 'These fees are paid by less than 0.1 per cent of passengers who don't comply with our agreed bags rules. 'For the 99.9 per cent of our passengers who comply with our rules we say thank you and keep flying as you have nothing to worry about.' It comes as it was reported how Ryanair is paying staff bonuses to catch out passengers who try to sneak oversized cabin bags onto flights and they can make up to 80 a month just from enforcing the strict rules. A leaked payslip shows how one former employee earned a 'gate bag bonus' for flagging up bags that broke the airline's famously tight size restrictions. The ex-worker claimed they pocketed around 1.50 (1.30) for every oversized bag they reported, according to The Sunday Times, although they said the monthly bonus was capped. Ryanair, which made a staggering 13 billion in revenue last year, confirmed on Saturday that staff are financially rewarded for flagging bags that breach the rules with passengers charged up to 75 for each oversized item caught at the gate. However, passengers will be charged a fee as high as 70 if their bags are too big. But they may get caught out with a rule not many may know about the budget airline Ryanair has a no cash policy at boarding gates, which could cause issues for some travellers. It means even if a passenger is prepared to pay the fee, unless they have card they may not be able to board with their bag But despite confirming the scheme, the airline refused to say exactly how much staff are paid as part of this 'gate bag bonus'. Meanwhile, Chelsea Dickenson, better known as @holidayexpert, has exclusively revealed to MailOnline Travel her top tips for packing a week's holiday worth of clothes into a 40x20x25cm bag. Another trick is to actually carry some of your luggage on you. In the past, Chelsea says shes taken the cushioning out of her travel pillow and stuffed some of her clothes in there, and shes even gone as far as wearing a fishing vest, which she filled the pockets of. Many Brits will be heading off to the likes of Spain, France, Italy and Greece this summer. But those who are planning to travel to Europe have been warned against trying to take five specific items through customs or risk facing penalties of up for 5,000. Anyone carrying sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the UK will be detained at the border. And the rule even applies to these items if theyre still in their packaging or purchased in duty-free shops at the airport. According to authorities, anyone discovered with any of these products will be required to either hand them over at the border or have them confiscated and destroyed. They add: In serious cases, those found with these items run the risk of incurring fines of up to 5,000 in England. The government introduced these regulations earlier this year, to combat an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease following an increasing number of cases throughout Europe. Foot-and-mouth is a highly contagious viral disease which affects animals such as cattle, sheep and pigs. Anyone carrying sandwiches, cheese, cured meats, raw meats or milk into the UK will be detained at the border The rule even applies to these items if theyre still in their packaging or purchased at the airport It can be detrimental to farming and agriculture, but has not broken out in the United Kingdom since 2007. Brits must refrain from bringing dairy products from certain animals back to the country if they are returning from the EU, EFTA States, the Faroe Islands or Greenland. Speaking after the ban which followed initial restrictions put in place in January, farming minister Daniel Zeichner told The Times: 'This government will do whatever it takes to protect British farmers from foot-and-mouth. 'That is why we are further strengthening protections by introducing restrictions on personal meat and dairy imports to prevents the spread of the disease and protect Britain's food security.' Jose Martin-Almagro, the UK's deputy chief veterinary officer for international and trade affairs, urged livestock keepers to 'continue exercising the utmost vigilance for signs of disease, ensure scrupulous biosecurity is maintained and to report any suspicion of disease immediately to the Animal and Plant Health Agency.' And president of the National Farmers' Union, Tom Bradshaw, called the outbreak in Europe 'very worrying'. He too urged the Government to impose 'stricter border controls' and ensure passengers are aware of the ban. Hordes of Brits dash over to Turkey each year, though not all visit the popular holiday destination for the same reason. While some visit to enjoy the sun and sandy beaches, others opt for 'cosmetic vacations' and have medical procedures done while abroad. More than 400,000 people living in Britain sought foreign medical care in 2023, according to government figures. Reasons include the long wait times in the UK, as well as the high cost to go private. Turkey has become a hotspot for such procedures, with many heading there for dental work and other forms of cosmetic surgery. Areas including Antalya and Istanbul offer 'medical tourism packages' that promise patients airport transfers, hotel stays and transportation to appointments. Trends like Turkey teeth are 4060 per cent cheaper compared to having the procedure done in the UK, but experts warn it could be too good to be true. The cheaper rates come with risks, cautioned Simon Hood, travel expert and executive director of John Mason International, which offers international removal services. Hordes of Brits dash over to Turkey each year, though not all visit the popular holiday destination for the same reason (stock) Hordes of Brits dash over to Turkey each year, though not all visit the popular holiday destination for the same reason He said: 'Turkey teeth procedures and other cosmetic work can be quite the risk. 'We've all seen the glossy videos on social media with TikTokers promoting practices during the summer, but you need to double-check the practice you're planning on attending is board-certified.' The expert explained how medical regulations differ between countries, and encouraged people to look for practices having recognition from international organisations. Mr Hood added: 'In Turkey, regulations vary slightly from the UK, but any practice or clinic can be recognised by international organisations like the Joint Commission International, or JCI. 'Having this recognition can help assure you that your deal is both safe and indeed a bargain.' The expert also recommended whether the surgeons have membership of the Turkish Society of Plastic Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgeons, or TSPRAS for short. It isn't uncommon for procedures abroad to go wrong, recent numbers from the British Association of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons found over 300 Brits were requiring corrective surgery. Areas including Antalya and Istanbul offer 'medical tourism packages' that promise patients airport transfers, hotel stays and transportation to appointments The cheaper rates come with risks, cautioned travel expert and executive director of John Mason International, Simon Hood Mr Hood added how 'underground medical tourism' was prominent in the country. He urged people to research before heading abroad for surgical procedures. The expert said: 'Turkey is notorious for its underground medical tourism, with people flocking in hope of getting a quick and cheap deal. 'But it doesnt work like that; cheap cosmetic work could result in serious issues. Bournemouth Airport could be shut down next month as almost 80 workers are voting on whether to strike over pay. The workers, members of the UK's leading union Unite, include plane fuellers, baggage handlers, security and check-in staff and flight dispatchers amongst others. With workers in so many sections of the airport involved in the dispute, any strikes would close the airport. In turn, all flights would be grounded and flights into the airport would also be delayed or cancelled. Bournemouth Airport serves over 950,000 passengers a year and offers flights to 34 direct destinations across Europe and North Africa primarily operated by airlines such as TUI and Ryanair. Flight routes to and from the airport include popular holiday destinations such as Tenerife, Rhodes and Faro. Unite members have unanimously rejected a pay offer of 4.5 per cent for the lowest paid bringing them up to 12.22 per hour, and 3 per cent for the higher paid members. They have claimed the reason for this is they have struggled with the cost of living crisis and believe that the increased costs of essentials has equated to a real terms pay cut. Bournemouth Airport could be shut down next month as almost 80 workers are voting on whether to strike over pay Bournemouth Airport serves over 950,000 passengers a year It offers flights to 34 direct destinations across Europe and North Africa primarily operated by airlines such as TUI and Ryanair They've also noted that Bournemouth Airport is profitable, having increased all of its airport charges by 5 per cent this year, and invested over 50 million in expanding the airport due to increased passenger numbers. Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: 'Bournemouth Airport is putting its own interests over those of the workers. 'We appreciate it is investing in its future, but members must not be left behind in the pursuit of that. 'Our hardworking members deserve a fair pay rise and Unite will back them every step of the way.' The ballot closes on 20 August, and any strike action could happen as early as the first week of September. Regional officer Janet Wall said: 'We recognise that any flight cancellations and delays would be extremely disruptive and frustrating for travellers but our members feel they have had no choice but to start balloting for strike action. 'This is entirely the fault of the employer, who is financially prospering while our members struggle to afford the basics. 'We urge Bournemouth Airport to come back to the table and present Unite with a meaningful offer to avoid strikes.' It comes as major strikes are set to hit 12 airports across Spain The walkouts involve Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group who provide baggage handlers to several Spanish airports, and have been called by the General Union of Workers (UGT) It comes as major strikes are set to hit 12 airports across Spain. The walkouts involve Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group who provide baggage handlers to several Spanish airports, and have been called by the General Union of Workers (UGT). They are in response to claims of 'constant breaches' of labour rights and 'continuous precariousness'. Barcelona, Valencia, Madrid, Seville, Alicante, Ibiza, Malaga, Palma de Mallorca, Tenerife South, Girona, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compestela airports are set to be affected. Have you been caught up in the chaos? Please email: noor.qurashi@mailonline.co.uk A plane skidded down the runway to make an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday forcing all flights to remain grounded for hours. The small aircraft, a Beech B200 Super King Air plane, had been headed for Belfast before it was forced to make an impromptu landing on the city runway at 1.40pm. An observer, who wished to remain anonymous, filmed the plane - forced to descend without fully extending its landing gear - as it made the emergency stop. He said: 'It took off from Birmingham, and as it was flying over Tamworth, it declared an emergency. 'The plane turned around to come back to Birmingham - when it came to land, it went for a go-around [an aborted landing]. I saw all its landing gears out.' The person who filmed the footage said the plane then attempted a 'long' go-around - which means the plane wasn't able to land because it hadn't been given clearance, so it stayed in the air. 'A few aircrafts landed in the meantime,' he added. 'Then about 15 minutes later, the Super King plane came into view. I could hear a loud noise which I initially thought was the brakes seizing. I realised, after zooming in, the plane was dragging along.' A plane skidded down the runway to make an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport on Wednesday forcing the cancellation of scores of flights An observer, who wished to remain anonymous, filmed the plane - forced to descend without fully extending its landing gear - as it made the emergency stop He said: 'I could hear a loud noise which I initially thought was the brakes seizing. I realised, after zooming in, the plane was dragging along' Three people received medical attention after the emergency landing, but just one person has been treated for minor injuries. All departures and arrivals at the hub were halted leaving thousands of passengers impacted by the disruption this afternoon - but flights resumed at 8pm, Birmingham Airport confirmed. Some arriving flights were diverted, with services from Ryanair and Jet2 sent to Stansted, Manchester and East Midlands airports while Birmingham remained shut. West Midlands Ambulance Service has since discharged all those onboard the aircraft. Birmingham Airport had said in a statement posted at 4.16pm that people due to travel later on Wednesday should check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. Families at the airport lamented the delays saying they had 'not been told anything' and 'found out about the incident on Facebook'. Faye, who had been travelling with her partner and four children, were due to fly to Antalya in Turkey with Jet2 at 2.55pm. But it later emerged her holiday had been 'cancelled' as she received a text message saying there would be a full refund in four to five days. Thousands of passengers were impacted by the disruption at Birmingham Airport The family were forced to wait with 400 other people to collect their baggage, leaving her children 'sobbing and crying'. 'We are stuck here waiting for our baggage and it's boiling hot... and now our kids aren't going to have a holiday,' Faye said. Earlier, she told the BBC it was 'so hot and busy' in the airport, adding her family had been given 10 per person for food and drinks by the airline. Faye said: 'Weve not been told anything. We found out about the incident on Facebook. 'Someone I met has already had their flight to Greece cancelled and a friend of mine had her flight rescheduled for later tonight. 'Im a bag of nerves, I hate flying.' The family said at the time they were playing games to keep themselves occupied. James Conibere and his family of eight had been waiting at a Wetherspoon pub for updates on their flight as they had been hoping to travel to Malta as a retirement gift for Mr Conibere's mother-in-law. In a statement on X, Birmingham Airport said the runway had been 'temporarily closed' The family arrived at the airport at 1pm, just before the runway incident. Mr Conibere told the BBC: 'Lots of people are getting agitated and angry by the lack of information from the airport. 'We have received a food voucher from Ryanair. Were relying on news outlets for information.' One X user posted photos of the stricken plane's tail sitting on the runway, writing: 'An aircraft on the runway at Birmingham airport seems to have emergency crews around it.' They added: 'No flights taking off till 6.00. Not a great start to the holiday.' Another wrote: 'Son and family have been diverted to Stansted. Just landed but not given any more info yet.' And a third said: 'How can a plane that small and on the grass delay us for three hours? Any explanation?' The twin-engine Beech B200 Super King Air plane on the runway at Birmingham Airport The plane is operated by Belfast-based private charter operator Woodgate Aviation Emergency crews headed to the runway at Birmingham Airport to assist this afternoon The plane at Birmingham was built in 1981 and is owned by a firm called Blue Sky Investments Emergency crews headed to the runway to assist those on board the plane, which is operated by Belfast-based private charter operator Woodgate Aviation. The plane, registered G-NIAA, was built in 1981 and is owned by a firm called Blue Sky Investments on the Isle of Man, according to Civil Aviation Authority records. It left Birmingham at 1.11pm but soon made a turn and several loops before landing back at the same airport at 1.58pm, according to tracking website FlightRadar 24. The Beech B200 Super King Air is the same aircraft model involved in the fireball crash at London Southend Airport on July 13 which killed four people onboard. A Birmingham Airport spokesman said at 2.40pm on Wednesday: 'Following an aircraft incident, the runway is temporarily closed. We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause. 'We will keep passengers already at the airport informed, and those due to travel later today are advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. We will continue to issue updates when we can.' A further update from the airport at 4.15pm said: 'Following an aircraft incident earlier today, the runway is still temporarily closed. All persons on board the aircraft have been discharged by West Midlands Ambulance Service. 'During this temporary closure we apologise for the inconvenience this is causing. Passengers on site remain informed and those due to travel later today and advised to check the status of their flight before coming to the airport. 'At this time, both check-in and security are temporarily closed. We will continue to issue updates when we can.' A West Midlands Police spokesman said: 'We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. A screengrab taken from the FlightRadar 24 website on Wednesday of the flight path of flight CWYO2G with all flights at Birmingham Airport on hold with the runway temporarily closed Birmingham Airport (file image) closed until 8pm on Wednesday because of the incident 'Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. 'The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out.' West Midlands Ambulance Service said in a statement: 'We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene. 'Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene.' The airport's website also appeared to have gone down, with users greeted by a message saying: 'Bad gateway. Error code 502.' Birmingham is the UK's seventh-largest airport and handled about 13million passengers last year, with over 130 direct routes offered by 30 airlines. The disruption comes during the peak summer holiday season, and follows chaos at Heathrow yesterday when the airport was forced to shut a road tunnel connecting to Terminals 2 and 3. Roads leading up to the airport were gridlocked due to the closure, with some desperate flyers sprinting down the motorway with their luggage to catch their flights. It was the second incident to cause delays at the airport in just one week after an IT issue with a National Air Traffic Services (NATS) centre last Wednesday led to more than 150 flight cancellations across the country. The Southend Airport tragedy on July 13 saw a Beech B200 Super King Air on a medical flight crash within the airport boundary shortly after take-off that afternoon. The plane model is the same one involved in the Southend Airport crash on July 13 (pictured) Four people who were on board all died in the disaster at Southend Airport on July 13 (above) Captain Danny Marko Franken (left), 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee (right), 24, were two of the four people on board who all died in the crash at Southend Airport on July 13 Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, a German national originally from Chile, was on the Southend flight The doctor on board the Southend Airport flight was named as German national Dr Matthias Eyl Captain Danny Marko Franken, 53, and First Officer Floris Christiaan Rhee, 24, were piloting the plane chartered for a patient to be transported for treatment in the UK. The two pilots were on board with a female nurse and a male doctor, with the Zeusch Aviation plane bound for its Netherlands base after dropping off a patient. The nurse was named as Maria Fernanda Rojaz Ortiz, 31, a German national originally from Chile, and the doctor was German national Dr Matthias Eyl, 46. Footage showed fire and black smoke billowing into the air from the crash site, while witnesses described seeing the jet 'corkscrew' before erupting into a ball of flames. An investigation is underway into the cause of the crash in Essex involving the Super King Air, which is often used for mapping and for medivac journeys. The plane had completed two trips that day, one from Athens in Greece to Pula in Croatia and then from Pula to Southend, landing in the UK at 2.51pm. The crash happened at 3.48pm and led to all flights in and out of the airport, which is used by easyJet for many of its holiday routes, being suspended. The airport was closed while an early investigation was carried out but it partially reopened three days later and resumed normal operations from July 17. EastEnders star Jessie Wallace has revealed she 'burst out crying' after reuniting with her on screen daughter Michelle Ryan amid her return to the soap. During her time on the show, Michelle, now 41, was involved in one of the soap's biggest storylines when it was revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister, with explosive scenes seeing her yell: 'You ain't my mother!', only for Kat to reply: 'Yes I am!' And now, after returning to Albert Square two decades after her dramatic exit, Jessie revealed she was overcome with emotion at the news. Speaking in an interview with the Radio Times she confessed that they reunited at a secret dinner date with the executive producers. 'I burst out crying....When I saw Michelle, I cried we were all very emotional. It was nostalgic and lovely.' While it isn't uncommon for roles to be recast in the soap world, Jessie was also determined that if Zoe returned it could only be Michelle. EastEnders star Jessie Wallace has admitted she 'burst out crying' after reuniting with her on screen daughter Michelle Ryan over two decades after THAT iconic scene Jessie revealed: 'I burst out crying....When I saw Michelle, I cried we were all very emotional. It was nostalgic and lovely' 'I said to Ben [executive producer], "It has to be Michelle. It wont feel right if Zoe is recast." I wouldnt be able to give my best performance. The audience would feel completely conned.' She added: 'I love Michelle and have always been protective over her, perhaps thats natural having played her mum. Im a mother myself now, which I wasnt when we worked together before, and Im very protective over my daughter.' Michelle had been asked to return to the soap before but had always declined. However this time she felt the time was right after she was moved after seeing the comments on social media following EastEnders' 40th anniversary. After reminiscing on her time on the soap with colleagues she mentioned to her agent that she would go back and as coincidence would have it EastEnders had already been on the phone. Back in June Zoe made a bombshell return to the BBC soap, after her return was kept under wraps. Viewers then saw Zoe in two further episodes that week but she will now be back full-time this summer, as her mother Kat prepares to tie the knot with Alfie Moon for the third time. Speaking previously on her return to the BBC soap, Michelle said: 'It feels like coming home. After doing my first few scenes, it was like I'd never been away. It all happened at the right time. During her time on the show, Michelle was involved in one of EastEnders' biggest storylines with it revealed that Kat Slater (Jessie Wallace) was in fact Zoe's mother and not her sister While it isn't uncommon for roles to be recast in the soap world, Jessie was also determined that if Zoe returned it could only be Michelle 'I said to Ben [executive producer], "It has to be Michelle. It wont feel right if Zoe is recast." I wouldnt be able to give my best performance. The audience would feel completely conned' Michelle had been asked to return to the soap before but had always declined. However this time she felt the time was right after she was moved following EastEnders' 40th anniversary 'I'd already been thinking about a return because I'd met up with Kacey Ainsworth (Little Mo) and Kim Medcalf (Sam Mitchell) and we were reminiscing our fond memories of the show, and I'd also joined social media and saw that there was still a lot of love for the character. 'It just so happened that at the same time, EastEnders had announced a new Exec who was keen to explore the potential of a return as he was such a massive fan of Zoe and the Slaters, so both of our worlds aligned at the right time, and I'm so excited to be back. 'When I was pitched the storylines, and when I read the scripts, I knew it was the right decision.' EastEnders new boss, Executive Producer Ben Wadey added: 'Before I even stepped into the role, Zoe Slater was on my wish-list of returnees as, although we haven't seen her on screen for twenty years, her character has transcended time due to her popular storylines.' Since Zoe's exit from Walford 20 years ago, it's been revealed that she and Kat have become estranged. Teasing her character's reason to come back to Albert Square, Michelle added: 'I can't say too much as there is a lot of drama to come, but Zoe is a mess. 'She's not the girl that left Walford twenty years ago, and she's been really struggling on her own. 'She has her defences up, but this week you will see that she needs help, but whether she is willing to accept it is another story.' The moment is still considered one of the most iconic in EastEnders' 40-year history It comes after Daily Mail revealed in February that, despite multiple attempts from bosses over the years, Michelle had refused to return to EastEnders. A source revealed: 'Bosses reached out to Michelle several times over the years, they would love to have her back. For example, as the soap was approaching its big 30th anniversary, it was a gentle approach asking if she would consider a return in the lead up to it all. 'This was at the very early stages of their plans but Michelle refused and there was a lot of disappointment amongst bosses. 'It's always been quite baffling why she wouldn't want to reprise a character who is still very much adored by the fans. It's been 20 years since she left Albert Square but still people are talking about her character.' Rating: [Four Stars] Serial killers and stalkers are not an adolescent girl's worst nightmare. Wednesday Addams positively relishes hers. But her loved-up parents set her flesh crawling and her eyeballs popping. Tim Burton's gruesome schooldays story Wednesday returns with a running joke to make any teenager's toes curl. Mr and Mrs Addams (Luis Guzman and Catherine Zeta-Jones) can hardly keep their hands off each other. 'Cara bella,' he coos, as she gazes into his eyes. Mum! Dad! Stop it! If that's icky for younger viewers, some of the macabre imagery in this gothic comedy adventure is a little strong too. In a scene inspired by The Birds, a private detective is attacked by crows and has his eyeballs pecked out. That didn't happen to Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's original. And when Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) reaches into her pocket to find a letter hidden there by a murderous prowler, she slices her hand open. Razor blades have been glued into the folds of the paper. Serial killers and stalkers are not an adolescent girl's worst nightmare. Wednesday Addams positively relishes hers (Jenna Ortega pictured) Tim Burton 's gruesome schooldays story Wednesday returns with a running joke to make any teenager's toes curl (Joanna Lumley pictured) If that's icky for younger viewers, some of the macabre imagery in this gothic comedy adventure is a little strong too Unless these sadistic touches prove too much, fans of Harry Potter will love Wednesday an old-fashioned boarding school story at heart. Like Hogwarts, Nevermore Academy is a remote castle where children with magical abilities learn to develop their powers. Some are werewolves, others are gorgons who can turn victims to stone. Wednesday can move objects with her mind and has psychic visions, but that's tame compared to her younger brother, Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez). He can bring the dead to life with a touch. Burton indulges his fetish for spooky animations, inserting a dark fairytale about a boy with a clockwork heart into the first episode. It's lavishly done, as is all the cinematography. Never mind a widescreen telly, you need an Imax to do justice to this. But the most spectacular attraction is the superstar cast, which this time includes Steve Buscemi as the school's cheesy, smarmy head teacher, Principal Dort. Billie Piper joins the teaching faculty too, playing a flamboyant music mistress. The juiciest cameo goes to Dame Joanna Lumley, Wednesday's grandmama, who has turned the Addams family obsession with the morbid into a career. She's a funeral director her motto, 'Death never takes a holiday so neither do I.' La Lumley attempts an American accent for a couple of lines, before abandoning the idea. She gets the creepiest joke, though: 'You know what I say about feelings bury them deep inside and allow them to eat away at you.' In a scene inspired by The Birds, a private detective is attacked by crows and has his eyeballs pecked out. That didn't happen to Tippi Hedren in Hitchcock's original And when Wednesday (Jenna Ortega ) reaches into her pocket to find a letter hidden there by a murderous prowler, she slices her hand open (Catherine Zeta Jones pictured) But the most spectacular attraction is the superstar cast, which this time includes Steve Buscemi as the school's cheesy, smarmy head teacher, Principal Dort (Billie Piper pictured) The juiciest cameo goes to Dame Joanna Lumley, Wednesday's grandmama, who has turned the Addams family obsession with the morbid into a career For those who aren't watching simply to wallow in the grotesquerie, some of the gags are a treat. At an airport, Wednesday sets off the metal detector, and proceeds to unload an arsenal of knives, knuckledusters, nunchucks and other nasties from her overcoat. Asked to explain herself, she retorts, 'Cramming hundreds of people into a metal tube flying through the air creates some sort of utopia where weapons aren't needed?' Well, when you put it like that... Swift exit of the night: Ever since Claudia Winkleman introduced this cruel twist on The Traitors, every game show opens by eliminating players before the contest even begins. Destination X did it last week, and now The Fortune Hotel (ITV) follows suit. Too predictable. Meanwhile Lady Gaga's forthcoming single in support of season two of the Netflix series Wednesday will borrow from one of her biggest hits. The 39-year-old pop star will have a small role in the imminent installment of the show, and last year she recorded an accompanying musical component a track called Dead Dance. A source shared with The Sun that the tune samples Gaga's hit Abracadabra, off her latest album Mayhem, which she is currently touring. 'It has already been a massive year for Gaga but she's never been one to rest on her laurels. Dead Dance is all ready to go and fans will love it. Swift exit of the night: Destination X did it last week, and now The Fortune Hotel (ITV, pictured) follows suit. Too predictable 'It's another classic dark pop tune and while it's been made for Wednesday, it perfectly fits into the world of Mayhem,' the insider revealed. According to the publication, one lyric the music artist sings in Dead Dance is: 'When you killed me inside, that's when I came alive.' Per the site, Dead Dance already has a choreographed dance routine that Wednesday producers hope will go viral on social media. Wednesday part one is streaming on Netflix now, while the second follows September third. The reason behind Sally Nugent's absence from BBC Breakfast has been revealed after the star was replaced on screen by a very familiar face this week. Sally, 54, usually hosts the flagship morning programme from Salford, Manchester with Jon Kay, 55. The pair anchor from the iconic sofa on Monday through to Wednesday, before under-fire Naga Munchetty and her co-star Charlie Stayt take over. However, this week Sally was noticeably absent from the show, with no explanation given on air by Jon on where she had gone. Instead, BBC News presenter Luxmy Gopal stood in for the mother-of-one. Now, Sally has shared an insight into her absence as she posted pictures from her birthday online. The reason behind Sally Nugent's absence from BBC Breakfast has been revealed after the star was replaced on screen by a very familiar face this week Sally, 54, usually hosts the flagship morning programme from Salford, Manchester with Jon Kay, 55 but was nowhere to be seen this week Sally has now revealed she's enjoying time away in the sun as she celebrated her birthday while topping up her tan The journalist was flooded with birthday wishes from her friends and family as she reposted their tributes on her Instagram stories for fans to see. She appears to be enjoying well-earned downtime abroad to mark her big day as she enjoyed the sushine. In one snap, Sally looked radiant as she boasted a big smile in a white summery minidress, showing off her bronzed complexion. Another picture showed the presenter posing with a table full of gifts, as she simply said 'pressies' followed by a love heart emoji. Sally even shared the hilarious card Jon had given her, which showed two dolls depicting an old man and woman on a motorbike. It read: 'Born to be wild... Til about 9pm or so...' as Sally humorously replied: 'Well done.' Paying tribute to his BBC Breakfast co-host, Jon told fans: 'Not only is 5th August International Dolly Parton Day... it's also International Sally Nugent Day. 'Happy Birthday to my brilliant, clever, kind and funny friend xx #bbcbreakfast #birthday'. BBC News presenter Luxmy Gopal stood in for the mother-of-one and brought viewers the latest news with Jon While celebrating, Sally even shared the hilarious card Jon had given her, which showed two dolls depicting an old man and woman on a motorbike Sharing a cheeky snap of his BBC Breakfast co-host, Jon told fans: 'Not only is 5th August International Dolly Parton Day... it's also International Sally Nugent Day' Jon posted a gushing birthday tribute to his co-host and 'friend' Sally's break comes after BBBC Breakfast faced controversy for alleged inappropriate behaviour behind the scenes. Presenter Naga Munchetty could face an investigation from BBC bosses after she was accused of bullying a junior colleague. The host, 50, has been placed 'under review' while bosses consider escalating complaints to a formal investigation, The Sun reported. A source said higher-ups had heard from several colleagues and logged concerns over her 'hard' and 'bullying' behaviour on the breakfast show, as well as her Radio 5 Live show. A BBC spokesperson told Daily Mail: 'While we do not comment on individual cases, we take all complaints about conduct at work extremely seriously and will not tolerate behaviour that is not in line with our values. 'We have robust processes in place and would encourage any staff with concerns to raise them directly with us so they can be addressed.' Breakfast airs on BBC One from 6am and is available to stream on iPlayer. Farmer Wants a Wife 2025 has only just come to a close. And producers have already sent out a casting call for next year's series. But in a surprising move the creators of the dating show have announced that New Zealand farmers are eligible for the Australian dating competition. A call for entries was shared to NZ Farmers Facebook platform alongside an announcement that FWAW producers want to 'cast a wider net' for eligible bachelors. 'Single Farmers,' the ad reads. 'It's your turn to fall in love!' 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. Farmer Wants a Wife 2025 came to a close this week and producers have already sent out a casting call for next year's series. Pictured: Farmer Corey and his match Keeley It also suggested interested parties should 'dob in a great farmer' to the shows producers. 'Been having a yarn with our mates across the ditch that make Farmer Wants a Wife, and they want to cast their nets wider to find the most eligible bachelor's here in New Zealand,' the NZ Farmer caption read. It continued, 'Head to the website to find out more or to dob in a hard working friend that needs a nudge in the right direction.' However, reaction from the post has not been universally supported. 'Farmer Wants A Wife is all about "Aussie farmers", let's keep it right here,' complained a Facebook user on the thread. They added, 'I say no to New Zealanders; they can start one of their own over there. Gosh, leave something for just us Aussies FFS.' Another viewer said, 'Judging by this season's pick of the crop, I think scouting from another country is what's needed.' Still, the NZ Facebook responders with humour at the suggestion with many of the more than 500 users linking friends to the post. In a surprising move the creators of the dating show have announced that New Zealand farmers are eligible for the Australian dating competition. Pictured: The 2025 cast A call for entries was shared to NZ Farmers Facebook platform alongside an announcement that FWAW producers want to 'cast a wider net' for eligible bachelors 'I'd like a NZ farmer,' said one enthusiast of the dating show. Meanwhile, one user appeared to not like the idea of appearing on the show. 'Publicised desperation,' they said, adding, 'Does it come with a pre-nup?' It comes after the dramatic reunion episode of Farmer Wants A Wife on Monday exposed the fate of Farmer Jarrad's romance with Chloe. Farmer Jarrad Wrigley, 22, was tipped to find a fairytale ending on the show when he fell for 25-year-old registered nurse Chloe Harvey. But while Chloe did show up for the reunion, the pair admitted that their relationship had not worked out. Jarrad revealed that 'unfortunately' they were no longer together - and it was Chloe who pulled the plug. 'That was me. I see Jarrad as a really good mate and support him in what he does' she said. 'But I think until you're living it, you don't know. Our lives are on different paths.' Tammy Hembrow has been mending her broken heart by holidaying in New Zealand with her children following her split from Matt Zukowski. And on Wednesday, the fitness influencer, 31, revealed one of the highlights of her trip. Tammy posted a video to social media after braving the world's largest swing between the mountains. She described the experience as 'therapy' after also bungee jumping in Queenstown. Many followers flocked to the comments to praise the brave mother-of-three for conquering the thrilling adventure. 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. Tammy Hembrow has been mending her broken heart by holidaying in New Zealand with her children following her split from Matt Zukowski 'Love a queen who is healing and livin!' one person wrote. 'Girl you nearly gave me a cardiac arrest lol so happy to see you doing you as you should,' a second commented. 'I hope any sad feelings you have, have dropped as fast as you did here,' another said. It comes after Tammy revealed her heart is still 'aching' following her split from husband Matt as she mends her wounds in New Zealand. Tammy fled Australia with her three children - Wolf, nine, Saskia, seven, and Posy, three - after news broke of their separation. Earlier on Tuesday, she shared a gallery of images which revealed her post-breakup weight loss as she stays at the idyllic Lake Hayes Cottages in Queenstown. 'The most beautiful stay at @qtcottages,' she wrote in her caption as she posed in front of a private hot tub in her $995-per-night lakeside cottage. 'A blissful escape in the most stunning setting. Not without moments that ache... but healing is never linear and I'm so grateful to be here with my babiesss.' Tammy posted a video on the world's largest swing Tammy has spent much of the last week documenting her stay in New Zealand following her split from former Love Island star Matt. On Monday, she shared some photos from her trip to Queenstown and revealed visiting the area would become a new family tradition. 'Something so cosy and comforting about this place,' she wrote in her caption on Instagram. 'I think we're going to have to make this a yearly tradition. The start of something new.' Matt and Tammy are now headed for divorce after just seven months of marriage, with the influencer jetting off to the South Island to recuperate in the wake of their split. Tammy announced her shock split from Matt last month in an emotional video. The former reality star also revealed the couple's separation in a sombre Instagram Story, telling fans the decision was not taken lightly. 'It's with a heavy heart I share that Tammy and I have decided to separate,' Matt began. Tammy announced her shock split from Matt last month in an emotional video 'Both of us have struggled with making this decision; however we need to do what is right for ourselves and her three children. 'This wasn't a decision we took lightly. Our time together will always be cherished and never forgotten,' he added, before thanking fans for their support. Despite their short-lived marriage, both parties have asked for privacy as they adjust to life post-breakup. 'We appreciate everyone's support and space at this time as we navigate the split,' Matt concluded in his emotional post. The newest season of Dancing With the Stars is just weeks away, but fans are still wondering who will be slated to appear in America's favorite dancing competition. DWTS, which returns to ABC with its 34th season next month, has been known to catapult C-list celebrities into overnight sensations. Last season, The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson took home the coveted Mirrorball trophy, while Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and Alan Bernstein finished in second place. As for this year, only a handful of celebrities have confirmed their appearance. Jen Affleck and Whitney Leavitt from The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, TikTok influencer Alix Earle, and Robert Irwin the son of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin were the first to announce their casting. However, a insider has exclusively revealed to the Daily Mail that reality TV royalty could be taking to the coveted ballroom in a few weeks. Season 34 of Dancing With the Stars premieres on ABC and Disney+ on September 16, 2025 Last year, The Bachelor star Joey Graziadei and his partner Jenna Johnson took home the coveted Mirrorball trophy Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher and her dancing partner Alan Bernstein finished in second place Spencer Pratt and Heidi Montag have both been asked to join, according to an insider. But the deal isn't set in stone just yet, as it will reportedly take a major paycheck for the couple to sign on. 'Spencer and Heidi have both been asked to join the next season of DWTS, and they could sign on the dotted line if the money is right. It is all about the money,' the source said. 'Negotiations are hot and heavy right now.' The couple, who have been married since 2008, have been in need of a financial boost after losing their $2.5million Pacific Palisades home in the devastating Los Angeles fires earlier this year. Heidi, 38, recently revealed that they can't even afford to rebuild on the lot where their home once stood. Instead, the couple have been living in a rental home in Santa Barbara with their two sons Gunner, seven, and Ryker, two. In an effort to get back on their feet, Spencer, 41, immediately sprang into action by urging his fans to stream Heidi's 2010 album Superficial. The record which only sold 1,000 copies in its first week reached the top of the iTunes chart in the US in January, thanks to Spencer's viral posts, and generated nearly $150,000 from streaming and digital sales, Billboard reported at the time. It also reignited Heidi's music career, as she filmed a new music video for the album's hit single, I'll Do It, more than 10 years after its initial release. This year, Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt are set to join the cast, according to a source The couple lost their $2.5million Pacific Palisades home in the Los Angeles wildfires earlier this year The Hills stars have clearly shown they're willing to do whatever it takes to support their family, and joining the upcoming season of DWTS will undoubtedly lead to even more lucrative opportunities for the couple. 'After losing their home in the fires earlier this year, they have tried to figure out how to make money to get back on their feet,' the source continued. 'What better way than being a part of the show which will no doubt spark other opportunities? 'They already have the story that DWTS loves, so if they can incorporate that into making a few extra dollars, there is nothing more that they can ask for as they want to make any quick buck they can make.' Despite their financial woes, Heidi and Spencer have been picky when it comes to their next move even shutting down pleas to join the cast of Bravo's The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills due to the couple's longstanding feud with executive producer Andy Cohen. Although Heidi and Spencer have yet to confirm their casting on DWTS, the mother of two recently posted a TikTok video with dancing pro Maksim Chmerkovskiy, who teased that he might come out of retirement to partner with Heidi. 'Well, are we thinking Dancing With the Stars?' she said in the clip posted in May, as she posed with the 45-year-old DWTS alum. 'You should be on the next season,' he told Heidi, who asked if he would be her partner. Spencer and Heidi's Pacific Palisades home, pictured on January 7, before it was destroyed by the LA wildfire that burned over 57,000 acres Heidi recently revealed they unable to rebuild on the lot where their home once stood. The couple have been living in a rental home in Santa Barbara with their sons Gunner, seven, and Ryker, two Heidi and Spencer met at a Los Angeles nightclub in 2006 while Heidi was filming season one of MTV's The Hills (pictured in November 2006) 'I'll un-retire,' Maksim replied. Heidi and Spencer are seasoned reality TV veterans. The couple nicknamed 'Speidi' famously met at a Los Angeles nightclub in 2006 while Heidi was filming season one of MTV's The Hills. Spencer joined the following season, and they were married just two years after their first encounter. The series ended in 2010 after six seasons. They later joined the cast of I'm a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! in 2009. They repeatedly attempted to quit the survival show three times before finally leaving after Heidi got sick and was rushed to the hospital. They starred in Celebrity Big Brother UK in 2013 before returning for Celebrity Big Brother: All Stars vs New Stars in 2017, but they were evicted from the house after 25 days. They also enjoyed a stint on Celebrity Wife Swap in 2014, which saw Heidi swapping her Los Angeles lifestyle with four-time Olympian Amanda Beard, who lived in a rural area of Washington state. In 2019, several original cast members of MTV's The Hills reunited for The Hills: New Beginnings, but it was cancelled in early 2022 after two seasons. DWTS will premiere on ABC and Disney+ on September 16. The Daily Mail has contacted representatives for DWTS and Heidi and Spencer for comment. Gary Lineker has reportedly signed a huge deal with ITV to host a brand new celebrity game show - after leaving the BBC earlier this year following an anti-semitism row. The former Match Of The Day presenter, 64, is thought to be returning to Saturday night TV for a new show called The Box. Touted as a replacement for Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway, The Box's format sees 12 celebrities all put in a different box where they have to face a terrifying challenge. Already a show in Norway, The Sun reports it has been dubbed as a cross between I'm A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins. A source told the publication: 'The Box is massive in Norway, and the rights were quickly sold to Denmark and now the UK. 'ITV are really excited about it - and believe they have finally found a worthy successor to Saturday Night Takeaway. Gary Lineker has reportedly signed a huge deal with ITV to host a brand new celebrity game show - after leaving the BBC earlier this year following an anti-semitism row The former Match Of The Day presenter, 64, is thought to be returning to Saturday night TV for a new show called The Box 'They have long been sniffing around Gary and just needed to find the right format for him. They're confident they've found that now, and the BBC's loss is their gain.' The source added that filming will take place in the autumn and it will air in early spring, likely with a Saturday night slot. Gary and ITV have been contacted by MailOnline for comment. Back in May Gary welled up as he delivered his final Match of the Day speech, thanking viewers for their 'love and support' and sending a message to his successors. The presenter was visibly moved by a seven-minute tribute featuring the likes of Pep Guardiola, Virgil van Dijk, Ian Wright, and even Andrea Bocelli. Lineker hosted his final BBC show and hinted at the start that it 'wasn't meant to end this way' after being axed amid an antisemitism row. He was axed after sharing a pro-Palestine Instagram video which featured an emoji of a rat, with critics accusing him of promoting a familiar anti-Semitic slur. He later apologised. At the end of his last show, wrapping up his 1.4million gig, he paid tribute to the wider team, saying: 'Let me take the opportunity to thank all the other pundits I've had the pleasure of working with over the last 25 years. Already a show in Norway, The Sun reports it has been dubbed as a cross between I'm A Celebrity and SAS: Who Dares Wins Touted as a replacement for Ant and Dec's Saturday Night Takeaway (seen), The Box's format sees 12 celebrities all put in a different box where they have to face a terrifying challenge 'You've made my job so much easier. 'It's been an absolute privilege to host Match of the Day for a quarter of a century. 'It's been utterly joyous. 'I'd like to wish Gabby (Logan), Mark (Chapman), and Kelly (Cates) all the best when they sit in the chair. 'The programme is in the best of hands. 'My final thank you goes to all of you. Thank you for watching. Thank you for all your love and support over the years. It's been so special. I'm sorry that your team was always on last. Time to say goodbye.' Lineker confirmed his departure from the corporation earlier that month. He 'apologised unreservedly' for his actions, saying he was unaware of the meaning of the symbol and added: 'I would never consciously repost anything anti-Semitic it goes against everything I stand for'. He said that stepping down from his role with the BBC - where he was once the highest paid star - was 'the responsible course of action'. A defiant Yahoo Serious refuses to leave the multi-million dollar Sydney home he has been accused of squatting in. Serious, 72, appeared on A Current Affair this week when the landlord responsible for the property in Sydney's Palm Beach came to confront the former film star. He is said to be living illegally with his Jack Russell terrier in the multi-million-dollar home of Charles Phillip Porter, who is in his 90s and in a nursing home. The actor had been ordered to exit the multi-storey house on Barrenjoey Road by August 4. Margaret Charlton is the landlord and holds power of attorney for Charles Phillip Porter, the home's owner, who is currently in a nursing home. She told ACA she needed to sell the property to pay for Porter's mounting nursing home fees. A defiant Yahoo Serious has refused to leave the multi-million dollar Sydney home he has been accused of squatting in Reading from a court order, Margaret said: 'The order for possession is suspended until the fourth of August... which means that I get the property back.' Margaret then entered the property, surprised to find Yahoo still inside. 'You've been living in this property while Margie's been trying to sell it to pay for Phillip's aged care,' reporter Pippa Bradshaw told the Young Einstein star. 'He's got dementia he can sell the property,' Serious flippantly replied. When told that Charlton had been unable to sell the property while Serious was occupying it, he defiantly protested that he was not squatting and was 'sick.' 'I'm not squatting [I'm] surviving,' Serious said. 'Look at the weather out there it's really, really dangerous.' Removalists then arrived to begin stripping the property of belongings; however, Serious refused to budge. He is said to be living illegally with his Jack Russell terrier in the multi-million dollar home of Charles Phillip Porter, who is in his 90s and in a nursing home. Serious is pictured as his iconic character Young Einstein Serious, 72, appeared on A Current Affair this week as the landlord in charge of the property in Sydney's Palm Beach, Margaret Charlton came to remove the former film star 'Yahoo is still refusing to go, even though we are taking all the old furniture out so the house can be sold,' Charlton said. She added that the situation would soon be escalated if Serious continued to flout the court order. 'We have booked a sheriff. As soon as the sheriff comes... if he refuses to go... the police will be called and he'll be physically removed from the property,' Charlton said. Speaking to Daily Mail in July, Serious denied that he was squatting at the property, despite a tribunal hearing having given him a deadline to vacate. 'You've got it all wrong,' he insisted. Charlton also told Daily Mail Australia the former star has cost the homeowner $70,000 in nursing home fees because he refused to move out. In March, the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal heard that Serious used to live in the granny flat beneath the dilapidated property, which stands among the mansions overlooking picturesque Pittwater. The tribunal was told the owner had allowed Serious to move into the granny flat, as the former screen star was living rough in his ageing BMW sedan, but he moved into the main house when Mr Porter was put into care. She told ACA that she needed to sell the property to pay for Porter's mounting nursing home fees Removalists then arrived to begin stripping the property of belongings, however Serious refused to budge 'We have booked a sheriff. As soon as the sheriff comes... if he refuses to go... the police will be called and he'll be physically removed from the property,' Charlton said On April 24, the tribunal initially gave Serious six weeks to move out, Charlton told Daily Mail. 'But his lawyer said he needed 12 weeks because he's a sick man with lymphoma,' she said. Serious and his wild haircut at the time became suddenly famous when he starred in 1988's Young Einstein movie and then 1993's Reckless Kelly. But he later fell on hard times and was taken in by Porter and Charlton several years ago. He was recently seen looking very gaunt, amid concerns for his health. Serious told the tribunal he should be allowed to remain in the home because he was Mr Porter's carer, which Ms Charlton strongly disputes. 'Phillip - we call him Phillip, not Charles, is a family friend, he has been for years and years,' she said. 'He's never been married, never had children, so he made me power of attorney and trustee. 'He was getting old and getting dementia, and was having trouble looking after himself, so I was doing all his cooking. 'It wasn't like Yahoo was his carer. He wasn't bathing him or dressing him. I was washing his clothes, we had a cleaner coming in. Home and Away star Lukas Radovich, 30, has wed his long-time boyfriend, professional netballer Liam Forcadilla. The happy couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Sydney on Friday, in front of a guest list that included Summer Bay favourites Emily Weir and Shane Withington. Also in attendance at the swanky do at The Grounds of Alexandria were former Home and Away stars Courtney Miller and Sophie Dillman. And on Tuesday, the pair shared a romantic video featuring their first dance as a wedded couple. The pair can be seen showered with silver confetti while holding each other close and kissing as they slow dance to Taylor Swift's hit tune Lover. 'You can hear the love in the room,' the couple captioned the joint share on Instagram. Home and Away star Lukas Radovich (L), 30, has wed his long-time boyfriend, professional netballer Liam Forcadilla The happy couple tied the knot in a lavish ceremony in Sydney on Friday The pair, who hard-launched their relationship in 2023 after dating for three years, sported elegant suits for their nuptials. Lukas opted for a smart double-breasted jacket and a cream tuxedo shirt, which he topped off with a white carnation and classic black bow tie. Liam, meanwhile, selected a white jacket, which he paired with a matching studded shirt and a black bow tie. Both gents completed their outfits with black trousers and matching dress shoes. Also in attendance was Australian actress Ebony Nave. 'Lukas and Liam got married and everyone cried!' she shared on her Instagram. Lukas first discussed his sexuality back in 2023. The actor, who is openly gay, played the character of Ryder on Home and Away from 2017 to 2022, confessed in an interview that he had never discussed his private life while appearing in the Channel Seven soap. The pair, who hard-launched their relationship in 2023 after dating for three years, sported elegant suits for their nuptials Lukas came out to his friends and family before he began his role as Ryder Jackson on Home and Away in 2017. (Pictured) The actor told The Daily Telegraph he never tried to hide his sexuality from the public, but was simply 'coming to terms' with it. 'I definitely think when I was in my young twenties, I was still discovering myself and that now I feel comfortable enough to be able to talk about it,' he said. 'The last five years have been quite a big journey for me; one, because of the show, but also too coming into my own sense of self, just being comfortable I guess.' Lukas came out to his friends and family before he began his role. 'I am quite a shy person by nature, quite introverted, so it takes a while for me to warm up to talking about things. And then after that it just wasn't an issue,' he added. Fans lined up for hours to get autographs and selfies with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Australian premiere of Freakier Friday on Tuesday night. But many were left in tears after the Hollywood stars walked straight past them before walking the red carpet at the Sydney event. The movie stars arrived at the premiere and rushed past the fan area before heading upstairs to the media section. On the red carpet, Lindsay, 39, spoke to a few Australian publications while her co-star Jamie Lee, 66, was interviewed by several media outlets. Many fans broke down in tears when they realised they wouldn't be meeting the Hollywood stars despite waiting in line for over eight hours. One fan got down on her knees and sobbed after discovering Lindsay had left without signing any autographs or taking any photos with fans. Fans lined up for hours to get autographs and selfies with Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis at the Australian premiere of Freakier Friday on Tuesday night Many were left in tears after the Hollywood stars ignored them before walking the red carpet at the Sydney event Others took to social media to share their disappointment, with one person sharing a video of the fan area to TikTok. 'When you go to the Sydney Freakier Friday premiere and Lindsay and Jamie just skip the fan area all together,' they wrote. 'Waited hours only for them not to come say hi. I just wanted to see Lindsay.' They said fans and security guards were confused until someone confirmed 'the talent has left'. 'Wtf, that's disappointing,' a third person agreed while another said: 'I would be so mad.' Lindsay looked glamorous at the premiere and flashed her trim pins in a racy black evening gown with sheer skirting. She carried a $2,235 AUD gold Fortune Minaudiere bag in an unusual fortune cookie shape. For makeup, Lindsay chose a porcelain base with rosy blush and a soft pink lipstick, while wearing her blonde locks down in soft waves. The movie stars arrived to the premiere and rushed past the fan area before heading over to the media section Lindsay, 39, spoke to a few Australian publications while her co-star Jamie Lee, 66, was interviewed by several media outlets They then quickly hurried past the fans again before leaving the event The star finished her ensemble with a delicate diamond necklace and matching earrings. Jamie, 66, was also looking much younger than her years as she posed beside Lindsay against the media wall. The veteran actress stunned in a semi-sheer maxi dress that skimmed her impressive figure. She added a pair of nude, suede heels and kept her accessories light, wearing glistening baguette earrings. For makeup, Jamie went for a clean look with lots of highlighter and a pink lip gloss, while styling her trademark pixie haircut softly spiked. In 2003, Jamie Lee and Lindsay starred in the smash hit comedy, Freaky Friday, which sees the two characters switch bodies. Fans had long hoped for a sequel to the iconic comedy but had an agonising wait, as Freakier Friday is only now hitting cinemas - more than two decades after the original. Jamie Lee recently revealed why there was such a long gap between the two releases as she admitted she has long had her eye on a follow-up movie. Many broke down in tears as they realised they wouldn't be meeting the Hollywood stars despite waiting in line for over eight hours One fan got down on her knees and sobbed after discovering Lindsay left without signing any autographs or taking any photos with fans Others took to social media to share their disappointment over the event One person said fans and security guards were confused until someone confirmed 'the talent has left the building' Appearing on The One Show, Jamie revealed they had to wait until Lindsay was old enough to have a teenage child for the sequel premise to work. 'The truth is that Lindsay had to be old enough to have a 15-year-old daughter, people would ask me about the movie over and over again,' she shared. 'And finally someone in Australia said, "well she is" and I was like "what do you mean?" because I know her as this young girl, so I don't know how old she is. 'Someone told me and I was, like, "Oh! Well maybe we can make the movie. Let's go!"' Lindsay was just 15 years old when she first portrayed Anna Coleman in Freaky Friday alongside Jamie Lee, who played her on-screen mother Tess Coleman. It follows the bickering mother and daughter after a Chinese restaurant fortune cookie mishap causes them to switch bodies, forcing them to live the other's life. Despite barely being able to see eye-to-eye, the magical switch eventually allows them to see things from the other's point of view. The sequel will see the iconic pairing switch places once again, though this time there is quadruple chaos in store. Abbie Chatfield made headlines this week when she finally confirmed rumours she once took cash to tip off paps to her location during her days as a C-list reality star. While she may be one of the few media personalities brave enough to admit it, Chatfield is far from the only one calling snappers on the sly. This dubious publicity ploy runs rampant among those desperate for the spotlight. From Pip Edwards being outed by a young photographer to TV types caught begging for staged pics, here are some of the industry's more shameless examples. Pip Edwards In December 2022, Pip Edwards was left red-faced when leaked messages revealed she had arranged her own paparazzi shoots. Pip Edwards was left red-faced after Instagram DMs were leaked that exposed her for setting up her own pap shoots. (This photo of Pip is not the one being referred to in this article) Edwards accused one snapper of making her look 'wide', 'short' and 'stumpy' Embarrassing Instagram DMs showed the P.E. Nation co-founder inviting a Sydney paparazzo to capture her outside her eastern suburbs office in July 2022 - and orchestrating similar 'candid' shots for two of her celebrity mates the year before. She even joked to the photographer that he'd made her look 'wide', 'short' and 'stumpy'. 'Come back to my office and get a better pic. No seriously, come on. I want to give you a better one,' Edwards wrote to the snapper on July 28, 2022. 'If you want me to, I'll come back. You're the boss,' the paparazzo replied, to which Edwards wrote back: 'It's a two-way street! It's gotta work out for me too.' In another message, she told the photographer she would soon be going for a walk and promised him a 'clean shot'. Further screenshots showed Edwards complaining she looked 'wide' and 'short and stumpy' in earlier pap photos. She then suggested the photographer take better ones from a 'different angle' in the future. She contacted the same photographer weeks later, asking him for 'a favour' - to take paparazzi photos of her 'mates' Darren McMullen and Milly Gattegno in Bondi Beach. Like clockwork, Edwards was papped that same day with McMullen and Gattegno outside Japanese restaurant Raw Bar. Leaked Instagram messages appeared to show the P.E Nation founder inviting the paparazzo to photograph her outside her eastern suburbs office The designer said she would soon be going for a walk and promised the snapper a 'clean shot' Further screenshots showed Edwards complaining she looked 'wide' and 'short and stumpy' in earlier pap photos. She suggested the photographer take better ones from a 'different angle' She contacted the same photographer weeks later, asking him for 'a favour' - to take paparazzi photos of her 'mates' Darren McMullen and Milly Gattegno in Bondi Beach When contacted by Daily Mail at the time, Edwards insisted she had never staged a paparazzi set and accused the paparazzo of leaking their texts in retaliation after he was told to leave a photo shoot days earlier. She went on to say that being photographed by paparazzi had damaged her self-esteem and she no longer wanted to be in front of the camera at all. Cheryl Maitland A brouhaha erupted in June 2017, when a Sydney photographer accused MAFS star Cheryl Maitland of staging 'candid' paparazzi photos. Posting to Instagram, Jayden Seyfarth shared a series of texts in which the former topless waitress was trying to coordinate a staged photo shoot. He captioned the exchange: 'When they need to stay relevant.' Following the embarrassing incident, Maitland confirmed she had negotiated staged sets with Seyfarth because she was annoyed by other photographers. '[Seyfarth] messages me all the time to see where I am. I'm frankly getting annoyed with paps taking photos of me when I don't know and it [puts] me on edge every day,' she explained. 'I mentioned to him I would be in Melbourne and if he wanted to meet me there that was fine. 'The paps are going to take photos of me no matter what, so if I already know I won't be so stressed out and they won't be following me as much.' A brouhaha erupted in June 2017, when a Sydney photographer accused MAFS star Cheryl Maitland (pictured) of staging 'candid' paparazzi photos Posting to Instagram, Jayden Seyfarth shared a series of texts in which the former topless waitress was trying to coordinate a staged photo shoot Following the embarrassing incident, Maitland confirmed she had negotiated staged sets with Seyfarth because she was annoyed with other photographers Skye Wheatley Hours after leaking Maitland's text messages, Seyfarth accused former Big Brother contestant Skye Wheatley of staging paparazzi photos for profit. Seyfarth hinted at a business relationship gone wrong as he captioned a screenshot of a conversation with Skye: 'Don't f**k me over lol.' It is believed the staged set being discussed by Seyfarth and Wheatley related to her visit to the Bondi Junction Private Hospital for a breast consultation in May 2016. The exchange appeared to show the pair had come to an agreement to split profits on the sales of the pictures '50/50' after Wheatley demanded 'a cut of the photos'. The messages also seemingly confirmed discussion of Wheatley's arrival in Sydney for the 'boob consultation'. Hours after leaking Maitland's text messages, Seyfarth accused former Big Brother contestant Skye Wheatley of staging paparazzi photos for profit Seyfarth hinted at a business relationship gone wrong as he captioned a screenshot of a conversation with Wheatley: 'Don't f**k me over lol' Wheatley told Daily Mail in a statement at the time: 'I don't understand why he would post that. Like who am I, Kim Kardashian? 'I told him I'd be in Sydney if he wanted to take some photos and he said yes. That was so long ago. I don't understand why he is posting that conversation.' Wheatley also alleged Seyfarth had delayed paying her for several months after the photos were published, and had not responded to her messages. When Seyfarth agreed to pay Wheatley, she claimed he brought along another photographer to document the meeting and 'set her up' When Seyfarth agreed to pay Wheatley, she claimed he brought along another photographer to document the meeting and 'set her up'. She added: 'There's always two sides to a story - don't believe everything you read. I feel sorry for super-famous people who have to deal with this but far worse. 'I feel as though he's trying to maybe get his name out there - otherwise what's the point in posting that? I do not know. 'We should lift each other up in a positive way and not try [to] make them out to be a horrible human being.' Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt Reality TV royalty Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have shamelessly admitted to orchestrating their own paparazzi shoots for years. In one of their most infamous stunts, in 2008, Heidi was pictured crying outside her apartment after her debut single, Higher, received scathing reviews. In the melodramatic shots, Heidi clutched a CD of Higher, her forehead in her hand, the picture of despair. Reality TV royalty Heidi Montag and Spencer Pratt have shamelessly admitted to orchestrating their own paparazzi shoots for years 'Speidi' credit themselves as the inventors of the staged pap set. Heidi said on a podcast last year: 'We've always been really transparent about calling paparazzi and being in on it, set-ups, I mean, that's really what we're known for.' The couple have previously accused the Kardashians of copying their tactics. 'I know for a fact that they copied our paparazzi set-up deal with the same agency we worked with - obviously they won't say that but I can say that,' Spencer said in 2021. today marks 10 years of these photos of heidi montag crying over negative reviews for the 'higher' video pic.twitter.com/Wx5oNZ9Cwh popculturediedin2009 (@pcd2009) February 19, 2018 'They have the same partnership, they probably had a better end deal, but whatever.' Heidi explained that she and Spencer prioritised turning even their most mundane moments into headline-ready photos - unlike others who simply left it to chance. 'I think without paparazzi styled like our setups were, and what we would do in the beach bikini photos Other people will go out to the beach, they wouldn't set it up and work with the photographer,' she said. Elle Macpherson In January 2024, Elle Macpherson found herself in an awkward paparazzi moment outside Crown Sydney. While the 61-year-old supermodel had not arranged the media scrum, she repeatedly entered and exited the hotel to give the photographers the best shot possible. Published photos showed her hand-in-hand with her boyfriend Doyle Bramhall as they strolled back and forth in full view of the cameras. An onlooker filmed the bizarre back-and-forth. 'They did this cringe walking-in thing about 250 times - no exaggeration,' he said. In January 2024, Elle Macpherson found herself in an awkward paparazzi moment outside Crown Sydney An onlooker filmed the bizarre back-and-forth. 'They did this cringe walking-in thing about 250 times - no exaggeration,' he said Michael Turnbull In May 2018, ex-Bachelorette star Michael Turnbull was left scrambling after leaked texts showed him arranging a 'fake date' with fellow reality star Alex Nation - just so they could sell the photos. Screenshots of their Instagram exchange showed Turnbull politely approaching Nation about an 'opportunity'. 'Hi Alex, would like to chat about an opportunity with you :) - Michael x,' he wrote. In May 2018, Bachelorette star Michael Turnbull (pictured) was left scrambling after leaked text messages appeared to show him arranging a 'fake date' with fellow reality star Alex Nation to sell photographs Nation responded: 'Hey! How are you, Michael? How has everything been for you post BIP [Bachelor In Paradise]? Talk to me.' After a brief back and forth, Turnbull asked: 'Did you want to do some pics? Just a coffee or something? That could be good?' She replied: 'Thanks for the offer but I'll decline this one. Enjoy Melbourne and maybe I'll see you around at some events and we can have a drink or something then.' Speaking to Daily Mail at the time, Turnbull denied staging photos and slammed Nation for 'sending private messages to the media for a few dollars'. Screenshots of their alleged Instagram exchange show Michael politely approaching Alex (pictured) about an 'opportunity' Abbie Chatfield Abbie Chatfield confessed this week she once accepted money to tip off paparazzi to her whereabouts. The 30-year-old revealed on her podcast, It's a Lot, that she pocketed $1,000 for staging pics shortly after her 2019 appearance on The Bachelor. 'When I was fresh out of The Bachelor, I was dating The Bachelorette's Todd [King], and we organised with some paparazzi to take photos of us at the beach,' Chatfield said. Back in the day, Abbie Chatfield once accepted money to tip off paparazzi to her whereabouts The 30-year-old revealed on her podcast, It's a Lot, that she pocketed $1,000 for staging pics with then-boyfriend Todd King (right) shortly after her 2019 appearance on The Bachelor 'We were going anyway, and it was $1,000! We thought, "Yeah, that will pay for flights from Perth."' Chatfield explained the photo shoot was coordinated via a journalist, who acted as a go-between and passed on the location details to a photographer in Queensland. 'It was done through a journalist, who told the paparazzi where we were going to be. I have done it once for money, because I still had a 9 to 5, and $1,000 is a lot of money,' she added. 'We were going to go to the beach anyway, so if you are doing it for money, then go off, queen!' The staged photos were taken at Noosa Beach in October 2019 The staged pics were taken at Noosa Beach in October 2019 and captured Chatfield in a bikini as she passionately kissed King, a runner-up from The Bachelorette. Chatfield said last year that she does not regularly tip off the paparazzi, noting that most pap photos of her these days are boring, candid shots of her walking her dog. However, she believes it is okay for celebrities to alert photographers about their whereabouts - if the money from the sale is fairly distributed between them. 'If you can get paid for it, why not? The reason why I did it with my boyfriend at the time is the money. I wouldn't do it again unless it was for a lot of money.' Ben McDonald, CEO of Matrix Media Group, told Daily Mail in 2024 that many celebs have a working relationship with the paparazzi as a means of controlling their image. He said that throughout his career he has developed working relationships with all kinds of celebrities, including Hollywood A-listers and reality stars. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori tantalized her nearly 500,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday as she shared a sexy new snapshot. The 30-year-old Australian architect modeled a plunging metallic silver bodysuit in a sultry mirror selfie. Bianca, who wed Kanye, 48, in 2022, teamed the figure-hugging one-piece with white hosiery. She put on a very busty display in the look while wearing her jet black hair in a loose, straight style with bangs hanging over her eyes. The beauty whose old modeling photos just resurfaced wore a full face of matte makeup in the image. Bianca's latest Instagram grid posts were shared in mid July and showed her in white lingerie. Kanye West's wife Bianca Censori tantalized her nearly 500,000 Instagram followers on Tuesday as she shared a sexy new snapshot She sported a shoulder-length blonde wig in the fuzzy Polaroid outtakes, snapped by her husband. A dozen photos featuring the stunner in different racy outfits were all accompanied by the same caption: 'Japan, October 2024 shot by @ye.' She is stepmom to Kanye and his ex-wife Kim Kardashian's four kids: North, 12, Saint, nine, Chicago, seven, and Psalm, six. In February 2024 a source told Daily Mail that Kim asked for Bianca, who has become known for her risque fashion, to 'cover up' when she is around the children. 'Kim instructed Kanye to never let Bianca dress like that around their kids,' the insider stated. 'She is truly surprised that Kanye would let his wife leave the house like that.' 'Kanye did the same thing he is doing with Bianca to Kim throughout their marriage. The difference is that when Kanye dressed Kim, he was respected as a person as an artist,' it was added. 'Unfortunately, Kim knows what Bianca is going through but she feels Bianca should have known what she was getting into,' the source continued. Kim and Kanye tied the knot in 2014 and their divorce was finalized in 2022. Bianca is no stranger to posting racy selfies online. Last month, the star shared throwback photos of herself modeling lingerie to Instagram Bianca sported a shoulder-length blonde wig in the fuzzy Polaroid outtakes, snapped by her husband Kanye Last month a dozen photos featuring the stunner in different racy outfits were all accompanied by the same caption: 'Japan, October 2024 shot by @ye' Kanye and Bianca married in 2022 following his divorce from Kim Kardashian; pictured in Milan, Italy in February 2024 Since Kanye married Bianca fans have expressed concern over her wellbeing, as she's continuously seen parading around in various states of undress. Earlier this year Bianca stepped onto 2025 Grammy Awards red carpet clad in a furry black coat before theatrically dropping the outerwear and flashing her assets in a completely sheer, nude-toned mini dress. She spun around to show all angles of her figure as she skipped undergarments, baring her chest and backside while Kanye stood by in satisfied approval. It was claimed in June that the Chicago-bred rapper chooses her daring looks to aid in keeping his 'edgy persona,' and to show that his wife is 'the sexiest woman alive,' according to a source who spoke with The U.S. Sun. On Tuesday, Teri Hatcher shared a series of filter-free and make-up free selfies shot at different angles in order to fully showcase her authentic face at age 60. 'Every line [is] a story of real human effort, successes, and flaws,' the Emmy-nominated actress - who boasts 1.6M social media followers - wrote. 'Feel free to zoom in. Is one angle more forgiving? More "beautiful?" How we frame beauty is everything my perception? I choose gratitude for the time gifted in every wrinkle.' Teri stunned her fans like Instagram user @mandikinninger, who commented: 'Always stunning! Both inside and out! I love that you always keep it real!' 'The world sooo needs more realness,' Instagram user @michaelszone agreed. Instagram user @lisamichellebenarouche posted a red heart emoji and wrote: 'I love that you don't care.' On Tuesday, Teri Hatcher shared a series of filter-free and make-up free selfies shot at different angles in order to fully showcase her authentic face at age 60 'You and Pamela Anderson are to be admired,' Instagram user @joy2theworld86 commented. 'Embracing natural beauty is so refreshing. I don't mind a little makeup just to enhance features.' Hatcher proudly recalled how 'everyone told me I was crazy' when she she first put her 'naked face out there in 2010' to shut down plastic surgery rumors. 'Did I every toy with fillers or Botox over the years? Yes. Tell me does this look Botoxed to you?' the former Bond girl challenged on Facebook. '45 year old me. Just me wanting to teach that all those glam versus trash pictures of celebs are about lighting! It's not makeup it's not [surgery] or Botox, it's light!' On July 22, Teri appeared on CBS News to discuss why she started posting her #Sandwiched series online amid caring for her 90-year-old parents, one of whom, her father Owen is living with dementia. 'This is life,' Hatcher told the outlet. 'This is what happens and part of my #Sandwiched series is about having a community, where, as I said, maybe we can't fix it, but maybe we can feel not alone.' The WondLa actress welcomed one child - 27-year-old daughter Emerson Rose Tenney - during her eight-year marriage to second ex-husband Jon Tenney, which ended in 2003. Teri revealed her white roots as grieving mother Anne in Zac Villanueva's 17-minute horror short film Nightfall, which will be released in limited US theaters October 16 - according to IMDb. The Emmy-nominated actress - who boasts 1.6M social media followers - wrote: 'Every line [is] a story of real human effort, successes, and flaws' She continued: 'Feel free to zoom in. Is one angle more forgiving? More "beautiful?" How we frame beauty is everything my perception? I choose gratitude for the time gifted in every wrinkle' Teri stunned her fans like Instagram user @mandikinninger, who commented: 'Always stunning! Both inside and out! I love that you always keep it real!' 'The world sooo needs more realness,' Instagram user @michaelszone agreed Instagram user @lisamichellebenarouche posted a red heart emoji and wrote: 'I love that you don't care' 'You and Pamela Anderson are to be admired,' Instagram user @joy2theworld86 commented. 'Embracing natural beauty is so refreshing. I don't mind a little makeup just to enhance features' Hatcher proudly recalled how 'everyone told me I was crazy' when she she first put her 'naked face out there in 2010' to shut down plastic surgery rumors 'Did I every toy with fillers or Botox over the years? Yes. Tell me does this look Botoxed to you?' the former Bond girl challenged on Facebook On July 22, Teri appeared on CBS News to discuss why she started posting her #Sandwiched series online amid caring for her 90-year-old parents, one of whom, her father Owen (R) is living with dementia Hatcher told the outlet: 'This is life. This is what happens and part of my #Sandwiched series is about having a community, where, as I said, maybe we can't fix it, but maybe we can feel not alone' The WondLa actress welcomed one child - 27-year-old daughter Emerson Rose Tenney (R, pictured August 18) - during her eight-year marriage to second ex-husband Jon Tenney, which ended in 2003 Teri revealed her white roots as grieving mother Anne in Zac Villanueva's 17-minute horror short film Nightfall, which will be released in limited US theaters October 16 Hatcher is best known for playing Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in ABC's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993-1997 during which she was paid up to $75K/episode The three-time SAG Award winner then headed up ABC soap opera Desperate Housewives as Susan Meyer for eight seasons spanning 2004-2012, which later inspired Bravo to create the reality TV franchise, The Real Housewives Hatcher first found fame in 1984 as a San Francisco 49ers cheerleader before being cast in small TV roles, including a memorable turn as the 'real and spectacular' character Sidra on NBC sitcom Seinfeld in 1993. Seven months later, the three-time SAG Award winner made her debut as Daily Planet reporter Lois Lane in ABC's Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman from 1993-1997 during which she was paid up to $75K/episode. Teri then headed up ABC soap opera Desperate Housewives as Susan Meyer for eight seasons spanning 2004-2012, which later inspired Bravo to create the reality TV franchise, The Real Housewives. Hatcher - who earned $440K/episode - was rumored to have been 'difficult' after executive producer Marc Cherry alluded to 'a big star with some big behavioral problems' who was 'impossible' to get along with while praising Felicity Huffman in a 2019 letter to the judge of her college admissions trial. Bec Judd has made a shocking confession about her twin boys. The AFL WAG shares four children Oscar, 13, Billie, 10, and twins Darcy and Tom, eight with her husband Chris Judd. Speaking to her Vain-ish podcast co-host Jessie Roberts, Bec's admission came as she recalled the moment she discovered she was expecting twins eight years ago. 'I don't know about you, but if the husband comes or the partner comes to the first scan, then you see the heartbeat. And then after that I always just go to the scans by myself,' Bec said. 'So I'm in there with Chris, and he [the doctor] scans me and he has a good old look around and he goes, "nah, it's only one baby." I'm like: "phew, because this one feels different."' Bec added she received quite a shock when she went in for a subsequent scan without Chris by her side. Bec Judd has made a shocking confession about her twin boys 'I went back for a routine scan without my husband four weeks later and I'm looking at the screen as he's doing the scan and there's this, like, blob up in the corner,' she explained. 'I said, "what's that blob up there, Len" and as he zoomed in the blob miraculously turned into a baby and it moved and it waved like: "Hi b***h."' 'I'm going to make your life a living hell,' Jessie said and Bec agreed. 'And it's been a living hell ever since,' she added, quickly qualifying her shock statement with, 'No, just kidding. I'm kidding.' It comes after Bec made another eyebrow-raising motherhood confession last month. Speaking again on her Vain-ish podcast, Bec's revelation is likely to leave her youngest, Darcy and Tom, scratching their heads. 'I just think four kids is a lot. Anything over two, I think, is too many,' she said. Jess, who has three children, agreed, adding: 'You know what? It's a lot of chaos. And just to spread yourself between the four of them. I don't know how you do it. I struggle with three.' The AFL WAG shares four children Oscar, 13, Billie, 10, and twins Darcy and Tom, eight with her husband Chris Judd Speaking to her Vain-ish podcast co-host Jessie Roberts, Bec's admission came as she recalled the moment she discovered she was expecting twins eight years ago Bec then gave an insight into her hectic lifestyle, admitting that it is a big challenge wrangling four children. 'It's like, we will be in the car and I'll be screaming at one of them, I'm threatening one to walk home. 'One's always injured or has some medical issue, or the school's calling about something,' she said. 'There's always something popping off.' It seems that the in-car yelling has rubbed off on her kids, with Bec admitting her children agree with her assessment. 'The kids in the car, when I'm screaming at them, just say: "Mum, when we grow up, we don't think we're going to have four kids it's too many,"' she laughed. 'I would not trade any of my kids in, but man, I would not recommend four!' Bec has never been one to shy away from sharing the minutiae of motherhood with her 725,000 Instagram followers - both good and bad. Bec is pictured with husband Chris and children Oscar, Billie, and twins Darcy and Tom Back in January, Bec took to her Instagram Stories to call out her two youngest children for causing havoc in the family's $7.3 million mansion in the Melbourne seaside suburb of Brighton. 'The last day of this bulls***,' Bec captioned a photo of Tom and Darcy's shared bedroom in a state of squalor. It came just a week after Bec said she was 'sick' of her twins still behaving like toddlers. 'I popped my head in to see what we're dealing with today,' Bec said in the video, which showed dirty and clean clothes, books, and toys strewn all over the twins' bedroom. All of the drawers in a large clothing chest had been pulled out, with clothes half pulled out of them and also thrown across the floor. 'How did we create these humans?' she asked her husband in the video's caption, tagging him. 'I'm packing up some s*** and found this,' Bec explained, as she zoomed in on a pile of glittery goop, which contained her sewing scissors and a stapler. 'What the f***, boys,' she vented about the slime. 'I say to them every day, "You are eight and a half, you are not toddlers anymore."' Cameron Diaz looked nearly unrecognizable as she stepped out in a fresh-faced, no-makeup look over the weekend. On Sunday, the 52-year-old actress was dressed for comfort as she modeled a casual, double denim outfit for a stroll in New York City. She seemed chill and comfortable as she walked around in the oversize ensemble with a relaxed fit a combination that was much different than her usual, glamorous looks. The Charlie's Angel star who saw many of her X-rated confessions about her steamy love life resurface earlier this year had her platinum blonde hair tied up in an effortless updo. She wore a pair of rectangular, gold-framed glasses and flashed a cheek-to-cheek grin as she made her way through the city. Her outing comes after the star, a vocal advocate of aging naturally, previously admitted to what cosmetic procedures she had gotten done in the past. Cameron Diaz looked nearly unrecognizable as she stepped out in a fresh-faced, no-makeup look over the weekend On Sunday, the 52-year-old actress was dressed for comfort as she modeled a casual, double denim outfit for a stroll in New York City Over a decade ago, she confessed to getting Botox injections but said she stopped as she regretted getting the procedure done. In January 2014, she spoke about her experience with injections at the time. 'I've tried [Botox] before, where it was like [a] little tiny touch of something,' she told ET at the time. 'It changed my face in such a weird way that I was like, "No, I don't want to [be] like [that]." I'd rather see my face aging than a face that doesn't belong to me at all.' She continued, adding that she learned to embrace her laugh lines. 'I love it. I don't mind. It's like, "Guess what this means, I've smiled my whole life." I love life. I'm happy I don't have a problem with that.' She also once publicly discussed getting a nose job in 2006 after she broke her nose from a surfing accident. This comes after her many X-rated confessions about her sex life over the years recently resurfaced. She looked radiant as she modeled a fresh-faced look compared to her usual, red carpet-ready get-ups She seemed chill and comfortable as she walked around in the oversize ensemble with a relaxed fit a combination that was much different than her usual, glamorous looks She had a bright smile on her face during her solo outing with various linen sheets on her arm, a brown crossbody bag on her shoulder and a hot beverage tumbler in tow She previously made a number of shocking admissions from her 'animalistic' tendencies in bed to how far she would go for a booty call. In various instances, the Back In Action star had also dished on one of her favorite places to have sex, her 'hungry vagina' and her sexual attraction to women. Diaz is currently married to Good Charlotte musician Benji Madden, 46, who once admitted he 'fears' her while making rare comments about their marriage. Before they tied the knot, the Charlie's Angels alum previously recalled how she journeyed many miles and 'traveled for c**k.' She also spoke about how her love language is definitely physical touch as her many confessions resurfaced earlier this year. Back in 2010, she dished to Playboy about how she went above and beyond for a booty call. 'Oh gosh, I can't even count how many times I've gotten on a plane for love. It's not unusual in this business; my lifestyle demands it.' The Charlie's Angel star who saw many of her X-rated confessions about her steamy love life resurface in April appeared to be wearing little to no makeup and had her platinum blonde hair tied up in an effortless updo She wore a pair of rectangular, gold-framed glasses and flashed a cheek-to-cheek grin as she made her way through the city She added: 'I'm always traveling for c**k. You've got to go where it is.' Diaz also once confessed to how she is 'primal' with her lover and how she enjoys having outdoor sex in the 'open' air. 'I'm primal on an animalistic level, kind of like, "Bonk me over the head, throw me on your shoulder. You man, me woman",' she said in the same interview with Playboy. 'There's something about moonlight on the body and things happening sort of free and open...' She added: 'I love to cuddle. I love physical contact. I have to be touching my lover, like, always. It's not optional. It's an absolute. My lover is everything to me.' Diaz also previously made an appearance on comedian Chelsea Handler's show, Chelsea Lately, in 2014 and stressed the importance of being educated about sex anatomy. Her outing comes just weeks after her many X-rated confessions about her sex life over the years recently resurfaced; pictured March in Paris She previously made a number of shocking admissions from her 'animalistic' tendencies in bed to how far she would go for a booty call; pictured May 2024 in Napa, California In various instances, the Back In Action star had also dished on one of her favorite places to have sex, her 'hungry vagina' and her sexual attraction to women; pictured September 2014 at Sex Tape film premiere in Berlin, Germany Diaz is currently married to Good Charlotte musician Benji Madden, 46, who once admitted he 'fears' her while making rare comments about their marriage; pictured June 2016 in Los Angeles 'For me, the vagina is such an integral part of the body. We think the vagina is on the outside,' she said before encouraging others to 'learn about it' and 'get in there' with consent. 'You're supposed to treat it like a beautiful flower the delicate flower that it is. And you're supposed to nurture it in all the ways that it needs nurturing. It's hungry.' She told Glamour in 2014 about her attraction to women. 'I think women are beautiful absolutely beautiful. 'I think that all women have been sexually attracted to another woman at some point,' she continued. 'It's natural to have a connectivity and an appreciation for the beauty of other women.' She also talked about her love for women in her Playboy interview from 2010. 'Sexuality and love can be different things. I can be attracted to a woman sexually,' she said. 'But it doesn't mean I want to be in love with a woman.' She added: 'If I'm going to be with a woman sexually, it doesn't mean I'm a lesbian. We put these restraints and definitions on people, but it's hard to define.' Blake Lively has been spoofed in a hilarious deposition skit by Los Angeles-based comedian Michael Pavano - who also roasted Sydney Sweeney amid woke backlash against her American Eagle campaign. Last week, Blake was accompanied by her husband Ryan, sister Robyn and eight lawyers as she gave evidence under oath in New York City as part of her ongoing legal battle with It Ends With Us director/co-star Justin Baldoni, who was also at the deposition with his own legal team. The pair are preparing to go to court next year in March after Lively accused Baldoni of sexual harassment and of creating a smear campaign against her in a lawsuit filed in December 2024. Shortly after last week's deposition, Michael parodied the Gossip Girl alum in a skit titled 'The Blake Lively Deposition.' The actor is no stranger to playing Blake in a number of videos uploaded to his Instagram and TikTok pages - where he has so far gained a combined total of nearly 1.2 million followers across both platforms. In one clip shared on Tuesday, he could be seen donning a blonde wig and multiple beanies - seemingly a reference to Blake's viral outfits that her character wore in It Ends With Us. Blake Lively has been spoofed in a hilarious deposition skit by Los Angeles-based comedian Michael Pavano - who also roasted Sydney Sweeney amid woke backlash against her American Eagle campaign The actress previously revealed that some of the items that she wore while filming the movie based on Colleen Hoover's novel of the same name were her own. 'A lot of it's my real-life clothes or my husband's clothes or my girlfriend Gigi's clothes,' she told Today last year, referencing to pal and model Gigi Hadid. 'I was borrowing some.' Michael's deposition video kicked off as his version of Blake was questioned why she chose to bring eight lawyers along with her. 'That's because they keep quitting,' he answered, mimicking the actress's voice. 'And I need rotation. Besides, walking into a room with eight lawyers behind you looks pretty bada** doesn't it Justin?' The camera then panned over to another actor playing Justin - who had both starred in and directed It Ends With Us. Blake was also cast in a leading role in the movie and she additionally received a producer credit as well. 'Please stop talking to me,' the actor playing Justin said. As the deposition skit began to carry on, Michael then interrupted to begin asking 'technical' questions about the camera before offering his own direction. A voice from behind the camera asked, 'Ms. Lively. Do you know that this is a legal deposition and not a film production?' Michael's deposition video kicked off as his version of Blake was questioned why she chose to bring eight lawyers along with her; the actor and comedian seen in May in L.A. 'That's because they keep quitting,' he answered, mimicking the actress's voice. 'And I need rotation. Besides, walking into a room with eight lawyers behind you looks pretty bada** doesn't it Justin?' 'Please stop talking to me,' the actor playing Justin said. As the deposition began to carry on, Michael then interrupted to begin asking 'technical' questions about the camera before offering his own direction 'Absolutely,' Michael replied. 'But I'm being recorded right now and I would like to make this something that we're both proud of. I'm trying to protect us both. 'So it would be great if we can just lose the top light and punch up the dialogue a little bit, please,' he continued. When asked to 'define' his role when it came to It Ends With Us per the contract, Michael answered, 'Well the contract said actor - lead actor - but I knew that I would be the heart and soul of the piece. 'So, I made sure on purpose I didn't reveal that I would be directing, editing, overseeing every aspect of the project. I just did it.' Blake previously claimed that her husband Ryan rewrote one of the scenes in the film and later apologized to the movie's screenwriter Christy Hall. The actor playing Justin calmly explained, 'When Blake first signed on to the movie, she told me that she didn't need control. Two days later, she took over craft services and renamed all the snacks. Why? Couldn't tell you.' He later said that she had sent him a different ending to the film for three months before the pair began to argue about his directing. Michael uploaded a second part to the deposition skit which showed Michael attempting to comb the actor playing Justin's hair. When asked to 'define' his role when it came to It Ends With Us per the contract, Michael answered, 'Well the contract said actor - lead actor - but I knew that I would be the heart and soul of the piece' Blake previously claimed that her husband Ryan rewrote one of the scenes in the film and later apologized to the movie's screenwriter Christy Hall; seen in May in NYC Other topics were brought up in the clip, such as Justin's name allegedly being removed from the It Ends With Us poster and claims Blake requested that Justin and his family stay in the basement during the NYC premiere of the film. 'Well, we were basically over capacity,' Michael said in response. 'Something had to give. It was either Justin's family or the floral archway. I also sent them a chacuterie board which by the way I was never thanked for.' His version of Blake later talked about saving the deposition and explained that it is a 'full-on character study.' Michael also parodied Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign last week in a video shared to his social media pages. He dressed in denim and mimicked her sultry voiceover from the ads - which have since garnered backlash from woke critics. Last week on Thursday, Blake was accompanied by her husband Ryan and sister Robyn to the deposition in NYC. Blake was also joined by eight lawyers, but her husband and sibling did not go into the same room as her where the deposition took place. Sources who had witnessed the star arrive to the deposition stated that she 'cut a confident figure.' Justin also was in the same room with Blake as well as his own business partner Jamie Heath and others. 'Well, we were basically over capacity,' Michael said in response. 'Something had to give. It was either Justin's family or the floral archway. I also sent them a chacuterie board which by the way I was never thanked for'; Justin seen in 2024 Michael also parodied Sydney Sweeney's American Eagle campaign last week in a video shared to his social media pages Blake claimed Justin was able to nuzzle her neck and comment on the way she smelled without anyone else on set hearing because their microphones were switched off. But footage which later emerged seemed to prove the opposite: not only were the microphones on, but the pair had spent most of the scene happily chatting about their respective spouses. Blake also claimed Justin orchestrated a negative media campaign against her have also been called into question thanks to her reliance on what his team have described as 'doctored' texts. Documents filed by Justin claim that the texts between his publicists Melissa Nathan and Jennifer Abel, had been edited to remove context and were incomplete. Earlier this year a New York judge tossed the actress's emotional distress claim after she refused to release her medical records to Justin's team. Blake also claimed Justin orchestrated a negative media campaign against her have also been called into question thanks to her reliance on what his team have described as 'doctored' texts; the pair seen on set of It Ends With Us in 2024 However last month Blake claimed total 'vindication' after the judge sensationally tossed almost all of Justin's $400 million countersuit against the actress and her husband Ryan. There will be further depositions before the case comes to trial in March next year. Blake's lawyers have subpoenaed 107 content creators who have circulated negative stories about her in what they say was a coordinated campaign. The creators say that the content arose organically due to Lively's behavior on the press tour for the film, and behavior on previous publicity tours which had given her a reputation for 'mean girl' behavior. Princess Ingrid Alexandra is certainly getting into the spirit of Australian student life. The future Queen of Norway, 21, is enrolled at the University of Sydney where she is studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree. But on Monday, Ingrid traded the lecture theatre for a boat party on Sydney Harbour, surrounded by her college girl gang. The party appeared to be Christmas-themed, with many revellers decked out in Santa Claus costumes. In Australia, it's become a quirky custom to hold ironic 'Christmas in July' celebrations during the Southern Hemisphere winter - a nod to the traditional cold-weather Christmas missed during the country's sweltering December. Ingrid - the daughter of Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit - was a vision in wintry white, pairing a T-shirt and matching jacket with wide-leg jeans, and accessorising with a Russian Cossack-style hat. From A-list scandals and red carpet mishaps to exclusive pictures and viral moments, subscribe to the Daily Mail's new showbiz newsletter to stay in the loop. Princess Ingrid Alexandra of Norway (centre) is certainly getting into the spirit of student life Princess Ingrid Alexandra is pictured here, in April 2025, at a palace gala dinner with her parents, Crown Prince Haakon and Crown Princess Mette-Marit The future Queen of Norway, 21, is enrolled at the University of Sydney where she is studying for a Bachelor of Arts degree Ingrid also wore a white feather boa, which looked to be de rigueur for the female partygoers, with many also sporting the fashion accessory. She carried her essentials in a large blue denim handbag. The young royal looked delighted to be taking a break from her studies, beaming as she arrived at the weekday party with friends. She looked particularly close to two girls, with the trio snapping selfies as they made their way onto the boat. It looked like quite the party, with photos showing the onboard bar fully stocked with Red Bull energy drinks in the refrigerator. After spending five hours on the yacht, onlookers say Ingrid Alexandra was picked up by two white BMWs vehicles that were previously used by Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark during their visits to Australia. She was driven to the Marly in Newtown - a King Street bar popular with uni students and known for its trivia nights. She was last seen buying a round of drinks for her mates. Apparently, things got a little more raucous when Ingrid's group of friends moved on from the Marly to the nearby Coopers Hotel. On Monday, Ingrid traded the lecture theatre for a boat party on Sydney Harbour, surrounded by her college girl gang The party appeared to be Christmas-themed. In Australia, it's become a quirky custom to hold ironic 'Christmas in July' celebrations during the Southern Hemisphere winter - a nod to the traditional cold-weather Christmas missed during the country's sweltering December Ingrid was a vision in wintry white, pairing a T-shirt and matching jacket with wide-leg jeans She accessorised with a Russian Cossack-style hat Some students were seen looking rather worse for wear in the street; however, it's unclear if Ingrid was still out at that point. Since moving Down Under, Ingrid has already formed a very close-knit circle of friends. Insiders say Ingrid's 'squad' has been fervently protecting her from the glare of the cameras. The princess' retinue - known locally as the 'paparazzi posse' - has been scoping the streets for photographers and peering into parked cars to check for lurking snappers. It's not for nothing, either, as police have reportedly been called on more than one occasion due to paparazzi activity. Police also appear to be doing regular patrols of the area surrounding Sydney University. Princess Ingrid Alexandra arrived in Australia to begin her three-year undergraduate degree in July. Taking to Instagram at the time, she said she was 'excited' to become a student and was 'looking forward to starting my studies'. She appeared in great spirits as she posed on the university's campus for the accompanying photo. It looked like quite the party, with photos showing the onboard bar fully stocked with Red Bull energy drinks in the refrigerator After five hours on the yacht, Ingrid Alexandra was picked up by two white BMWs vehicles previously used by Queen Mary and King Frederik of Denmark during their visits to Australia She was driven to the Marly in Newtown - a King Street bar popular with uni students and known for its trivia nights. She was last seen buying a round of drinks for her mates Apparently, things got a little more raucous when Ingrid's group of friends moved on from the Marly to the nearby Coopers Hotel. (General partygoers on the boat are shown here) It's unclear if Ingrid was still in attendance when the partying ramped up later on in the night Since moving Down Under, Ingrid has already formed a very close-knit circle of friends. Insiders say Ingrid's 'squad' has been fervently protecting her from the glare of the cameras We spied Norwegian reporters outside the University of Sydney campus Ingrid's new university friends have been trying to protect her from the paparazzi Police have reportedly been called on more than one occasion due to paparazzi activity Police also appear to be doing regular patrols of the area surrounding Sydney University Along with the selection of new photographs, the Royal Household's full statement from Ingrid Alexandra read: 'I'm looking forward to starting my studies at the University of Sydney. 'It will be exciting to become a student, and I'm looking forward to gaining new perspectives on both European and international politics. I'm sure that I will learn a lot.' Ingrid's decision to move to Australia to continue her studies comes after Norway's future queen embarked on military training at the Engineer Battalion in Brigade Nord the only brigade of the Norwegian Army last year. While she is certainly adjusting to Australian party life, Ingrid appears to still be getting the hang of Aussie road rules. She was spotted making a slight slip-up on Saturday when she and a female friend tried to hop into a waiting Uber from the wrong side. Evidently used to left-hand drive vehicles, the princess was seen reaching for the door handle on the driver's side. Tammy Hembrow showcased her incredible figure and slender curves on Tuesday night as she stepped out for the Sydney premiere of Disney's Freakier Friday. The fitness influencer, 30, turned heads in a daring floor-length blush pink gown with an extreme plunging neckline that was so low-cut, it teetered on the brink of a wardrobe malfunction. In a bold move, she went braless underneath, with the gown showcasing her surgically enhanced assets. The barely-there halter design clung to her curves and featured a cinched waist and thigh-high split with beaded fringe detail that shimmered under the lights. Tammy paired the eye-popping gown with slouchy brown suede boots - a bold choice for the otherwise glam look - and carried a black mini handbag. A delicate black choker added a subtle edge to her ensemble, while her signature blonde locks were styled in soft, loose waves with butterfly clips. Tammy Hembrow showcased her incredible figure and slender curves on Tuesday night The fitness influencer turned heads in a daring floor-length blush pink gown In a bold move, she went braless underneath, with the gown showcasing her surgically enhanced assets The barely-there halter design clung to her curves and featured a cinched waist Her makeup was polished and radiant, with feathered brows, pink glossy lips, and a generous dose of bronzer highlighting her sun-kissed complexion, while gold hoop earrings completed the elegant look. At one point, Tammy was caught in an embarrassing moment with fellow influencer Suzan Mutesi, who was definitely not keen to give up the limelight to the blonde beauty. Suzan, 38, is certainly no stranger to flaunting her unique sense of style on the red carpet. And she did just that, turning heads in a stunning lilac-coloured gown that featured eye-catching sequin and diamante embellishments. The gown also featured a dramatic train that Suzan proudly held aloft as she happily posed for photographers. Suzan shared a video of her red carpet moment to her Instagram Stories that showed her clearly uninterested in sharing the spotlight with Tammy. While Tammy's outfit certainly drew attention, fans were quick to notice something else - a series of small red and brown spots scattered across her chest. The influencer struck a series of confident poses on the carpet and looked to be having a great time on the night. Tammy paired the eye-popping gown with slouchy brown suede boots While Tammy's outfit certainly drew attention, fans were quick to notice something else - a series of small red and brown spots scattered across her chest Tammy turned heads at the Disney event Also in attendance at the premiere were film stars Lindsay Lohan, 39, and Jamie Lee Curtis, and many were left in tears after the Hollywood stars walked straight past them before walking the red carpet at the Sydney event. The movie stars arrived at the premiere and rushed past the fan area before heading upstairs to the media section. On the red carpet, Lindsay spoke to a few Australian publications while her co-star Jamie Lee was interviewed by several media outlets. Many fans broke down in tears when they realised they wouldn't be meeting the Hollywood stars despite waiting in line for over eight hours. One fan got down on her knees and sobbed after discovering Lindsay had left without signing any autographs or taking any photos with fans. Heidi Klum just revealed she's embarking on her first-ever worm and parasite cleanse. 'I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done it. So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out,' the German 52-year-old told the Wall Street Journal on Monday. 'I'm starting this now, and you have to do this for months. It's like a whole thing.' Heidi went on to claim that every human being has parasites and worms inside their body, especially if you enjoy raw fish. 'If you are someone who eats raw things every now and then, like, for example, sushi. There are pills [to get rid of them],' Klum explained. 'They have all of these herbs. There's a lot of clove in there. The parasite hates clove. They also hate the seeds from a papaya. We have all this metal inside of us, and it's also very important that you use this de-metaling stuff.' Heidi Klum just revealed she's embarking on her first-ever worm and parasite cleanse (pictured June 16) Ironically, the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Halloween' dressed up as an earthworm during her 21st annual bash at Sake No Hana in Manhattan's Lower East Side back in 2022. As usual, Heidi collaborated with Oscar-nominated, special effects make-up artist Mike Marino and his Prosthetic Renaissance team of 15 on the epic costume. Klum will next appear on ABC's Good Morning America this Wednesday to promote the 21st season of Project Runway. The Emmy-winning host reunites with her America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara on the next episode of the reality TV design competition airing this Thursday on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu. OG Project Runway judge Nina Garcia and celebrity stylist Law Roach joined Klum as judges while Project Runway season 4 champ Christian Siriano returned as mentor to the designers. Heidi previously hosted Project Runway for 16 seasons spanning 2004-2018 before exiting to co-host rival competition Making the Cut on Amazon Prime Video alongside Tim Gunn for three seasons spanning 2020-2022. 'Project Runway is my first television baby,' Klum gushed to the WSJ. 'It's something that I have helped create, help sell to the network that ended up choosing us at the time. I love the show. I'm proud of the show. 'I feel like we've come a long way. We talked about important things on the show that were kind of groundbreaking, I thought, at the time, including body positivity. So I feel like, "Yes, I'm coming back." But you know, in my heart, I was never really gone.' The German 52-year-old told the Wall Street Journal on Monday: 'I heard that you're supposed to do this once a year, and I've never done it. So I feel like I'm really behind. I don't know what the heck is going to come out' (pictured July 23) Heidi continued: 'I'm starting this now, and you have to do this for months. It's like a whole thing' (pictured July 21) Ironically, the self-proclaimed 'Queen of Halloween' dressed up as an earthworm during her 21st annual bash at Sake No Hana in Manhattan's Lower East Side back in 2022 As usual, Klum collaborated with Oscar-nominated, special effects make-up artist Mike Marino and his Prosthetic Renaissance team of 15 on the epic costume The Emmy-winning host will next appear on ABC's Good Morning America this Wednesday to promote the 21st season of Project Runway (pictured Tuesday) Heidi reunites with her America's Got Talent judge Sofia Vergara (R, pictured in 2023) on the next episode of the reality TV design competition airing this Thursday on Freeform, Disney+, and Hulu Klum gushed to the WSJ: 'Project Runway is my first television baby. It's something that I have helped create, help sell to the network that ended up choosing us at the time...In my heart, I was never really gone' In February, Spice Girls alum Mel B officially replaced Heidi as judge on the 20th season of America's Got Talent, which currently airs Tuesdays on NBC/Peacock. On the personal front, the Erewhon brand ambassador and her third husband - Tokio Hotel guitarist Tom Kaulitz - celebrated their sixth wedding anniversary on Monday. At 35, the German rocker is 17 years younger than Klum, but they've been going strong since meeting on the set of Germany's Next Topmodel in 2018. The Calzedonia brand ambassador welcomed four children - daughter Leni, 21 (with Flavio Briatore); son Henry, 19; son Johan, 18; and daughter Lou, 15 - during her seven-year marriage to second ex-husband Seal, which ended in 2012. Nick Knowles looked unimpressed on Tuesday as he took his new wife Katie's Range Rover to be wrapped at Valet Magic in Surrey. The DIY SOS star, 62, was spotted at the car customising company who have previously modified Katie Price and Lauren Goodger's vehicles. Nick took the 4x4 in while his wife Katie, 35, rested at their Windsor home following her recent hysterectomy. The presenter appeared disappointed with the result as he spotted scratches and dents on the new satin black wrap. Nick and the owner of the garage were seen pointing out the marks and discussing the situation. It comes after Katie opened up about the 'awful' heartbreaking truth about her wedding to husband Nick live on Lorraine - just weeks after their special day. Nick Knowles looked unimpressed on Tuesday as he took his new wife Katie's Range Rover to be wrapped at Valet Magic in Surrey The DIY SOS star, 62, was spotted at the car customising company who have previously modified Katie Price and Lauren Goodger 's vehicles Katie, who tied the knot with the presenter on June 7, recently underwent a hysterectomy after 'surviving' years of 'pain'. A hysterectomy is a major operation which involves removing the entire uterus, can be carried out to treat pelvic pain, fibroids cancer or heavy periods. The star spoke to guest host Christine Lampard, 46, about her 'awful' periods, which resulted in her throwing up, not being able to get out of bed and taking numerous pain killers to deal with it. Christine pointed out: 'It was stopping you from living your best life, for a good half of the month anyway, you couldn't move...' Katie said: 'I couldn't do anything. So the period week, the build up to my period, when I ovulated, it was just more and more of the month as I got older.' The lingerie boss had to carefully plan out her events in the diary to match up with her cycle - which included making sure her big day wasn't on a day where she could be in pain. Katie continued: 'I couldn't do things with the kids, go out for a night out, everything kind of had to be scheduled around when I was due on and when I knew I'd be in pain... Including the wedding!' Katie and Nick started dating in 2021 and got engaged two years later. Nick took the 4x4 in while his wife Katie, 35, rested at their Windsor home following her recent hysterectomy The presenter appeared disappointed with the result as he spotted scratches and dents on the new satin black wrap Nick and the owner of the garage were seen pointing out the marks and discussing the situation The pair later appeared to resolve the issue Nick cut a casual figure in a blue T-shirt and brown trousers Nick is proud dad to two children who he shares with Gillian Knowles, who he was married to between 1996 and 2000. He also shares a son with Paula Beckett, as well as another son with ex-wife Jessica Moor, who he was married to between 2012 and 2017. Meanwhile, Katie shares two kids from a previous relationship. Katie shared that she had a hysterotomy in an Instagram post earlier this month as she posted snaps in her hospital gown. The candid post saw the mother-of-two open up about living through almost unbearable pain which left her 'vomiting, curled up in bed and missing out on life'. A hysterectomy is a surgical procedure which removes a woman's womb and may also involve the removal of other organs, such as the ovaries. Katie's caption read: 'Im 35 and Ive just had a hysterectomy. 'Ive lived with pcos, endometriosis and adenomyosis since Moses wore short pants And no, it wasnt just a bad period. 'It was constant hospital trips. Multiple laparoscopies. Bleeding through clothes. Vomiting from the pain. Being curled up in bed, missing out on life. 'It was extreme bloating that made me look pregnant. It was migraines, stabbing pains in my legs, butt and stomach. It was chronic fatigue. It was hiding in loos, crying over another ruined day. It was my daughters terrified of getting their periods in case they end up like mummy. Katie opened up about the 'awful' heartbreaking truth about her wedding to husband Nick live on Lorraine - just weeks after their special day The 35-year-old, who tied the knot with the DIY SOS star (pictured) on June 7, recently underwent a hysterectomy after 'surviving' years of 'pain' Katie said: 'I couldn't do anything. So the period week, the build up to my period, when I ovulated, it was just more and more of the month as I got older' 'Years of misdiagnosis & being fobbed off. Told to take painkillers. That it was normal. It wasnt. Ive cried on bathroom floors. Ive bled through clothes in public. Ive had 3 surgeries. Ive tried every pill, every patch, every hormone tweak. Ive been put on a medical menopause just to get through uni. 'And still the pain came.' Katie also spoke about not being able to recognise herself due to the pain her diagnosis brought her. Post-operation, she candidly admitted she feels 'less like a woman', but said she took the decision to undergo the surgery in order to 'take her life back'. Katie wrote: 'It feels like something in me has changed, apart form being sans uterus. Right now, Im in lots of pain. I'm bloated. Im exhausted. Im hot. Im forgetful. Im hot (see how that works on multiple levels. 'I feel raw and less like myself. Less like a woman, if Im being really honest. But this was a decision I made to take my life back. To stop surviving and start living again, & have days that arent defined by pain. 'This is hopefully the beginning of healing. The beginning of self-love, scars, stitches and all. And please, if youve made it this far, I ask gently: This is something deeply personal. 'If youre tempted to leave a judgmental or flippant comment, Im asking you to just scroll on. There is a real person behind this post.' Katie and Nick, 27 years her senior, exchanged vows last month during a lavish six-figure wedding at Braxted Park in Essex. The couple were thought to have spared no expense on the ceremony, which was attended by a host of celebrity guests including Nick's Strictly Come Dancing co-stars. Katie revealed she's undergone a hysterectomy after living through years of almost unbearable pain Katie shared the news to her Instagram, posting videos of herself post-operation Admitting she's 'still in pain' after the surgery, she was seen with bandages on her lower stomach Nick cut a sharp figure on the big day in a pink blazer, while the new Mrs Knowles slipped in an eye-catching white and blue floral number. The newly weds have however been the subject of cruel trolling during their relationship, with critics mocking their age difference and financial setup. Katie, began dating her spouse in 2021, hit back at those dubbing her a 'gold digger', revealing they don't get to her as much as they used to because she and Nick know it's not true. Speaking exclusively to Daily Mail, she said of their age gap: ''I think at the start, it was probably more irritating, especially for my family. But now those comments kind of just pass over me because we both know it's not true. Katie stressed: 'Nick works hard, he has what he has. I work hard, I have what I have and then we buy each other stuff.' Katie continued: 'We're both really comfortable with where we are with that and you will always get it because there's an age gap. 'I know plenty of people who are together and the same age where someone's using the other one for money and they're not happy. 'So as long as I know it's not true and he knows it's not true, I think that's, that's pretty much all that matters.' Nick has an estimated 7.5 million net worth but Katie has built up an impressive lingerie brand, having launched Boa Boa in 2022. She has proved to be her own best advert for the brand, modelling the skimpy looks to her 102,000 Instagram followers. Abbie Chatfield has taken to social media to give her two cents on Sydney Sweeney's controversial American Eagle campaign. The advert, which saw the Euphoria actress, 27, model items for the clothing brand under the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans', blew up on social media, with some labelling the campaign as 'Nazi propaganda' and others calling the backlash 'woke' and 'ridiculous.' The podcaster and former reality star slammed Sydney and American Eagle in an Instagram rant posted on Tuesday, saying that it's 'not a good look' and that the campaign points to issues of white supremacy in positions of power. 'People are quick to either absolve Sweeney of fault, saying she is merely talent and "didn't write the script", OR they are putting the entire blame on her. I don't think either is true,' the 30-year-old captioned the post, which has amassed over 5,000 likes. 'Sweeney is DEFINITELY at fault, after all, they couldn't do the shoot without her. If she didn't agree with the way the ad was taken, she could have easily issued a statement by now. But as was made public yesterday, she is a registered Republican,' Abbie continued. Sweeney's political affiliation was initially reported by Buzzfeed. Abbie Chatfield (pictured) has taken to social media to give her two cents on Sydney Sweeney's controversial American Eagle campaign The advert, which saw Sydney Sweeney (pictured) model items for the clothing brand under the tagline 'Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans', blew up on social media, with some labelling the campaign as 'Nazi propaganda' and others calling the backlash 'woke' and 'ridiculous' In the clip, Abbie went on to blame the 'eugenics propaganda' ad on the lack of representation of minority groups in powerful positions. 'People are saying, "How could no one have said anything?" People definitely said something. 'Young people, I think people of colour, would have flagged it.' She added: 'The issue is no one listens to these people... because people of colour in these workplaces would have been silenced and dismissed and gaslit and told that they were overreacting. 'Unless a person of colour is in power, nothing will change. And that's also why it's so important to have people of colour or people of different marginalised groups in power.' Since the campaign's backlash, American Eagle has defended face of the ad, Sydney in a statement released earlier this week. '"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.' Beginning late last month, Sydney starred in a number of ads for American Eagle's denim campaign. Since the campaign's backlash, American Eagle has defended face of the ad Sydney in a statement released earlier this week 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 colour, personality and even eye colour. 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. 'My body's composition is determined by my genes,' she said, and stopped to add, 'Hey, eyes up here.' The camera then jumped back up to her face. The campaign has since garnered a woke backlash from some critics, with one sharing on social media, 'So Sydney (and 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.' Victoria Beckham, Emma Bunton and Mel C all shared a birthday tribute to Geri Horner - but there was nothing from Mel B as rumours of a feud rumble on. Speculation that all is not well among the famous girl band has been rife for weeks after Geri was noticeably absent from Mel B's London wedding last month. While Geri did not attend Mel's big day, amid claims things are still tense between the pair, the other members attempted to show that the girl power remains strong. Victoria shared a picture of herself with Geri and Emma, alongside the caption: 'Happy birthday Geri. Kisses Emma! xx'. Meanwhile, Mel C shared her own heartfelt message, writing: 'Happy birthday darling Geri, our Ginger Spice. Have an amazing day, love you to pieces.' Mel posted a throwback snaps of the band's heyday, as well as more recent pictures of the women together. Victoria Beckham , Emma Bunton and Mel C all shared a birthday tribute to Geri Horner - but there was nothing from Mel B as rumours of a feud rumble on Baby Spice took to Instagram to share a throwback snap from the band's 90s heyday She captioned the post: 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful friend @gerihalliwellhorner! Love you to bits. Have the most gorgeous day' Baby Spice took to Instagram to share a throwback snap from the band's 90s heyday, as well as an image of herself and Geri from her wedding to husband Christian Horner in 2015. She captioned the post: 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful friend @gerihalliwellhorner! Love you to bits. Have the most gorgeous day.' Over the weekend, Emma and Geri's bandmate Mel C was the only member of the group to attend Mel B's 'spiritual' second wedding to Rory McPhee in Morocco. While Emma made the first ceremony at London's St Paul's cathedral last month, Geri nor Victoria were in attendance at either do - though the latter sent her apologies. 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 attended the North African ceremony, however it wasn't meant to be. Geri's no show was said to be down to hers and Mel's tempestuous relationship. The two women went to war after Mel revealed during an interview on Piers Morgan's Life Stories that she had an intimate relationship with Geri when the band was starting out. Geri was deeply upset by the bombshell revelation in 2019, for which Mel has apparently never apologised. In recent years, the Spice Girls have been the subject of several feud rumours, with one said fallout occurring just last year. In December, it was reported that Netflix had given the feuding band a 'stark ultimatum' over a much publicised TV biopic, which could net all five members 1million each. According to The Sun the streaming service stepped in after Geri decided to back out of her involvement in the project, after she Mel B, Mel C, Emma and Victoria were all approached. Mel posted a throwback snaps of the band's heyday, as well as more recent pictures of the women together Meanwhile, Mel C shared her own heartfelt message, writing: 'Happy birthday darling Geri, our Ginger Spice. Have an amazing day, love you to pieces' One of Emma's snaps showed herself and Geri at her 2015 wedding to Christian Horner, with the caption: 'Happy Birthday to my beautiful friend @gerihalliwellhorner! Love you to bits' Speculation that all is not well among the famous girl band has been rife for weeks after Geri was noticeably absent from Mel B's London wedding last month Geri's husband Christian wished his wife happy birthday in his own post The publication reports that Netflix has told the band to make up otherwise, much like controversial drama The Crown, will make the show without any input from the people featured in it. A source said: 'Executives are keen to have all the group on board providing as much input as possible - after all they are pop royalty. 'But Netflix are the organisation who defied the wishes of real royalty and went ahead and made The Crown, so they aren't afraid to go it alone when they have to. 'The project is in its very early stages so there's plenty of time to get all five Spice Girls involved.' The month before, Geri's husband Christian Horner was forced to deny claims he was to blame for 'derailing' the band's TV project. It came after Ginger Spice reportedly turned down the lucrativeTV drama deal for the nineties pop group amid rumours she and Christian have been approached to make a 'really personal' fly-on-the-wall TV series. Dismissing reports of a documentary earlier this year, Christian told the PA news agency: 'There is a lot being written about different things, but there are absolutely no plans to do a family documentary. 'Netflix do enough, and you see enough of the behind-the-scenes on that. So where that report has come from, I have absolutely no idea.' Owen Cooper is set to break records if he is awarded the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Netflix series Adolescence. And the actor, who plays teenager murderer Jamie Miller in the series, certainly earned his stripes looking at the fast-paced screenplay he had to memorise. Owen, 15, impressed fans with a particularly gripping scene with a child psychologist played by Erin Doherty after he was awaiting trial for the murder of a young girl. If he is awarded the Emmy, Owen will be become the youngest person to receive the accolade at the ceremony in September. While parts of the scene was improvised, a social media video has shown the complex script that Owen had to learn ahead of filming. Fans in the comments section were convinced that Owen will take home the gong, writing: 'This scene is going to win this show an Emmy'; 'This kid deserves an Emmy'; 'This is the best limited series I've seen in a long time. The acting is so powerful it hurts. It deserves to win all the possible awards'; Owen Cooper is set to break records if he is awarded the Emmy for Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie for his role in Netflix series Adolescence Fans in the comments section were convinced that Owen will take home the gong 'That whole last part being improved'; 'This scene was unreal and some of the best acting I've ever seen from a kid'; 'Extraordinary. This show will be remembered for a lifetime'; 'This scene holds everything: tension, vulnerability, control. A standout moment in a series full of them'. Earlier this year, Owen became one of the youngest Emmy Award nominees ever after the shortlist for this year's awards was announced. The Warrington schoolboy will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars' if he scoops the accolade for his role in one of Netflix's most-watched series ever which has swept the board with 13 nods. Owen has been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category at the Primetime after he starred alongside his on screen dad Stephen Graham. He will go up against his co-star Ashley Walters who has been nominated for his first Emmy in the same category after his role as DI Luke Bascombe. In his very first acting job, Owen played Jamie Miller, a 13-year-old arrested by armed police on suspicion of murder, in the gripping series which had the nation talking earlier this year. The youngest person ever to have won a Primetime Emmy is Roxana Zal, who at just 14 scored the Best Supporting Actress gong in 1984 for her role TV movie Something About Amelia. Owen, 15, impressed fans with a particularly gripping scene with a child psychologist played by Erin Doherty after he was awaiting trial for the murder of a young girl While parts of the scene was improvised, a social media video has shown the complex script that Owen had to learn ahead of filming Earlier this year, Owen became one of the youngest Emmy Award nominees ever after the shortlist for this year's awards was announced Meanwhile Scott Jacoby is the youngest male, making history when he bagged the Best Supporting Actor at 16 in 1973 for drama That Certain Summer. The show is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and The Penguin. Daily Mail previously revealed that Adolescence star would be entered in the Best Supporting Actor category, as opposed to Best Actor, which experts hailed as a 'genius move' and said would massively boost his chances of winning. Also in the category with Owen and Ashley is Javier Bardem, for his role in Monsters: The Lyle And Erik Menendez Story, Bill Camp and Peter Sarsgaard, for their respective roles in Presumed Innocent and Rob Delaney, for his role in Dying For Sex. Speaking about his nomination, Ashley gushed: 'This is such an honour. This nomination means the world to me not just as recognition, but as a reminder of how far I've come. 'It's for everyone who stood by me through the highs and the lows, who believed in me when I needed it most. 'It's a testament to the power of perseverance. Dreams are important but it's the hard work, the setbacks, the growth, and the consistency that make them real. 'Five years ago, this felt out of reach. Today, I'm incredibly proud not just for myself, but to stand alongside a group of artists I admire deeply. Owen has been nominated for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category at the Primetime after he starred alongside his on screen dad Stephen Graham (pictured together) He will go up against his co-star Ashley Walters who has been nominated for his first Emmy in the same category after his role as DI Luke Bascombe 'What we made together is something I'll carry with me forever, and to see it acknowledged on this level is truly special. 'Thank you to the Emmys for this nomination. To my wife and kids thank you for grounding me and giving me purpose. To my family and friends, for being my foundation. 'To my team, who've worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the entire cast and crew thank you for your brilliance and your heart. This moment is for all of us.' Owen, who hails from a proudly working class estate in central Warrington, was chosen from 500 candidates for the role of Jamie. It was his first-ever acting job and no one in his family has a background in the industry. He is being supported on his meteoric rise by dad Andy, an IT worker, and mum Noreen, a carer. Speaking about the change in their lives, Noreen said: 'It's such a shock, but we're getting on with it.' Last month Owen revealed he had even received praise from one huge Hollywood star, none other than Leonardo DiCaprio. During his appearance on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, Owen revealed the Leonardo DiCaprio left him a video message when he was with his onscreen dad Stephen Graham During his appearance on Jimmy Fallon's talk show, Owen revealed the Oscar winner left him a video message when he was with his onscreen dad Stephen Graham. He said: 'Stephen Graham sent me a video yesterday and it's Leonardo DiCaprio sat next to him and he was saying 'Hey Owen, I'm such a big fan of Adolescene'. 'And I was like 'What!'' Brand and culture expert Nick Ede predicted Owen could follow in Timothee Chalamet's footsteps and become 'the toast of Hollywood'. He told MailOnline: 'The phenomenal success of Adolescence has taken the TV world by storm and critics have been raving about Owen's stand-out performance. 'The Hollywood elite love a rags-to-riches story and, at 15 and his first ever role, this young actor who was brought up in humble surroundings could soon become Hollywood's hottest property and follow the path of many other child stars who have become household names, like Millie Bobby Brown or Timothee Chalamet. 'I'm sure writers will already be presenting his agents with scripts and synopsis that will feature him.' The Emmy awards ceremony will take place in LA on September 14. Teddi Mellencamp has claimed she discovered now estranged husband Edwin Arroyave's affair with a mutual friend just days before making her debut on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills in 2017. During an appearance on the latest episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show, the reality star, 44, spoke about her marriage, having paused divorce proceedings amid her cancer battle, and claimed her diagnosis was 'payback' for her own infidelities, which occurred after her husband's. Teddi, who appeared as on Bravo's RHOBH until 2020, said that while she has since made her own 'huge mistakes' the discovery of Edwin's affair left her 'broken' and she was forced to beg him to stay. She said: 'It was with somebody I knew. I mean, I'm not saying that I didn't make huge mistakes, and in my marriage post that, but that broke me'. 'That was the first time in my life where I was like, how will I show up every day with a smile on my face and raise these kids, and be this perfect wife and start a television show and become somebody that people like or they think are funny?'. Teddi, who shares children Slate, 12, Cruz, 10, and Dove, 5, with Edwin, went on to explain how the betrayal affected her appearance on the show as she 'faked' her way through filming in a bid to avoid the news becoming public for the sake of her kids. Teddi Mellencamp has claimed she discovered now estranged husband Edwin Arroyave's affair with a friend just days before making her debut on The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills During an appearance on the latest episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show , the reality star, 44, spoke about her marriage, having paused divorce proceedings amid her cancer battle, and claimed her diagnosis was 'payback' for her own infidelities (pictured with Edwin in 2019) Teddi (left) pictured on the show with (L-R) Lisa Vanderpump in 2018 'My first season on Housewives, thats what I was going through. People say, Oh you seem kind of quiet or you were kind of passive or but thats not really who you are. I was like, well I wasnt faking who I was, I was coping. I was so scared that someone was going to find out and ruin my familys life'. MailOnline have contacted Edwin's representatives for comment. Teddi filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years, on November 1, 2024, also citing irreconcilable differences. Then, in February 2025, she publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis, pausing the divorce proceedings. Despite everything, Teddi and Edwin have remained close and have a amicable co-parenting relationship. Elsewhere in the interview Teddi finally broke her silence regarding the alleged affair with her horse trainer, Simon Schroeder after the controversy hit the headlines in late 2024. She said: 'I've never talked about it at all, just because of the kids, and I've never wanted anybody to have a guarantee whether it happened or didn't happen,' Teddi explained. 'But what I can say is, did I do things that hurt other people? Yes.' As her eyes welled with tears, the mother-of-three reflected on how deeply the situation continues to affect her, without confirming or denying whether the cheating scandal occurred. Teddi, who appeared as on Bravo's RHOBH from 2017 until 2020, said that while she has since made her own 'mistakes' the discovery of the affair left her 'broken' Teddi went on to explain how the betrayal affected her on the Bravo show as she 'faked' her way through filming for the sake of her kids (pictured on the show) Teddi filed for divorce from her husband of 13 years citing irreconcilable differences. Then she publicly revealed her cancer diagnosis (pictured together 2022) 'To this day, does it still hurt my heart and I wonder if that's why I got cancer? Yes, like it was my payback,' she said, referencing her ongoing battle with stage 4 cancer after her melanoma spread to her brain and lungs. 'Nothing goes without payment,' she added. 'However long it was it was all over the press, it was everywhere. You're trying to minimize everybody's pain. You end up maximizing it. Because now not only do you have yourself, you have your significant other, your kids, the other person's significant other, their kids.' Court records confirm that Schroeder's ex-wife, Karli Schroeder, filed for divorce on December 30, 2024, just months after rumors of an affair began circulating. The documents, obtained by People, cited irreconcilable differences and revealed that the couple had remarried on April 14, 2024, after annulling a prior marriage in February. They officially separated on September 22, 2024. The allegations involving Simon emerged while she was also going through a difficult period in her personal life. 'I always knew he'd do the right thing by me,' she said during the podcast. 'If he wanted to, he could still be filing and finishing this divorce off right now. But it was like, 'Yeah, of course. No, we'll wait. We'll wait until she's better, and then we'll figure it out.' When asked directly about her role in the scandal, she didn't shy away from the wreckage left behind. Elsewhere in the interview Teddi finally broke her silence regarding the alleged affair with her horse trainer, Simon Schroeder after the controversy hit the headlines in late 2024 'I've never talked about it at all, just because of the kids, and I've never wanted anybody to have a guarantee whether it happened or didn't happen,' Mellencamp, 44, explained Despite everything Teddi and Edwin have remained close and have a amicable co-parenting relationship (pictured 2019) 'So many people are hurt in the wreckage,' she said. 'But I can say this from knowing the wreckage doesn't happen on its own. It never had happened to me,' Teddi said. She acknowledged she was in a dark place mentally and physically during that period. 'I think I was so broken as a human being during that part of my life that I did things out of my better judgment,' she admitted. 'I was so sick.' Teddi revealed she had been experiencing 'severe and debilitating headaches' for months before doctors discovered tumors. 'I was looking for comfort anywhere I can get it. I felt so much pain. I felt so sick. I didn't go to the doctors. I just felt some certain kind of way,' she said. 'The pain was so much that I had gotten to the point of like, almost hating waking up in the morning, which I had never been that kind of person.' Still, she emphasized that illness doesn't excuse her choices. 'I wasn't myself, but I'm not going to blame my alleged actions on the fact that I was sick,' Teddi said. 'But I do think a bunch of things happened in my life all around the same time, and I had zero control of any of them. Like I just was running around like a chicken with my head cut off.' Tammy Hembrow has revealed whether or not she's seeing anyone after her marriage with Matthew Zukowski broke down after just seven months. The fitness influencer, 31, jetted out of Sydney Airport on Wednesday, after attending the Freakier Friday premiere alongside Lindsay Lohan. When asked if she was still single, Tammy laughed heartily and said, 'Yes!' Then asked if she was on any dating apps, Tammy giggled disbelievingly and insisted, 'No, no. Not at all.' The social media star was dressed for comfort after her big night out, opting for a loose-fitting, pale grey tracksuit. It swamped her tiny form as she made her way through the terminal while wheeling along a carry-on case. Tammy Hembrow (pictured) has revealed whether or not she's seeing anyone after her marriage with Matthew Zukowski broke down after just seven months The fitness influencer, 31, jetted out of Sydney Airport on Wednesday, after attending the Freakier Friday premiere alongside Lindsay Lohan Tammy later removed her sweatshirt and revealed an equally loose t-shirt underneath, and showed off her designer handbag, which was slung over her arm. Despite her casual ensemble, the designer still wore makeup, opting for a natural look with a matte pink lipstick. The night before, Tammy cut a very different figure in a very revealing, slinky pink dress that put her ample assets on show as she walked the red carpet at the Freakier Friday premiere. Tammy and her former husband Matt confirmed they had split on social media in June. Love Island Australia star Matt announced the couple's separation in a sombre Instagram Story, telling fans the decision was not taken lightly. 'Both of us have struggled with making this decision, however we need to do what is right,' he said. It comes after Tammy set tongues wagging by posting a video with her ex-fiance. The star, who split with Reece Hawkins in 2018, shared a clip on TikTok that showed her posing alongside her former partner, 30, and the two kids they share, Saskia, 9, and Wolf, 10. Tammy later removed her sweatshirt and revealed an equally loose t-shirt underneath, and showed off her designer handbag, which was slung over her arm The night before, Tammy cut a very different figure in a very revealing, slinky pink dress that put her ample assets on show as she walked the red carpet at the Freakier Friday premiere The family were all smiles, with Tammy even lovingly touching Reece's arm as they all broke out into fits of laughter. 'Whole gang's here,' she captioned the post, which has amassed nearly 900,000 likes and 11.8 million views. Fans flooded the comments section, with many hoping that Tammy and Reece would rekindle their relationship. However, word has spread that Reece was off the market after appearing on Gold Coast influencer Olivia Kelly's Instagram page. The fitness trainer, who formerly dated AFL star Jamarra Ugle-Hagan, recently posted a photo of herself on her Instagram story, which was layered over another picture showing a chess board and a man with tattooed arms. The ink matches that of Reece, who is known for his heavily-tattooed body. What's more, Olivia recently shared a photo of herself hugging a dog, which appeared to be Reece's Golden Retriever. Thylane Blondeau showed off her svelte physique in a high-leg black swimsuit as she soaked up the sun in Saint Tropez, France on Tuesday. The 24-year-old model, who is dubbed 'most beautiful girl in the world', enjoyed a dip in the ocean after enjoying lunch at beachfront Le Club 55. Fans recently discovered Thylane was once named the most beautiful girl in the world and shared her modelling snaps over the years. While very much now a grown up, the striking features that made her a recognisable child are still apparent. The French model looked out of this world in her skimpy swimwear during her relaxing beach day. She teamed her stylish ensemble with black-rimmed chunky sunglasses and gold jewellery. Thylane Blondeau, 24, showed off her svelte physique in a high-leg black swimsuit as she soaked up the sun in Saint Tropez, France on Tuesday The 24-year-old model, who is dubbed 'most beautiful girl in the world', enjoyed a dip in the ocean after enjoying lunch at celebrity hotspot Le Club 55 Thylane was three when she was catapulted to the spotlight after an agent for the legendary fashion designer Jean Paul Gaultier picked her out of a crowd in The Champs-Elysees and sent her strutting down a runway. As well as her infamous cover shoot for Vogue Enfants, she has gone on to work for some of the biggest couture brands in the world including Miu Miu, Dolce & Gabbana, L'Oreal Paris, Versace, Ralph Lauren and Hugo Boss. Thylane walked for Jean Paul Gaultier at the age of four and then later, aged 10, became the youngest ever model to pose for Vogue Paris. In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, she said she distanced herself from the girl who was once declared the world's 'most beautiful'. 'Even today, people are like, "you are the most beautiful girl," and I'm like, "no, I'm still not, I'm just a human being, a teenager.' Since reaching adulthood, the model has also used her platform to share a private health battle that affects women the world over. In 2021, Paris-based Blondeau revealed she'd recently had multiple surgeries for complications with ovarian cysts. The French beauty explained that on Instagram she had surgery in 2020 after an ovarian cyst 'exploded in my stomach.' In a 2018 interview with The Telegraph, she said she distanced herself from the girl who was once declared the world's 'most beautiful' Fans recently discovered Thylane was once named the most beautiful girl in the world and shared her modelling snaps over the years While very much now a grown up, the striking features that made her a recognisable child are still apparent Thylane showcased her svelte figure in the skimpy swimsuit The French model looked out of this world in her skimpy swimwear during her relaxing beach day She teamed her stylish ensemble with black-rimmed chunky sunglasses and gold jewellery Thylane tried not to get herself soaked as she dipped her feet in the sea The model showcased her sun-kissed skin The stunner couldn't wipe the smile off her face Sharing photos of herself in her hospital gown and an image of her scan, Thylane went on to explain that she began experiencing pain again three months after her first surgery. However, when she sought medical treatment she was told that the pain she was experiencing was 'all in your head'. Thylane said she had to go to A&E 'because my belly was hurting so much I couldnt handle it anymore and they said that everything was fine and that I had a lil kyste [cyst] and I will have to do a check up in 2-3 months.' 'The day after this I had this appointment with an amazing doctor who directly saw that I had a kyste [cyst] of 5,6 cm who was touching my ovary so he sent me to do an IRM and an hour after this, the doctor called me and ask me to go straight to the hospital to do an emergency operation.' 'From this experience Ive learned that when youre body hurts, dont let it slide and take care of it, you must see different doctors until some of them find the problem and heals it. 'Any pain even the little ones can hide something way more important.' Kerry Katona has jumped to Molly Mae Hague's defence after she came under fire for being 'out of touch' - insisting that she probably works while on holiday. Molly Mae was accused of 'always moaning' in recent weeks after complaining she'd 'not done one fun thing all summer' despite jetting off to multiple destinations. But reality personality Kerry, 44, credited Molly, 26, for being a hardworking mother as she admitted that taking care of a toddler is a gruelling task. Kerry said that Molly Mae 'seems to work 24/7' and insisted she probably works while away on holiday, because that's what she does too. Molly Mae infamously faced backlash for her 2021 interview on The Diary of a CEO with Steven Bartlett in which she said she 'worked my a**e off' for her wealth and that 'everyone has the same 24 hours in a day' to achieve. Writing in this week's new! column, Kerry addressed the backlash that Molly Mae has received online as he is hit with accusations of being unrelatable. Claiming that people need to cut her some slack, Kerry said: 'Molly-Mae has been experiencing a backlash with critics saying she is "out of touch". She's been honest about her struggles and people need to give her a break. Kerry Katona has jumped to Molly Mae Hague 's defence after the influencer came under fire for being 'out of touch' with her fanbase Kerry, 44, credited Molly, 26, for being a hardworking mother as she admitted that taking care of a toddler is a gruelling task 'She's a young mum of a toddler and that's bloody hard work - I remember it well. She seems to work 24/7 and when she's away on holiday and people are commenting about it online, I guarantee you she's still working. I know I do.' It comes after Molly Mae tearfully broken her silence following recent backlash from fans who once again branded the influencer 'out of touch'. She has been accused of 'always moaning' in recent weeks after complaining she'd 'not done one fun thing all summer' despite jetting off to multiple destinations. Molly Mae is currently on a luxurious 2,000-per-night holiday in Turkey with Tommy Fury and daughter Bambi, two - marking her seventh holiday of the year. Prior to this, she travelled business class to one of the most luxurious hotels in the UAE, the five-star Jumeirah Al Naseem, where rooms cost 14K a night. To date, the millionaire Love Island star has spent the warmer months enjoying first class trips to Dubai, Paris, Saint Tropez and Wimbledon's Centre Court, where she was greeted like Hollywood royalty after being invited by tournament sponsor Evian. If that wasn't enough time away from home, that month Molly-Mae also visited private members' club Soho Farmhouse in the Cotswolds. Molly-Mae treated herself to a couple of nights in one of the cabins, where members can enjoy spa facilities, country bike rides and tennis. Molly-Mae Hague, 26, has tearfully broken her silence following recent backlash from fans who once again branded the millionaire influencer 'out of touch' In May, she flew on a private jet to Disneyland Paris to celebrate her 26th birthday alongside Tommy, their daughter and some of her best friends. She shared pictures from inside the jet alongside photos complete with birthday cake, balloons and plenty of Minnie Mouse ears. Come June, Molly-Mae told her YouTube followers she was jetting off yet again. First to Germany for two nights for a 'secret project' and then on to the South of France to shoot the summer campaign for her clothing brand Maebe. Basking in the sunshine at a luxury villa in St Tropez, the influencer shared various snaps of herself lounging on sunbeds and dining at luxury restaurants. Later that month, Molly-Mae was whisked back to the Cotswolds for a 'surprise staycation'. She also faced criticism after complaining about a recent 86,000 motorhome holiday. Molly-Mae's sister Zoe Rae has also come under fire for her 'tone deaf' posts of late after revealing she had fled Bali for Dubai after just 48 hours because it didn't live up to her expectations. In her latest YouTube video, Molly-Mae claimed that she 'didn't care' about the uproar but has been left 'scared' about discussing anything 'controversial' Molly Mae's sixth trip of the year was to Dubai with Tommy and Bambi (pictured) She also spent time on a work trip in St Tropez Molly Mae also visited Disneyland Paris with her family and friends In her latest YouTube video Molly-Mae claimed that she 'didn't care' about the uproar, and has been left 'scared' about discussing anything 'controversial Her vlog also saw her struggling with the difficulties of motherhood and sharing an update on her relationship with Tommy Fury, also 26. Filming herself in the driving seat and two-year-old daughter Bambi in the back she said: 'I'm trying so so hard to stay positive but, I feel like I need to keep my camera running all day so you can see like every single thing, [Bambi] is a huge problem, [She] screams [I] can't even get like socks and shoes on'. 'I don't care who tells me I am out of touch with reality or all this stuff thats going on on TikTok at the minute, I don't care i'm not going to not talk about it'. She later went on: 'I feel like I don't want to talk about anything controversial anymore because in the last video I said some things I probably could have worded better and even with all the motherhood things I am talking about at the minute, it's just a lot'. 'Debunking that whole thing about me feeling like I shouldn't talk about what is going on in the day because I am scared about what people will think and what they have to say about it'. Moving on to Tommy, with whom she rekindled her romance earlier this year, she explained why he hadn't featured in her Vlogs despite them being back together. 'I've see so many comments saying "[My sister] Zoe is more the dad" I only vlog when I am not with Tommy, I am with Tommy literally 80% of the week and he is with Bambi majority of the week,' 'But I Vlog when we are here and he is at his because it's just something that I am not ready to like open up with yet and like flinging the camera around like when we're a family'. Before adding:'I just think like we're not there yet and still figuring out life and living situations. I'm not ready to vlog like we used to'. Last week fans blasted the TV personality for 'always moaning' after after she said she'd 'not done one fun thing all summer' despite jetting off to multiple destinations. The Love Island star has been accused of 'always moaning' in recent weeks after complaining she'd 'not done one fun thing all summer' despite jetting off to multiple destinations Her vlog also saw her struggling with the difficulties of motherhood and sharing an update on her relationship with Tommy Fury , also 26 She said: 'I don't care who tells me I am out of touch with reality or all this stuff thats going on on TikTok at the minute, I don't care i'm not going to not talk about it' Tommy and Bambi pictured together She said in her vlog: 'I said to a friend the other day, that I'm going to make it to the end of summer having not done one fun thing.' She then spoke to her sister and said: 'Zoe, I haven't socialised once. I'm going to get to the end of this summer having not done one social fun thing. 'I haven't a life. That's not good is it. Summer will end and I've not done one fun social thing.' It left some fans open-mouthed as they called out how she failed to acknowledge the three holidays she's already been on this year. Some comments read: 'She's a millionaire, she can literally wake up tomorrow and do whatever the hell she wants', 'Wimbledon, lunches, Spain, Dubai, France, Centre Parcs... let's normalise that', 'This was so jarring because she can casually spend 6k in Dior on an outfit to log to Wimbledon then complains she has no time for herself', 'Why does she always want us to feel sorry for her?' The mum-of-one - in this year alone - has been on no expense-spared trips to Dubai, Budapest and even Disneyland in 2025. Back in March she and Tommy Fury took baby Bambi on a family holiday to the United Arab Emirates, marking a reunion holiday for the clan. Just a month later Tommy had treated Molly to a European trip as the pair enjoyed downtime in Budapest. During their break, they stayed at The Pullman, a five-star hotel where prices start from at least 500 per night. Meanwhile, in May the doting parents took Bambi to Disneyland Paris where they enjoyed a lavish stay at the park's resort. It comes after her candid complaints about a recent 86,000 motorhome holiday her family went on - after Tommy said their daughter Bambi shouldn't be spoilt with five star trips. The family were travelling on a swanky Elddis Avalon 255 motorhome. Yet Molly-Mae revealed the trip had been struck with delays, leaving Bambi 'overtired and overstimulated'. She explained: 'Tommy has bought a motorhome and we spent our first weekend in the motorhome this weekend. Obviously, being us, we went in feet first and decided to go to the Isle of Man. Last week fans blasted the TV personality for 'always moaning' after after she said she'd 'not done one fun thing all summer' despite jetting off to multiple destinations She said in her vlog: 'I said to a friend the other day, that I'm going to make it to the end of summer having not done one fun thing. It left some fans open-mouthed as they called out how she failed to acknowledge the three holidays she's already been on this year The mum-of-one - in this year alone - has been on no expense-spared trips to Dubai, Budapest and even Disneyland in 2025 She also spoke about her recent 86,000 motorhome holiday her family went on - after Tommy said their daughter Bambi shouldn't be spoilt with five star trips 'Tommy's family were spending the weekend in the Isle of Man. I was feeling spontaneous so we literally booked the ferry to the Isle of Man an hour before we needed to leave. 'We'd never used the motorhome before, we needed to pack it up, sort Bambi, I just had this wave of 'you only live once, have a bit of fun. 'Bambi doesn't need to be so perfectly routine every day, she's not a newborn anymore. 'I've got so stuck in my ways with the fact that her routine is her routine and I don't really steer away from it. 'I'm not gonna feel bad for that because that is what works for me and that is what works for Bambi and Tommy, so that's fine.' She then added of when things started to go wrong: 'So anyway, booked the ferry, packed the motorhome up and nearly didn't make the ferry but that's another story and then there was a two hour delay. 'This ferry, which was already gonna get us in at 11:30pm, which was already severely triggering me because Bambi goes to bed at 7pm, was not fine. It was giving me a prime example as to why the routine works for us. 'It was one of those moments where strangers come up to you and are like 'can I help? Is there anything I can do?' 'She was screaming that much for four hours straight. The boat basically had a malfunction and it wouldn't move for like two hours so we had a huge delay. 'She was so, so, so overtired and overstimulated - Bambi is so routine, she is the opposite of flexible.' And when they arrived things continued to go downhill, as she said: 'We managed to get to the Isle of Man at 1:30am in the morning. 'We didn't know where we were, what we were doing, we were going to a different campsite to Tommy's family. It was just a lot. 'We had to make our bed out of this sofa, I was like 'I'm really out of my depth, I'm struggling. The next day, Bambi was so tired, she was just screaming, literally screaming, so, so unhappy. Meanwhile her sister Zoe came under fire for complaining about a recent trip too. It come after Molly-Mae's sister Zoe was recently mocked by fans for leaving Bali after just 48 hours because it didn't live up to her expectations The fitness influencer had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary And despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead Molly-Mae's influencer sister was recently mocked by fans for leaving Bali after just 48 hours because it didn't live up to her expectations. Instead she and her husband Danny made a last minute decision to fly to Dubai instead after Zoe, 28, took to social media to admit 'something wasn't quite right'. The fitness influencer had planned the trip to Indonesia with her husband Danny to celebrate their first wedding anniversary. And despite staying in a huge sea view room at the Radisson Blu, a five-star hotel, they decided to leave early and jet to Dubai instead. Zoe explained that Bali looks better on social media than in real life, as influencers make it look luxurious, despite it being a developing country. In a YouTube video, Zoe told the camera: 'Since landing in Bali, something for us wasn't quite right. 'We came here with high expectations because we had seen on social media that everyone was having such a lovely time. Lovely places to eat and beaches, and lovely gyms and coffee shops. 'But I don't think the reality of Bali is shown much at all, and I do think it is down to a lot of influencers posting the more luxury side of things.' She added: 'Before joining the army, I spent five months travelling South East Asia. I did Thailand, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, I did a lot and spent time in these countries. But there is something very different about Bali. 'We got told Uluwatu where we are now is one of the best places to go, so if this is one of the better places, I'm not sure where the other places are like. 'I wasn't going to sit down and say anything, but people want to know.' Danny then joined the video and said: 'You either go on holiday to travel and experience culture or you want to go away and relax.' Zoe continued: 'Yeah, and we could have got a flight tomorrow as today is our anniversary, but time is precious and we just want to get out, and why delay it. 'We missed the mark, maybe we didn't do our own research, maybe it is our own fault. I did a lot of research though. 'I think it is just personal preference, and our preference was that this isn't for us, and we are making the executive decision to go enjoy our anniversary somewhere we know that we love and can relax and can drink the water.' Amanda Holden's lookalike daughter Lexi Hughes looked stunning as she soaked up some sun during boat trip on Wednesday. The model, 19, whom Amanda shares with her husband Chris Hughes, posed in a white halterneck bikini. The two-piece from Tess Daley's swimwear brand, Naia Beach, featured textured fabric and gold detailing. Sharing an update to Instagram from the mystery location, Lexi pushed her wet hair back and accessorised with oversized sunglasses. She captioned the photo: 'Boat day wearing Naia Beach.' Lexi has been signed to Storm Model Management since she was 16 and is no stranger to the camera. Amanda Holden's lookalike daughter Lexi Hughes looked stunning as she soaked up some sun during boat trip on Wednesday The model, 19, whom Amanda shares with her husband Chris Hughes, mirrored her famous mum (Amanda pictured) In recent years, the teen has been following in her mother's famous footsteps as she forays into the showbiz world. The beauty made her catwalk debut at London Fashion Week in September last year - walking for Tran Hung's show. At the time, Lexi looked effortlessly chic in a floral mini dress adorned with 3D flowers, which she teamed with nude pointy ballet shoes that boasted gold detailing. Speaking after the show, the aspiring model gushed: 'I was so nervous but I really enjoyed the experience. The other models were really nice to me backstage, and it was so much fun. 'The show was so beautiful and the brand and designers are visionaries - passionate about sustainability with 90% of the raw materials they use being environmentally friendly. 'I'm really proud that they trusted me with their design to support LFW. Everyone looked after me and it's surreal that tomorrow I start uni!' Meanwhile, Amanda, who watched from the front row, added: 'We couldn't have been more proud of our daughter this evening walking in her first LFW show. 'This year has been a significant one for her, she has worked really hard with her A levels and she got herself into a top University. Chris and I love her to bits and her little sister Hollie looks up to her so much. It's a wonderful moment for her.' Lexi her catwalk debut at London Fashion Week in September last year - walking for Tran Hung's show At the time, she looked effortlessly chic in a floral mini dress adorned with 3D flowers, which she teamed with nude pointy ballet shoes that boasted gold detailing Amanda recently poked fun at her daughter Lexi sharing a steamy smooch with her boyfriend on their family holiday in Greece Amanda and Lexi are pictured in December 2022 The latest snaps comes after Amanda poked fun at her daughter sharing a steamy smooch with her boyfriend on their family holiday in Greece last month. Lexi posted the PDA-filled snap on her Instagram of the pair kissing during a luxury boat trip. It sparked Amanda, 54, to repost the loved-up snap on her Stories as she joked: 'Mmm I wonder what daddy will think... [laughing face emoji].' After her playful joke, the mother-of-two later expressed her love for the pair as she commented a heart emoji on Lexi's post. The lovebirds - who went Instagram official in January - rang in the New Year with her mother, father Chris Hughes and younger sister Hollie, 13, in Scotland. Jackiey Budden was seen for the first time since Jeff Brazier 'dropped' the legal case against her. It was previously revealed that Jeff had set up a court date to stop his youngest son Freddy, 20, from seeing his maternal grandmother amid rising concerns over his well-being. Jeff has long insisted she is a bad influence on the troubled youngster - with the pair enduring a series of very public disputes over the years. However, The Sun has revealed that the family has patched things up and Jeff has dropped his legal case. On Tuesday, pink-haired Jackiey stepped out for the first time since the news was revealed, as she went for a stroll in South London. Jackiey wore a mustard yellow midi dress, teamed with teal blue shoes, a scarf and oversized sunglasses as she attempted to keep a low profile. Jackiey Budden was seen for the first time since Jeff Brazier 'dropped' the legal case against her On Tuesday, Jackiey stepped out for the first time since the news was revealed, as she went for a stroll in South London A source told The Sun that Freddy is once again living with Jackiey in her flat in South London, but is also spending time with Jeff and Bobby. Last week, the TV presenter was seen reunited with his sons at 101 Dalmatians: The Musical at the Eventim Apollo in London, where Jeff made his West End debut. The source said: ' Effectively they've all made peace for the time being and are trying to make things better again, which is doing them the world of good. 'It's actually the perfect outcome for everyone, and exactly what Jade would have wanted. The boys are happier for it, and the constant in-fighting has stopped... for now. While Jeff and Jackiey will never be friends, they added: 'Freddy remains devoted to her and was threatening to leave the UK to be with his grandmother abroad if Jeff carried on his legal case.' While a few weeks ago it still looked as though court action would be taken, they have instead reached a peaceful resolution. It appears Jeff and Freddy have patched things up as he admitted he is 'grateful forgiveness is a thing' and also shared his gratitude for his father. He wrote: 'I'm so grateful. Grateful for my dads advice, grateful that forgiveness is a thing, grateful that I got to see someone important to me, grateful for my boys.' Jackiey wore a mustard yellow midi dress, teamed with teal blue shoes, a scarf and oversized sunglasses as she attempted to keep a low profile Jeff has reportedly dropped his legal case against Jade Goody 's mum Jackiey Budden as he patches up his feud with sons Freddy and Bobby (pictured together last week) And it appears Jeff and Freddy have patched things up as he admitted he is 'grateful forgiveness is a thing' and also shared his gratitude for his father Daily Mail has contacted Jeff's representatives for comment. Back in June The Mail On Sunday revealed that Freddy was again spending time at Jackiey's Bermondsey flat despite his father filing court paperwork in an effort to keep his son away. Family friends say the duo remain 'extremely close,' explaining: 'Jeff was never going to keep Freddy away from his Nanny for very long - they've always had a strong bond, Jeff may hate her for all sorts of reasons going back many years, but Freddy loves her very much. 'They had a great time together, playing with her dog and catching up at her flat - where he has often stayed over the years. Whatever Jeff hoped to achieve with his legal efforts, it hasn't worked.' In June, Freddy announced on Instagram that he was going to a rehabilitation centre in Spain, admitting he had been addicted to smoking since he was 12 and was keen to seek treatment. He said: 'I've been smoking from the age of 12 and it's time to stop it was a bad coping mechanism that turned into an addiction something I relied on and something that made me feel sane and somewhat okay.' The source said: 'Effectively they've all made peace for the time being and are trying to make things better again, which is doing them the world of good' (Jackiey pictured in 2019) Jeff and Freddy's bond was showcased to viewers during their appearance on Celebrity Race Cross The World last year But days after the admission, Freddy posted again online saying he had changed his mind, writing: 'You know what I don't need rehab. I just need a holiday with a good group of boys or a retreat.' Freddy lost his mother, former Big Brother star Jade, to cervical cancer in 2009 when he was just four years old. During his appearance on BBC's Celebrity Race Across the World, Freddy spoke on the grief he has suffered following his mother's tragic passing. He said: 'I don't really remember being held by my mum if I had more memories with her, it would have made it a whole lot harder for me, but I think I would rather that than not remembering the things I had done with my mum.' Courtney Stodden has given her Instagram followers an update about her wellbeing three weeks after she quit drinking alcohol. The actress told the Daily Mail that her 'body, mind, spirit' are better off without the booze as she feels more like herself. 'I am healing from past trauma,' added the blonde beauty who is married to movie producer Jared Safier. 'It's my sober journey for my overall health. I used alcohol to deal with pain, but all it did was make things more difficult.' Stodden also said she feels 'calm' after leaving the champagne - her choice was Veuve Clicquot - behind to have more 'clarity' over her life. The 30-year-old reality TV star also showed off her weight loss while in ruby red lingerie which she compared to her more fuller figure in a blue swimsuit weeks ago. In one image she was seen barefoot on her scale which showed she is 109lbs. Courtney Stodden has given her Instagram followers an update about her well being three weeks after she quit drinking alcohol. The pinup told the Daily Mail that her 'body, mind, spirit' are better off without the booze as she feels more like herself This comes after she talked about how her much-older first husband Doug Hutchison - a 65-year-old actor whom she calls her former 'groomer' - got her started on drinking alcohol when she was very young. The Washington native said he would drink 'bottle and bottles of alcohol' a day and pushed her to drink too so he could 'control' her. But these days Stodden does not want to feel 'out of control,' so she is staying away from the booze even if the journey is challenging. The cover girl also noted that many of her friends are not happy that she has decided to be sober as they won't know what to do with 'healthy' Stodden, but she will stick with her plan no matter what and won't take up drinking again just to please her pals. 'If people don't get it, then maybe they shouldn't be around,' said Stodden who wore a beige bra with two Van Cleef & Arpels necklaces. The caption read: 'The painful truth.' Earlier this week the former teen bride told the Daily Mail that she is 'very happy with the decision' as she works on her 'sobriety journey and overall health.' 'Giving up alcohol also helps with my mental health,' Courtney, who has recently signed on for a new Lifetime biopic, shared. 'I feel better without it.' She posted the two photos to show the now and then of her body. 'I am healing from past trauma,' added the blonde beauty. 'It's my sober journey for my overall health' The TV star also revealed she is now at 109lbs. Stodden said she feels 'calm' after leaving the wine behind to have more 'clarity' over her life The Calabasas resident then explained that she had reached for drinks when she felt stressed by fame. 'Alcohol was my escape for years, but it turned into a trap,' shared Stodden to the Daily Mail. 'I used it to survive trauma, but it ended up making me feel more lost and ashamed. This breakup isnt just with a substanceits with a version of myself Im ready to leave behind. 'At some point, blacking out stopped being cute. I used alcohol to deal with pain, but all it did was make things messierand make me louder in all the wrong ways. Im finally cutting ties. Alcohol and I? Total toxic ex energy.' More Americans are abstaining from alcohol consumption. This trend is particularly noticeable among younger adults, who are increasingly embracing a 'sober curious' lifestyle, according to Time magazine. She has told DailyMail.com that tying the knot with 65-year-old A Time To Kill actor Doug Hutchinson was a bad move and she won't pretend otherwise; seen with Doug in 2013 Stodden broke the news of her newfound sobriety on Instagram on Tuesday as she began, 'Alcohol, Im breaking up with you. Its been a toxic relationship for years. 'Something I used to cope, to escape, to survive. But its hurt me more than its ever helped mepublicly and privately,' wrote the siren. 'Last night was the last time. Im done letting it control me. Im done feeling sick and ashamed. I want to be fully present in my life. I want to face my past, my trauma, and my current reality with clear eyes and real strength. To those who understand this battlethank you.' Stodden also shared: 'Please respect my space as I walk this new path. Its not easy, but its necessary.' The pinup model who resembled Marilyn Monroe also wrote: 'This is something Ive gone back and forth about posting. But my life has always been so public and this is a big part of my healing.' Hugh Hefner's ex-girlfriend Crystal Hefner commented, 'I am so proud of you. I havent drank since 2009 and its the best thing. Life is so much brighter and happier without the poison bringing me down. You got this.' Stodden replied, 'Soul sis.' Jake Gyllenhaal was seen on the set of upcoming supernatural romantic thriller Remain as filming began in Bristol, Rhode Island on Tuesday. The actor, 44, was joined by his co-star Ashley Walters, 43, for the scenes which took place at an outdoor concert. Jake stars as lead character Tate Donovan who moves to Cape Cod for a fresh start when he meets Wren, played by Phoebe Dynevor. He dressed smartly in a cream shirt which was teamed with jeans and tan leather boots. Meanwhile, Ashley looked stylish in a khaki gilet and matching cargo trousers which he paired with a Philadelphia Eagles sweater. The film from M. Night Shyamalan and Nicholas Sparks is set for release October 23 2026. Jake Gyllenhaal was seen on the set of upcoming supernatural romantic thriller Remain as filming began in Bristol, Rhode Island on Tuesday The actor, 44, was joined by his co-star Ashley Walters for the scenes which took place at an outdoor concert The novel, which follows the same story, by Sparks will be released this year on October 7. Ashley has just received his first Emmy nomination for his supporting role as DI Luke Bascombe in the hit Netflix series Adolescence. The Emmy nominations were announced last month with the four part series sweeping the board with 13 nominations. And Ashley is nominated in the Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Anthology Series or Movie category alongside his co-star Owen Cooper. At just 15-years-old the Warrington school will be the youngest-ever male winner in the 76-year history of the 'TV Oscars' if he scoops the accolade. Speaking about his nomination, Ashley gushed: 'This is such an honour. This nomination means the world to me not just as recognition, but as a reminder of how far Ive come. 'Its for everyone who stood by me through the highs and the lows, who believed in me when I needed it most. 'Its a testament to the power of perseverance. Dreams are important but its the hard work, the setbacks, the growth, and the consistency that make them real.' Jake stars as lead character Tate Donovan who moves to Cape Cod for a fresh start when he meets Wren, played by Phoebe Dynevor Ashley has just received his first Emmy nomination for his supporting role as DI Luke Bascombe in the hit Netflix series Adolescence The actor, who is known for his previous role in Top Boy, played DI Luke Bascombe in the four-part series (pictured) - it has swept the board with 13 nominations He continued: 'Five years ago, this felt out of reach. Today, Im incredibly proud not just for myself, but to stand alongside a group of artists I admire deeply. 'What we made together is something Ill carry with me forever, and to see it acknowledged on this level is truly special. 'Thank you to the Emmys for this nomination. To my wife and kids thank you for grounding me and giving me purpose. To my family and friends, for being my foundation. 'To my team, whove worked tirelessly behind the scenes. And to the entire cast and crew thank you for your brilliance and your heart. This moment is for all of us.' The show is also nominated in the Best Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Mirror, Dying for Sex, Monsters: The Lyle and Erik Menendez Story and The Penguin. In the show, viewers saw how teen Jamie Miller's perception of girls had been radicalised through content he was viewing online, and also showed the vast amount of social media consumed by teenagers at school. Piper Perabo cut a sexy figure in her 2000 cult classic film Coyote Ugly. The movie followed Violet Sanford (Perabo), who leaves her hometown in New Jersey to pursue her dreams of becoming a songwriter in New York City. The romantic comedy/drama, based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, was directed by David McNally and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. Perabo, who has since appeared on the hit series Yellowstone, made the rare move of stepping out on Tuesday evening in New York City. The 48-year-old from Texas was at the red carpet premiere of the series Butterfly looking as glamorous as ever in a pale pink gown with silver high heels. Butterfly follows David Jung (played by Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative. When the consequences of a decision from his past come back to haunt him, he finds himself pursued by Rebecca, a sociopathic agent assigned to kill him. Piper Perabo cut a sexy figure in her 2000 cult classic film Coyote Ugly The movie followed Violet Sanford (Perabo), who leaves her hometown of South Amboy to pursue her dreams of becoming a songwriter. Perabo, right, with Maria Bello, left Piper had her breakthrough in the comedy-drama film Coyote Ugly. She next was in Cheaper by the Dozen (2003), its sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), The Prestige (2006), Angel Has Fallen (2019), and the spy drama series Covert Affairs (20102014). Born in Dallas, Texas and raised in Toms River, New Jersey, she graduated from Toms River High School North in 1994 then went to Honors Tutorial College at Ohio University in 1998. After graduating, Perabo moved to New York and landed a role in the comedy Whiteboyz. Then came Coyote Ugly. She also appeared in The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle as FBI agent Karen Sympathy. In 2001, she starred in Lost and Delirious, playing a boarding school student who falls in love with a female classmate (played by Jessica Pare). The next year she starred as a French exchange student in the independent comedy Slap Her... She's French, released under the new title She Gets What She Wants. She was also in The I Inside (2003), Perfect Opposites (2004), George and the Dragon (2004), The Cave (2005), Imagine Me & You (2005), Edison (2005), and The Prestige (2006). The romantic comedy/drama, based on the actual Coyote Ugly Saloon, set in New York City, was directed by David McNally and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer. The star, right, with LeAnn Rimes, left Tyra Banks, Perabo, Maria Bello, Izabella Miko, Bridget Moynahan and Melanie Lynskey In 2008, Perabo co-starred with Jamie Lee Curtis in the family comedy film Beverly Hills Chihuahua. The following year, Perabo was cast as CIA field agent Annie Walker, the lead character in Covert Affairs. In September 2012, Perabo had a supporting role, alongside Bruce Willis, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Emily Blunt, in the time travel thriller film Looper. Next came the sitcom Go On and the thriller Into the Grizzly Maze, the series Notorious (2016), the thriller film Black Butterfly, the comedy series Turn Up Charlie, the action film Angel Has Fallen and the supernatural horror series Penny Dreadful: City of Angels then the dark comedy film, Spontaneous. In 2021, Perabo joined the cast of Yellowstone as Summer Higgins, an animal rights activist and John Dutton's lover. This year she was in the film Peak Everything as Tina. In 2013, Perabo became engaged to director and writer Stephen Kay; they married in 2014. Perabo, who has since appeared on the hit series Yellowstone, made the rare move of stepping out on Tuesday evening in New York City The 48-year-old from Texas was at the red carpet premiere of the film Butterfly looking as glamorous as ever in a pale pink gown with silver high heels Butterfly follows David Jung (played by Daniel Dae Kim), a former US intelligence operative. When the consequences of a decision from his past come back to haunt him, he finds himself pursued by Rebecca, a sociopathic agent assigned to kill him In February some of the cast members reunited after more than two decades. Tyra Banks, Maria Bello, Izabella Miko, Bridget Moynahan and Melanie Lynskey were all seen with songwriter Diane Warren. They came together to celebrate Coyote Ugly's 25th anniversary for a screening and Q&A at the Aero Theatre in Santa Monica. Despite a relatively low budget and mediocre reviews, the film was considered a hit as it grossed $113 million worldwide. For the occasion, Banks looked incredible in a figure hugging black and blue illusion dress which boasted gloved long sleeves and shoulder pads. Most of the Coyote Ugly cast of a 2000 cult classic reunited in February. (L-R) Banks, Miko and Bello, songwriter Diane Warren and Lynskey The mother-of-one elevated her frame in a pair of towering stilettos and accessorized with a number of dazzling silver rings. Banks, who played Zoe in the film, reunited with the cast for the Global Empowerment Mission LA Wildfire Relief. The star lost her Palisades home in one of the Los Angeles wildfires. Meanwhile Miko, who portrayed Cammie, showed off her sensational figure in a plunging leopard print catsuit. The pair were also joined by Bello, who played Lil, and Lynskey, who portrayed Gloria, and Diane Warren, who wrote four songs for the film. Prior to the reunion, Bello teased that she hadn't 'seen some of those girls in 25 years' and was excited to see what would happen. Back in 2018, she teased that she was eager to reprise her role in the no-nonsense bartender in Coyote Ugly. 'Im dying to do Coyote Ugly 2,' the actress told People. 'I want to produce it I just need to get the rights from Mr. Jerry Bruckheimer or work with him.' They have been married for nearly 10 years. And Eva Longoria and Jose Antonio Baston still looked every inch the loved-up couple as they stepped out for their pal Maria Bravo's event in Marbella on Wednesday. The actress, 50, turned heads in a green and white summer maxi dress which featured a fitted corset. The stunning ensemble flowed into a sweeping A-line skirt, making it the perfect dress for the summer heat. Eva added a pair of brown sandals and toted her belongings in a stylish basket bag. Meanwhile, businessman Jose looked dapper in an off white shirt and matching trousers. Eva Longoria and her husband Jose Antonio Baston looked every inch the cute couple as they stepped out for their pal Maria Bravo's event in Marbella on Wednesday The actress, 50, turned heads in a green and white summer maxi dress which featured a fitted corset The stunning ensemble flowed into a sweeping A-line skirt, making it the perfect dress for the summer heat The pair appeared in great spirits as they arrived at the event to celebrate Maria's opening of the rotonda named after her. It comes after Eva revealed the surprising secrets behind her happy marriage to Jose, with the Desperate Housewives star admitting that she doesn't think of her husband as a 'best friend'. The pair first began dating in 2013, before going on to tie the knot three years later, and the actress noted that something that has always helped their relationship is the fact they 'don't compete for attention'. Speaking exclusively to DailyMail.com, the Only Murders In The Building star gushed: 'He makes me laugh, and he's a really good partner, and he supports me in everything I do. 'I support him in everything he does. We don't compete for attention or spotlight.' Naturally, the L'Oreal Paris spokesperson's position in the industry often means that she has to actively remain in the spotlight. However, her husband shies away from the limelight - to the point where he actually begged the actress to keep him out of her social media posts. Eva continued: 'He loves for me to be on the red carpet. It's one place he hates and he hates it. 'He hates Instagram. He's like, please don't put me on your Instagram. That's why he's never on my social media. Once a while I try to slip him in there.' The actress admitted that Jose's aversion to the spotlight has been one of the reasons why he is a great partner as she continued: 'It's actually refreshing to be with somebody who doesn't need that constant validation of like "remind people we're together", "remind people, I need to be on a red carpet". Hes just a really kind partner. The pair attended the event to celebrate Maria's opening of the rotonda named after her Eva pictured with Maria, who is a Spanish producer and actress When asked if her husband was like a best friend, the Sylvie's Love star explained: 'No, I have best friends. He doesn't need to occupy that role. It's a different relationship. 'My best friends are my best friends, and I go to them for things. And my husband is my partner. Hes there for a different function, and he really excels in that role in my life.' The happy couple, who share a sevn-year-old son, Santiago, made the decision to relocate to Spain, which DailyMail.com exclusively revealed in April last year. Eva has Spanish citizenship and, in 2022, was given the honorary title 'Dame' due to her family roots tracing back to the Spanish city of Oviedo, where her ancestors are from. The Texas-born actress, who has spent her 'whole adult life' in California, recently explained to Marie Claire magazine that she feels the American 'chapter in my life is done now' and no longer wants to live in Los Angeles, alleging the city has been 'changing'. It comes after the Desperate Housewives star admitted that she doesn't think of her husband as a 'best friend' The Devious Maid producer, who campaigned hard for Kamala Harris to win the presidential election, added that she fears that if Donald Trump 'keeps his promises' the US will be a 'scary place'. 'I get to escape and go somewhere,' the Flamin' Hot director explained. 'Most Americans aren't so lucky. They're going to be stuck in this dystopian country, and my anxiety and sadness is for them.' She also confirmed that her family are happily splitting their time between Mexico and Spain because she often ends up in South America or other European destinations for work, meaning she does not frequently return to Los Angeles. 'I had my whole adult life here,' Eva said of her former home. 'But even before [the pandemic], it was changing. The vibe was different. And then COVID happened, and it pushed it over the edge. 'Whether it's the homelessness or the taxes, not that I want to s**t on California it just feels like this chapter in my life is done now.' Denise Richards' daughter Sami Sheen has claimed she had a close call with a suspected sex trafficker. OnlyFans star Sheen, 21, whose father is actor Charlie Sheen, shocked fans with a chilling TikTok video in which she said she was approached by two suspicious men in a parking lot late at night. She said: 'I think I almost got sex trafficked tonight. We were at this restaurant pretty late. We didn't leave until midnight and we were outside taking photos in the parking lot, we were there for five minutes. 'This man came up to us asking for money, I said "sorry I don't have any cash on me". 'He's being persistent, I'm like, "sorry no" and he goes "ok have a good night". Sheen said she then turned her head to see 'another man in front of us.' Denise Richards ' daughter Sami Sheen has claimed she had a close call with a suspected sex trafficker 'The second I saw this man I had the worst feeling in my stomach, like get the f**k away from me right now', she said. 'He comes up to me and asks "do you speak Spanish?" 'He starts to reach into his back pocket and I reach into my purse and pull out my pepper spray, and I open that b***h and he saw that and he started to pull a card out. 'We immediately book it, get in my car and lock the doors.' Sheen said she was disturbed to see one of the men in the background of her photos from earlier in the evening, saying: 'I feel like they're working together. The man was watching us the whole time, he was staring at us. 'I'm usually very aware of my surroundings and I didn't notice this man 'I don't think this man had good intentions at all.' The video comes days after Sheen revealed her intense battle with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). OnlyFans star Sheen, 21, whose father is actor Charlie Sheen , shocked fans with a chilling TikTok video in which she claimed to have been approached by two suspicious men in a parking lot Sheen is pictured with sister Lola and mom Denise in February 2025 'He starts to reach into his back pocket and I reach into my purse and pull out my pepper spray, and I open that b***h and he saw that and he started to pull a card out' Sheen said she was disturbed to see one of the men in the background of her photos from earlier in the evening, saying: 'I feel like they're working together. The man was watching us the whole time, he was staring at us' - the man is pictured to the left of the white car The model whose mom is in the midst of divorcing her estranged husband Aaron Phypers started the recording by saying: 'Nothing aggravates me more than when someone is like, "Oh, my god. I'm so OCD I need to keep my room clean and organized."' She contrasted that statement with her own experience, explaining, 'I'm so OCD that even if I buy something from the grocery store that day and I read the expiration date over and over and over and over again, somehow I will convince myself it's a fake expiration date and it's actually expired a year ago.' Engaging her 192,000 followers, she continued, 'And if I eat it I'm going to get violently ill, so I have to throw it away and starve.' The nepo baby wrote sarcastically in the caption, 'so fun! #ocd.' MasterChef alum and popular TikTok influencer Yanin Campos has died following a devastating car accident in Mexico. The 38-year-old, who competed on the hit cooking show in 2018, was driving her SUV in her hometown of Chihuahua on Saturday when she reportedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a parked car, according to local outlets. Images circulating online show the wreckage of the crash, with Campos' SUV left mangled from the impact. She was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries two days later. Her brother Raul Campo confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement on social media. 'To our family and friends, we inform you and mourn the passing of my sister, Yanin Campos,' he wrote. MasterChef alum and popular TikTok influencer Yanin Campos has died following a devastating car accident in Mex The 38-year-old, who competed on the hit cooking show in 2018, was driving her SUV in her hometown of Chihuahua on Saturday when she reportedly lost control of the vehicle and slammed into a parked car, according to local outlets 'The wake is at the Hernandez Funeral Home for those who would like to say goodbye and join us.' Although she placed sixth in the 2018 season of MasterChef Mexico, Campos was later invited back to compete on MasterChef: La Revancha in 2019. Authorities say the deadly accident occurred around 6:30 a.m. on Saturday along the Francisco R. Almada highway. Campos was behind the wheel of a black GMC Terrain when she reportedly veered off course and collided with a stationary vehicle. Emergency responders transported her to Hospital del Parque, where she remained in critical condition until she passed away in the ICU on Monday night. Local police have opened an investigation to determine what led to the crash. Yanin had built a sizable TikTok following, with nearly 100,000 fans tuning into her content. Her last Instagram post, shared in April 2023, featured her posing by a classic red telephone box and Big Ben during a trip to London. Images circulating online show the wreckage of the crash, with Campos SUV left mangled from the impact She was rushed to a nearby hospital but tragically succumbed to her injuries two days later She accompanied it with the simple, heartfelt caption: 'Taking a stroll.' Since news of her passing broke, fans have been paying tribute to her in the comments, sharing heartfelt memories and condolences. One user wrote, 'I just heard about the news and how sad, so young and beautiful, we met her for her participation in Masterchef, but it certainly hurts to think that a 38 year old woman left like that. 'I dont know her family, but I hope God sends them a quick resignation. Rest in peace, Yanin.' Another message read, 'Thank you for your passion in cooking and for such good chapters in MasterChef. Fly high!' A third follower added, 'I cant believe this, I followed you since you were on Masterchef, you always seemed genuine, plus you said the right things. A hug to heaven, rest in peace.' Amy Jackson took to her Instagram Story on Wednesday to share a glimpse into her sun-soaked family getaway to Capri, Italy. The British model and actress, 33, is currently enjoying a luxurious break with her husband Ed Westwick, 38, their children, and extended family. In one sizzling snap, the mother-of-two looked nothing short of sensational as she relaxed on a sunlounger in a tiny black bikini, soaking up the rays. In another sweet photo, Amy cosied up to her shirtless husband while donning a vibrant multicoloured swirl-print bikini top and matching hat. Keeping the stylish looks coming, Amy slipped into a chic black chiffon pleated co-ord featuring a flowy top and maxi skirt as she posed for an aesthetic shot. The actress also gave fans a peek inside their luxury villa, including a heartwarming snap of Ed and her son Andreas, five, spending quality time together in the pool. Amy Jackson flaunted her jaw-dropping figure in a skimpy black bikini on Wednesday as she gave fans a glimpse into her sun-soaked family getaway to Capri, Italy The British model, 33, is currently enjoying a luxurious break with her husband Ed Westwick, 38, their children, and extended family She captioned the sweet moment: 'My boys' alongside a heart emoji. Later in the day, Amy cut an effortlessly elegant figure in a butter-yellow scoop-neck top paired with a white midi skirt as she got ready for a special evening out. She also shared a snap of a lavish seaside dinner set-up, giving her followers a glimpse into the evening. She captioned the post: 'It's almost a year since we said 'I do' on the Amalfi and tonight is all about reminiscing with our amazing wedding planner @costanza_giaconi and best concierge service in town @elitevillas.it.' Amy also posted a rare photo with her glamorous mother during the sunset dinner, sweetly writing: 'I love you Mamma!' Amy and Ed have been together since 2021 after they were introduced by a mutual friend at an Aston Martin event in the UK, and tied the knot in August last year. The couple became husband and wife after saying 'I do' in a stunning ceremony in Italy, surrounded by their family and friends. For her big day, Amy wore a sweeping white satin gown with a flattering strapless neckline and full princess-style skirt, teamed with a long veil with intricate lace detailing. In one snap, Amy cut a stylish figure in a black chiffon pleated co-ord featuring a flowy top and maxi skirt as she posed for an aesthetic shot The actress also gave fans a peek inside their luxury villa, including a heartwarming snap of Ed and her son Andreas, five, spending quality time together in the pool Later in the day, Amy cut an effortlessly elegant figure in a butter-yellow scoop-neck top paired with a white midi skirt as she got ready for a special evening out She also shared a snap of a lavish seaside dinner set-up, captioning the post with: 'It's almost a year since we said 'I do' on the Amalfi and tonight is all about reminiscing with our amazing wedding planner,' Amy also posted a rare photo with her glamorous mother during the sunset dinner, sweetly writing: 'I love you Mamma!' While Ed cut a dashing figure in a cream blazer and black trousers, teamed with a white button-up shirt and a bow tie. The actor took to his Instagram to announce they had tied the knot and shared glimpses into their nuptials at the Castello di Rocca Cilento. Captioning the gorgeous snaps, Ed gushed: 'The journey has just begun' followed by a ring emoji. Ed first met Amy at Silverstone racetrack in 2021, with a source telling The Sun on Sunday at the time: 'Ed and Amy are a really good match. They hit it off straight away. 'Both like to have fun and are career-driven. They're enjoying getting to know each other for now.' The couple went Instagram official just before Valentine's Day in 2022, with Amy penning a sweet note on her social media just in time for the occasion. She wrote: 'Happy Valentine's Baby - forever grateful for the endless belly laughs and ultimate love!' The couple now share a son named Oscar Alexander Westwick, who was born in March 2025. Amy is also a proud mother to son Andreas, whom she shares with her former partner, hotelier George Panayiotou. Catherine Zeta-Jones has been stunning in hyper glamorous outfits while promoting her new season of her smash-hit series Wednesday around the world this summer. At one of her splashy events, the 55-year-old Oscar-winning actress brought along a special someone as her plus one. It was a young girl who is a member of her family. The child wore a black dress with gold sandals, glasses and her blonde hair down in curls as she beamed for the camera. It was not her daughter Carys Douglas whose father is Catherine's movie star husband Michael Douglas. Can you guess who the cute tot is? Catherine Zeta-Jones has been stunning in hyper glamorous outfits while promoting her new season of her smash-hit series Wednesday around the world this summer At one of her splashy events, the 55-year-old Oscar-winning actress brought along a special someone as her plus one It's Catherine's 10-year-old niece Ava Zeta. Zeta-Jones has an older brother, David, and a younger brother, Lyndon; it is not known which relative Ava is linked to. The movie icon and the child were seen holding hands on July 30 at Central Hall, Westminster in London, England. Catherine looked every inch a Hollywood glamour queen in a Stephane Rolland dress with Yeprem jewelry. The Traffic star has a close bond with her young niece and has shared photos and videos of her on Instagram over the years. In 2021, she posted a cute video of Ava talking in Welsh; Catherine grew up in Wales. 'Welsh in Spain. Ava Zeta is in the house. Hours of fun. Love you Ava,' she captioned the clip. Ava even referred to Catherine as her Auntie Catherine in a video where she delivered a mock acceptance speech with Catherine's Oscar trophy. It was a young girl who is a member of her family. The child wore a black dress with gold sandals, glasses and her blonde hair down in curls as she beamed for the camera It was not her daughter Carys Douglas whose father is Catherine's movie star husband Michael Douglas . Can you guess who the cute tot is? It's Catherine's 10-year-old niece Ava Zeta. Zeta-Jones has an older brother, David, and a younger brother, Lyndon; it is not known which relative Ava is linked to. The movie icon and the child were seen holding hands on July 30 at Central Hall, Westminster in London The Instagram post features Ava holding on to the Best Supporting Actress statuette, which Zeta-Jones won in 2003 for Chicago, as she thanked the people closest to her. 'Thank you so much! I would like to thank my mommy, my daddy, my nanny and my Auntie Catherine,' Ava said. 'My niece Ava Zeta with the perfect acceptance speech. So well deserved!' Zeta-Jones wrote next to the video. Zeta-Jones wed Douglas at the Plaza Hotel in New York City in 2000. They have two children: son Dylan Michael, born in August 2000, and daughter Carys Zeta, born in April 2003. Wednesday's second season will debut on Netflix on August 6 with the second part arriving on September 3. In May the silver screen goddess celebrated Carys' college graduation. Wednesday's second season will debut on Netflix on August 6 with the second part arriving on September 3 Catherine shared a snap where she and Douglas were kissing Carys on both cheeks as she marked the end of her studies at Brown University in Rhode Island. Catherine captioned the picture: 'The night before graduation!!!! We are both such proud parents right now!! Its only just begun!!' The proud mom went on to share several Instagram stories including footage of their daughter in her graduation robes. Catherine and Carys also held hands for a sweet moment where they kissed each other again on the cheek. The occasion, which saw Carys obtain a degree in Film and International Relations from the prestigious Ivy League school, was also celebrated with a carrot cake. Zeta-Jones shared a snap of her and Michael Douglas kissing their daughter Carys on both cheeks as she marks the end of her studies at Brown University The proud actress mum went on to share several Instagram stories, including footage of their daughter in her graduation robes Catherine and Michael share two children together, Carys, and her brother Dylan, 24, and they are both following in the acting footsteps of their famous parents Last October Michael shared snaps with his daughter Carys as he visited her at college. Proud Michael posted a heartwarming picture on Instagram at the time, posing with his daughter against a beautiful autumn backdrop on campus. He captioned the post: 'Visiting my daughter Carys at school on a fall Sunday!,' alongside a heart emoji. Carys was quick to comment as she penned: 'I had the best time with you Dadda.' Catherine and Michael share two children together, Carys, and her brother Dylan, 24, and they are both following in the acting footsteps of their famous parents. Acting is a prominent part of Michael's family background; he is the son of legendary actor Kirk Douglas and actress Diana Dill. While Dylan has a short resume on IMDb, he still remains in the spotlight - he hosts Young American with Dylan Douglas, a 'Gen Z powered political talk show.' Cary's IMDb only has four credits thus far but her work includes the short film Shell and working as a second assistant director on the short August. Helen George and her new boyfriend Dan Innes made their first public appearance as a couple while attending the Good Night, Oscar press night at London's Barbican Theatre on Wednesday evening. The Call the Midwife star, 41, was hand-in-hand with Dan, who is 10 years her senior - as they ventured out in the English capital, four months after confirming the romance. Helen looked incredible in a black lace minidress with a plunging neckline and delicate lace detailing after arriving to watch the new play, which includes former Will & Grace star Sean Hayes among its cast. She elevated her height with a pair of pointed black court heels and toted her essentials in a stud-embellished black clutch. Meanwhile, Dan looked dapper in a grey suit teamed with a light blue shirt as he beamed alongside the actress. The divorced father-of-two looked smitten, unable to take his eyes off Helen as the couple made their way into the venue. Helen George and her new boyfriend Dan Innes finally made their red carpet debut as they stepped out together for the press night of Good Night, Oscar at London's Barbican Theatre on Wednesday The Call the Midwife star, 41, looked more loved-up than ever as she arrived hand-in-hand with Dan, who is 10 years her senior Also spotted at the star-studded event were Bruno Tonioli, Edgar Wright, Vanessa Feltz, Simon Callow, Laura Carmichael, and Richard E. Grant. TV favourite Bruno, 69, made a bold statement in a black paisley print shirt, which he wore open for a relaxed look. Actor Richard, 68, opted for a smart-casual style in a black blazer, white shirt, and black pinstripe trousers. Laura, 39, looked effortlessly chic in a flowing black dress with off-the-shoulder straps. Vanessa, 63, turned heads in a vibrant yellow floral lace dress as she smiled for the cameras. Director Edgar, 51, kept it classic in a black three-piece suit as he arrived at the theatre. The newest play to hit Broadway stars Will & Grace alum Sean Hayes, and was written by Doug Wright and directed by Lisa Peterson. Helen looked incredible in a black lace mini dress, which showcased her long, toned pins Her chic ensemble featured a plunging neckline, short frilly sleeves, delicate lace detailing throughout, and a frilly hem Also spotted at the star-studded event were Bruno Tonioli (pictured), Edgar Wright, Vanessa Feltz, Simon Callow, Laura Carmichael, and Richard E. Grant TV favourite Bruno, 69, made a bold statement in a black paisley print shirt, which he wore open for a relaxed look The play takes place in 1958, and follows the character and star, Oscar Levant, who appears on a late-night talk show hosted by the character of Jack Paar. According to the official website, the premise follows Oscar, who 'will prove just that when he appears live on national TV in an episode that Paars audienceand the rest of Americawont soon forget.' Helen's outing comes after she shared loved-up Instagram snaps of the pair earlier this year. The Call The Midwife star confirmed her romance with Dan is going from strength to strength after they spent Easter together. Helen reportedly started dating Dan in January. It is believed they met on celebrity dating app Raya. The pair looked happier than ever as they posed arm in arm for a photo with friends, before sharing several snaps with her children on holiday. She captioned her post: 'A beautiful start to spring. Waters near and far.. from The Thames to Tenerife. Easter moments with friends, family and finally some vitamin D (and Rose)' Helen shares two daughters, Wren Ivy and Lark, with her ex-partner of seven years, Jack Ashton, whom she split from in 2023. Actor Richard, 68, opted for a smart-casual style in a black blazer, white shirt, and black pinstripe trousers Laura, 39, looked effortlessly chic in a flowing black dress with off-the-shoulder straps Vanessa, 63, turned heads in a vibrant yellow floral lace dress as she smiled for the cameras Director Edgar, 51, kept it classic in a black three-piece suit as he arrived at the theatre The actress was previously linked with her Call The Midwife co-star Olly Rix, who played her onscreen husband Matthew Aylward. They reportedly grew close following splits from their respective long-term partners. Olly had separated from his make-up artist girlfriend Natasha Fagri, whom he had been dating since 2016. In November 2023, she was snapped leaving Olly's home, which sparked rumours of a growing connection between the pair - but they have since unfollowed each other on Instagram. However, Helen and Olly drifted apart, and after joining Raya in a bid to find love, she is now dating the property marketing agency boss. According to Dan's LinkedIn profile, he has worked in real estate for more than 25 years, and his specialist skill is that 'he sees the bigger property picture - which now activity embraces technology'. Dan split up from the mother of his two children, who are 14 and 12, Kate Wetten, in 2016. They married in 2008. Meanwhile, Simon, 76, sported a blue denim blazer and trousers, which he paired with a white-and-blue leaf print shirt Sean Hayes, who stars as Oscar Levant in the play, looked in great spirits as he joined Bruno at the afterparty He cut a dapper figure in a black geometric blazer and tailored trousers, paired with a satin black tie (pictured with Rosalie Craig) Gloria Hunniford showcased her impeccable sense of style at the afterparty in a chic cream blazer with statement tassel trims Meanwhile, Richard Arnold kept it casual in a black polo and white trousers as he joined Sean for a snap Gorka Marquez has pulled out of being partnered with a celebrity on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing. The professional dancer, 34, will be missing from the BBC show for three weeks this year to work as a judge on the Spanish version Bailando Con Las Estrellas. His judging commitments means he can't have a professional partner on the new series and will be instead part of the ensemble dancers. According to The Sun, Gorka will appear as part of the ensemble for the first seven weeks and then will be gone for a month before returning in week 11. A source said: 'Strictly bosses were desperate to keep Gorka so have made it work around his schedule to make sure he's as involved as possible because he's such a fan favourite.' Gorka Marquez has pulled out of being partnered with a celebrity on the upcoming series of Strictly Come Dancing The dancer, 34, will be missing from the BBC show for three weeks this year to work as a judge on the Spanish version Bailando Con Las Estrellas (pictured with Dr. Punam Krishnan) Gorka took to Instagram to confirm he would be a judge on the Spanish version of Strictly. He wrote: 'I am happy to announce that I will be back for season two of BAILANDO CON LAS ESTRELLAS as a judge from September. 'Due to the filming dates this means that I won't be competing with a partner this year in Strictly but I will be a part of lots of the group numbers and will be back for final weeks of the Show to support the rest of my fellow pros and their celebrities in what is going to be an AMAZING SERIES. 'As always thank you for all The love and supportand remember!' It comes after Strictly unveiled two new pros who are joining the lineup ahead of the much-anticipated new series this autumn. Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon will shimmy onto screens alongside a slew of much-loved pros later this year, with both already familiar to the show, having performed on the show's international versions, Dancing With The Stars. American-born Alexis Warr, 25, is best known for winning US dance series So You Think You Can Dance in 2022 and was crowned as 'America's Favourite Dancer', becoming the first female Ballroom and Latin dancer to claim the title. She has performed as a guest Professional Dancer and in the dance troupe on the US version of Strictly, Dancing With The Stars, and has been part of the series' accompanying US tour for the past three years. As well as appearing on America's Got Talent, World of Dance, and on national tours across the States, Alexis has also joined Dancing With The Stars judge Derek Hough for three tours, in addition to his Las Vegas residency. A source said: 'Strictly bosses were desperate to keep Gorka so have made it work around his schedule to make sure he's as involved as possible because he's such a fan favourite' It comes after Strictly unveiled two sexy new pros, Alexis Warr and Julian Caillon, who are joining the lineup ahead of the much-anticipated new series this autumn Prior to the announcement, Alexis hinted that she could be joining the Strictly pros in the new lineup, as she shared a video ahead of her flight to the UK over the weekend. The fiery redhead has been married to dentist Jake Burton for six years, and regularly shares sweet snaps with her spouse on Instagram. Speaking about joining the show, Alexis said: 'I've admired Strictly for years, so joining this incredible family is such an honour. 'I can't wait to step into the ballroom, pour my heart into every moment, and share my love of dance with the UK.' Australian-born Julian has been dancing since the age of 10, specialising in Ballroom and Latin American, and going onto represent Australia on the international stage. He appeared as a Professional Dancer on three seasons of Australia's Dancing With The Stars, has toured the globe with hit dance show Burn The Floor, and also competed on So You Think You Can Dance in Australia. Julian has a degree in Exercise Physiology from UNSW Sydney and, alongside his dance career, has worked as a Personal Trainer and Exercise Physiologist. Back in December, Julian announced his engagement to his girlfriend Sofia, posting a sweet video of their beachside proposal on Instagram. He said: 'Joining the cast of Strictly really is a dream come true. I've watched it for years, especially cheering on all the amazing dancers I know and work with who've been part of it. I can't wait to get stuck in, have some fun, and be part of something special! ' Dave Franco has finally revealed whether he would play alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione onscreen - after fans went wild over their resemblance to one another. Mangione is accused of murdering United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson, a 50-year-old father-of-two, outside a Manhattan hotel while he was attending a work conference on December 4, 2024. He has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges in connection with the December murder. When the 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League student was first detained by police last year, fans began pointing out that he and Franco, 40, were 'practically twins' - and speculated prolific television writer Ryan Murphy would create a series based on him. Appearing on Watch What Happens Live! on Tuesday, Franco said of the possibility of portraying Mangione: 'Oh, how do I answer this? 'No one has approached me about it yet, Ill say that. This is something that more people in my life reached out about this exact thing than anything else that has ever happened. Dave Franco has finally revealed whether he would play alleged CEO killer Luigi Mangione (R) onscreen - after fans went wild over their resemblance to one another The murder of United Healthcare CEO Thompson (pictured) was captured on a chilling video 'Lets just say Im open if the right people and lets just leave it at that.' Amid the manhunt for the shooter, fans had taken to X to quip that Franco should be in line to play him. One said: 'Dave Franco pick up the phone.' Another posted: 'Dave Franco has a role waiting for him once this inevitably becomes a movie.' A third wrote: 'Ryan Murphy is drafting an email to Dave Franco as we speak.' 'Dave Franco's agent has been on the phone all morning,' a fourth added. Mangione was recently granted a major perk behind bars as he awaits trial. He has been given access to a laptop to use in jail in preparation of the murder trial. The laptop will be 'prepared by the government' and handed over to Mangione seven days a week, for use between 8am and 4pm, the NY Post reported. When the 'anti-capitalist' Ivy League student was detained by police days later - fans began pointing out that he and Franco, 40, were 'practically twins' - Mangione pictured in February 2025 Appearing on Watch What Happens Live! on Tuesday, Franco said of the possibility of portraying Mangione: ' Oh, how do I answer this? 'Lets just say Im open if the right people and lets just leave it at that' Mangione was taken into custody after a McDonald's employee in Altoona spotted him in December U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett signed an order on Monday demanding the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn begin preparations to secure the laptop. Mangione's attorneys, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, Marc Agnifilo and Jacob Kaplan, told the judge the letter would allow Mangione to 'adequately prepare for trial and assist in his own defense.' But the laptop will be disabled from accessing the internet or any wireless networks, Mangione's attorneys revealed. It will be set up with case-related documents and videos provided to Mangione's defense by the government. A red diary found in Mangione's possession when he was arrested at a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, at the end of a five-day manhunt, have offered insight into his alleged motive. The diary documented Mangione's musings on what Unabomber Ted Kaczynski got wrong during his reign of terror between 1978 and 1995, according to court filings. In one entry from August 15, 2024, Mangione writes that he is 'confident' about his plan - four months before the shooting took place - and that he believes it to be 'right/justified.' 'I finally feel confident about what I will do. The details are coming together. And I don't feel any doubt about whether it's right/justified,' his scrawling writing reads. 'I'm glad-in a way-that I've procrastinated bc [sic] it allowed me to learn more about UHC [UnitedHealthcare].' 'The target is insurance. It checks every box.' The execution of Thompson in the street was captured on chilling surveillance footage In another diary entry dated two months later on October 10 2024, Mangione allegedly marks a countdown to the day of the attack: '1.5 months.' In the rambling diary entry, Mangione goes on to refer to those in the healthcare industry as 'parasites' and 'mafioso' and describes UnitedHealthcare's December conference as a 'true windfall' that 'embodies everything wrong with our health system.' If Mangione is convicted, federal prosecutors plan to seek the death penalty. The owner of iconic New York nightclub Brooklyn Mirage has filed for bankruptcy. Avant Gardner had failed to re-open the club in East Williamsburg after conducting an expensive renovation following two grisly murders of its club clients in 2023. Brooklyn Mirage was meant to reopen in May but was beset with delays, permitting issues and spiraling costs. Part of the reopening were proposals to improve safety for its customers. The closure of the famed nightclub was 'catastrophic' to Avant Gardner's finances, the company's CEO Gary Richards said in a court filing posted this week. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in Delaware citing $155.3 million in debt, Bloomberg reported. Brooklyn Mirage will likely be auctioned off with the company's other assets in order to repay creditors. One of the company's major creditors has already indicated that it will use $45.8 million in debtor-in-possession financing to bid for assets. The owner of iconic nightclub Brooklyn Mirage has filed for bankruptcy On April 29 Avant Gardner were informed by New York City building inspectors that it was revoking its temporary permit. Despite a number of follow-up meetings the nightclub was not able to get a new one, Richards said in the legal filings. Richards also blamed builders for construction problems during the renovation as well as 'increasingly aggressive collection activities' from creditors. Richards, a former DJ and veteran of the nightclub scene, only took up his post two months ago. 'Two months ago I was brought in as CEO to rebuild the Company's culture and turn the business around,' Richards said in a statement. 'I believe this Chapter 11 restructuring is the most viable path forward.' Prior to that the company had run into major trouble after hosting the Electric Zoo Festival in 2023. The first day of the event was cancelled on short notice and other festival attendees were refused entry. CEO Gary Richards took up the post two months ago John Castic (left) and Karle Clemente (right) were both murdered after attending the nightclub in 2023 The failure to reopen the Mirage was 'catastrophic' to the company's finances Avant Gardner was then hit with a class action lawsuit as a result. The issue came just months after two people, who had attended Brooklyn Mirage that night, were found murdered on separate occasions not far from the venue. A spokesperson for the nightclub said at the time that 'while both incidents are extremely tragic, it remains our position that we do not bear responsibility.' 'Both deaths were unfortunate accidents which took place blocks away from the venue and not on an Avant Gardner property.' Avant Gardner did not immediately respond to the Daily Mail's request for comment. Top bosses are clawing back control and AT&T CEO John Stankey is the latest to make that crystal clear. In a fiery internal memo, Stankey declared the end of cushy perks and leniency for remote workers, telling cosseted employees it's time to step up or step aside. The 62-year-old made it clear he doesn't want staff who expect rewards simply for being loyal, following the rules, or sticking around. Instead, he said AT&T is moving toward a 'market-based culture,' where pay and job security are based on merit, performance, and impact not tenure or compliance. 'We have consciously shifted away from some of these elements and towards a more market-based culture focused on rewarding capability, contribution, and commitment,' he wrote, according to Business Insider. His comments followed a recent internal survey that fell short of expectations. While 73 percent of employees participated, only 79 percent expressed strong commitment to their work not enough to impress the CEO. 'If you are of the small minority that shared comments similar to, 'I've heard this nonsense before and I'll ignore things until this goes away' there might be a disconnect between you and your current professional choice,' he warned The memo comes seven months after AT&T implemented a five-day in-office policy, one of the toughest return-to-office stances in corporate America. AT&T's top boss had a simple message for his workers - come back to the office, or move on to another company AT&T's services are undergoing technology innovations, including adding millions of American customers to faster fiber-optic and satellite-driven internet connections. The company is spending top dollar to get ahead of other internet service providers, such as Elon Musk's Starlink. Stankey said staffers need to get on board to be a part of those changes. 'We run a dynamic, customer-facing business, tackling large-scale, challenging initiatives,' he told workers. 'If the requirements dictated by this dynamic do not align to your personal desires, you have every right to find a career opportunity that is suitable to your aspirations and needs.' Full-time employees including sales representatives, team leaders, associate directors, and financial analysts earn a range from $62,000 to $299,000 from the company's Dallas headquarters. 'We are letting the email speak for itself,' an AT&T spokesperson said in response to the Daily Mail's request for comment. Stankey joins a growing list of Wall Street executives who have shocked their cocooned employees out of stasis and back into the office. Multiple CEOs have told employees they must come into the office with greater frequency In a letter to his employees, AT&T's top boss said he was disappointed in the recent results of an employee survey It marks a major shift for workers. In the years following the pandemic, job seekers had considerable leeway as supply chains dusted off the cobwebs. Now, as AI puts job security on shakier ground and American employers slow hiring, bosses are gaining more power. Layoffs have risen significantly in the past year, with experts warning that it may soon be harder for jobholders to keep their positions. And several bosses are using that power swing to get employees back into their headquarters. In September, the new Starbucks CEO, Brian Niccol, will require all corporate employees to come into the office four days a week. The coffee chain only requires three days of in-office work from its managerial staff. TD Bank will marshal its staff back into the office for four days each week, starting in November. In March, JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon mandated workers to return to the company's Park Avenue headquarters in New York City. 'If you work in a restaurant, you've got to be in. You all may not know this, but 60 percent of Americans worked the whole time,' Dimon said when asked about his stance on office work. 'Where did you get your Amazon packages from? Your beef, your meat, your vodka? Where did you get the diapers from? 'It's only these people in the middle who complain a lot about it.' A wave of American whiskey distilleries are collapsing under the weight of mounting debt, falling demand, and rising global tensions signaling a crisis for the once-booming industry. The latest to fall the owner of the Luca Mariano Distillery in Danville, Kentucky, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last month with an estimated $25 million in debt. Owner Francesco Viola said he hopes the business can 'emerge successfully, ideally with the support of its employees, customers, community and creditors.' Luca Mariano follows the high-profile collapse of Garrard County Distilling, a $250 million independent Kentucky distillery that was placed into receivership and shut down in April after defaulting on debt. And in late 2023, the iconic Kentucky Owl, founded in 1879, also filed for bankruptcy citing slumping sales and a crippling cyberattack that halted operations. Sales are drying up as price-sensitive and health-conscious American consumers pull back on spirits. Campari-owned Wild Turkey saw an 8 percent decline in US sales during the first half of 2025, while Jack Daniels dropped 6 percent year-over-year. In January, Jack Daniel's parent company Brown-Forman announced layoffs affecting 12 percent of its workforce and the closure of a major barrel-making facility in Louisville. Danville-based Luca Mariano Distillery filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in July 'Recent indicators point to a moderation in growth prospects, with declining business confidence and rising economic policy uncertainty, exacerbated by escalating trade tensions,' the company said in its report. 'The United States's newly announced tariffs, and the threat of retaliatory measures, add to the volatility...The United States beverage alcohol sector is among those at risk, while the full effects remain complex and unclear,' the report stated. The US announced EU imports would be hit with a 15 percent duty, but it is not yet clear what European tariffs on American goods will be. Jack Daniel's Tennessee Whiskey also fell 6 percent year-over-year, its latest report revealed. In January its parent company Brown-Forman said it would be eliminating roughly 12 percent of its workforce and closing one of its major barrel-making plants in Louisville, Kentucky. 'This has been an extremely difficult time for distillers across the country who are dealing with increased production costs, a slowdown in spirits sales in the U.S. marketplace, and a significant disruption to spirits exports due to threat of tariffs and retaliation related to ongoing trade disputes,' the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States told Newsweek. Another major hurdle for this industry is that Canada, the US spirits second largest export market, is keeping whisky off its store shelves in protest at Trump's punitive trade policies against the nation. LMD owner Francesco Viola (right) hopes the business will emerge successfully The iconic Kentucky Owl whiskey, which was founded in 1879, fell into bankruptcy last year Well-known Kentucky whisky business Garrard County Distilling collapsed in the spring It's not just Kentucky whisky that is suffering as a result of a general consumer pullback from alcohol. In June the largest alcohol distributor in the US has announced it is pulling out of California, blaming rising costs of doing business in the state. Texas-based Republic National Distributing has said that it will no longer do business in California after September 2. This has sent more than 2,500 drinks brands scrambling to find a new wholesaler and distributor in the state, which is famous in large part for its wine production. The departure of a wholesale giant from the largest wine market in the US is also a warning sign for an industry which is already struggling Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (NYSE:AEM Free Report) (TSE:AEM) Research analysts at Cormark raised their Q3 2025 earnings estimates for shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a note issued to investors on Friday, August 1st. Cormark analyst R. Gray now expects that the mining company will post earnings per share of $1.43 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.40. The consensus estimate for Agnico Eagle Mines current full-year earnings is $4.63 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Agnico Eagle Mines Q4 2025 earnings at $1.43 EPS. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: Other equities research analysts also recently issued research reports about the stock. Bank of America increased their target price on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $170.00 to $173.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, June 23rd. Scotiabank reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Monday, April 14th. UBS Group raised their price objective on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Lake Street Capital restated a buy rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a research report on Monday, June 23rd. Finally, National Bankshares reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report on Tuesday, June 24th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and five have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Buy and an average price target of $136.90. Agnico Eagle Mines Stock Up 2.4% Shares of AEM opened at $134.55 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.16, a current ratio of 2.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.03. The business has a fifty day moving average of $121.73 and a 200 day moving average of $110.80. The company has a market cap of $67.65 billion, a PE ratio of 22.88, a P/E/G ratio of 0.91 and a beta of 0.44. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 52-week low of $71.93 and a 52-week high of $134.93. Agnico Eagle Mines (NYSE:AEM Get Free Report) (TSE:AEM) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The mining company reported $1.94 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.83 by $0.11. The business had revenue of $2.86 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.46 billion. Agnico Eagle Mines had a return on equity of 13.79% and a net margin of 30.63%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 35.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.07 EPS. Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement The company also recently announced a dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 16th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 2nd were issued a $0.40 dividend. This represents a dividend yield of 136.0%. The ex-dividend date was Friday, May 30th. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio is currently 27.21%. Hedge Funds Weigh In On Agnico Eagle Mines A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Agnico Eagle Mines in the second quarter worth about $25,000. MJT & Associates Financial Advisory Group Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in the 1st quarter worth approximately $26,000. City State Bank lifted its position in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 69.2% in the 2nd quarter. City State Bank now owns 269 shares of the mining companys stock worth $32,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the period. Finally, Private Trust Co. NA boosted its stake in shares of Agnico Eagle Mines by 454.9% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 283 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 232 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.34% of the companys stock. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines Limited, a gold mining company, exploration, development, and production of precious metals. It explores for gold. The company's mines are located in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico, with exploration and development activities in Canada, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the United States. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Agnico Eagle Mines Limited (TSE:AEM Free Report) (NYSE:AEM) Cormark upped their Q3 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Agnico Eagle Mines in a report issued on Friday, August 1st. Cormark analyst R. Gray now forecasts that the company will post earnings of $1.97 per share for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $1.95. The consensus estimate for Agnico Eagle Mines current full-year earnings is $5.50 per share. Cormark also issued estimates for Agnico Eagle Mines Q4 2025 earnings at $1.97 EPS. Get Agnico Eagle Mines alerts: AEM has been the topic of a number of other research reports. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, April 15th. Raymond James Financial upgraded Agnico Eagle Mines to a moderate buy rating in a research report on Monday, June 30th. Cfra Research raised Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, April 25th. Stifel Nicolaus boosted their price objective on Agnico Eagle Mines from C$185.00 to C$195.00 in a research note on Monday, April 28th. Finally, TD Securities raised Agnico Eagle Mines to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and five have issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Strong Buy and a consensus price target of C$163.33. Agnico Eagle Mines Trading Up 7.3% TSE AEM opened at C$185.42 on Monday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is C$166.51 and its two-hundred day moving average price is C$154.74. Agnico Eagle Mines has a 12 month low of C$99.05 and a 12 month high of C$185.98. The firm has a market capitalization of C$65.56 billion, a PE ratio of 65.14, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 22.97 and a beta of 1.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.75, a quick ratio of 0.89 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 7.88. Agnico Eagle Mines Dividend Announcement The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Investors of record on Tuesday, September 2nd will be paid a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.9%. Agnico Eagle Miness dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 76.24%. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, Senior Officer Christopher Charles Norman Vollmershausen sold 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$170.54, for a total transaction of C$852,700.00. Also, Senior Officer Ammar Al-Joundi sold 20,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, June 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$169.00, for a total value of C$3,379,960.00. In the last three months, insiders have sold 36,905 shares of company stock valued at $6,262,456. 0.08% of the stock is owned by company insiders. About Agnico Eagle Mines (Get Free Report) Agnico Eagle Mines is a gold miner operating mines in Canada, Mexico, and Finland. It also owns 50% of the Canadian Malartic mine. Agnico operated just one mine, LaRonde, as recently as 2008 before bringing its other mines on line in rapid succession in the following years. The company produced more than 1.7 million gold ounces in 2020. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Agnico Eagle Mines and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Advyzon Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report) during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 17,618 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $181,000. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of PATH. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in UiPath by 103.7% during the 4th quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 153,191 shares of the companys stock worth $1,947,000 after buying an additional 77,983 shares during the period. Arrowstreet Capital Limited Partnership purchased a new position in UiPath during the 4th quarter valued at about $5,776,000. Franklin Resources Inc. grew its stake in UiPath by 1,245.4% during the 4th quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 136,690 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,737,000 after acquiring an additional 126,530 shares in the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN grew its stake in UiPath by 58.7% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 545,166 shares of the companys stock valued at $6,929,000 after acquiring an additional 201,645 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Russell Investments Group Ltd. grew its stake in UiPath by 73.8% during the 4th quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. now owns 1,118,774 shares of the companys stock valued at $14,220,000 after acquiring an additional 475,133 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 62.50% of the companys stock. Get UiPath alerts: Insiders Place Their Bets In other news, CEO Daniel Dines sold 9,988 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $12.00, for a total transaction of $119,856.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer directly owned 4,598,388 shares in the company, valued at $55,180,656. The trade was a 0.22% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In the last three months, insiders sold 831,310 shares of company stock valued at $10,428,922. 23.19% of the stock is currently owned by insiders. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley lifted their target price on UiPath from $12.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, June 2nd. Scotiabank lifted their target price on UiPath from $12.00 to $13.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Barclays reaffirmed an equal weight rating on shares of UiPath in a research note on Friday, May 30th. DA Davidson raised UiPath to a hold rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 22nd. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their price target on UiPath from $11.00 to $15.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Friday, May 30th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have given a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, UiPath presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $13.83. View Our Latest Report on UiPath UiPath Stock Performance PATH opened at $11.22 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $12.58 and a 200 day moving average price of $12.35. UiPath, Inc. has a twelve month low of $9.38 and a twelve month high of $15.93. The firm has a market cap of $6.00 billion, a P/E ratio of -93.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 14.86 and a beta of 1.03. UiPath (NYSE:PATH Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 29th. The company reported $0.11 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.10 by $0.01. UiPath had a negative return on equity of 3.05% and a negative net margin of 4.65%. The firm had revenue of $356.62 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $332.17 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $0.13 EPS. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts anticipate that UiPath, Inc. will post -0.17 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. UiPath Company Profile (Free Report) UiPath Inc provides an end-to-end automation platform that offers a range of robotic process automation (RPA) solutions primarily in the United States, Romania, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and internationally. The company offers a suite of interrelated software to build, manage, run, engage, measure, and govern automation within the organization. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PATH? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for UiPath, Inc. (NYSE:PATH Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for UiPath Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for UiPath and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 32.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 229 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after purchasing an additional 56 shares during the quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $100,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of MSI. ORG Wealth Partners LLC raised its stake in Motorola Solutions by 346.2% in the first quarter. ORG Wealth Partners LLC now owns 58 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 45 shares in the last quarter. Fourth Dimension Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Community Bank N.A. bought a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter worth approximately $32,000. Fort Vancouver Investment Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Motorola Solutions in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $37,000. Finally, Alpine Bank Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Motorola Solutions during the first quarter valued at approximately $40,000. 84.17% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Motorola Solutions Trading Down 1.2% Shares of MSI stock opened at $434.77 on Wednesday. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $419.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $428.04. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $388.90 and a 1 year high of $507.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The company has a market cap of $72.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 36.29, a PEG ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.97. Motorola Solutions Dividend Announcement Analysts Set New Price Targets The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th were issued a dividend of $1.09 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. This represents a $4.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.0%. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.39%. A number of analysts have recently weighed in on MSI shares. Wolfe Research assumed coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research report on Monday, July 7th. They issued a peer perform rating on the stock. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $490.00 price objective on the stock. William Blair reiterated an outperform rating on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Wednesday, May 28th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on Motorola Solutions from $570.00 to $515.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Barclays lowered their price objective on Motorola Solutions from $527.00 to $511.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research note on Monday, May 5th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $510.67. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on MSI Insider Buying and Selling In other news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,073 shares of Motorola Solutions stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $418.68, for a total transaction of $449,243.64. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer owned 804 shares in the company, valued at $336,618.72. This trade represents a 57.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 1.44% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. About Motorola Solutions (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding MSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Primecap Management Co. CA raised its holdings in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb Company (NYSE:BMY Free Report) by 0.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,970,633 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after acquiring an additional 197,453 shares during the period. Bristol Myers Squibb makes up about 1.2% of Primecap Management Co. CAs portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest position. Primecap Management Co. CA owned about 1.13% of Bristol Myers Squibb worth $1,400,979,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC lifted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 9.3% in the 1st quarter. Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC now owns 3,885 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $237,000 after purchasing an additional 330 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 191,403,004 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $11,673,669,000 after purchasing an additional 1,458,488 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 17.7% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 14,051,319 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $856,990,000 after purchasing an additional 2,117,249 shares during the period. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 114.6% in the 1st quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 14,096 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $860,000 after purchasing an additional 7,528 shares during the period. Finally, Intrust Bank NA lifted its stake in shares of Bristol Myers Squibb by 8.5% in the 1st quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 34,482 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $2,103,000 after purchasing an additional 2,691 shares during the period. 76.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Bristol Myers Squibb alerts: Bristol Myers Squibb Trading Up 0.9% Shares of BMY opened at $45.82 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.21, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.54. Bristol Myers Squibb Company has a 12-month low of $42.96 and a 12-month high of $63.33. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $47.46 and a 200 day moving average price of $52.11. The firm has a market capitalization of $93.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.48, a P/E/G ratio of 2.33 and a beta of 0.36. Bristol Myers Squibb Announces Dividend Bristol Myers Squibb ( NYSE:BMY Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The biopharmaceutical company reported $1.46 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.07 by $0.39. The company had revenue of $12.27 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.32 billion. Bristol Myers Squibb had a net margin of 10.58% and a return on equity of 80.04%. Bristol Myers Squibbs revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.07 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts forecast that Bristol Myers Squibb Company will post 6.74 EPS for the current year. The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, August 1st. Shareholders of record on Thursday, July 3rd were paid a dividend of $0.62 per share. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.4%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, July 3rd. Bristol Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 100.00%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Several research firms recently issued reports on BMY. UBS Group decreased their target price on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from $60.00 to $54.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, April 11th. Daiwa America cut shares of Bristol Myers Squibb from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a research report on Tuesday. Argus upgraded shares of Bristol Myers Squibb to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. William Blair restated a market perform rating on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald restated a neutral rating and set a $55.00 price objective on shares of Bristol Myers Squibb in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fifteen have issued a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Bristol Myers Squibb currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $56.38. View Our Latest Stock Analysis on BMY Bristol Myers Squibb Company Profile (Free Report) Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in non-valvular atrial fibrillation, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for various anti-cancer indications, including bladder, blood, CRC, head and neck, RCC, HCC, lung, melanoma, MPM, stomach and esophageal cancer; Pomalyst/Imnovid for multiple myeloma; Orencia for active rheumatoid arthritis and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. Recommended Stories Receive News & Ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bristol Myers Squibb and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLC cut its stake in Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC) by 3.7% during the first quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 118,368 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 4,569 shares during the quarter. Cary Street Partners Financial LLCs holdings in Bank of America were worth $4,940,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Plan Group Financial LLC purchased a new position in Bank of America during the 1st quarter worth $239,000. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP grew its stake in Bank of America by 52.4% during the 1st quarter. Westfield Capital Management Co. LP now owns 3,344,496 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $139,566,000 after buying an additional 1,150,471 shares during the last quarter. MWA Asset Management grew its stake in Bank of America by 1.9% during the 1st quarter. MWA Asset Management now owns 45,505 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $1,899,000 after buying an additional 847 shares during the last quarter. Probity Advisors Inc. grew its stake in Bank of America by 4.1% during the 1st quarter. Probity Advisors Inc. now owns 49,660 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,072,000 after buying an additional 1,973 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Earned Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Bank of America by 42.9% during the 1st quarter. Earned Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 19,572 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $817,000 after acquiring an additional 5,877 shares during the period. 70.71% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Bank of America alerts: Insider Activity at Bank of America In other Bank of America news, insider James P. Demare sold 148,391 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $45.57, for a total transaction of $6,762,177.87. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 223,407 shares of the companys stock, valued at $10,180,656.99. This represents a 39.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 0.30% of the stock is owned by insiders. Wall Street Analyst Weigh In Several analysts have weighed in on BAC shares. Robert W. Baird reiterated a neutral rating and set a $52.00 price target on shares of Bank of America in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Truist Financial boosted their price target on Bank of America from $51.00 to $53.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th. HSBC downgraded Bank of America from a buy rating to a hold rating and boosted their price target for the company from $47.00 to $51.00 in a research note on Monday, July 7th. Oppenheimer boosted their price target on Bank of America from $55.00 to $57.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, TD Cowen started coverage on Bank of America in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. They set a buy rating and a $53.00 price target on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have issued a hold rating and seventeen have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $50.13. Read Our Latest Report on BAC Bank of America Stock Down 0.7% Bank of America stock opened at $45.54 on Wednesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $337.31 billion, a PE ratio of 13.32, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 1.31. Bank of America Corporation has a 12 month low of $33.06 and a 12 month high of $49.31. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $46.35 and a 200-day simple moving average of $43.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 0.80 and a quick ratio of 0.79. Bank of America (NYSE:BAC Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.89 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.86 by $0.03. Bank of America had a return on equity of 10.25% and a net margin of 14.81%. The business had revenue of ($22,273.00) million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $26.79 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $0.83 earnings per share. The businesss revenue was up 4.3% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts anticipate that Bank of America Corporation will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year. Bank of America declared that its Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan on Wednesday, July 23rd that permits the company to buyback $40.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization permits the financial services provider to buy up to 11.1% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are usually a sign that the companys board of directors believes its shares are undervalued. Bank of America Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.28 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 5th. This is an increase from Bank of Americas previous quarterly dividend of $0.26. This represents a $1.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.5%. Bank of Americas payout ratio is currently 30.41%. About Bank of America (Free Report) Bank of America Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides banking and financial products and services for individual consumers, small and middle-market businesses, institutional investors, large corporations, and governments worldwide. It operates in four segments: Consumer Banking, Global Wealth & Investment Management (GWIM), Global Banking, and Global Markets. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BAC? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Bank of America Corporation (NYSE:BAC Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Bank of America Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Bank of America and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Cornerstone Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE:ECAT Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 4,400 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $69,000. A number of other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 17.2% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 13,766 shares of the companys stock worth $217,000 after purchasing an additional 2,021 shares in the last quarter. PFG Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 9.0% in the 1st quarter. PFG Investments LLC now owns 18,200 shares of the companys stock worth $287,000 after purchasing an additional 1,500 shares in the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 12.6% in the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 79,738 shares of the companys stock worth $1,308,000 after purchasing an additional 8,920 shares in the last quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. increased its stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 50.7% in the 4th quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 178,960 shares of the companys stock worth $2,935,000 after purchasing an additional 60,179 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE increased its stake in shares of BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust by 19.6% in the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 589,867 shares of the companys stock worth $9,674,000 after purchasing an additional 96,731 shares in the last quarter. Get BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust alerts: BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Stock Performance NYSE:ECAT opened at $16.37 on Wednesday. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust has a one year low of $13.35 and a one year high of $18.09. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $16.12 and a 200-day moving average price of $16.00. BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Cuts Dividend BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Profile The firm also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be paid a $0.2902 dividend. This represents a c) dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 21.3%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. (Free Report) BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Trusts (ECAT) (the Trust) investment objectives are to provide total return and income through a combination of current income, current gains and long-term capital appreciation. The Trust invests in a portfolio of equity and debt securities. Generally, the Trusts portfolio will include both equity and debt securities. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ECAT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust (NYSE:ECAT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for BlackRock ESG Capital Allocation Term Trust and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Strategy Asset Managers LLC lessened its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY Free Report) by 6.5% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 14,795 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,023 shares during the quarter. Eli Lilly and Company makes up about 2.5% of Strategy Asset Managers LLCs holdings, making the stock its 6th biggest holding. Strategy Asset Managers LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $12,219,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Several other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in LLY. Garner Asset Management Corp lifted its position in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 2.3% in the 4th quarter. Garner Asset Management Corp now owns 532 shares of the companys stock valued at $411,000 after acquiring an additional 12 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 22.0% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 9,597 shares of the companys stock worth $7,409,000 after buying an additional 1,730 shares in the last quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.8% in the 4th quarter. Revolve Wealth Partners LLC now owns 1,471 shares of the companys stock worth $1,136,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Orion Capital Management LLC now owns 1,610 shares of the companys stock worth $1,243,000 after buying an additional 40 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG lifted its position in Eli Lilly and Company by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG now owns 64,758 shares of the companys stock worth $49,993,000 after buying an additional 2,568 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 82.53% of the companys stock. Get Eli Lilly and Company alerts: Eli Lilly and Company Stock Performance NYSE:LLY opened at $766.47 on Wednesday. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $677.09 and a 1 year high of $972.53. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $777.42 and its 200 day simple moving average is $800.57. The company has a current ratio of 1.37, a quick ratio of 1.06 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.18. The firm has a market capitalization of $726.41 billion, a PE ratio of 62.37, a PEG ratio of 1.09 and a beta of 0.44. Eli Lilly and Company Announces Dividend Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, September 10th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $1.50 dividend. This represents a $6.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.8%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 15th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 48.82%. A number of research firms have issued reports on LLY. Cantor Fitzgerald began coverage on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They issued an overweight rating and a $975.00 target price for the company. Guggenheim increased their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $936.00 to $942.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Friday, July 11th. UBS Group cut their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $1,100.00 to $1,050.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, May 2nd. The Goldman Sachs Group upgraded shares of Eli Lilly and Company from a neutral rating to a buy rating and cut their target price for the stock from $892.00 to $888.00 in a research report on Tuesday, April 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reiterated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating and seventeen have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Eli Lilly and Company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $1,012.56. Get Our Latest Research Report on Eli Lilly and Company About Eli Lilly and Company (Free Report) Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. The company offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; Jardiance, Mounjaro, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes; and Zepbound for obesity. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Eli Lilly and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Eli Lilly and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Get Free Report) and Straumann (OTCMKTS:SAUHY Get Free Report) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the better stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, valuation, profitability, analyst recommendations, earnings and dividends. Dividends Becton, Dickinson and Company pays an annual dividend of $4.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Straumann pays an annual dividend of $0.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays out 79.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Becton, Dickinson and Company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years. Becton, Dickinson and Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: Analyst Ratings This is a breakdown of current ratings and recommmendations for Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumann, as reported by MarketBeat.com. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Becton, Dickinson and Company 0 7 4 0 2.36 Straumann 0 0 0 3 4.00 Insider & Institutional Ownership Becton, Dickinson and Company currently has a consensus target price of $212.8750, indicating a potential upside of 20.36%. Given Becton, Dickinson and Companys higher probable upside, equities research analysts clearly believe Becton, Dickinson and Company is more favorable than Straumann. 87.0% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by institutional investors. 0.4% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are held by insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Profitability This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumanns net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Becton, Dickinson and Company 7.28% 15.99% 7.36% Straumann N/A N/A N/A Risk & Volatility Becton, Dickinson and Company has a beta of 0.2, indicating that its share price is 80% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Straumann has a beta of 1.52, indicating that its share price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumanns gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Becton, Dickinson and Company $20.18 billion 2.51 $1.71 billion $5.24 33.75 Straumann $2.84 billion 7.06 $441.09 million N/A N/A Becton, Dickinson and Company has higher revenue and earnings than Straumann. Summary Becton, Dickinson and Company beats Straumann on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Becton, Dickinson and Company (Get Free Report) Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional. The BD Medical segment provides peripheral intravenous (IV) and advanced peripheral catheters, central lines, acute dialysis catheters, vascular access technology, vascular care and preparation products, needle-free IV connectors and extensions sets, closed-system drug transfer devices, hazardous drug detections, hypodermic syringes and needles, anesthesia needles and trays, enteral syringes, and sharps disposal systems; IV medication safety and infusion therapy delivery systems, medication compounding workflow systems, automated medication dispensing and supply management systems, and medication inventory optimization and tracking systems; and prefillable drug delivery systems. The BD Life Sciences segment offers specimen and blood collection products; automated blood and tuberculosis culturing, molecular testing, microorganism identification and drug susceptibility, and liquid-based cytology systems, as well as rapid diagnostic assays, microbiology laboratory automation products, and plated media products; and fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers, antibodies and kits, reagent systems, and solutions for single-cell gene expression analysis, as well as clinical oncology, immunological, and transplantation diagnostic/monitoring reagents and analyzers. The BD Interventional segment provides hernia and soft tissue repair, biological and bioresorbable grafts, biosurgery, and other surgical products; surgical infection prevention; peripheral intervention products; and urology and critical care products. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. About Straumann (Get Free Report) Straumann Holding AG provides tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions worldwide. It researches, develops, manufactures, and supplies dental implants, instruments, CADCAM prosthetics, orthodontic aligners, biomaterials, and digital solutions for use in tooth correction, replacement, and restoration, as well as to prevent tooth loss. The company offers dental implants and components made from titanium, titanium alloy, and ceramics; prosthetic elements made od ceramics, metal or polymer; and clear aligners. In addition, it offers resins for 3D printing and thermoplastics for clear aligner production; and biomaterials for tissue generation. Further, it provides digital equipment comprising scanners, milling machines and 3D printers. Further, it offers training and education services. The company provides its products to general dentists, specialists, and dental technicians and laboratories, as well as customers, such as distributors, hospitals, universities, and dental service organizations in approximately 100 countries through a network of distribution subsidiaries and partners. Straumann Holding AG was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Ibstock plc (LON:IBST Get Free Report)s stock price passed below its 50 day moving average during trading on Tuesday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of GBX 159.38 ($2.12) and traded as low as GBX 147.40 ($1.96). Ibstock shares last traded at GBX 147.40 ($1.96), with a volume of 609,797 shares trading hands. Analysts Set New Price Targets Separately, Berenberg Bank reissued a hold rating and set a GBX 200 ($2.66) target price on shares of Ibstock in a research report on Monday, June 16th. Get Ibstock alerts: Read Our Latest Research Report on IBST Ibstock Trading Up 2.4% Insider Buying and Selling The company has a quick ratio of 1.19, a current ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 46.91. The firm has a market cap of 594.96 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 81.75, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.47 and a beta of 1.34. The businesss fifty day moving average is GBX 159.38 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 168.14. In other Ibstock news, insider Richard Akers bought 100,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 19th. The stock was purchased at an average price of GBX 155 ($2.06) per share, with a total value of 155,000 ($206,089.62). Corporate insiders own 0.35% of the companys stock. About Ibstock (Get Free Report) Ibstock plc manufactures and sells clay and concrete building products and solutions to customers in the residential construction sector in the United Kingdom. The company offers bricks and masonry, which includes facing and engineering bricks, brick slips, special shaped bricks, walling stone, architectural masonry, prefabricated components, eco-habitats, and padstones and lintels, as well as facade systems; roofing products comprising roof tiles and accessories, and chimneys; and flooring and lintels, such as beam and block flooring, insulated flooring, hollowcore, and screed rails. See Also Receive News & Ratings for Ibstock Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Ibstock and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Intrust Bank NA reduced its position in Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report) by 3.3% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 58,088 shares of the aerospace companys stock after selling 2,000 shares during the quarter. Intrust Bank NAs holdings in Spirit Aerosystems were worth $2,002,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems during the 4th quarter worth about $67,000. Byrne Asset Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 128.2% in the 1st quarter. Byrne Asset Management LLC now owns 4,679 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $161,000 after buying an additional 2,629 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers purchased a new stake in shares of Spirit Aerosystems in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $211,000. Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 52.9% during the 4th quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 6,317 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $215,000 after purchasing an additional 2,186 shares during the period. Finally, KBC Group NV boosted its position in shares of Spirit Aerosystems by 23.1% during the 1st quarter. KBC Group NV now owns 7,055 shares of the aerospace companys stock worth $243,000 after purchasing an additional 1,322 shares during the period. 93.59% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Spirit Aerosystems alerts: Spirit Aerosystems Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SPR opened at $39.32 on Wednesday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $38.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $35.97. Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. has a 12 month low of $27.00 and a 12 month high of $42.33. The firm has a market capitalization of $4.61 billion, a P/E ratio of -2.16 and a beta of 1.70. Analyst Ratings Changes Spirit Aerosystems ( NYSE:SPR Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The aerospace company reported ($3.34) earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of ($1.07) by ($2.27). The firm had revenue of $1.64 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.82 billion. During the same period last year, the business earned ($2.73) EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 9.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. will post -11.88 EPS for the current year. Separately, Susquehanna increased their target price on shares of Spirit Aerosystems from $37.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 14th. View Our Latest Research Report on Spirit Aerosystems About Spirit Aerosystems (Free Report) Spirit AeroSystems Holdings, Inc engages in the design, engineering, manufacture, and marketing of commercial aerostructures worldwide. It operates through three segments: Commercial, Defense & Space, and Aftermarket. The Commercial segment offers forward, mid, and rear fuselage sections and systems, floor beams, nacelles, struts/pylons, horizontal and vertical stabilizers, flaps and slats flight control surfaces, wing structures, and wing systems. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SPR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Spirit Aerosystems Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:SPR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Spirit Aerosystems Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Spirit Aerosystems and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc. raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report) by 8.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 12,032 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 981 shares during the period. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF makes up about 3.6% of Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc.s portfolio, making the stock its 4th biggest position. Greykasell Wealth Strategies Inc.s holdings in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF were worth $6,761,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Windsor Advisory Group LLC lifted its stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 100.0% during the 4th quarter. Windsor Advisory Group LLC now owns 50 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 25 shares during the period. Investment Counsel Co. of Nevada acquired a new stake in iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $33,000. Lord & Richards Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Navigoe LLC purchased a new position in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Marquette Asset Management LLC increased its holdings in shares of iShares Core S&P 500 ETF by 51.9% during the 1st quarter. Marquette Asset Management LLC now owns 79 shares of the companys stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 27 shares in the last quarter. 70.12% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares Core S&P 500 ETF alerts: iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Price Performance NYSEARCA:IVV opened at $631.12 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $635.95 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 25.10 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $616.94 and a 200-day moving average price of $589.44. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF has a 1-year low of $484.00 and a 1-year high of $642.94. iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Profile iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the Standard & Poors 500 Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization sector of the United States equity market. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF (NYSEARCA:IVV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core S&P 500 ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF (NYSEARCA:AGG Free Report) by 13.9% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 21,095,135 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 2,567,446 shares during the quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. owned 1.69% of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF worth $2,086,731,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. A number of other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Texas Yale Capital Corp. lifted its holdings in iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 1.6% during the 1st quarter. Texas Yale Capital Corp. now owns 6,496 shares of the companys stock worth $643,000 after buying an additional 103 shares in the last quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 3.0% in the 1st quarter. Tempus Wealth Planning LLC now owns 3,830 shares of the companys stock valued at $379,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 19.9% in the 1st quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 686 shares of the companys stock valued at $67,000 after purchasing an additional 114 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 0.5% in the 1st quarter. Retirement Wealth Solutions LLC now owns 21,591 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,136,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Howland Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in shares of iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF by 0.8% in the 1st quarter. Howland Capital Management LLC now owns 13,949 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,380,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. 83.63% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF alerts: iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Trading Up 0.0% Shares of AGG opened at $99.25 on Wednesday. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF has a twelve month low of $95.74 and a twelve month high of $102.04. The firms fifty day simple moving average is $98.27 and its 200-day simple moving average is $98.07. The firm has a market capitalization of $129.32 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 124.57 and a beta of 0.12. iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Company Profile IShares are index funds that are bought and sold like common stocks on national securities exchanges as well as certain foreign exchanges. iShares are attractive because of their relatively low cost, tax efficiency and trading flexibility. Investors can purchase and sell shares through any brokerage firm, financial advisor, or online broker, and hold the funds in any type of brokerage account. See Also Receive News & Ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares Core U.S. Aggregate Bond ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Kula Gold Limited (ASX:KGD Get Free Report) insider Mark Stowell purchased 7,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, July 29th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of A$0.01 ($0.01) per share, with a total value of A$56,000.00 ($36,363.64). Kula Gold Price Performance The company has a quick ratio of 2.56, a current ratio of 4.68 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.72. The firm has a market cap of $3.55 million, a PE ratio of -1.38 and a beta of 0.85. Get Kula Gold alerts: Kula Gold Company Profile (Get Free Report) Further Reading Kula Gold Limited, together with its subsidiaries, identifies and explores for metals in Western Australia. It primarily explores for gold, lithium, halloysite, nickel, kaolin, and copper deposits, as well as platinum group elements. The company holds interest in Kirup Project, Brunswick Project, and Lake Rebecca Project located in Western Australia. Receive News & Ratings for Kula Gold Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Kula Gold and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Provident Investment Management Inc. grew its stake in The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report) by 2.0% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 623,607 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 12,465 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab comprises about 4.6% of Provident Investment Management Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 10th biggest holding. Provident Investment Management Inc.s holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $48,816,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in SCHW. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 15.4% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 148,395,252 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $11,616,380,000 after acquiring an additional 19,817,022 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 15,739,917 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,164,911,000 after acquiring an additional 1,864,286 shares during the period. Primecap Management Co. CA lifted its position in Charles Schwab by 229.3% during the 1st quarter. Primecap Management Co. CA now owns 14,002,078 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,096,083,000 after acquiring an additional 9,749,728 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 27.5% during the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 11,653,684 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $862,489,000 after purchasing an additional 2,511,082 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in Charles Schwab by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 11,056,953 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $865,538,000 after purchasing an additional 618,101 shares in the last quarter. 84.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. Get Charles Schwab alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets A number of analysts have weighed in on SCHW shares. Barclays raised their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $106.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Bank of America raised their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $83.00 to $84.00 and gave the company an underperform rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Truist Financial raised their price objective on shares of Charles Schwab from $100.00 to $107.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 21st. Piper Sandler lifted their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $80.00 to $92.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, July 15th. Finally, Raymond James Financial reiterated an outperform rating and issued a $99.00 price target on shares of Charles Schwab in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and sixteen have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $99.35. Insider Buying and Selling In related news, insider Nigel J. Murtagh sold 24,096 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, July 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $97.91, for a total value of $2,359,239.36. Following the sale, the insider owned 58,999 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,776,592.09. The trade was a 29.00% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, insider Paul V. Woolway sold 3,290 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $96.06, for a total transaction of $316,037.40. Following the completion of the sale, the insider owned 41,188 shares in the company, valued at $3,956,519.28. This represents a 7.40% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 308,016 shares of company stock valued at $29,341,433 in the last three months. Corporate insiders own 6.30% of the companys stock. Charles Schwab Price Performance SCHW stock opened at $96.47 on Wednesday. The Charles Schwab Corporation has a one year low of $61.16 and a one year high of $99.59. The companys fifty day moving average price is $91.64 and its 200-day moving average price is $84.02. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53. The company has a market capitalization of $175.28 billion, a PE ratio of 25.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.93 and a beta of 0.96. Charles Schwab (NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Friday, July 18th. The financial services provider reported $1.14 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.10 by $0.04. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 33.68% and a return on equity of 19.73%. The firm had revenue of $5.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.64 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $0.73 earnings per share. The companys quarterly revenue was up 24.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities analysts anticipate that The Charles Schwab Corporation will post 4.22 EPS for the current fiscal year. Charles Schwab Announces Dividend The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be given a $0.27 dividend. This represents a $1.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.1%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 8th. Charles Schwabs payout ratio is currently 29.03%. Charles Schwab announced that its Board of Directors has initiated a share buyback plan on Thursday, July 24th that authorizes the company to buyback $20.00 billion in shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to purchase up to 11.6% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback plans are typically a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Charles Schwab Profile (Free Report) The Charles Schwab Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a savings and loan holding company that provides wealth management, securities brokerage, banking, asset management, custody, and financial advisory services in the United States and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Investor Services and Advisor Services. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCHW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Charles Schwab Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Charles Schwab and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Schnieders Capital Management LLC lessened its holdings in Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report) by 5.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 30,923 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 1,700 shares during the period. Schnieders Capital Management LLCs holdings in Duke Energy were worth $3,772,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vermillion Wealth Management Inc. purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $27,000. Wayfinding Financial LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. N.E.W. Advisory Services LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Mattson Financial Services LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Redwood Park Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Duke Energy during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 65.31% of the companys stock. Get Duke Energy alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In DUK has been the subject of a number of analyst reports. The Goldman Sachs Group set a $132.00 price target on Duke Energy in a research report on Tuesday, July 1st. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price target on Duke Energy from $127.00 to $138.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. Barclays decreased their price objective on Duke Energy from $123.00 to $122.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. Raymond James Financial began coverage on Duke Energy in a report on Friday, June 13th. They issued a market perform rating on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their price objective on Duke Energy from $125.00 to $124.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, June 18th. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Duke Energy has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $127.25. Duke Energy Stock Down 0.0% Shares of NYSE DUK opened at $124.15 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $96.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.59, a PEG ratio of 3.00 and a beta of 0.36. The company has a current ratio of 0.77, a quick ratio of 0.50 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.57. Duke Energy Corporation has a 12-month low of $105.20 and a 12-month high of $127.85. The businesss fifty day simple moving average is $117.66 and its 200-day simple moving average is $117.20. Duke Energy (NYSE:DUK Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 5th. The utilities provider reported $1.25 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.04). The business had revenue of $7.51 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.07 billion. Duke Energy had a net margin of 15.40% and a return on equity of 9.88%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 4.7% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.18 EPS. As a group, equities analysts predict that Duke Energy Corporation will post 6.33 EPS for the current fiscal year. Duke Energy Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 16th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be issued a $1.065 dividend. This represents a $4.26 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.4%. This is a boost from Duke Energys previous quarterly dividend of $1.05. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. Duke Energys dividend payout ratio is currently 69.32%. Duke Energy Company Profile (Free Report) Duke Energy Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, operates as an energy company in the United States. It operates through two segments: Electric Utilities and Infrastructure (EU&I), and Gas Utilities and Infrastructure (GU&I). The EU&I segment generates, transmits, distributes, and sells electricity in the Carolinas, Florida, and the Midwest. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DUK? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Duke Energy Corporation (NYSE:DUK Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Duke Energy Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Duke Energy and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MGB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report) by 12.3% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 1,329 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 146 shares during the quarter. MGB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Trane Technologies were worth $447,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in TT. CWA Asset Management Group LLC grew its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 19.2% during the 1st quarter. CWA Asset Management Group LLC now owns 1,135 shares of the companys stock valued at $382,000 after acquiring an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Ethic Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 150.1% during the 4th quarter. Ethic Inc. now owns 24,883 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,190,000 after acquiring an additional 14,932 shares in the last quarter. Brighton Jones LLC grew its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 60.0% during the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 6,194 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,288,000 after acquiring an additional 2,323 shares in the last quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 495.5% during the 1st quarter. Oppenheimer Asset Management Inc. now owns 4,252 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,433,000 after acquiring an additional 3,538 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in shares of Trane Technologies by 13.4% during the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 10,141 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,417,000 after acquiring an additional 1,198 shares in the last quarter. 82.97% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Trane Technologies alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth TT has been the subject of a number of recent research reports. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $463.00 to $467.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. HSBC cut shares of Trane Technologies from a buy rating to a hold rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $415.00 to $460.00 in a report on Thursday, July 31st. Hsbc Global Res cut shares of Trane Technologies from a strong-buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upped their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $334.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Friday, May 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of Trane Technologies from $370.00 to $410.00 and gave the stock an underweight rating in a report on Tuesday, July 1st. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and five have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Trane Technologies currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $458.60. Trane Technologies Stock Down 1.3% Trane Technologies stock opened at $428.52 on Wednesday. The firm has a market cap of $95.35 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.98, a P/E/G ratio of 2.77 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.50, a current ratio of 1.10 and a quick ratio of 0.76. Trane Technologies plc has a fifty-two week low of $298.15 and a fifty-two week high of $476.18. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $435.62 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $389.21. Trane Technologies (NYSE:TT Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The company reported $3.88 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.79 by $0.09. The business had revenue of $5.75 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.77 billion. Trane Technologies had a net margin of 13.76% and a return on equity of 36.61%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 7.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $3.30 earnings per share. As a group, analysts forecast that Trane Technologies plc will post 12.83 earnings per share for the current year. Trane Technologies Dividend Announcement The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 5th will be given a dividend of $0.94 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 5th. This represents a $3.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.9%. Trane Technologiess dividend payout ratio is currently 29.82%. About Trane Technologies (Free Report) Trane Technologies plc, together with its subsidiaries, designs, manufactures, sells, and services of solutions for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, custom, and custom and transport refrigeration in Ireland and internationally. It offers air conditioners, exchangers, and handlers; airside and terminal devices; air sourced heat pumps, auxiliary power units; chillers; coils and condensers; gensets; dehumidifiers; ductless; furnaces; home automation products; humidifiers; indoor air quality assessments and related products; large and light commercial unitary products; refrigerant reclamation products; thermostats/controls; transport heater products; variable refrigerant flow products; and water source heat pumps. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding TT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Trane Technologies plc (NYSE:TT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Trane Technologies Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Trane Technologies and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC lessened its holdings in Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report) by 0.6% during the first quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 37,422 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 217 shares during the quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLCs holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $4,964,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Redwood Park Advisors LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter valued at about $25,000. Hughes Financial Services LLC purchased a new position in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter worth approximately $27,000. Abound Financial LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Wormser Freres Gestion bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 4th quarter worth $32,000. Finally, JCIC Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the first quarter valued at about $32,000. 75.18% of the stock is owned by institutional investors. Get Abbott Laboratories alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets ABT has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley upped their price target on Abbott Laboratories from $127.00 to $137.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 15th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $147.00 to $142.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Friday, July 18th. Jefferies Financial Group raised shares of Abbott Laboratories from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their target price for the company from $143.00 to $145.00 in a research note on Friday, July 18th. Barclays increased their price target on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $158.00 to $159.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. Finally, Leerink Partners initiated coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a research report on Monday, June 16th. They set a market perform rating and a $143.00 price objective on the stock. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, seventeen have assigned a buy rating and two have assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $144.47. Abbott Laboratories Trading Up 0.7% NYSE:ABT opened at $130.78 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $227.62 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.39, a PEG ratio of 2.46 and a beta of 0.70. The company has a quick ratio of 1.30, a current ratio of 1.82 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25. The companys 50 day moving average price is $131.72 and its 200-day moving average price is $130.72. Abbott Laboratories has a 52 week low of $107.11 and a 52 week high of $141.23. Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, July 17th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.26 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $1.26. Abbott Laboratories had a return on equity of 18.32% and a net margin of 32.43%. The business had revenue of $11.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $11.01 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.14 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts forecast that Abbott Laboratories will post 5.14 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 15th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be issued a dividend of $0.59 per share. This represents a $2.36 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.57%. 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. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ABT? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Abbott Laboratories Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Abbott Laboratories and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Chinese envoy calls for immediate ceasefire and implementation of two-state solution at UN Security Council meeting Global Times) 13:40, August 06, 2025 China's Deputy Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Geng Shuang, spoke at an open meeting of the Security Council on the Palestine-Israel issue on Tuesday, calling for an immediate and lasting ceasefire, the implementation of the two-state solution, and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Geng noted that the conflict in Gaza has dragged on for nearly two years, causing unprecedented deaths and destruction and bringing unimaginable suffering to civilians on both sides. The ceasefire agreement reached in January offered hope for a lasting truce in Gaza and the release of all hostages. Unfortunately, that ceasefire was broken, hostages remain in captivity, and the suffering continues, said Geng. Geng called for an immediate and durable ceasefire. Over 60,000 civilians in Gaza have lost their lives due to Israeli military operations, with more innocent lives lost each day. The brutal reality has proven that military means cannot resolve the conflictonly a ceasefire can save lives and bring hostages home. Geng expressed grave concern over recent media reports that Israel plans to escalate its military offensive and fully occupy Gaza. He urged Israel to immediately halt such dangerous actions, called on all parties to agree to a binding and sustainable ceasefire, and appealed to countries with significant influence to act responsibly and help bring an end to the hostilities. "We also call for urgent efforts to alleviate the humanitarian crisis," said Geng. Two million innocent civilians in Gaza should not be made victims of war, nor should they continue to suffer from man-made disasters. Under the current extreme blockade, the humanitarian situation is deteriorating rapidly, with famine looming. Restricting the flow of aid only intensifies collective punishment and further endangers the lives of both civilians and hostages. Geng said that Israel must abide by international law, particularly international humanitarian law, fully restore access for humanitarian supplies, and support relief efforts by the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations. Finally, Geng called for renewed efforts to advance the two-state solution. Decades of recurring conflict have cast a long shadow over generations of Palestinians and Israelis. Fully implementing the two-state solution and establishing an independent Palestinian state is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian issue and preventing future tragedies like the current hostage crisis. He noted that last week's high-level meeting at the UN General Assembly sent a strong message in support of the two-state solution. The international community should jointly oppose unilateral actions that undermine this foundation and step up efforts to advance the political process. China will continue to work with the international community to help end the fighting in Gaza, ease the humanitarian crisis, and advance the implementation of the two-state solution, according to Geng. The ultimate goal is a comprehensive, just, and lasting resolution of the Palestinian issue, so that both the Palestinian and Israeli peoples can enjoy peace and prosperity, said Geng. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Westwood Holdings Group Inc. boosted its position in shares of Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL Free Report) by 35.9% during the 1st quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 1,252,914 shares of the basic materials companys stock after buying an additional 331,210 shares during the quarter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of Stepan worth $68,960,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. US Bancorp DE raised its stake in shares of Stepan by 2.7% in the 1st quarter. US Bancorp DE now owns 14,057 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $774,000 after buying an additional 373 shares in the last quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in Stepan by 76.4% during the 1st quarter. Legato Capital Management LLC now owns 9,292 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $511,000 after buying an additional 4,024 shares in the last quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd lifted its holdings in Stepan by 11.1% during the 1st quarter. Y Intercept Hong Kong Ltd now owns 12,434 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $684,000 after buying an additional 1,247 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC boosted its position in Stepan by 10.6% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 11,488 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $632,000 after buying an additional 1,105 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Counselors Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Stepan in the 1st quarter valued at $352,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 82.70% of the companys stock. Get Stepan alerts: Stepan Stock Up 1.7% Shares of NYSE SCL opened at $50.67 on Wednesday. The company has a current ratio of 1.35, a quick ratio of 0.79 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market capitalization of $1.14 billion, a PE ratio of 19.95 and a beta of 0.98. The firms 50-day moving average is $55.59 and its 200-day moving average is $56.15. Stepan Company has a 1 year low of $44.23 and a 1 year high of $82.08. Stepan Dividend Announcement Stepan ( NYSE:SCL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The basic materials company reported $0.52 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $0.92 by ($0.40). The company had revenue of $594.69 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $598.25 million. Stepan had a return on equity of 4.78% and a net margin of 2.57%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 6.9% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.41 earnings per share. Equities analysts expect that Stepan Company will post 3.55 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, September 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, August 29th will be issued a dividend of $0.385 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, August 29th. This represents a $1.54 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.0%. Stepans payout ratio is currently 60.63%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth Separately, Wall Street Zen cut Stepan from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Saturday. Get Our Latest Stock Analysis on SCL Stepan Profile (Free Report) Stepan Company, together with its subsidiaries, produces and sells specialty and intermediate chemicals to other manufacturers for use in various end products worldwide. It operates through three segments: Surfactants, Polymers, and Specialty Products. The Surfactants segment offers surfactants that are used in consumer and industrial cleaning and disinfection products, including detergents for washing clothes, dishes, carpets, and floors and walls, as well as shampoos and body washes; and other applications, such as fabric softeners, germicidal quaternary compounds, disinfectants, and lubricating ingredients. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SCL? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stepan Company (NYSE:SCL Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Stepan Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Stepan and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Prince Harry has spoken publicly for the first time since the Charity Commission of England and Wales closed the investigation into Sentebale, the charity he co-founded almost two decades ago with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Although the resolution of the case absolves him of any wrongdoing, the Duke of Sussex regrets that the reputational impact on the foundation and, above all, on the children it helps, is already irreversible. According to Defensa Central, the Commission found no evidence of harassment, intimidation or misogyny including systemic racial misogyny within the NGO, as denounced by its current president, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Nor was there any overreach on her part or Prince Harry's, who last March resigned as sponsor due to what he called a collapse in leadership. Harry and Megan Despite the favorable result, a spokesman for the prince was blunt: As expected, the Commission has not found any irregularities in relation to the co-founder. However, its report has serious deficiencies. The damage falls, not on those responsible for this situation, but on the children who depend on Sentebale's support, he stated. Defensa Central can report, in advance, that sources close to the founders of the NGO consider what happened to be a kind of hostile takeover by Chandauka. Both Harry and Seeiso feel betrayed and devastated by what they see as the loss of a cause to which they dedicated blood, sweat and tears, as well as their own money, for almost 20 years. A negative result The origin of the controversy dates back to a series of internal disputes that led to the resignation of the entire board of directors and, later, of the founders themselves. The break was described by them as irreparable. At its core, there is a conflict over governance, although more personal details have also emerged, such as an alleged disagreement between Harry and Chandauka regarding the public defense of Meghan Markle after a controversial event in April 2024. For her part, the current president responded by thanking the Commission for its conclusions, highlighting that her concerns were validated and emphasizing that the organization emerges from the crisis stronger and better governed. However, this vision contrasts with that of the former trustees, who claimed that their warnings were ignored and expressed concern about the future of Sentebale. The Commission has issued a Regulatory Action Plan, which will be supervised, to improve internal management and complaints procedures. Despite the turbulence, Chandauka invoked the memory of Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato, mothers of the founders, to reaffirm Sentebale's commitment to its mission. This was considered horrible by those close to the former administrators. Although Prince Harry has temporarily closed his cycle with the NGO, sources close to him assure that he remains committed to the children of Lesotho and Botswana. He does not rule out creating a new entity or collaborating with other local organizations. As one source points out: It's too early, but his commitment remains intact. Avantax Advisory Services Inc. grew its position in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:SMFG Free Report) by 22.7% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 32,499 shares of the banks stock after acquiring an additional 6,005 shares during the period. Avantax Advisory Services Inc.s holdings in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group were worth $502,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Get Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group alerts: A number of other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Capital A Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Bessemer Group Inc. raised its position in shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 138.1% in the 4th quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 1,929 shares of the banks stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 1,119 shares during the last quarter. Park Square Financial Group LLC bought a new position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Private Trust Co. NA grew its position in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 1,044.1% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 2,334 shares of the banks stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 2,130 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Financial Management Professionals Inc. increased its stake in Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group by 88.3% during the 1st quarter. Financial Management Professionals Inc. now owns 2,404 shares of the banks stock valued at $37,000 after purchasing an additional 1,127 shares in the last quarter. 3.85% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Analyst Ratings Changes A number of equities research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Nomura Securities upgraded shares of Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group to a strong-buy rating in a report on Thursday, July 3rd. Wall Street Zen upgraded Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research note on Saturday. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Price Performance Shares of NYSE:SMFG opened at $15.21 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 1.03, a current ratio of 1.03 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.75. The stock has a market capitalization of $98.45 billion, a PE ratio of 16.01, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.67 and a beta of 0.41. The firms 50 day moving average price is $15.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $14.84. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc has a twelve month low of $10.81 and a twelve month high of $16.74. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (NYSE:SMFG Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, July 31st. The bank reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.31 by $0.09. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group had a return on equity of 7.88% and a net margin of 11.78%. The company had revenue of $16.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1,094.67 billion. Equities research analysts expect that Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc will post 0.39 EPS for the current year. About Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group (Free Report) Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides banking, leasing, securities, credit card, and consumer finance services in Japan, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. It operates through Wholesale Business Unit, Retail Business Unit, Global Business Unit, and Global Markets Business Unit segments. Featured Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SMFG? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Inc (NYSE:SMFG Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. British American Tobacco (LON:BATS Free Report) had its price target increased by Jefferies Financial Group from GBX 4,800 ($63.82) to GBX 5,200 ($69.14) in a report published on Tuesday morning, Marketbeat.com reports. The brokerage currently has a buy rating on the stock. Get British American Tobacco alerts: Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Citigroup reiterated a buy rating on shares of British American Tobacco in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 2,800 ($37.23) to GBX 3,300 ($43.88) and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Monday. Royal Bank Of Canada reaffirmed a sector perform rating and set a GBX 3,000 ($39.89) price objective on shares of British American Tobacco in a report on Friday, August 1st. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised their price objective on shares of British American Tobacco from GBX 4,200 ($55.84) to GBX 4,400 ($58.50) and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of GBX 3,960 ($52.65). View Our Latest Research Report on BATS British American Tobacco Trading Up 0.4% Shares of BATS opened at GBX 4,202.09 ($55.87) on Tuesday. British American Tobacco has a twelve month low of GBX 2,556.23 ($33.99) and a twelve month high of GBX 4,228 ($56.22). The firm has a market capitalization of 92.45 billion, a P/E ratio of -6.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.12 and a beta of 0.27. The company has a current ratio of 0.88, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 74.63. The stocks fifty day simple moving average is GBX 3,658.41 and its 200 day simple moving average is GBX 3,329.97. British American Tobacco (LON:BATS Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The company reported GBX 162.90 ($2.17) EPS for the quarter. British American Tobacco had a negative return on equity of 25.94% and a negative net margin of 52.84%. On average, equities research analysts forecast that British American Tobacco will post 361.5079365 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other British American Tobacco news, insider Tadeu Marroco purchased 396 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, August 4th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 4,131 ($54.93) per share, for a total transaction of 16,358.76 ($21,750.78). Also, insider Soraya Benchikh acquired 55 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 4th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 4,131 ($54.93) per share, with a total value of 2,272.05 ($3,020.94). Over the last 90 days, insiders have purchased 1,276 shares of company stock worth $4,601,247. 10.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. British American Tobacco Company Profile (Get Free Report) BAT was founded in 1902 and was first listed on the London Stock Exchange in 1912. A constituent of the FTSE 100 since its creation in 1984, we have evolved, becoming the only truly global company in our sector. BAT is transforming and is well positioned with a global footprint and multi-category portfolio. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for British American Tobacco Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for British American Tobacco and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. The United States Army has announced a significant expansion of its air and missile defense forces, with plans to increase its capacity by 30 percent over the next eight years. The announcement comes as the military continues to adapt to evolving global threats and the lessons learned from recent international conflicts. Get alerts: The planned expansion was detailed by Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, the commander of the Armys Space and Missile Defense Command, during the Space and Missile Defense Symposium in Huntsville, Alabama. This strategic growth is a direct response to the increasing necessity for robust air and missile defense capabilities, a need highlighted by ongoing events in both the Middle East and Ukraine. The Army recognizes the importance of a more layered defensive structure to counter a wide array of aerial threats, including the growing challenge of drone swarms. New Battalions and Advanced Systems At the core of this expansion is the addition of totally new, and highly specialized units. The Army will activate three new Patriot Missile battalions, which will be equipped with the advanced Lower-Tier Air-and-Missile Defense Sensor (LTAMDS) radar. The Patriot missile system is a cornerstone of the Armys air defense, and these units consistently face one of the highest operational tempos in the service. By increasing the number of Patriot battalions, the Army aims to alleviate some of the persistent strain on these high-demand units. Strategic Alignment and Future Initiatives In addition to the new Patriot battalions, the force will be augmented with five Indirect Fire Protection Capability (IFPC) battalions and seven Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) batteries. The development and fielding of these systems are intended to counter proliferating threats such as cruise missiles, rockets, artillery, mortars, and unmanned aircraft. Prototypes of the IFPC system have already been sent to South Korea to aid in the development of composite air-and-missile defense battalion concepts. The fielding of five IFPC battalions is in line with the Armys broader plan to establish five Multidomain Task Force (MDTF) units. These specialized units will be assigned to specific combatant commands. They will be equipped with a range of long-range fire capabilities, including Mid-Range Capability and Long-Range Hypersonic batteries, alongside the new IFPC battalions. The Army has previously stated its goal to have this force structure in place by fiscal year 2028. Furthermore, the Army is developing a composite battalion that will integrate Patriot with LTAMDS, the Integrated Battle Command System, and IFPC. This integrated unit is slated to be a key component of the Defense of Guam system currently under development. As part of a larger Transformation Initiative announced in May, the Army has also emphasized a significant increase in its C-UAS capabilities throughout the service. To support this, the Army has requested flexible funding in its fiscal 2026 budget to procure counter-drone systems. This comprehensive approach underscores the Armys commitment to modernizing its air defense posture to meet the challenges of the contemporary battlefield. An unusual social enterprise delivering vital work in Magilligan is seeking help to bring unique prisoner rehabilitation and environmental benefits to the community. Magilligan Tree Nursery staff members, who are part of the Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust charity, work with a team of prison inmates who assist with day-to-day tree nursery tasks. Meanwhile, the projects uncompromising sustainability ethos includes an insistence that only UK and Ireland-sourced trees are grown. This reduces reliance on trees imported from Europe and, by addressing the risk of disease being brought into the local tree population, supports the ecological resilience of native trees. The teams passion for ecologically responsible production - including peat-free, organic methods avoiding routine use of herbicides or pesticides - adds another way volunteers will be joining an enterprise determined to make a real difference through its work. Magilligan Tree Nursery Co-ordinator Aisling Gribbin explains why the volunteering opportunities are so worthwhile. We think someone with a love of the outdoors would really benefit from being part of a project delivering so much for those in the criminal justice system. Plus, the work of the tree nursery is bringing badly-needed native trees to our community, she said. Were passionate about making this happen, if you share our passion for helping people and bringing native trees back to our local environment then wed love to hear from you. Magilligan tree nursery is delivered in partnership with The Northern Ireland Prison Service and can produce up to 70,000 native UK and Irish trees every year, meaning enough stock and range to satisfy both large orders and individual household buyers. It is operated by Causeway Coast and Glens Heritage Trust, an organisation with almost 25 years of experience delivering protected area management, partnerships and projects designed to support natural, built and cultural heritage. The Trust oversees the Antrim Coast and Glens, Binevenagh and Causeway Coast Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty as well as the Giants Causeway and Causeway Coast World Heritage Site and the Rathlin Island Marine Special Area of Conservation. Its work includes protected landscape management, projects with local communities and support for heritage. To find out more about volunteering with Magilligan Tree Nursery simply email aisling@ccght.org. Almost 3,000 complaints relating to dog fouling were made in the last five years across County Derrys three council areas. Thousands of thoughtless dog owners across the North are escaping penalties for failing to clean up after their pets, new figures show. Despite receiving almost 16,000 complaints relating to dog fouling since 2021, local authorities have issued just 800 fixed penalty notices in the same period. And the number of fines handed out to pet owners plummeted by almost half last year - down from 110 in 2023 to just 57 in 2024. Locally, 1,236 complaints were made in Derry City and Strabane while 1,074 were made in Causeway Coast and Glens. In Mid Ulster 632 complaints were received. Pet insurance experts at CompareNI.com obtained data from all 11 councils in Northern Ireland to determine problem areas across the country, looking at which regions received the most complaints and which handed out the most fines. While Belfast City Council was unsurprisingly the biggest hotspot for dog fouling complaints (4717) over the past five years, its 12 enforcement officers issued just 54 fixed penalties during the same period. Ards and North Down had the second highest number of complaints at 2102 however, it doled out more fines than any other council (171). At the other end of the scale, Antrim and Newtownabbeys team of six enforcement officers have issued just 10 fines since 2021, despite receiving 1060 complaints. While Fermanagh and Omagh received the fewest complaints (532), it was also one of three councils (along with Causeway Coast & Glens and Antrim & Newtownabbey) to have not handed out a single fixed penalty notice in at least 18 months. Elected representatives across Northern Ireland have called for council officials to implement tougher measures in a bid to clampdown on dog fouling, with some hiring private enforcement companies to catch offenders in the act. Mid Ulster District Council is even considering creating a DNA database for all registered dogs in the district, so that fouling could be traced back to individual dogs and their owners. While some local authorities have already increased fines to 200 as a deterrent against dog fouling, many residents still do not think enough is being done to tackle the problem. A new survey by CompareNI.com found that 93% of people believe there should be harsher punishments for dog owners who dont pick up after their pets. Almost three quarters of respondents said they have seen someone fail to pick up their dog's waste in public, while 70% said they believe the issue of dog mess on their local streets is getting worse. Ian Wilson, pet insurance expert and Managing Director at CompareNI.com said: Dog mess in public places is not just an unpleasant nuisance it is a serious issue that poses both a health and an environmental hazard in our communities. Dog faeces carry viruses and parasites that can cause illness and even blindness, particularly in children. Our survey suggests people in Northern Ireland are fed up with the small minority of dog owners who are failing to pick up their dogs mess. I love dogs, weve always had pups as part of our family, and I understand the frustration felt by fellow dog owners when our streets and beauty spots are blighted by dog waste - I want to join them in calling for greater action to be taken by authorities to stamp out this behaviour. Dog waste can also be harmful to other dogs, containing all sorts of worms which could make them very ill if ingested.** Part of being a responsible dog owner is to ensure your pup is protected with pet insurance. Not only does it allow you to give your four-legged friend quality health care, but it also protects you financially from any unexpected and costly vet fees. CompareNI.com can help animal lovers fetch savings on all sorts of pet insurance. A Bellaghy woman will take on an epic challenge in memory of her late son. Oonagh McKenna is taking on the the challenge of a high altitude trek to Machu Picchu in September to raise funds for Little Heroes. Oonagh's son Ethan (6) was tragically killed in a car crash on the Castledawson roundabout in June 2022. His father Declan, was also hospitalised due to the accident. Little Heroes provided support to the McKenna family. The charity aims to raise funds for the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children's paediatric services, fund innovative treatments and equipment, provide support for families, health professionals and helps fund research into childhood illness. Writing on her JustGiving page, Oonagh praised the staff for the care they provided for Ethan. Ethan did not survive but I am forever grateful to the care and compassion that was shown to Ethan, myself and my family during this time. The staff went above and beyond to ensure that Ethan got the best care and that we as a family got the most from our last days with Ethan, she wrote. The entire team, from nurses to neurosurgeons, worked tirelessly on Ethans behalf, she added on her Little Heroes page. They not only met my expectations but continually went above and beyond, giving me a clearer picture of everything, even when the news was devastating. When they took Ethan for scans or saw that I needed rest, they guided me to a small room with a bed, a shower, and basic toiletries. Such simple gestures a warm shower, a bed to lie on, soap and shampoo gave me comfort and a moments peace when my world felt like it was falling apart. There was even a kitchen where I could make myself coffee, though the nurses often brought it to me with quiet support and an ear to listen. She continued: My gratitude to the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children and Little Heroes is beyond words. Though my time with Ethan was heartbreakingly brief, they ensured every moment we shared was wrapped in compassion, respect, and love. Their kindness brought light in my darkest days, and I will hold that close forever. Following his death, six people benefitted from Ethans organs. Donations in aid of Little Heroes can be made here Members of the Global Movement for Gaza Ireland will join Derry - Ireland Palestine Solidarity Campaign (IPSC) and others "protesting against the genocide in Gaza and the proscription of Palestine Action under the Terrorism Act". The 'Defend the Right to Protest' rally will take place at 3.00pm on Saturday, August 9, in Derry's Guildhall Square. It is one of several being held in Ireland and Britain protesting the "criminalisation" of pro-Palestine protest. A spokesperson for Derry IPSC said: As people in Gaza are being starved, the Labour government continues to arm Israel, criminalising those who are trying to stop the genocide. This city has a proud record of non violent direct action against arms companies whose weapons are used in Israeli war crimes. So we could not stand by and see others imprisoned for similar actions. Several of the Derry protesters who have defied the ban on expressing support for Palestine Action were amongst the 23 people who were charged over action at Raytheons Springtown facility with the same kind of offences as the Filton 23, who are being held in custody awaiting trial in England. Its fitting that the nationwide protest is being held on August 9, the anniversary of the introduction of internment in 1971. While internment officially ended, for over 30 years weve had what the Committee on the Administration of Justice (CAJ) in Belfast and the International Commission of Jurists in Geneva have described as 'internment by remand'. "That misuse of remand is now being used against pro-Palestine protesters in England. So too the early morning raids of family homes, all too familiar in working class parts of Derry, are now happening to the families of Palestinian solidarity activists across the water," said the Derry IPSC spokesperson. At least 500 people will gather in London holding signs in support of Palestine Action, an action which (in theory) could attract a six month prison sentence. There will be similar protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Liverpool and Cardiff," added the Derry IPSC spokesperson. "We hope to have 50-100 people in Guildhall Square at 3.00pm this Saturday. "A genocide is underway in Gaza. The world is crying out for it to end. We cannot let them outlaw nonviolent direct action as a form of protest. Vulnerable patients are to be temporarily rehoused from a mental health centre in Belfast while repairs are carried out to the building. A decant ward will be established while water and damp issues are dealt with in wards at the Acute Mental Health Inpatient Centre (AMHIC) on the Belfast City Hospital site. The centre was completed in June 2019 and was designed to provide inpatient accommodation with ensuite facilities for up to 80 patients. The Belfast Trust said that despite the rectification of a number of defects during and post construction, the building has continued to suffer from water ingress, including pinhole leaks within pipework. It said this has resulted in adverse implications to the fabric of the building. Work to fix the issues will take approximately three and a half years with estimated costs of 5.5 million to 6 million. A trust statement said: Following exploratory works in two of the bedrooms in February 2025, and subsequent moisture mapping and additional survey works across the building, the trust has now developed a proposed route forward for addressing the damage caused by the water ingress and replacing the existing water system. The trust is currently working with its legal advisers to appoint independent specialists to undertake a comprehensive review of the water system and any potential sources of water ingress and to help identify liability for the costs of the remediation work. The trust said the safety of patients continues to be its main priority. It added: To allow the work to progress with least disruption to services for vulnerable patients, the trust will refurbish a ward at a time by decanting one of the AMHIC wards to another facility for the duration of the works. A ward on the trusts Knockbracken site will be refurbished to be used as the decant ward during the refurbishment period. While the main refurbishment works are undertaken the trust will continue to monitor the condition of the existing wards within the AMHIC building. This specialist facility has been designed to cater for the specific needs and risks of managing acute mental health patients and remains the safest place for these service users. The trust will continue to monitor for evidence of damp in any patient area of the building and carry out localised remediation as necessary. The troubled Belfast Health Trust has been rocked by a series of problems in recent months. Its former chairman Ciaran Mulgrew was sacked by Stormont Health Minister Mike Nesbitt last month. The minister said a fresh start was required for the organisation after a number of controversies. In May, a leaked report into staff culture at the cardiac surgery unit at the Royal Victoria Hospital (RVH) in Belfast raised concerns about an intolerable working environment and a pattern of consistently poor behaviour. Elsewhere, the delivery of two flagship hospitals on the Royal site a maternity hospital and childrens hospital have been hit by delays and difficulties. Save my User ID and Password Some subscribers prefer to save their log-in information so they do not have to enter their User ID and Password each time they visit the site. To activate this function, check the 'Save my User ID and Password' box in the log-in section. This will save the password on the computer you're using to access the site. Note: If you choose to use the log-out feature, you will lose your saved information. This means you will be required to log-in the next time you visit our site. Taiwan seeks better tariff deal after US Section 232 investigations After four rounds of in-person negotiations and multiple video conferences, Taiwan's provisional tariff rate has been set at 20%. Taiwan pushes for lower rates President Ching-te Lai stated that the 20% tariff was never Taiwan's negotiation goal from the outset. In future talks, the government will seek a more favorable and reasonable rate. PwC US Business Partner Peter Su explained that whether the tariff can fall below 20% will depend on whether Taiwan offers additional concessions, purchases, or investment commitments to the US. At the August 1, 2025, press conference, President Lai stated that the government has held around 20 industrial forums to mitigate the impact of reciprocal tariffs on SMEs. A special support budget will be raised from NT$88 billion (US$2.9 billion) to NT$93 billion. Lai emphasized that the outcome of Taiwan-US trade negotiations will require legislative approval and must be accountable to society. Premier Jung-tai Cho added that the Executive Yuan will communicate with the Legislative Yuan regarding the latest developments. A previously approved special bill will be comprehensively adjusted. In the meantime, Lai stated that negotiations are ongoing, and details remain confidential regarding whether Taiwan has made procurement or investment commitments to the US. Strategic negotiation principles Taiwan's negotiation team is working hard on the front lines, upholding four principles: national interest, industrial interest, food security, and public health. Semiconductors, computers, and ICT products are among Taiwan's most important exports to the US. Further negotiations are expected once the US Section 232 investigation results are released. Taiwan insists that US tariffs do not impact Taiwan's ICT and electronic component sectors and seeks to jointly promote bilateral cooperation in national security, technology, and diverse fields to create long-term mutual benefits. According to Lai, the government has two key goals: (1) deepen Taiwan-US economic and trade cooperation; and (2) build strong partnerships in national security, technology, and various other areas. Implementation timeline and industry impact KPMG tax expert Yang Chang stated that under an executive order, the new 20% reciprocal tariff will take effect on August 7, 2025 (US Eastern Standard Time). A 7-day grace period prior to enforcement still allows countries to conduct trade and security agreement talks with the US. Offering concrete commitments within this window could still influence the final tariff arrangement. Su added that a lower tariff than 20% depends on Taiwan's willingness to make further trade and investment pledges. Among Asian countries, only Japan and South Korea secured 15% tariff rates; most others are around 20%. Taiwanese companies must factor this into manufacturing site decisions. Beyond tariff considerations Controversy surrounding whether Taiwanese firms should manufacture in the US remains. According to Su, attention should instead focus on the US Congress-proposed tax treaty, which carries even more significant long-term implications. He emphasized that Taiwanese companies should not base factory site selection solely on low tariffs. Tariffs affect market share and margins depending on supply-demand dynamics and bargaining power. Overlooking factors such as infrastructure, talent availability, production yield, licensing, and startup time in new regions could negate the savings from tariff reductions. Article edited by Jerry Chen Johor approves 42 data center projects in 2Q25 to cement regional tech hub status According to The Edge Malaysia, Johor approved 42 data center construction projects in the second quarter of 2025, reinforcing its position as Malaysia's leading destination for digital infrastructure investment. The announcement, made by Johor Housing and Local Government Committee chairman Datuk Mohd Jafni Md Shukor, highlights the state's growing role in driving the country's transition toward a high-tech, knowledge-based economy. In a Facebook post, Mohd Jafni emphasized that the surge in data center developments is aligned with the goals of the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone (JS-SEZ), the Johor Digital Plan, and broader economic transformation efforts along the border. He noted that data centers are considered key infrastructure to support regional digitalization and AI-driven growth. The Johor state government is prioritizing data center development within planned industrial areas, including Ibrahim Technopolis (IBTEC) in Kulai, the Sedenak industrial area, and the Pasir Gudang industrial zone. These locations were selected for their strategic advantages, such as access to major transportation routes, robust power grids, stable water supplies, and proximity to ports and international airports. A total of 7,618 acres of planned industrial land has been allocated for data center expansion. Key development areas under the Pasir Gudang City Council include ASM Green, Rising Gateway, Iskandar Halal Hub, Kosmo, and Keck Seng, while IBTEC falls under the jurisdiction of the Kulai Municipal Council. Johor's proximity to Singapore, combined with its more affordable land and abundant energy resources, has attracted major investments from global tech firms, including Nvidia and ByteDance. These companies are building large-scale data centers in the region to meet growing demand for AI and cloud computing services. The JS-SEZ aims to enhance cross-border connectivity and streamline business operations, with features such as simplified immigration clearance and faster approval processes. To support the energy needs of these projects, Malaysia has ramped up power generationpart of a broader strategy to balance industrial growth with its long-term net-zero emissions target by 2050. Johor's rapid growth in data infrastructure positions the state as a rising digital hub in Southeast Asia, contributing to national economic goals while supporting regional innovation and job creation. Article edited by Jack Wu Market your business to decision makers around the Northwest Photo via Martin Smith Inc. [enlarge] Completed in 1893, soon after the Great Seattle Fire, the four-story Union Trust Building stands on the corner of Occidental Way South, directly south of the park. Irish president Michael D Higgins has welcomed the Princess Royal to his official residence in Dublin. Anne is visiting Aras an Uachtarain (official residence) in what has been described as a courtesy call. The Kings sister met President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the presidents residence. She will later attend the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). During the visit Anne will tour a special exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from Festina Lente (a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services) and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. The princess, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. President Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina today received Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, at Aras an Uachtarain. You can read the President's statement following the meeting at https://t.co/lPuttvJNPR pic.twitter.com/71AwucWL3w President of Ireland (@PresidentIRL) August 6, 2025 British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: The Princess Royals visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here. Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work. Queen Elizabeth II with then-Irish president Mary McAleese and the Duke of Edinburgh in Phoenix Park (PA)Anne previously visited the Aras in February 2004 during engagements where she was greeted by then-Irish president Mary McAleese. The princess was accompanied on that private visit by the British ambassador to Ireland at the time, Stewart Eldon. Members of the royal family have visited the presidents residence on several occasions, including the historic trip by Queen Elizabeth II in May 2011. She was the first monarch to visit the Republic, where she signed a guest book at the Aras and planted an English oak tree at the Peace Bell. Her husband, the Duke of Edinburgh, made solo visits to Aras an Uachtarain in November 1998 and again in April 2006. During their three-day visit to the Republic in 2020, the Prince and Princess of Wales then titled the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge had a tea party with Mr Higgins and his wife at the Aras and met one of the presidents dogs, Brod. Over 150 gardai have been assaulted while on duty so far this year, according to figures from the Department of Justice. A total of 3,440 gardai have been assaulted while on duty in almost 12 years. There have been a higher than average number of reported assaults since 2022 compared with previous years. There were 299 assaults on gardai while on duty in 2014; 301 in 2015; 282 in 2016; 264 in 2017; 224 in 2018 and 266 in 2019. In 2020 there were 223 on-duty garda assaults, in 2021 there were 266, in 2022 there were 316, in 2023 there were 470, and in 2024 there were 373. There were 156 assaults of on-duty gardai reported as of July 23 this year. We are all immensely grateful to all our gardai for their outstanding dedication and commitment to serving the public and for the important role that they play in our society, the Minister for Justice Jim OCallaghan said in response to a parliamentary question from Aontu leader Peadar Toibin. For the most part, the relationship between gardai and the public they serve is one built on very significant trust. We only have to look to the fact that An Garda Siochana is a largely unarmed, and yet hugely effective, community policing service. The figures come after a probationary garda was injured in a knife attack while on patrol on Dublins Capel Street, and another garda was punched in the face. A man has appeared in court charged with the assault of the probationary garda. The recent unprovoked attack on a garda in Dublin has been rightly condemned by all. It was a truly shocking incident in our capital city, Aontu Senator Sarah OReilly said. She said there was no doubt our streets are becoming unsafe. When the Dail resumes my party will be reintroducing our bill which seeks a mandatory minimum sentence for anyone who assaults a garda or frontline emergency worker. Im hopeful that other parties will support our legislation in both the Dail and the Seanad. These attacks on gardai are not helping morale or recruitment to the force, the Government needs to support our legislation for harsher sentencing. Anyone convicted for assaulting a garda, a prison officer, a firefighter, an ambulance paramedic, or a soldier can face a maximum prison sentence of 7 to 12 years. Funding of 1 million for the generation of Ardee Castle has been announced. The 1 million investment will support a wide range of works, including: Structural conservation and restoration of the castles historic tower; Development of visitor access and interpretive features; Public realm improvements and landscaping; Educational and community engagement initiatives. Senator Alison Comyn, Fianna Fail Senator for Louth and Seanad spokesperson on Arts, Media, Communications, Culture & Sport, warmly welcomed the announcement of 1 million in additional Regional Development Fund (RDF) support for the regeneration of Ardee Castle, secured through the Department of Rural and Community Development and confirmed by Minister Dara Calleary. This is fantastic news for Ardee and for County Louth, said Senator Comyn. I want to sincerely thank Minister Dara Calleary for recognising the importance of this project and allocating this vital funding. Ardee Castle is one of Irelands most historically significant medieval buildings, and this investment will play a central role in securing its future. This funding will not only help preserve a key piece of our national heritage, but it will also bring real benefits to the town of Ardee supporting tourism, creating local jobs, and strengthening the cultural life of the county. The project has already been awarded 2.147m in July 2019, and this 1m is a an additional amount to help meet increased costs. The project is expected to act as a catalyst for further development in Ardee, with potential for additional support through national heritage grants and local partnerships. I look forward to working with local stakeholders and the wider community to ensure this project delivers lasting value. "Thanks again to Minister Calleary and his Department for backing Ardee and recognising the importance of investing in our heritage, Senator Comyn concluded. Police in the United States are investigating the death of a young Carlow woman, found at Montauk Yacht Club in America in the early hours of the morning. American police have said that several attempts were made to resuscitate Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) by good samaritans before first responders arrived on the scene. A man at the boat club called the East Hampton Town police at 12am - approximately 5am Irish time - to report that Martha was unconscious. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra worked as a fashion designer who founded the clothes brand East x East. She studied at UCD and helped establish the Irish Wheelchair Associations online presence as part of a college project. She recently did an interview with the Irish Independent about her success as an entrepreneur and a fashion designer. At the time of the incident, Martha was living in Manhattan. READ NEXT: Keep her in your hearts - Family of Irish woman kidnapped in Haiti pray for her safe return The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade commented that they are aware of the case and that they are in the process of providing consular assistance. The spokesperson added: As with all consular cases, the department does not comment on the details of individual cases. Homicide squad detectives are investigating the matter and are seeking information from the public on the incident. The American Suffolk County Police said: The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. A former corporal in the Irish Army who seriously assaulted a woman while on bail for a separate incident where he used his car as a weapon twice against a motorist he had rear ended, has been jailed for three years at Dundalk Circuit Court. Derek Donegan (39) formerly with an address at Hyde Park, Dundalk pleaded guilty to assault causing harm at an address in Dublin on July 13th last year admitted a charge of endangerment on April 25th 2021. The first victim was driving in Bellurgan when he was rear-ended by a van driven by the defendant. He got out to speak to the accused who initially apologised to him, but as the man took photos of the scene, Derek Donegan drove at him and hit him below the knees. READ NEXT: Man jailed for dangerous driving causing serious harm in Louth The victim managed to climb onto the bonnet to avoid being run over, and the defendant made his way cross country through Faughart via Thistle Cross. At St. Brigid's Shrine he reversed and rammed the man's car into a ditch. When he was arrested about two hours later, Derek Donegan claimed he had spent most of the time trying to lose the complainant so that he could feel safe. He has four previous convictions and the Defence barrister said his client has a drug and alcohol problem but has attempted to deal with his issues and has not used cocaine since the assault incident. Judge Dara Hayes, who said he had used a car as a weapon on two occasions when it appears all the other motorist had been attempting to do was to get his insurance details, put back the case for finalisation to last Wednesday, so that three clean urinalysis results could be produced. He imposed concurrent sentences totalling four and a half years for the endangerment and assault causing harm, backdated to May 23rd to allow for nine weeks spent in custody on the second offence, and suspended the final 18 months on him entering a good behaviour bond subject to a number of conditions including placing himself under the supervision of the Probation Service for 18 months post release. A new civic group, the Louth Neutrality Network, has been launched today on the anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing to defend Irish neutrality and oppose the governments shift toward military alignment. Founded by local citizens, family members of current and former UN peacekeepers and peace advocates, the group is particularly critical of what it calls Fianna Fails retreat, from its historic commitment to peace, shaped by figures like Frank Aiken who championed nuclear disarmament and introduced the UN resolution that became the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. To dismantle the Triple Lock which protects us from being dragged into wars without UN approval is to abandon Aikens legacy, said a spokesperson. On this anniversary, we remember the cost of war and reaffirm Irelands tradition of peace and non-alignment. The group also condemned plans to spend up to 100 million a year on fighter jets while Defence Forces personnel face poor pay and living conditions. This spending does nothing to make Ireland safer, the spokesperson said. This money would be better spent on providing better access to healthcare and affordable housing. Read also: Louth Aontu rep disgusted at random attacks on Indian people Warning of a broader European trend, the group highlighted that five EU countries are expanding conscription. We cannot let Ireland be pulled into a future where our young people are sent to fight EU or NATO wars, they said. Information stands will be held in Drogheda (Aug 9) and Dundalk/Blackrock (Aug 16) to raise awareness of this very real risk to Irish neutrality. A motion defending the Triple Lock will go before Louth County Council on September 15, and citizens are urged to contact their councillors ahead of the vote. The spokesperson for the group stressed that neutrality isnt a weakness its our moral strength. And it was Fianna Fail, under Frank Aiken, that helped make it a cornerstone of Irish identity. The Fianna Fail party of today need to decide if they are upholding that tradition or betraying it. In 2024, over 3,700 people and 1,100 businesses in Louth and Meath participated in upskilling with a Skillnet Ireland Business Network. Figures from the Skillnet Ireland Annual Report 2024 reveal the national agency for talent development delivered over 30,300 training days in Louth and Meath last year. 57% of those who undertook training were women and 43% were men, while those aged 30 to 39 availed of upskilling supports more than any other age group. The vast majority (94%) of companies in Louth and Meath that upskilled their employees with Skillnet Ireland in 2024 were small and medium size enterprises. The greatest uptake came from the food & drink sector followed by health, services, agriculture, manufacturing, retail and financial services. Companies based in Louth and Meath undertook upskilling programmes with more than 50 of the 70 Skillnet Business Networks based on the sector in which their company operates, or with one of the Networks in their region, which include Dundalk Chamber Skillnet, M1 Drogheda Chamber Skillnet, Learning Waves Skillnet and Positive2Work Skillnet. Read also: Number of EVs registered in Louth this year double that of 2024 Skillnet Ireland Chief Executive, Mark Jordan, said: As a knowledge-based economy nurturing our highly skilled workforce is central to our national competitiveness. Over 24,000 Irish businesses chose to invest in upskilling and develop their people through Skillnet Ireland in 2024, which indicates the appetite for upskilling within the corporate landscape. "We are proud to support employers throughout Ireland to both invest in their teams and strengthen Irelands position as a leader in innovation and sustainable growth. More than 24,000 businesses participated in upskilling programmes for their employees through Skillnet Ireland last year, amounting to 90,136 workers across the Irish economy. Through a cost sharing approach with employers, contributions from businesses represented 28 million, 37% of the total investment into upskilling for businesses, of 76million. This demonstrates a high level of confidence and buy-in from companies developing their teams in partnership with Skillnet Ireland, the organisation says. As the national talent development agency, Skillnet Ireland says it is working to support businesses in Louth and Meath, to build competitiveness through skills and to meet both the challenges and opportunities that owning and running a business brings. Commenting on the uptake of Skillnet Ireland supports from businesses in 2024, Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD, said: As the national workforce development agency, Skillnet Ireland plays a key role in developing the talent that Irish businesses need through upskilling and reskilling. "In 2024, it supported over 24,000 businesses, the vast majority of them SMEs, to address their skills needs in order to remain competitive. By supporting Irish businesses to upskill and reskill, Skillnet Ireland is helping to foster resilience and innovation, so that companies can adapt to and meet the challenges posed by the digital and green transitions. Please allow ads as they help fund our trusted local news content. Kindly add us to your ad blocker whitelist. If you want further access to Ireland's best local journalism, consider contributing and/or subscribing to our free daily Newsletter . Support our mission and join our community now. Tell us about yourself: My name is Kate OShea, Im 22 years old and Im a violinist. I recently finished my Bachelor of Music at MTU Cork School of Music and am about to embark on my next chapter - a masters in violin performance at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. Growing up, I was immersed in Irish traditional music and culture. I went to a gaelscoil and my parents have a great appreciation for trad music, having met at a ceili at the Willie Clancy summer school. My mum signed me up for classical violin lessons when I was seven, and the following year I started fiddle and concertina lessons with the local Comhaltas branch. Traditional music came naturally to me from the beginning, and for many years classical music took a backseat. It was only as a teenager, when I began to take part in courses such as Concorda (for chamber music) and the National Youth Orchestra, that I really fell in love with it, and Ive been addicted ever since. Orchestral playing is a career path I would love to to pursue. In recent years, Ive had some memorable experiences, playing with the RTE Concert Orchestra, LOrchestre Royal de Chambre de Wallonie, the Concertgebouworkest Young and the EUYO. Im also passionate about quartet playing and have had the pleasure of taking part in the young musician programme of the West Cork Chamber Music Festival in Bantry for the last four years. Im very grateful to have been awarded a beautiful instrument by Alexandre Valois, on loan for the next three years, thanks to Music Networks Instrument Loan Scheme. Where were you born? I was born in Cork. Where do you live? Ive lived with my parents in Ballincollig all my life. Although, last year I did an Erasmus in Namur (Belgium), and finally got a taste of the independent life! Family? I have one older sister, Maedbh. There is less than two years between us, so we were joined at the hip growing up. She is also a musician, and plays the concertina and silver flute to a high level. She chose not to pursue music as a career and works as a primary school teacher in a gaelscoil in Dublin. I have two very supportive parents, Ita and Jerry, who have always encouraged me in my decision to pursue music. My dad is from Skibbereen and mum comes from Newry, Co. Down. Kate O'Shea recently completed her Bachelor of Music degree and is about to embark on a masters in violin performance at the Royal Conservatoire of The Hague. Best friend? It would be difficult for me to name just one, but Im lucky enough to have a close circle of friends who Ive met in school, college, and from music courses Ive done over the years. Earliest childhood memory? This is a random one but I vividly remember finding a pair of scissors, hiding under the table, and cutting my hair when I was about three. I hoped my mum wouldnt notice and I remember her panicking when she brushed my hair a few hours later and it started falling out! Person you most admire? Probably my violin teacher, Katherine Hunka - she inspires me both as a musician and a person. Where was your most memorable holiday? Music has given me so many opportunities to travel over the years. One that stands out was a trip to Cairo with our trad ensemble at MTU Cork School of Music. We were invited to play at the St Patricks Day celebrations at the Irish Embassy. We were very well taken care of during our stay - the highlight of the trip would have to have been seeing the pyramids! Favourite radio show? I dont listen to much radio, but I love to tune into Neansai Ni Choisdealbhas Ceol Binn o na Beanna, especially during the first week of July when it is broadcast live from the Willie Clancy Week at Miltown Malbay! Your signature dish if cooking? Probably a Thai green curry. Favourite restaurant? This is a tricky question because Im constantly discovering new restaurants in Cork City, but I would have to go with Miyazaki. Its possible to order food and bring it to OSho, a vibrant neighbouring pub. I do a trad gig there every second Saturday with my friends Lily Munday and Abaigeal Walsh, and we often splurge a decent portion of our earnings on Japanese food after the gig, usually the Tori Tatsuta Don, which is absolutely to die for! Sonflour is another great spot that Id have to mention. Last book you read? Sula, by Toni Morrison Best book you read? Almost impossible to choose just one, but I would have to go with A Thousand Splendid Suns, by Khaled Hosseini. Last album/CD/download you bought? Ar Thaobh Chill an Fhuairthainn by a very talented friend of mine, Macdara O Faolain. Ive been listening to it on repeat - its a treasure! One person you would like to see in concert? Janine Jansen or Itzhak Perlman. Do you have a pet? We have one cat, Puiscin, who showed up in our shed about 15 years ago. We started feeding her and she never left! Morning person or night owl? Somewhere in between. I really enjoy the peace and quiet of the early morning, and can be very productive when I want to be. Other days, I am notorious for ignoring my alarms and sleeping in! It really depends. Spendthrift or saver? Definitely a saver at the moment! Ill be moving abroad next year to start my masters so every little helps. Name one thing you would improve in your area in which you live? Public transport. What makes you happy? Simple things. Cosy nights in with friends, having chats over tea and biscuits. Live music. Settling down for the night with a good book. Going for long walks in West Cork with my family. Life as a musician can get overwhelmingly busy at times so I really appreciate these moments. What else are you up to at the moment? I recently landed in Grafenegg, Austria, to join the EUYO for their summer tour! Over the next five weeks, well be travelling around Europe, playing concerts in Berlin, Amsterdam and Bolzano. Ill arrive home at the end of August for a week before I move to The Hague for my masters. So its a busy time! But Ill be back and forth - for my graduation in October, and for some performances of Puccinis Madama Butterfly with the INO Orchestra at the Bord Gais in November. Its lunchtime on Wednesday and the sun is splitting the stones outside Leinster House. Its about a month before the Oireachtas recess, and by the front door the sixth-class children from Scoil Mhuire Gan Smal, in Claremorris, are in their uniforms and being herded by their teacher into the Georgian building. Over to the left geographically, if not politically Danny Healy-Rae is standing by the entrance to the LH2000 extension, obliging some visitors who want selfies with him. The geraniums are in bright orange-red bloom on either side of the plinth and the overhead seagull cries are almost drowned out by the sound of drums coming from across the road outside Buswells Hotel. A pro-Palestine rally of about 100 people has been going strong for the past hour or so, with demonstrators chanting, Free, Free Palestine, with this section of Kildare St blocked off and with gardai manning the barricades. Nobody is let through without ID and a valid reason to visit Leinster House. Leinster House, once the ducal palace of the Duke of Leinster, has, since 1922, served as the seat of the Oireachtas, the centrepiece of a maze of interconnected extensions and annexes. The parliamentary campus is, at least midweek when the Oireachtas is in session, a hive of activity, the workplace of 174 TDs and 60 senators, and also of 1,000 more people who work as ushers, parliamentary staff, caterers, and political journalists. There are currently 20 Cork TDs with 10 representing the two city constituencies and 10 representing the county and six senators. They all make the lengthy commute to the capital each week that the Oireachtas is in session and some when it isnt spending several days at a time away from home to do a job they all say they love and consider a privilege. The youngest representative in this 34th Dail is Eoghan Kenny, first-time Labour TD for Cork North Central. The 25-year-olds name comes up when I ask Gavan Reilly, political correspondent for Virgin Media News and author of The Secret Life of Leinster House, what an average day must be like for parliamentarians. This morning, I was switching between the Public Accounts Committee [PAC] and the Dail chamber, Mr Reilly says, and I saw that Eoghan Kenny was in both. Literally within minutes of speaking in the PAC, then he was in the chamber, because he was putting questions to [education minister] Helen McEntee, as Labours education spokesperson. Leinster House, Dublin. Its an illustration of a point I make in the book: When onlookers might be watching the TV, they expect the Dail chamber to be full, but sometimes the Dail chamber is the least productive place to be, because unless youve got organised speaking time, youre at nothing. Youre sitting there, looking pretty, but youre not doing any work, youre not contributing to anything at all. When Leinster House is at full capacity, there are 29 committees across four rooms and they are running all the time. For Mr Kenny, still very new to politics, making the best use of his weekdays in Leister House is only part of the jigsaw. He says: The difficult thing is, youre trying to manage your constituency office at home, while also trying to manage your parliamentary work in Dublin. Its a difficult process, especially now that the committees have been formed. Mr Kennys on the PAC, which meets weekly, and the further-and-higher education committee, which meets fortnightly. Serving also as his partys education spokesperson, he has a full schedule when hes in Leinster House, and, like every other TD who would like to get re-elected, he also has a full-time constituency office. I have the support and the experience of my colleagues, but, at the same time, its a difficult process, Mr Kenny says. Youre coming up to Dublin on a Tuesday morning, youre coming home Thursday evening, youre in the constituency on a Monday and Friday, youre trying to hold clinics around the constituency, and, obviously, youre trying to build up a base of voters outside of your core vote. Nicole Ryan was elected to the Seanad administrative panel for Sinn Fein in January and she says there is a big shift between constituency and legislature. Youre never really off, Ms Ryan says. People might think you take a break, but you dont. When youre in the constituency, youre focused on trying to help people in the constituency, and theres always events youre expected to attend, and when youre up here youre focused on legislation. Im on the Gaeltacht committee, the health committee, and the drugs committee, and two are on Tuesday at the same time, so Im running between the two at the same time, and sometimes the Seanad is on and you have to run up to the chamber, or down to the committee, or vice versa. Fine Gaels John Paul OShea is another first-timer. When he spoke to The Echo, the Cork North-West TD was hosting a large group of friends from home. Its the second group of constituents Ive had up, and its nice to be able to bring people up and let them view the workings of Leinster House first-hand, Mr OShea says. Life as a TD is very, very busy. Were usually in Dublin Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and its great to be up in Dublin for the three days and down in the constituency for the remainder, but its very busy. Im part of three Oireachtas committees. Im chairing one the social protection and rural community development committee Im on the committee of drug use, and of budgetary oversight, so quite a busy schedule up and going. The day is filled very, very quickly. Laura Harmon, first-time Labour Party senator, previously ran twice for the Seanad and ran for the Dail in Cork South Central last November. I think Ive hit the ground running, Ms Harmon says. I tried to get into Leinster House three times before, and its like all things in politics, its about resilience, you keep going, and Im really pleased to be here and to be making changes for the people of Cork, and also for the country in general, she says. Its really encouraging to see how much change you can make in the Seanad, particularly in terms of legislation, and Ive had two bills since I started, one in relation to banning sex-for-rent ads, and thats been taken on by the Government, and the other is in relation to leave for teachers and SNAs who experience assaults in classrooms. The shift between local and national work is savage, says Michael Collins, a Cork South West TD since 2016 and since 2023 leader of Independent Ireland. The Dail chamber in Leinster House. Picture: Laura Hutton/RollingNews.ie Youre on full steam ahead in your own constituency, Mr Collins says. I do a lot of clinics at the weekend. Fridays what I call a kind of a clean-up day: Youre meeting people that you promised during the week youd meet. Saturdays all the clinics: I start in the morning in Skibbereen at half eight, make my way to Clonakilty, Bandon at midday, then Dunmanway, Bantry, and then back at my own house for clinics at 4pm. So youre very busy, and theyre a great education, clinics are, as to whats going on in politics. Sunday is usually busy; last Sunday was Clonakilty Show; you might have a public meeting in Kinsale about the mussel farm, he says. Since I became party leader, I have a lot of meetings in Dublin, so youre heading back early on Monday, and when youre up here, your days are packed. A long-time county councillor and parliamentary assistant to his brother Michael, Fianna Fails Seamus McGrath was elected to the Dail for Cork South Central for the first time in November. He and his wife, Gayle, have three young children, so it has been a significant change for him, both personally and professionally. On a personal level, its a big change being in Dublin for three, and sometimes four, days a week, Mr McGrath says. Its an adjustment for the whole family and I think we have adapted reasonably well. Professionally, its been a steep learning curve in the first few months and, of course, I am still learning. You have to learn all about the procedures and how the Oireachtas operates, which isnt always straightforward, he says. TDs get contacted on a very wide range of issues and the volume of correspondence is very high. It can be difficult to find the time for everything, but you have to prioritise and do your best. Pat Buckley, Sinn Fein TD for Cork East since 2016, says the majority of parliamentarians start out as councillors, and learn their trade by interacting with constituents. You do get pulled away from that, being up here four or five days a week, so you have to try and find a balance; you still do your constituency work, but your office is vital, because youre only one person and you cant do everything, he says. Padraig Rice, first-time Social Democrats TD for Cork South Central, looks through his diary for the previous day. The first thing I did yesterday morning was the Social Democrats had a press conference on the plinth, Mr Rice says. I spoke about the RTE Investigates programme on nursing homes, and concerns around that, the need for change in terms of safeguarding legislation, the reform of the model around home care, in particular, and then I had an engagement with Virgin Media around the situation in Cork for renters. When I was back into the Dail, we had leaders questions, and we raised nursing homes. I did a piece with NewsTalk around extra time for Leaving Cert students with dyslexia. I met a group campaigning outside for transgender healthcare, so I met them, I had a meeting with the clerk of the health committee, because as well as being a constituency TD, Im the chair of the health committee and I had to prep for todays committee session. A meeting with Cork Chamber was followed by Dail speaking time on boarded-up council houses, and at 8pm he had an online meeting with Ballyphehane Community Association board. And then, at 11.30pm, I was back in the Dail on my feet, with a question for the minister for education on the Leaving Cert and exams, so quite a varied day, and they can be quite long days, as well, he says. Thats an observation repeated again and again by his Cork colleagues: Being a parliamentarian is hard, but rewarding, and the youngest TD in the 34th Dail perhaps puts it best. Its a difficult process, but its one Im absolutely loving, Eoghan Kenny says. If you dont love this, then youre in the wrong job. In the Oireachtas canteen, the staff are friendly and the prices low. Everything is subsidised, so youll get a dinner top quality and delicious for about a tenner. Later in the evening, however, if you fancy a pint, you may be disappointed to learn that the low prices dont apply to booze. There are actually two Dail bars. The strangers bar as its known is open to the public, but the actual members bar is strictly for elected representatives. It still has a certain mystique, but the members swear its main attraction is the privacy. On the Wednesday night when The Echo goes for a pint with four unnamed Cork parliamentarians, the strangers bar is relatively busy, but far from packed, and the gathering is quite civilised, with many representatives drinking Ballygowan. Theres slagging, and cross-party camaraderie, but its not a raucous or drunken evening its clearly a school night and the bar is cleared well before midnight. Older TDs and senators say, some with what sounds like a certain regret, that the drinking culture is dead and buried in Leinster House nowadays. Is it weird to have a pub inside your workplace? asks one Cork parliamentarian the bar is literally across the corridor from a Dail chamber exit. I suppose it is fairly odd, but there again, most of the time Im in the members bar its to have a toasted sandwich and a cup of coffee in a bit of peace and quiet. The days of fellas falling asleep after a feed of pints are long gone. I might have a pint or two on a Wednesday night its a long auld day and you like to unwind a bit but theres no going mad when you might have to drive home the next day, and either way youll be working your arse off anyway, so a sore head is no help to you. Two centuries ago, more than 2,500 people, most of them from the Blackwater Valley in North Cork, left Ireland for Canada in a British government resettlement scheme. Canadian parliamentarian Peter Robinson visited Fermoy in 1823, and met with the local Tory MP, Richard Hare, the Viscount Ennismore, to discuss an initiative to offer Irish Catholic peasants resettlement on lands stolen from Native Americans in Canada. The following month, two ships set sail from Cobh, carrying 264 emigrants bound for Bathurst in Upper Canada. In 1825, a further nine ships left Cobh to bring 2,024 emigrants to Ontario. Cobh The initiative, which predated the Great Famine by two decades, saw more than 500 families from North Cork, Southeast Limerick, and the Ballyhoura region set sail from Cobh. As part of the Ballyhoura regions bicentennial commemoration of those settlers, CallBack theatre is presenting The Robinson Experiment, a newly commissioned play that brings to life a chapter of Irish history often overlooked. The production will run from September 15 to 21 at The Schoolyard Theatre, Charleville. Written and directed by playwright John Sheehy and produced by Cora Fenton, The Robinson Experiment explores the journey of a Munster family preparing to emigrate to Canada in 1825 under the Robinson resettlement scheme. Human experience Rather than a historical retelling, Mr Sheehys script delves into the human experience capturing the fear, hope, humour, and heartbreak of those leaving and those left behind. CallBack theatre, founded in 2001 by Mr Sheehy and Ms Fenton, has earned national acclaim for its productions. With The Robinson Experiment, the company continues its tradition of excellence, supported once again by Ballyhoura Development, whose long-standing commitment to the arts has helped bring local stories to national stages. To book tickets, see The Robinson Experiment on Eventbrite. The Robinson Experiment production is supported by the Leader Programme 20232027, Boss Murphy Foundation (via Community Foundation Ireland), and Cork County Councils Commemoration Fund. Parents are under increasing financial strain ahead of children returning to school, as pressure to buy tablets and laptops replaces schoolbooks which have been made free, a Cork SVP co-ordinator has told The Echo. His comments came as a Barnardos survey showed 50% of secondary school parents are being asked to buy devices. St Vincent de Paul (SVP) Cork regional co-ordinator Cormac OSullivan said that back-to-school season is very busy for them. Weve seen an increase in calls in the last week, and its only going to get busier now as we get through August. SVP has been advocating for the last 15 years for free schoolbooks, so its great that this year both secondary and primary schools are both receiving free books. However, were seeing an increase in people looking for help to buy technology, laptops and tablets. The books are free but now many schools are expecting students to have devices, which is quite a big expense for parents. Its not mandatory to have them, but theres an expectance there, and kids dont want to be the only one in a class without one. Mr OSullivan added: Weve also seen an increase in people looking for help to buy uniforms. The back-to-school allowance is there, but its not enough to cover everything. Those are the two main expenses, but SVP is conscious that the school year doesnt stop in September. There are costs associated throughout the year, and well get a lot of calls for assistance on those too. These include voluntary contributions and school trips, he said, explaining: For the TY students, theres big pressure on parents to be able to fund overseas trips. Were asking schools to put in place a suitable alternative for people who just cant afford that. In terms of voluntary contributions, we would ask schools to be conscious. It might just be a fiver here and there, but if there are families with multiple children it all adds up. The profile of people coming to them for help has changed, he added. What were seeing is people coming to us for help who didnt think they would be in this situation. People come because they have to make choices like the electricity bill or education. All these costs they would have been able to cover before. A lot of these new people coming to us for assistance wouldnt have expected theyd ever have to do so. It comes as Barnardos has released the results of its Back to School survey 2025, which showed that 50% of primary and 60% secondary school of parents stated they are worried about meeting costs this year. Some 27% of secondary and 14% primary school parents across Ireland said they have to use savings in order to meet back to school costs, while 15% of secondary and 8% of primary school parents said they had to take a loan out or borrow from family and friends. About 50% of secondary school parents said their childs school required them to pay for digital devices with the average cost being 430. One parent said: My son is going into fifth year. This was the first time we were entitled to free schoolbooks, but then we were called to a meeting in the school where they advised that we would have to buy a Chromebook for our child which cost 500. Some 78% of primary and 84% of secondary school parents said that their schools requested a voluntary contribution. The average amount asked for by schools was 87 for primary school parents and 133 for secondary school parents. Elsewhere, 73% of primary and 78% of secondary school parents said the payment did not feel voluntary. Survey respondents said that they were going into debt just to keep up. One parent said: I will not pay gas and electric bill in August, I will borrow a loan and use installments to get as much as I can for back to school items. I will go into debt until March the following year until its all paid back, then it repeats again in August. My worries are if I can keep this up year after year. Approval has been granted by the Department of Housing for the building of more than 800 new social and affordable homes in Cork city, with a further 190 awaiting approval, The Echo has learned. Funding for the homes, which number 823 in total, will come as part of a Government allocation worth 700m, which was announced last week. The developments which have been granted department approval will be located on Tramore Road and on the former Sextant city centre site, and will consist of a mixture of social housing and cost rental units. The Sextant development, which will be called the Railyard, when complete will be the tallest residential building in Ireland, consisting of 24 storeys, and will entail 217 units, consisting of 99 social homes, and 118 cost rentals. Construction is to begin in September and is set for completion in September 2027. Developed by JCD, and built by PJ Hegarty & Son, the development will be run by approved housing body Cluid. The larger development is at Creamfield on Tramore Rd, on the old CMP site, and will contain 606 units, consisting of 225 social homes, and 381 cost rental homes. Built by Cairn Homes in a joint venture with Dairygold Co-Op, the owner of the site, the development will be run by Respond, Irelands largest construction-led approved housing body. Both developments already have planning permission. A third social and affordable housing scheme for Cork, located at Loughmahon and consisting of 190 housing units, is expected to receive approval in the coming weeks. That development will entail 91 social homes and 99 cost rental units. Colm Burke, Fine Gael TD for Cork North Central and his partys Cork spokesperson, said the new homes would be a major step forward for the city. People want the opportunity to live and work in Cork city, and these projects will enable those with various housing needs, such as social housing or cost rental, to do so, Mr Burke said. Furthermore, it will reduce the pressure on the waiting list for social housing in Cork city. Mr Burke added that because the developments already have planning permission, there should be no delays in completing the projects and ensuring that people could move in at the earliest opportunity. He paid tribute to Brian Geaney, Cork City Council assistant chief executive, and his staff, as well as Cluid and Respond. Mr Geaney said the 823 housing units would be a vital addition to Corks housing delivery pipeline. Cork City Council remains committed to collaborating closely with all stakeholders to deliver thousands of new homes, ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to live, work, and flourish in Irelands dynamic southern capital, he said. These projects exemplify the power of partnership, innovation, and determination in addressing our housing needs. We look forward to continuing to drive progress and deliver modern, sustainable homes for the people of Cork. A 59-year-old truck driver charged in connection with a 2.1 million drug seizure in Cork is maintaining his innocence in the matter, a court has heard. Robert Slivar of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court last Saturday. He was charged with two offences relating to the seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kg. Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium, was charged with cannabis possession and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on July 27th last. The alleged offence is contrary to section 3 and section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Dt Garda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail in the case citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charge facing the accused. He said that Mr Slivar made no reply after each charge was put to him under caution. Mr Slivar was remanded in custody to appear before the court today. Today at Cork District Court defence solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, told Judge John King that his client maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing. A statement of means was handed in to the court and free legal aid was assigned. Mr Kelleher said that the employers of the accused were very concerned about their truck. Mr Slivar was assisted throughout the short hearing by a Croatian interpreter. The accused, who was dressed in dark clothing, was not required to speak during the hearing. Sgt John Kelleher applied for a four week remand in the case, which he described as being in its early stages. He said that DPP directions are still outstanding. Judge King remanded Mr Slivar in custody to appear in court by video link on August 20 next for DPP directions. Nearly 1,100 patients were treated on trolleys in Cork hospitals last month, as Cork University Hospital figures more than doubled from the previous month, making it the third most overcrowded hospital in Ireland in July. CUH had 889 patients treated on trolleys during July, with an additional 196 patients treated on trolleys in the Mercy. This compared to 405 in CUH and 183 in the Mercy in June. So far this year, 6,178 and 1,841 patients have been treated on trolleys at CUH and the Mercy respectively. Phil Ni Sheaghdha, general secretary of the Irish Nurses and Midwives Organisation (INMO), which compiles the trolley figures, said that such high numbers at this time of year was a cause for concern. She said: The figures speak for themselves, and high trolley numbers in summer only send a negative message to our healthcare workers and the people of this country. Nurses and midwives are disheartened heading into the autumn/winter, and they already know they will have to endure the added pressure of flu and other viral infections, including covid. In the space of 10 years, the number of people receiving care on a trolley outside of the emergency department has risen by 30%. The Governments capital plan must include expanding the number of beds. Our members are already providing care under stress and strain due to hospital overcrowding and that has a negative impact on them and the patients in their care. All signs are pointing towards an extremely busy winter all trends suggest that we will have another record-breaking year for trolley admissions unless urgent measures are taken. Ms Ni Sheaghdha said that in their pre-budget submission the INMO has called for the development of primary care and community services, the expansion of nurse and midwife-led services, and increased bed capacity across the health service. There is a remedy for perpetual trolley crises if the Government wishes to invest properly in the health service, she added. Her comments came as health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill welcomed a reduction in the amount of people on trolleys after the recent bank holiday weekend, saying she was working to ensure patients can access essential care every day of the week. The increased presence of consultants on-site over the August bank holiday weekend was a major factor in the significant 51% reduction of trolley numbers when compared to St Brigids weekend, she said. There were 50 people on trolleys in CUH and eight in the Mercy on Tuesday following the August bank holiday weekend, compared to 74 and 21 after the St Brigids Day bank holiday weekend. A wise teacher told me once that if you want to know the core values of a school and the importance placed on thinking and reading, let it show you its library. This was said to me, an English literature graduate, in the context of secondary schools in England when I was interviewing for a job there more than 15 years ago, where schools have large student populations and generally more building space to play with. It was also when libraries were diminishing in value. But it was a thought that stayed with me and, since coming to Ireland in 2019, I have found myself applying it to the level of the country and county. I come from a place where there are far fewer libraries than there were when I was growing up, when I happily picked out books set in the 1880s, the Little House and What Katy Did Next series among them, such was my preference for time travel. It would have been impossible to imagine as a child that libraries in England could be thrown into crisis, with nearly 200 closing or losing public funding as of 2024, depriving communities of all that they have to offer. It is different here. Ireland continues to invest in its libraries, with 330 nationwide and 40 in Co. Cork alone. I still feel a warm buzz driving through a town I havent been to before and spotting its library, often sitting centre stage. I expect to see one nearly everywhere I go. And thats not all. I was delighted to discover that mobile libraries exist, rolling through rural villages on a fortnightly basis, dropping off books to local residents, sometimes quite literally on their doorstep, and allowing them to return the ones theyve read without trekking to the nearest town. A pile of books I had requested were once left for me behind the counter of my local shop when I wasnt around to pick them up. A library is a community hub as well as a gateway to other lives and shared experiences, on the page and off, with book clubs, writers groups, Lego clubs, STEM sessions for kids, toddler music classes, storytime and special interest groups. They are places of warmth, offering free wifi, access to printing services and computers and study and work hubs. Nothing is demanded of anyone using a library. It is there for everyone. Moreover, you dont have to worry if you forget to return a book (or a movie) on time: there are no late fees, just polite email reminders that an item needs returning. This is helpful when youve mixed up the books that live in your house with ones that actually belong to the library. Cork was the first city in Ireland to adopt the Public Libraries Act (1885), though it did not establish a library until 1892. The first, purpose-built Carnegie Free Library, which moved from various locations to Anglesea Street in 1905, was destroyed in the Burning of Cork. The tenacity of librarian James Wilkinson and generous donations and support from Corkonians in Ireland and all over the world saw the construction of what we know today as the City Library on Grand Parade. It remains an intrinsic part of Corks history and identity. The challenges it faces today are the same as they are for libraries across Ireland and most other countries: how to ensure younger generations remain engaged. David OBrien, Cork City Librarian since 2020, adopts a cradle-to-grave philosophy whereby a person journeys through the library throughout their lifetime, their relationship with it perhaps changing as life unfolds. Sometimes they drift away from it but there is always a chance to come back. The library has sought to position itself as a constant in peoples lives. Schools get people in here, OBrien says. This is easier to accomplish in national school but becomes harder, he notes, when children reach secondary school age. The solution has been to create a system where childrens and young adult fiction is housed in a separate room but which allows young people to access adult fiction in the main part of the library when they are ready. It is about providing everything they need and then waiting to see what they will do, says OBrien. Funding is ring-fenced specifically for young people with a dedicated officer responsible for youth engagement stationed in each of the citys 10 libraries. Literacy, as well as digital literacy and a yearly Childrens Literary Festival, are key staples. The Annual Teen Graphic Novel Collection also collates young authors and illustrators work, honed during a series of workshops, to make a comic book. The popular Unfinished Book project, meanwhile, has been publishing poems from young writers from secondary schools across Cork city since 2005. Then there is an annual Teen Short Story Writing competition, with the winner announced on Teen Day. Aware of the need to evolve and capture interests while competing with digital attractions, OBrien has also overseen the creation of a music library, which allows young people to listen to music with noise cancelling headphones. A six-week event course led by a DJ has proved popular as has an instrument lending scheme. Guitars, for example, can be borrowed for up to six months, giving budding musicians access to the equipment they need or might like to try. A drum-kit has yet to find a temporary home but OBrien expects it will. The scheme has been especially well-received by International Protection students. Plans are afoot for an electric van with a door-to-door service to reach vulnerable people. People think its just old people who are vulnerable, OBrien says, but its not. Anyone can be vulnerable, for any number of reasons. The van will also be able to visit nursing homes and bring the joy of reading and the sharing of stories to elderly residents. OBrien, who is now in his sixties, has been involved with libraries all his life. He has seen it all and knows that for libraries to survive and continue to thrive, it is necessary to have one eye open, to be innovative and to be on the ground. He agrees that what happens inside a librarys often imposing front is what matters most, particularly for young people. Its giving them a place, OBrien says, where they can safely come, to sit, to read, to relax and chat to their buddies. Kenneth Fox The 150th Dublin Horse Show is underway at the RDS in Ballsbridge with five days of top class international featuring a prize fund of 1.4 million divided between 168 competitions. It will see more than 1600 horses coming through the RDS during the week, attracting over 120,000 spectators and to mark the 150th anniversary of the RDS Dublin Horse Show, a special exhibition will be on display in the main concert hall throughout the duration of the show. The action begins on Wednesday with the Minerva Stakes and Sport Ireland Classic being the opening day highlights in the main arena. The Anglesea Speed Stake is among the features on Thursday, with the five-day RDS Dublin Horse Show also featuring a range of young horse classes in Showing, Eventing and Show Jumping, with potential purchasers expected from all over the globe in search of the next Irish-bred star. Friday as ever is Aga Khan day at the RDS as eight of the worlds top teams battle in the Nations Cup of Ireland. Defending champions the USA will return in a bid to win the Aga Khan for the second year running, but will face tough competition from teams from Canada, The Netherlands, Germany, Great Britain, Mexico, Switzerland and of course the home team from Ireland. Irish team manager Michael Blake has named a squad that includes the experienced trio of Denis Lynch (Vistogrand), Cian OConnor (Bentley De Sury) and Darragh Kenny (Eddy Blue), along with two of Irelands young Show Jumping stars Tipperarys Tom Wachman (Tobasco De Toxandria Z) and Kilkennys Seamus Hughes Kennedy with the Irish-bred ESI Rocky (ISH). Looking ahead to Fridays Aga Khan, which is part of the Rolex Series, Irelands most capped rider Cian OConnor said: The Nations Cup is always a huge event for us, especially on home soil, he adds. The Irish team is strong and motivated were determined to retain the Nations Cup title in front of our home crowd. OConnor also highlighted the impact of the Rolex Series on the sport. The Rolex Series is undoubtedly the best events in the world. The shows are fantastic, the competition is world-class, and the prize money and following reflect its prestige. Its an honor for Dublin to be part of this label, standing alongside the most legendary venues globally. Saturday is Puissance day the the RDS as horse and rider attempt to scale the big red wall, while the Dublin Horse Show finale on Sunday August 10th will be the Rolex Grand Prix of Ireland. By Jonathan McCambridge and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA There is no evidence of violence in the death of an Irish fashion designer who was found on a boat at a yacht club on Long Island, New York police have said. A post-mortem examination of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra did not show evidence of violence and her cause of death requires further examination, Suffolk County Police Department said in a statement. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, was discovered unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday. She was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. The founder of fashion brand East x East was originally from Co Carlow but lived in Manhattan. A statement from Suffolk County Police Department said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Coming into the bright yellow restaurant with its fragrant cloud of comforting zaatar, sumac, cardamom and coffee, one word springs immediately to mind: Home. This beacon of Palestinian cuisine, community and conversation is as close to the dream of home Palestinians in Cork may ever get. To taste home is to believe. Fuel for hope. In their strictest sense, recipes are an instruction for creating a dish from a list of ingredients and a method. But recipes are also vessels for memory, fleeting moments of connection that somehow remain forever. In this way, recipes tell us much more than how to get from A to B. They are stories of a time, a gathering, a culture, the evocative aroma of spices, spikey notes of citrus and grassy tones of olive oil. They tell us of real people and places separated by distance, history and, yes, even war. Izz and Eman at Izz Cafe in the city. Picture Dan Linehan Jibrin is the 15th cookbook from Blasta Books that amplify voices, recipes and cultures of Irelands new diaspora, and the first collection of recipes from husband-and-wife duo Izzeddeen Alkarajeh and Eman Aburabi, founders of Izz Cafe in Cork. It is Emans food that fills bellies and hearts when eating at their popular restaurant, cooked from recipes learned at her mothers apron strings. Given events of the past two years in Palestine, what might have started as a project to share recipes served at Izz Cafe has transformed into an act of emergency to preserve an important aspect of Palestinian heritage and culture: its food. I remember my mother was in the kitchen every day cooking for us, says Eman. We were a big family of 11. Always the kitchen was full of smells - the good smells. When I see my mom cooking, she is never angry about preparing the food. She is cooking with love. I saw that from her. I saw how cooking reminds me to share as well. The smell of our spices and dishes, it really makes me love to cook every day. Jibrin (pronounced jib-REEN) is named after Emans home town of Beit Jibrin at the foot of the Hebron Mountains near the West Bank. Her family fled to Jordan in 1948 after the Nakba (occupation), where Eman was raised on memories of Palestine through food cooked by her mother and stories of happier times told by her father. All Palestinians have in their mind they will return some day. This was my fathers dream, and he gave that dream to me. He was always talking with us about Beit Jibrin, and I grew with these stories in my heart. My father didnt return, and when I visited Palestine last year for the first time in my life, as an Irish citizen, I still couldnt go because it was not safe. So maybe my kids will go there some day. Im sure I will; I still have hope. We always have hope, to consign to be free and go back to our roots. For me, the name Jibrin is more than a name. It means something really deep. When I passed the border into Palestine for the first time, it was like the world opened for me. I wanted to cry; I wanted to laugh. I felt like I knew these places; that somehow these were not new for me, like I knew everything there is in this place as if I had been there before. We grew up with these places, so it is like a history for us. Everything about our history, our country, our cities; all our recipes and dishes remind us of Palestine and our village, Beit Jibrin. The recipes in Jibrin are Emans way of remembering, celebrating, and sharing her heritage and culture. Eman Alkarajeh pictured in Izz Cafe with the new cookbook, Jibrin. Picture Chani Anderson. I dont like to change the traditional way to cook [a dish]. If I want to cook Musakhan (sumac chicken and onions on flatbread), I always try to do it how it has always been done because I feel its the real taste - the first taste. Theres a triumvirate of flavours that are a signature of Palestinian cuisine: zaatar, olive oil and sumac. In Palestine, olive and sumac harvesting season are close together, but while getting good olive oil in Cork is easy, sourcing freshly prepared sumac isnt. Sumac was hard to find here; its usually a small bag and old. Its right to a point, but its not the same because we know the real flavour and I dont feel good if I dont serve something the right way, says Eman. I want people to taste Palestine; to taste the real Musakhan. Thats why Izz asks his family every season to prepare sumac for us. They buy seeds, send it to be ground, put it in bags, and send it to us here in Ireland. Its expensive, but I want to use the real one. Despite its obvious luxury to Eman, sumac is used generously in many dishes. Its sour, lemony taste is versatile, elevating chicken, fish, salads and vegetables. There is much talk of umami and the elusive fifth taste. Maybe sumac is the fifth taste in Palestinian food? Sumac is a wild plant only available at certain times of the year. Its good with everything and just gives something. Middle East countries (Jordan, Lebanon, Syria), our food is similar but in a different way, yet they all know sumac is Palestinian. The most famous dish in Palestine is Musakhan because it uses lots of sumac, olive oil, and braised onions. The sumac gives the dish a value. Its very rich, very tasty, simple and easy, but it tastes as though you feel the world! Jibrin is an education in flavours, textures, and tastes of this comforting cuisine, but it also talks of regionality. Where Eman is from, dishes are based around a hardened preserved form of sheep or goat yogurt called jameed while traditional Gazan dishes are fresher, zingier, making liberal use of chillies. Eman Aburabi, co-owner of Izz Cafe in Cork City. Photo: Joleen Cronin Habib Alostaz is from Gaza and works as a chef at Izz Cafe. Eman and Habib have learned from each other about the different dishes from coastal Gaza to inland Hebron and even the desert cuisine of Jordan. But the fragmentation of Palestine is reflected in a sometimes fragmented knowledge of regionalised dishes. We are all Palestinians, we are all the same despite what we see on the map, says Eman. We always dream of visiting Gaza because there is no way to go there. I dream of going there because I know their cuisine is very rich and totally different. They have their way how to cook, and they use lots of chilli. Two dishes in Jibrin represent the similarity and difference that Eman is trying to bridge. Mansaf is a Jordanian dish of slow-cooked lamb with yogurt, while Sumagiyya is a Palestinian sumac stew which also uses slow-cooked lamb, sumac and tahini. Eman taught Habib how to cook Mansaf, and Habib taught Eman how to cook Sumagiyya. Sumagiyya in Palestine is like Mansaf in Jordan. Its served at weddings, funerals and big occasions; its food for happy and sad times. Everybody has their own way to serve these dishes that are different, says Eman. We are Palestinian, but we met not there but in Cork. Its sad that we cant meet in our country, and we are far away from Palestine, but we just make Palestine here because we feel at home. The cover of Jibrin. Illustrations by Ciara Coogan. Jibrin contains just 29 recipes from a cuisine thats ancient and diverse, and many will be familiar to cafe regulars: Magloubeh, Dawali, Manaeesh zaatar, Musakhan, Nabulsi knafeh. Palestinian cuisine is very rich. I cant count how many recipes we have. Its a lot! says Eman. When you live under an occupation, things can be cut off from you money, food, roads. I talk about Palestinian women, how they are strong, how they carry their families. I never heard my mother, grandma or aunts saying they didnt have something to cook. They just go to the kitchen, open the fridge or cabinet, and come with a dish. I feel I have to save this; I have to keep it, I have to write it down for others; for my kids, my friends, my Irish friends, my Jordanian friends, my other-nationality friends. I want them to know about our cuisine. When they open the cafe door, they smell the zaatar, the sumac, the olive oil. I want everyone to feel home, and Im so happy when we hear from customers that they feel they are home. This is what I want. Emans favourite recipe in Jibrin is for Dawali, vine leaves stuffed with rice and vegetables simmered until soft in a lemony stock. Dawali reminds Eman of sitting at a table with her mother and sister, learning the correct way to fill and roll the leaves to her mothers exacting standards. Making Dawali reminds me of my mother when I was small, like my daughter is now. I do the same with my daughters now; we sit at the table, and I teach them how to do it. My daughter, Jouri, can make them perfectly. Of all the recipes in Jibrin, Eman would encourage everyone to make Freekeh, a roasted green wheat with a distinctive smoky flavour and versatile texture. It can be served with slow-cooked lamb or beef, and Gazan Salad (recipe below). It means a lot to all of us to be able to make this book. I hope people will not just read it, but feel it and know about our history, our culture, our love. GAZAN SALAD Originating in the coastal Gaza Strip, this salad is enjoyed year-round, but especially during warmer months, as a refreshing side dish or part of a mezze spread. Ingredients (serves 46) 1 fresh green chilli, finely diced 1 garlic clove, finely diced 1 tbsp olive oil, plus extra to garnish 1 lemon 3 ripe tomatoes, finely diced cucumber, finely diced 1 bunch of fresh dill, chopped 1 sprig of fresh mint, leaves chopped, plus extra to garnish pinch of salt Method Are there any celebrities left in Ireland at this stage that havent already taken part? Thats the quip from Jennifer Zamparelli, when asked if she has any inkling into who will be taking part in the next season of RTEs ever-popular Dancing With The Stars. Jennifer, who has co-presented the hit show for seven series, is, of course, being her typical sardonic self and says that not only does she have no idea who will be taking centre stage come January, she doesnt even know if shell be back herself. I dont usually get the call until late August so youre really left hanging! Of course, Ill say yes if Im asked! said Jennifer, 45. The presenter and broadcaster, known for her razor-sharp wit, is currently in rehearsals for The Rocky Horror Show which is taking to stages in Dublin, Derry, and Cork this month. Jennifer will join singing superstar Jason Donovan as The Narrator in the musical which enjoys a cult following. Having previously wowed in Priscilla Queen of the Desert at the Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Jennifer is no stranger to musical theatre and is excited to be part of the enduring musical which was first performed in 1973. I didnt even have to think when I was asked to be part of this it was like Hell yeah, straight away as I wanted to get back on stage and this is a musical that has really stood the test of time, thats almost more important now than ever, about sexual fluidity, acceptance, and no judgement. Its an important piece of art, she said. Shes looking forward to bringing her own twist to the show with eight performances a week, even if she admits its a little out of her comfort zone. I know Ive one good show in me a week I just hope that Ive got eight! This is such an iconic show and Im honoured to be asked so I just dont want to stand out like a sore thumb! she said. Jennifer Zamparelli takes on the role of The Narrator for the Rocky Horror Show at Cork Opera House later this month. Thats unlikely as the mother-of-two is a consummate professional who excels at everything she does, including her 10 year stint behind the mic at 2FM. Its a year since she walked away from hosting her own morning show and while she says she misses being on the radio, she was without a shadow of a doubt done. I just had a gut feeling that it was time to move I absolutely enjoyed every single show, but I had nothing left to give it, she said. Being on radio, she said, is relentless and very demanding and the time was right for her family shes mum to Florence, 10, and Enzo, 7 for her to step back from that role. Also, my husband Lau and I have such different jobs, hes a stuntman and hes away on set quite a bit so it was getting too tricky to manage everything and it was his time, she said. Jennifer took a well-earned breather after working non-stop for 20 years and more. I was exhausted and I wanted to get myself to a good place where I was firing on all cylinders again, she said. That time was great and it was lovely not to be making decisions in a rush. Im now in a really fortunate position to be able to take on shorter passion projects that are flexible and work with the family, she said, and they include podcast work and a role in an independent film. Im aware that this is a luxury that not everyone has. I do feel very fortunate. I still have to work, but Ive worked hard to get to a place where I can take on more project- based work, she said. A lesser known fact is that Jennifer, who started out in marketing, is also the co-owner of a hair salon. Then theres the DWTS gig which she really enjoys, despite the intensity of the TV run from January to March. When she still had the radio show, it meant she was working seven days a week. Not surprisingly so, she wasnt hitting the town with the crew after the show. Most of the time Id be taking off my dress at the side of the stage and getting into the leggings or shorts before the show even ended and was the first one off set! I used to drive my husbands two-seater Ford Transit to work because he needed the car with the kids for the weekend, and you could see the audience doing a double take when they were coming out and I was heading off home in the van! Then it was home, a small glass of wine and straight to bed before going on air the next morning, she said. Not that shes complaining. A lot of different pressures come with the show I mean, you work really hard on the script and everything else and then all people care about is what you are wearing. But I suppose we dont mind. Theres very few shows like it in Ireland. Normal TV isnt at all glamorous you could be sitting in the back of a car waiting to shoot, getting a sandwich from a garage, its tough. This is a joy to work on. She enjoys working with her co-presenter and mum to be Doireann Garrihy. We do keep in contact with each other shes lovely to work with, very easy, said Jennifer. We have to ask: does she have nightmares about falling down those iconic stairs on the DWTS set? No, Im OK with the stairs at this point but I do have nightmares about not being able to read the autocue!she admits. To a younger generation, this is what shes known as, the glamorous presenter on DWTS, but to others shes remembered from her stint on the BBCs reality show The Apprentice in 2008. It seems like a different life, she admits. She was 27 at the time and working in sales in Bristol. Her motivation was to get a job in London where Lau was based at the time. I was one of 20,000 people who auditioned, I get in, and then I got fired in front of 8m people, she said. Previously, she described the experience as traumautic and said shes amazed she got out unscathed, but despite that she has no regrets about the experience. I learned so much from it, it brought a lot of exposure but also led to a lot of opportunities, she said, referring to her roles in Republic Of Telly, Bridget And Eamon, her radio show and now DTWS. When you list it all out, its not really a surprise that she needed some time out, even if wasnt exactly time off. Theres a definite sense Jennifer is happy with her lot. I am, very happy and content I love what you do and that makes it easy to give 100%, she said. For now, shes ready to don her fishnets and bring laughs, thrills and time-warping fun to audiences at The Rocky Horror Show. Its outrageous, its hilarious, and whether youre a diehard fan or a first timer, this is one experience you wont want to miss! she said. (Photo: REUTERS / James Akena)Congolese refugee children displaced by fighting between Congo army and a rebel group, Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) last week, sleep in the open at Bukanga transit camp in Bundibugyo town camp, 376 kilometers (238 miles) southwest of Uganda's capital Kampala July 17, 2013. Hundreds of families spent a night without cover at Bukanga refugees' camp as humanitarian organizations struggle to setup communal tents, according to an eyewitness. Pope Leo XIV and World Council of Churches general secretary Rev. Jerry Pillay have expressed sorrow and horror over an attack on a Catholic church in Komanda, in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Islamic State-backed rebels belonging to the Allied Democratic Forces (ADF) attacked a Catholic church in Komanda, in the Ituri province, killing over 40 people on July 27. "The assault, which left at least 43 people dead, is a tragic and unacceptable act of violence against innocent worshippers gathered in prayer," said Pillay. DRC, in Central Africa, has for many decades been one of the trouble hot spots in Africa. "The burning of homes and shops surrounding the church further underscores the senseless destruction and trauma inflicted on the local community." Pope Leo expressed his "deep sorrow" over the deadly attack on the church in the eastern part of the DRC. The pontiff prayed for the victims during his July 30 audience in St. Peter's Square. "As I entrust the victims to God's loving Mercy, I pray for the injured and for Christians around the world who continue to suffer violence and persecution, urging all those with local and international responsibility, to collaborate in order to prevent such tragedies," said Leo. Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin called the attack, "a dangerous sign." "This represents an additional problem in a region that already suffers from many conflicts of an ethnic, cultural, and sociopolitical nature. The addition of a religious aspect now further aggravates the situation," the cardinal told journalists. Among the victims were children at a summer camp. The WCC's Pillay said such acts of terror not only violate fundamental human rights and humanitarian principles, but also the most basic values of morality and faith, including human dignity and the sanctity of life. "We call on national authorities to take every measure to ensure the protection of civilians and places of worship, and we urge the international community to support peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts in the DRC," said Pillay. "We also call upon all people of goodwill to reject extremism in all its forms and to join in prayer and action for justice, healing, and lasting peace in the region." Israel has allegedly been recording and storing millions of phone calls made by Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank as part of a large surveillance effort dating back to 2022, according to reporting by The Guardian , +972 Magazine and Local Call . The report suggests that the country has been shuttling these recordings to Microsoft Azure cloud servers. Company CEO Satya Nadella allegedly okayed the effort personally after meeting with a commander from Israels military surveillance agency, Unit 8200. He reportedly gave the country a customized and segregated area within the Azure platform to store millions of phone calls made each day without knowledge or consent from Palestinians. According to sources within Unit 8200, these recordings have assisted in the preparation of deadly airstrikes and helped shape military operations throughout the region. Israel has long been intercepting calls in the occupied territories, as it basically controls the entire Palestinian telecommunications infrastructure . Advertisement Advertisement This new method, however, reportedly captures the conversations of a large pool of regular civilians. The mantra when building out the project was to record "a million calls an hour." Leaked Microsoft files suggest that the lion's share of this data is being stored in Azure facilities in the Netherlands and Ireland. Microsoft has been facing increased scrutiny regarding its role in Israel's 22-month offensive in Gaza. CEO Nadella was interrupted by an employee at a keynote speech in May, with the worker pleading for the executive to "show how Israeli war crimes are powered by Azure." Microsoft workers are refusing to work on Israeli military tech. According to No Azure for Apartheid, dozens of employees across various roles have signed a pledge to stop working on Azure contracts tied to Israels military, and want Microsoft ends those deals. Internal pic.twitter.com/sduAAN0mXF Drop Site (@DropSiteNews) July 23, 2025 Earlier this year, the company commissioned an external review that "found no evidence to date that Azure or its AI products were "used to target or harm people" in the territory. Today's reporting suggests otherwise. Unit 8200 sources indicate that intelligence drawn from this data was used to identify bombing targets. Microsoft says it has "no information" about the kind of data stored by Israel on its servers. At no time during this engagement, a company representative added, has Microsoft been aware of the surveillance of civilians or collection of their cellphone conversations using Microsofts services, including through the external review it commissioned. Sources say that usage of the surveillance system increased during the campaign in Gaza. So far, 60,000 people in the territory have been killed , including over 18,000 children. Key sections of the US Constitution were temporarily removed from Congress' website. Provisions including habeas corpus (due process) and the prohibition of nobility titles (like, say, King) vanished from the digital version of the document. They've since been restored. 404 Media first reported on the edits after users on Lemmy forums spotted them. There are many ways to read a copy of the US Constitution. But the Library of Congress' online version is one of the easiest to find. Alongside its counterpart hosted by the National Archives, it's an official digital communication from the government. Those two websites also sit atop Google's search results for "US Constitution." So, when key sections vanish from the website, it's worth noting. And when they coincide with those that the Trump administration has said it wants to remove, it's a bit more eyebrow-raising. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Portions of Section 8 of Article I, along with all of Sections 9 and 10 of Article I, were missing. "The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended" was part of that. Also gone was "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States." Ditto for the provision banning foreign emoluments for US officials. The Lemmy thread that first caught the changes includes the complete list of edits. The National Archives version wasn't edited. 404 Media notes that, before these edits, the website hadn't changed significantly since first being archived by the Internet Archives Wayback Machine. (That archive goes back to 2019.) The US Constitution hasn't changed since 1992. Bluesky The Library of Congress said it was a mistake. "It has been brought to our attention that some sections of Article 1 are missing from the Constitution Annotated (constitution.congress.gov) website," the official account posted on Bluesky. "We've learned that this is due to a coding error. We have been working to correct this and expect it to be resolved soon." It was changed back sometime around 2PM ET on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration doesn't have official control over the Library of Congress, which runs the website. But in May, the president fired Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. (White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed she "did not fit the needs of the American people.") Trump then named Todd Blanche, one of his former defense lawyers, as acting Librarian of Congress. The Senate must confirm a permanent replacement. This isn't the first time official government websites have removed text that the Trump administration finds inconvenient. In March, The NY Times listed hundreds of words the administration removed from public-facing websites and other materials. They include terms like "activism," "disability," "equality," "female," "prejudice," "pollution," "racism," "sex," "transgender" and "women." ("Men" wasn't on the list of banned words.) Of course, deleting text from the website doesn't change the legally binding document. ("You realize that they still exist even if you don't post them, right?" Jehosaphat Q. Blatte snarked on Bluesky.) But given the current state of affairs, you may want to look elsewhere to bone up on your rights. We're getting super close to finding out when the annual Apple iPhone event will take place, giving us a first look at the new iPhone 17 lineup. We should also find out the official date for downloading the latest software update, iOS 26. If you can't wait any longer, you can download and install the newly released public beta 4 (or iOS 26 developer beta 8 for developers). I've been playing around with it for the past couple of weeks, and have found that taking screenshots is way better in the new operating system Google and ChatGPT search options are now in the screenshots editor, for instance. You can see a more complete view of the new features in our preview of the iOS 26 public beta release, which shows off the fresh home and lock screen redesign. Called Liquid Glass, the translucent look will extend across all of Apple's upcoming operating systems. The overhaul is one of several big changes coming to iOS, macOS, iPadOS and the rest of Apple's software suite, all of which were showcased during the company's WWDC keynote on June 9. After overpromising on AI plans last year, Apple kept its iOS roadmap focused more on basic quality of life improvements this year. There are multiple useful additions coming to the Phone and Messages apps on your iPhone, for instance: Apple execs outlined the ability to weed out spam texts or other unknown senders and an option to hold your spot on a phone call when you've been waiting for a representative to pick up. Plus, a treasured feature that we took for granted is coming back (hint: it's in the Photos app). Siri, meanwhile, is in a holding pattern. Apple has previously specified that its smarter voice assistant first promised at WWDC 2024 is delayed until some point "in the coming year," so you shouldn't expect any major changes in the current betas. But there are reports that Apple is aiming to give Siri a bigger brain transplant by basing it on third-party artificial intelligence models like OpenAI's ChatGPT or Anthropic's Claude, which could make 2026 a pivotal year. The company is also reportedly working on a 'stripped-down' AI chatbot to rival ChatGPT. Advertisement Advertisement With each beta, it seems like additional new improvements are popping up, like this new AirPods gesture we're all curious about, and this FaceTime feature that'll freeze your video if it detects nudity. With the release of the iOS 26 developer beta 5, we saw more added features, like a new bouncy animation on the passcode screen and in the Control Center, MacRumors reports. Some or all of those changes will likely soon migrate into the separate public beta (see below). Most newer iPhone models are eligible to download iOS 26 (both the betas and final version). Want to see the full list of new features coming this fall? Read on. What is iOS 26? The current iPhone operating system is iOS 18, and Apple is still actively updating it version 18.6.1 was released to restore Apple Watch blood oxygen monitoring functionality for certain users in the US. More recently, Apple released 18.6.2 to address a vulnerability related to image processing. Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6, MacRumors reports, which means it can no longer be installed on your iPhone due to a "server-side software verification check." That's pretty normal when newer versions are available to download. But don't expect to see iOS 19 soon or ever. Instead, Apple is skipping the numbering ahead to iOS 26 later this year. The company has decided to line up its iOS version numbers with a year-based system, similar to car model years. So while iOS and its sibling operating systems will be released in late 2025, they're all designated "26" to reflect the year ahead. It's official, we're moving to iOS 26. (Apple) What is Liquid Glass design? Let's be honest. Out of everything announced at WWDC this year, the new Liquid Glass design was the star of the show. The iPhone's home and lock screens have looked pretty much the same year after year the last exciting thing (in my opinion) was the option to add your own aesthetic to your home screen by customizing your apps and widgets. So seeing the home and lock screens' new facelift is refreshing. Advertisement Advertisement So what exactly is Liquid Glass? Apple calls it a "new translucent material" since, well, the apps and widgets are clear. However, the screen can still adapt to dark and light modes, depending on surroundings. You'll also notice buttons with a new floating design in several apps, like Phone and Maps. They're designed to be less distracting than the current buttons, but are still easy to see. While the design overhaul has proven to be controversial since its announcement, some including Engadget's own Devindra Hardawar like the new direction, even if it's somewhat reminiscent of Microsoft's translucent Windows Vista Aero designs from nearly twenty years ago. That said, as of the release of the iOS 26 beta 2, Apple has already incorporated some user feedback into the design, dialing back the transparency in at least some places. And while it will continue to evolve, Apple users won't be able to escape it: Liquid Glass was designed to make all of Apple's OSes more cohesive. Here's a look at how the translucent aesthetic will look with the new macOS Tahoe 26 on your desktop. What are the new and notable features of iOS 26? iOS 26 has a laundry list of new features. Among the most worthwhile: Phone app redesign: You'll finally be able to scroll through contacts, recent calls and voicemail messages all on one screen. It also comes with a new feature called Hold Assist that'll notify you when an agent comes to the phone so you can avoid the elevator music and continue on with other tasks. Advertisement Advertisement Live Translation in Phone, FaceTime and Messages: iOS 26 is bringing the ability to have a conversation via phone call or text message with someone who speaks another language. Live Translation will translate your conversation in real time, which results in some stop-and-go interactions in the examples Apple shared during its presentation. Polls in group chats: Tired of sorting through what seems like hundreds of messages in your group chat? You and your friends will soon be able to create polls in group messages for deciding things like which brunch spot you're eating at or whose car you're taking on a road trip. Filtering unknown senders in Messages: If you haven't received spam texts about unpaid tolls or other citations, you're lucky. For those of us who have, those annoying messages will soon be filtered away in a separate folder. Visual Intelligence: Similar to a reverse Google image search, this new feature will allow you to search for anything that's on your iPhone screen. For instance, if you spot a pair of shoes someone is wearing in an Instagram photo, you can screenshot it and use Visual Intelligence to find those shoes (or similar ones) online. Advertisement Advertisement Photos tabs are back: For anyone who's still frustrated with the Photos changes made last year, you'll be happy to know that your tabs are coming back. Library and Collections will have their own separate spaces so you don't have to scroll to infinity to find what you're looking for. FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature: A newer addition to iOS 26 appears to be the FaceTime "Communication Safety" feature that pauses communications if and when nudity is detected. The feature appears to be a child safety feature that uses on-device detection, thus obviating any cloud-based privacy issues. New lock screen options: The iPhone lock screen gets more customizable in iOS 26, with a cooler clock, 3D wallpaper effects, more widgets and better focus mode options. Apple's Hold Assist will be nifty for those pesky services that put you on hold for 10 or more minutes. (Apple) New changes coming to iPadOS 26 Your iPad isn't getting left behind when it comes to big updates. Here's what's coming this fall. Advertisement Advertisement Multitasking and real windowing: When you download the newest update, you'll be able to have multiple apps running on your screen at the same time. Once you open an app, it'll appear on your screen as normal but you'll be able to resize and move it across your screen to make room for other apps. This feature is optional so you can turn it off if you don't like it. Visual update: Along with the other new OSes, iPadOS 26 is coming with the Liquid Glass aesthetic. This new look will appear on the lock and home screens, as well as the drop-down menus. New menu bar: When you swipe down on your screen, the new menu bar will appear with options like File, Edit, Windows and more. There's also a search option if you're looking for something specific. Check out our first impressions of iPadOS 26. What about AirPods? AirPods are also getting updated with iOS 26. Here are some of the more notable functions. Advertisement Advertisement Enhanced audio recording: Apple calls this "studio-quality" audio recording, and with it, you'll notice more clarity while in noisy environments. Camera remote control: Using this, you can take a photo or start and stop video recording with just one press on your AirPods. When taking photos, you'll get a three-second countdown before your iPhone or iPad snaps the picture. Live translation feature: While not officially announced or confirmed, it appears that the long-rumored live translation for AirPods could be coming with iOS 26. The evidence comes from a system asset spotted in the in iOS 26 beta showing a gesture that's triggered by pressing both earbud stems at the same time. The photo also shows words in several different languages. Heart rate monitoring (rumored for now): Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes Apple will introduce new AirPods Pro earbuds this year, which could have heart rate monitoring. It would work with Apple's Health app and other fitness apps that track heart rates. Which iPhones will be able to upgrade to iOS 26? A few iPhone models that run the current version of iOS iPhone XR, XS and XS Max won't be compatible with the latest upgrade. But any iPhones released in 2019 or later will be eligible for the iOS 26 update. Advertisement Advertisement iPhone SE (second generation or later) iPhone 11 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 12 iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 13 iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16e Not listed here are the presumed new iPhone 17 models (or maybe iPhone 26?) that are all but certain to be announced and released in September. How to install iOS 26 beta The iOS 26 public beta is now available to download via the Apple Beta Software Program. If you're not already a member, you'll need to sign up to try out all the latest features. Just visit beta.apple.com and sign up with your phone number or email address. It's free. Once you're in, you can install it by going to Settings > General > Software Update and selecting iOS 26 public beta. A word of caution: Don't sign up with your main iPhone unless you're OK with any risks that occur with using an OS that isn't finalized. When will the final version of iOS 26 be released? iOS 26 will be released to the public this fall. It usually comes in September, within a week of the Apple iPhone event. Last year, it rolled out to iPhone users on September 16 exactly one week after the iPhone 16 lineup was announced. Advertisement Advertisement If you're more interested in the Apple Intelligence features coming, here's everything Apple revealed for iOS, macOS and more during WWDC. Also, check out how iOS 26 screenshots could be an intriguing preview of Apple's delayed Siri rework. Update, August 25: Added a rumor about new AirPods Pro having heart rate monitoring. Update, August 22: Noted that Apple has officially stopped signing iOS 18.6. Update, August 20: Noted that iOS 26 public beta 4 and iOS 18.6.2 are now available to download. Update, August 18: Added details about a potential iOS 18.6 update. Update, August 15: Added to link to what to expect at the Apple iPhone event and details about what's available in the iOS 26 screenshots editor. Advertisement Advertisement Update, August 13: Added new AirPods detail spotted in the iOS 26 beta. Update, August 11: Noted that iOS 26 developer beta has hit beta 6. Update, August 8: Added new features coming with iPadOS 26 and AirPods. Update, August 6: Noted the release of iOS 26 beta 5 and the new bouncy feature on passcode screen and Control Center. Update, August 4: Noted that Apple is reportedly working on a ChatGPT rival. Update, August 1: Added quote from Tim Cook about iOS 26. Update, July 31: Noted that iOS 18.6 is now available. Update, July 24: Noted the iOS 26 public beta is now available. Update, July 3: Noted new FaceTime feature found in the developer beta. Update, June 30: Noted ongoing iOS 18 releases, and reports that Apple is considering additional external LLMs for Siri. Update, June 25: Noted changes added in iOS 26 beta 2. We're still waiting for Apple to make the official announcement for the iPhone event that usually takes place in September. At that event, they'll showcase the new iPhone 17 lineup which will come equipped with the latest iOS 26 features preinstalled, as well as any additional features Apple reveals at the launch event. But since we (presumably) still have to wait a few weeks until the iPhone event, we can only speculate what the new devices will look like. As with most unreleased iPhones, rumors and leaks have trickled in about the hardware side ahead of the official introduction. Here's what we're expecting and what we can reasonably assume we'll get from Apple in September. What are the latest iPhone 17 rumors? Not necessarily a "new" rumor but Bloomberg's Mark Gurman believes there actually will be a new orange color offered for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max, as well as a light blue color for the iPhone 17 Air, he confirmed in his weekly Power On newsletter. Additionally, we have a new case rumor. According to leaker Majin Bu, there will be new Liquid Silicone cases in eight colors, including Deep Orange, Pale Orange, Grass Green, Celadon, Fog Purple, Grey Blue, Dark Blue and Midnight Black. iPhone 17: New Liquid Silicone Cases Colors Full Article:https://t.co/RBnAO3LCAC pic.twitter.com/GuQuvrswg6 Majin Bu (@MajinBuOfficial) August 24, 2025 These rumors haven't been confirmed by Apple and we won't know what the actual iPhone 17 models will look like until the iPhone event next month. How much will the iPhone 17 cost? Apple's announced plan to expand US-based manufacturing partners seems to give it at least some shielding from the steepest Trump administration tariffs that have already triggered price increases on everything from PlayStations to Switch consoles to high-end cameras to Sonos speakers. But given that President Trump's trade policies can change from week to week, and Apple's continuing reliance on Asia-based supply chains, price shocks remain an ongoing possibility. The bigger question is: Will Apple absorb any higher costs, or pass them on to consumers? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If prices do creep up, Apple may choose to pair it with an "upgrade." Consider this recent rumor posted by MacRumors from a leaker known as "Instant Digital," suggesting that the default storage of the iPhone 17 line may start at 256GB, doubling the current 128GB baseline. While that could be accompanied by a price increase of $50, Apple could at least pitch it as a "better value." That said, the company doubled the default RAM of its Mac computers from 8GB to 16GB at no extra cost in 2024 but that was before the current Trump tariff cycle started. When will the iPhone 17 series be announced? Most years, the flagship smartphones are introduced in September. MacRumors highlighted a story originally reported by iphone-ticker.de that the Apple iPhone 17 event could be Tuesday, September 9, according to information gleaned from German mobile phone providers. It's still too early to have the specific dates; some years, Apple only gives a week or two of lead time between sending invites and hosting the event. But years of past precedent show that sometime in September should be when the 17 models make their debut. This family of smartphones may be the last to follow that trend, however. There have been hints that the introduction of the iPhone 18 collection in 2026 will be split into a pro-tier announcement in the fall and a standard model announcement the following spring. What will the new iPhone 17 lineup include? Design leaks suggest that Apple is building an ultra-thin smartphone, likely to be named the iPhone 17 Air to match Apple's ultralight laptop designation. Bloomberg's Mark Gurman, often a solid source of advanced intel about Apple, reported in January that the iPhone 17 Air will be equipped with a basic A19 chip and will only have a single camera lens. It may also use Apple's new in-house modem, which was introduced in February on the iPhone 16e. More details about this development may leak ahead of September, but that's what we know for now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An investor note from Apple analyst Jeff Pu indicated that the Air will have a titanium frame. If his reports are accurate, the lightweight smartphone will be the only entry in the iPhone 17 lineup to use that metal; the iPhone 17, iPhone 17 Pro, and iPhone 17 Pro Max are expected to be made of aluminum, which is oddly a lighter material than titanium. Other speculation had suggested that the Air would use a blend of aluminum and titanium, so the exact materials may not be known until the official announcement. Additionally, an August 4 MacRumors report says the internal battery pack of the iPhone Air is just 2.49mm thick half the thickness of the iPhone 17 Pro battery. The leak was posted on the Korean-language Naver blog, where they show the alleged batteries of the iPhone 17 Air and 17 Pro side by side. The same account claimed the 17 Air's battery capacity was a mere 2,800 mAh, MacRumors notes. (That's below the battery capacity of current iPhone 16 models.) On a similar topic, an iPhone 17 Pro production leak appears to have revealed an all-aluminum chassis, according to MacRumors. Originally posted by leaker Majin Bu, the image shows a shell that has a large round hole on the back (where the Apple logo typically is) to allow for MagSafe charging. MacRumors says this could just be a molding but notes that the aluminum frame (versus the current titanium in Pro iPhone models) would yield a significantly lower weight. That same leaker (Majin Bu), whom MacRumors classifies as a "hit-or-miss leaker," suggests the iPhone 17 Pro will have better wireless signal strength thanks to an updated antenna design. The individual posted a render on X that shows a new antenna system that wraps around the iPhone 17 Pro's supposedly wider rear camera bump. Again, this is a render, not a real-world photo. That said, we can't knock the goal of better wireless reception, so we're hoping this one has a degree of truth to it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leaker Majin Bu also claims "TechWoven" cases could be introduced, per a MacRumors report. The cases match the rumored design on the iPhone 17 models, with the wide camera bump. The leaker noted there are two lanyard holes for "convenient and secure carrying," so it could be worn around your neck. The colors would come in grey/black, blue, green, purple and orange. Each new roster includes a base model, but over the years, Apple has shaken up the variety of phones it offers. Most likely there will be an iPhone 17 and an iPhone 17 Pro. Apple has also committed to the size matters philosophy, and has been building an iPhone Pro Max option with an even bigger screen and better battery life; the 17 roster will almost certainly have one as well. The new Pro iPhones are said to have a full-width "camera island" on the rear, which would mark the first time an Apple model opted for that design. This feature can be seen in the purported iPhone 17 "spotted in the wild." The pics, highlighted on MacRumors, show a black cased iPhone (17 Pro?) with the distinct back panel. Is it the real deal? The dual angles lend a degree of credibility in a social media landscape increasingly polluted with AI-enhanced fakes, but your guess is as good as ours. I just spotted a test development iPhone in the wild pic.twitter.com/iS3PtKWqxJ Fox Pupy (@Skyfops) July 28, 2025 The iPhone 17 Air seems primed to take the place of a potential iPhone 17 Plus. Since the iPhone 16e was only just introduced in February at a surprisingly high price point, it seems unlikely that there will be a new addition to that lower end of the spectrum, the models that were previously called SE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the very least, it sounds like the iPhone 17 Air won't take away the charging port and rely only on wireless connectivity. Bloomberg said that while Apple had investigated making the iPhone 17 Air without a single port, the company (fortunately) changed plans. He also says that the rumored phone will have a 6.6-inch screen and include the Dynamic Island and Camera Control button. Finally, the price is rumored at $900 likely more than the standard iPhone 17 but less than the Pro. We've also gotten what seems to be a reliable look at what the color lineup will be for the new smartphones. Macworld reported that the iPhone 17 will be available in black, white, steel gray, green, purple and light blue. The iPhone 17 Air will reportedly have four color options: black, white, light blue and light gold. While the Air colors will be less saturated, the visuals for the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max will go bold. The options for the Pro models are expected to be black, white, gray, dark blue and orange. On July 30, Tom's Guide highlighted an X post from Sonny Dickson a longtime and generally reliable leaker of unreleased iPhone information showing "dummy" iPhone 17 models in the new colors that were the source of the aforementioned Macworld story. While these are literally just mock-ups not real, leaked iPhones it's interesting to see how the design and color rumors translate into a real-world look and feel. To add the the rumors, a Weibo leaker known as Digital Chat Station suggests the iPhone 17e will come equipped with a new design that includes the Dynamic Island, MacRumors reports. According to the post, the new phone will have the A19 chip and could have a 6.1-inch OLED display with a front-facing 12-megapixel camera and a rear-facing 48-megapixel camera. However, it's important to note this report refers to the 17e model that would be expected to launch no earlier than February 2026, if it followed the same release pattern as the iPhone 16e. What will iOS 26 be like? Apple upended its numbering conventions with WWDC 2025, and will match the name of each new operating system to the year it's released. So when the next wave of iPhones hits, they'll be running on iOS 26. Advertisement Advertisement On the design side, the smartphone OS introduced during the big developer showcase took a contentious approach dubbed Liquid Glass. Apple has been scaling down the amount of transparency effects in the subsequent beta tests of iOS 26, but it will still have a glass-like visual. The feature list includes big and small updates. On the more impactful side, the Phone and Photos apps have been redesigned. There will be several features leveraging artificial intelligence, such as live translation capabilities coming to Phone, FaceTime and Messages. Apple is also currently testing a sensitive content warning for child accounts that will freeze FaceTime video if nudity is detected by on-device machine learning tools. And the company is also launching Visual Intelligence, which will use AI to search for elements in an image. iOS 26 also has a litany of minor, quality of life improvements. Group texts are getting support for polls. And for the slow risers out there, iOS 26 will finally let you escape the tyranny of the nine minute snooze alarm. The next iOS is now available as a public beta. Here are our initial impressions of the Liquid Glass design and other new features. iOS 26 is compatible with all models back through iPhone 11. What other products are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17? If Apple follows its usual pattern, the iPhone 17 will be announced alongside new Apple Watch products. That would be the Apple Watch Series 11 (if Apple sticks to the same naming scheme), and maybe an Apple Watch Ultra 3 and/or an updated Apple Watch SE. (They'll all run watchOS 26, of course.) Other possibilities and this is, again, speculation could include refreshed Apple AirPods Pro (which received its last big update in 2022) and maybe new AirTags trackers (first released in 2021). Advertisement Advertisement The Apple rumor mill got a big shot in the arm this week thanks to the reported inclusion of product ID numbers in recent beta software builds. Per MacRumors, it's a laundry list of new hardware, including long-rumored product updates like the Apple TV, HomePod mini, new Apple Studio Display monitor and two fresh iPads. Of course, even if that list is totally accurate, we may not see those products until 2026 if ever. So don't expect all of products to share the stage with the iPhone 17, especially since Apple likes to keep its star performer at the center of attention. That said, keep in mind that Apple has recently been having Mac-centric announcements in late October (as it did last year to debut new M4 Macs), so there's always the chance of another shoe dropping a few weeks down the road. Update, August 25, 2025, 5:15PM ET: Added new reports about the iPhone 17 Pro's orange color as well as new rumored Liquid Silicone cases. Advertisement Advertisement Update, August 22, 2025, 11:52AM ET: Added new details about the colors of the rumored TechWoven case. Update, August 20, 2025, 7:12PM ET: Added new rumor about potential TechWoven case for iPhone 17 series. Update, August 18, 2025, 6:23PM ET: Added new rumor about the iPhone 17e potentially having the Dynamic Island. Update, August 15, 2025, 2:05PM ET: Added new rumor about the all-aluminum chassis on the iPhone 17. Update, August 13, 2025, 10:02PM ET: Added a list of the products that are expected to be released alongside the iPhone 17s. Update, August 11, 2025, 7:27PM ET: Added a render of a rumored new antenna design for the iPhone 17 Pro. Advertisement Advertisement Update, August 8, 2025, 4:43PM ET: Added new speculation and reports about iPhone 17 pricing. Update, August 6, 2025, 4:05PM ET: Added latest details about the potential iPhone 17 event date. Update, August 4, 2025, 5:23PM ET: Added latest battery leaks about the iPhone 17 models. Update, August 1, 2025, 8:15AM ET: Added new photos showing potential iPhone 17 colors. Update, July 30, 2025, 11:08AM ET: Added latest leaks and rumors about the iPhone 17, and updated information on the iOS 26 public beta. Update, July 17, 2025, 4:40PM ET: Added latest information about iOS 26, possible materials for the Air, and the color options for the different models. Advertisement Advertisement Update, March 17, 2025, 2PM ET: Added details about the rumored price and features of the iPhone 17 Air. Update, April 11, 2025, 3:45PM ET: Added details from Front Page Tech's new video that claims to reveal details from a leaked iOS 19 build. After largely focusing Google I/O 2025 on the ways the company wants Gemini to change everything from searching the web to filmmaking, Google is finally ready to launch new hardware. The next Made by Google event is on the books for August 20, and Google has already confirmed what at least one of its new Pixel 10 phones will look like. Google seems dead-set on making a big splash at this event, too. On the Friday before Made by Google, the company dropped a video on X noting that a number of "special guests" were participating, including Jimmy Fallon, Stephen Curry, Lando Norris and the Jonas Brothers. What they all will have to do with a phone launch remains to be seen. Google remains as leak-prone as ever, so nearly all the new hardware the company is expected to announce has all ready been reported on in one form or another. With that in mind and after sifting through what has leaked, here's what Google will show off at the Pixel 10 launch even in New York City on August 20. Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold Android Headlines / Onleaks Google's invitation for the event says that the company is sharing "the latest on our Pixel phones, watches, buds and more, which more or less confirms the company will introduce a slate of products that's similar to what it launched in 2024. That means a Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pixel 10 Pro XL and Pixel 10 Pro Fold are absolutely on the menu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google's tease of the Pixel 10 confirmed what leaked renders have already signaled: the company isn't abandoning the new design language the Pixel 9 established. The pill-shaped camera bump and flat front display will still be present on the Pixel 10, and the real changes will be in the details, like for example, how the flat sides of the Pixel 10 join with the phone's back. Those subtle changes will apparently also include the thickness of the Pixel 10s. While both the Pixel 10, 10 Pro, 10 Pro XL and 10 Pro Fold will use the same sized OLED screens as their Pixel 9 counterparts, they'll be housed in thicker and heavier bodies, according to Android Headlines. Google's new Pixels are also supposed to come in new colors. The Pixel 10 will come in "Frost" (a royal blue), "Lemongrass" (a yellow), "Indigo" (a light purple) and "Obsidian" (a dark gray), while the Pixel 10 Pro / Pro XL will come in Obsidian, "Porcelain" (off-white), "Moonstone" (a bluish gray) and "Jade" (a light green). Less information is known about the Pixel 10 Pro Fold, though recent leaks suggest it'll come in Moonstone and Jade, as well. Android Headlines The most visible external change that'll be introduced on the Pixel 10 is the addition of a new telephoto camera. The new telephoto camera is a 11-megapixel 5x telephoto, Android Authority reports, similar to the one on the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. Meanwhile, the Pixel 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL are expected to feature a 50-megapixel wide, 48-megapixel ultrawide, 48-megapixel telephoto and 48-megapixel selfie cameras. The Pixel 10 Pro Fold could feature a different lineup, with a similar main camera, but 12-megapixel ultrawide and telephoto cameras, and 11-megapixel selfie cameras. Inside the new phones, Google is laying the groundwork for future performance gains with a new Tensor G5 chip. It's likely be much more power-efficient thanks to the company switching to a 3nm design produced by TSMC. Reports suggest the chip might not be all that different in terms of raw power, but the Tensor G5 is likely designed to be extra capable when it comes to using local AI features. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as timing goes, it's worth noting that the latest rumors indicate that the Pixel 10, 10 Pro and 10 Pro XL will be available about a week after the event, on August 28. But the Pixel 10 Pro Fold (as well as the Pixel Watch 4 and Pixel Buds 2a aren't expected for more than a month after that. Those devices are rumored to be on sale as of October 9. While global tariff turmoil could justify a price increase, Google is reportedly keeping things consistent with the Pixel 10 family. They'll offer similar storage options, come in at the same prices and include the same freebies and incentives. The Pixel 10 will come with six months of Google AI Pro and Fitbit Premium, along with three months of YouTube Premium. Meanwhile the Pixel 10 Pro models will get a year of Google AI Pro, six months of Fitbit Premium and three months of YouTube Premium. The prices and storage options for the phones should breakout down as follows: Pixel 10: 128GB ($799), 256GB ($899) Pixel 10 Pro: 128GB ($999), 256GB ($1,099), 512GB ($1,219), 1TB ($1,449) Pixel 10 Pro XL: 256GB ($1,199), 512GB ($1,319), 1TB ($1,549) Pixel 10 Pro Fold: 256GB ($1,799), 512GB ($1,919), 1TB ($2,149) Pixel Watch 4 91mobiles / Onleaks The third time was the charm for the Pixel Watch 3, so the main task Google has with the Pixel Watch 4 is to not squander the solid base it already has. Leaks for the company's new smartwatches have been limited so far, but renders of the Pixel Watch 4 shared by 91mobiles do suggest Google has a few changes planned. Namely, much like the company's phones, the new Pixel Watch seems like it'll be a little bit thicker and come with smaller bezels. The Pixel Watch 4 should be available to purchase in the same 41mm and 45mm sizes as before, but in new colors including a Moonstone option to match the Pixel 10 and with a brighter display. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The thicker frame will also help the smartwatch fit a larger battery and a new wireless charging system, according to Android Headlines. Rather than charge through a puck with pogo pins like the Pixel Watch 3, the Pixel Watch 4 will use a wireless charging stand that could fill it up even faster. Beyond that, Google has already indicated how Wear OS is evolving. The new Wear OS 6 update is debuting on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 8, and will presumably be available on the Pixel Watch 4 at launch. It includes built-in access to Gemini, among other tweaks. Given Google also manages the Fitbit Premium subscription, it wouldn't be all that surprising if the Pixel Watch 4 gets some exclusive fitness tracking features, too. Pixel Buds 2a Billy Steele for Engadget Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google launched the Pixel Buds Pro 2 last year, and it typically doesn't update its premium earbuds on a yearly cadence. So instead, Tom's Guide reports Google might pair the Pixel 10 with the Pixel Buds Pro 2 in a new color, and save its new hardware announcements for a sequel to the Pixel Buds A-series called the Pixel Buds 2a. Unlike the company's premium wireless earbuds, the A-series Pixel Buds have historically skimped on things like active noise cancellation to hit a lower price. There's little reporting on where Google will take the Pixel Buds 2a, but you can expect the new earbuds to come in some of the new colors being introduced on the Pixel 10. Pixelsnap The Qi2 wireless charging standard is available for all phone makers to use, but it hasn't been widely adopted among Android phone makers. Qi2 uses magnets to offer improved charging speeds, just like Apple's MagSafe, and the Pixel 10 could mark Google's adoption of Qi2 through a new feature called "Pixelsnap." A report from Android Authority suggests the Pixel 10 will include the necessary magnets to make Qi2 happen, and will be introduced alongside a lineup of Pixelsnap accessories. New leaked images showing a Pixel 10 charging with a magnetic charging puck that looks a lot like Apple's MagSafe charger adds even more credence to the rumor. Advertisement Advertisement If you need even more convincing, the Wireless Power Consortium has announced that its faster Qi2 25W charging is coming to "major Android phones." It would make sense if Google's Pixel 10s were included considering runs Android itself. Gemini and other exclusive software features Gemini is Google's current favorite, and the company is pushing the AI assistant everywhere it makes sense. The last few Pixel Drops Google's regular Pixel-focused software updates have primarily included Gemini features. It would make sense for Google to include a few more software exclusives on the Pixel 10. Google is hosting the Pixel 10 launch event on August 20 at 1PM ET / 10AM PT. The company has invited press to attend in person, and you can read coverage of everything Google announces right here on Engadget. Update, August 6, 12:15PM ET: Added information about the timeline for when Google's new hardware is expected to arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Update, July 30, 2:30PM ET: Added information on pricing for the Pixel 10 lineup and new details on Qi2 support. Update, July 24, 3:44PM ET: Added details on the Pixel Watch 4's display, new colors and charging stand. Tom Holland is officially back in the Spidey suit, and fans are already buzzing about his bold new look. On August 2, the 29-year-old actor gave Marvel fans a sneak peek of "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" by posting a short behind-the-scenes clip to Instagram with the caption, "Are you ready?" Though brief, the video showed Holland warming up before asking someone off-camera, "Are we ready?" But what caught everyone's attention wasn't just the teaserit was the brand-new Spider-Man costume. According to ENews, Holland's updated suit features a larger spider emblem across the chest, raised webbing, and practical web-shooterselements that fans say resemble the classic designs worn by Tobey Maguire and Andrew Garfield in their own Spider-Man films. The new look moves away from the high-tech suits seen in the previous Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) entries and leans into a more grounded, comic-style appearance. Tom Holland as Spider-Man with fans on the set of SPIDER-MAN: BRAND NEW DAY (: peternmaiznmax | IG)pic.twitter.com/eGAFd4rDwM MCU Film News (@MCUFilmNews) August 3, 2025 Holland Shares Smiles and Stunts While Filming Spider-Man 4 Filming for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" officially began on August 1 in Glasgow, Scotland, which has been transformed into the streets of New York City. Photos from the set showed Holland performing stunts atop an armored vehicle, weaving through flipped taxi cabs and NYPD cruisers during what appeared to be a large action sequence, NY Post said. Some images even captured Holland smiling and waving in costume, while others showed him adjusting his suit between takes. Despite the intense scenes, Holland kept the mood light on set. This marks Holland's fourth solo film as Peter Parker, following "No Way Home's" emotional ending, which left Spider-Man completely forgotten by those closest to him. According to Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige, this movie will show Peter becoming "a proper Spider-Man"more focused on local crime than saving the universe. Joining Holland in "Brand New Day" is fiancee Zendaya, returning as MJ Watson, and Jacob Batalon as Ned Leeds. New cast members include Sadie Sink "Stranger Things" and Liza Colon-Zayas "The Bear," with appearances by Jon Bernthal's Punisher and Mark Ruffalo's Hulk also confirmed. Holland's Instagram post also confirmed the film's release date: July 31, 2026. Sydney Sweeney has been registered as a Republican in Monroe County, Florida since June 2024. The information surfaced shortly after backlash to her American Eagle jeans campaign, which critics online accused of pushing harmful political imagery, according to The Post. The ad showed Sweeney in denim, painting over a billboard to correct the word "genes" to "jeans." In a separate clip, she zipped up her jeans while discussing inherited traits like "hair color, personality, and even eye color." She ended the segment by stating, "My jeans are blue." Some viewers said the ad played into messages about genetic superiority. One user said the language "echoes pseudoscientific ideas about racial hierarchy." Others on social media called it a "dog whistle" and compared it to "Nazi propaganda." JUST IN: American Eagle refuses to apologize in a new statement posted to Instagram after receiving backlash for their Sydney Sweeney ad. The new statement is already being met with more backlash from angered liberals. Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about pic.twitter.com/xOvK12q65T Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) August 1, 2025 Trump Responds to Voter Record Reveal Former President Donald Trump responded to the voter registration news while speaking to the Daily Mail in Pennsylvania. "Oh, now I love her ad," he said. "If Sydney Sweeney is a registered Republican, I think her ad is fantastic." He added, "You'd be surprised how many people are Republican. That's one I wouldn't have known, but I'm glad you told me." Vice President JD Vance and Senator Ted Cruz also commented. On "The Ruthless Podcast," Vance said Democrats were "unhinged" for criticizing the ad. Cruz posted, "Now the crazy Left has come out against beautiful women. I'm sure that will poll well." Brand and Celebrity Reactions American Eagle defended the campaign. A spokesperson said, "Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans." The company added, "We'll continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way." White House Communications Director Steven Cheung wrote that the backlash reflected "warped, moronic, and dense liberal thinking." He said voters were tired of "this bullshit." Fox News anchor Lawrence Jones said Sweeney was chosen because "good-looking people sell products." He added, "Sometimes they don't sell the product. It's all about who sells and who people want to be." Comedian Bill Maher also weighed in during a segment on HBO. "She talks about blue eyes, then says, 'I have great jeans'... because she's wearing jeans," he said. "According to the woke people, this means she's a white supremacist." Sweeney has not publicly commented. Her team has not responded to requests. This is not the first time she has faced criticism tied to politics. In 2022, photos from the Sweeney's mother's birthday party showed guests in MAGA-style hats and "Blue Lives Matter" shirts. At the time, the actress said it was an "innocent celebration" and asked people to stop making assumptions. Tom Holland has finally addressed mounting speculation about his potential casting as the next James Bond, calling the role "the pinnacle of working in our industry" during an interview with celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay. The 29-year-old "Spider-Man" star appeared on Ramsay's YouTube show "Scrambled" on July 31, where he was questioned about persistent rumors linking him to the iconic spy franchise. When pressed about the Bond speculation, Holland remained characteristically diplomatic but didn't dismiss the possibility entirely. "Listen, there's speculation at the moment," Holland told Ramsay during their conversation. "We'll keep it to a minimum for now. We'll get there one day." The British actor's careful response came after Ramsay asked whether he would embrace the opportunity to play 007. Holland's answer revealed his deep appreciation for the role's significance within the acting world. "Dude, I mean every young British actor, it's the pinnacle of working in our industry," Holland explained. "I already consider myself to be the luckiest kid alive. I could not have dreamed to have the career that I have." Holland's comments follow reports that Amazon MGM Studios is actively seeking a British actor under 30 for the next "Bond" film, with the "Spider-Man" star reportedly among the top contenders alongside Jacob Elordi and Harris Dickinson. The studio's age requirement represents a significant departure from previous casting decisions, potentially signaling a fresh, younger direction for the franchise. The speculation gained additional momentum due to Holland's existing relationship with Amy Pascal, who produced all of his "Spider-Man" films and is now co-producing the next "Bond" movie alongside David Heyman. This professional connection has fueled industry chatter about Holland's chances of landing the coveted role. Denis Villeneuve, the acclaimed director behind "Dune" and "Arrival," has been officially confirmed to helm the 26th "Bond" film. Steven Knight, creator of "Peaky Blinders," has been tapped to write the screenplay, marking a new creative era for the franchise under Amazon's control. The actor's current busy schedule includes starring in Christopher Nolan's epic "The Odyssey" and returning for his fourth "Spider-Man" film, "Brand New Day". Despite his packed slate, Holland has spoken about taking strategic career breaks, revealing plans to step back from acting in 2027 to avoid burnout. Industry insiders suggest that while no formal meetings have taken place regarding "Bond" casting, the studio is moving quickly to assemble the production team with hopes of achieving a 2028 release date. The next "James Bond" movie will mark the first installment since Amazon gained creative control of the franchise from longtime producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson. Meghan Markle is once again under scrutiny as new claims have surfaced suggesting that former royal staff members remain emotionally scarred years after working with the Duchess of Sussex. Veteran royal correspondent Valentine Low, who originally broke the 2021 bullying allegations against Meghan, said in a recent interview that some former aides are still in a "very fragile state," despite the duchess and Prince Harry having relocated to California more than five years ago. "They were very worried about what Meghan would do to them," Low said during an appearance on the "Unfiltered" YouTube show hosted by American royal commentator Kinsey Schofield. "They viewed her capacity for revenge as infinite." The former "Suits" actress, now 44, was nicknamed "Duchess Difficult" by palace staff who accused her of sending demanding emails, sometimes as early as 5 a.m., and exhibiting controlling and demeaning behavior. Some staff members reportedly left their positions due to the alleged mistreatment. While Meghan has consistently denied the allegations, calling them part of an "orchestrated smear campaign," the claims resurfaced after Low reiterated that the Sussexes attempted to prevent publication of his original report. He said that their legal team sent strongly worded letters threatening action before ultimately going silent once the article was published. "Then we published and after that we didn't hear a word from them," Low said. Since stepping back from royal duties in 2020 and moving to the United States, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have experienced a significant turnover in staff. According to reports, 25 employees have left their team since 2017 six of whom resigned in the past four months alone. Supporters of Meghan argue that the duchess was misunderstood, citing her early emails as a result of the time difference between the U.K. and California, where she kept in touch with her mother. Others blamed pregnancy-related sleep disruptions for the early communication. However, the nickname "Duchess Difficult" has persisted both within palace circles and in the media. A 2023 report in "The Hollywood Reporter" claimed Meghan "belittles" people and "marches around like a dictator in high heels." Jason Knauf, the former communications secretary for the Sussexes and now CEO of Prince William's Earthshot Prize, previously submitted a formal complaint alleging Meghan bullied staff and "sought to undermine their confidence." He has since stood by his claims, saying in a 2024 interview, "I wouldn't change a thing." A spokesperson for the Duke and Duchess of Sussex has called the renewed allegations "false, offensive, and long-discredited," and said they are rooted in "anonymous, unverifiable sources" aimed at dehumanizing Meghan. "Meghan remains undeterred by the noise and firmly focused on her family and work," the statement said. The couple's relationship with the British royal family has remained strained, particularly after their 2021 televised interview with Oprah Winfrey. The interview, released shortly after Low's initial report, shifted the global narrative in favor of the couple at least temporarily. You Might Also Like US Special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin just days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face economic penalties. Here's what to know. Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Second day in London and I need to grocery shop. I slam down the double espresso and march over to the Marks & Spencer on Kings Road. The first thing I see is a gentleman in an M&S-green polo with the words Loss Prevention embroidered into the garment. He locks eyes, beams, and welcomes me in. On the way out, he thanks me like Im a regular: Thanks for stopping by today! I found this to be a standout element of the experience at M&S. It stands alongside the innovations in food, self-checkout kiosks and availability via home delivery thanks to Ocado. This is worth mentioning because grocery is the perfect stage for the high-tech/human-touch balancing act. Consider dynamic electronic shelf labels (ESLs). Which are a mainstay in Europe and signaling what will come to North America. Norways REMA 1000 can change prices up to 100 times a day during peak hours. U.S. players like Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, and Lidl are scaling up; Whole Foods and Lidl are testing, with Lidl aiming to outfit nearly all U.S. stores by late summer 2025. The benefits are what you would expect from using tech. Cost savings and a reduction in manual labour because workers dont have to replace physical price stickers. Also, there is the benefit of smarter markdowns and reducing food waste. Discounts of up to 90% at days end to clear near-expiry items drives activity. But here is the thing that I find interesting. Early trials using ESLs found that human touch is still essential. Customers often miss the digital discount and a physical sticker is still required to signal the change. Otherwise, customers dont see the discount and dont purchase. The parallel holds with self-checkout. A human presence is require with a couple of associates nearby. Costco staff go next level and will scan heavy items straight from your cart. High tech vs. high touch continues to oscillate elsewhere. Save A Lots new, robot-powered Brooklyn warehouse assembles 50-item online orders in under eight minutes. Humans are still needed to finish order assembly. Meanwhile, Trader Joes will stay offline-only, Amazon has stepped back from Just Walk Out in Amazon Fresh, and Walmarts micro-fulfillment sites next to stores let robots pick bestsellers while people grab the rest. I could compile a more exhaustive list, but the point here is that there is no universal formula or singular answer. Every retailer and brand has to find its own version of balance. Back to M&S. Yesterday, my greeter cheerfully warned, Were closing in about seven minutes! I didnt know that before walking in! Well, I better get my butt in gear. Four minutes later, five items in hand, I self-checked and headed out. On the way out I hear: Great job shoppingyou moved quick! Thanks for stopping by! Great job shopping, indeed. I said to myself. Lets see AI give me the warm and fuzzies like that. https://profnet.prnewswire.com/profnethome/what-is-profnet.aspx Then I asked ChatGPT ?? Journalist-Expert Query Platforms 1. Qwoted Offers a curated network of journalists and verified experts, with real-time alerts, filtering by niche topics, and a searchable expert directory. Ideal for precise targeting and getting noticed by top-tier outlets. Cody Arsenault+15Newswire Jet+15The 215 Guys+15 2. Featured (formerly Terkel) Instead of open-ended requests, you answer specific questions. High-performing responses may be featured in expert roundup articles (often with backlinks and author bylines). A great option for building thought leadership and SEO visibility. Newswire Jet 3. SourceBottle Popular in Australia and New Zealand and growing internationallyparticularly strong in lifestyle, health, and nonprofit journalism. Less competition than larger platforms, with both free and paid options. Newswire Jet 4. Help a B2B Writer Focused on B2B verticals like SaaS, martech, HR, and finance. Writers post targeted expert requests, making it easy to stand out in tightly curated content. Contentellect+8Newswire Jet+8blog.justreachout.io+8 5. PressPlugs A UK-based alternative that's popular with regional and digital publications. Streamlined interface suited for rapid-fire matching between journalists and sourcesespecially useful for local or niche stories. Contentellect+12Newswire Jet+12Prowly+12 ?? Full-Service PR & Media Platforms 6. JustReachOut Combines journalist request feeds from HARO, SourceBottle, Reddit, Quora, and others with direct outreach tools, pitch templates, and media lists. A robust DIY platform for brands and solopreneurs. affiliama.com+6blog.justreachout.io+6Press Hook+6 7. Muck Rack More of a full-scale PR tool than a journalist query board. Database of journalists, pitch tracking, real-time beat alerts, and media monitoring. Excellent for agency-level effort. blog.justreachout.io 8. ProfNet (PR Newswire) A long-established platform that disseminates journalist queries to a broad expert network. Not free for users, but widely used by journalists and agencies. Offers topic/geographic filtering. Journalists can use it free. Contentellectprofnet.prnewswire.com 9. Prowly A modern PR platform replacing Connectively/HARO. Packs AI-driven profiles, newsroom tools, media monitoring, and robust journalist matching. Well-suited for organizations managing comprehensive outreach campaigns. phillipstemann.com+3Prowly+3The 215 Guys+3 ?? Other Notables & Niches HERO A free platform launched by HARO's original founder, promising unlimited expert responses similar to the original HARO model. phillipstemann.com Industry-specific resources like Google Scholar, FPA, and NAPFA for specialized sourcing (e.g., finance, academia) particularly useful if you need vetted expert voices. Business Journalism Reddit/X hashtags Monitoring tags like #journorequests , #RadioGuestList , and #prrequest can uncover immediate small-scale sourcing opportunities with less competition. blog.justreachout.io+2socialsinsider.com+2 ? Quick Comparison Table Editors Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Colin Williams, coordinator of the USGS Mineral Resources Program, who responded to RCIs request for comment after publication. On July 11, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Wyomings top elected officials were in the Cowboy state celebrating something that last happened when Dwight Eisenhower was president and the Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series: The United States opened a rare earth mine. Ramacos Brook Mine in Ranchester, Wyoming, is the first such domestic mine in 70 years. The Trump administration is touting it as part of a critical effort to free the U.S. from Chinas stranglehold on the minerals and elements that are essential components in products ranging from smartphones and electric vehicles to advanced medical devices, oil refining, and missile guidance systems. We are going to get those rare earth elements that are going to break our dependence on China, Wright said. Wrights shovel and hard-hat photo op in Wyoming, like the Pentagons recent $400 million stock purchase in an extant California mining project, reflect the Trump administrations commitment to finding more rare elements like dysprosium, neodymium, and praseodymium along with common graphite, copper, and nickel that comprise the U.S. Geological Surveys list of critical minerals. But unshackling American mining could prove to be neither swift nor certain. Today, the timeframe for mining permits is already so long that even cutting it in half would push new ribbon cuttings beyond the end of Trumps second term. That, along with concerns that a different administration could reapply the brakes to opening new mines, has deterred private investment. It doesnt help that the U.S. has seen its mining engineering corps age. Perhaps most importantly, Chinas dominance in processing these minerals once they are extracted from the ground makes its commanding position even stronger. Its not only mining, said Daniel OConnor, the chief executive and co-founder of the Rare Earth Exchanges website. Downstream are magnets, batteries, missile systems, Kevlar. Think of it like gasoline, and it all comes from China. Well aware of Trumps intent, China has recently tightened restrictions on rare earth exports, moves that come just a month after Trump claimed a deal on the precious materials had been struck with Beijing. Whatever deals are hammered out, the U.S. faces a daunting challenge because it is far behind in the race. No realistic difference can be made in at least the next 10-15 years to supply, said Peter Bryant, chairman of the consulting firm Clareo who also leads Key Minerals Forum, an informal Washington-based group that advises Congress members on global mining issues. OConnor echoed that assessment. This is all going to take longer than theyre saying. Supply Chain Headwaters Right now, it takes more than seven years to secure a permit for mining something other than coal or gravel on public land. A formidable panoply of federal agencies and regulations awaits any new mining effort. While the overarching legislation is ancient the General Mining Law of 1872 modern times require an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Review Act (NEPA). That generally takes three to five years to complete. Following that, would-be miners must navigate the Endangered Species Act, consultations with Native American tribes, water rights and discharge permits through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, and finally, a public comment period. Running the entire regulatory gauntlet takes, on average, seven to 10 years unless the project faces litigation, in which case the process takes more than a decade and carries the corresponding lawyers bills. The green groups have been using NEPA for more than a decade to get uncertainty and make it expensive if you apply, said H. Sterling Burnett of the Heartland Institute, a group that favors traditional sources of energy production. They can always come back and say, You didnt look at X, or You didnt do Y, or cite ancillary impacts of climate change. Ramacos Brook Mine illustrates some of the challenges. In 2011, the company bought the Wyoming property about 70 miles south of where Custer made his last stand, and planning for the mine began the following year. The first permit application was filed in 2014. The mine was initially envisioned as a coal source. It wasnt until 2016 that Ramaco noticed it had valuable commodities co-mingled with the coal, especially heavy rare earths like gallium and scandium. More regulatory hurdles awaited, and final approval came in 2020, according to the companys executive vice president, Mike Woloschuk. Production is only now ramping up at Brook Mine, and the company forecasts that it will not have solid supplies of rare earths coming until 2028-2029 provided everything continues to run smoothly. Our mine permit was for a 2 million tons per year production level, Woloschuk said. We have now been asked by the government to consider both accelerating our commercial timeframe to produce rare earth element oxides. We would expect this production increase to be in the range of 7 to 10 million tons per year. Goosing the System As Wrights appearance in Wyoming makes clear, the Trump administration is trying to remove some of the industrys obstacles. On Jan. 20, Trumps first day in office, he declared a national energy emergency, and issued an executive order on March 20 titled Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, invoking the wartime powers contained in the Defense Production Act of the Korean War era. In April, the Interior Department said it would use its emergency authorities to accelerate critical minerals projects. Later that month, the government identified new projects on the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council dashboard, which the administration said would boost predictability for the permitting review process. Interior also announced emergency procedures in April, which it hoped will expedite reviews and approval of various energy projects, including mines, and in June, Trump directed agencies to streamline the funding processes for the same projects. On June 26, Interior took steps to jumpstart offshore mineral production, too. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the administrations maneuvers have been warmly received by the National Mining Association. Ramping up American mining is a national security imperative, and President Trumps strong action recognizes that, NMA president and chief executive Rich Nolan said. By encouraging streamlined and transparent permitting processes, combined with financing support to counter foreign market manipulation, we can finally challenge Chinas mineral extortion. Republicans in Washington who support Trumps mining agenda are also moving. Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has introduced legislation he said will codify many of Trumps executive maneuvers. Stauber said the time from first planning a mine and having one built and producing can take nearly three decades, and that reforming that is just a first step. Our countrys broken and duplicative permitting process has prevented many responsible mining projects across the nation from moving forward, he said. The U.S. has the most arduous permitting process in the world. To succeed, this kind of commitment will have to last longer than Trump, experts say. Even in the best-case scenario, the U.S. will probably not be able to counter Chinas dominance of the market on its own. Well have to rely on securing supply from allied and friendly countries, said Peter Bryant of the Key Minerals Forum. Got Rare Earths? The goal, Trump has insisted, is to liberate U.S. supply chains from Chinese dominance. And that dominance is pronounced: China is the top producer of 30 of the 50 minerals the U.S. considers critical, and of 90% of the 17 that comprise rare earths. From that position atop the mineral pyramid, China has taken equity stakes in mining operations globally and has manipulated the market of supply and demand. For example, China can undercut new supply sources by briefly flooding the market with a mineral, lowering the price and making the new venture less attractive. Or China can go in the other direction, as it has recently, imposing sharp limits on supplies available to U.S. companies, crimping manufacturing production and making it much more expensive. One problem is that the extent of Americas potential rare earth deposits is unclear. The Interior Department, which manages 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estates, is required by statute to provide recurring mapping and assessments of what minerals and elements might lie under U.S. soil. Im not sure those surveys have been done for years, said Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance. The U.S. Geological Survey agreed the country lacks a clear picture of what mineral supplies may be available, but said it was working to rectify that shortcoming. The United States remains significantly undermapped compared to many other developed and even some developing countries, Colin Williams, coordinator of the USGS Mineral Resources Program, told RealClearInvestigations. In 2019, for example, the nation had modern geological maps for just 6 percent of its priority mineral areas, a figure that has grown to 36 percent under an Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) launched during Trumps first term, Williams said. The Energy Act of 2020 established a goal of mapping the entire country for critical minerals by 2030, and we are working toward that target, he said. The Geological Surveys global rare earth element occurrence database appears to have most recently been updated in February 2022. In May, the Geological Survey announced $5 million for state consortiums to find the needed critical minerals out of materials left over from mining at active and legacy sites, and a mapping project known as Earth MRI is ongoing. We are confident that the United States has more mineral resources, including critical minerals like rare earth elements, than we currently produce, Williams said. Several experts agreed that such searches would likely prove productive. Historically, the U.S. has found what it needed, such as rich sources of aluminum, iron, and other necessary elements during wartime. Exploration is expensive, so we only do it when we are actively looking for something, said Andrea Brickey, a professor at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. If we want to look for something, we have the tools to help us evaluate potential exploration sites. Despite prescient warnings between world wars, the U.S. failed to keep atop its mineral supplies and production. It should be map, baby, map, said Ann Bridges, a former commodities trader who now writes about energy. We know we have a lot its the same mountain range, basically, from Chile to Canada and we need to tap it, but we stopped. One complicating factor, as Ramacos Brook Mine experience showed, is that these valuable rare earths are comingled with other rock and strata. That makes discovery of rich veins more difficult, requiring expertise and expense to extract the precious commodities. From publicly disclosed data, there are only a handful of rare earth deposits in the U.S., Woloschuk said. All of them except the Brook Mine are hard rock deposits. Hard rock deposits are typically more complicated to process, and they contain significant levels of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium, which become environmentally challenging. Overall, however, the mood seems confident, with Bridges, Burnett, and Brickey all noting supplies under U.S. land or that coupled with supplies from allies like Canada and Chile will prove extensive. Flip Side of the Green New Deal? There seems to be a growing, bipartisan consensus that whatever the U.S. subterranean supply may be, it wont be cheap to dig it up. While such projects align with Trumps directive to produce abundant, affordable energy, government spending here could represent the flip side of the Biden administrations spending on green energy initiatives. In other words, the federal government would still be operating as an equity investor in energy projects, picking which firms may benefit from taxpayer largesse. Not everyone is comfortable with that arrangement, necessary as it may be. Yes, that is a problem, said Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center on Energy Analytics. Fortunately, there is bipartisan agreement on mining, unlike, say windmills. But even if we remove the political and regulatory impediments, it takes many years and many billions of dollars to build significant new mining capacity. Others are skeptical that the U.S. has the time or the political will to enhance Americas domestic supplies. Were 10 years away from where we need to be, even if Trump did a warp speed kind of thing on this, Rare Earth Exchanges OConnor said. Its all going to take longer than theyre saying. In July, the Defense Departments $400 million stock purchase of MP Materials, amounting to a 15% stake, marks one significant mining investment. The companys Mountain Pass operation in California makes it the biggest current domestic player in the rare earth minerals race. Mountain Pass is expected by 2028 to supply the Pentagon with rare earth mineral products especially magnets - at a fixed price. It is the largest move defense has made so far, and it wont be the last, a department official told RCI. By leveraging preferred equity, loans, price floors, and other approaches, [DoD] is ensuring access to critical defense capabilities while also sharing the risk inherent in a commercially dominated market space, an Air Force official said who requested not to be named. Environmental groups have opposed many mining operations and support heavy regulation because they often involve the massive destruction of mountains and forests, releasing a significant amount of toxins and leaving a scar on the land visible from a long distance. Mining is an inherently dirty business a whole lot of dirt and rock needs to be moved to get to the gems. Roughly 1,000 tons of rock dug up to get one ton of copper, for example, said the national centers Mills. Thats the nature of geology, and the ratio is similar or far worse for most minerals. Neither the Sierra Club nor the Natural Resources Defense Council responded to a request for comment on recent developments. The Chinese Vise The Energy Act of 2020 requires the U.S. to update its list of 50 critical minerals every three years, but for now, the 2022 list is still in force. At that time, the U.S. relied on imports for more than 50% of its supply for 47 of the 50, and the supply of 17 of them relied exclusively on imports. The much-ballyhooed rare earths are a subset of that 50 list, and while China is still the main U.S. supplier of them, the U.S. has slightly improved its rare earth trade balance, going from 100% imported in 2020 to 80% in 2024. The fact remains that China dominates important mineral supply chains, the American Energy Alliance said. And its not clear whether the U.S. currently has the engineering wherewithal it will need to build and manage this new mining and processing sector. Only a handful of schools still turn out mining experts the days of Columbia University or the University of California at Berkeley leading the field are long gone, and today the industry is facing what it calls a gray tsunami as top experts age out of the field, Professor Brickey said. Were down to about 13 accredited schools now, she said. We could face a massive shortage of mining engineers in the next decade. Unfortunately, this affects the workforce, especially in a field where you could potentially be looking at multiple decades to get a big profit. All told, despite the mining push of the Trump administration and moves to reduce regulations to create more certainty for investors, the future pace and success of rare earth extraction in the U.S. remains decidedly uncertain. As long as the Democratic Party hates mining, it is difficult to continually move forward on mining domestically, the Institute for Energy Researchs Pyle said. And the irony of that is they are the ones pursuing an all-electric economy. As long as China controls the global market for them, it would mean increased dependency on China for our economy. Not exactly a good national security strategy. China, Myanmar sign cooperation agreement for 2025 LMC Special Fund Xinhua) 13:49, August 06, 2025 YANGON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The signing ceremony for the 2025 Lancang-Mekong Cooperation (LMC) Special Fund project cooperation agreement was held in Myanmar's capital Nay Pyi Taw on Tuesday, according to a statement released by the Chinese Embassy in Myanmar. Chinese Ambassador to Myanmar Ma Jia and Myanmar's Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs U Ko Ko Kyaw signed the agreement for LMC cooperation projects, the statement said. Speaking at the ceremony, Ma said the signing of the 14 projects under the 2025 LMC Special Fund will continue to support Myanmar's development in areas such as agriculture, environmental protection, science and technology, culture, education, and disaster prevention. China is willing to strengthen cooperation with Myanmar, make good use of the funds, and promote the building of a China-Myanmar community with a shared future to bring more benefits to the two peoples, she said. Union Minister for Foreign Affairs U Than Swe, also a member of Myanmar's State Security and Peace Commission, expressed appreciation for China's continued support, saying that the government and people of Myanmar sincerely thank China for providing the funds to share development opportunities with Myanmar. Since 2018, Myanmar has received support from the LMC fund for a total of 132 projects in eight batches, making it the largest Mekong country in terms of number of projects approved. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) This article was originally published at The Empowerment Alliance and is re-published here with permission. In an age of unending propaganda and spin, there are still rare times when undeniable evidence leaves no room for argument. Such is the case with the emerging artificial intelligence data centers and the energy needed to sustain and grow them. The evolving AI technologies and their rapid implementation in almost every walk of life can be intimidating and even frightening. The technology already seems in danger of outpacing the controls and parameters necessary to harness AIs astounding possibilities. The Stanley Kubrick classic from 1968, 2001: A Space Odyssey, warned about a future where thinking computers would refuse to obey the commands of their human creators. While ethicists wrestle with the philosophical questions surrounding AI and politicians debate laws to regulate it, the U.S. must not only compete with other nations but make sure it remains the worldwide leader. To that end, AI centers continue springing up across the country, placing demands on electric grids unlike anything seen before. Penn States Institute of Energy and the Environment recently reported that in 2023, AI data centers consumed 4.4% of electricity in the U.S. alone. Thats an impressive number. But the institute went on to predict that by 2030-2035, data centers could account for 20% of global electricity use, putting an immense strain on power grids. MITs Energy Initiative noted earlier this year how ubiquitous AI technology has become, with most people not giving it a second thought as they utilize its services daily through companies like Google, Meta, Microsoft and Amazon. Without realizing it, consumers rely on AI when they stream a video, do online banking, or perform an online search, MIT noted. Behind these capabilities are more than 10,000 data centers globally, each one a huge warehouse containing thousands of computer servers and other infrastructure for storing, managing, and processing data. There are now over 5,000 data centers in the U.S., and new ones are being built every dayboth in the U.S. and worldwide. Universities such as Penn State and MIT are worried about the data centers environmental footprint. But many who predicted that alternatives would someday power the world are increasingly acknowledging the fact that fueling the data center boom will require traditional energy sources, especially natural gas. CLARION, Pa. Abandoned oil and gas wells are scattered across Pennsylvania and are often a liability for landowners. But now landowners can get money for turning them in. Penn State Extension is offering landowners with undocumented abandoned or orphaned oil and gas wells $100 per well if they participate in a well survey and report their wells to the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection. The goal is to get landowners involved in finding these wells, said Dan Brockett, team leader of the Penn State Extension energy team, because many are located on private property. We know that landowners know where a lot of this stuff is, Brockett said. So, lets start talking to them about what they have and where its at and how they might help themselves. Leaking wells According to Brockett, some abandoned and orphan wells, left unplugged, can pose a significant risk to the environment, including leaking methane, other gases and brine water salty water from rock formations. Leaking gas and brine water can contaminate nearby vegetation and water sources, Brockett said. He adds that methane leaks can cause explosions. Brockett points to two incidents that took place in McKean County in 2010 and 2011 when two houses exploded because of methane migration from abandoned wells. Its not common. Its not uncommon, Brockett said about leaking wells. If we found 30,000 wells, I would expect 1,000 of them to have a leak issue. John Ligo, a beef farmer in Venango and Mercer counties, is one of these landowners who has a leaking, abandoned gas well on his farm. His father initially signed a lease for the well in 1970. A decade later, an energy company started to drill the well, but something went wrong during the frack and the well never produced anything. The company abandoned the well. A second energy company bought the well in the early 90s, but quickly abandoned it, too. Over the years, Ligo has seen the well full of water and bubbling up around the casing. Most recently, the valve has deteriorated and is leaking methane gas, something he discovered when Brockett came out to survey his land earlier this summer. It has never produced one single cubic foot of gas. It has just been blowing gas in the air for 45 years, Ligo said, adding he has never benefited from the well. A Pennsylvania legacy Ligos situation is a common one across the state. Thats because Pennsylvania didnt start regulating oil and gas wells until almost 100 years after the first oil well was drilled in Titusville, Pennsylvania, in 1859. Owned by Edwin Drake, it was the first oil well drilled in the United States. The first gas well in the state was the Haymaker well, drilled in 1881 by the Haymaker brothers. Pennsylvania didnt start requiring permits to drill an oil and gas well until 1956, a century after the Drake well was drilled, and the reason why the location of so many oil and gas wells is unknown. As of 2025, the DEP has identified 27,000 abandoned and orphaned oil and gas wells, but estimates as many as 300,000 to 750,000 exist in the state. That means for every one well we know of, theres 10 that we dont, Brockett said. Well owners werent required to plug non-producing wells until the state passed the Oil and Gas Act of 1984, which also created the DEPs Orphan or Abandoned Well Plugging Program. The program provides funding to well pluggers to plug an orphan or abandoned well if no responsible party is identified. The Oil and Gas Act was later amended in 1992 to include the definition of an orphan as a well drilled before April 18, 1985, that has not been operated by the current owner and where an owner or lessee has received no economic benefit, excluding royalty or lease payments. A well is considered abandoned when it has not been used after 12 months, when equipment is removed or is not equipped for production after 60 days of drilling. Penn State Extension surveys Penn State Extension started conducting surveys on landowners properties in May who have abandoned or orphaned oil and gas wells. Brockett says that landowner participation is essential when looking for undocumented wells. Ive spent too many hours looking for a lost well, without somebody; we want them to help us find the well, he said. Once the wells are identified, the team will take notes and pictures, and then submit GPS coordinates to the DEP, with landowner permission. The well surveying project, funded by the Environmental Defense Fund, offers landowners $100 bounty for each undocumented well they report to the DEP. The bounty is first-come, first-served. The DEP will then prioritize plugging wells that are leaking or pose the highest risk, Brockett says. Landowner concerns Many participating landowners, however, are worried they could be liable for plugging their wells if they get the DEP involved, according to Brockett. Plugging wells can be expensive, anywhere from $25,000 to over $500,000. This price depends on a number of factors, including how deep the well is, the condition of the well and how easily accessible it is; if a well is buried in the woods, an access road may need to be built a circumstance that is rare, Brockett says. He emphasizes that only the well owners are responsible for plugging the well. Landowners, even those with orphan wells, are not responsible for the wells on their property. Ligo is not interested in reporting his well to the DEP. While hes concerned about his wells methane leakage, he is even more concerned about being financially liable for plugging it. I didnt do that. Its not my responsibility. I dont own it, Ligo said. I see the (DEP) as regulators, and I dont think of going to them for help. Despite this, he is grateful for the help from Penn State Extension and welcomes a conversation with DEP prior to having them come out, because, ultimately, hes tired of all the problem the well possess. I wish the well had never happened. I wish it wasnt there. I wish it was plugged. he said. Brockett understands landowners may still be worried about someone conducting oil and gas well surveys, but stresses its importance and the role of Penn State Extension. We are not regulators. We have no regulatory authority, Brockett said. We are Penn State Extension, the same people who help you with your fields, your cattle and put your kids through 4-H. Hopefully, were seen as a friendly voice, because we are pro-farmer and pro-landowner. Were trying to help people make great decisions and make great steps in life. To report an abandoned well(s) or for more information about the well surveying project, contact Dan Brockett, dlb14@psu.edu or Summer Boyle at sqw5805@psu.edu. (Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.) The British meat processing sector and farming community have voiced serious concerns over recent changes to the UKs Skilled Worker visa scheme, warning that the new rules risk cutting off vital access to overseas labour. The British Meat Processors Association (BMPA) described the situation as a major concern and utter frustration, while the National Pig Association (NPA) has urged the government to reconsider the tightened regulations, which came into effect on 22 July 2025. Following significant labour shortages in the pig sector after Brexitfactors that contributed to the pig crisis of 2021 and 2022the Skilled Worker visa route has provided a crucial, if costly, means for pork processing plants and farms to recruit skilled workers from overseas, including many from the Philippines. However, the recent changes have raised the threshold for eligible occupations on the visa scheme from Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) level 3 (roughly equivalent to A-level skills) to RQF level 6 (mainly graduate-level professions). Simultaneously, the minimum salary requirement for Standard Skilled Worker visas has risen by 3,000 to 41,700. Tom Haynes, public affairs manager at the NPA, highlighted the impact of these changes: This means a reduction of around 180 eligible occupations, including veterinary nurses, farm secretaries, farmers and butchers. Home Secretary Yvette Cooper defended the new rules, stating: These new rules mean stronger controls to bring migration down, to restore order to the immigration system and ensure we focus on investing in skills and training. Yet the meat processing industry remains unconvinced. BMPA chief executive Nick Allen warned: It is a major concern and utter frustration for us that they keep turning the screw and making things more and more difficult, without really addressing the major problem of immigration. Mr Allen pointed out that raising the RQF threshold effectively takes butchers out of the equation, adding that the scheme has become more expensive and that the sector has long struggled to attract local labour to these roles. It is making food production increasingly difficult. The processors wouldnt be doing it if they could get local labour. These people are coming in on good wages those wages are being offered locally and there are just not the takers for it, he said. He also cited wider economic factors limiting labour mobility, such as high house prices and the cost of moving: There is no mobility of labour due to house prices and the cost of moving around. It is very hard to find people locally. It is not for want of trying. In response to Baroness Minette Batters recent review of farm profitability, the NPA has formally called on the government to rethink the immigration changes. While the use of overseas labour through the Skilled Visa route has been a feasible, albeit expensive, workaround, this looks set to stop, their submission stated. Following the governments recently announced immigration rule changes, it would appear this route is going to be unworkable. Reforms remove a number of jobs from the scheme, including farmers, farm managers, butchers, and veterinary nurses. "While we are of course supportive of efforts to train and recruit more domestic staff into these roles, this is a long-term ambition. We wish to see the government look again at these immigration routes, and specifically how we can once again recruit overseas labour. Despite political and trade tensions with the United States, Canada managed to strengthen its presence in the US garment market. Canadas apparel exports to the country rose by 28.61 per cent during JanuaryMay 2025, with the US remaining the largest market for Canadian apparel. Canada exported apparel worth $472.120 million to the US in the first five months of 2025, up 28.61 per cent from $367.265 million during the same period in 2024. The US accounted for 81.80 per cent of Canadas total garment exports during JanuaryMay 2025, according to sourcing intelligence tool TexPro. Despite ongoing political and trade tensions, Canada's apparel exports to the US surged by 28.61 per cent to $472.12 million during JanuaryMay, with the US accounting for over 81 per cent of its total garment exports. Overall, Canada's apparel exports grew 16.09 per cent year-on-year. Trousers and shorts led category-wise exports to the US, followed by coats, jerseys, jackets and blazers, and suits. Canadas total garment exports reached $577.156 million in the first five months of this year, marking a 16.09 per cent increase from $497.104 million in the same period of the previous year. The Netherlands was the second-largest market, accounting for 3.81 per cent of total exports, followed by China with a 2.66 per cent share. In full-year 2024, Canadas apparel exports totalled $1,542.546 million, reflecting a 3.07 per cent increase over $1,496.846 million in 2023. In comparison, outbound trade stood at $1,587.529 million in 2022. Canadas apparel exports to the US amounted to $1,022.883 million in 2024, slightly up from $1,020.697 million in 2023 but down from $1,137.242 million in 2022. The US accounted for 66.31 per cent of Canadas total garment exports in 2024, compared to 68.19 per cent in 2023 and 71.64 per cent in 2022, as per TexPro. During JanuaryMay 2025, trousers and shorts were the top garment category exported from Canada to the US, with a value of $101.946 millionaccounting for 21.59 per cent of total exports. Other top categories included coats at $58.817 million (12.46 per cent), jerseys at $54.702 million (11.59 per cent), jackets and blazers at $44.306 million (9.38 per cent), and suits at $40.466 million (8.57 per cent). Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KUL) Mexico will raise the import tax on low-value packages from 19 per cent to 33.5 per cent from August 15, targeting shipments valued under $2,500 delivered via courier or parcel services, according to a recent regulatory note. The new tariff will primarily apply to imports from countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico, including China. The decision will affect users of e-commerce platforms like Shein and Temu that source goods from Chinese suppliers, according to domestic media reports. Mexico will raise the import tax on low-value packages from 19 per cent to 33.5 per cent from August 15, targeting shipments valued under $2,500 delivered via courier or parcel services, a regulatory note said. The new tariff will primarily apply to imports from countries without a free trade agreement with Mexico. A $500 shipment from China, subject to a $95 import tax, will now incur a tax of $167.50. A $500 shipment from China, currently subject to a $95 import tax, will now incur a tax of $167.50 under the revised rules. In January this year, when the government had argued that a 19-per cent tariff was necessary to protect domestic industries like textiles and footwear from rising volumes of imports intended for resale. For imports from the United States and Canadaboth parties to the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), the government has set up a separate tax structure in the updated Foreign Trade General Rules (RGCE). Shipments valued above $117 will continue to be taxed at 19 per cent, while packages worth between $50 and $117 will remain subject to a 17 per cent rate. Shipments under $50 from USMCA countries will be tax-exempt. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS) In response to the 30 per cent US tariff on South African exports, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition (DTIC) has launched an Export Support Desk to assist affected industries. The desk will provide updates on developments and tailored advisory services to exporters on alternative destinations, guidance on market entry processes, insights into compliance requirements and linkages to South African Embassies and High Commissions abroad. This tariff hike posed a direct threat to our export capacity, particularly in strategic sectors such as automotive, agro-processing, steel, and chemicals amongst others. As Government, we are fully committed to supporting our exporters through this challenging time. We are working with urgency and resolve to implement real, practical interventions that defend jobs and position South Africa competitively in a shifting global landscape, DTIC said in a press statement. Trade and Industry Minister Parks Tau described the situation as a trying moment for South Africa, warning of potential job losses and broader economic instability. President Cyril Ramaphosa confirmed that a support package for impacted exporters is being finalised, with further announcements expected soon, as per the South African media reports. In response to the 30 per cent US tariff on exports, South Africa's DTIC has launched an Export Support Desk to aid affected sectors. The desk offers updates, compliance guidance, market entry support, and diplomatic linkages. While a broader support package is being finalised, the government reaffirmed its commitment to protecting jobs and maintaining diplomatic engagement. He also emphasised that diplomatic channels with the US remain open, although past efforts to negotiate reliefincluding proposed US LNG purchases and investment pledgeshave been met with silence. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (SG) The White House on Wednesday announced a sweeping escalation in trade measures against India, as President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, citing Indias continued purchase and resale of Russian oil. The move takes the total tariff burden on Indian goods to 50 per cent, with the new rate effective from August 27. The administration had already enforced a 25 per cent tariff from August 1, alleging Indias sustained oil trade with Russia violated US efforts to economically isolate Moscow amid its ongoing war in Ukraine. The latest order, issued under emergency economic powers, adds another 25 per cent tariff and signals the US may consider similar penalties on other countries found importing Russian oil. The White House has announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports, raising the total levy to 50 per cent, effective August 27. President Donald Trump cited India's continued purchase and resale of Russian oil as undermining US sanctions on Moscow. The Executive Order excludes certain products and signals potential future penalties for other nations trading with Russia. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits, President Trump said in a statement, accusing New Delhi of directly undermining US national security interests and foreign policy goals. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA. The Executive Order underscores that these tariffs will be imposed in addition to any existing duties, and explicitly excludes products listed under Annex II of Executive Order 14257 issued on April 2, 2025. It also tasks the Commerce Secretary, in coordination with other key officials, to monitor and recommend actions against other nations engaged in similar practices. President Trump maintained that the heightened tariffs are part of a broader strategy to end the conflict. The Russian Federation would not be facing these actions if they were to get a deal where people stop getting killed, he said. In a statement on Monday, India called Trumps threat to raise tariffs over its Russian oil imports unjustified and unreasonable. The Ministry of External Affairs defended its energy trade as a necessity due to Europe-bound supply shifts and noted that the US had earlier supported such imports. The United States continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its electric vehicles industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals, the ministry added. Fibre2Fashion News Desk (KD) Hrithik Roshan is undoubtedly one of Bollywood's leading stars, celebrated for his memorable performances in films such as Koi...Mil Gaya, Jodhaa Akbar, Guzaarish, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Agneepath, and Super 30. Despite his impressive filmography, Hrithik Roshan admits he regrets turning down roles in two iconic films, Dil Chahta Hai and 3 Idiots both of which eventually starred Aamir Khan. While promoting War 2 in Sri Lanka recently, Hrithik Roshan spoke about his regret over letting go of two iconic films. He said, I said no to Dil Chahta Hai, and I said no to 3 Idiots. But I think Aamir Khan was the right choice for both those films. He said that destiny played a role, saying, Aamir was fantastic and truly owned those films. To this day, Aamir Khans performances in both movies are widely praised and highly regarded. Aamir takes on the role of Akash Malhotra, a rich and sarcastic young man who doesnt believe in emotional connection and prefers living in the moment. However, his bond with Shalini, played by Preity Zinta challenges him to recognize the hollowness beneath his playful side. Eight years after Dil Chahta Hai, Aamir Khan took on the role of Rancho in 3 Idiots, a character that left a lasting cultural impact. Known for his insatiable curiosity and kindness, Rancho fearlessly challenges conventional education methods and motivates his friends to chase their dreams instead of following strict norms. Both characters were loved by audiences and are some of Aamir Khan's best-known roles. Meanwhile, Hrithik Roshan is all set for the upcoming release of War 2, directed by Ayan Mukerji and produced as a part of the YRF Spy Universe. Touted as the biggest film of 2025, War 2 will feature Hrithik Roshan, Kiara Advani, and Jr. NTR. Also Read: Hrithik Roshan Applauds Dad Rakesh Roshans Fitness At 75 Bollywood and South Indian cinema fans are buzzing with speculation, as actors Mrunal Thakur and Dhanush continue to make headlines amid strong dating rumours. The duo, who have not officially confirmed any relationship, have been spotted together several times over the past few weeks, and fans are connecting the dots. It all started when Dhanush unexpectedly appeared on the guest list for the Son of Sardaar 2 event, where Mrunal stars alongside Ajay Devgn. The whispers grew louder when Dhanush was also seen at Mrunals recent birthday celebration. According to eyewitnesses, the two were seen stealing glances and even holding hands discreetly during the party. Now, fans are pointing to subtle social media moves as further proof. Mrunal has recently followed Dhanushs elder sisters, Dr. Karthika Karthik and Vimala Geetha, on Instagram. Both sisters followed her back, sparking questions about whether she has already been introduced to Dhanushs close-knit family. Dhanush is known to share a deep bond with his siblings. Hes often seen spending time with them, attending family functions, and celebrating festivals. His sisters, both doctors, frequently post about their family life, and fans know how private yet family-oriented the actor is. A source quoted by BollywoodShaadis.com claims, Yes, its true that they are dating. But its still very new. Theyre not in a rush to go public, but theyre also not hiding it. Their friends believe theyre very compatible, they value the same things and share similar goals. Interestingly, their connection is believed to have blossomed post the release of Sita Ramam, the 2022 Telugu film that brought Mrunal immense appreciation in the South. Since then, shes worked more frequently in the South Indian film industry, reportedly strengthening her bond with Dhanush along the way. Priyanka Chopra Jonas never minces her words. Which is why her latest Instagram story has piqued the curiosity of her followers. The actress is currently in Hyderabad for the shooting of her film with SS Rajamouli. Recently, she took to Instagram's story section to share a quote that read, "I am the nicest, most understanding person, but disrespect me and you will understand why I only have three friends." Sharing it, the actress added, "Lol. Anyone else relate?" A couple of days back, she posted another quote that said, "Better a B....than a Bitchari." Along with it, she attached a GIF that appeared to be a stylised artwork of Rekha wearing her iconic golden headgear. While the actress didn't mention anyone, these posts often make her fans and followers curious. An actor is often required to play different characters on screen, but what happens when he is hired to step into real people's worlds and play various characters in their actual everyday lives? In Rental Family, Brendan Fraser plays a struggling American actor who is looking for a purpose until he lands an unusual gig. He is asked to work for a Japanese "rental family" agency, a real organisation where people are paid to play temporary roles in the lives of strangers. Set in modern-day Tokyo, the trailer opens by showing Fraser desperately looking for a job when he stumbles upon the rental company. He is told that his job is to sell emotions and play different parts in people's lives. At first, it feels like he is acting, but something shifts, and it quickly becomes something much deeper. As he immerses himself in his clients worlds, he begins to form genuine bonds that blur the lines between performance and reality. Confronting the moral complexities of his work, he rediscovers purpose, belonging, and the quiet beauty of human connection. The trailer explores the idea that sometimes, it is okay to pretend, as in pretending, one might discover their true self. The stories we tell ourselves become the truth, and sometimes, people who were supposed to be temporary stay with you forever. In a startling revelation that has sent ripples through the Malayalam film industry, producer Sandra Thomas has claimed that veteran actor Mammootty personally phoned her to dissuade her from pursuing legal action against the Kerala Film Producers Association (KFPA). The alleged conversation, according to Sandra, lasted for 45 minutes and ended with her posing a blunt question to the actor, If your daughter faced such injustice, would you tell her to stay silent for the sake of her career? Mammootty, she said, did not offer a direct reply and merely concluded, Its up to Sandra now. I have nothing more to say. Sandra Moves Court, Accuses KFPA of Bias and Targeted Disqualification The controversy stems from the rejection of Sandras nominations for the posts of President and Treasurer in the upcoming KFPA elections. The association's Returning Officer ruled that Sandras submission, two censor certificates from her independent banner Sandra Thomas Productions and one from her previous joint venture Friday Film House, did not meet eligibility criteria, which require three certificates under an individuals name. Sandra, however, contends this interpretation is both flawed and prejudiced. Speaking to OneIndia Malayalam, she said, If everyone is trying to oust me from here, then I will make sure I stay right here, signalling her refusal to back down. The producer further claimed that Mammootty, after their conversation, also backed out of a film the two had planned to do together. Though she didnt divulge specifics of the project, sources indicate it was a female-centric drama meant to go on floors later this year. The Courtroom Battle and Bias Allegations Unwilling to accept the Returning Officers decision, Sandra has taken the matter to the Ernakulam Sub Court. In her petition, she seeks an immediate stay on her nomination rejection and questions the long-standing tenure of the Returning Officer, who she alleges, has held the post for over two decades in violation of KFPA's constitutional norms. There is no democratic fairness when one person holds such authority for 20 years. My documents were selectively scrutinised while others were not even questioned. The Returning Officer had clearly made up his mind, she said. Sandras plea also challenges the lack of transparency in the KFPAs administrative processes, alleging a pattern of exclusion and retaliation. Industry Reactions: A Deafening Silence Sandra has also called out Mammootty for his silence on what she calls internal irregularities within KFPA, especially since the current President is known to be close to the veteran actor. Shouldnt he be able to take a stand then? she questioned. While Mammootty's camp has not issued any public statement, the producer hinted that those around Mohanlal have conveyed moral support, though the actor himself has not reached out directly. Sandras candidacy was seen by many as a bold attempt to disrupt a male-dominated leadership structure within the KFPA. Her earlier expulsion from the association in November 2024 on grounds of indiscipline was stayed by the court, allowing her to file nominations this year. As the KFPA elections approach on August 14, this battle between a trailblazing female producer and the old guard of the industry is rapidly becoming a flashpointone that could define the future of producer representation in Malayalam cinema. Also Read: Nivin Pauly Resumes Shooting For Baby Girl View this post on Instagram A post shared by (@maine_pyarkiya_movie) The teaser for Maine Pyar Kiya, an upcoming romantic comedy thriller starring newcomers Hridhu Haroon and Preity Mukhundhan, has been officially unveiled and it offers far more than just your average love story. Slated for an Onam theatrical release on August 29, the Fazil Faziludeen directorial blends campus romance, sharp comedy and gritty gangster drama in what looks to be a vibrant and genre-defying debut.Running just over a minute, the teaser opens with a glimpse of Preitys character, followed by Hridhu, whose wide-eyed enthusiasm brings instant charm. In one of the teasers standout moments, Hridhus character excitedly confesses to his father, played by filmmaker-actor Jeo Baby, that hes just proposed to a girl for the first time. The father's tongue-in-cheek reply? Thats good, but you must have got rejected. The humour is warm, casual and familiar, giving way to sequences of campus life filled with colour, music, and mischief.As the teaser progresses, were treated to snapshots of college camaraderie. Hridhus character is egged on by his group of loyal friends, who keep his spirits high despite an initial romantic setback. Theres youthful energy and plenty of playful banter in the air. But just when viewers might be settling in for a light-hearted romcom, the mood shifts. Suddenly, fists fly, blades flash, and the teaser pivots into action territory with Tamil gangsters entering the fray and escalating the stakes. This tonal shift sets Maine Pyar Kiya apart, hinting at a high-octane ride that ventures beyond the usual romantic tropes.Directed by debutant Fazil Faziludeen and co-written with BLKFZL, the film features an ensemble of rising and familiar names including Askar Ali, Midhutty, Arjun Sundharesan, Sreekanth Vettiyar, Redin Kingsley, Mime Gopi, Boxer Dheena, and Prince, among others. While Hridhu and Preity take centre stage, the supporting cast is expected to add layers of comic timing, emotional depth, and dramatic weight to the narrative.Behind the scenes, Maine Pyar Kiya boasts a dynamic technical crew. The music is composed by Electronic Kili, with Mihraj Khalid handling the background score. Don Paul P serves as the director of photography, capturing both the breezy charm of campus life and the grittiness of street action. Kannan Mohan handles editing duties, while Kalai Kingston choreographs the stunt sequences.The film is produced by Sanju Unnithan under the Spire Productions banner, with Binu Nair on board as executive producer. Given its Onam release, Maine Pyar Kiya arrives at a time when festive films are expected to be entertaining, emotionally resonant and widely appealing and this one looks like it checks all those boxes.With a debutant director at the helm and a refreshing mix of humour, romance and action, Maine Pyar Kiya is shaping up to be a youthful entertainer that refuses to be boxed into a single genre. If the teaser is any indication, this Onam might just come with an extra dose of adrenaline and a few laughs to go with it. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 5, 2025) - Powermax Minerals Inc. (CSE: PMAX) (the "Company" or "Powermax") is pleased to announce that it intends to complete a non-brokered private placement of up to 5,714,285 units ("Units"), at a price of $0.35 per Unit, and of up to 2,380,952 flow-through units ("FT Units"), at a price of $0.42 per FT Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $3,000,000 (the "Private Placement"). Each Unit is to be comprised of one common share and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"), with each Warrant exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.46 for a period of 24 months. Each FT Unit is to be comprised of one common share to be issued on a flow-through basis under the Income Tax Act (Canada) (each, a "FT Share"), and one common share purchase warrant (a "FT Warrant") exercisable into one (non flow-through) common share at a price of $0.50 for a period of 24 months. Proceeds from the sale of the Units are intended to be used for general working capital purposes and to fund exploration work on the Cameron rare-earth element ("REE") property, located in British Columbia, and the Atikokan REE property, located in Ontario both on which the Company holds options to acquire. Proceeds from the sale of the FT Units are intended to be used to incur "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures" as such terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). The Company may pay finders' fees in accordance with the policies of the CSE. The Private Placement is subject to receipt of CSE acceptance. The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933 (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction. About Powermax Minerals Inc. Powermax is a Canadian mineral exploration company, holding options to acquire the Cameron REE property, located in British Columbia, and the Atikokan REE property, located in Ontario. For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as "will", "may", "should", "anticipate", "expects" and similar expressions. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release such as statements regarding the contemplated closing of the Private Placement, and use of proceeds therefrom, or whether it will close at all, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include but are not limited to the risks that the Private Placement may not complete as contemplated, or at all, that the Company may fail to obtain required regulatory approvals, and that the Company may use the proceeds from the Private Placement other than as presently contemplated, and the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. Factors that could cause actual results to vary from forward-looking statements or may affect the operations, performance, development and results of the Company's business include, among other things, that mineral exploration is inherently uncertain and may be unsuccessful in achieving the desired results; that mineral exploration plans may change and be re-defined based on a number of factors, many of which are outside of the Company's control; the Company's ability to access sources of debt and equity capital; competitive factors, pricing pressures and supply and demand in the Company's industry. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable law Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in CSE policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261419 SOURCE: Powermax Minerals Inc. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 5, 2025 / Goldgroup Mining Inc. ("Goldgroup" or the "Company") (TSXV:GGA)(OTCQX:GGAZF) is pleased to announce that it has closed the CAD $12 million private placement (the "Private Placement") previously announced on July 18, 2025, and July 21, 2025. Goldgroup sold on a non-brokered private placement basis 15,000,0000 units of the Company ("Units") at a price of $0.80 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,000,000. Each Unit comprises one common share (a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant ("Warrant"). Each Warrant is exercisable into one Common Share at a price of $1.10 per share until August 5, 2027. Mr. Eric Sprott, through 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a corporation which is beneficially owned by him, acquired 1,875,000 Units at $0.80 per Unit for total consideration of approximately $1.5 million. Prior to the Private Placement, Mr. Sprott beneficially owned or controlled 27,954,500 Common Shares and 13,977,250 Warrants representing 10.4% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and 14.8% of the outstanding Shares on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such Warrants. Following completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Sprott beneficially owns and controls 29,829,500 Common Shares and 15,852,250 Warrants representing 10.5% of the outstanding Shares on a non-diluted basis and 15.2% of the outstanding Shares on a partially diluted basis assuming the exercise of such Warrants. The Units were acquired by Sprott for investment purposes. Mr. Sprott has a long-term view of the investment and may acquire additional securities of the Company including on the open market or through private acquisitions or sell securities of the Company including on the open market or through private dispositions in the future depending on market conditions, reformulation of plans and/or other relevant factors. A copy of Mr. Sprott's early warning Report will appear on Goldgourp's profile on SEDAR+ and may also be obtained by calling Mr. Sprott's office at (416) 945-3294 (1106-7 King Street East, Toronto, ON, M5C 3C5). In connection with the Private Placement, an insider of the Company acquired 1,875,000 Units or 12.50% of the Private Placement. Participation by the Insider in the Private Placement was considered a "related party transaction" pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company was exempt from the requirements to obtain a formal valuation or minority shareholder approval in connection with the Insiders' participation in the Private Placement pursuant to sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 as neither the fair market value of any securities issued to, nor the consideration paid by, the Insiders exceeded 25.0% of the Company's market capitalization. A material change report was not filed in connection with the participation of Insiders in the Private Placement less than 21 days in advance of the closing of the Private Placement, as the Insiders' participation had not been confirmed at that time and the Company wishes to complete the Private Placement in an expeditious manner for business reasons. The Company issued 1,086,187 finder's units (each, a "Finder's Unit") to finders in connection with the Private Placement. Each Finder's Unit consists of one Common Share and one common share purchase warrant, with each warrant being exercisable to purchase one Common Share at a price of $1.10 until August 5, 2027. The net proceeds from this Private Placement will be primarily dedicated to the diligent assessment and strategic pursuit of acquisition opportunities. With a focus on enhancing shareholder value, the Company aims to leverage these funds to acquire promising mining assets, potentially including operating mines or strategic stakes in other mining companies. The Company cautions that it has been searching for and conducting due diligence on mineral projects that Management believes would enhance the Company's portfolio of existing projects for some time, but to date has not proceeded past the due diligence stage. Accordingly, the Company warns that there is no assurance that a suitable project will be identified, satisfactory due diligence conducted and any acquisition transaction completed. Further, investors should be aware that completing a transaction in most circumstances can take many months. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to statutory hold periods expiring December 6, 2025. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Goldgroup Goldgroup is a Canadian-based mining Company with two high-growth gold assets in Mexico. The Company has a 100% interest in the producing Cerro Prieto heap-leach gold mine located in the State of Sonora. An optimization and exploration program is underway at Cierro Prieto to significantly increase existing production and resources. In addition, the Company holds a 100% interest in the Pinos underground gold development project in Zacatecas State. Pinos is an advanced PEA level development project. Formerly a producing mine, the Company is commissioning an updated PEA with a view to re-starting mining operations. Goldgroup is led by a team of highly successful and seasoned individuals with extensive expertise in mine development, corporate finance, and exploration in Mexico. For further information on Goldgroup, please visit www.goldgroupmining.com On behalf of the Board of Directors Ralph Shearing CEO +1 (604) 764-0965 Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain information contained in this news release, including any information relating to future financial or operating performance, may be considered "forward-looking information" (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law) and "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable and assumptions of management. Actual results could differ materially from the conclusions, forecasts and projections contained in such forward-looking information. These forward-looking statements reflect Goldgroup's current internal projections, expectations or beliefs and are based on information currently available to Goldgroup. In some cases forward-looking information can be identified by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "projects", "potential", "scheduled", "forecast", "budget" or the negative of those terms or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking information is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to materially differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information, and are developed based on assumptions about such risks, uncertainties and other factors including, without limitation: receipt of all required stock exchange and regulatory approvals in connection with the Private Placement and the business of the Company; the completion of the Private Placement as planned; the proposed use of proceeds raised pursuant to the Private Placement and the Company's plans at the Cerro Prieto project; the scope, duration and impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; the scope, duration and impact of regulatory responses to the pandemic on the employees, business and operations; uncertainties related to actual capital costs operating costs and expenditures; production schedules and economic returns from Goldgroup's projects; uncertainties associated with development activities; uncertainties inherent in the estimation of mineral resources and precious metal recoveries; uncertainties related to current global economic conditions; fluctuations in precious and base metal prices; uncertainties related to the availability of future financing; potential difficulties with joint venture partners; risks that Goldgroup's title to its property could be challenged; political and country risk; risks associated with Goldgroup being subject to government regulation; risks associated with surface rights; environmental risks; Goldgroup's need to attract and retain qualified personnel; risks associated with potential conflicts of interest; Goldgroup's lack of experience in overseeing the construction of a mining project; risks related to the integration of businesses and assets acquired by Goldgroup; uncertainties related to the competitiveness of the mining industry; risk associated with theft; risk of water shortages and risks associated with competition for water; uninsured risks and inadequate insurance coverage; risks associated with potential legal proceedings; risks associated with community relations; outside contractor risks; risks related to archaeological sites; foreign currency risks; risks associated with security and human rights; and risks related to the need for reclamation activities on Goldgroup's properties, as well as the risk factors disclosed in Goldgroup's Annual Information Form and MD&A. Any and all of the forward-looking information contained in this news release is qualified by these cautionary statements. Although Goldgroup believes that the forward-looking information contained in this news release is based on reasonable assumptions, readers cannot be assured that actual results will be consistent with such statements. Accordingly, readers are cautioned against placing undue reliance on forward-looking information. Goldgroup expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, events or otherwise, except as may be required by, and in accordance with, applicable securities laws. SOURCE: Goldgroup Mining, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/goldgroup-announces-closing-of-non-brokered-private-placement-1056676 Kunstliche Intelligenz, Magnificent Seven, Tech-Euphorie seit Monaten scheint an der Borse nur eine Richtung zu existieren: nach oben. Doch hinter den Rekordkursen lauert eine gefahrliche Wahrheit. Die Bewertungen vieler Tech-Schwergewichte haben historische Extremniveaus erreicht. Shiller-KGV bei 39, Buffett-Indikator auf Allzeithoch schon in der Dotcom-Ara war der Markt kaum teurer. Hinzu kommen euphorische Anlegerstimmung, IPO-Hypes ohne Substanz, kreditfinanzierte Wertpapierkaufe in Rekordhohe und charttechnische Warnsignale, die Erinnerungen an 2000 und 2021 wecken. Gleichzeitig drucken geopolitische Risiken, Trumps aggressive Zollpolitik und saisonale Borsenschwache auf die Perspektiven. Die Gefahr: Aus der schleichenden Korrektur konnte ein rasanter Crash werden und der konnte vor allem uberbewertete KI- und Chipwerte hart treffen. In unserem kostenlosen Spezial-Report zeigen wir Ihnen, welche Tech-Aktien am starksten gefahrdet sind und wie Sie Ihr Depot vor dem Platzen der Blase schutzen konnten. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! First-of-its-kind collaboration will result in like-for-like, actionable data for IT vendors and distributors across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East markets Three powerhouse leaders in the global distribution and data intelligence sector are partnering to create the first and only data source that will deliver comprehensive sell-through insights across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The collaboration will deliver the definitive global source of technology sales-through data across key markets, providing vendors and distributors with an unparalleled 360-degree view of market trends. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805421998/en/ IDC, GTDC and CONTEXT, powerhouse leaders in the global distribution and data intelligence sector, are partnering to create the first and only data source that will deliver comprehensive sell-through insights across Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, and the Middle East. The collaboration will deliver the definitive global source of technology sales-through data across key markets, providing vendors and distributors with an unparalleled 360-degree view of market trends. Jointly leading this groundbreaking effort are IDC, the trusted technology intelligence leader, along with CONTEXT-the global leader in market intelligence for EMEA, and Latin America-and the Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC), a source for industry insight, backed by actual sales-out data of its members. Working together, the organizations will be able to offer precise, like-for-like comparisons across every major region. "This is a game-changer," comments Ralf Jordan, vice president channel EMEA at Lenovo, regarding the partnership's impact on vendors. "We have depended on CONTEXT data and IDC analysis for many years. This global availability across EMEA, US, and APAC will enable us to operate with an unprecedented level of precision and efficiency." Play to Strengths A Snapshot of Responsibilities The combined expertise and regional strengths of the GTDC, CONTEXT and IDC present a great opportunity for panel-member distributors and clients-especially with the addition of the Asia Pacific region-to access the most complete, accurate, and reliable source of technology market data available. Each organization brings a unique expertise to the alliance: IDC will bring its global analyst network and comprehensive market data and insights along with its North America weekly distributors sales database. CONTEXT, with its global expertise in supply chains and distribution sales data in Europe and the Middle East, will lead the Distributor Panel for Europe, and the Middle East. The GTDC, whose members will contribute daily invoiced sales data, will complete the new, expanded panel. "Since 2021, IDC has successfully collaborated with the GTDC to deliver robust data solutions to the North American market; subsequently, for several years, we have also worked with CONTEXT as a source of world-class EMEA sell-through data," said Meredith Whalen, chief research and data officer, IDC. "Formalizing these relationships and combining CONTEXT's data processing with IDC's industry-leading data and analysis will synergize distribution data across the US, EMEA, and now APAC. It represents a remarkable opportunity for both vendors and distributors to optimize their global business operations." "At CONTEXT, our work with supply-chain panelists extends across 46 countries. This exciting new partnership with IDC allows us to provide our acknowledged best-in-class market intelligence to distributors and vendors with the broadest global reach," states Howard Davies, CONTEXT CEO. Frank Vitagliano, CEO at Global Technology Distribution Council (GTDC) said, "We are incredibly excited to be partnering with CONTEXT and IDC in Asia Pacific to develop the first truly global market data source for sales through distribution channels. GTDC and its members view this partnership as a game-changer, uniting the two best-in-class data and analysis companies to deliver immense benefits to our members and vendors." About IDC International Data Corporation (IDC) is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events for the information technology, telecommunications, and consumer technology markets. With more than 1,300 analysts worldwide, IDC offers global, regional, and local expertise on technology, IT benchmarking and sourcing, and industry opportunities and trends in over 110 countries. IDC's analysis and insight helps IT professionals, business executives, and the investment community to make fact-based technology decisions and to achieve their key business objectives. Founded in 1964, IDC is the world's leading tech media, data, and marketing services company. To learn more about IDC, please visit www.idc.com. Follow IDC on X at @IDC and LinkedIn. Subscribe to the IDC Blog for industry news and insights. About CONTEXT CONTEXT is a B Corp Certified company that specialises in providing market intelligence and analytics services for the technology industry. We are a trusted partner for global technology leaders, delivering crucial insights that help shape strategic decisions and address business challenges. Our advanced forecasting, analytics, and data management solutions are designed to integrate smoothly into the operations of major tech companies worldwide. This integration supports the monitoring of over 200 billion in annual sales transactions. Our efforts are backed by a dedicated team of over 400 professionals, spread across more than 35 countries, with offices in key cities such as London, Berlin, Paris, Madrid, Milan, Warsaw, Johannesburg, Istanbul, Dubai, Chicago, Buenos Aires, Sao Paulo, Mumbai, Auckland, Singapore, Seoul, Taipei, and Tokyo. About the GTDC The Global Technology Distribution Council is the industry consortium representing the world's leading tech distributors. GTDC members drive an estimated $170 billion in annual worldwide sales of products, services and solutions through diverse business channels. GTDC conferences support the development and expansion of strategic supply-chain partnerships that continually address the fast-changing marketplace needs of vendors, end customers and distributors. GTDC members include AB S.A (WSE: ABPL), Arrow Electronics (NYSE: ARW), CMS Distribution, Computer Gross Italia (MI: SES), D&H Distributing, ELKO, Esprinet (PRT.MI), Exclusive Networks (EPA: EXN), Exertis, Infinigate, Ingram Micro (NYSE: INGM), Intcomex, Logicom (CSE: LOG), Mindware, ?Redington Limited (BSE/NSE: Redington), Siewert Kau, SiS Technologies (HKSE:0529), Tarsus, TD SYNNEX (NYSE: SNX), TIM AG, VSTECS Holdings and Westcon-Comstor. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805421998/en/ Contacts: IDC Kini Schoop press@idc.com Escalate PR for IDC IDC@escalatePR.com Michael De La Cruz press@idc.com GTDC: Brian Sherman, bsherman@commcentric.com CONTEXT: Funda Cizgenakad Funda@contextworld.com BANGKOK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Ministry of Commerce, in collaboration with RX Tradex, ASEAN's leading exhibition organizer, will organize TILOG - LOGISTIX 2025, the most comprehensive exhibition on logistics technology including warehouse management and loading, packing and material handling, Logistics IT, IoT, AI, robots, e-Logistics, and logistics service, from August 20 to 22, 2025 at Hall 98 of BITEC, Bangkok. The event, held under the theme of "Resilient Supply Chain: Overcoming Global Challenges," highlights new innovations, sustainable solutions, and an annual gathering of logistics-related industrialists from across industrial spectrum in ASEAN and many other countries. TILOG - LOGISTIX 2025 will showcase cutting-edge logistics innovations from over 415 brands, 25 countries. The event also includes insightful conference sessions and is expected to attract over 7,500 industry professionals and visitors. Amongst highlighted technologies and services at TILOG - LOGISTIX are: Warehouse & Loading: High-Density Semi-Automated Storage System , maximizing warehouse space efficiency. Comprehensive Warehouse and Logistics Solutions for modern smart factories. Material Handling: Automated Forklift driven by AI Multi-directional Forklift - Ideal for handling long items in narrow aisles, with a maximum load capacity of 5 tons. Automated Systems for palletizing, conveyor belts, sorting, and warehouse picking. Packing: Custom-Made Wooden Pallets, Crates, Reels, and Paper Packaging - Lightweight yet strong. Foldable Plastic Crates - Durable, space-saving, ideal for storage, transport, and automation; customizable. Logistics IT & e-Logistics: Smart Transportation Management Platform. Vehicle Tracking and Driver Behavior Monitoring Device - Also provides vehicle condition alerts. Transportation & LSP: Less than Container Load (LCL) Direct Console Service from Bangkok to Southern China. Multimodal Transport Services (land and air) within Thailand and the Indochina region. Included at the event are an "Exhibition on Thailand's logistics industry," "Trade Logistics Symposium," "World Transport & Logistics Forum" presented by executives from The World Bank Group, "Innovation Showcase," and seminars by leading industry organizations, offering actionable insights. AI-powered business matching is expected to spark international partnership between warehouse- and logistics-related industrialists from all industrial sectors. TILOG - LOGISTIX will take place from August 20 to 22, 2025, 10am to 6pm, at BITEC, Hall 98. Business attire is required, shorts and sandals prohibited. Students may join on August 22 only. Pre-register at www.tilog-logistix.com or via LINE: @tilog-logistix for a chance to win a Central gift card worth 200 baht. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744295/1.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tilog--logistix-2025-to-showcase-smart-logistics-technologies-sustainable-solutions-and-services-from-25-countries-302522797.html Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry China Committee (KIKT) Chairman Garibaldi 'Boy' Thohir, SERES Automobile President Leon He, and Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia Djauhari Oratmangun at the Chongqing-Jakarta AITO Road Tour launch in Chongqing, China on Aug 4. JAKARTA, Aug 6, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - Chinese automotive company SERES and its electric vehicle brand AITO launched a road tour from Chongqing to Jakarta on Monday (Aug 4) to test the brand's durability, as well as celebrate 75 years of Indonesia-China diplomatic relations. The "Open the Way with AITO" road tour will pass through several Southeast Asian countries on its way to Jakarta, covering a route of 5,000 kilometers. Vehicles on the tour are the AITO M5, AITO M7, and AITO M9."The KIKT (Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Bilateral Committee for China) is here in Chongqing to launch this major event where AITO vehicles will travel overland from Chongqing, China to Indonesia, with a big welcoming event planned on August 25, 2025, in Jakarta," said KIKT Chairman Garibaldi "Boy" Thohir to ANTARA after the launch event in Chongqing on Monday.The road tour, titled "Open the Way with AITO," will pass through several Southeast Asian countries on its way to Jakarta, covering a distance of about 5,000 kilometers.?The vehicles in the road tour are the AITO M5, AITO M7, and AITO M9."The Chinese government, especially President Xi Jinping, has promoted 'One Belt One Road,' and this is one example of the Silk Road from Chongqing to Indonesia. With this event, we also want to attract the attention of young people," Boy added.Young people will be represented at the event by celebrities such as Boy William and Gading Marten, as well as Kanjeng Gusti Pangeran Adipati Arya (KGPAA) Mangkunegara X Bhre Cakrahutomo Wira Sudjiwo, commonly known as Gusti Bhre."Because many young people like fun, informal things, I am involving Boy William and Gading Marten to be icons so that young Indonesians can see how far Chinese technology has progressed, and especially the good relationship between the two countries," Boy explained.The Indonesian Ambassador to China and Mongolia, Djauhari Oratmangun, stated that this event was not only related to Indonesia and China but to several ASEAN countries. "This shows that this industry will enter Indonesia, produce in Indonesia for the ASEAN market, and therefore the Indonesian Embassy in Beijing fully supports it," said Ambassador Djauhari.Ambassador Djauhari sees renewable energy vehicles (New Energy Vehicles) as part of the green economy. "We have the materials, especially for producing batteries as the main component of the electric vehicle industry. Therefore, we welcome the presence of the electric vehicle industry in Indonesia, and China has become one of the world's main producers of electric vehicles," Ambassador Djauhari added.In his remarks, Ambassador Djauhari said that young people, innovators, and even tourists are beginning to play a role in Indonesia-China relations.?"Events like this spark a curiosity, a spirit of adventure and mutual understanding. As this tour starts from Chongqing, the hope is that it can also bring about a more integrated ASEAN-China region, a more strategic, sustainable, and comprehensive Indonesia-China partnership, and a stronger, more environmentally friendly future," Ambassador Djauhari explained.SERES Automotive President Leon He said that AITO had previously undertaken a similar overland expedition in Europe.?"Last year's expedition covered 15,000 km in 38 days to Paris, which proved the toughness of our vehicles. This year, the journey will continue to Indonesia, a strategic market with an economic potential of 150 billion US dollars and a strong commitment to new energy vehicles," said Leon He.Leon He noted that the presence of the SERES factory in Sokonindo, Indonesia since 2017 has been an important stepping stone for expansion in the ASEAN region.?The AITO brand itself has not yet entered Indonesia, but SERES Automobile has been present through PT Sokonindo Automobile, which oversees the DFSK brand.The Sokonindo factory has stood since 2017 in the Modern Cikande Industrial Estate, Serang, Banten, covering 20 hectares, with a total investment of USD 150 million and a maximum production capacity of 50,000 units per year for both domestic and international markets.Indonesian Chamber of Commerce: https://kadin.id/en/Source: Indonesian Chamber of CommerceCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. EQS Newswire / 06/08/2025 / 12:17 UTC+8 LONDON, UK - August 06, 2025 - ( SeaPRwire ) - Beauford Capital, the investment vehicle of Beauford Group, has confirmed that its development pipeline has reached 200 million, underlining a broader strategy that places regeneration at the centre of UK urban investment. With enquiries surging since the release of its secured bond offer, the group is now building momentum toward a projected 250 million portfolio by mid-2026. Rather than focus solely on scale, Beauford Capital's recent activity reflects a more precise ambition: to deliver high-yield, asset-backed returns through calculated acquisitions in overlooked urban pockets. According to the group's directors, this quiet precision-not volume-has driven investor trust and performance across a range of property categories. "Growth without clarity is just noise," said Marie O'Neill, Director at Beauford Group. "We are not interested in speculative volume. Our projects begin with specific demand signals-student housing, high-street conversions, long-term rental demand-and we plan around those fundamentals." The company's strategy relies on sourcing and repositioning undervalued real estate, particularly off-market opportunities. These include the 51 million GDV Sea view Poole development, and a prime coastal town mixed-use project projected to return nearly 14 million and 4 million in net profit respectively. Its secured bond structure offers investor-first repayment and legal protections over both new acquisitions and existing assets, further enhancing its credibility in a cautious funding environment. Beauford Capital continues to prioritise cities with rising population density and economic redevelopment incentives. While expanding across the UK, the company is also preparing for select international acquisitions in Portugal, leveraging two decades of experience and a robust network of consultants, planners, and financial advisors. "Our edge comes from experience; we do not advertise. It's built into every site we evaluate," added Marie O'Neill. "We have never been loud. We have always been early." About Beauford Capital Beauford Capital is the investment division of Beauford Group, a UK-based development and regeneration firm with over 20 years of operational experience. Specialising in off-market property acquisitions, the company focuses on high-yield residential conversions, commercial redevelopment, and private rental sector assets across key urban centres. With a growing portfolio currently valued at 20 million and projected to reach 250 million within two years, Beauford Capital is emerging as a leading player in real estate investment. Its projects have received recognition for adding measurable value to urban regeneration zones, and its investor-first model offers security-backed returns and consistent demand-driven growth. Media contact Brand: Beauford Group Contact: Matie O'Neill, Director Email: m.oneill@beaufordgroup.com Website: https://beaufordgroup.com 06/08/2025 Dissemination of a Financial Press Release, transmitted by EQS News. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Media archive at www.todayir.com Ende Mai leitete US-Prasident Donald Trump mit der Unterzeichnung mehrerer Dekrete eine weitreichende Wende in der amerikanischen Energiepolitik ein. Im Fokus: der beschleunigte Ausbau der Kernenergie. Mit einem umfassenden Manahmenpaket sollen Genehmigungsprozesse reformiert, kleinere Reaktoren gefordert und der Anteil von Atomstrom in den USA massiv gesteigert werden. Ausloser ist der explodierende Energiebedarf durch KI-Rechenzentren, der eine stabile, CO-arme Grundlastversorgung zwingend notwendig macht. In unserem kostenlosen Spezialreport erfahren Sie, welche 3 Unternehmen jetzt im Zentrum dieser energiepolitischen Neuausrichtung stehen, und wer vom kommenden Boom der Nuklearindustrie besonders profitieren konnte. Holen Sie sich den neuesten Report! Verpassen Sie nicht, welche Aktien besonders von der Energiewende in den USA profitieren durften, und laden Sie sich das Gratis-PDF jetzt kostenlos herunter. Dieses exklusive Angebot gilt aber nur fur kurze Zeit! Daher jetzt downloaden! Findings highlight the importance of workplace atmosphere, meaningful work, and automation in boosting employee happiness and retention Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting Netherlands today released the results of its latest survey, "Work Pressure or Job Satisfaction?", offering a revealing look into what drives happiness-and frustration-among accounting professionals in the Netherlands. The survey, conducted in May 2025, gathered insights from professionals across a range of roles and firm sizes, providing a snapshot of the sector's evolving expectations and challenges. "The future of the accounting profession calls for greater focus on employee well-being and educational innovation," said Jeffrey Smit, Vice President General Manager, Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting, Europe Region West. "True gains come from sustainable employability, future-focused expertise, and job satisfaction. Today's accountant is no longer just a number-cruncher, but a savvy advisor who brings together data, technology, and sustainability." Key Findings: The average job satisfaction score was 6.6 out of 10. Top sources of satisfaction include a positive company atmosphere (54%), interesting work (52%), and appreciation from colleagues or clients (41%). However, 79% of respondents reported excessive workloads, and 88% felt the daily impact of staff shortages-with more than half saying it significantly affects their work. Automation is seen as a major contributor to job satisfaction, with 98% saying it helps to some extent, giving it an average satisfaction rating of 7.1. Energy drains and frustrations were also explored. Tight deadlines and work pressure (29%), endless small tasks (20%), and technical issues (13%) were cited as the biggest sources of daily fatigue. Many respondents expressed a desire for less workload, better leadership, and clearer development paths. Generational differences emerged as another theme, with 66% noting friction around ambition and work-life balance expectations. Meanwhile, 88% of respondents reported feeling the effects of staff shortages, and 54% said it strongly impacts their daily workload. Automation and AI are seen as essential tools for the future. While invoice processing and reporting are already widely automated, participants expressed a strong desire to further automate customer input and file management. The survey was conducted by Wolters Kluwer and complements recent findings from its broader Future Ready Accountant report, which includes responses from over 2,300 global participants. That report shows the Netherlands leading in digital adoption, with 55% of firms fully using cloud technology-well above the European average of 31%-but lagging in educational investment. Download the full report and explore actionable insights for building a more resilient and satisfied workforce: "Work Pressure or Job Satisfaction?" About Wolters Kluwer Wolters Kluwer (EURONEXT: WKL) is a global leader in information, software solutions and services for professionals in healthcare; tax and accounting; financial and corporate compliance; legal and regulatory; corporate performance and ESG. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with technology and services. Wolters Kluwer reported 2024 annual revenues of 5.9 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 21,600 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands. For more information, visit www.wolterskluwer.com and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube and Instagram. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805318611/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Alejandra Quintela External Communications Manager Europe Tax and Accounting Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting Office: +44 7980 908385 alejandra.quintela@wolterskluwer.com Kathleen Iwens Branding Communications Director Tax Accounting Europe Wolters Kluwer Tax Accounting Office: +32 478 66 45 55 kathleen.iwens@wolterskluwer.com ODIOT SA announces the initiation of coverage of its stock by AlphaValue Paris, August 6, 2025 at 8:45 a.m. ODIOT SA (Euronext Access, FR0014010DV3 - MLODT) announces that equity research firm AlphaValue has initiated coverage of the company with a Buy recommendation and a target price of 55.2, implying an upside potential of 42% versus the current share price of 39.00. In its report, AlphaValue highlights ODIOT's rebirth as an ultra-luxury maison with a unique 335-year heritage and renewed focus on craftsmanship, manufacturing excellence, and international growth. The research outlines strong momentum in both operations and financials, supported by cautious investment plans, strategic client partnerships, and an increasing presence in high-net-worth and institutional segments. Key financial highlights from the report include an expected revenue growth of 103% in 2025, with sales rising from 1.13 million in 2024 to 2.29 million. The EBITDA margin is projected to improve significantly, from 16.3% in 2024 to 32.0% by 2026. Adjusted earnings per share are expected to turn positive, from -8.15 in 2024 to 1.39 in 2025, with continued growth reaching 4.40 by 2027. The valuation is supported by a discounted cash flow estimate of 88.9 per share, a NAV/SOTP value of 53.9 per share, and a peer-based P/E valuation of 58.7 per share. AlphaValue emphasizes that ODIOT SA could become a consolidation target in the luxury silversmith sector, thanks to its strong fundamentals, historic brand equity, and a carefully managed expansion strategy. This includes deepening its collaborations and expanding into key international markets such as the United States, the Middle East, and Asia. Strategic investments are also underway to modernize production facilities - including the integration of laser welding technology - and to restore and inventory the House's historical archives. These efforts are supported by a strengthened financial structure, following recent equity infusions and non-dilutive bond offerings. Gilles-Emmanuel Trutat, Chairman and CEO said: "In the small capitalization universe, ODIOT SA is one of the few companies to be followed by 2 reputable analysts, GreenSome and AlphaValue. I hope this will help to reach a better valuation and market liquidity in the coming months". Download the analysis note here: https://www.odiotholding.com/investor-relations . About ODIOT SA ODIOT SA is the controlling holding company of ODIOT, a French luxury brand founded in 1690, and one of the most prestigious goldsmiths since the 18th century. A supplier to royalty, the Empire, and all European courts, ODIOT possesses unique expertise in creating exceptional decorative pieces and cutlery in precious metals (solid silver, vermeil, gold). ODIOT is distinguished as Company of Living Heritage (Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant) by the French Minister of Economy. Investor Relations Contact: investors@odiotholding.com Press relations: odiotholding@aelium.fr ODIOT SA (Euronext Access, FR0014010DV3 - MLODT) www.odiotholding.com ------------------------ This publication embed "Actusnews SECURITY MASTER ". - SECURITY MASTER Key: lmlxacZoaWqYl26bl55omGZsZ5dmxGKVbJbHk5ZqYsuVam9omW6SbMqZZnJkmmlp - Check this key: https://www.security-master-key.com. ------------------------ Copyright Actusnews Wire Receive by email the next press releases of the company by registering on www.actusnews.com, it's free Full and original release in PDF format:https://www.actusnews.com/documents_communiques/ACTUS-0-93543-20250806_pr_odiotsa_alphavalue_en.pdf TUCSON, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Neanderthal-Human Hybrid Is Us: Bipolar Disorder, A Behavioral Fossil, by Julia A. Sherman, PhD, presents a radical new theory linking modern human creativity to bipolar genes from Neanderthal. Sherman draws on the work of European scientists from Herodotus to early 20th-century German psychiatrist Ernst Kretschmer, as well as modern-day researchers in Spain, such as Juan Luis Arsuaga, Greece's Antonis Bartsiokas, France's Ludovic Slimak, Germany's Svante Paabo, and the Max Planck Institute. This is a fascinating, must-read book that revolutionizes psychiatry, offers insights into our species, and even enhances our journey into space. Sherman's revolutionary book presents the compelling EOBD-R theory (short for Evolutionary Origin of Bipolar Disorder-Revised), which attributes the genetic roots of the disorder to inherited Neanderthal traits. Written in clear, nontechnical language for the general public, Sherman's book connects paleoanthropology, genetics, and psychology to argue that some modern humans carry Neanderthal genes responsible for cyclical behaviors-such as depression and manic episodes-that were once adaptive during Ice Age hibernation cycles. Sherman, herself diagnosed with bipolar disorder, was forced to abandon psychiatric medications when they endangered her life. Fortunately, she was able to use treatments pioneered by Dr. Tom Wehr and Dr. Norman Rosenthal, formerly at the National Institute of Mental Health: bright light treatment for major, bipolar depression (a quasi-hibernation state) characteristic of seasonal affective disorder, and dark treatment for mania. Consequently, using no psychiatric drugs, she has had no mood swings for over 25 years. Despite initial skepticism from academia, Sherman's theory has begun to generate interest among experts, with some calling it "bold." Yet she emphasizes that an interdisciplinary review by independent scientific bodies is urgently needed. "We're in the midst of a mental health crisis," Sherman warns. "We can't afford to ignore paradigm-shifting ideas." The Neanderthal-Human Hybrid Is Us: Bipolar Disorder, a Behavioral Fossil, is available now on Amazon. About the Author: Julia A. Sherman, PhD, ABPP, earned her Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Iowa in 1957. She has had careers in clinical practice and research (psychology of women; women and mathematics), and subsequently developed the EOBD-R theory. Her persistence and scientific rigor have led her to one of the most original theories of mental illness in decades. For more, visit https://juliashermanwrites.com/ or https://tinyurl.com/JuliaSherman View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-book-links-bipolar-disorder-to-neanderthal-survival-traits-302522585.html Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Li-FT Power Ltd. (TSXV: LIFT) (OTCQX: LIFFF) (FSE: WS0) ("LIFT" or the "Company") is pleased to announce commencement of drilling set for the 25th of August 2025, at the Yellowknife Lithium Project in the Northwest Territories Canada (Figure 1). Figure 1 - Location of LIFT's Yellowknife Lithium Project (YLP) in the NWT. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_001full.jpg Proposed Drill Program 2025 A total of 10 holes for 3,445 m of drilling is planned at the Shorty (2,655 m) and Nite (790 m) dykes (Figure 2). Drilling will focus on high-grade spodumene intercepts that remain open at the limits of drilling from the 2023 and 2024 drill campaigns. Drilling will be conducted at inferred spacing (100 m) to a true vertical depth of 300-350 m from surface on the Shorty and Nite dykes, respectively. The proposed drill programs for each of the dykes is described below and shown in Table 1, and Figures 3-10. Figure 2 - Location of LIFT's Shorty and Nite pegmatites within the YLP. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_002full.jpg Table 1 - Drill hole locations for the 2025 Yellowknife Lithium Project drill program Target Proposed ID Fig Sect NAD83 Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Length (m) Shorty Hi-061 A-A' Zone 12N 372,834 6,938,402 253 102 61 230 Hi-064 372,738 6,938,410 253 98 63 400 Hi-042 B-B' 372,798 6,938,367 253 126 73 350 Hi-062 372,725 6,938,419 249 126 69 440 Hi-063 Not shown 372,653 6,938,348 249 126 60 430 Hi-055 C-C' 372,618 6,938,126 249 126 55 295 Hi-009 D-D' 372,630 6,937,994 253 126 50 200 Hi-051 372,557 6,938,047 250 126 53 310 NT-070 E-E' Zone 11N 647,698 6,936,081 212 301 55 450 NT-060 F-F' 647,580 6,936,035 207 301 52 340 Total 10 holes 3,445 Shorty The Shorty pegmatite is composed of several sub-parallel dykes that, together, define a spodumene pegmatite corridor that is at least 1.4 km long, and up to 100 m wide. The corridor is north-northeast striking, and dips between 50 and 70 to the west (Figure 3). The individual dykes vary in width from 2 to 40 m. The 2023 and 2024 drilling tested 600 m of strike length of the corridor to a true vertical depth of between 150 to 200 m. The 2025 drill plan includes eight new holes for 2,655 m focusing on extending spodumene intercepts that remain open at the limits of the 2023 and 2024 drilling (See Figures 4-7). Five of these holes are testing the northeast end of the dyke offsetting holes YLP-0284 (1.24% Li2O over 53 m over three dykes; Figure 4), YLP-0097 (0.97% Li2O over 33 m over two dykes). The remaining three holes at the southwest end of the dyke will offset spodumene intercepts in YLP-0079 (1.29% Li2O over 15 m) and YLP-0059 (1.04% Li2O over 12 m). Sections for these planned holes are included as figures 6 and 7. Figure 3 - Plan map showing Shorty tenure boundary, pegmatite dykes, 2023-2024 results, and 2025 proposed holes and sections. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_003full.jpg Figure 4 - Section A-A' looking NW and showing the Shorty dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill traces. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_004full.jpg Figure 5 - Section B-B' looking NW and showing the Shorty dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill trace. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_005full.jpg Figure 6 - Section C-C' looking NW and showing the Shorty dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill trace. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_006full.jpg Figure 7 - Section D-D' looking NW and showing the Shorty dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill traces. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_007full.jpg Nite The Nite pegmatite complex comprises a north-northeast trending corridor of parallel-trending dykes exposed for at least 1.4 km that dip between 50-70 to the east (Figure 8). The northeast end of the corridor consists of a main dyke flanked by one or more thinner dykes, meanwhile the southwest end is comprised of a 200 m wide array of 5-10 thin dykes that appear to focus into two closely spaced principal dykes with depth. LIFT will drill two new deep holes targeting this area for a total of 790 m, offsetting from YLP-0182 (1.38% Li2O over 11 m) and YLP-0286 (0.63% Li2O over 23 m) to a vertical depth of 300 m from surface (see Figures 9 and 10). Figure 8 - Plan map showing Nite tenure boundary, pegmatite dykes, 2023-2024 results, and 2025 proposed holes and section lines. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_011full.jpg Figure 9 - Section F-F' looking NE and showing the Nite dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill traces. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_015full.jpg Figure 10 - Section G-G' looking NE and showing the Nite dyke, results from 2023-2024 drilling, and proposed 2025 drill traces. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_016full.jpg Current Mineral Resource Estimate The mineral resource estimate covers 8 of 13 spodumene-bearing pegmatite dykes that comprise LIFT's YLP (Figure 1), including the Shorty and Nite dykes where drilling will be focussed this summer. The consolidated in-pit MRE is reported at 50.4 million tonnes (Mt) grading 1.00% Li2O for 506,000 tonnes of Li2O (1.25 million tonnes of LCE) in the inferred category, making LIFT's YLP one of the largest spodumene projects in North America (Figure 11). Figure 11 - Scatterplot of spodumene projects in the Americas (MRE vs. Grade). After only 10 months of drilling, the estimated 50.4 million tons at a grade of 1.00% Li2O, ranks the YLP project as one of the top 10 largest spodumene project in the Americas. Sources: Company disclosures. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8766/261396_0d78476274b71aa0_017full.jpg Francis MacDonald, President & CEO of LIFT, comments, "With 2025 focused on environmental baseline work and critical data collection to support future engineering studies and permitting, we're equally excited to restart drilling and continue expanding the resource base at the Yellowknife Lithium Project. Our goal is to build on the momentum of our previous campaigns and further define the scale and potential of this North American lithium asset." Qualified Person The disclosure in this news release of scientific and technical information regarding LIFT's mineral properties has been reviewed and approved by Ron Voordouw, Ph.D., P.Geo., Partner, Director Geoscience, Equity Exploration Consultants Ltd., and consultant to Li-FT Power Ltd. A Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) as well as a member in good standing with the Northwest Territories and Nunavut Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists (NAPEG) (Geologist Registration number: L5245). About LIFT LIFT is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, and development of lithium pegmatite projects located in Canada. The Company's flagship project is the Yellowknife Lithium Project located in Northwest Territories, Canada. LIFT also holds three early-stage exploration properties in Quebec, Canada with excellent potential for the discovery of buried lithium pegmatites, as well as the Cali Project in Northwest Territories within the Little Nahanni Pegmatite Group. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements included in this press release constitute forward-looking information or statements (collectively, "forward-looking statements"), including those identified by the expressions "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "may", "should" and similar expressions to the extent they relate to the Company or its management. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect current expectations regarding future results or events. This press release contains forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements and information reflect management's current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the company with respect to the matter described in this new release. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, which are based on current expectations as of the date of this release and subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. Additional information about these assumptions and risks and uncertainties is contained under "Risk Factors" in the Company's latest annual information form filed on March 21, 2025, which is available under the Company's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in other filings that the Company has made and may make with applicable securities authorities in the future. Forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as to the date of this press release and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. We caution investors not to place considerable reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261396 SOURCE: Li-FT Power Ltd. KUALA LUMPUR, MY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Quandatics Omnitech Sdn. Bhd. ("Omnitech") and Q Armour Sdn. Bhd. ("Q Armour"), subsidiaries of regional AI and data solutions group Quandatics (M) Sdn. Bhd. ("Quandatics"), successfully hosted AIDEX & CyberCon 2025 a landmark event that placed AI at the heart of future-ready cybersecurity and digital transformation. Held at Le Meridien Kuala Lumpur, the full-day summit brought together over 300 government officials, industry leaders, and digital innovators to explore how AI-powered technologies are reshaping the future of intelligent defence and enterprise resilience. From L -R: 1. Mr. Ken Law , Chief Executive Officer of Q Armour Sdn Bhd 2. Mr. Azrul Nazim Bin Abdul Aziz, Head of Industry Engagement and Collaboration Department of Cybersecurity Malaysia 3. YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Digital 4. Mr. Dylan Tan , Chief Executive Officer of Quandatics Omnitech Sdn Bhd Carrying the theme "Redefining AI, Digital Intelligence and Cyber Resilience", the event provided a unified platform for high-level dialogue on how emerging technologies are reshaping both innovation and protection across sectors. From intelligent automation and enterprise AI and data analytics to real-time cyber threat detection and digital trust, the event showcased how AI is transforming the way organisations build agility, intelligence, and security into their operations. Through a dynamic line-up of keynote presentations, panel discussions, and live showcases, AIDEX & CyberCon 2025 enabled meaningful engagement and knowledge exchange among over 300 participants from sectors including finance, manufacturing, technology, and public services. The event was officially witnessed by YB Datuk Wilson Ugak Anak Kumbong, Deputy Minister of Ministry of Digital and YBhg Dato' Ts. Dr. Haji Amirudin Bin Abdul Wahab FASc,Chief Executive Officer ofCyberSecurity Malaysia, alongside key government and industry representatives. All which shared critical perspectives on the nation's digital transformation strategy, the evolving cyber threat landscape, and the importance of public-private collaboration in building a resilient, AI-powered digital ecosystem. Omnitech drove conversations on smart digitalisation, demonstrating how the convergence of data, AI, and cloud platforms can help businesses build agile, insight-driven ecosystems. Through live case studies and expertly-curated contents, the company highlighted how Malaysian and regional enterprises can embrace AI to drive operational efficiency, unify user experiences, and future-proof their digital strategies. Dylan Tan, Chief Executive Officer of Quandatics Omnitech Sdn. Bhd. said, "Innovation is not just about new tools, it's about building trust, speed, and foresight into how businesses operate. We're redefining digital transformation with AI at the centre, not just to drive growth but to ensure it's agile, intelligent, and built to last." In parallel, Q Armour delved into introducing next-generation of cybersecurity highlighting advancements in AI-driven risk assessment, real-time threat intelligence, and proactive security awareness. The showcase emphasized how adaptive technologies-powered by machine learning and human expertise-can identify patterns, detect threats, and mitigate risks autonomously. In a digital era where threats evolve by the second, Q Armour emphasised the importance of combining machine precision with human expertise to protect critical data and infrastructure. "Today's threats require more than traditional responses. They demand intelligent, autonomous systems that act in real time, without waiting for human input. AIDEX & CyberCon 2025 is a critical platform to demonstrate how AI and human expertise, when combined, unlocks a smarter, faster, and more resilient defence posture," said Ken Law, Chief Executive Officer of Q Armour Sdn. Bhd. Attendees also had the opportunity to experience a hands-on technology gallery, featuring live demonstrations, and cybersecurity use cases, followed by networking sessions and a lucky draw that rounded off the day. The positive response to AIDEX & CyberCon 2025 signals a strong appetite for practical insights and solutions at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and digital strategy. As businesses continue to navigate disruption and transformation, Quandatics, together with Omnitech and Q Armour, reaffirm their commitment to driving forward-looking conversations that translate into real-world impact. Find out more about AIDEX & CyberCon 2025 athttps://www.omnitech.my/aidex-cybercon-2025.html. ### Issued By: Swan Consultancy Sdn. Bhd. on behalf of Quandatics Omnitech Sdn. Bhd. and Q Armour Sdn. Bhd. For media information, kindly contact: Jazzmin Wan Email: j.wan@swanconsultancy.biz Renee Toh Email: r.toh@swanconsultancy.biz ABOUT QUANDATICS OMNITECH SDN. BHD. Quandatics Omnitech is the digital innovation subsidiary of Quandatics Group, delivering end-to-end solutions that blend data, AI, and application development to help businesses operate smarter and faster. With expertise in building cloud and intelligent business platforms, Omnitech supports organisations in accelerating their digitalisation journey, from enhancing customer engagement to optimising back-end operations. Guided by a mission to simplify digital transformation, Omnitech turns complex technological needs into practical, scalable business outcomes. ABOUT Q ARMOUR SDN. BHD. Q Armour is the dedicated cybersecurity arm of Quandatics Group, specialising in AI-powered digital defence solutions that protect data, systems, and digital identities. With a firm belief that resilience is the cornerstone of innovation, Q Armour delivers intelligent security infrastructure, from real-time threat detection to autonomous response mechanisms. As cyber risks evolve, Q Armour remains at the forefront of proactive protection, enabling businesses to navigate the digital age with confidence, agility, and trust. SOURCE: Q Armour Sdn Bhd View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/aidex-and-cybercon-2025-redifining-ai-digital-intelligence-and-cy-1057125 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI) (OTCQB: RVSDF) (FSE: 5YY) ("Riverside" or the "Company") , is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced at the Union Project in northwest Sonora, Mexico. This work is being carried out in partnership with Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ), which is earning into the project through an option agreement from Riverside (press release, May 6, 2025). Highlights Initial drill program is designed to expand known zones of mineralization, test new targets, and explore areas surrounding multiple historical mine workings within the 25 km project area. Drill program will consist of approximately 1,500m of diamond core drilling across six holes, each averaging 250m in depth. Drilling to test the carbonate-hosted replacement deposit (CRD) style of mineralization, with gold associated with mantos, chimneys, and along structural zones. Angled drill holes are aimed at cutting perpendicular to stratigraphic targets and some structural targets which is typical in CRD systems Structural features may have served as mineralizing conduits and are key targets in the current drill program. The recent exploration work over the past three months by Riverside has improved the understanding of the structural geology and stratigraphy in the Sierra El Viejo, the mountain range immediately to the west of Union Project. The Union district lies along the flanks of this range, where these updated interpretations help guide current exploration efforts. The exploration target focus is for a large potential gold discovery that expands from previous smaller scale mine operations on the property. The drill program will begin to test the new concepts and expand past previous mining. John-Mark Staude, CEO, Riverside Resources states, "We are pleased to move forward with initial drilling, which will include one or two holes in each area to begin evaluating the CRD target concepts and potential extensions beyond the limits of historical mining. Ideally, this focused initial program will be followed by a more robust drilling campaign to significantly expand on early results. CRD systems typically require multiple rounds of drilling to identify the most prospective zones, so we're pleased to be getting started now. Riverside has a strong portfolio of over seven projects in Mexico, and it's exciting to see this project advancing with partner-funded drilling. Over the next two quarters, we're hopeful that additional districts within our portfolio will also move toward drill testing." The Drill Program Targets include more than four different areas, beginning with this early-stage stratigraphic and orientation phase of drilling exploration aimed at evaluating scale of alteration and indications of mineralized system. This will be the first drilling ever conducted on most of the targets, despite past mining having occurred in the majority of these areas. The initial program will consist of just one to three holes per area, primarily for orientation purposes. Follow-up drilling is planned and can be expanded based on initial results, which will help verify the stratigraphy, lithologies, and structural features allowing for improved modeling and next-stage discovery targeting. The four areas are listed below: Union Main Mine Area - The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. - The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. North Union Mine Area - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. Cobre Mine Area - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. Central Union Area - Structural targets, as possible mineralization feeder zones, are a key focus in this past mining manto area. There are extensive additional target zones in the area, and this initial orientation drilling will provide vectoring for the next stage of drilling and further study of the Clemente Formation, and possibly into the Caborca Formation as currently interpreted. General Overview of La Union Project The Project is summarized in a recently published NI 43-101 Technical Report and more briefly on the Riverside website. Riverside initially acquired the Project and subsequently consolidated additional inlier mineral claims, building a strong land position. The company then advanced the Project through surface access agreements and drill permitting, making it a turn-key exploration opportunity for the Optionee. The Project was originally identified through Riverside's exploration work in the western Sonora Gold Belt, conducted in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Centerra Gold Inc., and Hochschild Mining Plc. Earlier PhD research by Riverside Founder John-Mark Staude also contributed to recognizing the district's potential. Initial work by members of the Riverside team, drawing on more than two decades of geological compilation and analysis, further confirmed the region as highly prospective. At the Project, historical mining by the Penoles Mining Company targeted chimney and manto-style replacement bodies within the upper oxide zones. As a result, the underlying sulfide zones represent immediate and compelling drill targets for further exploration. The Project features favorable limestone host rocks, an extensive alteration footprint, and multiple small-scale historical workings, with mineralization styles similar to those at the Hermosa Project in southern Arizona. At Hermosa, South32 is advancing mine development following its acquisition of the project from Arizona Mining. On 15 February 2024, South32's board approved a US $2.16 billion capital investment to develop the Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit, representing the largest private mining investment in Southern Arizona's history. The project is now considered one of the most significant undeveloped base-metal assets in the United States. At the Union Project, immediate drill targets offer the potential for significant-scale discoveries. La Union is well positioned for near-term exploration success, with targets that include both oxide and deeper sulfide mineralization. Figure 1. Geologic map with the tenure of the Union internal concession shown in pink. Manto and chimney type CRD targets are shown as red polygons. Riverside now controls all mineral tenures on this map. The drill program will focus on the Union Mine and areas north of the Union Mine with the initial drill work. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/261379_1c282e0b448dd804_002full.jpg Figure 2. Cross section looking west with conceptual drill targets and schematic drillhole traces. Assays from Riverside's sampling of rock dump materials from the two mine areas are labeled in black. Red areas are interpreted as manto and chimney target bodies that are now well defined and drill ready. Assays shown on figures 1 and 2 have been previously released and disclosed as summarized below the geochemical QA/QC and in published NI 43-101 Report that Questcorp published 2025 on Sedar+. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6101/261379_1c282e0b448dd804_003full.jpg Overview of the Option Agreement: On May 5, 2025, Riverside's wholly owned subsidiary, RRM Exploracion, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. (the "Vendor") entered into a definitive option agreement (the "Option Agreement") with Questcorp (the "Optionee") for the La Union project. As part of the agreement, Questcorp issued shares to Riverside, making Riverside a 9.9% shareholder and aligning both parties' interests in the project's success. With funding provided by Questcorp, an initial C$1,000,000 exploration program is now underway. This marks the first phase of a larger, C$5,500,000 work commitment, contingent on exploration results and Questcorp's continued participation. Qualified Person & QA/QC: The scientific and technical data contained in this news release pertaining to the Project was reviewed and approved by Freeman Smith, P.Geo, a non-independent qualified person to Riverside Resources Inc., who is responsible for ensuring that the information provided in this news release is accurate and who acts as a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Rock samples from previous exploration programs discussed above at the Project were taken to the Bureau Veritas Laboratories in Hermosillo, Mexico for fire assaying for gold. The rejects remained with Bureau Veritas in Mexico while the pulps were transported to Bureau Veritas laboratory in Vancouver, BC, Canada for 45 element ICP/ES-MS analysis using 4-acid digestion methods. A QA/QC program was implemented as part of the sampling procedures for the exploration program. Standards were randomly inserted into the sample stream prior to being sent to the laboratory. About Riverside Resources Inc.: Riverside is a well-funded exploration company driven by value generation and discovery. The Company has a solid balance sheet with no debt and less than 75M shares outstanding with a strong portfolio of gold-silver and copper assets and royalties in North America. Riverside has extensive experience and knowledge operating in Mexico and Canada and leverages its large database to generate a portfolio of prospective mineral properties. Riverside has properties available for option, with information available on the Company's website at www.rivres.com. ON BEHALF OF RIVERSIDE RESOURCES INC. "John-Mark Staude" Dr. John-Mark Staude, President & CEO Certain statements in this press release may be considered forward-looking information. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology (e.g., "expect"," estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "plans"). Such information involves known and unknown risks -- including the risk that the Transaction will not be completed as contemplates, or at all, availability of funds, the results of financing and exploration activities, the interpretation of exploration results and other geological data, or unanticipated costs and expenses and other risks identified by Riverside in its public securities filings that may cause actual events to differ materially from current expectations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261379 SOURCE: Riverside Resources Inc. HEALWELL AI to hold a conference call and simultaneous webcast on Wednesday, August 13, 2025, at 1:00 pm ET (10:00 am PT). Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - HEALWELL AI Inc. (TSX: AIDX) (OTCQX: HWAIF) ("HEALWELL" or the "Company"), a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care, is pleased to announce the Company will release its Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 financial results for the period ended June 30, 2025, on Wednesday, August 13, 2025. The Company will hold a conference call and simultaneous webcast to discuss its results on the same day at 1:00 pm ET (10:00 am PT). The call will be hosted by James Lee, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Alexander Dobranowski, President and Anthony Lam, Chief Financial Officer. HEALWELL AI Fiscal Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Conference Call Date: Wednesday, August 13, 2025 Time: 1:00 PM ET / 10:00 AM PT Webcast link: https://www.gowebcasting.com/14139 Toll-Free North America: 1-833-752-3509 International Toll: 1-647-846-7993 When connecting to the conference call via phone, please dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call and ask to be joined into the "HEALWELL AI Inc. Conference Call." James Lee Chief Executive Officer HEALWELL AI Inc. About HEALWELL AI HEALWELL is a healthcare artificial intelligence company focused on preventative care. Its mission is to improve healthcare and save lives through early identification and detection of disease. Using its own proprietary technology, the Company is developing and commercializing advanced clinical decision support systems that can help healthcare providers detect rare and chronic diseases, improve efficiency of their practice and ultimately help improve patient health outcomes. HEALWELL is executing a strategy centered around developing and acquiring technology and clinical sciences capabilities that complement the Company's road map. HEALWELL is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "AIDX" and on the OTC Exchange under the symbol "HWAIF". To learn more about HEALWELL, please visit https://healwell.ai/. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261430 SOURCE: HEALWELL AI Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on its La Union Project in northwest Sonora, Mexico. This work is being carried out by property vendor and operator Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI). Highlights Initial drill program is designed to expand known zones of mineralization, test new targets, and explore areas surrounding multiple historical mine workings within the 25 km project area. Drill program will consist of + 1,500m of diamond core drilling across six holes, each averaging 250m in depth. 1,500m of diamond core drilling across six holes, each averaging 250m in depth. Drilling to test the carbonate-hosted replacement deposit (CRD) style of mineralization, with gold associated with mantos, chimneys, and along structural zones. Angled drill holes are aimed at cutting perpendicular to stratigraphic targets and some structural targets which is typical in CRD systems Structural features may have served as mineralizing conduits and are key targets in the current drill program. The recent exploration work over the past three months by Riverside has improved the understanding of the structural geology and stratigraphy in the Sierra El Viejo, the mountain range immediately to the west of La Union Project. The La Union district lies along the flanks of this range, where these updated interpretations help guide current exploration efforts. The exploration target focus is for a large potential gold discovery that expands from previous smaller scale mine operations on the property. The drill program will begin to test the new concepts and expand past previous mining. Saf Dhillon, President & CEO states, "Questcorp is proud to be working with John-Mark and his whole team at Riverside in what is a historic moment in the development of this property. The La Union Project has had work conducted on it for decades, including the production of 50,000 ounces of gold itself but, it has never had a drill bit pierce the ground until now!" Earlier this year, Questcorp entered into a definitive option agreement with Riverside's wholly owned subsidiary, RRM Exploracion, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. to acquire a 100% interest in the La Union Project. As part of the agreement, Questcorp issued shares to Riverside, making Riverside a shareholder and aligning both parties' interests in the Project's success. With funding provided by Questcorp, an initial C$1,000,000 exploration program is now underway. This marks the first phase of a larger, C$5,500,000 work commitment, contingent on exploration results and Questcorp's continued participation. The Drill Program Targets include more than four different areas, beginning with this early-stage stratigraphic and orientation phase of drilling exploration aimed at evaluating the scale of alteration and indications of a mineralized system. This will be the first drilling ever conducted on most of the targets, despite past mining having occurred in the majority of these areas. The initial program will consist of one to three holes per area, primarily for orientation purposes. Follow-up drilling is planned and can be expanded based on initial results, which will help verify the stratigraphy, lithologies, and structural features allowing for improved modeling and next-stage discovery targeting. The four areas are listed below: Union Main Mine Area - The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. North Union Mine Area - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. Cobre Mine Area - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. Central Union Area - Structural targets, as possible mineralization feeder zones, are a key focus in this past mining manto area. There are extensive additional target zones in the area, and this initial orientation drilling will provide vectoring for the next stage of drilling and further study of the Clemente Formation, and possibly into the Caborca Formation as currently interpreted. General Overview of La Union Project The Project is summarized in a recently published NI 43-101 Technical Report available under Questcorp's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Riverside initially acquired the Project and subsequently consolidated additional inlier mineral claims, building a strong land position. Riverside then advanced the Project through surface access agreements and drill permitting, making it a turn-key exploration opportunity for Questcorp. The Project was originally identified through Riverside's exploration work in the western Sonora Gold Belt, conducted in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Centerra Gold Inc., and Hochschild Mining Plc. Earlier research by Riverside Founder John-Mark Staude also contributed to recognizing the district's potential. Initial work by members of the Riverside team, drawing on more than two decades of geological compilation and analysis, further confirmed the region as highly prospective. At the Project, historical mining by the Penoles Mining Company targeted chimney and manto-style replacement bodies within the upper oxide zones. As a result, the underlying sulfide zones represent immediate and compelling drill targets for further exploration. The Project features favorable limestone host rocks, an extensive alteration footprint, and multiple small-scale historical workings, with mineralization styles similar to those at the Hermosa Project in southern Arizona. At Hermosa, South32 is advancing mine development following its acquisition of the project from Arizona Mining. On 15 February 2024, South32's board approved a US $2.16 billion capital investment to develop the Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit, representing the largest private mining investment in Southern Arizona's history. The project is now considered one of the most significant undeveloped base-metal assets in the United States. At the La Union Project, immediate drill targets offer the potential for significant-scale discoveries. La Union is well positioned for near-term exploration success, with targets that include both oxide and deeper sulfide mineralization. Figure 1. Geologic map with the tenure of the Union internal concession shown in pink. Manto and chimney type CRD targets are shown as red polygons. All mineral tenures on this map comprise the La Union project. The drill program will focus on the Union Mine and areas north of the Union Mine with the initial drill work. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/261433_a2ed3d4fb471dade_001full.jpg Figure 2. Cross section looking west with conceptual drill targets and schematic drillhole traces. Assays from Riverside's sampling of rock dump materials from the two mine areas are labeled in black. Red areas are interpreted as manto and chimney target bodies that are now well defined and drill ready. Assays shown on figures 1 and 2 have been previously released and disclosed as summarized below the geochemical QA/QC and in published NI 43-101 Report that Questcorp published 2025 on Sedar+. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10197/261433_a2ed3d4fb471dade_002full.jpg The La Union Project The La Union Project is a carbonate replacement deposit ("CRD") project hosted by Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites, and siliciclastic sediments) overlying crystalline Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Caborca Terrane. The structural setting features high-angle normal faults and low-to-medium-angle thrust faults that sometimes served as mineralization conduits. Mineralization occurs as polymetallic veins, replacement zones (mantos, chimneys), and shear zones with high-grade metal content, as shown in highlight grades of 59.4 grams per metric tonne (g/t) gold, 833 g/t silver, 11% zinc, 5.5% lead, 2.2% copper, along with significant hematite and manganese oxides, consistent with a CRD model (see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Union Project, State of Sonora, Mexico" dated effective May 6, 2025 available under Questcorp's SEDAR+ profile). These targets also demonstrate intriguing potential for large gold discoveries potentially above an even larger porphyry Cu district potential as the Company's target concept at this time. Questcorp cautions investors that grab samples are selective by nature and not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the property. The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a director of the Company and a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. Contact Information Questcorp Mining Corp. Saf Dhillon, President & CEO This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Riverside's arrangements with geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: the ability of Riverside to secure geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets as contemplated or at all, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261433 SOURCE: Questcorp Mining Inc. TOYO will distribute IQM's on-premises superconducting quantum computers for universities, research institutions and enterprises, emphasising the commercial potential of quantum computing. The partnership will also promote the next generation of quantum talent in Japan. This move reinforces IQM's presence and commitment to advance the local quantum ecosystem, following partnerships and initiatives in the country. IQM Quantum Computers, a global leader in full-stack superconducting quantum computers, and TOYO Corporation have signed a distribution agreement to accelerate quantum computing adoption for the Japanese market. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806016289/en/ IQM and TOYO Corporation sign distribution agreement to drive quantum adoption in Japan With the agreement, Toyo, which is a leading company in measurement technology and promoting technological innovation in Japan, will market and sell IQM Spark, a 5-qubit system, and IQM Radiance, which ranges from 20-qubit to 150-qubit on-premises superconducting quantum computers. In addition, TOYO will also promote the cultivation of specialised talent in quantum technology and its societal implementation. Backed by significant government investment, the Japanese quantum ecosystem is growing fast. This partnership demonstrates a mutual commitment from both IQM and TOYO to support the initiatives of the Japanese government in achieving its quantum strategy. Among the key goals, the government is aiming at 10 million domestic quantum users by 2030. The partnership further underscores IQM's commitment to advancing quantum technologies in the APAC region, complementing IQM's current collaboration with Japan's National Institute of Advanced Industrial Science and Technology (AIST). IQM has delivered more on-premises quantum computers in the last 12 months than any other manufacturers to end-users in various countries, including South Korea, Germany, Italy, Finland, and Poland. "Japan has become one of the major countries in quantum computing and our partnership with TOYO, a company with a proven track record of serving the Japanese industries with technological solutions, signals our strong commitment to providing our market-leading full stack quantum computers and advance the practical application of quantum computing across various industries," said Mikko Valimaki, Co-CEO of IQM Quantum Computers. "This partnership represents a significant milestone, highlighting the strong commitment from both companies and the close alignment between IQM's technological focus areas and TOYO's business domains. By leveraging our collective strengths, we will accelerate the deployment of quantum computers at universities, research institutions, and companies across Japan. Together, we will also nurture the quantum specialists and drive the social implementation of quantum technologies in Japan," said Toshiya Kohno, President and CEO of TOYO Corporation. By combining IQM's quantum technology with its technology and expertise, TOYO is diversifying its business areas and plans to establish a specialised unit dedicated to quantum technology by the end of 2025. The company aims to pioneer new fields of application for quantum computers and promote the creation of use cases and the development of new business models. Additionally, through providing education and research opportunities using actual quantum system and collaborating with related companies and organisations. About IQM Quantum Computers: IQM is a global leader in superconducting quantum computers. IQM provides both on-premises full-stack quantum computers and a cloud platform to access its computers. IQM customers include the leading high-performance computing centers, research labs, universities, and enterprises that have full access to IQM's software and hardware. IQM has over 300 employees with headquarters in Finland and a global presence in France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland, Spain, Singapore, South Korea, and the United States. About TOYO Corporation: TOYO Corporation contributes to technological innovations as a leading provider of advanced measurement solutions. Through its variety of business segments including Sustainable Energy, Automobile Solutions, e-Mobility, ICT, Ocean Defense and Security, and Life Science, the company is focused on providing solutions to emerging markets such as clean energy and autonomous vehicle development. TOYO also makes significant R&D investments to develop in-house technologies and products, and its growth strategies include investing in new business, conducting M&A, and developing its market presence in global markets. By making available the most advanced market-based solutions, TOYO is at the forefront of helping to shape industries and communities that are safe, environmentally responsible, and sustainable. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806016289/en/ Contacts: Media contact: Email: press@meetiqm.com Mobile: +358504790845 www.meetiqm.com New Sinch survey reveals trust, not just technology, will influence which brands break through this holiday season STOCKHOLM, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch AB (publ) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, today released new global research ahead of the 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday season. The research reveals a clear paradox that brands cannot afford to ignore. While 48% of consumers say AI will make Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BF/CM) shopping easier, over 90% have reservations about using AI during peak shopping, citing concerns such as data use or privacy. Consumers are increasingly embracing AI to improve and simplify their shopping journey, but with conditions. As adoption grows, so do expectations. Shoppers want the benefits of AI, but they also expect more visibility into how it's used, greater control over their data, and communications that feel personal and relevant. "Consumers want help, not hype," said Sophie Cheng, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Sinch. "They still want the benefits of AI, but they expect brands to prove it's working in their interest. If your AI feels invasive or unverified, you won't convert. Trust is the conversion engine this BF/CM. The brands that win will prove their communications are secure, relevant, and authentic." Sinch surveyed consumers across seven global markets to understand their views on AI and holiday shopping. The data shows shifting expectations: 48% say AI will simplify their BF/CM shopping say AI will simplify their BF/CM shopping 53% want AI-powered order tracking, while 38% are open to chatbot-based customer support want AI-powered order tracking, while are open to chatbot-based customer support Personalization and brand trust are under pressure with a 43% YoY increase in consumers mentioning personalized messages feel invasive Findings from Sinch's State of Customer Communications 2025 report reinforce that trust is the new differentiator: Only 32% feel comfortable sharing personal preferences with an AI assistant feel comfortable sharing personal preferences with an AI assistant 53% of consumers report receiving legitimate brand messages they initially thought were spam report receiving legitimate brand messages they initially thought were spam 79% say they trust messages more when verified with brand logos or sender IDs say they trust messages more when verified with brand logos or sender IDs 72% find AI-powered recommendations helpful, but only when delivered in the right context and channel Together, these insights point to a rising demand for verified, value-driven communication. Consumers are not rejecting personalization or AI, they're rejecting communication that feels disconnected, generic, or unclear. They are looking for meaningful interactions and valuable insights, not just a lot of repeated or overwhelming information. What this means for brands heading into BF/CM 2025 Frictionless commerce is no longer enough. To earn attention and loyalty during the 2025 peak shopping season, brands must deliver secure, transparent experiences that put trust first. Sinch enables this shift through privacy-first, scalable communications infrastructure trusted by global enterprises. On Black Friday 2024, Sinch delivered over 800 million SMS messages, a 23% increase from 2023, with 99.99% uptime and enterprise-grade encryption. With tools for verified messaging, rich customer journeys, and secure AI interactions, Sinch helps brands close the trust gap at scale. This BF/CM, the difference between being ignored or engaged, could come down to one thing: trust. To read the full 2025 BF/CM Consumer Report and explore how Sinch can help support you with smarter holiday campaigns, visit www.sinch.com. For more information please contact: Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications janet.lennon@sinch.com | 1.206.914.6175 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/despite-48--interest--over-90--of-global-consumers-have-reservations-about-ai-for-bf-cm,c4214918 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/despite-48-interest-over-90-of-global-consumers-have-reservations-about-ai-for-bfcm-302522946.html Platform's Continued International Growth Unlocks New Opportunities for Independent Retailers and Brands Around the Globe Faire, the leading online wholesale platform, today announced its expansion into New Zealand and 14 additional countries across Europe, making its global network of curated brands and powerful business tools available to independent retailers across nearly 35 countries worldwide. This expansion marks Faire's broadest international rollout to date and underscores its growing role as the preferred platform for independent retailers and brands worldwide. Over the past four years, Faire has rapidly expanded across Europe's largest markets, covering 70% of Europe's GDP and becoming a key global partner for independent businesses navigating a complex retail landscape. Today, Europe is growing twice as fast as North America, with brands on the continent fulfilling over 2 million orders on Faire and retailers spending nearly $500 million to date. "Independent retailers are the heart of local economies around the world, and our mission has always been to help them thrive," said Max Rhodes, co-founder and CEO of Faire. "This expansion doubles our reach across Europe and extends our community of retailers and brands into New Zealand giving thousands more shop owners access to the products, tools, and support they need to grow. We're proud to continue building a global network where local retail can flourish without borders." This European expansion includes launches in Croatia, Cyprus, Estonia, Greece, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Bulgaria, Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Romania and comes at a critical time for independent retail communities. Countries like Bulgaria and Romania are among the fastest-growing retail economies in Europe, yet local retailers historically faced barriers to accessing international products and suppliers. With Faire's platform, shop owners in cities like Athens, Krakow, and Ljubljana can now stock curated international goods with the same ease as retailers in Paris or New York. More than 35,000 retailers across these countries have already joined Faire's waitlist, and brands in these markets have listed over 115,000 products on the platform, signaling a vibrant wholesale ecosystem ready to grow. Lithuania-based home and accessories brand, Linen Tales, joined the platform in 2019 to reach retailers in new markets. "Faire has helped us reach retailers across the world and their customers love our linen home textiles. New retailers discover us through the platform every week, place their first orders easily, and often come back for more," said Linen Tales founder, Boris Symulevic. Since then, they've achieved over $3 million in order volume and are stocked in nearly 2,000 retailers through the platform. "You should try Faire if you want to discover unique new products for your shop." With Faire's continued expansion, brands like Linen Tales can now reach retailers in even more countries, introducing their products to new markets and customers across Europe and beyond. Faire offers retailers access to over 100,000 brands, flexible 60-day payment terms, simplified logistics, and personalized product recommendations all designed to make wholesale easier and more efficient. Over the past four years, the company has made major investments in its international operations, including localized currency and VAT support, multi-language capabilities, and a robust shipping and logistics infrastructure. Its European headquarters in the UK continues to grow, with roughly 100 employees supporting customers in multiple languages and markets. The addition of New Zealand also builds on Faire's strong performance in Australia, where the company launched in 2022. Since then, the platform has enabled more than 170,000 orders for 4,000 Australian brands, and over 10,000 Australian retailers are transacting on the platform, demonstrating clear demand for Faire in the region. The move into New Zealand strengthens Faire's presence in Oceania and provides Australian brands with expanded regional reach while giving New Zealand retailers access to Faire's global network of suppliers. As local economies continue to digitize and appetite for cross-border commerce grows, Faire's expansion represents a future where local doesn't mean limited. About Faire: Faire is an online wholesale platform used by independent retailers to discover, source, and sell unique products from around the corner and around the world. Faire's data-driven approach levels the playing field for independent retailers by offering net 60 payment terms and free returns on opening orders, eliminating inventory risk and providing access to capital-key offerings previously only available to the largest retail chains. For brands, the platform provides powerful sales, marketing, and analytics tools, so sellers can simplify their wholesale business and focus on making great products. To date, Faire has facilitated over 10M new connections between brands and retailers on the platform. For more information, visit www.faire.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806417859/en/ Contacts: Charlotte Broadbent charlotte.broadbent@faire.com +447850762430 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Goldstorm Metals Corp. (TSXV: GSTM) (FSE: B2U) ("Goldstorm" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has contracted with Simcoe Geoscience Limited to complete ground-based Magnetotelluric (MT) and Induced Polarization (IP) geophysical programs (the "Programs") targeting the Copernicus Zone and other geochemical anomalies along the Orion Spine on the Company's 100%-owned Crown Property. The Crown Property covers approximately 16,000 hectares situated adjacent to, and due south of, both Seabridge Gold Inc.'s KSM gold-copper project and Newmont's Brucejack gold mine. See below to view the Crown Property location and concession map. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/261450_3c383d407490b8a8_002full.jpg Ken Konkin, P. Geo., President and CEO, comments, "We are excited to begin this geophysical phase of exploration on the Crown Project that will assist our team in prioritizing drill targets along the Orion Spine, which is located directly south of, and on trend with the extensive string of Treaty-KSM gold-copper porphyry deposits. The geophysical surveys will focus on the known zones of mineralization at Copernicus. We expect the results of the surveys to considerably improve our geologic understanding of the project as we prepare for preliminary exploration drilling. The goal is to evaluate the underlying geology along the 1.4-kilometer trend of the Copernicus Zone to determine if a large intrusive-related target at depth may be the source for the mobilized copper-gold-silver mineralization identified on surface. The IP study will cover 3.5-kilometers of the impressive, anomalous gold-in-rock geochemical trend that extends along the north-south oriented Orion Spine. We hope that the IP will outline conductivity anomalies that may represent larger mineralized targets, as well as identify major regional structures that are known to play an important role in the geological model for the porphyry systems located on trend to the north, at KSM and at Treaty Creek. The geophysical programs will commence in mid-August and should take a few weeks to complete. We plan to undertake 15-line-kilometres of Alpha IP surveys from five parallel lines, each extending approximately three kilometers in length, with a high-definition dipole spacing of 100 m. The study is estimated to test the survey area to a depth of at least 900 meters." See below to view the Orion Spine rock geochemical gold anomalies and area of proposed geophysical surveying at Copernicus. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/9214/261450_3c383d407490b8a8_003full.jpg Goldstorm Metals also announces that further to the Company's news release dated June 27, 2025, the Company clarifies it raised gross proceeds of $2,088,903.64 through the issuance of: (i) 15,441,482 NFT units of the Company sold at a price of seven cents per NFT unit for gross proceeds of $1,080,903.74; and (ii) 9,999,999 flow-through units of the company sold at a price of 10.08 cents per FT unit for gross proceeds of $1,007,999.90. The Company also clarifies it paid cash commissions of $42,596.38 and issued 608,519 non-transferable finders' warrants to certain finders. Qualified Person The Qualified Person for this news release for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 is the Company's President and CEO, Ken Konkin, P.Geo. He has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this news release. QA/QC All samples were prepared at MSA Labs' Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC and assayed at MSA Labs' Geochemical Laboratory in Langley, BC. Gold was assayed using a fire assay with atomic absorption (AA) spectrometry finish. Samples over 10 ppm gold were fire assayed with gravimetric finish. All samples were analyzed by four acid digestion with multi-element ICP-MS, with silver and base metal over-limits being reanalyzed by emission spectrometry. MSA Laboratories quality system complies with the requirements for the International Standards ISO 17025 and ISO 9001. MSA Labs is independent of the Company. About Goldstorm Metals Goldstorm Metals Corp. is a precious and base metals exploration company with a large strategic land position in the Golden Triangle of British Columbia, an area that hosts some of the largest and highest-grade gold deposits in the world. Goldstorm's flagship projects, Crown and Electrum, cover an area that totals 16,469 hectares over 6 concessions, of which 5 are contiguous. The Crown Project is situated directly south of Seabridge Gold's KSM gold-copper deposits and Newmont Corporation's Brucejack/Valley of the Kings gold mine. Electrum, also located in the Golden Triangle of BC, is situated directly between Newmont Corporation's Brucejack Mine, approximately 20 kilometers to the north, and the past producing Silbak Premier mine, 20 kilometers to the south. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GOLDSTORM METALS CORP. "Ken Konkin" Ken Konkin President and Chief Executive Officer Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance, including without limitation, the statement regarding the expectation that geologists are expected to complete a compilation study this winter once all assay results are received. Such a statement is a forward-looking statement and contains forward-looking information. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "intends" or "anticipates", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "should", "would" or "occur". Forward-looking statements are based on certain material assumptions and analysis made by Goldstorm and the opinions and estimates of management as of the date of this press release, including that geologists will complete a compilation study this winter once all assay results are received. These forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of Goldstorm to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information. Important factors that may cause actual results to vary, include, without limitation that geologists will not complete a compilation study this winter or at all. Although management of Goldstorm has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Goldstorm does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261450 SOURCE: Goldstorm Metals Corp. Third Anaergia facility for QGM in northern Italy Anaergia Inc. ("Anaergia," the "Company," "we," or "our") (TSX: ANRG) (OTCQX: ANRGF) announced today that its subsidiary, Anaergia S.r.l., signed the third contract with an entity owned by QGM S.a.r.l. ("QGM"), a partnership between Quercus Real Assets and Elionia, to develop a new state-of-the-art biomethane production plant in Ostellato, northern Italy. This plant, like the projects for QGM in Copparo and in Derovere, that Anaergia had announced on March 31, 2025, will leverage Anaergia's cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technologies to produce renewable biomethane from various types of agricultural residues, supporting Italy's ongoing commitment to sustainability and decarbonization. This facility will process approximately 47,000 tons per year of agricultural biomass and by-products to produce over 4 million cubic meters of methane annually. Like the other two QGM plants, this plant is also expected to be fully constructed and able to provide renewable biomethane to Italy's gas pipeline grid by mid-2026. Anaergia's total contracted value for this new project exceeds C$22 million. "This third facility is part of a broader, self-developed, portfolio that QGM has planned to invest in during the next three-to-five years in Italy as part of our organization's sustainability goals and with a view to become a player of reference in the biomethane industry," said Diego Biasi, Co-Founder and CEO of Quercus, a partner in QGM. "By adding this third facility to the others previously announced by QGM and Anaergia, we are fully on track to pursue our strategy to build a leading biomethane portfolio in Italy over the next years," said Danilo Fumarola, CEO and Founder of Elionia, also a partner in QGM. "This project highlights the constructive relationship between the parties, being the third facility we will build together, and serving as an example of Anaergia's commitment to developing long-term, repeat partnerships," said Assaf Onn, CEO of Anaergia. Therefore, this project is another example of companies working together to advance sustainable energy solutions, promoting responsible use of agricultural resources, and supporting Europe's broader environmental and decarbonization goals. About Quercus Real Assets Quercus Real Assets Limited is a renewable energy specialist focused on energy transition investments, with offices in London and Dubai. Diego Biasi and Simone Borla founded Quercus by establishing a Luxembourg-based fund which successfully completed over 1bn in gross investments from inception in five different successful strategies. In January 2020, Diego Biasi started to steer Quercus's business in response to the evolution of the energy sector into a more diversified strategic investment approach. Quercus has successfully completed over 40 deals up to date. Since 2010 the strategy of the company has been founded on the belief that the creation of long-term environmental and social capital underpins and strengthens investors' and shareholders' returns. Quercus is committed to developing business opportunities and supporting responsible investments for sustainable income and capital returns while contributing to a carbon-neutral future. For further information, please see: www.quercusrealassets.com For media enquiries please contact: info@quercusrealassets.com About Elionia Elionia is an investment vehicle dedicated to renewable energy and is part of a diverse and extensive portfolio managed by a prominent European family office based in Monaco. The portfolio spans multiple asset types, with a notable focus on legacy investments in shipping (www.gestionmaritime.com). Founded by Danilo Fumarola, Elionia was created with the vision of assembling a global portfolio of assets that are strategically positioned to generate energy from renewable sources. For media enquiries please contact: administration@elionia.com.cy About Anaergia Anaergia is a pioneering technology company in the renewable natural gas (RNG) sector, with over 250 patents dedicated to converting organic waste into sustainable solutions such as RNG, fertilizer, and water. We are committed to addressing a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through cost-effective processes. Our proprietary technologies, combined with our engineering expertise and vast experience in facility design, construction, and operation, position Anaergia as a leader in the RNG industry. With a proven track record of delivering hundreds of innovative projects over the past decade, we are well-equipped to tackle today's critical resource recovery challenges through diverse project delivery methods. As one of the few companies worldwide offering an integrated portfolio of end-to-end solutions, we effectively combine solid waste processing, wastewater treatment, organics recovery, high-efficiency anaerobic digestion, and biomethane production. Additionally, we operate RNG facilities owned by both third parties and Anaergia. This comprehensive approach not only reduces environmental impact but also significantly lowers costs associated with waste and wastewater treatment while mitigating GHG emissions. For further information please see: www.anaergia.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Anaergia's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited to, counterparty contractual performance, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives, the estimated volume of agricultural biomass and by-products to be treated at the plant, the timing of completion of construction of the plant, and the expected revenues from the project. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to counterparty contractual performance, the full development and funding of construction of the facility, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives, and the sufficient sourcing of food waste and power generation. The Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and under "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Anaergia does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Anaergia's operations or financial results are included in Anaergia's reports on file with Canadian regulatory authorities. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806894576/en/ Contacts: For media and/or investor relations please contact: IR@Anaergia.com Third Anaergia facility for QGM in northern Italy TREVIGLIO, Italy and BURLINGTON, ON, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Anaergia Inc. ("Anaergia," the "Company," "we," or "our") (TSX: ANRG) (OTCQX: ANRGF) announced today that its subsidiary, Anaergia S.r.l., signed the third contract with an entity owned by QGM S.a.r.l. ("QGM"), a partnership between Quercus Real Assets and Elionia, to develop a new state-of-the-art biomethane production plant in Ostellato, northern Italy. This plant, like the projects for QGM in Copparo and in Derovere, that Anaergia had announced on March 31, 2025, will leverage Anaergia's cutting-edge anaerobic digestion technologies to produce renewable biomethane from various types of agricultural residues, supporting Italy's ongoing commitment to sustainability and decarbonization. This facility will process approximately 47,000 tons per year of agricultural biomass and by-products to produce over 4 million cubic meters of methane annually. Like the other two QGM plants, this plant is also expected to be fully constructed and able to provide renewable biomethane to Italy's gas pipeline grid by mid-2026. Anaergia's total contracted value for this new project exceeds C$22 million. "This third facility is part of a broader, self-developed, portfolio that QGM has planned to invest in during the next three-to-five years in Italy as part of our organization's sustainability goals and with a view to become a player of reference in the biomethane industry," said Diego Biasi, Co-Founder and CEO of Quercus, a partner in QGM. "By adding this third facility to the others previously announced by QGM and Anaergia, we are fully on track to pursue our strategy to build a leading biomethane portfolio in Italy over the next years," said Danilo Fumarola, CEO and Founder of Elionia, also a partner in QGM. "This project highlights the constructive relationship between the parties, being the third facility we will build together, and serving as an example of Anaergia's commitment to developing long-term, repeat partnerships," said Assaf Onn, CEO of Anaergia. Therefore, this project is another example of companies working together to advance sustainable energy solutions, promoting responsible use of agricultural resources, and supporting Europe's broader environmental and decarbonization goals. About Quercus Real Assets Quercus Real Assets Limited is a renewable energy specialist focused on energy transition investments, with offices in London and Dubai. Diego Biasi and Simone Borla founded Quercus by establishing a Luxembourg-based fund which successfully completed over 1bn in gross investments from inception in five different successful strategies. In January 2020, Diego Biasi started to steer Quercus's business in response to the evolution of the energy sector into a more diversified strategic investment approach. Quercus has successfully completed over 40 deals up to date. Since 2010 the strategy of the company has been founded on the belief that the creation of long-term environmental and social capital underpins and strengthens investors' and shareholders' returns. Quercus is committed to developing business opportunities and supporting responsible investments for sustainable income and capital returns while contributing to a carbon-neutral future. For further information, please see:www.quercusrealassets.com About Elionia Elionia is an investment vehicle dedicated to renewable energy and is part of a diverse and extensive portfolio managed by a prominent European family office based in Monaco. The portfolio spans multiple asset types, with a notable focus on legacy investments in shipping (www.gestionmaritime.com). Founded by Danilo Fumarola, Elionia was created with the vision of assembling a global portfolio of assets that are strategically positioned to generate energy from renewable sources. About Anaergia Anaergia is a pioneering technology company in the renewable natural gas (RNG) sector, with over 250 patents dedicated to converting organic waste into sustainable solutions such as RNG, fertilizer, and water. We are committed to addressing a significant source of greenhouse gases (GHGs) through cost-effective processes. Our proprietary technologies, combined with our engineering expertise and vast experience in facility design, construction, and operation, position Anaergia as a leader in the RNG industry. With a proven track record of delivering hundreds of innovative projects over the past decade, we are well-equipped to tackle today's critical resource recovery challenges through diverse project delivery methods. As one of the few companies worldwide offering an integrated portfolio of end-to-end solutions, we effectively combine solid waste processing, wastewater treatment, organics recovery, high-efficiency anaerobic digestion, and biomethane production. Additionally, we operate RNG facilities owned by both third parties and Anaergia. This comprehensive approach not only reduces environmental impact but also significantly lowers costs associated with waste and wastewater treatment while mitigating GHG emissions. For further information please see: www.anaergia.com Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities legislation, which reflects Anaergia's current expectations regarding future events, including but not limited to, counterparty contractual performance, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives, the estimated volume of agricultural biomass and by-products to be treated at the plant, the timing of completion of construction of the plant, and the expected revenues from the project. Forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including, but not limited to counterparty contractual performance, the full development and funding of construction of the facility, the capability of the Company's technology and performance with respect to the project objectives, and the sufficient sourcing of food waste and power generation. The Company is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's annual information form for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, and under "Risks and Uncertainties" in the Company's most recent management's discussion and analysis. Actual results could differ materially from those projected herein. Anaergia does not undertake any obligation to update such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required under applicable securities laws. Additional information on these and other factors that could affect Anaergia's operations or financial results are included in Anaergia's reports on file with Canadian regulatory authorities. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744549/Quercus_Logo.jpg Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744550/Anaergia_Logo.jpg View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/anaergia-srl-to-provide-advanced-technologies-for-new-anaerobic-digestion-facility-in-ostellato-italy-being-developed-by-qgm-302522358.html BANGKOK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai today welcomed senior executives from 30 global companies from diverse sectors, which have all made significant investments in strategic industries in Thailand over the past two years, to reaffirm the government's commitment to welcome foreign investment and provide an update on the progress made in the implementation of key initiatives to strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in the world market. The event, "Confidence in Thailand's Future - Prime Minister's Dialogue with Global Investors," was held at the Government House in Bangkok. Joining the Acting Prime Minister in meeting the investors from Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, were Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). The participation of so many leading corporate entities just days after the announcement last week by the U.S. of an agreement on a 19% tariff on Thai imports, is reflecting strong investor confidence in Thailand. "While the 19% tariff rate on Thai-made goods is competitive compared to regional peers, the Thai government remains aware of the uncertainties surrounding the global economy and trade rules, and we are taking this opportunity to support the business sector by implementing mechanisms that will allow companies operating in our country to comply with global rules and to better mitigate risks," Mr. Phumtham told the gathering. "We are also strengthening Thailand's investment ecosystem and enhancing our competitiveness, through business-friendly regulations, the development of a highly skilled workforce, and an increase in the offer of clean and renewable energy." "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Thai government for its successful negotiation of the U.S. tariff rate, aligning it with the rates applied to other Southeast Asian countries," said Mr. Eiji Koizumi, Managing Director of Sony Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. "This effort significantly contributes to maintaining Thailand's competitiveness in the global market." Mr. Phumtham added that Thailand is negotiating increased market opening around the world for companies manufacturing in Thailand, to add on the 17 trade agreements Thailand currently has with a total of 24 countries. By accelerating negotiations with partners including the EU, South Korea, and Canada, Thailand expects to soon enhance the competitiveness of Thai exports in more than 50 countries, he added. Senior executives from several leading companies spoke during the dialogue to share their experiences and perspectives on investing in Thailand, including Infineon Technologies, Sony Technology, Changan Auto Southeast Asia, Nestle, and Google. "In today's fast-evolving global landscape, the ability to adapt, to welcome collaboration, and to foster trust between the public and private sectors is more important than ever. Thailand has exemplified this through its commitment to economic resilience, regulatory reform, and digital transformation," said Mr. Lim Wei Khoe, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Thailand. "Your vision and policies have not only strengthened investor confidence but have also encouraged innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across industries." Regarding the development of clean energy supply to support sustainable business operations, the Thai government through the Ministry of Energy and related agencies, launched the Utility Green Tariff (UGT1) mechanism, which provides clean energy services with certification for renewable energy use. Over 40 companies have expressed interest in applying for this service, Mr. Phumtham said. In addition, the government is preparing the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) mechanism, which allows electricity consumers to purchase electricity directly from producers. Initially, 2,000 megawatts of clean energy will be provided to the data center sector, which has high energy demand and long-term commitments. "Green tariff is important to our business. In fact, we have just announced our collaboration with Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to implement the UGT1 program across six factories in Thailand," said Mr. Victor Seah, Chairman and CEO of Nestle Indochina. "It will help companies like us meet our renewable energy goals." "This will also ensure a sustainable and greener future for Thailand. Google's commitment, like many of our peer companies, is to prioritize the use of clean energy and also play our role in this ecosystem" said Ms. Su Ann Lim, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google. "Google is committed not only to invest in digital infrastructure but also in the community. Through Leave no Thai Behind Program, Google has trained 3.6 million Thai in digital and AI skills." At the conclusion of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, the Board of Investment, and the six PCB companies attending the Dialogue to jointly work in the development of the vocational workforce for the PCB manufacturing sector. This initiative adds to several other projects to develop human resources in support of strategic industries, such as the Sandbox project for the advanced semiconductors and electronics sector, a collaboration between 15 universities and eight private companies, a part of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's (MHESI) plan to develop over 80,000 personnel in advanced semiconductors and electronics within five years. "This is a strong example of our government's commitment to developing a skilled workforce, a crucial foundation to maintain Thailand's competitiveness and meet the needs of the industrial sector," Mr. Phumtham said. "The Thai government and I are committed to putting in place the factors conducive to business development and building a strong foundation for the Thai economy. The government is ready to provide assistance in reducing obstacles to business operations, in a way that will ensure sustainable growth for your businesses and for Thailand." "We will establish a regional adaptive engineering center, with significant investment in R&D, infrastructure, testing equipment, smart facilities, and advanced technologies. Our goal is to bring top global talent to Thailand and build long-term technical capability here," said Mr. Wu Xiaokang, Vice President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia. "We are actively increasing recruitment of Thai local talent to support our expanding operations." Thailand's strong investment momentum and investors' confidence continue to be reflected in record numbers. In the first half of 2025, applications for investment promotion filed with the BOI increased by 139% year-on-year, reaching an unprecedented 1.06 trillion baht (ca. USD 32.5 billion). Notably, foreign direct investment (FDI) applications accounted for 70% of the total value. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111 Website: www.boi.go.th YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2745165/PM_meets_Global_Investors.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/thailands-government-reaffirms-commitment-to-strengthen-competitiveness-in-dialogue-with-30-global-investors-302523017.html Expanding access to high-performance solar technology through a trusted specialist in residential and C&I markets MILAN and CAMPOBELLO DI MAZARA, Italy, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- TCL SunPower Global, a leading provider of innovative solar energy solutions, is proud to announce a new strategic partnership with Energia Italia, one of Italy's most respected distributors specializing in residential and commercial & industrial (C&I) solar solutions. Through this partnership, Energia Italia will distribute the full range of TCL Solar panels, offering Italian installers versatile, value-driven products backed by robust warranties and engineered for real-world performance. Energia Italia is renowned for its deep market expertise, strong installer relationships, and commitment to training and marketing support-making it an ideal partner for the launch of the TCL Solar brand in Italy. The company's leadership team has demonstrated strong alignment with the vision of TCL, the parent company of TCL SunPower Global, having recently visited TCL's manufacturing facilities and headquarters in China. Their endorsement reflects confidence in TCL's potential to become a benchmark brand in the Italian market, striking a balance between strategic commercial cooperation and innovative product offerings. "Our partnership with Energia Italia is about serving each market channel-and ultimately, each end customer-better than our competitors," said Steven Zhang, General Manager of TCL SunPower Global. "By working with a distributor that truly understands the needs of Italian installers and homeowners, we're ensuring that TCL Solar solutions are not only accessible but also supported by expert guidance and reliable service. Together, we're making it easier for installers and operators across Italy to embrace clean energy with confidence." This partnership also aligns with TCL's broader strategic vision to strengthen its presence in the electrical distribution sector. As the parent company of TCL SunPower Global, TCL is actively expanding its energy solutions portfolio-including solar, climate control, and heat pump technologies-through trusted, forward-looking partners. Following the recent acquisition of Energia Italia by Gruppo Marigliano, the collaboration gains further momentum, leveraging the combined reach and expertise of both entities. The agreement aims to introduce TCL Solar solutions across the various business units of Gruppo Marigliano throughout Italy, combining innovative products with tailored solutions for different regional market needs. "We see TCL SunPower Global as a strategic partner aligned with the ambitious goals of this new chapter in Energia Italia's journey," said Giuseppe Maltese, Sales Director of Energia Italia s.p.a. "What sets the TCL SunPower Global project is its clear, unified strategy across partner channels-driven by people who share our ambition and vision. This agreement marks an exciting phase of growth for Energia Italia, opening new avenues and expanding our reach to a broader customer base". About TCL SunPower Global TCL SunPower Global, a proud member of the TCL Group, stands at the forefront of pioneering solar energy solutions. As a brand trusted by millions of homeowners, businesses, and energy producers around the globe, we are committed to empowering a sustainable connected future and transforming the way our world is powered. Leveraging our 40 years of experience in solar, we are fast-tracking the transition to clean, renewable energy, ensuring a brighter tomorrow for all. Find more at https://sunpowerglobal.com and on LinkedIn. About Energia Italia Energia Italia is a proud company of Gruppo Marigliano, Italian leader in the distribution of electrical and plumbing equipment with 3,000 employees, 1.4 billion in turnover, 14 companies and 127 branches throughout the country. With more than 20 years of experience based on renewable energy and energy independence, Energia Italia has always been focused on sustainable development and in the last decades has become a point of reference for thousands of Italian installers, focusing on quality technologies and training for photovoltaic's professionals. Find out more on https://energiaitalia.info/ and on LinkedIn. For media inquiries, please contact: TCL SunPower Global Anna Porta: anna.porta@sunpowerglobal.com Energia Italia Francesco Agusta: f.agusta@sunpowerglobal.com Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744663/TCL_SunPower_Global_Partners_with_Energia_Italia.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2680312/5446538/TCL_SunPower_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/tcl-sunpower-global-and-energia-italia-announce-strategic-distribution-partnership-302522382.html Middletown, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - UltaHost has announced its most ambitious expansion plan to date for the 3rd quarter of 2025. The comprehensive growth strategy includes the launch of 7 new strategic locations across four continents, including Italy, Paris, and Sweden, deployment of cutting-edge AMD 9005 and Ryzen 9 series processors, and the introduction of specialized GPU-enabled configurations to meet evolving customer demands. To support these expansions, UltaHost has committed $4.6 million in server orders for Q3 2025, with more than 800 servers scheduled for deployment across the new locations. This substantial infrastructure investment underscores the company's confidence in market demand and commitment to providing enterprise-grade capacity and performance. Commenting on the expansion initiative, UltaHost's CEO Elin Doughouz emphasized the company's customer-centric approach: "With these new data centers spanning three continents, we're not just keeping pace with global demand; we're anticipating it. Our clients deserve lightning-fast performance whether they're in Manhattan or Mumbai, and this expansion ensures we deliver on that promise." Strategic Global Expansion Building on the successful deployment of data centers earlier this year, UltaHost is accelerating its international presence with new Virtual Private Server (VPS) locations in Kuala Lumpur, Zurich and Oslo. The company's Q3 roadmap includes strategic expansion into eight additional markets: Americas: New York, Dallas, and Los Angeles will provide enhanced coverage across the United States, ensuring low-latency access for North American customers and supporting the growing demand for edge computing solutions. Asia-Pacific: Singapore, South Korea, Tokyo, and Mumbai represent UltaHost's commitment to serving the rapidly expanding Asian market, where digital transformation initiatives are driving unprecedented demand for reliable hosting infrastructure. Europe: Major expansions in Warsaw, Norway, Italy, Paris, and Sweden will strengthen UltaHost's European footprint, while Zurich will serve as a strategic hub for the DACH region. Next-Generation Technology Infrastructure UltaHost's expansion is the deployment of industry-leading AMD technology. All new locations will feature the latest AMD 9005 series and Ryzen 9 series processors, delivering high performance, energy efficiency, and cost-effectiveness for customers across all service tiers. The expansion encompasses UltaHost's complete service: Enhanced VPS Solutions: Leveraging AMD's advanced architecture for improved computational performance. MAC VPS Services: Specialized macOS virtualization solutions for development and creative workflows. Dedicated Server Offerings: High-performance bare-metal solutions with customizable configurations. GPU-Enabled Infrastructure: New GPU options designed to support AI workloads, machine learning applications, and high-performance computing requirements. Meeting Market Demand This expansion reflects UltaHost commitment to staying ahead of rapidly evolving market demands. UltaHost plan to establish presence in key global markets and deploy next-gen technology. UltaHost plans to position themselves to serve customers who require both performance and geographic proximity for their critical applications. The strategic placement of new locations is designed to address several key market trends: Reduced Latency: Geographic distribution ensures optimal performance for users worldwide Data Sovereignty: Local presence supports compliance with regional data protection regulations Disaster Recovery: Multiple locations provide robust backup and failover capabilities Market Access: Strategic positioning in major economic centers facilitates business expansion for customers Industry Impact UltaHost's expansion comes at a time when global demand for cloud infrastructure continues to see an upward trend. The company's investment in AMD's latest processor technology positions it to capitalize on the performance advantages, including improved single-threaded performance, enhanced security features, and better power efficiency. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261454 SOURCE: GYT SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTC PINK:ILAL), a leading international land investment and development firm, announced today the launch of a series of live Zoom webinars designed to provide prospective homebuyers and investors with an immersive, real-time look at the Company's flagship development, Rancho Costa Verde , located in the scenic San Felipe region of Baja, Mexico. The inaugural webinar, hosted by ILAL's Vice President of Marketing Robert Rios, will be held Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. PDT (10:00 p.m. EDT) . Attendees can register in advance at: Zoom Registration Link "There has been so much interest nationwide, and not everyone can travel to San Diego and then Baja-so we decided to bring Baja to them," said ILAL President Frank Ingrande. "This is the first of many events, and we're excited to eventually broadcast future sessions directly from the resort community itself." The webinars aim to bridge the gap between lifestyle homebuyers and the investment community by offering both groups a transparent look into ILAL's unique vision. Rancho Costa Verde is a sustainable, solar-powered residential resort development offering affordable, high-quality homes along the Sea of Cortez. "Why can't we create crossover excitement between intelligent homebuyers and savvy pubco investors?" Ingrande added. "The Zoom webinars are a vehicle for transparency and engagement. Our goal is to show-not just tell-what makes our company and properties so unique." As a special incentive, participants who complete the post-event survey will receive a complimentary 3-day, 2-night Baja Weekend Getaway , which includes transportation from San Diego, accommodations, and most meals. In a further strategic development, ILAL has secured an exclusive agreement to become the sole licensed reseller in Mexico for a popular U.S.-based tiny home product line , furthering its commitment to sustainable living. Full details will be released in a separate announcement scheduled for pre-market Tuesday, August 12 . For more information about ILAL and its properties, visit www.ila.company Media Contact: Investor Relations International Land Alliance, Inc. Email: info@ila.company Phone: (877) 661-4811 About International Land Alliance, Inc. International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTC PINK:ILAL) is an international land investment and development firm based in San Diego, California. As its' core mission, the Company has embraced technology for sustainable and socially responsible solutions, in addition to using proptech and construction tech advanced applications to meet these goals. The Company is focused on acquiring attractive raw land primarily in Northern Baja California, often within driving distance from Southern California. The Company serves its shareholders by allotting considerable resources to seek out the finest sites available and obtaining the necessary development permits to build a compelling portfolio of properties, which provide a diversity of investment and living options. Please visit: www.ila.company Safe Harbor Statement The press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts but are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include the description of our plans and objectives for future operations, assumptions underlying such plans and objectives, and other forward-looking terminology such as "may," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. Such information is based upon various assumptions made by, and expectations of, our management that were reasonable when made but may prove to be incorrect. All such assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control and upon assumptions with respect to the future business decisions which are subject to change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that actual results will meet expectations, and actual results may vary (perhaps materially) from certain of the results anticipated herein. SOURCE: International Land Alliance, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/international-land-alliance-brings-baja-to-buyers-with-live-zoom-1057118 Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Primary Hydrogen Corp. (TSXV: HDRO) (FSE: 83W0) (OTCQB: HNATF) ("Primary" or the "Company") announces that it has entered into a definitive agreement dated August 5, 2025 (the "Definitive Agreement") with J4 Ventures Inc. ("J4"), a TSXV-listed capital pool company, for the sale of a 100% interest in the Arthur Lake Property (the "Property") located in British Columbia. Pursuant to the terms of the Definitive Agreement, J4 will acquire the Property by issuing to Primary Hydrogen (i) 500,000 common shares of J4 and (ii) a cash payment of C$50,000, both payable on closing. Primary Hydrogen will also retain a 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty on the Property. Closing of the transaction is subject to customary conditions, including but not limited to: Completion of a National Instrument 43-101 compliant technical report on the Arthur Lake Property acceptable to the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"); Completion of a minimum C$600,000 financing by J4; Completion of satisfactory due diligence by both parties; Receipt of all required regulatory and third-party approvals; and Acceptance of the transaction by the TSXV. There can be no assurance that the transaction will be completed as proposed or at all. The transaction is arm's length and is not expected to require shareholder approval by J4. If completed, J4 is expected to be listed as a Tier 2 mining issuer on the TSXV. About Primary Hydrogen Corp. Primary Hydrogen is dedicated to the exploration and development of natural hydrogen resources. With over 740 acres in the U.S. and 230 square kilometers across Canada, the Company's portfolio includes the Blakelock, Hopkins, Mary's Harbour, Point Rosie, Crooked Amphibolite, Coquihalla, and Cogburn projects. Primary also holds the Arthur Lake copper project in British Columbia and has an option to acquire a 75% interest in a hydrogen-REE project known as Wicheeda North, also located in British Columbia. -- CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the completion of the proposed transaction with J4 Ventures Inc., required approvals, the anticipated TSXV listing of J4 as a Tier 2 mining issuer, and the Company's project holdings and exploration plans. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions, including the ability to satisfy closing conditions, receipt of required regulatory approvals, and the parties' ability to complete the transaction as contemplated. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, delays or failure to obtain necessary approvals, changes in market or regulatory conditions, or the inability to complete the transaction on the proposed terms. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update these statements to reflect future events or circumstances. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in TSX Venture Exchange policies) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261441 SOURCE: Primary Hydrogen Corp. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company"), a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands is pleased to announce that one of their existing franchisees for Rosie's Burgers ("Rosie's") in Alberta, who earlier this year announced their first Rosie's will be located at the University of Alberta, has now signed for their second franchise agreement alongside a newly secured real estate location in Edmonton's Brewery District. Rosie's Burgers is a boutique QSR restaurant brand serving original recipe smash burgers, poutine, onion rings, milkshakes and more. Happy Belly 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/261460_4e49da7324d39875_001full.jpg "Expanding into Edmonton's vibrant Brewery District marks another exciting step forward in our national rollout strategy. This high-traffic, culturally rich area next door to McEwan University, home to over 19,000 students, is an ideal fit for our Rosie's brand, offering strong visibility and access to a diverse customer base. The Brewery District accommodates an urban lifestyle with its unique services - all conveniently located within a short distance. The development offers an architectural design that is both historical while incorporating the principles of smart urban development and green building practices. This new location is also steps away from Rogers Place, Mountain Equipment Co-op, Cobs Bread, and many other well-known brands. As we continue to establish a presence in key urban markets, Alberta has proven to be a high-performing region for our portfolio of emerging QSR brands. With new locations underway and additional real estate in active negotiation, we remain focused on delivering thoughtful, sustained growth across Canada's top performing trade areas," said Sean Black, Chief Executive Officer of Happy Belly. "We are thrilled to welcome another franchisee stepping into multi-unit ownership-a move that speaks volumes about the confidence our partners have in both the brand and our broader strategic direction. Rosie's Burgers is gaining real momentum as a standout concept in the QSR space, thanks to its strong consumer appeal and product excellence. The pace at which franchise agreements are being signed, particularly in competitive regions like Alberta, reinforces the scalability of our model and the opportunity we're unlocking across Canada." Happy Belly 2 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/261460_4e49da7324d39875_003full.jpg "With 115 Rosie's locations already secured under Multi-Unit and Area Development agreements across key provinces-including Atlantic Canada, Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan-the brand is set to scale rapidly in the years ahead. Our dual expansion strategy, combining franchised growth with targeted corporate store openings, reinforces our commitment to accelerating Rosie's development. With a proven track record in the burger space, a solid foundation in organic growth, and a high-performing franchise model, Rosie's Burgers is on track to become Canada's leading smash burger brand." Happy Belly 3 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/261460_4e49da7324d39875_004full.jpg "Happy Belly's portfolio continues to scale rapidly, with 616 retail locations secured across Canada under Multi-Unit and Area Development Agreements-encompassing stores in development, under construction, and already operating. Our consistent pipeline growth is a result of aligning with experienced partners and securing high-quality, high-traffic real estate. As we execute our expansion strategy through 2025 and 2026, each new opening brings us closer to our goal of becoming Canada's leading restaurant consolidator. With a focus on operational discipline and brand scalability, we remain committed to delivering long-term shareholder value and building a high-performance platform of emerging restaurant brands." "We are just getting started," said Sean Black. About Rosie's Burgers Deliciously handcrafted smashed burgers, golden fries, and classic milkshakes. Rosie's is your neighbourhood burger shop serving up nostalgic flavours you know, love, and crave. From our Smashburger's and French fries to strawberry shakes and onion rings-we're all about keeping things simple and perfecting tradition. Because the classics were made classic for a reason, right? Franchising For franchising inquiries please see www.happybellyfg.com/franchise-with-us/ or contact us at hello@happybellyfg.com. About Happy Belly Food Group Happy Belly Food Group Inc. (CSE: HBFG) (OTCQB: HBFGF) ("Happy Belly" or the "Company") a leader in acquiring and scaling emerging food brands. Happy Belly 4 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6625/261460_4e49da7324d39875_005full.jpg Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release, which has been prepared by management. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements All statements in this press release, other than statements of historical fact, are "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-Looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur and include the future performance of Happy Belly and her subsidiaries. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the business plans for Happy Belly described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. For a description of the risks and uncertainties facing the Company and its business and affairs, readers should refer to the Company's Management's Discussion and Analysis and other disclosure filings with Canadian securities regulators, which are posted on www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261460 SOURCE: Happy Belly Food Group Inc. Invests in driver-partner loyalty programs as key competitive differentiator in Singapore SINGAPORE, SG / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Ryde Group Ltd (NYSE American: RYDE) ("Ryde' or the "Company"), a leading platform for mobility and quick commerce, announced the successful completion of its Singapore National Day driver engagement initiative, part of the Company's strategic focus on driver retention and platform differentiation in Singapore's highly competitive mobility market. This initiative, celebrating Singapore's 60th independence anniversary and the vital role played by driver-partners in building a more connected and inclusive Singapore, demonstrates Ryde's data-driven approach to driver loyalty-a critical factor for sustainable growth and competitive positioning in the mobility sector. With over 600 driver-partners invited to collect limited-edition black National Day T-shirts and Ryde decals through a convenient drive-by pick-up point on Victoria Street, the program reinforces Ryde's strategy to differentiate through superior driver experience and community engagement. Driver-partners appreciated the convenience of the setup, which allowed them to collect their commemorative items without disrupting their daily schedules-a testament to Ryde's understanding of their operational needs. "This National Day initiative represents more than celebration-it's a strategic investment in our most valuable asset: our driver-partner network," said Suraj Raj, Senior Manager, Group Corporate Communications & Branding of Ryde Group. "With strong driver participation rates, we are continuing to see direct correlation between community investment and key business metrics. This strategic approach to driver-partner relations positions us for sustainable growth in Singapore and beyond." Strategic Driver-Partner Retention Drives Competitive Advantage The National Day event is part of Ryde's broader strategy to actively engage and empower its driver-partner community. It follows a series of successful initiatives including the Annual CNY Lunch, the RydeHongbao red packet giveaway, and the MakanWithRyde food drive-all of which aim to foster stronger bonds, uplift morale, and build long-term loyalty. This comprehensive approach to community building sets Ryde apart in Singapore's competitive ride-hailing landscape. While other platforms focus primarily on transactional relationships, Ryde invests in creating meaningful connections that extend beyond daily operations. The company's consistent year-round engagement strategy has resulted in higher driver retention rates and increased platform advocacy among its driver-partner community. Ms. Siti, a veteran Ryde driver-partner, shared her enthusiasm: "This SG60 celebration is more than just a giveaway-it's about recognition, inclusion, and pride. Ryde continues to show they value us not just as service providers, but as part of something bigger. Wearing this National Day shirt makes me proud to represent both Singapore and Ryde." Another driver-partner, Mr. Ismail, expressed his appreciation: "After driving for many platforms, Ryde truly stands out. This SG60 event shows they remember us during important national moments. It makes me feel valued and part of the Singapore story." Zero-Commission Model Creates Sustainable Competitive Moat Central to Ryde's driver-partner retention strategy is its industry-leading 0% commission model, which allows driver-partners to retain most of their earnings. This structural advantage creates a significant competitive moat in Singapore where major competitors extract over 20% commissions, directly impacting driver-partners' take-home earnings. The zero-commission approach, combined with community engagement initiatives, generates a "dual-value proposition" that addresses both financial and psychological driver-partner needs. This model has proven particularly effective in attracting high-quality, professional drivers who value transparent compensation structures and community recognition. Our focus is on building sustainable competitive advantages through driver-centric policies that prioritize long-term retention over short-term acquisition metrics. ESG Commitment and Sustainable Development Ryde's community-focused efforts also contribute to broader Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) goals, aligning with key UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth : By recognizing and celebrating driver-partners' contributions, Ryde fosters fair and dignified work. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities: Through inclusive and grassroots-led initiatives, Ryde strengthens community bonds and national unity. Growth Strategy and Market Expansion Outlook As Singapore marks 60 years of independence, Ryde continues to renew its commitment to building a more equitable, community-driven platform-one where driver-partners are heard, respected, and empowered to thrive alongside the nation's continued growth. Moving forward, Ryde plans to introduce additional community engagement initiatives that celebrate both local culture and driver-partner contributions. The company remains committed to its vision of creating a mobility ecosystem where technology serves humanity, communities are strengthened, and every stakeholder-from driver-partners to riders-benefits from a more connected Singapore. As competition for quality driver-partners intensifies across Southeast Asian mobility markets, retention-focused strategies become increasingly valuable for maintaining competitive positioning and achieving sustainable profitability targets. Ryde's community-first approach offers particular advantages in culturally diverse markets where local engagement and brand trust significantly impact adoption rates. To learn more about Ryde's ongoing driver-partner-focused initiatives, visit www.rydesharing.com . About Ryde Group Ltd Ryde, a homegrown super mobility app founded in Singapore, is the world's FIRST on-demand carpooling app since 2014! As a publicly listed company on the NYSE American, we are reimagining the way people and goods move around. We offer a full suite of services, including carpooling, private hire, taxi, and delivery, but what truly sets us apart is our commitment to empower our private-hire and taxi partners. We take 0% commission, ensuring that more of every hard-earned dollar goes to drivers on our platform. For more information, please visit https://rydesharing.com/ to learn more. Contacts For Media Relations: Media Team Ryde Group Ltd Email: media@rydesharing.com For Investor Relations: Investor Relations Team Ryde Group Ltd Email: investor@rydesharing.com FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS Statements in this press release about future expectations, plans and prospects, as well as any other statements regarding matters that are not historical facts, may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements relating to the expected trading commencement and closing dates. The words "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain these identifying words. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors . Any forward-looking statements contained in this press release speak only as of the date hereof, and Ryde Group Ltd specifically disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. SOURCE: Ryde Group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/ryde-strengthens-driver-partner-retention-strategy-with-singapore-1057139 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA) (OTC Pink: MDNGF) ("Midnight Sun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that diamond drilling has commenced at the Company's flagship Dumbwa Target on the Solwezi Project in Zambia. Drill locations were finalized following a rigorous analysis and review of all available data, including geochemical sampling, airborne VTEM survey, previous drill results, and the recent dipole-dipole induced polarization ("IP") survey (see press release dated July 17, 2025). The drill program has begun with one diamond drill rig, and a second drill is en route and scheduled to arrive on site shortly to expedite the program. Midnight Sun's COO, Kevin Bonel, states: "When I first visited Dumbwa almost two years ago, it immediately brought to mind my early days working on Lumwana-now a crown jewel of Barrick's copper portfolio and one of the largest deposits in Zambia. The similarities between the two sites were remarkable, and I quickly recognized the geological traits they shared. Both are hosted in basement dome geology, exhibit layered mineralization, and show extensive copper clearings at surface highlighting the strength of these systems. I knew right away this was a project I wanted to be a part of. Now, as we progress at Dumbwa, that excitement continues to remain high. Applying the same approach my team and I used at Lumwana, we've carefully interpreted the promising results from the IP survey in the context of previously existing data, and I believe this has provided a clear roadmap to defining Dumbwa's potential." The initial focus is to confirm and correlate disseminated copper sulphide mineralization with the target horizon as interpreted by the IP chargeability response. The initial hole is situated on the eastern half of IP Line 2 and tests a very strong chargeability anomaly. About Dumbwa: Dumbwa represents a near-surface, low-strip, bulk-tonnage exploration target with geology and mineralization closely resembling Barrick's Lumwana Mine, ~60 kilometres to the west. Dumbwa boasts a high-grade copper-in-soil anomaly extending ~20 kilometers along strike and more than 1 kilometer wide, with peak copper values reaching 0.73%. Previous drilling has confirmed sulphide copper mineralization, but additional drilling guided by structural controls is needed to better define the dip, continuity, size, and scale of the system. Multiple stacked mineralized horizons have been identified, which appear to be similar in deposition to those found at the Lumwana Mine. The recent dipole-dipole IP survey, covering the southern 11.5 kilometers of the strike extent, has revealed the structural framework of the Dumbwa target, critical for understanding its geometry. The interpreted IP results indicate a horizon that varies from relatively flat-lying and gently dipping, to areas with clear evidence of folding, ranging from open folds to very tight upright folds. There is a strong correlation between the mineralized intervals encountered in prior drilling at Dumbwa and the target horizon interpreted from the IP data. Additionally, a positive relationship exists between this horizon and the overlying soil anomaly. The interpreted IP survey also identified several major cross-cutting structures, which help explain offsets between historical soil geochemistry and previously drilled mineralization. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2553/261404_9c8d090a84a6fbc0_001full.jpg Dumbwa Drill Collar Location 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2553/261404_9c8d090a84a6fbc0_002full.jpg Qualified Person: Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., a consulting geologist for the Company and Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical data and contents of this release. About Midnight Sun Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by producing copper mines, including Africa's largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Sun's goal is to find and develop Zambia's next generational copper deposit. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP. Al Fabbro President & CEO NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions, geological theories, and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about any information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking statements." Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (which may, but not always, include phrases such as "anticipates", "plans", "scheduled", "believed" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and the timing of the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; risks relating to property interests; risks related to access to the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration, including the fact that any particular phase of exploration may be unsuccessful; the availability of contractors; geo-political risks; the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental risks; political risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Further to this, geological similarities or characteristics are not guarantees or certainties of successful exploration. Neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261404 SOURCE: Midnight Sun Mining Corp. SAN DIEGO, Aug 6, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB: ILAL), a leading international land investment and development firm, announced today the launch of a series of live Zoom webinars designed to provide prospective homebuyers and investors with an immersive, real-time look at the Company's flagship development, Rancho Costa Verde, located in the scenic San Felipe region of Baja, Mexico.The inaugural webinar, hosted by ILAL's Vice President of Marketing Robert Rios, will be held Thursday, August 6 at 7:00 p.m. PDT (10:00 p.m. EDT). Attendees can register in advance at: Zoom Registration Link"There has been so much interest nationwide, and not everyone can travel to San Diego and then Baja so we decided to bring Baja to them," said ILAL President Frank Ingrande. "This is the first of many events, and we re excited to eventually broadcast future sessions directly from the resort community itself."The webinars aim to bridge the gap between lifestyle homebuyers and the investment community by offering both groups a transparent look into ILAL's unique vision. Rancho Costa Verde is a sustainable, solar-powered residential resort development offering affordable, high-quality homes along the Sea of Cortez."Why can't we create crossover excitement between intelligent homebuyers and savvy pubco investors Ingrande added. "The Zoom webinars are a vehicle for transparency and engagement. Our goal is to show not just tell what makes our company and properties so unique."As a special incentive, participants who complete the post-event survey will receive a complimentary 3-day, 2-night Baja Weekend Getaway, which includes transportation from San Diego, accommodations, and most meals.In a further strategic development, ILAL has secured an exclusive agreement to become the sole licensed reseller in Mexico for a popular U.S.-based tiny home product line, furthering its commitment to sustainable living. Full details will be released in a separate announcement scheduled for pre-market Tuesday, August 12.For more information about ILAL and its properties, visit www.ila.companyAbout International Land Alliance, Inc.International Land Alliance, Inc. (OTCQB: ILAL) is an international land investment and development firm based in San Diego, California. As its' core mission, the Company has embraced technology for sustainable and socially responsible solutions, in addition to using proptech and construction tech advanced applications to meet these goals. The Company is focused on acquiring attractive raw land primarily in Northern Baja California, often within driving distance from Southern California. The Company serves its shareholders by allotting considerable resources to seek out the finest sites available and obtaining the necessary development permits to build a compelling portfolio of properties, which provide a diversity of investment and living options. Please visit: www.ila.companyMedia Contact:Investor RelationsInternational Land Alliance, Inc.Email: info@ila.companyPhone: (877) 661-4811Safe Harbor StatementThe press release may include certain statements that are not descriptions of historical facts but are forward looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements may include the description of our plans and objectives for future operations, assumptions underlying such plans and objectives, and other forward-looking terminology such as "may," "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "projects," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements made herein. Such information is based upon various assumptions made by, and expectations of, our management that were reasonable when made but may prove to be incorrect. All such assumptions are inherently subject to significant economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies beyond our control and upon assumptions with respect to the future business decisions which are subject to change. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that actual results will meet expectations, and actual results may vary (perhaps materially) from certain of the results anticipated herein.Source: International Land Alliance, IncCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. Vancouver, BC, Aug. 06, 2025) (OTCQB: TRDTF ) ("Trident" or the "Company") is pleased to announce an upcoming fully-funded 5,000-metre drill program at its high-grade Contact Lake Gold Project, located in the La Ronge Gold Belt of Saskatchewan. This marks Trident's first drill campaign and the first modern exploration on the historic Contact Lake target in nearly 30 years. The 16-hole program will begin this month as crews have begun to mobilize to the project. Contact Lake Project Location Map: https://www.tridentresourcescorp.com/projects/contact-lake-gold-project/#&gid=1&pid=1 Trident enters this program with over $11 million in cash and marketable securities, fully funding this drill program and positioning the Company to act swiftly on future exploration opportunities across its Saskatchewan portfolio. "This inaugural drill program is a major milestone for Trident. We're picking up where Cameco left off - except now, gold trades at over 10x the price it did when they shut the mine. We're fully funded, highly motivated, and excited to unlock value at Contact Lake," said Jonathan Wiesblatt, CEO of Trident. Contact Lake Gold Project Plan View: https://www.tridentresourcescorp.com/_gallery/album-2/lg/ContactLakeGoldProject2.jpg Drilling will target the heart of the past-producing Contact Lake Mine, following up on historical high-grade intercepts including: Contact Lake Gold Deposit - Historical Drill Intercepts Hole ID From (m) To (m) Interval (m) Au (g/t) Description TU89-125 56.0 76.5 20.5 12.81 length weighted average TU89-127 39.5 57.8 18.3 10.41 length weighted average TU90-146 205.3 205.9 0.6 2,616.00 single assay TU92-316 138.3 138.8 0.5 94.06 single assay Notes: *Analytical data sourced from Cameco historical records *Historical sampling was discontinuous - data gaps were assigned a zero value *Intervals are drilled intercepts and do not reflect true thickness with true thickness unknown Location Map of Planned Drill Holes: http://www.tridentresourcescorp.com/_resources/images/Drill-Plan-NR-202508.jpg Contact Lake Gold Project Highlights: Proven Past Production: 1.0 million tonnes milled at 6.16 g/t Au (190,088 oz gold recovered, Cameco 1999) High Recovery: 95% life-of-mine mill recovery Untested Zones: Mineralization remains open along strike and at depth Historic Resource: Cameco internal estimate suggests significant gold remains Infrastructure Ready: Onsite power, highway access, and historic underground workings Qualified Person: The scientific and technical data contained in this news release was approved by Cornell McDowell, P.Geo., a non-independent "qualified person" under the National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects. About Trident Resources Corp.: Trident Resources Corp. is a Canadian public mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of advanced-stage gold and copper exploration projects in Saskatchewan, Canada. The Company is advancing its 100% owned Contact Lake and Greywacke Lake projects which host significant historical gold resources located within the prospective and underexplored La Ronge Gold Belt, as well as the 100% owned Knife Lake copper project which contains a historical copper resource. To find out more about Trident Resources Corp. Trident Resources Corp. Jonathan Wiesblatt, Chief Executive Officer Email: Jon.Wiesblatt@tridentresourcescorp.com For further information contact myself or: Andrew J. Ramcharan, PhD, P.Eng., Corporate Communications Trident Resources Corp. Telephone: 647-309-5130 Toll Free: 800-567-8181 Facsimile: 604-687-3119 Email: info@tridentresourcescorp.com NEITHER THE TSXV NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. Forward-Looking Information and Statements Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Silver Valley Metals Corp. (TSXV: SILV) (OTCQB: SVMFF) ("Silver Valley" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire 100% ownership of two highly prospective gold-focused exploration projects in Finland: the Leilipalo Project and the Pasto Project. These projects are located within two of Finland's geologically prolific and underexplored greenstone belts, representing a significant step in the Company's strategic growth into precious metals. "This acquisition represents an important step forward for Silver Valley as we diversify into gold exploration," said Brandon Rook, President & CEO of Silver Valley Metals. "Leilipalo and Pasto give us exposure to highly prospective greenstone belts in Finland, supported by quality historical work, infrastructure, and a mining-friendly jurisdiction. These projects fit well within our strategy of advancing assets with clear exploration upside and a path to value creation." The acquisition is being completed through a share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") signed with 1531472 B.C. Ltd., an arm's length private party ("PrivCo"). The Agreement was dated and signed on August 5, 2025. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Silver Valley Metals Corp. (the "Company") will acquire 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of PrivCo, which holds the Leilipalo and Pasto Projects (the "Projects") in Finland. The Agreement includes customary representations and warranties, conditions precedent, and closing deliverables. A 2% net smelter return (NSR) royalty will be retained by the underlying vendor of the Projects who sold them to Privco (the "Underlying Vendor"). The vendors of the shares of Privco are arm's length parties. There will be no change of control and there are no finder's fees payable in connection with the transaction. The transaction is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval and customary closing conditions. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. In consideration, Silver Valley will issue 18,000,000 common shares of the Company to the shareholders of Privco at a deemed price of C$0.09 per share, for total consideration of C$1,620,000.00. The consideration shares may be subject to escrow provisions as determined by the TSX Venture Exchange upon final review. There are no resale restrictions beyond applicable statutory hold periods. No disclosure is required under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 as the transaction does not involve a related party. Furthermore, there are no relationships between the Company and its directors, officers, or insiders and the vendor or the vendor's directors, officers, or insiders. The assets being acquired include two mineral exploration licenses (Leilipalo and Pasto) totaling 8,611 hectares and 1737 hectares respectively and 63 historical drillholes (4,124 m) across both properties, in addition to an extensive technical dataset including regional geophysical surveys, gold-in-till sampling, geological mapping, and interpreted structural models. The projects are at the advanced exploration stage and do not currently have mineral resources. The consideration and number of securities to be issued were determined based on a combination of: Comparable transactions involving advanced staged exploration gold assets in Finland. The strength of historical exploration results and structural setting of the Projects. The jurisdictional quality and peer land positioning in the belts. Market valuations of nearby exploration companies (e.g., Valkea Resources, Finex Resources); Although Privco had previously acquired the Projects from the Underlying Vendor, the consideration paid by Privco is not materially different from the consideration being offered by the Company in the present transaction. The Underlying Vendor has retained a royalty interest in the Projects as part of Privco's original acquisition, which represents the core economic interest for that party. View the Presentation: [Project Presentation - Finland Gold Projects Click here] Project Overview - Leilipalo and Pasto Projects Both the Leilipalo and Pasto Projects are situated in regions recognized for their gold endowment but remain underexplored with respect to modern discovery methods. The Projects are infrastructure-accessible and supported by strong historical datasets. With this acquisition, Silver Valley enters one of the world's most mining-friendly jurisdictions, recently ranked #1 in the world by the Fraser Institute for investment attractiveness and #2 in the world for policy perception. Leilipalo Project Highlights The Leilipalo Project, covering 8,611 hectares, is among the most expansive junior land positions in Finland's Central Lapland Greenstone Belt ("CLGB"). Strategically positioned just 10 km southwest of Agnico Eagle's Kittila Mine-Europe's largest primary gold mine-with measured and indicated resources totaling 5.4 million ounces (32.6 Mt @ 5.2 g/t Au) and cumulative gold production exceeding 2 million ounces.1 Leilipalo is uniquely situated at the convergence of two of the region's important gold-bearing structures: the Hanhimaa Shear Zone and the Sirkka Thrust. The Hanhimaa Shear Zone trends north to south directly through the Project area, while the Sirkka Thrust crosses the southern boundary-an intersection unique to Leilipalo across the CLGB. These structural corridors are known to host significant mineralization elsewhere in the belt. The Kittila Mine, located further east along the parallel Kittila Shear, underscores the regional potential.1 Figure 1. Regional map showing CLGB deposits, structures, geology, and operator land positions To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_5b8d93c824be5a4b_002full.jpg Key Exploration Highlights - Leilipalo Project: 8,611 hectares - among the largest junior land holdings in the CLGB. - among the largest junior land holdings in the CLGB. Leilipalo shares its northern boundary with Valkea Resources , a well-capitalized junior focused on the Hanhimaa Shear. Valkea's Paana Project returned 55 m @ 1.63 g/t Au at Aarnivalkea West early in their program. 2 Its strong market valuation underscores growing investor confidence in Finland's gold potential and structural corridor upside shared with Leilipalo. , a well-capitalized junior focused on the Hanhimaa Shear. Valkea's Paana Project returned 55 m @ 1.63 g/t Au at Aarnivalkea West early in their program. Its strong market valuation underscores growing investor confidence in Finland's gold potential and structural corridor upside shared with Leilipalo. Sirkka Thrust intersects the southern boundary - the same structure that hosts Rupert Resources' Ikkari Deposit, ~50 km ESE (52 Mt @ 2.1 g/t Au). 3 Rupert's market capitalization is approximately C$1.12 billion. 4 - the same structure that hosts Rupert Resources' Ikkari Deposit, ~50 km ESE (52 Mt @ 2.1 g/t Au). Rupert's market capitalization is approximately C$1.12 billion. Unique convergence of the Hanhimaa Shear and Sirkka Thrust occurs exclusively at Leilipalo - the only known location within the CLGB where these two major structures intersect. occurs exclusively at Leilipalo - the only known location within the CLGB where these two major structures intersect. Strong Phase 1 gold-in-till anomalies with shallow overburden. No Natura 2000 restrictions - supports streamlined permitting. Excellent road and powerline access; near Kittila Airport. Next steps: structural interpretation, rock chip sampling, base-of-till drilling and deep-sensing geophysics programs, followed by drill target definition and prioritization. Figure 2. Project-scale geology map showing major faults, structural trends, and adjacent deposits To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_5b8d93c824be5a4b_003full.jpg Figure 3. Magnetic geophysics overlain by structural interpretation To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_5b8d93c824be5a4b_004full.jpg Figure 4. Regional gold-in-till anomaly map from Phase 1 sampling program To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_image4.jpg Pasto Project Highlights The Pasto Project is in the Seinajoki Greenstone Belt of western Finland-an emerging gold district situated within Precambrian terranes that have hosted modest-scale historical mining, including small-scale orogenic gold, copper, and base metal production. While still underexplored, the belt shares geological similarities with more prolific belts to the north. Regional gold production includes the Pahtavaara Mine (~450,000 oz Au over 16 years), reinforcing the potential for meaningful discovery.5 Figure 5. Seinajoki Greenstone Belt map showing structural corridors, past-producing zones, and gold occurrences To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_image5.jpg Within this setting, the Pasto Project stands out for its combination of accessible infrastructure, shallow overburden, and extensive historical work. The Project hosts two main gold occurrences-Pasto and Ylijoki-that were the focus of Geological Survey of Finland (GTK) programs6 including: 63 shallow diamond drill holes totaling 4,124 metres (most <100 m) Geological mapping, rock and till sampling, and ground magnetic/IP geophysics These early-stage programs delineated broad, continuous zones of gold mineralization, including higher-grade intervals and surface values up to 10.0 g/t Au. Many holes ended in mineralization and were never followed up. Structural continuity was identified, but the Project has yet to benefit from modern geophysics, 3D modeling, or deeper drill testing. The Pasto West gold occurrence is a standout area for near-term advancement. Historical drilling encountered gold mineralization coincident with interpreted regional fault intersections-structural traps-with quartz vein-hosted gold sub-parallel to shear trends. Importantly, holes remain shallow yet end in mineralization, reinforcing the upside at depth and along strike. Figure 6. Pasto West magnetic geophysics map showing interpreted fault convergence and drillhole locations To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_image6.jpg Figure 7. Long section through Pasto West showing downhole gold values and open mineralization To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7777/261311_image7.jpg Key Exploration Highlights - Pasto Project: 63 shallow diamond drill holes (4,124 m) Regional till sampling, detailed mapping, rock geochemistry Coincident magnetic and IP geophysical surveys Notable intercepts: 69 m @ 0.42 g/t Au (open at depth) 13 m @ 0.79 g/t Au incl. 4 m @ 1.21 g/t Au 4.75 m @ 1.58 g/t Au incl. 1.2 m @ 5.92 g/t Au 0.45 m @ 10.0 g/t Au (Ylijoki) 6 Disseminated and structurally controlled mineralization remains open Shallow glacial till (~8 m) enables low-cost drilling No Natura restrictions; excellent road access Next steps: reprocess historical data, refine structure, prioritize drill targets Summary The Leilipalo and Pasto Projects mark a significant expansion into gold for Silver Valley. Both assets offer scale, structural upside, and underexplored mineralization supported by historical data. The Company sees strong potential to build value through thoughtful, staged exploration. With a mining-friendly jurisdiction, excellent access, and growing peer activity, Silver Valley is well-positioned for its next chapter of discovery in Finland. Website www.silvervalleymetals.com Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Timothy Mosey, BSc, MSc, SME Registered Member, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Mosey is an independent director and technical adviser to Silver Valley Metals Corp. About Silver Valley Metals Silver Valley Metals Corp. is a Canadian exploration company comprised of a group of experienced exploration, mining, and financing specialists focused on the pursuit of mineral discovery and development. The Company is advancing strategic and precious mineral properties, including Lithium-Potash in Mexico, gold and silver advanced exploration in Finland and an ownership stake in the Ranger-Page silver-zinc-lead project in Idaho through equity in Silver Dollar Resources and residual royalties. About the Finland Gold Projects The Leilipalo and Pasto Projects are located within Finland's premier greenstone belts-the Central Lapland and Seinajoki greenstone belts, respectively-each with demonstrated gold potential and significant structural controls. Both projects are accessible by infrastructure, unencumbered by Natura restrictions, and supported by historical datasets including drilling, geochemistry, and geophysics. Leilipalo's unique convergence of two major gold-bearing structures and Pasto's confirmed mineralized zones position both assets as compelling discovery-stage gold projects in one of the world's most mining-friendly jurisdictions. About the Mexi-Can Potash-Lithium Project Silver Valley Metals owns a 100% interest in a lithium and potassium-bearing salar complex totaling 4,056 hectares in Zacatecas and San Luis Potosi, Mexico. The NI 43-101 inferred resource includes 12.3 Mt of SOP and 243,000 tonnes of LCE defined from surface to 5 meters depth. All salars remain open for expansion. On behalf of the Board of Directors of Silver Valley Metals, "Brandon Rook" Brandon Rook, President & CEO, Director References Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd., Kittila Mine Factsheet and Technical Report (2022): https://www.agnicoeagle.com/English/operations/operations/kittila/default.aspx Valkea Resources Corporate Presentation (June 2024): https://valkea.ca/investors/presentations/ Rupert Resources News Release - Ikkari Deposit Resource (Sept. 2023): https://rupertresources.com/news Yahoo Finance - Rupert Resources Market Cap (July 2025): https://www.stockwatch.com/Quote/Detail?C:RUP Rupert Resources, Pahtavaara Overview: https://rupertresources.com/pahtavaara-mine/ GTK Mineral Deposit Database, Finland (2023). https://www.gtk.fi/en/services/mining/ Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the proposed acquisition of the Leilipalo and Pasto Projects, exploration potential, future work plans, permitting status, infrastructure access, and geological interpretations. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results or performance to differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Actual results may vary. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking information, except as required by law. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: risks related to failure to obtain adequate financing on a timely basis and on acceptable terms; risks related to the outcome of legal proceedings; political and regulatory risks associated with mining and exploration; risks related to the maintenance of stock exchange listings; risks related to environmental regulation and liability; the potential for delays in exploration or development activities or the completion of feasibility studies; the uncertainty of profitability; risks and uncertainties relating to the interpretation of drill results, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits; risks related to the inherent uncertainty of production and cost estimates and the potential for unexpected costs and expenses; results of prefeasibility and feasibility studies, and the possibility that future exploration, development or mining results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations; risks related to commodity price fluctuations; and other risks and uncertainties related to the Company's prospects, properties and business detailed elsewhere in the Company's disclosure record. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described in forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261311 SOURCE: Silver Valley Metals Corp. Sudbury, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) ("Magna" or the "Company") is pleased to announce additional drill results from the McCreedy West mine. The results include high grade copper, nickel and precious metal intersections from an area located in the footwall, up-dip within the main 700 Cu-PGE Footwall Zone ("700 Zone") and within 150 metres of surface. The reported holes (Table 1) were drilled in support of production planning and potential production expansion into areas where narrow vein mining methods could be applied. Mineralization in this area contains high PGE grades hosted in copper and nickel rich veins. Intersections include 17.9% Cu, 0.6% Ni, 28.1 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 1.8 metres in drillhole MMW-25-119 and 10.5% Cu, 8.3% Ni, 42.6 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.3 metres in drillhole MMW-25-133 (Table 1). Highlights from the new assay results include: MMW-25-118: 4.9% Cu, 1.0% Ni, 2.9 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 1.5 metres And10.4% Cu, 0.5% Ni, 16.1 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.9 metres MMW-25-119: 1.5% Cu, 0.4% Ni, 1.3 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 7.3 metres And1.7% Cu, 0.7% Ni, 4.0 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 10.5 metres And17.9% Cu, 0.6% Ni, 28.1g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 1.8 metres MMW-25-133: 10.5% Cu, 8.3% Ni, 42.6 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.3 metres Mynyr Hoxha, VP Mines Geology, stated: "The diamond drilling at the McCreedy West mine continues to yield excellent copper and precious metal grades, and is focused on defining near-term production as well as expanding the 700 Zone up-dip and to the east and west. The data we are gathering from this drilling will be instrumental in guiding our development ore headings, optimizing mining stope designs and maximizing ore grade. These narrow, massive sulphide veins, containing platinum, palladium and gold, found along the footwall of the 700 Zone can be incorporated into our mine plan and provide an opportunity for selective mining of high margin ore in 2026. In addition, the new access being developed on the western side of the 700 Zone will enable diamond drilling access to targets that were previously inaccessible from existing mine workings. This is an exciting exploration initiative that is anticipated to commence later this year." McCreedy West Diamond Drilling The underground diamond drilling program at the McCreedy West mine is supported by two drills and is currently focused on definition and expansion drilling in the 700 Zone. Additional diamond drilling assays received since the news release dated June 10, 2025 are summarized in Table 1 and drillhole collar information is presented in Table 2. At McCreedy West, definition drilling with one drill continues to support near to mid-term production, with infill drilling designed to facilitate detailed stope design and optimize production grade. The second drill has begun definition and expansion drilling in areas not currently considered in the mine plan. Initial drilling on the 590 Level is focused on defining high-grade mineralization within the footwall side of the 700 Zone (Figures 2 and 3). At McCreedy West, precious metal grades appear to increase as a function of the distance into the footwall from the SIC contact. Drilling in this area has intersected massive sulphide veins with high precious metal grades up to 42.6 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 0.3 meters and 28.1 g/t Pt + Pd + Au over 1.8 meters in drillholes MMW-25-133 and MMW-25-119 respectively. These high-grade Cu-PGE veins have the potential to be developed with more selective mining methods and could provide a source of high margin ore in 2026. This area remains open for potential expansion both up-dip and along strike to the east and west. Development on the 930 Level required to establish new diamond drilling platforms is progressing on schedule and Magna expects to be drilling on the western side of the 700 Zone (Figure 2) later this year. The western margin of the known 700 Zone is not well defined and has been identified as a high priority exploration target. There is potential to expand the 700 Zone mineralization west towards the adjacent past producing Hardy/Boundary deposit. Figure 1: Location of Magna Mining Existing Properties, and Key Sudbury Infrastructure To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/261377_36792265d4949b19_002full.jpg Figure 2: McCreedy West Mine Oblique 3D View Showing the Location of Mineralized Zones To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/261377_36792265d4949b19_003full.jpg Figure 3: McCreedy West Vertical Section Looking East, Showing Selected Narrow Vein Intersections To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8002/261377_36792265d4949b19_004full.jpg Table 1: Summary of Drillhole Results from Magna 2025 McCreedy West Drilling Drillhole Property Zone From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Ni % Co % Pt g/t Pd g/t Au g/t TPM g/t NiEq CuEq FNX33380 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 9.75 10.36 0.61 2.59 0.09 0.00 1.30 1.16 0.56 3.01 1.98 3.53 And 13.41 22.86 9.45 1.00 0.12 0.00 3.17 1.98 1.87 7.03 1.92 3.41 Including 20.88 22.86 1.98 3.42 0.30 0.00 2.30 3.10 6.69 12.09 4.85 8.63 FNX33391 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 80.31 80.77 0.46 10.75 0.14 0.00 0.30 0.03 0.06 0.39 5.95 10.60 And 86.26 89.92 3.66 2.24 0.65 0.01 0.09 0.09 0.08 0.26 1.81 3.23 And 100.28 103.33 3.05 3.90 0.40 0.00 0.09 0.46 0.04 0.59 2.52 4.49 FNX33392 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 57.61 59.89 2.29 7.21 1.94 0.01 1.07 2.60 0.25 3.92 6.13 10.91 And 64.16 65.23 1.07 3.29 0.12 0.00 0.50 1.27 3.84 5.61 3.26 5.81 MMW-25-074 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 4.11 4.42 0.30 6.38 2.15 0.01 0.99 4.84 0.46 6.29 6.23 11.08 And 39.93 40.23 0.30 3.18 0.10 0.00 0.56 4.59 0.36 5.51 2.63 4.68 MMW-25-083 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 80.47 80.77 0.30 3.20 0.05 0.00 0.10 0.15 0.05 0.30 1.81 3.23 And 108.36 108.66 0.30 23.21 0.95 0.01 1.64 4.01 0.46 6.11 14.20 25.28 MMW-25-085 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 30.78 32.61 1.83 5.65 0.12 0.00 0.25 0.89 0.04 1.18 3.31 5.90 And 40.84 41.15 0.30 3.93 2.45 0.04 0.80 0.53 0.02 1.35 4.43 7.88 MMW-25-086 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 14.63 17.83 3.20 1.79 0.57 0.01 0.12 0.20 0.01 0.34 1.50 2.68 And 28.65 34.90 6.25 2.44 0.35 0.00 0.13 0.43 0.07 0.63 1.71 3.05 Including 28.65 28.96 0.30 13.19 2.79 0.03 0.50 0.37 0.03 0.90 9.61 17.11 And 40.54 40.84 0.30 3.02 0.81 0.01 0.29 0.28 0.03 0.60 2.41 4.30 MMW-25-087 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 18.29 18.75 0.46 14.28 1.27 0.03 1.02 2.29 0.14 3.45 9.28 16.51 And 28.65 28.96 0.30 2.72 4.79 0.03 0.57 3.02 0.10 3.69 6.11 10.89 And 33.68 34.29 0.61 11.32 1.01 0.02 0.61 0.30 0.02 0.93 7.08 12.61 And 37.03 37.95 0.91 8.45 1.10 0.02 0.04 0.22 0.34 0.60 5.62 10.01 And 44.50 47.85 3.35 3.12 0.52 0.01 0.23 0.44 0.27 0.94 2.30 4.10 And 52.43 53.04 0.61 11.39 2.07 0.03 1.02 0.50 0.06 1.58 8.14 14.49 And 58.06 58.67 0.61 6.44 2.49 0.03 1.34 0.93 0.04 2.31 5.93 10.56 MMW-25-088 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 22.10 22.40 0.30 9.87 3.44 0.04 0.94 0.92 0.08 1.94 8.54 15.21 And 25.91 26.21 0.30 15.26 2.39 0.03 0.95 2.72 0.13 3.80 10.81 19.25 Including 78.33 78.64 0.30 1.00 8.79 0.08 2.25 2.95 0.09 5.29 8.87 15.79 And 82.75 83.21 0.46 2.98 3.10 0.02 2.04 1.13 0.03 3.20 4.71 8.39 MMW-25-089 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 17.37 29.57 12.19 2.61 0.40 0.01 0.12 0.54 0.03 0.68 1.85 3.30 And 28.50 29.57 1.07 15.72 1.19 0.03 0.29 0.80 0.05 1.14 9.65 17.17 MMW-25-090 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 17.37 17.98 0.61 7.92 5.40 0.05 0.71 0.56 0.04 1.31 9.08 16.17 And 18.29 19.51 1.22 3.69 1.71 0.02 0.35 0.46 0.18 0.98 3.62 6.44 MMW-25-091 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 21.03 23.01 1.98 5.10 4.48 0.04 0.30 0.08 0.01 0.40 6.64 11.82 MMW-25-092 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 17.37 18.90 1.52 15.44 2.03 0.02 0.37 0.68 0.05 1.10 10.20 18.16 And 27.28 28.80 1.52 1.86 0.39 0.01 0.11 0.23 0.52 0.86 1.54 2.75 MMW-25-093 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 41.45 43.89 2.44 1.97 0.16 0.00 0.12 0.21 0.07 0.40 1.27 2.26 MMW-25-094 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 39.47 42.21 2.74 2.40 0.14 0.00 0.21 0.30 0.26 0.76 1.56 2.78 And 75.44 76.81 1.37 5.19 0.56 0.01 1.51 3.72 0.45 5.68 4.13 7.36 And 80.77 82.30 1.52 1.66 0.61 0.01 0.81 0.37 0.36 1.54 1.68 2.99 And 86.26 90.07 3.81 1.02 0.14 0.00 0.47 0.52 0.11 1.10 0.85 1.51 MMW-25-095 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 27.74 28.04 0.30 11.10 0.17 0.00 0.96 1.15 0.15 2.26 6.44 11.46 MMW-25-096 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu Assays Pending MMW-25-097 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 48.77 53.34 4.57 14.46 0.49 0.01 0.42 1.95 0.21 2.59 8.58 15.28 Including 48.77 50.60 1.83 28.26 0.38 0.01 0.70 3.32 0.17 4.18 16.11 28.69 MMW-25-098 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 39.17 39.62 0.46 24.25 0.66 0.02 0.76 1.49 0.05 2.30 13.91 24.77 MMW-25-099 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 50.44 60.20 9.75 4.26 0.48 0.00 0.66 0.48 0.37 1.50 2.97 5.29 Including 51.66 51.97 0.30 26.23 0.12 0.00 0.46 0.52 0.56 1.54 14.48 25.78 And 53.64 55.02 1.37 20.48 0.30 0.01 0.72 2.33 0.15 3.19 11.72 20.87 MMW-25-100 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 40.08 46.18 6.10 7.99 0.52 0.01 0.27 0.87 0.11 1.25 4.93 8.78 Including 40.08 41.15 1.07 27.78 0.33 0.02 0.73 2.32 0.26 3.31 15.71 27.97 And 64.01 64.62 0.61 5.44 0.05 0.00 0.44 0.24 0.24 0.92 3.13 5.57 MMW-25-101 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 26.67 27.89 1.22 7.53 4.49 0.05 0.78 0.77 0.05 1.60 8.15 14.51 And 61.57 61.87 0.30 8.05 0.70 0.00 0.01 0.01 0.05 0.07 4.94 8.79 And 66.45 66.75 0.30 23.30 4.11 0.02 0.11 0.03 0.07 0.21 16.05 28.57 MMW-25-102 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 16.92 17.53 0.61 12.24 0.18 0.01 0.72 0.68 0.02 1.42 6.93 12.34 And 53.95 54.25 0.30 21.69 0.09 0.00 0.41 1.85 0.15 2.41 12.08 21.50 And 59.44 62.64 3.20 2.82 0.10 0.00 0.14 0.56 0.04 0.74 1.71 3.04 MMW-25-103 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 14.17 15.24 1.07 7.05 0.80 0.01 0.69 1.10 0.05 1.83 4.74 8.44 And 46.94 57.45 10.52 3.79 0.20 0.00 0.18 0.47 0.10 0.75 2.33 4.14 Including 46.94 47.55 0.61 17.69 0.10 0.01 0.39 1.70 0.37 2.45 9.98 17.77 And 71.48 71.78 0.30 9.24 0.04 0.00 0.36 1.10 0.06 1.52 5.21 9.28 MMW-25-104 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 64.47 64.77 0.30 3.04 2.19 0.01 0.16 0.59 0.08 0.83 3.63 6.46 And 96.01 97.84 1.83 2.04 0.20 0.00 0.37 0.94 0.31 1.62 1.55 2.75 MMW-25-105 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 32.92 34.44 1.52 2.61 0.38 0.00 0.07 0.17 0.04 0.27 1.77 3.14 And 61.57 62.03 0.46 2.42 1.92 0.03 0.40 0.36 0.13 0.89 3.11 5.54 And 69.34 69.80 0.46 27.66 0.06 0.01 1.26 9.17 0.11 10.54 16.41 29.22 And 139.45 141.88 2.44 1.48 0.46 0.00 3.32 4.27 1.14 8.74 2.60 4.63 MMW-25-106 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 70.10 71.93 1.83 4.19 0.22 0.00 0.46 1.82 0.09 2.37 2.79 4.97 And 86.11 86.72 0.61 4.98 0.11 0.00 0.78 4.16 0.44 5.38 3.60 6.40 And 116.43 121.46 5.03 1.17 0.49 0.01 1.18 1.30 0.50 2.98 1.55 2.76 Including 121.01 121.46 0.46 4.03 3.59 0.04 4.84 4.85 1.61 11.30 7.10 12.64 MMW-25-107 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 65.07 68.58 3.51 1.79 0.08 0.00 0.46 0.48 0.12 1.06 1.20 2.14 And 81.84 82.14 0.30 1.38 2.65 0.01 0.67 4.79 0.39 5.85 3.90 6.94 And 124.05 124.36 0.30 0.86 0.36 0.00 7.34 6.45 1.20 14.99 3.06 5.44 MMW-25-108 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 80.62 82.30 1.68 2.31 0.10 0.00 0.69 1.10 0.23 2.03 1.65 2.93 And 100.43 107.14 6.71 1.20 0.14 0.00 2.01 1.81 0.41 4.23 1.42 2.53 Including 103.78 105.00 1.22 4.15 0.27 0.00 4.67 4.84 1.30 10.81 4.18 7.45 And 117.65 121.62 3.96 0.47 0.06 0.00 1.93 1.51 0.54 3.98 0.95 1.69 MMW-25-109 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 55.32 55.78 0.46 24.59 2.09 0.04 1.15 1.38 0.04 2.57 15.38 27.39 And 75.13 75.74 0.61 16.19 1.01 0.01 0.63 2.87 0.87 4.37 10.30 18.35 MMW-25-110 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 66.14 66.45 0.30 17.40 1.41 0.02 2.16 5.49 0.24 7.89 11.71 20.86 MMW-25-111 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 57.45 57.76 0.30 8.52 1.07 0.00 1.07 2.74 0.17 3.98 6.07 10.81 And 62.79 65.23 2.44 1.56 0.22 0.00 0.31 0.46 0.14 0.91 1.18 2.11 And 77.57 79.25 1.68 1.40 0.15 0.00 0.24 0.59 0.03 0.85 1.01 1.79 And 93.88 95.10 1.22 1.90 0.85 0.00 0.64 1.27 0.21 2.12 2.07 3.69 MMW-25-112 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 79.25 81.53 2.29 1.43 0.60 0.00 0.13 0.27 0.08 0.48 1.36 2.43 And 85.95 86.72 0.76 14.44 0.12 0.00 0.76 3.02 0.51 4.28 8.54 15.20 And 109.12 109.73 0.61 23.20 2.15 0.01 2.48 9.98 2.57 15.03 16.81 29.93 MMW-25-113 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 48.01 48.31 0.30 0.93 20.30 0.20 0.23 3.37 0.03 3.63 18.51 32.96 And 63.09 64.31 1.22 6.35 0.76 0.00 0.45 1.38 0.13 1.95 4.35 7.75 And 95.71 97.38 1.68 5.53 2.39 0.01 1.95 3.32 2.25 7.51 6.42 11.43 MMW-25-114 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 91.14 99.67 8.53 2.83 0.47 0.00 0.64 0.75 0.20 1.59 2.18 3.87 Including 91.14 92.35 1.22 11.23 1.88 0.01 2.35 3.21 0.28 5.84 8.50 15.13 MMW-25-115 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu No Significant Assays MMW-25-117 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 77.27 77.72 0.46 2.03 0.05 0.00 0.72 0.51 2.21 3.44 1.97 3.50 MMW-25-118 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 50.14 51.66 1.52 4.87 1.01 0.00 0.50 2.13 0.27 2.90 3.93 6.99 And 84.73 85.65 0.91 10.39 0.49 0.02 4.16 8.40 3.58 16.14 8.85 15.76 MMW-25-119 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 69.65 76.96 7.32 1.45 0.36 0.00 0.23 0.38 0.69 1.30 1.38 2.46 And 96.16 106.68 10.52 1.70 0.68 0.00 1.17 1.53 1.30 4.00 2.26 4.02 And 137.77 138.23 0.46 7.46 0.84 0.01 6.76 5.38 1.08 13.22 6.74 12.01 And 147.07 148.89 1.83 17.86 0.56 0.01 13.81 14.01 0.28 28.10 14.05 25.02 Including 147.37 148.29 0.91 29.50 0.69 0.01 21.97 22.74 0.36 45.07 22.81 40.61 MMW-25-120 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 44.96 45.57 0.61 9.85 0.13 0.01 0.70 2.14 0.81 3.65 6.05 10.77 And 69.80 70.56 0.76 9.32 4.55 0.06 0.99 1.19 0.48 2.66 9.39 16.71 MMW-25-121 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 81.08 81.38 0.30 29.80 2.97 0.02 4.27 24.49 0.82 29.58 22.87 40.71 And 112.47 113.69 1.22 2.41 0.88 0.01 2.63 2.69 1.24 6.56 3.17 5.64 MMW-25-127 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 58.83 65.99 7.16 1.91 0.41 0.00 0.27 0.64 0.25 1.17 1.58 2.82 Including 65.53 65.99 0.46 13.74 0.83 0.01 1.79 4.43 1.51 7.73 9.41 16.76 And 108.66 110.49 1.83 0.57 0.36 0.00 3.18 2.40 0.41 5.99 1.52 2.70 And 119.79 120.40 0.61 2.48 1.08 0.01 8.75 9.63 10.22 28.60 7.88 14.03 MMW-25-132 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 17.68 18.14 0.46 1.48 0.64 0.00 0.20 0.19 0.02 0.41 1.40 2.50 MMW-25-133 McCreedy West 700 FW Cu 88.85 89.46 0.61 8.26 0.06 0.00 0.39 0.52 2.05 2.96 5.22 9.29 And 136.40 136.70 0.30 10.47 8.28 0.02 12.67 10.70 19.19 42.56 21.67 38.58 And 145.08 145.39 0.30 7.23 0.16 0.00 3.85 7.05 0.50 11.40 5.70 10.15 Important Notes to Table 1: All lengths are downhole length. True widths are uncertain at this time. Ni Eq % = (Ni% x 85% Recovery x 2204 x Ni Price $/lb) + (Cu% x 96% Recovery x 2204 x Cu Price $/lb) + (Co% x 56% Recovery x 2204 x Co Price $/lb) + (Pt gpt x 69% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pt $/oz) +(Pd gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pd $/oz) + (Au gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Au $/oz))/2204 x Ni $/lb. Cu Eq % = (Ni% x 85% Recovery x 2204 x Ni Price $/lb) + (Cu% x 96% Recovery x 2204 x Cu Price $/lb) + (Co% x 56% Recovery x 2204 x Co Price $/lb) + (Pt gpt x 69% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pt $/oz) +(Pd gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Pd $/oz) + (Au gpt x 68% Recovery / 31.1035 x Au $/oz))/2204 x Cui $/lb. Metal prices in US$: $7.30/lb Ni, $4.10/lb Cu, $15.00/lb Co, $1,000/oz Pt, $1,050/oz Pd and $2,200/oz Au. Table 2: Drillhole Collar Coordinates BHID Easting Northing Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth(m) FNX33380 469768 5164997 38.8 26.5 -14.0 36.6 FNX33391 469777 5164856 58.1 320.0 12.0 106.7 FNX33392 469777 5164857 57.9 340.0 7.0 112.8 MMW-25-074 462766 5329000 -3617.8 26.5 11.0 48.8 MMW-25-083 462859 5328896 -3599.4 356.0 18.0 110.3 MMW-25-085 462941 5328854 -3656.2 265.0 -12.0 48.8 MMW-25-086 462941 5328854 -3656.4 279.0 -18.0 54.9 MMW-25-087 462940 5328854 -3656.4 291.0 -20.0 70.1 MMW-25-088 462940 5328854 -3656.9 291.0 -29.0 85.3 MMW-25-089 462940 5328854 -3656.7 302.0 -24.0 39.6 MMW-25-090 462939 5328854 -3657.0 312.5 -27.0 36.6 MMW-25-091 462938 5328855 -3656.3 321.0 -17.0 30.5 MMW-25-092 462938 5328855 -3657.2 321.0 -29.0 34.9 MMW-25-093 462859 5328896 -3600.4 4.0 -10.0 76.2 MMW-25-094 462859 5328896 -3600.6 4.0 -16.0 91.4 MMW-25-095 462859 5328896 -3600.2 19.0 -2.0 67.1 MMW-25-096 462859 5328896 -3600.4 19.0 -7.0 77.1 MMW-25-097 462859 5328896 -3600.6 19.0 -14.0 61.0 MMW-25-098 462859 5328896 -3601.0 19.0 -29.0 54.9 MMW-25-099 462859 5328897 -3600.7 34.0 -14.0 61.0 MMW-25-100 462859 5328897 -3601.1 34.0 -26.0 94.5 MMW-25-101 462859 5328897 -3600.1 45.0 3.0 85.3 MMW-25-102 462859 5328897 -3600.7 45.0 -13.0 94.5 MMW-25-103 462859 5328897 -3601.2 45.0 -24.0 85.3 MMW-25-104 462871 5329120 -3588.8 332.0 -10.0 140.2 MMW-25-105 462871 5329120 -3589.1 332.0 -25.0 149.4 MMW-25-106 462871 5329120 -3589.5 332.0 -33.0 143.3 MMW-25-107 462871 5329120 -3590.0 332.0 -43.0 131.1 MMW-25-108 462871 5329120 -3590.4 332.0 -55.0 128.0 MMW-25-109 462737 5328982 -3493.3 302.0 -16.0 95.7 MMW-25-110 462737 5328982 -3493.7 302.0 -25.0 97.5 MMW-25-111 462737 5328982 -3494.3 302.0 -34.0 95.1 MMW-25-112 462738 5328982 -3492.9 310.0 -10.0 109.7 MMW-25-113 462738 5328982 -3493.6 310.0 -26.0 100.6 MMW-25-114 462738 5328983 -3492.8 320.0 -8.0 109.7 MMW-25-115 462738 5328983 -3493.2 320.0 -60.0 43.6 MMW-25-117 462738 5328983 -3493.3 339.0 -22.0 79.2 MMW-25-118 462738 5328983 -3494.1 339.0 -47.0 93.0 MMW-25-119 462738 5328984 -3492.5 347.0 -2.0 152.4 MMW-25-120 462871 5329121 -3589.3 341.0 -31.0 146.3 MMW-25-121 462871 5329121 -3590.4 341.0 -51.0 125.0 MMW-25-127 462871 5329123 -3589.7 360.0 -62.0 128.0 MMW-25-132 462744 5329004 -3491.5 356.0 -6.0 115.8 MMW-25-133 462744 5329004 -3491.9 356.0 -17.0 170.7 *Drillhole Coordinates are in Coordinate System NAD 83 Zone 17 Qualified Person for Technical Information The scientific and technical information in this press release has been reviewed and approved by David King, M.Sc., P.Geo. Mr. King is the Senior Vice President, Exploration and Geoscience for the Company and is a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101. Quality Assurance and Control Sample QA/QC procedures for Magna have been designed to meet or exceed industry standards. Drill core is collected from the diamond drill and placed in sealed core trays for transport to Magna's core facilities. Levack drilling utilizes NQ sized core and McCreedy West utilizes BQTK sized core. The core is then logged and samples marked in intervals of up to 1.5m. Levack drill core is split and sampled core, and McCreedy west is whole core sampled. Samples are then put into plastic bags with 10 bagged samples being placed into rice bags for transport to SGS Laboratories in Garson, Ontario for preparation, which are then shipped to Lakefield, Ontario for analysis. Samples are submitted in batches of 50 with 4 QA/QC samples including, 2 certified reference material standards and 2 samples of blank material. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained or incorporated by reference in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may", "might", "potential", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "believe", "could", "should", "would", "will", "continue", "intend", "plan", "forecast", "prospective", "appear" or other similar words or phrases or variations thereof. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market, economic, technical and other risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements, including risks relating to the failure to add, delineate or discover additional mineralization, resources or reserves at the McCreedy West mine, the failure to have accurately estimated the actual resources or reserves at the McCreedy West mine that the Company produces copper, nickel, platinum-group or precious metals from, the failure to successfully execute narrow vein mining techniques with a view to economically extracting estimated mineralization, resources or reserves, unanticipated delays in the implementation of drilling programs, delays in the receipt of assay results, unanticipated delays in additional development at the McCreedy West mine and other risks disclosed in the Company's most recent annual management discussion and analysis, available on the SEDAR+ website (at: www.sedarplus.ca). Although the Company has attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties, contingencies and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements, there can be no certainty or assurance that the Company has accurately or adequately captured, accounted for or disclosed all such risks, uncertainties, contingencies or factors. Readers should place no reliance on forward-looking statements as actual results, performance or achievements may be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Resource exploration and development, and mining operations, are highly speculative, characterized by several significant risks, which even a combination of careful evaluation, experience and knowledge will not eliminate. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release. About Magna Mining Inc. Magna Mining is a producing mining company with a portfolio of copper, nickel and PGM operating, exploration and development projects in the Sudbury Region of Ontario, Canada. The Company's primary assets are the producing McCreedy West copper mine and the past producing Levack, Crean Hill, Podolsky, and Shakespeare mines. Additional information about the Company is available on SEDAR (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Company's website (www.magnamining.com). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261377 SOURCE: Magna Mining Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that recently completed ground-based geophysical surveys have identified large-scale anomalies coincident with high tenor soil geochemistry on its 100% owned Khaleesi copper-gold project ("Khaleesi or the "Project") in Southern Peru. Magnetic ("Mag"), Induced Polarization ("IP") and MagnetoTelluric ("MT") anomalies coincide with a recently defined high-grade copper-molybdenum in soil anomaly measuring 1,900m by up to 650m and a high-grade copper-zinc in soil anomaly measuring 470m by 400m (see press release dated February 19, 2025). A maiden 14-hole, 6,000m maiden diamond drill program is anticipated to commence during Q3 2025. Figure 1: Khaleesi MVI Magnetic Inversion: Amplitude of magnetization (800m depth slice), showing two large magnetic anomalies beneath high tenor copper soil anomalies. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/261387_d175d0d4942e8a8a_001full.jpg Dan Symons, President and CEO, stated, "Khaleesi is a highly compelling, undrilled copper-gold mineralized skarn, porphyry prospect in a world-class Porphyry-Skarn belt. Results of the IP, Mag and MT surveys provide invaluable information for realizing the large-scale potential of the hydrothermal system at Khaleesi. We now have a robust dataset to optimally target both the porphyry and skarn style copper mineralization. Importantly, IP and Mag survey data also confirms large anomalies continue beneath and proximal to an area of glacial till cover where there is no outcropping rock at surface. With multiple large copper mines within 45km of Khaleesi, we have reason to be excited to move into the first ever drilling program for the project." Highlights of the Khaleesi Exploration Program to Date The Mag survey confirms a large, near-surface magnetic body that separates into two bodies at depth. This Mag anomaly is coincident with IP chargeability and resistivity anomalies and areas with high copper geochemistry in soils (Figure 1). that separates into two bodies at depth. This Mag anomaly is coincident with IP chargeability and resistivity anomalies and areas with high copper geochemistry in soils (Figure 1). The IP survey defined two discrete near-surface IP chargeability anomalies with coincident resistivity anomalies , which extend to the maximum depth for this IP survey reliability of ~600 vertical metres (Figure 2). Porphyry Copper Target - coincident IP chargeability and resistivity high anomalies positioned beneath an 800m by 400m copper-molybdenum in soil anomaly averaging 950ppm copper where porphyry-style copper mineralization has been mapped at surface. Copper Skarn Target - IP chargeability and coincident resistivity low anomalies correlate with a 470m by 400m copper-zinc soil anomaly averaging 1,260ppm copper that is open along-strike to the north, south and to depth. For reference, copper in soils at or above 300ppm is considered anomalous and represents high priority target areas for further exploration. , which extend to the maximum depth for this IP survey reliability of ~600 vertical metres (Figure 2). MT/AMT survey shows a large conductive body coincident with the IP and Mag anomalies, which also extends to depth. Field mapping confirmed a 3.3 sq km porphyry, skarn and epithermal alteration zone. Outcrop samples assayed up to 2.82% copper, 6.0 g/t gold, 57.7 g/t silver and 403 ppm molybdenum (see press releases dated October 22, 2024 and January 8, 2025). Coincident geophysical anomalies, along with the recently defined copper-in-soil geochemical anomalies, provide further support for the interpretation of a potentially significant porphyry, skarn and epithermal copper-gold hydrothermal system at Khaleesi. Figure 2: Vertical section chargeability (top) and resistivity (bottom) plot of 2025 IP survey line 600N (shown in Figure 1), looking to the north. The chargeability and resistivity anomalies have never been drill tested by C3 Metals or historically and correlate well with surface copper geochemistry. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/261387_d175d0d4942e8a8a_002full.jpg Grid soils defined a 470m by 400m wide copper-zinc in soil anomaly, with soils averaging 1,260ppm copper and 450ppm zinc. Grid soils also defined a significant copper-molybdenum anomaly, which extends for over 1,900m by up to 650m; two discrete zones average 950ppm and 650ppm copper, respectively (Figure 3). Soil sampling also covered a 1.3 sq km area with a thin glacial till cover, varying from less than 1m to 15m in thickness. Glacial till appears to conceal interpreted extensions of the skarn and porphyry mineralized zones. The geophysical data supports the interpretation of the connection of these zones beneath the till occurrence. Figure 3: Khaleesi map showing three well defined zones of pervasive copper-in-soil geochemistry. Also showing glacial till zone that appears to conceal mineralized rock below. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/261387_d175d0d4942e8a8a_003full.jpg Khaleesi is located 8km west of the Company's Jasperoide Project, where the Company confirmed 13 skarn prospects along a 28km iron-skarn belt. Montana de Cobre ("MCZ") is the first of these skarns the Company systematically drill tested, yielding a near surface Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 51.9 million tonnes at 0.50% total copper and 0.20 g/t gold for 569.1 million pounds of copper and 326,800 ounces of gold1. Khaleesi represents a rare opportunity to explore an undrilled copper-gold mineralized skarn, porphyry and epithermal prospect on the world-class Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt. The Company has strategically amalgamated a significant mineral concession package of over 31,000 hectares within 45km of the large Las Bambas (MMG) and Constancia (Hudbay Minerals) copper mines. Several major and intermediate mining companies hold mineral concessions surrounding C3 Metals' mineral concession package and in the district (Figure 4). Figure 4: Regional map showing C3 Metals' mineral concession package in relation to other large-scale operations, development projects and exploration projects. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2661/261387_d175d0d4942e8a8a_004full.jpg Geophysical Survey Program Details Geophysical surveys completed comprised of a 45.5-line kilometre ground Mag survey (100m-spaced lines), a 24.5-line kilometre IP survey (200m spaced lines) and 14 full tensor stations of MT over the Khaleesi project area. The surveys covered an area of approximately 4.4 sq km and focused on covering an extensive area with outcropping porphyry, skarn, epithermal copper-gold-molybdenum mineralization including the central project area covered by glacial till. A high-resolution ground Mag survey confirmed a large magnetic body (1,200m by 800m) defined after an MVI inversion and is coincident with two chargeability and coincident resistivity anomalies. The magnetic body splits at approximately 600m to 700m depth, separating into two large cohesive bodies (Figure 1). Each of these magnetic bodies measure approximately 800m by 800m. The IP survey was highly successful in defining two cohesive chargeability and coincident resistivity anomalies that extend along strike for up to 1,200m and are up to 1,000m in width. These IP anomalies are coincident with the Skarn Zone and South Zone copper in soil anomalies (Figure 2). The chargeability anomalies appear to converge at a depth of 450m beneath the till occurrence. The MT survey was undertaken to detect basement electromagnetic (EM) conductors and anomalous resistivity zones, which can be indicative of potential copper-gold porphyry systems. The MT survey successfully defined a large body coincident with the IP and magnetic anomalies. Next Steps Initial mapping and sampling at Khaleesi defined an alteration footprint spanning 1,500m by 1,000m. Subsequent soil sampling defined multiple large scale and coherent copper-in-soil anomalies located over a significant zone of mapped porphyry-skarn-epithermal styles of mineralization. Newly acquired Mag, IP and MT data, provide further evidence for a sizeable system that appears to connect in the central project area beneath the glacial till occurrence. Based on all data collected to date, the Khaleesi project is ranked highest priority for drill testing. The Company has designed a 14-hole, 6,000m maiden diamond drill program that will target both the Skarn and South zones as well as beneath an area of glacial till that sits between these zones. The Company anticipates it will commence this maiden drill program during Q3 2025. ABOUT C3 METALS INC. C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company holds approximately 31,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold2. The Company is also actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry, 40 epithermal and multiple volcanic redbed copper prospects over a 30km strike extent. The Company holds a 100% interest in 17,855 hectares of exploration licenses, of which Freeport-McMoRan Exploration Corporation, a wholly-owned affiliate of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), has the option on 13,020 hectares to earn up to a 75% interest by funding up to US$75 million of exploration and project related expenditures. The Company also holds a 50% interest in 9,870 hectares in a joint venture with Geophsyx Jamaica Ltd, the largest mineral tenure holder in the country. Barrick Gold Corp. announced on May 1, 2024 that it had entered into an earn-in agreement with Geophysx Jamaica Ltd. on approximately 400,000 hectares of exploration licenses, several of which surround C3 Metals' mineral concessions. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). Related Link: www.c3metals.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. QP Statement Stephen Hughes, P.Geo. is Vice President Exploration and a Director for C3 Metals and is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Hughes has reviewed the technical information in this news release and approves the written disclosure contained herein. Technical Program Induced Polarization (IP) measurements were carried out with the Pole-Pole configuration and 8 channels of 100 meters separation each. The advance was made every 50 metres to increase the horizontal resolution of the lines. The injection pulse was 2 seconds, and a current injection duty cycle of 50% was used. In total, 7 lines were completed for 24.5 surveyed kilometres. Ground Magnetometry totalling 13 East-West lines of 3.5 km each of length and with a line spacing of 100 metres. A total of 45.5-line kilometres were surveyed and readings were measured with one rover Overhauser magnetometer, with an upgraded omnidirectional sensor, and one proton precession for the base station. The readings for the rover unit were taken using a sampling frequency of 1 Hertz, while the base station used a sampling frequency of 1 reading every 3 second. Magnetotellurics and Audio-Magnetotellurics (AMT) comprised of 14 full tensor stations surveyed in two profiles with 7 stations each, using a distance of 300m between them. Each station was configured as a full-tensor mode, using three magnetic coils (Hx, Hy, Hz) and two electric channels (Ex, Ey). The coils cover a full frequency range of 0.0001 - 10,000 Hz, spanning both MT and AMT signal. Seven stations were installed day by day, 6 stations on the line and one station as a remote base to correct the noise. Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words "could", "intend", "expect", "believe", "will", "projected", "estimated" and similar expressions and statements relating to matters that are not historical facts are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate. While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein. 1 Based on the assumptions and parameters outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled Jasperoide Copper-Gold Project Cusco Region, Peru dated July 5, 2023. 2 Based on the assumptions and parameters outlined in the NI 43-101 Technical Report titled Jasperoide Copper-Gold Project Cusco Region, Peru dated July 5, 2023. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261387 SOURCE: C3 Metals Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Kirkland Lake Discoveries (TSXV: KLDC) (OTCID: KLKLF) ("KLDC" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the commencement of its inaugural diamond drill program (the "Program") at the KL West Project and Winnie Lake Project, located in the prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt near Kirkland Lake, Ontario. This milestone marks a major advancement in the Company's exploration efforts as it targets an intrusive-related polymetallic system with compelling discovery potential. The Program will follow up on both historical drilling and recent surface exploration results, which together support a new geological model: that the Winnie Pluton is the source of the surrounding polymetallic mineralization. This updated interpretation evolved over the past year, beginning with broad soil geochemistry identifying elevated pathfinder elements around the pluton, and refined through the Company's spring exploration program, which uncovered significant new mineralization and structural context. Highlights from recent work: From the July 9th, 2025 News Release: High-grade grab samples from the Winnie shaft area returning values up to 5.7% copper (Cu) , 5.3% zinc (Zn) , 1.6 g/t gold (Au) , and 28.2 g/t silver (Ag) . , , , and . A grab sample from a quartz vein within the intrusion containing 1,235 g/t bismuth (Bi), 0.13% Cu, 0.03 g/t Au, and 12.75 g/t Ag. From the July 24th, 2025 News Release: Channel sampling at Mini Winnie returning 2.05% Cu , 735 g/t Bi , 0.108 g/t Au , and 5.5 g/t Ag over 0.6 m , , , , and over , A quartz-vein-dense area within the intrusion averaging 35.5 g/t Bi over 17 m. In 2024, soil geochemistry at KL West identified seven key areas of elevated pathfinder minerals surrounding the Winnie Pluton, several were coincident with magnetic high responses. This initial drill campaign will test multiple targets both within the intrusive body and along its contacts (see Figures 1 and 2), prioritized based on geochemical anomalies, geophysical signatures, and geological mapping. The objective is to validate the intrusive-related model and identify mineralized zones of continuity at depth for follow-up drilling. Figure 1: Planned drill holes at KL West testing coincident geophysical and geochemical anomalies. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5701/261417_02b97a6d4435fbe2_001full.jpg Figure 2: Planned drill hole locations targeting mineralized trends at surface and magnetic lows within the intrusion at Winnie Lake Project. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5701/261417_02b97a6d4435fbe2_002full.jpg "This is a very exciting moment for KLDC," said Stefan Sklepowicz, CEO of Kirkland Lake Discoveries. "KL West and Winnie Lake represent a rare opportunity to test a potentially significant polymetallic system that has seen limited modern exploration. With strong surface results, supportive geology, and a well-developed model, we believe this program could be a catalyst for a new discovery." The planned ~2,000m drill program is expected to complete within August. Assay results will be released as received and interpreted. QP Statement The technical information contained in this news release has been approved by Mike Kilbourne, P.Geo., Senior geologist and independent contractor, who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. (TSX-V: KLDC) has assembled a 400-km2 exploration portfolio in the Kirkland Lake region of Ontario's Abitibi Greenstone Belt-one of the most prolific mining districts in the world. The Company's properties span key fault zones, geophysical anomalies, and volcanic-sedimentary contacts within the Blake River Group-a highly prospective assemblage known to host both gold and polymetallic VMS deposits. With multiple anomalous soil trends, historical showings, and structural intersections now permitted for exploration, KLDC is advancing a pipeline of drill-ready targets across its KL East and KL West project areas. The team combines strong technical experience with a focus on smart, efficient exploration designed to deliver results. For additional information, please contact: Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, without limitation, statements relating the future operations and activities of Kirkland Lake Discoveries, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things, the Company's drill program, the results thereof, and any impact therefrom. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Kirkland Lake Discoveries, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and the parties have made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to complete proposed exploration work, the results of exploration, continued availability of capital, changes in general economic, market and business conditions, and the ability to obtain any requisite approvals. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. Kirkland Lake Discoveries does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261417 SOURCE: Kirkland Lake Discoveries Corp. Scottsdale, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - TriStar Gold Inc. (TSXV: TSG) (OTCQB: TSGZF) (the "Company" or "TriStar") has been advised that on July 30, 2025, the Federal Prosecutor's Office ("MPF") of Brazil filed a Civil Public Action before the Federal Court of Para against the State Environmental Secretariat of Para ("SEMAS/PA") and Mineracao Castelo dos Sonhos S.A. ("MCDS"), the wholly-owned Brazilian subsidiary of the Company which holds the Castelo do Sonhos Project. The lawsuit seeks the suspension of the environmental licensing process for the Castelo de Sonhos Project until the environmental impact studies in respect of the Project are revised, an Indigenous component study is conducted, and a free, prior and informed consultation (FPIC) process is carried out with Indigenous communities from the Bau and Menkragnoti Territories. The MPF sought an immediate injunction suspending the environmental licence, however the Federal Judge hearing the injunction application noted that the MPF's investigations have been ongoing since 2019, and found that there was no urgency to the injunction application, and therefore deferred the analysis of the injunction request until after SEMAS/PA and MCDS have filed their defenses and the National Indigenous Foundation has submitted its clarifications. The Federal Judge also acknowledged the potential socioeconomic impacts of a suspension at this stage and emphasized the need to ensure due process, including the right to an effective defense. MCDS and SEMAS have 15 business days to file a defense against the injunction application, following which the Judge will decide on the appropriate path forward. Nick Appleyard, TriStar's President and CEO stated: "TriStar remains confident that, upon submission of its defense, it will demonstrate that there are no irregularities in the environmental licensing process of the Castelo de Sonhos Project, which is in alignment with SEMAS/PA's position." About TriStar TriStar Gold is an exploration and development company focused on precious metals properties in the Americas that have the potential to become significant producing mines. The Company's current flagship property is Castelo de Sonhos in Para State, Brazil. The Company's shares trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol TSG and on the OTCQB under the symbol TSGZF. Further information is available at www.tristargold.com. On behalf of the board of directors of the company: Nick Appleyard President and CEO Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements under Canadian securities legislation which are not historical facts and are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions under the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "expects" or "it is expected", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, the Company's expectations regarding the outcome of the Civil Public Action referenced above, as well as the related injunction application. Readers are cautioned that such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause a change in such assumptions and the actual outcomes and estimates to be materially different from those estimated or anticipated future results, achievements or position expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements. Risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the Company's plans to change include the ongoing litigation process, and legislative, political or economic developments in Brazil. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261453 SOURCE: TriStar Gold Inc. Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Gold Hart Copper Corp. (TSXV: HART) (the "Company", "Gold Hart", or "HART") is pleased to announce the results of the second diamond drill hole (DDHTOL05) at its flagship Tolita gold-copper-molybdenum property in the Vicuna District of Chile. Gold Hart's second diamond drill hole again encountered long porphyry-style mineralization typical of the Vicuna District, with certain drill intervals showing higher grades of gold, copper, and molybdenum relative to the first hole announced last month. Specifically, Gold Hart intercepted 10 meters of 0.62g/t gold equivalent, including a highlight sample that included 0.60g/t gold, 0.34% copper, and 20g/t molybdenum for a gold equivalent of 0.97g/t. This subsection was within a larger 42m mineralized intercept. This aforementioned intercept was above the fault, but similar to the first hole, Gold Hart again encountered gold, copper, and molybdenum mineralization below the fault later in the hole as well. In this case, below the fault, Gold Hart intercepted 22m of 0.40g/t gold equivalent, within a larger 63m mineralized intercept. Like the first hole (DDHTOL02), this second diamond drill hole (DDHTOL05) also finished in mineralization. Gold Hart geologists Jonathan Warner, P.Geo and Rodrigo Alejandro Diaz Tilleria, P.Geo, commented, "It is highly encouraging to continue seeing gold, copper, and molybdenum anomalies coinciding with zones of conductivity and chargeability. Once again, we observed a sterile interval cutting across two mineralized sections, clearly associated with a major structure or post-mineral zone, an important input for optimally modelling and developing the asset as we hope to vector towards a higher grade core. A critical finding is that DDHTOL05, like the first hole (DDHTOL02), finished in mineralization, reinforcing that the system remains completely open at depth. When reviewing the 2D sections with drillhole projections, it is easy to lose perspective of the magnitude, but the ends of these two holes are separated by 570m, a highly significant distance for evaluating the lateral continuity potential of the system. Right now we know this system remains open at depth, and based on regional experience, porphyry systems of this type can extend between 1 and 1.5 km. In addition, the consistent metal presence in holes 570 m apart provides strong evidence not just for vertical continuity, but for lateral continuity of the system as well." Enrique Viteri-Aldunate, Vicuna pioneer and Tolita discoverer, noted, "After examining this drill hole - which is now the farthest drill hole to the west from the possibly mineralized center, which appears to be potentially located to the east - there is sufficient gold to indicate that we are within an environment of gold mineralization, which is very positive for exploration. This drill hole is clearly indicative of gold in the hydrothermal system. Now we have to find the core." "Based upon our current geological thesis, this second hole moved nearly 600m farther away from our bullseye, and not only did we once again obtain nice long porphyry-style intercepts of gold, copper, and molybdenum, not only did the hole again finish in mineralization, but in this case we actually saw some higher grade intervals than the first hole," added Isaac Maresky, Co-founder & CEO of Gold Hart. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_1.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_2.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_3.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_4.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_5.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_6.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_7.jpg Important Notes: Gold equivalent grade calculated using current market prices for gold ($3,340/oz) copper ($11,180/t) and molybdenum ($61,917/t) only and assumes equal recovery for all metals. These metal prices were utilized for the prior hole as well, for the sake of consistency. True widths are not yet known. Certain samples included anomalous values of silver, lead and zinc which are excluded altogether. Gold Hart Copper - First Drill Hole DDHTOL02 - Announced July 22, 2025 As announced July 22, 2025, Gold Hart's first diamond hole encountered long porphyry-style mineralization typical of the Vicuna District, including near continuous gold, copper, and molybdenum intercepts from approximately 137m until the end of the drill hole at 610m (473m) except for a sterile zone surrounding a potentially significant fault zone of 150m. Specifically, Gold Hart obtained 203.5m of 0.25g/t gold equivalent from 137.5m, including a higher grade zone of 67m at 0.38g/t gold equivalent. Later in this same hole, Gold Hart intercepted another 118m of 0.24g/t gold equivalent, including 45.5m at 0.30g/t gold equivalent. The drill hole finished in mineralization. About Gold Hart Copper Gold Hart Copper is one of the largest independent land owners surrounding major miners where the famous Maricunga Gold Belt meets the emerging Vicuna Copper Belt in Chile. HART is actively acquiring, exploring and developing its portfolio of gold, copper & silver properties adjacent to the largest gold and copper assets on the continent. In addition to its large land position in the Vicuna District, Gold Hart recently acquired three properties just West on Chile's Paleocene-Eocene Belt on the famous Domeyko Faul, which is home to some of Chile's largest gold, copper, and silver assets including Escondida, Chuquicamata and Collahuasi. The new Gold Hart properties host several historic gold and copper mines with high grades of gold, copper, and silver on surface, with a large alteration and magnetic anomaly extending approximately 6km. HART's team of geologists were personally involved in pioneering exploration in the region, leading to some of its greatest gold, copper, and silver deposits, and include the country's former Geological Survey National Deputy Manager Dr. Professor Jose Frutos. Specifically, senior Gold Hart geologists were personally involved in the Escondida copper discovery, now the largest copper mine in the world1 controlled by Rio Tinto and BHP, as well as Cerro Casale, the largest gold-copper discovery in Chile2 acquired by Barrick and Newmont (GoldCorp) with 59-million ounces of gold and 12.5-billion pounds of copper. HART has rolled-up a portfolio of historically significant assets surrounding majors, in some cases personally staked by the very same geologists who made the adjacent mega-discoveries, since the early 1990s. Some of the Gold Hart properties have already undergone a first phase of RC drilling, with highly encouraging results of gold, copper, and silver. Gold Hart properties are controlled 100% and not subject to any royalties whatsoever. HART believes it may be sitting on one of the only fully-preserved untested large-scale gold-copper-silver porphyry targets in the Vicuna District - an asset that was first recognized for its uniquely high grades of gold and copper on surface - and staked by one of the Maricunga-Vicuna district's pioneering geologists3 in 1993. Gold Hart Copper is fully funded for its planned drill campaign. About Gold Hart Copper's Tolita Gold-Copper-Silver-Molybdenum Target The Tolita property is a historically significant gold-copper-molybdenum asset which was first recognized and staked in 1993 - by one of the pioneering geologists of the Maricunga-Vicuna district - for its uniquely high grades of gold and copper on surface3. Geochemical surveys revealed gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum anomalies, which led to trenching. Tolita has had significant trenching (5,600m / 5.6km) with the highest grade trench returning grades up to 52g/t gold equivalent including 4% copper. Tolita has undergone helicopter mag surveys which identified 4 unique anomalies as well3. In 1996, a third party company optioned the property and drilled 3 short 200m RC holes, without any geophysics, and yet still hit gold and copper in all 3 holes, including long intercepts of gold and copper (150m and 164m, respectively) close to surface in 2 of the 3 holes. At the time, gold was approximately $300/oz and copper traded below $1.00/lb, and large scale sulphide / porphyry deposits with both gold and copper were often considered less favorable than smaller scale gold-only oxide deposits. As a result, and due to general market sentiment for junior exploration companies in 1997-1998, Tolita was only drilled to a depth of 200m with 3 short RC holes (out of a planned 8 hole campaign)3. When Gold Hart acquired the property, a full geophysical survey was conducted by a recognized geophysics firm, and a large high-chargeability and conductive anomaly was discovered that is near surface and almost 2.5km2 in size and "interpreted as a copper-gold or gold-copper porphyry system that certainly warrants additional exploration and drilling4". Gold Hart Copper has therefore launched diamond drilling and is fully funded for this planned campaign. References & Notes: Escondida is the largest copper mine globally, as defined by producing the greatest number of copper tonnes per annum. Numbers sourced directly from property owner's website and public filings. Norte Abierto is considered the largest gold asset in Chile as defined by hosting the largest number of total gold ounces. Numbers sourced directly from property owner's website and public filings. Please refer to the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report on Sedar for information pertaining to Gold Hart Copper's properties including historical exploration at Tolita, including but not limited to, the history of the asset and its original staking, geochemical surveys, trenching surveys, helicopter magnetic surveys, and historical RC drilling. Geophysical survey is summarized in the Company's NI 43-101 Technical report available on Sedar. Such geophysical surveys are not definitive, and the results are still at an early stage of interpretation, with no guarantee of a mineral discovery. HART | Gold Hart Copper Corporation - Social Media Channels LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goldhart/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/goldhartcopper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldHartCopper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldhartcopper/ Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release related has been reviewed by Mr. Jonathan A. Warner, Executive Vice President of Gold Hart Copper and a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_8.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_9.jpg To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10786/261456_gold_hart_pr_aug_6_25-_tolita_2nd_hole_10.jpg Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital markets; future spot prices of copper and zinc; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's listing statement dated March 14, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261456 SOURCE: Gold Hart Copper Corp. Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTCID: TLOFF) (together with its subsidiaries, "Talon" or the "Company"), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Copper Project") in central Minnesota, is pleased to announce the initial results of the third drill hole in the historic new Tamarack discovery zone which sits below the existing Tamarack Resource Area and has now been named the "Vault Zone". Drill hole 25TK0565 successfully targeted and intercepted a Talon generated borehole electromagnetic ("BHEM") anomaly. Highlights Drill hole 25TK0565 targeted a Talon-identified borehole electromagnetic (" BHEM ") anomaly located 26 meters northwest of the historic 8.25-meter massive sulphide intercept in drill hole 16TK0250, which graded 12.62% Ni, 13.88% Cu, 0.12% Co, and 17.95 g/t PGEs+Au (see the Company's press release dated May 1, 2025). ") anomaly located 26 meters northwest of the historic 8.25-meter massive sulphide intercept in drill hole 16TK0250, which graded 12.62% Ni, 13.88% Cu, 0.12% Co, and 17.95 g/t PGEs+Au (see the Company's press release dated May 1, 2025). Drill hole 25TK0565 intersected a cumulative length of 20.30 meters of massive and mixed massive nickel mineralization starting at 672.10 meters (see Table 2) over a total length of 34.77 meters (see Figure 1). Assay results are pending. starting at 672.10 meters (see Table 2) over a total length of 34.77 meters (see Figure 1). Assay results are pending. Disseminated and vein-hosted mineralization above the massive sulphide intercept in drill hole 25TK0565 contains chalcocite and bornite, indicating potential hypogene enrichment and elevated copper content, similar to what was observed in holes 16TK0250 and 25TK0563. To date, this mineral assemblage has not been observed at the Tamarack Nickel Copper project outside of the Vault Zone. Hypogene enrichment is important because it can naturally upgrade the copper content of a deposit, creating high-grade zones outside the main massive sulphide body and enhancing the overall value of the mineralization. Using two drill pads and two drill rigs, Talon has now begun a directional drilling program from existing drill holes to target the Vault Zone. Five wedge holes targeting Talon-generated BHEM anomalies are currently planned and additional targets are expected to be tested as drilling progresses (see Figure 2). "The CGO East and CGO West mineral zones were rapidly expanded through a disciplined approach of incremental step-outs, guided by geological interpretation and the rapid acquisition, processing and interpretation of borehole electromagnetic data to effectively vector each subsequent hole. Talon is the only company globally to have developed and proven an integrated drilling, geology and geophysics solution purpose-built to discover and rapidly expand high-grade nickel deposits along the Mid-Continent Rift," said Henri van Rooyen, Talon's CEO. "The 20.3 meters of mixed and massive mineralization that drill hole 25TK0565 intersected 26 meters to the northwest of drill hole 16TK0250 corresponds well with the drainage model of how the mineralization was formed in the Vault Zone. A borehole electromagnetic survey in this hole clearly shows an off-hole anomaly at depth which we believe is related to the mineralization intersected in drill hole 25TK0563 and will be targeted with the recently commenced directional drilling program targeting the newly named Vault Zone," said Brian Goldner, Talon's Chief Exploration and Operations Officer. Figure 1: Cross-Section looking north-west showing the location of new drill hole 25TK0565 compared to the high-grade intercept in drill hole 16TK0250 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/261373_7bd28441c4f06bde_001full.jpg Background Drill hole 16TK0250 was re-examined and extended from 649 meters depth in order to evaluate a subtle BHEM response observed in the data. The drill hole encountered significant mineralization at a depth of 707.75 meters, including 8.25 meters grading 12.62% Ni, 13.88% Cu, 17.95g/t PGEs+Au (23.28% NiEq or 48.87% CuEq) BHEM surveys of drill holes 16TK0250 and 25TK0562 identified multiple stacked BHEM anomalies which were targeted with drill hole 25TK0563. Drill hole 25TK0563 intersected a combined length of 34.90 meters of massive sulphide starting at 762.34 meters grading 14.86% Ni, 15.37% Cu, 0.11% Co, 9.18 g/t Au, 16.31 g/t Pt, 8.65 g/t Pd, and 42.92 g/t Ag (28.88% NiEq and 57.76% CuEq) (see the Company's press release dated June 5, 2025) (see the Company's press release dated June 5, 2025) These discoveries are located approximately 100 meters and 150 meters below the current Tamarack resource. and below the current Tamarack resource. The geological setting of the two new discoveries in drill holes 16TK0250 and 25TK0563 represents an accumulation of massive sulphides with the highest recorded nickel and copper tenor in the geology of the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. The current drainage model interpretation suggests that this enrichment in metal tenor may result from sulphide fractionation, where gravity-driven sulphide liquid drains into structural or stratigraphic traps. Talon has been undertaking BHEM surveys with multiple loops and has generated additional BHEM plates that show a stacked system of electromagnetic anomalies which will be tested in this directional drilling program (see Figure 3). Directional Drilling Program Using two drill pads and two drill rigs, Talon has now begun a directional drilling program from existing drill holes to target the Vault Zone. Five wedge holes targeting Talon-generated BHEM anomalies are currently planned and additional targets are expected to be tested as drilling progresses (see Figure 2). The initial planned wedge drill holes (with follow-up drill holes as determined by results) will branch from: Hole 25TK0563 at approximately 575 meters depth (four wedge drill holes) Hole 16TK0250 at approximately 550 meters depth (one wedge drill hole) The BHEM anomaly associated with drill hole 16TK0250 measures approximately 20 by 30 meters, oriented east-west. The first wedge drill hole will test the southern edge of this anomaly with a step-out of approximately 15 meters. The BHEM anomaly associated with drill hole 25TK0563 consists of a complex network of highly conductive zones of varying dimensions, oriented northwest-southeast and dipping moderately to the north. The planned wedge drill holes will target the north, east, west, and south extents of this anomaly. Additional drilling will be guided by the results of each BHEM survey. Talon's geophysical team operates on a 24-hour turnaround, allowing for rapid identification of new drill targets. Figure 2: Plan view map of the southern portion of the Tamarack Resource Area focusing on the two new discoveries in the Vault Zone below the 138 Zone and showing the initial planned wedge drill holes. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/261373_7bd28441c4f06bde_002full.jpg Figure 3: Cross-Section looking south (see Figure 2) showing a stacked system of conductors from interpreted BHEM survey data. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/261373_7bd28441c4f06bde_003full.jpg Geological Observations Drilling will improve the Company's understanding of the mineralization intersected in drill holes 16TK0250 and 25TK0563. Current observations indicate the mineralization is bounded by a flat dipping hanging wall and footwall contacts within the country rock consistent with the general 15-18 degree southward dip of mineralization across the Tamarack Resource Area. Historically at the Tamarack Nickel Copper Project, massive sulphide accumulations have formed in three dominant geometries: As elongated, tube-shaped bodies (the Massive Sulphide Unit or MSU), As laterally extensive sheet-like accumulations along the footwall of the intrusion, as observed in CGO East and CGO West, or A near-vertical structure along the intrusive-meta-sedimentary rock contact. Based on early geological observations, the mineralization in the Vault Zone is expected to exhibit a similar setting to the MSU, hosted within country rock meta-sedimentary units and governed by the same accumulation processes. The feeder of the accumulation could potentially be represented by a near vertical mineralized structure similar to the ones observed in the CGO East waterfall and CGO West waterfall. Lundin Earn-in Agreement Update Talon and Lundin Mining Corporation ("Lundin Mining") have extended the exclusivity period until August 31, 2025 as the parties continue to work on the earn-in and related agreements ("Lundin Agreements") pursuant to which Lundin Mining may acquire up to a 70% ownership interest in the Boulderdash and Roland exploration targets, which are in close proximity to Lundin Mining's Eagle Mine and encompass approximately 33,000 acres of mineral rights out of Talon's over 400,000 acre mineral package in Michigan (see the Company's press release from March 5, 2025 for further information). Talon has two of its drill rigs currently drilling at Boulderdash and is mobilizing a third drill rig to begin drilling in the next week. QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS Please see the technical report entitled "November 2022 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of November 2, 2022 ("November 2022 Technical Report") prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101")) Brian Thomas (P. Geo), Roger Jackson (P. Geo), Oliver Peters (P. Eng) and Christine Pint (P.G) for information on the QA/QC, data verification, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Nickel Copper Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR+ at (www.sedarplus.ca). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company. Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company. The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate. Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information. Where used in this news release: NiEq% = Ni% + Cu% x $4.00/$8.00 x Cu Recovery/Ni Recovery + Co% x $20.00/$8.00 x Co Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$8.00/22.04 x Pt Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$8.00/22.04 x Pd Recovery/Ni Recovery + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $2,000/$8.00/22.04 x Au Recovery/Ni Recovery + Ag [g/t]/31.103 x $20.00/$8.00/22.04 x Ag Recovery/Ni Recovery CuEq% = Cu%+ Ni% x $8.00/$4.00 x Ni Recovery/Cu Recovery + Co% x $20.00/$4.00 x Co Recovery/Cu Recovery + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$4.00/22.04 x Pt Recovery/Cu Recovery + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$4.00/22.04 Pd Recovery/Cu Recovery + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $2,000/$4.00/22.04 Au Recovery/Cu Recovery + Ag [g/t]/31.103 x $20.00/$4.00/22.04 x Ag Recovery/Cu Recovery For Ni and Cu recoveries, please refer to the formulae in the November 2022 Technical Report. Recovery of Ni to the Cu concentrate was excluded from the NiEq calculation. The following recoveries were used for the other metals: 64.1% for Co, 82.5% for Pt, 69.3% for Pd and 72.6% for Au and Ag. ABOUT TALON Talon is a TSX-listed base metals company in a joint venture with Rio Tinto on the high-grade Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project located in central Minnesota. Talon's shares are also traded in the US over the OTC market under the symbol TLOFF. The Tamarack Nickel Project comprises a large land position (18km of strike length) with additional high-grade intercepts outside the current resource area. Talon has an earn-in right to acquire up to 60% of the Tamarack Nickel Project and currently owns 51%. Talon is focused on (i) expanding and infilling its current high-grade nickel mineralization resource prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 to shape a mine plan for submission to Minnesota regulators, and (ii) following up on additional high-grade nickel mineralization in the Tamarack Intrusive Complex. Talon has a neutrality and workforce development agreement in place with the United Steelworkers union. Talon's Battery Mineral Processing Facility in Mercer County was selected by the US Department of Energy for US$114.8 million funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the US Department of Defense awarded Talon a grant of US$20.6 million to support and accelerate Talon's exploration efforts in both Minnesota and Michigan. Talon has well-qualified experienced exploration, mine development, external affairs and mine permitting teams. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This news release contains certain "forward-looking statements". All statements, other than statements of historical fact that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to future exploration work, including future drill holes, drill results and assays, geophysics and geological interpretations, and whether Talon will enter into the Lundin Agreements. Forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Table 1: Collar Location of Drill Hole 25TK0565 Drill Hole (#) Easting (m) Northing (m) Elevation (masl) Azm Dip End Depth (m) 25TK0565 490999.3 5168292.8 388.0 85.7 -88.3 870.2 Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83. Azimuths and dips are taken from the survey record at collar unless otherwise noted. Table 2: Quick Lithology Log for Drill Hole 25TK0565 Drill Hole (#) From (m) To (m) Length (m) Quick Log % Sulphides 25TK0565 0 64.01 OB 64.01 426.72 FGO/MZNO Tr-2% 426.72 526.58 99.86 FGO/MZNO 5-20% 526.58 526.82 0.24 MSU 85% 526.82 643.1 CGO Tr-2% 643.1 672.1 SED 672.1 689.14 17.04 MMS/MSU 15-75% 689.14 690.92 SED 690.92 695.73 CGO Traces 695.73 703.61 SED 703.61 706.87 3.26 MMS/MSU 30-80% 706.87 707.47 SED 707.47 778.86 CGO Tr-3% 778.86 786.23 SED 786.23 870.2 CGO Quick lithology log of drill holes: Overburden (OB); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Fine-grained Orthocumulate/Mixed Zone (FGO/MZNO); Coarse-grained Orthocumulate (CGO); Mixed and Massive sulphide (MMS/MSU). To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261373 SOURCE: Talon Metals Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Myriad Uranium Corp. (CSE: M) (OTCQB: MYRUF) (FSE: C3Q) ("Myriad") and Rush Rare Metals Corp. (CSE: RSH) ("Rush") are pleased to announce that they have signed a letter of intent ("LOI") dated as of today's date respecting a proposed merger transaction under which Myriad would acquire 100% of the outstanding common shares of Rush (the "Rush Shares") pursuant to a statutory plan of arrangement (the "Arrangement"). Under the Arrangement, Myriad would issue one Myriad common share (each, a "Myriad Share") in exchange for every two Rush Shares issued and outstanding, and all of Rush's convertible securities would cease to be exercisable for Rush Shares and would instead be exercisable for Myriad Shares, with appropriate adjustments made to reflect the exchange ratio under the Arrangement. In addition, Rush will create a subsidiary ("Rush Spinco") to which it will transfer all of its right, title and interest in and to the Boxi Property in Quebec, and as part of the Arrangement shareholders of Rush as of its effective date and time would receive shares of Rush Spinco. Myriad and Rush are parties to a property option agreement (the "Option Agreement") dated as of October 18, 2023, as amended, pursuant to which Rush granted Myriad the option (the "Option") to earn up to a 75% interest in and to the Copper Mountain Project (the "Property") located in Wyoming, USA. On October 24, 2024, Myriad announced that it had successfully exercised its option to acquire an initial 50% interest in the Property. Myriad continues to make progress towards acquiring an additional 25% interest in the Property (for a total interest of 75%) by, inter alia, making additional exploration expenditures of at least $4,000,000 on the Property. Believing 100% ownership of the Property is significantly more valuable than the aggregate values of separate ownership, the companies have determined that a merger would be in the best interests of the shareholders of both companies, subject to all conditions of the Arrangement being fulfilled. Myriad's CEO, Thomas Lamb, commented, "Management of both companies strongly believe that Copper Mountain's value will be significantly higher under unified ownership. Given the vast historical spending and corresponding data, and the drilling and other work we have performed to date, we firmly believe Copper Mountain will be an important district-scale uranium source for the U.S. and is now becoming more widely recognized for this potential. Having the entire Property under Myriad's ownership should drive increased market valuation and attract important institutional and strategic investors and relationships." Rush's CEO, Peter Smith, said, "We are very pleased with the progress Myriad Uranium has made at Copper Mountain, and we agree with the idea that the Property, yielding positive results and steadily showing greater potential over the time of this earn-in agreement, is now at a stage where it will be more valuable if owned by a single company. By engaging in the planned merger, Rush shareholders get a new share interest in a single owner, Myriad, and will also potentially benefit from an enhanced value in Copper Mountain given the now simple ownership structure. The Copper Mountain Property itself becomes more attractive for potential investment, acquisition, or larger-scale partnerships. In addition, all Rush shareholders at the merger date would retain an interest in Rush's Boxi property through new shares issued in the Rush Spinco, essentially meaning they get shares in two companies going forward." Under the LOI, the parties have agreed to proceed diligently and in good faith to negotiate and settle the terms of a definitive agreement respecting the Arrangement. The LOI also contemplates a mutual due diligence period of up to 60 days. At any time, if either party is not satisfied with its due diligence investigations, that party can terminate the LOI. The parties will provide updates respecting the transaction as and when warranted. Closing of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including: completion of mutual due diligence; negotiation and execution of a definitive agreement; approval of the Rush shareholders; approval of the British Columbia Supreme Court; and approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE"). Following closing of the Arrangement, Rush would become Myriad's wholly-owned subsidiary and would be delisted from the CSE. It is not anticipated the transaction will require the approval of Myriad shareholders. About Myriad Uranium Corp. Myriad Uranium Corp. is a uranium exploration company with an earnable 75% interest in the Copper Mountain Uranium Project in Wyoming, USA. Copper Mountain hosts several known uranium deposits and historic uranium mines, including the Arrowhead Mine which produced 500,000 lbs of U3O8 (Cramer et al., 1977a, and subsequent references). Copper Mountain saw extensive drilling and development by Union Pacific during the late 1970s including the development of a mine plan to fuel a planned fleet of California Edison reactors. Operations ceased in 1980 before mining could commence due to falling uranium prices. Approximately 2,000 boreholes have been drilled at Copper Mountain and the project area has significant exploration upside. Union Pacific is estimated to have spent C$117 million (2024 dollars) exploring and developing Copper Mountain, generating significant historical resource estimates which are detailed here. The Company also recently acquired, subject to completing a geophysical survey this year, a 100% interest in the Red Basin Uranium Project in New Mexico, which has a near-surface historical resource (non-43-101) at grades from 1,700 to 3,100 ppm with significant upside potential (Chamberlin, 1981). The announcement regarding the acquisition can be viewed here and a subsequent announcement regarding an expansion of the Company's acreage to encompass ~800 of 1,050 historical boreholes in the basin can be viewed here. Our Crux Investor overview page including recent interviews can be viewed here. The Company's presentation can be viewed here . News releases regarding historical drilling can be viewed here and here. A news release summarising recent chemical assays of 2024 Copper Mountain drilling can be viewed here. Myriad also has a 50% interest in the Millen Mountain Property in Nova Scotia, Canada, with the other 50% held by Probe Gold Inc. For further information, please refer to Myriad's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), contact Myriad by telephone at +1.604.418.2877, or refer to Myriad's website at www.myriaduranium.com. About Rush Rare Metals Corp. Rush Rare Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on its Boxi Property located in the Province of Quebec, Canada. Rush also owns the Copper Mountain Project located in Wyoming, USA, which it has optioned to Myriad Uranium Corp. Rush currently has a 100% interest in the Boxi Property, and a 50% interest in the Copper Mountain Project. For further information, please refer to Rush's disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) or contact Rush by email at psmith@rushraremetals.com or by telephone at 778.999.7030, or refer to Rush's website at www.rushraremetals.com. Rush Contact: Peter Smith Chief Executive Officer psmith@rushraremetals.com The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking information" that is based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections. This forward-looking information includes, among other things, each company's business, plans, outlook and business strategy. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "will", "likely", "expect," "anticipate," "intend", "estimate", "plan", "forecast", "project" and "believe" or other similar words and phrases are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements in this news release, other than statements of historical facts, including statements regarding future estimates, plans, objectives, timing, assumptions or expectations of future performance are forward-looking statements and contain forward-looking information, including, but not limited to: the terms of the Arrangement, the completion of the Arrangement, including receipt of required shareholder, regulatory, court and CSE approvals; the ability of the parties to satisfy, in a timely manner, the other conditions to the closing of the Arrangement; the prospects of the combined company following completion of the Arrangement; that the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement will be realized; the anticipated timing of completion of the Arrangement; and the delisting of the Rush Shares following the Arrangement. Forward-looking information also involves known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual events or results in future periods to differ materially from any projections of future events or results expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others: the failure to obtain shareholder, regulatory, court or CSE approvals in connection with the Arrangement, failure to complete the Arrangement, failure to realize the anticipated benefits of the Arrangement or implement the business plan for the combined company, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of additional financing, no known current mineral reserves or resources, reliance on key management and other personnel, potential downturns in economic conditions, actual results of exploration activities being different than anticipated, changes in exploration programs based upon results, and risks generally associated with the mineral exploration industry, environmental risks, changes in laws and regulations, community relations and delays in obtaining governmental or other approvals and the risk factors with respect to Myriad and with respect to Rush set out in the companies' most recent annual management discussion and analysis and other filings which have been filed with the Canadian securities regulators and available under Myriad's and Rush's respective profiles on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although Myriad and Rush have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. Neither Myriad nor Rush undertakes any obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261438 SOURCE: Myriad Uranium Corp. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Altamira Gold Corp. (TSXV: ALTA) (OTCQB: EQTRF) (FSE: T6UP) ("Altamira" or the "Company"), is pleased to announce that its common shares will commence trading today on the OTCQB ("OTCQB Market") in New York, United States of America, under the symbol EQTRF. The Company's common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ALTA. The Company expects that the listing on the OTCQB will provide greater visibility and convenience of trading for US investors, resulting in enhanced liquidity and greater reach. "Listing on the OTCQB is a key step in making Altamira more visible and accessible to U.S. investors," said Michael Bennett, President and CEO. "As we continue advancing our Cajueiro Gold District in Brazil, this listing gives us a platform to reach a broader investor base and improve liquidity, which are both important as we work to unlock the value of our porphyry gold targets within the district." The OTCQB Venture Market is for early stage and developing U.S. and international companies. Companies are current in their reporting and undergo an annual verification and management certification process. Investors can find real-time quotes and market information for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. Grant of Stock Options Altamira also announces that it has granted 7,375,000 stock options to directors, officers, employees, and consultants of the Company at an exercise price of C$0.10 per common share. The stock options are exercisable for five years and are subject to vesting over 12 months. The options are subject to the Company's Stock Option Plan. About Altamira Gold Corp. The Company is focused on the exploration and development of gold and copper projects within western central Brazil, strategically advancing five projects spanning over 100,000 hectares within the prolific Juruena Gold Belt, an area that has historically yielded over 6 million ounces of placer gold*. The Company's advanced Cajueiro project contains two gold deposits. The central area comprises NI 43-101 resources of 5.66Mt @ 1.02 g/t gold for a total of 185,000 oz in the Indicated Resource category and 12.66Mt @ 1.26 g/t gold for a total of 515,000oz in the Inferred Resource category. In addition, the Maria Bonita gold deposit comprises additional open-pit Indicated Resources of 24.19Mt @ 0.46g/t for a total of 357,800oz, and Inferred Resources of 25.64Mt @ 0.44g/t for a total of 362,400oz. Ongoing exploration and fieldwork at Cajueiro indicate the presence of multiple porphyry gold systems, reinforcing its potential for district-scale development. These hard-rock gold sources align with historical alluvial gold production, highlighting the region's exceptional gold endowment and potential scalability. With two independently established mineral resources, a highly prospective geological setting and a track record of significant discoveries, the Company is well-positioned to unlock further value across its extensive land package. * Juliani, C. et al; Gold in Paleoproterozoic (2.1 to 1.77 Ga) Continental Magmatic Arcs at the Tapajos and Juruena Mineral Provinces (Amazonian Craton,Brazil): A New Frontier for the Exploration of Epithermal-Porphyry and Related Deposits. Minerals 2021, 11, 714. https://doi.org/10.3390/min11070714 On Behalf of the Board of Directors, Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The securities described herein have not been registered under the U.S. Securities Act or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and any applicable state securities laws. Forward-Looking Statements Certain information contained herein constitutes "forward-looking information" under Canadian securities legislation. Forward-Looking information includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the extension of the Warrants. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "will", "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will" occur. Forward-Looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made and they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, including the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. The Company will not update any forward-looking statements or forward-looking information that is incorporated by reference herein, except as required by applicable securities laws. Notes Gold analysis has been conducted by SGS method FAA505 (fire assay of 50g charge), with higher grade samples checked by FAA525. Analytical quality is monitored by certified references and blanks. Until dispatch, samples are stored under the supervision the Company's exploration office. The samples are couriered to the assay laboratory using a commercial contractor. Pulps are returned to the Company and archived. Drill holes results are quoted as down-hole length weighted intersections. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261455 SOURCE: Altamira Gold Corp. HONG KONG, Aug 6, 2025 - (ACN Newswire) - A major breakthrough in surgical embodied intelligence in Robot-Assisted Surgery (RAS) has been achieved in Hong Kong, China. At a press conference held on 5 August, the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) officially announced that its multidisciplinary research team, in collaboration with Cornerstone Robotics, a leading global innovator and unicorn enterprise in surgical robotics, has successfully developed the world's first embodied intelligence platform for multitask surgical automation. The team also completed the world's first clinical validation of autonomous surgery using this platform on Cornerstone Robotics' self-developed Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical System.The research paper, titled 'Surgical Embodied Intelligence for Generalized Task Autonomy in Laparoscopic Robot-assisted Surgery', has been published in Science Robotics, a prestigious research journal in the field of robotics and a flagship publication under the Science family. With a current impact factor of 27.5 and a five-year impact factor of 32.9, Science Robotics is one of the most influential journals in the global robotics field. This marks the first successful in vivo animal testing using a Chinese-developed laparoscopic surgical robot equipped with AI-powered embodied intelligence, validating its multitask autonomy and human-robot collaboration capabilities. It demonstrates the generalisability of the algorithms and the system's clinical feasibility, paving the way for a future of smarter, more collaborative, and more accessible robotic surgery.A Breakthrough Framework: VPPV Embodied IntelligenceThe research introduced a novel paradigm for surgical task automation, encompassing visual parsing, a perceptual regressor, policy learning, and a visual servoing controller (VPPV). This framework combines robust visual foundation models, the generalisation capability of reinforcement learning, and integration of data-driven policy and classic controller to achieve breakthroughs in autonomous performance of robot-assisted surgery, particularly regarding stability, flexibility, and repeatability. Unlike traditional methods in autonomous surgery that rely on additional sensors or pre-defined models and rules, this research is the world's first purely vision-based surgical embodied intelligence framework, featuring full perception, multitask applicability, precise closed-loop servo control, and human-robot cooperation functions. It significantly lowers the barrier for R&D and clinical adoption, setting a new benchmark for next-generation intelligent surgical assistants.The research team trained multiple AI frameworks with generalized task autonomy using their independently developed open-source surgical embodied intelligence simulator, SurRoL, and successfully achieved zero-shot sim-to-real transfer. SurRoL integrates multimodal sensing, built-in physics engine modelling, and multi-task operation training, encompassing the robot-assisted surgery control interface, simulation environment, and reinforcement learning engine.Ex and In Vivo Validation on the Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical SystemTo simulate real surgical settings, the research team conducted rigorous experiments using ex vivo porcine stomach tissue (preserving the left and right gastroepiploic arteries) and an in vivo ~30kg pig. Both tests were completed using the Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical System, fully developed by Cornerstone Robotics. During the in vivo validation phase, an innovative supervised autonomy safety mode was adopted. Without any external sensors and relying solely on the Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical System's high-definition stereoscopic endoscope system, the robot autonomously executed several surgical assistive tasks, such as gauze picking, soft tissue retraction, and blood vessel clipping. The system demonstrated robust adaptability to environmental changes, reliable control stability, and clinical translation potential, offering tangible support for the surgical embodied intelligence mode driven by human-robot collaboration.A Vertically Integrated, AI-Ready Robotic PlatformDr. Jerry Wang, Co-Founder, Chief Technology Officer, and Chief Operating Officer of Cornerstone Robotics, and the corresponding author of the study, stated, "The Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical System, as a core platform in this research, is built on a fully self-developed infrastructure-including mechanical, electrical, software architecture, robotic algorithms, imaging systems, and advanced energy control. This commercial-grade integrated robotic system provides the technical robustness and precision needed for stable deployment of AI autonomy in dynamic surgical environments."He added, "At Cornerstone Robotics, we remain committed to the R&D strategy of full-stack independent research and vertical integration. Our proprietary technology, independently developed software, hardware and system integration, benefits our core platforms with exceptional scalability, with built-in AI-readiness and AI-friendly architecture. This not only enables rapid adaptation and deployment of AI algorithms but also allows the system to flexibly address diverse surgical tasks and scenarios, laying a solid foundation for the evolution of intelligent surgery."From Lab to Operating Room: A Leap Toward Clinical TranslationAs a key technology partner in the research, the Cornerstone Robotics team worked closely with CUHK researchers to complete the successful deployment of algorithms and their in vivo validation on the Sentire' Endoscopic Surgical System. This achievement not only validates the open-source infrastructure and high compatibility of Cornerstone Robotics' platform but also marks a significant advance in accelerating AI-powered surgical assistance from the lab to the forefront of clinical translation.Professor Samuel Au, Founder and CEO of Cornerstone Robotics, commented, "We firmly believe that deep integration between research and industry is the driving force behind breakthroughs in advanced medical technologies. This collaboration not only validates the real-world application of embodied AI on a commercial robotic surgical platform but also showcases their vast potential in surgical automation. We will continue to work with international researchers and clinical partners to explore new eras in task automation, human-robot collaboration, and intelligent system monitoring mechanisms, to accelerate the path toward real clinical application of smart surgical robots."About Cornerstone Robotics Limited (CSR)Cornerstone Robotics (CSR) is a unicorn enterprise, leading medical innovations to create a healthier world. It advances surgical care with cutting-edge robotic systems that make high-quality healthcare more accessible and efficient globally. Founded in 2019, CSR has assembled a global team of surgical robotics experts, clinical professionals, and multidisciplinary innovators, driving rapid growth with key hubs in Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Beijing, Shanghai, and Boston (US), alongside an R&D collaboration hub in Portsmouth (UK). With multiple development pipelines, we are pioneering robotic solutions for soft tissue and other surgical specialties.To find out more information, please visit our website at https://en.csrbtx.com/.Source: Cornerstone RoboticsCopyright 2025 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved. SOFIA, Bulgaria, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Shield AI, the deep-tech company building state-of-the-art autonomy software products and aircraft, announced today that its V-BAT unmanned aircraft system (UAS) has been operational in Europe since early June under a contract with Frontex, the European Border and Coast Guard Agency, and in partnership with Global Sat Tech, to provide a comprehensive border management solution. The aircraft actively supported surveillance and security efforts across thousands of miles of land and maritime borders and played a critical role in emergency response missions. "We've been flying V-BAT missions with Frontex across the EU since early June, and the results speak for themselves. Over the past 60 days of operations, there has been a significant reduction in both irregular border crossings and criminal activity. Local authorities have directly attributed those outcomes to V-BAT," said Brandon Tseng, Shield AI's President, Co-founder and former Navy SEAL. "From border interdictions to supporting firefighting teams with real-time intelligence, V-BAT continues to prove its operational use cases are limited only by our customers' imaginations." In its second wildfire response mission, V-BAT was deployed in late July to support efforts against a fast-moving blaze in eastern Bulgaria. From a distance of 30 kilometers, V-BAT detected the fire and quickly arrived on scene to assist local authorities. The aircraft delivered real-time tracking of fire movement, identified hot spots, and mapped the locations of firefighting personnel. For helicopter crews, V-BAT provided precise fire coordinates and grid data, enabling them to plan and execute water drops more efficiently without losing time searching for targets. It was particularly impressive that Bulgarian authorities confidently deconflicted airspace between V-BAT and manned aircraft using altitude separation alone. This reflects a high level of trust in the platform's reliability and a mature approach to integrating UAS into complex, dynamic air operations. "This project shows how innovation and collaboration can directly strengthen Europe's border security," said Nikolay Kerin, CEO of Global Sat. "By integrating advanced aerial surveillance with real operational needs, we helped deliver a flexible, intelligence-led solution that supports Member States and builds public trust in how Europe protects its borders." V-BAT is Shield AI's operationally deployed single-engine, ducted-fan vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) UAS, capable of launching and recovering without personnel. Trusted by U.S. and international forces, it supports a broad range of missions across Group 1 to Group 5 categories and beyond, including in contested electronic warfare environments. About Shield AI Founded in 2015, Shield AI is a venture-backed defense technology company with the mission of protecting service members and civilians with intelligent systems. Its products include the V-BAT aircraft, Hivemind Enterprise, and the Hivemind Vision product lines. With offices in San Diego, Dallas, Washington, D.C., Boston, Abu Dhabi (UAE), Kyiv (Ukraine), and Melbourne (Australia), Shield AI's technology actively supports U.S. and allied operations worldwide. For more information, visit www.shield.ai. Follow Shield AI on LinkedIn, X, YouTube and Instagram. Media contact: Lily Hinz; media@shield.ai Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744838/Shield_AI_V_BAT_frontex_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744840/Shield_AI_V_BAT_frontex_2.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2744839/Shield_AI_V_BAT_frontex_3.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2632721/Shield_AI_Lockup___Jet_Black_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/shield-ai-marks-conclusion-of-v-bat-missions-in-europe-supporting-border-and-emergency-operations-302522904.html NEW DELHI, IN / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Aayush Wellness Limited, a trailblazer in India's preventive healthcare sector, seamlessly integrates the time-honored principles of Ayurveda with contemporary scientific advancements. Their product line exemplifies this fusion, offering holistic solutions tailored to modern lifestyles. Aayush Wellness Embracing Ayurveda: The Science of Life & Healthy Living. At the heart of Aayush Wellness's philosophy lies Ayurveda, the ancient Indian system of medicine that emphasizes balance and harmony within the body, mind, and spirit. Ayurveda advocates for a holistic approach to health, focusing on preventive care and the maintenance of well-being through natural means. Aayush Wellness harnesses this wisdom by formulating products that align with Ayurvedic principles, ensuring that each offering not only addresses specific health concerns but also contributes to overall vitality. By doing so, they provide consumers with tools to lead balanced, healthful lives rooted in time-tested traditions. Aayush Range of Product Highlights: Aayush Herbal Masala: Positioned as a natural alternative to traditional pan masala, this herbal blend is crafted to provide a refreshing experience without the adverse effects associated with tobacco-based products. It caters to individuals seeking healthier lifestyle choices. Aayush Herbal Masala Savings Pack: This value pack offers the same benefits as the standard Herbal Masala, making it an economical choice for regular consumers committed to wellness. Beauty Vitamin Gummies: These gummies are formulated to support radiant skin, strong nails, and healthy hair. Enriched with essential vitamins and antioxidants, they aim to enhance natural beauty from within. Dreamy Sleep Gummies: Addressing the prevalent issue of sleep disturbances, these gummies combine melatonin, L-tryptophan, chamomile, tagar, and brahmi. This blend is designed to promote relaxation and improve sleep quality, offering a natural remedy for restful nights. Aayush Herbal Pan Masala: Similar in intent to the Herbal Masala, this product provides a tobacco-free alternative for those seeking to transition away from conventional pan masala, aligning with healthier consumption habits. Each product reflects Aayush Wellness's commitment to delivering natural, effective solutions that resonate with the needs of contemporary consumers. Aayush Wellness Limited [BSE:539528], India's preventive healthcare company, is taking a significant step toward accessible and proactive healthcare by launching its first healthcare centre in Virar (Mumbai), Maharashtra. Inspired by the E Sanjeevani National Telemedicine Service of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Aayush Wellness has installed a health ATM that shall conduct a wide range of diagnostics tests, in 2-3 minutes, maintain digital health records, and also facilitate Telemedicine to address health deficiencies before they become critical. Aayush Wellness unveils its first Smart Health ATM in Virar, Mumbai, India, bringing fast diagnostics and telemedicine access to local communities. The Company plans to invest up to 3 Million $ in the first phase and shall review further investments based on business requirements. This expansion will increase the company's physical presence across geographies all over India, improve the offline distribution network for our products and provide complete preventive healthcare solutions under one roof. The company envisions a future where preventive healthcare becomes a cornerstone of everyday life, reducing dependency on reactive treatments. With this initiative, Aayush Wellness Limited continues to strengthen its presence in the $372 billion Indian healthcare market, offering solutions that cater to the evolving needs of consumers. Mr. Naveena Kumar, Managing Director of Aayush Wellness Limited said "The Cloud Clinic model through this Health ATM is unique as it will deliver affordable yet high quality healthcare services to under privileged population of India. Our solution not only promotes early detection and prevention but also empowers individuals, especially those in rural and semi-urban areas, to take charge of their health in an accessible, cost-effective manner." The health ATM shall be able to conduct a up to 59 test including blood test, sugar test, Urine test, Haemoglobin test, skin test, eye test, cancer risk test, Lipid Profile test, and other basic health checkups, at a very affordable price. Further, the health ATM shall also facilitate Telemedicine, maintain Digital Health Records, Cloud connectivity generates smart reports and integration with Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission to benefit majority of the Indian Population." At Our Health and Medical Support centres, we shall also be able to promote and integrate with health programs and initiatives announced by the Government. Summary: Aayush Wellness stands at the intersection of tradition and innovation, delivering products that honor the rich heritage of Ayurveda while meeting the demands of modern health-conscious individuals. Through their diverse offerings, they empower consumers to make informed choices that support holistic well-being. Aayush Wellness Limited (Formerly known as Aayush Food and Herbs Limited) CIN: L01122DL1984PLC018307 Contact no.: +91-84486-93031 Email: cs@aayushwellness.com Web: www.aayushwellness.com Registered Office: 275, Ground Floor, West End Marg, Near Saket Metro Station Exit: 2, New Delhi-110030 India PR contact: Organization: Synergy Global Enterprise LLC Name: Gopi Divecha Contact Number: +6586940671 Address: 111 North Bridge Road #21-01, Singapore 179098 Website: https://pixelproduction.com/ Email: gopi@pixelproduction.com SOURCE: Aayush Wellness Limited View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/aayush-wellness-bridging-ancient-ayurvedic-wisdom-with-modern-wellnes-1055820 Survey finds 92% of employed caregivers are concerned about rising costs, with many sacrificing career growth and personal well-being NORTHBROOK, IL / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Homethrive , the leading comprehensive caregiver support platform, today released new findings from its Financial State of Family Caregivers Survey , which sheds light on the mounting financial, emotional, and logistical burdens shouldered by unpaid caregivers in the U.S. - and how those challenges are impacting today's workforce and employers. Conducted by YouGov, the national survey of over 2,000 U.S. adults, including nearly 500 employed family caregivers, found that 92% of working caregivers are concerned about the impact of rising costs and the current economy on their families. Two thirds reported taking or considering actions that negatively impact their financial well-being, such as incurring debt, turning down a promotion, or dipping into emergency savings. "Caregivers make up a significant portion of today's workforce, often balancing unseen responsibilities at home in addition to their jobs," said Dave Jacobs, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Homethrive. "Employers have a powerful opportunity to recognize and support these valuable team members in ways that boost well-being, performance, and retention." A Widespread but Overlooked Segment of the Workforce An estimated 73% of U.S. adults provide some form of unpaid care for a child, aging parent, or loved one with a chronic condition, disability, or neurodivergence. This includes the "sandwich generation," who are simultaneously caring for both children and older adults. Caregiving also takes a financial toll beyond rising costs. According to AARP , family caregivers spend over $7,200 annually, and on average, 26% of their annual income. These expenses, combined with reduced career advancement and rising personal stress, are prompting many working caregivers to rethink their jobs. Homethrive's study finds: 70% say caregiving affects their ability to be present and focused at work. 66% say it's negatively impacted their career advancement opportunities. 42% have or are considering taking extended leave, sabbatical, or family leave to manage caregiving responsibilities. 51% have or are considering leaving the workforce or seeking more flexible employment. 75% would consider leaving their current employer for one that offers caregiving benefits. Beyond finances and career, caregiving significantly affects mental health. Nearly half (48%) of working caregivers said that balancing work and caregiving made it difficult to prioritize their own health and well-being. A similar number (50%) reported using personal or vacation days to manage their caregiving responsibilities. A Call to Action for Employers Despite the significant challenges working caregivers face, 57% of those surveyed do not feel their employer offers adequate support and benefits. The encouraging news: more than half of employers say they plan to expand caregiver benefits within the next three years. When organizations fail to act, caregivers are often left feeling like they must choose between their job and caring for a loved one. Productivity, retention, and employee well-being all suffer as a result, causing real impacts to the bottom line. The toll on job satisfaction is also real: 47% of all working caregivers - and 60% of those caring for more than one person - reported a negative impact on how they feel about work. "Caregivers bring incredible strength and resilience to the workplace," Jacobs added. "When organizations recognize and support that, everyone wins." To explore the full survey findings and discover how employers can better support working caregivers, read the full white paper . Methodology All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2085 adults, of whom 423 were unpaid caregivers who are also employed. Fieldwork was undertaken between 12th - 14th May 2025. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all US adults (aged 18+). About Homethrive From childcare to elder care, autism to Alzheimer's, and even after loss, Homethrive covers the full spectrum of caregiving challenges from highchair to rocking chair and beyond. Our all-in-one platform blends predictive technology with human connection to deliver proactive, personalized support for every family. Homethrive is offered as an employee benefit by leading employers, and through select health plans and insurance providers. Learn more at www.homethrive.com. Media Contact Escalate PR for Homethrive Homethrive@EscalatePR.com SOURCE: Homethrive View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/business-and-professional-services/financial-and-career-pressures-weigh-heavily-on-unpaid-caregiver-1055972 Kingsway Search Xcelerator's 11th Acquisition Asset-light outsourced human resources services business with recurring revenues Unaudited pro-forma annual adjusted EBITDA of $0.2 million CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / (NYSE:KFS) Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway" or the "Company"), the only publicly-traded US company employing the Search Fund model to acquire and build great businesses, today announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Ravix Group, Inc. ("Ravix"), has completed the strategic acquisition of The HR Team, Inc. ("The HR Team"), a specialized firm of human resources professionals based in the state of Maryland. The transaction enhances Ravix's ability to deliver comprehensive human resources ("HR") services as part of its Office of the CFO platform, and expands Ravix's capabilities in HR compliance, organizational development, and outsourced HR support services. The combination expands and diversifies Ravix's client base, creates meaningful cross-selling opportunities, and provides a strong foundation for further expansion in outsourced HR services. The transaction closed on August 1, 2025, and was funded with cash on hand and a seller note. Management will provide additional details about the acquisition during the company's second quarter 2025 earnings call. Timi Okah, CEO of Ravix, sourced and led the transaction for Kingsway. Management Commentary "I am delighted to welcome The HR Team to Ravix and to Kingsway," said JT Fitzgerald, President and CEO of Kingsway. "This transaction highlights our broader strategy of backing our talented Operator CEO's as they seek to grow their businesses, even after the initial acquisition. Timi is doing an exceptional job not only operating Ravix but also identifying and executing on new opportunities for growth. At Kingsway, our focus remains empowering our Operator CEO's as they scale their businesses and pursue long-term value creation." "The HR Team is a strong strategic and cultural fit for Ravix," said Timi Okah, CEO of Ravix. "Strategically, the acquisition expands our capabilities in HR services, strengthens our presence on the East Coast, and accelerates our growth in the nonprofit, membership organization, and government services verticals. Culturally, The HR Team's commitment to outstanding customer service mirrors our client-centric model at Ravix. Bringing the two organizations together represents a meaningful step forward in our strategy to build a more diversified, high-retention business." "Joining forces with Ravix is a natural evolution for The HR Team," said Eileen Levitt, Founder and President of The HR Team. "We share a common commitment to exceptional client service and practical, people-centered solutions. As I step into an Executive Advisor role, I look forward to supporting the integration and to continuing to help our team and clients succeed under the Ravix platform." About The HR Team, Inc. Founded in 1996, The HR Team is a respected HR outsourcing firm serving small and mid-sized organizations across a diverse range of sectors including technology, construction, financial services, and nonprofits. From the outset, The HR Team has distinguished itself by delivering personalized, strategic HR support including acting as a cost-effective alternative to an in-house HR department. With a reputation built on tailored solutions, The HR Team has consistently prioritized culture fit, client trust, and strategic impact in its customized service model. About the Company Kingsway Financial Services Inc. ("Kingsway") (NYSE: KFS) is the only publicly-traded US company employing the Search Fund model to acquire and build great businesses. Kingsway owns and operates a collection of high-quality B2B and B2C services companies that are asset-light, growing, profitable, and that have recurring revenues. Kingsway seeks to compound long-term shareholder value on a per share basis via its decentralized management model, its talented team of operators, and its tax-advantaged corporate structure. Forward-Looking Statements This press release may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expected and projected. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements; however, the absence of any such words does not mean that a statement is a not a forward-looking statement. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance, but reflect Kingsway management's current beliefs, based on information currently available. A number of factors could cause actual events, performance, or results to differ materially from the events, performance, and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. For information identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements, please refer to the section entitled "Risk Factors" in the Company's 2024 Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Form 10-Qs and Form 8-Ks filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise. Additional Information Additional information about Kingsway, including a copy of its Annual Reports can be accessed on the EDGAR section of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov, on the Canadian Securities Administrators' website at www.sedar.com, or through the Company's website at www.kingsway-financial.com. For Investor Inquiries: Hayden IR James Carbonara (646) 755-7412 james@haydenir.com For Company Inquiries: Kingsway Financial Services Inc. Kent Hansen, CFO (312) 766-2163 khansen@kingsway-financial.com SOURCE: Kingsway Financial Services, Inc. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/banking-and-financial-services/kingsway-announces-acquisition-of-the-hr-team-inc.-by-ravix-group-1056092 Backed by leading private equity firm Quad-C, new engineering platform aims to unite top regional firms and drive industry-wide progress GREENVILLE, SOUTH CAROLINA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Today marks the official launch of 4CE Engineering Group, a new engineering firm formed to modernize the civil infrastructure industry by uniting best-in-class engineering firms across the country. Pronounced "Force," 4CE is backed by middle-market private equity firm Quad-C Management, Inc., and led by industry veteran Wes Kingery, former Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer of industry leader Vortex Companies. Wes Kingery, Founder and CEO Professional image of Wes Kingery, Founder and CEO 4CE Engineering Group is on a mission to bring a new kind of energy to engineering; one rooted in collaboration, growth, and purpose. The group is actively seeking to partner with small to mid-sized firms in the water / wastewater, stormwater, transportation, aviation, and civil infrastructure markets that: Value their people and culture, Are regional leaders aiming to grow without losing control, and Believe in the power of collaboration to move the industry forward. "We built Vortex into the number one brand in trenchless infrastructure, scaling 15X in eight years and expanding the team from 150 to 1400 in that time, resulting in a world class organization," said Wes Kingery, Founder and CEO of 4CE. "Now, we're bringing that same velocity and vision to engineering with a platform that empowers firms to grow without sacrificing who they are." The name 4CE reflects a double meaning: "Force Civil Engineers," a nod to the company's civil focus and bold intent to drive change, and a tribute to Quad-C as well as Wes Kingery's four children. At its core, 4CE represents the strength, energy, and unity required to move the industry forward; connecting asset owners, engineers, contractors, and manufacturers in new ways. "4CE is more than a holding company it's a coalition of high-performance firms committed to better outcomes, smarter infrastructure, and long-term impact," said Matt Trotta, Partner at Quad-C. "We're proud to support this effort and the leadership behind it." 4CE's growth strategy centers on acquiring engineering firms with strong regional footprints, cultural alignment, and expertise in core infrastructure disciplines. The firm will provide strategic support, operational resources, and capital investment to help partner firms scale, innovate, and retain their unique identities. About 4CE Engineering Group 4CE is an engineering growth platform designed to partner with select civil infrastructure firms to bring about meaningful, sustainable progress. With deep industry roots and financial backing from Quad-C, 4CE empowers firms to scale smartly, serve better, and remain true to their mission. www.4ceeng.com and on LinkedIn. About Quad-C Founded in 1989 and headquartered in Charlottesville, Virginia, Quad-C is a middle market private equity firm focused on investing in well-established services and industrial companies. In its 35-year history, Quad-C has invested over $4 billion of equity across more than 85 companies. The Quad-C team is committed to partnering with entrepreneurs and management teams to accelerate growth and create long-term value. www.quadcmanagement.com and on LinkedIn. Corporate Contact: Wes Kingery Founder & CEO, 4CE Engineering Group 355 S. Main Street, Suite 2288 Greenville, SC 29601 -END- Contact Information Jackie Herrera Media Contact jackie.herrera@chasmbridge.com SOURCE: 4CE Engineering Group View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/electronics-and-engineering/4ce-engineering-group-launches-with-mission-to-modernize-civil-infrastr-1056940 Mr. Sandoval to Assume Chief Scientist Role Strategic Additions to Advance & Expand Company's Industry-Leading Psychometric AI Platform DALLAS, TX / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Messier 42 LLC ("M42"), a private leading global artificial intelligence technology and digital transformation company, is pleased to announce entering into an agreement to acquire Q-AI LLC, a leading developer of enterprise ready and bespoke AI solutions focused on delivering efficiency across enterprises. As part of the transaction, Q-AI LLC and AI Research Corporation Founder and CEO Michael Sandoval will join M42 as Chief Scientist. The acquisition brings together M42's successful Psychometric AI platform with one of the leading AI (Math) practitioners in Mr. Sandoval as well as Q-AI's research and development specializing in artificial intelligence and hybrid analytic solutions that deliver real-time insights, cybersecurity defense, and large-scale data analytics for enterprise and government clients. "We are excited to have Michael join our team at M42," said John Rochon., Chairman and Founder of M42. "We strongly believe that, with the addition of Michael's mathematics and engineering skillset, along with our psychology and biology-based Psychometrics, we truly have an offering that is unlike anything else in artificial intelligence todayand closes the gap between the conscious and unconscious human psyche. While we have collaborated with Michael over the years, his addition will truly advance our possibilities, creating a unique syndication of quantum, theoretical, and applied math in AI that can provide accurate results and solutions for enterprises, governments, and agencies that we serve." "I am looking forward to the opportunity to join forces with M42 to add even more depth and reach in the marketplace through their psychometric AI," said Mr. Sandoval. "I have spent a good part of my career utilizing best in class AI platforms to solve problems and create tailored solutions for enterprise and M42 offers a powerful tool that advances the goals of our mutual client industries. I believe together we can continue to expand to the limits of AI in this century and help address real challenges around the world." Mr. Sandoval is an inventor, mathematician, and data scientist, best known as the former Founder and CEO of Atigeo and xPatterns, big data platform and hybrid analytics companies. He specializes in optimizing and extending machine learning, AI, and data analytics for the 21st Century through advanced Math, Physics, and other sciences. With a 10-year tenure at Microsoft, he also founded the Microsoft Partner Solutions Center. Michael has worked with the Department of Defense, World Bank, and delivered thousands of engagements for Microsoft Partners, Customers and internal product teams. He has been issued over 20 patents in his career in AI and data analytics and created courseware and taught Master of Science at Seattle University. What is Psychometric AI? Psychometric AI combines behavioral science, machine learning, and pattern recognition to analyze and predict human behavior, decisions, and actions. Knowing that observations influence outcomes, the capacity of this foundational technology to provide boundless observations delivers unmatched predictive capabilities that drive operational efficiency, compliance monitoring, fraud detection, and personalized experiences. About M42 M42 is a global leader in technology solutions and digital transformation, providing innovative services across various industries. As a syndicate leveraging AI for justice, truth and fairness, M42 combines deep expertise in artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and cybersecurity to drive growth and efficiency for its clients worldwide. About AI Research Corporation AI Research is an advanced mathematics based artificial intelligence-driven maker of disruptive solutions based in the Seattle, Washington region. AI Research enables organizations of all sizes and types to experience the benefits that result from distributing AI computing across the cloud and at the edge. Our proprietary suite of solutions allows real-time communication between IoT access points, increasing the intelligence of your AI initiatives while delivering efficiency across the enterprise. Forward Looking Statements This document contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements, including those related to the services provided by M42 and Q-AI, are statements that are based on current expectations as well as the beliefs and assumptions of management as of that time with respect to future events. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, many of which involve factors or circumstances that are beyond M42's control. Except as required by law, M42 does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments, or otherwise. M42 Contacts Matthew Selinger, Senior Partner Integrous Communications Email: mselinger@integcom.us Phone: 415-572-8152 Website: https://m42.com/ Visit us on social media: LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/company/m42com X: https://x.com/M42_AI_ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/m42_AI_/ SOURCE: M42 View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/m42-announces-the-acquisition-of-ai-research-corporation-team-inc-1056916 Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Hayasa Metals Inc. (TSXV: HAY) (OTCQB: HAYAF) (FSE: FR2) ("Hayasa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of its Phase 2 diamond drill program at its 100%-owned Urasar Mineral District in northern Armenia; and the planned commencement of the 2025 drill campaign at the Company's Vardenis copper-gold project, 20kms along strike from the Amulsar deposit. During June and July 2025, a total of 2,040.1 meters were drilled across eleven diamond drill holes at the Urasar project. The program targeted five prospects along the 15 km-long mineralized corridor, including: Western Zone: Copper Creek, Oxide Basin, and Golden Vein Eastern Zone: Black River and Brick House Approximately 400 core samples from drill holes UDD-010 through UDD-016 have been submitted for preparation and laboratory analysis. Assay results are expected in late September this year. Logging, cutting, and processing of the remaining holes are ongoing. Detailed summaries of the drill program, including tables and maps, are provided in the figures below. Figure 1. Urasar Phase 2 Drill Hole Summary To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/261468_urasarimage.jpg Figure 2. Drill hole locations: 2025 (light blue), 2024 (magenta) To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/261468_7eac1a7b94323b81_003full.jpg Figure 3. Western area of license: Oxide Basin, Copper Creek, Golden Vein To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/261468_7eac1a7b94323b81_004full.jpg Figure 4. Black River drill hole traces with IP lines To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/261468_7eac1a7b94323b81_005full.jpg Commencement of 2025 Drill Program at Vardenis Hayasa is also pleased to announce that the 2025 Vardenis drill campaign will begin in mid-August. The program will consist of eight to ten drill holes, totaling a minimum of 3,400 meters, targeting the northern portion of the 94 km license area. This region hosts the most promising molybdenum anomalies and low-resistivity/high chargeability zones identified through the 2024 Induced Polarization (IP) survey and a recently completed magneto-telluric (MT) survey. Drill pad construction is currently underway, and final planning of drill hole locations is in progress. An updated drill plan map will be released at the start of the campaign. Chairman & President Commentary Dennis Moore, President, and Qualified Person for Hayasa Metals, commented: "This is an exciting time for our Company. We've put significant effort into preparing for these drill campaigns-conducting MT surveys, improving road access, and working closely with geological specialists and local contractors. The 2,000-meter, eleven-hole program at Urasar has concluded successfully, and I'm particularly encouraged by the copper sulfide mineralization observed in most holes, especially those from the Golden Vein area." Moore continues: "We're now turning our focus to Vardenis. With its extensive alteration footprint-the largest in Armenia-and strong geophysical and geochemical signatures, we believe Vardenis has the potential to host a Tier-1 porphyry copper-molybdenum deposit. Interest from several major mining companies underscores this potential. This next drill program is a critical step toward testing that thesis." CEO Commentary Joel Sutherland, CEO for Hayasa Metals, commented: "Congrats to the team in the field for completing the second 2,000m program at Urasar in less than 9 months. Investors should understand that the team at Hayasa has done an exceptional amount of work with limited resources including: a just completed Magneto-Telluric survey at Vardenis and Urasar, and incorporating findings from Simon Meldrum's analysis. Additionally, at both properties: we've completed an IP survey, performed additional soil sampling, and finished the ground mag survey. Not to mention the addition of two high quality targets in our project pipeline identification. Given the visible metal in the box at Urasar, we look forward to the assays out in September and getting started on Vardenis." Figure 5. Select core photos from 2025 Urasar 2,000m drilling campaign To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3169/261468_selectcore.jpg About Hayasa Metals Hayasa Metals Inc. is a copper and gold exploration company focused on advancing its highly prospective projects in Armenia. The Company is committed to responsible exploration and sustainable development practices while creating long-term value for shareholders. Qualified person The content of this news release was reviewed by Dennis Moore, Hayasa's President and Chairman, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-looking statements This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this news release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements including, without limitation, statements regarding future exploration programs at Vardenis and Urasar. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations including the risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulations. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by Canadian securities law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261468 SOURCE: Hayasa Metals Inc. TotalEnergies (Paris:TTE) (LSE:TTE) (NYSE:TTE) announces that its affiliate Total Austral has signed an agreement with YPF SA for the sale of its 45% operated interest in two unconventional oil and gas blocks in Argentina, Rincon La Ceniza and La Escalonada, for an amount of USD 500 million at a valuation of around 10,000 USD/acre. Located in the Vaca Muerta area in the Neuquen Basin, these concessions (51,000 net acres) are currently in a pilot development phase. Total Austral's partners in these concessions are Gas y Petroleo de Neuquen (10%) and O&G Developments LTD S.A (45%), owned by Shell. "The sale of Rincon La Ceniza and La Escalonada blocks is part of our active portfolio management strategy. TotalEnergies remains fully committed to Argentina, where it operates a large unconventional area of 183,000 nets acres in the Vaca Muerta play, after the divestment of these two blocks which represented around 20% of our net acreage in that play. The Company is currently producing gas and condensates from the operated blocks Aguada Pichana Este and San Roque, with a combined production of around 50,000 boe/d in TotalEnergies share in 2024. This transaction allows us to unlock value from part of our portfolio, while focusing on the development of our core assets in the Neuquen Basin and in the offshore of Tierra del Fuego" said Javier Rielo, Senior Vice President Americas, Exploration Production at TotalEnergies Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions. TotalEnergies in Argentina TotalEnergies has been operating in Argentina since 1978, and today employs more than 1,100 people in its business segments, in Exploration Production, renewable electricity (solar and wind), and lubricants. Through its Total Austral affiliate, it is the country's leading international gas producer, operating some 25% of production. The Company's equity share of production averaged 95,000 barrels of oil equivalent per day in 2024. In Tierra del Fuego, alongside partners Harbour Energy (37.5%) and Pan American Sur (25%), TotalEnergies (37.5%) operates the Cuenca Marina Austral 1 (CMA-1) concession, which includes onshore fields and 6 offshore platforms. In Neuquen, the Company holds equity interests in three operated onshore blocks. Across the country, TotalEnergies operates 3 wind farms and 1 solar plant, with an installed capacity of approximately 300 MW. About TotalEnergies TotalEnergies is a global integrated energy company that produces and markets energies: oil and biofuels, natural gas, biogas and low-carbon hydrogen, renewables and electricity. Our more than 100,000 employees are committed to provide as many people as possible with energy that is more reliable, more affordable and more sustainable. Active in about 120 countries, TotalEnergies places sustainability at the heart of its strategy, its projects and its operations. @TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies TotalEnergies Cautionary Note The terms "TotalEnergies", "TotalEnergies company" or "Company" in this document are used to designate TotalEnergies SE and the consolidated entities that are directly or indirectly controlled by TotalEnergies SE. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" may also be used to refer to these entities or to their employees. The entities in which TotalEnergies SE directly or indirectly owns a shareholding are separate legal entities. This document may contain forward-looking information and statements that are based on a number of economic data and assumptions made in a given economic, competitive and regulatory environment. They may prove to be inaccurate in the future and are subject to a number of risk factors. Neither TotalEnergies SE nor any of its subsidiaries assumes any obligation to update publicly any forward-looking information or statement, objectives or trends contained in this document whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Information concerning risk factors, that may affect TotalEnergies' financial results or activities is provided in the most recent Universal Registration Document, the French-language version of which is filed by TotalEnergies SE with the French securities regulator Autorite des Marches Financiers (AMF), and in the Form 20-F filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806854389/en/ Contacts: TotalEnergies Media Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 99 l presse@totalenergies.com l @TotalEnergiesPR Investor Relations: +33 (0)1 47 44 46 46 l ir@totalenergies.com NEW YORK, Aug 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a new comprehensive report from The Insight Partners, the global helicopter hoists winches and hooks market is observing growth of helicopter emergency medical services and aerial firefighting. The helicopter hoists winches and hooks market is expected to reach US$1,222.01 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$1,807.16 million by 2031; it is estimated to record a CAGR of 5.9% from 2025 to 2031. Hospitals and independent trauma or care centers across the world are focusing on offering advanced patient care services to strengthen their foothold in the market. They are also focusing on infrastructure development to integrate modern amenities into their service offerings. Increasing investments in the medical industry boost the adoption of air ambulances. For instance, in 2024, Sofia's St. Ekatherina Hospital launched a licensed helipad on the roof as a part of its helicopter emergency medical services. Check valuable insights in the Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market report. You can easily get a sample PDF of the report - https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00040923 The proliferation of advanced patient transportation methods that involve helicopters in rescue and medical support services bolsters the growth of the market for helicopter emergency medical services. In emergencies where a location is inaccessible, helicopters equipped with hoist systems can transport medical supplies, equipment, or personnel to help treat victims on-site. Thus, the growing adoption of helicopters in medical emergency services is driving the growth of the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market. The report runs an in-depth analysis of market trends, key players, and future opportunities. The rising investments in aerial firefighting, growth of helicopter emergency medical services, and the expansion of offshore wind energy capacity are some of the major drivers of market growth. Overview of Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market Report Findings The Rising Investments in Aerial Firefighting: Modern aerial firefighting tactics heavily rely on helicopters, especially for supply drop operations, search and rescue missions, and wildfire management, among others. Heavy water buckets and other firefighting supplies can be transported to the fire zone by helicopters fitted with hoists. In addition to proactively managing forests and guaranteeing their general health, aerial firefighting service providers can mitigate the spread of wildfires and lessen their intensity. Governments of various countries focus on funding forest preservation projects or investing in the same, protecting these geologies from wildfires. In November 2023, the European Council announced the extension of funding for firefighting planes and helicopters until 2027. Similarly, in January 2024, the US Deputy Secretary of the Interior announced its plans to invest US$ 138 million in combating forest fires and mitigation. In January 2025, Bridger Aerospace Group Holdings, Inc., a prominent player in the US aerial firefighting sector with a market capitalization of US$178 million, grabbed a five-year contract worth US$20.1 million with the US Department of the Interior. Such investments are anticipated to propel the procurement of aerial firefighting helicopters, in turn driving the demand for helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks. Thus, rising investments in the aerial firefighting sector bolster the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market. Growth of Helicopter Emergency Medical Services: Private hospitals and care centers are more focused on investing in improving infrastructure to be able to establish advanced facilities such as helicopter ambulance services. Hospitals are building new helipads to ensure the smooth service of helicopters to cater to critical patients in a time of need. For instance, in February 2024, Sofia's St. Ekatherina Hospital launched a licensed helipad on the roof as a part of the helicopter emergency medical services.In August 2023, UNM Hospital initiated the construction of a new helipad on the emergency care centre with the purpose of improving lifesaving services across New Mexico, Arizona, and Colorado. In June 2023, HELP Appeal donated US$509,456.4 to the Mull and lona Community Hospital to construct helipads to cater to air ambulance facilities. In September 2023, lizuka City Hospital in Japan constructed a new helicopter landing pad for providing air ambulance services. Standard helicopter landing sites at hospitals are extremely important to confirm that patients receive timely access to emergency care. Thus, the growing emphasis on establishing proper infrastructure to support helicopter ambulance services is anticipated to boost the procurement of helicopters in the medical industry worldwide. In March 2025, Airbus Helicopters and Global Medical Response (GMR) signed an agreement for up to 15 H140 helicopters, which will be deployed in emergency medical services. Thus, flourishing emergency medical services benefit the helicopter hoist, winches, and hooks market. Expansion of Offshore Wind Energy Capacity: The Offshore Wind Energy Market Report, published by American Clean Power Association (ACP) in 2024 illustrates the detailed landscape of new offshore wind projects in the US; there are almost 37 leases in the country, which account for more than 58 GW of capacity. As of June 2024, all projects in development came online; the additional generation capacity is anticipated to offer enough electricity to power the equivalent of 22 million homes. However, the US continues to lag behind other countries in operating offshore wind capacity. As a result, the country is ramping up offshore wind energy projects to play a crucial role in an energy system powered by clean power. The US is investing US$65 billion in the development, construction, and operations of offshore wind projects, which are anticipated to create more than 56,000 jobs by 2030. According to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) statistics, as of 2022, a collective 63 GW of offshore wind capacity was installed globally, and the levelized cost of electricity (LCOE) produced from offshore wind was brought down by 59% in the period 2010-2022. Various countries are focusing on the expansion of their offshore wind capacity to contribute to the global goal of achieving offshore wind capacity of 494 GW and 2,465 GW by 2030 and 2050, respectively, in compliance with IRENA's (i.e., International Renewable Energy Agency) 1.5C scenario. Geographical Insights: In 2024, North America led the market with a substantial revenue share, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific, respectively. Asia Pacific is expected to register the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Get Sample Copy of Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market Report: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/sample/TIPRE00040923 Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market Segmentation Based on product type, the helicopter hoists winches and hooks market is segmented into cargo hooks, double hooks, specialized hooks, and hoists & winches. The hoists & winches segment held the largest market share in 2024. By load capacity, the market is segmented into below 1500 lbs, 1500-6000 lbs, and above 6000 lbs. The below 1500 lbs segment held a larger share of the market in 2024. Based on application, the market is categorized into sling load operations/aerial work, construction operations, firefighting operations, military operations, telecom equipment transportation, and others. The military operations segment held a larger share of the market in 2024. Competitive Strategy and Development Key Players : A few of the major companies operating in the helicopter hoists winches and hooks market are Moog Inc, Talon Helicopters, Dart Aerospace, AllClear Aerospace & Defense, Sika Interplant Systems Limited, VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH, Life Support International Inc., Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, Breeze-Eastern LLC, Heli-One, Airbus SE, and Helitech Solutions, among others. : A few of the major companies operating in the helicopter hoists winches and hooks market are Moog Inc, Talon Helicopters, Dart Aerospace, AllClear Aerospace & Defense, Sika Interplant Systems Limited, VINCORION Advanced Systems GmbH, Life Support International Inc., Onboard Systems Hoist & Winch, Breeze-Eastern LLC, Heli-One, Airbus SE, and Helitech Solutions, among others. Trending Topics: Helicopter rescue hoist systems, Aerial winch market growth, Search and rescue helicopter equipment, Military helicopter hoist solutions, Offshore helicopter winch technology, etc. Global Headlines on Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market Mechatronics manufacturer VINCORION received an order to supply 100 hydraulic Rescue Hoist Systems (RHS) for military transport helicopters Heli-One is appointed by Bell Textron Canada Limited (Bell) to provide In-Service Support for CH146 Griffon helicopters operated by the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) Signia Aerospace completed the acquisition of the Goodrich Hoist & Winch Get Premium Copy of Helicopter Hoists Winches and Hooks Market Size and Growth Report by 2031 at: https://www.theinsightpartners.com/buy/TIPRE00040923 Conclusion The global helicopter hoists winches and hooks market is segmented into five major regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific (APAC), the Middle East & Africa (MEA), and South America (SAM). North America led the market in 2024, followed by Europe and Asia Pacific. High demand among customers and the widespread presence of helicopter hoist winches and hooks providers in North America, especially in the US, favor the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market. On the other hand, APAC is projected to showcase tremendous demand for helicopter hoist winches and hooks in the upcoming years, thus registering the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The flourishing telecom and construction industries are expected to be key enablers of the market growth in this region. Top companies such as Onboard Systems International LLC, Bell Textron Inc., Breeze-Eastern LLC, and Moog Inc. contribute to the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market growth in North America. The market growth in North America is also attributed to significant defense budgets, technological governance in the military and defense sector, and a focus on modernizing military air fleets. For instance, in March 2025, magniX, the company powering the electric aviation revolution in the US market, announced the launch of its new range of lightweight, high-speed electric engines. With this new range of HeliStorm engines, magniX is leveraging its extensive experience across multiple flight test programs, including two separate integrations with Robinson R44 helicopters. Thus, the increasing procurement of helicopters bolsters the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market in North America. The rising investments in offshore wind energy projects fuel the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market growth in Europe. According to the data published by WindEurope in February 2025, Europe's 16.4 GW of wind power capacity and 2.6 GW of new offshore wind power capacity were connected to the grid in 2024. In 2024, US$34.37 billion was raised for new wind projects in Europe. Over the coming years, 19.9 GW of additional capacity will be constructed owing to this funding. With such projects, more personnel and equipment are transported to wind energy sites using helicopters, especially offshore wind farms. Further, US$34.37 billion of investments made in new wind developments in 2024 may fuel the demand for equipment involved in the development and maintenance of these offshore plants. These include reliable and certified hoisting equipment needed to ensure safety and compliance with industry standards. The growing government focus on urban infrastructure development as a part of smart city development initiatives across countries such as China, India, South Korea, and Japan propels the growth of the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market across Asia Pacific. In 2025, the Government of Indonesia announced a budget for the FY 2025, which includes an expenditure of US$240 billion. Further, major allocations of the FY2025 budget include the country's infrastructure budget, amounting to US$26.6 billion, including the cost of residential, commercial, and road infrastructure developments and upgrades. The growing investment in construction projects demands advanced lifting equipment, such as helicopter hoists and winches, for the transportation of heavy materials and equipment to construction sites, especially in challenging terrains. Thus, the ongoing infrastructure developments have a positive impact on the helicopter hoists, winches, and hooks market in Asia Pacific. Trending Related Reports: Helicopter Landing Gear Market Overview and Forecast by 2031 Helicopters Market Dynamics and Analysis by 2031 Unmanned Helicopter Market Key Findings and Size by 2031 Helicopter Emergency Medical Services Market CAGR by 2031 Helicopter Seats Market Key Findings and Size by 2031 Helicopter Mast Market Trends and Forecast by 2031 Helicopter Avionics Market Growth Report 2021-2031 Helicopter Blades Market Size and CAGR by 2031 Air Crane Helicopter Market Analysis and Forecast by Size, Share, Growth, Trends 2031 Helicopter Engines Market Size and CAGR by 2031 About Us: The Insight Partners is a one stop industry research provider of actionable intelligence. We help our clients in getting solutions to their research requirements through our syndicated and consulting research services. We specialize in semiconductor and electronics, aerospace and defense, automotive and transportation, biotechnology, healthcare IT, manufacturing and construction, medical devices, technology, media and telecommunications, and chemicals and materials. Contact Us: If you have any queries about this report or if you would like further information, please get in touch with us: Contact Person: Ankit Mathur E-mail: ankit.mathur@theinsightpartners.com Phone: +1-646-491-9876 Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2520492/The_Insight_Partners_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-report-forecasts-1-8b-helicopter-hoists-winches-and-hooks-market-by-2031--fueled-by-ems-and-aerial-firefighting--the-insight-partners-302523088.html New land offerings in Puerto Williams, Chile, will connect guests to Tierra del Fuego's wildlife, landscapes, and culture, enhancing the journey for guests traveling on Silversea's innovative Antarctica Fly Cruise sailings Watch a new video on The Cormorant at 55 South: Stories by Silversea: A Legacy in the Making: Part 2 MIAMI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Silversea, the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, has unveiled highlights of the land offerings available at its highly-anticipated hotel, The Cormorant at 55 South in Puerto Williams, Chile - scheduled to open in January 2026. Nestled in the heart of the Fuegian Archipelago, The Cormorant at 55 South will offer guests an immersive experience in one of the world's most remote and ecologically rich destinations, allowing them to explore deeper before their journey to Antarctica. "Our vision for The Cormorant at 55 South has always been to transform a journey that had to be endured, into one our guests truly enjoy," said Bert Hernandez, president, Silversea. "The Cormorant will be more than just a place to stay - it will become a new point for discovery at the edge of the world while also making the journey to Antarctica more comfortable and enjoyable for our guests. Our teams have created an enriching offering for guests to explore during their stay, giving them the opportunity to engage with the natural and historical heritage of Puerto Williams, all while enjoying the elevated comfort and service that is synonymous with Silversea." CONNECTING WITH MOTHER NATURE IN RURAL PUERTO WILLIAMS Guests will be able to choose from a variety of guided excursions and activities tailored to different activity levels. These experiences will provide intimate access to the subpolar landscapes, from the Magellanic subpolar forests such as those in Parque Municipal Ukika to panoramic vistas, and more. UNIQUE BIRDWATCHING AND WILDLIFE OPPORTUNITIES The Cormorant at 55 South will be a haven for birdwatching and ecological discovery. The surrounding area is home to a remarkable array of bird species, including the cormorant - which serves as inspiration for the hotel's name - dolphin gull, upland goose, and the yellow-billed pintail. Guests may also admire native horses and guanacos, as well as marine life such as dolphins, whales, and seals in the nearby Beagle Channel. The Cormorant at 55 South will be a haven for birdwatching and ecological discovery. The surrounding area is home to a remarkable array of bird species, including the cormorant - which serves as inspiration for the hotel's name - dolphin gull, upland goose, and the yellow-billed pintail. Guests may also admire native horses and guanacos, as well as marine life such as dolphins, whales, and seals in the nearby Beagle Channel. KAYAKING IN THE WATERS CHARTED BY LEGENDARY EXPLORERS The Beagle Channel, which separates Chile from Argentina, lies just north of The Cormorant at 55 South, along with a scenic inlet that runs parallel. Here, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy guided kayaking during their stay, exploring these unique waterways that were once charted by legendary explorers. The Beagle Channel, which separates Chile from Argentina, lies just north of The Cormorant at 55 South, along with a scenic inlet that runs parallel. Here, guests will have the opportunity to enjoy guided kayaking during their stay, exploring these unique waterways that were once charted by legendary explorers. HIKING IN REMOTE TIERRA DEL FUEGO Puerto Williams is known for its remarkable location in the Fuegian Archipelago, surrounded by the breathtaking landscapes of the Dientes de Navarino mountain range and Cape Horn. It is part of the subpolar climate region, characterized by its pristine wilderness, fjords, and unique biodiversity. The Martial Mountains are home to various animals, including guanacos, foxes, and condors, which guests can witness from a distance. Available nearby hikes include various trails along Parque Municipal Ukika and that pass through Magellanic subpolar forest. ENHANCED GUEST JOURNEY MAKES TRAVEL EASIER Beginning in the 2025-2026 Antarctica season, getting to Antarctica on a Silversea Expedition will be easier than ever. Guests will experience a new charter flight, reserved exclusively for Silversea guests from Santiago to Puerto Williams - the only direct flight connecting these destinations. Guests will enjoy upgraded aircraft, dedicated check-in services, and, once on board, upgraded amenities including an in-flight meal service featuring alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, and increased seating space for a more comfortable flight. ANTARCTICA FLY CRUISE BRINGS GUESTS TO ANTARCTICA IN INCREASED COMFORT The hotel will facilitate a uniquely frictionless journey to Antarctica, allowing guests to enjoy Silversea's personalized service and warm hospitality throughout their entire experience. The innovative six-day Antarctica Fly Cruise Expeditions allow guests to fly over the Drake Passage, providing a shorter option without compromising time spent in the destination. Having pioneered luxury expedition cruising in 2008, Silversea became the first travel brand to offer luxury Antarctica expeditions. With its experience in the region, Silversea now offers the most enriching and personalized adventures on the continent, with an industry-leading expedition team that comprises up to 28 experts in their field, knowledgeable kayak instructors, world-class onboard lectures, and some of the highest Zodiac-to-guest ratios in the industry, among other enriching features. Silversea Expedition experts host guided walks ashore, identifying wildlife species, unique glacial and geological structures, and other fascinating features only found on an Antarctic expedition. Back on board, the team's insightful lectures provide an overview of the day's sightings and experiences. LEARN MORE IN THE LATEST EPISODE OF STORIES BY SILVERSEA In the latest episode of Stories by Silversea, the brand's leaders and project partners share more about the beauty of Puerto Williams and give deeper insight into the project. See the progress of The Cormorant at 55 South and learn more about what guests can expect upon its completion: Stories by Silversea: A Legacy in the Making: Part 2 For more information on Silversea's Antarctica Fly Cruise offerings or The Cormorant at 55 South, please visit Antarctica Fly Cruise and The Cormorant at 55 South Digital Press Kit. Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this press release relating to, among other things, expectations on timing, design, and demand for the development of The Cormorant at 55 South, constitute forward-looking statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "will," "scheduled," and similar expressions are intended to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements reflect management's current expectations, are based on judgments, are inherently uncertain and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, which could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied in those forward-looking statements. Examples of these risks, uncertainties and other factors include, but are not limited to, those included under the caption "Risk Factors" in our most recent annual report on Form 10-K, as well as our other filings with the SEC, copies of which may be obtained by visiting our Investor Relations website at www.rclinvestor.com or the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements in this release, which are based on information available to us on the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. About Silversea Silversea is the leading experiential luxury and expedition travel brand, offering guests immersive experiences on all seven continents, personalized service, and an innovative culinary offering aboard its 12 intimate ocean and expedition ships. Silversea's itineraries encompass an unparalleled range of destinations worldwide, from the Mediterranean and the Caribbean to the Galapagos, both Polar Regions, and hundreds of fascinating places in between. Set to strengthen its destination leadership in January 2026, the brand is developing the southernmost hotel on Earth, The Cormorant at 55 South?, in Puerto Williams, Chile - offering guests a uniquely seamless journey to Antarctica. Silversea brings its likeminded guests closer to their destination in uncompromised comfort, championing the joy of travel, an enriching spirit of discovery, and an enduring commitment To Finding More?. Silversea is one of five cruise brands owned by global cruise company Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL). For more information, visit www.silversea.com. About Royal Caribbean Group Royal Caribbean Group (NYSE: RCL) is a vacation industry leader with a global fleet of 68 ships across its five brands traveling to all seven continents. With a mission to deliver the best vacations responsibly, Royal Caribbean Group serves millions of guests each year through its portfolio of best-in-class brands, including Royal Caribbean, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea; and an expanding portfolio of land-based vacation experiences through Perfect Day at CocoCay and Royal Beach Club collection. The company also owns 50% of a joint venture that operates TUI Cruises and Hapag-Lloyd Cruises. With a rich history of innovating, Royal Caribbean Group continually delivers exciting new products and guest experiences that help shape the future of leisure travel. Learn more at royalcaribbeangroup.com or rclinvestor.com. Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2745400/SILVERSEA_UNVEILS_NEW_IMMERSIVE_OUTDOOR_EXPERIENCES_1.jpg Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2745401/SILVERSEA_UNVEILS_NEW_IMMERSIVE_OUTDOOR_EXPERIENCES_2.jpg Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IU-PyFhwCaM Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1488683/Silversea_Cruises_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/silversea-unveils-new-immersive-outdoor-experiences-at-the-cormorant-at-55-south-ahead-of-its-january-2026-opening-302523233.html The growth of the Land Based Salmon Market is primarily driven by increasing demand for sustainable seafood, advancements in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), and rising consumer awareness about food safety and environmental impact. Land-based salmon farming offers a controlled environment with minimal ecological disruption, making it a preferred alternative to traditional sea-based methods. Additionally, growing investments in aquaculture technologies and government support for sustainable fish farming practices are accelerating the market's expansion across key global regions. LEWES, Del., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Land Based Salmon Market was valued at USD 4.2 billion in 2024 and is anticipated to reach USD 6.5 billion by 2033, growing at a steady compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.5% from 2026 to 2033. This growth reflects the increasing global shift toward sustainable aquaculture solutions and the adoption of land-based systems that reduce reliance on marine ecosystems. The market is expected to witness robust demand from both developed and emerging economies in the forecast period. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=359261 202 - Pages 126 - Tables 37 - Figures Scope Of The Report REPORT ATTRIBUTES DETAILS STUDY PERIOD 2020-2031 BASE YEAR 2024 FORECAST PERIOD 2026-2033 HISTORICAL PERIOD 2020-2024 UNIT Value (USD Billion) KEY COMPANIES PROFILED Atlantic Sapphire, Nordic Aquafarms, Pure Salmon, AquaBounty Technologies, West Coast Salmon, Salmon Evolution, Whole Oceans, Superior Fresh, Andfjord Salmon, and Aquacon. SEGMENTS COVERED By Type, By Application And By Geography CUSTOMIZATION SCOPE Free report customization (equivalent to up to 4 analyst working days) with purchase. Addition or alteration to country, regional & segment scope Land Based Salmon Market Overview 1. Shift Toward Sustainable Aquaculture The global Land Based Salmon Market is experiencing robust growth due to an increasing shift toward sustainable and environmentally friendly aquaculture practices. Traditional salmon farming in ocean cages has raised concerns over marine pollution, fish disease spread, and ecological damage. In contrast, land-based farming using recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS) allows for controlled environments with minimal environmental impact. Governments, environmental organizations, and consumers are showing strong support for sustainable farming solutions. This shift is prompting both established aquaculture companies and new entrants to invest in land-based systems, positioning them as viable long-term alternatives. As awareness about ecological conservation and traceable food sources grows, demand for land-raised salmon is expected to increase significantly. The trend is especially prominent in Europe and North America, where sustainability-driven policies and consumer preferences are driving innovation and infrastructure investment in land-based aquaculture operations. 2. Technological Advancements in Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS) Technological innovation, particularly in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), is playing a pivotal role in transforming the Land Based Salmon Market. RAS technology enables the farming of salmon in a closed-loop system where water is continuously filtered and reused, minimizing water usage and improving disease control. These systems offer real-time monitoring of water quality, oxygen levels, and fish health, allowing farmers to optimize conditions for salmon growth and productivity. Automation, AI, and IoT integration further enhance efficiency and reduce operational costs. The ongoing development of energy-efficient filtration systems and biosecurity protocols has made land-based farming more viable and scalable. As a result, several startups and large aquaculture firms are adopting RAS for commercial-scale salmon production. This technological evolution not only ensures consistent yield and superior product quality but also aligns with regulatory standards and sustainability goals, making RAS a cornerstone of future market growth. 3. Increasing Consumer Demand for Antibiotic-Free and Safe Seafood Modern consumers are increasingly demanding seafood that is not only high in quality but also safe, traceable, and free from harmful additives. This consumer behavior is significantly boosting the appeal of land-based salmon farming, which provides a controlled environment that eliminates the need for antibiotics and chemical treatments. In contrast to open-sea salmon farming, where disease and parasite transmission are common, land-based systems drastically reduce such risks. As public awareness around food safety, health, and nutrition continues to grow, particularly post-pandemic, the market for antibiotic-free and responsibly farmed salmon is expanding. Retailers, restaurants, and foodservice operators are also responding to this trend by sourcing sustainably produced seafood. The assurance of consistent quality, minimal contaminants, and eco-certifications makes land-based salmon a preferred choice among health-conscious consumers, thereby creating new growth opportunities across various distribution channels, including premium supermarkets and online grocery platforms. 4. Strategic Investments and Global Expansion by Key Players The Land Based Salmon Market is witnessing increased investment from major aquaculture firms, private equity groups, and technology providers aiming to capitalize on the sector's sustainable potential. Companies are launching large-scale land-based salmon farms in key regions such as North America, Northern Europe, and parts of Asia, where demand for sustainable seafood is high. These investments focus on building advanced RAS facilities, enhancing biosecurity, and streamlining production cycles. Notable examples include facilities in Norway, Canada, and the United States that are designed to produce thousands of tons of salmon annually. In addition to infrastructure, funds are also being allocated toward research and development for improving feed efficiency and water treatment technologies. These strategic initiatives are enabling faster time-to-market, reduced reliance on imports, and the ability to meet localized consumer demand. As market players compete for share and differentiation, global expansion and innovation will remain central to long-term success. Download Sample Report Now:https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/download-sample/?rid=359261 5. Regulatory Support and Policy Initiatives Government regulations and policy initiatives are increasingly favoring sustainable aquaculture practices, giving a strong boost to the Land Based Salmon Market. Regulatory bodies in regions like the European Union, the United States, and Canada are implementing strict guidelines for environmental conservation, fish health, and traceability, which often pose challenges for traditional open-net farming. Land-based systems, however, offer better compliance with such regulations due to their closed, controlled environments. Incentives such as tax credits, subsidies, and grant programs are being introduced to promote the adoption of eco-friendly aquaculture technologies. Furthermore, streamlined permitting processes for land-based farms and increased funding for aquaculture R&D are encouraging new entrants into the sector. This regulatory support not only ensures a more sustainable and ethical farming model but also lowers barriers to entry for businesses aiming to capitalize on the growing demand for land-raised salmon, especially in highly regulated developed markets. 6. Supply Chain Resilience and Localized Production Land-based salmon farming significantly enhances supply chain resilience by allowing producers to establish operations closer to major consumer markets. Unlike traditional ocean farming, which is often geographically restricted and logistically complex, land-based systems can be constructed in inland or urban areas. This proximity helps reduce transportation costs, minimize carbon emissions, and shorten delivery times-ensuring fresher product availability and greater responsiveness to market demand. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted vulnerabilities in global seafood supply chains, further reinforcing the importance of localized production. Land-based farms can also better manage biosecurity risks, thereby reducing the likelihood of supply disruptions due to disease outbreaks. These advantages make land-based farming a strategic solution for food security and sustainability, particularly in regions with limited coastal access. The ability to integrate vertical supply chain operations-from hatcheries to harvest-offers companies greater control over quality, cost, and traceability, making it a resilient and future-ready production model. 7. Competitive Landscape and Market Fragmentation The Land Based Salmon Market is moderately fragmented, with a mix of established aquaculture firms, technology providers, and innovative startups competing for market share. Leading companies are leveraging economies of scale, advanced RAS facilities, and strategic collaborations to strengthen their presence. Meanwhile, new entrants are focusing on niche markets, technological differentiation, and sustainability credentials to capture consumer interest. Despite high capital investment requirements, the market is attracting attention due to its long-term profitability and alignment with ESG (Environmental, Social, Governance) goals. Mergers, acquisitions, and joint ventures are becoming common strategies to achieve vertical integration and regional expansion. Intellectual property in water treatment, fish feed, and sensor technology is also emerging as a key competitive advantage. As competition intensifies, companies are prioritizing branding, product quality, and operational efficiency. This dynamic landscape fosters innovation and ensures a continuous evolution of best practices, keeping the market vibrant and future-oriented. 8. Emerging Opportunities in Asia-Pacific and Middle East While North America and Europe currently dominate the Land Based Salmon Market, emerging regions such as Asia-Pacific and the Middle East are showing strong potential for future growth. Rapid urbanization, increasing seafood consumption, and a growing awareness of sustainable food sources are fueling demand in countries like China, Japan, South Korea, and the UAE. Governments in these regions are investing in food security and encouraging local aquaculture development through policy incentives and infrastructure support. Additionally, the scarcity of coastal farming areas in densely populated countries creates a favorable environment for land-based operations. Technological partnerships with Western companies are also helping these regions adopt advanced RAS systems. As these markets mature, they are expected to contribute significantly to global production volumes while diversifying demand. Companies that proactively expand into these regions, either through direct investment or strategic partnerships, are likely to benefit from early-mover advantages and robust market growth. Geographic Dominance: Europe and North America currently dominate the Land Based Salmon Market, accounting for the largest share due to advanced aquaculture infrastructure, strong regulatory frameworks, and high consumer demand for sustainable seafood. Norway, Denmark, and Scotland lead in Europe, backed by government support and a legacy of salmon farming expertise. In North America, the United States and Canada are home to several large-scale land-based salmon farms, driven by environmental regulations and proximity to major urban markets. These regions benefit from technological innovation, access to skilled labor, and growing investor interest. Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific is emerging as a promising region, particularly in Japan, South Korea, and China, where increasing seafood consumption and limited coastal farming space are encouraging the adoption of land-based systems. The Middle East, notably the UAE, is also investing in localized, sustainable aquaculture to reduce import dependence. Geographic dominance is thus shaped by infrastructure readiness, environmental policies, and evolving consumer preferences. Land Based Salmon Market Key Players Shaping the Future Key players shaping the future of the Land Based Salmon Market include Atlantic Sapphire, Nordic Aquafarms, Pure Salmon, AquaBounty Technologies, West Coast Salmon, Salmon Evolution, Whole Oceans, Superior Fresh, Andfjord Salmon, and Aquacon. These companies are pioneering advancements in recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), expanding their land-based farming facilities, and investing heavily in sustainable technologies to improve productivity and environmental compliance. Their strategic collaborations, global expansions, and innovative practices are instrumental in driving the market's evolution and long-term growth. Land Based Salmon Market Segment Analysis The Land Based Salmon Market is segmented based on By Type, By Application, and Geography, providing a comprehensive framework for industry analysis: By Type: Atlantic Salmon: The most commonly farmed species in land-based systems due to its high market demand and adaptability to controlled environments. The most commonly farmed species in land-based systems due to its high market demand and adaptability to controlled environments. Coho Salmon: Preferred for niche markets, especially in regions like Japan, owing to its milder taste and shorter growth cycle. Preferred for niche markets, especially in regions like Japan, owing to its milder taste and shorter growth cycle. Chinook (King) Salmon: Premium variety with higher fat content; raised in select land-based farms targeting gourmet and specialty markets. Premium variety with higher fat content; raised in select land-based farms targeting gourmet and specialty markets. Others: Includes species like Pink and Sockeye salmon, cultivated on a smaller scale based on regional preferences. By Application: Retail & Supermarkets: Major distribution channel offering packaged, ready-to-cook, and fresh land-raised salmon to consumers. Major distribution channel offering packaged, ready-to-cook, and fresh land-raised salmon to consumers. Foodservice (Hotels, Restaurants): High demand from chefs and culinary establishments for sustainably farmed and traceable salmon. High demand from chefs and culinary establishments for sustainably farmed and traceable salmon. Online Sales: Rapidly growing segment driven by e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer models promoting traceability and freshness. Rapidly growing segment driven by e-commerce platforms and direct-to-consumer models promoting traceability and freshness. Processed Food Industry: Utilized in producing smoked salmon, frozen fillets, and other value-added seafood products. By Geography: North America: Dominated by the U.S. and Canada, with strong investment in large-scale RAS facilities and eco-friendly aquaculture. Dominated by the U.S. and Canada, with strong investment in large-scale RAS facilities and eco-friendly aquaculture. Europe: Leading region with advanced aquaculture technologies, supportive policies, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood. Leading region with advanced aquaculture technologies, supportive policies, and consumer demand for sustainable seafood. Asia Pacific: Emerging region with rising seafood consumption and increasing interest in localized, sustainable salmon production. Emerging region with rising seafood consumption and increasing interest in localized, sustainable salmon production. Middle East & Africa: Growing market led by food security initiatives and government-backed aquaculture investments. Growing market led by food security initiatives and government-backed aquaculture investments. Latin America: Early-stage adoption with increasing potential due to favorable climate and export opportunities. Food & Agriculture In the Food & Agriculture sector, the Land Based Salmon Market is playing a transformative role by introducing sustainable and efficient aquaculture practices. Land-based systems, especially those utilizing recirculating aquaculture systems (RAS), ensure high-quality salmon production with minimal environmental impact. This method aligns with the growing agricultural focus on food security, traceability, and responsible resource management. Consumers are increasingly seeking protein sources that are both healthy and sustainably produced, and land-raised salmon meets these expectations with controlled rearing conditions and antibiotic-free practices. As the demand for nutritious seafood rises globally, land-based salmon is gaining traction in food supply chains, offering consistent quality and lower ecological footprint. The integration of aquaculture into broader food and agriculture frameworks is also supported by government policies and funding programs promoting sustainable food production. With its emphasis on biosecurity, reduced water usage, and scalability, land-based salmon farming is becoming a cornerstone in the future of global protein supply. Our related Reports Land Based Salmon Farming Market is categorized based on Production Technology (Recirculating Aquaculture Systems (RAS), Flow-Through Systems, Integrated Multi-Trophic Aquaculture (IMTA), Static Tanks, Other Technologies) and Fish Size (Fingerlings, Juveniles, Adults) and End Use (Food, Feed, Research, Aquaculture, Others) and Distribution Channel (Online, Offline, Direct Sales, Retail, Wholesale) and geographical regions Organic Fish Feed Market is categorized based on Type (Floating Feed, Sinking Feed, Slow-Sinking Feed, Extruded Feed, Pelleted Feed) and Ingredient (Plant-based Ingredients, Animal-based Ingredients, Marine-based Ingredients, Probiotics, Vitamins and Minerals) and Form (Dry Feed, Wet Feed, Granules, Powder, Pellets) and geographical regions Bisphenol-A Based Epoxy Land Based Salmon Market is categorized based on Application (Coatings, Adhesives, Composites, Electrical & Electronics, Marine) and End-Use Industry (Automotive, Aerospace, Construction, Wind Energy, Consumer Goods) and Type (Thermosetting, Thermoplastic) and geographical regions Quasi Continuous Wave (QCW) Fiber Lasers Market is categorized based on Type (Yb-Doped Fiber Lasers, Er-Doped Fiber Lasers, Tm-Doped Fiber Lasers, Other Types) and Application (Material Processing, Medical Applications, Defense and Aerospace, Telecommunications, Research and Development) and End User (Manufacturing, Healthcare, Telecommunications, Defense, Research Institutions) and geographical regions About Us: Market Research Intellect Welcome to Market Research Intellect, where we lead the way in global research and consulting, proudly serving over 5,000 esteemed clients worldwide. Our mission is to empower your business with cutting-edge analytical research solutions, delivering comprehensive, information-rich studies that are pivotal for strategic growth and critical revenue decisions. Unmatched Expertise: Our formidable team of 250 highly skilled analysts and subject matter experts (SMEs) is the backbone of our operations. With extensive training in advanced data collection and governance, we delve into over 25,000 high-impact and niche markets. Our experts seamlessly integrate modern data collection techniques, robust research methodologies, and collective industry experience o produce precise, insightful, and actionable research. Diverse Industry Coverage: We cater to a wide array of industries, ensuring that our insights are both relevant and specialized. Our expertise spans: Energy, Technology, Manufacturing and Construction, Chemicals and Materials, Food and Beverages Having collaborated with numerous Fortune 2000 companies, we bring unparalleled experience and reliability to meet all your research needs. Our proven track record reflects our commitment to excellence and client satisfaction. Contact Us: Mr. Edwyne Fernandes Market Research Intellect Call Us on: +1 743 222 5439 Email: sales@marketresearchintellect.com Web: https://www.marketresearchintellect.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2483702/Market_Research_Intellect_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/land-based-salmon-market-to-reach-usd-6-5-billion-by-2033--driven-by-sustainable-aquaculture-innovations-and-5-5-cagr---market-research-intellect-302523203.html According to an analysis by Emperador , any disruption in energy exports through this strategic checkpoint may result in a 25% to 40% rise in crude oil prices. Consequently, the global bitumen market would face severe disruptions, including sharp increases in bitumen prices and a halt in supply from the Middle East. This would significantly impact not only producers but also major importers of crude oil and bitumen, including Europe, China, India, African countries, and East Asia. NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / The Strait of Hormuz, through which 18 million barrels of crude oil pass daily and 10 million tons of bitumen annually, is one of the most critical energy arteries in the world. Its closure due to escalating political tensions especially if Iran responds to the reimposition of UN sanctions by three European countries could cause a deep global economic crisis. Emperador Bitumen Barrels Emperador Bitumen Factory According to an analysis by Emperador , any disruption in energy exports through this strategic checkpoint may result in a 25% to 40% rise in crude oil prices. Consequently, the global bitumen market would face severe disruptions, including sharp increases in bitumen prices and a halt in supply from the Middle East. This would significantly impact not only producers but also major importers of crude oil and bitumen, including Europe, China, India, African countries, and East Asia. In East Asia , countries such as South Korea, the Philippines, Malaysia, Vietnam, and Japan, which partially rely on Middle Eastern sources for their energy and bitumen imports, would encounter serious supply shortages. The closure of the Strait would increase the costs of road construction, transportation, and production throughout this region. It would deal a major blow to both the infrastructure and petrochemical sectors. East Asian governments would likely respond quickly by entering multilateral negotiations and, simultaneously, seek to increase imports from alternative suppliers. However, no single source has the capacity to fill this enormous gap. The international response to this crisis would involve a combination of diplomatic, military, and economic strategies. The United States might attempt to stabilize the market through military threats and the release of oil from its strategic reserves. Europe would explore alternative routes and may even negotiate with Russia. India, which imports around 1.5 million tons of bitumen annually and 5 million barrels of crude oil daily, would face significant challenges in implementing its infrastructure and road construction projects. Arab countries bordering the Persian Gulf would likely position themselves as mediator and would remain deeply concerned about regional stability and the long-term consequences of such tensions. China, which consumes approximately 10 million tons of bitumen annually, nearly 90 percent of it for road construction, would also be heavily impacted. Around 40% of its bitumen requirements are sourced from Iran and the Middle East. Given China's vital dependence on Middle Eastern crude oil for its refineries and bitumen for large-scale road projects, Beijing would likely engage to resolve the tension. At the same time, China would pivot toward purchasing oil from Russia and Venezuela to partially cover its oil demands. Ultimately, Emperador notes that the consequences of any disruption in the Strait of Hormuz, from the reshaping of global trade routes to accelerated investment in alternative energy sources, could fundamentally change the world's geopolitical and economic landscape. Read Emperador's weekly reports of bitumen market trends on Emperador-ae.com , Also, Visit the Bitumen Price page to see the current bitumen price or get information at info@Emperador.ae SOURCE: Emperador View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/oil-gas-and-energy/the-final-move-irans-threat-to-shut-down-the-strait-of-hormuz-and-its-impact-on-1056038 With zero marketing spend and over a million monthly downloads, Tavily's Platform is rapidly becoming the standard search layer for AI applications NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Tavily announced today that it raised $25 million in funding, including a $20 million Series A led by Insight Partners and Alpha Wave Global. The company's platform enables AI agents to navigate live web data through a single, developer-friendly search layer. Tavily has set its sights on the critical problem of agentic search, and since its launch, has seen a meteoric rise to over a million monthly downloads. The company is already serving leading Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing tech firms, like Cohere and Groq, with headquarters in New York and additional offices in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi. Despite giant leaps in the capabilities of large language models (LLMs), search remains the critical frontier for AI agents. From fluidly navigating the web to traversing an internal knowledge base, agents that can retrieve reliable, real-time information offer a crucial edge to enterprises. And yet, model hallucinations, outdated responses, or missed context are barriers for production-ready agents. Developers tasked with building dependable agents are confronted with brittle retrieval stacks or expensive and ineffective in-house infrastructure, diverting time away from product development and innovation. Unlike generic search APIs, Tavily was purpose-built to inject real-time, structured data into the context window of LLMs, making it ideal for AI agents and advanced AI applications. "We're on a mission to onboard the next billion AI agents to the web," said Rotem Weiss, CEO of Tavily. "Building agentic web infrastructure is uniquely challenging, especially when these agents serve mission-critical applications. That's why we built an architecture that generates unique economies of scale: a system that becomes smarter and faster the more it is utilized." Founded by Rotem Weiss (CEO), Assaf Elovic, and Yuval Rozio (in his capacity as Managing Director at Alpha Wave Global, which incubated the company 12 months ago), Tavily delivers the search layer for AI agents. Through high-performance search, web page extraction, and intelligent crawling, Tavily enables AI agents to navigate the web fluidly. In doing so, Tavily presents enterprises with an all-in-one solution, bridging their organizational data, agents, and the entire Internet. Tavily instantly dominated the open-source community, gained traction with AI builders, and the company grew into the leading search platform for enterprises. Today, the platform supports a wide range of applications, including fraud prevention at major financial institutions, logistics optimization for large-scale shipping providers, and academic research at leading institutions. With this funding, Tavily will double its headcount and expand its go-to-market reach, deepen partnerships across developer and LLM ecosystems, and pioneer the next frontier of AI search by delivering lightning-fast, precision retrieval of both internal and external data to millions of developers worldwide. "Tavily's approach to building web infrastructure for agents won developers' love from day one, which led to immediate adoption across Fortune 500 enterprises and public institutions," said Yuval Rozio, Managing Director at Alpha Wave. "In just 12 months, the company grew into a category leader, proof that they're solving a real and urgent problem". "Enterprises need safer, more secure approaches for agents to interface with the Internet. Tavily is building one of the leading web infrastructures for enterprises to have a trusted, auditable gateway for their agentic systems," said George Mathew, Managing Director at Insight Partners. "It's been impressive to see how quickly Tavily has become essential to building compound AI systems at scale." About Tavily Tavily is building the search layer that connects AI agents to the real-time web. Used by over a million monthly users, Tavily provides a suite of web-access APIs that allow agents to search, crawl, and extract structured insights from public and private sources at scale. For more information, visit https://www.tavily.com/ Contact Information: Ofir Zimber media consultant ofirz@tellny.com View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/computers-technology-and-internet/tavily-raises-25-million-to-power-the-internet-of-agents-1056096 JACKSONVILLE, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Employee-owned national architecture, engineering and consulting firm RS&H welcomes Christopher Roe as an executive vice president and the leader of business development. Roe brings deep expertise in strategic growth and leadership, backed by a proven track record across the architecture, engineering and consulting sectors. This appointment comes at a pivotal moment as RS&H rolls out its next five-year strategic plan. Designed to position the firm for long-term growth and meaningful impact, the plan underscores RS&H's unwavering commitment to its people, clients, and communities it serves. "We're happy to welcome Chris to RS&H," said Lisa Robert, PE, current Chief Operating Officer, who will be stepping into the role of CEO in October of this year. "His proven track record in leading teams through growth aligns with our strategic goals. The executive leadership team and I are energized by the contributions Chris will bring during this transformational phase. His expertise will be instrumental in strengthening our foundation and advancing toward an even brighter future." With decades of experience driving growth and developing high-impact strategies, Roe is poised to lead RS&H's business development efforts with a focus on fostering client relationships, advancing innovative opportunities and further enhancing the firm's national presence. "It's an incredible honor to join RS&H at this exciting juncture," said Roe. "The firm's dedication to building lasting partnerships, delivering exceptional solutions and fostering a culture that values people and talent is inspiring. I look forward to working alongside the talented RS&H team to build on its legacy and help shape the next chapter of innovation and shared success." RS&H's five-year strategic plan forms the foundation of its vision, built on collaboration, insight and a relentless pursuit of excellence. Roe's leadership in business development will play a central role in realizing these objectives and further solidifying the firm's reputation as an industry leader. Roe holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Washington and has completed executive programs in Sales & Marketing Leadership and Branding & Positioning at the Foster School of Business. He is actively involved in professional organizations, including the American Institute of Architects, the Society of Marketing Professional Services, the Design-Build Institute of America, and the Urban Land Institute, among others. Additionally, Roe has co-founded initiatives like Trailhead Communities and the Ilead Academy, demonstrating his commitment to community development and education. About RS&H Employee-owned, RS&H is a leading provider of architecture, engineering, and consulting services, driven by a shared purpose: Creating Tomorrow, Together. Guided by core values of integrity, accountability, curiosity, and teamwork, RS&H works alongside clients and communities to deliver innovative, purpose-driven solutions that inspire progress and redefine possibilities. With a history of tackling some of the world's greatest challenges, RS&H combines technical expertise with a boundless spirit to create resilient, forward-thinking infrastructure and spaces. Together, we're building a better tomorrow. Learn more at www.rsandh.com. Contact Information SOURCE: RS&H View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/publishing-and-media/christopher-roe-joins-rsandh-as-executive-vice-president-and-business-developm-1057171 The first initiative is a music contest in Brazil, creating opportunities for creators to communicate their ideas Yamaha Music Innovations, LLC (hereinafter referred to as "YMI"), Yamaha's U.S. subsidiary, has started a collaboration with Groover, a platform that has helped connect about one million artists and creators with industry professionals worldwide. As the first part of this partnership, Yamaha Musical do Brasil Ltda., a sales subsidiary of Yamaha Corporation in Brazil, works with Groover to host the Yamaha x Groover Contest: Win Your New Music Production Studio, a music competition in Brazil. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806833491/en/ Yamaha Corporation collaborates with U.S. Startup Groover This collaboration is intended to expand the customer base and strengthen business in the growing Brazilian market. By offering Brazil-based artists and creators opportunities for self-expression, the company promotes relationships and co-creation within the music community. Additionally, by addressing their needs, the company seeks to enhance the development of digital musical instruments, other products, and content rooted in local culture, thereby supporting the preservation and growth of local music traditions. "At Groover, our mission has always been to empower independent artists and creators. Partnering with Yamaha a symbol of excellence and innovation in music allows us to take that mission even further. We are excited to offer artists the chance to win a cutting-edge music production tool that can truly elevate their sound and creative process," said Romain Palmieri, Co-founder and CEO at Groover. "We are proud to announce our strategic collaboration with Groover, dedicated to discovering and empowering musical talent throughout Brazil," said Kentaro Hayashi, President of Yamaha Musical do Brasil. "With our longstanding presence and deep engagement in the Brazilian music industry, Yamaha continues to nurture the country's rich and dynamic music culture. We are confident that this collaboration will deliver meaningful impact and contribute to the ongoing evolution of Brazil's musical landscape." "We believe in empowering artists through innovation and creativity, and this collaboration is a perfect reflection of that mission," said Scott Sugino, President and CEO at Yamaha Music Innovations. "We are delighted to help create more opportunities for artists and creators to share their expressions with the world and to further energize the work of artists and creators based in Brazil. Through our partnership with Groover, we feel inspired to connect directly with Brazil's vibrant music community and collaborate with talented creators to energize and uplift the music industry." At YMI, the company promotes the creation of new businesses and the strengthening of existing ones through business development, partnership activities, and investments in the form of CVC. Since establishing the representative office in 2024, the company has partnered with a diverse range of startup companies by positioning itself as a hub for open innovation and collaboration between Yamaha Group companies and startups, making this its seventh initiative. The company will continue to foster sustainable business growth and innovation through collaboration with startups and strategic investments. About Yamaha Corporation Founded in 1887, the Yamaha Group has established itself as a global leader in manufacturing musical instruments and audio products while continuing to engage in various business activities to grow services related to sound and music. Yamaha operates over 60 subsidiaries worldwide, dedicated to serving millions of customers across six continents, focusing on delivering excellence in quality and innovation, prioritizing our sustainability efforts and contributing to people's "well-being". To learn more, visit https://www.yamaha.com/en/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806833491/en/ Contacts: Media Contacts Corporate Communications Division Contact form: https://inquiry.yamaha.com/contact/?act=55&lcl=en_WW Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Quadro Resources Ltd. (TSXV: QRO) (OTC Pink: QDROF) (FSE: G4O) ("Quadro" or the "Company") announces that TRU Precious Metals Corp. ("TRU") has elected not to proceed with the Additional Option under the Option Agreement dated June 15, 2022 (as amended), relating to Quadro's Staghorn Property in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a result, TRU has completed its earn-in of a 51% interest in the Staghorn Property, and Quadro retains a 49% interest. The parties have agreed to pursue the negotiation and finalization of a Joint Venture Agreement (JVA) to govern their respective rights and obligations in relation to the property going forward. Quadro President and CEO T. Barry Coughlan commented: "We welcome TRU's continued involvement at Staghorn and look forward to working constructively toward the establishment of a Joint Venture Agreement. With Quadro maintaining a 49% ownership interest, we remain well positioned to benefit from the long-term exploration and development potential of this highly prospective gold and copper system." Assay results from TRU's 2025 drill program are pending, and Quadro believes these will be instrumental in shaping future exploration plans and strategic options. The Company is also evaluating funding opportunities, including potential flow-through and hard-dollar financings, to support its future participation in exploration activities and to preserve shareholder value. About Quadro Resources - Quadro Resources Ltd. is a publicly traded mineral exploration company with approximately 28.5 million shares outstanding, listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the ticker symbol "QRO." The Company is dedicated to advancing gold exploration projects across North America. Quadro holds a 49% ownership interest in the Staghorn property, which is currently optioned to TRU Precious Metals Corp., and owns a 100% interest in the Long Lake property, both strategically situated along the Cape Ray Fault in Newfoundland. On behalf of the board of directors, Quadro Resources Ltd. "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements relate to information that is based on assumptions of management, forecasts of future results, and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. Any statements that express predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact and may be "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Company's expectations or projections." For more information on the Company, interested parties should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261485 SOURCE: Quadro Resources Ltd. Presentations showcased at World Transplant Congress in San Francisco demonstrate HOPE reduces the cost of liver transplantation by shortening the index hospitalization and decreasing late complications HOPE was associated with significantly less severe organ rejection and a significantly lower risk of steroid resistant organ rejection CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Following the unveiling of 12-month follow-up results from the pivotal Bridge to HOPE trial during the World Transplant Congress (WTC) 2025 Plenary Session, additional analyses of the data demonstrate that Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion (HOPE), in conjunction with the VitaSmartTM Perfusion System, can provide significant cost-savings for hospital systems without compromising quality of care, and reduce the severity of organ rejection, including steroid resistant rejection. The results of these analyses were presented in oral abstract sessions by David Axelrod, MD, University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center, OH ("Economic Assessment of Hypothermic Oxygenated Machine Perfusion in Liver Transplantation") and David J. Reich, MD, FACS, Drexel University, Philadelphia, PA ("Decreased Rejection Severity with Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion: Sub Analysis from a Pivotal Multicenter Trial of HOPE for Liver Transplantation"). The data were part of the 12-month follow-up study of the Bridge to Life Ltd. Bridge to Hope clinical trial (HOPE with VitaSmartTM Machine Perfusion System). "Building on the 12-month follow-up Bridge to HOPE clinical trial data presented in the Plenary Session, these additional analyses further strengthen the evidence for the value that HOPE used with the VitaSmart Perfusion System brings to the transplant community," said Don Webber, CEO and President of Bridge to Life Ltd., sponsor of the Bridge to HOPE clinical trial. "Bridge to Life is committed to partnering with Transplant Centers, Organ Procurement Organizations, and Hospitals to lower total cost of care while delivering the highest-quality patient outcomes-by shortening hospital stays and reducing post-transplant complications, including the risk of severe and steroid-resistant rejection. Our broad presence at WTC 2025 underscores our leadership in advancing transplant science." In the economic analysis, compared with standard static cold storage (SCS), liver transplantation using HOPE reduced initial post-liver transplantation hospital length of stay (10.8 vs. 12.9 days), costs associated with biliary complications (20.2% vs. 24.6%), re-transplants (1.8% vs. 4.5%), and death (2.8% vs. 3.6%). Further, HOPE reduced one-year post-transplant costs by an average of $28,565, according to Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) data. Researchers concluded that HOPE for a minimum 1.5 hours at the recipient hospital reduced the cost of liver transplantation by shortening the index hospitalization and decreasing late complications. Additional financial benefits may include increased organ utilization, reduced staff overtime, and fewer high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease (MELD) transplants. In the review of the organ rejection data, moderate/severe biopsy-proven organ rejection was less common in HOPE than SCS (32% v 67%, p=.033). Ten patients developed steroid resistant organ rejection: one in the HOPE cohort and nine in the SCS group (4% v 43%, p=.003). Researchers concluded that while the prevalence of organ rejection was similar in HOPE and SCS, HOPE was associated with significantly less severe organ rejection and a significantly lower risk of steroid resistant organ rejection. These results highlight the immunomodulatory benefits of HOPE and warrant further research. About Bridge to Life Ltd Bridge to Life Ltd is a market leader in organ preservation solutions, offering premier products such as Belzer UW, EasiSlush and the VitaSmart1 Hypothermic Oxygenated Perfusion System. With a strong focus on product quality, innovation and accessibility, the company serves and partners with leading Transplant Centers and Organ Procurement Organizations globally. 1VitaSmart is CE Marked and available for sale in several markets outside of the United States. VitaSmart is pending FDA approval in the United States. Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2085277/Bridge_to_Life_New_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-data-analyses-from-groundbreaking-pivotal-bridge-to-hope-clinical-trial-demonstrate-statistically-significant-clinical-economic-and-immunomodulatory-advantages-in-liver-transplantation-302520339.html LITTLETON, COLORADO / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Colorado Eye Consultants is proud to announce that founding owner Dr. Lance Forstot has been selected as a 5280 Magazine Top Doctor for 2025, joining an elite group representing the top 7% of practicing physicians nationwide. This distinguished recognition, determined through peer nominations and a comprehensive vetting process conducted in partnership with Castle Connolly, celebrates Dr. Forstot's exceptional contributions to ophthalmology and unwavering commitment to patient care. Dr. Forstot "I feel incredibly honored to be selected by my peers as a Top Doc. I'm lucky to be surrounded by amazing doctors and staff," said Dr. Forstot, reflecting on this prestigious achievement that underscores more than four decades of medical excellence. Dr. Forstot established Colorado Eye Consultants in 1982, originally as Corneal Consultants of Colorado, with a vision to provide the Rocky Mountain region's most advanced care for corneal and external eye diseases. His distinguished academic foundation began at Princeton University, where he graduated with honors, followed by his medical degree from the renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. After completing his internship at Washington University School of Medicine and serving his country for two years in the U.S. Public Health Service and as a medical officer with the United States Coast Guard, Dr. Forstot pursued specialized training through his ophthalmology residency and corneal fellowship at the University of Florida College of Medicine. Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Forstot has garnered national recognition as one of America's leading ophthalmologists. He has been acknowledged as one of the "Nation's Top Doctors" of Ophthalmology since 1981 and recognized by Castle Connolly as one of "America's Top Doctors" since 2000. His professional leadership includes serving as President of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists and dedicating more than 30 years as Medical Director of Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. Dr. Forstot's commitment to medical education is equally impressive. The University of Colorado School of Medicine twice honored him as Faculty Teacher of the Year during his tenure as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology. His dedication to serving others extends to over 35 years of volunteer service treating veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center of Denver. A pioneer in his field, Dr. Forstot was among the first surgeons in the United States to perform corneal crosslinking for keratoconus treatment, demonstrating the innovative approach that has defined his practice. His extensive research contributions through clinical trials and FDA studies have advanced both surgical and non-surgical ophthalmological treatments. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has recognized Dr. Forstot's contributions with both Honor Awards and Senior Honor Awards, while his expertise has made him a sought-after lecturer, author, and board member throughout the ophthalmology community. Colorado Eye Consultants has evolved from Dr. Forstot's original specialized practice into a comprehensive ophthalmology center, maintaining his founding philosophy of delivering quality care with compassionate bedside manner in a safe, caring environment. For more information about Colorado Eye Consultants or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call their Littleton office at 303-730-0404. SOURCE: Colorado Eye Consultants View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/colorado-eye-consultants-founding-owner-dr.-lance-forstot-named-5280-1057332 Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - KINTAVAR EXPLORATION INC. (TSXV: KTR) (the "Corporation" or "Kintavar"), provides a clarification in relation to its news release of August 5, 2025 titled, "Kintavar fait le point sur l'acquisition du projet Roger or-cuivre, la reprise des echanges et l'assemblee des actionnaires" (the "Press Release"). The Corporation wishes to clarify that the estimates provided in the section "Information about the Roger Project" from the Press Release, did not contain a current mineral resource estimate and such information is provided as a "historical estimate" within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). As a result, the Corporation wishes to clarify and reissue the disclosure provided in the Press Release regarding the Roger Project as per the below, and provide additional information and cautionary language as required by NI 43-101. Information about the Roger Project The Roger Project contains the following historical estimates per a NI 43-101 technical report, titled: "NI 43-101 Technical Evaluation Report on the Roger (1206) Property" dated October 9, 2018 by Alain-Jean Beauregard, P. Geo., OGQ, FGAC and Daniel Gaudreault, Eng., OIQ, Geologica Groupe-Conseil Inc. (the "2018 Technical Report"). The 2018 Technical Report disclosed a cut-off grade of 0.45 g/t gold-equivalent and that the project had a historical resources estimate of 10,900,000 metric tonnes at a grade of 0.85 g/t of gold, 0.80 g/t of silver and 0.06% of copper for a total of 333,000 ounces of gold-equivalent, with a historical resource estimate at 6,569,000 metric tonnes at a grade of 0.75 g/t of gold, 1.18 g/t of silver and 0.11% of copper for a total of 202,000 ounces of gold equivalent. The following metal prices were used in the calculation of gold-equivalent: 1,240 US$ for Au (ounce), 16.528 US$ for Ag (ounce) and 6.549 US$ Cu (Kg) (see XXIX Metal Corp. news release dated April 5, 2021). The Roger project mineral resources estimate per the 2018 Technical Report are historical in nature and readers are referred to the statement below regarding historical resources. The following information was summarized from a technical report dated June 20, 2025 entitled "43-101 Technical Report on the Roger Property" (the "Technical Report"). The Technical Report was prepared for the Corporation by Alain-Jean Beauregard, P. Geo, whom is a qualified persons as per the NI 43-101 and is independent of the Corporation applying the tests set out in NI 43-101. A copy of the Technical Report is filed under the Corporation's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The Roger Project is located approximately five (5) kilometers northwest of Chibougamau. The Roger Project is part of McKenzie Township in National Topographic System (NTS) map sheet 32G16. The center of the Roger Project is located at NAD 83 UTM Zone 18N coordinates 542 200 m E and 5 534 100 m N. The Roger Project consists of 28 map designated mineral claims ("CDC") covering a total area of 986.54 hectares. All claims are in good standing and are 50% registered to each of XXIX Metals and SOQUEM. The status of the claims was validated using "GESTIM", the official Quebec government system for mining titles management, easily available on the Quebec Natural Resources and Forest Ministry Website and no surface rights are associated to the land holdings. A historical mineral resource for the Roger deposit was delivered in 2018 by GeopointCom, Val-d'Or (Quebec). Using a cut-off grade of 0.45 g/t Aueq, an Indicated Resource was estimated to be 10,900,000* metric tonnes at a grade of 0.85 g/t of gold, 0.80 g/t of silver and 0.06% of copper for a total of 333,000 ounces of gold equivalent, while the Inferred Resource can be estimated at 6,569,000 metric tonnes at a grade of 0.75 g/t of gold, 1.18 g/t of silver and 0.11% of copper for a total of 202,000 ounces of gold equivalent. The Corporation believes verification of the historical estimates is required to upgrade the historical estimates to current mineral resources. The Corporation expects such verification will require, among other things: (i) additional drilling and core density sampling; (ii) further detailed modelling on ore controls and deposit structural setting; and (iii) continued metallurgical studies. The Corporation believes that the historical estimate is relevant in assisting the Corporation in evaluating its proposed work program but is unable to comment on the reliability of historical resources as insufficient work has been done to make this determination. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimates referenced herein as current mineral resources or mineral reserves and the Corporation is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The foregoing technical information in this news release was prepared under the supervision of Pierre-Luc Lalonde. Pierre-Luc Lalonde, P. Geo is a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release. About Kintavar Exploration & the Mitchi - Wabash Properties Kintavar Exploration is a Canadian mineral exploration Corporation engaged in the acquisition, assessment, exploration and development of gold and base metal mineral properties. Its flagship project is the Mitchi - Wabash copper-silver district (approx. 39 000 hectares, 100% owned) located 100 km north of the town of Mont-Laurier and 15 km East of the town of Parent in Quebec. Both properties cover an area of more than 300 km2 accessible by a network of logging and gravel roads with access to hydro-electric power already on site, major regional roads including railroad and a spur. The properties are located in the north-western portion of the central metasedimentary belt of the Grenville geological province. The projects primarily focus on sediment-hosted stratiform copper type mineralization (SSC) but include Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) and skarn type targets. Osisko holds a 2% NSR on 27 claims of the southern portion of the Mitchi property, outside of the sedimentary basin. Kintavar also has exposure in the gold greenstones of Quebec by advancing the Anik Gold Project in a partnership with IAMGOLD. NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES THE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY REFERRED TO IN THIS NEWS RELEASE HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE UNITED STATES SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE "U.S. SECURITIES ACT"), OR ANY STATE SECURITIES LAWS. ACCORDINGLY, THE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT AND APPLICABLE STATE SECURITIES LAWS. THIS NEWS RELEASE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF ANY OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL. Forward-looking Statements: This news release contains statements that may constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information and statements may include, among others, statements regarding future plans, costs, objectives or performance of the Corporation, or the assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. In this news release, words such as "may", "would", "could", "will", "likely", "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "plan", "estimate" "target" and similar words and the negative form thereof are used to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether, or the times at or by which, such future performance will be achieved. No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur. Forward-looking statements and information are based on information available at the time and/or management's good-faith belief with respect to future events and are subject to known or unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond the Corporation's control. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under "Risk Factors" in the Corporation's management's discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements. The Corporation does not intend, nor does the Corporation undertake any obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking information or statements contained in this news release to reflect subsequent information, events or circumstances or otherwise, except if required by applicable laws. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261495 SOURCE: Kintavar Exploration Inc. DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has unveiled its bold roadmap for the future of crypto, setting the tone for a new era of innovation, security, and trading excellence. In the highly anticipated " Keynote with Ben: Reshaping What's Next, Bit by Bit ," CEO and Co-founder Ben Zhou delivered a forward-looking vision grounded in real-world adoption, institutional-grade innovation, and deep ecosystem alignment. Celebrating over six years of service, 74 million users, and a milestone where 1 in 8 crypto enthusiasts globally have chosen Bybit, CEO and Co-founder Ben Zhou reaffirmed the exchange's mission: Rewrite Your Success. Reshape The Standard. "Crypto is no longer just about speculation - it's about real world application. At Bybit, we're not just trading the future; we're rewriting and reshaping what success looks like, bit by bit," said Zhou. Compliance as a Foundation for the Future Bybit opened the keynote with a reaffirmation of its compliance-first approach - a critical pillar as the industry matures. Now fully compliant with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) framework and securing FIU-India registration in the first half of 2025, Bybit emphasized compliance not as a barrier but as an enabler. Zhou emphasized that "sustainability in crypto begins with trust and transparency," and positioned compliance not as a constraint, but as a catalyst for long-term growth. Rewriting the Industry Security Standard Bybit has also successfully rewritten the industry standard for security following a sophisticated multi-stage attack on one of its vendors in February - the largest known hack in crypto history. While Bybit's own infrastructure remained uncompromised, the company acted swiftly in response. Within weeks, it completed nine extensive security audits - conducted by both internal and independent experts - and implemented over 50 enhanced safeguards. The response drew industry-wide praise and global recognition for its transparency, resilience, and user-first approach. Today, Bybit's security overhaul is regarded as a new benchmark in platform integrity. Trading Excellence Backed by Infrastructure Upgrades Bybit continues to lead in performance and reliability. Its upgraded matching engine now handles 3.5 million transactions per second, processing nearly 200 billion daily orders - a 75% year-over-year increase in the first half of 2025. By extending its Rapid Price Improvement (RPI) mechanism to perpetual contracts, Bybit has delivered 150% higher liquidity and up to 5x better execution across retail and VIP accounts, firmly establishing itself as the go-to destination for professional trading. Setting a New Height in Crypto Wealth Management As institutional and high-net-worth adoption increases, Bybit is reshaping what wealth preservation means in the digital age. Its newly launched wealth management platform has already surpassed $150 million in AUM, offering curated portfolios and strategic services tailored to sophisticated investors - all underpinned by Bybit's trading depth and robust security infrastructure. Redefining Real-World Utility: Bybit Card and Payments Another highlight was the new edition of the Bybit Card - now positioned as a crypto-native business card that integrates seamlessly into both corporate and consumer spending. With support for Visa and Mastercard networks, smart security features, and real-time expense tracking, the card bridges the gap between digital assets and daily transactions. Bybit Card is expected to expand into the EU region in August, with Peru and Colombia lined up for Q4. Bybit's payments infrastructure has also made major strides. Native support for nationwide QR payments in Southeast Asia and LATAM has driven a 719% quarter-over-quarter increase in usage. With over two million users and cross-sector partnerships with local services like Rappi and Vivaticket, Bybit is moving closer to making crypto as usable as "cash". Introducing Bybit Lite to Earn, Manage, and Trade Zhou unveiled the upgraded Bybit App - a unified platform that streamlines both active trading and passive income generation. Bybit Lite is a new upgraded version for casual users and a reimagined Earn section, offering personalized strategies and simplified ways to activate idle capital. A Key Partner of Mantle 2.0 A major announcement was Bybit's deepened strategic alignment with Mantle This partnership sets the stage for what Zhou called "a bold new chapter in institutional-grade on-chain finance." The launch of Mantle 2.0 comes with renewed leadership and tighter ecosystem integration - including Helen Liu, Co-CEO and Partner of Bybit and Emily Bao, Head of Spot and Web3 at Bybit stepping in as key advisors. Together, Bybit, as one of Mantle's ecosystem partners, will accelerate the development of decentralized finance by aligning infrastructure, liquidity, and governance. The collaboration aims to set new standards for scalability and compliance, while tapping into the growing demand for trust-driven DeFi solutions. Reshaping the Standard With this keynote, Bybit signaled more than just platform growth - it marked a shift in how the industry defines success. Zhou's message was clear: The next era of crypto will be shaped by platforms that offer trust, usability, and true innovation. "We believe crypto should be usable, secure, and powerful enough to serve everyone - from first-time users to institutional investors," Zhou said. "Together with our community, we are rewriting the rules and reshaping the space for good." Watch the full keynote replay here . Bybit / TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com . For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: media@bybit.com For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2745293/Bybit_Ben_Zhou.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2267288/Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/bybits-ben-zhou-charts-bold-new-course-to-rewrite-crypto-success-at-mid-year-keynote-302523316.html 90+ medical professionals gather in Sioux Falls for hands-on training, real-time telemedicine support, and continuing education through AVELearn SIOUX FALLS, SD / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Over 90 medical professionals from across the country gathered in Sioux Falls for the 2025 Avel eCare Emergency Airway Training Program, powered by The Difficult Airway Course. This immersive, two-day program combined classroom instruction with high-impact, hands-on practice to help clinicians build confidence and precision in one of the most critical emergency procedures-intubation. A standout feature of the course was the use of over 100 porcine tracheas, allowing participants to practice surgical and video-guided airway techniques on a wide variety of anatomies. These real tracheas replicate the diverse challenges clinicians face in real-world airway emergencies, helping providers build muscle memory and quick-response capability. "Every airway is different, and every second matters," said Dr. Kelly Rhone, Chief Medical Officer at Avel eCare. "This course gives physicians the repetition and exposure they need to act decisively and safely when it counts." The training also highlighted Avel's real-time telemedicine support, including the use of video laryngoscopes-specialized tools with mounted cameras. These allow remote Avel physicians to see exactly what on-site providers see during a live intubation and verbally guide them step-by-step. "It's not just about teaching intubation," added Dr. Rhone. "It's about being there-virtually-during the most critical seconds, helping physicians feel confident, supported, and prepared." For some, the impact of the course has already been felt in the field. "I had to perform a surgical cricothyrotomy for the first time in the ER. I definitely would not have felt comfortable even attempting it before I had taken this course," said Bryon Bellinger, ARNP, of Guttenberg Municipal Hospital. "I was also fortunate to have an Avel physician on camera helping me with it as well. I recommend [the course] to everyone." Course highlights included: Pediatric Airway Case Discussions Surgical Airway Techniques Bag-Valve Mask and Laryngoscopy Workshops Code Airway Simulations Video Laryngoscopy Skill Stations But training doesn't stop at the end of the workshop. Avel eCare is committed to continuing education through its AVELearn platform, which provides ongoing access to clinical webinars, simulated learning, and accredited courses. "Beyond airway training, Avel eCare's AVELearn platform provides a wide range of education opportunities tailored to the unique needs of our partners. Whether it's accessing credit hours online, participating in live webinars, or engaging in simulated education, Avel eCare ensures that continuing education is accessible, practical, and integrated into our partnership" said Dr. Luke Van Oeveren, Avel eEmergency Physician. For Avel, this event reflects a broader mission: to empower clinicians with the tools, training, and telemedicine technology they need-whether they're in a metro trauma center or a rural ER. About Avel eCare Avel eCare is one of the nation's leading telemedicine providers, delivering 24/7 virtual clinical support across emergency care, ICU, behavioral health, pharmacy, hospitalist, and specialty services. Through innovative programs like AVELearn, Avel supports continuous education and skill development for healthcare teams, helping them deliver consistent, high-quality care-anytime, anywhere. Learn more at avelecare.com/education . Media Contact: Jessica Gaikowski Avel eCare media@avelecare.com SOURCE: Avel eCare View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/healthcare-and-pharmaceutical/avel-ecare-hosts-national-emergency-airway-course-to-sharpen-life-sav-1057289 HIGHLIGHTS All members of the newly appointed Board of Directors of Besra Gold Inc (Besra or the Company) have undertaken a site visit to the Company's flagship Bau Gold Project in Sarawak, Malaysia. This is the first time that the entire Besra Board has visited the site and represents a turning point for the Company. During the visit, the Directors met with a range of local stakeholders, including site-based employees, government representatives and the Company's major shareholder. The Board has commenced an independent strategic review of all aspects of the Company's business, with a focus on: assessing the current status of the Bau Project, including licensing, exploration potential and development status; review of the Company's strategy; reviewing all contracts and corporate overheads; and improved transparency and communication. The results of the review will be announced in the December 2025 Quarter and will form the basis of the Company's future growth strategy. Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Besra Gold Inc (ASX: BEZ) advises that, following the recent election of a new Board of Directors, all members of the new Board have completed a site visit to the Company's Bau Gold Project in Sarawak, Malaysia and commenced a detailed strategic review of all aspects of the Company's business. The newly appointed Board members - David Izzard, Matthew Greentree and John Blake, all of whom have been appointed as independent Non-Executive Directors - are all experienced corporate executives with extensive experience in managing ASX-listed companies, with strong track records of mineral exploration, discovery and project development. The three new Directors visited the Bau Project in late July for the purpose of meeting site-based employees, as well as local stakeholders, including government representatives and the Company's major shareholder. This represents the first time that the entire Board of Besra has ever visited the project site. Strategic Corporate Review In light of the significant recent changes to the Company's Board and corporate governance, the review being undertaken includes a full "back-to-basics" analysis of the Bau Gold Project, including all existing exploration data, to ensure that the new Directors have a high degree of confidence in the Bau Project's key parameters. In addition, the Directors are undertaking a review of all the Company's corporate arrangements, including all existing contracts, to reduce cash expenditure. As a result of the review, the Company has recently moved its head office from Melbourne to Perth, which will reduce costs and be closer to key suppliers to the exploration and mining sectors. Material updates resulting from this review will be announced as they come to hand, with details of the full review expected to be announced during the December Quarter. Results from the review are expected to determine the future growth pathway for Besra and the next steps for the Bau Gold Project. Besra's newly appointed Board of Directors visited the Bau Project to review project data and meet with local stakeholders, including government representatives. To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/3448/261542_besra.jpg Chairman's comments Commenting on the site visit and the initiation of the strategic review, newly appointed Chairman David Izzard said: "We were absolutely delighted to get on the ground at the Bau Project, with this visit representing our first opportunity to meet the team, examine the drill core and see the current status of on-site activities. The visit has well and truly cemented the Board's belief in the Bau Project's strong prospectivity and robust development potential." "We were very pleased to have had the opportunity of meeting local government representatives, which included a multi-government department site visit to the Bau Project which coincided with the Board's time on site. Our meetings with government representatives were all very positive and we look forward to working closely with the relevant departments over the coming weeks and months, particularly as we work to confirm the renewal of the key Jugan Mining Lease, ML 05/2012/1D." "Given the significant exploration, project development and mining expertise of the new Board members, our first step will be the completion of a detailed strategic review that will cover all aspects of the Bau Project, including an interrogation of all historical exploration data and the proposed development plans. The review will also cover Besra's corporate activities, including contracts and corporate overheads, to ensure the Company's balance sheet is being deployed effectively and cash burn is minimised." "We expect this review will be completed before the end of the year, providing a clear path forward for the Board to deliver growth and value for Besra shareholders." This announcement was authorised for release by the Board of Besra Gold Inc. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261542 SOURCE: Besra Gold Inc. Invenda's leadership team is strengthened by the addition of a seasoned operations executive to drive its next growth phase New appointment will focus on accelerating the global scaling of Invenda's AI-powered automated retail platform Strategic role in driving core business growth, organizational development, and high-level deal-making Alpnach, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Invenda Group AG, the Swiss software company transforming automated retail, today announced the appointment of Bjoern Schuster as its new Chief Operating Officer. In this newly created position, Schuster will be responsible for scaling Invenda's core business, elevating the company's organizational development to the next level, and driving strategic deal-making to solidify its market leadership further. Bjoern Schuster brings to Invenda a strong background in operational leadership, with a proven track record of scaling businesses and building high-performing teams. His leadership style is known for effectively connecting strategic vision with operational discipline. This method has consistently helped him build scalable systems, enhance team capabilities, and promote sustainable growth, making him an ideal choice to lead Invenda's operational future as the company continues to expand globally. Anton von Rueden, the new CEO of Invenda Group, said: "Bjoern Schuster has an impressive track record of leading technology-driven companies through rapid growth. His extensive experience in building scalable systems and promoting operational excellence will be crucial as we speed up Invenda's international expansion. We are pleased to welcome an expert of Bjoern's caliber to our leadership team." Bjoern Schuster expressed his excitement about the new role: "I have dedicated my career to building and scaling operations for innovative technology companies. Invenda Group is pioneering the future of retail with a truly disruptive approach. The automated retail industry is at a pivotal moment, ready for the kind of groundbreaking changes we've seen in other tech sectors. I look forward to applying my experience to help advance this vision and achieve sustained international success." For more information about Invenda Group's innovative approach to automated retail and partnership opportunities, visit www.invendagroup.com. Download high-resolution image material free of charge for media use: https://bit.ly/Invenda-COO About Invenda Group AG Invenda Group AG is a Swiss software company transforming automated retail and digital out-of-home (DOOH) advertising through its proprietary AI-powered platform. Invenda's technology connects and automates networks of smart vending machines, micro markets, and digital screens-enabling operators and brands to optimize operations, access real-time data, and unlock new revenue streams through location-based e-commerce and targeted advertising. Headquartered in Alpnach, Switzerland, Invenda has locations in Berlin, New York, Miami, Hong Kong, Sofia, and Novi Sad. The company supports deployments in 22 countries and partners with global leaders. For more information, please visit: www.invendagroup.com To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261522 SOURCE: Pinion Partners GP-Led Secondaries Fundraise Targeted for Q1 2026 MIAMI , Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- H.I.G. Capital ("H.I.G."), a leading global alternative investment ?rm with $70 billion of capital under management, is pleased to announce the launch of its GP Solutions Platform. The launch marks a strategic expansion of the ?rm's capabilities and reinforces its commitment to the attractive and underserved middle market. Purpose-built to provide tailored liquidity and strategic capital, the platform will leverage H.I.G.'s 32-year track record of delivering ?exible and diverse solutions in the middle market. H.I.G. has recruited a seasoned team from Morgan Stanley Private Equity. The team will join H.I.G. later this year to lead H.I.G.'s secondaries fund. Led by Managing Director Dan Wieder, and joined by Managing Director Yash Gupta and Principals Austin Gerber and Joe Holleran, the team brings decades of collective experience and a consistent record of value creation and attractive returns. Their deep expertise will be instrumental in building a di?erentiated platform focused on GP-Led transactions, an area of rapid growth driven by increased demand for private equity liquidity solutions. "We are thrilled to welcome Dan and this seasoned team to H.I.G.," said Rick Rosen, Co-President of H.I.G. Capital. "Their collective expertise, proven investment acumen, and entrepreneurial mindset are highly complementary to our platform. We believe our secondaries e?ort will be an exciting and scalable business over the coming years, which aligns seamlessly with our middle market, value-add investment strategy." The fund will focus on executing secondary transactions, providing investors with access to high quality, seasoned assets and shorter durations compared to traditional primary funds. It will primarily target GP-Led opportunities across geographies, sectors, and strategies, bene?ting from H.I.G.'s extensive investment resources, including H.I.G.'s middle market origination network and disciplined underwriting capabilities. H.I.G. aims to deliver attractive, risk- adjusted returns by leveraging its global platform, proven operational expertise and deep sector knowledge. About H.I.G. Capital H.I.G. is a leading global alternative investment ?rm with $70 billion of capital under management.* Based in Miami, and with o?ces in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, San Francisco, and Stamford in the United States, as well as international a?liate o?ces in Hamburg, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris, Bogota, Rio de Janeiro, Sao Paulo, Dubai, and Hong Kong, H.I.G. specializes in providing both debt and equity capital to middle market companies, utilizing a ?exible, operationally focused, and value-added approach: H.I.G.'s equity funds invest in management buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate carve-outs of both pro?table as well as underperforming manufacturing and service businesses. H.I.G.'s debt funds invest in senior, unitranche, and junior debt ?nancing to companies across the size spectrum, both on a primary (direct origination) basis, as well as in the secondary markets. H.I.G. also manages a publicly traded BDC, WhiteHorse Finance. H.I.G.'s real estate funds invest in value-added properties, which can bene?t from improved asset management practices. H.I.G. Infrastructure focuses on value-add and core plus investments in the infrastructure sector. Since its founding in 1993, H.I.G. has invested in and managed more than 400 companies worldwide. The Firm's current portfolio includes more than 100 companies with combined sales in excess of $53 billion. For more information, please refer to the H.I.G. website at hig.com . *Based on total capital raised by H.I.G. Capital and its a?liates. Contact: Jordan Peer Gri?n Executive Managing Director jpeer@hig.com H.I.G. Capital 1450 Brickell Avenue 31st Floor Miami, FL 33131 P: 305.379.2322 hig.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2513303/HIG_Capital_logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hig-capital-launches-gp-solutions-platform-302523602.html Quarterly Revenue of $181.9 Million, Up 70% Year-Over-Year Annualized Recurring Revenue of $783.5 Million, Up 83% Year-Over-Year Adjusted EBITDA of $58.3 Million, Up 74% Year-Over-Year Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CWAN) ("Clearwater Analytics" or the "Company"), the most comprehensive technology platform for investment management, today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. "Q2 was very successful, both for our standalone business and as an integrated company. Most encouraging were our meetings with clients across multiple countries, where we found near unanimous excitement and support for what we are building and how it could help transform our industry. We have moved expeditiously to reorganize the company for the next growth phase, and in doing that, we have already achieved our $20 million synergy target a full year ahead of schedule. Our strong metric-driven focus on client delight has already started to bear fruit, as evidenced by our combined non-GAAP gross margin of 77.4% for the quarter," said Sandeep Sahai, CEO of Clearwater Analytics. "Our core business continues its strong growth trajectory with revenues growing 22% in the quarter, with the gross margin of our platform exceeding 80%, a long-term target we had hoped to achieve in a few years. We are delighted to welcome Germany's largest public insurer, Versicherungskammer Group, to the Clearwater community. Their implementation of our combined Clearwater, Enfusion and Beacon solutions will serve as a powerful validation of our integrated platform strategy. Additionally, we are thrilled that our APAC team secured a significant mandate from one of the largest banks in the world to provide client reporting globally, further demonstrating our expanding international footprint." Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Summary Revenue: Total revenue for the second quarter of 2025 was $181.9 million, an increase of 70.4%, from $106.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Revenue from the core Clearwater business was $130.6 million, an increase of 22% from the second quarter of 2024. Total revenue for the second quarter of 2025 was $181.9 million, an increase of 70.4%, from $106.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Revenue from the core Clearwater business was $130.6 million, an increase of 22% from the second quarter of 2024. Gross Profit: Gross profit for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $118.5 million, which equates to a 65.1% GAAP gross margin, compared with gross profit of $76.9 million and GAAP gross margin of 72.0% in the second quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP gross profit for the second quarter of 2025 was $140.8 million, which equates to a 77.4% non-GAAP gross margin, compared with non-GAAP gross profit of $82.7 million and non-GAAP gross margin of 77.5% in the second quarter of 2024. Gross profit for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $118.5 million, which equates to a 65.1% GAAP gross margin, compared with gross profit of $76.9 million and GAAP gross margin of 72.0% in the second quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP gross profit for the second quarter of 2025 was $140.8 million, which equates to a 77.4% non-GAAP gross margin, compared with non-GAAP gross profit of $82.7 million and non-GAAP gross margin of 77.5% in the second quarter of 2024. Net Income/(Loss): Net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $24.2 million, compared with net income of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $34.8 million, an increase of 29.7% from $26.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Net loss for the second quarter of 2025 was $24.2 million, compared with net income of $0.3 million in the second quarter of 2024. Non-GAAP net income for the second quarter of 2025 increased to $34.8 million, an increase of 29.7% from $26.8 million in the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA: Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was $58.3 million, an increase of 74.3%, from $33.4 million in the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 32.1%, an increase of 70 basis points over the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was $58.3 million, an increase of 74.3%, from $33.4 million in the second quarter of 2024. Adjusted EBITDA margin for the second quarter of 2025 was 32.1%, an increase of 70 basis points over the second quarter of 2024. Cash Flows: Operating cash flows for the second quarter of 2025 were $47.1 million. Free cash flows for the second quarter of 2025 were $44.1 million, an increase of 4.0% over the second quarter of 2024. Operating cash flows for the second quarter of 2025 were $47.1 million. Free cash flows for the second quarter of 2025 were $44.1 million, an increase of 4.0% over the second quarter of 2024. Net Loss Per Share and Non-GAAP Net Income Per Share: Net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.09 in the second quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP net income per basic share was $0.13, and non-GAAP net income per diluted share was $0.12 in the second quarter of 2025. Net loss per basic and diluted share was $0.09 in the second quarter of 2025. Non-GAAP net income per basic share was $0.13, and non-GAAP net income per diluted share was $0.12 in the second quarter of 2025. Cash, cash equivalents, and investments were $71.9 million as of June 30, 2025. Total debt, net of debt issuance cost, was $878.1 million as of June 30, 2025. Second Quarter 2025 Key Metrics Summary Annualized Recurring Revenue: As of June 30, 2025, annualized recurring revenue ("ARR") reached $783.5 million, an increase of 83% from $427.2 million as of June 30, 2024. ARR is calculated at the end of a period by dividing the recurring revenue in the last month of such period by the number of days in the month and multiplying by 365. Gross Revenue Retention Rate: As of June 30, 2025, the gross revenue retention rate was 98%, compared to 99% as of June 30, 2024. Gross revenue retention rate represents annual contract value ("ACV") at the beginning of the 12-month period ended on the reporting date less client attrition over the prior 12-month period, divided by ACV at the beginning of the 12-month period, expressed as a percentage. ACV is comprised of annualized recurring revenue plus contracted-not-billed revenue, which represents the estimated annual contracted revenue for new and existing client opportunities prior to revenue recognition. Net Revenue Retention Rate: As of June 30, 2025, the net revenue retention rate was 110%, compared to 110% as of June 30, 2024. Clearwater's core business net revenue retention remained at 114% as of June 30, 2025. Net revenue retention rate is the percentage of recurring revenue from clients on the platform for 12 months and includes changes from the addition, removal, or value of assets on our platform, contractual changes that have an impact to annualized recurring revenues and lost revenue from client attrition. Recent Business Highlights Clearwater Analytics announced the 2025 Insurance Investment Outsourcing Report (IIOR), revealing a record $4.5 trillion in unaffiliated general account insurance assets under management (AUM) up 24% year-over-year. Investment consultant assets under advisement grew to $2 trillion. The IIOR profiles over 100 investment managers and consultants, showcases emerging strategies across public and private markets, and provides expert perspectives to help insurers make informed decisions about investment management strategies and technology requirements. The Company announced a strategic partnership with Bloomberg, a milestone that supports our growth strategy and expands our reach among the world's largest investment firms. The bi-directional integration between Bloomberg AIM and Clearwater will eliminate manual workflows and deliver a seamless front-to-back experience. This collaboration reinforces Clearwater's open, interoperable platform strategy-integrating with the systems clients prefer while providing scalable middle- and back-office capabilities. It strengthens our competitive position and broadens the range of operating models we support. The Company announced that: Versicherungskammer Group (VKB), Germany's largest public insurer, selected Clearwater Analytics' platform to power their middle, back office and risk functions. Long-time client Wayne Cooperative Insurance expanded its relationship with Clearwater to include performance attribution and risk analytics to drive improved returns and reduced risk exposure. Danish pension provider, Norli Liv Pension, part of the Norli group, selected Clearwater to modernize its investment accounting, reporting, and compliance operations and benefit from a single, consolidated view of all in-house and outsourced chief investment officer managed holdings across its public and private asset classes. Pool Re, the UK's terrorism reinsurer overseeing more than 7.2 billion in assets, selected Clearwater's risk products to modernize its investment management infrastructure. HG Re Ltd. selected Clearwater to enhance its investment performance measurement and risk analytics capabilities, support data-driven investment decisions, and improve portfolio oversight. The Company expanded its footprint within existing clients and added marquee clients such as: Agile Investment Management, Arthrosi Therapeutics, Axonic Insurance Services, Black Swift Group, Centennial Government Advisors, Communities Foundation of Texas, Fondo de Garantias de Instituciones Financieras, Hawaii Community Foundation, Hildene Capital Management, Hoisington Investment Management Company, IAG Asset Management Limited, Kathrein Privatbank Aktiengesellschaft, Knight Management Company, Liberty Media Corporation, Los Angeles Capital Management, Missouri Farm Bureau, OFI Invest Asset Management, PacificSource Health Plans, Prudent Man Advisors, Turks and Caicos Islands National Insurance Board, and University of the Pacific. The Company was recognized by CNBC and Statista, Inc. on CNBC's list of the World's Top Fintech Companies 2025. The Company is the Hong Kong winner of the InsuranceAsia News Country Award for Excellence 2025 in the Most Innovative Product/Service category. Guidance for Clearwater Analytics: Third Quarter 2025 Revenue $203 million to $204 million Year-over-Year Growth ~75% to 76% Adjusted EBITDA ~$65 million Adjusted EBITDA Margin ~32% Interest Expense ~$16 million Consolidated Guidance for Clearwater Analytics: Full Year 2025 Revenue $726 million to $732 million Year-over-Year Growth ~61% to 62% Adjusted EBITDA $232 million to $237 million Adjusted EBITDA Margin ~32% Total equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes (including one- time charges) ~$135 million ~18% of revenues Depreciation and Amortization ~$86 million Interest Expense ~$48 million Certain components of the guidance given above are provided on a non-GAAP basis only without providing a reconciliation to guidance provided on a GAAP basis. Information is presented in this manner because the preparation of such a reconciliation could not be accomplished without "unreasonable efforts." The Company does not have access to certain information that would be necessary to provide such a reconciliation, including non-recurring items that are not indicative of the Company's ongoing operations. The Company does not believe that this information is likely to be significant to an assessment of the Company's ongoing operations. Conference Call Details Clearwater Analytics will hold a conference call and webcast on August 6, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time to discuss second quarter 2025 financial results, provide a general business update, and respond to analyst questions. A live webcast of the call will also be available on the Company's investor relations website. Please visit investors.clearwateranalytics.com at least fifteen minutes prior to the start of the event to register, download and install any necessary audio software. If you are unable to participate live, a replay of the webcast will be available following the conference call on the Company's investor relations website, along with the earnings press release, and related financial tables. About Clearwater Analytics Clearwater Analytics (NYSE: CWAN) is transforming investment management with the industry's most comprehensive cloud-native platform for institutional investors across global public and private markets. While legacy systems create risk, inefficiency, and data fragmentation, Clearwater's single-instance, multi-tenant architecture delivers real-time data and AI-driven insights throughout the investment lifecycle. The platform eliminates information silos by integrating portfolio management, trading, investment accounting, reconciliation, regulatory reporting, performance, compliance, and risk analytics in one unified system. Serving leading insurers, asset managers, hedge funds, banks, corporations, and governments, Clearwater supports over $8.8 trillion in assets globally. Learn more at clearwateranalytics.com. Use of non-GAAP Information This press release contains certain non-GAAP measures, including non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP effective tax rate, diluted non-GAAP share count and free cash flow. The non-GAAP measures are not based on any standardized methodology prescribed by GAAP and are not necessarily comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. However, the Company believes that this non-GAAP information is useful as an additional means for investors to evaluate its operating performance, when reviewed in conjunction with its GAAP financial statements. These measures should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, and because these amounts are not determined in accordance with GAAP, they should not be used exclusively in evaluating the Company's business and operations. In addition, undue reliance should not be placed upon non-GAAP or operating information because this information is neither standardized across companies nor subjected to the same control activities and audit procedures that produce the Company's GAAP financial results. The Company's non-GAAP statement of operations measures, including non-GAAP gross profit, non-GAAP gross margin, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, non-GAAP net income, non-GAAP net income per basic and diluted share, non-GAAP effective tax rate, diluted non-GAAP share count and free cash flow, are adjusted to exclude the impact of certain costs, expenses, gains and losses and other specified items that management believes are not indicative of its ongoing operations. These adjusted measures exclude the impact of share-based compensation and eliminate potential differences in results of operations between periods caused by factors such as financing and capital structures, taxation positions or regimes, restructuring, transaction expenses, impairment and other charges. Please refer to the reconciliations of these measures below to what the Company believes are the most directly comparable measures evaluated in accordance with GAAP. Use of Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Forward-looking statements include information concerning the Company's possible or assumed future results of operations, business strategies, technology developments, financing and investment plans, dividend policy, competitive position, industry, economic and regulatory environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of competition. Forward-looking statements include statements that are not historical facts and can be identified by terms such as "anticipate," "believe," "could," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "aim," "may," "plan," "potential," "predict," "project," "seek," "should," "will," "would" or similar expressions and the negatives of those terms, but are not the exclusive means of identifying such statements. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the Company's control, that may cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties may cause actual results to differ materially from Clearwater Analytics' current expectations and include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to successfully integrate the operations and technology of its recently completed acquisitions of Enfusion, Beacon and Bistro (the "Recent Acquisitions") with those of the Company and to obtain third party data rights, retain and incentivize the employees of the Recent Acquisitions following the close of the Recent Acquisitions, retain the Recent Acquisitions' clients, repay debt incurred in connection with the Recent Acquisitions and meet financial covenants to be imposed in connection with such debt, risks that synergies and growth from the Recent Acquisitions may not be fully realized or may take longer to realize than expected, the Company's ability to keep pace with rapid technological change and market developments, including artificial intelligence, competitors in its industry, the possibility that market volatility, a downturn in economic conditions or other factors may cause negative trends or fluctuations in the value of the assets on the Company's platform, the Company's ability to manage growth, the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled employees, the possibility that the Company's solutions fail to perform properly, disruptions and failures in the Company's and third parties' computer equipment, cloud-based services, electronic delivery systems, networks and telecommunications systems and infrastructure, the failure to protect the Company, its customers' and/or its vendors' confidential information and/or intellectual property, claims of infringement of others' intellectual property, factors related to the Company's ownership structure as well as other risks and uncertainties detailed in Clearwater Analytics' periodic public filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including but not limited to those discussed under "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 filed on February 26, 2025 (as amended by Amendment No. 1 thereto, filed with the SEC on March 7, 2025), and in other periodic reports filed by the Company with the SEC. These filings are available at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website. Given these uncertainties, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Also, forward-looking statements represent management's beliefs and assumptions only as of the date of this press release and should not be relied upon as representing the Company's expectations or beliefs as of any date subsequent to the time they are made. The Company does not undertake to and specifically declines any obligation to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (In thousands, except share amounts and per share amounts, unaudited) June 30 December 31 2025 2024 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents 68,404 177,350 Short-term investments 3,518 78,139 Accounts receivable, net 148,020 106,151 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 37,656 23,006 Total current assets 257,598 384,646 Property, equipment and software, net 24,554 14,797 Operating lease right-of-use assets, net 43,657 24,797 Deferred contract costs, non-current 7,926 7,013 Debt issuance costs line of credit 3,874 339 Deferred tax assets, net 669,660 602,500 Other non-current assets 6,159 3,340 Intangible assets, net 740,534 30,868 Goodwill 1,267,261 70,971 Long-term investments 30,301 Total assets 3,021,223 1,169,572 Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable 6,141 2,934 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 79,238 55,654 Deferred revenue 20,811 7,329 Notes payable, current portion 6,000 2,750 Operating lease liability, current portion 15,463 8,350 Tax receivable agreement liability 35 Total current liabilities 127,653 77,052 Notes payable, less current maturities and unamortized debt issuance costs 872,096 43,164 Operating lease liability, less current portion 31,311 17,655 Other long-term liabilities 2,193 1,470 Total liabilities 1,033,253 139,341 Stockholders' Equity Class A common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 1,500,000,000 shares authorized, 287,637,289 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025, 212,857,580 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 288 213 Class B common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 500,000,000 shares authorized, 4,506,422 share issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025, no shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 5 Class C common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 452,622,413 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 12,542,110 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 13 Class D common stock, par value $0.001 per share; 369,916,245 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2025, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 22,243,668 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2024 22 Additional paid-in-capital 1,688,311 725,174 Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) 8,286 (1,113 Retained earnings 270,689 283,946 Total stockholders' equity attributable to Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. 1,967,579 1,008,255 Non-controlling interests 20,391 21,976 Total stockholders' equity 1,987,970 1,030,231 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity 3,021,223 1,169,572 Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except share amounts and per share amounts, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenue 181,937 106,791 308,801 209,510 Cost of revenue(1) 63,423 29,890 97,347 58,069 Gross profit 118,514 76,901 211,454 151,441 Operating expenses: Research and development(1) 49,755 35,360 87,154 73,036 Sales and marketing(1) 39,221 15,169 58,853 31,480 General and administrative(1) 44,118 22,528 72,945 43,248 Total operating expenses 133,094 73,057 218,952 147,764 Income (loss) from operations (14,580 3,844 (7,498 3,677 Interest expense 13,464 1,082 14,383 2,181 Tax receivable agreement expense 5,915 6,201 Other income, net (1,546 (3,508 (3,869 (7,197 Income (loss) before income taxes (26,498 355 (18,012 2,492 Provision for (benefit from) income taxes (2,347 79 (797 (19 Net income (loss) (24,151 276 (17,215 2,511 Less: Net income (loss) attributable to non-controlling interests (926 706 (663 1,044 Net income (loss) attributable to Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. (23,225 (430 (16,552 1,467 Net income (loss) per share attributable to Class A and Class D common stockholders stock: Basic (0.09 (0.00 (0.07 0.01 Diluted (0.09 (0.00 (0.07 0.01 Weighted average shares of Class A and Class D common stock outstanding: Basic 270,632,308 218,349,567 254,070,446 215,804,515 Diluted 270,632,308 218,349,567 254,070,446 254,208,965 (1) Amounts include equity-based compensation as follows: Cost of revenue 4,619 3,273 8,083 6,419 Operating expenses: Research and development 8,792 9,182 17,490 18,093 Sales and marketing 10,182 2,692 14,191 6,513 General and administrative 13,955 9,711 21,496 18,058 Total equity-based compensation expense 37,548 24,858 61,260 49,083 Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (In thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income (loss) (24,151 276 (17,215 2,511 Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 23,606 2,941 26,752 5,491 Noncash operating lease cost 4,643 2,312 7,018 4,545 Equity-based compensation 37,548 24,858 61,260 49,083 Amortization of deferred contract acquisition costs 1,753 1,196 3,103 2,413 Amortization of debt issuance costs, included in interest expense 747 70 816 140 Debt extinguishment cost 419 419 Deferred tax benefit (1,741 (970 (491 (1,992 Accretion of discount on investments (602 (284 (1,177 Realized (gain) loss on investments 24 (112 24 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable, net 15,641 (42 10,345 (4,718 Prepaid expenses and other assets (8,846 3,105 (11,422 (1,093 Deferred contract acquisition costs (3,363 (1,024 (3,356 (1,771 Accounts payable 1,768 271 850 335 Accrued expenses and other liabilities 75 5,256 (5,049 (4,183 Tax receivable agreement liability 6,199 (35 4,355 Other long-term liabilities (1,018 (1,018 Net cash provided by operating activities 47,081 43,870 71,581 53,963 INVESTING ACTIVITIES Purchases of property, equipment and software (2,987 (1,454 (4,455 (2,947 Purchases of intangible assets (184 (184 Purchase of held to maturity investments (3,009 (4,686 (3,009 Purchases of available-for-sale investments (35,493 (67,390 Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments 89,479 Proceeds from maturities of investments 4,175 38,307 20,375 59,842 Acquisition of businesses, net of cash acquired (1,074,783 (40,121 (1,074,783 (40,121 Payment of asset acquisition holdback liability (10,000 (10,000 Payment of initial direct costs for operating leases (89 (104 (89 (104 Net cash used in investing activities (1,083,868 (41,874 (984,343 (53,729 FINANCING ACTIVITIES Proceeds from exercise of options 168 5 168 109 Taxes paid related to net share settlement of equity awards (4,937 (4,307 (29,339 (33,081 Proceeds from borrowings, net of payment of debt issuance costs 926,634 924,475 Repayments of borrowings (96,375 (97,063 (688 Payment of business acquisition holdback liability (780 Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan 3,316 2,795 3,316 2,795 Payment of tax distributions (8 Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities 828,806 (1,507 801,557 (31,653 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,226 (38 2,259 (251 Change in cash and cash equivalents during the period (206,755 451 (108,946 (31,670 Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 275,159 189,644 177,350 221,765 Cash and cash equivalents, end of period 68,404 190,095 68,404 190,095 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION Cash paid for interest 473 851 1,755 1,762 Cash paid for income taxes 273 144 856 590 NON-CASH INVESTING AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES Purchase of property, equipment and software included in accounts payable and accrued expense 64 55 64 55 Acquisition of Bistro intangible assets paid in common stock 102,729 Business acquisition liability included in accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,122 3,122 Tax distributions payable to Continuing Equity Owners included in accrued expenses 13 3,209 13 3,209 Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted EBITDA (In thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 (in thousands, except percentages) Net income (loss) (24,151) (13%) 276 0% Adjustments: Interest expense 13,464 7% 1,082 1% Depreciation and amortization 23,606 13% 2,941 3% Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 38,843 21% 25,151 24% Tax receivable agreement expense 0% 5,915 6% Transaction expenses(1) 10,433 6% 875 1% Amortization of prepaid management fees and reimbursable expenses 10 0% 637 2% Provision for (benefit from) income tax expense (2,347) (1%) 79 0% Other income, net (1,546) (1%) (3,508) (3%) Adjusted EBITDA 58,312 32% 33,448 31% Revenue 181,937 100% 106,791 100% Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 (in thousands, except percentages) Net income (loss) (17,215) (6%) 2,511 1% Adjustments: Interest expense 14,383 5% 2,181 1% Depreciation and amortization 26,752 9% 5,491 3% Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 66,405 22% 53,632 26% Tax receivable agreement expense 0% 6,201 3% Transaction expenses(1) 17,713 6% 1,678 1% Amortization of prepaid management fees and reimbursable expenses 10 0% 1,172 2% Provision for (benefit from) income tax expense (797) 0% (19) 0% Other income, net (3,869) (1%) (7,197) (3%) Adjusted EBITDA 103,382 33% 65,650 31% Revenue 308,801 100% 209,510 100% (1) Transaction expenses primarily consist of severance costs, transaction related bonuses, professional legal fees and administrative costs for closed acquisitions. Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (In thousands, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net cash provided by operating activities 47,081 43,870 71,581 53,963 Less: Purchases of property, equipment and software 2,987 1,454 4,455 2,947 Free Cash Flow 44,094 42,416 67,126 51,016 Clearwater Analytics Holdings, Inc. Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Information (In thousands, except share amounts and per share amounts, unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenue 181,937 106,791 308,801 209,510 Gross profit 118,514 76,901 211,454 151,441 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 4,797 3,318 9,171 6,840 Depreciation and amortization 17,478 2,494 20,242 4,596 Gross profit, non-GAAP 140,789 82,713 240,867 162,877 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 77 77 78 78 Cost of Revenue 63,423 29,890 97,347 58,069 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 4,797 3,318 9,171 6,840 Depreciation and amortization 17,478 2,494 20,242 4,596 Cost of revenue, non-GAAP 41,148 24,078 67,934 46,633 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 23 23 22 22 Research and development 49,755 35,360 87,154 73,036 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 8,984 9,306 18,811 21,180 Depreciation and amortization 392 164 514 365 Research and development, non-GAAP 40,379 25,890 67,829 51,491 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 22 24 22 25 Sales and marketing 39,221 15,169 58,853 31,480 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 10,314 2,772 15,314 6,941 Depreciation and amortization 4,916 155 5,069 290 Sales and marketing, non-GAAP 23,991 12,242 38,470 24,249 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 13 11 12 12 General and administrative 44,118 22,528 72,945 43,248 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 14,748 9,755 23,109 18,671 Depreciation and amortization 820 128 927 240 Amortization of prepaid management fees and reimbursable expenses 10 637 10 1,172 Transaction expenses 10,433 875 17,713 1,678 General and administrative, non-GAAP 18,107 11,133 31,186 21,487 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 10 10 10 10 Income (loss) from operations (14,580 3,844 (7,498 3,677 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 38,843 25,151 66,405 53,632 Depreciation and amortization 23,606 2,941 26,752 5,491 Amortization of prepaid management fees and reimbursable expenses 10 637 10 1,172 Transaction expenses 10,433 875 17,713 1,678 Income from operations, non-GAAP 58,312 33,448 103,382 65,650 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 32 31 33 31 Net income (loss) (24,151 276 (17,215 2,511 Adjustments: Equity-based compensation expense and related payroll taxes 38,843 25,151 66,405 53,632 Depreciation and amortization 23,606 2,941 26,752 5,491 Tax receivable agreement expense 5,915 6,201 Amortization of prepaid management fees and reimbursable expenses 10 637 10 1,172 Transaction expenses 10,433 875 17,713 1,678 Tax impacts of adjustments to net income (loss) (1) (13,946 (8,968 (24,014 (17,667 Net income, non-GAAP 34,795 26,827 69,651 53,018 As a percentage of revenue, non-GAAP 19 25 23 25 Net income per share basic, non-GAAP 0.13 0.12 0.27 0.25 Net income per share diluted, non-GAAP 0.12 0.10 0.24 0.21 Weighted-average common shares outstanding basic 270,632,308 218,349,567 254,070,446 215,804,515 Weighted-average common shares outstanding diluted 288,379,436 256,090,273 285,036,703 254,208,965 (1) The non-GAAP effective tax rate was 25% for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024, respectively, and has been used to adjust the provision for income taxes for non-GAAP net income and non-GAAP basic and diluted net income per share. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806150021/en/ Contacts: Investor Contact: Michael Chen +1 917-843-0445 investors@clearwateranalytics.com Media Contact: Claudia Cahill +1 703-728-1221 press@clearwateranalytics.com Stewart, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Decade Resources Ltd. (TSXV: DEC) ("Decade" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive purchase agreement (the "Purchase Agreement") dated August 4, 2025, with Mabel Ventures Inc. (CSE: MBL) ("Mabel"), an arm's length public company. Under the terms of the agreement, Decade has agreed to sell a 65% interest in the Red Cliff Property and a 100% interest in the Premier East Property, both located in the Skeena Mining Division of British Columbia (the "Transaction"). Transaction Summary Under the terms of the Purchase Agreement, Mabel Ventures Inc. will: Pay Decade $600,000 in cash as consideration for the acquisition of Decade's 65% interest in the Red Cliff Property and 100% of the Premier East Property. Reimburse Decade for its share of previously advanced funds related to a reclamation bond for permitting at Red Cliff. Conditions to Closing Completion of the Transaction remains subject to customary conditions, including: Receipt of all required regulatory approvals and consents Mabel Ventures completing a financing of no less than $1,000,000 Delivery of standard closing documentation Strategic Rationale This sale provides Decade with non-dilutive funding to advance its other exploration assets. The transaction aligns with Decade's strategy to unlock value from its extensive portfolio of exploration-stage properties in northwestern British Columbia. About Decade Resources Ltd. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DECADE RESOURCES LTD. "Ed Kruchkowski" Ed Kruchkowski, President "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release." "This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements." To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261555 SOURCE: Decade Resources Ltd. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Tokenwell Platforms Inc. (formerly Trilogy AI Corp.) ("Tokenwell" or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news release dated March 17, 2025, that it has completed the acquisition (the "Transaction") of all of the issued and outstanding shares of WealthAgile Inc. ("WealthAgile") pursuant to a share purchase agreement (the "Share Purchase Agreement") dated March 9, 2025, and that trading in the common shares of the Company is expected to resume on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") on or about August 7, 2025, under the ticker symbol "TWEL". Transaction Summary Pursuant to the Share Purchase Agreement, the Company acquired 100% of the issued and outstanding shares of WealthAgile in consideration for the issuance of 22,999,979 common shares of Tokenwell to the former securityholders of WealthAgile. Board and Management Changes The Company is pleased to announce that Mr. Timothy J. Burgess has been appointed Chief Executive Officer and as a Director of the Company. Mr. Burgess is the founder of WealthAgile. Under his leadership, WealthAgile has pioneered a rules-based approach to crypto portfolio management, combining transparency, automation, and user empowerment. Previously, Mr. Burgess served as a Hedge Fund Manager at Spartan Fund Management, where he launched and managed the onTREND Fund - a fully systematic momentum strategy. His work in quantitative investing showcases a strong command of market behaviour, trend-following systems, and data-driven alpha generation. Mr. Burgess is a CFA charterholder and a recognized leader in bridging traditional asset management with next-generation fintech solutions. As Chief Executive Officer of Tokenwell, he is focused on building scalable platforms that merge AI, blockchain, and smart investment frameworks to drive long-term growth. He will lead the Company's vision to bring crypto index portfolios and smart quantitative tools to the forefront of digital asset platforms and financial technology infrastructure. The Company wishes to thank Ms. Melody Cooper, former Company Chief Executive Officer and who has also stepped down as a Director, for her strong stewardship of, and contributions to the Company, both as Chief Executive Officer and as a Board member, and wishes her the very best. The Company also welcomes Ms. Kate-Lynn Genzel as Chief Financial Officer effective August 5, 2025. Ms. Genzel is a Chartered Professional Accountant and has acted and served in roles as Chief Financial Officer of publicly listed entities and private corporations for over ten years. Ms. Genzel previously acted as Chief Financial Officer and Director of the Company from August 2021 to March 2023 and as Chief Financial Officer from September 2023 to December 2023. The Company wishes to thank Mr. Alexander McAulay, former Chief Financial Officer, for his strong contributions to the Company. Concurrent Financing In connection with the Transaction, and as disclosed by way of news release on July 24, 2025, Tokenwell completed a non-brokered private placement (the "Offering") of 10,000,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.20 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of $2,000,000 on July 24, 2025. Name Change Prior to the completion of the Transaction, on August 1, 2025, the Company effected a change of the Company's corporate name from "Trilogy AI Corp." to "Tokenwell Platforms Inc." (the "Name Change"). For further information regarding the Transaction, Offering or Name Change, please see the listing statement of the Company dated July 31, 2025, a copy of which is available under the Company's issuer profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca or on the CSE's website. Applicable securities laws The securities issued in the Transaction and the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for, the account or benefit of United States persons, absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful. About Tokenwell Platforms Inc. Tokenwell Platforms Inc. is a financial technology company focused on enhancing access to intelligent cryptocurrency investing through its innovative, user-centric platform. Further Information For further information please contact: Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This news release contains statements and information that, to the extent that they are not historical fact, may constitute "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities legislation based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, projections, beliefs and assumptions made by management of the Company. Forward-looking information is generally identified by words such as "believe", "project", "aim", "expect", "anticipate", "estimate", "intend", "strategy", "future", "opportunity", "plan", "may", "should", "will", "would", and similar expressions and, in this news release, includes statements relating to the commencement of trading of the common shares of the Company, the financial and business prospects of the Company, its assets and other matters. Although the Company believes that the expectations and assumptions on which such forward- looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking information because the Company can give no assurance that it will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking information addresses future events and conditions, by its very nature it involves inherent risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. The forward-looking information included in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking information contained in this news release is made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable laws. Not for distribution to U.S. Newswire Services or for Dissemination in the United States. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261574 SOURCE: Tokenwell Platforms Inc. Chinese envoy warns against possible Israeli occupation of entire Gaza Xinhua) 13:50, August 06, 2025 UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Tuesday warned against possible Israeli occupation of the entire Gaza Strip. Recent media reports indicate that Israel has decided to escalate its military offensive and fully occupy Gaza. China expresses its grave concern about this, said Geng Shuang, China's deputy permanent representative to the United Nations. "We urge Israel to immediately halt such dangerous actions. We urge all parties to promptly reach a binding and sustainable ceasefire agreement. We further urge countries with significant influence over the parties concerned to act in a just and responsible manner and take concrete steps to help bring about a ceasefire," he told the Security Council. Israel's military operations have resulted in the deaths of over 60,000 civilians in Gaza, with innocent lives still being lost every day. The harsh reality has shown that military means are not a solution and that an immediate ceasefire is the right path to saving lives and bringing hostages home, he said. The 2 million innocent civilians in Gaza should not be victims of war, nor should they endure further suffering from manmade disasters. Under the current extreme blockade and siege, the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza continues to worsen with severe famine looming large, said Geng. Restricting humanitarian access will only further exacerbate the collective punishment of people in Gaza and make it harder for surviving hostages to access life-saving supplies. Israel must comply with international law, especially international humanitarian law, fully restore humanitarian access and support humanitarian agencies such as the United Nations in delivering aid, he said. Fully implementing the two-state solution and achieving an independent state of Palestine is the only viable path to resolving the Palestinian question and preventing the recurrence of similar hostage crises. The international community should jointly oppose unilateral actions that undermine the foundation of the two-state solution and intensify efforts to advance the political process toward its realization, said Geng. China will continue to work with the international community to end the fighting in Gaza, alleviate humanitarian suffering, implement the two-state solution, and ultimately achieve a comprehensive, just and lasting solution to the Palestinian question, he said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Dieppe, New Brunswick--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Colibri Resource Corporation (TSXV: CBI) ("Colibri" or the "Company") announces that it will not be proceeding with certain amendments to its outstanding debentures (the "Debentures"), related common share purchase warrants (the "Warrants") and finder's options (the "Finder's Options") as originally announced in its news release of July 16, 2025. Following a more detailed review of the Company's capital requirements and current market conditions, management has determined that it is not in the best interests of the Company to proceed with the amendments at this time. A comprehensive financing plan is being prepared by management which will not only deal with the maturing Debentures but also provide the Company with additional working capital. Details will be announced in due course. US$444,000 of Debentures matured on August 1, 2025. An additional US$175,000 will mature on August 31, 2025. The Company is current on all interest payments. In respect of the Warrants, 2,637,582 Warrants expired on August 1, 2025 with an additional 1,083,200 Warrants and 11,049 Finder's Options expire on August 31, 2025. ABOUT COLIBRI RESOURCE CORPORATION Colibri is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V (CBI) and is focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing prospective gold & silver properties in Sonora, Mexico. The Company holds three high potential precious metal projects: 1) 49% Ownership of the Pilar Gold & Silver Project which is believed to hold the potential to be a near term producing mine, 2) 100% of EP Gold Project in the significant Caborca Gold Belt which has delivered highly encouraging exploration results and is surround by Mexico's second largest major producer of gold on four sides, and 3) ta 60% interest in the Diamante Gold & Silver Project.. Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains "forward-looking statements". Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that they will prove to be accurate. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261575 SOURCE: Colibri Resource Corporation (All amounts expressed in U.S. dollars unless otherwise stated) Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the "Company" or "Torex") (TSX: TXG) reports the Company's financial and operational results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. Torex will host a conference call tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM (ET) to discuss the results. Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated: "Q2 marked another pivotal quarter for the Company as we declared commercial production at Media Luna on May 1st and returned to positive free cash flow in June. Importantly, there were no lost-time injuries during the quarter as we continued to roll out our Next Level Safety program across our operations. "Our production and financial performance during the quarter, while improved over quarter one, reflects the ramp-up start in April following the completion of tie-ins at our processing plant, as well as ten days of unplanned downtime in May. Then we turned the corner. With over 37,000 gold equivalent ounces ("oz AuEq") produced in the month of June and over 45,000 oz AuEq in July, Morelos is delivering monthly production levels in line with those implied in our five-year outlook. With increasing production and further economies of scale anticipated as Media Luna continues to ramp-up, all-in sustaining costs are expected to materially improve through the remainder of 2025. "With strong operational momentum going into the back half of the year, we are on track to achieve the lower end of our annual production guidance range of 400,000 to 450,000 oz AuEq as well as the upper end of the all-in sustaining costs guidance range of $1,400 to $1,600 per oz AuEq sold, assuming guidance metal prices. "With expected robust free cash flow at Morelos now established for the foreseeable future, we have begun to execute on our strategy of building a diversified, Americas-focused precious metals company with the recently announced acquisitions of Reyna Silver Corp. ("Reyna Silver") and Prime Mining Corp. ("Prime Mining").1 These acquisitions will provide immediate access to new and exciting early-stage exploration projects within prolific mining camps in northern Mexico and Nevada, as well as a development stage project with a sizable resource and substantial exploration upside in Sinaloa, Mexico, setting the stage for the next phase of growth for Torex beyond Morelos." 1) The completing each acquisition of Reyna Silver and Prime Mining is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the parties obtaining the requisite shareholder approval and regulatory approvals. SECOND QUARTER 2025 HIGHLIGHTS Safety performance: The Company recorded no lost-time injuries during the quarter and continued to progress on its comprehensive 'Next Level Safety' program with a view to ensuring that the Company resumes and maintains its prior fatality free status. As at June 30, 2025, the lost-time injury frequency ("LTIF") for the Morelos Complex was 0.46 per million hours worked for both employees and contractors on a rolling 12-month basis. The Company recorded no lost-time injuries during the quarter and continued to progress on its comprehensive 'Next Level Safety' program with a view to ensuring that the Company resumes and maintains its prior fatality free status. As at June 30, 2025, the lost-time injury frequency ("LTIF") for the Morelos Complex was 0.46 per million hours worked for both employees and contractors on a rolling 12-month basis. Media Luna commercial production: During the quarter, operations ramped up following the restart of the processing plant in late March and commercial production at Media Luna was declared on May 1, 2025. Production during the quarter reflected gradually improving throughput rates and recoveries in the processing plant; however, in late May, a capacitor failure occurred in the ball mill e-house, which resulted in ten days of unplanned downtime. During the quarter, operations ramped up following the restart of the processing plant in late March and commercial production at Media Luna was declared on May 1, 2025. Production during the quarter reflected gradually improving throughput rates and recoveries in the processing plant; however, in late May, a capacitor failure occurred in the ball mill e-house, which resulted in ten days of unplanned downtime. Media Luna non-sustaining capital expenditures 1 : During the quarter, $48.9 million (YTD - $104.4 million) of non-sustaining capital expenditures were incurred on Media Luna, of which $35.3 million (YTD - $90.8 million) was incurred prior to the declaration of commercial production on May 1, 2025. Non-sustaining capital expenditures subsequent to the declaration of commercial production primarily relate to the completion and commissioning of the paste plant, paste distribution system and underground material handling systems. Construction of the paste plant is substantially complete and commissioning processes are underway with the plant expected to commence operations imminently. Non-sustaining capital expenditure guidance has been revised upward to $160.0 to $170.0 million (previously $90.0 to $100.0 million) owing to the scope transfer from 2024 to 2025 and demobilization/remobilization costs following the December fatalities, and the associated extension of the mining infrastructure construction period (now drawing to a close), indirect costs for the extended project period, and a continued aggressive mine development plan, all to support accelerating mining rates to 7,500 tpd ahead of the schedule set out in the Technical Report. The Company is also now focused on advancing the development associated with the EPO project which, to date, is proceeding on pace and contributing to the non-sustaining capital expenditure spend. During the quarter, $48.9 million (YTD - $104.4 million) of non-sustaining capital expenditures were incurred on Media Luna, of which $35.3 million (YTD - $90.8 million) was incurred prior to the declaration of commercial production on May 1, 2025. Non-sustaining capital expenditures subsequent to the declaration of commercial production primarily relate to the completion and commissioning of the paste plant, paste distribution system and underground material handling systems. Construction of the paste plant is substantially complete and commissioning processes are underway with the plant expected to commence operations imminently. Non-sustaining capital expenditure guidance has been revised upward to $160.0 to $170.0 million (previously $90.0 to $100.0 million) owing to the scope transfer from 2024 to 2025 and demobilization/remobilization costs following the December fatalities, and the associated extension of the mining infrastructure construction period (now drawing to a close), indirect costs for the extended project period, and a continued aggressive mine development plan, all to support accelerating mining rates to 7,500 tpd ahead of the schedule set out in the Technical Report. The Company is also now focused on advancing the development associated with the EPO project which, to date, is proceeding on pace and contributing to the non-sustaining capital expenditure spend. Gold payable production: On a gold equivalent ounce basis, payable production for the quarter was 82,856 oz AuEq 2 , including 68,955 oz Au (YTD - 142,486 oz AuEq 2 and 127,285 oz Au, respectively). As a result of the production achieved to date, the Company is now targeting the lower end of annual payable production guidance of 400,000 to 450,000 oz AuEq 2 assuming guidance metal prices. On a gold equivalent ounce basis, payable production for the quarter was 82,856 oz AuEq , including 68,955 oz Au (YTD - 142,486 oz AuEq and 127,285 oz Au, respectively). As a result of the production achieved to date, the Company is now targeting the lower end of annual payable production guidance of 400,000 to 450,000 oz AuEq assuming guidance metal prices. Gold sold: The Company sold 76,922 oz AuEq 2 (YTD - 137,490 oz AuEq 2 ) at a record quarterly average realized gold price 1 of $3,311 per oz (YTD - $3,060 per oz) or $3,299 per oz AuEq (YTD - $3,077 per oz AuEq), contributing to revenue of $253.9 million (YTD - $423.9 million), including sales that commenced in April of metal produced from copper concentrate through the new circuits as part of the Media Luna Project. The Company sold 76,922 oz AuEq (YTD - 137,490 oz AuEq ) at a record quarterly average realized gold price of $3,311 per oz (YTD - $3,060 per oz) or $3,299 per oz AuEq (YTD - $3,077 per oz AuEq), contributing to revenue of $253.9 million (YTD - $423.9 million), including sales that commenced in April of metal produced from copper concentrate through the new circuits as part of the Media Luna Project. All-in sustaining costs 1 : All-in sustaining costs of $2,103 per oz AuEq sold 2 . On a year-to-date basis, all-in sustaining costs were $1,796 per oz AuEq sold 2 relative to guidance of $1,400 to $1,600 per oz AuEq sold 2 . All-in sustaining costs margin 1 of $1,196 per oz AuEq sold 2 (YTD - $1,281 per oz AuEq sold 2 ), implying an all-in sustaining costs margin 1 of 36% (YTD - 42%). Cost of sales was $152.6 million or $1,984 per oz AuEq sold 2 in the quarter (YTD - $246.7 million or $1,794 per oz AuEq sold 2 ). Costs in the quarter were impacted by the lower production as described above. Based on year-to-date results and assuming guidance metal prices, the Company expects all-in sustaining costs to be at the upper end of the guided range for the year. All-in sustaining costs of $2,103 per oz AuEq sold . On a year-to-date basis, all-in sustaining costs were $1,796 per oz AuEq sold relative to guidance of $1,400 to $1,600 per oz AuEq sold . All-in sustaining costs margin of $1,196 per oz AuEq sold (YTD - $1,281 per oz AuEq sold ), implying an all-in sustaining costs margin of 36% (YTD - 42%). Cost of sales was $152.6 million or $1,984 per oz AuEq sold in the quarter (YTD - $246.7 million or $1,794 per oz AuEq sold ). Costs in the quarter were impacted by the lower production as described above. Based on year-to-date results and assuming guidance metal prices, the Company expects all-in sustaining costs to be at the upper end of the guided range for the year. Net income and adjusted net earnings 1 : Reported net income of $83.2 million or earnings of $0.97 per share on a basic basis and $0.95 per share on a diluted basis (YTD - $122.2 million or $1.42 per share on a basic basis and $1.40 per share on a diluted basis). Adjusted net earnings of $43.8 million or $0.51 per share on a basic basis and $0.50 per share on a diluted basis (YTD - $79.7 million or $0.92 per share on a basic basis and $0.91 per share on a diluted basis). Reported net income of $83.2 million or earnings of $0.97 per share on a basic basis and $0.95 per share on a diluted basis (YTD - $122.2 million or $1.42 per share on a basic basis and $1.40 per share on a diluted basis). Adjusted net earnings of $43.8 million or $0.51 per share on a basic basis and $0.50 per share on a diluted basis (YTD - $79.7 million or $0.92 per share on a basic basis and $0.91 per share on a diluted basis). EBITDA 1 and adjusted EBITDA 1 : Generated EBITDA of $114.1 million (YTD - $202.2 million) and adjusted EBITDA of $117.7 million (YTD - $209.5 million). Generated EBITDA of $114.1 million (YTD - $202.2 million) and adjusted EBITDA of $117.7 million (YTD - $209.5 million). Cash flow generation: Net cash generated from operating activities totalled $67.8 million (YTD - $57.9 million) and $95.3 million (YTD - $77.6 million) before changes in non-cash operating working capital. Net cash generated from operating activities (including changes in non-cash operating working capital) of $67.8 million (YTD - $57.9 million) including income taxes paid of $25.2 million (YTD - $126.8 million). Negative free cash flow 1 of $37.5 million (YTD - negative $170.8 million) is net of cash outlays for capital expenditures, lease payments, and interest, including borrowing costs capitalized. Negative free cash flow was a result of capital expenditures of $100.8 million (YTD - $224.3 million), primarily due to the Media Luna Project. The Company transitioned back to positive free cash flow in June and is expected to generate positive free cash flow that will increase quarterly through the remainder of the year. Net cash generated from operating activities totalled $67.8 million (YTD - $57.9 million) and $95.3 million (YTD - $77.6 million) before changes in non-cash operating working capital. Net cash generated from operating activities (including changes in non-cash operating working capital) of $67.8 million (YTD - $57.9 million) including income taxes paid of $25.2 million (YTD - $126.8 million). Negative free cash flow of $37.5 million (YTD - negative $170.8 million) is net of cash outlays for capital expenditures, lease payments, and interest, including borrowing costs capitalized. Negative free cash flow was a result of capital expenditures of $100.8 million (YTD - $224.3 million), primarily due to the Media Luna Project. The Company transitioned back to positive free cash flow in June and is expected to generate positive free cash flow that will increase quarterly through the remainder of the year. Financial liquidity: On June 25, 2025, the Company amended the credit facilities with a syndicate of international banks, with an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility to $350.0 million (an increase from $300.0 million), with a maturity date in June 2029 (extended from the December 2027 maturity) and a $200.0 million accordion feature that is available at the discretion of the lenders (an increase from $150.0 million). The quarter closed with $209.1 million in available liquidity 1 , including $103.0 million in cash and $106.1 million available on the $350.0 million credit facilities, net of borrowings of $230.0 million and letters of credit outstanding of $13.9 million. On June 25, 2025, the Company amended the credit facilities with a syndicate of international banks, with an increase in the Revolving Credit Facility to $350.0 million (an increase from $300.0 million), with a maturity date in June 2029 (extended from the December 2027 maturity) and a $200.0 million accordion feature that is available at the discretion of the lenders (an increase from $150.0 million). The quarter closed with $209.1 million in available liquidity , including $103.0 million in cash and $106.1 million available on the $350.0 million credit facilities, net of borrowings of $230.0 million and letters of credit outstanding of $13.9 million. EPO Underground Project: During the second quarter of 2025, $4.5 million (YTD - $8.5 million) of non-sustaining capital expenditures were incurred relating to EPO. To support the life of mine production at EPO, a modification to the Company's MIA-Integral permit was submitted to SEMARNAT for the construction of a waste dump and the modification to the permit was approved by the regulator in July. During the second quarter of 2025, the EPO internal feasibility study continued to progress as the team finalized key mine design parameters, mine sequence and integrated mine scheduling with Media Luna, and initiated activities related to execution planning. In order to facilitate initial ore production in late 2026, underground development of the EPO access ramp was initiated. During the second quarter of 2025, $4.5 million (YTD - $8.5 million) of non-sustaining capital expenditures were incurred relating to EPO. To support the life of mine production at EPO, a modification to the Company's MIA-Integral permit was submitted to SEMARNAT for the construction of a waste dump and the modification to the permit was approved by the regulator in July. During the second quarter of 2025, the EPO internal feasibility study continued to progress as the team finalized key mine design parameters, mine sequence and integrated mine scheduling with Media Luna, and initiated activities related to execution planning. In order to facilitate initial ore production in late 2026, underground development of the EPO access ramp was initiated. Release of the 2024 Responsible Gold Mining Report: In June, the Company released its 2024 Responsible Gold Mining Report (RGMR), the Company's tenth annual disclosure of its ESG performance. The Report can be found on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. In addition, the Company's new 8.45-megawatt solar facility was completed and commissioned in June, which is a key component of the Company's climate change strategy and target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In June, the Company released its 2024 Responsible Gold Mining Report (RGMR), the Company's tenth annual disclosure of its ESG performance. The Report can be found on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. In addition, the Company's new 8.45-megawatt solar facility was completed and commissioned in June, which is a key component of the Company's climate change strategy and target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Exploration and Drilling Activities: In May, the Company announced results from the ongoing drilling program at ELG Underground 3 and in July released results from drilling at EPO 4 . The results from these programs support the Company's target of further extending the mine life of ELG Underground by identifying new zones of higher-grade mineralization, expanding resources within known areas, expanding resources to the north of the EPO deposit and replacing mined reserves, with the objective of sustaining production levels for the Morelos Complex above 450,000 oz AuEq well beyond 2030. In May, the Company announced results from the ongoing drilling program at ELG Underground and in July released results from drilling at EPO . The results from these programs support the Company's target of further extending the mine life of ELG Underground by identifying new zones of higher-grade mineralization, expanding resources within known areas, expanding resources to the north of the EPO deposit and replacing mined reserves, with the objective of sustaining production levels for the Morelos Complex above 450,000 oz AuEq well beyond 2030. Executing on the strategy of creating a diversified, Americas focused precious metals producer: Acquisition 5 of Prime Mining and Reyna Silver enhance medium and long-term growth potential On June 23, the Company announced 6 that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Reyna Silver (TSXV: RSLV) to acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Reyna Silver pursuant to a court-approved plan of arrangement for an all cash consideration of approximately $26.0 million (C$36.0 million) based on an offer price of C$0.13 per share. Reyna Silver shareholder approval is required in which voting will occur at a special meeting expected to be held on August 11, 2025 and the transaction is expected to close shortly thereafter. In connection with the transaction, Torex purchased 11,578,947 units (each unit comprising one common share and one common share purchase warrant with an exercise price of C$0.13) of Reyna Silver at a price of C$0.095 per unit for a total investment of C$1.1 million in a non-brokered private placement. Reyna Silver provides Torex with 100% ownership in two exciting exploration properties in Chihuahua, MX (Batopilas and Guigui) as well as potential exposure to two highly prospective properties in Nevada (Gryphon and Medicine Springs) via option agreements. On July 28, the Company announced 7 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Prime Mining (TSX: PRYM) (OTCQX: PRMNF) (Frankfurt: O4V3) whereby Torex will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Prime Mining pursuant to a plan of arrangement at an exchange ratio of 0.060 of a common share per each Prime Mining share. Based on closing price of both companies on July 25, 2025, the offer implies an equity value of $327 million (C$449 million). Post the transaction, Prime Mining shareholders will own approximately 10.7% of Torex. The transaction provides Torex with 100% ownership in the Los Reyes Project, an advanced-stage development project located in Sinaloa, MX. Acquisition of Prime Mining and Reyna Silver enhance medium and long-term growth potential 1. These measures are non-GAAP financial measures ("Non-GAAP Measures") which are not standardized financial measures under IFRS, the framework used to prepare the financial statements of the Company, and might not be comparable to similar financial measures used by other companies. For a detailed reconciliation of each Non-GAAP Measure to its most directly comparable measure in accordance with the IFRS, see Tables 2 to 11 of this press release. For additional information on these Non-GAAP Measures, please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025, which is incorporated by reference into this news release. The MD&A and the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related notes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, are available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). 2. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold include production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average market prices for each commodity sold in the period. For the six months ended June 30, 2025, market prices averaged $3,067/oz gold, $32.76/oz silver, and $4.28/lb copper. Guidance for 2025 assumed metal prices of $2,500/oz gold, $28/oz silver, and $4.30/lb copper. 3. For more information on ELG Underground drilling results, see the Company's news release titled "Torex Gold Reports Latest Drilling Results from ELG Underground" issued on May 20, 2025, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. 4. For more information on EPO drilling results, see the Company's news release titled "Torex Gold Reports Excellent Drilling Results from EPO" issued on July 16, 2025, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. 5. The completion of each acquisition of Reyna Silver and Prime Mining is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, including the parties obtaining the requisite shareholder, court and regulatory approvals. 6. For more information on the acquisition of Reyna Silver, see the Company's news release titled "Torex Gold Announces Acquisition of Reyna Silver" issued on June 23, 2025, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. 7. For more information on the acquisition of Prime Mining, see the Company's news release titled "Torex Gold to Acquire Prime Mining" issued on July 28, 2025, and filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST DETAILS The Company will host a conference call tomorrow at 9:00 AM (ET) where senior management will discuss the second quarter operating and financial results. For expedited access to the conference call, registration is open to obtain an access code in advance, which will allow participants to join the call directly at the scheduled time. Alternatively, dial-in details are as follows: Toronto local or International: 1-647-846-8914 Toll-Free (North America): 1-833-752-3842 A live webcast and replay of the conference call will be available on the Company's website at https://torexgold.com/investors/upcoming-events/. The webcast will be archived on the Company's website. Table 1: Operating and Financial Highlights Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Safety Lost-time injury frequency1 /million hours 0.46 0.59 0.22 0.46 0.22 Total recordable injury frequency1 /million hours 1.00 1.52 1.44 1.00 1.44 Operating Results - Gold Equivalent basis Gold equivalent payable produced2 oz AuEq 82,856 59,630 116,087 142,486 233,141 Gold equivalent sold2 oz AuEq 76,922 60,568 115,890 137,490 229,996 Total cash costs2,3 $/oz AuEq 1,606 1,020 1,040 1,348 992 All-in sustaining costs2,3 $/oz AuEq 2,103 1,405 1,260 1,796 1,241 Average realized gold price2,3 $/oz AuEq 3,299 2,793 2,193 3,077 2,109 Financial Results Revenue $ 253.9 170.0 270.3 423.9 506.8 Cost of sales $ 152.6 94.1 166.3 246.7 323.7 Earnings from mine operations $ 101.3 75.9 104.0 177.2 183.1 Net income $ 83.2 39.0 1.9 122.2 45.0 Per share - Basic $/share 0.97 0.45 0.02 1.42 0.52 Per share - Diluted $/share 0.95 0.45 0.02 1.40 0.52 Adjusted net earnings3 $ 43.8 35.9 52.4 79.7 88.3 Per share - Basic3 $/share 0.51 0.42 0.61 0.92 1.03 Per share - Diluted3 $/share 0.50 0.41 0.60 0.91 1.02 EBITDA3 $ 114.1 88.1 123.3 202.2 221.3 Adjusted EBITDA3 $ 117.7 91.8 121.2 209.5 234.4 Cost of sales - gold equivalent basis $/oz AuEq 1,984 1,554 1,435 1,794 1,407 Net cash generated from operating activities $ 67.8 (9.9 ) 97.4 57.9 177.2 Net cash generated from operating activities before changes in non- cash operating working capital $ 95.3 (17.7 ) 112.5 77.6 185.0 Free cash flow3 $ (37.5 ) (133.3 ) (59.3 ) (170.8 ) (118.7 ) Cash and cash equivalents $ 103.0 106.5 108.7 103.0 108.7 Debt, net of deferred finance charges $ 227.2 193.1 53.9 227.2 53.9 Lease-related obligations $ 98.9 86.5 59.0 98.9 59.0 Net debt3 $ (225.9 ) (175.0 ) (5.3 ) (225.9 ) (5.3 ) Available liquidity3 $ 209.1 197.6 345.8 209.1 345.8 1. On a 12-month rolling basis, per million hours worked. 2. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold include production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average market prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to the "Gold Equivalent Reporting" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025 for the relevant average market prices by commodity, available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). 3. Total cash costs, all-in sustaining costs, average realized gold price, adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per share, EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow, net debt and available liquidity are non-GAAP financial measures with no standardized meaning under IFRS and might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. For a detailed reconciliation of each Non-GAAP Measure to its most directly comparable measure in accordance with the IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board see Tables 2 to 11 of this press release. For additional information on these Non-GAAP Measures, please refer to the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025. The MD&A and the Company's the Company's unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements and related notes for the three and months ended June 30, 2025, are available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Table 2: Reconciliation of Total Cash Costs and All-in Sustaining Costs to Production Costs and Royalties Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Gold sold oz 63,493 59,756 113,513 123,249 225,155 Total cash costs per oz sold Production costs $ 115.1 56.2 113.0 171.3 213.8 Royalties $ 8.6 6.0 7.5 14.6 14.4 Less: Silver sales1 $ (10.2 ) (1.1 ) (1.6 ) (11.3 ) (3.1 ) Less: Copper sales1 $ (33.4 ) (1.2 ) (3.8 ) (34.6 ) (7.5 ) Add: Treatment, refining and other cost deductions $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - Less: Realized gain on foreign currency contracts $ (1.4 ) (0.4 ) - (1.8 ) - Total cash costs $ 79.9 59.5 115.1 139.4 217.6 Total cash costs per oz sold $/oz 1,258 996 1,014 1,131 966 All-in sustaining costs per oz sold Total cash costs $ 79.9 59.5 115.1 139.4 217.6 General and administrative costs2 $ 7.8 8.7 7.3 16.5 15.3 Reclamation and remediation costs $ 1.1 1.0 1.2 2.1 2.5 Sustaining capital expenditure $ 29.4 13.6 17.0 43.0 39.4 Total all-in sustaining costs $ 118.2 82.8 140.6 201.0 274.8 Total all-in sustaining costs per oz sold $/oz 1,862 1,386 1,239 1,631 1,220 Gold equivalent sold3 oz AuEq 76,922 60,568 115,890 137,490 229,996 Total cash costs per oz AuEq sold Production costs $ 115.1 56.2 113.0 171.3 213.8 Royalties $ 8.6 6.0 7.5 14.6 14.4 Add: Treatment, refining and other cost deductions $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - Less: Realized gain on foreign currency contracts $ (1.4 ) (0.4 ) - (1.8 ) - Total cash costs $ 123.5 61.8 120.5 185.3 228.2 Total cash costs per oz AuEq sold3 $/oz AuEq 1,606 1,020 1,040 1,348 992 All-in sustaining costs per oz AuEq sold Total cash costs $ 123.5 61.8 120.5 185.3 228.2 General and administrative costs2 $ 7.8 8.7 7.3 16.5 15.3 Reclamation and remediation costs $ 1.1 1.0 1.2 2.1 2.5 Sustaining capital expenditure $ 29.4 13.6 17.0 43.0 39.4 Total all-in sustaining costs $ 161.8 85.1 146.0 246.9 285.4 Total all-in sustaining costs per oz AuEq sold3 $/oz AuEq 2,103 1,405 1,260 1,796 1,241 1. Includes provisional price adjustments on sales of copper concentrate and precipitate. 2. This amount excludes a loss of $6.2 million, loss of $7.6 million and loss of $0.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025, and June 30, 2024, respectively, and a loss of $13.8 million and loss of $5.0 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, in relation to the remeasurement of share-based payments. This amount also excludes corporate depreciation and amortization expenses totalling $nil, $0.1 million and $nil for the three months ended June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025, and June 30, 2024, respectively, $0.1 million and $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, within general and administrative costs. Included in general and administrative costs is share-based compensation expense in the amount of $1.8 million or $28/oz ($23/oz AuEq) for the three months ended June 30, 2025, $2.3 million or $38/oz ($38/oz AuEq) for the three months ended March 31, 2025, $1.6 million or $14/oz ($14/oz AuEq) for the three months ended June 30, 2024, $4.1 million or $33/oz ($30/oz AuEq) for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and $3.9 million or $17/oz ($17/oz AuEq) for the six months ended June 30, 2024. This amount excludes other expenses totalling $nil, $nil and $2.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025, and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $nil and $3.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively. 3. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold include production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average market prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to the "Gold Equivalent Reporting" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025 for the relevant average market prices by commodity, available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Table 3: Reconciliation of Sustaining and Non-Sustaining Capital Expenditures to Additions to Property, Plant and Equipment Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Sustaining $ 29.4 13.6 16.4 43.0 38.0 Capitalized Stripping (Sustaining) $ - - 0.6 - 1.4 Total Sustaining $ 29.4 13.6 17.0 43.0 39.4 Non-sustaining Media Luna Project1 $ 48.9 55.5 108.2 104.4 234.6 EPO Project $ 4.5 4.0 - 8.5 - Media Luna Cluster Drilling and Other $ 1.9 0.2 1.9 2.1 3.2 Working Capital Changes and Other $ 16.1 50.2 28.4 66.3 4.4 Capital expenditures2 $ 100.8 123.5 155.5 224.3 281.6 1. This amount includes a realized gain (or an increase in the capitalized expenditures) of $nil, $nil and gain of $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, March 31, 2025, and June 30, 2024, respectively, and $nil and gain of $1.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and June 30, 2024, respectively, in relation to the settlement of foreign exchange zero cost collars that were entered into to manage the capital expenditure risk related to a further strengthening of the Mexican peso. 2. The amount of cash expended on additions to property, plant and equipment in the period as reported in the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows. Table 4: Reconciliation of Average Realized Gold Price and Total Cash Costs Margin to Revenue Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Gold sold oz 63,493 59,756 113,513 123,249 225,155 Revenue $ 253.9 170.0 270.3 423.9 506.8 Less: Silver sales1 $ (10.2 ) (1.1 ) (1.6 ) (11.3 ) (3.1 ) Less: Copper sales1 $ (33.4 ) (1.2 ) (3.8 ) (34.6 ) (7.5 ) Add: Treatment, refining and other cost deductions $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - Less: Realized loss on gold contracts $ (1.3 ) (0.8 ) (16.0 ) (2.1 ) (21.4 ) Total proceeds $ 210.2 166.9 248.9 377.1 474.8 Average realized gold price $/oz 3,311 2,793 2,193 3,060 2,109 Less: Total cash costs $/oz 1,258 996 1,014 1,131 966 Total cash costs margin $/oz 2,053 1,797 1,179 1,929 1,143 Total cash costs margin % 62 64 54 63 54 Gold equivalent sold2 oz AuEq 76,922 60,568 115,890 137,490 229,996 Revenue $ 253.9 170.0 270.3 423.9 506.8 Add: Treatment, refining and other cost deductions $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - Less: Realized loss on gold contracts $ (1.3 ) (0.8 ) (16.0 ) (2.1 ) (21.4 ) Total proceeds $ 253.8 169.2 254.3 423.0 485.4 Average realized gold price $/oz AuEq 3,299 2,793 2,193 3,077 2,109 Less: Total cash costs2 $/oz AuEq 1,606 1,020 1,040 1,348 992 Total cash costs margin2 $/oz AuEq 1,693 1,773 1,153 1,729 1,117 Total cash costs margin % 51 63 53 56 53 1. Includes provisional price adjustments on sales of copper concentrate and precipitate. 2. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold include production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average market prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to the "Gold Equivalent Reporting" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025 for the relevant average market prices by commodity, available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Table 5: Reconciliation of All-in Sustaining Costs Margin to Revenue Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Gold sold oz 63,493 59,756 113,513 123,249 225,155 Revenue $ 253.9 170.0 270.3 423.9 506.8 Less: Silver sales1 $ (10.2 ) (1.1 ) (1.6 ) (11.3 ) (3.1 ) Less: Copper sales1 $ (33.4 ) (1.2 ) (3.8 ) (34.6 ) (7.5 ) Add: Treatment, refining and other cost $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - deductions Less: Realized loss on gold contracts $ (1.3 ) (0.8 ) (16.0 ) (2.1 ) (21.4 ) Less: All-in sustaining costs $ (118.2 ) (82.8 ) (140.6 ) (201.0 ) (274.8 ) All-in sustaining costs margin $ 92.0 84.1 108.3 176.1 200.0 Average realized gold price $/oz 3,311 2,793 2,193 3,060 2,109 Total all-in sustaining costs margin $/oz 1,449 1,407 954 1,429 889 Total all-in sustaining costs margin % 44 50 44 47 42 Gold equivalent sold2 oz AuEq 76,922 60,568 115,890 137,490 229,996 Revenue $ 253.9 170.0 270.3 423.9 506.8 Add: Treatment, refining and other cost $ 1.2 - - 1.2 - deductions Less: Realized loss on gold contracts $ (1.3 ) (0.8 ) (16.0 ) (2.1 ) (21.4 ) Less: All-in sustaining costs $ (161.8 ) (85.1 ) (146.0 ) (246.9 ) (285.4 ) All-in sustaining costs margin $ 92.0 84.1 108.3 176.1 200.0 Average realized gold price $/oz AuEq 3,299 2,793 2,193 3,077 2,109 Total all-in sustaining costs margin2 $/oz AuEq 1,196 1,388 933 1,281 868 Total all-in sustaining costs margin % 36 50 43 42 41 1. Includes provisional price adjustments on sales of copper concentrate and precipitate. 2. Gold equivalent ounces produced and sold include production of silver and copper converted to a gold equivalent based on a ratio of the average market prices for each commodity sold in the period. Refer to the "Gold Equivalent Reporting" section of the Company's MD&A for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, dated August 5, 2025 for the relevant average market prices by commodity, available on Torex's website (www.torexgold.com) and under the Company's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Table 6: Reconciliation of Adjusted Net Earnings to Net Income Three Months Ended Six Months Ended In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Basic weighted average shares outstanding shares 86,205,585 86,125,855 85,984,756 86,165,940 85,967,157 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding shares 87,548,439 87,326,899 86,888,359 87,466,086 86,664,299 Net income $ 83.2 39.0 1.9 122.2 45.0 Adjustments: Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) $ 2.4 (0.7 ) 2.5 1.7 1.9 Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts $ (5.0 ) (3.2 ) (5.4 ) (8.2 ) 6.2 Loss on remeasurement of share-based $ 6.2 7.6 0.8 13.8 5.0 payments Derecognition of provisions for $ - (9.2) - (9.2) (12.1) uncertain tax positions Tax effect of above adjustments $ 0.8 1.2 0.8 2.0 (2.5 ) Tax effect of currency translation on tax base $ (43.8 ) 1.2 51.8 (42.6 ) 44.8 Adjusted net earnings $ 43.8 35.9 52.4 79.7 88.3 Per share - Basic $/share 0.51 0.42 0.61 0.92 1.03 Per share - Diluted $/share 0.50 0.41 0.60 0.91 1.02 Table 7: Reconciliation of EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA to Net Income Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net income $ 83.2 39.0 1.9 122.2 45.0 Finance costs (income), net $ 5.2 2.6 (1.0 ) 7.8 (2.7 ) Depreciation and amortization1 $ 28.9 32.0 45.9 60.9 95.7 Current income tax expense $ 34.6 6.0 25.1 40.6 51.3 Deferred income tax (recovery) expense $ (37.8 ) 8.5 51.4 (29.3 ) 32.0 EBITDA $ 114.1 88.1 123.3 202.2 221.3 Adjustments: Unrealized (gain) loss on derivative contracts $ (5.0 ) (3.2 ) (5.4 ) (8.2 ) 6.2 Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) $ 2.4 (0.7 ) 2.5 1.7 1.9 Loss on remeasurement of share-based payments $ 6.2 7.6 0.8 13.8 5.0 Adjusted EBITDA $ 117.7 91.8 121.2 209.5 234.4 1. Includes depreciation and amortization included in cost of sales, general and administrative expenses and exploration and evaluation expenses. Table 8: Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to Net Cash Generated from Operating Activities Three Months Ended Six Months Ended Jun 30, Mar 31, Jun 30, Jun 30, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net cash generated from operating activities $ 67.8 (9.9) 97.4 57.9 177.2 Less: Additions to property, plant and equipment1 $ (100.8 ) (123.5 ) (155.5 ) (224.3 ) (281.6 ) Value-added tax receivables, net2 $ 6.3 7.6 3.0 13.9 (7.3 ) Lease payments $ (3.9 ) (3.4 ) (1.8 ) (7.3 ) (3.2 ) Interest and other borrowing costs paid3 $ (6.9 ) (4.1 ) (2.4 ) (11.0 ) (3.8 ) Free cash flow $ (37.5 ) (133.3 ) (59.3 ) (170.8 ) (118.7 ) 1. The amount of cash expended on additions to property, plant and equipment in the period as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows. 2. Included in investing activities as reported on the Condensed Consolidated Interim Statements of Cash Flows 3. Including borrowing costs capitalized to property, plant and equipment. Table 9: Reconciliation of Net Debt to Cash and Cash Equivalents Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $ 103.0 106.5 110.2 108.7 Less: Debt $ (227.2 ) (193.1 ) (62.9 ) (53.9 ) Lease-related obligations $ (98.9 ) (86.5 ) (78.3 ) (59.0 ) Deferred finance charges $ (2.8 ) (1.9 ) (2.1 ) (1.1 ) Net debt $ (225.9 ) (175.0 ) (33.1 ) (5.3 ) Table 10: Reconciliation of Available Liquidity to Cash and Cash Equivalents Jun 30, Mar 31, Dec 31, Jun 30, In millions of U.S. dollars 2025 2025 2024 2024 Cash and cash equivalents $ 103.0 106.5 110.2 108.7 Add: Available credit of the Debt Facility $ 106.1 91.1 221.3 237.1 Available liquidity $ 209.1 197.6 331.5 345.8 Table 11: Reconciliation of Unit Cost Measures to Production Costs Three Months Ended Six Months Ended In millions of U.S. dollars, unless otherwise noted Jun 30, 2025 Mar 31, 2025 Jun 30, 2024 Jun 30, 2025 Jun 30, 2024 Gold sold (oz AuEq) 76,922 60,568 115,890 137,490 229,996 Gold sold (oz) 63,493 59,756 113,513 123,249 225,155 Tonnes mined - ELG open pit (kt) 1,042 672 8,669 1,714 17,650 Tonnes mined - ELG underground (kt) 254 187 195 441 363 Tonnes mined - Media Luna underground (kt)1 289 100 47 289 48 Tonnes processed (kt) 809 705 1,202 1,513 2,396 Total cash costs: Total cash costs ($) - gold equivalent basis 123.5 61.8 120.5 185.3 228.2 Total cash costs per oz AuEq sold ($) 1,606 1,020 1,040 1,348 992 Total cash costs ($) - gold only basis 79.9 59.5 115.1 139.4 217.6 Total cash costs per oz sold ($) 1,258 996 1,014 1,131 966 Breakdown of production costs $ $/t $ $/t $ $/t $ $/t $ $/t Mining - ELG open pit 7.9 7.61 6.0 8.87 31.9 3.69 13.9 8.10 63.5 3.60 Mining - ELG underground 17.9 70.34 15.0 80.45 16.8 86.18 32.9 74.62 30.6 84.40 Mining - Media Luna underground1 12.7 43.95 - - - - 12.7 43.95 - - Processing 39.0 48.31 25.2 35.72 46.0 38.19 64.2 42.45 88.5 36.92 Site support 19.3 23.80 8.1 11.53 14.4 11.98 27.4 18.09 28.7 11.99 Mexican profit sharing (PTU) 7.2 8.90 2.1 2.98 6.5 5.41 9.3 6.15 9.5 3.96 Capitalized stripping - - (0.6) - (1.4) Inventory movement 4.8 (1.5) (2.5) 3.3 (6.8) Other 6.3 1.3 0.5 7.6 1.2 Production costs 115.1 56.2 113.0 171.3 213.8 1. Media Luna underground tonnes mined and mining costs are reported post the declaration of commercial production on May 1, 2025. ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Torex Gold Resources Inc. is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property (the "Morelos Property"), an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Company's principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the producing Media Luna Underground, ELG Underground, and ELG Open Pit mines, the development stage EPO Underground Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torex's key strategic objectives are: deliver Media Luna to full production and build EPO; optimize Morelos production and costs; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and industry leader in responsible mining. In addition to realizing the full potential of the Morelos Property, the Company is seeking opportunities to acquire assets that enable diversification and deliver value to shareholders. QUALIFIED PERSONS The technical and scientific information in this press release pertaining to metal production has been reviewed and approved by Miguel Pimentel Casafranca, P.Eng., Vice President, Metallurgy and Process Engineering of the Company, who is a qualified person under NI 43-101. The technical and scientific information in this press release pertaining to production guidance has been reviewed and approved by David Stefanuto, P.Eng., Executive Vice President, Technical Services and Capital Project of the Company, who is a qualified person under NI 43-101. CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, statements that: acquisitions of Reyna Silver and Prime Mining, respectively, will be successfully concluded, acquisitions of Reyna Silver and Prime Mining will provide immediate access to new and exciting early-stage exploration projects within prolific mining camps in northern Mexico and Nevada, as well as a development stage project with a sizable resource and substantial exploration upside in Sinaloa, Mexico, setting the stage for the next phase of growth for Torex beyond Morelos; with increasing production and further economies of scale anticipated as Media Luna continues to ramp-up, all-in sustaining costs are expected to materially improve through the remainder of 2025; with strong operational momentum going into the back half of the year, the Company is on track to achieve the lower end of its annual production guidance range of 400,000 to 450,000 oz AuEq as well as the upper end of the all-in sustaining costs guidance range of $1,400 to $1,600 per oz AuEq sold, assuming guidance metal prices; with expected robust free cash flow at Morelos now established for the foreseeable future, the Company has begun to execute on its strategy of building a diversified, Americas-focused precious metals company; construction of the paste plant is substantially complete and commissioning processes are underway with the plant expected to commence operations imminently; non-sustaining capital expenditure guidance has been revised upward to $160.0 to $170.0 million (previously $90.0 to $100.0 million) owing to the scope transfer from 2024 to 2025 and demobilization/remobilization costs following the December fatalities, the associated extension of the mining infrastructure construction period now drawing to a close, indirect costs for the extended project period, and a continued aggressive mine development plan, all to support accelerating mining rates to 7,500 tpd ahead of the schedule set out in the Technical Report; Torex's key strategic objectives are: deliver Media Luna to full production and build EPO; optimize Morelos production and costs; grow reserves and resources; disciplined growth and capital allocation; retain and attract best industry talent; and industry leader in responsible mining. Generally, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "forecast," "plans," "expects," or "does not expect," "is expected," "strategic," "to be" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "will", "may," "could," "would," "might," "on track,", or "well positioned to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties identified in the technical report (the "Technical Report") released on March 31, 2022, entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report ELG Mine Complex Life Of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study", which has an effective date of March 16, 2022, and the Company's annual information form ("AIF") and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information and statements are based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report, AIF and MD&A and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made, including without limitation, that there will be no material adverse change affecting Reyna Silver or Prime Mining or Torex or their respective properties, that all required approvals will be obtained for the acquisition of Reyna Silver and the acquisition of Prime Mining and that political and legal developments will be consistent with current expectations. Although the company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. The Technical Report, MD&A and AIF are filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and available on the Company's website at www.torexgold.com. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261484 SOURCE: Torex Gold Resources Inc. Tortola, British Virgin Islands--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) (US: XAUMF) ("Goldmoney" or the "Company"), today announced financial results for the fiscal 2026 first quarter for the period ended June 30, 2025. All amounts are expressed in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted. Financial Highlights Group Tangible Equity of $157.9 million, an increase of 5.3% QoQ Group Tangible Equity per Share of $12.53, an increase of 7.9% QoQ Group Tangible Equity per Share excluding MENE of $11.52 per share an increase of 8.4% QoQ Non-IFRS Adjusted Net Income of $9.6 million, an increase of 24.5% QoQ Repurchased and cancelled total of 323,400 shares at an average price of $8.11 for the first quarter period ended June 30, 2025. Quarterly Performance Metrics Table ($000s, except earnings per share) 2026 2025 2024 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Q1 Q4 Q3 Q2 Key Performance Metrics (Balance Sheet) Shares outstanding 12,602 12,925 13,348 13,182 13,060 13,137 13,449 13,777 Tangible equity exclusive of MENE 145,218 137,337 126,164 122,631 113,217 105,457 113,059 108,396 Tangible equity per share exclusive of MENE 11.52 10.63 9.45 9.30 8.67 8.03 8.41 7.87 Key Performance Metrics (Operational) Total operating income 13,233 11,550 6,986 6,625 9,209 7,159 7,401 4,203 Net income (loss) 9,496 10,442 2,891 (3,896) 5,132 (32,095) 6,005 2,009 Non-IFRS adjusted net income 9,585 7,697 3,874 4,361 6,627 4,217 6,040 2,937 About Goldmoney Inc. Goldmoney Inc. (TSX: XAU) specializes in the investment and custody of enduring real assets. Through its subsidiaries, the Company offers precious metals trading services to clients, including secure custody and storage solutions. Goldmoney also maintains diversified interests in property investment and jewelry manufacturing. For more information about Goldmoney, visit goldmoney.com. Financial Information and IFRS Standards The selected financial information included in this release is qualified in its entirety by, and should be read together with, the Company's condensed consolidated interim financial statements for the quarter ended June 30, 2025 and prepared in accordance with IFRS Accounting Standards ("IFRS") and the corresponding management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"), which are available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. Non-IFRS Measures This news release contains non-IFRS financial measures; the Company believes that these measures provide investors with useful supplemental information about the financial performance of its business, enable comparison of financial results between periods where certain items may vary independent of business performance, and allow for greater transparency with respect to key metrics used by management in operating its business. Although management believes these financial measures are important in evaluating the Company's performance, they are not intended to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for, or superior to, financial information prepared and presented in accordance with IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. For certain non-IFRS financial measures, there are no directly comparable amounts under IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Moreover, presentation of certain of these measures is provided for year-over-year comparison purposes, and investors should be cautioned that the effect of the adjustments thereto provided herein have an actual effect on the Company's operating results. Tangible Equity is a non-IFRS measure. This figure excludes from total shareholder equity (i) intangibles, and (ii) goodwill, and is useful to demonstrate the tangible capital employed by the business. Non-IFRS Adjusted Net Income is a non-IFRS measure, defined as total comprehensive income (loss) adjusted for non-cash and non-core items which include, but is not limited to, revaluation of precious metal inventories, fair value movements, stock-based compensation, depreciation and amortization, foreign exchange fluctuations and gains and losses on investments. For a full reconciliation of non-IFRS financial measures used herein to their nearest IFRS equivalents, please see the section entitled "Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures" in the Company's MD&A for the period ended June 30, 2025. Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains or refers to certain forward-looking information. Forward-looking information can often be identified by forward-looking words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "may", "potential" and "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes, or other expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions, intentions or statements about future events or performance. All information other than information regarding historical fact, which addresses activities, events or developments that Goldmoney Inc. believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future, is forward-looking information. Forward-looking information does not constitute historical fact but reflects the current expectations the Company regarding future results or events based on information that is currently available. By their nature, forward-looking statements involve numerous assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, that contribute to the possibility that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking information will not occur. Such forward-looking information in this release speak only as of the date hereof. Forward-looking information in this release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: financial performance and growth of the Company's business; expected results of operations, the market for the Company's products and services and competitive conditions; and the establishment of a real estate investment strategy. This forward-looking information is based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time it was made, and involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Such factors include, among others: the Company's operating history; history of operating losses; future capital needs and uncertainty of additional financing; fluctuations in the market price of the Company's common shares; the effect of government regulation and compliance on the Company and the industry; legal and regulatory change and uncertainty; jurisdictional factors associated with international operations; foreign restrictions on the Company's operations; product development and rapid technological change; dependence on technical infrastructure; protection of intellectual property; use and storage of personal information and compliance with privacy laws; network security risks; risk of system failure or inadequacy; the Company's ability to manage rapid growth; competition; the ability to identify opportunities for growth internally and through acquisitions and strategic relationships on terms which are economic or at all; the ability to identify and complete the acquisition of suitable real estate investment opportunities on terms which are economic or at all; effectiveness of the Company's risk management and internal controls; use of the Company's services for improper or illegal purposes; uninsured and underinsured losses; theft & risk of physical harm to personnel; precious metal trading risks; and volatility of precious metals prices & public interest in precious metals investment; and those risks set out in the Company's most recently filed annual information form, available on SEDAR+. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by law. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261563 SOURCE: GoldMoney Inc. PortSwigger's Director of Research, James Kettle presents latest research at Black Hat USA DEF CON 2025 PortSwigger, a renowned application security software provider, is issuing a bold challenge to the web security community: it's time to retire HTTP/1.1 for good. At Black Hat USA and DEF CON, James Kettle, Director of Research at PortSwigger, unveils the fourth wave of his research that takes aim at "HTTP request smuggling," a critical and widespread vulnerability that affects even some of the most mature, security-conscious organizations. PortSwigger first brought this class of vulnerabilities to prominence in 2019. Now, new research shows that over 22 million websites including major household names have remained susceptible to brand new variants of these attacks. Drawing on six years of research, Kettle is calling on the technology community to recognize that request smuggling is not simply an implementation flaw, but rather an inherent vulnerability in the HTTP/1.1 protocol. "The time has come to acknowledge that this isn't an issue with individual websites, but a fundamental flaw that's baked into the protocol," said PortSwigger's Director of Research, James Kettle. "Over the last six years, the industry has not properly fixed request smuggling. It's time we recognize that we can't patch our way to a secure HTTP/1.1 the foundation is broken and only safe for the simplest of systems. The only real solution is to cut the problem out at the root by retiring the now decades-old technology that still underpins around 50% of communication between browsers and websites HTTP/1.1." PortSwigger is supporting Kettle's research with a call to action: Groundbreaking new research - James Kettle's 2025 desync paper demonstrates novel vectors never before seen. - James Kettle's 2025 desync paper demonstrates novel vectors never before seen. New educational resources - A hands-on Web Security Academy lab teaches the latest request smuggling techniques in a safe environment. - A hands-on Web Security Academy lab teaches the latest request smuggling techniques in a safe environment. Enhanced Burp Suite tooling - New versions of HTTP Request Smuggler and the brand-new HTTP Stream Hacker allow researchers to test for these issues both manually and through scalable automation. PortSwigger stands alone in the cybersecurity industry by offering an unparalleled combination of original research, comprehensive training resources, and deeply integrated testing tools. With Burp Suite Professional and Burp Suite DAST, security professionals are uniquely empowered to detect complex infrastructure-level vulnerabilities, including advanced request smuggling variants that often evade traditional scanning solutions. Through these innovative offerings, PortSwigger is leading the way toward a safer, more secure web. Read Kettle's research here: https://portswigger.net/research. About PortSwigger PortSwigger is a leading provider of web application security solutions, best known for its industry-leading Burp Suite software. The company is dedicated to equipping security professionals and organizations with the tools and knowledge to stay ahead of evolving cyber threats. Learn more at portswigger.net. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250806802876/en/ Contacts: andrzej.matykiewicz@portswigger.net amelia.coen@portswigger.net Dover, Delaware--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - In a bold move to counter the wave of AI-generated cyberattacks, Priil Internet Security, a future-ready cybersecurity company, has announced the upgradation of its features with advanced security capabilities. The features are refined to outsmart malicious threat actors with great precision and response, available on a lifetime subscription. Priil Internet Security | Shield Your Online Privacy To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11778/261197_e8c0dbead4ca9942_001full.jpg In the race of digital warfare where hackers are increasingly utilizing artificial intelligence to breach Windows PC victims faster than ever before, traditional antivirus solutions with old features are failing to keep up with their defense mechanism. Over the years, the constantly transforming AI-generated attacks have the power to bypass the old signature-based antiviruses, spreading malware, viruses, and online scams, victimizing people from all over the world. Priil Internet Security's new learning model for real-time threat detection has evolved with the capabilities to adapt itself to the latest cyberattacks and their pattern, turning a stronger defence system against AI in the escalating digital arms race. Priil Internet Security | Home Screen To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11778/261197_e8c0dbead4ca9942_002full.jpg "We are stepping into a new chapter where stopping AI cyberattacks requires defending smarter," said Priil Security Experts. "Security shouldn't be a privilege, it's a right. Priil is here to make smart protection accessible to everyone, for life." Priil experts have used advanced technologies to understand the mindset of attackers and constantly retrain their antivirus solution on live data to minimize the detection gap and neutralize even the most sophisticated breaches before damage occurs. Priil fuses zero-day threat prediction, behavioral analysis, and network anomalies, into one cohesive, all-in-one shield. It blocks unwanted tracking, protects user online privacy, and defends against hackers and AI-powered cyber threats. The company's strong built-in privacy protection ensures the security of personal information and prevents unauthorized access to its users' sensitive data. It provides numerous features and tools like VPN, PC optimizer, browser safety, firewall security, and more. Priil comprehensive protection suites are available at different prices for every individual, business, and family. Priil Internet Security software is user-friendly and seamlessly integrates into the users' daily digital routine, keeping them safe in the evolving landscape. For more information or to request, visit Priil Internet Security. Priil Internet Security | Online Privacy & Security To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/11778/261197_e8c0dbead4ca9942_003full.jpg About Priil Priil is a software-based company incorporated in 2020, committed to safeguarding your digital life with the latest technological solutions to fight against online threats and attacks. Priil delivers a result-oriented, budget-friendly solution that not only satisfies users but also delights them. To learn more, visit: Priil Internet Security. To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/261197 SOURCE: ReleasePR.com VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Prince Silver Corp. (formerly Hawthorn Resources Corp.) (CSE:PRNC)(OTC:HWTNF) ("Prince Silver" or the "Company") announces that, pursuant to Prince Silver Corp's press release issued during market hours on August 5, 2025, the company has revised the issuance price of 3,150,000 stock options granted Aug 5, 2025 from $0.50 to $0.51 to comply with the CSE policy 6.5 (3). As outlined in CSE Policy 6.5(3), a Listed Issuer must not grant Stock Options or Awards with an exercise price lower than the greater of $0.05, and the closing market prices of the underlying securities on (a) the Trading Day prior to the date of grant of the Stock Options; and (b) the date of grant of the Stock Options. The closing market price of the Company's shares on the date of the grant was $0.01 more than the previous trading day's close. The options are now exercisable at C$0.51 per common share for a 5-year period from the date of grant, subject to Canadian Stock Exchange approval. The grant is in accordance with the Company's equity incentive stock option plan. The options will vest over 24 months with one quarter vesting six months from date of grant and one quarter vesting every 6 months thereafter. About Prince Silver Corp. Prince Silver Corp is a silver exploration company focused on advancing the Prince Silver Project in Nevada, USA. The known deposit identified with historic drilling is open in all directions and is near surface. Prince Silver Corp also holds interest in the Stampede Gap Project a district scale copper-gold-moly porphyry system located ~15km NNM of the Prince Silver Project and, holds option interest in the Broken Handle Project, an early-stage mineral exploration project located southern British Columbia, Canada. On Behalf of the Board of Directors Ralph Shearing, Director, President Tel: 604-764-0965 Email: rshearing@princesilvercorp.com Website: www.princesilvercorp.com Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release are forward-looking statements, including with respect to future plans, and other matters. Forward-looking statements consist of statements that are not purely historical, including any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such information can generally be identified by the use of forwarding-looking wording such as "may", "expect", "estimate", "anticipate", "intend", "believe" and "continue" or the negative thereof or similar variations. Some of the specific forward-looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to: completion of the Acquisition and related transactions, proposed drill programs, amendments to the Company's website, property option payments and regulatory and corporate approvals. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company, including but not limited to, business, economic and capital market conditions, the ability to manage operating expenses, dependence on key personnel, completion of satisfactory due diligence in respect of the Acquisition and related transactions, and compliance with property option agreements. Such statements and information are based on numerous assumptions regarding present and future business strategies and the environment in which the Company will operate in the future, anticipated costs, and the ability to achieve goals. Factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, the continued availability of capital and financing, litigation, failure of counterparties to perform their contractual obligations, failure to obtain regulatory or corporate approvals, exploration results, loss of key employees and consultants, and general economic, market or business conditions. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons (as defined under the U.S. Securities Act) unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. The CSE has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this press release and the CSE does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE: Prince Silver Corp. View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire:https://www.accessnewswire.com/newsroom/en/metals-and-mining/prince-silver-amends-issuance-price-of-stock-options-1057612 The 2023 film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State A students outfit at the Film and Television Institute of India has strongly condemned the decision to confer a national award to The Kerala Story, citing that the government-backed recognition for the film is not simply disappointing, but dangerous. Filmmaker Sudipto Sen won the Best Director award for The Kerala Story, which also received the award for Best Cinematography at the 71st National Film Awards. The 2023 film had courted controversy for its portrayal of women in Kerala being forcefully converted and recruited by the terror group Islamic State. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Students Association of the FTII, in a statement on August 2, said The Kerala Story was not a film, but a weapon. The state has once again made its position clear: it will reward propaganda disguised as cinema if it aligns with its majoritarian, hate-filled agenda. The Kerala Story is not a film; it is a weapon. A falsified narrative aimed at vilifying the Muslim community and demonising an entire state that has historically stood for communal harmony, education, and resistance, it said. Cinema is not neutral, it is a powerful instrument of influence, it said, adding that the decision to award the film is simply not disappointing, but dangerous. When a government-endorsed body elevates a film that spreads misinformation and paranoia against minorities, it is not merely recognising art, it is legitimising violence. It is scripting future lynchings, social exclusion, and political othering, the statement read. The students outfit further condemned the fact that cinema is being reduced to a tool of state-sponsored communalism. We refuse to accept that Islamophobia is now award-worthy. And we refuse to be silent as the industry we hope to enter is being reshaped to reward lies, bigotry, and fascist ideology. The state must understand: giving awards to propaganda does not make it true. And we, as students and citizens, will not stop calling it what it is-incitement. Violence, it added. Director Sudipto Sen breaks silence It was a surprise. I expected technical awards. I wanted the work of my technicians to be recognised. When a film becomes so big that even two years after its release, it is being talked about, then it is definitely technically good. That was why I had reason to expect my technicians would get the award. My DOP did, but I would have been happy if my writer, my makeup artist, and my actress Adah Sharma had also won. But that did not happen, and I was a little sad. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But at the end of the day, hailing from a modest background and after struggling for 20-25 years, getting the countrys top award for film direction is a great honour. It was overwhelming. With added inputs from agencies Kareena also said Come on, which marriage doesnt have problems? But if the entire crisis is up for public debate, it naturally becomes harder to solve the tangle. Karisma Kapoors ex-husband and businessman Sunjay Kapoor passed away in England while playing Polo last month due to a heart attack at the age of 53 in England. As per new reports, Sunjay swallowed a bee by mistake during a game of polo, which led to a heart attack. But can a bee cause death? Dr Farah Husain, a senior anaesthesiologist and intensivist in New Delhi shared that a bee sting can be life-threatening. And now, the late businessmans mother has made some shocking revelations and called his demise suspicious. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And now, Kareena Kapoor Khans statement about her sisters marriage has gone viral. The Refugee actress was once quoted saying, So much has been written about it. So many of our well-wishers had predicted doomsday for the marriage. But we knew it can be sorted out, and it was. She added, Come on, which marriage doesnt have problems? But if the entire crisis is up for public debate, it naturally becomes harder to solve the tangle. Kareena Kapoor also said, Of course its going to work. My sister and Sanjay [Kapur] love each other. Sure, they had problems. But they were aggravated due to constant media attention. The prying became unbearable when cameras followed them to Goa, where they had gone for a patch-up holiday. Forced to sign documents? During the period of grieving, I was approached multiple times and compelled to sign various documents without explanation or even having time to read and understand the same. Despite being under immense mental and emotional distress, I was coerced into signing such documents behind locked doors and though Ive requested repeatedly, the contents of such documents have never been revealed to me, Sunjay Kapurs mother alleged, according to a report in News18. Chinas population shrank for a third consecutive year in 2024, and Beijing is now in no mood to avoid the looming crisis. From cash incentives for second and third children to housing subsidies, regions in China are already experimenting with policies to increase birth rates. But is it too late? Chinas central government introduced a childcare subsidy on July 28 that will provide families with 3,000 yuan (around 312) a year for each child under the age of three in an effort to reverse its declining birth rate. File image/ reuters Chinas central government introduced a childcare subsidy on July 28 that will provide families with 3,000 yuan (around 312) a year for each child under the age of three. The announcement came days after plans were unveiled to roll out free preschool education across the country. These developments mark a shift from previous years, when the government largely left the issue of addressing Chinas declining birth rate to local authorities. Many of those efforts, which range from cash incentives to housing subsidies, have made little difference. By stepping in directly, Beijing has signalled that it sees the situation as urgent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why is Chinas birth rate declining Fewer Chinese women are choosing to have children, and more young people are delaying or opting out of marriage. This has contributed to a situation where Chinas population shrank for a third consecutive year in 2024. An ageing population and shrinking workforce pose long-term challenges for Chinas economic growth, as well as its healthcare and pension systems. Before the central governments recent roll-out, regions in China had already been experimenting with policies to increase birth rates. These include one-time payouts for second or third children, monthly allowances and housing and job training subsidies. One of the most eye-catching local policies came from Hohhot, the capital city of Inner Mongolia province. In March 2025, the authorities there began offering families up to 100,000 yuan (10,400) for having a second and third child, paid annually until the children turn ten. Chinas population shrank for a third consecutive year in 2024. File image/ Reuters The authorities in some other cities, including eastern Chinas Hangzhou, have offered childcare vouchers or subsidies for daycare. Policies like these have seen the number of births increase slightly in a few regions. But uptake is generally low and none have managed to change the national picture. There are several reasons why incentive-based policies have not moved the needle. First, the subsidies are generally small often equivalent to just a few hundred US dollars. This barely makes a dent in the cost of raising a child in urban China. China ranks among the most expensive countries in the world for child-rearing, surpassing the US and Japan. In fact, a 2024 report by the Beijing-based YuWa Population Research Institute found that the average cost of raising a child in China until the age of 18 is 538,000 yuan (59,275). This is more than 6.3 times as high as Chinas GDP per capita. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The burden is so widely felt that people in China jokingly refer to children as tunjinshou, which translates to gold-devouring beasts. The Chinese government is struggling to control the decline in population. File image/Reuters Second, the incentives largely dont address deeper issues. These include expensive housing, intense education pressures, childcare shortages and some workplaces that penalise women for taking time off. Many Chinese women fear being pushed out of their jobs simply for having kids. Some local authorities have attempted to tackle the structural realities that make having and raising children in China difficult, and have enjoyed some success. In Tianmen, for example, parents of a third child can claim US$16,500 (12,500) off a new home. However, these policies are confined to specific districts and villages or are limited to select groups. Support remains fragmented and insufficient, while the prospects of scaling these piecemeal initiatives nationwide are slim. Third, gender inequality in China is still deeply entrenched. Women carry most of the childcare and housework burden, with parental leave policies reflecting that imbalance. While mothers are allowed between 128 to 158 days of maternity leave, fathers receive only a handful varying slightly by province. Despite public calls for equal parental leave, major legal changes seem far off. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These factors have together given rise to a situation where, as in east Asia more broadly, many young people in China simply are not interested in marrying or having children. According to one online survey from 2022, around 90 per cent of respondents in China said they wouldnt consider having more children even if they were offered an annual subsidy of 12,000 yuan (1,250) far more than the recently announced 3,000 yuan subsidy. Is it too late for Beijing? The new measures show that Beijing is taking Chinas declining birth rate seriously. But it might be too late. Fertility decline is hard to reverse, with research showing that social norms are difficult to snap back once they shift away from having children. South Korea has spent decades offering its citizens generous subsidies, housing support and extended parental leave. Yet, despite a recent uptick, its birth rate has remained among the lowest in the world. Projections by the UN paint a stark picture. Chinas population is expected to drop by 204 million people between 2024 and 2054. It could lose 786 million people by the end of the century, returning its population to levels last seen in the 1950s. Still, the recent announcements are significant. They are the first time the central government has directly used fiscal tools to encourage births, and reflect a consensus that lowering the cost of preschool education can help boost fertility. This sets a precedent and, if urgency keeps rising, the size and scope of support may increase as well. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, if China hopes to turn things around, it will need more than cash. Parenting must be made truly viable and even desirable. Alongside financial aid and free preschool, families need time and labour support. This also means confronting cultural expectations. Raising a child shouldnt be seen as a womans job alone. A real cultural shift is needed one that treats parenting as a shared responsibility. My generation, which was born under the one-child policy, grew up in a time where siblings were heavily fined. I was one of them. But, just as fines didnt stop all of those who wanted more children, cash rewards will not easily convince the many who dont. Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. On August 6, 1945, Tsutomu Yamaguchi was preparing to leave Hiroshima when the first atomic bomb fell on the city. Just as he was getting ready, the skyline changed in an instant as the United States dropped its first atomic bomb, named Little Boy. He survived the blast. Three days later, he was in Nagasaki, where he once again escaped the wrath of the bomb. Here is his story Yamaguchi was getting ready to leave Hiroshima when the first atomic bomb was dropped. Image: X On August 6, 1945, towards the end of World War II, the United States dropped the first atomic bomb ever used in war on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. The explosion killed around 80,000 people on the spot. Three days later, a second atomic bomb was dropped on the city of Nagasaki, where nearly 40,000 people died. ALSO READ | The 2 US pilots who dropped atomic bombs on Japan's Hiroshima and Nagasaki STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, one man survived both atomic bombings in Japan. Tsutomu Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima when the first bomb was dropped. He survived and later also survived the bombing in Nagasaki on August 9, the day the second bomb was dropped. Yamaguchi was officially recognised as the only person to have survived both atomic bombings. He passed away in 2010 at the age of 93. But how did he manage to live through both explosions? Lets take a look: Who was Tsutomu Yamaguchi? Yamaguchi was getting ready to leave Hiroshima when the first atomic bomb was dropped. At the time, he was 29 years old and working as a naval engineer for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. He had been on a three-month business trip, according to History.com. August 6, 1945, was meant to be his final day in the city. He and his colleagues had spent the summer working on plans for a new oil tanker. Yamaguchi was eager to return home to his wife, Hisako, and their baby son, Katsutoshi. How did he survive the Hiroshima bombing? As he was preparing to leave on August 6, the skyline of Hiroshima suddenly changed when the United States dropped its first atomic bomb, named Little Boy. Yamaguchi looked up and saw an American B-29 bomber flying overhead. It released a small object attached to a parachute. Moments later, the sky was filled with a bright flash. He later described it as looking like the lightning of a huge magnesium flare. In this August 6, 1945 photo released by the US Army, a mushroom cloud billows about one hour after a nuclear bomb was detonated above Hiroshima, Japan. File image/AP He jumped into a ditch to protect himself, but the blast pulled him out of the ground. The shockwave threw him through the air and into a nearby field of potatoes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When he regained consciousness, everything around him was dark. The explosion had turned the bright morning into a blackened sky. His face and arms were severely burned, and both eardrums had burst, as per History.com. Ash was falling heavily, and above him, he could see a mushroom-shaped cloud rising over the city. In a daze, Yamaguchi made his way to the remains of the Mitsubishi shipyard. There, he found his coworkers Akira Iwanaga and Kuniyoshi Sato, who had also survived. That night, the three men took shelter in an air raid bunker. On August 7, they set off for the train station after hearing it was still running. How Yamaguchi survived Nagasaki bombing After returning to his wife and child, Tsutomu Yamaguchi received treatment at a local hospital on August 8. His injuries were so severe that even his own family could not recognise him at first. When he got home, still feverish and covered in bandages, his mother mistook him for a ghost, according to the report. Despite being weak and barely able to move, Yamaguchi got out of bed on the morning of August 9 and went to work at Mitsubishis Nagasaki office. He attended a meeting where a company director asked him to explain what had happened in Hiroshima. As Yamaguchi tried to describe how one bomb had destroyed an entire city, the sky outside suddenly lit up with a bright white flash. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Just seconds before the shockwave hit, Yamaguchi dropped to the floor. The explosion shattered the office windows, and glass and debris flew across the room. This photo shows the devastated city of Nagasaki after an atomic bomb was dropped by a US Air Force B-29 on August 9, 1945. AFP/File Photo I thought the mushroom cloud had followed me from Hiroshima, he later said in an interview with The Independent. In 2009, a year before he died, Yamaguchi told reporters, My double radiation exposure is now an official government record. It can tell the younger generation the horrifying history of the atomic bombings even after I die. Yamaguchi passed away in 2010 at the age of 93, after battling stomach cancer. It is believed that around 165 people may have experienced both atomic bombings. However, Yamaguchi was the only person officially recognised by the Japanese government as a nijyuu hibakusha, meaning twice-bombed person. Japan remains the only country to have suffered atomic bomb attacks. Around 140,000 people died in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki, according to The Washington Post. PM Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan, the first of 10 planned Central Secretariat buildings at Kartavya Path. The building is part of a larger plan that aims to bring all the central government ministries into one place, which are scattered across old, colonial-era buildings in Lutyens Delhi Kartavya Bhavan will bring all central government ministries into one place. Screengrab/ IMage courtesy: X/@mygovindia Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan, the first of ten planned Central Secretariat buildings, at Kartavya Path on Wednesday. Known as CCS-3, this is the first step in a larger plan to bring all central government ministries into one place. Right now, most ministries are scattered across old, colonial-era buildings in Lutyens Delhi. The idea is to fix that and bring everyone together under one roof to make things more efficient. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The makeover of the staid, dilapidated central government offices is one of the most ambitious urban development projects of Lutyens Delhi and is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which was launched in 2019. Heres a look at what the new building brings to the table. Key features of Kartavya Bhavan Kartavya Bhavan-3, the soon-to-be-inaugurated building under the Central Secretariat Complex (CCS), is a massive seven-storey structure with two basements, sprawling across nearly 1.5 lakh square metres. Its been built to bring together ministries that were earlier scattered across buildings like Shastri Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, Nirman Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Vayu Bhawan, and more. Kartavya Bhavan-3, the newly inaugurated building under the Central Secretariat Complex (CCS), is part of the Central Vista Redevelopment Project, which was launched in 2019. Image courtesy: Central government While most ministries will now move to Kartavya Bhavan, some buildings will continue to house specific departments. For instance, Vanijya Bhawan will still be home to the commerce ministry, and the Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan will continue to host the external affairs ministry. Other heritage buildings like the National Museum and Ambedkar Auditorium will also be retained, as per The Print. Built to be greener & smarter According to The Print, the structure includes several eco-friendly features: double-glazed windows and a facade to improve insulation, reduce external noise, and prevent condensation. The building uses energy-efficient LED lighting, a smart air-conditioning system, and both occupancy and daylight sensors, all of which are expected to reduce energy consumption by 30 per cent. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Solar power is another key feature. A rooftop solar panel system with a capacity of 366 kWp is expected to generate over 5.34 lakh units of electricity annually. An additional 200 kW system is also planned for the security buildings rooftop. Empowering Governance Building New India! PM @narendramodi to inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan tomorrow. This state-of-the-art complex will foster synergy, streamline operations, and boost innovation by housing multiple Ministries and Departments under one roof. A good example of pic.twitter.com/q3QFfv1VDc MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) August 5, 2025 The Bhavan is designed to be a zero-discharge facility. It will treat and reuse 1.1 million litres of wastewater per day, covering 60 per cent of the buildings daily requirement. Rainwater harvesting systems have been installed to provide drinking water. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD From dual plumbing systems and drip irrigation to low-flow taps and sensor-based urinals, every drop of water will be put to smart use. The building also features drinking water fountains designed for efficiency. Waste isnt wasted either. An in-house system will handle 1,000 kg of organic waste daily, converting it into manure. Biometric entry, open office spaces The CCS will feature a modern access system. Entry into Kartavya Bhavan will be managed through smart ID cards, used not just for identification but also to control access for both officials and visitors. All employees have been asked to fill out an online form, submit photographs, and complete biometric authentication through the Ministry of Home Affairs. This is a new smart card system and is proposed to be in place. The Aadhar Enabled Biometric Attendance System (AEBAS) is installed inside the office buildings. This new smart card, which will replace the identity card, will be used to authenticate Government officers entry inside the buildings, thereby is better for security purposes, said Dev Gupta, president of the Central Secretariat Service Forum, in a statement to The Hindustan Times. Kartavya Bhawan. PTI Security will be tight, with CCTV cameras on every floor, power fencing on boundary walls, and an integrated command and control centre that will oversee all movement within the Central Vista area. The new secretariat is well-equipped for official meetings and coordination. There are 24 large conference rooms, each with a 45-person capacity, along with 26 smaller rooms for 25 participants, and 67 compact meeting spaces designed for teams of nine. It also has features open office spaces, which are typical in corporate offices. However, several senior officers have voiced concerns about these shared spaces, saying they could compromise privacy and confidentiality. Some have requested private chambers to ensure secure conversations and paperwork. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In total, Kartavya Bhavan will be one of ten new buildings in the CCS that will accommodate various ministries. While many ministries have already started shifting into the new premises, CCS buildings 1 and 2 are still under construction. According to Housing Secretary K Srinivas, the full complex will be ready by mid-2027. With input from agencies The teaser of Farhan Akhtars new film, 120 Bahadur, has put the spotlight on the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, when outnumbered and ill-equipped Indian troops fought the Chinese soldiers. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the commander of the Charlie company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment, led 120 Indian soldiers against over 2,000 Chinese. What followed is a tale of extraordinary bravery and sacrifice Farhan Akhtars new film, 120 Bahadur, has brought the 1962 Battle of Rezang La, one of the key fights during Indias war with China, to the limelight. The teaser of the war drama was released on Tuesday (August 5), showcasing the valour of the 120 Indian soldiers who held off an assault by thousands of Chinese troops in sub-zero temperatures. Akhtar is essaying the role of Major Shaitan Singh Bhati, the commander of the Charlie company who led the Indian soldiers during the Battle of Rezang La. His courage and sacrifice, along with those of his men, helped stave off the Chinese occupation of Rezang La. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Lets take a closer look. Who was Major Shaitan Singh Bhati? Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was the commander of the Charlie Company of the 13 Kumaon Regiment at Rezang La near Pangong Lake. Born on December 1, 1924, in Banasar village of Rajasthans Jodhpur, he came from a military family. Bhati, a Rajput, was the son of Lieutenant Colonel Hem Singh. The soldiers of the Charlie Company that Bhati led were all Ahirs who hailed from Gurgaon and the Mewat region of Haryana, belonging to communities of cattlemen and farmers. Bhati died at the age of 37, laying down his life to protect the country against the Chinese troops. His extraordinary valour was recognised and he was posthumously awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Major Shaitan Singh Bhati was awarded the Param Vir Chakra. Wikimedia Commons The Battle of Rezang La The Battle of Rezang La was fought between Indian and Chinese troops on the snowy mountain tops of the Chushul Valley in Ladakh. Rezang La is a 16,000-foot-high mountain pass located near the strategic village of Chushul and the Spanggur Lake that passes through both Indian and Chinese territories. This pass is crucial for the defence of Chushul. The battle is remembered as a display of great strength of the Indian side in the face of many odds. Indian troops experienced several challenges they were outnumbered by the Chinese, possessed inferior weaponry and were not acclimatised to winter conditions compared to the Chinese troops, as per ThePrint report. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, the 120 soldiers of the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon displayed extraordinary courage as the Chinese attacked on the night of November 18, 1962. Major Shaitan Singh deployed his three platoons across a two-kilometre frontage to protect Rezang La from the Chinese attack. The soldiers were armed with antiquated .303 single shot bolt action rifles and had some automated digging tools and old 62 radio sets that did not work due to frozen batteries, according to Colonel NN Bhatia (retired). The Indian soldiers did not have mines to halt the advancing enemy. The overhead shelter for the command posts was not fit for sub-zero temperatures, as per the Indian Express report. As the Chinese troops advanced on November 18 to occupy Rezang La, two of Major Singhs platoons opened non-stop rifle, machine gun and mortar fire, repulsing the enemy. The Chinese side suffered heavy casualties. They responded by intense artillery firing at Indian posts. Later, the Chinese soldiers made another attempt to capture Rezang La. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The 120 Indian soldiers were up against over 2,000 Chinese troops. The third platoon confronted the enemy with all its weaponry. Many Chinese soldiers died, while 20 of the survivors attacked the Indian platoon, leading to a hand-to-hand combat with a dozen soldiers of the Charlie Company. After failing in its previous attempts, the Chinese again attacked the Indian positions but from the rear this time. Despite the artillery and mortar barrage by the enemy, the Indian soldiers held on to Chushul. On November 21, the Chinese announced a unilateral ceasefire. Of the 120 men and officers of the Charlie Company of 13 Kumaon, 114 were martyred. However, they still caused 1,000 fatalities on the Chinese side. ALSO READ: The Battle of Rezang La: When our men fought the Chinese till the last bullet and the last man Major Shaitan Singhs role in Rezang La battle Major Shaitan Singh Bhati showed bravery at the cost of his life. When the Chinese soldiers attacked his platoons, he constantly moved from one post to another to maintain the morale of his troops. This brought him under the line of Chinese fire, as he was first hit on his arm, and later in the abdomen. Two of his comrades tried to carry him to safety, but he reportedly told them to put him behind a boulder and continue fighting the enemy. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His body was found months later in the same spot, along with scores of bodies of his troops. In February 1963, an Indian search party found the corpses on the battlefield. All soldiers were frozen to death, with some still clinging to their guns. Five were taken prisoner by the Chinese. Each soldier had fired all the ammunition he had, with the C Company fighting till the last man, last round. Brigadier (retd) RV Jatar, a survivor of the battle, recalled Major Bhati as a shy and introverted individual. On the field, however, he was an excellent and brave officer who held up the highest traditions of the Indian Army, he was quoted as saying by Indian Express. The body of Major Shaitan Singh was flown to Jodhpur, with thousands gathered to pay their last respects to the hero of Chushul. He was cremated with full military honours. With inputs from agencies Amid tariff threats from Donald Trump, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Moscow for a high-level visit to strengthen ties between the two nations. Heres why New Delhi continues its engagement with Moscow and it goes well beyond the oil trade India and Russia share a historical relationship and it seems that Trump's tariffs won't change it. File image/PTI India is in no mood to back down. Amid the continuous threats from US President Donald Trump, Indias National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has reached Russia for a visit focused on strengthening Indias defence and energy ties with Russia. While the trip was pre-planned, it has assumed greater significance, as the US president said on Tuesday that he would increase the tariffs charged on Indian imports very substantially over the next 24 hours because of New Delhis continued purchases of Russian oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD And Doval isnt the only Indian leader in Russia. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is also expected to visit Moscow later this month. As tensions between India and the US increase over the purchase of Russian oil, we examine the India-Russia partnership and why it remains significant for New Delhi. Dovals visit to Moscow On Tuesday (August 5), NSA Doval arrived in Russia for a high-level visit to strengthen ties between the two nations. According to reports, Doval will hold closed-door meetings with senior Russian officials to discuss regional stability, counterterrorism cooperation, and energy security. An Economic Times report said that India is looking to purchase additional S-400 defence systems which contributed to Indias success in Operation Sindoor against Pakistan. There are also rumours that India is exploring purchase of Su-57 fighter jets from Russia. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is in Moscow on a high-level visit to strengthen ties between India and Russia. File image/PTI According to Russian media outlet TASS, the visit is part of a planned schedule and will focus on defence cooperation between India and Russia. The current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed. Apart from that the topics will include such pressing matters as supplies of Russian oil [to India], the source said. Trumps threats to India on Russian oil Notably, Dovals visit comes amid criticisms and threats from US President Donald Trump over the issue of Russian oil. On Tuesday, in his latest attack, he told CNBC in an interview, India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we dont do business with them. So we settled on 25 per cent but I think Im going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because theyre buying Russian oil. These remarks by the American leader came a day after he said that he would substantially raise US tariffs on India and had accused New Delhi of buying oil from Russia and selling it for profits. In fact, over the past few days, the US president and members of his administration have been highly critical of Indias purchase of Russian oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD His Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, as well his Deputy White House Deputy Chief of Staff, Stephen Miller, have questioned Indias purchase of Russian oil with the former stating that it was a point of irritation in the ties between the two nations, while Miller accused India of financing Russias war against Ukraine. However, India has stood its ground with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stating that its purchase of Russian oil was a necessity and called out US and Europe for singling it out. The MEA in a statement said that the nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia even when such trade is not even a vital compulsion. Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment, read an official statement. India further said that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD History of India-Russia ties Indias ties with Russia go way beyond just the oil trade. The two countries established diplomatic relations in April 1947 even before India attained independence and since then the two nations have shared extremely close ties. Through the years, India and Russia have supported each other; for instance, during the 1965 war between India and Pakistan, Russia, then the Soviet Union, played a mediating role and hosted the so-called Tashkent summit in 1966 where a peace treaty was signed. Moreover, during the 1971 war between India and Pakistan, Russia supported New Delhi marking perhaps the peak of the Indo-Soviet relationship. Experts note that the 1971 Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between India and the Soviet Union was the result of American diplomats quietly reducing security commitments to India as they sought to normalise their relations with China. Even post the Cold War period, India and Russia continued their ties annual summits have been held since 2000, when a strategic partnership was signed (and subsequently upgraded in 2010). India and Russia have also been holding 2+2 meetings joint meetings with foreign and defence ministers since 2021. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The two leaders share close ties. File image/PTI Present and future of India-Russia ties Even amid the Russia-Ukraine war, India has maintained its ties with Moscow with Prime Minister Narendra Modi even visiting Vladimir Putin in July last year. In fact, External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar has referred to the IndiaRussia relationship as the one constant in global politics over the last half century. India has also refrained from voting against Russia in the UN Security Council. Indias friendship with Russia is both practical as well as strategic. When India conducted its first nuclear test in 1974, the Soviet Union did not shun cooperation with India unlike the US. Moreover, Russia has been a huge supplier of weapons to India. In the early 1990s, the USSR represented about 70 per cent of Indian Army weapons, 80 per cent of its Air Force systems, and 85 per cent of its Navy platforms. Today, that number has reduced to a total of 36 per cent, as per a report published by Sweden-based Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (Sipri). Experts note that India has been reducing its dependency on Russian arms and diversifying its defense procurements, buying more from countries like the US, Israel, France and Italy. In the energy sector too, Russia has been a partner to India. Russian oil now accounts for nearly 40 per cent of Indias annual crude imports, up from just two percent in 2021. The two countries also cooperate on nuclear energy. Russias state nuclear power provider Rosatom has an agreement in place to build six nuclear power reactors in India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD There is also a long-standing economic relationship. India and Russia aim to increase bilateral trade from $68 billion to $100 billion by the end of this decade. Connectivity initiatives include the Chennai-Vladivostok maritime corridor and the International North-South Transport Corridor. Culturally too, India and Russia share strong ties. Since August 2023, Indian travellers have already been eligible for e-visas to Russia, which are typically processed within four days. And last December, there were reports that Russia would soon allow Indian travellers to visit without a visa. It will be interesting to see how India-Russia navigate their ties in the face of Trumps rising threats. But if history is any indicator, its safe to say that the Indo-Russia bhai bhai feeling isnt going anywhere in the near future. With inputs from agencies The body of Naseeruddin, who disappeared in Pakistans mountainous Kohistan region in 1997, has been found. A local shepherd discovered his remains, which were well-preserved, in a melting glacier. But how did he vanish 28 years ago? The body of a man who went missing in Pakistan 28 years ago has been found. In a surprising incident, the corpse was discovered remarkably preserved in a melting glacier in the countrys remote and mountainous Kohistan region. The man had gone missing in the area in June 1997 after falling into a glacier crack during a snowstorm while travelling through the remote Supat Valley. The entire saga sounds no less than a movie. Heres what happened. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Man goes missing in Pakistan A father of two, Naseeruddin, alias Hajo, from the Saleh Khel tribe, disappeared in 1997. He was travelling with his brother, Kaseeruddin, on horseback on the day he went missing, as per a BBC report. Police said a family feud forced them to leave their home. The family had to migrate from Palas Valley to the nearby Alai tehsil in Pakistans Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. Naseeruddins younger brother, Gardezi, was killed in a so-called honour-related dispute, locals told The Express Tribune. Kaseeruddin recalled that on the day his brother went missing, the duo took an unconventional route through the mountains in fear of any potential threats, the Pakistani daily reported. The brother told BBC Urdu that they had arrived in the Lady Valley of Kohistan in the morning. Sometime in the afternoon, Naseeruddin went into a cave. After he did not return, Kaseeruddin said he looked for him inside the cave. When he could not find him, he went and sought help from others to search further. As per The Express Tribune, Kaseeruddin said that they heard gunshots during their return journey, following which they tried to evade attackers. It was then that Naseeruddin tried to hide in an icy cave, never to be found until now. Body is found 28 years later It was a chance that Naseeruddins body was found. A local shepherd named Umar Khan stumbled upon his remains on August 1. As per eyewitnesses, the clothes and physical features of the body were largely intact. An ID card was found on the corpse with the name Naseeruddin. The recent glacial melt revealed the missing mans body. The region has reported decreased snowfall in recent years, leading to glaciers melting faster as they become exposed to direct sunlight. How glaciers preserved the body Experts say the discovery of the body shows how climate change is exacerbating the melting of glaciers. Dr Adnan Ahmad Tahir told The Express Tribune that glaciers in northern Pakistan are melting quickly. Last month, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Pakistan-occupied Gilgit-Baltistan recorded unprecedented temperatures, which sped up glacial melt and exposed long-hidden objects and human remains. What I saw was unbelievable, the shepherd who found the body told BBC Urdu. The body was intact. The clothes were not even torn. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But how did this happen? Speaking to The Express Tribune, Dr Muhammad Bilal, a professor at Comstats University Abbottabad, said that extreme cold, low humidity and oxygen, and snow cover inside glaciers lead to a natural mummification process that can preserve a body for decades, even centuries. With inputs from agencies US President Donald Trumps anti-India tirade on tariffs and Russian oil is having an unexpected aftermath: India and China are on the same page, with both countries opting for a defiant stance against Washington. What would this mean for world politics? When Donald Trump lashed out at India, threatening to impose a substantial tariff on India over its oil trade with Russia, the US president could not imagine that it would trigger a geopolitical alignment between two long-time rivals and also jeopardise a relationship between New Delhi and Washington, which has been painstakingly developed over the past two decades. In fact, Nikki Haley, former US ambassador to the UN, pointed this out in a message on X on Tuesday. She said that Trumps move could strain the US-India relationship at a crucial time. Moreover, she warned Trump not to give a pass to China and burn relations with an ally like India. Dont give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India, she noted. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the face of Trumps remarks, India and China have already struck a similar note one of defiance. While Beijing has slammed Washington for its remarks, New Delhi has said that the actions of the US and the West are unjustified and unreasonable. As this situation unfolds, we take a closer look if Trumps feud with India will open a door for China. What has Trump said about India? It all began last week when Donald Trump announced that the US would be levying a 25 per cent tariff as well as a Russian penalty on New Delhi. Remember, 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, Trump said, adding that the US has a massive trade deficit with India. He also disapproved of New Delhis defence deals with Moscow, saying India has always bought a vast majority of their military equipment from Russia. They are Russias largest buyer of energy, along with China, at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine. The following day, he referred to India as a dead economy and brazenly declared he does not care what India does with Russia. He followed it up with announcing a 25 per cent tariff on India significantly higher than those imposed on other south Asian nations such as Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh. Since then, the American president has warned India of substantially high tariffs without placing any definite number over its purchase of Russian oil, telling CNBC on Tuesday itself, India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we dont do business with them. So we settled on 25 per cent but I think Im going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because theyre buying Russian oil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some note that Trumps aggressive stance towards India stems from the American leaders own frustration over failing to end Russias war in Ukraine. An India Today analysis even pointed out that the tariffs on India is proof of his appeasement of the Maga base, who resent Indians for taking American jobs for a cheaper price. How has India reacted to Trump? India has taken a measured stance to Trumps tariff threat. The Ministry of External Affairs in a statement said the targeting of India was unjustified and unreasonable, and the country would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. The MEA said that such trade is a necessity driven by global market realities rather than a political choice. It also added that the US initially encouraged Indias imports to help stabilise global energy markets. India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability, read the statement from India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In its remarks, India also called out both the US and EU for its own trade ties with Russia. It pointed out that the European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at 17.2 billion in 2023. This is significantly more than Indias total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024, in fact, reached a record 16.5mn tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21mn tonnes in 2022. New Delhi further added that Washington continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals. Over the past few days, President Donald Trump has been lashing out at India over its oil trade with Russia. Reuters What about China? Across the Himalayas, China also struck a similar note, albeit more emphatically. Following two days of high-stakes trade talks in Stockholm last week, Chinas foreign ministry wrote on X: China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Moreover, Chinas deputy permanent representative to the UN, Geng Shuang, also called out Americas hypocrisy when it came to purchase of Russian oil. The US itself continues to engage in trade with Russia to this day. Why should it be acceptable for the US to do so, but not for others? Isnt this only allowing oneself to set fires while forbidding others from lighting lamps? Chinas deputy permanent representative to the UN said at the meeting last week. Chinese-backed media also cheered Indias continued purchase of Russian oil with Global Times running a piece about Indias independent foreign policy. In the report, Qian Feng, director of the research department at the National Strategy Institute at Tsinghua University, noted that Indias purchase of Russian oil is based on certain economic considerations and will not be abandoned due to US pressure. He added that India is an oil-deficient nation, and Russian oil offers the advantages of being cost-effective and high-quality, enabling India to secure its petroleum reserves and provide robust safeguards for its economic development. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinas President Xi Jinping. Many experts note that China and India are striking the same defiant note against Trump. File image/Reuters A possible thaw between India-China? Many note that Trumps tariff threat has pushed India and China closer together, but express scepticism if it will help repair ties completely. India and China, whose ties were frozen since the 2020 border clashes in Galwan and the military standoff that ensued, have just begun their reconciliation. The two nations have agreed upon a border plan the Indian Army has secured the ability to patrol key points along the border, and Indian herders were able to resume grazing. Moreover, after five years, India and China have resumed the Kailash Mansarovar yatra. India has also resumed issuing tourist visas to Chinese nationals. Beyond this, media and civil society exchanges are taking place regularly again, and talks are underway to restore direct flights between Indian and Chinese cities. Many note that this change is geopolitical in nature and stems from the belief that Washington under Trump is shifting its position towards Pakistan. As per a Foreign Policy report, Indian analysts believe that the Trump administration may be simultaneously moving closer to Beijing and Islamabad in order to peel Pakistan away from China. New Delhi, in turn, hopes that with its own pivot to China, it can exploit the first of these trends while pre-empting any negative fallout from the second. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD However, it remains to be seen if such a thaw in ties sustain. But one thing is certain it reflects a shift in international relations as Trump antagonises allies as well as foes. With inputs from agencies Flash floods in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi triggered by a cloudburst on Tuesday (August 5) have brought death and destruction. The district, which lies in the central Himalayan region, has often reported extreme rainfall events. It is also vulnerable to earthquakes and landslides. Experts say climate change and unregulated construction have worsened the disasters striking the hill state Search and rescue operation underway following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, at Dharali, in Uttarkashi. PTI Uttarakhand has once again been struck by a disaster. At least five people died and dozens of others are missing after a cloudburst in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district on Tuesday (August 5) afternoon triggered flash floods and landslides. Swollen waters swept through the Dharali village, a tourist hotspot en route to Gangotri. A cloudburst in the Kheer Ganga river catchment area toppled houses, shops and other buildings. While rescue and relief operations continue, incessant rainfall and landslides have blocked the Gangotri Highway at several points, affecting the operations. Eleven soldiers are among the missing after a mudslide hit the Army camp in Harshil. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This is not the first natural disaster to hit Uttarkashi, which is a vulnerable zone. But why? We will explain. Uttarkashis topography Uttarkashi lies within the Garhwal Himalayas, mountain ranges dotted with unstable rock formations and rivers that are fed by glaciers. This topography makes areas such as Dharali, Harshil, and Gangotri susceptible to landslides, flash floods, and debris flows. The central Himalayan region has reported frequent extreme rainfall events in recent years. According to studies by the Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA), the districts of Uttarkashi, Chamoli, Rudraprayag, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh are also highly vulnerable to cloudbursts, the intensity of which has increased with a surge in temperatures in the Himalayan region. A cloudburst is a sudden, intense downpour of rain that occurs over a small area in a short span of time, often leading to flash floods. Houses buried under debris following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. @pushkardhami/X via PTI These districts also fall in the high seismic Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone that has witnessed many earthquakes in recent years, reported Hindustan Times (HT). The rocks of the area are highly fragile in nature because of a number of thrusts and faults. Geomorphologically and physiographically, high relief difference, steep slopes, thick overburden and streams are common characteristics of features in the area, Sushil Khanduri of USDMA said in a paper published in 2022 in the International Journal of Earth Sciences. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Uttarakhand has 118 high-altitude lakes, of which 32 are in Uttarkashi. These lakes are fed by glacier melt water as maximum are located in snout areas and also receive enough precipitation during monsoon, a study on extreme rainfall in Uttarakhand by the Department of Science and Technology in 2022 said, as per HT. Is climate change to blame? The impact of climate change is visible in Indias hill states, especially Uttarakhand. Scientists warn that climate change is worsening the disasters, with glaciers in the state melting faster than ever. This is changing river flows and increasing the risks of glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs), flash floods and landslides. It is well-known that climate change is making extreme weather events more common and intense. We have seen in recent years due to climate change the intensity of extreme rainfall has increased. There has been a sudden burst of rain for 10-15 minutes due to high temperature volatility in peak tops. The frequent earthquakes loosen boulders and topsoil increasing landslides across the Himalayan belt. The gush of heavy rain brings them down along with debris from slopes at high speed causing massive devastation, Sushil Khanduri of USDMA said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Or is it a man-made disaster? Unregulated construction in Uttarakhand is hurting its natural buffers that once protected the region from such disasters. Factors such as reduced forest cover and change of moderate debris-laden slopes into near vertical slopes during road widening and constucting buildings have been blamed for extreme downpour in the hill state, as per several studies. Unplanned construction on natural waterways of rivers and streams, including in Dharali village, has exacerbated the damage, experts say. They attribute the devastating impact of flash floods to unchecked constructions on the riverbed of Kheer Ganga, a tributary of Bhagirathi, as per HT. The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ), which spans from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, is ecologically fragile. Experts say it is necessary to underline that only climate change is not responsible for the rise in such events in Uttarakhand. You can see the anthropogenic signature in every such disaster. In the videos, we can see hotels, big buildings right on the river bed. The river will take its route. It is only natural to expect that it will flow freely. Any hindrances to its flow will obviously cause disasters. The massive increase in the number of landslides is again completely linked to road construction on the Char Dham route, Mallika Bhanot, environmentalist and member of Ganga Ahvaan, a civil society collective, told the newspaper. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Locals also point out that to boost tourism revenue, authorities are allowing unsustainable development. In the race to earn from tourism, tree felling and construction are happening at an unprecedented scale. There are no robust systems in place to manage disasters in vulnerable stretches of BESZ, despite the region having witnessed similar devastating floods in the past, Suresh Bhai, an Uttarkashi-based environmentalist and founder of the Himalaya Bachao Andolan, told Times of India. With inputs from agencies Four people have died after flash floods and landslides hit the high-altitude village of Dharali in Uttarakhand. The floods were triggered by a cloudburst in the states Uttarkashi district. Videos circulating online showed houses and other buildings collapsing like a deck of cards and being washed away, as locals shouted out warnings and urged others to run for their lives Houses and other buildings collapsed like a deck of cards and were swept away. PTI A massive cloudburst in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district on Tuesday afternoon triggered flash floods and landslides, causing severe damage in the area. Four people have died after the flash flood in the high-altitude village of Dharali swept away several houses. Around 100 people are reported missing in the region. ALSO READ | Why is Uttarakhand uniquely vulnerable to torrential rain? In the Harsil area of the district, 11 Indian Army personnel were reported missing after another cloudburst caused destructive flash floods. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Horrifying videos of the incident, now circulating on social media, show people running and shouting as floodwaters rushed in behind them, sweeping away buildings. In this explainer, we look at the destruction caused by the cloudburst and examine the rescue efforts underway in the region. Lets break it down: Uttarkashi cloudburst: A look at the destruction The cloudburst that struck Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand triggered a mudslide and flash floods in Dharali village. Notably, the village has many hotels, restaurants, and homestays. Visuals on social media showed houses and other buildings collapsing like a deck of cards and being swept away. In videos circulating online, locals could be heard shouting warnings to their acquaintances, urging them to run for their lives. Notably, Dharali is the main stop on the way to Gangotri and has several hotels, homestays, and other establishments. Reports say the flash floods trapped between 60 and 70 people in Dharali. Around 100 people were reported missing on Tuesday. Union Minister of State for Defence, Sanjay Seth, told PTI, This is a natural calamity. We have received information about four deaths and around 100 people missing. We pray for their safety. Meanwhile, 11 Indian Army personnel are missing after an army camp in the Harshil region was hit by flash floods on Tuesday. In a statement, the Defence PRO said, Despite being cut off and the units base being adversely affected, and 11 personnel feared missing, the team continues to operate with unwavering determination. In the meantime, additional columns are being moved to be pressed into rescue operations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD VIDEO | Uttarakhand: Cloudburst causes massive destruction in Dharali Uttarkashi. More details are awaited.#Cloudburst #UttarakhandNews (Source: Third Party) (Full video available on PTI Videos - https://t.co/n147TvrpG7) pic.twitter.com/vFx2rEUHvv Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 5, 2025 Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences to those affected by the disaster. Posting on X, PM Modi said, I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation." Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people," he added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a statement, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami described the situation as extremely sad and distressing". He added that rescue and relief operations are underway. The news of heavy damage caused by a cloudburst in the Dharali (Uttarkashi) region is extremely sad and distressing. SDRF, NDRF, district administration, and other related teams are engaged in relief and rescue operations on a war footing, he said in a post on X. Houses are partially buried by a mudslide, amid flash floods, in Dharali, Uttarakhand. Reuters/Indian Army Central Command via X Rescue and relief operations underway The Indian Army was the first to reach the site and began rescue and relief work soon after receiving information about the incident. Since the Armys Harshil camp is about four kilometres from the disaster site, nearly 150 personnel arrived quickly and managed to rescue 20 people within 10 minutes. At several locations, Army personnel used ropes to pull people to safety. In one of the videos shared by the Indian Army on social media, waves of debris could be seen scattered all around due to the destruction. " , ." Kheer Gad, Dharali Village | Uttarkashi | 1345 Hrs, 05 Aug 2025 A massive mudslide struck #Dharali village in the #KheerGad area near Harsil, triggering sudden flow of debris and water through the pic.twitter.com/FwPPMrIpqu SuryaCommand_IA (@suryacommand) August 5, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Notably, rain continued from the afternoon into the evening, making rescue efforts even more difficult. The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are leading the ongoing operations. Also, Indian Air Force Chinook, Mi-17 V5, ALH, and Cheetah helicopters have been placed on active standby at Chandigarh Air Base. They are expected to be deployed with rescue equipment as soon as the weather improves. Across the affected areas, several essential services such as electricity and internet remain disrupted. Government and private schools, including aanganwadis, have been ordered to shut due to the weather and ongoing rescue work. Around 100 people are reported missing in the region. PTI Why is Uttarakhand so prone to cloudbursts? Cloudbursts are among the most damaging natural disasters in the Indian Himalayas. They cause heavy rainfall in a small area within a very short time. The India Meteorological Department defines a cloudburst as rain that falls at a rate of more than 100 millimetres an hour, along with strong winds and lightning, over an area of about 20 to 30 square kilometres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Indian Himalayan region is seen as highly exposed to sudden and severe weather changes such as cloudbursts, heavy rainfall, flash floods and avalanches. Experts believe the chances of these events are rising due to climate change. But why? A 2023 study by researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, and the National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, said that extreme weather often affects areas between 1000 and 2000 metres in height. These include many of the populated valleys in the Himalayas. The study also concluded that Uttarakhand records more cloudbursts in a given area than other Himalayan states, and that recent ones have been stronger and have affected more people. A 2020 research paper by Sushil Khanduri, a Geologist at the Disaster Mitigation and Management Centre, also said that unusually high rainfall and cloudbursts have long been seen in the region. These often lead to flash floods, landslides and the flow of debris. Notably, landslides and floods are often reported during the monsoon season between June and September. But experts warn that climate change and growing urban areas are making such events more frequent and more severe. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Daniel Jackson, a British digital designer, is now the self-proclaimed president of a micronation he created on a 0.5 sq km sliver of disputed land between Croatia and Serbia. Named Verdis, the so-called nation has a flag, Cabinet, currency and nearly 400 citizens Remember when we were kids and used to dream about ruling our own country? Well, one 20-year-old actually went ahead and did it. While most of us grew out of that phase, Daniel Jackson took the fantasy seriously enough to carve out his own micronation on a patch of disputed land between Croatia and Serbia. The man is now the president of a self-proclaimed country, named Verdis, and it comes complete with a flag, cabinet, currency and nearly 400 citizens. But as youd expect, not everything went as smoothly as hed hoped, and Jackson is now shut out of his own country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Heres how the bizarre tale of Verdis unfolded All about Jacksons micronation Verdis Daniel Jackson founded the Free Republic of Verdis, a 0.5-square-kilometre (less than 125 acres) sliver of forest along the Danube River that remains unclaimed by either Croatia or Serbia due to an unresolved border dispute. Jackson told news agency SWNS that he discovered the area was technically unowned by anyone, and he decided to act on an idea he first had as a teenager. Verdis was an idea I had when I was 14, said Jackson. It was just a bit of an experiment at first with a few mates. We have all dreamed of creating something crazy. Daniel Jackson founded the Free Republic of Verdis, a 0.5-square-kilometre (less than 125 acres) sliver of forest along the Danube River. Image courtesy: X/@ The 20-year-old officially declared the republics independence on May 30, 2019. The area the British man claimed, marked as pocket three on maps, is now considered the worlds second-smallest country, just after Vatican City. A digital designer by profession, he makes his living building virtual worlds on Roblox. At just 18, he began turning Verdis into a functioning government. We started making Verdis a reality when I was 18 by forming some laws and a flag. We have now built up a government and have a great cabinet, he said. Verdis started with just four people, but it now has 400 official citizens, and thousands more whove shown interest. Although the micro-nation issues its own passports, Jackson advises against using them for international travel (though a few people reportedly have). It is a very small country so we have to be careful who we let in, Jackson told SWNS. Verdis, the micro-nation issues its own passports, Jackson advises against using them for international travel. Image courtesy: X When it comes to approving people, we look for in-demand skill sets such as experience in medicine or policing, he said. According to Jackson, English, Croatian, and Serbian are Verdis official languages, and the Euro is used as its currency. The only way to reach the tiny nation is by boat from Osijek, Croatia, but efforts to settle there havent been easy and have met with strong resistance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Also read: What is Nithyananda's 'Kailasa', the fictional country that has caught UNs attention? Run-ins with Croatian authorities In October 2023, Croatian police detained Jackson and several others who tried to settle in the disputed area. They were deported, and Jackson was banned from re-entering Croatia for life. They deported us but couldnt give a reason why, Jackson said. They said we were a threat to homeland security. Since then, Jackson has continued operating what he describes as a government in exile and claims Croatian authorities have set up surveillance to block access from the Serbian side. We have had a lot of problems with Croatian authorities, but we do want a good relationship with them in the future, he said. They havent taken to us kindly and have been aggressive. Jackson, who is originally from Australia, now frequently travels to Belgrade, Serbia, where he says the officials have been more open to his project. Determined to make Verdis more than just a thought experiment, Jackson told SWNS: It is a matter of when, not if, we get back on the land. Croatia doesnt claim the land, so we have the right to it, and we believe that we have a good chance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He also insists hes not doing this for power. I am not interested in power at all I just want to be a normal citizen. It has been eye-opening, and I am quite proud of what I have achieved, he said. Reflecting on the journey, he added: To the naked eye it is just a lot of forest, but when you realise that you are in a country you have created, it is magical. With input from agencies The Defence Ministry has given the green light for around 90 medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones to be procured. The decision, which comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, will see an Indian company build these drones indigenously while tying up with a foreign firm. But what do we know about these drones? The decision was taken by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC) as part of a larger 67,000 crore modernisation package. Firstpost India is making grand plans for drones. The Defence Ministry has given the green light for around 90 heavy duty armed drones to be procured. The decision comes in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor against Pakistan, which India launched in response to the Pahalgam terror attack. Not only that, India also plans to build these drones indigenously. But what happened? What do we know about these medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drones? Lets take a closer look What we know Indias defence ministry has approved the acquisition of 87 such drones. The decision was taken by the Rajnath Singh-led Defence Acquisition Council (DAC). It was part of a larger 67,000 crore modernisation package approved by the DAC. The other acquisitions include BrahMos systems, mountain radars, night sights for BMPs (infantry fighting vehicles) and compact autonomous surface craft. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The drones will be purchased at a price of rupees 20,000 crores under Prime Minister Narendra Modis Make in India initiative. The deal will see an Indian company tie up with a foreign firm. The drones will be produced with an indigenous content of 60 per cent, those in the know said. The drones can stay in the air for a longer time than its competitors. They are remotely piloted and can also several payloads and weapons. The drones will have advanced surveillance and combat capabilities. This includes giving real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) in all types of terrain. An Indian Army soldier uses a drone to keep vigil near the Line of Control (LoC). PTI These drones must be able to remain in the air for over 30 hours. They must also be able to achieve a maximum altitude of at least 35,000 feet. The government has said the induction of these drones will increase the ability of the Indian Armed Forces to carry out around-the-clock surveillance on Indias borders. It will also give a boost to the armed forces combat capabilities. Why was this decision taken? A senior official told The Times of India that the need for the drones and other weapons was felt during Operation Sindoor. India had launched Operation Sindoor on 7 and 8 May in response to the Pahalgam terror attack in April. All three Indian services needed the equipment, the official said. The 87 drones, with ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance) and weapon-carrying capability, will cost around Rs 20,000 crore. Another Rs 11,000 crore will be for logistical and other support by the OEM (original equipment manufacturer) for 10 years, the official added. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A resident inspects the debris of his house that was destroyed by Pakistani artillery shelling at the Lagama village in Uri, about 100 km from Srinagar, on May 9. Pakistan launched a swarm of drones and missiles on India in retaliation to Operation Sindoor. AFP The induction of MALE class drones will enhance the surveillance capabilities of all three services, especially the Indian Air Force to monitor the Eastern and Western Border, an official previously told The Hindu. India hopes to induct these MALE drones ahead of the Predator drones it ordered from the US last year. Those drones will only be delivered by 2029-2030. The Indian Navy in January 2024 had received its first indigenously-made MALE drones. Those drones were manufactured in Hyderabad under a tie-up between Adani Defene and Israeli firm Elbit. The MALE drones, known as the Drishti 10 StarLiner, can remain in the air for 36 hours, have satellite connectivity and can carry a 450 kilo payload. They are based on the Hermes 900 Starliner made by Elbit. The Indian Army and Indian Navy each inducted two drones. A source had said that the indigenous content for the drones stood at 70 per cent. The Indian Armed Forces at the time said it was looking to purchase around 150 MALE drones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies A chikungunya outbreak in southern China has infected over 7,000 people, triggering aggressive mosquito-control measures and hospital isolations. Originating in Foshan, the virus has spread across Guangdong province A female mosquito is seen on the forearm of a health technician in a laboratory at the entomology department of the Ministry of Public Health in Guatemala City, February 4, 2016. Representational Image/Reuters Southern China is currently witnessing an unprecedented spike in chikungunya virus cases, with over 7,000 infections recorded in a matter of weeks. The outbreak originating in Foshan, a populous city in Guangdong province has prompted public health measures, including both conventional mosquito-control strategies and unconventional methods rarely seen outside research settings. China has not experienced a chikungunya outbreak of this scale since the virus was first detected in the country nearly 20 years ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Once a disease limited to sporadic imported cases, the chikungunya virus has now evolved into a pressing domestic health challenge. Though the virus is not directly transmissible from one person to another, the outbreak has escalated rapidly due to the regions environmental conditions, which are highly conducive to the proliferation of Aedes mosquitoes the vector responsible for transmitting the disease. In Foshan alone, nearly 3,000 new cases were reported between July 27 and August 2, and infections have now appeared in several surrounding cities including Guangzhou, Shenzhen, Dongguan, and Zhongshan. What is Chikungunya? The chikungunya virus, first identified in 1952 in southern Tanzania, belongs to a family of viruses spread primarily through the bites of infected Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. These same mosquito species are known carriers of other viruses such as dengue and Zika. Following an infectious bite, symptoms typically appear between four and eight days later. Most patients present with sudden fever, fatigue, muscle aches, and rashes. However, what distinguishes chikungunya from other mosquito-borne illnesses is the intense and persistent joint pain, often severe enough to leave patients bent over or stooped, a posture that inspired the name of the disease. The word chikungunya comes from the Kimakonde language spoken in parts of Tanzania and means that which bends up. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), the virus typically resolves within two weeks, but in many cases, the associated joint pain can last for months or even years especially among the elderly and those with preexisting joint issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While serious complications are rare and fatalities are extremely uncommon, the disease can be particularly dangerous for infants, senior citizens, and those with weakened immune systems. Chikungunya is not transmitted between humans. However, infected individuals can pass the virus back to mosquitoes if bitten again, creating a cycle that perpetuates local transmission. A June study published in Nature estimated that about 35.3 million people contract chikungunya annually across 180 countries and territories, though only about 3,700 deaths are linked to the virus worldwide each year. How did the outbreak occur in China? The current surge in southern China began with what health authorities believe was an imported case in Foshan in early July. Though the original source has not been publicly detailed, Chinas CDC attributes the outbreak to international transmission. With the virus spreading globally, imported cases have inevitably reached China, Liu Qiyong, chief expert in vector-borne disease control at China CDC, told CGTN. Given the established presence of local transmission vectors, particularly Aedes mosquitoes, these imported infections have fuelled sustained local transmission cycles, leading to concentrated, small-scale outbreaks in affected regions. The outbreak was initially concentrated in Shunde District, home to nearly 9 million residents, but quickly spread to nearby urban centres. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On August 4, Hong Kong Chinas semi-autonomous international hub reported its first imported case, a 12-year-old boy who had recently visited Foshan. The scale and speed of the outbreak have led the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to issue a Level 2 travel alert for Foshan, advising travellers to take protective measures such as using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved clothing, and avoiding outdoor exposure during peak mosquito activity times. Pregnant women are specifically advised not to travel to the affected region. How is China tackling the chikungunya outbreak? Faced with rising infections, authorities in Guangdong have introduced a stringent set of disease-control protocols, drawing heavily on the infrastructure and response mechanisms developed during the Covid-19 pandemic. Patients who test positive for chikungunya are being quarantined in mosquito-proof hospital beds until they test negative, a precautionary step aimed at stopping further mosquito-mediated transmission. The city of Foshan has expanded its mosquito-proof isolation bed capacity to more than 7,000, according to Xinhua, Chinas state-run media. Designated hospitals across the region are offering treatment, although there is no specific antiviral drug or cure for chikungunya management largely consists of symptom relief and supportive care. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In affected neighbourhoods, local health workers are conducting door-to-door inspections, looking for stagnant water sources, which are prime breeding grounds for mosquitoes. Residents are expected to comply, and failure to cooperate may result in fines or criminal penalties under public health laws. In one district in Guicheng, five households reportedly had their electricity cut off for obstructing inspection efforts, according to a neighbourhood committee notice cited by the New York Times. A government flyer translated by the same publication warned that obstructing vector-control measures could be prosecuted as a criminal offence under laws pertaining to the prevention of infectious diseases. Beyond traditional mosquito control efforts like spraying pesticides and using insecticides, authorities have also turned to more experimental and ecologically-based interventions. One such method involves releasing elephant mosquitoes a type of mosquito that does not bite humans but whose larvae prey on the larvae of disease-carrying Aedes mosquitoes. In some urban lakes and ponds, officials have introduced larvae-eating fish, hoping to reduce mosquito populations in standing water bodies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Drones have been deployed to identify mosquito breeding grounds in hard-to-access areas, and specialised teams have been dispatched to fog and disinfect entire neighbourhoods. These combined efforts aim to interrupt the mosquito life cycle at various stages larvae, pupae, and adult to reduce the probability of additional infections. Did climate change play a role? Southern Chinas humid subtropical climate, combined with high population density and global connectivity, makes it particularly vulnerable to imported mosquito-borne diseases. The increased volume of international travel especially as countries reopened post-Covid has elevated the risk of pathogens moving across borders. From 2010 to 2019, China recorded only sporadic imported cases of chikungunya, including localized clusters in Dongguan and Ruili. Unlike previous instances where the virus did not take hold in the domestic mosquito population, this time conditions seem to have favoured local transmission chains. The WHO has long warned of the expanding range of Aedes mosquitoes due to urbanisation and climate change. As temperatures rise and rainfall patterns shift, mosquito habitats are spreading into previously low-risk areas, making outbreaks like the one in Foshan more likely. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why is chikungunya a global problem? Chikungunya is a recurring problem in many parts of the world. Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Thailand, and the Philippines are among the countries where the CDC has identified an elevated risk of transmission. In 2006, India experienced a significant outbreak, recording nearly 1.3 million suspected infections, especially in Karnataka and Maharashtra. Around the same time, Sri Lanka, Singapore, and Thailand also reported thousands of cases. The US has also seen a growing number of travel-related chikungunya cases. Between 2006 and 2013, up to 28 cases were detected annually. In 2014, that number jumped to nearly 3,000. While the figures declined in subsequent years reaching a low of 36 in 2021 they have been gradually rising again, with 199 cases reported in 2024 and 46 recorded so far in 2025. Local transmission was last documented in 2019, and the CDC considers the risk of widespread outbreaks in the US to be low, though not negligible. As of May this year, La Reunion, a French overseas territory in the Indian Ocean, has reported over 47,500 chikungunya cases, with sustained transmission across the island. What is the cure to chikungunya? Two vaccines against chikungunya are currently approved for use in the United States: IXCHIQ , a live-attenuated vaccine for individuals aged 18 and older. VIMKUNYA, a virus-like particle-based vaccine for people aged 12 and above. However, these vaccines are not yet available in China. The countrys health authorities continue to highlight preventive strategies such as eliminating mosquito breeding sites and using physical barriers like mosquito nets, repellents, and protective clothing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD While vaccination is advised for international travellers to outbreak-prone areas, including Foshan, it is not currently recommended for widespread use among the general population in China. The US CDC also advises that pregnant women postpone vaccination until after childbirth and consider postponing travel to high-risk regions altogether. With inputs from agencies Despite a decades-long global push and over $20 billion spent, polio remains entrenched in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Health workers report falsified data, mismanaged campaigns and persistent vaccine mistrust. As eradication deadlines continue to slip, insiders question whether the strategy particularly the use of the oral vaccine is part of the problem, not the solution For the last ten years, Sughra Ayaz has walked from house to house in southeastern Pakistan, urging parents to permit their children to receive polio vaccinations as part of a worldwide drive to eliminate the crippling illness. She often hears their concerns and objections. Some are rooted in daily struggles families often prioritise essentials like food and clean water over immunisation, The Associated Press (AP) reported in a feature. Others are based on baseless rumours like claims that the oral vaccine is designed to cause infertility in children. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid widespread misinformation and growing pressure to deliver results, Ayaz revealed that some supervisors have told vaccinators to falsely record children as immunised. She also noted that the vaccines, which need to be kept refrigerated, are not always stored at the required temperatures. In many places, our work is not done with honesty, Ayaz told AP. The global effort to eradicate polio was launched by the World Health Organisation (WHO) and its partners in 1988, aiming to eliminate the disease a milestone previously reached only with smallpox in 1980. Afghan children wait in line to get a polio vaccine in Jalalabad, Afghanistan, May 26, 2025. File Image/AP Progress was notable, especially in 2021, when just five wild polio cases were identified in Afghanistan and Pakistan. But numbers rose again, reaching 99 last year, and multiple self-imposed deadlines for eradication have been missed. Pakistan and Afghanistan are the only nations where polio transmission a highly contagious disease mainly affecting children under five and capable of causing lifelong paralysis within hours continues uninterrupted. As a result, these countries have been the primary focus of the polio campaigns attention and resources for the last ten years. However, according to campaign workers, public health experts, and internal documents reviewed by AP, the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) has struggled due to poor management, an outdated strategy, and persistent reliance on the oral vaccine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These issues have hindered progress in what is one of the most ambitious and costly public health programmes in history costing more than $20 billion and involving nearly every country on Earth. Internal materials and accounts from staff indicate that some officials have fabricated vaccination data, appointed unqualified individuals to distribute vaccine drops, neglected to deploy vaccination teams during critical drives, and dismissed alarms about the oral vaccines role in triggering outbreaks. In Pakistan and Afghanistan neighbouring countries with widespread vaccine scepticism and fragile health systems field workers like Ayaz have raised concerns to top-level managers for years. Yet, insiders claim these warnings, along with similar alerts from global health experts, have often been ignored. A health worker administers a polio vaccine to a child in Karachi, Pakistan, April 21, 2025. File Image/AP Campaign officials highlight key achievements vaccinating over 3 billion children and preventing paralysis in an estimated 20 million individuals. Yet they also concede that obstacles remain in Afghanistan and Pakistan, from difficult terrain and remote communities to cultural and religious objections to vaccines. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since the campaigns inception, hundreds of health workers and security personnel have been killed, targeted due to their perceived ties to the Western-led initiative. Dr. Jamal Ahmed, WHOs polio director, defended the campaigns strategies in Pakistan and Afghanistan, pointing to localised interventions tailored for resistant regions. Theres so many children being protected today because of the work that was done over the past 40 years, he said. Lets not overdramatise the challenges, because that leads to children getting paralysed. Ahmed expressed optimism that the virus could be eliminated in the next 12 to 18 months. The eradication campaign has now set a goal of 2029. To meet that target, officials say approximately 45 million children in Pakistan and 11 million in Afghanistan must be vaccinated this year. Each child generally requires four doses to be considered fully immunised. Dr. Zulfiqar Bhutta, a member of several advisory boards for WHO and the Gates Foundation, urged campaign leaders to heed constructive criticism. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Continuing blindly with the same strategies that we have relied on since eradication began is unlikely to lead to a different result, he said. Internal reports reveal persistent flaws in vaccination campaigns Internal WHO evaluations of polio immunisation efforts in Afghanistan and Pakistan shared with AP by past and current employees expose how, as early as 2017, local staff were warning about serious issues to their superiors. These documents detail repeated instances of forged immunisation records, replacement of trained vaccinators with untrained family members, and improper administration of vaccines. WHOs own assessments frequently found that vaccinators did not know about vaccine management, citing failure to maintain cold-chain requirements. A health worker, left, marks a house after administering polio vaccines in Karachi, Pakistan, April 21, 2025. File Image/AP Reports also noted discrepancies in vaccine usage logs, stating there were more used vaccine vials than were actually supplied. An August 2017 report from Kandahar, Afghanistan, described how interference by local authorities and others led to the appointment of underage and illiterate volunteers as vaccinators. Many campaign teams worked hastily, lacking supervision or proper monitoring. For example, a team in Nawzad, Afghanistan, in 2017 missed half of their designated area, skipping 250 households entirely. According to local elders, no team had visited the area in at least two years. Health workers and officials in both countries corroborated the contents of the internal documents. They pointed out the extreme difficulty of conducting door-to-door immunisations amid cultural sensitivities, distrust in vaccines, and chronic poverty. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Most of the time when we go to vaccinate and knock on the door, the head of the house or the man is not at home, one worker told AP under the condition of anonymity. Many people find it offensive that a stranger knocks on the door and talks to a woman. Some households are abandoned or relocated, and on occasion, workers face verbal abuse or threats. We have shared these problems with our senior officials, the worker said. They know about it. Responding to APs inquiries, Dr. Ahmed acknowledged operational challenges in the region and claimed that the campaign has robust monitoring and evaluation processes. Ayaz spoke of practices like fake finger marking the ink on a childs pinky, meant to signify vaccination, is sometimes applied without administering the drops. There is so much pressure, Ayaz said. Oral polio vaccine remains a point of contention Before the first polio vaccine became available in 1955, the virus spread through contaminated water and fecal matter paralysed hundreds of thousands of children annually. During outbreaks, public gatherings were avoided, and hospitals filled with children relying on iron lungs to breathe. In places with inadequate sanitation, polio spreads when children encounter infected waste. According to WHO, a single infected child can jeopardise the health of children everywhere. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Eradicating polio requires near-perfect immunisation coverage, with over 95 per cent of children vaccinated and zero wild virus cases. Yet experts and former WHO staff criticise the campaign for being far from flawless, especially concerning the oral vaccine. While this vaccine has safely immunised more than 3 billion children, it carries very rare risks. Scientists estimate that one in every 2.7 million first doses may lead to vaccine-induced paralysis. In rarer situations, the live virus in the vaccine can mutate and trigger outbreaks in regions with low immunisation coverage. Since 2021, hundreds of such vaccine-derived cases have been reported annually, with at least 98 already identified this year. Most health professionals agree the oral vaccine should be phased out as soon as feasible. However, the injectable alternative which carries no live virus and avoids these risks is in short supply, costlier, and harder to administer. More than 25 current and former senior polio figures told AP that agencies leading the campaign have resisted reviewing or altering their approach, despite ongoing issues. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Dr. Tom Frieden, a former CDC director and current member of the polio eradication oversight board, stated that eradication is unattainable without the oral vaccine. However, he has advocated for adapting strategies, including faster detection of cases. Since 2011, he and his peers have regularly issued reports on systemic failures in the campaign. Theres no management, Frieden said, citing a lack of oversight and accountability. In 2023, former WHO scientist Dr. T Jacob John emailed WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus twice, calling for a fundamental overhaul of the campaign. John, who provided those emails to AP, said he received no response. WHO is persisting with polio control and creating polio with one hand and attempting to control it by the other, John wrote. Ahmed, in his reply to AP, maintained that the oral vaccine remains a core pillar of eradication, highlighting that almost every country that is polio-free today used (it) to achieve that milestone. We need to step back and really care for the people, he added. The only way we can do that in large parts of the world is with oral polio vaccine. He also pointed to Indias success in eliminating polio once deemed improbable. In the final four years before eradication there, nearly 1 billion doses of the oral vaccine were administered to over 170 million children. Currently, nearly all polio cases worldwide primarily in West Asia and Africa stem from mutated versions of the oral vaccine, except those in Pakistan and Afghanistan. Scott Barrett, a professor at Columbia University, called for a thorough investigation into campaign failures, especially after a misstep in 2016 where a strain was removed from the oral vaccine. That move triggered outbreaks in over 40 countries and left more than 3,000 children paralysed, according to an expert WHO-commissioned report. Last year, a baby in Gaza was paralysed by a mutated virus linked to that error. Unless you have a public inquiry where all the evidence comes out and WHO makes serious changes, it will be very hard to trust them, Barrett said. Scepticism toward eradication efforts continues With a yearly budget near $1 billion, the polio initiative is among the costliest in public health. After the US withdrew from WHO and US President Donald Trump reduced foreign aid, WHO officials admitted privately that maintaining funding will be challenging without demonstrable progress. Some argue that these funds could better address other health priorities. We have spent more than $1 billion (in external polio funding) in the last five years in Pakistan alone, and it didnt buy us any progress, said Roland Sutter, a former WHO polio research leader. If this was a private company, we would demand results. Many villagers have protested the focus on polio, staging hundreds of boycotts since 2023. They demand medication, food, or electricity instead of repeated immunisation drives. A police officer stands guard while a health worker, centre, administers a polio vaccine to a child in Karachi, Pakistan, April 21, 2025. File Image/AP In Karachi, residents told AP they couldnt understand the governments obsession with polio, especially given pressing issues like contaminated water and rampant heroin abuse. Health workers often operate under armed protection Pakistani officials report that since the 1990s, more than 200 health workers and security personnel have been killed, largely by militants. Adding to the challenge is a flood of false information including rumors that the vaccine contains pig urine or causes premature puberty. Some say growing anti-vaccine sentiments in countries funding the initiative, particularly the US, are fuelling distrust in Afghanistan and Pakistan. In southwest Pakistan, Saleem Khan, 58, claimed his grandchildren under five were vaccinated against his familys wishes. It results in disability, Khan said, without providing evidence. They are vaccinated because officials reported our refusal to authorities and the police. Johns Hopkins University professor Svea Closser said resistance was much lower decades ago. Now, resentment over the focus on polio while other illnesses like measles and tuberculosis go unaddressed fuels conspiracy theories. Polio eradication has created a monster, Closser said. She noted that public confidence in vaccination drives took a hit in 2011 when the CIA used a fake hepatitis campaign to try to locate Osama bin Laden through DNA collection. Field workers say they face that mistrust every day. In a remote mountainous area of southeastern Afghanistan, a mother of five said she wanted her children to be vaccinated but was overruled by her husband and other male relatives who believe false claims that the vaccine harms fertility. If I allow it, she told AP, withholding her name for fear of reprisal, I will be beaten and thrown out. With inputs from AP Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the AugustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal case, has said that the corruption related to the deal took place in Italy and not in India Michel is currently facing investigation by Indian authorities in connection with the 2010 deal for the purchase of 12 luxury helicopters from Italian firm AugustaWestland. ANI Christian Michel James, the alleged middleman in the AugustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal case, has said that the corruption related to the deal took place in Italy and not in India. No corruption happened in India. The corruption took place in Italy, ANI quoted Michel as telling reporters. #WATCH | Augusta Westland VVIP chopper case accused, Christian Michel James, says, "No corruption happened in India. The corruption took place in Italy...Absolutely not (on being asked if he was in touch with the Gandhi family)..." pic.twitter.com/1dHucFoTdP ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD When asked if he had any contact with the Gandhi family, Michel firmly responded, Absolutely not. Michel is currently facing investigation by Indian authorities in connection with the 2010 deal for the purchase of 12 luxury helicopters from Italian firm AugustaWestland, meant for VVIP transport. The case has drawn significant political attention due to alleged links to high-profile individuals in India. The AgustaWestland VVIP helicopter deal was finalised during the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) regime under the leadership of then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh but became mired in allegations of kickbacks. Michel, the alleged middleman and accused in the Rs 3,600 crore case, was extradited from the UAE in December 2018. He is currently lodged in Tihar Jail in connection with alleged irregularities in the multi-crore chopper deal. With inputs from agencies In a nation where floods are frequent and insurance rare, the cost of unpreparedness is too high to ignore We may believe in divine protection, but as the frequency and intensity of natural disasters rise across India, faith alone is not enough. The Dharali landslide on Tuesday in Uttarakhand where entire structures crumbled like toy blocks reinforces a sobering truth: nature does not discriminate, and recovery is often impossible without preparation. Yet in India, flood insurance remains a grossly underutilised tool despite its growing necessity. Many citizens still wrongly assume that natural disasters are Acts of God and hence excluded from insurance coverage. This perception not only puts lives at risk but also widens the economic protection gap that India can no longer afford to ignore. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A flood-prone nation with barely any cover According to a State Bank of India report in 2023, India ranks third globally in the number of natural disasters recorded since 1900, with 764 such events, including 361 since 2001. Of these, 41 per cent were floods the most frequently occurring and most economically damaging of all natural disasters in India. Between 2000 and 2022, India suffered an economic loss of Rs 12.45 lakh crore from natural calamities, with Rs 7.64 lakh crore attributed to floods and Rs 3.71 lakh crore to storms. Despite this alarming trend, only around 0.9 per cent of Indian homes are insured, compared to over 90 per cent in the United States, the report said. The result is a massive protection gap. For India, 92 per cent of total disaster-related economic losses go uninsured, meaning that when disaster strikes, victims have no fallback other than inadequate state relief and personal savings. Scope and importance of flood insurance Flood insurance, a subset of home insurance, offers coverage for structural damage, water seepage, destruction of furniture and flooring, electrical short circuits and even ceiling damage due to stagnated water. Policyholders pay an annual premium determined by the flood risk in their area and the insured value of their property. Upon damage, claimants are compensated after assessment and documentation, helping them rebuild their homes and lives. The primary advantage is financial security. In a flood, families often lose everything: homes, appliances, savings and livelihoods. Flood insurance ensures they receive compensation for the full or partial value of these assets. It covers both immediate repair and complete replacement if needed. Moreover, having insurance in flood-prone areas brings peace of mind a priceless commodity during the monsoon months. Yet, according to Policybazaar, less than 1 per cent of Indians hold such policies. Contrast this with the United States, where the National Flood Insurance Program covers millions of homes in designated flood zones. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The under-penetration in India is a symptom of deeper systemic issues: poor awareness, affordability concerns, mistrust in insurance firms and bureaucratic inefficiencies. Economic cost of inaction The economic consequences of underinsurance are staggering. In 2024, Assam, Kerala, Himachal Pradesh and Tripura were all ravaged by floods. In Andhra Pradesh alone, damages were estimated at Rs 6,880 crore, while Telangana reported losses worth Rs 10,300 crore. Total losses across flood-hit states were expected to exceed Rs 15,000 crore, surpassing even 2023s devastating season. But as only around 8 per cent of these losses are insured, as per the State Bank of India report, nearly Rs 13,800 crore will either be written off or need to be covered by government relief funds resources that are already stretched thin. The government allocated Rs 68,463 crore to the National Disaster Relief Management Fund (NDRMF) and Rs 1,60,153 crore to State Disaster Relief Management Funds (SDRMF) for 20212026. But these funds are primarily reactionary, with 80 per cent reserved for disaster response, not mitigation or long-term recovery. Learning from global models Other nations offer effective frameworks India can adapt. The Caribbean Catastrophe Risk Insurance Facility and the South East Asian Disaster Risk Insurance Facility operate on a public-private partnership model to share risk between governments and insurers. Frances Caisse Centrale de Reassurance provides broad catastrophe insurance, covering floods, earthquakes, landslides and even terrorism. In the Philippines, the Government Service Insurance System Programme uses parametric insurance, which releases funds based on predefined triggers like rainfall levels or storm strength, rather than damage assessments. This speeds up payouts and avoids lengthy inspections. Such approaches reduce post-disaster lag, ensuring quicker rehabilitation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD India has tested parametric insurance through pilots like Nagalands SDMA project (20212023) and Sewas microinsurance schemes in Gujarat and Maharashtra. Though early efforts were flawed due to outdated data, they laid the foundation for scalable models. Policymakers can now leverage updated climate data and technology to refine these schemes for broader implementation. Bridging the protection gap As per State Bank of India report, Indias overall protection gap the share of economic losses that go uninsured stands at 92 per cent, far higher than the global average of 54 per cent. In real terms, an average Indian family has just Rs 8 for every Rs 100 needed to cope with disaster-related financial shocks. No model will succeed without addressing the root cause of underinsurance: low awareness. Most citizens dont even know that flood insurance exists. Others dismiss it, assuming its too costly or that state relief will suffice. Whats needed is a nationwide insurance literacy campaign, perhaps bundled with property tax collection or building permit processes, to make people aware of both the benefits and affordability of flood coverage. Moreover, regulatory reforms must make flood insurance easier to buy, renew and claim. Streamlining digital claims, offering standardised policies through apps and providing subsidies for low-income households in high-risk zones could greatly enhance adoption. A harsh reality India is facing a climate reality that can no longer be ignored. The frequency and severity of floods are rising, and with them, the economic and human toll. Faith in divine protection is important, but equally essential is a pragmatic approach that includes flood insurance as a frontline defence. With just 0.9 per cent of homes insured, a protection gap of 92 per cent, and economic losses in the tens of thousands of crores each year, it is time India builds a new framework. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Public-private partnerships, regional catastrophe pools, parametric insurance pilots and robust awareness programmes together can fortify Indias resilience. The cost of inaction will only continue to rise with every monsoon that turns into a disaster and grants. Here is the full text of the Executive Order imposing an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent on Indian goods exported to the United States. US President Donald Trump gestures during a joint press conference with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House in Washington, DC, on, February 13. Trump has imposed additional 25% tariffs on India over its import of Russian oil. Reuters US President Donald Trump on Wednesday (August 6) imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods from India on top of the 25 per cent levy already slapped last week. The executive order imposing the additional duties comes days after Trump issued a threat to New Delhi over its purchase of oil from Russia. Here is the full text of the Executive Order imposing an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent: STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order: Section 1. Background. Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022 (Prohibiting Certain Imports and New Investments With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine), expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation), to include the actions taken against Ukraine by the Government of the Russian Federation. To address that unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, Executive Order 14066 prohibited, among other things, the importation into the United States of certain products of Russian Federation origin, including crude oil; petroleum; and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation. I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine. After considering this additional information, among other things, I find that the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 continues and that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. In my judgment, imposing tariffs, as described below, in addition to maintaining the other measures taken to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, will more effectively deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 2. Imposition of Tariffs. (a) I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. (b) Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent. Subject to section 3 of this order, this rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order; and (2) are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 17, 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 3. Scope of Duties and Stacking. (a) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall be in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports, unless subject to existing or future actions under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, in which case the ad valorem duty imposed in this order shall not apply. (b) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are excepted by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b). (c) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are set forth in Annex II to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended. (d) The ad valorem duty imposed in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, shall apply in addition to the ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order, when applicable pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 14257. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (e) Except for those articles that are eligible for admission under domestic status as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, articles that are subject to the duty imposed in section 2 of this order and are admitted into a foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order must be admitted as privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41. Sec. 4. Modification Authority. (a) To ensure that the emergency described in section 1 of this order is dealt with, I may modify this order, including in light of additional information, recommendations from senior officials, or changed circumstances. (b) Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered. (c) Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 5. Monitoring and Recommendations. (a) The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. If the Secretary of Commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (b) The Secretary of State shall monitor and regularly consult with any senior official the Secretary of State deems appropriate on the emergency described in section 1 of this order. (c) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend to me additional action, if necessary, if the actions in this order are not effective in resolving the emergency described in section 1 of this order or should the Government of the Russian Federation or another foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to the actions taken in this order or any subsequent order issued to address the emergency described in section 1 of this order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 6. Delegation. (a) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order. The Secretary of State may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of State. Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to carry out this order. (b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission, shall determine whether modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are necessary to effectuate this order and may make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register. (c) U.S. Customs and Border Protection may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer a duty imposed by this order or any action taken pursuant to this order. Sec. 7. Definitions. For the purposes of this order: (a) The term Russian Federation oil means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from the Russian Federation, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products. (b) The term indirectly importing includes purchasing Russian Federation oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Russia, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury. Sec. 8. Severability. If any provision of this order or the application of any provision of this order to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected. Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of State. DONALD J. TRUMP THE WHITE HOUSE, August 6, 2025. While the Indian Army stands guard against enemies at the border, it is the fury of nature that often claims a high toll Damage reported in Dharali market area due to flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Kheer Gad area of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand on August 5, 2025. Image courtesy @UttarkashiPol on X Wild Spirit, which art moving everywhere; Destroyer and Preserver; hear, oh hear! Percy Bysshe Shelley Nature, in its sublime and untamed force, has long been both a giver and taker of life. For the Indian Army, posted across some of the worlds most hostile terrains from the glacial heights of Siachen to the rain-lashed slopes of the Northeast this duality is a lived reality. Soldiers who train for battle often find themselves at the mercy of landslides, avalanches and floods. These forces, invisible and indiscriminate, have quietly claimed hundreds of lives, making nature not just a backdrop to service but among the armys most formidable and unforgiving foes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This harsh truth came into sharp focus once again during the recent landslide in Harshil, Uttarakhand. There are prayers on their lips, hopes in their hearts, and a determined race against time to rescue their brothers-in-arms still missing after the Harshil landslide in Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Of the 11 missing army personnel, two have been rescued, while nine remain untraced. Unfortunately, this is not the first time the army both in terms of men and material has suffered losses due to natural calamities. Flash floods in Uttarakhand On August 5, a sudden extreme weather event, likely caused by glacial burst or lake breach, triggered flash floods in the Harsil area of Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, where an army transit camp was stationed. The cloudburst led to the disappearance of at least eight to ten soldiers initially, and helicopters were put on standby for immediate rescue operations. The region, already prone to landslides and river surges during the monsoon season, posed additional challenges for search teams. This disaster came amid a broader red alert issued by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) for the state due to continued heavy rainfall. Historically, Uttarakhand has witnessed similar natural calamities affecting military deployments. During the 2013 Kedarnath floods, the Indian Army launched Operation Surya Hope, risking their lives to rescue thousands of stranded pilgrims. Personnel were injured and killed during the rescue missions due to flooding, rockslides and helicopter crashes, though official army casualties from that operation were not always made public. Avalanches in high-altitude army zones The Indian Army regularly operates in extreme terrains like the Siachen Glacier and the Kashmir Valley, making soldiers vulnerable to avalanches. In February 2016, a tragic avalanche struck an army post in the northern Siachen Glacier at an altitude of nearly 20,000 feet. Ten soldiers, including Lance Naik Hanumanthappa Koppad, were buried under snow. Though Koppad was miraculously rescued after six days, he later succumbed to organ failure. Between 1984 and December 2015, approximately 869 Indian Army personnel33 officers, 54 junior commissioned officers and 782 other ranks died on the Siachen Glacier due to weather-related causes. By early 2016, that number had risen to at least 883, following the February 2016 avalanche. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Avalanches in Siachen and adjacent sectors like Sonmarg, Gurez and Kupwara have occurred regularly, with notable events in January 2017 when 20 soldiers and 4 civilians were killed after a series of avalanches hit army posts in the Gurez and Bandipora sectors of Jammu and Kashmir. In an interaction with a team of Tiranga Mountain Rescue in April 2022, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh confirmed that an average of 20 to 25 Indian Army personnel lose their lives every year due to avalanches. Government data shared with Parliament show that between 2016 and 2018, avalanches claimed 74 army lives: 18 in 2016, 30 in 2017 and six in 2018. In Arunachal Pradesh, seven soldiers died in a February 2022 avalanche while on patrol in a snowbound area. These numbers have prompted the introduction of early warning systems, snow radars and high-altitude survival training, yet the harsh conditions continue to make high-altitude deployments deadly. Landslides and terrain-triggered disasters Landslides have also taken a heavy toll on the Indian Army, especially in the monsoon-prone states of the Northeast and the Himalayan belt. A particularly devastating incident occurred on June 30, 2022, when a massive landslide near a railway project in Noney district, Manipur, struck a Territorial Army camp. The soldiers were deployed to safeguard the under-construction railway line. The disaster killed 58 people, including 29 army personnel. This remains one of the worst peacetime natural disasters to affect the Indian Army in recent memory. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More recently, on June 1 this year, a landslide hit an Indian Army camp near Chatten in North Sikkim after days of torrential rainfall. Three personnel were confirmed dead, and six others, including officers and family members, remained missing. The missing included Lt Col P Sandhu, his retired Air Force officer wife and their child named Amaira. Rescue operations were hindered by unstable terrain and poor visibility highlighting the perils faced by units even outside combat zones. Impact, preparedness and the human cost These repeated disasters is a telling tale on the dual battle Indian soldiers face: not just with external threats but with the forces of nature. The Indian Army frequently operates in fragile ecosystems, where weather can turn fatal in minutes. Despite technological advancements in forecasting and increased use of avalanche-detection systems and drones, natural calamities remain a constant hazard. It is estimated that around two soldiers perish every month on Siachen alone due to weather conditions, based on long-term disclosures in the Lok Sabha. Defence reports and ministerial data confirm that in addition to the hundreds of soldiers who have died in combat, scores more are lost each decade to snowstorms, landslides and floods. The government and army continue to invest in infrastructure and weather monitoring, but these disasters serve as sobering reminders of the immense physical and environmental challenges of defending Indias borders. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Armys combat engineers have been working to clear debris and restore access in the area. A military helipad at Harsil remained functional. The state government said rescue and relief operations will continue until all missing persons are accounted for and connectivity is re-established. The Uttarkashi cloudburst that struck on Tuesday (August 5) in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river has unleashed a torrent of water, mud, and debris that swept away homes, cars, and bridges in the village of Dharali, a key stop on the pilgrimage route to Gangotri. Amid this, the Indian Army has launched a large-scale rescue operation in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district after a deadly cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides that cut off access to the village of Dharali near Harsil, leaving dozens missing and hundreds stranded. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD More than 225 Army personnel, including infantry and combat engineering teams, have been deployed to the affected area, officials said on Wednesday (August 6). At least five people have been confirmed dead, with over 50 still missing. Among them was a group of 28 tourists from Kerala. A coordinated response Combat engineers have been working to clear debris and restore access in the area, while seven teams with Reeco Radar systems are operating near Tekla. Search and rescue dogs have been deployed to Harsil, with more en route from Remount and Veterinary Corps centres. Air support has been activated, with three civil helicopters operating from Sahastradhara successfully landing at Bhatwari and Harsil to deliver relief materials and evacuate casualties. A military helipad at Harsil remains functional, while Chinook, Mi-17, and ALH helicopters are on standby at Jolly Grant, Chandigarh, and Sarsawa airbases awaiting deployment orders. As of Wednesday evening, 70 civilians had been rescued. Three injured persons were airlifted from the affected region by helicopter. However, road links near Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani have been washed away, hampering ground access. The civil helipad at Dharali remains non-functional following a mudslide. Indian Air Force sources said on Wednesday afternoon that Mi-17s and ALH Mk-III at Bareilly and An-32s and C-295 aircraft at Agra were ready to launch after preparation through the night. At the time, dense fog and rain had restricted flying into the high reaches. Sources said that the IAF would begin operations once the weather was better. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD CM Dhami details reconstruction plans Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who is camping in the region, said that 190 people have been rescued and relocated to safe areas. The injured have been admitted to hospitals, while some are at military camps and higher centres, Dhami told local media. All arrangements are being made to evacuate pilgrims stranded in Gangotri Dham through the Nelong Valley. The chief minister confirmed the states plan to reconstruct Dharali and provide assistance to every affected family. All of us from Uttarakhand are standing with the affected people those who have suffered losses or lost their kin as government, brothers and family, he said. He added that the Centre and Prime Minister Narendra Modi are extending full assistance. The prime minister has assured me that the Centre, the Army and other agencies are providing all support. Saving every person is the first priority, Dhami said. Landslides, isolation, and rescue challenges Landslides triggered by the cloudburst have buried parts of Dharali under several feet of mud and debris. The village, home to multiple hotels and guest houses, is an important waypoint on the Char Dham route. With the roads severed and debris blocking access routes, Army engineers face the daunting task of restoring connectivity under adverse terrain and weather conditions. Constructing roads in the hills is not an easy task. It is a tough job, Dhami said. But the state government and all its departments will accomplish this task with the help of the Centre, Army, BRO, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF. The state government said rescue and relief operations will continue until all missing persons are accounted for and connectivity is re-established. The military and civil authorities remain on high alert as heavy rains continue to pose further risks in the region. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies The specialised facility, to be developed in collaboration with the Jain Math and the Maharashtra government, will adhere to international best practices in elephant care Vantara has offered to set up a dedicated elephant rehabilitation facility in Kolhapur for Madhuri, the ageing elephant at the heart of a high-profile custody case that has stirred up religious and cultural emotions in Maharashtra. In a statement, the organisation clarified that it had played no role in initiating Madhuris relocation and was merely complying with court orders. The proposal to establish a satellite rehab centre in Kolhapur comes amid calls from the Jain community and the Jain Math in Kolhapur to return Madhuri to her traditional home. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis welcomed Vantaras offer, calling it a positive step that honours both legal procedure and public sentiment. Vantara clarifies its role, pledges support for Madhuris return In its official statement, Vantara said it acknowledges the deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Math and the people of Kolhapur. It noted that her relocation from Kolhapur was carried out solely in compliance with directions from the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court. At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, the organisation stated, adding that it had no intent to interfere with spiritual traditions. Vantara further said that it would extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Honble Court requesting Madhuris return to Kolhapur. Subject to judicial approval, the group promised to provide complete veterinary and logistical assistance for her safe and dignified return. A new facility Beyond facilitating Madhuris return, Vantara proposed the creation of a permanent satellite rehabilitation centre in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. This specialised facility, to be developed in collaboration with the Jain Math and the Maharashtra government, will adhere to international best practices in elephant care. Features of the proposed centre include: A hydrotherapy pond for joint relief A larger water body for swimming Laser therapy and physical rehab facilities A covered night shelter An open habitat for movement without chains A sand pit for natural behaviour stimulation A 24x7 on-site veterinary clinic Rubberised resting platforms and sand mounds to aid recovery from arthritis and foot rot The location of the centre will be finalised after consultation with the Guru of the Jain Math and government authorities. Vantara said it is prepared to begin implementation as soon as land and regulatory clearances are in place. Vantara stressed that the proposal was not aimed at credit, recognition, or vested interest, and it remained fully open to any alternative plans the Jain Math may submit. The organisation also issued a formal apology if its legally mandated involvement caused any hurt or distress: Michhami Dukkadamif any hurt was caused through thought, word, or deed we seek your forgiveness. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, Indias Foreign Ministry said India has labelled tariffs levied by the US on goods from the country "unjustified" and "unreasonable". File image/Reuters The Indian Ministry of External Affairs Wednesday (August 6) reiterated its position that the tariffs imposed by the United States on India over the latters purchase of Russian oil is unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. The MEA statement came on the heels of President Donald Trump signing an executive order that imposes an additional ad valorem 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods, after he imposed similar levies last week all attributed to New Delhis oil trade with Moscow. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent, the executive order read. How has India responded to tariffs? We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, the MEA statement said. Calling the imposition of tariffs by US extremely unfortunate, India pointed out that several other countries are also taking the same action in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests, the statement concluded. What will impact of tariffs be? Trumps announcement of additional 25 per cent tariffs on India will essentially cut off most Indian exports to the US, Senior Vice President of the Asia Society Policy Institute (ASPI) and former Deputy US Trade Representative Wendy Cutler said on Wednesday, voicing concern over the escalating bilateral dispute. She said this turnaround in bilateral relations has occurred quickly, and neither side can afford to be at odds with each other. However, while the tariffs immediately threaten Indias labour-intensive exports to the US, shipments of pharmaceuticals, certain electronic products, and energy, worth nearly $30 billion are so far secure from steeper duties given that they are under an exemption list. The geopolitical implications of the American move vis-a-vis India are much more significant and raise concerns for the future of the strategic partnership between the countries. Representational image Under President Trumps trade policy, the US has imposed new tariffs on more than 90 countries, following the expiration of the 90 days allocated for negotiations on trade terms on August 1. One of the countries affected by this is India, on which tariffs of 25 per cent were imposed, plus an American threat to impose sanctions that could take effect on August 8 due to Indias close relations with Russia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD These developments follow a series of recent disputes between India and the US, including tensions over Indias role in Brics and President Trumps self-proclaimed position as a peacemaker in the India-Pakistan conflict. Trump has also threatened to impose 200 per cent tariffs on the pharmaceutical sector a key industry for India. From the economic angle, the imposition of tariffs can have a rationale, since the US was in a trade deficit with India of over $45 billion in 2024, an increase of 5.4 per cent compared to the previous year. President Trump also considered the trade barriers, mainly in the agriculture sector in India, as unfair. The Make in India regulations contributed to the difficulty of doing business in India. Nonetheless, the US is Indias leading trade partner with a total trade volume of approximately $132 billion, and the countries leaders set a target of $500 billion in trade volume by 2030 with the intention of deepening the strategic partnership between the countries. Additionally, the imposition of tariffs on India can be mitigated by the future free trade agreement between the countries, which is still under negotiations. Moreover, goods exports from India to the US are worth only 2 per cent of the US total imports. However, the geopolitical implications of the American move vis-a-vis India are much more significant and raise concerns for the future of the strategic partnership between the countries. Trump, who aspired to end the war between Russia and Ukraine upon entering the White House, discovered that reality is more complex and is now working to increase pressure on Russia and the countries that assist it. In this context, Indias energy and security ties with Russia India is the largest importer of Russian oil (alongside China), which constitutes about 35 per cent of all its imported oil, and Russia is Indias leading arms supplier have placed a target on Indias back. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to expert assessments, if India stops importing Russian oil following American threats, oil imports from other sources are expected to cost around $10 billion more per year. India is the worlds third-largest oil importer, and it has exploited well the geopolitical reality following the Russian invasion of Ukraine to import Russian oil at low prices, since it is not party to Western sanctions on Russia. Even so, there is a sense of a double standard, as the US and Europe bought some of the Russian oil from India. At this stage, the Indian government is examining the implications of Trumps announcement. While several reports claimed that tankers carrying Russian oil were not allowed to unload in India and refineries are not accepting Russian oil, some voices are calling to continue importing Russian oil. At least regarding security procurement from Russia, India has significantly reduced the Russian share in the Indian security sector, from 72 per cent in 2010-2014 to only 36 per cent in 2020-2024. This trend gained momentum after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which limited Russias ability to supply extensive quantities of arms, and it aligned well with the Indian governments military modernisation efforts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Beyond the Russian context, the level of tariffs imposed on India places India in an inferior position vis-a-vis other countries in Asia, including its neighbours. For example, the US imposed 15 per cent tariffs on Japan, despite the American trade deficit with Japan being estimated at $70 billion, more than the deficit with India. The US imposed only 15 per cent tariffs on South Korea, and Indonesia, which chose compromise over confrontation, managed to reduce tariffs from 32 per cent to 19 per cent. Additionally, Vietnam, which constitutes an alternative to manufacturing in China, suffered 20 per cent tariffs, and even Pakistan ended up with lower tariffs of 19 per cent. Simultaneously, the US continues to conduct negotiations with China regarding tariffs between the countries, with a decision on the matter expected to be made on August 12. Understanding between the superpowers that will lead to the removal of some of the tariffs on China, combined with sanctions on India, could harm broader geopolitical interests within the framework of the partnership between the US and India, to the point of shattering the partnership and destabilising the geopolitical architecture in the Indo-Pacific. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD But not all bad. India has an opportunity now to reshape its partnership with the US, focusing more on technological cooperation and interregional digital connectivity initiatives than trade in goods, as expected from a sustainable and developed country it aspires to be. Therefore, the ongoing trade talks with the US should reflect Indias advancement in the technological sphere and ensure Indias deserved place in global technological supply chains. Although signing a free trade agreement will be a major bilateral milestone, it will also send a strong signal to Indias neighbours and to China, recognising the geopolitical importance of India to the US. This will also make a notable contribution to the success of the IMEC initiative (India-Middle East-Europe connectivity), as well as to the distancing of the Global South from China. Joseph Rozen is a distinguished expert in International Relations, Asian affairs, and National Security. He is Senior Fellow at Misgav Institute for National Security, an Israeli think tank based in Jerusalem. He previously served as the Director of APAC and Euro-Asia Affairs at the Israeli National Security Council. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) programme in India is considered urgent due to the countrys declining fighter squadron strength, the modernisation of rival air forces, and the need to maintain a technological edge in air combat. The programme aims to replace ageing aircraft and introduce a fifth-generation fighter, addressing both operational and strategic requirements. The Indian Air Force (IAF) is down to 29 fighter squadrons vis-a-vis the sanctioned strength of 42, and several more are scheduled for retirement in the coming years. IAF was forced to stretch the MiG-21 aircraft fleet, and the last of these squadrons will wind down in mid-September 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD China has inducted fifth-generation J-20 fighters in large numbers and is already flight-testing two sixth-generation fighters. Pakistan has been upgrading its air force with advanced fighter jets and aerial weapons and is seeking stealth fifth-generation fighter aircraft from both China and Turkey. This is creating an imbalance in the region. The F-35 and Su-57 The American F-35 Lightning II stealth fighter has not been on formal offer to India; in fact, the US had denied the F-35 to its Nato ally Turkey since, like India, they had acquired the Russian S-400 air defence system. President Trumps unpredictable tariff policies have been targeting India, among many others. Historically, the US has often jettisoned global partners when its own interests were no longer in congruence. As per a Bloomberg report, India had notified the United States that it will not acquire the F-35 stealth fighter jets. The F-35 was reportedly proposed as part of a broader US plan to increase military sales to India. The F-35 is priced close to $100 million per unit and is quite expensive to maintain. The F-35 will have compatibility issues with Indias Russian-origin equipment, such as the Il-78 refuelling aircraft. Additionally, the US is unlikely to meet Indias requirements for co-production or technology transfer, which are central to the Make in India initiative. In contrast, Russia has offered to co-produce its Su-57 stealth fighter in India, aligning with these goals. The Su-57 is much cheaper at nearly $60-65 million. But total numbers built are still very few (42), and earlier India had walked away from its predecessor, the joint fifth-generation fighter aircraft (FGFA). But then, the Su-57 is the only serious foreign offer to date. AMCAs early success is a strategic imperative for India, enhancing its air combat capabilities and reducing reliance on foreign platforms. The AMCA is meant to provide a technological advantage over adversaries and enable India to compete in modern air warfare. The programme aims to reduce reliance on foreign technology and boost indigenous aerospace capabilities. Meeting the projected induction timeline of the AMCA is crucial to address the operational gaps and maintain a credible deterrent. In essence, the AMCA is not just a fighter jet project; its a national security priority that requires swift and decisive action to maintain Indias aerial dominance and strategic posture. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD AMCA Status The single-seat, twin-engine, fifth-generation stealth, multirole AMCA is being designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA), an aircraft design agency under the Ministry of Defence (MoD). The AMCA is intended to perform a multitude of missions, including air supremacy, ground strike, Suppression of Enemy Air Defences (SEAD) and electronic warfare (EW) missions. It is intended to supplant the Sukhoi Su-30MKI air superiority fighter, which forms the backbone of the IAF fighter fleet. The AMCA design is optimised for low radar cross section and supercruise capability. As of July 2025, the prototype development phase is underway after the completion of the feasibility study, preliminary design stage and detailed design phase. The AMCA programme, originally launched in 2010 as a 20-tonne class fighter, is now a 25-tonne class fighter. The design work was completed in 2023, and approval for the 15,000 crore ($1.8 billion) project for prototype development was received from CCS in March 2024. A total of five prototypes are to be built. The first three prototypes will carry out developmental flight trials, whereas the next two will focus on weapon trials. The prototype will be rolled out at an interval of 8-9 months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The initial plan was to form a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) consisting of ADA, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) and a private company for the development and production of AMCA. At Aero India 2025, a full-scale engineering model of the AMCA was publicly demonstrated for the first time. As revealed during the event, ADA had laid out a 10-year development roadmap from the phase that began in April 2024. The prototype rollout is planned for late 2026 or early 2027, followed by the first flight in 2028, certification by 2032 and induction in 2034. Each prototype will cost 1,000 crore ($120 million). Proposal for Industry Partnership Model It has been reported that the government is yet to decide the production partner for the aircraft since ADA has proposed to hand over the responsibility to private sector companies rather than HAL in view of the companys not-so-great delivery track record. Multiple meetings had been held, and HAL pushed for an additional assembly line dedicated to AMCA if required. Meanwhile, the government has shifted to an industry partnership model instead of the initial plans for SPV. ADAs push for changing the production partner is to avoid any further delays following setbacks from development funding and lack of clearance from the US government for licence production of engines. The private sector partner would be responsible for development, production and lifetime maintenance of the jet. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The MoD formed a panel to examine increasing the role of private sector companies in the development of the AMCA. A top-level committee has evaluated a clear-cut strategy and production-cum-business model to accelerate the development of AMCA. The committee is tasked to devise a plan to shrink timelines to get AMCA from the drawing board to the air as well as the high-thrust indigenous engine development. On May 27, 2025, the MoD cleared the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Programme Execution Model. Under the model, the ADA will release an Expression of Interest (EOI) to develop AMCA through industry partnership. Both private and public sector companies can bid either as independent entities or as consortia or joint ventures to get the contract. As of now, the prototype rollout is expected by 2028-29, the first flight by 2029, service introduction by 2034 and series production by 2035. The HAL is reportedly set to evaluate responses from 24 companies in order to select a partner firm for the formation of a consortium. This consortium, structured under the public-private partnership (PPP) model, will subsequently bid to become the designated AMCA development consortium. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On June 18, 2025, the EOI was released by ADA which is meant to shortlist Indian companies for prototype development, flight testing, and certification of the AMCA. The document calls for reputed Indian companies which are compliant with Indian laws and are experienced in the aerospace and defence sector. The bidder has to establish dedicated facilities for series production of the aircraft. The bidder has to complete the development, prototyping, flight test and certification of the AMCA within eight years of signing the contract. While the deadline for responding to the EOI is 16 August, before which a pre-EOI meeting is scheduled. Engine Development Initially ADA had plans to issue a request for proposal (RfP) to six original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) for co-development of an afterburning low-bypass turbofan of the 110 kN thrust class. As per a government statement in the Rajya Sabha during the Winter Session 2021, there is a proposal to jointly develop the engine for AMCA with the help of a foreign partner using the know-how from the Kaveri engine development programme. On July 15, 2023, India and France agreed to collaborate for the joint development of a combat aircraft engine, which would power the Mark-2 variant of AMCA as part of the Horizon 2047 document for the India-France strategic partnership. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On 18 November 2023, Samir V Kamat, Chairman of DRDO, announced that the United States has provided the necessary permits, opening the door for GE Aerospace and HAL to jointly produce the General Electric F414 engine in India for the HAL Tejas Mark 2 and for the first two squadrons of AMCA. As of September 2024, foreign firms who offered joint venture development include the US-origin General Electric, the UK-origin Rolls-Royce and the French-origin Safran. The latter two had also offered 100 per cent intellectual property (IP) of engine design. Safran and Rolls-Royce have also received clearance from their respective countries for the engine development. In October 2024, Safran and HAL also signed an MoU to develop industrial cooperation in forging parts manufacturing for commercial engines, including those. HAL, in its Bangalore facility, would supply engine parts of CFM International LEAP to Safran Aircraft Engines. On February 18, 2025, it was also reported that while France was in an advanced stage of talks with India, Rolls-Royce Holdings was in talks with India for the engine co-development programme for AMCA. They have offered to co-develop and co-design, allowing India to own the IP in India, for India, for use in current as well as future programmes. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD By July 18, the MoD officially recommended a strategic partnership with France to co-develop a next-generation engine with a thrust of 120 kN (27,000 lbf). The recommendation was forwarded to the government after a consultative process including feedback from stakeholders and a technical committee that went deep into all aspects of fighter jet engine manufacturing. This strategic project is worth 61,000 crore ($7.2 billion). Safran had earlier suggested a roadmap which would be synchronised with the developmental timeline of AMCA. As per estimates, India needs around 250 of these engines in the next decade. Government Supports Private Sector The Indian government is actively promoting private sector involvement through various initiatives and policies. A new model for the AMCA programme allows private firms to bid alongside HAL, either independently or in collaboration with other Indian or foreign partners. Increased private sector participation aligns with government goals to foster indigenous manufacturing and achieve self-reliance (Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat) in defence production. The AMCA programme is categorised as a Make-I project under the Defence Acquisition Procedure (DAP) 2020. This offers government funding for Research & Development (R&D) and incentives like research grants, tax concessions, and preferential procurement terms to private companies. Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) initiatives provide grants and support to start-ups and MSMEs for developing innovative defence technologies, creating a vibrant ecosystem for private sector involvement. Companies can take advantage of the Production-Linked Incentive (PLI) scheme and simplified FDI norms. Programmes like the Defence Industrial Corridors and the DRDO Technology Development Fund encourage participation from smaller firms. Private Sector and AMCA For long, the military aircraft development and production in India have been the preserve of Indias DRDO and Defence Public Sector Undertaking (DPSU), the HAL. The recent contract for IAFs CASA C-295W broke that trend, and the contract was given to the private sector firm Tata Advanced Systems Limited (TASL). HAL has a huge captive order book of Indian armed forces aircraft. These include the LCA Mk1 and Mk2 variants, a variety of helicopters, trainers, aero-engines, and aircraft overhauls. DRDO Chief Kamat recently announced that ADA will select an AMCA production partner by year-end. It seeks private sector efficiency to avoid past defence delays. Private firms can participate in designing and engineering various components and subsystems of the AMCA. From structural elements like the fuselage and wings to specialised parts like composite panels, private companies are involved in producing numerous AMCA components. Firms with expertise in avionics, propulsion, stealth features, advanced materials, and electronic warfare can contribute to the integration of complex systems within the AMCA. Private companies can provide crucial support throughout the aircrafts lifecycle, including Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) services and spare parts supply. The private sector can support skill development and technological advancement. Their participation in the AMCA programme fosters the development of advanced manufacturing capabilities, high-precision machining, avionics, embedded software, and other critical technologies within the private sector. Consortium Approach Companies like TASL, Larsen & Toubro (L&T), Vem Technologies, and Alpha Tocol Engineering Services are already involved in manufacturing various components and assemblies for HALs projects and are well-positioned to play a significant role in AMCA development. Other players like Mahindra Defence, Bharat Forge, and Adani Defence are also big in defence production and expanding into aerospace manufacturing and likely to contribute to the AMCA supply chains. Even IT giants like Infosys, TCS, and Cyient have cleared technical evaluation for designing the AMCA stealth fighter airframe and subsystems, highlighting the broadening scope of private sector involvement. Private companies are known for their agility and efficiency, which can help speed up the design, development, and production phases of the AMCA programme. Increased private sector involvement fosters the growth of indigenous capabilities, reducing Indias dependence on foreign technology and boosting domestic aerospace expertise. Competition among private players can drive down costs and encourage innovation, leading to a more robust and advanced AMCA. The AMCA project, with its substantial investment and long-term scope, creates numerous job opportunities across various skill levels and contributes to the growth of Indias defence and aerospace industrial ecosystem. A good approach would be a consortium of private companies. Such an approach is being followed in most aircraft building programmes around the world. The F-22 Raptor was a joint programme between Lockheed Martin and Boeing. The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a joint initiative between the UK, Japan, and Italy-based companies. The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme includes Dassault Aviation, Airbus, Thales, Indra Sistemas, and EUMET, among others. Large corporates like TASL or L&T could be the prime contractor and the main integrator. Others with individual strengths could be partners. Companies with stealth technologies can focus on manufacturing radar-absorbing composites, designing stealth airframe parts, and engineering internal weapon systems crucial for maintaining low radar cross-sections for low electromagnetic signatures. Private players can engage in building AI-powered avionics, sensor fusion, advanced electronic warfare (EW) systems, net-centric capabilities, electronics, and sensor suites. Firms can contribute by developing engines, components, and technologies that enhance supersonic flight capabilities without afterburners and support thrust-vectoring systems for improved agility. With propulsion systems initially using GE F414 engines, private industry can participate in the co-production and supply of key engine components. Private companies can work on smart weapons. Companies in the aerospace supply chain can contribute precision components and machined parts and perform quality testing and certification services. The production of advanced alloys is another significant area for private sector involvement. Bharat Forge has strength in forgings. Private companies can engage in supplying parts, sub-assemblies, and specialised materials. In the LCA project, over 500 Indian companies, including MSMEs, are involved, indicating a broad and deep ecosystem of Tier-2 and Tier-3 suppliers. This collaborative approach, the dynamism and innovation of private firms, is expected to accelerate the development and production of Indias ambitious fifth-generation stealth fighter jet, contributing significantly to national security and self-reliance. Time to take calls quickly and get going, India. The writer is former Director General, Centre for Air Power Studies. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect Firstposts views. A Tesla shareholder has sued the company and Elon Musk for securities fraud, alleging misleading claims about its robotaxi technology. The lawsuit says Musks promises overstated safety and downplayed regulatory hurdles. A Tesla shareholder has filed a lawsuit in Texas, accusing the electric vehicle giant and its CEO Elon Musk of securities fraud, The Information has reported. The lawsuit claims that Tesla and Musk made false and misleading statements about the safety of their robotaxis and downplayed the level of regulatory scrutiny involved in deploying autonomous vehicles. Tesla launched its robotaxi service in Austin on June 22, but the vehicles still require a human safety monitor in the passenger seat and are confined to a small, geofenced part of the city. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Musks past promises under the scanner The 31-page complaint, filed late Monday, outlines several public statements made by Musk, arguing they were overly optimistic, misleading, and ultimately deceptive to shareholders. In 2023, Musk said, The trend is very clearly towards full self-driving, towards full autonomy. And I hesitate to say this, but I think well do it this year. However, Tesla has yet to deliver a fully autonomous system that doesnt require human supervision. In 2024, Musk called Teslas software a generalised solution, contrasting it with Waymos very localised approach. The lawsuit claims this misrepresented the competitive landscape, as Waymo now operates fully driverless robotaxi services in five US cities, including Austin and Los Angeles. In January 2025, Musk made his boldest claim yet, saying Tesla would launch unsupervised Full Self Driving as a paid service in Austin in June, with no one in the car. That launch has not materialised. Teslas current robotaxi operations in Austin and San Francisco still depend on human supervisors. Waymo pulls ahead While Tesla has struggled to meet its timelines, Waymo has surged ahead. The Google-backed company now offers driverless rides without safety drivers in multiple cities, outpacing Tesla in the autonomous vehicle race. Erratic robotaxi behaviour raises safety concerns Despite Teslas safety claims, several videos posted online show its robotaxis behaving unpredictably in Austin. The lawsuit cites a June 23 Bloomberg article titled Tesla Robotaxi Videos Show Speeding, Driving Into Wrong Lane, claiming the vehicles were violating traffic laws from the very first day. Another article, Tesla Robotaxi Incidents Draw Scrutiny From US Safety Agency, reports that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) contacted Tesla after videos on social media raised safety concerns. The lawsuit notes that news of these incidents contributed to a decline in Teslas stock price. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the company is reviewing flexible work guidelines, but emphasised that no decision has been made yet. An announcement had originally been considered for September, though the timeline remains fluid Microsoft is reportedly planning a significant overhaul of its remote work model, with a more rigid return-to-office (RTO) policy under discussion for certain teams as early as January 2025. This would mark a departure from the companys flexible hybrid arrangement, which has been in place since the pandemic and currently allows employees to work remotely up to 50 per cent of the time without special permission. Policy shift under review According to sources cited by Business Insider, Microsoft is weighing a mandate that would require most employees to be in the office at least three days per week. While the plan has not yet been finalised, internal discussions suggest Redmond, Washington, home to the companys global headquarters, could see the first phase of the rollout early next year. A Microsoft spokesperson confirmed that the company is reviewing flexible work guidelines, but emphasised that no decision has been made yet. An announcement had originally been considered for September, though the timeline remains fluid. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The move would place Microsoft in step with other tech giants like Amazon and AT&T, both of which have implemented stricter in-office attendance requirements in the past year. AT&Ts CEO, John Stankey, even warned staff that they must comply or leave the company. Changes follow deep job cuts This potential policy change comes on the heels of extensive internal restructuring. Microsoft has laid off more than 15,000 employees throughout 2024 across four rounds of job cuts, the most recent of which affected approximately 9,000 workers and was announced just last week. The reductions represent about 4% of Microsofts global workforce, which currently stands at around 2,28,000. In a note to staff, CEO Satya Nadella described the layoffs as one of the hardest choices the company has to make, acknowledging the emotional difficulty of parting ways with longtime colleagues. He thanked affected employees for their contributions, saying they had helped shape Microsofts current success. Aligning with industry trends If implemented, the updated RTO policy would further align Microsoft with a broader industry trend of pulling back from remote work. Since 2020, the company has been seen as a hybrid work advocate, but sources suggest that internal leniency has often extended beyond the official policy, with some teams operating almost entirely remotely. As Microsoft grapples with economic headwinds, strategic realignments, and shifting market demands, the potential change in workplace flexibility appears aimed at reinforcing internal cohesion and operational efficiency. Whether employees will embrace the change, however, remains an open question. In recent months, an anonymous Chinese blogger operating under the alias Lyrical Forest has rattled the foundations of Chinas state-subsidised literary establishment. Known for his meticulous side-by-side text comparisons, he has published a growing archive of cases where notable Chinese authors appear to have closely mirrored the works of international literary figures. From Ian McEwan to Albert Camus and Gabriel Garcia Marquez, the list of foreign authors allegedly plagiarised reads like a syllabus of global literatures greats. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Sanlian Life Weekly, this digital detective began his journey innocently reading childrens literature to his own child only to discover passages strikingly similar to those of Japanese author Naoko Yasubo. That discovery quickly led to further investigations and a broader campaign, culminating in widespread exposure of what many are now calling systemic plagiarism within the Chinese literary community. Silence of the literary establishment Despite the mounting evidence, Chinas literary elite has largely chosen to look the other way. Most of the authors implicatedincluding highly decorated writers published in leading journals such as Harvest, Peoples Literature and October have yet to respond to the accusations. Only one author, Sun Pin, has publicly apologised. The rest remain silent, with some issuing vague denials or sidestepping the issue entirely. Lyrical Forest, whose online following surged from 1,000 to over 6,000 within weeks, insists his aim is not personal vindication but rather a moral reckoning within the literary world. He told Sanlian Life Weekly that his work was about justice and protecting originality, not shaming individuals. Still, his revelations have been met with hostility by parts of the publishing community, with at least one editor reportedly pressuring him to delete his findings, framing the overlaps as mere coincidence. A crisis of confidence The scandal comes at a moment when public trust in Chinas cultural institutions is already fragile. The inaction of major literary journals has struck a nerve with readers, many of whom see their silence as complicity. As iNews pointed out, the only serious institutional response has come from Hong Kong Literature, which issued a rare and commendable statement acknowledging the problem, taking responsibility and pledging reform. In contrast, the mainlands major outlets have either ignored the scandal or subtly mocked the whistleblower. This divergence has only fuelled suspicion that Chinas literary spherelong subsidised and shaped by the state is more concerned with preserving its internal hierarchies than safeguarding artistic integrity. From copycat culture to amateur renaissance Chinas literary community is no stranger to allegations of copying. The case of Ye Weilin in the 1990s, who plagiarised Russian and Chinese writers before ultimately apologising, serves as a notable precedent. But what sets todays situation apart is both the scale of exposure and the digital tools available to track it. Free plagiarism checkers, online archives and widespread reader engagement have enabled a grassroots accountability movement that couldnt have existed a generation ago. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD This climate has sparked a resurgence of what some are calling amateur writing. Uncredentialed writers, many without formal literary backgrounds or publishing contracts, are gaining recognition online. According to commentary shared by Sanlian Life Weekly, many of these newcomers see the scandal as a clearing of the deck an opportunity to write without conforming to the industrys often insular, and now discredited, gatekeeping structures. Lyrical Forest himself is emblematic of this shift. Formerly employed in trend forecasting, he has no literary pedigree or professional ties to publishing. Yet his precise, methodical approach has outclassed the editorial oversight of entire magazines. He maintains that he never labels works as plagiarised outright, merely presenting the evidence and letting the public decide. Moral bankruptcy or institutional rot? For some observers, the scandal lays bare a deeper moral rot. As iNews put it, the literary world has ceased to be a sanctuary for talent, instead becoming a refuge for mediocrity propped up by mutual praise and prestige awards. Well-known authors like Mo Yan and Yu Hua, who have been associated with some of the plagiarists or praised their work, have remained conspicuously silent. The publication noted that the halo effect where the fame of an author shields them from scrutiny has created a space where even poorly written or unoriginal works are applauded. One particularly scathing remark described the literary scene as a granary covered with green hair, suggesting that the problem is no longer a few bad actors but a systemic decay. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In this context, plagiarism is not an aberration but a symptom of a literary culture that has lost its ethical compass. Institutions that should have served as arbiters of quality and guardians of originality are now seen by many as hollow facades, resistant to criticism and divorced from the very readers they claim to serve. Chinas broader copying controversy This literary scandal also taps into a long-running narrative about Chinas developmental model one often accused of thriving on imitation. From the replication of Western technological designs to military hardware and even cultural practices, the notion of China copying the West has become a trope in international discourse. Yet what makes this particular episode unique is that the accusation is coming from within. The bloggers, readers and amateur critics now challenging the establishment are not foreign observers but Chinese citizens disillusioned with the lack of originality in their national literature. Their frustration reflects a deeper cultural anxiety about authenticity, merit and moral integrity. An industry at a crossroads The fallout from the plagiarism scandal may well shape the future of Chinese literature. Will it provoke genuine reform, with greater accountability and openness to new voices? Or will the establishment continue its defensive crouch, banking on the short memory of the public? For now, Lyrical Forest continues his solitary battle, bolstered by a community of readers who value honesty over pedigree. Whether or not the industry listens, his work has exposed a truth many already suspected, that behind the facade of state-endorsed brilliance lies a fragile ecosystem one held together not by creativity, but by silence. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged In China, wait times for US visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the US, and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trumps administration has been pressuring US colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants social media accounts. The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on US universities and the nations economy may be significant. New international enrollment in the US could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the U.S. economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. Britain stands to gain as the US takes a massive hit As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The countrys new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional big four English-speaking destinations in higher education the US, UK, Canada and Australia. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the U.K. this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the US also reached nearly 8,000 students an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the UK grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the US, Canada and Europe. But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the UK is the one that is benefiting, he said. Staying in Asia is becoming more popular Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the US or UK. Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19, Kwong said. But obviously its been exacerbated by the change of administration in the US. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Some Asian families have told him the US is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for US visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a masters degree in the US. But she is also looking into other options just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs, said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the US, the citys leader John Lee has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the US and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost on institutional data and research. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Upheaval could be a boon for countries with satellite campuses Countries including the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the US. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubais private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the US for college. Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard, she said. But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying. Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped US universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. All of a sudden US colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access, Palm said, because you have students who want to come to the US and cant. With inputs from agencies The flash flood that swept through Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Tuesday was likely caused by a glacier collapse or a glacial lake outburst, not a cloudburst as first suspected, according to experts cited in a report. Houses and other structures being swept away in a flash flood triggered by a cloudburst at Dharali, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, August 5, 2025. PTI The flash flood that ravaged Dharali village in Uttarkashi on Tuesday was likely triggered by a glacier collapse or a glacial lake outburst, not a cloudburst as initially believed, The Times of India reported, citing experts analysing satellite imagery and meteorological data. As rescue operations continue, scientists are examining signs of a possible avalanche, glacier burst, or lake breach upstream that may have unleashed the sudden torrent. Rainfall figures recorded by the India Meteorological Department (IMD) cast doubt on the cloudburst theory. Harsil registered only 6.5 mm of rain on Tuesday, with a 24-hour total of 9 mm in Harsil and 11 mm in Bhatwari, far below the levels typically associated with cloudburst-triggered flooding. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Only very light to light rain was observed in the affected area over 24 hours, said Rohit Thapliyal, senior scientist at IMDs regional centre. The highest rainfall recorded anywhere in the district was just 27 mm at the district headquarters. Another IMD official told TOI, This amount of rainfall is too little to cause such severe flooding. It points to a high-impact event like a glacier burst or a GLOF (glacial lake outburst flood). According to the report, satellite images revealed large glaciers and at least two glacial lakes located directly above the affected region. There is a glacier right above the Kheer Gad stream. A sudden water releasewhether from a glacial lake outburst or a glacier burst, could easily trigger a high-energy flash flood, similar to the Raini disaster in Chamoli in February 2021, one of the scientists explained. The 2021 Raini tragedy was caused by a rock-ice avalanche, which led to catastrophic flooding that destroyed the Rishiganga hydel project, severely damaged the Tapovan-Vishnugad power plant, and killed more than 200 people. The Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology notes that Uttarakhand is home to 1,266 glacial lakes, ranging from small ponds to large reservoirs, many of which pose serious threats to downstream communities. The National Disaster Management Authority has identified 13 glacial lakes as high-risk, including five considered extremely dangerous. US President Donald Trump will likely fail in his mission to sell more American cars in Japan even after a trade deal. Thats because Japanese simply do not want to buy American cars that are simply not good enough for them tariffs or no tariffs. US President Donald Trump and Tesla-owner Elon Musk stand in front of a Tesla Cybertruck at the White House. (Photo: White House) Last month, US President Donald Trump announced a trade deal with Japan and hailed the opening of the countrys market to American cars. But Japan had not charged any tariff on the import of cars since 1970s. Japanese have never been enthusiastic about American cars not because of tariffs or any conspiracy, but because of a simple reason that they do not find American cars good enough for them. This is also not a new phenomenon borne out of the decline of American manufacturing sector. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Since World War II, the United States has been the principal ally of Japan the country was under complete US occupation till 1952. But that could never result in American cars becoming popular in Japan. Last year, top 10 car-sellers in Japan were all Japanese, with Toyota being the best-seller. Among American companies, Mercedes-Benz had a market share of around 1 per cent and General Motors and Tesla had a share of less than 1 per cent each. The condition for American companies has been such that Ford exited Japan altogether in 2016 after saying that it had no path to profitability in the country. But why dont Japanese want US cars? There are a host of practical, economic, and cultural reasons why Japanese do not prefer to buy American cars despite the absence of any tariffs. Firstly, Japanese customers prefer compact, fuel-efficient cars that suit Japans narrow roads and streets and tight parking spaces. American cars are usually larger and do not suit such conditions. Hence Japanese prefer domestic cars that are suited for such conditions. Secondly, Japanese cars are better than American cars when it comes to producing hybrid, fuel-efficient models. Thirdly, Japanese customers tend to be loyal to domestic brands like Toyota, Nissan, and Honda, and prefer them over foreign brands. Fourthly, Japan has high safety standards and many American cars simply do not meet them. Japan also has a right-side driving system as opposed to left-side driving system of the United States. This means that many American cars need to be modified, creating additional burden on buyers. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Fifthly, many American cars have servicing issues as service centres for such cars and the availability of spare parts and machinery can also be problematic. India has been punished with steep tariffs as Trump escalates economic pressure on countries trading with Russia, as Putin-Witkoff meeting, despite being described as constructive, appears to have yielded no breakthrough on the war in Ukraine US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi talk after bilateral talks at Hyderabad House in New Delhi, on February 25, 2020. File photo/Reuters Hours after President Donald Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff concluded a meeting in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Trump slapped 25% additional tariff on Indian imports, with analysts questioning whether the move signals frustration over stalled diplomacy with Moscow. The three-hour meeting, despite being described as constructive, appears to have yielded no breakthrough on the war in Ukraine. Amid these developments, India faced penalties for purchasing Russian oil, as President Trump believes its payments are indirectly helping fund Russias war effort in Ukraine. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In addition to the 25% tariff already set to take effect this Thursday, President Trump has announced an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, scheduled to be implemented later this month. Together, these measures will raise the total tariff on goods from India the worlds fifth-largest economy to a steep 50%, one of the highest US import duties currently in place. According to an executive order posted on the White House website, the move marks a sharp escalation in Trumps trade standoff with New Delhi and represents his first application of secondary sanctions targeting countries accused of supporting Russias war effort in Ukraine. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine, Trump wrote on social media earlier this week. Responding to Trumps tariff escalation, India defended its purchases of Russian oil. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Wednesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest, the statement added. It also hinted at potential retaliatory tariffs on American goods, saying that India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests, Meanwhile, Yuri Ushakov, Putins top foreign policy adviser, called the talks useful, but stopped short of suggesting any major progress, according to an Associated Press report. Witkoff was also seen walking through Zaryadye Park with Kirill Dmitriev, Russias envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Dmitriev who has played a key role in recent Russia-Ukraine and Russia-US backchannel diplomacy later posted on X that dialogue will prevail. However, the substance of that dialogue remains unclear, and key players admit that negotiations have stalled. Despite the diplomatic efforts, Russian airstrikes in Ukraine have escalated. Just hours before the Witkoff-Putin meeting, Russian forces struck a recreation center in Ukraines Zaporizhzhia region, killing two and injuring twelve including children in attacks condemned by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as cruelty to intimidate. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On Tuesday, Trump hinted at new economic measures when asked about tariffs on countries still purchasing Russian oil. Well see what happens, he was quoted as saying. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. Were going to make a determination at that time, he had indicated. Although the White House has not officially linked the tariff decision to Indias continued energy ties with Moscow, the timing has fueled speculation that the move is a signal of Trumps dissatisfaction with the Putin-Witkoff talks. Putin has remained defiant, showcasing new hypersonic missile capabilities and lifting a moratorium on deploying nuclear-capable intermediate-range missiles. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev even warned of a potential US-Russia military conflict, prompting Trump to reposition two US nuclear submarines. With Russia refusing to halt its offensive and US sanctions failing to deter Moscows strategy, Trumps latest tariff threat could reflect a pivot toward economic pressure on third-party countries like India a move that could reshape geopolitical alliances and deepen the global divide over the Ukraine conflict. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD With inputs from agencies Ghanas defence and environment ministers were killed in a helicopter crash Wednesday, the presidency said, hours after the armed forces reported a chopper carrying three crew and five passengers dropped off the radar. This is an AI generated image for representational purpose. Ghanas presidency confirmed on Wednesday that the countrys defence and environment ministers were killed in a helicopter crash, just hours after the military reported losing contact with a chopper carrying eight people, including three crew members. Footage aired by Joy News earlier in the day showed burning wreckage in a dense forested region, before it was officially confirmed that Edward Omane Boamah and Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were among those who died. Boamah, who was appointed as defence minister earlier this year following President John Mahamas inauguration in January, had been overseeing the countrys defence portfolio amid rising jihadist threats along Ghanas northern border with Burkina Faso. Ghana, unlike neighbouring Togo and Benin, has so far managed to avoid direct jihadist attacks, though experts have raised concerns about growing weapons smuggling and militant movements across the border. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Muhammed served as minister of environment, science and technology. Local media reports indicated that the helicopter was en route to an event focused on illegal miningan escalating environmental concern in the countrywhen it crashed. All on board perished in the incident. The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country, said Mahamas chief of staff Julius Debrah. Boamah was leading Ghanas defence ministry at a time when jihadist activity across its northern border in Burkina Faso has become increasingly restive. While Ghana has so far avoided a jihadist spillover from the Sahel unlike neighbours Togo and Benin observers have warned of increased arms trafficking and of militants from Burkina Faso crossing the porous border to use Ghana as a rear base. A medical doctor by training, Boamahs career in government included stints as communications minister during Mahamas previous 2012-2017 tenure. Before that, he was the deputy minister for environment. Mahama was down, down emotionally, Haruna Iddrisu, Ghanas education minister, told reporters outside the presidency after news broke of the crash. Illegal mining The Ghanaian Armed Forces had reported earlier Wednesday that an air force helicopter had fallen off radar after taking off from Accra just after 9:00 am local time (0900 GMT). It had been headed towards the town of Obuasi, northwest of the capital. The statement had said that three crew and five passengers were aboard, without specifying at the time that the ministers were among them. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Ghanas deputy national security coordinator and former agriculture minister, was among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, vice chairman of Mahamas National Democratic Congress party. Muhammed, the environment minister, was at the helm as the country battles a scourge of illegal, informal gold mining that has ravaged farmlands and contaminated water. Galamsey, as the practice is locally known, has been threatening cocoa production in particular and became a major issue in the election that saw Mahama elected last year. The establishment earlier this year of the Ghana Gold Board and the banning of foreigners from the local gold trade were seen as the first concrete signs of a crackdown on the practice by the new administration. As Ghana has pursued increased diplomacy with Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger all ruled by juntas who have broken with the ECOWAS west African regional bloc Boamah led a delegation to Ouagadougou in May. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He had been set to release a book titled A Peaceful Man in an African Democracy, about former president John Atta Mills, who died in 2012. All flags were to be flown at half-mast, Debrah said, while the presidency said Mahama had cancelled his official activities for the day. With inputs from agencies If buying Russian oil is Trumps big problem with India, China buys even more. Like India, China is also negotiating a trade deal with the US. If Indias Russia oil buy has ended in a Trump executive order with 25 percent additional tariff, it is fair to expect a similar one for China too. We took a crack at making things easy for Trump by replacing India with China. Heres what the EO looks like: US President Donald Trumps administration has drawn criticism for imposing additional tariffs on India over its continued imports of Russian oil while letting China by far the largest purchaser of Russian energy off the hook. Indias Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) condemned the move, calling it unfair, unjustified and unreasonable, especially since Indias purchases are based on market realities and the need to secure energy for 1.4 billion people. China has emerged as the No. 1 overall buyer of Russian energy, having purchased a staggering $219.5 billion worth of Russian oil, gas and coal since the European Unions boycott of Russian seaborne oil from January 2023. In 2024 alone, China imported $62.6 billion in Russian oil, far exceeding Indias $52.7 billion. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Yet, Trumps latest executive order specifically targets India, imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, pushing total duties up to 50%. Meanwhile, China continues negotiating a trade deal with the US and in April, Trump even announced a 90-day pause on any new tariffs against Beijing. If buying Russian oil is Trumps big problem with India, China buys even more. Like India, China is also negotiating a trade deal with the US. If Indias Russia oil buy has ended in a Trump executive order with 25 percent additional tariff, it is fair to expect a similar one for China too. We took a crack at making things easy for Trump by replacing India with China. Heres what the EO looks like: Statement of White House - By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order: Section 1. Background. Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022 (Prohibiting Certain Imports and New Investments With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine), expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation), to include the actions taken against Ukraine by the Government of the Russian Federation. To address that unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, Executive Order 14066 prohibited, among other things, the importation into the United States of certain products of Russian Federation origin, including crude oil; petroleum; and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine. After considering this additional information, among other things, I find that the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 continues and that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of China, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. In my judgment, imposing tariffs, as described below, in addition to maintaining the other measures taken to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, will more effectively deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 2. Imposition of Tariffs. (a) I find that the Government of China is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. (b) Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of China imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent. Subject to section 3 of this order, this rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order; and (2) are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 17, 2025. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 3. Scope of Duties and Stacking. (a) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall be in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports, unless subject to existing or future actions under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, in which case the ad valorem duty imposed in this order shall not apply. (b) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are excepted by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b). (c) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are set forth in Annex II to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended. (d) The ad valorem duty imposed in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, shall apply in addition to the ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order, when applicable pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 14257. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (e) Except for those articles that are eligible for admission under domestic status as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, articles that are subject to the duty imposed in section 2 of this order and are admitted into a foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order must be admitted as privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41. Sec. 4. Modification Authority. (a) To ensure that the emergency described in section 1 of this order is dealt with, I may modify this order, including in light of additional information, recommendations from senior officials, or changed circumstances. (b) Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered. (c) Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sec. 5. Monitoring and Recommendations. (a) The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. If the Secretary of Commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (b) The Secretary of State shall monitor and regularly consult with any senior official the Secretary of State deems appropriate on the emergency described in section 1 of this order. (c) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend to me additional action, if necessary, if the actions in this order are not effective in resolving the emergency described in section 1 of this order or should the Government of the Russian Federation or another foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to the actions taken in this order or any subsequent order issued to address the emergency described in section 1 of this order. Sec. 6. Delegation. (a) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order. The Secretary of State may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of State. Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to carry out this order. (b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission, shall determine whether modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are necessary to effectuate this order and may make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register. (c) U.S. Customs and Border Protection may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer a duty imposed by this order or any action taken pursuant to this order. Sec. 7. Definitions. For the purposes of this order: (a) The term Russian Federation oil means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from the Russian Federation, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products. (b) The term indirectly importing includes purchasing Russian Federation oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Russia, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury. Sec. 8. Severability. If any provision of this order or the application of any provision of this order to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected. Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. (d) The costs for publication of this order shall be borne by the Department of State. India on Tuesday strongly objected to the United States move to impose additional tariffs over its oil imports from Russia, calling the decision unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India on Tuesday strongly objected to the United States move to impose additional tariffs over its oil imports from Russia, calling the decision unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said, The United States has in recent days targeted Indias oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest, the statement said. India reiterated that it would take all necessary measures in response. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests, the MEA added. The statement came after the Trump administration on Wednesday imposed 25% as additional tariffs on Indian goods, taking the total tariffs to 50%. The move was linked to Indias continued energy dealings with Russia. The new tariffs are set to take effect within 21 days of the orders signing, meaning by August 27. Iran has executed a man working in a sensitive organisation for passing on nuclear secrets to Israel, according to state media. A noose is seen as people hold Iranian flags during a protest on the day of the Munich Security Conference, in Munich, Germany, February 17, 2023. (Representative Photo, Credit: Reuters) Iran executed a man on Wednesday convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed in Israels June attacks on the Islamic Republic, the judiciarys news outlet Mizan reported. The report said the man, named Rouzbeh Vadi, had worked in one of Irans important and sensitive organisations, without going into further detail. Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel has significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The report said Vadi had committed a wide range of crimes against the countrys internal and external security which have caused severe disruption to public order. Israel launched 12 days of air strikes in June, targeting Irans top generals and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with barrages of missiles and drones. (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Donald Trump has accused banking giants JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America (BofA) of politically motivated discrimination, claiming they debanked him and others for being conservative Trump has alleged biased treatment from banks in the US. File image/AP Donald Trump is once again at the centre of controversy. This time, its for what appears to be a personal crusade against major American banks that allegedly turned down his business earlier. In recent days, the president has accused banking giants JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America (BofA) of politically motivated discrimination, claiming they debanked him and others for being conservative. But as Trump pushes for federal action against such institutions, a more fundamental question is unanswered: is this about ideological bias, or is Trump retaliating for being denied loans? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump alleges political bias During a recent interview on CNBC, Trump claimed JPMorgan Chase gave him 20 days to close his accounts, despite a decades-long banking relationship. They told me I had 20 days to get out, he said. As for BofA, Trump recounted that after leaving the White House, he tried to deposit a substantial amount of money into an account but was flatly refused. Brian [Moynihan, CEO of BofA] was kissing my ass when I was president, Trump said, adding: And he said, We cant do it. No, we cant do it. So I went to another one, another one, another one. I ended up going to small banks all over the place. Trump framed these rejections as part of a campaign by financial institutions to debank conservatives. He accused federal regulators of colluding with banks to target him and his political allies, claiming this is evidence of systemic discrimination. White House response or Trumps personal vendetta? The Presidents remarks have not remained just rhetoric. The White House, reportedly under pressure from Trump allies and conservative lawmakers, is preparing an executive order that would direct regulators to investigate banks accused of political bias. The draft order, expected to be signed soon, could trigger probes under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act and other statutes, potentially leading to penalties against banks found to have dropped customers for political reasons. This political mobilisation, however, brings up questions. Is Trump genuinely motivated by concern for free speech and political fairness in banking, or is he using his position to retaliate against institutions that refused to do business with him? The banks involved have pushed back. Both JPMorgan and Bank of America deny any politically motivated decisions. JPMorgan called for regulatory clarity, saying policy ambiguity had harmed all sides. Bank of America similarly insisted it does not close accounts based on politics and welcomed clearer guidance from authorities. Still, the language Trump uses seems unmistakably personal. His naming of specific CEOs, his emphasis on being denied service after leaving office, and his repeated anecdotes of trying one bank after another paint a picture of a man who feels slighted, and is using his political clout to settle scores. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Other claims of political debanking While conservative figures and cryptocurrency advocates have claimed that banks have dropped them unfairly, hard evidence remains sparse. Regulators and financial institutions generally point to compliance concerns, reputational risk, or anti-money laundering standards when closing accounts rather than political ideology. The Federal Reserve itself removed reputational risk as a formal factor in bank supervision in June 2025, after concerns it could be misused. That move came amid growing pressure from Trump-aligned legislators who claimed banks had been weaponising the concept against conservative and controversial clients. Nonetheless, Trumps personal claims about being denied service by major banks remain anecdotal and unsupported by documentation. No timelines, letters, or specific financial transactions have been publicly disclosed. That hasnt stopped the president from leveraging the situation to rally support from his base, which has long distrusted elite institutions, including Wall Street. Trumps offensive against Americas largest banks is being framed as a battle for political fairness, but his own words suggest a far more personal motivation. The alleged refusal of service from JPMorgan and BofA, paired with his colourful language about being rebuffed by top executives, lends credibility to the view that this is less about widespread discrimination and more about grievance. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD President Donald Trump says Israel must decide on Gaza occupation as he focusses on humanitarian aid As Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu pushes for the full military occupation of Gaza, President Donald Trump has avoided taking a definitive position, stating that the decision is pretty much up to Israel. His comments, made during a time of rising conflict, global criticism and a deepening humanitarian crisis in the area, show his administrations effort to balance diplomacy with political strategy in a tense region. Focus on humanitarian aid, not strategy During a press interaction, Trump was asked whether he supported the possibility of Israel reoccupying the entire Gaza Stripa scenario reportedly being considered by Netanyahu and his inner circle. Rather than addressing the question directly, Trump deflected, focussing instead on US efforts to deliver humanitarian aid. He emphasised the urgency of addressing hunger in Gaza, referencing a $60 million US aid package intended to support food distribution. Trump said that Israel, along with Arab states, would be assisting in both the financing and logistics of food aid, though he offered no concrete details. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Netanyahus push for full occupation Trumps remarks come as reports surface suggesting Netanyahu is leaning toward a full military takeover of Gaza. According to Israeli media and officials cited by The Independent, Netanyahu met with senior security figures to discuss extending Israel Defence Forces (IDF) control over the entire enclave. Military Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir presented various strategic options for expanding the ongoing campaign, though final decisions had not yet been publicly confirmed. This strategic shift, if implemented, would mark a dramatic escalation and possibly the reversal of Israels 2005 disengagement from Gaza, when it withdrew settlers and military personnel while maintaining control of the territorys borders. Mounting internal and external criticism Despite Netanyahus hardline approach, his proposal faces considerable backlasheven from within Israel. Former heads of Israeli security agencies, including Shin Bet and Mossad, have warned that the idea of total occupation is both unrealistic and dangerous. Yoram Cohen, former chief of Shin Bet, described the plan as a fantasy, arguing that it is impossible to eliminate every militant while simultaneously ensuring the safe return of hostages. There are also reports of friction between Netanyahu and top military officials, including Zamir, with some in the military wary of escalating operations while many soldiers are fatigued and the fate of hostages remains uncertain. A source cited by The Independent noted that the IDF is already in control of about 75 per cent of Gaza but faces dwindling morale and increasing casualties. Hostage crisis and international pressure The hostage situation remains one of the central challenges of the war. Since the October 7, 2023 Hamas-led attack, which saw 251 individuals abducted, Israel believes 59 remain captive, with at least 35 feared dead. Recent Hamas-released videos of emaciated hostages, allegedly due to Israels blockade of humanitarian aid, have further inflamed public opinion both inside and outside Israel. These disturbing images sparked mass protests in Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, with demonstrators demanding urgent action to bring the hostages home and end the war. International leaders have echoed these concerns, calling for a renewed push toward ceasefire negotiations. Trumps prior Gaza proposal Earlier in the conflict, Trump himself floated the controversial idea of a US takeover of Gazaa suggestion widely condemned globally. That proposal has since faded from political discourse, but Trumps current stancehighlighting aid over strategyseems designed to avoid reigniting similar backlash. Trumps hands-off position may reflect a calculated effort to maintain relations with Israels leadership while not appearing to endorse a prolonged war effort. His emphasis on humanitarian concernsspecifically food insecurityalso serves to position the US as a moral actor amid a mounting humanitarian disaster. Gaza in ruins and starvation on the rise Meanwhile, the humanitarian situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. According to Reuters, approximately 60 per cent of the Strips buildings have been damaged or destroyed. A UN-backed food security agency warns that famine conditions are becoming a grim reality. Trump himself has acknowledged real starvation in the region, declaring the images coming out of Gaza to be undeniable. Yet Israel maintains that there are no restrictions on humanitarian aid and places the blame on Hamas for the suffering. However, reports from Jordan indicate that warehouses full of aid have remained undelivered due to Israeli blockades reimposed in March. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD UN Special Rapporteur Michael Fakhri has strongly condemned the situation, accusing Israel of deliberately engineering starvation. In an interview with The Guardian, Fakhri described the Israeli military strategy as a crime against humanity, stating that the starvation campaign was meticulously designed. Political stakes for Netanyahu Netanyahu is under pressure from the far-right factions within his coalition, some of whom are advocating for the reestablishment of Jewish settlements in Gaza. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has claimed that such plans are no longer hypothetical but actionable. The reoccupation of Gaza would not only be a strategic shift but also a symbolic victory for right-wing settlers who have long opposed the 2005 disengagement. One Israeli source told The Independent that the conflict has become a means of political survival for cNetanyahu, noting that the public and military are exhausted and sceptical of further escalation. What lies ahead As the crisis deepens, the international community continues to push for a negotiated settlement. The US remains engaged in indirect diplomacy, though ceasefire talks recently stalled after Hamas responded unfavourably to a proposed deal involving a 60-day truce and phased release of hostages. Trumps insistence that the decision to occupy Gaza lies solely with Israel distances his administration from direct responsibility for the wars trajectory, even as it remains deeply involved in humanitarian and diplomatic efforts. Whether this hands-off approach will prove effectiveor morally defensibleremains to be seen as the human cost of the conflict continues to mount. The diplomatic relations between India and Philippines was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Philippines President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr lauded Indias Operation Sindoor as a demonstration of how military preparedness and joint exercises are vital for regional security, calling it a clear signal of the need for a like-minded coalition to uphold global borders. In an interview with Firstpost, Marcos said his ongoing India visit has taken bilateral ties to a new phase, with defence cooperation firmly on the table, including the procurement of more BrahMos missiles. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD WATCH: Exclusive: Philippine President on Ties with India, China, US & Trump | Marcos on Firstpost | N18G Calling Prime Minister Narendra Modi a very impressive man, Marcos said their meeting underscored shared strategic goals, especially in countering unilateral actions in the Indo-Pacific. He emphasised that the Philippines is not preparing for war but responding to existing challenges. Everything is on the table, he said, referring to modernisation of the military. He noted that Indias performance during Operation Sindoor had prompted the Philippines to seek further defence engagement, adding, We contacted counterparts in India the system worked very well, no doubt. India and the Philippines on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr agreeing for expeditious conclusion of the negotiations of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the Philippines for further promotion of mutual trade. The two countries agreed to enhance defence cooperation, with President Marcos thanking PM Modi for cooperation in the area of defence industry and export of platforms, including the BrahMos. The diplomatic relationship between the two countries was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Economic and commercial engagement is an important aspect of the India-Philippines bilateral relationship. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached 3.5 billion USD in 2023-24. There is a notable presence of Indian companies in the Philippines, in the areas of IT and ITES, health-care and pharmaceuticals, textiles, infrastructure, FMCG, chemicals, automobiles, agriculture, among others. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will be offering free e-visas to Filipino tourists, in a reciprocal move following the Philippines decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China later this month to attend the SCO Summit. This will be his first visit to China since the clash at Galwan Valley in Ladakh in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and China's President Xi Jinping. Many experts note that China and India are striking the same defiant note against Trump. File image/Reuters Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China to attend the SCO Summit from August 31 to September 1 in the city of Tianjin. This will be Modis first visit to China since the India-China relations nosedived in 2020 with the border standoff in Ladakh, particularly after the clash at Galwan Valley in which 20 Indian soldiers were killed in a Chinese attack. Modi will first visit Japan on August 30 and will then travel to China to attend the SCO Summit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In recent months, India and China have been working to improve the bilateral relationship, which has led to a number of decisions, such as the partial resolution of the standoff in Ladakh, the resumption of the Kailash-Mansarovar pilgrimage, and India resuming the grant of tourist visa to Chinese nationals. However, the India-China relationship remains far from smooth and tensions dominate bilateral ties. Chinas actions have shown that it is not yet ready to normalise ties with India. For example, China has restricted the supply of rare earths to India even as it is providing rare earths to others. Similarly, China has also restricted the supply of speciality fertilisers to India. Moreover, the SCO has repeatedly failed to address Indias concerns on security and terrorism even though the SCO is supposed to have a special focus on transnational security challenges. Notably, earlier this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh refused to sign a joint statement at a SCO ministerial summit because the joint statement did not condemn the Pahalgam attack in which Pakistani terrorists killed 26 people in Jammu and Kashmir. Chinas support to Indias adversaries has also not just persisted but apparently intensified lately. For example, during the India-Pakistan conflict in May, deputy army chief Lieutenant General Rahul R Singh has said that China was providing all possible support to Pakistan, including real-time intelligence. However, in the wake of the spiralling India-US relationships, analysts have said that India should stabilise other contentious front, such as the ties with Pakistan and China, so that it is better positioned to deal with the disruption caused by US President Donald Trumps actions. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Why does India engage with SCO? Even though SCOs counter-terror programme, the Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (RATS), has been of no use to India for its security concerns, Indias presence there has enabled it a voice at the table that counters the dominance China and Russia, which is critical for a country that wishes to build a major power status regionally and globally, Anushka Saxena, a China researcher at the Takshashila Institute, previously told Firstpost. Moreover, Saxena said that India works as a counter-balancing force within the group. Similarly, in the SCO, Indias role as a disruptor is vital. If China and Russia continue to propagate the idea that these groupings are anti-West, Indias presence becomes necessary to maintain the balance and act as a bridge with the West, said Saxena. In the second mass abduction in Nigeria within a week, armed groups have abducted at least 45 women in Zamfara state. Armed groups, including the jihadist outfit Boko Haram, have frequently abducted hundreds of women in the country in recent years. Nigerian military ride on their truck as they secure the area around the Polo area of Maiduguri, Nigeria, February 16, 2019. (Representative Photo, Credit: Afolabi Sotunde/Reuters) Gunmen abducted at least 45 women and children in an overnight raid on five villages in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in the second mass kidnapping in the area within days. The attackers returned to Sabongarin Damri on Monday and raided nearby villages including Sade, Tungar Tsalle, Tungar Sodangi and Tungar Musa Dogo, in an assault that lasted until dawn, Shehu Musa, the traditional head of Damri, told Reuters by phone late on Tuesday. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The incident followed a separate mass abduction in Sabongarin Damri, in Zamfara state, on Saturday in which 70 people were taken. The attackers invaded the communities and kidnapped no fewer than 45 people from the five neighbouring villages, which are less than half a kilometre apart, Musa said. Armed groups, often referred to locally as bandits, have killed hundreds and abducted thousands across Nigerias northwest in recent years. They typically hold captives for extended periods, demanding ransoms for their release. Security forces engaged the assailants during Mondays attack, killing three, but were unable to stop the bandits from fleeing with hostages and rustling cattle. Civilian casualties were reported, though the number of fatalities was unconfirmed. They mostly kidnapped women and children after killing some of our people, said Hassan Dauda, a resident of Tungar Tsalle. As Im speaking to you now, some residents have started fleeing their community due to fear. Separately, Boko Haram militias attacked the remote Kennari village, in the Damasak area of the northeastern Borno state, on Monday, abducting at least 15 people and killing one person, according to a security report seen by Reuters. Modu Bukar, a resident, said the assailants killed the village head and demanded a 30 million naira ($19,650) ransom for the release of the captives. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Pakistans Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir is set to travel to the United States to attend the farewell ceremony of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, according to Pakistani media reports Pakistans Chief of Army Staff General Asim Munir is set to travel to the United States to attend the farewell ceremony of US Central Command (CENTCOM) Commander General Michael E. Kurilla, according to Pakistani media reports. Pakistan Media Reports: Pakistan Army Chief Asim Munir is headed to the United States to attend the farewell event for US Central Command @CENTCOM Commander General Michael E. Kurilla at Tampa, Florida. This will be second visit of Asim Munir to United States in last two months. Aditya Raj Kaul (@AdityaRajKaul) August 6, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The event is scheduled to take place in Tampa, Florida, where CENTCOM is headquartered. This marks General Munirs second visit to the US in the past two months, underscoring ongoing military and strategic engagement between the two countries. During his visit to the United States in June, Munir held a two-hour lunch meeting with US President Donald Trump at the White House a historic first, as no senior Pakistani civilian officials were present during the engagement. The meeting came just weeks after India dismantled terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) in response to Pakistan-backed Pahalgam terror attck, raising tensions in the region. According to sources, discussions focused on trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency. However, regional security remained a key topic. President Trump commended General Munirs role in de-escalating the crisis between India and Pakistan, stating, The reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In turn, General Munir reportedly said Trump deserved to be nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize for averting nuclear war between the two South Asian neighbors. Trump has been claiming credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10, ending the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. However, India has said that no foreign leader was involved in the ceasefire, and New Delhi and Islamabad reached an understanding following DGMO-level talks. With inputs from agencies Despite falling short on key revenue goals, including provincial savings and FBR collections, Pakistan surpasses IMFs primary surplus target, boosting chances for next loan tranche Pakistan has missed three out of the five targets set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the second review of the $7 billion bailout package, according to a report on Wednesday. According to The Express Tribune report, citing fiscal operations summary released by the Ministry of Finance, the provinces fell short of saving the targeted PKR 1.2 trillion in the last fiscal year, which ended in June, due to a rise in expenditures. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) fell short of meeting two major targets last fiscal year: collecting PKR 12.3 trillion in total revenues and raising PKR 50 billion from retailers under the Tajir Dost Scheme. Despite these shortfalls, Pakistan achieved a key milestone by generating a primary budget surplus of PKR 2.4 trillion, supported by revenue contributions from all four provinces. This marks the second consecutive year of a primary surplus and the highest recorded in 24 years, exceeding the target set by the IMF, added the report. According to the report, the finance ministry tried hard to stay on the fiscal path, but the setback came from the provincial capitals, which were not under the control of the federal government. The overall fiscal deficit also reduced to 5.4 per cent of GDP or PKR 6.2 trillion, which was well below both the original target of 5.9 per cent. The finance secretary kept a tight check on the expenditure throughout the fiscal year. IMF conditions The $7 billion IMF bailout package comes with around 50 conditions, some of which are reviewed quarterly and annually, and are directly tied to the disbursement of loan tranches. While the government has achieved a degree of fiscal stability, official data reveals that net federal revenues fell short by PKR 1.2 trillioninsufficient to cover just two major expenses: interest payments and defence. The remainder of government spending continues to be financed through additional borrowing. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Despite these challenges, the federal government exceeded its primary surplus target, reporting a surplus of PKR 2.7 trillionequivalent to 2.4% of GDPsurpassing the IMFs benchmark, according to the Finance Ministry. The provincial governments had given the understanding to the IMF and the federal government to generate PKR 1.2 trillion cash surpluses. However, the four provinces collectively generated a cash surplus of PKR 921 billion, missing the IMF target by PKR 280 billion. The FBR failed to collect any significant revenue under the Tajir Dost Scheme against the target of PKR 50 billion for the last fiscal year. Despite these shortfalls, the government is unlikely to face serious hurdles during the upcoming review talks expected to begin next month for the release of the next $1 billion tranche, due to progress on other critical benchmarks, the report said. The $7 billion package was agreed last year, and it has been instrumental in stabilising the economy of the country. With inputs from agencies Philippines President Marcos Jr says Manila cant stay out of a Taiwan conflict and stresses need for coalitions to counter threats in Indo-Pacific. Amid growing tensions in the Taiwan Strait, Philippines President Ferdinand Bongbong Marcos Jr has said his country cannot stay out if a conflict breaks out between China and Taiwan, adding that the Philippines would be drawn into it to protect its citizens. Speaking exclusively to Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma during his visit to India, Marcos highlighted the urgent need for strategic partnerships with like-minded nations including India to ensure regional security. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD If there is an all-out war, we will be drawn into it. We will have to go into Taiwan and bring our people home, Marcos said, adding the Philippines large expatriate population in Taiwan. WATCH: Exclusive: Philippine President on Ties with India, China, US & Trump | Marcos on Firstpost | N18G Marcos comments come at a time of intensifying maritime tensions in the South China Sea and growing global concern over a potential military flashpoint in the Indo-Pacific. Strengthening ties with India Describing his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a new beginning, a new phase in bilateral ties, Marcos said the strategic partnership between India and the Philippines has been taken up a notch. He praised Indias defence capabilities, especially its successful Operation Sindoor and the performance of the BrahMos missile system. We contacted counterparts in India. We wanted to know how it was used. The system worked very well, no doubt, he said, confirming that the Philippines is in the process of procuring more BrahMos missiles. Everything is on the table, he added, indicating interest in further purchases of jets and naval equipment. While Marcos clarified that the Philippines is not preparing for war, he said that upgrading military hardware and ensuring interoperability with regional partners is vital. We are only reacting to the challenges we are facing. Military exercises and cross-training are very important, he said. A coalition of like-minded nations Without directly naming China, Marcos stressed the importance of forming a global coalition of nations that respect international laws and reject unilateral changes to borders. No one country can stand up for principles alone. We need a coalition, he said. On the idea of an Asian NATO, Marcos said ASEAN may not be sufficient to tackle all regional challenges. One country cannot alone solve global challenges, he said, adding that the Philippines welcomes Indias increasing presence in the Indo-Pacific. US ties and Taiwan conflict Marcos expressed confidence that the United States would remain committed to defending the Philippines, regardless of the outcome of the upcoming US presidential election. He described the US-Philippines alliance as ironclad and acknowledged former President Donald Trumps role in coining that term. Pressed on whether the Philippines would allow the US to use its military bases in a Taiwan contingency, Marcos said: Why should we turn down partners who face the Chinese threat? We are not acting as a puppet state. It is our duty to defend our country. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On China and regional diplomacy While he acknowledged that Beijing was mentioned during his talks with Modi, Marcos said, We are not against anyone; we are for defending our territory. He added that China can be trusted in the sense that they are clear about what they want, but warned against allowing territorial disputes to dominate bilateral relations. We want to avoid a shooting war a misunderstanding can blow up into something bigger. We want to cool rhetoric and keep communication lines open, he said. On Gaza and global crises In rare comments on the war in Gaza, Marcos said the humanitarian toll is unacceptable and called for stronger international action. The death, destruction and starvation should not be happening in this day and age. If the US stops sending weapons, there would be a big drop in attacks, he said. Reflecting on the global picture, Marcos said that uncertainty is the worst thing for the economy and advised nations to negotiate hard and remain agile in their diplomacy, especially when dealing with major powers like the US and China. The diplomatic relations between India and Philippines was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Philippines President Bongbong Marcos called for the formation of a global coalition of like-minded states with shared values to counter the growing threat posed by Chinas assertive actions in disputed waters. In an interview with Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma during his visit to India, Marcos Jr also warned against attempts to alter territorial boundaries unilaterally, saying, Any unilateral attempt to change boundaries must be opposed. Everything is on the table when it comes to the modernisation of our military, Marcos said, adding, We are looking at what is suitable for our defence needs. We are reacting to the challenges we are getting. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD WATCH: Exclusive: Philippine President on Ties with India, China, US & Trump | Marcos on Firstpost | N18G Replying to a question if Philippines Marcos Jr said on Tuesday that his government remains open to acquiring India-made defence systems including the BrahMos missile as part of efforts to modernise the countrys military and respond to growing regional security challenges. The Philippines is currently pursuing a military modernisation programme to strengthen its deterrence capabilities, especially in the face of rising tensions in the South China Sea. The country became the first foreign buyer of the BrahMos supersonic cruise missile in 2022 and is reportedly exploring further defence collaborations with India. President Marcos reaffirmed his commitment to national security, saying, It is my duty to defend the country. India and the Philippines on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr agreeing for expeditious conclusion of the negotiations of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the Philippines for further promotion of mutual trade. The two countries agreed to enhance defence cooperation, with President Marcos thanking PM Modi for cooperation in the area of defence industry and export of platforms, including the BrahMos. The diplomatic relationship between the two countries was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Economic and commercial engagement is an important aspect of the India-Philippines bilateral relationship. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached 3.5 billion USD in 2023-24. There is a notable presence of Indian companies in the Philippines, in the areas of IT and ITES, health-care and pharmaceuticals, textiles, infrastructure, FMCG, chemicals, automobiles, agriculture, among others. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will be offering free e-visas to Filipino tourists, in a reciprocal move following the Philippines decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals. The diplomatic relations between India and Philippines was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Philippines President Bongbong Marcos has said that his country is open to purchasing more BrahMos missiles and other military equipment from India, stressing that everything is on the table when it comes to the modernisation of the Philippines armed forces. In an interview with Firstpost Managing Editor Palki Sharma during his visit to India, Marcos described the trip as very productive and said the relationship with India is entering a new phase as part of efforts to build a strategic partnership. We are reacting to the challenges we are getting, he said. It is my duty to defend the country. WATCH: Exclusive: Philippine President on Ties with India, China, US & Trump | Marcos on Firstpost | N18G On the potential for further defence purchases, including fighter jets and naval platforms, Marcos said, We must upgrade our equipment to be interoperable with partners. All our options are on the table. He confirmed that the Philippines is in the process of procuring additional BrahMos missiles and that his government had contacted Indian counterparts to understand how the system was deployed effectively in recent conflicts. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Marcos also praised Indias performance in Operation Sindoor, saying it demonstrated the importance of joint drills and the need for a coalition of like-minded nations. Coalition to uphold global norms While asserting that the Philippines was not preparing for war, Marcos made it clear that his country is strengthening military preparedness in response to regional challengesmost notably, Chinas actions in the South China Sea. We are not against anyone. We are for defending our territory, he said, adding that any unilateral attempt to alter boundaries must be opposed. He warned of the risks of escalation due to some guy pressing the wrong button, and underlined the need for open communication lines. Calling for a global coalition, Marcos said: One country cannot alone solve global challenges. We need a coalition of like-minded countries that share our values and adhere to global laws. He also welcomed Indias growing role in the Indo-Pacific. India ramping up presence in the region is a good thing. It shows we are concerned about peace and security in the South China Sea. The problem there will affect global commerce and trade. Asked if New Delhi can be a primary weapons supplier for the Philippines, Marcos replied, I have no doubt. Indian equipment has good quality and performance. On China: Firm but pragmatic While acknowledging that China came up during his talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Marcos said the conversation was tangential. He emphasised that Manila was not a puppet state and that its alliances were driven by its own strategic needs. Why should we turn down partners who also face the Chinese threat? he asked, adding that the Philippines will not cede one square inch of territory and will not give up on our sovereignty. Even as he maintained that the Philippines seeks peace, Marcos expressed concern about the increasing risk of conflict in the region. We want to avoid a shooting war, he said, while also noting that if there is all-out war [in Taiwan], we will be drawn into it. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD He added that the Philippines would act swiftly to protect its citizens in such a scenario. Marcos reiterated that while modernising the military, the Philippines aims to remain a friend to all and enemy to none. India and the Philippines have been steadily enhancing their defence partnership, with both countries emphasising freedom of navigation, adherence to international law, and regional stability. India and the Philippines on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr agreeing for expeditious conclusion of the negotiations of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the Philippines for further promotion of mutual trade. The two countries agreed to enhance defence cooperation, with President Marcos thanking PM Modi for cooperation in the area of defence industry and export of platforms, including the BrahMos. The diplomatic relationship between the two countries was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. Economic and commercial engagement is an important aspect of the India-Philippines bilateral relationship. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached 3.5 billion USD in 2023-24. There is a notable presence of Indian companies in the Philippines, in the areas of IT and ITES, health-care and pharmaceuticals, textiles, infrastructure, FMCG, chemicals, automobiles, agriculture, among others. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will be offering free e-visas to Filipino tourists, in a reciprocal move following the Philippines decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals. After a gap of over seven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China later this month to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. After a gap of over seven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China later this month to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. According to the plan, Modi will embark on a visit to Japan around August 29 and after concluding the trip, he will travel to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin for the SCO summit to be held on August 31-September 1. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The prime ministers visit to China is being planned amid efforts by the two sides to repair their bilateral ties which came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. There is no official confirmation yet on Modis two-nation visit to Japan and China. The visit is likely to take place from August 29 to September 1. Ahead of Modis trip to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit India for the next edition of the Special Representatives dialogue on the boundary question, it is learnt. Prime Minister Modi last visited China in June, 2018 to attend the SCO summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India in October 2019 for the second informal summit. However, the relationship came under stress due to the eastern Ladakh border face-off. The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and the clashes at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties. The face-off effectively ended following completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21 last year. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the last few months, both sides revived the Special Representative dialogue on boundary question and other dialogue mechanisms. The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi in Kazan (Russia) on October 23, 2024. The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok. The two sides also took a number of initiatives to rebuild the ties that included resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and New Delhi restarting issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals. Both sides are also discussing modalities to resume direct flight services between the two countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval visited China in the last two months to attend SCO meetings. China is the current chair of the SCO. It is not immediately clear whether PM Modi and President Xi will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD It is expected that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the top leaders who will participate in the SCO summit. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan became its permanent member along with India in 2017. Iran joined the grouping in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. Despite the threat of further sanctions from Trump, Moscows leadership appears unfazed, with one Kremlin source noting, theres not much more that they can do to us. US President Donald Trumps sanction ultimatum for Russian President Vladimir Putin is unlikely to deter him from chasing his ambition to capture the four besieged regions of Ukraine in their entirety, Reuters reported Tuesday (August 5), citing sources in the Kremlin. Trump over the past weeks has promised more sanctions on Russia, with thousands of them already in place; and threatened to impose tariffs on Moscows top trading partners, especially India and China. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US president earlier this week imposed a 25 per cent tariff on India, accusing it of funding Putins war machine in Ukraine. Why is Putin resisting Trumps threats? Vladimir Putins resolve to continue the war is driven by a belief that Russia is gaining the upper hand on the battlefield. There is also this conviction that additional US sanctions will do little to alter the course of the conflict. According to three sources familiar with Kremlin discussions, Putins resolve has been hardened by the limited impact of successive economic penalties imposed over the past three and a half years of war. Despite the threat of further sanctions from Trump, Moscows leadership appears unfazed, with one source noting, theres not much more that they can do to us. Putins objectives Putins primary objective is clear: to seize full control of the Ukrainian regions of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson, which Russia has claimed as its own. Only after achieving this goal would Putin consider negotiating a peace agreement, one of the sources explained. James Rodgers, author of the forthcoming book, The Return of Russia, was quoted by Reuters as saying, If Putin were able to fully occupy those four regions which he has claimed for Russia he could claim that his war in Ukraine had reached his objectives. While Putin is cautious about antagonising Trump, recognising the potential to improve ties with Washington and the West, his war aims take precedence, according to two of the sources. Recent talks between Russian and Ukrainian negotiators, which have occurred three times since May, appear to be a calculated move by Moscow to signal to Trump that Putin is not outright dismissing peace efforts. However, these discussions have lacked substance beyond humanitarian exchanges, the first source revealed. Russia insists it is committed to securing a lasting peace through negotiations, but the process is fraught with challenges due to the stark differences between the two sides. Moscows demands include a complete Ukrainian withdrawal from the four contested regions, as well as Kyivs acceptance of neutral status and restrictions on its military capabilitiesconditions Ukraine has firmly rejected. Despite these obstacles, Putin described the talks as positive last week, suggesting a willingness to keep the dialogue alive. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In a potential sign of progress, Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is visiting Russia today amid heightened tensions and warnings from both sides about the risks of nuclear escalation. The visit follows Trumps threat of new sanctions, which one source described as painful and unpleasant but not catastrophic. Another source expressed scepticism about Trumps follow-through, noting that hes made threats before without acting on them or later reversing course. Kremlin downplays Trumps threats The Kremlins confidence to keep the war alive stems partly from Russias ability to weather previous sanctions. Despite significant blows to its economyRussian oil and gas revenues have plummeted, foreign direct investment dropped by 63 per cent last year according to UN trade data, and roughly $300 billion in central bank assets remain frozen abroadRussias war machine has not been significantly hampered. Support from North Koreas ammunition supplies and Chinas provision of dual-use components have fueled a surge in Russian weapons production. The Kremlin has frequently boasted of its immunity to sanctions, a sentiment echoed by Trump himself, who acknowledged Russias adeptness at evading restrictions. Theyre wily characters and theyre pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so well see what happens, Trump told reporters over the weekend when asked about his response if Russia refuses a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The third source also raised doubts about Trumps ability to enforce his threats, particularly regarding Russian oil exports. It was hard to imagine that China would stop buying Russian oil on instructions from Trump, the source said, warning that such actions could backfire by driving up global oil prices. In a bid to placate US President Donald Trump and distract him from the war in Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin may agree to some sort of a ceasefire regarding aerial attacks on Ukraine that would fall short of any meaningful, comprehensive truce. In a bid to placate US President Donald Trump and take his attention off the war in Ukraine, Russian leader Vladimir Putin may agree to a piecemeal ceasefire that may not mean much in reality. Ahead of this weeks deadline set by Trump for Putin to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with Russian officials possibly a meeting with Putin as well. In talks with Witkoff, who has always been friendly with Russia, Putin is expected to agree to an arrangement that may placate Trump and yet not mean much. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Analysts have long said that any short-term ceasefire that does not outline an irreversible path for the end of the war will be used by Putin to replenish the ranks of its forces and rearm his troops to resume the war with greater force at a later date of his choice. Bloomberg has reported that the Kremlin is weighing options for a concession to Trump that could include a ceasefire regarding aerial attacks on Ukraine. Such a move is aimed at placating Trump enough so that he does not slap secondary sanctions and tariffs on Russia. In addition to direct sanctions and tariffs on the failure to agree to a ceasefire, Trump has threatened secondary tariffs and sanctions, which mean that all countries buying designated Russian goods such as India and China buying Russian oil will face sanctions and pay tariff on their trade with the United States. In recent days, Trump has threatened to substantially raise tariff on India and impose additional penalties over the trade with Russia. He has already slapped India with 25 per cent tariff, which is among the highest rate for any country. Putin wants to fool Trump again While Putin will restore goodwill with a piecemeal ceasefire that would only cease attacks in one domain, such as air, but do nothing about other domains, such as ground offensives, it will do nothing to help Ukraine in the broader war. Instead, in whichever domain the ceasefire will be implemented, Russia will get the opportunity to replenish its personnel and arsenal. If Trump agrees to such a temporary ceasefire, he will grant Putin an item from his wish list yet again. For Putin, the ideal scenario is to freeze the conflict for a while, build up strength, and then resume the war ideally with a more plausible pretext, such as accusing Ukraine of failing to comply with peace agreements, Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at Jamestown Foundation, previously told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based political consultant close to the Kremlin, confirmed the same, saying Putin is hoping to give a gift to Trump to get his way. Trump needs some kind of a gift, a concession from Russia. An air truce could be such a gift, Markov told Bloomberg. Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter will meet US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday in a last-minute bid to ease a 39 per cent tariff on Swiss imports, which is set to take effect Thursday, the State Department has said. Switzerland facing 39% tariff, Prez Keller-Sutter in US for talks with Rubio for last-minute deal. Image: Agencies Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter will meet U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday, the State Department said, as Switzerland tries to win a reprieve from U.S. tariffs of 39% on Swiss imports. Keller-Sutter and Business Minister Guy Parmelin flew to Washington on Tuesday for last-minute negotiations before the tariffs go into effect on Thursday. The Swiss president, who is leading a delegation of officials, will meet with Rubio for a closed meeting at the State Department at 10.15 Washington time, according to the public schedule of the department. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The meeting is scheduled to last one hour. The Swiss government declined to comment on the meeting or whether other meetings with American officials were planned. Switzerland desperately wants to negotiate down the 39% tariffs on its exports to the United States announced by U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday. The European country was stunned by the announcement, which threatens major damage to its export-orientated economy by reducing access to its biggest overseas market. The United States is a big buyer for Swiss watches, machinery and chocolate, which would all suffer from the tariff that is at a much higher level than import duties agreed between the U.S. and the European Union, Britain and Japan. Swiss industry has welcomed the efforts by Bern to find a solution to the tariff situation, which threatened thousands of jobs in Switzerland. We greatly appreciate the tireless commitment of the Federal Council and the Federal Administration and welcome the efforts to find a solution with the United States, said Noe Blancpain, executive board member of industry association Swissmem. As US President Donald Trump has raised tariffs on India to 50%, he could drag Indias GDP growth to well below the 6%-mark. Here is what top analysts are saying about the impact of Trumps tariffs on India. US President Donald Trump issued an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods from India, saying the country directly or indirectly imported Russian oil. The additional tariffs mean India will face the highest levy along with Brazil, putting it at a significant disadvantage against regional competitors such as Vietnam and Bangladesh. The tariffs are scheduled to kick in 21 days from the date of the executive order. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Prasanna, Chief Economist, ICIC Securities Primary Dealership, Mumbai The additional tariff will come into effect after 21 days but it will be on top of the earlier 25 per cent so the total 50 per cent rate will be a big negative for Indian exports. However some key segments like electronics and pharma continue to be exempt from this additional rate. At 50 per cent rate, many Indian exports will face a handicap versus countries that are in the 15-30 per cent bracket. Sakshi Gupta, Principal Economist, HDFC Bank, Gurugram While Trumps order gives another 21 days for a deal to break through, in case it does not, we will have to significantly lower FY26 GDP growth forecast to below 6 per cent, baking in a 40-50 bps hit. This would be double our earlier estimates (of GDP hit from higher tariffs). Teresa John, Lead Economist, Nirmal Bank Institutional Equities, Mumbai The pressure is mounting on India to come to a trade agreement. India may agree to significantly reduce Russian purchases over a phased manner and diversify to other sources. Gaura Sen Gupta, Economist, IDFC First Bank, Mumbai Post this order bilateral tariffs will rise to 50 per cent, which would be the highest applied from August onwards. This definitely increases the downside risk to 2025-26 GDP estimate. For now if the tariffs persist till March 2026 total downside risk is estimated at 0.3 per cent to 0.4 per cent. Manoj Mishra, Partner, Grant Thornton Bharat, New Delhi Indias merchandise exports to the US at around $87 billion in FY25 account for only about 2 per cent of Indias GDP, making it a modest share of the overall economy. The impact, though notable, is unlikely to be severe. This development reinforces the need to diversify export markets, reduce reliance on any single trading partner, and capitalise on Indias expanding FTA network to build long-term trade resilience and sustain export growth. Mayuresh Joshi, Head of Equity Research, India, William ONeil While markets have already started pricing in the risk of a sharp tariff hike, a near-term knee-jerk reaction is inevitableunless theres swift clarity or a breakthrough in negotiations. Indias crude oil imports have remained diversified weve been sourcing from the US, among others, not just Russia. Russia is just one slice of our broader crude basket. So, structurally, I dont foresee a major disruption for Reliance or the OMCs. That said, the broader sentimentespecially around export-driven sectorscould take a short-term hit. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD (This is an agency copy. Except for the headline, the copy has not been edited by Firstpost staff.) Ahead of US President Donald Trumps deadline for a ceasefire in Ukraine, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow to hold talks with Russian officials. Incidentally, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is also in Moscow. Ahead of US President Donald Trumps deadline for a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday arrived in Moscow to hold talks with Russian officials possibly Vladimir Putin as well. Late last month, Trump shortened the 50-day ultimatum to Putin to agree to a ceasefire in his war on Ukraine to 10-12 days. The deadline will expire this week. With his continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians and statements, Putin has so far shown no indication that he wants a ceasefire. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the failure to reach a ceasefire, Trump has threatened to impose tariffs and sanctions on Russia and those countries buying Russian oil. He has already slapped 25 per cent tariff on India and has said he would substantially increase that and impose additional penalties over the trade with Russia. Incidentally, Indian National Security Advisor Ajit Doval is also in Moscow in the moment. Even though Dovals visit had been planned in advance of Witkoffs visit, there has been speculation about a meeting between the two officials, possibly to manage the spiralling relations between the two countries. Witkoff arrives in Moscow as Putin remains defiant Witkoffs visit comes just ahead of Trumps Friday deadline to Putin to agree to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. The Kremlin has previously said that Witkoff could have a meeting with Putin. However, Putin so far not indicated that he wants peace or at least real peace. Last week, in an apparent reference to Trumps deadline, Putin said that all disappointments arise from inflated expectations. Making it clear that he had no intention to stop ongoing ground offensive, he said that to stop our advance at any cost was the objective of Russias enemies and ill-wishers. Separately, Reuters on Tuesday reported three sources as saying that Putins determination to keep going with the offensive is prompted by his belief that Russia is winning the and belief that any new US sanctions will not have much of an impact on Russia. Even though Putin does not want to anger Trump, the war goals take precedence, two of the sources told the news agency. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD One of the sources said that Putins goal now is to completely capture Ukraines four provinces of Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson. However, there is a possibility that Putin may be able to convince Trump via Witkoff. Analysts have said that Putin has been looking for a short-term break in the war to replenish the Russian forces and rearm the troops. For such a purpose, Putin may very well agree to a ceasefire now to escape Trumps immediate wrath and return later to war. Witkoff, who has long been very friendly to Putin and Russia, may be the best person to convince Trump if this is what Putin has decided. For Putin, the ideal scenario is to freeze the conflict for a while, build up strength, and then resume the war ideally with a more plausible pretext, such as accusing Ukraine of failing to comply with peace agreements, Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at Jamestown Foundation, previously told Firstpost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Is Witkoff-Doval meeting on the cards? As Witkoff and Doval are both in Moscow, there is speculation about a meeting, but there not been any official confirmation. Dovals visit had been planned before and he is expected to speak to Russian officials about the delivery of S-400 air defence systems, according to The Hindu. The S-400 is among the many Russian defence deals that are running late by several years. As Russia has devoted all resources to the war on Ukraine, it has not been able to deliver the various platforms it has signed deals for, such as the S-400 air defence systems and navy vessels. The Hindu reported that US tariffs are also expected to feature in Dovals meetings in Moscow. Trump said he plans to escalate the tariff rate to 150 per cent and eventually to 250 per cent within a year to a year and a half maximum" A customer shops for over-the-counter medicine at a Wal-Mart Supercenter in Rogers, Arkansas. US consumers will also be affected if Trump announces tariffs on pharmaceuticals. File photo/Reuters US President Donald Trump has proposed to impose tariffs up to a whopping 250 per cent on pharmaceuticals imported into the United States, making it the boldest tariff threat he has made to date. While talking to CNBC News on Tuesday (August 5), Trump stressed the move was part of a broader effort to encourage drug companies to shift their manufacturing operations back to American soil, addressing a decades-long decline in domestic drug production. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Phased approach to tariffs Trump outlined a phased approach to the tariffs, starting with what he described as a small tariff on pharmaceuticals. Within a year to a year and a half maximum, he plans to escalate the rate to 150 per cent and eventually to 250 per cent, according to his remarks. This marks a significant increase from his earlier threat in July, when he proposed tariffs of up to 200 per cent on imported drugs. Section 232 investigation The push for these tariffs comes alongside a Section 232 investigation launched by the Trump administration in April. This legal mechanism allows the Department of Commerce to examine the impact of imports on national security, providing a foundation for the proposed tariffs. Trumps strategy is clear: incentivise pharmaceutical companies to bring manufacturing back to the US at a time when the nations reliance on foreign-made drugs and components has grown substantially. According to the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, nearly 90 per cent of American biotech companies depend on imported components for at least half of their approved products. We want pharmaceuticals made in our country, Trump stressed during the interview. Major drugmakers like Merck & Co. and Eli Lilly & Co., which operate numerous manufacturing facilities worldwide, could face significant challenges if these tariffs are implemented. In recent months, companies such as Eli Lilly and Johnson & Johnson have announced new US-based investments, possibly in an effort to align with the administrations goals and build goodwill. Consequences However, the pharmaceutical industry has raised serious concerns about the potential consequences of such high tariffs. Industry leaders warn that the levies could increase costs, discourage investment in the US, and disrupt the drug supply chain, ultimately putting patients at risk. These tariffs would add pressure to an industry already grappling with Trumps drug pricing policies, which drugmakers argue could undermine their profits and limit their ability to fund research and development. Trumps letter to companies Trump recently sent letters to 17 pharmaceutical companies, urging them to take steps to lower US drug prices by September 29. Among the demands, he called for companies to offer their full range of existing medicines to Medicaid patients at the lowest prices available in other developed nations. Several companies have indicated they are reviewing the letters, but the industrys response remains uncertain. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware that the United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has raised while defending its oil trade with Moscow against Western criticism. US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he was unaware and dont know anything about United States imports uranium and fertilisers from Russia, a point India has highlighted while defending its trade ties with Moscow amid growing Western criticism. Responding to a question about US imports of Russian uranium and chemical fertilisers, even as Washington targets Indias oil trade with Moscow, Trump said, I dont know anything about it. I have to check STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US imports from Russia quietly rise #WATCH | Responding to ANI's question on US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilisers while criticising their (Indian) energy imports', US President Donald Trump says, "I don't know anything about it. I have to check..." (Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/OOejcaGz2t ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 More from World Why Trump's 50% tariff on India will also hurt rest of the world His remarks come even as American imports from Russia continue to quietly rise. Between January and May this year, US imports jumped 23 per cent year-on-year to $2.1 billion, driven by sharp increases in palladium (up 37 per cent), uranium (28 per cent), and fertilisers (21 per cent). While this marks a partial rebound, overall US merchandise imports from Russia had fallen to $3 billion in 2024, down 90 per cent from 2021, the year before the Ukraine war began. Trump ramps up pressure on India Trump earlier ramped up pressure on India, warning of a sharp increase in tariffs within 24 hours over its continued oil purchases from Russia. India hasnt been a fair trading partner. They do a lot of business with us, but we dont get the same in return, he said in an interview with CNBC. We had settled on a 25 percent tariff, but Im going to raise it significantly because theyre buying Russian oil and fueling the war machine, he added. India hits back over unjustified and unreasonable tariffs India hit back strongly on Monday, calling the threat unjustified and unreasonable and asserting it would take all necessary steps to safeguard its national interests and economic security. External affairs ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal pointed out that India has been repeatedly targeted by the US and EU over its energy imports from Russia, even as many Western nations continue trade with Moscow. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified. Like any major economy, India will act to protect its interests, he said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US President Donald Trump has slapped 25% extra tariff on India over the purchase of Russian oil. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order to slap 25 per cent additional tariff on India over the purchase of Russian oil. With this 25 per cent tariff, India will face at least 50 per cent tariffs among the highest in the world. This 25 per cent tariff over the purchase of Russian oil is on top of the 25 per cent tariff that Trump had previously imposed on India on July 31 as part of the broader rollout of tariffs on more than 60 countries. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD As per the executive order, the additional 25 per cent tariff over the purchase of Russian oil will come into effect on August 27. However, for goods shipped before Aug. 27, previous tariff rates will apply until Sept. 17. NEW: President Donald J. Trump just signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25% tariff on India in response to its continued purchase of Russian oil. Here is the text of the Order: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the Rapid Response 47 (@RapidResponse47) August 6, 2025 The development comes after days of Trump slamming India for the purchase of Russian oil and accusing the country of funding the Russian war on Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump last week said that India remains the largest buyer of Russian energy along with China at a time when everyone wants Russia to stop the killing in Ukraine. With such purchases, he said in a post on Sunday, India does not care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD ALSO READ: With 25% tariff & extra Russia penalty, Trump dashes hope of being India's top partner Since Russia launched the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, India has bought discounted Russian oil. In recent days, Trump has slammed India for the purchase of Russian oil as he has been left red-faced domestically from the failure to end the war in Ukraine. At the same time, India and the United States are also engaged in complex negotiations for a free trade agreement. As with trade deals with other countries like the United Kingdom, India has sought to keep the politically sensitive agriculture and dairy sectors out of a deal, Trump has rejected the proposal and has pushed for their inclusion. He has also pushed for India to import genetically modified (GM) crops under the deal. India considers GM crops illegal. Trump plunges India-US ties to new low Trumps 50 per cent tariff is only one part of his campaign against India. As Firstpost's Madhur Sharma has previously noted, Trump has crossed every red line of India since assuming office: Trump has meddled in the Kashmir issue, equated India with Pakistan, undermined Indias position on Operation Sindoor, and aligned himself with jihadists and Islamists from Pakistan to Turkey. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump has also gone soft on China, Indias principal adversary, and has rolled back initial tougher stance after China used its near-monopoly over rare earths as a leverage, leading to not just a rollback of tariffs but also the rollback of export restrictions on critical technologies. By undermining India on every count, Trump has put at risk decades of bipartisan progress of more than three decades in both the countries in improving the relationship by shedding the baggage of the Cold War when the two countries were on the opposite sides. The notable reduction in US trade deficit was driven by a sharp decline in consumer goods imports and a historic cutbacks in the trade gap with China. President Donald Trump listens as Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell speaks during a visit to the Federal Reserve, Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) In a striking shift for the US economy, the countrys trade deficit narrowed significantly in June, driven by a sharp decline in consumer goods imports and a historic reduction in the trade gap with China. According to the Commerce Departments Bureau of Economic Analysis, the overall trade deficit contracted by 16.0 per cent to $60.2 billion, marking its lowest level since September 2023. Observers attribute this radical shift to President Donald Trumps aggressive tariff policies. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The data, released on Tuesday (August 5), revealed that exports of goods and services reached $277.3 billion, slightly down from Mays figure of over $278 billion. Meanwhile, total imports fell to $337.5 billion from $350.3 billion, reflecting a notable pullback in consumer goods purchases. Just days earlier, the government reported that the goods trade deficit alone had plummeted by 10.8 per cent, also hitting its lowest point since September 2023. Shrinking trade gap turbocharges US economy This shrinking trade gap played a pivotal role in the US economys rebound during the second quarter. After contracting at a 0.5 per cent annualised rate in the first three months of 2025, gross domestic product (GDP) expanded at a robust 3.0 per cent rate in the second quarter, according to last weeks economic reports. The turnaround was largely fueled by the reduced trade deficit, which offset earlier pressures from a surge in imports as consumers and businesses stockpiled goods to avoid Trumps impending tariffs. Trumps August 7 tariff salvo Trumps tariff strategy has been a cornerstone of his economic agenda. Ahead of a self-imposed August 1 deadline, the president a flurry of notices last week, informing numerous trading partners of steep new import taxes set to take effect on August 7. With tariff rates ranging from 10 per cent to 41 per cent, the Budget Lab at Yale now estimates that the average US tariff rate has surged to 18.3 per cent, the highest since 1934. These measures have reshaped trade flows, with significant implications for both domestic and global markets. Trade gap with China significant reduced A standout feature of the Commerce Departments report was the dramatic reduction in the US trade deficit with China, which fell by roughly a third to $9.5 billion in June, its narrowest since February 2004. This marks a 70 per cent reduction over five consecutive months, with the deficit shrinking by $22.2 billion. The decline reflects the impact of a 30 per cent tariff on most Chinese imports, which has sharply curtailed inbound goods from China. In June, imports from China dropped to $18.9 billion, the lowest since 2009. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Amid these shifts, US and Chinese trade negotiators met in Sweden last week to address the escalating trade war, which has intensified since Trumps return to office. The talks have yet to yield a resolution, as both sides grapple with the fallout of heightened tariffs and disrupted supply chains. New York Governor Kathy Hochul has slammed US President Donald Trumps tariffs as a disguised tax that are increasing prices and crushing families budgets. New York Governor Kathy Hochul attends an event to mark the anniversary of the October 7 Hamas attacks on Israel, in Central Park, New York City, US, October 7, 2024. (Photo: Kent J Edwards/Reuters) New York Governor Kathy Hochul on Tuesday slammed US President Donald Trumps tariffs as a disguised tax and flagged the extent of the impact on common Americans in her state. She chose to do so in New Yorks 24th Congressional district, which is the most Republican-leaning constituency in the state. It is nothing other than a disguise tax. And who would you do that with? One of our greatest allies, people that we know as our friends and neighbors, the people of the great country of Canada, said Hochul as she slammed two signature policies of Trump. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD On the One Big Beautiful Bill, Hochul flagged that millions will lose their social security and thousands will lose their jobs as a result of budget cuts. She said that these cuts will not spare even the Republican-leaning district she was speaking in. Outside of the far-right Maga world, the One Big Beautiful Bill was widely condemned as it raised the federal deficit and cut medical aid and food assistance to middle- and low-income Americans that had long had bipartisan approval. The cost of everything is going to go up In a bid to strike a chord with the working class, Hochul said that Trumps tariffs will raise the cost of living for American families. Indeed, contrary to what Trump has said, foreign governments do not pay tariffs. Instead, tariffs are taxes on imports that importers pay to the US government. The illiteracy is such that a survey found that 75 per cent of Americans do not know what tariffs are. Hochul said, The cost of everything is going to go up everything. And all the hard-earned work you do to bring home that paycheck, its going to go less and less to buy the groceries you need like the ones we see here. Real consequences when parents start heading back to the stores for back-to-school shopping something Im really glad I dont have to do anymore, but I know what its like. We used to try and figure it out. Where are we going to get our clothes from for the kids? How are we going to manage this? They outgrew their sneakers from the year before; the backpack looks a little ratty, time for a new one; they outgrew the clothes. Hochul said that the cost of housing will go up even if she wants to expand housing because Canadian labour that is part of the workforce has become expensive as a result of tariffs. As Trump has gone after Canada in every way possible, ranging from slapping sky-high tariffs and threatening to annex the country and make it the 51st US state, Hochul said that New Yorks tourism sector has also taken a hit as Canadians no longer want to visit the United States over Trumps insults. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Hochul flags extent of Trumps welfare cuts Hochul flagged the extent of cuts to welfare under Trumps signature legislation. Hochul said that 1.5 million New Yorkers will lose their health insurance coverage, including 30,000 in the Republican-leaning 24th Congressional district. These cuts will decimate our entire health care system, our hospitals and providers. They dont think people are smart enough to remember what they did to them. My job is to remind you what theyre doing to you and our community, said Hochul. Moreover, around 84,000 children will lose food assistance and healthcare costs will rise by 33 per cent for an average couple, according to Hochul. As a result of cuts, 34,000 people in the state will lose their jobs in the hospital, including around 1,000 in the Republican-leaning district, said Hochul. Trump is expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House on Friday for peace talks. A US official said the meeting could lead to the signing of a framework peace agreement. US President Donald Trump is expected to host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan at the White House for peace talks on Friday, Reuters reported citing officials. A US official said to Reuters that the meeting could lead to the signing of a framework peace agreement between the two countries, an important step toward resolving a conflict that has spanned over three decades. Decade long conflict Armenia and Azerbaijan, both former Soviet republics, gained independence in 1991 after the collapse of the USSR. However, tensions between them began in the late 1980s over Nagorno-Karabakh, a region within Azerbaijan that was predominantly populated by ethnic Armenians. Backed by Armenia, Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijani control in the early 1990s, sparking a war. The conflict flared up again in 2020 when Azerbaijan, with support from Turkey and advanced military technology, reclaimed much of the territory it had lost. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A Russian-brokered ceasefire followed, but fighting resumed in 2023 when Azerbaijan launched a rapid military offensive and regained full control of the region. The operation led to a mass exodus of over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to Armenia. In March 2025, Armenia and Azerbaijan announced they had reached a draft peace agreement, but progress since then has been slow. Their most recent talks were held in Abu Dhabi in July. Now, with President Trump hosting both leaders in Washington, hopes are high that a final peace deal may soon be reached, potentially bringing an end to one of the longest-running conflicts in the post-Soviet space. Top Trump administration officials are set to meet on Wednesday to address growing controversy over the governments handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and the alleged mention of President Donald Trumps name, says report. Trumps headache: How to handle Epstein scandal, US officials in huddle to find a way | Image: Agencies Officials from the Trump administration are set to meet on Wednesday to discuss the growing controversy surrounding the governments handling of the Jeffrey Epstein case and the alleged mention of US President Donald Trumps name in the matter, CNN reported. The decision comes as pressure mounts from Congress, victims of abuse, and politicians from both parties who are demanding transparency. According to CNN, the meeting is set to take place at Vice President JD Vances residence and will include Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Whereas, Questions remain over how federal authorities dealt with the Epstein case, which carries serious political, legal, and social implications. Pressure on Trump admin Critics, including victim advocates and lawmakers, have raised concerns over withheld files. This has increased pressure on the administration to strike a balance between transparency, privacy, and legal procedure. The case could influence public trust in federal agencies and even affect the 2026 midterm elections. This comes after Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex offender and long-time Epstein associate. CNN reports the group aims to form a unified response regarding the next steps in the case. According to the report, the administration views this group as the key team managing the issue. A release of materials from the Blanche-Maxwell interviews could happen this week, with early discussions about holding a press briefing or giving major media interviews. Maxwells lawyer said she answered all questions under limited immunity, naming about 100 individuals allegedly linked to Epstein. Her unusual transfer to a lower-security prison in Texas took place just before the meeting was scheduled. Totally aboveboard Trump defended the Blanche-Maxwell interview, saying it was totally aboveboard and meant to protect those wrongly accused: Blanche wants to make sure that people that should not be involved or arent involved are not hurt by something that would be very, very unfortunate, very unfair to a lot of people. He also said, I want to release everything; I just dont want people to get hurt. Trump said Vance was most likely to succeed him as the leader of the Maga movement, though he stressed it was too early to decide. He also said he would probably not run for a third term US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (August 5) said Vice President JD Vance was most likely the heir to his Make America Great Again (Maga) movement, though he added it was still too early to make a definitive call. Earlier, during an interview with CNBC, Trump also said he would probably not run for a third presidential term, a comment that follows ongoing speculation about his political future. Although the US Constitution limits presidents to two terms, Trump has previously hinted at the possibility of seeking a third run in 2028, sparking debate over whether he might try to push for an amendment. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Id like to run, Trump said in the interview. I have the best poll numbers Ive ever had. Trumps comments came in response to a question about Secretary of State Marco Rubios praise for JD Vance. Rubio had said Vance would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that. Asked if Vance was his likely political successor, Trump replied, I think most likely, in all fairness, hes the vice president. He added, I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. Trump also noted that there were several strong voices within the movement. I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here, he said. So its too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point. The root of the frustration lies in the USs decision to slap a 40 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports, raising the total tariff to a staggering 50 per cent. This move has significantly strained relations between Washington and Brasilia. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva gives a thumbs up, after he presented India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the National Order of the Southern Cross - a prestigious honor awarded by the Brazilian president to foreign dignitaries, during a ceremony at the Alvorada Palace in Brasilia, Brazil. Reuters In a sharp rebuke of US President Donald Trump, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva declared on Tuesday (August 5) that he has no intention of reaching out to his American counterpart. Citing Trumps apparent disinterest in having a dialogue, Lula described the day the US imposed steep tariffs on Brazil as the most regrettable moment in the history of bilateral relations between the two nations. Instead of engaging with Trump, Lula announced plans to connect with other global leaders, particularly those within the Brics coalition. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Will call Jinping, Modi I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi. I wont call Putin, because he cant travel now. But I will call many presidents, Lula stated, according to local media reports. His focus on Brics nationsBrazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africacomes amid warnings from Trump, who has threatened an additional 10 per cent tariff on countries aligning with BRICS policies that he perceives as contrary to US interests. The root of the frustration lies in the USs decision to slap a 40 per cent tariff on Brazilian imports, raising the total tariff to a staggering 50 per cent. This move has significantly strained relations between Washington and Brasilia. In response, Lula vowed to leverage all available avenues, including the World Trade Organization (WTO), to protect Brazils trade interests. We will use every tool at our disposal to defend our economy, he stressed. The tariff dispute follows mixed signals from both sides. Earlier, Trump had extended an olive branch, saying Lula could call him anytime to discuss trade matters. Brazils Finance Minister, Fernando Haddad, welcomed the gesture and indicated Lulas willingness to engage in such a conversation. However, Lulas latest remarks make it clear that he has no intention of initiating contact, signalling a deepening rift. Tensions over political developments in Brazil Beyond trade, tensions have also flared over political developments in Brazil. The US recently slammed a Brazilian Supreme Court decision to place former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is also a major Trump ally, under house arrest as he awaits trial for allegedly plotting a coup. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The US State Departments Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs went so far as to label Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who is overseeing the case, a US-sanctioned human rights abuser under the Magnitsky Act. The US accused Moraes of manipulating Brazils judicial system to suppress opposition voices and demanded that Bolsonaro be allowed to speak freely. Undeterred, Justice de Moraes, who faces US sanctions for alleged human rights violations, affirmed his commitment to continue his judicial duties. Sanctions or not, I will do my job, he declared, standing firm in the face of international pressure. Ahead of this weeks deadline by US President Donald Trump for Russia to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met Vladimir Putin in Moscow today. The meeting came as Trump considered slapping sanctions on Russias shadow fleet. Russian President Vladimir Putin welcomes US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting in Moscow, Russia, August 6, 2025. (Photo: Sputnik/Gavriil Grigorov/Pool via Reuters) Ahead of this weeks deadline by President Donald Trump for a ceasefire in Ukraine, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday met Vladimir Putin in Moscow. The Witkoff-Putin meeting took place amid reports that the Russian leader was considering a piecemeal ceasefire and Trump was considering sanctioning Russias shadow fleet a fleet of ageing tankers with opaque ownership used to transport sanctioned goods. In visuals released by Russian state media, Witkoff and Putin are seen smiling and laughing as they cordially shake hands. Witkoff has long been friendly with Russia and Putin and the friendly demeanour has persisted even as Trump has increasingly expressed frustration with Putin in recent weeks. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Presidential Aide Yuri Ushakov is also attending the meeting between Putin and Witkoff https://t.co/Kj8t4IiiO6 pic.twitter.com/c5rydQUq9L Sputnik (@SputnikInt) August 6, 2025 The Witkoff-Putin meeting lasted for more than three years, according to Russian state media. There were no immediate statements from either side. Putin planning concessions to placate Trump and outsmart him Ahead of the meeting, however, Bloomberg had reported that the Kremlin was weighing options for a concession to Trump that could include a ceasefire regarding aerial attacks on Ukraine. Such a decision appears to be aimed at placating Trump and taking his attention off the war in Ukraine by giving him a victory that he could hail in front of his supporters. In reality, such a ceasefire may not mean much as ground offensives will not be stopped in any case. Moreover, any pause in the war that does not lead to an irreversible pathway for the end of the war will be used by Putin to replenish the ranks of its forces and rearm his troops to resume the war with greater force at a later date of his choice, according to analysts. For Putin, the ideal scenario is to freeze the conflict for a while, build up strength, and then resume the war ideally with a more plausible pretext, such as accusing Ukraine of failing to comply with peace agreements, Kseniya Kirillova, a Russia analyst at Jamestown Foundation, previously told Firstpost. Sergei Markov, a Moscow-based political consultant close to the Kremlin, said that Putin is hoping to give a gift to Trump to get his way. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Trump needs some kind of a gift, a concession from Russia. An air truce could be such a gift, Markov told Bloomberg. On his part, Financial Times has reported that Trump has considered imposing sanctions on Russias shadow fleet if Putin would not agree to a ceasefire by Friday. This would be the first time that Trump would slap sanctions on Russia in his second term. Two people familiar with the White Houses deliberations said additional US sanctions on the Russian shadow fleet were seen as an easy first step to impose costs on Russia for the failure to make peace, according to the newspaper. Witkoff-Putin bonhomie at display Even as Trump has changed his tone on Putin in recent weeks, Witkoff and Putin met with smiles, laughter, and warm handshakes. Betraying the gravity of the moment, or ignoring it, Witkoff was seen taking an early morning stroll through Moscows Zaryadye Park with Putins close advisor Kirill Dmitriev, according to The Independent. Dmitriev is known as Putins Trump whisperer and has often taken part in talks with the Trump administration. I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trumps representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support, Zelenskyy posted on social media In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, right, and President Donald Trump, talk as they attend the funeral of Pope Francis in Vatican, Saturday, April 26, 2025. AP File Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Wednesday said that he held a phone conversation with US President Donald Trump shortly after Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, concluded talks in Moscow earlier in the day. The call comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts to address the ongoing war in Ukraine, as Washington seeks to pressure Moscow into a negotiated settlement. I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trumps representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow, Zelenskyy posted on social media. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support, he added, without saying which leaders took part in the call. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD In the nightly address, Zelensky said that it appears Russia is more inclined towards agreeing a ceasefire following their talks with Witkoffs visit in Moscow. It seems that Russia is now more inclined to a ceasefire. The pressure on them works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details - neither us nor the US, he said. Meanwhile, Trump said his special envoy Witkoff made great progress in a meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continued its preparations to impose secondary sanctions on Friday. The US president, in a post on Truth Social, said he had briefed some European allies about the meeting, which was focused on ending the war. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, he wrote. Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Putin in recent weeks. He has reportedly given the Russian leader a deadline of this Friday to show progress toward peace in Ukraine or face a new wave of tougher sanctions. Kremlin foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov said both sides had exchanged signals regarding the Ukraine conflict and discussed the potential for developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD US Secretary of State Mark Rubio said he remained hopeful that a decision on whether to proceed with the sanctions would be announced later on Wednesday. However, sources close to the Kremlin indicated that Putin is unlikely to yield to the sanctions ultimatum. With inputs from agencies Ahead of the REDMI 15 launch later this month, Xiaomis sub-brand, REDMI, has announced a significant brand repositioning in India, signaling a new strategic direction. The company revealed the change through a letter titled, For the Dreamers Who Made Us Dream Bigger, which outlines the brands evolution alongside its user base. The central message of the announcement is captured in the new tagline, Redmi is NOW THE NEW REDMI. This is accompanied by a redesigned wordmark for REDMI, which now appears in a bolder, capitalized, sans-serif font. This refresh is a response to the changing aspirations of its customers over the brands 11-year history. The company states its users have matured and evolved, describing them as optimists who see the world as it is, yet still believe in what could be. Redmi notes that its audience now craves both meaning and achievement, a shift from a decade ago. To align with this evolution, REDMI is adopting a new persona, describing itself as now bolder, more confident, and more uncompromising in fuelling your limitless aspirations. While embracing a new identity, the brand reassures its community of its continued commitment. Were not abandoning who we were. Were becoming who you need us to be, said the company. It emphasizes a philosophy of mutual growth and innovation tied to its users journey. The company indicates that the visual rebranding is the initial step in this new phase, concluding with the statement, Our new look is just the beginning. Regarding this, Sudhin Mathur, Chief Operating Officer at Xiaomi India, said: Redmi has always stood for making the impossible possible. Over the past decade, we were often the first smartphone for millions of Indians. Their trust and feedback shaped our path. Today, those users have grown, and so have we. The new Redmi identity reflects this shared evolution. Young India is bold yet grounded, ambitious yet self-aware. We are not leaving behind who we were, but becoming who our users need us to be. This rebranding is a tribute to the resilience, clarity, and progress we see in our community every day. As our users grow, we grow. As they dream bigger, we continue to build for them. International dancers strum cross-cultural chords in Xinjiang Xinhua) 08:12, August 06, 2025 URUMQI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Over the weekend, streets and parks across northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region sprang to life as performers from the 7th China Xinjiang International Dance Festival erupted into vibrant flash mobs, pulling eager crowds into the pulsing rhythms. Dancers stage a dance battle during a street dance show in Karamay, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Aug. 3, 2025. (Xinhua/Ding Lei) Running from July 20 to Aug. 5, the festival featured 52 performances by 24 art groups from home and abroad, staged across the region's main venue in Urumqi and six branch locations, namely, Ili, Hotan, Aksu, Karamay, Hami and Alaer. Renowned art groups from eight countries, including Kazakhstan, Cambodia, the United States and Italy, brought a rich mix of dance dramas, ethnic operas, musicals, ballet, and modern dance to the festival. The Italian art troupe Balletto di Milano joined Xinjiang dancers for a thrilling flash mob at Urumqi's iconic Grand Bazaar. As the Italian performers moved through the bustling streets, they were captivated by the vibrant and varied dances of the Xinjiang ethnic artists. After performing excerpts from "Carmen" and "Romeo and Juliet," the Italian dancers joined the lively swirl of Xinjiang folk dance. Artists from Italian art troupe Balletto di Milano wave to the audience during a flash mob at the Grand Bazaar, a landmark in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Xin Yuewei) "Absolutely amazing," exulted Anastasia Zappa, a member of the ballet troupe, after joining the impromptu performance with Xinjiang dancers. "I'd love to learn Xinjiang's dances and share our passion with Chinese audiences." "The people here are so enthusiastic. I am completely infected by the enthusiasm of their dances," she added. Agnese Omodei Sale, art director and choreographer of the "Carmen" troupe, recalled her thrilling visit to the Urumqi Peking Opera House, where she watched opera actors rehearsing. "Immersing in diverse cultures here has been unforgettable. I love to return to Xinjiang to discover more of its people and stories," she said. Actors from the Dance Troupe of Uzbekistan's National Grand Theatre "Tumor" have been regular participants in the Xinjiang dance festival. "We had performed in Urumqi before, but this is our first time in Hotan in southern Xinjiang," said Sharipova Zilola Alimbaevna, deputy director of the theatre. "Dance has been our shared language as we exchanged ideas with local performers these days." For the first time since its launch in 2008, the festival was held outside the regional capital, Urumqi, with its magic reaching well beyond the city's theatre stages. Over the weekend, Karamay -- a well-known oil town in northern Xinjiang -- hosted a street dance show with multiple performances across commercial centers and parks, bringing together dozens of acclaimed local and international street dancers. Dancers perform during the "Our Village Dance" square dance competition at the cultural park in Urumqi, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu) Meanwhile, Urumqi hosted a square dance competition that drew 24 teams from across the city's districts. Their performances celebrated everything from everyday workers' lives and harvest festivals to legendary heroes. Participants ranged from retirees and schoolchildren on summer break to people from all walks of life. Dante Puleio, art director of New York's Limon Dance Company, expressed admiration for Xinjiang's rich culture and vibrant people, noting that he was deeply impressed by the unique qualities of the local dance performances. This year marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of the Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Shi Zhongming, director of the Urumqi Cultural Center, said Xinjiang has witnessed a blend of its folk art with ballet, opera and modern dances by artists and dance enthusiasts from around the world. "Through this event, Xinjiang has demonstrated its openness, confidence and inclusiveness in the cultural sphere," he added. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) HOTCHKISS U.S. Sen. Michael Bennet spent his Monday morning floating the Gunnison River, joined by multiple county commissioners, Bureau of Land Management staffers and conservation organizations. The trip gave Bennet the opportunity to experience the lands that would be protected by the GORP (Gunnison Outdoor Resources Protection) Act, bipartisan legislation championed by himself, fellow Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper and U.S. House Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Grand Junction). Bennet was joined on his river trip by former Delta County Commissioner Don Suppes, Gunnison County Commissioner Jonathan Houck, Delta County Administrator Robbie LeValley, BLM Deputy Southwest Director Rob Potts, BLM Gunnison Gorge River Ranger Rooster Barnhart, Western Slope Conservation Center Executive Director Hannah Stevens and Conservation Lands Foundation Southwest Associate Program Director Ben Katz. The Daily Sentinel tagged along as well. The group departed from Pleasure Park Fishing on jet boats, winding more than four miles upstream through the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area courtesy of Pleasure Park guides. On the bank of the Smith Fork tributary, Bennet listened to others in the group for their perspectives on the GORP Act, legislation Bennet hailed as being written entirely in western Colorado rather than Washington, D.C., through the work of the Gunnison Public Lands Initiative that brought together various community groups for their input. BOAT RAMP ACCESS The GORP Act is described as protecting more than 730,000 acres of public lands in western Colorado, featuring provisions to allow for recreational jet boating in Delta County as well as public access to the Gunnison Forks boat ramp, which is located on private property. Suppes detailed some of the clashing between Delta County and Gunnison County leadership before they compromised and found common ground (or waterways), such as securing jet boat permits for the Gunnison Forks Day Use Area that he called critical for the countys economy. We get a lot of auxiliary uses, from search and rescue to BLM using it for their tree planning and for stocking fish and for picking up some stray sheep up here and bringing them back down. We felt a real need to find a way to permanently secure this. This was our best path forward to make that happen, Suppes said. Weve had a lot of people with influence, a lot of famous people and rich people come up here and they use this jet boat to get up here; they love to fish this. Jimmy Carter used to come do this every year. They spend money in Delta County ... This jet boat brings an incredible amount of money into the economy. If we lost this, it would be felt in the economic side of Delta County. The boat ramp provision would allow jet boat use to continue if there is permanent public access to the jet boat. Delta County has a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the jet boat operator, Gunnison River Expeditions, that says that, if Delta County helps them secure a continuation of their permit, the operator would transfer their river access point to the county. The BLM has nearby boat ramp access to the North Fork River, but this ramp is difficult for the public to access and leads into choppy waters. Houck spoke about how the GORP Act was born out of local conversations and compromises in order to best serve the areas world-class lands and waterways. He vouched for the protection of these lands as leading to more recreational use that, as a result, turns more outsiders into public lands advocates. One of the first things in our first meeting talking about GORP was that was in Gunnison County talked strongly about all existing uses continuing to be allowed. If theres a trail or a type of use thats allowed, it will continue to be allowed. If theres a grazing permit there, theyll be allowed to continue grazing there, Houck said. We understand these lands. Guides and outfitters, our ag producers, people who are in timber and energy.... All these different parts that make up our community, we really understand the nuts and bolts of the interaction, but we never lost sight of the fact that, though these lands are closest to people in our counties, these belong to every single person in the United States. LeValley spoke about the GORP Acts provision that would ensure that lands around the area would not be used for oil and gas purposes. As we looked at some earlier legislation and some of the earlier areas that BLM had over the years, because theyre multiple use, we still rely on that energy. The real concern from the community as a whole was, Do we have to have it all right in our backyard, especially when we think about all of the ag in all of Delta County? It does rely on some portion of there not being oil and gas everywhere, LeValley said. We looked at this lower valley floor and withdrawal of those minerals with the BLM at the table as well. Thats what you see in that legislation now. Just like certainty with the jet boat, theres certainty with that mineral withdrawal. Potts provided The Daily Sentinel with the BLMs perspective on the aims of the GORP Act, expressing appreciation that the bureau was given a seat at the table in the legislations crafting. We just celebrated the 25th anniversary of the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area. Its a gem. I think many people consider this the best whitewater rafting and wilderness in the state of Colorado, which is saying a lot, Potts said. Im glad weve got all these people here today to talk about all of that. WATER RESOURCES Stevens and Katz both brought a conservation perspective to the group. The water resources we want to protect are directly linked to our economic health and vitality and farming and ag. The fact that Delta and Gunnison counties have been working with stakeholders for years is really a testament to how important these processes are with community involvement, Stevens said. Were happy about the mineral withdrawal. That would withdraw 123,000-ish acres from the North Fork watershed from oil and gas developments, including much of the valleys, BLM parcels and some roadless areas higher up in the watershed. Katz added: Thanks to Delta County and Senator Bennet and his team for inviting the conversation and finding people who can sit down and find some consensus in collaboration for how we solve these problems, how we make sure this boat ramp remains public, how we make sure theres certainty from people in the North Fork that the public lands around their private properties are not going to be developed for oil and gas. Once the conversation concluded, attendees hopped into rafts and floated back down the Gunnison River to Pleasure Park. Back at Pleasure Park, Bennet spoke to The Daily Sentinel about what he had gotten out of this excursion. Its a project that was developed from the ground up, Bennet said. The ability to be able to include these jet boats as part of it is so critical to the local economy. It would have made no sense for them to go away, but it could go away. If we can pass this legislation, that economic benefit will be preserved, because you had a group of people at the local level working together across party lines, across county lines, to do this work, also in partnership with the private sector. Its a win-win-win that I think sets a great example for other efforts across the western United States. Bennet expressed hope that the GORP Act will be quick to pass in Congress because of its bipartisan support. He praised Hurd, who represents Colorados 3rd Congressional District, for his support of the legislation and his commitment to sponsor the bill in the House. Bennet said he invited Hurd to join along for this river trip, but Hurd was unable to attend. He was asked how he would respond to the GORP Acts detractors, such as former Colorado GOP Vice Chairwoman Hope Scheppelman, whos running against Hurd in CD3. A major tenet of her campaign is calling the GORP Act a federal land grab. Thats the furthest thing from the truth. This proposal not only preserves existing uses but its making sure that this motorized use can stay, because otherwise, its not going to be able to stay probably. I understand there are people all over the world who have ideological commitments to not expand any public lands, but I dont think that honors the best traditions of our parents and grandparents, no matter what political party they were in. They preserved all of this for us, Bennet said. What the GORP Act does is, in a very bipartisan way, in a ground-up way, far from being a land grab from Washington, D.C., express that these lands should be protected in honor of our parents and grandparents, and also for our children and grandchildren, so we know they too will have the chance to float and fish this river. Thats much more important than partisan politics. Conversation between Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio Romania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs Type: Press release Date: 07/31/25 On Thursday evening, Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio discussed ways to strengthen the Strategic Partnership. The discussion reflected their shared commitment to enhancing the bilateral relationship between Romania and the United States, and covered the main areas of cooperation, the status of joint projects, and plans for the future. Both officials emphasized the importance of strengthening the Romania-US Strategic Partnership and continuing bilateral cooperation in priority areas such as security, defense, energy and investment in innovation. The Romanian minister emphasized the excellent cooperation with the United States within NATO and at the bilateral level, as well as the essential contribution of the US military presence in Romania to the security of Europe and the Euro-Atlantic area. The Minister also mentioned the significant potential for co-production in the defense industry, which is starting to be capitalized through concrete projects such as those in the fields of ammunition production and high-performance military radars. Oana Toiu, the Romanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, conveyed President Nicusor Dan's appreciation for US President Donald Trump's invitation to pay an official visit to Washington early next year. The Romanian Foreign Minister's visit to New York in September will facilitate continued dialogue in preparation for the Romanian President's visit. In line with the decisions made at the NATO Summit in The Hague, Romania has taken steps to increase its defense budget, strengthen its national capabilities, improve the support provided to allied troops stationed in the country and contribute to the Alliance's objectives regarding deterrence and defense on the Eastern Flank. Particular emphasis was placed on the strategic importance of the Black Sea. Romania reaffirmed its commitment to cooperating with its allies and international partners to ensure safe navigation and the exploitation of gas resources in the Black Sea. Ongoing bilateral projects in the energy sector were highlighted, with a focus on the development of reactors 3 and 4 in Cernavoda, as well as small modular reactor (SMR) technology in Doicesti. Romania is thus strengthening its position in terms of both regional energy security and the development of transit routes. The Minister of Foreign Affairs expressed his confidence that the Trump Administration's internal security objectives will be supported by Romania's participation in the Visa Waiver Program, reaffirming the special importance that the Romanian authorities attach to this issue and their commitment to cooperating closely with the US institutions involved, as well as the good interministerial cooperation and the important contribution of the Prime Minister in pursuing this objective. At the invitation of the United States through Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Minister of Foreign Affairs Oana Toiu announced Romania's intention to adhere to the Joint Statement on the Security and Resilience of Undersea Cables at the UN meeting in September. Oana Toiu commended the signing of the EU-US Trade Agreement, emphasizing its importance for the stability of transatlantic relations and reiterated Romania's support for a balanced and constructive compromise between the two sides in the interests of producers, consumers, and investors in the EU and the US. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Contracts Contracts For Aug. 5, 2025 ARMY TRAX International Corp., Las Vegas, Nevada, was awarded a cost-plus-fixed-fee contract for test center support services. The amount of this action is $726,894,788. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work locations and funding will be determined with each order, with an estimated completion date of Aug. 4, 2032. Army Mission and Installation Contracting Command, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, is the contracting activity (W51EW7-25-D-A002). Atherton Construction LLC,* Henderson, Nevada, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for construction of a new qualification training range. The amount of this action is $15,604,564. Bids were solicited via the internet with two received. Work will be performed in Hawthorne, Nevada, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 8, 2026. Fiscal 2025 military construction, Army National Guard funds in the amount of $15,604,564 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Property and Fiscal Office, Nevada, is the contracting activity (W9124X-25-C-A001). Great Lakes Dredge & Dock Corp. LLC, Houston, Texas, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for beach renourishment. The amount of this action is $8,712,500. Bids were solicited via the internet with three received. Work will be performed in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware, with an estimated completion date of Dec. 13, 2025. Fiscal 2022 civil construction funds in the amount of $8,712,500 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is the contracting activity (W912BU-25-C-A014). The Dutra Group, San Rafael, California, was awarded a firm-fixed-price contract for berm construction and dredging. The amount of this action is $8,069,000. Bids were solicited via the internet with four received. Work will be performed in Concord, California, with an estimated completion date of Jan. 5, 2026. Fiscal 2025 military construction, Army funds in the amount of $8,069,000 were obligated at the time of the award. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, San Francisco, California, is the contracting activity (W912P7-25-C-A015). WASHINGTON HEADQUARTERS SERVICES The county of Grand Forks, North Dakota, was awarded a modification to an existing indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (HQ003424D009). The amount of this action is $102,873,404. No amount is being obligated at this time. The cumulative total of the contract is $121,979,717. The purpose of this contract is to provide Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) airspace operations technology and concept development support for the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment Unmanned Systems Office. This contract will execute simulated and/or live UAS events to address the technical, operational, and regulatory challenges associated with normalizing Department of Defense UAS operations. The work will be performed in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The estimated contract completion date is May 19, 2029. Washington Headquarter Services, Arlington, Virginia, is the contracting activity. NAVY Seemann Composites LLC, Gulfport, Mississippi, is awarded a $62,000,000 cost-plus-fixed-fee indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00167-25-D-0008) for the multi-material propellor prototype requirement. Work will be performed in Gulfport, Mississippi, with an ordering period up to five years. Fiscal 2025 research and development test and evaluation (Navy) funds in the amount of $32,090 will be obligated at time of award. The contract was not competitively procured in accordance with 10 U.S. Code 3204(a)(1). Federal Acquisition Regulation 6.302-1(a)(ii)(B). Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division, West Bethesda, Maryland, is the contracting activity. Huntington Ingalls Inc., Pascagoula, Mississippi, is awarded a $20,000,000 cost-plus-incentive-fee modification to previously awarded contract N00024-23-C-2324 for work associated with the DDG 1000 modernization period execution. Of this amount, $10,000,000 is currently committed for future execution by the Supervisor of Shipbuilding Gulf Coast Administrative Contracting Officer. Work will be performed in Pascagoula, Mississippi (95%); and other locations below 1% (collectively totaling 5%), and is expected to be completed by September 2025. No funding will be obligated at the time of award. Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity. CORRECTION: The $199,000,000 firm-fixed-price, cost-plus-fixed fee, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the sustainment and refurbishment of waterborne security barriers, moorings, and marine facilities announced on July 23, 2025, had the wrong locations listed. The correction locations are: GPA Technologies Inc., Ventura, California (N00024-25-D-4141); Oceanetics Inc., Annapolis, Maryland (N00024-25-D-4142); PCCI Inc., Alexandria, Virginia (N00024-25-D-4143); and Virtual Computing Technology Inc., Solana Beach, California (N00024-25-D-4144). MISSILE DEFENSE AGENCY Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Dallas, Texas, is being awarded a $23,564,873 modification (P00106) to a previously awarded contract (HQ0147-17-C-0032) for the acquisition of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) Configuration 3.1 Part B1 Ground Modernization equipment to support the U.S. government. The THAAD Configuration 3.1 Part B1, and associated labor, will be procured under a firm-fixed-price contract line item. The total value of this contract is increased from $10,416,783,858 to $10,440,348,731. The work will be performed in Dallas, Texas; Sunnyvale, California; Troy, Alabama; Huntsville, Alabama; and Camden, Arkansas, with an expected completion date Nov. 30, 2028. Fiscal 2025 procurement funds in the amount of $23,564,873 are being obligated at time of award. The Missile Defense Agency, Huntsville, Alabama, is the contracting activity. U.S. SPECIAL OPERATIONS COMMAND MCP Computer Products Inc.,** San Marcos, California, is being awarded a delivery order (H9241524FE054) to a contract (47QTCA19D00ML) for Dell laptops, and associated equipment, with a delivery of 75 days after the date of the order. This is a firm-fixed-price order from blanket purchase agreement (BPA) 47QTCA22A000C with a value of $15,910,864 in support of U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM). The BPA was solicited and issued using full and open after exclusion of sources, brand name or equal acquisition strategy; consideration was not restricted to any one vendor or brand. Fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance funds are being obligated at time of award. USSOCOM, MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, is the contracting activity. AIR FORCE CORRECTION: The contract announced on Aug. 1, 2025, to SJ Technologies Inc., Sugar Hill, Georgia (FA7014-25-F-0232), was announced with the incorrect award amount and completion date. The correct award amount is $8,797,214 with fiscal 2025 operations and maintenance appropriations in the amount of $1,529,408 obligated at the time of award. The correct completion date is Feb. 4, 2031 (includes a six-month extension). *Small business ** Woman-Owned Small Business https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/4266470/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The Chief of the General Staff in the Gaza Strip: "I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement for the release of our hostages. If not, the combat will continue without rest." Israel Defense Forces August 1, 2025 01.08.25 IDF The Chief of the General Staff in the Gaza Strip: "I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach an agreement for the release of our hostages. If not, the combat will continue without rest." "The war continues, and we will adapt it to the changing reality according to our interests - the achievements you have made provide us with operational flexibility." "The current campaign of false accusations of intentional starvation is a deliberate, timed, and deceitful attempt to accuse the IDF, a moral army, of war crimes. The ones responsible for the killing and suffering of the residents in the Gaza Strip are Hamas." The Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir, conducted a field tour and situational assessment today (Friday) in the Gaza Strip together with the Commander of the Southern Command, MG Yaniv Asor, the Commander of the 162nd Division, BG Sagiv Dahan, the Commander of the 401st Brigade, the Commander of the Givati Brigade, the Commander of the Nahal Brigade, and other senior officers. The Chief of the General Staff spoke with the commanders in the field about the division's achievements in recent weeks and the plans for the division's continued operations in the Gaza Strip. From the remarks of the Chief of the General Staff, LTG Eyal Zamir: "I estimate that in the coming days we will know whether we can reach a partial deal for the release of our hostages. If not, the combat will continue without rest. As part of Operation 'Gideon's Chariots,' you have achieved impressive and unprecedented accomplishments. Wherever you operated, you defeated the enemy and systematically struck terrorist infrastructure, both above and below ground." The war continues, and we will adapt it to the changing reality according to our interests - the achievements you have made provide us with operational flexibility. We will persist and adapt, prepare properly, and act to maximize our advantages, reduce operational vulnerabilities and wear, and place Hamas under increasing pressure. We will evolve and adjust our methods of operation. Thanks to the clearing of dominating terrain lines in the Gaza Strip, we have created a security area that enables operational opportunities, including strong defense of our communities and the ability to maintain a continuous offensive effort. An offensive effort based on intelligence, precise firepower, and shaping maneuver operations will systematically strike Hamas until the war's objectives are achieved. We will reduce the fatigue of our troops and avoid falling into Hamas' traps. The current campaign of false accusations of intentional starvation is a deliberate, timed, and deceitful attempt to accuse the IDF, a moral army, of war crimes. The ones responsible for the killing and suffering of the residents in the Gaza Strip is Hamas. IDF soldiers and commanders act with integrity and morality, in accordance with the IDF's values and international law. You are a rare group of commanders, facing unprecedented challenges. Continue to engage with your troops on a personal level. I trust you." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Counterterrorism Activities in the Central Command: This Week, Israeli Security Forces Located and Confiscated Approximately 30 Weapons Israel Defense Forces August 1, 2025 01.08.25 IDF Troops of the IDF, ISA, and the Israel Police continue to operate to dismantle terrorist infrastructure in the Central Command region. This week, the troops thwarted terrorist activities involving the production, smuggling, and possession of illegal weapons. During the counterterrorism activities, approximately 30 weapons were located and confiscated throughout the Central Command region. IDF Counterterrorism Activities in the Central Command: In the areas of the Judea and Etzion regional brigades, two 'Carlo' type weapons, various weapon parts, and additional weapons were found. During a battalion-level activity in Anabta, in the Ephraim Regional Brigade, the troops confiscated several weapons. In the village of Al-Ram, in the Binyamin Regional Brigade, a hunting rifle was located. In Odala, in the Samaria Regional Brigade, a handgun and additional combat equipment were found. In the Menashe Regional Brigade, seven weapons were confiscated. Weapons Located in the Central Command: Israeli security forces continue to operate against terrorist organizations in order to maintain the security of Israeli civilians. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address OIC Condemns Visit of US House Speaker to Ariel Settlement in the Occupied West Bank Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) 04-08-2025 The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) strongly condemned the visit of US House Speaker Mike Johnson, leading a congressional delegation, to the Ariel settlement in the occupied West Bank. The OIC considered this visit a flagrant violation of United Nations resolutions, particularly UN Security Council Resolution 2334, which affirms that Israeli colonial settlements in the Palestinian territory occupied since 1967, including East Al-Quds, are illegal, and calls on all states to distinguish between the territories of the occupied State of Palestine and the State of Israel. The OIC stressed that this visit contributes to the encouragement and continuation of settlement crimes and organized settler terrorism against the Palestinian people. The organization also called on the international community, led by the United States, to fulfill its political and legal obligations to pressure Israel, the occupying power, to halt all settlement policies, settler terrorism, and daily crimes, and to comply with international law and relevant United Nations resolutions. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address August 5, 2025 Release Department of Defense Awards $10 Million to Develop a Domestic Mine-to-Master Alloy Scandium Supply Chain Today, the Department of Defense announced a $10 million award to Elk Creek Resources Corporation ("ECRC") via Title III of the Defense Production Act (DPA). ECRC is a subsidiary of NioCorp Developments Ltd. (NioCorp). Located near Elk Creek, Nebraska, ECRC is developing the United States' first polymetallic deposit targeting near-term production of Scandium (Sc), Niobium (Nb), Titanium (Ti), and other critical minerals. This investment supports the March 20, 2025, Executive Order 14241 Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, the goal of which is to facilitate domestic mineral production. "Scandium alloys are increasingly replacing titanium alloy and legacy aluminum alloy components in DoD systems due to their superior lightweight, high-strength characteristics," said Dr. Vic Ramdass, Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy. "Geological scarcity and limited production infrastructure drive scandium industrial shortages. Establishing a vertically integrated domestic supply chain for scandium alloy production enables multiple avenues for innovation in defense aerospace." This DPA Title III award will enable the completion of feasibility study-level engineering, additional reserve drilling, and the updating of cost estimates for ECRC's Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project. As part of this effort, ECRC will advance the integration of aluminum-scandium alloys into aerospace platforms in conjunction with a defense prime contractor. Successful development of the Elk Creek project will enable ECRC to become one of the first U.S. producers of Sc, which will enhance critical DoD systems, such as advanced propulsion, next-gen energy systems, and multiple structural components and components for aircraft programs of record, hypersonic weapons systems, and future aircraft. Sc scarcity is an obstacle restricting wider industry adoption of Sc to modernize and improve the performance of major aerospace and hypersonic platforms. "The last recorded scandium mining in the United States occurred in 1969, with substantially all current scandium production, in any form, now occurring in China," added Mr. William "Greg" Davis, Acting Director of the Manufacturing Capability Expansion and Investment Prioritization (MCEIP) directorate. "DPA Title III investments like this one are key for reducing the U.S. defense industrial base's dependence on foreign sources for critical minerals." The ECRC decision is one of ten awards made by the DPA Purchases Office totaling $336.4 million since the beginning of fiscal year 2025. These investments are complemented by $88 million in total recipient cost shares since the beginning of FY 2025. The DPA Purchases Office is overseen by the MCEIP directorate. For more information on MCEIP, please visit: https://www.businessdefense.gov/ibr/mceip/index.html About the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy (OASD(IBP)) The OASD(IBP) works with domestic and international partners to forge and sustain a robust, secure, and resilient industrial base that enables the warfighter, now and in the future. OASD(IBP) also utilizes a new Defense Industrial Base Consortium Other Transaction Agreement (DIBC OTA) to solicit new ideas for research or prototype project solutions for critical Supply Chain Resiliency Focus Areas. It underscores the Department's ongoing dedication to safeguarding the integrity of our crucial supply chain and furnishing our warfighters with materials and technologies promptly. To learn more about the DIBC OTA, please visit: https://www.dibconsortium.org. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/4264389/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Dalai Lama's reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws, religious rituals and historical conventions: Chairman of Xizang regional govt Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 05, 2025 12:05 PM In response to an inquiry on that the 14th Dalai Lama once again made remarks regarding his reincarnation, Gama Cedain, Chairman of the Xizang Autonomous Region People's Government, told a press conference on Tuesday that the reincarnation of Living Buddhas follows established religious rituals and historical conventions, and that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation has never been a matter for the Dalai Lama himself to decide. The title of Dalai Lama has its historical legitimacy rooted in the central government, which holds the indisputable and ultimate authority over matters related to the Dalai Lama's reincarnation. This is a belief firmly upheld by the vast number of religious believers and forms an essential part of the religious rituals and historical conventions governing the reincarnation process, said the official. The Dalai Lama's reincarnation has never been a matter for the Dalai Lama himself to decide. The reincarnation must comply with Chinese laws and regulations as well as religious rituals and historical conventions, and follow the process that consists of search and identification in China, lot-drawing from a golden urn, and central government approval, Gama Cedain said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China commends and welcomes ongoing GBC meeting between Cambodia and Thailand: FM Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 05, 2025 05:42 PM When asked to comment on the ongoing General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand in Malaysia where China is invited to attend an extraordinary session of the GBC meeting on August 7, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday that the meeting is conducive to an effective and sustained end of the fighting. China commends and welcomes that. Since the informal consultation among China, Cambodia and Thailand was successfully held on July 30, there has been no fighting along the Cambodia-Thailand border, the situation on the ground has been deescalating, and the ceasefire has been gradually implemented by Cambodia and Thailand, the spokesperson said. Under the active coordination of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, the two countries are holding the General Border Committee meeting to have multi-tiered communication through a variety of avenues on developing a detailed mechanism for ceasefire monitoring, which is conducive to an effective and sustained end of the fighting. China commends and welcomes that, Guo noted. According to the will of Cambodia and Thailand, China has actively maintained close communication with the two countries, Malaysia and other regional countries, cemented the ceasefire, promoted communication and dialogue, and helped deescalate the situation. China will continue to support ASEAN in promoting talks for peace, uphold a just and fair position, and play a constructive role in its own way for the turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations, the spokesperson said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sheikh Qassem says Hezbollah rejects any new proposal to disarm IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 5, 2025 Tehran, IRNA -- Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem has emphasized that the Lebanese resistance movement will not accept any new proposals for disarmament, insisting that the old ceasefire agreement must be upheld instead. Speaking at an event commemorating 40 days since the martyrdom of Brigadier General Mohammad-Saeed Izadi, the head of the Palestine Department at the Quds Force of the Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC), Sheikh Qassem criticized Israel for repeatedly violating the existing ceasefire agreement, according to the Al-Ahed news website. Hezbollah has fully adhered to the ceasefire terms, with no violations against the enemy or in cooperation with the state, he said, adding, "However, the Israeli regime has overturned the agreement and breached it thousands of times." Sheikh Qassem said that Israel regretted the agreement because it allowed Hezbollah to maintain its military strength in Lebanon, leading to Tel Aviv's refusal to comply. The Hezbollah chief also condemned the US intervention, noting that Washington's proposals were aimed at weakening Lebanon and its resistance. The US sought to strip Lebanon of its defensive capabilities, including the resistance and the army's right to possess weapons that could counter Israeli aggression, he added. Referring to a reported US plan, he said, "[US special envoy Tom] Barrack demanded the disarmament within 30 days of even handheld grenades and mortar shells that is, all so-called 'simple' weapons." Sheikh Qassem firmly rejected any new negotiations, adding, "We do not agree to any new agreement; they must implement the old agreement. Any proposed timeline set to be carried out under the framework of Israeli aggression is unacceptable to us." 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address FM Sa'ar's statement to the press at the UN ahead of the special Security Council meeting on the issue of the hostages Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs FM Sa'ar: "I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and center on the world stage. I came to call for the immediate and unconditional release of our hostages." Type: Press Releases Topic: Foreign Policy Terrorism Secondary topic: Swords of Iron Publish Date: 05.08.2025 Minister of Foreign Affairs Gideon Sa'ar's statement to the press at the UN today (Tuesday, 5 August 2025) ahead of the special Security Council meeting he initiated on the issue of the hostages: "I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and center on the world stage. I came to call for the immediate and unconditional release of our hostages." Full Remarks: "Good afternoon, I came to the United Nations today because our hostages are still being starved and tortured by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the dungeons of Gaza. I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and center on the world stage. They cannot be forgotten. I came to call for the immediate and unconditional release of our hostages. **** On October 7th Hamas committed evil crimes like the Nazis and ISIS did. They took 251 hostages into cruel captivity. 50 of them are still there. This past weekend, the world witnessed the cruel starvation of Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Tortured deliberately by Hamas and Islamic Jihad. The world saw their terrible condition. Bones standing out in their skin. Like living skeletons. Evyatar was forced to dig his own grave. This is satanic! Hamas and Islamic Jihad use the starvation and torture as part of a deliberate and well-planned sadistic propaganda campaign. But the truth must be told: Israel is facilitating huge amounts of aid into Gaza. No other country acts this way in war. Under such difficult circumstances. **** The world has been turned upside down. There are countries that acted - also in this building - to pressure Israel instead of Hamas, during sensitive days in the negotiations. By attacking Israel. Campaigning against Israel. And their announcement to recognize a virtual Palestinian state. They gave Hamas free gifts and an incentive to continue this war. They directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire. They gave Hamas free gifts. Let me be clear: These countries prolonged the war. Hamas is responsible for beginning this war - by invading Israel and committing the October 7th atrocities. Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war - by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas. Anything else - only prolongs this war." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN experts call for immediate dismantling of Gaza Humanitarian Foundation Press releases Special Procedures 05 August 2025 GENEVA -- UN experts* today expressed grave concern over the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation's (GHF) operations, saying Palestinians are paying the ultimate price of the international community's legal, political and moral failure. The experts recalled that under international humanitarian law, Israel as the occupying power has binding obligations to the people under its control. As per Geneva Convention IV and the Hague Regulations, civilians in occupied territory must be protected and provided with essential services. Humanitarian relief operations must be protected and facilitated, but must also strictly respect the principles of humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and independence. "The GHF, a non-governmental organisation created by Israel in February 2025, with US support, to allegedly distribute aid in Gaza, is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law," the experts said. "The entanglement of Israeli intelligence, US contractors and ambiguous non-governmental entities underlines the urgent need for robust international oversight and action under UN auspices." "Under any circumstances, when war crimes are overlooked in exchange for temporary relief, impunity can become normalised. Yet, in this case, we are leaving a State accused of genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity in charge of feeding the population affected by the genocide without oversight and with impunity. This overt hypocrisy is disturbing," the experts said. Israeli forces and foreign military contractors continue to open indiscriminate fire on people seeking aid at so-called "distribution sites" operated by GHF, since it was set up to take-over functions previously performed by United Nations agencies, most notably UNRWA, the UN's aid agency for Palestinian refugees. Nearly 1400 people have been killed and more than 4000 injured while seeking food. At least 859 people have been killed around GHF sites since the beginning of GHF's operations in late May 2025. The sites are especially difficult to access to the most vulnerable conditions, such as women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. Calling it "humanitarian" adds on to Israel's humanitarian camouflage and is an insult to the humanitarian enterprise and standards," the experts said. This tragic development comes amid the forced displacement of over 90 per cent of the population and a staggering death toll is now more than 60,000 people in Gaza. Only in the last few weeks, the Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported 180 deaths due to malnutrition, including 93 children. "Seeing children dying of hunger in their parents' arms should shake us out of our complacency," the experts said. "Blocking or delaying aid is not just inhumane - it is a war crime where it is intended to starve civilians and in the context of a well-documented and globally denounced genocide," the experts said. "Securing access to food, water, medicine and critical services is not a matter of charity - it is a legal duty, all the more in the illegally occupied Palestinian territory. We must recall that the ICJ has found the Israeli occupation to be unlawful and ordered Israel to withdraw its troops, dismantle the settlements, and stop exploiting Palestinian resources while racially segregating Palestinians," the experts said. "Israel must comply with the ICJ decision, and Member States are required to support its enforcement." "Without clear accountability, the very idea of humanitarian relief may ultimately become a casualty of modern hybrid warfare," they said. "The credibility and effectiveness of humanitarian assistance must be restored by dismantling the GHF, holding it and its executives accountable, and allowing experienced and humanitarian actors from the UN and civil society alike to take back the reins of managing and distributing lifesaving aid." The experts urged Member States to impose a full arms embargo on Israel due to its multiple violations of international law, and suspend trade and investment agreements that may result in harming the Palestinians and hold corporate entities accountable. *The Experts: Francesca Albanese, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Palestinian territories occupied since 1967 Tomoya Obokata, Special Rapporteur on contemporary forms of slavery Siobhan Mullally, Special Rapporteur on trafficking in persons, especially women and children Tlaleng Mofokeng, Special Rapporteur on the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health George Katrougalos, Independent expert on the promotion of a democratic and equitable international order Mary Lawlor, Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights defenders Michael Fakhri, Special Rapporteur on the right to food Carlos Arturo Duarte Torres, Working Group on the rights of peasants and other people working in rural areas; Balakrishnan Rajagopal, Special Rapporteur on the right to adequate housing; Heba Hagrass, Special Rapporteur on the rights of persons with disabilities Elisa Morgera, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights in the context of climate change Pedro Arrojo-Agudo, Special Rapporteur on the human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation Pichamon Yeophantong (Chairperson), Damilola Olawuyi (Vice-Chairperson), Fernanda Hopenhaym, Lyra Jakuleviciene and Robert McCorquodale, Working Group on business and human rights Morris Tidball-Binz, Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary or arbitrary executions Paula Gaviria Betancur, Special Rapporteur on the human rights of internally displaced persons Surya Deva, Special Rapporteur on the right to development Alexandra Xanthaki, Special Rapporteur in the field of cultural rights Ashwini K.P., Special Rapporteur on racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance Laura Nyirinkindi (Chair), Claudia Flores (Vice-Chair), Dorothy Estrada Tanck, Ivana Krstic, and Haina Lu, Working group on discrimination against women and girls Irene Khan, Special Rapporteur on the right to freedom of opinion and expression Nicolas Levrat, Special Rapporteur on minority issues Reem Alsalem, Special Rapporteur on violence against women and girls, its causes and consequences Ben Saul, Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of human rights and fundamental freedoms while countering terrorism Bina D'Costa (Chair), Catherine Namakula, Isabelle Mamadou, Working Group of Experts on People of African Descent Attiya Waris, Independent Expert on foreign debt and human rights Special Rapporteurs/Independent Experts/Working Groups are independent human rights experts appointed by the United Nations Human Rights Council. Together, these experts are referred to as the Special Procedures of the Human Rights Council. Special Procedures experts work on a voluntary basis; they are not UN staff and do not receive a salary for their work. While the UN Human Rights office acts as the secretariat for Special Procedures, the experts serve in their individual capacity and are independent from any government or organization, including OHCHR and the UN. Any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the UN or OHCHR. Country-specific observations and recommendations by the UN human rights mechanisms, including the special procedures, the treaty bodies and the Universal Periodic Review, can be found on the Universal Human Rights Index https://uhri.ohchr.org/en/ NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sudan: UN expert concludes official visit to Port Sudan, expressing alarm at deteriorating human rights situation Press releases Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights 05 August 2025 GENEVA -- Radhouane Nouicer, Designated Expert on human rights in Sudan of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, has sounded the alarm about the deteriorating human rights situation amidst escalating hostilities, after he concluded a visit to Port Sudan on 31 July. "Every day the conflict continues in Sudan, innocent lives are lost, communities are torn apart, and trauma continues to haunt generations. The ongoing war has devastated civilian lives and turned daily survival into a constant struggle," said Nouicer. "I remain gravely concerned that civilians in Sudan continue to suffer widespread violations and abuses, including extrajudicial killings, sexual violence, forced displacement and arbitrary detention. As the conflict persists, the human rights and humanitarian situation is deteriorating at an alarming pace," added Nouicer. During his visit to Port Sudan, Nouicer met with Sudanese officials, including the Minister of Justice, the Attorney General, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, and the Governor of Darfur region, with whom he engaged in frank and transparent discussions, in an atmosphere of mutual respect. "In my meetings, I followed up with authorities on key priority areas raised during my last visit in July 2024, and which continue to require immediate attention, including the protection of civilians, accountability, civic space and humanitarian access," Nouicer said. "I heard directly from internally displaced women at a site hosting female-headed households, who recounted the impact of the conflict on the lives of people forced to flee. In particular, people with disabilities face enormous difficulties in leaving conflict areas, and with lack of accessible services in areas of displacement." He highlighted issues concerning restricted access to regions in dire need of humanitarian assistance, such as the besieged city of El Fasher in North Darfur and the Kordofan region, where intense hostilities have worsened the protection and humanitarian situation for civilians. "The coming rainy season will further exacerbate the crisis for millions of displaced persons, turning an already dire situation into a disaster," said the Designated Expert. "The path forward demands more than ceasefires and peace talks. It requires a sustained commitment to justice, accountability, and inclusive governance. The international community must not merely observe but act with urgency to enforce the arms embargo, support local peacebuilders, and ensure unhindered humanitarian access." The Expert reiterated that only peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue will alleviate the suffering, end the violence, return children to schools, ensure the safe and dignified return of IDPs and refugees to their homes, and preserve Sudan's harmony and peaceful cohabitation of its diverse communities. To read the full end of mission statement, click here NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Reaffirms Solidarity with the Kashmiri People on 'Youm-e-Istehsal' Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs On the sixth anniversary of India's illegal and unilateral actions of 5 August 2019 in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK), the people and Government of Pakistan are solemnly observing the 'Youm-e- Istehsal', today. In their special messages on the occasion, the President, the Prime Minister and the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister have renewed Pakistan's unwavering diplomatic, political and moral support to the Kashmir Cause and called for resolution of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute in accordance with the relevant UN Security Council Resolutions and aspirations of the Kashmiri people. They have also underscored that India's unlawful actions since 5 August 2019 are aimed at turning the Kashmiris into a disempowered community in their own land. The Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister has addressed letters to President UN General Assembly, President UN Security Council, UN Secretary General, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and OIC Secretary General to apprise them of the latest developments in IIOJK. In these letters, he has urged the implementation of relevant UN Security Council resolutions to enable the people of Jammu and Kashmir to determine their own future. He has also stressed the urgent need for improving the human rights situation in IIOJK and releasing the incarcerated Kashmiri political prisoners. Ahead of the 'Youm-e-Istehsal', the Foreign Secretary briefed the Islamabad-based diplomatic missions on the situation in IIOJK, on 4 August 2025. She highlighted the legal, security and human rights dimensions of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, with special reference to the developments of the past few months in the region. To express solidarity with the oppressed people of IIOJK, a special 'Walk' was held in Islamabad, this morning, along the Constitution Avenue, up to the D-Chowk. The walk was led by Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister. The officers and staff members of the Ministry participated in the walk, alongside people from other spheres of life. A range of activities have been designed throughout the country to observe 'Youm-e-Istehsal', which include public rallies, seminars, webinars, panel discussions and photo exhibitions. With the active participation of Pakistani and Kashmiri Diaspora, Pakistan's diplomatic missions around the world are also arranging special events to raise global awareness about the Indian oppression in IIOJK. Islamabad 05 August 2025 231/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Message from the Deputy Prime Minister/Foreign Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, on 'Youm-e-Istehsal', 5th August 2025 Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs On this day, six years ago, India took a number of unilateral and illegal actions vis-a-vis Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir (IIOJK). These measures were aimed at undermining the internationally recognised disputed status of the territory and consolidating the Indian occupation. India has introduced a number of laws aimed at changing the demographic structure and political landscape of IIOJK since 5 August 2019. Issuing domicile certificates to outsiders, registering temporary residents in the voters' lists, gerrymandering of the Assembly constituencies, modification of land and property ownership laws,and according greater administrative powers to the so-called Lieutenant Governor are some key measures which have been introduced in that connection. Clearly, all these actions are in blatant violation of the UN Charter, United Nations Security Council resolutions, and international law, including the 4th Geneva Convention. In the continued presence of hundreds of thousands of Indian troops, IIOJK remains one of the highly militarised zones in the world. Thousands of Kashmiri political prisoners have been languishing in jails for years. The mistreatment of Kashmiri journalists and human rights defenders has further revealed India's willingness to go to any lengths to silence the dissenting voices. The massive crackdown, launched in the aftermath of the Pahalgam Attack, demonstrated that India still treats IIOJK as a colony. The recent hostilities between Pakistan and India have once again highlighted the urgent need for a peaceful settlement of the Jammu and Kashmir dispute, in accordance with the relevant UN resolutions and wishes of the Kashmiri people, for the sake of a durable peace in South Asia. The Kashmiris have waited for the United Nations to fulfil its solemn commitments for the past seven decades. It is the need of the hour that the international community urges India to end its human rights violations in IIOJK, and implement the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. Pakistan, for its part, will continue to extend its complete moral, diplomatic and political support to the Kashmiri people's just struggle for realisation of their inalienable right to self-determination. Islamabad 5 August 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Declaration on Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Government of the Republic of the Philippines and the Government of the Republic of India Republic of the Philippines - Department of Foreign Affairs MANILA 05 August 2025 -- At the invitation of the Prime Minister of India, H.E. Shri Narendra Modi, the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Mr. Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. paid a State Visit to India on 4-8 August 2025. President Marcos was accompanied by the First Lady, Mme. Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level official delegation including several Cabinet Ministers of the Philippines and a high-level business delegation. 2. On 5 August 2025, President Marcos was accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourt of the Rashtrapati Bhavan and he visited Raj Ghat to pay floral tributes to Mahatma Gandhi. This was followed by bilateral talks between President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi. Thereafter, the leaders witnessed the exchange of bilateral documents. President Marcos attended the luncheon hosted by Prime Minister Modi. Engagements of President Marcos include a call on the President of India, H.E. Smt. Droupadi Murmu, followed by a banquet hosted in his honor. External Affairs Minister of India, Dr. S. Jaishankar called on President Marcos. President Marcos would also be visiting Bengaluru. 3. President Marcos and Prime Minister Modi, (a) CELEBRATING the seventy-fifth anniversary of the establishment of Philippines-India diplomatic relations; (b) ACKNOWLEDGING the long-standing friendship between the Philippines and India based on mutual respect, trust, civilisational contacts, shared values and culture; (c) DRAWING upon their rich and fruitful tradition of cooperation in various fields since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1949; (d) EMPHASIZING the fundamental importance of the Treaty of Friendship signed on 11 July 1952, the Memorandum of Understanding on Policy Consultation Talks signed on 28 November 2000, the Agreement on the Establishment of a Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation signed on 5 October 2007, and the Declaration on the Framework of Bilateral Cooperation signed on 5 October 2007 between the two countries; (e) PROCEEDING from a desire to further strengthen the historical ties between the two countries; (f) CONVINCED that the further comprehensive development of their bilateral ties would promote progress and prosperity in both countries and the region as a whole; (g) SEEKING to impart a qualitative and strategic new dimension and long-term commitment to the bilateral partnership and to actively develop cooperation in political, defence and security, the maritime domain, science and technology, climate change, space cooperation, trade and investment, industry collaboration, connectivity, health and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, digital technologies, emerging technologies, development cooperation, culture, creative industries, tourism, people-to-people exchanges and other fields in the years ahead; (h) REAFFIRMING their shared interest in a free, open, transparent, rules-based, inclusive, prosperous and resilient Indo-Pacific region and reiterating their strong support for ASEAN Centrality; Hereby DECLARE: 4. The establishment of a Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and India; 5. The Strategic Partnership marks a new chapter towards realising the full potential for bilateral, regional and international cooperation between the two countries; 6. The Strategic Partnership is based on a mutual commitment to strengthen bilateral relations for the continuing peace, stability and prosperity of the two countries and the broader region, and serves as a foundation for the two countries to chart a future-oriented mutually-beneficial cooperation; 7. The Philippines-India Strategic Partnership is guided by the Plan of Action (2025-2029) adopted by the two countries on 5 August 2025; 8. With the objective of imparting greater dynamism to the Philippines-India partnership, the two leaders agreed to the following: 9. (a) POLITICAL COOPERATION Strengthening political engagement through regular high-level exchanges and dialogue on bilateral, plurilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest, including through the convening of the Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC), Policy Consultation Talks and Strategic Dialogue; Fostering greater cooperation across various sectors and levels, through effective operationalisation of existing Agreements and MoUs and early finalization of Agreements and MoUs under negotiation; Intensifying dialogue through the various bilateral institutional mechanisms, including the Joint Working Groups (JWGs) on Trade and Investment, Counter-terrorism, Tourism, Health and Medicine, Agriculture and Financial Technology; Encouraging interaction between the legislatures of the two countries, particularly exchanges between young leaders of both countries, to further strengthen mutual understanding; (b) DEFENCE, SECURITY AND MARITIME COOPERATION Acknowledging the progress made under the Agreement on Defence Cooperation signed between the Philippines and India on 4 February 2006; Facilitating the regular convening of institutional mechanisms including the Joint Defence Cooperation Committee (JDCC) and Joint Defence Industry and Logistics Committee (JDILC) for dialogue on defence cooperation, with emphasis on defence industrial collaboration, defence technology, research, training, exchanges and capacity building; Institutionalising military training activities between the two countries and Service-to-Service interactions, with increased focus on tri-service cooperation; Recognizing the vital role of the seas and oceans in achieving the development needs of the two countries, rights and freedoms as coastal states, developing economies, and maritime nations of the Indo-Pacific region; Institutionalizing engagements on maritime issues and commending the deepening maritime cooperation between the Philippines and India, including by the annual Philippines-India Maritime Dialogue which was first held in Manila on 11-13 December 2024, and looking forward to India's hosting of the next dialogue as a way to maintain the positive momentum of maritime engagement; Exchanging views on global and regional maritime challenges, sharing best practices on deepening maritime cooperation, and promoting coordination and expertise between maritime authorities and law enforcement agencies and marine science and research institutions on the peaceful, sustainable and equitable use of the oceans, seas, and marine resources; Sharing of best practices, intelligence, technical support, subject matter expert (SME) exchanges, workshops and industrial assistance through and between appropriate agencies of both Governments; Enhancing cooperation in the area of maritime security including through collaborative efforts for enhanced maritime domain awareness (MDA), cooperation in ship-building, maritime connectivity, coastal surveillance, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR), pollution control and search and rescue (SAR) between Navies and Coast Guards; Collaborating and cooperating in co-development and co-production of defence equipment, to achieve the goal of self-reliance in defence production, and encouraging investments and joint initiatives in the establishment of defence R&D, and supply chain ecosystem; Expanding cooperation in the field of hydrography, including improvement of hydrographic infrastructure and joint oceanographic research surveys to ensure safe and efficient navigation contributing to the overall maritime security of the region; Striving for participation in multilateral exercises including in the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise and Exercise MILAN and the Philippines' Maritime Cooperative Activities (MCAs); Fostering greater security cooperation through regular dialogues, engagements and exchanges of best practice on UN peacekeeping operations (PKO), supply chain management, military medicine, global and regional security environment, traditional and non-traditional security concerns such as maritime security, and cyber security and critical technology issues, as well as the protection of critical information infrastructure, and security-related concerns on economic matters; Strengthening joint efforts, including through regular convening of the Joint Working Group on Counter-terrorism, in (i) combatting terrorism, violent extremism, radicalization, transnational organised crimes including trafficking in narcotics and weapons, human trafficking, cyber-crimes, cyber-threats from new and emerging technologies, misuse of the internet for terrorism purposes, terror financing, international economic crimes, proliferation financing, money laundering; (ii) facilitating the sharing of information and best practices, capacity building, co-operation in multilateral fora on counter terrorism; and (iii) promoting zero tolerance towards terrorism; Deepening cooperation in cyber domain, including through policy dialogue, capacity building, sharing of best practices and exchanges of expertise on digital public infrastructure, financial technology, digital economy, Artificial Intelligence, digital forensics and Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) cooperation, protection of critical information infrastructure, and capacity building on digital skills; (c) ECONOMIC, TRADE AND INVESTMENT COOPERATION Promoting business and commercial linkages as a key driver of the Philippines-India partnership and to this end, working towards strengthening bilateral trade and investment cooperation, and unlocking greater economic opportunities; Welcoming the steady increase in bilateral trade, which reached approximately US$ 3.3 billion in 2024-25 and sustaining such growth, leveraging complementarities and expanding the basket of goods and services traded; Strive for the expeditious conclusion of the negotiations of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between the Philippines and India for further promotion of mutual trade. Both sides will promote further collaboration to facilitate two-way investments; Convening regular meetings and exchanges between the senior officials from respective counterpart ministries on both sides, including under existing mechanisms, to promote trade and investment, facilitate early resolution of market access issues, foster greater integration with global supply chains and lay a robust foundation for new areas of collaboration, especially in renewable energy, critical minerals, electric vehicles, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence, robotics, ICT, biotechnology, creative industry and startups, construction and infrastructure, iron and steel, shipbuilding and ship repair, agriculture, and tourism; Fostering partnerships in infrastructure development and in implementation of connectivity and transport projects; Facilitating Joint Customs Cooperation Committee meetings for improved market facilitation through simplified customs procedures; Encouraging businesses and industry representatives to explore opportunities offered by both countries through the exchange of business delegations, greater B2B contacts, trade fairs and business conclaves, among others; Promoting greater cooperation and coordination between Governments of the two countries as well as among their international and financial bodies for enhancing international and regional trade; Expediting the review of the ASEAN-India Trade in Goods Agreement (AITIGA) towards making it more effective, user-friendly, simple and trade facilitative for businesses; Enhancing collaboration in healthcare and pharmaceuticals sectors, in accordance with relevant laws and regulations in each country, to support better health outcomes and reinforce health systems through capacity building, knowledge sharing, and joint research initiatives; Enhancing cooperation in the field of Ayurveda and Traditional Medicine, including through training and exchange of experts; Supporting the Philippines' local developmental goals through the implementation of Quick Impact Projects (QIPs) under the Indian grant assistance. (d) SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION Enhancing Science, Technology, and Innovation (STI) cooperation through joint research and development, exchange of STI information and scientists, and capacity building activities in mutually agreed priority areas, including under the Programme of Cooperation in the Fields of Science and Technology for the period 2025-28 between the Philippine Department of Science and Technology and the Indian Department of Science and Technology; Fostering cooperation in the peaceful uses of outer space, including space science and technology applications, and welcoming the role of academia, research and development, industry, and innovation; Fostering cooperation in peaceful uses of nuclear energy; Strengthening cooperation in the field of Information and Communication Technology including information sharing and exchange of best practices on Edu-tech and Med-tech; Expanding cooperation in the field of agriculture, including in rice production, agri-research and strengthening partnership in the development of sustainable fishing and aquaculture; (e) CONNECTIVITY Enhancing all modes of connectivity between the Philippines and India, including physical, digital and financial linkages; Strengthening collaboration in e-governance financial inclusion, and Digital Public Infrastructure, while ensuring cybersecurity and privacy considerations; Enhancing regional maritime connectivity, including through greater port-to-port connections; Working towards enhanced air connectivity between the countries, through establishment of direct air connectivity. In this regard, both leaders welcomed the scheduled direct flights between the two capitals in the coming months; (f) CONSULAR COOPERATION Facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges. In this regard, the two leaders welcomed the grant of visa-free privileges to Indian tourists by the Philippines, and the extension of gratis e-tourist visa for Filipino nationals by India; Regular convening of the Joint Consular Consultation Meeting; (g) MUTUAL LEGAL AND JUDICIAL COOPERATION Welcoming the conclusion of the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty on Criminal Matters and the Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons; (h) CULTURE, TOURISM AND PEOPLE TO PEOPLE EXCHANGES Further strengthening people-to-people ties and cultural connections, exchanges and collaborations between the two countries through enhanced interactions, including under the expanded Cultural Exchange Programme; Fostering greater cultural exchange through participation in scholarship courses offered by the Indian Council of Cultural Relations; Encouraging exchanges and dialogue between tourist organisations, tourism professionals and the hospitality sector in both countries, in addition to the regular convening of the Joint Working Group on Tourism; Facilitating student and media exchanges and promote engagements between think tanks and academic institutions; Enhancing Philippines-India training and capacity building cooperation, including under the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme; (i) REGIONAL, MULTILATERAL AND INTERNATIONAL Cooperating closely in multilateral and regional forums, including in the United Nations and its specialized agencies, on global issues of mutual concern and interest, such as rule of law in the global commons, counter-terrorism, climate change and sustainable development. Actively supporting the reform and expansion of the United Nations Security Council, both in permanent and non-permanent categories of membership, through text-based negotiations; Reaffirming shared commitment to a free, open, transparent, and rules-based trading system, both countries underscored the need to work together under bilateral, regional, and multilateral platforms to strengthen supply chains, promote trade facilitation, and ensure that trade contributes to their economic development; Calling for concerted global efforts to address climate change based on available science and best available technologies, through global initiatives like the International Solar Alliance, the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure, the Global-Biofuels Alliance, and Mission-Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE); Exploring cooperation under the aegis of the Board of the Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage, which is headquartered in the Philippines; Commending conservation efforts like through the International Big Cat Alliance; Reaffirming full respect and adherence to international law, particularly on the rights and obligations of States under the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and its dispute settlement mechanisms, including on the geographic and substantive limits of marine entitlements, the duty to protect and preserve the marine environment, as well as reaffirming the freedom of navigation and overflight, and the importance of unimpeded commerce based on the principles of international law, as reflected notably in UNCLOS; Underscoring that the final and binding 2016 Arbitral Award on the South China Sea is a significant milestone and the basis for resolving disputes in accordance with international law; Expressing concern for the situation in the South China Sea particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions that impact on regional peace and stability, and calling on relevant parties to exercise self- restraint and commit to peaceful and constructive means to resolve and manage disputes; Supporting the deepening expansion of engagement and cooperation under the ASEAN framework, including through regular summit-level interactions, to jointly strengthen the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The Philippines appreciated India's continued commitment to ASEAN Centrality and active participation and cooperation in ASEAN-led mechanisms in the evolving regional architecture; Exploring cooperation under the ASEAN-India Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) for peace, stability and prosperity in the region, through enhanced cooperation between the AOIP and the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative; Continuing cooperation in multilateral forums on matters pertaining to the Global South, including through the Voice of the Global South Summit (VOGSS). In this regard, India appreciated the active participation of the Philippines in all three VOGSS convened to date; 10. The two countries express their determination to forge ahead in this strategic partnership, true to the fundamental and lasting spirit of the Treaty of Friendship between the Government of the Philippines and the Government of India of 11 July 1952. Done in duplicate at New Delhi, this 5th day of August 2025 in English language. ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES MA. THERESA P. LAZARO Secretary of Foreign Affairs ON BEHALF OF THE GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF INDIA Dr. S. JAISHANKAR External Affairs Minister NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address White House delegation visits Warsaw Ministry of Foreign Affairs - Republic of Poland 05.08.2025 Secretary of State Marcin Bosacki and Undersecretary of State Henryka Moscicka-Dendys met in Warsaw with a delegation from the White House headed by Kelly Loeffler. The talks dealt with the strategic areas of Poland-US cooperation, with a particular focus on security and economy. The US delegation included members of the federal administration, diplomats as well as representatives of the business circles and the Polish diaspora. The meeting created an opportunity to discuss key aspects of the transatlantic partnership, such as joint initiatives aiming to strengthen the strategic resilience and competitiveness of economies. Both sides drew attention to the very good state of Poland-US relations and the countries' common goals related to security, economic development, and technological advancement. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Marcos: PH, India to boost naval, coast guard interoperability Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra August 5, 2025, 7:37 pm NEW DELHI -- President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. on Tuesday said the Philippines and India will strengthen interoperability between their naval and coast guard forces under the newly launched Strategic Partnership between the two countries. "We will foster Naval and Coast Guard interoperability via port calls in cooperative activities and capacity building in the maritime domain," Marcos said in a joint press statement with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House here. Marcos is currently in India for a five-day state visit to strengthen bilateral ties and explore more areas of cooperation with the South Asian giant, particularly in the areas of defense, economy, and regional security. Three of the 13 newly signed agreements under the Strategic Partnership aim to institutionalize regular military-to-military dialogue and cooperation, namely: * Terms of Reference between the Indian Navy and the Philippine Navy on Navy-to-Navy Staff Talks; * Terms of Reference between the Indian Air Force and the Philippine Air Force on Air Staff Talks; and * Terms of Reference between the Indian Army and the Philippine Army on Army-to-Army Staff Talks. Marcos welcomed India's growing defense footprint and indigenous defense industry, citing the BrahMos missile projects as an example of expanding cooperation. "We expressed satisfaction over the rapid pace of the Philippines' ongoing defense modernization and the expanding capabilities and footprint of India's indigenous defense industry," he said. In 2022, the Philippines purchased three batteries of shore-based, anti-ship variants of the BrahMos system under a USD375 million deal. The first batch arrived in April 2024, significantly boosting the Armed Forces of the Philippines' deterrence capabilities. Marcos also thanked India for rescuing Filipino seafarers in 2024 after a Houthi rebel attack, and stressed the importance of maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. "We recognize India's first responder role in this critical area, and we want to work with you for a free and open Indo-Pacific," Marcos said. The Philippines continues to diversify its defense partnerships with other nations as tensions persist in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels have repeatedly encroached into Philippine waters, harassed Filipino fishermen, and obstructed resupply missions to military outposts. The Marcos administration has strongly asserted the country's sovereign rights in the area, backed by the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims. Like the Philippines, India also faces territorial challenges with China, particularly along their disputed Himalayan border, where recent military stand-offs have further strained ties between the two Asian powers. Marcos underscored that both the Philippines and India have "high stakes" in ensuring a secure, rules-based Indo-Pacific and that their new Strategic Partnership would help shape regional peace, stability, and cooperation. "This is a momentous decision," Marcos said. "India becomes only the fifth strategic partner of the Philippinesan apex that reflects the broadening, deepening, and accelerating trajectory of our relations." (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Modi: PH, India 'partners by destiny'; defense ties natural, necessary Philippine News Agency By Darryl John Esguerra August 5, 2025, 6:26 pm NEW DELHI ** Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday reaffirmed India's solidarity with the Philippines in upholding peace and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, declaring the two countries as "friends by choice and partners by destiny" as they officially elevated bilateral ties to a Strategic Partnership. Modi made the remarks in a joint press statement with President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. at Hyderabad House following their bilateral meeting, the highlight of Marcos' five-day state visit to India. "India and the Philippines are friends by choice, and partners by destiny," Modi said. "From the Indian Ocean to the Pacific, we are united by shared values. Ours is not just a friendship of the past, it is a promise to the future." The launch of the Strategic Partnership marks a significant step in deepening cooperation in defense, maritime security, trade, and emerging technologies, and comes amid growing security tensions in the West Philippine Sea, where Chinese vessels continue to harass Philippine ships within Manila's exclusive economic zone. "As maritime nations, maritime cooperation between the two countries is both natural and necessary," Modi said. The Indian leader said the two countries have been working together in humanitarian aid, disaster relief, and search and rescue operations. The Philippines and India recently staged their first joint sail and naval exercises in the disputed South China Sea, a vast, critical waterway that overlaps with the West Philippine Sea and is claimed entirely by China. Modi said the Philippines is an important partner in India's Act East Policy and "MAHASAGAR" vision. "We are committed to peace, security, prosperity and a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region. We support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws," Modi said. Modi also emphasized that both nations are committed to a rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific, backing the Philippines' position on freedom of navigation in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). India has supported the 2016 arbitral ruling that invalidated China's expansive claims over the South China Sea a legal victory long upheld by Manila but ignored by Beijing. The two leaders witnessed the signing of several bilateral agreements, including on defense, space cooperation, mutual legal assistance, scientific research, and cybersecurity infrastructure, as both countries work to strengthen interoperability and strategic resilience. Modi also announced that India will provide free e-visa access to Filipino tourists, reciprocating the Philippines' visa-free entry for Indian nationals, in a bid to boost people-to-people ties. Both sides aim to restart direct flights between Manila and Delhi within the year. India is now only the fifth country with which the Philippines has a Strategic Partnership, joining the United States, Japan, Australia, and South Korea. India and the Philippines are celebrating 75 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations. The two leaders released a postage stamp to commemorate the occasion. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 46 Chinese ships, vessels spotted in 3 WPS features in July Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno August 5, 2025, 6:04 pm MANILA -- The number of Chinese warships and coast guard vessels spotted in three key West Philippine Sea (WPS) features slightly went down in July, a ranking naval official said on Tuesday. From 49 in June, the number went down to 46 in July, according to Philippine Navy spokesperson for the WPS Rear Admiral Roy Vincent Trinidad. Trinidad said the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) ships and China Coast Guard (CCG) vessels were spotted in the following WPS features: --Bajo de Masinloc or Scarborough Shoal (13 CCG vessels, 15 PLAN ships) --Ayungin Shoal (eight CCG vessels, five PLAN ships) --Pag-asa Island (three CCG vessels, two PLAN ships) Trinidad attributed the slight decrease to "maintenance and repair schedule" of the Chinese ships deployed in the three areas. The Philippines is locked in a years-long territorial dispute with China over parts of the resource-rich South China Sea (SCS), including portions Manila refers to as WPS. In 2016, the Philippines won a landmark case against China's massive claim in the SCS before an arbitration tribunal in The Hague, Netherlands, but China does not recognize the ruling and continues to maintain presence in the WPS. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address High-level naval drills mark first PH-India maritime activity Philippine News Agency By Priam Nepomuceno August 5, 2025, 10:50 am MANILA -- The first bilateral maritime cooperative activity (MCA) between the Philippines and India featured high-level naval maneuvers between the participating units, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) said Monday night. "Among the key drills conducted were rendezvous operations, communication checks, air defense exercises, and maneuvering drills with photo exercise," the AFP said in a statement issued at the conclusion of the two-day MCA held from Aug. 3 to Aug. 4. Aside from these, the MCA also included complex warfare simulations such as screening exercise, over-the-horizon targeting, naval surface interdiction and clearance integrated with a publication exercise, anti-submarine warfare exercise, replenishment at sea, passing exercise, and steaming fast, the AFP added. The MCA aimed to strengthen tactical coordination and joint maritime capability between the Philippine and Indian navies, and highlights the growing security collaboration between the two countries. "The series culminated with a hotwash and a final evaluation through a final exercise, underscoring both forces' commitment to achieving operational synergy in multilateral maritime environments," the AFP said. The MCA spanned strategic waters from Masinloc, Zambales to Cabra Island in Lubang, Occidental Mindoro. Participating AFP units included the guided missile frigates BRP Jose Rizal (FF-150) and BRP Miguel Malvar (FFG-06), a Philippine Air Force search-and-rescue aircraft, and a C-208B reconnaissance plane. Meanwhile, the Indian Navy deployed a task group consisting of the guided missile destroyer INS Delhi (D-61), the anti-submarine warfare corvette INS Kiltan (P-30), and the fleet replenishment tanker INS Shakti (A-57). The AFP said these surface vessels were supported by two multi-role naval helicopters, enhancing operational flexibility during the joint drills. It added that the successful execution of the MCA underscores the two nations' readiness to work together in promoting maritime domain awareness and supporting a peaceful, stable, and secure region. "It also lays the groundwork for sustained maritime collaboration in the years ahead," the AFP added. (PNA) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China Coast Guard fleet patrols around Diaoyu Dao Ministry of National Defense of the People's Republic of China Source Xinhuanet EditorHuang Panyue 2025-08-05 17:41:55 BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A China Coast Guard (CCG) fleet on Tuesday patrolled the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao. The patrol was carried out to safeguard China's rights in accordance with the law, the CCG said in a statement. Previously on Monday, a CCG spokesperson said a Japanese fishing vessel had been expelled after illegally entering the territorial waters of China's Diaoyu Dao from Aug. 1 to 4. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hezbollah leader rejects disarmament, urges prioritizing Israeli aggression Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 6:25 PM Hezbollah has once again rejected calls for the Lebanese resistance to disarm, urging the government to prioritize confronting decades-long Israeli aggression as the root cause of Lebanon's problems. Speaking during a ceremony marking the 40th day of martyrdom of Major General Mohammad Saeed Izadi, Hezbollah Secretary-General Sheikh Naim Qassem reaffirmed the movement's integral role in defending Lebanon against Israeli aggression. Addressing demands by some Lebanese politicians for Hezbollah to disarm, Sheikh Qassem emphasized that resistance is a covenantal matter requiring national consensus, not unilateral decisions. He said the resistance is a cornerstone of the 1989 Taif Agreement, which ended years of civil war. Sheikh Qassem urged the Lebanese government to focus on confronting Israeli aggression rather than disarming the resistance, criticizing external pressures from the United States and certain Arab states. "This is the priority, not disarming to appease the Israeli enemy. We are not concerned with disarmament simply because the United States or some Arab countries are exerting pressure to impose this option." He argued that the Lebanese government must address critical questions: how to counter Israeli aggression, protect national sovereignty, involve all societal components in defense, and expel the occupation. Only after stopping aggression, rebuilding, and releasing prisoners, he said, should other issues be discussed. Sheikh Qassem called for a national dialogue on a comprehensive security and defense strategy, dismissing imposed timelines for disarmament as misguided. 'US proposal only serves Israel' The Lebanese leader criticized recent US mediation efforts, particularly a memorandum from envoy Amos Barak, which he described as serving Israeli interests by demanding the dismantling of resistance weapons, including mortars and drones, within 45 days. He called the terms "dictates" that strip Lebanon of its strength and leave it vulnerable. "They are not only talking about heavy or medium weapons, but also hand grenades and mortars, simple weapons widespread among many clans and entities, and they demand all be surrendered. They even want the hand grenades removed." Sheikh Qassem questioned Israel's commitment to withdrawing from occupied Lebanese territories and warned of unenforceable consequences for Israeli violations. "The United States is shirking any commitment to Lebanon. What the proposal demands is stripping Lebanon of its strength in exchange for an unguaranteed partial withdrawal, amid a clear imbalance of power." He cited a statement by Israeli minister Bezalel Smotrich, who said the Israeli army would not withdraw from five points in southern Lebanon and that the destroyed villages would not be rebuilt. "Doesn't this mean the occupation insists on keeping its hand over Lebanon?" "If we give everything, will the aggression stop? No. On the contrary, if we have nothing left, the opportunity for aggression grows." Lebanon resilient The Hezbollah leader underscored Lebanon's resilience, noting that the country sacrificed 5,000 martyrs and 13,000 wounded in recent conflicts, including the Al-Aqsa Flood battle. He credited the resistance, the army, and the people with preventing Israeli advances toward Beirut, affirming that "the resistance is strong, faithful, and determined to protect Lebanon's sovereignty." Sheikh Qassem also honored the late Hezbollah chief Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah and General Saeid Izadi, the Iranian commander who served Palestine and Lebanon, noting his assassination in Qom as a testament to his impact. He called for national unity, quoting the Quran to urge steadfastness and patience: "Know that this battle is either won by Lebanon, all of Lebanon, or lost by Lebanon, all of Lebanon. No group can win while another loses; we either win together or lose together. We are fully convinced we can win together." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 70% of Palestinians in Gaza too weak from starvation to get aid: Report Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 4:55 PM A new survey by the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) has found that 70% of Palestinians in Gaza are now too weak from starvation to even reach humanitarian aid, while the entire population shows alarming signs of psychological collapse under Israel's ongoing genocide. Released Monday, the report strongly condemns Israel's continued campaign of violence and deliberate deprivation in Gaza, warning that it has systematically dismantled the coping mechanisms of an already devastated population. It documents the disturbing effects of the Israeli regime's genocidal assault on Gaza's civilian population, drawing from protection monitoring interviews conducted between May 22 and July 27, 2025. The data was collected at 25 displacement sites across Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, Gaza City, and North Gaza. "Based on protection monitoring interviews with people in Gaza from 22 May to 27 July 2025 in 25 displacement sites in Deir al-Balah, Khan Younis, Gaza City, and North Gaza, the survey exposes the life-threatening consequences of the American and Israeli-backed distribution scheme and the severe psychological toll on a population with no safe haven. Key findings from the survey show a population at breaking point," the report said. According to the survey, the majority of the enclave's population is too exhausted by extreme hunger and is being systematically denied safe access to aid. "Palestinians trying to access the militarized backed distribution scheme said they witnessed people, including family members, being deliberately targeted, shot, and killed by soldiers. Family members who died seeking aid were described as receiving 'blood aid', or 'aid soaked in blood'," the report added. The survey also reveals staggering levels of forced displacement. On average, each person in Gaza has been displaced 9 times, with some individuals reporting up to 12 forced evacuations as safe zones repeatedly became targets. "Meanwhile, basic services were very limited or non-existent at displacement sites; 46% reported receiving clean drinking water twice a week at their current locations, and 28% said they could get a hot meal from a communal kitchen just once a week," the document revealed. As a result of the famine and constant displacements, 33% of the population is experiencing mental health problems, including severe anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies. "Palestinians in Gaza describe feelings of constant fear (33%), depression (31%), sleeplessness and nightmares (31%), and anxiety (26%). In 13% of cases, respondents described feelings of hopelessness and suicidal thoughts," the report stated. It called for an immediate end to the war and urged the international community to take decisive action to hold the Israeli regime accountable and protect civilians. The DRC also demanded an urgent halt to the Israel-US-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) program, citing its militarized and dangerous nature. It called for safe, large-scale aid delivery through a principled, UN-led humanitarian response that restores access, dignity, and protection to Gaza's besieged population. Since the Israeli regime began its genocidal campaign on October 7, 2023, it has killed nearly 61,020 Palestinians and wounded 150,671, most of them women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran urges UN to take serious action to counter Israeli aggression Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 3:12 PM Tehran has urged the United Nations to take more serious action in the face of Israeli aggression in Iran, Gaza, and elsewhere, warning that inaction will only embolden the regime to carry out further attacks. Iranian Vice-President Mohammadreza Aref told UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, during a meeting on the sidelines of the Third Conference of Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan, that if the UN had taken more appropriate action, the tragedies now unfolding in Palestine and Gaza might have been averted. Referring to the US-Israeli war of aggression against Iran, Aref voiced concern that such acts could set a bad precedent in the region and undermine regional stability in the absence of serious international intervention. Aref described the situation in Gaza as "barbaric and savage in the modern era" and called on the world body to take proactive, effective measures to deter the Israeli regime. He also urged the UN to condemn the Iranophobic fear-mongering campaign waged by the West. Aref lamented that while the United States has never concluded that Iran seeks non-peaceful nuclear applications, it still sided with the Zionist regime in its aggression. He stated that the Islamic Republic of Iran accepted a ceasefire on humanitarian grounds and, although constantly threatened with war, it remains committed to peace and has never initiated any conflict. At the same meeting, Guterres emphasized that any attack by Israel or the United States on Iran is illegal and violates international law, underscoring the need to respect global norms and maintain the ceasefire. The Secretary-General added that Iran's nuclear issue must be resolved through diplomatic channels and affirmed the UN's readiness to deploy all its resources to support a peaceful, diplomatic settlement. Guterres also highlighted the importance of upholding Palestinian rights in light of the events in Gaza. Earlier on Tuesday, Aref addressed the conference, saying Tehran will seek redress for the material and moral damage inflicted by U.S.-Israeli aggressions against its people and developmental infrastructure. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNICEF: Israel killing 28 children a day in Gaza Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 2:43 PM Israeli forces are killing an average of 28 children every day in Gaza- the equivalent of wiping out an entire classroom, according to the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF). UNICEF said in a post on X on Tuesday that the children are dying due to the regime's ongoing bombardment of the territory and its inhumane restrictions on the delivery of desperately needed humanitarian assistance. "Death by bombardments. Death by malnutrition and starvation. Death by lack of aid and vital services," the UN agency wrote. UNICEF reiterated that children in Gaza are in urgent need of food, clean water, medicine, and protection. "More than anything, they need a ceasefire - NOW." Since Israel launched its devastating war on Gaza in October 2023, more than 18,000 children, roughly one every hour, have been killed. In the last 24 hours alone, at least eight Palestinians, including one child, have starved to death in the besieged strip. Israel is deliberately starving Gaza's youngest population through its continued blockade and the closure of all border crossings. Last month, the Gaza Media Office warned that over 100,000 children, including 40,000 infants under the age of one, were facing imminent death due to the total lack of baby formula and nutritional supplements. It described the crisis as a "massacre in slow motion." According to the office, Palestinian mothers have resorted to feeding their babies only water for days, in the absence of formula, while hospitals and health centers are overwhelmed with cases of acute and life-threatening malnutrition. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), out of the 74 malnutrition-related deaths recorded this year, 63 occurred in July alone - including 24 children under five, one child over five, and 38 adults. WHO said most of these victims were declared dead on arrival at health facilities or died shortly afterwards, with their bodies showing clear signs of severe wasting. It warned that this crisis remains entirely preventable. The UN special rapporteur on the right to food, Michael Fakhri, who first warned in early 2024 that Israel was orchestrating a campaign of deliberate mass starvation in Gaza, now says the international community cannot feign surprise at the horror unfolding. "Israel has built the most efficient starvation machine you can imagine," Fakhri told the Guardian. "So while it's always shocking to see people being starved, no one should act surprised. All the information has been out in the open since early 2024." "Israel is starving Gaza. It's genocide. It's a crime against humanity. It's a war crime," he stated. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yemeni forces conduct fresh retaliatory missile strike against Israel's Ben Gurion airport Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 10:53 AM The Yemeni army says it has struck a sensitive target deep inside the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories in retaliation for the regime's genocidal war on Gaza and incursions into the al-Aqsa Mosque compound in occupied East al-Quds. Yemen's military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said in a statement that the country's missile force used a Palestine-2 hypersonic ballistic missile to target Ben Gurion International Airport, located on the outskirts of the city of Lod, on Tuesday. The statement added that the operation successfully achieved its desired objective, pushing hundreds of thousands of illegal settlers to seek refuge in bomb shelters. "Let the enemies know that our great Yemeni nation, given its glorious history, religious culture, authentic principles, and deeply-rooted values, will continue its faith-based stance in support of the oppressed Palestinian people. "On this path, Yemenis will remain unfazed in the face of potential threats, irrespective of how dire they might be and how severe their repercussions could be," Saree said. He pledged that the Yemeni military will continue its retaliatory anti-Israel operations until the ongoing aggression against Gaza ceases and the tight siege on the territory is lifted completely. According to Israeli media outlets, the fresh missile attack from Yemen triggered sirens in the central sector of the occupied lands as well as the occupied al-Quds early on Tuesday. The missile attack caused widespread panic among illegal settlers, pushing hundreds of thousands of them to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency response service did not report any direct injuries from the attack or impacts from debris. The military later claimed that its anti-air missile systems "intercepted" the projectile. The development came two days after the Yemeni military claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes against Israeli positions, using three drones. The Yemeni military spokesperson said in a statement aired by al-Masirah television channel on Sunday evening that two drones targeted two military targets in the cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, while the third drone struck the port town of Eilat. The Yemeni Armed Forces have made it clear that they will not halt their solidarity operations until Israel ceases its ground and aerial offensives in Gaza. The devastating Israeli war has resulted in the deaths of more than 61,000 Palestinians so far, the majority of whom are women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza health ministry warns of Guillain-Barre Syndrome outbreak, mass death Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 10:35 AM The Gaza Health Ministry's director-general has warned about a potential widespread outbreak of Guillain-Barre Syndrome (GBS) in the Gaza Strip, stressing that treatment for this disease is unavailable in the besieged territory. Munir al-Bursh made the warning in a statement on Monday, after the health ministry alerted about a significant increase in cases of acute flaccid paralysis among children, amid deteriorating health conditions and severe shortage of essential medicines caused by the Israeli blockade. Bursh went on to say that contaminated water is identified as the main cause of GBS, noting that the viral illness begins with a sudden loss of muscle movement, usually starting in the legs and then spreading upwards, with children being particularly affected. Describing the situation as a "'mass death," Bursh highlighted the tragic circumstances in Gaza, where civilians are perishing from direct bombardment, starvation at aid centers, and preventable diseases. He also pointed out the catastrophic living conditions in Gaza, emphasizing that residents are densely packed into just 18% of the total area, resulting in 40,000 people living per square kilometer, which accelerates the spread of diseases and epidemics. Of particular concern are the children, with Bursh underscoring that over 18,000 children have tragically lost their lives since the start of the war. The deepening health crisis is further illustrated by the prevalence of infectious diseases, respiratory illnesses, and 1,116 recorded cases of meningitis in 2025. Bursh further warned about the potential for an even more disastrous situation if the war and severe malnutrition persist, especially as the occupying regime continues to block all forms of infant formula. Vulnerable groups, especially children and individuals with chronic illnesses, are bearing the brunt of hunger and disease due to the obstruction of humanitarian supplies, he said. Bursh further stated that the ongoing obstruction of humanitarian supplies has pushed Gaza to the brink of the fifth stage of famine. This means there is an imminent risk of hunger and mass death, especially among children and vulnerable populations, he added. The remarks came after the Health Ministry announced three deaths from GBS earlier in the day, including two children under the age of 15, whose unfortunate deaths were attributed to the unavailability of life-saving treatment. Furthermore, the ministry described the current situation as a "looming infectious disaster" due to the detection of intestinal viruses in lab results that are unrelated to polio. This discovery indicates a potentially dangerous spread of pathogens in a public health environment that is already in decline, it said. The Health Ministry further called on international humanitarian organizations to intervene by supplying medications and exerting pressure on Israel to lift the blockade immediately. It also emphasized that the continued restrictions on the entry of food and medicine since the tightening of the siege on March 2 are worsening the health crisis and putting thousands of children at risk. In June and July, the ministry documented 45 cases of acute flaccid paralysis, marking an unprecedented surge, cautioning that this outbreak is exacerbated by severe water contamination, the breakdown of sanitation infrastructure, widespread malnutrition, and shortages of essential medicines. Official figures indicate that 95 people in Gaza, including 45 children, have been affected by GBS. GBS patients experience the loss of reflex responses and severe breathing difficulties, which can lead to a critical state and potential fatality. The Health Ministry has confirmed that in the last 24 hours, five additional individuals have succumbed to starvation and malnutrition, bringing the total number of hunger-related deaths to 180, with 93 of them being children. The ministry had previously informed the World Health Organization (WHO) when GBS first appeared among Gaza's population. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Australia warns of 'risk there will be no Palestine left to recognize' amid Israel's genocide Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 8:04 AM Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong says "there is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognize," amid Israel's genocide in Gaza and increasing violence against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank. Wong made her comments in an interview with the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday morning, responding to questions about a mass protest in Sydney attended by hundreds of thousands of people rallying against Israel's genocide in Gaza. Protest organizers reported that between 200,000 and 300,000 demonstrators marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge during Sunday's event, a figure significantly higher than the police's initial estimate of approximately 90,000 participants. Wong said the Australian government shared the protesters' "desire for peace and a ceasefire," and that the huge turnout reflected "the broad Australian community's horror" and the "distress of Australians, on what we are seeing unfolding in Gaza, the catastrophic humanitarian situation, the deaths of women and children, the withholding of aid." At least 175 people, including 93 children, have starved to death in Gaza since the Israeli regime launched the war on Gaza in October 2023. However, asked if Australia was considering taking any more concrete actions, such as imposing sanctions on Israel, Wong said: "We don't speculate on sanctions for the obvious reason that they have more effect if they are not flagged." She said that Australia had already imposed sanctions on two far-right ministers in Netanyahu's cabinet, Itamar Ben-Gvir and Bezalel Smotrich, in June this year, as well as "extremist" Israeli settlers. On Australia's position regarding Palestinian statehood, Wong said, "In relation to recognition, I've said for over a year now, it's a matter of when, not if." The State of Palestine is recognized as a sovereign nation by 147 of the 193 member states of the United Nations, representing 75 percent of the international community. Wong's interview coincided with reports that Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is attempting to arrange a conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu following Sunday's large-scale demonstration. When asked about his intended discussion points, Albanese said he would reiterate Australia's backing for a two-state solution. Meanwhile, independent journalist Antony Loewenstein told Al Jazeera at the march on Sunday that the rally showed Australians are "frustrated that our government is doing little more than talk at this point." Australia "is part of the global supply chain for the F-35 fighter jet, which Israel is using over Gaza every day, and the parts that are amongst those parts in the plane are probably coming from Australia," he said. Several Western countries have continued to supply lethal weapons to the Israeli regime despite the enormous human toll caused by its genocide in the Palestinian territory. At least 60,034 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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UN: Over 190,000 people displaced in SW Syria since July amid escalating violence Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 6:12 AM The United Nations warns that more than 190,000 people have been displaced in southwestern Syria since last month, amid sectarian clashes and subsequent violent regime interventions. Stephane Dujarric, spokesman for UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, offered the information in a briefing on Monday. Those rendered homeless were spread across the provinces of Sweida and Dara'a as well as the outskirts of the capital Damascus, he noted. 'Relief work in tatters' Commenting on the latest developments in the epicenter of the violence, the official said clashes over the weekend in Sweida were hindering UN relief workers' access and their aid delivery practices. "Very few people about 120 have reportedly returned to their communities, primarily to the Salkhad District in Sweida," he added, citing the world body's Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA), which organizes relief work. "With access constraints and limited resources, much more is needed to meet people's needs," Dujarric said. He went on to detail the impediments preventing provision of humanitarian assistance to the violence-hit areas. "For example, OCHA reports that the clashes in Sweida over the weekend led to the temporary closure of the only humanitarian route to the province, which is used to deliver humanitarian aid and to evacuate vulnerable people," the official said. "The route was reopened today, but the main highway between Damascus and Sweida has remained inaccessible since July 12." 'Overstretched healthcare system' According to Dujarric, violence has also taken "immense" toll on Sweida and Dara'a's healthcare systems. "Maternal health services, trauma care and non-communicable disease management must be urgently scaled up." Syria has been mired in violence since last year, when the Hay'at al-Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) militant group, which used to lead deadly and destructive Takfiri agendas across the Arab country, ousted the democratically-elected government of Bashar al-Assad amid marked escalation against the nation's civilian and defensive infrastructure by the Israeli regime. The unrest in Sweida erupted on July 13, fueled by deep-rooted local disputes over land and resources, which soon ignited violent confrontations between Druze militias and Bedouin tribal fighters. Tensions escalated sharply after HTS forces were sent to the region on July 14 and subsequently entered Sweida city on July 15, according to accounts from residents, independent war observers, and journalists present. The current HTS-led regime, headed by former al-Qaeda and Daesh commander Abu Mohammed al-Jolani, has faced serious accusations of widespread human rights abuses, particularly targeting minority groups, prompting strong international backlash. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, since July 13, over 1,000 people have lost their lives in the clashes in Sweida, including 47 women, 26 children, and six medical workers. The organization noted in its latest report that the death toll surged dramatically following the forces' arrival and intensified fighting. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Sirens sound in Israeli-occupied territories as Yemen launches fresh missile attack Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 5:55 AM Air raid sirens have sounded in the Israeli-occupied territories following the launch of a ballistic missile by the Yemeni Armed Forces in retaliation for the occupying regime's genocidal war against Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. According to Israeli media outlets, the fresh missile attack from Yemen triggered sirens in the central sector of the occupied lands as well as the occupied al-Quds early on Tuesday. The missile attack caused widespread panic among illegal settlers, pushing hundreds of thousands of them to seek refuge in bomb shelters. Israel's Magen David Adom (MDA) emergency response service did not report any direct injuries from the attack or impacts from debris. The military later claimed that its anti-air missile systems "intercepted" the projectile. The development came two days after the Yemeni military claimed responsibility for a series of airstrikes against Israeli positions, using three drones. The Yemeni military spokesperson, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, said in a statement aired by al-Masirah television channel on Sunday evening that two drones targeted two military targets in the cities of Tel Aviv and Ashkelon, while the third drone struck the port town of Eilat. Saree said the attacks were in support of the Palestinian people in Gaza, adding that the Yemeni army's strikes will continue "until aggression on Gaza stops and the blockade is lifted." In response to the escalating genocidal war on Gaza, which began in October 2023, Yemeni forces implemented a strategic maritime blockade aimed at disrupting the supply of military resources to Israel and urging the international community to address the dire humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Simultaneously, they carried out numerous missile and drone strikes against strategic targets within the Israeli-occupied territories in solidarity with Palestinians enduring 20 months of relentless war. The Yemeni Armed Forces have made it clear that they will not halt their operations until Israel ceases its ground and aerial offensives in Gaza. The devastating Israeli war has resulted in the deaths of nearly 61,000 Palestinians so far, the majority of whom are women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ion Iliescu, Romania's First Postcommunist Leader, Dies At 95 By RFE/RL's Romanian Service August 05, 2025 BUCHAREST -- Former Romanian President Ion Iliescu -- one of the most influential but also controversial political leaders of postcommunist Romania -- died in Bucharest on August 5. He was 95 years old. The former president had been hospitalized since June 9, with doctors diagnosing him with lung cancer. In a statement, the government announced Iliescu's death "with deep regret" and sent its condolences to his family and friends. Both adored and repudiated, Iliescu was one of the most controversial politicians in the period of democracy that followed the December 1989 overthrow of long-standing dictator Nicolae Ceausescu. Iliescu had been a government minister before being sidelined by Ceausescu in the early 1970s. In December 1989, he presented himself as a dissident against the Ceausescu regime and emerged as leader of the National Salvation Front, a group that took control of the country after Ceausescu and his wife were deposed and executed. Romania Joins NATO And The EU In May 1990, he became Romania's first freely elected president, serving until 1996. His term, however, was marred by the bloody transfer of power, where 862 people were killed, and his decision to mobilize striking miners to violently suppress anti-government protests in June 1990, in what many regarded as a tactic to hold onto power. In 2018, he was charged with crimes against humanity for his role in those violent events. The case stalled several times, but, in 2023, the Court of Appeals ruled that the trial can proceed. In his second term in office, from 2000 to 2004, Iliescu played a significant role in advancing Romania's accession to the European Union. Under his presidency, Romania also signed the NATO accession treaty in 2004, with the country joining the military alliance shortly before he left office. When announcing Iliescu's death, the government said that details regarding the former president's state funeral will be released in the coming days. August 7 has been declared a day of national mourning in Romania. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ion-iliescu-romania- first-post-communist-leader-dies-at-95/33495262.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has reached new and shocking depths: UK statement at the UN Security Council Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward, UK Permanent Representative to the UN, at the UN Security Council meeting on the Middle East. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Dame Barbara Woodward DCMG OBE Published 5 August 2025 Location: United Nations, New York Delivered on: 5 August 2025 (Transcript of the speech, exactly as it was delivered) I'd like to start by thanking ASG Jenca for your briefing. I also want to express my gratitude to Ilay David for his powerful advocacy in support of his brother and for the hostages in Gaza. I want to reassure Mr David through the Israeli delegation that the UK stands with your family, and the families of all those who have suffered due to Hamas' inhuman and cruel actions, including British citizen Ditza Or, whose son Avinatan remains in captivity. This Council has called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages in all four of its resolutions since October 7th, and I repeat that call today. As my Foreign Secretary has said, the images of Evyatar and other emaciated hostages paraded in front of cameras for propaganda are depraved. Hamas and its terrorist ideology can have no place in the future governance of Gaza and should never again threaten Israel's security. President, the ceasefire at the beginning of this year was a rare moment of hope, which allowed hostages to be released, and the UN to surge aid into Gaza. Since the ceasefire ended, the suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has plumbed new and shocking depths. Israel's aid restrictions have led to famine now unfolding in Gaza, as reported by the IPC. Last week, I spoke with doctors who had served in Gaza. They had seen children so malnourished that their wounds festered for months without healing. They had seen baby formula confiscated by the IDF at the border, depriving newborns of the basic essentials for life. I call on Israel now to act to alleviate this horrendous suffering. We need to see restrictions on aid delivery lifted in line with the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. And the UN must be able to operate safely and at scale. We also call for all land routes to be opened for essential supplies, including food, baby formula, medicine, fuel and clean water. We call for Israel to ensure the protection of civilians, medics and aid workers. And we are appalled that another Palestinian Red Crescent worker was killed this week by an Israeli strike on its headquarters. Israel must investigate this and other similar incidents. President, as I said, the ceasefire earlier this year showed what can be achieved when there is political will. And last week's Two State Solution Conference showed what can be achieved when the international community comes together. We urge the parties to reinvigorate their efforts to secure a ceasefire deal and an end to the conflict. As my Prime Minister set out last week, the UK is ready to play its full and historic part in achieving a plan which ends the bloodshed, brings the hostages home and lays the foundations for a Palestinian state. Statehood is the inalienable right of the Palestinian people and is essential to the long-term security of Israel. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Daily Press Briefing by the Office of the Spokesperson for the Secretary-General Department of Public Information . News and Media Division . New York 5 August 2025 The following is a near-verbatim transcript of today's briefing by Farhan Haq, Deputy Spokesman for the Secretary-General. Good afternoon, everyone. ** Landlocked Developing Countries Today, the Secretary-General officially opened the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, known as LLDCs, in Awaza in Turkmenistan. In his remarks at the Opening Ceremony, Mr. [Antonio] Guterres acknowledged that despite representing only 7 per cent of the world's population, the Landlocked Developing Countries account for just over one per cent of the global economy and trade, which is a stark example of deep inequalities that perpetuate marginalization. "This conference is not about obstacles," the Secretary-General said. "It is about solutions and about launching a new decade of ambition through the Awaza Programme of Action and its deliverables and fully unlocking the development potential of landlocked developing countries." And in a joint press conference with Rashid Meredov, Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Minister, the Secretary-General reiterated his appreciation for Turkmenistan's generosity in hosting the Conference. He also underscored that LLDC3 reflects a new era of cooperation taking shape across Central Asia. He added that at a time when multilateral cooperation is being tested, "this spirit of partnership is more essential than ever." On the sidelines of the Conference, the Secretary-General held a number of bilateral meetings with leaders, including with Shavkat Mirziyoyev, President of the Republic of Uzbekistan. They discussed cooperation between the United Nations and Uzbekistan, as well as regional developments. He also met with Mohammad Reza Aref, First Vice-President of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Secretary-General welcomed the holding of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel and called on all concerned to resolve issues regarding Iran's nuclear programme through diplomacy. The Secretary-General will depart Turkmenistan tomorrow, but the Conference will continue until 8 August. ** Plastic Pollution The second part of the fifth session of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, including in the marine environment, opened today in Geneva. The session, which will continue until 14 August, aims to finalize and approve the text of the agreement and forward it for consideration and adoption at a future Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. Noting that countries are negotiating a global plastics treaty to help beat plastic pollution, the Secretary-General emphasized that we need a fair deal that tackles the full life cycle of plastics, reflects the International Court of Justice (ICJ) Advisory Opinion on Climate Change and supports a shift away from fossil fuels. Inger Andersen, the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), pointed out that plastic pollution is already in nature, in our oceans and even in our bodies. And plastic leakage to the environment is predicted to grow 50 per cent by 2040, she added. If we continue on the current trajectory, Ms. Andersen warned, the world will be drowning in plastic pollution with massive consequences for planetary, economic and human health. She stressed that agreeing to a treaty text is the first step to beating plastic pollution for everyone, everywhere. ** Occupied Palestinian Territory This afternoon at 3 pm, the Security Council will hold a briefing on the situation in the Middle East. Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca will brief, and the Council will also hear from Ilay David, the brother of a hostage who is being held in Gaza. Meanwhile, our colleagues at the Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) tell us that people continue to struggle to survive in Gaza. With starvation on the rise, the volumes of supplies that are entering Gaza remain insufficient to meet people's needs. In addition, the UN and our humanitarian partners continue to face many impediments preventing us from bringing in aid in sufficient quantities and distributing it to communities. Our partners working on food assistance warn that massive food shortages continue to impact people's chances for survival. As malnutrition levels are rising, children are more likely to have weakened immune systems, hindering their development and growth far into the future. Last Thursday, 71 kitchens prepared and delivered more than 270,000 hot meals across Gaza. These included 10,000 meals delivered to health facilities, most of which are struggling to operate as mass casualties, widespread destruction and shortages of basic necessities continue to overwhelm the healthcare system. The number of meals being provided is far below the minimum required to reach more than 2 million people in Gaza. We need an urgent scale-up of supplies, as well as an environment that allows humanitarians to reach people in need safely, rapidly and efficiently. Our colleagues working in health say that some quantities of medicine have managed to reach Gaza in recent days. Medicine shortages place an additional strain on healthcare workers who continue to work under immense pressure and with very limited resources. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the number of people diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome a rare, potentially deadly condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves - has reached 46 cases and two deaths in July, with 38 per cent of the cases requiring intensive treatment. This syndrome can be caused by a compromised immune system, poor nutrition and hygiene-related infections. WHO is working with the Health Ministry to continue surveillance of cases and address the gaps related to diagnostics and treatment. Yesterday, the UN was able to bring three fuel tankers to Gaza City. The fuel was offloaded in a UNOPS (United Nations Office of Project Services)-managed fuel station and will be used to power the most critical health, water and sanitation and emergency telecommunication facilities. OCHA once again stresses that much more fuel is needed daily to run emergency operations. Current levels of fuel are only allowing the UN and our partners to function at the bare minimum. The UN and our partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene underscore that access to clean water remains limited, putting people's health and well-being at risk. Ninety-six per cent of households across Gaza surveyed by our partners in July face moderate to severe challenges in accessing clean water whether to drink, bathe their children or wash dishes. ** Sudan Turning to Sudan, the Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, today warned that with the risk of starvation on the rise in El Fasher in North Darfur State, time is running out. The Office for the Coordination for Humanitarian Affairs continues to push for a humanitarian pause to rush aid in at scale and for the return of a full UN presence. OCHA colleagues on the ground warn about escalating humanitarian needs driven by insecurity, disease, hunger, flooding and displacement. In El Fasher, reports indicate that sporadic shelling continues. The situation there remains deeply unstable, with civilians bearing the brunt of recent clashes between armed groups and families being trapped in one of the country's most besieged urban centres. For its part, the Word Food Programme (WFP) pointed out that one year since famine was first confirmed in Sudan's Zamzam camp in North Darfur, families trapped inside the besieged state capital, El Fasher, face starvation. WFP noted that with trade routes cut off and supply lines blocked, basic food items like sorghum or wheat, which are used to make traditional flatbreads and porridges, cost up to 460 per cent more in El Fasher than in the rest of Sudan. Community kitchens were set up by local groups during the war to provide hot meals to hungry people, but only very few are still functioning. WFP said that reports indicate that some families are resorting to consuming animal fodder and food waste for survival. Many who have managed to flee have cited an escalation of rampant violence, looting, and sexual assault. As we mentioned yesterday, cholera continues to spread across Darfur. In North Darfur alone, our humanitarian partners have reported more than 3,600 cases since late June. In South Darfur, over 1,200 suspected cases and 69 deaths have been recorded. However, our partners warn that underreporting may be masking the true scale of the outbreak. The UN and our partners are responding to the outbreak, but limited access to clean water, sanitation and medical supplies is compounding the crisis. Nutrition needs are rising fast. Recent surveys show global acute malnutrition rates above emergency thresholds in all surveyed areas of North Darfur, reaching 34 per cent in the locality of Mellit and nearly 30 per cent in At Tawaisha. These figures underscore an alarming deterioration, not just in famine-risk zones, but also in broader conflict-affected regions. We, along with our partners, are scaling up outpatient therapeutic services and planning new stabilization centres in hard-hit areas, but urgent funding is needed to sustain and expand this work. OCHA once again urges all parties to allow humanitarian access across the country and calls on donors to scale up flexible funding to meet Sudan's soaring humanitarian needs. ** Afghanistan/Pakistan The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has expressed concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration cards. UNHCR notes that on 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. Over the past days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including cardholders. The UN Refugee Agency said that it acknowledges and appreciates Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges. However, UNHCR added, given that those holding Proof of Registration cards have been recognized as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered. The UN Refugee Agency called on the authorities to ensure that any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, safe and dignified. ** India At the beginning of the month, the Government of India and the UN team in the country launched the first set of projects under a new partnership to facilitate South-South cooperation and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Through the UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative, the UN is helping to bring Indian development innovations to countries across the Global South, based on their national priorities. With initial support from the Gates Foundation and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme, selected projects will be implemented with national partners in the Caribbean, the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Nepal, South Sudan and Zambia, enhancing digital health, food security, census preparedness, and vocational skills training. ** Questions and Answers Deputy Spokesman : That's it from me. Is there any question? Yes. Dezhi? Question : Farhan, it's been reported that the Israeli cabinet is in discussion to proceed a plan to reoccupy the whole Gaza Strip. Any reaction from the Secretary-General on this possible decision, and what could be the consequence? Deputy Spokesman : Well, we're not going to comment on something that remains speculative at this stage. As you are aware, of course, the International Court of Justice, in its advisory opinion a year ago, called on Israel to cease its occupation activities, and we would urge that Israel implement that and avoid further occupations. Question : Would that have any impact for the UN operation inside the strip? Deputy Spokesman : Again, I don't want to speculate on what might happen. We will have to see. You are aware that we have stayed in Gaza through nearly two years of fighting and have stood our ground and done what we can, even though it's come at tremendous cost in the loss of more than 300 lives of our people in Gaza. Question : One last question. Is there at all any, let's say, any contact or any activity from the office of the UN Special Coordinator for Middle East Peace Process? We haven't heard them for quite a long time. Does that mean that UN has already given up the political... Deputy Spokesman : No. Not at all. The United Nations continues to engage with the Israeli authorities, with the Palestinian authority, and will continue to do so. And as you're aware, Miroslav Jenca, our Assistant Secretary-General, will brief the Council on work in Gaza and the situation there this afternoon. Edie, and then Linda. Question : Thank you, Farhan. There are reports that the Israelis have decided to allow commercial goods back into Gaza. And I wonder whether the United Nations has received any good news about easing up on its entry and the opening of new entry points? Deputy Spokesman : Well, we have seen the reports. We're trying to follow up on the ground, and we'll update as soon as we receive any news from our colleagues on the ground. But you're aware that we've continued to say that there needs to be an entry of humanitarian aid and commercial goods through all available crossings. And so any progress in that goal would be welcome. Question : And no information on any change in the opening of new entry points for the UN? Deputy Spokesman : No. At this stage although we've asked for more entry points to be used, right now, we continue simply to use Kerem Shalom and Zikim. Linda and then Pam. Question : Thank you, Farhan. I was just wondering, what the SG's schedule is for the rest of the month. Will he be here? Will he be taking some time off? Deputy Spokesman : We expect that towards the end of the week, he's going to take a few days off, but we will have another travel to another conference to tell you about. So, we'll have something to announce. Possibly a week from now. You won't see him back here in New York till later in the month. Pam and then Gabriel. Yep. Question : Thank you, Farhan. The plastics treaty negotiations that just started today in Geneva... Let's start with the other way around. UN Geneva said the purpose was to finalize and approve the text of this legally binding instrument. I thought you said, and I have to go back and look at my notes, but that it would be finalized at a later date. Deputy Spokesman : Well, the idea is to finalize and approve the text now, and then it would be forwarded for consideration and adoption later, at what's called a Diplomatic Conference of Plenipotentiaries. But the idea is that the finalization of the document happens at these talks in Geneva. Correspondent : But they also said approval. But so you're saying that's not right. It'll actually be... Deputy Spokesman : No. I said finalize and approve. That happens now. Correspondent : And then... Deputy Spokesman : But then it would be adopted later. Correspondent : Okay. Alright. Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Okay. Correspondent : And I'm sorry. Deputy Spokesman : Yeah. Question : Is the Secretary-General attending UN Geneva? That's not something, that's not the... Deputy Spokesman : No. He's in Turkmenistan, which is quite a distance away right now. Correspondent : Okay. Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Thanks. Gabriel and then Murad. Question : Thanks, Farhan. Just a quick question. I know the SG is not in New York, but is anyone from the Secretariat meeting with Israel's foreign minister while he's here today? Deputy Spokesman : I don't have a meeting to confirm by the Deputy Secretary-General. She is the head official in New York right now, but nothing's on her schedule on that. Correspondent : Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Yes. Uh, Murad. Question : Thank you, Farhan. In light of this plan, Israeli plan to reoccupy Gaza, what is the message to the Security Council, to the international community in regard to make pressure on Israel on this? Deputy Spokesman : Well, again, we're not going to speculate on what might happen. But from our standpoint, we've always been calling for a de-escalation. And what the Secretary-General has been pushing for, in fact, is to have a full ceasefire in Gaza. The people of Gaza have suffered for nearly more than 20 months. And at a time when the entire population is suffering from hunger, as I just mentioned, 96 per cent or almost the entire population is suffering from inadequate access to clean water, we need to stop the fighting and actually get aid in to two million people who are desperately in need of such aid. Abdelhamid? Question : Thank you, Farhan. Again, I want to ask you about this plan by the cabinet to occupy Gaza, and you still call it speculation. Israel have told us when they decide on something, they go ahead and do it. Why you still insist on the word speculation? Deputy Spokesman : Because it hasn't happened. Alex? Question : Thanks, Farhan. Completely different topic, on Moldova. So according... Moldova has sentenced the head of Gagauzia autonomy, Ms. [Yevgenia] Gutsul, to seven years in prison for financing the banned Shor party. Do have you any comments on that or you'd consider it as an internal issue? Deputy Spokesman : I believe that this is an issue for the internal court system. If I have anything more to say on that, I'll let you know. Correspondent : Thank you. Deputy Spokesman : Have a good afternoon, everyone. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNHCR urges Pakistan to exempt Afghans with international protection needs from involuntary return UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees This is a summary of what was said by UNHCR spokesperson Babar Baloch - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva. 5 August 2025 GENEVA -- UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, has expressed concern over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. On 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. Over the past days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders. We acknowledge and appreciate Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges. However, given that those holding PoR cards have been recognized as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement. UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered. We call on the authorities to ensure that any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, safe and dignified. UNHCR has continued to seek an extension of the validity of PoR cards and welcomes the additional one-month "grace period" that Pakistan has granted. UNHCR strongly urges the Government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return. We also appeal to Pakistan's established goodwill to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages. UNHCR has expressed its readiness to support the Government to establish the necessary mechanisms. The large-scale return of Afghans this year from neighbouring countries has put immense pressure on basic services, housing and livelihoods, and the host communities themselves, worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. Mass and hasty returns significantly heighten protection needs, and risk instability in Afghanistan and the region, including onward movement. This year, over 2.1 million Afghans have already returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 352,000 from Pakistan. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Children in Sudan 'reduced to skin and bones' as UNICEF calls for urgent action UNICEF Remarks This is a summary of what was said by UNICEF Sudan Representative Sheldon Yett - to whom quoted text may be attributed - at today's press briefing at the Palais des Nations in Geneva 05 August 2025 GENEVA/PORT SUDAN, Sudan, 5 August 2025 - "Over the past week, I travelled from Port Sudan to Aj Jazeera and Khartoum States, witnessing the impact that this crisis - the world's largest humanitarian crisis - is having on children and families. "During the mission, I saw homes, houses, and buildings destroyed. I saw our warehouse in Khartoum looted and reduced to rubble. I saw our humanitarian supplies in that warehouse had been destroyed. I saw communities uprooted and children who had been forced to flee living in overcrowded neighbourhoods. I met mothers who walked for very long distances to find safety, and health workers who cared for the sick and malnourished despite the risks. I also saw our teams and partners work tirelessly, often in perilous and uncertain conditions, continuing to deliver lifesaving aid. "I visited Jebel Aulia, one of the two localities in Khartoum State identified as being at extreme risk of famine. "Jebel Aulia and Khartoum localities carry 37 per cent of the State's malnutrition burden. These localities are also the most impacted by the ongoing violence and access constraints. I witnessed firsthand how children have limited, but growing, access to safe water, to food, to healthcare and to learning. Malnutrition is rife, and many of the children are reduced to just skin and bones. Children and families in the neighbourhood are often sheltered in small, damaged or unfinished buildings. The roads are narrow, muddy and often impassable, and getting more impassable by the day as the rains continue "Cholera spread rapidly in this neighbourhood. The few functioning health centres and nutrition treatment centres in the area are highly congested and crammed with people. "With our partners, we are doing everything we can. Security remains precarious but is improving. After months of effort, we finally have access to the community, and we continue to support health and nutrition services, water and sanitation, and reposition critical supplies where they are most needed. We are also creating safe spaces for children to learn, to play, and to heal. But the scale of need is just staggering, and, along with our partners, we are being stretched to the limit. "Sadly, this is true across the country, with the situation deteriorating rapidly. Children are dying from hunger, disease, and direct violence. They are being cut off from the very services that could save their lives. "This is not hypothetical. It is a looming catastrophe. We are on the verge of irreversible damage to an entire generation of children not because we lack the knowledge or the tools to save them, but because we are collectively failing to act with the urgency, and at the scale this crisis demands. We need access to these children. "With recent funding cuts, many of our partners in Khartoum State and elsewhere in Sudan have been forced to scale back, and we are stepping up, but we cannot do it alone. "We need resources and sustained access to be able to rapidly scale up in areas we can now reach. The record-high admission rates of children receiving treatment for severe acute malnutrition in places like Jebel Aulia and large parts of Aj Jazeera state are clear signs that the needs are staggering in the newly accessible areas. "We must rapidly scale up lifesaving services for children, and we need safe and sustained access to do so, wherever children are. "This is particularly critical in areas on the frontlines and currently cut off from aid - Al Fasher, Dilling and Kadugli. Every day without access to these places puts children's lives at higher risk. "As one of the displaced mothers told us: "Since the war started, my daughter has fallen into a state of silence, and I can feel her heart racing with fear. "Her words are a chilling reminder of the invisible wounds this war is inflicting on children in Sudan. "During this mission, and a year later in Sudan, I have seen the worst of what war can do and the best of what humanity can offer in response. Children in Sudan are resilient. They have endured war now for over two years. But they cannot survive without help. We continue to call for sustained diplomatic efforts for peace. And while conflict endures, we all must collectively do everything in our power to support children - we cannot let them pay the ultimate price for it. "The world must not look away. Not now." ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Gaza crisis deepens as UN warns children are 'dying before reaching hospital' 5 August 2025 - Children in Gaza are dying not just from hunger, but from the total collapse of the systems meant to protect them, UN agencies warned on Tuesday. With 96 per cent of households lacking clean water, many malnourished children are not surviving long enough to receive hospital care. James Elder, Spokesperson for the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF), told at a news briefing in Geneva that it would be a mistake to assume the situation is improving. "There's a sense through the world's press that things are improving," he said. "But unless there is sustained humanitarian aid...there will be horrific results." He emphasised the scale of need: "When food comes in which supports 30,000 children, there are still 970,000 children not getting enough. It is a drop in the ocean." Aid still a trickle The UN relief coordination office, OCHA, said that although unilateral pauses have allowed some aid into Gaza, the current trickle is vastly insufficient. "There should be hundreds and hundreds of trucks entering Gaza every day, for months or years to come," said Jens Laerke, OCHA spokesperson. "People are dying every day. This is a crisis, on the brink of famine." Thousands of tons of pre-funded aid remain stuck just outside the enclave, he added, as bureaucratic delays and lack of safe access continue to block distribution. Urgent scale-up needed In New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq also noted the impediments to bringing in and distributing sufficient aid. "Massive food shortages continue to impact people's chances for survival," he said. "As malnutrition levels rise, children's immune systems are weakened, hindering their development and growth far into the future." Last Thursday alone, 71 kitchens delivered over 270,000 hot meals across Gaza, including 10,000 to health facilities. But that figure falls far short of what's needed to feed more than two million people. "We need an urgent scale-up of supplies, as well as an environment that allows humanitarians to reach people in need safely, rapidly and efficiently," Mr. Haq added. Health challenges continue Some medicine has entered Gaza in recent days, but supplies remain limited. Health workers continue to operate under extreme pressure and shortages. The World Health Organization (WHO) reported 46 cases of Guillain-Barre syndrome in July, including two deaths. The condition, which affects the nervous system, has been linked to compromised immunity, poor nutrition and hygiene-related infections. The situation of pregnant women and nursing mothers is equally alarming. The UN reproductive health agency, UNFPA, said that 40 per cent of pregnant or breastfeeding women are suffering from severe malnutrition, with newborn deaths and stillbirths on the rise. Meanwhile, three UN fuel tankers reached Gaza City on Monday. The fuel will power critical health, water and sanitation services, but OCHA stressed this only allows operations to run at "bare minimum" capacity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hunger in Gaza: Women and children face death in search of food 5 August 2025 - Obtaining food is no longer a routine journey in Gaza; it has become a race, fraught with death on all sides as women and children risk their lives to get aid. "I used to easily receive aid distributed by the UN," Abir Safi, a displaced person from the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, told UN News. "Now, we get nothing. I risk my life by going to the Zikim crossing and returning with an empty bag. All I want is to return to my children with some food." Ms. Safi said she never imagined that providing for her children would become a deadly adventure. After losing her husband in the war, she found herself alone, facing the responsibility of supporting her family amid deteriorating humanitarian conditions. She was among thousands of citizens who gathered along Rashid Street in northern Gaza, which connects the Zikim crossing to northern Gaza, hoping to receive humanitarian aid. 'Bullets over my head' Our correspondent witnessed the arrival of thousands of Palestinians returning from a journey in search of food supplies. Thousands of emaciated bodies - men, women, and children - were caught in a scene that has become a daily occurrence. Everyone is running in search of the few aid trucks that reach northern Gaza. The United Nations has the capacity and resources necessary to distribute aid in a safe, dignified manner to all those in need in the Gaza Strip. The organization continues to call for the lifting of restrictions imposed by the Israeli authorities on the entry and distribution of aid into Gaza. The danger lies not only in the crowding and chaos, but also in the death that lurks around everyone. Fayza al-Turmisi, a displaced person from Shuja'iyya, described the horrific scene along Rashid Street in northern Gaza. "They fire shells and bullets at us here. We are forced to lie on the ground. I hide among more than 200 men, and bullets fly over my head. If you raise your head, you get hit. If you stay on the ground, bullets fall around you." Between mourning and hunger Mohammed Mudeiris, aged seven, said he lost his father in an airstrike just the day before. He doesn't have the luxury of grieving for his father as he is now the sole breadwinner for his siblings. Walking through the dense crowds, he extends his small hand, begging for a handful of flour to take back to his siblings. "I am the eldest of my siblings," he said. "My father was killed in an airstrike yesterday. I am trying to ask someone to give me a plate of flour or a meal from the aid that arrived today." 'I risk my life to bring food to my children' The race for food is not limited to men. Women are forced to take this risk, driven by the responsibilities of motherhood and the needs of their children. "I throw myself into danger to bring food for my children," said Asma Masoud, who was displaced from northern Gaza. "We never get our fair share of aid," she said. "My husband is paralysed, and there are widows and women like me who cannot provide food for their children." Highlighting that some young people take the aid and sell it at exorbitant prices that she cannot afford to buy, Ms. Masoud called on the world to ensure "a fair distribution mechanism and to allow UNRWA [the UN agency for Palestine refugees] and international organizations to do so". Aid should be distributed via text messages so that every person in need receives their share, as was the case before, she said. "But now, only a few people are profiting and selling the aid," she stated. "We cannot tolerate that. It is an injustice." 'I don't know how I'm going to feed my children' Ms. Safi agreed with Ms. Masoud, complaining that "the beneficiaries now are largely thieves." "I've lost a lot of weight, and all my health is gone," Ms. Safi said. "I don't know how I'm going to feed my children. I want to receive aid with dignity. Aid used to come through the United Nations, and I could easily go and receive it, but now I don't receive anything." This chaotic system leaves behind widows, women, the elderly and many other complex humanitarian cases, such as Maqboula Adas, who supports her injured husband and her son who has a broken leg. "My husband is injured and cannot move," she explained. "My eldest son has a broken leg, and I also have three daughters. No one supports us except God. Every day I go to try to get some flour. If it weren't for that, they would have died of hunger." Carts carry corpses At the height of this tragedy, macabre scenes emerge. Instead of carrying bags of flour, a horse-drawn cart transports the bodies of at least seven Palestinians who were killed while trying to get aid. While some young men carried sacks of flour on their backs, ambulances bring the wounded and dead from the northern regions. The achievement of getting food aid comes at a heavy price. One young man was injured in the head and face while trying to collect aid. "I came to collect aid, but today wasn't my day," he said. "I will come again despite my injury, and I hope God will provide for me next time." Risk of famine Gaza is facing a severe risk of famine, with food consumption and nutrition indicators at their worst levels since the beginning of the current conflict, according to a warning issued by the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC). At least 147 deaths due to hunger and malnutrition have been reported, including 88 children. More than 28,000 cases of severe acute malnutrition have been recorded among children, according to reports from the World Health Organization and the World Food Programme. Despite promises to facilitate the flow of aid, restrictions on the entry of food and fuel, along with ongoing attacks near the crossings, have prevented supplies from reaching those in need. In addition, the chaotic distribution of aid within Gaza has further complicated the situation and placed civilians at greater risk. The UN human rights office (OHCHR) has documented the deaths of hundreds of people attempting to access aid amid ongoing gunfire and shelling near relief truck routes and military distribution points. 'If I get killed, who will take care of my children?' Amidst this chaos, widow Enaam Siam, a mother of six, recounts her struggle for food. "I am a widow and a mother of six orphaned children, one of whom is injured," she said. "Every day, I go out amidst death to bring them food. I see the dead and wounded." She asked why aid is no longer delivered to warehouses and distributed via text message. "If I am killed, who will take care of my children? There are thousands of women in a similar situation. We want safety, peace and a fair system that ensures aid reaches those in need." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UNHCR urges Pakistan to stop forced returns of Afghan refugees 5 August 2025 - The UN refugee agency, UNHCR, is calling for Pakistan to halt the forcible return of Afghan refugees holding proof of registration (PoR) cards, Spokesperson Babor Baloch said on Tuesday in Geneva. He expressed particular concern over the plight of women and girls sent back to Afghanistan, which has been under Taliban rule for four years. On 31 July, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be deported under an ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders. Violation of non-return principle "We acknowledge and appreciate Pakistan's generosity in hosting refugees for over 40 years amid its own challenges," said Mr. Baloch. "However, given that those holding PoR cards have been recognized as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement." The situation is unfolding amid a mass return of Afghans from neighbouring countries, including Iran. This year, over 2.1 million have already returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan, including 352,000 from Pakistan. Concern for women and girls "UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered," said Mr. Baloch. He urged the authorities to ensure that any returns are voluntary, safe and dignified. Moreover, UNHCR has continued to seek an extension of the validity of PoR cards, which expired at the end of June, and welcomed the additional one-month "grace period" granted by Pakistan. "UNHCR strongly urges the Government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return," he said. "We also appeal to Pakistan's established goodwill to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages." Far-reaching impact He said the large-scale return of Afghans from neighbouring countries has put immense pressure on basic services, housing and livelihoods, as well as host communities. The general policy is worsening an already dire humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan. According to UN aid coordination office OCHA, almost half the population - nearly 23 million people - will require humanitarian assistance this year to survive. Mr. Baloch warned that "mass and hasty returns significantly heighten protection needs, and risk instability in Afghanistan and the region, including onward movement." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address World News in Brief: Child deaths in Pakistan, Ukrainian rail station attack, new UN-India development partnership 5 August 2025 - On Tuesday, the UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) reported the deaths of five children with a dozen seriously injured, following the detonation of an unexploded mortar shell in the city of Lakki Marwat in Pakistan's Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province over the weekend. The children picked up the unexploded ordnance in a nearby field, mistaking it for a toy, and brought it back to their village where it later detonated, UNICEF said. The ordnance is likely one of the many unexploded shells left over from the military clashes between Pakistan and India in May, according to news reports. Extending condolences to those affected, the agency stressed that "no child should fall victim to landmines or unexploded ordnance." The organization denounced the presence of explosive remnants of war, as they continue to pose deadly risks to children and communities in conflict zones - and former conflict areas - worldwide. Ordnance risk education Since January, UNICEF has collaborated with the Government to educate 9,500 children on the risks posed by leftover munitions in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province. The agency called on Pakistan to increase support for lifesaving explosive ordnance risk education. Five dead in attack on Ukrainian rail station Amid a wave of record civilian casualties, an overnight strike early Tuesday on a railway station in the city of Lozova, in Ukraine's frontline Kharkiv region, killed five civilians and workers, injuring several others. According to a social media post from the UN humanitarian aid agency (OCHA) in Ukraine, the railway station was heavily damaged, and surrounding homes were also affected. According to news reports, the attack triggered fires across the city and disrupted rail traffic in Lozova, a strategically important transport hub. Emergency assistance is ongoing, with aid workers on site providing emergency repair materials and psychological support. UN-India partnership launches SDG projects across Global South At Tuesday's daily press briefing in New York, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq highlighted the launch of a new UN-India partnership to facilitate cooperation across the Global South and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The UN-India Global Capacity-Building Initiative, will showcase successful innovations to countries across the Global South, tailored to national priorities. The Gates Foundation and the Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) programme are also supporting the projects, which will be implemented with national partners in the Caribbean, Laos, Nepal, South Sudan and Zambia. The projects aim to enhance digital health, food security, census preparedness and vocational skills training. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Today's top news: Occupied Palestinian Territory, Sudan UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Occupied Palestinian Territory Supplies entering Gaza not enough to meet people's needs OCHA says that people in Gaza continue to struggle to survive. With starvation on the rise, the volumes of supplies that are entering Gaza remain insufficient to meet people's needs. The UN and its humanitarian partners also continue to face many impediments preventing them from bringing in aid at scale and distributing it to communities. Partners working on food assistance warn that massive food shortages continue to impact people's chances for survival. As malnutrition levels are rising, children are more likely to have weakened immune systems, hindering their development and growth far into the future. Last Thursday, 71 kitchens prepared and delivered more than 270,000 hot meals across Gaza. These included 10,000 meals delivered to health facilities, most of which are struggling to operate as mass casualties, widespread destruction and shortages of basic necessities continue to overwhelm the healthcare system. The number of meals being provided is far below the minimum required to reach more than 2 million people in Gaza. There is a need for an urgent scale-up of supplies, as well as an environment that allows humanitarians to reach people in need safely, rapidly and efficiently. Health partners say that some quantities of medicine have managed to reach Gaza in recent days. Medicine shortages place an additional strain on healthcare workers who continue to work under immense pressure and with very limited resources. The World Health Organization (WHO) noted that the number of people diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome - a rare, potentially deadly condition in which the body's immune system attacks the nerves - has reached 46 cases and two deaths in July, with 38 per cent requiring intensive treatment. This syndrome can be caused by a compromised immune system, poor nutrition and hygiene-related infections. WHO is working with the Health Ministry to continue surveillance of cases and address the gaps related to diagnostics and treatment. Yesterday, the UN was able to bring three fuel tankers to Gaza city. The fuel was offloaded in a UN Office for Project Services-managed fuel station and will be used to power the most critical health, water and sanitation and emergency telecommunication facilities. OCHA once again stresses that much more fuel is needed daily to run life-saving and emergency operations. Current levels of fuel are only allowing the UN and its humanitarian partners to function at the bare minimum. The UN and its partners working on water, sanitation and hygiene underscore that access to clean water remains limited, putting people's health and wellbeing at risk. Ninety-six per cent of households across Gaza surveyed by partners in July face moderate to severe challenges in accessing clean water -to drink, bathe their children or wash dishes. Sudan UN Humanitarian Chief warns time is running out as starvation surges in El Fasher The Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs, Tom Fletcher, said in a social media post today that with the risk of starvation on the rise in El Fasher in North Darfur State, Sudan, time is running out. OCHA continues to push for a humanitarian pause to rush aid in at scale - and for the return of a full UN presence. OCHA warns that escalating humanitarian needs in Sudan are being driven by a insecurity, disease, hunger, flooding and displacement. In El Fasher, reports indicate that sporadic shelling continues. The situation remains deeply unstable, with civilians bearing the brunt of recent clashes between armed groups and families being trapped in one of the country's most besieged urban centres. Cholera continues to spread across Darfur. In North Darfur alone, humanitarian partners have reported more than 3,600 cases since late June. In South Darfur, over 1,200 suspected cases and 69 deaths have been recorded. However, partners warn that underreporting may be masking the true scale of the outbreak. The UN and our partners are responding to the outbreak, but limited access to clean water, sanitation and medical supplies is compounding the crisis. Nutrition needs are rising fast. Recent surveys show global acute malnutrition rates above emergency thresholds in all surveyed areas of North Darfur, reaching 34 per cent in the locality of Mellit and nearly 30 per cent in At Tawaisha. These figures underscore an alarming deterioration, not just in famine-risk zones, but also in broader conflict-affected regions. The UN and its humanitarian partners are scaling up outpatient therapeutic services and planning new stabilization centres in hard-hit areas, but urgent funding is needed to sustain and expand this work. OCHA once again urges all parties to allow humanitarian access across the country and calls on donors to scale up flexible funding to meet Sudan's soaring humanitarian needs. Posted on 5 August 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Secretary-General's remarks to the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries [bilingual as delivered; scroll down for all-English] United Nations Secretary-General Awaza, Turkmenistan 05 August 2025 Antonio Guterres, Secretary-General of the United Nations Your Excellency, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I thank the Government and people of Turkmenistan for your warm welcome and leadership in hosting this important conference. We gather today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: Geography should never define destiny. Yet for the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, geography too often limits development opportunities and entrenches inequality. Your countries face daunting challenges: steep barriers to trade, high transport costs, and limited access to global markets. Many remain highly vulnerable - relying on raw commodity exports, exposed to volatile international prices and constrained by narrow economic bases. Meanwhile, debt burdens are rising to dangerous and unsustainable levels. And one-third of LLDCs are grappling with vulnerability, insecurity, or conflict. Despite representing 7 per cent of the world's population, LLDCs account for just over one per cent of the global economy and trade - a stark example of deep inequalities that perpetuate marginalization. These inequalities are not inevitable. They are the result of an unfair global economic and financial architecture unfit for the realities of today's interconnected world, compounded by systemic neglect, structural barriers - and in many cases, the legacy of a colonial past. Recent shocks - from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate disasters, supply chain disruptions, conflicts and geopolitical tensionshave deepened the divide - pushing many LLDCs further away from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. But this conference is not about obstacles. It is about solutions. It is about launching a new decade of ambition - through the Awaza Programme of Action and its deliverables - and fully unlocking the development potential of landlocked developing countries. The United Nations is proud to stand with you in this effort. Allow me to outline four essential priorities for collective action in the decade ahead. First - we must accelerate structural transformation and economic diversification. LLDCs possess extraordinary potential - from natural resources to human capital. Yet this potential remains largely untapped - constrained by limited funding and market access. We need bold and sustained investments in value-added industries, local innovation, and inclusive growth that reaches every community - across regions and generations. Digital transformation must be central to this effort. It can help LLDCs overcome physical barriers and connect to global markets. Digital tools can also deepen connectivity between communities - preserving indigenous knowledge, celebrating cultural heritage, and strengthening linguistic and educational exchanges across borders. And with the right support, LLDCs can leverage Artificial Intelligence to strengthen early warning systems, expand precision farming, enable smart logistics - and tailor solutions in health, education, and public services. But today, the digital divide is stark. Many people in LLDCs remain offline, with women and rural communities especially excluded. We must urgently close these gaps - by expanding digital infrastructure, boosting digital literacy, and ensuring affordable access for all. The Global Digital Compact offers a roadmap. We need strong partnerships - particularly with the private sector - to scale innovation, transfer technologies, and connect some of the world's most isolated populations. I will soon present a report on innovative voluntary financing options to support AI capacity-building in developing countries. We must also support LLDCs in harnessing e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital services to unlock jobs, boost revenues, and empower youth. Second - we must strengthen trade, transit, and regional connectivity. Your countries are bound by deep human connections - shared languages, cultural heritage, and kinship ties - that transcend borders and offer a powerful foundation for regional cooperation. Yet, fragmented logistics, border delays, inadequate transport infrastructure, high transport costs keep your countries on the margins of the global economy. We must address both the "hardware" and "software" of connectivity. That means simplifying cross-border procedures, harmonizing standards, and strengthening legal frameworks for seamless trade and transit. It means investing in physical infrastructure - from resilient transport corridors to cross-border energy interconnections, expanded air connectivity and smart logistics platforms. LLDCs must be fully integrated into regional and global value chains - transforming their role from suppliers of raw materials to creators of high-value products. We must reform the global trade system to better reflect your realities, challenges and ambitions. We must deepen connections with transit countries through joint planning, mutual benefit, and shared infrastructure - including traditional trade routes and cross-border community ties. Multilateral development banks must prioritize LLDCs with concessional funding in their regional transport and trade lending portfolios, rapidly scaling support for green, cross-border investments. When LLDCs are connected, entire regions can prosper. Third - we must strengthen climate action. LLDCs contribute less than 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions - but suffer disproportionately and unjustly from climate impacts. From desertification in the Sahel to glacial retreat in mountainous regions, from extreme weather in Central Asia to changing rainfall patterns in South America, climate change is hitting landlocked countries hard. The combination of landlockedness and climate vulnerability creates compound risks that threaten development - and in some cases, survival. When climate disasters destroy critical infrastructure, entire economies can be severed from global markets overnight. We must double adaptation finance as promised, invest in early warning systems, and build resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate shocks. At the same time, the science is unequivocal: to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach. COP30 later this year must be a decisive moment. G20 countries bear a particular responsibility due to the scale of their emissions. They must lead by example - submitting Nationally Determined Contributions that reflect their highest possible ambition. And LLDCs must have the means to act, from financing and technologies to partnerships that align climate action with national development goals. With the right support, the green transition can enable your countries to leapfrog to sustainable solutions - from renewable energy to electric mobility - creating new industries and decent jobs, while protecting the planet. Quatriemement, nous devons mobiliser des fonds et des partenariats. Aucune de nos ambitions ne peut etre realisee sans des financements adequats, accessibles et abordables. Or, aujourd'hui, de nombreux pays en developpement sans littoral sont pris au piege d'un cercle vicieux d'endettement et de sous-investissement : Des couts d'emprunt eleves en raison des risques percus, un acces limite aux marches financiers internationaux, et un endettement qui detourne les maigres ressources du developpement vers le remboursement de la dette. L'acces a des financements abordables et a long terme reste insuffisant. Et le systeme financier mondial fait defaut a ceux qui en ont le plus besoin. L'Engagement de Seville appelle a une nouvelle ere de financement - une ere equitable, inclusive et adaptee aux realites des pays en developpement. Nous devons mettre en uvre ces engagements avec urgence et ambition. Nous devons tripler la capacite de pret des banques multilaterales de developpement pour accroitre les financements concessionnels ; Reformer l'architecture de la dette souveraine afin de mieux soutenir le developpement durable ; Mobiliser des capitaux prives a grande echelle - dans l'interet general ; Renforcer la cooperation fiscale mondiale afin de lutter contre l'evasion fiscale et freiner les flux financiers illicites ; Et reformer la gouvernance de l'architecture financiere internationale afin de promouvoir plus d'equite, de transparence et de responsabilite avec une meilleure participation des pays en developpment. Nous devons aussi debloquer des financements concessionnels pour le climat - de toute urgence et a grande echelle - pour permettre aux pays en developpement sans littoral d'investir dans des infrastructures resilientes, un developpement durable et une croissance inclusive. Le Programme d'action d'Avaza fait echo a l'Engagement de Seville. Ensemble, ils offrent une feuille de route concrete pour transformer les promesses en capitaux - et les capitaux en avancees tangibles. Excellences, La reussite des pays en developpement sans littoral est essentielle a la reussite du Programme 2030. Nous avons les connaissances. Nous avons les outils. Ensemble, nous pouvons ecrire un nouveau chapitre de l'histoire des pays en developpement sans littoral, fait d'integration economique, de resilience et de prosperite partagee. Ensemble, nous pouvons transformer la geographie, aujourd'hui un obstacle, en une passerelle - reliant non seulement les marches, mais aussi les peuples et les cultures qui donnent tout son sens au developpement. Saisissons cette occasion pour batir un avenir plus prospere, plus juste et plus durable pour tous. Je vous remercie. ** [All English] Your Excellency, President Serdar Berdimuhamedow, Excellencies, Distinguished delegates, I thank the Government and people of Turkmenistan for your warm welcome and leadership in hosting this important conference. We gather today to reaffirm a fundamental truth: Geography should never define destiny. Yet for the 32 Landlocked Developing Countries across Africa, Asia, Europe, and South America, geography too often limits development opportunities and entrenches inequality. Your countries face daunting challenges: steep barriers to trade, high transport costs, and limited access to global markets. Many remain highly vulnerable - relying on raw commodity exports, exposed to volatile international prices and constrained by narrow economic bases. Meanwhile, debt burdens are rising to dangerous and unsustainable levels. And one-third of LLDCs are grappling with vulnerability, insecurity, or conflict. Despite representing 7 per cent of the world's population, LLDCs account for just over one per cent of the global economy and trade - a stark example of deep inequalities that perpetuate marginalization. These inequalities are not inevitable. They are the result of an unfair global economic and financial architecture unfit for the realities of today's interconnected world, compounded by systemic neglect, structural barriers - and in many cases, the legacy of a colonial past. Recent shocks - from the COVID-19 pandemic to climate disasters, supply chain disruptions, conflicts and geopolitical tensionshave deepened the divide - pushing many LLDCs further away from achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. But this conference is not about obstacles. It is about solutions. It is about launching a new decade of ambition - through the Awaza Programme of Action and its deliverables - and fully unlocking the development potential of landlocked developing countries. The United Nations is proud to stand with you in this effort. Allow me to outline four essential priorities for collective action in the decade ahead. First - we must accelerate structural transformation and economic diversification. LLDCs possess extraordinary potential - from natural resources to human capital. Yet this potential remains largely untapped - constrained by limited funding and market access. We need bold and sustained investments in value-added industries, local innovation, and inclusive growth that reaches every community - across regions and generations. Digital transformation must be central to this effort. It can help LLDCs overcome physical barriers and connect to global markets. Digital tools can also deepen connectivity between communities - preserving indigenous knowledge, celebrating cultural heritage, and strengthening linguistic and educational exchanges across borders. And with the right support, LLDCs can leverage Artificial Intelligence to strengthen early warning systems, expand precision farming, enable smart logistics - and tailor solutions in health, education, and public services. But today, the digital divide is stark. Many people in LLDCs remain offline, with women and rural communities especially excluded. We must urgently close these gaps - by expanding digital infrastructure, boosting digital literacy, and ensuring affordable access for all. The Global Digital Compact offers a roadmap. We need strong partnerships - particularly with the private sector - to scale innovation, transfer technologies, and connect some of the world's most isolated populations. I will soon present a report on innovative voluntary financing options to support AI capacity-building in developing countries. We must also support LLDCs in harnessing e-commerce, mobile banking, and digital services to unlock jobs, boost revenues, and empower youth. Second - we must strengthen trade, transit, and regional connectivity. Your countries are bound by deep human connections - shared languages, cultural heritage, and kinship ties - that transcend borders and offer a powerful foundation for regional cooperation. Yet, fragmented logistics, border delays, inadequate transport infrastructure, high transport costs keep your countries on the margins of the global economy. We must address both the "hardware" and "software" of connectivity. That means simplifying cross-border procedures, harmonizing standards, and strengthening legal frameworks for seamless trade and transit. It means investing in physical infrastructure - from resilient transport corridors to cross-border energy interconnections, expanded air connectivity and smart logistics platforms. LLDCs must be fully integrated into regional and global value chains - transforming their role from suppliers of raw materials to creators of high-value products. We must reform the global trade system to better reflect your realities, challenges and ambitions. We must deepen connections with transit countries through joint planning, mutual benefit, and shared infrastructure - including traditional trade routes and cross-border community ties. Multilateral development banks must prioritize LLDCs with concessional funding in their regional transport and trade lending portfolios, rapidly scaling support for green, cross-border investments. When LLDCs are connected, entire regions can prosper. Third - we must strengthen climate action. LLDCs contribute less than 3 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions - but suffer disproportionately and unjustly from climate impacts. From desertification in the Sahel to glacial retreat in mountainous regions, from extreme weather in Central Asia to changing rainfall patterns in South America, climate change is hitting landlocked countries hard. The combination of landlockedness and climate vulnerability creates compound risks that threaten development - and in some cases, survival. When climate disasters destroy critical infrastructure, entire economies can be severed from global markets overnight. We must double adaptation finance as promised, invest in early warning systems, and build resilient infrastructure that can withstand climate shocks. At the same time, the science is unequivocal: to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, we must keep the 1.5-degree goal within reach. COP30 later this year must be a decisive moment. G20 countries bear a particular responsibility due to the scale of their emissions. They must lead by example - submitting Nationally Determined Contributions that reflect their highest possible ambition. And LLDCs must have the means to act, from financing and technologies to partnerships that align climate action with national development goals. With the right support, the green transition can enable your countries to leapfrog to sustainable solutions - from renewable energy to electric mobility - creating new industries and decent jobs, while protecting the planet. Fourth - we must mobilize financing and partnerships. None of our ambitions can be met without adequate, accessible, and affordable financing. Yet today, many LLDCs are trapped in a vicious cycle of debt and underinvestment: High borrowing costs due to perceived risks, limited access to international capital markets, and debt burdens that divert scarce resources from development to debt service. Access to affordable and long-term finance remains limited. And the global financial system is failing those who need it most. The Sevilla Commitment calls for a new era of financing - one that is fair, inclusive, and responsive to the realities of LLDCs and developing countries. We must implement these commitments with urgency and ambition. We must scale up concessional finance by tripling the lending capacity of Multilateral Development Banks. Reform the sovereign debt architecture to better support sustainable development. Mobilize private capital at scale for public good. Strengthen global tax cooperation to address tax evasion and curb illicit financial flows. And reform the governance of the international financial architecture to promote greater equity, transparency, and accountability, with stronger participation of developing countries. We must also unlock concessional climate finance - urgently and at scale - to ensure that LLDCs can invest in resilient infrastructure, sustainable development, and inclusive growth. The Awaza Programme of Action echoes the Sevilla Commitment. Together, they offer a concrete roadmap for transforming promises into capital - and capital into impact. Excellencies, The success of LLDCs is essential to the success of the 2030 Agenda. We have the knowledge, and we have the tools. Together, we can write a new chapter in the history of landlocked developing countries - one of economic integration, resilience, and shared prosperity. Together, we can transform geography from a barrier to a bridge - connecting not just markets, but the peoples and cultures that give meaning to development. Let us seize this moment - and build a more prosperous, just, and sustainable future for all. Thank you. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address BE 25-3 kicks off final phase in Air Force's first-in-a-generation DLE Published Aug. 5, 2025 57th Wing Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. (AFNS) -- The U.S. Air Force kicked off Bamboo Eagle 25-3 Air Combat Command's premier advanced training exercise designed to enhance multi-domain combat readiness and agility in a contested environment. The exercise, hosted by the U.S. Air Force Warfare Center, marks the final stage in the Department of the Air Force's Department-Level Exercise. BE 25-3 is one of five major exercises comprising the DAF's DLE. The exercise is part of the first-in-a-generation DLE series, a new way of conducting operations in a contested, dynamic environment to build capabilities making a stronger, more lethal deterrent force. "As part of the DLE series, this iteration of Bamboo Eagle demonstrates our ability to generate combat readiness while collaborating with combatant commands and the joint force." said Lt. Gen. Michael Koscheski, ACC deputy commander. "Bamboo Eagle 25-3 builds on the tactical focus of Red Flag exercises challenging participants to operate in a combat representative environment." With over 100 participating aircraft operating from more than 15 locations, the exercise serves to challenge participants to generate combat airpower, sustain expeditionary bases and execute dynamic battle management in maritime-focused scenarios. As DLE tests the DAF's ability to conduct sustained, complex military operations in a rapidly evolving environment, BE 25-3 focuses on three key objectives: Distributed command and control: Demonstrating sustainable mission-centric command, distributed control and decentralized execution to manage fielded forces effectively. Follow-on mission generation: Testing the ability to deploy follow-on forces and generate sorties in contested environments while executing Agile Combat Employment to enhance survivability and combat power. Joint maritime operations: Operating in a multi-domain maritime environment to address unique challenges and develop innovative solutions for airpower projection. "Our Airmen and Guardians are the best in the world, and BE 25-3 is where they prove it," Kocheski said. Residents near participating locations across Southern California and neighboring regions may notice increased aircraft activity during the exercise period. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address USS Frank Cable visits Brisbane, Australia US Navy 05 August 2025 From Petty Officer 3rd Class Haley Wilson, USS Frank Cable (AS 40) BRISBANE, Australia (August 4, 2025) -- Forward-deployed U.S. Navy submarine tender USS Frank Cable (AS 40) departed Brisbane, Australia following a scheduled port visit, Aug. 4, 2025. Frank Cable is underway supporting 7th Fleet, the U.S. Navy's largest forward-deployed numbered fleet, operating with allies and partners in preserving a free and open Indo-Pacific region. During the port visit, Ohio-class guided missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726), the lead ship of its class, moored alongside Frank Cable, marking a historic first-in-class visit to Brisbane. With the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day just days away, this submarine tended visit to Brisbane mirrored the arrival of the World War II submarine tender USS Griffin (AS 13) and the six S-class submarines of Submarine Squadron 5, 83 years prior. This visit further strengthened the longstanding alliance the United States shares with Australia and underscored the shared sacrifice commemorated by the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Pacific Day. Frank Cable and Ohio crew members engaged with the local community at Queensland Maritime Museum where they aided in a restoration project, deepening the connection between the U.S. and Australia through morale boosting exchanges. Frank Cable last visited Brisbane in 2022 when the ship and crew provided disaster relief services following the eastern Australian floods. "The U.S. and Australia alliance is an anchor for peace, security, and stability in the Indo-Pacific," said Capt. Mike Thompson, commanding officer of Frank Cable. "Collaboration with our Australian allies will remain a top priority as we continue to strengthen our friendship through shared values and interests." During the port visit, Frank Cable provided logistical support to the USS Ohio (SSGN 726), facilitating the submarine's ability to moor in a unique port. "The U.S. and Australia are continuing to identify new ways to work together in the Indo-Pacific region according to our shared values and interests," said Capt. Eric Hunter, commanding officer of the guided-missile submarine USS Ohio (SSGN 726). "The USS Ohio is proud to be at the forefront of this unprecedented collaboration." Local media sources were invited aboard the ship to participate in a media availability where they were able to listen to opening remarks from key leaders and ask questions. Following the media availability, Frank Cable hosted a reception for national and local leaders, providing an opportunity to meet with U.S. Navy leadership, tour the ship's spaces, and connect with one another in a social setting. "USS Frank Cable and USS Ohio's visit to Brisbane is historic," said Rear Adm. Lincoln Reifsteck, commander, Submarine Group 7. "But our alliance is not defined by one event or initiative. It's a deep, enduring partnership grounded in shared values, mutual trust, and a long history of standing together when it matters most." Frank Cable, forward-deployed to the island of Guam, provides expeditionary maintenance, services, and logistics support to deployed submarines and surface vessels in the Indo-Pacific region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address One year after famine first confirmed in Sudan, WFP warns that people trapped in El Fasher face starvation World Food Programme 5 August 2025 PORT SUDAN, Sudan -- One year since famine was first confirmed in Sudan's Zamzam camp in North Darfur, the UN World Food Programme (WFP) warns that the families trapped inside the besieged state capital, El Fasher, face starvation. The city is cut off from humanitarian access leaving the remaining population with little choice but to fend for survival with whatever limited supplies are left. WFP has not been able to deliver food assistance to El Fasher by road for over a year as all roads leading there are blocked. WFP continues to provide digital cash support to 250,000 people in the city, with which they can purchase whatever food they can still find in the markets, but this falls far short of the massive needs in the besieged city. "Everyone in El Fasher is facing a daily struggle to survive," said Eric Perdison, WFP's Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa. "People's coping mechanisms have been completely exhausted by over two years of war. Without immediate and sustained access, lives will be lost." With trade routes cut off and supply lines blocked, basic food items like sorghum or wheat, which are used to make traditional flatbreads and porridges, cost up to 460 percent more in El Fasher than in the rest of Sudan. Community kitchens were set up by local groups during the war to provide hot meals to hungry people, but only very few are still functioning. Civilian infrastructure - including markets and clinics - have been attacked. Reports indicate that some families are resorting to consuming animal fodder and food waste for survival. Many who have managed to flee have cited an escalation of rampant violence, looting, and sexual assault. "In El Fasher there was a lot of shelling and hunger. Only hunger and bombs. That's why we left El Fasher," eight-year-old Sondos told WFP. Sondos fled El Fasher with her five family members who had been surviving on only millet. She is among some 400,000 people recently displaced to Tawila who are receiving WFP support. Across Sudan, WFP is reaching over four million people each month - with 5.5 million reached in May alone, in the most food insecure and hardest hit areas of the country. This includes nearly 1.7 million people - 80% of the food insecure people in locations confirmed as famine or considered at risk of famine - and over 600,000 women and children supported with nutritional supplements. WFP assistance has helped reduce the risk of famine in six areas of Central Darfur and two in West Darfur. But, with the rainy season underway, road access to Darfur will soon be cut off. Fragile gains risk being reversed if assistance is interrupted. "We have made progress under the most difficult conditions," said Corinne Fleischer, WFP's Director of Supply Chain and Delivery. "But access is still blocked to key locations like El Fasher. We must be given the space to reach all civilians in need." As of 01 August, WFP has received clearances from Sudan's Humanitarian Aid Commission (HAC) in Port Sudan for a convoy of humanitarian assistance to proceed to El Fasher. The Rapid Support Forces, who have held the North Darfur capital under siege for over a year, is yet to communicate support for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian goods to move into the city. "WFP is ready with trucks full of food assistance to send into El Fasher," said Fleischer. "We urgently need guarantees of safe passage." A joint WFP and UNICEF convoy carrying food and nutrition supplies for El Fasher was attacked in June - five people were killed, and aid supplies destroyed. WFP requires $645 million over the next six months to continue emergency food, cash, and nutrition assistance. Pipeline breaks are already forcing painful trade-offs. Some families in displacement camps in eastern Sudan who have relied on WFP support over two years are now receiving nothing. # # # The United Nations World Food Programme is the world's largest humanitarian organization saving lives in emergencies and using food assistance to build a pathway to peace, stability and prosperity for people recovering from conflict, disasters and the impact of climate change. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 05 August 2025 - Day 1259 Su M Tu W Th F Sa 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 A number of claims and counterclaims are being made on the Ukraine-Russia conflict on the ground and online. While GlobalSecurity.org takes utmost care to accurately report this news story, we cannot independently verify the authenticity of all statements, photos and videos. On 24 February 2022, Ukraine was suddenly and deliberately attacked by land, naval and air forces of Russia, igniting the largest European war since the Great Patriotic War. Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a "special military operation" (SVO - spetsialnaya voennaya operatsiya) in Ukraine in response to the appeal of the leaders of the "Donbass republics" for help. That attack is a blatant violation of the territorial integrity, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine. Putin stressed that Moscow's goal is the demilitarization and denazification of the country. The military buildup in preceeding months makes it obvious that the unprovoked and dastardly Russian attack was deliberately planned long in advance. During the intervening time, the Russian government had deliberately sought to deceive the world by false statements and expressions of hope for continued peace. "To initiate a war of aggression... is not only an international crime; it is the supreme international crime differing only from other war crimes in that it contains within itself the accumulated evil of the whole." [Judgment of the International Military Tribunal] The UK Ministry of Defence reported that Russia has likely sustained approximately 1,050,000 casualties (killed and wounded) since launching the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, and 260,000 casualties in the conflict so far in 2025. The average daily Russian casualties during July 2025 was approximately 1,072 according to Ukrainian General Staff reporting. Russian casualty rates have moderately decreased month on month since March 2025, with July's average daily rate the lowest reported since April 2024. The moderate decreases in Russia's monthly casualty rates have occurred at the same time as Russian attacks across the frontline have continued at a high operational tempo and Russia has continued to make steady incremental gains in the Donbas. The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian defenders are decisively intercepting the attempts of the Russian enemy to advance deep into Ukrainian territory, giving him a fiery impression. Today, Russian troops launched two missiles and 87 aviation strikes, using two missiles and dropping 119 controlled aviation bombs. In addition, 1,531 kamikaze drones were involved and executed 3,108 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North Slobozhansky and Kursky directions, Ukrainian soldiers repelled 10 Russian assault actions since the beginning of the day. In addition, the enemy launched 17 air strikes, dropping 34 controlled bombs, and carried out 263 shelling positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements, including 16 from reactive salvage systems. In the South Slobozhansky direction, the Russian enemy five times attacked the positions of Ukrainian units near Vovchansk and Figolivka. In the Kupyansky direction, the Russian aggressor carried out offensive actions in the areas of settlements Stepova Novoselivka, Nova Kruglyakivka and Zagrizove. Ukrainian defenders stopped three Russian attacks. In the Lyman direction, Russian invaders 19 times attacked the positions of Defense Forces near the settlements of Olgivka, New Mir, Glushchenkove, Torske, Serebryanka, Grigorivka, Kolodyazi and towards Cherneshina, Medium, Shandrigolovy. The fights are not subsiding in four locations. Two assault actions of Russian troops repelled Ukrainian defenders in the Siversky direction - the Russian occupiers tried to advance in the Grigorivka area and in the direction of Siversk. One Russian attack was repelled by Ukrainian defenders in the area of time yar in the kramators komu direction. In the Toretsky direction, the Russians seven times went into offensive on the positions of Ukrainian units in the areas of Toretsk, Diliyivka and Scherbinivka. Defense forces stopped all Russian attacks. In the Pokrovsky direction since the beginning of the day, the Russian occupiers 28 times tried to advance on the position of Ukrainian units. Russian forces attacked in the areas of Popiv Yar, Volodymyrivka, Boikivka, Suvorove, Novoekonomicne, Peace-loving, Mykolaivka, Rodinske, Sukhetske, Ray, Molodetske, Lisivka, Zvirove, Udaachne, Novoukraina, Oleksiyivka and in the direction of Novopavlivka. Three clashes are still ongoing. According to preliminary data, today in this direction 97 Russian occupants were defecated, 65 of them - irrevocably. Also Ukrainian soldiers destroyed two cars, 10 BPLA, one antenna control of BPLA; damaged three cannons and one antenna of the Russian enemy. In the Novopavlovsk direction, Russian forces tried 11 times to break through the defense of Ukrainian defenders in the areas of the settlements of Piddubne, Voskresenko, Shevchenko, Temirivka and in the direction of Ivanivka, Novoivanivka. The fights are ongoing in four locations. In the direction of Gulyaipils komu, the Russian opponent did not carry out offensive actions. In the Orihivs komu direction, the Russian aggressor twice attacked the positions of Ukrainian defenders in the area of Stepovoye and Plavniv. Ukrainian soldiers repelled one Russian attack in the Pridniprovsk direction. Olgivka was hit by unkempt aviation missiles. In the rest of the destinations, there are no special changes. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russo-Ukraine War - 06 August 2025 - Day 1260 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 General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that so far, there have been 113 combat clashes. Today, the Russian enemy, according to data, launched 57 air strikes, used 99 controlled air bombs, deployed 1,564 kamikaze drones to strike, launched more than four thousand shells on the positions of Ukrainian troops and settlements. In the North-Slobozhansky and Kursky directions since the beginning of the day, there have been 12 clashes. The Russian enemy launched two aerial strikes, dropped four controlled aerial bombs in total and carried out 198 artillery shells, including five from reactive salvage systems. In the South Slobozhansky direction, Russian forces attacked twice in the area of the settlement Vovchansk, so far one confrontation is ongoing. In the Kupiansky direction, Russian forces tried nine times during the day to advance to Ukrainian positions in the areas of settlements Golubivka, Tyshchenkivka, Zagrizove, in the direction of Kupiansky and Kurilivka. One confrontation is ongoing so far. In the Lyman direction, the Russian enemy attacked 14 times in the areas of the settlements of ridkodub, Karpivka, Shandrigolove, Medium, Torske, in the direction of the settlement of Grigorivka. Two clashes are currently underway. In the Sivers komu direction, the Russian opponent nine times attacked the positions of the Defense Forces near Grigorivka, Pereiznogo and Viimka. The two clashes are still ongoing. In the Kramators komu direction from the beginning of the day, the Defense Forces repelled the Russian attack near the settlement of Novomarkove. In the Toretsk direction, the Russian enemy carried out eight offensive actions on the positions of Ukrainian troops in the areas of the settlements of Toretsk, Katerinivka, Cherbinivka, Yablunivka and towards the settlements of Oleksandro-Shultine and Rusin Yar. The Defense Forces have successfully repelled seven Russian attacks, so far one confrontation is being sharpened. Since the beginning of the day, the Russian enemy has tried 30 times to break through Ukrainian defense in the Pokrovsky direction in the areas of popiv yar, Rodinske, Volodymyrivka, Novoekonomicne, Mirolubivka, Lisivka, Mirnograd, Zvirove, Udacne, Novoukrainka. According to the available information, the Russian occupiers' losses in this direction to date amount to 165 people killed and injured. In addition, one tank, six cars, two special equipment units, one satellite terminal and 85 unmanned enemy aircraft were destroyed. In the Novopavlovsky direction, for today Ukrainian soldiers repelled 13 attacks of the Russian occupation army in the areas of settlements Novopil, Zeleny Gai, Piddubne, Tolstoy, Voskresenka, Maliivka and towards the settlement of Filiya. One battle is going on. The Russian enemy did not carry out offensive actions in Gulyaipilsky and Orihivskky directions. An airstrike was hit by the settlement of Kanivsk. In the Pridniprovsk direction, six battles have occurred since the beginning of the day. The Russian opponent of success did not succeed. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ministry of the Interior launches preparation of Finland's national risk assessment Finnish Government Ministry of the Interior Publication date 5.8.2025 12.26 Type:Press release The Ministry of the Interior has set up a project to update Finland's national risk assessment. The updated assessment is scheduled for publication in autumn 2026. Finland's national risk assessment identifies risks of broad national significance and evaluates their potential impact on the vital functions of society. Its purpose is to strengthen national preparedness and enhance society's ability to respond to major risks. Finland updates its national risk assessment at regular intervals. The previous version was published in February 2023. This work is carried out in line with the EU Civil Protection Mechanism, which requires all EU Member States to develop and regularly report on their national risk assessments to the European Commission. The upcoming assessment will cover risks associated with protecting critical infrastructure and improving resilience. This follows the entry into force of the Act on the Protection of Infrastructure Critical to Society and on the Improvement of Resilience on 1 July 2025. In January 2026, the Finnish Government is expected to adopt a risk assessment addressing critical infrastructure and the resilience of critical entities. The assessment is required by both the new national legislation and the EU's Critical Entities Resilience (CER) Directive. The project will run from 18 August 2025 to 31 October 2026. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ranking Member Shaheen Calls on Secretary Rubio to Provide Information, Transparency on Removals of Third Country Nationals to Panama, Costa Rica Senate Foreign Relations Committee August 05, 2025 WASHINGTON -- Today, U.S. Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, sent a letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio raising concern over the ongoing situation of vulnerable third country nationalsincluding asylum seekerswho were removed by the Trump Administration from the United States to Panama and Costa Rica in February and remain there five months later. In the letter, Ranking Member Shaheen requested information about the status and welfare of the migrants, many of whom are at risk of exploitation, statelessness or further harm. She also requested that the Administration provide the agreements under which the removals took place, pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act. "In addition to details about our agreements with these countries, I am requesting information about what steps the Administration has or is taking to ensure that these individuals are not trafficked for sexual or labor exploitation, rendered stateless or sent to a country where they will be subjected to torture or other harm," wrote the Ranking Member. "In February 2025, the Administration removed nearly 500 migrants in the United Statesmany seeking asylumto Panama and Costa Rica. These migrants were from Afghanistan, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan and Yemen, among other countries. These individuals included Iranian Christians fleeing religious persecution, Afghan women escaping the Taliban's ruthless crackdown and Russians facing political persecution for protesting Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While some chose to return to their countries of origin, dozens of deported migrants are still in Panama and Costa Rica with no clear path forward," continued the Ranking Member. "Further, Congress has yet to receive the specific agreements or arrangements under which these individuals were sent to Panama and Costa Rica." She continued, "This letter constitutes the statutorily required written communication. As such, please provide the text of any agreement, implementing agreements, arrangements for international agreements or non-binding instruments made with Panama and Costa Rica since January 20, 2025, related to acceptance of individuals from the United States," concluded the Ranking Member. Full text of the letter is available HERE and provided below. Dear Secretary Rubio: I continue to be concerned over the ongoing situation of third country nationals sent by the Trump Administration to Panama and Costa Rica in February. Five months later, dozens of people remain in vulnerable situations in these two countries with no clarity on what happens to them next. In addition to details about our agreements with these countries, I am requesting information about what steps the Administration has or is taking to ensure that these individuals are not trafficked for sexual or labor exploitation, rendered stateless or sent to a country where they will be subjected to torture or other harm. In February 2025, the Administration removed nearly 500 migrants in the United Statesmany seeking asylumto Panama and Costa Rica. These migrants were from Afghanistan, China, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Georgia, Iran, Russia, Uzbekistan and Yemen, among other countries. These individuals included Iranian Christians fleeing religious persecution, Afghan women escaping the Taliban's ruthless crackdown and Russians facing political persecution for protesting Vladimir Putin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. While some chose to return to their countries of origin, dozens of deported migrants are still in Panama and Costa Rica with no clear path forward. In Panama, authorities have moved migrants several timesfrom a hotel in Panama City to an immigration reception center in the Darien province then back to Panama City. Human rights groups report that migrants who cannot return to their country of origin due to fear of persecution or death are now living in shelters in or near the city with limited support from charitable groups. This includes several young Afghan women who are without their families. Their legal status and future are uncertain; some who have sought asylum have already been denied. With limited money, little to no Spanish, and unclear legal status, many of these migrants, particularly women and children, are vulnerable to exploitation and abuse. In Costa Rica, deported migrantsincluding nearly 100 childrenhave faced similar challenges. In June, Costa Rica's Constitutional Court ordered the government to release migrants deported by the Trump Administration who had been held in a temporary shelter since February, saying the government had violated migrants' rights by not providing access to legal counsel or sufficient information about their immigration status. For those still in the country and unable to return home, their future remains uncertain. Further, Congress has yet to receive the specific agreements or arrangements under which these individuals were sent to Panama and Costa Rica. Pursuant to the Case-Zablocki Act (1 U.S.C. 112b), as amended by the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2023 (P.L. 117-263), the State Department must provide to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee agreements or non-binding instruments that are the "subject of a written communication from the Chair or Ranking Member" of either Committee. This letter constitutes the statutorily required written communication. As such, please provide the text of any agreement, implementing agreements, arrangements for international agreements or non-binding instruments made with Panama and Costa Rica since January 20, 2025, related to acceptance of individuals from the United States. In addition, I also request that you promptly respond to the following questions: Prior to, during or following their removal from the United States, has the U.S. government provided any form of assistance to these individuals, or to the governments of Panama or Costa Rica, to support these individuals? What protections were put in place to prevent particularly vulnerable individualssuch as women and childrenfrom being exploited by transnational criminal organizations, smugglers or traffickers? I look forward to your prompt response. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Seeks Golden Dome Radar to Track Ballistic, Hypersonic, Cruise Missiles Simultaneously Sputnik News 20250805 WASHINGTON (Sputnik) - The US Missile Defense Agency (MDA) is seeking a new radar in support of the "Golden Dome for America" program, capable of simultaneously acquiring, tracking, and discriminating a full spectrum of missile threats, according to a Request for Information (RFI) posted in late July on SAM.gov. The RFI specifies a demanding set of capabilities, requiring the radar to handle a combined raid of ballistic, hypersonic, and cruise missiles simultaneously. For ballistic missile defense, the system must be able to detect a very small, difficult-to-detect target (-10 dBsm) at a range of 2233 km (1387 miles) and track up to 24 complex targets. For hypersonic threats, it needs to handle a similarly small target (-20 dBsm) at a 375 km range with the ability to track 10 complex targets; low-elevation acquisition is a key requirement. Similarly, for cruise missiles, the radar must track a small target (-20 dBsm) at 200 km, managing up to 24 targets at a time. The system also must maintain track identity and discern warheads from decoys within 180 seconds. The radar is designed to be mobile, not a static, fixed-site system, with an ambitious deployment timeline. It must be transportable and capable of being fully operational and calibrated within 48 hours of reaching a site. The system is also highly autonomous, requiring no more than two onsite personnel for maintenance, with radar operations, software updates, and continuous calibration managed remotely. It must also interface with the existing battle management systems of the MDA and the US Army and provide in-flight guidance updates to interceptors. According to the RFI, the production schedule calls for the first radar unit to be completed by Dec 31, 2028, and two more units by Dec 31, 2029. The document states that the RFI is for information and planning purposes only and does not constitute a Request for Proposal or a commitment to a future contract. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 3rd Brigade takes armour to the fight By Major Diana Jennings 5 August 2025 Technology, tactics and tenacity were key ingredients for the 3rd Brigade's final assault, executed through a blanket of smoke and heavy fire, during Exercise Talisman Sabre 2025. Battle Group Kapyong, led by the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Australian Regiment (3RAR), took the opportunity to rehearse armoured fighting tactics and coordinate armoured attachments as they prepare to introduce Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles (IFV). Commanding Officer 3RAR Lieutenant Colonel Dan Ellis said the battalion was in a period of transformation as they prepared to receive the new vehicles. "This was our first real hit-out to show what we're made of as Australia's heaviest and largest call sign," Lieutenant Colonel Ellis said. The battalion also tested emerging technology for the first time in a field environment, supported by attachments from the 1st Armoured Regiment's Combat Experimentation Group. "We've been able to train and rehearse our trauma system, how we fight with armoured vehicles and we've also had experimental emerging technology embedded - including unmanned vehicles with remote weapon stations, and first-person-view drones," Lieutenant Colonel Ellis said. "Across difficult terrain we've been able to test how we would fight with that technology, which can reduce the risk to people, meaning we don't have to put our soldiers in harm's way." Lieutenant Colonel Ellis explained why it was important to rehearse armoured tactics and test new technology even before the full suite of vehicles and equipment arrived. "We must be ready to use the Redbacks from the moment they arrive. We cannot waste time," he said. "We've been looking at how we're going to adapt to our new structure as the Armoured Brigade, how we're going to fight together with armoured engineers, M1A2 tanks and the new Land 400 Redback vehicles." As they move to become the Australian Army's only armoured infantry battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Ellis said he was impressed with how the soldiers had adapted to a new style of fighting and embraced new technology, showing a collective understanding of the modern battle space. "This exercise has reinforced 3RAR's role change into Australia's Armoured Infantry Battle Group, and everyone's got stuck in," he said. With a focus on heavy firepower, protection and mobility, Commander of the 3rd Brigade, Brigadier Ben McLennan, said that training as an armoured brigade would create an unmatched advantage. "Our ambition and our potential is to be the world's most lethal armoured brigade," Brigadier McLennan said. "Once we have received all of these cutting-edge platforms, our competitive advantage will elevate exponentially, enabling us to realise 3rd Brigade's potential as the world's most lethal armoured brigade." While vehicles might not fatigue, humans can, but Lieutenant Colonel Ellis said that although the soldiers had been doing it tough for weeks, they were just getting started and there was no lack of resilience - living up to their namesake 'Old Faithful'. "This was the toughest part of the exercise; it was a real challenge, but we finished on a high and we could keep going - easily," he said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Aussies share artillery tactics with Philippine Army By Captain Annie Richardson 5 August 2025 In the Sierra Madre mountains on the Philippine island of Luzon, gunners from the 8th/12th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery (8/12 Regt RAA), conducted a first-of-type training activity. Under the Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines (JATT-P), 10 of the regiment's members conducted the first dedicated artillery mobile training team (MTT) with the Philippine Army at Fort Magsaysay. Over three weeks, the 8/12 Regt RAA gunners provided specialist instruction to three groups of personnel, focusing on gunline and command post training, forward observing, and joint fires and effects. Lieutenant Erica Sitcheff said they worked with members of the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment, which included five members of the Philippine Marine Corps. "We were able to build on core gunnery knowledge and work with the Philippine teams to refine procedures that directly enhance their responsiveness and targeting precision," Lieutenant Sitcheff said. "During the MTT, the Philippine Army demonstrated the deployment of the M101 howitzer as well as the Autonomous Truck Mounted Howitzer System (ATMOS) 155mm self-propelled howitzer." Fort Magsaysay is the Philippine Army's largest base, located on the island of Luzon, north of Manila. The base covers an area of 350 square kilometres, incorporating firing ranges across dense mountainous terrain. The ranges provided insight into regional operating environments, including the challenges of dense terrain and urban warfare, during a tour of the World War 2 Bamban battlefield. The training reinforced foundational gunnery principles, tactical understanding, and identified opportunities to increase the speed and accuracy of fire missions. The Philippine Army also shared aspects of their Force Modernisation Program, including equipment familiarisation and practical ways to optimise existing systems. The deployment also included exposure to multi-domain operations and integrated training with the Armed Forces of the Philippines, reinforcing the importance of interoperability in joint and combined environments. The MTT members said they were warmly welcomed by their hosts, participating in a fellowship evening and a celebration of the Philippine Army Artillery Regiment's 18th founding anniversary parade. "We were given a chance to interact with members of all ranks, and we've built lasting personal and professional relationships," Lieutenant Sitcheff said. "This was a fantastic opportunity to learn, share and grow - both as individual soldiers and as regional partners." The activity was part of the Joint Australian Training Team - Philippines (JATT-P) program. In 2025, JATT-P will involve more than 20 training activities and exchanges between the ADF and Philippine armed forces, more than double the events last year. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Two Chinese Nationals Arrested on Complaint Alleging they Illegally Shipped to China Sensitive Microchips Used in AI Applications Tuesday, August 5, 2025 For Immediate Release Office of Public Affairs Two Chinese nationals - one of them an illegal alien - have been arrested on a federal criminal complaint alleging they knowingly exported to China tens of millions of dollars' worth of sensitive microchips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications. Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28, of El Monte, are charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act, a felony that carries a statutory maximum penalty of 20 years in prison. Geng surrendered to federal authorities on Saturday. Yang was arrested earlier that day. At their initial appearance late Monday in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles, a federal magistrate judge ordered Geng released on $250,000 bond and scheduled an Aug. 12 detention hearing for Yang. Arraignment is scheduled for Sept. 11. No pleas were taken Monday. Geng is a lawful permanent resident. Yang is an illegal alien who overstayed her visa. According to an affidavit filed with the complaint, from October 2022 to July 2025, the defendants - through their El Monte-based company, ALX Solutions Inc. - knowingly and willfully exported from the United States to China sensitive technology, including graphic processing units (GPUs) - specialized computer parts used for modern computing - without first obtaining the required license or authorization from the U.S. Department of Commerce. According to the complaint, ALX Solutions Inc. was founded shortly after the Commerce Department began requiring licenses for the advanced microchips that Yang and Geng are alleged to have illegally exported. A review of export records, business records, and company websites indicates that a December 2024 shipment and at least 20 previous shipments by ALX Solutions involved exports from the U.S. to shipping and freight-forwarding companies in Singapore and Malaysia, which commonly are used as transshipment points to conceal illegal shipments to China. ALX Solutions has not received payments from the entities to which they purportedly exported goods. Instead, ALX Solutions received numerous payments from companies based in Hong Kong and China, including a $1 million payment from a China-based company in January 2024. For example, in December 2024, ALX Solutions sent a shipment that falsely labeled that it was sending GPUs subject to federal laws and regulations. In fact, the shipment contained GPUs that required a license for export to China. Neither the defendants nor their company applied for, nor did they obtain a license from the Commerce Department. According to the complaint and public information, the chip - made by a manufacturer of high-performance AI chips - is the "most powerful GPU chip on the market," and is "designed specifically for AI applications," such as "to develop self-driving cars, medical diagnosis systems, and other AI-powered applications." Last week, law enforcement searched ALX Solutions' office and seized the phones belonging to Geng and Yang that revealed incriminating communications between the defendants, including communications about shipping export-controlled chips to China through Malaysia to evade U.S. export laws. Assistant Attorney General for National Security John A. Eisenberg, U.S. Attorney Bilal A. Essayli for the Central District of California, and Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBI Counterintelligence Division made the announcement. The U.S. Department of Commerce's Bureau of Industry and Security and the FBI are investigating this matter. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Colin S. Scott, Joseph Guzman, and Jenna Long for the Central District of California are prosecuting this case with assistance from Trial Attorney Chantelle Dial of the National Security Division's Counterintelligence and Export Control Section. A criminal complaint is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. Topic: Export Control Components: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) National Security Division (NSD) USAO - California, Central Press Release Number: 25-812 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Russia proceed to maritime patrol in Western Pacific after wrapping up Joint Sea-2025 naval drills Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Guo Yuandan Published: Aug 05, 2025 11:01 PM China and Russia have wrapped up their five-day Joint Sea-2025 naval drills near Vladivostok, Russia on Tuesday and are proceeding to conduct a maritime joint patrol in the Western Pacific on Wednesday. Chinese military affairs experts said involvement of submarine and the theme of "jointly countering security threats in the Western Pacific" are hot topics of the event. Warship formations from the two countries have completed multi-course exercises featuring joint air defense, joint naval warfare, joint anti-submarine and anchorage defense from Sunday to Tuesday, and they will proceed to conduct a maritime joint patrol, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday. Held from Friday to Tuesday, China-Russia joint naval exercises were split into two parts. During the first two days, the events were mainly held at the harbor, where the two sides held tactical researches, professional exchanges, military visits and deck receptions. The sea phase started on Sunday, in which Chinese and Russian warship formations carried out multi-course training exercises featuring submarine rescue, joint anti-submarine, air defense and naval warfare, including the actual use of weapons, according to a previous statement from the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy. Involvement of submarine as well as the international debut of the PLA Navy's comprehensive rescue ship Xihu in submarine rescue training sessions have been some of the highlights of the drills, observers said. During a submarine rescue training session on Sunday, a Russian submarine grounded on the sea bed at undisclosed waters outside of Vladivostok sent a rescue request to the Xihu, the PLA Daily reported on Tuesday. The Xihu located the Russian submarine through its sonar and underwater television systems, before releasing a deep-submergence rescue vehicle. The rescue vehicle dived deep to reach and dock with the Russian submarine in mock distress, before again reaching the surface, completing its mission, according to the report. The Xihu is the PLA Navy's latest type of comprehensive rescue ship that was commissioned in early 2025, a commanding officer told the PLA Daily, noting that the result of the training exceeded expectations, as the rescue mission was completed faster than expected. Chinese military affairs expert Wang Yunfei told the Global Times that the comprehensive rescue ship Xihu can host maritime rescue missions on the water surface and submarine rescue missions underwater. Since many submarine data, such as noise characteristics, are supposed to be classified, the involvement of actual submarines in the exercises highlighted the deepening of China-Russia military ties, Wang said. The PLA Navy said that the theme of the exercises is "jointly safeguarding strategic maritime routes" and "jointly countering security threats in the Western Pacific." After wrapping up the drills, the Chinese and Russian sides will hold a joint maritime patrol in related waters in the Western Pacific. Zhang Junshe, another Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times that this is the first time "jointly countering security threats in the Western Pacific" was listed as a theme of the Joint Sea series exercises in addition to "jointly safeguarding strategic maritime routes." The routine joint maritime patrol in the region not only showcases the two navies' capabilities, but also demonstrates their firm determination in safeguarding regional peace and stability, deterring potential security threats, and creating a favorable environment for peaceful development in the region. Reiterating that the China-Russia joint drills are not targeted against a third party, Zhang said that the event aimed at boosting the two countries' defensive combat capabilities and safeguarding sovereignty, security and development interests. By contrast, countries like the US and Japan have been frequently holding joint military exercises in recent years targeting others, with a strong cold war mentality of putting pressure on other countries, moves that sabotage peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Zhang said. Both China and Russia are permanent members of the UN Security Council as well as anti-fascist forces in the World War II. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the World Anti-Fascist War, and the two countries are moving together to oppose the revival of militarism and defend the post-war international order, Zhang said. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese expert responds to foreign media hype on alleged new type of Chinese stealth jet Global Times By Liu Xuanzun and Liang Rui Published: Aug 05, 2025 09:47 PM Some foreign media outlets claimed recently that China is now test-flying another tailless stealthy combat jet, one that is different from the two types of alleged sixth-generation fighter jets that were first spotted in December last year. Foreign media speculated that this new aircraft could be a crewed fighter or a loyal wingman-type drone. If confirmed, the aircraft, whether a manned fighter or drone, would be another manifestation of China's high technological level in terms of military aviation, a Chinese expert said. US media outlet the War Zone published a report titled "New Chinese Stealth Tactical Jet Breaks Cover" on Monday. Citing at least five images of the new design, the report said that it was not clear where or when the imagery was taken, and none of the images provides enough detail of the upper part of the forward fuselage to reveal whether or not a cockpit is present. The Aviationist, another foreign media focusing on military aviation, said in a report on Tuesday that the images confirm a two-segment trailing edge, with a straight center section that sharply angles outward before extending to the wingtips. The two inlets suggest a dual engine aircraft. The slender probe on the nose is classic first-flight kit. Above it, there might be a cockpit with a canopy although this is not clear, read the report. The War Zone said that a high-performance, highly autonomous uncrewed combat air vehicle with collaborative "loyal wingman" capabilities is a major possibility, while based on the design, could very well be yet another sixth-generation crewed jet. The Global Times cannot independently verify the authenticity of the images. China has not announced the development of the reported new aircraft, nor has it officially acknowledged the existence of the two alleged six-generation fighter jets that emerged previously. Fu Qianshao, a Chinese military affairs expert, told the Global Times on Tuesday that if these media reports are confirmed, this new aircraft would further demonstrate China's advanced technological capabilities in tailless stealth aircraft design. Being tailless means the aircraft lacks vertical stabilizers. While this design reduces radar cross-section and enhances all-aspect stealth capabilities, it simultaneously demands advanced flight control systems to maintain maneuverability, Fu said. "China is at a world-leading position in these aspects," he said. While no official announcement has been made regarding this specific new stealth jet, China has indeed been actively developing loyal wingman aircraft. This genre of drones can accompany crewed aircraft and provide it with support, including in terms of intelligence, information and firepower. At Airshow China 2022, the FH-97A loyal wingman drone made its debut. Designer of the drone told the Global Times at the time that loyal wingman is a key hot topic in the field of drones in recent years, and is widely considered to be an important part of the future unmanned combat system. It is the drone industry's general belief that loyal wingmen are expected to greatly change the pattern of conventional manned air combat by creating a new niche in the air combat system. According to its developer, the FH-97A can carry out collaborative reconnaissance with crewed special mission aircraft and fighter jet, providing early warning, reconnaissance, jamming support, target guidance, or serving as an ammunition depot for crewed aircraft. It can extend a pilot's situational awareness and scope of attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun's Remarks on August 5, 2025 Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China Updated: August 05, 2025 17:23 China Daily: It's reported that from August 4 to 7, the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand is being held in Malaysia. China is invited to attend an extraordinary session of the GBC meeting on August 7. What's China's comment? Guo Jiakun: Since the informal consultation among China, Cambodia and Thailand was successfully held on July 30, there has been no fighting along the Cambodia-Thailand border, the situation on the ground has been deescalating, and the ceasefire has been gradually implemented by Cambodia and Thailand. Under the active coordination of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, the two countries are holding the General Border Committee meeting to have multi-tiered communication through a variety of avenues on developing a detailed mechanism for ceasefire monitoring, which is conducive to an effective and sustained end of the fighting. China commends and welcomes that. According to the will of Cambodia and Thailand, China has actively maintained close communication with the two countries, Malaysia and other regional countries, cemented the ceasefire, promoted communication and dialogue, and helped deescalate the situation. China will continue to support ASEAN in promoting talks for peace, uphold a just and fair position, and play a constructive role in its own way for the turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations. The Associated Press: What's the Foreign Ministry's comment on the India-Philippines joint exercises in the South China Sea this week? (Similar question from Reuters) Guo Jiakun: Disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned, and no third party is in any position to interfere in that. Bloomberg: The Australian government recently charged a Chinese citizen under the "foreign interference" law. Does the Ministry have a comment on this? (Similar questions from AFP, the Associated Press and Reuters) Guo Jiakun: We are not familiar with the specifics. Let me say more broadly that China develops relations with other countries, including Australia, on the basis of mutual respect and non-interference in the internal affairs of others. We never interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and in the meanwhile, firmly oppose any disruption to the normal people-to-people interactions, exchanges and cooperation between China and relevant country under the pretext of foreign interference. China will follow this case closely and protect the lawful rights and interests of Chinese nationals. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address China, Russia End Five-Day Naval Exercises In Sea Of Japan By RFE/RL August 05, 2025 The Russian and Chinese navies wrapped up five-day naval exercises on August 5 as they showcased their growing military ties through anti-submarine and live-fire drills in the Sea of Japan. Russia's Pacific Fleet said that Chinese and Russian vessels were moving in a joint detachment together during the "Maritime Interaction 2025" exercises, including a large Russian anti-submarine ship and two Chinese destroyers. Diesel-electric submarines from the two countries were also involved, as well as a Chinese submarine rescue ship, Russian authorities said. The scheduled exercises began on August 1 with training near Vladivostok in Russia's Far East before both countries' navies carried out naval exercises in the Sea of Japan starting on August 3. The joint naval drills are the latest sign of the deepening security cooperation under way between China and Russia's militaries. The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a Washington-based think tank, documented 113 combined military exercises that Beijing and Moscow have launched since 2003, but half of that total has taken place in the last six years alone. An increasing number of those drills have been focused in the Pacific in recent years, where Beijing holds maritime disputes with other nations along the South China Sea, and Moscow maintains a longstanding territorial dispute over the sovereignty of an island chain with Japan. The region is also home to tensions along the Korean Peninsula and Taiwan, the self-governing island that China views as its own and has promised to take by force, if necessary. The Chinese-Russian drills also overlapped with the first-ever joint naval exercises between India and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which began on August 3 and lasted for two days. Beijing has separate territorial disputes with the two Asian nations and a long-running regional rivalry with India. China has a longstanding land border dispute with India in the Himalayas and Beijing's expansive claims to virtually the entire South China Sea have led to tense confrontations with other countries who lay claim to its maritime boundaries, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam. Previously, the Philippines has staged naval patrols in the disputed waters with the United States and other strategic partners, including Japan, Australia, New Zealand, and France, to promote freedom of navigation against China. Armed Forces of the Philippines chief of staff General Romeo Brawner told reporters that those joint drills were deemed a success and that he hoped they would lead to more maneuvers with India in the future. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/navy-military-beijing- moscow-cooperation-putin-xi/33495168.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Transcript of Special briefing by MEA on State Visit of President of Philippines to India (August 05, 2025) India - Ministry of External Affairs August 05, 2025 Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen. I welcome you to this special press briefing on the ongoing state visit of the President of Philippines. We have with us, Secretary (East) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri P. Kumaran, to brief us on the state visit. We also have with us Ambassador of India to the Philippines, Shri Harsh Jain, as also Additional Secretary (South) who looks after Philippines in the Ministry of External Affairs, Shri Prashant Agarwal. With that, I invite Secretary Sir to make his opening remarks, and thereafter, we'll take questions. But as a note of guidance, please restrict your questions to the visit. With that, Sir, the floor is yours. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you, Randhir. Good afternoon, friends from media. I extend all of you a warm welcome and thank you for joining us today for this special briefing on the state visit of the President of the Republic of the Philippines, His Excellency Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr., to India. The visit commenced yesterday and will go on till 8th of August 2025. This is the first visit of President Marcos to India in his official capacity. The visit is significant as it comes as we mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations with the Philippines in 1949. During this visit, both Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos have agreed to elevate the India-Philippines bilateral cooperation to the level of strategic partnership aimed at furthering our engagements across a vast number of sectors, including political cooperation, defense, security and maritime cooperation, trade and investment cooperation, healthcare and pharma, cooperation in science and technology, space, connectivity, digital economy, fintech, consular matters, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchanges, and closer cooperation on regional, multilateral, and international issues of mutual interest. We have also adopted a plan of action for the period 2025 - 29 to guide our cooperation under the elevated strategic partnership. President Marcos is accompanied by the First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-power delegation comprising 14 ministers, senior officials, and a large business delegation. On his arrival in Delhi, he was accorded a ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan this morning. This was followed by a visit to Rajghat, where the President paid respects to Mahatma Gandhi. President Marcos then held wide-ranging and productive bilateral talks with the Prime Minister, initially in the restricted format and then in the full delegation format. The Prime Minister also hosted a lunch for him. President Marcos will be meeting Rashtrapatiji during this visit later today. The Honorable Rashtrapatiji will also be hosting a banquet in honor of President Marcos. The External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, also called on President Marcos yesterday. Several Agreements / MOUs were concluded and exchanged during the visit. There were 14 of them. These include Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty in Criminal Matters; a Treaty on Transfer of Sentenced Persons; Terms of Reference on Negotiations for the India-Philippines Preferential Trade Agreement; Terms of Reference for Service Staff Talks of Army, Air Force, and Navy; Enhanced Cooperation between Coast Guards; Statement of Intent on Cooperation in Space; Cultural Exchange Program; a Program of Cooperation in Science and Technology; an MOU for Cooperation in Digital Technologies; and an Implementation Program for Tourist Cooperation. To commemorate the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos also jointly issued a commemorative stamp themed on the national flowers, lotus for India, and sampaguita, a variety of jasmine on the Philippines side. We are happy that direct flight connectivity between India and the Philippines is likely to be operationalized in the coming months. India has announced gratis e-tourist visa for Philippines nationals. The Philippines has made visa-free entry possible for Indian tourists up to a period of 14 days. We expect that these measures would bolster our tourism exchanges, commercial linkages, and people-to-people interactions. During the bilateral talks, both the leaders took note of our growing defense collaboration, and agreed to strengthen it further. They also appreciated the steady increase in bilateral trade, which is currently at about $3.3 billion, and welcomed the signing of the terms of reference on negotiations for an India-Philippines PTA today towards enhanced trade and goods ... in addition to also working together on expediting the AITIGA review. They also welcomed the presence of Indian investments in the Philippines, $5 billion in all if you take into account investments routed through third countries, but about $1.2 billion if you are only talking about direct investments from India into the Philippines. These are mostly in the area of IT, IT-enabled services, healthcare, agriculture, textiles, FMCG, and chemical sectors. It was also noted that India is a top exporter of pharmaceutical products to the Philippines. The leaders welcomed progress in cooperation in the agriculture sector, particularly rice research. Since the last visit of the Prime Minister to the Philippines in November 2017, the International Rice Research Institute, South Asia Regional Centre in Varanasi, established in December 2018, developed an ultra-low glycemic rice variety, the first batch of which has been presented to the Philippines President in Manila in October 2023 at the 6th International Rice Congress. We have also invited Philippines participation at the Information Fusion Centre, IOR, for maritime domain awareness. The cooperation between India and Philippines in the area of maritime domain awareness and maritime security is progressing well. Four Indian ships have recently concluded their visits to the Philippines for maritime cooperative activities, and a demonstration of India's hydrographic capabilities. Cooperation between India and the Philippines in the area of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief, HADR, and also Search and Rescue, SAR, including as demonstrated in recent incidents off the coast of Kochi and the Gulf of Aden, is an important aspect of our cooperation. Prime Minister Modi and President Marcos also discussed development cooperation between the two countries and reiterated their commitment to strengthening it further. India is implementing six quick impact projects under the MOU on Indian grant assistance for QIPs signed in 2023. Furthermore, over a thousand Filipino officials have been trained in India under our ITEC capacity building programs since 2014-15. The leaders also agreed to enhance our cooperation in the area of digital and financial technologies as I mentioned earlier. India would be assisting the Philippines towards development of a sovereign data cloud through a pilot project. In addition, the two countries would continue to explore avenues in the area of Digital Public Infrastructure. You would be happy to learn that the Philippines unique identifier system PhilSys which covers over 86 million Filipinos utilizes the MOSIP platform incubated at IIIT Bangalore. We are also exploring cooperation for the linking of payment systems. So, this is basically what I had for my initial remarks. We would be happy to take questions. Thank you. Huma Siddiqui, Strat News Global: Sir, I am Huma Siddiqui from Strat News Global. I have two questions. You talked about defense cooperation in space. So, in defense was a BrahMos and Akash missiles discussed; and in Space what exactly is the cooperation about? Ajay Banerjee, the Tribune: Sir, Ajay Banerjee from the Tribune, this side. The Chief of the Philippines Armed Forces three days ago in an interview said that we are discussing more arms ... to take more arms from India. He mentioned that the BrahMos two units are to be given this year or next year; and also further he mentioned specifics that how more equipment is being taken. Was that brought up by the Philippine President during the meeting? Rishikesh, PTI: Sir, Rishikesh from PTI. So, at any point of time, did the two leaders exchange their views on Trump's trade and tariff policy as both the countries have been impacted by their unjustified policy? Rishabh, Times Now: Sir, good evening. Rishabh from Times Now. Sir, I just wanted to understand when both the leaders said that there is a TOR, terms of reference on discussions; and cooperation on air, naval as well as army, what are the TORs that have been discussed? and what is the future plan between the two countries? Will it only be limited to joint exercises or there would be further enhancement in partnership as well? Kunal Dutt, PTI: Sir, Kunal Dutt here from PTI. Two quick questions. The ties have been elevated to strategic level with an action plan for five years. So, what are the thrust areas and defense perhaps being the high points of this narrative and roadmap? Will we be seeing any defense deals in the coming years? And secondly, sir, this meeting is taking place between the two leaders just two days after a bilateral naval exercise in Manila. But there are reports that the exercise has also taken place in the waters of the South China Sea. So, if you could that. Thank you. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you. Let me start with defense cooperation. Yes, there was a discussion on defense cooperation. President Marcos thanked the Prime Minister for cooperation in the area of defense industry, the export of defense platforms to India, including the BrahMos. He also called for greater cooperation in the area of defense industry. I will also try and answer the other question about terms of reference for services cooperation. In addition, as part of our broader defense cooperation, we were talking about capacity building, joint exercises or joint cooperative maritime activities, exchange of training programs between our officials and all standard elements that we talk about when it comes to defense cooperation. Arms and equipment from India, of course, we talk about more opportunities for India to export our defense platforms. I think that we have indeed exported a number of defense hardware platforms to many, many countries and Philippines certainly showed interest in working with us for exploring opportunities for more defense platforms. We are also talking about ship visits, cooperation as part of multilateral formats. One of the ships, four ships that went to Philippines in the last few days was a hydrography ship, which also demonstrated our capabilities in hydrography. We are also talking about enhanced cooperation between our coast guards. So, basically aimed at sharing best practices, enhancing maritime domain awareness in both sides, talking about enhancing interoperability, working together to enhance our disaster response readiness in the coming years and so on. So, all these areas will be discussed as part of services to services cooperation, and the terms of reference obviously reflect all of these. Space is another area. In fact, what we did was to highlight our capabilities in space and the cost effectiveness of our space program. President Marcos said he had indeed studied how cost effective our space program is, and they wanted to try and use some of our space technology, space capabilities to effect social transformation, in terms of helping predict weather events, helping with agriculture, helping with disaster relief, etc. So, those are areas which are of interest. Naturally, we will be talking in terms of helping with launching Philippine satellites, helping them develop satellites, etc. All of these are on the table in terms of possibilities for cooperation. On Trump tariffs, there was no discussion on the tariffs imposed by the US on India or any other country. There was a broad discussion on the motivations to try and diversify trade, expand the range of our products for trading between India and the Philippines, and also to identify specific areas that can feed into a potential Preferential Trade Agreement between India and the Philippines. The Philippines also supported our request to expedite the AITIGA trade review, which we hope will conclude before the end of the year. And I think I have covered everything. Keshav Padmanabhan, ThePrint: Sir, thank you, Keshav Padmanabhan from ThePrint. My question is with regards to the joint naval exercises that India and the Philippines held. We have seen a reaction come from yesterday, the Chinese People's Liberation Army, which says the Philippines is trying to get a third country involved in the South China Sea. Today, the foreign ministry spokesperson has also put out saying that no third-party intervention will be acceptable in the South China Sea. So, clearly, these exercises have irritated China without them naming India directly. Could you tell us whether this sort of was discussed between the two leaders, and what is India's reaction to the joint exercises? Ileana, TASS News Agency: Good afternoon. Ileana from TASS News Agency. The program of the visit is quite rich, as we have seen. Can we expect that the President will visit the BrahMos Aerospace Limited joint venture in New Delhi, and meet the head of the company? As we know, these joint exercises are between militaries of both countries. Will they use these BrahMos missiles in joint drills? As we know, these missiles are in service in both countries, in the army of both countries. Thank you. Madhurendra, News Nation: Sir Madhurendra, main News Nation se. Brahmos ke alava jaisa ki aap batla rahe the ki anya platforms ko lekar bhi charcha hui jo Philippines interested hai Bharat se lene ke bare mein. Woh platforms kon hain jin par charcha hui aur aage sambhavi deal, is sambandh mein kya hogi. Mera dusra sawal South China Sea ko lekar bhi hai jahan par abhi abhi conclude hua hai India aur Philippines ka naval exercise. Is tarah ke exercise ko lekar China bar bar jo hai objection create karta raha hai. Lekin Bharat ka stand bilkul clear raha hai to kya jo China ek bar fir se object kar raha hai us par hum koi reply dena chahenge. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, Madhurendra, I am from News Nation. Apart from BrahMos, as you were mentioning, there was also discussion on other platforms that the Philippines is interested in procuring from India. Which platforms were discussed, and what is the possibility of a future deal in this regard? My second question is about the South China Sea, where a naval exercise between India and the Philippines has just concluded. China has repeatedly raised objections to such exercises. However, India's stance has been very clear. So, if China is once again raising objections, would we like to issue any response to that? Sridhar, the Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle: Sir, Sridhar here from the Asian Age and Deccan Chronicle. I have two quick questions. One is that the Philippines President today thanked India for its support for the 2016 award. But there was no reference to it in PM Modi's speech. Normally, in the earlier joint statements that we used to issue, we used to specifically state that we support the Philippines on this issue. So, what exactly is India's stand on this? And also, our strategy, the naval exercises in South China Sea has clearly upset China. So, this is our policy and also in alignment with the Western policy in the Indo-Pacific. But then we see that we are also under increasing pressure from the West on the trade issue. So, at the risk of annoying China, what exactly is our policy, strategic versus trade? Niraj Kumar, News18 India: Sir, Niraj hoon News18 India se. Direct flight ke bare mein aapne bataya ki aane wale mahino mein iski shuruat hogi. Kab tak ummid kar sakte hain kyunki dono deshon ne free visa ka fesla kiya hai ek dusre deshon ke paryatako ke liye. [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] I'm Niraj from News18 India. You mentioned about the direct flight that it will be starting in the coming months. By when can we expect it to begin, especially since both countries have decided to offer free visas to each other's tourists? Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Let me start with South China sea question. Our position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We consider the South China Sea as a part of global commons, and we support freedom of navigation, overflight in the region and legitimate commerce through the waters of the South China Sea. India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region. And our position is based on the UN Convention of the Law of the Seas, UNCLOS 1982. India also believes that any difference between the parties concerned should be resolved peacefully by respecting the legal and diplomatic processes, and without resorting to the threat or use of force. We have also said that the discussions on the Code of Conduct should be effective and should be expedited. Any Code of Conduct that comes out of these discussions should be effective and substantive, and it should also take into account the interests of the parties which are not part of the COC negotiations. PM himself had said in his joint statement that: hum antharashtriya kanoono ke anuroop Freedom of Navigation ka samarthan karte hain. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi]: we support freedom of navigation in accordance with international laws. So that broadly sums up our policy there. You would find that in the joint statement there is indeed a formulation that will come out on our position on the South China Sea. I would request you to wait until the joint statement is issued. I don't think the President of Philippines is visiting the BrahMos production facility in Bangalore, ... in Delhi. He is not visiting the BrahMos facility. There was a question on what other platforms were being discussed. You know, Philippines is a country of about 7,600 islands. Their defense concept is about archipelagic defense. So, their defense doctrine and all the platforms that are of interest to them as part of this archipelagic defense concept would be of interest to them. Without going into details about what platforms are of interest, I can tell you that some of our platforms are definitely of interest to them, given their own security challenges, and their own assessment of their defense needs. Aapne flights ke bare mein pucha ... one of you. Hame lag raha hai ki Air India ka flight abhi shuru hoga before the end of the year, possibly in October sometime. Inaugural flight. First of October. And, further discussions abhi bhi chal rahe hain about further destinations and possible variations in how we can expand the scope of our bilateral air services agreement. Hopefully, aur bhi destinations add honge but initially Delhi Manila wala flight add ho raha hai. [Approximate Translation: Answer in Hindi] One of you asked about the flights. We believe that Air India's flight will start before the end of the year, possibly sometime in October the inaugural flight, likely on the 1st of October. Further discussions are still ongoing regarding additional destinations and possible variations in how we can expand the scope of our bilateral air services agreement. Hopefully, more destinations will be added, but initially, a Delhi-Manila flight is being added. Neeraj Dubey, Prabha Sakshi: Sir, namaskar main Neeraj Dubey Prabha Sakshi se. Sir, Philippines ko riyayati line of credit dene ki baat bhi chal rahi thi kya us par koi charcha hui hai? Aur pradhan mantri ji ne apne sambodhan mein quick impact projects ki sankhya badhane ki baat kahi hai. Abhi aapne bataya ki che chal rahe hain, toh ye kitne aur badhaye jayenge aur kon se chetron mein sir? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Sir, namaskar. I'm Neeraj Dubey from Prabha Sakshi. Sir, there was also talk of extending a concessional line of credit to the Philippines has there been any discussion on that? And the Prime Minister, in his address, spoke about increasing the number of quick impact projects. You just mentioned that six are currently underway so by how many will this number be increased, and in which sectors, sir? Rezaul Hasan Laskar, Hindustan Times: Rezaul from Hindustan Times. I was just wondering if we could get some details on how the two sides plan to ramp up trade, whether any specific areas have been identified for trade, and if we could get any more details on the preferential trade agreement that is being planned. Shailesh, National Defense: Thank you for this opportunity, sir. Sir, I am Shailesh from National Defense. Sir, to be specific, China has termed India and Philippines maritime exercise as gesture politics. Since we have raised our partnership to comprehensive strategic partnership, since China doesn't accept the UNCLOS verdict, how do we see, would there be some structured partnership, there could be some other members in future, if we have raised this partnership? How do we see this? Because they say it's just a gesture politics. Anuvesh Rath, ZEE Media: Namaskar sir, mera naam Anuvesh Rath hai. Mai Zee Media se hu. Sir, mera sawal weapons deal ko lekar hi hai ki Brahmos ke sivay koi aisi aur facilities specifically ... kyunki India ka target hai 2029 tak humko 50,000 crores ka export defense mein karna hai. Toh usko leke humne already dekha hai ki hum is is side of the continent mein hum log export kar rahe hain, Brahmos ka hum kar chuke hain. Aur koi platform aur specifically koi delegation kya kahin pe ja rahi hai jaise ki MDL ya dusre jagahon pe jahan pe weapons ke trials ya dusre cheeze ki ja sakti hain? [Approximate Translation: Question in Hindi] Namaskar sir, my name is Anuvesh Rath. I'm from Zee Media. Sir, my question is also related to the weapons deal apart from BrahMos, are there any other such facilities? Specifically, because India has set a target to achieve 50,000 crores in defense exports by 2029. In that context, we have already seen that we are exporting to this side of the continent we have already done so with BrahMos. Are there any other platforms? And specifically, is any delegation being sent anywhere such as MDL?; or other locations where weapons trials or other related activities could be conducted? Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Okay. Cooperation in the area of development partnership. We are indeed undertaking a number of small projects, community development projects which we call QIPs, quick impact projects. We've done six of them recently, and I think the plan is to try and expand it to do more in the coming years. In fact, there is also a discussion ongoing in terms of supporting large infrastructure projects in the Philippines. The President indeed mentioned this to the Prime Minister and said they are developing a number of regional airports. They are developing a large set of railway networks in the three island groups of the Philippines, and invited Indian investment and partnership in developing infrastructure all over the Philippines. So, we would be seriously getting involved in infrastructure development projects and considering participation in them. In terms of areas that we are looking at as part of our trade discussions, I think Rezaul asked that. We are looking for more market access for our agricultural products. I understand grapes and potatoes are a priority. Philippines has some special technology for growing seaweeds. In the coming years, I believe we are also interested in growing seaweeds as a possible source of nutrition. There are expectations to try and open up services. India is offering oil and gas consultancy. There is potential for greater cooperation in developing biofuels. Philippines also has a large oil import bill and therefore they are interested in working with India to develop biofuels. There is interest in renewables and green hydrogen. The Philippines also invited investments from India in developing upstream oil and gas assets. We have been going through discussions for cooperation in developing submarine infrastructure in the Philippines, training facilities, helping them with ship design and naval modernization, etc. We are also talking about working with the Philippines in the area of cyber security. I spoke already about the scope for linking the payment systems on both sides. We also discussed and thanked each other for support at international fora, various candidatures, etc. I also mentioned earlier about cooperation in the area of agriculture, particularly rice research. There was a focused discussion on cooperation in the field of health care, particularly India's strengths in pharmaceuticals, traditional medicine. There was also a talk of yoga and wellness initiatives from India and offering support to the Philippines. There was also a discussion about expanding the scope of ITEC capacity building programs and ICCR scholarships for Filipino youngsters. Digital health platforms ... and PM also explained to President Marcos about the Janaushadhi system for low-cost distribution of generic medicines. These were broadly the areas that I wanted to mention about. President Marcos in general spoke of India as a key partner for modernizing their armed forces. It was also suggested that the current trade level of USD 3.3 billion is not small, but there is scope for building it up to a much higher level. Prime Minister called for carrying the private sectors on both sides with the governments. He suggested that we should work on action-oriented outcomes and identify timelines and a need to focus on specific sectors, where we can cooperate. We are talking about involving youth in joint programs. The Prime Minister actually suggested that we should try and involve the youth on both sides in a joint hackathon if we can, so that we can develop technological solutions for mutual social benefit on both sides. The Prime Minister also offered for India to share the Gati Shakti platform for coordinated infrastructure development and to let the Philippines benefit from what we have learned in developing this platform. President Marcos supported India on the issue of terrorism. The Prime Minister thanked him for the consistent support that the Philippines has offered India. President Marcos also thanked India for permitting the export of non-Basmati rice to the Philippines over the last couple of years, which they said was particularly useful given the bad crop output in the years of concern. There was also talk about enhancing the number of tourists, particularly since the year 2025 is the ASEAN-India year of tourism. President Marcos also spoke about cooperation in waste management and benefiting from India's experience and technologies in this area. That's largely about it. Anything else that we missed out on? Shri Randhir Jaiswal, Official Spokesperson: I think that we covered the areas comprehensively. Over and above, the declaration on the Strategic Partnership is available on the website, so please have a look. We also have other announcements and MOUs, the list of it, which is available to you on the website. So, with that, ladies and gentlemen, we come to the close of this special briefing. Thank you very much. Shri P. Kumaran, Secretary (East): Thank you very much. New Delhi August 05, 2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Adapting to disruptive tech, rethinking legacy structures & prioritising Tri-service synergy key to tackling today's security challenges: CDS India - Press Information Bureau Ministry of Defence Posted On: 05 AUG 2025 5:15PM by PIB Delhi Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Anil Chauhan has emphasised the need to adapt swiftly to disruptive technologies, rethink legacy structures and prioritise synergy across the three services to tackle the challenges emanating from the constantly-evolving nature of warfare. He was delivering the keynote address at the inaugural edition of the Annual Trident Lecture Series, organised by the Centre for Joint Warfare Studies (CENJOWS) to mark its Foundation Day, at Manekshaw Centre, Delhi Cantt on August 05, 2025. He underscored the importance of technological convergence, and integrated operations to ensure national security in today's times. The event brought together senior defence leadership, strategic thinkers and scholars to reflect on the theme 'Dominating the Future Battlespace'. It also witnessed the formal release of the first General Bipin Rawat Paper on Manned-Unmanned Teaming, a tribute to India's first CDS and his enduring legacy in shaping joint operational philosophy and transformative defence thinking. The August 2025 issue of Synergy, CENJOWS' flagship journal, was also launched, featuring incisive articles on emerging strategic trends. As part of the event, Chief of Integrated Defence Staff delivered a lecture on 'Urgency in Tri-Services Reforms', underlining the critical timelines and institutional steps needed for meaningful reform. Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Doctrine, Organisation and Training) gave a lecture on 'Imbibing Indian Heritage Statecraft in Future Warfighting' which examined how indigenous civilisational wisdom can inform modern military thinking. The Lecture series acts as an annual forum for critical reflection, strategic foresight and policy innovation, aimed at addressing the evolving dynamics of warfare and national defence. **** VK/Savvy (Release ID: 2152618) NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Judiciary chief vows firm legal action against spies IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 5, 2025 Bojnourd, IRNA -- Judiciary chief Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei has reaffirmed Iran's commitment to taking resolute legal action against foreign spies and infiltrators, while ensuring due process and justice. Speaking at a ceremony on Tuesday, Mohseni-Ejei said Iran was facing an ongoing hybrid warfare, warning: "The enemy is waging a cognitive war against Iran, exaggerating infiltration narratives through pseudo-media outlets." "However, our security and intelligence agencies maintain full vigilance and have repeatedly countered infiltrators," he added. Mohseni-Ejei hailed the unprecedented national unity during the recent 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime. "This remarkable social solidarity thwarted many enemy plots and elevated the Islamic Republic's standing in the region and world." 3266**4353 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ali Larijani appointed new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 4:20 PM President Masoud Pezeshkian has appointed veteran politician Ali Larijani as the new head of Iran's Supreme National Security Council (SNSC). Larijani will replace Ali Akbar Ahmadian as secretary of the SNSC, the top council that oversees Iran's national security and sets the direction of its foreign policy. In an official decree issued Tuesday, Pezeshkian said the new head of the top security body is expected to exercise "prudent and precise oversight over the Secretariat's functions." He also emphasized the need for Larijani to "foster synergy among the relevant institutions, monitor and prioritize national security challengesespecially emerging technological threatsredefine strategic concepts, and adopt intelligent, people-centered approaches in line with the evolving national security landscape." "The ultimate goal is to achieve sustainable security at the national, regional, and international levels, safeguard the Islamic Revolution, uphold the country's honorable interests, and preserve national unity, territorial integrity, and sovereignty," the statement read. Larijani held the same top security position from 2005 to 2007. Larijani has previously held key positions, including head of the Islamic Republic of Iran Broadcasting (IRIB), and Speaker of Parliament for three consecutive terms. He is currently an advisor to Leader of the Islamic Revolution Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei. The announcement comes after the SNSC approved the formation of a new body, the National Defense Council, which is tasked with formulating defense strategies and enhancing the operational capabilities of the Armed Forces. President Pezeshkian will reportedly head the council, which also includes the heads of the three branches of government, senior military commanders, and designated ministers relevant to defense affairs. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran says it cannot trust US after assault on peaceful nuclear sites Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 10:46 AM Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei says Iran does not trust the United States following its unprovoked assault on the country's peaceful nuclear facilities. Speaking with Press TV, Baghaei said Washington colluded with Israel to violate Iran's sovereignty and sabotage ongoing diplomatic efforts during the occupying regime's 12-day war of aggression against Iran. Israel launched a large-scale attack against Iran on June 13, assassinating many high-ranking military commanders, nuclear scientists, and ordinary civilians. More than a week later, the United States also entered the war by bombing three Iranian nuclear sites. The war came amid indirect talks between Tehran and Washington on the former's nuclear program. "There is no plan for any sort of negotiations with the US, but we have always repeated that Iran has never left the negotiating table," Baghaei said. He made clear that "If we come to the conclusion that through negotiations we can resolve an issue or we can take care of our national interests, we would not hesitate to do that." Baghaei added that negotiations should be purposeful and solution-oriented and should not deprive Iran of its inalienable rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Iran and the United States had held five rounds of indirect talks on Tehran's peaceful nuclear program before the beginning of Israel's acts of aggression. Mediated by Oman, the 6th round of talks was planned to be held in the Omani capital of Muscat on June 15, but was called off due to the anti-Iran attacks. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PM Netanyahu to IDF Armored Corps and Combat Engineering Recruits Israel - Prime Minister's Office Type: Events and Speeches Government: The 37th Government Publish Date: 05.08.2025 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to IDF Armored Corps and Combat Engineering Recruits: "It is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel. We are not giving up on any of these missions." Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today , together with the Head of the IDF Personnel Branch, Maj.-Gen. David Bar Khalifa, visited the IDF induction base at Tel Hashomer and met with Armored Corps and Combat Engineering Corps recruits. At the start of the visit, the Prime Minister met recruits as they received their gear, before donning their uniforms. He then spoke with the new recruits and answered their questions about the war and combat service in the IDF. Prime Minister Netanyahu : "I am here at the IDF induction base with yet another group of recruits for the Armored Corps and the Combat Engineering Corps, two corps that have done outstanding things in this war. This is the sixth recruitment group during the war, and the number of recruits is increasing from group to group. This greatly attests to both the fighting spirit within us and to the spirit of unity. These two things have, in fact, given us the major victories that we have achieved to date, in striking both Hamas and Hezbollah, toppling the Assad regime and striking Iran. These achievements, of course, are behind us but it is still necessary to complete the defeat of the enemy in Gaza, release our hostages and ensure that Gaza never again constitutes a threat to Israel. We are not giving up on any of these missions. We will do this together through the great sacrifice of our fighting men and women. There has also been a great increase in the number of women who are volunteering for combat positions. I think that this attests to the strength of this people in ensuring the eternity of Israel." Also participating in the visit were the Prime Minister's Chief-of-Staff, Tzachi Braverman, IDF Head of Planning and Personnel Management, Brig.-Gen. Shai Taib, Chief Armored Corps Officer Brig.-Gen. Ohad Maor, Chief Engineering Officer Brig.-Gen. Yoav Turchansky and IDF Meitav Unit Head Col. Yifat Asher. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Bennett: Israel faces unprecedented hatred, isolation and global backlash Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 6:28 PM Former Israeli prime minister Naftali Bennett has warned that Israel's standing in the United States "has never been worse," blaming Benjamin Netanyahu for turning the country into a "a leper state." Bennett wrote on his X account on Tuesday that "although part of the Trump administration still sympathizes with Israel, first and foremost thanks to President Trump himself, many in the right-wing environment in the US, including the MAGA movement, are distancing themselves from Israel." "Even those who were our friends are having a hard time defending Israel," Bennett said. He argued that Israel, which has always enjoyed the staunch support of Americans, is losing its standing due to the starvation campaign unleashed by Israel in Gaza. "The starvation campaign in Gaza has gained enormous traction. Among most of the American public and various influencers, it is now accepted almost as fact...Israel is seen more as a burden on the US and Americans." Bennett stated that the military and political actions of Netanyahu and his cabinet have resulted in increasing "antisemitism" across the US, and many on both the radical left and right blame Jews for America's troubles. He also blamed Israel's radical ministers like Amichai Eliyahu, Amichai Chikli, and Bezalel Smotrich for their comments about occupying Gaza and expanding illegal settlements in the West Bank. He added that these comments will result in legal persecution of Israeli soldiers in other countries. "Do you really think that what you say in interviews in Israel isn't being heard abroad?! Don't you care that you will lead to the prosecution of our soldiers?" He also accused Netanyahu and his cabinet of corruption and said that they have been using the war in Gaza as a propaganda tool to stay in power. "If Netanyahu's propaganda machine fought Israel's external enemies with even a tenth of the talent, speed, and devotion that it uses against his internal political rivals, our situation would be incredible," the former Israeli prime minister said. According to a recent Gallup poll, 6 in 10 Americans disapprove of the Israeli regime's genocidal campaign in Gaza. International pressure on the Israeli regime is also mounting as its allies in Europe have decided to recognize the state of Palestine. Since Israel began its genocidal war on Gaza on October 7, 2023, the regime has killed 61,020 Palestinians and wounded 150,671, most of them women and children. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran opposes foreign intervention in Libya's internal affairs: First VP Aref IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency Aug 5, 2025 First Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref has emphasized the importance of maintaining Libya's integrity, unity, and sovereignty, saying that the Islamic Republic of Iran opposes any foreign intervention in Libya's internal affairs. Aref met with Chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya Mohamed al-Menfi on Tuesday in the city of Awaza, Turkmenistan, on the sidelines of the third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, according to a press release by the Iranian presidential office. The Iranian official stressed that despite severe foreign sanctions, his country has turned these threats into opportunities, and that the Islamic Republic has made significant achievements in scientific and technological fields, and expressed readiness to share its experiences with Libya, considering the sanctions against the African country. He highlighted the long-standing cultural and historical ties between the two nations and the potential for developing relations in all areas, particularly in science, technology, and the economy. The VP pointed out that the upward trend in political communications and the reopening of Iran's embassy in Tripoli, alongside the growth of economic exchanges, indicates progress in bilateral relations. Aref also proposed activating a joint commission as a framework for advancing cooperation and exchanging experts and high-ranking delegations between the two countries. He expressed gratitude for Libya's stance during the 12-day war imposed by the Israeli regime against Iran in June, calling for serious and immediate action from friendly countries to prevent the continuation of the regime's atrocities in Gaza. Al-Menfi called the meeting an important step toward strengthening and expanding relations between Iran and Libya. He said that the two countries need to appoint ambassadors to foster growth and development in bilateral relations. He further condemned the Israeli regime's attacks on Iran and expressed solidarity and sympathy with the Iranian government and people, emphasizing that Libya supports the Islamic Republic in all regional and international matters and that Iran has the right to be self-sufficient in energy production. The Libyan official said that Iran can play an important role in maintaining and enhancing stability in Libya and that his country supports Iran's stance regarding the Palestinian people and Gaza. 4208**4194 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Iran's vice president blasts foreign interference in Libya, urges deeper bilateral ties Iran Press TV Tuesday, 05 August 2025 8:15 AM Vice President Mohammad-Reza Aref has reiterated Iran's opposition to any form of foreign intervention in Libya, calling for Libyan-led solutions, while also expressing readiness for enhancement of bilateral cooperation in science, technology, and diplomacy. Aref made the remarks in a meeting with Mohamed al-Menfi, head of Libya's Presidential Council, in Awaza, Turkmenistan, to which the former had traveled at the head of a delegation to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. The Iranian official reaffirmed the Islamic Republic's official stance in favor of "Libyan-Libyan dialogue" and called for preservation of Libya's "unity, integrity, and sovereignty." Iran ready to share sanction-busting expertise with Libya The vice president pointed to Iran's ability to transform "severe foreign sanctions" into growth opportunities, stating that the country has achieved "great accomplishments in scientific and technological fields." Citing Libya's own past experience with sanctions, Aref said Iran was ready to share its relevant expertise with the Libyan side. Referring to the longstanding cultural and historical ties between the two nations, Aref stressed Tehran's willingness to expand cooperation, particularly in scientific, technological, and economic sectors. He noted that the reopening of Iran's Embassy in Tripoli alongside the growing volume of trade had already reflected tangible progress in the bilateral relations. The official also proposed reviving the countries' joint committee as a framework for enhancing collaboration, the process of exchanging experts, and high-level visits. He emphasized the need for closer coordination between Tehran and Tripoli to help shape developments in favor of "the common interests of the two countries and the Muslim world." Praising the "relative security" now present in Libya, the official expressed hope for a full resolution to the country's political and security issues. "The Libyan people are fully capable of resolving their issues and preserving their country's unity." Thanking Libya for pro-Iranian, pro-Gaza stance Aref also thanked Libya for its support during the 12-day Israeli-imposed war on Iran in June, and for condemning the Zionist regime's atrocities in the Gaza Strip, especially Tel Aviv's October 2023-present war of genocide against the territory. Those atrocities included the regime's denying "water and food" to Palestinians, he said, and called for "serious and immediate action" on the part of friendly nations to prevent continuation of the "child-killing" regime's deadly crimes. According to Aref, political exchanges between the countries would contribute to further elevation of their standing and pursuit of their shared goals across the Muslim world. He also invited al-Menfi to visit the Islamic Republic. For his part, the Libyan official welcomed his talks with the Iranian official, calling the meeting an important step towards strengthening bilateral ties. He stressed the necessity of maintaining reciprocal diplomatic presence in both countries to support long-term cooperation, and said, "We support the Islamic Republic in all regional and international matters." Al-Menfi reiterated Tripoli's condemnation of the Zionist regime's attacks on Iran and expressed solidarity with the Iranian people and government. He affirmed that "the Islamic Republic has the right to be self-sufficient in energy production," and emphasized the Islamic Republic's potential to "play a significant role in preserving and promoting stability in Libya." The meeting came as the North African nation is experiencing relative calm following drawn-out repercussions of the 2011 Western military intervention there. The intervention took place under the pretext of humanitarian protection, but went on to sow rampant armed violence and instability in the country for years to come. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's end to missile moratorium signals 'no concessions' as US may 'lack cards to play' Global Times By Wang Qi Published: Aug 05, 2025 03:39 PM Russia said Monday that it no longer considers itself bound by self-imposed restrictions on deploying medium- and short-range ground-based missiles, amid the backdrop of the recent spats between US President Donald Trump and Deputy Chairman of the Russian Security Council Dmitry Medvedev. Analysts said that Russia's move signals that Moscow is unlikely to make concessions at the cost of its interests in the upcoming cease-fire talks with Washington, which is increasingly finding itself with limited leverage to pressure the Kremlin. Elaborating on the decision, Russia's foreign ministry noted the disappearance of "conditions for maintaining a unilateral moratorium on the deployment of similar systems" under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty, Xinhua News Agency reported on Tuesday. Western actions have led to the buildup of destabilizing missile capabilities in the regions near Russia, posing a direct threat to the country's strategic security, the ministry said. "The Russian Foreign Ministry's statement on the withdrawal of the moratorium on the deployment of medium- and short-range missiles is the result of NATO countries' anti-Russian policy... This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps," Medvedev said in an X post on Tuesday. In an earlier interview with TASS, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov said that Russia's moratorium on deploying intermediate- and short-range missiles is coming to its logical end, as the West did not appreciate Moscow's restraint. As of this report, neither the White House nor the Pentagon has issued a response to Russia's announcement. The nuclear treaty was an arms control deal between the US and the Soviet Union. In 2019, the US side withdrew from the treaty, citing Russian non-compliance. Russia had suspended the treaty and declared a moratorium on the condition that the US does the same, according to Xinhua. Li Haidong, a professor at China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Tuesday that Russia's announcement indicates Moscow expects further escalation of the conflict to be increasingly unavoidable. As the Russia-Ukraine conflict intensifies, the actual deployment of intermediate-range missiles by the US and the West has already undermined the treaty, prompting Russia to consider adjustments based on this new reality, the expert added. According to the New York Times, in 2024, the US announced that Washington would begin "episodic deployments" of intermediate-range missiles in Germany starting in 2026. Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed on Friday that missile "Oreshnik," capable of carrying nuclear warheads, had entered service and would be deployed to Belarus. Russia's move can be seen as its countermeasure against the US and West. But more importantly, it demonstrates Russia's uncompromising stance with no intention of making concessions at the cost of its interests in the upcoming cease-fire talks, Li said. The Associated Press described this week as a "pivotal moment" in the Ukraine crisis, as the US deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal or face sanctions approaches on Friday. Meanwhile, Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow midweek, with another envoy Keith Kellogg reported to visit Kiev this week, according to media reports. Prior to the cease-fire talks, US President Trump said on Friday that he had ordered two nuclear submarines "to be positioned in the appropriate regions" in response to remarks from Medvedev, who accused Trump of playing the ultimatum game with Russia, Xinhua reported. The US attempt to pressure Russia into making concessions to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict is unlikely to succeed, as Russia is unlikely to swallow the bitter pill to meet the US unilateral demands, Li said. He added that the US is also unlikely to accept Russia's countermeasures, further straining US-Russia relations. "There is no lowest point in US-Russia ties, only lower points," Li said. The expert noted that US' repeated attempts to pressure Russia have yielded limited results. Such continuous pressure reveals not that the US has become stronger, but rather that it lacks cards to play. Commenting on the situation faced by Washington, the CNN said on Monday that "This [the Ukraine crisis] should be seen as Trump's war. It is the defining conflict of his presidency and of the post-9/11 era." NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Meeting with Chairman of VEB.RF State Development Corporation Igor Shuvalov Chairman of the VEB.RF State Development Corporation Igor Shuvalov delivered a performance report to Vladimir Putin for the first six months of 2025. The agenda covered VEB's priority projects aimed at reinforcing Russia's technological capabilities. August 5, 2025 14:10 Vladimir Putin: Mr Shuvalov, VEB is our biggest development institution. How are things going for you? What are you focusing on? What are your most interesting or promising undertakings? Chairman of the VEB.RF State Development Corporation Igor Shuvalov: Mr President, During the latest St Petersburg Economic Forum, you mentioned an instruction to audit all support measures related to the technology agenda. VEB oversees six entities in the technology domain, including import substitution and the shaping of a new technology agenda. We have launched this audit. But before I report on this matter, allow me to share some key figures with you. As of the end of the first half of the year, VEB's business was worth 7.5 trillion rubles, making it one of the top five lending institutions in the country. Needless to say, VEB - and you know perfectly well the way it operates - enjoys special status as set forth by federal law. Still, we abide by all the main regulations and instructions as prescribed by the Central Bank. This is why, while tasked with a special mission, we can compare VEB to major lending institutions. Our work primarily consists of working with private banks to form syndicates, which is something that is usually done by development banks. They can be international development banks created by several countries specifically for this purpose, or national development banks. Our capital currently stands at 1.4 trillion rubles, while the capital adequacy ratio is 16 percent. These are solid figures. We maintain close contacts with the Central Bank to ensure it has a clear understanding of everything we do, including the state of our portfolio. Among other things, this gives the Central Bank confidence that when we allocate funding or provide guarantees to lending institutions, we do not create new risks for the Russian Federation's financial system. You know that VEB faced a challenging period and had to go through a financial recovery process, but that is all behind us now. Nevertheless, the Central Bank pays special attention to our operations to ensure that nothing of this kind happens again. On capital, Mr President, as I reported to you at the meeting of the Council for Strategic Development and National Projects, our portfolio now accounts for approximately 2.5 percent of GDP. By comparison, in other countries where development banks play a major role, such as the People's Republic of China and Germany, these institutions' portfolios are significantly larger than VEB's. We have every opportunity to expand our portfolio, and we will focus our efforts on doing so. However, to achieve this, our operations must remain transparent and highly stable - without creating risks for the national financial system, as I emphasised previously. Additionally, we require new sources of capital and are actively exploring options in collaboration with both the Central Bank and the Government. On technological development, we have made significant progress in advancing import substitution in recent years. To date, we have supported thousands of projects through various instruments, including the Industrial Development Fund and the Agency for Technological Development, facilitating domestic production of gearboxes, other automotive components, trains, and other critical goods. Denis Manturov and our colleagues regularly update you on these developments. We remain committed to this agenda and see no obstacles to its continued implementation. The Industrial Development Fund retains sufficient capital, which is consistently replenished in line with your instructions and Government directives. However, securing Russia's technological leadership represents a distinct and equally critical agenda. Naturally, this effort is driven by highly skilled professionals who are also exceptionally ambitious. Their mission to establish our nation's leadership in the global arena demands not only groundbreaking knowledge and far-reaching expertise but also robust financial instruments to support these ambitions. We are currently conducting an audit of support measures, working jointly with Economic Development Minister Maxim Reshetnikov, who has voluntarily engaged in this initiative. Within the working group established by you under the Council for National Projects, we are now reviewing the entire range of instruments. Primarily - until now - these have included three main instruments: grant allocations, participation in investment capital, and the provision of debt financing. We will now assess which organisations, including the Industrial Development Fund, Skolkovo, Skoltech, and others, should channel funds to ensure leadership in this technological agenda. To be specific, areas where we already have strong import substitution projects include, for example, 5G base stations. We have completed this work, replacing imported equipment, and industrial-scale production of base stations is now underway in the town of Shuya. However, regarding technological leadership - as specialists note, and I defer to their expertise in this matter, Mr President - we have every opportunity to achieve global leadership in, for instance, unmanned aviation. This agenda requires focused effort. As you know, we are working through the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the Industrial Development Fund, and other organisations. There is every possibility to consolidate a project for technological leadership. Within the Presidential Executive Office, I rely on the support of Andrei Fursenko, with whom I am working closely. We have agreed to complete this review by the end of the year and report the results to you. Vladimir Putin: Mr Shuvalov, we have discussed matters related to technological leadership on multiple occasions. Initially, following the imposition of extensive sanctions, we rightly prioritised import substitution. However, focusing solely on import substitution and so-called reverse engineering will not secure technological leadership. We require our own developments and production based on domestic platforms. Our current level of technological advancement and economic conditions now permit this. I therefore ask you to prioritise this when selecting prospective projects for support. Igor Shuvalov: We will proceed accordingly and fulfil this objective. Vladimir Putin: Good. Thank you. <...> NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Capabilities Russia Unlocks by Quitting Medium-Range Missile Moratorium Sputnik News 20250805 Russia's termination of its unilateral moratorium on the deployment of ground-launched ballistic missiles in the 500-5,500 km range is the logical outcome of hostile NATO policies, and unties Moscow's hands for a more proactive approach to strategic defense, says Igor Korotchenko, one of Russia's top military analysts. What Brought on Russia's Decision? NATO's European allies' preparations for a potential conventional war with Russia by 2030, including: a massive rearmament campaign and plans to create massive, wartime-sized standing armies the development of new weapons, including an Anglo-German missile with a 2,500 km+ range deployment of new US fifth-gen fighters in the region What It Means In these circumstances, and no longer facing INF-style medium and intermediate-range missile restrictions, Russia will: ramp up production of ballistic missiles, including the conventionally armed Oreshnik (serial production already underway) deploy the missiles, which are difficult if not impossible to intercept due to their multiple independently targetable reentry vehicle (MIRV) payload, as it sees fit and based on security considerations potentially deploy a nuclear-armed variant of the Oreshnik, with up to six warheads with a 150 kt per warhead capacity to "deter" NATO and "minimize threats and risks of a military attack on Russia by NATO," not only in Europe, but Asia as well, if needed "The INF Treaty is dead," Korotchenko says. There is now "nothing" to stop Russia from realizing its strategic security objectives. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia Removes Restrictions on Deploying Ground-Based Missiles - Kremlin Sputnik News 20250805 Russia no longer has any restrictions on the deployment of ground-based intermediate and short-range missiles, said Dmitry Peskov, press secretary of the Russian President. On Monday, the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that Russia acknowledges the dissolution of conditions for maintaining its unilateral moratorium on deploying ground-based intermediate and short-range missiles, and no longer considers itself bound by the previous self-imposed restrictions. "There are no longer any restrictions on this matter in Russia. Russia no longer considers itself constrained in any way," Peskov told reporters, commenting on the Russian MFA's statement that the Russian Federation no longer considers itself bound by the unilateral moratorium on the deployment of INF missiles. Russia maintains that it has the right to take steps on the placement of ground-based intermediate and short-range missiles if necessary, he added. "Russia considers itself entitled, if necessary, to take the corresponding measures and steps," Peskov said, responding to a question from journalists about the Russian MFA's statement that Russia no longer considers itself bound by the unilateral moratorium on the deployment of INF missiles. Sovereign countries have the right to choose their own trading partners, Kremlin spokesman said, commenting on the situation with India's purchase of Russian oil. On Monday, Indian Foreign Ministry spokesman Randhir Jaiswal said that New Dehli considers the criticism by the United States and the European Union over Russian oil imports to be unjustified and unwise and will take measures to protect its interests and economic security. "We believe that sovereign countries should have and have the right to choose their own trading partners, partners in trade and economic cooperation, and to choose those trade and economic cooperation regimes that are in the interests of a particular country," Peskov told reporters. There are many statements that are actually attempts to force countries to stop trade relations with Russia, the official said, adding that such threatening statements are illegal. The verdict against the head of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, is an example of a politically motivated decision and pressure on political opponents in Moldova, Peskov said. Earlier in the day, Natalia Bayram, Gutsul's lawyer, told RIA Novosti that the Chisinau District Court sentenced the region's leader to seven years in prison with immediate execution in the case of financing the banned Sor party. "Well, yes, this is, indeed, an example of a politically motivated decision. This is an example of attempts to exert undisguised and actually illegal pressure on political opponents during the election campaign," Peskov told reporters. The opposition in Moldova is being pressured "in every possible way," while the norms of democracy are being violated, the official said. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Rostec Surpasses Targets, Fully Fulfills Russian Army's Defense Needs Sputnik News 20250805 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russian state tech corporation Rostec fully meets needs of the Russian army, CEO Sergei Chemezov said on Tuesday at a meeting with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. "We meet the needs of our army 100%, and even ahead of schedule," Chemezov said, adding that Rostec fulfilled the state defense order for the first half of the year by 65% in terms of weapons supplies, and by 50% in terms of means of destruction. Rostec plays a vital role in achieving Russia's technological and industrial sovereignty and is actively involved in solving problems of national scale, Mishustin said during the meeting. "Dear Sergei Viktorovich, you head Rostec, one of the key state corporations that plays a vital role in technological and industrial sovereignty and actively participates in solving problems of national scale. Moreover, this concerns a fairly wide range of products - from medical products to space technologies," Mishustin said. Mishustin added that Russian President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly highlighted Rostec's role, including in ensuring Russia's defense capability. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address The US Wants To Squeeze Putin. Are Oil Sales To China The Answer? By Reid Standish August 06, 2025 Ahead of an August 8 deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to stop the fighting in Ukraine, Washington is looking to squeeze Moscow economically and has found a new target: Russian oil sales to China. Reining in how much oil China buys from Russia has become an unexpected sticking point in ongoing US-China trade talks in Stockholm, where both sides are looking to settle many of their differences in order to avert punishing tariffs and reach a broader trade deal. With Trump growing increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin for spurning past efforts to broker peace in Ukraine, Washington is hoping to gain more leverage by denying Moscow billions in revenue. "The administration has come to the realization of how important Russian oil sales to China are," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former US President George W. Bush, told RFE/RL. "Without them, you can argue that the Russian economy would have already gone into a tailspin." But getting Beijing to meet the US demand is proving difficult, with Chinese officials refusing to reduce the country's oil purchases during the ongoing talks. In response, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has raised the possibility of a 100 percent tariff. "China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests," China's Foreign Ministry posted on X last week, responding to the threat of further tariffs. "Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests." Former officials and energy analysts who spoke to RFE/RL say that China is unlikely to stop buying Russian oil but could be willing to limit its purchases for a short period as a goodwill gesture while both Beijing and Washington look to strike an economic bargain that could be a precursor to a potential summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which reportedly could take place in October. "It's possible that Beijing could decide to subtly reduce their monthly imports of Russian oil, but I wouldn't expect them to completely cut them off or to publicly announce any change if they do," Wilder said. Can The US Convince China To Stop Buying Russian Oil? Whether Washington can get Beijing to cut back on Russian oil will depend on the complex US-China trade talks under way in Sweden that face an August 12 deadline to reach a deal. Beyond pushing China on Russian oil, Washington has also demanded that Beijing stop purchasing oil from Iran, which is subject to US sanctions. Iran currently sends more than 90 percent of its oil exports to China. Russia supplies approximately one-fifth of China's total oil, analysts say. Trump has also ramped up pressure on India, which has shifted between first and second position alongside China as the top buyers of Russian oil since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In an August 4 post on Truth Social, Trump said he will be "substantially raising" tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil, having already threatened a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods. Curbing Chinese and Indian purchases would be felt in Moscow, but Beijing also has cards to play against the United States, analysts say. The White House is now actively encouraging China to buy more US products, including American technology. Trump and Bessent have also said that they want China to make it easier for US businesses to operate and also increase Beijing's purchases of US energy. But China has also used its dominant position in the flow of rare earths, an essential group of elements that are needed to manufacture everything from electric vehicle batteries to vital defense technology, to get concessions of its own. This was underscored in July when the United States relaxed a ban on sales of jet engines and Nvidia's H20 artificial-intelligence chips in exchange for Beijing lifting restrictions on the sale of rare earths. Pushing too hard on oil purchases could risk derailing some of the trade progress already made by US and Chinese negotiators. "Beijing has demonstrated that its restrictions on exporting rare earths are a powerful weapon, and the US administration wouldn't want to jeopardize this fragile truce," Maria Shagina, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think-tank, told RFE/RL. What Leverage Does Washington Have With China? Beijing may also be hesitant to undertake any moves that could hurt Russia's war effort against Ukraine. China has been one of Russia's closest backers, with Putin and Xi declaring a "no limits" partnership shortly before the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. While Beijing has stopped short of sending lethal aid, Chinese firms have supplied the bulk of the dual-use products that have allowed Moscow to replenish its supply of missiles, drones, and other munitions throughout the war. In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing couldn't accept Russia's defeat in the war as it would free up Washington to focus on China. The comments were first reported by the South China Morning Post and later confirmed by RFE/RL. Experts say that a bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate could also factor in as a negotiating tool for Washington against Beijing. The legislation would impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries that support Russia's war machine by buying its oil and gas, with China and India as the two main targets. But enacting such measures, should the bill be passed by Congress, would escalate tensions sharply. In the meantime, Beijing is weighing its options, including limiting oil purchases from Russia but also looking to entice the Trump administration with promises to invest more in the United States and to increase sales of US energy and agricultural products. Joe Webster, an expert of China and Russia's energy relationship at the US-based Atlantic Council think tank, says that it's more likely to see Beijing increase purchases of US energy than to cut back on buying Russian oil. "Increasing US exports is a fairly straightforward step [China] could take," he told RFE/RL. "Reducing imports from Russia is more of a challenge, as that could still lead to real material pain for Russia, and Beijing clearly does not want Moscow to lose the war." But even that could be met with hesitation from Beijing. Chinese officials have long worried that the United States and its allies could hamstring the nation's economy by choking off its supply of foreign oil, leading to China investing hundreds of billions of dollars into boosting its own domestic production and building the world's top electric-vehicle industry. "Beijing doesn't seek dependency on anyone, including Russia, but especially the United States," Webster said. "This will be met with reluctance." Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/trump-putin-ukraine-xi- trade-deal-oil-sanctions-energy/33495186.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address UK provides vital support to over 85,000 Syrians following recent violence UK to provide vital humanitarian assistance for more than 85,000 Syrians affected by recent violence. From: Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and Hamish Falconer MP Published 5 August 2025 package of medical and other humanitarian support to be sent to help those displaced from their homes in Suwayda, Dara'a and rural Damascus UK government is committed to ensuring regional and global security, underpinned by the Plan for Change A support package provided by the UK government is delivering much-needed humanitarian assistance to Syrian people affected by the recent violence in the south of the country. The package will see the deployment of mobile medical teams to deliver urgent healthcare to those in need, including those displaced from their homes, as well as the delivery of medicine and trauma care equipment to health facilities, and essential support for pregnant women and new mothers. It will also provide food, clean water, hygiene and sanitation support. This 1.7 million of assistance will be delivered through UK partnerships with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), International Medical Corps (IMC), and local Syrian organisations working with the Aid Fund for Syria (AFS). As with all our work, we have robust processes in place to ensure our aid reaches those who need it. Today's announcement follows a recent escalation in violence in southern Syria, which has resulted in the deaths of hundreds of Syrians and left thousands injured. Minister for the Middle East Hamish Falconer said: The appalling violence in Suwayda has left people without food, water, fuel and medical care. Many have been displaced from their homes. The humanitarian situation is awful, and continued humanitarian access is vital to ensure aid gets to those who desperately need it. This UK package of support will provide urgently needed healthcare, medicines, food, and clean water to those displaced by the recent violence. The UK continues to call for a sustainable ceasefire in southern Syria, and for those responsible for recent violence to be held to account. The Minister for the Middle East addressed this in his intervention on Syria at the UN last week. The UK remains committed to supporting an inclusive and representative political transition, which protects the rights of all Syrians. The Foreign Secretary also visited Syria last month, during which time he announced new funding to assist with the removal of Assad-era chemical weapons, and reiterated the UK's commitment to ensuring a more secure and prosperous future for all Syrians - vital for regional and global security, as part of the government's Plan for Change. The visit to Damascus also marked the UK officially re-establishing diplomatic relations with the Syrian Government, following the fall of the Assad regime last year. Background the UK has provided 4.5 billion of assistance to Syria and countries in the region since 2011 during his visit to Damascus on 5 July, the Foreign Secretary announced 94.5 million to provide urgent humanitarian aid to Syrians, support Syria's longer-term recovery through education and livelihoods, and support countries hosting Syrian refugees in the region the 1.7 million announced today is drawn from part of our existing budget to support humanitarian needs across Syria. It will: deploy 12 mobile medical teams to deliver urgent healthcare services, providing emergency health support to displaced people and include specific support for new mothers, pregnant women, and girls temporarily living in shelters. This includes ante and post-natal care, sanitary supplies, safe deliveries, and support to prevent violence against vulnerable women and girls provide urgent medical supplies, support to blood bank services, and equipment to support trauma and emergency assessments NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address U.S. attack drones delivered to Taiwan's Army: Minister ROC Central News Agency 08/05/2025 09:36 PM Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Defense Minister Wellington Koo () said Tuesday that the first batch of Altius-600M attack drones purchased from the United States was delivered to Taiwan's Army on Monday. Koo met Tuesday afternoon with Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril Industries, which manufactures the drones, and thanked the company for its swift efforts to enhance the military's defensive and offensive capabilities, according to a news release by the Ministry of National Defense. The Altius-600M is able to fire from multiple types of vehicles on land, air or water, as well as hover in the air for four hours, travel 440 kilometers, scout battlezones, relay communications, counteract electronic warfare, and even be equipped with high-explosive anti-tank missiles. It is also reuseable and recyclable. Koo said drones are widely used on modern battlefields, including for scouting and communication, and have become indispensable for asymmetric battle. As threats from the enemy grow, the army continues to procure reconnaissance and attack drones to meet its defense needs -- a commitment reflected in the recent drone delivery, Koo said. He added that the delivery also underscores the significance of the Taiwan-U.S. partnership in countering threats from the Chinese Communist Party and ensuring regional peace and stability. Koo said the Army will carry on its build-up of asymmetric and resilient defense power. The Defense Innovation Office established in February 2024 will assess applications for new technology and products, which are then included in the Army's plans to build combat power, Koo said. Koo also encouraged military personnel to discard traditional ways of thinking and embrace challenges and technological innovation to create deterrence and protect Taiwan. (By Matt Yu and Wu Kuan-hsien) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Taiwan's pledge to raise defense spending 'essential': Boris Johnson ROC Central News Agency 08/05/2025 05:52 PM Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Visiting former United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Tuesday praised the recent pledge made by Taiwan's government to raise defense spending to more than 3 percent of GDP as "essential" to meeting the rising military threat from Beijing. He also said he believes the U.K. and other European countries have a great deal to contribute to the Indo-Pacific region's security instead of leaving all the work to the United States. Johnson, who served as Conservative Party prime minister from July 2019 to September 2022, made the comments during a Taipei press event when asked by a reporter what European countries would do should certain contingencies take place in the Indo-Pacific region. In response, Johnson, who is no longer a member of the U.K. Parliament and was speaking as a private citizen, said while he was U.K. prime minister, his administration introduced the 2021 Integrated Review, which outlined a strategic "tilt" to the Indo-Pacific. He said that as a "believer" of the so-called "Indo-Pacific tilt," he thinks the U.K. and other European countries "have a great deal to contribute in this part of the world." "I know that there are some voices in Washington, basically saying leave it all to the United States. I don't think that's a very.... I think we should do it together." Johnson concurred with a recent comment made by Britain's Defense Secretary John Healey, who said the U.K. "is prepared to fight in the Indo-Pacific if necessary" alongside its long-term allies, namely, Australia and the United States. "These are countries that have worked together side by side for decades and decades on problems like this, and I'm sure we will do in the future," he said. Healey's statement was reported as being made on board HMS Prince of Wales in Darwin, Australia, according to a Telegraph report on July 27. "If we have to fight, as we have done in the past, Australia and the U.K. are nations that will fight together. We exercise together, and by exercising together and being more ready to fight, we deter better together," Healey was quoted as saying in the Telegraph article. The former U.K. leader also said during Tuesday's press conference that his country has pledged to increase defense spending. He believes that NATO and almost every European country should also be spending more on defense faced with the looming threat posed by Russia. "I'm very glad that Taiwan is also going up to 3 percent of GDP spending on defense. That's essential," he added. In 2025, Taiwan's Cabinet earmarked NT$647 billion (US$19.7 billion) for defense spending, amounting to 2.45 percent of GDP. President Lai Ching-te's () government has repeatedly pledged to hike Taiwan's military spending to over 3 percent of GDP. Meanwhile, asked to advise Taiwan on how to negotiate with the Trump administration in the hope of possibly lowering the 20 percent blanket tariff currently imposed, Johnson said he believes Trump is "fundamentally a big supporter of Taiwan." "What Donald Trump likes is deals, come up with deals, give them a success," he proposed. The White House announced on July 31 a 20 percent blanket tariff on Taiwan, down from the 32 percent it unveiled on April 2. Taiwan's government has said the 20 percent is provisional and a lower levy is being sought through further negotiations with the U.S. Johnson is visiting Taiwan from Monday to Tuesday, mainly to speak at the annual Taipei-based regional security Ketagalan Forum. He also met with President Lai in the Presidential Office earlier Tuesday. (By Joseph Yeh) Enditem/AW NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ex-U.K. prime minister voices support for Taiwan, urges deeper ties ROC Central News Agency 08/05/2025 02:40 PM Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has voiced support for Taiwan during a speech in Taipei, urging the United Kingdom and other Western democracies to deepen economic ties with the island in the face of growing pressure from Beijing. Speaking at the annual Ketagalan Forum, Johnson described Taiwan's technological prowess as a "miracle" built on a free and democratic society, as well as respect for the rule of law and intellectual property. "There is a zing and an energy and an optimism here because this is a free country," said Johnson, who served as prime minister from July 2019 to September 2022 for the Conservative government but is no longer a member of Parliament and was speaking as a private citizen at the security talks. The protections of the law and personal freedom give people "tremendous confidence to invest, to take commercial risks that they might not otherwise take, and therefore to innovate," he said. "And I think that is why Taiwan leads the world in what is currently the most important technology," he said, adding that Taiwan's production of advanced semiconductors was "vital" to the world. He said while most Taiwanese simply wished to preserve the status quo, Beijing had engaged in "intimidating and aggressive measures" against the island, including intensified military activities, calling it an effort "to bully Taiwan into submission." Johnson said Western countries must not be "cowed by our desire to be deferential to Beijing" and should instead expand their economic partnerships with Taipei, particularly when Taiwan is facing growing pressure from China. He called for support for Taiwan, noting that "no one wants the chaos, confusion and uncertainty that would follow a change in the balance of the power [in the region] ... No one wants war, and certainly no one wants Chinese domination of the first island chain." According to Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), Johnson is visiting Taiwan for the first time on Monday and Tuesday and is scheduled to meet with President Lai Ching-te () and his predecessor Tsai Ing-wen (). During Johnson's time in office, the Tory government did not adopt an overtly strong public stance in support of Taiwan, instead aligning with the broader Western approach: supporting Taiwan's self-governance in practice without offering diplomatic recognition or directly provoking China. After stepping down as prime minister, Johnson remained a member of Parliament until June 2023. He is now a political commentator and a columnist for the Daily Mail. Speaking ahead of the former prime minister at the security forum organized by MOFA, Lai also called for greater economic cooperation among democracies in his opening remarks. "A nation's strength and its democratic footing are grounded firmly in its economy ... If democracies can join hands in creating more robust, more resilient global democratic supply chains, we can spur even more economic prosperity and further consolidate our democracy," he said. At the same time, Lai reiterated his government's efforts to build up the country's civil defense and invest more in defense capabilities, pledging that Taiwan's military spending next year "will reach a target of over 3 percent of GDP." The president made a similar pledge in February, saying his government would seek to raise the year's defense budget from around 2.45 percent of GDP to 3 percent by introducing a special appropriation. That plan has yet to materialize, however. (By Teng Pei-ju) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Economics minister remark on US investment 'only a reference': Agency ROC Central News Agency 08/05/2025 11:10 AM Taipei, Aug. 5 (CNA) The Ministry of Economic Affairs has objected to characterizations that Taiwan has committed to invest US$400 billion in the United States to get its 20 percent tariff rate lowered, after the agency's head said such a deal might be necessary. At a seminar in Kaohsiung Monday with business representatives, Economic Minister Kuo Jyh-huei () was quoted as saying that Taiwan might have to invest US$400 billion in the United States to get a lower tariff rate and asked if it should be the public or private sector that makes the investment. Some interpreted the comment as though Taiwan had already made a commitment on the issue, but the ministry said Kuo brought up the number "only as a reference," based on the examples of Japan and South Korea -- Taiwan's major competitors. Japan and South Korea both secured 15 percent tariff rates on goods shipped to the United States after making vague investment commitments, while Taiwan faces a 20 percent rate starting Thursday. Taiwanese officials, including President Lai Ching-te (), have said the figure was "provisional" and that efforts were being made to bring it down. "[The minister] did not mean the government has made a concrete commitment to investment or that related talks are underway," the ministry said in a statement. "Now we are the third to talk [with the U.S.]," Kuo was cited as saying by the ministry, referring to Taiwan coming after Japan and South Korea, "so it is likely not US$300 billion or US$350 billion, but something more like US$400 billion." Kuo said he hoped to use the seminar to solicit good ideas so that the government can help local companies stay competitive in the future, according to the ministry. (By Liu Chien-ling and Chao Yen-hsiang) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan ROC Ministry of National Defense 2025/08/05 PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan 1.Date 6 a.m. Aug. 4 (Mon.) to 6 a.m. Aug. 5 (Tue.) (UTC+8) 2.PLA activities 12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN ships, and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected as of 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line of the Taiwan Strait and entered Taiwan's northern and eastern ADIZ. ROC Armed Forces have monitored the situation and employed CAP aircraft, Navy ships, and coastal missile systems in response to detected activities. 1140805_PLA activities in the waters and airspace around Taiwan [Open a new window] 1140805_PLA air activities in the vicinity of Taiwan [Open a new window] NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Trump unexpectedly says TSMC 'spending US$300 billion in Arizona' ROC Central News Agency 08/06/2025 12:05 PM Taipei, Aug. 6 (CNA) U.S. President Donald Trump suggested Tuesday (U.S. time) that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (TSMC) could invest US$300 billion in Arizona, which, if true, would be nearly double the total investment TSMC has announced to date in the United States. "We have the biggest in the world [...] from Taiwan is coming over and spending 300 billion dollars in Arizona building the biggest plant in the world for chips and semiconductors," Trump said in an interview on CNBC's financial talk show "Squawk Box." Trump also said new tariffs on semiconductors and chips would be unveiled "within the next week or so" -- calling them a separate category because the U.S. wants those products made domestically. TSMC declined to respond to media inquiries about Trump's remarks on Wednesday morning, but said any related comments would be made through official company statements. Following Trump's remarks, TSMC's American depositary receipts fell 2.73 percent to close at US$232.47 and the company's shares on the Taiwan Stock Exchange (TWSE) dropped NT$25 (US$0.84) to NT$1,125 during early trading Wednesday, down 2.17 percent. With TSMC the largest company in Taiwan in terms of market capitalization, the share drop pulled the weighted index down by about 201 points and erased NT$648.3 billion from the market. Trump's comment attracted attention in Taiwan because of the tariff situation it faces. Unlike its main competitors Japan and South Korea, which are being hit with 15 percent tariffs by the U.S., Taiwan faces tariffs of 20 percent on goods imported into the U.S. There has been speculation that Taiwan will have to pledge a huge amount of investment in the U.S. to bring that tariff rate down, with Economic Affairs Minister Kuo Jyh-huei () suggesting Monday in a meeting with business representatives that the figure could be as high as US$400 billion. In March, TSMC announced it would "expand its investment in the United States to US$165 billion to power the future of AI" by increasing its U.S.-bound investment by US$100 billion. Its original US$65 billion in investment was to build three chip fabrication plants, while the additional investment would be put into three new fabs, two advanced packaging facilities and a research and development center, according to a news release from the company. The Hsinchu-based firm said the move was expected to drive more than US$200 billion of "indirect economic output in Arizona and across the United States in the next decade." In May, however, it wrote a letter to the U.S. Department of Commerce warning that the tariff policy could backfire. "New import restrictions could jeopardize current U.S. leadership in the competitive technology industry and create uncertainties for many committed semiconductor capital projects in the U.S., including TSMC Arizona's significant investment plan in Phoenix," the chipmaker wrote on May 5. At an investor briefing in July, TSMC Chairman and CEO C.C. Wei () said the company's second Arizona fab had finished construction and will use 3 nanometer (nm) process technology, while additional planned fabs will adopt 2 nm, A16, and more advanced technologies based on customer demand. He added that TSMC is expanding its Arizona site into an advanced semiconductor manufacturing base, with about 30 percent of the company's 2 nm and "even more advanced" process technologies expected to come from the U.S. (By James Thompson, Chung Jung-feng and Lin Chia-hsien) Enditem/ls NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Chinese embassy in UK strongly opposes former British PM's visit to island of Taiwan Global Times By Global Times Published: Aug 06, 2025 08:19 AM In response to former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson visiting Taiwan who has called on Western countries to build economic relations with Taiwan, the Chinese Embassy in the UK said on Tuesday local time that it strongly opposes any visit to Taiwan by British politicians under any pretext, noting that Taiwan is an inalienable part of China's territory. Taiwan affairs are purely China's internal affairs and brook no external interference. At present, the greatest threat to peace and stability in the Taiwan Straits is the separatist provocations by the Taiwan authorities, a spokesperson from the embassy said, adding that China will never allow anyone to separate Taiwan from the rest of the country in any way, nor will China tolerate any external attempt to obstruct its complete reunification. The embassy urged the British politician concerned to stop emboldening the "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, cease interfering in China's internal affairs, and refrain from going further down the wrong path. During a forum in the island of Taiwan on Tuesday, former British prime minister Boris Johnson made reckless remarks such as "Beijing had engaged in intensified military activities," claiming it an effort to bully Taiwan region into submission. An expert said that in order to justify the treatment afforded to him by Taiwan, Johnson's so-called praise for the island can be seen as a compromise of personal integrity and a detriment to national dignity. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Following SSU investigation, two more informers who helped ruscists attack Pokrovsk sentenced Security Service of Ukraine 17:00, 4 August 2025 Based on evidence collected by the SSU, two more agents of russia's military intelligence ('GRU') who were adjusting enemy fire on the defenders of Donetsk region have received real prison sentences. According to the investigation, the perpetrators monitored the geolocation of Ukrainian troops in the Pokrovsk direction for the occupiers. The enemy was most interested in the coordinates of AFU fortified areas, air defense systems, artillery positions, and logistics depots. The enemy used the intelligence to prepare combat operations involving guided bombs, drones, and missiles. One of the agents, acting on the orders of her handler, attempted to identify the positions of Ukrainian electronic warfare units, which the russians planned to target with targeted air strikes. Later, she moved to Dnipropetrovsk region, where she planned to hide from justice, but was detained by the SSU. The court sentenced her to 15 years in prison with confiscation of property. Another agent carried out assignments of GRU officer, aka Senezh. Following his instructions, the woman spied on the movement of Defense Forces armored vehicles toward the eastern front line. The SSU Counterintelligence detained the traitor in February 2024 at her home. Taking into account her cooperation with the investigation, the court sentenced her to 13 years in prison with confiscation of property. For the crimes committed, both agents were found guilty under two articles of the CCU: 111.2 (high treason committed under martial law); 111-1.7 (collaboration). The operation was carried out by the SSU Offices in Donetsk and Luhansk regions under the procedural supervision of Donetsk Region Prosecutor's Office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SSU detains russian agent who was preparing terrorist attack downtown Dnipro Security Service of Ukraine 15:00, 4 August 2025 The SSU Counterintelligence has prevented a new terrorist attack in the frontline city of Dnipro. As a result of comprehensive measures, a russian agent who was preparing an explosion near the administrative building of one of the law enforcement agencies downtown was detained. According to the investigation, the order was carried out by a 29-year-old drug addict from Vinnytsia, who came to the attention of the occupiers while looking for "easy money" on Telegram. After recruitment, russian special services agents "sent" the agent to Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region. There, following her handler's instructions, she took an improvised explosive device from a cache. Later, the suspect was given a new task to arrive in Dnipro, move into a rented apartment, and conduct reconnaissance near the law enforcement building where the ruscists were planning to carry out the explosion. At the same time, the agent found a place near the planned attack site for a cache, where she hid the IED and gave the coordinates to her handler. The perpetrator of the attack had to take the explosives from the cache, plant them near a government building, and activate them. SSU officers have taken preemptive action, seized the IED from its cache and disrupted it, then detained the suspect as she attempted to flee the city. The detention took place at a checkpoint, which the traitor attempted to cross by bus towards Odesa, where she planned to "lay low". SSU investigators have notified her of suspicion under Articles 14.1, Article 258.2 of the CCU (preparation for a terrorist act committed by a group of persons acting in concert). The perpetrator is in custody and faces up to 12 years in prison with confiscation of property. The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Dnipropetrovsk region under the procedural supervision of the regional Prosecutor's Office. To note: In July, the SSU prevented another russian terrorist attack in Dnipropetrovsk region. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Canada and Ukraine call on Russia to return Ukrainian children Global Affairs Canada News release August 5, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada As co-chairs of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, Canada and Ukraine renew their call for Russia to immediately and unconditionally return Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported or forcibly transferred from Ukraine. These children have faced unimaginable pain as they were unlawfully deported or forcibly taken away from their families and their communities in clear violation of international law. Today, Canada and Ukraine, together with 36 members and two observers of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children and the Council of Europe issued a joint statement calling on Russia to immediately return these children and comply with its international legal obligations. Russia's actions constitute grave breaches of international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Canada and Ukraine reiterate the unwavering commitment of coalition members to protect children affected by Russia's illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable full-scale military invasion of Ukraine. In June 2025, the Government of Ukraine formally presented Russia with an initial list of 339 unlawfully deported children and requested their immediate and unconditional return. To date, Russia has failed to meaningfully respond, demonstrating a deliberate disregard for dialogue and constructive cooperation. The coalition calls on Russia to provide full and verifiable information on where these children are, their well-being and their legal status. The return of Ukrainian children is one vital step to ensure that children are never used as pawns of war. Today's joint statement reaffirms the coalition's commitment to coordinated action that supports Ukraine's efforts to ensure every unlawfully taken child is accounted for, returned home and is given the support needed to heal and reintegrate. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Statement by the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation Global Affairs Canada Statement August 5, 2025 - Ottawa, Ontario - Global Affairs Canada "We, the members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, reiterate our unwavering commitment to the protection of children affected by Russia's illegal, unprovoked, and unjustifiable full-scale military invasion of Ukraine, in line with international humanitarian law and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. "In the context of its war of aggression against Ukraine, the Russian Federation has unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children to its territory and from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, as documented by international bodies, including the International Criminal Court. Thousands of these children remain in Russia, away from their families and communities. "During their bilateral meeting held in Istanbul on June 2, 2025, the Government of Ukraine presented the Russian Federation with an initial list of 339 Ukrainian children unlawfully deported to the Russian Federation or forcibly transferred from temporarily occupied areas of Ukraine, and it formally requested their immediate and unconditional return. This constitutes a critical humanitarian step and a genuine opportunity for the Russian Federation to demonstrate good faith through concrete confidence-building measures. In light of the statements made by the representatives of the Russian Federation on July 23, 2025, we call on the Russian Federation to: act promptly and meaningfully on the initial list of children presented by Ukraine, ensuring their immediate and unconditional return to their families and communities in Ukraine; facilitate the return of all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children, in accordance with international law and relevant UN resolutions; provide full and verifiable information on all unlawfully deported and forcibly transferred Ukrainian children under the effective control of the Russian Federation, including their whereabouts, well-being, legal status, health condition, and ensure unhindered access for international humanitarian organizations to assess their situation and safeguard their rights and well-being; and cease to alter the identity of children, including changes to their citizenship, placement in Russian families or institutions, ideological indoctrination, and exposure to militarization. "We take this opportunity to reaffirm our shared commitment to the protection of children in armed conflict. We note with concern that the UN Secretary-General's 2025 Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict (CAAC) recorded the highest number of verified violations to date. "As a global community, we must ensure that the protection of all children affected by Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine remains at the forefront of our humanitarian action and diplomatic efforts. "The return of Ukrainian children is one vital step in this broader imperative, to ensure that children are never used as pawns of war. All actions must be guided by the best interests of the child in accordance with international law. "We, the members of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, reaffirm that compliance with international humanitarian and human rights law is a binding obligation for all parties to armed conflictnotably in ensuring the protection of children, safeguarding their identity and dignity, and enabling conditions for their safe and voluntary return, in accordance with international norms and principles." Signed: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Council of Europe, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, United Kingdom, European Union (observer) and Switzerland (observer). NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denmark, together with Sweden and Norway, will support the new initiative to secure highly prioritized American weapons for Ukraine through NATO Danish Ministry of Defence Denmark, together with Sweden and Norway, will support the new initiative to secure highly prioritized American weapons for Ukraine through NATO August 5, 2025 - 13:55 The Danish Government strongly welcomes US and NATO initiative to support Ukraine through the delivery of American weapons and defence materials financed by Allies, including for Patriot air defence ammunition. To continue to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs, Denmark, Norway and Sweden will jointly fund one of the first weapons packages under the new initiative Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (PURL). The US and NATO have launched a new initiative for NATO allies to finance highly requested American weapons for Ukraine. The initiative consists of a series of weapons packages, which are assembled by the US in coordination with NATO and Ukraine. The Danish Government has initially decided to contribute with approximately 90 million USD for the initiative. Together with Norway and Sweden, Denmark will finance a package with a total value of 500 million USD. "This new initiative on American weapons for Ukraine will be an important element in Ukraine's defence against Russia's full scale invasion. Ukraine is under high pressure, especially from Russian air attacks, and needs further military support now. Therefore, it is positive that American weapons deliveries are made possible. Since the beginning of the war, Denmark has stood firmly with Ukraine, and we will continue to do so. Together with Sweden and Norway, the Danish government fully supports the new American initiative. It is crucial for Ukraine's ability to defend itself that we continue to ensure transatlantic cooperation in support of Ukraine," Minister of Defence, Troels Lund Poulsen says. The Danish Government has decided to contribute with approximately 90 million USD for the initiative. Together with Norway and Sweden, Denmark will finance one of the first packages with a total value of 500 million USD. "Speed is absolutely critical. That is why we have decided to allocate funds to the initiative imidately. If at a later time there is a need for additional funding from the Ukrainian side, we are willing to consider that as well," Minister of Defence Troels Lund Poulsen says. "Denmark has for a long time taken the lead in supporting Ukraine to strengthen the country's position and contribute to Europe taking responsibility for increased military support. With Denmark financing military support together with Norway and Sweden, we are providing Ukraine with highly prioritized weapons systems and once again emphasizing that the Scandinavian countries are close and reliable allies within NATO. At the same time, we help preserve and strengthen the transatlantic cooperation, which is central to our common defence," says Minister of Foreign Affairs Lars Lkke Rasmussen. Background The Danish funds of approximately DKK 580 million contributed to one of the first packages of the new initiative, named the Prioritized Ukraine Requirement List (PURL), will be funded from the Ukraine Fund. The contributed funds from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will finance American weapons deliveries worth USD 500 million. The Danish funds are expected to be used for American air defense and artillery. Further details on the procurement of requested American materiel will be clarified in close coordination with NATO, the USA, and other allies. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Estonia and partners demand immediate return of Ukrainian children deported to Russia Republic of Estonia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs 05.08.2025 | 15:33 Today, 5 August, the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children of which Estonia is a member issued a statement calling on the Russian Federation to immediately and unconditionally return the children who have been deported from Ukraine during Russia's aggression. During a bilateral meeting in Istanbul in early June, the Ukrainian government presented the Russian Federation with an initial list of 339 Ukrainian children who have been unlawfully deported to Russia or forcibly transferred from Russian-occupied territories, the statement issued by the coalition countries today says. "We call on the Russian Federation to act promptly and meaningfully on the initial list of children presented by Ukraine, ensuring their immediate and unconditional return to their families and communities in Ukraine," the statement reads. The coalition also urges Russia to share full and verifiable information on all Ukrainian children who have been illegally and forcibly deported, and to grant international humanitarian organisations access to these children to ensure their rights and wellbeing are safeguarded. "As a global community, we must ensure that the protection of all children affected by Russia's war of aggression against remains at the forefront of our humanitarian action and diplomatic efforts," the statement continues. "The return of Ukrainian children is one vital step in this broader imperative, to ensure that children are never used as pawns of war." Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna stated that Estonia, together with like-minded countries, will continue efforts to ensure that all Ukrainian children deported by Russia are able to return home. "Although Ukraine presented Russia with a list of 339 children in June, we know that in reality Russia has deported thousands of children from Ukraine. Russia's goal is to deprive these children of their childhood in their own country and to erase their Ukrainian identity. To prevent this, the children must be returned home as soon as possible," Tsahkna said. According to the foreign minister, Estonia has taken concrete steps to support the identification and return of deported children for example, by contributing to the establishment of a human rights centre that opened earlier this year in the city of Zhytomyr. The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children was officially launched on 2 February 2024. It coordinates the joint efforts of Ukraine and its partners to bring back deported Ukrainian children. The coalition currently includes 41 countries. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Zelensky alleges 'mercenaries' from several countries fight for Russia, including China; expert says claim shifts blame for battlefield setbacks Global Times By Zhao Yusha Published: Aug 05, 2025 01:53 PM Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Monday claimed that Ukrainian troops were fighting foreign "mercenaries" from various countries including China, Pakistan and parts of Africa, and vowed a response. In response to Zelensky's previous claim that Ukraine knows the personal details of a number of Chinese nationals who are fighting for Russia in its conflict with Ukraine, Chinese Foreign Ministry has called on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks. "We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles," Zelensky wrote on X on Monday after visiting a frontline area in the north-eastern Kharkiv region. "Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond." A Chinese military expert believes that Zelensky's remarks are an attempt to shift the blame for Ukraine's battlefield defeats onto so-called external factors. Zelensky has recently been frequently blaming Ukraine's battlefield setbacks on external factors, accusing not only Russia but also several other countries of supporting Moscow by sending mercenaries and purchasing Russian oil, which he claims has prevented Ukraine from achieving victory, Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times. In fact, the wavering support from the US, NATO and other Western allies is the primary reason for Ukraine's struggles on the battlefield, Song said. Last week, Russia said it had captured the town of Chasiv Yar in eastern Ukraine after nearly 16 months of fighting, opening the way for potential further advances, per Reuters. In April, Zelensky claimed that Ukraine knows the personal details of a number of Chinese nationals who are fighting for Russia in the crisis. Answering a question about Zelensky's claims, Lin Jian, spokesperson of Chinese Foreign Ministry, said at the time the Chinese government always asks Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any party's military operations. We call on the relevant party to be right and sober about China's role and refrain from making irresponsible remarks, said Lin. Pakistan's Foreign Office on Tuesday also rejected claims of Pakistani nationals being involved in the Ukraine conflict after the claims issued by Zelensky, Pakistani media Dawn reported. The statement by Pakistan's Foreign Office said Pakistan "categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine". "To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims." The statement added that the government would take up this matter with the Ukrainian NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Norwegian support to initiative for Ukraine Government of Norway News story | Date: 05/08/2025 Norway, together with Sweden and Denmark, will contribute with funds to support the new initiative to secure highly prioritised American defence equipment for Ukraine through NATO. Norway warmly welcomes USA and NATO initiative to support Ukraine through the delivery of American defence materials financed by Allies. In order to continue to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs, Sweden, Norway and Denmark will jointly fund one of the first packages under the new initiative Prioritised Ukraine Requirement List (PURL). Together, the countries will finance a package with a total value of 500 million USD. 'This is an important initiative from NATO and the USA. It helps ensure that Ukraine quickly receives crucial military equipment to defend themselves, and it strengthens cooperation between the United States and European countries in their support of Ukraine,' says Norway's Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre. In July, the US and NATO launched a new initiative for NATO Allies to finance highly requested American defence equipment for Ukraine. The initiative consists of a series of packages, which are assembled by the US in coordination with NATO and Ukraine. The initiative will strengthen Ukrainian air defence, as it includes the delivery of munitions for Patriot air defence systems as well as other urgent requirements. The Norwegian government will provide NOK 1,5 billion to the new initiative (approximately USD 135 million) in support to this package. - This summer we have seen Russia relentlessly continue its illegal attacks on Ukraine, along the front line and against civilian targets in the cities. With this support, we want to facilitate Ukraine quickly receiving the equipment the country needs, while at the same time strengthening cooperation within NATO on Ukraine's defence, says Minister of Defence Tore O. Sandvik. Background Norway will provide approximately NOK 1,5 billion to the new initiative, named the Prioritised Ukraine Requirement List (PURL). The funds from Denmark, Norway, and Sweden will finance American defence material deliveries worth USD 500 million. Further details on the procurement of requested American material will be clarified in close coordination with NATO, the USA, and other allies. Norway's support to Ukraine and neighbouring countries under the Nansen programme totals approximately NOK 85 billion in 2025. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Major Swedish contribution for military support package to Ukraine Government Offices of Sweden Press release from Ministry of Defence Published 05 August 2025 Sweden will contribute USD 275 million - approximately SEK 2.7 billion - for a military support package to Ukraine. At a press conference on 5 August, the Government announced that Sweden will finance an entire support package of US military materiel, together with Denmark and Norway. US President Donald Trump announced on 14 July that the United States will supply Ukraine with defence material, in the form of several support packages. NATO will coordinate the implementation and ensure that the contents of the package meet the most urgent needs of Ukraine. NATO Allies and partners provide the funding. At a press conference on 5 August, Minister for Defence Pal Jonson, Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch and Minister for Education and Integration Simona Mohamsson announced that Sweden has decided to provide USD 275 million. To continue to meet Ukraine's most urgent needs, Sweden will finance an entire support package together with Denmark and Norway, with a total value of USD 500 million. The support will include air defence systems, including munitions to Patriot, anti-tank systems, ammunition and spare parts. "We welcome the United States' decision to provide defence materiel to Ukraine, including the Patriot air defence system, and that NATO is coordinating the assistance. Ukraine urgently needs the support of Allies and partners to defend itself against Russia's aggression," says Mr Jonson. "It is a strength that Sweden, together with Norway and Denmark, could quicky come together and co-finance a support package to Ukraine. The US can assist with unique defence materiel for which Ukraine has a major need," says Ms Busch. "Ukraine stands on the frontline of our freedom and democracy. Blue and yellow solidarity is therefore the single most important thing right now. We will stand by their side for as long as it takes, support package by support package - military and humanitarian. Together in NATO, together with Ukraine, we continue to defend freedom," says Ms Mohamsson. Sweden has assisted Ukraine with military support worth approximately SEK 83 billion since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of the country. Sweden's contributions to the US initiative will come from Sweden's economic framework for the military support to Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Yulia Svyrydenko discusses enhanced cooperation in defence and investment with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent Ukraine Government Communications Department of the Secretariat of the CMU, posted 05 August 2025 21:40 On 5 August, Prime Minister of Ukraine Yulia Svyrydenko held a substantive discussion with U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. As the head of the Ukrainian Government noted, her team has been actively collaborating with Scott Bessent for several months, but this was the first conversation in her new role, allowing for a broader range of topics to be addressed. The parties paid particular attention to a potential defence agreement previously announced by President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Discussions focused on the prospects for producing and selling Ukrainian drones, as well as the potential procurement of American weapons. Separately, they discussed the launch of the U.S-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. The Ukrainian Government is working to expand the fund's mandate, particularly to attract investment in the defence sector. The first meeting of the fund's board of directors is scheduled for September this year, with the goal of launching the first three projects within 18 months. The conversation also touched on strengthening sanctions against the aggressor country and cooperation with international financial institutions. "We agreed to continue the dialogue at a working level. I am grateful to the United States for its consistent support of Ukraine and our shared commitment to a just and lasting peace," emphasised Yulia Svyrydenko. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine and the U.S. discuss strengthening energy security and protecting energy infrastructure Ukraine Government Ministry of Energy of Ukraine, posted 05 August 2025 19:19 Deepening the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States, enhancing the physical protection of energy facilities, particularly electrical substations, and effectively utilising international aid for infrastructure restoration were the key topics of a meeting between Ukraine's Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk and the U.S. Charge d'Affaires in Ukraine, Julie S. Davis. Ministry representatives also discussed preparations for the heating season, the implementation of long-term decarbonisation projects in the energy sector, and attracting investment through the U.S.-Ukraine Reconstruction Investment Fund. "The United States remains one of Ukraine's key partners in strengthening the resilience of our energy system. Our joint efforts focus on protecting energy infrastructure, developing modern energy generation, and integrating into the European energy space," said Svitlana Grynchuk. Particular attention was given to cooperation in nuclear energy within the framework of the REPowerEU initiative, aimed at phasing out the EU's reliance on russian nuclear fuel. Discussions also covered stabilising the gas market, including increasing imports and leveraging Ukraine's underground storage facilities as a potential regional hub. The parties also addressed nuclear safety issues at the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant and in the Chornobyl Exclusion Zone. According to the Ministry, since the start of the full-scale invasion, Ukraine's energy system has sustained over 65,000 instances of damage due to russian attacks. In 2024, despite an announced "energy truce," more than 2,500 new incidents were recorded. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Denys Shmyhal discusses new support mechanism for Ukraine with defence ministers of Sweden and the Netherlands Ukraine Government Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, posted 05 August 2025 17:57 Minister of Defence of Ukraine Denys Shmyhal held discussions with Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson and the Netherlands' Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans. "We are engaging more partners in the new Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) mechanism. During a phone call with Sweden's Defence Minister Pal Jonson, I thanked his country for joining PURL. Sweden, together with Norway and Denmark, is allocating USD 486 million to the initiative," said Denys Shmyhal. According to him, this mechanism, implemented by the United States, Ukraine, and NATO countries, enables Alliance members to fund the supply of American weapons and technologies to Ukraine through voluntary contributions. "Yesterday, the Netherlands announced a EUR 500 million contribution to PURL. These funds will support the purchase of American weapons, including missiles for Patriot systems. I expressed gratitude to Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans during today's conversation," noted the Head of Ukraine's Ministry of Defence. Additionally, the defence ministers of Ukraine and the Netherlands discussed prospects for developing defence-industrial cooperation. Both sides are interested in establishing joint productions to strengthen the defence capabilities of both nations and ensure the supply of weapons for Ukraine's Defence Forces. "Support for the Ukrainian army, long-term large-scale projects, and stronger sanctions against the aggressor are the path to a just and lasting peace. We are grateful to our partners for their unwavering support during the war and their contributions to enhancing our defence capabilities. This assistance saves Ukrainian lives," emphasised Denys Shmyhal. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address NATO Allies Denmark, Norway and Sweden announce $500m package of support for Ukraine NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation 05 Aug. 2025 On Tuesday (5 August 2025) Denmark, Norway and Sweden confirmed that they would fund a $500m package of equipment and munitions for Ukraine sourced from the United States under the new NATO Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte commended the Allies for their fast action and steadfast support for Ukraine. "Since the earliest days of Russia's full-scale invasion, Denmark, Norway and Sweden have been steadfast in their support for Ukraine. I commend these Allies for their quick efforts to get this initiative off the ground. This latest round of funding will deliver life-saving equipment and critical supplies to the front-line, strengthening Ukraine's hand and helping them deter aggression as they pursue lasting peace," said the Secretary General. The announcement swiftly followed the unveiling of the first package of artillery and ammunition worth more than $500m on Monday (4 August 2025) funded by the Netherlands. Together the contributions are valued at over $1bn and represent the first two tranches of regular deliveries to Ukraine under the Alliance's newly-launched PURL initiative. NATO members provide 99% of military support to Ukraine. As with all Allied efforts, the PURL initiative is intended to put Ukraine in the strongest possible position as peace efforts, led by President Trump and his administration, continue. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Pakistan Rejects Baseless and Unfounded Allegations of the Involvement of Pakistani Nationals in the Conflict in Ukraine Pakistan Ministry of Foreign Affairs The Government of Pakistan categorically rejects the baseless and unfounded allegations of the involvement of Pakistani nationals in the conflict in Ukraine. To date, Pakistan has not been formally approached by the Ukrainian authorities, nor has any verifiable evidence been presented to substantiate such claims. Government of Pakistan shall take up this matter with the Ukrainian authorities, and seek clarification in this regard. Pakistan reaffirms its commitment to the peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict through dialogue and diplomacy, in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter. Islamabad 5 August 2025 230/2025 NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address 2 Dead In Russian Missile Strike Targeting Key Ukrainian Railway Hub By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, RFE/RL's Russian Service and Current Time August 05, 2025 Russian military strikes early on August 5 severely damaged critical infrastructure in the city of Lozova in Ukraine's Kharkiv region, killing two people and injuring at least 10, including two children. The attack, which began around 3 a.m., triggered fires across the city and disrupted rail traffic in Lozova, a strategically important transport hub. Kharkiv regional authorities confirmed that two people were killed in the attack, with Ukraine's national railway operator, Ukrzaliznytsya, confirming that one of its shift mechanics was among the dead. Four other railway workers were injured and are receiving medical treatment. The company reported that most civilians in the area managed to reach shelters in time, preventing higher casualties. According to Lozova Mayor Serhiy Zelenskyy, the bombardment affected multi-story residential buildings, private homes, and key infrastructure. "Unfortunately, there are wounded, including children," he said, adding that emergency services are working to restore water and electricity in parts of the city. The strikes forced the temporary closure of the Lozova train station, a key hub linking the Southern, Prydniprovska, and Donetsk railways. Two suburban trains were canceled, and the schedules of others were affected. Long-distance trains, including those between Uman, Cherkasy, and Kharkiv, were rerouted via backup locomotives, causing significant delays. Passengers bound for Lozova are being redirected by bus to the nearby Limanivka station. Russian Drone And Missile Assault The attack came as part of a wider Russian drone and missile assault across Ukraine, involving 46 Shahed drones and an Iskander-M ballistic missile launched from Russia's Bryansk region. Ukraine's air force reported shooting down 29 drones but confirmed multiple hits in the east, including in the Kharkiv region. Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed it shot down 24 Ukrainian drones overnight, including seven over the Rostov region, 13 over Bryansk, and others over the regions of Smolensk and Kaluga. Fires broke out at a power station in the Millerovo district and near the Tatsinskaya railway station, the Rostov region's governor Yury Slyusar said. No casualties were reported. Ukraine has not formally confirmed responsibility for the drone strikes. However, officials have previously stated that Russian military and logistical targets across Russia are legitimate targets, with Kyiv saying its operations seek to undermine Russia's ability to continue its full-scale aggression against Ukraine launched in February 2022. Ukrainian authorities and international watchdogs have repeatedly labeled Russia's systematic targeting of civilian infrastructure -- including hospitals, schools, and power facilities -- as war crimes. The Kremlin continues to deny these accusations. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-ukraine-war- railway-strike-lozova-kharkiv/33494833.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Kherson Residents Flee Island District As Russians Blast Key Bridge By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service and Maryana Sych August 05, 2025 Some 1,300 evacuees have fled Kherson city's Korabelniy district since Russia began bombing a bridge on August 2 that connects to the urban center to the north. Some residents have left home behind, carrying only pets and minimal belongings as volunteers help rescue elderly or ailing residents. "I only took the bare essentials," said Inna, who spoke to RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service. "I evacuated with my dog. My neighbors, too. We'll be living together for a while. Last year, a shell hit my house and my husband was killed. The dog was injured." Dramatic videos of the Korabelniy bridge being blasted have spread across social media channels, underscoring the risk to Ukrainians who live near boundaries where Russians have occupied territory. In the early days of Russia's three-year war on Ukraine, occupying forces managed to seize Kherson city, the only major municipality taken. But Ukrainians regained control of the city in late 2022 as Russians withdrew to areas south of the Dnieper River. From that territory, Russia has been launching air strikes on the northern Kherson region ever since. The Korabelniy district, while a part of Kherson city, is made up of a group of Kosheva River islands connected to the main municipality by one key traffic bridge along with a separate train bridge. The Kosheva is a tributary to the Dnieper. Locals who are dependent on supplies from Kherson city have been rattled at seeing days of glide bomb strikes on the traffic bridge. While it remained passable on August 5, concerns have been growing over whether the bridge will remain standing. One resident of the island district described the attacks as "Terrifying! It was like an apocalypse!" Valentyna added, "We were at home when that bomb struck. There was a huge explosion -- all the doors in the house were knocked open." Others in the district have said electrical and gas supplies have been cut off as the Russian attacks continue. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-kherson-dnieper- russia-bridge-air-strike-korabelniy/33495128.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Shaheen, Warren Release New Investigative Report on President Trump's Failure to Use Sanctions and Export Controls to Help End Russia's War in Ukraine Senate Foreign Relations Committee August 05, 2025 Report outlines how Trump's inaction has weakened U.S. leverage, enriched bad actors and emboldened Putin to keep war going Read the full report (PDF) WASHINGTON - Today, ahead of President Trump's latest self-imposed deadline for Russia to end its war against Ukraine, the minority staffs of the Foreign Relations and Senate Banking Committeesled by Ranking Members Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)released a new report detailing how the Trump Administration is failing to use core economic tools to pressure Putin and degrade Russia's war machine. The report finds that the Administration has not rolled out a single new sanctions or export control package aimed at Russia's war in Ukraine in over six months, despite escalating Russian aggression and a growing wave of sanctions evasion efforts. The report outlines how this inaction has weakened U.S. leverage in negotiations, signaled to the world that pressure is off and allowed Putin to continue fueling his brutal war machine with impunity. "President Trump inherited unprecedented sanctions and export controls on Russia, which the United States imposed and maintained together with our closest allies. That collective effort deeply undermined Russia's war machine and the revenue that sustained it, and it gave the United States real leverage to force President Putin to the negotiating table and end his brutal war in Ukraine. Instead of using that leverage, President Trump has willfully allowed it to witherhalting enforcement, letting evaders off the hook, and signaling to the world that the U.S. won't pressure Moscow with the proven tools at its disposal. President Trump's recent commitment to levy sanctions on Russia and its enablers is a welcome step, but every month he's spent in office without action has strengthened Putin's hand, weakened ours and undermined Ukraine's own efforts to bring an end to the war. Meanwhile, innocent Ukrainians are being killed every day. As President Trump finally wakes up to the reality of Putin's bloody aggression and his deceptive negotiating tactics, the President and his team would do well to heed this report's findings and cut off Russia's ability to sustain this war," said Ranking Member Shaheen. "If Trump is serious about ending the war in Ukraine, he should start using the tools he already has. He keeps implying he's ready to get tough on Russia, but instead he's stopped key assistance to Ukraine and halted regular updates to our sanctions and export controls for six months. Sanctions are a key tool to deprive Russia of revenue for its war machine and to press for a just peace in Ukraine. But Trump has been refusing to use themweakening our pressure campaign, enriching bad actors, and emboldening the Kremlin to keep fighting. That's not how you pressure Putinit's how you let him off the hook," said Ranking Member Warren. The report includes four key findings: The Trump Administration immediately stopped taking basic sanctions and export control actions that had maintained and increased U.S. pressure. Since February 2022, the Biden Administration executed 141 rollouts of sanctions and export controls covering thousands of targets. In the more than 6 months President Trump has been in office, his Administration has done 0 rollouts. The Administration has further undermined Ukraine's leverage by repeatedly signaling a lack of commitment to maintaining effective sanctions. The Trump Administration has failed to capitalize on an opening to drive down Russian oil revenue. Across agencies, Trump Administration decisions have caused concerning strain in staffing to support Russia sanctions and export controls. The report's conclusion describes how the Trump Administration, despite its significant missteps, can still change course through specific lines of effort to achieve the President's stated goal of a lasting peace for Ukraine. Read the full report HERE. ### NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Russia's FSB Says Thwarted Murder Attempt on Defense Industry Enterprise Head in Belgorod Sputnik News 20250805 MOSCOW (Sputnik) - Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) said on Tuesday that it had thwarted an assassination attempt on the head of a defense industry enterprise in the city of Belgorod. "[A Russian citizen contacted via Telegram] a representative of one of the pro-Ukrainian terrorist organizations banned in Russia, on whose instructions he arrived in ... the Bryansk Region to seize a UAV drop containing firearms and explosives, which were subsequently planned to be used to kill the general director of one of the defense industry enterprises in Belgorod," the FSB said in a statement, adding that the perpetrator was detained in the process of implementing the criminal plan. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Ukraine Used Foreign Mercs, NATO Arms to Terrorize Civilians in Kursk Region - Russia's Intel Chief Sputnik News 20250805 The neo-Nazi regime in Ukraine relied on foreign mercenaries and NATO weapons during the attack on Kursk Region, according to Russian Investigative Committee chief Alexander Bastrykin. Mercenaries from Georgia, Denmark, Colombia, Sweden, Norway, Paraguay, Peru, Brazil, and the United Kingdom took part in the Ukrainian assault on Russia's Kursk region, said Alexander Bastrykin. Ukrainian forces used a significant number of foreign-made arms supplied by NATO countries during the incursion, such as US M142 HIMARS rocket systems, Czech-made RM-70 'Vampire' multiple rocket launchers, the US MGM ATACMS tactical missile system, and British Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles. The neo-Nazi regime carried out terrorist acts, intimidated civilians, and destroyed civilian infrastructure during the Kursk assault, he underscored. "Their actions are classified under several articles of the Russian Criminal Code including 'Terrorist Act,' 'Murder,' and 'Intentional Destruction of Property,' among others," said Bastrykin. The Investigative Committee has launched more than 600 criminal cases, with 213 sent to court so far. Over 230 individuals have already been convicted, according to the head of the Investigative Committee. Sputnik NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address For Russia to Move Toward Peace, It Must Run Out of Money for the War - Address by the President President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 21:24 Fellow Ukrainians! Today, our emergency workers and repair crews were working throughout the day in Lozova, Kharkiv region, following Russian "shahed" drone strikes. More than two dozen "shaheds" deliberately targeted civilian infrastructure. This is a specific tactic of terror - Russian terror. They launch several dozen "shaheds" at a single city, a single community of ours. In Lozova, two people were killed - my condolences to their families and loved ones. Another thirteen people were injured, including two children. All are receiving the necessary assistance. Railway infrastructure was also damaged. Ukrainian railway workers are true heroes - they have already restored traffic through Lozova. It is important that our people always restore the foundations of life. The world knows this, speaks highly of Ukrainians, and helps our country because Ukrainians do so much to protect life. Today, I spoke with President Trump. The primary focus was on ending the war. He is very well informed - he knows about the Russian strikes and the situation on the frontline. He is aware that the Russians are now trying to make their attacks more intense. We in Ukraine fully support the American proposal for an immediate ceasefire. We've already tried many different formats - ways to stop the fighting, to stop the killing. We have spoken and offered Russia silence in the skies, an end to missile and drone strikes against civilian infrastructure in general, and specifically, a halt to attacks on the energy sector. All of this was violated by Russia. And in a very cynical way. Even when they weren't using "shaheds," they were simply firing at energy equipment and transformers. Not a single day has gone by without their terror against civilians. Not a single day have they given us real, complete silence on the frontline. And the root cause of this war is simply Russia's desire to control the lives of its neighbors, to subjugate them, to kill them. If not for that, there would be no war. It is extremely important that Moscow is beginning to feel the pressure of the world, the pressure from the United States, the threat of tougher sanctions for continuing the war. And one of the key sanctions tracks is indeed Russian oil. For Russia to move toward peace, it must run out of money for the war. We are working toward this, and I am grateful to everyone around the world who supports us. Today, we discussed our bilateral relations with the U.S. President - we are offering a good agreement on drones and will work with our U.S. team on the details of the agreements. I would also like to thank the United States and our partners in Europe - in NATO - for enabling a new supply of weapons under a special initiative. Yesterday, the Netherlands announced a decision to allocate 500 million. Today, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have decided to provide a total of $500 million. These funds will be used to purchase U.S. weapons - including Patriot missiles. Thank you! I especially want to acknowledge the efforts of Mark Rutte in making this work. By the way, I spoke with Mark today and thanked him personally. I also spoke today with the Prime Minister of Croatia. I congratulated him on Victory Day, which honors Croatian defenders, the defenders of independence. Ukraine is grateful to Croatia for its principled support of our struggle for our independence. We discussed the situation on the frontline and our diplomatic opportunities. I thank Croatia for joining the SAFE instrument - Security Action for Europe - a special program in the European Union that pools funds for weapons, and our country will receive defense support under this program. There are 18 participating countries, and we are in dialogue with all of them. Ukraine is also fully ready to participate in the program, especially since our weapons are among the most effective. I also spoke today with the Prime Minister of Greece. I thanked him for his support. We discussed what we can do together to protect lives and strengthen diplomacy. I am grateful to Greece and to the Prime Minister for their willingness to take part in the reconstruction of Odesa and in the development of our transport corridors - not only in Ukraine, but in our part of Europe as a whole. And a few more important points. I held a meeting of the Staff - focused entirely on what our military told me yesterday in the Kharkiv region. We had a very concrete conversation with them. Today, I raised all the issues with the military command, the General Staff, and Ukraine's Minister of Defense. We will definitely increase funding for brigades for direct drone procurement. By Monday, there must be a clear procedure in place for how brigades will also be able to directly purchase pickup trucks - specifically the ones they need. The "Contract 18-24" will be expanded - we are currently working out the details. I also gave instructions to implement what we discussed with the warriors - issues of training and communication within the army between higher command and the brigades. We agreed to establish regular communication, including with battalions, and we will try to do this in such a way as to really know what the needs are. Pavlo Palisa is working on this together with the General Staff and the commanders. Another fundamental issue we discussed is state awards. Unfortunately, it often happens that the awards are delayed for months - even after I've signed the decree and all formalities have been completed, the actual presentation still doesn't take place. There is far too much bureaucracy - at every stage, from nomination to awarding. We will be working to shorten this process. I also want to highlight our International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children abducted by Russia, and the work of our initiative, Bring Kids Back UA. Today, a statement was issued by the Coalition countries - 38 states, the Council of Europe, and the European Union. An absolutely clear support, an absolutely firm demand for peace and the restoration of justice. All Ukrainian children - and all our prisoners of war and civilian hostages - must be brought back home to Ukraine. And everything else that is necessary for peace, starting with an end to the killing. This must be done - and it is Russia that must do it. Russia must stop this war - the war it started and the war it continues to prolong. Ukraine will undoubtedly defend its independence. Glory to Ukraine! NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President and NATO Secretary General Discussed Implementation of The Hague Summit Decisions and Strengthening Support for Ukraine President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 21:02 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. The Head of State noted that within just two days, over $1 billion has already been allocated by the Netherlands, Norway, Sweden, and Denmark for the purchase of U.S. weapons under the PURL initiative. The President thanked Mark Rutte for his personal involvement and the swift implementation of decisions adopted during the NATO Summit in The Hague. The NATO Secretary General also informed the President about ongoing work with other NATO member states that are ready to join the initiative. President Zelenskyy provided an update on the situation in Kharkiv and other Ukrainian cities suffering from brutal Russian attacks, as well as on the frontline and the needs of Ukrainian defenders. Special attention during the conversation was given to diplomatic efforts with international partners aimed at further strengthening support for Ukraine. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Strengthening Air Defense and Rebuilding Odesa's Port Infrastructure: President Had a Call with the Prime Minister of Greece President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 20:05 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The Head of State thanked Kyriakos Mitsotakis for his participation in the International Ukraine Recovery Conference held in Rome in July, as well as for the large representation of Greek businesses. The leaders discussed enhancing Ukraine's air defense capabilities and increasing coordination with partners. Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke about a new instrument for the procurement of U.S. weapons - PURL - which Ukraine is implementing jointly with NATO member states, and shared its initial results. Kyriakos Mitsotakis voiced a proposal for Ukraine's recovery, in particular the reconstruction of Odesa's port infrastructure. This effort would also contribute to the development of transport and logistics corridors in the Southeast Europe region. The President and the Prime Minister agreed that their respective government teams would work on the implementation of the proposal. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Kyriakos Mitsotakis also discussed upcoming diplomatic efforts with partners aimed at coordinated decisions and joint action. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Andrej Plenkovic Discussed U.S. Weapons Procurement for Ukraine and the Potential of the SAFE Instrument President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 19:48 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy held a phone call with Prime Minister of Croatia Andrej Plenkovic. The Head of State congratulated Andrej Plenkovic and the Croatian people on Victory and Homeland Thanksgiving Day and the Day of Croatian Defenders. Volodymyr Zelenskyy informed his counterpart about the situation on the frontline and the intensification of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities and civilian infrastructure. The President spoke about cooperation with partners to strengthen Ukrainian warriors, particularly the new PURL instrument for procuring U.S. weapons. The Head of State noted that the Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have already committed over $1 billion. The leaders also discussed the SAFE mechanism and the opportunities it provides for bolstering the defense capabilities of both EU countries and Ukraine. Andrej Plenkovic noted that Croatia will contribute its share to support Ukrainian defenders. The President and the Prime Minister coordinated their next steps and diplomatic efforts for the near future. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address President of Ukraine Had a Phone Call with the President of the United States President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 18:42 President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with President of the United States of America Donald Trump. The Head of State thanked President Trump for his personal efforts toward a just and lasting peace. Ukraine fully supports the urgent need to stop the killing. This issue was central to the discussion. The leaders coordinated their positions and exchanged assessments of the situation. Donald Trump is informed about the increased number of Russian strikes, as well as about the attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities and communities. The Presidents of Ukraine and the United States also discussed sanctions against Russia. The Russian economy continues to decline, which is precisely why Moscow is so sensitive to the prospect of tougher sanctions and President Trump's resolve. The conversation also addressed joint European decisions that could contribute to Ukraine's defense. The Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have already committed over $1 billion for the purchase of American weapons. This cooperation with NATO countries will continue. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump also discussed bilateral cooperation. The President of Ukraine emphasized that the Ukrainian side has already prepared a draft agreement on drones. Ukraine is ready to discuss the document in detail and sign it. The Head of State thanked the President of the United States and the American people for their support in defending lives. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Thirty-Eight Countries, Together with the Council of Europe and the EU, Urged Russia to Immediately and Unconditionally Return Ukrainian Children President of Ukraine 5 August 2025 - 15:18 The International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children, established within the framework of the President's initiative Bring Kids Back UA, has called on Russia to return abducted Ukrainian children without delay and without any conditions. The Coalition is co-chaired by Canada and Ukraine. The joint statement was signed by 38 countries, the Council of Europe, and the European Union. "The entire civilized world is watching. Today's statement by the Coalition demonstrates that the international community is united in its demand to return every Ukrainian child who was deported or forcibly transferred. These crimes are unjustifiable, and there must be no delay in bringing the children home. Every day that passes without their return is another day of continued injustice. We will not stop until every child is where they belong: with their family, in their homeland, safe and free," said Andriy Yermak, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine. During the first round of peace talks in Istanbul, the Ukrainian delegation presented Russia with an initial list of children to be returned - a step that could have served as a confidence-building measure. Eight weeks have passed, including a second round of negotiations, and Russia has refused to propose any meaningful mechanism for returning the Ukrainian children. "The suffering of children is one of the most unbearable tragedies of this war. Russia's forced deportation of nearly 20,000 Ukrainian children is a blatant violation of international law. These children must be returned. We call on Russia to start with the 339 children identified by Ukraine. The EU will continue to impose sanctions on those responsible for abducting Ukrainian children and attempting to erase their identity. The European Union also calls for an immediate, full, and unconditional ceasefire - something Ukraine has been advocating for many months - in order to end the suffering and pave the way for genuine peace negotiations," emphasized EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas. The unlawful deportation and forced transfer of children are grave violations of international law, including the Geneva Conventions and the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. "Now is the time to intensify pressure on Moscow and demand the return of Ukrainian children - starting with the list handed to Russia in Istanbul. I thank our Canadian friends and the forty other Coalition partners for their principled and united stance on this issue. Russian officials who cynically comment on the issue of deported children must not be allowed to ignore it. We will never allow Russia to use our children as bargaining chips. Their return is not up for negotiation. Every Ukrainian child who has been separated from their family and homeland must be brought home," said Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andrii Sybiha. The Coalition also calls on Russia to provide full and verifiable information on the whereabouts, condition, and legal status of all children; to ensure unhindered access for international humanitarian organizations; and to stop manipulating the identities of children - including through the forced change of citizenship, placement in Russian families or institutions, and subjecting them to ideological indoctrination and militarization. "Ukrainian children abducted by Russia must be returned. Children living under Russian occupation must be freed. Children living in fear of terror must be given safety, and those forced to flee Ukraine must be given the opportunity to return home. Russia must be held accountable for making the destruction of children's lives a strategic policy in its war of aggression. It is the duty of the international community to ensure justice," concluded Thordis Kolbrun Reykfjord Gylfadottir, Special Envoy of the Council of Europe Secretary General on the situation of children of Ukraine. The joint statement of the Coalition was supported by: Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Moldova, the Netherlands, North Macedonia, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, the European Union (observer), Switzerland (observer), and the Council of Europe. The full text of the statement is available below. Statement by the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children on the unlawful deportation and forced transfer of Ukrainian children by the Russian Federation - pdf - 422.04 kb NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SSU detains FSB agent who set up video traps to adjust strikes on Kyiv and spy on Ukrainian railways Security Service of Ukraine 10:00, 5 August 2025 In Kyiv, the SSU Counterintelligence has detained another agent of russia's federal security service. He adjusted russian missile and drone strikes on the city and spied on the movements of Defense Forces trains. The investigation established that the enemy's tasks were carried out by a 24-year-old IT specialist from a Kyiv university who had been recruited by russia. The man came to the FSB's attention while looking for 'easy money' on Telegram. On the instructions of the russian special service, the traitor recorded the consequences of the aggressor's air attacks on Kyiv and was tracking the locations of Ukrainian air defense forces. To do this, the agent rented apartments in high-rise buildings for the FSB's money, the addresses of which he received from his handler. The perpetrator installed video cameras with remote access for the russian special service in the windows of these apartments. In this way, the enemy spied on potential targets in real time during the attacks on Kyiv to adjust subsequent strikes on the city. The adversary used hidden online broadcasts hoping to establish the coordinates of Ukrainian air defense positions. The agent set up similar video traps near Ukrzaliznytsia railway tracks, where military convoys could be moving through Kyiv region. The SSU Counterintelligence identified the enemy asset at an early stage, documented his crimes and detained him 'red-handed' in a rented flat. A video camera was found at the scene, and a phone with evidence of his contacts with his FSB handler was seized. SSU investigators notified the detained individual of suspicion under Article 111.2 of the CCU (high treason, committed under martial law). The suspect is in custody and faces life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The operation was carried out by the SSU Office in Kyiv and Kyiv region under the procedural supervision of Kyiv Region Prosecutor's Office. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address SSU and National Police detain another six arsonists who acted on russia's orders Security Service of Ukraine 13:00, 5 August 2025 The Security Service of Ukraine and the National Police have detained six enemy agents who committed arson attacks in several regions of Ukraine. The enemy's targets were private homes of Ukrainian defenders and their families, as well as energy equipment on Ukrainian Railways. To carry out these crimes, russian special services recruited local residents who were looking for 'easy money' on Telegram. In Kyiv region, three local residents aged 18 to 21 were apprehended. On the FSB's orders, they were preparing to set fire to the home of a Ukrainian Armed Forces veteran in Vasylkiv. The perpetrators made a Molotov cocktail, which they were supposed to throw through the victim's window to cause a fire. The law enforcement identified the agents at an early stage and detained them at the scene of the planned crime. In Dnipropetrovsk region, another asset of the aggressor state was uncovered. He turned out to be a fitter from Ukrzaliznytsia branch in Kamyanske district, who was recruited by the occupiers. The enemy accomplice first set fire to railway power equipment along local tracks. He was then given a new task: to derail a Defense Forces freight train. However, the law enforcement agencies foiled russia's plans and detained the arsonist. In Vinnytsia region, an 18-year-old resident of Haysyn was caught after setting fire to a relay cabinet near a railway line. He used a highly flammable mixture, which he made himself following his russian handler's instructions. In Zakarpattia, another perpetrator was detained - a 52-year-old unemployed man from Uzhhorod district. Using highly flammable mixtures, he attempted to destroy two relay cabinets of signalling devices on a railway line in the border region. The detained individuals have been notified of suspicion under two Articles of the CCU: 113.2 (sabotage, committed under martial law); 194.2 (intentional damage to property by arson). The suspects are in custody and face between 10 years in prison to life imprisonment with confiscation of property. The operations were carried out by the SSU regional offices together with the National Police under the procedural supervision of prosecutor's offices. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address US Envoy Heads To Moscow As White House Deadline Looms For Cease-Fire Progress By RFE/RL August 06, 2025 US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to meet senior officials in Moscow on August 6 as rumors swirl over what message he will deliver just two days before a deadline from the White House for Russia to make progress on a cease-fire with Ukraine. While US President Donald Trump has threatened tariffs on Russia and secondary sanctions on countries still buying Russian oil, Russian President Vladimir Putin is not expected to halt the war he launched in February 2022. The secondary tariffs would likely target China and India, the two largest buyers of Russian oil. But as Witkoff reportedly took off for Moscow, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said "we have spoken with and proposed to Russia quiet in the skies, no missile and drone attacks and specifically no attacks on civilian infrastructure or on the energy sector." Trump, who has increasingly voiced frustration with Putin, warned last week "there'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions." "They're wily characters and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions, so we'll see what happens." He also said he will be "substantially raising" tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil. When asked on August 3 what Witkoff's message would be to Moscow and if there was anything Russia could do to avoid the sanctions, the president replied: "Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed." For its part, the Kremlin has said little about Witkoff's visit. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on August 4 that "we are always happy to see Mr. Witkoff in Moscow.... We consider such contact important, substantial and helpful." Peskov was quoted early on August 6 Moscow time as saying that improving relations between Russia and the United States will take time. "There is, of course, inertia in this process," Peskov told TASS, referring to the prolonged absence of a meeting between Putin and Trump. "It takes time for efforts to bring bilateral relations back onto a normal track." Trump has been pressuring Putin to agree to a cease-fire and an end to the war, now in its fourth year. He announced on July 14 that Putin had 50 days to end the war or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports, but he later moved the deadline up to August 8. The decision 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. Ukrainian forces also increased strikes on Russian infrastructure. Some analysts said threatening China over its Russian oil purchases could even backfire on Trump given it was hard to imagine that Beijing would halt the purchases, while secondary sanctions could drive oil prices higher. Alexander Morozov, a political analyst and research fellow at Charles University in Prague, said that despite the risks, Washington wants to make a decision before Putin travels at the end of the month to meet Chinese Prime Minister Xi, "so that this decision is already known to China before Putin arrives in Beijing." "In addition to this, it is important for Washington to approach the APEC summit on October 31 with agreements already reached with China regarding trade, and preferably with agreements regarding the Russian-Ukrainian war," he added. The escalating attacks and the approaching deadline for a deal also come as Trump said that he had deployed nuclear-capable submarines to the "appropriate regions." Trump said on August 1 that he had decided to reposition the nuclear submarines "closer to Russia" because of "highly provocative statements" by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/us-envoy-moscow-witkoff- deadline-putin-cease-fire/33495350.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. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Hiroshima - 06 August 1945 At 2:45 a.m. on 06 August 1945, the Allies' B-29 "Enola Gay" left the island of Tinian near Saipan. Its primary target was Hiroshima, where the 2nd Japanese Army stood poised to defend against an expected Allied invasion of their homeland. The Enola Gay was carrying "Little Boy," a 9,700-pound uranium bomb. Piloted by the commander of the 509th Composite Group, Colonel Paul Tibbets, the B-29 flew at low altitude on automatic pilot before climbing to 31,000 feet as it neared the target area. The weather over the target was satisfactory, and the bombardier, Major Thomas Ferrebee, was able to use a visual approach. August 6th began with a bright, clear, summer morning. About 7 AM, there was an air raid alarm which had become an almost daily event, and a few planes appeared over the city (the weather plane). No one paid attention, and at about 8:00 AM the all-clear sounded. At approximately 8:15 AM Hiroshima time the Enola Gay released Little Boy over the city. Tibbets immediately dove away to avoid the anticipated shock wave. Forty-three seconds later, a huge explosion lit the morning sky as Little Boy detonated directly over a parade field where soldiers of the Japanese Second Army were doing calisthenics. The bomb's detonation point was only approximately 550 feet from the aiming point, the Aioi Bridge, an easily identifiable location near the center of the city. The bomb detonated at an altitude of 1800 feet. The yield of the bomb was 12.5 KT (kilotons, the equivalent of 12,500 tons of TNT). Though already eleven and a half miles away, the Enola Gay was rocked by the blast. At first, Tibbets thought he was taking flak. After a second shock wave (reflected from the ground) hit the plane, the crew looked back at Hiroshima. "The city was hidden by that awful cloud . . . boiling up, mushrooming, terrible and incredibly tall," Tibbets recalled. On the ground moments before the blast it was a calm and sunny Monday morning. By 8:15 the city was alive with activity -- soldiers doing their morning calisthenics, commuters on foot or on bicycles, groups of women and children working outside to clear firebreaks. Those closest to the explosion died instantly, their bodies turned to black char. Nearby birds burst into flames in mid-air, and dry, combustible materials such as paper instantly ignited as far away as 6,400 feet from ground zero. Pika Don Those who survived called the A-bomb "pika don". "Pika" referred to the flash of light, and "Don" was an onomatopoeic reference to the tremendous sound. Survivors close to the hypocenter, the point directly beneath the detonation, heard no sound, and called it meerely "pika". The detonation formed a high-temperature, high-pressure fireball which rapidely expanded to a diameter of about 400 meters in the first second. The fireball emitted intense heat for three seconds, and glowed brightly for about ten seconds. The temperature on the ground near the hypocenter reached thousands of degrees Celsius. On the ground near the hypocenter the overpressure reached tons per square meter. The fireball created a supersonic shockwave, which was followed by winds blowing hundreds of meters per second. The shock wave traveled eleven kilometers in 30 seconds. The white light acted as a giant flashbulb, burning the dark patterns of clothing onto skin (right) and the shadows of bodies onto walls. Survivors outdoors close to the blast generally describe a literally blinding light combined with a sudden and overwhelming wave of heat. (The effects of radiation are usually not immediately apparent.) The blast wave followed almost instantly for those close-in, often knocking them from their feet. Those that were indoors were usually spared the flash burns, but flying glass from broken windows filled most rooms, and all but the very strongest structures collapsed. One boy was blown through the windows of his house and across the street as the house collapsed behind him. Within minutes 9 out of 10 people half a mile or less from ground zero were dead. People farther from the point of detonation experienced first the flash and heat, followed seconds later by a deafening boom and the blast wave. Nearly every structure within one mile of ground zero was destroyed, and almost every building within three miles was damaged. In the case of wooden houses, those which were within one kilometer of the hypocenter were smashed at the moment of the explopsion. In the case of reinforced concrete buildings, the roofs of those near the center of the explosion collapsed. Some of the buildings were flattened and became piles of rubble. A fierce fire followed destruction by the violent blast caused by the explosion. Every building within one kilometer of the hypocenter was totally destroyed by the fire whether it was wooden or reinforced concrete. Wooden houses in the area between one kilometer and two kilometers from the hypocenter were completely destroyed. The buildings located one to two kilometers from the center were mostly destroyed by the fire. Wooden houses in the area two to three kilometers away were severely damaged. Even houses three to four kilometers from the center of the explosion were badly damaged. The buildings two to three kilometers from the center were partially destroyed. Less than 10 percent of the buildings in the city survived without any damage, and the blast wave shattered glass in suburbs twelve miles away. The most common first reaction of those that were indoors even miles from ground zero was that their building had just suffered a direct hit by a bomb. The firestorm eventually engulfed 4.4 square miles of the city, killing anyone who had not escaped in the first minutes after the attack. One postwar study of the victims of Hiroshima found that less than 4.5 percent of survivors suffered leg fractures. Such injuries were not uncommon; it was just that most who could not walk were engulfed by the firestorm. The Day After The A-bomb destroyed all levels of administration, transportation facilities, including railroads, the communication system, journalism, offices, factories of private and public corporations, and all other facilities. The total destruction of these facilities caused such great confusion that it was utterly impossible to grasp the number of dead and wounded. On the evening of August 6, Vice Inspector General Hattori of the Chugoku District Superintendent's Office, Director of Hiroshima Prefectural Police Ishihara, and Governor Genshin Takano, who had returned from a business trip, gathered at Tamon-in Temple at the entrance to Hijiyama Park. They formed both a temporary prefectural government office and a temporary air-defence headquarters. Thirteen hours later they reported the disastrous situation and asked for help from the central government and other related organizations. Therefore relief activities on the day of the explosion were almost limited to the Akatsuki Corps sent from Ujina, naval personnel sent from the naval base at Kure, and a few small hospitals which survived the disaster. Small ad hoc rescue parties soon began to operate, but roughly half of the city's population was dead or injured. In those areas most seriously affected virtually no one escaped serious injury. The numerous small fires that erupted simultaneously all around the city soon merged into one large firestorm, creating extremely strong winds that blew towards the center of the fire. Even after the flames had subsided, relief from the outside was slow in coming. For hours after the attack the Japanese government did not even know for sure what had happened. Radio and telegraph communications with Hiroshima had suddenly ended at 8:16 a.m., and vague reports of some sort of large explosion had begun to filter in, but the Japanese high command knew that no large-scale air raid had taken place over the city and that there were no large stores of explosives there. Eventually a Japanese staff officer was dispatched by plane to survey the city from overhead, and while he was still nearly 100 miles away from the city he began to report on a huge cloud of smoke that hung over it. The first confirmation of exactly what had happened came only sixteen hours later with the announcement of the bombing by the United States. Relief workers from outside the city eventually began to arrive and the situation stabilized somewhat. Power in undamaged areas of the city was even restored on August 7th, with limited rail service resuming the following day. Several days after the blast, however, medical staff began to recognize the first symptoms of radiation sickness among the survivors. Soon the death rate actually began to climb again as patients who had appeared to be recovering began suffering from this strange new illness. Deaths from radiation sickness did not peak until three to four weeks after the attacks and did not taper off until seven to eight weeks after the attack. Long-range health dangers associated with radiation exposure, such as an increased danger of cancer, would linger for the rest of the victims' lives, as would the psychological effects of the attack. NEWS LETTER Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list Enter Your Email Address Simi Valley, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- All In Solutions Detox in Simi Valley has announced a significant update to its treatment programs to better support individuals on their road to recovery. The organization is dedicated to providing thorough care and continually improving its services to meet the needs of those seeking help with addiction. This new initiative showcases their commitment to offering various types of support through every step of the recovery process. They are expanding their program to include a wide range of therapeutic options tailored to individual needs. By emphasizing personalized care, All In Solutions Detox in Simi Valley ensures that each person's journey is guided with compassion and expertise. These new options will give individuals greater access to the resources they need as they face the challenges of addiction treatment. Expert input has been a key component in shaping the updated program, which uses proven practices to promote lasting recovery. These methods not only help individuals build healthier coping strategies but also provide tools for maintaining sobriety. This comprehensive support system addresses both the physical and mental aspects of addiction, offering a more rounded approach to recovery. "Our Simi Valley addiction treatment program was designed with one goal in mind - to help the people of Ventura County and the Greater Los Angeles Area stabilize, heal, and reclaim their lives" said Jonathan Goelz, LCSW, MCAP, Executive Director of All In Solutions Detox. "We believe in treating the whole person, not just the addiction, through an evidence-based bio-psycho-social model of recovery. We hold ourselves to a very high standard when it comes to the clinical care we provide, and that's reflected in the outcomes we see with our clients." In addition to enhancing its therapeutic offerings, All In Solutions Detox has introduced family support services. This aims to help loved ones understand and actively participate in the healing process. Family involvement is a recognized factor in successful recovery, and by offering guidance and resources, the organization extends its support beyond the individual receiving treatment. Given the ongoing issues related to opioids and the increased demand for effective treatment solutions, it is vital for addiction service providers to keep evolving. All In Solutions Detox in Simi Valley remains steadfast in its mission to adapt its services to meet the growing needs of its clients. By taking a holistic approach to treatment, they tackle both substance use and the underlying factors of addiction. Detailed information about their comprehensive addiction treatment options can be found at their main site. Making treatment more accessible is another critical focus of the program. All In Solutions Detox is working to reach a broader audience by offering various payment plans and collaborating with insurance providers. This effort aims to break down financial barriers, allowing more people to seek help and take control of their lives. A representative from the organization stated, "Our expanded services demonstrate our dedication to catering to the diverse needs of our clients. We are committed to ensuring that anyone who seeks treatment at All In Solutions Detox in Simi Valley receives full support on their road to recovery." https://youtu.be/RSjRCpdKluE?si=HF_lpdlt8wC60Adv All In Solutions Detox in Simi Valley remains dedicated to its mission of assisting individuals fighting addiction. By improving its services to include personalized treatment plans, research-based methods, and family engagement, the organization creates an environment that fosters healing and recovery. Their ongoing efforts to expand show a strong commitment to positively impacting the lives of those dealing with addiction. For more about their specialized programs and levels of care, please visit the All In Solutions Detox website. ### For more information about All In Solutions Detox, contact the company here: All In Solutions Detox Michael Maddaloni (818) 938-2177 info@allinsolutions.com 1856 Deodora St, Simi Valley, CA 93065 Las Vegas, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Kung Fu Thai & Chinese Restaurant is excited to announce the launch of several new dishes that pay tribute to traditional flavors while offering fresh twists on classic favorites. This new menu is part of the restaurant's ongoing effort to mix cultural heritage with modern culinary trends, creating a memorable dining experience at Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant. Among the new offerings is Shrimp Chow Mein, a dish that promises a delightful combination of shrimp, vegetables, and noodles. Also on the menu is the Best Vegetable Chow Mein in Las Vegas, crafted to meet the high hopes of their patrons at Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant. Alan Wong of Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant explained, "The art of creating dishes that stay true to their roots while adapting to local tastes is something we continually work towards. Our new selections show our commitment to delivering both authenticity and innovation, which you can explore more on our website." The restaurant has become a community favorite by serving meals that are flavorful and true to cultural traditions. This new menu aims to build on that history by combining traditional ingredients and cooking methods with today's tastes. As foodies walk into the restaurant, they're greeted by the rich aromas of Asian spices, inviting eaters to explore a journey of taste and tradition. For those interested in learning about their ongoing efforts and offers, feel free to visit their blog where we share updates and news on their diverse services and menu options. On top of these new menu items, Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant continues to prioritize sustainability and careful ingredient sourcing. This means each dish is not only tasty but also made with environmental and health considerations in mind. We also offer a variety of services such as online ordering, food delivery within Las Vegas, take-out services, dine-in options, and even gift certificates for loved ones. "We believe every meal tells a story connecting us to places and people," Wong said. "Our goal is to tell that story through the foods we prepare and the experiences we offer at Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant." These menu changes reflect the restaurant's ongoing efforts to enhance dining with a blend of nostalgia and newness. Diners can look forward to dishes that not only satisfy the palate but also bring to mind memories of traditional home-cooked meals. For those eager to taste these fresh culinary offerings, Kung Fu Thai & Chinese Restaurant invites everyone to visit and explore their wide-ranging menu. There's something for everyone, whether one might be looking for traditional favorites or ready to try something new. As the restaurant rolls out these latest menu items, it continues to celebrate its role as a representative of Asian cuisine, bringing a piece of cultural history to every table. Everyone is invited to experience the vibrant and rich flavors that have been thoughtfully designed by the skilled chefs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxfsRvj8Eqs With these new additions, Kung Fu Thai Chinese Restaurant not only expands its menu but also reaffirms its commitment to offering genuine and delicious Asian cuisine to the community. The team looks forward to welcoming both new and returning guests to enjoy these culinary creations and uphold the tradition of excellence. For online ordering and to discover more about special offers, please visit their website. Find more details about the Shrimp Chow Mein at https://www.kungfuplaza.com/167-shrimp-chow-mein. ### For more information about Kung Fu Thai & Chinese Restaurant, contact the company here: Kung Fu Thai & Chinese Restaurant Alan Wong 702-247-4120 aw@kungfurestaurants.com 3505 S Valley View Blvd Las Vegas, NV 89103 Photo Courtesy of: Orderfox ZURICH, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Orderfox Schweiz AG announced that its market intelligence platform, Gieni AI, was featured as a reference case for vertical AI integration at Microsoft Build 2025. The platform was selected to demonstrate Microsofts new Model Context Protocol (MCP), which allows AI agents to access and interact with other agents and software tools in real time. Gieni AI is among the first vertical AI agents that offer a MCP Connector on the Microsoft Marketplace for Copilot Studio. It delivers market, competition, and risk intelligence that will be directly in Microsoft 365 tools such as Teams, Outlook, Excel, and Word. The integration allows users to generate contextual, real-time insights without switching between applications. By integrating Gieni AI with Microsoft Copilot, we're empowering businesses to make smarter, faster decisions directly within their daily workflows, turning data into a competitive advantage like never before, said Timur Goreci, Chief Revenue Officer at Orderfox. The MCP Connector enables Gieni AI to provide industry-specific answers to complex questions using a hybrid intelligence model, combining proprietary structured and unstructured company data, zero-shot reasoning, and a vector-based database architecture. Users can access dashboards, generate market reports and enrich CRM tools with verified data from within their existing Microsoft environment. During the Microsoft Build conference, Gieni AI was featured by Microsoft as a reference point for vertical AI integration, highlighting its role within the new Model Context Protocol (MCP) framework. This includes generating real-time responses to business queries such as identifying ESG-compliant suppliers, tracking regional competitors, and analyzing trends across industries. Orderfox CEO Derek Tanner commented: Partnering with Microsoft enables Gieni AI to function within the existing software systems that businesses depend on, simplifying operations and enhancing access to market data for strategic teams. Gieni AI Marketresearch agent will soon be available to Microsoft Copilot users and can be billed through Microsofts enterprise platforms. About Gieni AI Gieni AI is a market intelligence platform developed by Orderfox Schweiz AG. It will enable companies to generate on-demand market insights, interactive dashboards, and CRM-enhancing reports directly within Microsoft 365 tools. Gieni AI processes data from over 380 million web pages and 5 million company profiles using proprietary semantic search and classification systems. For companies, this translates into smarter decision-making, faster go-to-market strategies, and staying ahead of competitors without the guesswork. Whether identifying new opportunities, qualifying leads, or benchmarking market players, Gieni AI turns data overload into actionable intelligence, embedded directly into the tools teams already use. About Orderfox Orderfox Schweiz AG, based in Zurich, develops AI-based platforms for the industrial and B2B sectors. Its products include Gieni AI, a vertical AI agent for real-time market intelligence, and Partfox, the worlds largest CNC network for automated buyer-supplier matching. Orderfoxs technologies support automation, procurement, and data-driven decision-making for businesses around the world. Contact Information: Alisa Hese Berkeley Communications Phone: +49 89 7472 62-46 Email: orderfox_de@berkeleypr.com Website: www.orderfox.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7faeaaa2-3c08-4064-8928-1a1847e8c407 Dubai, UAE, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Christ is King ($CIK), a movement to bring the church onchain and bless the trenches, has officially released its highly anticipated community roadmap, outlining its mission to onboard one million Christians into Web3. More than a meme, $CIK is quickly becoming a digital movement unifying believers through faith, finance, and decentralized innovation. The project launched on May 5, 2025, with a fair and transparent token offering rooted in community-first principles. Despite an attempted snipe at launch, the teams rapid response and what many are calling divine timing helped preserve the projects foundation. Within the first 24 hours, $CIK soared to a $10 million market cap, eventually reaching an all-time high of $30 million just two weeks later quickly cementing its place among the top tokens on the Base chain. June marked a turning point in CIKs public presence. The team represented at a Ryan Pineda event in Las Vegas, introducing the concept of digital evangelism to a network of kingdom-minded entrepreneurs. International visibility expanded with sponsorships at Philippine Blockchain Week and NFT NYC, allowing $CIK to connect with both faith-driven and crypto-savvy audiences around the globe. In July, the project solidified its foundation by closing a fresh funding round, reinforcing its treasury and operational capabilities. Strategic hires from Web3, tech, and ministry backgrounds joined the leadership team, equipping the movement with the right blend of experience and vision as it enters its next growth phase. Starting in August, $CIK enters Phase II of its roadmap. A buyback program was initiated to strengthen long-term value, while the launch of a new website will serve as a central hub for education, community, and onboarding. $CIK has also been tapped as a co-sponsor for Base's OnChain Summit, Base's annual Web3 summit focused on builders, thinkers, and dreamers within the Base blockchain ecosystem. Among its most innovative developments, CIK is building its first Base mini app, Daily Bread, which gamifies spiritual habits and rewards engagement with scripture. Community creativity will be amplified with the rollout of a Saint Generator and Meme Generator on X, enabling believers to express faith in fun and viral ways. The roadmap also includes billboard campaigns in San Francisco, weekly X Spaces with thought leaders, and a major collaboration with a well-known Christian influencer who will release exclusive digital art tied to the mission. In September, the public launch of Daily Bread will be CIK's first mini app for churches and ministries. A Blessing App will enable believers to share encouragement using $CIK across social platforms, while the launch of an official merch store and CIKs first virtual event will further strengthen the digital faith community. Looking ahead to Q4, Christ is King will launch the $CIK Launchpad, a launchpad to empower ministries, charities and nonprofits. A CIK-branded podcast will begin production, and the project will break ground on its Content House in Las Vegas, a space for worship, media creation, and ministry in the digital age. Plans are also underway for a high-level in-person gathering connecting Web3 builders with faith leaders shaping the future of technology and belief. Christ is King began as a meme, but its become so much more than that, said Curtis Smith, a founder and Co-CEO. This roadmap is a reflection of our conviction to bring the Church onchain, empower believers globally, and use blockchain for kingdom impact. Follow updates and announcements on X: https://x.com/christonchain Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities. ICG Enterprise Trust plc (the Company) 6 August 2025 Transaction in Own Shares The Company announces that on 5 August 2025 it bought back 15,000 of its own shares, to be held as treasury shares, at an average price of 1458 pence per share. Further details are set out below: Number of shares held as treasury shares following settlement of this purchase: 540,721. Total shares in issue excluding treasury shares following settlement of this purchase: 63,013,471. The Company has bought back these shares under the authority granted by shareholders at its Annual General Meeting in June 2025, which permits the Company to repurchase a maximum of 14.99% of its ordinary shares. The actual number of shares repurchased by the Company will depend on market conditions. This authority lasts until the next shareholder authority granted (expected to be at the Annual General Meeting in 2026), or until expressly revoked by shareholders. No maximum consideration payable has been determined by the Company, but the Company is unable to pay a price for any shares pursuant to the buyback which would equate to a premium to the net asset value. It is the Companys current intention to hold any shares bought back in treasury. The Company has instructed Numis Securities Limited (trading for these purposes as Deutsche Numis) as its broker in respect of its buyback transactions. This arrangement is in accordance with the UKLA Listing Rules and the Companys general authority to repurchase shares. Analyst / Investor enquiries: Chris Hunt Shareholder Relations, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 2020 Andrew Lewis Company Secretary, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 1344 Media: Clare Glynn Corporate Communications, ICG +44 (0) 20 3545 1395 EUROCASTLE INVESTMENT LIMITED FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Oak Fund Services (Guernsey) Limited Company Administrator Attn: Nicole Barnes Tel: +44 1481 723450 Eurocastle Releases First Half 2025 Financial Results, 2025 AGM Results and PDMR Dealing Notification Guernsey, 6 August 2025 Eurocastle Investment Limited (Euronext Amsterdam: ECT) (Eurocastle or the Company) today has released its financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2025. In addition, the Company announces the results of its 2025 Annual General Meeting held yesterday, 5 August 2025, at which all ordinary and extraordinary resolutions tabled were approved. ADJUSTED NET ASSET VALUE (NAV) 1 of 15.2 million, or 15.19 per share 2 (11.1 million, or 11.43 per share as at Q1 2025). Increase of 3.76 per share reflects the net impact of the previously announced release of the Liquidation Reserves, following the 61 million of commitments raised by the Luxembourg fund through which it invests, and the resulting strengthened financial position and enhanced outlook under its New Investment Strategy of 15.2 million, or 15.19 per share (11.1 million, or 11.43 per share as at Q1 2025). IFRS NAV of 21.2 million, or 21.19 per share (22.0 million, or 22.01 per share as at Q1 2025). Q1 2025 NAV Q2 Cash Movement Q2 FV Movement Q2 2025 NAV m p.s. m p.s. m p.s. m p.s. New Investment Strategy - Greece 5.86 5.85 (3.75) (3.75) (0.27) (0.26) 1.84 1.84 Legacy Italian Real Estate Funds 0.06 0.06 - - - - 0.06 0.06 Net Corporate Cash3 12.11 12.09 3.75 3.75 (0.59) (0.59) 15.27 15.25 Legacy German Tax Asset 4.01 4.01 - - 0.04 0.03 4.05 4.04 IFRS NAV 22.04 22.01 - - (0.82) (0.82) 21.22 21.19 Legacy German Tax Reserve (6.01) (6.00) - - 0.00 0.00 6.01 6.00 Liquidation Reserves (4.59) (4.58) - - 4.59 4.58 - - Adjusted NAV 11.44 11.43 - - 3.77 3.76 15.21 15.19 Ordinary shares outstanding 1,001,555 1,001,555 As at 30 June 2025, the Companys assets comprise: 15.2 million, or 15.25 per share, of net corporate cash3 which is available to continue seeking investments under the New Investment Strategy. A tax asset of 4.0 million, or 4.04 per share, representing amounts paid (and associated interest) in relation to additional tax assessed against a former German property subsidiary where the Company won the first instance of its appeal in December 2024. The German tax authorities have since appealed the decision and the Company is waiting for the date of the next hearing. 1.8 million, or 1.84 per share, in the Companys first investment under the New Investment Strategy - a Luxembourg real estate fund sponsored by the Company where it generates returns through its share of investments and certain subsidiaries receive asset management and incentive fees from third party investors. Residual interests in two legacy Italian Real Estate Fund Investments with a NAV of 0.1 million, or 0.06 per share, where the underlying apartments are now all sold with both funds currently in liquidation. BUSINESS UPDATES New Investment Strategy In 2024, Eurocastle launched a Luxembourg fund, European Properties Investment Fund S.C.A., SICAV RAIF (EPIF or the Fund), through which it invests alongside selected co-investors. EPIFs key strategy is to acquire small to mid-size real estate and real estate related assets in Southern Europe with the potential for attractive risk adjusted returns. The Fund initially closed with Eurocastle committing to invest 8 million alongside a 2 million commitment from its JV Partner. EPIF is now being marketed to potential investors with a target size of 100 million. By the end of June 2025, EPIF had received over 36 million of capital commitments. In July 2025, an additional 25 million was raised, bringing total committed capital in the Fund to over 61 million. In addition, prospective investors representing a further 20 million in commitments are in the final stages of due diligence. In addition to Eurocastle generating attractive risk adjusted returns on its share of any investments made, subsidiaries of the Company are also entitled to market standard management and incentive fees from third-party investors. By the end of the first half of 2025, the Fund had made two commercial real estate investments in Athens, Greece reflecting its focus on opportunistic investments with strong value-creation potential. The investments comprise the acquisition of a small upscale shopping centre acquired out of a distressed situation and a 70% stake in a vacant office property acquired from a defaulted borrower at a substantial discount to comparable sales in the area. To fund these investments, EPIF had called approximately 7.7 million of capital by June 30, 2025. At that date, the Fund reported a NAV of 8.3 million, an 8% increase relative to the capital called, reflecting the appreciation in the value of the real estate acquired to date, net of all setup and running costs. Of the total capital called, Eurocastle invested 1.7 million, while its corresponding share of EPIFs NAV stood at 1.8 million. Subsequent to the June 30, 2025, EPIF called 11.5 million of capital to acquire an interest in a large portfolio of Italian real estate assets. The portfolio primarily consists of office properties leased to government agencies. The assets are currently undergoing a disposal process, with EPIF acquiring its stake at a significant discount to the portfolios reported value. In parallel, EPIF has been underwriting a number of additional opportunities and has an active pipeline of potential investment opportunities exceeding 50 million. Additional Reserves With EPIF reaching over 61 million in investor commitments, the Board determined that Eurocastle has established a sustainable platform that it anticipates growing in future years. In light of the Companys strengthened financial position and prospects, the Board reassessed the level of Additional Reserves and approved the release of approximately 4.6 million in Liquidation Reserves. As at 30 June 2025, the remaining Additional Reserves of approximately 6.0 million relate exclusively to the legacy German tax matter. Income Statement for the Quarter ended 30 June 2025 and First Six Months of 2025 (unaudited) Income Statement Income Statement Q2 2025 H1 2025 Thousands Thousands Portfolio Returns New Investment Strategy EPIF unrealised fair value movement (264) (179) Additional compensation - EPIF 27 27 Compensatory interest on capital returned from new investors in EPIF 175 175 Total movement on Investment in EPIF (62) 23 Interest income 97 206 Total income 35 229 Operating Expenses Manager base and incentive fees 622 663 Remaining operating expenses 235 430 Total expenses 857 1,093 (Loss) for the period (822) (864) per share (0.82) (0.86) Balance Sheet and Adjusted NAV Reconciliation as at 30 June 2025 and as at 31 December 2024 New Investment Strategy - Greece Thousands Legacy Italian Investments Thousands Corporate Thousands 30 June 2025 Total Thousands 31 December 2025 Total Thousands Assets Other assets - - 436 436 315 Legacy German tax asset - - 4,049 4,049 3,974 Investments New Investment Strategy - EPIF 1,838 - - 1,838 5,770 Investments Legacy Real Estate Funds - 64 - 64 64 Cash and cash equivalents - - 15,847 15,847 12,415 Total assets 1,838 64 20,332 22,234 22,538 Liabilities Trade and other payables - - 349 349 389 Manager base and incentive fees - - 663 663 63 Total liabilities - - 1,012 1,012 452 IFRS Net Asset Value 1,838 64 19,320 21,591 22,086 Liquidation cash reserve - - - - (4,748) Legacy German tax cash reserve - - (1,963) (1,963) (2,008) Legacy German tax asset reserve - - (4,049) (4,049) (3,974) Adjusted NAV 1,838 64 13,308 15,210 11,356 Adjusted NAV ( per Share) 1.84 0.06 13.29 15.19 11.34 AGM RESULTS AND PDMR DEALING NOTIFICATION As previously mentioned, all ordinary and extraordinary business tabled before the meeting in accordance with the Notice of Annual General Meeting circulated to shareholders on [14] July 2025 was approved. A copy of this Notice is available on Eurocastles website at www.eurocastleinv.com under Periodic Reports and Shareholder Communications in the Investor Relations Section. In addition, the Company will today issue 1,000 ordinary shares to each of its three independent directors as part of their in-place compensation arrangements. By reference to its obligations under Article 19 of EU Regulation 596/2014, the Company is making public the following details of those dealings in its shares by persons discharging managerial responsibilities: Name of the PDMR Financial Instrument Nature of Transaction Date and place of transaction Volume and price of transaction Dr. Simon John Thornton Ordinary Shares Acquisition for nil consideration as part of compensation arrangements 6 August 2025, Guernsey 1,000 shares Nil consideration Mrs. Claire Elizabeth Ann Whittet Ordinary Shares Acquisition for nil consideration as part of compensation arrangements 6 August 2025, Guernsey 1,000 shares Nil consideration Mr. Jason de Beauvoir Sherwill Ordinary Shares Acquisition for nil consideration as part of compensation arrangements 6 August 2025, Guernsey 1,000 shares Nil consideration Following this issuance, the total number of Ordinary Shares of the Company in issue is 1,004,555. NOTICE: This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the Market Abuse Regulation 596/2014. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION For investment portfolio information, please refer to the Companys most recent Financial Report, which is available on the Companys website (www.eurocastleinv.com). Terms not otherwise defined in this announcement shall have the meaning given to them in the Circular. ABOUT EUROCASTLE Eurocastle Investment Limited (Eurocastle or the Company) is a publicly traded closed-ended investment company. On 8 July 2022, the Company announced the relaunch of its investment activity and is currently in the early stages of pursuing its new strategy by initially focusing on opportunistic real estate in Greece with a plan to expand across Southern Europe. For more information regarding Eurocastle Investment Limited and to be added to our email distribution list, please visit www.eurocastleinv.com. FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS This release contains statements that constitute forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements may relate to, among other things, future commitments to sell real estate and achievement of disposal targets, availability of investment and divestment opportunities, timing or certainty of completion of acquisitions and disposals, the operating performance of our investments and financing needs. Forward-looking statements are generally identifiable by use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, should, potential, intend, expect, endeavour, seek, anticipate, estimate, overestimate, underestimate, believe, could, project, predict, "project", continue, plan, forecast or other similar words or expressions. Forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions, discuss future expectations, describe future plans and strategies, contain projections of results of operations or of financial condition or state other forward-looking information. The Companys ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is limited. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, its actual results and performance may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Companys actual results in future periods to differ materially from forecasted results or stated expectations including the risks regarding Eurocastles ability to declare dividends or achieve its targets regarding asset disposals or asset performance. 1 The Adjusted NAV as at 30 June 2025 reflects additional reserves for the potential liability associated with the legacy German tax matter, which are not accounted for under the IFRS NAV. No formal commitments for this potential liability existed as at 30 June 2025. 2 Per share calculations for Eurocastle throughout this document are based on 1,001,555 shares, unless otherwise stated. 3 Reflects corporate cash net of accrued liabilities and other assets. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. (West Red Lake Gold or WRLG or the Company) (TSXV: WRLG) (OTCQB: WRLGF) is pleased to provide an update on ramp-up activities at the Madsen Mine in Red Lake, Ontario. July was a good month for Madsen and our mine operations team, and we continue to track to plan on our ramp up, said Shane Williams, President and CEO. Mine ramp-up is about adding equipment, developing access to high-priority mining areas, and increasing operational efficiency until the mine consistently produces the targeted daily tonnage at the targeted grade. During July, all these ramp-up elements played a positive role at Madsen. The mill achieved an average of 94% recovery over the month while processing 500-800 tonnes per day. Additionally, material mined from sill access development carried gold grades well above expectation on several occasions. Collectively, this enabled Madsen to pour 3,800 ounces for the month of July. July Production In July the Madsen mine operations team completed sill development and mining in eight (8) areas spread across McVeigh, South Austin, and Austin. Sill development was a priority in the month, to enable a focus on stope mining in August. Mill feed in July was therefore a mix of mined material and low-grade stockpiles. Mined material carried an average grade of 8.9 grams per tonne gold. Since sill mining is less efficient than stope mining in terms of producing tonnage, mined tonnage was combined with low grade stockpile to produce an average grade of around 5g/t going into the mill. Three (3) gold pours took place over the month to produce 3,800 ounces of gold. Of that, 3,595 ounces were sold at an average price of US$3,320 per oz. to generate US$12 million ($C16.4M) in revenues. Figure 1. Long section of the Madsen Mine showing the eight areas of active mining, sill development, and access development through the month of July 2025. Continued Strong Stope Reconciliation Tightening drill hole spacing from 20 metres to 7 metres (average distances) to inform an in-house resource model of high accuracy and resolution prior to final stope design is fundamental to West Red Lake Golds approach to mining at Madsen. The mineralized system at Madsen has been altered and deformed, resulting in gold mineralization that is high grade and pervasive but not always continuous. Tight definition drilling to inform an accurate geologic model is essential for better understanding grade continuity in the deposit. The effectiveness of this approach was apparent in the close reconciliation between expected and actual grades and tonnes in the bulk sample (see May 7 news release). Figure 2 below shows a similar degree of reconciliation for a recently mined stope in McVeigh. Expected or modeled grade is shown in blue. Average grade mined is shown in red. Number of muck samples taken is shown in orange. Figure 2. Muck grade versus modelled grade by sample date for a long-hole stope in the McVeigh area mined in July. July Sill Grade Performance Stope areas at Madsen are drill tested to 7-metre spacing. Sills, which are the access levels developed above and below stopes to create access to mine, are not always drilled to 7-metre spacing because of stope and drill bay geometry. In addition, chip sampling along sills adds data to the model before stopes are mined. As a result of these two factors, sills are expected to return higher grade variability versus the model than stopes. Such variability is shown in Figure 3 below, which is a summary generated weekly at site by the Production Geology team that shows the number of sill development rounds that were expected to generate high grade (red), low grade (green), and waste (blue) material and the actual grades achieved for each kind of material. Sill development constituted a large portion of the Madsen mine production profile in weeks 26 (June 25 July 1) and 27 (July 2-8) for two reasons: 1) the mine plan called for above-average sill development in those weeks, and 2) the sill material mined carried significantly higher gold grades than expected. Figure 3 shows the actual grade for high- and low-grade material for weeks 26 and 27 combined. In weeks 26 and 27, the 1,274 tonnes of sill material expected to be low grade averaged 9.56 g/t Au. Low grade sill ore is defined as tonnes expected to grade between 1.5 and 3.5 g/t Au. The 1,171 tonnes of sill material expected to be high grade averaged 21.82 g/t Au (Figure 3). Figure 3. Weekly Sill Summary for June 25-July 8 from the Madsen Mine Production Geology Grade Control Tracker. This figure is provided only as an example to demonstrate grade performance at Madsen for the month of July. The Production Geology Report is a tool used solely for internal grade control tracking purposes and should not be considered prescriptive of the Madsen Mine resource estimate or assumed as National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (NI 43-101) compliant. In July we saw the short-term resource model doing its job: stope grades reconciled closely to predicted model grades, and in fact exceeded planned grades in many cases, said Jill Christmann, Madsen Mine Chief Geologist. We also saw the benefit of a workflow that guides mining to the right rocks in the form of strong sill grades, in some cases exceptionally strong. And the value of grade control sampling to fine tune our model ahead of stope mining was clear: the grade surprises were in the sills, where that additional layer of data is missing, while stopes reconciled to the model. Higher variability means sills will at times also surprise to the downside, but this month the sills we mined really shone. Mine Ramp Up The Company is working on two projects to support further mine ramp up and operational stability for the balance of the year. These projects are expected to add capacity to move material out of the mine and enable effective storage of waste rock underground in the mine. Material movement capacity and flexibility are integral requirements for underground mining success. Shaft Renovation To prepare the Madsen Shaft to return to skipping material, the Company developed a 3-stage plan with stage 1 to be implemented by year end. To achieve stage 1 skipping the company purchased a new hoist rope, a 5-tonne skip, and scrolls, which are expected in the coming months. The Company is also cleaning out and preparing the loading pocket on 11 level (550 metre depth). This work is in addition to that completed in 2024 and H1 2025 when the hoist mechanism and shaft were rehabilitated such that the cage was certified to move personnel to inspect/repair the shaft. Once phase 1 is complete with this new equipment, the shaft will be able to move approximately 300-400 tonnes of material to surface a day. These tonnes will be additive to current material moving capacity. Figure 4. An example of shaft rehabilitation work completed in 2024. Cemented Rock Fill (CRF) Project Ore and waste must both be moved in a mine. The less waste that must be brought to surface the better, for a mines costs and efficiency. Most historic stopes at Madsen are backfilled but there are also a number of large empty stopes. These voids are ideal repositories for waste rock. To utilize such voids effectively, waste rock must be turned into Cemented Rock Fill (CRF). West Red Lake Gold contracted a CRF batch plant and operator, who mobilized to site in July. In August the Company expects to start backfilling CRF into historic voids. Historic stopes near current mining areas on the 9 level in Austin and South Austin collectively offer space to hold over 70,000 tonnes of waste rock. Additional large voids closer to surface in the upper Austin area offer potential to hold 102,000 tonnes of waste rock. Moving waste rock from where it is generated underground to these voids, rather than to surface, will free up significant haulage capacity. Figure 5. A long section of the Madsen Mine showing historic mining. Remnant open stopes that West Red Lake Gold has identified as potentially suited for CRF waste rock storage are highlighted in yellow. Mine ramp ups are always balancing two competing needs: producing planned ounces in a given month and developing to ensure the ability to continue producing planned ounces in the months ahead, said Williams. Positive surprises, like the high-grade sills we encountered several times in July, make it easier to achieve that balance. July therefore helped set us up for success in the coming months. The shaft utilization and CRF projects are ways we are increasing efficiencies for the longer term at Madsen. Hoisting ore and waste rock up via a shaft and reducing the need to truck waste material out of the mine are ways to alleviate ventilation and equipment pressures, thus creating the kind of optionality that helps underground mines thrive. The technical information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Will Robinson, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for exploration at the West Red Lake Project, and by Maurice Mostert, P.Eng., Vice President of Technical Services for West Red Lake Gold and the Qualified Person for technical services at the West Red Lake Project, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. ABOUT WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd. is a gold mining company that is publicly traded and focused on its flagship high-grade Madsen Gold Mine and the associated 47 km2 highly prospective land package in the Red Lake district of Ontario. The highly productive Red Lake Gold District of Northwest Ontario, Canada has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold from high-grade zones and hosts some of the world's richest gold deposits. WRLG also owns the Rowan Property in Red Lake, which hosts a small, high-grade deposit that West Red Lake Gold is looking to advance towards production. ON BEHALF OF WEST RED LAKE GOLD MINES LTD. Shane Williams Shane Williams President & Chief Executive Officer FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT: Gwen Preston Vice President Communications Tel: (604) 609-6132 Email: investors@wrlgold.com or visit the Companys website at https://www.westredlakegold.com Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. CAUTIONARY STATEMENT AND FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION Certain statements contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information generally can be identified by words such as anticipate, expect, estimate, forecast, planned, and similar expressions suggesting future outcomes or events. Forward-looking information is based on current expectations of management; however, it is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking information in this news release. Forward-looking information involves numerous risks and uncertainties and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, market volatility; the state of the financial markets for the Companys securities; fluctuations in commodity prices; and changes in the Companys business plans. Forward-looking information is based on a number of key expectations and assumptions, including without limitation, that the Company will continue with its stated business objectives and its ability to raise additional capital to proceed. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Additional information about risks and uncertainties is contained in the Companys managements discussion and analysis for the year ended December 31, 2024, and the Companys annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2024, copies of which are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking information contained herein is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking information reflects managements current beliefs and is based on information currently available to the Company. The forward-looking information is made as of the date of this news release and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Companys continuous disclosure filings that are available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/aa0c632a-10e4-4cea-a635-57eeb7e9922d https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d18c9404-9b1c-4e17-b82d-3cb93c2fe108 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c003e8f7-9f1e-456e-a363-5b00d9ac07f7 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ecf0a66-1eec-49a0-88cf-73195f45e575 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f7521a17-c879-4590-9110-498b0d583d92 https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b4ab9bf1-6489-418a-b921-3be6187b0c03 Dublin, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Digital Asset Management Platforms, 2025: A Frost RadarT Report" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. Organizations are drowning in a sea of rich media - 4K video, generative artificial intelligence images, 3D models, augmented reality/virtual reality objects, and ever-growing libraries of brand assets. Without a modern content backbone, marketing and product teams spend a lot of time simply searching for, recreating, or reformatting files, while customers demand hyper-personalized experiences in real time. The cost is measured in slower campaign velocity, fractured brand consistency, and missed revenue. A scalable, intelligent digital asset management (DAM) platform has, therefore, become mission-critical, transforming digital assets from cost centers into growth engines. The Frost Radar for DAM platforms zeroes in on the vendors best positioned to solve the industry's most urgent challenge: turning an unwieldy flood of digital content into an AI-powered, governed, and highly integrated growth engine. Readers should care because the commercial stakes are rising fast: enterprises that modernize their DAM stack will launch campaigns quicker, deliver richer experiences, and safeguard brand trust, while those that hesitate will fall behind on revenue and compliance in an AI-accelerated market. Five forces are reshaping the market Generative and descriptive AI everywhere: Automated tagging, vector search, and on-the-fly content generation are moving from pilots to production, slashing manual effort while raising questions of AI governance, copyright, and provenance. Composable, API-first architectures: Buyers insist on MACH-aligned solutions that slot into product information management, content management system, and customer data platform stacks without vendor lock-in. Providers that cannot expose every function are rapidly losing ground. Content authenticity and security: Deepfake anxiety, the European Union AI Act, and the Coalition for Content Provenance and Authenticity (C2PA) standards are forcing vendors to embed rights management, watermarking, and chain-of-custody metadata as core. Omnichannel velocity: Real-time localization, shoppable video, and headless commerce demand instant asset transformation and edge delivery, turning DAM from a library into a live content engine. Sustainability and cost control: Cloud footprints and GPU-hungry AI models face CEO-level scrutiny. Efficient storage tiers, edge caching, and greener data centers are quickly becoming differentiators. Companies to Action Acquia Adobe Aprimo Bynder Canto CELUM Cloudinary Fotoware Hyland MediaValet OpenText Orange Logic Sitecore Smartsheet Storyteq Best Practices & Growth Opportunities Best Practices Growth Opportunities For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ti23fi About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Commerce City, Colorado, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- At the 2025 Global Philanthropy Summit, the Financial Star Foundation (Finstar) officially announced that August will be designated as Charity Month. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme, the International Red Cross, and 36 other international organizations, Finstar will launch a large-scale global charity initiative spanning five continents and reaching 120 communities. This years Charity Month will focus on education, healthcare, environmental protection, and community services, extending into Africa, Asia, Latin America, and conflict-affected regions to deliver tangible assistance to tens of thousands of people in need. Key initiatives include: Guardian Childhood Initiative Providing nutritious meals, essential educational supplies, and psychological support to children in the Kibera community of Africa. Mobile Love Clinic Delivering free basic health checkups and medical education to thousands of rural residents with limited access to healthcare. Hope Backpack Project Supplying children in mountainous areas with new backpacks, stationery, and extracurricular books to ignite their passion for learning. Clean Water Program Building community wells to improve drinking water conditions for hundreds of families. Join Us in Making a Difference This August is more than just Charity Month it is a relay of love, and a testament to our shared responsibility and unwavering commitment. You can participate in the following ways: Support and take part in charity projects Become a volunteer or outreach ambassador Collaborate with us on charity events or provide resource support Charity is more than a promise it is action in motion. About Finstar Guided by the belief that Technology can serve the good, capital can illuminate, and charity can unite, Finstar is dedicated to building a fairer, healthier, and more compassionate global philanthropic ecosystem. For more information, please visit our official website: www.finstar.club DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Eternex Network (eTRNX), a next-generation decentralized finance (DeFi) platform, has officially launched. Designed to integrate blockchain infrastructure with real-world financial products, Eternex offers a scalable, inclusive, and intelligent ecosystem for modern investing. The platform launch marks a key moment in the growing trend of tokenized assets and AI-enhanced finance, combining traditionally exclusive opportunitieslike real estate and institutional-grade money market fundswith transparent and borderless access via blockchain. A Unified DeFi Platform Bridging Traditional and Digital Finance Eternex is tailored for a global user base seeking secure, diversified financial exposure with low barriers to entry. The platform hosts a suite of products that includes tokenized real estate, on-chain money market funds, AI investing tools, and staking infrastructure all managed through a multichain foundation anchored on Solana. Real-World Use Cases Powering the Platform 1. Real Estate Participation with $10 Investors in underserved regions often face capital, documentation, or access constraints in property markets. Eternex's tokenized REITs allow anyone to invest in fractionalized shares of residential or commercial real estate globally with just $10. These digital assets reflect rental-yielding real properties, allowing passive income generation and liquidity through DEX trading. 2. Stable Yield via On-Chain Money Market Funds Eternex offers blockchain-based money market funds (MMFs) backed by stable assets, catering to users looking for lower-risk, yield-bearing options. This can serve individuals or institutions seeking to park capital in a decentralized yet compliant structure. 3. AI-Enhanced Portfolio Decisions The platforms AI-powered investment engine delivers automated strategy suggestions, market insights, and personalized alerts providing value to both advanced users and beginners navigating volatile markets. 4. Community Governance and Staking Token holders can participate in platform governance through staking $eTRNX, while also earning rewards. This ensures transparency in decision-making and incentivizes long-term alignment between users and the protocol. Platform Access The Eternex platform is now publicly accessible via its official web portal. Interested users can explore its features and create an account to begin engaging with the tools and products currently available. Platform: https://www.eternex.network Create an account: https://www.eternex.network/auth/signup Built on Solana, Designed for Expansion While Eternex has successfully migrated to Solana for high-speed, low-cost scalability, it is architected as a multichain protocol with plans to integrate Stellar and other ecosystems. This enhances cross-chain interoperability and maximizes reach across regional blockchain user bases. A Platform for Inclusive, Global Finance With the rise of tokenization and on-chain finance, Eternex positions itself to address access gaps in traditional systems. Its core value proposition lies in transforming global investment access enabling individuals in emerging markets to build diversified portfolios without intermediaries or excessive capital. About $eTRNX Token The native token of the ecosystem, $eTRNX, provides access to advanced platform features, staking opportunities, and governance participation. With a deflationary supply model and strong utility, the token plays a central role in securing and sustaining the Eternex economy. More Information Website: https://www.eternex.network Telegram: https://t.me/etrnx01 X (Twitter): https://x.com/etrnxoffical Media Contact Details: Company Name: Eternex Network Company Website: https://www.eternex.network Company Email: esther@eternex.network Disclaimer: This press release is provided by Eternex Network. 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A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1e67cede-7caa-4d47-81ab-0bf9699252e7 IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Habit Burger & Grill , recently ranked the #1 Fast Casual Restaurant by USA TODAYs 10Best, is celebrating a refreshed experience across all Phoenix locations. The California-born brand, known for its award-winning Charburgers, flame-grilled chicken, and craveable sides, is inviting the community to discover what makes it #1. At the heart of every visit is Habits signature Charburger, chargrilled and fresh-from-the-flame with a juicy patty, caramelized onions, and melty cheese, all layered on a perfectly toasted bun. That signature char is what sets Habit apart. No flat tops, just an open flame that gives every burger its signature smoky flavor and crispy edges. And because every meal is made-to-order the moment you place it, the flavor always comes through. From bold menu favorites to faster service and a warmer, more personalized atmosphere, the Habit experience just got better. The update includes: Guest Experience Host focused on standout hospitality, greeting guests, and making every visit memorable focused on standout hospitality, greeting guests, and making every visit memorable Modernized interiors with city-specific murals and surf-inspired decor with city-specific murals and surf-inspired decor Mobile Pickup Lanes are replacing all traditional drive-thrus. Order ahead on the Habit app, and pick up, for convenient, on-the-go service It's not just about great food, its about how you feel when youre here, said Jason Triail, Director of Culinary Innovation. At Habit, we bring bold flavors and genuine hospitality together to create something memorable. Whether you're dining in or grabbing a meal on the go, we want it to feel like your new favorite habit. Heres how Greater Phoenix can celebrate on August 13: Exclusive Local Swag Giveaway: First 100 guests (in-store or Mobile Pickup) receive a free local swag pack with purchase First 100 guests (in-store or Mobile Pickup) receive a free local swag pack with purchase Flavor Passport: Guests can pick up a passport for free fan favorites on future visits, including the Double Char, Chicken Club, and Tempura Green Beans (redeem one per visit) Guests can pick up a passport for free fan favorites on future visits, including the Double Char, Chicken Club, and Tempura Green Beans (redeem one per visit) Giving Back: Habit will donate 20% of all Phoenix-area profits to Backpacks 4 Kids Arizona on Wednesday August 13, supporting local students with essential school supplies and care kits. Habit will donate 20% of all Phoenix-area profits to Backpacks 4 Kids Arizona on Wednesday August 13, supporting local students with essential school supplies and care kits. CharClub Sweepstakes: Guests enter to win a Year of Free #1-Voted Double Chars between August 13-17. Enter in-restaurant. 500 winners will receive one free burger weekly for 52 weeks (must be a CharClub member)** To find the Greater Phoenix locations near you, visit: Habit Locations - Charburgers - Salads - Sandwiches - Habit Burger & Grill Near Me Connect with Habit Burger & Grill on social media at: About Habit Burger & Grill Born in sunny Southern California in 1969, Habit Burger & Grill is known for Charburgers cooked-to-order over an open flame. But the menu extends far beyond burgersits a celebration of Californian-inspired flavors. Alongside the brand's signature Charburgers is a meaningful array of handcrafted sandwiches, crisp salads, and creamy shakes, ensuring there's something for everyone. Habit Burger & Grill has earned notable recognition, with its Double Char being ranked #1 by USA Today 10Best1, its Tempura Green Beans also reaching a #1 rank in USA Today 10Best2, the brand being named Best Fast Casual Restaurant3, and its Chicken Club recognized as the best grilled chicken sandwich by The Daily Meal4. The brand was also featured in Newsweeks Americas Favorite Restaurant Chains 2023 and included in Thrillists roundup of Underrated Burger Chains that Need to be in Every State! Habit Burger & Grill has since grown to over 385 restaurants across 14 states and internationallycontinuing to serve up bold fresh flavors, made-to-order. Learn more at www.habitburger.com. Sources: Sources: USA Today 10Best, USA Today 10Best, The Daily Meal, Newsweek, The Daily Meal, Thrillist 1Based on USA Today 10Best Readers Choice 2024 & 2025 Awards for Best Fast Food Burger. (Published July 2024 & 2025). 2Based on USA Today 10Best Readers Choice 2024 & 2025 Awards for Best Fast Food Sides. (Published July 2024 & 2025). 3 Based on USA Today 10Best Readers Choice 2024 Awards for Best Fast Casual Restaurant. (Published July 2025). 4 Based on Daily Meals survey of consumer reviews from Reddit, Yelp! and TripAdvisor (Published Dec. 2023). **See Official Sweepstakes Rules at https://www.habitburger.com/AZ-Sweepstakes/. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Open to legal residents of Phoenix, AZ, ages 16+. Begins 8/13/25 at 12:00:00 AM PST & ends at 11:59:59 PM PST on 8/17/25. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: The Habit Restaurants, LLC, 1 Glen Bell Way, Irvine, CA 92618 Habit Burger & Grill Press Contact: HBGMedia@yum.com A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b7cfe9b2-40b9-49f2-8bbe-ab66e0875e59 Boston, MA, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiniLuxe, a leader in clean beauty and self-care services, proudly announces receiving Best Manicure and Pedicure Services granted by Boston Magazines Best of Boston 2025 . Meticulously researched by the magazines writers and editors who spend months testing and debating, Boston Magazines list of winners represents Bostons must-visit list this year. MiniLuxe has won the award multiple times since its founding. It is wonderful to gain local recognition from Boston Magazine. As MiniLuxe started in the greater Boston area, this award is very meaningful to us and is equally a testament to the quality and dedication of our nail designers and waxing specialists, said Tony Tjan, CEO of MiniLuxe. The accompanying article highlights the brands spring nail art competition, visiting celebrity nail artist Britney Tokyo, the first franchise location in Brookline, and its safer and sustainable products, emphasizing that MiniLuxe is more than just a luxurious self-care destination and represents the forefront of art, culture, and innovation. Many congratulations to our team members, more than half of whom have been with us for over five years helping to build our brand of high-quality services one manicure and pedicure at a time, said Bridgette Barbato, National General Manager of the MiniLuxe Fleet. About MiniLuxe MiniLuxe , a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts. MiniLuxe is a lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform servicing the beauty and self-care industry. The Company focuses on delivering high-quality nail care and esthetic services and offers a suite of trusted proprietary products that are used in the Companys owned-and-operated studio services. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been elevating industry standards through healthier, ultra-hygienic services, a modern design esthetic, socially responsible labor practices, and better-for-you, cleaner products. MiniLuxes aims to radically transform a highly fragmented and under-regulated self-care and nail care industry through its brand, standards, and technology platform that collectively enable better talent and client experiences. In addition to creating long-term durable economic returns for stakeholders, MiniLuxe is expanding its reach through franchising, offering entrepreneurs the opportunity to partner with a brand recognized as the best nail salon franchise . MiniLuxe seeks to empower one of the most diverse and largest hourly worker segments through professional development, economic mobility, and ownership opportunities. For its clients, MiniLuxe offers best-in-class self-care services and better-for-you products, and for nail care and beauty professionals, MiniLuxe seeks to become the employer of choice. Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed over 4 million services. For further information Christine Mastrangelo Investor Relations, MiniLuxe Holding Corp. cmastrangelo@MiniLuxe.com MiniLuxe.com PRINCETON, N.J., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Clearway Energy, Inc. (NYSE: CWEN, CWEN.A) (the Company or Clearway Energy), today announced a $100,000,000 At-The-Market (ATM) equity offering program and announced that it and Clearway Energy LLC entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement (the Agreement) with Morgan Stanley, BofA Securities, Citigroup, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities (collectively, the Agents). Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, the Company may offer and sell shares of the Companys Class C common stock, par value $0.01 per share, from time to time through the Agents, as the Companys sales agents for the offer and sale of the shares, up to an aggregate sales price of $100,000,000. Sales of the shares, if any, will principally be made by means of ordinary brokers transactions on the New York Stock Exchange at market prices or as otherwise permitted by law. The shares will be issued pursuant to a prospectus supplement, dated August 6, 2025, to the Companys shelf registration statement on Form S-3 (File No. 333-273804), which became effective upon filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the United States on August 8, 2023. Copies of the prospectus supplement may be obtained from: Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, Attn: Prospectus Department, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10014; BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department or email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; Citigroup, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 (Tel: 800-831-9146); J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com and postsalemanualrequests@broadridge.com; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 500 West 33rd Street, New York, New York 10001, Attention: Equity Syndicate Department (fax no: 212-214-5918). You may also obtain these documents free of charge when they are available by visiting EDGAR on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the sale of the shares for general corporate purposes, which may include the repayment or refinancing of indebtedness and the funding of working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions and investments, and the Company may invest funds not required immediately for such purposes in marketable securities and short-term investments. The shares that may be issued by the Company under the ATM program have been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. About Clearway Energy Clearway Energy, Inc. is one of the largest owners of clean energy generation assets in the U.S. Our portfolio comprises approximately 12 GW of gross capacity in 27 states, including approximately 9.2 GW of wind, solar and battery energy storage systems and approximately 2.8 GW of dispatchable combustion-based power generation assets that provide critical grid reliability services. Through this environmentally-sound, diversified and primarily contracted portfolio, Clearway Energy endeavors to provide its investors with stable and growing dividend income. Clearway Energy, Inc.s Class C and Class A common stock are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols CWEN and CWEN.A, respectively. Clearway Energy, Inc. is sponsored by its controlling investor, Clearway Energy Group LLC. Safe Harbor Disclosure This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, and typically can be identified by the use of words such as expect, estimate, target, anticipate, forecast, plan, outlook, believe and similar terms. Such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the anticipated consummation of the transactions described above, the anticipated benefits, opportunities and results with respect to such transactions and the Companys anticipated use of proceeds from the sale of shares under the ATM program. Although the Company believes that the expectations are reasonable, it can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to be correct, and actual results may vary materially. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated above include, among others, risks and uncertainties related to the capital markets generally, whether the Company will offer or sell shares under the ATM program and the anticipated use of proceeds. Clearway Energy undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. The foregoing review of factors that could cause Clearway Energys actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in the forward-looking statements included in this news release should be considered in connection with information regarding risks and uncertainties that may affect Clearway Energys future results included in Clearway Energys filings, or the filings of Clearway Energy LLC, with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov. In addition, Clearway Energy makes available free of charge at www.clearwayenergy.com, copies of materials it files with, or furnishes to, the Securities and Exchange Commission. Investors: Akil Marsh, 609-608-1500 investor.relations@clearwayenergy.com Media: Zadie Oleksiw, 202-836-5754 media@clearwayenergy.com TORONTO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stack Capital Group Inc., (Stack Capital or the Company) (TSX:STCK; TSX:STCK.WT.A) today announced its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2025. Stack Capital reports all amounts in Canadian Dollars unless otherwise stated. Company Commentary: As at June 30, 2025, Book Value per Share (BVpS) of the Company was $14.34, compared with $12.06 as at March 31, 2025. Stack Capital had its first portfolio investment, CoreWeave (an AI hyper-scaler), go public on March 28, 2025, an exciting milestone for both the Company and CoreWeave. As of June 30, 2025, the Company marked up its investment in CoreWeave by US$25.7 million to reflect its closing price of US$163.06. During Q2-2025, The Company invested an additional US$3M into SpaceX. Following the quarter-end, SpaceXs valuation has increased from US$350 billion to US$400 billion. SpaceX News Surpassed 500 Falcon launches , cementing its position as the global leader in reusable rocket technology. Received FAA approval to scale Starship launch capacity from 5 to 25 flights per year , supporting long-term Mars ambitions. Canva News Launched Visual Suite 2.0 at Canva Create 2025its most significant product updatepositioning Canva as a full-stack visual productivity platform for teams and enterprises. Partnered with Keller Williams , rolling out Canva tools to over 170,000 real estate agents as part of its growing enterprise focus. Hopper News Expanded its B2B travel ecosystem through new partnerships with Frontier Airlines , Lotte Card (South Korea), and Virgin Australia , reinforcing global traction and enterprise momentum. "Were seeing a robust IPO environment alongside strong momentum in the private markets - particularly among disruptive companies in AI, LLMs, and robotics, said Jeff Parks, CEO of Stack Capital Group Inc. These market dynamics continue to create attractive opportunities, and we remain focused on backing category-leading businesses with the potential to deliver meaningful, long-term value for our shareholders." As at June 30, 2025, the Book Value of the Company was $157.6 million, and the Book Value per Share was $14.34. A detailed summary of Book Value per Share is as follows: Breakdown of Book Value per Share as at June 30, 2025: CoreWeave, Inc. (AI hyper-scaler) $ 4.25 SpaceXi (space exploration & satellite communications) 2.47 Locus Robotics, Inc. (autonomous robots) 1.26 Canva, Inc. (graphic design) 1.23 Omio, Inc.ii (travel & leisure) 1.05 Hopper, Inc. (travel & leisure) 1.03 Newfront Insurance, Inc. (insurance & benefits) 1.02 Prove Identity, Inc.iii (cyber-security) 0.98 Bolt Financial, Inc. (e-commerce) 0.48 Shield AI, Inc.iv(military defence) 0.39 Varo Money, Inc. (neo-banking) 0.13 Cash 0.50 Net other assets (0.45 ) Book Value per Share $ 14.34 i the Company is invested in Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) through a Special Purpose Vehicle, Space LP. ii the Company invested in shares of GoEuro Corp. which carries on business as Omio. iii the fair value of Prove Identity Inc. includes an unrealized deferred gain of $968,966. iv the Company is invested in Shield AI through a Special Purpose Vehicle, Defence AI LP. About Stack Capital Stack Capital is an investment holding company and its business objective is to invest in equity, debt, and/or other securities of growth-to-late-stage private businesses. Through Stack Capital, shareholders have the opportunity to gain exposure to a diversified private investment portfolio; participate in the private market; and have liquidity due to the listing of the Common Shares & Warrants on the TSX. At the same time, the public structure also allows the Company to focus its efforts on maximizing long-term performance through a portfolio of high growth businesses, which are not widely available to most Canadian investors. SC Partners Ltd. acts as the Company's administrator and is responsible to source and advise with respect to all investments for the Company. For more information, please visit our website at www.stackcapitalgroup.com or contact: Brian Viveiros VP, Corporate Development, and Investor Relations 647.280.3307 brian@stackcapitalgroup.com Non-IFRS Financial Measures This press release may make reference to the following financial measures which are not recognized under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), and which do not have a standard meaning prescribed by IFRS: Book Value - the aggregate fair value of the assets of the Company on the referenced date, less the aggregate carrying value of the liabilities, excluding any deferred taxes or unrealized deferred gains or losses if applicable, of the Company; and - the aggregate fair value of the assets of the Company on the referenced date, less the aggregate carrying value of the liabilities, excluding any deferred taxes or unrealized deferred gains or losses if applicable, of the Company; and Book Value per Share (BVpS) - the Book Value on the referenced day divided by the aggregate number of Common Shares that are outstanding on such day. The Companys Book Value and Book Value per Share is a measure of the performance of the Company as a whole. The Companys method of determining this financial measure may differ from other issuers methods and, accordingly, this amount may not be comparable to measures used by other issuers. This financial measure is not a performance measure as defined under IFRS and should not be considered either in isolation of, or as a substitute for, net earnings per share prepared in accordance with IFRS. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information. Such forward-looking statements or information are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements current expectations and plans relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any such forward-looking information may be identified by words such as proposed, expects, intends, may, will, and similar expressions. Forward-looking information contained or referred to in this press release includes but may not be limited to the business of Stack Capital and the risks associated therewith, including those identified in the Annual Information Filing under the heading Risk Factors. Forward-looking statements or information are based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such statements and information, but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Stack Capital believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements because Stack Capital can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, the ability to capitalize on investment opportunities. The forward-looking information in this press release reflects the current expectations, assumptions and/or beliefs of Stack Capital based on information currently available to Stack Capital. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Stack Capital disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results or otherwise. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Surge Copper Corp. (TSXV:SURG)(OTCQB:SRGXF), based in British Columbia, Canada, focused on the development of the Berg copper project, today announced that Leif Nilsson, CEO, will present live at the OTCQB Venture Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on August 7th, 2025. DATE: August 7th TIME: 10:00am 10:30am ET LINK: REGISTER HERE Available for 1x1 meetings: August 7, 8, and 11 This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . Recent Company Highlights Delivered excellent metallurgical test work results for the Berg Project to support pre-feasibility advancement Reported positive results from a pre-feasibility level geotechnical drilling program Announced an upsized C$10.4 million financing to fund engineering, environmental, and early-stage permitting work at the Berg Project, supporting the anticipated delivery of a pre-feasibility study and potential entry into the Environmental Assessment process About Surge Copper Corp. Surge Copper Corp. is a Canadian company that is advancing an emerging critical metals district in a well-developed region of British Columbia, Canada. The Company owns a large, contiguous mineral claim package that hosts multiple advanced porphyry deposits with pit-constrained NI 43-101 compliant resources of copper, molybdenum, gold, and silver metals which are critical inputs to modern energy infrastructure and electrification technologies. The Company owns a 100% interest in the Berg Project, for which it announced a maiden PEA in June 2023 outlining a large-scale, long-life project with a simple design and high outputs of critical minerals located in a safe jurisdiction near world-class infrastructure. The PEA highlights base case economics including an NPV8% of C$2.1 billion and an IRR of 20% based on long-term commodity prices of US$4.00/lb copper, US$15.00/lb molybdenum, US$23.00/oz silver, and US$1,800/oz gold. The Berg deposit contains pit-constrained 43-101 compliant resources of copper, molybdenum, silver, and gold in the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories. The Company also owns a 100% interest in the Ootsa Property, an advanced-stage exploration project containing the Seel and Ox porphyry deposits located adjacent to the open pit Huckleberry Copper Mine, owned by Imperial Metals. The Ootsa Property contains pit-constrained NI 43-101 compliant resources of copper, gold, molybdenum, and silver in the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred categories. About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS: Surge Copper Corp. Riley Trimble, Corporate Communications & Development Telephone: +1 604 416 2978 Email: info@surgecopper.com Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com A Media Snippet accompanying this announcement is available by clicking on this link. VILNIUS, Lithuania, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- BTCC , the worlds longest-serving crypto exchange, is elevating the crypto networking experience with its highly anticipated Summer Festival 2025 , taking place aboard a traditional Japanese yakatabune on August 24, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. Following last year's successful Tokyo event, this invitation-only summer festival promises an unforgettable fusion of Japanese culture and Web3 innovation. The exclusive 2.5-hour sunset cruise (17:00-19:30 JST) will host select crypto influencers in an intimate setting, complete with freshly prepared sushi by professional chefs, premium beverages, and panoramic views of Tokyo's summer skyline. The yakatabune venue, which is a traditional Japanese houseboat, offers a distinctive cultural backdrop that sets this gathering apart from conventional cryptocurrency conferences. "This event embodies our vision of fostering genuine connections within the crypto community through authentic Japanese hospitality," said Kane Suzuki, Japan Branding Manager at BTCC. "We're committed to building meaningful relationships with the local crypto community through experiences that honor tradition while embracing innovation." This cultural immersion approach reflects BTCC's commitment to building bridges between traditional and digital finance markets, particularly in Asia's rapidly evolving crypto landscape. Expanding Trading Opportunities with CAW Spot Listing Complementing the offline event in Tokyo, BTCC will list crow with knife (CAW) on August 8, 2025. This community-driven meme token, which was launched in March 2024 on the Cronos blockchain, features cross-chain mobility through Stargate Finance to support interoperability and multi-chain growth. The CAW listing joins BTCC's recent spot additions, including SPX6900 (SPX), Pudgy Penguins (PENGU), Movement (MOVE), and Magic Eden (ME), bringing the exchange's spot trading pairs to over 300 and providing users with access to trending tokens across various crypto categories. BTCC's expanding spot trading options demonstrate the exchange's commitment to providing comprehensive market access as the cryptocurrency market continues to diversify. About BTCC Founded in 2011, BTCC is a leading global cryptocurrency exchange with the vision to make crypto trading reliable and accessible to everyone. With a strong presence in over 100 countries and regions and a user base of over 9.1 million, BTCC continues to deliver innovation, security, and an unmatched user experience in the cryptocurrency world. Official website: https://www.btcc.com/en-US X: https://x.com/BTCCexchange Contact: press@btcc.com By the initiative and decision of the Board of ZEMAITIJOS PIENAS, AB (registered office address Sedos g. 35, Telsiai, company code 180240752, hereinafter the Company), an Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders of the Company is convened on 28 August 2025. Meeting venue: ZEMAITIJOS PIENAS, AB, Sedos g. 35, Telsiai (one of the conference rooms). Start of the meeting: 14:00 (shareholder registration from 13:00 to 13:45, registration venue ZEMAITIJOS PIENAS, AB, Sedos g. 35, Telsiai). Record date of the meeting: 21 August 2025 (only those who are shareholders of the Company at the end of this day, or their duly authorized representatives, shall have the right to participate and vote at the General Meeting of Shareholders). Agenda of the Meeting: Organizational matters of the General Meeting of Shareholders; Appointment of the audit firm for the audit of the Company's consolidated financial statements and management reports, provision of assurance services for sustainability reporting and preparation of an assurance report, as well as determination of the payment conditions for these services for the years 2025 and 2026; Election of new members to the Supervisory Board Additional information: The Company does not provide the possibility to participate and vote at the General Meeting of Shareholders by means of electronic communication, as secure identification of participants cannot currently be ensured. Shareholders holding at least 1/20 of the total votes may propose to supplement the agenda. Proposals must be submitted in writing at the Companys registered office or by e-mail: info@zpienas.lt, no later than 14 days before the meeting. Shareholders may submit draft decisions on items already included or to be included in the agenda in writing or by e-mail at any time before or during the meeting. Shareholders also have the right to submit questions related to the agenda in advance. Such questions must be submitted in writing or by e-mail no later than 3 business days before the meeting. Upon registration for the meeting, shareholders must present a personal identification document; authorized representatives must provide a valid power of attorney. Documents issued abroad must be legalized and translated into Lithuanian. Shareholders may vote in advance by submitting a completed general ballot paper (attached as an annex) to the Company no later than the day of the meeting. If a shareholder requests in writing, the Company shall send the general ballot paper by registered mail or deliver it in person against signature no later than 10 days before the meeting. The general ballot paper must be signed by the shareholder or their authorized representative and accompanied by documents confirming the authority. If signed by an authorized representative, the document confirming the right to vote must be attached. The completed general ballot paper and accompanying documents (if required) must be submitted to the Company's registered office address specified in this notice no later than the day of the meeting. Kita informacija: The Company has issued 41,737,500 ordinary registered shares , with a nominal value of EUR 0.29 each. , with a nominal value of each. The number of shares granting voting rights is 41,515,480 . . Shareholders may access the draft decisions, the general ballot paper form, and other relevant information at the Companys registered office or on the following websites: www.zpienas.lt and https://nasdaqbaltic.com Contact person: Head of Legal Department Arnas Matuzas E-mail: a.matuzas@zpienas.lt Attachments LUXEMBOURG, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bitcoin Swift (BTC3), a project integrating AI, programmable rewards, and governance architecture, has announced that Stage 3 of its presale will conclude in less than 24 hours, with the token price currently at $3. Stage 4 will begin shortly after at a price of $4, ahead of the confirmed mainnet launch price of $15. The BTC3 presale is designed as a 64-day phased rollout, closing on September 18, 2025. With more than 1,600 users already participating, the projects compressed timeline and built-in utility model have positioned it among a growing segment of protocols aiming to deliver measurable value before exchange listings. Programmable Rewards with PoY System Bitcoin Swifts Proof-of-Yield (PoY) model offers programmable staking rewards that are automatically distributed at the end of each presale stage. These rewards are tied to specific actions such as governance participation, sustainability metrics, and overall contribution to the ecosystem. The idea was to offer real-time reward delivery without lockups or long wait times, said a spokesperson from the BTC3 development team. Each phase concludes with actual value transfer based on participant activity. Influencers Are Paying Attention The growing hype isnt just coming from investors. Influencers across the crypto space have started highlighting BTC3s potential. In particular, a review by Bull Run Angel outlines how BTC3's reward structure, privacy layers, and AI roadmap make it one of the most promising projects of 2025. Governance and Energy Optimization BTC3 features a modular architecture that integrates: AI agents that monitor energy consumption and direct PoY allocation toward lower-impact actions that monitor energy consumption and direct PoY allocation toward lower-impact actions Quadratic voting models backed by decentralized identity (DID) scores models backed by decentralized identity (DID) scores AI-screened proposals to reduce risk and ensure compliance to reduce risk and ensure compliance An emergency governance council that can veto malicious proposals These systems are aimed at supporting long-term scalability while aligning with environmental and governance standards. Ecosystem Development and Stablecoin Integration Bitcoin Swift is also developing a native USD-pegged stablecoin called BTC3E, which will serve as the ecosystems core payment layer. BTC3E will utilize AI oracles, dynamic collateral management, and community-driven governance to manage stability. Development Roadmap BTC3s upcoming roadmap includes: Q3 2025: Presale and Solana-based launch Presale and Solana-based launch Q1 2026: AI smart contract engine AI smart contract engine Q2 2026: zk-SNARK privacy rollout zk-SNARK privacy rollout Q3 2026: Full governance features Full governance features Q4 2026: BTC3E stablecoin launch and mainnet deployment These milestones are set with specific user-facing functionality to match each development phase. Attention From Broader Ecosystem Public interest in BTC3 has grown across both community channels and third-party coverage. Online platforms have highlighted its integration of AI and energy-focused incentives, with increasing focus on its upcoming transition to Stage 4 pricing. Closing Window for Current Stage Stage 3 of the presale will close within the next 24 hours, marking the final opportunity to purchase BTC3 tokens at $3 before the price increases to $4 in Stage 4. The confirmed listing price remains set at $15. To learn more, visit the official website: https://bitcoinswift.com Contact: Luc Schaus support@bitcoinswift.com Disclaimer: This content is provided by Bitcoin Swift. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. We do not guarantee any claims, statements, or promises made in this article. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining-related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. It is possible to lose all your capital. These products may not be suitable for everyone, and you should ensure that you understand the risks involved. Seek independent advice if necessary. 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Photos accompanying this announcement are available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b7ec4cef-db05-4165-8871-41a74673452b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0cd26bfd-740a-4882-8068-9d0272b0269a https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6a579e94-71b0-41d0-ab12-dac07d9d7b0b https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/f2d8bea8-b4b2-4dd2-8a2a-6ae95f89c158 WASHINGTON, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a major push to restore Americas industrial dominance, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) has announced the availability of new Regional Innovation Cluster (RIC) funding of up to $7.5 million to support domestic manufacturers. 98% of American manufacturers are small businesses, and the new funding will empower them with the resources and technical assistance to start building again bringing jobs back home, strengthening our supply chains, and restoring American strength and security. President Trumps fair trade policy sets the foundation for the return of American industrial dominance and at the SBA, were working to support this agenda with targeted resources for domestic manufacturers, said SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler. Our new RIC funding and ongoing outreach serves small businesses with practical tools to reshore jobs and critical industries reducing our reliance on foreign suppliers and protecting American strength and security. Not only will small businesses rebuild our industrial base they will solidify America as the global leader in advanced manufacturing and innovation for the long term. The new funding will support the formation of up to 20 new RICs to assist small businesses with rebuilding Americas manufacturing dominance. The agency is currently seeking competitive proposals from organizations who seek to start new RICs, especially those with strong partnerships and proven experience supporting the following critical industries: Advanced Manufacturing Critical Minerals Nuclear Microreactors Quantum Tech & Emerging Systems Artificial Intelligence Information Technology (cybersecurity, cyber operations, data storage, etc.) Semiconductors The RIC solicitation closes August 8, 2025 at 4 p.m. ET. Learn more about the RIC Program by visiting Regional Innovation Clusters | U.S. Small Business Administration (sba.gov). The SBA launched the RIC Initiative in September 2010 to promote and support the development of clusters, which are geographically concentrated groups of interconnected businesses, suppliers, service providers, and associated institutions in a particular industry or field across the country. Clusters act as a networking hub for small businesses, convening several resources to help navigate the funding, procurement, and supply-chain opportunities in a specific industry. They also assist businesses in matching cutting-edge technology to industry needs and increase the number of innovative small businesses and entrepreneurs in the nations supply chain. # # # About the U.S. Small Business Administration The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of entrepreneurship. As the leading voice for small businesses within the federal government, the SBA empowers job creators with the resources and support they need to start, grow, and expand their businesses or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov. Chicago, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global fatty methyl ester sulfonate market was valued at US$ 805.9 million in 2024 and is expected to reach US$ 2,095.1 million by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 11.20% during the forecast period 20252033. The global fatty methyl ester sulfonate market is poised for a period of unprecedented expansion, fueled by a powerful convergence of market forces. A groundswell of consumer demand for sustainable, biodegradable, and gentle products is creating a powerful market pull. Simultaneously, increasingly stringent environmental regulations are pushing industries away from traditional, petroleum-based surfactants. This shift is amplified by significant, forward-looking investments from leading chemical and consumer goods corporations who are staking their future growth on green chemistry. Request Sample Pages: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/request-sample/fatty-methyl-ester-sulfonate-market The result is a dynamic and rapidly evolving landscape where FMES is no longer a niche alternative but a cornerstone of next-generation product formulation. This transition is evident across the entire value chain, from raw material sourcing to end-product innovation in detergents and personal care. For stakeholders, the current climate represents a pivotal opportunity to capitalize on a market defined by sustainable growth, technological innovation, and a clear alignment with global consumer values. The future of the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market is not just promising; it is being actively constructed by these powerful, interlocking trends. Key Findings in Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate Market Market Forecast (2033) US$ 2,095.1 million CAGR 11.20% Largest Region (2024) Europe (33%) By Application Detergent (68%) Top Drivers Growing consumer demand for eco-friendly and sustainable cleaning products. Strong demand for high-performance, biodegradable surfactants in the detergent sector. Abundant availability of renewable feedstocks like palm and coconut oil. Top Trends Shift towards concentrated powder and liquid detergent formulations using FMES. Increasing adoption in personal care formulations beyond just detergent applications. Technological advancements in production for improved efficiency and lower costs. Top Challenges Fluctuating prices and inconsistent supply of essential palm oil feedstocks. Intense competition from petroleum-based and alternative bio-based surfactants. Complexities and higher costs associated with its production process. Global Titans Expand Production, Signaling Robust Confidence in Bio-Based Surfactant Demand A clear indicator of the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market's trajectory is the aggressive expansion of production capabilities by industry leaders. Evonik inaugurated a new industrial-scale rhamnolipid biosurfactant plant in Slovakia in 2024, backed by a triple-digit million-euro investment. This facility is a landmark achievement, being the first in the world to produce industrial-scale quantities of these biosurfactants. Notably, the plant in Slovenska Lupca was completed ahead of its original schedule, underscoring the urgency of market demand. Similarly, Locus Fermentation Solutions expanded its operational footprint by 100,000 square feet with two new biomanufacturing facilities, effectively increasing its biological production capacity by a factor of three. These new facilities boast a potential future annual production capacity of 2.5 million kilograms of biosurfactants, enabled by a patented fermentation technology that allows new production sites to become operational within just nine months. Further cementing this trend, KLK Oleo announced in July 2024 an expansion of its oleochemicals processing capacity in Zhangjiagang, China, to 500,000 tons annually. This build-out is aimed at serving the over 700 detergent production sites across Europe as of early 2025, a vast customer base for which Henkel is a prime example, having converted 14 additional sites to carbon-neutral production in 2023 with more planned for 2024/2025. Shifting International Trade Winds Create New Opportunities in Key Regional Surfactant Markets The global trade dynamics for raw materials and finished goods provide a quantitative lens into regional demand hotspots of the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market. In January 2025, Malaysia's total palm oil exports, a key feedstock, were recorded at 1.17 million tons, a decrease from the 1.34 million tons exported in December 2024. However, exports of Malaysian oleochemicals, a category intrinsically linked to the market, stood at a significant 232,567 tons in that same month. A particularly bright spot is the United States, where Malaysia's palm oil exports from January to May 2025 reached 93,000 tons, a substantial increase from the 61,000 tons during the same period in the previous year. In Europe fatty methyl ester sulfonate market, which imported a total of 7.19 million tons of long products from third countries in 2024, Romania emerged as a key importer, receiving 1.19 million tons. Focusing on surfactants directly, the United States imported 896 shipments between November 2023 and October 2024. In the last 12 months, a staggering 3,983 U.S. importers have utilized the HTS code 3402 for surface-active agents, sourcing from 2,964 foreign suppliers, illustrating a deeply fragmented and active import landscape. This activity occurs within the context of the European Union's massive import economy, which was valued at US$2.64 Trillion in 2024. Navigating the Volatile Raw Material Landscape: A Critical Factor for Market Stability The cost and availability of feedstocks are paramount to the profitability and stability of the FMES sector in the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market. In January 2025, Malaysias crude palm oil (CPO) production was 1.24 million tons, with palm kernel output reaching 290,883 tons. Critically, total palm oil stocks in the country declined to 1.58 million tons in that month, a factor that can influence price dynamics. Beyond palm oil, the price of other chemical inputs is also a key consideration. Ethylene oxide prices in Germany were recorded at 1357 USD/MT in June 2024, while in Saudi Arabia, they were priced at 1294 USD/MT. The United States saw a higher price point, reaching 1398 USD/MT for ethylene oxide in June 2024. Meanwhile, in the competitive Chinese market, ethylene oxide prices settled around 913 USD/MT in May 2025, highlighting regional price disparities that impact production costs globally. Green Detergent Revolution: A Primary Demand Driver for High-Performance, Eco-Friendly Surfactants The detergents segment of the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market remains the bedrock of demand, with a pronounced shift toward green formulations. The European bio-based surfactants market volume was estimated at a substantial 197,400.6 tons in 2024, with projections showing a climb to 277,802.9 tons by 2034. The household detergents segment is the dominant force, accounting for approximately 35% of the bio-based surfactants market in 2024. This trend is reflected in product innovation, with a 2024 Kantar survey of 40,000 people naming a new hypoallergenic scent detergent, all sensitive fresh, a winner in its category. This specific liquid detergent, available in 36-ounce (24 loads) and 88-ounce (58 loads) bottles, is formulated to remove 99% of top everyday and seasonal allergens. Consumer interest is quantifiable, with online searches for "gentle detergent" showing a steady volume of 720 web searches per month from December 2023 to August 2024. The market is responding with products like 9 Elements, which offers a liquid laundry detergent with a maximum of nine ingredients, and at least 6 new major natural or sensitive-skin-focused laundry detergents were highlighted by lifestyle publications in 2024 alone. The Clean Beauty Movement Propels Adoption of Milder, Sustainable Ingredients in Cosmetics The personal care sector is emerging as the fastest-growing application for bio-based surfactants, directly benefiting the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market. This growth is fueled by rising consumer spending; the average U.S. consumer expenditure on personal care products and services reached $950 in 2023, up from $866 the previous year. In Europe, personal care applications accounted for a significant 16% of surfactant volume consumption in 2024, demonstrating the ingredient's importance in the region. The digital marketplace is a key battleground, with the North America online beauty and personal care market size estimated at a massive USD 22,061.68 million in 2024, providing a vast platform for products formulated with sustainable surfactants like FMES. Massive Corporate Investments in Green Chemistry and R&D Shape Future Market Leadership Corporate capital is flowing decisively towards sustainable solutions, underwriting the growth of the entire bio-surfactant ecosystem. Unilever is investing 150 million over the next three years in its manufacturing decarbonization program and has already spent and committed 300 million of its 1 billion climate, nature, and waste reduction fund by the end of 2023. Furthermore, Unilever, one of the key players in the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market, is investing 325 million in its Indonesian oleochemicals facility to guarantee a supply of deforestation-free commodities. R&D powerhouse BASF reported research and development expenses of 2,061 million in 2024 and filed 1,159 new patents in the same year. This R&D engine, powered by approximately 10,000 employees, generated around 11 billion in sales in 2024 from products launched in the last five years. Evonik is also making bold moves, aiming to invest over 3 billion in its "Next Generation Solutions," which explicitly include sustainable biosurfactants, by 2030. Meanwhile, Locus Fermentation Solutions secured $117 million in IP-insurance-backed debt financing in early 2023, bringing its total raised funds to over $250 million. Stringent New Environmental Regulations Compel a Strategic Shift Towards Greener Chemical Alternatives The regulatory landscape of the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market is becoming a powerful catalyst for change. On June 14, 2025, the EU Council and Parliament reached a provisional agreement to update the Regulation on Detergents and Surfactants. This new EU regulation mandates digital labeling, making information like fragrance allergens more transparent to consumers. Furthermore, as of October 17, 2025, suppliers of microplastics for industrial use in the EU must provide instructions on preventing their release into the environment, part of a wider goal to reduce microplastics pollution by 30% by 2030. The EU's updated Urban Wastewater Directive, effective January 1, 2025, now requires systematic monitoring of microplastics at treatment plants. To ensure compliance, non-EU manufacturers of detergents will be required to appoint an authorized representative in the EU under the new 2025 regulations. Trade policies will also play a role, with a new US tariff of 25% on certain Malaysian goods set to come into effect on August 1, 2025, potentially influencing supply chain decisions within the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market. Corporate Sustainability Pledges Creating Unprecedented, Long-Term Demand for Eco-Conscious Supply Chains Beyond regulatory compliance, corporate sustainability goals are creating durable, long-term demand for ingredients like FMES. Unilever is targeting a 100% reduction in its Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2030 (from a 2015 baseline) and aims to engage 300 of its most emissions-intensive suppliers in its Supplier Climate Programme by the end of 2024. The company has a broader goal to achieve net-zero emissions across its value chain by 2039. Similarly, Henkel has committed to reducing the amount of virgin plastics from fossil sources in its consumer products by 50% by 2025 and has set a goal for 100% of its packaging to be designed for recyclability or reusability by the same year; by the end of 2024, this figure had already reached an impressive 89%. Henkel also increased the proportion of recycled plastic in its consumer goods packaging to 25% globally as of its 2024 report and is on track to meet its palm oil targets, having sourced 97% of its requirements as certified material in 2024 toward a 100% goal by 2025. In production, Henkel reduced CO2 emissions by 64% per ton of product since 2017, as reported in 2025. Customize the Data Scope to Match Your Objectives: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ask-for-customization/fatty-methyl-ester-sulfonate-market Technological Breakthroughs and Consumer Awareness Converge to Redefine Market Success Factors Innovation in both production and consumer perception is setting a new bar for success in the fatty methyl ester sulfonate market. Patented technological advancements are refining efficiency and performance. A Chinese patent (CN114605293B), for example, details a specific preparation process for FMES using a mass ratio of sulfur trioxide to fatty acid methyl ester of 1.25:1. The same patent outlines the use of a viscosity modifier at a dosage of 0-20% of the mass of the fatty acid methyl ester sulfonic acid. Another patent for liquid detergent (EP 2029709 B1) specifies an optimal pH range for the methyl ester sulfonates feed composition of about 6.5 to 7.5. These technical refinements are meeting a market where consumer awareness is at an all-time high. The all free clear detergent brand holds the powerful distinction of being the #1 recommended detergent by dermatologists, allergists, and pediatricians for sensitive skin. This consumer trust is the ultimate currency, built not just on product performance but on corporate values. In a nod to broader ESG trends that resonate with modern consumers, Henkel reported in 2025 that 42% of its management roles were held by women, reflecting a commitment to values that extend beyond the chemical formula. Global Fatty Methyl Ester Sulfonate Market Major Players: BASF Chemithon Corporation Emery Oleochemicals FENCHEM KLK Oleo KPL International Ltd Lion Corporation PT Ecogreen Oleochemicals Sinopec Jinling Petrochemical Stepan Company Surface Chemical Industry Co Ltd Wilmar International Ltd Other Prominent Players Key Market Segmentation: By Application Personal Care Detergents Others By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East Africa South America Want Clarity on Report Coverage? Schedule a Quick Demo Call: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/report-walkthrough/fatty-methyl-ester-sulfonate-market About Astute Analytica Astute Analytica is a global market research and advisory firm providing data-driven insights across industries such as technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and more. We publish multiple reports daily, equipping businesses with the intelligence they need to navigate market trends, emerging opportunities, competitive landscapes, and technological advancements. With a team of experienced business analysts, economists, and industry experts, we deliver accurate, in-depth, and actionable research tailored to meet the strategic needs of our clients. At Astute Analytica, our clients come first, and we are committed to delivering cost-effective, high-value research solutions that drive success in an evolving marketplace. Contact Us: Astute Analytica Phone: +1-888 429 6757 (US Toll Free); +91-0120- 4483891 (Rest of the World) For Sales Enquiries: sales@astuteanalytica.com Website: https://www.astuteanalytica.com/ Follow us on: LinkedIn | Twitter | YouTube WALTHAM, Mass., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Infinidat, a leading provider of enterprise storage solutions, today announced that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named Infinidat as a winner of a 2025 CRN Tech Innovators Award. Infinidat is being recognized for the innovation of the InfiniBox SSA G4 all-flash solution for primary storage in the StorageEnterprise category. In addition, Infinidats InfuzeOS Cloud Edition was also named a Finalist in the StorageCloud category. In addition to CRNs Tech Innovators Awards, Infinidat has also been recognized in the CRN Best of the Channel Awards 2025: The Finalists. Eric Herzog, CMO at Infinidat, is a Finalist in the Best Channel Visionary of the Year Vendor/Distributor category. Mitch Diodato, Global Channel Leader at Infinidat, is a Finalist in the Best Channel Chief of the Year category. Lynsy Marshall, Senior Field & Channel Marketing Manager at Infinidat, is a Finalist in the Best Emerging Leader of the Year category. The inaugural CRN Best of the Channel Awards program recognizes the outstanding accomplishments of visionary channel leaders, teams and companies within the IT channel. Infinidats Tech Innovation Leads the Way in Enterprise Storage Were extremely excited to be the winner of a 2025 CRN Tech Innovators Award for our InfiniBox SSA G4 solution and to be shortlisted as a Finalist for our InfuzeOS Cloud Edition. The InfiniBox SSA G4 solution has become widely recognized as the most innovative all-flash storage solution on the market today for high-end enterprises, said Eric Herzog, CMO at Infinidat. We are on such a winning streak of awards for our next-generation InfiniBox G4 family and broad portfolio of hybrid multi-cloud and cyber resilient storage solutions that it affirms and validates how game-changing our next-gen enterprise storage and next-gen data protection solutions are for the enterprise market. The InfiniBox SSA G4 delivers up to 2.5X the performance of the 3rd generation of the InfiniBox SSA and delivers latency as low as 35 microseconds. The InfiniBox G4 series introduced a new set of foundational elements, powered by InfuzeOS, Infinidats software defined storage OS. New controller nodes powered by AMD EPYC CPUs add 31% more cores per controller (x3), and power is reduced by 20% per core. The InfiniBox SSA G4 all-flash solution provides a scale-up architecture with 60%, 80% and 100% populated models. Infinidats all-flash SSA G4 has available capacity from hundreds of TBs to multi petabytes with full enterprise capabilities. The F1400T InfiniBox SSA G4 family provides a 14RU form factor with comprehensive high-end enterprise features that fit into a customer's industry standard rack and starts at 155TB and scales up to 3PB of effective storage capacity. The SSA G4 F1400T family can be installed in existing data center racks or at a colocation facility. With InfuzeOS Cloud Edition, Infinidat put its comprehensive, software-defined storage capabilities into the public cloud to enable and support the hybrid multi-cloud storage deployments of enterprise customers for Microsoft Azure and Amazon AWS environments. Equipped with intelligent automation unique to Infinidat, the InfiniBox and InfiniBox SSA systems that reside on-premises simply see the public cloud as if it is another InfiniBox platform. This software-based solution works on Infinidats existing third-generation InfiniBox as well as on the new-generation InfiniBox G4 family of storage solutions. CRNs Tech Innovators Awards Honor Innovation, Partner Success and Customer Impact Each of the 2025 CRN Tech Innovators Awards winners is a standout offering that reimagines whats possible in the IT channel, said Jennifer Follett, VP, U.S. Content, and Executive Editor, CRN, The Channel Company. Each creates the opportunity to build bold solutions that solve real-world challenges for end users and drive success for channel partners. We congratulate our winners for their commitment to innovation, partner success, and customer impact, and we cant wait to see how they continue to push technology boundaries forward. The annual CRN awards spotlight innovative technology vendors in the IT channel. The winners were selected in 33 distinct technology categories across areas such as cloud, storage, networking, and security by a panel of CRN editors after closely reviewing hundreds of vendor entries and solution provider testimonials. They select winners based on multiple criteria, including key capabilities, uniqueness, technological ingenuity, and ability to address customer and partner technology needs. The Tech Innovators Award winners will be featured in the August issue of CRN. Resources The following are links to more details about Infinidats award-winning all-flash storage solution and additional resources: About The Channel Company The Channel Company enables breakthrough IT channel performance with our dominant media, engaging events, expert consulting and education, and innovative marketing services and platforms. As the channel catalyst, we connect and empower technology suppliers, solution providers, and end users. Backed by more than 40 years of unequalled channel experience, we draw from our deep knowledge to envision innovative new solutions for ever-evolving challenges in the technology marketplace. thechannelcompany.com About Infinidat Infinidat provides enterprises and service providers with a platform-native primary and secondary storage architecture that delivers comprehensive data services based on InfiniVerse. This unique platform delivers outstanding IT operating benefits, support for modern workloads across on-premises and hybrid multi-cloud environments. Infinidat's cyber resilient-by-design infrastructure, consumption-based performance, 100% availability, and cyber security guaranteed SLAs align with enterprise IT and business priorities. Infinidats award-winning platform-native data services and acclaimed white glove service are continuously recommended by customers. For more information, visit www.infinidat.com. Connect with Infinidat About Infinidat Read our blog Follow us on X Join us on LinkedIn Visit us on Facebook See us on YouTube Be our partner Media Contact Infinidat Sapna Capoor Director of Global Communications scapoor@infinidat.com I Mobile: +44 (0) 7789684159 Dublin, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Connected Packaging Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Connected Packaging Market was valued at USD 26.2 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.9% to reach USD 55.6 billion by 2034, driven by the surge in demand for smart packaging solutions. However, the global supply chain has faced disruptions due to trade tariffs, particularly those imposed by the Trump administration on imports from China, raising the cost of raw materials for manufacturers. Components like RFID chips and smart labels saw price hikes, reducing profit margins for companies. To offset this, manufacturers passed on the higher costs to consumers, slowing down the adoption of premium connected packaging options. On a positive note, the tariffs prompted U.S. and European firms to boost investments in local manufacturing of connected packaging solutions, driving innovation and enhancing profit margins. Technology plays a critical role in the connected packaging market, with QR codes, NFC tags, and augmented reality becoming increasingly popular. These technologies allow brands to engage consumers in real time by providing access to product information, such as authenticity verification and product location. As a result, consumers can trust the products they purchase, and companies benefit from improved brand loyalty and consumer engagement. Connected packaging enables better traceability of products, ensuring transparency and security in the supply chain. The QR codes segment in the connected packaging market was valued at USD 21.6 billion in 2024 due to its low cost, scalability, and universal compatibility with smartphones, making it ideal for widespread adoption. QR codes enable brands to engage customers through promotions, sustainability information, and real-time product details. They also help in tracking products throughout the supply chain, from manufacturing to the point of sale. Advanced QR code systems integrated with cloud technology also support data analytics, empowering companies to combat counterfeiting and personalize their marketing efforts. The paper and cardboard packaging materials segment generated USD 11 billion in 2024. These materials are considered the most sustainable and cost-effective, making them popular for use with smart labels such as QR codes and NFC tags. Their recyclability and lightweight nature contribute to reduced shipping costs and eco-friendly packaging solutions. As consumers increasingly demand sustainability, paper and cardboard materials have become the go-to choice for companies in sectors like FMCG, food, and e-commerce. The U.S. Connected Packaging Market was estimated at USD 7.2 billion in 2024 and is poised for significant growth. A major driver of this expansion is the implementation of stringent anti-counterfeiting laws, such as the Drug Supply Chain Security Act (DSCSA), which have heightened the demand for connected packaging solutions. These laws are especially impactful in industries like pharmaceuticals, where product authenticity is paramount. In addition to the regulatory push, the widespread adoption of connected packaging in sectors like FMCG, healthcare, and logistics is further propelling the market forward. Leading players in the Global Connected Packaging Industry include Sealed Air, Amcor plc, CCL Industries Inc., WestRock Company, and Avery Dennison Corporation. To strengthen their position in the market, companies like Amcor and Avery Dennison are increasingly focusing on integrating smart and sustainable packaging solutions. They are investing in advanced technologies such as NFC and QR codes, which allow for enhanced consumer engagement and increased transparency in the supply chain. Additionally, companies are partnering with e-commerce and logistics providers to improve traceability and secure product delivery. By improving the recyclability and sustainability of their materials, companies are aligning with rising consumer demand for eco-friendly products. Furthermore, the adoption of blockchain technology for better tracking and authentication is helping companies build consumer trust while ensuring product integrity. Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape Competitive landscape with Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analysis Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis Avery Dennison Amcor WestRock Company Sonoco Products Company Stora Enso Sealed Air CCL Industries Inc. Berry Global Inc. UPM DS Smith Mondi Constantia Flexibles UFlex Limited Tetra Laval Group Gerresheimer AG Printpack Greiner Packaging Key Attributes: Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 192 Forecast Period 2024 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $26.2 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $55.6 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 7.9% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered: Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope Chapter 2 Executive Summary Chapter 3 Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.2 Trump administration tariffs analysis 3.3 Industry impact forces 3.3.1 Growth drivers 3.3.1.1 Growing demand for smart packaging solutions 3.3.1.2 Consumer engagement through QR codes, NFC tags, and augmented reality 3.3.1.3 Increasing need for supply chain visibility and efficiency 3.3.1.4 Rise in e-commerce activities 3.3.2 Industry pitfalls and challenges 3.3.2.1 High implementation cost limits adoption rates 3.3.2.2 Data privacy concerns hinder market growth 3.4 Growth potential analysis 3.5 Regulatory landscape 3.6 Technology landscape 3.7 Future market trends 3.8 Gap analysis 3.9 Porter's analysis 3.10 PESTEL analysis Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Company market share analysis 4.3 Competitive analysis of major market players 4.4 Competitive positioning matrix 4.5 Strategy dashboard Chapter 5 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Connectivity Technology 5.1 Key trends 5.2 QR codes 5.3 RFID Chapter 6 Market Estimates & Forecast, by Packaging Material 6.1 Key trends 6.2 Plastic 6.3 Paper & cardboard 6.4 Glass 6.5 Metal 6.6 Others Chapter 7 Market Estimates & Forecast, by End Use Industry 7.1 Key trends 7.2 Food & beverage 7.3 Pharmaceutical & healthcare 7.4 Personal care & cosmetics 7.5 Consumer electronics 7.6 Others Chapter 8 Market Estimates and Forecast, by Region 8.1 Key trends 8.2 North America 8.2.1 U.S. 8.2.2 Canada 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Germany 8.3.2 UK 8.3.3 France 8.3.4 Spain 8.3.5 Italy 8.3.6 Netherlands 8.4 Asia-Pacific 8.4.1 China 8.4.2 India 8.4.3 Japan 8.4.4 Australia 8.4.5 South Korea 8.5 Latin America 8.5.1 Brazil 8.5.2 Mexico 8.5.3 Argentina 8.6 Middle East and Africa 8.6.1 Saudi Arabia 8.6.2 South Africa 8.6.3 UAE Chapter 9 Company Profiles 9.1 Avery Dennison 9.2 Amcor plc 9.3 WestRock Company 9.4 Sonoco Products Company 9.5 Stora Enso 9.6 Sealed Air 9.7 CCL Industries Inc. 9.8 Berry Global Inc. 9.9 UPM 9.10 DS Smith 9.11 Mondi 9.12 Constantia Flexibles 9.13 UFlex Limited 9.14 Tetra Laval Group 9.15 Gerresheimer AG 9.16 Printpack 9.17 Greiner Packaging For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/88enii About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. Attachment FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Avoya Travel, one of the travel industrys most innovative brands, is proud to announce the appointment of Marc Kazlauskas as its new Chief Executive Officer. A respected leader in the travel industry, Kazlauskas brings more than 30 years of experience in leisure travel, agency networks, and executive strategy. He most recently served as President of FROSCH and Managing Director at JP Morgan Chase, overseeing premium travel services. His career also includes leadership roles at Insight Vacations, Tauck, and Trafalgar, where he led global sales efforts and strengthened advisor relationships across key leisure markets. Kazlauskas officially began his role by visiting Avoyas San Marcos office before traveling to Orlando for the Million Dollar Showcase, one of the companys most important annual events. The Showcase brings together top-producing Independent Agencies, supplier partners, and Avoya staff for collaboration and strategic planning. His attendance marks the start of a new chapter of growth and innovation for the company. Im honored to officially begin this journey with the Avoya team and our incredible Network of Independent Agencies, said Kazlauskas. From day one, my focus is on fostering a culture of support and empowerment, advancing best-in-class technology, and driving meaningful growth for our independent advisor partners, our people, and our shareholders. The opportunity to shape the future of leisure travel has never been greater. Kazlauskas emphasized his commitment to collaborative leadership, noting that Avoyas future success will be driven by innovation, partnership, and shared purpose across its team and network. This leadership transition reflects Avoyas continued investment in its advisor-first model, cruise-first strategy, and proprietary technology platform designed to empower Independent Agencies and deliver value to travelers and partners alike. To learn more visit: www.AvoyaNetwork.com. About Avoya Travel Avoya Travel is a vacation platform company which is redefining how vacations are booked by providing unmatched resources, services, proprietary technology, and patented solutions to thousands of companies including cruise lines, tour companies, resorts, and the Independent Agencies in the Avoya Network. Through its innovative model and vast demand channels, Avoya utilizes powerful marketing technology and data intelligence, alongside its patented Live Leads program, to connect travelers with independent travel advisors who deliver personalized service and value throughout the vacation planning and booking process. Avoya continues to develop groundbreaking technology solutions to offer travelers access to exclusive discounts and amenities in partnership with travel suppliers. Avoya has won numerous awards for its technology and services, including holding multiple patents, and serves travelers in North America and beyond. With the increasing complexities of planning and booking vacations, the travel agency profession has experienced an extraordinary comeback. Professionals interested in starting their own travel business should contact Avoya Travel at 877-357-2261 or visit www.AvoyaNetwork.com. Travelers interested in booking their next vacation with an expert Independent Agency in the Avoya Network should call 866-501-4353 or visit www.AvoyaTravel.com. Media Contact: PublicRelations@AvoyaTravel.com Dubai, UAE,, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As UAE healthcare and financial institutions race to meet stringent ADHICS regulations, MIT Consultants emerges as a trusted advisor, guiding enterprises toward robust compliance through tailored cybersecurity solutions. The cybersecurity landscape in the UAE has dramatically evolved, with healthcare and financial institutions facing heightened regulatory demands under the Abu Dhabi Healthcare Information and Cyber Security Standards (ADHICS). Recent high-profile data breaches and cyber threats have highlighted the urgent need for organizations to comply fully with these standards, protecting sensitive patient and financial information. As organizations scramble to adapt, MIT Consultants, a Dubai-based cybersecurity advisory and solutions reseller, is becoming a pivotal player in assisting healthcare and financial institutions in navigating the complexities of ADHICS compliance. Expert Advisors, Tailored Solutions MIT Consultants differentiates itself through its vendor-neutral advisory approach, ensuring that the solutions recommended are best suited to each organization's specific operational and compliance needs. Rather than advocating for a particular product, the firm's cybersecurity experts thoroughly analyze an institutions existing infrastructure, identify vulnerabilities, and align their recommendations precisely with ADHICS requirements. "Our role goes beyond mere reselling of cybersecurity solutions," says Mohamed Moussous, CEO of MIT Consultants. "We see ourselves as strategic partners. Our clients benefit from our ability to pinpoint precisely whats needed to achieve compliance efficiently and securely." Addressing Critical Cybersecurity Needs Healthcare and financial institutions face particular vulnerabilitiesransomware, phishing attacks, insider threatsall of which ADHICS compliance seeks to mitigate through rigorous cybersecurity measures. MIT Consultants addresses these threats by implementing robust Privileged Access Management (PAM), real-time threat detection systems, patch management processes, and secure information management strategies tailored specifically to ADHICS regulations. Real-World Successes MIT Consultants has successfully guided numerous institutions through ADHICS compliance by identifying gaps, providing detailed roadmaps, and recommending integrated solutions from global cybersecurity vendors. Their expertise ensures minimal operational disruption while achieving full regulatory adherence, ultimately safeguarding institutions from both cyber threats and potential regulatory penalties. "With our deep understanding of the UAE cybersecurity landscape, we provide not just technical solutions but peace of mind," adds Moussous. "Our clients trust us because we have their best interests at heart, which is compliance, security, and operational efficiency." A Strategic Advantage In an environment where regulatory compliance and cybersecurity intersect critically, MIT Consultants offers UAE healthcare and financial institutions a significant strategic advantage. By entrusting compliance initiatives to specialized cybersecurity advisors, organizations can stay ahead of threats, ensure adherence to regulations, and maintain a secure operational environment. As ADHICS continues to shape the future of cybersecurity compliance in the UAE, MIT Consultants stands out as an indispensable ally, turning complex regulatory challenges into clear, actionable strategies. LOS ANGELES, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP reminds investors of the upcoming August 8, 2025 deadline to file a lead plaintiff motion in the class action filed on behalf of investors who purchased or otherwise acquired Vestis Corporation (Vestis or the Company) (NYSE: VSTS) securities between May 2, 2024, to May 6, 2025, inclusive (the Class Period). IF YOU SUFFERED A LOSS ON YOUR VESTIS INVESTMENTS, CLICK HERE TO INQUIRE ABOUT POTENTIALLY PURSUING CLAIMS TO RECOVER YOUR LOSS UNDER THE FEDERAL SECURITIES LAWS. What Happened? On May 7, 2025, Vestis released its second quarter fiscal 2025 financial results and revised its prior growth and revenue guidance for 2025, providing guidance for the third quarter, falling significantly below market expectations. The Company explained that the poor results were partially due to lost business in excess of new business but primarily on lower adds over stops, which is how [it] describe[s] volumes changes with [its] existing customers. On this news, Vestiss stock price fell $3.27, or 37.5%, to close at $5.44 per share on May 7, 2025, thereby injuring investors. What Is The Lawsuit About? The complaint filed in this class action alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements, as well as failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Companys business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the Company was not equipped to achieve its growth guidance as the realization of these efforts instead resulted in a significant decline of revenue from existing customers; and (2) as a result, Defendants positive statements about the Companys business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. If you purchased or otherwise acquired Vestis securities during the Class Period, you may move the Court no later than August 8, 2025 to request appointment as lead plaintiff in this putative class action lawsuit. Contact Us To Participate or Learn More: If you wish to learn more about this action, or if you have any questions concerning this announcement or your rights or interests with respect to these matters, please contact us: Charles Linehan, Esq., Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100, Los Angeles California 90067 Email: shareholders@glancylaw.com Telephone: 310-201-9150, Toll-Free: 888-773-9224 Visit our website at www.glancylaw.com. Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Twitter, or Facebook. If you inquire by email, please include your mailing address, telephone number and number of shares purchased. To be a member of the class action you need not take any action at this time; you may retain counsel of your choice or take no action and remain an absent member of the class action. This press release may be considered Attorney Advertising in some jurisdictions under the applicable law and ethical rules. Contact Us: Glancy Prongay & Murray LLP, 1925 Century Park East, Suite 2100 Los Angeles, CA 90067 Charles Linehan Email: shareholders@glancylaw.com Telephone: 310-201-9150 Toll-Free: 888-773-9224 Visit our website at: www.glancylaw.com. Dublin, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Heated Windshield Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Global Heated Windshield Market was valued at USD 2.5 billion in 2024 and is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% to reach USD 4.1 billion by 2034. This growth is primarily driven by rising consumer demand for improved visibility, enhanced safety features, and increased adaptability in extreme weather conditions. The growing integration of smart features and the push for higher vehicle performance have prompted automakers to invest in more reliable, durable, and energy-efficient windshield technologies. Additionally, advancements in conductive coatings and embedded heating elements are reshaping the competitive landscape and influencing purchase decisions across both OEM and aftermarket channels. Manufacturers are responding by aligning with evolving regulatory standards and consumer expectations for safety, efficiency, and sustainability, which is expected to further drive adoption and technological innovation throughout the forecast period. Heated windshields are specifically designed to boost safety by eliminating the accumulation of frost, fog, and ice, thereby offering clear visibility in adverse weather. These solutions are especially important in electric and premium vehicles where fast defrosting supports not only driver comfort but also ensures the seamless functioning of ADAS. The incorporation of advanced heating technologies, such as embedded wires and transparent conductive layers, allows for faster defogging, greater resistance to wear, and reduced reliance on traditional climate control systems, making heated windshields a valuable asset in modern vehicles. The market is categorized into front and rear windshields, with the front segment generating USD 1 billion in 2024. The prominence of this segment is largely attributed to its role in maintaining driver visibility and supporting ADAS components that require an unobstructed view. Rear heated windshields are also experiencing increased traction, especially in fleet and commercial vehicles, where rear visibility is critical during reversing. However, the adoption rate of rear windshields still trails that of the front segment. In terms of sales channels, the market is divided between original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and the aftermarket. OEMs accounted for 60% of the market share in 2024, largely due to the rising demand for factory-installed solutions in electric and high-end vehicles. These windshields are seamlessly integrated with ADAS and self-driving systems, ensuring top-tier performance even in harsh conditions. The U.S. Heated Windshield Market reached USD 800 million in 2024, propelled by the growing adoption of electric and luxury vehicles, along with the demand for advanced safety technologies. U.S. automakers are actively implementing heated windshield systems to address consumer needs for energy savings and superior visibility. These systems play a pivotal role in preserving battery efficiency in EVs by reducing the HVAC load and ensuring optimal defrosting performance. Key companies leading the global heated windshield space include Nippon Sheet Glass, AGC, Fuyao Glass, Guardian Glass, Volkswagen, Pilkington, Magna, Saint-Gobain Sekurit, Tesla, and Toyota Motor. These players are heavily investing in R&D to develop next-generation heating technologies and are forging strategic partnerships with OEMs to cater to the rising demand in luxury and high-performance vehicle segments. Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape Competitive landscape with Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analysis Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 190 Forecast Period 2024-2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $2.5 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $4.1 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 5.2% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered Chapter 1 Methodology & Scope 1.1 Research design 1.1.1 Research approach 1.1.2 Data collection methods 1.2 Base estimates & calculations 1.2.1 Base year calculation 1.2.2 Key trends for market estimation 1.3 Forecast model 1.4 Primary research and validation 1.4.1 Primary sources 1.4.2 Data mining sources 1.5 Market scope & definition Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Industry 360 degree synopsis, 2021-2034 Chapter 3 Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.1.1 Supplier landscape 3.1.1.1 Raw material providers 3.1.1.2 Component providers 3.1.1.3 Manufacturers 3.1.1.4 Technology providers 3.1.1.5 Distribution channel analysis 3.1.1.6 End use 3.1.2 Profit margin analysis 3.2 Technology & innovation landscape 3.3 Patent analysis 3.4 Regulatory landscape 3.5 Cost breakdown analysis 3.6 Key news & initiatives 3.7 Impact forces 3.7.1 Growth drivers 3.7.1.1 Increasing adoption in electric vehicles 3.7.1.2 Advancements in smart glass & conductive coatings 3.7.1.3 Stricter safety & visibility regulations 3.7.1.4 Expansion in the commercial vehicle segment 3.7.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.7.2.1 High manufacturing & replacement costs 3.7.2.2 Complex integration with ADAS & smart features 3.8 Growth potential analysis 3.9 Porter's analysis 3.10 PESTEL analysis Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Company market share analysis 4.3 Competitive positioning matrix 4.4 Strategic outlook matrix Chapter 5 Market Estimates & Forecast, By Position, 2021-2034 ($Mn, Units) 5.1 Key trends 5.2 Front 5.3 Rear Chapter 6 Market Estimates & Forecast, By Glass, 2021-2034 ($Mn, Units) 6.1 Key trends 6.2 Laminated 6.3 Conductive coated glass 6.4 Tempered 6.5 Others Chapter 7 Market Estimates & Forecast, By Vehicle, 2021-2034 ($Mn, Units) 7.1 Key trends 7.2 Passenger cars 7.2.1 Hatchback 7.2.2 Sedan 7.2.3 SUV 7.3 Commercial vehicle 7.3.1 LCV 7.3.2 MCV 7.3.3 HCV Chapter 8 Market Estimates & Forecast, By Sales Channel, 2021-2034 ($Mn, Units) 8.1 Key trends 8.2 Aftermarket 8.3 OEM Chapter 9 Market Estimates & Forecast, By Region, 2021-2034 ($Mn, Units) 9.1 Key trends 9.2 North America 9.2.1 U.S. 9.2.2 Canada 9.3 Europe 9.3.1 Germany 9.3.2 France 9.3.3 UK 9.3.4 Spain 9.3.5 Italy 9.3.6 Russia 9.3.7 Nordics 9.4 Asia Pacific 9.4.1 China 9.4.2 India 9.4.3 Japan 9.4.4 South Korea 9.4.5 ANZ 9.4.6 Southeast Asia 9.5 Latin America 9.5.1 Brazil 9.5.2 Mexico 9.5.3 Argentina 9.6 MEA 9.6.1 UAE 9.6.2 South Africa 9.6.3 Saudi Arabia Chapter 10 Company Profiles 10.1 AGC 10.2 BMW 10.3 Corning 10.4 Ford Motor 10.5 Fuyao Glass 10.6 General Motors 10.7 Guardian Glass 10.8 Hyundai Motor 10.9 Magna 10.10 Mercedes-Benz 10.11 Nippon Sheet Glass 10.12 Pilkington 10.13 Saint-Gobain Sekurit 10.14 Stellantis 10.15 Tesla 10.16 Toyota 10.17 Volkswagen 10.18 Volvo 10.19 Webasto 10.20 Xinyi Glass For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/tz1mqr About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. TAIPEI, Taiwan, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- More than ever, this is the moment for the intellect and efforts of Vietnamese, both domestic and abroad, to prove that we can achieve what once seemed impossible. This heartfelt call from CT Groups Chairman resonated throughout the "Vietnam Dreams Come True" conference held on July 25, 2025, in Taiwan, inspiring a community of intellectuals, experts, and overseas Vietnamese living, studying, and working abroad. According to Mr. Tran Kim Chung Chairman of CT Group , patriotism and aspiration must be translated into concrete action, through every scientist, engineer, and expert contributing to the countrys development, wherever they may be. With a strong foundation in technology, strategic thinking, and a commitment to transforming Vietnam into a high-tech nation, CT Group is dedicated to supporting global Vietnamese intellectuals, especially in Taiwan, through strategic technological projects that keep them connected to their homeland while advancing their careers. The conference was jointly organized by CT Group and the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST Taiwan Tech), with support from organizations such as the Chen-Yung Vietnam Charity Fund, the Vietnamese Experts Association in Taiwan (VNEAT), the Vietnam Innovation Network in Taiwan, the Vietnamese Students Association in Taiwan (VSATW), and numerous Vietnamese experts and businesspeople in Taiwan. The Vietnamese community of over 400,000 people in Taiwan part of a global diaspora of more than 8 million is a valuable resource amid Vietnams rapid transformation. One major obstacle preventing many experts from returning or maintaining ties with Vietnam is not income, but the lack of a world-class tech ecosystem that can fully unlock their potential. CT Group addresses this by building a comprehensive high-tech ecosystem, uniting experts and engineers from the U.S., Taiwan, South Korea, Japan, Europe... The Group includes 68 member companies across 9 core tech sectors and 3 traditional sectors, deeply engaged in digital transformation, technological advancement, and innovation. Key players include CT Semiconductor and Diginal, pioneers in the semiconductor industry gradually mastering the value chain. Vietnamese engineers at Diginal successfully designed the 12-bit, 200 MSPS ADC chip, serving digital transformation and IoT applications. The workflow includes design in Vietnam, photolithography in Taiwan, and final assembly, packaging, testing back in Vietnam. Meanwhile, CT UAV is pioneering in research, design, manufacturing of 16 UAV models, aiming to make Vietnam the largest UAV manufacturer in ASEAN. In addition, CT Group is a representative of the Low Altitude Economy (LAE) theory, owns subsidiaries in core technology sectors: ESG Technology (CCTPA, CT Modulex), Green Crypto Currency (Carbondo), Smart Transportation (CT Trains, CTrans), Artificial Intelligence (CTOptimal), Quantum Technology (Anam Quantum), New Energy Technology (CT Solar Homes, HydroCo), Gene & Cell Technology (VGCT). CT Group contributes to national digital transformation with Digital Twin 15 (DT15) and builds an innovation ecosystem through CT Innovation Hub 4.0, aiming to establish a Virtual Super-University for Innovation. Assessing CT Groups potential, Mr. Ben Tseng Founder & Chairman of Arete Microelectronics stated: This is an exceptional and admirable place. CT Group is developing an ecosystem encompassing various high-tech fields, especially semiconductor a sector pivotal in many modern industries. CT Group is making significant investments in talent development through venture funds, startup incubation programs, partnerships with over 100 domestic and international universities, and a global network of experts and scientists. Programs like CTI with Can Tho University and the VNU350-CT Global Fellowship for Innovation with Vietnam National University HCMC receive $4 million in funding to attract top global talent. The working environment at CT Group is also a key factor in attracting global human resources. The Tam Tien model has been implemented with three pillars: Future Zone a 6-star standard workplace with over 100 amenities; 360-degree welfare policy offering comprehensive support for employees and their families; Manus AI a personal AI assistant that automates workflows, reduces administrative burden. CT Group signed Cooperation Agreement with VNEAT The program received strong support from the Vietnamese intellectual community in Taiwan. The goal of connecting high-quality human resources was further advanced through a Cooperation Agreement between CT Group and VNEAT. The partnership strengthens collaboration in semiconductors and high technology, promotes innovation ecosystems, contributes meaningfully to Vietnams economic development. Email: thi.tran.m@ctgroupvietnam.com https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/798db1fd-f650-4312-94f1-c0c3f83de73d Dublin, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Sheet Metal Fabrication Services Market Opportunity, Growth Drivers, Industry Trend Analysis, and Forecast 2025-2034" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The Sheet Metal Fabrication Services Market was valued at USD 10.3 Billion in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 15.2 Billion by 2034, rising at a CAGR of 4%. The market is driven by increasing demand across various industries, including automotive, aerospace, and construction. The shift toward automation and the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques are fueling growth. Moreover, there is a significant trend toward lightweight yet durable metal parts, especially in the automotive and aerospace sectors, which is further propelling market expansion. The industrialization boom worldwide, coupled with the need for precision manufacturing, has amplified the demand for fabricated metal parts. As economies ramp up their production capabilities, industries such as automotive, aerospace, and industrial machinery are witnessing a surge in the need for sheet metal components. Additionally, the increased focus on infrastructure, including the rise of urbanization and smart city projects, has led to higher investments in construction. This, in turn, drives the need for specialized fabricated metals for construction projects like bridges, skyscrapers, and commercial buildings. In terms of service type, the sheet metal fabrication services market is segmented into punching, cutting, stamping, bending, forming, welding, finishing, and others. Cutting services alone accounted for 25.1% of the market share in 2024 and are expected to grow at a rate of 4.1% by 2034. Advances in technologies such as laser cutting and water jet cutting are improving the precision and efficiency of cutting services, supporting demand across various industries. Stamping, forming, and welding services are also experiencing growth, driven by the need for components in industries such as aerospace and automotive. Steel is the most widely used material in sheet metal fabrication, holding a market value of USD 4.7 billion in 2024. This material is favored for its cost-effectiveness, durability, and strength, making it essential in sectors like construction, automotive, and industrial machinery. Moreover, innovations in coated and stainless steel have enhanced corrosion resistance, which further contributes to its popularity. Regarding end-use industries, aerospace and defense dominate the market, holding a substantial share of 30.3% in 2024. The need for precision-crafted metal parts for aircraft and defense equipment, including fuselages, wings, and military vehicles, drives the demand for sheet metal fabrication services in this sector. Geographically, North America is the largest market, valued at USD 3.1 billion in 2024. The region's robust automotive, aerospace, and construction industries are key drivers of demand for sheet metal fabrication. The U.S. is especially influenced by innovations in electric vehicles and the growing need for HVAC systems, structural components, and architectural elements. The aerospace and defense sectors in North America also contribute significantly to market growth, further boosting demand for fabrication services. Comprehensive Market Analysis and Forecast Industry trends, key growth drivers, challenges, future opportunities, and regulatory landscape Competitive landscape with Porter's Five Forces and PESTEL analysis Market size, segmentation, and regional forecasts In-depth company profiles, business strategies, financial insights, and SWOT analysis Key Attributes Report Attribute Details No. of Pages 220 Forecast Period 2024 - 2034 Estimated Market Value (USD) in 2024 $10.3 Billion Forecasted Market Value (USD) by 2034 $15.2 Billion Compound Annual Growth Rate 4.0% Regions Covered Global Key Topics Covered Chapter 1 Methodology & Scope 1.1 Market scope & definition 1.2 Base estimates & calculations 1.3 Forecast calculation 1.4 Data sources 1.4.1 Primary 1.4.2 Secondary 1.4.2.1 Paid sources 1.4.2.2 Public sources 1.5 Primary research and validation 1.5.1 Primary sources 1.5.2 Data mining sources Chapter 2 Executive Summary 2.1 Industry synopsis, 2021-2034 Chapter 3 Industry Insights 3.1 Industry ecosystem analysis 3.1.1 Factor affecting the value chain 3.1.2 Profit margin analysis 3.1.3 Disruptions 3.1.4 Future outlook 3.1.5 Manufacturers 3.1.6 Distributors 3.2 Supplier landscape 3.3 Profit margin analysis 3.4 Key news & initiatives 3.5 Regulatory landscape 3.6 Impact forces 3.6.1 Growth drivers 3.6.1.1 Increasing industrialization and manufacturing activities 3.6.1.2 Expansion of the power generation sector 3.6.1.3 Rapidly expanding construction 3.6.2 Industry pitfalls & challenges 3.6.2.1 Raw material price volatility 3.6.2.2 Intense competition and market saturation 3.7 Growth potential analysis 3.8 Porter's analysis 3.9 PESTEL analysis Chapter 4 Competitive Landscape, 2024 4.1 Introduction 4.2 Company market share analysis 4.3 Competitive positioning matrix 4.4 Strategic outlook matrix Chapter 5 Market Size and Forecast, by Service Type, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion, Thousand Units) 5.1 Key trends 5.2 Cutting 5.3 Punching 5.4 Stamping 5.5 Forming 5.6 Bending 5.7 Welding 5.8 Finishing 5.9 Others Chapter 6 Market Size and Forecast, by Material, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion, Thousand Units) 6.1 Key trends 6.2 Steel 6.3 Aluminum 6.4 Silver 6.5 Others Chapter 7 Market Size and Forecast, by End Use Industry, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion, Thousand Units) 7.1 Key trends 7.2 Aerospace & defence 7.3 Automotive 7.4 Construction 7.5 Electronics 7.6 Industrial machinery 7.7 Telecommunication 7.8 Others Chapter 8 Market Estimates and Forecast, by Region, 2021 - 2034 (USD Billion) (Thousand Units) 8.1 Key trends 8.2 North America 8.2.1 U.S. 8.2.2 Canada 8.3 Europe 8.3.1 Germany 8.3.2 UK 8.3.3 France 8.3.4 Spain 8.3.5 Italy 8.3.6 Netherlands 8.4 Asia Pacific 8.4.1 China 8.4.2 India 8.4.3 Japan 8.4.4 Australia 8.4.5 South Korea 8.5 Latin America 8.5.1 Brazil 8.5.2 Mexico 8.6 Middle East and Africa 8.6.1 Saudi Arabia 8.6.2 South Africa 8.6.3 UAE Chapter 9 Company Profiles 9.1 Amada America, Inc. 9.2 BTD Manufacturing 9.3 Dalsin Industries 9.4 Hogge Precision Parts Co., Inc. 9.5 Jorgenson Metal Rolling & Forming, Inc. 9.6 Mayville Engineering Company, Inc. (MEC) 9.7 Miller Metal Fabrication 9.8 O'Neal Manufacturing Services (OMS) 9.9 Prototek Sheetmetal Fabrication 9.10 R&D Manufacturing Inc. 9.11 Ryerson 9.12 The Metalworking Group (TMWG) 9.13 Wisconsin Metal Parts, Inc. For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pr6wcn About ResearchAndMarkets.com ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends. New York City, NY, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In an era where retail investors demand both speed and safety, the financial technology landscape is rapidly shifting. Among the trading tools gaining attention in Canada is Power Trades , a signal-based app that uses artificial intelligence to interpret market activity and deliver real-time insights to users. With data breaches and bot-driven scams on the rise, the emphasis has sharply turned toward platforms that balance intelligence with integrity and this is where Power Trades appears to shine. Backed by user ratings, this app is drawing Canadian traders who seek more than just hype they want control, risk awareness, and legitimate earning potential. The 2025 Canada Trading App Report digs into what makes Power Trades different: AI-driven insights, clear security architecture, and accessibility for both novices and seasoned investors. From its interface to the integrity of its alerts, traders are backing this app not just for its technology but for the confidence it brings into every position opened. With growing testimonials, regional usage spikes, and competitive comparisons in hand, we examine what Power Trades offers and whether it truly delivers the promised return on insight and investment. What is Power Trades App? The Power Trades App is an AI-based trading tool designed to help retail investors make smarter, faster decisions in volatile markets. Positioned at the intersection of automation and financial strategy, the app leverages machine learning algorithms to deliver high-probability trade signals in real time offering users insight into potentially profitable market moves before they occur. Unlike conventional trading bots that promise unrealistic returns or require complex programming, Power Trades acts more like a co-pilot scanning the markets for patterns typically identified by institutional investors and alerting users with data-backed trade suggestions. It does not execute trades on behalf of the user, nor does it access or control brokerage accounts. Instead, it provides actionable signals, leaving full control in the hands of the trader. In 2025, Power Trades has become especially popular in Canada due to its user-centric design, mobile accessibility, and strong focus on data security and transparency. With no prior experience required, even first-time users can benefit from the AIs pattern recognition, support/resistance analysis, and risk-to-reward guidance. Whether used by swing traders, part-time investors, or more active day traders, the app is widely praised for bridging the gap between technical complexity and user-friendly functionality. Backed by positive reviews and a 4.6/5 rating across multiple Canadian sources, Power Trades is quickly gaining recognition as one of the most intelligent, secure, and ROI-conscious trading tools available today. Visit the Official Website Here For More Information AI-Powered Signals The Engine Behind Power Trades What sets Power Trades apart from traditional trading platforms is its machine-learning core. At the heart of the app is an AI engine trained to interpret large-scale market data and detect high-probability trading setups particularly those driven by institutional movement and momentum bursts. Unlike manual analysis tools or signal groups based on speculation, Power Trades uses algorithmic processing to generate real-time alerts, highlighting entry and exit zones based on live metrics. This eliminates much of the guesswork that plagues retail traders and enables them to respond to movements as they unfold not hours later. The AI doesnt simply scrape ticker data; it analyzes volume anomalies, breakout zones, volatility shifts, and sentiment indicators, ensuring the signals are grounded in data rather than hype. This makes the app especially attractive to swing and day traders who rely on timing and speed. Traders also note that Power Trades doesnt overwhelm users with dozens of alerts. Instead, it focuses on signal quality over quantity, with clear risk-to-reward metrics attached to each idea. Many users report that the clarity of these AI-generated trade setups has improved their decision-making, especially during volatile market periods. For Canadian traders looking for a data-first approach, this AI signal engine represents a significant shift from guesswork to guidance helping users time trades, protect capital, and pursue meaningful ROI without drowning in technical noise. Open Your Power Trades Account Now - Only At The Official Website Security First Why Data Protection Is a Priority In todays digital trading environment, where cyber threats loom large and personal data is increasingly at risk, traders are more selective than ever about the platforms they trust. Power Trades has made its mark by prioritizing security infrastructure alongside its trading features and this dual focus is a key reason Canadian users are embracing the app. The platform uses bank-grade encryption, two-factor authentication (2FA), and secure cloud infrastructure to protect user data and login sessions. Unlike some overseas apps that neglect regulatory compliance, Power Trades is structured to adhere to regional security standards applicable to the Canadian market adding a layer of legitimacy to its operations. Moreover, the app does not request unnecessary permissions or access to user wallets, making it less vulnerable to exploitation. Traders retain control over their brokerage accounts while using the app for insight delivery only, minimizing the risk of funds being mishandled or exposed. This emphasis on security resonates particularly well with Canadian traders, who often cite platform trustworthiness as a top consideration. Many users have reported confidence not only in the apps encryption but also in how transparent the company is about data policies and signal-generation logic. With financial scams rising in the tech space, platforms like Power Trades that embed cybersecurity into their core design are earning stronger loyalty. For traders who want the performance benefits of algorithmic tools without compromising safety, Power Trades is positioning itself as a platform that doesnt cut corners a non-negotiable factor in 2025. More Information on Power Trades Can Be Found On The Official Website Here Register on Power Trades App Getting started with the Power Trades App is refreshingly simple. The registration process is designed to be both fast and secure, making it easy for traders of all experience levels to get up and running in minutes. To begin, users need to visit the official Power Trades website and complete a short registration form. This includes basic details such as name, email address, phone number, and preferred country of access. Once submitted, users receive a verification email or SMS code to authenticate their account a step taken to protect user data and ensure identity accuracy. After verification, users gain access to the Power Trades dashboard, where they can explore the interface, view demo signals, and customize their trading preferences. The app doesnt require any complicated software downloads; it works directly on most devices via secure web access and is fully compatible with both mobile and desktop browsers. One standout feature during registration is the onboarding wizard. New users are guided through selecting their signal frequency, setting risk tolerance levels, and learning how to interpret the platforms unique alert system. This step-by-step walkthrough eliminates confusion and makes the app highly accessible even for those unfamiliar with trading platforms. Notably, users are not forced to link a brokerage or deposit money during initial registration. This no-obligation entry point reflects Power Trades commitment to transparency and user autonomy. In short, registering on the Power Trades App is streamlined for accessibility but reinforced with strong security protocols a combination thats earning praise from both first-time Canadian traders and more experienced investors looking for a non-intrusive, fast onboarding process. How Does Power Trades App Work? At its core, the Power Trades App operates by using artificial intelligence to detect, analyze, and broadcast real-time trading signals that reflect the behavior of large institutional players and key market trends. The app continuously monitors price action, volume shifts, volatility breakouts, and technical patterns across multiple financial instruments. When a high-probability trade setup is identified such as a breakout above resistance or a strong bullish divergence the app issues a live alert directly to the user via the dashboard and push notifications. Each signal comes with critical trade data: entry point, stop-loss suggestion, and profit target range. Importantly, Power Trades does not auto-execute trades. Users maintain full control over when and how they act on a signal, making the app a non-custodial intelligence tool rather than a broker or bot. This approach allows users to assess alerts in the context of their own strategy while benefiting from the apps automated analysis. The AI engine behind the app is continuously updated using real market data, learning and evolving to adapt to changing conditions. This reduces reliance on static indicators or outdated algorithms, which is a common limitation among traditional signal services. Users can also set preferences such as preferred trading pairs, alert frequency, and risk tolerance allowing the platform to tailor its outputs to their individual needs. Whether the goal is short-term momentum trading or swing position entries, the system adjusts accordingly. In practice, Power Trades functions as a real-time trading assistant, giving users access to insights and alerts previously reserved for high-level institutional desks but now made accessible to Canadian traders via a clean, easy-to-use interface. Why Choose Power Trades? Canada Consumer Report Released Here How the Power Trades Algorithm Analyzes Market Patterns in Milliseconds The Power Trades App is powered by a proprietary AI-driven trading algorithm designed to process high-volume financial data with sub-second latency. At its core, the system integrates machine learning models with real-time market feeds to detect micro-patterns, volatility signals, and statistical anomalies across asset classes. Using natural language processing (NLP) and predictive analytics, the algorithm monitors a wide range of structured and unstructured data, including chart indicators, news sentiment, and order book movements. When a signal is triggered, the system initiates automated actions within milliseconds, executing trades in alignment with pre-configured strategy templates. The platform's infrastructure supports tick-level data monitoring and integrates with global exchanges using secure API channels. The latency of the algorithms decision-making engine is reduced through edge computing, minimizing delays caused by server distance or network congestion. In addition, Power Trades employs a modular architecture that allows for strategy optimization. Each algorithmic model can be trained and refined based on historical data performance, backtesting simulations, and live market conditions. This flexibility ensures the platform remains adaptable to shifts in market volatility or liquidity flow. The automated trading logic is paired with customizable user settings, enabling parameter adjustments related to stop-loss levels, trade limits, and session schedules. This layered control gives users the option to align the algorithms decisions with personal risk preferenceswithout interfering with its autonomous signal processing. Open Your Power Trades Account Now - Only At The Official Website Beginner-Friendly or Expert Tool? Usability Breakdown One of Power Trades' greatest strengths lies in its ability to straddle the line between beginner accessibility and expert-level functionality. For novice traders, the app offers a simplified dashboard, intuitive trade alerts, and educational content that demystifies the signal process. But for more seasoned investors, Power Trades offers deeper insights, customizable alerts, and optional advanced metrics that support more aggressive strategies. During onboarding, new users are guided through a simple setup process that includes risk preference settings, signal frequency selection, and app walkthroughs. This makes the platform approachable even for those with no prior experience using AI-powered trading tools. For experienced users, the appeal lies in the apps strategic depth. Power Trades doesnt just flash buy/sell signals it includes context. Traders can review volume spikes, support/resistance data, and even market sentiment overlays tied to the alert, allowing them to confirm signals with secondary indicators. Another win is the platforms clean interface. Many trading apps overwhelm users with technical jargon or data overload, but Power Trades filters the noise. Each alert is presented with clear instructions: entry point, stop loss, target levels, and timeframe. Whether users are testing their first trade or managing a diversified portfolio, Power Trades adapts offering value at both ends of the experience spectrum. This dual appeal is helping the platform carve out a niche among Canadian traders who want serious tools without steep learning curves. Open Your Power Trades Account Now - Only At The Official Website Built-In Security Protocols and Infrastructure Safeguards on Power Trades Security remains a cornerstone of the Power Trades App, reinforced through a multi-layered digital defense framework that aligns with current industry cybersecurity standards. The platform employs end-to-end SSL encryption to protect user data from unauthorized access during transmission. All trading and account activities are conducted over secure HTTPS protocols, while data at rest is safeguarded using AES-256 encryption. This cryptographic approach ensures financial and identity information remains inaccessible to external threats. Power Trades also integrates firewall and intrusion detection systems (IDS) to monitor backend server activity. These systems are continuously updated to detect and neutralize attempts at unauthorized access, distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks, or malicious injections. Additionally, a real-time alert system logs suspicious account behavior, triggering instant security checks. User accounts are further protected through two-factor authentication (2FA), requiring a time-sensitive verification code alongside the primary login credentials. Passwords are salted and hashed using advanced algorithms, making them unreadable even in the unlikely event of a data breach. The trading engine is hosted on cloud-based, geographically distributed servers to prevent single points of failure. Regular audits are conducted to ensure compliance with data protection regulations, and all system updates undergo penetration testing before deployment. Importantly, Power Trades enforces strict account verification protocols for identity management, including Know Your Customer (KYC) checks during account setup. These steps are designed not only to enhance security but also to align with regulatory compliance standards in multiple jurisdictions. The result is a platform architecture engineered to maintain both system integrity and user privacy under live trading conditions. Open Your Power Trades Account Now - Only At The Official Website Power Trades App Cost, Minimum Deposit, and Profit One of the most frequently asked questions about Power Trades is how much it costs, what the minimum deposit is (if any), and what users can realistically expect in terms of profit. Here's what the 2025 data reveals: Cost: Power Trades currently offers free access to its base signal service upon verified registration. This includes real-time alerts, limited trade suggestions, and access to the standard dashboard. For users who wish to unlock premium features, such as increased signal frequency, enhanced AI filtering, or priority customer support, there is a subscription-based upgrade. These plans are competitively priced and are disclosed transparently without hidden charges a factor Canadian users find reassuring. Minimum Deposit: There is no mandatory deposit required to register or explore the platform. However, users who wish to act on the signals will need access to a brokerage account of their choosing. Power Trades itself is non-custodial, meaning it does not handle or hold user funds directly. This minimizes risk and allows users to manage capital through their preferred financial institution. Profit Potential: While Power Trades makes no unrealistic profit guarantees, many users report experiencing higher trade accuracy and stronger ROI due to the precision of the AI signals. As always, individual profits depend on trade frequency, capital risked, market conditions, and user discipline. However, the apps value lies in improving decision-making and for many, that edge can translate into significant long-term gains. Final Verdict Is Power Trades Worth Backing in 2025? With AI now a central pillar in modern trading strategies, choosing the right platform is more important than ever. The Canadian market, in particular, demands tools that blend intelligent analytics, user safety, and practical functionality and Power Trades delivers on each front. What makes Power Trades stand out is not just its AI-driven signal engine , but its commitment to transparency, security, and user empowerment. From entry-level traders to seasoned investors, the app provides clarity in a market that often feels chaotic. Users arent left guessing. Signals come with context. The app doesnt require brokerage access, doesnt hard-sell upgrades, and doesnt compromise on encryption all key features that separate it from flash-in-the-pan trading tools and risky overseas bots. In terms of return on investment, user reports are strong. While no tool can guarantee profits, Power Trades appears to improve decision quality, reduce emotional trading, and increase awareness of market timing benefits that traders say translate into real gains. Finally, its regional focus including Canadian-friendly settings, bilingual support, and timezone-aligned service makes it one of the few trading platforms truly built with Canadian users in mind. In 2025, where every click counts and market shifts are lightning fast, Power Trades isnt just another app its a strategic advantage. For Canadians seeking a safer, smarter, and more structured trading experience, it may be the most practical tool on the market today. Visit Here to Register on the Power Trades - Select Your Country Here!!! Contact:- Power Trades Power Trades CA Support: +1 (437) 637-9283 485 Bd de la Gappe, Gatineau, QC J8T 5T9, Canada Email: support@powertrades.com Website: https://powertrades-ca.com/ General Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is for informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice. Readers are advised to consult a certified financial advisor, licensed loan officer, or legal professional before making any financial decisions. The information presented may not apply to every individual circumstance and is not intended to substitute professional judgment or regulatory guidance. The information provided on this website does not constitute investment advice, financial advice, trading advice, or any other sort of advice and you should not treat any of the website's content as such. We does not recommend that any cryptocurrency should be bought, sold, or held by you. Do conduct your own due diligence and consult your financial advisor before making any investment decisions. Trading Disclaimer: Trading cryptocurrencies carries a high level of risk, and may not be suitable for all investors. Before deciding to trade cryptocurrency you should carefully consider your investment objectives, level of experience, and risk appetite. The possibility exists that you could sustain a loss of some or all of your initial investment and therefore you should not invest money that you cannot afford to lose. You should be aware of all the risks associated with cryptocurrency trading, and seek advice from an independent financial advisor. ICO's, IEO's, STO's and any other form of offering will not guarantee a return on your investment. HIGH RISK WARNING: Dealing or Trading FX, CFDs and Cryptocurrencies is highly speculative, carries a level of non-negligible risk and may not be suitable for all investors. You may lose some or all of your invested capital, therefore you should not speculate with capital that you cannot afford to lose. Please refer to the risk disclosure below. Power Trades does not gain or lose profits based on your activity and operates as a services company. Power Trades is not a financial services firm and is not eligible of providing financial advice. Therefore, Power Trades shall not be liable for any losses occurred via or in relation to this informational website. SITE RISK DISCLOSURE: Power Trades does not accept any liability for loss or damage as a result of reliance on the information contained within this website; this includes education material, price quotes and charts, and analysis. Please be aware of and seek professional advice for the risks associated with trading the financial markets; never invest more money than you can risk losing. The risks involved in FX, CFDs and Cryptocurrencies may not be suitable for all investors. 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Please be advised that the names depicted on our website, including but not limited to Power Trades, are strictly for marketing and illustrative purposes. These names do not represent or imply the existence of specific entities, service providers, or any real-life individuals. Furthermore, the pictures and/or videos presented on our website are purely promotional in nature and feature professional actors. These actors are not actual users, clients, or traders, and their depictions should not be interpreted as endorsements or representations of real-life experiences. All content is intended solely for illustrative purposes and should not be construed as factual or as forming any legally binding relationship RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH FUTURES TRADING Futures transactions involve high risk. The amount of the initial margin is low compared to the value of the futures contract, so that transactions are "leveraged" or "geared". A relatively small market movement has a proportionately larger impact on the funds that you have deposited or have to pay: this can work both for you and against you. You may experience the total loss of the initial margin funds as well as any additional funds deposited in the system. If the market develops in a way that is contrary to your position or if margins are increased, you may be asked to pay significant additional funds at short notice to maintain your position. In this case it may also happen that your broker account is in the red and you thus have to make payments beyond the initial investment. RISKS ASSOCIATED WITH ELECTRONIC TRADING Before you begin carrying out transactions with an electronic system, you should carefully review the rules and provisions of the stock exchange offering the system, or of the financial instruments listed that you intend to trade, as well as your broker's conditions. 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All syndication partners are free from liability regarding the editorial stance, financial suggestions, or any user outcome resulting from the reading or application of this content. Attachment IRVING, TX, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Last week dozens of Scouts and their leaders visited the nations capital for Camp Capitol Hill and Eagles on the Hill. Scouts had the opportunity to meet with Congressmen, Senators, staff, and the media, to share how Scouting has shaped their character, leadership, and commitment to public service. Local troops brought a canoe into the capitol complex along with a Pinewood Derby Track, rockets, robots and even a knot tying demonstration to showcase the fun and adventure of what they learn in Scouting. Eagle Scouts, Andrea Marron and Trevor Austin, hosted a panel discussion with Senator Gary Peters of Michigan, Congressman August Pfluger, the Honorable Russell Rumbaugh, and Ms. Mimi Geerges to share their testimony of the positive impacts of scouting. Chief Scout Executive and CEO Roger Krone said the event highlighted the pride Scouts take in their nation while providing a unique opportunity to meet face-to-face with national leaders. When Scouts recite the Scout Oath, they promise to do their duty to God and their country. Every uniform bears the American flag and at every meeting they recite the Pledge of Allegiance, said Krone. Events like Camp Capitol Hill and Eagles on the Hill provide an opportunity for Scouts to meet their leaders and see what it means to be a citizen of this great nation. We are grateful to the many lawmakers who took time to meet with our Scouts. The spirit of Scouting was on full display this week for Camp Capitol Hill, said U.S. Representative Glenn GT Thompson, Co-Chair of the Scouting Caucus. As Co-Chair of the Congressional Scouting Caucus, an Eagle Scout, and former Scoutmaster, I was proud to see our Scouts demonstrate outdoor and leadership skills in the heart of our nations capital. The Scouts who attended Camp Capitol Hill showed exactly what the organization is about: duty, service, community and character. Congratulations to all who participated! For over a century, Scouting has helped shape responsible citizens and encouraged individuals to reach their full potential, said U.S. Representative Sanford Bishop, Co-Chair of the Scouting Caucus. Our country is stronger because of the lessons Scouting imparts and the foundations of character it helps to build. Scouts learn to meet and work cooperatively with people from different backgrounds. The values of respect, teamwork, and service help transcend barriers. As co-chair of the bipartisan Congressional Scouting Caucus, it was an honor to address those gathered for Camp Capitol Hill and Eagles on the Hill. The work that these Scouts and Scouters do across America continues to inspire us and improve the quality of life in our communities. "As an Eagle Scout, it was inspiring to see how Scouting America continues to impact todays youth, nation-wide, especially as Congressional support continues to grow," said Andrea Marron, the immediate past President of the Venturing Officers Association. "We were able to learn from distinguished guests who had much to share about their experiences as Eagle Scouts, Scouts, and Scouting volunteers." Both events reinforce Scouting America's dedication to preparing young people for life by instilling values and developing skills that enable them to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes. They also underscore the organizations ongoing commitment to remaining a dynamic, relevant force in the lives of youth and in the civic fabric of our nation. Members of Congress in attendance included Representatives Frank Pallone (NJ-06), John Joyce (PA-13), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Mike Kennedy (UT-03), Randy Fine (FL-06), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), G.T. Thompson (PA-15), Sanford D. Bishop (GA-02), Bob Latta (OH-05), Ron Estes (KS-04), Pete Sessions (TX-32), August Pfluger (TX-11), and David Taylor (OH-02). U.S. Senators in attendance included Gary Peters (MI), Bill Hagerty (TN), and Bill Cassidy (LA). Photos from the event can be viewed online. Attachments BRISTOL, R.I., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Roger Williams University School of Law (RWU Law) is again being recognized among the nations leading law schools, earning a place on The Princeton Reviews Best Law Schools for 2025. The honor reflects RWU Laws commitment to academic excellence, faculty accessibility, and a student experience rooted in real-world preparation and purpose-driven legal education. RWU Law was selected among 168 ABA-accredited law schools based on survey data from 19,600 students enrolled in the schools over the past three years and administrators across 197 institutions. The list is presented as an unranked collection of schools that offer an exceptional legal education. Im thrilled that weve been recognized for the quality of our programs and the strength of our excellent law faculty, but what makes this honor truly meaningful is that it comes directly from our students, said RWU School of Law Dean Gregory W. Bowman. In our students comments about RWU Law, I see reflections of the work we do with them every day to train the next generation of legal changemakers. We are proud to provide our students with high-quality and affordable training and real-world practice skills, and we cant wait to see what they do next. In its profile of Roger Williams University School of Law, the influential college guide noted the schools stellar faculty and strong academics, along with its welcoming, close-knit community. One student shared that everybody knows your name whether its a librarian, your professor, or the dean. Students praised the schools innovative and creative curriculum, focus on conscious lawyering, and individualized support from professors who truly understand your idea of law. The programs guaranteed hands-on experiences through clinics and externships, as well as its very public interest oriented mission, were also cited as key strengths. RWU Law offers a wide range of academic and experiential learning opportunities, including dual-degree options such as the JD/Master of Marine Affairs in partnership with the University of Rhode Island, and externships with organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Its Feinstein Center for Pro Bono & Experiential Education and Marine Affairs Institute provide robust pathways for students to explore careers in public interest, environmental, and ocean and coastal law. The law school was also featured on The Princeton Reviews 2022 list, where it earned national recognition for its faculty, ranking sixth in the country for professor accessibility and 12th for quality of teaching. As the only law school in Rhode Island, Roger Williams University School of Law remains dedicated to serving both the state and region by graduating practice-ready lawyers who are committed to equity, service, and leadership. Attachment IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JenaValve Technology announced today that the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) moved to block the companys proposed acquisition by Edwards Lifesciences. JenaValve respectfully disagrees with the FTC's decision and remains committed to completing the acquisition. JenaValve remains confident in both its rationale for the transaction and the value it will bring to the hundreds of thousands of patients suffering from aortic regurgitation. JenaValve intends to join Edwards to defend this case in court to complete the acquisition. About JenaValve JenaValve Technology, Inc. is a medical device company focused on the design, development, and commercialization of innovative THV solutions for the treatment of patients suffering from heart valve disease. The Company's Trilogy THV System is a TAVR system designed to treat patients with symptomatic, severe AR, and symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis who are at high surgical risk. The Trilogy THV System received CE Mark approval, providing European physicians with the first TAVR device with true dual-disease treatment capabilities. In the US, the Trilogy THV System is limited to investigational use only. JenaValve is headquartered in Irvine, California, with additional locations in Leeds, United Kingdom, and Munich, Germany. JenaValve is backed by Bain Capital Life Sciences, Andera Partners, Valiance Life Sciences, Rosetta Capital, Cormorant Asset Management, Legend Capital, NeoMed Management, RMM, VI Partners, Pictet Alternative Advisors SA, Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), Innovatus Capital Partners, and Peijia Medical Limited. US: CAUTION Investigational device. Limited by Federal (or United States) law to investigational use. Additional information is available at www.jenavalve.com. JenaValve Contact: Daniel Sun dsun@jenavalve.com CLIQ Digital AG / Keyword(s): Delisting CLIQ Digital AG: Dylan Media to Vote Against Proposed Share Buyback and CLIQ Digital Currently No Longer Considers Delisting 06. Aug 2025 / 20:20 CET/CEST Disclosure of an inside information acc. to Article 17 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014, transmitted by GlobeNewswire. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. Ad hoc release Public disclosure of inside information according to Article 17 para. 1 of the Regulation (EU) No 596/2014 on market abuse (Market Abuse Regulation) Dylan Media to Vote Against Proposed Share Buyback and CLIQ Digital Currently No Longer Considers Delisting Dusseldorf, 6 August 2025 CLIQ Digital AG (CLIQ Digital or the Company) announces that it has been informed today by its largest shareholder Dylan Media B.V. (Dylan Media) that it will vote against agenda item no. 7 at the upcoming Annual General Meeting on 21 August 2025. The agenda item, originally requested by Dylan Media itself, relates to a public partial share repurchase offer and a capital reduction by way of redemption of the repurchased shares. Dylan Medias decision follows CLIQ Digitals announcement yesterday. It disclosed obstacles of the Companys ability to process payments from a part of its existing customers and to acquire new customers due to significant developments within the global digital payments ecosystem, resulting in the withdrawal of the Companys financial outlook for 2025. In light of these developments, Dylan Media has expressed its view that pre-serving liquidity is the most prudent short-term strategy and therefore does not anymore support a public partial repurchase offer by the Company at this time. Against this background and in consideration of the current business environment, the Management Board today has decided currently not to consider a delisting from the stock exchange any longer. Contact CLIQ Digital AG Sebastian McCoskrie Head of Investor Relations Grunstrasse 8 40212 Dusseldorf, Germany +49 151 52043659 s.mccoskrie@cliqdigital.com End of Inside Information GlobeNewswire Distribution Services include regulatory announcements, financial/corporate news and press releases. Archive at www.globenewswire.com Albuquerque, NM, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Albuquerque Regional Economic Alliance (AREA) is proud to announce that Chad Matheson, Interim President & CEO, has earned the prestigious Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credential from the International Economic Development Council (IEDC). This nationally recognized certification is a hallmark of excellence within the economic development profession and signifies the highest level of competency and expertise in the field. Achieving the CEcD credential has been a long-term professional goal and a meaningful milestone for me, said Matheson. This certification underscores AREAs unwavering dedication to providing world-class service and leadership for the Albuquerque regions growth and competitiveness. I am proud to bring this additional level of expertise to our team, partners, and contributors. The CEcD designation is awarded only after a rigorous process requiring verified years of dedicated professional experience in economic development, in-depth coursework, and a comprehensive three-part examination. Chads achievement in earning the CEcD credential is a testament to his leadership and dedication to advancing economic development in New Mexico, said Rob Black, Cabinet Secretary of the New Mexico Economic Development Department. His expertise strengthens AREAs impact in the Albuquerque region and bolsters our strong partnership with the organization as we work together to attract investment, create jobs, and build lasting opportunities for communities across New Mexico. Don Tarry, AREA Board Chair and President & CEO of PNM Resources, praised Mathesons accomplishment: Chads achievement demonstrates the depth of talent and commitment within AREA. His earning of the CEcD credential reinforces our organizations focus on excellence as we continue to drive impactful economic development strategies for the Albuquerque region. The Board is proud to have a leader who exemplifies such skill and dedication to the profession and to the community we serve. Matheson joined AREA in February 2022 and has since played a pivotal role in advancing the organizations strategic initiatives. In 2023, Matheson was recognized as one of North Americas Top 50 Economic Developers and in 2024 received the New Mexico Economic Developer of the Year Award from New Mexico IDEA, the statewide association for economic development professionals. As Interim President & CEO, Matheson is committed to guiding AREA through a period of growth and transformation while fostering collaboration among public and private partners. Singapore, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The meme token market has seen explosive growth, but with that growth has come volatility, manipulation, and a lack of real utility. XRPMemes Token (XRPM), a next-generation meme-inspired digital asset built on the XRP Ledger, aims to change that. By blending internet culture with robust blockchain infrastructure, XRPM introduces a secure, creator-focused ecosystem designed for sustainable growth. With a fixed supply of 1 billion tokens and 100% transparent on-chain distribution via Automated Market Maker (AMM), XRPM is redefining what meme tokens can do while targeting 35% of the $27.3 billion meme token market by the end of 2025. Token Overview Token name : XRPMemes Token Token symbol: XRPM Total supply : 1 Billion XRPM Token Utilities: Beyond Speculation XRPMs native token ($XRPM) serves multiple functions within its ecosystem, each designed to maximize utility, incentivize long-term participation, and prevent centralization: Referral & Rewards: A tiered referral program offers up to 40% rewards based on trading activity, community engagement, and platform contributions. All supported by the community, an App that serves memecoin trading on XRPL chain with 0% fee. Real-time On Chain Token Analysis: Aligned to the vision and mission of XRPM, AI and multiple algorithms utilized to identify threats in a tokens structure. This instills higher confidence for traders, to make more informed decisions rather than just pure hype. What does the project ecosystem include? At the core of XRPM is a fully integrated ecosystem designed to bridge internet culture with real-world blockchain utility. The project revolves around three key pillars: the XRPM Token, the Community Platform, and its forward-looking vision for Creator Tools all seamlessly built on the XRP Ledger. The XRPM Token serves as the backbone of the ecosystem. It has a fixed supply of one billion tokens, with zero pre-mine and 100% distribution through XRPLs Automated Market Maker (AMM). By leveraging XRP Ledgers high-speed, low-cost infrastructure (35 second transaction finality and sub-$0.0002 fees), XRPM enables fast, affordable trading and microtransactions, making it accessible to both retail traders and creators alike. Supporting this is the Community Platform, a secure, intuitive web portal that offers real-time trading analytics, AI-driven market monitoring, and on-chain governance. Built using modern frameworks like React and directly integrated with XRPL nodes, the platform gives users complete visibility over token activity, governance proposals, and security alerts. Community members can participate in platform decisions via a transparent multi-signature governance system that requires 4-of-7 consensus from elected representatives, ensuring decentralization and trust. Looking ahead, XRPM is actively developing a dedicated Creator Tools suite, envisioned as a no-code token launcher that will allow meme creators to tokenize and monetize their content with ease. While this functionality is not yet live, it remains a central component of XRPMs roadmap. The platform aims to support launch pool mechanisms to mitigate bot-driven pre-mining and provide creators with tools to track engagement and manage their digital assets. By combining blockchain transparency with monetization potential, XRPM sets a new benchmark for how internet content may be elevated into real-world value. In the spirit of transparency and de-centralization, XRPM has also set a target, based on the number of holders, to begin their Governance Voting Rights program. This allows time for token distribution to the masses, empowering users to steer platform direction in the future. Safeguarding mechanism also planned for employment to cap voting power of 3% per wallet and clusters of wallet, regardless of holding size. Together, these elements form a unified and secure ecosystem that not only supports speculative trading but also fosters creativity, transparency, and long-term utility. XRPMs infrastructure is purpose-built to elevate meme tokens from fleeting hype to sustainable digital assets with real-world use cases. XRPM Official Media Website | Twitter | Telegram About Coinstore Accessibility. Security. Equity. As a leading global platform for cryptocurrency and blockchain technology, Coinstore seeks to build an ecosystem that grants everyone access to digital assets and blockchain technology. With over 10 million users worldwide, Coinstor e aims to become the preferred cryptocurrency trading platform and digital service provider worldwide. Coinstore Social Media Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Youtube | Tiktok | Telegram Announcement | Telegram Events Announcement PORTSMOUTH, N.H., Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Service Credit Union Impact Foundation is proud to announce the recipients of its 2025 scholarship program, awarding a total of $110,000 to 33 high school seniors, college students, and adult learners pursuing higher education. Scholarships were awarded in the amounts of $2,500 and $5,000, helping ease the financial burden of tuition and academic expenses for Service Credit Union members and their dependents. We are proud to support students at every stage of their educational journey, said Sarah Kuhl, Director of the Service CU Impact Foundation. These scholarships reflect our commitment to removing financial barriers and investing in the future of our members and their communities. Now in its second year, the Robert Irvine Culinary Impact Scholarship also returned, awarding $5,000 to a culinary arts student from New Hampshire attending Johnson & Wales University. The scholarship is named in honor of Chef Robert Irvine, a longtime partner of the Service CU Impact Foundation. Receiving the Robert Irvine Culinary Impact Scholarship will not only eliminate financial burdens of my academic journey but will also drive me to continue pursuing a career in culinary arts, said Madeleine Plante, this years recipient. I deeply appreciate the opportunity and am committed to maximizing its benefits as I pursue my aspirations. Thank you! Students from a variety of academic paths and institutions were selected based on academic achievement, community involvement, and personal essays. Several recipients shared what this support means to them: I am incredibly thankful to have been selected as a recipient of the 2025 Service CU Impact Foundation scholarship, said Sienna Montenegro, who will attend Georgetown University. As a first-generation college student, this generous award will enable me to focus on my studies while serving my community without added financial stress. This support not only eases the financial burden of pursuing higher education but also inspires me to continue striving toward my goals, said Jake Pitre, who will study Biomedical Engineering at the University of New Hampshire. This scholarship brings me one step closer to my dream of using science and innovation to improve lives. The Service Credit Union Impact Foundation launched its scholarship program in 2021 to help students achieve their educational goals. The annual program is open to Service Credit Union members and their dependents pursuing a higher education degree. Applications for the 2026 scholarship program will open in February. For a full list of scholarship winners, visit www.servicecuimpactfoundation.org. About Service CU Impact Foundation The Service CU Impact Foundation promotes community development by funding initiatives that deliver solutions and solve problems facing our membership and communities in which we serve. The foundation funds initiatives beyond what Service Credit Union supports, broadening the community reach and having a larger impact. We conduct charitable activities and partner with service providers who align with our philanthropic areas of focus: education, homelessness & housing, and support for veterans, military, and first responders. To learn more about the Service Credit Union Impact Foundation, visit www.servicecuimpactfoundation.org. Contact: Chris Banker cbanker@servicecu.org (603) 923-0904 GRIMSBY, Ontario, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Board of Directors of Andrew Peller Limited (ADW.A / ADW.B) (the Company) announced today that it has approved a quarterly common share dividend of $0.0615 per Class A Share and $0.0535 per Class B Share to be paid on October 10, 2025, to shareholders of record on September 30, 2025. The Company has consistently paid common share dividends since 1979. The Company currently designates all dividends paid as eligible dividends for purposes of the Income Tax Act (Canada) unless indicated otherwise. About Andrew Peller Limited Andrew Peller Limited is one of Canadas leading producers and marketers of quality wines and craft spirits. The Companys awardwinning premium and ultrapremium Vintners Quality Alliance (VQA) brands include Peller Estates, Trius, Thirty Bench, Wayne Gretzky, Sandhill, Red Rooster, Black Hills Estate, Tinhorn Creek, Gray Monk Estates, Raven Conspiracy and Conviction. Complementing these premium brands are a number of popularly priced varietal offerings, wine based liqueurs, craft ciders, and craft spirits. The Company owns and operates 101 wellpositioned independent retail locations in Ontario under The Wine Shop, Wine Country Vintners, and Wine Country Merchants store names. The Company also operates Andrew Peller Import Agency and The Small Winemakers Collection Inc., importers and marketing agents of premium wines from around the world. With a focus on serving the needs of all wine consumers, the Company produces and markets premium personal winemaking products through its whollyowned subsidiary, Global Vintners Inc. (GVI), the recognized leader in personal winemaking products. More information about the Company can be found at ir.andrewpeller.com. Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this news release may contain forwardlooking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including the safe harbour provision of the Securities Act (Ontario) with respect to Andrew Peller Limited and its subsidiaries. These forwardlooking statements are subject to the risks and uncertainties discussed in the Risks and Uncertainties section and elsewhere in the Companys MD&A and other risks detailed from time to time in the publicly filed disclosure documents of Andrew Peller Limited which are available at www.sedarplus.com. Forwardlooking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which could cause actual results to differ materially from those conclusions, forecasts, or projections anticipated in these forwardlooking statements. The Companys forwardlooking statements are made only as of the date of this news release, and except as required by applicable law, the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise these forwardlooking statements to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise. For more information, please contact: Investor Relations Craig Armitage and Jennifer Smith ir@andrewpeller.com Source: Andrew Peller Limited TORONTO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fairplay Ventures Inc. (TSXV: FPY.P) (Fairplay or the Company) is pleased to announce that each director nominee listed in its management information circular, dated June 26, 2025, was elected or re-elected, as applicable, at its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held yesterday, August 5, 2025 (the Meeting). Pursuant to the Meeting, the Companys board of directors currently comprises Messrs. Mark Scarrow, Jason Gorel and Vern Vipul. Messrs. Scarrow and Gorel were re-elected at the Meeting and the Company welcomes Mr. Vipul, elected for his first term as a director of the Company at the Meeting, to the board of directors. Mr. Bruno Amadi did not stand for re-election as a director of the Company at the Meeting and ceased being a director of the Company upon the election of Mr. Vipul. The Company thanks Mr. Amadi for his efforts on behalf of the Company and wishes him all the best in his future endeavours. About Fairplay Ventures Inc. Fairplay has not commenced commercial operations and the Company currently has no assets other than a minimum amount of cash. Except as specifically contemplated in Policy 2.4 of the TSX Venture Exchange, until the completion of a Qualifying Transaction the Company will not carry on any business other than the identification and evaluation of assets or businesses with a view to completing a proposed Qualifying Transaction. Investors are cautioned that trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative. For further information please contact: Mark Scarrow Chief Financial Officer Tel: 416-617-0305 Email: mark@thescarrows.com Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking information" as such term is defined in applicable Canadian securities legislation. The words "may", "would", "could", "should", "potential", "will", "seek", "intend", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect" and similar expressions as they relate to the Company, including the Companys goal of completing a Qualifying Transaction, are intended to identify forward-looking information. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking information. Such statements reflect the Company's current views and intentions with respect to future events, and current information available to the Company, and are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Material factors or assumptions are applied in providing forward-looking information. Many factors could cause the actual results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information to vary from those described herein should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize. These factors include, without limitation: additional appointments and resignations of directors and officers; any completion by the Company of a Qualifying Transaction; receipt of applicable director, shareholder and regulatory approval of a Qualifying Transaction; changes in law; the ability to implement business strategies and pursue business opportunities; state of the capital markets; the availability of funds and resources to pursue operations; as well as general economic, market and business conditions, as well as those risk factors discussed or referred to in disclosure documents filed by the Company with the securities regulatory authorities in certain provinces of Canada and available at www.sedarplus.ca. Should any factor affect the Company in an unexpected manner, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, the actual results or events may differ materially from the results or events predicted. Any such forward-looking information is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. Moreover, the Company does not assume responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of such forward-looking information. The forward-looking information included in this news release is made as of the date of this news release and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking information, other than as required by applicable law. NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS RELEASE. COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENT No. 229/2025 Tvis, 6 August 2025 TCM Group A/S to acquire remaining 55% of shares in Celebert ApS TCM Group A/S has today entered into an agreement to acquire the remaining 55% of the shares in Celebert ApS, following the decision of the majority shareholder to exercise its put option. The exercise of the put option was expected and in line with our communication in the Annual report for 2024. The transaction is subject to usual regulatory approvals including an approval from the competition authorities and is expected to close in Q4 2025. Celebert ApS is a well-established and fast-growing online retailer of kitchens, bathroom interiors, wardrobes, and white goods. Since being founded in 2007, Celebert has been a pioneer in the Danish online kitchen market. Under the leadership of founder and CEO Birk Aagaard, the company has developed a strong online presence and significantly increased both revenue and earnings in recent years. In 2024, net sales reached approximately DKK 150 million. Birk Aagaard has in line with already planned succession decided to step down from his position as CEO effective as of 6 August 2025, and Sren Kruse has been appointed as the new CEO of Celebert ApS. Sren Kruse brings more than 20 years of online retail experience from various senior management roles. CEO Torben Paulin comments the transaction as follows: We have reached an agreement with founder and CEO Birk Aagaard to acquire the remaining 55% of the shares in Celebert ApS. We are confident in our ability - when the relevant regulatory approvals are in place - to continue Celeberts growth journey in the years ahead by further professionalising operations under the stewardship of the new CEO Sren Kruse who has extensive experience in this field. Purchase price and revised guidance: The purchase price for the 55% stake in Celebert ApS, on a debt-free basis, is expected to be in the range of DKK 60-85 million. The final purchase price for the shares has not yet been determined, as a number of outstanding issues are being discussed by the parties but will not exceed DKK 87.5 million. The purchase price for the shares will be paid in cash by TCM Group A/S and financed through a combination of existing and new bank credit facilities. As the closing of the acquisition will be later than previously expected the impact of Celebert on the revenue and earnings of TCM in 2025 will be smaller and in consequence TCM Group is adjusting our full-year outlook as follows: Full year revenue of DKK 1,250 1,325 million (previously DKK 1,250-1,400 million), and Adjusted EBIT in the range DKK 90 115 million (previously DKK 90 120 million). For further information please contact: Torben Paulin, CEO, TCM Group A/S, +45 21 21 04 64 Thomas Hjannung, CFO, TCM Group A/S, +45 25 17 42 33 IR Contact ir@tcmgroup.dk About TCM Group TCM Group is Scandinavias third largest manufacturer of kitchens and furniture for bathrooms and storage. The products are designed and produced in Denmark and rooted in a proud tradition of good quality and good craftsmanship. TCM Group pursues a multi-brand strategy, under which the main brand is Svane Kkkenet and the other brands are Tvis Kkken, Nettoline and AUBO. Combined, the brands cater for the entire price spectrum and are sold through c. 220 dealers in Denmark and the rest of the Scandinavia. TCM Group sells private label kitchens through DIY stores in Denmark and independent kitchen stores in Norway. See www.tcmgroup.dk for more information. Attachment Declares Dividend of $0.15 per share for Q2 2025 Represents Gencos 24th Consecutive Quarterly Dividend Announces Acquisition of High-Specification Capesize Vessel NEW YORK, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (NYSE:GNK) (Genco or the Company), the largest U.S. headquartered drybulk shipowner focused on the global transportation of commodities, today reported its financial results for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2025. Second Quarter 2025 and Year-to-Date Highlights Dividend Declared a $0.15 per share dividend for Q2 2025 24 th consecutive quarterly dividend Cumulative dividends of $6.915 per share or approximately 41% of our current share price 1 Q2 2025 dividend is payable on or about August 25, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of August 18, 2025 Growth Agreed to purchase a 2020-Imabari built scrubber-fitted 182,000 dwt Capesize vessel, to be renamed the Genco Courageous, with expected delivery between September and October 2025 $600 million revolving credit facility (RCF) In July, we amended our credit facility to establish a $600 million RCF to provide significant borrowing capacity to pursue growth opportunities among other uses Q2 2025 financial results Net loss of $6.8 million, or basic and diluted net loss per share of $0.16 per share Adjusted net loss of $6.2 million or basic and diluted loss per share of $0.14, excluding non-cash vessel impairment charges of $0.7 million Adjusted EBITDA: $14.3 million 2 Voyage revenues: $80.9 million Net revenue 2 : $46.9 million Average daily fleet-wide TCE 2 : $13,631 per day Estimated Q3 2025 TCE to date $15,926 for 70% of our owned fleet available days 2 John C. Wobensmith, Chief Executive Officer, commented, We continue to execute on our differentiated value strategy, as we position the Company to return capital to shareholders and expand our earnings power through drybulk market cycles. Declaration of our Q2 dividend marks our 24th consecutive dividend, representing the longest uninterrupted dividend period among our drybulk peer group. Including Q2, total dividends to shareholders will amount to $6.915 per share, or approximately 41% of our current share price. Mr. Wobensmith continued, Following our success expanding Gencos borrowing capacity by 50% with the closing of our new $600 million revolving credit facility, we also acted decisively to grow our Capesize fleet. This latest agreement to acquire a high-specification Capesize vessel reflects the continued execution of Gencos growth strategy to further modernize our asset base and improve our earnings capacity. As part of our value strategy, Genco has invested approximately $200 million in the Capesize sector over the last two years, with proceeds from the sale of older, less fuel-efficient vessels reinvested into modern eco ships, during a period of compelling supply and demand dynamics that underpin strong future prospects for the Capesize market. Mr. Wobensmith concluded, Building on our TCE improvement in Q2 over Q1, our estimated Q3 TCE to date is strong and we continue to see a pick-up in Capesize and Supramax rates. With our leading commercial platform and significant operating leverage, we remain in a strong position to capitalize on improving drybulk fundamentals. Looking forward, we also believe Gencos significant financial strength will enable us to continue to capitalize on attractive growth opportunities while continuing to provide shareholders with returns. 1 Genco share price as of August 5, 2025. 2 We believe the non-GAAP measure presented provides investors with a means of better evaluating and understanding the Companys operating performance. Please see Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data below for further reconciliation. Regarding Q3 2025 TCE, this estimate is based on both period and current spot fixtures, actual results will vary from current estimates. Net revenue is defined as voyage revenues minus voyage expenses, charter hire expenses and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges. Comprehensive Value Strategy Gencos comprehensive value strategy is centered on three pillars: Dividends: paying sizeable quarterly cash dividends to shareholders paying sizeable quarterly cash dividends to shareholders Deleveraging: through voluntary debt repayments to maintain low financial leverage, and through voluntary debt repayments to maintain low financial leverage, and Growth: opportunistically renewing and growing our asset base Key characteristics of our strategy include: Net loan-to-value (LTV) of 7% 3 13% net LTV pro forma for the agreed upon vessel acquisition 3 Strong liquidity position of $335.6 million at June 30, 2025, which consists of: $35.8 million of cash on the balance sheet $299.8 million of revolver availability or $500.0 million following the closing of the $600 million RCF in July 2025 High operating leverage with our scalable fleet across the major and minor bulk sectors 3 Represents the principal amount of our credit facility debt outstanding less our cash and cash equivalents as of June 30, 2025 divided by estimates of the market value of our fleet (and, for the pro forma amount, the vessel we have agreed to acquire) as of August 5, 2025 from VesselsValue.com. The actual market value of our vessels may vary. Growth Agreed to acquire a 2020-Imabari built 182,000 dwt scrubber-fitted Capesize vessel for a purchase price of $63.6 million. Genco expects to take delivery of the vessel, to be renamed the Genco Courageous, between September and October 2025. This purchase marks the fourth high specification, fuel efficient Capesize vessel that Genco has agreed to acquire since October 2023, further expanding the Companys presence in a key sector. Genco intends to fund the acquisition through a combination of cash on hand and a drawdown from its revolving credit facility. New $600 Million Revolving Credit Facility In July, Genco closed on a $600 million revolving credit facility, amending, extending and upsizing its existing facility to provide significant borrowing capacity to pursue accretive growth opportunities among other uses. Key terms of the $600 million revolving credit facility include: Increased borrowing capacity by 50% or $200 million to $600 million in aggregate Repayment profile of 20 years with no commitment reductions until March 31, 2027 based on covenant compliance Improved pricing: margin reduced to 1.75% and commitment fees on undrawn amounts reduced to 0.61%* 100% revolving credit facility structure provides flexibility for Genco to continue to pay down debt while maintaining the ability to opportunistically draw down capital Extended maturity to July 2030 Accordion feature allows for additional borrowing capacity potential of $300 million Genco has $100 million of debt outstanding and $500 million of undrawn revolver availability as of the date of this press release. *Margin is based on a grid of 1.75% to 2.15% over the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) depending on total net indebtedness to EBITDA. This is down from 1.85% to 2.15% previously. The commitment fee on undrawn amounts is reduced from 40% of margin to 35% of margin. Dividend Policy Genco declared a cash dividend of $0.15 per share for the second quarter of 2025. Our dividend formula, including a voluntary quarterly reserve of $19.50 million, would not have produced a dividend for the second quarter. However, management recommended and our Board of Directors approved the reduction of the Q2 voluntary reserve from $19.50 million to $7.91 million. The Q2 2025 dividend is payable on or about August 25, 2025 to all shareholders of record as of August 18, 2025. Quarterly dividend policy: 100% of quarterly operating cash flow less a voluntary reserve. Under the quarterly dividend policy adopted by our Board of Directors, the amount available for quarterly dividends is to be calculated based on the formula in the table below. The table includes the calculation of the actual Q2 2025 dividend and estimated amounts for the calculation of the dividend for Q3 2025: Dividend calculation Q2 2025 actual Q3 2025 estimates Net revenue $ 46.90 Fixtures + market Operating expenses (32.41 ) (34.30 ) Operating cash flow $ 14.49 Sum of the above Less: voluntary quarterly reserve (7.91 ) (19.50 ) Cash flow distributable as dividends $ 6.58 Sum of the above Dividend per share $ 0.15 Numbers in millions except per share amounts Operating cash flow is defined as net revenue (consisting of voyage revenue less voyage expenses, charter hire expenses, and realized gains or losses on fuel hedges), less operating expenses (consisting of vessel operating expenses, general and administrative expenses other than non-cash restricted stock expenses, technical management expenses, and interest expense other than non-cash deferred financing costs), for purposes of the foregoing calculation. Estimated expenses for Q3 2025 are estimates and subject to change. The voluntary quarterly reserve for the third quarter of 2025 under the Companys dividend formula is expected to be $19.50 million, which remains fully within our discretion. A key component of Gencos value strategy is maintaining a voluntary quarterly reserve, as well as the optionality for the use of the reserve as Genco seeks to pay sizeable dividends across the cyclicality of the drybulk market while continuing to invest in our fleet. Subject to the development of freight rates for the remainder of the third quarter and our assessment of our liquidity and forward outlook, we maintain flexibility to reduce the quarterly reserve to pay dividends or increase the amount of dividends otherwise payable under our formula. The reserve is set by our Board of Directors at its discretion, and our Board has generally allotted an amount for anticipated debt prepayments plus an additional amount. We plan to set the voluntary reserve on a quarterly basis for the subsequent quarter. Anticipated uses for the voluntary reserve include, but are not limited to: Vessel acquisitions Debt repayments, and General corporate purposes The Board expects to reassess the payment of dividends as appropriate from time to time. Our quarterly dividend policy and declaration and payment of dividends are subject to legally available funds, compliance with applicable law and contractual obligations (including our credit facility) and the Board of Directors determination that each declaration and payment is at the time in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders after its review of our financial performance. Peter Allen, Chief Financial Officer, commented, Our recent success closing on a $600 million credit facility underscores the continued support of our existing bank group and further strengthens our ability to pursue accretive growth opportunities for the benefit of shareholders. In addition to significantly upsizing our borrowing capacity, other favorable terms of the credit facility include improved pricing, extended maturity to 2030, and a repayment profile of 20 years with no scheduled commitment reductions until March 2027. The 100% revolving structure also enables us to continue to voluntarily pay down debt while maintaining access to growth capital. Genco has built a differentiated capital structure that offers a solid risk-reward dynamic given our fleets high operating leverage combined with our low financial leverage. Gencos Active Commercial Operating Platform and Fleet Deployment Strategy We utilize a portfolio approach towards revenue generation through a combination of: Short-term, spot market employment, and Opportunistically booking longer term coverage Our fleet deployment strategy currently remains weighted towards short-term fixtures, which provide us with optionality on our sizeable fleet. Based on current fixtures to date, our estimated TCE to date for the third quarter of 2025 on a load-to-discharge basis is presented below. Actual rates for the third quarter will vary based upon future fixtures. These estimates are based on time charter contracts entered by the Company as well as current spot fixtures on the load-to-discharge method, whereby revenue is recognized ratably over the voyage from the commencement of loading to the completion of discharge. The actual TCE rates to be earned will depend on the number of contracted days and the number of ballast days at the end of the period. According to the load-to-discharge accounting method, the Company does not recognize revenue for any ballast days or uncontracted days at the end of the third quarter of 2025. At the same time, expenses for uncontracted days will be recognized as incurred. Estimated net TCE - Q3 2025 to Date Vessel Type TCE % Fixed Capesize $ 20,951 69% Ultra/Supra $ 13,326 70% Total $ 15,926 70% Our index-linked and period time charters are listed below: Vessel Type DWT Year Built Rate Duration Min Expiration Genco Endeavour Capesize 181,057 2015 $ 30,565 12-15 months Oct-25 Genco Lion Capesize 179,185 2012 99.5% of BCI + scrubber 14-16 months Mar-26 Genco Resolute Capesize 181,060 2015 120% of BCI + scrubber 11-14 months Apr-26 Genco Defender Capesize 180,021 2016 120% of BCI + scrubber 11-14 months Apr-26 Financial Review: 2025 Second Quarter The Company recorded a net loss for the second quarter of 2025 of $6.8 million, or $0.16 basic and diluted net loss per share. Adjusted net loss is $6.2 million or $0.14 basic and diluted net loss per share excluding a non-cash vessel impairment charge of $0.7 million. Comparatively, for the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company recorded net income of $23.5 million, or $0.54 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively. Adjusted net income amounted to $19.9 million, or $0.46 basic and diluted earnings per share, excluding other operating expense of $3.9 million, a gain on sale of vessels of $13.2 million, non-cash vessel impairment charges of $5.6 million and unrealized fuel losses of $0.1 million. Revenue / TCE The Companys revenues decreased to $80.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to $107.0 million recorded for the three months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to lower rates earned by our major and minor bulk vessels as well as the operation of a smaller fleet. The average daily time charter equivalent, or TCE, rates obtained by the Companys fleet was $13,631 per day for the three months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to $19,938 per day for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Voyage expenses Voyage expenses increased to $32.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $30.3 million during the prior year period. The increase was primarily due to operating a greater number of third party chartered-in vessels and higher bunker consumption on our Ultramax vessels. These increases were partially offset by the operation of a smaller fleet. Vessel operating expenses Vessel operating expenses decreased to $23.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $27.0 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Daily vessel operating expenses, or DVOE, amounted to $6,213 per vessel per day for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $6,855 per vessel per day for the second quarter of 2024. The decrease in DVOE was primarily due to the timing of the purchase of stores and spares, as well as lower repair and maintenance and insurance costs. We believe daily vessel operating expenses are best measured for comparative purposes over a 12-month period in order to take into account all of the expenses that each vessel in our fleet will incur over a full year of operation. Based on current estimates, our DVOE budget for Q3 2025 is $6,375 per vessel per day on a fleet-wide basis. General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses increased to $7.4 million for the second quarter of 2025 compared to $6.3 million for the second quarter of 2024 due to higher legal and professional fees in addition to higher nonvested stock amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization expenses Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $18.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025 from $17.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024 due to an increase in drydocking amortization expense for certain vessels in our fleet. EBITDA EBITDA for the three months ended June 30, 2025 amounted to $13.6 million compared to $43.3 million during the prior year period. During the three months of 2025 and 2024, EBITDA included non-cash impairment charges, other operating expenses, gains on sale of vessels as well as gains and losses on fuel hedges. Excluding these items, our adjusted EBITDA amounted to $14.3 million and $39.8 million, for the respective periods. Financial Review: Six Months 2025 The Company recorded a net loss of $18.7 million or $0.43 basic and diluted net loss per share, for the six months ended June 30, 2025. This compares to net income of $42.3 million or $0.98 and $0.97 basic and diluted earnings per share, respectively, for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Revenue / TCE The Companys revenues decreased to $152.2 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 compared to $224.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024, primarily due to lower rates earned by our major and minor bulk vessels as well as the operation of a smaller fleet. TCE rates obtained by the Company decreased to $12,750 per day for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $19,564 per day for the six months ended June 30, 2024. Voyage expenses Voyage expenses decreased to $59.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $67.5 million for the same period in 2024 primarily due to lower bunker consumption on our Capesize vessels. Vessel operating expenses Vessel operating expenses decreased to $48.7 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $52.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024. DVOE was $6,401 for the first half of 2025 versus $6,558 in the first half of 2024. The decrease in DVOE was primarily due to the timing of the purchase of stores and spares. General and administrative expenses General and administrative expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2025 increased to $14.9 million as compared to $14.0 million in the same period of 2024 primarily due to higher nonvested stock amortization expense and higher legal and professional fees. Depreciation and amortization expenses Depreciation and amortization expenses increased to $35.8 million for the six months ended June 30, 2025 from $34.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2024 due to an increase in drydocking amortization expense for certain vessels in our fleet. EBITDA EBITDA for the six months ended June 30, 2025 amounted to $21.6 million compared to $82.5 million during the prior year period. During the six months of 2025 and 2024, EBITDA included non-cash impairment charges, other operating expenses, gains on sale of vessels as well as gains and losses on fuel hedges. Excluding these items, our adjusted EBITDA amounted to $22.2 million and $81.6 million, for the respective periods. Liquidity and Capital Resources Cash Flow Net cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $8.3 million and $61.3 million, respectively. This decrease in cash provided by operating activities was primarily due to lower rates earned by our major and minor bulk vessels, as well as changes in working capital. Additionally, there was an increase in drydocking costs incurred during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities for the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was ($6.7) million and $65.1 million, respectively. This fluctuation was primarily a result of $67.7 million of proceeds from the sale of the Genco Commodus, the Genco Claudius and the Genco Maximus during the six months ended June 30, 2024. Additionally, there was a $4.4 million increase in the purchase of vessel assets due to various upgrades during the drydocking of certain vessels in our fleet during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2025 and 2024 was $9.9 million and $130.9 million, respectively. The decrease is primarily due to a $95.0 million decrease in debt repayments made under our $500 Million Revolver during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024, as well as a $10.0 million increase in drawdowns under the $500 Million Revolver during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. Lastly, there was a $16.0 million decrease in the payment of dividends during the six months ended June 30, 2025 as compared to the six months ended June 30, 2024. Capital Expenditures Gencos current fleet consists of 42 vessels with an average age of 12.7 years and an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,446,000 dwt as follows: 16 Capesizes 15 Ultramaxes 11 Supramaxes Following the anticipated acquisition of the vessel to be renamed the Genco Courageous, our fleet is to expand to 43 vessels, of which 17 are Capesize vessels, and the average age of our fleet will be reduced to 12.5 years on average. In addition to acquisitions that we may undertake, we will incur additional capital expenditures due to special surveys and drydockings. Furthermore, we plan to upgrade a portion of our fleet with energy saving devices and apply high performance paint systems to our vessels in order to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. We estimate our capital expenditures related to drydocking, including capitalized costs incurred during drydocking related to vessel assets and vessel equipment, ballast water treatment system costs, fuel efficiency upgrades and scheduled off-hire days for our fleet for the balance of 2025 and 2026 to be: Estimated costs ($ in millions) Q3 2025 Q4 2025 Q1 2026 Q2 2026 Q3 2026 Q4 2026 Drydock Costs (1) $ 18.70 $ 3.10 $ 7.80 $ - $ 7.50 $ 5.15 Estimated BWTS Costs (2) $ - $ - $ 2.22 $ - $ 2.22 $ - Fuel Efficiency Upgrade Costs (3) $ 2.82 $ 0.14 $ 1.10 $ - $ 0.55 $ - Total Costs $ 21.52 $ 3.24 $ 11.12 $ - $ 10.27 $ 5.15 Estimated Offhire Days (4) 228 55 100 - 100 68 (1) Estimates are based on our budgeted cost of drydocking our vessels in China. Actual costs will vary based on various factors, including where the drydockings are actually performed. We expect to fund these costs with cash on hand. These costs do not include drydock expense items that are reflected in vessel operating expenses. (2) Estimated costs associated with the installation of ballast water treatment systems are expected to be funded with cash on hand. (3) Estimated costs associated with the installation of fuel efficiency upgrades are expected to be funded with cash on hand. (4) Actual length will vary based on the condition of the vessel, yard schedules and other factors. The estimated offhire days per sector scheduled for Q3 2025 consists of 173 days for six Capesizes, 25 days for one Ultramax and 30 days for one Supramax. Summary Consolidated Financial and Other Data The following table summarizes Genco Shipping & Trading Limiteds selected consolidated financial and other data for the periods indicated below. Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (Dollars in thousands, except share and per share data) (unaudited) (unaudited) INCOME STATEMENT DATA: Revenues: Voyage revenues $ 80,939 $ 107,047 $ 152,208 $ 224,482 Total revenues 80,939 107,047 152,208 224,482 Operating expenses: Voyage expenses 32,005 30,273 59,359 67,473 Vessel operating expenses 23,747 26,977 48,663 52,909 Charter hire expenses 2,035 2,455 4,320 5,965 General and administrative expenses (inclusive of nonvested stock amortization 7,399 6,320 14,893 13,984 expense of $1,780, $1,451, $3,276 and $2,833, respectively) Technical management expenses 1,231 1,260 2,556 2,291 Depreciation and amortization 18,133 17,096 35,797 34,319 Impairment of vessel assets 651 5,634 651 5,634 Net gain on sale of vessels - (13,206 ) - (12,228 ) Other operating expense - 3,924 - 5,728 Total operating expenses 85,201 80,733 166,239 176,075 Operating (loss) income (4,262 ) 26,314 (14,031 ) 48,407 Other (expense) income: Other expense (232 ) (90 ) (245 ) (24 ) Interest income 243 721 612 1,545 Interest expense (2,558 ) (3,452 ) (5,107 ) (7,492 ) Other expense, net (2,547 ) (2,821 ) (4,740 ) (5,971 ) Net (loss) income $ (6,809 ) $ 23,493 $ (18,771 ) $ 42,436 Less: Net (loss) income attributable to noncontrolling interest (8 ) 26 (47 ) $ 171 Net (loss) income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited $ (6,801 ) $ 23,467 $ (18,724 ) $ 42,265 Net (loss) earnings per share - basic $ (0.16 ) $ 0.54 $ (0.43 ) $ 0.98 Net (loss) earnings per share - diluted $ (0.16 ) $ 0.54 $ (0.43 ) $ 0.97 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 43,350,232 43,073,440 43,276,496 42,995,844 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 43,350,232 43,664,447 43,276,496 43,635,513 June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 BALANCE SHEET DATA (Dollars in thousands): (unaudited) Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 35,439 $ 43,690 Restricted cash 315 315 Due from charterers, net 14,094 21,376 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8,650 10,375 Inventories 20,474 22,234 Total current assets 78,972 97,990 Noncurrent assets: Vessels, net of accumulated depreciation of $346,866 and $322,807, respectively 897,156 915,022 Deferred drydock, net 50,910 30,048 Fixed assets, net 7,524 7,184 Operating lease right-of-use assets 5,688 6,358 Total noncurrent assets 961,278 958,612 Total assets $ 1,040,250 $ 1,056,602 Liabilities and Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 44,688 $ 34,492 Deferred revenue 3,556 4,665 Current operating lease liabilities 303 1,503 Total current liabilities 48,547 40,660 Noncurrent liabilities Long-term operating lease liabilities 5,693 5,539 Long-term debt, net of deferred financing costs of $7,032 and $7,825, respectively 92,968 82,175 Total noncurrent liabilities 98,661 87,714 Total liabilities 147,208 128,374 Commitments and contingencies Equity: Common stock 429 427 Additional paid-in capital 1,474,615 1,491,032 Accumulated deficit (583,440 ) (564,716 ) Total Genco Shipping & Trading Limited shareholders' equity 891,604 926,743 Noncontrolling interest 1,438 1,485 Total equity 893,042 928,228 Total liabilities and equity $ 1,040,250 $ 1,056,602 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Dollars in thousands): (unaudited) Cash flows from operating activities Net (loss) income $ (18,771 ) $ 42,436 Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash provided by operating activities: Depreciation and amortization 35,797 34,319 Amortization of deferred financing costs 992 997 Right-of-use asset amortization 670 739 Amortization of nonvested stock compensation expense 3,276 2,833 Impairment of vessel assets 651 5,634 Net gain on sale of vessels - (12,228 ) Amortization of premium on derivatives - 45 Insurance proceeds for protection and indemnity claims 79 266 Insurance proceeds for loss of hire claims 6 - Change in assets and liabilities: Decrease (increase) in due from charterers 7,282 (11,854 ) Decrease in prepaid expenses and other current assets 742 1,374 Decrease in inventories 1,760 2,342 Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,921 2,899 Decrease in deferred revenue (1,109 ) (1,177 ) Decrease in operating lease liabilities (1,046 ) (1,133 ) Deferred drydock costs incurred (30,947 ) (6,209 ) Net cash provided by operating activities 8,303 61,283 Cash flows from investing activities Purchase of vessels and ballast water treatment systems, including deposits (5,799 ) (1,402 ) Purchase of other fixed assets (1,726 ) (1,382 ) Net proceeds from sale of vessels - 67,743 Insurance proceeds for hull and machinery claims 864 159 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (6,661 ) 65,118 Cash flows from financing activities Proceeds from the $500 Million Revolver 10,000 - Repayments on the $500 Million Revolver - (95,000 ) Cash dividends paid (19,876 ) (35,872 ) Payment of deferred financing costs (17 ) (38 ) Net cash used in financing activities (9,893 ) (130,910 ) Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash (8,251 ) (4,509 ) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period 44,005 46,857 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period $ 35,754 $ 42,348 Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Net Loss Reconciliation (unaudited) Net loss attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited $ (6,801 ) + Impairment of vessel assets 651 Adjusted net loss $ (6,150 ) Adjusted net loss per share - basic $ (0.14 ) Adjusted net loss per share - diluted $ (0.14 ) Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 43,350,232 Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted 43,350,232 Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic as per financial statements 43,350,232 Dilutive effect of stock options - Dilutive effect of performance based restricted stock units - Dilutive effect of restricted stock units - Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted as adjusted 43,350,232 Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 (Dollars in thousands) (Dollars in thousands) EBITDA Reconciliation: (unaudited) (unaudited) Net (loss) income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited $ (6,801 ) $ 23,467 $ (18,724 ) $ 42,265 + Net interest expense 2,315 2,731 4,495 5,947 + Depreciation and amortization 18,133 17,096 35,797 34,319 EBITDA(1) $ 13,647 $ 43,294 $ 21,568 $ 82,531 + Impairment of vessel assets 651 5,634 651 5,634 + Net gain on sale of vessels - (13,206 ) - (12,228 ) + Other operating expense - - 3,924 - 5,728 + Unrealized loss (gain) on fuel hedges - 121 (6 ) (39 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ 14,298 $ 39,767 $ 22,213 $ 81,626 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 FLEET DATA: (unaudited) (unaudited) Total number of vessels at end of period 42 43 42 43 Average number of vessels (2) 42.0 43.2 42.0 44.3 Total ownership days for fleet (3) 3,822 3,936 7,602 8,068 Total chartered-in days (4) 189 136 463 332 Total available days for fleet (5) 3,630 3,868 7,407 8,058 Total available days for owned fleet (6) 3,441 3,732 6,944 7,726 Total operating days for fleet (7) 3,588 3,827 7,318 7,938 Fleet utilization (8) 98.3 % 96.5 % 98.1 % 96.3 % AVERAGE DAILY RESULTS: Time charter equivalent (9) $ 13,631 $ 19,938 $ 12,750 $ 19,564 Daily vessel operating expenses per vessel (10) 6,213 6,855 6,401 6,558 Three Months Ended Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 June 30, 2025 June 30, 2024 FLEET DATA: (unaudited) (unaudited) Ownership days Capesize 1,456.0 1,478.7 2,896.0 3,154.1 Panamax - - - - Ultramax 1,365.0 1,365.0 2,715.0 2,730.0 Supramax 1,001.0 1,092.0 1,991.0 2,184.0 Total 3,822.0 3,935.7 7,602.0 8,068.1 Chartered-in days Capesize - - - - Panamax - 40.3 - 66.2 Ultramax 170.4 80.8 301.1 168.5 Supramax 18.9 14.8 161.6 97.1 Total 189.3 135.9 462.7 331.8 Available days (owned & chartered-in fleet) Capesize 1,238.0 1,411.5 2,576.5 3,030.3 Panamax - 40.3 - 66.2 Ultramax 1,472.6 1,360.8 2,915.4 2,769.2 Supramax 919.7 1,055.5 1,915.2 2,192.1 Total 3,630.3 3,868.1 7,407.1 8,057.8 Available days (owned fleet) Capesize 1,238.0 1,411.5 2,576.5 3,030.3 Ultramax 1,302.2 1,280.0 2,614.3 2,600.7 Supramax 900.9 1,040.7 1,753.6 2,095.0 Total 3,441.0 3,732.2 6,944.4 7,726.0 Operating days Capesize 1,217.8 1,395.6 2,524.9 2,968.9 Panamax - 40.3 - 66.2 Ultramax 1,457.0 1,352.4 2,888.0 2,743.2 Supramax 913.4 1,038.8 1,905.5 2,159.8 Total 3,588.2 3,827.1 7,318.5 7,938.1 Fleet utilization Capesize 97.8 % 94.7 % 97.0 % 94.3 % Panamax - 100.0 % - 100.0 % Ultramax 98.5 % 98.9 % 98.7 % 98.4 % Supramax 98.6 % 95.8 % 98.7 % 96.5 % Fleet average 98.3 % 96.5 % 98.1 % 96.3 % Average Daily Results: Time Charter Equivalent Capesize $ 17,019 $ 29,145 $ 14,962 $ 27,249 Panamax - - - - Ultramax 12,361 15,646 12,199 15,111 Supramax 10,810 12,468 10,322 13,896 Fleet average 13,631 19,938 12,750 19,564 Daily vessel operating expenses Capesize $ 6,736 $ 7,609 $ 6,933 $ 7,126 Panamax - - - - Ultramax 5,659 5,992 5,851 5,954 Supramax 6,214 6,911 6,381 6,493 Fleet average 6,213 6,855 6,401 6,558 1) EBITDA represents net (loss) income attributable to Genco Shipping & Trading Limited plus net interest expense, taxes, and depreciation and amortization. EBITDA is included because it is used by management and certain investors as a measure of operating performance. EBITDA is used by analysts in the shipping industry as a common performance measure to compare results across peers. Our management uses EBITDA as a performance measure in consolidating internal financial statements and it is presented for review at our board meetings. We believe that EBITDA is useful to investors as the shipping industry is capital intensive which often results in significant depreciation and cost of financing. EBITDA presents investors with a measure in addition to net income to evaluate our performance prior to these costs. EBITDA is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e. non-GAAP measure) and should not be considered as an alternative to net income, operating income or any other indicator of a companys operating performance required by U.S. GAAP. EBITDA is not a measure of liquidity or cash flows as shown in our consolidated statement of cash flows. The definition of EBITDA used here may not be comparable to that used by other companies. 2) Average number of vessels is the number of vessels that constituted our fleet for the relevant period, as measured by the sum of the number of days each vessel was part of our fleet during the period divided by the number of calendar days in that period. 3) We define ownership days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which each vessel in our fleet has been owned by us. Ownership days are an indicator of the size of our fleet over a period and affect both the amount of revenues and the amount of expenses that we record during a period. 4) We define chartered-in days as the aggregate number of days in a period during which we chartered-in third-party vessels. 5) We define available days as the number of our ownership days and chartered-in days less the aggregate number of days that our vessels are off-hire due to familiarization upon acquisition, repairs or repairs under guarantee, vessel upgrades or special surveys. Companies in the shipping industry generally use available days to measure the number of days in a period during which vessels should be capable of generating revenues. 6) We define available days for the owned fleet as available days less chartered-in days. 7) We define operating days as the number of our total available days in a period less the aggregate number of days that the vessels are off-hire due to unforeseen circumstances. The shipping industry uses operating days to measure the aggregate number of days in a period during which vessels actually generate revenues. 8) We calculate fleet utilization as the number of our operating days during a period divided by the number of ownership days plus chartered-in days less drydocking days. 9) We define TCE rates as our voyage revenues less voyage expenses, charter hire expenses, and realized gain or losses on fuel hedges, divided by the number of the available days of our owned fleet during the period. TCE rate is not an item recognized by U.S. GAAP (i.e., it is a non-GAAP measure). However it is a common shipping industry performance measure used primarily to compare daily earnings generated by vessels on time charters with daily earnings generated by vessels on voyage charters, because charterhire rates for vessels on voyage charters are generally not expressed in per-day amounts while charterhire rates for vessels on time charters generally are expressed in such amounts. Our estimated TCE for the third quarter of 2025 is based on fixtures booked to date. Actual results may vary based on the actual duration of voyages and other factors. Accordingly, we are unable to provide, without unreasonable efforts, a reconciliation of estimated TCE for the third quarter to the most comparable financial measures presented in accordance with GAAP. When we compare our TCE to the Baltic Supramax Index (BSI) in this release, we adjust the BSI for customary commissions. Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 Total Fleet (unaudited) (unaudited) Voyage revenues (in thousands) $ 80,939 $ 107,047 $ 152,208 $ 224,482 Voyage expenses (in thousands) 32,005 30,273 59,359 67,473 Charter hire expenses (in thousands) 2,035 2,455 4,320 5,965 Realized gain on fuel hedges (in thousands) 4 92 12 110 46,903 74,411 88,541 151,154 Total available days for owned fleet 3,441 3,732 6,944 7,726 Total TCE rate $ 13,631 $ 19,938 $ 12,750 $ 19,564 10) We define daily vessel operating expenses to include crew wages and related costs, the cost of insurance expenses relating to repairs and maintenance (excluding drydocking), the costs of spares and consumable stores, tonnage taxes and other miscellaneous expenses. Daily vessel operating expenses are calculated by dividing vessel operating expenses by ownership days for the relevant period. About Genco Shipping & Trading Limited Genco Shipping & Trading Limited is a U.S. based drybulk ship owning company focused on the seaborne transportation of commodities globally. We transport key cargoes such as iron ore, grain, steel products, bauxite, cement, nickel ore among other commodities along worldwide shipping routes. Our wholly owned high quality, modern fleet of dry cargo vessels consists of the larger Capesize (major bulk) and the medium-sized Ultramax and Supramax vessels (minor bulk) enabling us to carry a wide range of cargoes. Gencos fleet consists of 42 vessels with an average age of 12.7 years and an aggregate capacity of approximately 4,446,000 dwt. Conference Call Announcement Genco Shipping & Trading Limited will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss its 2025 second quarter financial results. The conference call and a presentation will be simultaneously webcast and will be available on the Companys website, www.GencoShipping.com. To access the call by phone, please register via the live call registration link, https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I91061357, and you will be provided with dial-in instructions and details. Please dial in at least 10 minutes prior to 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time to ensure a prompt start to the call. The conference call will be broadcast live and available for replay on the Companys website: http://www.gencoshipping.com. Website Information We intend to use our website, www.GencoShipping.com, as a means of disclosing material non-public information and for complying with our disclosure obligations under Regulation FD. Such disclosures will be included in our websites Investor Relations section. Accordingly, investors should monitor the Investor Relations portion of our website, in addition to following our press releases, SEC filings, public conference calls, and webcasts. To subscribe to our e-mail alert service, please click the Receive E-mail Alerts link in the Investor Relations section of our website and submit your email address. The information contained in, or that may be accessed through, our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this document or any other report or document we file with or furnish to the SEC, and any references to our website are intended to be inactive textual references only. "Safe Harbor" Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 This release contains forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements use words such as anticipate, budget, estimate, expect, project, intend, plan, believe, and other words and terms of similar meaning in connection with a discussion of potential future events, circumstances or future operating or financial performance. These forward-looking statements are based on our managements current expectations and observations. Included among the factors that, in our view, could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward looking statements contained in this release are the following: (i) declines or sustained weakness in demand in the drybulk shipping industry; (ii) weakness or declines in drybulk shipping rates; (iii) changes in the supply of or demand for drybulk products, generally or in particular regions; (iv) changes in the supply of drybulk carriers including newbuilding of vessels or lower than anticipated scrapping of older vessels; (v) changes in rules and regulations applicable to the cargo industry, including, without limitation, legislation adopted by international organizations or by individual countries and actions taken by regulatory authorities; (vi) increases in costs and expenses including but not limited to: crew wages, insurance, provisions, lube oil, bunkers, repairs, maintenance, general and administrative expenses, and management expenses; (vii) whether our insurance arrangements are adequate; (viii) changes in general domestic and international political conditions; (ix) acts of war, terrorism, or piracy, including without limitation the ongoing war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and attacks on vessels in the Red Sea; (x) changes in the condition of the Companys vessels or applicable maintenance or regulatory standards (which may affect, among other things, our anticipated drydocking or maintenance and repair costs) and unanticipated drydock expenditures; (xi) the Companys acquisition or disposition of vessels; (xii) the amount of offhire time needed to complete maintenance, repairs, and installation of equipment to comply with applicable regulations on vessels and the timing and amount of any reimbursement by our insurance carriers for insurance claims, including offhire days; (xiii) the completion of definitive documentation with respect to charters; (xiv) charterers compliance with the terms of their charters in the current market environment; (xv) the extent to which our operating results are affected by weakness in market conditions and freight and charter rates; (xvi) our ability to maintain contracts that are critical to our operation, to obtain and maintain acceptable terms with our vendors, customers and service providers and to retain key executives, managers and employees; (xvii) completion of documentation for vessel transactions and the performance of the terms thereof by buyers or sellers of vessels and us; (xviii) the relative cost and availability of low sulfur and high sulfur fuel, worldwide compliance with sulfur emissions regulations that took effect on January 1, 2020 and our ability to realize the economic benefits or recover the cost of the scrubbers we have installed; (xix) our financial results for the year ending December 31, 2024 and other factors relating to determination of the tax treatment of dividends we have declared; (xx) the financial results we achieve for each quarter that apply to the formula under our new dividend policy, including without limitation the actual amounts earned by our vessels and the amounts of various expenses we incur, as a significant decrease in such earnings or a significant increase in such expenses may affect our ability to carry out our new value strategy; (xxi) the exercise of the discretion of our Board regarding the declaration of dividends, including without limitation the amount that our Board determines to set aside for reserves under our dividend policy; (xxii) outbreaks of disease such as the COVID-19 pandemic; (xxiii) trade conflicts and the imposition of port fees, tariffs and other import restrictions; and (xxiv) other factors listed from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, without limitation, our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024 and subsequent reports on Form 8-K and Form 10-Q). Our ability to pay dividends in any period will depend upon various factors, including the limitations under any credit agreements to which we may be a party, applicable provisions of Marshall Islands law and the final determination by the Board of Directors each quarter after its review of our financial performance, market developments, and the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The timing and amount of dividends, if any, could also be affected by factors affecting cash flows, results of operations, required capital expenditures, or reserves. As a result, the amount of dividends actually paid may vary. We do not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. CONTACT: Peter Allen Chief Financial Officer Genco Shipping & Trading Limited (646) 443-8550 VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. (CSE: NXT) (OTCQB: NXTDF) (FSE: Z12) (the Company), based in Vancouver, focused on bridging traditional finance with decentralized Web3 technologies today announced that Matthew Priebe, CEO, will present live at the OTCQB Venture Virtual Investor Conference hosted by VirtualInvestorConferences.com, on August 7th, 2025 DATE: August 7th TIME: 12:30 PM LINK: REGISTER HERE Available for 1x1 meetings: August 7th-20th This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask the company questions in real-time. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event. It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates. Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com . Recent Company Highlights July 30 th , 2025: NextGen announced the proposed expansion of its AI Strategy and Hardware as a Service Business HaaS through Integration with Bittensor Network , 2025: NextGen announced the proposed expansion of its AI Strategy and Hardware as a Service Business HaaS through Integration with Bittensor Network July 21 st , 2025: NextGen Digital Announces Treasury Strategy to Incorporate Crypto Assets, Acquires $1.0 Million in Bitcoin , 2025: NextGen Digital Announces Treasury Strategy to Incorporate Crypto Assets, Acquires $1.0 Million in Bitcoin July 9th, 2025: NextGen Digital Announces Private Placement of Special Warrants Convertible into Secured Digital Asset-Backed Notes About NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. (CSE: NXT) is a publicly listed digital asset company focused on bridging traditional finance with decentralized Web3 technologies. The Company operates a hardware-as-a-service business supporting the artificial intelligence sector and, subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, intends to develop a diversified portfolio of digital assets, blockchain infrastructure, and Web3-native strategies. Through its in-house platforms and regulated structure, NextGen seeks to democratize access to the digital economy and deliver long-term shareholder value. The Company also evaluates opportunities to acquire or develop complementary technology platforms in alignment with its core mission. This press release includes certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements herein, other than statements of historical fact, constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is frequently, but not always, identified by words such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "potential", "possible", and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements in this release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Companys planned integration with the Bittensor (TAO) ecosystem; the Companys receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals; the Companys participation in the OTCQB Venture Virtual Investor Conference; the availability of one-on-one meetings; the Companys ability to communicate its business plans, strategy, and recent developments to investors; and the Companys broader AI infrastructure strategy and positioning. Although the Company believes the assumptions underlying these statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements herein except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking statements herein. About Virtual Investor Conferences Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors. CONTACTS: NextGen Digital Platforms Inc. Matthew Priebe CEO 647-296-1994 matthew@nextgendigitalplatforms.com Virtual Investor Conferences John M. Viglotti SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access OTC Markets Group (212) 220-2221 johnv@otcmarkets.com LAVAL, Quebec, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Savaria Corporation (Savaria) (TSX: SIS), one of the global leaders in the accessibility industry, is pleased to announce its results for the second quarter of 2025. Highlights Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024 Revenue was $226.7M, up $5.4M or 2.4%, mainly due to a positive foreign exchange impact of 2.6% partially offset by an organic contraction of 0.7%. The revenue benefited from the contribution of Western Elevator acquired this quarter. Accessibility experienced growth of 1.9%, including growth of 3.3% coming from North America and partially offset by a contraction of 0.8% in Europe. Patient Care achieved revenue growth of 4.4%. Gross profit was $88.5M, up $5.5M or 6.6%, representing 39.0% of revenue, an increase of 150 bps compared to 37.5% in Q2 2024. Operating income was $26.7M, up $4.1M or 18.2%, representing 11.8% of revenue compared to 10.2% in Q2 2024. Adjusted EBITDA * was $46.7M, up $4.8M or 11.4%, representing $0.65 per share, up $0.06, when compared to Q2 2024. was $46.7M, up $4.8M or 11.4%, representing $0.65 per share, up $0.06, when compared to Q2 2024. Adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 20.6% up 160 bps compared to 19.0% in Q2 2024. Accessibility adjusted EBITDA margin reached 21.9%. Patient Care adjusted EBITDA margin stood at 20.9%. Net earnings were $16.3M or $0.23 per share on a diluted basis, compared to $11.4M or $0.16 per share in Q2 2024. The ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA * stood at 1.34 in comparison to 1.63 as at December 31, 2024. stood at 1.34 in comparison to 1.63 as at December 31, 2024. Available funds* of $275.5M, as of June 30, 2025, to support working capital, investments and growth opportunities. Q2 YTD in thousands of dollars, except percentages and per-share amounts 2025 2024 Change 2025 2024 Change Revenue $ 226,746 $ 221,344 2.4 % $ 446,978 $ 430,788 3.8 % Gross profit $ 88,490 $ 82,974 6.6 % $ 171,741 $ 158,368 8.4 % % of revenue 39.0 % 37.5 % 150 bps 38.4 % 36.8 % 160 bps Operating income $ 26,712 $ 22,604 18.2 % $ 47,950 $ 40,325 18.9 % Net earnings1 $ 16,316 $ 11,383 43.3 % $ 28,795 $ 23,012 25.1 % Diluted net earnings per share 1 $ 0.23 $ 0.16 43.8 % $ 0.40 $ 0.32 25.0 % Adjusted net earnings*1 $ 20,829 $ 16,014 30.1 % $ 37,345 $ 30,347 23.1 % Adjusted net earnings per share*1 $ 0.29 $ 0.23 26.1 % $ 0.52 $ 0.43 20.9 % Adjusted EBITDA* $ 46,738 $ 41,945 11.4 % $ 87,385 $ 76,626 14.0 % Adjusted EBITDA per share* $ 0.65 $ 0.59 10.2 % $ 1.22 $ 1.08 13.0 % % of revenue 20.6 % 19.0 % 160 bps 19.6 % 17.8 % 180 bps *Non-IFRS measures are described and reconciled in sections 3, 6 and 8 of the MD&A. 1 The amounts for 2024 reflect adjustments made for Q2 2024 and YTD, as detailed and explained in Section 7 of the MD&A. Words from the Executive Chairman and from the President & CEO As a result of our collective, global efforts, we achieved an adjusted EBITDA margin of 20.6%, meeting our Savaria One goal. We quickly pivoted our home elevator manufacturing for US distribution with a new production line in Greenville, South Carolina that now handles many of our residential elevator orders for American dealers. With available funds of over $275 million, we have the flexibility to invest in additional marketing for new products such as the Luma lift and Matot dumbwaiters, as well as seek out strategic acquisitions, giving us confidence for the remainder of the year and beyond, said Marcel Bourassa, Executive Chairman. Our focus on transformation over the past 18 months uncovered many efficiencies from procurement, to pricing, to operations. The gross margin in the second quarter was 39% our highest ever. Meeting our Savaria One goal for adjusted EBITDA margin in the second quarter is a testament to our employees commitment to succeed. The senior leadership team has now initiated planning sessions for the second stage of Savaria One that will outline our strategy for the next three years. We are focused on growth including marketing of the Luma through-floor lift and additional Savaria products for European distribution. With a ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA* now at 1.34, we have a comfortable position for investments in growth and the management team is energized about the future, said Sebastien Bourassa, President and CEO. Second Quarter Results - Q2 2025 compared to Q2 2024 REVENUE Revenue reached $226.7M, up $5.4M or 2.4%. The increase was mainly due to a positive foreign exchange impact of 2.6% combined with the revenue contribution from the acquisition of Western Elevator, partially offset by an organic contraction of 0.7%. Accessibility segment (78% of Q2-25 revenue): Revenue was $176.7M, an increase of $3.3M or 1.9%. Revenue was $176.7M, an increase of $3.3M or 1.9%. Patient Care segment (22% of Q2-25 revenue): Revenue was $50.1M, an increase of $2.1M or 4.4%. OPERATING INCOME Operating income was $26.7M, up $4.1M or 18.2%, representing an operating margin of 11.8% compared to 10.2% in Q2 2024. The increase was mainly attributable to the additional revenue contribution and higher gross margins while partially offset by increased selling and administrative expenses and other expenses. ADJUSTED EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin* was $46.7M and 20.6%, respectively, compared to $41.9M and 19.0% for Q2 2024. Accessibility segment: Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was $38.8M and 21.9%, respectively, compared to $36.2M and 20.9% for Q2 2024. Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin was $38.8M and 21.9%, respectively, compared to $36.2M and 20.9% for Q2 2024. Patient Care segment: Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin stood at $10.5M and 20.9%, respectively, compared to $8.2M and 17.0% for Q2 2024. *Non-IFRS measures are described and reconciled in sections 3, 6 and 8 of the MD&A. Six-Month Results - YTD 2025 compared to YTD 2024 REVENUE The Corporation generated revenue of $447.0M, up $16.2M or 3.8%. The increase is mainly due to a positive foreign exchange impact of 3.0%, combined with the impact of the acquisition of Western Elevator and Matot. The growth was partially offset by the divestitures of Van-Action and Freedom Motors. OPERATING INCOME Operating income was $48.0M, up $7.6M or 18.9%, representing an operating margin of 10.7% compared to 9.4% in 2024. ADJUSTED EBITDA Adjusted EBITDA and adjusted EBITDA margin stood at $87.4M and 19.6%, respectively, compared to $76.6M and 17.8% in 2024. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES Savaria generated $61.5M of cash from operations which was primarily used to invest in capital projects, a business acquisition, repay debt and pay interest and dividends. As at June 30, 2025, the Corporation had a net debt* position of $231.2M and a ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA of 1.34 compared to 1.63 as of December 31, 2024. Outlook Savarias fiscal 2025 forecast projects revenue of approximately $925M, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of approximately 20%. This revenue forecast is driven by volume and price increases, new product launches, and favorable foreign exchange effects across the Accessibility and Patient Care segments. Despite geopolitical uncertainties, the completion of Savaria One positions us well to sustain profitability. Structural improvements have enhanced production capacity, increased operational efficiencies, and generated meaningful cost savings through streamlined procurement. As one of the global leaders in the accessibility industry with extensive operations in Canada and the United States, Savaria is assessing its supply chain and evaluating and implementing strategies to optimize its North American manufacturing footprint. These efforts aim to maintain competitiveness and ensure continued service for our valued dealer partners. The above-mentioned outlook is a forward-looking statement within the meaning of the securities laws of Canada and subject to the Corporations disclosure statement. Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Values As a global leader within the accessibility industry, Savaria is committed to minimizing its environmental footprint and upholding the highest social and governance standards. We believe that promoting environmentally and socially responsible behaviour across our organization is key to achieving sustainable growth and long-term value creation. By delivering products and solutions that promote accessibility, health, and wellness, improving operational efficiencies and resource usage, and engaging our employees and stakeholders, well create a stronger, more resilient business that will continue to be an industry leader while delivering positive social change. *Non-IFRS measures are described and reconciled in sections 3, 6 and 8 of the MD&A. We recognize this work requires long-term vision, planning, and collaboration, yet also must be grounded in clear actions and an ongoing commitment to transparency. To that end, on April 30, 2025 Savaria published its ESG report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024. Through this report, Savaria discloses its strategy and initiatives on ESG matters that are important to its stakeholders, and where it sees an opportunity to have a positive and meaningful influence. The 2024 ESG report can be found under the investor relations section of our website at savaria.com. Savaria Corporation (savaria.com) is a global leader in the accessibility industry. It provides accessibility solutions for the physically challenged to increase their comfort, their mobility and their independence. Its product line is one of the most comprehensive on the market. Savaria designs, manufactures, distributes and installs accessibility equipment, such as elevators for home and commercial use, stairlifts for straight and curved stairs, vertical and inclined wheelchair lifts and dumbwaiters. In addition, Savaria manufactures and markets a comprehensive selection of pressure management products, medical beds, as well as an extensive line of medical equipment and solutions for the safe movement of patients, such as transfer, lifting and repositioning aids. The Corporation operates a sales network of dealers worldwide and direct sales offices in North America, Europe (UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, Italy, Germany, Poland and Czech Republic) and Australia. Savaria employs approximately 2,500 people globally and its plants are located across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Europe and China. Compliance with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) The information appearing in this press release has been prepared in accordance with IFRS. However, Savaria uses EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA margin, adjusted EBITDA per share, adjusted net earnings, adjusted net earnings per share, available funds, net debt and ratio of net debt to adjusted EBITDA for analysis purposes to measure its financial performance. These measures have no standardized definitions in accordance with IFRS and are therefore regarded as non-IFRS measures. These measures may therefore not be comparable to similar measures reported by other companies. Additional details for these non-IFRS measures can be found in sections 3, 6 and 8 of Savarias MD&A, which is posted on Savarias website at savaria.com, and filed with SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca. Reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted EBITDA with net earnings is presented in the section below. Forward-Looking Statements This press release includes certain statements that are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws of Canada. Any statement in this press release that is not a statement of historical fact may be deemed to be a forward-looking statement. When used in this press release, the words believe, could, should, intend, expect, estimate, assume and other similar expressions are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. It is important to know that the forward-looking statements in this document describe the Corporations expectations as at the date hereof, which are not guarantees of future performance of Savaria or its industry, and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause Savarias or the industrys outlook, actual results or performance to be materially different from any future results or performance expressed or implied by such statements. The Corporations actual results could be materially different from its expectations if known or unknown risks affect its business, or if its estimates or assumptions turn out to be inaccurate. A change affecting an assumption can also have an impact on other interrelated assumptions, which could increase or diminish the effect of the change. As a result, the Corporation cannot guarantee that any forward-looking statement will materialize and, accordingly, the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements do not take into account the effect that transactions or special items announced or occurring after the statements are made may have on the Corporations business. For example, they do not include the effect of sales of assets, monetizations, mergers, acquisitions, other business combinations or transactions, asset write-downs or other charges announced or occurring after forward-looking statements are made. Unless otherwise required by applicable securities laws, Savaria disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. The foregoing risks and uncertainties include the risks set forth under Risks and Uncertainties in Savarias latest Annual MD&A as well as other risks detailed from time to time in reports filed by Savaria with securities regulators in Canada. Results webcast and conference call on August 7, 2025, at 8:30 a.m. (EDT) Savaria will host a conference call on Thursday, August 7th at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time with financial analysts to discuss results of the period ended June 30, 2025. Investors and members of the media are invited to participate on a listen-only basis. Conference call access: To register: https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI0ac58e03f3c147d5bd77a4278f39154e Webcast (en): https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/i8znh7ik Link to the replay of the webcast will be available on the Corporations website at savaria.com . For further information: Sebastien Bourassa President and Chief Executive Officer sb@savaria.com 1.800.661.5112 Stephen Reitknecht, CPA Chief Financial Officer sreitknecht@savaria.com 1.800.661.5112 facebook.com/savariabettermobility x.com/Mobilityforlife www.savaria.com Reconciliation of adjusted net earnings and adjusted EBITDA with net earnings is provided below. Complete financial statements and the managements report for Q2 2025 will be available shortly on Savarias website and on SEDAR+ sedarplus.ca. Reconciliation of adjusted net earnings*1 and adjusted EBITDA* with net earnings1 Q2 YTD in thousands of dollars, except per-share amounts 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net earnings1 $ 16,316 $ 11,383 $ 28,795 $ 23,012 Strategic initiatives expenses 4,607 5,347 9,277 10,646 Other expenses (income) 1,391 764 2,164 (427 ) Income tax related to strategic initiatives and other expenses (1,485 ) (1,480 ) (2,891 ) (2,884 ) Adjusted net earnings*1 $ 20,829 $ 16,014 $ 37,345 $ 30,347 Adjusted net earnings per share*1 $ 0.29 $ 0.23 $ 0.52 $ 0.43 Income tax related to strategic initiatives and other expenses 1,485 1,480 2,891 2,884 Income tax expense 5,742 4,407 10,979 8,158 Depreciation of fixed assets 2,570 2,234 5,305 4,371 Depreciation of right-of-use assets 3,339 2,737 6,501 5,418 Amortization of intangible assets 7,472 7,576 14,813 15,020 Net finance costs 4,654 6,814 8,176 9,155 Stock-based compensation 647 683 1,375 1,273 Adjusted EBITDA* $ 46,738 $ 41,945 $ 87,385 $ 76,626 Adjusted EBITDA per share* $ 0.65 $ 0.59 $ 1.22 $ 1.08 Diluted weighted average number of shares 71,858,056 71,405,637 71,869,297 71,309,308 *Non-IFRS measures are described and reconciled in sections 3, 6 and 8 of the MD&A. 1 The amounts for 2024 reflect adjustments made for Q2 and YTD 2024, as detailed and explained in Section 7 of the MD&A. Beijing, China, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Curiosity about China is drawing a growing number of international travelers to visit the country. From walking on ancient stones atop the Great Wall to riding high-speed trains between glittering skylines, many say they've discovered a China they didn't expect to see. In our special series, "Journey Through China," the Global Times shares the impressions of international travelers who have recently spent time in China. Their firsthand accounts - ranging from casual observations to thoughtful reflections - shed light on three key aspects of today's China: infrastructure, modernization and traditional culture. In the third article of the series, Global Times (GT) reporter Ma Ruiqian talked to Paul Zilungisele Tembe (Tembe), director at the SELE Encounters Cross-Civilization Communication Strategies in South Africa and recipient of the 18th Special Book Award of China. He recently participated in a cultural tour to Sichuan Province and shared his perspective on China. GT: You mentioned that the experience of harmonious living among the multi-ethnic residents of Sichuan, a convergence of diversities toward a united and unique Chinese culture have left an indelible mark in your understanding of Chinese culture. How is this cultural inclusiveness embodied in the call of China-proposed Global Civilization Initiative (GCI) for respecting the diversity of world civilizations? Tembe: The GCI is rooted in the essence of multi-ethnicity. It starts from local diversity - ethnic, cultural - and expands to national, regional and eventually global dimensions. My time in Sichuan gave me a vivid impression of what unity within diversity can look like. Coming from South Africa - a country with 12 official languages and a complex multi-ethnic society - I saw parallels. We gained our democracy in 1994, and we are still working through the process of building a unified national identity. My experience in Sichuan gave me a glimpse of what South Africa could aspire to in the long term. All the units are perfect and harmonious. I truly wish that one day Sichuan and a province in South Africa could become sister provinces. We could learn a lot from each other, especially given our shared experiences with multi-ethnic societies. GT: During your visit to Siguniang Mountains and the Wolong National Nature Reserve, you've observed a harmonious coexistence between humans and nature. What is your view of China's approach to environmental protection and green development? Tembe: President Xi Jinping put forward the idea of "Beautiful China," meaning care for the environment. What I took away from my time in Sichuan - beyond the harmony of multi-ethnic unity - was how human development is being balanced with the protection of nature. What touched me even more deeply was my visit to the Wolong National Nature Reserve. It showed that China is able to pursue modernization without sacrificing its traditions or its environment. In addition, I visited the Siguniang Mountains and saw many kinds of precious stones in the museum. Although the region is rich in natural resources, mining is prohibited in order to protect the ecosystem. These are practical models that can be applied to the UN's 2030 Sustainable Development Goals. Although climate agreements are often signed, implementation remains a challenge. What I appreciate about China is that its environmental efforts are scientific and systematic. These models can be transferred to other countries and still function effectively. I especially hope to see more cooperation within the Global South. Right now, we are a bit behind in terms of climate finance and environmental planning. But if countries in the Global South work together - through South-South cooperation or other multilateral platforms - we could adopt the Chinese model and create a better environmental trajectory. GT: Although China and Africa differ in terms of geography, culture, history and social structures, they share common values such as peace, development, fairness, justice, democracy and freedom. As a long-time advocate for China-Africa cultural exchanges, how did your travels and experiences in China lead you to recognize and resonate with these shared values? Tembe: When we talk about values, I believe we should take a step back and look at deeper philosophical roots. For example, if we consider some core tenets of Confucianism, we find values that are deeply relevant both in China and Africa. Africa stands for peace, values harmony, and is committed to hard work. Africa wants tangible and concrete results. It seeks partnerships based on equality and mutual respect. If we look at China's proposals for cooperation with Africa, especially starting from President Xi's 2013 visit to Tanzania, the four-point proposal - sincerity, real results, amity and good faith - aligns closely with African expectations of partnership. These are not just diplomatic phrases; they reflect deeper cultural values that we can trace both in Chinese civilization and in African traditions. GT: There are still some narratives in international discourse that promote the "China threat" rhetoric. Based on your years of living and studying in China - especially your understanding of its peace-oriented cultural traditions - how would you respond to such claims? Tembe: I will give you both perspectives: The Western one, based on projection and fear; and the Chinese one, based on unity and peaceful development. First, there's a tendency that if someone has done bad things to others, they begin to judge others through that same lens. That's what we see with how the West views China. They fear that China's rise will mirror their own rise during the 15th and 16th centuries. Let's recall - the end of the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644) saw China's doors to the outside world shut. Meanwhile, the West was expanding, taking advantage of China's absence from the high seas. That period marked the beginning of Western colonialism. So now, they look at China and assume China will behave the way they did. But that's not about China; that's about them. They project their own past - colonization and domination - onto China, but they also suffer from historical amnesia. China has always had one consistent focus: unity and development. China has no interest in controlling others. China seeks friendships abroad to create a stable external environment that allows it to survive and thrive in the long run. China has experienced many historical upheavals. So its greatest concern - in development, finance and foreign policy - is preserving a unified China. I would say, as someone who studies and understands China, the West is worrying for nothing. China is not going to become the kind of global threat they imagine. But there's one thing: Nature does not allow a vacuum. In English, we say "when the cat's away, the mice will play." In geopolitics, the same principle applies. China needs to have a strong presence globally. But a strong global presence does not mean colonialism or the control of other countries. These things are not the same. Source: Global Times: Company: Global Times Contact Person: Anna Li Email: editor@globaltimes.com.cn Website: https://globaltimes.cn City: Beijing Disclaimer: This press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements describe future expectations, plans, results, or strategies (including product offerings, regulatory plans and business plans) and may change without notice. You are cautioned that such statements are subject to a multitude of risks and uncertainties that could cause future circumstances, events, or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including the risks that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sable Offshore Corp. (NYSE: SOC) is now at the center of a securities class-action lawsuit, alleging that the company misled investors to inflate its stock price just before a major secondary offering. The drama unfolded around the company's long-delayed efforts to restart operations at its San Ynez Unit (SYU) assets, which have been dormant since a pipeline shutdown in 2015. National shareholders rights firm Hagens Berman urges Sable investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now. The firm also encourages persons with knowledge who may be able to assist in the investigation to contact its attorneys. Class Period: May 19, 2025 June 3, 2025 Lead Plaintiff Deadline: Sept. 26, 2025 Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/soc Contact the Firm Now: SOC@hbsslaw.com 844-916-0895 Sable Offshore Corp. (SOC) Securities Class Action: The suit claims that on May 19, Sable triggered a stock frenzy with a press release announcing it had "restarted oil production at SYU," a claim that sent its shares soaring by a remarkable 12.5% in a single day. Riding this wave of investor enthusiasm, the company quickly priced a secondary stock offering two days later, raising a substantial $256.5 million. But the euphoria was short-lived. Just as the ink was drying on the offering, a letter from California's Lieutenant Governor, Eleni Kounalakis, allegedly surfaced that accused Sable of painting a deceptive picture. According to the complaint, the letter bluntly stated that the company's press release appears to mischaracterize the nature of recent activities" and that the so-called "restart" was nothing more than "well-testing procedures required by the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement prior to restart." In a damning indictment, the letter is said to have declared, "Characterizing testing activities as a restart of operations is not only misleading but also highly inappropriate." When the contents of this letter were reported in the financial press on May 28, the market delivered a swift verdict. Sable's stock price plunged over 15% the very next day, wiping out the gains that had enticed new investors just a week earlier. The litigation now aims to hold the company accountable for what some are calling a calculated maneuver to raise capital under false pretenses. The case, Johnson v. Sable Offshore Corp., et al., is being litigated in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. Were investigating whether Sable may have misled investors about its restart progress and purported restart of SYU, said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation. If you invested in Sable and have substantial losses, or have knowledge that may assist the firms investigation, submit your losses now If youd like more information and answers to frequently asked questions about the Sable case and our investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Sable Offshore should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC. For more information, call Reed Kathrein at 844-916-0895 or email SOC@hbsslaw.com. About Hagens Berman Hagens Berman is a global plaintiffs rights complex litigation firm focusing on corporate accountability. The firm is home to a robust practice and represents investors as well as whistleblowers, workers, consumers and others in cases achieving real results for those harmed by corporate negligence and other wrongdoings. Hagens Bermans team has secured more than $2.9 billion in this area of law. More about the firm and its successes can be found at hbsslaw.com. Follow the firm for updates and news at @ClassActionLaw. SAN DIEGO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI), the global leader in AI-driven casino analytics, today announced a strategic partnership with ComOps, a hospitality performance partner delivering support-as-a-service solutions that enhance guest experiences and improve workforce efficiency. Through this partnership, QCI clients can now extend their host teams with ComOps bilingual (English/Spanish) player-development agents, available as fractional or fully virtual support. Key Benefits for Casino Operators: Turn-key scalability: ComOps agents operate directly within the QCI Enterprise Platform, receiving real-time access to player lists, campaign tasks, and performance dashboards. This allows properties to rapidly scale host operations without increasing headcount. Secure, compliant operations: Agents access property systems via Microsoft Virtual Desktop with multifactor authentication. All work is performed in a secured, clean-desk facilityno phones, pens, or paperprotecting player data and marketing offers. Full-service guest engagement: Services include inbound and outbound telemarketing, VIP event invitations, and follow-up calls are executed from QCIs dynamic call lists. When required, ComOps agents can enter hotel reservations directly into leading PMS platforms, Agilysys PMS, Oracle OHIP, or Infor HMS, to complete the guest journey. Rapid deployment: Game Changing Technologies (GCT) will provision and manage all additional QCI licenses required, streamlining onboarding and accelerating time-to-value. Our customers are scaling faster than ever, and staffing expert host talent can be a major constraint, said Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI. By integrating ComOps secure, off-site human agents into the QCI workflow, operators can instantly expand capacity, maintain data integrity, and focus on delivering personalized guest experiences that drive revenue. Casinos need flexible, cost-effective ways to deepen player relationships, added Robert Levine, CEO of ComOps. This partnership combines ComOps hospitality expertise with QCIs real-time analytics to help properties increase trip frequency, elevate guest engagement, and optimize VIP experiences. ABOUT ComOps ComOps is a strategic consulting partner dedicated to the hospitality and gaming industry. We specialize in support-as-a-service solutions that improve commercial operations across your property, from contact center performance and revenue management to digital guest experience, employee engagement, and operational efficiency. With decades of hands-on experience and a client-first mindset, our team helps hotels and casinos optimize resources, increase profitability, and deliver elevated service standards, including those developed in partnership with Forbes Travel Guide. Discover how ComOps helps you deliver exceptional guest experiences that drive loyalty and revenue at ComOps.com. ABOUT Robert Levine Robert Levine is the Founder and CEO of ComOps, a performance-driven consulting and support-as-a-service firm serving the hospitality and gaming industry. Since launching the company in 2021, he has led its rapid expansion, helping clients achieve double-digit improvements in profitability, service scores, and operational efficiency. Previously, Robert was Vice President at Seminole Hard Rock Support Services, overseeing commercial operations for major resorts, including the iconic $1.5 billion Guitar Hotel. He founded ComOps to bring enterprise-level capabilities, across contact centers, revenue management, guest sentiment, and digital transformation, to regional casinos and independent hotels. A recipient of HSMAIs Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Sales, Marketing, and Revenue Optimization, Robert is known for aligning strategic vision with actionable results. He is a proud alumnus of Michigan State University and the University of Iowa. Outside of work, Robert enjoys investing, cooking, global travel, and spending time with his three children in South Florida. ABOUT QCI Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 300 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $42 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI's data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com. ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry. Contact: Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence Phone: 858-349-8354 Sydney, Aug. 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Pacific Green Technologies, Inc., a global leader in battery energy storage solutions, is pleased to announce that its Australian battery storage business has signed a landmark framework agreement with Re2 Capital Ltd. (Re2). The agreement covers seven to 10-year capacity revenue swap arrangements across four Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects located in South Australia, Victoria, New South Wales, and Queensland, in support of 2GWh of new storage capacity. This industry-first agreement marks a major milestone in Pacific Greens growth trajectory, significantly accelerating the route to market for its 7GWh Australian project portfolio. Scott Poulter, Group CEO of Pacific Green, commented: Following our recent agreement with ZEN Energy for 1.5GWh, we are delighted to now also sign this first-of-its-kind framework agreement with Re2 for 2GWh in Australia. Combined, these strategic framework agreements with Re2 and ZEN Energy enable Pacific Green to guarantee revenue underwriting 3.5GWh of battery projects in Australia and signify a major milestone for Pacific Greens development business. Richard Oduntan, CEO of Re2 Capital commented: This framework agreement with Pacific Green is a milestone for both companies and the wider energy market. Through this framework agreement, we hope to further enable the development of critical infrastructure that will strengthen the National Electricity Market in Australia and facilitate continued renewable energy penetration. VANCOUVER, August 6, 2025 - Giant Mining Corp. (CSE: BFG | OTC: BFGFF | FWB: YW5 | CSE: BFG.WT.A | CSE: BFG.WT.B) ("Giant Mining" or the "Company") ) is pleased to announce the successful completion of a site visit with Exploration Technologies Inc. ("ExploreTech"), alongside the Company's consultants and technical team. The visit reaffirms Giant Mining's commitment to advancing domestic copper production in alignment with the America First industrial strategy. Building on successful results from the Phase 1 2025 drill program-which confirmed hypogene copper mineralization-ExploreTech will deploy its proprietary AI-assisted geophysical modeling system to optimize exploration efforts. Giant Mining confirms the continued and expanded engagement of ExploreTech to aid with drill planning for the 2025 Phase 2 exploration program. The goal of Phase 2 is clear: to define and delineate the mineralized system with the objective of developing a NI 43-101 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE"). The expanded program will target known breccias and deeper zones that will leverage ExploreTech's advanced AI-driven geophysical modelling to facilitate deposit expansion and understanding. "This is more than just a drill program - it's a pivotal step in reshoring critical mineral production and reclaiming American leadership in the copper supply chain," said David Greenway, CEO of Giant Mining Corp. "By integrating ExploreTech's AI-driven geological intelligence, we're accelerating discovery and reducing risk at a time when copper prices are surging. The opportunity to invest in U.S.-based copper assets has never been more urgent - or more strategic." Recent market reports show copper prices climbing over 40% year-to-date, driven by strong demand, tightening global supply, and U.S. tariff announcements. Copper peaked at US $5.72 per pound earlier this month, making American copper projects increasingly strategic (Source online July 17, 2025: InvestingNews). This initiative is aligned with the Biden-Trump consensus on revitalizing domestic supply chains, especially in critical metals like copper. Giant Mining Corp. believes that reshoring copper production is essential to securing America's energy transition, technology leadership, and national security. Highlights: ExploreTech reaffirmed as technical partner for 2025 Phase 2 Exploration Reinforces Giant Mining's commitment to American copper independence Capitalizes on current macroeconomic tailwinds and price surges in copper markets ExploreTech's cutting-edge geological intelligence and data-driven insights will play a key role in accelerating timelines, reducing exploration risk, and delivering value to shareholders. Results from the Company's 2025 Phase 1 diamond drilling program (the "Core Program") confirm strong breccia controls and copper mineralization, that correlates with previously identified high-grade copper intercepts in core holes MHB-30 and MHB-32. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 1: Drill Hole Locations with Cross Section Locations. Click Image To View Full Size Figure 2: Hydrothermal-Magmatic, Polylithic Breccia with chalcocite clot and probable gypsum at 537 ft depth. Strongly mineralized breccia matrix at 1216 ft, containing tourmaline, chalcopyrite, and pyrite. Majuba Hill's critically important characteristics are as follows: Location: Nevada, USA - a globally top-ranked mining jurisdiction, ranked #1 in the Fraser Institute's 2022 Annual Survey of Mining Companies. Project Size: 9,684 Acres Infrastructure: The Majuba Hill property is 113 road km (70 miles) southwest of Winnemucca, Nevada, and 251 km (156 miles) northeast of Reno. Access is by well-maintained county roads from the Imlay; Nevada exit on U.S. Interstate 80 and traveling westward 23 miles. People, Roads, Power and Water are the basic elements when considering infrastructure and Majuba Hill already has a solid infrastructure foundation for building a large facility which will provide significant savings compared to more remote projects History: Historical Producer Drilling: Approximately 89,395 feet of drilling to date. Rough replacement value of drilling USD $12.1 Million using current costs. Mineralization: The project shows indications of a potentially large Cu - Ag +/- Au mineralized body with many features in common with both large porphyry copper, silver, and gold projects. Expandability: The IP survey, deep drilling, and step-out drilling indicate significant expansion potential, with mineralization open in all directions. Fully Financed: Secured funding for next phase of drilling at Majuba Hill Quality Assurance/Quality Control ("QA/QC") Measures, Chain of Custody The Company utilizes a QA/QC program using best industry practices at the Majuba Hill Project. The samples are placed in cloth sample bags and are transported from the Giant Mining secure warehouse to the ALS Labs Sample Prep Facility in Elko, Nevada. ALS Labs then securely transports the prepared pulps to their analytical lab in North Vancouver, B.C. Drill core samples are sawn in half lengthwise and one half is placed in labeled cloth sample bags. All samples are analyzed for copper, gold, silver, and 33 other elements. Gold is determined by ALS Labs method Au-AA23 which is a fire assay with an AAS finish on a 30-gram split. Copper, silver, and the remaining 31 elements are determined by ALS Labs method ME-ICP61 which is a four-acid digestion and ICP-AES assay. Approximately 5% of the submitted samples are drill duplicates and copper-gold-porphyry commercial standard reference material pulps. The remaining pulps will be retrieved from ALS Labs. Qualified Person The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by E.L. "Buster" Hunsaker III, CPG 8137, a non-independent consulting geologist who is a "Qualified Person" as such term is defined under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43- 101"). About Giant Mining Corp. Giant Mining is focused on identifying, acquiring, and advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals. This demand is driven by initiatives like the Green New Deal in the United States and similar climate-focused programs worldwide, which require substantial amounts of copper, silver, and gold for electric vehicles, renewable energy infrastructure, and the modernization of clean and affordable energy systems. The Company's flagship asset is the Majuba Hill Copper, Silver, and Gold District, located 156 miles (251 km) from Reno, Nevada. Majuba Hill is situated in a mining-friendly jurisdiction with supportive regulations and has the potential to become one of the next major copper deposits, critical for meeting the increasing need for this red metal. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. On Behalf of the Board of Giant Mining Corp. "David Greenway" David C. Greenway President & CEO For further information, please contact: E: info@giantminingcorp.com P: 1 (236) 788-0643 VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE DETAILS www.giantminingcorp.com LIKE AND FOLLOW Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn DOWNLOAD INVESTOR INFORMATION Click Here Forward-Looking Statements This news release contains certain forward?looking information. Such information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those implied by statements herein, and therefore these statements should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results. All forward?looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it as well as other factors. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward?looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Due to risks and uncertainties, including the risks and uncertainties identified by the Company in its public securities filings, actual events may differ materially from current expectations. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward?looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. ### Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire - All rights reserved. Star Diamond Corp. (the "Company") (TSX: DIAM) is pleased to announce the closing of its previously announced private placement (the "Private Placement") of units ("Units") to Spirit Resources s.a.r.l. ("Spirit") for gross proceeds of Cdn. $4,000,000. The proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for working capital and general corporate purposes, including to advance a prefeasibility study with respect to the Fort a la Corne diamond project. Under the Private Placement, the Company has issued 133,333,333 Units to Spirit at a price of Cdn. $0.03 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") with an exercise price of: (i) Cdn. $0.04 per Common Share at any time within 12 months following the date of issue, and (ii) Cdn. $0.05 per Common Share thereafter, with such Warrants being exercisable for a period of 24 months; provided that if the Company fails to complete one or more equity financings for at least Cdn. $3,000,000 in aggregate within such 24-month period, then the exercise period of the Warrants will be extended by a further 12 months. In connection with the closing of the Private Placement, the Company and Spirit entered into an investor rights agreement dated August 6, 2025 ("Investor Rights Agreement"), pursuant to which Spirit was granted certain pre-emptive and prospectus registration rights, the right to nominate two directors to the board of directors of the Company (the "Board"), as well as, in the event Spirit exercises all of the Warrants, the right to nominate an additional director to the Board and to nominate the Chair of the Board from such Spirit director nominees. A copy of the Investor Rights Agreement will be made available under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. As previously announced, the Private Placement and certain related matters were considered and approved at a special meeting of the holders of the Company's Common Shares ("Shareholders") held on July 29, 2025 (the "Meeting"). At the Meeting, Al Gourley and Wayne Malouf were elected by the Shareholders as directors of the Company, subject to the completion of the Private Placement, as Spirit's two director nominees pursuant to the Investor Rights Agreement. As the Private Placement has closed, Messrs. Gourley and Malouf are now directors of the Company and the Board consists of Al Gourley, Wayne Malouf, Ewan Mason, Larry Phillips and Lisa Riley. At the Meeting, the Shareholders also approved the waiver of the application of the Company's amended and restated shareholder rights plan dated May 30, 2023 (the "Shareholder Rights Plan") with respect to the Private Placement and the amendment and termination of the Shareholder Rights Plan. In connection with the termination of the Shareholder Rights Plan, the Company has entered into a termination agreement with the rights agent of the Shareholder Rights Plan dated August 6, 2025 (the "Termination Agreement"). Pursuant to the Termination Agreement, the Shareholder Rights Plan was terminated effective immediately prior to the completion of the Private Placement. In accordance with the terms of the loan agreement entered into between the Company and Spirit dated May 15, 2025 (the "Loan Agreement"), the Company has repaid the Cdn. $800,000 principal amount unsecured term loan previously advanced by Spirit pursuant to the Loan Agreement, plus accrued interest, using a portion of the proceeds from the Private Placement. The Company also announces that, contemporaneously with the completion of the Private Placement, it has issued an aggregate of 11,732,919 units (the "Conversion Units") in connection with the automatic conversion (the "Automatic Conversion") of the outstanding principal amount plus accrued interest due under the Company's convertible promissory notes issued on February 18, 2025 and February 27, 2025 (the "Notes"). The completion of the Private Placement triggered the Automatic Conversion under the terms of the Notes. Each Conversion Unit is comprised of one Common Share and one warrant exercisable for one Common Share ("Conversion Warrants"). In accordance with the terms of the Notes, the Conversion Units were issued based on conversion price per Conversion Unit of Cdn. $0.0367. Certain insiders of the Company were issued an aggregate of 1,271,636 Conversion Units pursuant to the Automatic Conversion. Following the Automatic Conversion, all outstanding Notes have been converted into Conversion Units, such that no Notes remain outstanding. As with the Warrants to be issued pursuant to the Private Placement, the Conversion Warrants will be exercisable for a period of 24 months; provided that if the Company fails to complete one or more equity financings for at least Cdn. $3,000,000 in aggregate within such 24-month period, then the exercise period of the Conversion Warrants will be extended by a further 12 months. The Conversion Warrants have an exercise price of Cdn. $0.05. Ewan Mason, Chief Executive Officer and Chair of the Board of the Company, said: "We are delighted to announce the closing of this transformative transaction with Spirit, who we look forward to working with as a significant shareholder. I also welcome Al Gourley and Wayne Malouf to the Board and very much look forward to working with them going forward. With this financing in place, the Company is excited to commence a prefeasibility study with respect to the Fort a la Corne diamond project and advance the development of what we believe is a truly world class project." Spirit is a Luxembourg-based private investment corporation that is ultimately owned and controlled by Jean-Raymond Boulle. Immediately prior to the closing of the Private Placement, Mr. Boulle, through Spirit, beneficially owned and controlled 61,121,810 Common Shares, representing 9.81% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Following the completion of the Private Placement, Mr. Boulle, through Spirit, beneficially owns and controls an aggregate of 194,455,143 Common Shares and 133,333,333 Warrants, representing, on a non-diluted basis and taking into account the Common Shares issued by the Company pursuant to the Automatic Conversion, 25.31% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares, an increase of 15.50% from Mr. Boulle's holdings of Common Shares prior to closing. Assuming exercise by Spirit of the Warrants issued to it pursuant to the Private Placement, Mr. Boulle, through Spirit, would beneficially own 327,788,476 Common Shares, representing an aggregate ownership interest of approximately 36.35% on a partially-diluted basis, an increase of 26.55% from prior to closing (in each case taking into account the issuance by the Company of Common Shares pursuant to the Automatic Conversion). Consequently, the completion of the Private Placement has resulted in Mr. Boulle, through Spirit, becoming an "insider" of the Company, as such term is defined in applicable securities laws. To obtain a copy of the early warning report to be filed by Spirit in connection with this press release, please contact: Michael Oke at +44 7834368299. Spirit's address is 63 rue de Rollingergrund, 2440 Luxembourg. The Private Placement was completed by Spirit for investment purposes. Depending on market conditions and other factors, Spirit may from time to time acquire and/or dispose of securities of the Company or continue to hold its current position. About Star Diamond Corporation The Company is a Canadian-based corporation engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties. Shares of the Company trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "DIAM". The Company's most significant asset is its interest in the Fort a la Corne property in central Saskatchewan. These diamondiferous kimberlites are located in close proximity to established infrastructure, including paved highways and the electrical power grid, which provide significant advantages for future mine development. About Spirit Resources s.a.r.l. Spirit is a private company formed in Luxembourg which is ultimately owned and controlled by Jean-Raymond Boulle. Mr. Boulle was the Chairman, founder and CEO of Diamond Fields Resources Inc., a company listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange that discovered the Voisey's Bay Mine (acquired by Inco Ltd. in 1996 for $4.3 billion). Mr. Boulle was subsequently involved in several successful mining companies, including Adastra Minerals Inc. (acquired by First Quantum Minerals Ltd. in 2006 for approximately US$275 million) and World Titane Holdings Ltd. (acquired by Base Resources Ltd. in 2017 for US$90 million). Mr. Boulle started his career at the De Beers Diamond Trading Company London where he worked for ten years in Zaire, Sierra Leone and Belgium. Presently, Mr. Boulle has several interests in diamond exploration and mining assets, including assets in Namibia and Angola. He also controls luxury retail companies in the downstream diamond industry. As an investor and entrepreneur, Mr. Boulle has founded a number of mining companies that have made discoveries of nickel, cobalt, copper, zinc, titanium and diamonds. Mr. Boulle has successfully listed companies on the following stock exchanges: AIM (England), TSXV (Canada), ASX (Australia) and SEM (Mauritius). Beyond mining, he has established businesses in sectors including medical technology, therapeutics, agriculture, luxury and energy. The Jean Boulle Group supports a range of environmental and conservation projects with a focus on Mauritius, where he was born. CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION This press release contains "forward-looking statements" and/or "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words "anticipate", "plan", "aim", "target", "contemplate", "continue", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "propose", "might", "may", "will", "shall", "project", "should", "could", "would", "believe", "predict", "forecast", "pursue", "potential", "possible", "capable" and similar expressions are intended to identify "forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, the use of the proceeds of the Private Placement and the anticipated development and prospective nature of the Company's property interests. These forward-looking statements are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to it and involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific. Risks exist that forward-looking statements will not be achieved due to a number of factors including, but not limited to, the receipt of applicable shareholder and regulatory approvals, availability of financing, the impact of changes in the laws and regulations regulating mining exploration, development, closure, judicial or regulatory judgments and legal proceedings and the additional risks described the Company's most recently filed Annual Information Form, and annual and interim MD&A. Although management of the Company considers the assumptions contained in forward-looking statements to be reasonable based on information currently available to the Company, those assumptions may prove to be incorrect. When making decisions with respect to the Company, investors and others should not place undue reliance on these statements and should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. The Company does not undertake any obligation to release publicly revisions to any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release, or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Investors should not assume that any lack of update to a previously issued forward-looking statement constitutes a reaffirmation of that statement. Continued reliance on forward-looking statements is at investors' own risk. /NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR THROUGH U.S. NEWSWIRES/ SOURCE Star Diamond Corporation For further information, please contact: Star Diamond Corporation, Phone: (306) 664-2202, Email: stardiamondcorp@stardiamondcorp.com, Website: www.stardiamondcorp.com; Spirit Resources s.a.r.l., Michael Oke, +44 7834368299; Andy Mills, +44 7841 748 911, Email: boulle@aura-financial.com, Website: jeanboullegroup.com Ferrari accused of snubbing Hamilton after dossiers Lewis Hamilton's Ferrari dream has turned into a swirl of uncertainty and doubt, as pundits across Europe react to his brutal self-assessment after the Hungarian GP. Lewis Hamilton, Hungarian GP 2025 Ferrari After describing himself as useless and urging Ferrari to get another driver, Hamilton admitted there's a lot going on in the background that's not great. The seven-time world champion's public despair has since sparked a media storm in both Italy and Germany. German outlet Sport1 even floated a conspiracy theory: that Ferrari quietly demoted Hamilton after he sent management internal 'dossiers' proposing team and car changes - instead backing Charles Leclerc, who took pole in Hungary. But former F1 driver and commentator Marc Surer dismissed the idea. What would Ferrari gain from this? They'd only hurt themselves, he said. Lewis must continue adapting to the car, just like Leclerc does. Others were less kind. Former F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone quipped: The safety car is more likely to win a race than Hamilton will become world champion again. Sky Deutschland's Ralf Schumacher added: You don't have to drive in circles your whole life. But Franz Tost, the former F1 team boss and close to Michael Schumacher's family, rejected comparisons with Schumacher's 2010 comeback. "We're talking about two completely different things. Michael had to get used to a new F1 system. Lewis didn't. His problem is the car's handling - not his age. La Gazzetta dello Sport compiled a chorus of reaction from Italian figures. Jarno Trulli called Hamilton a mystery, saying, He's disappointing in qualifying, a bit better in races, but never shining. This isn't Hamilton. Former Ferrari driver Ivan Capelli believes Hamilton is living a double life - strong off-track, but lost in the car. He's lost the smile in his eyes, Capelli said. His strength was always leading the team through hard times. Now, even that is gone. Arturo Merzario, who raced for Ferrari in the 1970s, said the team never truly backed Hamilton. Ninety percent of Ferrari insiders disagreed with the decision to sign him, he claimed. It was a commercial move. Lewis doesn't feel valued, and that kills motivation. Sky Italia commentator and GT driver Vicky Piria added: Lewis underestimated how hard it would be. He joined a team not built around him, with no established relationships. Now he's in despair, not disinterest. Davide Valsecchi, 2012 GP2 champion, said Ferrari won the winter with the Hamilton signing, but warned the PR boost is now turning sour: I would've signed a younger driver. Despite it all, many still believe Hamilton has more to give. Matteo Bobbi, Vitantonio Liuzzi, Giancarlo Minardi, and Emanuele Pirro all pointed to 2026's regulation reset as a potential lifeline - and rejected age as the root cause. Lewis is still hungry, said Pirro. But he hasn't found his comfort zone yet. He's more sensitive than people think - and that showed in Hungary. (GMM) Leclerc slammed for dangerous Russell block Charles Leclerc's fourth-place finish from pole position in Hungary is under heavy scrutiny, after a controversial late-race incident with George Russell drew criticism from rival drivers, stewards, and Austrian TV pundits. Charles Leclerc, Hungarian GP 2025 Ferrari The Ferrari driver was penalised five seconds for what the FIA deemed erratic driving , after moving under braking while defending third place from Russell on lap 61. The Mercedes driver was forced to lift and completed the pass cleanly the following lap. Leclerc was defiant after the race but didn't deny the move: He always complains when there's something close. So I'm not surprised. Russell, who took third, told reporters: He moved under braking. I had to react. It's not allowed, and I think the stewards got it right. Former F1 driver and circuit designer Alexander Wurz, speaking to Austria's ORF, was scathing: That's extremely dangerous. It can lead to extremely serious accidents - and that's also prohibited by the regulations. You can see how Leclerc pulls over - unnecessary, added long-time ORF commentator Ernst Hausleitner. Wurz urged officials to use the footage as an example: The race director should really show all the drivers this scene and say: 'We won't do it that way in the future!' The incident capped a dramatic day for Leclerc, who started from pole but slipped back through the race. Ferrari's strategy was again questioned after Leclerc exploded on the radio, with theories swirling that his car was deliberately adjusted at the pit stop to avoid post-race scrutineering penalties. (GMM) Perez now linked with Alpine as pressure grows Flavio Briatore is seriously eyeing alternatives to Franco Colapinto, as pressure builds on the young Argentine to justify his high-profile move to Alpine. Sergio Perez, Brazilian GP 2024 Red Bull Colapinto, 21, was brought in from Williams on loan in a surprise and lucrative deal orchestrated by Alpine advisor Briatore, who replaced long-time reserve Jack Doohan and paid a steep loan price for the move. But so far, Colapinto has failed to impress - triggering rumours of a driver change for 2026 or even earlier. Briatore continues to view Colapinto critically, Sport1's Ralf Bach said on f1-insider's YouTube channel. And anyone who knows Briatore knows he already has different ideas about the future. Bach believes a new Alpine plan may already be in motion. I don't think it's a secret Briatore has spoken with Bottas. But I also believe Perez shouldn't be underestimated. He brings experience - and millions again thanks to Carlos Slim, who wants to bring him back to Formula 1. Former Red Bull driver Sergio Perez was dropped at the end of 2024 after an inconsistent season, but replacements Liam Lawson and Yuki Tsunoda have yet to outperform him. Although Perez, 35, has long been linked with Cadillac, sources now suggest that Valtteri Bottas has already secured that seat, leaving the door open for a surprise Alpine return. Briatore definitely sees a win-win situation if he gets Perez, Bach said. And I wouldn't rule out that happening. Former F1 driver Martin Brundle also expressed doubts about Colapinto's future. There's definite uncertainty beyond 2025, he said, with Briatore understood to also understood to be a strong admirer of Paul Aron. (GMM) Verstappen blast stewards over Hungary probe Max Verstappen has criticised Formula 1's stewards for investigating his overtake on Lewis Hamilton in Hungary - despite no contact and no penalty. Max Verstappen, Hungarian GP 2025 Red Bull I actually think it's a shame I have to go back to the stewards after the race. Just analyse it during the race, Verstappen told Viaplay. I put my nose right next to him, and he was shocked. He drove off the track, so I don't know exactly what's going on there. The FIA later confirmed Hamilton's Ferrari wasn't forced off - noting a team representative said the driver chose not to attempt to remain on track. We told our story. Well, I did, because Lewis wasn't there, Verstappen revealed. "I don't think Lewis had any interest in it either. We both didn't have a good weekend, so this was a very minor thing. Verstappen agreed with the no-action decision but said the real problem is that the rules are overly complex. The situation is always unclear, said the Red Bull driver. It's just strange that we had to go to the stewards when there wasn't even any contact. The problem is that there are so many rules now. Russian commentator Alexey Popov called the delayed process a disgrace. He said: They published one set of results, and three hours later - another. This can't be done. Hamilton told media he didn't even remember the incident. But his form at Ferrari continues to draw attention - including from Bernie Ecclestone. He needs a complete reset, the former F1 supremo is quoted as saying by De Telegraaf. He's tired. He really needs a break. He has seven world titles. That's more than enough. As for Ferrari's options, Ecclestone said: If I could get him, I'd take Isack Hadjar. I also appreciate our friend from Brazil (Gabriel Bortoleto) - he's talented. (GMM) Villeneuve questions Vasseur continuity, Leclerc loyalty Jacques Villeneuve has questioned Ferrari's decision to retain Fred Vasseur beyond 2025, warning that continuity only works "when things are going well." Charles Leclerc, Hungarian GP 2025 Ferrari Amid pressure from inside Maranello and known interest in ousted Red Bull boss Christian Horner, Ferrari last week confirmed that Vasseur will continue to lead the team through F1's looming regulation overhaul. But 1997 world champion Villeneuve - whose father Gilles is a Ferrari legend - told La Gazzetta dello Sport he's not convinced the decision was purely performance-based. If they chose to continue with him, it means the drivers are happy to work with him and feel protected, said Villeneuve. "They've formed a group, the three of them, and that could be good for the future. But if we rely solely on the results, we can't ignore the fact that Ferrari hasn't progressed under him. Villeneuve was also blunt when asked about Charles Leclerc, who continues to insist that winning with Ferrari means more to him than simply becoming world champion. It's a nice message for the team and fans, he said. But I don't think it's true. A true driver wants to win - that's all that matter, said the Canadian. Winning with Ferrari, when others haven't, is even better. But time passes, and every driver has to make smart choices about their future. Asked about Lewis Hamilton's struggles, Villeneuve said he thinks the problem is not just performance or age but also cultural misalignment - and Ferrari disorganisation. He's coming from a completely different background - English and German methods. Ferrari's internal confusion, even on the radio, isn't helping his adaptation, he said. Can Hamilton bounce back? Next year will be the real showdown with Leclerc, said Villeneuve. This car wasn't designed for him. But with so much attention on his arrival, it's fair to say this first phase has been disappointing. (GMM) Wolff admits recent upgrade ruined the car With George Russell and Kimi Antonelli effectively now locked in for 2026, there was a clear sense of relief within the Mercedes camp after a breakthrough Hungarian GP. Toto Wolff, Hungarian GP 2025 Mercedes Russell, who secured another strong result in Budapest after a recent team performance slump, was calm when asked about when he might get a new contract to sign. I have to be honest, I'm going straight on vacation tonight, he smiled. I'm going to take ten days off. Behind the scenes, the team is preparing to move forward with both drivers - a move that will come as a particular relief to Antonelli, who has endured a bruising rookie campaign. The 18-year-old was in tears at Spa, having struggled for weeks with a new rear suspension concept introduced at Imola. At the Hungaroring, Mercedes finally reverted to the earlier layout - and both pace and confidence returned immediately. It shouldn't really happen that an upgrade would ruin the car like this, team boss Toto Wolff admitted. In the end, we came to the conclusion that the update had to go - and now the car is back in solid shape. Wolff said the suspension introduced at Imola will now end up in the trash . All the clever people, all the simulations, the infrastructure we have, and then it leads you to a car architecture that is simply wrong. We tried to solve one problem, and that made something else significantly worse. We've now fixed all that. We were also misled by the attitude that 'maybe it's not so bad after all,' he added. With that clarity, Mercedes has now shifted its full focus to the 2026 project. Everything is geared towards next year, said Wolff. Now we know that we have a more stable platform. (GMM) Next article: 102 student loan defaulters named and shamed Is someone you know on the list? National PTA Council lauds president for reinstatement of PTAs Emmanuel Bonney Education Aug - 06 - 2025 , 09:57 2 minutes read The National Council of Parent-Teacher Associations (NCPTAs) expressed its heartfelt appreciation to the President, John Dramani Mahama, for his timely and progressive directive leading to the full reinstatement of parent-teacher associations (PTAs) in all pre-tertiary schools across the country. It also commended the Ghana Education Service (GES) for its swift action in operationalising the directive and instructing heads of institutions to immediately implement the reactivation of PTAs nationwide. This policy move, the NCPTAs said, acknowledged the critical role PTAs had played over the years in supporting the delivery of quality education, infrastructure development and community involvement in the country's education sector. Assure The National PTA Council wishes to assure the general public, parents and stakeholders that it is committed to ensuring the effective and transparent functioning of PTAs across all institutions. We remain firmly against any form of institutional manipulation or micro-management that undermines the independence of parental voice in education and the collaborative nature of PTAs in Ghana, the General Secretary of the NCPTA, Raphael Kofi Gapson, said in a statement issued in Accra. Going forward, the statement said the council would work closely with the GES and school authorities to ensure that PTA activities were aligned with best practices, guided by sound financial accountability frameworks and focused solely on the welfare and educational success of the Ghanaian child. Guidelines On July 16, 2025, the GES said it was going to issue further guidelines on modalities for the reinstatement of parent-teacher associations (PTAs) in senior high schools in the country. That, it said, would include the structure, roles and financial accountability mechanisms of PTAs to ensure consistency across all schools. Following the recent directive by President John Dramani Mahama on the full reinstatement of PTAs in all pre-tertiary schools nationwide, management of the GES hereby directs that all heads of schools be informed to operationalise the directive with immediate effect, the acting Director-General of the GES, Prof. Ernest Kofi Davis, said in a letter. The letter was addressed to all regional directors of education. By copy of this letter, you are requested to bring this directive to the attention of all metropolitan, municipal and district directors of education under your jurisdiction, and advise heads of public senior high, technical and STEM schools to stand ready for further instructions, it said. On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, President Mahama called for the full reinstatement of PTAs in schools nationwide, saying that sidelining parents from school governance had undermined accountability and community involvement. Previous article: 102 student loan defaulters named and shamed Is someone you know on the list? Featured WASSCE practicals underway Emmanuel Bonney Education Aug - 06 - 2025 , 07:57 4 minutes read The practical session of this year's West African Senior School Certificate Examination for School Candidates (WASSCE-SC) took off smoothly at the various senior high and technical schools across the country. It involves candidates undertaking projects they had been assigned to carry out as part of the examination. During a visit to some schools in Accra, Visual Arts candidates were seen busily sketching projects they were going to develop. Schools The schools visited included the Accra High School, Labone SHS and the St Thomas Aquinas SHS. At the Accra High School, candidates were having the Sculpture and Leather Work examinations at the time of the Daily Graphics visit. Some of the candidates were seen wearing working coats as they did their sketches, while the rest were in their normal uniforms. The situation was the same at the other two schools at the time of the Daily Graphics visit. The Assistant Headmaster in charge of Academics at the Accra High School, Fred Oppong Ampofo, who is also the Supervisor of the WASSCE, said Sculpture had 45 candidates while Leather Work had 47, bringing the total number to 92. The practical examination, he said, would cover three weeks, and they would write a different paper in each of the weeks. Second week Next week, he said, they would have Textiles and Picture Making and then Graphics, which would be compulsory for all of them in the third week. They have gone through a briefing and have been told what they have to do. They have gone through the rules and regulations of WAEC and have been told the consequences of examination malpractice. Our students are well psyched up psychologically because the guidance and counselling unit has also taken them through some psychological practices, he said. In all, he said a total of 652 candidates were writing the WASSCE in the school. At the Labone SHS, Chairman of the Examination Committee, Edmund Amiteye, said the candidates were given their projects about two weeks ago as part of the examination. Final projects So, for now, they are having the sketches done before they come out with the final project. But they are using five days, six hours a day, he said. Mr Amiteye said no absentee had been recorded so far, adding that there were 99 candidates for jewellery, 63 for leather works and 58 for picture making. At St. Thomas Aquinas, two of the candidates Eric and Rahman- expressed the hope of excelling in the WASSCE. Exam The 2025 WASSCE-SC commenced yesterday, with practical examinations. The written papers will begin on August 20 and end on September 19. In all, 65 subjects will be taken by candidates, but each candidate will take an average of eight subjects. A total of 461,640 candidates across the country are expected to sit for the examination. This number is made up of 207,381 male candidates and 254,259 female candidates. The examination is being conducted in about 701 examination centres across the country. Statistics Per the statistics made available to the Daily Graphic, the Ashanti Region is presenting the highest number of candidates of 115,982, made up of 52,813 males and 63,169 females. The Eastern Region follows with 64,225 candidates-- 28,024 males and 36,201 females. Three regions Bono, Ahafo and Bono East have a total of 61,773 candidates (27,560 males and 34,213 females) participating in the WASSCE-SC. The Central Region is next with 53,738 candidates, made up of 23,090 males and 30648 females. A total of 45,877 candidates from the Greater Accra Region are taking part in the WASSCE-SC, with a breakdown of 20,948 males and 24,929 females. The Volta and Oti regions have a total of 35,539 candidates, made up of 16,729 males and 18,810 females, while Western and Western North have 33,121 candidates, made up of 14,156 males and 18,965 females. The Northern, North East, and Savannah regions have a total of 29,652 candidates, comprising 14,712 males and 14,940 females for the 2025 WASSCE-SC. In the Upper East Region, 13,976 candidates, comprising 5,918 males and 8,058 females, are writing this years examination. Additionally, 7,757 candidates, comprising 3,431 males and 4,326 females, from the Upper West Region are participating. Next article: GWL suspends tanker use of fire hydrants nationwide to trace water losses Featured Five arrested in Ashanti Region for illegal water connections Thebftonline Aug - 06 - 2025 , 12:37 2 minutes read Five individuals have been arrested on suspicion of illegally tapping into water supply, during a Ghana Water Limited (GWL) and Kumasi Centra Police Service concerted effort to combat rampant illegal water connections in the region. The arrests took place at several locations across the region, including Danyame, Dakodwom, Kwadaso Estate and Santasi Apire. The arrests, carried out last week, mark a significant step in GWLs ongoing campaign to reduce commercial losses and ensure fair access to water resources for all residents. The five individuals were apprehended after failing to respond to surcharges issued for their alleged illegal connections, which totalled GH31,804. While three of the suspects have since paid their dues, amounting to GH11,515, the remaining two are currently in police custody awaiting further processing if payment conditions are not met. This latest operation sends a clear message that GWL is taking the illegal water connection menace seriously and is committed to protecting its resources and ensuring a reliable water supply for all. GWL officials have expressed growing concern over the prevalence of illegal connections and water siphoning in Ashanti Region, citing it as a major contributor to Non-Revenue Water (NRW) water that is produced but cannot be accounted for, whether through leaks, theft or other means. The company estimates that illegal activities are costing them significant revenue, hindering their ability to maintain and improve water infrastructure. Illegal connection and siphoning of water have become rampant in the Ashanti Region, contributing significantly to Non-Revenue Water for the region. Acting Regional Chief Manager, Innocentia Kuupiel, speaking to journalists, expressed optimism that the crackdown will serve as a deterrent to others considering engaging in illegal water connections. She further urged residents ofthe Ashanti Region to play an active role in combating illegal connections by reporting any suspicious activity to the company. According to the company, a dedicated hotline 055 677 9028 has been established for this purpose, and callers are assured of utmost confidentiality. GWL is also offering a reward for verified reports of illegal connections. Ghana Water Limited is committed to meeting the demands of its customers and entreats that all and sundry should join the fight against Illegal water connections, as such acts deny the company needed resources to enhance operations. Managements dedication to fostering relationships with the police and media will help to eradicate this menace. The company has vowed to continue working closely with the police service to eradicate illegal connections throughout the Ashanti Region, Ms. Kuupiel added. She then lauded efforts of the Kumasi Central Police administration for their assistance in making the operation a success. Featured Ghana Air Force helicopter crashes en route to Obuasi; 8 persons on board GraphicOnline Aug - 06 - 2025 , 13:29 1 minute read A Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter carrying eight people has gone missing after taking off from Accra this morning, military officials confirmed in an urgent press release. The aircraft departed the capital at 0912 hours en route to Obuasi but lost radar contact shortly after, according to the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF). "All efforts are being made to establish contact," stated the release signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations. On board were three crew members and five passengers, though their identities and the missions purpose were not immediately disclosed. Search operations are underway, with further updates promised. The Z9, a utility helicopter often used for transport and medical evacuation, was last tracked over an undisclosed location. The GAF urged media outlets to disseminate the alert, noting: "For favour of publication, please." Observers suggest adverse weather conditions or technical issues could be factors, but authorities have not confirmed any causes. The Jubilee House is expected to brief the press on developments later today. Next article: Man named by EOCO in Shatta Wale Lamborghini seizure serving 7 years in US jail over $4million fraud Featured GH100m release to Students Loan Trust historic NUGS Emmanuel Bonney Aug - 06 - 2025 , 07:41 2 minutes read The National Union of Ghana Students (NUGS) has commended the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) for allocating GH100 million to the Students Loan Trust Fund (SLTF) this year, describing it as historic and unprecedented. It said the funding facilitated under the leadership of the new GETFund Administrator, Paul Adjei, had brought much-needed relief to thousands of tertiary students who depended on student loans to finance their education. First time For the first time in four years, the SLTF has been able to pay all second semester loan tranches to students, the President of NUGS, Daniel Korley Botchway, stated in an interview with journalists after an engagement with the SLTF. This move restores predictability to the scheme, reduces financial anxiety and allows students to focus fully on their studies, he said. Following the release of GH100 million, the GETFUND has cleared all outstanding arrears to the SLTF, and the trust fund is expecting the release of GH60 million allocation for 2025. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SLTF, Dr Saajida Shiraz, in a recent engagement with student leaders, revealed that GH92.6 million had already been disbursed to 39,515 students as loan support for the 2024/25 academic year. No Fee Stress Additionally, under the governments No Fee Stress Policy, GH289.6 million has been reimbursed to 120,224 first-year students in academic fees for the same academic year. The NUGS president said those interventions had yielded a transformative impact on students academic journeys. He explained that many beneficiaries who previously struggled to pay outstanding fees, secure accommodation or purchase essential study materials were now able to do so without disruptions. For others, the timely funds meant avoiding deferral of programmes and maintaining steady academic progress, he pointed out. This is not just about money its about keeping dreams alive, Mr Botchway said, adding that When students are free from the constant worry about finances, they can channel their energy into academic excellence, research, innovation and leadership. Minister NUGS also commended the Minister of Education, Haruna Iddrisu, for his supportive role in advancing initiatives that enhanced student welfare, stating that his encouragement and policy backing had contributed to creating an enabling environment for such impactful funding interventions. The union further praised the improved coordination between GETFund and SLTF, describing it as a critical factor in ensuring that funds were released and disbursed on time. The renewed collaboration, the NUGS president said, should serve as a benchmark for inter-agency cooperation in solving education sector challenges. NUGS has pledged to continue engaging with the Minister, GETFund and SLTF to sustain and enhance such interventions for the benefit of all Ghanaian students. Next article: Five arrested in Ashanti Region for illegal water connections Featured Govt inaugurates IMC to revive Komenda Sugar Factory Timothy Ngnenbe Aug - 06 - 2025 , 12:47 5 minutes read The Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry, Elizabeth Ofosu-Adjare, has inaugurated a committee to lead the operationalisation of the Komenda Sugar Factory. The factory, constructed more than 10 years ago, has remained dormant for the better part of its life. The interim management committee (IMC), chaired by Kwame Owusu Sekyere, a lawyer, also has Douglas Mensah, an engineer; John Doku, Lt Col George Afful (retd), and Ransford Vanni Amoah as members. The six-point Terms of Reference given to the IMC comprise conducting a technical assessment of the factorys assets, reviewing its financial and business viability, evaluating the sugarcane raw material supply chain, identifying a credible strategic partner, reviewing the ministrys operational roadmap, and proposing a transition plan towards full operations. The committee is expected to submit its preliminary findings and recommendations to the ministry within eight weeks. The inauguration, held in Accra last Monday, marks a renewed national effort to restore the factory to full functionality and economic relevance. Government officials said it signalled a renewed determination to breathe life into one of Ghanas key industrial initiatives and transform it into a sustainable source of employment and import substitution. Inauguration, history Inaugurating the committee, Mrs Ofosu-Adjare emphasised the significance of the factory as a prized national asset initiated under the previous National Democratic Congress (NDC) government. She said it had been left to deteriorate due to a host of operational and supply chain challenges. The factory dates back to 2013, when the government at the time contracted Seftech India Pvt to construct a sulphurless sugar plant on a turnkey basis. Designed to produce 125 tonnes of sugar daily, with plans to expand into ethanol production and power generation, the project initially cost $36.25 million, funded through a loan from India EXIM Bank and a grant from EDAIF, now Ghana EXIM Bank. Mrs Ofosu-Adjare said in spite of subsequent efforts, including the engagement of Park Agrotech as a strategic investor in 2020 and the involvement of West Africa Agro-Tech Company Limited (WAATCO) under the 1D1F initiative, the factory had not been able to achieve sustainable operations. In spite of these interventions, several attempts to operationalise the factory have not been successful, the minister said. To break this cycle, she said the government had constituted the high-level IMC to diagnose and address the root issues hindering the factorys viability. National significance Mrs Ofosu-Adjare underscored the broader national significance of the project. The Komenda Sugar Factory holds the potential to create enormous jobs in the catchment area, and cutting down on the volume of sugar imports into the country, she said. She added that the ministry was committed to supporting the IMC with the resources required to fulfil its mandate effectively. The chairman of the IMC expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama and the Minister of Trade, Agribusiness and Industry for entrusting the committee with the task of reviewing and reviving the factory. "We are honoured by the confidence reposed in us and pledge to diligently work on the terms of reference and deliver within the timelines assigned to us," Mr Owusu Sekyere said. Background The Komenda Sugar Factory was originally established in 1964 by Ghanas first President, Dr Kwame Nkrumah, but later collapsed. The government secured a $35-million Export-Import (EXIM) Bank, India loan to re-establish the factory. An additional $24 million facility was set aside to support out-grower farmers. The factory was commissioned on May 30, 2016, by President John Dramani Mahama to produce sugar, but it became stillborn due to a multiplicity of factors that were described as "technical and operational challenges". The factory, which was expected to employ 7,300 people along the value chain in the Komenda-Edina-Eguafo-Abirem municipality, has not been operational since then. While addressing a durbar of the chiefs and the people of Komenda in the Central Region on September 14, 2018, then President, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, gave an assurance that the government was in the process of getting a strategic investor to revive the factory. On April 5, 2019, a former Minister of Trade and Industry, Alan Kyerematen, also assured Parliament that a strategic investor would be named by the end of that month to acquire the assets of the factory and help to operationalise it. Following mounting pressure from the chiefs, youth groups and the people of Komenda for the revival of the factory, the government announced on November 26, 2019, that Park Agrotech Ghana Limited, a Ghanaian-Indian company, had been selected as the strategic investor to revamp the factory. It was explained that Park Agrotech emerged as the successful bidder after a rigorous selection process conducted by the accounting and advisory firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC). The Ghana-based company, a subsidiary of the Skylark Group of Companies of India, one of the largest integrated farming businesses in India, was expected to inject $28 million into the factory between 2020 and 2023. The company was expected to invest $11 million of the amount into sugarcane cultivation, $6 million to upgrade plant and machinery and $11 million as working capital to bring the ailing factory back on its feet. The STM Project Limited, a company renowned for sugarcane development and sugar plant modernisation, expansion and rehabilitation for more than 200 sugar factories in India and other parts of the world, was supposed to serve as the technical partner, with technical support from the University of Cape Coast. However, when the Daily Graphic followed up on the progress of work in March 2020, it emerged that no contract was signed between the government and the company. Featured PLAYBACK: Watch the press briefing on a helicopter crash in Ghana; 8 deceased named Kweku Zurek Aug - 06 - 2025 , 14:28 2 minutes read Ghana has been plunged into mourning following the deaths of eight individuals, including two serving ministers of state and top military officers, in a tragic Ghana Air Force helicopter crash in Accra on Wednesday morning. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, in a solemn announcement, confirmed the identities of the deceased as Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence; Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment; and Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator. Also among the victims were Dr Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chair of the National Democratic Congress (NDC); Samuel Aboagye, a former parliamentary candidate; Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala; Flying Officer Amamning Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Addo Mensah. The Ghana Air Force Z9 helicopter, which was carrying the eight passengers, burst into flames shortly after takeoff from Accra at 9:12 a.m. en route to Obuasi. The aircraft lost radar contact shortly after departure and subsequently crashed. Graphic Online has obtained harrowing video footage showing the wreckage engulfed in flames, with several charred bodies visible at the scene. At least four of the victims were burnt beyond recognition. The Ghana Armed Forces, in an earlier statement signed by Captain Veronica Adzo Arhin, Acting Director General of Public Relations, confirmed the incident and noted that efforts had been underway to establish contact with the aircraft before the wreckage was found. Emergency responders were quickly dispatched to the crash site. The cause of the crash remains unconfirmed, though early indications suggest it could have been due to technical failure or adverse weather conditions. The Z9 helicopter is a utility aircraft commonly used for transport and medical evacuation missions by the Ghana Air Force. Flags at government buildings are expected to be flown at half-mast as the nation grieves the loss of high-profile public servants and dedicated officers. The 8 deceased are; Dr Edward Kofi Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Dr. Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairmanof the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Samuel Aboagye, a Former Parliamentary Candidate Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala - Pilot Flying Officer Manin Twum Ampadu - Co-pilot Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah - Crew Member Watch below a government press briefing on the latest developments; Next article: 'There were no regulatory, governance approvals for NIA transactions' - GRA raises issues with GH376 million NIA debt Previous article: GWL suspends tanker use of fire hydrants nationwide to trace water losses Featured Man arrested with loaded pistol on KumasiTarkwa bound bus at Obuasi barrier Graphic.com.gh Aug - 06 - 2025 , 10:50 1 minute read A man has been arrested for unlawful possession of a pistol and ammunition following a routine police operation at the Tweapease Barrier near Obuasi in the Ashanti Region. The arrest took place on July 29, 2025, during a vehicle inspection by officers of the Ashanti South Regional Police Command. A Toyota minibus travelling from Kumasi to Tarkwa was stopped for checks. During a search, police found an unregistered Bruni Model 92 pistol, loaded with three rounds of live 9mm ammunition, hidden inside a passengers backpack. The passenger, identified as Osman Abdul Majeed, was taken into custody after failing to provide any documents authorising him to possess or transport the weapon. According to a police statement issued on August 5, Majeed claimed under interrogation that the weapon had been given to him in Tamale by a man known only as Awal. He said he had been instructed to deliver it to an unnamed recipient in Tarkwa. Majeed remains in custody and is expected to be arraigned. Police say investigations are continuing to trace the source of the pistol and to arrest others believed to be involved. Police say they will continue with routine barrier operations and intelligence-driven searches to stop the movement of illegal arms. They have therefore urged the public to report suspicious activity to help maintain security. Next article: See the areas that will be affected by ECG's maintenance on August 7, 2025 Previous article: 'Your grief is our grief': Minority's touching tribute to helicopter crash victims Featured Minority caucus mourns victims of tragic helicopter crash that killed two ministers Mohammed Ali Aug - 06 - 2025 , 17:10 2 minutes read The Minority Caucus in Parliament has expressed deep sorrow following the military helicopter crash on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, that claimed the lives of eight people, including Defence Minister Dr Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Dr Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. In a statement signed by Minority Leader Mr Alexander Kwamena Afenyo-Markin, the caucus described the accident as a tragic loss for the nation, saying it had taken the lives of public servants and military officers who had been serving Ghana. Other victims include the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, former parliamentary candidate Mr Samuel Aboagye, NDC First Vice Chairman Mr Samuel Sarpong, Squadron Leader Mr Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Mr Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Mr Ernest Addo Mensah. These were fathers, husbands, sons, and patriots who awakened this fateful Wednesday morning with the noble intention of serving Ghana, Mr Afenyo-Markin said. He paid personal tribute to Dr Muhammed for his work in environmental protection and to Dr Omane Boamah for his efforts in modernising the armed forces. Behind every political position lies a human being, someones beloved family member, someones trusted friend, he added. Mr Afenyo-Markin conveyed condolences on behalf of the Minority Caucus to President John Dramani Mahama and the bereaved families. He pledged the caucus support to the government as the country mourns the loss. He called on Ghanaians to honour the memory of those who died by fostering unity, supporting the armed forces, and working together for national security and development. May their souls rest in perfect peace, and may their memories remain everlasting beacons of light, guiding us towards a more united and prosperous Ghana, the statement added. Next article: 'Your grief is our grief': Minority's touching tribute to helicopter crash victims Featured Three days of mourning declared in Ghana after deadly helicopter crash claims eight lives Kester Aburam Korankye Aug - 06 - 2025 , 20:59 2 minutes read President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities and programmes for the rest of the week following a tragic helicopter crash on Wednesday that claimed the lives of eight individuals. In a press statement issued by the Spokesperson to the President and Minister for Government Communications, Felix Kwakye Ofosu (MP), the government declared three days of national mourning beginning Thursday, August 7, 2025. As a mark of respect for the victims, the Chief of Staff earlier in the day directed that all national flags fly at half-mast across the country until further notice. The President expressed profound sorrow over the incident and extended his condolences to the bereaved families. The statement urged the nation to observe the period of mourning with solemnity and reflection. Meanwhile, another statement issued by the Government Spokesman indicated that Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang had led a delegation comprising senior government officials, national executives of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), and the Military High Command to formally inform the families of the eight individuals who perished in the helicopter crash. The Vice President visited the homes of the Minister for Environment, Science and Technology, Alhaji Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, and the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator, Alhaji Minuru Limuna. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, and the NDC National Chairman, Johnson Asiedu Nketiah, led another team to Koforidua to offer condolences to the mother and family of Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister for Defence. Two additional teams have also been dispatched to visit the families of the helicopter crew in Takoradi, the NDC Vice Chairman, Dr Samuel Sarpong, and the Deputy Director-General of NADMO, Samuel Aboagye. Featured Tragic helicopter crash claims lives of top government officials and military personnel Kester Aburam Korankye Aug - 06 - 2025 , 15:06 2 minutes read A devastating helicopter crash in the Adansi Akrofuom District of the Ashanti Region has claimed the lives of several high-ranking government officials and military personnel, including the Minister for Defence, Dr. Edward Omane Boamah, and the Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed. The Chief of Staff, Julius Debrah, confirmed the tragic incident in a sombre announcement at the Jubilee House earlier today. Details of the crash The Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) helicopter, a Z9 model, took off from Accra at 09:12 hours en route to Obuasi, where the officials were scheduled to attend the Responsible Cooperative Mining and Skills Development Programme (rCOMSDEP). Reports indicate that the aircraft, carrying three crew members and five passengers, lost contact with radar shortly after takeoff. Eyewitnesses described a horrific scene, with the helicopter bursting into flames upon impact in the Adansi Akrofuom area. Victims of the tragedy The crash claimed the lives of the following individuals: 1. Dr. Edward Omane Boamah Minister for Defence 2. Alhaji Dr. Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed Minister for Environment, Science, and Technology, and Member of Parliament for Tamale Central 3. Alhaji Muniru Mohammed Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator 4. Dr. Samuel Sarpong Vice Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC) 5. Samuel Aboagye Former Parliamentary Candidate 6. Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala Pilot 7. Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu Co-pilot 8. Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah Crew member The Ghana Armed Forces issued a statement confirming the incident and expressing deep regret over the loss of lives. Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described the incident as a "national tragedy" and called for flags to be flown at half-mast in honour of the deceased. NPP marks 78th UGCC anniversary Calls for introspection, renewal Samuel Duodu Politics Aug - 06 - 2025 , 09:57 3 minutes read The Chairman of the New Patriotic Party's (NPP) National Council of Elders, Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, has called for a rededication of efforts to revitalise the party and reclaim its lost glory. He recounted the party's history and struggles, including its fight for democracy under the Provisional National Defence Council (PNDC) regime. Fighting for democracy was not the easiest," he said, adding that every step of the way, there was a blockage by the PNDC. But we circumvented, one way or another, through ingenuity," he said. Event Mr Owusu-Agyemang was delivering his opening remarks at a panel discussion to commemorate the 78th anniversary of the United Gold Coast Convention (UGCC) in Accra last Monday. The panel discussion was organised by the Patriotic Institute (PI), in collaboration with the NPP's National Council of Elders, to foster a dialogue on individual freedoms, ethical leadership and youth-led solutions for Ghana's development issues. Self-interest Mr Owusu-Agyemang urged party members to eschew self-interest and work towards the wider interest of the party. He underscored the need for a mission and vision to correct past mistakes and restore the party to its former glory. "We didn't choose the elephant as our symbol for nothing. It fights. It moves. It makes sure that whatever it wants to do, it gets there," he said, and called on party members to emulate the elephant's determination and resilience. Tribute Mr Owusu-Agyemang paid glowing tribute to the founding fathers of the UGCC, including Joseph Boakye Danquah, George Alfred Paa Grant, Obestebi Lamptey, Awoonor-Williams and Edward Akufo-Addo. He urged the present generation of the NPP to emulate the sacrifices of those leaders and rededicate themselves to rebuilding the party, democracy and the progress of the nation. "So, ladies and gentlemen, 78 years ago, the United Gold Coast Convention emerged, not merely as a party, but as a daring declaration that Ghanaians deserve to shape their own destiny," he said. Mr Owusu-Agyemang stressed the importance of the youth in protecting the legacy of the UGCC, saying: "To the youth of Ghana, the legacy calls you to action. Let us protect liberty, defend integrity, build economies that uplift the populace, reject divisions and choose nationhood over faction, and never forget that freedom is not a relic, it is a responsibility." A Deputy General Secretary of the NPP and the acting Coordinator of the PI, Dr Antoinette Tsiboe-Darko, said the occasion was not just a ceremonial one but a time for introspection and intellectual renewal. "As a centre-right democratic party, it is a period to remind ourselves of our ideals and the path, the roadmap that we have carved and what we want to follow. And this hinges on our enduring principles of freedom, liberty, free enterprise, ethical governance in a property-owning democracy," she said. Unlock full potential of African women - Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings urges African countries Pacome Emmanuel Damalie Politics Aug - 06 - 2025 , 12:57 2 minutes read The Member of Parliament for Klottey-Korle and member of Ghanas delegation to the Pan African Parliament, Dr Zanetor Agyeman-Rawlings, has called for urgent structural reforms to unlock the full potential of African women in agribusiness, trade and development. Speaking at the 2025 Pan-African Womens Day Commemoration in Midrand, South Africa, last Thursday, she pointed out that land ownership has been a persistent barrier to womens development for several decades. She emphasised that although women performed much of the work in agriculture, they often do not own land and, therefore, cannot use it as collateral for loans. Ironically, studies show women are more reliable in loan repayments, yet they face the greatest barriers to accessing credit, she said. Inter-Africa Trade On cross-border trade, where women formed approximately 90 per cent, Dr Agyeman-Rawlings proposed the introduction of female customs and immigration officers at all border posts to provide both practical support and protection to women traders. She also advocated for a shift in perspective on the conversations about reparations. We must view the transatlantic slave trade as a conquest. Millions were taken as prisoners of war. Reparations should come in tangible forms such as infrastructure, technology and energy investments that support African development, she stated. Recommendations Dr Agyeman-Rawlings also proposed recommendations for promoting womens empowerment on the continent to help in the development. She proposed the creation of short video profiles of the diverse and accomplished women in the Pan-African Parliament, showcasing their achievements as a form of creating visibility for women to inspire young girls across the continent. If they can see it, they can aspire to it, she said, stressing the importance of representation in shaping ambition and possibility. She cautioned against urging women to abandon traditional cooperative systems, which often function more organically and efficiently than formal structures. She, however, advocated for financial institutions to redesign their models around these organic, community-based systems that already drive local economies. Dr Agyemang-Rawlings called on leaders and societies at large to value womens unpaid labour across the continent, stressing that we must put a financial value on the unpaid labour of women on the continent to make sure that more women are empowered. The Samsung Galaxy S26 Edge will address one of the major complaints about the S25 Edge the small 3,900mAh battery capacity while pursuing the goal of ever-thinner designs. Ice Universe has shared several bits of information on the topic and now reports on the expected battery capacity and thickness of the 2026 model. Galaxy S26 Edge 5.5mm 4200mAh, simply writes The Cat. That is 0.3mm thinner than the current Edge with 300mAh more in the tank. However, a few days ago Ice reported that the S26 Edge will have a 4,400mAh battery instead. Whats going on? This might be the difference between rated and typical capacity. If you watch this S25 Edge teardown video, you will see the markings on its battery: 3,786mAh rated capacity and 3,900mAh typical capacity. Galaxy S25 Edges battery from JerryRigEverythings teardown video Thats a difference of 114mAh, so 200mAh between the rated and typical capacity of the new model wouldnt be too unusual. Or maybe these are just conflicting reports because Samsung is still trying to dial in the final design remember, the Galaxy S26 series is not due for five months at least. Based on a previous report, the Samsung Galaxy S26 Pro, the new small model that will replace the vanilla S phone, will have a 4,300mAh battery (typical capacity). Thats a 300mAh bump over the S25 and in line with the rumored 3,900mAh to 4,200mAh upgrade for the S26 Edge. The leakster has mentioned a new battery material technology for the upcoming Edge, though its not clear whether that is silicon-carbon or not. Some reports indicate that Samsung would instead try to increase the volume available to the battery and increase capacity that way. Again, the S26 generation is half a year away from being available in stores, so we will have to wait for more detailed leaks. In the meantime, Apple is also working on a slim phone, the iPhone 17 Air, which is expected to measure 5.5mm thick. Photos of its battery recently leaked that thing is rather tiny. Source Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge One UI 8 features new ringtones based on Vivaldi's The Four Seasons Samsung likes to add a little flair to its major releases with bespoke new ringtones recorded by famous artists. One UI 8 currently running on the Galaxy Z Fold7, Z Flip7 and Z Flip7 FE features four new ringtones based on Vivaldis The Four Seasons. You can find them in the Settings and pick from Autumn, Spring, Summer and Winter. These are part of Samsung Galaxys Inspired by Nature design philosophy. They join ringtones based on The Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saens, which were released last year. This performance of The Four Seasons was recorded in a concert hall using Dolby Atmos technology. Renowned artists participated in the production, including Grammy Award-winning sound director Hwang Byung-jun, Seoul National University professor and violinist Kim Da-mi and the classical music performance team Collegium Musicum Seoul. Its not just ringtones, One UI 8 features other nature-inspired sounds. For example, actual recordings of rock sounds are used as touch sounds. Source (in Korean) Samsung Galaxy Z Fold7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 Samsung Galaxy Z Flip7 FE 5G The upcoming OnePlus 15 will massively switch things up in the design department compared to its predecessor, the OnePlus 13. That is the latest rumor out of China, which is claiming that the next flagship OnePlus will give up on the huge circular camera island. Instead, the OnePlus 15 will have a rounded-corner rectangle-shaped island, positioned in the top left part of its rear. Thus, it will be very similar to the island employed by the recently launched OnePlus 13T and OnePlus 13s. OnePlus 13s The OnePlus 15 is also rumored to give up on the Hasselblad co-branding, and feature a lower-resolution screen than its predecessor. It will still be a good panel with LIPO tech and very thin bezels, but it will only have "1.5K" resolution. The OnePlus 15 will have a 50 MP main camera, the Snapdragon 8 Elite 2 SoC at the helm, and a 7,000-7,500 mAh battery with support for 100W wired charging. Those are all the details leaked right now, but undoubtedly more stuff will be outed in the future, so stay tuned. OnePlus 13 OnePlus 13S 5G These are the best offers from our affiliate partners. We may get a commission from qualifying sales. 256GB 12GB RAM 54,998 512GB 12GB RAM 59,998 Show all prices Source (in Chinese) Education Superintendent Erik Swanson said the public school systems maintenance team has grown from about 20 in 2022 to now nearly 80 workers, launching daily campus inspections to identify and fix health and safety issues. Were operating much differently than we were two years ago, Swanson said. Guam Department of Education schools are opening on Thursday for the School Year 2025-2026. At least 22 GDOE schools passed their sanitary inspections for this new school year and 17 others remain scheduled for review, based on GDOEs latest inspection summary. Inspection operations now run on a rolling schedule based on certificate expiration dates, supported by a dedicated team that visits campuses daily to stay ahead of hazards. First line of defense are classroom teachers. Theyre in the building all the time, classroom teachers and principals, we have a whole mechanism for maintenance, reporting and monitoring, Swanson said. Swanson said the maintenance team, split into northern and southern units, works continuously ahead of the inspection calendar to manage planned Department of Public Health and Social Services reviews. Right now they are working ahead of the inspection team. So Public Health has a couple inspectors that they use. We have them on a schedule. Were averaging three a month, Swanson said. And so remember, there are 39 campuses that we have to inspect, and we just did the high schools. We did them in the summer, because theyre big and they take a long time. Takes about a week to inspect the high school. Thats their only job, Swanson said. GDOE relies on school-based staff to report emerging issues through an internal system that sends serious concerns to a rapidresponse crew, Swanson added. So, for example, a plumbing leak does happen, especially in our older building, we have a team that responds. Its even on call on the weekends, he said. GDOE now resolves urgent issues immediately and logs others for rapid follow-up, supported by a maintenance crew that has grown to nearly four times its original size since Swanson became superintendent in July 2023. When a teacher or staff member sees a demerit or like a leaky roof or somethings coming up, they report, Swanson said. Their principal, or the AO, whos basically the right hand of the principal, and they get that into our work order system. Swanson praised school staff and administrators for their vigilance and swift action when handling recurring or serious issues. If its something thats serious and frequent, my principals have gotten really good about advocating. I guess thats the most positive way you can put it. But they will make sure that the maintenance folks know about it, he said. They will also make sure that if they dont think the response was quick enough, that one of my deputies is informed, so theyre immediately on it. Swanson said administrators act quickly because of their shared commitment to student safety and a determination to avoid past issues with campus certification. Theyre on it because first of all, we dont want the kids in an unsafe environment, he said. Secondly, we dont want to go back into this: Are we certified or are we not? We dont want to go back there. School inspections Talofofo Elementary received the highest score with three demerits, A grade. Okkodo High School and F.B. Leon Guerrero Middle School received a combined demerit score of 39 and earned a 27/C grade after inspections on May 13 and 14. Other passing schools scored between 8/A and 32/C. Marcial Sablan Elementary scored 24/ C during its Feb. 11 inspection after logging 33 selfinspection demerits. Jose Rios Middle School earned a 31/ C on June 19 following 33 selfreported demerits from December. Southern High School, inspected on July 1, received a 21/C grade after reporting 55 selfinspection demerits on Dec. 30. Upi Elementary, with 49 selfinspection demerits, earned 28/C on June 26. Other passing schools include: (This is part of a series of personal essays from those working with or touched by Rainbows for All Children, a nonprofit evidence-based peer support group that fosters emotional healing among children grieving a loss from a life altering crisis or painful life transition.) There are moments in life that mark us forever. For me, one of those moments happened just before I turned 8just before the start of my 3rd grade year. That was the night my father took his life. I remember it clearly. Not just the events of the night, but the emotions, the confusion, and the aching questions that followed me for years. I loved my dad with all my heart. I was a daddys girl in every way. I remember his smile, his hugs, the way his presence could make everything feel safe. So when he took his life, I couldnt understand why. Why would he leave us that way? Why would he leave me? As I grew older, I carried that little voice inside methe voice of little Sonyaasking those same questions over and over. Being part of Rainbows for All Children Guam gave me a space to listen to others who had experienced loss in their own ways. It reminded me that I wasnt alone. Hearing their stories helped me begin to understand my own, and gave that little voice inside me a place to feel heard. With time, I made a choice. I chose to remember my dad not for the way he left, but for the love he gave. For the way he held our family together when he could, for the warmth of his spirit, and for the countless memories that still make me smile. I remember the go-carts he built for us, the tree fort he made, the trips to McDonalds after school, and watching him fix cars as we ran around outside. During elementary school, I was a quiet, timid girl. Especially after what had happened, the world felt big and uncertain. I felt like everyone could see straight through me. As if they could see and feel what I had experienced. But something started to shift during middle school and high school. Slowly, I began to come out of my shell. I found courage in small moments: speaking up in class, making new friends, joining clubs, or simply allowing myself to be seen. And as I stepped into myself more, I realized that my strength didnt come from forgetting the pastbut from carrying it with grace. I pursued my bachelors and masters degrees in education, and for the past 15 years, Ive been blessed to teach young children. Teaching has become more than a job for meits a calling. Every child that walks through my classroom doors is a reminder of the resilience and tenderness of youth. My own childhood experiences shaped me into a teacher who leads with compassion, patience, and empathy. I see the quiet ones, the dreamers, the worriersand I strive to be the adult I once needed. Now, Im a mother to a beautiful 7-year-old son. And when I look at him, at this exact age I once was, I see little Sonya, too. I remember what she went through. And it makes me want to give my son the worldand all the little things in between: bike rides on cool afternoons, bedtime stories, experiences off island, shared laughter, and quiet hugs and snuggles when he needs them most. Life has not always been easy, but it has been meaningful. Every joy and every sorrow has shaped the woman, the teacher, and the mother I am today. And through it all, I carry my dads memorynot as a shadow, but as a light guiding me forward. Haiti - Security : News from the Multinational Mission On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, Jack Ombaka,Spokesperson, Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), provided an update on the actions of the multinational force in Haiti. The Multinational Security Support Mission (MSS), in close collaboration with the Haitian National Police (PNH), continues to conduct both static and mobile patrols around the dock in Port-au-Prince and surrounding areas, including Petite Riviere, Liancourt, and Pont Sonde. These joint operations have played a vital role in maintaining stability and security, enabling the successful and uninterrupted completion of the recent National Secondary IV {NS4) Exam inations. ln addition to patrols, MSS personnel have been safeguarding key national infrastructure, including Haiti's main international airport, seaport and other strategic assets. Despite continued efforts by armed gangs to block major roadways, MSS and PNH forces have effectively reopened key routes in Downtown Port-au-Prince, Kenscoff, Furcy, Delmas, Thomassin, and Teleco, among others-facilitating mobility and public safety. Joint security forces have sucssfully repelled multiple gang attacks, including attempted assaults on the Telesco in Port-au-Prince and Savien Police Station in Pont Sonde, as well as incidents in the Petion-Ville area. Swift and coordinated responses by MSS troops have neutralized these threats, demonstrating growing effectiveness and resilience in the face of escalating violence. The establishment and operation of Forward Operating Bases {FOBs) in Pont Sonde, Downtown, and at the Police Academy have significantly improved security in those areas. These FOBs have enabled increased patrol frequency, faster response times to emerging threats, and a more sustained presence of MSS personnel in previously underserved and gangaffected areas. HL/ HaitiLibre Haiti - Economy : Haiti, Cuba and Mexico are the worst performing economies in the region A new study by the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), published Tuesday, August 5, 2025, reveals that Mexico, Cuba, and Haiti will be the region's worst-performing economies in 2025 and 2026. During the presentation of this study, ECLAC estimated that Mexico's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) would grow by only 0.3% this year and 1% in 2026. Jose Manuel Salazar, ECLAC's Executive Secretary, emphasized that Mexico's weak growth, 1.1 percentage points lower than in 2024, is due to the economic slowdown in the United States, its main trading partner, the decline in consumption and investment, and the volatile tariff policy of U.S. President Donald Trump. Regarding trade negotiations between Mexico and the United States, following the 90-day tariff truce, Salazar stressed that there are reasons to be "optimistic" about the possibility of the two countries reaching a favorable agreement. "There is a very strong interdependence between the two countries, which in itself constitutes a strong incentive for the parties to reach an agreement," he said, emphasizing that Mexico's macroeconomic conditions are "solid", a factor that also weighs heavily in the negotiations. Only Haiti and Cuba will post lower economic performance than Mexico in Latin America, with respective declines of -2.3% and -1.5% this year and a slight recovery in 2026 (-1% and 0.1%). Salazar emphasized that, in general, the region is experiencing a prolonged period of low growth after experiencing a new "lost decade" between 2014 and 2023, following the decade of the 1980s, and that this could be repeated if a new period of economic expansion does not occur. According to ECLAC, Latin American countries are facing a highly complex and uncertain international environment due to the United States' tariff policy, which not only has direct effects on the exports of the region's economies, but also indirect effects due to the increased volatility of international financial markets. S/ HaitiLibre One analyst, who had previously assumed that Apple would include a foldable tablet in its range for the first time next year, now sees the launch at least a year later. In a note to investors published by Jeff Pu from GF Securities in Hong Kong, it is stated that a foldable device with 18.8 inches has probably been postponed by Apple. Previously, Pu, who is considered one of the more reliable Apple augurs, had predicted 2026 for the foldable iPad, the same year in which the first iPhone foldable is generally expected. Anzeige Gigantic iPad with up to 20 inches However, Pu's statement only echoes the opinions of other Apple observers. Bloomberg journalist Mark Gurman, for example, also believes that a foldable iPad will not be released until later. Last year, however, he predicted 2028 rather than 2027. In his opinion, the device should be gigantic, like two iPad Pro models side by side. So it remains to be seen whether Apple will stick with 18.8 inches or even go up to 20 inches. It is also still unclear whether the device is actually an iPad or more of a MacBook. Apple always emphasizes that it sees iPads and Macs as separate product categories and does not want to turn the Mac into touchscreen hardware. Most recently, the iPad has once again come closer to macOS: iPadOS 26 will feature significantly improved window management on numerous devices, something users have been waiting for for a long time. Speculation about MacBook with foldable screen The Wall Street Journal also speculated last December about a larger device that would serve as a laptop. It was said to have a roughly 19-inch screen. The usually well-informed analyst Ming-Chi Kuo also spoke of such a foldable device as a MacBook, and display expert Ross Young made similar statements. However, only Apple knows what will ultimately come and how it will be marketed. An iPad foldable would certainly be easier for the company to implement, as macOS is simply not suitable for touchscreens at the moment. For now, it seems certain that Apple will launch an iPhone foldable on the market in fall 2026. According to Bloomberg, it will be more conventional. Apple is reportedly taking its cue from competitors such as Samsung's foldables. However, Apple is expected to deliver an almost wrinkle-free display when unfolded. When unfolded, the device is reportedly 7.8 inches, which would not quite come close to the iPad mini (8.3 inches). Anzeige Empfohlener redaktioneller Inhalt Mit Ihrer Zustimmung wird hier ein externer Preisvergleich (heise Preisvergleich) geladen. Preisvergleiche immer laden Preisvergleich jetzt laden (bsc) Don't miss any news follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn or Mastodon. This article was originally published in German. It was translated with technical assistance and editorially reviewed before publication. The mechanism, known as the Priority Ukraine Requirements List (PURL), enables Ukraine to list urgent weapons needs. Nato countries can then coordinate funding or direct transfers, with equipment packages valued at around 500 million US dollars each. Finland will not join a new Nato-led arms procurement scheme for Ukraine, according to Defence Minister Antti Hakkanen , who said the country remains committed to supporting Kyiv through its existing strategy. Several Nordic countries have signed on, including Sweden, Norway and Denmark. Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said last week the system aims to accelerate delivery of critical supplies to Ukraine while reinforcing Natos role in European security. Hakkanen, however, said Finland is focused on sourcing weapons domestically and is not currently planning to participate. We have committed our resources to the domestic industrial programme, in which we order products for Ukraine from our companies all over Finland, he told Yle on Monday. Finland's approach has so far involved sourcing equipment from local defence firms and delivering it as military aid. This support has continued through 29 separate aid packages since Russias full-scale invasion began in February 2022. According to the Finnish Ministry of Defence, the country has committed an estimated 2.8 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, making it one of the larger contributors in per capita terms. Hakkanen noted that while Finland is not adopting the PURL model at this stage, it supports other nations' participation. We consider it important that there are countries using this initiative as well, he said. We are still supporting Ukraine strongly and vigorously, but we are now focusing on products from domestic business operations. He added that this approach not only benefits Ukraine but also strengthens Finlands national defence capabilities and the domestic arms industry. The PURL system was developed jointly by the US, Nato and Ukraine. It was introduced following remarks by former US President Donald Trump in July suggesting that US arms transfers to Ukraine should be funded by European allies or Canada. Reuters reported on Tuesday that the first $500 million tranche under the new scheme has already been agreed by three Nordic governments. Though Finland has opted not to take part in that round, Hakkanen said Helsinki remains aligned with broader Nato policy on Ukraine and continues to contribute independently. HT A court in Denmark, where he is imprisoned, issued the latest rejection. Christensen, now 60, has spent over 27 years in custody. His lawyer Janus Malcolm Pedersen said his record behind bars has been without incident. Danish national Steen Christensen , serving a life sentence for murdering two Finnish police officers in 1997, has been denied parole for the third time. Christensen was transferred to Denmark following his conviction. Under Danish law, the decision on his release rests with domestic authorities. The double murder took place in central Helsinki in October 1997. Christensen, armed and wearing a disguise, robbed the Palace Hotel. Two officers, Antero Palo and Eero Holsti, arrived at the scene but were fatally shot before drawing their weapons. Christensen admitted to both the robbery and killings during police questioning. He claimed the first shot was unintentional, but said he then chose to shoot the second officer. Both men died at the scene. In 1998, a Finnish court sentenced Christensen to life imprisonment for two counts of murder and aggravated robbery. He was 32 at the time. Before the Helsinki killings, Christensen had a lengthy criminal record in Denmark. He was convicted in the early 1990s of multiple bank robberies, hostage-taking, and rape. He was on unsupervised parole when he travelled to Finland instead of returning to prison. The Finnish police union and the victims' families have consistently opposed any early release. Christensen has now served the minimum time required for parole consideration under Danish rules, but authorities have again ruled that he should remain in prison. Over 130 police officers have died in the line of duty in Finland since independence. Most of the deaths occurred between 1918 and 1944. HT The so-called "cash-for-clunkers" scheme would give subsidies to car owners who replace their old vehicles with newer models meeting set emissions criteria. The support would apply to fully electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, as well as petrol and hybrid models that emit less than 140 grams of carbon dioxide per kilometre. Environmental authorities have criticised a government proposal to offer financial support for scrapping old cars , warning that the planned system lacks the strength to drive real emission reductions in Finlands ageing vehicle fleet. Finlands vehicle stock is the oldest in the Nordic region. The average age of cars continues to rise despite previous efforts to encourage fleet renewal. Similar scrappage incentives have been trialled by earlier governments, with mixed results. The current plan, which was circulated for comments over the summer, has attracted sharp criticism from several environmental stakeholders. The Ministry of the Environment, the Finnish Environment Institute (Syke), and the Finnish Association for Nature Conservation each voiced concern that the proposals emission threshold is too high to make a difference. The 140 g/km CO limit means most new internal combustion engine cars would qualify for the subsidy, according to the environment ministrys submission. This, they argue, undermines the objective of promoting genuinely low-emission alternatives. The schemes ability to guide consumers toward meaningful emission reductions is significantly weakened, the ministry noted. Syke and the conservation association echoed the view, stating that a much stricter threshold or a focus exclusively on fully electric vehicles would be more appropriate if climate targets are to be met. The government has defended the proposed framework, arguing that it balances environmental aims with consumer affordability and the practical realities of the car market. Details on the size of the subsidy, eligible models, and implementation timeline remain under discussion. The scheme forms part of broader efforts by the government to modernise the country's car fleet and reduce emissions from road transport. Transport is one of the largest sources of emissions in Finland, and addressing its environmental impact is seen as key to national climate commitments. The policy debate comes amid broader discussions about how to decarbonise mobility in rural and sparsely populated areas, where private vehicles remain a necessity and access to electric charging infrastructure is limited. HT Speaking after internal budget talks held by the Ministry of Finance in Espoo, Purra confirmed that most of the new cuts will be implemented in the 2026 budget . The final proposal will be presented to Parliament after cabinet negotiations in September. Finance Minister Riikka Purra announced on Wednesday that the Finnish government will pursue significant reductions in business subsidies and other secondary expenditures, aiming to generate 1 billion in fiscal savings before the end of the current parliamentary term. There is no room left for cuts in social security or healthcare services, Purra said. The focus must be on areas where adjustments cause the least harm to citizens everyday lives. The internal negotiations concluded earlier than expected, with Purra stating that the majority of new reductions had been identified and agreed upon. Development aid and grants to non-governmental organisations were also confirmed as likely targets. Purra ruled out tax increases, repeating her earlier view that they would weaken consumer purchasing power. We will not introduce measures that reduce household consumption capacity, she said. Business subsidies, long criticised by economists for inefficiency and market distortion, will face scrutiny. According to Economic Affairs Minister Sakari Puisto, changes may include limiting direct grants or converting certain support programmes into temporary schemes. Support must be more targeted and limited in duration, Puisto said. Research institutions have backed this approach. Mika Maliranta, Director of the Labour Institute for Economic Research LABORE, and Essi Eerola, Senior Advisor at the Bank of Finland, identified business subsidies, particularly tax exemptions, as key areas for structural reform. Both noted that many forms of support reduce productivity by protecting underperforming companies and discouraging market entry. Budget Director Mika Niemela has previously called for cuts to corporate tax benefits, including the review of reduced electricity tax rates and dividend reliefs. He acknowledged last week that achieving the full 1 billion savings goal will be extremely challenging without touching both spending and taxation. According to Maliranta and Eerola, the long-term costs of preserving inefficient subsidies outweigh short-term political gains. The consensus among economists is clear, these supports should be phased out, Maliranta said. Despite these findings, previous governments have struggled to implement reductions. In spring, only 10 million in business support cuts were agreed, far below initial expectations. This time, Purra signalled stronger commitment. The adjustment will happen. It is necessary to meet our fiscal targets, she said. Public debt and weak growth have placed additional pressure on the government to act. Finlands debt-to-GDP ratio continues to rise, with recent forecasts from the Ministry of Finance suggesting the target of stabilisation by 2027 is increasingly unlikely. International ratings agency Fitch recently downgraded Finlands sovereign credit rating from AA+ to AA, citing long-term fiscal risks. Purra acknowledged that future governments will also need to implement further adjustments. Budget officials estimate that an additional 58 billion in fiscal consolidation will be needed during the next electoral term. The government has already adopted savings measures worth around 9 billion. However, the Finnish National Audit Office has reported that only about half of those cuts have been implemented effectively so far. Demographic trends have added pressure. An ageing population, combined with low productivity growth, continues to increase public expenditure. Economists have called for a more even distribution of fiscal adjustments across age groups, including consideration of pension-related reforms. Retirees have largely avoided cuts so far, despite rapidly growing pension costs, Eerola said. She proposed removing pension accruals linked to academic studies and periods of unemployment as a way to reduce long-term liabilities. Other areas identified for potential reform include capital gains tax exemptions on primary residences, tax-free employee benefits such as occupational health services, and the dividend tax framework for unlisted companies. Eerola argued these benefits disproportionately assist higher-income earners and reduce taxable income bases. Despite the scope of the proposed cuts, Purra emphasised that economic fundamentals must be protected. She ruled out reductions to education, research, and innovation funding. We must not undermine long-term growth potential, she said. The Finance Ministrys official budget proposal will be published on Friday. It will serve as the basis for the governments September budget session. HT Sean "Diddy" Combs is so sure of the verdict in his blockbuster federal trial that he's already reportedly planning a party and not just any party. The proposed bash's guest list, according to the hip-hop mogul's sources, will include the same people who have his fate in their hands: the jury. "He keeps saying, 'They're gonna love me we'll be friends for life,'" a source in Combs' camp told celebrity journalist Rob Shuter. "He's acting like the verdict's already in." The disgraced music mogul is charged with five federal counts related to sex trafficking, racketeering, and transporting people for prostitution. He has pleaded not guilty to all counts. Closing arguments are concluding this week, and jury deliberations are expected to start on Monday. Already Planning the Afterparty However, given the seriousness of the trial, the Bad Boy boss has reportedly shifted from legal strategy to party planning. After prosecutors dismissed some of the most serious charges, including attempted kidnapping and arson, Combs allegedly turned his attention toward how he would celebrate. "He's already mentally at the afterparty," another insider revealed. "He wants it to be huge, bold and unforgettable something only Diddy could pull off." Combs allegedly joked that if acquitted, he would throw a "thank you" event complete with champagne, a DJ, and lifetime VIP status for the jurors. "If they come back with a not guilty verdict," said one source, "he'll treat them like royalty for life." Not everyone finds the idea amusing. "Even joking about [partying with a jury] while you're still on trial for sex trafficking is a massive risk," said a legal analyst familiar with federal court protocol. "It could be seen as manipulative." #DiddyTrial People believe ANYTHING they read on the internet. *ALL* charges have **NOT** been dropped against Diddy. Just the kidnapping, arson & aiding and abetting sex trafficking. They are still pursuing sex trafficking and forced labor charges. pic.twitter.com/wpkFDSftSg Lexi The Law Nerd (@LexiTheLawNerd) June 25, 2025 Government Could Destroy Confiscated Items The post-trial celebration plans aren't the only thing hinging on the jury's decision. Items seized during federal raids on Combs' Los Angeles and Miami homes including over 1,000 bottles of lube and baby oil, multiple firearms, and personal effects could be permanently destroyed, even if he's acquitted. "Items seized in a federal raid whether it's firearms, electronics or personal items like lube are held in secure evidence facilities," explained trial attorney Brian Stewart, according to The US Mirror. "If Diddy is found not guilty, his lawyers can file a motion to get those items back, but it's not guaranteed. Anything tied to alleged crimes or considered contraband can be kept or destroyed by the government." Jurors were shown photos of weapons seized during the trial, including a rifle with the serial number scratched off. Though several of the confiscated items, from sex toys to pairs of high heels, are legal to own, their return is not a given if linked to purported criminal activity. Originally published on Music Times A Republican lawmaker has broken with the party, criticizing the redistricting push taking place in Texas and could catalyze a retaliation by Democrats in other states. Concretely, New York Rep. Mike Lawler said he believes the initiative is "wrong" and doesn't support it. "We have to actually have neutral districts across this country," he added in an interview with CNN. "It would serve the country better." Lawler said he will introduce a bill to "outright ban gerrymandering," claiming it is "fundamentally why Congress is broken." "You do not have competitive districts, and so most members are focused on primaries and not actually engaging in a general election." Lawler's states is among those where Democrats are threatening to conduct their own redistricting if Texas moves forward. Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Monday that the redistricting initiative mean that Republicans and Democrats are "at war." Speaking to lawmakers who fled to the state to prevent the session from taking place, Hochul said "you are on the right side of history, and you're not alone." She also warned she is ready to redistrict the state if Texas indeed moves forward. "I won't sit by while Donald Trump and Texas Republicans try to steal our nation's future," she said in a social media publication. She had already conveyed such a message the week prior, saying "all's fair in love and war." "We are following the rules. We do redistricting every 10 years, but if there are other states that are violating the rules and trying to give themselves an advantage, all I say is I'll look at it closely with Hakeem Jeffries," she added then. California and Illinois Govs. Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker also warned they will look into such measures. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott ordered on Monday the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to prevent Republicans from having quorum to pass the initiative. State House lawmakers passed a motion allowing the Speaker of the House to issue civil warrants for the arrest of those who did not attend the session. The order directs the state's Department of Public Safety to "locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans." Abbott also said Democrats' threats are a "bunch of crazy bluster." "Democrats are freaking out because they are realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict and we'll do so in a way that's going to lead to these additional seats that will vote Republican and they will be serving in Congress in the next session. Democrats are engaging in rhetoric but I don't think they have the capability of living up to it and doing anything about it," he added. Originally published on Latin Times Israel's military will have to execute any government decisions on Gaza, the defence minister said Wednesday after reported disagreements over the prospect of a full occupation of the Palestinian territory. As the war nears its 23rd month, signs of a rift over Israel's strategy have emerged with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu preparing to announce a new plan. He has said Israel must "complete" the defeat of Palestinian militant group Hamas in order to secure the release of hostages still held in Gaza since the October 2023 attack that triggered the war. The Israeli press, citing officials speaking on condition of anonymity, has predicted an escalation of operations, including in densely populated areas where hostages are believed to be held, such as Gaza City and refugee camps. On Wednesday, the military issued a fresh evacuation call for parts of Gaza City, in the north, and Khan Yunis in the south, where a spokesman said ground troops were preparing to "expand the scope of combat operations". Media reports in Israel have said Netanyahu and his cabinet may order a full military occupation of Gaza, allegedly sparking dissension from armed forces chief Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir. On Tuesday, Netanyahu held a three-hour meeting with security chiefs including Zamir to discuss options for the continuation of the war, the premier's office said in a statement. At the meeting, Zamir warned that a full occupation would be like "walking into a trap", public broadcaster Kan reported. Channel 12 television said the armed forces chief suggested alternatives to a full occupation, such as encircling specific areas where Hamas militants are believed to be hunkering down. Defence Minister Israel Katz said in post on X that while "it is the right and duty of the chief of staff to express his position in the appropriate forums", the military is bound by any decisions made by the government. "Once decisions are made by the political echelon, the IDF will execute them with determination and professionalism," Katz said, using an acronym for the Israeli military. Netanyahu is expected to convene his security cabinet on Thursday to finalise a decision on the expansion of the offensive, Israeli media reported. Opposition leader Yair Lapid said he told Netanyahu in a Wednesday meeting that "occupying Gaza is a very bad idea... operationally, morally and economically". US President Donald Trump told reporters on Tuesday he was not aware of plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, but said that such a decision would be "up to Israel". The Israeli government is under growing pressure to bring the war to an end, with mounting concern over the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and increasing alarm among Israelis about the fate of the remaining hostages. Out of 251 hostages seized during Hamas's 2023 attack, 49 are still held in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. The UN Security Council held a special session on Tuesday to discuss the plight of the Israeli hostages, as the country seeks to keep the issue at the top of the global agenda. On Tuesday, Trump described a recent video released by Hamas of emaciated Israeli hostage Evyatar David purportedly digging his own grave as "horrible." In parallel, international criticism has surged over the suffering of the more than two million Palestinian inhabitants of Gaza after the United Nations warned that famine is unfolding in the territory. "The truck overturned while hundreds of civilians were waiting for food aid" in central Gaza, civil defence spokesman Mahmud Bassal told AFP. He said that "the truck had been forced by the Israeli army to take dangerous roads" that had been damaged in bomardments. The Hamas-run government accused Israel of "deliberately obstructing the safe passage and distribution of the aid". Asked by AFP, a military official said the army was not involved in the incident. At the end of May, Israel eased the aid blockade it had imposed in early March. But the United Nations says the quantities of aid being allowed into Gaza are still insufficient. The October 2023 attack that sparked the war resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, the majority of them civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official figures. The Israeli offensive has killed at least 61,158 people in Gaza, mostly civilians, according to figures from the Gaza health ministry which are considered reliable by the United Nations. American private equity firm Bain Capital, together with global asset management firm Columbia Threadneedle and French owner-operator QuinSpark Investment Partners, has agreed a deal to acquire the four-star, 957-room Pullman Paris Montparnasse in France from Paris-based commercial real estate company Unibail-Rodamco-Westfield (URW) for 300 million (313,500 per room). The property is situated in Paris 14th district by the Montparnasse train station. The hotel is part of the Les Ateliers Gaite mixed-use development and includes three restaurants, two bars and 44 meeting rooms. The sale is expected to be completed this year, pending the fulfilment of customary closing conditions. Azora acquires majority stake in Donkey Hotels Spanish REIT Azora, on behalf of investment funds under its management, has acquired a 50.1% stake in Greek owner-operator Donkey Hotels from the Greek Ioannou family, who will retain 49.9%. Donkey Hotels portfolio includes five hotels across Greece (834 rooms), with four located in Athens and one in Santorini. The JV partners have agreed to commit further capital to support Donkey Hotels through the renovation of the Athenaeum InterContinental, improvements to the existing portfolio, and the acquisition of additional properties across Greece. Jan Hotels acquires Pentahotel Prague from Aroundtown Czech owner-operator Jan Hotels has acquired the four-star, 227-room Pentahotel Prague in the Czech Republic from German real estate company Aroundtown SA. The property is situated in the Karlin district, close by the Vltava River. The hotel includes a restaurant & bar and six meeting rooms. The hotel has since been rebranded and now operates as Hotel Pulse8. This is the groups sixth hotel in the Czech Republic. US investment firm Blue Owl Capital has acquired a mixed-use development in Birmingham, United Kingdom, from UK investment & asset manager Sterling Property Ventures, for 55 million. The property is situated between Birminghams city centre and Jewellery Quarter and includes the three-star, 120-room Ibis Styles Birmingham Centre, as well as 95,000 sq ft of office space and 325 underground parking spaces. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar and three meeting rooms. The building also serves as the headquarters of UK hospitality operator Mitchells & Butlers. The Tradesmen acquires Hotel Residence Le Coin from the University of Amsterdam Dutch owner-operator The Tradesmen Vastgoed has acquired the three-star, 42-room Hotel Residence Le Coin in Amsterdam, Netherlands, from the University of Amsterdam for 15.5 million (369,000 per room). The property comprises seven historic buildings situated in central Amsterdam by Rembrandt Square and includes commercial spaces occupied by a student dentist and a cafe. This marks The Tradesmens third hotel acquisition in Amsterdam, alongside its The Craftsmen and The Nobelmen boutique properties, and was the Universitys only hotel asset. Somnoo acquires Ibis Styles Besancon in France French owner-operator Somnoo has acquired full ownership of the three-star, 103-room Ibis Styles Besancon in France. After buying 60% of the hotel from its institutional financial partner in 2022, Somnoo has now acquired the remaining 40% of shares in the hotel from individual investors. Besancon is situated in eastern France, about an hours drive from the Swiss border. The hotel includes a restaurant, bar and outdoor swimming pool. Last month, Somnoo acquired the four-star, 80-room La Citadelle Hotel Metz - MGallery Collection in Metz, France, as reported in this newsletter. Travelodge to acquire new hotel in Bilbao, Spain British owner-operator Travelodge has entered an agreement to acquire the freehold of a 105-room hotel that is under development in Bilbao, Spain, on a forward-funded basis. The property is situated near several public transportation links and is structurally complete, with furnishing, equipment installation, and operational setup now underway. The hotel is set to open in the first quarter of 2026. Travelodge currently operates 14 hotels throughout Spain and is actively working to expand its footprint across the country. From SEO to GEO: Navigating the New World of Search - Image Credit HNR Hotel News Learn how AI is transforming hotel bookings and discover key strategies to optimize your site for AI-driven search traffic. Stay ahead in the evolving landscape of travel search. The way travelers book hotels is being rewritten in real time: according to SEMRush, AI search traffic will surpass traditional traffic by 2028. And regardless of what the future holds, its clear that AI is already influencing how travelers research, choose, and even book hotels, with applications like Googles AI summaries and ChatGPT playing a key role in many customers journey. If your website isnt AI-ready, youre losing bookings to OTAseven when guests want to book direct. In a recent webinar, we dove deep into GEO (Generative Engine Optimization), which is the newest iteration of SEO. The ultimate goal of GEO? To make you visible and accessible to these powerful search tools. Chimmy Kalu (Staff Product Designer at Triptease) spoke about the changes that AI is bringing to the way that guests search for and book travel. Joined by Triptease Product Marketing Manager Genevieve Horchler, who has a background in SEO at big brands including Expedia, she gave specific, tactical changes that hotels can make to succeed in this new world of search. Old Search vs New Search Not long ago, the traveler journey looked like this: Dream: Using social media, paid and organic internet searches, blogs, and word-of-mouth/offline marketing to get travel inspiration. Using social media, paid and organic internet searches, blogs, and word-of-mouth/offline marketing to get travel inspiration. Research: Check out the hotel website for overall atmosphere, images, policies, amenities, room sizes etc. and OTA sites for price comparison. Check out the hotel website for overall atmosphere, images, policies, amenities, room sizes etc. and OTA sites for price comparison. Book: Booking via an OTA or direct website. With the increased adoption of AI, the dream and booking stages look fairly similar. Whats really changing is the research step. Guests are using tools like ChatGPT to learn things that traditionally they might have found on a hotel website. Hotels should be focusing on one key goal when it comes to GEO: that when a guest asks a generative search engine a question, direct websites are coming up first. With traditional search, potential guests would google things like hotels with a view in Tokyo, click through OTA pages, compare rates, and eventually land on your site. Now they ask ChatGPT: Find me hotels with bathtubs and skyline views in Tokyo, under 150, for couples. And the AI returns answersnot links (although this may be changing). So if your property isnt structured and optimized for this new type of search, its hard to show up in this new ecosystem. 5 Recommendations to Make Your Hotel Site AI-Ready The good news is that optimizing for AI makes your website better in other ways too. Many of the key factors for AI readability are also key to user experience and accessibility. Here are Chimmys top tips for making sure your website ticks all the boxes. Make sure your pages make sense when scanned as well as when read Follow HTML best practices (like incorporating proper heading structures), use schema to organize your web pages, and label rooms and rates clearly to ensure that AI and human eyes can both easily interpret your website. Make media readable without eyes If your visuals are invisible to screen readers or bots, they dont exist in the eyes of AI tools. To succeed on this point, make sure that your images include alt text and that videos have captions and transcripts. Answer the questions that real guests are asking AI agents love direct answers. Build out FAQs, or go the extra step and create dedicated pages to answer top guest questions. You can find the best questions to answer by looking at Googles People Also Ask section, making use of search listening tools like Answer the Public, and of course, liaising with the people at your front desk to find out what questions theyre hearing from guests. Build hyper-specific content Hotel with rooftop yoga in Barcelona will beat Best hotel in Spain every time. Create niche pages with keywords specific to your offerings, and youre more likely to get AI searches landing guests on your direct site. Use trust cues to build authority Showcase guest reviews and photos on your website and update them frequently, as AI agents increasingly weigh freshness and guest sentiment. One tip from Chimmy? Even if you dont update the page fully, making small edits and adding last updated dates can still help to indicate freshness. How hotels can start preparing Optimizing for AI search can feel overwhelming, so here are some key jumping-off points: Run a real AI test: Ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity prompts that youd expect your hotel to show up for. What comes up? Ask ChatGPT, Claude, or Perplexity prompts that youd expect your hotel to show up for. What comes up? Audit your website structure: Poor website structure means poor AI visibility. Review heading tags, schema, alt text, and other key elements. Poor website structure means poor AI visibility. Review heading tags, schema, alt text, and other key elements. Find out what questions guests are asking about hotels: Use Google Search Console, People Also Ask in social listening, or even OTA Q&A sections to discover FAQs worth answering. Use Google Search Console, People Also Ask in social listening, or even OTA Q&A sections to discover FAQs worth answering. Start creating FAQs to address real traveler questions: Use your own teams experience and feedback to create hyper-relevant FAQs that address the things your customers actually care about. As a starting point, Chimmys created a GEO checklist that lists out all thisand moreto help you get started. Watch the full webinar to build out your GEO toolkit While this blog gives a helpful overview, Chimmy addressed so much more in our June webinar. Access the full recording here to learn everything you need to know about GEO, and how you can maintain and grow your visibility in this new world Genevieve Horchler is a product marketing manager at Triptease. Connect with Genevieve on LinkedIn. By Shiva S. Mohan Canadas federal government recently introduced the Strong Borders Act, also known as Bill C-2, which proposes that Canada tighten migration controls and modernize border enforcement between Canada and the United States. Critics have warned the bill could pave the way for mass deportations as well as increase precarity for legal migrants. Even now, under existing laws, a migrant could be legal and still be denied health care, lose their job or effectively be unable to leave Canada for fear of being denied re-entry. Bill C-2s expanded enforcement powers and increased risk of status revocation could make these precarities much worse. This is already the quiet reality for thousands of migrants in Canada under their maintained status, formerly implied status. This status is a legal provision designed to protect continuity for temporary residents who apply to extend their permits. Maintained status itself is not the problem. On paper, it offers legal protection. But in practice, it often collapses because of the ecosystem in which it operates: fragmented institutions, absent co-ordination and lack of transparency. In May 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) quietly narrowed the scope of maintained status. Under the new rules, if a persons first application is refused while they are on maintained status, any second application submitted during that period is now automatically refused. This effectively strips applicants of legal status, including protections under maintained status, to remain in Canada. The change shows how even compliant migrants can lose status abruptly, further heightening the insecurity built into the system. This is a clear expression of complex precarity: a condition in which migrants face legal, economic and social insecurity, even when they follow all the rules. Maintained status is just one example of this larger phenomenon of Canadian policy generating hidden forms of exclusion. Migrants on maintained status are legally allowed to stay in Canada and continue working or studying under the same conditions as their expired permit. Yet no new permit is issued to confirm this status. Proof of this legal standing varies depending on how a person applies. Those who apply online may receive a WP-EXT letter confirming their right to continue working. However, this isnt issued to post-graduation work-permit holders, and expires after 365 days. Paper-based applicants are advised that no such letter will be provided. Instead, they must rely on a copy of their application, a fee payment receipt or courier tracking information to demonstrate continued legal status. If no letter is available, or once it expires, IRCC advises applicants to direct employers to the Help Centre web page as proof of their right to remain and work. These workarounds are legally valid but fall short of what many employers, landlords and service providers consider adequate proof of status. My current ongoing research points to how employers following rigid HR protocols often reject informal documentation. Some migrants even obtain letters from immigration lawyers to explain their legal right to remain and work. IRCC does not publish public data on the number of people on maintained status or how long they remain in that condition. Some front-line organizations have adjusted their services in response to this gap. MOSAIC, for example, a major settlement agency in British Columbia, explicitly lists migrant workers on maintained status as eligible for support. This signals institutional recognition of the category. The broader situation, however, reflects a disconnect between legal recognition by the state and practical verifiability in everyday life. Travel while on maintained status is legally permitted only under narrow conditions, such as holding a valid Temporary Resident Visa, being visa-exempt or returning from the U.S. under specific circumstances. But even in these cases, leaving Canada terminates maintained status. Migrants may be allowed to re-enter as visitors, but they cannot resume work or study until a new permit is issued. This introduces major uncertainties for people who may need to travel for family, emergencies or professional obligations. Access to public health insurance during maintained status varies widely across provinces. In Ontario, OHIP (Ontario Health Insurance Plan) cards are directly tied to the expiration of work permits. Unless migrants proactively request extended coverage and meet specific document requirements, they risk losing their health insurance entirely. Even when eligible, coverage is not automatic and may require out-of-pocket payment pending reimbursement. In Quebec, RAMQ (Regie de l'assurance maladie du Quebec) treats migrants on maintained status like new arrivals. They must reregister for coverage and face a three-month waiting period from the time of renewal, regardless of continuous legal presence. In British Columbia, by contrast, the MSP (Medical Services Plan) offers temporary coverage for up to six months (extendable) to individuals on maintained status, provided they previously held MSP and submit IRCC receipt proof. This more inclusive approach highlights how uneven provincial coordination amplifies the precarity of federal policy. Despite investments in automation and digital infrastructure, IRCC continues to experience chronic processing delays, leaving migrants in prolonged uncertainty: legally present, but practically unrecognized. To address this, Canada needs systems and resources designed to uphold legal recognition in daily life. It needs to: Create a secure centralized portal that allows migrants to control who can verify their legal status in real time. The U.K.s share code platform and the American myE-Verify system provide clear examples of how this can work, reducing confusion for employers, landlords, and service providers. Issue coordinated provincial guidance, particularly regarding access to essential services such as health care, so that front-line staff have clarity on migrants rights under maintained status. Protect continuity of status after international travel, ensuring that those who leave Canada while on maintained status do not lose the ability to return and resume work or study. As Canada advances legislation like Bill C-2, we must not ignore the countrys quiet erosion of its existing legal architecture for migrants. Migrants on maintained status have followed the rules. If we are serious about building trust in immigration systems, we must commit to infrastructure that is workable, visible and fair. Shiva S. Mohan is a Research Fellow, Canada Excellence Research Chair in Migration & Integration program, Toronto Metropolitan University. This article was originally published in The Conversation. mercoledi 6 agosto 2025, 06:59 - Last updated: 8 agosto, 11:27 ALL RIGHTS RESERVED This article is automatically translated Klodian Matija arrived in Italy 27 years ago from Albania. He landed on the Italian coast aboard a rubber dinghy when he was only 16 years old: "With me, there were many of my compatriots," he recounts, and he does so with great pleasure, because, as he likes to emphasize, "I am not at all ashamed of my adventure." Today, at 43 years old, he is the first foreign-born Rotary president in Italy, heading the Rotary Club Cesenatico Mare. The story - Originally from Lezhe, he started working in Pistoia, Tuscany, doing many humble jobs: from leaflet distribution to porter to assembler. Then he entered the hotel industry, where he found his path: "The first two years in a hotel I worked at the Gran Hotel in Castrocaro, then in 2013 I went to Bellaria, where the Gori family welcomed me and allowed me to grow and mature through various professional experiences," he says. He eventually reached the management of the Hotel Saint Moritz, the Diana, and the Sweet Home. Matija now speaks five languages and is the first Albanian president of the Rotary club in Italy. He tells Il Resto del Carlino about his projects: the first is the "Friendship and Rotarians on Vacation Festival," scheduled for August 6. On August 26, the Rotary evening will be held at the Cesena Hippodrome with clubs from the central Romagna area. The projects - He does not limit himself to the summer, also anticipating autumn projects. "In October," Matija declares, "we will organize a convivial event in Badia Pratalia for the official twinning with the Rotary Club Pavia Ovest." Other ongoing projects are confirmed, including support for the Cesenatico hospital for the purchase of an ultrasound machine, initiatives in favor of young people with cystic fibrosis, and the Global Grant in favor of Casa Rozalba in Albania. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Authorities in China are fighting to prevent the spread of a mosquito-borne viral disease after thousands of cases were reported in a few weeks. The country has seen nearly 8,000 cases of chikungunya in less than a month, mostly in the city of Foshan in Guangdong province, prompting authorities to impose measures akin to the zero Covid policy that saw the Chinese government impose some of the strictest regulations in the world during the coronavirus pandemic. They have also deployed drones to identify mosquito breeding sites, and have reportedly introduced elephant mosquitoes whose larvae prey on the virus-carrying species. Chikungunya patients are required to stay in quarantine zones or hospitals, where their beds are protected with nets to prevent the spread of the disease. They are discharged only after testing negative for the virus. open image in gallery The chikungunya virus is spread by mosquitoes ( CDC ) Soldiers wearing masks have been spraying insecticides in parks and in the streets, while authorities have released more than 5,000 larva-eating fish into the lakes of Foshan. The citys residents have been ordered to discard any stagnant water, and community workers have been tasked with inspecting homes, local reports said. Households and businesses that dont cooperate could risk being penalised up to 10,000 yuan or face criminal charges for obstructing the prevention of infectious diseases. Foshan has mandated real-name registration for medication to treat chikungunya, while two other cities have told travellers returning from affected areas to monitor their health. Two residents who did not want to be named told The New York Times that workers had entered their homes without consent to search for stagnant water. Others alleged that their plants were taken away or destroyed in front of them. About five houses had their electricity cut for not cooperating, according to a notice issued in the district of Guicheng. open image in gallery A worker attempts to control the spread of disease in Dongguan, China ( VCG/Getty ) Social media users criticised the pandemic-era measures, calling them unnecessary. Whats the point of the quarantine? Its not as though an infected patient will then go around biting other people, a user wrote on Weibo. In addition to Foshan, 12 cities in the southern Guangdong province have reported infections. In Hong Kong, a 12-year-old boy who travelled to Foshan in July has been diagnosed with chikungunya fever. Chinas vice-premier Liu Guozhong last week called for an all-out effort to prevent the spread of the disease within and outside the affected regions, Xinhua reported. The rise in infections has prompted the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to issue a travel notice for China. Chikungunya is spread mainly by the Aedes mosquito and has no specific treatment. It can rapidly cause large outbreaks. As the mosquitoes bite in the daytime, prevention through the use of insect repellent and long-sleeved clothing is crucial. Chikungunya outbreaks have occurred in Africa, Asia, Europe, the Americas, and islands of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. There is a risk of the virus being spread to unaffected areas by infected travellers, according to CDC guidance. open image in gallery There is a vaccine against the virus but no specific treatment for those infected ( AFP/Getty ) The infection can cause fever and joint pain, with other symptoms including headache, muscle pain, joint swelling and rash. In serious cases, the virus can cause long-term disability. If an infected person does not experience joint pain, the symptoms will be mild and can go unrecognised. Most people will recover fully from the infection. There have been occasional instances of eye, heart, and neurological complications, while newborns and older people with underlying medical conditions are at higher risk of severe disease. Last month, the World Health Organisation (WHO) issued an urgent call for action to prevent a repeat of the 2004-05 epidemic of chikungunya as new outbreaks linked to the Indian Ocean region spread to Europe and other continents. Diana Rojas Alvarez, a medical officer at the WHO, told reporters in Geneva that an estimated 5.6 billion people live in areas across 119 countries at risk from the virus. Although the number of new locally transmitted cases of chikungunya fever has declined in Guangdong over the past week, the risk remains, according to Kang Min of the Guangdong Provincial Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. The recent surge has been initially contained, with a downward trend in newly reported cases across the province, he was quoted as saying by the Global Times. The next few weeks are especially daunting for disease prevention and control, provincial authorities say, as heavy rain and flooding boost mosquito activity. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Several children at a state school in southern Indias Karnataka reportedly fell ill after consuming poisoned drinking water, police said. Authorities arrested three people in connection with the incident, including the local leader of the Hindu right-wing group Sriram Sene, from the states Belagavi district. They had poisoned the schools water tank at Hoolikatti village in an attempt to force the transfer of the Muslim headmaster, Belagavi police superintendent Bheemashankar S Guled said. He said Sriram Sene leader Sagar Patil and another alleged perpetrator Nagangouda Patil had blackmailed a local resident named Krishna Madar over his interfaith relationship and coerced him into poisoning the schools water supply, The Hindu reported. Madar allegedly purchased three types of insecticide, mixed them in a juice packet, and persuaded a young student to pour the contents into the water tank. We utilised scientific evidence and student interactions to solve this case. This was a planned, deeply disturbing attempt motivated by communal hatred, Mr Guled said, according to The Indian Express. Mr Guled told reporters on Saturday that the Sriram Sene men had plotted to frame headmaster Suleman Gorinaik for the poisoning. They aimed to stir sectarian tensions by orchestrating a situation that would discredit the headmaster and force his removal, authorities said. The Independent has reached out to the Hindu group for comment. Karnataka chief minister Siddaramaiah described it as a heinous act driven by religious fundamentalism and hatred. Many children fell ill in this incident that took place 15 days ago, he said in a social media post on Sunday. Fortunately, no one was killed. The Times of India reported that 11 children had taken ill after drinking the poisoned water but recovered. This incident, which could have led to the massacre of small children, is proof that religious fundamentalism and communal hatred can lead to any heinous act. I cannot believe it even at this moment, the chief minister added. The chief minister also launched a scathing attack on the prime minister Narandra Modis BJP party, accusing its leaders of using religion to sow societal division. Let the BJP leaders, who sow hatred in society in the name of religion and cook their political rice, do some self-criticism, Siddaramaiah said. Calling for vigilance against radicalism of all kinds, he added: We have formed a special task force to prevent hate speeches and communal riots, and we are taking all possible action against such people within the ambit of the law. For all our efforts to bear fruit, the public should also raise their voice against such forces, resist them, and file complaints. Congratulations to the police personnel who broke the evil plan of carrying out the massacre of children. In the wake of the incident, Muslim organisations in Karnataka have demanded a ban on Sri Ram Sene. They submitted a memorandum outlining their demand to the government through the Belagavi deputy commissioners office on Tuesday. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice US president Donald Trump has imposed an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods over New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil, dramatically escalating tensions between the two nations after trade talks reached a deadlock. The new import tax, effective 21 days after 7 August, will raise duties on some Indian exports to as high as 50 per cent, forcing the Asian country to cough up the highest levy on any US trading partner as Washington objects to Russian oil purchases by India. Indias External Affairs ministry said the decision was extremely unfortunate and noted that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national economic interest. The US president said on Monday that India was profiting from discounted Russian crude while disregarding the ongoing war in Ukraine. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian oil, they are then, for much of the oil purchased, selling it on the open market for big profits," he wrote on his Truth Social platform. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the tariff paid by India to the USA." The targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable," spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said. He pointed out that the US was itself still trading with Russia as was the EU. It is revealing that the very nations criticising India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia, he said. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion for them. Two Indian government sources had earlier told Reuters that India would keep buying Russian oil despite Mr Trump's threats. The Trump administrations criticism of Indias Russian oil purchases sharpened after it failed to reach a trade deal with Narendra Modis government, prompting Washington to levy a 25 per cent import tariff on Indian goods. According to trade data shared with Reuters, India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million barrels per day from January to June this year, up 1 per cent from one year ago. In total, it imported Russian oil worth about 38bn in the financial year ending March 2025. India, the third largest oil importer and consumer in the world, depends on Russian oil for 35 per cent of its total crude needs, according to official data. After the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India became the biggest buyer of Russian crude due to the diversion of traditional supplies to Europe, which officials in New Delhi said was a necessity compelled by global market situation. In that first year, India imported as much as two million barrels a day of Russian oil, accounting for roughly 2 per cent of global supply. China and Turkey were the other major buyers. In 2023, at the same time as Indias import of Russian crude oil more than doubled year-on-year, its export of refined crude to the EU grew to a record level. In April this year, Kpler market data showed Indian import of Russian crude likely hitting 2.15 million barrels a day, the highest volumes since May 2023. In all, the South Asian nation imported an average of 4.88 million barrels per day of oil in the fiscal year until March 2025, a growth of 5 per cent over the previous year. The import of Russian oil rose 7.3 per cent to 1.76 million barrels a day, raising its share marginally to 36 per cent while the share of the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries slipped slightly to 48.5 per cent. In March this year, the US was the fourth largest oil supplier to India after Russia, Iraq and Saudi Arabia. Analysts said the unpredictability of the Trump administration had created a major challenge for New Delhi in managing longstanding relations with Moscow. "India's continued energy and defence purchases from Russia presents a larger challenge, where India does not feel it can predict how the Trump administration will approach Russia from month to month," said Richard Rossow, head of the India program at Washington's Center for Strategic and International Studies. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice At least five people died and many more were trapped under debris after a flash flood washed away a village in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Rescue teams from the State Disaster Response Force, the National Disaster Response Force, and the Indian Army were on scene in the Himalayan state looking for people feared trapped. Footage aired by local broadcasters showed floodwaters rushing down a mountainside in Uttarkashi district before crashing into a hamlet in the foothills, tearing through houses and destroying a road. "The search for the missing is ongoing," Mohsen Shahedi, deputy inspector general of the National Disaster Response Force, said. More than 50 people were missing from the worst-hit town of Dharali, he said. At least 11 army soldiers were also unaccounted for after being swept away from the nearby downstream village of Harsil. Videos shot by tourists showed a violent stream sweeping away several houses and vegetation. Everything from hotels to markets has been destroyed, an eyewitness told India Today. I haven't witnessed a disaster like this before." The Uttarakhand police said rising water levels in the Harshil area of Uttarkashi posed a serious threat, warning residents via social media to stay away from rivers. open image in gallery A view of Dharali in Uttarakhand after it was struck by a flash flood ( X/@uksdrf ) According to local officials, the flash flood was triggered by a cloud burst in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river at around 1.50am on Tuesday, leading to a massive debris slide in Dharali. The village was on a higher elevation, but the area was home to commercial activities such as hotels and shops. We have yet to ascertain the losses, but preliminary reports indicate severe property damage, district magistrate Prashant Arya said. About a dozen hotels have been washed away and several shops have collapsed." he said, adding that the army and local police were searching for the missing. open image in gallery Security personnel rescue a local resident from dense sludge after a cloudburst caused a massive mudslide and flash flood in Uttarakhand, India, on 5 August 2025 ( Indian Army ) Federal minister Sanjay Seth told news agency PTI that it was a serious situation and prime minister Narendra Modi and home minister Amit Shah were closely monitoring it. This is a natural calamity. We have received information about four deaths and around 100 people missing, he added. We pray for their safety." The cloudburst also triggered a massive landslide, cutting off connectivity to the popular Hindu pilgrimage site of Gangotri. Mr Modi offered his condolences to the people affected by the incident. "I pray for the well-being of all the victims, he said. Relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said he was in constant touch with officials involved in rescue work. "The news of heavy destruction caused by the cloudburst in Dharali is extremely saddening," he added. Were doing everything possible to save lives and provide relief. The National Disaster Management Authority said it had requested three helicopters from the federal government to assist in the rescue and relief operations as rescuers struggled to access the remote terrain. open image in gallery A view of Dharali area of Uttarakhand after it was struck by a flash flood ( X/@uksdrf ) Sudden intense downpours over small areas known as cloudbursts are increasingly common in Uttarakhand, a Himalayan region prone to flash floods and landslides during the monsoon season. Cloudbursts can wreak havoc by causing sudden flooding and landslides in mountainous regions. More than 6,000 people died and 4,500 villages were affected when a similar cloudburst devastated Uttarakhand state in 2013. Experts warn that cloudbursts are growing in number and intensity partly because of climate change while damage from storms is increasing because of unplanned development in mountain regions. The flash flood in Uttarakhand is the latest in a series of disasters to batter the Himalayans, which span five countries, in the last few months. Flooding and landslides due to heavy rains and melting glaciers have killed more than 300 people in Pakistan, according to the country's disaster management agency. In 2024, Asia recorded 167 disasters in Asia storms, floods, heat waves, and earthquakes - which was the most of any continent, according to the Emergency Events Database maintained by the University of Louvain, Belgium. These led to losses of over 24 billion, the researchers found. A 2023 report by Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development found that glaciers were melting at unprecedented rates across the Hindu Kush and Himalayan mountain ranges. The study found that at least 200 of the nearly 2,000 glacial lakes in the region were at risk of overflowing, which could cause catastrophic damage downstream. Additional reporting by agencies. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The mayor of Hiroshima called on world leaders to please visit the Japanese city and witness the reality of using nuclear weapons as he condemned the race by countries to possess such destructive arsenal. To mark 80 years since the US detonated the first wartime nuclear bomb on the Japanese city in 1945, residents, survivors and representatives from 120 countries observed a moment of silence at 8.15am at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. Addressing the gathering, which included representatives of nuclear weapons states like the US and Israel, the mayor, Kazumi Matsui, warned the ongoing conflicts in eastern Europe and the Middle East had contributed to a global trend towards a nuclear military buildup. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, Mr Matsui said in his peace declaration. "Among the world's political leaders, theres a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries," he added, noting that the US and Russia alone possessed 90 per cent of the world's nuclear warheads. "This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past but also seriously undermines the frameworks thatve been built for peace building, he said, speaking beside the Atomic Bomb Dome, a preserved ruin of one of the few buildings left standing after the bombing. "To all the leaders around the world: please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing. open image in gallery Japanese emperor Naruhito, center, and empress Masako bow in front of the cenotaph dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing as they visit the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan ( Kyodo News ) The annual Hiroshima Day commemorates one of the most devastating moments in human history: the atomic bombing of the city during the final days of World War II. On the morning of 6 August 1945, a US B-29 bomber called Enola Gay dropped a uranium-based atomic bomb, nicknamed Little Boy, to detonate about 600m above the city. The explosion unleashed a ferocious blast, scorching heat, and lethal radioactive radiation, instantly killing 70,000 to 80,000 people. Three days later, the US dropped a second bomb, called Fat Man, over Nagasaki. These bombings marked the first and only use of nuclear weapons in war and led to Japans surrender on 15 August 1945, bringing the war to an end. The atomic bombings killed more than 210,000 people in total. In his declaration, Mr Matsui spoke about a woman who begged for water as fire raged through Hiroshima after the bomb was dropped. Decades later, a woman who heard that plea still regretted not giving the young woman water, he said. She told herself that fighting for the elimination of nuclear weapons was the best she could do for those who died. He urged the younger generation to recognise that the acceptance of nuclear deterrence could cause utterly inhumane consequences for their future. They threaten to topple the peace-building frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct, he said. open image in gallery Keiko Ogura, a survivor of the atomic bombing, speaks with reporters at the Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima ( JIJI Press ) Yoshikazu Horie, a 71-year-old tourist who attended the ceremony, said he felt scared to see that history was repeating itself. "It feels more and more like history is repeating itself. Terrible things are happening in Europe, he said. Even in Japan, in Asia, it's going the same way, it's very scary. "I've got grandchildren, and I want peace so they can live their lives happily." After laying a wreath at the cenotaph, prime minister Shigeru Ishiba said that Japan, as the only country to have suffered atomic attacks, had a mission to lead global disarmament efforts. In a statement, UN secretary general Antonio Guterres warned that the very weapons that brought such devastation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki are once again being treated as tools of coercion. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice For Sodaba, like countless other Afghan women, opportunities evaporated under the Taliban's tightening grip on their lives. Since seizing power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has systematically imposed a sweeping array of restrictions on women, barring them from parks, gyms, restaurants, and most professions. But for Sodaba, a pharmacology student, one of the most devastating blows was the prohibition on education beyond primary school. Driven by necessity, she sought alternatives online, discovering a free computer coding course tailored for Afghan women. Taught in her native Dari by a young Afghan refugee based in Greece, the programme offered a lifeline, teaching her computer programming and website development skills. "I believe a person should not be (bowed) by circumstance, but should grow and get their dreams through every possible way," Sodaba said. The new skills helped me regain my confidence and clarity in my direction, said the 24-year-old, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons. I am so happy to be part of this journey. open image in gallery Murtaza Jafari, 25, an Afghan migrant, teaches coding remotely to women currently living in Afghanistan ( AP ) Afghan Geeks The courses are run by Afghan Geeks, a company created by 25-year-old Afghan migrant Murtaza Jafari. Mr Jafari arrived in Greece as a teenage refugee from Turkey years ago. Living in a shelter in Athens after he arrived, Mr Jafari received help from a teacher to enrol in a computer coding course. He knew nothing about computers, not even how to switch one on. He did not know what coding was and didnt speak a word of English, essential for computer programming. I had no idea about English. No idea, like zero zero, he said. And I was trying at the same time to learn Greek, learn English and then also learn computer. It was super difficult for me. But several months later, he earned his certificate. Coding opened up a new world. A couple of years ago, he set up Afghan Geeks. open image in gallery Mr Jafari wants to give back to the community ( AP ) Paying it forward Mr Jafari said he started providing online courses last December to help women in his homeland, and as an expression of gratitude for the help he received as a youngster alone in a foreign country. The main goal was to give back to the community, especially to the Afghan women, what I had received from the other people for free, he said, sitting in his one-room flat in downtown Athens. I think sharing knowledge is what makes a real difference to someone, he said. And if I share it, it just goes and expands, and then theres more people to learn things. Mr Jafari now has 28 female students in Afghanistan in three classes: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Aside from teaching, he also mentors his students in finding online internships and jobs using their new skills. For women in a country where nearly all professions are banned, the opportunity for online work is a lifeline. The most qualified join his team at Afghan Geeks, which also offers website development and chatbot creation services. He now has several clients, he said, from Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Those clients were happy that they are contributing in a meaningful goal. So the goal was to support women. And thats why they keep coming back for other projects that they have, Mr Jafari said. Although he has been teaching his students for seven months, Mr Jafari has never seen their faces. He asks how they are and what the situation is in Afghanistan, but Ive never asked them to open their cameras or to share their profile, to share the image. Ive never done that. I dont want to do it, because I respect their culture, their choice. open image in gallery The Taliban has increasingly confined women to their homes and banned their participation in the public sphere ( AP ) The online academy With the Taliban governments restrictions increasingly confining women to their homes, and going as far as officially banning womens voices and bare faces in public, the web has opened a new world of possibilities for women in Afghanistan. A year and a half ago, Zuhal, a young Afghan woman whose dream of going to university was shattered, partnered with a university professor to launch an online academy for women. What began as a team of five people now has a crew of 150 teachers and administrators, and more than 4,000 students, she said. We are all working voluntarily with no salary, no support, said the 20-year-old, who uses a nickname for fear of reprisals after receiving threats over the academy. Our only aim or goal is to provide free education for girls and to enhance research in Afghanistan. The academy, Vision Online University, now runs courses in a range of subjects, from psychology and foreign languages to Quranic studies, nursing and public speaking, among others. When the education ban came into effect, I was depressed because nothing was available. There was no school, no university, no courses. And that really affected me, said Zuhal. Then I thought (to) myself that this is not the solution. If I get depressed, that will not be helpful, not for me and not for other girls. She decided that I shouldnt give up. I should do something for girls of my country. Now she also pursues a degree in computer science through an American online university, the University of the People. Its tough, she said. With no funding, the academy for women cant pay for premium online services that allow large group meetings. She herself often struggles to afford her internet service. But Im doing it because I have a goal," she said. "And my goal is to support girls. If I stop it, more than 4,000 or 5,000 girls will be depressed again. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Two Chinese nationals died after a tourist boat capsized off the coast of Bali in Indonesia. The Bali Dolphin Cruise was sailing from Nusa Penida to Sanur in Bali's east on Tuesday when it was struck by a large wave, authorities said. The impact caused the boat to sink and run aground, the popular tourist island's search and rescue agency said. Several boats were entering safely around that time, but this one appears to have failed to anticipate a large incoming wave, Aprianus Hangki, head of the Benoa Class II Port Authority, told reporters. Authorities confirmed that two Chinese nationals were killed while a 23-year-old Indonesian citizen was missing. The boat was reportedly carrying 73 foreigners, two Indonesian passengers, and five crew members. Indonesian rescuers search for missing victims of a ferry accident in the waters off the Bali Strait near Jembrana ( AFP via Getty ) The Indonesian transport ministry said that the navy was helping local authorities conduct a search and rescue operation. On behalf of the government, we express our deepest condolences," transport minister Dudy Purwagandhi said. We will respond to this incident promptly and conduct a full evaluation. Boats and ferries are a common mode of transport in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, and accidents are not rare due to bad weather as well as lax safety standards that often allow vessels to be overloaded. In July, at least 10 people went missing after a boat capsized during bad weather off the Mentawai Islands in the West Sumatra province. The other eight people on board were rescued after the vessel sank at around 11am local time, the national search and rescue agency said. The doomed vessel had left Sikakap, a small town in the Mentawai Islands, for the town of Tuapejat. Another ferry sank last month near Bali. Of the 65 people on board, 18 died and 17 went missing. A search for the missing, which lasted two weeks and involved 500 people, including rescuers, police and military personnel, was officially called off on Monday. Commentary By Franco Terrazzano Now Ottawas government union bosses are worried about services? Really? After the government rubber-stamped hundreds of millions in bonuses, added tens of thousands of bureaucrats, dished out pay raises and struggled to meet half of its performance targets, now union bosses are worried about services? The Carney government launched a spending review in early July, and Ottawas union bosses are crying Chicken Little, warning the sky will fall if any savings are made. The Canadian Union of Public Employees called the potential savings draconian rollbacks and promised to fight to defend against the devastating impacts that Mr. Carneys cuts will have. The Public Service Alliance of Canada says government savings will hurt everyone in Canada who depends on vital public services. If more government spending and bureaucrats meant better results, why is everything from potholes to hospital wait times still a problem? All taxpayers seem to get out of the bureaucrat hiring binge are higher taxes and a bigger debt bill. The numbers behind the bulging bureaucracy are bonkers. The federal bureaucracy cost taxpayers $40 billion in 2016. The bureaucracy now costs taxpayers about $70 billion. Thats more than a 70 per cent increase. Ask yourself: are you seeing anywhere close to 70 per cent better services from Ottawas bureaucracy? Taxpayers are paying for 99,000 more bureaucrats today than 10 years ago. Taxpayers would save about $7 billion annually had the federal bureaucracy grown in line with population growth over the last decade. The Canada Revenue Agency added the second-greatest number of employees over the decade, adding 13,015 employees since 2016a 33 per cent increase. Are you finding it any easier to get a hold of CRA bureaucrats? Were flooded with complaints, the taxpayers ombudsperson said, as filings about the CRA spiked 45 per cent from pre-COVID levels. The government also rubber-stamped more than $1.5 billion in bonuses since 2015 and handed out more than one million pay raises over the last four years. What have bureaucrats done to merit extra taxpayer cash? The government posts data on department performance results for the last five years. In three of those years, departments couldnt meet half of their own targets. Their best year was 2023, when departments met 52 per cent of their own targets. Instead of fearmongering, government union bosses should be honest with their members about a simple truth: the biggest threat to bureaucrats paycheques is interest on the debt. Its not political ideology or pressure campaigns that will ultimately lead to government employees, nurses or teachers getting fired. Its debt and the quicksand of compound interest. To understand this lesson, look at what happened under Saskatchewans NDP government in the 1990s. Saskatchewan had to face its deficit addiction by enduring a lot of pain, according to former finance minister Janice MacKinnon, whose government closed 52 hospitals across the province. We left a fiscal situation in Saskatchewan until it was a crisis and so we had to make dramatic cuts to fundamental programs and raise taxes to get out of the situation, MacKinnon said. Today, federal debt interest charges cost taxpayers more than $1 billion every week. Thats a brand-new hospital that isnt built every week because that money is going to the bond fund managers on Bay Street instead. In fact, the government wasted more money paying interest on the debt last year than it sent to provinces in health transfers. And as bad as things are today, it will get worse without spending restraint. Debt interest charges are expected to balloon from $54 billion last year to $70 billion by 2029. Government union bosses seem ready to fearmonger over attempts to find savings. But the reality is the government must start saving money today or the cuts will be much bigger tomorrow. Franco Terrazzano is the Federal Director of the Canadian Taxpayers Federation. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A French backpacker who went missing during her travels in Cambodia has been found dead, police said. Lisa Girard-Fabre, 23, from southwest France, was found dead near Siem Reap, the city that houses the famed Angkor Wat temple complex. The woman was found dead in a dried canal on Monday, Lieutenant Colonel Sok Meng Eang from the Siem Reap police told AFP. He said an autopsy found the woman died from a cardiac arrest. There were no injuries on her body or any sign of abuse against her, the officer told the news agency, adding that her belongings and clothes were in good condition. Girard-Fabre was last seen at the Ta Som temple at around 7.20am local time on 2 August when she had been running alone on a 21km route, her friends said. Two Cambodian Facebook users reportedly posted sightings of Girard-Fabre on the morning of her disappearance. One user said she ran past their coffee shop near Srah Srang while another claimed she was seen "running near the ticket booth on the old Route 60, heading towards the roundabout at around 7.50am", The Nation reported. The French woman reportedly arrived in Cambodia in 2024, having hitchhiked from Paris to Phnom-Penh for four months in a journey that took her through 15 countries. Through her journey, she raised funds for non-profit Pour un Sourire dEnfant, or PSE. "It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of one of our young volunteers in Cambodia, Lisa Girard-Fabre, who has been engaged as a pedagogical project manager at the School of Management and Sales, at Pour Un Smile dEnfant - PSE since January 2025," the nonprofit said on Facebook. Tourists are seen at Angkor Wat temple in Siem Reap ( REUTERS ) "Lisa had done a first humanitarian mission with PSE two years ago and left from Paris alone by hitchhiking to Phnom Penh. She was brave, radiant, and had a heart to help others. The entire PSE community will miss her." Girard-Fabre chronicled her journey from France to Cambodia on her Instagram page, which had over 19,000 followers. In her latest post on 13 March, she shared pictures from her visit to Angkor Wat and moments spent with the local people. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A political protest in Malaysia using sanitary pads as face masks has drawn criticism for being tone-deaf and misogynistic and for reinforcing menstrual stigma. Nearly 50 members of the Democratic Action Party in Negeri Sembilan state on the southwest coast of the country wore sanitary pads as masks to protest the appointment of a senator. They said the pads thick, dense, highly absorbent and soundproof symbolised the airtight silence of the state party committee on the selection of an outsider as senator over a local candidate. The stunt backfired, prompting condemnation from inside the party and outside. Critics said it was disrespectful to women and reinforced harmful stigma around menstruation in a country where some girls still missed school due to a lack of access to menstrual products. The menstrual pad is not a tool for personal gain or internal protest, the womens wing of the party in Kuala Lumpur said. It represents the lived experiences of millions of women and should not be exploited to make a political point, especially within our own party. The partys Wanita chief and deputy communications minister Teo Nie Ching condemned the act for its insensitivity given the period poverty in Malaysia. Using sanitary pads as tools of attack or ridicule only reinforces the shame and stigma long associated with menstruation, she said. The partys secretary general Anthony Loke called it highly inappropriate. All Womens Action Society deemed the action nonsensical and deeply regressive. In a country where many women and girls still struggle to afford menstrual products, its deeply insensitive for men to waste and weaponise them in the political arena, Amanda Shweeta Louis, the societys senior advocacy officer, was quoted as saying by the South China Morning Post. Menstruation is not something to be ashamed of and using it as a means to shame others is just plain misogyny. In the wake of the backlash, Lee Kong Hing, chairperson of the partys Veterans Club in Negeri Sembilan, apologised saying the protesters did not intend to offend or discriminate against women. As for using the sanitary pad, I actually have a lot of respect for women, he said at a press briefing. I had no intention of insulting women, and I hope they wont misunderstand my intention. I was just using it as a prop. Sign up to the Independent Climate email for the latest advice on saving the planet Get our free Climate email Get our free Climate email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administration is reportedly considering terminating a $7 billion grant program aimed at helping low- and moderate-income families install home solar panels, part of the White Houses larger campaign to claw back billions in Biden-era climate spending. The Environmental Protection Agency is in the process of drafting termination letters to the 60 state agencies, nonprofit groups, and Native American tribes awarded the funding through the Solar for All initiative, part of the Biden administrations landmark 2022 climate law. The agency said Tuesday it has not made a final decision about the grants. Environmental groups say if Trump does go through with the cancellation, the effort will face legal challenges. Wiping away the grants would halt many projects before they were complete. open image in gallery Trump administration is reportedly seeking to cancel grants from $7 billion home solar program for low-income communities projected to serve 900,000 people at the same time as it battles to wipe away $20 billion in other Biden climate funding ( Getty Images ) The first Solar for All projects, efforts to install residential solar and battery storage systems for tribal communities in Montana and South Dakota, went online in October 2024. One in five households on reservations lack access to electricity, and this program was an opportunity to close that gap, Cody Two Bears, the chief executive of Indigenized Energy, told The New York Times, which first reported on the cancellation effort. But those were just two kickoff projects to show what was coming for the next five years. Critics of the Trump administration and climate experts said cancelling the grants, which were projected to serve about 900,000 people, would be bad public policy that hurts low-income families and the climate. Solar for All is laser focused on helping nearly a million low-income families afford electricity at a time when their bills keep going up, Zealan Hoover, the EPAs former director of implementation, told The Washington Post. If the Trump administration is serious about energy abundance and affordability, then they should be working hard to accelerate not terminate these grants. open image in gallery The Trump administration Environmental Protection Agency sought in March to cancel $20 billion in previously awarded climate grants ( Getty Images ) Solar for All means lower utility bills, many thousands of good-paying jobs and real action to address the existential threat of climate change, Senator Bernie Sanders of Vermont, who championed the program, said in a statement on Tuesday. At a time when working families are getting crushed by skyrocketing energy costs and the planet is literally burning, sabotaging this program isnt just wrong its absolutely insane. In March, the EPA said it was terminating a separate pot of $20 billion in climate funding, prompting a legal challenge. In April, a federal judge issued an injunction siding with grant recipients. The administrations One, Big Beautiful Bill spending package, signed in July, repealed the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund, the single largest portion of climate money under the Biden law, and ordered any unassigned funds back to the U.S. Treasury. There is an ongoing legal battle between grantees and the federal government over the fate of much of the IRAs climate funding. Grantees say much of the funds were legally obligated before Trump took office and immune from presidential action, while the administration claims it claw the funds back. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Doctors are sounding the alarm about potentially deadly consequences of the Trump administrations decision to slash $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development, saying the deeply troubling move could leave Americans defenseless in the face of a biological attack, or another pandemic. Leading physicians and vaccine specialists were among the medical and scientific experts who told The Independent that years of progress had been lost, including the lessons learned during Covid. This is a deeply troubling development that will, in the short term, leave the U.S. poorly prepared for a pandemic or biological attack, and, in the long term, stifle medical innovation upon which so many Americans depend for life saving cures, Dr. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, said in an email. Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F Kennedy Jr announced Tuesday the termination of 22 projects, including contracts with Emory University and Covid shot-makers Moderna, Pfizer, and AstraZeneca. Were shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate, Kennedy said. open image in gallery Health and Human Services Sec. Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., said that the move was based on consultations with experts and science. Doctors say they disagree and that the science has been politicized ( Getty Images ) While Kennedy, who has questioned Covid vaccine safety and previously falsely claimed the measles vaccine contains fetal debris, cited a review of the science in terminating the project. But Dr Nuzzo said the attack on mRNA vaccine technology rests on phony and false claims, proven so by real facts and evidence. She continued: It is, however, aligned with his long-held and deadly determination to sow doubts about all vaccines and to restrict the ability of the American people to access vaccines. Our nation will pay dearly for this decision in dollars and lives. The mRNA vaccines work differently from traditional vaccines, which inject a weakened virus into the body to trigger an immune response. Instead, mRNA vaccines teach the cells to make small and harmless pieces of virus that trigger the same response. The anti-vaxxer movement and Kennedy have inaccurately claimed that mRNA Covid vaccines are deadly and that vaccines poisoned American children but they are safe according to decades of public research and countless government assessments. The only mRNA vaccines currently available are Covid vaccines. They were able to be brought to market so quickly because scientists didnt need the virus to make them, and the vaccine material can be created in a lab. Research also has been underway to produce mRNA vaccines against cancer and other infectious diseases, work that has been going on for decades. While most would associate mRNA vaccine technology with Covid, it was in development for over half a century and the U.S. governments partnership in that development goes back decades, Richard Hughes IV, a former vice president of public policy at mRNA vaccine manufacturer Moderna who teaches vaccine law at George Washington University Law School, told The Independent. These kinds of partnerships are what drive innovation and save us from public health emergencies. When we lose this kind of progress, we create future public health risks. Scientists know its only a matter of time before the next pandemic, when vaccines may once again be needed en masse. open image in gallery The move to cancel $500 million in mRNA vaccine development could have deadly consequences for Americans, according to physicians and infectious disease experts. Doctors told The Independent that the decision creates future health risks ( Getty Images ) Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious diseases physician and Clinical Associate Professor at Stanford University School of Medicine, said that no other vaccine technology could provide the world with a vaccine as quickly as is need during a pandemic. He noted that Kennedys decision was rewriting the history of the pandemic and the lifesaving track record of mRNA vaccines. Vaccines arent some niche drug. Were not talking about some rare skin cancer drug. Were talking about medicines that apply to literally every human being on the planet and we should have learned from the Covid pandemic that everyone is potentially susceptible to pandemic, Dr Scott said. In what experts have labeled an assault on science, the Trump administration has eliminated grants and dramatically reduced the workforce of federal health and science agencies. Theses actions, and Kennedys mRNA cuts, are likely in response to government vaccine mandates and restrictions, Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, told The Independent. Its a tremendous step backward, the is politicization of science, and RFK Jr., who has been a lifelong anti-vaccine propagandist and science denialist, is now making policy, he said. Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The Trump administrations plan to destroy a warehouse full of contraceptives, rather than distribute them to low-income countries, will leave more than 1.4 million people without essential medical care, the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) has found. More than three-quarters of the $9.7m (7.2m) worth of supplies were destined for just five countries: the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Kenya, Tanzania, Zambia, and Mali. Tanzania, which was due to receive more than 40 per cent of the stock, will be the hardest hit. The Reproductive Health Supplies Coalition, which brings together governments, private companies and charities to make contraception accessible, has projected that without these supplies there will be 174,000 more unintended pregnancies and 56,000 unsafe abortions. The plan forms part of wide-ranging cuts to US foreign aid, which includes stopping providing birth control to lower-income countries. A State Department spokesperson said the US had avoided an additional $34.1 million in taxpayer costs by negotiating no-cost cancellations of pending orders. However the destruction of these supplies which have already been paid for is estimated to cost $167,000, according to the US government. IPPF said its offers to take on the costs of donating the contraception - which includes pills, implants and injections - rather than letting it go to waste had been rejected. The supplies were largely not due to expire for between two and five years. The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was one of the worlds biggest providers of contraception. Without these contraceptives, women and girls are unable to choose how to protect themselves, Dr Bakari Omary, project coordinator at Tazanian sexual and reproductive health NGO Umati explained. The impact of the USAID funding cuts has already significantly affected the provision of sexual and reproductive health services in Tanzania - leading to a shortage of contraceptive commodities, especially implants. This shortage has directly impacted clients' choices regarding family planning uptake. open image in gallery A Belgian warehouse held the almost $10m of contraception, due to be transferred to France to be incinerated. ( Reuters ) In many of these countries, options like implants and long-acting injectable contraception are particularly popular because they grant women discretion and control when their partners may not approve of them taking pills for example. In Tanzania, a million injectable contraceptives and more than 350,000 implants have been earmarked to be burnt - almost a third of the contraception needed for a whole year. In Mali, more than a million contraceptive pills and almost 100,000 implants are being withheld and risk being destroyed - a quarter of the countrys annual needs, while in Kenya more than 100,000 promised implants are not being distributed. Executive Director for the Reproductive Health Network in Kenya, Nelly Munyasia, said these setbacks had come at a time when unmet need for contraception was already high - with profound implications for the lifechances of women and girls. Nearly 1 in 5 girls aged 1519 is already pregnant or has given birth. Unsafe abortions remain among the five leading causes of maternal deaths in Kenya, she said. open image in gallery Africa is the most reliant on US-funded family planning ( Alicja Hagopian/USAID ) A US State Department spokesperson confirmed that a preliminary decision was made to destroy certain birth control commodities from terminated USAID contracts. However, the current status of the supplies remains somewhat of a mystery. While The Independent has been told that at least some of the contraceptives were in transit, the Belgian, French and US governments would not confirm whether any of the stock had reached France. A Belgian government spokesperson said the country remained committed to exploring, all possible avenues to prevent the destruction of these stocks and continues to engage in discussions with the American authorities. Major waste management companies including Veolia and SUEZ have denied involvement in the incineration. Hormonal contraceptives require specialised disposal to prevent the hormones from polluting the environment and entering the water supply. President of IPPFs French member association, Le Planning familial, Sarah Durocher, said: We call on the French government to take responsibility and act urgently to prevent the destruction of USAID-funded contraceptives. It is unacceptable that France, a country that champions feminist diplomacy, has remained silent while others, like Belgium, have stepped in to engage with the US government. In the face of this injustice, solidarity with the people who were counting on these life-saving supplies is not optional: it is a moral imperative. This article was produced as part of The Independents Rethinking Global Aid project Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Line of Duty star Adrian Dunbar has said people jumped to conclusions about rap trio Kneecap, who have been in the headlines since one of their members was charged with a terror offence. The Belfast group, known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, were also banned from entering Hungary to appear at a music festival. Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July. The group has said there is a smear campaign against them because of their support for Palestine and criticism of Israels actions in Gaza. open image in gallery Kneecap: Liam Og O Hannaidh (Mo Chara), JJ O Dochartaigh (DJ Provai), and Naoise O Caireallain (Moglai Bap) ( Brian Lawless/PA ) Dunbar, 67, who recently went to a Kneecap gig with his daughter, was asked if the BBC was wrong not to live stream their Glastonbury performance in June. He told Times Radio: Were they wrong not to stream it? I think thats a question for the BBC, not for me. But I do think that everybody got too heated about them. I think everybody jumped to conclusions about them. I think theyre a band of good musicians. They make great music. Theyre promoting the Irish language. Very clear about who they support and who they dont support. We had a great time. But those decisions are for the BBC. open image in gallery Dunbar is best known for his role as Ted Hastings in long-running police drama Line of Duty ( PA ) Glastonbury organisers faced pressure to drop the group from the line-up amid criticism from politicians, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it would not be appropriate for the band to perform. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. The BBC decided not to live stream their performance but later uploaded the set to BBC iPlayer. Kneecap comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying Kill your local MP at one gig and and Up Hamas, up Hezbollah at another. In May, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. O hAnnaidh and his bandmates were cheered by hundreds of supporters when they arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18. Musicians including Nadine Shah and Gurriers have said they will attend court to support the group when O hAnnaidh returns on August 20. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice This year could be the worst ever for Asian hornets in the UK, scientists are warning, after a rise in sightings of the invasive insect. The National Bee Unit says there were 73 credible sightings up to the end of last month more than double the 28 recorded in the same period last year. Experts from the unit have also found 28 nests so far this year. One nest can house up to 3,000 of the insects. Asian hornets, also known as yellow-legged hornets, can badly harm native pollinator insects, including honeybees, threatening food security and ecosystems, ecologists say. The species was sighted in record numbers in the UK in 2023, and last September UK experts saw evidence for the first time of the queens over-wintering. In May this year, their numbers were described as unprecedented. The Liberal Democrats have accused the government of not taking the issue seriously enough and are calling for a task force to deal with the problem. Martin Wrigley, MP for Newton Abbot in Devon, told The Telegraph: The previous Conservative government was asleep at the wheel in their response to Asian hornets so the government has got to wake up to the risks and get a grip on this invasive species now especially ahead of August and September, when new females are born. open image in gallery The Asian hornet may be confused with the European hornet ( UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology ) We urgently need a fully fleshed task force dedicated to this invasive insect to reduce delays between reporting nests and their destruction. Its time this government took our biodiversity and the safety of our communities seriously. The species, which spread from Asia to Europe in a pottery consignment sent to France in 2004, was first spotted in Britain in 2016, and numbers have been rising since. The UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology (UKCEH) has warned that without early detection and a rapid response, the species could gain a foothold in the UK. Sightings usually peak from September, and people are urged to report any sightings on the Asian Hornet Watch app. Ian Campbell, of the British Beekeepers Association, said that this year appeared to be a surge year for yellow-legged hornets, in part because of the weather. There is significant worry that this year is going to be ahead of 2023, which is the worst year weve had so far, he said. open image in gallery Experts raised the alert after an 'unprecedented' number of Asian hornet sightings ( Getty Images/iStockphoto ) He called for authorities to try to eradicate the species before it became fully established. The invasive species is mostly found in Kent and East Sussex but has also been seen in Surrey, Hampshire and London, and even as far as Co Durham. Its thought they come into the country on vehicles. Ecologists say that except for parts of Scotland, all of Britain has a suitable climate for yellow-legged hornets. Asian hornets also have a dark abdomen with a band of yellow, while native hornets abdomens are predominantly yellow. A spokesman for the Animal and Plant Health Agency told The Telegraph: Our highly skilled staff work 24/7 to tackle the threat of invasive non-native species, which cost the economy nearly 2bn a year. The yellow-legged hornet response, as with other outbreaks, is managed through a roster of trained nest destructors and inspectors that is scaled up as required based on reports and seasonal fluctuations. They said it was not unexpected to see more reports of sightings as public awareness of the insects increased. A spokesman for Defra said the government would never waver in its duty to protect the UKs biosecurity and pointed to its establishment of a new 200m biosecurity centre and an additional 10m for new surveillance projects. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Youre a traitor. Those were the words heckled last week to a driver pulling into RAF Wethersfield, a former Ministry of Defence airbase in Essex currently being used to house asylum seekers. Livestreamed from an iPhone to tens ofthousands of people online, the clip shows a group of so-called migrant hunters hurling abuse at the driver, presumed to be a worker at the airbase, and threatening to publish his cars number plate. This verbally abusing staff and police officers on camera, before sharing the incident with fellow patriots appears to be the modus operandi of the self-proclaimed migrant hunters, who are on the rise amid growing unrest over the governments handling of the migration crisis. Often posing as journalists, these far-right activists will turn up at accommodation centres and hotels with the intention of harassing those who work and live there. They then post the footage online with the aim of according to experts laying the groundwork for anti-migrant protests, which often descend into violence. They also use Facebook and X to spread information about the locations of hotels that have been earmarked by the government to house asylum seekers. A post shared time after time in this corner of the internet is an interactive map, purporting to show the location of more than 200 hotels across the UK where migrants live. Their methods for identifying accommodation for asylum seekers appear to be a myriad of tip-offs from disgruntled employees at the hotels in question, information from locals, as well as meticulous monitoring of Booking.com to check which 3* hotels have been blocked out for mass bookings. Some of the most prominent migrant hunters have nearly 200,000 followers on X and tweet around 20 times a day, often peddling false and dangerous rumours about those inside the hotels. Among the more disturbing posts are unfounded claims of an upcoming terror attack, littered among AI-generated images of far-right activist Tommy Robinson. Recent research from the anti-racism campaign group Hope Not Hate found the number of migrant hunters had doubled since 2021 and that they had visited hotels housing asylum seekers on more than 250 occasions. open image in gallery This summer has already seen a series of protests staged outside hotels reportedly housing asylum seekers ( PA ) But activity on social media accounts connected to the movement has ramped up in recent weeks after anti-migrant protests in Epping, Essex, which triggered similar demonstrations across the country. The unrest began in July after an asylum seeker from Ethiopia, believed to be staying at the Bell Hotel, was charged with sexual assault, including that of a 14-year-old girl. Since then, protests have taken place in cities such as Manchester, London, Bournemouth and Edinburgh, with more planned for Friday evening as part of what organisers have called abolish asylum day a mass protest at eight different locations across the country where asylum seekers are being housed. Far-right groups have been encouraging such protests for years, yet concerns are growing over the invasive tactics used by the migrant hunters, who appear to spend their time travelling to various hotels, doxxing their opposition and harassing those temporarily given refuge there. They then use messaging apps such as Telegram, Signal and WhatsApp to share information. Speaking to The Independent, Joe Mulhall, director of research at Hope Not Hate, said these individuals first became prominent online during the spring of 2021. open image in gallery A record number of asylum seekers are set to cross the Channel this year ( PA ) Originally they were on the beaches, filming the arrival of boats and doing daily tallies, before moving from areas like Dover to the accommodation centres. They were the content-creating machine that was sitting under the far right, he said. They would release daily vlogs and livestreams which would percolate through the far-right system and get picked up by people like Tommy Robinson. They have been quite important in pushing cross-Channel migration up the agenda of the far right. Having analysed the locations of protests, the anti-racism charity spotted a pattern hotels targeted during the summer of violence in 2024 had often been visited multiple times by migrant hunters. Riots were sparked across the UK last July after three girls were killed in a Taylor Swift-themed dance class in Southport, with a wave of misinformation on social media falsely claiming the killer was a Muslim asylum seeker. Mr Mulhall added: Where we saw those atrocious scenes and arson outside the Holiday Inn in Rotherham, migrant hunters had visited that hotel 12 times between 2021 and 2024. Its interesting because that hotel is not in the city centre people knew where to go, migrant hunters had laid the groundwork. Momentum has picked up recently, and these activists are once again livestreaming themselves at protests, quickly racking up thousands of comments and clicks online. open image in gallery Stand Up to Racism counter-protesters have attended several far-right demonstrations ( PA ) In Epping, one protest organiser told The Independent they had been made aware that the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf, in Londons financial district, was being repurposed by the Home Office after being contacted by an employee who had been made redundant. Two protests broke out there after the information spread online. Meanwhile, one former soldier, who claims to have raised more than 30,000 in donations to help fund an anti-migrant movement called the Great British National Protest, claims to be behind 20 demonstrations across the UK. Richard Donaldson, 33, told The Times the money raised would be used to fund covert investigations inside hotels, and claimed to have recruited members of staff who were supposedly willing to wear hidden body cameras and share intelligence. There has been a proliferation of online social media accounts that are promoting anti-migrant sentiments, Sabby Dhalu, co-convenor of Stand Up to Racism said. Firstly, since Elon Musk took over X, and secondly, since Donald Trump became president, there has been a shift in the algorithm, a bias towards far-right material. Such content is getting a wider reach. open image in gallery Police form a barrier in front of masked protesters outside the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in central London ( PA ) She added: Weve noticed in our demonstrations that people say they are journalists and pick up their phones, but what they are really doing is doxxing people and identifying people they can target. On Monday, the Home Office announced it was providing another 100m to tackle people smuggling and Sir Keir Starmer has struck a deal to return Channel migrants to France in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to the UK. While the move has been criticised by refugee charities, the government is hoping it will prevent an outbreak of similar disorder to that of last summer. Enver Solomon, CEO of Refugee Council, said: Protests against people seeking asylum is causing alarm among adults and children who have fled war in countries such as Sudan and Afghanistan. Last summer, we witnessed refugees we support fear for their lives as an angry mob tried to set fire to the hotel where they were living. Rhetoric that dehumanises people whove come to Britain seeking sanctuary creates a climate where violence can flourish. Our frontline staff work in many of the communities affected and see that most people are fair-minded and compassionate. While they may have valid questions about why hotels are used, these concerns are being hijacked by a violent minority. Asylum hotels have become flashpoints a symbol of a broken system that traps people in limbo, unable to work or rebuild their lives at huge public cost. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice More than half a million rat infestations have been reported across the UK in less than three years, new data has revealed. Drainage specialists have said the problem is only getting worse, with the issue now increasingly starting underground as they issued a warning over potentially fatal health dangers linked to the rodents. Analysis of Freedom of Information (FOI) responses from UK councils showed the country saw 518,240 reported rat infestations from 2023 to mid-2025. Nearly a quarter of these were found to be in London alone, closely followed by the north west of England and Scotland, which recorded almost 95,000 and 70,000 infestations respectively. Stuart McGinn, drainage expert at Drain Detectives, which produced the research, told The Independent there is no single cause behind the regional differences in rat infestations, but he outlined several key factors that do create the perfect conditions in certain areas. He said: Urban density is one of the biggest drivers, as is the case in London, which has a complex underground network of drains and older infrastructure that rats can easily exploit. More people also equals more food waste, bin storage, and ample conditions for rats and rodents to thrive. Aside from just populated cities, some regions with higher infestation numbers, like parts of the north west or Scotland, also have large numbers of aging buildings with outdated drainage systems. Once cracks or disused pipes appear, rats only need the smallest access points, and they will then follow the scent of food and warmth straight into homes and the inside of commercial spaces. It could also be argued that the regional variations in rat infestations could be down to warmer, wetter weather patterns in certain parts of the UK. Milder seasons mean rats are breeding for longer periods of the year, pushing up numbers. Without proactive maintenance, especially underground, infestations can take hold fast. open image in gallery More than half a million rat infestations have been reported across the UK in less than three years, shocking new data has revealed ( PA ) The drainage company conducted the analysis using the 195 useable responses from the 251 FOIs it submitted, specifically requesting data on council-owned buildings. The Independent has mapped the research above, showing the regions with the highest and lowest numbers of rat infestations. The West Midlands, with 44,762 infestations, and Wales, with 44,388 infestations, came fourth and fifth in the rankings. Meanwhile, councils across less densely populated regions like the East Midlands and south west England still reported more than 10,000 cases each, suggesting the issue is nationwide rather than just an urban one. The fresh figures come as a supersized rat thought to be the UKs biggest has been captured by pest controllers in a home in the north of England. The giant animal, which measured 22 inches long, was found in the Normanby area of Redcar and Cleveland after a resident called in exterminators. Writing in The Independent, veteran catcher David Parnell admitted that even he was taken aback when he saw images of the rodent, described as almost the size of a small cat by councillors. open image in gallery The fresh figures come as a supersized rat thought to be the UKs biggest has been captured by pest controllers in a home in the north of England ( Facebook ) However, he warned Britons to brace themselves for a worsening vermin problem, saying: Its not just a one-off the rats are getting bigger, bolder and harder to deal with. What used to be a couple of callouts a month for rats inside homes has now surged to eight to 10 a week. The vast majority of these infestations trace back to our neglected drainage systems. Drain Detectives explained that rats often exploit damaged or aging drainage systems to gain access to buildings, especially via unsealed joints, disused pipework, or toilet backflow in properties lacking rat blockers. Once inside, they can nest in cavity walls or lofts, chew through wiring, and contaminate insulation leading to fire hazards and severe hygiene risks, according to the company. Alongside poor sewer management, Mr Parnell also blamed genetics and careless humans for the growing problem. Mr McGinn warned: Rats are more than just a nuisance, theyre a threat to public health and infrastructure. Were seeing growing numbers of infestations entering homes via the drains, a route thats largely hidden from view until its too late. Rats are incredibly resourceful. They can travel through underground pipes, bypassing typical surface-level pest control measures. Most people dont realise that a cracked drain beneath their home can be an open invitation to a full-blown infestation. open image in gallery Pest controller David Parnell finds call-outs for rat infestations are on the increase ( David Parnell ) Among the health hazards associated with the rodents is leptospirosis (Weils Disease) a potentially fatal bacterial infection, primarily spread through the urine of infected animals, especially rats and the deadly hantavirus, which can be caught from breathing in rats contaminated waste particles. Others include salmonella, which is spread via contaminated food, and allergies triggered by rat dander and urine. Mr McGinn said prevention starts below the ground and is urging UK homeowners and property managers to take proactive steps. If youre hearing scratching in the walls or noticing unexplained smells, dont ignore it, he advised. A Local Government Association spokesperson said: Councils take their responsibilities around public health very seriously and work hard to respond to all reports of pest problems on public land and in council-owned properties, however they have seen a rise in demand for pest control services in some areas due to factors often outside of their control, including increased urban density and warmer weather conditions, which can allow pests to thrive. Although responsibility for pest control in private homes and businesses rests with the owner or landlord, keeping our communities safe requires a joint effort from a range of partners, including individual households, landlords, water companies and developers. We continue to call for adequate funding and powers to be granted to councils to help them better play their role in this and keep homes and public spaces safe, healthy and free from pests. An MHCLG spokesperson said: "Rat infestations in people's homes are completely abhorrent, and all private and social landlords must ensure their properties are fit for human habitation and free from dangerously hazardous conditions including pests. "We are clamping down on unacceptable conditions so that everyone can live in a safe and secure home. This includes raising standards in social housing by bringing in Awaab's Law from October as part of a decade of renewal in social housing, with private rented homes to follow. We are also currently consulting on an updated decent homes standard. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A hospice in Sussex is set to become the UKs first dedicated to LGBT people, in what has been described as a landmark development for the community. The Sussex Beacon has announced it is to become the only hospice in the country providing a dedicated service to the LGBT community, with a specialist focus on HIV care. The Brighton-based charity supports people living with HIV, but is expanding its offer to the wider community regardless of HIV status. The LGBTQ+ community built The Beacon, and now we will be giving it back, stronger and more inclusive than ever, Sussex Beacon CEO Rachel Brett said. It was originally founded to offer care in a safe, accepting space for people dying with AIDS-related illnesses. Thanks to advances in HIV treatment, our focus has moved to ensure that people across local communities are getting the help and support they need. Further to this, we are delighted that we can use the fantastic facility that we have to refresh our offer of hospice care for the LGBTQ+ community. open image in gallery The Sussex Beacon has announced it is to become the only hospice in the country providing a dedicated service to the LGBT community, with a specialist focus on HIV care. ( NHS Sussex ) A 2023 national report from Hospice UK found that in many instances, end of life care received by trans and gender diverse people was not inclusive of them and their needs. It found that trans and gender diverse people reported instances of insensitivity from staff, such as misgendering, confusion over their identity and instances of poor physical care. The Sussex Beacon is uniquely placed to change that, Ms Brett added. Its fair to say we need our community behind us now more than ever, The next few years will be challenging as we make this transition, but with collective support, well create something truly transformative. NHS Sussex and Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, confirmed their support for the development. open image in gallery A 2023 national report from Hospice UK found that in many instances, end of life care received by trans and gender diverse people was not inclusive of them and their needs ( Getty Images ) Dr Amy Dissanayake, Deputy Chief Medical Officer at NHS Sussex, said: We are delighted to be working with The Sussex Beacon as they make this step to enhance the high-quality service they can provide the local community. In addition to the hospice care, their experience in providing specialist community care for people living with HIV is invaluable and fully supports our ambition to bring care out of hospitals where possible, and into communities, either in peoples homes directly or in their local neighbourhood at community hubs. We look forward to continuing to work with the team at The Sussex Beacon to make this a reality for our population. Chris Ward, MP for Brighton Kemptown and Peacehaven, said: The Beacon has a proud place in the heart of the local community, and this announcement shows it has a bright future too. Ive spoken with so many service users who said they owed everything to the Beacon, so Im delighted that this new service model means it can continue to provide excellent HIV services and hospice care across Sussex. By Isaac Phan Nay Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Ottawa is considering changes to the Temporary Foreign Worker Program that migrant workers say would reduce their income. In internal documents provided to The Tyee, Employment and Social Development Canada proposed changing how migrant workers in the agriculture and fishing sectors are paid, housed and brought into the country. The changes include the creation of a new type of work permit that would allow migrants to switch between pre-approved employers. But the changes would also increase the amount of money employers could deduct from workers paycheques to pay for housing. While the federal government said the changes are intended to improve workers experiences, a migrant workers group said it believed they would worsen their working conditions. Pablo Serrano, a temporary foreign worker at a B.C. farm, voiced his concerns about the changes at a press conference Wednesday hosted by Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, a national advocacy organization of migrant workers and students. We reject the governments idea of allowing more rent deductions, Serrano said via a translator. This opens the doors for some employers to profit from our housing by charging us for spaces that do not guarantee our safety and well-being. Nearly a quarter of all agriculture employees in Canada are temporary foreign workers and are subject to the TFW programs rules. In its plan for 2025 and 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced last month it would work with Employment and Social Development Canada to reform how agriculture and fish-processing employers hire temporary foreign workers. The proposed changes come after international criticism of Canadas TFW program. Earlier this year, human rights advocacy organization Amnesty International said the program exposes workers to abuse. Employment and Social Development Canada spokesperson Maja Stefanovksa said in an email that department was asking stakeholders for input about how it might change the TFWs hiring rules for agriculture and fish-processing employees. She added with the consultations were for the sole purpose of understanding best practices to strengthen worker protections and the program. No determinations or proposals have been made, she said. Canada is committed to fair and stable compensation for workers and suggestions of pay cuts do not reflect intentions for the program moving forward. The department is reviewing stakeholder input now. Last March, Employment and Social Development Canada sent documents that described proposed changes to advocates, employers and other program stakeholders for consultation. The Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, which has long criticized the program, provided the documents to The Tyee. One document outlining how the departments changes would affect worker wages said it has the objective of better supporting employers [and] improving worker experience. The department proposed creating a new type of work permit for the agriculture and fish-processing sectors that would allow migrant workers to switch between employers without having to leave the country. Currently, most temporary foreign workers work permits are tied to their employers, meaning if they leave their jobs or are fired, they are required to leave the country. Some advocates have previously welcomed changes that would make migrant workers less reliant on employers. But Syed Hussan, the executive director of the Migrant Workers Alliance for Change, said it would likely be unrealistic for most workers to switch jobs. And Hussan said many of the other proposed changes would hurt, rather than help, workers. Not one of these changes is to protect workers, Hussan told The Tyee. This is all about having more control over more workers. Under the new permit, employers would be allowed to dock workers wages to pay for housing a measure the program currently allows for some migrant workers, but not others. The TFW program currently requires employers to pay to house migrant farmworkers from Mexico and some Caribbean countries. Migrant farmworkers from other countries have about five per cent of their pre-tax wages deducted for housing, the department said in the document. Employment and Social Development Canadas changes would let employers in the agriculture and fish-processing sectors deduct up to 30 per cent of workers pre-tax income to pay for housing, regardless of nationality. Currently, employers are required to provide adequate housing that also meets local building bylaws. With the new changes, the department would require employers to ensure that the provided housing meets more specific criteria. The rules would require a home to be adequately supplied with running water, have adequate plumbing systems and sufficient heating and cooling appliances. Migrant workers told the Migrant Worker Alliance for Change that they do not want the proposed changes, Hussan said. Employers are going to force workers to live in these homes and be able to just cut from the cheque, and workers will have no choice, Hussan said. The guidelines for housing are too vague and leave too much room for poor interpretation, Hussan added. He said the department should set specific and measurable metrics for the temperature, water pressure and cleanliness of each unit. These are not enforceable, not measurable guidelines, Hussan said. It will be impossible for workers to complain, because anything can be deemed adequate. The current guidelines already put workers in crowded, inadequate housing, a United Nations special rapporteur said in a 2023 report. That report said temporary foreign workers were often provided overcrowded and mixed-gender housing that sometimes forced up to 30 people to share a single washroom. Housing often lacked adequate heating or cooling and did not have enough laundry facilities or kitchens. The rapporteur called Canadas TFW program a breeding ground for contemporary forms of slavery. Hussans organization has long advocated for all migrant workers to be granted permanent residency, which he said would allow workers to freely switch employers and find housing without fear of deportation. At some point or another, people will stop coming, Hussan said. When you keep squeezing people, they will eventually walk away. Latest Data on Temporary Foreign Workers Current Numbers: As of early 2025, TFW numbers in Canada have surpassed all previous records. In 2024, there were around 3 million non-permanent residents in Canada, and experts estimate approximately half of them participate in the labour market. Growth Trend: The number of TFWs has jumped from 356,000 in 2011 to 845,000 by 2021more than doubling over the decade. This growth has not slowed; in 2023, employers received approval to hire nearly 240,000 TFWs, more than double the 2018 figure of 108,988. Work Permits Issued: By October 2024 alone, 162,100 new work permits were granted under the TFWP, with 33,775 in the agricultural stream. Proportion in the Workforce Temporary foreign workers accounted for 4.1% of all paid workers in Canada in 2021, up from 1.9% a decade earlier. Sectors like agriculture, forestry, fishing, and hunting have a particularly high proportion of TFWs, making up 18% of all paid workers by 2021. In accommodation and food services, TFWs represent about 10% of employees. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A quarter of people believe rioters involved in last summers violent clashes were treated unfairly by the legal system, after 1,876 people were arrested. Violent scenes spread across the UK in the wake of the Southport stabbings, which saw three young girls killed at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. Disinformation regarding the suspect and his immigration status caused widespread riots, which led to 1,110 people being charged with violent disorder offences. A new YouGov poll of nearly 5,000 people found that 12 per cent believed the rioters had been treated completely unfairly, while 14 per cent said they had been treated somewhat unfairly. open image in gallery Widespread unrest broke out across the UK after three girls were stabbed to death in Southport ( Getty ) Six in 10 of Labour voters believed they had been treated fairly, after the disturbances saw mosques and hotels housing asylum seekers targeted by large mobs. In comparison, 70 per cent of supporters for Nigel Farages party Reform UK believed the legal system had been unfair to perpetrators, which saw some rioters receive nine-year prison sentences. Dozens of suspected protesters are still wanted by police, with a national appeal launched to identify people for offences including throwing bricks and seriously assaulting people. It comes after a series of protests in recent weeks outside a hotel in Epping, Essex, where migrants are housed, after an Ethiopian asylum-seeker was charged with allegedly attempting to kiss a 14-year-old girl. Additional protests have spread to Bournemouth, Edinburgh, Manchester and Norfolk, but so far, wider unrest has been avoided. open image in gallery Rioters square up to police in Southport last July ( PA ) In London, demonstrations have taken place outside the Britannia Hotel in Canary Wharf and the Thistle City Barbican Hotel in Islington, which are also reportedly housing asylum seekers. On Sunday, flares were set off and a group of people attempted to break into Britannia by breaching the fences and harassing occupants and staff. Further protests have been planned for later this week, including eight demonstrations outside hotels on Friday evening as part of an Abolish Asylum Day. Sir Keir Starmers government has indicated it is not willing to tolerate a repeat of 2024s riots, with a government spokesperson stating that contingency plans had been strengthened since last years shameful scenes. Tensions have been further heightened after Mr Farage and Warwickshire County Council leader George Finch claimed there had been a cover-up after police charged two men, who are Afghan asylum seekers, with the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. open image in gallery Protesters outside the Bell Hotel in Epping in July ( PA ) In a letter to the home secretary and Warwickshire Polices chief constable, Mr Finch claimed that not publicising the pairs immigration status risks public disorder breaking out on the streets of Warwickshire. The issue of how much information is revealed by police regarding suspects has been the subject of fierce debate following a string of high-profile cases, including the Southport killings last year. On Tuesday, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said we do think more transparency is needed in the information given by police and that guidance needs to change. Meanwhile, Conservative shadow justice secretary Robert Jenrick has warned that the publics patience with the asylum hotels and with the whole issue of illegal migration has snapped, after small boat crossings topped 25,000 for the year so far, a record for this point in the year. Detentions are set to begin by the end of the week as part of Sir Keirs one in, one out deal to return Channel migrants to France. The deal, which has now been approved by the European Commission, means the UK will be able to send people crossing the Channel in small boats back to France in exchange for asylum seekers with ties to Britain. It also means that anyone arriving in a small boat can be detained immediately, and space has been set aside at immigration removal centres in the expectation that detentions will begin within days. The prime minister said the ratification of the treaty will send a clear message if you come here illegally on a small boat you will face being sent back to France. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Prime Minister Kier Starmer has defended his plan to potentially recognise a Palestinian state. He said there was a sense of revulsion about the suffering in Gaza and said the UK will recognise a Palestinian state in September unless Israel agrees to meet certain conditions. These include addressing the humanitarian crisis, implementing a ceasefire and reviving the prospect of a two-state solution. But he insisted the move was not a propaganda boost to Hamas, saying the terrorist organisation could play no part in any future government. The Prime Ministers approach has been criticised by the Israeli government and a protest over his stance is due to take place in London at the weekend. Demonstrators, including some British family members of hostages still held by Hamas, will march on Downing Street calling for the release of the remaining hostages before any talk about the recognition of Palestine. Asked if he had given Hamas a public relations boost by talking about recognition, Sir Keir told Channel 5: They should release the hostages straight away and they should play absolutely no part in the governance of Palestine at any point. Starmer says there is a sense of revulsion among the British public over what is happening in Gaza ( Anthony Upton/PA ) He said the hostages taken during the October 7 2023 attacks had been held for a very, very long time in awful circumstances, unimaginable circumstances, and Hamas is a terrorist organisation, and thats why Im really clear about Hamas. Sir Keir added: We do, alongside that, have to do all that we can to alleviate the awful situation on the ground in Gaza. We need aid in volume and at scale. People have seen the images of starvation in Gaza, he said, adding that the British public can see it and theres a sense of revulsion of what theyre seeing. The government had to do everything we can to get aid in, working with other countries and its in that context that I set out our position on recognition. Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said on Tuesday that Keir Starmer has made a mistake and what we need to focus on now is a ceasefire and getting the hostages home. Tzipi Hotovely, Israeli ambassador to the UK, said the actions of Hamas must never be rewarded. Get the free Morning Headlines email for news from our reporters across the world Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Sign up to our free Morning Headlines email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice New analysis investigating Xs algorithm has revealed how the platform played a central role in spreading false narratives fuelling riots in the UK last summer. Amnesty Internationals analysis of the platforms own source code, published in March 2023, has revealed how it systematically prioritises content that sparks outrage - without adequate safeguards to prevent harm. The human rights group said the design of the software created fertile ground for inflammatory racist narratives to thrive in the wake of the Southport attack last year. On 29 July 2024, three young girls Alice da Silva Aguiar, Bebe King and Elsie Dot Stancombe were murdered, and 10 others injured, by 17-year-old Axel Rudakubana at a Taylor Swift-themed dance class. open image in gallery Riots swept across the UK last summer after the Southport stabbings (PA) ( PA Wire ) Before official accounts were shared by authorities, false statements and Islamophobic narratives began circulating on social media last summer, the report said. The consequences of this misinformation resulted in weeks of racist riots which spread across the country, with a number of hotels housing asylum seekers targeted by the far-right. Amnesty International said that in the critical window after the Southport attack, Xs algorithm system meant inflammatory posts went viral, even if they contained misinformation. open image in gallery Since his takeover of the platform in 2022, Musk has laid off its content moderation staff, disbanded Twitters Trust and Safety advisory council and fired trust and safety engineers. ( AFP via Getty Images ) The report found no evidence that the algorithm assesses the posts potential harm before boosting it based off of engagement, allowing misinformation to spread before efforts to share correct information was possible. These engagement-first design choices contributed to heightened risks amid a wave of anti-Muslim and anti migrant violence observed in several locations across the UK at the time, and which continues to present a serious human rights risk today, the report read. open image in gallery The report found no evidence that the algorithm assesses the posts potential harm before boosting it based off of engagement ( PA Wire ) As long as a tweet drives engagement, the algorithm appears to have no mechanism for assessing the potential for causing harm - at least not until enough users themselves report it. The report also highlights the bias towards Premium users on X, such as Andrew Tate, who posted a video falsely asserting the attacker was an undocumented migrant who arrived on a boat. open image in gallery The report also highlights the bias towards Premium users on X, such as Stephen Yaxley-Lennon, known as Tommy Robinson, who received over 580 million views in the two weeks following the attack ( Getty Images ) Tate had been previously been banned from Twitter for hate speech and harmful content, but their accounts were reinstated in late 2023 under Elon Musks amnesty for suspended users. Since his takeover of the platform in 2022, Musk has also laid off its content moderation staff, disbanded Twitters Trust and Safety advisory council and fired trust and safety engineers. open image in gallery Misinformation spreading online is believed in part to have helped spark recent riots (Owen Humphreys/PA) ( PA Wire ) Pat de Brun, Head of Big Tech Accountability at Amnesty International said: Our analysis shows that Xs algorithmic design and policy choices contributed to heightened risks amid a wave of anti-Muslim and anti-migrant violence observed in several locations across the UK last year, and which continues to present a serious human rights risk today. Without effective safeguards, the likelihood increases that inflammatory or hostile posts will gain traction in periods of heightened social tension. An X spokesperson said: We are committed to keeping X safe for all our users. Our safety teams use a combination of machine learning and human review to proactively take swift action against content and accounts that violate our rules, including our Violent Speech, Hateful Conduct and Synthetic and Manipulated Media policies, before they are able to impact the safety of our platform. Additionally our crowd-sourced fact checking feature Community Notes plays an important role in supporting the work of our safety teams to address potentially misleading posts across the X platform." Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Around half a million children could be lifted out of poverty through reforms to UK gambling laws, a leading think tank has found. The Institute For Public Policy Research (IPPR) is urging the government to look at measures which could raise 3.2 billion from changes to how gambling is taxed. This would be the amount of funding needed to scrap the two-child limit and benefit cap, a new report from the group finds, which would lift 500,000 children out of poverty. Eliminating these two policies would be the most effective single step the government could take to reduce child poverty, it adds. open image in gallery There are now around 4.5 million children living in poverty in the UK (PA) ( PA Wire ) Backed by former Labour prime minister Gordon Brown, the IPPRs proposals focus on raising duties on online gambling firms, especially online casinos, slot machines, and high-stakes betting. The think tank says harms are especially concentrated in this sector, with over 60 per cent of profits coming from just five per cent of users many of whom are vulnerable. Henry Parkes, principal economist and head of quantitative research at IPPR, said: The gambling industry is highly profitable, yet is exempt from paying VAT and often pays no corporation tax, with many online firms based offshore. It is also inescapable that gambling causes serious harm, especially in its most high-stakes forms. Set against a context of stark and rising levels of child poverty, it only feels fair to ask this industry to contribute a little more. The findings come as the chancellor is under pressure to raises taxes at Labours upcoming autumn budget to address poor economic performance. open image in gallery Former prime minister Gordon Brown said: There are many reasons why the highly profitable betting and gaming industry should pay a fairer share towards the cost of UKs unmet needs (Victoria Jones/PA) ( PA Wire ) The government is facing an impossible trilemma caused by Labour U-turns, higher borrowing and sluggish economic growth, economists from the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said on Wednesday. Its economists say the chancellor must look to raise 51.1 billion at her upcoming fiscal event, arguing that both tax rises and spending cuts will be necessary to deliver the funds. Treasury officials are reportedly already considering ways to raise taxes on the gambling sector, including simplifying the varying rates of duty applied to gambling products. Lobbyists for the gambling industry have begun pushing back on these proposals, reports The Guardian, with representatives understood to have already outlined their objections to the Treasury and have reached out to Labour MPs and staff. Lending his support the the IPPRs recommendations, Gordon Brown said: There are many reasons why the highly profitable betting and gaming industry should pay a fairer share towards the cost of UKs unmet needs. Most important is that it would enable half a million children to be lifted out of poverty in this autumns budget, and so help to build our country for the next generation. A government spokesperson said: We are consulting on bringing the treatment of online betting in line with other forms of online gambling to cut down bureaucracy - it is not about increasing or decreasing rates, and we welcome views from all stakeholders including businesses, trade bodies, the third sector and individuals. Every child no matter their background deserves the best start in life. Thats why as part of our Plan for Change our Child Poverty Taskforce will publish an ambitious strategy to tackle the structural and root causes of child poverty, and we are already investing 500 million in childrens development, expanding free school meals and ensuring the poorest children dont go hungry in the holidays through a new 1 billion crisis support package. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Warwickshire Police have hit back at claims made by a Reform UK council leader after he made accusations that police had held back information about the alleged rape of a 12-year-old girl. George Finch, 19, risked being found in contempt of court on Monday after making a statement during a press conference in London about the incident. The youngest council leader in the country claimed there has been a cover-up of details about the case after police charged two men, Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir, in connection with the offence. The Warwickshire County Council leader told the press conference that he was begging for information about the two to be released in the wake of the charges, and that he urged the police to release information about the mens immigration status. The Chief Constable of Warwickshire Police responded to Mr Finchs claims on Tuesday, sharing the letter addressed to the councillor publicly. The letter states the force did not and will not cover up such criminality and explained it did not release immigration status at point of charge in line wit national guidance. Chief Constable Alex Franklin-Smith noted the suspects immigration status is now public knowledge, having been placed into the public domain by yourself. The letter read: The reported rape of a 12-year-old girl in Nuneaton on Tuesday 22 July was a truly horrific crime. Our priority from day one has been to support the victim and to identify those responsible. I am incredibly grateful to the many Warwickshire Police officers who worked around the clock and whose efforts led to Ahmad Mulakhil and Mohammad Kabir being charged with offences within a matter of days. It added: I am confident that Warwickshire Police has treated this investigation seriously from the outset working tirelessly to identify, locate, arrest and charge those suspected of being responsible for this awful crime as quickly as possible. Referring to the first time Mr Finch and Mr Franklin-Smith spoke on Thursday July 31, the letter said: I explained the [immigration status] information would become public knowledge as part of the court process and that all partners must ensure we are prepared to manage any potential protest and/or disorder at that stage. Mr Franklin-Smith finished: Finally, I am not responsible for matters of UK immigration policy and I will therefore leave the Home Office to respond to you on those specific matters. Mr Finch risked being found in contempt of court after making a statement at a press conference in London, where he acknowledged the risks attached to talking about a live legal case, saying: I was told if I released this, Id be in contempt of court. Contempt of court refers to behaviour that interferes with the administration of justice or undermines the authority of the court. It came as Nigel Farage suggested police forces should release information, including immigration status, about people who are charged with crimes. The Reform UK leader said that he absolutely believes that information should be made available by police forces. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A lawyer for Jimmy Saviles victims has condemned the use of the sexual predators name in political debates over the Online Safety Act. Labour ministers have accused Nigel Farage and Reform UK of being on the side of predators like Savile, due to their commitment to ditch the law and its regulations, should they come into power. The new rules, which came into effect on 25 July, include introducing age verification for adult websites, removal of material that promotes suicide, eating disorders and self-harm, and preventing strangers from messaging children directly. Alan Collins, the head of the abuse team at Hugh James Solicitors, who has represented many of the disgraced BBC presenters victims, said it was disturbing to see Jess Philips, the safeguarding minister, play the Savile name. open image in gallery Jess Phillips said Mr Farages opposition to online safety laws would enable modern-day Jimmy Saviles ( PA Archive ) In a letter to The Times, Mr Collins wrote: Savile was an opportunist who took advantage of the myriad opportunities afforded him by the BBC and the NHS (among others) to sexually abuse children and young people. I doubt that any online legislation would interfere with the criminal activities of a latter-day Savile. The safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, should know that, and it is disturbing that she and her colleagues in parliament should see fit to play the Savile name to try to score points over political opponents. Since being introduced, the act has become a lightning rod for the free-speech debate, with Mr Farage likening it to state suppression. However, technology secretary Peter Kyle originally had argued that those wanting to overturn the act were on the side of predators like Savile. open image in gallery Peter Kyle was the first to make the comparison during an interview with Sky News ( PA Wire ) He told Sky News: Make no mistake about it, if people like Jimmy Savile were alive today, hed be perpetrating his crimes online. And Nigel Farage is saying that hes on their side. Mr Farage demanded an apology and described the comment as absolutely disgusting, but Mr Kyle refused to withdraw his remarks. Other ministers have waded into the debate, with Ms Phillips writing in The Times that the act existed to stop modern-day Jimmy Saviles and that the latest paedophile networks uncovered by police were found operating on normal websites. She also noted that the number of children engaging in abuse had increased, where half of the recorded child sex offences in 2024 were committed by 10- to 17-year-olds. open image in gallery Nigel Farage demanded an apology and described the comment as absolutely disgusting ( Getty ) Backing Mr Kyle, Ms Phillips wrote: "We need to ask, why are so many teenage boys now abusing their fellow children? "Perhaps Nigel Farage doesn't worry about that - there's no political advantage in it, and no clicks for his monetised social media accounts. But I do." A government spokesperson said: Grooming almost always contains an online element the world has changed and we must be guided by the evidence which is why we are committed to online laws to keep children safe. The needs of victims are always first and foremost in our minds as we point out the dangers that could flow from repealing those protections. Sign up for the View from Westminster email for expert analysis straight to your inbox Get our free View from Westminster email Get our free View from Westminster email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There is growing confusion over whether the UKs migrant returns deal with France leaves open a loophole which would allow for human rights claims to hold up deportations. The one-in, one out deal coming into effect on Wednesday will see migrants ineligible to stay in the UK sent back across the Channel, in exchange for taking those who have links to Britain. But the terms of the treaty indicated that migrants who had arrived in the UK via small boat could frustrate attempts to deport them to France, as the agreement contains a clause that says in order for people to be returned to France the UK must confirm they do not have an outstanding human rights claim. open image in gallery People thought to be migrants scramble to board a small boat near Wimereux in France in July ( PA ) Critics have argued this could risk bogus applications being made to frustrate the deportation process and cause delays. But speaking to Sky News on Wednesday morning, cabinet minister Lisa Nandy claimed this was not the case, instead saying human rights cases would be heard in France. "The deal that we've struck will allow people with us to send people back to France who have human rights claims, the culture secretary said. Those claims will be heard in France. So I know that the Conservative Party has been saying that this is a loophole. It isn't, and we're really confident about that." However, Home Office sources said that migrants with an ongoing human rights claim would not be removed from the UK until their claim is complete in UK courts. If, however, a claim hasnt been commenced then an individual can be removed, with any further legal challenges being dealt with in the French courts. It is also understood that people with claims that have been ruled as unfounded can be removed even where there is a possibility of future legal challenge. The row came after shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the treaty offered an easy loophole for lawyers, adding that France will not give us any data on the people they are sending our way so we have no idea who they really are. On Tuesday, borders minister Dame Angela Eagle hit back at his remarks, claiming that the clause was included precisely to ensure no-one can use clearly unfounded human rights claims to avoid being returned. She added: And we will do full security checks on any applicants, and reject anyone who poses a risk. Small boat migrants detained for removal to France will likely have their asylum claim found inadmissible due to the fact they travelled through a safe country to get to the UK. If they are able to get access to legal representation, they might be able to challenge that decision based on their own personal circumstances, such as if they have a history of being trafficked. Elizabeth Cole, solicitor at Duncan Lewis, said: An inadmissibility decision might be inappropriate in many cases, depending on the circumstances of an individual's journey to the UK, treatment in France and other compelling reasons they have to remain in the UK. A decision which fails to properly account for these issues, including due to inadequate access to legal advice, may be unlawful. The same would apply to any subsequent attempts to remove to France. She added that the law firm also had concerns about how people would be selected for relocation to the UK from France, with many unable to provide ID documents. Steve Smith, CEO of Care4Calais, who were part of the legal challenge against the governments Rwanda plan, also said that the charity would explore all legal options, small and large, individual and systemic, to challenge any policy that denies people the right to seek sanctuary in this country. The treaty also appears to give France and other EU member states an effective veto over which individuals are returned, as well as stating that the UK will pay all costs of transporting asylum seekers to and from France. If France considers that an individual would be a threat to public policy, internal security, public health or the international relations of any of the Schengen States...France shall refuse the readmission request, the document says. When the agreement was announced by Sir Keir Starmer in joint press conference with French president Emmanuel Macron, the prime minister said it was a breakthrough moment which would turn the tables on the people smugglers who bring them here. This week home secretary Yvette Cooper conceded that the accord is not a silver bullet to stop small boat crossings, but said it marked a step change as migrants will be sent back across the Channel for the first time. Speaking to the BBC, she declined to put a number on how many people would be returned under the agreement ahead of time, saying that she believed it could aid criminal gangs. She added: We will provide regular updates, people will be able to see how many people are being detained, how many people are being returned, and it is right that we should be transparent around that. Speaking to reporters on Monday, Tory leader Kemi Badenoch said the deal would likely result in only small numbers of migrants being swapped with France and is not going to make any difference whatsoever. open image in gallery Yvette Cooper admitted the deal is not a silver bullet ( PA ) Asked whether the Conservatives were partly to blame for the immigration and asylum situation, she told reporters: No I dont accept that at all, because what Labour are doing is just rubber-stamping all of the applications and saying theyre processing. Bruno Retailleau, Frances interior minister, said the agreement establishes an experimental mechanism whose goal is clear: to smash the gangs. The treaty was ratified on Monday, meaning that anyone entering the UK on a small boat can be detained immediately on arrival and returned to France by the UK government with the Home Office expecting detentions to begin within days. The EU Commission, Germany and other member states have also given the green light to the agreement - quashing previous concerns that the bloc could oppose the deal. Immigration Enforcement have set aside space at immigration removal centres, the government said, while Border Force have an operational strategy ready to identify and process groups of inadmissible migrants for removal. The Home Office also said it had learnt lessons from the lengthy legal challenges which hampered the Tories failed Rwanda scheme, saying it is prepared to robustly defend any legal challenges to removal within the initial trial phase. 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. Last week figures showed that the number of migrants arriving in the UK after crossing the English Channel topped 25,000 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. It comes amid escalating protests across the UK opposing the use of hotels to house asylum seekers, with a number of people arrested after a protest outside a hotel in Canary Wharf in London on Sunday. The Home Office declined to comment. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A former morning news anchor at the Boston-based broadcaster WBZ is suing the company for $4 million, claiming she was discriminated against for being white and for being a woman. Kate Merrill joined the broadcaster as an anchor in 2004 and stayed with the company until 2024, according to the lawsuit. WBZ, its parent companies CBS and Paramount, two of Merrill's former on-air co-workers, and station management were named as defendants in the case. According to the lawsuit, Merrill was accused of of committing "microaggressions" and displaying unconscious bias toward a pair of recently hired Black employees at WBZ. It' is unclear who made the accusations against her. In response to her alleged actions, Merrill was demoted in May 2024 and sent to work on weekend nights, Bostom.com reports. open image in gallery Kate Merrill, a former anchor at WBZ in Boston, is suing the broadcaster, alleging that she was discriminated against for her gender and race and that her career was ruined as a result ( Kate Merrill ) According to the lawsuit, Merrill's demotion was celebrated outwardly by her manager, Justin Draper. She claims the manager never made similar celebratory remarks about her demoted male colleagues. Draper unnecessarily broadly announced Ms. Merrills demotion, humiliating her. In so doing, Defendant Draper acted with malice and ill will, the lawsuit says. Draper had not similarly broadly announced the demotions of any male anchors at WBZ. The lawsuit goes on to call the demotions "career ending." Merrill resigned in May 2024, and a non-compete clause in her contract kept her off the air until June of 2025. In addition to the allegations about her workplace, Merrill also denies that any of her actions were "motivated by overt racism or unconscious bias." The bulk of the lawsuit revolves around Merrill's relationship with Jason Mikell, a Black meteorologist who was hired to work at the station in 2023. He replaced an outgoing white meteorologist. The lawsuit alleges that the outgoing weatherman had been fired despite never being given any warnings about his work performance. The lawsuit claims that Merrill and Mikell got along fine and that he even asked the anchor to help him learn correct local pronunciations. open image in gallery Merill says her demotion was celebrated by her manager ( Facebook ) Kate, as I mentioned a short time ago to Liam, I truly appreciate the kindness, helpfulness, and openness during this transition to the show. I care about each of you and certainly the show and its performance, Mikell allegedly said in January 2024, according to the lawsuit. In 2024, Mikell allegedly made an inappropriate joke in which he implied that he and Merrill "had sexual relations at a gazebo," the lawsuit claims. The station's news director reportedly took no corrective action after the incident. The filing further states that in April 2024, Merrill privately offered Mikell a correction on the word "Concord," which allegedly caused a confrontation between her and Mikell. Merrill's lawsuit claims that Mikell began screaming at her and insisting she was being critical of him. After that alleged incident, Merrill filed a complaint with the station's human resources department. The lawsuit invokes a reckoning that CBS and the WBZ station reportedly had in 2020 about its lack of diversity. A former CBS executive told Variety that WBZ was "too white" at the time, and insisted it had the "least diverse station for on air talent," the lawsuit claims. The lawsuit claims that Courtney Cole a Black anchor named in the lawsuit who was hired in 2022 to replace a white man who had been demoted was given time on the anchor desk over her more experienced white colleague in an attempt to boost the number of Black faces on the station. Ms. Merrill became concerned that WBZ was not providing sufficient support to her less experienced and recently hired colleagues, a number of whom were persons of color, the lawsuit says. After Merrill made her complaint to HR, the company told her she was being investigated for racial discrimination brought on by complaints from Cole and Mikell. According to the lawsuit, the acts of racism that Merrill was accused of included telling Mikell he would "find his people" and that she was frequently critical of him and did not ask him about his weekends. Cole claims that Merrill recommended she move to Nashville and aim to become a main anchor there. Merrill previously worked in Nashville. Cole apparently interpreted as a suggestion that she go to Nashville because it would be a better racial fit for Defendant Cole (who is Black) rather than a comment about career opportunities and how much she (Ms. Merrill) enjoyed Nashville," the lawsuit says. Merrill notes on the lawsuit that Nashville is not a majority-minority city. The Independent has requested comment from WBZ and CBS. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The gunman who injured five fellow soldiers after he opened fire at the Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia, has been identified as a 28-year-old sergeant with no previous combat experience. Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant for the 2nd brigade, was tackled to the ground and subdued by other soldiers who witnessed the attack before being taken into custody Wednesday. Officials said Radfords motivation is not yet known. Fort Stewart, home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division, was locked down following reports of the active shooter just after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The wounded were taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia. Three of the wounded required surgery, though all were expected to make a full recovery, according to John Lubas Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart. open image in gallery Five soldiers were shot during an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia. A suspect was taken into custody and later identified as a 28-year-old sergeant with no previous combat experience Our first priority is to care for the soldiers and their families, Lubas said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, adding that all of the victims next of kin had been notified and the Army was wrapping our arms around them. Lubas also confirmed Radfords identity as an active duty soldier and said that he was believed to have used a personal handgun in the attack, rather than a military weapon. Liberty County Jail records show that Radford was arrested for a DUI in May of this year. Lubas said that the charge was not known to his superiors prior to Wednesdays attack. A previous statement put out by base officials said that law enforcement had been dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at just before 11 a.m with the suspected shooter apprehended around a half hour later at 11:35 a.m. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded Soldiers at 11:09 a.m. Lubas said the incident remains under investigation and the names of the victims are yet to be released. Anxious family members flooded the comment sections of official base social media posts, praying that their sons, daughters and siblings were safe. One user, said that his son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter were all onsite as the incident unfolded, though later reported that they were all unharmed. open image in gallery The base, home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division, was put on lockdown following reports of an active shooter just after 11 a.m. ( DoD ) Following the initial reports of a shooter, those residing on the base were ordered the stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors, and report to the appropriate leadership. The lockdown order extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield. Footage shared online on TikTok by a resident of the base showed soldiers running out of the barracks and round the side of a building to take cover. Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, with the site stretching about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south. FBI Atlanta confirmed that agents from its Savannah office were aware of the situation and was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reacted to the unfolding incident, writing on X: As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart. open image in gallery Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, with the site stretching about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south. ( Getty Images ) We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Congressman Buddy Carter, who represents Georgias 1st District, said he too was monitoring the situation. Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community, Carter wrote on X. Nearby schools were also placed into light lockdown following the news, including those in the Appling County School System. Out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with our commitment to student and staff safety, all Appling County Schools are currently in a Level 1 lockdown, officials said. The school lockdown was lifted shortly after the suspect was apprehended. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Howard Sterns iconic radio show is set to be axed after a two-decade run with the broadcaster SiriusXM, according to a new report. The shock jocks contract with the digital radio giant is up for renewal soon, and SiriusXM doesnt expect hell take them up on a new offer, sources told British tabloid The Sun. The Howard Stern Show experienced a surge in popularity after it was nationally syndicated on terrestrial radio from 1986 to 2005. Stern, known for his direct and controversial persona, has interviewed dozens of A-list celebrities and even former Vice President Kamala Harris, a month before voters headed to the polls in November 2024. In recent years, he has been openly critical of President Trump, saying he hated Trump voters, and branded them as stupid an opinion that Trump retaliated to by saying that Stern "went woke" and lost listeners as a result. Stern's contract is up in the fall, and while Sirius is planning to make him an offer, they don't intend for him to take it, an insider told The Sun. Sirius and Stern are never going to meet on the money he is going to want. It's no longer worth the investment, the person added. open image in gallery Stern is unlikely to continue his contract with SiriusXM, insider sources say ( Getty Images ) In 2004, Stern became one of the highest-paid radio figures in the U.S. after signing a five-year deal with SiriusXM worth $500 million. The insider claims that SiriusXM was not going to be able to keep up with paying Stern his salary. "But as far as him coming back to doing the show, there's no way they can keep paying his salary," the source said. "After you saw what happened with Stephen Colbert, it's like they just can't afford to keep him going." Another Sun source said Stern's political views were not working in his favor. "If Sirius isn't going to give Stern a good offer, I don't think it would have anything to do with his ratings," the source claimed. "It's more likely everything to do with the political climate." open image in gallery Stephen Colberts The Late show the most-watched late-night program on US broadcast television and a frequent platform of satire aimed at Donald Trump will end next year and wont be replaced ( CBS ) CBS recently announced that Colberts The Late Show was set to be scrapped because of a financial decision, however, many speculated that the move came because of the hosts frequent satirical blows to Trump. Stern joined SiriusXM at age 50 in response to censorship efforts during his time at Viacom by the Federal Communications Commission, which does not regulate the content of satellite programs. The FCC had been fining Sterns station for over a decade. Stern became the most fined radio host between 1990 and 2004, after the FCC issued fines totaling $2.5 million to radio licensees for airing material it considered to be indecent from his show, the highest amount of any American radio show. During his time as a judge on the talent TV series America's Got Talent from 2012 to 2015, his appointment was criticized by The Parents Television Council, the watchdog group that bemoans any suggestion of sex or profanity on TV, for his "reputation for sleaze and misogyny. The Independent contacted Sterns representatives and SiriusXM for comment. By Michelle Gamage, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter British Columbia needs to immediately invest around $17 billion to make sure seniors in the province are properly cared for over the next decade, according to a new report by the Office of the Seniors Advocate. That number is based on the estimate of B.C. needing an additional 16,858 long-term care beds by 2036, said Dan Levitt, B.C. seniors advocate, at a press conference Tuesday. While Levitt acknowledged that $17 billion is an extraordinary cost, not taking action will add up to an even greater impact on seniors, their families and society at large, he said. Thats because not acting downloads the governments financial and care responsibilities onto families, who are less equipped to provide adequate care than professionally trained staff at long-term care facilities, he said. This downloading of responsibilities is affecting all British Columbians, even if theyre not currently caring for senior loved ones, he said. When seniors arent able to access long-term care, theres an increased financial burden on families, where family members or spouses often have to leave their jobs to care for their loved ones, Levitt said. Theres increased pressure on family doctors who are caring for older patients with more complex needs and on emergency departments. Older patients tend to have more chronic health issues and complex care needs, and they recover more slowly, which means they need to stay in hospital beds longer, Levitt said. If a senior isnt able to be safely discharged to recover in their own home, theyll also have to stay in the hospital until a long-term bed becomes available. Seniors may not be able to be discharged home if they are, for example, no longer able to properly care for themselves, Levitt said. This creates a backlog in hospitals because there are fewer beds available for other patients, Levitt said. Seniors need to be cared for in long-term care facilities, not in the hallways of hospitals, he added. Due to how long-term care beds are prioritized, seniors being admitted to the hospital in crisis will be placed into long-term care faster than someone who has access to some home supports, but ideally, no one would have to be admitted in crisis at all, he said. The Office of the Seniors Advocate report highlights every year how the government doesnt step up its investments in building more long-term care beds, and the gap between the current demand and what is available grows. In an emailed statement to The Tyee, Minister of Health Josie Osborne said she welcomed the reports recommendations and that the ministry recognized the growing demand for LTC and assisted living spaces and is reviewing how future beds are planned and delivered to ensure we are achieving the best possible value for public investment. In the same email, the Health Ministry pointed to ways it is working towards all of the recommendations laid out in the report, but stopped short of saying it would create a detailed action plan with set timelines and deliverables to measure progress. The report said a decade ago, there were 77 long-term care beds per 1,000 people 75 and older. Thats dropped to 58 beds per 1,000 seniors today. If the population keeps aging as is predicted, there will be 41 beds per 1,000 seniors in 2036, which is a 30 per cent decrease from where we are today. Since 2020, the province has said it will build 3,300 new public beds at 30 long-term care facilities, but to date only 380 beds have been built, Levitt said. Theres already a 2,000-bed wait-list for the provinces 29,000 beds, he said, adding theres also no plan to build new beds after 2030, although there will be an increasing demand for them. In its emailed statement, the Health Ministry said it has adopted recommendations from the seniors advocate before, pointing to 2019 when it updated the provincial policy for access to long-term care, and to 2017, when it established a capital funding envelope for long-term care renewal and expansion. Since the 2018-19 fiscal year, the government has invested over $3.5 billion to improve care for seniors in B.C., and its 2024 budget invested $354 million over three years to help seniors keep aging at home. The ministry also pointed to an agreement between the province and federal government for $733 million over five years to address the health needs of seniors. The report had six recommendations to address the shortage of beds. 1. Add more beds The Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Infrastructure need to extend and update the Long-Term Care Bed Expansion Plan to build more beds and to plan for building beds past 2030, the report says. This will help reduce wait times and let seniors access the care they need, when they need it, Levitt said. 2. Expand community-based supports This would include expanding the provincial home support program, adult day programs and respite care, where caregivers can get a day, night or weeks worth of a break from caregiving. This may help families care for their loved ones longer, thereby reducing the demand on beds in long-term care facilities. B.C. could follow in Alberta or Ontarios footsteps and make home supports free, which would allow seniors an hour of care at home per day. Right now, if a B.C. senior is earning $30,000 per year, they will have to pay one-third of that to afford home supports, he said. Levitt said that right now, not a lot of caregivers know about community-based support programs, and theres a lack of availability. Investing in community and home-based supports help seniors age in place, which is what the majority of them want, Levitt said. 3. Ensure greater transparency B.C. needs to create a transparent system so people can easily navigate the application process to get placed in publicly funded long-term care, and understand real-time updates to their wait times, he said. If a senior has applied for a bed and has been placed on a wait-list, they shouldnt have to pay out of pocket for home support or community care services, he added. 4. Add more publicly subsidized housing The ministries of health, housing, and infrastructure need to work together to expand publicly subsidized seniors housing options like assisted living, the report says. B.C. introduced publicly funded assisted living programs 25 years ago to provide long-term care light, but hasnt expanded the program to keep pace with the aging population, Levitt said, and last year, around 1,200 people were on wait-lists for this service, he said. 5. Make plans to reduce wait times, and 6. Address this report The Ministry of Health needs to do a comprehensive review of health authority wait-list management practices and develop wait-time targets, Levitt said. Setting benchmarks was helpful in addressing hip and knee surgery wait times and would be similarly helpful here, he said. He also called on the Ministry of Health to develop a detailed action plan to address the findings of the report by this October. The action plan should have clear timelines and deliverables, Levitt said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Homicide detectives in the Hamptons are investigating after a young, Irish businesswoman and swimwear designer was found dead on a yacht. Martha Nolan OSlatarra, 33, was found at around 12 a.m. Tuesday on the vessel moored at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island. Club members told the New York Post that screams were heard coming from the docks late Monday night. An investigation into OSlatarras death has been launched by detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. A police spokesperson said that officers had responded initially to reports of an "unconscious woman. The exact circumstances leading up to her death are unknown at this time. "East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12 a.m., a statement from the department read. open image in gallery NYC fashion influencer Martha Nolan OSlatarra, 33, was found dead on yacht in the Hamptons. Police have launched a homicide investigation. martha_nolan/ TikTok ( martha_nolan/ TikTok ) Good Samaritans had attempted to perform CPR on the woman, later identified as OSlatarra, but she was pronounced dead by first responders. The Independent has reached out to Suffolk County Police Department for further information. OSlatarra, originally from Carlow in Ireland, moved to the U.S. when she was 26, according to the Irish Independent. She was a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and founder of fashion brand East x East, which specializes in designer swim and resort-wear. She lived in Manhattan at the time of her death. TikTok videos on her page showed a luxury lifestyle, including trips on helicopters and private jets with her friends and travel across the U.S. Others featured get ready with me videos, testing out products and giving first look at her own clothing lines. In an interview with the Irish Independent last year, she extolled the virtues of her hard work mindset while also being grounded in her roots back home. open image in gallery A police spokesperson said that officers had responded initially to reports of an unconscious woman. But, officials have released few details about how she died. ( martha_nolan/ TikTok ) I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money driven, business driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road, she told the outlet. I made friends in the institute and at college and a new group in New York, but I still have all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. She added that she was excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in business and fashion, adding that the future was brimming with possibilities. I love it in New York. Its expensive but I dont see myself living anywhere else for now. I love Carlow, I miss it so much but now that I work for myself I can go home for a month and my parents and my friends are always coming out to see me, she said. In Montauk, other members of the yacht club described OSlatarra as very friendly and always smiling. She was well known in the community, one member told The Post. Theres going to be a lot of conversation out of this. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to the Irish Independent it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Three people are dead and 67 are sick as a Legionnaires' outbreak in New York City continues to grow. The disease a type of severe pneumonia that thrives in warm water was first detected in Harlem on July 25, the New York City Health Department said. By July 30, one person had died and 22 had contracted the disease. Now, less than a week later, those numbers have risen sharply. The three deceased people were not named in the Tuesday announcement. Legionnaires is contracted by breathing in mist containing Legionella bacteria, which come from freshwater environments, like lakes and streams. Health officials say that cases from the disease cluster were found in five Harlem ZIP codes: 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, and 10039, along with the bordering communities. Cooling towers large heat exchangers in industrial areas operating in the impacted zones were sampled, and the health department informed owners of the buildings where positive results were found. They were told to initiate remediation within a day. The disease, which can cause lung failure, leads to death in one of every 10 cases. Legionnaires is proven to be more dangerous to those who contract it during a hospital stay, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The potentially fatal disease causes lung failure and leads to death in 1 of every 10 cases Symptoms can strike anywhere from two to 14 days after a person has been exposed to the bacteria. Patients can expect typical pneumonia-like symptoms, including a cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches, and shortness of breath. In some cases, infected people can also experience confusion, diarrhea, or nausea. Officials have now completed their remediation for the 11 cooling towers found with initial positive screening results. Anyone in the impacted area since late July who has experienced flu-like symptoms should seek medical attention immediately, said the health department. 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," deputy chief medical officer Dr. Toni Eyssallenne said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A medical transport plane crashed and caught fire Tuesday afternoon on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing all four passengers, officials said. The crash occurred around 12:40pm, near the Chinle Municipal Airport, as the group was en route to pick up a patient. I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic plane crash near the Chinle Airport, which claimed the lives of four medical personnel who were non-local, Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a statement on Facebook. These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation. The cause of the crash is unknown. Police have not named the victims, though they were described in a statement as a non-local group on an aircraft from CSI Aviation, based out of Albuquerque, New Mexico. Crash killed four on way to pick up patient in Navajo Nation in Northern Arizona, according to officials ( Navajo Police Department ) The company has notified their next of kin, the Navajo Police Department said. CSI Aviation, founded in 1979, conducts flights for medical transport and government clients, according to its website. The Independent has contacted the company for comment. Navajo police, fire, and EMS were on the scene of the crash. Pictures of the incident showed a small, charred plane wreck near a patch of asphalt. The aircraft that crashed was a Beechcraft 300 dual-propeller plane, the Associated Press reports. The National Transportation Safety Board and Federal Aviation Administration are investigating. The crash comes just over a week after three died in a private plane crash on the California coast. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The New York Times is firing back against the far-right paramilitary group that accused the paper of defamation, filing a new lawsuit after the organization's $100 million case was thrown out of court. In a complaint that was filed in New York this week, the Times is suing 1st Amendment Praetorian for reasonable costs, attorneys fees, and disbursements pursuant to New York Civil Rights Law while noting that the paper incurred at least $50,000 in legal fees defending against the organizations meritless litigation. It is a lawsuit under anti-SLAPP provisions designed to protect First Amendment rights. Judge [Mary Kay] Vyskocil's careful opinion granting our motion to dismiss recognized that the claims against The Times were meritless, a New York Times spokesperson told The Independent. New York's anti-SLAPP law therefore requires that 1st Amendment Praetorian pay the costs of The Times's defense. Fee shifting is an important deterrent to frivolous lawsuits against the press and The Times looks forward to recovering its costs. The Independent has reached out to the 1st Amendment Praetorian for comment. 1st Amendment Praetorian, otherwise known as 1AP, initially brought its lawsuit against the Times in January 2023 in response to several articles the outlet published about the scrutiny the group had received surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack. These reports were in relation to the House committee that investigated January 6 issuing a subpoena to 1AP and its founder Robert Patrick Lewis in November 2021. open image in gallery The New York Times is firing back against a far-right paramilitary group that recently lost a defamation lawsuit against the paper. ( Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) The subpoena compelled 1AP to produce documents pertaining to the events leading up to and transpiring on that day. The Committee specifically sought documents related to the security that 1AP had provided to allies of President Trumpincluding Stop the Steal campaign organizer Ali Alexander and Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynnas well as various social media posts made by 1AP on or around January 6, among other materials, the Times noted in its complaint this week. The subpoena also compelled Mr. Lewis to appear for a deposition before the Committee. Following the subpoena of Lewis, the Times published an article in January 2022 that reported on the close ties 1AP had with allies of Donald Trump who were looking to undermine confidence in the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. By their own account, members of the 1st Amendment Praetorian helped to funnel data on purported election fraud to lawyers suing to overturn the vote count, Times reporter Alan Feuer reported in that article. They guarded celebrities like Michael T. Flynn, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser, at Stop the Steal rallies, where huge crowds gathered to demand that Mr. Trump remain in office. And they supported an explosive proposal to persuade the president to declare an emergency and seize the countrys voting machines in a bid to stay in power. In subsequent articles by Feuer later that year, it was noted that 1AP had provided security for Flynn amid Trumps efforts to overturn the election results, adding that the group also helped former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell gather open-source intelligence about claims of election fraud. Additionally, citing the House committees description of the organization, 1AP was described as far-right, extremist, and a paramilitary group similar to the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. 1AP filed a $100 million lawsuit in January 2023 against the Times and Feuer, alleging that the articles and social media posts sharing the pieces defamed the group by stating or implying to their Twitter followers and readers that 1AP stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The paper would reply in court that none of the social media posts presented in the complaint mentioned 1AP and that the articles in question never stated that the group stormed the Capitol. 1AP would later file an amended complaint that alleged the Times made 24 materially false statements about the group, once again seeking $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages. In March of this year, the court granted the Times motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. In its ruling, the court stated that 1AP not only failed to sufficiently show that the Times published any alleged defamatory statements with actual malice, but also didnt show any level of specificity with its defamation claim. Beyond that, many of the supposed defamatory statements the group highlighted were not of or concerning 1AP, with the group also failing to even show that many of the statements were false. Meanwhile, at the time of its lawsuit, Rolling Stone suggested that 1AP was taking on a highly litigious stance in an effort to distance itself from other right-wing organizations and figures associated with the Capitol attack. Instead, the organization was attempting to rebrand itself as a civil liberties group and non-partisan. The litigation is part of a pattern of high-dollar defamation suits brought by 1AP that are ostensibly attempting to clear its reputation, the magazine reported in February 2023. Seen in another light, the lawsuits present a vivid irony: They are filed by an organization that presents itself as a protector of first amendment rights, against parties whove leveraged their own freedom of the press to raise concerns about 1st Amendment Praetorian. Rolling Stone added: The court blitz complicates efforts to scrutinize 1AP, which the Jan. 6 Committees final report describes as a paramilitary group, and whose founder Lewis has touted the need for a second American revolution. open image in gallery The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack noted that 1AP provided security to election denier Michael Flynn. ( Getty Images ) Citing New Yorks anti-SLAPP law, which gives publishers increased protections against frivolous lawsuits and allows them to recover damages incurred in defending against those complaints, the Times is now demanding that 1AP pay its attorneys fees in the dismissed case. The Times incurred more than $50,000 in legal fees and costs to defend against 1APs lawsuit that had no basis in law or fact, this weeks complaint alleges, adding: The District Courts opinion makes clear that 1AP both commenced and continued its Action without a substantial basis in fact and law. The New York Times pushing back against a Trump-adjacent organization over what was ultimately deemed a frivolous and baseless complaint comes at a time when the current president has used the courts to bully media companies with his own meritless lawsuits. Trump, who is currently suing the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion over a Jeffrey Epstein article, recently obtained a $16 million settlement from Paramount in his lawsuit over a CBS News interview with Kamala Harris. That settlement which was similar in the amount Disney paid Trump to settle his ABC News lawsuit came shortly before his administration approved Paramounts $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which also came just days after CBS announced it was cancelling the late-night show of outspoken Trump critic Stephen Colbert. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Some three years after the Proud Boys vandalized a historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, ripping down and burning a Black Lives Matter sign following a pro-Trump rally, a judge ordered the far-right extremist group to pay the church over $2.8 million in damages for its hateful and overtly racist conduct. But the Proud Boys defaulted on the judgment, and in an attempt to collect, The Washington, D.C., Metropolitan AME sued the Proud Boys for the rights to their name, the notorious organizations single most valuable asset. In February, D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier transferred ownership of the Proud Boys trademark to the church. This meant the Proud Boys could no longer call themselves the Proud Boys, maintain a website as the Proud Boys or sell Proud Boys merchandise without the churchs consent. The ruling also allowed the church to go after whatever money the Proud Boys had already made off of their brand. Today, the Proud Boys continue to disregard the order, hawking branded hats, T-shirts, and stickers, fundraising and collecting membership dues and Metropolitan AME is entirely disinclined to turn the other cheek. As a result of the Trademark Order, all use of the name by or on behalf of the chapters should cease immediately, and any money the chapters have obtained from using the name should be applied toward the Judgment the Proud Boys owe to the Church, argues a federal trademark infringement lawsuit filed Monday in New York and obtained by The Independent. open image in gallery Not only have the Proud Boys lost control of their name, they're also on the hook for millions to the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. A judge previously gave ownership of the name Proud Boys to the church. ( Getty Images ) As of August 4, the total amount due, with interest, stands at more than $3.1 million, the churchs complaint contends, and says the judgment remains almost entirely unpaid. The church is now seeking an injunction to force the Proud Boys to stop using the Proud Boys name, which no longer belongs to them, to return or destroy all existing inventory of the infringing products, and for the organization formerly known as the Proud Boys, to turn over all funds they have received from the names use until the judgment has been satisfied. Meanwhile, the complaint says, the Proud Boys ongoing, willful infringement is tarnishing Metropolitan AMEs trademark and is causing significant harm to Metropolitan AME, which created its own line of tees featuring the Proud Boys logo, but with slogans such as, Stay Proud, Stay Black. As a result of recent use, advertising, promoting, and selling T-shirts bearing the Proud Boys mark in celebrating the Churchs victory against the Proud Boys attack, such mark has become uniquely associated with Metropolitan AME and its products advocating for racial justice, the complaint states. Roughly six weeks ago, Metropolitan AMEs lawyers served Proud Boys Hudson Valley chapter president William Pepe with a cease-and-desist letter, which the complaint says has gone completely ignored. open image in gallery Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes (in glasses) blithely dismissed Metropolitan AME Church leadership as 'f***ing morons' ( Getty Images ) The 36-year-old Pepe, who was convicted of a felony and four misdemeanors for his participation in the January 6 Capitol riot but pardoned by President Donald Trump before he could be sentenced, was unable to be reached for comment. However, in a brief phone call on Tuesday, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes first railed against the media, then blithely dismissed Metropolitan AME leadership as f***ing morons. McInnes insisted to The Independent that the Proud Boys are not a white supremacist gang, but rather, a multiracial club that welcomes Black, gay and Jewish members. He further downplayed, rather implausibly, the notion that the Proud Boys ever made significant amounts of money from merch. Metropolitan AME officials and church attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. The Metropolitan AME Church was founded in 1838. Since then, it has hosted funerals for Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks, speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and Eleanor Roosevelt, and was where Barack Obama prayed on the morning of his second inauguration. On the night of December 12, 2020, Metropolitan AMEs building on M Street was overrun by a pack of Proud Boys who scaled a fence and stormed the premises. Once inside, the Proud Boys tore down [a] Black Lives Matter sign from the churchyard, stomped on it and cut it into pieces, and loudly and publicly celebrated its destruction all over social media, according to the churchs 32-page complaint. Members of the Proud Boys also vandalized a second D.C. church that same evening. The organization, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and a terrorist entity by the Canadian government, was in town for one of several pro-Trump protests based on the outgoing presidents false claim that the previous months election had been stolen from him by shadowy left-wing forces. open image in gallery Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan AME Church hosted among many other historically significant events the 2005 funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks ( Getty Images ) On January 4, 2021, Metropolitan AME filed its initial suit against Proud Boys leadership over the church attack. It accused the Proud Boys of engaging in racially motivated acts of terror and violence, and sought a money judgment on three causes of action: bias-related conspiracy, defacement of private property, and theft. In June 2023, the court ruled in favor of Metropolitan AME, ordering the Proud Boys to pay the church more than $1 million in damages, plus legal fees in excess of $1.8 million, for actions that it deemed reprehensible to an extreme degree, the complaint states. Yet, since the Proud Boys never paid up, post-judgment interest has since brought the bill to $3,182,927.40, according to the complaint. At the same time, the Proud Boys continue their illegal use of Metropolitan AMEs trademark, in ongoing violation of the court order, the complaint goes on. It points to, among other things, websites and domain names used by the group that feature the Proud Boys name, along with hats, stickers and T-shirts emblazoned with the Proud Boys name and logo, as well as a Telegram channel that improperly makes use of the Proud Boys trademark. This, the complaint alleges, is undermining the Churchs ability and right to control and transform the goodwill signified by the famous Proud Boys trademark from an association with white supremacy, hatred, and violence, which is diametrically opposed to the Churchs mission of love and humanity. In May, following Trumps mass pardons of everyone involved in the January 6 sacking of the Capitol, the president invited former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio to his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. Tarrio, who was freed in January 2021 after serving two years of a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy and other charges over his involvement in the days events, said Trump sat down at his table and told him, I love you guys. In addition to an injunction forcing the Proud Boys to change their name, Metropolitan AME wants them to fork over their profits, times three, plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, as well as lawyers fees and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to deter other and future similar conduct. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Remote-controlled robot rabbits are being deployed to help tackle Floridas invasive python problem. The Burmese python threatens the ecosystem of the Everglades by preying on wildlife, including wading birds, mammals and other reptiles. The creatures are notoriously difficult to catch but the innovative solar-powered robots are designed to mimic marsh rabbits to lure the pythons out of hiding so they can be removed by agents in the Everglades. Scientists from the South Florida Water Management District and the University of Florida have teamed up to use the robotic rabbit decoys as part of their Python Elimination Program. Researchers removed the stuffing from the 40 toy rabbits and replaced it with electrical components which are waterproofed to ensure they can endure the rain and humidity. open image in gallery Scientists from the South Florida Water Management District and the University of Florida have teamed up to use the robotic rabbit decoys as part of its Python Elimination Program. ( Robert McCleery ) They were designed to produce a heat signature and emit a smell to attract pythons. The rabbits are also equipped with cameras that monitor for pythons and notify officials when a snake is detected. Once notified a snake wrangler can be dispatched to the area and the python will be euthanized. Our partners have allowed us to trial these things that may sound a little crazy, Robert McCleery, a University of Florida professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, told the Palm Beach Post. Working in the Everglades for 10 years, you get tired of documenting the problem. You want to address it. open image in gallery The creatures are notoriously difficult to catch but the innovative solar-powered robots are designed to mimic marsh rabbits to lure the pythons out of hiding so they can be removed by agents in the Everglades. ( AFP via Getty Images ) Every year the state hosts the Florida Python Challenge, encouraging participants to hunt and humanely kill the snakes for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes. Burmese pythons were first spotted in the Everglades in the 1970s and their introduction is a result of the pet trade, when they were intentionally or accidentally released, the South Florida Water Management District said. Every python that is removed and eliminated is making a difference to protect the Everglades and South Floridas diverse and native wildlife, the district said. Invasive pythons are one of the most destructive and harmful species in Americas Everglades. Their aggressive predation on native wildlife robs panthers, raptors, bobcats, and other native predators of their primary food sources. Get Nadine White's Race Report newsletter for a fresh perspective on the week's news Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Get our free newsletter from The Independent's Race Correspondent Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump took a call with his old foe, Andrew Cuomo, as he considers intervening in New York Citys mayoral race to thwart Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, according to a new report. Trump and the former New York governor, who is running as an independent after losing the Democratic primary to Mamdani, talked about the competitive race in a call made in recent weeks, The New York Times reported Wednesday, citing people briefed on the matter. Its unclear what exactly was discussed in the call or when it exactly happened. Cuomo spokesman Rich Azzopardi told The Independent, The Governor and the President have not spoken in some time. As far as I know, they have not discussed the race. There is only one candidate in this race who can effectively defend New York values and take on Donald Trump the one official who already has: Andrew Cuomo, Azzopardi said. Well leave the palace intrigue to the gossip mill. In the meantime, Governor Cuomo is out crisscrossing the city, speaking directly to voters about uniting to build a New New York and deliver real change and progress for all. The Independent has reached out to the White House and Cuomos campaign for comment. open image in gallery President Donald Trump took a call with his old foe, Andrew Cuomo, as he considers intervening in New York Citys mayoral race to thwart Democratic front-runner Zohran Mamdani, according to a new report ( Anna Moneymaker/Alex Kent/Getty Images ) Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has promised rent freezes and free buses if elected, led by 50 percent among likely voters in a new poll. The poll conducted by Public Progress Solutions and Zenith Research last month saw Mandani with 50 percent of the vote and Cuomo with 22 percent of the vote in a five-way race. The incumbent in the race, New York City Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, trailed in fourth place with 7 percent of the vote. Mamdani polled even stronger in head-to-head race scenarios with Adams, 59 to 32 percent, and Cuomo, 52 to 40 percent. open image in gallery A spokesman for Cuomo said the mayoral candidate and Trump 'have not spoken in a while' ( Alex Kent/Getty Images ) Trump had privately asked a Republican congressman and New York businessmen about who they think has the best chance of beating Mamdani, the NYT reported. He has also been briefed by pollster Mark Penn and his long-time friend, former New York City Council President Andrew Stein, on polling that showed Cuomo as a competitive candidate, according to the publication. While its unclear if Trump would even interfere in the mayoral race, let alone back Cuomo, a potential alliance between Trump and the former governor would be surprising given their past criticisms of one another. Just this April, Cuomo vowed to stand up to bully Trump in a speech in Harlem, per the New York Post. But Trump has also sparred with Mamdani. Last month, the president threatened to arrest him if he won the election and followed through on his promise to defy Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids in New York City. At the time, Mamdani said Trumps statements dont just represent an attack on our democracy but an attempt to send a message to every New Yorker who refuses to hide in the shadows: if you speak up, they will come for you. We will not accept this intimidation. In response to the NYTs reporting, Mamdani told reporters Wednesday: Whatever Donald Trump seeks to do to influence the outcome of this election, I have more faith in New Yorkers themselves, who have shownthat they do not want to support our current presidents vision of a New York City that is ripping immigrants from their homes, that is detaining New Yorkers on the basis of political expression. What they want is someone who can stand up to an authoritarian administration, Mamdani added. open image in gallery Mamdani, a democratic docialist who has promised rent freezes and free buses if elected, led by 50 percent among likely voters in a new poll ( Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images ) Cuomos spokesman suggested Trump would be more interested in Mamdani or the other candidates in the race. Regarding his reported interest, it seems clear that President Trump would either prefer Mr. Mamdani, whom he refers to as a 'commie, because he believes Mamdani would serve as a political boon to Republicans nationwide in the midterms, symbolizing what he sees as the Democratic Partys extremism, he told The Independent. Alternatively, he may favor Eric Adams, who is a wholly owned subsidiary of the President. And there is already a Republican in the race, who is the nominee of President Trumps party. Curtis Sliwa, founder of the New York City crime prevention group the Guardian Angels, is the Republican nominee for mayor. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff is under federal criminal investigation for alleged mortgage fraud, a member of President Donald Trumps administration has told Fox News. Fox anchor Laura Ingraham revealed the development on The Ingraham Angle on Tuesday evening, reporting that the U.S. Attorneys Office in Maryland was investigating Schiff after the Federal Housing Finance Agency sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department in May, alleging the senator had falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable terms from lenders. The complaint concerned Schiff listing two different properties as his primary residence at other times: one in his district in Burbank, California, and one in Montgomery County, Maryland, for his familys use when Congress is in session. open image in gallery California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff is facing a federal criminal investigation after being accused of engaging in mortgage fraud ( Getty ) FHFA Director William Pulte wrote in his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche this spring: Based on media reports, Mr Adam B Schiff has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, impacting payments from 2003-2019 for a Potomac, Maryland-based property. As regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, we take very seriously allegations of mortgage fraud or other criminal activity. Such misconduct jeopardizes the safety and soundness of FHFAs regulated entities and the security and stability of the U.S. mortgage market. Pulte later said he had subsequently received a memo from Fannie Maes financial crimes investigations unit concluding that Schiff had engaged in a sustained pattern of possible occupancy misrepresentation on five loans, according to Fox. The senators press secretary, Marisol Samayoa, previously told CNN that her boss has claimed both of his homes as his primary residence throughout his political career for mortgage purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property. Trump and Schiff have had issues for years. As chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff led the first impeachment push against Trump during his first term. Last month, Trump said in a Truth Social post that Schiff was in Big Trouble and should be sent to prison. open image in gallery President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House earlier this summer ( Reuters ) Adam Shifty Schiff is in BIG TROUBLE! He falsified Loan Documents. He once said my son would go to prison on a SCAM that Schiff, along with other Crooked Dems, illegally manufactured in order to stage an actual coup, the president wrote. My son did nothing wrong, knew nothing about the fictional story. It was an American Tragedy! Now Shifty should pay the price of prison for a real crime, not one made up by the corrupt accusers! Before that, Trump trailed the tip-off from Fannie Mae about Schiffs alleged misconduct and added with glee: I always knew Adam Schiff was a crooked. open image in gallery California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff interviewed by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Thursday July 17 2025 ( The Late Show/CBS ) The presidents own business, the Trump Organization, was sued by New York Attorney Letitia James in September 2022 for allegedly misrepresenting its assets to obtain more generous terms from lenders, which led to a civil court case that concluded with the presiding judge ruling in February 2024 that the company was liable to pay back $354.8 million in ill-gotten gains, a verdict it is appealing. For his part, Schiff retaliated to Trumps taunts on X by denying any wrongdoing and commenting: Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution wont stop me from holding him accountable. Not by a long shot. This is just Donald Trumps latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies. So it is not a surprise, only how weak this false allegation turns out to be. And much as Trump may hope, this smear will not distract from his Epstein files problem. The senator offered a further response when he appeared soon after on CBSs recently-cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and said that Trumps regular threats to his enemiesfrom law firms and universities to illegal immigrants-are attempts to create a climate of fear and frighten people into submission. Speaking to the camera to address the president directly, Schiff continued: Donald, p*** off. But, before you do, release the Epstein files. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has condemned gerrymandering as truly evil after current office holder Gavin Newsom unveiled his redistricting plan. In retaliation against President Donald Trumps push for aggressive partisan redistricting in Texas, Newsom said he aims to redraw Californias U.S. House maps before the 2026 midterm elections. Now Schwarzenegger, the architect of Californias nonpartisan redistricting system, is preparing to campaign against Newsoms partisan gerrymandering proposal. open image in gallery Former California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is ready to take on incumbent governor Gavin Newsom on resdistricting ( AFP via Getty Images ) He calls gerrymandering evil, and he means that. He thinks its truly evil for politicians to take power from people, Schwarzenegger spokesperson Daniel Ketchell told Politico on Monday. Hes opposed to what Texas is doing, and hes opposed to the idea that California would race to the bottom to do the same thing. Newsom said Thursday that he was considering asking the state Legislature to place his proposition to alter the map on Novembers Uniform District Election ballot. This is not going to be done in a back room, Newsom told reporters. Its going to be given to the voters for their consideration in a very transparent way, so they know exactly what theyre doing. The move is seen as a response to Texas lawmakers plan to approve a new congressional map aimed at flipping five Democrat-held districts to Republican control. The Legislatures ongoing special session ground to a halt on Sunday after Texas Democrats fled from their state to Chicago and New York evening to block the redistricting vote. On Monday, Newsom, a Democrat, told reporters that he is ready to fight fire with fire. open image in gallery California Governor Gavin Newsom vowed to fight fire with fire after Trumps Texas partisan redistricting push ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) If the governor secures a two-thirds majority in the state Legislature to place his proposal on the ballot, it could derail a key legacy of Schwarzeneggers seven-year tenure as Californias last GOP governor from 2003 to 2011. Schwarzenegger is reportedly preparing to be the face of a No campaign, reuniting many of the forces that came together during his time in office to oppose Newsoms measure if it appears on the ballot. Charles Munger Jr, a GOP donor who funded the push to create the independent commission, wrote on X last month: Any attempt to undermine the nonpartisan California Redistricting Commission will be strongly opposed in the courts and at the ballot box. Munger, the son of Warren Buffetts business partner, was one of the California Republican Partys leading funders during Schwarzeneggers governorship. The 78-year-old Hollywood star led the effort to curb gerrymandering in California, resulting in two successful ballot measures in 2008 and 2010. That pair of constitutional amendments placed an independent commision, not a lawmaker, in charge of drawing Californias political map once per decade. After leaving office, Schwarzenegger lobbied other states to adopt nonpartisan systems with mixed results in Michigan, Colorado, Virginia and Ohio. He also filed an amicus brief when the U.S. Supreme Court took up a landmark case on gerrymandering in 2019, arguing that the tactic undermines democracy and voter trust. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to give testimony about their past dealings with the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In his letter to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Partys 2016 presidential nominee, committee chair James Comer wrote: Your family appears to have had a close relationship with both Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. For example, your husband President William Bill Jefferson Clinton, by his own admission, flew on Jeffrey Epsteins private plane four separate times in 2002 and 2003 on trips for your familys foundation, the Clinton Foundation. open image in gallery Bill and Hillary Clinton attend the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter in January ( AP ) During one of these trips, he was even pictured receiving a massage from one of Mr Epsteins victims, Comer alleged. Moreover, your husband was allegedly close to Ms Maxwell, while Ms Maxwells nephew worked for your 2008 presidential campaign and was hired by the State Department shortly after you became secretary of state. Hillary Clinton will appear before the House panel on October 9, followed by her husband on October 14, according to a schedule tweeted by Comer on Tuesday, that also includes some former attorneys general and two ex-FBI directors. Angel Urena, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton, issued a statement on Tuesday that said: President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some time ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. Urena also confirmed that the former president took a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epsteins airplane between 2002 and 2003, reporting that one was to Europe, one to Asia and two to Africa, all on behalf of the Clinton Foundation. open image in gallery Bill Clinton meeting with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the White House in September 1993 ( Ralph Alswang/William J Clinton Presidential Library ) Staff, supporters of the foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip, he added. The spokesperson further said that Clinton had visited Epsteins New York office and apartment in 2002, again with a member of staff and his security detail present, and that his employer had not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade and had never visited his private island of Little St James, nor his New Mexico ranch or Florida mansion. The Independent has reached out to the Clinton Foundation and the personal offices of Bill and Hillary Clinton for further comment. The Epstein scandal erupted after the Justice Department and FBI ruled last month that the deceased sex trafficker left behind no client list and died by suicide in his New York jail cell in August 2019. The verdict incensed many of President Donald Trumps supporters, who have long suspected foul play and have continually demanded the release of all federal files on the investigation into the financiers crimes, which stretches back for more than two decades. Trump himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing over his past association with Epstein and is currently suing The Wall Street Journal for reporting that he once sent the sex offender a bawdy doodle for his birthday, but remains under pressure to publish the files. The Journal subsequently reported that Bill Clinton had also sent Epstein a handwritten note for inclusion in the same album, which allegedly read: Its reassuring isnt it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends. open image in gallery Jeffrey Epsteins prison mugshot, taken in 2017 ( New York State Sex Offender Registry/Reuters ) U.S. media have previously reported that Epstein donated $1,000 to Bill Clintons presidential election campaign in 1991 and $20,000 to Hillarys Senate campaign in 1999, quoting Federal Election Commission filings. The men appear to have first become acquainted in the early 1990s, with Epstein also donating $10,000 to the White House Historical Association in 1993 and attending a donors reception hosted by the Clintons with Maxwell on his arm, according to The Daily Beast. The same outlet reported that Epstein made several subsequent visits to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue around the same time to meet with presidential aide Mark Middleton and that he and Bill Clinton also met at a Palm Beach fundraising dinner held by Revlon mogul Ron Perelman in 1995. The former president has since been accused of travelling on Epsteins private plane dubbed the Lolita Express by the tabloid press on at least 17 occasions in the early 2000s following his departure from the White House in 2001, a claim based on the aircrafts flight logs. The Palm Beach Post, for one, has traced Clinton jetting to and from destinations including Siberia, Morocco, China, and Armenia in Epsteins company during that period. The purpose of those journeys is not recorded in the logs. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton were also named, along with a host of other famous people, in unredacted court documents released in January 2024, which dated from a defamation lawsuit brought by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell in 2015 Being named in these documents does not indicate any wrongdoing related to Epstein or anyone else. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A group of masked Border Patrol agents leapt out of an unmarked commercial truck and arrested 16 people on Wednesday outside a Home Depot store in the Westlake section of Los Angeles, in an operation critics say violates a series of recent court rulings against the Trump administration. For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, whose district includes Los Angeles, wrote in a statement on X. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government. The raid, which officials later called Operation Trojan Horse, began around 6:45am, according to bystanders. A yellow Penske box truck reportedly approached day laborers in the parking lot of the store and someone asked for workers in Spanish. As a crowd gathered, the doors to the trucks trailer flew open and agents jumped out, chasing people through the parking lot. "This is the worst feeling ever," a day laborer who identified himself as Caesar told The Los Angeles Times of watching the raid. open image in gallery Border Patrol continues to carry out high-profile raids across Los Angeles area, despite court order pausing random sweeps ( Border Patrol ) Critics said the raid violated a Friday ruling from the federal Ninth Circuit Court, which upheld a temporary restraining order barring Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from carrying out roving immigration raids solely on the basis of peoples perceived ethnicity, language, location, or occupation. The ruling came after a lower court paused such raids in response to a lawsuit from immigrants and civil rights groups accusing federal agents of racial profiling during their immigration sweeps across the Los Angeles area, making arrests that included a U.S. citizen and a lawfully present day laborer outside a Home Depot. Border Patrol at a Home Depot in Los Angeles days after the 9th circuit affirmed a court order that purports to block this exact behavior, David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute think tank, wrote on Bluesky. They don't even know who they're chasing! This is insane. Send them all to jail. The Department of Homeland Security believes that the MS-13 gang has a chokehold on the area, part of the rationale for such highly optic immigration raids, Matt Finn of Fox News, who embedded with agents for the Home Depot operation, reported on X. open image in gallery Los Angeles has been a major focus of Trump administrations immigration crackdown, which has often been led by the Border Patrol in the state ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Attorney Bill Essaylis office for comment. "This morning, Border Patrol conducted a targeted raid, dubbed Trojan Horse, in Los Angeles at a Home Depot that resulted in the arrest of 16 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the Border Patrol said in a statement to The Independent, which did not comment on questions regarding the legality of the raids. Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances, Penske said in a statement on X. The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in todays operation and did not authorize this. Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future. The Border Patrol has raided the store parking lot before, and Wednesdays operation came as the agency continued to carry out operations across the Los Angeles area. Different day, different illegal aliens, same objective, the Border Patrols Gregory Bovino, commander of the multi-agency Operation At Large, wrote on X, sharing video of agents arresting men outside a car wash. Were on a mission here in Los Angeles. And were not leaving until we accomplish our goals. Los Angeles, which has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, has been at the center of the Trump administrations unprecedented immigration crackdown. Federal officials sent National Guard troops and Marines to the city over the objection of local and state officials in the face of mass protests against federal raids. The Border Patrol has made use of rules allowing it to operate within 100 miles of any U.S. border to carry out large-scale raids across Los Angeles, Sacramento, and farm areas in the states Central Valley. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Candace Owens wagered a $300,000 bet with Piers Morgan over her baseless claim that Brigitte Macron was born a man. The MAGA podcaster continued to promote her debunked conspiracy theory on Tuesdays episode of Piers Morgan Uncensored, just weeks after being hit with a defamation lawsuit by French President Emmanuel Macron and the first lady over what they called a relentless and unjustified smear campaign. Last time we discussed this on Uncensored, I bet you $150,000 that you were wrong and that shes a woman. On X, when we discussed this further, I doubled it, this is for charity, to $300,000, the host said. You havent accepted that yet. So right now, $300,000 to charity, I say shes a woman. Are you prepared to take that bet? Without hesitation, Owens replied: I am 1,000 percent prepared to take that bet. open image in gallery Far-right podcaster Candace Owens claims, without evidence, that French First Lady Brigitte Macron was 'born a man' ( Piers Morgan Uncensored/YouTube ) The far-right provocateur said that she had missed Morgans tweet and, if she did spot it, she would have accepted the wager live. So we can totally accept that bet, I believe [Brigette] Macron is a male and they will not be presenting any evidence on the contrary because they would have done it already, she added. Morgan, who has repeatedly called Owenss claims utter nonsense, pressed the podcaster whether she would accept that her cruel, vindictive campaign was akin to bullying against women if proved wrong. I was not interested in being a crusader against this, Owens responded. I went to them and said, If yoy answer these questions, we will not run the series. I am only interested in the truth. Following months of Owens false claims that Brigitte Macron is a man and he transitioned secretly decades ago, which have seen the anti-trans podcaster promote a byzantine and debunked conspiracy theory, the Macrons filed a 219-page defamation complaint in Delaware last month. open image in gallery Owens told Tucker Carlson that Donald Trump phoned her, advising her to stop talking about Brigitte Macrons gender ( Getty ) According to the lawsuit, Owens has caused tremendous damage to the Macrons, adding that her tranvestigation podcast series was designed to feed a frenzied fan base in pursuit of fame and profit. Having said shed stake my entire professional reputation on the bogus claim about the Macrons, Owens reacted to the lawsuit by saying shed been sued by the first lady man of France. Owens ramped up rhetoric last Monday (July 28), predicting that Brigitte Marcons death would be faked before the case reached its discovery phase. Earlier this week, she told Tucker Carlson that President Donald Trump called her directly, imploring her to stop questioning Frances first ladys gender, shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron visited the White House in February. After the president allegedly told Owens that she looks like a woman to me, the podcaster continued to peddle her conspiracy, allegedly responding: Respectfully, Mr. President, it's not my fault that he married somebody with a penis. The Independent has reached out to lawyers for the Macrons for comment on Owens latest remarks. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ghislaine Maxwell said that she never saw Donald Trump do anything that would cause concern, during her hours-long meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to ABC News. The Trump administration is considering whether to release the transcript from Blanches meetings with Maxwell last month, ABC News reported. CNN first reported that the meeting was recorded and is being digitized. The White House has been trying to contain fallout from the so-called Epstein Files for weeks after a Justice Department memo concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the case. Vice President JD Vance is holding a strategy meeting with other top officials Wednesday evening to work on their handling of the Epstein case, CNN reported. Amid calls for increased transparency from across the political spectrum, Blanche met with Maxwell at a Florida courthouse for two days in July. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls with Epstein. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court. She was asked about maybe about 100 different people. She answered questions about everybody and she didn't hold anything back, her attorney David Oskar Markus said of her meetings with Blanche. She never invoked a privilege. She never refused to answer a question. So were very proud of her. open image in gallery Donald Trump did not do anything that would cause concern, Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly told the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, last month ( NBC News ) Blanche met with Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida, where she was being held in federal prison. Earlier this week, she was moved to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. The president was asked Tuesday if he had personally approved Maxwells transfer. I didnt know about it at all. I read about it just like you did, he said. Its not a very uncommon thing. Trump and Epstein were friendly in the 1990s and early 2000s and were seen together at parties in Palm Beach and New York. Trump called Epstein a terrific guy" in a 2002 New York Magazine article, and flight records show that he flew on the financier's private jet. Their friendship dissolved around the mid-2000s. After Epstein's arrest on sex trafficking charges in 2019, the president told reporters he hadn't spoken to him in 15 years. A Mar-a-Lago member told the Miami Herald that Trump had Epstein kicked out in 2007 after the financier "harassed the daughter of a member. The president has repeatedly called Epstein a "creep." Last week, Trump revealed that he had ended his friendship with Epstein after he stole young female employees from his private club. Trump has never been formally accused of wrongdoing or charged with any crime in connection with the Epstein case. To try to quell the uproar over the Epstein Files, the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any and all pertinent grand jury transcripts from the Maxwell and Epstein criminal cases. Bondi filed requests with the courts to release the transcripts, which are under seal. Experts say these documents only make up a small portion of the files related to the investigations. Maxwell, however, is opposed to unsealing the grand jury transcripts. With her petition pending before the Supreme Court, her lawyers argued that releasing the raw transcripts would inevitably influence any future legal proceeding and cause severe and irrevocable reputational harm. Maxwell has never been allowed to review the documents, they said in a Tuesday memo to the court. open image in gallery Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls with Epstein. ( US Department of Justice ) The judges overseeing the cases previously asked the government to address legal questions before they can consider releasing them. On Monday, the DOJ gave the judges annotated versions of the transcripts, identifying what information is not publicly available. However in an attached memo, Bondi admitted that much of the information in the transcripts is already in the public domain. The enclosed, annotated transcripts show that much of the information provided during the course of the grand jury testimonywith the exception of the identities of certain victims and witnesseswas made publicly available at trial or has otherwise been publicly reported through the public statements of victims and witnesses, Bondi wrote. The attorney general also noted that the government has provided notice about its requests to unseal transcripts to all but one of the victims referenced in the documents. The Government still has been unable to contact that remaining victim, she wrote. Annie Farmer, a survivor of Epstein who testified at Maxwells trial, voiced her support for unsealing the transcripts with redactions to protect victims information in a letter to the judges overseeing the New York cases. "Given the magnitude and abhorrence of Epstein and Maxwells crimes, unsealing the grand jury transcripts is not just appropriate, it is necessary to understand the full scope of the abuse and those who enabled it, Farmers attorneys wrote in a Tuesday filing. Farmer called the DOJs decision not to investigate uncharged third parties in connection with Epstein as a cowardly abdication of its duties to protect and serve. Two other Epstein survivors criticized the Trump administrations handling of the case earlier this week. The victims remained anonymous and filed their letters in the New York case related to the late sex offender. The latest attention on the Epstein Files, the Client List is OUT OF CONTROL and the ones that are left to suffer are not the high-profile individuals, IT IS THE VICTIMS. Why the lack of concern in handling such sensitive information for the victims sake? one wrote in a Monday filing. Another wrote: Dear United States, I wish you would have handled and would handle the whole Epstein Files with more respect towards and for the victims. I am not some pawn in your political warfare. The administrations handling of the case has been under heightened scrutiny since the Justice Department released its July 6 Epstein memo, in which the DOJ confirmed that Epstein died by suicide and stated there was no evidence to support the existence of a client list of high-profile individuals involved in his alleged sex trafficking. The memo put to an end months-long anticipation for new information in the Epstein case. In February, Bondi had released Phase 1 of the files, a tranche of documents that included mostly publicly available information. She also suggested that the client listwas sitting on her desk. Parts of Trumps MAGA base and prominent lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for heightened transparency around the Epstein files. Those calls grew louder after the Wall Street Journal published a report last month claiming that the president drew a sexually suggestive 50th birthday card for Epstein in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied making the card and sued the Journal in a $10 billion defamation case. The Wall Street Journal also reported that DOJ officials told the president in May that his name, among many others, had appeared in the Epstein Files. Being named in the files does not suggest any wrongdoing. The presidents name was reportedly redacted from documents as the administration prepared for their potential public release, Bloomberg reported last week. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The pace of daily immigration arrests fell nearly 20 percent in July, as the Trump administration confronted court challenges, threats against agents, and continued protests against its mass deportation plans. Between July 1 and 27, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement averaged 990 daily arrests, down from 1,224 the previous month, according to government data analyzed by the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, a nonpartisan research project based at Syracuse University. Despite the slowing pace of arrests, which federal officials partially pinned on a series of recent California court rulings stopping agents from making indiscriminate arrests across the state, removals from the country were up an average of 84 more people per day during the same period. "Despite a historic number of injunctions including the (temporary restraining order) in Los Angeles ICE continues to arrest the worst of the worst," Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Axios, which first reported on the drop. "From gang members and terrorists to pedophiles, everyday ICE is removing these barbaric criminal illegal aliens from American communities. The figures fall well short of the reported 3,000 arrests per day that White House deputy chief of staff and immigration hardliner Stephen Miller has reportedly urged agents to achieve. open image in gallery Trump has been carrying out his campaign promise of mass deporting immigrants and securing the U.S.-Mexico border ( Mario Tama/Getty Images ) Miller told Fox News in June that agents had been set a target of a minimum of 3,000 arrests a day, though the administration has since said in court theres no formal arrest quota in place. Nonetheless, mass immigration raids have still shaken communities across the country. Agents carried out a major operation against two legal cannabis farms in Southern California on July 10, leading to at least 361 arrests, according to federal officials. In the chaos, a man fell from a green house and died, and hundreds of protesters faced off against immigration agents. open image in gallery Courts in California have paused some immigration raids, in the face of accusations agents were detaining people based on their appearance, language, or job ( Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved ) Guadalupe Torres said her husband, George Retes, 25, an Army veteran and U.S. citizen who works as a security guard at Glass House Farms in Camarillo, was among those arrested, leaving her to fruitlessly call local law enforcement agencies to find out where he was being detained "He really did try to leave, so I don't know what's going to happen from here. I really hope I get a phone call or something, because I'm getting torn apart. My kids are asking where their dad is. I keep having to lie, saying he's at work," Torres told ABC 7 at the time. Retes, who said he told agents he was a U.S. citizen working legally at the farm, was subsequently released without charge, and said he plans to sue, though hes not sure which agency arrested him and held him in downtown Los Angeles for several days. "No one should be put in this position. It doesn't matter if you're an immigrant, it doesn't matter the color of your skin. It doesn't matter if you voted left, it doesn't matter if you voted right... No one deserves to be treated this way," Retes told reporters in July. "It shouldn't have happened and I hope this never happens to anyone ever again." On the ground, the nature of immigration raids has diverged slightly in red and blue states under the second Trump administration. In red states, about 60 percent of immigration arrests have taken place in prisons and jails, while 70 percent of arrests in blue states took place in the wider community, according to a CNN analysis. The split is partially a result of many Democrat-led jurisdictions limiting cooperation between local law enforcement and federal immigration officials. In practice, advocates say, it leads to harsher enforcement tactics against liberal areas with large immigrant populations. Ivan Espinoza-Madrigal, the executive director of Lawyers for Civil Rights, told CNN he sees a deliberate federal strategy to punish Massachusetts and other immigrant-friendly states for standing up against Trumps reckless deportation machine. The federal government, meanwhile, says the continued demonization of immigration agents has put them in danger and hampered operations. The Department of Homeland Security said in July that agents are facing an 830 percent increase in assaults, though federal officials thus far have not provided detailed evidence of their claims. Immigration operations are expected to scale up exponentially in the coming years, thanks to an infusion of about $170 billion in border and immigration funding as part of the administrations One Big, Beautiful Bill spending package. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has not ruled out gerrymandering in his state, saying everythings on the table in response to President Donald Trumps push for aggressive partisan redistricting in Texas. Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, who is traveling the country urging the Democrats to take a tougher stance against the Trump administration, made his comments Tuesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert noted that California is weighing a redistricting plan that could wipe out almost half a dozen Republican seats, activated by a dead man switch if Texas proceeds with its partisan map. Can Illinois do something like that, the late-night host asked. Its possible, Pritzker said, without hesitation. And, as Ive said, everythings on the table. open image in gallery Illinois Governor JB Pritzker hasnt ruled out gerrymandering in his state ( CBS/YouTube ) Look, weve got to fight fire with fire, he reiterated to Colbert. Theyve frankly tossed the rulebook out. And theyre just acting in an unconstitutional fashion. Illinois would do whatever it takes to preserve democracy, Pritzker said, to raucous applause from the studio audience. In Illinois, the GOPs ability to gain additional seats is limited because the current map is already drawn in its favor. Republicans hold just three of the 17 congressional seats in Illinois, a state where Trump received almost 44 percent of the vote in last years presidential election. Gerrymandering, however, is being floated as a countermeasure to Texas lawmakers plan to redraw the congressional map aimed at flipping five Democrat-held districts to Republican control. The legislatures ongoing special session, called by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, ground to a halt on Sunday after Democrats fled from their state to Chicago and New York that evening to block the redistricting vote. open image in gallery A map of U.S Congressional Districts proposed plan is seen at a Texas legislators' public hearing on congressional redistricting in Austin, Texas, last Friday ( AP ) On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters that he too is ready to fight fire with fire after he proposed redrawing his states congressional map before the 2026 midterm elections. Pritzker has also welcomed Democrats into Illinois, which he announced at an event in DuPage County on Sunday in front of a JB backdrop advertising his gubernatorial reelection campaign. The governor told Colbert that Illinois is a safe haven for Texas Democrats who plan to stay away for two weeks to run out the clock on the legislative session. Donald Trump is trying to steal five seats from the people, frankly, from the country, not just the people of Texas and disenfranchise people, he said. Where did they decide to come to? The safe haven of the state of Illinois. And were going to protect them and take care of them. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Oklahomas House Speaker gave an explanation for why images of a nude woman appeared on state Superintendent Ryan Walters' office TV last week during an Oklahoma State Board of Education executive session. Walters, a Republican who has mandated that Bibles be available in school classrooms, is currently under investigation by a pair of law enforcement agencies over the incident. According to the state's Speaker of the House, Kyle Hilbert, the situation was a "bizarre accident." Hilbert is also a Republican. On Tuesday, Hilbert held a press briefing and said that Walters had recently installed a Samsung TV that automatically plays Samsung's TV Plus Channel 1204 which is titled "Movie Hub Action" when it is powered on. He said that when the TV was turned on, it was showing clips of the 1985 film The Protector followed by the 2017 film The Foreigner. The former movie was reportedly playing and showed images of a naked woman during the meeting, according to the Oklahoma Voice. Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of public instruction, is said to have turned on a TV in his office that happened to be screening a movie that contained nudity ( AP ) Scenes from The Protector reportedly match the images that were seen on the TV during the meeting. Board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage filed a complaint about the situation after noting the images on the television. I saw them just walking across the screen, and Im like, no. Im sorry I even have to use this language, but Im like, Those are her nipples. And then Im like, Thats pubic hair....I was so disturbed by itI was very stern, like Id been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, What am I watching? Turn it off now! Carson told The Oklahoman at the time. Walters initially tried to pass off the situation as a set-up by Governor Kevin Stitt, whose appointees made the initial claims of explicit images on Walters' computer. His comms team made a similar defense to The Oklahoman. "Any number of people have access to these offices. You have a hostile board who will say and do anything except tell the truth, and now, the Wokelahoman is reporting on an alleged random TV cable image," a Walters spokesperson said. After the incident, Hilbert and the Office of Management and Enterprise investigated and called Samsung to determine what film was playing at the time Walters turned on his television. Hilbert said the display of images was not Walters' fault, but rather just a fluke of how the television operates. He also said Walters' allegations that it was a planned attack by the state's governor were "highly unlikely." In my opinion, the most plausible explanation for what occurred that day is that the television, which had only been in the superintendents office for fewer than two months, automatically launched Samsungs free streaming service and began playing a film that contained explicit content, without anyone in the room realizing it at the time, Hilbert said. He determined that his findings "vindicate both the state superintendent as well as the two board members." The situation is still being investigated by both the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that a Confederate statue which whitewashes slavery would be returned to Arlington National Cemetery in Northern Virginia. Im proud to announce that Moses Ezekiels beautiful and historic sculpture often referred to as The Reconciliation Monument will be rightfully ... returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site, Hegseth wrote on X Tuesday evening. It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings. Unlike the Left, we dont believe in erasing American historywe honor it. The monument had been removed in 2023 as part of the Biden administrations push for the take-down of Confederate symbols. During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden said Confederate symbols belonged in museums, not public squares. I can understand the anger and anguish that people feel because of systemic racism, he said. The Trump administration is doing a U-turn on this strategy. During a visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June, Trump said he was reversing a number of name changes to military bases that previously honored Confederate leaders. open image in gallery The bronze memorial, measuring 32 feet, has a Latin inscription that claims that the Civil War was a lost cause that remained admirable because of its noble principles and effort to resist tyranny ( AFP via Getty Images ) Ezekiel was a Confederate soldier who pushed the Lost Cause myth -- that the Civil War was valid and heroic, and not a war to keep slavery. Following the defeat of the Confederacy, Ezekiel left the U.S. for Europe and settled in Rome, where he hung the Confederate battle flag in his studio for four decades, according to Civil War Times Magazine. His bronze memorial, measuring 32 feet, has a Latin inscription that claims that the Civil War was a lost cause that remained admirable because of its noble principles and effort to resist tyranny, an archived version of the Arlington Cemetery website states. The monument also attempts to hide the violence that slaves were subjected to with figures including an enslaved woman holding a white officers child and a man accompanying his owner to war, the website notes. Ezekiel intentionally included faithful Black servants in his sculpture against what he deemed misrepresentations of slavery in Uncle Toms Cabin, an 1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, according to Hilary Herbert. The Alabama lawmaker and secretary of the Navy had argued for the inclusion of the Confederate section at the military cemetery in the late 19th century. open image in gallery The Reconciliation Monument was taken down in 2023 as the Biden administration pushed for the removal of Confederate symbols ( Getty Images ) Ezekiel thought that his statue represented the support of Black slaves for the Confederate cause, Herbert believed, The Daily Beast noted. As such, the statue appears to suggest that Black people backed their own enslavement. The monument, first unveiled in 1914, also appears to memorialize the federal governments decision to leave Reconstruction behind and allow for racial segregation and violence across the South following the Civil War. After the end of the Civil War, the federal government worked for more than 10 years to reunify the country and make the South fairer. That effort, called Reconstruction, ended in 1877 and was replaced by Reconciliation, with the federal government pulling back troops from the South and allowing former Confederate states to enact racial segregation, stop Black people from voting, and oppress Black communities. Ezekiels memorial is also called The Reconciliation Monument. It was created as part of that movement, the archived Arlington Cemetery website states. open image in gallery A statue of Albert Pike was toppled in 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests ( AFP via Getty Images ) On Monday, the National Park Service announced it is bringing back a statue of Confederate Army General Albert Pike. He once wrote that the white race, and that race alone, shall govern this country. It is the only one that is fit to govern, and it is the only one that shall. It stood outside the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C. between 1898 and 2020, when it was toppled by protesters during Black Lives Matter protests. The restoration aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nations capital and re-instate pre-existing statues, the National Park Service said in a statement. Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump and Tim Cook will announce a new $100 billion investment in U.S. manufacturing at the White House on Wednesday as the Apple CEO makes a clear bid to spare his company the brunt of the Trump administrations impending tariff costs. The White House said Wednesday that Cook will announce a total of $600 billion in U.S. manufacturing efforts, building on a figure of $500 billion the company announced in February. Cooks announcement of the new $100 billion investment comes just one day before enforcement of some of Trumps so-called reciprocal tariff rates is to begin. A White House spokesperson confirmed that the investment was part of an effort to centralize more of Apples supply chain in the U.S. a key target of Trumps tariff agenda. Like many tech companies, Apple is set to take a big hit from Trumps tariffs if they persist in any prolonged fashion. Much of the companys iPhone assembly still takes place in China, where reciprocal tariff rates of 34% on goods imported to the U.S. will go into effect on Aug. 12. Those rates added on to existing trade duties are expected to cost Apple more than $1 billion over the remainder of the current financial quarter which ends in September. Apple has already floated the notion of price hikes for its coming iPhone 17 line without attributing the increase directly to tariffs. And reports have said the hike could be in the $50 a phone range. Donald Trumps reciprocal tariffs are projected to raise prices on many consumer goods ( Getty Images ) That would mean an iPhone 17 would start at $829, a new model iPhone 17 Air would be $979, while a Pro would start at $1,049 and a Pro Max at $1,249 based on recent pricing models, CNET reported. President Trumps America First economic agenda has secured trillions of dollars in investments that support American jobs and bolster American businesses. Todays announcement with Apple is another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect Americas economic and national security, said White House spokesman Taylor Rogers. Whether the company will actually restore production of the phones themselves to the U.S. is another question. But Cook could also be seeking a carve-out for tech companies and other components used in Apple products with his public show of support for Trump at a time when the White House is in dire need of positive news to push flagging economic numbers and the ever-present Jeffrey Epstein scandal out of the national news headlines. Apple will increase its investment across America and incentivize global companies to manufacture even more critical components in the United States, said a White House official. Cooks projection in July that tariffs would cost the company $1 billion over the third quarter of the year came despite an existing carve-out in Trumps reciprocal tariff rates for smartphones, computers, and some other assembled electronics. Those products are still affected by other tariffs on China. Jobs numbers released by the Bureau of Labor Statistics on Friday were so bad they triggered a vengeful president to fire the agencys commissioner. White House officials then spent the weekend insisting that Americans had the right to reliable statistics while backing firmly away from Trumps assertion that Erika McEntarfer, the fired commissioner, was cooking the numbers. For months, the president and the White House have worked to assure Americans and the media that his reciprocal tariffs combined with a 10% across-the-board rate would not slow economic growth and lead to recession, as some economists predicted. Wednesdays announcement is aimed at countering the narrative of Trumps critics. But plunging rates of consumer spending and a slowing of hiring by the private sector could make that message hard for the president to sell. "The economy is on the precipice of recession. That's the clear takeaway from last week's economic data dump. Consumer spending has flatlined, construction and manufacturing are contracting, and employment is set to fall, Moody's chief economist Mark Zandi tweeted on Sunday. Close Trump calls JD Vance's secret meeting rumor "total bulls***t" Sign up for the daily Inside Washington email for exclusive US coverage and analysis sent to your inbox Get our free Inside Washington email Get our free Inside Washington email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A Wednesday night gathering at Vice President JD Vances residence aimed to bring together Trump officials to discuss the Jeffrey Epstein scandal, four sources told CNN. However, the meeting was moved or rescheduled amid media scrutiny. Vance denied that any Epstein strategy meeting was ever planned. White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were expected to attend, according to NBC News. President Donald Trumps Justice Department has been given until 12 p.m. ET on Friday to address privacy concerns raised by Epstein victims and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, about the possible release of grand jury transcripts and exhibits from the sex trafficking investigation. Officials are also reportedly considering whether to release a recording of Maxwells interview with Blanche, in which the Epstein co-conspirator reportedly said she never saw Trump do anything concerning with the late financier. Conspiracy theories continue to circulate as the disgraced socialite has since been moved to a low-security prison camp. CNN reported that officials are considering asking podcaster Joe Rogan to help ease the uproar over the Epstein files with an interview. He has been very critical of the administrations handling of the information. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A survivor of the Hiroshima nuclear attack has denounced Donald Trump as a huge mess, in a striking warning about the threat of an atomic weapon being used in the 21st century. Toshiyuki Mimaki, 83, was just a toddler when the Little Boy bomb exploded above the southern Japanese city, decimating huge swathes of the city and killing upwards of 140,000 people. A long-time advocate for nuclear disarmament, Mr Mimaki last year accepted the 2024 Nobel Peace Prize on behalf of Nihon Hidankyo, an organisation which he co-chairs, representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks since 1956. open image in gallery Toshiyuki Mimaki, 83, has campaigned for decades for nuclear disarmament ( Sky News ) "Right now is the most dangerous era," Mr Mimaki told Sky News in an interview ahead of the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing on Wednesday. "Russia might use it [a nuclear weapon], North Korea might use it, China might use it. And President Trump - he's just a huge mess, he added, without elaborating. In the future, you never know when they might use it. Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Gaza, Israel-Iran. There is always a war going on somewhere. Nihon Hidankyo has been appealing for a world without war or nuclear weapons but countries around the world are not listening, Mr Mimaki said. I didn't hear a sound. "Why do these animals called humans like war so much? We keep saying it, we keep telling them, but it's not getting through, for 80 years no-one has listened. The city of Horishima held commemorations on Wednesday, attended by 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions, including Russia and Belarus. open image in gallery Doves fly over the Peace Memorial Park with a view of the gutted Atomic Bomb Dome at a ceremony in Hiroshima, western Japan, in this photo taken by Kyodo ( via REUTERS ) Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba was among the attendees alongside mayor Kazumi Matsui, who echoed Mr Mimakis stark warnings about a growing acceptance of military buildups. "These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history," Mr Matsui said of the developments in nuclear warfare and arsenals. "They threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct." In a statement, Mr Mimakis organisation Nihon Hidankyo said: "We don't have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever. "Our biggest challenge now is to change, even just a little, nuclear weapons states that give us the cold shoulder. open image in gallery The remains of the Prefectural Industry Promotion Building after the bombing of Hiroshima, which was later preserved as a monument ( AFP/Getty ) Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, came to honor his grandfather and two cousins who died in the bombing and prayed that the "mistake" will never be repeated. "We do not need nuclear weapons," Mr Miyoshi said. But the Japanese government has rejected calls by survivors to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meetings as observers, because it remains under the protection of the US nuclear umbrella. Mr Matsui urged Japan's government to sign and ratify the nuclear weapons ban treaty, a request also made by several groups of survivors in their meeting with Mr Ishiba after the ceremony. While Mr Ishiba reiterated his government's pledge to work toward a world without nuclear weapons during his speech on Wednesday, he did not mention the treaty. For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A man has sparked outrage after he used the memorial flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Paris to light a cigarette. A video posted on social media shows him crouching down to light his cigarette from the eternal flame that sits at the top of the monument in the French capital, surrounded by stunned onlookers. Wearing a dark top, white trousers and a backpack he stands up afterwards and casually walks off while stepping over the low chain link fence that surrounds the tomb. open image in gallery The man was seen crouching down behind the fence to reach the flame ( X/@Arrogance_0024 ) He didnt appear to be drunk or under the influence of drugs, the woman who filmed the clip on Monday told Le Figaro. On the contrary, he was clearly aware of what he was doing and proud of having done it. Located under the Arc de Triomphe, the tomb contains the remains of an unidentified soldier killed in the First World War as a symbolic tribute to all soldiers who have died for France. The flame was first lit in 1923 and is rekindled at 6.30pm every evening. The tomb is marked with the French inscription Ici repose un soldat francais mort pour la Patrie, 19141918 or Here rests a French soldier who died for the Fatherland. open image in gallery The man was seen walking away having lit up his cigarette ( X ) A man identified as Hamdi H. was later arrested in the 17th arrondissement on Tuesday around 6pm local time, local media reported. The video triggered condemnation across France with ministers denouncing the incident as a disgrace to the legacy of fallen soldiers. France will never tolerate tarnishing the memory of those who died for her, Patricia Miralles, the minister for veterans and remembrance, wrote on X. I am filing a case immediately with the Paris state prosecutors so that this man will be found and sanctions imposed to make an example of him, she said in a separate post. France's Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau also condemned the act, describing it as shameful and despicable. open image in gallery Located under the Arc de Triomphe, the tomb contains the remains of unidentified soldiers who died in the First World War The suspect is believed to be a 47-year-old homeless man, legally resident in France until October 2025, Le Figaro reported. A source close to the case told the paper that Mr Retailleau will revoke the residence permit of the man, who is originally from Morocco. He remains in police custody as of Wednesday. He is accused of violating a burial site, tomb, cinerary urn, or monument erected in memory of the dead - an offense punishable by one year in prison and a 15,000 (13,000) fine. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Rescuers have found a US journalist who went missing on a hike in the remote Folgefonna national park, home to one of Norways largest glaciers. Alec Luhn, 38, was found and taken to Bergen, Norway by helicopter, police said. He had been missing since 31 July as he was setting off for his hike in the park, which stretches 545 square kilometres in western Norway. The reporter, who is from Wisconsin but based in the UK, is a Pulitzer Center Ocean Reporting Network fellow and has had two Emmy nominations. Formerly based in Moscow and Istanbul, he has reported for The New York Times, The Atlantic, and was a regular Guardian Russia correspondent from 2013 to 2017. His wife, journalist Veronika Silchenko, previously said he sent a picture from his last known location, Odda, on Thursday. The search was suspended on Tuesday due to severe weather, including heavy rain and strong winds, police told NRK. He was found on Wednesday. ( Wikimedia Commons ) She made a public appeal on social media after becoming concerned when he failed to board his flight home. We exchanged a few texts [on Thursday], she told CNN. He told me that he is going to hike and sent me a picture. He looked fine, the weather was fine. On Monday, we decided that we need to call the services, because he should have gotten out of the park by that time and probably would have been able to find the internet. So we started really panicking. Rescue dogs, Red Cross volunteers, special crews for alpine and glacier searches, drones and a Norwegian Air Force helicopter all searched the area with police. The experienced hiker had been on a family holiday before setting out on a solo backpacking trip from Odda, according to friends. Folgefonna National Park, known for its dramatic glacier tongues, wild valleys, and fast-flowing rivers, has drawn adventurous tourists since 1833. However, its remote and rugged terrain can turn perilous in harsh weather conditions. Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic, Ms Silchenko told CBS News. He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers. Hes a climate journalist, so for him it is always that story that now because of the climate change theyre all shrinking, and hes trying his best to go to the coldest countries. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A prominent Georgian journalist has been sentenced to two years in prison for slapping a senior police officer during an anti-government protest. The case has been condemned by rights groups in Georgia as a curb on press freedom. Mzia Amaghlobeli, who founded two of the countrys independent media outlets, was convicted in the coastal city of Batumi. She was initially charged with assault, which carried a maximum prison sentence of seven years. However, the judge found her guilty on a lesser charge of resistance, threats or violence against a defender of the public order or other government official. Sporadic chants of Free Mzia! broke out both outside the courthouse and in the courtroom as the 50-year-old was sentenced. She was arrested on 12 January, one of over 50 people taken into custody on criminal charges after a series of protests. open image in gallery Mzia Amaghlobeli, a Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, stands in court in Batumi, Georgia, holding a book called How to Stand Up to a Dictator ( Formula TV ) Video shared by Georgian media outlets showed her striking Police Chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Amaghlobeli said that Mr Dgebuadze spat at her and tried to attack her after she was detained. Her lawyer told the court she reacted emotionally after getting caught in a stampede, falling, and witnessing the arrest of those close to her. She also said a police investigation was not impartial and Amaghlobeli did not receive a fair trial. In a closing statement on Monday, Amaghlobeli described chaotic scenes at the protest. In a completely peaceful setting, the police suddenly appear, create chaos, and surround me with masked officers," she said. "As a result of strong pushes and blows from behind, I fall to the asphalt. Then they trample over me with their feet. She also thanked her colleagues and the activists for their continued resistance, and urged them to fight on. You must never lose faith in your own capabilities. There is still time. The fight continues until victory! she said. Western countries cite intimidation of journalists Amaghlobeli is the founder and manager of investigative news outlet Batumelebi, which covers politics, corruption and human rights in Georgia. She also founded its sister publication, Netgazeti. In a joint statement in January, 14 embassies, including those of France, Germany, the Netherlands and the UK, said Amaghlobelis case represented another worrying example of the intimidation of journalists in Georgia, restricting media freedom and freedom of expression. Gypsy Guillen Kaiser, the advocacy and communications director for the Committee to Protect Journalists, warned that Amaghlobelis case was a sign of the declining environment for press freedom in Georgia and a symbol for the fight between truth and control. open image in gallery Protesters hold banners calling for the release of jailed journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli as they march through the streets in Tbilisi, Georgia ( AP ) You have to decide whether youre going to vilify journalists, criminalize them, and present them as nefarious characters with malicious intent in order to control information, or whether youre going to have a public that is truly free, freely informed and empowered, Ms Guillen Kaiser said. And that is a fundamental question for every country and for Georgia specifically right now. Leading Georgian officials defended her arrest. Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze accused her of seeking to fulfill a directive to discredit police, but did not provide proof or say who was behind it. She attempted to discredit the law enforcement structures, to discredit the police, but she received exactly the kind of response such actions deserve, he said. Those who are trying to undermine statehood in Georgia are the ones who are upset by this. But this will not succeed we will defend the interests of our state to the end. Political unrest since a disputed election Georgia has seen widespread political unrest and protests since its parliamentary election on 26 October 2024, which was won by Georgian Dream. Protesters and the countrys opposition declared the result illegitimate amid allegations of vote-rigging aided by Russia. At the time, opposition leaders vowed to boycott sessions of parliament until a new election could be held under international supervision and alleged ballot irregularities were investigated. Nearly all the leaders of Georgias pro-Western opposition parties have been jailed for refusing to testify at a parliamentary inquiry into alleged wrongdoing by the government of former President Mikhail Saakashvili, a probe that critics of Georgian Dream say is an act of political revenge. The critics accuse Georgian Dream established by Bidzina Ivanishvili, a billionaire who made his fortune in Russia of becoming increasingly authoritarian and tilted toward Moscow, accusations the party has denied. It recently pushed through laws similar to those used by the Kremlin to crack down on freedom of speech and LGBTQ+ rights. Among controversial legislation passed by Georgian Dream is the so-called foreign influence law," which requires organizations that receive more than 20 per cent of their funding from abroad to register as pursuing the interest of a foreign power. That law later was replaced with one called the Foreign Agents Registration Act, under which individuals or organizations considered as agents of a foreign principal must register with the government or face penalties, including criminal prosecution and imprisonment. Members of civil society fear that the laws broad definition of foreign agent could be used to label any critical media outlet or nongovernmental organisation as acting on behalf of a foreign entity. Many independent news outlets receive grants from abroad to fund their work. I think that the main goal of the government was to scare us, for us to leave the country or shut down or change profession, says Mariam Nikuradze, founder of the OC Media outlet. Most journalists still want to stay in the country, she said, and cover what she described as growing authoritarian rule. Everybodys being very brave and everybodys very motivated, she said. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A motorist was clocked driving at more than 320 kph (199 mph) on the Autobahn west of Berlin, a record high at more than 124 mph above the speed limit, German police said. The speedster, who was not identified, was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28. The driver was handed a fine of 900 euros ($1,043), stripped of two points from his drivers license and banned from driving for three months, the Magdeurg police office said this week. A roadside radar stand, known as an Enforcement Trailer, caught the motorist in a routine check. A reading from its display showed the highest record speed of 321 kph, police said Tuesday. In this May 15, 2013 file photo a traffic sign indicating a speed limit of 120 km/h (75 mph) is pictured at the highway A59 close to Troisdorf, Germany ( DPA ) Germany's famed Autobahn motorways have captured fascination and interest around the world for their lack of speeding limits. German authorities and driving clubs have argued over the years about whether the policy should continue. Limitless speeds arent universal on the Autobahn, though, as parts of the motorway are subject to speed limits. The section of the motorway where the record-breaking driver was caught has a limit of 120 kph (74.5 mph). There are already speed limits on almost 30 per cent of roughly 8,000 miles of autobahn, imposed to regulate noise near urban centres and reduce safety risks on roads deemed unfit for unlimited speeding. In 2019 a pol found roughly half of Germans remain opposed to autobahn speed limits. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Southern France is battling for a third day its largest wildfire since 1949, while a once fast-moving blaze in a southern Spanish tourist resort is now under control. The deadly fire in France erupted on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region near the Spanish border, destroying dozens of houses and scorching more than 16,000 hectares of forest. At least one person died in the small village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, southeast of Toulouse, the Aude prefecture said. Three people have been reported missing and two people including a firefighter are in critical condition. open image in gallery Nearly 2,000 firefighters were trying to tame the fire which the prefecture said was progressing very quickly ( AFP/Getty ) In the first 12 hours of the fire, the blaze spread across 11,000 hectares of land, an area roughly equivalent to Paris. Now it has swept through an area one-and-a-half times bigger than Paris - France's biggest wildfire since 1949. Thousands of firefighters were trying to tame the fire, which officials say is now advancing more slowly. Around 2,500 households in the area were without electricity yesterday. It has not yet been confirmed whether electricity has been restored. President Emmanuel Macron said on X that all the nations resources were mobilized, while Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said the fire is a catastrophe on an unprecedented scale. Frances meteorological service forecast that, after a cooler start to the week in the north, heat in the south will intensify over the weekend, bringing scorching temperatures of up to 40C and a high risk of wildfires. Danger remains high across the Mediterranean coast with temperatures expecting to reach 35C in inland Mediterranean areas. In the Aude region, the risk of fire spreading remains very real, although less severe than on Tuesday, Meteo France said, adding that national temperatures could peak at the beginning of the week. open image in gallery Smoke rises from a wildfire in Tarifa, Spain ( Ismael Bayarri Jaso ) Meanwhile in Spain, a forest fire has now been brought under control after spreading from the Andalusian resort town of Tarifa on Tuesday afternoon. It spread quickly after a motorhome caught fire and reached areas near Valdevaqueros beach and Estrecho Natural Park, local media reported. It's the fastest spreading fire I've ever seen, Tarifa Mayor Jose Antonio Santos told La Sexta television channel yesterday. There are lots of aircraft, everyone has been evacuated. Just west of Gibraltar, Tarifa is a lesser-known holiday destination but popular among kite surfers for its windy beaches and laid-back atmosphere. Located at the southernmost tip of Europe, just west of Gibraltar, Tarifa is home to about 18,000 residents. Homes, hotels, campsites and restaurants were cleared along a two-mile stretch between La Pena and Casas de Porros. About 1,550 people, mainly hotel guests, were initially evacuated but have now been allowed to return to their accommodation, El Pais reported. More than 100 firefighters tackled the blaze, Andalusias firefighting agency Infoca said. Seventeen aircraft were also deployed in record time to help fight the flames, authorities said. Spains weather service Aemet warned the heatwave will continue until at least Sunday. Temperatures in the Cadiz region could hit 38C as much of the country is under yellow or amber alerts. Mediterranean countries are in an area scientists have called a wildfire hotspot, with blazes common during hot and dry summers. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of the heat and dryness. They also say heatwaves arrived earlier this year, spiking temperatures by up to 10C in some regions. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Sweden, Norway and Denmark will contribute around 500mn (434mn) to purchase US military equipment for Ukraine, joining the Netherlands in supporting a new Nato mechanism aimed at supplying American weapons to Kyiv. Donald Trump said last month that the US would provide weapons to Ukraine, paid for by European allies, but he did not provide details on how this would work. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Monday that the Netherlands will contribute 500mn to the mechanism called the Nato Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. On Tuesday, Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said the country will contribute around 1.5 billion Norwegian crowns (109mn). Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that it will earmark around $90 million, and would be willing to consider additional funding at a later stage. Sweden said it was contributing $275 million to the package, which includes Patriot missiles and other air defence equipment, as well as anti-tank munitions. Click here for the latest on the Ukraine war. open image in gallery The Patriot is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system ( via REUTERS ) Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently asked Western allies for more defensive capabilities, among them Patriot systems and missiles, to fend off daily missile and drone attacks from Russia. Responding to the move, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance was grateful to the three Nordic countries for their fast action to fund the package. Mr Zelensky also thanked the countries and said the measure created a new foundation for long-term security across Europe. "This will be felt. And it will serve as a strong example for other NATO countries to strengthen the security ties between America and Europe and to ensure protection from Russian strikes," he wrote on X. "Russia will never turn Europe into a continent of war, and it is precisely through our joint efforts that we are ensuring peace will prevail," the Ukrainian president added. open image in gallery Nato chief Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, welcomed the announcement ( REUTERS ) Nato said it would coordinate the new initiative, which is funded by European members of the alliance and Canada. It will be divided into packages worth approximately $500mn (434mn), the military alliance said. It said in a statement: Working closely with Ukraine and the United States, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, will validate packages that correspond to Ukraines needs, such as air defence, ammunition and other critical equipment for rapid delivery from US stockpiles". open image in gallery Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the announcement ( Ukrainian Presidential Press Service ) The Patriot, short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system developed by Raytheon Technologies. It is considered one of the most advanced air defence systems in the US arsenal, and it has been in service since the 1980s. The system can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used. A newly produced single Patriot battery costs over $1bn (746m), including $400m (298m) for the system and $690m (515m) for the missiles in a battery, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Patriot interceptors are estimated to cost around $4 million per missile, CSIS says. Russia says it sees the supply of Patriots as a direct escalation. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier this year that supplying more systems to Ukraine would delay the chances of peace. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Russia has declared that it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race as tensions between Moscow and Washington rise again over Ukraine. In a statement Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry linked the decision to efforts by the U.S. and its allies to develop intermediate range weapons and preparations for their deployment in Europe and other parts of the world. It specifically cited U.S. plans to deploy Typhoon and Dark Eagle missiles in Germany starting next year. The ministry noted that such actions by the U.S. and its allies create destabilizing missile potentials" near Russia, creating a "direct threat to the security of our country and carry significant harmful consequences for regional and global stability, including a dangerous escalation of tensions between nuclear powers. open image in gallery Russian President Vladimir Putin arrives to attend a flag raising ceremony of the Knyaz Pozharsky nuclear-powered Borei-A class submarine in Severodvinsk, Russia, Thursday, July 24, 2025. (Alexander Kazakov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) ( Sputnik ) It didn't say what specific moves the Kremlin might take, but President Vladimir Putin has previously announced that Moscow was planning to deploy its new Oreshnik missiles on the territory of its neighbor and ally Belarus later this year. Asked where and when Russia could potentially deploy intermediate-range weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that it's not something to be announced in advance. Russia no longer has any limitations, Russia no longer considers itself to be constrained by anything, Peskov told reporters. Therefore Russia believes it has the right to take respective steps if necessary. Decisions on specific parameters of response measures will be made by the leadership of the Russian Federation based on an interdepartmental analysis of the scale of deployment of American and other Western land-based intermediate-range missiles, as well as the development of the overall situation in the area of international security and strategic stability, the Foreign Ministry said. The Russian statement follows President Donald Trump's announcement Friday that hes ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines based on the highly provocative statements of Dmitry Medvedev, who was president in 2008-12 to allow Putin, bound by term limits, to later return to the office. Trump's statement came as his deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal in Ukraine approaches later this week. Trump said he was alarmed by Medvedevs attitude. Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russia's Security Council chaired by Putin, has apparently sought to curry favor with his mentor by making provocative statements and frequently lobbing nuclear threats. Last week. he responded to Trump's deadline for Russia to accept a peace deal in Ukraine or face sanctions by warning him against playing the ultimatum game with Russia and declaring that each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war. Medvedev also commented on the Foreign Ministrys statement, describing Moscow's withdrawal from the moratorium as the result of NATO countries anti-Russian policy. This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with, he wrote on X. Expect further steps. INF treaty abandoned in 2019 Intermediate-range missiles can fly between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Such land-based weapons were banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Washington and Moscow abandoned the pact in 2019, accusing each other of violations, but Moscow declared its self-imposed moratorium on their deployment until the U.S. makes such a move. The collapse of the INF Treaty has stoked fears of a replay of a Cold War-era European missile crisis, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union both deployed intermediate-range missiles on the continent in the 1980s. Such weapons are seen as particularly destabilizing because they take less time to reach targets, compared with intercontinental ballistic missiles, leaving no time for decision-makers and raising the likelihood of a global nuclear conflict over a false launch warning. Russias missile forces chief has declared that the new Oreshnik intermediate range missile, which Russia first used against Ukraine in November, has a range to reach all of Europe. Oreshnik can carry conventional or nuclear warheads. Putin has praised the Oreshniks capabilities, saying its multiple warheads that plunge to a target at speeds up to Mach 10 are immune to being intercepted and are so powerful that the use of several of them in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Putin has warned the West that Moscow could use it against Ukraines NATO allies who allowed Kyiv to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Donald Trump has claimed the end of the Ukraine war could come in weeks, despite his deadline for Vladimir Putin to reach a ceasefire running out in a matter of days. The US president insisted great progress had been made between his special envoy Steve Witkoff and the Russian president following a three-hour meeting in Moscow on Wednesday. Mr Witkoff had travelled to Russia in an attempt to convince the Russian president to sign a ceasefire agreement with Ukraine. Afterwards, Trump posted on his social media site Truth Social: Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter! He made no mention of the further tariffs he had promised to impose on Russia if they had not met his Friday deadline. However, a White House official told Reuters that secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the talks were useful and constructive, adding that the two sides had exchanged signals on the Ukraine issue. He said they discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, but Mr Ushakov declined to give more details until Mr Witkoff had reported back to the US president. Mr Trump has grown significantly frustrated with the Russian president in recent weeks and has given him until this Friday to make progress toward peace in Ukraine or face tougher sanctions. Putin is widely thought to be unlikely to yield to Mr Trumps ultimatum, believing he is winning the war and that his military goals outweigh potential benefits from better US ties, according to sources close to the Kremlin. open image in gallery Trump envoy Steve Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Russia-Ukraine peace deadline looms ( Sputnik ) It comes as the US president ramped up pressure on India over buying Russian oil imports, which it refines and exports elsewhere. China and India are among the largest buyers of Russian crude, which forms the cornerstone of Moscows war coffers and economy. The Kremlin says threats to penalise countries that trade with Russia are illegal. The Kremlin has insisted that international sanctions imposed since its February 2022 invasion of its neighbour have had a limited impact. Ukraine maintains that the sanctions are taking their toll on Moscows war machine and wants Western allies to ramp them up. US secretary of state Mark Rubio said he is hopeful of making announcements later on Wednesday on whether potential sanctions against Russia would still proceed this week. Maybe positive, maybe not, Mr Rubio said after speaking with Mr Witkoff, who was on his way back from Russia. Mr Trump also spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelensky, by phone following the meeting. It is not clear what Russia might offer to Mr Witkoff to stave off the US presidents threat, but Bloomberg reported that the Kremlin might propose a moratorium on airstrikes by Russia and Ukraine. open image in gallery The aftermath of a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine ( Ukrainian Emergency Service ) Although this would offer some relief to both sides, it falls short of the full ceasefire that Ukraine and the US have been seeking for months. Andriy Yermak, chief of staff to Mr Zelensky, said that a full ceasefire and a leaders summit were required. The war must stop and for now this is on Russia, he said on Telegram. Since direct peace talks resumed in May, Russia launched its heaviest airstrikes of the war, while Ukraine has continued to target Russian refineries and oil depots. Meanwhile, Mr Zelensky accused Russia of deliberately striking a gas station to disrupt preparations for winter heating an attack which Russia claims was targeting military-related infrastructure. open image in gallery Since direct peace talks resumed in May, Russia launched its heaviest airstrikes of the war while Ukraine has continued to target Russian refineries and oil depots ( AP ) Ukraines energy ministry said the strike on the station near the Ukraine-Romania border was directed purely against civilian infrastructure and targeting relations with Azerbaijan, the US and European partners. If the Russians are allowed to strike at our energy infrastructure and gas routes with impunity, then no infrastructure facility in Europe will be safe, Ukraines energy minister Svitlana Grinchuk said. Impunity only expands terror. That is why Russia must be held accountable for what it has done. Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational centre in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional governor Ivan Fedorov said Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, Mr Zelensky said. Elsewhere, the Russian and Chinese navies have practised hunting and destroying an enemy submarine in the Sea of Japan, Russias defence ministry said. It comes days after Donald Trump said he had moved two US nuclear subs closer to Russia. Russia said the exercise involved Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and Il-38 planes from Russias Pacific Fleet, as well as helicopter crews. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A forest fire has blazed through southern Spain, forcing the evacuation of tourists and locals from a popular beach resort. The blaze started on Tuesday afternoon in the Andalusian resort town of Tarifa after a motorhome caught fire, local media said. It spread quickly and reached areas near Valdevaqueros beach and Estrecho Natural Park. Homes, hotels, campsites and restaurants along a roughly two mile stretch between La Pena and Casas de Porros were evacuated. open image in gallery The blaze started on Tuesday afternoon in the Tarifa municipality ( Ismael Bayarri Jaso ) The evacuated hotels include Punta Sur, La Torre, Tres Mares, 100% Fun Tarifa, Copacabana, and Dulce Nombre, as well as particularly affected areas such as the Valdevaqueros campsite, Paloma Baja, the Casa Porro area, the Torre de la Pena campsite and the El Tumbao and El Tangana beach bars, according to local reports. More than 100 firefighters were working to tackle the blaze, Andalusias firefighting agency Infoca said. Seventeen aircraft were also deployed in record time to help fight the flames, authorities said. Firefighter efforts were concentrated on tackling the southern area of the fire, closest to the N-340 highway. The road has only been opened to traffic and access to evacuated areas is still restricted, according to the latest update from local authorities. While many Britons flock to Malaga and Marbella, Tarifa is a lesser-known holiday destination but popular among kite surfers for its windy beaches and laid-back atmosphere. open image in gallery Firefighting helicopters drop water to extinguish a blaze in southern Spain ( Europa Press ) Located at the southernmost tip of Europe, just west of Gibraltar, Tarifa is home to about 18,000 residents. It's the fastest spreading fire I've ever seen, Tarifa Mayor Jose Antonio Santos told La Sexta television channel yesterday. There are lots of aircraft, everyone has been evacuated. Mr Santos added that regional authorities had been working to relocate people who have been evacuated. Spains meteorological service Aemet announced on X that the intense heat will continue at least until Sunday, but that it was difficult to pinpoint the end of the heatwave. Aemet predicted the Cadiz region is expected to reach up to 38C with much of Spain placed on yellow or amber weather warning alert. It comes as a wildfire blazed in southern France near the Spanish border late, scorching about 4,500 hectares of forest, the fire brigade said late on Tuesday. open image in gallery A forest fire also blazed in southern France ( Reuters ) Last week thousands of firefighters across Spain and Portugal battled a wave of wildfires, some of which were burning for days. Spain and other countries in the Mediterranean are in an area scientists have called a wildfire hotspot, with blazes common during hot and dry summers. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, especially in southeastern Europe, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Heatwaves also arrived earlier this year, spiking temperatures by up to 10C in some regions, scientists said. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed as the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. The burning of fuels like gasoline, oil and coal, plus deforestation, wildfires and many kinds of factories release heat-trapping gasses that cause climate change. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice U.S. President Donald Trump is pushing China and India to stop buying oil from Russia and helping fund the Kremlins war against Ukraine. Trump is raising the issue as he seeks to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire. But cheap Russian oil benefits refiners in those countries as well as meeting their needs for energy, and theyre not showing any inclination to halt the practice. open image in gallery ( AP ) Three countries are big buyers of Russian oil China, India and Turkey are the biggest recipients of oil that used to go to the European Union. The EUs decision to boycott most Russian seaborne oil from January 2023 led to a massive shift in crude flows from Europe to Asia. open image in gallery ( AFP/Getty ) Since then, China has been the No. 1 overall purchaser of Russian energy since the EU boycott, with some $219.5 billion worth of Russian oil, gas and coal, followed by India with $133.4 billion and Turkey with $90.3 billion. Before the invasion, India imported relatively little Russian oil. Hungary imports some Russian oil through a pipeline. Hungary is an EU member, but President Viktor Orban has been critical of sanctions against Russia. The lure of cheaper oil One big reason: It's cheap. Since Russian oil trades at a lower price than the international benchmark Brent, refineries can fatten their profit margins when they turn crude into usable products such as diesel fuel. open image in gallery Russia Oil Buyers ( Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. ) Russia's oil earnings are substantial despite sanctions The Kyiv School of Economics says Russia took in $12.6 billion from oil sales in June. Russia continues to earn substantial sums even as the Group of Seven leading industrialized nations has tried to limit Russia's take by imposing an oil price cap. The cap is to be enforced by requiring shipping and insurance companies to refuse to handle oil shipments above the cap. Russia has, to a great extent, been able to evade the cap by shipping oil on a shadow fleet of old vessels using insurers and trading companies located in countries that are not enforcing sanctions. Russian oil exporters are predicted to take in $153 billion this year, according to the Kyiv institute. Fossil fuels are the single largest source of budget revenue. The imports support Russia's ruble currency and help Russia to buy goods from other countries, including weapons and parts for them. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Luhansk, a Ukrainian region claimed by Russia since 2022, expects to double its wheat harvest this year and export some, local officials say. The rapid production rise reflects the regions' growing role in Russia's agriculture sector, showing their incorporation by the world's largest wheat exporter. Last year, Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia Russia's 'new territories', internationally recognised as Ukrainian supplied about 3 per cent of Russia's grain crop, the Agriculture Ministry said. Without that, a poor national harvest down 14 per cent due to bad weather in southern Russia would have been even worse. "This year we are planning to harvest about one million tons of grain, mostly wheat," Leonid Pasechnik, head of the Russian-installed administration of Luhansk, told reporters last month. "We planned to do the same last year but with very bad weather conditions, first spring frosts, the drought, we collected only half a million." At current market prices offered for free-on-board (FOB) delivery in Russia in August, this year's estimated 1 million ton crop would cost about $230 million. open image in gallery A farmer operates a combine during the start of the wheat harvesting campaign in a field near the town of Starobilsk (Starobelsk) in the Luhansk Region, a Russian-controlled area of Ukraine ( Reuters ) Before pro-Russian separatists took partial control of Luhansk, the region had produced 1.3 million tons of grain, mostly wheat, in 2013. Ukraine considers all grain produced in the four regions and Crimea - annexed by Russia in 2014 - to have been stolen by Moscow, and plans to ask its Western allies to sanction importers of it. Kyiv says its intelligence services have discovered the Ukrainian wheat is mixed with Russian at Black Sea ports and sent for export. "Taking this season into account, we estimate that Russia has stolen 15 million tons of Ukrainian grain since the start of the full-scale war," Ukraine's Deputy Economy Minister Taras Vysotskiy told Reuters. In one case, Ukraine called on the European Union to slap sanctions on Bangladesh over purchases of wheat it said came from Russian-controlled regions, but the EU has not done so. The European Commission did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Traders tell Reuters that it is impossible to track the origin of wheat once it is mixed. Russian officials have not commented on the legal status of grain, collected in the "new territories". Russia's official statistics agency, as well as leading consultancies, do not include the regions' crops in their reports though the Agriculture Ministry does, creating some discrepancies over their status. Farm visit open image in gallery Last year Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions - referred to by Russia as its "new territories" but still internationally recognised as Ukrainian - supplied about 3 per cent of Russia's grain crop, the Agriculture Ministry said. ( Reuters ) On a visit to a farm in the Starobilsk district to mark the start of the harvesting campaign last month, Pasechnik hopped off a US-made harvester flying a Russian flag and shook hands with farmers. "May God grant us all victory and peace. This is what we should be focusing on, not war," he told them in a wheat field at the Sasha farm, less than 100 km (62 miles) from the front line. Luhansk, the only one of the four regions where Russia says it has full territorial control after three-and-a-half years of war, has increased the seeded area by 10 per cent this year as unused lands go back into circulation, the local officials said. The town of Starobilsk saw intense fighting in the early days of the war but has been under Russian control since March 2022. It is surrounded by fertile fields where farmers cultivate wheat, other grains and sunflowers. Moscow has allocated 8 billion roubles ($102 million) annually to support farmers in the "new territories". It also lifted an export tax on wheat produced in these regions. This makes the grain cheaper, facilitating exports. "Due to the duty-free regime, our products are more attractive to traders from other regions," Evgeny Sorokin, agriculture minister in the Russian-installed administration of the Luhansk region, told Reuters. Sorokin, appearing with Pasechnik at a ceremony for the start of harvesting, said that better margins due to the absence of the export tax have enabled farmers to purchase modern equipment, fertilizers, and fuel. Farmers and field workers at the event declined to speak to Reuters. open image in gallery Russian officials have not commented on the legal status of grain, collected in the new territories ( Reuters ) The weather in Luhansk this year is better than in the neighbouring Rostov region of Russia, where drought threatens to destroy up to 30 per cent of crops, although Sorokin mentioned there was not enough moisture in the soil in Luhansk as well. "Two-thirds of the territory of the republic consists of highly productive arable black earth. The potential of the republic is large. What we are discussing today, one million tons of grain, is by no means the limit," Sorokin said. He estimated that the total arable area in Luhansk equals 1.2 million hectares, while 0.7 million hectares were seeded this year, suggesting that the region has the potential to quickly increase the seeded area. Russia has asked all landowners in the "new territories" to register with the Russian land registry before 2028. Many farmers fled the area with their fields now unused, while 20,000 hectares in Luhansk region were still strewn with landmines as of last December, according to Sorokin. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Four Barbary lion cubs, a type of lion extinct in the wild, have been born at a Czech zoo, offering a vital boost to global conservation efforts for the rare big cat. The arrival of the three females and one male marks a significant contribution to the small surviving population of these majestic animals. The playful cubs were recently observed enjoying their outdoor enclosure at Dvur Kralove Safari Park, under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart. However, their time at the park will be limited. As part of an international endangered species programme coordinating their survival in captivity, the cubs are destined for other participating zoos, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel. While their immediate future lies in captivity, there is a long-term vision for the Barbary lion. Jaroslav Hyjanek, Deputy Director of Dvur Kralove, said that preliminary steps have been taken towards a possible reintroduction of the species into its natural habitat, though he acknowledged it remains a "far distant future". open image in gallery One of four Barbary lion cubs that were born recently at the Czech zoo ( AP ) Once a symbol of strength, the Barbary lion, a majestic member of the Northern lion subspecies, freely roamed its native northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains. Human activities led to their near-total eradication; many were killed by gladiators in Roman times, while overhunting and habitat loss contributed to their later extinction. The last known photograph of a wild Barbary lion was taken in 1925, with the last individual killed in 1942. It is believed the final small wild populations died out in the mid-1960s. Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are currently estimated to live in captivity worldwide. open image in gallery Barbary lions are extinct in the wild ( AP ) Mr Hyjanek confirmed initial talks with Moroccan authorities, who have not rejected the idea of reintroduction. A conference of experts is now planned for late this year or early 2026 in Morocco to assess the feasibility of such a plan within one of the national parks in the Atlas Mountains. Any reintroduction would face numerous bureaucratic and practical obstacles, including ensuring the lions protection, a sufficient prey population, and securing cooperation and approval from local communities. Despite the challenges, Mr Hyjanek believes such a move is worth pursuing if it proves sustainable. Its important to have such a vision for any animal," he said. "Without it, the existence of zoos wouldnt make sense." On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice As shocking new images of Gazas flattened landscape smothered in ash and dust emerge, the world is pausing to remember another conflict that produced widespread devastation: the atomic bomb dropped on Hiroshima. On 6 August 1945, Little Boy was unleashed on the Japanese city by the United States, vaporizing tens of thousands of people in seconds and killing upwards of 140,000 over the months that followed. Japan surrendered soon after, ending World War II. On the 80th anniversary of the blast, human rights organisations and Japanese activists from Hiroshima alike have voiced their fears about Gaza and that the lessons of the past have still not been learned. open image in gallery A view of a demolished Gaza taken from a plane ( The Independent ) open image in gallery Damage from the atomic bomb in Hiroshima ( Getty ) When images of Gaza are placed alongside those of Hiroshima 80 years ago, the parallels are striking, said Kristyan Benedict, the UKs crisis response manager for Amnesty International, told The Independent. Like Hiroshima, the devastation in Gaza is apocalyptic - entire families wiped out, children buried beneath rubble, and hospitals and schools reduced to dust. Juliette Touma, communications director for the UNs Palestinian refugee agency Unrwa told The Independent that one of her colleagues had recently been in Rafah, an area of southern Gaza which has been largely razed to the ground by Israeli bombardment. She drove to get out of Gaza by Rafah in the south, and she said that Rafah looked like Hiroshima. I asked her if she had photos, and she said they were not allowed to take any. But then we both Googled photos from Hiroshima, and she said: That's exactly how [Rafah] looks like today. Israel maintains that Hamas is responsible for both the war - that began after around 1,200 people were killed and around more 250 abducted by the terror group on 7 October 2023 - and the scale of the destruction in Gaza. When asked about the levelling of Gaza in a recent Sky News interview, a spokesman for the Israeli government said: We regard any harm to civilians as a tragedy, while this terrorist organisation of Hamas, it is their strategy. They endanger innocent people and they use them as human shields. Israel, by contrast, makes every effort to prevent and minimise as much as possible harm to civilian population including evacuating civilians from combat areas. open image in gallery Israels attacks on Gaza have caused widespread damage ( The Independent ) open image in gallery This photo taken in 1948 shows a view of the devastated city of Hiroshima in Japan, three years after the atomic bomb was dropped ( AFP/Getty ) Thousands of miles away in Hiroshima, fears about Gazas future were shared at an event to mark the anniversary on Wednesday. "No Nuke, Stop War" and "Free Gaza! No more genocide" read some of the slogans held by hundreds of protestors who demonstrated outside the Peace Memorial Park, where prime minister Shigeru Ishiba attended an official ceremony. A Palestinian representative also joined the event for the first time. Around 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions - including Russia and Belarus -were set to attend. The city held a minute of silence as a peace bell rang out at 8:15am, the same time a US B-29 dropped the bomb on the city. Hiroshimas mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against a growing acceptance of using nuclear weapons for national security during Russia's war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Middle East, with the United States and Russia possessing most of the world's nuclear warheads. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, he said. They threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct. open image in gallery Gaza has become a site of destruction ( The Independent ) open image in gallery A view of the city of Hiroshima before (L) and after (R) the first atomic bomb was dropped ( AFP/Getty ) In June, Israel launched Operation Rising Lion with attacks on Irans nuclear and ballistic missile facilities in a bid to scupper any attempt by Tehran to develop a weapon of mass destruction. Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu has repeatedly raised fears about what would happen if Iran had access to nuclear weapons and the devastation they would bring. Some Hiroshima survivors said on Wednesday they were disappointed by Donald Trump's recent remark justifying Washington's own attack on Iran in June by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. open image in gallery Protesters sit outside the Atomic Bomb Dome ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing in Hiroshima ( AP ) It's ridiculous," said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation while he was still in his mother's womb. I don't think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday he was praying for those who suffered physical, psychological and social effects from the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, adding that the event remains a universal warning against the devastation caused by wars and, in particular, by nuclear weapons. On The Ground newsletter: Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly dispatch from our international correspondents Get a weekly international news dispatch Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu is facing fierce pushback, including from the head of his own military, over a proposal to widen his devastating offensive and seize the remaining parts of Gaza. Eyal Zamir, the Israeli military chief of staff, is understood to have warned the prime minister that attempting to take and hold the rest of Gaza which the army physically withdrew from two decades ago could corner their forces into a protracted conflict and endanger the lives of the hostages. The warning came during a tense three-hour meeting held on Tuesday night in which they were set to decide on a strategy before a cabinet meeting on Thursday, an Israeli source briefed on the discussion told The Independent. open image in gallery Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, and current IDF chief of staff Eyal Zamir, centre ( GPO ) It is the latest voice of discontent from inside Israel, as the beleaguered premier has faced mounting pressure to wrap up the 22-month conflict, which has reportedly seen the highest death toll of Israeli soldiers in 50 years. There has also been global condemnation over a famine crisis and the rising Palestinian civilian death toll, which has pushed past 61,000 dead, according to local officials. During Tuesdays meeting, Zamir reportedly spoke of the decision to conquer the entire territory creating a trap in Gaza. Israeli Channel 12 quoted Zamir as saying that the extended boots-on-the-ground occupation would significantly endanger the lives of the hostages and cause erosion in the army. This week, nearly 600 Israeli retired security officials wrote an open letter to Donald Trump urging him to intervene and pressure Israel to end the war. Just hours before Tuesdays tense meeting, several former chiefs of Israels internal security services, the Mossad spy agency, the military and ex-prime minister Ehud Barak released an extraordinary joint video on social media, echoing those pleas. They said extreme-right members of the government are holding Israel hostage. Netanyahus objectives in Gaza are a fantasy, Yoram Cohen, former head of Shin Bet, said in the video. If anyone imagines that we can reach every terrorist and every pit and every weapon, and in parallel bring our hostages home I think it is impossible, he said. Ami Ayalon, another former head of Shin Bet, added: This is leading the state of Israel to the loss of its security and its identity. open image in gallery The Independents chief foreign correspondent Bel Trew recorded a view of a demolished Gaza from a Jordanian military plane ( The Independent ) But Netanyahu is facing increasing pressure from the far-right members of his government, including national security minister Itamar Ben Gvir and finance minister Bezalel Smotrich, who have railed against any truce deal or delivery of aid to Gaza as surrender. According to reports in The Times of Israel and Haaretz, Smotrich and Ben Gvir have called for the destruction of Gaza City as part of the takeover plan. The prime ministers critics within Israel accuse him of pandering to them, fearing the collapse of his razor-thin coalition, as he faces ongoing corruption trials, which have cast a long shadow over his terms in office. open image in gallery Ben Gvir, left, and Smotrich have been pushing Netanyahu to expand military operations in Gaza ( AP ) Israels security establishment also fears that an open-ended occupation would bog down and further strain the army while risking the lives of dozens of troops. Israeli soldiers and reservists and everybody are just hugely tired, one source told The Independent. Continuing the conflict will mean more soldiers dead, all exhausted, more taxes on Israeli, they said, adding: More and more soldiers are dying every day full occupation with your soldiers not on top form is an issue. Netanyahu is also facing condemnation from the families of hostages in Gaza held by military groups Hamas and others, who accuse the prime minister of leading Israel and the hostages towards devastation. I expect the prime minister to speak to the public, to explain the implications of this idea to the country and the price we'll pay, said Itzik Horn, the father of Israeli hostage Eitan and former hostage Iair, according to Haaretz. We are the people. I want the prime minister to explain why he wants to kill my son. The hostages have no more time, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum added on Wednesday. Either we save them now, or we will lose them forever. There are moments in history when we must stand up and do the right thing. There are believed to be 50 remaining hostages and captives still being held in Gaza, but only 20 are thought to still be alive. Amos Harel, a senior fellow at Brookings and an Israeli defence expert, told the Independent that risking the mass death of hostages was a big gamble for the prime minister, who would also have to call in more reservists to complete the plan. It would mean a break, from a massive amount of Israeli voters, including right-wing voters who would like to see the hostages home and have their own growing fears that this would fail as well and would mean more lives lost without actually reaching some sort of victory, he said. open image in gallery Demonstrators demanding the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza after Hamas released a video of captive Evyatar David ( Reuters ) Meanwhile, Trump said on Tuesday that the decision over whether to fully occupy Gaza is pretty much up to Israel, declining to support or oppose the potential expansion of Israeli military activity in the enclave. I know that we are there now trying to get people fed, he said when asked about the plan. The move may also increase Israels growing isolation on the international stage, at a time when its allies are taking tougher stances towards the country amid reports of starvation in the Gaza Strip and near-daily reports of Palestinians being shot dead while seeking aid. On Wednesday, Jordan said Israeli settlers attacked a Gaza-bound aid convoy in the second such incident in days, accusing Israel of failing to act firmly to prevent repeated assaults. The convoy, carrying 30 trucks of humanitarian aid, was delayed in its arrival in a violation of signed agreements, said Jordans government spokesperson, Mohammad al-Momani. This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys, he said. Earlier on Wednesday, reports from Hamas information ministry in Gaza said that 20 Palestinians were killed and dozens wounded after a truck carrying humanitarian aid in the strip flipped over. Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice There are three peninsulas that stretch, finger-like, from Thessaloniki, Greeces second city, into the Aegean Sea. Together they make up the region of Halkidiki, and each has its own flavour. Athos is known for its monasteries and subsequently its pilgrimage routes (though only men can enter the monasteries here), Sithonia is wild and family-friendly, with campsites fronting sheltered beaches and backed by pine forests, and Kassandra historically has had a reputation as a party peninsula, home to a clutch of superclubs and upmarket hotels set along a sparkling, calm coastline. One such hotel, Domes Noruz Kassandra, has recently undergone a renovation, adding fresh allure to a region well known among weekending Thessalonians, but relatively unknown to British and other European travellers. Its position, overlooking the calm, crystal clear waters and soft sand of Pallini Beach, is perhaps its trump card. Two hours by car from the airport and a good 45 minutes from the thumping dance music of most of the larger clubs and resorts, you can totally avoid the party people should you choose to. open image in gallery The pool is the perfect place to soak up some sunshine at Domes Noruz Kassandra in Halkidiki ( Domes Noruz Kassandra ) At the heart of this adults-only hotel is its infinity-edge pool. With its white fabric beds and loungers facing the sea, its a serene spot to spend the day sunbathing between treatments in the award-winning Soma spa and Greek-Italian dishes at Antoninos (think wood-fired pizzas, dakos salads, cacio e pepe and grilled local fish, all served with local Halkidiki wines.) Read more: Discover the best hotels in the Greek islands open image in gallery Mnemes farm restaurant in Pefkochori serves local meat dishes in a romantic setting ( Mnemes farm restaurant in Pefkochori, Halkidiki, Greece ) Suppose you want to explore away from the hotel. The peninsula is renowned for its cuisine, with specialities such as Halkidiki olives, spanakopita (a flaky filo pie filled with spinach and feta or kefalograviera cheese), moussaka, and fresh fish. Just half-an-hours drive from the hotel is the popular town of Afytos. With its cobbled streets, souvenir shops and picturesque setting perched high above the sea, it gets a fair amount of foot traffic from locals and tourists alike, so its worth booking ahead for popular spots such as Notos cocktail bar, where the sunsets are as legendary as the cocktails, and Thea Thalassa restaurant, where expertly cooked seafood is as fresh as it comes. Read more: These are the best hotels in Crete, according to our expert Closer still and much more focused on land-based dishes is Mnemes, a farm-to-table restaurant in the village of Pefkochori, where rustic solid wood tables are set among ancient olive trees strung with fairy lights, and dinner slow charcoal-roasted salt-crusted lamb that falls off the bone, chicken souvlaki and giant pans of orzo topped with pulled beef shin are on the menu is served in the most romantic of settings. Save room for dessert, a decadent smorgasbord of baklava, honey-soaked orange sponge cake and profiteroles filled with rich local cream and drenched in chocolate or honey. open image in gallery Writer, Emilee Tombs, enjoys the views from the town of Afytos in Halkidiki ( Emilee Tombs ) After a day at the hotel, my friends and I took a recommendation from the friendly hotel staff to try out a new venue on the peninsula, a beach club that had been full since opening, just a few months before our visit. Casa Mercedes wouldnt look out of place in Ibiza, with its monochrome theme extending from the interiors to the staff uniforms and a trendy menu of sushi, sashimi, tacos and Greek meze accompanied by fine wines from estates across the Peloponnese, Burgundy and Provence. Read more: The best hotels in Ibiza A DJ spins tunes on the decks from midday to midnight, and while we were told it gets lively here, on our Sunday daytime visit, the vibe was decidedly laid-back. Showers stocked with luxurious Greek toiletries mean guests can go from beach to club should they wish, or even hire the private space adjacent to the main restaurant, complete with pool, day beds and its own DJ decks. Back at Domes Noruz Kassandra, and a massage with soothing Elemis products later, we were ready to hop into a taxi bound for Thessaloniki. We flew in from London Heathrow on the very respectably timed 9.05am flight and were eating Greek salad by the sea by 4pm Greek time. Our flight home on a Sunday afternoon meant wed squeezed in rather a lot of R&R (and delicious, local cuisine) in just 48 hours, and this feels like something of a rarity for a Greek holiday. While the Greek islands might be on most peoples wish lists, I think Ive discovered a hidden gem on the mainland thats perfect for a weekend escape. Emilee Tombs was a guest of Domes Noruz Kassandra. Read more: My favourite hotels in Corfu, including all-inclusive stays and beachside retreats How to get there British Airways flies from London Heathrow to Thessaloniki, easyJet flies from London Gatwick to Thessaloniki and Ryanair flies from London Stansted to Thessaloniki. The flight time is 3 hours and 20 minutes. Hire a car from the airport or book a taxi for the drive to the Kassandra peninsula. Where to stay Domes Noruz Kassandra is a stylish and recently renovated adults-only resort set right on the beach. Read more: Im a hotel expert and these are the best hotels in Mykonos Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Alaska Airlines is set to launch two nonstop routes from Seattle to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland. The new routes, Alaskas first-ever transatlantic flights, mark the fourth and fifth of at least 12 intercontinental destinations that the carrier says it will serve from its hometown airport of Seattle by 2030. Flights to London and Reykjavik are scheduled to begin in spring 2026, with the nine-and-a-half-hour Dreamliner-operated London service putting the carrier in direct competition with British Airways, Delta and Virgin Atlantic, which typically charge between $250 and $550 for direct one-way tickets. Alaska is yet to reveal prices, but said tickets will be bookable from this fall. open image in gallery Alaska's Dreamliners feature 34 enclosed suites with fully lie-flat seats in business class ( Dreamliner ) The seven-and-a-half-hour Seattle-Reykjavik service, meanwhile, will operate during the summer season using 737-8 Max aircraft, which Alaska Airlines said are "designed for this type of long-range flying". Currently, only Icelandair offers nonstop Seattle-Reykjavik flights, for around $500 one-way. WestJet, Delta and Air Canada all operate stopover services to the Icelandic capital. Alaska said in a statement: "We'll offer daily, year-round services to the British capital one of the most sought-after international destinations and business markets on our widebody 787-9 aircraft, featuring 34 enclosed suites with fully lie-flat seats in business class. open image in gallery The Seattle-Reykjavik service will operate during the summer season using 737 Max aircraft ( Alaska Airlines ) "London is the largest intercontinental market from Seattle, with more than 400 passengers traveling between the two vibrant cities every day." The London service will be operated by Dreamliners sporting a new green livery inspired by the Northern Lights. Alaska's long-haul Dreamliner experience will also be available from the Pacific Northwest from September 12, when a service begins between Seattle and Seoul-Incheon, and on the existing Seattle-Tokyo Narita route starting on January 7, 2026. Flights to Rome are scheduled to begin next spring. Ben Minicucci, Alaska Airlines CEO, said: "With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up." Sign up to Simon Calders free travel email for expert advice and money-saving discounts Get Simon Calders Travel email Get Simon Calders Travel email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Thousands of passengers faced travel delays and disruption after all flights were suspended from Birmingham Airport due to an aircraft incident. The incident, believed to have involved a light aircraft whose landing gear would not deploy as it tried to travel to Belfast around 1pm on Wednesday. While Birmingham Airport resumed its operations and reopened its runway around 8pm, passengers continue to face delays as copious flights have since been diverted and cancelled. The airport, which is the UKs seventh busiest, registered a 12 per cent increase in passenger numbers in 2024 to reach 12.85 million. It is expected that this will be the busiest ever summer for the West Midlands hub, as easyJet joins the growing number of airlines to set up base at Birmingham. As the situation unfolds, here is what we know about the disruption at Birmingham Airport. open image in gallery Passengers at the airport have been advised to check their flights ( PA Archive ) What happened? It is believed that the aircraft involved was a Beechcraft B200 Super King Air twin turboprop light aircraft, which belonged to Woodgate Aviation, self-described as a leading provider of corporate, business, private and general aviation services in Northern Ireland since 1969. The flight, which is believed to have been heading to its home base of George Best Belfast City, took off at 1.16pm according to data on FlightRadar24. It climbed to 5,750 feet and almost immediately entered a holding pattern. At 1.35pm the aircraft overflew the runway at just 300 feet, but it remains unclear if the pilot was attempting to land or enabling air traffic controllers to inspect the undercarriage. FlightRadar data shows the aircraft made contact with the ground at 1.57pm. Woodgate Aviation said in a statement: The turbo-prop aircraft was on a flight to Belfast International Airport when it developed landing gear problems. The aircraft returned to Birmingham and made an emergency landing and the main under-carriage collapsed on touch down. Two crew members and a passenger were on board but were uninjured. The aircraft remains on the runway and Woodgate Aviation will be co-operating fully with Air Accident investigators and airport services. We would like to pay tribute to the professionalism of our colleagues and the emergency services at the airport for their prompt action. open image in gallery The flight appeared to overfly the runway at just 300 feet ( FlightRadar24 ) Is anyone injured? One person has suffered minor injuries after the small aircraft made an emergency landing at Birmingham Airport, according to West Midlands Police. Birmingham Airport Police said on social media: We are at Birmingham Airport this afternoon after a small aircraft was involved in an emergency landing at around 1.40pm. Officers are among the emergency crews at the scene and one person has been reported to have minor injuries. The Civil Aviation Authority has been informed and the airport has suspended operations as an investigation is carried out. West Midlands Ambulance Service said three people were treated and discharged at the scene. A spokesperson said: We were called at 1.45pm to an incident involving a light aircraft at Birmingham Airport. Hazardous Area Response Team paramedics and three paramedic officers were sent to the scene. Upon arrival we found three patients from the aircraft, all of whom were assessed and discharged at the scene. open image in gallery One person has suffered minor injuries, according to police ( SpursSingh/X ) What flights have been delayed? The last flight to touch down before the closure was the Ryanair flight from Perpignan, which landed at 1.52pm. Two minutes later, an easyJet flight to Tenerife took off. Incoming flights were diverted to alternative airports immediately after the runway was shut down. Here are all the diversions we are aware of so far: East Midlands: Air France from Paris, Ryanair from Murcia, Jet2 from Kalamata, Preveza and Mahon, Tui from Rhodes. Manchester: Jet2 from Lanzarote, Malaga and Faro, Ryanair from Bucharest, Turkish Airlines from Istanbul, Tui from Kos. London Stansted: Ryanair from Malaga and Palma, Jet2 from Skiathos.Luton: Jet2 from Kefalonia, easyJet from Corfu and Heraklion. In addition, an Aer Lingus Regional aircraft from Belfast City was about halfway across the Irish Sea when it turned back to its starting point. The Brussels Airlines flight from the Belgian capital has been cancelled, along with the return leg from Birmingham. Is the airport website still down? open image in gallery Birmingham Airport website crashed as people flocked to check their flight status ( Birmingham Airport ) Not long after Birmingham Airport advised passengers to check their flight status, the website for Birmingham Airport went down down, replaced by an error code. It remains unclear just what has happened to the online platform, but it is back up and running. What has Birmingham Airport said so far? The airport operator has announced that operations have resumed and it is returning to normal. Following the aircraft incident today, the runway has reopened and operations have resumed, the airport said in an update posted on X. It apologised for the disruption caused by the incident and said passengers must check flight details and follow advice issued by their airlines. The airport added: Our teams have worked as quickly as possible, in line with strict protocols, which must be followed to ensure a safe reopening of the runway following a prolonged closure. Connor Owens has been appointed as CEO of Falcon AM, the asset management company of Blanchardstown Centre Competition between Dundrum Town Centre and the Blanchardstown Centre is intensifying following the poaching of Connor Owens from the Dundrum operator to head up the operator of the west Dublin shopping centre. Both centres are claiming to be Irelands top shopping centre. Falcon AM, the asset management company which operates Blanchardstown Centre, has hired Mr Owens as its CEO, a similar position to the one he held heading up the Ireland operation at Hammerson PLC, where he had responsibility for three of Irelands major shopping centres: Dundrum Town Centre, the Ilac Centre and Swords Pavilions. Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Chinese chip company Flagchip has closed a funding round worth hundreds of millions of yuan, according to a press release the company released on August 1 via its WeChat account. Photo credit: Flagchip The new round attracted strong backing from high-profile investors. Participants include Xiaomi's investment arm Beijing Xiaomi Zhizao Equity Investment Fund Partnership (Limited Partnership), Hainan Jimu Venture Capital, and the Beijing Advanced Manufacturing and Intelligent Equipment Industry Investment Fund. The company said the fresh capital will reinforce its leadership in high-performance, high-functional-safety automotive controller chips, while enabling closer collaboration across the supply chain. The move marks a new chapter in its commercial development as Flagchip transitions from technology accumulation to large-scale market deployment. Flagchip will also relocate its operations to Beijing's Shunyi District, leveraging strong support from industrial partners, investors, and local authorities. The company aims to scale its technological and product advantages to better serve downstream customers, foster high-quality growth in China's automotive sector, and create a sustainable cycle that integrates technology, industry, and capital. Founded nearly five years ago, Flagchip has established itself as a key player in the development of next-generation core controllers for vehicle E/E architectures in China. Its business now spans major Tier 1 suppliers and mainstream automakers. The company's ARM Cortex-M4-based FC4150 automotive-grade MCU series has surpassed 10 million units in shipments, while its new FC7300 seriesbuilt on an ARM Cortex-M7 multi-core architecture and certified to ASIL-D standardsentered mass installation onto cars in January 2025 and has already secured orders exceeding one million units. Global fashion brand Karl Lagerfeld is closing its store at Kildare Village next month, winding up its Irish operation in the process. It is the latest big-name retail fashion casualty, after River Island pulled down the shutters on its Henry Street store in Dublin last June. Brazil looks to China to ride out Donald Trumps 50pc tariff Brazil's exports to China have doubled in value over the past decade Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, president of Brazil which has strong trade links with China. Photo: Eraldo Peres/AP Marcela Ayres and Bernardo Caram Reuters Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 06:30 Brazilian goods imported by the United States will soon carry one of the highest tariffs imposed by US president Donald Trump, but that will not likely derail Latin America's largest economy, due to ample exemptions and stronger trade ties with China. Despite the return of Tim Burton as executive producer and (for some episodes) director, and fresh big name actors, the Netflix series fails to live up to its source material There wouldnt be much point in a vampire who has their incisors extracted and replaced with a row of straight white Hollywood veneers, or, for that matter, a werewolf that likes playing fetch with a ball. So what, exactly, is the point of Wednesday (Netflix, now streaming), which takes the character (played by Jenna Ortega) from cartoonist Charles Addamss celebrated cartoon strips for The New Yorker as well as from the multiple TV series and films, live-action and animated, they spawned and thoroughly defangs her? Addamss original one-panel cartoons were small, satirical gems that upended the image of the traditional American family. Wednesday, which is filmed in Ireland (our little country has never looked less like itself!), couldnt be any further from that simple concept, or indeed from Barry Sonnenfelds two entertaining Addams Family movies from the 1990s, which at least seemed interested in honouring Addams. At best, season one of Wednesday paid Addams lip service. It yanked the character from her natural habitat and dropped her into Nevermore, a special school for outcasts and the alma mater of her parents, Gomez (Luis Guzman) and Morticia (Catherine Zeta Jones), where she had to solve a mystery. Luis Guzman and Catherine Zeta-Jones have more to do as parents Gomez and Morticia in season two of 'Wednesday'. Photo: Netflix The result felt like what you might end up with if teen detective Nancy Drew had accidentally enrolled at Hogwarts. Wednesday was one of the streamers biggest hits in 2022, racking up 341 million hours watched in its first week, beating Stranger Things Four. Its success is understandable: its a teen comedy horror, and teen comedy horror is, as we know, one of Netflixs most popular genres. But if you strip away the Gothic production design, the supernatural trappings and the cachet of having Tim Burton as an executive producer (once again, Burton directs the first four episodes), its not really a lot different from all the other Netflix fish-out-of-water high school fare it pumps out year after year. Joanna Lumley as 'Grandmama' Hester Frump in 'Wednesday'. Photo: Netflix The new season, which has been needlessly split in half (four episodes now, four in September), opens with Wednesday relating how she spent her summer break catching a serial killer called the Kansas City Scalper, gamely played by Haley Joel Osment. Then its back to Nevermore. Having saved her classmates last time from the maniacal teacher played by Christina Ricci (Wednesday in the 90s movies), she returns to find herself the schools top girl a celebrity, in fact. Wednesday professes to hate all this, yet makes a pretty good job of continually drawing attention to herself. Soon, though, there are other things to occupy her. She has a stalker. And shes having visions of her friend Enid (Emma Myers) dying horribly. Wednesday (Jenna Ortega) with best friend Enid (Emma Myers). Photo: Netflix Someone or something is going around murdering people and relieving them of their eyeballs. Just when Wednesday needs her psychic powers more than ever, they begin to fail. In other words, season two offers more or less the same lumpy, underwhelming mixture as season one. There some mild improvements, mind you. Burton, whos directing last time was so anonymous it could have been anyone behind the camera, seems a little more engaged. A brief stop-motion sequence tied to a subplot involving Wednesdays brother Pugsley (Isaac Ordonez), who is also now attending Nevermore, accidentally waking a zombie, sparks warm memories of Burtons Corpse Bride and Frankenweenie. Sadly, it also reminds you that hes been off his game for years. Steve Buscemi as Barry Dort in 'Wednesday'.Photo: Netflix Gomez and Morticia are given more to do this time, which helps a little, and the cast has been bolstered by big-name additions. Steve Buscemi is new principal Barry Dort, an Edgar Allen Poe lookalike (which is explicitly noted and could be a clue to something) who might not be as cheery as he seems. Billie Piper plays new music teacher Miss Capri, Joanna Lumley is Grandmama Hester Frump, and Christopher Lloyd, who played Uncle Fester in the 90s films, pops up as the schools longest-serving teacher, Professor Orlock. Overall, though, Wednesday is a pretence to being dark, morbid humour rather than actual dark, morbid humour, and the characters relentless stream of withering one-liners is even more exhausting than before. A man is vehemently protesting his innocence in respect of an alleged arson attack which caused 550,000 in damage and totally destroyed the home of two Cork pensioners. I had to track her ashes using a code, like she was a parcel in the post daughter speaks about mothers assisted death at Swiss clinic Megan Royal says she learnt of bereavement in WhatsApp message from Pegasos group Maureen Slough Conor Feehan Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 06:30 The daughter of the Co Cavan-based woman who was assisted in ending her life alone at a controversial Swiss clinic has told of her sadness and disbelief after her ashes were sent home in the post. No evidence of violence in death of Irish fashion designer (33) found dead on yacht in New York Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33), originally from Co Carlow, was found on the yacht on Monday nightCircumstances of her death are being investigated by homicide squad detectives and the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office US police are investigating the death of Martha Nolan OSlatarra (33) Catherine Fegan, Keith Kelly and Robin Schiller Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 21:00 An autopsy found no evidence of violence in the death of a young Irish woman who was found dead on a yacht in the US, local police have said. Liam Neeson has sold his New York City home for $10.3m as talk of a budding off-screen relationship with Naked Gun co-star Pamela Anderson continues. The New York Post has reported that the 73-year-olds Lincoln Square family home, where he raised his two sons with the late actress Natasha Richardson, has sold for $10.3m (8.9m). Credit: Show Me Something Podcast It only took one episode of her new podcast Show Me Something for the Indiana Fevers Sophie Cunningham to get fined by the WNBA. In the second episode released Tuesday, Cunningham revealed that the league office fined her $1,500 for comments critical of referees. This comes just weeks after Cunningham was initially fined $500 for a TikTok video at the expense of the leagues officials. In the premiere of Show Me Something, Cunningham commented on an altercation with the Connecticut Sun in mid-June in which she was ejected. During the segment, Cunningham called WNBA referees inconsistent even with simple foul calls. The Fever forward also stated that she felt emboldened to continue hammering WNBA referees because she believes most fans and league insiders agree that officiating is a problem. Everyones like, what is going on with the refs? And Im like, I dont know,' Cunningham said. And you fining me $500 is not going to do sh*t. Midway through Episode Two of the podcast, Cunningham revealed that those comments earned her the increased fine. Cunningham was still in disbelief that the league took issue with her remarks, given that she felt she hedged her criticisms. I even credited them that their job was hard, Cunningham said. I did say that, and I said that I would not be good at it. However, Cunningham isnt expecting her issue with the league to go away any time soon. And from the sound of it, she doesnt plan on quieting down just because of a few small fines. Im starting to think that the WNBA is starting to have some beef with my comments, but more than 95 percent of the population who watches the WNBA agrees with me, she said. Cunningham is becoming quite a combatant with the WNBA. Not only is she frequently in the middle of on-court trouble with the most popular team in the league, but she also doesnt hold back in criticizing the league publicly. Already, she has gone to bat against WNBA expansion decisions and refereeing while also being a prominent voice as WNBA players negotiate with the league on a new collective bargaining agreement. And she isnt budging. President Michael D Higgins and his wife Sabina with Princess Anne during the British royal's visit to Aras an Uachtarain. Photo: Maxwell Photography Britains Princess Anne visited President Michael D Higgins at Aras an Uachtarain this morning, where she was told she deserved to sign the entire visitors book. Glenties in Co Donegal had the lowest birth rate in 2022, while Tallaght in Dublin experienced the highest birth rate during the same period, new figures show. Mary Regan: Unlikely assisted dying will become legal in Ireland in near future Related legislation was not mentioned in the Programme for Government released earlier this year The issue was brought to the fore when the Dying with Dignity Bill was tabled in 2020. Photo: Getty Mary Regan Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 06:30 On a quiet Wednesday morning in March 2024, a report on a contentious policy topic was shaping up to be the big news story of the day. Ciara Kelly: The backlash to U2s statement illustrates that the woke are more interested in gatekeeping than truly supporting the people of Palestine As AIB and others push teams towards in-person working, management may be missing the point Im never surprised when I see company bosses and top-tier management try to make a case for returning employees to offices full-time, or for mandatory days where hybrid workers must attend. They enjoy a bustling office with them starring as the ringmaster. And its usually easy for them to be there. Imagine large city-centre offices in Dublin, Cork or Galway. The boss usually lives nearby in a place like Ballsbridge, Blackrock or Salthill. They often have a handy parking space for their company car right outside the door or, failing that, can afford convenient commercial parking. They dont have to worry about being in the traffic, as they can come in whenever suits. They can nip out for a tasty lunch and perhaps even expense it. Going to work and seeing the gang beaver away is easy. Cork Pride hears how spectres of racism and homophobia are still present Leeside Despite Cork's reputation as a welcoming city, LGBTQ+ advocate Laura Harmon says minority communities still face discrimination and fear Minority groups play a massive part in Cork Pride, and Laura Harmon says both ethnic and sexual minorities still face hate-motivated attacks in the city. Kevin Galvin Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 07:00 The only openly gay female politician in the Oireachtas says that racism and homophobia are still present in Cork, despite its history of welcoming minorities. A dedicated farm walk will be held at the Cork farm of long-standing livestock suppliers Brian and Noelle OKeeffe. Photo: Roger Jones. A dedicated farm walk will be held on Wednesday, August 13 at the Cork farm of long-standing livestock suppliers Brian and Noelle OKeeffe. The OKeeffes run a mixed dairy beef and tillage farm in Glanworth, County Cork (P51 Y953). The farm event is being held by Kepak Cork and it will focus on practical steps farmers can take to improve farm efficiency, meet evolving customer demands, and build resilient beef businesses. Topics will include market insights, animal health, genetics, and funding supports for sustainability. The event will also mark the formal launch of Kepaks new sustainability approach, Forward Together With Every Step. This platform reflects Kepaks commitment to supporting farmers in making sustainability practical, achievable, and rewarding. It focuses on sharing knowledge, offering support, and creating opportunities; on farms, across operations, and in communities to help build a more resilient and profitable future for Irish beef farming. A strong speaker line-up from across the industry will speak at the farm event. The line-up includes: Market Trends & Customer Demands Chris Watson, Kepak Commercial Sales Director & Joe Burke, Senior Manager for Meat & Livestock, Bord Bia Genetics & Cattle Selection Chris Daly, ICBF; Craig Buttimer & Edward Quinn, Kepak Procurement Team Animal Health & Vaccination Protocols Pat Noonan, Millvalley Veterinary Clinic; Emma Sargent, Ruminant Area Veterinary Manager. MSD Sustainability Supports & Funding Luke McDermott & Seamus Shealy, Kepak Sustainability Team Edward Quinn, Kepak Procurement Manager, said the team at Kepak Cork is looking forward to hosting this farm walk. Kepak Cork works with an extensive network of supplier farmers like the OKeeffes, many of whom have been with the company since its inception. These long-standing relationships span across Munster and beyond, ensuring a consistent and high-quality supply of livestock. Mr Quinn continued: The farm walk will offer an opportunity for farmers to hear from industry experts on the direction of the beef market, customer requirements and the importance of optimising genetics and herd health for sustainable and viable farm performance. Its also a chance to learn more about the many supply options Kepak offers to support sustainable and profitable beef farming, he added. Host farmer Brian OKeeffe said his family are looking forward to welcoming the farming community in Munster, neighbours and friends to the farm. Well be showcasing what weve done to promote on farm efficiency, as well as the steps we have taken to ensure we can continually breed profitable and productive animals that make sense for our farm operation. We hope itll be a valuable and enjoyable evening for everyone. The event which will run from 6pm to 9pm is free to attend and refreshments will also be served. The Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025 includes a rich programme of tours, concerts, and commemorative events from 1521 September, culminating in the conference and a special ceremony at Griston Bog & Woodland on September 21. The Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025 includes a rich programme of tours, concerts, and commemorative events from 1521 September, culminating in the conference and a special ceremony at Griston Bog & Woodland on September 21. As part of the landmark Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025, two key commemoration events will take place at the historic Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre in Mitchelstown. The events to be held include: The Peter Robinson Settlers Emigration Scheme Concert on Friday, September 19 at 8pm followed by the Peter Robinson Settlers Emigration Scheme Conference on Saturday, September 20. These pivotal events commemorate the 200th anniversary of the emigration of the Peter Robinson Settlers from Ireland to Canada, a journey that forged enduring transatlantic ties and shaped communities on both sides of the ocean. The weekend begins with a vibrant Commemoration Concert on Culture Night, Friday, September 19. Hosted at Saint Georges, this special evening of traditional Irish music, song, and dance will honour the legacy of the Peter Robinson settlers and over two centuries of emigration history. The concert features performances by Ceoltoiri Mhuscrai, representing Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, Ballincollig Craobh Niall O Cathasaigh. Audiences will be immersed in the rich cultural traditions that connect Ireland and Canada, in a setting steeped in history and community spirit. Hosted by Ballyhoura Development in collaboration with Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre, the conference is a cornerstone of a week-long programme of cultural, historical, and genealogical events honouring the legacy of the settlers who left the Ballyhoura region in 1823 and 1825 in search of new beginnings in Canada. Ambassador of Canada to Ireland Dennis King said the story of the Peter Robinson Settlers is an under-appreciated chapter in the broader history of Irish migration to Canada. The conference will be a fantastic opportunity for national and local leaders, Ballyhoura region residents, and descendants of the settlers to develop their understanding and support the legacy of that unique and remarkably successful emigration scheme. The Embassy of Canada enthusiastically supports Ballyhoura Developments efforts in organizing the conference and the broader gathering. I look forward to attending and participating in those valuable exchanges, he added. The conference will feature a distinguished panel of speakers from Ireland, Canada, and the United States, including historians, genealogists, archaeologists, and descendants of the original settlers. Topics will explore the historical context of the emigration, the lives and legacies of the settlers, and the cultural connections that continue to thrive today. Highlights include: An address from An Taoiseach Micheal Martin and a welcome by His Excellency Dennis King, Ambassador to Ireland from Canada Keynotes from leading scholars such as Dr. Jay Roszman, Gerard Moran, Dr. Jane McGaughey, Bill Power and Dennis Carter-Edwards Genealogical insights from Glenn OMeara, Matt Barry, and Dr. Jane Halloran Reflections on memory, identity, and commemoration from Christy Roche, John Tierney, Chris Nikkel, and others Chairperson of Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre Bill Power said the conference will be the most important event of its kind ever held in this region. Saint Georges Arts and Heritage Centre is a prime example of how community spirit can bring people together, just as the Peter Robinson Settlers came together in the 1820s to create opportunity for themselves and future generations, and a new spirit of hope. Mr Power continued: We are honoured to welcome descendants, historians and friends from both sides of the Atlantic, to reflect on this unique moment of history that shaped the lives of so many for generations to come. The conference will remember as well as reflect on the shared connections between Ireland and Canada The events will also showcase the remarkable restoration of Saint Georges, a Georgian-era church now transformed into a vibrant arts and heritage centre, symbolising the resilience and renewal at the heart of the homecoming. The Ireland Canada Homecoming 2025 includes a rich programme of tours, concerts, and commemorative events from Monday, September 15 to Sunday, September 21, culminating in the conference and a special ceremony at Griston Bog & Woodland on September 21. Tickets are limited and available exclusively via Eventbrite and early booking is strongly advised. A planning application for a new drone delivery hub in Dundrum, south Dublin, has been delayed as clarity is sought over noise and biodiversity concerns. Dun Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council (DLRCC) has requested further information from Manna Drones Ltd after 215 residents raised concerns and observations, particularly about noise. A decision on Mannas plans to set up a drone delivery site in the area has now been put on hold while the company responds to local concerns. The companys planning application to DLRCC sought a five-year permission for drone operations close to main street, Dundrum. Its smack bang in the middle of Dundrum village, right beside Holy Cross Church, local Green Party councillor Robert Jones said. Its near the old shopping centre and theyre looking to use a piece of the car park there. One of the major things the residents are concerned about is that its close to a place of worship. On either side you also have residential areas and schools. People are afraid that itll disrupt their everyday lives. The council is making it clear that the community must be heard, he added. DLRCCs Biodiversity Officer also noted that the planning application was ecologically inadequate. The officers report said biodiversity in the area had been entirely overlooked and that important information including flight paths, drone volumes and ecological impact assessments were missing. Cllr Jones said over 215 residents had sent in their observations. These are not minor technical gaps. The application fundamentally fails to address how this drone operation could affect residents, wildlife and sensitive habitats, he said. If Manna wants to be part of this community, they must come and talk to people on the ground, not just fly over them. DLRCC has asked Manna to review all third-party submissions and provide specific mitigation measures for the issues raised. A spokesperson from Manna Air Delivery confirmed a public meeting has been scheduled at the end of the month at the Taney Parish Centre. This was organised locally by Fianna Fail TD Shay Brennan and Manna CEO Bobby Healy will be speaking directly with residents. Our plans to fly in Dundrum are not imminent, and we will be providing all the information requested by the planning authorities, the spokesperson said. We have also engaged with local representatives to talk about the benefits Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can bring to main street businesses, local residents, and in terms of reducing traffic. Head of Regulation at Manna, Kevin Houston, added: We engage with local authorities for each site, as advised as appropriate by our external planning consultants and within the scope of the 2001 Planning Act, as can be seen by our Blanchardstown base and application in Tallaght. The majority of people in Dublin 15 have used the service and we have been delighted with the 2,268 positive messages in-app and via our letter of support we have received in the area. Earlier this year, Manna Air Delivery received an enforcement action from Fingal County Council for its drone operations in Dublin 15. Residents complained that the use of delivery drones was a noise nuisance in the area. A spokesman for Fingal County Council said it had taken the action in July after its inspectors found that Manna Air Delivery was operating launch sites without planning permission. This article was amended at 10.45am on August 6, 2025, to confirm a public meeting will be held at the end of the month Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme Majority recorded in the greater Dublin area, latest figures show Irish Rail recorded over 560 cases of illegal access to tracks and stations in the first half of 2025. Pic: Stock image Dozens of people have been fined or prosecuted for trespassing on the Irish Rail network so far this year, with the majority of incidents recorded across the greater Dublin area. Figures released to Kildare North TD Aidan Farrelly reveal that 567 trespass incidents were reported to Irish Rail in the first half of 2025. The data, which includes outcomes for specific incidents, shows trespassing has occurred at key city centre stations such as Connolly, Pearse, and Lansdowne Road and commuter hubs including Maynooth, Bray, Blackrock, and Clondalkin/Fonthill. Most adults involved received fixed penalty notices, while in some cases, individuals were prosecuted or convicted in court. At Maynooth, one person was convicted and fined, with additional costs awarded. Several incidents remain unresolved due to those involved being minors, with details unverified or summonses unserved, particularly at locations including Sandymount, Salthill, and Malahide. The figures form part of a broader pattern of offences reported over recent years, with 985 incidents recorded in 2024, down from 1,102 in 2023 and higher figures in previous years. Trespassing on the railway is illegal and highly dangerous, carrying penalties under the Railway Safety Act 2005. Irish Rail has repeatedly warned of the fatal risks posed by people accessing live tracks or infrastructure without authorisation. A person who trespasses on railways is now liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding 1,000, subject to increase under the Fines Act. Mr Farrelly, who requested the data, highlighted the concentration of offences within the greater Dublin area, but welcomed the overall decline. These statistics suggest that the bulk of offences are happening within the greater Dublin transport network, he said. We appear to be seeing a declining trend in relation to trespassing, which is welcome. It also appears that for those under age 16, it has been decided to inform parents/guardians rather than use statutory powers to sanction, which I believe to be appropriate, he added. Concerns persist, however, as trespass-related safety risks remain a serious issue, especially amid ongoing passenger growth and the Dart+ expansion programme. Residents living close to railway infrastructure have previously highlighted safety problems, such as youths throwing rocks from rail viaducts in North Strand last November. Social Democrats councillor Daniel Ennis warned at the time that someone was going to get killed, and urged Irish Rail to improve site security and fencing. Irish Rail recorded over 560 cases of illegal access to tracks and stations in the first half of 2025. Pic: Stock image Today's News in 90 seconds - 6th August 2025 At the time, Irish Rail responded to the query, saying there was a 24-hour monitoring station continuously in place and repeated checks to Iarnrod Eireanns boundaries. Our Crime Prevention Officer has alerted An Garda Siochana and we are liaising with them to arrange additional patrols, a spokesperson for Irish Rail said. All train drivers are to report sightings of trespass, and our regional team will respond upon alerts. Iarnrod Eireann staff will continue to liaise with the community in these areas and will promptly address any breaches of boundary fencing or any incidents of trespass, and liaise with gardai, they added. Irish Rail and the Department of Transport have been contacted for comment. This article was amended at 10.45am on August 6, 2025, to correct TD Aidan Farrellys constituency as Kildare North Ballyduff man Anthony OCarroll will return home this weekend, a year after a terrible motorcycle accident in the Isle of Man changed his life. The 29-year-old ace is one of the leading names in motorcycle racing in Ireland but sustained multiple and complex fractures as well as a brain injury in a crash in July 2024. His progress in recent weeks has been so advanced that Anthony is allowed to return home to meet with his legion of friends and well-wishers who have supported him throughout his ordeal. For Anthonys parents, Mary and Nelius, its been a difficult year as they battled to ensure their son received the best treatment available. Anthony returned to Ireland from hospital in Liverpool in September 2024. He attended hospital at Cork CUH and the National Rehabilitation Hospital in Dun Laoghaire. He is currently continuing his recovery at the Brampton Rehabilitation facility in Oranmore, Galway. Anthony is due home on Friday evening (August 8). But to avoid a swell of visitors arriving at the same time, a special get together is arranged for Saturday at Ballyduff Community Centre between 3:30pm and 4:30pm. On Sunday, at Walshs Bar, people can also meet Anthony between 5pm and 6:30pm. Im excited and nervous. There is a load of emotion because it is going to be very emotional for us as a family, Mary told The Kerryman. Anthony hasnt been home for over a year and a half because he was in Australia before the accident. Im just nervous that everything will go well and that Anthony will handle it. He is still a brain patient even though he is making huge progress. There is obviously some apprehension involved. Were just hoping Anthony wont be overwhelmed by it, she added. Mary and Nelius are eager to thank the many people who have been a pillar of support since their sons accident. From messages to phone calls, Mary explains how they kept her going when she needed it most. She praised the people who helped them obtain a wheelchair vehicle. Without this, it would not have been possible to bring Anthony home this weekend as there is no other means of suitable transport. The support and help we have received has been unbelievable. This has made the journey so much easier. When we needed it most, these people were there to help us, Mary said. Then there is the people of the parish who have been fantastic. In fact, people from all over Ireland have reached out to me through social media. A couple of words of support would brighten your day and make you stronger. There has been some amazing messages. A simple message has, on many a day, changed my mood. That, to me, means an awful lot. Anthony is getting better and he was very emotional last Friday when one of his physios left to return home to the US. Anthony told him he would miss him. There is still an amazing physio team here (Brampton) and they are all very impressed with his progress. Its made the world of difference that I know Anthony hadnt been forgotten in peoples minds, she said. South Kerry Friends of Palestine say that The Liberators legacy must be more than words Palestinians walk back through the Netzarim corridor in central Gaza carrying aid parcels received from a US-based aid distribution point set up by the privately-run Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) on June 26, 2025, amid the humanitarian crisis after 20 months of conflict with Israel. (Photo by Moiz Salhi / Middle East Images via AFP) (Photo by MOIZ SALHI/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images) The South Kerry Friends of Palestine group has outlined its intention to present Taoiseach Micheal Martin with a letter seeking urgent action on the Gaza crisis on his visit to Kerry this Wednesday to commemorate the 250 anniversary of Daniel OConnells birth. They group said that it is a fitting moment to do so given the Kerry man's legacy on human rights. They are calling on the Taoiseach to take action and show the the legacy of Daniel O'Connell not just in words but action. We call upon you, as Taoiseach of the Irish people and heir to O'Connell's political tradition, to prove that his legacy lives on in more than bronze statues and anniversary speeches. The world is watching. History is recording. Future generations will judge whether Ireland's leaders in 2025 had the moral courage to match their commemorative words with meaningful action, the letter states. "Taoiseach, we stand today in the shadow of greatness not to bask in past glories, but to be measured against them. Daniel O'Connell's legacy is not a museum piece to be admired from a distance, but a living flame that should ignite our conscience and compel our actions. The Liberator understood that freedom is indivisible that the oppression of any people diminishes us all. His fight for Catholic Emancipation was never solely about Irish Catholics; it was about establishing the principle that no human being should be denied dignity because of their identity, faith, or origins.Today, the Palestinian people cry out for the same justice that O'Connell demanded for his own people. The group outlined 10 demands to be enacted by the Irish Government and the EU, which include the resumption of international aid deliveries immediately at scale; the enacting, without delay, of the Occupied Territories Bill; prohibit the sale of War Bonds; suspend, with immediate effect, all arms and dual-use exports to Israel and suspend all preferential commercial arrangements for Israel under the Association Agreement. The letter also includes a demand to cancel Israels participation in Horizon Europe and all dual-use research, academic and technology programs of the EU; a demand to impose targeted sanctions on Israeli ministers, government officials, military commanders, and violent settlers responsible for war crimes; the support of international and national judicial mechanisms to provide political, legal, and financial support to Palestinian civilian victims and to nominate Francesca Albanese (United Nations Special Rapporteur on the Occupied Palestinian Territories) for the Nobel Peace Prize. We are taking the opportunity to present him with a letter that marks this occasion, highlighting the historical and contemporary significance of Daniel O'Connell in relation to the famine in Gaza, the South Kerry group stated. The actions we take in respect of the Palestinian People and others who are suffering oppression are a measure of the extent to which we respect the values and approaches of Daniel OConnell. The Liberator's work is unfinished while any people remain enslaved by occupation, ethnic cleansing, and genocide, the letter states. We demand that the Government of Ireland stand by and defend Irish sovereignty, rather than be bullied by external vested interests, whose values do not align with those of OConnell. Short-term economic gains should never take precedence over our defence of national sovereignty, peace, justice and human rights. As OConnell stated, nothing is politically right that is morally wrong, it concludes. A controversial festival which was the subject of a petition signed by over 500 people including by actor Chris ODowd, Christy Moore and Frances Black has been cancelled. Mise Eire was set to take place at the Mayflower Community Hall in Drumshambo, Co Leitrim, on August 23. The festival was described as being for those who cherish Irish culture, heritage, and are united in celebrating our shared values. Follow Independent Leitrim on Facebook Over 400 tickets were sold for the event which was advertised as aiming to promote the Irish language, music, culture, and traditions with a variety of live music, talks, and workshops planned. However, concerns were raised locally that it was a far right event. On Wednesday morning, it was confirmed the event will no longer be hosted in the community centre. "On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming Mise Eire festival due to be held on 23rd August 2025 will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre. This is due to terms and conditions not being complied with. We Apologise for any inconvenience caused. The move comes as Leitrim and Roscommon Against Fascism (LARAF) issued a letter stating they believed the event would tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower. The letter, which has been signed over 500 times, states, The Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo has a longstanding and rich tradition of hosting vibrant, uplifting, diverse and inclusive cultural events. Musicians and artists, past and present, from the area, from across the country and indeed from countries and cultures from across the world, have passed through the doors of the Mayflower and contributed to this rich heritage. If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Eire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area. We artists, arts workers and musicians thus call on the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre to cancel this divisive event which is planned to take place there on August 23rd. The letter was signed by a plethora of local and national musicians, artists and arts workers including Charlie McGettigan, Vincent Woods, Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Frances Black, John Mc Cartin, Eleanor Shanley, Brian Kennedy, Eamon OhArgain, Paula Meehan, Chris O'Dowd, Brian Leyden, Jackie McKenna, Paul Laverty, Padraig Sweeney, Mary Coughlan, Pete Holidai, Spider Stacy, Katherine Lynch, Steve Wall, Edwina Guckian, Stephen Rea, Marguerite Molloy, Fontaines DC, Kneecap, Mike Scott of The Waterboys and The Mary Wallopers. Following the news that the event will not proceed at the community centre, organisers of the festival said it will be held at a new location on the planned date. Councillors seek funding to clean up the towns river aiming to revive fishing, kayaking, and wildlife habitats. The pipe travels up along the side of the river. A councillor claimed that no other local authority would've given planning permission for it. The "ugliest sewer pipe" is blocking access for kayaks wanting to travel up the river in Castlebar and is collecting rubbish that has been dumped into the river. The river that flows through Castlebar town is a significant natural resource that has been neglected and is in need of serious investment to restore it to an attraction that the county town of Mayo can be proud of. Councillors say the river has been destroyed by a poorly placed sewer pipe, persistent dumping of rubbish and shopping trolleys, and what they described as a general lack of public respect. At the latest Castlebar Municipal District meeting, members called for efforts to secure funding to revitalise the river so it can be used and enjoyed by the public, with calls to see kayaking and fishing return to the towns waterways. Cllr Harry Barrett tabled a motion to commission a habitat management plan, which he said is the first step toward securing further funding to clean up and enhance the river. The neglect of the river speaks to a bygone industrial era where waterways were not respected, said Cllr Barrett. Any other town in Ireland and across the EU would be happy to have the resource that we have on our doorstep. I want people to benefit from what it can offer. I want people to take kayaks right through this town, to be able to fish again. I want fish to come through that river again, salmon, trout, whatever else. It has massive potential. Cllr Al McDonnell supported the motion but warned that investment alone would not solve the problem. He said he could not see salmon returning to the river without extraordinary investment, adding that, Unless the river is respected by people, we are wasting our time spending money on it. Its fine to spend millions of euros on improving the waterway, but it ultimately needs to be respected by people. Cllr Blackie Gavin called the river the jewel in the crown of Castlebar but highlighted the scale of pollution, pointing out that community clean-up groups regularly remove bags of rubbish from the water. He said significant investment would not only restore the river but also enhance the entire town. Follow Independent Mayo on Facebook Member of the Castlebar Tidy Town group, Cllr Ger Deere, revealed that 38 shopping trolleys had been pulled from the river in just seven months. Supporting the motion, he said it would be lovely to kayak on the river again but warned that a large sewer pipe remains a major obstacle. Calling it the ugliest sewer pipe, Cllr Deere criticised the decision to approve its placement. No other local authority wouldve given planning permission for it, he said, adding that his first motion as a councillor six years ago was to have it redirected. While moving the pipe is not possible, he said the council may have to settle for camouflaging it instead. Town river is a main tributary to the river Moy, the salmon capital. Think if there was a major burst of that sewer pipe, the pollution it would cause. We destroyed that river. We are probably inhibited in what we can do with that river now because of that ugly sewer pipe, he said. This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme. A 30 year old man has appeared before a Special Sitting of Sligo District Court charged with assault arising out of an alleged stabbing at house in the town in the early hours of Bank Holiday Monday. Lack of communication from Uisce Eireann is slammed The burst water main left areas of Carrick-on-Suir without water for five days Water supplies have returned to a major south Tipperary town after a burst water main left some areas without water for up to five days. Following a major burst water main in Carrick-on-Suir, areas throughout the town were left without water over the bank holiday weekend. According to Uisce Eireann, the burst impacted water supply to customers in the Greenhills housing estate and surrounding areas. Crews were onsite over the weekend and Monday working to locate and repair the leak to ensure that supply was restored as quickly as possible. Local Sinn Fein councillor David Dunne hit out at the delay in restoring water to the Greenhills area, and questioned why there was a lack of communication between the utility and residents. "[Residents] are now going into their fifth day without water - why? Two leaks were identified but only one was fixed again why? Cllr Dunne asked in a post on social media. The burst in the water main happened on Friday (August 1), with some residents of the Greenhills area still without water on Monday morning, before supplies finally returned by the evening time. Water tankers were provided in the area during the outage, but these quickly ran out, the Sinn Fein councillor added. Pierce Faherty, Uisce Eireann Water Operations Manager in Tipperary, said that the utility apologised for the inconvenienced caused by outage. "Uisce Eireann acknowledges the inconvenience caused by the prolonged interruption to the water supply and sincerely thanks our customers for their patience and cooperation while this essential repair work was carried out. "The repairs were particularly complex, which meant the works took longer to complete than initially anticipated, Mr Faherty added. Cllr Dunne welcomed the return of water supplies to the area, but hit out at the lack of communication from Uisce Eireann. Its a shame it took nearly five days and the lack of information and sadly the disinformation from Irish Water left a lot to be desired, he said. Funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme The funeral of a Waterford man who died on Sunday as a result of injuries sustained in an assault will take place on Friday. Gardai in Waterford are investigating all of the circumstances surrounding the death of Pat Fitzgerald, following the incident at a residential property in Waterford city on Friday, August 1. Mr Fitzgerald of St Catherines Grange, Johns Hill and Avondale, and late of Slievekeale, had been a respected glass blower at Waterford Crystal in the city, and involved in trade unionism, having negotiated on behalf of 3,500 workers as a member of Unite in 2009. Mr Fitzgeralds remains will lie in repose at Tom Hennessy's Funeral Home in Johnstown, Waterford on Thursday from 5.30pm to 7pm. His funeral will take place at the Sacred Heart Church, The Folly in Waterford at noon on Friday with burial following in St Mary's Cemetery, Ballygunner, Waterford. Cllr Donal Barry paid his respects to his former colleague, describing him as highly respected among his peers. He recalled an astute and hard working man who put his colleagues first. I worked in part of the factory, and Pat was the full-time union convenor there in Waterford Crystal, said Cllr Barry. At the peak of its employment the factory employed about 3,500 people forming an important part of the citys economic life. At the time, Mr Fitzgerald was a member of the ITGWU, which later became Unite trade union. Pat was a very, very clever gentleman, said Cllr Barry. Pat Fitzgerald. He was a brilliant trade union official and he did an awful lot of good work for the workers in Waterford Crystal. He secured an awful lot of good terms and conditions for them. He was also a trustee of the pension fund there. Mr Fitzgeralds wife died some years ago. There was a palpable sense of shock in the city following the well-known activists death. For any person, especially an elderly gentleman, to die in such circumstances - it left an awful lot of shock over the bank holiday weekend when the news broke first that he was seriously injured, and then he unfortunately passed away on Sunday afternoon. People were very shocked, added Cllr Barry. Condolences and sympathies have come in from far and wide for the trade unionist who played a key role in negotiating a fair deal for workers at Waterford Crystal. A former colleague at British Midland ATGWU, said: I met Pat in 2001 when he was a convener in Waterford Crystal and I was a shop steward in British Midland. The WC committee had invited us to meet to discuss our strike in Dublin Airport after which they donated to our strike fund, in spite of their own ongoing struggles. Pat hosted us for the duration, gave great advice and was incredibly generous and supportive of our efforts. He also gave us a behind-the-scenes tour of the factory where we got a glimpse of the phenomenal talent and skill of the workers there. I still have the little gift I received on that visit and I still often refer to our association with our colleagues in Waterford Crystal, and specifically Pats kindness and hospitality. Our involvement was brief but made a lasting impression on me. Im so very sorry to hear he has died and offer my sincere sympathies to his family, friends and his Waterford Crystal tribe. Another friend wrote: Pat Fitzgerald, the union activist been a representative involved with the ATGWU and late Unite the Union, for a long time as one of the full-time trade union officials at Waterford Glass and late Waterford Crystal, holding the position of branch chairman and convenor has passed away. Over the past three decades up to the closure and the Waterford glass plant at Kilbarry and which saw the sacking by a receiver of hundreds of men and women, who had contributed greatly to the success that Waterford glass was, the late Pat Fitzgerald held the position of branch chairman of the old 11/64 branch. He was in that time a full time union convenor and prior would have been the blowing craft department union representative on the union branch of the ATGWU and late Unite the Union. I see where many tributes to him have appeared on social media and on the print media, since his death was announced publicly last evening. To his children, Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother, his grandchildren and family extended sincere sympathy. Ar dheis de go raibh a anam dilis. Friends of the family wrote: Our deepest sympathy to the extended Fitzgerald family on the passing of Pat. He was a person of principle, honour and integrity who was deeply committed to the trade union movement and represented the workforce of Waterford Crystal with distinction and he leaves behind a legacy that will endure forever. May Pat now rest in peace. On Friday gardai and emergency services responded to reports of the incident at a residential property in St Catherines Grange shortly after 2pm. Mr Fitzgerald, aged in his 70s, was discovered at the scene with injuries and in an unresponsive condition. He was transported to University Hospital Waterford for treatment and was pronounced dead on Sunday, August 3. A man in his 30s was arrested at the scene during the incident and subsequently detained at a garda station within the Waterford-Kilkenny Division under Section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act, 1984. He was later charged in relation to the investigation and appeared before Waterford District Court on Sunday, August 3. The local coroner and the Office of the State Pathologist were notified and a post mortem was carried out. A technical and forensic examination at the scene has been completed. A senior investigating officer (SIO) is leading the investigation and a family liaison officer (FLO) is providing support to the deceaseds family. An incident room has been established at Waterford Garda Station. Investigating gardai are appealing for witnesses. Anyone with information is asked to contact Waterford Garda Station 051 305 300 or the Garda Confidential Line 1800 666 111. Investigations are ongoing and further updates will follow, added a Garda spokesperson. The widower was predeceased by his wife Kathleen, his father Jack, brother Mark and nephew Luke. He is survived by his adult children Wayne, Joanne and Karl, his mother Maura, eight siblings, his four grandchildren, extended family, neighbours and friends. Wicklow father of six shares ordeal as end to long-term rental leaves family homeless Man may also lose job in local bakery due to having to move to emergency accommodation in another county Former Blessington resident Gunars Zakaritis and his six children sleeping in his van for the night. Eoin Mac Raghnaill Wicklow People Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 07:00 Having been unable to secure alternative housing after renting a home in west Wicklow for seven years, a family of eight is now facing homelessness and living in emergency accommodation in Wexford, despite pleading with Wicklow County Council to help them stay near their community in Blessington. 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, Wexford, pleaded guilty at Carlow Circuit Criminal Court to making threats to kill the woman on March 5, 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 where 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. Gda Fitzpatrick agreed that the couple had been in an on and off relationship for 12 years. He said that the woman later reported that 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 Carr by gardai. He suggested she had used a filter in the video. The woman also outlined a second assault when Carr had struck her in the back of the head and spat at her. Carr told gardai that this never happened. A number of the threatening messages were read out to the court in which Carr said he would have the woman dead and buried.and no 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 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 Carr to stop his behaviour but he had refused to, so she contacted 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. 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 me emotions get the better of me, he said. Counsel said her client is 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 Carr was willing to take part in courses for domestic violence or addiction and handed in letters of support from his family. Counsel said this was the first time 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 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. Funded by the Court Reporting Scheme I couldnt believe it Ed Sheeran pops into rural Wexford pub for a pint after his impromptu gig at the Fleadh Publican Eamonn Mernagh was stunned when the global superstar walked into Mernagh's Bar in Oylegate following his surprise Fleadh performance, spending 45 minutes chatting with locals over a pint of Guinness Ed Sheeran stopped by Mernagh's in Oylegate after his surprise appearance at the Fleadh in Wexford. Rachel Cahill Enniscorthy Guardian Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 16:14 Staff of Mernaghs Bar in Oylegate, Co Wexford, had heard news that Ed Sheeran was in the county for a surprise concert at the Fleadh, but they did not expect the superstar to walk through their doors soon afterwards. When 9-year-old Tymoffi (Tim) Sakhno arrived in Ireland with his family in early 2022, he carried little more than a few personal belongings and a heart full of questions. Like thousands of other Ukrainian children, Tim had been forced to flee his homeland as war shattered the rhythm of normal life. Now, just three years later, Tim is preparing to take the stage at the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil, the countrys most prestigious traditional music competitionan unlikely chapter in a story showing the power and warmth of Irish culture. Settling in Wexford after a long journey from Ukraine, Tim quickly found himself drawn to the vibrant local music scene. Though classically trained on the piano accordion back home, he had never encountered anything like the fast-paced reels and beautiful airs that flowed from local music sessions and school assemblies. Tims parents made the decision to purchase a piano accordion locally for him to pursue his musical interests. Thanks to a local music school, Wexford Trad Hub Carraig Ban and the music teachers there who spotted his talent, Tim was introduced to the the Irish style of playing piano accordion. Soon, he was attending weekly sessions at the local Carraig Ban Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann branch, where fellow young musicians welcomed him with open arms. When I first started playing Irish music I had difficulty understanding the rhythms Tim says. Ukrainian music is very different from Irish, I was afraid that I would fail and I was afraid to let the group down. I had to rehearse a lot. Now, when I am surrounded by people who help and support me, I am not so afraid to perform. I continue to practice. I really enjoy playing in the group. He was so interested, says Eve Maloney, Chairperson of the music school. He picked up ornamentation, music techniques, and the Irish tunes very fast. The children were all in awe of the musical pieces he learnt in Ukraine that he would often share with them. Everyone in Wexford Trad Hub admires Tims willingness to immerse himself in Irish culture and it was wonderful to see how quickly he gelled with everyone and to watch such great friendships through music develop. While still in touch with Ukrainian music traditions, Tim has found a second home in Irish music. He now performs regularly with a group of local children from Wexford Trad Hub and even shares his own impressive tunes from home with his friends. This years All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Wexford Town a town steeped in musical and historical heritage. Tim will be competing in the under-12 piano accordion category, representing both his adopted county and, in a way, the spirit of cultural resilience. The competition was a great achievement for me Tim explains. I have also become more confident and regularly expand my repertoire. His mother, Olena, often watches his rehearsals with quiet pride. Tim has been studying music at a music school in Ukraine online. Just him, a teacher, and a video camera. The war made its own adjustments to our lives. Tims parents began looking for an instrument and a group that he could play with locally. There were big difficulties with the language and then with understanding Irish music. A new group. New people. I was worried about him, but I was sure that he could handle it! Tim has immersed himself in the Irish music scene and loves playing with all the children he has made great friendships with. It is difficult for him, Olena goes on to say, but he is happy when he sees his achievements! We are very grateful to everyone who takes part in Tims life. Win or lose at the Fleadh, Tims journey is already an amazing achievement and a testament to how, in the right hands, music can build not just bridges, but entire new beginnings. Tim is scheduled to perform on August 9 in the Under-12 piano accordion competition and will be performing on the gig rig with Wexford Trad Hub this Thursday evening at 7.20pm. Patrick Kavanagh and Tom Soden of Wicklow Triathlon Club with coach Lisa Howley at the King of Greystones triathlon. Photo: Leigh Anderson Monster Sale The next Monster Sale will take place in Glenealy Village Hall (eircode A67 F858) on Sunday 7th September from 11am to 4pm. Items on sale on the day will include household furniture and bric-a-brac and lots more. Save this date in you diary. Card drive 45 card drive will be on every Thursday night at 8pm in Glenealy Village Hall. New players always welcome. Pilates Pilates is now on in Glenealy Village Hall every Tuesday night from 7.30pm to 8.30pm. For more information contact Zara on 087 9367474. Newtownmountkennedy Notes contact If you have news or an item to be added to the Newtownmountkennedy Notes, please email Ciara Martin Perks at ciaraperks87@gmail.com or call 087 6380155. Public Defibrillator The defibrillator is located at Henry & Rose and North Wicklow Medicial, Main Street, Newtownmountkennedy. In any emergency dial 999/112, dont assume somebody else has. Bingo Bingo is played at Newtownmountkennedy Community Centre every Friday. Doors open at 7pm, starts at 8pm. Summer Booklet Newtownmountkennedy Primary School 6th class pupils, some parents, members of CALI and Tidy Towns came together to create a Summer Booklet. The booklet provided loads of ideas for places to go and things to do in Newtown and surrounding areas. There are plenty of free and low cost suggestions as well as some big days out. Some businesses around the town have kindly allowed the school to place a picture of the booklet in their windows along with a QR code for people to scan to download the booklet. Keep an eye out around the town. Ciorcal Comhra Ciorcal Comhra is on every week in Newtownmountkennedy. Wednesday at 8pm in the Parkview Hotel reception and Saturday at 3pm in The Coffee Place. We periodically organise Pop Up Gaeltachts in Newtown, Bray and Greystones. We also have a library of Irish language books that members of our group can access.To find out more email us at: ciorcalcomhrantmk@gmail.com Roundwood Birdwatching walk East Wicklow Rivers Trust & Roundwood Tidy Towns Biodiversity Group invite you to join us for a Birdwatching Walk at the Vartry Reservoir on Wednesday 20th August at 7pm. This walk will explore the birdlife of the Vartry River and Reservoir. Birds likely to be encountered include Grey Heron, Little Grebe, Moorhen and maybe, if we are lucky, Kingfisher, Dipper and Grey Wagtail. Booking via Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/birdwatching-walk-at-the-vartry-reservoir-tickets-1477340227389?aff=oddtdtcreator Social Whist Next Whist will take place on Wednesday 6th August starting at 8pm in the Parish Hall. Come along and enjoy a night of cards with us. Card game 45 Card Game is played every Tuesday night in Moneystown Community Centre starting at 8pm. Teas served. All are welcome. Local notes If you have an item or news that you would like to include in the Roundwood Notes contact Margaret Bolger the email address is mgtbolger@gmail.com. Items for the notes must be emailed by Sunday night to be in time for paper. An aerial view of the wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border, southern France (Securite Civile via AP) France's biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly on Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. About 2,000 firefighters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries. Europe For all the fuss and posturing at the White House, no progress was made on the Ukraine war From the sky, the torched ruins of once-bustling cities simmer into view as the back of a Jordanian military plane yawns open. The ground beneath Gaza is ash and ruin: the bottom of a firepit stretching out to the horizon. It is as if giants have torn through anything that once lived here: monstrous teeth have ripped chunks out of the few buildings that still teeter above ground. Everything else appears stamped underfoot. Israeli military chief opposes Gaza war expansion, raising pressure on Netanyahu Netanyahu plans to discuss Gaza strategy with ministers ThursdayDefense Minister Katz supports military chief's right to voice opinionsHamas videos of emaciated hostages spark global outrageMilitary chief warns troops could be trapped in GazaUS envoy Steve Witkoff suggests focus has turned to all or nothing deal for hostage release Desperate Palestinians rush to collect humanitarian aid air-dropped into Deir al-Balah in the central Gaza Strip. Photo: AP Alexander Cornwell and Nidal al-Mughrabi Reuters Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 16:45 Israel's military chief has pushed back against Benjamin Netanyahu's plans to seize areas of Gaza it doesn't already control, three Israeli officials said, as the prime minister faces increasing pressure over the war both at home and abroad. OceanGate boss ignored safety checks sub tragedy probe finds Key safety data had been falsified in a bid to improve the firms reputation Negligence of Titan tour operator chief contributed to implosion deaths report Patrick Whittle Associated Press Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 06:30 The Titan submersible disaster could have been prevented, the US Coast Guard said in a report yesterday, but OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush ignored safety warnings, design flaws and crucial oversight that may have resulted in criminal charges had he survived. The United States wants to put a nuclear reactor on the moon in the next ten years, according to a Nasa directive obtained by The Independent. The space agencys chief Sean Duffy has expedited the timeline to build the reactor, and wants it to have at least 100 kilowatts of power enough to run about 80 homes and be ready to launch by 2030. Vladimir Putin unlikely to agree to ceasefire in Ukraine despite Trump ultimatum US president has threatened sanctions if no deal is agreed Russian president Vladimir Putin. Photo: AP Arpan Rai and Jabed Ahmed UK Independent Wed 6 Aug 2025 at 06:30 Vladimir Putin is unlikely to bow to a sanctions ultimatum from US president Donald Trump that expires this Friday, sources close to the Kremlin have said. A young red-billed chough has successfully taken to the skies from a nest in the wild in Kent for the first time for more than two centuries, conservationists said. The successful fledging of the chick from a nest at Dover Castle comes just three years after the launch of a reintroduction programme led by Wildwood Trust, Kent Wildlife Trust and Paradise Park to restore the species into the region. Bold And The Beautiful August 6 Episode Spoilers Reveal Ridge Makes A Splashy Rescue!https://t.co/cNoO5PFpIG#BoldandtheBeautifulpic.twitter.com/6Igbi67fJT Bold And The Beautiful TV Show News (@BoldAndTheBeau1) August 6, 2025 Finn begins to doubt Graces story Bold And The Beautiful August 5 Episode Spoilers Reveal Nick's Proposal To Brooke & More!https://t.co/J9eqDJwFXB#BoldandtheBeautifulpic.twitter.com/MQX1yzrYTn Bold And The Beautiful TV Show News (@BoldAndTheBeau1) August 5, 2025 Brooke and Ridge clash in Italy The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers: Will Finn catch Grace in a lie and will Ridge reach the boat before its too late? ( Image credit : Brooke continue their emotional tug-of-war | Credit: X ) Nicks proposal plans trigger panic The Bold and the Beautiful spoilers: Will Finn catch Grace in a lie and will Ridge reach the boat before its too late? ( Image credit : Nicks proposal to Brooke | Credit: X ) For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. A dramatic episode ofaired on Wednesday, August 6, bringing major tension across continents. While Finn is rocked by a shocking revelation from Grace, Ridge finds himself entangled in emotional chaos overseas. As past choices begin to unravel, the episode hints at consequences that could change relationships forever.What started as suspicion is now turning into a full-blown investigation. Finn has grown increasingly unsure about Graces claims regarding Liams supposed brain tumor. Even though the $1 million treatment reportedly cured him, the story doesn't add up. Graces secrecy only deepens the mystery, especially when Finn discovers shes deleted Liams medical records. That single move raises major red flags, and Finn is convinced theres more to uncover. Is Grace hiding something even bigger?Meanwhile, in Italy, Ridge and Brooke continue their emotional tug-of-war. The tension between them remains high, largely due to Ridges engagement to Taylor. But things heat up when Ridge learns about Brookes kiss with Nick.Brooke, however, is quick to defend her choices, pointing out that Ridge already made his decision by staying with Taylor. The air is thick with unresolved feelings, and neither seems ready to back down.Nick isnt wasting any time. He has arrived in Italy with a ring in hand and is set on proposing to Brooke. But not everyone supports this plan. Eric warns Ridge to intervene and also advises Nick to reconsider. Despite the pressure, Nick stands firm.As Ridge rushes to stop the proposal, the clock is ticking. The setting? A boat carrying Brooke and Nick somewhere on the Mediterranean waters. Will Ridge reach them in time, or is it already too late?The tangled web of secrets and confrontations is only getting more complicated. The next move could change everything. D54 Son of Sardaar 2 Mrunal Thakur and Dhanush dating? pic.twitter.com/njjXzV2EP8 Dimple parody (@hayathidimple) August 5, 2025 Source confirms dating Instagram clues from Dhanushs sisters Their past relationships Nach Baliye 7 Mrunal ThakurDhanush romance buzz: Throwback to when she danced with her real-life partner on TV ( Image credit : Mrunal was once in a public relationship with writer Sharad Chandra Tripathi, and the duo had participated in the dance reality show Nach Baliye 7 in 2015. | Credit: Starplus/YT ) Mrunal ThakurDhanush romance buzz: Throwback to when she danced with her real-life partner on TV ( Image credit : Tripathis father even sent him a video message in which he disapproved of his choice to marry outside their community. | Credit: Starplus/YT ) Mrunal once said shes absolutely okay with long-distance For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Bollywood and Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. On July 10, Dhanush began shooting for his new film, tentatively titled, directed by Vignesh Raja, with a customary puja in Chennai, however, the female lead has not been officially announced yet. However, things took a turn when Dhanush attended the premiere ofin Mumbai on July 31. At the event, a video showing his interaction with actress Mrunal Thakur, the films lead, went viral and set social media buzzing with dating rumours.A report from News18 Showsha quoted a source saying, Yes, its true that they are dating. But its too new, and they've no plans of making their relationship official before the public or the media. At the same time, they're unfazed about going out and about and being spotted. Friends are truly rooting for them, as they're quite similar and compatible when it comes to their values, choices, and thoughts.Adding fuel to speculation, reports by ETimes revealed that Thakur recently followed Dhanushs two elder sisters, Dr. Karthika Karthik and Vimala Geetha, on Instagram, and the sisters followed her back. This move has led many to believe that the actor may have already introduced his rumored partner to his family circle.While neither Dhanush nor Mrunal has confirmed the rumours, attention has turned to their previous relationships. Mrunal was once in a public relationship with writer Sharad Chandra Tripathi, and the duo had participated in the dance reality showin 2015. Their journey on the show had an emotional start as both parents were against the relationship.Tripathis father even sent him a video message in which he disapproved of his choice to marry outside their community. Meanwhile, Thakurs father urged her to focus on her career rather than think about marriage. Her mother also expressed her wish for Mrunal to marry someone chosen by the family. The moment had left both Mrunal and Sharad visibly emotional. Despite their on-screen chemistry, the two broke up shortly after the show, and Mrunal has since chosen to keep her personal life private.Meanwhile, Dhanush and filmmaker Aishwarya Rajinikanth were officially granted a divorce by the Chennai Family Welfare Court on November 27, 2024, bringing their 18-year marriage to a close. pic.twitter.com/hAPu2aPp4n However, if the recent buzz about Dhanush and Mrunal dating holds any truth, the two might be navigating a long-distance relationship. Interestingly, in an earlier chat with YouTuber Ranveer Allahbadia, she reflected on her past and shared that she was absolutely okay with her long-distance partner being on a dating app. I think I am very different in this case, she had said.She added, I have been in a long-distance relationship where I was absolutely okay if my partner is on Bumble. I think I am very different in this case and it was very difficult for my boyfriend then to digest also. But its also needed. I am not able to travel to Europe all the way. The only thing I can offer at that point of time is emotional, verbal communication. Thats it, thats all I have. I was okay.With both actors having upcoming films in the pipeline, fans are now watching closely to see if the budding romance will be acknowledged publicly. OnlyFans is seeing a steady surge in popularity worldwide, with a growing number of both users and creators, and India is very much part of this trend. As a leading platform in the creator economy, it gives individuals the opportunity to earn by sharing content directly with their audience. Now, a groundbreaking psychological study by OnlyGuider, spanning 49 countries, offers fresh insight into what users are genuinely looking for on adult platforms like OnlyFans. According to the study, Indian users are turning to platforms like OnlyFans in search of more than just casual content; they are exploring their deeper fantasies, intimacy, quiet resistance and complex aspects of their identity. India's top searches on OnlyFans: What's catching everyone's eye? According to the recent data, Indian users are searching for a mix of everything on OnlyFans! From culturally familiar keywords like India and Asian to more specific categories such as Chubby, Milf, and Couple, the variety highlights the diversity in desires and fantasies. Interestingly, searches also include terms related to other Asian countries like Korea and Japan, as well as blonde, indicating an openness to explore beyond traditional cultural boundaries. This mix reflects how Indian users are both embracing their roots and expressing curiosity about global influences in their adult content consumption. Indian users are turning to platforms like OnlyFans in search of more | Credit: X | @JVCom Indian users are looking for Indian content on OnlyFans Even though it might appear to be normal in the adult content landscape, they provide insight into the Indian erotic mindset. As per the survey, India's topping the list of keyword searches highlights a clear trend: Indian users are primarily interested in exploring content that reflects their own culture and identity. "This isnt just about seeking Indian stuff; its about familiarity, language, aesthetics, and emotional connection. In a society where family, community, and identity are deeply rooted, a person must feel familiar in order to feel safe. Indian consumers arent fleeing their reality; theyre eroticising it," the report reads. On the other hand, the study also revealed that India's OnlyFans searches are about more than just sex; they are about self-worth, comfort, rebellion and hope. They are more about recovering the right to desire in one's own language, body and manner. Every male should do an online search before they go out and get married or a serious relationship with a woman. Now a days, almost all are on OnlyFans, most dont make it, but their pictures remain online. Next Gen Cycle (@NextGenCycle) August 5, 2025 What does it indicate about mental health? According to Aditya Sundarary, an Ahmedabad-based counselling psychologist, early exposure to Western pornography has contributed to a growing sense of inclusivity among Indian audiences, reports The Print. He explained that for years, desirability was framed through a Western lens, leading many to believe they had to conform to those beauty standards. However, the increasing presence of Indian-centric content is beginning to challenge that narrative and, in many cases, encouraging people to embrace a broader and more culturally relevant definition of attractiveness. FAQs Q. Why is India leading the keyword searches on OnlyFans? India topping the list of search terms highlights a trend of introspection; Indian users are seeking content that reflects their own cultural and identity-based preferences before exploring other themes. Q. Is it legally permissible to post or access OnlyFans content in India? OnlyFans is accessible in India, and users can freely create accounts and explore free content. More than a decade after its initial broadcast, hit Korean drama My Love from the Star is once again dominating timelines, this time thanks to a viral rebirth on sites such as TikTok and Instagram. However, this increased interest coincides with problems surrounding its star actor, Kim Soo Hyun, who is currently entangled in a high-profile relationship affair with a minor. Despite the uproar, the 2013 fantasy-romance has now received over 14.5 billion views, cementing its status as a timeless masterpiece in Korean pop culture. Kim Soo Hyun's scandal. Credit: X My Love from the Star : A timeless love story finds new life online Originally released in 2013, My Love from the Star stars Kim Soo Hyun as Do Min-joon, an alien exiled on Earth for 400 years, and Jun Ji Hyun as Cheon Song-yi, a stylish and outspoken top actress. Their unearthly romance captivated audiences in Asia and elsewhere. Scenes from the drama have gone viral in 2025 on social media sites such as TikTok, YouTube Shorts, and Instagram Reels. Netizens are rediscovering the show's most memorable moments, from love lines to hilarious outbursts, and frequently referring to it as a pattern for modern K-drama romances. My Love from the Star. Credit: Prime Video Record-breaking from the start Back in 2013, the drama was already a sensation. My Love from the Star had over 14.5 billion views worldwide in just three months of telecast, a stunning achievement at the time. Its nationwide ratings peaked at 24%, solidifying its place in the golden age of Korean dramas. At the 2014 Baeksang Arts Awards, Jun Ji Hyun won the prestigious Daesang (Grand Prize) for television, while Kim Soo Hyun received a Best Actor nomination, both earning acclaim for their standout performances. Kim Soo Hyun's scandal overshadows legacy While the drama is gaining momentum, its star is embroiled in one of his career's most contentious issues. Kim Soo Hyun has been accused of dating the late actress Kim Sae Ron when she was a minor, purportedly when he was 27 and she was just 15. Though the actor has rejected all charges, the consequences have been serious. Kim Soo Hyun's scandal with Kim Sae Ron. Credit: X He allegedly lost around 26 endorsement deals, including a significant global contract with Prada, who dropped him and replaced him. The issue has harmed both his public image and professional standing, throwing doubt on his once-unquestionable status as one of Korea's most bankable stars. Jun Ji Hyun's steady reign The actress, on the other hand, has largely avoided scandal and remains one of South Korea's most admired actresses. She is most recognized for her elegance and selected filmography, and she will return to television in the upcoming drama Tempest, co-starring Kang Dong Won. Jun Ji Hyun in Tempest. Credit: X More about the My Love from the Star The viral re-release of My Love from the Star demonstrates the enduring appeal of well-executed romance, fantastical themes, and unmistakable chemistry. While the show is currently being re-aired under quite different conditions, its central story remains unchanged: a lonely alien and a misunderstood starlet fall in love against all obstacles. In 2025, the epic love story continues to captivate hearts around the world, demonstrating that, while reputations can fade, great storytelling lasts. For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. The Great Indian Kapil Show and its cast are known for their comic takes on everything trending and topical. This time, Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda took on the roles of the 45th and 47th U.S. President Donald Trump and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un. They portrayed these characters during an episode featuring Raghav Chadha and Parineeti Chopra, leaving not just the audience but also the guests in splits. The act included references to Trumps history of backtracking and more. Heres everything you need to know about the viral clip from Kapil Sharmas show. Krushna Abhishek and Kiku Sharda mock Donald Trump In a clip thats going viral, Krushna, playing Donald Trump, can be seen telling Raghav Chadha that if he becomes his guru, hell help resolve any future fights between him and Parineeti. When Kapil questions why he would do that when the couple isnt fighting, Kiku, playing Kim Jong Un, chimes in, saying that hell be the one to start the fight in the first place. He concludes with, Yehi iska main kaam hai (This is his main job), to initiate the fight and then resolve it himself. Watch the viral video here: Now the Kapil Sharma show is trolling Trump pic.twitter.com/30xZCTOIXS Sunanda Roy (@SaffronSunanda) August 5, 2025 Internet reacts to the viral clip from The Great Indian Kapil Show The internet, in simple words, found it hilarious. People commented that the show is pretty much playing with fire, but no matter what, its just too funny. One wrote, Krishna is better than @realDonaldTrump. Another added, Additional 20% tariffs on whoever laughs loudly. A third went on to add, Iska America jaana ban ho jaayega. ye donald kab reply dega pic.twitter.com/2bYYPKvEGR Goid (@IteratorInvoker) August 5, 2025 Fir Nobel peace prize mangta hai FunWorld (@SSG46874068) August 5, 2025 Additional 20% tariffs on whoever laughs loudly Bunny Prasanth (@bunnyprasanth) August 5, 2025 Krishna is better than @realDonaldTrump Nilesh dhande (@Nileshdhande10) August 5, 2025 Times when Donald Trump made headlines for his changed stance on global issues 1. UkraineRussia Trump initially favored Russia by pressing Ukraine for concessions and threatening to cut off U.S. military aid and intelligence sharing. However, after Putin showed no interest in cooperation, Trump reversed course, announcing new weapons for Ukraine and warning of stricter sanctions on Russia. 2. India Tariffs Trump imposed a 25% blanket tariff on Indian imports and criticized India's ties with Russia. Though he threatened to raise tariffs further, he frequently shifted between tough rhetoric and openness to negotiation, depending on Indias trade behavior. Donald Trump during a meeting | Credit: PoliticsVideoChannel 3. China Tariffs Trump escalated tariffs on Chinese goods up to 145%, only to later reduce them to 30% amid economic concerns raised by his advisors. He also introduced a temporary 90-day pause on global tariffs, while continuing to target China more aggressively, claiming strategic flexibility. 4. IsraelPalestine Trump once suggested removing Palestinians from Gaza but walked it back after global criticism. While he has recently called for a ceasefire, he has avoided pressuring Israel directly, offering mixed signals that reflect a transactional rather than unwavering stance on the U.S.-Israel alliance. Vir Das says Donald Trump changes the script every five seconds The frustration of having shot a great bit about trump and India that you now have to reshoot because bro keeps changing the script every five goddam seconds. Vir Das (@thevirdas) August 5, 2025 Taking to X, Vir Das mocked Trump and wrote , The frustration of having shot a great bit about Trump and India that you now have to reshoot because bro keeps changing the script every five goddam seconds. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Elon Musk, founder of xAI and known for his outspoken views on artificial intelligence, announced that the company will release the Grok 2 chatbot as open source next week. Musk made this announcement on X (formerly Twitter), stating: Its high time we open sourced Grok 2. Will make it happen next week. The move places xAI in direct contrast with industry peers who have been shifting toward more proprietary AI model strategies. OpenAI launches GPT-OSS models with limited access Musks announcement follows OpenAIs launch of two new AI reasoning modelsGPT-OSS-120b and GPT-OSS-20b. Though these models are being referred to as open-weight, they are not fully open source. OpenAI has made only the trained parameters (or weights) available, while keeping source code, training data, and development methodologies private. This reflects OpenAIs ongoing transition from a previously open-source model to a more commercially focused, closed system. The company now primarily offers its technologies via paid APIs, benefiting enterprise users and developers while retaining control of core model architecture. xAI reiterates commitment to transparency Unlike OpenAI, Musk and xAI are continuing with a more transparent model strategy. Musk clarified that xAI will continue to open source previous versions as new ones are developed. As we create the next version, we open source the prior version, as we did with Grok 1 when Grok 2 was released, he stated. This follows Musks earlier commitment made in October 2024, promising that Grok models would be shared openly. By sticking to this approach, xAI is positioning itself as a promoter of open innovation in a field thats becoming increasingly proprietary. Industry divides on open access The contrasting approaches of xAI and OpenAI represent a broader debate within the AI sector. OpenAIs CEO Sam Altman recently acknowledged that the company may have been on the wrong side of history regarding open source. This comment signals the internal conflicts faced by companies attempting to balance innovation with commercial interests. Elon Musk | Credit: X In contrast, xAIs open-source model could encourage collaboration and lower entry barriers for developers and researchers. It may also push the industry toward more accessible tools and increase the pace of AI advancement. Grok 2 release May set a new industry benchmark The open-sourcing of Grok 2 could influence how other companies shape their AI strategies. By making its model publicly available, xAI invites broader community involvement, potentially leading to faster iterations and wider applications. This openness may also help build trust in AI technologies at a time when transparency is a key concern for both developers and users. With Grok 2s open-source release, xAI challenges the current industry norm, reigniting the debate over transparency and innovation in AI. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. The 2025 Seoul International Drama Awards have released the official nominees for the International Competition Category, which recognizes the top achievements in global television drama. The nominations, which were announced on August 6, include 24 productions and 32 personalities from a variety of program and performance categories. This year's contestants were chosen from a very competitive field of 276 entries from 50 nations and regions. A group of international judges selected the finalists, who embody the varied voices, cultures, and creative visions that shape today's drama landscape, paving the way for an exciting awards season ahead. Korean nominees in the International Competition: Best Director Kim Won Seok When Life Gives You Tangerines Lee Jin Ah To My Lonely Sister When Life Gives You Tangerines. Credit: Netflix Best Screenwriter Soo Hugh Pachinko 2 Lim Sang Choon When Life Gives You Tangerines Best Actress Kim Da Mi Nine Puzzles Kim Jung Young O'PENing: My Trouble-Maker Mom Kim Min Ha Pachinko 2 Pachinko 2. Credit: Prime Video Best Miniseries Pachinko 2 Hyper Knife Best TV Movie To My Lonely Sister O'PENing: Our Beautiful Summer O'PENing: The Son O'PENing: Unbalanced Love To My Lonely Sister. Credit: X Best Series For Eagle Brothers When & Where to Watch The winners of the Seoul International Drama Awards 2025 will be revealed in September, prior to the official awards event on October 2 at 5:50 PM KST. The award ceremony will be televised by SBS and live-streamed on the Seoul International Drama Awards' official YouTube page. Seoul International Drama Awards 2025 Awards Ceremony: October 2, 2025 5:50 p.m. KST Yeouido KBS Hall Live on: SBS TV Streaming on: Seoul International Drama Awards official YouTube channel https://t.co/Gz4zWcifdC pic.twitter.com/u9VRhFd15f (@preferkaa) August 6, 2025 For all the latest K-drama, K-pop, and Hallyuwood updates, keep following our coverage here. Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, is a special celebration that honours the unique relationship shared between siblings. It's a day that symbolises love, care, protection, and a lifetime of memories. Whether its your biological brother or a cousin, childhood friend or someone who feels like family, Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025 is a perfect time to express your emotions through meaningful Rakhi wishes, messages, and quotes. When is Raksha Bandhan in 2025? In 2025, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on Saturday, 9 August. Families across the country and beyond will gather to perform rituals, share meals, and relive treasured memories. For those who live far from their siblings, sending a heartfelt Rakhi message or WhatsApp status can make all the difference in staying connected. Why is Rakhi So Special? A single Rakhi thread is more than just a decorative bandits a powerful symbol of the deep bond between a brother and sister. It represents promises of protection, laughter-filled childhoods, and unspoken support through lifes ups and downs. Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2025: Top 10 best places to enjoy with siblings in Delhi-NCR Even if youre separated by miles or time zones, your connection remains intact. This Raksha Bandhan 2025, send warm Rakhi wishes to your sibling and let them know youre always close at heart, no matter the distance. Top 30+ Rakhi Wishes, Messages & Quotes for Raksha Bandhan 2025 Here are some unique, heart-touching, and even funny Raksha Bandhan messages and status updates to share with your siblingwhether near or far. Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025: Credit: Pixabay Emotional & Loving Raksha Bandhan Messages Youve always been my shield, my strength, and my smile. Wishing you a heartfelt Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025 . . Life gave me a best friend wrapped as a sibling. Thank you for everything. Happy Rakhi, my forever partner-in-crime. I may not express it often, but your presence makes my world brighter. Happy Raksha Bandhan, dearest bhai. From holding my hand as a child to standing by me as an adult, youve always been my constant. Happy Rakhi 2025. Youre not just my brother/sisteryoure my safe place, my home. Wishing you love and happiness on Raksha Bandhan 2025. Happy Raksha Bandhan to the one whos been my strength through every stage of life. Wishing you a Happy Rakhi 2025 filled with joy, love, and treasured memories. filled with joy, love, and treasured memories. Youre my guardian, my guide, and my best friend. Happy Raksha Bandhan, bhai. Even though were miles apart, your presence is felt every day. Happy Rakhi, dear sister. This Rakhi, Im sending love that crosses every border. Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025. Also Read: Raksha Bandhan date & timings in USA Quotes for Long-Distance Siblings Miles apart but never heart apart. Our bond is stronger than any distance. Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025 , my sibling. , my sibling. Though I cant tie the Rakhi on your wrist, my blessings will reach you anyway. Sending love this Rakhi 2025 . . Our childhood may feel far away, but our memories keep me close to you. Happy Rakhi, from afar. We may not share the same roof today, but well always share the same heart. Happy Raksha Bandhan, bhaiya. No time zone, no distance, can reduce the love I hold for you. Wishing you a warm and happy Rakhi 2025. Distance can never weaken the bond we share. Happy Rakhi to my long-distance sibling. Our bond remains strongno matter the time or place. Happy Raksha Bandhan. Celebrating our connection across the miles. Happy Rakhi 2025! Though we cant celebrate together, my heart is always with you. Happy Rakshabandhan. Heres a virtual hug from me to you. Happy Rakhi, and hope we meet soon. Also Read: Raksha Bandhan 2025 date & timings in UAE Funny & Light-hearted Rakhi Wishes You still owe me chocolates and favours. Dont forget it! Happy Raksha Bandhan. I tied the Rakhi for your protectionnot to share my snacks! Happy Rakhi 2025. You're annoying, but you're my favourite pain. Happy Rakhi, troublemaker. Lets call a trucefor today only. Happy Rakshabandhan! Ill tolerate you for another yearwith love and a few eye-rolls. Happy Rakhi. Just a reminderIm your sibling, not your bank account. Still expecting a gift, though. Happy Raksha Bandhan! May your wallet be as full as your excuses this Rakhi! Happy Rakhi, and dont forget the envelope. Ill tie the Rakhi with love, but Ill still fight you for the remote. Happy Rakhi, troublemaker! Youre the only person who can drive me crazy and keep me sane. Happy Raksha Bandhanyou lucky sibling! You're proof that miracles exist... and sometimes test your patience! Happy Rakhi 2025, you nutcase! Also Read: Raksha Bandhan Mehndi Designs 2025 Rakhi WhatsApp Status Ideas to Celebrate the Day Want to update your WhatsApp status for Happy Rakhi 2025? Here are some ideas: A bond tied with love never breaks. Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025! No matter how far we go, our hearts remain connected. #HappyRakhi Celebrating memories, love, and sibling madness today. #RakhiVibes To the one whos been my secret keeper and biggest support. Happy Rakhi! Tying a thread, sending my heart. Happy Raksha Bandhan to all the long-distance siblings. Siblings: different faces, same soul. Celebrating us this Rakhi #HappyRakshaBandhan2025 A thread of love. A promise for life. A bond that distance can't break. #HappyRakhi Raksha Bandhan isn't just a traditionits a celebration of love that never fades. #RakhiWishes2025 May this Rakhi bring more reasons to smile and less to fight! #SiblingGoals #Rakhi2025 One day, one thread, and a lifetime of memories. Happy Raksha Bandhan to all the siblings celebrating from afar! Also Read: Best Rakhi colour as per your brother's zodiac sign Celebrate Rakhi 2025 Even If You're Miles Apart Living away from your sibling doesnt mean you cant celebrate Raksha Bandhan. Thanks to heartfelt Rakhi messages, thoughtful gifts, video calls, and social media status updates, you can still make the day memorable. This year, take the time to send a personal message, share a cherished memory, or even schedule a call. Let your sibling know that despite the distance, your bond remains strong. Make Rakhi Special with Words that Matter No matter where you are in the world, the essence of Raksha Bandhan 2025 lies in expressing love and appreciation. From heartfelt Rakhi wishes to funny WhatsApp statuses, words have the power to bring people closereven across oceans. So, this Rakhi, celebrate your sibling with messages that truly reflect your bond. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. LUSAKA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Chinese auto distributor TIM Motors has showcased its latest electric and fuel-efficient vehicles at Zambia's 97th Agriculture and Commercial Show, underscoring the growing presence of Chinese new energy vehicles in the southern African country. During the event held from July 30 to Aug. 4 in Lusaka, Zambia's capital, the company introduced two new models -- the MG ZS 11 and MG HS -- drawing significant interest from local visitors and industry stakeholders. Kante Song, sales manager at TIM Motors Zambia Limited, said the company, which has been supplying trucks to the Zambian market since 2009, is now expanding into the passenger vehicle segment to meet shifting consumer demands. "This is just the beginning. We plan to introduce more models in the future," Song told Xinhua, adding that the company is currently constructing a showroom and will provide not only spare parts but also full vehicle servicing throughout the lifespan of each vehicle sold. Clifford Simbao, sales and marketing manager at the company, echoed this view, noting that the new models come equipped with top-of-the-line features, including speed limiters, and are engineered for Zambia's road and terrain conditions. He also emphasized the vehicles' eco-friendly design and fuel efficiency, describing them as well-suited to the needs of the Zambian market. Delhi NCR residents now have more convenient air travel options, thanks to the expansion of direct flights from Ghaziabads Hindon Airport. IndiGo has launched operations to nine key citiesMumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Goa, Indore, Kolkata, Ahmedabad, Patna, and Varanasistarting from July 2025. With nearly 70 weekly departures, Hindon has become a vital secondary air hub for the National Capital Region, particularly benefiting travellers from Ghaziabad, Noida, eastern and central Delhi, and western Uttar Pradesh. The initiative aims to ease passenger load at Delhis IGI Airport while providing faster, closer access to major destinations. Flights to cities like Mumbai, Bengaluru, Patna, Varanasi, and Kolkata operate daily, while routes to Goa run six times a week. The terminal has been upgraded to handle up to 500 passengers per hour, with improved ground staff and baggage systems to accommodate growing demand. This expansion under the UDAN scheme is part of Indias broader plan to connect smaller cities and promote regional connectivity. Hindons success story is seen as a model for future developments under UDAN 2.0, which aims to link 120 new destinations by 2035. The move not only saves time but also provides a cost-effective and hassle-free option for flyers in and around Delhi NCR. Independence Day 2025: India will celebrate its 79th Independence Day on 15th August 2025. This day holds a special place in every Indian's heart. It reminds us of the bravery and sacrifices made by our freedom fighters to make India free from British rule. Independence Day is not just a national holiday; it is a proud moment for every citizen of India, especially for students and children who participate in school functions, speeches, and essay competitions. Short Essay on Independence Day 2025 (150 Words) Independence Day is celebrated every year on 15th August in India. On this day in 1947, India gained freedom from British rule after many years of struggle. Great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, Bhagat Singh, and Jawaharlal Nehru fought bravely for our freedom. This day is celebrated with great joy and pride all over the country. The Prime Minister of India hoists the national flag at the Red Fort and gives a speech. People sing patriotic songs, fly kites, and watch cultural programmes. Schools also organise flag hoisting, dance performances, and essay or speech competitions. Independence Day 2025 | Credit: Freepik Independence Day reminds us of the sacrifices made for our country. We must respect our freedom and work together to make India a better place. Jai Hind! Long Essay on Independence Day 2025 (300+ Words) Why Do We Celebrate Independence Day? Independence Day is celebrated on 15th August every year to remember the day when India became a free nation in 1947. Before that, India was ruled by the British for over 200 years. Our freedom did not come easilyit was earned through the struggles, protests, and sacrifices of many great leaders and countless brave citizens. Freedom Fighters Who Made Us Proud Several leaders played important roles in the Indian freedom movement. Mahatma Gandhi led the nation with his path of non-violence. Bhagat Singh sacrificed his life at a young age. Subhas Chandra Bose inspired people with his strong voice: Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom. Jawaharlal Nehru, who later became the first Prime Minister of India, also played a key role in the movement. How is Independence Day Celebrated? Independence Day is a national holiday in India. On this day: The Prime Minister hoists the national flag at the Red Fort, Delhi. The Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force take part in the grand parade. Cultural performances are organised in schools and colleges. Students take part in essay writing, speech competitions, and patriotic songs. Many people also watch the event live on TV or online. Importance of Independence Day for Students For students and kids, Independence Day is a time to learn about the history of our country and the value of freedom. It helps them understand the importance of unity, peace, and respect for the nation. Participating in school events and listening to Independence Day speeches makes them feel proud to be Indian. Independence Day 2025 Speech in English for Students (Easy and Short) Good morning to everyone present here. My name is [Your Name], and today I feel very proud to stand here and speak about Independence Day. We all know that India got freedom on 15th August 1947 after a long struggle. Our great leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Subhas Chandra Bose, and Bhagat Singh gave up everything to see India free. On this day, we remember their sacrifices and celebrate with joy. Our Prime Minister hoists the flag at the Red Fort, and we sing the national anthem. In our school, we also hoist the flag, perform dances, and speak about our country. Let us all promise to be good citizens, study hard, and make India proud. Thank you and Jai Hind! Interesting Facts About Indian Independence Day The first Prime Minister of India, Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru, gave his famous speech Tryst with Destiny on the night of 14th August 1947. The Indian flag has three colours: saffron for courage, white for peace, and green for growth, with the Ashoka Chakra in the middle. India shares its Independence Day (15th August) with South Korea and Bahrain. Inspiring Independence Day Quotes "Satyamev jayate"- Madan Mohan Malviya Sare Jahan Se Achha Hindustan Hamara Muhammad Iqbal Vande Mataram Bankim Chandra Chatterjee Unless India stands up to the world, no one will respect us. In this world, fear has no place. Only strength respects strength. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam "The shots that hit me are the last nails to the coffin of the British rule in India." - Lala Lajpat Rai "A nation's culture resides in the hearts and in the soul of its people." - Mahatma Gandhi Freedom of mind is the real freedom." - Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar "At the stroke of the midnight hour, when the world sleeps, India will awake to life and freedom." - Jawaharlal Nehru "If yet your blood does not rage, then it is water that flows in your veins. For what is the flush of youth, if it is not of service to the motherland." - Chandra Shekhar Azad Inqlaab Zindabad- Shaheed Bhagat Singh "We end today a period of ill fortune, and India discovers herself again." - Jawaharlal Nehru "The best road to progress is freedom's road." - Mahatma Gandhi Tum Muje Khoon Do, Mai Tumhe Azadi Dunga Subhash Chandra Bose What is the meaning of freedom? It is the right to enjoy the fruits of our labor, to shape our destiny, and to live our own lives in our way, according to our ideals. Subhas Chandra Bose "Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it." - Bal Gangadhar Tilak "In attaining our ideals, our means should be as pure as the end"- Dr Rajendra Prasad "Citizenship consists in the service of the country." - Jawaharlal Nehru Top Independence Day wishes and messages to share with loved ones Wishing every Indian a day filled with pride, unity, and gratitude for the freedom we enjoy. Yeh desh hai veer jawano ka Apne jawaano ki himmat aur balidaan par fakr hai. Jai Hind! Saluting the heroes who gave us the gift of freedom. Wishing everyone a proud and joyful Independence Day! As we celebrate another year of freedom of thoughts and beliefs, lets pledge to build a better and more understanding future, full of love and positivity. Happy Independence Day! Maa tujhe salaam Har saans mein desh ka pyaar, har dil mein tirange ka izzat. Jai Hind! Chak de! India Sirf cricket ya hockey nahi, har field mein India ka naam roshan karein. On this day, lets honour our heroes and promise to uphold the values they fought for. Lets celebrate the spirit of unity, peace, and freedom. Happy Independence Day 2025! Lets promise to respect the culture and heritage built and preserved after years of turmoil by our ancestors. Happy Independence Day! Happy Independence Day to alllets dream big and build a nation worthy of our freedom. Freedom is a gift, respect it and protect it. Happy Independence Day 2025! It is just because of the bravery of our forefathers that we are able to enjoy and taste freedom today. A big salute to them! Happy Independence Day. May our tricolor fly high with pride. Happy Independence Day! Independence Day slogans 2025 Freedom is our birthright Jai Hind, Jai Bharat Unity in diversity always Proud to be Indian Long live our freedom Salute to our heroes Nation first, always first Vande Mataram forever Honour our tricolour flag Together for a strong India Liberty, equality, fraternity forever Stand tall for freedom One nation, one pride Our flag, our honour Inquilab Zindabad always Peace, progress, prosperity Courage, sacrifice, freedom Keep the spirit alive Freedom unites our souls Tricolour, pride of India Independence Day 2025 is a chance for all of us to remember how lucky we are to be free. The freedom we enjoy today is the result of years of sacrifice and bravery. As students and future citizens, we must value our independence and do our best to make India a strong, united, and developed nation. Lets take a pledge to serve our country with honesty and love. Happy Independence Day 2025! Jai Hind! In a tragic incident, Kelley Mack, the popular actress from The Walking Dead, passed away at the age of 33; her family announced the news on Instagram on Tuesday. Mack, whose real name is Kelley Lynne Klebahn, died on August 2 after battling that rare form of cancer for a long time. According to the Daily Mail, the actress was diagnosed with glioma of the central nervous system, a very rare form of cancer. As per a statement shared by her family on CaringBridge, they said, "It is with indelible sadness that we are announcing the passing of our dear Kelley,' her family wrote in a post shared to her Instagram account. 'Such a bright, fervent light has transitioned to the beyond, where we all eventually must go." Her family further shared that she would be honoured at a celebration of life ceremony in Glendal, Ohio, on August 16. Kelley Mack played a prominent role as Addy on The Walking Dead's ninth season, which aired from 2018 to 2019. Kelley Mack mistook cancer symptoms for persistent lower back pain In a shocking discovery, Mack revealed her health issues in January on her Instagram. She first noticed symptoms of cancer as 'back pain' but was later diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in September 2024. No one saw this coming, as she looked fine when she flashed a thumbs-up from a hospital bed. Sharing the photo of the same, the actress wrote that she had suffered from 'persistent lower back pain' that she first assumed was a result of a 'slipped disc' problem. Can muscular pain lead to cancer? A lot of people end up believing that muscular pain can lead to cancer. But, understand that muscle pain is usually caused by overuse, strain, injury, poor posture, or medical conditions like fibromyalgia or viral infections. "It is not a symptom or cause of cancer in most cases, so dont panic or fret. Muscle pain doesnt mean cancer, so dont believe any posts that are unverified or forwarded on social media. While certain cancers, like bone or soft tissue tumours, can cause pain that tends to feel like a muscle ache, this is rare and usually accompanied by other signs such as swelling, lumps, or unexplained weight loss," says Dr. Anup Khatri, senior Consultant- Orthopaedics, Gleneagles Hospital, Parel, Mumbai. "If muscle pain is constant or severe, then it is imperative to consult a doctor to determine the underlying cause. It is better to follow the guidelines given by the expert and take utmost care of yourself," he adds. How did Kelly Mack discover that she had cancer? Following persistent suffering from low back pain, which was also accompanied by itching caused by nerve pain in the front of her right thigh, Mack then revealed that she was suffering from paralysing shooting pain in her legs and back too. The problem became so severe that she was forced to sleep in a recliner for a month, as lying down for her was too painful. Later, the Chicago Med actress wrote that an emergency MRI was conducted on her, which found an 'abnormal mass' on her spinal cord. This is when she revealed that she was diagnosed with diffuse midline glioma, a rare form of cancer that starts as tumours in the brain or spine, according to the National Cancer Institute. Kelley Mack mistook cancer symptoms for persistent lower back pain | Credit: Instagram | @itskelleymack What is midline glioma? According to the National Cancer Institute, a diffuse midline glioma (DMG), formerly called a diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), is an aggressive brain tumour that develops in the central areas of the brain, such as the brainstem, thalamus, and spinal cord. It primarily affects children and young adults, but it can also appear in adults. A hallmark of DMG is a mutation in the histone H3 gene (H3 K27M) that plays a major role in how the tumour forms and progresses. Warning signs of muscular pain and cancer People shouldnt become anxious, as muscular pain by itself does not cause cancer. According to Dr Utkarsh Ajgaonkar, Consultant - Surgical Oncology, TGH Oncolife Cancer Centre, "Many tend to suffer from muscular pain that can arise due to various factors such as physical activity, poor posture, or minor injuries, but there is no connection with cancer. So, understand that one cannot suffer from cancer just because of muscle pain or soreness. Only muscle pain cannot be the cause of cancer. Dont get stressed or depressed thinking that it can be cancer." "It will be imperative for you to consult the doctor and know what causes muscular pain. Warning signs for cancer are sudden weight loss, lumps, or fatigue. It is better to visit the expert instead of Googling your symptoms, which can further steal your peace of mind." How dangerous can glioma be to a person? As per the Mayo Clinic, glioma is a growth of cells that starts in the brain or the spinal cord. These cells in glioma look like healthy brain cells called glial cells, and they surround nerve cells and help them function. When the glioma grows, it forms a mass of cells called a tumour that can grow to press on brain or spinal cord tissue and cause symptoms that depend on which part of the brain or spinal cord is affected. However, there are many types of glioma, but not all are considered to be cancerous. Survival rate in midline glioma A report by PubMed suggests that the median survival time for the entire patient group was 33.3 months, with overall survival rates ranging from 92.9 per cent, 75.4 per cent, and 45.0 per cent at 1 year, 2 years, and 3 years, respectively. Symptoms of midline glioma, a rare type of cancer Signs and symptoms of the condition may vary depending on the tumour and can include double vision and more. Here are the symptoms below: A headache, particularly one that hurts the most in the morning. Nausea and vomiting. Confusion or a decline in brain function Memory loss. Personality changes or irritability. Vision problems Peripheral vision. Speech difficulties. Seizures, especially in someone who hasn't had seizures before. FAQs Q. Has anyone survived diffuse midline glioma? About 10 per cent of people survive at least 2 years after diagnosis, according to the Brain Tumour Charity. Q. What grade is a midline glioma? Diffuse midline gliomas are all grade 4 (also written as grade IV). U.S. health officials have issued a stark warning for travellers heading to China, after a surge in chikungunya virus cases hit Guangdong province. The CDC released a travel advisory on August 1 urging Americans to exercise enhanced precautions, marking the region a hotspot amid a global wave of infections. CDC issues urgent travel warning over chikungunya spread from China | Credit: x/SIKAOFFICIAL1 CDC sounds the alarm as China battles chikungunya surge Foshan, a major city in Guangdong, has recorded over 7,000 confirmed cases since June. Chinese authorities held an emergency conference last month to strategise prevention efforts and promised to release early warnings through all available platforms to curb the spread. CDC issues urgent travel warning over chikungunya spread from China | Credit: Freepik Global cases cross 240,000, where else is it spreading? The 2025 chikungunya outbreak is not limited to China. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, over 240,000 people across the globe have been infected, with 90 fatalities reported so far. Other nations battling active outbreaks include Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Chikungunya Outbreak in China's Guangdong Province: Over 7,000 cases of the Chikungunya virus, transmitted by daytime-active Aedes mosquitoes, have been reported. Foshan City is the most affected, prompting urgent government measures. Symptoms include fever, joint pain, muscle pic.twitter.com/r3XT9G8Eag MainEchoesofGovernance (@governance49853) August 5, 2025 Additionally, countries like Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, India, Pakistan, Philippines, Thailand and Nigeria are now being flagged as high-risk zones, even though official outbreaks have not yet been declared. What exactly is chikungunya? First identified in Tanzania in 1952, chikungunya is a mosquito-borne virus transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The disease shares several symptoms with dengue and Zika but can escalate more severely in vulnerable individuals. The World Health Organization estimates 5.6 billion people globally are at risk of contracting arboviral infections such as chikungunya, dengue and yellow fever. Symptoms that should not be ignored Health experts describe chikungunya symptoms as sudden and intense. The CDC outlines high fever, joint pain and swelling, muscle aches, headaches and skin rashes as the most common signs. Although most infections resolve within two to 12 days, some patients, particularly the elderly, newborns, and those with pre-existing health issuesmay experience life-threatening complications including cardiovascular or neurological distress. CDC issues urgent travel warning over chikungunya spread from China | Credit: Freepik Is there a cure or vaccine? Currently, there are no antiviral treatments available. Doctors usually prescribe medications to manage fever and joint pain. Two vaccines have been approved but are not yet widely accessible. A U.S. vaccine was paused in May due to adverse event reports. CDC issues urgent travel warning over chikungunya spread from China | Credit: x/1980Aktuell With no definitive cure and a rising death toll, prevention remains the most powerful defence. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China at the end of August to participate in the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Tianjin. The summit, scheduled for August 31 to September 1, will be Modis first visit to China since 2019. Before heading to China, Modi will make a stop in Japan on August 30 to attend the annual India-Japan Summit with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, according to sources. From there, he will travel to China to join other SCO member states in discussions at the regional summit. Modis first visit to China since 2019 This will be the Prime Ministers first visit to China in over five years. The SCO summit comes in the backdrop of growing regional complexities and geopolitical shifts. The last time Modi visited China was before the COVID-19 pandemic and before relations between the two countries saw significant strain. Tensions around terrorism discussion in SCO The visit follows a series of developments surrounding India's stance on terrorism within the SCO platform. In June this year, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the SCO Defence Ministers meeting in Qingdao, China. During that meeting, Singh refused to sign a proposed joint document, citing concerns that it would water down Indias position on terrorism. PM Narendra Modi will travel to Tianjin, China | Credit: X Sources said that the document, drafted under Chinas SCO chairmanship, deliberately omitted any reference to the Pahalgam terror attack, which had claimed 26 lives. India objected to the omission and the broader attempt to steer the conversation away from terrorism. Due to this divergence, no joint statement was issued at the Qingdao meeting. China and Pakistan, described by sources as close allies, were said to have pushed for the exclusion of terrorism references. Instead, the draft document reportedly included references to Balochistan, which Indian officials viewed as a veiled attempt to allege Indias involvement in internal unrest in Pakistan. India PM Modi to visit China on Aug 31 for SCO summit, Indian TV channels report https://t.co/VkQyPDrEqP Reuters Asia (@ReutersAsia) August 6, 2025 Modis visit comes amid broader global remarks The timing of the summit is also notable given recent comments by US President Donald Trump targeting BRICS nations. Trump criticised the BRICS grouping for purchasing oil from Russia and claimed the bloc was challenging the dominance of the US dollar. Although SCO and BRICS are separate entities, the sentiments underline the shifting global alignments and strategic partnerships that will be discussed during the summit. PM Modis visit to Tianjin for the SCO summit is not only his first trip to China since 2019 but also comes at a sensitive moment for Indias regional and global diplomacy. From disagreements over terrorism references in SCO documents to growing concerns about shifting power dynamics in global blocs, Modis engagements at the summit will be closely followed. To stay updated on the stories that are going viral follow Indiatimes Trending. In a major development, an Indian-origin CEO, Reshma Kewalramani, has made it to the world's 100 Most Powerful People in Business, alongside big names like Mark Zuckerberg, the chairperson of Meta, and Indian billionaire and businessman Mukesh Ambani. Although she might not be as popular as other figures like Sundar Pichai or Satya Nadella, Reshma has made a significant impact. The 52-year-old has made history by becoming the first woman to lead a biotechnology company in the US as its CEO. Let's take a closer look at her $100 million (Rs 830 crore) net worth. Reshma Kewalramani CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals| Credit: X | @VertexPharma Who is Reshma Kewalramani? Reshma Kewalramani is the CEO of Vertex Pharmaceuticals, a significant biotechnology company in the United States worth about USD 110 billion (Rs 9.13 lakh crore). The CEO has created history by becoming the first woman to lead such a huge biotech company in the US. In April 2020, Reshma, who was born in Mumbai, took this role as the CEO of the company. She was born in India but later moved to the US with her family when she was 11 years old. Reshma was not into business during the start of her career; she began her professional journey as a doctor, working at well-known hospitals, including: Massachusetts General Hospital Brigham and Womens Hospital Later, after a few years, she moved into the biopharma industry and took over important roles in research and development. Could be a major coincidence but the timing of the Zig and Zag of each stock seemed more than coincidental. Both are Boston Companies and the CEO of Vertex was even on the Board of Ginkgo Bioworks . Reshma Kewalramani is well regarded and respected in the Bio Community. Not many pic.twitter.com/a3KZ6NvCmq Jay Dilks (@DilksJay) August 4, 2025 Reshma Kewalramani's journey at Vertex In 2017, the businesswoman joined Vertex and became the Chief Medical Officer within one year. By 2020, she was made the company's CEO and also became a board member of the company. Since she took on the role of CEO, the company has received approval for five groundbreaking drugs targeting cystic fibrosis, a severe lung condition. These treatments have significantly enhanced the quality of life for thousands of patients. Reshma Kewalramani's journey at Vertex | Credit: X | @DoctorAjaySingh Inside Reshma Kewalramani's $100 million net worth According to Financial Express, as of mid-2025, Dr Kewalramani's net worth is estimated to be around $100 million (Rs 830 crore) and $103 million (Rs 854.9 crore). This includes her ownership of about 105,915 shares in Vertex, currently worth around $47.5 million (Rs 394.25 crore). Since 2021, she has also made approximately $53.6 million (Rs 444.88 crore) by selling company stock. In 2024 alone, her total compensation as CEO, including salary, bonuses, and stock options, was valued at $21.5 million (Rs 178.45 crore). FAQs Q. What is Reshma Kewalramani's estimated net worth? As of mid-2025, Reshma Kewalramani's net worth is estimated to be between $100 million and $103 million (approximately 830 crore to 854.9 crore) Q. What is Vertex Pharmaceuticals? Vertex is a global biotechnology company that invests in scientific innovation to create transformative medicines for people with serious diseases. In a moment that jolted the IT community, an image of a young Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) employee sleeping outside the companys Pune office went viral this week. The employee, Sourabh More, was spotted lying on the pavement beside a handwritten letter, alleging that he had been left without pay, and without a roof. TCS wakes up to viral protest as employee sleeps on salary delays | Credit: Freepik A viral wake-up call outside TCS pune The letter, placed beside him like a silent protest sign, stated that he had informed the HR team that he was out of money and would have no option but to live on the footpath outside the TCS campus. That image alone, a man from Indias largest IT firm resorting to sleeping on the street, triggered a wave of fury and heartbreak across social media. FITE speaks out, cites HR negligence The Forum of IT Employees (FITE) amplified the issue, identifying the man as Sourabh More and confirming that he had reported to TCSs Sahyadri Park campus in Pune on 29 July 2025. However, upon his return, he discovered that his employee ID had been deactivated and his salary had not been credited. #TCS pune employee protest outside TCS office in #hinjawadi Summary of the Letter (by Saurabh More): The employee reported back to the TCS Sahyadri Park, Pune office on 29th July 2025, but his ID is still inactive in TCS systems and he has not received his salary. In a meeting pic.twitter.com/QQqK6v1jPS Forum For IT Employees - FITE (@FITEMaharashtra) August 3, 2025 FITE stated that More had attended a meeting with the HR department on 30 July, where he explained his situation, but the problem was allegedly left unresolved. The group praised Mores courage for calling attention to his plight in such desperate conditions, while also encouraging employees in similar situations to seek formal help from the Labour Office. TCS responds, claims unauthorised absence Following mounting public pressure and media attention, TCS issued a formal response. The company described the issue as a case of unauthorised absence, asserting that internal procedures led to the suspension of Mores payroll. According to the official statement, now that the employee has returned and requested reinstatement, the company has provided him with temporary accommodation and is working with him to find a fair resolution. TCS stated it is actively supporting the employees case and handling it in a constructive manner, stressing that the matter is being addressed through proper internal channels. Sympathy, outrage and a systemic reckoning While TCSs explanation has sparked debate, the visual of an IT employee forced to sleep on concrete outside his workplace remains a powerful symbol. Whether this incident is a one-off or a symptom of something deeper, it has forced India Inc. to look inwards, and the world to take notice. Edward Coristine, better known within political circles as Big Balls, was the victim of a violent assault early Sunday morning near Dupont Circle in Washington, D.C. The 19-year-old, known for his key roles in the Trump administrations DOGE initiative to downsize government, was attacked by a group of approximately 10 juveniles, police confirmed. Donald Trump loyalist Big Balls brutally attacked by juveniles | Credit: x/ConservativeTht Rising conservative star Edward Coristine assaulted in DC attack The incident occurred around 3 a.m. as Coristine and his girlfriend were outside their vehicle. According to the police report, the suspects made threatening remarks about taking the vehicle before launching a group assault. Coristine managed to get the woman to safety before he was overwhelmed. Edward Coristine is a hero for trying to stop a group of low IQ violent thugs from attacking a woman. These violent low IQ people are a burden on society. We must show these criminals no mercy. Every single one of them needs to be locked up. No justice, no peace. @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/wSqcCKdvaU Adam Lowisz (@AdamLowisz) August 6, 2025 Two juveniles arrested amid violent carjacking attempt Officers apprehended two 15-year-olds as they attempted to flee the scene. A black iPhone 16, valued at $1,000, was reported stolen during the attack. Coristine was left bloodied, bruised, and visibly shaken in what is being called a brutal attempted carjacking. A fellow DOGE staffer, Marko Elez, captured a photo of Coristine after the attackshirtless and covered in bloodwhich was later posted by Donald Trump on his social media platform, igniting widespread outrage among conservative circles. Trump demands adult charges for juvenile offenders Reacting to the attack, Elon Musk shared his thoughts by reporting former President Donald Trump's note. Trump shared the graphic image of Coristine and called for urgent changes in legislation. He stated that the teens responsible should be prosecuted as adults, claiming such crimes could have been prevented had tougher laws been enforced earlier. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025 He described Coristine as an incredible young man and suggested that many others suffer needlessly due to the current juvenile justice system. Despite his young age, Coristine has already left his mark within multiple federal agencies. From reshaping the Department of Homeland Security to helping dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development, he played a major role in the DOGE movement. Now working at the Social Security Administration, Coristines rise in the government ranks has been anything but quiet. His political allies and opponents alike are watching closely as this incident continues to spark debate over violent youth crime, public safety in the capital, and what kind of justice is appropriate for juvenile offenders. Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 release schedule: Fans of Wednesday are eagerly awaiting the second half of Season 2, especially after the suspense-filled first part dropped on Netflix. The initial episodes delivered plenty of dark twists, supernatural drama, and major developments in the storylines, leaving viewers craving more. With new dangers surfacing at Nevermore Academy and Wednesday Addams facing deeper challenges, the upcoming episodes are expected to raise the stakes even further. As the mystery unfolds and tensions rise, many are curious to know when the next chapter will arrive. Here's a full breakdown of the Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 release timeline. 'WEDNESDAY' Season 2 Part 1 is now streaming on Netflix! pic.twitter.com/3fvFCfOoF1 Wednesday (@WednesdaysDaily) August 6, 2025 Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 release schedule Wednesday Season 2 Part 2 is officially set to premiere on September 3, according to Netflix. All four remaining episodes will drop on the same day: Episode 5: Let Me Woe You Again Episode 6: The Final Woe Down Part 1 Episode 7: The Final Woe Down Part 2 Episode 8: The Final Woe Down Part 3 Jenna Ortega as Wednesday Addams | Credit: Netflix What to expect from Wednesday Season 2 Part 2? The first half of Wednesday Season 2 introduced darker twists, rising dangers, and plenty of unanswered questions, setting the stage for an intense conclusion. Ending on a jaw-dropping cliffhanger that left fans wondering whether Wednesday Addams is actually dead, the suspense has only grown. With the final four episodes approaching, viewers can expect the tension to escalate, long-standing mysteries to unravel, and major secrets to finally come to light. The second part promises to deliver the answers fans have been waiting for, along with dramatic confrontations and high-stakes moments at Nevermore Academy. Cast members that will appear in the remaining episodes Returning Cast in Wednesday Season 2 Part 2: Jenna Ortega returns as the iconic Wednesday Addams Emma Myers reprises her role as Enid Sinclair Joy Sunday is back as Bianca Barclay Moosa Mostafa continues as Eugene Otinger Georgie Farmer returns as Ajax Petropolus Hunter Doohan reprises his role as Tyler Galpin Catherine Zeta-Jones appears again as Morticia Addams Luis Guzman returns as Gomez Addams Isaac Ordonez is back as Pugsley Addams Lady Gaga shoots for Wednesday Season 2 | Credit: Netflix New Faces Joining the Cast: Steve Buscemi in a mysterious new role Billie Piper joins as a new character Noah B. Taylor also comes on board in an undisclosed role Special Appearance: Lady Gaga - Plays a mysterious new teacher at Nevermore Academy. Also contributes an original song titled Dead Dance, featured in the series. For more news and updates from the world of OTT, and celebrities from Hollywood, keep reading Indiatimes Entertainment. Raksha Bandhan 2025 date in UAE: Raksha Bandhan, also referred to as the festival of Rakhi, is a special festival that celebrates the strong bond between brothers and sisters. It is observed every year during the month of Shravan, on the full moon day (Purnima). This beautiful day symbolises love, trust and protection. On this occasion, sisters tie a sacred thread known as a Rakhi on their brothers wrists, praying for their long life, good health, and success. In return, brothers promise to protect their sisters throughout their lives. This year in India, the full moon will begin on 8 August at 1:42 PM and end on 9 August at 1:24 PM. So, Raksha Bandhan will be celebrated on 9 August 2025. If you live in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Raksha Bandhan will also be celebrated on 9 August. The auspicious time to tie Rakhi in the UAE is from 5:51 AM to 11:54 AM. There is no shadow of Bhadra during this time, which means its a good period to perform the Rakhi ceremony peacefully. Bhadra, an inauspicious time, ends in the early morning, so Rakhi can be tied after that without worry. Auspicious Timings and Yogas on Raksha Bandhan 2025 According to the Hindu calendar (Panchang), it is considered religiously correct (shastriya) to tie Rakhi anytime from morning to evening on Saturday, 9 August. This year, several shubh yogas (auspicious periods) are also forming on Raksha Bandhan: Sarvartha Siddhi Yoga from 5:47 AM to 2:23 PM Saubhagya Yoga from morning of 9 August till 10 August Shobhan Yoga until 2:15 PM on 10 August If you prefer to tie the Rakhi during Brahma Muhurat (a highly sacred time), it will be from 4:22 AM to 5:04 AM. The Abhijeet Muhurat (another very auspicious time) will be between 12:17 PM and 12:53 PM. Happy Raksha Bandhan 2025 wishes, messages to share Happy Rakhi to the one who has stood by me like a rock through every phase of life. Sending you warm hugs and sweet memories. Happy Rakhi! Because of you, I laugh a little harder, cry a little less, and smile a lot more. Happy Rakhi! Thank you for all the times you fought for me, with me, and beside me. Happy Rakhi. No matter how far we are, youll always be close to my heart. Happy Rakhi! A sibling is the best gift my parents ever gave me. Happy Raksha Bandhan! Heres your yearly reminder that Im the better-looking sibling. Happy Rakhi. You annoy me, protect me, and love meHappy Raksha Bandhan to the most amazing brother. From annoying each other to having each other's back, that's the magic of siblings! Celebrating Rakshabandhan without you feels incompletebut our bond is forever. May this Raksha Bandhan bring you closer to your sibling and fill your hearts with joy and laughter! From childhood fights to lifelong supportyouve always been there. Happy Rakhi! To stay updated on the stories that are going viral, follow Indiatimes Trending. Intensive searches continue for Mrs. Michele Ann Joy Bourda, a 59-year-old British tourist who vanished from Ofrinio beach in Kavala on Friday afternoon. Despite extensive efforts by police and the Coast Guard on land and sea, the investigations have yet to yield results. A notable eyewitness account comes from a fitness trainer who reported seeing a woman resembling Mrs. Bourda swimming in deep waters. The trainer warned her not to go further, but she disappeared soon after. Her personal belongings were left on the sun lounger while her husband was asleep, raising concern over how she disappeared without a trace. The Central Port Authority of Kavala announced a halt to concentrated search and rescue operations, though sources connected to the investigation told The Sun that efforts may still continue, stating, We are giving our best. There is still no indication whether she went missing on land or at sea, and for now, there are no plans to end the search. Mrs. Bourda is reported to have been temporarily residing in Serres and possibly owns a home in the United Kingdom. A Silver Alert has been issued due to serious concerns for her safety. The case has drawn international media attention, with British outlets covering the mysterious disappearance. Authorities urge anyone with information to come forward. Family members have arrived in Greece and are anxiously following the investigations progress. iefimerida.gr Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has spoke with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis to coordinate efforts on strengthening Ukraine's air defenses and to advance a Greek proposal to help redevelop the key port of Odesa. In a post on the social media platform X, Mr.said the need to bolster air defense is very important especially now, as Russia is attacking Ukraine increasingly harshly. He also expressed support for the Greek prime ministers proposal to redevelop Ukraines port infrastructure and create new transport corridors in Southeastern Europe. We agreed that our teams will work on implementing this plan, Mr. Zelenskyy wrote. The Ukrainian president also mentioned a new joint initiative with NATO countries to procure U.S.-made weaponry. He concluded by thanking Greece and M. Mitsotakis for their decisive support for Ukraine and willingness to do more. iefimerida.gr Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has travelled to the United States to attend the wedding of his nephew and internationally acclaimed music artist, David Adeleke, popularly known as Davido. Davido had earlier confirmed that he and his wife, Chioma Avril Rowland, would be holding their white wedding in Miami, Florida, in August 2025. He made the announcement during an interview on The Breakfast Club radio show, which aired on Tuesday, April 8, 2025. Governor Adelekes trip was confirmed in a statement released on Tuesday by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed. The statement was issued in response to concerns raised by the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) regarding the governors whereabouts. Advertisement READ MORE: Even Without Fame, Id Still Do Music Davido Governor Adeleke left Nigeria for the United States via the familys private jet a few days ago for the wedding of the global music icon, his beloved nephew, David Adeleke, Rasheed said. He further extended an invitation to the opposition party, encouraging them to take part in the celebration. His Excellency is extending an invitation to the opposition party to attend the event and share in the joy of the occasion with the Adeleke family. Those unable to attend may join virtually, the statement added. Rasheed also clarified that since taking office in November 2022, Governor Adeleke has not embarked on any official vacation, noting that this particular trip is brief. Additionally, from the November 2022 date, the governor has not gone on official vacation. For this current trip, the Governor has again chosen to make it a short one to continually attend to crucial state functions, he stated. He also assured the public that governance in the state remains active, as the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi, is overseeing state matters in the governors absence. Meanwhile, the Governor is in constant communication with his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, who is supervising activities of the government, Rasheed concluded. Human rights activist Omoyele Sowore has rejected rotational presidency, saying Nigeria needs good governance, not regional power-sharing. He made this known on Tuesday, during an appearance on Sunrise Daily, a breakfast programme on Channels Television. Sowore argued that Nigerias development has been held back by the obsession with zoning and ethnic politics rather than focusing on competence. Advertisement If I have a good President in Nigeria, who can run this country very well, I dont care where he comes from, he said. That is what the majority of the Nigerian people are aspiring for. That is the idea of this federation that all the federating units should be able to have an opportunity, he added. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/adc-may-cause-political-earthquake-in-2027-primate-ayodele.html He stressed that every Nigerian, regardless of their region, should be allowed to contest and be judged by their ideas, not their tribe or religion. We should be looking for who can provide electricity, good education, healthcare, security, and jobs. Thats what matters. Not where your mother or father comes from, Sowore declared. The activist also described rotational presidency as a lazy and dishonest political arrangement that has failed to deliver meaningful change. Rotational presidency has not given us anything tangible. It only creates an illusion of fairness while maintaining a corrupt political structure, he said. Sowore urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to reject ethnic-based politics and focus on electing leaders with vision and integrity ahead of the 2027 elections. Nigeria doesnt need a northern or southern president. Nigeria needs a working president, he concluded. A 60-year-old Nigerian woman, Nkiru Chima, has been found dead with multiple stab wounds in her apartment in Romford, United Kingdom. According to a statement published on Tuesday via the UK Metropolitan Police website, officers were alerted around 7:00 p.m. on Sunday by the British Transport Police, who raised concerns about the welfare of a woman residing in Bushy Close, Romford. Responding to the call, officers arrived at the address where they discovered the lifeless body of Nkiru Chima bearing multiple stab wounds. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Advertisement READ MORE: Your View Host Morayo Brown Resigns From TVC After 12 Years The police said in the statement, Police are continuing enquiries following the death of a 60-year-old woman in Romford. On Sunday, 27 July, Met Police received a report from the British Transport Police at around 19:00hrs following concerns for the welfare of a woman at an address in Bushy Close, RM1. Officers located a woman at the address with multiple stab wounds; she was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. She has since been named as 60-year-old Nkiru Chima from Romford. Speaking on the ongoing investigation, Detective Chief Inspector Joanna Yorke of the Mets Specialist Crime Command confirmed that Chimas death is believed to be linked to the death of a 20-year-old man who died on the train tracks at Romford station that same evening. As our enquiries have progressed, we are confident that Nkirus tragic death is connected to the death of a 20-year-old man on the train tracks at Romford station earlier that evening. This man was known to Nkiru and British Transport Police continue to investigate his death, Yorke said. She thanked residents for their cooperation so far and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward. I would like to thank the local community for their support with this investigation so far. Our thoughts continue to remain with Nkirus family at this difficult time. Our officers will be continuing enquiries and we encourage anyone with any information to contact us. Anyone with information is asked to call 101 or contact X @METCC and quote CAD6914/27JUL, she added. A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Alwan Hassan, has stated that Northern Nigerias major challenge is not infrastructure but ethnic and religious disunity. Speaking on Politics Today on Wednesday, Alwan Hassan dismissed claims of tension between the federal government and the North. He blamed the narrative on the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and some opposition figures. Advertisement This group of people, the ACF, the opposition we have tackled them before under the late President Muhammadu Buhari, and we will still do it this time, he said. READ MORE:https://www.informationng.com/2025/08/zamfara-lawmaker-renovates-80-cemeteries-as-constituency-project-says-keeping-them-in-good-condition-prevents-disasters-calamities.html Hassan emphasised that unity should be the regions focus, not infrastructure. Infrastructure is not the problem of the North. We dont need infrastructure from the federal government. What we need is unity, he declared. He pointed out issues of marginalization across northern states due to ethnic and religious divides, stating: An Idoma man cannot become governor of Benue State. A Muslim in Plateau State cannot become Speaker of the State House of Assembly. A Christian minority in Borno State cannot be governor. These are our problems religion and tribe. Hassan argued that, Let there be one religion and one tribe, and that should be the Northern Nigeria, suggesting that unity would unlock the regions full economic potential. He further noted, We have 424 local governments, each with economic potential. We own the land in Nigeria fertile, versatile. Let the federal government come to us and partner on that. A tragic road accident claimed the lives of 22 people in the early hours of Tuesday along the Lambata-Lapai Road in Niger State. The crash occurred around 3:40 a.m. near Tufa village, when an overloaded trailer transporting both passengers and goods from Kano to Lagos lost control and crashed. Out of the 42 individuals on board, 22 died at the scene while the remaining 20 sustained varying degrees of injuries and were quickly taken to the Federal Medical Centre in Lambata for treatment. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Arrest Four Over Missing Newborn In Ekiti Health Centre Confirming the incident, the Niger State Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Aisha Saadu, described the accident as devastating. She said, The accident happened at about 3:40 a.m. when a heavily loaded lorry transporting passengers and goods from Kano to Lagos lost control and veered off the road. The vehicle was carrying 42 males and cargo when it crashed. Twenty-two individuals were confirmed dead on the spot, while the 20 injured were rushed to the Federal Medical Centre in Lambatta. An eyewitness, Musa Abdullahi, who spoke to PUNCH Online, recounted how villagers raced to the scene moments after the crash. The trailer was overspeeding and was overloaded with foodstuff and other items. Villagers immediately rushed to the scene when it crashed. Bodies were mangled. It was a gory sight, he said. The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested four individuals, including two sisters for staging a fake kidnapping in a bid to extort N5 million from their father. In a statement released on Tuesday, the FCT Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, disclosed that the case began when a resident of Jikwoyi Phase II, Mr. Innocent, reported that his 16-year-old daughter, Lead Way Innocent, had gone missing. According to him, she left home on July 18, 2025, claiming she was heading to Government Secondary School, Karu, to sit for an examination. Shortly afterward, he received a call from unknown persons demanding a ransom of N5 million for her release. Advertisement READ MORE: Police Arrest Four Over Missing Newborn In Ekiti Health Centre Upon receipt of the report, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jikwoyi Division immediately launched a discreet investigation, the statement said. Through coordinated intelligence gathering and digital tracking, the phone number used to contact the complainant was traced to a residence in Jikwoyi Phase II. Police operatives then raided the identified address and discovered Lead Way Innocent in the company of one Mrs. Tina Mayowa, the wife of Mr. Mayowa Adedeji. Both individuals were seen eating and conversing freely, indicating no signs of distress. The investigation soon widened, leading to the arrest of Lead Ways older sister, Joy Innocent, and her boyfriend, Mayowa Adedeji. Findings revealed that Joy conspired with her boyfriend, who is legally married to Mrs. Tina Mayowa, to stage the kidnapping of her younger sister, Lead Way Innocent, in a calculated attempt to defraud their father of N5 million, the statement added. Further revelations confirmed that Lead Way was not a victim, but an active participant in the plot. It was further uncovered that Lead Way Innocent was not only aware of the plan but was an active participant. She willingly stayed with the suspects throughout the period of her alleged abduction, while Joy remained at home and feigned ignorance, watching her parents anguish and emotional distress as they struggled to raise money for the supposed ransom, police said. Condemning the act, FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ajao Adewale, described the incident as a betrayal and manipulation, particularly one perpetrated within the family. He urged parents to pay close attention to their childrens emotional wellbeing and behavioural patterns, and to encourage regular, honest communication at home. The police confirmed that all four suspects are in custody and have voluntarily confessed to the crime. They will be arraigned in court once investigations are concluded. The command also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity in their environment. Nigerian social media activist Martins Otse, known as VeryDarkMan, on Tuesday led a peaceful walk in Awka, Anambra State, to protest the recent killing of young businessman Martins Onyekere, CEO of Fish Magnet. The protest, aimed at drawing attention to insecurity in the state, began at Aroma Junction and moved to Ring Road Junction, where the late entrepreneur had his office. Thousands of youths dressed in black joined the activist in the march. Prior to the event, the Anambra State Police Command had warned VeryDarkMan against inciting unrest. Advertisement READ MORE: Challenges In Cinema Are Forcing Nollywoods Shift To Digital Platforms Deyemi Okanlawon A statement by the Commands spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said: The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu has issued a stern warning to social media influencer Mr Martins Vincent Otse popularly known as VeryDarkMan. He cautioned him against making statements or taking actions capable of inciting tension or breaching public peace within the State. The police also urged the activist to allow the family of the deceased to mourn in peace. The statement continued: CP Orutugu urged residents and visitors alike to go about their lawful duties without fear, reaffirming the Commands commitment to maintaining law and order. He further advised social media users and public figures to exercise restraint and avoid spreading misinformation or making inciting remarks. Despite the warning, the protest went ahead peacefully. It was joined by SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Media, Mr Ejimofor Opara, and other government representatives. Abstract artist Mavis Pusey on campus at PAFA, where she taught screenprinting for years in the late 1970s. Read more When artist Mavis Pusey died in 2019 at 90, she was living at the home of her caregiver in rural Virginia. Her bold, singular artworks, which had once graced the walls of museums, were sold off in bankruptcy proceedings; her name largely forgotten by the art world that had spotlighted her decades earlier. Pusey moved to New York from Jamaica to pursue fashion in 1958, but stumbled into a painting class. As a rare Black woman creating abstract art, Pusey earned illustrious credits, selling a print to the Museum of Modern Art in 1968, appearing in the Whitneys 1971 exhibition Contemporary Black Artists in America, and landing teaching positions at Rutgers University and the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Advertisement But the art worlds recognition soon evaporated, along with Puseys funds. While her peers received attention from major institutions, her work was consistently overlooked and marginalized. In 1988 she left New York for a quiet life teaching art in Virginia and seemed to fall off the map entirely. Today, a posthumous renaissance of her works is underway, earning international acclaim, from the Centre Pompidou in Paris to the 2024 Whitney Biennial. Her first solo museum show, Mavis Pusey: Mobile Images recently opened at the Institute for Contemporary Art at the University of Pennsylvania and over the next two years, it will travel from West Philly to Los Angeles Hammer Museum and the Studio Museum in Harlem, which is a co-organizer of the exhibition. Its the kind of attention that curators say is long overdue. As was true for so many women artists who were active at that time, and Black women abstract artists in particular, Pusey was working in a field that was not completely open to her, said Thelma Golden, director and chief curator of the Studio Museum. What resulted is a story that is far too common: that of a truly groundbreaking artist who was years ahead of her time yet is only now fully acknowledged for her contributions, Golden said. In the final years of Puseys life, curators began looking more closely at her pioneering work with the hopes of correcting what they consider a historic injustice and an institutional failing, said Hallie Ringle, chief curator and interim director of the Institute for Contemporary Art. The wrongs that were done to [Pusey] are the reason that shes having a show here right now, said Ringle, who began a decade-long journey tracking down Puseys artwork while working for Golden in New York. It happens to be why we have to do the show right now, and that we dont already know her name why shes not Andy Warhol in our day to day, right? When she first started researching in 2015, Ringle was struck by Puseys originality and the way she used geometric shapes and vibrant colors to evoke construction sites, machinery, musical instruments, and dancers movements. I am inspired by the energy and the beat of the construction and demolition of these buildings, Pusey once wrote. The tempo and movement mold into a synthesis and, for me, become another aesthetic of abstraction. As Ringles curiosity deepened, she dug into public records to find the artist. She had heard that Pusey had died, but connected with Puseys social worker. That was around 2016, and the artist was then living with dementia in the home of her caregiver. And her paintings were nowhere to be seen. Seven years prior, Pusey filed for bankruptcy after incurring debt from years at an assisted-living facility. By 2011, the state of Virginia had repossessed and sold her collection of paintings, drawings, prints, and pastels what her lawyer said in court documents were the only items of personal property owned by the debtor. A small gallery just outside of Boston paid $15,000 for some 50 artworks, the highest offer out of three bids. The monumental painting Within Manhattan (1977), for example, which Pusey had once showcased in PAFA classrooms, was one of the masterpieces sold, along with several proofs. In the years since, museums and private collectors have acquired several of Puseys creations, often coming from Massachusetts art dealer Mark Brock. The state took everything, including all of her work, like all of her paintings, so she basically just had the clothes on her back, Ringle said. This is truly a terrible story. What we want for artists like Mavis is for this to never happen again right now. The bankruptcy offered an entry point for Ringle, who led the painstaking process of locating Puseys works after they traveled as far as Los Angeles and London. That meant countless phone calls and emails, deep dives on eBay, restarting her Facebook account, and maintaining hope for years on end that she would be able to find enough to constitute a significant show. The curator finally journeyed to Orange, Va., to meet the artist in 2018. They traveled the 90 miles northeast to Washington one cold day in February for Pusey to see her painting Recarte (1968) at the National Museum of African American History and Culture. To be honest, she couldnt talk very much, so it was really hard to get to know her, Ringle recalled. But you would say things like, Mavis, I love your art, and she would say, Oh, thank you, thank you. She was always very gracious, and just genuinely surprised that you liked her work, which was so sweet. That same year, a second trove of Puseys prints was found in a garage. No one knew this art existed, until it was discovered, said Hannah Hutman, the bankruptcy lawyer in Virginia who led the second proceeding. I believe it was discovered in the garage of her conservator, or of one of the individuals that had been appointed to help [Pusey] wind down her affairs. Hutman was authorized to sell the newly found works, nearly 40 in total, to pay off the remaining debt. Pusey died around the time that the auction went public, and thanks to a New York Times obituary, interest in her pieces skyrocketed, with 35 interested parties, including institutions like the Museum of Modern Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts, the Virginia Museum of Fine Art, and the Studio Museum. The Petrucci Family Foundation, based in Asbury, N.J., purchased the lot for $50,501 in 2019, which covered the remaining debt and administrative costs. About $11,000 remained for Puseys estate, which went to her daughter, Yvonne Palmer, in Toronto, who inherited Puseys copyright. Meanwhile, Ringle, who by then was the curator of contemporary art at the Birmingham Museum of Art in Alabama, pushed for a major acquisition of one of Puseys most well-known paintings, Dejygea (1970). The piece had been featured in the Whitney exhibit in 1971, and then last year, more than half a century later, it returned to the Whitney for that museums signature Biennial, leading the online art brokerage Artsy to name Pusey a breakout artist. Now in Philadelphia, Dejygea reunites with more than 80 works: paintings like Within Manhattan and Recarte alongside other treasures, like Puseys fashion designs, poetry, and letters. Ringle hopes that this increased visibility will help the world better understand and appreciate Puseys creative output across media. In addition to the exhibition, ICA will host a symposium on Pusey and Jamaican modernism this fall. Its the exact kind of moment Ringle wishes Pusey could have experienced herself. The curator sees the ways that Puseys work still resonates with audiences and she cant wait for more people to get to know the artist better. Weve just had an incredible number of people doing really good work and getting excited about Mavis, making sure that her legacy is cemented and in the canon, Ringle said. Like for better or worse, we hate the canon and we love the canon, and we just want Mavis to be in it. Mavis Pusey: Mobile Images continues through Dec. 7 at the Institute of Contemporary Art, 118 S. 36th Street, Philadelphia. Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. Admission: free. Information: icaphila.org or 215-898-5911. Artist Pete Coyle has launched a webcomic series about MOVE, 40 years after the devastating bombing. It's called 'MOVE vs. The System.' Read more For years, Philadelphia art teacher Peter Coyle has shared cartoons inspired by his life with his students. He often uploaded them online and gifted physical copies of his work to fellow teachers and friends. Now, the Southwest Philly native has focused his attention on MOVE, the Black anti-racist activist organization whose members lived in West Philadelphia, leading a back-to-nature lifestyle and shunning modern technology. Its clashes with neighbors and law enforcement led to the murder of a Philadelphia police officer in 1978 and then in 1985 the destruction through a police incendiary device of a MOVE rowhouse that resulted in the deaths of at least 11 members or their children, along with the destruction of 60 homes after fire spread through the block. Forty years on, after reading countless books, news articles, and academic papers about the organization and the ideology of founder John Africa, born Vincent Leaphart, Coyle is working on a new project. Advertisement Ive been living and breathing this research, Coyle said. Last month, he debuted a webcomic series, MOVE vs The System. Its biweekly episodes illustrate the organizations inception and philosophical underpinnings, clashes with local authorities, and the lead-up to the 1985 bombing. I still cant believe this is something that happened here, he said. Theres no getting around the fact that the 1985 bombing is one of the most horrible acts of violence perpetrated by the police and government in my lifetime. Coyle describes his style as simplistic, but its one he believes will bear the weight of the real and serious emotions and messages linked to MOVE. Theres a lot of journalism out there about MOVE. I want to take all those parts and put them into one story. And as a cartoonist, this is the way I can do that. Throughout the series, Coyles minimalistic drawings illustrate MOVEs extensive activism, its contentious and complex relationship with the police, and how outsiders discriminatory views and philosophical indifference warped the public image of the group. The first entry transports readers to the groups 1972 protest at the Philadelphia Zoo. The characters hold signs that read Animals Dont Have Lawyers, noting MOVEs disdain for animals being in captivity. The often profane dialogue between protestors and spectators leans on the convictions and frustrations shared by MOVE members, and the urgency many felt in the early years of the organizations fight for civil and animal rights. The juxtaposition of the simple sketches with the heavy history makes the series an accessible revisiting of the MOVE history. The challenge, Coyle said, was threading all the research, past news clippings, and accounts together for a singular narrative. I think its important to give a voice to MOVE members and the children who have grown up and been vocal about the abuse and the cult-like atmosphere, he said. I feel like thats a new part of the story thats just beginning to be told. Coyle intends to tell a full and complete story. When you look at whats being said and what the facts are, theres a lot of myth-making on both sides. By the end of the series, Coyle wants to clear up long-held misconceptions about MOVE and stop the further spread of misinformation. The decision to publish bite-size, biweekly episodes online was to make way for others to contribute to the project. Though Coyle is confident in his work and research, he is also open to shared dialogue and the exchange of verifiable information with past or current MOVE members. In time, he plans to transfer the online comic into a physical zine, allowing readers to ingest the full story as a whole. I want people who have first-hand experience to see this work before it goes to print, and to possibly correct me or give me their point of view, he said. Most of my research has been from print, and what people have written about, which isnt always accurate. I plan on putting the work out there as I do it, so people have a chance to respond to it. Coyle said he made this decision because he has seen the spread of inaccuracies about the organization. For example, a podcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation claimed that John Africa performed jazz alongside the likes of John Coltrane. After digging into decades-old documents, books, and archives, Coyle found out that neither John Africa nor Vincent Leaphart was a jazz musician who played with Coltrane. I didnt want to go into spreading more inaccuracy, Coyle said. I wanted to give people the opportunity to question what Im creating. The communal approach, he hopes, increases engagement, informs younger audiences, and answers questions held by people already aware of the organization. I hope that by telling it as a narrative, it brings in new people to the story, and helps people who think they know the story to look at it again, he said. Its been told through journalism, but telling it through narrative will reach a different group of people. Coyle said there is no end date for the comic series just yet. As plans evolve, he will continue to shed light on the organizations history and its connection to Philly, both then and now. To read MOVE vs The System, visit supertizer.org. Taylor Hospital and Crozer-Chester Medical Center closed earlier this year. Patients were being charged to access their medical records. Read more Former Crozer Health patients are expected to soon have free access to medical records following an agreement reached as part of Prospect Medical Holdings bankruptcy proceedings. The agreement, which has not been finalized, would remove all per-record fees ex-patients have been paying since early July, Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sundays office said in a statement. It was not immediately clear when the change would go into effect, but Sunday said former Crozer patients should hold off on requesting records in order to avoid paying fees once the agreement is put into action. Advertisement While our efforts to keep open Crozer facilities were unfortunately unsuccessful, we continue to advocate for impacted Pennsylvanians who are evaluating options for healthcare, Sunday said. Following the closures of Crozer Health facilities earlier this year, patients were temporarily able to obtain medical records generated at Crozer Health facilities free of charge, Delaware County Council said in a statement. But on July 9, former patients began encountering fees when requesting documents either $35 for emailed records, or $75 for records stored on a USB memory stick. Paper copies were not made available. In a letter to U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Stacey Jernigan last week, Delaware County Council denounced the fees, calling them a barrier for Delaware County residents that impacted senior citizens on fixed incomes in particular. Chester health commissioner Kristin Ball Motley filed a similar letter, noting that residents who face financial barriers wouldnt be able to obtain their records, and therefore could not make appointments with new healthcare providers. The Attorney Generals Office said in a statement that it likewise notified the court of the fees and cited state and federal law that governs charges for medical records, leading to the agreement this week. Delaware County Council and the county health department were not party to the agreement, officials said. Roughly 43,000 patients are expected to benefit. The fees could cost some families hundreds of dollars, depending on how many records they need, according to the Attorney Generals Office. These fees were outrageous and should never have existed, Delaware County Council chair Monica Taylor said in a statement. Our residents, especially our seniors, have already endured the loss of vital healthcare services. To then be forced to fight for access to their own medical records is unconscionable. Sundays office, meanwhile, noted that another announcement would be made when the agreement is finalized. Prospect Medical Holdings last month filed a motion to abandon Taylor Hospital and Delaware County Memorial Hospital, claiming that the properties are burdensome and of inconsequential value. Since then, an unnamed potential buyer has stepped forward for Taylor Hospital, while Upper Darby School District has agreed to buy Delaware County Memorial Hospital. Those deals, however, have not yet been finalized, and both properties could be abandoned if agreements are not reached, The Inquirer previously reported. The fates of the Prospect-owned Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Springfield Hospital remained unclear following a hearing earlier this week. This bag's laissez-faire attitude about what a hoagie is called is unacceptable in the Philadelphia region. I don't make the rules, I've just been schooled in them. Read more Shortly after moving to this area 18 years ago, I stopped into the Fresh Grocer in West Philly one day to grab lunch in between assignments. I went up to the sandwich counter, where some customers were waiting for their orders, and I politely requested a roast beef sub. Advertisement Or at least I thought I did. The reaction on the workers face behind the counter made me question if Id accidentally ordered human liver and fava beans for lunch instead. You want a what?!? Where you think youre at? the worker said incredulously, before turning to the half dozen or so people waiting for their orders around me and announcing: This lady just ordered a sub! A few people giggled, at least one gasped, and my face turned the shade of hot cherry pepper relish. We dont call it a sub round here! What do we call it? the employee asked the small crowd, like she was leading Eagles fans in a call-and-response. A hoagie! the people yelled. A what? she asked again. A hoagie! they repeated, while graciously sparing me the embarrassment of spelling the word out, letter by letter. Thats right, a hoagie, the worker said, and whether it actually happened or not, I remember the crowd applauding her. She then told me to go wait for my hoagie and said something about hoping I learned my lesson. I learned two lessons in quick succession about Philly that day that stuck with me. The first: Philadelphians will embarrass the hell out of you, if you give them cause, but its almost always to save you further embarrassment down the road. This is one of the key traits of the citys kind-but-not-necessarily-nice nature. And the second lesson I learned that day was to never use the word sub to refer to a hoagie again. So imagine my shock when I ordered a hoagie from a Delco shop recently and it came in a bag that had the word Submarine plastered in large, red letters upon it. What is this [trash]?!? my husband said as he gazed with horror upon the packaging. (Except he didnt use the word trash.) The subconscious In defense of my early use of the word sub, my first real job at 14 was as a hoagie maker at a shop called Cellinis Subs in the small central Pennsylvania town of Montoursville. There, everybody called sandwiches on oblong rolls subs. That being said, if somebody ordered a hoagie, I knew what they meant and I didnt go around chastising them like a Catholic nun teaching grade school in the 1950s. The job, which I held throughout high school, had its highs and lows. Before I could drive, my dad would pick me up from work in the middle of winter and insist on rolling all the car windows down, no matter how cold it was, because I smelled, mostly like BO and feet, but he occasionally threw other analogies in, too. One of my fathers jobs was obviously to teach me humility. I learned to make a mean hoagie at that little shop, as well as a pretty decent cheesesteak (for central Pa.), and I became very good at wrapping them, too. Even now, I find something oddly satisfying about neatly rewrapping a leftover hoagie. The things we learn early in life imprint upon us, and even after 18 years of trying to rid the word from my vocabulary, sometimes Ill still ask my husband, without hearing myself speak, if he wants to get subs for dinner. What? hell ask. Subs, I say. What? hell ask again. Subs, I say, until I realize my horrific mistake, shout, Oh my God. I mean hoagies! and ask him never to divulge what Ive said, as I am doing right now (my dark secrets are mine alone to share). Greasing the pain of existence Usually, we order hoagies from one shop near us in Delco and pizza and cheesesteaks from a different place. But the hoagie shop doesnt deliver, and one night my husband and I didnt feel like cooking or driving. So I ordered a roast beef hoagie for me and a cheesesteak for him from our local pizza shop. No, I am not going to tell you the name of the shop, for a variety of reasons, but mostly because I want to eat there again. Theres nothing wrong with the food its actually pretty great, even the hoagie I ordered which makes the use of this mind-boggling bag even more befuddling. The bag actually starts off at the top alright with: Whether its a Hoagie but things quickly nose-dive from there. Whether its a Hoagie a Sub or a Torpedo Sandwich Its the Best Tasting meal around, reads an unattributed quote on the bag, in which common nouns are unexpectedly turned into proper nouns like they were Eliza Doolittle or guest stars on Bridgerton. (And I hope this goes without saying, but whatever a Torpedo Sandwich is, it doesnt even belong in the same category as a hoagie.) In the center of the bag is a large illustration of a hoagie and above it, written in giant red letters twice the size of the rest of the font, it says: Submarine. First of all, this bags laissez-faire attitude is completely false and misleading. I cant believe it actually had a hoagie inside of it and wasnt just filled with hot air. Maybe it doesnt matter what a hoagie is called wherever these bag makers are from, but calling it anything else around here is akin to saying you love the Cowboys. Are there more pressing things in the world to be concerned about than culinary semantics? Absolutely, but being ridiculously petty about unimportant stuff to grease the pain of existence is an art form, and Philly is a true master of the craft. And when we get on a roll, oil bet you cant stop us, try as hard as you mayo. Completely superfluous Like the Atlanta Braves mascot Blooper, this bag is completely superfluous, totally antagonizing, and seemingly exists just to start a fight with Philly it cant finish. Ive thought about this way more than I should have and came up with several explanations/conspiracy theories for the use of this bag, absolutely none of which are based in reality: Images from surveillance video show a man suspected in a pattern of sexual assaults in and near Center City. Police on Wednesday arrested Dynel Walker of Somerton. Read more A Northeast Philadelphia man was arrested Wednesday after police said he committed a string of sexual assaults in Center City over the last month, attacking women as they walked or entered their homes. Dynel Walker, 37, of the 13000 block of Philmont Avenue in Somerton, was taken into custody in Montgomery County to face multiple counts of aggravated assault, indecent assault, and false imprisonment in connection with assaults on six women within three weeks in Center City and the Schuylkill section of South Philadelphia, police said. Advertisement Capt. Margo Alleyne-Parker of the Special Victims Unit said she believed Walker likely attacked additional women who had not yet come forward. Walkers arrest comes just days after police had asked for the publics help in identifying a man responsible for a rash of assaults, and whose behavior was escalating. An anonymous tipster then told police that Walker resembled the photo officials had released of the suspect. Detectives compared photos of Walker at the scene to footage recovered from two of the attacks, and earlier this week, she said, four of the victims positively identified Walker as the assailant. Walker was arrested outside of a Sams Club in Horsham, she said. When planning his attacks, she said, Walker would see women walking alone, then begin to follow them. The first victim, according to police, was walking her dog near 19th and Spruce Streets around 6:40 a.m. on July 18, when a man approached her. Good morning, beautiful, said the man, according to police. He then assaulted the woman and fled as she screamed. The next day, around 3:15 a.m., police said, a woman was entering her apartment near 21st and Delancey Streets when a man approached her and sexually assaulted her. She tried to fight back, police said, and he pushed her, causing her to injure her elbow and knee. The man fled as she screamed for help, police said. Two weeks later, on Aug. 2, a woman was walking on the 1600 block of Waverly Street at 8:15 a.m. when a man came up from behind and sexually assaulted her. The following day, a man matching the same description attacked another woman, this time on the 400 block of South 15th Street. The woman was walking down 15th Street around 1 a.m. when the man grabbed her from behind and assaulted her. The woman fought back and was able to escape, police said. Less than 12 hours later, police said the man again grabbed a woman from behind as she opened the door to her garage on the 2500 block of Webster Street around 12:30 p.m. She screamed and he fled, police said. All the women gave similar descriptions of their attacker, describing him as Black, close to or around 6 feet tall, with long dreadlocks or twists or braids, sometimes worn in a ponytail, said Alleyne-Parker. After police warned the public about the attacks, she said, a sixth victim came forward and said she was walking home from a bar around 2 a.m. on Aug. 3 when a man approached her and said, I want to touch you. He then pushed her against a car and sexually assaulted her, Alleyne-Parker said. The woman was able to escape and run to safety, she said. Court records show that Walker has been arrested multiple times over the last decade in Philadelphia and the surrounding suburbs, albeit for relatively low-level crimes. Between 2011 and 2016, he was in and out of jail in Philadelphia for charges including drug possession and improper use of a motor vehicle, according to the records. In Bucks County in 2021, he was convicted of disorderly conduct. And most recently, in Montgomery County in 2023, he pleaded guilty to identity theft and receiving stolen property, and was sentenced to five years probation. Computer-generated sketch of Carl Matthew Bryant (inset) and photograph of the 1972 crime scene in Virginia. Images provided by Fairfax County Police Department. Read more A 4-year-old Philadelphia boy whose unclothed body was discovered in a Virginia creek in 1972 has been identified, and police believe his mother and her then-boyfriend, a previously convicted murderer, were involved in the childs death. Carl Matthew Bryant was identified last month based on advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing, the Fairfax County Police Department in Virginia announced at a news conference on Monday. Advertisement Before getting their DNA match, detectives suspected that the boys mother was Vera Bryant, who died in 1980. Detectives learned from Bryants family in Philadelphia that she had a second son, James, who was born in January 1972, and who also disappeared that year. Police believe he was killed. Vera Bryant and James Hedgepeth, who was convicted of murder in 1962 and spent time in prison, took a trip in 1972 from Philadelphia to Virginia and met Hedgepeths family, police said. The couple did not have the two boys with them. When Vera Bryant visited her relatives for Thanksgiving in 1972, she claimed her boys were with Hedgepeths family in Virginia, police said. Based on the fact that the couple left with children and arrived without them, they never made a report of any kids being missing, we believe that both boys may have been murdered on June 13, 1972, between Pennsylvania and Virginia, Assistant Chief Brooke Wright said at the news conference. Hedgepeth is also dead now, but because of his violent criminal background, Wed like to talk to people who knew a little bit about him, Police Chief Kevin Davis said. Wright provided a timeline of events that led to the identification of Carl Bryant. On June 13, 1972, a boy was riding his bike home from school in the Lorton [Va.] area, and he saw a body below the bridge, the Old Colchester Bridge in Lorton, he raced home, told his mother, she called police, Wright said. The cause of the boys death was blunt-force trauma, and it was ruled a homicide. Police checked other jurisdictions for reports of young missing boys, but nothing matched. With no other promising leads, a local church group buried the unidentified boy at Coleman Cemetery in Alexandria, Va. The church group named the boy Charles Lee Charlet, police said. In the 2000s, the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children created a computer-generated sketch of the boy, but he continued to remain unidentified. Hair evidence was discovered in the case file and sent to the FBI for DNA analysis and entry into a national database. No matches were found. Years later, detectives working on the cold case sought to obtain better DNA, but the grave could not be located because of poor cemetery records and because of a severe storm in 2012 that displaced tombstones. Through genetic genealogy, detectives narrowed in on the Bryant family in Philadelphia and learned that Vera Bryant had a 4-year-old son who disappeared after leaving for a trip to Virginia in 1972. DNA was collected from relatives and the boys suspected father, along with birth certificates and historical records, police said. Vera Bryants body was exhumed from Greenmount Cemetery in the Feltonville section of Philadelphia to confirm her DNA link. The Fairfax County police thanked the Philadelphia Police Department, the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office, and the Philadelphia District Attorneys Office for assisting with the case. After several failed attempts, usable DNA was finally extracted from a portion of the mothers remains and a firm called Astrea Forensics on July 1 matched the DNA to the boy. During the 1972 autopsy of the boy, a detective in the case collected the hair sample that later became crucial to Carl Bryants identification decades later. Why the detective saved the hair remains a mystery. Police were not collecting evidence for DNA back then. Who knows why he did it, Chief Davis said, but thank God he did do it. The Eagles acquired cornerback Jakorian Bennett from the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for defensive tackle Thomas Booker on Tuesday. Heres what The Inquirers beat writers think of the move. Jeff Neiburg This is a pretty easy thumbs-up from me, simply from an asset management standpoint. The Eagles signed Booker to their practice squad after the Houston Texans released their 2022 fifth-round pick after one season. They continued to develop the young defensive tackle, and he carved out a rotational role on a Super Bowl winner last season. Advertisement But interior defensive line was a position at which the Eagles had a surplus, even after losing Milton Williams. They have one of the best players at his position, Jalen Carter, eating up a lot of snaps. Theres Jordan Davis ready for a bigger workload and Moro Ojomo itching to show how much hes improved. Gabe Hall has come on in camp, and the Eagles also used a fourth-round pick on Ty Robinson. All of that made Booker pretty expendable. So the Eagles moved a player theyve spent minimal resources on and who plays a position where they have depth and got back a player who can compete for a starting job at a position of need. Could it turn out to be a bad move, and could Bennett, who is coming off a shoulder surgery and apparently fell out of favor with the Raiders, end up not factoring into the competition at corner? Sure, but this exercise is an instant reaction, and its an instant thumbs-up from this view. Olivia Reiner From a positional standpoint alone, this move makes sense. The Eagles still are in the process of identifying the starting outside cornerback opposite Quinyon Mitchell. Kelee Ringo and Adoree Jackson have been contending for the role through the first two weeks of training camp, and while Vic Fangio said Monday that the competition is close, neither has emerged as the frontrunner. In Bennett, the Eagles have a cornerback who could push Ringo and Jackson for the role or at least serve as depth in a young corps. Cornerback is more of a pressing need than defensive tackle, especially with Davis and Ojomo stepping into bigger roles this season and depth players such as Robinson, Hall, and Byron Young coming along nicely in camp. READ MORE: Five things to know about new Eagles cornerback Jakorian Bennett, from Mighty Mouse to Maryland standout But can Bennett actually earn the starting gig? Im skeptical. Hes relatively undersized for the position at 5-foot-10, 200 pounds and is coming off shoulder surgery that ended his 2024 season. His coverage stats are solid, but his ability to finish as a tackler seems to be a work in progress. Its also somewhat interesting that the team that had the sixth-highest expected points added per pass allowed (.03) in the league last year was willing to part ways with Bennett, although the Raiders are starting anew under Pete Carroll. Ultimately, I think it makes sense to take a chance on a player with potential at a position of need, whether Bennett becomes the starter in Week 1 or not. Jalen Carter, a student at School of the Future, makes his presentation in front of families of participants in the Academy at Penn program at the end of July. Standing by the door is Rich Mitchell, executive director of Academy at Penn. The program just held its first summer session. Read more JaDore Hamilton-Thomas stood at a University of Pennsylvania lectern, looking out into a classroom full of his peers and the adults who supported them. In a four-week span, he had stretched as a student, said Hamilton-Thomas, a rising 10th grader at School of the Future in Parkside. He grew to love math, ignited a passion for coding, toured multiple college campuses, explored nature, and connected with young people from other parts of the city. He saw himself in new ways and in new places. Advertisement Im just grateful, this is unreal, Hamilton-Thomas said. Were just getting used to environments that weve never seen before. READ MORE: Two Philly high schools were chosen for an $8M project to get more kids college and career ready Hamilton-Thomas and 49 other students completed a summer program this year as part of the initial cohort of students at the brand-new Academy at Penn. The program is an $8 million project with a lofty goal: helping young people overcome obstacles that often keep first-generation college students and youth from economically disadvantaged families from achieving college and career success. Launched by the nonprofit Foundations Inc. in partnership with Penns Graduate School of Education, the academy promises intense, year-round academics, including summer and Saturday programs, social and emotional supports, possibility mentoring, and more. The first cohort includes students from two schools: Future, a citywide admissions school, and Furness High, a neighborhood school in South Philadelphia. The first touchpoint Rich Mitchell, the Academy at Penns executive director, spent the spring at Future and Furness, meeting families and students, recruiting the kids whod benefit most from the program. We find traditionally in education that the top kids and those that need specialized services are the students that get the most support, said Mitchell. Often the kids in the middle are the ones who get overlooked. The first Academy at Penn touchpoint was a six-week summer program, with students based on Penns campus and earning a $650 paycheck for their time. (They get paid $25 for each Saturday session they attend during the school year.) To build the summer program, staff looked at each students interests and their academic data. Each took two academic courses, taking into account their strengths and where they might need support. They also had a financial literacy course, career exposure they met a city judge, spent time with the Philadelphia Police information technology department and toured Penn, La Salle University, and Swarthmore College. Mitchell is a former district principal. From that lens, having the access to Penn-level resources and targeted supports, including a social worker and counselor shared between the two schools and an Academy at Penn elective class on kids rosters during the school year, is a game changer, he said. I dont know of anything in the country thats this comprehensive and holistic, said Mitchell. Were entrenched in the schools during the day. The level of exposure that theyre going to get is world-class. The program will evolve based on students interests and needs, officials said. Many Furness students are English language learners; some language support was available for them through the academy program, but staff found that language barriers made career exploration pieces difficult for some kids to access. Staff will work to address that going forward, they said. A 10 out of 10 On a sweltering late-July Friday, the 50 Academy at Penn kids invited family members to campus to show off what they had learned over the summer experience. Some students donned VR goggles, walking their classmates and loved ones through presentations, photos, and avatars, summing up their Academy at Penn time so far. I learned how to write better and give stronger opinions, one student said. I made friends with all kinds of different people, another said. We played an intense game of dodgeball against the teachers, another chimed in. Kayzan Badjiser, an Academy at Penn student from Furness High, said he was surprised to be chosen for the program. Badjiser, who likes working with his hands and solving problems, was excited by the ways he was challenged and the approaches staff took. We dont just get paper and do something in a classroom, said Badjiser. We have to express our ideas and work with others, building stuff. You do stuff out of the school environment. You have to have commitment, but its an awesome program. It wasnt always easy for Hamilton-Thomas to get to Penn he had to take two buses from his moms house in North Philadelphia every day. But it was important enough that one day, when a bus never showed up, he walked more than an hour to get to class. It was important, you know? he said. He loved that there were no fights, and that he learned environmental science, as well as physics. The paycheck was nice an incentive, especially for kids who would otherwise be expected to fill their summer with paying work but it was about more than the money, Hamilton-Thomas said. The Academy was a 10 out of 10, said Hamilton-Thomas. They gave us a lot of chances, and not many people get that. Dennis Bladen developed an aggressive blood cancer caused by HTLV-1. The cancer usually only develops after decades of having the virus, which affects an estimated 10 to 20 million people worldwide. Read more The quarter-sized lump on Dennis Bladens buttocks puzzled his doctors at the Veterans Affairs medical center in Wilmington. For six months, they considered one diagnosis after another: They tested the lump for fungi. It came up negative. They tried antibiotics and steroid creams. It didnt respond. Advertisement At one point, they thought it could be a cancer called Kaposi sarcoma, known for causing skin blotches. After ruling that out, they thought it could be lupus, an autoimmune disease. The lump kept growing bigger and uglier by the day, said Bladens wife, Joyce. By the end of 2023, it covered almost his entire right buttocks, and doctors still couldnt come up with a diagnosis. Ive had enough. I want answers, Joyce recalled thinking. Her 77-year-old husband was eventually transferred to Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Center City, where doctors screened for a little-known virus affecting fewer than 1% of people in the United States. His test came back positive. He had an aggressive cancer caused by human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1). Bladens oncologist at Jefferson, Pierluigi Porcu, estimates that Philadelphia-area hospitals see between 15 and 20 cases of the HTLV-1-associated cancer annually. Most patients dont survive longer than a year. We know that there are no great treatments for this cancer, Porcu said. HTLV-1 is an oncovirus, meaning a virus that can cause cancer. A better-known example of this is human papillomavirus, or HPV, which causes most cervical cancers. People with HTLV-1 will not experience symptoms for decades. About 1 in 20 develop an aggressive form of blood cancer. Patients usually dont know they have the virus up until this point, which allows the virus to spread unnoticed. Philadelphia is emerging as a hub for expertise on the virus, with an international conference for HTLV-1 and related viruses being held here next June. Its the first time in 23 years that the conference, launched in 1988, will be held in the United States. Efforts are underway locally to raise awareness, especially in the African and Caribbean communities most at risk. While theres no cure or treatment for the virus, doctors hope that getting people screened will give them a fighting chance of stopping the spread. A silent threat HTLV-1 is a retrovirus, meaning it can integrate its genetic material into a hosts DNA. If you think of your DNA as a stack of papers, the virus is an extra page snuck in between. Every time you go to copy that stack of pages, the virus is copied, too. Most of the time, people get HTLV-1 in infancy, when breastfed by an infected mother and their immune system is not yet strong. The virus can also be passed through sexual contact and shared needles. This virus is the closest cousin of HIV, said Pooja Jain, an HTLV-1 researcher at Drexel University, noting that both spread through body fluids and infect a type of white blood cell known as T cells. However, unlike HIV, which destroys T cells, HTLV-1 causes them to proliferate. The cancer develops when the virus takes control of an infected T cell and forces it to make clones of itself, multiplying uncontrollably. They kind of elbow out all the normal T cells, Porcu explained. Eventually, the clones transform into large cells that look like flowers. These flower cells are a hallmark of an aggressive cancer, adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATLL). The cancer usually only develops after decades of having the virus, which affects an estimated 10 to 20 million people worldwide and is endemic in Japan, sub-Saharan Africa, South America, and the Caribbean. HTLV-1 has been around for thousands of years although it was only discovered in 1979. More than 90% of people infected with the virus wont experience any symptoms or adverse health consequences. However, up to 10% do develop a disease, usually ATLL or a neurological condition called HTLV-1-associated myelopathy. In Philadelphia, Jefferson hematology and oncology specialist Sean Reilly has been working with the African Cultural Alliance of North America, a local nonprofit, to spread awareness of the virus among the areas African and Caribbean communities. So far, theyve hosted two information sessions and hope soon to provide testing using Jeffersons mobile screening van, starting either end of summer or the fall. If someone tests positive, doctors cant do much beyond monitoring them. But the knowledge could still help someone take precautions to stop the spread. A woman could avoid breastfeeding her child, for example. (Brazil, for instance, provides free infant formula to mothers with HTLV-1.) Stopping spread to an infant could then spare them this horrible, deadly cancer, Reilly said. No one knows how Bladen got the virus. He was adopted and never found out his heritage. As far as his family knows, he wasnt breastfed as a baby. Though he was born and raised in the United States, its possible he encountered the virus when he served abroad in the military for a few years in Asia. Regardless of how he got it, it must have been in his body for decades, silently multiplying. Fighting the cancer When Bladen was diagnosed, his cancer seemed to be contained to the skin. Usually, ATLL is more spread out. Bladen started radiation therapy in February 2024, followed by chemotherapy. When he finished treatment that August, doctors were hopeful. Everything looked great, and supposedly he was cancer-free, Joyce, his wife, said. In October, he went to Jefferson for a PET scan to see if he was in remission. His original lump was gone, but the cancer had spread to his lymph nodes, leg muscles, and multiple organs. It just ravaged his whole body, Joyce said. Doctors tried more chemotherapy, but it didnt work. Over the next few months, Bladen became weaker and thinner each day. In January, doctors transitioned him to hospice care. What we didnt know was how quickly it would happen, Porcu said. Bladen told his family and doctors that he wanted to die at home. So Joyce packed up his things and prepared a hospital bed for him at their house in Newark, Del. She thought he would have another month or two, but then he stopped eating and drinking. I realized he was slipping away from me, she said. Joyce slept beside him on a chair for four days. On the last day, she woke to him squeezing her hand. He smiled at her and then shut his eyes. On Jan. 17, Bladen died at age 78. Joyce wants her husband, who went by Skeeter, to be remembered for being a jokester who could get along with anyone. He would be the lively one at your family party. Everybody waited for Skeeter to get there because they knew it was going to be fun, she said. She was with Bladen for 50 years. She misses him most at dinnertime. We never missed a meal together, she said. Soon she will have to spend their wedding anniversary without him for the first time. Every year on Aug. 11 theyd celebrate by eating lobster tail. This year, shell continue that tradition with a friend. Patrons have been waiting in lines and coming from near and far to dine at Roy Rogers in Cherry Hill. Read more Hello, Cherry Hill! Excitement over Roy Rogers return is still sky-high, with the restaurant drawing diners in search of nostalgia. Also this week, the school district found arsenic in the soil at two of its construction sites, the township is installing new sidewalks, and a Mexican chain is expanding to Cherry Hill. Advertisement Its been a few months since we first launched this newsletter, and we want to hear from you. How are we doing? Tell us by taking our survey or emailing us at cherryhill@inquirer.com. If someone forwarded you this email, sign up for free here. Roy Rogers is back after nearly three decades. And six weeks after its return to South Jersey, the excitement for the new spot hasnt dimmed. Diners are waiting in long lines and going out of their way to visit the fast food chain on Haddonfield Road in Cherry Hill, all to get a taste of nostalgia. Cherry Hill resident Diane Polito hadnt been to a Roy Rogers since she was a child, but she was eager to bring her kids inside this week to get the full Fixins Bar experience. Another customer this week told The Inquirers Denali Sagner that they made a detour just to visit the spot. Read more about whats drawing visitors from near and far. Community News One Cherry Hill is now little more than rubble as the demolition of the office building makes way for a new 120,000-square-foot Dicks House of Sport next to the mall. The redevelopment comes at a time when many offices in the Cherry Hill area are sitting vacant. (Courier Post) Actor Gary Busey pleaded guilty last week to fourth-degree criminal sexual contact for inappropriately touching a woman at the Monster-Mania convention at the DoubleTree by Hilton Cherry Hill Philadelphia in August 2022. In exchange for Buseys guilty plea, prosecutors will dismiss three other counts of criminal sexual contact and one count of attempted criminal sexual contact. He is scheduled for sentencing in September and faces one to five years of probation and fines. The township has plans to install several sidewalks as part of a nearly $1.9 million project aimed at improving pedestrian safety. Plans call for adding a 5-foot-wide sidewalk from Kresson Road to Short Hills Drive this fall, a sidewalk on the east side of Haddonfield-Berlin Road from Evesham Road to South Mansfield Boulevard, and an extension of the sidewalk from Graham to Sherwood Avenues along Mercer Street. When complete, there will be a sidewalk along Mercer Street from Route 70 to Chapel Avenue. (70 and 73) Discounted shoe store pop-up, The Warehouse Sale, opens in Cherry Hill this week for a 10-day run. The roving retailer is setting up shop at 1590 Kings Highway North in the former home of Buy Buy Baby. The pop-up will run from Friday through next Sunday, Aug. 17 and will be open Fridays and Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 8 p.m., Sundays from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. and Tuesday through Thursday from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. It will be closed on Monday. Cherry Hill-raised musician Adam Weiner was back in the area last week when his band Low Cut Connie performed in King of Prussia, delivering a raucous rock and soul set, The Inquirers Dan DeLuca reports. The performance comes about a month after the band was replaced at a Wilkes-Barre festival for political reasons. Weiner didnt shy away from politics at his latest show, though. DeLuca has more on what Weiner had to say to fans about the current climate. The Rite Aid on Cooper Landing Road is closing on Aug. 24 as the pharmacy chain winds down operations as part of its bankruptcy. (Courier Post) The Cherry Hill Fire Department is hosting a child seat safety check event on Friday from 9 a.m. until noon at the Deer Park Station. At the drop-in event, technicians will inspect car seats for proper installation, check for recalls, and ensure your childs seat is the right size for their height and weight. The township is looking for volunteers to join upcoming trail clean-up efforts, including one this Saturday. Learn more and register here. Camden County will spray for mosquitos tomorrow on more than two dozens roads in Cherry Hill. Schools Briefing Soil samples collected last week from construction sites at Estelle V. Malberg Early Childhood Center and Joyce Kilmer Elementary School were found to have arsenic spot readings exceeding acceptable levels, the district announced. The contamination is believed to stem from the locations previous use as farmland, where fertilizer was used and stored. The district is working with engineers and the Department of Environmental Protection on remediation. Applications are now open for the Federal School Meal program for the upcoming academic year. On our Plate Two new Cherry Hill spots, Tacoria and Sushi Boss, are among the regions most anticipated restaurant openings this month. Sushi Boss has already opened, and Tacoria is planning a mid-August opening. Additionally, Cherry Hill native Mark Bucher is opening the ninth location of Medium Rare, his casual restaurant-bar that specializes in prix-fixe steak frites, The Inquirers Michael Klein reports. PHL17s Weekend Philler recently featured Mechanical Brewery on its program, checking in with owner James Griffin and head brewer and manager Rick Vickers. They discussed the brewerys 40 rotating taps, their inspiration, and more. Things to Do Cocomelon Skate Party: The party will have rainbow snow cones, a watermelon hop, coloring contest, and an appearance from a Cocomelon character. Thursday, Aug. 7, 1-4 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. $6 admission, plus $6 skate rental fee Hot Wheelz Teen/Tween Night: The Cherry Valley Swim Club is only open to kids ages 10 to 17 during this event, which includes pizza and drinks. Mr. Softee will also stop by, but ice cream isnt included in the entry fee. Thursday, Aug. 7, 6 p.m. $10 at the door Cherry Valley Swim Club Pop-Up Story Time in the Park: A Cherry Hill librarian will read to kids outdoors, weather permitting. Friday, Aug. 8, 10-10:30 a.m. Free Croft Farm Family Fun Night: Kids can enjoy open play time, an interactive bubble show, and sand art activities at this event that includes a pizza dinner. Friday, Aug. 8, 5:30 p.m. $30-$40 Wild Child Play Co. New Jersey Collectors Convention: G.I. Joe and Transformers action figures take center stage at this two-day event, where other vintage and current figures will also be available. Saturday, Aug. 9-Sunday, Aug. 10, 8 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Free Holiday Inn Philadelphia-Cherry Hill Pop-Up Book Fair: Browse a range of childrens books at this pop-up event. Wednesday, Aug. 13, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Pay as you go Penn Medicine Cherry Hill On the Market You dont need a passport to enjoy Mediterranean design thanks to this Northwoods homes design. The home features a front courtyard with numerous archways, including some on an enclosed terrace accessible from the bedrooms. Inside, the home has a two-story foyer with a chandelier, living, family, and dining rooms, and an updated kitchen with stainless steel appliances and granite countertops. There are four bedrooms on the second floor, including a primary suite with flex space, an updated bathroom, and access to the balcony. The home also has a fenced backyard and a two-car garage thats been converted into studio and storage space. There are open houses Saturday from noon until 2 p.m. and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Price: $600,000 | Size: 2,738 SF | Acreage: 0.21 Have you seen an interesting listing in or around Cherry Hill? Share it with us in an email to cherryhill@inquirer.com. We want to hear from you! See something were missing? Want to alert us about a community event? Take our survey or reach out to us at cherryhill@inquirer.com. By submitting your written, visual, and/or audio contributions, you agree to The Inquirers Terms of Use, including the grant of rights in Section 10. This suburban content is produced with support from the Leslie Miller and Richard Worley Foundation and The Lenfest Institute for Journalism. Editorial content is created independently of the project donors. Gifts to support The Inquirers high-impact journalism can be made at inquirer.com/donate. A list of Lenfest Institute donors can be found at lenfestinstitute.org/supporters. A new batch of arbitration decisions shows how Philadelphia police officers quietly return to the force, sometimes years after their highly publicized firings. Read more In March 2020, the Philadelphia Police Department announced that Officer Jesse Alvarez had been suspended for 30 days with the intent to dismiss after he was arrested for domestic violence. A woman had obtained a protection-from-abuse order against Alvarez and told Internal Affairs investigators that he had burned her with an iron, choked her, and put a gun to her head. He denied the allegations. Advertisement Alvarez later had the charges dismissed after he completed an intimate partner abuse diversionary program, and, in the words of the programs director, took accountability for his behavior. But when the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge No. 5 filed a grievance to have Alvarez reinstated, an arbitrator selected by the police union said he could not be sure of the definition of intimate partner abuse. It is not evident that [Alvarez] admitted, through completion of the program, to domestic assault, wrote arbitrator Walt De Treux, adding that the woman likely suffered from Alvarezs emotional abuse. Siding with the FOP, De Treux in November 2024 ordered that Alvarez be reinstated. He returned to the force. Unlike at the time of his firing, there was no news release. The outcome of Alvarezs case, along with those of seven other officers who had previously been suspended or fired, became public for the first time when the city posted the information online late last week. The Inquirer reported last month that the city had stopped publishing grievance arbitration decisions for the past 16 months. A city spokesperson said the delay was not intentional but was due to redaction errors and staffing limitations. The newly released decisions include five cases in which police officers were fired after allegations of assaulting or threatening women. Two arbitrators appointed by the FOP reinstated all five officers. While we are glad that the city published these decisions, the data is concerning, said Catherine Twigg, general counsel for the Citizens Police Oversight Commission, an agency created by City Council 2021. Despite the women bravely reporting the abuse, despite corroborating statements and even video in some cases, the arbitrators decided to reinstate the officers to the force, returning their badges and their guns, Twigg said Monday. In the Alvarez case, De Treuxs written decision focused extensively on inconsistencies in the womans testimony while spending one sentence acknowledging the officers own credibility issues. Alvarez was suspended for 25 days in 2017 for submitting fraudulent doctor notes during a departmental investigation. In another domestic-violence case, De Treux ordered that Officer Timothy Taylor be reinstated in April 2024 despite the citys argument that the body camera footage of the officers who responded to the scene is incredibly damaging to Taylor. Police in Bucks Countys Northampton Township responded to Taylors house in March 2022 after receiving an emergency call and hearing a woman screaming before hanging up. When officers arrived, Taylors wife said he had grabbed her head and neck and pinned her to the ground. A 9-year-old at the scene described Taylor as having slammed the woman, De Treux wrote. Taylor was charged with simple assault and related charges. His wife subsequently refused to cooperate in the case. Taylor pleaded to disorderly conduct, a summary offense. The city had urged De Treux to consider the bodycam footage in judging the credibility of the case. But the arbitrator was dismissive of the video, because then-Commissioner Danielle Outlaw had not reviewed the same evidence before she decided to fire Taylor. At the time of termination, De Treux wrote, the [Police] Department did not have sufficient proof that [Taylor] engaged in an act of domestic violence. De Treux declined to comment Tuesday on his rulings. The three other officers who were reinstated through arbitration last year are: Officer Andrew Humm, who allegedly pulled his gun on a woman in a 2021 road-rage incident in Mount Airy. He denied it, and the video footage was inconclusive. Officer Darren Kardos, who a judge in 2023 found not guilty of beating a 28-year-old mother during civil unrest in October 2020. The mother, Rickia Young, did not testify at Kardos criminal trial or arbitration hearing. Officer Andre Coles, who had been accused of abusing his girlfriend in 2019. The District Attorneys Office declined to file charges. Alvarez, Taylor, Humm and Coles are back on the force. Kardos left the job after winning his case. The officers either did not respond to requests for comment or could not be reached. The FOP declined to comment Tuesday on the officers cases. In the past, the union has argued that it files grievances on behalf of officers because Internal Affairs can sometimes conduct incomplete investigations, or because police commissioners too hastily fire cops without sufficient evidence. In the Coles case, for example, the three-member Police Board of Inquiry recommended that he receive a 5-day suspension. But Outlaw changed the penalty to termination, apparently without explanation, which surprised some police officials. John McNesby, the former president of the Philadelphia FOP, told the Inquirer in 2019 that police commissioners just fire with no just cause, zero investigation, and then point the finger at us. A CPOC report in January found that between 2022 and early 2024, 85% of fired officers were reinstated by an arbitrator after the FOP contested their terminations. Were not taking rapists back, McNesby said in 2019. Were not taking people that are slapping their wives back. But the union, for years, has backed officers in domestic abuse cases. In 2016, the FOP fought unsuccessfully to have Officer Joseph Griffin reinstated after he was fired for allegedly choking his wife and threatening to kill her. Im gonna beat the s out of u tonight The other ones aint s compare (sic) to what you got coming tonight, he texted his wife. The FOP had tried to convince an arbitrator to disregard the texts. That same year, an arbitrator reduced Officer Mark Malaczewskis termination to a 30-day suspension after he pleaded guilty to harassment and disorderly conduct involving fighting. Police who responded to his Bristol Township home found Malaczewskis then-girlfriend grabbing her shoulder and holding a clump of her own hair. She told officers that Malaczewski punched her and knocked her head into a brick fireplace. In reinstating Malaczewski, arbitrator James Darby added a caveat: Grievant must successfully complete anger management counseling. Yet, Malaczewski was charged again in September 2022 with strangulation, witness intimidation, simple assault, reckless endangerment, and filing a false report in an attempt to incriminate another person. A woman told police that Malaczewski choked her twice, restricting her breathing. He also hit her with a closed fist repeatedly and dragged her around the room like a rag doll, according to the affidavit of probable cause. Malaczewski was fired again and is no longer with the police department, a spokesperson said Tuesday. At a May 2023 trial in Bucks County, he was found guilty on all counts. Former Mayor Jim Kenney violated the City Charter when he signed a 2021 executive order replacing Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples Day, a Commonwealth Court panel said Wednesday. In a unanimous decision, the seven appeals court judges found that by eliminating a city holiday and creating a new one, Kenney engaged in lawmaking that is reserved for City Council. Advertisement It therefore runs afoul of the separation of powers inherent in the Charter and, accordingly, is invalid, Judge Patricia McCullough wrote in the opinion. The judges pointed out that federal holidays are established by Congress, and state holidays by the Pennsylvania General Assembly. For example, in the same executive order, Kenney recognized Juneteenth as a city holiday. The difference between that and the change to Columbus Day is that in 2019, the General Assembly recognized Juneteenth as a state holiday. The ruling is a victory for Italian American heritage organizations that have been attempting to reverse the executive order since April 2021, three months after it was signed by Kenney. The Conference of Presidents of Major Italian Organizations, Councilmember Mark Squilla, and other organizations first filed a lawsuit in federal court accusing Kenneys administration of a pattern of discrimination against Italian American constituents. But a federal judge dismissed the lawsuit, finding that they failed to show discriminatory treatment or intent. They then filed a similar lawsuit in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in April 2022. The city asked the court to toss the complaint; Common Pleas Judge Daniel Anders dismissed the lawsuit. The Commonwealth Court panel disagreed with Anders analysis and nullified the order. Because the matter surrounds a question of law and no disputed facts, further litigation is unnecessary, the opinion said. It instructs the lower court to enter a judgment in the case consistent with the Commonwealth Courts ruling. George Bochetto, an attorney with Bochetto & Lentz who filed the lawsuit, called the decision a proper spanking of the Kenney administration. It is just as clear as a bell; this executive order was illegal, Bochetto said. The city can appeal the ruling, but the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is not required to take up the case. A spokesperson for the Philadelphia Law Department said that the city is reviewing the opinion and declined to comment further. Following the murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers, and the Black Lives Matter protests that followed, the Kenney administration took steps to remove city monuments that some deemed offensive. These included the removal of the statue of former Mayor and Police Commissioner Frank L. Rizzo outside the Municipal Services Building. The administration also placed a box over the statue of Christopher Columbus at Marconi Plaza on Broad and Oregon Streets as protests ensued. (In December 2022, the Commonwealth Court ordered Philadelphia to remove the box.) The change of Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day followed similar actions by cities and some states across the country. The move aims to rebuke Columbus racism and his 1492 expeditions role in commencing a genocide of Native Americans. Speaking about the statue controversy in 2022, Mabel Negrete, executive director of Indigenous Peoples Day Philly Inc., said that people who celebrate Columbus are unaware of the harm he caused native people. Unfortunately, the Italian Americans that are pro-Columbus do not see the role they play, from the 1800s to this day, in the propaganda to remove Native Americans within the United States, Negrete said. But some Italian American organizations viewed the targeting of Columbus as an assault on their heritage. Squilla said that his main objection to the holiday change was procedural. A mayor shouldnt be able to change a holiday unilaterally without input from Council, he said. Hopefully, if anybody wanted to make changes in the future, it will include Council and the public in a way that would be fair to everyone, Squilla said. But he also didnt like that the order on the holiday removed it from one and gave it to another. Philadelphia should have a day to celebrate Indigenous people, Squilla said, but it shouldnt come at the expense of another groups day of celebration, even if some people dont like the name. The holiday in dispute is celebrated on the second Monday in October, which falls on Oct. 13 this year. Regardless of the prospect of an appeal, City Council could codify the change from Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples Day. The legislative body will meet next on Sept. 11. Council President Kenyatta Johnson declined to comment while he reviews the ruling. Squilla doesnt think Council has the appetite to codify the change of the holiday through legislation, and he hopes the ruling will put the issue to rest moving forward. Bochetto, meanwhile, is excited to celebrate Columbus Day, saying that the entire Italian American community is going to rejoice following the decision. It may be the best and most celebrated Columbus Day in a long time, the attorney said. A farmer walks along his rows of seed corn during harvest in temperatures over 100 degrees on July 29 near Albany, Ga. Read more Intensifying changes in the climate are hurting people in many ways, from deadly extreme weather and heat to crop-destroying drought and floods. President Donald Trumps Environmental Protection Agency is proposing to make things worse by rolling back protections against climate pollution from cars, trucks, and power plants. The EPA would leave the country defenseless against the existential threat of climate change by pretending there is no such threat. Advertisement The Clean Air Act is at the center of this controversy. Since the law was enacted in 1970, it has, quite literally, provided every American with cleaner air. Reducing air pollution has prevented hundreds of thousands of premature deaths every year, the EPA says, and its benefits outweigh its costs by a factor of 30-1. The act was also written with great foresight, allowing the EPA to set limits for additional pollutants based on new scientific information that emissions of these pollutants may reasonably be anticipated to endanger public health or welfare. In 1999, 19 organizations petitioned the EPA to control greenhouse gas pollutants from motor vehicles under this provision something it had not yet done. In 2001, with the petition still pending, President George W. Bush asked the National Academy of Sciences to assess the state of climate science. The academys report was unequivocal: The earths climate is changing, there is strong evidence it is caused by human activity, and harm from climate change is highly likely to be greater in the future. Bushs EPA, however, misrepresented the reports findings. In denying the petition, it said the report concluded that climate science was too uncertain. The ensuing litigation ended up before the U.S. Supreme Court. I helped represent 18 prominent climate scientists, including two Nobel Prize winners, and many of them authors of this report, in filing an amicus (or friend of the court) brief. We wanted the court to learn the view of the scientists, without filtering, interpretation, or spin. As practicing scientists who study the earths climate system, they began, we and many in our profession have long understood that continued human-caused emission of greenhouse gases would eventually warm the earths surface. Most were skeptical that we would see strong signs of human-induced climate change in our lifetimes. But by the beginning of this decade [2000], they wrote, we observed that global temperatures are rising, plant and animal ranges are shifting, glaciers are in retreat globally, and arctic sea ice is retreating. Sea levels are rising and the oceans are becoming more acidic. To the extent that these changes result from human alteration of the atmosphere, we know that they are just the first small increment of climate change yet to come if human societies do not curb emissions of greenhouse gases. In a landmark 2007 decision, the Supreme Court took climate science seriously and held that greenhouse gases are air pollutants under the Clean Air Act. The EPA subsequently made a finding that greenhouse gas pollutants may reasonably be anticipated to endanger human health and welfare, and thus were required to be regulated under the law. That led to carbon pollution standards for cars and trucks. The EPA also adopted greenhouse gas limits for fossil fuel power plants. Since then, an enormous body of additional data has made the case for whats come to be known as the endangerment finding even stronger and more compelling, according to a review published in Science. The scientists who contributed to the Supreme Court brief have reached the same conclusion. Also in the last two decades, clean energy sources like wind, solar, and batteries have become cheaper and more reliable, in many cases, than fossil fuel energy, leading to their rapid growth. Clean energy has provided the fastest-growing jobs sector in the U.S. since 2000, with more than 400,000 new clean energy jobs created since 2022. Around the world, the International Energy Agency says, clean energy is growing faster than fossil fuels. In spite of this, the EPA, under Trump, has decided to surrender the national effort to reduce greenhouse gas pollutants. This is in addition to Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, which dramatically reduces clean energy investments and incentives while further subsidizing fossil fuels. On June 17, the EPA proposed to repeal its statutory authority to control greenhouse gas pollutants for power plants. It says they are not significant enough to bother, even though they constitute one-fourth of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. EPA has now proposed a repeal of the endangerment finding on which greenhouse gas limits for motor vehicles are based. The EPA says the Clean Air Act does not apply to global problems like climate change, even though greenhouse gas pollutants have significant U.S. impacts. And it disputes the scientific reliability of the ever-more-obvious endangerment finding. The federal government is ignoring long-standing law and decades of science, and weakening our ability to pursue a prosperous, clean energy economy. John Dernbach is professor emeritus at Widener Universitys Commonwealth Law School in Harrisburg. A demonstrator raises a sign during a rally to protest against redistricting hearings at the Texas Capitol in Austin on July 24. Read more The insidious congressional redistricting effort by Texas Republicans is voter suppression with a 21st-century twist: Unlike years past, Black Americans are not being driven away from polling places by bullwhips and lynch mobs, but with spreadsheets and algorithms that are designed to surgically silence people of color. The redistricting campaign by Texas lawmakers, orchestrated at the behest of President Donald Trump, is yet another assault on voting rights. Its also a chilling echo of the brutal tactics of post-Reconstruction white supremacists who dismantled Black political power through violence, fraud, and legal chicanery. Advertisement The proposed revisions to the states congressional map, which aims to flip five Democratic seats to MAGA Republican control, is a cynical and racially discriminatory maneuver designed to dilute the political power of Black and Latino voters, much like the Mississippi Plan of 1890, which used poll taxes and literacy tests to reduce Black voter registration from 70% to 9% in just two decades. Redistricting typically occurs once every decade, following the census. But Texas MAGA Republicans, emboldened by Trumps demand to find five more seats, have rushed through an unprecedented mid-decade redraw a tactic reminiscent of the 1901 Alabama constitutional convention, where white lawmakers openly boasted of eliminating the Negro vote without violating the 15th Amendment. The proposed map would shift 30 of Texass 38 congressional districts into solid Republican territory by dismantling Democratic strongholds in Austin, Dallas, Houston, and South Texas, mirroring the racial gerrymanders of the Jim Crow South, where Black-majority districts were splintered or merged with white-dominated areas to ensure political impotence. The tactics are ruthlessly efficient: packing Black and Latino voters into supermajority Democratic districts while splintering others across Republican-leaning ones. For example, the map dismantles the 35th District, a Latino opportunity district created under the Voting Rights Act, just as Southern legislatures in the 1880s dissolved Black-majority counties to prevent the election of Black sheriffs or judges. Similarly, Fort Worth Rep. Marc Veaseys district, originally designed to empower communities of color, would be stretched into rural GOP territory a tactic borrowed from the 1898 Wilmington, N.C., coup, where white supremacists redrawn city lines purged Black officeholders. MAGA Republicans claim the map increases minority representation by adding two majority-Black districts and one majority-Hispanic seat. But civil rights advocates note these are smoke screens, much like the grandfather clauses of the 1890s, which pretended to exempt illiterate whites from literacy tests while disenfranchising Black voters en masse. In Tarrant County, Texas, Black and Latino voters are split among multiple GOP-dominated districts, ensuring their votes are drowned out precisely as Virginia did in 1883 when it reapportioned city districts to eliminate Black representation. Meanwhile, the Rio Grande Valley, a historically Democratic but increasingly competitive region, is being redrawn to favor Republicans, echoing the disenfranchisement of Mexican American voters in South Texas through poll taxes in the early 20th century. This is not just partisan hardball; it is a violation of the Voting Rights Act, much like the whites-only primaries struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in Smith v. Allwright in 1944. Yet, Texas Republicans, undeterred by legal precedent, are banking on a conservative MAGA-leaning Supreme Court to green-light their scheme, just as the Shelby County v. Holder decision in 2013 gutted federal oversight of discriminatory voting laws. The brazenness of Texas lawmakers is amplified by a U.S. Department of Justice letter crafted under Trumps appointees that absurdly claims the current maps are too friendly to people of color, echoing the racist logic of 19th-century Democrats who argued Black voting would lead to Negro domination. Texas MAGA Republicans, emboldened by Trumps demand to find five more seats, have rushed through an unprecedented mid-decade redraw. Facing near-total GOP control, Texas Democrats have resorted to a quorum break, fleeing the state to deny Republicans the votes needed to pass the map. It is a tactic with little precedent outside Texas, but one that underscores the existential stakes of this fight akin to the carpetbagger legislators of Reconstruction who were driven from office by Klan violence. Already, Gov. Greg Abbott and the MAGA Republicans are threatening to arrest absent lawmakers, echoing the 1874 Brooks-Baxter War in Arkansas, where white militias expelled Black legislators at gunpoint. The parallels to Reconstructions collapse are unmistakable. Democracy, in any meaningful sense, cannot survive if one party is allowed to choose its voters rather than the other way around. Courts, the Justice Department, and ultimately voters must reject this latest assault on fair representation. Otherwise, the Texas model will spread, and the promise of equal political participation will fade further into myth just as it did in 1877 when the federal government abandoned Reconstruction and ushered in a century of homegrown American apartheid. The lesson is clear: Voter suppression isnt a bug in the American democratization process its a recurring feature. The tools change (from night riders to machine learning), but the goal remains: white power retention by any means necessary. Delgreco K. Wilson formerly taught comparative politics and international relations at Lincoln University. He is a political analyst, educator, and advocate whose work centers on empowering Black Americans through a deeper understanding of political strategy and its historical roots in the fight against systemic racism and white supremacy. Gov. Josh Shapiro has joined 15 states and Washington, D.C., in a lawsuit against Trump administration efforts to eliminate gender-affirming healthcare for transgender individuals under age 19. The suit, filed last Friday in federal court in Boston, also castigates the administration for intimidating medical providers for providing such care. Advertisement Since January, the administration relentlessly, cruelly, and unlawfully targeted transgender individuals, the lawsuit reads. The result is an atmosphere of fear and intimidation experienced by transgender individuals, their families and caregivers, and the medical professionals who seek only to provide necessary, lawful care to their patients. In a statement after the filing, Shapiro called out the administration for threatening baseless civil investigations and criminal prosecutions against healthcare providers in Pennsylvania. Shapiros involvement is conspicuous because hes the only named individual on the plaintiffs list, the rest of which are states and the District of Columbia. The first-term governor has built a significant national profile boosted last year when former Vice President Kamala Harris included him in her short list of potential running mates. Since the election, he has stayed in the public eye as a potential 2028 Democratic presidential nominee. Not that long ago, Shapiro had been criticized by the states LGBTQ community for saying little about federal limits to gender-affirming healthcare, especially after Penn Medicine and other Pennsylvania healthcare systems announced they would no longer provide gender-affirming surgery to patients under 19 earlier this year. If Shapiro has any presidential ambitions, he better start speaking up, Kyle McIntyre, the organizer of Delco Pride, said in June, urging him to fight for the community. Asked for comment Wednesday on Shapiros participation in the lawsuit, Darius McLean, acting executive director of the William Way LGBTQ Community Center in Center City, couldnt be reached. The suit, and Shapiros role in it, prompted an angry response from the Pennsylvania State Republican Campaign Committee, whose executive director, Cody Harbaugh, said in a statement Tuesday that Shapiros latest attempt to ingratiate himself with the Democrats radical base puts the health of children at risk. The lawsuit is a reaction to several moves made by the Trump administration regarding transgender individuals. A White House spokesperson said Wednesday in response to a request for comment on the lawsuit that President Donald Trump has taken decisive action to stop the despicable mutilation and chemical castration of children. In January, Trump signed an executive order announcing that the United States would no longer fund or support the so-called transition of a child from one sex to another. Denigrating such activity as a stain on our Nations history, the order accused medical personnel of maiming and sterilizing... impressionable children under the radical and false claim that adults can change a childs sex through a series of irreversible medical interventions. In May, Mehmet Oz, former TV personality and currently the administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, wrote a letter to nine hospitals including one in Philadelphia, according to the New York Times saying transgender interventions are being performed with an underdeveloped body of evidence. The letter demanded gender transition financial reviews, requiring the hospitals to provide the federal government copies of their bills for pediatric sex trait modifications. All nine hospitals appear on the so-called Dirty Dozen list, the Times reported, which represents the 12 worst-offending childrens hospitals promoting sex change treatments for minors as determined by Stop the Harm Database, run by a conservative group of concerned citizens. Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia is on the list. A call to CHOP Wednesday to ask whether the hospital was a recipient of Ozs letter was not returned. In July, the Trump administration continued its pressure as the Justice Department issued subpoenas for patient information from nearly two dozen doctors and hospitals that provide gender-related treatments to minors, the Times reported. Also last month, Shapiro made his first public statements about a bill in the Pennsylvania legislature that would prohibit transgender students from participating in girls sports: What we do not need in Pennsylvania are politicians extremist politicians like Donald Trump, [Republican State Sen.] Doug Mastriano, and these others trying to legislate a students participation the way theyve tried to do on many other things, like on abortion rights or marriage equality. The state Senate, controlled by Republicans, passed the bill, but its stalled in the House, where Democrats hold the majority.. Overall, 56% of Americans favor or strongly favor laws and policies that ban healthcare professionals from providing care related to gender transitions for minors, according to a February survey by the Pew Research Center. Revenue Commissioner Kathleen McColgan said: "We want businesses to succeed here, and were doing our part to make that transition. Read more Philadelphia officials are reaching out to help the tens of thousands of companies that will have to start paying the citys business tax after a legal challenge led Mayor Cherelle L. Parkers administration to eliminate a tax break that primarily benefited smaller firms. Our goal is to make sure that small businesses can adjust while also thriving," Revenue Commissioner Kathleen McColgan said in an interview Tuesday. We want businesses to succeed here, and were doing our part to make that transition. Advertisement Parker and City Council this year eliminated a tax break that allowed companies to exclude their first $100,000 in income from business in Philadelphia from liability under the business income and receipts tax, or BIRT. That tax break had effectively allowed thousands of small Philadelphia businesses to forgo paying the tax. Now that all firms will have to pay the BIRT, McColgan wants business owners to know that the city will be treating companies newly subject to the tax as if they were new companies, making them eligible to benefit from a city policy that helps ease the transition into paying the BIRT. For help navigating that policy and finding other opportunities to reduce their tax bills, owners can call the Mayors Business Action Teams by emailing business@phila.gov or calling (215) 683-2100. Heres what you need to know about why the BIRT tax break went away and what the city is doing to ease the transition: Why did the tax break go away? For the last decade, companies that did business in Philadelphia were able to exclude their first $100,000 in income when calculating their BIRT liability. Beginning during the coronavirus pandemic, the city even stopped requiring firms with no liability to file BIRT tax returns, an additional benefit to small companies with limited technical abilities that struggled to comply with the complex tax. But in 2024, the Massachusetts-based medical device manufacturer Zoll Medical Corp., which does business in Philadelphia, sued the city, contending that the $100,000 exclusion violated the Pennsylvania constitutions uniformity clause because it effectively created different classes of taxpayers based on whether they made at least that amount from transactions in the city. In her budget proposal in March, Parker announced the administration was begrudgingly moving to eliminate the exclusion, saying the Law Department had determined the city was unlikely to prevail in court. READ MORE: Why a popular tax break that helped Philadelphias small businesses may be going away The administration this spring settled the lawsuit, which also included claims unrelated to the exemption regarding the citys formula for determining Zolls tax liability. The city agreed to pay Zoll about $387,000 to end the case. An attorney for Zoll declined to comment. City Council in June approved the repeal of the tax break, despite some members questioning whether Parker gave up on defending it prematurely. The city set aside $38.5 million to help companies deal with the transition and boost programs meant to help small businesses more generally. When do small businesses have to pay the BIRT? The next deadline for companies to file a BIRT return and pay the tax is April 15, 2026. Council in 2018 adopted a change to the BIRT that was meant to ease the process for new businesses filing and paying the tax for the first time. McColgan wants owners to know the city will be treating existing companies that are now subject to the BIRT as new businesses, allowing them to take advantage of that change. To understand how the change can help firms newly subject to the tax, one first must understand the timeline for when businesses report their income under BIRT. Unlike the federal income tax, which individuals pay based on their earnings in the prior year, businesses subject to the BIRT pay a tax bill in April that represents an estimate of their sales and tax liability in the current year. (Their actual sales for the year are then reported the following April, and their balances are adjusted if they differed from the projections.) Prior to the 2018 law, new companies filing in April of a given year had to pay the taxes from their first year in business at the same time they paid their estimated tax liability for their second year of operation. To make things easier for new companies, the 2018 law allows them to initially pay taxes for only their first year in business. The following April, they are then given the option to pay for their second years tax liability in quarterly installments. There are thousands of existing companies that have not had to pay the BIRT because they made less than $100,000 per year. Those companies, McColgan said, will be treated as new businesses. That means they will only have to pay the BIRT tax in April 2026 based on their 2025 sales. Then in April 2027, they will have to pay taxes for 2026 as well as an estimate of their tax liabilities in 2027. But at that time, they will be able to break up the 2026 tax bill into quarterly installments. The policy will apply to any firm that did not have to pay the BIRT tax from 2022 to 2024. Its a complex policy, but McColgan is hopeful itll help existing firms being hit with the tax for the first time. Were easing the transition for businesses that have been operating in Philadelphia but previously did not have a filing or payment requirement, McColgan said. This support will make a meaningful difference. What else is the city doing? The Commerce Department this fall will offer free business tax assistance, and companies that make less than $250,000 per year can sign up for the program now on the city website. We will be having a process where we are matching vetted accountants with small business, said Karen Fegley, the acting commerce director. Some of this stuff is complicated. We want to make sure theyre getting all the benefits they can. Small firms can work with the city-provided accountants to get advice on provisions of the city tax code that could help with lowering their tax bills. For instance, companies that are newly subject to the BIRT but lost money in any year from 2022 to 2024 will be able to report those losses against their 2025 business income, McColgan said. The accountants will be able to help them record the previous loss with an amended BIRT return. The city is also encouraging firms to apply for the Commerce Departments Small Business Catalyst Fund, which can provide strategic guidance as well as grants of up to $50,000 based on demonstrated need, growth potential, and economic impact. What are the BIRT tax rates? The BIRT includes two taxes. Businesses currently pay 0.1415% of their gross revenue, or total sales in the city, as well as 5.81% of their net income, or profits. This year, Parker and Council adopted a long-term schedule for lowering the rates. The initial cuts are minuscule, with the gross revenue rate falling to 0.141% and the net income rate falling to 5.71% for tax bills due in April 2026. But by 2039, the city plans to completely eliminate the gross revenue levy and to cut the net income portion to 2.8%. Ken Mann, 73, moved into an apartment in Lower Merion Township last month after leaving his longtime home on Long Island to be closer to his grandchildren. Read more Ken Mann had an epiphany watching his oldest granddaughter graduate from her Lower Merion elementary school in June. This is where he needed to be. Advertisement Mann regularly drove from his house on Long Island to visit his three granddaughters, but he wanted more time with them. His parents had lived in Florida while his children grew up in New York, so his kids didnt really get to know their grandparents, he said. Mann didnt want that to happen to him. So a few weeks after his granddaughters graduation, the retired mortgage banker and longtime homeowner moved into an apartment in Lower Merion. My grandchildren can literally walk here, said Mann, 73. In the Philadelphia region, people aged 65 and older are the fastest-growing population of renters. From 2013 to 2023, the Philadelphia metropolitan area, which includes Camden and Wilmington, gained about 39,200 of these renters a 24% increase. Thats according to an analysis of the most recently available Census Bureau data by Point2Homes, a national rental home listing portal. READ MORE: The fastest-growing population of renters in the Philly area? People aged 65+. People are living longer, so seniors numbers are growing across demographics. Some seniors have rented all their lives, by choice or because they cant afford homeownership. Others, like Mann, were once homeowners and started renting either out of necessity or for convenience. Mann knew he didnt want to be a homeowner again. I like to travel. Im a single guy, he said. I know owning a home is a different mindset. Noticing a shift When Helen Aster, senior general manager at an Ardmore-based property management company, started at Harrison Richards in 1991, there were no senior tenants in its properties across the region, she said. She saw a lot of young families. Everyone wanted to get their kids into Lower Merion schools, Aster said. That was the No. 1 driver. College students and newlyweds also filled her property tours. Tenants usually stayed for a time and then left to buy a home well before they hit middle age. But she noticed a subtle shift a couple years ago. Some families with young children were looking at apartments but for their parents. Its a market share Im really thrilled about, Aster said. They pay their rent on time. They have a great attitude about life. Older renters have told Aster they like living among younger people. Charlie Marshall, a leasing associate at Harrison Richards, said hes gotten calls from live-in aides looking for apartments for their clients. Last month, a woman called who wanted to move from her assisted-living community in Newtown Square into an apartment. Ellen Gloria Payne, 83, moved into a Harrison Richards apartment in Ardmore in 2023. And she plans to stay for the foreseeable future. She sold her house in Queens, N.Y., after her husband died and her three children, who live in Montgomery County and Virginia, wanted her to move south. I wasnt excited about moving and leaving the home Id been in for 57 years, Payne said. But as Im aging, being closer to them is probably better. She is now near her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her apartment has a balcony, is near public transportation, and is in a walkable area. And, importantly, she no longer has the responsibilities of homeownership. At this point in life, Payne said, I just wanted to be able to live comfortably, feel safe, and not worry about any maintenance. A hot segment Developers in the Philadelphia area are continuing to build apartments geared toward older adults to meet the demand. Abrams Realty & Developments new plans to redevelop Exton Square Mall now include a rental building for people 55 and older. The proposed redevelopment also would include other apartments, shops, restaurants, and office space. Its a really wonderful addition to a mixed-use project, said CEO Peter Abrams. Because it doesnt bring school kids. That makes the township happy, makes the school district happy. The company tweaked its previous plans because local officials and residents were not happy with the density of housing. So Abrams removed some of the townhouses and added the active adult community for people 55 and older. The 55 to 64 age group was the second-fastest-growing renter population in the Philadelphia metro area from 2013 to 2023. The number of renters in this group grew by about 22%, or about 27,600 people. Its safe to say if youre doing a mixed-use project in a relatively high-income area, youre going to take a look at whether active adult is a fit, Abrams said. Its just a hot segment right now. Subsidized rental housing also is very much in demand among older adults. Developer Pennrose celebrated the grand opening in June of a 51-unit apartment building for seniors in Chinatown called Man An House. And the company plans to finish construction in October on a 55-unit senior apartment community called Good Shepherd in the citys Overbrook neighborhood. Both developments are for renters 62 and older. Senior housing makes up about 40% of the companys portfolio, said Jacob Fisher, regional vice president for New Jersey and Pennsylvania. The properties typically have more demand than units, he said. Because of how Pennrose finances its subsidized projects, eligible tenants can make a mix of up to 20%, 50%, or 60% of the area median income. Rents range from about $270 to about $1,190 for a one-person household. For seniors on fixed incomes, [$1,190] can be a challenging number to get to, Fisher said. The longer people live, the longer their resources have to stretch, so more seniors are struggling to pay for what they need, including housing, said Laura Weinbaum, chief operating officer at the nonprofit Philadelphia Corporation for Aging. READ MORE: Philly is one of the worst big cities for aging in place. Local experts arent surprised. The organization helps people modify their homes, including installing grab bars, bathtub seats, railings, and ramps, so seniors can stay as long as possible. Rental housing can help keep people in their neighborhoods if they age out of their homes. Renting for the long haul Josie Burri, 48, moved with her husband, Michael, to their Bala Cynwyd apartment complex in 2006, when they returned to the Philadelphia region from Oregon. The Harrison Richards property was affordable, close to public transportation, in a walkable area, and in a good school district. It was the best of everything we were looking for, Burri said. And we didnt have jobs yet where we thought we could afford a house. Nineteen years later, the Burris, who both work in higher education, still cant afford to buy a home in the neighborhood. So they keep renting. In 2009, they moved into a larger two-bedroom unit with a basement that could accommodate their growing family. Their daughter is now going into 10th grade. These are really sizable apartments, Burri said. Its like a small house. Three years ago, the Burris did end up buying a house in Maine. The fixer-upper is partly an investment. It cost about $300,000, far less than any house theyd want in Bala Cynwyd. They might live in their house full time someday. But they have no plans to leave their apartment. For now, Burri said, were just enjoying living where we are and in the community where we are. Authorities consulted a wildlife biologist to verify their suspicions, who confirmed the animal in the footage was clearly a human. Brown bears, in any case, have not roamed Southern California for over a century, according to the Department of Fish and Wildlife. The only native bear species remaining in the region is the black bear, which can appear brown but is significantly different in behaviour and physical traits. The impact of the wildfires in California in January has been felt across the sector. Estimated industry insured losses are around $40 billion, making it one of the costliest wildfire disasters ever recorded. In this context, our strong profit after tax of $109.2 million and healthy discounted combined ratio for the period of 87.4% (undiscounted of 97.8%) shows our ability to deliver attractive returns even in a challenging loss environment, he said. With four products already in market and two on the horizon, including our upcoming Landlord Insurance launch, the time was right to invest in dedicated distribution leadership. Melodi brings a sharp commercial lens and deep broker insight to the role. She will focus on strategic partnerships and continue to elevate the Hutch experience across all distribution channels, he said. About 72% of workers said they are at least somewhat stressed about their household finances, a figure unchanged from the 2024 survey. A third of respondents described their stress as very or extremely high. The study also found that 51% of workers reported living paycheck to paycheck, while 53% said their savings had declined over the past 12 months. Financial concerns are also affecting productivity, with 56% of workers saying their financial health has had a negative impact on their performance at work. Mercury and Safeco have long had a healthy, competitive relationship, sharing a common desire to protect California consumers, said Gabriel Tirador, CEO of Mercury. "When Safeco approached us with the idea of transitioning their impacted customers into our portfolio, we saw an opportunity for Mercury to be there for California consumers and agents when they need us most. The result is a win for everyone their customers and agents, Safeco and Mercury. Specialty P&C and The Doctors Company buyout Specialty P&C renewal premium rates rose 10% in the quarter, contributing to a cumulative premium change of more than 70% since 2018 in the MPL market. Retention for the specialty P&C segment was 81%, including 82% for the standard physicians MPL portfolio. The company said it continues to decline new and renewal business that does not meet pricing standards for the current MPL loss environment. On July 28, 2025, House Bill No. 1766 was introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The bill proposes an amendment to the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers Compensation Act. The purpose of the bill is to require employers to provide reimbursement to a qualifying patient who obtains medical marijuana for certified medical use under the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the "Medical Marijuana Act." The bill was referred to the Committee on Labor and Industry on August 4, 2025. If enacted, the act will take effect in 60 days. As an insurance agent that does a lot of commercial property in this region, I try to sell my clients buildings to the brokers, he said. How does our clients building stand out? Are they sprinklered? When was the roof last done? Now, 84 Lumber wants the court to declare that Cincinnati Insurance is on the hook for its defense and any payouts that might come from the arbitration. The company is also seeking damages for breach of contract and what it calls bad faith by the insurer. The complaint points out that the insurance policy required Cincinnati to defend and indemnify 84 Lumber as an additional insured for claims tied to HCSs work. StarStone says it issued a management and professional liability follow form excess policy to Private View, providing $5 million in coverage above $20 million in underlying limits. The policy, according to StarStone, follows the terms of a primary policy from Ironshore Specialty Insurance Company. Both policies, as described in the complaint, include a Securities Exclusion. StarStone claims this exclusion means theres no coverage for any claim alleging, based upon, arising out of, or attributable to any public offering of equity securities of the Company or the purchase or sale of, or offer or solicitation of an offer to purchase or sell, such equity securities subsequent to such public offering. AIG could pay dearly for refusing to budge on a claim settlement offer of $2.65 million for nearly a year after receiving estimates that a jury would likely award the claimant $7.5 million for her injuries. A jury did eventually award $7.5 million in damages and the plaintiff then sued AIG again for not making a prompt and fair settlement offer before the case went to trial. The First Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled that whether AIG should have been more prompt with a fair offer should be decided by a jury. The appeals court vacated a federal district courts grant of summary judgment on that issue to AIG. In January 2015, when she was 34 years old, Paula Appleton sustained life-altering injuries in a car accident. Appleton was the passenger in a car that her fiance, now husband, was driving when a pickup truck struck their car from behind and propelled it underneath the tractor-trailer in front of them, nearly flattening their vehicle. Emergency responders had to extricate Appleton from the car and then transport her to a hospital via helicopter. There, Appleton was diagnosed with severe injuries, including a hemorrhage, pelvic fracture, hip fracture, leg fractures, and a ruptured bladder. She remained in the hospital for nearly three weeks and then spent four months in inpatient rehabilitation facilities. Appleton eventually filed an insurance claim against the driver of the pickup truck and his employer, a company with a liability insurance policy with National Union Fire Insurance Co., administered by AIG. AIG received notice of Appletons claim in December 2015. Mediations Appletons counsel shared a demand package with AIG in August 2016. The package included a formal demand of $18 million to cover Appletons $600,000 medical lien, $3.72 million in future medical care costs, and $13 million in past and future pain and suffering. It also included an analysis of Appletons injuries, various medical reports, a life care plan and economic analysis, and a day in the life video depicting Appletons daily experience living with her injuries. Over the next two years, from March 2017 to January 2019, Appleton and AIG exchanged settlement offers and expert reports but were unable to settle the case, despite participating in three mediations. In response to Appletons initial $18 million demand, AIG offered $750,000 and then raised its offer to $2 million during the mediation. Appleton rejected both offers and requested $17 million instead. AIG indicated it needed additional evidence of Appletons alleged bladder injury and urinary incontinence. Appletons counsel shared with AIG reports from two urologists who said that Appleton suffered from severe incontinence due to injuries she received during the crash, and who predicted that the incontinence would worsen over time. Despite this additional medical information, however, AIG only increased its settlement offer from $2 million to $2.65 million. Appleton rejected AIGs offer and demanded $16 million instead. After that second mediation was unsuccessful, solicited three independent estimates of a potential jury award in Appletons case between October 18, 2017, and January 4, 2018. First, defense counsel estimated a jury verdict of between $6.5 million and $8.5 million. Second, a group of senior AIG claims professionals valued the claim at an average of $4.9 million. After receiving these estimates, the insurer increased the reserves to pay Appletons claim from $4 million to $7.5 million. Third, AIG hired an external jury consulting firm to conduct a mock trial of Appletons case and simulate the results of 500 juries. On January 4, 2018, the consulting firm reported an average total damages award of $7.53 million. Despite receiving these three estimates of a potential jury award ranging from $4.9 million to $8.5 million by early January 2018, AIG did not increase its prior $2.65 million settlement offer to Appleton for nearly one year, until mid-December 2018. Appleton and AIG began preparing for trial in the second half of 2018. At AIGs urging, Appleton and AIG participated in a third mediation on December 17 and 18, 2018. At the third mediation, AIG increased its previous offer by $600,000, from $2.65 million to $3.25 million. Appleton rejected that offer and made a counter-offer of $15.5 million. State Trial About two weeks later, on the eve of trial, AIG increased its offer to $5 million. In January 2019, Appleton served AIG with a demand letter alleging multiple unfair insurance claims settlement practices and seeking $17.5 million. AIG denied the claims and reiterated its most recent offer of $5 million. Appletons state court trial was held from March 11 to 26, 2019. On March 27, the jury awarded Appleton $7.465 million in damages. The jury award consisted of $655,000 in past medical expenses; $3.2 million in future medical expenses; $210,000 in lost earnings; $1.5 million in past pain and suffering; and $1.9 million in future pain and suffering. (In issuing the final judgment, the state court deducted $600,000 for prior settlements Appleton received from the driver of the pick-up truck and his employer.) In August 2021, Appleton sued AIG and National Union in federal court, asserting state law claims that AIG and National Union engaged in unfair insurance claims settlement practices in violation of Chapters 93A and 176D of the Massachusetts General Laws. Under Massachusetts law, Chapter 93A and Chapter 176D operate in tandem to encourage the settlement of insurance claims and discourage insurers from forcing claimants into unnecessary litigation to obtain relief. Chapter 93A bars firms from committing unfair or deceptive acts or practices and creates a private right of action for consumers injured by those practices. Chapter 176D defines 14 specific actions as unfair claim settlement practices that violate Chapter 93A for firms in the business of insurance like defendants AIG and National Union. Claims Practices Appleton contends that the insurers engaged in two unfair claims settlement practices identified in Chapter 176D: refusing to pay claims without conducting a reasonable investigation based upon all available information and failing to effectuate prompt, fair and equitable settlements of claims in which liability has become reasonably clear. The district court granted summary judgment to AIG on both claims. It held that the facts demonstrated that AIG began its investigation of Appletons insurance claim within weeks of receiving its first notice, went beyond simply reviewing the materials submitted with [the] claim,' and continued to investigate throughout the course of the underlying action. The district court then concluded that such an investigation was reasonable as a matter of Massachusetts law and granted the AIG summary judgment on that Appleton claim. The court also determined that the defendants were entitled to summary judgment on Appletons second claim, finding that the facts established that liability never became reasonably clear and, as a result, AIGs duty to extend a prompt and fair settlement offer was never triggered. The First Circuit Court of Appeals agreed with the lower court on the first claim that AIG had properly investigated. However, it disagreed with the dismissal of the second claim, questioning whether AIG had done what it should to accomplish a prompt, fair and equitable settlement. The appeals court agreed with Appleton that the damages became reasonably clear in early January 2018 when AIG got its three estimates averaging $7.5 million. Yet, the insurer waited until January 2019 on the eve of trial before upping its offer beyond $2.65 million. The appeals court noted that the legal standard for examining the defendants response is whether, in the circumstances, and in light of the complainants demands, the offer is reasonable.' Importantly, the defendants had this legal duty even if Appleton made excessive demands. The court said the question thus became whether a reasonable jury could find that the insurers failed to put a prompt, fair, and equitable offer on the table after January 2018, which is when liability became reasonably clear. At trial, it would be the insurers burden to prove that $2.65 million was a reasonable offer in the circumstances and in light of Appletons demands. Jury Consideration Massachusetts law provides several guideposts for a jury evaluating the fairness of a settlement offer. The jury could compare AIGs offer to AIGs own evaluation of Appletons claim, as well as the eventual state trial jury verdict. It also could take into account the course of the parties negotiations, as experienced negotiators do not make their final offer first off, and experienced negotiators do not expect it, or take seriously a representation that it is. Further, the jury could consider Appletons demands as part of the over-all circumstances affecting the amount that would qualify as a reasonable offer in response. The court added that an insurer is not held to standards of perfection, so its good faith, but mistaken, valuation of damages does not constitute a violation of Chapter 176D. The appeals court said that the district court did not evaluate if there was a genuine dispute of material fact about whether the defendants settlement offers in 2018 were prompt and fair. Viewing the record in the light most favorable to Appleton, the First Circuit concluded that such a genuine dispute of fact existed. Most importantly, the record demonstrates that for almost a year after receiving the three jury award estimates ranging from $5 million to $8.5 million, AIG did not increase its previous settlement offer of $2.65 million. Modest Increase When AIG finally did raise its settlement offer during the third mediation in mid-December 2018, it did so by only $600,000, for a total of $3.25 million, which the appeals court called a modest increase that came 14 months after receiving the two estimates ranging from $5 million to $8.5 million and almost a year after receiving the jury consulting firms $7.5 million estimate. Next, the court noted that a jury could consider several years had passed since the accident, and thus the $2.65 million offer on the table in early 2018 was not AIGs initial offer or even its second offer. Finally, a jury could conclude that the actual $7.5 million award Appleton received supports the conclusion that AIGs settlement posture throughout 2018 was not fair or equitable. A reasonable jury could conclude that AIGs decision to stick with this offer for nearly a year after damages of about $7.5 million became reasonably clear was neither fair nor equitable, even when considering Appletons $16 million demand as part of the over-all circumstances, the First Circuit appeals court concluded in vacating the district courts grant of summary judgment. Topics Claims AIG Connecticut has approved $4.7 million in new funding for a program that helps homeowners, businesses and tenants in the city of Hartfords neighborhoods recover from flooding. The Hartford Flood Compensation & Relief Programs (HFCRP) was launched in 2023 and accepted applications through last December. The pilot program was originally allocated $5 million to provide financial assistance or reimbursement to eligible property owners and tenants in the city who experienced damage caused by flooding on or after January 1, 2021. After exhausting the pilot funding, the program received an additional $4 million during the 2024 legislative session. The latest $4.7 million round of funding approved by the State Bond Commission is expected to cover payouts of 139 applications that were received before the December 2024 deadline and are awaiting payment. Based on average claim payouts, State Comptroller Sean Scanlon said he does not anticipate having any unspent funds nor does he expect the state to reopen the program for additional applications after the latest $4.7 million in funding. According to a report by Scanlons office, through the end of 2024, the program had paid out more than $8,191,494.97 million in relief to 523 Hartford residents and business owners. The average claim payout has been $15,722.25. The programs have been incredibly successful, and I am happy we were able to secure funds to assist everyone who is still in the queue, House Speaker Matt Ritter said. The Flood Compensation Program is a vital resource for residents who have seen chronic neighborhood disinvestment over the years, said Hartford Mayor Arunan Arulampalam. This additional funding will allow more residents, business owners, and neighbors to take advantage of the program and make necessary repairs to their property without bearing the financial burden. According to the report by the comptroller, the HFRCP has received 776 applications since launching September 1, 2023, a number that exceeded expectations. While the bulk of applications and payouts have involved residential property and personal damages, commercial properties have submitted 6% of applications and received 11.5% of all payouts. As expected, the largest share of applications came from the northern half of Hartford, parts of which are next to the now-buried Park River and deal with antiquated storm drainage systems. According to the report, increasing precipitation brought on by climate change has increased the frequency and severity of flooding, especially in the neighborhood of Blue Hills, which saw the most applications at 274. Upper Albany, which has a concentration of multi-family and commercial properties, had 142 applications. Topics Flood Arthur J. Gallagher & Co., the Rolling Meadows, Ill.-based broker, announced the acquisition of Australia-based MACK Insurance Services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. MACK Insurance Services is a commercial insurance broker with a focus on the agriculture sector. Lizzie Carver and her team will join Gallaghers brokerage operations in Australia from office locations in Wagga Wagga and Narrandera, New South Wales. MACK Insurance Services is a culturally aligned broker whose agriculture niche expertise complements our existing brokerage capabilities in Australia, said J. Patrick Gallagher Jr., chairman and CEO. I am delighted to welcome Lizzie and her associates to our growing, global team. Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. provides global brokerage, risk management and consulting services in approximately 130 countries around the world through its owned operations and a network of correspondent brokers and consultants. Source: Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Australia A.J. Gallagher This edition of International People Moves details appointments at Lloyds and Arch Insurance International. A summary of these new hires. Lloyds Appoints Flaquet From Hiscox as Chief Operating Officer Lloyds, the worlds leading insurance and reinsurance market for global risk, has announced that Stephane Flaquet has been appointed as chief operating officer (COO). Flaquet will join Lloyds on Sept. 1, 2025 and will become a member of Lloyds Executive Team, reporting directly to Chief Executive Officer Patrick Tiernan. He replaces George Marcotte who has been Interim chief operating officer since September 2024. In his role, Flaquet will lead the Operations function to deliver services to the market and Lloyds Corporation while delivering the markets operations strategy, including managing the technology, data and change portfolio. He will also lead the Corporations work on the operational resilience of the market infrastructure and all Blueprint Two-related activity. Flaquet has 30 years experience of building and leading high-performing teams while delivering complex change and driving profitable growth across international markets. He joins Lloyds from Hiscox, where he held a number of roles since joining in 2010, most recently group chief operations and technology officer. Before Hiscox, he held senior roles at American International Group (AIG) and Capital One. After a thorough search I am confident that Stephane is the right person to lead Lloyds Operations function and execute the operations strategy, commented Tiernan. Stephanes experience will be integral to delivering operational excellence, flexibility and scalability to the Corporation and the market. This will drive efficiencies and modern working practices to meet the challenges of our evolving insurance market. I look forward to having him in my team. Tiernan went on to thank Marcotte for his leadership, expertise and insight and wished him every success as he returns to Accenture. Flaquets appointment is subject to regulatory approval. *** Arch Insurance Intl Hires Byford as Senior Contingency Underwriter Arch Insurance International announced the appointment of James Byford as a senior contingency underwriter, with immediate effect. In this role, Byford is responsible for supporting the growth of Archs Contingency portfolio which provides primary and excess coverage across a broad range of areas including but not limited to event cancellation, event liability, non-appearance and cyber. Based in London, he reports to Chris Rackliffe, head of Contingency and Accident & Health. Byford brings over 14 years of experience in underwriting and prior to joining Arch was a lead contingency underwriter at Worldwide Special Risks. James brings deep industry expertise as well as a strong track record of building successful broker relationships and delivering exceptional client service. His experience will be instrumental in supporting the continued growth and diversification of our contingency portfolio, Rackliffe said. Topics Excess Surplus Underwriting Lloyd's Michigan Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer told President Donald Trump that his tariffs are having a negative effect on her states flagship auto industry during a closed-door meeting at the White House. Whitmer, a possible 2028 presidential candidate, made the case on Tuesday that Michigans economy is tied to auto manufacturing and that the tariffs are hurting it, according to a person briefed on the meeting. She argued that Michigan is vulnerable to duties on Canada and Mexico and pushed Trump to help her create jobs in Michigan, the person said. I will always do whatever I can to make life a little easier for Michiganders and strengthen our economy. We should do everything in our power to lower costs and grow more good-paying jobs in Michigan. I appreciate the presidents time and attention to the matters we discussed, Whitmer said in a statement. The meeting is the latest sign of the widespread fallout from Trumps tariff agenda, which carries consequences for states and voters he won in the 2024 election. Trump is betting that duties on imports of vehicles and parts will bring more auto manufacturing to the US. But they risk upsetting globally integrated supply chains, which could drive up costs for manufacturers and consumers. Representative of Detroits Big Three carmakers have said that trade agreements reached with the European Union, South Korea and Japan to lower tariffs on their vehicle exports to 15% from 25% put US companies at a disadvantage. A White House official said its unsurprising Trump keeps tabs on Michigan, a state he won by 1 percentage point. Whitmer also asked Trump for a slower transition and phase-in for new rules governing Medicaid in the presidents signature tax and spending bill in order to alleviate harm for recipients of the health care program for the poor, according to the person briefed on the meeting. In April, Whitmer faced criticism for meeting with Trump in the Oval Office, an encounter that resulted in an awkward photo when she covered her face with a binder when reporters entered the room. She has argued that meeting with Trump is part of her job and delivers results for her state, pointing to a new fighter mission for Selfridge Air National Guard Base in the Detroit suburbs. Ive always said that Ill work with anyone to get things done for Michigan. Thats why Ive continued to go to Washington, D.C. to make sure that Michiganders are front and center when critical decisions are being made, Whitmer said in her statement. Photo: Gretchen Whitmer speaks in the Oval Office of the White House on April 9, 2025. Photographer: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics Auto Michigan Resilience, headquartered in New York City, named James C. Riviezzo as head of North American distribution and strategy. Riviezzo has over 25 years of industry experience, joining Resilience from At-Bay where he served as head of national broker relations. Before At-Bay, Riviezzo held leadership roles at Briza, American International Group (AIG) where he directed the U.S. client engagement practice, Safety National Casualty Corporation, and Marsh USA. At Resilience, Riviezzo will be responsible for building out the strategy and execution of Resiliences broker network to further establish the companys insurance and software solutions. Aons NFP Hires Nordeen for US Construction and Infrastructure Growth NFP, an Aon company, appointed Yuna Nordeen as senior vice president, U.S. growth leader, construction and infrastructure (C&I). Nordeen will be based in Chicago and report to Adrian Pellen, managing director and co-leader of NFPs C&I Group. Nordeen has over a decade of experience in commercial P/C and distribution strategy. She previously served as vice president, distribution, at Arch Insurance Group, and worked at Hiscox USA as their first business development leader. Topics Agencies A newly released decade-long study by the Workers Compensation Research Institute (WCRI) indicates that claims initiated by nurse practitioners and physician assistants didnt lead to negative outcomes and suggested some benefits when compared to those led by primary care physicians. The report, Advanced Practitioners and Workers Compensation Claim Outcomes, tracked claims from 29 states between 2013 and 2022 and explored how the initial treating provider affects a claims medical and indemnity trajectory. The data highlight how workers compensation insurers are navigating limited provider availability in rural settings and the impact of using advanced practitioners, demonstrating improved time to treatment. The question isnt whether nurse practitioners (NPs) or physician assistants (PAs) can manage injured workers effectively. The data shows they already areand have been for years, said WCRI economist and study co-author Dr. Bogdan Savych. The percentage of claims with the first non-emergency E&M visit (evaluation and monitoring/office visit) with an advanced practitioner varied from less than 20% in Delaware, Kentucky, New Jersey and Virginia to more than 40% in Indiana, Nevada, New Mexico and North Carolina. The report found that in the typical study state, 33% of claims with more than seven days of lost time had the first non-emergency office visit with either a nurse practitioner or a physician assistant. Data shows the changing dynamics of emergency room treatment over the years, with more claimants being examined by advanced practitioners rather than primary care physicians (PCPs). Injured workers treated first by NPs received non-emergency care 2.3% faster on average than those whose care was initiated by a physician. The effect was even more in rural regions, where limited provider availability often delays treatment for days, in some cases. In rural areas, advanced practitioners are already the most prevalent provider, the report found. More importantly, the first provider strongly predicts subsequent care, according to the researchers. The data showed PAs helped expedite access to specialty services, such as diagnostic imaging, pain injections, and neurology consults. Compared to PCP-led claims, PA-led cases had 2.4% faster access to radiology, 3.2% faster access to pain injections, and 3.9% faster access to neurology consultations. Most notably, claims outcomes remained stable no matter whether the initial treating provider was an NP, PA or PCP. In addition, there was no significant difference in temporary disability duration, no change in the number of evaluation and management visits, no shift in timing or likelihood of specialty referrals, and no variation in early MRI usage. The findings show utilization patterns were nearly identical. There was a notable difference in claims led by PAs, which revealed a slight divergence in payment structure with 4% higher medical payments and 5.2% lower indemnity payments. Researchers indicated earlier diagnostic and specialty access could reduce the overall duration of wage loss. Shortage rates for advanced practitioners were also analyzed, which showed that higher per-capita availability of NPs was associated with a slightly longer disability duration, while a larger PA workforce correlated with shorter durations. This factor in particular highlights the need for carriers to monitor provider-type availability, to maintain positive outcomes, and reduce claim costs. WCRI points to several suggestions for carriers when reviewing provider type availability. These include: Increasing the number of advanced practitioners in provider panels, particularly in rural and underserved markets. Updating claim models to account for the measurable differences in utilization and payment structure by provider type. Ensuring clinical oversight protocols are in place to maintain treatment quality and guideline compliance as NP/PA utilization rises. Monitoring whether early specialty access via PAs might offset reductions in wage-replacement exposure. Topics Workers' Compensation President Donald Trumps administration proposed a rule to allow more commercial drones to fly beyond an operators visual line of sight, a potential boon for companies such as Alphabet Inc.s Wing unit and Walmart Inc. pushing to deliver packages by autonomous aircraft. The proposal would end years of case-by-case federal approvals for long-range drone flights that companies say have stifled industry growth. The change is expected to streamline operations for drone delivery firms and expand the use of unmanned aircraft in other sectors such as farming and manufacturing. The issue hasnt been that America just cant innovate, US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy told reporters on Tuesday when unveiling the change. Its that weve had a bureaucracy in place that makes it incredibly difficult. The move will help the US become a bigger player in the consumer drone market, Duffy said, adding that China controls 90% of that sector. Currently, drone operators must either have visual observers on the ground monitoring flights or receive waivers and exemptions from the Federal Aviation Administration to fly beyond visual line of sight. Under the proposal, uncrewed aircraft weighing up to 1,320 pounds including their cargo would have to meet industry consensus standards to operate beyond visual line of sight when flying at or below 400 feet (122 meters). Operators would be allowed to fly their drones over people, but not during large, open-air gatherings, such as concerts or sporting events. Companies would also have to abide by new security rules related to cybersecurity and have some personnel undergo a threat assessment by the Transportation Security Administration. The current waiver process is unnecessarily complex and time-consuming, creating barriers that prevent growth and increase the FAAs workload, said Lisa Ellman, chief executive officer of the Commercial Drone Alliance, a lobbying group. The rule would allow drone operators to focus on building, scaling and operating with clear rules instead of piecemeal exemptions, said Okeoma Moronu, head of regulatory policy and government affairs at Zipline, a drone delivery company that works with companies such as Walmart. New Standards The proposal calls for new standards for drone traffic-management services to avoid collisions with other drones and crewed aircraft. The rule would give drone operators the ability to reliably detect the crewed airplanes and stay out of the way, said Emmie Derback, spokesperson for Wing. We dont want people just flying any homegrown drone that theyve built over people and beyond line of sight, said Beth Flippo, CEO of DEXA, a drone technology company authorized to conduct deliveries beyond visual line of sight. Manned air travel is the safest form of travel in the world, and we dont want to jeopardize that safety record with unmanned aircraft at all. Under the proposal, drones would have to be equipped with technology to detect and avoid other aircraft when operating in certain airspaces, and must yield to manned aircraft broadcasting their position using a technology known as ADS-B, according to an FAA fact sheet. Operators would also still need approvals from the agency to operate in the area where they intend to fly and have procedures in place in the event they lose communication with the drone. Drone operations could still run into safety and regulatory challenges, said Scott Shtofman, an associate vice president at the Association for Uncrewed Vehicle Systems International. There are a number of essentially non-cooperative aircraft, he said, adding that not all traditional aircraft are required to broadcast their location using ADS-B. Photo: An Alphabet Inc. Wing delivery drone flies during a demonstration at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia. Photographer: Charles Mostoller/Bloomberg Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. Topics USA A federal judge has granted the request of 20 states to block the Trump administrations attempt to terminate a multibillion-dollar grant program meant for states infrastructure upgrades and disaster mitigation. U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns on Aug. 5 in Boston granted a preliminary injunction following a July 31 hearing. The order prevents the government from spending the $4 billion in federal funding under the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program administered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Related: Loss of FEMA Program Spells Disaster for Hundreds of Communities and Projects The states have shown a realistic existence of irreparable harm, wrote Stearns in his order. The funds, if spent on other purposes, will be lost forever. Shuttering this program would do nothing to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse or improve government efficiency, said Rob Bonta attorney general of Californiathe largest beneficiary of the program. This is a program with bipartisan support that is focused on protecting lives and livelihoods from flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters. Im pleased the District Court has ensured this funding will not be redirected and misspent while our litigation continues. Stearns said the government equivocates on whether the BRIC program has been ended. The federal government also argued whether the states had shown any injury or harm, because FEMA has yet to cancel any grants or denied any requests for extensions, according to David Richardson, acting head of FEMA. Richardsons carefully crafted assurances, did not convince Stearns that in reality the termination of BRIC is merely a theoretical possibility rather than a preordained outcome. To demonstrate the point the judge referenced a FEMA report published in July showing a net gain in the Disaster Relief Fund of about $4 billion. The exact amount was shown as a net loss in the BRIC account. The court agrees with the states that the claimed harm is likely imminent and not merely speculative, said Sterns, adding that FEMAs announcement to end BRIC signal that a final determination has been made from which concrete consequences have been felt. The states in July sued FEMA, Richardson, the Department of Homeland Security, and Kristi Noem, secretary of DHS. They claim FEMA lacks the power to cancel the funds without approval from Congress since it voted to fund the program. Stearns in his ruling said, The court is not convinced that Congress vested in the agency any discretion to reallocate funds from the BRIC account. Related: Trump Administration Sued by States for Cutting Disaster Prevention Grants Stearns ruling freezes the funds unit a final judgement on the states suit is made. When the suit was announced, Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbells office said impact of the BRIC program has been devastating, with communities across the country being forced to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of mitigation projects depending on this funding. With Massachusetts, Washington co-leads the lawsuit against the Trump administration. Washington Attorney General Nick Brown said, FEMAs termination of this bipartisan program defies both law and logic. Congress created this fund because Americas towns are already struggling with mounting challenges from climate change. Topics Legislation FEMA A climate nonprofit is planning to revive a key federal database tracking billion-dollar weather disasters that the Trump administration formally stopped updating in May. The database which was produced by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration is set to return this fall as a product of Climate Central. The organization has hired Adam Smith, the former NOAA climatologist who led the disaster tracker for more than a decade, to continue tallying the growing number of storms, droughts and wildfires that cause at least $1 billion in damage. In an interview with Bloomberg Green, Smith said he left NOAA voluntarily in April after facing pressure to stop work on the database. The Trump administration has waged a broad assault on climate science in recent months, attacking mainstream findings, disabling the federal Climate.gov website and proposing to eliminate most of NOAAs research division. The billion-dollar disaster tool which has been retired but is still publicly accessible online captured the financial toll wrought by increasingly intense weather events. Damage estimates compiled by Smith and his team were a key element of the most recent National Climate Assessment. Theyve also been used by the insurance and re-insurance sectors to highlight the risk weather hazards pose across the US. Rather than just a static dataset or periodic report, like those published by insurance businesses, the NOAA tool provided an interactive way to parse disaster losses by state, year and weather threat, Smith said. You could just slice and dice the data in different ways depending on what question youre trying to answer, Smith said in an interview. Ive had many people try to ask me for guidance about how to recreate this, and Im telling all these people, Hey, were doing it.' NOAA did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Smiths NOAA team found that the US had experienced an annual average of nine extreme weather events that inflicted at least $1 billion in damage since 1980, when the analysis began. But that number has spiked in recent years as development expands in disaster-prone regions. In 2023, the US experienced a record 28 billion-dollar disasters, including a widespread drought that inflicted $14.8 billion in damages, and the deadly Maui wildfires. There were 27 such incidents in 2024. Research published by the federal government found that climate change-fueled extreme weather is already causing $150 billion in losses a year in the US, and the risks are likely to rise as the planet warms. The end of NOAAs disaster loss research had sparked concern across the insurance industry, said Frank Nutter, president of the Reinsurance Association of America. While companies had other avenues to collect damage estimates, Nutter said, the real value of the tool is the public awareness about the impact that extreme weather is having on both insured and economic losses. Looking ahead, Smith said he hopes to compile and analyze data on disasters with far smaller price tags down to the $100 million threshold. These include severe hail storms in the US Midwest and Mountain West, which are a growing concern for the insurance sector. While NOAA typically reported wildfire damages seasonally across an entire region, Climate Central will also work to calculate losses from individual blazes, something Smith said would make the data more transparent and more granular. The nonprofit has published studies and tools that demonstrate how human-caused climate change is influencing both daily temperatures and extreme weather events, such as hurricanes. Smith said economic attribution, which would attempt to measure climate change-driven losses for specific disasters, is something worth exploring. Photo: Generated by AI, AdobeStock Copyright 2025 Bloomberg. HSS Security, LLC, a company that provides security services to hospitals in Texas, will pay $35,000 and provide other relief to settle a sex discrimination lawsuit filed by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the federal agency announced last week. In the lawsuit, the EEOC charged that after initially offering a highly qualified female applicant a job as a security supervisor, HSS Security unlawfully rescinded the offer and refused to hire her because of her sex. According to the EEOC, the evidence showed that the female applicant possessed more than the requisite qualifications for the position. After the female applicant accepted the job offer, two male HSS Security managers took issue with her hiring upon meeting her. Although she assured them of her skills and abilities and described her actual experience in such situations, the managers denied her employment. The company later offered the security supervisor position to two male applicants, neither of whom was more qualified than the female applicant. Such alleged conduct violated Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which prohibits employers from discriminating against job applicants and employees based on their sex. The EEOC filed suit (U.S. EEOC v. HSS Security, LLC, Civil Action No. 4:24-cv-03663) in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas, Houston Division, after first attempting to reach a pre-litigation settlement through its conciliation process. On July 7, the district court entered a consent decree resolving the litigation. In addition to $35,000 in damages, the three-year decree requires HSS Security to train its hiring managers, recruiters and human resources personnel annually on federal laws prohibiting sex discrimination; revise its equal employment opportunity policies and procedures to address workplace discrimination; post notices to employees of their right to work free of discrimination; and report to the EEOC all complaints of discrimination in hiring that the company receives during the three-year term of the decree. Source: EEOC T Topics Lawsuits Texas In late March, Pamela Moe was at her dining room table, skimming the local paper when something caught her eye. A legal notice, by a company she had never heard of, for a facility near the city of Thomas. Curious, Moe looked up the coordinates listed on the ad. She noticed the list of air pollutants the project would release. And then she pulled out her phone, took a photo and sent it out to a group of almost four dozen people all from or around the community, asking them what they knew. But she soon learned that no one knew anything. As news of the project spread quickly, so did the effort to learn more. The community raced to fill in details about the project. They looked to confirm their suspicions that the project was intended to power a data center. Residents reached out to their local, county and state officials. And as the news reached the broader public, worries also swirled among those who routinely visit Davis and Thomas for their scenic vistas, sprawling trails and dark skies. But by the time the community had mobilized to get answers, West Virginia lawmakers in Charleston had stripped what little power they had over such a project. Counties lost potential tax revenue. Localities lost oversight. And residents lost a say. All of it just dovetailed so neatly and closely, it seems suspicious, Moe said. Morrisey and state lawmakers pitch West Virginia as data center haven In December, months earlier, lawmakers were gearing up for a last minute special session where they could have considered legislation related to a data center project in Logan County. But the session never materialized after confusion on who was allowed to vote following the November election. Then in February, during his State of the State address, Gov. Patrick Morrisey offered up his economic vision for West Virginia: Data centers, supercomputers and cryptocurrency. A measure to help aid that vision was introduced into the House of Delegates on March 18, the last day to introduce legislation into the chamber. Immediately following the days House floor session, Morrisey held a press conference urging lawmakers to pass the bill, dubbed the Power Generation and Consumption Act, to encourage the development of small local energy grids. These developments would allow projects like data centers to operate independently instead of connecting to the larger electrical system. West Virginia will be the most attractive state in the country for data centers after this bill is passed, Morrisey said. A few hours later, an air permit application for a natural gas-fired power plant in Tucker County landed in the inbox at the West Virginia Department of Environmental Protections Division of Air Quality. Days later, the House Energy Committee took up the bill, approved an amended version and sent it to the floor for a vote. In the bill, lawmakers diverted all the tax revenue from such projects to the state, leaving local governments without. Lawmakers also forbid local communities from restricting noise, lighting, or land use, stripping residents of any authority. News of data center and Morriseys bill raise questions in Tucker County As the committee was wrapping up its late March meeting in Charleston, a Tucker County postman delivered Moe her newspaper with the public notice by the Virginia-based Fundamental Data LLC. I didnt get to read the rest of the paper right away because that just really spurred me into action, Moe said. Moe, whos been involved in environmental efforts for decades, had never heard of the company, but she had heard of the air pollutants. She also was familiar with the projects proposed location between the towns of Thomas and Davis. She emailed out a picture of the ad to environmentalists, business owners and other residents, asking them what they knew. Then Moe sent the full 77-page permit application, following up with a brief three-page analysis. The proximity of the project to the towns of Thomas and Davis worried Marilyn Shoenfeld, one of the email recipients. So, early the next morning, Shoenfeld, president of the West Virginia Highlands Conservancy, called the mayor of Davis to find out what he knew. Except, he also didnt know anything, and neither did other officials. From a local leadership standpoint, none of us were aware that this was even a possibility, said Al Tomson, mayor of Davis. But, the news was quickly spreading through the community, and so were the concerns. Sheena Williams stressed about the air pollutions impact on her asthmatic daughter. Joseph Lewandowski worried how the project would harm the protected and public lands treasured by both its residents and visitors. And almost everyone was alarmed about how little information there was. They knew that the application was for a natural gas-fired power plant independent of the electric grid, but not much else. The number of combustion turbines wasnt identified. The types of air pollution control devices werent listed. And the sources and types of fuel were missing. The company had redacted those details on its permit application, citing business confidentiality. Thats the main gripe I think most people have with this all the redactions and just the lack of transparency, said Lewandowski, a Thomas native. The projects independence from the grid, along with the companys name, fed suspicions that the power plant would ultimately power a data center, despite no public confirmation. Data centers can use several million gallons of water a day for cooling, which has already caused issues in local communities where they are located. They also are a source of noise pollution and can reach concerning decibel levels. As news of the project made it through the county, so did knowledge about Morriseys bill and the potential ways it could impact the community and projects. There was just so much variability in terms of what we dont know, said Moe. Lawmakers vote to take data center regulation and benefit away from local governments At the Capitol, the bill was moving through the House. On March 31, two House Democrats tried to amend the bill and reinstate local oversight. My amendment doesnt have anything to do with the specifics of microgrids, whether you like microgrids or dont like microgrids, said Del. Evan Hansen, D-Monongalia. My amendment is purely about local control. The restrictions are needed because large data centers have statewide impact, said Del. Clay Riley, R-Harrison. This bill would make sure a town or county isnt stopping investment and stopping job creation. Data centers have significantly, or can significantly, benefit the local economies through job creation, attracting investment. This bill, as it sits, could facilitate that development and boost economic growth, Riley said. In a voice vote, the chamber rejected the amendment. As the House prepared to vote on the bill the next day, some lawmakers said they worried it would raise the cost of electric bills. Those concerns ultimately led some Republicans to join the Democrats in voting against it. Del. Marty Gearheart, R-Mercer, said he was voting no not because I dont want data centers here, but because in this particular instance, in my ignorance, Im going to decide with the ratepayers in the state of West Virginia. On April 1, the House passed the bill, 88 to 12, and sent it over to the Senate. As lawmakers in Charleston sent the bill to the other side of the Capitol, residents throughout Tucker County began mobilizing. The opposition organizes in Tucker County The community organized meetings. Residents made calls to Charleston. They emailed their delegates and senators. And news continued to spread. By then, Country Roads News, a newsletter covering the Canaan Valley, Davis and Thomas communities, broke the story about the permit application. Thats also when county officials began learning about the implications of the governors bill and how counties would lose both oversight and tax revenue, if it passed. A week later, when the Senate Economic Development Committee took up the measure on April 8, there was a steady stream of testimony from officials from several counties across the state. Im concerned that this bill, as presented, will ultimately discourage local counties and municipalities from attracting data centers to their community, Tammy Tincher, president of the County Commission of West Virginia, told the committee. Tincher, also a Greenbrier County Commissioner, said that tax revenue from developments is critical to how counties fund services and infrastructure for local communities. Eddie Gochenour, president of the Berkeley County Commission, said that officials wouldnt have worked to bring a data center to the county if they knew they would lose so much tax revenue. He called the bill probably one of the most overreaching pieces of legislation that Ive ever seen. We want to be a true and equal partner, and I dont think thats too much to ask, Gochenour added. After more than three hours of testimony, the committee amended Morriseys bill to allow counties to receive a fraction of the tax revenue earned off a project. That same day, state air quality engineers inspected the project site with representatives from the development and land owner companies less than a mile outside of Thomas. Over the next few days, lawmakers ironed out the details and passed the final version of the bill on April 12, the last day of the legislative session. Now, instead of all tax revenue going to the state, 30% would go to the county where the project is located while 5% would be divided up across the other 54 counties. The bill still removed local authority over data centers and microgrids. The community meets to learn more The next day, nearly 300 people packed into the Davis Volunteer Fire Hall with a lot of questions and very few answers. Tomson stood at the lectern and microphone set up in the front of the room. In a blue button down and his glasses, the mayor of Davis addressed the room. House Bill 2014, well talk about that first, he said. Its a done deal. It was passed. It really demonstrates, unfortunately, how much Charleston values local opinion, Tomson added. They didnt want it. For many in the community, this was the first time they learned about the legislation. In the nearly four-hour meeting, Steve Leyh, executive director of the Tucker County Development Authority, told the room that this project came out of the blue. Usually that doesnt happen with real projects. Usually projects you start talking about months in advance, Leyh said, adding that typically companies have conversations with the county commission, development authority and other local officials when looking to propose a project. Michael Rosenau, president of the Tucker County Commission, also told the room that he had no knowledge of the project or the bill until Tomson called him. Everything that were talking about now is just guesswork, said Rosenau. Once I know the facts, then I can take a stance one way or the other. Governor Morrisey declares West Virginia Americas energy state Soon after the meeting, residents formed a grassroots group called Tucker United. With the bill awaiting Morriseys signature, the group turned their efforts toward him. A few days after the town hall meeting, the group started asking the governor to veto the bill, going so far as to start an official petition. In the meantime, the community sought to find answers. Moe filed records requests. Amy Margolies continued emailing elected officials. Nikki Forrester kept spreading word. And they all, collectively, bombarded the DEP with public comments about the air permit application, asking the redacted information be released. On April 25, spurred by the influx of comments, the DEP asked for clarification on the information Fundamental Data had redacted. Five days later, in Mason County, near another location slated to host a data center, Morrisey signed the Power Generation and Consumption Act into law alongside several state lawmakers. West Virginia is Americas energy state, and this law is going to demonstrate it to the whole country that we are ready for action, Morrisey said. The governor had still not replied to Tomsons official requests for a meeting. On May 7, Fundamental Data replied to the DEP, saying that they believe they met the states confidentiality standard. Days later, the DEP agreed. And a few days later, a new wave of panic surged through the community. In a May 18 article, representatives for Fundamental Data told the Wall Street Journal that their facility could be among the largest data center campuses in the world and, if fully built, could span 10,000 acres across Tucker and Grant counties. It broadened our fears more than we could ever imagine, said Sheena Williams, a longtime Tucker County resident. When asked in July, about whether the governor would meet with the mayor or community, spokesperson Drew Galang said that the executive branch, through the DEP, had already conducted significant public participation efforts. As with most largescale economic development projects, there are multiple avenues for public participation, he said, adding that Morrisey will always welcome feedback from communities so that we are bringing in business the right way and addressing citizens concerns appropriately. The community questions state regulators In the evening of June 30, more than 300 people filed into the Canaan Valley Resort State Park in Tucker County. Members of the DEPs Division of Air Quality sat at the front of the room, with their backs facing a wall of windows that peered over the valley. Standing at one of the two lecterns in the room, Terry Fletcher, DEPs chief communications officer, addressed the room. Our purpose here is to provide the information and answer questions relevant to Fundamental Datas air quality permit application, he said. But residents wanted to talk about more than air quality. As the meeting stretched on for nearly five hours, folks cycled through a range of feelings beyond anger and frustration. Some begged and pleaded with the state regulators while others bargained, asking them to help their community. As state air quality engineers answered questions about the projects permit, they explained that the communitys other concerns water, noise, light and zoning were outside their control. When one engineer suggested residents speak to their local officials, someone from the crowd shouted: Theyve been cut out of the process. ___ This story was originally published by Mountain State Spotlight and distributed through a partnership with The Associated Press. Photo: A data center in the Netherlands. (Adobe Stock image.) Copyright 2025 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed. Topics Legislation The former head of asset management and recovery at Nama, Connor Owens, has been appointed chief executive of Falcon AM, the asset management company of the Blanchardstown Centre in Dublin. Blanchardstown Centre is owned by the managed funds of Strategic Value Partners (SVP), a global alternative investment firm established by Victor Khosla in 2001, which manages 19bn in assets under management. The future of Irish outlets of fashion brand Claire's Accessories is uncertain after its US parent business filed for bankruptcy. US-based fashion accessories and jewellery business Claire's has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in a court in Delaware, according to new filings. It is the second time the group has declared bankruptcy, after first filing for the process in 2018 after it was unable to repay a loan. The group saw its finances improve after wiping around $1.9bn (1.64bn) off its balance sheet in a refinancing but has come under pressure from recent weak consumer demand and supply chain uncertainty. Claire's has around 18 stores across Ireland, with three stores in Cork alone, two each in Limerick and Kerry, eight stores in Dublin, and one each in Ennis, Waterford, Arklow, Bray, Galway, Sligo, Drogheda, Dundalk, Athlone, Mullinger, Newbridge and Kilkenny, with around 12 further outlets in the North. Oveall it runs 2,750 stores across 17 countries. The new bankruptcy filings showed that the business reported liabilities and assets of between $1bn and $10bn. It also showed that the company owed more than 25,000 creditors. The group is owned by a group of firms, including investment giant Elliott Management, who were creditors when the retail firm first faced insolvency seven years ago. Last month, Sky News reported that Claire's was working with advisers from Interpath to seek a potential sale or restructuring of its business, with Lakeland owner Hilco is among suitors considering a takeover deal. A cross-cultural exhibition demonstrating solidarity between Irish and Palestinian visual artists is set to debut in Cork on Thursday evening. Dluthphairtiocht (jloo-far-chee-uct), meaning Solidarity, is described by organisers and curators as a "touring exhibition showcasing the work of Irish, Palestinian, and other international artists, photographers, and filmmakers who share a desire for their work to be representative of their opposition to the apartheid state and the suffering endured by Palestinians". The Oireachtas has played down the prospect of directly hiring broadcast staff as civil servants, with a briefing provided to TDs saying it would not provide value for money to taxpayers. In a letter to the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), Dail clerk Peter Finnegan provides a briefing note to TDs about the possible cost of directly hiring broadcast staff as civil servants. According to the briefing, it would cost 3.98m per year to directly hire all the Oireachtas broadcast staff on a full-time basis 25 in total. However, the note highlights this is based on salaries advertised within the sector, adding that details of staff salaries are not available. In their own letter to the PAC, part-time staff members have disputed some details of the report. The say there are 13 part-time staff, which can be supplemented with freelancers when required. They highlighted their salaries are not set at the industry-standard pay rates, particularly citing the fact they are not provided with income supports while the Dail and Seanad are not sitting. The staff calculated their total salaries cost the company 169,000 in 2024, while the yearly value of Pi Communications contract, inclusive of Vat, is approximately 1.77m. This relatively low proportion of expenditure allocated to staffing the principal operational cost highlights a broader concern regarding value for money, they write. Public funds The letter adds the contractor overseeing Oireachtas broadcast services, Pi Communications, continues to receive public funds while the Oireachtas is not in session, alongside having equipment provided for them. The group has said, while the Oireachtas is in recess, part-time staff are often required to rely on State welfare supports. The Oireachtas parliamentary schedule requires 59 camera operators shifts each week. Across the 35 sitting weeks each year, the report says this leads to between 2,000 and 2,500 shifts each year. It adds employing staff directly would increase the number of shifts to 6,240 per year, which will lead to under-employment for considerable periods and would not provide value for money. Despite this, there have been calls for the workers to be directly employed by the State, both by part-time staff as well as TDs and senators. Labour senator Nessa Cosgrove, who is also the partys workers' rights spokesperson, said the employment status of part-time broadcast staff is deeply concerning. These workers provide an essential public service, it is of the utmost importance for transparency that voters can clearly see what is happening in the Oireachtas," Ms Cosgrove It is simply unacceptable that their employment is so precarious In a statement, Pi Communications said: For the avoidance of doubt, rates of pay of all part-time staff supporting this contract are regularly benchmarked against industry norms and their total earnings are proportionate to the overall work undertaken throughout the year. All staff have pension entitlements, receive holiday pay, sick leave, and sick pay. They are also free to work on other projects or for other employers, and most do. Police investigating the death of fashion designer Martha Nolan O'Slattara aboard a yacht in New York have said an autopsy conducted on the Carlow native's body "did not show evidence of violence". The statement from the Suffolk County Police Department went on to say the "final cause of death is pending further examination." The 33-year-old, who was living in Manhattan for the past seven years, was on board the boat Ripple which docked at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island on Monday night when the alarm was raised. Ms Nolan O'Slattara's partner contacted the emergency services, while good samaritans attempted CPR without success, but she was declared dead on the boat by first responders. In a statement on Wednesday, police in the US said an autopsy had been conducted on the fashion entrepreneur's body which showed no evidence of violence and her final cause of death "is pending further examination". An earlier statement from Suffolk County Police Department had said detectives are investigating. It said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Ms Nolan-O'Slatarra moved to the United States in 2018 at the age of 26. She had been living in Manhattan. While in the US, she set up fashion brand East X East in the Hamptons in 2021. At the same time, she founded the Amazon brand Duper. Last year, she was appointed Director of Operations at the investment firm K4 Capital. Taoiseach Micheal Martin said that the loss of Ms Nolan O'Slattara was "an absolutely devastating blow to the family". "A young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman. Our thoughts and our prayers are with the family, and I can't comment any further than that, other than to say it is a devastating loss for the family and for the community in Carlow." The Department of Foreign Affairs said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. A spokesperson for the Department noted: "As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases." The consumer watchdog has warned students not to pay by cash or Revolut for a property, as it urged them to be cautious of rental scams heading into the next academic year. The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) said the hunt for student accommodation was ramping up ahead of September, and students are under pressure to find a place to live due to the shortage of rentals available. This creates the perfect conditions for rental scams, the watchdog said. Its warnings echo similar ones given by gardai in previous years, with August and September usually seeing a spike in accommodation fraud reported in Ireland. One third of all such frauds are reported during this time of year. Last year, An Garda Siochana said 30% of victims of accommodation fraud were Irish. The CCPC said a rental accommodation scam would usually try to trick students out of their money by pretending to offer them a property or a room to rent. These scammers will offer a property at much lower prices to draw in potential victims, and they will often offer a rental without any questions asked. Actual landlords will usually want to check references before considering renting to anyone. If the landlord claims to be out of town or living abroad and cannot show the property in person, this is a major red flag, and you should be very careful, the CCPCs deputy director of financial education Muriel Dolan said. They may request money to secure the room before any mention of a lease, such as a deposit and/or one months rent up front. You may even be sent a false contract to sign or fake keys to make it more convincing. It issued advice to students to make sure they do not fall victim to such scams, including researching the advertising property thoroughly, and using online maps to verify it exists and matches the photos offered. Students were also told to view the property in person before handing over any deposit or rent, while asking for a written lease or rent book before paying any money. Proper receipts should be asked for for any payment made, and they have been told to check with the Residential Tenancies Board (RTB) to make sure the rental property is registered. Furthermore, they were told to pay only by debit or credit card for a better chance to get their money back if something goes wrong. Never agree to rent a property you havent seen in person, Ms Dolan said. Always complete all relevant checks before payment and never ever pay cash or by Revolut. Instead, pay in a way that is traceable and refundable, and always test the locks to make sure the keys are genuine. If they do fall victim to a scam, the CCPC said students should contact their bank or credit card company to cancel their cards and secure their account. By doing so, they may also be able to reverse the transaction through a chargeback from the card provider. Reporting it to An Garda Siochana can help stop the scammer and stop others from becoming victims, the watchdog added. A controversial far-right music festival has been cancelled after Kneecap, Christy Moore, Chris ODowd, and some 600 other prominent Irish artists reportedly signed an open letter calling for its cancellation. The Mise Eire Festival was planned for August 23, in the Mayflower Community Hall in Drumshanbo, Co Leitrim. A far-right rally planned in Cork for that day was reportedly set to be cancelled to allow supporters to travel to the festival. On Wednesday, a message on the Mayflowers social media said: On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming Mise Eire festival due to be held on 23rd August, 2025, will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre. This is due to terms & conditions not being complied with. We apologise for any inconvenience caused. It comes as a torrent of people had signed the open letter from Leitrim and Roscommon against Fascism (LARAF) since it was circulated on Friday. People got the fact that the far-right were trying to throw their weight around and make their way into community spaces, Eamonn of LARAF said. "The Mayflower has a longstanding tradition as a music venue. And its the community hall in Drumshanbo. It was an absolute outpouring from the music and arts community. They [festival organisers] were trying to portray it as a nice little music festival but it was apparent that it was a far-right event. A far-right protest in Cork was cancelled that day to allow people to travel up to Drumshanbo. A host of far-right actors were promoting the event online." LARAF began circulating the short open letter on Friday, asking those concerned with the Mayflower situation consider signing it. Artists who signed include Charlie McGettigan, Vincent Woods, Christy Moore, Andy Irvine, Frances Black, Mary Coughlan, Fontaines DC, Mike Scott of The Waterboys and The Mary Wallopers. The letter said: The Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo has a longstanding and rich tradition of hosting vibrant, uplifting, diverse and inclusive cultural events. Musicians and artists, past and present, from the area, from across the country and indeed from countries and cultures from across the world, have passed through the doors of the Mayflower and contributed to this rich heritage. If it is permitted to go ahead, we believe the far-right 'Mise Eire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, for local schoolchildren and for all visitors to the area. We artists, arts workers and musicians thus call on the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre to cancel this divisive event, which is planned to take place there on August 23rd. LARAF said the festival was in fact a lightly disguised far-right rally in the main hall, with music in a side area, which is advertised as having a full bar available. Actor Adrian Dunbar has said people jumped to conclusions about Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who have been in the headlines since one of their members was charged with a terror offence. The group, known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, were also banned from entering Hungary to appear at a music festival. Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July. I think they're a band of good musicians. They make great music The group has said there is a smear campaign against them because of their support for Palestine and criticism of Israels actions in Gaza. Line Of Duty actor Dunbar, 67, who recently went to a Kneecap gig with his daughter, was asked if the BBC was wrong not to live stream their Glastonbury performance in June. He told Times Radio: Were they wrong not to stream it? I think thats a question for the BBC, not for me. But I do think that everybody got too heated about them. I think everybody jumped to conclusions about them. I think theyre a band of good musicians. They make great music. Theyre promoting the Irish language. Very clear about who they support and who they dont support. We had a great time. But those decisions are for the BBC. Glastonbury organisers faced pressure to drop the group from the line-up amid criticism from politicians, with prime minister Keir Starmer saying it would not be appropriate for the band to perform. Moglai Bap and Mo Chara of Kneecap performing at Glastonbury Festival (Ben Birchall/PA) The BBC decided not to live stream their performance but later uploaded the set to BBC iPlayer. Kneecap comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying Kill your local MP at one gig and and Up Hamas, up Hezbollah at another. In May, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. O hAnnaidh and his bandmates were cheered by hundreds of supporters when they arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18. Musicians including Nadine Shah and Gurriers have said they will attend court to support the group when O hAnnaidh returns on August 20. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action. A man who was allegedly involved in an arson attack which caused the complete destruction of the home of a couple in their late 80s is protesting his innocence, a court has heard. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra in Dublin appeared before Cork District Court on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig in Co Cork on April 24 last. The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy, aged 37, was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. Gardai also previously alleged that the arson was video recorded by one of the men and that the pensioners were not the target of the attack. Sgt John Kelleher told Judge John King that 550,000 in fire damage was caused to the property. This, he stated, led to the complete destruction of the house. He said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7 last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. He applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence barrister Nicholas Hall said that his client insists that he is innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in custody until August 20 next for DPP directions. The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Case background Meanwhile, Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24 last a car arrived at the house in Ballincollig and three people exited. "Two enter the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs. The third person believed to be Paul McCarthy stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. "The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with 30 diesel and leaving without paying. Garda Murphy said that a man aged 87 and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames but the couple were unharmed. A 59-year-old truck driver charged in connection with a 2.1m drug seizure in Cork is maintaining his innocence in the matter, a court has heard. Robert Slivar of no fixed abode, but formerly of Ivanic in Croatia, appeared before a special sitting of Cork District Court last Saturday. He was charged with two offences relating to the seizure of 93 packages of herbal cannabis with a weight of 107kg. Mr Slivar, who travelled to Cork by ferry from Zeebrugge in Belgium, was charged with cannabis possession and possession of cannabis for sale or supply at the Port of Cork, Ringaskiddy, on July 27 last. The alleged offence is contrary to section 3 and section 15 of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1977. Dt Garda Ryan Dillon previously objected to bail in the case citing the strength of evidence and the seriousness of the charge facing the accused. He said that Mr Silvar made no reply after each charge was put to him under caution. Mr Slivar was remanded in custody to appear before Cork District Court on Wednesday, where solicitor, Diarmuid Kelleher, told Judge John King that his client maintains his innocence of any wrongdoing. A statement of means was handed in to the court and free legal aid was assigned. Mr Kelleher said the employers of the accused were very concerned about their truck. Mr Silvar was assisted throughout the short hearing by a Croatian interpreter. Dressed in dark clothing, he was not required to speak during the hearing. Sgt John Kelleher applied for a four-week remand in the case which he described as being in its early stages. He said that DPP directions are still outstanding. Judge King remanded Mr Silvar in custody to appear in court by video link on August 20 for DPP directions. Two men have been arrested after cannabis plants worth an estimated 750,000 were seized in Co Louth. A large-scale cannabis cultivation factory was found after a premises in Drogheda was searched by gardai attached to the Dublin Crime Response Team. Safety systems at University Hospital Kerry (UHK) are not as robust as needed, the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) has warned, with one patient describing a unit as chaotic. A report published on Wednesday shows the emergency department was in red escalation due to overcrowding in January this year, and the authority says considerable improvement is needed. Hiqa inspected the hospital in four areas of potential harm, finding systems in place but warning these were not as robust, proactive and effective as they should be. Inspectors estimated there is a considerable plan of work required in 2025 to strengthen the quality and safety function within the hospital, despite finding positive changes also. The four areas assessed were infection prevention and control, medication safety, deteriorating patient and transitions of care. In the emergency department, Hiqa found: There were seven patients in the ED awaiting an in-patient bed at 9am, six patients were accommodated on ward trolleys and 14 patients were accommodated in the day-care ward, which was being utilised as a surge area. Wards were full, including at least one with a patient on a trolley as well as 30 patients in beds. Some wards had men and women, which inspectors were told was linked to the escalation plan. One relative described one department as chaotic while inspectors also said patients described the staff as "obliging", "very helpful" and "very responsive". Hospital data showed: There were 44,701 ED attendances to UHK up to 29 December 2024 which was a 7% increase in comparison to 2023 and a 30% increase in attendances compared to 2021. Staff described challenges including bed shortages and outside the hospital a shortage of community beds and gaps in homecare. The latter issues impact UHKs ability to discharge patients with 22 described as delayed that day. Inspectors asked for data on ambulance handover times of less than 30 minutes, but the report shows compliance was recorded as 8.63% in 2023 and 8.99% in 2024. While no patient was waiting longer than 24 hours, 51% were waiting over six hours and 47% were waiting over nine hours from registration. Inspectors said: On the day of inspection, despite significant efforts from all members of staff, patient flow was not operating as effectively as it should be, this resulted in patients remaining in the ED while awaiting an in-patient bed and non-compliance with HSE PETs (patient experience time targets). The hospital also reported however, that there was a 26% reduction in ED trolley numbers from 2023. They described new arrangements including extra consultants and a link-up with a private hospital as well as new care pathways for over-75s and other changes. Hiqa also found that patients, once admitted, spend more days in hospital than the HSE recommends. A Hiqa spokeswoman said: At University Hospital Kerry, inspectors noted improvement in the corporate and clinical governance structures, however, further work was required in the effectiveness and monitoring of these arrangements. Additional work is also needed on filling staff vacancies, she added. In all, Hiqa published 12 reports, including on the South Infirmary Victoria University Hospital (SIVUH) in Cork, Fermoy Welfare Home and St Theresas Hospital in Clogeen, Tipperary. SIVUH was found compliant in all areas. All the reports can be read on the Hiqa website. Medical device giant Stryker insists it is committed to a safe and healthy work environment after fire broke out at one of its facilities in East Cork. The alarm was raised at around 1pm on Wednesday at the firms plant in Tullagreen in the IDA Business Park in Carrigtwohill. Emergency services, including several units of Cork County Fire Brigade, gardai and the National Ambulance Service, rushed to the scene. The plant was evacuated and staff assembled in zones in the car park as fire crews investigated. There were no injuries. Initial reports suggested that a machine inside the facility caught fire. In a statement to the Irish Examiner, a spokesperson for Stryker described the incident as "minor". All employees were safely evacuated as per our safety procedures, and our local emergency services were notified and attended the facility as a precaution, she said. Our operations will resume shortly once a safety assessment is completed. Were committed to a safe and healthy work environment at all of our facilities." Emergency services evacuated staff as they investigated the Stryker blaze. Photo: Damian Coleman It emerged in 2021 that six workers from across the companys three East Cork sites - Tullagreen, Springhill and Anngrove had been raising health and safety concerns with the Health and Safety Authority for the previous three years. The staff made a protected disclosure to the HSA in 2020 which included references to gas leaks, argon leaks, solvents escaping, several hospitalisations, plant evacuations, broken fire alarms and faulty equipment. Tragedy struck in 2023 when one of two contract staff, who were injured in an explosion while working on the roof of the companys Anngrove facility, died two months later from his injuries. Britains Princess Anne acknowledged President Michael D Higgins contribution to Irish public life as she visited Aras an Uachtarain in a courtesy call on Wednesday. The Princess Royal, sister of King Charles, was in Dublin for a day of engagements which included a trip to the 150th Dublin Horse Show in the RDS. At their meeting, Princess Anne was said to have acknowledged President Higgins long-standing contribution to Irish public life and the strength and value of the relationship between Ireland and the UK. She could be one of President Higgins final visitors to Aras an Uachtarain ahead of his departure in November. The pair had met several times, including at Ireland v Scotland international rugby matches in recent years. Princess Anne is a patron of the Scottish Rugby Union. It was a pleasure to renew my conversations with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and to recognise the significant contribution which she has made over so many years to the relationship between our two countries, President Higgins said. I was also pleased to recognise the contribution which The Princess Royal has made to equestrian sports over the years as well as to related learning and therapy services. I further took the opportunity to extend my best wishes to His Majesty King Charles and to recall his unwavering support for peace and reconciliation. Following her meeting with President Higgins and his wife Sabina, they entered a further meeting with British Ambassador to Ireland Paul Johnston. She departed the Aras after 50 minutes to travel from the Phoenix Park to Ballsbridge to attend the opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). Anne signs a visitor book at Aras an Uachtarain, Dublin (Gareth Chaney/PA) During the visit, Princess Anne toured a special exhibition on the history of the Dublin Horse Show and meet representatives from Festina Lente, a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. She also presented the rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. Mr Johnson, who will finish his term as British Ambassador to Ireland in the coming weeks, said that the visit from Princess Anne underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show. Her Royal Highness has visited Ireland on many occasions, including as patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for their biannual Six Nations games here, he said. Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work. There is a reason why some staff at Irelands fastest growing air hub dub Cork Airport the healing airport, and its car park operations crew can explain why. Bernard Dooling says he and his team have found a huge amount of crutches and walking sticks both in departure and arrivals lounges, as well as the airports various car parks. We recently had a person have their walking stick delivered back to them via courier back to Canada, he said. We have found electric wheel chairs, and with the amount of crutches we have found, we must be the healing airport. People come in on crutches, they go home without. I'm not sure what exactly happens before they go and when they come back, so we must be the healing airport. The mysteries of lost crutches is one thing but they are only a tiny amount of what passengers leave behind. Everything imaginable has come through our system, says Bernard, the airports car park operations team leader. The list includes everything from the ashes of a loved one, car batteries, glass eyes, false teeth, mobile phones, iPads, and laptops. They have also found an empty bird cage. The lost property office even has a section reserved specially for the amount of Apple AirPods that get discovered on a regular basis. All lost property is handled by both the Car Park Operations team and the airlines themselves and their ground handlers. Anything left on board an aircraft is generally dealt with by the airline or the ground handlers while anything that's left in the building or on the campus is dealt with by the car park operations team. People invariably get back in touch with Bernard and his team, and while all have to pay the cost of couriers to get their items back, some are so grateful they send back chocolates. If you've lost your phone, you'd come back for it, Bernard said. But, also, if you have lost a cuddly toy, a bear, a tiger, a rabbit those are just as important for a young child as an adult missing their new iPhone 16. When this reporter was interviewing Bernard, a man arrived at the car park office looking for his lost car key. Hakeem Suleman, from Nigeria, was looking for the key to his Mercedes-Benz. Hakeem Suleman, who arrived in Ireland from Nigeria, at the car parks control room reporting the loss of the key for his Mercedes Benz. Picture: Neil Michael While some left-behind items might raise a wry smile, some of the items found by airport police duty Sergeant Tom OBrien and his team over the years have been of more concern. Weve had a variety of items that we have had to seize, and they have included chainsaws. Some of our passengers have bought them cheaply here in Ireland in a supermarket and put them in their luggage to take back home. We have also had a few issues with animals and insects, especially spiders. Most people will declare they have them but we have managed to prevent those who dont from boarding with them. Staff days As well as ensuring security at the airport 24 hours a day, seven days a week, he and his team are also trained aviation firefighters. They and Bernards team are part of the army of some 2,000 full-time employees who work across the wider airport campus to ensure passengers' time there runs as smoothly as possible. Garda Sergeant Tom O'Brien on patrol in Cork Airport. Picture: Neil Michael While some staff days can start at any time, like the airport police, most start about an hour before the first passengers start arriving at around 4am. They include the car parks and operations teams, cleaners, catering staff, security staff, check-in staff, baggage handlers and other ground crew, as well as flight attendants and pilots. Everything is geared from around the arrival of the first flights of the day to the last of the departures. First flights On Saturday, for example, the first flights which left around five minutes ahead of their scheduled departure time to leave were Aer Lingus 5.40am to Dubrovnik and Ryanairs 5.45am to Lanzarote. Among those checking in the day before were Cornell Bachmann and Regula Wild, the son and daughter of Colonel Albert Bachmann, the man dubbed the James Bond of Switzerland. He was the colourful former Swiss intelligence officer who moved to West Cork with his wife and bought up land and property, including Liss Ard House near Skibbereen. He apparently bought the secluded country house on behalf of the Swiss government as a safe Cold War times bolthole in case of nuclear attacks. Accompanying them at the check-in desk for the 4.50pm Edelweiss flight to Zurich after four days filming in Cork was Irish documentary film maker, Daire Collins. He and his crew are making a documentary about Col. Bachmann, and were due to fly to Zurich before driving down to Italy to continue filming. Silvio Gerber (left) with Regula Wild and Cornell Bachmann with film makers Julia Furer and Daire Collins (right), leaving Cork Airport for Zurich after filming scenes from a documentary about the Bachmann family and their ownership of the stately home, Liss Ard House near Skibbereen, West Cork. Picture: Neil Michael Regula, who has flown in and out of Cork Airport on numerous occasions, said she loves using the airport. I'm very fancy about this airport, she said. I think it's great. It's not swamped with lots of people and everybody's so nice. We can always just go everywhere without waiting too long. Arriving around the same time as Regula was leaving was the Brault family. Killarney native Kerrie Brault arrived from Paris with her 37-year-old French husband Boris, an aeronautical engineer, their daughter Lily, seven, and son Vigo, five, to be met by their grandfather Johnny Burns. The family live in Texas, and after spending time with Boris family in France, Kerrie, 34, was coming home to spend time with her family in Kerry. Struggling to get a word in edgeways as her children danced around her, she said herself and her family prefer flying into Cork because it is less hassle than Dublin Airport. Its not just that it is nearer to Killarney, she said. Its smaller, its quieter and just less busy. Texas-based Kerrie Brault, from Killarney, with her French husband Boris arriving in Cork Airport from Paris, with their daughter Lily and son Vigo and her Killarney-based father, Johnny Burns (background). Picture: Neil Michael On a previous Friday, earlier in the year, Trinity Alary with her partner Harry O'Hanlon were among the first to arrive at Cork Airport, for their early morning flight to Tenerife. Harry, an outdoor instructor with the Kinsale Outdoor Education Centre, regularly uses the airport and likes it for its laid back atmosphere. As they waited at 4am for their check-in desk to open, Trinity added: There is not too much rush, people are nice and its just not as busy as Dublin, and there just isnt the sort of distance to walk to departure gates like there is in Dublin. While some people turn up about two hours before their departure time, the airport advises people to arrive 90 minutes before their flight. Communications manager Barry Holland said: We'd always advise 90 minutes because what you want is an efficient throughput of passengers. Some people are extra cautious and they give it two hours. Other people, however, call it closer to the bone and they've come maybe 60 minutes before a flight but we wouldn't encourage that by any means. We'd always say 90 minutes is the optimum time for an efficient experience. While passengers get to walk away to enjoy a browse through duty free or grab a bite to eat or get a drink at the bar, which opens at 4.30am, a small army works under their feet on the ground level. Baggage handling Central to this is the airports so-called HBS (hold baggage screening) system which screens checked baggage to detect explosives and other potentially lethal contents. Once the luggage is cleared, it is put on a conveyor belt to a holding area a few hundred feet from where the aircraft is parked and put into baggage bins. Cork Airport ramp controller for Swissport, Andrew O'Reilly, loading luggage for a flight out of Cork Airport. Picture: Neil Michael Aer Lingus loads all its luggage into small containers before they are then put into the aircraft hold. Apart from anything else, this makes it easy for the airline to trace the luggage of somebody who has failed to turn up, as aircraft cannot leave with a missing passengers luggage. Although a fairly efficient system, having to fetch it out can delay a flight by as much as 15-20 minutes. Aer Lingus operations manager Vincent Healy is another person at the airport who can talk about interesting luggage. Weve had a man try and bring a car engine in their luggage, he said. We caught him. We used to take animals on board, but we dont anymore. A Swissport dispatcher (left) at Cork Airport co-ordinating ground handling services for Edelweiss Air, the Swiss leisure airline and sister company to Swiss International Air Lines. Picture: Neil Michael We do get musical instruments, and Ive seen a few interesting ones over the years. The musicians include Johnny Cash and Bob Dylan. Ive held their guitars, or at least guitars from their group. I assume it was Bob Dylans guitar I once held, as that is my one claim to fame. While Cork Airports friendly and laidback atmosphere may well be one of the hallmarks of its success, it is growing at a considerable rate. Passenger numbers, for example, have grown by 20% over the last five years. It is on course to break all its busiest ever weeks and surpass all previous weekly records if its latest passenger stats are anything to go by. This June, for example, was the busiest June in the airports 63-year history. Then last month saw the week July 21 to July 28 ending up as the airports busiest ever week, and that status looks set to be beaten again over the last seven days. As a mark of the airports success, a 200m investment into the airport was announced in May. Early morning pre-flight checks at Cork Airport. Picture: Neil Michael The most significant capital investment plan for Cork Airport in nearly a quarter of a century, the Cork Airport Capital Development Plan was officially launched by Taoiseach Micheal Martin. It is expected to future proof the airports infrastructure for expansion for the next decade. The key aspects of the plan include the construction of a new mezzanine floor with a state-of-the-art passenger security screening area. There will also be a new larger duty-free shop, a new larger executive lounge as well as additional boarding gates and an extension of the existing car parks. In addition, the demolition of the old terminal and old control tower will allow for the construction of a new pier with more boarding gates and aircraft parking stands. When it was announced, Cork Airport MD Niall MacCarthy described the airports USP (unique selling point) as its friendly, easy, no-stress travel with short walking distances from car parks to gate. He said the new investment coupled with the airports magic formula for passenger satisfaction will see passenger numbers increase to five million a year within the next six to 10 years. An Edelweiss Air passenger waving goodbye as she departs Cork Airport on a late afternoon flight to Zurich. Picture: Neil Michael But with the move to expand and become - in effect - as big as airports like Dublin, is there a risk Cork could end up losing the very thing that makes it as popular an airport as it is among its ever-growing number of fans? 'As we grow, so does the infrastructure' Could it become a victim of its own success? Barry Holland, the communications manager, is quick to pour cold water on that narrative. While passenger numbers are growing, so too are infrastructural capabilities, he said. We are always looking towards the future, and right now we're well staffed and well resourced. As we grow, so does the infrastructure. As more and more flights come on board, we will need and get more gates, more stands and more spaces for aircraft to park. These needs all feed into the 200m capital development plan that's being scoped out at the moment. Our passenger numbers are growing, so the infrastructure needs to grow with it. We'll still offer the same friendly customer service that we always have offered and that is the utmost priority. So no, we won't lose the same friendly, fast experience. An early morning flight about to depart from Cork Airport. Picture: Neil Michael. The personal touch and the efficiency would always be the same because we will always make sure that we're adequately resourced and prepared. Whether or not Cork Airport could get so big it could end up like Dublin Airport having its expansion plans capped, he also poured cold water on that too. The cap is a limit on the number of passengers allowed to enter Dublin Airports two terminals. Set at 32 million passengers per year, it was a condition of the planning permission granted for the construction of Terminal 2 in 2007. A main reason the cap was put in place was to limit traffic pressure on the access road infrastructure at Dublin Airport. However, much of the opposition to the cap led by the airport operator DAA is the fact that around a third of all passengers come to the airport by bus. Added to this, Dublin has also since become one of the biggest connecting hubs for America and Europe, so many passengers never even leave the airport. We dont have the same issues as Dublin Airport, he explained. No such cap applies to Cork. So, the sky is the limit in terms of expansion? Without hesitation, he replies: The airport carpet will grow and continue to keep growing. The sky literally is the limit. The stats Cork Airport is worth over 1bn to the Irish economy, supporting over 12,000 jobs both directly and indirectly. The vast majority of those jobs are in the tourism and hospitality sector. Some 50 different airports are direct destinations for flights from Cork Airport across the UK and Europe. The vast majority of inbound and outbound flights are commercial passenger jets and only a small number are either cargo or executive jets at any one time. The largest of all the airlines to operate there is Ryanair, and it flies to over 30 routes from Cork Airport, while the latest airline to join the roster is SunExpress, which started this year. The most popular jet is the Boeing 737-800 or Boeing 737-8200 (MAX 8), both operated by Ryanair. Following that, it is the Airbus A320. Capacity onboard a standard Boeing 737-800 is 189 passengers, while a Boeing 737-8200 has a capacity of 197 passengers. Capacity onboard an Airbus A320 can vary between 174 and 184 passengers, depending on the type of aircraft. Just about any size plane can land at Cork Airport. In the past, the largest size aircraft that landed at Cork Airport was a Boeing 747, and several have over the years, from promotional visits to rugby charters and emergency landings. There are two runways at Cork Airport. The longest is Runway 16-34 and at 2,133m long or just under 15 Pairc Ui Chaoimhs. it is the main jet capable runway. It was rebuilt during covid in 2021 and instead of taking nine months to complete, the 40m project took considerably less. Cork Airport decided to take advantage of the huge drop in passenger numbers due to the pandemic to fully close the airport from September 10 for 10 weeks and it was opened by the then Taoiseach Micheal Martin in time for Christmas that year. The secondary runway, which is also known as the cross runway, is shorter at just 1,310m and is limited in the types of aircraft it can accommodate. The airport is open 364 days per year, except for Christmas Day. However, while the airport is closed on December 25, it has a skeleton crew on duty in case a flight requires an emergency landing or if the coastguard helicopter needs to land. Read More Read More Council grants Cork Airport permission to extend car parking facilities 41 The United Nations has called reports about a possible decision to expand Israel's military operations throughout the Gaza Strip "deeply alarming" if true. UN Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca told a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Gaza that such a move "would risk catastrophic consequences ... and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza. "International law is clear in the regard; Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," he added. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met senior security officials on Tuesday to finalise a new strategy for the nearly two-year-old war in Gaza with media reporting he favoured a complete military takeover of the Palestinian enclave. The full security cabinet meeting was later postponed amid mounting tensions over whether the plan is feasible. China's deputy UN representative, Geng Shuang, expressed "great concern" about the reported plans and added: "We urge Israel to immediately halt such dangerous actions." He called for a ceasefire and urged countries with influence to take concrete steps to help bring one about. Ahead of the UN meeting, Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar addressed reporters at the UN and criticised countries that sought to pressure Israel by recognising a "virtual" Palestinian state, saying this had "assassinated" a hostage deal and ceasefire and prolonged the war. Three Group of Seven countries have announced plans to recognise Palestinian statehood. France and Canada have said they would do so in September at the UN General Assembly. Britain said it would also back Palestinian statehood in September unless Israel takes substantive steps to end suffering in Gaza, where it is fighting Hamas, and meets other conditions. Ireland, along with Spain and Norway, recognised the state of Palestine in May 2024. The US ambassador to the UN, Dorothy Shea, called a UN conference last week that saw dozens of ministers urge the world to work toward a two-state solution between Israel and the Palestinians an "unproductive publicity stunt," and said it had undercut the efforts of mediators. The brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, who was shown appearing emaciated in a video released by Hamas last week, told the Security Council to use its leverage to secure the immediate unconditional release of remaining hostages and to ensure humanitarian aid reaches them. "Every moment of delay is a step closer to final tragic outcome," Ilay David told the meeting. He said the video showed his brother as "a living skeleton. He had barely the strength to move or speak, his voice barely recognisable," the brother said, adding that neither he nor his mother could bring themselves to watch. "We knew that if we did, we would be unable to function. My father and sister, however, felt they had to see him, to hear his voice, to feel him somehow. Now these images haunt them. My father cannot sleep, and my mother has not stopped crying ever since," he said. Reuters Frances biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly on Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. About 2,000 firefighters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries. The wildfire remained very active on Wednesday and weather conditions were unfavourable, the local administration said in a statement. One person died in their home, nine others were injured, including seven firefighters, and at least one person was missing, the statement said. The Interior Ministry said the fire had spread over 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), an area larger than the French capital Paris. Jacques Piraux, mayor of the village of Jonquieres, said all residents have been evacuated. Its a scene of sadness and desolation, he told broadcaster BFM TV after he visited on Wednesday morning to assess the damage. It looks like a lunar landscape, everything is burned. More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down. Its hellish. Residents and tourists in nearby areas were requested to remain in their homes unless told to evacuate by firefighters. Two campsites were evacuated as a precaution. French prime minister Francois Bayrou was expected to visit on Wednesday afternoon, his office said. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, Frances second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. At least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up as they wait to enter the Rafah crossing between Egypt and the Gaza Strip (Khaled Elfiqi/AP) Experts say Israels ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some two million Palestinians into famine. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Mr Netanyahus far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. US President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter on Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he was not aware of the suggestion but that its going to be pretty much up to Israel. At least 28 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where UN convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced towards them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF), an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. People inspect the damage at the Sheikh Radwan al-Taba UNRWA clinic following an Israeli army bombardment in Gaza City (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Another 12 people were killed in Israeli air strikes, according to the two hospitals. The GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. The military says it tries to avoid harming civilians and blames their deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for two-and-a-half months. Israeli and US officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The UN human rights office said last week that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along UN convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Deir al-Balah, central Gaza Strip (Abdel Kareem Hana/AP) This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law. The experts work with the UN but do not represent the world body. The GHF called their statement disgraceful, and urged the UN and other aid groups to work with it to maximise the amount of aid being securely delivered to the Palestinian people in Gaza. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots when crowds threatened its forces, and the GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding at its sites. Israels blockade and military offensive have made it nearly impossible for anyone to safely deliver aid, and aid groups say recent Israeli measures to facilitate more assistance are far from sufficient. Hospitals recorded four more malnutrition-related deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 193 people, including 96 children, since the war began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Jordan said Israeli settlers blocked roads and hurled stones at a convoy of four trucks carrying aid bound for Gaza after they drove across the border into the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli far-right activists have repeatedly sought to halt aid from entering Gaza. Palestinians at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City mourn their relative who was killed while trying to reach aid trucks entering the northern Gaza Strip through the Zikim crossing with Israel (Jehad Alshrafi/AP) Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammed al-Momani condemned the attack, which he said had shattered the windscreens of the trucks, according to the Jordanian state-run Petra News Agency. The Israeli military said security forces went to the scene to disperse the gathering and accompanied the trucks to their destination. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the October 7 attack and abducted another 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Of the 50 still held in Gaza, around 20 are believed to be alive. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed more than 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. It is part of the now largely defunct Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The UN and independent experts consider it the most reliable source for the number of war casualties. US President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorised to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Mr Trump was also open to a meeting with both Mr Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Trump would be their first since Mr Trump returned to office this year. Russian President Vladimir Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff shake hands during their meeting in Moscow on Wednesday (Gavriil Grigorov, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP) It would be a significant milestone in the three-year-old war, though there is no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. News of a potential meeting with Mr Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Mr Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met Mr Putin in Moscow. Mr Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Mr Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Mr Putin in which great progress was made. It was not immediately clear if Mr Putin or Mr Zelenskyy had agreed to any meetings with Mr Trump. Mr Zelenskyy has been willing to meet face-to-face with Mr Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Mr Trump has met Mr Zelenskyy several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met Mr Putin this year, Mr Trump met with him five times during his first term. Mr Trump said earlier on Wednesday that he updated Americas allies in Europe and that they will work toward an end to the Russia-Ukraine war in the days and weeks to come. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said: The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelenskyy. Her statement did not address the potential timing of any meeting. Mr Witkoff met Mr Putin days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Mr Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Mr Putin and Mr Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic co-operation between the United States and Russia. HARARE, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- An enthusiastic audience of film lovers gathered on Tuesday at the iconic Westgate Cinemas in Zimbabwe's capital, Harare, for the opening ceremony of the China Film Festival, a vibrant celebration of cultural exchange between China and Zimbabwe. The inaugural festival kicked off with Jackie Chan's action-comedy Panda Plan, captivating guests including government officials, filmmakers, and cinephiles. "It was quite amazing, and the fact that it had my favorite actor, Jackie Chan, made it more special," said Belinda Musemburi, a Zimbabwean film producer. Ahead of the festival, Zimbabwe's Deputy Minister of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, Emily Jesaya, emphasized the festival's role in strengthening bilateral relations through cinema. "This Chinese Film Festival, which we are celebrating today, is a celebration of the relationship between the countries, China and Zimbabwe, and the importance of celebrating the relationship through film festivals is because we respect the role that arts and culture play," Jesaya told Xinhua. Amid deepening ties between the two countries, Jesaya noted that the festival creates opportunities for cooperation in film production and cultural exchange. "It is also important for us as a country, as Zimbabwe, because this year we are also working towards a strategy of reviving our film industry. This is an opportunity for us to collaborate with Chinese artists as well, so that we also boost our Zimbabwean artists," she added. Isaac Madzivanyika, another filmmaker and producer who attended the ceremony, echoed her sentiments, highlighting film as a powerful medium for cross-cultural connection. "Filming is all about the culture, showing people the culture that you believe in, so having the collaboration of Zimbabwe and China is a good thing. It's very important for us to have collaborations with the Chinese in terms of culture..." he said. Chinese Ambassador to Zimbabwe Zhou Ding also addressed the gathering, emphasizing cinema's power to transcend borders and foster mutual understanding. "Today's film festival adds another chapter to our cultural connections. Cinema, the art of light and shadow, is a universal language that transcends borders and speaks directly to the heart. A powerful theme can bridge divides and dissolve differences, allowing us to glimpse into each other's lives, histories, cultures, values, and shared aspirations," he said. Jointly organized by the Chinese Embassy in Zimbabwe, the China Film Administration, and Zimbabwe's Ministry of Sport, Recreation, Arts, and Culture, the two-day festival will feature four Chinese films. The event is part of the celebrations marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and Zimbabwe, aimed at promoting cultural exchange and further strengthening bilateral ties. An N.C. House Select Committee is recommending that the General Assembly change a state law forcing districts to start school the Monday closest to Aug. 26 and end no later than the Friday clo ( Tomdispatch.com ) As a retired U.S. Air Force officer, I firmly believe in civilian control of our military. This country should be a nation of laws not of special interests, oligarchs, or kings. Before committing our forces to battle, Congress should always declare war in the name of the people. Our military should indeed be a citizen-soldier force, not an isolated caste driven by a warrior ethos. And above all, the United States should be a republic ruled by law and shaped by sound moral values, not a greed-driven empire fueled by militarism. Yet when I express such views, I feel like Im clinging to a belief in the tooth fairy, the Easter Bunny, and Santa Claus. It feels idealistic, naive, even painful to think that way. Yes, I served this country in uniform for 20 years, and now, in the age of Donald Trump, it has, as far as I can tell, thoroughly lost its way. The unraveling began so long ago most obviously with the disastrous Vietnam War of the 1960s and 1970s, though in truth this countrys imperial desires predated even the Spanish-American War of 1898, stretching back to the wanton suppression of indigenous peoples as part of its founding and expansion. A glance at U.S. history reveals major atrocities: the displacement and murder of Native Americans, slavery, and all too many imperial misadventures abroad. I knew of such realities when I joined the military in 1985, near the end of the Cold War. Despite its flaws, I believed then that this country was more committed to freedom than the Soviet Union. We could still claim some moral authority as the leader of what we then referred to as the free world, however compromised or imperfect our actions were. That moral authority, however, is now gone. U.S. leaders fully support and unapologetically serve an ongoing genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. They sell weapons to nearly every regime imaginable, irrespective of human rights violations. They wage war without Congressional approval the recent 12-day assault on Iran being just the latest example. (The second Trump administration has, in fact, launched almost as many air strikes, especially in Yemen and Somalia, in its first five months as the Biden administration did in four years.) Those same leaders have been doing a bang-up job dismantling the America I thought I was serving when I took that oath and put on second lieutenants bars four decades ago. That America assuming it ever existed may now be gone forever. FUBAR: A Republic in Ruins My fellow citizens, America is FUBAR (a term that dates from World War II). We are not faintly who we claim to be. Rather than a functioning republic, we are an ailing, flailing, perhaps even failing empire. We embrace war, glorify warriors, and profit mightily from the global arms trade, no matter the civilian toll, including tens of thousands of dead and wounded children in Gaza, among the latest victims of U.S.-made bombs, bullets, and missiles. Signs of moral rot are everywhere. Our president, who would like to be known for his budget cuts, nonetheless giddily celebrates a record trillion-dollar war budget. Our secretary of defense gleefully promotes a warrior ethos. Congress almost unanimously supports or acquiesces in the destruction of Gaza. Images from the region resemble bombed-out Stalingrad in 1942 or Berlin in 1945. Meanwhile, for more than two decades now, Americas leaders have claimed to be waging a successful global war on terror even as they fuel terror across the globe. What do they think all those U.S. weapons are for spreading peace? My wife and I cope through dark humor. We see news on cuts to Medicaid, the mentally ill in the streets, and crumbling infrastructure, and quip: But Bibi [Netanyahu] needs bombs. Or Ukraine does. Or the Pentagon needs more nukes. Thats why Americans cant have nice things like health care. Thats why all too many of us are unhoused, in debt, out of work, and desperate. In 1967 yes, thats almost 60 years ago! Martin Luther King warned of exactly this: Americas approaching spiritual death through militarism (aggravated by extreme materialism and racism). That death is visibly here, now. Washington is not even faintly committed to peace through strength, a vapid slogan touted by the Trump administration, and an unintentional echo of George Orwells dystopian war is peace. It is committed instead to what passes for dominance through colossal military spending and persistent war. And lets face it, that warpath may well end in the death of the American experiment. The Mediocrity of Our Generals In this era of creeping authoritarianism and mass surveillance, perhaps the U.S. is lucky that its generals are, by and large, so utterly uninspired. Todays American military isnt open to the mercurial and meteoric talents of a Napoleon or a Caesar. Not in its upper ranks, at least. One struggles to name a truly great American general or admiral since World War II. That war produced household names like George C. Marshall, Dwight D. Eisenhower, George S. Patton, and Chester W. Nimitz. In contrast, Americas recent generals Norman Schwarzkopf and Colin Powell of Desert Storm fame, Tommy Franks in Iraq in 2003, David Petraeus and Stanley McChrystal of the fragile and reversible Iraq and Afghan surges have left anything but a legacy of excellence or moral leadership, not to speak of decisive victory. At best, they were narrowly competent; at worst, morally compromised and dangerously deluded. Mind you, this isnt a criticism of this countrys rank-and-file troops. The young Americans I served with showed no lack of courage. It wasnt their fault that the wars they found themselves in were misbegotten and mismanaged. Twenty years have passed since I served alongside those young troops, glowing with pride and purpose in their dedication, their idealism, their commitment to their oath of service. Many paid a high price in limbs, minds, or lives. Too often, they were lions led by donkeys, to borrow a phrase once used to describe the inept and callous British leadership during World War I at bloody battles like the Somme (1916) and Passchendaele (1917). Today, I fear that Americas lions may, sooner or later, be led into even deeper catastrophe this time possibly a war with China. Any conflict with China would likely rival, if not surpass, the disasters produced by World War I. The worlds best military, which U.S. presidents have been telling us we have since the 9/11 attacks of September 2001, stands all too close to being committed to just such a war in Asia by donkeys like Donald Trump and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. And for what? The island of Taiwan is often mentioned, but the actual reason would undoubtedly be to preserve imperial hegemony in the service of corporate interests. War, as General Smedley Butler wrote in 1935 after he retired from the military, is indeed a racket, one from which the rich exempt themselves (except when it comes to taking profits from the same). A disastrous conflict with China, likely ending in a U.S. defeat (or a planetary one), could very well lead to a repeat of some even more extreme version of Trumps Make America Great Again campaign, amplified and intensified by humiliation and resentment. From the ashes of that possible defeat, an American Napoleon or Caesar (or at least a wannabe imitator) could very well emerge to administer the coup de grace to whats left of our democracy and freedom. Avoiding a Colossal Act of Folly War with China isnt, of course, inevitable, but Americas current posture makes it more likely. Trumps tariffs, his bombastic rhetoric, and this countrys extensive military exercises in the Pacific contribute to rising tensions, not de-escalation and rapprochement. While this country invests in war and more war, China invests in infrastructure and trade, in the process becoming what the U.S. used to be: the worlds indispensable workhorse. As the 10 BRICS countries, including China, expand and global power becomes more multipolar, this countrys addiction to military dominance may drive it to lash out. With ever more invested in a massive military war hammer, impetuous leaders like Trump and Hegseth may see China as just another nail to be driven down. It would, of course, be a colossal act of folly, though anything but a first in history. And speaking of folly, the U.S. military as its configured today is remarkably similar to the force I joined in 1985. The focus remains on ultra-expensive weapons systems, including the dodgy F-35 jet fighter, the unnecessary B-21 Raider bomber, the escalatory Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile, and Trumps truly fantastical Golden Dome missile defense system (a ghostly rehash of President Ronald Reagans Star Wars proposal, vintage 1983). Other militaries, meanwhile, are improvising, notably in low-cost drone technology (also known as UAS, or uncrewed autonomous systems) as seen in the Russia-Ukraine War, a crucial new arena of war-making where the U.S. has fallen significantly behind China. The Pentagons solution here is to continue the massive funding of Cold War-era weapons systems while posing as open to innovation, as an embarrassing video of Hegseth walking with drones suggests. Americas military is, in short, well-prepared to fight a major conventional war against an obliging enemy like Iraq in 1991, but such a scenario is unlikely to lie in our future. With respect to drones or UAS, I can hear the wheels of the military-industrial complex grinding away. A decentralized, low-cost, flexible cottage industry will likely be transformed into a centralized, high-cost, inflexible cash cow for the merchants of death. When the Pentagon faces a perceived crisis or shortfall, the answer is always to throw more money at it. Ka-ching! Indeed, the recent profit margins of major military contractors like Lockheed Martin, Boeing, and RTX (formerly Raytheon) have been astounding. Since 9/11, Boeings stock has risen more than 400%. RTX shares are up more than 600%. Lockheed Martin, maker of the faltering F-35, has seen its shares soar by nearly 1,000%. And Northrop Grumman, maker of the B-21 Raider bomber and Sentinel ICBM, two legs of Americas modernized nuclear triad, has seen its shares increase by more than 1,400%. Who says that war (even the threat of a global nuclear war) doesnt pay? Meanwhile, the Pentagons war budget, soaring to unprecedented levels, has been virtually immune to DOGE cuts. While Elon Musk and his whiz kids searched for a few billion in savings by gutting education or squelching funding for public media like PBS and NPR, the Pentagon emerged with about $160 billion in new spending authority. As President Biden once reminded us: Show me your budget and Ill tell you what you value. Far too often, Americas leaders, whatever theyve said in their election campaigns, have valued weapons and wars over almost anything else. What Is To Be Done Ive written against warriors, warfighters, and U.S. militarism since 2007. And yes, it often feels futile, but silence means surrender to warmongering fools like Hegseth, Senator Tom Cotton, and the farrago of grifters, clowns, toadies, con men, and zealots who inhabit the Trump administration and much of Congress as well. The fight against them must go on. All leaders, military and civilian, must remember their oath: loyalty to the Constitution, not to any man. Illegal orders must be resisted. Congress must impeach and remove a president who acts unlawfully. It must also reassert its distinctly lost authority to declare war. And it must stop taking legal bribes from the lobbyists/foot soldiers who flood the halls of Congress, peddling influence with campaign contributions. For tyranny to be stopped, for a catastrophic war with China (and who knows what else) to be avoided, America must have profiles in courage, not cowardice. Yet even despair is being weaponized. As a retired colonel and friend of mine wrote to me recently: I dont even know where to start anymore, Bill. I have no hope for anything ever improving. And dont think of that despair as incidental or accidental. Its a distinct feature of the present system of government. Trump and Hegseth are not faintly what the founders of this country envisioned when they placed the military under civilian control. Yet power ultimately resides in the people (if we remember our duties as citizens). Isnt it high time that we Americans recover our ideals, as well as our guts? After all, the few can do little without the consent of the many. Its up to the many (thats us!) to reclaim and restore America. Copyright 2025 William J. Astore Via Tomdispatch.com British man of letters Edward FitzGerald translated the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam from two Persian manuscripts and published it in 1859. He had substantial help from young Orientalist Edward Cowell, who discovered a manuscript of the Rubaiyat dated 1460 CE in the Bodleian Library at Oxford. Rubaiyat means quatrains, and in Persian poetry they consist of four lines with an aaba rhyme scheme (older ones had aaaa, but that was considered too difficult to achieve). In FitzGeralds first edition (there were three subsequent ones, with additions and changes), the first quatrain goes this way: I. AWAKE! for Morning in the Bowl of Night Has flung the Stone that puts the Stars to Flight And Lo! the Hunter of the East has caught The Sultans Turret in a Noose of Light This Persian original is identified by A. J. Arberry as Calcutta 137. From how Arberry describes it, I believe this is the original: I present below a fairly literal translation of the Persian, which Im able to do in part because I have a better text than FitzGerald did. Since Im trying to stay close to the original, unlike FitzGerald (whose poetry is genius), I am not trying to replicate the Persian aaba rhyme scheme, satisfying myself with abca instead. I do put it in iambic pentameter, the meter FitzGerald used: When sunrise lassoes roof tops with its rays, and morning wine fills Khosrows royal cup then sip a fine Shiraz dawns herald has proclaimed the call Drink up! throughout the days. Transliteration: Khorshid kamand-e sobh bar bam afkand Kaykhosrow-e ruz bade dar jam afkand May khor ke monadi-ye sahar-gah khizan avazah-e ishrabu! dar ayyam afkand FitzGeralds hunter of the east is Kay-Khosrow, the Sasanian Emperor Khosrow II (d. 628), who conquered much of the known world from Central Asia to Egypt and fatally weakened the Eastern Roman Empire. Ancient Zoroastrians, the pre-Islamic religion of Iran, had a custom of drinking a cup of wine on rising at dawn, and it worked its way into even Islamic poetry. Arab warriors also drank wine when they rose, according to the ancient poetry of the Mu`allaqat, to gain some liquid courage for the battle to come. But I think this wine-drinking at dawn is of the Iranian sort, more genteel and urbane. The image of the dawn having a crier or munadi that commands ishrabu, drink up in Arabic, is a piece of irreverence, since in Muslim societies at dawn the caller to prayer or muezzin melodiously instructs people to rise and pray. Sufis interpreted wine, however, as a symbol for union with God, and so from that point of view the muezzins call to prayer is a summons to an inebriating spiritual communion with divine, hence wine. Personally, I think in the corpus of Persian poetry attributed to Omar Khayyam, the wine is just wine and a kind of medieval Muslim secularism is being celebrated. This poem is not in my own translation of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam, since I stuck to the early 1460 manuscript in the Bodleian and I consider the Calcutta manuscript to be late and full of Mughal-era Indian verse (not that there is anything wrong with that). Order Juans new translation of the Rubaiyat from Bloomsbury (IB Tauris) or Barnes and Noble, who will ship it to you. or for $16 (right now) at Amazon Kindle Gainesville, Fl. (Special to Informed Comment; Feature) Sixty years ago, July 30, 1965, at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri, former President Harry S. Truman and his wife, former First Lady Bess Truman, became the first recipients of the new Medicare health insurance program. President Lyndon Johnson and the U.S. Congress enacted Medicare under Title XVIII of the Social Security Act to provide health insurance to people age 65 and older, regardless of income or medical history and Medicaid for those whose incomes were below specific levels. Medicare was a momentous act because it provided new health insurance for people ages 65 and older and the disabled regardless of income or medical history. In the sixty years since, Medicare has become living proof that public, universal health insurance is superior to private insurance in every way. Medicare is more efficient than private health insurance and is administered at a cost of 3 percent to 4 percent, as opposed to private, for-profit health insurance, which has administrative costs above 15 percent. Following the successful 1965 grassroots campaign to enact Medicare, many also believed that the dream of a full national, single-payer health insurance system that included all age groups, Medicare for All, was right around the corner. Unfortunately decades later, Medicare still has not been expanded. Most of the changes have been contractions with higher out-of-pocket costs for beneficiaries and repeated attempts at privatization by Big Pharma, Big health insurance industry companies/oligarchs/profiteers and their champions in the White House and Congress. Big insurance and Big Pharma continue opposing legislation for the new, improved Medicare for All because these resistant, self-serving industries have the most to lose if their huge profits are redirected to direct patient care for all. Individual and corporate predators regard democracy, government and community as obstacles to their greed and avarice, always placing profits over individual patients, families and public health. Its no wonder so many beholden members of Congress want to protect the interests of Big Insurance and Big Pharma, industries who spent $371 million on lobbying in 2017 alone. THE BIG HEALTH INSURANCE/BIG PHARMA/CONGRESSIONAL PROFITEERING COMPLEX: The Heritage Foundations Project 2025, framed by former Trump administration staffers and secretly endorsed by Trump himself, proposes changes in Medicare benefits that could destroy Medicare as we know it. Instead, we must fight back and expand Medicare. Although health insurance affordability for the majority of US citizens still remains elusive, President Trumps health insurance plan still wants to shift many more dollars into private, Wall Street insurance industry hands. The takeover of public health insurance, as with Medicare Advantage plans and others, by private Wall Street entities continues apace as Republicans/Trump propose to increase taxes and give it to the private profit insurance industrythe basic source of our profound administrative waste, along with the costly administrative burdens they place on the delivery system that requires large profits. Profiteering continues unabated as private insurance sells us services we dont need/want , such as deductibles and other cost sharing, maintenance of narrow networks, requiring prior authorization with increased administrative costs, excessive ongoing paperwork/documentation requirements, all while avoiding paying for surprise bills and other denied benefits. Dealing with Covid-19 could have been more life-saving if Medicare for All had been in place. A New York Times editorial , Health Care for Some is a Recipe for Disaster, stresses the importance of covering everyone. Even before Covid-19 was known to humans, Northeastern University professor of public health, Wendy Parmet, presciently warned that the push to exclude immigrants from access to health care services would be both dangerous and quixotic. None of us can be self-sufficient in the face of a widespread epidemic, she wrote in 2018. That is just as true for noncitizen immigrants as everyone. In any pandemic, self-sufficiency can be self-deluding; everyones health, citizens, immigrants, etc. alike is only as good as our most vulnerable neighbors. Truly a recipe for disaster, vested interests reject the science of public health epidemiology by asserting that only an incremental approach to health insurance reform is possible or acceptable. So, what are we willing to settle for, should we just settle for what we can get? Lower the expectations, turn down the public heat and keep waiting?. Gradualism, baby-steps, extending health insurance coverage to some, but not all, is the mantra of the day; Medicare for Some, but not Medicare for All, is fawned over by politicians, profiteers and advocacy groups alike while reducing communities resources to deal with dangerous epidemics and other health problems. Virtually all the risky gradual reforms being touted would reinforce a dysfunctional health insurance system with as many standards of insurance as there are dollars to purchase them. It would further lock us into an obsolete private insurance-based model that holds everyones health hostage to profiteering HMOs and unaccountable big insurance companies for years to come. For these proponents of political expediency, the question remains, who will be left behind while we wait? Every year many unnecessary deaths are linked to lack of health insurance coverage. Pandemics can quickly increase these numbers. Big Insurance and Big Pharma dominate our government and public health takes a back seat to the need for private profit. Many government leaders from both political parties share the same profits over public health ideology, even though the Covid-19 pandemic clearly showed how our economic system failed to serve our citizens by allowing these groups to privatize, sabotage, fragment and cripple our health, public health and other social services. Mzny of the changes in traditional Medicare have been contractions with higher out of pocket costs for beneficiaries and repeated attempts at privatization by big pharma, and big health insurance. No greater disconnect exists between the public good and private interests than in the voracious U.S. system of for-profit Big Insurance/Big Pharma and their inherent tendency to invent new needs, disregard all boundaries and turn everything into an object for sale and big profit. MEDICARE FOR ALL 2025 MEETS EIGHT HIGH STANDARDS: Medicare for All Act-2025 is best solution because it meets eight basic standards: 1). Health insurance coverage should be stable and permanent throughout life. M4A-2025 would be a single programpermanent throughout life. 2). Employer-sponsored insurance can create problems such as job lock, which many conservatives and progressives believe should be terminated. M4A-2025 would end employer-sponsored insurance, and, for most, M4A-2025 would be better. 3). Medicaid carries the stigma of being a welfare program which results in legislative underfunding and neglect. M4A-2025 would fully terminate the Medicaid program and move everyone into a universal, comprehensive and equitable program. 4). We need a program that is affordable for each individual and for society as a whole. M4A-2025 would achieve all goals of financing reform without significantly increasing spending. Photo by National Cancer Institute on Unsplash 5). Patients should have free choice of their professionals and health care institutions. M4A-2025 allows choices within the entire health care system. 6). The privatization of public programs such as Medicare through Medicare Advantage and Medicaid through private managed care programs have proven to provide poor value for the taxpayer (obscured by cherry picking and lemon dropping) and should be eliminated. M4A-2025 would eliminate them. 7). Fragmentation results in dysfunctional financing of health care; M4A-2023 would bring an end to it. 8). M4A-2025 is specifically designed to greatly reduce fragmentation and its associated costs; health insurance industry profiteering is ended. SUMMARY The major reason private health insurers are more expensive than government health programs in the U.S. is due to profiteering and administrative costs. Those extra taxpayer funds going to private insurers include costs such as advertising/ marketing of their plans, costs of contracting for restrictive provider networks, administering prior authorization requirements, complex systems of processing claims including denial of benefits, simple administrative costs of operating large corporate entities, and distributing generous profits to their executives and passive high profiteering by Wall Street investors. The Medicare for All Act-2025, now filed in Congress, would much better fill our health care financing needs without wasting hundreds of billions of dollars on superfluous administrative costs and end immense profiteering by private insurers and big pharma. The USA is a country where health insurance for medical and mental health care is a function of socio-economic status. Everyone knows that this inhumane system should have been corrected long ago. The Medicare for All Act of 2025 would provide health coverage to every U.S. residentincluding comprehensive medical, dental, vision, mental health, and reproductive carewith no out-of-pocket costs, copays, or deductibles. By eliminating waste and corporate profiteering in health care, the bill would save hundreds of billions annually that could be invested in actual health care, resulting in better, more equitable health outcomes. Please tell your legislators that its time to end inadequate and dangerous health insurance programs. Insist on real health insurance reform essential for individuals and families. American history is filled with examples of fundamental, democratic change brought about by successful mass action and public pressure against the counseling of the go slow, vested interest crowd. No more waiting! Please contact your legislators asking them to fully support Medicare For All 2025 Committee on Academic Freedom | Middle Eastern Studies Association of North America | Letter to Harvard University concerning the cancellation of a special issue of Harvard Educational Review on education and Palestine Alan Garber President, Harvard University president@harvard.edu . . . Dear President Garber and colleagues: We write on behalf of the Middle East Studies Association of North America (MESA) and its Committee on Academic Freedom to express our grave concern at the decision of the Harvard Educational Publishing Group (HEPG), which publishes the Harvard Educational Review (HER), to cancel a planned special issue on the topic of education and Palestine. This decision, apparently the result of political considerations, is (as we note below) not entirely unprecedented, but it is certainly highly unusual. We believe that it constitutes an egregious violation of the principles of academic freedom and a blatant betrayal of Harvard Universitys avowed commitment to scholarly integrity and freedom of expression. MESA was founded in 1966 to promote scholarship and teaching on the Middle East and North Africa. The preeminent organization in the field, the Association publishes the prestigious International Journal of Middle East Studies and has nearly 2,800 members worldwide. MESA is committed to ensuring academic freedom and freedom of expression, both within the region and in connection with the study of the region in North America and outside of North America. According to a 22 July 2025 report in the Guardian, HER decided in March 2024 to publish a special issue on education and Palestine, scheduled to appear in the summer of 2025. As the editors put it at the time, The field of education has an important role to play in supporting students, educators, and policymakers in contextualizing what has been happening in Gaza with histories and continuing impacts of occupation, genocide, and political contestations. Editors proceeded to sign agreements with authors, and a number of the planned articles were submitted and edited. In early May 2025, however, HEPG told HER editors that it wanted a legal risk assessment of the special issue by Harvards Office of the General Counsel, allegedly because of concerns that the issue would draw accusations of antisemitism. On 9 June 2025 HEPG suddenly cancelled the special issue, citing an inadequate review process and the need for considerable copy editing. Authors who had submitted articles, along with HER journal editors, have rejected these claims and instead reasonably attribute HEPGs decision to the cancelled issues focus on Palestine. As one of the authors told the Harvard Crimson: Its hard to disassociate this cancellation from the broader context and the related pressure that Harvard is being placed under by the Trump administration. It seems to be a classic case of the Palestine exception. That term (more fully, the Palestine exception to free speech) refers to the all too common practice of selectively ignoring, restricting or denying freedom of speech, academic freedom and the right to protest when it comes to pro-Palestinian advocacy and criticism of Israel. In this case, as with Harvards unjustified and arbitrary dismissal in March 2025 of the director and associate director of its Center for Middle Eastern Studies, Harvard has capitulated to those who wish to stifle the expression of entirely legitimate scholarly perspectives simply because some people may find them objectionable. In these fraught times university leaders have a heightened responsibility to resist pressures from the government and outside groups to suppress scholarly inquiry on issues of public concern. HEPG and Harvard University have clearly failed to protect the academic freedom and freedom of speech of all members of the academic community, including those who contribute to scholarly publications housed within the university. As we noted in a letter dated 17 March 2025 protesting the cancellation of a special issue on Palestine of the Journal of Architectural Education by the journals publisher: Investigating complex and controversial issues in a scholarly manner, and educating professional communities about how to engage with them in the same manner, must be a critical dimension of research and pedagogy in architecture as in all of the disciplines and professions that are part of this countrys institutions of higher education. Capitulation to politically motivated groups seeking to suppress critical scholarly engagement with certain issues will only encourage such groups to become even more aggressive and embolden them to intensify and extend their attacks. All the members of the Journal of Architectural Educations editorial board resigned to protest the publishers action. We therefore call upon you to immediately rescind HEPGs decision to cancel the special issue on Palestine and ensure that it appears as originally envisioned by the journals editors. We further call on you to publicly reiterate your commitment to protect the academic freedom and the free speech rights of all members of the Harvard community and of those who participate in scholarly projects under Harvards auspices. We look forward to your response. Sincerely, Asl U. Bali MESA President Professor, Yale Law School Laurie A. Brand Chair, Committee on Academic Freedom Professor Emerita, University of Southern California Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Loncor Gold Inc. (TSX: LN) (OTCQX: LONCF) (FSE: LO5) ("Loncor" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that an additional core rig has arrived at Adumbi to accelerate the deep drilling program at the Company's 3.66 million ounce Adumbi deposit where an indicated mineral resource of 1.88 million ounces of gold (28.185 million tonnes grading 2.08 g/t Au), and an inferred mineral resource of 1.78 million ounces of gold (20.83 million tonnes grading 2.65 g/t Au) have already been delineated within a USD1,600/oz open pit shell. The mobilised drill rig is a multipurpose PRD Multi Star, track mounted rig capable of coring down to 1,500 metres with also the capability for reverse circulation drilling. Thus there is the potential to pilot some of the deep holes by reverse circulation from surface and then core down to the target depth. Commenting on the additional drill rig at Adumbi. Loncor CEO John Barker said: "A third core rig from a second drilling company has now arrived at Adumbi to accelerate the +/-11,000-metre-deep drilling program. The meterage drilled so far at Adumbi in 2025 has not met our expectations, hence the decision to add a third rig to push the progress during the remainder of this year." Qualified Person Peter N. Cowley, who is President of Loncor and a "qualified person" as such term is defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical information in this press release. Technical Report Additional information with respect to the Company's Adumbi deposit (and other properties of the Company within its Imbo Project) is contained in the technical report of New SENET (Pty) Ltd and Minecon Resources and Services Limited dated December 15, 2021 and entitled "NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Adumbi Deposit in the Democratic Republic of the Congo". A copy of the said report can be obtained from SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. About Loncor Gold Inc. Loncor is a Canadian gold exploration company focussed on the Ngayu Greenstone Gold Belt in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (the "DRC"). The Loncor team has over two decades of experience of operating in the DRC. Loncor's growing resource base in the Ngayu Belt is focused on the Imbo Project where the Adumbi deposit holds an indicated mineral resource of 1.88 million ounces of gold (28.185 million tonnes grading 2.08 g/t gold), and the Adumbi deposit and two neighbouring deposits hold an inferred mineral resource of 2.090 million ounces of gold (22.508 million tonnes grading 2.89 g/t Au), with 84.68% of these resources being attributable to Loncor. Following a drilling program carried out by the Company at the Adumbi deposit in 2020 and 2021, the Company completed a Preliminary Economic Assessment ("PEA") of the Adumbi deposit and announced the results of the PEA in December 2021. Additional information with respect to Loncor and its projects can be found on Loncor's website at www.loncor.com. Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Information This press release contains forward-looking information. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements regarding the Company's deep drilling program at Adumbi, underground mineral resource potential below the Adumbi pit shell, mineral resource estimates, potential mineralization, future exploration and development) are forward-looking information. This forward-looking information reflects the current expectations or beliefs of the Company based on information currently available to the Company. Forward-looking information is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking information, and even if such actual results are realized or substantially realized, there can be no assurance that they will have the expected consequences to, or effects on the Company. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, the possibility that future exploration (including drilling) or development results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, risks related to the exploration stage of the Company's properties, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, the possibility that drilling programs will be delayed, failure to establish estimated mineral resources (the Company's mineral resource figures are estimates and no assurances can be given that the indicated levels of gold will be produced), changes in world gold markets or equity markets, political developments in the DRC, gold recoveries being less than those indicated by the metallurgical testwork carried out to date (there can be no assurance that gold recoveries in small scale laboratory tests will be duplicated in large tests under on-site conditions or during production), fluctuations in currency exchange rates, inflation, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, the uncertainties involved in interpreting drilling results and other geological data and the other risks disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's annual information form dated March 31, 2025 filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov. Forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is provided and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. Although the Company believes that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking information are reasonable, forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such information due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Phenom Resources Corp. (TSXV: PHNM) (OTCQX: PHNMF) (FSE: 1PY0) ("Phenom" or the "Company") reports results and plans on its drilling at the Company's Crescent Valley Gold Project, about 22 km (13 miles) southwest of Carlin, Nevada, strategically located along the southwest fringe of the Carlin Gold Trend within the prospective Northern Nevada Rift, Nevada. The planned three-hole program at Crescent Valley encountered difficult ground conditions on the first hole testing the quartz vein system. In spite of its planned depth of 1200 to 1500 ft and driven by persistence to complete to its planned depth because of the attractive opportunity, the hole was terminated at a depth of 830 ft due to very slow penetration rates and unacceptable costs. The Company felt it prudent to await assays before drilling resumes. Unfortunately, the first hole did not encounter significant gold mineralization. Dave Mathewson, Company director and Geological Advisor, states, "We are not at all deterred. Crescent Valley Gold Project hosts two exceptional discovery opportunities for us, low sulfidation, bonanza-vein-type gold opportunities and an Iron oxide copper gold opportunity (IOCG) with appreciable rare earth metals. The two opportunities at Crescent Valley are both excellent and untested. Our enthusiasm remains high. We are resuming the drill program by the end of this month." Dave Mathewson states, "There are a number of low sulfidation epithermal gold deposits in Nevada known for their very high grades in gold and silver including the famous Comstock Mine and Sleeper Mine. Comstock was so rich it served as an important funding contributor to the Union Army effort during the Civil War. Sleeper, a high-grade gold mine and Company maker for AMAX Gold from 1986-1996 was considered the lowest cost gold producer in the world in 1988 as an open-pit averaging 0.48 opt Au. I have visited and studied many of these types of deposits in Nevada. In my opinion Crescent Valley exhibits many features of this deposit type." At Crescent Valley, the 5-6-kilometre-plus-long large range-front/margin quartz vein system is a zone of multi-event, silica-healed, hydrothermal breccias. Multiple quartz veins reach up to 30 metres thick. At and near surface, portions of the veins display repetitive banding, coarsely-bladed calcite, and quartz pseudomorphs of the calcite, within larger zones of phreatic-type brecciation that both typically represent above-boiling zones of hydrothermal fluids and also above the prospective deposition levels of bonanza gold. In preparation for drilling, the Company conducted an extensive geophysical IP survey in 2023 which identified conductivity anomalies and breaks in chargeability anomalies, suggestive of structures and quartz veining at depth. The second hole is now planned when drilling resumes in this setting. IOCG's can be important and highly valuable concentrations of copper, gold and uranium deposits hosted within iron oxide and sulfide-bearing dominant gangue breccia assemblages also with appreciable rare earth metals. The Crescent Valley project property covers an intriguing IOCG setting that exhibits extensive magnetite veining/brecciation and rare earth elevations. On building the drill pad for this drill test, 75m of IOCG breccia was exposed and sampled. At least 15 of the rare earth elements were consistently elevated including neodymium, praseodymium, terbium, and dysprosium which are considered highly valuable due to their use in magnets for electric vehicles, wind turbines, and electronics. The Company's IP survey identified a strong funnel-shaped-configuration chargeability anomaly to depth that coincides with an existing very strong magnetic surficial anomaly now interpreted as the IOCG feeder and potentially where metal concentrations could be stronger. The suspected feeder will be tested in a third drillhole. About Phenom Resources Corp. Phenom has 100% interest in the Carlin Gold-Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80 which hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit, North America's largest highest grade primary vanadium resource. The Project lies within the prolific Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Phenom property (5-15km). The Company has options on three gold projects in Nevada, the King Solomon and Dobbin Properties which are Carlin Gold-type targets and the Crescent Valley Property. Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dave Mathewson, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, director and Geological Consultant of the Company. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Forward-Looking Information Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations. TORONTO, Aug. 06, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- White Gold Corp. (TSX.V: WGO, OTCQX: WHGOF, FRA: 29W) (the Company) is pleased to announce the commencement of Phase II of its 2025 Exploration Program. Phase II is focused on advancing high-priority gold targets across its flagship White Gold Property in Yukon, Canada, with the aim of expanding the existing multi-million-ounce high grade gold resource(1) and enhancing the projects technical understanding for future development. This work forms part of the Companys 2025 exploration program on its extensive and underexplored land package in the prolific White Gold District, Yukon, supported by strategic partner Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. Building on Phase I momentum (see Company press release dated July 28, 2025) aimed at advancing multiple critical metals targets across the Companys district-scale portfolio, for which the Company is arranging accretive corporate opportunities to unlock the potential value of these critical mineral projects, Phase II is focused on the Companys continued advancement of its significant gold assets (Figure 1). The planned work is in the immediate vicinity of the Companys defined resources (Figure 2), with significant growth opportunities also identified across multiple additional targets also located in close proximity to the existing resources. Phase II 2025 Exploration Program Highlights: Diamond Drilling: Diamond drilling planned at the Golden Saddle zone is set to target a high-grade footwall breccia identified in historic drilling (Figures 3-5). Previous drilling was extended far enough to discover this zone, however it remains largely unexplored. This presents an exciting opportunity to increase known mineralization and expand the resource estimate as these areas are within or close to the existing pit shell and remain open in multiple directions. Diamond drilling planned at the Golden Saddle zone is set to target a high-grade footwall breccia identified in historic drilling (Figures 3-5). Previous drilling was extended far enough to discover this zone, however it remains largely unexplored. This presents an exciting opportunity to increase known mineralization and expand the resource estimate as these areas are within or close to the existing pit shell and remain open in multiple directions. Relogging & Resampling: Gold mineralization has recently been observed in unsampled core belonging to the footwall and hanging wall host rocks. These zones were not originally expected to host mineralization and were not assayed in historical drilling. To evaluate the presence of additional mineralization, a targeted program to relog and resample historic drill core will focus on delineating mineralization trends in the hanging wall and footwall of the Golden Saddle Zone, an area with strong potential for additional resource growth. Gold mineralization has recently been observed in unsampled core belonging to the footwall and hanging wall host rocks. These zones were not originally expected to host mineralization and were not assayed in historical drilling. To evaluate the presence of additional mineralization, a targeted program to relog and resample historic drill core will focus on delineating mineralization trends in the hanging wall and footwall of the Golden Saddle Zone, an area with strong potential for additional resource growth. Metallurgical & Geotechnical Sampling: Additional metallurgical and geotechnical test work across the Arc and Golden Saddle Zones to advance technical understanding in support of a Preliminary Economic Assessment. Additional metallurgical and geotechnical test work across the Arc and Golden Saddle Zones to advance technical understanding in support of a Preliminary Economic Assessment. Upcoming Webinar: Join CEO David DOnofrio and Vice-President of Exploration Dylan Langille on Thursday, August 7th, at 11 AM ET / 8 AM PT for a corporate update and an overview of White Gold Corps 2025 exploration campaign. An open question & answer session will follow the presentation. Register Here: https://6ix.com/event/white-gold-corp-exploration-update 2025 Exploration Program Phase II Significant expansion opportunity has been identified on the White Gold Project. The diamond drilling planned for Phase II is focused on the Golden Saddle Zone which remains open in multiple directions and at depth with drilling to date intersecting significant widths of high grade near-surface gold mineralization. Historic core relogging and resampling will further evaluate mineralization potential in areas adjacent to the main deposit envelope that were previously underexplored. These activities are designed to define and further expand the known resources and define new drill targets in support of future resource updates. Our Phase II program is focused on efficiently expanding the size and confidence of our flagship resource, stated Dylan Langille, Vice President of Exploration. In addition to our diamond drilling, the relogging and resampling of historic core is an important step towards unlocking overlooked mineralization in the hanging wall, while the metallurgical and geotechnical test work will support future development pathways. This is just a few of the numerous opportunities that exist to continue to increase the size of the resources at the White Gold Project. With Phase II now underway, we are excited to build on our proven track record of discovery and resource growth in the White Gold District, stated David DOnofrio, Chief Executive Officer. We believe our flagship gold assets have the potential to become a tier 1 project in Canada and provide a strong foundation for value creation. We are also optimistic that our systematic exploration methodology, which has been so successful to date, will deliver continued success with additional new discoveries in our underexplored district scale land package. White Gold Corps property portfolio includes 15,362 quartz claims across 21 properties covering 300,000 hectares (3,000 km2), representing approximately 40% of the White Gold District and hosts numerous prospective gold and critical mineral targets in addition to the Companys flagship White Gold Project which comprises 1,203,000 ounces of gold in the Indicated Resource category (17.7 million tonnes Mt averaging 2.12 g/t Au) and 1,116,600 ounces of gold in the Inferred Resource category (24.5 Mt averaging 1.42 g/t Au)(1) and remains open for further expansion. Additional increases to the size of the resource may also be possible through an ongoing analysis to incorporate mineralization hosted within the Companys Target for Further Exploration (TFFE) area that hosts an additional estimated 10 12 million tonnes grading between 1 2 g/t Au, based on drilling in these areas and current geologic models. The size of the TFFE has been determined by examining the unmodelled drill hole intercepts and assuming a modest continuity of grade of the unmodelled intercepts. The potential quantity and grade is conceptual in nature as there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource in this area and that it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the target being delineated as a mineral resource. Maps outlining the Companys phase II 2025 exploration programs and target-specific maps are accompanying this news release and can be found at http://whitegoldcorp.ca/investors/exploration-highlights/. Unlocking Additional Resource Potential & Continuing to Deliver Value in a Tier-1 Jurisdiction The Golden Saddle deposit is hosted within a package of metamorphosed quartz-feldspar-muscovite schists belonging to the Yukon-Tanana Terrane and is spatially associated with a series of steeply dipping shear zones. These structures have acted as key conduits for gold-bearing hydrothermal fluids, particularly along lithologic contacts and structural intersections, and remain largely underexplored at depth. The Golden Saddle deposit itself is primarily associated with a northeast-trending shear zone, which continues westward into the Golden Saddle West target, where limited drilling has already confirmed potential for parallel zones of mineralization. Immediate expansion opportunities are present in the hanging wall and footwall zones, where historic drilling and relogging efforts have highlighted potential for additional high-grade mineralization. Expansion of the Golden Saddle Main zone remains open along strike (East-West) as well as at depth along a potential high grade plunge corridor dipping approximately 50 degrees toward west (261). Beyond the main deposit area, the Ryans Trend located approximately 2 km west of Golden Saddle hosts multiple targets, including Ryans Surprise and Ullis, where drilling has intersected significant near-surface gold mineralization within a parallel structural corridor. This trend remains open along its entire length and continues to be a priority for follow-up exploration with several untested targets. Further afield, the Companys adjacent QV property offers additional growth potential, highlighted by the VG deposit which shares similar geology to Golden Saddle and the underexplored Chris Creek target, both of which lie along prospective structures with strong geochemical and geophysical signatures and hosts several other untested targets. Together, these zones form a cohesive network of high-potential targets across the White Gold and QV properties which together form the White Gold Project. Resources & Opportunities in the White Gold District West-central Yukon is host to several highly prospective mineral districts, including the White Gold, Dawson Range, Klondike, and Sixtymile districts. The Klondike was the epicenter of the historic Klondike Gold Rush in 1896, with over 20 million ounces of placer gold production having occurred in the region since that time. The Companys property portfolio, which covers large portions of the White Gold District, was assembled by renowned prospector Shawn Ryan, and represents the largest contiguous claim package in the region. Two significant advanced-stage projects border the Companys claims to the south: The Coffee Project, owned by Newmont Corporation, hosts Measured and Indicated Resources of 50.2 Mt grading 1.28 g/t Au for 2.17 million ounces of gold, and Inferred Resources of 6.7 Mt grading 1.14 g/t Au for 0.23 million ounces gold ( 3) (4) . . The Casino Project, owned by Western Copper and Gold Corporation, contains Measured and Indicated Resources of 2,490.7 Mt grading 0.18 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu for 14.8 million ounces of gold and 7.6 billion pounds of copper, and Inferred Resources of 1.4 Mt grading 0.14 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu for 6.3 million ounces of gold and 3.1 billion pounds of copper(5)(4). The region has seen significant investment by major mining companies in recent years, and the Yukon is consistently ranked among the top 10 global mining jurisdictions on the Fraser Institutes Investment Attractiveness Index. All four of White Golds near-surface deposits, which form the White Gold Project, are interpreted to represent structurally controlled orogenic gold systems. These deposits collectively form the Companys gold resource base in the heart of its extensive land package and remain open for expansion. Additional information on each of these deposits can be found below. Golden Saddle Deposit The Golden Saddle deposit is located 95 km south of Dawson City on the Companys White Gold property, which is supported by the fully operational Thistle exploration camp with airstrip and barge access, and up to 100-person capacity. The deposit consists of the GS Main, GS Footwall and GS West zones and together the zones define mineralization over a 1,500 m strike length and up to 725 m down dip. Currently, the GS Main is the most significant zone in terms of estimated ounces and overall grade, containing approximately 95% of the Indicated ounces within the overall Golden Saddle deposit. Gold mineralization at the Golden Saddle deposit is hosted in a meta-volcanic and meta-intrusive assemblage broadly consisting of felsic orthogneiss, amphibolite, and ultramafic units. Gold generally occurs as micron-scale blebs along fractures or encapsulated by pyrite, and as visible gold (less than 5 mm in size) located as free grains in quartz. Mineralization is present in quartz veins and stockwork or breccia with disseminated pyrite. Drill hole intersected gold mineralization is spatially co-incident with structures, and structures or faults which are interpreted to be the primary conduits for hydrothermal fluids responsible for gold deposition. The thicknesses of the mineralization and breccia zones are variable from 5 m to over 50 m, and they pinch and swell along strike. A consistent higher-grade core (> 3 g/t Au) occurs within the main zone at Golden Saddle. Gold mineralization at the Golden Saddle deposit remains open along strike and at depth and is known to extend beyond the limits of the current resource estimate; however, the mineralization in these areas does not currently meet the criteria to be classified as Mineral Resources. Arc Deposit The Arc deposit is located approximately 400 m south of the Golden Saddle and consists of two zones, the Arc Main and Arc Footwall zones, both trending E-NE and dipping to the north at approximately 50 degrees. Mineralization at Arc has been defined over 1,200 m in strike length and up to 450 m down dip with mineralization open along strike and down dip. Gold mineralization at the Arc deposit is less well understood than the Golden Saddle, which is partially a function of drilling at the Arc deposit being more widely spaced. Gold mineralization is hosted within a meta-sedimentary sequence dominated by banded (graphitic) quartzite and interbedded pelitic biotite schist that is cross-cut by numerous felsic to intermediate dikes and sills. Gold mineralization appears to be focused within breccia and shear zones that have been affected by hydrothermal alteration and sulphide mineralization. Drilling has defined an upper main zone as well as a lower footwall zone of anomalous gold but of lesser tenure than the main upper zone. Mineralization remains open to the east, west and at depth. The occurrence of gold at Arc appears to be associated with disseminated and veined pyrite, arsenopyrite and graphite. Ryans Surprise Deposit Ryans Surprise is located 1.5 km west of the Golden Saddle deposit, along a 6.5 km long x 1 km wide north-northwest trend of anomalous gold and arsenic in soils (Ryans Trend), which also hosts several other prospective early-stage targets in close proximity with significant surface gold mineralization and represent further potential for expansion of this project. Gold mineralization at the Ryans Surprise deposit is primarily hosted within a meta-sedimentary sequence dominated by banded (graphitic) quartzite and interbedded pelitic biotite schist cross-cut by numerous felsic intermediate dikes and sills. Gold mineralization appears to be focused within breccia and shear zones that have been affected by hydrothermal alteration and sulphide mineralization. Recent drilling has defined multiple subparallel zones that are host to gold-bearing sulphide mineralization including arsenopyrite and pyrite, and range in true width from < 1 m to in some instances, > 10 m. The mineralization footprint at the Ryans Surprise deposit measures approximately 550 m north-south by 500 m east-west to a vertical depth of 650 m remains open along strike and at depth. Metallurgical work and gold characterization and deportment studies are required to further determine accurate gold recoveries. However, host rocks, alteration and sulphide mineralization at Ryans Surprise display many similarities to the Arc Deposit. VG Deposit The VG deposit is located approximately 85km south of Dawson City and 11km north of the Golden Saddle deposit. Gold mineralization at the VG deposit is hosted in quartz carbonate veins, stockwork and breccia zones, and pyrite veinlets, including cubic pyrite and visible gold, associated with intense-quartz-carbonate-sericite alteration, pervasive K-spar and hematite emplaced along en-echelon faults or shear zones. Visually, the style of gold mineralization and alteration appears identical to the Golden Saddle deposit, along with similar dominant host rocks of biotite-feldspar ( augen)-quartz gneisses. To date, no metallurgical testwork has been performed on the VG mineralization; however, given its close similarities to Golden Saddle, gold recoveries are assumed to be similar. Opportunities exist at the VG deposit to quickly upgrade a significant portion of Inferred Resources to Indicated, as well as for expansion of gold mineralization at depth and along strike. There are also several other prospective targets, including the 5.2 km long Chris Creek trend (see Company press release dated February 27, 2025), on the property which have received limited exploration work and offer potential for additional discoveries. Qualified Person Steven Walsh, P.Geo. and Senior Geologist for the Company is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release. About White Gold Corp. The Company owns a portfolio of 15,364 quartz claims across 21 properties covering approximately 300,000 hectares (3,000 km2) representing approximately 40% of the Yukons emerging White Gold District. The Companys flagship White Gold project hosts four near-surface gold deposits which collectively contain an estimated comprises 1,203,000 ounces of gold in the Indicated Resource category (17.7 million tonnes averaging 2.12 g/t Au) and 1,116,600 ounces of gold in the Inferred Resource category (24.5 million tonnes averaging 1.42 g/t Au)(1). Regional exploration work has also produced several other new discoveries and prospective targets on the Companys claim packages which border sizable gold discoveries including the Coffee project owned by Newmont Corporation with Measured and Indicated Resources of 50.2 Mt grading 1.28 g/t Au for 2.17 million ounces of gold, and Inferred Resources of 6.7 Mt grading 1.14 g/t Au for 0.23 million ounces gold(3)(4), and Western Copper and Gold Corporations Casino project which has Measured and Indicated Resources of 2,490.7 Mt grading 0.18 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu for 14.8 million ounces of gold and 7.6 billion pounds of copper, and Inferred Resources of 1.4 Mt grading 0.14 g/t Au, 0.14% Cu for 6.3 million ounces of gold and 3.1 billion pounds of copper(5)(4). For more information, visit www.whitegoldcorp.ca. (1) See White Gold Corp. technical report titled 2024 Technical Report for the White Gold Project, Dawson Range, Yukon, Canada, Effective Date October 28, 2024, Report Date January 3, 2025, NI 43-101 Compliant Technical Report prepared by Dr. Gilles Arseneau, P.Geo., available on SEDAR+. (2) Allan, M.M., Mortensen, J.K., Hart, C.J.R., Bailey, L.A., Sanchez, M.G., Ciolkiewicz, W., McKenzie, G.G. and Creaser, R.A., 2013, Magmatic and Metallogenic Framework of West-Central Yukon and Eastern Alaska: Society of Economic Geologists, Special Publication 17, pp. 111-168. (3) See Newmont Corporation Form 10-K: Annual report for the year ending December 31, 2023, in the Measured, Indicated, and Inferred Resources section, dated February 29, 2024, available on EDGAR. Reserves and resources disclosed in this Form 10-K have been prepared in accordance with the Regulation S-K 1300, and do not indicate NI43-101 compliance. (4) The QP has been unable to verify the information. The information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the properties that are subject of the disclosure. (5) See Western Copper and Gold Corporation news release titled Western Announces Positive Feasibility Study on the Casino Project, dated July 10, 2023. The resource estimates are based on the NI 43-101 compliant technical report filed on SEDAR+ with an effective date of July 3, 2023. (6) All numbers are rounded. Overall numbers may not be exact due to rounding. Qualified Person Steven Walsh, P.Geo. and Senior Geologist for the Company is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure of Mineral Projects and has reviewed and approved the content of this news release. Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", proposed, "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate, among other things, the Companys objectives, goals and exploration activities conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Companys properties; future growth potential of the Company, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of the Companys properties will be successful; exploration results; and future exploration plans and costs and financing availability. These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: the expected benefits to the Company relating to the exploration conducted and proposed to be conducted at the White Gold properties; failure to identify any additional mineral resources or significant mineralization; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Companys properties; business integration risks; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; soil sampling results being preliminary in nature and are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit; title to properties; ongoing uncertainties relating to the COVID-19 pandemic; and those factors described under the heading "Risks Factors" in the Companys annual information form dated July 29, 2020 available on SEDAR+. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. For Further Information, Please Contact: Contact Information: David DOnofrio Chief Executive Officer White Gold Corp. (647) 930-1880 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Aug. 05, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Stallion Uranium Corp. (the Company or Stallion) (TSX-V: STUD; OTCQB: STLNF; FSE: FE0) is pleased to announce that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement (the Offering) of up to a combined aggregate of 60,000,000 flow-through (FT Units) and non-flow through (NFT Units) units at a price of $0.20 per NFT Unit and FT Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $12,000,000. The Offering is expected to close in multiple tranches, the first of which is anticipated to close on or before August 15, 2025. The Company anticipates that, upon completion of the Offering, a new Control Person (as defined below), Mr. Matthew Mason (Mr. Mason), will be created though Mr. Masons anticipated purchase of 15,000,000 FT Units. Mr. Masons subscription is subject to obtaining requisite approval from the disinterested shareholders of the Company (as further described below) and the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). Each FT Unit will consist of one flow-through common share of the Company as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (a FT Share) and one FT Share purchase warrant (each a FT Warrant). Each FT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional FT Share in the capital of the Company (a FT Warrant Share) at a price of $0.26 per FT Warrant Share for a period of 60 months from the closing of the Offering. Each NFT Unit will consist of one non-flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (a NFT Share) and one share purchase warrant (a NFT Warrant). Each NFT Warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional non-flow-through common share in the capital of the Company (a NFT Warrant Share) at a price of $0.26 per NFT Warrant Share for a period of 60 months from the closing of the Offering. Finders fees may be payable in connection with the completion of the Offering in accordance with TSXV policies. In connection with the Offering, the Company has entered into an Advisory Agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. (the Advisor), pursuant to which the Advisor shall provide financial advisory, consulting, and support services in connection with the Offering (the Advisory Services). In consideration for the Advisory Services, subject to the approval of the TSXV, the Company will pay the Advisor a work fee equal to $150,000 (the Fee). The Fee shall be payable in units at the terms matching those of the NFT Units in the Offering. The Fee Units and the underlying securities issued to the Advisor will be subject to a four month and one day hold period in accordance with Canadian securities laws. The gross proceeds raised from the issuance of the FT Units will be used by the Company to incur exploration expenditures on the Companys resource claims in the province of Saskatchewan and will constitute Canadian exploration expenses as defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada). The net proceeds raised from the issuance of the NFT Units will be used by the Company for exploration and development activities of its Athabasca Basin properties and for working capital and general corporate purposes. Closing of the Offering is subject to a number of conditions, including receipt of all necessary corporate and regulatory approvals, including the TSXV. Policy 4.1 of the TSXV Corporate Finance Manual requires disinterested shareholder approval where a transaction creates a shareholder that holds or controls 20% or more of an issuer's shares (a "Control Person"). The Company anticipates that Mr. Masons purchase of FT Units under the Offering will create a new Control Person pursuant to Policy 4.1. To fulfil the requirements of Policy 4.1, the Company intends to seek approval of disinterested shareholders holding or controlling more than 50% of its common shares of the Company to approve the creation of the new Control Person by written consent resolution. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a statutory hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance in accordance with applicable securities legislation. Insiders of the Company will participate in the Offering. Any such participation will be considered a related party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions (MI 61-101). The Offering is expected to be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101, as neither the fair market value of any securities issued to such insiders nor the consideration that will be paid by such persons will exceed 25% of the Companys market capitalization. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Stallion Uranium Corp.: Stallion Uranium is working to Fuel the Future with Uranium through the exploration of roughly 1,700 sq/km in the Athabasca Basin, home to the largest high-grade uranium deposits in the world. The company, with JV partner Atha Energy holds the largest contiguous project in the Western Athabasca Basin adjacent to multiple high-grade discovery zones. Our leadership and advisory teams are comprised of uranium and precious metals exploration experts with the capital markets experience and the technical talent for acquiring and exploring early-stage properties. For more information visit stallionuranium.com. On Behalf of the Board of Stallion Uranium Corp.: Matthew Schwab CEO and Director Corporate Office: 700 - 838 West Hastings Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 0A6 T: 604-551-2360 This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation (collectively, forward-looking statements) that relate to the Companys current expectations and views of future events. Any statements that express, or involve discussions as to, expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, through the use of words or phrases such as will likely result, are expected to, expects, will continue, is anticipated, anticipates, believes, estimated, intends, plans, forecast, projection, strategy, objective and outlook) are not historical facts and may be forward-looking statements and may involve estimates, assumptions and uncertainties which could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking statements. No assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking statements included in this material change report should not be unduly relied upon. These statements speak only as of the date they are made. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Companys control, which could cause actual results and events to differ materially from those that are disclosed in or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the Company to predict all of them or assess the impact of each such factor or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement. Any forward-looking statements contained in this presentation are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Questcorp Mining Inc. (CSE: QQQ) (OTCQB: QQCMF) (FSE: D910) (the "Company" or "Questcorp") is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on its La Union Project in northwest Sonora, Mexico. This work is being carried out by property vendor and operator Riverside Resources Inc. (TSXV: RRI). Highlights Initial drill program is designed to expand known zones of mineralization, test new targets, and explore areas surrounding multiple historical mine workings within the 25 km project area. Drill program will consist of + 1,500m of diamond core drilling across six holes, each averaging 250m in depth. Drilling to test the carbonate-hosted replacement deposit (CRD) style of mineralization, with gold associated with mantos, chimneys, and along structural zones. Angled drill holes are aimed at cutting perpendicular to stratigraphic targets and some structural targets which is typical in CRD systems Structural features may have served as mineralizing conduits and are key targets in the current drill program. The recent exploration work over the past three months by Riverside has improved the understanding of the structural geology and stratigraphy in the Sierra El Viejo, the mountain range immediately to the west of La Union Project. The La Union district lies along the flanks of this range, where these updated interpretations help guide current exploration efforts. The exploration target focus is for a large potential gold discovery that expands from previous smaller scale mine operations on the property. The drill program will begin to test the new concepts and expand past previous mining. Saf Dhillon, President & CEO states, "Questcorp is proud to be working with John-Mark and his whole team at Riverside in what is a historic moment in the development of this property. The La Union Project has had work conducted on it for decades, including the production of 50,000 ounces of gold itself but, it has never had a drill bit pierce the ground until now!" Earlier this year, Questcorp entered into a definitive option agreement with Riverside's wholly owned subsidiary, RRM Exploracion, S.A.P.I. DE C.V. to acquire a 100% interest in the La Union Project. As part of the agreement, Questcorp issued shares to Riverside, making Riverside a shareholder and aligning both parties' interests in the Project's success. With funding provided by Questcorp, an initial C$1,000,000 exploration program is now underway. This marks the first phase of a larger, C$5,500,000 work commitment, contingent on exploration results and Questcorp's continued participation. The Drill Program Targets include more than four different areas, beginning with this early-stage stratigraphic and orientation phase of drilling exploration aimed at evaluating the scale of alteration and indications of a mineralized system. This will be the first drilling ever conducted on most of the targets, despite past mining having occurred in the majority of these areas. The initial program will consist of one to three holes per area, primarily for orientation purposes. Follow-up drilling is planned and can be expanded based on initial results, which will help verify the stratigraphy, lithologies, and structural features allowing for improved modeling and next-stage discovery targeting. The four areas are listed below: Union Main Mine Area - The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. The program will use angled drill holes to test limestone and other carbonate stratigraphic hosts within the Clemente Formation, with the potential to reach the underlying Caborca Formation. These units are considered the primary hosts for replacement-style mineralization. North Union Mine Area - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. - The initial focus of the program will be on testing structural interpretations. Additional drilling is anticipated following this first phase, as results will help guide future drill testing of areas with past mining activity and various structural orientations. Cobre Mine Area - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. - The Clemente Formation is the primary host unit, and structural features combined with areas of past mining provide multiple target zones. Drilling will begin with an initial stratigraphic test hole to help orient around the thickness of the host unit and extend into the lower Caborca Formation, which is also a favorable host for CRD-style mineralization. Central Union Area - Structural targets, as possible mineralization feeder zones, are a key focus in this past mining manto area. There are extensive additional target zones in the area, and this initial orientation drilling will provide vectoring for the next stage of drilling and further study of the Clemente Formation, and possibly into the Caborca Formation as currently interpreted. General Overview of La Union Project The Project is summarized in a recently published NI 43-101 Technical Report available under Questcorp's SEDAR+ profile (www.sedarplus.ca). Riverside initially acquired the Project and subsequently consolidated additional inlier mineral claims, building a strong land position. Riverside then advanced the Project through surface access agreements and drill permitting, making it a turn-key exploration opportunity for Questcorp. The Project was originally identified through Riverside's exploration work in the western Sonora Gold Belt, conducted in collaboration with AngloGold Ashanti Limited, Centerra Gold Inc., and Hochschild Mining Plc. Earlier research by Riverside Founder John-Mark Staude also contributed to recognizing the district's potential. Initial work by members of the Riverside team, drawing on more than two decades of geological compilation and analysis, further confirmed the region as highly prospective. At the Project, historical mining by the Penoles Mining Company targeted chimney and manto-style replacement bodies within the upper oxide zones. As a result, the underlying sulfide zones represent immediate and compelling drill targets for further exploration. The Project features favorable limestone host rocks, an extensive alteration footprint, and multiple small-scale historical workings, with mineralization styles similar to those at the Hermosa Project in southern Arizona. At Hermosa, South32 is advancing mine development following its acquisition of the project from Arizona Mining. On 15 February 2024, South32's board approved a US $2.16 billion capital investment to develop the Taylor zinc-lead-silver deposit, representing the largest private mining investment in Southern Arizona's history. The project is now considered one of the most significant undeveloped base-metal assets in the United States. At the La Union Project, immediate drill targets offer the potential for significant-scale discoveries. La Union is well positioned for near-term exploration success, with targets that include both oxide and deeper sulfide mineralization. Figure 1. Geologic map with the tenure of the Union internal concession shown in pink. Manto and chimney type CRD targets are shown as red polygons. All mineral tenures on this map comprise the La Union project. The drill program will focus on the Union Mine and areas north of the Union Mine with the initial drill work. Figure 2. Cross section looking west with conceptual drill targets and schematic drillhole traces. Assays from Riverside's sampling of rock dump materials from the two mine areas are labeled in black. Red areas are interpreted as manto and chimney target bodies that are now well defined and drill ready. Assays shown on figures 1 and 2 have been previously released and disclosed as summarized below the geochemical QA/QC and in published NI 43-101 Report that Questcorp published 2025 on Sedar+. The La Union Project The La Union Project is a carbonate replacement deposit ("CRD") project hosted by Neoproterozoic sedimentary rocks (limestones, dolomites, and siliciclastic sediments) overlying crystalline Paleoproterozoic rocks of the Caborca Terrane. The structural setting features high-angle normal faults and low-to-medium-angle thrust faults that sometimes served as mineralization conduits. Mineralization occurs as polymetallic veins, replacement zones (mantos, chimneys), and shear zones with high-grade metal content, as shown in highlight grades of 59.4 grams per metric tonne (g/t) gold, 833 g/t silver, 11% zinc, 5.5% lead, 2.2% copper, along with significant hematite and manganese oxides, consistent with a CRD model (see the technical report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Union Project, State of Sonora, Mexico" dated effective May 6, 2025 available under Questcorp's SEDAR+ profile). These targets also demonstrate intriguing potential for large gold discoveries potentially above an even larger porphyry Cu district potential as the Company's target concept at this time. Questcorp cautions investors that grab samples are selective by nature and not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization on the property. The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by R. Tim Henneberry, P. Geo (BC), a director of the Company and a "qualified person" under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. About Questcorp Mining Inc. Questcorp Mining Inc. is engaged in the business of the acquisition and exploration of mineral properties in North America, with the objective of locating and developing economic precious and base metals properties of merit. The Company holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 1,168.09 hectares comprising the North Island Copper Property, on Vancouver Island, British Columbia, subject to a royalty obligation. The Company also holds an option to acquire an undivided 100% interest in and to mineral claims totaling 2,520.2 hectares comprising the La Union Project located in Sonora, Mexico, subject to a royalty obligation. Contact Information Questcorp Mining Corp. Saf Dhillon, President & CEO This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to Riverside's arrangements with geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include but are not limited to: the ability of Riverside to secure geophysical contractors to undertake orientation surveys and follow up detailed survey to confirm and enhance the drill targets as contemplated or at all, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, uncertain capital markets; and delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that the geophysical surveys will be completed as contemplated or at all and that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Second Drill Hole Again Confirms Presence of Porphyry & Again Finishes in Mineralization Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Gold Hart Copper Corp. (TSXV: HART) (the "Company", "Gold Hart", or "HART") is pleased to announce the results of the second diamond drill hole (DDHTOL05) at its flagship Tolita gold-copper-molybdenum property in the Vicuna District of Chile. Gold Hart's second diamond drill hole again encountered long porphyry-style mineralization typical of the Vicuna District, with certain drill intervals showing higher grades of gold, copper, and molybdenum relative to the first hole announced last month. Specifically, Gold Hart intercepted 10 meters of 0.62g/t gold equivalent, including a highlight sample that included 0.60g/t gold, 0.34% copper, and 20g/t molybdenum for a gold equivalent of 0.97g/t. This subsection was within a larger 42m mineralized intercept. This aforementioned intercept was above the fault, but similar to the first hole, Gold Hart again encountered gold, copper, and molybdenum mineralization below the fault later in the hole as well. In this case, below the fault, Gold Hart intercepted 22m of 0.40g/t gold equivalent, within a larger 63m mineralized intercept. Like the first hole (DDHTOL02), this second diamond drill hole (DDHTOL05) also finished in mineralization. Gold Hart geologists Jonathan Warner, P.Geo and Rodrigo Alejandro Diaz Tilleria, P.Geo, commented, "It is highly encouraging to continue seeing gold, copper, and molybdenum anomalies coinciding with zones of conductivity and chargeability. Once again, we observed a sterile interval cutting across two mineralized sections, clearly associated with a major structure or post-mineral zone, an important input for optimally modelling and developing the asset as we hope to vector towards a higher grade core. A critical finding is that DDHTOL05, like the first hole (DDHTOL02), finished in mineralization, reinforcing that the system remains completely open at depth. When reviewing the 2D sections with drillhole projections, it is easy to lose perspective of the magnitude, but the ends of these two holes are separated by 570m, a highly significant distance for evaluating the lateral continuity potential of the system. Right now we know this system remains open at depth, and based on regional experience, porphyry systems of this type can extend between 1 and 1.5 km. In addition, the consistent metal presence in holes 570 m apart provides strong evidence not just for vertical continuity, but for lateral continuity of the system as well." Enrique Viteri-Aldunate, Vicuna pioneer and Tolita discoverer, noted, "After examining this drill hole - which is now the farthest drill hole to the west from the possibly mineralized center, which appears to be potentially located to the east - there is sufficient gold to indicate that we are within an environment of gold mineralization, which is very positive for exploration. This drill hole is clearly indicative of gold in the hydrothermal system. Now we have to find the core." "Based upon our current geological thesis, this second hole moved nearly 600m farther away from our bullseye, and not only did we once again obtain nice long porphyry-style intercepts of gold, copper, and molybdenum, not only did the hole again finish in mineralization, but in this case we actually saw some higher grade intervals than the first hole," added Isaac Maresky, Co-founder & CEO of Gold Hart. Important Notes: Gold equivalent grade calculated using current market prices for gold ($3,340/oz) copper ($11,180/t) and molybdenum ($61,917/t) only and assumes equal recovery for all metals. These metal prices were utilized for the prior hole as well, for the sake of consistency. True widths are not yet known. Certain samples included anomalous values of silver, lead and zinc which are excluded altogether. Gold Hart Copper - First Drill Hole DDHTOL02 - Announced July 22, 2025 As announced July 22, 2025, Gold Hart's first diamond hole encountered long porphyry-style mineralization typical of the Vicuna District, including near continuous gold, copper, and molybdenum intercepts from approximately 137m until the end of the drill hole at 610m (473m) except for a sterile zone surrounding a potentially significant fault zone of 150m. Specifically, Gold Hart obtained 203.5m of 0.25g/t gold equivalent from 137.5m, including a higher grade zone of 67m at 0.38g/t gold equivalent. Later in this same hole, Gold Hart intercepted another 118m of 0.24g/t gold equivalent, including 45.5m at 0.30g/t gold equivalent. The drill hole finished in mineralization. About Gold Hart Copper Gold Hart Copper is one of the largest independent land owners surrounding major miners where the famous Maricunga Gold Belt meets the emerging Vicuna Copper Belt in Chile. HART is actively acquiring, exploring and developing its portfolio of gold, copper & silver properties adjacent to the largest gold and copper assets on the continent. In addition to its large land position in the Vicuna District, Gold Hart recently acquired three properties just West on Chile's Paleocene-Eocene Belt on the famous Domeyko Faul, which is home to some of Chile's largest gold, copper, and silver assets including Escondida, Chuquicamata and Collahuasi. The new Gold Hart properties host several historic gold and copper mines with high grades of gold, copper, and silver on surface, with a large alteration and magnetic anomaly extending approximately 6km. HART's team of geologists were personally involved in pioneering exploration in the region, leading to some of its greatest gold, copper, and silver deposits, and include the country's former Geological Survey National Deputy Manager Dr. Professor Jose Frutos. Specifically, senior Gold Hart geologists were personally involved in the Escondida copper discovery, now the largest copper mine in the world1 controlled by Rio Tinto and BHP, as well as Cerro Casale, the largest gold-copper discovery in Chile2 acquired by Barrick and Newmont (GoldCorp) with 59-million ounces of gold and 12.5-billion pounds of copper. HART has rolled-up a portfolio of historically significant assets surrounding majors, in some cases personally staked by the very same geologists who made the adjacent mega-discoveries, since the early 1990s. Some of the Gold Hart properties have already undergone a first phase of RC drilling, with highly encouraging results of gold, copper, and silver. Gold Hart properties are controlled 100% and not subject to any royalties whatsoever. HART believes it may be sitting on one of the only fully-preserved untested large-scale gold-copper-silver porphyry targets in the Vicuna District - an asset that was first recognized for its uniquely high grades of gold and copper on surface - and staked by one of the Maricunga-Vicuna district's pioneering geologists3 in 1993. Gold Hart Copper is fully funded for its planned drill campaign. About Gold Hart Copper's Tolita Gold-Copper-Silver-Molybdenum Target The Tolita property is a historically significant gold-copper-molybdenum asset which was first recognized and staked in 1993 - by one of the pioneering geologists of the Maricunga-Vicuna district - for its uniquely high grades of gold and copper on surface3. Geochemical surveys revealed gold, copper, silver, and molybdenum anomalies, which led to trenching. Tolita has had significant trenching (5,600m / 5.6km) with the highest grade trench returning grades up to 52g/t gold equivalent including 4% copper. Tolita has undergone helicopter mag surveys which identified 4 unique anomalies as well3. In 1996, a third party company optioned the property and drilled 3 short 200m RC holes, without any geophysics, and yet still hit gold and copper in all 3 holes, including long intercepts of gold and copper (150m and 164m, respectively) close to surface in 2 of the 3 holes. At the time, gold was approximately $300/oz and copper traded below $1.00/lb, and large scale sulphide / porphyry deposits with both gold and copper were often considered less favorable than smaller scale gold-only oxide deposits. As a result, and due to general market sentiment for junior exploration companies in 1997-1998, Tolita was only drilled to a depth of 200m with 3 short RC holes (out of a planned 8 hole campaign)3. When Gold Hart acquired the property, a full geophysical survey was conducted by a recognized geophysics firm, and a large high-chargeability and conductive anomaly was discovered that is near surface and almost 2.5km2 in size and "interpreted as a copper-gold or gold-copper porphyry system that certainly warrants additional exploration and drilling4". Gold Hart Copper has therefore launched diamond drilling and is fully funded for this planned campaign. References & Notes: Escondida is the largest copper mine globally, as defined by producing the greatest number of copper tonnes per annum. Numbers sourced directly from property owner's website and public filings. Norte Abierto is considered the largest gold asset in Chile as defined by hosting the largest number of total gold ounces. Numbers sourced directly from property owner's website and public filings. Please refer to the Company's NI 43-101 Technical Report on Sedar for information pertaining to Gold Hart Copper's properties including historical exploration at Tolita, including but not limited to, the history of the asset and its original staking, geochemical surveys, trenching surveys, helicopter magnetic surveys, and historical RC drilling. Geophysical survey is summarized in the Company's NI 43-101 Technical report available on Sedar. Such geophysical surveys are not definitive, and the results are still at an early stage of interpretation, with no guarantee of a mineral discovery. HART | Gold Hart Copper Corporation - Social Media Channels LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/goldhart/ X / Twitter: https://x.com/goldhartcopper YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@GoldHartCopper Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/goldhartcopper/ Qualified Person The technical information contained in this news release related has been reviewed by Mr. Jonathan A. Warner, Executive Vice President of Gold Hart Copper and a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "interpreted", management's view", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "potential", "feasibility", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management's experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital markets; future spot prices of copper and zinc; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company's listing statement dated March 14, 2025, a copy of which is available on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under the Company's issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein. The program marks the first systematic drill program carried out across Dumbwa - following up on the ~20-kilometre Dumbwa copper-in-soil anomaly and recent dipole-dipole IP Survey. Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - August 6, 2025) - Midnight Sun Mining Corp. (TSXV: MMA) (OTC Pink: MDNGF) ("Midnight Sun" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that diamond drilling has commenced at the Company's flagship Dumbwa Target on the Solwezi Project in Zambia. Drill locations were finalized following a rigorous analysis and review of all available data, including geochemical sampling, airborne VTEM survey, previous drill results, and the recent dipole-dipole induced polarization ("IP") survey (see press release dated July 17, 2025). The drill program has begun with one diamond drill rig, and a second drill is en route and scheduled to arrive on site shortly to expedite the program. Midnight Sun's COO, Kevin Bonel, states: "When I first visited Dumbwa almost two years ago, it immediately brought to mind my early days working on Lumwananow a crown jewel of Barrick's copper portfolio and one of the largest deposits in Zambia. The similarities between the two sites were remarkable, and I quickly recognized the geological traits they shared. Both are hosted in basement dome geology, exhibit layered mineralization, and show extensive copper clearings at surface highlighting the strength of these systems. I knew right away this was a project I wanted to be a part of. Now, as we progress at Dumbwa, that excitement continues to remain high. Applying the same approach my team and I used at Lumwana, we've carefully interpreted the promising results from the IP survey in the context of previously existing data, and I believe this has provided a clear roadmap to defining Dumbwa's potential." The initial focus is to confirm and correlate disseminated copper sulphide mineralization with the target horizon as interpreted by the IP chargeability response. The initial hole is situated on the eastern half of IP Line 2 and tests a very strong chargeability anomaly. About Dumbwa Dumbwa represents a near-surface, low-strip, bulk-tonnage exploration target with geology and mineralization closely resembling Barrick's Lumwana Mine, ~60 kilometres to the west. Dumbwa boasts a high-grade copper-in-soil anomaly extending ~20 kilometers along strike and more than 1 kilometer wide, with peak copper values reaching 0.73%. Previous drilling has confirmed sulphide copper mineralization, but additional drilling guided by structural controls is needed to better define the dip, continuity, size, and scale of the system. Multiple stacked mineralized horizons have been identified, which appear to be similar in deposition to those found at the Lumwana Mine. The recent dipole-dipole IP survey, covering the southern 11.5 kilometers of the strike extent, has revealed the structural framework of the Dumbwa target, critical for understanding its geometry. The interpreted IP results indicate a horizon that varies from relatively flat-lying and gently dipping, to areas with clear evidence of folding, ranging from open folds to very tight upright folds. There is a strong correlation between the mineralized intervals encountered in prior drilling at Dumbwa and the target horizon interpreted from the IP data. Additionally, a positive relationship exists between this horizon and the overlying soil anomaly. The interpreted IP survey also identified several major cross-cutting structures, which help explain offsets between historical soil geochemistry and previously drilled mineralization. Dumbwa Drill Collar Location 1 Qualified Person: Darin Labrenz, P.Geo., a consulting geologist for the Company and Qualified Person under NI 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical data and contents of this release. About Midnight Sun Midnight Sun is focused on exploring our flagship Solwezi Project, located in Zambia. Situated in the heart of the Zambia-Congo Copperbelt, the second largest copper producing region in the world, our property is vast and highly prospective. Our Solwezi Project is surrounded by producing copper mines, including Africa's largest copper mining complex right next door, First Quantum's Kansanshi Mine. Led by an experienced geological team with multiple discoveries and mines around the world to their credit, Midnight Sun's goal is to find and develop Zambia's next generational copper deposit. ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF MIDNIGHT SUN MINING CORP. Al Fabbro President & CEO NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICES PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THIS NEWS RELEASE. This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation that are based on expectations, estimates, assumptions, geological theories, and projections as at the date of this news release. The information in this news release about any information herein that is not a historical fact may be "forward-looking statements." Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (which may, but not always, include phrases such as "anticipates", "plans", "scheduled", "believed" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements and are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Such factors include, among others, risks relating to the timing and ability of the Company to obtain and the timing of the approval of relevant regulatory bodies, if at all; risks relating to property interests; risks related to access to the project; risks inherent in mineral exploration, including the fact that any particular phase of exploration may be unsuccessful; the availability of contractors; geo-political risks; the global economic climate; metal prices; environmental risks; political risks; and community and non-governmental actions. Further to this, geological similarities or characteristics are not guarantees or certainties of successful exploration. Neither the Company nor any other person assumes responsibility for the accuracy and completeness of any such forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake, and assumes no obligation, to update or revise any such forward-looking statements or forward-looking information contained herein to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by law. Social media is buzzing with rumors about a possible Season 2 of the hit K-drama True Beauty. Fans are strongly opposing claims that ASTRO Cha Eun-woo might take over Hwang In-yeop's role as Han Seo-jun, especially since Eun-woo has recently enlisted in the military. A viral Facebook thread started discussions earlier this week, as users reacted to unconfirmed reports about casting changes for a potential season 2. However, many fans quickly questioned these claims. "No, Hwang In-yeop will always be the perfect man to portray Han Seo-jun," wrote by one netizen, reflecting the thoughts of hundreds of fans on social media. Others pointed out practical problems with the rumor. "If true, filming will have to wait until 2027 because Cha Eun-woo just enlisted in the military for his mandatory service," READ MORE: tvN's Upcoming Drama 'True Beauty' Releases New Character Posters Several users dismissed the rumors as false, pointing to Eun-woo's enlistment and the absence of any official announcement. One fan added a humorous note citing Hwang In-yeop's famous scene: "Obviously false news... because no one can beat Hwang In-yeop's 'Okey Dokey' dance in leopard boxers." Other users speculated that if season 2 were to stick closely to the manhwawhich focuses more on the second male leada casting change might be considered for publicity. "They changed the actor to someone more famous," a Facebook user guessed. Despite the passionate conversation, no official statements have been released by the production team, Cha Eun-woo's agency, or any network involved with True Beauty. Many fans doubt that Season 2 is actually being planned. "It's a big lie," wrote Olotu Glory. "Cha Eun-woo has already left for the military, and there is absolutely no way True Beauty will have a season 2." At this point, speculation continues online, but without any confirmation from industry sources, True Beauty Season 2 remains just a rumor fueled by fan enthusiasm and hope. READ MORE: 'True Beauty' Stars Cha Eun Woo and Moon Ga Young Can't Stop Staring at Each Other Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Drama unfolded on a busy road in Nairobi Central Business District after a senior traffic police officer confronted a matatu belonging to President William Rutos son, George Ruto, for flouting traffic rules. The police boss flagged down the flashy matatu dubbed Matrix after it was spotted picking and dropping passengers at an undesignated spot, causing a traffic snarl-up. Instead of cooperating, the crew reacted with open defiance. In the video, the conductor is heard arrogantly hurling unprintable insults at the officer, drawing the attention of onlookers. Shockingly, the tirade continued despite the police boss maintaining composure and warning the crew against breaking the law. Watch the video. A traffic police boss confronts GEORGE RUTOs matatu crew! The conductor arrogantly insults him pic.twitter.com/ANfaA36JBr DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) August 5, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Mombasa-based socialite and actress, Trisha Khalid, is once again the talk of the town after flaunting a brand-new luxury car, reportedly gifted to her by a married man she has been dating since last year. Taking to her social media pages, Trizah posted photos of herself next to the sleek ride, accompanied by the caption: And when I count my blessings I count my Man twice. Sources reveal that Trizah met the man, only identified as Kevin Woods, on TikTok after he began showering her with live Tiktok gifts to get her attention. Their online flirtation quickly blossomed into a relationship. It later emerged that Kevin, who resides in the United States, was already married to another woman. Despite the scandal, the romance went public after the two were spotted enjoying lavish outings together when Kevin jetted into Kenya from America. former National Police Service Commission (NPSC) CEO, Joseph Onyango . Before meeting Kevin, Trizah was romantically involved with Onyango allegedly used looted public funds to set her up a business in Mombasa and bankroll her flamboyant lifestyle. Insiders claim that he had even introduced her to his family and was planning to marry her as a second wife, but the relationship eventually crumbled. The car gift from Kevin has sparked debate about Trizahs love life, with critics accusing her of home-wrecking. See photos of the car. Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - A motorist is lucky to be alive after a shocking night accident along the Nairobi Expressway that could have easily turned tragic. Eyewitnesses say the driver, who appeared intoxicated, was speeding recklessly when he lost control of his vehicle on the elevated section of the road. In a dramatic turn of events, the car smashed through the guardrails and flew off the expressway, plummeting onto the busy Mombasa Road. Miraculously, the vehicle missed oncoming traffic by mere seconds. Video footage circulating online shows members of the public rushing to the scene and pulling the disoriented driver from the vehicle. In the background, some motorists can be heard narrating how the intoxicated man had overtaken them at breakneck speed just moments before the crash. The driver was rushed to the hospital for treatment, while police towed the wreckage from the scene. The incident has reignited concerns over reckless and drunk driving along the Nairobi Expressway, which, despite significantly reducing travel time since its opening, continues to witness cases of dangerous driving. Drunk motorist miraculously survives after car flies off Nairobi Expressway onto Mombasa Road pic.twitter.com/OPO1E8E1EF DAILY POST (@dailypost_ke) August 5, 2025 The Kenyan DAILY POST Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Renowned Kenyan actor and media personality, Martin Githinji, popularly known as Daddie Marto, has opened up about his separation from long-time partner, Koku Lwanga. In a heartfelt and unfiltered statement, Marto set the record straight after months of speculation. According to Marto, the couple separated in December 2024 and, despite hopes for reconciliation, agreed by March 2025 to part ways. He moved out in April, but stayed nearby to ensure stability for their children. By May, they had even prepared a joint statement, intending to release it at the right time. Marto dismissed any ambiguity about the breakup. This is a fact, not wishful thinking, he stated. Addressing rumors of abandonment, he detailed his continued financial support, from school fees to household bills, all backed by records. He also recalled pausing work in mid-2024 to support Koku in completing her mothers house in Kerugoya, a project he funded to the point of taking a loan - a debt he still carries. Amid the unfolding drama, Koku came forward with serious allegations, accusing Marto of being violent and engaging in infidelity during their relationship. Her claims sparked public debate, with many demanding clarity from both sides. While Marto acknowledged the pain surrounding their separation, he firmly denied the accusations, calling them untrue and damaging. I take full responsibility for my part, but I will not carry what is not mine, he said. He further clarified a much-talked-about altercation at his home, stating that he was confronted at his door and, following therapy advice, recorded the incident. A scuffle ensued where he sustained an injury on his eye. The matter is now under police investigation, and he insists there was no history of violence in their relationship. "Since that night, Ive been painted as violent and irresponsible - nothing could be further from the truth, he wrote. Marto has since taken legal steps to address what he calls online defamation. He ended his statement with a call for healing and dignity, reaffirming his commitment to co-parenting in peace and shielding his children from public noise. Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Media personality Joyce Gituro has issued a public apology after receiving a backlash over a comment she made regarding the suspension of Pastor Munengi Mulandi from Nairobi Baptist Church. In a statement released on Tuesday, August 5th, Gituro admitted she had initially misunderstood the gravity of the matter and spoke out before knowing the full details. I shared a comment yesterday, unaware of the full and serious nature of the pastors suspension. I assumed it was an internal disciplinary matter and reacted to what seemed like public shaming. Once I learned the truth, I deleted the comment, she clarified. Gituro expressed deep regret for her earlier remarks and affirmed her strong opposition to abuse. As a mother and a Christian, I firmly stand against all forms of abuse and stand in solidarity with victims. I totally regret my fast reaction to that story, she added. The controversy began after the Nairobi Baptist Church released a statement on Sunday, August 3rd, confirming Pastor Mulandis removal following serious allegations of misconduct. The Elders Council, after reviewing his actions, found them incompatible with pastoral standards and revoked his ordination. Gituros initial comment - So, why put it on social media? You are damaging a brother more - sparked widespread criticism, prompting her to delete it and clarify her position. Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Just days after popular content creator and TikToker Patelo tied the knot in a glamorous wedding ceremony, fresh details have emerged about his newly-wed wife, Dee. Well-placed insider sources reveal that Dee has a controversial past, marked by reckless spending and a taste for younger men, popularly known as Ben 10s. According to those familiar with her story, Dee squandered most of her late mzungu husbands wealth shortly after his death. Before meeting Patelo, she was a well-known face in high-end Nairobi clubs, often seen downing expensive liquor with friends and living life in the fast lane. Her partying lifestyle reportedly continued even after tragedy struck. Its alleged that she eloped with a Nigerian Ben 10 soon after her mzungu husbands passing. During their romance, she sold a prime Lavington home she had inherited from him and relocated to a cheaper neighborhood. Her string of young lovers didnt end there. Sources claim she later eloped with another Ben 10 from Kirigiti, only for him to defraud her, leaving her worse off financially. While Dee continues to flaunt a glamorous image on social media, portraying herself as wealthy and unbothered, insiders insist the reality is far from it. Behind the curated posts and flashy lifestyle, they claim, is a woman who has squandered most of her late husbands fortune. News / National by Staff reporter A 33-year-old miner from Gonkwe village under Chief Mathema in Matabeleland South has been arrested for allegedly killing his workmate after a dispute involving the victim's son turned violent.Matabeleland South police spokesperson Inspector Chiratidzo Dube confirmed the arrest, identifying the accused as Sandra Mpofu and the deceased as 53-year-old Washington Ndlovu, both artisanal miners at Gwakwe Associates and residents of the same farm.According to police, the incident occurred on July 29 at around 9pm. Ndlovu and his colleagues were seated around a fireplace when Mpofu arrived with a friend, Thokozani, and ordered everyone to be quiet. However, Ndlovu's son, 25-year-old Wilbert, continued talking, angering Mpofu."Mpofu withdrew a log from the fireplace and struck Wilbert once on the left arm. This prompted his father, Washington, to intervene, slapping Mpofu once in the face," Inspector Dube said.In retaliation, Mpofu allegedly used the same log to strike Washington on the head, causing him to fall. He then picked up a steel mortar and struck him again on the head, inflicting deep cuts.Washington was rushed to Gwanda Provincial Hospital the following day, and police were alerted. Mpofu was arrested soon after."On the same day, at around 8pm, Washington succumbed to the injuries while admitted to hospital," Dube said.Police have urged the public to resolve disputes peacefully and to seek mediation from third parties instead of resorting to violence. Tuesday, August 5, 2025 - Police have launched investigations into the brutal murder of two women at Kanyonyoo market, Kitui County. Reports indicate that one of the victims was a girlfriend to a police officer attached to Kanyonyoo Police Station. According to witnesses, the officer identified as Bernard Siambe confronted his girlfriend Joy Ndunge at Password Bar while armed with an AK-47 rifle, following a disagreement. She sought refuge in a nearby plot but was pursued by the officer, who shot and killed her inside the house of a woman identified as Janet Ndanu. The rogue officer also killed another woman, a close friend of his slain girlfriend, before fleeing into a nearby thicket. Senior officers from the Directorate of Criminal Investigations (DCI) in Lower Yatta and Kitui visited the scene, where they recovered three spent cartridges. The assailant later called his OCS and directed him to where the murder weapon was before escaping. The assailant communicated with OCS whom he informed where he had dropped the rifle. Quick action was taken, and a search commenced, where the rifle was recovered in a thicket beside the road heading to Matuu. Also a magazine was recovered with 26 rounds of ammunition. Officers pursued the assailant towards Matuu, and he was spotted walking towards Matuu and escaped immediately into the nearby thickets. Search was mounted but no arrest has been made yet, the report stated. The police officers slain girlfriend had posted disturbing messages on Facebook predicting her death, days before she was shot dead. The messages have since surfaced on social media as investigations continue. News / National by Staff reporter A forensic handwriting expert has told a local court that Bulawayo deputy mayor Edwin Ndlovu authored a document allegedly listing councillors earmarked to receive a US$20,000 bribe from a company seeking land to build a cement plant.Testifying on Monday before magistrate Richard Ramaboea, handwriting analyst Kurauone Madziranyika said handwriting samples obtained from Ndlovu matched the writing on a document submitted by Labenmon Investments, the company at the centre of the corruption allegations."The questioned handwriting was authored by the same person who authored the standard handwriting samples submitted in this case Edwin Ndlovu," Madziranyika told the court.He pointed to consistent formations of letters such as "U, B, A, R, O, M" and the number "7" as clear matching characteristics between the disputed document and the authenticated samples.Ndlovu and Ward 3 councillor Mpumelelo Moyo, who chairs the city's Finance and Development Committee, are accused of soliciting the US$20,000 bribe for themselves and 20 other unnamed councillors.Prosecutors say Labenmon Investments first applied to the Bulawayo City Council in November 2023 for 10 hectares of land in Cowdray Park to build a cement plant. The request was turned down over environmental concerns, particularly the impact of cement dust.The company reapplied in April 2024 and was allocated a reduced parcel of 5.6 hectares."After receiving the offer letter, the accused persons allegedly approached Labenmon representative Ms Mapfumo and demanded a US$20,000 payment said to be a reward for facilitating approval of the project," prosecutor Nkanyezi Nyoni told the court.The Zimbabwe Anti-Corruption Commission (ZACC), acting on a tip-off, set up a sting operation. Ndlovu and Moyo were arrested at Mapfumo's residence shortly after allegedly taking possession of the "bribe" money.The trial continues. BALLYVASS Bio Concern Group convened once again in Castledermot Community Centre, joined by community members and local representatives ready to support the cause. The group has rallied together in response to a proposed industrial-scale biomethane plant planned for the outskirts of the town at Ballyvass. The plant, which has been proposed by European company Cycle, is of huge concern to local residents for the potential risks it carries. To date, residents feel that they have received little to no concrete information from the company. With no established track record in Ireland or elsewhere, residents are anxious about the safety and sustainability of a facility of this scale. Group Chairperson, John Phelan, opened the meeting, welcoming attendees and outlining the evenings agenda. Sandra ODwyer of the working group shared an update on their efforts behind the scenes, particularly sharing that the group has joined forces with the National Biogas Concern Group (NBCG) a coalition of similar community groups across Ireland opposing biogas projects in unsuitable rural areas. The NBCG recently hosted briefing sessions in Buswells Hotel in Dublin, where the group presented their case to public representatives from Kildare South and beyond. The group is calling on the government to urgently introduce clear legal standards and statutory planning regulations, including minimum setbacks from homes and water sources. Sandra expressed gratitude to the local representatives from Kildare South who have supported the group and reminded the crowd: A steadfast community bound by purpose can stop even the mightiest machines. Working group member Paddy Byrne delivered a detailed presentation highlighting the potential negative impact the plant would have on the area. Chief among the concerns is the dramatic increase in heavy goods vehicle (HGV) traffic operating six days a week which would significantly disrupt the towns daily life. Paddy emphasised that Castledermot is beginning to thrive and that this type of industrial development could threaten both local businesses and residents quality of life. Mark Wall TD addressed the meeting, comparing the Ballyvass situation to the recently successful Ballyshannon campaign, which fought off an ill-suited proposal. He stressed that the narrow roads, small towns, and villages in the area are simply not designed to support this level of HGV traffic. Landmarks such as Mullaghcreelan Woods and Kilkea Castle would also be affected by the plant if it were to go ahead. Quoting his colleague Alan Kelly, Deputy Wall called the proposal "bananas" and completely unfit for the area. He pointed to Monasterevin as a more appropriate locationclose to major roads and motorways. This is industrialisation of a rural community close to homes where families have built their lives and planned futures for their children. This is only the beginning, and we must all stick together. In Kildare South, party politics will be set aside well all wear the white jersey to support this community, said Deputy Wall. Cllr Mark Leigh pledged full support and informed the crowd that Kildare County Council (KCC) had already paused wind farm applications pending updated Government guidelines. He assured that he will table a motion at the next council meeting to do the same for biogas plants. His council colleague, Fianna Fail's Vera-Louise Behan, emphasised the inappropriateness of the Ballyvass location and confirmed that no road upgrades are planned for the are something that would be essential if such a facility were to proceed. Labour councillor Aoife Breslin echoed these concerns and referenced the Castledermot Town Team Plan, which outlines a more positive, community-focused vision for the town. She assured attendees of her ongoing support but warned that the fight may be a long one. Newly appointed Cathaoirleach of Athy MD Ivan Keatley gave his support to the group and said that, unlike Ballyvass, Monasterevins proposed plant made logistical and environmental sense, being located near a Diageo facility with motorway access. He also mentioned Nurneys proximity to pig farms and Kildare Chilling as further justification for why those locations are better suited. This proposal doesnt make business or environmental sense. Wheres the byproduct coming from? I dont see the model working here, he said, adding that the odour from HGVs alone would be a major concern. During the Q&A session, one attendee asked if the plant would generate local employment. Paddy Byrne believed that the construction would be modular and done overseas, with minimal employment of only 34 highly specialised roles operating during the day and possibly one at night. The overall sentiment in the room was clear: Ballyvass is not the right location for an industrial biomethane plant. Locations like Monasterevin and Powerstown, both within 2030 km, already have existing infrastructure, proximity to feedstocks, and suitable transport access. This raised a critical question: Is another plant even needed in this area, and would there be sufficient feedstock to sustain it? Concerns were also raised that Cycle could build the plant and then sell it on or expand it bringing even more disruption. Attendees expressed deep concern with the EPAs powers to oversee the correct operation and running of these plants, fearing that once built, the plant would operate with minimal regulatory enforcement. The group announced the launch of a GoFundMe campaign to raise funds for traffic and environmental assessments as well as other important items to move the campaign along once a planning application is lodged. The GoFundMe 'Oppose large biomethane plant at Ballyvass, Castledermot' has seen great support since its launch on Wednesday, July 30 with over 1000 raised so far. News / National by Staff reporter A Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC) licence inspector lost more than US$7,000 to thieves who broke into his office over the weekend.The inspector, identified as 30-year-old Tinashe Mushore, reported for duty on Monday morning and found the door to his office had been forced open with an unknown object.Upon entering, he discovered that a desktop computer was missing. Further checks revealed that approximately US$7,000 in cash, which had been stored in a cardboard box inside the office, had also been stolen.Mushore told police he had knocked off duty on Saturday, leaving everything in order, and had taken the office keys home for the weekend. He was off duty on Sunday and only returned on Monday to find the break-in.The incident was reported to Mbare Police Station under reference number RRB6543655.One of the security officers interviewed by police said he had noticed drops of a liquid substance in the passage early in the morning when he went to the toilet but had not realised the premises had been broken into.Police investigations into the break-in and theft are ongoing. By Cate McCurry and Grainne Ni Aodha, PA The family of an Irishwoman who is one of eight people kidnapped in Haiti has asked people to keep the group in your hearts. The family of Gena Heraty, who is from Westport in Co Mayo, also asked for discretion at this difficult time. Ms Heraty and seven other hostages, including a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff on August 3rd. She oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). Tanaiste Simon Harris said he spoke by phone to Haitis foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and asked that everything is done to ensure the release of Ms Heraty and the other hostages. Crowds of locals and siblings of Ms Heraty attended a Monday mass in her parish church to pray for her safe return. In a statement released by Department of Foreign Affairs, her family said they were still coming to terms with the awful news that Gena and seven others were kidnapped. We continue to work closely with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPH) in Haiti and Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible, they said. Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far. We are truly so grateful for all the messages of support we have received over the past few days. They added: Given the sensitivity and evolving nature of what has happened, and mindful of the ongoing efforts to get everyone released safely, we are not in a position to share any further details at present. We echo NPH International in asking for discretion and patience throughout this difficult time. We continue to ask that you keep Gena, everyone taken with her, and their families in your hearts as we pray for their safe and speedy return. Gena Heraty (Viatores Christi Dublin/PA) Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heratys family on Monday and officials in his department would remain in constant contact with them. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Harris said the Haitian foreign affairs minister assured him of his support to ensure the release of the hostages. I welcome my engagement with Minister Harvel Jean Baptiste after what has been an extremely traumatic few days for the Heraty family, as well as the families of all those who were kidnapped, he said. The minister assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation, said that one of its members, Ms Heraty, was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFSs Special Needs Programme, it said. Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region. Our organisation has supported NPFSs work for a number of years and has seen first-hand the impact of Genas efforts. We are in close contact with our partners on the ground and remain hopeful for her safe return. We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care. We ask that her privacy and that of those closest to her be respected as efforts continue to clarify the situation. A Westport parish priest said the local community was saddened and shocked by Ms Heratys kidnapping. Fr John Kenny said Ms Heratys sister Mary spoke at the weekly Monday mass in her local parish church in Cushlough, which was attended by many people praying for her safe return. Fr Kenny said the mass would have generally a small attendance, but on Monday cars were everywhere. People were gathered and quietly prayed and then met with the family afterwards, he told RTE Radio. The evening was a nice evening, a quiet evening, so they had the opportunity to meet with her siblings and her extended family and console them and chat to them and reassure them of our prayers and support. (Mary) was maybe a little bit nervous to speak, because it really is on tenterhooks that anything said or done or anything that would upset the situation in any way, even at this great distance, on social media and (media) coverage, you would be worried. The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying and supporting them as we can. He described Ms Heraty as wonderful, generous and caring and said several fundraising events have been held for her cause. Shes not one for the spotlight or to highlight herself. Its always the work she does that she draws attention to and the people she works with, he added. Any fundraising events that we support, the local schools, the local communities, are generous to her cause and the cause she works for. Reluctantly, as I said, she has to come forward to do that, but its never for herself. Its never for her own benefit. Its always for the benefit of others. Thats just the nature of the person she is, a wonderful, generous, caring, compassionate person, a great human being. Ms Heraty survived a vicious assault while she worked at a Haitian orphanage in 2011. She was punched and hit a number of times with a hammer when men broke into the building. We wouldnt know all the ins and outs of what goes on there, but we are conscious that its an area where theres a lot of unrest, and then all the storms and various terrible natural events that happen too over the years, Fr Kenny added. Were worried about her physical concerns there, that there will be storm damage and flooding and all kinds of things. But then, yes, the unrest and the unease of the local situation. ACCORDING to figures released by the CSO to Ireland South MEP Cynthia Ni Mhurcu, the number of convictions for rape and sexual assault recorded across Kildare rose from 53 in 2003 to 124 in 2024. These figures show a shocking 134% increase in two decades. Ni Mhurcu, a former family law barrister, called these figures a wakeup call to action and added that it is clear we are dealing with an epidemic of violence against women. The Ireland South MEP is calling for a complete review of sexual violence sentencing in the country as a whole, as well as other important measures. Further figures released by the Irish Prison Service show that as of May 31, 2025, there were 800 sexual offenders in Irish prisons costing the state almost 80m annually to house, which is 16% more than May 31 of 2024 when 692 sexual offenders were in jail in the Irish prison system. According to Miss Ni Mhurchu, these figures raise concerns about the Irish prison systems ability to rehabilitate sexual offenders. She also brought attention to the 80m spend every year to house sex offenders without adequate treatment. Ni Mhurchu added that in August of 2024, just eight sex offenders were participating in the Building Better Lives programme, an Irish prison service treatment programme for sex offenders. However, only six sex offenders completed the programme before it was eventually cancelled in October of 2024, which was eventually replaced with a new model of intervention called New Chapters. MEP Ni Mhurcu has requested a meeting with Minister for Justice, Jim OCallaghan, to discuss this crisis and what Ni Mhurcu called the dramatic rise in violence against women. She is calling for a nationwide review of sentencing for violent crimes against women, advanced training for circuit and district court judges for these cases, more consultation rooms for victims in Irish courts and a more victim-centred approach, a thorough investigation into the dramatic increases in these crimes, and more focused measures to rehabilitate sexual offenders in prison. Shannon Sweeney The man charged in connection with an incident in Waterford on Friday, following which a man died, has been remanded in custody pending DPP instructions. David Norris (35) of 8 Assumption Terrace, Rosbercon, New Ross, Co Wexford, appeared by video link before Judge Miriam Walsh at Waterford District Court on Tuesday, August 5th. As The Waterford News & Star reports, Mr Norris is charged with assault causing harm contrary to Section 3 of the Non-Fatal Acts Against the Person Act 1997. Acting for the state, Sergeant John Phelan made an application for the defendant to be remanded in continuing custody to await further instructions from the DPP. Judge Walsh put the matter back to August 19th. On Friday, August 1st, at around 2:20 pm, uniformed gardai responded to a call at a house in St Catherines Grange Housing Estate. There, they found a male in his 70s unconscious. A second male in his 30s was arrested at the scene. An Garda Siochana say the investigation is ongoing. They are appealing to anyone with information to contact Waterford Garda Station on 051 305300 or the Garda Confidential line on 1800 666 111. Olivia Kelleher A man who was allegedly involved in an arson attack which caused the complete destruction of the home of a couple in their late 80s is protesting his innocence, a court has heard. Paul McCarthy of Dowth Avenue, Cabra in Dublin, appeared before Cork District Court on Wednesday on a charge of arson at Fernbrook, Ballincrokig in Co Cork on April 24th last. The court previously heard that Mr McCarthy (37) was allegedly one of three men who drove from Dublin to Cork to set fire to a house. Gardai also previously alleged that the arson was video recorded by one of the men and that the pensioners were not the target of the attack. Sgt John Kelleher on Wednesday told Judge John King that 550,000 in fire damage was caused to the property. This, he stated, led to the complete destruction of the house. He said that Mr McCarthy first appeared before the court on May 7th last in connection with his alleged role in the incident. He has been remanded in custody since. Sgt Kelleher said that forensic results are awaited in the case following the search of two properties. He applied for a four-week remand in custody in the case. Defence barrister Nicholas Hall, BL, said that his client insists that he is innocent of the crime. He stated that the searches were carried out early on and asked that the matter be expedited. Judge King remanded Mr McCarthy in custody until August 20th next for DPP directions. The accused will appear by video link again on that date. Meanwhile, Garda Brian Murphy previously objected to bail when the matter first came before Cork District Court. He said that it was alleged that at 9pm on April 24th last, a car arrived at the house in Ballincrokig and three people exited. "Two enter the curtilage of the property and ignited two glass petrol bombs with a blowtorch. They smashed a bedroom window and threw in these petrol bombs. The third person believed to be Paul McCarthy stands close to the vehicle and allegedly films the incident on his mobile phone. "The Skoda Octavia enters the Plaza filling station in Portlaoise just before midnight and Paul McCarthy is identified, filling the car with 30 diesel and leaving without paying. Garda Murphy said that a man, aged 87, and his 86-year-old wife were watching television in the house at the time. He told the court that the house was quickly engulfed in flames, but the couple were unharmed. Garda Murphy said that if it had been a short time later, the pensioners would have been in bed and possibly killed. Paul McCarthy had complete disregard for the elderly occupants of the property, which was completely destroyed. From the initial investigations, gardai are not of the belief that these persons were the intended victims. He added that it was alleged that Mr McCarthy drove from Dublin with the two other individuals. Vivienne Clarke The chairperson of the Board of Trustees for NPH Ireland, the organisation which employs aid worker Gena Heraty, has spoken of the shock at the abduction of Ms Heraty and seven others, including a three year old child. Jessica Mullins told RTE radios Morning Ireland that everybody at NPH was really disheartened at what had happened. Gena is so highly regarded within the communities that she works for and does such amazing work that it really is shocking that this unfortunate series of events is after occurring. Ms Mullins said that Ms Heraty would be putting on a brave face, not just for herself, but for everybody else and would probably be trying to negotiate her way out. But no doubt there's also an element of fear there. Ms Heraty had great resilience, she said. Testament to that was the fact that she had spent over 30 years in Haiti despite the increasing volatility. It would be a tough environment to work in and to grow up in. It's rife with poverty, civil unrest. It just shows her resilience. She has showed up every day regardless of how volatile or how tough things get on the ground over in Haiti. For Gena I would think this isn't a job, it's a vocation and like one of her colleagues said to us yesterday it's her true mission in life and she really is an amazing person and just serves with love and compassion and dignity and she's probably one of the most selfless people I've ever met. Meanwhile, Infectious diseases expert Dr Louise Ivers, Executive Director of the Centre for Global Health, has spoken of the deep commitment of abducted aid worker Gena Heraty to the people of Haiti. I've known Gena since 2008 and we've remained quite friendly over time. Everything you've been reading about Gena over the last few days is true. She's an absolutely fantastic person. She's a kind person. She's completely committed to the children and young people who she takes care of there in Haiti. She's just an absolute delight. A lovely, lovely woman, she told Newstalk Breakfast. When you think of aid worker, you tend to have a picture of somebody who's come in, they're doing important work, but it's temporary, you know, they're kind of the foreigner, they drop in, they are responding to a specific crisis, and then usually they're leaving. Gena has been there for over 30 years. She's part of the community, she's fluent in Haitian Creole, she's a well-known entity around, she is really part of the fabric of the organisation and the area where she's living, so it's really a little bit of a different perspective in my mind. I don't know how she would describe herself, if that's the word she would use, but she's just a really, really important person in the community and doing tremendous work, work that is hard and working with young people and children that can be sometimes very difficult to take care of in difficult circumstances but committed nonetheless to it. But one of the challenges in Haiti Is that it's such a relentlessly challenging place and for many people that is paralysing because it seems like it's just too difficult to make any progress there. But if you have the attitude of one positive thing, I think it can help you see a path forward and so that's what I see in Gena, you know, always kind of looking for that one thing that she can do or one good thing that has happened in the day. Dr Ivers said that Ms Heraty was more than an aid worker, she was a mother to the children in the orphanage. She's committed to that place and to the community and to especially the children with disabilities in her house that she cares for, she's a mother to them. She's not naive. She knows the situation. "Everybody there knows the situation and it takes a tremendous amount of resolve and commitment to doing the right thing and doing a good thing. So I really admire her tremendously and I am worried about her and hope that grace will be shown to her and her colleagues, and that they will be released safely. A FEMALE staff member required hospital treatment after a distressing and violent incident at a Laois leisure centre yesterday evening. It was confirmed today that the woman attended the emergency department at Portlaoise hospital and is recovering from her ordeal, following the violent brawl between two groups of customers at the centre. Thanking everyone who offered support and assistance during the frightening incident, Laois Leisure Portarlington manager Sean Quirke said in a statement today: There is an active Garda investigation into the incident for which a result will be pursued on behalf of our many fantastic customers, our team of staff and the protection of a safe environment for swimming in Portarlington since 1974. I can confirm that, while not directly attacked, one of our team of staff was injured and is now recovering following attendance at Portlaoise A & E last night. I would like to commend our staff for looking out for and moving other customers to safety during the incident and for their immediate call for Garda support, which arrived within a short time frame. Mr Quirke added: Once again, thank you all for your support and we look forward to seeing you all using the facilities in the days ahead. It is understood that the staff member was injured when she was knocked over during the altercation, which broke out at about 6pm and forced the early closure of the centre. Management took the decision to close, after what they described as a distressing and violent situation on Tuesday 5 August. Making the announcement on their social media platforms, they said a serious incident of anti-social behaviour between customers resulted having to close early. Gardai were alerted but those involved had dispersed by the time they arrived. The centre said yesterday: Due to a serious incident of anti-social behaviour between customers, we will be closing early tonight following the Aquafit class at 7.45pm. This decision has been made to allow our staff time to decompress after a distressing and violent situation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support. Gardai are examining CCTV footage as they carry out enquiries and are appealing for witnesses to come forward. The centre is open as normal today, while the investigation continues. Anyone with information is asked to contact Portlaoise Garda Station at 057 8674100. Niamh Madden, founder of Sisterhood, from Offaly shares what it's like to be childfree as an Irish woman and how it has impacted her life. Sisterhood was founded by Niamh in 2020 and has accumulated over 1500 members who are all women who are childfree and come together to share their stories and spend time together doing various activities. Niamh set up the group because she felt like she was the only person who didn't want kids and wanted to try and meet other people in a similar situation to her. Niamh said that all of her friends had children at the time and it was really difficult to find time with her friends "which is completely understandable". "Every now and again I felt a bit lonely because my friends were entering a new life stage.....so I did feel a bit lonely through no fault of anyone....I was craving a connection with other women who were in the same scenario". When asked why Niamh decided to not have kids she said, "I suppose there wasn't one reason....for most of my life I would of wanted kids but as I got older and I weighed up a lot of different thoughts around having kids it was something I decided wasn't really for me". "Everyone has their own individual unique reasons....in the group (Sisterhood) some people work with children all day....we also have a couple of au pairs who have done their fair share of child rearing and needed freedom," Niamh said. "Some are also older siblings who took care of their younger siblings and once it was done they wanted their freedom as well....other reasons that came up in the group was the cost of child rearing.....the lack of availability of family members in the local area as a lot of people had to move for work away from their family homes," Niamh continued. "One of the top reasons was actually that they are happy as they are....they didn't have this need or desire to have children.....the pressure didn't necessarily cause them to say 'oh I'll have kids' and they were true to their own feelings and values around it." Niamh said that a lot of women in the group have talked about stories where they experienced negative situations because they don't have children. "At work conferences we had women who are asked about how many kids they had and they were standing with men who were not asked the same questions," Niamh said as an example. "Also people who got married they were asked 'oh so when are we going to hear the pitter-patter of tiny feet?'". Niamh also said that some family members were asking members of Sisterhood when they plan on settling down, asking when are they going to get married, etc. READ NEXT: Police launch investigation as Irish fashion designer is found dead on yacht in New York "There's still a few comments you'd hear when out and about....another thing is the need to pick up on projects from someone who is having children going out on leave...the women in the group said that they were the ones who had to pick up those projects so they felt that they were doing the extra work to accommodate people with families". Niamh said in response to people who may say 'will you not regret not having kids?' that no one knows what we will or will not regret in life. She said that at one stage in her life she was considering becoming a teacher in South Korea. "I never did it but do I regret it? No because I never did it! I know as we get older mortality kicks in and the closer and closer I get to the stage....I do think about things like legacy and if I SHOULD leave something behind that has created a positive impact on the world". "I would say as long as someone is living true to their own values they're not really going to know whether they're going to regret something or not....people who are saying 'oh you'll never know real love until you have a baby' usually they are the people who have children". "They're not aware of what the life without children looks like.....at one point in their lives they didn't have kids and they were perfectly fine". Sisterhood started out in 2020 as a small group of just four women who met up and went to a museum in Dublin. A month later the group had gathered 200 members then 300 members over the next six months and now there is 1,500 in the group today. There's a book club within the group as well as theatre and cultural events and a lot of regular meet up's and activities for the women involved. One thing Niamh would like to see disappear is asking women nowadays 'oh do you have kids?' or 'how many kids do you have?'. She said that while people who ask these questions may just be trying to make conversation, it can be quite triggering. "A lot of women have different situations....they could be going through IVF.....they could of had a miscarriage...they could of had an abortion....they could of wanted kids but have never been able to have any or maybe they just don't want kids." "I would say to people to try and come up with different questions for small talk....maybe ask 'what do you do in your spare time?' instead. Niamh also said, to women who are childfree, just live your life.....you don't have to do a big thing like write a novel just to prove you are worthy as a woman. Graignamanagh is set to celebrate the 22nd anniversary of the Town of Books Festival, taking place from August 22 to 24, 2025. The festival has become a literary haven for book lovers and a cultural highlight for locals and visitors alike. In recent years, the committee has welcomed guests from all over the world, including Seattle, Washington D.C., South Africa, Finland, Texas, England, Scotland, Wales, and France. First held in 2003, the Town of Books Festival has grown from strength to strength over the past two decades. The three-day celebration attracts booksellers, avid readers, collectors, artists, and enthusiasts from across Ireland and beyond. TAP HERE FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS This years programme includes the ever-popular food & craft market at Abbey Hall, live music, poetry readings, face painting, and a variety of other family-friendly activities. The festivities begin with a festival launch and drinks reception at 7:00 PM on Friday, followed by a special event at 8:00 PM featuring local TV personality Edward Hayden in conversation with two distinguished guests: Pat Marry The Making of a Detective When he retired in 2018, Pat Marry had been instrumental in solving dozens of serious crimes, including many murders. But as a newly qualified Garda in 1985, Marry had no idea how to become a detective. He quickly realised he would have to learn on the job to step forward and prove he had what it took. Beau Donnelly The Woman Who Fooled the World Beau is an award-winning investigative journalist and co-author of the best-selling book The Woman Who Fooled the World, the true story behind Netflix's Apple Cider Vinegar. He has worked for The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald in Australia, and for The Times and The Sunday Times in Ireland. Abbey Lane All Welcome This fantastic new venue at Mick Doyles Pub was recently featured in Hot Press magazine. Cushendale Woollen Mills will present a beautiful exhibition titled A Vintage Yarn: Stories of Irish Fashion and Design throughout the weekend. Miriam Cushen will collaborate with Naomi Fitzgibbon of Vintage Finds You, Irelands premier curator of vintage fashion. Naomis archive includes couture pieces rarely seen outside museums featuring works by Irene Gilbert, Ib Jorgensen, Mary ODonnell, and Pat Crowley. With support from Creative Kilkenny, the Town of Books Festival will host 70 Plein Air artists this year, including many of Irelands top painters. En plein air the act of painting outdoors was popularised by the Impressionists, who sought to capture nature directly. TAP HERE FOR MORE WHAT'S ON IN KILKENNY This years paint-out competition will be judged with the support of the Butler Gallery, Kilkenny. The top prize, valued at 500 in web hosting and design, is generously sponsored by Blacknight (T&Cs apply). Visitors will enjoy watching the artists work throughout the weekend and are invited to attend the exhibition on Sunday evening, where they can vote for the Peoples Choice Award. The Town of Books Festival is incredibly well supported by the local community and businesses, and we take pride in being an inclusive and welcoming town. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates: www.instagram.com/irelandstownofbooks, and www.facebook.com/IrelandsBooktown The festival committee is delighted to announce that Blacknight will once again take the lead in 2025 as the main sponsor! At Blacknight, theyre not just about domains and hosting theyre also passionate about stories, knowledge, and the magic that happens when you open a good book. The Good Shepherd Centre in Kilkenny remains a staple of city life as its response to the ongoing homelessness crisis continues to grow in importance and the number of people seeking housing help rises locally. The registered charity, located on Church Lane in Kilkenny City, offers support to people across society experiencing or on the verge of homelessness, with no background or creed immune. Since its inception, the centre has catered to people struggling with addiction, mental health issues, people with disabilities, the elderly, low-income families and people exiting state care, hospital, or prison. However, despite everyone carrying their own individual worries and concerns, the sterotypical view of who may or may not become homeless is far from the whole truth. READ NEXT: Details of new book documenting DJ Carey story emerge - Kilkenny Live Thomas McNamara, a social worker originally from Dublin, was in a seemingly comfortable position eight years ago, but life took a devastating turn. "I had my own business in Kilkenny and I lost my business and my relationship at the time and I found myself sleeping in my car for two or three nights and then I was directed towards the Good Shepherd. "That had a huge impact on me in that moment, standing on the doorstep, waiting to press the doorbell with a sense of hopelessness, but lucky for me I came in," he said. The catastrophic period was damaging in a number of ways, as the loss of a home and job dealt a major dent to Thomas pride. "I went from being what most people class as successful, having my own business, young kids and a happy life but things changed drastically and I entered into a supposed arena in homelessness that I had never seen before. "When I came in I realised there was so many people here just like me," a realisation he feels much of society has failed to discover. "One of the things I dislike is the image of homeless people as the old man and the dog in the doorway." Thomas, who had no previous experiences of mental health issues, found himself trapped due to the hand life had dealt, but claims calling to the Good Shepherd was his first positive step in turning his life around. "I was lucky at the time I was in the Good Shepherd, I had a really good key worker, who got me counselling in Teac Tom which put me in a position to rebuild my life. Luckily enough, when I left after about a year I got a job in a supermarket outside Kilkenny, went to college, got an honours degree in social care and just last week I got my keys to my home for life." The social care worker now looks forward to an 'optimistic', 'stable' future where he can assist in combating the homeless crisis. FOR MORE LOCAL NEWS, CLICK HERE Noel Sherry, General Manager of the Good Shepherd Centre and Thomas McNamara, Social Care Worker - Picture: Vicky Comerford News / National by Staff reporter Government has gazetted the Public Service Amendment Bill, which will compel civil servants to resign upon assuming political office, grant female employees 98 days of fully paid maternity leave without restrictions, and prohibit industrial action by workers in essential health services.The proposed legislation, which seeks to align public service regulations with the Constitution of Zimbabwe, also requires Public Service Commissioners to declare their assets.According to Clause 20 of the Bill, any civil servant who assumes political office - whether as a Member of Parliament or councillor - must resign within 30 days, in line with Sections 129(h) and 278(1) of the Constitution.Section 129(h) provides that a parliamentary seat becomes vacant if a Member was a public officer, or employed by a statutory body, government-controlled entity, provincial or metropolitan council, or local authority at the time of election, and fails to relinquish that position within the stipulated 30 days.The Bill also introduces a firm restriction on industrial action in the health sector. Clause 22 states that those providing essential services will not be allowed to embark on strikes, to prevent disruption of critical health care. Essential services are defined as those whose interruption would "endanger, immediately, the life, personal safety or health of any person."The measure is aimed at ending recurrent strikes by health workers that have in the past paralysed hospitals and resulted in patient deaths. Government has repeatedly urged dialogue in place of collective job actions that compromise access to health care, which is a constitutional right.In a significant development for workers' rights, Clause 23 guarantees female employees 98 days of maternity leave on full pay - without the previous requirement of at least one year's service or limits on how many times it can be taken. This aligns public service conditions with the Labour Act [Chapter 28:01] but goes further by removing qualifying restrictions.The Bill, approved by Cabinet, will soon be tabled in Parliament for debate. Once passed, it is expected to have far-reaching implications for the conduct of public servants, the stability of essential public services, and the protection of workers' rights. Although the tariff dispute between the USA and the EU has been settled for now, it has caused months of uncertainty and turmoil in the financial markets. The newly established DFG research group "Asset Allocation and Asset Pricing in Regulated Markets and Institutions" is investigating how a lack of clarity or predictability in economic policy regulations affects the valuation of assets and investment decisions. The research group, coordinated by the University of Ulm, includes two professors from the Karlsruhe Institute of Technology (KIT). Political, Economic, and Technological Uncertainties Make Research Highly Relevant Regulatory uncertainty means that the timing and scope of planned or likely economic policy regulations, such as tariffs or taxes, are unknown. The research group investigates such uncertainties for regulatory measures in three areas: first, in different sectors such as the financial market, the insurance industry, and trade; second, in climate policy; and third, in the tax system. "We are now specifically interested in how regulatory unpredictability influences the valuation of assets such as stocks, bonds and other financial instruments and changes their attractiveness for investors," explains Professor Nicole Bauerle from the Institute for Stochastics at KIT. The research is highly relevant because, in times of political, economic, and technological uncertainties, regulatory uncertainties quickly develop into systemic risks, whose effects could spread across many sectors. The German Research Foundation is funding the research group with approximately 3.2 million euros for four years. lkr, August 6, 2025 News / National by Staff reporter About six out of ten Zimbabweans are considering emigrating in search of better opportunities, as economic challenges continue to deepen across the country, a new Afrobarometer report shows.The pan-African survey network, which gathers data on governance, democracy, and quality of life, found that despite official claims of economic improvement, many Zimbabweans remain pessimistic about the local economy.Conducted through face-to-face interviews in respondents' preferred languages, the report highlights economic factors as the primary drivers for emigration. Some 58% of those considering leaving cited the pursuit of better work opportunities, while 32% sought to escape economic hardship and poverty.South Africa remains the top destination for prospective emigrants, with 38% naming the country despite reports of xenophobic attacks and labor exploitation. Other popular destinations include Europe (23%) and North America (12%).Afrobarometer estimates that over 2 million Zimbabweans currently live outside the country, many having fled the ongoing economic crisis. Professionals such as nurses and teachers are reportedly among those preparing to leave.The study also revealed that education level significantly influences emigration plans: while only 35% of those with little or no schooling have considered leaving, this figure rises to 75% among the most educated."Youth are especially inclined to consider emigration, with 68% contemplating leaving, compared to just 26% of the elderly," the report noted.Migration challenges, including difficulties crossing borders, were found to be common. The report states that 58% of respondents have thought about leaving Zimbabwe, with 34% doing so "a lot." Those with higher education and greater lived poverty reported more difficulties in crossing borders.Men (63%) and urban residents (65%) were more likely to have considered emigration than women (53%) and rural dwellers (53%).Despite these migration trends, the report found broad support for free movement within southern Africa, with three-quarters of Zimbabweans endorsing unrestricted cross-border travel for trade and work. However, 67% said that in practice, crossing borders is "difficult" or "very difficult."Attitudes towards migrants were generally positive: 86% expressed no issues living next door to foreign workers or immigrants, and 77% felt similarly about refugees.Still, over 60% believed the government should reduce or stop immigration of foreign job seekers.The report underscores the strong economic motivations behind Zimbabweans' desire to emigrate, reflecting ongoing challenges in the country's economic landscape. Eric Crampton notes: On Newsroom-RNZ co-production The Detail, Espiner noted that theres some debate about whats official and whats not official while damning New Zealand for not following Canadian examples. While Canadas official guidelines look similar to ours, Canadas standard drink measure is 34.5% larger than New Zealands. If we take that into account, Canadas low-risk guidelines are more liberal than New Zealands. Three standard Canadian drinks is four standard New Zealand drinks. If New Zealand followed Canadas example, we would be relaxing our guidelines rather than tightening them. And Canadas guidelines have not changed since 2011. No-one listening to that NZ On Air funded episode of The Detail will know that industry intervention helped to correct an error. Or that, if we followed Canadas actual example, our low-risk threshold would increase from 15 to 20 standard New Zealand drinks per week. About five years ago, misinformation was almost a capital crime. Times change. It is terrible that false information on a government website was corrected. This is clearly wrong. False information is good, if it comes from the right people. We see another interesting example around pregnancy labels. Alcohol Healthwatch did a report which claimed 34% of alcohol products had no pregnancy warning label on them. They refuse to release details of which retailers they surveyed. This so alarmed the Alcohol Beverages Council, that they commissioned an audit of a retail store where all 1,756 products were checked. They found 99.3% of products had correct labelling. They are able to provide full details of the store and the audit. A key issue is that the requirement for labelling only came in on 1 August 2023, so products manufactured before then do not have to have the label. So while almost all beers will have the label, many wine and whiskeys etc which are often sold after they have aged will be on the shelves for a while. Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China has issued a plan to accelerate the digital transformation of its machinery sector, aiming to create more smart factories and promote a wide range of applications for intelligent technology. The document, published by eight government agencies including the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT) and the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security, sets out a roadmap to upgrade the machinery sector through digital technology. By 2027, there will be widespread integration of smart technologies across key areas -- from product design and manufacturing to enterprise management and maintenance, according to the official blueprint. Looking ahead, major machinery enterprises are aiming to essentially complete one round of digital transformation by 2030. By then, a well-structured and secure product and service supply system, featuring 500 new excellence-level smart factories, is expected to take shape. The government has classified smart factories into four tiers based on technological maturity and integration depth, including the basic-level, the advanced-level, the excellence-level and the pioneer-level. An MIIT official emphasized the sector's foundational role in economic development, saying that accelerating the digital transformation of the machinery industry is essential for supporting the digitalization of the broader economy and advancing new industrialization. To achieve these goals, the plan outlines 12 key tasks, including advancing foundational industrial capabilities, accelerating the development of industrial software, promoting capacity-sharing by leading enterprises, and pushing forward the establishment of a standards-setting system. News / National by Staff reporter The ruling Zanu-PF party is intensifying its engagement with affiliates as part of its drive to empower citizens economically, in line with its long-standing tradition of working with communities since the liberation struggle.On Monday, the Bulawayo Women's League met with over 90 associates under the banner Women in Global Markets Against Poverty 4ED, reaffirming the party's commitment to economic inclusion and grassroots mobilisation."We are here to encourage each other as members of Women in Global Markets Against Poverty 4ED working together with the Zanu-PF Women's League so that we can empower each other," said the organisation's chairperson, Ms Netsai Madzivire.Zanu-PF Bulawayo Province Women's League Chairperson Rejoice Sibanda echoed the sentiment, stressing that the mobilisation drive aims to ensure that women across the province become economically independent."As Zanu-PF Women's League, we are continuing with our mobilisation drive so that we can work and encourage all members and affiliates to be part of Zanu-PF developmental programmes," Sibanda said.The meeting forms part of Zanu-PF's broader strategy to bring together both party members and non-members in economic empowerment initiatives. These include training in the production of marketable goods such as detergents for resale.Zanu-PF Central Committee Member Eulysses Nowedza said the party will continue engaging its 90 registered affiliates to promote entrepreneurship and boost interest in Zanu-PF programmes."We are currently engaging everybody, both Zanu-PF members and non-members, so that we can empower them through different programmes. Today, we were able to meet one of the Zanu-PF 90 affiliates and we will continue doing so," Nowedza noted.The ruling party has placed gender equity and economic independence for women high on its agenda under the Second Republic, viewing such initiatives as central to national development. COLUMBIA Boone County voters approved an expansion for the senior real estate tax freeze in a special election Tuesday. The measure, which appeared on the ballot as Proposition 1, is an expansion of the existing freeze on real estate taxes for some people 62 and older. Boone County Presiding Commissioner Kip Kendrick said the county is anticipating around 10,000 parcels to apply for the existing senior real estate tax freeze this year. He said this new measure won't change enrollment for people already in the program, and the freeze on the bond debt tax will automatically be applied to their 2025 application. Under the program, eligible citizens would not pay any more in public bond debt taxes than they do this year. Public bonds pay for items including new equipment for the Boone County Fire Protection District, new school buildings for local school districts, and infrastructure improvements such as new roads and sewers. The county government raises the money to pay off those bonds through real estate taxes. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Error! There was an error processing your request. A closer look at Boone County's senior property tax freeze ballot measure Boone County voters will decide on a senior real estate tax freeze measure in August. But how is this one different than the one they already passed? However, differences in interpretation for the ballot measure make its future and effects uncertain. Some entities have interpreted the measure as a freeze on the tax rate. For example, property owners in Boone County pay a tax of 25 cents for every $100 in assessed value of their real estate into the Boone County Fire Protection District bond tax. Assistant Chief Gale Blomenkamp, a spokesperson for the Fire District, said his organization has interpreted this new freeze would only apply if it tried to raise that tax rate (say, to 30 cents per $100 in assessed value), which he said it has no intention of doing. Blomenkamp said the Fire District believes applicants 62 and older will still pay the 25 cents per $100 rate, even as the value of their real estate increases. The Boone County Commission has interpreted this differently. Kendrick said the county believes this will freeze the amount applicants pay into public bond debt. So, applicants will now not pay any more tax money into public bond debt than they do this year. Because the county and a separate political subdivision have interpreted the effects of this new freeze expansion differently, a constitutional law attorney said this could mean a future in court for a resolution. News / National by Staff reporter Bulawayo city councillors have expressed deep concern over the worsening state of roads and malfunctioning traffic lights, warning that the deteriorating infrastructure poses serious risks to motorists, pedestrians, and schoolchildren.The issue was highlighted in the latest council report, where several councillors called for urgent road repairs, greater community involvement in pothole patching, and improved road safety measures across the city.Ward 25 Councillor Aleck Ndlovu said large, dangerous potholes were now a common feature in residential areas such as Nketa 7 and 9. He urged Council to supply decomposed gravel so residents could carry out basic repairs themselves."There are extremely dangerous potholes in my ward. We need decomposed gravel, and our community is ready to patch them," Ndlovu said.Ward 28 Councillor Ntandoyenkosi Ndlovu described the condition of Old Khami Road as "embarrassing" and proposed that the city's special roads levy be redirected to fund emergency repairs."Old Khami Road is now in a very bad state. It is embarrassing for such a major road to have huge potholes," he said, adding that other key routes such as 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street also require immediate attention.Ward 22 Councillor Mmeli Moyo questioned why community-based groups were not being actively engaged by Council to assist in road maintenance across all 29 wards.In response, Acting Director of Works Ernest Mthethwa acknowledged the poor condition of many roads, noting that while Old Khami Road had been taken over by the government, the city remained responsible for its maintenance. He said decomposed gravel was being used for temporary repairs but cautioned that engaging community groups on a large scale would be expensive."Engaging community groups in all 29 wards would require 700 tonnes of tar and US$175,000 per month over three months," Mthethwa explained.He also confirmed that rehabilitation work on 3rd Avenue and Lobengula Street would begin soon.Councillor Aleck Ndlovu also raised concern over the growing number of road accidents linked to malfunctioning traffic lights, especially in high-density suburbs."Some cities have solar-powered traffic lights, like Mutare. A lot of accidents are happening at night. Students are dying in the high-density suburbs due to the lack of functioning traffic lights," he said.Committee chairperson Councillor Royini Sekete urged Council to repaint speed humps along Luveve Road for better visibility and install more traffic signals at strategic points. He also flagged challenges in implementing a proposed traffic circle at the intersection of Masiyephambili and Old Khami roads near Nkulumane Mall.Mthethwa revealed the traffic circle was not included in the 2025 budget due to funding constraints. He further attributed recent disruptions to the traffic light system to an unannounced switch by ZESA from metered to pre-paid electricity."It took a long time to register the new pre-paid meters so Council could purchase electricity tokens. However, registration has now been completed," he said.The councillors' calls highlight the urgent need for sustainable road maintenance funding and modernised traffic control systems to improve road safety in Bulawayo. Success! An email has been sent to with a link to confirm list signup. Expo Update is a weekly (running for 6 weeks) look into what's happening at the Canada Pavilion located at the 2025 World Expo in Osaka, Japan. Throughout the six episodes, Carleton journalism undergrad graduate and Capital Current intern Sean Coombs will guide you through an eye opening line up of interviews, music, and reports that showcase the cultural connections that bind communities in Japan and Canada together. Not only will events at the expo be included, but stories of Canadians creating innovation and cultural exchange within the local Osaka community will be added as well. No matter what you're interested in, Expo Update will have content that will spark your interest in the deep cultural connections Japan and Canada share. While the line up for the upcoming shows is fluid and subject to the developments from the expo, you can expect a solid line up of Canadian artists, performers, entrepreneurs, and educators. Each episode will feature at least two interviews with people like the kinds listed, along with Canadian music and updates from the expo more broadly. Featured interviewees will include Jill Barber, Dominique Fils Aime, representatives from the RCMP ceremonial guard, Expo Organisers, and many more! Content produced by other Capital Current interns working at the Canadian pavilion may also be featured. This is the first time that Carleton School of Journalism's Capital Current has gone truly international in its reporting, and the other interns are eager to share their work. The Osaka Expo is one of over 100 cultural expos or fairs held across the world since the 19th century by the Paris-based organisation Bureau International des Expositions. Held only once every four years or so, World Expos offer people around the world virtually and in-person the opportunity to explore the cultures of other nations and participate in cultural exchange with communities across continents. Whether you're interested in exploring international diaspora or cultures from nations often closed off from the world, World Expos like the one being held in Osaka offer a world of experiences in one small place. Expo Update is an intern produced radio show series that is editorially independent from World Expo, the Canadian Pavilion, and all other interview participants. We hope you enjoy the shows, and please share your feedback with CKCU! Michael Bolton A teenager has died in hospital following a single-vehicle collision in Co Kerry on Wednesday. The collision happened on the L1029 road at Deerpark, Lixnaw, at 5.40pm. The driver, an adult male aged in his late teens, and sole occupant of the car was airlifted to Cork University Hospital. He was pronounced deceased on Wednesday morning. Garda Forensic Collision Investigators carried out an examination of the scene. Gardai are appealing for witnesses to this incident to come forward. Any road users who may have dash-cam and were travelling in the area on the 2nd August 2025 between 5.15pm and 5.45pm are asked to make this footage available to investigating gardai. Anyone with information is asked to contact Listowel Garda Station on (068) 50820, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station. It's important that you plan ahead when completing your nonprovisional utility patent application. Allow at least 8 weeks to complete the patent process. For your convenience, we've broken the application process into two steps: Step 1 You submit an easy questionnaire with some information about your invention. Then, a USPTO-registered patent professional will provide a patent consultation by phone, and a professional illustrator will create technical drawings to support your application. This process takes approximately four weeks. Optionally, we can also conduct a patent search and review for other, potentially similar inventions, which will add an additional week to the process. Step 2 Once the first step is complete, we'll send you a link so you can begin Step Two. We'll connect you with a patent attorney or USPTO-registered patent agent who'll work with you to complete your nonprovisional utility patent application and file it with the USPTO. Because patent applications can be complicated, the law firm handling your order requires at least 4 weeks to complete it. If you have a short deadline and need to expedite the processing of your order, the law firm preparing your application may be able to accommodate your request for an additional fee. For more information, please call us at (888) 791-0227 or email us at ipsales@legalzoom.com. The chicken chain's departure creates another dining vacancy at the Whitehall Township mall, which has been experiencing both closures and new tenant arrivals. One of Lehigh Valley Malls most popular dining establishments is set to bid farewell in early 2026, a spokeswoman confirmed. Chick-fil-A plans to then shutter permanently on the main level of the Whitehall Township shopping destination, chain spokeswoman Kali Caldwell told lehighvalleylive.com Monday afternoon. It opened in the late 1990s near the malls main entrance. It has been our pleasure to serve each and every guest at this location for the past 27 years, and we look forward to continuing to serve the surrounding community at our nearby locations, Caldwell said. There are no plans to close any of the chains other regional locations in Pohatcong Township; Lower Nazareth Township; along MacArthur Road in Whitehall; and Lower Macungie Township, she said. The reason for the closure is unclear. Citizen Relations, the California- and New York-based public relations firm handling Simon Property Group, which owns the mall, declined comment. Simon representatives also didnt immediately provide information about a potential replacement tenant. Chick-fil-As departure will add another vacancy to the dining scene at the bustling mall at MacArthur Road and Grape Street. Last month, Dunderbaks Market Cafe Owner Bill Baker announced he would close permanently if he couldnt find a new owner by February 2026. The cafe is the longest continuously-operated, independently-owned business at the mall. Prior, the mall lost another major eatery, Ruby Tuesday, which closed for good amid the COVID pandemic. The mall, however, has filled other dining vacancies. Blue Ridge Estate Vineyard & Winery currently is under construction to fill a 2,200-square-foot anchor space that previously occupied Pocono Brewing Company at the Lifestyle Center. Pocono Brewing, next to the Apple store, abruptly closed in February, DColombia Restaurant & Bakery also recently opened at the site that previously occupied Indian Bite on the main level, also near the malls main entrance. Indian Bite shuttered for good on Oct. 6. Dunkin is set to open in the kiosk that formerly occupied Starbucks on the main level. The mall in recent years additionally gained The Cheesecake Factory; Iron Hill Brewery & Restaurant; and Spice n Shake. Those newer tenants then joined more than a dozen existing dining options, including Bonefish Grill; Chipotle Mexican Grill; Shake Shack; and Red Lobster. Sugar Bear Candy Store opened on April 12, 2025 on the main level, across from Lush and Pandora. The site previously occupied candy and gift retailer Lolli & Pops, which closed amid the coronavirus pandemic in July 2020. The sweet shop is known for its selection of chocolates, gummies, novelty candies, truffles and assorted nuts. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann | For lehighvalleylive.com Other changeups Since the start of the year, the mall has seen several other changeups to its tenant roster. Some of the most recent arrivals include womens fashion retailer, Dry Goods; Star Park Indoor Playground & Party; and Sugar Bear Candy Store, all on the main level, as well as Waikiki, a womens boutique, on the upper level. Other recent additions include Address For Him; Miniso; and Carters/OshKosh Bgosh. Address For Him opened on March 1 in the former spot of Jennifers Unique Boutique on the upper level. The boutique has since moved to the Lifestyle Center. Miniso finally opened its doors in late February after several months of renovation delays next to Bath and Body Works, on the main level. Carters/OshKosh Bgosh opened on Feb. 26 in the former Battlestar space, next to GameStop and near Macys. Just a few vacancies remain at the mall. Aside from the former Ruby Tuesday space, theres the former Face Foundrie space at the Lifestyle Center and some empty spots next to the Pink store on the main level. Theres space at the former Hairtage Beauty Salon, as well as a handful of other empty storefronts on the upper level, according to mall directory maps. World of Art, a short-term retailer, was temporarily utilizing the former Hairitage Beauty Salon space in recent weeks. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. The Northampton County Coroner was called to the scene near the Route 512 exit in Hanover Township as state police investigate the 6 a.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025 incident. Update: Fatal hit-and-run on Route 22 kills 65-year-old N.J. man, cops say A pedestrian was struck and killed Wednesday morning along Route 22 in Hanover Township, Northampton County, state police said. Trooper Nathan Branosky, public information officer with Pennsylvania State Polices Troop M, told lehighvalleylive.com the collision happened shortly after 6 a.m. in the westbound lanes, near the Route 512 exit. The Northampton County Coroners Office has been called to the scene. Investigators have since shut down the ramp to Route 512. As of 8:30 a.m., traffic was backed up to Route 191, Branosky said. Pennyslvania State Police Troop Ms Collision Analysis Reconstruction Unit remains at the scene investigating. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Pamela Sroka-Holzmann may be reached at pholzmann@lehighvalleylive.com. A popular craft brewery was among the three Laois projects to secure funding in the latest round of Just Transition. In total the three Laois projects secured funding of 384,256 with the largest award going to Rectory Park, who received 300,000 towards the development of two two-bedroom universally accessible cottages with sensory rooms. Ballykilcavan Brewing was awarded 18,256 towards the conversion of storage space into a commercial kitchen for onsite food service and installing smart TVs with sound system in the visitor centre. The third award of 66,000 went to Brielle House to enhance visitor experience with improved accessibility through a resurfaced car park, accessible kitchen, bedroom upgrades, and AV equipment. The were among 24 projects who received over 3.6 million in funding under Failte Irelands Investment Grant-Aid Scheme for Private and Community SMEs. Part of the EU Just Transition Fund programme, co-funded by the Government of Ireland and the European Union, this is the third announcement of successful projects under the Private and Community SE scheme. The final successful projects are expected to be announced under this scheme in September this year. Laois TD Sean Fleming welcomed the announcement. It is important that Laois continues to improve its tourism facilities which will encourage more people to come, visit and enjoy the county, stay here and support the local economy, he said. He noted the projects approved for funding include improved accommodation facilities, onsite food services and improved accessibility. It is important that we improve facilities available to people who visit here and to promote the county to bring more people into the area and spend time here and enjoy Lovely Laois as part of their experience, said Deputy Fleming. Welcoming the announcement, Minister for Enterprise, Tourism and Employment Peter Burke said: "This is another positive step towards sustainable tourism development in the midlands, and it is encouraging to see Government and EU investment in 24 more projects through Failte Ireland's EU Just Transition Regenerative Tourism and Placemaking Scheme. By investing in the development of the tourism offering in these counties, we will deliver long-term sustainable economic development and jobs in communities and businesses across the midlands for many years to come. I look forward to seeing these projects delivered over the next year and announcing the final projects under the programme in the coming weeks. Minister for Climate, Environment and Energy, Darragh OBrien said: The announcement of these innovative and diverse projects signifies a further step in transforming the Midlands into a world-class sustainable tourism destination. This funding will enable these projects to showcase the unique cultural and natural assets of the region, while supporting economic development in local communities. He said the development and expansion of these projects will ensure that the Midlands can provide memorable and vibrant tourism experiences for years to come. According to CEO of Failte Ireland, Paul Kelly, "this 3.6 million investment will further strengthen the tourism offering across Irelands Ancient East and Irelands Hidden Heartlands, supporting sustainable development and creating meaningful benefits for local communities, businesses, and visitors alike. As we near the conclusion of the evaluation process, we look forward to sharing details of the final group of approved projects after the summer. He said collaboration with local stakeholders, the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly (EMRA), and strategic partners remained key to delivering the transformative initiatives and building a vibrant economic future for the midlands. READ ALSO: Money allocated for derelict properties A/Director of the Eastern and Midland Regional Assembly(EMRA) Clare Bannon said As we see these new projects come to life, it is clear that investing in local and rural initiatives delivers real value for communities across the midlands. By supporting local people, we are laying the groundwork for a more vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable future. These grants are not just an investment in tourism they are an investment in the resilience and wellbeing of our towns and villages, ensuring that everyone benefits from new opportunities and shared prosperity. A member of staff required hospital treatment after a distressing and violent incident at Laois Leisure in Portarlington yesterday. The female staff member is believed to have hurt her head and face after she was knocked over during a brawl which forced the early closure of the leisure centre. The Leinster Express/Laois Live understands an altercation between two groups began after words were exchanged with one group who were using the sauna and a second group of people who had arrived at the centre at around 6pm. Its understood the verbal exchange escalated into a brawl and poles and chairs were used during the fight involving a number of individuals. The fight is thought to have continued from the sauna area into the corridor. Its believed the staff member who was knocked and hurt during the row required x-rays in hospital. The Leisure Centre posted a message online following the incident on Tuesday evening. Due to a serious incident of anti-social behaviour between customers, we will be closing early tonight following the Aquafit class at 7:45 pm. This decision has been made to allow our staff time to decompress after a distressing and violent situation. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and appreciate your understanding and support, they stated on Tuesday evening. Leisure Centre General Manager, Sean Quirke, issued a statement on social media earlier today. He thanked the public for the concern they have shown the team of staff following the unruly incident. There is an active Garda investigation into the incident for which a result will be pursued on behalf of our many fantastic customers, our team of staff and the protection of a safe environment for swimming in Portarlington since 1974. I can confirm that while not directly attacked, one of our team of staff was injured and is now recovering following attendance at Portlaoise A & E last night. I would like to commend our staff for looking out for and moving other customers to safety during the incident and for their immediate call for Garda support which arrived within a short time frame. Once again, thank you all for your support and we look forward to seeing you all using the facilities in the days ahead, Mr Quirke said. Its understood the incident was captured on CCTV and gardai are examining the footage. Electric Picnic have released another wave of performers set to take to the Laois stage this August. Inhaler, Noel and Mike Hogan of the Cranberries, The Saw Doctors, Jazzy, Mark McCabe and more have been announced! With just over three weeks to go until Stradbally Estate opens its gates to welcome 80,000 festival goers, Electric Picnic announces a further 11 acts set to perform across an already stellar festival weekend. Pictured: Latest lineup from Electric Picnic Fans who didnt catch Inhalers St. Annes gig earlier this summer will rejoice as the Dublin band take to the Stradbally stage. Multi-platinum artist David Gray will receive a heros welcome as he performs the legends slot on Sunday night of the Picnic. Nile Rodgers + CHIC are back, having made their Picnic debut in 2009 and have regularly entertained Picnickers with their GOOD TIMES anthems. May 2017 saw The Cranberries perform at the London Palladium, sadly proving to be the bands final performance. Since then, their music has continued to be as enduringly popular today as it was during the lifetime of The Cranberries. Electric Picnic fans are in for a unique experience when brothers Noel and Mike Hogan unite to perform the bands iconic songs for the first time in eight years at this year's festival. They will be joined by The RTE Concert Orchestra and a very special guest. The Saw Doctors continue their 40th anniversary celebrations with a trip to Stradbally, this will be a performance not to be missed! Jazzys ascent to dance-pop royalty knows no bounds, with multiple awards under her belt and the honour of being the most popular Irish female on Spotify. This will be her third visit to Electric Picnic. Fresh from their Glastonbury performance, The Coronas no doubt will pull the crowds as they head to the festival this summer. One of the most prolific bands to ever grace the Stradbally stage King Kong Company will be back with one of their legendary blistering sets. The 2 Johnnies swing by Stradbally with the Junior B All Stars, a trailer load of songs from their No.1 Album Small Town Heroes and more than a few surprises. Its Irish rocknroll, its like nothing else! Twenty-five years is a long time to stay in the hearts and minds of every Irish clubber, but Mark McCabes Maniac 2000 has done just that! He brings a very special show to Electric Picnic full of dance classics, new bangers and a very special live performance! Meanwhile, just two boys from Cork who are always up for a skit, PJ Kirby and Kevin Twomey from Im Grand Mam will bring their hugely popular podcast to the Electric Arena! The weekend of August 29 to 31 will see 80,000 Picnickers gather to enjoy a weekend of delightfully diverse music, art, theatre, comedy, spoken word, food and holistic health. With headline acts such as Hozier, Chappell Roan, Sam Fender, Kings of Leon alongside Fatboy Slim and Becky Hill, they are joined by an incredible list of international and Irish acts including Amble, Barry Cant Swim (Live), Conan Gray, Confidence Man, Kingfishr, Kneecap, Lord Huron, Marc Rebillet, Maribou State, Montell Fish, Self Esteem, Suki Waterhouse, The Kooks, Viagra Boys, Alessi Rose, Bell X1, Black Country, New Road, For Thoss I love, Joost, Just Mustard, Khakikid, Maverick Sabre, Tommy Cash, Mundy, Orla Gartland, The Academic, Arthur Hill, Blair Davie, Esmaralda Road, Hilltop Hoods, Luvcat, NOFUN!, Sunday (1994), Aaron Rowe and more. Fans can expect the return of festival favourites such as Provedencia, Croi, Trailer Park, Fish Town, Salty Dog, The Comedy Tent and Mindfield. TAP NEXT OR ARROWS TO SEE MORE PICTURES There was a great crowd in Clonad GAA on Tuesday evening, July 29, as the Laois Camogie team held a meet and greet ahead of Sundays All-Ireland Premier Junior final against Armagh in Croke Park. A raffle was held on the night, where Robin Moran from St. Lazarians Camogie Club, Abbeyleix, won a Laois jersey signed by the team, while Kaiah Keenan from Camross Camogie Club won a pair of tickets to the All-Ireland final. The Laois players posed for pictures with young camogie fans and signed autographs throughout the evening. Denis Byrne attended the event for the Leinster Express/ Laois Live. We want your photos to feature on the website via our Camera Club. Do you have a great photo from life in the locality? Whether its a party, wedding, communion, landscape, a quirky shot from your archives, or a simple everyday moment, we want your snapshots. We are inviting people to share photos that capture the spirit of the county. From special occasions to quieter moments, your pictures help tell the story of everyday life in our community. To submit: Go to the Camera Club page and follow the instructions to upload your photo. Include your name, where it was taken, and a short caption if you can. Your photo could be featured on our website and newspaper and seen by readers across the county and beyond. TAP HERE TO SUBMIT YOUR PICTURES TODAY A man has been arrested following the discovery of a high-powered gun and a significant quantity of cash in Dublin. Gardai say members of the Dublin Crime Response Team carried out a search earlier this week during which firearms and 153,000 in cash were seized. The planned car stop - the Balbriggan area on Monday - was part of an operation to tackle serious criminal activity in the Capital. Gardai say they discovered a semi-automatic pistol, a number of rounds of ammunition and 153,000 in cash which were seized immediately. A man in his 40s, who was the sole occupant of the vehicle, was arrested at the scene. He was brought to a garda station in Dublin where he is currently being detained under the provisions of section 30 of the Offences against the State Act, 1939 as amended. Gardai say the operation has led to several follow up searches in Dublin City where, they say, more evidence has been found. READ MORE: Police launch investigation as Irish fashion designer is found dead on yacht in New York Assistant Commissioner Cliona Richardson commented on the investigation saying: "The seizure of this firearm and ammunition has no doubt saved lives, and the removal of significant amounts of cash not only removes ill-gotten gains from the hands of criminals, but deprives them of money they would have used to fund further criminal activities in our community." Gardai say the investigations are still currently ongoing. Graiguecullen is suffering urban dereliction and vacant shops, but it is finally to get help, from the Laois side. Graiguecullen which has grown into a suburb of Carlow town, up to now had no regeneration funding to buy up deteriorating street buildings, from either Carlow or Laois local authorities. Laois County Council CEO Michael Rainey has now announced a new source of money, at the July meeting. His housing department won the funding from the national Urban Regeneration and Development Fund (URDF). The Graiguecullen area can now be considered under Call 3 of the acquisitions programme. It will be a useful tool to tackle urban regeneration, he said. In Laois County Councils monthly report, the council confirmed that a survey of properties will now be undertaken in Graiguecullen, with a view to entering them into the funding scheme. This funding acts as a dedicated revolving fund within each local authority so as to address the financial barrier and risk faced by local authorities in seeking to tackle long term vacant and derelict buildings and sites across URDF towns and cities. This fund is currently operational in Portlaoise where a number of properties have been considered and actioned therein, the report confirms. In the Joint Local Area Plan for Graiguecullen, Laois County Council has identified two opportunity areas at the Fruithill Manor and Glanbia sites. A Laois councillor recently suggested that Graiguecullen and Carlow could become the Budapest of Ireland. Carlow town has already won 21.8 million in URDF funding for regeneration projects. Read also: Graiguecullen store removes trees without planning permission Mr Rainey transferred from a directors role in Carlow County Council to the top job in Laois last November. Over 1,500 Girl Guides from across Ireland and around the world have gathered in County Kildare for a week-long international adventure like no other. Running from Sunday August 3 to Saturday August 9, this constellation-themed camp is set to be an unforgettable celebration of leadership, friendship, and fun. READ NEXT: NOTICE: Maintenance works to front entrance of this Kildare library With the Opening Ceremony already held, the energy is electric across the site, where participants aged 1017 have embarked on a journey through nine immersive activity zones. These include everything from robotics and first aid to African drumming, yoga, planetarium visits, and sustainability workshops, each designed to spark confidence, creativity, and global awareness. "Orbit 2025 is the result of passion, commitment, creativity, teamwork, and a shared belief in the power of Guiding from an incredible team of volunteers. With Orbit, we wanted to show that just like stars in a galaxy each girl shines in her own way. And together, weve created something vast, beautiful, and full of potential. Orbit 2025 reminds us that real impact happens when we come together", says Aisling Claffey, Chief Camp. Inspired by the belief that every girl is a star, the event invites participants to shine brightly within their own vibrant sub-camp, each named after a constellation. The theme of unity and collaboration runs through every aspect of the experience, celebrating the idea that while one person alone cannot change the world, together we can shape a better universe. This years camp welcomes Guides from Canada, Cyprus, Denmark, India, Malta, New Zealand, Portugal, the United States, the UK, a powerful reflection of the global sisterhood of Guiding. Entirely volunteer-led, Orbit 2025 is powered by the dedication of hundreds of Irish Girl Guides Leaders and volunteers-staff, who have created a space where girls can grow in confidence, connection, and leadership. The camp is filled with exciting moments still to come, including: Sunday August 3: Opening Ceremony A high-energy kick-off to welcome 1,500+ participants from around the world. Monday August 4: Guides Own Reflective moments to connect and appreciate the shared experience. Tuesday 5th August: Ladybirds & Brownies Fun Day Introducing the youngest members to the possibilities ahead. Wednesday August 6: International & Irish Night Celebrate global Guiding traditions and enjoy a swaps session. Thursday August 7: Campfire Night Sing, laugh, and bond around the campfire. Friday August 8: Closing Ceremony A heartfelt finale celebrating growth, learning, and friendship. Participants also had the opportunity to hear from Dr. Niamh Shaw, one of Irelands leading science communicators, who shared inspiring words with our Guides, encouraging them to dream big and reach for the stars through science, space, and storytelling. Orbit 2025 has been made possible thanks to the tireless efforts of volunteers and the generous support of our partners and sponsors, who share the mission of giving girls the confidence and tools they need to thrive. Follow the journey and join the excitement at: @Orbit2025, @irishgirlguides #Orbit2025 #GuidesGoGlobal #GivingGirlsConfidence #IrishGirlGuides A graduation for a unique internship model recently took place at Naas General Hospital, Kildare, where participants were joined by their families, friends and colleagues to mark the special occasion. Project SEARCH originated in the US and was first launched in Ireland by Kare and NGH in 2013. It provides young adults with an intellectual disability the opportunity to gain hands-on work experience and pursue their career goals. READ NEXT: Kildare driver in court over alleged road rage incident Participants engage in a year-long internship programme based at the hospital that supports them to gain a broad range of skills and prepare them for the workforce. The ceremony saw seven students graduate from this year's programme: Adam Kelly (Kildare Town), Ava McCormack (Kildare Town), Bradley Browne (Blessington), Brian Byrne (Calverstown), Declan Baker (Caragh), Eimhin Walsh (Monasterevin) and James Harrison-Doyle (Newbridge). Each completed three work experience rotations in the hospital, including the staff canteen, Central Decontamination Unit, Computerized Tomography, Medical Records, Nurse Practice Development, Cardiology, Technical Services, On-Call and Patient Services. Participants had the opportunity to take part in training such as manual handing, first aid, barista, healthy eating, personal development and IT skills. The group also enjoyed day trips and social outings. Of this year's graduates, five will go on to further education, with the others pursing paid jobs with support from Kares Employment team. James Harrison-Doyle, speaking on behalf of the graduates, said: I am a little sad that its come to an end but I am moving on to a new work experience. I will miss you all very much and thank you for everything. Caroline and Aoife are the best bosses anyone could have. Heres to the Project SEARCH team of 2024/2025! Aaron Browne, father of Bradley, one of the Project SEARCH graduates, shared some words about his familys experience with the programme: I say to any parent to lean into the discomfort. To stand up for your child. To allow them to get a bus we were terrified! Its a learning process. We got on the bus with him, we travelled behind the bus, we watched the bus. Until eventually one morning I got up and Bradley was gone. Hed made his lunch and got the bus, and I realised: he was a man. Kares Interim CEO, Darren Smullen, addressed the graduates at the event: First and foremost, I want to congratulate our seven graduates: Adam, Ava, Bradley, Brian, Declan, Eimhin and James. Youve worked hard and brought great energy and determination to each part of the hospital youve worked in. You should all be extremely proud of what youve achieved. And to your families thank you for the role you play providing support and encouragement behind the scenes. This is a proud day for you as well. Certificates of achievement were presented to each gradate by Kieran McDonald, General Manager of NGH, who said: This programme has woven its way into the fabric of our hospital. The participants bring energy, zest and life to the hospital and I think everybody agrees. The Project SEARCH concept is very underrated and I would encourage any employer to adopt it. These young people have so much to offer and do so very well. The Project SEARCH model began at Cincinnati Children's Hospital in 1996 and today has program sites throughout the US and UK (known as DFN Project SEARCH). This initiative led by Kare and NGH is the first and only Project SEARCH model in the Republic of Ireland to date. Since it started, 127 participants have completed the Kare/NGH programme, with approximately 72% securing paid employment upon program completion. Pearse Dotherty of the Saw Doctors and Leitrim Comedian and Actor Seamus ORourke have joined over 500 other actors and musicians in signing a letter calling on the committee of the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo to cancel the Mise Eire festivalover concerns it will tarnish the proud history of the venue. The extensive list of signatories includes national and Leitrim-based musicians, actors, and cultural figures such as Charlie McGettigan, Christy Moore, Mossie Martin, Edwina Guckian, Frances Black, John McCartin, Eleanor Shanley, Brian Kennedy, Fontaines D.C., Kneecap, The Mary Wallopers, and Chris ODowd. Other musicians such as Mossie Martin (Leitrim Musician), Liam Cunningham (Actor), Fearghal McKee (Whipping Boy), Kevin McAleer (Actor), Mike Scott (The Waterboys) also signed the letter over the bank holiday Monday. READ MORE: Black Paddy, Cattle & Craic - All the action from Cloone Show The letter adds to growing concerns voiced by local and national groups in recent weeks that the Mise Eire festivalbilled as a celebration of Irish culture, heritage, and shared valueswill act as a platform for anti-immigration speakers to spread fear and hate toward migrants. We believe the far-right 'Mise Eire Festival' will tarnish the proud history of the Mayflower as a venue that has served to bring people together from all backgrounds and as a safe and inclusive cultural space for the community, reads the letter, which was circulated by LARAF over the bank holiday weekend. The committee of the Mayflower community centre has not issued a statement in response to the letter or the observers request for comment at this time. The letter, which has been sent to the Mayflower committee, describes the venue as having a longstanding and rich tradition of hosting vibrant, uplifting, diverse and inclusive cultural events. Musicians and artistspast and presentfrom the area, from across the country, and indeed from cultures around the world have passed through the doors of the Mayflower and contributed to this rich heritage. The appeal follows a street petition signed by over 260 people in Drumshanbo last week, also calling for the festivals cancellation. READ MORE: New Leitrim AI startup set to change how Ireland accesses legal advice Mise Eire is organised by Stephen Kerr, an anti-immigration activist, former 2024 Mayo County Council candidate, and operator of the right-wing website The Irish Inquiry. Kerr has publicly stated he is committed to ensuring the festival is a positive and inclusive event for all. Mr Kerr has criticised LARAFs opposition to the event, writing on Facebook earlier this week: These dangerous radical lefties are trying everything to have our Irish music and cultural festival shut down. Mr Kerr was contacted for comment, but had not responded at the time of publication. The list of scheduled speakers at the event includes a growing number of right-wing activists and commentators, notably John Waters, a former Irish Times journalist and outspoken anti-immigration advocate. Waters has promoted the "great replacement" theory and written on his Substack that Africans and Middle Easterners can never be Irish, describing them as aliens who have no place or business here. At their hands, Ireland would soon unbecome itself, and lapse into rapid regression. At the time of publication, the Leitrim Observer has not been able to independently verified the 563 signatures on the letter. The full text of the letter is available here. The committee of the Mayflower community centre in Drumshanbo has cancelled the Mise Eire festival, which was set to be held in August. The event was billed as a music and folk festival for those who cherish Irish culture, heritage, and are united in celebrating our shared values. However, it has received criticism due to the views of some of the scheduled speakers. On behalf of Mayflower Community Centre CLG, we regretfully wish to inform the public that the upcoming Mise Eire festival, due to be held on 23rd August 2025, will NOT be hosted at the Mayflower Community Centre," the Mayflower said in a Facebook post announcing the cancellation. READ MORE: Seamus ORourke and Saw Doctors star among new signatures of letter against Leitrim far right festival, LARAF Adding: "This was due to terms and conditions not being met by the organisers." The festival has been a point of controversy with a petition, receiving 260 signatures on the main street of Drumshanbo, and a letter, signed by over 550 musicians, against the festival being sent to the committee over the last week. Cllr Brendan Barry and a member of the Mayflower Community Committee, highlighted the community and inclusive nature of the venue. This event has caused massive division already, and it hasn't taken place at all yet, and that is very regrettable. And in my opinion, that alone shows the possible division and fear and hate that it could have caused had it went ahead, said the Cllr, who has expressed the view that the festival never should have been booked in the first place. READ MORE: Black Paddy, Cattle & Craic - All the action from Cloone Show The organisers of the Mise Eire festival have hit out at the cancellation of their festival, which was due to be held at the Mayflower Community Centre in Drumshanbo in August. The event, which was billed as a music and folk festival for those who cherish Irish culture, heritage, and are united in celebrating our shared values, has received criticism from local and national groups and individuals due to the views of some of the scheduled speakers. Due to a campaign in which influential celebrity support was garnered under false pretences (by the same people who supported Kneecaps right to free speech), the Mise Eire event at the Mayflower has been cancelled, Mise Eire organisers said in a Facebook post today. Organisers took aim at celebrities like Kneecap and Christy Moore, who signed a letter calling for the event to be cancelled, as well as the group LARAF and the various media outlets covering the controversy. READ MORE: Black Paddy, Cattle & Craic - All the action from Cloone Show The event is organised by Stephan Kerr, an anti-immigration activist, former candidate for Mayo County Council in 2024, and operator of the right-wing website The Irish Inquiry. Kerr was repeatedly approached for an interview regarding the festival but has declined and has not replied to written questions at this time. The festival organisers have also taken issue with the statement issued by the Mayflower Community Centre earlier today announcing the cancellation of the event, which cited a failure to comply with terms and conditions. The official statement from the Mayflower misleadingly implies it is the fault of the organisers that the event has been cancelled. We did everything legally to the letter and all above board, said Mise Eire organisers. READ MORE: Seamus ORourke and Saw Doctors star among new signatures of letter against Leitrim far right festival, LARAF The Mise Eire festival will still go ahead at a location on private property near Castlebar, according to organisers. We will not be defeated or silenced. We will not be bullied and abused. The event IS going ahead at a bigger and better location that is easier to get to. Scheduled to speak at the event was a growing list of right-wing activists and thinkers, notably John Waters, a former Irish Times journalist and anti-immigration advocate. Waters has publicly taken an anti-immigration stance and has advocated the Great Replacement theory, stating on his Substack that Africans and Middle Easterners can never be Irish, and are aliens who have no place or business here. At their hands, Ireland would soon unbecome itself, and lapse into rapid regression. The family of an Irishwoman who is one of eight people kidnapped in Haiti has asked people to keep the group in your hearts. The family of Gena Heraty, who is from Westport in Co Mayo, also asked for discretion at this difficult time. Ms Heraty and seven other hostages, including a three-year-old child, were kidnapped from an orphanage in Kenscoff on August 3. She oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). Irelands deputy premier and foreign affairs minister Simon Harris said he raised her case with the EUs foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas. The Tanaiste also spoke by phone to Haitis foreign minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, and asked that everything is done to ensure the release of Ms Heraty and the other hostages. Crowds of locals and siblings of Ms Heraty attended a Monday mass in her parish church to pray for her safe return. In a statement released by Department of Foreign Affairs, her family said they were still coming to terms with the awful news that Gena and seven others were kidnapped. We continue to work closely with Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPH) in Haiti and Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners who have all assured us that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible, they said. Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far. We are truly so grateful for all the messages of support we have received over the past few days. They added: Given the sensitivity and evolving nature of what has happened, and mindful of the ongoing efforts to get everyone released safely, we are not in a position to share any further details at present. We echo NPH International in asking for discretion and patience throughout this difficult time. We continue to ask that you keep Gena, everyone taken with her, and their families in your hearts as we pray for their safe and speedy return. A colleague and a youth who grew up with NPH Haiti, Jameson Camille, said Ms Hegarty had dedicated her life to helping Haitian children with disabilities and our societys most vulnerable. He called on captors to free Gena and allow her to return in true service of Haiti. Its not just a job for Gena its a vocation and her true mission in life. Every child she meets, she gives them hope hope for a better future, he said. Gena is a vital and valued member of our community always there in times of need, always with an open door and heart to help others, never asking for anything in return. Such a person should never meet with violence or crime. We ask with all due respect, free Gena. Let her return to her vital mission, where she continues to serve humanity with love and compassion. We believe in human dignity and respect for those who serve others. We seek justice for Gena and a safe return for all those taken as soon as possible. We appeal to the humanity of her captors to make this happen. Mr Harris said he had been in contact with Ms Heratys family on Monday and officials would remain in constant contact with them. He said the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, had agreed for the EU to designate a specific point of contact in Haiti, who will work directly with Ireland on the ongoing efforts to free the hostages. A diplomat based in the EUs team of representatives in Haiti will now be tasked as the point of contact in the case. This is an important development; ensuring that this case is firmly on the agenda of the European Union and our EU colleagues, Mr Harris said. Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Harris said the Haitian foreign affairs minister assured him of his support to ensure the release of the hostages. I welcome my engagement with Minister Harvel Jean Baptiste after what has been an extremely traumatic few days for the Heraty family, as well as the families of all those who were kidnapped, he said. The minister assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. Viatores Christi, a lay missionary organisation, said that one of its members, Ms Heraty, was taken by armed individuals from her home at the NPFS compound in Kenscoff on Sunday morning. Gena has worked in Haiti for over 30 years, dedicating her life to children and adults with disabilities through her leadership of NPFSs Special Needs Programme, it said. Her commitment, compassion and steady presence have made a lasting difference to many families in the region. Our organisation has supported NPFSs work for a number of years and has seen first-hand the impact of Genas efforts. We are in close contact with our partners on the ground and remain hopeful for her safe return. We are thinking of Gena, her family and colleagues, and the adults and children in her care. We ask that her privacy and that of those closest to her be respected as efforts continue to clarify the situation. A Westport parish priest said the local community was saddened and shocked by Ms Heratys kidnapping. Fr John Kenny said Ms Heratys sister Mary spoke at the weekly Monday mass in her local parish church in Cushlough, which was attended by many people praying for her safe return. Fr Kenny said the mass would have generally a small attendance, but on Monday cars were everywhere. People were gathered and quietly prayed and then met with the family afterwards, he told RTE Radio. The evening was a nice evening, a quiet evening, so they had the opportunity to meet with her siblings and her extended family and console them and chat to them and reassure them of our prayers and support. (Mary) was maybe a little bit nervous to speak, because it really is on tenterhooks that anything said or done or anything that would upset the situation in any way, even at this great distance, on social media and (media) coverage, you would be worried. The family are very appreciative of the support and very conscious that people are praying and supporting them as we can. He described Ms Heraty as wonderful, generous and caring and said several fundraising events have been held for her cause. Shes not one for the spotlight or to highlight herself. Its always the work she does that she draws attention to and the people she works with, he added. Any fundraising events that we support, the local schools, the local communities, are generous to her cause and the cause she works for. Reluctantly, as I said, she has to come forward to do that, but its never for herself. Its never for her own benefit. Its always for the benefit of others. Thats just the nature of the person she is, a wonderful, generous, caring, compassionate person, a great human being. Ms Heraty survived a vicious assault while she worked at a Haitian orphanage in 2011. She was punched and hit a number of times with a hammer when men broke into the building. We wouldnt know all the ins and outs of what goes on there, but we are conscious that its an area where theres a lot of unrest, and then all the storms and various terrible natural events that happen too over the years, Fr Kenny added. Were worried about her physical concerns there, that there will be storm damage and flooding and all kinds of things. But then, yes, the unrest and the unease of the local situation. Irelands young population means the State is spending less on pensions and healthcare than other European countries, according to the budgetary watchdog. As a result, the Irish State needs to prepare for a growth in spending as demographics shift and the demand for public services increase. Analysis by the Irish Fiscal Advisory Council (IFAC) found that while Ireland appeared to be a low-tax, low-spend country, public spending is low relative to national income. The fiscal advisory body said this was mainly due to Irelands young population and a buoyant economy. But as Irelands population ages, public spending on pensions and healthcare is expected to rise, IFAC said, bringing it closer to levels in other European countries. Currently, Irish Government spending is 3.3% of national income lower than other European countries, while it collects 4.7% of national income, or 2,600 euros per person. When excess corporation tax from several multinationals located in Ireland is excluded, Ireland collects 8.6% of national income or 4,700 euros per person less than other European countries. Employers and employees in Ireland pay less in social insurance than is typical across Europe. The fiscal watchdog said that additional pressures will be put on the budget in the years ahead, driven by an ageing population and climate change. Since 2015, the number of people aged 65 years and over in Ireland has increased by 37%. The Governments new savings funds the Future Ireland Fund and the Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund will help cover some of the costs but will not cover them all. Author of the report Niall Conroy said Ireland needed to prepare for higher levels of public spending in the future. Ireland collects a lower level of government revenue than most other high-income European countries, he said. This is mostly driven by social insurance paid both by employees and employers. When exceptional corporation tax is excluded, government revenue in Ireland is 4,700 euro per person lower than the European average. As a result, the Government will need to raise additional revenue or reallocate existing spending. The more the Government saves today, the easier it will be to navigate these challenges. Areas hardest hit by the Great Irish Famine did not experience an expected stunting in height of the population, new academic research has found. The research from Queens Business School in Belfast and Edinburgh Business School has examined the impact of one of the defining events in Irish history. The research found that in some regions, the survivors average adult height was comparable to or even slightly greater than that of individuals born before or after the famine. Around one million people died from starvation or disease in the famine from 1845-52. A stunting of height is usually associated with malnutrition and disease. The study used the historical data of 14,500 individuals, with different exposures to famine conditions and drawn from two prisons in Dublin and Tipperary, born before, during and after the famine. The findings have been published in Economic History Review, coinciding with the 180th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Irish Famine. The study revealed that individuals born during the famine exhibited reduced health outcomes. This effect dominated in areas with low famine mortality, such as Dublin. It also showed that those who survived the famine were, on average, the taller, more robust individuals. Areas most affected by the famine such as in Tipperary saw an increase in average societal health for survivors. Dr Chris Colvin, from Queens Business School, said: Individuals born in severely affected regions such as Tipperary exhibited no evidence of stunted growth, indicating that the famine disproportionately eliminated the most vulnerable. In contrast, stunting is observed only in areas with lower excess mortality such as Dublin, where selective pressures were weaker. With the weakest in society succumbing to disease and starvation, this left only the healthiest to survive into adulthood. They grew up to be significantly taller than average. Professor Eoin McLaughlin, from Edinburgh Business School at Heriot-Watt University, said: This research reshapes how we understand the long-term effects of humanitarian disasters like famines. By distinguishing between scarring (lasting damage to survivors health) and selective mortality, it challenges simple assumptions that crises always leave a uniformly weakened population. Dr Matthias Blum, honorary professor of practice at Queens Business School and economist at the German Medical Association, said: The work deepens public and academic understanding of how the Great Irish Famine shaped the Irish population not just in terms of death and emigration, but in the long-term health legacy it left behind. Dr Colvin added: These findings contribute to debates on the biological consequences of extreme catastrophic risks, demonstrating how selection effects can obscure long-term health deterioration. Djordje Radujkovic, in Lozere, southern France, in 2024. COLLECTION PARTICULIERE Djordje Radujkovic, 55, spent much of his youth trying to escape the wars those that tore Yugoslavia apart in the 1990s. Now, the memory of those conflicts has caught up with him. On May 10, Radujkovic, who became a naturalized French citizen in 2010, was arrested in Slovenia in front of his family. The arrest was based on a European arrest warrant issued by Croatia, which he claims to have known nothing about. The Croatian courts had convicted him in absentia, after a series of military and criminal decisions, and sentenced him to 20 years in prison for the murders of three Croatian police officers in August 1991, two months after Croatia unilaterally declared its independence. In the Krajina region, the local Serb community, backed by Belgrade, had risen up and carried out many killings and acts of sabotage, in what was called the "Log Revolution," as they blocked roads with tree trunks. Radujkovic has denied the allegations. His family fears he may be targeted by "reprisals" if he were extradited to Croatia. "We have reasons to believe this is revenge, and that he is in danger," said Chloe P., 34, his step-daughter, who lives in the French city of Lyon. You have 82.23% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only. You have permission to edit this article. Edit Close LOCAL author Tracy Fahey who lectures at the Limerick School of Art and Design, TUS, has been awarded the prestigious 2025 Rubery International Book Award for her critically acclaimed body-terror collection 'I Spit Myself Out'. Described by the London Review of Books as independent publishings response to the Booktrust and the Orange Prize, the Rubery International Book Award is one of the UKs most respected literary prizes for independent and small-press authors. 'I Spit Myself Out,' first published in 2021 by Bristol-based Sinister Horror Company, and shortlisted for a British Fantasy Award in 2022, offers eighteen unsettling stories that map the female experience from puberty to menopause. In this collection, an Anatomical Venus opens to display her organs, in a mysterious clinic, clients disappear one by one, a police investigation reveals family secrets, revenge is inked in the skin, and bodies pulsate in the throes of illness, childbirth and religious ritual. The opening story, Ill Be Your Mirror, has been reprinted in the British Librarys Doomed Romances anthology, and five of its stories made US editor Ellen Datlows list of Recommended Reading for 2022. READ MORE: Global coffeehouse chain and prominent book store both set to open in Limerick This award adds to Tracy's growing list of accolades. Described by Lol Tolhurst of the Cure as a modern-day gothic whose Kafkaesque otherworldly stories are beautifully disturbing, she won the Paul Cave Prize For Literature in 2024, a Finnish Saari Fellowship in 2023, and has been shortlisted three times for British Fantasy Awards, most recently in 2024 for PS Publishings Absinthe novella They Shut Me Up. However, for Tracy, this newest win is bittersweet. 'I Spit Myself Out' went out of print in 2023 due to the closure of the original press, just two years after its publication, and she is actively seeking a new publishing home to bring it back into circulation. Only a very limited number of first editions remain on sale, locally available at Banner Books in Ennistymon and Kilrush. For Tracey, this book is arguably more relevant than ever. "I Spit Myself Out is part of a wave of contemporary body-horror typified by Mona Awad, Carmen Maria Machado, and Aliya Whiteley." "In I Spit Myself Out, the themes of identity, aging, bodily autonomy, and coercive control, remain culturally urgent. Im confident that a new edition of I Spit Myself Out would resonate with readers of contemporary horror, feminist writing, and literary short fiction alike". The Sixmilebridge resident is excited to have the additional validation of the Rubery International Book Award. "Winning the Rubery Award proves theres appetite for narratives that centre the female body as a site of resistance against patriarchal, societal and political oppression. In this era that refracts current female concerns through the lens of horrorlike 2024 movies Coralie Fargeats The Substance and Marielle Hellers Nightbitchits time to bring this book back into the world," expressed Tracy. Her next project, Queens of the Crone Age, centres again on the female figure and will include her Paul Cave-prize-winning novella, 'What Happens At The End'. UK publishers PS Publishing said: "We are delighted to publish Fahey's next upcoming project, scheduled for 2026 - a linked short story collection exploring the resurrection of the powerful, mythological figure of the Hag in the contemporary worldand what this resurrection provokes". Tracy Fahey is an author and academic, who lectures in the Gothic, folk horror, and creative writing at the Limerick School of Art and Design, TUS. Recent publications include 'They Shut Me Up' (PS Publishing, 2023) which was shortlisted for the 2024 British Fantasy Award and her novella 'What Happens at the End' which won The Paul Cave Prize for Literature in 2024. Her stories have appeared in over 50 Irish, UK, US and Australian anthologies. She has been selected for writing residencies in Ireland, Scotland, Finland and Greece. Her next book, Queens of the Crone Age, is out in 2026 with PS Publishing. AS a result of a shortfall in blood donations following the Bank Holiday weekend, the public is being encouraged to attend an upcoming blood clinic in Limerick city. Irish hospitals need to increase blood stocks and the need for blood will continue unabated over the summer. The blood clinic will take place in the Abundant Life Church on Henry Street (opposite Garda Station) on Thursday, August 14 from 3.50pm to 7.10pm. New and returning donors welcome at all clinics. Please phone 1800222111 for appointment. READ MORE: Ambulance bursts into flames after transferring patients in Limerick The demand for blood continues to rise month on month across the country and 3,000 blood donations are needed each week just to keep pace. Every single donation makes a profound difference. Blood is a lifeline for thousands of patients every year from those undergoing complex surgeries, individuals battling cancer and leukaemia requiring chemotherapy, to mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, and victims of serious accidents. One unit of blood can save or significantly improve the lives of up to three people. Northern Irish actor Adrian Dunbar has said people jumped to conclusions about Belfast rap trio Kneecap, who have been in the headlines since one of their members was charged with a terror offence. The group, known for their provocative lyrics and championing of the Irish language, were also banned from entering Hungary to appear at a music festival. Kneecap have had several shows cancelled in recent months, including TRNSMT festival in Glasgow and at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July. The group has said there is a smear campaign against them because of their support for Palestine and criticism of Israels actions in Gaza. Line Of Duty actor Dunbar, 67, who recently went to a Kneecap gig with his daughter, was asked if the BBC was wrong not to live stream their Glastonbury performance in June. He told Times Radio: Were they wrong not to stream it? I think thats a question for the BBC, not for me. But I do think that everybody got too heated about them. I think everybody jumped to conclusions about them. I think theyre a band of good musicians. They make great music. Theyre promoting the Irish language. Very clear about who they support and who they dont support. We had a great time. But those decisions are for the BBC. Glastonbury organisers faced pressure to drop the group from the line-up amid criticism from politicians, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer saying it would not be appropriate for the band to perform. The BBC decided not to live stream their performance but later uploaded the set to BBC iPlayer. Kneecap comprised of Liam Og O hAnnaidh, Naoise O Caireallain and JJ O Dochartaigh were formed in Belfast and released their first single in 2017. They hit headlines in April when footage emerged that appeared to show a band member saying Kill your local MP at one gig and and Up Hamas, up Hezbollah at another. In May, O hAnnaidh, who performs under the name Mo Chara, was charged with a terrorism offence relating to allegedly displaying a flag in support of Hezbollah at a London gig in November 2024. O hAnnaidh and his bandmates were cheered by hundreds of supporters when they arrived at Westminster Magistrates Court on June 18. Musicians including Nadine Shah and Gurriers have said they will attend court to support the group when O hAnnaidh returns on August 20. Kneecap have apologised to the families of murdered MPs and said they have never supported Hamas or Hezbollah, which are banned in the UK. They were also investigated over their set at Glastonbury in June, but Avon and Somerset Police said they would be taking no further action. More than 25,000 people have signed a petition demanding answers around the 1994 Chinook disaster as the families of the 29 dead accuse the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of a cover-up. A total of 25 senior intelligence experts and four special forces crew were killed when an RAF Chinook ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre en route from RAF Aldergrove in Northern Ireland to Fort George near Inverness on June 2 that year. The incident was initially blamed on pilot error before being overturned in 2011. A BBC documentary last year, Chinook: Zulu Delta 576, revealed the files related to the tragedy had been sealed by the MoD for 100 years. Today we are asking for your support. Please sign our petition, please share, and share again. We need as much support as possible to get truth and transparency. Justice for the 29: Expose the Chinook ZD576 Cover-up Sign the Petition! https://t.co/fuIRH0Pbsn via @UKChange Chinook Justice (@ChinookJustice) July 3, 2025 In a petition, the family of the victims have urged for the full release of all documents. They also call on the Prime Minister to undertake a judge-led public inquiry. The families have demanded the Government introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies so that no family ever has to battle for the truth again. The petition reads: Twenty-nine people boarded Chinook ZD576 on 2 June 1994. All of them died. 31 years later, we their families still have no answers. We have been denied truth, transparency and justice by the Ministry of Defence (MoD). Our loved ones were forced to board an RAF helicopter with fatal software flaws that MoD test engineers had deemed positively dangerous and not to be relied upon in any way whatsoever. We know key evidence was withheld or ignored in previous investigations. Former ministers say they were misled by the MoD and doubt airworthiness issues were investigated properly. The family of the victims have welcomed the BBCs decision to re-air Chinook: Zulu Delta 576 this month as they push for answers, with the first part airing on Sunday, August 17 on BBC2 at 9pm and the second part a week later. Relatives of the 29 people who died have set up the Chinook Justice Campaign to demand truth and transparency from the MoD. Dr Susan Phoenixs husband, Ian, a detective superintendent in the RUC, was among those killed. Dr Phoenix, 76, who lives in Portland, Dorset, said: It was solely down to this excellent two-part BBC documentary by Fine Point Films that brought all of the Chinook Justice families together to fight for truth, transparency and justice. Why would files on this horrific crash be sealed for 100 years without there being something to hide, not just from the widows of those on board, but from their children, and grandchildren? There is something rotten at the heart of the MoD that continues, having put 29 people on an aircraft that was not airworthy, to insult and patronise us all, just as it dishonours our loved ones. We are determined to find out the truth and we believe the British public want that too. Esme Sparks was seven and her younger siblings were aged just two when their father Major Gary Sparks was killed in the crash. A secondary school teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, Ms Sparks said: We are comforted by the fact that more than 25,000 people have signed our petition at change.org/JusticeForThe29 and we would encourage anyone that is sick of state cover-ups to add their names so that we can get truth and transparency. The Prime Minister must urgently introduce a legal duty of candour on all public bodies, including the MoD which placed our relatives on an aircraft it knew to be unairworthy, to prevent this type of unacceptable secrecy and wrongdoing happening over and over again. An MoD spokesperson said: The Mull of Kintyre crash was a tragic accident and our thoughts and sympathies remain with the families, friends and colleagues of all those who died. The accident has already been the subject of six inquiries and investigations, including an independent judge-led review. The closed records held at the National Archives contain personal information relating to third-party individuals. The early release of this information would breach those individuals data protection rights. Bharti Airtel Ltd on Wednesday said that it can make all necessary adjusted gross revenue (AGR)-related payments even as it expects the government to extend it the same relief as any other telecom operator, in an indirect reference to the distressed Vodafone Idea, whose spectrum dues were converted into equity. We have written to the government to extend the same relief as any other telco but that is a decision that the government will take and we will abide by whatever decision they take, the companys vice-chairman and managing director Gopal Vittal said on an analyst call following the June-quarter results. To that extent, I would say we have the room to make whatever payments are required. Vittal's comments come at a time when the four-year moratorium on AGR payments is set to expire in September, with annual installments for operators including Airtel and Vodafone Idea beginning in March 2026. In April, Airtel had urged the department of telecommunications (DoT) to convert its AGR dues of about 40,000 crore into equity, which would give the government a 3-4% stake in Indias second-largest telecom operator. The company did not disclose whether it has heard back from the government on its proposal. To be sure, in May, the Supreme Court had dismissed pleas by Bharti Airtel, Vodafone Idea, and Tata Teleservices seeking a waiver on interest, penalty, and interest on penalty on pending AGR dues. Also read | Airtels equity conversion proposal to assess option, not a decision: Vittal AGR represents a portion of a telecom company's gross revenue that is considered for regulatory payments. Telcos pay 8% of AGR as licence fee to the government, inclusive of contribution to the Digital Bharat Nidhi fund, which is at 5% of AGR. Within the next one year, Airtel has a deferred payment liability for AGR of 5,054 crore, in addition to 538 crore in deferred payment liability for spectrum, according to the companys FY25 annual report. Over the next five years, Airtel has a total deferred payment liability including AGR and spectrum of 51,243 crore, as per the report. Airtel's request for equity conversion came after the government in March converted Vodafone Idea Ltds (Vi) 36,950 crore worth of spectrum dues into equity. In May, Bharti Airtel had said the proposal to the government on converting its revenue-linked dues into equity was only intended to explore if such an option was available. For a level playing field We just wanted a non-discriminatory level-playing field in terms of an option to convert, Vittal had said then. Whether we will convert or not is a decision for the board to take We wanted a clarification from the government whether we had the option or not. Bharti Airtel's operating free cash flow stood at 19,860 crore in the April-June period, compared to 13,003 crore in the preceding quarter. The company generated an operating free cash flow of 55,300 crore in FY25. When asked about capital allocation plans, Vittal said that the company is looking at enterprise business for growth and will invest in areas such as security, cloud, data centre businesses. Also, we will certainly look to step up dividend over the years," Vittal added. Airtels focus on the enterprise side with new areas such as cloud has come at a time when it is seeing a weakness in revenue from the B2B business as it is shedding low-margin wholesale commodity voice and messaging business. In the June quarter, revenue from the segment fell 7.7% year-on-year and 4.9% quarter-on-quarter to 5,057 crore. On 4 August, Airtel announced its sovereign cloud offering amid growing focus among Indian enterprises on securing sensitive data. Also read | Gopal Vittal and Neville Noronha leave behind key lessons in partnership It (cloud) is a very large market. It's also growing rapidly. In the market that we are playing in and the service that we're offering, we estimate that this market could well be in the ballpark of 60,000 crore, Vittal said, adding that the company is now bringing a change and will start putting artificial intelligence (AI) in its digital platform. He, however, did not share much details on the same. Bharti Airtel on Tuesday reported a steady earnings growth in the June quarter, driven by a surge in mobile data consumption and an expanding premium subscriber base. The telco's average revenue per user (Arpu) climbed to an industry-leading 250, as it continues its recovery from years of low tariffs. In the June quarter, Bharti Airtel's net profit rose 43% from a year earlier to 5,948 crore. On a sequential basis, however, Airtels net profit fell 46% from 11,022 crore in the preceding quarter, when it had received a deferred tax benefit of 5,913 crore. The company's Q1 revenue of 49,463 crore was 28.5% higher from the previous year, and 3.3% higher from the March quarter. Without giving any indication on the next tariff hikes, Vittal said the feature-phone-to-smartphone upgrades, prepaid to postpaid upgrades, data monetization, and international roaming continue to be central to the companys Arpu growth. Talking about further Arpu growth, Vittal said the headroom continues to be there and the drivers of the same continue to be intact. Abysmal int'l roaming penetration The penetration of international roaming is still abysmally low. The penetration of postpaid is still very low. While we are adding close to 60% of net adds on postpaid, the fact is that the base is only 7-7.5% (of the total base), Vittal said, adding that there are 90 million consumers who could be on postpaid, and 70-75 million feature phone users on the companys network are ready to upgrade to smartphones. The telecom operator added 700,000 postpaid users in the June quarter, taking its overall user base to 26.6 million. In the home broadband space, Airtel has set a target to increase its home broadband pass network to 2.5 million a quarter from a run rate of 1.6 million currently. I would continue to underscore that actually the best way to connect the home is through fiber, so our focus is to actually step up more and more fiber home passes, Vittal said, adding that fixed wireless access (FWA) that uses 5G for home broadband connectivity will complement the pace of additions. Homes business, which includes home wi-fi, broadband and TV connectivity, saw revenue rising by 25.7% year-on-year to 1,718 crore during the three months though June. "During the quarter, accelerated expansion of our Fixed Wireless Access (FWA) network resulted in total WiFi net addition of 939,000 customers, bringing the total customer base to 11 million, Airtel said in the earnings statement. Also read | Gopal Vittal named new GSMA chairman When asked whether Airtel will use unlicensed band radio (UBR), which Jio had announced in July, Vittal said the company has done some trials of the same and it will see where it can deploy. UBR refers to wireless communication devices operating on radio frequencies that do not need a specific licence from the government. UBR is a new technology that works at the backend to connect homes with broadband. It is an alternative to providing home broadband on fiber and using 5G. The UBR technology works like a radio station, sending internet wirelessly from a central antenna placed on a tower to multiple homes or buildings at the same time. This is called unlicensed as it uses free radio waves or open spectrum, such as the 5 GHz band that is allowed for licence-free use. Contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) Divis Laboratories Ltd's June-quarter earnings missed estimates due to pricing pressure on its generics business. While the Hyderabad-based drugmakers revenue from operations rose 13.7% year-on-year to 2,410 crore, its net profit jumped 26.7% to 545 crore. On a standalone basis, its net profit stood at 557 crore in the first quarter of 2025-26. Also Read | Airtel widens revenue lead as data hunger revs Q1 profit A poll of 18 brokerages by Bloomberg had pegged the revenue at 2,462 crore and net profit at 582.7 crore. The companys Ebitda increased 17.2% on-year to 729 crore. Its Ebitda margin expanded slightly to 30.25% as against 29.37% a year ago. Ebitda is earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Brokerages Kotak Securities and Nuvama had pegged the company's Ebitda margin to expand to 33-34% in the quarter under review. Its generics business generated 47% of its overall revenue, and the custom synthesis business generated the rest. Divis manufactures drugs for generic players as well as innovators. Custom synthesis refers to the production of specific chemical compounds, such as novel APIs or intermediates, tailored to a clients needs. APIs are core components of a medicine responsible for making its treatment effective. Pricing pressure Persistent pricing pressure in global markets, particularly the US has affected generic drugmakers and weighed on Divis as well. The companys management, however, told investors in an earnings call on Wednesday that the firm continues to be resilient on account of its strong backward integration. Also Read | Tata Power battles Mundra plant closure even as renewables outperform in Q1 Divis has seen increased interest from global innovators as well, the companys management said. As innovators look to derisk and diversify supply chains away from China, Indian CDMO giants like Divis are poised to gain. The company has seen a steady increase in requests for proposals. In the last quarter of 2024-25, the company announced a long-term manufacturing and supply agreement with a leading global pharmaceutical company for which it is investing 650-750 crore. In January, it commenced commercial operations at Unit 3 of its Kakinada facility. This year, the company is planning to execute three capex programmes with an estimated expenditure of 2,000 crore, chief executive Kiran Divi told investors. (Bloomberg) -- Super Micro Computer Inc. shares plunged the most in nine months after the company lowered its fiscal-year revenue forecast, raising questions about sales and pricing pressures around powerful AI servers. Revenue in the year ending in June 2026 will be at least $33 billion, Super Micro said Tuesday in a statement. In February, the company offered a bullish long-term outlook because of demand for AI products with Nvidia Corp.s chips, saying sales would be $40 billion then almost twice as much as analysts estimates for the current fiscal year. The profit forecast for the period ending in September also implies a 5% operating margin, while Wall Street, on average, was expecting 7%, said Woo Jin Ho, an analyst at Bloomberg Intelligence. Super Micros shares have surged 88% this year on optimism it would benefit from soaring interest in AI gear. Instead, the companys revised fiscal-year outlook raises questions about its ability to capitalize on the demand for artificial intelligence equipment with the latest Nvidia Blackwell chips. The company has also been struggling with margins as it deals with older inventory amid pressure to price its products lower in order to win AI server deals over rivals. Super Micros 1Q and 2026 outlook lowers the expectations bar, Ho said. However, its outlook implies a highly competitive pricing environment in these mega-server deals, in particular from Dell. The shares declined 20% to $45.56 at 11:27 a.m. in New York, the biggest intraday drop since Nov. 6, 2024. Delays in Blackwell availability is partially to blame, and we suspect the timing of deals could be clouded in 2H, Ho said in a note. But the companys history of poor execution makes it difficult to give it the same benefit of the doubt awarded to tech bellwethers. Dell Technologies Inc. has also been pushed to accept narrower margins in order to secure large deals like its AI server contract with xAI, Bloomberg reported earlier this year, citing people familiar with the deals. Super Micro reported that fiscal fourth-quarter revenue increased 7.5% to $5.76 billion. Profit, excluding some items, was 41 cents a share, the San Jose, California-based company said in a statement. Analysts, on average, estimated profit of 44 cents on sales of $6.01 billion. Chief Executive Officer Charles Liang said some customers continue to wait for new products with the latest Nvidia chips, hurting demand for current offerings. We have to wait and see, he told analysts on a conference call after the results, noting that the company expects greater availability of those powerful AI semiconductors in the future compared with the past two quarters. In the period ending in September, Super Micro projected revenue will be $6 billion to $7 billion. Earnings, excluding some items, will be 40 cents to 52 cents a share. Analysts, on average, projected profit of 59 cents on sales of $6.59 billion. (Updates with share price in the sixth paragraph) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi: Jubilant FoodWorks Ltd, which operates Dominos pizza in India and select overseas markets, said on Wednesday that it is on track to open 30-50 stores of its fried chicken brand Popeyes every year. The company looks to accelerate expansion for its pizza chain and Popeyes, even as it looks to pause on expansion of Dunkin and Hongs Kitchen to examine their value proposition. We want to open 30-50 stores every year. We are just constrained by real estate availability, Sameer Khetarpal, chief executive officer and managing director of Jubilant FoodWorks, said in an interview with Mint on Wednesday. It just takes time to get the right real estate. For a new brand like Popeyes, we cant obviously go to a virgin high street or a mall, he said. Also read | Jubilant FoodWorks CEO confident Turkey ops unaffected by tensions with India On Wednesday, Jubilant opened four Popeyes outlets across Mumbai. Globally, the Popeyes brand is part of Canadian fast food restaurant company Restaurant Brands International Inc. In 2021, Jubilant Foodworks entered into an exclusive master franchise and development agreement to develop and operate Popeyes Restaurants in India, among other markets. Debut in 2022 Popeyes made its India debut with a restaurant in Bengaluru in January 2022. It now operates over 60 stores in the major cities of the country. Popeyes is the companys fastest growing brand and the second-largest brand after Dominos. Jubilant FoodWorks operates restaurants in markets such as India, Turkey, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Azerbaijan and Georgia. In the next to six to nine months, we should get to 100 stores for Popeyes, Khetarpal said. We are seeing good growth, we are seeing our margins improve. The brand is on track to scale, he added. The CEO said that for the time being, the company has paused expansion on its other two brandsDunkin and Hongs Kitchen. Also read | Jubilant FoodWorks signs MoU with Coca-Cola to procure sparkling beverages We are not expanding (on these two chains), thats what we have said. At the moment, we have 30 stores each. Till the time we fix the customer value proposition, we wont expand. There is a market for both the formats, but I think the question is: where do we play and how and where do we focus. Expansion will only happen in Dominos and Popeyes, he added. The company has yet to announce its June quarter earnings. The companys June quarter update released last month said its consolidated revenue from operations was 2,261.4 crore, up 17% year-on-year (y-o-y) . As of the quarters end, the groups network had 3,389 stores, with a net addition of 73 during the three months. During the June quarter, Dominos India opened 61 new stores, ending the period with 2,240 stores. Dominos Indias like-for-like growth came in at 11.6% for the quarter. We had a good quarter, he said. Dine-in as a channel is growing, the CEO said. Pushing 20-minute deliveries The company has been pushing 20-minute deliveries in select cities as well as free deliveries to drive sales in an environment where consumers are becoming more value-conscious. Markets are very competitiveIndia has changed in the last 30 years. Mumbai, for instance, has the maximum number of organized quick service restaurant (QSR) outlets. Every year, it gets tougher for a new brand to enter. Our playbook is very simplefood, fast delivery (we do our own delivery, like Popeyes), the app, and then the team, he said. The brand sells vegetarian and non-vegetarian burgers starting as low as 89 apiece. Dominos sells pizza priced as low as 49, a price point that has remained unchanged for three years now. Also read | Jubilant FoodWorks to acquire remaining 51.16% of DP Eurasia for 73.36 million For Popeyes, we are seeing good traction on dine-in as well. Dine-in is far bigger than delivery (for the brand). While, for Dominos, delivery is more dominant, he said. Capital expenditure in the fried chicken brand is very similar to industry standards. While we have not disclosed itit is higher than Dominos. We have very little debt on our books. So, we are internally funding the expansion. A lot of our capex in factories, which we want to do in Mumbai and Bangalore, that is done with. In fact, the company was free cash flow-positive last year, he said. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson on Wednesday issued a statement on the measures that the airline has taken to ensure safety of its passengers, crew and fleet following the tragic Ahmedabad plane crash on June 12 that killed over 200. He also shared that Air India has started to restore its international operations in a phased manner. In an email to Maharaja Club members, Wilson said that safety its the topmost priority of Air India's passengers, crew, and aircraft. Following the tragic accident of AI171 in June, it is understandable that there is heightened scrutiny, coverage, and concern about air travel. I would therefore like to share the measures we have taken to reinforce our operations, he said in the message. Here are the safety measures Air India has undertaken following the June 12 plane crash, as per the email sent by its CEO. Inspection of Boeing aircraft Campbell Wilson said that Air India has conducted detailed inspections of its fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Each aircraft underwent inspections under the oversight of India's aviation regulator, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), and we confirm that no issues were found during these inspections, he said. Air India, along with some other international airlines, also inspected the fuel control switch mechanism of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft. However, there were no findings regarding the same. Safety Pause continues Wilson said that the voluntary safety pause that Air India had undertaken to temporarily reduce its schedule will continue for the time being. The airline had reduced the number of flights to conduct pre-flight checks and mitigate the impact of regional airspace closures. We also took the opportunity of additional ground time to accelerate upgrades to improve aircraft reliability and to strengthen how we manage delays and disruptions, Wilson said. Other safety measures The CEO noted that Air India's safety protocols are rigorous and multi-layered, with every aircraft undergoing thorough checks before take-off by trained engineers and pilots. Also Read | Air India teams up with Singapore Air to bolster fleet upkeep after fatal crash Maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights. Our pilots, cabin crew, and engineers train regularly at the Air India Training Academy, ensuring full alignment with the latest safety procedures and global best practices and our Integrated Operations Control Centre tracks every flight in real time, monitoring weather, crew, and aircraft performance, the Air India CEO added. Air India begins international operations Campbell Wilson said Air Indis has begun a phased restoration of international operations from August 1, 2025, with full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025. Also Read | IndiGo, Air India CEO wages soar amid challenges in the sky This measured approach ensures that Air India complete every verification thoroughly and resume service with confidence. Air India is planning to bring some aircraft maintenance services in-house by leaning on shareholder Singapore Airlines (SIA) instead of outsourcing them to state-owned AI Engineering Services Ltd. (AIESL). This shift follows a fatal crash in June the cause of which remains unknown, a sector-wide safety audit and a temporary safety-related pause in service, a Bloomberg report said. Push for in-house maintenance The move to gain control of maintenance services was a part of Air Indias transformation plan even before the plane crash. The plan had been delayed to focus on other priorities, such as increasing flight frequency and improving passenger experience, Bloomberg reported. However, the June crash of flight AI 171 in Ahmedabad, which killed all but one of the 242 people on board, has brought new urgency to the matter. The decision is also influenced by long-standing internal concerns regarding the quality of service provided by AIESL, the former subsidiary of the state-owned carrier, citing problems such as clogged toilets on flights. Safety concerns and fleet expansion The Indian carrier continues to work closely with AIESL. It is preparing to take on pre-flight and daily aircraft inspections, minor repair work and other troubleshooting activities from the state-owned company. However, with our fleet expansion, 570 aircraft including a significant number of widebody jets, Indias current MRO infrastructure is not equipped to support this scale, an Air India spokesperson said in an email to Bloomberg. Also Read | Air India Express flight returns to Bengaluru following mid-air technical issue MRO refers to Maintenance Repair and Overhaul services. To meet the demands of our future operations and ensure world-class reliability and safety, we must invest in building robust MRO capabilities and capacity within the country, the spokesperson added. Singapore Airlines' role SIA, which holds a 25.1 per cent share in Air India, will play a key role in the transition of those maintenance tasks to the airlines staff. As a significant minority shareholder in Air India, Singapore Airlines has been working closely to support Air Indias transformation plan, an SIA spokesperson told Bloomberg. This includes providing our expertise and support to Air India, where necessary. Recent issues with Air India have also impacted SIAs earnings, contributing to a 59 per cent drop in profit for the quarter ended June 30. The Air India plane crash also brought sharp scrutiny in the aviation sector on issues like the maintenance of aircraft. What were the audit findings? A recent audit report by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation revealed that Air India Group had the most issues among Indian carriers, Bloomberg reported, citing an annual safety audit that began much before the crash. New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Air India has vigorous and multi-layered safety protocols with every aircraft undergoing thorough checks take-off, its chief Campbell Wilson said on Wednesday as he emphasised that the airline is strengthening internal processes to minimise operational challenges. On June 12, a London Gatwick-bound Air India's Boeing 737-8 aircraft crashed into a building soon after take-off, killing 260 people. Since then, the Tata Group-owned carrier has carried out various checks on its Boeing 737 and 787 planes. In recent weeks, some of Air India's flights have either been cancelled or delayed due to technical issues. Against this backdrop, Wilson, on Wednesday, acknowledged that there have been some operational challenges over the last few weeks that may have impacted the travel experience. "Rest assured, we take this seriously and we are committed to strengthening our internal processes to minimise the inconvenience that such circumstances cause to you," the Air India CEO and MD said in a message to the customers. Listing out various steps taken since the fatal crash of AI171 flight, Wilson said detailed inspections of its Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft were done and no issues were found during the inspections. "As with some other international airlines, we also inspected the fuel control switch mechanism of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft, likewise with no findings," he noted. Last month, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), during an audit, came across around 100 violations and observations related to Air India's training, crew's rest and duty period norms, and airfield qualification. Referring to the audit findings, Wilson said the audits are part of the aviation industry's process of continuous improvement and, "as the DGCA stated in a recent communique, Air India's recent results are 'entirely normal' for an airline of our scale and scope". The airline, as part of 'safety pause', has temporarily cut its schedule to accommodate additional pre-flight checks and mitigate the impact of regional airspace closures. "We also took the opportunity of additional ground time to accelerate upgrades to improve aircraft reliability and to strengthen how we manage delays and disruptions," Wilson said and stressed the airline's safety protocols are rigorous and multi-layered, with every aircraft undergoing thorough checks before take-off by trained engineers and pilots. "Maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights. Our pilots, cabin crew, and engineers train regularly at the Air India Training Academy, ensuring full alignment with the latest safety procedures and global best practices and our Integrated Operations Control Centre tracks every flight in real time, monitoring weather, crew, and aircraft performance," he said. The carrier expects to fully resume international operations from October 1 and the phased restoration commenced from August 1. Air India is set to fully resume its International operations by 1 October 2025, according to a recent statement from the companys CEO and MD, Campbell Wilson. The announcement comes after the Tata-owned airline initiated a safety pause in the wake of the AI171 crash in June, which killed all but one out of the 242 passengers on board, causing a temporary reduction in flight schedule. Phased resumption underway In an email addressed to Maharaja Club members, Wilson detailed the measures the airline has taken to reinforce its safety protocols. He confirmed that a full resumption of the operations is targeted for 1 October of this year. We have begun a phased restoration of international operations from August 1, 2025, with full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025, he said in a statement, adding that this measured approach ensures we complete every verification thoroughly and resume service with complete confidence. Also Read | Air India CEO admits operational challenges post AI171 crash Acknowledging some operational challenges over the last few weeks, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline is committed to strengthening its internal processes to minimise the inconvenience that such circumstances cause to passengers. Why were the operations halted? On 18 June, Air India said that it would reduce its international services on widebody aircraft by 15 per cent for a few weeks as part of a broader effort to stabilise operations and prioritise safety after the fatal Ahmedabad crash on 12 June 2025, Mint reported earlier. The crash happened after a Boeing 787 Dreamliner of Air India that was headed for London from Ahmedabad, crashed within seconds of lift-off and fell on a medical college hostel. This decision has been taken to ensure stability of our operations, improve efficiency, and minimise inconvenience to passengers, the airline said in a statement on 18 June 2025. Also Read | Air India teams up with Singapore Air to bolster fleet upkeep after fatal crash Asian Paints has asked the Bombay High Court to set aside the Competition Commission of Indias (CCI's) 1 July order that called for an investigation into alleged anticompetitive practices by the company. Senior counsel Darius Khambata, representing Asian Paints, argued that the order was issued without proper consideration or "any application of mind, adding that the company faces a similar investigation by the competition watchdog every time a new player enters the market. A bench led by Justices Revati Mohite Dere and Neela Kedar Gokhale was hearing a writ petition filed by Asian Paints seeking the quashing of the CCI order. The court will hear the matter next on 7 August, when CCI will conclude its arguments. Birla Opus's allegations On 1 July CCI ordered its director general (investigative arm) to begin an investigation into the company following allegations of anti-competitive practices by Birla Opus, the new decorative paints segment of the Aditya Birla Group. In a exchange filing on 3 July, Asian Paints said it was reviewing the order and would take appropriate legal recourse. Also Read | Asian Paints sees green shoots in Q1, but growth concerns persist "Every time a new entrant comes I have to face a similar investigation. Search and seizure for hours. Extremely wide path", Khambata said. He clarified that such complaints have been immediately dismissed in the past, and said Asian Paints filed the plea as there had been a breach of fairness and natural justice. Grasim Industries, which houses the Birla Opus, has accused Asian Paints of using anti-competitive tactics to hinder its entry and growth in the Indian decorative paints market. It claimed Asian Paints has been putting pressure on dealers not to stock Birla Opus products by threatening to withdraw credit, incentives, and other forms of support. It also accused Asian Paints of coercing trade partners to return tinting machines supplied by Grasim and of obstructing access to essential supply-chain services, including transport and warehousing. Taking note of the allegations, CCI issued a revised investigation order under Section 26(1) of the Competition Act, instructing the director general to complete the probe in 90 days. The regulator said there was enough material on record at the preliminary stage to launch an investigation without hearing Asian Paints. It clarified that this directive should not be seen as a final order. Similar complaint by JSW Paints came to nought When JSW Paints entered the decorative paints market in 2020, it had filed a similar complaint against Asian Paints for allegedly abusing its market dominance. It alleged that the market leader reduced credit limits and downgraded the tier status of several dealers who began associating with JSW Paints. But after a two-year investigation, the watchdog found no evidence of wrongdoing by Asian Paints. JSW Paints subsequently challenged the CCI order in an appellate tribunal, and a hearing is scheduled for 11 August. Also Read | For Akzo Nobel India public investors, a risk looms after JSW deal According to analysts at ICICI Securities, the paint industrys revenue is likely to recover in FY26 after declining in FY25. They analysed the industry's performance over the past 20 years and found a pattern: after two slow years, the industry usually bounces back with strong growth for the next two years, they said in a note dated 30 June. Since FY24 and FY25 were slow years for the industry, it could see strong growth in FY26 and FY27, the report said. Asian Paints started the year on a soft note, with profits declining and revenue flat in the first quarter of FY26, owing to soft demand and an early monsoon. The paintmakers June-quarter profit fell by 6% to 1,099.77 crore from 1,169.98 crore in the same quarter a year ago, according to the companys exchange filings. Nayara Energy, a Mumbai-based oil refiner with a stake held by Russian energy giant Rosneft PJSC, has reportedly asked the government to broker a relationship with a domestic lender such as UCO Bank. The move comes after the company was sanctioned by the European Union (EU) in July, leading to increased caution among larger banks, sources familiar with the devekopment told Bloomberg. Nayaras search for local lender According to the report, Nayara executives held talks with officials from the Indian finance ministry last week regarding the search. The refiner is searching for a local bank to finance and process payments for its crude oil imports and receive payments for its refined fuel product exports. Privately held Nayara may find some banks reluctant to provide even basic services due to the EU sanctions on the company. The refiner is seeking out a smaller Indian lender with less exposure to global financial markets to mitigate the risk of secondary sanctions, the sources told Bloomberg, citing UCO Bank, which facilitated oil trades with Iran in 2018. Potential challenges from US tariffs Nayaras financial challenges could be further complicated by President Donald Trumps threat to impose a 25% tariff and additional penalties over Indias trade relationship with Russia. Flows of Russian oil into India have increased since Moscows forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, allowing Indian refiners to benefit from discounted crude. The Mumbai-based refiner has loaded at least two clean-petroleum product, or CPP, cargoes since it was sanctioned by the European Union last month, according to Bloomberg, citing ship-tracking data. Nayaras financial health Despite the recent challenges, a July report from the local rating agency CareEdge highlighted Nayaras low leverage and healthy liquidity as positive factors, noting the company has cash and equivalents of 105.5 billion ($1.2 billion). Exports constitute over a quarter of the firms business, although direct exports to the EU are negligible, the report said. Also Read | Oil Holds Decline as Traders Weigh Trumps Russian Tariff Threat Nayara, which accounts for nearly 8 per cent of Indias refining capacity and 7 per cent of its retail-fuel network, has been reducing its run rates at its western India refinery after the sanction prompted buyers to stay away. (Bloomberg) -- Mumbai-based oil refiner Nayara Energy Ltd., part-owned by Russian energy giant Rosneft PJSC, has asked government officials to broker a relationship with a domestic lender such as UCO Bank Ltd. after EU sanctions prompted greater caution among larger banks, according to people familiar with the matter. Executives at Nayara held talks with officials from the Indian finance ministry last week, the people said, asking not to be identified because discussions are private. The company is seeking a local bank to finance and wire payments for crude oil imports and to help it receive payments for refined fuel product exports, the people said. A ratings company in July said Nayaras liquidity was healthy. Privately held Nayara may find some banks reluctant to provide even basic services after it was sanctioned by the European Union in July, the people said. The refiner is seeking out a smaller Indian lender with less exposure to global financial markets in an effort to mitigate the risk of secondary sanctions, the people said, citing UCO Bank, which facilitated oil trades with Iran in 2018. Nayaras challenges could be compounded by President Donald Trumps threat to impose a 25% tariff and additional penalties over Indias trade relationship with Russia. Flows of Russian oil into India have surged since Moscows forces invaded Ukraine in 2022, allowing Indian refiners to benefit from discounted crude. A Nayara spokesperson did not immediately reply to Bloombergs email seeking comment. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance also didnt reply to an email seeking comment. The refiner has loaded at least two clean-petroleum product, or CPP, cargoes since the Mumbai-based refiner was sanctioned by the European Union last month, according to ship-tracking data. Local rating company CareEdge cited Nayaras low leverage and healthy liquidity as positive factors, noting the company has cash and equivalents of 105.5 billion rupees ($1.2 billion), according to a July release. Still, exports account for more than a quarter of the firms business, though direct exports to the EU are negligible, the report said. Rosneft PJSC owns just over 49% of Nayara, which accounts for nearly 8% of Indias refining capacity and 7% of its retail-fuel network. Another stake of just over 49% is held by a consortium, Kesani Enterprises Co., and the remainder by retail investors. Nayara is reducing run rates at its west India refinery after the sanction prompted buyers to stay away. More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) Bharti Airtel sees an opportunity in raising tariffs for data services as it feels that the rich are paying less and the poor are not required to pay anymore, a senior official of the company said. A customer needs to pay 199 for a month-long connection which comes with unlimited local, STD, roaming calls and a 2GB data limit. By paying 100 more, a subscriber on Airtel can get 1 GB data per day and it goes up to 3 GB data per day with plans starting from 449 onwards. "The architecture of pricing in India is quite skewed. At the entry level itself or just above the entry level, you get so much data allowance, calling and messaging, that you really don't have any reason to upgrade. It's just an unfortunate situation where people who can afford to pay, the rich, are paying less and the poor, you know, we don't need to charge the poor anymore," Bharti Airtel Vice-Chairman and MD, Gopal Vittal said. He was replying to a question on tariffs during the company's earnings call for the first quarter of the current fiscal. Bharti Airtel has posted a 43 per cent year-on-year increase in its consolidated profit to 5,947.9 crore in the quarter ended June 2025 mainly on account of an increase in customer base. Vittal said if India had a more sensible pricing architecture like Indonesia, ARPU (average revenue per user) would have been substantially higher than where the country's telecom industry is at present without any pain to customers at the low end. As per UK-based data price information platform Cable.co.uk, average data price in India was around 16 cents while in Indonesia it was around 28 cents in 2023. Bharti Airtel India operations average revenue per user (ARPU), a key matrix to determine a telecom operator's growth, in India increased to 250 during the June 2025 quarter under review compared to 211 in the same period a year ago. The mobile data consumption on Airtel's India network increased by 13.4 per cent to 26.9 GB per customer per month. The customer base of Airtel's Home Services segment, which includes fixed broadband services, grew 37.7 per cent on YoY basis to 1.09 crore but the ARPU in the segment declined by 6.1 per cent to 537 in June 2025 quarter. New Delhi [India], August 6 (ANI): Air India MD and CEO Campbell Wilson on Wednesday wrote letters to members of its frequent flyer programme 'Maharaja Club', apprising them of the safety measures the airline has taken after the unfortunate AI171 crash in Ahmedabad. The CEO and MD stated that, at Air India, the safety of the passengers, crew, and aircraft is not just a priority; it is their "unwavering commitment and the foundation of every decision we make". Following the tragic accident of AI171 in June, it is understandable that there is heightened scrutiny and concern about air travel. "I would therefore like to share the measures we have taken to reinforce our operations," he wrote in emails to the Maharaja Club members, as he continued to highlight every measure taken to regain flyers' confidence. Air India has ensured detailed inspections of their fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Each aircraft underwent inspections under the oversight of India's aviation regulator, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and "we confirm that no issues were found during these inspections," Campbell Wilson wrote. "As with some other international airlines, we also inspected the fuel control switch mechanism of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft, likewise with no findings. We continue to work closely with regulators, maintaining full transparency and ensuring that every action we take aligns with the highest standards of safety and care," he continued. The voluntary "Safety Pause" also continues, entailing a temporary reduction in Air India's schedule to accommodate additional pre-flight checks and mitigate the impact of regional airspace closures. "We also took the opportunity of additional ground time to accelerate upgrades to improve aircraft reliability and to strengthen how we manage delays and disruptions," the CEO and MD wrote. He further reassured that Air India's regular safety protocols are rigorous and multi-layered, with every aircraft undergoing thorough checks before take-off by trained engineers and pilots. "Maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights. Our pilots, cabin crew, and engineers train regularly at the Air India Training Academy, ensuring full alignment with the latest safety procedures and global best practices and our Integrated Operations Control Centre tracks every flight in real time, monitoring weather, crew, and aircraft performance," he added. All of Air India's processes are backed by a comprehensive Safety Management System aligned with global aviation standards and fully compliant with DGCA and the UN International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) guidelines, he reaffirmed. The Air India top official also apprised the frequent flyers that their phased restoration of international operations from August 1, 2025, with full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025. "I acknowledge that there have been some operational challenges over the last few weeks that may have impacted your travel experience. Rest assured, we take this seriously and we are committed to strengthening our internal processes to minimise the inconvenience that such circumstances cause to you. Alongside, our broader efforts to modernise operations continue in full swing, including our retrofit programme which will significantly elevate your in-flight experience," Campbell Wilson wrote. Nvidia reiterated that its chips dontand shouldnthave back doors or kill switches, days after Beijing summoned the U.S. artificial-intelligence chip giant over national-security concerns. There are no back doors in NVIDIA chips. No kill switches. No spyware," Nvidia said in a blog post late Tuesday. Thats not how trustworthy systems are builtand never will be." A Chinese version of the post was published on WeChat. Chinas cybersecurity regulator last week summoned Nvidia to explain the backdoor security risks" associated with its H20 chips and asked it to submit relevant documents. The meeting came after some U.S. policymakers in May called for advanced chips to be equipped with location-verification technology to detect smuggling or exploitation." On Tuesday, Nvidia said there is no such thing as a good secret backdooronly dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated." It warned against embedding any back doors or kill switches into chips, saying such moves enable hackers and hostile actors and would undermine trust in U.S. technology. Nvidia in July received a green light to resume selling its H20 AI chip in China, following a monthslong pause amid escalating U.S.-China trade tensions earlier this year. The chip, specially designed for Chinese customers who comply with U.S. export rules, has been a top seller since 2024. Recently, significant progress has been made in the construction of the Huainan-Tongcheng Expressway (Hefei Section), with its key control projectthe Zipeng Mountain No. 2 Tunnelsuccessfully broken through. This milestone marks the full completion of all tunnel works for the project. The Zipeng Mountain No. 2 Tunnel spans 430 meters and serves as a critical control project for the Hefei section of the Huainan-Tongcheng Expressway. It traverses the Zipeng Mountain scenic area, presenting complex geological conditions that entail considerable construction challenges and high technical demands. An Qingming, Chief Engineer of Anhui Construction Engineering Road Port Construction Group Co., Ltd.'s Section 3 for the S19 Huainan-Tongcheng Expressway Project, introduced that the Hefei Section of the S19 Huainan-Tongcheng Expressway forms a vital part of Hefei City's "Grand Outer Ring Road" western loop. This contract section involves approximately 14 kilometers of subgrade works. To date, 80% of both subgrade and bridge construction has been completed, while all tunnelling works have been finished. The project team is accelerating efforts to ensure completion and opening to traffic next year. The Hefei Section of the Huainan-Tongcheng Expressway constitutes a key segment of the G9912 Hefei Metropolitan Area Ring Road's western loop. Starting from the northwest side of Xinqiao Airport and ending at Fengle Town in Feixi County, this 58.69-kilometer route features a designed speed of 120 km/h with dual six-lane carriageways. Upon completion, serving as the western corridor of Hefei's "Grand Outer Ring Road," it will dramatically reduce travel times toward southwestern Hefei, significantly enhance transportation efficiency, and alleviate regional traffic congestion. Furthermore, it will efficiently connect Zipeng Mountain and surrounding tourist attractions, unlock cultural and tourism potential, invigorate rural revitalization initiatives, and empower regional economic development. The G9912 Hefei Metropolitan Area Ring Road ("Grand Outer Ring Road") is an important component of the National Highway Network Plan, consisting of the Eastern, Southern, Western, and Northern Ring sections, with a total length of approximately 282.6 kilometers. In the future, with the full completion of the "Grand Outer Ring Road," Hefei will further strengthen its connectivity with neighboring cities such as Nanjing, Wuhan, Zhengzhou, Hangzhou, and Nanchang, achieving seamless transportation and resource sharing. At the same time, it will establish a one-hour commuting circle with cities like Shucheng, Tongcheng, Lu'an, Huainan, and Chuzhou. According to Hefei's proposed "1155" major transportation construction plan, by the end of 2025, the city will have built or be constructing 1,000 kilometers of railways, 1,000 kilometers of expressways, 500 kilometers of urban rail transit, and 500 kilometers of urban expressways. This will essentially complete the formation of a "ring + radial + grid" urban transportation network. An official from the Hefei Transportation Bureau stated that the city is currently focusing on advancing the construction of expressways, including the "Grand Outer Ring Road," to accelerate the development of a "double-ring, eighteen-radial, multi-connected" expressway network. This will shape a multi-corridor layout for Hefei's integration with the Yangtze River Delta and surrounding urban clusters, ensuring that all towns within the city can access expressways within 15 minutes. By enhancing the development capacity of Hefei as a national comprehensive transportation hub, the initiative will empower the high-quality growth of the Hefei metropolitan area. Source: Anhui Daily New Delhi: India and Russia on Wednesday signed a new protocol to boost industrial cooperation across key sectors such as aluminium, fertilisers, railways, and mining technologies, deepening ties even as geopolitical tensions reshape global trade alignments. The agreement, finalized during the 11th session of the India-Russia Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation here, underscores Indias continued engagement with Russia despite growing pressure from the West. Also Read | US imposes additional 25% tariff on India over Russian oil imports Nearly 80 delegates from both sides discussed collaboration in aerospace, rare earths, additive manufacturing, and waste management, among others. The move comes in the backdrop of the US considering fresh tariffs on Indian exports, citing concerns over Indias rising reliance on Russian goods, especially energy, and its expanding role in blocs like Brics. The session brought together nearly 80 delegates, senior officials, experts, and industry representatives from both sides. "The meeting reviewed the progress made since the 10th session and provided a platform to strengthen cooperation across key sectors," the ministry said. "Discussions included updates from the sub-groups on modernization, mining, fertilizers, and railway transport, as well as emerging areas of collaboration," it added. The discussions included deepening cooperation in several sectors, plans to set up a modern wind tunnel facility, jointly produce small aircraft piston engines, and collaborating on carbon fibre, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing technologies. Also Read | Ajit Doval in Moscow amid Trump tariff threats over India's Russian oil buys The two sides also discussed expanding ties in the extraction of rare earths and critical minerals, underground coal gasification, and the development of modern industrial infrastructure. US President Donald Trump has announced a punitive 50% tariff on Indian exports mainly due to its trade relations with Russia, which has been facing Western nations' wrath over its war with Ukraine. Since the conflict in Ukraine in 2022, India has significantly ramped up its crude oil imports from the country, which now account for over one-third of its total overseas purchases. Also Read | US hints at secondary sanctions against countries buying Russian oil. Indian startups are taking a crack at another market facing Chinese squeeze: specialty fertilizers. The bulk of such agrochemicals, designed to deliver targeted nutrients based on soil and crops, are imported, with China contributing 80% of the shipments, according to industry estimates. However, minister of state for chemicals and fertilisers Anupriya Patel informed the Lok Sabha on 25 July that China has reportedly withheld shipments to India over the past two to three months. Just like in the case of rare earth magnets used by the auto industry. Now, Nagpur-based Ishita International and Mitrasena Pvt. Ltd, and Ahmedabads Agricell Crop Science, among other startups, are producing mono-ammonium phosphate and mono-potassium phosphate water-soluble fertilizers, along with other categories, used to boost horticultural crop yields. Raw micronutrients required are still imported, but with little reliance on China. Also Read | Why Coromandel Int'l has thrived while many fertilizer firms have struggled Amid rising demand, some of the startups have demonstrated strong potential for rapid growth and expansion in this segment, said Rajib Chakraborty, national president, Soluble Fertilizer Industry Association (SFIA). Their innovation, agility, and production readiness position them well to lead the next wave of self-reliant, Make-in-India development in the specialty fertilizer space. The segment was last valued at about $1.02 billion in 2023 compared to India's overall fertilizer market worth $40.5 billion in 2023,Chakraborty said, citing market research reports. Industry stakeholders peg the specialty fertilizers' share at 3% to 5% of the total. These are not covered under the government's nutrient-based subsidy scheme. While regular fertilizers deliver key macronutrients like potassium, phosphorus and nitrogen, specialty fertilizers are designed for the specific needs of a particular crop, soil type and environment. They include water-soluble nutrients, liquid foliar sprays, slow and controlled-release formulations, sulphur products and bio-stimulants. Until recently, India lacked the technology to produce two of the most essential water-soluble fertilizer grades: mono ammonium phosphate (MAP) and calcium nitrate, Chakraborty said. But that has changed. Also Read | India mulls scaling up high-end fertilizer production after China cuts supplies Ishita International has developed an Indian raw material-based technology capable of producing MAP, liquid calcium magnesium, calcium nitrate, calcium nitrate with boron, and several other water-soluble fertilizers in a single process,according to Yogesh Chavhan, business development manager, WSF at Ishita International. The pilot plant is likely to be commissioned in the next 45 days, said Chavhan. We are technologically equipped with an integrated water-soluble fertilizer (WSF) production capacity." Mitrasena started operations around 26 months ago. ...We are getting good traction from the farming community," said Manohar Malani, co-founder at Mitrasena, a startup producing non-toxic crop protection chemicals and water-soluble fertilizers. Specialty fertilizers include polymer-coated urea, which is released slowly into the soil and is available to plants over a long period; chelated micronutrients that are effective in alkaline soil; water-soluble fertilizers such as monoammonium phosphate and potassium nitrate; and stabilized nitrogen fertilizers with urease inhibitors, which allow efficient nitrogen use in soil. Also Read | What India is now doing to avoid a fertilizer shock We forayed into specialty liquid fertilizers in 2016, but demand started emerging only after 2019, said Prakash G. Patel, proprietor of Agricell Crop Science. Buoyed by the response and encouraging demand, we have decided to ramp up the capacity from 900,000 litres to 5 million litres per annum." According to Pushan Sharma, director at Crisil Intelligence, the demand for specialty fertilizers has been estimated to be around 1.2-1.3 million tonnes annually as in FY25. Among the major categories, micronutrients have the largest share of about 50-55% in total consumption of such chemicals, followed by water-soluble fertilizers (about 25-30%), sulphur (12-15%) and liquid fertilizers. India imports the bulk of the micronutrients from Greece, Turkey, the US, Spain, Singapore and the Netherlands, and a small quantity of zinc sulphate monohydrate from China, according Patel's reply. So the availability of raw materials is not a concern. New Delhi on Wednesday said it will take "all actions necessary" to protect its national interests, after the US imposed an extra 25% tariff on India for continuing to import Russian oil. The move came hours after a failed US effort to end Russia's war in Ukraine. While declaring a 25% tariff on India two days earlier, US President Donald Trump had said he would add a penalty for India's Russian trade, which he claimed was fuelling Russia's war machine. "I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing oil from the Russian Federation," Trump's latest executive order said. With the latest announcement, total tariffs on Indian goods entering the US touches 50%, disadvantaging India against rivals who face relatively lower tariffs. Sectors such as apparel, auto components, leather goods, and certain food exports to the US are expected to be the worst-hit by Trump's serial tariffs on India. The additional tariff takes effect in 21 days. 'Unfortunate' In response, the external affairs ministry termed Washington's action as extremely unfortunate. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, it said. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. Wednesday's announcement places India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners, far above rivals such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and threatens most of Indias $86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, from textiles to machinery. Vietnams tariffs have been reduced from 46% to 20%, Indonesias from 32% to 19%, and Bangladeshs from 37% to 20%, giving these exporters a clear edge in the US market. Also Read | Oil refiners don't see supply risk even as Trump targets Russian crude Unnecessary strain "While nations have the right to address trade concerns through tariff measures, political differences are best resolved through mutual dialogue and established forums, not through such measures, said Agneshwar Sen, trade policy leader, EY India, terming the new tariff an "unnecessary strain on the trade environment". Trump's order came within 24 hours of his warning during a television interview where he had said he would double down on India if New Delhi did not end its purchases of Russian crude. All Indian goods, excluding the exempted ones, entering the US will face the additional duty starting 27 August. However, shipments that were already loaded and in transit before Wednesday, and that clear US customs before 12:01 a.m. EDT on 17 September, will be exempt, the order said. Considerable ambiguity surrounds the actual impact. Essentially, the 25% tariff applies to goods after 21 days of the order, creating a crucial three-week window for diplomatic resolution. The timing differential creates strategic uncertaintythe question is whether this represents an opening for negotiations or a genuine escalation in trade policy, said Rishi Shah, partner and economic advisory services Leader, Grant Thornton Bharat. Trump's latest order warned that if any country retaliates against the US for this move, he may make changes to the order to keep it effective. This means more trade restrictions or sanctions could follow if countries like India respond with countermeasures. Room for relief At the same time, the order also leaves room for easing the tariffs. It says that if Russia or any affected country takes meaningful steps to address the issue and aligns with the US, the order could be changed or relaxed. The latest tariff action comes at a delicate time, with a US delegation scheduled to visit New Delhi on 25 August for the sixth round of talks on the proposed Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Indian government officials confirmed that the talks remain on schedule but acknowledged that the sudden move has complicated the environment. In 2024, China bought $62.6 billion of Russian oilmore than Indias $52.7 billionyet faces no such penalties. Washington avoids targeting Beijing because of Chinas leverage over critical materials such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, vital for US defence and technology, said Ajay Srivastava, founder of Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank. The US has also overlooked its allies trade with Russia. The EU imported $39.1 billion of Russian goods last year, including $25.2 billion in oil, while the US itself purchased $3.3 billion in strategic materials from Russia, said Srivastava. The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with potential to cut US-bound exports by 4050%, he said. Also Read | US hints at secondary sanctions against countries buying Russian oil. Main impact The main sectoral impact will be felt by labour-intensive areas that do not enjoy tariff exemptions, such as apparel, gems and jewellery, and other similar sectors, where our total exports to the US exceed $30 billion, said Rahul Ahluwalia, founder and director of the Foundation for Economic Development. Earlier, US State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce said at a press briefing that President Trump has many tools in his toolchest he likes to use the tools that can make a difference. She added: The Presidents approach to global conflicts is shaped by his business instincts and preference for economic pressure. Earlier on Tuesday, President Trump had warned that he would impose higher tariffs on Indian goods within 24 hours, citing Indias continued purchases of Russian oil. In an interview with CNBC, Trump accused India of fuelling Russias war in Ukraine and labelled it the highest tariff nation, claiming that India benefits from US trade while not offering reciprocal access. Sectors Under the current US tariff rules, sectors like petrochemicals ($4 billion), pharmaceuticals ($15 billion), and electronic goods ($11 billion) are not affected, as they are exempt from the extra duty. However, sectors such as textiles ($10.91 billion), engineering goods ($19.16 billion), agriculture ($2.53 billion), gems and jewellery ($9.94 billion), leather ($948.47 million), marine products ($2.68 billion), and plastics ($1.92 billion) are facing serious trouble. Exports in these areas could fall by as much as 40% if the 50% tariff stays in place for long. Notably, India exported goods worth $86.5 billion to the US in FY25, which is 20% of the countrys total merchandise exports of $433.56 billion in FY25. Labour hit Said Colin Shah, managing director of Kama Jewelry, a diamond jewellery manufacturer and exporter, This will lead to a sharp rise in duty for studded gold jewellery exports from India, leading to a further massive decline in Indian jewellery exports to one of the biggest consumer markets. Along with this, the decline in the INR due to headwinds influenced by the spike in tariff will further lead to a volatile scenario back in the domestic economy as gold pricing will be volatile. As per a GTRI analysis, the new US sectoral tariffs on Indian goods will have a very high impact on key labour-intensive exports such as shrimps ($2 billion), organic chemicals ($2.7 billion), carpets ($1.2 billion), apparel (both knitted and woven at $2.7 billion each), made-up textiles ($3 billion), diamonds and gold jewellery ($10 billion), machinery ($6.7 billion), and furniture ($1.1 billion), with total duties payable reaching between 50% and 64%. These products contribute significantly to Indias exports to the US, with high dependency in some segments like carpets (59%), furniture (45%), and smartphones (44%). Domestic market On the other hand, sectors like pharmaceuticals ($9.8 billion) and smartphones ($10.6 billion) will not face any additional duties and remain unaffected. Petroleum products ($4.1 billion) and vehicles and parts ($2.6 billion) will face relatively low to moderate impact due to lower total tariff levels. The US remains a crucial export destination for several of these categories, with a 19.8% share in Indias total goods exports, which stood at $86.5 billion in FY25. Indias strong domestic market and diversified exports offer resilience, said Vivek Singhal, co-founder of Bidsco, a B2B manufacturer of outdoor toys. "As US trade becomes uncertain, we can pivot to the EU and ASEAN, where ties are growing. With competitive labour and manufacturing strength, India is well-positioned to capture greater global market shareespecially if a US-India trade deal eventually materializes, he said. Bollywood actor Kajol has left many on the internet angry after she refused to repeat her words in Hindi at an event. She attended the Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025 held in Mumbai on 5 August. At the event, Kajol snapped at a reporter who requested her to speak in Hindi. Kajol snaps at media for asking her to speak in Hindi Kajol interacted with the media at the event and responded to their questions in Marathi. While her Marathi-speaking skills impressed many, when someone asked her to repeat her words in Hindi, Kajol erupted with anger. She said, Abhi main Hindi mein bolu? ( Now should I speak in Hindi too?) Jisko samjhna hai woh samjh lenge (Those who want to understand what I said, will figure it out) she added in a different tone. Watch video: Internet reacts to Kajol refusing to speak in Hindi Video from the event has gone viral on social media, earning ire from netizens. Reacting to it, a user on X, formerly Twitter, wrote, After earning so much money and fame through the Hindi Audience, Kajol says "ab Hindi mein bolun? Jisko samajhna hai samajh le'." "Never expected such reply from u Maam after all we are Indian (sic), read an excerpt from another post. Madam Kajol plz make film in Marathi only. Don't want to make it in Hindi (sic), wrote someone else. Another one demanded a boycott of Kajol and wrote, Kajol and her husband Vimal Kumar Ajay Devgan worked in Hindi films, earned fame and money from Hindi audience and now this hypocrite bimbo Kajol defaming Hindi language acting like a Marathi goon language warrior. She can't even speak fluent Marathi, using English words in between but don't wanna speak Hindi. Such people needs to boycott from Hindi audience asap. Ugly by face, more ugly by heart (sic). Now Kajol and other Bollywood people should not make films in Hindi, one more shared. Kajol at Maharashtra State Film Awards 2025 At the event, Kajol was honoured with the Raj Kapoor Award for her contribution towards Indian cinema. Upon receiving the award, the actress also delivered a speech in Marathi. She attended the event with her mother, veteran actress Tanuja. The event was also attended by Anupam Kher. Malayalam cinema fans have plenty to look forward to this week as top streaming platforms gear up to release a diverse slate of new titles. From political thrillers to fantasy dramas and reality television, the OTT space is buzzing with fresh content between August 4 and 10, 2025. Heres a look at the major Malayalam releases this week: 1. Mayakoothu Release Date: August 8, 2025 Platform: SunNXT Genre : Crime Drama Fantasy Mayakoothu introduces a layered narrative where a writer comes face-to-face with the fictional characters he creates. Starring Nagarajan Kannan, Delhi Ganesh, and Sai Dheena, the Tamil film blends crime, fantasy, and psychological drama to explore the thin line between imagination and reality. A must-watch for literature lovers and fans of thought-provoking storytelling. 2. Arabia Kadali Release Date: August 8, 2025 Platform: Amazon Prime Video Languages: Telugu (dubbed in Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Kannada) This gripping web series follows fishermen from rival villages who accidentally drift into foreign waters and are captured. Starring Satya Dev, Anandhi, Nassar, and others, Arabia Kadali explores survival, shared hardship, and the human spirit in the face of adversity. 3. Mayasabha Release Date: August 7, 2025 Platform: SonyLIV Languages: Telugu (dubbed in Malayalam, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil) Set in the murky world of regional politics, Mayasabha explores ambition, betrayal, and power struggles. The series features Divya Dutta in her Telugu debut alongside Sai Kumar, Nassar, and Tanya Ravichandran. With shifting alliances and intense drama, it promises to keep viewers hooked. 4. Oho Enthan Baby Release Date: August 8, 2025 Platform: Netflix Languages: Tamil, Telugu, Hindi, Malayalam, Kannada This romantic drama, which premiered in cinemas earlier this year, is now set for its OTT debut. Oho Enthan Baby stars Mithila Palkar in her Tamil debut, alongside Vishnu Vishal and his brother Rudra. The films multilingual release expands its reach to audiences across South India. 5. Bigg Boss Malayalam Season 7 Platform: JioHotstar Streaming Since: August 3, 2025 Washington DC [US], August 6 (ANI): Actor Matthew McConaughey allegedly lost out on the role of Jack Dawson in 'Titanic' because he wouldn't let go of his Southern accent, according to a memoir written by the film's producer, Jon Landau, reported People. McConaughey's accent did not resonate with the film's director, James Cameron, who told the actor, "That's great, now let's try it a different way," according to Landau's book. But McConaughey felt otherwise, telling Cameron, "No. That was pretty good. Thanks," writes the producer. "Let's just say, that was it for McConaughey," Landau wrote. Finally, Jack was played by Leonardo DiCaprio, and it turned out to be an iconic role; however, McConaughey's career was not affected. 'Titanic' is a 1997 epic romantic disaster film written and directed by James Cameron. Incorporating both historical and fictionalised aspects, it is based on accounts of the sinking of the RMS Titanic in 1912. The film stars Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet. It also features an ensemble cast of Billy Zane, Kathy Bates, Frances Fisher, Bernard Hill, Jonathan Hyde, Danny Nucci, David Warner, and Bill Paxton. The Oscar winner has spoken about his audition for the iconic role in the past, saying on Rob Lowe's podcast 'Literally! with Rob Lowe' in 2021, "So I went and read with Kate Winslet, and it was not one of the auditions -- they filmed it so it was like an on-screen test time," reported People. "After we left, you know, it was one of those ones where they, like, followed me, and when we got outside, they were like, 'That went great.' I mean, kind of, like, hugs. I really thought it was going to happen. It did not," he added. McConaughey also confirmed at the time that he was never offered the role, despite rumours that circulated afterwards. "I asked director James Cameron about this, because the gossip over the years that I heard and would see written about me was that I had the role in Titanic and turned it down," McConaughey recalled. "Not factual. I did not get offered that role." Wednesday, a record-breaking supernatural fantasy series, returned to Netflix on August 6 with the highly anticipated Part 1 of its second season. Starring Jenna Ortega in the lead, it features Wednesday Addams, a youngster possessing psychic powers, who heads back to the Nevermore Academy, where several unfinished businesses as well as a mysterious stalker await her. According to Screen Rant, Wednesday season 2 has received generally positive reviews, while its score on Rotten Tomatoes has improved significantly over the 73% from critics for the maiden season. Wednesday returns with Season 2: Is it worth it? Wednesday Season 1 premiered on Netflix in 2022 and kept fans waiting for its second season for nearly three years. Filming for the latest installment in the series was severely impacted due to multiple reasons, including the Hollywood strikes in 2023. Going by the current trends, it seems that the wait is worth it. As of now, Wednesday Season 2 holds an impressive 82% rating based on 34 reviews on Rotten Tomatoes, putting it higher than the first season of the show. Notably, Netflix is releasing the second season of Wednesday in two parts. The first, including four episodes, came out on August 6. Among the latest episodes of Season 2 that fans can watch are: Episode 1 - "Here We Woe Again" Episode 2 - "The Devil You Woe" Episode 3 - "Call of the Woe" Episode 4 - "If These Woes Could Talk" For the remaining four episodes, fans will have to wait for around a month. Part 2 of Wednesday Season 2, which includes Episodes 5 to 8, is scheduled to come out on Netflix on September 3, 2025. So far, reviews for the first part of Wednesday Season have been generally positive, with several critics praising the performances of Jenna Ortega and others. Apart from her, the series saw the return of Catherine Zeta-Jones and Luis Guzman as Wednesday Addams' parents, Morticia and Gomez Addams, while Isaac Ordonez is back as her younger brother, Pugsley. Other returning cast members include Emma Myers as Enid, Joy Sunday as Bianca Barclay, Moosa Mostafa as Eugene, and Victor Dorobantu as Thing. Also, the new season of the show sees several fresh faces, including Lady Gaga as a teacher. However, critics have pointed out that the cast of Wednesday appears to be overcrowded at times, thus losing out on the tight focus on the storyline, as per Screen Rant. FAQs Is Wednesday Season 2 good? Part 1 of the second season has generally received positive reviews from critics. Has Wednesday season 2 come out? Yes, Part 1 of Wednesday Season 2 was released on August 6. Is Xavier in the Wednesday season 2? Percy Hynes White's character Xavier Thorpe has been cut from the Netflix show. When a woman of child-bearing age in Salt Lake City was growing up, her parents were typically religious, had married before they turned 25 and would go on to stay together. Her life today is similar: Utah is even more religious; more children grow up in two-parent households than anywhere else in America. There is just one difference. Todays mother would have grown up as one of three siblings, yet she has fewer than two children herself. In 1960 Americas total fertility rate, or the average number of children a woman could be expected to have, was 3.6. By 2022 it had fallen to 1.7. Recent data released by the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), an official body, show a further drop since then, to just under 1.6the lowest rate on record. Women in every state are having fewer children. Inspect the distribution of births, and a revealing patchwork of plateaus and plunges emerges. In recent years, birth rates have dropped only slightly in places where they have long been low. Four of the five least fertile states in 2014, including Connecticut and Massachusetts, have seen their rates decrease by less than the national average. It is in states that have been historically the most fertile where the fall has been precipitous; Alaska, North Dakota and Utah have seen some of the steepest declines (see map). All told, states that had above average fertility rates in 2014 are responsible for more than 80% of the collapse in American birth rates over the past decade. This presents a challenge for pronatalist policymakers and researchers. They have long focused their attention on states with low fertility rates, which are often urban and educated. For instance, Lyman Stone, an economist who has advised the Trump administration, has urged other states to follow the Utah way. In his view, relatively few women in the state want to delay childbirth for a professional career, and its high levels of religiosity increase family stability. Indeed, the White House is now said to be considering reserving college places for couples who put their education on hold to have children. Yet the recent decline in birth rates is concentrated in rural places and those where people tend to have less education. Although Utah has plenty of worshippers, they are having fewer children. Pronatalist types often argue in favour of supplying homes with space for big families; now, even in places with plenty of space, birth rates are dropping. This mainly reflects changing behaviour among young women, who are having fewer unplanned births. Whereas in 2005 most women in Utah had their first child before the age of 25, today fewer than one in four do. Norway ordered a review of Israeli investments held in the countrys $1.94 trillion sovereign wealth fund after receiving complaints that some might be contributing to Israels military action in Gaza. Norways ministry of finance, headed by former North Atlantic Treaty Organization chief Jens Stoltenberg, has written to the countrys central bank and the oil funds ethics council to review the investments and provide an assessment within 15 days of any measures that are deemed necessary. In light of the deteriorating situation in the West Bank and Gaza, and the fact that questions have been raised about the funds individual investments, the Ministry of Finance wants a renewed review of the investments in Israeli companies," it said in a statement. The wealth fund is managed by Norways central bank, but decisions to exclude companies from the portfolio are made based on recommendations from an ethics council appointed by the ministry of finance. The councils job is to scrutinize investments to ensure they comply with a strict set of ethical guidelines. Following an ethics council recommendation late last year, the oil fund sold out of Israeli telecommunications company Bezeq over concerns the company could be contributing to human-rights violations as it provides services to Israeli settlements in the West Bank. Bezeq didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The latest move to seek a full review of the oil funds Israeli investments comes after Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten reported earlier this week that the fund had increased its investment in Bet Shemesh Engines over the last couple of yearsa company it claims maintains fighter jets used in the Gaza offensive. Bet Shemesh Engines didnt respond to a request for comment. The company states on its website that it works with the Israeli military. The fund held a 2.1% stake in the company, valued at $15.2 million at the end of 2024. That marks a sharp increase from the $3.6 million valuation at the end of 2023, after Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel that started the war. Nicolai Tangen, chief executive of the oil fund, said in an interview Tuesday with Norwegian national broadcaster NRK that an investment in Bet Shemesh Engines was made in 2023 and that the stake has increased since then. He said the fund has a mandate to invest in Israel, but decisions on investments in individual companies is up to the ethics council. Being invested in Israel is a political question, it is not a decision we make in the oil fund," he said. We must have a very clear division of roles here, and we carry out the mandate that we have." The fund is currently invested in around 65 Israeli companies. The oil fund was set up in the 1990s to convert Norways vast oil wealth to global financial assets, partly to shield the countrys budget from oil-price fluctuations. It has a stake in more than 9,000 companies globally, equivalent to holding 1.5% of every listed company in the world. Write to Dominic Chopping at dominic.chopping@wsj.com ARCADIA, Calif.In early May, after a baby was hospitalized with possible signs of child abuse, police showed up at a nine-bedroom mansion in this Los Angeles suburb known for lavish homes and residents with roots in China. Inside, they found 15 more children, none older than 3, living under the care of nannies. The investigative trail led them to six more children at other homes in the Los Angeles area. A Chinese-born man and woman living in the mansion said they were the parents of all 22 children. Birth certificates list them as such. What mystified police was that the children appeared to have been born all over the U.S., and in rapid succession. Local authorities removed the children from the homes, placed them in foster care, and called in the FBI. The mansion, it turned out, was listed as the headquarters of Mark Surrogacy, which had arranged many of the childrens births and was managed by Silvia Zhang, the woman living there. Zhang said she was the mother of all the children. The surrogates who carried some of the children said in interviews with The Wall Street Journal that Zhang deceived them about the family she was trying to have, and that they had spoken with federal agents in recent weeks. The investigation is focusing, they were told, on whether the couple was selling babies whose births the agency had arranged. Zhang denied that in an interview with the Journal, saying that she and a man she described as her husband just wanted to have as many children as they could. We never sell our babies," she said. We take care of them very well." Vanity McGoveran, who gave birth to a baby girl for Mark Surrogacy in March, said she was shocked to learn that Zhang had so many children. Now, she said, she is wondering whether Zhang has something that she doesnt want people to know." The website of the company, Mark Surrogacy, said it is in the business of connecting surrogates with American and international couples who need them. The surrogates, who live across the U.S. and were paid tens of thousands of dollars each, said Zhang and people working with the agency recruited them on Facebook, telling them they would be carrying children for a Chinese couple in Los Angeles struggling with infertility. The probe is raising alarm in the commercial surrogacy industry, a fast-growing and multibillion-dollar market that connects aspiring parents with women willing to bear children for them. Surrogacy professionals worry that the couples ties to China and the large number of children they had through surrogacy could prompt heightened scrutiny on what is now a lightly regulated industry. An FBI spokesman declined to comment. The industry has been fueled in recent years by money from China, where surrogacy is illegal. In the U.S., one-third of intended parents were from other countries between 2014 and 2020, and 41% of those were Chinese nationals, according to researchers at Emory University. Some U.S. surrogacy agencies marketing their services to Chinese parents explicitly tout American citizenship for the newborns as a benefit. Its unclear whether the Arcadia mansion had any direct ties to China. Among the many mysteries surrounding the couple are how many children they had in total, why a surrogacy business was operating out of their home and whether that business had any outside clients. Over the course of numerous conversations in English and Mandarin, Zhang either declined to respond or gave conflicting answers to those and other questions. Online recruiting McGoveran, a Los Angeles beautician, said she received a Facebook message early last year asking whether she would be interested in becoming a surrogate for a Chinese couple struggling with infertility. The message came from an account named Lin Hui," but McGoveran soon learned the person she was talking to was Zhang. On 2021 business filings, Zhang, 38, is listed as a manager of Mark Surrogacy. To McGoveran, she represented herself as a prospective mother who wanted to have a child with a man she described as her husband, Guojun Xuan. Zhang told McGoveran that she and Xuan, who is 65, didnt have any children, McGoveran recalled. That was a main reason McGoveran, who had hoped to carry a child for a couple who couldnt have children of their own, agreed to work with her. Zhang promised to pay McGoveran $55,000, and said that during the pregnancy, McGoveran and her toddler could stay rent-free in a house Zhang owned. At the time, McGoveran didnt have a place to live. The stability was attractive enough, she said, that she overlooked red flags. During the pregnancy, McGoveran said, she communicated mainly with two women she later learned were employees of Mark Surrogacy. Zhang and Xuan, listed in the contract as parents, didnt come to her prenatal doctors appointments. The only time she met Xuan, she said, was at the Office Depot where they notarized her contract. Late in her pregnancy, Zhang showed McGoveran photos of a girl who she said was her daughter. She appeared to be a teenager. McGoveran was shocked. She had wanted to help a woman who couldnt have kids herself, but was learning that Zhang had been a mom all along. McGoveran gave birth in March to a baby girl. Xuan is prominent in Los Angeless Chinese-American business community. He and Zhang ran a real-estate company called Yudao Management, which they operated with a group of businessmen based in China, according to business filings and court records in legal proceedings involving the company. Using shell companies, Yudao purchased more than 100 properties in the Los Angeles area, many at foreclosure auctions, according to former employees, as well as property records and company documents reviewed by the Journal. Xuan had come to the U.S. from Xinjiang, where he and his family had business interests, according to Chinese business filings. Yudao workers called Xuan teacher," and he monitored them on feeds from surveillance cameras at the Arcadia residence, where Yudao was briefly headquartered, former employees said. Mark Surrogacy operated out of a bedroom in the same Arcadia home, according to the former Yudao employees. It isnt clear when Zhang and Xuan became a couple. Zhang was pregnant with her first child, a girl, in 2011 when she met a man 40 years her senior who she later married. They moved to the U.S., but the marriage fell apart a decade later, divorce records indicate. Zhang and Xuan, who also divorced his wife around the same time, began having children together using surrogates in 2021. She said that as a child in China she had seen how that countrys one-child policy had hurt families, so as an adult, she was determined to have as many as she could afford. We can provide for our children," she said. Plus, nowadays few people want to give birth, so weve decided to have many." Xuan didnt respond to requests for comment. In an interview with a Chinese-language outlet, he cited similar motivations and said that he and Zhang are U.S. citizens. Concerns emerge Questions about the couple began cropping up two years after the surrogacy business was founded. In 2023, a surrogate under contract with the company was startled when people she hadnt met arrived with power-of-attorney documentation to pick up the infant she had just delivered, according to a lawyer for the surrogate. When the client told her shed heard other surrogates might have had the same experience with Mark Surrogacy, the lawyer, Rijon Charne, said she found the situation so odd that she asked law enforcement to examine whether it was related to human trafficking.If I was wrong, I was wrong," Charne said. But it needed to be brought to somebodys attention if I was right." Around the same time, a Los Angeles judge sent a child-safety investigator to Zhang and Xuans home after being asked to approve surrogacy documents that named the couple as intended parents of numerous children. The investigator gave them a clean bill of health, according a person familiar with the hearing. Lei Bai, a surrogacy lawyer who drafted contracts for Zhang and Xuan, said, Its not our responsibility" to investigate parents. Its not a requirement, and its not anybodys obligation, to disclose how many surrogates you have," she said. Bai declined to comment on whether she still represents the couple. A patchwork of state laws governs how surrogacy contracts are negotiated and enforced. Only one state, New York, requires surrogacy agencies to be licensed. Agencies can certify that they comply with a roster of ethical guidelines published by an industry group, the Society for Ethics in Egg Donation and Surrogacy, but not every agency does so. Mark Surrogacy didnt. On Facebook, Mark Surrogacy said that it was dedicated to help heterosexual couples, same-sex couples, international couples, single parents, etc." We know other agencies may have misled, but here you will know everything there is to know before making your decision," the companys website said. U.S. law doesnt bar foreign couples from having children through U.S. surrogates. One potential surrogate was told by a Mark Surrogacy representative that the owners wanted to help couples" in places where surrogacy is illegal, according to a Facebook message reviewed by the Journal. In an interview, though, Zhang said: Mark Surrogacy only helps our family, no others." Zhang told different stories to different surrogates. Early last year, Zhang sent some potential surrogates a document titled Intended Parent Profile," which described Xuan and her as the parents of just one daughter, according to copies reviewed by the Journal. We are very kind and caring, it would be an honor if you carry the baby for us," the profile said. Months earlier, Zhang had told a Los Angeles court that she and Xuan had at least one dozen children, according to the person familiar with the hearing. Zhang didnt respond to questions about why she misrepresented to surrogates how many children she had. In messages to another potential surrogate, Zhang said she had been working with an agency called Mark Surrogacy, but decided to pursue an independent journey" because Mark was charging her too much money. She didnt disclose that she was a manager of Mark Surrogacy, or that it operated out of her home. In interviews and text messages, Zhang said she was being improperly targeted, and that there is nothing illegal about wanting a large family. Theres nothing showing anything I do is human trafficking," she said. They can do the investigation. They will find nothing." Police reports The trouble with authorities began after reports to police of fighting at the address, call logs show. In July 2024, one caller reported suspecting children at the home were being abused: There are six to seven children, and the women at the location yell and shout at the children." It isnt clear how police responded to that call. On May 6 of this year, a Los Angeles hospital received a two-month-old baby with intracranial bleeding, a condition sometimes consistent with child abuse. The hospital asked local police to investigate. When police arrived at the Arcadia mansion, they found 15 babies and toddlers, all with buzzed haircuts," in the care of six nannies, a detective said in an affidavit. Police seized video footage from Xuans surveillance cameras, which showed that toddlers were spanked, slapped and forced to do squats, the affidavit said. The footage also showed a nanny shaking the baby that was later hospitalized. Authorities removed the children from the home and arrested Zhang and Xuan, holding them for four days before releasing them without charges. By then, the FBI had gotten involved. Zhang told the Journal she thought the children had been wrongfully removed. How would you feel if someone falsely claimed that your child had different parents, and triggered an investigation by Family Services?" she said in a text message. She declined to say how many children she had. Meanwhile, surrogates who had worked with Mark were finding one anotherand realizing they had been deceived. McGoveran, the Los Angeles beautician, said she called one of Mark Surrogacys employees, who told her that something bad" happened with a nanny employed by Zhang. McGoveran phoned Zhang, who said her children had been taken by the county. That was when McGoveran learned that Zhang had even more children than her teenage daughter and the baby McGoveran had just delivered. She joined a group chat with other surrogates who had worked with Mark in the past year. Some surrogates shared their stories on TikTok. None of them said they had known that Zhang and Xuan had simultaneously contracted with so many surrogates, and most hadnt been aware that Zhang was a manager of Mark Surrogacy. Its rare for couples to employ multiple surrogates at the same time, particularly in the numbers Zhang and Xuan did. The revelations left them wondering: Did they know anything about the people for whom they had carried children? One surrogate, Kayla Elliott, a Texas mother of four, said she asked Zhang: What is going on? Who are you?" Zhang responded with an image of a letter she said one of her daughters sent her while she was in jail over Mothers Day. Youre the best mom that anyone can wish for," the letter said. Around the time Zhang and Xuan were arrested, a surrogate they had contracted with in Florida was having issues with her pregnancy, early in her second trimester. Toward the end of May, it became clear that the pregnancy was becoming dangerous for the woman, and that the baby had slim chances of survival. According to the surrogate, Zhang told her that she had done research and felt even if the baby survived the delivery, it was likely to have serious health issues. Zhang said she couldnt care for the child in that situation, the surrogate said, and left the decision on whether and how to deliver up to her. Ultimately, the surrogate decided to induce labor. It was a difficult delivery. The baby was stillborn. The surrogate said she held the babys lifeless body for hours. She said she texted Zhang to let her know the baby was born dead. Arcadia police Lieutenant Kollin Cieadlo said authorities continue to review video footage seized from the Arcadia home. The department, he said, would rearrest Zhang and Xuan if the district attorney decides to pursue child abuse charges. The children remain in foster care. By law, Zhang and Xuan are their parents. Several of the surrogates are speaking with an attorney, though its unclear whether they have any standing to sue the couple, family planning attorneys said. Earlier this year, a baby born after a Mark-arranged surrogacy was taken into custody in Pennsylvania after Zhang failed to pick it up, according to people familiar with the matter. At least two other women are still carrying children in pregnancies arranged by Mark Surrogacy. Zhang contacted one of the pregnant surrogates last month about arranging a legal document called a prebirth order that would allow Zhang to take the child home from the hospital when it is born later this year, people familiar with the matter said. Another, Alexa Fasold, said she is unsure of what will happen to the child she is carrying and is evaluating legal options, including whether she and her husband could serve as its foster parents. This baby has nothing to do with any of this," Fasold said. This child were carrying is completely innocent of all of this." Write to Katherine Long at katherine.long@wsj.com, Ben Foldy at ben.foldy@wsj.com and Sara Randazzo at sara.randazzo@wsj.com New Delhi: Indias trade resilience remains strong despite the 25% tariff imposed by US President Donald Trump on Indian goods, with the country's broader export base and strong domestic fundamentals helping buffer the shock, industry body PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI) said. A white paper released by the industry body estimates that while the tariff will affect around $8.1 billion worth of exports to the US, the overall impact on Indias economy is expected to be limited, with a projected GDP hit of just 0.19%. Our analysis indicates that there will be an estimated impact of only 1.87% on Indias total global merchandise exports and a negligible 0.19% on Indias GDP, said Hemant Jain, president of PHDCCI. He added that India continues to be the fastest-growing major economy in the world, with the IMF projecting 6.4% growth in 202526. The tariff, which affects a wide range of Indian goods entering the US market, has drawn particular concern from sectors such as engineering goods, electronics, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, and ready-made garments. According to PHDCCI estimates, the engineering sector faces the largest exposure at $1.8 billion, followed by electronics at $1.4 billion, pharmaceuticals at $986 million, gems and jewellery at $932 million, and apparel at $500 million. In response, the chamber has proposed a four-pronged strategy to mitigate the fallout. These include negotiating bundled pricing with major U.S. retailers like Walmart and Amazon, developing premium variants of export products, redirecting trade volumes to other markets such as the EU, Canada, and Latin America, and encouraging joint ventures for on-shore production in the U.S. The tariff challenge accelerates India's need for export sophistication and geographic diversification. Our strategy framework provides a roadmap for converting this disruption into an opportunity for long-term competitiveness enhancement, said Jain. Ranjeet Mehta, CEO and secretary general of PHDCCI, added that Indias diversified economy and strong domestic demand offer a cushion against external shocks. While the 25% U.S. tariff presents challenges, our analysis shows the impact remains manageable at the macro level, he said. India exported $86.5 billion worth of goods to the U.S. in FY25, making it the countrys largest export destination. With U.S. tariffs now affecting close to 10% of Indias total exports to that market, the industry is closely watching whether further escalation will follow, particularly after Trump warned of doubling down on countries that continue to import Russian oil. Despite the uncertainty, PHDCCI highlighted Indias rising competitiveness in sectors like electronics, which recorded a 50.7% compound annual growth rate between FY2020 and FY2025. It also flagged strong performance in the agri-food sector, with double-digit export growth reflecting robust global demand. Based on a price elasticity of 0.5 and a 25% tariff, India is estimated to lose about $8.1 billion in exports to the US across various sectors in FY2026. Within this, the export of fruits and vegetables, valued at $331.47 million, could see a potential loss of $31.08 million. Meat, dairy, and poultry products, which together contributed $206.83 million in export value, are projected to face a loss of $19.39 million. Tea exports may decline by $8.71 million from their FY2025 level of $92.95 million, while jute manufacturing including floor coverings could see a $8.34 million hit on $88.97 million in exports. Tobacco exports, worth $86.89 million, may incur a loss of $8.15 million, and coffee exports could be reduced by $7.68 million from a base of $81.89 million. Oil seeds and oil meals, with export values of $59.57 million and $17.33 million respectively, may suffer losses of $5.58 million and $1.62 million. Cashew exports, at $7.81 million, could shrink by $0.73 million, while exports of other cereals are likely to dip by $0.46 million from a total of $4.96 million. The cumulative estimated loss across all affected commodities stands at $8.11 billion. Highway Infrastructure IPO Day 2 Live: The initial public offering of Highway Infrastructure Ltd was fully subscribed within a few hours of its bidding opening on Tuesday, finishing the day with a subscription level of 27.04 times. Investors submitted bids for 43.38 crore shares compared to the 1.60 crore shares that were available, resulting in a subscription rate of 27.04 times, as per data from the NSE. The non-institutional investors segment was subscribed 33.45 times, while the Retail Individual Investors portion saw a subscription of 28.69 times. The Qualified Institutional Buyers share experienced a subscription of 4.92 times. Highway Infrastructure Ltd secured 23.40 crore from anchor investors on Monday, including HDFC Bank and Abans Finance Pvt Ltd. The 130-crore Highway Infrastructure IPO is set to close on Thursday, with the Highway Infrastructure IPO price band established at 65-70 per share. Highway Infrastructure IPO comprises a fresh issuance of 1.39 crore shares totaling 97.52 crore and an offer for sale of 46.4 lakh shares worth 32.48 crore. Founded in 1995, Highway Infrastructure Ltd (HIL) specializes in tollway collection, Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) projects, as well as real estate development. (Stay tuned for more updates) Blue-chip stocks are large, well-established companies known for their stable performance and strong market presence. However, they are not immune to corrections. Short-term headwinds can affect their businesses, too. In recent months, a few fundamentally strong and widely held companies have seen their share prices decline, in some cases, by as much as 45%. Here are five such stocks Coal India Ltd Coal India, Indias leading coal producer, is a public-sector undertaking (PSU) under the ministry of coal in the Government of India. It plays a crucial role in fulfilling the nation's energy requirements. It possesses a near-monopoly in coal mining, controlling 48% of India's total proven coal reserves, representing 78-80% of domestic coal production. In FY25, it produced the highest ever coal at 785 metric tonnes (mt). Revenue stayed flat at 1.4 trillion, while net profit fell 5.5% to 35,300 crore. Looking ahead, Coal India has guided for 875mt of volume in FY26 and over 900mt in FY27. It anticipates sustained coal demand until FY30, with projections reaching 1.043 billion tonnes (bt) and potentially 1.227bt by FY30. The company expects the power sector's demand to grow at a rate of about 3%, in line with its supply. To finance this, the company plans to invest around 80,000 crore by FY30, about 20,000 crore per year. The company plans to have 75% of its supply base for the power sector and 25% for the non-power sector. It is also expanding into other essential minerals, too. It also setting up a 50 megawatts (mw) solar power project to enhance cost efficiency while creating a more environmentally friendly business. Tata Motors Ltd Tata Motors, part of the Tata group, is a leading global automobile company. The company sells passenger vehicles (PVs), utility vehicles (UVs), and commercial vehicles (CVs) in about 125 countries. It also has a presence in the premium PV market through Jaguar Land Rover (JLR). It leads the CV segment in India and ranks third in the PV segment. Moreover, it dominates the electric vehicle (EV) segment with a 38% market share in the first half ending June 2025. The company has been negatively impacted by the consumption slowdown in India. Its EV market share has also declined from 67% to 38% due to tough competition. In addition to this, JLR has also been hit hard by tariffs on the European Union. In FY25, its financial performance was also muted. Revenue declined 1.3% to 4.4 trillion, while net profit fell 11.5% to 28,150 crore. It's eyeing a gradual recovery. JLR contributes 71% to Tata Motors' revenue and 79% to operating profit. Looking ahead, in the CV segment, the company aims to achieve 40% market share by FY27 from 37% currently. For this, it plans to improve the product portfolio, refocus on e-bus tenders under an asset-light model, and invest in enhanced safety and alternative fuels. In the PV space, it plans to have a 16% share by FY27, and 18-20% by FY30, up from 13.2%. It will launch new products and expand network capacity in high-growth segments with an investment of 33,000 crore-35,000 crore during FY26-FY30. Tata Motors will introduce over 15 new nameplates and 23 facelifts and refreshments across multiple powertrains, including the Sierra, Avinya Range EV, and other products by FY30. It also plans to regain some of the lost market share in the EV segment. The business achieved operating profitability in FY25. The management plans to sustain it. Meanwhile, JLR continues to face challenges and has lowered guidance for FY26. Nevertheless, it plans to invest 18 bn over five years, which will be funded entirely from internal sources. Tata Motors is also demerging its PV and CV businesses to unlock shareholder value. IndusInd Bank IndusInd Bank is promoted by the Hinduja Group. It is Indias fifth-largest private bank in terms of total assets and total business as of June 2025. The company has 42 million customers. The bank has a pan-India presence with 3,110 bank branches, 3,804 branches of Bharat Financial Inclusion, 297 vehicle finance marketing outlets, and 3,052 ATMs. Disclosure of losses from legacy foreign exchange derivative contracts and stewardship concerns have been areas of concern. Its share price has fallen by 44% over the last year. The bank's net interest income fell 14% to 4,640 crore in Q1FY26, while total revenue declined 4% to 14,400 crore. Net profit crashed 72% to 600 crore, due to higher provisions and weaker asset quality. The bank's gross NPA ratio increased 51 basis points (bps) to 3.64%, while net NPA increased 17bps to 1.12%. Its advances also declined to 3.3 trillion from 3.5 trillion. Deposits remained stable at 3.9 trillion, with current account savings account (CASA) deposits at 31.5%. Looking ahead, IndusInd Bank aims to rebuild, having fully accounted for identified issues in its FY25 financials. It plans to start FY26 on a clean slate, but the recovery can be long. Its core franchise remains strong, with a capital adequacy ratio of 16.24% and a provision coverage ratio of 70%. It plans to focus on secured retail (home loans) and MSME assets while remaining cautious on microfinance. It's also investing in scaling direct digital business and its mobile app INDIE. IRCTC IRCTC is a Mini Ratna Category 1, Central Public Sector Enterprise. It's the only company authorized by the Indian government to provide online railway tickets, catering services, and packaged drinking water at railway stations and trains in India. It manages catering and hospitality services at railway stations, on trains, and in other vital locations. It also promotes domestic travel and international tourism by developing budget hotels, special tour packages, and e-ticketing services. Coming to its financials, revenue rose 10% to 4,670 crore. Catering revenue grew 9% to 2,120 crore, contributing 45.5% to total revenue. Internet ticketing revenue grew 10% to 1,430 crore, accounting for 30.5%. Rail Neer revenue grew 16% to 390 crore, while tourism revenue grew 8% to 750 crore. The internet ticketing segment's profit before tax (PBT) rose 10.5% to 1,180 crore. This segment accounts for 67% of profit before tax. In total, net profit increased 18% to 1,320 crore. Looking ahead, IRCTC expects a clear trajectory of long-term sustainable growth and plans to focus more on tourism to drive this expansion. It is also aiming to develop a unified portal by integrating all online travel agents to improve hotel and air travel bookings. It plans to diversify into non-railway revenue streams. The e-catering business, which is growing at a 63% annual rate, will also see strong growth as more Amrit and Vande Bharat trains are introduced. Life Insurance Corp. of India Ltd Life Insurance Corp. (LIC) is the largest insurance provider in India. It holds a market share of over 57% in new business premiums and 66% in policies. Moreover, it is the second-largest public sector company in India by market capitalization. It's also the world's fourth-largest insurer. The company offers participating and non-participating insurance products, such as unit-linked insurance products, savings insurance products, term insurance products, annuities, and pension products. It sells products through 1.5 million agents, which is 47.6% of the entire life insurance industry. Its assets under management (AUM) is 54 trillion, up 6% from FY24. Revenue rose 5% to 8.9 trillion, while net profit rose about 20% to 48,300 crore. However, the key performance indicators remained sluggish. The value of annual premium equivalent (APE), which measures total premiums earned, declined 60bps to 56,800 crore in FY25. Group APE also declined 40bps to 18,699 crore. Net value of new business (VNB) grew 4.5% to 10,000 crore, with VNB margin at 17.6%. The company's new business premium in group policies also remained flat at 1.6 trillion. The focus is on improving the product mix and on high-yielding products. It launched six high-yielding products in FY24 and four new non-par products in FY25. The company plans to regain market share in specific categories and geographies. The government is considering introducing a composite licence for the insurance sector. This would also allow LIC to enter the health insurance sector, providing a significant opportunity with its extensive distribution network. Conclusion Beaten-down stocks often carry a mix of caution and potential. But blue-chip stocks offer confidence due to their strong market position and steady business. While their share prices have fallen, these companies continue to focus on execution, growth, and course corrections where needed. For investors willing to look beyond the short-term noise, these stocks should be on your watchlist. However, instead of relying only on hype, it is necessary to carefully analyze the company's fundamentals, including financial performance, corporate governance, and growth prospects. Happy Investing. Disclaimer: This article is for information purposes only. It is not a stock recommendation and should not be treated as such. This article is syndicated from Equitymaster.com. Indias capital markets regulator, Sebi, has given the nod to Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality, EPack Prefab Technologies, and Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, clearing the way for these companies across diverse sectors to raise funds through public offerings. Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality Limited had filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to raise funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The IPO, with a face value of 2, is a fresh issue of shares up to 2.2 crore equity shares. Gujarat Kidney and Super Speciality is led by Promoter and Managing Director Dr. Pragnesh Yashwantsingh Bharpoda, an established name in the field of urology. The hospital categorizes its healthcare services as secondary services (that is, surgical services) and tertiary services (that is, super specialty surgical services). As of March 20, 2025, on a consolidated basis, it operates six multispecialty hospitals and three pharmacies operating within its hospitals. EPack Prefab Technologies Noida-based EPack Prefab Technologies has filed its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with the capital markets regulator, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI), to raise funds through an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The offering, with a face value of 2, consists of fresh issues of shares up to 300 crore and an offer-for-sale of up to 10 million equity shares by the Promoter Group and Selling Shareholders. Incorporated in 1999, EPack Prefab Technologies has a legacy spanning over 25 years and operates across two distinct business verticals: Pre-Fab Business and EPS Packaging Business. The company sells its products under the brand names EPACK PREFAB for its prefab business and EPACK PACKAGING for its EPS packaging business. It has received a Certificate of Excellence from the Golden Book of World Records for achieving the fastest erection of a pre-engineered factory building at Mambattu, Andhra Pradesh. Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Anand Rathi Groups brokerage arm, Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers, has refiled its Draft Red Herring Prospectus (DRHP) with capital markets regulator Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) for its 745 crore Initial Public Offering (IPO). Previously, the company had filed its DRHP in the month of December 2024. The IPO with a face value of 5 is entirely a fresh issue of shares up to 745 crore. Anand Rathi Share and Stock Brokers Limited provides a wide range of financial services, including broking, margin trading, and distribution of financial products, under the brand name Anand Rathi. Catering to a diverse clientele, the company serves retail investors, high-net-worth individuals (HNIs), ultra-HNIs, and institutional clients. Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL), Bharat Dynamics, Bharat Electronics (BEL), BEML, and other defence stocks traded higher on Wednesday after the government approved key military projects worth around 67,000 crore. The Defence Acquisition Council (DAC), chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, approved various proposals aimed at boosting India's military capabilities, including procurement of long endurance drones, mountain radars and missile systems at a cost of around 67,000 crore. For the Indian Army, Acceptance of Necessity (AoN) was accorded for the procurement of Thermal Imager-based Driver Night Sight for BMP. This would enhance night driving capability of BMP and provide higher mobility and operational advantage to the Mechanised Infantry, Ministry of Defence said in a release. For the Indian Navy, AoN was accorded for the procurement of Compact Autonomous Surface Craft, BrahMos Fire Control System & Launchers and Upgradation of BARAK-1 Point Defence Missile System. For the Indian Air Force, DAC approved the procurement of Mountain Radars and Upgradation of SAKSHAM/SPYDER Weapon System, it added. AoN was also accorded for procurement of Medium Altitude Long Endurance (MALE) Remotely Piloted Aircraft (RPAs) for the three Services. In addition, DAC has also accorded AoN for sustenance of C-17 and C-130J fleets and comprehensive annual maintenance contract of S-400 Long Range Air Defence Missile System. Defence Stocks to Benefit Analysts believe defence stocks such as HAL, BEL, BDL, Solar Industries, Data Patterns (India), MIDHANI, among others may tend to benefit from the contracts. Krishna Doshi, Defence Analyst at Ashika Institutional Equities believes that Bharat Dynamics Ltd (BDL), Bharat Electronics Ltd (BEL), Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL), and Data Patterns are likely to be the key beneficiaries of the recent DAC approval. This development underscores the governments continued commitment to strengthening domestic defence capabilities and provides enhanced long-term order book visibility for these companies. The announcement is also expected to offer some respite to defence stocks, which have been undergoing a period of correction, Doshi said. According to Prashanth Tapse, Sr VP Research Research Analyst at Mehta Equities, defence companies likely to benefit from the latest DAC clearance include BEL and HAL, given their strong alignment with the approved project domains such as radars, drones, and air defence systems. In the short term, markets are expected to respond positively to this news. However, in the long term, we believe the real value will hinge on timely execution and sustained government support to the domestic defence ecosystem, Tapse said. Life insurance companies and pension funds have added heft to the continuing inflow of money from domestic mutual funds into stock markets in the first six months of this year. They have net invested 69,900 crore in the January-June period, the highest in any full year since 2021, per NSE data. Comparatively, they net invested 27,487 crore in the same period last year. The inflows come in the face of net outflows from foreign portfolio investors (FPIs). Market experts said these inflows are expected to grow further as more investors turn to retirement-focused products. The inflows from pension and insurance will only increase with time and act as a bulwark along with mutual funds to the FPI selling," said Amol Joshi, founder of PlanRupee Investments. As a younger population tends to be financially savvier than in the past, thanks to the growing equity cult, one might see them allocating more money toward growth assets like equity." In the first half of 2025, life insurers like LIC, SBI Life, and Kotak Life, along with pension funds such as Axis Pension Fund and ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Co, among others, net invested about one-fifth of the total 3 trillion net buying by domestic institutional investors (DIIs). Also Read | Penny stock hits upper circuit despite selling pressure in Indian stock market To be sure, mutual funds continue to be the largest investors with net buying of 2.43 trillion in 2025 through June, the data shows. In the same period, FPIs net sold 99,887crore worth shares. During the April-June quarter, in the midst of tariff tensions and a conflict with Pakistan, the Nifty 50 gyrated from a low of 21,743.65 on 7 April to a high of 25,669.35 on 30 June, an 18% recovery. The dips were utilised by the insurers and pension funds to pump in money into the equity markets as, unlike mutual funds, pension funds cant sit on cash in excess of 10%, per industry sources. Two events, one being on tariffs and the other the tensions on the border, presented an opportunity for buying the dips and the (life insurance) premiums that were received in the March quarter were deployed in the June quarter, resulting in a bump-up of flows," said Hemant Kanawala, senior executive vice-president & head - equity at Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance. While market volatility gave insurers a chance to invest at lower prices, low fees and tax benefits have made pension funds attractive for retirement planning. As these funds grow, more of the savings will likely flow into assets like equities, experts said. Also Read | Is the Indian stock market downplaying the Trump tariffs threat? The growing popularity of the pension funds is contributing to greater inflows into financial assets such as equities and debt," said Shyamsunder Bhat, chief investment officer at Axis Pension Fund. Bhat added that reasons for the rising popularity include the need for a retirement corpus, the fact that 60% of the accumulated corpus can be withdrawn tax-free at the time of retirement, and attractive fund management fee of 9 bps. The remaining corpus is an annuity charged at the investors applicable tax slab, he explained. For context, mutual funds fund management fee for top three equity index funds is around 30-35 bps. One bps equals 0.01%. With increasing awareness of NPS (national pension system) as an excellent retirement planning product, the inflows into NPS are only set to grow as more and more people join the scheme from the current low penetration levels," said K. Sivakumar, chief investment officer at ICICI Prudential Pension Funds Management Co., adding that the low fund management fee makes NPS one of the most cost-effective retirement planning products in the country. Besides, NPS subscribers have the option to switch asset allocation and the fund manager without any charges every year," Sivakumar said. Also Read | Selling stocks in a market downturn is a big mistake. The insurance category comprises 25 playersstate-owned LIC and 24 private life insurers. The new business premium as of the quarter ended June stood at 93,545 crore. In the new pension scheme category, the number of companies are 10three PSUs and seven private funds. The total AUM of pension funds as of June end stood at 15.4 trillion, including equities, and government and corporate bonds. Meanwhile, Kanawala of Kotak Mahindra Life Insurance said the markets expect India and the US to reach a trade deal on tariffs. If that happens, the recovery seen since early April is likely to continue. But if the talks dont lead to tariffs being cut below 25% on Indian exports to the US, the market may pause or consolidate, with domestic investors likely stepping in to offset foreign selling. Oil held the bulk of a four-day drop as investors largely looked beyond a threat from President Donald Trump to impose secondary tariffs on buyers of Russian energy, while US data pointed to softer conditions in the largest economy. Brent traded near $68 a barrel after losing almost 8% over four sessions, while West Texas Intermediate was near $65. Trump suggested he would impose increased tariffs on countries buying oil from Moscow possibly including China after saying he would soon raise levies on India. US special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to travel to Russia this week, ahead of Trumps Aug. 8 deadline for Moscow to reach a truce with Ukraine. The Kremlin is weighing options for a concession that could include an air truce, even as it remains determined to continue the war. Oil has edged lower after three months of gains, with a focus on headwinds to growth in the US that may hurt energy demand, as well as a move by OPEC to roll back output curbs. Last weekend, the alliance agreed to raise production from September by about 547,000 barrels a day, boosting concerns that global supplies will run ahead of consumption this half. Trumps rhetoric on Russia sanctions and secondary tariffs is getting louder as his deadline for Putin nears; for now, the market is ignoring it as noise, said Vandana Hari, founder of consultancy Vanda Insights, referring to the Russian president. There will be recalibration if and when the threats are carried through, depending on the perceived risk of supply disruption. In the US, data showed the services sector effectively stagnated in July, aligning with other signals that the economy is flashing warning signs. Figures last week showed a much weaker labor market than previously thought. Meanwhile, petroleum industry estimates painted a mixed picture of moves in US stockpiles. Nationwide crude holdings fell 4.2 million barrels last week, although oil reserves at the key hub in Cushing, Oklahoma, rose, along with distillate inventories. An official breakdown is due later Wednesday. Some metrics point to softer conditions. Brents prompt spread the difference between its two nearest contracts was 69 cents a barrel in backwardation, compared with more than $1 a month ago. While still a bullish pattern, with near-term prices above the next in line, the trend suggests a weakening. To get Bloombergs Energy Daily newsletter in your inbox, click here. 2025 Bloomberg L.P. The company raised 540 crores through an initial public offering (IPO), comprising 440 crores as fresh issue and 100 crores via offer for sale. It listed at 110 on 2 July, at a 34% premium to the upper price band of 82 per share. Prima facie, it looks like a smaller playerand it certainly is. But its financial metrics are anything but ordinary. Thats what caught the Streets attention. The company now aims to triple its revenue to 4,500 crores by FY28, up from 1,511 crores in FY25. To support this, it has lined up multiple capacity expansions. Thats not all. Following the IPO, Sambhav also plans to deleverage its balance sheet by repaying 390 crores from the proceeds. So, what exactly does Sambhav do? What sets it apart from its larger peers? And how does it plan to scale up? We take a closer look at the story unfolding here. What does Sambhav Steel do? Sambhav manufactures electric resistance welded (ERW) pipes, pre-galvanized pipes, stainless steel coils, and more. As of FY24, Sambhav had a market share of around 2% in the domestic ERW pipe segment. With a production capacity of approximately 1.7 million metric tonnes per annum (MTPA), it caters to a wide range of industrial and infrastructure applications. It also enjoys healthy capacity utilisation, driven by strong demand. This includes infrastructure projects, pre-fabricated buildings, water supply, oil and gas, automobile, and others. It also supports government schemes like Jal Jeevan Mission and Har Ghar Nal Yojana. The company has built a distribution network of over 700 dealers across 15 states. Also read: After US' 50% tariff blow, India now faces EU heat on steel quotas How does Sambhav stand out from peers? Sambhav is the only company in India with a fully backward-integrated, single-location facility spanning the entire value chain, from raw materials to finished products. It also operates a 25-megawatt (MW) captive power plant. This integration helps it reduce dependence on external suppliers, shorten delivery times, and improve margins and working capital efficiency. Sambhav also has one of the most advanced manufacturing facilities in the segment. It is among the few Indian companies producing stainless steel blooms and slabs using the AOD (Argon Oxygen Decarburization) process. This lowers raw material consumption, and boost precision and product quality, leading to a cost advantage. This advantage allows it to boast leading Ebitda per tonne (of 5,321) among peers. Other players including market leader APL lag significantly. Notably, the metric has fallen due to underutilisation of new capacity, but is expected to recover as utilisation improves. It is also one of only two players (the other being Avon) to use narrow-width HR coils for pipe manufacturing. This enables strip thickness control with a tolerance of 0.05 mm, on par with top industry benchmarks. According to Niveshaay, an investment advisory firm, most players in this segment lack such precision technology. This translates into higher product quality, reduced wastage, and better yield. Niveshaay estimates that due to its product quality, Sambhav commands a dominant market share of 30% in Madhya Pradesh, with distributors in Indore reporting 100% repeat orders. Besides technology, Sambhav's strategic location also plays a key role. Sambhavs 1.5 MMT facility is located near Raipur in mineral-rich state Chhattisgarh. This ensures proximity to raw material suppliers, efficient logistics, and reduced input costs. These advantages help it sell at competitive prices while offering higher margins to its distributors. Sambhav offers lower ex-plant prices ( 55,000 57,000 per metric ton) compared to HRC industry delivered rates ( 60,000 64,000). It also provides higher distributor margins of 1,000 3,000, versus 500 2,000, as per Niveshaay. This itself is also a competitive advantage. Also Read | JSW Steel gets back its lustre in Q1; safeguard duty provides support What are the key risks to Sambhavs operations? Sambhav's operations are geographically concentrated. In FY24, 66% of sales came from just three states, Chhattisgarh (30%), Maharashtra (18%), and Gujarat (18%). This over-reliance exposes it to regional concentration risk. To address this, the company plans to expand into under-penetrated states like Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Delhi, and Goa. FY25 numbers are not yet available. Its distributor concentration is also rising. In 9MFY25, the top distributor accounted for 9% of revenue, the top five (35%), and the top ten (52%). In contrast, these figures stood at just 5%, 14%, and 17%, respectively, in FY23. Going forward, the company will need to diversify its distribution network to avoid over-reliance on a few large partners. How do the financials stack up? Structural pipes and tubes remain the core of Sambhavs portfolio, and demand has surged sharply. Sales volume jumped more than threefoldfrom 65,687 MTPA in FY23 to 212,436 MTPA in FY25driven by robust infrastructure and construction demand. These products now account for 73% of total sales volume, with intermediate products contributing 19%. Newly introduced products like GP coils and pipes (4%) and SS coils (3%) made up the rest of the volume mix. The revenue mix is similar, with structural pipes contributing 70% of FY25 revenue, followed by intermediate products (14%), SS coils (8%), GP coils and pipes (5%), and others (3%). However, this concentration is expected to moderate. The company has recently started production of SS Coils and GP coils and pipes in FY25. As capacity utilisation improves, these segments are likely to contribute more to the topline. Sambhav's revenue has grown 61%, from 937 crores in FY23 to 1,511 crores in FY25. This growth has been driven by capacity expansion over the years. Its fixed assets have grown from 235 crores in FY23 to 715 crores. However, since the newly added capacity is still ramping up, utilisation remains low, leading to slight pressure on margins. Also read: Shree Cements premium push is paying offfor now Ebitda margin declined from around 12.5% in FY23/24 to 10.2% in FY25. Profit after tax (PAT) margin halved from 6.4% to 3.8%, mainly due to a threefold rise in depreciation and a 2.5x increase in finance costs. As a result, Sambhav's PAT fell 4% from FY23 to 58 crores in FY25. But the decline is sharper around 30% from FY24. Lower profitability has also impacted its return ratios. Return on Capital Employed and Return on Equity both fell to 12% in FY25, from 18% and 25% in FY24. Next steps in the expansion story However, the company has a strong track record of strong return ratios. Thats why despite near-term pressure; they are expected to improve as capacity utilisation rises and debt reduces. Sambhav expansion has come at a cost. Borrowings increased from 285 crores (FY23) to 536 crores in FY25, pushing finance cost from 19 crores to 48 crores. However, it plans to repay 390 crores from the IPO proceeds, which should lift its PAT, and margin. Leverage is set to ease from 3.5x Debt-to-Ebitda in FY25, with a sharp improvement expected in interest coverage as well. Sambhav also has ambitious plan. The company now aims to triple revenue to 4,500 crores by FY28. Management expects FY26 revenue to reach 2,200 crores, based on Q1FY26 annualized figures of 558 crores. To drive this, it plans to increase stainless steels share in the product mixfrom 30% in FY26 to 40% in FY27, and 50% in FY28. For this, it is setting up a new 1.2 MTPA stainless steel facility at Kesda, Chhattisgarh, to be commissioned in three phases. The first phase is expected to be commissioned by FY27, adding about 360,000 tonnes of capacity. This expansion is aimed at meeting the rising demand for stainless steel across industries. Growth is strong, but so are valuations After listing at 99 on July 7, Sambhavs share price has surged 25% to 124. It currently trades at an EV/Ebitda multiple of 26, which is lower than APL Apollo (33), which commands a premium due to its leadership. However, compared to peers like Hariom Pipe (10), Hi-Tech Pipes (11), and JTL Industries (20), Sambhav trades at a premium. The valuation leaves limited margin of safety. That said, Sambhav is growing rapidly, has best-in-class margins and return ratios, and is backed by experienced promoters with decades in the steel industry. Future upside, however, hinges on timely execution of its expansion plans. Meanwhile, it remains a stock worth tracking closely. For more such analysis, read Profit Pulse. Madhvendra has over seven years of experience in equity markets and writes detailed research articles on listed Indian companies, sectoral trends, and macroeconomic developments. The writer does not hold the stocks discussed in this article. The purpose of this article is only to share interesting charts, data points, and thought-provoking opinions. It is NOT a recommendation. If you wish to consider an investment, you are strongly advised to consult your advisor. This article is strictly for educational purposes only. Corporate earnings have been largely muted owing to a slowdown in demand, which has weighed on investor sentiment. Global macroeconomic uncertainties, from renewed trade tensions to tariff-related jitters, have given them more reasons to be cautious. But beneath the surface, a few stocks have staged powerful rallies fueled by strong earnings momentum, strategic expansion plans, and improving fundamentals. What makes these stocks particularly interesting is that they havent just surged more than 30% so far this year but that theyre still trading around 20% below their 52-week highs. In other words, despite strong rallies, they may still have room to run up further. If youve been sitting on the sidelines, looking for a big opportunity in this cautious market, here are three stocks that are worth a look. #1 Narayana Hrudayalaya Shares of the company are up 40% in 2025, yet 28% below their 52-week high of 2,372. The stock has been on an upswing over the past few months for various reasons: growing capacities, diversifying into other fields, and improving operational efficiency. Earlier in the year the company announced plans to add 1,535 beds by FY29, with a focus on strengthening its presence in existing locations: Bengaluru, Kolkata and Raipur. It outlined a capex outlay of about 750 crore over the next three to four years, of which 300 crore will be used for routine maintenance and increasing capacity at existing facilities, while 450 crore will be earmarked for greenfield and brownfield expansions. The company has also diversified into insurance services, aiming to improve healthcare access for the working class and poor. It has invested 1,000 crore in this vertical and plans to scale it up further depending on the initial outcomes. It is also eyeing aggressive growth in the primary healthcare segment, with plans to set up 50 clinics over the next year. Narayana Hrudayalayas robust financials continue to underpin its expansion strategy. Over the past five years the company has delivered a steady 12% compound annual growth rate (CAGR) in revenue, driven by higher realisations, and an impressive 44% CAGR in net profit, reflecting its focus on operational efficiency and sustainable growth. Operating profit margins have followed suit, increasing steadily from 10.3% in 2019 to 23% in 2025. This has resulted in healthy return ratios for the company. The three-year average return on equity (RoE) stands at 28.8% while the return on capital employed (RoCE) stands at 25.1%. Despite this robust performance, shares of the company have declined 8.4% over the past month, following a minor dip in net profit for the June quarter. This has led to a slight valuation reset, with the stock now trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 47.6, below its 10-year average of 50.2. FIIs, however, increased their stake in the company from 9.66% in March to 10.46% in June after four consecutive quarters of decline. This rebound could indicate renewed confidence in the company, possibly driven by improved earnings visibility, expansion plans, or a more attractive valuation after the correction. #2 Manorama Industries Manorama Industries is one of Indias leading manufacturers of specialty fats and butters used in the chocolates, confectionery and cosmetics. The stock is up 38% in 2025 on account of its strong financial performance over the past two quarters, yet 18% below its 52-week high. It has consistently generated returns over the past year, boasting a remarkable increase of 114%, significantly outpacing the Sensex's 2.87% return. Over the past four quarters the company consistently improved its financial metrics with higher capacity utilisation, improved product mix, and sustained export demand. Revenue has grown steadily each quarter, from 133 crore in June 2024 to 195 crore in September 2024 and 290 crore in June 2025, likely driven by both volume gains and improved pricing power. Net profit grew from 14 crore in June 2024 to 51 crore by June 2025. The company has also managed to expand its operating profit margin from 20% to 27%, indicating strong operating leverage and improved cost-efficiency as revenue scaled. It aims for a top line of 1,050 crore in FY26, with 25-30% of the growth expected to come from higher volumes and another 5-10% from better price realisations. Revenue in FY25 stood at 771 crore. A recent ramping up of capacity is also expected to contribute to this growth. In the September quarter of 2024 the company commercialised a new 25,000-tonne fractionation facility, taking total capacity to 40,000 tons per annum. With capacity utilisation projected at 75-80% in FY26, the company expects to achieve greater operating efficiencies and cost optimisation. On the global front, Manorama has expanded its footprint through subsidiaries in West Africa, the UAE, and Brazil. The Latin American market, particularly Brazil, is seen as a major growth opportunity for its cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) and stearin products, with potential demand of 25,000-30,000 tonnes. The company remains focused on retaining existing customers while steadily adding new ones without compromising on margins or return on capital. Over the past five years revenue has grown at a CAGR of 33% while net profit has grown at 37%. Profitability metrics have remained healthy and stable, with a five-year average operating profit margin of 17.6% and an average net profit margin of 9.6%, reflecting strong cost control and consistent earnings quality. Return ratios have also held up well, with an RoE of 28% and an RoCE of 23%. While the stock has delivered strong returns over the past year, it has slipped 1% over the last month amid broader market volatility and trades 17% below its 52-week high. It has a PE ratio of 58.1, marginally below its 10-year average PE of 59.1, suggesting it may not be overheated despite the sharp run-up. #3 Blue Jet Healthcare Blue Jet Healthcare is a pharmaceutical and healthcare ingredient and intermediate company. It is the first manufacturer of saccharin and its salts (artificial sweeteners) in India. Blue Jet Healthcares shares have climbed 36% in 2025, driven by improving growth prospects and renewed investor interest, but are currently 23.5% below their 52-week high. The stock is also up more than 100% since its listing in November 2023. While financial performance was subdued between FY20 and FY24, mainly owing to a lack of new product launches, the company saw a sharp turnaround in FY25, when revenue rose 45% to 1,030 crore from 712 crore in FY24, supported by strong demand across key segments. Net profit jumped 86% to 305 crore from 164 crore in the previous year, reflecting higher operating leverage. The company has also demonstrated strong capital efficiency, delivering an average RoE of 27% over the past three years. Its balance sheet remains conservative, with a debt-to-equity ratio of just 0.02. The stock has come under pressure recently, falling over 12% in the past month after the company reported a sharp sequential decline in profit and margins for the June 2025 quarter. Nevertheless, the company's performance remained strong on a year-on-year basis: revenue surged 118%, while net profit grew 141.3%, led by a strong ramp-up in pharmaceutical ingredients and active pharmaceutical ingredients. Management remains confident in its growth strategy, driven by capacity expansion, enhanced R&D capabilities, and a robust pipeline of high-value products. Blue Jet plans to add 1,000 kiloliters of capacity over the next 2-3 years through a newly acquired land parcel to be developed in three phases. This will support a range of products including APIs, with a focus on the API for bempedoic acid, as well as capacity additions for contrast media intermediates (CMI) and high-intensity sweeteners. The company is also deepening its R&D focus, allocating 40 crore to strengthening capabilities in amino acid derivatives and late-stage intermediates. It has built a robust pipeline of 20 high-interest opportunities, with around 30% (six candidates) already in the late phase 3 or commercial stage. Brokerage firm Motilal Oswal has a buy rating on the stock with a target price of 1,100. The brokerage expects pharma intermediates and APIs to continue their robust growth momentum in FY26, supported by strong customer demand visibility and additional product launches. The stock appears attractively priced, currently trading at a PE of 38.1, below its historical average of 48.7. FIIs and DIIs have both reduced their stakes in the company, albeit marginally, from 2.28% to 1.97% and 1.33% to 0.95% over the past quarter. Even standout performers require research While the broader market has been relatively muted in 2025, these three stocks stand out for their strong financial performance, strategic growth initiatives, and improving investor sentiment. Theyve delivered solid returns despite broader volatility and still trade well below their 52-week highs, which makes them compelling stocks to watch. However, its important to temper optimism with a dose of caution. Stocks that have corrected from their peaks may offer value, but can also remain under pressure if the company stumbled on execution or if market sentiment deteriorates further. As always, investors should do their own due diligence, align investments with their risk tolerance and financial goals, and avoid chasing momentum blindly. Past performance is not always indicative of future outcomes, and in a market such as this, prudent stock selection and patience often make the real difference. Ayesha Shetty is a research analyst registered with the Securities and Exchange Board of India. She is a certified financial risk manager (FRM) and is working toward her chartered financial analyst (CFA) designation. Disclosure: The author does not hold shares in any of the companies discussed. The views expressed are for informational purposes only and should not be considered investment advice. Readers should conduct their own research and consult a financial professional before making investment decisions. Director Oliver Stones 2010 film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps saw him return to one of the most memorable characters hed created: the ruthless, glib corporate raider Gordon Gekko from the 1987 film Wall Street . After serving time for insider trading. Gekko, played by Michael Douglas, is supposedly reformed. But soon, hes saying things like, I tell you, the governments worse than a wife. They got all the power, they got half the money. Now theyre working on getting the other half." The American right-wingers of today lionize Gekko unironically, completely ignoring the fact that he was written as a cautionary figure. This is not a phenomenon restricted to the social media era. Popular movies have always been used as a loudspeaker to propagate our worst impulses, which is one reason I liked the central conceit of Jessa Crispins new book of criticism, What Is Wrong With Men: Patriarchy, the Crisis of Masculinity, and How (Of Course) Michael Douglas Films Explain Everything. The US ushered in a number of legislative and societal reforms in the 1960s and 70s, the goal being equal rights for women. Crispin locates Douglas as representative of a certain kind of liberal man who struggles to cope with the shifting role of men in such a landscape (in an inspired bit of comparative reading, she likens Douglas to Bill Clinton, who was born around the same time and had much the same personal failings as several Douglas characters from the 1980s and 90s do). He certainly wasnt on the side of the conservatives and the religious extremists who were outraged by the feminist movement, condemning the civil rights campaign as a tool of the devil," she writes. But he also didnt seem to think that the feminist movement and the changes happening in the political and cultural reality of women had anything to do with him. And in that way, he was a kind of cinematic stand-in for a lot of men of the time: liberal, tolerant and clueless." This is a brilliant strategy for a cultural critic, because the failings of liberalism are far more subtle and instructive in the feminist context than any evisceration of straight-up conservatism would have been. Crispin rightly compares Douglas to the female hysteria" patients of 19th century France, who performed" for an audience under hypnosis. In her interpretation, Douglas is the performing hysteric" for the men of the 1980s and 90s, confused and disoriented as a distinctly corporate brand of feminism threatens to upend their world order (as seen in the Douglas films Fatal Attraction and Disclosure). View Full Image A still from 'Fatal Attraction' Crispin is very good at linking the individual trials and tribulations of the characters played by Douglas to the larger societal upheavals of America. For example, the chapter on Wall Street and its 2010 sequel blossoms into a jeremiad on the sense of betrayal the American public felt when President Barack Obama bailed out the deeply corrupt banking institutions responsible for the 2007-08 financial crisis. Disclosure and Basic Instinct are both revisited in the light of the ongoing Andrew Tate era", with a straight line drawn between the incel talking points of today and the more insidious forms of misogyny depicted in those films. Also Read | Bette Howland, the writer who returned from oblivion Towards the end of the book, Crispin suspends her initial approach of taking things one movie , one issue at a time, and commences a flat-out assault on contemporary manosphere politics. She is a little less convincing in this section, perhaps because her strongest suit remains the extrapolation of popular culture into on-ground politics (how that process works, the danger it poses, the challenges it places before our collective imagination). However, every now and then she pulls out a bravura passage out of nowhere, and this usually papers over any analytical cracks in her framework. View Full Image 'What Is Wrong with Men': By Jessa Crispin, Penguin Random House, 288 pages, $27 (approx. 2,367) In one such passage, she explains how the messaging around domestic work and caregiving completely changed after the womens lib" era. Previously, advertisements, songs and movies painted domesticity as a huge positive, and the fictional women who transgressed these boundaries were duly punishednow those same realms of human endeavour were painted as emasculating" or gay" because men were suddenly expected to find meaning there. This was textbook reactionary behavior. What is Wrong With Men never loses its sense of playfulness and whimsy as it wades through the filmography of Michael Douglas. The man himself continues to be a cinematic metonym for Uncle Samjust last year, he portrayed Benjamin Franklin, one of the most quintessentially American men of all time. At 80 years of age, I think Douglas remains mindful of the way his legacy is intertwined with that of America. Luckily for us, Crispin understands this all too well. Aditya Mani Jha is a Delhi-based journalist. Also Read | Sachin Kundalkars novel reads like a scattered collection of reflections New Delhi: Splitting a property sale into separate components for immovable assets and movables such as furniture and fixtures is increasingly being used as a tax-saving tool. But without proper documentation, this practice can backfire during income tax scrutiny. Bhawna Kakkar, chartered accountant and founder of Kakkar & Company, said it is becoming increasingly common in residential property transactions to split the sale value between the real estate and items like furniture, white goods, and other household items. This tactic is often used by sellers to reduce their capital gains tax burden. But experts warn that overstating the value of such itemsparticularly in the absence of documentary proof, can backfire. The approach hinges on the assumption that tax authorities rarely verify furnishings onsite, leaving room for manipulation. Furniture sold as part of a house sale can help reduce taxes, if handled correctly. The right way First, furniture sold with a house cannot be treated as a "cost of improvement" when computing capital gains. It must be treated as a separate transaction, distinct from the propertys total sale value. This separation offers two key benefits: it lowers the overall sale consideration for the property, thereby reducing capital gains tax, and it excludes that portion from stamp duty. Under Indian tax laws, furniture is classified as a "personal effect" rather than a capital asset, which means proceeds from its sale are not taxed. To do this properly, Kakkar said sellers should prepare a separate agreement documenting the sale of furniture and fixtures. The agreement should either list out the fair market value of each item or record a consolidated amount agreed upon by the buyer and seller. However, it should not be exaggerated and must be as per the prevailing market value of the furniture. If the declared value appears inflated and lacks credible invoices, the tax department could challenge the transaction, and the seller may be liable for capital gains tax on the full declared amount. A separate agreement, backed by documentation, ensures transparency and can protect both parties in the event of queries from tax officials. To strengthen the agreement, sellers should attach original invoices for the items sold. Informal or temporary bills, often issued to bypass GST or when payment is made in cash, won't hold up under scrutiny. Also Read | Who can avail the indexation benefit on property sale and is it even worth it? If invoices arent available but purchases were made via digital payments, a bank statement can serve as valid proof of the transaction, tax experts say. What qualifies as furniture? Its also important to know which items qualify as personal effects." Kakkar explained: Apparel, furniture, car, scooter, TV, refrigerator, musical instruments, gun, revolvers, generators, etc., are personal effects. But ACs and other fixed electrical items may not be considered as personal effects for bifurcation of sales consideration." Items such as archaeological artifacts, artwork, and precious metals, even if personally used, are excluded from this category and must be declared differently. Buyers, too, should take note: any payment made toward furniture and fixtures cannot be added to the property's acquisition cost during resale, which could affect future tax liabilities. Consequences of a wrong declaration If a seller tries to separately declare the sale of furniture without a proper agreement and valid supporting invoices, and the matter comes under tax scrutiny, the burden of proof lies entirely with the seller. If they fail to justify the values during an audit, the income could be taxed as capital gains at 20% (or 30% for short-term gains), in addition to monthly interest and penalties. Kakkar pointed out that such transactions are especially risky under Section 115BBE of the Income Tax Act, which deals with the taxation of unexplained income. Section 115BBE mandates a tax rate of 60% plus surcharge and cess on income assessed under Sections 68 to 69D. Even if the transaction is routed through banking channels, if the bifurcation is deemed artificial by the department in the absence of supporting invoices, the penal rate applies," she said. She cited the case of Devinder Kumar v. ITO (2018), decided by the ITAT Delhi, in which the court rejected the taxpayers claim of a 10 lakh furniture sale due to lack of evidence. The tribunal ruled that the bifurcation was used to under-report the propertys value and avoid stamp duty and capital gains tax. The excessive sale consideration so attributed was taxed as cash credit under Section 68," Kakkar said. Stricter rules for NRIs Non-resident Indians (NRIs) face additional constraints. NRIs should avoid engaging in separate furniture sales without supporting invoices. This is because they cannot remit proceeds overseas without documentation. Also Read | Step-by-step guide to reporting equity capital gains while filing tax returns To transfer funds from a property sale abroad, an NRI must obtain a Form 15CB certificate from a chartered accountant. The certificate is issued after a source-of-funds audit, and the CA will request documentation supporting the sale of furniture. Without invoices, the certificate will not be issued. For NRIs, property sellers should not separately sell furniture just to save capital gains tax unless they have invoices to attach to the furniture agreement, she added. US President Donald Trump has issued a fresh executive order slapping an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, citing the countrys alleged direct and indirect import of oil from the Russian Federation. This brings the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. The US executive order claims India's energy trade undermines US foreign policy and national security interests. The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Read the complete US Executive Order on India here. Also Read | Trumps tariff threats clash with US 2022 sanctions policy on Russian oil Why has India been targeted? According to the executive order, the White House has determined that the Indian government is importing Russian crude oil or petroleum products either directly or via intermediaries. The directive defines indirectly importing as procurement through third countries or middlemen where the Russian origin of the oil can reasonably be traced. The US administration contends that such practices violate the spirit of sanctions imposed under Executive Order 14066, signed in March 2022, which banned the import of Russian energy products into the United States in response to Russias invasion of Ukraine. When do the new tariffs take effect? The additional 25% duty will come into force 21 days from the date of the order. However, exceptions have been granted to shipments already en route to the US before the deadline, provided they enter the country before 12:01 am Eastern Daylight Time on 17 September 2025. The new levy will be added on top of any existing tariffs unless otherwise exempted under specific clauses, such as those relating to national security or the Harmonized Tariff Schedule. Is this the first tariff India has faced under Trump? No. This is the second 25% tariff imposed by the Trump administration on Indian imports in recent months. In April 2025, India was included in a broader list of countries targeted under Executive Order 14257, which aimed to correct the United States goods trade deficits through reciprocal tariff policies. That order did not specifically cite Russian oil but targeted countries with persistent trade surpluses against the US. The latest move, however, squarely attributes the tariff to energy imports linked to Russia. Could more countries face similar action from US? Yes. The executive order tasks the US Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with other top officials, with monitoring global energy trade. Countries found to be directly or indirectly sourcing Russian oil could face similar punitive measures. Should a foreign government retaliate, the US executive order also allows President Trump to further modify the terms or expand the scope of tariffs. Conversely, countries that realign with US national security and foreign policy objectives could see such tariffs lifted or reduced. What qualifies as Russian oil under US order? The definition includes any crude oil or petroleum product extracted, refined, or exported from Russiaregardless of the corporate ownership involved in the transaction. The US will also consider oil as Russian if its origin can be reasonably traced back to Russia, even if routed through other nations. Whats next? The order empowers multiple US agencies, including Customs and Border Protection, to enforce the tariff regime and monitor compliance. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed a 25 per cent additional tariff on Indian imports, raising the total tariff to 50 per cent. In an executive order, Trump said he was imposing the new tariff over India's continued oil purchase from Russia. Trump's order comes days after he threatened India with a penalty if it continued to import oil from Russia, which is at war with Ukraine a conflict that the US President has repeatedly asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to end. The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Read Donald Trump's full statement here: By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (50 U.S.C. 1701 et seq.) (IEEPA), the National Emergencies Act (50 U.S.C. 1601 et seq.), section 604 of the Trade Act of 1974, as amended (19 U.S.C. 2483), and section 301 of title 3, United States Code, I hereby determine and order: Section 1. Background. Executive Order 14066 of March 8, 2022 (Prohibiting Certain Imports and New Investments With Respect to Continued Russian Federation Efforts To Undermine the Sovereignty and Territorial Integrity of Ukraine), expanded the scope of the national emergency declared in Executive Order 14024 of April 15, 2021 (Blocking Property With Respect To Specified Harmful Foreign Activities of the Government of the Russian Federation), to include the actions taken against Ukraine by the Government of the Russian Federation. To address that unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States, Executive Order 14066 prohibited, among other things, the importation into the United States of certain products of Russian Federation origin, including crude oil; petroleum; and petroleum fuels, oils, and products of their distillation. I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the Government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine. After considering this additional information, among other things, I find that the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066 continues and that the actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. To deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. In my judgment, imposing tariffs, as described below, in addition to maintaining the other measures taken to address the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066, will more effectively deal with the national emergency described in Executive Order 14066. Sec. 2. Imposition of Tariffs. (a) I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. (b) Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent. Subject to section 3 of this order, this rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order; and (2) are entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time on September 17, 2025. Sec. 3. Scope of Duties and Stacking. (a) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall be in addition to any other duties, fees, taxes, exactions, and charges applicable to such imports, unless subject to existing or future actions under section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962, in which case the ad valorem duty imposed in this order shall not apply. (b) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are excepted by 50 U.S.C. 1702(b). Also Read | US imposes additional 25% tariff on India over Russian oil imports (c) The ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order shall not apply to articles that are set forth in Annex II to Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025 (Regulating Imports With a Reciprocal Tariff To Rectify Trade Practices That Contribute to Large and Persistent Annual United States Goods Trade Deficits), as amended. (d) The ad valorem duty imposed in Executive Order 14257 of April 2, 2025, as amended, shall apply in addition to the ad valorem duty imposed in section 2 of this order, when applicable pursuant to the terms of Executive Order 14257. (e) Except for those articles that are eligible for admission under domestic status as defined in 19 CFR 146.43, articles that are subject to the duty imposed in section 2 of this order and are admitted into a foreign trade zone on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order must be admitted as privileged foreign status as defined in 19 CFR 146.41. Sec. 4. Modification Authority. (a) To ensure that the emergency described in section 1 of this order is dealt with, I may modify this order, including in light of additional information, recommendations from senior officials, or changed circumstances. (b) Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered. (c) Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency described in section 1 of this order and align sufficiently with the United States on national security, foreign policy, and economic matters, I may further modify this order. Sec. 5. Monitoring and Recommendations. (a) The Secretary of Commerce, in coordination with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of the Treasury, and any other senior official the Secretary of Commerce deems appropriate, shall determine whether any other country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil. If the Secretary of Commerce finds that a country is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, the Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend whether and to what extent I should take action as to that country, including whether I should impose an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent on imports of articles of that country. (b) The Secretary of State shall monitor and regularly consult with any senior official the Secretary of State deems appropriate on the emergency described in section 1 of this order. (c) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, shall recommend to me additional action, if necessary, if the actions in this order are not effective in resolving the emergency described in section 1 of this order or should the Government of the Russian Federation or another foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to the actions taken in this order or any subsequent order issued to address the emergency described in section 1 of this order. Sec. 6. Delegation. (a) The Secretary of State, in consultation with the Secretary of the Treasury, the Secretary of Commerce, the Secretary of Homeland Security, the United States Trade Representative, the Assistant to the President for National Security Affairs, the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy, and the Assistant to the President and Senior Counselor for Trade and Manufacturing, is hereby authorized to take such actions, including adopting rules and regulations, and to employ all powers granted to the President by IEEPA as may be necessary to implement this order. The Secretary of State may, consistent with applicable law, redelegate any of these functions within the Department of State. Each executive department and agency shall take all appropriate measures within its authority to carry out this order. (b) The Secretary of Homeland Security, in consultation with the United States International Trade Commission, shall determine whether modifications to the Harmonized Tariff Schedule of the United States are necessary to effectuate this order and may make such modifications through notice in the Federal Register. (c) U.S. Customs and Border Protection may take any necessary or appropriate measure to administer a duty imposed by this order or any action taken pursuant to this order. Sec. 7. Definitions. For the purposes of this order: (a) The term Russian Federation oil means crude oil or petroleum products extracted, refined, or exported from the Russian Federation, regardless of the nationality of the entity involved in the production or sale of such crude oil or petroleum products. (b) The term indirectly importing includes purchasing Russian Federation oil through intermediaries or third countries where the origin of the oil can reasonably be traced to Russia, as determined by the Secretary of Commerce in consultation with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of the Treasury. Sec. 8. Severability. If any provision of this order or the application of any provision of this order to any individual or circumstance is held to be invalid, the remainder of this order and the application of its provisions to any other individuals or circumstances shall not be affected. Sec. 9. General Provisions. (a) Nothing in this order shall be construed to impair or otherwise affect: (i) the authority granted by law to an executive department or agency, or the head thereof; or (ii) the functions of the Director of the Office of Management and Budget relating to budgetary, administrative, or legislative proposals. (b) This order shall be implemented consistent with applicable law and subject to the availability of appropriations. (c) This order is not intended to, and does not, create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural, enforceable at law or in equity by any party against the United States, its departments, agencies, or entities, its officers, employees, or agents, or any other person. The Supreme Court on Wednesday, 6 August, while hearing the snake venom case, granted a stay on trial court proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav. A bench comprising Justices M M Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi was hearing an appeal filed by Yadav against an order of the Allahabad High Court which rejected his plea in May this year. The apex court issued notice to the Uttar Pradesh government and the complainant Gaurav Gupta on Yadav's petition contesting criminal proceedings against him under Wild Life (Protection) Act and Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act. No snakes, narcotic substances were found from well-known influencer: Counsel Yadav's counsel had explained in the high court that no snakes, narcotic or psychotropic substances were found from him aside from the fact that no causal connection was established between the applicant and the co-accused. The counsel had pointed out the informant was no longer an Animal Welfare Officer but he registered the First Information Report (FIR) presenting himself to be one, adding involvement of well-known influencer his involvement in the FIR received "much media attention". Also Read | Who is Kushal Tanwar aka Gullu? Check Elvish Yadav connection Elvish Yadav in Snake Venom Case explained The chargesheet claims intake of snake venom as a recreational drug at "rave" parties by people and even foreigners. Noida police arrested him in March last year in link with the case. Elvish Yadav faces allegations of procuring snake venom for his parties and featuring live snakes in his video productions. The case came to light in November 2023 when police uncovered a snake trafficking operation during a raid at a banquet hall in Noidas Sector 51. During the operation, five individuals, including four snake charmers, were arrested for allegedly supplying snake venom. Also Read | Trouble for YouTuber Elvish Yadav: FIR registered for threatening witness Authorities also seized nine snakes, including cobras, along with a quantity of venom. Forensic analysis later confirmed the presence of venom from both cobra and krait species in the confiscated samples. The turning point in the investigation came after the NGO People For Animals orchestrated a sting operation that led to the bust. Rave parties, energetic dance events associated with youth culture, often attract law enforcement attention due to recurring concerns over drug use and safety. India has strongly criticised US President Donald Trumps latest executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, calling the move unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. The White House confirmed the new levy on Wednesday, citing New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oil despite mounting global pressure to isolate Moscow over its war in Ukraine. The Indian government responded within hours of the announcement, expressing deep disappointment over what it described as a misguided and discriminatory action. Also Read | US imposes additional 25% tariff on India over Russian oil imports Why has US imposed 25% additional tariff on Indian goods? The White House executive order claims that India, directly or indirectly, continues to import oil from the Russian Federation a practice the Trump administration argues is undermining US-led efforts to curtail funding to Russias war in Ukraine. Trump said the 25% duty would be imposed on top of an existing country-specific tariff also set at 25%, bringing the total additional levy to 50% on certain Indian exports. Speaking to CNBC on Tuesday, Donald Trump defended the move: Theyre fuelling the war machine. And if theyre going to do that, then Im not going to be happy. How has India responded? In a sharply worded statement, Indias Ministry of External Affairs said it had made its position abundantly clear in recent dialogues with the US, stating that energy imports are guided by market dynamics and aimed at ensuring energy security for its 1.4 billion citizens. It is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest, the government said. India also warned that it would take all actions necessary to protect its national interests, without specifying the countermeasures being considered. India's response to Trump's additional 25% tariff full statement The United States has in recent days targeted Indias oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. What else did Trump say about India? This latest tariff escalation marks a notable downturn in US-India trade relations. Trump, who has repeatedly clashed with India over market access for American goods, has been critical of New Delhis growing alignment with BRICS countries, especially its economic ties with Moscow. The US president also suggested other countries including China may face similar penalties if they continue to import Russian oil. Well be doing quite a bit of that, he told reporters ahead of a failed round of talks between US envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Also Read | Anand Mahindra shares two steps India can take as Trump imposes more tariffs Whats next for India-US trade ties? The US imposed additional 25% tariffs on Indian goods, which will take effect in 21 days unless withdrawn or modified. Indian officials have said they will continue to engage diplomatically with their US counterparts but insisted that national energy security remains non-negotiable. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday inaugurated the first building of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS), named Kartavya Bhavan. Union Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal was also present on the occasion. The prime minister will later address a public programme on Kartavya Path after the inauguration of the new building, which will be the new address for the Union Home Ministry and the External Affairs Ministry. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan today The Union Housing and Urban Affairs (HUA) Ministry has plans to construct 10 buildings of the CCS as part of the government's ambitious Central Vista redevelopment project. The entire project is expected to be completed by June 2027. Here are 5 things to know about Kartavya Bhavan 1- Kartavya Bhavan is the first of the 10 buildings in the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) to be inaugurated by PM Narendra Modi. Kartavya Bhavan-03 is part of the broader transformation of the Central Vista, with the new secretariat aiming to streamline administration. 2 - The Kartavya Bhavan's plinth area is 1.5 lakh square metres, and its basement area is 40,000 square metres. Its parking lot can accommodate 600 cars. The HUA ministry said that the Kartavya Bhavan-03 has a creche, a yoga room, a medical room, a cafe, a kitchen, and a multipurpose hall. 3 - Kartavya Bhavan has 24 main conference rooms, each with a capacity to seat 45 people, 26 small conference rooms, each with a capacity to seat 25 people, 67 meeting rooms, and 27 lifts. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi dials CM Pushkar Dhami day after Dharali cloudburst, 4 - The Kartavya Bhavan will house Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, and Petroleum & Natural Gas ministries and the Principal Scientific Adviser's office. 5 - Kartavya Bhavan will exemplify modern governance infrastructure featuring IT-ready and secure workspaces, ID card-based access controls, integrated electronic surveillance and a centralised command system. It will also lead to sustainability, targeting a GRIHA-4 rating with double-glazed facades, rooftop solar, solar water heating, advanced HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) systems, and rainwater harvesting, a government statement said. The facility will promote eco-consciousness through zero-discharge waste management, in-house solid waste processing, e-vehicle charging stations, and extensive use of recycled construction material. CCS buildings to be ready in 22 months The Common Central Secretariat will comprise ten buildings and an Executive Enclave that will house a new Prime Minister's Office (PMO), Cabinet Secretariat, India House and National Security Council Secretariat. Under the second phase of the Executive Enclave, a new Prime Minister's residence will be constructed. Under the Central Vista redevelopment plan, the government has already constructed a new Parliament building and the Vice President Enclave and redeveloped Kartavya Path between Vijay Chowk and India Gate. All 10 buildings of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) will be constructed in the next 22 months. Several ministries are currently housed in Shastri Bhavan, Krishi Bhavan, Nirman Bhavan, and Udyog Bhavan, and the process of shifting to four new locations is starting. The government said a few buildings are currently proposed to be retained. These include the National Museum, National Archives, Jawaharlal Nehru Bhawan (external affairs ministry), and Dr Ambedkar Auditorium, which are new buildings. According to the ministry's plan, Vanijya Bhawan will also be retained. Two under-construction buildings, 1 and 2, are scheduled to be completed by next month, while construction work on CCS building number 10 will be finished by April next year. HUA Secretary Katikithala Srinivas said that the entire Central Vista will be connected to a new metro line from Indraprastha Metro Station. The line will pass through India Gate, the CCS buildings, North Block and South Block. He said that buildings like Shastri Bhawan, Krishi Bhawan, Udyog Bhawan, and Nirman Bhawan were constructed in the 1950s 70s and are now structurally outdated and deteriorating. (With PTI inputs) US President Donald Trump has signaled that the United States may take additional steps if foreign governments retaliate against his new executive order imposing tariffs on Indian imports over the continued purchase of Russian oil. Clause signals possible escalation In the executive order, Trump includes a warning in Section (b), stating: Should a foreign country retaliate against the United States in response to this action, I may modify this order to ensure the efficacy of the actions herein ordered. This clause leaves open the door for further trade restrictions or sanctions, should affected nationssuch as Indiarespond with countermeasures. Follow Trump Tariff News LIVE updates here Path for relief also offered At the same time, Section (c) of the order offers the possibility of softening the measures, provided the impacted countries shift their stance. Should the Government of the Russian Federation or a foreign country impacted by this order take significant steps to address the national emergency... and align sufficiently with the United States... I may further modify this order. This dual approach underscores Trumps strategy of pressure and incentivepenalizing countries engaging with Russia while offering a route to relief if they move closer to US foreign policy goals. India-Russia energy ties The executive order is part of a broader push to enforce secondary sanctions on nations maintaining economic ties with Russia. India, a key US strategic partner, has continued importing discounted Russian crudean action Trump claims undercuts sanctions aimed at curbing Moscows ability to fund its military actions. Trump doubles tariff on India over Russian oil purchases, raises duties to 50% In a sharp escalation of trade tensions, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, taking the total duty on affected goods to 50%. The White House said the move was a direct response to Indias continued imports of Russian oil, which the US claims undermine Western sanctions and embolden Moscows war economy. The announcement came within 24 hours of his warning during an interview with a private television channel, where he had said he would double down on India if New Delhi did not end its purchases of Russian crude. Tariffs cloud upcoming trade talks The latest tariff action comes at a delicate time, with a US delegation scheduled to visit New Delhi on 25 August for the sixth round of talks on the proposed bilateral trade agreement (BTA). Meanwhile, Indian government officials have confirmed that the talks remain on schedule but acknowledged that the sudden move has complicated the environment. Anant Ambanis Vantara has agreed to support Madhuris return to Nandani Math. The animal rehab will work with the Maharashtra government to return the elephant, also called Mahadevi. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has said Vantara acted only as per court orders and never wanted to keep the elephant. He shared on social media that he had met the Vantara team in Mumbai. It assured the Maharashtra CM that it would join the petition and help Madhuri return to her original home. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Governments petition before the Honble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant Madhuri back to the Math, Fadnavis wrote on Twitter (now X). Vantara has said in an official statement that it had never meant to hurt anyones religious feelings. It was only following court orders from the Supreme Court and the Bombay High Court. "We recognise and respect the sentiments of the devotees, the leadership of the Jain Math, and the wider community who have expressed their concerns and attachment to Madhuri's presence in Kolhapur," Vantara said in its statement. Vantara said it had not asked for Madhuri to be moved. "The decision to relocate Madhuri was taken under judicial authority, and Vantara's role was to provide care, veterinary support, and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centre, the sanctuary added. At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment," says Vantaras statement. Vantara has promised to offer full help, including medical care and transport, if the court allows her return. It will also help set up a new elephant care centre for Madhuri in Kolhapurs Nandani area. This new place will follow animal care rules and expert advice. The proposed facility will be developed in accordance with the established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the High-Powered Committee and consensus of the Math, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care," says the statement. Whats the Madhuri controversy? Madhuri, a 36-year-old elephant, had lived at a Jain monastery in Kolhapur since 1992 and was loved by the local community. In 2023, PETA complained that she was sick and badly treated. A court-appointed team confirmed her health issues, such as arthritis and mental stress. Based on this, the Bombay High Court and the Supreme Court ordered her move to Vantara in July. The Centre is set to save 1,500 crore in rent annually as multiple government departments will move to a new location soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Wednesday. Speaking at an event at Kartavya Path hours after inaugurating Kartavya Bhavan, the first of the 10 upcoming state-of-the-art Common Central Secretariat buildings, PM Modi said that the government will rejuvenate infrastructure across the country. The Kartavya Bhavan will be the first to break away from the old British-era buildings, from where most government administrative offices function. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan of Central Vista project in Delhi Also Read | 5 key things to know about Kartavya Bhavan How will Centre save 1,500 crore? Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserted that the Kartavya Bhavan embodies the resolve to fulfil the nation's dreams, adding that the central government will save 1,500 cr rent annually after construction of 10 buildings of Common Central Secretariat. Which departments will the Kartavya Bhavan host? The Kartavya Bhavan will host seven government departments in its building. These include the ministries of Home Affairs, External Affairs, Rural Development, MSME, DoPT, Petroleum & Natural Gas, and the Principal Scientific Adviser's office. The 10 CCS buildings will house all the departments of the government, according to the Centre's plans. The plinth area of the Kartavya Bhavan-03 is 1.5 lakh square metres with a basement area of 40,000 square metres. Its parking lot can accommodate 600 cars. The HUA ministry said the Kartavya Bhavan-03 has a creche, a yoga room, a medical room, a cafe, a kitchen, and a multipurpose hall. It has 24 main conference rooms, each with a capacity to seat 45 people, 26 small conference rooms, each with a capacity to seat 25 people, 67 meeting rooms, and 27 lifts. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi to inaugurate Kartavya Bhavan today Centre's plans The government has plans to construct 10 buildings as part of the Common Central Secretariat (CCS) under the government's Central Vista redevelopment project. Flat owners of larger apartments must pay higher maintenance charges in housing complexes, in line with the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970, Bombay high court has ruled. The High Courts decision came during a recent hearing of a dispute involving Treasure Park, a residential complex in Pune with 356 flats across 11 buildings, Hindustan Times reported. The condominiums managing body had passed a resolution to collect equal maintenance charges from all flat owners, regardless of the flat size. Also Read | Madras HC rules plan proposed common area belongs to flat owners not builders However, the owners of smaller flats challenged this decision in 2022. They argued that it violated the law, which states that maintenance costs must be shared based on each owners undivided share of the apartment's common areas. The deputy registrar of co-operative societies agreed with the smaller flat owners and ordered the condominium to charge maintenance fees proportionally. Owners of the larger flats, unhappy with this order, first approached the Co-operative Court in Pune, but their case was dismissed in May 2022. They then moved the Bombay High Court. The lawyer of larger flat owners told the court that maintenance is used for common areas and amenities used equally by all residents, and that assuming bigger flats have more residentsand therefore must pay moreis unfair. The Bombay High Court disagreed. Justice Milind Jadhav said that both the law and the condominiums own declaration documents support proportionate maintenance based on apartment size. Thus, dismissing the petition, the court ruled that flat owners with larger homes must pay a larger share of the maintenance costs, as they hold a greater undivided interest in the common areas, according to Hindustan Times. Justice Milind Jadhav stated that maintenance costs must align with each owner's undivided share of common areas. The two terms -- flat and apartment -- are often used interchangeably. But these terms are defined differently under The Maharashtra Ownership Flats Act, 1971 and the Maharashtra Apartment Ownership Act, 1970. This distinction affects how maintenance is calculated. Also Read | Flat owners living without occupancy letter: 17 Gurugram projects get notices The union government has said it has no plans to introduce doorstep delivery of food grains under the public distribution system (PDS), even for vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled beneficiaries. The clarification comes amid growing calls from civil society groups and rights advocates for the government to ensure easier access to food entitlements for people with disabilities and senior citizens. In a written response to Lok Sabha on Wednesday, union minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution Pralhad Joshi said the existing framework of the PDS, governed by the National Food Security Act (NFSA), 2013, does not provide for delivering food grains directly to beneficiaries homes. The minister said operational responsibilitiessuch as lifting, transporting and distributing food grains to the doorsteps of fair-price shopsfell under the purview of state governments. While food grains were delivered to fair-price shops, it was the responsibility of beneficiaries to collect their entitlements from these outlets, he added. Feeding India's poorest Beneficiaries fall into one of two categories under the NFSA frameworkAntyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households and priority households (PHH), as determined by union and state guidelines, respectively. However, the act has no special provisions for disabled or elderly persons, and there is currently no proposal under consideration to extend doorstep delivery to them, the ministry said. There are at present about 81.35 crore beneficiaries under the Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which provides free food grains to both AAY and PHH households. The scheme was extended for five years from 1 January 2024. Each AAY household receives 35 kg of food grains a month, while each person in the PHH category receives 5 kg a month. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to China and Japan beginning around 29 August, people familiar with the matter told news agency PTI on 6 August. This will be PM Modi's first visit to China after the two neighbouring countries' ties came under severe strain following the 2020 military standoff in Galwan along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh. The visit will come in the wake of efforts by India and China to improve bilateral ties. A possible meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping is especially anticipated during the summit. The two leaders met last during the BRICS summit in Russia in October 2024. There is no official word on the visit yet. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi said last month during a joint press meeting with SCO Secretary-General Nurlan Yermekbayev that the SCO Tianjin Summit will be held from 31 August to 1 September, the state-run Xinhua news agency reported. SCO Summit on 31 August-1 September Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Russian President Vladimir Putin and other leaders of the SCO member states are expected to attend the summit. On 15 July, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met Chinese President Xi Jinping as part of a delegation of foreign ministers attending the meeting of the SCO. Jaishankar's visit to China is expected to lay the groundwork for PM Modis anticipated visit to Beijing for the SCO Leaders Summit. Also Read | PM Narendra Modi inaugurates Kartavya Bhavan of Central Vista project in Delhi "Apprised President Xi of the recent development of our bilateral ties, Jaishankar said in a post on X, accompanied by a picture of him shaking hands with Xi. The 2020 Galwan Valley standoff between India and China was the worst border clash in over 40 years, resulting in the death of soldiers on both sides. The incident sharply escalated tensions and brought bilateral ties to a historic low. The decision to revive the SR dialogue and other dormant channels was reportedly taken during a brief exchange between PM Modi and President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of a summit in Kazan, Russia, in October last year. There have been a few glimmers of positive movement, most notably the resumption of the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra after nearly five years. Japan in the first leg In the first leg of his trip, Narendra Modi is expected to visit Japan to hold annual summit talks with his Japanese counterpart. Parliament on Wednesday passed the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replacing a century-old colonial-era law with updated legislation designed to promote ease of doing business and make Indias shipping sector future-ready. The bill repeals the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The new legislation is part of the governments effort to modernize Indias legal framework by eliminating outdated colonial-era laws and aligning with global best practices to improve the ease of doing business. The bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, a globally accepted maritime standard also followed by countries like the UK. By replacing complexity with clarity, the legislation is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea. Also Read | Jane Street saga: Lessons for Dalal Street and Parliament Street Parliament passed two important legislationsthe Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, and the Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025effectively endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modis vision to modernize Indias maritime sector, both policy-wise and action-wise. Today, with the passage of the bills, the Modi governments push for Indias modern shipping gets double endorsement from the Parliament, said Sarbananda Sonowal, the Union minister of ports, shipping and waterways. The Lok Sabha earlier passed the Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024a progressive, future-ready legislation that replaces the outdated Merchant Shipping Act of 1958. The bill marks a significant step towards aligning Indias maritime legal framework with global standards and strengthening the countrys position as a trusted maritime trade hub. The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, was introduced in the upper house by Shantanu Thakur, the Union minister of state for ports, shipping and waterways. Also Read | Reform push: Insurance amendment bill heads to Parliament The repeal of this pre-Constitution era legislation and its replacement with a new legislation is a part of the greater initiative of this government to rid ourselves of all vestiges of colonial mindset and to ensure ease of understanding and ease of doing business through simple and rationalized laws," said Thakur. "This bill is not merely a statutory reformit reflects a broader philosophy of governance led by our prime minister to replace complexity with clarity, outdated norms with modern standards, and colonial remnants with forward-looking laws that serve the interests of a resurgent India, he added. The bill is a key step in making Indias maritime trade laws future-ready and compatible with international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK. Satyendar Jain gets clean chit: A special court on Monday accepted the Central Bureau of Investigation's (CBI) closure report filed in a 2018 case against an Aam Aadmi Party leader and former minister in Delhi and others related to alleged corruption in the hiring of a creative team for the department. The Rouse Avenue Court in Delhi noted that the "investigation found no criminal activity or wrongful loss to the government" in the case against Satyendar Jain. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh said the investigating agency has not found any incriminating evidence against Satyendar Jain and others over such a long period, and further proceedings would serve no useful purpose. What was the case against Satyendar Jain? The case against Satyendar Jain was related to alleged corruption in the hiring of a 17-member creative team for the PWD for various projects. The Delhi governments Directorate of Vigilance filed a complaint and, on May 29, 2019, the CBI registered an FIR. Also Read | Delhi court closes corruption case against Satyendar Jain after 4 years The case involving Sayendar Jain registered on a reference from the office of the Lieutenant Governor of the NCT of Delhi alleged irregularities in the hiring of professionals, misuse of project funds, and violations of recruitment and financial rules. It said that a Creative Team of consultants was brought on board without following proper procedures. "A preliminary enquiry was earlier conducted to look into the matter. It was alleged that the accused persons, while working in the capacity of public servants, deliberately changed the terms and conditions in the NIT so as to make the private company eligible for participating in the tender, a CBI spokesperson had said after filing the FIR on May 29, 2019, news agency PTI reported. The main allegation against Satyendar Jain was that Jain, the PWD minister and officials in the department, had ignored standard hiring practices followed by the government, altered the scope of work, and manipulated the process to favour an agency named M/s Soni Detective & Allied Services Private Limited. What did the investigation find? In the Satyendar Jain case, the central investigation agency probed aspects relating to hiring, including the need to hire professionals, the recruitment process, approvals, and the use of project funds. Four years after filing the FIR against Satyendar Jain, the CBI concluded that the need to hire professionals was justified. The agency filed a closure report, underlining that there was "no evidence of pecuniary advantage, conspiracy, or corruption." The agency found that the hiring process had begun with an advertisement that attracted 1,700 applications for the jobs, and that the selections were based on merit. Also Read | Arvind Kejriwal slams BJP after Gujarat AAP MLA Chaitar Vasava arrested The agency also found that the hiring of professionals was necessary due to urgent departmental needs and that no payments beyond approved limits had been made. No Criminal Activity "The total investigation found no criminal activity or wrongful loss to the government, nor any pecuniary benefit to M/s Soni Detectives. No evidence of quid pro quo or conspiracy has emerged, and the acts of public servants do not constitute fraudulent conduct," it said. Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh said that the hiring process by the ministry headed by Satyendar Jain was justified because PWD faced a shortage of specialised staff in areas like urban planning and graphic designing, where no sanctioned posts or recruitment rules existed, making direct recruitment unfeasible. "Therefore, hiring through an outsourcing agency was an accepted, common practice, the court noted. The agency said that the professionals were hired transparently through an open advertisement and interview process by a broad-based committee, including members from CPWD, DMRC, and HUDCO. It is also claimed that the qualifications of the selected candidates met general standards, many from reputed institutes, and some moved on to better jobs later, indicating no undue pecuniary advantage was gained, it had said. Selection of the agency was transparent The CBI investigation showed that the change in funding source was justified, as payments shifted from the Barapulla elevated corridor project to Mohalla Clinics. " The same creative team served both, with the latter being a priority project fully funded by GNCTD. The CBI said in the closure report that the agency's selection was transparent and fair giving Satyendar Jain and others a clean chit. Professionals from reputed institutes were hired, and the Engineer-in-Chief of PWD chaired the interview panel with other neutral officials to ensure fairness. Recommending the rejection of a protest petition against its report, the CBI told the court that the petition does not provide any sufficient prima facie evidence from investigations or otherwise, warranting further inquiry. The funds were used legitimately, with no misappropriation or mala fide intent, it said. "When the investigating agency has not found any incriminating evidence over such a long period to prove the commission of any offence, particularly under the POC Act, 1988, further proceedings would serve no useful purpose," Special Judge Dig Vinay Singh said. In the facts and circumstances mentioned above, in the absence of any evidence and sanction, the present final report for closure of the FIR is accepted, he said. What did Satyendar Jain say? AAP slammed the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) for allegedly framing its leaders, including Satyendar Jain in false cases and questioned who would compensate the families for the emotional distress caused by the serious corruption allegations. Remember, top AAP leaders including Arvind Kejriwal, Manish Sisodia, Sanjay Singh and Satyendar Jain are accused in corruption cases and have been to jail only to be released on bail by the Courts.Speaking to PTI Videos in Chandigarh, Satyendar Jain said that when raids were carried out at his residence in 2019, the CBI did not find anything. "This case was registered against me on May 29, 2019. My house was raided on May 30. It was national news at the time; every media channel was covering it. Everything was turned upside down. Books were searched. Even my children's bags were searched, but nothing was found," he recalled. Jain said the justice was delayed. "What my family had to face was not right. I am the son of a teacher. Arvind Kejriwal had told me that if I joined AAP, we might be sent to jail. I thought it was a joke, but later I understood politics. There was no case against me before I entered politics. We have become an example for the middle class that if you dare to join politics, this is what will happen to you," he said. What did other AAP leaders say? In a post on X in Hindi, former Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal asserted that all cases filed against his party leaders, including Satyendar Jain, are "false". "With time, the truth will come out in all these cases. False cases were filed against us, and we were sent to jail. Shouldn't those who filed these false cases, and those leaders who ordered these false cases, be sent to jail? We were smeared with mud day and night, our families had to endure so much pain what about compensating for all that?" the AAP supremo said on X. Senior AAP leader Manish Sisodia also posted on X after Satyendar Jain got a clean chit. Three things cannot remain hidden for long: the sun, the moon, and the truth. Gautam Buddha. No evidence found against Satyendar Jain: CBI, the former Deputy CM of Delhi said. "The BJP put in all its might, but victory always belongs to the truth. Satyameva Jayate. Are there other cases against Satyendar Jain? When the investigating agency has not found any incriminating evidence over such a long period... further proceedings would serve no useful purpose. Satyendar Jain is facing two other cases: one about the alleged disproportionate assets and another regarding the alleged corruption in a 571 crore project to install CCTV cameras in Delhi. Both cases against Satyendar Jain are being heard in Delhis Rouse Avenue court. Charges are yet to be framed in either of the two cases against Satyendar Jain. Former Bihar minister Tej Pratap Yadav on 5 August announced an alliance with five minor parties to contest the Bihar assembly elections scheduled later this year. He said those who make fun of him will fly in the air and further invited RJD and Congress to join his coalition. The national chiefs of the parties were also present during the press conference. List of 5 minor parties Vikas Vanchit Insaan Party (VVIP) Bhojpuriya Jan Morcha (BJM) Pragatisheel Janta Party (PJP) Wajib Adhikar Party (WAP) Sanyukt Kisan Vikas Party (SKVP). People are free to make fun of me, but I will tread my own path. Our coalition will move forward together to ensure social justice, social rights and the complete transformation of Bihar. If people give us the mandate, we will work towards the development of the state. We will work to fulfil the dreams of Ram Manohar Lohia, Karpoori Thakur and Jayaprakash Narayan, Tej Pratap stated. Tej Pratap, who was recently removed from RJD by his father and party supremo Lalu Prasad, mentioned he will contest from the Mahua seat, which he had served until 2020, when RJD moved him to Hasanpur. He added, People are supporting me, and a large number of people are now connected with my Team Tej Pratap Yadav, a social media platform to reach out to people. Tej Pratap's dismissal from RJD The former Bihar minister was dismissed from the party on 25 May by Lalu Prasad for six years, which came after he reportedly acknowledged being in a relationship with a woman named Anushka. Though he later deleted the social media post, alleging that his page was hacked. Lalu also cited Tej Pratap's irresponsible behaviour and disowned him. Tej Pratap accused a conspiracy designed to create a rift between him and his younger brother, Tejashwi Yadav. He shared his thoughts in multiple posts on his X account, blaming the turmoil on Jaichand, a symbolic name for traitors. His removal from the party occurred just months before the Bihar assembly elections, which the RJD will contest under Tejashwi Yadavs leadership. Tej Pratap and Tejashwi are two of the four siblings among nine who are actively engaged in politics. Born to Prasad and Rabri Devi, both former chief ministers of Bihar, Tej Pratap and Tejashwi are two of the four siblings who are actively engaged in politics. By Nikunj Ohri, Sarita Chaganti Singh and Shivam Patel NEW DELHI (Reuters) -India expects to lose a competitive advantage in about $64 billion worth of goods exported to the U.S. due to President Donald Trump's 25% tariff and an assumed 10% penalty for buying Russian oil, four sources told Reuters citing an internal assessment report by the government. India faces its most serious diplomatic crisis with the United States in years after Trump imposed the highest tariffs among Asian peers on goods imported from India, even before any penalty. A relatively low share of exports in India's $4 trillion economy is seen limiting the direct impact on growth to 40 basis points. The Reserve Bank of India left its GDP growth forecast for the current April-March financial year unchanged at 6.5% and held rates steady on Wednesday despite the uncertainty created by tariff hikes. The trade impact estimates were prepared by the Indian government after Trump announced the unexpectedly high tariff for Indian goods, along with the unspecified penalty. The Indian government in its assessment report has assumed a 10% penalty for buying Russian oil, taking the tariff to 35%, the four Indian government sources told Reuters. They declined to be identified because they were not authorised to speak to media. India's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Trump said on Wednesday his administration will decide on the penalty for buying Russian oil post the outcome of U.S. efforts to seek a last minute breakthrough in the Ukraine war. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow, two days before the expiry of a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to peace or face new sanctions. The impact of the tariff and possible penalty will be on nearly $64 billion worth of Indias exports to U.S that account for about 80% of total exports to the country, and it will lead to 'potential export losses' due to price disadvantages, the four sources said. The internal assessment report is the government's initial estimate and will change as the quantum of tariff by Trump becomes clear, all four sources said. India exported goods estimated at around $81 billion in 2024 to the U.S., including garments, pharmaceuticals, gems and jewellery, and petrochemicals, according to government data. The South Asian nation's goods exports to U.S. constituted 2% of GDP in 2024. Its total goods exports globally were at $443 billion in 2024. The proposed tariffs on India's high-value exports face "erosion of price competitiveness encountering intensified rivalry from countries subject to lower duties," two sources said citing the internal assessment. RUSSIA IN FOCUS India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Russia on a scheduled visit and is expected to discuss India's purchases of Russian oil in the wake of Trump's pressure on India to stop buying Russian crude, according to a government source. His visit will be followed by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in the weeks to come, amid India's attempts to placate Washington's concerns while balancing historical ties with Moscow. Doval is expected to discuss India's defence collaboration with Russia, including getting faster access to the pending units of S400 air defence system and President Vladimir Putin's visit to India. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The tariffs recently announced by the US could have a severe impact on Indias exports to the US. The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far more expensive in the US, with the potential to cut America-bound exports by 4050 per cent, think tank Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) said on Wednesday. The White House said earlier that the measures are imposed in response to Indias continued purchase of Russian oil, as reported by PTI. Consequences of new tariff On August 6, Washington announced an additional 25 per cent tariff on all Indian imports, on top of an existing 25 per cent duty, taking the total to 50 per cent from August 27. These new reciprocal tariffs come with their own set of consequences: Economic disadvantage: This move places India among the "most heavily" taxed US trading partners, putting it at a disadvantage compared to rivals such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, which face lower tariffs. Broad impact: The tariff threatens most of India's $86.5 billion in annual exports to America, from textiles to machinery. Adding to the consequences, Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI) Founder Ajay Srivastava said that China bought $62.6 billion of Russian oil in 2024, which is more than India's $52.7 billion, yet the country does not face any such penalties. Why is the US not targeting China? Washington avoids targeting Beijing because of China's dominance over critical minerals such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, which are crucial for US defence and technology, he said. Srivastava also added that the US has also overlooked its allies' trade with Russia such as the European Union (EU) which imported $39.1 billion of Russian goods last year, including $25.2 billion in oil. Uttarkashi cloudburst: Flash floods triggered by a cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district on Tuesday caused widespread devastation, sweeping away homes, shops, and roads. By Wednesday, the death toll had risen to five, while several people were reported missing in the aftermath. Here are the top ten updates on the Uttarkhashi flood: 1. Two cloudbursts, one in Dharali and the other in the Sukhi Top area, led to extensive damage, with Dharali being the worst affected. The region also reportedly experienced mudslides and flash floods. Mohsen Shahedi, DIG, NDRF says, As per the information received, four people have lost their lives and over 50 people are reported missing. Flash floods were also reported in two places in Harsil and Sukhi Top. Around 11 Army jawans are reported missing in Harsil. There have been no casualties in Sukhi Top... Rishikesh-Uttarkashi Highway is affected, which is why the movement is very slow. Due to road blockage at several places, teams are facing difficulties in reaching the spot. Our teams are ready in Dehradun to airlift the affected people 2. Railway SP Aruna Bharti said, At around 6.30-6.45 pm, debris and small boulders fell (on the track). Some wires broke. There have been no casualties or injuries... Janta Express is halted at Harrawala, and police are at the spot... The scheduled trains are asked not to commence the journey... It may take 4-5 hours more to clear the track... Four to five trains are affected... Different wings of the railway department are here for rescue operations... RPF and police are here 3. SDRF Commander Arpan Yaduvanshi said, Around 70-80 people have been rescued and taken to safe spots in Gangotri... Another team of paramedics and a dog squad with advanced rescue equipment will also reach the spot soon... A total of 80-85 SDRF personnel will reach the spot late at night or by early morning tomorrow... Rescue and search operation by SDRF is underway at a war-footing level 4. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heavy rainfall across the state, especially in the hill districts, over the next three days. IMD on Tuesday evening forecasted heavy rainfall in the hilly districts of Uttarakhand. (Source: IMD/X) 5. In a press release on Tuesday evening, the IMD said that 'isolated heavy rainfall is likely over Uttarakhand during August 69.' Between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. on August 5, Sankari in Uttarkashi recorded the highest rainfall at 4.3 cm. Other areas reported the following: Barkot: 2.9 cm, Naugaon: 2.6 cm, Jan Ki Chatti: 2.0 cm, Harsil: 0.8 cm, and Gangotri: 0.1 cm, noted the IMD. Heavy rainfall warnings remain in effect across the state for the coming days. (Photo: IMD/X) 6. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said on Tuesday that 130 people trapped in the affected areas have been taken to safe locations. "SDRF, NDRF, Army and ITBP teams are on the spot, " he said. 7. Several homes, hotels, and shops have been destroyed, with many more damaged. Earlier in the afternoon, a massive mudslide struck the Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement, the Indian Army's Surya Command said, as reported by ANI. 8. BJP MP Ajay Bhatt has confirmed that rescue teams are working around the clock, with two helicopters on standby in Sarsawa and two Chinooks in Chandigarh, ready to assist as soon as the weather clears. 9. "We have a report of 4 missing, Our priority is to rescue the people. The teams are working to rescue the people during the night too... Two helicopters are on standby in Sarsawa, and two Chinooks are on standby in Chandigarh. Medical and food arrangements have been made... We are doing everything we can, but no one can control natural disasters... We pray that more and more people are rescued safely," the BJP MP told ANI. We are doing everything we can, but no one can control natural disasters... We pray that more and more people are rescued safely. 10. Indian Air Force officials have also confirmed that Chinook Mi-17 V5, Cheetah and ALH helicopters are on active standby at the Chandigarh air base for the relief operations in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The choppers are ready with the required equipment and material and would take off as soon as the weather clears up in the affected areas. CMS IndusLaw has denied the Bar Council of Indias allegations regarding the law firms violations of the Indian legal and regulatory framework. We strongly refute any imputation that rules have been breached. We are an independent Indian law firm practising only Indian law. CMS IndusLaw remains fully within the bounds of all applicable rules and regulations, it said. The law firm's denial follows a BCI circular that called the alliance between CMS and IndusLaw unauthorized, unregistered and impermissible. The BCI has noted with grave concern that certain foreign law firms, in association with Indian law firms, are holding themselves out as unified or integrated global legal service platformsThe Council affirms that such structures, if implemented and operationalized without prior registration under the Bar Council of India Rules for Registration and Regulation of Foreign Lawyers and Foreign Law Firms in India, 2023are impermissible, the BCI said in a statement on Monday. On 28 May, IndusLaw announced its much-awaited strategic alliance with global law firm CMS. The partnership aims to boost IndusLaws international reach while giving CMS a foothold in a market previously closed to foreign legal players. The Bar Council raised concerns that these pacts are often structured through Swiss Vereins, strategic alliances, exclusive referral models, or joint branding initiatives, which are then publicly promoted under combined identities, thereby portraying to clients and the public at large a de facto integrated legal practice across jurisdictions, including within India. Swiss Vereins is a legal partnership model that allows two companies to work under one brand name, but maintain separate financial and legal identities. Also Read | Mint Explainer: Why Bar Council is reviewing rules on foreign law firms Meanwhile, since a show-cause notice has been issued to the law firm, CMS IndusLaw said, The BCI notice and press release appear to be based on misconception and surmises that we will address appropriately in our response. Further, the council clarified that continuing to use combined branding like CMS INDUSLAW could be considered aprima facie violation and an aggravating factor in future liability determination. CMS is an international law firm based in Germany with 72 offices in 41 countries. It offers advice to a wide range of clients, from multinationals to startups. The BCI reiterated that the regulatory framework adopted in May 2025 does allow foreign lawyers and firms to practice foreign or international law in Indiasubject to reciprocity, BCI registration and strict prohibition on practising Indian law or litigation unless fully compliant with the BCI rules. New Delhi: Indias top medical education regulator has flagged serious irregularities in student admissions for the 2024-25 academic year, prompting an urgent directive for all medical colleges to re-examine their student data. The move by the National Medical Commission (NMC) comes amid an ongoing Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into alleged corruption within the body itself. The NMC's Undergraduate Medical Education Board (UGMEB) found that numerous medical colleges had submitted incorrect student information, including student IDs that simply dont exist. In a public notice, the regulator listed a series of specific entry numbers where these errors were found, highlighting the scale of the problem. Also Read | Health ministry wants key NMC posts filled before academic session To fix these issues, the NMC has given all medical colleges and students seven days to report any discrepancies. The regulator said that colleges must ensure that their student records are accurate, while students who have been admitted but whose names are missing from the list are urged to contact their respective college, the Directorate of Medical Education, or the counselling authority immediately. This call to action follows the NMC's request in May that all colleges submit lists of admitted MBBS students to verify and maintain an official record. The discovery of these wrong entries has raised serious concerns about the integrity of the admission process. An official with knowledge of the matter, who wished not to be named, said that while some errors could be accidental, it's more likely that colleges are admitting students who don't meet the merit criteria. Such issues are largely reported in private medical colleges, the official said, adding that some institutions may be admitting students with significantly lower ranks. Also Read | Plan to fill medical teaching posts with retired army, railways docs The official explained that the NMC's system of collecting and verifying admission data is a key measure to ensure that only eligible candidates are admitted. If colleges don't fix these errors, they could face stiff penalties, including the cancellation of double the number of MBBS seats in the next academic year, the official warned. Monetary fines, the official noted, are less of a deterrent than losing seats. This issue has come to light as India's medical education sector continues to grow. There are now 779 medical colleges compared to 387 in 2014. The number of MBBS seats has also risen by 39% since the 2020-21 academic year, from 83,275 to 115,900 by 2025. Also Read | Centre fills key vacant positions at NMC With 1.38 million registered allopathic doctors in India, the need for a transparent and error-free admissions process has never been more critical. Kalaam Telecom Group, a regional provider of digital infrastructure and ICT solutions, has announced a strategic partnership with Silah Gulf, a customer experience and business process outsourcing provider, to jointly advance digital innovation and elevate service delivery standards across the region. The partners say that this strategic collaboration brings together Kalaam's robust telecom, digital and cloud infrastructure with Silah Gulf's deep-rooted expertise in customer engagement and operational excellence. The partnership aims to deliver comprehensive digital solutions that support business transformation and drive efficiency across diverse industries in Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait. Under the terms of the partnership, both companies will collaborate on developing integrated digital services with a particular focus on unified communications, fixed telecom, and cloud-based platforms tailored to the evolving needs of government and enterprise clients. Headquartered in Bahrain for over 19 years, Kalaam Telecom has developed a strong regional footprint made possible through its strategic acquisitions. It is now a one-stop solutions provider expanding its operations in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the UAE and Jordan to cater more efficiently to regional enterprises. Among its offerings, Kalaam Carrier Solutions, its focused carrier brand, is one of the largest regional networks covering 80% of the MENA region, while Kalaams terrestrial network KNOT connects the GCC countries. The network further connects into the EIG submarine cable that spans more than 12 countries. Also headquartered in Bahrain, Silah launched in 2009, as a joint venture in the Middle East by Bahrains government and Mumtalakat, the sovereign wealth fund of Bahrain. It has operations in Bahrain, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. In a major victory for the ruling DMK in Tamil Nadu, the Supreme Court on Wednesday struck down a Madras High Court order that had barred the state government from using the names and images of current and former chief ministers in its public welfare schemes. The apex court also imposed a penalty of 10 lakh on AIADMK leader C Ve Shanmugam, calling his original petition an abuse of the process of law. Also Read | Panneerselvam snaps ties with NDA hours after morning walk with MK Stalin What did the Supreme Court say? A three-judge bench led by Chief Justice B R Gavai, along with Justices K Vinod Chandran and N V Anjaria, observed that the plea filed against the DMK government was unwarranted. The Supreme Court said there was no legal bar preventing the use of names or photos of living persons in welfare scheme promotion, unless it violated specific statutory provisions. Calling the litigation frivolous, the Supreme Court set aside the July 31 order of the Madras High Court and ruled that elected governments are allowed to publicise welfare schemes, even if they include the name of the sitting Chief Minister. Also Read | MK Stalin discharged from hospital after undergoing angiogram procedure | Watch Why did Madras High Court impose restrictions? The Madras High Court, responding to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by Shanmugam, had earlier directed the Tamil Nadu government not to name any welfare scheme after living individuals, including current or former chief ministers. The Madras High Court also barred the use of portraits, party symbols, or the DMK flag in promotional material. The High Court clarified that while the Tamil Nadu government could continue to roll out and implement welfare schemes, the naming and promotional content should remain neutral and devoid of political branding. What was the controversy around Ungaludan Stalin? The PIL had taken aim at the DMKs flagship outreach programme Ungaludan Stalin (With You, Stalin), arguing that it amounted to political self-promotion using public funds. The petitioner claimed the scheme violated norms of neutrality and misused administrative power for political mileage. The programme, which involves direct engagement between Chief Minister M K Stalin and citizens, has been one of the partys high-profile initiatives aimed at strengthening its grassroots connect. Has the Centre used leaders images in schemes too? Yes prominently. The use of Prime Minister Narendra Modis image in central welfare schemes and public programmes has long drawn both political praise and criticism. From the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana to free ration distribution during the pandemic, Modis photo has routinely appeared on posters, banners, ration bags, vaccination certificates, and promotional materials. Also Read | Labour welfare schemes extend support to over 50 lakh unorganised workers across India One of the most widely debated instances was during the COVID-19 vaccination campaign, where the government added PM Modis photo and a message on every vaccination certificate issued via the CoWIN platform. Critics argued that the move politicised a public health initiative, prompting legal challenges including one before the Kerala High Court, which ultimately declined to interfere. Senior Congress MP Shashi Tharoor has sharply criticised US President Donald Trumps latest move to impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian imports, calling the action a double standard and not a particularly friendly gesture from a country India considered an ally. Shashi Tharoors remarks came in the wake of a White House executive order targeting Indian exports over New Delhis purchase of Russian oil despite similar or greater volumes being imported by other nations like China. Why is Shashi Tharoor questioning US decision? Speaking to reporters, Congress MP Shashi Tharoor pointed out the apparent inconsistency in the Donald Trump administrations approach. Uranium, palladium there are various things they (the US) are importing from Russia, he said, adding that China has received a 90-day waiver on similar energy-related restrictions. The Chinese are importing far more Russian oil than we are. This, Tharoor argued, raises serious questions about Washingtons fairness and intent. Clearly, this has not been a particularly friendly gesture from a country we thought was well disposed towards us, an administration that we thought was well disposed, he said. There is certainly a likelihood that there will be some pressure within India now to impose comparable reciprocal tariffs on American exports, he said. We will have to learn our lessons from this experience. What does this mean for India-US trade relations? Shashi Tharoors comments reflect growing discontent in Indias political circles over what is being seen as a targeted and unfair escalation by the Trump administration. The decision comes even as India maintains that its Russian oil imports are driven by market conditions and aimed at ensuring energy security for 1.4 billion citizens. Trump, meanwhile, has intensified pressure on countries engaging with Moscow, as his attempts to push for a Ukraine ceasefire continue to falter. In an interview this week, he accused India of fuelling the war machine and hinted that further penalties could follow. Is a shift in Indias trade strategy on the cards? With the US taking an increasingly hard line, Shashi Tharoor hinted at the need for a broader reassessment of Indias global trade priorities. I think were going to have to really start looking at other trading partners much more in these circumstances, he said, suggesting that India may begin to diversify its export and import dependencies. US imposes 50% tariff on Indian imports US President Donald Trump imposed an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods over its purchase of Russian energy, the White House said Wednesday, hours after talks between Washington and Moscow over the war in Ukraine failed to yield a breakthrough. The new levy which will stack on top of a 25% country-specific tariff set to be implemented overnight will take effect within 21 days, according to an executive order signed by Trump. A Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) member in the Rajya Sabha has raised concerns about GAY as the IATA identifier code for Gaya International Airport in Bihar. The Rajya Sabha MP Bhim Singh's complaint calling the code GAY as socially and culturally offensive has sparked backlash from LGBTQ activists who say his remarks reinforce prejudice against the community. Also Read | PM Modi, top BJP leaders attend key NDA Parliamentary meeting On 4 August, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Singh submitted a written query to Parliament questioning why the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for the Bihar airport remains in use when people find it uncomfortable. The MP from Bihar asked whether the government would consider changing it to a more respectful and culturally appropriate code and sought a timeline for any such process. What did the Ministry say? In response, Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol, in a written reply, said the three-letter airport codes once assigned are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns. On 4 August, during the ongoing Monsoon Session of Parliament, Singh submitted a written query to Parliament questioning why the International Air Transport Association (IATA) code for the Bihar airport remains in use when people find it uncomfortable The three-letter airport codes, also known as IATA location identifiers, are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) to facilitate the identification of airports across various travel-related systems and processes. What are IATA codes? Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol said in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday that these codes are generally assigned using the first three letters of the location's name where the airport is situated. He also mentioned that the Ministry of Civil Aviation and the Airports Authority of India received requests to change Gaya's code in the past. IATA location codes are primarily intended for commercial airline operations and are issued at the request of airline operators. Air India had earlier approached IATA seeking a change of the existing airport code. However, IATA has conveyed that under the provisions of IATA Resolution 763, assigned three-letter codes are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns, Mohol said in the reply. LGBTQ activists take offence LGBTQ activists have condemned Singhs characterisation of the code as offensive, arguing it reflects deep-rooted prejudice rather than legitimate cultural concerns. Also Read | Supreme Court Mulls LGBTQ Schoolbooks Amid Religious Rights Push Arvind Narrain, an LGBTQ activist, pointed to the Supreme Courts 2018 ruling that decriminalised same-sex relationships and recognised LGBTQI persons right to dignity. The members description of us as immoral strips the community of dignity, he told Hindustan Times. They need to educate themselves that as per the Supreme Court, what governs is not personal morality but constitutional morality. He should apologise to the community. The members description of us as immoral strips the community of dignity. Rajesh Srinivas, another LGBTQ activist, dismissed the need for any change. The airport code does not require a change as there is nothing culturally inappropriate about it. The discomfort with the term stems from deeply ingrained prejudice, Srinivas told Hindustan Times. United States President Donald Trump on Tuesday, August 5, said that he had no knowledge of American imports of Russian Chemicals and fertilizers as he criticises India for its business ties with Moscow. When asked about US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilizers, Donald Trump casually replied, I don't know anything about it. I have to check. The no knowledge of it came after India claimed that US continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals and a day after Donald Trump announced that he would substantially raise tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian energy. In a post on Truth Social, Donald Trump said, India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!! Also Read | Why Trumps oil deal with Pakistan has experts stumped Earlier, the United States had imposed 25 per cent reciprocal tariffs on India. He had also announced additional penalties for its Russian energy imports, accusing New Delhi of fueling Russia's war on Ukraine. 'Unjustified and unreasonable' The Ministry of External Affairs strongly reacted to Trump's tariff threat, terming it unjustified and unreasonable. India asserted its imports from Russia were in accordance with market requirements and energy security, particularly following Western nations redirected traditional supplies to Europe after the Ukraine conflict. The statement said, In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion. It added, Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. A professor of Indian-origin at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) has come under investigation after a video allegedly showing him being confronted in an online child predator sting went viral. The man in question, Nisarg Jaydeep Shah, is an associate professor specialising in immunoengineering and nanoscale materials, with academic credentials from MIT and Harvard, San Diego Ville reported. The incident came to light after a video posted by a California-based vigilante group called People vs. Predators began circulating widely on social media. The group claims to expose online child predators by posing as underage individuals on dating apps. Caught on Camera: 'I f***ed up' In the video, activist Tim Johnson, who claims to have exposed over 500 alleged predators, is seen confronting Shah at a local supermarket. Johnson accuses Shah of planning to meet a 14-year-old boy, with whom he had allegedly exchanged sexually explicit messages on the dating app Grindr. Screenshots shared by the activist show a user, alleged to be Shah, claiming to be 28 years old and continuing sexually explicit chats even after the decoy revealed they were bout to be 15. Shah, appearing visibly shaken during the confrontation, is heard saying: I feel horrible the worst Ive ever felt. I f***ed up. I need to get help or something, maybe. In extended footage filmed outside the store, Shah admits to bringing personal lubricant and a douche, allegedly to help the person get ready. No charges yet, but police confirm investigation While a photo appears to show Shah in handcuffs, SanDiegoVille reports he was briefly detained at the scene and later released. The San Diego Police Department (SDPD) has confirmed that its Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) unit is actively investigating the matter. However, they cautioned against citizen-led sting operations. Our ICAC unit will typically not work with civilians acting as undercover operatives and does not condone such activities, said Lt Travis Easter, noting that these investigations require extensive legal training. University responds UC San Diego has acknowledged the incident and stated it is cooperating fully with authorities. The university stressed its zero-tolerance policy for sexual misconduct and commitment to campus safety. Emergency teams treated the soldiers at the scene before rushing them to Winn Army Community Hospital. Some were later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for advanced care, though their conditions remain undisclosed . Within 35 minutes, military police apprehended the shooterreportedly an active-duty male soldierending the threat . No fatalities were reported among the victims or responders. Chaos erupted as sirens blared across the 280,000-acre base near Savannah. At 11:04 a.m., Fort Stewart officials locked all gates and issued a shelter-in-place order for 10,000+ residents, including families and civilian workers . Three on-base elementary schools with 1,400 students sealed their classrooms, while three nearby public schools also implemented lockdowns "out of an abundance of caution" . Social media footage showed soldiers sprinting to cover as alarms wailed . The lockdown partially lifted by 12:10 p.m., though the 2nd Armored Brigade area remained secured as investigators combed the scene . FBI agents joined Army Criminal Investigation Division detectives to determine the motive . Fort Stewarthome to the Armys 3rd Infantry Divisiontrains and deploys combat units globally . The "Spartan Brigade," where the shooting occurred, is a 4,200-soldier force modernized with 200+ armored vehicles in 2016. US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Russian President Vladimir Putin for three hours in Moscow on Wednesday, just two days before President Trumps deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire. Kremlin calls meeting constructive but Putin unlikely to accept ceasefire terms The Kremlin called talks "constructive and useful," saying both sides exchanged "signals" about ending the war . Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomacy experience, was greeted by Putins investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, who later tweeted Dialogue will prevail. Though details remain secret until Witkoff reports to Trump, sources suggest Russia might offer a temporary halt to air strikes. This falls short of Ukraines demand for a full ceasefire. The meeting happened amid brutal fighting. Hours earlier, Russian bombs hit a Ukrainian holiday camp, killing two and wounding 12, including children. President Zelenskyy called it cruelty to intimidate. Despite Trumps threats, Russia set record attacks in July, firing over 6,400 missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities . Trump has threatened "severe tariffs" on countries buying Russian oil, like India and China, if Putin doesnt agree to peace by August 8. He already moved two nuclear submarines closer to Russia after ex-President Medvedev warned of possible US-Russia conflict. Putin demands Ukraine never join NATO, accept Russian land grabs, and stay neutral, terms Zelenskyy rejects. Meanwhile, US President Trump admitted Russia is "wily" at dodging sanctions, though Ukraine insists theyre hurting Moscows war machine. All eyes now turn to Friday. If no deal comes, Trump may impose tariffs on Russian oil buyerspotentially triggering global economic waves . Zelenskyy urged stronger pressure, stating: Russia will only genuinely seek peace once they feel adequate pressure. Though NATO coordinates weapons shipments to Ukraine, the US isnt sending arms under Trump . Witkoff, who also handles Gaza and Iran talks, faces his toughest test yet. Also Read | Trump imposes additional 25% tariff on India over Russian oil imports Sean Diddy Combs has reached out to President Donald Trump for a pardon, according to one of his attorneys. In an exclusive interview with CNN on Tuesday, Nicole Westmoreland, a member of Combs legal defense team, confirmed that discussions have taken place with the Trump administration. Its my understanding that weve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon, Westmoreland stated. Trump has indicated, however, that he is unlikely to grant a pardon to the 55-year-old Combs. "I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great and he seemed like a nice guy," Trump said in an interview on Friday with Newsmax. "I didn't know him well, but when I ran for office, he was very hostile." Asked if that meant he was not inclined to pardon Combs, Trump said: "I would say so, yeah." In June, a jury found Combs guilty of two federal charges related to transporting someone for prostitution. However, he was cleared of more serious charges, including racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. He could now face up to 20 years in prison, with sentencing set for October 3. Prosecutors havent yet revealed what sentence they will request, but theyve previously said it could be substantially higher than the minimum range of 51 to 63 months. Stanford University recently announced layoffs of over 360 employees due to funding issues. Citing budget constraints, the university said that the federal funding policies of US President Donald Trump prompted this major decision, Reuters reported. Stanford is making budget reductions In an email on Tuesday, university spokesperson Luisa Rapport responded to media reports on the layoffs, saying, Stanford is in the process of making budget reductions. The statement added, "Last week, many schools and units made staff workforce reductions. In total, 363 layoffs occurred." This comes after the Trump administration threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against US ally Israel. With respect to recent budget decisions, Stanford President Jonathan Levin and Provost Jenny Martinez issued a statement last week saying that the Silicon Valley school is facing a challenging fiscal environment shaped in large part by federal policy changes affecting higher education. Also Read | Hacked Columbia University Data Includes Banking Numbers, GPAs Among a number of elite institutions under scrutiny, the Silicon Valley school has come under the Trump administration's radar over a range of issues, including whether its policies comply with a 2023 Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action in college admissions. Crackdown on other elite institutions In June, the Californian university claimed that, in the face of "a challenging fiscal environment shaped in large part by federal policy changes affecting higher education," it was forced to make $140 million reduction in the general funds budget for the upcoming academic year. Also Read | Telangana: 956 degrees conferred at Mahindra Universitys 4th annual convocation These budget-cutting measures come in the wake of significant funding freezes for the University of California, Los Angeles. The federal government froze more than $330 million in funding, alleging that the university authorities were unsuccessful in nurturing a friendly environment for Jewish and Israeli students. The situation on the campus pointed to hostilities towards the US ally Israel since campus protests and agitations erupted after the start of the war in Gaza. United States President Donald Trump on August 5 denied his own earlier statement of imposing 100% tariffs on countries procuring Russian oil, stating "he never said a percentage" and would see what unfolds over the next period after holding a meeting with Russia. "I never said a percentage, but we'll be doing quite a bit of that. We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of time... We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We're going to see what happens..." Trump stated during a press conference at the White House, which was mainly organised to talk about the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. What did Trump say last month? In July, Trump said 100% secondary tariffs would be imposed on countries that procure Russian exports unless Moscow decides for a major peace deal with Ukraine in 50 days, a deadline that would end in early September. Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has cautioned US President Donald Trump against burning a relationship with a strong ally like India after him saying that the US will substantially hike tariffs over oil imports from Russia. She added he had given China a pass. Also Read | Why Trumps oil deal with Pakistan has experts stumped Haley pointed out that China is an opponent of the United States and number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil and even then it has been provided with a 90-day tariff halt by the Trump government. "India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," she mentioned. Haley was the final major contender to exit the Republican presidential primary race last year. Trump stated he would raise the tariff charged on imports from India from the existing rate of 25% "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's non-stop purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. "They're fueling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump informed CNBC in an interview, Reuters report noted. OpenWay, a provider of digital payment software solutions, has expanded into Francophone Africa, saying it will empower banks and fintechs in the region with access to its payment technology and local service infrastructure. OpenWay is taking two strategic steps in Francophone Africa. Firstly it is Making its Way4 platform available to banks and fintechs throughout the region. Way4 has already been chosen by financial leaders in Africa such as Equity Bank in Kenya and rising fintech SanuPay in Ethiopia. In this case, OpenWay has signed a long-term technology partnership with a leading tier-1 bank in Morocco to support its ambitious digital transformation roadmap. Way4 offers capabilities that enable financial institutions to launch digital-first, real-time, 24/7 payment services across issuing, acquiring, and processing and also to accelerate time-to-market with flexible, configurable architecture. In addition it allows them to consolidate all payment products cards, digital wallets, A2A transfers, merchant services, crypto, and CBDC on a single platform. OpenWay says Way4 also enables financial institutions to ensure enterprise-grade security, reliability and compliance and to seamlessly scale operations across regions and continents without functional constraints To provide tailored support, OpenWay is forming a dedicated local team in Francophone North Africa. Clients in Morocco and Tunisia can now benefit from regional service reinforced by OpenWays global delivery expertise and a deep bench of industry specialists. This local presence is further enhanced by collaboration with partners and professionals from sub-Saharan Africa. President Donald Trump took to Truth Social on Wednesday (August 6) to declare that he is the only US presidentaside from George Washingtonto donate his presidential salary, while also touting recent renovations at the White House. "I am proud to be the only President (with the possible exception of the Late, Great George Washington) to donate my Salary," Trump wrote. "My first 'Paycheck' went to the White House Historical Association, as we make much needed renovations to the beautiful 'Peoples House.'" Trump emphasised that major improvements and beautification efforts are underway at the White House, calling them "great improvements at levels not seen since its original creation." While several presidents, including John F. Kennedy and Herbert Hoover, also donated their salaries, Trump continues to frame his contributions as unique in modern presidential history. The White House Historical Association, which received Trumps first paycheck, is a nonprofit organization that helps fund preservation and restoration efforts at the executive residence. The Trump administration has frozen $584 million in federal grants for UCLA, more than double earlier estimates, threatening hundreds of research projects. Chancellor Julio Frenk announced the massive cut Wednesday, revealing that agencies like the National Science Foundation (NSF) and National Institutes of Health (NIH) suspended funding over claims of antisemitism on campus. UCLA is the first public university targeted this way, following similar moves against private schools like Harvard and Columbia. Frenk warned the freeze would be "devastating for Americans nationwide," impacting studies on diseases, clean energy, and national security. The freeze affects 800 grants, including life-saving organ transplant research pioneered at UCLA. The cuts followed a U.S. Department of Justice report accusing UCLA of ignoring antisemitism during 2024 pro-Palestinian protests, despite the university recently paying a $6 million settlement to Jewish students over the same encampment. Federal agencies gave conflicting justifications: the NSF cited "misaligned priorities," while the Department of Energy bizarrely claimed UCLA "endangers women" by allowing transgender athletes and uses "illegal affirmative action" in admissions. UC President James Milliken slammed the move, stating: "These cuts do nothing to address antisemitism" and would be a "death knell" for medical and scientific breakthroughs. UCLA has created a safety office and antisemitism task force since the protests. Under pressure, the University of California agreed to negotiate with the Trump administration before a September 2 lawsuit deadline . The talks aim to restore funding, but precedents are worrying: Columbia paid $200 million and Brown University paid $50 million to regain their grants. Over 3,000 UCLA staff attended an emergency town hall Monday, with Vice Chancellor Roger Wakimoto warning that researchers cant even access existing funds for critical work . Frenk, whose family fled Nazi Germany, stressed UCLAs reforms but called the freeze a "cruel manipulation" unrelated to fighting hate . California Governor Gavin Newsom blasted Trump for weaponizing Jewish students pain. US envoy Steve Witkoff held a three-hour meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday, a White House official confirmed, describing the discussions as positive. Despite the encouraging tone, the trump administration is still set to move forward with a new round of secondary sanctions on Russia this Friday. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday, the official stated, signaling that diplomatic engagement is not slowing Washingtons punitive measures. The White House did not offer further details about the content of the Witkoff-Putin talks but said the visit is part of broader efforts to engage in strategic diplomacy while maintaining pressure on the Kremlin. Mission focus: Ukraine war breakthrough Witkoffs trip to Moscow was aimed at exploring potential diplomatic breakthroughs in the ongoing Ukraine conflict. The war, now entering its fourth year, began with Russias full-scale invasion in February 2022 and has since triggered a cascade of international sanctions and growing geopolitical tensions. Trump hails 'highly productive' talks US President Donald Trump announced that his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, held a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, aimed at breaking the deadlock in the ongoing war in Ukraine. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said, My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter! (Bloomberg) -- President Donald Trumps additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil could be just the first shot he aims at Moscows energy revenues ahead of a Friday deadline, as the US weighs options to get President Vladimir Putin to end the war against Ukraine. In addition to punishing buyers of Russian energy with tariffs, the Trump administration is considering new sanctions on Moscows covert fleet of oil tankers and several entities that enable them to operate, according to people familiar with the matter, who spoke before the administration posted the executive order on India tariffs to social media. Earlier Wednesday, Putin concluded a three-hour meeting with US envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin as Russia worked to avert the ongoing penalties. The Russian leader exchanged signals with Trump on Ukraine at the meeting with the envoy, Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov told reporters, without elaborating. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said there would be an announcement on Russia fairly soon with more discussions happening throughout the day after he was briefed by Witkoff on the phone following the Putin meeting, a CNN reporter said on X. West Texas Intermediate swung between gains and losses to trade near $65 a barrel after Rubios reported comment. Oil fluctuated in choppy trading as traders await news on whether Trump will take further action to choke Russian energy flows. Trump spoke with Ukraine President Volodymr Zelenskiy on Wednesday, according to a report by Axios. The outlet also said the US still expected to implement secondary sanctions on Friday despite the Witkoff-Putin conversation going well, citing a White House official. The Russian vessels have become instrumental to its ability to move its oil despite US and European sanctions. The shadow tanker fleet is the backbone of Russias sanctions evasion and war financing, Andriy Yermak, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys chief of staff, said on the X platform. The Financial Times first reported the potential measures on Russias shadow fleet. The people said the Trump administration is considering a range of options to restrict Putins energy revenues. Other possibilities could include measures targeting oil companies and actions to better enforce existing restrictions. --With assistance from Catherine Lucey and Gregory White. (Updates with Rubio comment, other details in fourth through sixth paragraphs.) More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com An Indian-origin taxi driver in Ireland has become the latest victim of a violent, unprovoked attack in Dublin, prompting an investigation by local police (Gardai). Lakhvir Singh, who has lived in Ireland for over 23 years, said he was assaulted by two young men in their 20s after dropping them off in Poppintree, Ballymun, on Friday night, PTI reported. Disclaimer: Mint will not publish the video due to its violent content. According to Singh, the men struck him twice on the head with a bottle before fleeing the scene, reportedly yelling, Go back to your own country. Very hard to go back, my children are scared: Victim In 10 years I've never seen anything like this happen, Singh told Dublin Live. I'm really scared now, and I'm off the road at the moment. It will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared, he said. A Dublin police spokesperson said Singh was taken to the city's Beaumont Hospital with injuries determined as not life-threatening. Gardai are investigating an assault reported to have occurred in Poppintree, Ballymun, Dublin 11 at approximately 11:45 pm on Friday, 1st August 2025. A man, aged in his 40s, was brought to Beaumont Hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injury. Investigations are ongoing, the spokesperson said. Rising cases of attacks on Indians in Ireland The incident followed an Indian Embassy advisory, also issued on Friday, expressing safety concerns following recent attacks in and around the capital Dublin and urging Indian citizens to take safety precautions. "There has been an increase in the instances of physical attacks reported against Indian citizens in Ireland recently, states the advisory. The embassy is in touch with the authorities concerned in Ireland in this regard. At the same time, all Indian citizens in Ireland are advised to take reasonable precautions for their personal security and avoid deserted areas, especially at odd hours," the statement reads, adding emergency embassy contact details as 0899423734 and cons.dublin@mea.gov.in. It came in the wake of a brutal attack on a 40-year-old Indian man at Parkhill Road in the Tallaght suburb of Dublin on July 19, described as mindless, racist violence by locals. The Gardai had opened an investigation into the case and Indian Ambassador to Ireland Akhilesh Mishra was among those who took to social media to express shock over the attack. Regarding the recent incident of physical attack on an Indian national that happened in Tallaght, Dublin, the embassy is in touch with the victim and his family. All the requisite assistance is being offered. The embassy is also in touch with the relevant Irish authorities in this regard, the embassy said in a social media post days after the incident. A Stand Against Racism protest was also held by the local community in condemnation of what was described as a vicious racist attack and to express solidarity with migrants. Last week, Dr Santosh Yadav took to LinkedIn to post details of a brutal, unprovoked racist attack. The entrepreneur and AI expert stressed that it was not an isolated incident and called for concrete measures from the governments of Ireland and India to ensure Indians feel safe to walk the streets of Dublin. His post revealed that a group of six teenagers attacked him from behind as he walked to his apartment in Dublin. This is not an isolated incident. Racist attacks on Indian men and other minorities are surging across Dublin on buses, in housing estates, and on public streets. Yet, the government is silent. There is no action being taken against these perpetrators. They run free and are emboldened to attack again, reads Yadav's post. I'm really scared now, and I'm off the road at the moment. It will be very hard to go back. My children are really scared. Fine Gael party Councillor for Tallaght South, Baby Pereppadan, was among those who expressed concern following last months attack. People need to understand that many Indian people moving to Ireland are here on work permits, to study and work in the healthcare sector or in IT and so on, providing critical skills, he said, as reported by PTI. A 20-year-old Australian man has captured global attention after proclaiming himself the president of a self-declared nation situated in a disputed no-man's-land between Croatia and Serbia. Daniel Jackson is the founder of the Free Republic of Verdis, a self-styled micronation occupying a 125-acre patch of forest along the Danube River. According to a report by the New York Post, the territory lies in a legal grey zone, an unclaimed piece of land known as pocket three that neither Croatia nor Serbia officially recognises due to an ongoing border dispute. What Is Verdis? Verdis was Jacksons passion project, first conceived when he was just 14. It was just a bit of an experiment at first with a few mates. We all dreamed of creating something crazy, he told the publication. By 18, Jackson, a digital designer who creates virtual worlds on platforms like Roblox, began formalising his vision. On May 30, 2019, he declared the independence of the Free Republic of Verdis. Since then, he has created a flag, a basic constitution, a cabinet of ministers, and claims the micronation now has around 400 citizens worldwide. English, Croatian, and Serbian are listed as official languages, and the Euro is used as currency. Verdis is only accessible by boat from the Croatian city of Osijek, though not without resistance. Who is Daniel Jackson? Born on December 7, 2004, in Upper Ferntree Gully, Australia, Daniel Jackson is the incumbent President of the Free Republic of Verdis. Jackson has been serving as the President of the Free Republic of Verdis since the 30th of May 2019. Also Read | An Australian artist is painting huge murals on silos in the US Midwest Since entering office, Jacksons administration has been largely dedicated to working towards international recognition, funding, and the overall nation-building of the Free Republic of Verdis. Trouble with Croatian authorities Jacksons efforts to physically settle in Verdis havent gone smoothly. In October 2023, Croatian police reportedly detained and deported several Verdis supporters, including Jackson himself. He now claims to be banned for life from entering Croatia. They deported us, but couldnt give a reason why. They said we were a threat to homeland security, he said. Now operating what he calls a government-in-exile, Jackson alleges that Croatian authorities have ramped up patrols along Verdis shoreline to prevent entry from the Serbian side. Despite the tension, he says he hopes to establish peaceful diplomatic ties with both countries in the future. Also Read | Australian shares slip as bank, energy stocks drag Weve had a lot of problems with the Croatian authorities, but we want a good relationship with them eventually, Jackson added. Passports, politics and plans ahead Every citizen of Verdis is issued a passport, although Jackson warns that theyre not valid for international travel. That said, he claims some people have successfully entered other countries using Verdisian passports. The micronation is also selective about who can become a citizen, with preference reportedly given to individuals with medical, security, or legal expertise, roles Jackson says are critical for a small, developing society. Though he currently serves as president, Jackson insists he isnt power-hungry. If Verdis gains wider recognition or physical control of the land, he says he would step down and call for democratic elections. Also Read | Australian rocket crashes 14 seconds after lift off from launch pad - Watch China once punished couples for having more than one child. Under its old one-child rule, some parents paid huge fines, up to 100,000 yuan ( 12 lakh). It was nearly triple their yearly income. Officials even forced abortions and surgeries. But, now, China wants young people to have more children. To encourage this, the government will give 3,600 yuan ( 44,000) every year for each child under three, retroactively effective from January 1. Beijing plans to spend 90 billion yuan (more than 1 lakh crore) to help 20 million families this year. Earlier, only local governments gave such support. This is the first time the Central government is giving a national subsidy. However, experts say this may not increase birth rates much. Similar plans failed in Japan and South Korea, according to CNN. Many young people in China feel stressed due to long work hours, expensive housing and uncertain jobs. The small allowance doesnt solve these bigger problems. While some parents welcome the money, others remain unsure about having kids. The cost of raising a child is enormous, and 3,600 yuan a year is a mere drop in the bucket, Zane Li told CNN. When Zane was 9, his parents had to pay a hefty amount for having a second child. Zane, now 25, says he has no plans to have a baby. (Having kids) would only bring more hardship. Im not a capitalist or anything, and my kid probably wouldnt have much of a good life either, Zane added. Also Read | She called it medicine: What a mother did to her kids will leave you shocked On Chinese social media, young people are sharing old receipts showing fines their parents had paid for having more than one child during the one-child policy. Many had grown up thinking life would improve with hard work and education. But now, hope is fading, CNN reported. Property is too expensive, and good jobs often go only to those with strong family contacts. Even though China ended the one-child rule and now allows up to three children, birth rates continue to fall. The population has been shrinking for three years. Population decline in China According to the Peterson Institute For International Economics, China recorded 9 million births and 11.1 million deaths in 2023. The institute said the population decline was getting close to irreversible. Raising one child in China costs an average of 538,000 yuan ( 65 lakh), which is over six times the countrys average income. In cities like Shanghai and Beijing, it costs much more, crossing 1 crore. Amid looming tariff threats, US President Donald Trump is scheduled to deliver an announcement from the Oval Office tomorrow at 4:30 PM ET (2 AM IST), the White House confirmed. US President Trump will announce from the Oval Office tomorrow at 2 AM IST. What are the speculations? The meeting comes on the heels of a series of economic and geopolitical warnings from Trump, including a threat to impose steep tariffs on India within 24 hours over its ongoing oil imports from Russia. Trump also lashed out at American banks, accusing them of political discrimination, and hinted at forthcoming announcements on semiconductors and pharmaceuticals. India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them. So we settled on 25 percent, but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil, he told CNBC in the televised interview. Meanwhile, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has arrived in Moscow and was greeted by Russia's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, a source told Reuters on Wednesday, after the Kremlin said it did not rule out Witkoff meeting President Vladimir Putin. Also Read: Moscow backs Delhi as Trump warns of higher tariffs in 24 hours Trump, who warned that he would impose sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine before Friday, had said earlier that Witkoff might be travelling to Moscow this week in yet another diplomatic effort to bring the hostilities to an end, Reuters reported. India on Monday mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their unjustified and unreasonable targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement on Monday night. Meanwhile, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said it will be up to President Trump on how to respond to those nations that are facilitating this war on Ukraine. When asked about Indias statement that it will not alter its stance on purchasing oil from Russia, Bruce responded to a related question about both India and China signalling their intent to continue such purchases despite U.S. sanctions. India has not been a good trading partner... I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours. She noted that Washington is now considering secondary sanctions, which target countries, companies, or entities that engage in business with already-sanctioned nations, such as Russia, in this case. A Pakistani businessman based in London has been sentenced to 15 months in prison for hurling rape and death threats at cabin crew during a flight from the UK to Pakistan. The shocking incident took place aboard a Virgin Atlantic flight from Londons Heathrow to Lahore in February 2023. According to the New York Post, 37-year-old Salman Iftikhar was travelling in first class when his drunken outburst began mid-air. What started as a confrontation over in-flight service quickly escalated into racist abuse and threats of sexual violence aimed at flight attendants, leaving one crew member traumatised for over a year. Iftikhar reportedly began drinking champagne at the aircrafts bar and was asked to return to his seat after scooping ice with his bare hands. Flight attendants noted his growing aggression and slurred speech. Soon after, he accused one of the crew members, Angie Walsh, of racism, yelling, You called me a pki in front of everybody. A fellow passenger captured parts of the disturbing tirade on video. The situation turned even more disturbing when Iftikhar began making violent threats. Dont tell me what to do, you racist fking bitch. I know where you are from in Cardiff, he shouted. Despite the cabin crews efforts to calm him down, Iftikhars behaviour escalated. He manhandled male flight attendant Tommy Merchant, shoved his own wife who tried to intervene, and made a string of horrifying threats referencing the hotel in Lahore where the crew was scheduled to stay. According to The New York Post, Iftikhar screamed at one flight attendant: The white sheep sting bitch will be dead. The floor of your hotel will be blown up, and it will disappear. You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang-raped and set on fire. Although the flight crew alerted the cockpit, Iftikhar was not detained upon arrival in Pakistan. It wasnt until March 2024more than a year laterthat he was arrested at his home in the UK, valued at $1.2 million. Iftikhar pleaded guilty to making death threats and racially aggravated harassment. However, he was cleared of charges related to physical assault and threats to kill crew member Tommy Merchant. His legal team claimed his actions were a result of a medical condition involving amnesia, blood loss. Also Read | Anand Mahindra shares two steps India can take as Trump imposes more tariffs The emotional and psychological toll of the incident on flight attendant Angie Walsh was immense. In her victim impact statement, she said: I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and I loved my job. I am well known within the company. I have been flying with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years But this incident has broken me He has taken that away from me. Ms Walsh had to take 14 months off from work to recover. US President Donald Trump is expected to meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week, according to a report by The New York Times on Wednesday (August 6). The development comes amid a renewed push for peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Citing two people familiar with the matter, the report said Trump will first hold direct talks with Putin, followed by a separate meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The plan was reportedly disclosed during a call with European leaders on Wednesday. Momentum builds after Witkoff visit The potential meetings mark a significant escalation in Trumps diplomatic engagement, following recent talks between his envoy Steve Witkoff and President Putin in Moscowdiscussions both sides described as highly productive. While no official confirmation has yet come from the White House, the meetings, if held, could represent the most direct US involvement in mediation efforts since the Ukraine war began in 2022. Trump has repeatedly claimed he could broker a peace deal within 24 hours of returning to office. With growing international pressure and a US-imposed sanctions deadline approaching, the proposed meetings could be pivotal in determining the next phase of the conflict. Trump: Highly productive meeting Earlier on Wednesday, Trump posted an update on Truth Social regarding the meeting between his envoy and Putin. Witkoff and President Putin had a highly productive meeting in Moscow. Great progress was made, Trump wrote, signaling a positive tone from the US side. While details of the discussions remain undisclosed, the statements from both Kyiv and Washington suggest a potential shift in tone from Moscow amid mounting international pressure and threats of new sanctions from the United States. Trump ultimatum nears The coming week could prove decisive in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war as US President Donald Trump's self-imposed deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal draws near. The deadline, set for Friday, is backed by threats of sweeping new US sanctions, but so far shows little sign of shifting Moscow's stance. Envoy heads to Moscow amid stalemate Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Moscow midweek, following stops in Israel and Gaza. His trip precedes Fridays deadline and is seen as a last-ditch effort to de-escalate the conflict. Trump confirmed the expected visit on Sunday, adding that Russian officials had requested to meet Witkoff. Theyve asked that he meet, so well see what happens, Trump said. The Kremlin has welcomed the talks. Spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the upcoming meeting important, substantive and very useful. Trumps sanctions warning falls flat Despite mounting pressure, there has been no major movement from the Kremlin. Trump, frustrated by the lack of progress, has threatened to impose new sanctions on Russia and introduce secondary tariffs targeting countries that buy Russian oilmost notably China and India. However, Trump himself cast doubt on whether such measures will succeed. Also Read | Trump says hes the only President since Washington to donate salary As trade talks between India and the US enter their final lap, testy grumbles from the White Houseaimed ostensibly at influencing the final shape of an agreementcould end up creating schisms in the relationship between the worlds two largest democracies. US President Donald Trumps recent denunciation of Indias trade framework, expressed mostly on social media in rapid bursts, is well within his usual range of bluster, but cannot be shrugged off. One post threatened a hefty 25% levy on Indian exports and an unspecified penalty for buying oil and arms from Russia. Next, he called the economies of India and Russia dead." Not one to rest on his outbursts, Trump followed that up with another threat to raise levies substantially" for buying Russian oil and a statement on TV saying, India has not been a good trading partner." As former US deputy assistant secretary of state Evan A. Feigenbaum has cautioned, Trumps statements risk taking apart painstakingly forged bilateral ties. On its part, India has called the US posture unjustified and unreasonable." Amid this standoff, it seems clear that Trump wants us to import hydrocarbons from the US, with such a commitment baked into the deal thats being worked out. With US access to our agri and dairy markets already sticking points, it is unfortunate that a heavily traded commodity like oil has been thrown so noisily into the mix. Economic issues should not be allowed to slip down a geopolitical slope so easily. So far, India has held its nerve and stood its ground admirably. While Trump might have his own book of negotiation tactics that include brazen attempts at bullying, New Delhis stance on securing the nations economic interests would not waver if a counter-proposal is made that sweetens it for the White House. Oil is a multi-billion-dollar chip of high optical value that could be placed on the table. It was only after Russias invasion of Ukraine that New Delhi reached out to Moscow for oil; as the ministry of foreign affairs has stated, this was because West Asian oil was diverted to Europe; and as the Ukraine war made oil imports costly, cheaper Russian shipments helped us keep our trade balance in check. The global oil market is still in flux. With the Opec+ cartel easing supplies even as overall demand looks wobbly, expectations of a glut have softened global prices. Layer this with the fact that China, Russias other big oil customer, is seeking to diversify some of its energy purchases away from the US to Brazil, and it is easy to understand Trumps apparent obsession with tankers that dock in India, whose imports have reportedly averaged 5.2 million barrels per day this year and are set to swell further. In the interests of civility and a desire to sign a trade deal with the US amicably, without ceding any ground on agriculture or strategic calls, Indian negotiators could explore a limited oil deal as a lubricant. It is true that oil shipments from the US are an expensive option, given the distance and freight cost. An agreement to buy limited oil quantities from America may work out reasonable for us if such a pact is accompanied by relief on freight (with low optical value) and it helps us keep agri and dairy products off the deals table. It is not to fund any war that India imports essential commodities, but to manage its economy well in a volatile world. We must maximize our space to make decisions accordingly. Video grabs of a downhill flash flood that swept away much of Dharali village in Uttarakhand made jaws drop on Tuesday. An enormous barrage of water slammed into the river-gorge settlement shortly after a cloud burst over the higher reaches of Uttarkashi district. Rescue and relief work is on. Tragic as this is, its only a harsher version of what hill states have been suffering with startling frequency. Brick-and-mortar overbuilding with scant regard for safety has driven up risks. Just a few days ago, Indias Supreme Court warned that Himachal Pradesh may vanish in thin air" if we dont stop meddling with its ecological balance. While a direct link with climate change isnt easy to draw, rising temperatures are thought to have made flash floods a big menace in two ways. First, melting glaciers are overwhelming many natural water dams. Second, hotter conditions are making rain clouds so dense that they burst more often as winds force them uphill to cooler altitudes. While construction needs to be kept in check, the real challenge is to arrest global warming. It may be too late to cap it at 1.5 Celsius above the pre-industrial level, but if it reaches 2, it may prove exponentially disastrous. SEOULNorth Korea has accelerated construction of a launch site for spy satellites in recent months, including the addition of a seaport that could facilitate deliveries of new components from Russia. The expansion at the Sohae Satellite Launching Station, located on the countrys west coast, would allow the regime of dictator Kim Jong Un to more quickly receive larger rocket components by sea than the current delivery method via railroad lines, security experts say. North Korea hasnt commented publicly on the recent expansion at Sohae. The build-out was seen in satellite imagery released last month, according to ICEYE, a satellite-imagery analysis firm. Then, last week, Sohaes new seaport was shown in satellite images to have a docking slip for large vessels, according to a separate analysis published last week by 38 North, a website affiliated with the Stimson Center, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank. The Sohae seaport highlights Kims ambitions to advance his satellite program with Russian help, say security experts. Kim has pledged extensive military support to Russia for its war against Ukraine. In return, Russia has repaid him with air-defense systems, drone technology and protection against new sanctions. But Moscows help with Kims satellite technology represents a far more significant military gain in the long term, security experts say. That is because a space-based surveillance system not only improves Pyongyangs reconnaissance capabilities but also makes its long-range missile strikes aimed at the U.S. mainland potentially more precise. Russian help alone can reduce a 10-year process to just one or two years," said Yang Uk, a military expert at the Asan Institute for Policy Studies, a think tank in Seoul. North Koreas lack of spy satellites is a sore spot for Kim, who has made cultivating the technology a top military priority. Just a handful of countriesincluding Russia and the Norths top foes, the U.S. and South Koreacan build and launch their own spy satellites. Pyongyangs current technology is rudimentary. In addition to the seaport, Pyongyang has been constructing new buildings, railroad lines and a larger assembly center for rockets at Sohae, according to Martyn Williams, the author of the 38 North report, who reviewed satellite imagery captured late last month. Kim has struggled to advance his satellite program and likely sought Russian expertise to troubleshoot problems from the botched attempts, he added. Its an elite club and North Korea wants to join," he said. In 2022, the Kim regime stopped saying its satellites were solely for peaceful purposes and rewrote its space law to allow for military uses of the technology. The United Nations has long banned North Korea from carrying out satellite launches, as they are seen as cover for ballistic-missile tests. Soon after declaring that space-based activity could be pursued for military purposes, North Koreas first two launch attempts failed. Weeks after the botched second attempt in August 2023, Kim met Russian President Vladimir Putin at Russias main spaceport, where they toured a launchpad and a manufacturing site. When Russian media asked if Moscow could transfer space technology to North Korea, Putin gave a curt response. Thats why were here," he said. The North Korean leader shows great interest in rocket technology." North Korea soon placed its first spy satellite into orbit in November 2023. Russia helped analyze blueprints and data from the previous failed launches, South Koreas spy agency has said. Pyongyang claimed it had snapped photos of the White House and the Pentagon, though offered no proof. The North Korean spy satellite is orbiting the Earth though it appears nonoperational, South Koreas military has said. Kim outlined an ambitious target for 2024: He announced plans to launch three more spy satellites. Only one was attemptedand it ended with a fiery disaster. That failure likely involved rocket technology supplied by Russia, considering North Korea suddenly used a new type of engine, South Koreas spy agency said. At the time, many Russian technicians were also seen entering North Korea, likely to help with the satellite endeavors, other South Korean officials said. North Korea hasnt launched another spy satellite since the failure in May 2024. One potential explanation, according to military experts: The Kim regime is in the process of applying Russian technologies to increase the chances of successfully putting many more satellites into orbit. The next launch doesnt appear imminent, they say. To acquire space-reconnaissance capabilities, Pyongyang would have to deploy dozens of spy satellites of its own. Debris from previous failed launches also showed North Koreas satellites were only capable of capturing low-resolution imagery. North Korea is in the very early stages of gaining space-reconnaissance capabilities, including keeping satellites in orbit and transmitting imagery back, said Doo Jin-ho, a senior researcher at the Korea Research Institute for National Strategy, a think tank in Seoul. Russia can help every step of the way," Doo said. Write to Dasl Yoon at dasl.yoon@wsj.com At a time of worsening ties with the US, New Delhi is looking to leverage a strategic tool in its trade talks with America: Its position in the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (Quad) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF), two Asian initiatives led by the US. While the Quad is a strategic dialogue between the US, India, Australia, and Japan aimed to promote a free and open Indo-Pacific, the IPEF is a 14-nation effort to deepen economic cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. Quad, though not a trade bloc, plays a strategic role in coordinating security and economic alignment among member nations. For Washington, both Quad and IPEF are critical forums to counter Chinas growing economic and strategic clout while fostering supply chain resilience, technological standard-setting, and regional integration. New Delhis strategy shift comes ahead of a Quad meeting in India later this year that US President Donald Trump is expected to attend. Every sovereign nation has the right to utilize all available channels to secure a deal that serves the interests of the country and its people," said a person familiar with the Indian governments thinking. For any meaningful partnership, support must be mutual. One-sided expectations don't work in trade negotiations," this person said on condition of anonymity. The move reflects New Delhis intent to convert its geopolitical leverage into tangible economic gains, with a US team scheduled to visit New Delhi on 25 August for a sixth round of face-to-face negotiations for a bilateral trade agreement. Queries sent to spokespersons of the ministries of commerce, external affairs, the Prime Ministers Office, the US Embassy in New Delhi, and the US Trade Representative remained unanswered. Key Takeaways India may use its Quad and IPEF position for trade leverage. Geopolitical alignment with the US is being used for economic gains. Quad's strategic role is being used despite it not being a trade bloc. Trump's "tariff king" assertion casts a shadow over ongoing talks. US may reduce tariffs to keep the Quad process on track. Additional bargaining power India faces the highest reciprocal tariff rate among Quad members at 50%, with a steep 25% US duty on its goods and another 25% announced on Wednesday for buying Russian oil. Japandespite securing what Trump described as a "historic deal"will face a 15% duty on its exports to the US, reduced from 25%. Australia will pay a lower 10% duty, imposed from 2 April. Despite several diplomatic overtures and trade concessions to skirt the revised US tariff framework, India remains under US scrutiny. Trump, during both his first and second terms, has repeatedly branded India as the tariff king", an assertion that casts a shadow over the ongoing trade talks. New Delhi has consistently adopted a calibrated approach in trade negotiations and other agreements. The reduction in duties in the Union Budget, which brought down the countrys average customs duty rate from 11.65% to 10.66%, reflects Indias commitment to fostering a more open trade environment. Mutual concessions are expected from all sides," said a second person aware of the developments, also speaking on condition of anonymity. Experts say Indias positioning in Quad and IPEF gives it added bargaining power in dealing with Washington. India has participated, negotiated, and signed three of the four pillars of IPEF, and it should not come under pressure to join the trade pillar. India should stick to its original stand," said Ajay Srivastava, founder of the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a think tank. The foundation of the Quad was to counter China by elevating India. But if differences persist among Quad members, such as India having higher tariffs, progress on security cooperation could be limited. The US is unlikely to risk the strategic opportunity the Quad presents and may keep tariffs on India in abeyance to preserve momentum," said Amit Singh, associate professor, Special Centre for National Security Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University. As per my understanding, the US will likely avoid raising tariffs on India, as it would want to keep the Quad process on track and ensure a favourable strategic outcome for itself," he added. Unjustified targeting India has termed Trumps latest tariff threat on India for buying Russian oil as unjustified and unreasonable" targeting. The government asserted that, like any major economy, India would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. The US itself continues to import uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector, palladium for EVs, fertilizers and chemicals from Russia," the external affairs ministry said on Monday. The ministry noted that Indias Russian oil purchases were driven by a need to secure affordable and reliable energy after traditional suppliers shifted exports to Europe at the start of the Ukraine conflict. At the time, the US had actively encouraged Indias oil imports from Russia to help stabilize global markets," it added. India is part of Quad-led projects on new technologies like 5G, AI, quantum computing, and biotech, which strengthens its role in the US-backed plans. Its support for the IPEF clean economy pillar also matches its climate goals and can help bring in green finance, technology, and business partnerships," said Dattesh Parulekar, assistant professor of International Relations at Goa University. The stakes are higher this time, especially after the US imposed an additional 25% tariff on select imports. The outcome of these talks could significantly reset trade dynamics between the two economies," said Prabhat Ranjan, senior director at Nexdigm, a professional services firm. Also Read | India defies Trump on Russian oil despite tariff threats Marine, mineral links A 1 July joint statement after the Quad Foreign Ministers meeting announced the expansion of the Indo-Pacific Partnership for Maritime Domain Awareness (IPMDA) across the Indian Ocean, with enhanced satellite data sharing and training. The first workshop to address maritime capability gaps will be held in 2025. The Quad also launched the Critical Minerals Initiative to secure and diversify key mineral supply chains, including e-waste recovery. On the economic front, it committed to building resilient infrastructure and strengthening energy security. A logistics conference under the Ports of the Future Partnership will be held in Mumbai in October to promote port modernisation. The U.S. and India will also co-host an undersea cables forum to enhance digital infrastructure cooperation. In the technology space, the Quad will expand work on trusted digital systems, AI, semiconductors, biotech, and cybersecurity. The AI-ENGAGE initiative aims to drive agricultural innovation. The Quad STEM Fellowship has expanded to Japan, while India launched scholarships for 50 Indo-Pacific students to pursue undergraduate engineering degrees at Indian institutions. IPEF pillars India has already joined the IPEF pillars on supply chains, clean economy, and fair economy, giving it an important role in shaping future rules in the Indo-Pacific. Although it stayed out of the trade pillar due to concerns over binding rules and limited gains, India is still seen as a key player because of its strong manufacturing, digital economy, and clean-tech growth. Indias involvement in the supply chain pillar is particularly significant. Under this pillar, the 14 IPEF member nationsrepresenting 40% of global GDPhave agreed to coordinate efforts to identify and respond to supply chain disruptions, reduce dependencies on a single country, and create an early warning system. Indias strengths in pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and electronics manufacturing make it indispensable in this agenda. AICC President Mallikarjun Kharge and Congress MP Rahul Gandhi will address the party's "Vote adhikar rally" in protest against the alleged votes theft at Bengaluru's Freedom Park on August 8, the party's general secretary in-charge of Karnataka Randeep Singh Surjewala said on Wednesday. Alleging that the "Election Commission of India has become Election Capture of India", he asserted that the Congress party won't permit it and democracy to be obliterated. Amid the raging row over the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, Rahul Gandhi, who is the Leader of the Opposition in Lok Sabha, on July 23 had alleged that elections are being "stolen" in India and claimed that his party has figured out the modus operandi of the "votes theft" by studying a parliamentary constituency in Karnataka. The Congress on Wednesday held a preparatory meeting for the protest rally that was attended by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, state Congress President and Deputy CM D K Shivakumar, Surjewala, host of party leaders, ministers among other senior office bearers and functionaries. "Vote adhikar rally will be addressed by Rahul Gandhi and Mallikarjun Kharge at the historical Freedom Park on August 8, at 11 am," Surjewala said. Speaking to reporters here after the meeting of party leaders, he said the rally is a clarion call for cleansing of voter lists and for deleting fraudulent voters. "It is a nationwide campaign...Rahul Gandhi will be giving you (media), as also people of Karnataka and India though you, a presentation on how elections are being stolen, democracy is being decimated, the Constitution is obliterated. Election Commission of India has become Election Capture of India -- ECI. We the Congress people will not permit Election Capture of India, we will not permit democracy to be obliterated," he added. Asked whether Rahul Gandhi will be releasing any documents on the alleged vote theft, Surjewala said, You will see, just wait. After the protest rally, Congress leaders are scheduled to submit a memorandum to Election Commission officials here. The Congress had initially planned this protest on August 5, but it was postponed following the death of Jharkhand Mukti Morcha leader Shibu Soren. Noting that Freedom Park is a historical place and at such a place this protest is being held, abiding by court orders (against holding large scale protest in the city), Shivakumar said state party legislators, defeated (MLA) candidates and ministers will participate in this. "From every assembly constituency, other than Bengaluru surrounding, a minimum of at least 50 party leaders should participate. Siddaramaiah, myself, Surjewala and other senior leaders have held meetings," he said. Noting that Bengaluru and Karnataka have sent a message to the whole country on various occasions, the KPCC chief said INDIA bloc was also born here ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls. "It (rally) is to inform and enlighten the people about the discrepancies that have happened in elections and to ensure that they are aware of protecting their voting rights," he said. Malaysian authorities in Johor state have launched an investigation after a Singapore-registered luxury vehicle was seen refueling with RON95 petrol, a subsidized fuel reserved for Malaysians. "We are aware of the image showing a foreign-registered vehicle, believed to belong to a Singaporean national, refuelling with RON95 petrol at a petrol station in Johor Bahru," said Lilis Saslinda Pornomo, director of the Johor branch of Malaysias Domestic Trade and Cost of Living Ministry, according to the New Straits Times. Johor Bahru, the capital of Johor state in southern Malaysia, sits just across the border from Singapore. "A thorough investigation is being conducted to identify the location of the station involved and determine whether there has been a breach of existing regulations," she said. A photo widely shared online since Sunday shows the luxury vehicle not only being refueled with RON95 but also allegedly having the fuel pumped into a large plastic bottle at a station in Iskandar Puteri, a city in Johor. A photo showing a Singapore-registered car filling up subsidized RON95 fuel at a Malaysia petrol station. Photo from Facebook RON95 is subsidized by the Malaysian government and is sold at RM2.05 (US$0.48) per liter, according to Singapores news outlet Mothership. It is strictly reserved for Malaysians and dispensed using yellow nozzles. Foreign-registered vehicles are prohibited from purchasing it and are instead allowed to buy higher-grade fuels like RON97 or RON100. RON97 is currently priced at RM3.17 per liter. Petrol station operators who sell RON95 to foreign vehicles may face fines of up to RM1 million or imprisonment for up to three years. "If the investigation confirms any offence, appropriate action will be taken against the parties involved, including the petrol station operator if found to be negligent or complicit," Lilis Saslinda said. She stressed that the ban on selling RON95 to foreign-registered vehicles remains in force and warned all petrol station operators to comply strictly with government directives. Authorities have called on the public to assist in the investigation by reporting any incidents involving the illegal sale of subsidized fuel to foreign vehicles. Bringing 'Brown Bread' home to Longford meant the world to me, declared writer / director Shaunagh Connaire after her short film was launched before a very appreciative local audience at Backstage Theatre on Saturday, July 12. Brown Bread is Shaunaghs debut short film and it recently enjoyed its world premiere at the Galway Film Fleadh. A double Emmy-nominated documentarian, Shaunagh enthused, It was incredibly special to share the film with friends, family, and especially with my godmothers children and husband the people who shaped this story in more ways than they know. Im extremely grateful to all the Backstage crew for hosting us. Shot entirely in Longford, Brown Bread is grounded in the landscapes and people that inspired it. The short film was generously supported by Creative Ireland, and Associate Producers Anne Heraty, and Sam and Amelia Dennigan. WATCH | A taste of 'Brown Bread', the new short film by Longford's Shaunagh Connaire The film features an outstanding cast including Fionnula Flanagan, Dermot Crowley, Katie McGrath, Kevin McGahern and Mary Mahon. The inspiration for 'Brown Bread' came from Shaunagh's own experience of being unable to return to Ireland from the U.S. for her godmothers funeral. At the centre of the Brown Bread story is Aine (played by Katie McGrath), a woman returning to Ireland from New York to attend her godmothers memorial mass, which stirs up old tensions, grief, and unspoken affection in her rural family home. It focuses on her strained relationship with her mother, Betty (played by Emmy Award-winning actress Fionnula Flanagan). Also read: Longford teacher meets Pope Leo XIV during a private audience in the Vatican Veteran actor Dermot Crowley, who plays Aines father Seamus, praised the scripts emotional subtlety and he joined Shaunagh on stage after the screening for a fascinating and insightful conversation with RTEs Miriam OCallaghan. Brown Bread is a moving piece about what it means to come home after leaving, and finding comfort in the recognisable, quieter life. With a touch of humour mixed with poignant moments, Shaunaghs sensitive writing and engaging dialogue bring so much to the screen. PICTURES | Style and glamour galore as Longford students celebrate at graduation ball Bettys stubborn, loving character works well with Aines frustrated, ambitious personality they both connect again by baking bread together. Seven young people from Longford were among more than 300 teenagers who took part in Foroiges Leadership for Life Youth Conference at Maynooth University last week. The experience provided a chance for young people to build their leadership skills and confidence in a supportive and inspiring environment. "Ive grown so much during this programme. I now understand how important it is to work as a team and to believe in yourself, even when its tough." Darragh said. Read more: Longford teacher meets Pope Leo XIV during a private audience in the Vatican Luke Casserly also from Granard, Longford (pictured with Amina Costello) was a keynote speaker at the conference. A past member of Foroige and graduate of this very programme, Luke Casserly discovered his love for performance and storytelling in Foroige clubs in Longford - and now hes a theatre maker whose work travels across Ireland and beyond. The Leadership for Life Youth Conference, now in its fifteenth year, is designed to empower young people to become strong, effective and compassionate leaders in their own lives and communities. Throughout the week, participants took part in workshops on team building, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving and self-awareness. Guest speakers from the world of politics, business, sport and the not-for-profit sector also shared their leadership journeys. Read more: Congratulations: Longford secondary school officially unveils new principal Longford teens were among more than 300 young people from Ireland and the United States who gathered at Maynooth University for Foroiges week-long Leadership for Life Youth Conference. The programme equips young people with the confidence, vision and skills to lead in their schools, communities and wider society. A 2009 memory of a priest witnessing St Mels Cathedral burning down was the start of Steven Donohoes journey. Happily married and a father-of-three, he is going to Maynooth in September to study to become a Permanent Deacon. The course is three years and covers everything from pastoral, sacraments and testaments. I was never too far away from the faith, he said. I thought I was away from the church but Id bless myself when passing a church, abroad or in IrelandId walk into any church. The architecture is unique and beautiful. Read more: Longford teacher meets Pope Leo XIV during a private audience in the Vatican With help from close friends, as well as an inspiring religion teacher during his schooldays, Steven said that the overall community has been very supportive of his path. Initially, he said that some had questions, and few knew what the role was. Thankfully, my whole family has been very supportive. As have friends. The members of the parish have found out and it just seems that people are delighted that someone is going forward. The course will be over twelve weekends of the year plus every Wednesday, and Steven has a job in a boarding school. Its like a normal degree. You would be doing assessments. Itd be a lot of writing and reports to do. You could feel its not for you and pull out. Up to the moment youre ordained by the bishop, youve still time. Ive still got it burning inside me to do more and more. Read more: RIP: Longford womans legacy will continue to inspire future educators and students Itll be an intense three years but will be worth it. You have to do your own work on it. People are wondering how I could juggle of it; work, family life. But the grace of God the main thing of anything is organisation. It is just to be organised, he concluded. Local News, Crime By Long Island Published: August 05 2025 Third Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting a hostage being held at 1625 Ohio Ave. Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating after a man armed with a sword was shot and injured by officers. Third Precinct officers responded to a 911 call reporting a hostage being held at 1625 Ohio Ave. at 1:26 p.m. When officers arrived, a resident of the home, Joseph Restaino, threatened officers by brandishing a long sword and refusing commands to drop the weapon. A Taser was deployed with additional commands to drop the sword. The Taser was not effective and Restaino did not comply with police. At least one officer discharged their weapon, striking Restaino. Restaino, 33, was transported via ambulance to South Shore University Hospital in Bay Shore for treatment of injuries. There were no hostages in the home. Firefighters Association Comes To Long Island For Their 153rd Annual Convention In Hauppauge Aug. 7-9 Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 06 2025 In addition to the business sessions and meetings, FASNY will have a full slate of firefighter training programs, and social and networking events for the volunteer firefighters coming from all across NYS. The Firefighter Association of the State of New York (FASNY) will host their 153rd Annual Meeting August 7th-9th in Hauppauge, at the Hyatt Regency Long Island on Motor Parkway. FASNY is expecting a total of more than 1,000 firefighters, their guests and dignitaries from across the state in attendance. In addition to the business sessions and meetings, FASNY will have a full slate of firefighter training programs, and social and networking events for the volunteer firefighters coming from all across New York State. This week of activities also include a Joint Memorial Service honoring FASNY members who answered their last alarm, the annual Heroes Awards, Training and Demo events, Scholarship Night and the elections for FASNY several offices. WHEN/WHERE: Thursday, August 7th: Location: Hyatt Regency Long Island, Grand Ballroom, 1717 Motor Pkwy, Hauppauge, NY 9am: Opening Ceremonies Presentation of the Colors and related ceremonial opening of the Convention Welcome and Introductions by Fire Service leaders and local Elected Officials 10am: Joint Memorial Service- Remembering Our Deceased Members Hundreds of firefighters in Dress Uniforms Reading of the necrology and candles lit for every FASNY member across the state who passed in the last year Tolling of the Memorial Bell Playing of Taps FASNY 2025 Firefighter of the Year- members of the Pleasant Valley Fire Department FASNY 2025 EMS Provider of the Year - members of the Otisco Fire Department 11am: Heroes Award- Honoring the statewide recipients of the FASNY Firefighter of the Year & EMS Provider of the Year awards for their life saving actions. 1:30pm: Keynote Speaker Patrick Kenney- Chief Kenny shares his journey to overcome what he perceived as his failure as a leader in his most cherished duty that of being a protector. His Cape failed to shield his 20-year-old son Sean, who tragically died by suicide after a lifelong battle with mental illness. This anguish was further complicated by Pats role as the leader of a fire department. The Chief will share lessons learned and valuable information about the need for first responders to take care of their own mental health. Friday, August 8th: LIVE DEMO Location: Suffolk County Fire Training Facility, 103 East Ave, Yaphank, NY Media Call Time 10am 7 a.m. - 2 p.m. - H.O.T. | Train Extrication | START Triage | Fire Police | Mental Health- FASNY understands that emergency disaster response includes planning, preparing, responding to, and recovering from disasters. This event will provide participants with a better understanding of command and management plan for a mass casualty incident. Individuals signing up for this one-of-a-kind training will be expected to partake in at least ONE portion of the demonstration. Selections include Fire (Extrication), Fire Police and EMS (Triage). Together all attendees will combine important roles to execute a full emergency scene scenario from start to finish. This training will weave in the inclusion of a mental health component focusing on the actions taken directly before, during and after disaster strikes. Saturday, August 9th: Two Men Indicted for Illegal Sale and Possession of Firearms in Freeport & Baldwin Crime By Chris Boyle Published: August 06 2025 Rubenny Torres Duran and Jose Torres Moncion allegedly trafficked and sold illegal firearms, including ghost guns, in Nassau County between April and May 2025. Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that two men were indicted for allegedly possessing and selling firearms, including ghost guns, in Nassau County between April and May 2025. Rubenny Torres Duran, 29, of Mountain Top, Pennsylvania, and Jose Torres Moncion, 29, of Kings County, New York, were arraigned on July 29, 2025, and August 4, 2025, respectively, before Judge Helene Gugerty on charges of: Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the First Degree (a B violent felony); Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Second Degree (a C violent felony); Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C felony); 12 counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree (a D felony); Four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Third Degree (a D felony); Five counts of Criminal Sale of a Ghost Gun in the Second Degree (an E felony); Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor); Five counts of Criminal Possession of a Firearm (an E felony). Torres Duran was additionally charged with the eight counts of Criminal Sale of a Firearm in the Third Degree (a D felony); four counts of Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Second Degree (a C felony); Criminal Sale of a Ghost Gun in the Second Degree (an E felony); and Criminal Possession of a Weapon in the Fourth Degree (an A misdemeanor). Both defendants pleaded not guilty . Torres Durans bail was set at $300,000 cash, $750,000 bond, and $1.25 million partially secured bond. Torres Moncions bail was set at $100,000 cash, $200,000 bond, and $500,000 partially secured bond. Torres Duran is due back in court on September 9, 2025. Torres Moncion is due back in court on September 10, 2025. If convicted, both defendants each face up to 25 years in prison. My office has zero tolerance for illegal gun sales in Nassau County and the trafficking of dangerous untraceable ghost guns specifically designed to dodge law enforcement detection, said DA Donnelly. These two defendants, cousins working together to allegedly deal firearms in our communities, put lives at risk. Trafficking in our communities must stop, and I am committed to continuing the important work of ending the flow of these illegal weapons into the county with our local and federal law enforcement partners and holding offenders accountable who make our neighborhoods less safe. DA Donnelly said that, according to the indictment, between April and May 2025, Torres Duran allegedly sold four firearms on three separate dates in Freeport and Baldwin. The firearms three semiautomatic pistols and one ghost gun were allegedly trafficked into Nassau County from Pennsylvania. Torres Duran sold the loaded semiautomatic pistols for between $ 900 1500 and $1,540 each. Torres Duran and Torres Moncion, his cousin, were arrested in Baldwin on June 11, 2025, by officers of the Nassau County Police Department. The vehicle, driven by Torres Moncion, was parked in a parking lot on Grand Avenue. Five ghost guns, including four 9 mm semiautomatic pistols and an assault rifle, were recovered from the vehicles trunk. Large-capacity ammunition feeding devices for the assault rifle and one of the semiautomatic pistols were also found in the vehicles trunk. Nassau County law enforcement has seized approximately 149 crime guns through June 2025. The Nassau County District Attorneys Office thanks the Nassau County Police Department Gang Investigations Squad, the Federal Bureau of Investigations Long Island Gang Task Force, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives for their assistance and support in this investigation. The case is being prosecuted by Firearms Suppression and Intelligence Unit Chief Paula Cajdler of the Narcotics, Firearms, and Gangs Bureau under the supervision of Bureau Chief Nicholas Mauro, and under the overall supervision of Executive Assistant District Attorney for the Investigations Division Rick Whelan. Torres Duran is represented by Kevin Maccarone, Esq. Torres Moncion is represented by Vincent Bianco, Esq. The charges are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent until and unless found guilty. Local News By Chris Boyle Published: August 06 2025 The lawsuit alleges that Zara Realty illegally took advantage of tenants who paid their rent through New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) housing subsidy programs. New York Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas today filed a lawsuit against Zara Realty Holding Corp. (Zara Realty), its principals, and affiliated entities for repeatedly violating rent stabilization laws and overcharging rent-stabilized tenants in Jamaica and Elmhurst, Queens. The lawsuit alleges that Zara Realty illegally took advantage of tenants who paid their rent through New York City Department of Social Services (DSS) housing subsidy programs and brazenly disregarded rent reduction orders issued by HCRs Office of Rent Administration. Zara Realty would then sue tenants who did not pay these unlawfully inflated rents, putting multiple tenants at risk of eviction. The Office of the Attorney General (OAG) and HCRs Tenant Protection Unit (TPU) are seeking a court order to stop Zara Realty from charging or collecting illegally inflated rents and force them to refund all tenants who were overcharged. While hardworking families are battling an affordable housing crisis and fighting to make ends meet, Zara Realty shamelessly took advantage of vulnerable tenants, said Attorney General James. New Yorkers should not have to worry that their landlords are willfully deceiving them just to line their own pockets. Let this be a warning: any landlord who tries to cheat their tenants and evade our rent stabilization laws will be hearing from my office. Our Tenant Protection Unit is fighting for New Yorkers every day by protecting them from predatory landlords who try to illegally overcharge their tenants and defy our States rent laws," said HCR Commissioner Visnauskas. The message from our office and Attorney General James is clear if landlords fail to abide by the rent laws, if landlords seek fraudulent rent increases, or initiate unlawful evictions we will not hesitate to take action on behalf of millions of rent-regulated tenants in New York. New York Citys rent stabilization laws place limits on how much a landlord can increase rent in a renewal lease or after a vacancy. The lawsuit filed today argues that since at least 2022, Zara Realty ignored the legal limits to exploit tenants who received DSS housing subsidies, charging them the highest possible amount allowable under their program, regardless of the legal rent for their unit as dictated by the Rent Guidelines Board. As a result, OAG and TPU contend that tenants were charged rent increases that were significantly higher than the legal amount. In addition to violating legal rent increase limits, Zara Realty also ignored rent reduction orders issued by the Office of Rent Administration (ORA). The ORA orders landlords to reduce rent when a landlord fails to provide essential services or maintain the property to required standards. Tenants filed complaints with ORA, which then ordered Zara Realty to reduce and freeze their rents. Despite receiving these rent reduction orders, the lawsuit alleges that Zara Realty continued to overcharge tenants. The OAG and TPU allege that Zara Realtys complete disregard for rent stabilization laws forced multiple tenants into financial distress and put them at risk of eviction. In one case cited in the lawsuit, a DSS voucher-holder signed a one-year lease with a company owned by Zara Realty in 2022. The following year, the company increased her rent by eight percent, even though the legal limit for increases was just 3.25 percent. The next year, Zara Realty raised the same tenants rent by 44 percent. When the tenant refused to pay, Zara Realty took her to court. Another tenants rent had been frozen pursuant to a court order, but Zara Realty continued to overcharge the tenant for a period of two years. When ordered to provide the tenant with a rent credit and stop overcharging him, Zara Realty refused and continued to attempt to collect the inflated rent. When the tenant stopped paying the illegal rent, Zara Realty began eviction proceedings. With this lawsuit, OAG and HCR are seeking a court order requiring Zara Realty to: Stop charging or collecting illegally inflated rents, Identify every former and current tenant that was illegally overcharged, Refund all illegally collected rent to former and current tenants, Pay damages to all former and current tenants, and Correct all rent registrations with HCR and issue new leases to tenants. Attorney General James and HCR previously sued Zara Realty in March 2019 for targeting immigrant middle- and low-income tenants in at least 38 rent-stabilized buildings by charging excessive fees, coercing them into signing improper leases, and illegally raising rents. Litigation is ongoing. We applaud Attorney General James and HCR Commissioner Visnauskas for holding these bad actors accountable and for sending a clear message that this type of predatory behavior will not be tolerated, said DSS Commissioner Molly Wasow Park. The allegations are particularly appalling since the defendants sought to enrich themselves by taking advantage of subsidies intended to support low-income New Yorkers with a history of housing instability. DSS has taken concrete steps to change rental subsidy processes to prevent bad actors from being able to overcharge tenants in receipt of city-administered rental subsidies in the future. We look forward to further collaboration with the Office of the Attorney General and HCR to ensure vital government resources are protected. "For years, Zara Realty has lined their pockets by exploiting and harassing low-income and immigrant tenants, blatantly disregarding rent laws," said Maansi Shah, Tenant Organizer at Chhaya Community Development Corporation. "This lawsuit is a major victory for tenants to recover stolen rent and a critical first step in holding this predatory landlord accountable. But the fight for justice is far from overwe need stronger oversight, increased penalties, and closed loopholes to prevent landlords from weaponizing the system against vulnerable tenants." This case is the latest action in Attorney General James ongoing efforts to protect tenants rights and enforce New Yorks rent regulation laws. In February of this year, Attorney General James and Commissioner Visnauskas announced the re-regulation of 21 rent stabilized apartments and return of more than $50,000 to tenants who were overcharged. In September 2024, Attorney General James, in partnership with HCRs TPU, re-regulated 263 illegally deregulated apartments and reduced rents in 43 additional units. In August 2022, Attorney General James secured $4 million from a group of 29 New York City landlords after uncovering an illegal kickback scheme to deregulate hundreds of rent-stabilized apartments in New York City. In January 2022, Attorney General James banned Raphael Toledano from real estate business in New York after he failed to uphold his 2019 $3 million agreement with Attorney General James for harassing tenants and violating rent stabilization laws. In December 2020, Attorney General James also won more than $1 million in rent credits from Madison Realty Capital for aiding and abetting Toledanos harassment and illegal deregulation. For HCRs TPU, the investigation is conducted by Assistant Commissioner and Legal Director Argyro Boyle, Director of Investigations Lewis Gray, Associate Counsel and Deputy Legal Director Jonathan O. Hurt, and Staff Attorneys Brittany Taylor and Michelle Blaifeder and overseen by TPU Deputy Commissioner Jooyeon Lee. In 2023, through continued forensic analysis, the TPU implemented an updated audit algorithm, with several key identifiers to target patterns of non-compliance, harassment, criminality, and unlawful deregulation. Last March, the TPU imposed a $400,000 settlement on an owner for fraudulent and late apartment registrations, rent overcharges, and tenant harassment. In February 2024, the TPU announced a $514,000 settlement against Steve Croman for overcharging tenants and violating the rent laws. For OAG, the matter is being handled by Unit Chief Brent Meltzer, Senior Enforcement Counsel Rachel Hannaford, and Legal Assistant 2 Cecily Mills of the Housing Protection Unit. The Housing Protection Unit is part of the Division for Social Justice, which is led by Chief Deputy Attorney General Meghan Faux and overseen by First Deputy Attorney General Jennifer Levy. A student march in Hajjah, Yemen. The Houthis are targeting education in northern Yemen, using schools to force their extremist ideology on young, impressionable Yemenis. Teachers and principals who refuse to comply with the Iran-backed terrorist groups initiatives face arrest. To ensure ideological conformity in teaching, the Houthis force schools to teach notebooks from the groups founder, Hussein al Houthi. In addition to learning from sectarian textbooks, students are now required to recite Houthi slogans each day. They include the infamous scream, God is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel, a curse upon the Jews, victory to Islam. For example, in Taiz Governorate, the Houthi education office issued a document mandating that the scream be recited in a morning assembly and documented. Schools submit video evidence to Houthi authorities of students reciting the slogan. Beyond forcing ideology into the classroom, the Houthis have also pulled students out of school and compel them to participate in the groups marches. Middle and elementary school students have been required to attend these marches during a weekday, in some cases multiple times within a week. The Houthis have threatened teachers and students when children havent participated. Unfortunately for vulnerable students, teachers and administrators routinely face serious repercussions if they fail to comply with Houthi directives. According to the Yemeni news site Yemen Shabab, in the week of July 27 alone, 13 teachers, mosque imams, and other respected figures were detained in Taiz Governorate. The week prior, another campaign targeted at least seven teachers and other influential individuals, most of whom were involved in education. Additional regions in Yemen have also reported arbitrary detentions targeting educators. The Houthis have no legal justification for these arrests, and individuals are held without trial or charges. The Iran-backed terrorist group has a long history of arbitrarily detaining civilians. The Houthis have also targeted the higher education sector. Fares al Hemyari, a journalist specializing in Yemen, reported that university academics and administrators have been required to attend both ideological and combat training sessions. The combat courses include weapons training, and the participants are required to pledge loyalty to the Houthis. These recent efforts arent the first instances of the Houthis using the education system to expand their ideological reach since taking power in northern Yemen. For example, the group previously placed family members of Hussein al Houthi in leadership positions within the Ministry of Education. Throughout the years, the Houthis have also made numerous decisions that undermine the independence of the education systems in the territory they control. At the end of April 2025, the group decided to terminate English courses for students before fourth grade, opting instead to use that time for Quranic lessons and Arabic instruction. The group has also attempted to reach students through annual summer camps. These camps provide another avenue for the Houthis to indoctrinate Yemeni youth, beginning at age six. Young boys also receive military training, and the group is known to recruit child soldiers, with some human rights groups reporting recruits as young as 13. Bridget Toomey is a research analyst at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies focusing on Iranian proxies, specifically Iraqi militias and the Houthis. In support the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of the Congo, or DRC, and Rwanda, the United States hosted two recent sets of meetings focused on implementing the security aspects of the agreement and building a framework for economic growth. Both are critical to achieving long-term stability and peace in the Great Lakes region. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Under Secretary for Political Affairs Allison Hooker, and Senior Advisor Massad Boulos hosted the Ministerial signing of the Peace Agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Republic of Rwanda on June 27. This is an important moment after 30 years of war, said Secretary Rubio. In close coordination with the African Union, Qatar, and Togo, the United States continues to engage both parties to ensure implementation of the obligations laid out in the agreement. On August 1, representatives from the DRC and Rwanda, facilitated by the United States, initialed the text of the Regional Economic Integration Framework Tenets, a requirement outlined in the Peace Agreement. Through joint coordination in areas including energy, infrastructure, mining, national park management and tourism, and public health, the DRC and Rwanda will drive economic progress and improve the lives of people and the communities where they live across the Great Lakes region. Also, on July 31, DRC and Rwandan delegations held the first meeting of the Joint Oversight Committee to support implementation of the Peace Agreement Between the DRC and Rwanda, observed by the United States, Qatar, the Republic of Togo, and the African Union Commission. The Committee serves as a platform for implementing the Peace Agreement and resolving disputes. State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce, said in a statement: This weeks meetings represent a significant step forward in implementing the Peace Agreement, with the DRC and Rwanda taking meaningful actions to advance security and economic cooperation. The United States reaffirms its commitment to supporting these efforts and, as the parties make progress implementing the Peace Agreement, looks forward to hosting the Summit of the Heads of State in Washington, D.C., to drive peace, stability, and economic prosperity. An Israeli soldier atop a tank. (IDF Spokespersons Office) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his security cabinet are expected to meet on August 7 to discuss and possibly approve expanding the war against Hamas and its allies in the Gaza Strip. If the initiative is approved, the Israeli government is expected to order the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to take complete control of the Gaza Strip. On August 4, Israeli media reported that Netanyahu had decided that Israel would occupy the Gaza Strip to achieve its primary war goals of defeating Hamas and rescuing the remaining 50 hostages held by terrorist groups in the territory. The die is cast, we are going for a full occupation of the Gaza Strip, a senior official told Ynet News. The source also preemptively warned the Israeli militarys top official, Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, of the consequences of not complying with the order. There will also be activity in areas where hostages are being held. If this doesnt suit the IDF Chief of Staff, he can resign. The potential approval of the expansion of the war follows the collapse of ceasefire talks in Doha that were centered on a US-backed proposal for a 60-day truce between Israel and Hamas. Under the plan, during that period, humanitarian aid would have been flown into Gaza, and Hamas would have released half of the hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners held in Israeli jails. In response to reports about the IDF possibly occupying the Gaza Strip, an unnamed Hamas official warned that the move would expose the hostages to unprecedented danger, the Saudi news channel Al Hadath reported. The unidentified officials statement adds to a previous warning by Hamas that it would execute hostages if the IDF launched a rescue operation. The Israeli government has been under growing domestic pressure to end the war. On August 3, 19 former Israeli defense chiefs issued a joint statement calling for an end to the conflict and the return of the hostages, The Times of Israel reported. We are a year, much more than a year, past the point where we could have ended the war with a sufficient operational achievement, Amos Malka, the former head of military intelligence, stated. In addition to the criticism by former defense officials, the IDF has signaled that it is suffering attrition from the multi-front war that has lasted nearly 22 months. On July 20, Army Radio reported that Zamir ordered a reduction in the number of reserve forces deployed to active combat zones in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and other fronts by 30 percent. Both Israel and Hamas have signaled that they want a ceasefire. However, the biggest obstacle to ending the war has centered on Hamas abandoning its arms. Israel has stipulated that it will accept a ceasefire deal if it includes Hamass disarmament. The Arab League supported this call on July 29, when it issued a statement saying that Hamas must disarm and give up power. For its part, Hamas has refused to concede to the demand, continuing a longstanding policy of not relinquishing its arms. On August 2, the group reiterated this policy, saying it would only give up its weapons after a sovereign Palestinian state was established. The US has shown little indication that it will oppose a decision by Israel to launch a military operation to occupy the Gaza Strip. When asked on August 5 about the Israeli decision, President Donald Trump stated, I really cannot say. That will pretty much be up to Israel. Joe Truzman is an editor and senior research analyst at FDD's Long War Journal focused primarily on Palestinian armed groups and non-state actors in the Middle East. Up to the end of July, migrant arrivals in the Balearics increased by close to 15% compared with the first seven months of 2024, while they fell by 46% in the Canaries. Figures from Spain's interior ministry indicate that the routes to the Canaries were still responsible for more migrant arrivals than those on the mainland and in the Balearics - a total of 11,575. Nevertheless, the 46% decrease is attributed to EU funding of border controls in countries such as Mauritania and Morocco and aid to these countries designed to discourage migration to Europe. But it is believed that this is shifting the focus to Algeria and therefore to the Mediterranean routes, which include the Balearics. From January and July, 7,064 migrants arrived on either the mainland or the islands. For roughly a half - 3,416 - the Balearics were the destination. The Caminando Fronteras NGO has calculated that some 40% of migrants on small boats from Algeria are from sub-Saharan Africa, Somalia in particular. Until quite recently, people arriving in the Balearics were predominantly Algerian. The routes have expanded, Caminando Fronteras saying there have been migrants from Syria, Palestine and Yemen and as far away as Bangladesh. The NGO points to the increased number of bodies of migrants and to "the lack of early activation of rescue resources in response to alerts" on the Mediterranean route. "Added to this is weak collaboration with Algeria and a lack of joint protocols." Caminando Fronteras believe there have been "numerous cases" of disappearances that have not been accounted for. A complication has been the relationship between Spain and Algeria. In March 2022, Spain recognised Morocco's right to sovereignty over Western Sahara. This ultimately led to Algeria suspending diplomatic and trade relations. Since February this year there has been an improvement in these relations. When President Marga Prohens met Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in Palma last week, she impressed upon him the need for working on this relationship in order to try and stem the flow of migrants from Algeria. President Donald Trump is keeping his promise to disrupt the Iranian regimes ability to destabilize the region. The Treasury Departments Office of Foreign Assets Control, or OFAC, has designated five entities and one individual based in Iran, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and China for their procurement of technology in support of OFAC-designated Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Company, or HESA. HESA is a state-owned subsidiary of Irans Ministry of Defense and Armed Forces Logistics, or MODAFL, that manufactures Irans military aircraft and Ababilseries unmanned aerial vehicles, or UAVs, which have been employed by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, or IRGC. Iran continues to pursue the development of asymmetric weapons capabilities, including unmanned aerial vehicles, to carry out attacks on the United States, our servicemembers and our partners and allies in the region, said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence John Hurley. Under Javad Alizadeh Hoshyars direction and management as Chief Executive Officer, Iran-based Control Afzar procured computer numerical control, or CNC, machines, and equipment for HESA. CNC machines are used in highend aerospace and defense manufacturing to create precise and durable components for commercial and military aircraft. Control Afzar used Hong Kong-based Clifton Trading as an alternative intermediary for procurements in the interest of HESA, with the intention of obscuring the involvement of Control Afzar. Control Afzar also used Taiwan-based Mecatron and Joemars Machinery to ship CNC machines and equipment to Iran and knowingly circumvent sanctions and export controls. Joemars Machinery established Chinabased Changzhou Joemars as a subsidiary. Control Afzar is being designated for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, HESA. Alizadeh is being designated for being owned or controlled by or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Control Afzar. Clifton Trading, Mecatron, and Joemars Machinery are being designated for having provided, or attempted to provide, financial, material, technological or other support for, or goods or services in support of, Control Afzar. Changzhou Joemars is being designated for being owned or controlled by or acting or purporting to act for or on behalf of Joemars Machinery. Violations of U.S. sanctions may result in the imposition of civil or criminal penalties on U.S. and foreign persons. OFAC may impose civil penalties for sanctions violations on a strict liability basis. In addition, financial institutions and other persons may risk exposure to sanctions for engaging in certain transactions or activities with designated or otherwise blocked persons. We will continue to put America first, said Under Secretary John Hurley, by disrupting Tehrans ability to further its destabilizing agenda that undermines the stability of the region and threatens the safety of the American people. A Somerville restaurant and bar will be forced to reduce its hours after police were called to the location 62 times in the first seven months of this year, according to city authorities. Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine, a Brazilian restaurant and nightlife venue at 102 Broadway, has been the site of repeated noise complaints and calls for fights this year. Late one night in April, police also received calls for a gunshot fired one door down, which investigators attributed to a patron of the business, Somerville Licensing Commission Chair Joseph Lynch said. In that area of East Somerville, between the McGrath Highway and the Boston city line, no one compares to the number of calls that you guys are getting, Lynch told representatives for the business at a special meeting of the commission on July 29. Quite frankly, he said, the establishment has become a public nuisance. Commissioners voted to dock the restaurant an hour of operation, requiring it to close at 1 a.m. instead of the previous 2 a.m. From 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Gauchao must request a police detail outside the restaurant to respond to large crowds or safety concerns. Commissioners threatened further action, including the revocation of the restaurants license to host performers, if the complaints continued. We are taking full responsibility of what is happening, Rony Figueroa, one of the businesss managers, told the commission. Im not happy with it, and Im not pleased when it comes to these kinds of complaints. I will put my foot down. Representatives for Gauchao did not respond to a message left at the restaurant by MassLive. The majority of the calls to Somerville Police regarding the business have been late at night and into the early morning on weekends, when Gauchao hosts live music and DJs. Many complaints concerned the volume of the music and patrons congregated outdoors after leaving the venue or while waiting to get in. The establishment has an indoor capacity of about 150 and space for another 60 on an outdoor patio. The gunfire occurred in the early morning of April 27, Somerville Police Lt. Diogo de Oliveira said. It remains under investigation. In a Facebook post from that week, the Somerville Police Department said officers responded around 12:30 a.m. that day to an unnamed business on Broadway, where an employee told them a person had fired a gun into the air. No one was injured, and officers found a single shell casing at the scene. Figueroa, who said he had 35 years in the food and beverage industry in Massachusetts, has managed the business since new owners took over at the beginning of this year. He said he does not normally stay at the business late into the night and claimed to be unaware that a shot had been fired outside. There is a serious breakdown in communication in your establishment [such] that you do not know what is happening there, License Commissioner Christopher Allen told Figueroa. The commissions scrutiny of the restaurant was first reported by The Cambridge Day. The license commission had granted the Gauchao a 2 a.m. closing time because there had been no complaints against the previous owners. If a business came to us with the history over the last short period of time that weve seen here, we would absolutely not grant a 2 a.m. license, Allen said. Michael Herrera, the owners son and a manager, said he had recently installed insulating material around the windows to try to absorb some of the sound escaping the venue. Appealing to the commissioners, Figueroa asked that they consider that the owners were taking over from previous management, the difficulty for venues in general in managing large crowds, and the recent struggles Gauchao has had as a business. Everybodys patrons get loud, Lynch said. But it is your responsibility to keep the noise down. Its your responsibility as the license holder to make sure youre not over-serving your customers. We have to send a message, he said. Colorful, smooth rocks from Madagascar Import SEAM for sale during a past East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. (Steven E. Nanton photo) Steven E. Nanton WEST SPRINGFIELD Collectors, sellers, and buyers alike will travel from all over the country to attend this weekends East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show, while for some who live in the region it is only a stones throw away at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. The annual event opens its doors on Friday at 10 a.m. Some 180 dealers, miners, artisans and crafters from all over the county and from as far away as Canada, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia will be selling a variety of rocks ranging from 50-cent tumbled stones to $50,000 mineral specimens, from sharks teeth to fossil skeletons, and lapidary supplies and equipment. I run a pure mineral show. That means only dealers who carry minerals, meteorites and other gems and related products can set up a booth in our show. You wont find sage, candles or other items not related to the hobby, said Laura Delano of LLD Productions, who produces the show. But what you will find at the show are products such as beads and jewelry, lamps and other items made using all kinds of gems and stones, including one vendor who sells leather-bound journals with a polished stone attached to the front. We try to always have different dealers to keep peoples interest and this year we have about 25 new vendors alongside others who have been coming for years, Delano said. One of those different dealers is Darryl Powell, a seasoned mineral collector, artist and author, who founded Diamond Dan Publications in 1991 with the mission to produce high-quality, fairly priced educational materials that will help mineral collectors, particularly young ones, to be successful mineral collectors. Craig Larziere of New Windsor, New York, shows Eli Stockley and his mom, Haylie Stockley, both of Lee, some marbles during a past East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show at the Eastern States Exposition. (Steven E. Nanton photo) Steven E. Nanton Powells interest in collecting began at the age of 10 he is now 63. I was in the fifth grade when my teacher asked us to write a paper on anything. I picked rocks and minerals, then a teacher who lived in the neighborhood noticed my interest in them and went to the store to buy me a tiny paperback on the subject. I got hooked and havent stopped collecting since then, he said. The idea to create a coloring book was born out of the fact that Powells home was strewn with Barney the Purple Dinosaur coloring books that his son, Aaron, loved. I thought to myself that what the world really needed is a mineral coloring book. So, I quickly slapped one together with simple black and white drawings that were barely two-dimensional doodles with my text and pictures literally cut and pasted onto pages that I took to the printer for printing, Powell said. We printed 500 copies and, son of a gun, they sold. A friend, who is a salesman, told me if I put more work into them and cleaned them up then they may be profitable. My mom was artistic and a very creative person, and I picked up her ability to sketch and doodle and with practice and a few thousand drawings later, adding shading and other different tools, I improved on my drawings. And from there it morphed into a near fulltime business, he added, noting all books are created today using sophisticated software which produce high-quality colorful PDFs (portable document format). That first coloring book was called Diamond Dan the Mineral Digging Man presents Minerals to Color A to Z. It remains our most popular today and is our mainstay which sells to families, teachers, mineral clubs on others. We now call it The World of Minerals and Crystals and every time we reprint it we improve upon the book, Powell said. One of the more fun titles in his collection of works is called The Best Bathroom Book for Mineral Collectors Ever Written, Vol. 1. There is also a second volume now to purchase. I publish a Mini Miners Monthly eBook for young mineral collectors. What I did was to gather a bunch of material from them and place them into a 100-page published paperback filled with word searches, pictures to color, biographies, interesting articles on minerals and other fun things, Powell said. Other coloring and activity books produced by Darryl Diamond Dan Powell include Fossils: Traces of Ancient Life from the Sea & Land, Minerals of the Bible, World Class Minerals, Minerals of Arizona and more. Some of his more educational titles include Crystals & Crystal Forms: An Introduction to Crystallography for Mineral Collectors, Diamond Dans Mineralogical Dictionary, and Fluorescent Minerals of Connecticut by John A. Pawloski, Sr. as well as Herkulees, Medusa & The Baby: The Story of an Historic Discovery in Sprakers, New York by Bill Stephens. He also sells mineral note cards, tattoos and buttons, and a notebook. Kyle Patty, 15, and Tanya Olenick, both of Norwich, Connecticut, look over gemstone trees at Mineral Market during a past East Coast Gem, Mineral and Fossil Show. (Steven E. Nanton photo) Steven E. Nanton Each year the show brings in a different special exhibition for visitors to marvel at, and this years magnificent display is a gem among gems some of the worlds most rare examples of beautifully crystallized mineral specimens will be on display from the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Texas. For the kids, special booths at the show will offer free mineral specimens. There also will be geodes to purchase that they can have fun cracking open to reveal never-before-seen crystals. Delano said she was pleased to learn that one of the top show guides for dealers and buyers, Xpo Press out of Colorado, recognized their show in a recent ranking of mineral events. They listed us as one of the top 12 mineral shows in the world, and there are some really big ones in Europe, she said. In addition to the public show, this weekend will also feature a special show in the Young Building with wholesale vendors. Those attending the wholesale show must be qualified buyers with resale credentials. Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; children under 13 are free with a paid adult. The Eastern States Exposition charges $5 for parking. For more information, visit mineralshowslld.com. Nantucket police are investigating a falsely reported bomb threat that prompted Main Street to be closed for most of Tuesday night, the Nantucket Police Department said Wednesday. At around 7:11 p.m., a call to the Nantucket Communications Center said that an improvised explosive device was in a black SUV in the area of 16 Main St., police said in a statement. With the help of Massachusetts State Police and the Nantucket Fire Department, officers secured a perimeter around where the SUV was parked, and nearby businesses, streets and sidewalks were closed and evacuated, police said. The State Police Bomb Squad arrived at around 10:35 p.m. to search the area, the statement read. No explosive device was found. First responders reopened the area at around 11:09 p.m. Nantucket police detectives continue to investigate the incident. As Harvard University is in talks with the Trump administration over a potential deal or settlement, the university is waiting with bated breath to hear the decision of a federal judge over canceled government funding for the university. The institution requested that Judge Allison D. Burroughs make a decision before September 3, when much of the damage from the Trump administrations billions in research grant and other funding cuts would be irreversible. Burroughs has yet to make a decision since a court date on July 21 during oral arguments, when she said she will get an opinion out as soon as possible. However, during the court date, she expressed her uncertainty with the Trump administrations actions, calling the lawyers arguments a little bit mind-boggling. During the hearing, Burroughs pushed back on whether the federal government could cancel grants across the institution en masse without substantially proving that researchers or labs had engaged in antisemitism. She added that the consequences of that in terms of the constitutional law are staggering to me. President Donald Trump, for his part, took to Truth Social to take aim at Burroughs the same day, calling her a TOTAL DISASTER and an automatic loss for the People of our Country. He also signaled that the federal government would appeal her decision if she sides with Harvard. Legal experts believe the case could wind up going as far as the Supreme Court. Harvards second lawsuit over the federal governments attacks against international students is more settled. Burroughs granted two preliminary injunctions related to the case in late June. One preliminary injunction rejects a Trump administration attempt to ban Harvard foreign students from entering the country to study. This decision was appealed by the Trump administration and will now go to the First Circuit Court of Appeals. The other preliminary injunction allows Harvard to host international students. No appeal has been filed on that decision. What has happened between the Trump admin and Harvard? The Trump administration has gone after Harvard since April, cutting billions of dollars. Demanding an overhaul of Harvards leadership structure, admissions and hiring the federal government warned the school could risk losing $9 billion in funding. Harvard rejected those demands, stating they seek to invade university freedoms long recognized by the Supreme Court. Then the fight over funding occurred. It began with a $2.2 billion funding freeze on April 14 after the school refused to comply with the federal administrations demands. In response, Harvard filed a lawsuit on April 21, arguing that its constitutional rights had been violated by the governments threats to pull billions of dollars in funding. Harvard President Garber also signed onto a letter with hundreds of other university presidents pushing back against government overreach and political interference by the Trump administration. At the beginning of May, the Trump administration said it would bar Harvard University from acquiring new federal grants while the school continues to refuse to comply with the administrations demands for change on its campus. A few days later, eight federal agencies cut $450 million in grants and then the United States Department of Health and Human Services cut $60 million in grants from the university. Harvard went on to amend its lawsuit against the Trump administration. On May 16, a wave of nearly one thousand federal research grant terminations began, amounting to more than $2.4 billion, according to an analysis by Nature. In response, Harvard established a new Presidential Priorities Fund, asking for donations in the midst of federal cuts. Some of Harvards schools, including its School of Public Health, took to social media to ask for donations after nearly every single federal grant had been terminated. Other investigations and threats have been made against the institution, some of which have focused on threatening the universitys ability to enroll international students. This prompted Harvard to open a second lawsuit against the Trump administration over its ability to accept international students. Most recently, the State Department opened an investigation into Harvard Universitys use of international visas. The Department of Homeland Security has also subpoenaed Harvard over its failure to provide documents concerning the misconduct or criminal actions of foreign students. A California man who secretly filmed an 11-year-old Massachusetts girl while she changed clothes was sentenced to serve 16 years in prison in federal court on Tuesday, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Woodland resident Jacob Guerrero, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually exploiting a child in August 2024 and one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2025, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. Investigators began investigating Guerrero after learning of allegations that he tried to secretly record underage girls in bathrooms and changing rooms at the Wrentham Outlets, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He was accused of going into the bathrooms and changing rooms wearing a wig and womens clothing, then using pen cameras affixed to his shoes to record the videos. Over the course of two weeks in 2021, Guerrero staked out the home of the victim, taking notes of times when she and her siblings showered, changed and went to bed, the U.S. Attorneys office said. On March 17, 2021, he climbed on top of a garage attached to the victims home and stood outside her second-floor bedroom window to record a video of her unclothed as she changed into her pajamas. He took similar notes on the comings and goings of children residing in several other Massachusetts homes. Mr. Guerrero targeted young children by tracking their moves and then even worse violated one young girls privacy while she was in the safety of her own home all for his own sexual gratification, Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in the release. Investigators also discovered evidence suggesting that, in the summer of 2019, Guerrero filmed several minors as young as eight years old in New Jersey, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He pleaded guilty to those offenses in May 2025. Guerrero was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on April 14, 2022, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Following the completion of his prison sentence, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. Jacob Guerrero is a deeply disturbed and dangerous man who devised a twisted plan to prey upon children, specifically to abuse and exploit them, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said in the release. With these hideous crimes, this predator has forfeited his right to walk among us and will be kept behind bars and away from children for quite some time. Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case are advised to call 617-748-3274, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Renters and housing advocates stage a demonstration at the Massachusetts State House in support of rent control on Tuesday, July 29. Trea Lavery/MassLive The push to bring back rent control in Massachusetts could be put directly to the voters next year in the form of a ballot question. Housing advocates said Wednesday that they plan to collect signatures this fall to put the measure on the ballot. Language they plan to file with the state Attorney Generals office on Wednesday would limit annual rent hikes statewide to the cost of living increase measured by the Consumer Price Index, with a maximum cap of 5%. Right now, theres no limit to how much rent can increase every year, so corporate real estate investors are increasingly buying up homes in our communities, hiking rents astronomically, and evicting anyone who cant afford to pay, said Denise Matthews-Turner, executive director of City Life/Vida Urbana, one of the groups organizing the effort, in a press release. Rent stabilization is the missing solution to our states housing crisis. Read more: Housing advocates renew fight for rent stabilization in Massachusetts The proposed ballot question includes exemptions for owner-occupied buildings with less than five units and for the first 10 years that a newly constructed building is open. Rent control was banned in Massachusetts in 1994 by a ballot question. Renters, advocates and legislators have repeatedly tried to reinstate it without success. A previous effort to get rent stabilization on the 2024 ballot was abandoned after its proponents failed to get enough signatures to qualify. State Sen. Pat Jehlen, D-2nd Middlesex, Rep. Sam Montano, D-15th Suffolk, and Rep. David Rogers, D-24th Middlesex, filed bills this session that would give cities and towns the option to implement rent stabilization locally, capping annual increases. Unlike the proposed ballot question, the bills would not institute rent control statewide. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median gross rent for a two-bedroom apartment in Massachusetts was $1,882 in 2023, up from $1,727 the year before and $1,381 in 2018. Opponents of rent stabilization, including many members of the real state industry, say it would actually lead to higher rent costs because it would disincentivize housing production. The outcome will be fewer available units, deteriorated housing conditions and owners walking away from reinvestment in old housing stock that needs care, said Boston-area landlord Tony Lopes during a State House hearing on Jehlens bill last week. And it penalizes the small property owners who make up 60% or more of the commonwealths rental market, including the immigrant and minority property owners who are seeking to get ahead. Supporters, however, disagree, saying rent stabilization is needed alongside more housing development to relieve the burden on renters who need help now. The provision that would exempt new construction for the first 10 years is also meant to minimize any effect on development. Massive rent hikes are pushing seniors out of the homes theyve lived in for decades, and making it impossible for young families to save money for a down payment on their first house, said Noemi Ramos, executive director of New England Community Project, on Wednesday. As the state works to build more affordable housing over the coming years, we need rent stabilization to protect workers, families, and seniors from out-of-control housing costs today. Wednesday is the deadline for proposed ballot questions to be submitted to the Attorney Generals office. Next, the proponents must collect 74,574 valid signatures by Nov. 19. Once signatures are certified, the measure would be sent to the state Legislature, which may choose to enact it before it is added to the ballot. If the Legislature does not act on the petition by May 6, the petitioners must collect an additional 12,429 signatures by June 17 to finally place it on the ballot for the Nov. 3, 2026 election. Texas House Democrats join Illinois Governor JB Pritzker speaks about the Texas Republican plans to redraw the House map during a press conference at the Democratic Party of DuPage County office in Carol Stream, IL on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. (AP Photo/Mark Black) AP Democratic state House lawmakers who were staying in a hotel in Illinois to frustrate a vote on a Republican-led redistricting effort were evacuated over a bomb threat. Officers with the St. Charles, Ill., police department, about 90 minutes west of Chicago, said they responded to a bomb threat at the Q Hotel, ABC News reported. They did not find a device. St. Charles Police and Fire departments and the Kane County Sheriffs Office bomb squad conducted a thorough search and no device was found. In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation, the department said in a statement, according to ABC News. More than 50 Texas lawmakers have scattered across the country as theyve tried to deprive Republicans of the votes they need to advance a congressional map aimed at flipping five seats that are currently majority-minority. Authorities told ABC News that guests and staff were safely able to return to the hotel and that their investigation was ongoing. At least two Texas lawmakers released statements saying they would not give in to such acts of intimidation. Early this morning, a bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed. But this is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric. When the Attorney General tells people to hunt us down, its not just politics -- its a threat to our safety," state Rep. Ann Johnson said in a statement. Weve been threatened by the Governor, the Attorney General, and our colleagues in the House, state Rep. John Bucy said in a statement, according to ABC News. This harmful discourse emboldens bad actors and encourages violence. Its unacceptable and needs to end. A spokesperson for Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, told ABC News that Abbott, who has sharply criticized the Democratic lawmakers, condemns violence without reservation. But that spokesperson also rejected suggestions that Abbotts criticisms had been inflammatory, the network reported. First and foremost, violence -- or even the threat of it -- is unacceptable and the Governor condemns it without reservation. But to suggest that calling on Democrats to return to Texas and do their jobs is somehow inflammatory is absurd, Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, told ABC News. Democratic members of the Texas state Senate, joined by lawmakers in three dozen states, rallied outside the State House in Boston on Wednesday morning, where they warned that the effort in the Lone Star state was the tip of the national iceberg. Xinjiang Story: Wings of heritage -- An eagle dancer's flight to spotlight 08:39, August 06, 2025 By Gu Yu, Wu Ziyu and Wang Xiaopeng ( Xinhua URUMQI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Though in his late fifties, Jeneshan Salapi, an ethnic Kazakh herdsman, moves with the fluid grace of youth when performing the traditional eagle dance of the ethnic group. "The eagle's head pivots six ways, a gift no other bird has," he said, arching his neck and sweeping his arms like wings, embodying the raptor's hunt. He hails from Aksu Township in Urumqi, capital of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, nestled beneath the snow-capped Bogda Peak of the Tianshan Mountains. As the fourth-generation inheritor of the art, now recognized as intangible cultural heritage in the region, Salapi began training with his father at the age of five. After years of learning, he has mastered the dance's hypnotic movements. His eagle costume -- a 20-kg masterpiece -- is stitched from black goatskins and built with springs and pulleys. The neck bends like a living joint, and the beak is carved from cattle horn. When the music swells, Salapi transforms. Head thrusts, spiraling twists and sweeping dives bring the eagle's spirit to life. In the climactic "falcon hunts fox" sequence, every gesture captures centuries of nomadic resilience, tenacity, struggle and triumph. "True eagle dance flows from understanding falconry's soul," he explains. "Every flick of the wing and every turn of the head hold meanings known only to those raised with eagles." This dance is an artistic hymn to falconry, once vital to the survival of ethnic Kazakh people on the steppes where horses and eagles were hunting partners. Salapi's connection to this tradition runs deep. From boyhood, he studied eagles' instincts, blending careful observation with ancestral wisdom in his art. "Eagles are family members to us rather than tools," he said. "Falconry is culture. Knowing we must release them back to the wild makes every moment sacred. That bond inspired this dance." According to Salapi, his ancestors performed the dance at festive occasions like weddings. Today, the folk dance thrives on stages as a carefully preserved heritage. At Aksu's Eagle Dance Square -- a cultural hub rich with traditional motifs -- visitors can experience its power firsthand. "This dance is my ancestors' legacy. Passing it down is my duty," he says. Today, his eldest son is also learning from him the art. The cultural preservation policies rolled out by the local government have amplified his mission. Besides establishing the public square dedicated to the traditional dance, local authorities grant him an annual stipend of around 4,800 yuan (about 670 U.S. dollars) as a representative inheritor of the region. He also teaches at local schools. Thanks to short videos sweeping social media, Salapi's name has spread throughout Urumqi. He also appeared on a popular Chinese variety show, where he taught celebrity guests the dance. Bringing this time-honored ethnic art to wider audiences has earned him acclaim across Xinjiang and beyond. A region boasting multiple ethnic groups, Xinjiang has ensured protection of over 9,000 intangible heritage items -- ranging from national to county level. It supports more than 10,000 inheritors, creating a vibrant mosaic of living traditions. The dance has also brought tangible economic gains to Salapi, whose mode of transportation has evolved -- from horse to motorcycle and now to family cars. In recent years, a township camel cooperative has helped boost his income, with more than 40 camels generating over 200,000 yuan annually from milk sales. "While young people today have embraced modern lives far from their nomadic roots, their growing passion for the eagle dance ensures this heritage not only survives but echoes well beyond the mountains," he said. (Interns Yang Yi, Yu Peishan, Chen Kangli, Zhang Xiaorong, Li Ruiquan and Liu Keyi also contributed to the story.) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Copyright 1995 - . All rights reserved. The content (including but not limited to text, photo, multimedia information, etc) published in this site belongs to China Daily Information Co (CDIC). Without written authorization from CDIC, such content shall not be republished or used in any form. Note: Browsers with 1024*768 or higher resolution are suggested for this site. 0108263 License for publishing multimedia online Registration Number: 130349 Registration Number: 130349 Democrat state Sens. Royce West (L) and Carol Alvardo (R), of Texas, warn of what they say is a Republican-led effort nationwide to disenfranchise broad swaths of voters. They spoke during a news conference at the State House in Boston, Mass., on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive Texas state Sen. Royce West has served in the Lone Star States Legislature since 1992. In his three decades of public service, hes been through a couple of rounds of congressional redistricting. That inherently political process can often be bruising, and the debate is often impassioned. But he said hes never seen an effort to reshape his home states congressional map like hes seeing now. For one, its happening well before the once-a-decade release of U.S. Census data thats critical to fairly apportioning representation for all Texans on Capitol Hill, he said. For another, the effort, led by Republicans who hold a supermajority across state government, is coming at the behest of President Donald Trump and just months before the 2026 midterm elections that will determine control of the U.S. House of Representatives, he continued. And he and his Lone State colleagues have just one word to describe it: RiggedDistricting. And since he was in Boston this week to call attention to a partisan fight thats made headlines nationwide and to attend a conclave of state legislators that drew thousands of his colleagues to the citys Seaport district West decided to put his argument in terms that the locals could appreciate. You know, theres some guy by the name of Paul Revere, and I remember in history, he was traveling around saying, The British are coming, West said during a news conference on the steps of the State House on Wednesday. Well, were traveling now, saying RiggedDistricting is coming, he continued. In public appearances across Boston this week, the Texas Democrats warned that the GOP-led effort to effectively erase five currently majority-minority seats is a prelude to a nationwide fight over voting rights and representation for Black and brown Americans nationwide. West and other Texas lawmakers were joined at Wednesdays news conference by Democratic legislators from three dozen states, several of whom sounded a similar warning. Missouri state Rep. Ashley Aune said her state is next on the GOPs redistricting wish list, with Republicans in the Show Me State looking to take a 6-2 majority on Capitol Hill and expand it to 7-1. I serve with a super-majority of Republicans in Missouri. And for the last several years under [former President Joe] Biden, we heard [from Republicans] We cant listen to the federal government. We cant trust anything coming from the federal government, she said. Were The Show-Me State. All right, well, I guess Donald Trump showed us some maps, and were just gonna jump. What I keep reminding my Republican colleagues across the aisle is that Donald Trump is a president. He is not a dictator; he is not a king. But he is an authoritarian, Aune said. Trump injected himself into the fiery debate on Tuesday, announcing that he believes Lone Star State Republicans are entitled to five more seats on Capitol Hill. If the effort in Texas is successful, Democrats would face a steeper climb as they seek to retake control of the U.S. House of Representatives in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans currently hold a 219-212 edge in the lower chamber, with four vacancies. Right now, Democrats only would have to flip a handful of seats to retake control. The Texas contingent met with Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey and Secretary of State William L. Galvin, both Democrats, on Tuesday. There, they sounded a similar warning. Galvin, the states chief election officer, wryly noted that gerrymandering takes its name from former Vice President Elbridge Gerry, a Marblehead native. Wednesdays news conference fell on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, which resulted in more than 1 million Black Americans registering to vote in the four years after it was passed, according to the Brennan Center. Massachusetts State Rep. Carlos Gonzalez, D-10th Hampden, implored the crowd to listen to what we can do to continue to support our state legislators in Texas. Like other lawmakers, Gonzalez positioned the fight in Texas as a broader, nationwide battle. It is a united cause that we must continue to fight, he said. It is right. Not only right for Texas, but right for California; not only right for Texas, but right for Massachusetts; not only right for blue states, but right for red states and the United States of America. Americans are expectedly split along party lines in their support for most leading political newsmakers, from Vice President JD Vance to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders. But a new poll shows people across the political spectrum look favorably on one key, albeit nonpolitical, figure. Three months after he was elected pontiff, Pope Leo XIV enjoys a 46-point net favorable rating among U.S. adults, according to a Gallup poll of about 1,000 people conducted over two weeks in July. Democrats love him, to the tune of a 68% net approval rating the share of people who view the pope favorably minus the share who view him unfavorably. Republicans and independents do too, to a lesser but still large extent. The popes net-favorable rating among Republicans is 33 points; among independents, it is 39 points. Leo, a Chicago native and the first American pope, was the only figure polled by Gallup to enjoy a positive net favorability rating among both Democrats, Republicans and independents. His broad support places him widely ahead of other newsmakers mentioned in the survey from Gallup, one of the nations leading public opinion pollsters. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has an 18-point net favorability rating, according to Gallup. But his support among Republicans is underwater by 23 points. Sanders has an 11-point net favorability. But the progressive icon is reviled by Republicans and has a net favorability within the party of 57%. All other figures whose favorability Gallup surveyed turned up with negative net approval ratings among American adults. None were more unpopular than President Donald Trump (16%), Secretary of State Marco Rubio (16%), Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (23%) and the billionaire and former leader of Trumps Department of Government Efficiency, Elon Musk (28%). Pope Leo XIV had the highest net favorability of any public figure in a Gallup poll conducted July 721. Gallup The popes 57% favorability rating among U.S. adults is roughly comparable to the American publics views of the two most recent pontiffs Benedict XVI and Francis at the time of their elections. When Benedicts papacy began in 2005, a Gallup survey showed him with 55% favorability among U.S. adults. That dropped to 40% by 2010, polling showed. Francis enjoyed a 58% favorability rating in 2013 when he was elected after Benedicts resignation, according to Gallup. His favorability remained at that level a decade later, with a drop in support among American conservatives offset by growing support among liberals and moderates. Pope Leo has broad appeal in the U.S., setting him apart from public figures with clear party associations, whose images are often highly polarized, Gallups pollsters concluded. Although liked by all party groups, he gets better ratings from Democrats and liberals than Republicans and conservatives. Given the similarity to Francis image in his later years, this could indicate that Americans perceive Leo to be continuing Francis approach to religious and social questions, or that they are assuming thats the case until shown otherwise. When the call came to serve, state Rep. Marla Smith marched toward it. She had more than a quarter-century under her belt as a judicial administrator. But her predecessor in a state House district outside St. Louis had called it quits to take a job at Washington University. And she knew it was time to give back. My community needed me, Smith, a Democrat, said on Tuesday during a quiet moment at the start of the second day of an annual gathering of thousands of state lawmakers from across the nation. My committee people called and asked me to [do] this, she continued. ... I snatched at the opportunity to do so. Standing in a waiting area outside a cavernous ballroom at the equally sprawling Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Bostons Seaport neighborhood, Smith is easy enough to spot. Shes in a bright red polo shirt with her name stitched across the front. Shes just grabbed a coffee and offers a welcoming smile when shes asked for her political origin story. She wasnt the only one. A half-dozen state lawmakers, of both parties, spanning generations and experiences, were approached by MassLive during this weeks annual summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures. They, too, talked about what brought them into politics, its risks and rewards, and why some of them have stayed for years when some voters these days are just as likely to reward them with a kind word as they are to hurl an F-Bomb. At a time of rising political polarization and declining voter trust in public institutions, the trade groups Boston gathering, the 50th such event since its founding in 1975, was pitched as an oasis of bipartisanship. Indeed, the organization, which has offices in Colorado and Washington, D.C., is a clearinghouse on legislative best practices for lawmakers across the political spectrum. It provides objective research on issues ranging from transportation funding and public education to clean water and artificial intelligence. Even with their sharp-elbowed disagreements at work, the state lawmakers who gathered in Boston this week seemed to yearn for a spirit of bipartisanship and deliberation that now seems vanishingly rare. Thats been abetted, in the words of one conference attendee earlier this week, by the twin accelerants of social media and partisan cable news outlets. Still, there were times on Tuesday, even with the comity, when those partisan differences peeked out. State Sen. Scott Flippo, R-Ark., pictured during the 2025 summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston's Seaport neighborhood. He spoke to MassLive on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive I think, with all states, whats driving politics is ... whats playing out at the national level, state Sen. Scott Flippo, a Republican from Arkansas, told MassLive on Tuesday. And thats unfortunate because theres a lot of issues that are more localized ... at the state level, the county level, or the city level, said Flippo, whos now in his fourth term at the state capital of Little Rock. But it is something that people are tuning into at the national level .... and so thats a struggle to try to reach people at a level on things that are impacting them at a state level ... and to get them to give that same level of attention, he said. A few minutes later, another Arkansas lawmaker, also a Republican, but at the start of her political career, reflected on the challenges and benefits of a life in politics. Im one of the first Gen Zers to ever be elected to the [state] House, state Rep. Alyssa R. Brown, 27, said. Im the youngest woman to be elected, I think. I bring some fresh ideas, some passion. State Rep. Alyssa R. Brown, R-Ark., at the annual summit of the National Conference of State Legislatures at the Thomas M. Menino Convention & Exhibition Center in Boston, on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. John L. Micek/MassLive In her first term, Brown won passage and a gubernatorial signature on a bill dubbed The RESTORE Act, which requires Arkansas insurance companies, as well as the states Medicaid expansion program, to cover restorative reproductive medicine, the Arkansas Advocate reported. Its backers say restorative reproductive medicine focuses on identifying the underlying health conditions that contribute to reproductive dysfunction and suboptimal reproductive health. Critics have argued that the law is meant to cast doubt on the effectiveness of assisted reproductive technology, even though the law does not penalize or prohibit such treatments, the online news organization reported. Still, it was really unique to get to use my experiences and my voice to advocate for other millennial and Gen Z women who need this type of coverage, Brown said. And so that brought something else that my other colleagues were not necessarily equipped for. Brown said she decided to run after she surveyed the landscape in her district and decided there wasnt somebody I could vote for. I said, You know what? Weve had so many career politicians, and I jumped in and gave my people an option, she recalled. State Reps. Tobias Schlingensiepen and Nikki McDonald, both Kansas Democrats, each pointed to the challenges posed by the second Trump administration and the funding cuts that they said have roiled state and local budgets. I mean, some day my kids are going to look back, and theyre going to remember only the Trump years, right? McDonald, a former teacher, said. And I want them to look back and realize I did what I could do, right? Schlingensiepen, a congregationalist minister and a police chaplain, mused that you have to stand up in your own country. Neither he nor McDonald gave any thought to shying away from those policy challenges. Because if you dont, you dont have your right to rebuild, you know? he said. And thats the important thing. Youve got to suffer through the bad times." This March 22, 2013, file photo shows the exterior of the Internal Revenue Service building in Washington. AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File SPRINGFIELD A contractor in Berkshire County is repaying the IRS hundreds of thousands of dollars after he pleaded guilty to tax fraud. Dennis Condron, who owns D Condron Construction, allegedly cashed customer checks into his personal bank account and then did not report the funds to his tax preparer, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Jamie A. Dodge walked into the Hampden Superior Court Aug. 6 cuffed and with the help of a cane. Dodge pleaded guilty to the 25-year-old rape in Holland. (Douglas Hook / The Republican) Douglas Hook SPRINGFIELD A former resident of Maine hobbled into a courtroom in Hampden Superior Court to plead guilty to a rape and kidnapping in Holland that happened 25 years ago. Struggling to use a cane while handcuffed, Jamie A. Dodge admitting to abducting and raping a woman during her Sunday walk around her neighborhood on July 23, 2000, just before 11:30 that morning. 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University of Galway today announced that Professor David J Burn has been appointed the 14th President of the University with effect September 8. Professor Burn will succeed Professor Peter McHugh, a native of Ballyhaunis who has held the position on an interim basis since September 2024. A native of the north-east of England. Professor Burn has served as Pro-Vice Chancellor of the Faculty of Medical Sciences in Newcastle University since 2017, where he led transformative change initiatives to restructure faculty, accelerate research performance, advance equality, diversity and inclusion and drive internationalisation. He is also Professor of Movement Disorders Neurology and Honorary Consultant Neurologist for Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Trust. Professor McHugh took up the role of interim president last September having previously served as deputy president and registrar. He first joined the University in 1991 and was appointed as the first Established Professor of Biomedical Engineering in 2007. He has previously served as Dean of College of Engineering and Informatics, Head of School of Engineering and Informatics, and Head of School of Engineering. Speaking about the appointment of Professor Burn, Dr Maire Geoghegan-Quinn, Chair of Udaras na hOllscoile, University of Galways Governing Authority, said: Following a rigorous and competitive assessment process, I am delighted to announce the appointment of Professor David Burn as the next President of University of Galway. READ: Uisce Eireann crews working to restore water to customers in East Mayo town Professor Burn brings a wealth of experience in University and health care leadership and presents a compelling vision to inspire University of Galways staff and students to take this remarkable University to new heights. With a track record of leadership and achievement internationally, Professor Burn brings both the necessary experience and vision to this role and I look forward to working with him as we begin a new chapter in the Universitys journey. I would also like to express my sincere thanks to Interim President, Professor Peter McHugh, for his steady leadership of the University over the last year and to wish him well in his future endeavours. Commenting on his appointment, Professor David J Burn said: I am delighted and honoured to have been appointed as the next President of University of Galway. Although born and bred in the Northeast of England, I have had a strong personal connection to Ireland for over 35 years and am therefore no stranger to its rich heritage and vibrant culture. I look forward to working with all staff and students to help University of Galway further realise its incredible potential and am excited about what we can achieve together. When Joseph Njane, a railway training officer from Kenya, boarded for the first time a high-speed train from Beijing to Wuhan and then Guangzhou, he was captivated by the speed, safety and technological sophistication of the country's railway network. The three-week training session in 2019, provided by Beijing Jiaotong University, allowed Njane, who works for Afristar, the company that operates the Mombasa-Nairobi Standard Gauge Railway, to learn about China's scientific approach to railway planning and construction, control and monitoring systems. "Seeing China's railway network firsthand was really eye-opening," he said, adding that the field trip ignited his desire to bring the advanced technology back to help modernize Kenya's railway systems. "The knowledge that I acquired, the scientific methods and models, can be used for our railways in Africa to improve the capacity and utilization of our lines." Three years later, Njane participated in an online course also provided by the Beijing Jiaotong University, which he said enhanced his understanding of railway systems, from the structure of the railroad to dispatching technologies. The most valuable takeaway of the training was China's emphasis on integrating technology with education, he said. "The two training courses enabled and inspired me to come up with something that can be used in Kenya to train our staff and ensure their access to railway knowledge." When he returned to Kenya, Njane established an online system where he uploaded the training materials from his visits to China and online training. Now, any employee can log in and access those training materials within minutes, even though they did not get a chance to study in China, Njane said. "This accelerates technology transfer from Chinese experts to Kenyan workers." The type of training that Njane received, as part of China's international human resources development cooperation, is seen as an important aspect of the country's foreign aid. Over the past 70 years, China has carried out nearly 15,000 training programs for over 180 countries and organizations through various forms such as short- and medium-term training programs in China, overseas expert consultations and youth volunteer services. These programs have covered 17 fields and trained more than 500,000 professionals in total, according to Li Ming, a spokesman for the China International Development Cooperation Agency. China's foreign aid training programs focus on cultivating and enhancing the recipient countries' self-development capabilities, playing a vital role in international economic and technological exchanges and cooperation, he said. Li shared examples such as a Rwandan trainee who founded a Juncao production company upon returning home, after learning about Juncao (mushroom and grass) technology in China, thereby helping to lift over 50,000 local farmers out of poverty. An Iraqi trainee brought back China's "checkerboard" sand control method to combat desertification in Iraq, Li said, adding that another trainee from Afghanistan used emergency response training to prevent an explosion in Kabul. The agency plans to launch over 2,000 training programs for more than 50,000 participants in 2025, he said, adding that China will continue to design development cooperation projects and provide 100,000 training and study opportunities to Global South countries over the next five years. Two-way exchange Jing Guoqing, a professor at the highway and railway engineering department of Beijing Jiaotong University, said that sharing China's railway development philosophy and experience allows participants to share insights into their countries' railway challenges and expectations. "Teaching is a two-way process," Jing said. During the training, the trainees share their experiences, concerns, questions and aspirations, and such feedback is valuable for Chinese companies operating overseas, helping them to navigate cultural differences and improve their projects, he said. "Foreign aid training plays a crucial role in bridging Chinese enterprises and international stakeholders, ensuring smoother cooperation," Jing said. Such training helps to enhance local engineers and officials' understanding of China's technical expertise and project management approaches, he said, adding that as the locals become more familiar with Chinese standards, they trust Chinese companies more and feel more confident in adopting those standards. "In this way, it will help China to promote its technology and standards overseas," he added. Jing said that China should focus more on vocational training such as railway technology, new energy vehicle-related skills and photovoltaic installation, areas that will efficiently boost local development while fostering long-term partnerships with developing countries. Knowledge transfer Liu Xian, a research associate at the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation of the Ministry of Commerce, said that the fundamental mission of human resource development cooperation is to "teach people how to fish" rather than mechanically export China's model. "It is about unreservedly sharing China's experience and technology, enabling partners to grasp not only the 'how' but also the 'why' of the country's development practices through interaction," Liu said. Stephen Ndegwa, executive director of South-South Dialogues, a Nairobi-based development communication think tank, said that by providing actionable knowledge, recipient nations will be able to adapt Chinese methods to their unique contexts, focusing on long-term planning and development models. Ndegwa said that the impact of China's training programs is evident in their ability to strengthen development capacity and promote modernization in recipient nations. Through skill development, policy learning and South-South cooperation, these programs equip participants with the tools needed to enhance local industries, improve productivity and develop homegrown policies inspired by China's success, Ndegwa said. He noted that lessons from China's experience, such as prioritizing public investment in critical sectors, offer valuable insights for African countries seeking to balance tradition with innovation while pursuing their development goals. As the Global South pursues its modernization journey, cooperation with China is expected to focus on inclusive growth, technology-driven development, and resilient infrastructure, he added. Ndegwa stressed that China's approach to foreign aid training is practical and results-oriented. The training programs emphasize respect for sovereignty and noninterference in domestic affairs, offering flexible knowledge that countries can adapt to their own governance structures, he said. Participants often highlight the focus on tangible outcomes, such as improved infrastructure and poverty reduction, he added. According to a survey regarding China's foreign aid training by the Institute of International Development Cooperation at the Chinese Academy of International Trade and Economic Cooperation, which was conducted among over 1,400 participants from 32 countries and regions, 75.89 percent of participants believed the training significantly improved their professional knowledge or skills. The survey found that 75.23 percent of participants feel that the training greatly enhanced their career competitiveness, while 75.38 percent find the experiences gained in China highly applicable in their home countries. ROCKY HILL Jared McCool served in the Marine Corps from 2008 to 2014 and, now as a veteran, he has been the owner of Steadfast Farms in Bethlehem since January 2017. A number of other veterans have turned to farming after their service, a move that was highlighted this week at the 2nd Annual Veteran Farmers Market that showcased items grown or made by veterans throughout Connecticut. "My father was in the Marines. It was kind of like a right of passage for me," he said. "Selfless service and helping other people, those were just the values I grew up with." He said there was a time when he wanted to be a law enforcement officer, and "going through the military was kind of like that first step". But when he returned from his service, he decided it wasn't a career he wanted to be a part of anymore. "At that time in the world, based on what I had just experienced, and what I came back to, it's not something I wanted to pursue at that time anymore," he said. "I got a typical 9 to 5, I made tons of money and it was great, but I was bored, and I didn't have that same fulfillment, purpose that I had when I was in the military." He got into farming while on a hunting trip with a friend. "I saw a bird dog work, and I was hooked," he said. "It was so determined, and it knew its job, and I wanted everything to do with it." McCool showcased some of the poultry from his farm at the 2nd Annual Veteran Farmers Market, held this year at the Department of Veteran Affairs Campus in Rocky Hill, which included both quail and chicken eggs. The market was sponsored by Connecticut Veterans Affairs, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Area, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture and the Farmer Veteran Coalition. The first market was held last summer at Guardians Farm in Southbury. Since it was on a farm attendees were able to see animals, but this year's market included food trucks which last years did not have, as well as a second army band performing, said Sarah Layton, the agriculture programs coordinator for the Connecticut Resource Conservation & Development Area. "It's a little bit more hopping this time," she said. "We're centralized as well, so hopefully we get more people out who can travel to a central part of the state rather than on either end, but both markets have been really successful." She said the market is a way to support the farmer veterans in the state, and promote the Homegrown By Heroes, which signifies an item is made by a U.S. veteran and is overseen by the Farmer Veteran Coalition. "That is a national brand that signifies that that is a veteran-produced product," she said "It's just a way that we're able to formalize support and get the word out there that we have a lot of veteran farmers in our state." People want to support veteran farmers and the brand helps them do so, said Catherine Marx, director for the U.S. Small Business Administration's Connecticut district. "They love finding them, they love hearing their stories, and there's nothing better than buying fresh produce, fresh milk, fresh eggs, fresh wine," Marx said. "Serving those who've served us is something we love to do at the SBA." Another vendor at the market was Wilkinson Farm, located in Columbia, and owned by husband and wife, Mat and Cindy Wilkinson. The farm sells produce, flowers and maple syrup. Mat served in the Army National Guard for 37 years, after enlisting when he was 17. Being from Iowa, he said that his parents had a farm and he always loved farming and wanted to get back into it. He and his wife started the farm in 2013, which he likened to being in the army. "It doesn't matter whether it's raining or snowing, whatever, you still have to go out and do the job," he said. "You learn how to make a commitment, dedication." 2025 Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.. Visit www.journalinquirer.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. WASHINGTON A statue of a Confederate general that was toppled by protesters in Washington in 2020 will be restored and replaced this fall, in line with President Donald Trump's pushback on recent efforts to reframe America's historical narrative. The National Park Service announced Monday that the statue of Albert Pike, a Confederate brigadier general and a revered figure among Freemasons, would resume its previous position in Washington's Judiciary Square, a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. It was the only outdoor statue of a Confederate military leader in the nations capital. The statue was pulled down with ropes and chains on Juneteenth in 2020 as part of mass protests following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police. Confederate statues around the country were toppled by similar protests while several military bases named for Confederate leaders were renamed. The Pike statue restoration, which is targeted for October, aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nations capital and reinstate pre-existing statues, the park service said in a statement. Restoration is part of a larger narrative In March, Trump issued an executive order entitled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History. It decried post-Floyd efforts to reinterpret American history, stating, rather than fostering unity and a deeper understanding of our shared past, the widespread effort to rewrite history deepens societal divides and fosters a sense of national shame." The order targeted the Smithsonian network of museums as having come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology. It also instructed the Interior Department to restore any statue or display that was removed or changed to perpetuate a false reconstruction of American history, inappropriately minimize the value of certain historical events or figures, or include any other improper partisan ideology. Pike, who died in 1891, is more known for his decades-long stint as a senior leader of the Freemasons than for his Confederate military career. The Masons lobbied Congress for the right to erect the statue on NPS land in 1901 provided that he be depicted in civilian, not military, garb. But Pike did lead a regiment for the Confederacy during the Civil War. And as the only outdoor statue of a Confederate leader in Washington, D.C., it had been a source of controversy for decades. Even the brief Park Service page on the statue notes that it has stirred opposition since it was first planned. A long history of demands for its removal The D.C. Council asked for its removal in 1992. In 2017, Mayor Muriel Bowser struck an agreement with congressional leaders to eventually remove it. When protesters toppled the statue in 2020 while police officers looked on, Trump then in his first term called it a disgrace to our Country on social media and called for their immediate arrests. Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton, Washington's non-voting delegate in Congress, called the Park Service move odd and indefensible in a statement Monday. Norton said she would introduce legislation to remove the statue permanently and place it in a museum. Ive long believed Confederate statues should be placed in museums as historical artifacts," she said, not remain in parks and locations that imply honor. Five soldiers were wounded Wednesday morning in a shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia, one of the highest-profile Army installations in the South, according to service officials. The incident occurred around 11 a.m. in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area of the base, which is home to the 3rd Infantry Division, and spurred a lockdown of the installation and local schools. Police detained the suspected gunman, Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 30 minutes after the initial response, authorities said. The Army did not immediately release details about the alleged shooter or a possible motive. Read Next: VA to Give Veterans One-Year Authorizations to Seek Care from Private Providers in 30 Specialties All five injured soldiers were in stable condition. "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, a Republican, said in a statement. Radford, 28, was subdued by soldiers when he walked into his workplace with a personally owned handgun and began firing, Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the 3rd Infantry Division commander, told reporters during a news conference Wednesday. Radford serves as an automated logistical specialist. In addition to thanking local law enforcement, Lubas also highlighted the troops who he said played a role in stopping Radford. "I would also like to thank the brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter," Lubas said. "These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties." Lubas said an investigation is ongoing, but expressed confidence in the base's security. "I'm very confident in the security of this installation," Lubas said. "This one's a bit difficult, and we're going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty." President Donald Trump was briefed on the shooting, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Fort Stewart, one of the Army's largest installations, is located roughly 40 miles away from Savannah. "I'm heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today," Sen. Raphael Warnock, D-Ga., said in a statement. "I'm monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our service members, staff and their families." The incident is a little more than a decade removed from the deadly Sept. 16, 2013, mass shooting at the headquarters of Naval Sea Systems Command inside the Washington Navy Yard in D.C. -- where the shooter killed 12 people and injured three others. The deadliest mass shooting on a military base took place at Fort Hood in Texas on Nov. 5, 2009, when a then-Army major shot and killed 13 people and injured more than 30. He was subsequently sentenced to death and is awaiting execution. Related: Army ROTC Cadet Dies During Fort Knox Land Navigation Training DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip At least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some 2 million Palestinians into famine. A new U.N. report said only 1.5% of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. U.S. President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasnt aware of the suggestion but that its going to be pretty much up to Israel. More Palestinians killed in scramble for food Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where U.N. convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months. Israeli and U.S. officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The U.N. human rights office said last week that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along U.N. convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of U.N. special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law. The experts work with the U.N. but do not represent the world body. The GHF did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots when crowds threatened its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding at its sites. Gaza's farmland has been destroyed, contributing to hunger crisis Israel's air and ground war has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities, leaving its people reliant on international aid. A new report by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization and the U.N. satellite center found that just 8.6% of Gaza's cropland is still accessible following sweeping Israeli evacuation orders in recent months. Just 1.5% is accessible and undamaged, it said. The military offensive and a breakdown in security have made it nearly impossible for anyone to safely deliver aid, and aid groups say recent Israeli measures to facilitate more assistance are far from sufficient. Hospitals recorded four more malnutrition-related deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 193 people, including 96 children, since the war began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Jordan says aid convoy attacked by Israeli settlers Jordan said Israeli settlers blocked roads and hurled stones at a convoy of four trucks carrying aid bound for Gaza after they drove across the border into the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli far-right activists have repeatedly sought to halt aid from entering Gaza. Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammed al-Momani condemned the attack, which he said had shattered the windshields of the trucks, according to the Jordanian state-run Petra News Agency. The Israeli military said security forces went to the scene to disperse the gathering and accompanied the trucks to their destination. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted another 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Of the 50 still held in Gaza, around 20 are believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. It is part of the now largely defunct Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source for the number of war casualties. ___ Khaled reported from Cairo and Melzer from Tel Aviv. Israel. Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Berlin and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report. HIROSHIMA, Japan Hiroshima on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age now exceeding 86, the anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years, Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, said after he kneeled down to pray at the cenotaph. Thats why I want to share (my story) as much as I can. The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and Japans nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. Mayor says world should have learned from tragedy Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against a growing acceptance of military buildups and of using nuclear weapons for national security during Russia's war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Mideast, with the United States and Russia possessing most of the world's nuclear warheads. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, he said. "They threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct. He urged younger generations to recognize that such misguided policies" could cause utterly inhumane" consequences for their future. We don't have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever, said Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organization of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment. Our biggest challenge now is to change, even just a little, nuclear weapons states that give us the cold shoulder, the organization said in its statement. Prayers, tributes and hope About 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions, including Russia and Belarus, attended the ceremony. A minute of silence was held while a peace bell rang out at 8:15 a.m., the time when a U.S. B-29 dropped the bomb on the city. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the citys mayor and other officials laid flowers at the cenotaph. Dozens of white doves, a symbol of peace, were released after the mayors speech. Hours before the official ceremony, as the sun rose over Hiroshima, survivors and their families started paying tribute to the victims at the Peace Memorial Park, near the hypocenter of the nuclear blast 80 years ago. Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, came to honor his grandfather and two cousins who died in the bombing and prayed that the mistake will never be repeated. We do not need nuclear weapons, Miyoshi said. There is hope, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement read by Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, noting Nihon Hidankyo's Nobel Peace Prize and countries' re-commitment to a nuclear free world in the Pact for the Future adopted last year. Guterres stressed the importance to carry forward the survivors' testimony and message of peace and added: Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future." Near Hiroshima's iconic Atomic Bomb Dome under high security, more than 200 protesters gathered, holding posters and flags carrying messages such as No Nuke, Stop War and Free Gaza! No more genocide while chanting slogans. Local police said two people were arrested in separate cases, each on suspicion of assaulting a security guard. Survivors want nuclear abolishment, not deterrence Wednesday's anniversary comes at a time when possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. Some survivors said they were disappointed by President Donald Trump's recent remark justifying Washington's attack on Iran in June by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government. Its ridiculous, said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation while he was still in his mothers womb. I dont think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that he was praying for those who suffered physical, psychological and social effects from the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, adding that the event remains a universal warning against the devastation caused by wars and, in particular, by nuclear weapons. Japan seeks US nuclear protection Japan's government has rejected the survivors' request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meetings as observers because it is under the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Matsui, the city's mayor, in his speech Wednesday, urged Japan's government to sign and ratify the nuclear weapons ban treaty, a request also made by several groups of survivors in their meeting with Ishiba after the ceremony. Ishiba, in a speech, reiterated his governments pledge to work toward a world without nuclear weapons, but did not mention the treaty and again indicated his governments support for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. At a news conference later Wednesday, Ishiba justified Japan's reliance on U.S. nuclear deterrence, saying Japan, which follows a non-nuclear principle, is surrounded by neighbors that possess nuclear weapons. The stance, he said, does not contradict Japan's pursuit of a nuclear-free world. Past prime ministers have stressed Japans status as the worlds only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say its a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgment by the U.S. government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. ___ Associated Press video journalist Ayaka McGill contributed to this report. This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. I joined the Army as a cook, thinking it would keep me out of trouble. I wasnt looking to be a hero; I just needed a reset. And the $35,000 bonus didnt hurt. I figured Id do my time, stay in the background, and come home with a decent story or two. By then, Id have college paid for. But the Army had other plans. In basic training, I ran fast, didnt mouth off (much), and kept moving. That turned out to be enough. I finished as an honor grad, which came with Airborne and Ranger contracts. I signed on the dotted line before I really understood what I was getting into. Part of me liked the idea of danger. Maybe I thought chasing the hardest thing possible would prove to my familya long line of military officers and lawmenthat I was worthy, brave. Maybe I just craved love and belonging. Growing up in the shadow of authority without empathy meant control passed for love and discipline passed for justice. I didnt grow up with guidance; I grew up with orders. When I finally made it through the jumps, the rucks, the push-ups, the yelling, the hunger, and the stress, I graduated to the 1st Ranger Battalion of the 75th Ranger Regiment in 2009, and finally earned the coveted tan beret. Normally, thats where youd celebrate. But for me, the easy days were over, and they were on back order until further notice. Arriving at Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield in Savannah, Georgia, didnt mean you were done. It meant the Army had softened you like clay, beaten you into submission, prepped you for becoming your final, deadly, barbaric form. A form that knew one thing: Finish the objective or die. Thats when the real test beganthe moment that tan beret touched your head. On my first PT test with the battalion, I ran a 33-minute five-mile. That got me fast-tracked to Ranger School before I ever deployed. And the infantry guys made sure I knew how they felt about it: I didnt belong. I was a cook. A support guy. The dude who made eggs, not war. To them, I got lucky and took a Ranger School slot from someone more deserving. And to be fair, I understood. To them, I had skipped the line and snuck into the cool-guy club through the service entrance. Not only did I skip the line, I was also wildly unprepared. Theyd been trained in small-unit tactics, room clearing, patrol base operations, and fast-roping in less-than-ideal conditions. Id been stirring spaghetti and perfecting my omelet flip. While they practiced battle drills, I was running food service pots and pans formations. Ive heard of only a half-dozen cooks in Army history who had made it through Ranger School. I was honored. And terrified. I wasnt just going to Ranger School, I was doing it while Discovery Channel filmed the whole damn thing for a series titled Surviving the Cut. The revolution may not be televised, but my painful crucible was about to be. I was behind from the start. But I learned to shut up, move fast, and bleed in silence. Ranger School didnt care what your military occupational specialty was. The terrain didnt care. The weather didnt care. The wildlife didnt care. You either kept up or you went home. Bitten by a rattlesnake? Tough it out or go home. Mauled by a bear? Tough it out or go home. Frostbite on your toes? I felt I would need to amputate the dead ones or go home. And I wasnt going back without that 50-cent strip of cloth on my shoulder telegraphing that I was a Ranger. Darby Phase? Straight through. I had this in the bag. Then came Mountain Phase. I failed it once. Fine. I dusted myself off. Then I failed again. At that point, I had a choice: walk away or keep climbing. Going home meant the struggle was over. But a new one would begin the moment I showed up at battalion without that tab. In Ranger Battalion, no tab meant no respect, no identity. Just a pulse with dog tags. And thats when it hit me: The Myth of Sisyphus. The story of the king condemned by the gods to push a boulder up a mountain forever, only to watch it roll back down each time. Albert Camus said we must imagine Sisyphus happy, not because the task changes, but because he chooses to find meaning in the struggle itself. Its about defiance. Purpose. Owning your suffering. In a world where vulnerability is punished, the ultimate act of defiance is choosing your own meaning through suffering. Mountain Phase wouldnt have the honor of breaking me. I would have the honor of breaking it. And I did. Third time around, I passed. Then I got recycled in Swamp Phase. If you did not receive a passing grade on patrol, you were recycledno questions asked. Again, I kept going through hunger, sleep deprivation, poisonous plants, spiders, humiliation, and passing out after overheating. I watched guys quit. Lose their minds. Tap out. Me? I kept showing up. One foot in front of the other. I was always the outsider, the cook with no business trying to be a Ranger. But I endured. I rat-f*cked MREs, chewed coffee grinds like dip, and ran on spite. That was my fuel. At the time, I didnt know why I kept going. But looking back, I think I was afraid of what it would mean to stop. Theres a kind of power in pain, especially when its the only thing that makes you feel like youre worth something. The only thing that feels bigger than yourself. Camus did not see Sisyphus as a tragic figure, but as a man who, by accepting his fate, transcended it. Because maybe the struggle itself is enough. I kept rolling that boulder. I have yet to meet a soldier who went through Mountain Phase four times like I did, but they are out there. Suffering just the same. I didnt come out of Ranger School elite. I came out fluent in suffering, starvation, silence, and sleep deprivation. The kind of invisible pain you wear like a badge. I didnt get comfortable; I just learned to live where comfort doesnt and thrive there. I cherish that tab, not for what it says I am but for what it taught me: that I can suffer with the best of them and still keep going. That I dont need applause or permission to climb. The only one who determines my fate is me. And thats what I want to say to the young soldiers out there, the ones who feel like they dont belong. Impostor syndrome runs deep in special operations, especially among those who make it to places like Ranger School. No one really feels like they belong. Because what we do isnt natural. Were trained to suffer, to push beyond limits most people never approach. Just because youre struggling doesnt mean youre broken. It means youre human and you showed up anyway. That is what sets you apart. This War Horse Reflection was edited by Kim Vo, fact-checked by Rosemarie Ho, and copy-edited by Mollie Turnbull. Hrisanthi Pickett wrote the headlines. Editors Note: This article first appeared on The War Horse, an award-winning nonprofit news organization educating the public on military service. Subscribe to their newsletter. BANGUI, Central African Republic Officials in the Central African Republic have said that Russia has called on the country to replace the private Wagner mercenary group with Moscow's state-run Africa Corps and requested payment for further security services. The Central African Republic's government has been reluctant to agree to Moscow's demands, because it sees Wagner as more effective and they prefer to pay for services with minerals, not in cash. For years, Wagner has been in Central African Republic, where they are protecting President Faustin Archange Touadera and his government, and helped him win a 2023 constitutional referendum that could extend his power indefinitely. In exchange, they've enjoyed access to the country's rich minerals, including gold. But Russia has been trying to transition from Wagner to Africa Corps since Wagner's leader, Yevgeny Prigozhin, was killed in a plane crash in 2023. The Wagner mercenaries were replaced earlier this year in Mali. A Central African Republic military official told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Russian deputy defense minister made the demands about a shift to Africa Corps and payment for its services earlier this year during several visits to the country. The official said government authorities are reluctant to agree, because they believe the private-run Wagner would be more effective than Africa Corps, which is under direct command of the Russian defense ministry. Wagner has connections with the officers, are feared operationally and have the resources, said the official, who wasn't allowed to publicly discuss the matter so spoke on condition of anonymity. The military official said that according to the Russian demands, the Central African Republic must not only cover the costs of Africa Corps personnel, but also pay significant sums of money to Russia, amounting to billions of CFA francs (millions of dollars). But authorities in Bangui said they are unable to pay the amount," the official said. "Instead, they hope to compensate Russia with strategic and mineral resources, notably gold, uranium, and iron. A senior Central African lawmaker with direct knowledge of the negotiations confirmed the demands by Russia to the AP. "We discussed it, and the government needs to make proposals," said the lawmaker, who who wasn't authorized to talk to reporters about the issue so spoke on condition of anonymity. There are also questions regarding the Kremlins demand for payment. Both officials who spoke with the AP didn't mention a specific amount, but they suggested that it was too much for the country to pay. Russias Defense Ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. The Central African Republic has been in conflict since 2013 when predominantly Muslim rebels seized power and forced the president from office. A 2019 peace deal was signed but six of the 14 armed groups involved in the deal withdrew from it. Wagner is credited for helping prevent the rebels from retaking the capital in 2021. Unlike Wagner, which fights rebels alongside government forces, Africa Corps is more focused on training and that could be a contentious issues for both countries, said Ulf Laessing, head of the Sahel program at the Konrad Adenauer Foundation. In Mali, they forced them to accept the change," Laessing said. I dont think the Central African Republic has options since they chased away the Europeans. France, the Central African Republics former colonial ruler, had a significant military presence in the country since its independence in 1960, but withdrew its last troops in 2022 after a fallout with authorities. ___ Mark Banchereau reported from Dakar, Senegal. SHENYANG, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Shi Renhua, head of public education service at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, has devoted herself into study of historical documents as well as editorial projects since she joined the museum in 1999. Shi has also trained a team of proficient docents, which has served in more than 1,000 voluntary events at grassroots organizations and campuses. Shi Renhua (1st R) discusses with her colleagues on improvement in docent service at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (1st R) discusses with her colleagues on narrations at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (L) and her colleague check files at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (L) discusses with her colleague on improvement in docent service at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (1st L) and her colleagues check exhibits at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (3rd L) tells stories during the War of Resistance against Japanese Aggression for local residents at a community in Huanggu District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, Aug. 4, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua looks for files at the 9.18 Historical Museum in Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 28, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (R) helps a colleague get prepared for a public event in Dadong District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Shi Renhua (1st R) instructs docents attending a speech contest in Dadong District of Shenyang, northeast China's Liaoning Province, July 22, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Gang) Editor: Xiong Jian **Irans Nuclear Puzzle: Power, Politics, and Secrets** (Does Iran Have Nuclear Power) **Nuclear Power** 1. **What Exactly is Irans Nuclear Power Situation?** Iran has nuclear power plants. The Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant is the main one. It started operating in 2011. Russia built it. Russia also supplies the fuel for this reactor. Iran sends the used fuel back to Russia. This plant makes electricity for Irans national grid. It uses standard nuclear technology found elsewhere. Having this power plant is legal under international law. The Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) allows countries to develop nuclear energy for peaceful purposes. Iran says its nuclear program is only for peaceful energy needs. This includes making electricity and medical isotopes. The Bushehr plant shows Iran can operate a nuclear reactor. Its operation is monitored by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). The IAEA checks Iran follows its safety agreements. So, technically, Iran does possess nuclear power generation capability through Bushehr. 2. **Why Does Iran Want Nuclear Capabilities?** Iran states clear reasons for pursuing nuclear technology. First, it points to its growing population and economy. Iran needs more electricity. Fossil fuels like oil and gas wont last forever. Nuclear power offers a long-term energy source. Second, Iran argues it has the right, like any NPT member, to peaceful nuclear technology. They see this as a matter of national pride and sovereignty. Third, diversifying energy sources is important for Iran. Using nuclear power for electricity frees up more oil and gas for export. This earns vital foreign money. Fourth, nuclear technology has medical uses. Iran produces isotopes for cancer treatment and other medical applications. They claim these are essential for public health. However, many countries suspect another motive exists. They worry Iran seeks the capability to build nuclear weapons. This suspicion fuels intense international tension and sanctions. 3. **How Did Iran Build Its Nuclear Program?** Irans nuclear journey started decades ago. The Shah began it in the 1950s with US support. After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, the program slowed but continued secretly. Key developments happened later. Iran acquired uranium enrichment technology secretly through the A.Q. Khan network. Enrichment increases the concentration of uranium-235, needed for reactors or weapons. Iran built enrichment facilities like Natanz and Fordow, often hidden initially. They also mined uranium domestically. The Bushehr reactor project, started by Germany before the revolution, was finally completed by Russia. Iran faced many challenges. International sanctions made it hard to get materials and technology. Stuxnet, a computer virus, damaged centrifuges at Natanz. Scientists were assassinated. Despite this, Iran steadily increased its number of centrifuges and its stockpile of enriched uranium. Negotiations with world powers led to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA), limiting the program. The US withdrew in 2018. Iran then ramped up enrichment again, reaching higher purity levels. 4. **Applications: Peaceful Power or Military Might?** Iran insists its nuclear program has only peaceful applications. The Bushehr reactor provides electricity. Research reactors produce medical isotopes. These isotopes are used in hospitals for diagnosis and treatment. Nuclear technology also has agricultural and industrial uses. Iran highlights these benefits. The international community remains deeply skeptical. The key concern is uranium enrichment. Low-enriched uranium (around 3-5% U-235) fuels power reactors like Bushehr. High-enriched uranium (over 90% U-235) is needed for weapons. Iran has enriched uranium up to 60%, far beyond typical power reactor needs. They claim this is for advanced medical research. Experts see this as a significant step towards weapons-grade material. Iran also limits IAEA access. They restrict inspections at certain sites. They dont fully explain past activities possibly linked to weaponization. This lack of transparency fuels fears. The potential military application of a nuclear weapon is the core international worry. It could destabilize the Middle East and trigger an arms race. 5. **FAQs: Unpacking Irans Nuclear Puzzle** Lets tackle some common questions. * **Does Iran have nuclear weapons?** Most intelligence agencies and the IAEA say Iran has not built a bomb. However, it has enriched enough uranium potentially suitable for several bombs if further processed. The knowledge and infrastructure are significant. * **Is the Bushehr plant a threat?** Bushehr itself is not considered a major proliferation threat. Its fuel comes from Russia. The used fuel goes back. The concern lies with Irans separate enrichment activities. * **Why is enrichment such a big deal?** Enrichment technology is the hardest part of making a bomb. Mastering enrichment gives Iran the potential to produce weapons-grade uranium quickly if it chooses to. * **Whats the JCPOA and why did it matter?** The 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action was a deal between Iran and world powers. It strictly limited Irans enrichment and stockpiles. It allowed extensive inspections. In return, sanctions were lifted. The US withdrawal and Irans subsequent actions largely collapsed the deal. (Does Iran Have Nuclear Power) * **What happens now?** Talks to revive the JCPOA are stalled. Iran continues enriching uranium at high levels. Tensions are high. The IAEA reports ongoing difficulties verifying Irans activities. The risk of escalation or a potential move towards weaponization remains a major global concern. The future path is highly uncertain. Inquiry us if you want to want to know more, please feel free to contact us. ([email protected]) The Red Sox locked up another budding star, signing outfielder Roman Anthony to an eight-year extension covering the 2026-33 seasons with a club option for 2034. The Frontline Athlete Management is reportedly guaranteed $130MM on a deal that also includes significant escalators based on Rookie of the Year, MVP and All-Star voting. Anthony receives a $5MM signing bonus. The salary breaks down as follows: $2MM in 2026 $4MM in 2027 $8MM in 2028 $15MM in 2029 $19MM in 2030 $23MM in 2031 $25MM in 2032 $29MM in 2033 $30MM club option (no buyout) in 2034 The escalators apply to the 2032 and 2033 seasons. They would also apply to the 2031 season if he finishes top two in Rookie of the Year voting in 2025. Anthonys salaries will increase by $1MM if he comes first or second in Rookie of the Year voting. The salaries would also increase by $2MM for each MVP win in any previous year, $1MM for coming second or third in MVP voting, $750K for a fourth or fifth in MVP voting, $500K for finishing sixth through tenth in MVP voting and $200K for any All-Star appearance. Those same escalators would apply to the club option except the top-two ROY finish would add $2MM instead of $1MM. As things stand, the deal buys out all six of Anthonys initial seasons of club control, plus two free-agent years with an option over a third free-agent season. However, if Anthony finishes top two in American League Rookie of the Year voting, hed receive a full year of service for the current season, thus meaning the deal would lock in three free-agent years with a club option over a fourth. Regardless of the exact number of free-agent years being bought out, the Sox now control Anthony all the way through 2034 what will be his age-30 season. Hell still be able to become a free agent ahead of his age-31 campaign, positioning him for another potential nine-figure contract down the road. Anthonys deal draws plenty of parallels to the eight-year, $111MM extension Corbin Carroll signed with the D-backs in January of 2023. Both outfielders were regarded as the top prospect in the sport when they debuted in their age-21 seasons. Both found immediate success and quickly signed eight-year deals beginning with their age-22 seasons. As can be seen in MLBTRs Contract Tracker, Anthonys contract becomes the third-largest guarantee ever given out to a player with under one year of major league service time. Julio Rodriguezs $210MM deal with the Mariners currently tops the list, though that agreement came when Rodriguez was much further into what would eventually be a Rookie of the Year-winning campaign in 2022. Selected with the No. 79 overall pick in the 2022 draft, Anthony stormed through the minor leagues, breaking out with a huge performance in High-A as a 19-year-old and never looking back. By measure of wRC+, he was at least 40% better than league-average with the bat at every stop from High-A through Triple-A, and hes carried over his outstanding production through his first 46 major league games. In 190 plate appearances as a big leaguer, Anthony is hitting .283/.400/.428 with a pair of homers, 15 doubles, a triple, two stolen bases, a 13.7% walk rate and a 24.7% strikeout rate. Hes averaged a scorching 94.1 mph off the bat and seen a whopping 58% of his batted balls exit the bat traveling at least 95 mph. His overall power output has been muted by a 55.4% ground-ball rate, but Anthony elevated the ball more in the minors and figures to do so as he continues to acclimate to big league pitching, at which point hell get to more of his plus-plus power. For now, the walk-heavy approach and plethora of doubles is getting the job done just fine; Anthony has been 33% better than average in the batters box since arriving in the big leagues. Anthony doesnt possess elite contact skills but does make excellent swing decisions. His 73.1% overall contact rate and 81.6% contact rate on pitches within the zone are both four points below league-average, but Anthonys chase rate on balls off the plate (just 20.1%) is eight percentage points lower than average. Among the 292 hitters with at least 190 plate appearances in the majors this year, hes tied for the 19th-lowest chase percentage, per Statcast. On the defensive side of things, Anthony has split his time between the two outfield corners but spent more time in right. Hes seen time in center field in the minors, but scouting reports on Anthony typically pegged him for a long-term home in one of the corners. His arm isnt elite but is at least average, if not a tick better. Anthony has drawn strong defensive grades for his work thus far (+5 Defensive Runs Saved, +4 Outs Above Average). He gives the Sox another talented defender to join the trio of Jarren Duran, Ceddanne Rafaela and Wilyer Abreu, all of whom are plus defenders in their own right. That glut of outfield talent plus Masataka Yoshidas presence at DH has long prompted speculation about a potential trade from the group. Duran and Abreu have seen their names kicked around the rumor mill dating back to the offseason. Boston would surely welcome the opportunity to escape some of the final two-plus years on Yoshidas five-year contract, which runs through 2027, but with $18.5MM salaries in each of the next two seasons, doing so is a tall order. Anthony was never going to be traded, and this new long-term arrangement only further solidifies him as a foundational piece for the Red Sox. ESPNs Jeff Passan first reported the Red Sox and Anthony were finalizing an eight-year, $130MM deal with a club option for 2034. Chris Cotillo of MassLive reported the $30MM option value. Alex Speier of The Boston Globe had the specific salary and escalator structure. Dear Eric: Last August, my husband and I told his niece that we would help with her daughters college expenses. We sent $2,000 to the college for the first semester. We received a thank-you text from his niece but nothing from the student. We eventually told the grandmother, my husbands sister, that we expected something from the student recognizing that we had sent some money. Finally, a thank-you note came in the spring. After receiving the thank-you note, we sent another $2,000 to the university. Now it is July, and we have received nothing from the girl. What do we do? Ask again for a thank-you note from the girl, stay quiet and give more money, or stay quiet and quit giving money? Are we expecting too much? I think we should just cut her off. There are three younger children that we also want to help with their college but now we question doing anything. Aunt and Uncle Dear Aunt and Uncle: Lets get the basics out of the way up top. The student should absolutely be sending you thank-you notes, unprompted. Shes old enough to know that and should be mature enough to do it. Thank-you notes are not a dying art, though theyve long been a source of cultural consternation. In 1999, a reader wrote to Ann Landers about not receiving a thank-you note after a wedding and asked if it was a new trend. Weve been having this conversation for decades. (Anns response: No, its NOT a new trend. Its an attempt to escape the tedious job of writing thank-you notes and, in my book, inexcusable.) I think you should go to the source, i.e., the student herself. And this aspect of my advice prompts a question. You write that youve been in communication with your niece and your sister-in-law, but Im curious what relationship you have with the student. If you dont have a close relationship with her, theres a world where one could imagine she thinks a thank-you text is sufficient. This is not a world of which I approve. Speaking to her directly and resetting the relationship might help. You can tell her, were happy to give this money, but its important that when people do nice things for you, you acknowledge them. You can also lets be clear stop sending the checks and move on. But this life lesson will be valuable. Send questions to R. Eric Thomas at eric@askingeric.com or P.O. Box 22474, Philadelphia, PA 19110. Follow him on Instagram and sign up for his weekly newsletter at rericthomas.com. 2025 Tribune Content Agency, LLC. The Chapel in the Pines within Hartwick Pines State Park has been a longtime delight for hikers as they weave through the parks Old Growth Forest. DNR staff have revived the Chapel fence that stood prior to 2012 when a tree fell and caused significant damage. (DNR) DNR GRAYLING, MI -- If you find yourself staring out the window on I-75, eager to stretch your legs and clear your mind before you arrive at your Up North destination, consider a stroll through a forest of 400-year-old pines. Tucked along the path sits a historic, log chapel. Hartwick Pines State Park in Grayling is home to one of the most-visited Old Growth Forests in the nation. Among all that natural history is a slice of solitude in the parks Chapel in the Pines. Built in 1953, this one-room chapel gives a place to sit and reflect in the middle of nature. You can find it along the 1.25-mile, paved trail that takes visitors through 49 acres of old-growth forest and past the logging museum. The chapel is open for day-use visitors or for reservations for chapel and wedding use. The chapel can be reserved up to a year in advance, according to the Grayling Visitors Bureau. The modest chapel can seat 18 people. There is no electricity or plumbing, guests must use the restrooms in the Visitors Center. Its just you and the woods. The Chapel in the Pines, found after taking a short walk through the Old Growth Forest, is a historic staple within the Hartwick Pines State Park. (DNR) MI Dept. of Natural Resources The chapel is modest in size but strong in structure as it weathered the brutal ice storm that marched through Northern Michigan this spring. This summer, staff revived the chapel fence that stood prior to 2012 when a tree fell and caused significant damage, according to the Michigan Department of Natural Resources. Park staff reminds visitors that there is substantial clean up and new construction work happening at Hartwick Pines this year. Additionally, the Au Sable River Trail at Hartwick Pines is closed indefinitely. Due to current footpath bridge conditions the DNR announced the trail will remained close. A series of five structures will need to be engineered and funded. The construction timeline is unknown at this time, according to the DNR. The remainder of the trail remains open, although an out-and-back route will be necessary See before and after photos: It took 40 dump trucks to clear storm debris at Northern Michigan park The Hartwick Pines Visitor Center and the upper section of its parking lot will be closed for a $1.25 million renovation. This is part of the $3.25 million in federal relief that funded improvements across the state park. (DNR) MI Dept. of Natural Resources The Hartwick Pines Visitor Center and the upper section of its parking lot are closed through the end of the year for renovations. Visitors can still access the park via the lower parking lot, and additional parking is available at the Logging Museum and day-use area. Park improvements are supported by the $3.25 million in federal relief funding allocated from the American Rescue Plan Act. Michigans historic state park overhaul is nearing the finish line. With a December 2026 deadline looming, the state has completed 73% of its project list. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources started this undertaking in 2022 when the state legislature and Gov. Gretchen Whitmer signed off on directing $273 million in federal funding to state parks. Paul Layendecker of Superhits 103.7 gets pied at the National Blueberry Festival in South Haven, Michigan on Saturday, August 14, 2021. (Photo by Carlin Stiehl | MLive.com) Carlin Stiehl | MLive.com SOUTH HAVEN, MI -- Calling all blueberry lovers, the National Blueberry Festival is just around the corner. The annual festival brings blueberry mania to the streets of South Haven with activities like a blueberry pie social, carnival rides and a blueberry pageant. The festival starts on Thursday, Aug. 7, and goes through Sunday, Aug. 10. Last year, more than 106,000 visitors came to South Haven for the four-day festival, said Brianne Hooper, president of the National Blueberry Festival Board. The citys population is only about 4,000. Its about family traditions, its about gratitude and pride in our community, its about blueberries, the festival website says. The festival started in 1963 when a group of local residents held a recipe competition to celebrate the areas blooming blueberry industry. Now, the festival is one of the countrys oldest running fruit festivals, according to the website. The 2024 festival generated a $9 million economic impact to South Haven, Hooper said. Michigan is one of the top states for blueberry growing, according to the U.S. Highbush Blueberry Council. Most Michigan blueberries are grown in Southwest Michigan where sandy soils from glacial deposits and a high water table make for good growing conditions, according to the Michigan Agriculture Council. By the early 20th century, (Southwest Michigan) had become known for educating and innovating in fruit farming including blueberry varietal development," Hooper said. This legacy helped create a community identity rooted in agriculture. Multiple farms along the lakeshore open up their land each year for visitors to pick and purchase their own blueberries from July through September. Farm and food vendors will be set up along Water Street for the duration of the festival. The Farm Day portion of the festival at participating farms in the area will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Thursday. Blueberry-themed events scheduled include: Blueberry pancake breakfasts Blueberry pie eating contest Blueberry pie social Blueberry Bark-B-Que, which includes ice cream with blueberries (in addition to barbecue) There will be concerts starting at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. On Sunday there will be an airport fly-in and car show from 7 a.m. to noon. The full schedule can be found here. Looking for more to do along Michigans Great Lakes? Check out MLives Lakeshore Travel series. What radicalized Eric Rudolph? Family. Neighbors. Timothy McVeigh. But theres more. Come on a whirlwind ride through a brazen armored car robbery, an antisemitic preacher who once considered the bomber a protege, the U.S. Army, and a girl named Joy. And meet the men trying to make a whole army of Eric Rudolphs. Associated Press Months turn into years, and Eric Rudolph remains on the loose, moving through the Appalachian Mountains from camp to camp. He eludes police as the world speculates whether he is alive or dead. He is not just on the run, though. While on the lam he plans and plants more bombs. But why? What radicalized this man who, according to friends, didnt think all that much about abortion, gay people or a New World Order? Can he blame family? Neighbors? A fondness for Adolph Hitler and Timothy McVeigh? Sure. But there is more to his anger than that. Join us on the whirlwind ride from a brazen armored car robbery in California that sought to fund extremists from coast to coast including the antisemitic preacher in Missouri who once considered Rudolph a protege. And meet the men who are trying to make a whole army of Eric Rudolphs. American Shrapnel is an eight-part series from Alabama Media Group. It starts with the biggest pipe bomb the FBI had ever seen. It ends in a dumpster, after the largest manhunt in U.S. history. This is the story of Eric Rudolph and the rise of American rage. Available on Apple, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Superman actor, Dean Cain, announced on social media that he has joined ICE. Photo by Ross William Hamilton | The Oregonian An actor famous for playing Superman has announced he has joined ICE, and is encouraging others to do the same. Dean Cain, a Mount Clemens, Michigan native, starred in "Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman" from 1993-1997. In recent years, he has starred in several Christmas films and Lifetime movies. Cain took to X and Instagram to let people know he joined the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, adding that, besides being a filmmaker, he was already a sworn law enforcement officer. I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So, I joined up. He continued by encouraging others to follow in his footsteps. Heres your opportunity to join ICE. You can earn lots of great benefits and pay. Since President Trump took office, ICE has arrested hundreds of thousands of criminals including terrorists, rapists, murderers, pedophiles, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, you name it, very dangerous people who are no longer on the streets. Cain then went over some of the benefits of joining. You can defend your homeland and get great benefits like a $50,000 signing bonus. Think about that, student loan repayment. Legally. Enhanced retirement benefits and special pay for those in field operations and law enforcement roles. So, if you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from Americas Streets. I like that. I voted for that. They need your help. We need your help to protect our homeland and our families. Cain also hosted Ripleys Believe it or Not and Masters of Illusion and starred in Rat Race, Out of Time, A Different World, Beverly Hills 90210, and Las Vegas. Christina Applegate as seen in "Dead to Me" on Netflix. The "Married With Children" star has been hospitalized with a kidney infection. Photo by Saeed Adyani | Netflix Actress Christina Applegate was recently admitted to a hospital and was in so much pain, she says she was screaming. Test results determined she had a kidney infection. The Married With Children and Dead to Me actress, 53, recorded her latest podcast on August 5th with Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Messy, from her hospital bed in Los Angeles. So, how am I? Im waiting to get medicines to feel better," she said on the podcast. Applegate says it started while she was in Europe visiting family and wasnt feeling well. It was just up and down. Id be OK for a couple hours and then Id have to go lay down because my stomach was bad. She says while flying back, she wasnt feeling good and wanted to go to the hospital and didnt want to leave until she had some answers on what was wrong. I want to be admitted. I want answers. I want every test. Applegate says on Sunday, she started getting a pain she said she had never felt before on her right side in both the front and the back. She thought her appendix might be bursting. From my back to my front is in so much pain. Im screaming. They ordered me an emergency CT at 2 in the morning and I had a kidney infection. Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, said in a statement to USA Today that she finally left the hospital and returned home since recording the podcast. A sign celebrating the life of Jennifer Edenburn demands justice on her behalf during a vigil on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, at Barber Park in Montrose Township. Edenburns husband, Jeramie Lee Edenburn, 46, was charged with his wife's murder. After pleading no contest to six felony charges, he was sentenced July 29, 2025, for second-degree murder, torture, sexual assault and more. (MLive file photo) Brice Tucker | btucker@mlive.com GENESSEE COUNTY, MI A man who sexually assaulted, tortured and stabbed his wife to death will spend the next 38 to 78 years in prison. Following a no contest plea on six felony charges, Jeramie Lee Edenburn, 46, of Flushing Township, was sentenced July 29, by Genessee County Circuit Court Judge Brian S. Pickell for the killing of 39-year-old Jennifer Edenburn. Avoiding a trial on a charge of first-degree murder, Jeramie Edenburn pleaded no contest June 16, to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. He also pleaded no contest to two counts of first-degree criminal sexual assault, and one count each of torture, concealing death and killing or torturing an animal. Jeramie Lee Edenburn appears to a prior court hearing by video. Edenburn was sentenced July 29, 2025, to serve between 40 and 80 years in prison after pleading no contest to second-degree murder in the 2023 killing of his wife Jennifer Edenburn. (MLive file photo) By pleading no contest, Jeramie Edenburn does not admit guilt but accepts the consequences of the charges he pleaded to. According to court records, Pickell sentenced the Flushing Township man to a minimum of 40 years and maximum of 80 with credit for 768 days time served. RELATED: Victim in Genesee County homicide remembered for contagious laugh, fun-loving personality RELATED: Something afoul: Grisly Flushing Township homicide detailed in court Jeramie Edenburn was arrested in Northern Michigan just days after police began investigating the disappearance of his wife on June 20, 2023. The investigation began when a co-worker of Jennifer Edenburns told authorities the victim did not show up for her shift at work. Flushing Township police responding to the call went to the Meadowbrook Manor mobile home park, where they knocked on the door of the Edenburn home. Police got no response that day, but found the victims vehicle the next day parked near two dumpsters in the park. Police once again went to the home, this time entering it and finding Edenburns body below a pile of pillows and blankets. She had been stabbed several times and had blunt force trauma to the face, according to testimony given in a later court hearing. No murder weapon was found, but a knife was missing from a knife block in the kitchen of the home, police said. The knife was later found in Jeramie Edenburns possession when he was arrested. In addition to sexually assaulting his wife, torturing and stabbing her to death, prosecutors also alleged that Jeramie Edenburn stabbed the couples dog. The dog survived the stabbing, according to court records. Want more Flint-area news? Bookmark the local Flint news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Flint daily newsletter. URUMQI, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- This summer, 18-year-old Uygur girl Aydina Yasen was overjoyed to receive her admission letter to the Konghou program at a conservatory in northeast China, offering her the chance to further study the ancient Chinese musical instrument she has loved since childhood. The harp-like Konghou is believed to have been introduced to the Chinese hinterland through what is now the northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region in the prime period of the ancient Silk Road. This instrument flourished during the Tang Dynasty (618-907), frequently appearing in poetry, murals and imperial court performances. Aydina Yasen grew up in Qiemo County, located deep in the Taklamakan Desert, China's largest desert. Known as the "hometown of Konghou," this county used to be a key stop along the southern route of the ancient Silk Road and has unearthed the oldest known relics of the instrument -- dating back 2,700 years. Aydina Yasen began learning to play Konghou at the age of 10. "The first time I heard its sound, I was deeply captivated," she said. "Now, every time I play it, it feels like I am touching an ancient soul." There was a time when the Konghou had almost disappeared. However, efforts to replicate the instrument began in the 1930s, and it made a return to the stage by the 1980s, according to Liang Pu, a Konghou instructor in Qiemo. In 2016, Xinjiang's first public-interest Konghou training base was established in Qiemo, drawing both music teachers and students. As of this year, more than 200 children, affectionately known as "Konghou kids," have been trained in the county -- and all primary and secondary schools in Qiemo now boast Konghou clubs. Since 2019, five Konghou-themed competitions have been held in Qiemo, while a series of Konghou-themed concerts have also been staged to enhance the popularity of this instrument. Among the many attracted to this instrument in Qiemo, Aydina Yasen is the only one to gain admission to a college-level program in recent years, securing a spot at Shenyang Conservatory of Music in Liaoning Province. "There are only a handful of conservatories offering Konghou as a major, and each admits very few students annually," said Liang. "Pursuing this path requires immense dedication." "I hope my daughter can pass on traditional Konghou techniques and share its culture with the world," said Aydina Yasen's mother, a music teacher who has strongly supported Aydina Yasen's dream. "Learning Konghou was never easy, but it took me from the desert to big cities, and opened up a much bigger world," Aydina Yasen said, adding that she hopes to share the rich Konghou culture of her hometown with wider audiences. Editor: Xiong Jian (This story has been updated with additional information.) FLINT, MI -- More voters cast write-in ballots in the race to elect a new 3rd Ward Flint City Council member than voted for either of two candidates on the ballot on Tuesday, Aug. 5, according to unofficial results from the Genesee County Clerks Office. Thats good news for LaShawn Johnson, who staged an aggressive campaign in an effort to win the vacant council seat and was the only registered write-in candidate in the race. Unofficial county results showed 328 unassigned write-in votes in the 3rd Ward on Tuesday, followed by Beverly Biggs-Leavy, who received 225, and A.C. Dumas, who received 192. County Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons said in a statement on Tuesday that the unassigned write-ins include all write-in votes, potentially including fictional characters as well as voters who supported Johnson. The county Board of Canvassers will be meeting over the next week and will manually review each write-in, Clemons wrote in a Facebook post on Tuesday. They have 14 days to certify the election ... We cannot say for certain who the winner is until the review and determination by the county Board of Canvassers. In January, Johnson was appointed as a 3rd Ward ambassador by Flint Mayor Sheldon Neeley, who also invited her to appear with him at several press conferences this year. She was forced to organize her write-in campaign after finishing with 163 votes in the May primary election -- two fewer than Biggs-Leavy and Dumas, each of whom received 165 primary votes. Neeley has said he named Johnson to the ambassador position to bridge the gap between voters, who havent had a council representative for more than 10 months, and City Hall. The mayor was an enthusiastic supporter of Johnsons work as an ambassador, and last month, his office used a city postage meter to send postcards to at least some 3rd Ward voters, advising them of the great job Johnson had done as an ambassador. The Journal couldnt immediately reach Johnson or Biggs-Leavy for comment after the unofficial results were posted by the county on Tuesday. Dumas said he was disappointed voters were taken advantage of by false promises made during the campaign. He said the initial results dont mean the canvassers will certify the election for Johnson. Dumas filed a complaint with City Clerk Davina Donahue regarding the Johnson campaign last week, alleging that absentee ballots were improperly handled by her campaign. The complaint was referred to the Michigan Department of States Office of Investigative Services. Johnson has called the complaint false, politically motivated, and a clear attempt to undermine my campaign and distract voters. Johnson is a lifelong Flint resident and public school bus driver who campaigned as a candidate with no political agenda or alliances. The Tilden Street resident has told The Journal previously that her life experiences have taught me how to work with people from all backgrounds and perspectives. I believe collaboration, professionalism, and respect must be the foundation of our work, she said. Our residents deserve leadership that puts service above personal conflict, and I am committed to doing just that. The new 3rd Ward council member will be in position to complete the term of the late Quincy Murphy, who died last Sept. 29. Murphys term expires on Nov. 18, 2026, and his replacement on the council has the potential to shake up its balance of power. Before his death, Murphy was most often aligned with council members who had generally supported Neeleys agenda. Since his death, the council has regularly been divided 4-4 on several big issues that the two factions have been unwilling or unable to compromise on. Dumas is a former president of the Flint branch of the NAACP and has been active in Flint politics for more than 50 years. Biggs-Leavy had been campaigning for the 3rd Ward seat since she filed petition language to recall Murphy in February 2024. Murphy died more than five weeks before the special recall election in November, creating the council vacancy and nullifying the results of the recall election. Council members have been unable to agree on an appointment to replace Murphy on a short-term basis despite a city charter requirement that they do so within 30 days of the vacancy having been created. Flint City Council write-in candidate LaShawn Johnson, right, speaks with Flint residents before they vote during the special general election for 3rd Ward Flint City Council member on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 outside of Avery Aldridge Activity Center in Flint. Jake May | MLive.com FLINT, MI -- The results arent expected to be certified until next week, but LaShawn Johnson cleared her last potential stumbling block on the way to becoming the next 3rd Ward Flint City Council member on Wednesday, Aug. 6. The Genesee County Board of Canvassers credited Johnson with 322 write-in votes from the special general election on Tuesday, Aug. 5, all but assuring her the right to complete the term of the late Quincy Murphy, who died while serving in the position last Sept. 29. A total of 328 voters cast write-in ballots in Flints 3rd Ward on Tuesday, compared to 225 who voted for Beverly Biggs-Leavy and 192 who supported A.C. Dumas. All but six of the write-in votes were credited to Johnson after the Board of Canvassers review on Wednesday. Canvassers rejected just six write-in ballots from Tuesdays election, including some which they said may have been intended for Johnson but that omitted part of her name or were too faintly written to count. In a 1972 opinion, the Michigan Supreme Court stated election officials should count write-in ballots for a candidate when a voters intent is not doubtful, even if a name was misspelled. The Board of Canvassers is composed of two Republican and two Democratic members who are appointed to four-year terms by the county Board of Commissioners after nomination by the county Democratic and Republican parties. On Wednesday, Republicans Norma Eskew and Ron Palgren, and Democrats Michelle Ryder and Sharon Reeves reviewed write-in ballots in groups of six, counting almost all of them for Johnson. It will be up to you all to decide ... what you will and will not accept, county Clerk-Register Domonique Clemons advised the canvassers at the start of Wednesdays meeting. Clemons said the results of Tuesdays election, which included a Burton City Council primary and a Grand Blanc Township parks millage, likely wont be certified until next week because of the time allowed for military, overseas, and signature ballots to be returned. Johnson was forced to quickly organize her write-in campaign after finishing with 163 votes in the May primary election -- three votes behind both Biggs-Leavy and Dumas. A hand recount didnt change the primary results, and Johnson was left off Tuesdays ballot, leaving just Biggs-Leavy and Dumas. Johnsons campaign received exposure after Mayor Sheldon Neeley appointed her as a 3rd Ward ambassador in January and appeared with her during several press conferences this year. Weeks before the election, the mayors office used a city postage meter to send postcards from Neeley to at least some 3rd Ward voters, advising them of the great job Johnson had done as an ambassador. Despite a city charter requirement that council vacancies be filled with a temporary appointment within 30 days, 3rd Ward residents have been without a council representative since Murphys death. The eight remaining council members were unable to agree on a temporary replacement for him despite 243 rounds of voting. The stalemate over the appointment has been one of several issues dividing the council 4-4 since Murphys death. Four members of the council have been generally supportive of the agenda of Neeley. Four others have more often been opposed. Johnson, a lifelong Flint resident and public school bus driver, campaigned as a candidate with no political agenda or alliances. The Tilden Street resident has told The Journal previously that her life experiences have taught me how to work with people from all backgrounds and perspectives. She has said she believes in collaboration, professionalism, and respect as the foundation of the councils work ahead. In a statement to The Journal on Wednesday, Johnson thanked voters, who she said proved that when a community unites, anything is possible. As we move forward, I hope we dont waste valuable time and energy chasing false narratives about this election, her statement reads. The voters have spoken, and now is the time for healing, unity, and progress. Lets focus on what really matters ... working together, sharing ideas, and building a better Flint. Johnson was the target of an election complaint filed by Dumas last week, which accused her campaign of improperly handling absentee ballots, which accounted for 352 of the 513 ballots cast in the race. She has called the complaint, which has been assigned for investigation by the Michigan Department of State, false, politically motivated, and a clear attempt to undermine my campaign and distract voters. Former Grand Rapids Police officer Christopher Schurr enters the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids, Mich. on Thursday, May 2, 2025. This is fifth day of jury trial for Schurr, 34, who is charged with second-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant. Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI Christopher Schurr, a former Grand Rapids police officer, wants records surrounding his high-profile murder case removed from law enforcement databases. Schurrs lawyers filed a motion this week in Kent County Circuit Court asking a judge to destroy the former officers arrest records, fingerprints and biometric data. A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Aug. 22 before Judge Christina Mims. Schurr was charged with second-degree murder for fatally shooting Patrick Lyoya, a 26-year-old Congolese immigrant. The case stemmed from a traffic stop on April 4, 2022, on the citys southeast side. Schurr stopped Lyoya on Nelson Avenue because his license plate didnt match the vehicle. The officer told Lyoya, who was highly intoxicated, to stay in his car. Lyoya then shoved the officer, lifting Schurr off the ground. Lyoya ran with the officer in pursuit. Schurr unsuccessfully discharged his Taser, with the second probe discharging into the ground after Lyoya gained control of it. The two were wrestling on the ground, with the officer on top of Lyoya. Lyoya had moved the Taser from his left hand to his right, according to footage shown by Schurrs defense at trial. Lyoya was holding the Taser like a gun, trying to get up and turning, when Schurr shot him in the back of the head, the defense argued. After six days of testimony and four days of deliberations spanning late April and early May, a mistrial was declared as the jury failed to reach a unanimous decision. Jurors were overwhelmingly in support of acquittal. 25 1 / 25 Hung jury declared in Christopher Schurr murder trial of Patrick Lyoya Kent County Prosecutor Chris Becker issued a decision in late May that he would not retry the case. The Michigan Attorney Generals office said it will not pursue a new trial. Now, defense attorneys Matthew Borgula, Mark Dodge, and Mikayla Hamilton are asking the judge to remove Schurrs arrest record from ICHAT, which is the Michigan State Polices Internet Criminal History Access Tool. The motion requests any entry related to the murder charge be removed from the Law Enforcement Information Network, or LEIN. Attorneys are also requesting any arrest records held by Michigan State Police and the Grand Rapids Police Department be destroyed. Becker told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press on Wednesday, Aug. 6, that his office has no grounds to oppose the motion. For more of MLives coverage on the Schurr/Lyoya case, visit here. Josiah Tyree Pittman, appears for his preliminary examination at the Kent County Courthouse in Grand Rapids on Friday, Nov. 15, 2024. Pittman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 to second-degree murder for firing a shot that killed 15-year-old Lakyijah Williams when she was scootering around with friends near Van Andel Arena in May 2024. (MLive file photo) Joel Bissell | MLive.com GRAND RAPIDS, MI A 19-year-old Grand Rapids man pleaded guilty Tuesday, Aug. 5, to fatally shooting a 15-year-old girl who was riding a scooter with her friends. Josiah Tyree Pittman pleaded guilty to a charge of second-degree murder and an additional charge of felony firearm, according to Kent County Court records. He will be sentenced on Sept. 10. Prosecutors and police have both said previously that Pittman had been likely targeting someone else when he shot and killed Lakyijah Williams at around 11:40 p.m. on May 18, 2024 near Van Andel Arena. Lakyijah Williams (Photo provided by Shaqueta Mathison) Shaqueta Mathison Pittman was was arrested Sept. 20, and interviewed by police. Investigators said they showed Pittman several photos of the incident and he denied any involvement. He would be ordered to stand trial following a preliminary hearing last November. At the hearing, Grand Rapids Police Detective Damon Lange testified that surveillance video showed Pittman pull out a handgun and open fire, hitting Lakyijah. The videos show Pittman and others running from the scene, he testified. RELATED: Teen girl was shot in back of head when alleged gunman opened fire in Grand Rapids Three teens who were in his group that night all testified that they did not know Pittman had a gun. Lange said there were over 30 surveillance cameras that captured parts of the incident. We combed through video of the entire downtown area, Lange told Assistant Kent County Prosecutor Blair Lachman. He said Lakyijah died of a gunshot wound to her head. Lachman said Pittman pointed the gun and opened fire, firing several rounds. Want more Grand Rapids-area news? Bookmark the local Grand Rapids news page or sign up for the free 3@3 Grand Rapids daily newsletter. Grattan Township voters passed a millage to support the fire department in the Aug. 5 primary election. Township officials estimated a new fire department operating millage would raise $117,477 in the first year. Charlie Nick | MLive.com KENT COUNTY, MI Voters in Grattan Township approved a new fire department operating millage but rejected two other ballot proposals on Tuesday, Aug. 5. In the special and primary election, Grattan Township residents were asked to vote on two new millages for the fire department operating fund and a farmland preservation fund, plus a new ordinance that would allow new home development. The vote to approve a new fire department operating millage passed with 58% of the vote, 645 to 467, according to unofficial results from the Kent County Clerks Office. Grattan Township sought approval to levy a new additional millage of .45 mills, or 45 cents per $1,000 taxable value, on property within Grattan Township from 2025 through 2031. For a home with a $100,000 taxable value, that cost would equal $45 per year, officials said. The new fire millage will provide funds for fire department operating costs, including wages and benefits for firefighters. Township officials estimated it would raise an estimated $117,477 in the first year. Below are the results of the the two proposals that failed. Primary election results are considered unofficial until they are certified Farmland and open space preservation millage The proposal for a new farmland preservation millage failed with 56% voting against it, 621 to 484. The township sought approval to levy a millage of .49 mills, or 49 cents per $1,000 of taxable value for 2025 through 2034. This would provide funds for the township to purchase land, take advantage of matching funds where available and participate in county, state or federal programs that preserve farmland, open space, wildlife habitat and/or scenic views. For a home with a $100,000 taxable value, that cost of the millage would come to $49 of additional tax per year. The township estimated the millage would raise $127,506.90 in the first year. Township Ordinance No. 2024-003 A zoning ordinance that would pave the way for a new housing development in the township failed with 77% voting against it, 846 to 257. Township Ordinance No. 2024-003 would rezone certain contiguous lands located at 9609 Belding Road, NE and 9810 Whitten St., from the A-1 Agricultural District to the A-2 Agricultural District. Non-farm single-family dwellings are a permitted use in both zoning regulations, but A-2 allows for more density than A-1. In A-1, the maximum number of additional lots ranges from two to seven lots, depending on the acreage of the parent parcel. In A-2, the maximum number of additional lots ranges from two to 16 lots, depending on the acreage of the parent parcel. The rezoning was put to a vote after the township board last year denied a proposal for a 50-home planned unit development on about 142 acres that included the properties at 9609 Belding and 9810 Whitten. The developer and the landowner applied to re-zone the two parcels, which would allow for greater residential density. After considering the legal standards provided by the townships counsel, the township board approved the rezoning through Ordinance No. 2024-003. A citizens group, however, filed a petition seeking a referendum on the ordinance, leaving the final decision on whether it should be approved in the hands of voters. Four people have been charged in a break-in at a Kent County home in what police call a sophisticated scheme targeting business owners. (MLive File Photo) Daniel Shular | MLive.com KENT COUNTY, MI In early December, a group of burglars broke into a Cascade Township home to steal $266,000 in cash, jewelry and other valuables and used a saw to break into a gun safe, police say. They had targeted a Grand Rapids-area restaurant owner for burglary after conducting surveillance and research at the victims home and business. The group considered other potential targets small-business owners with expensive houses - in Coopersville, Dimondale, East Lansing, Lansing, Romulus and Ypsilanti. They settled on the Cascade Township resident. They installed GPS tracking devices on the victims vehicles to monitor movement, researched the home and business addresses and estimated police response times. On Dec. 5, they ransacked the property while the victims were at work. They took cash, family heirloom jewelry and other valuables, their U.S. lawful permanent residence cards and passports before they returned to their Brooklyn, Michigan, Airbnb. Kent County sheriffs detective Timothy Dykgraaf eventually determined that a South American Theft Group, or SATG, consisting of Colombian nationals illegally in the U.S., were behind the Cascade Township burglary as well as others across the country, Thomas Schifini, a Homeland Security Investigations special agent, wrote in a search-warrant affidavit. Additional investigation showed that the SATG would follow a very specific pattern of criminal activity in regards to the residential burglaries committed across the United States, Schifini wrote. Investigators noted common characteristics of the group: They appeared to focus on Asian and Middle Eastern business owners. They conducted internet searches for small businesses and the owners home addresses where they might be inclined to keep large amounts of cash. They searched social media after identifying potential victims. They conducted extended surveillance of potential victims to learn their patterns and daily schedules. They put GPS trackers on vehicles to help ensure victims did not return home unexpectedly during the burglary. In chat communications with each other, the group discussed (having) the eye on the victims. The context of the communications makes clear that they were using surveillance cameras to monitor the movements of victims prior to committing the burglaries, the HSI investigator wrote. In a Dec. 17 burglary in Alexandria, Kentucky, investigators believe that SATG members hid a camera in the bushes across the street from a house that was burglarized. The camera was found by a neighbor in April. John Sebastian Quintero-Herrera, William David Villarraga-Joya, Wendy Vanessa Acosta-Arevalo and Paul Jeffereson Mendoza-Arevalo were indicted in U.S District Court for the Western District of Michigan on charges of interstate transportation of stolen property related to the Kent County burglary. Acosta-Arevalo has pleaded guilty to the charge. She is scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 16 by U.S. District Judge Jane Beckering in Grand Rapids. The other defendants have pleaded not guilty and are jailed pending trial. The federal investigator said that four to seven people, based in the Los Angeles and New York City areas, would take part in SATG crimes. From August 2024 to August 2025, such burglaries or attempted burglaries were reported in Alabama, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio and Wisconsin, with $5 million in losses. Quintero-Herrera was identified as a suspect through state and federal search warrants and subpoenas, the investigator said. Vehicle data, phone records, online accounts, and cell tower information all linked Quintero-Herrera and others to multiple home burglaries throughout the United States, Schifini wrote. He said that those involved in the alleged scheme conducted days of research before the burglaries. The activity was consistent with counter surveillance techniques observed with these group, who also visit the homeowners businesses and map out the time and distance to the victims homes and run their license plates, he wrote. Other investigations, and intelligence bulletins, have indicated that this pre-planning is often done by other members of South American Theft Groups, he wrote. The Sheriffs Office contacted Homeland Security Investigations after determining the group was allegedly involved in other states, too. Months earlier, Quintero-Herrera was stopped by police in Wisconsin and arrested for marijuana possession. In booking, he provided his cellphone number. The number had already turned up when Kent County sheriffs detectives obtained cellphone tower records near the Cascade Township victims home and business. U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, met Monday, Aug. 4 with members of West Michigan's Latino community, including the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, at the downtown Grand Rapids restaurant Mexo. (Photo provided of Sen. Elissa Slotkin's office) Sen. Elissa Slotkin GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Fear of deportation is causing fewer Hispanic and Latino community members to participate in West Michigans economy, said Guillermo Cisneros, president and CEO of the West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Cisneros was among leaders of several West Michigan Hispanic organizations, who met with U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly, during her visit to Grand Rapids on Monday. Our Latino community is in fear right now because of policy at a national level, Cisneros told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press on Tuesday, Aug. 5, about sharing that with the senator. Slotkin said during Mondays meeting, she heard just how pervasive the fear is for some Hispanic and Latino community members in West Michigan, including some who have some kind of legal status. (It) hurts my heart that we have American citizens who feel like they cant visit the restaurants they want to visit, Slotkin said. They are careful (about) where they drive and how they drive because theyre scared of the government. Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump and his administration have pledged to curtail illegal immigration by increasing detention and deportation efforts, promising to enact the largest deportation operation in American history. Trumps administration has allocated $165 billion to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through his One Big Beautiful Bill, with much of that going towards immigration enforcement. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrests have shot up 154% in Michigan since Trump became president, according to data compiled by MLive in July. That includes an increased number of arrests of those seeking immigration benefits at scheduled court hearings and check-in appointments. In Grand Rapids, there were 11 June arrests at ICEs Intensive Supervision Appearance Program (ISAP) office. There have been 42 more at a Grand Rapids ICE suboffice, already an increase from 41 arrests during the entirety of last year. In January, a federal change ended the ban on ICE officials visiting schools, churches and hospitals. Some Grand Rapids Public Schools students said their undocumented friends stayed home as a result. Now, Cisneros said thats remained a common practice, with more Latino community members staying home in the last few months, and fewer people showing up to Hispanic community events or going out to eat at Latin American area restaurants for fear theyll be targeted. The economy is declining as well, because of the fear theyre living in, he said. Slotkin said she spoke with a 25-year Wyoming restaurant owner who said about half of their usual clientele is no longer dining in, including some who are American citizens or have legal status. They dont want to be targeted because they happen to be going to a Mexican restaurant, she said. Cisneros said there are over 350 Latino businesses in the greater Grand Rapids area, and confirmed some have reported a decline in business they believe is immigration-related. We are already seeing how many restaurants are closing in downtown Grand Rapids, he said. With these new policies, this is going to have a stronger negative effect on the economy for restaurants. Cisneros referenced a September 2023 economic impact report released by the Grand Rapids Chamber and the American Immigration Council. The report, titled Economic Impact Report of New Americans in Kent County, found there were 57,400 immigrants living in Kent County in 2019. That same year, they contributed $5 billion to the countys gross domestic product -- or its total output of goods and services -- representing 9% of the countys total GDP. The same immigrant households earned $1.7 billion, according to the report, and had $1.3 billion in spending power, or 8.4% of all the spending power in the county. In addition to losing clientele, some West Michigan business owners have also reported workers not showing up, Cisneros said, affecting vulnerable sectors like construction, agriculture and manufacturing. You cant produce at the same level, Cisneros said. This is impacting not just Latino businesses, but the entire economy of the region. While immigrants made up 8.9% of Kent Countys total population in 2019, they represented 11% of its working population and 10.5% of its employed labor force, according to the report. The industries with the largest number of immigrant workers were agriculture (53.1%), construction (15.3%), transportation/warehousing (14.8%) and manufacturing (14.6%). In agriculture, immigrants made up 52.5% of the total workforce. At the same time, Kent Countys undocumented immigrant number was nearly 14,700 -- or 25.6% of the countys total immigrant population. The industries with the largest number of undocumented immigrant workers were manufacturing (27.8%), construction (16.8%) and agriculture (14.1%). Cisneros said they have a big impact. If we were to deport those individuals tomorrow, the economy of Kent County (would) collapse, he said. Cisneros said moving forward, the chamber is hoping to have more conversations with politicians and policymakers from both sides of the aisle about the economic impact of immigration policies. I just really would like to feel the support from the entire West Michigan region towards Latinos, he said. It feels that were being singled out. A middle school educator is charged with second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Grand Haven District Court for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his students. Mike Krebs | MLive.com OTTAWA COUNTY, MI A middle school educator in Ottawa County faces a felony charge for allegedly sexually assaulting one of his students. Peter Jacob Twork has since been fired from his position with Coopersville Middle School following the allegations, the superintendent confirmed. Twork, 57, is charged with one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct in Grand Haven District Court. The lone charge stems from an investigation that was launched in May when Ottawa County sheriffs deputies learned about concerns of Twork interacting with students on Snapchat, according to an affidavit of probable cause. A detective spoke with the victim a 14-year-old girl who said Twork squeezed and fondled her butt on multiple occasions while she was in his classroom. The teen said it happened for a prolonged amount of time, both while no one else was in the classroom and when students were in class but not looking, according to the affidavit. According to police, the alleged assaults could go unnoticed because students in the woodshop-type class were often engaged in various activities. The girl also said while Twork was touching her butt, he would ask if she was going to tell anyone because it could get him in trouble. Another student spoke with police and recounted an incident where she allegedly saw Twork sexually assaulting the same student. The witness said she went back to the woodshop classroom because she forgot her water bottle. When she walked in, she saw Tworks hand on the victims butt, squeezing it, the affidavit states. Police interviewed Twork who acknowledged he made contact with the teens butt but said it was an accident. Twork is no longer employed with the district, Coopersville Schools Superintendent Matt Spencer told MLive/The Grand Rapids Press in an email on Wednesday, Aug. 6. He said student safety is a top priority. Twork is scheduled to appear in court next on Sept. 9 for a preliminary examination where a judge could hear testimony in the case and determine if it moves to trial. Twork remains free after paying 10% of his $15,000 bond. Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation Traffic camera video shows the backup forming on eastbound I-94 at Elm Road in Jackson Aug. 6, 2025. Traffic is backing up due to a crashed semitrailer on the freeway. Photo provided by the Michigan Department of Transportation Related: Eastbound I-94 near Jackson closed again after second identical semitrailer crash in two days JACKSON COUNTY, MI Eastbound I-94 at Elm Road in Jackson is closed due to a crash involving a semitrailer. The crash was reported at 12:18 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 6, which is affecting both eastbound lanes, according to the Michigan Department of Transportation. The freeway has been closed while emergency crews are on scene conducting cleanup efforts. It is unclear when the freeway will be reopened. Traffic in the area is experiencing major backups due to the crash. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes and avoid the area. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. A potato bowl meal from Taco Bell believed to be contaminated by an employee's spit on Sept. 10, 2024 is at the center of lawsuit. (Photo provided by Hamilton Law) Courtesy Photo | Hamilton Law ALBION, MI A former Taco Bell employee, accused of spitting in a sheriffs deputys food, opted to take a plea instead of facing a jury Tuesday. Governor Cameron-Wayne Stovall pleaded no contest to one felony count of violating food law Tuesday, Aug. 5, moments before he was to be set for a jury trial, court records show. A no contest plea is not an admission of guilt, but is treated as one in court proceedings. Stovall, 26, was accused of spitting in Calhoun County Sheriffs Deputy Maccah McGhees $2.59 potato bowl while he was working in an Albion Taco Bell in September of 2024. McGhee filed a lawsuit against Stovall and Border Foods, a Minnesota company that owns and operates the restaurant at 1440 N. Eaton St. in Albion. The lawsuit is still ongoing in Calhoun County Circuit Court. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 20 before Calhoun County Circuit Judge John Hallacy. Stovall is free on a $500 personal recognizance bond. He faces up to four years in prison and or a fine of up to $10,000 plus twice the amount of any economic benefit associated with the violation, according to state law. After ordering the bowl for her lunch break, McGhee noticed a slimy substance inconsistent with any of the potato bowl ingredients after she began eating, the suit states. McGhee confronted Taco Bell management, who allegedly downplayed her concerns and claimed the substance was sour cream. McGhee contacted the Albion Department of Public Safety, which sent police to investigate and take a DNA sample from the food, according to the lawsuit. Stovall denied spitting in the food but made several contradictory statements when speaking to the investigating officer, according to a police report included in the lawsuit. Stovall told police he noticed something that looked like water in the food, but was in too much of a hurry to do anything. Stovall also told police he might have accidentally sneezed in the bowl while preparing the food. However, police obtained a sample of Stovalls DNA through a search warrant and confirmed a match with the alleged spit in the food, the suit claims. Want more Jackson-area news? Bookmark the local Jackson news page. The Ukrainian industrial company Interpipe supplied specialized micropiles for the reconstruction of a bridge between Poprad and Vydrnik in Slovakia. According to a press release on Wednesday, as part of the modernization of a 15-kilometer section of the railway connection between Poprad and Vydrnik, which is being carried out by Slovak Railways, the existing bridge is undergoing major repairs. Due to the difficult soil conditions of the region, the use of standard piles turned out to be ineffective. Interpipe proposed an alternative solution - pipes with a diameter of 108 mm, which are used as compact micropiles. This project required S355J2 structural steel, which is widely used in construction and mechanical engineering due to its balance of strength, weldability and impact resistance. It is noted that the company has extensive experience in participating in global infrastructure projects from airport terminals in Tenerife to exhibition pavilions in Dubai. This time, Interpipe has joined a project closer to Ukraine, namely the reconstruction of a railway bridge in Slovakia. Pipe Sales Manager for European Markets Vitaliy Synelnykov emphasized that railway bridges withstand the weight of numerous freight and passenger trains and must remain safe in operation for decades. "The supporting structure is crucial for the long-term integrity of the bridge. Micropiles can withstand the same loads as traditional piles, while requiring significantly less effort to prepare the ground. We have already supplied similar piles to several construction contractors in France who faced the same problem," explained Synelnykov. Interpipe is a Ukrainian industrial company, a manufacturer of steel pipes and railway products. The company's products are supplied to more than 50 countries around the world through a network of sales offices located in key markets in the Middle East, North America and Europe. In 2024, the company transferred UAH 5.5 billion to budgets of all levels. A former Van Buren County court official is accused of embezzling grant funds, state police said. (MLive File Photo) Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com VAN BUREN COUNTY, MI - A former Van Buren County specialty court administrator is accused of embezzling over $100,000, state police said. Rachel Celeste Lindley, 42, who now lives in Bethesda, Maryland, is charged with embezzlement over $100,000, a potential 20-year felony, and embezzlement by a public figure, a potential 10-year felony. The state police Special Investigation Section determined that Lindley took the money from various grants. She was arraigned Tuesday, Aug. 5, in Van Buren County District Court and was released on bond. The case has been assigned to an outside judge, Holland District Judge Juanita Bocanegra, court records show. A preliminary examination is set for Aug. 18 to determine if the case should be bound over for trial in Van Buren County Circuit Court. Lindley is represented by Grand Rapids attorney Jeffery Crampton. Kalamazoo Public Safety Chief David Boysen poses for a portrait in his office in Kalamazoo, Michigan on Thursday, Jan. 12, 2023. (Joel Bissell | MLive.com) Joel Bissell | MLive.com KALAMAZOO, MI In response to community criticism, Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team (KVET) officers are no longer allowed to wear masks, the department announced Wednesday, Aug. 6. Kalamazoo Department of Public Safety Chief David Boysen said he began reviewing the policies on masking months ago and added language to limit when masks could be used. Now, the department has announced KVET officers will no longer be using masks. After hearing the concerns raised by the community, its clear that even these additional precautions were not sufficient to maintain community trust, Boysen said. On Aug. 5, 2025, staff were notified that use of masks was suspended effective immediately. Officials may revisit the decision in the future, depending on changing circumstances, the chief said. At this time, I believe this is the right step to avoid contributing further to public fear or uncertainty, Boysen said. People posted videos of masked officers online and shared concerns, asking why officers would need to cover their faces. People made comments about masked officers at the Monday, Aug. 4, Kalamazoo City Commission meeting. Its a slippery slope, resident Joana Babcock said. Its not ICE, but we should be concerned because it feels like soft launching reactions to ICE-esque policing tactics, she said, joining a group of people holding banners in front of City Hall Monday. Boysen said KVET investigators operating in undercover roles have been permitted to wear masks in order to protect their identities since the 1990s. Recognizing that this practice might raise concerns particularly in light of the current national discourse around law enforcement and federal agencies like Immigration and Customs Enforcement, I began reviewing our internal policies several months ago, Boysen said in a news release. The debate has reached Lansing, where lawmakers are considering a bill to ban use of masks by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. Michigan U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin introduced a bill with other Democrats that would require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to unmask in July. KVET is made up of officers from multiple jurisdictions and primarily targets drugs in the area. This change only impacts KVET there hasnt been a mask policy for other KDPS officers, spokesperson Zach Hamelton said. Only KVET officers were allowed to wear masks, primarily so they could participate in undercover work without making their identitys known, he said. Kalamazoo Valley Enforcement Team Courtesy Image Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. Senator Sean McCann and Rep. Julie Rogers look at construction for a bridge on a ramp which, when finished, will connect US-131BR WB/NB to US-131 SB in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The project is expected to be completed in November 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com) KALAMAZOO COUNTY, MI Northbound U.S. 131 will close for the next three weekends in August while crews install a new bridge over the highway. Meanwhile, the Michigan Department of Transportation is opening a brand new ramp, which will help detour traffic, said spokesperson Nick Schirripa. Northbound U.S. 131 will close at U.S. 131 business route interchange from 10 p.m. Friday to 6 a.m. Monday three consecutive weekends: Aug. 8 to 11, 15 to 18 and 22 to 25. MDOT will direct traffic to the new ramp that connects northbound U.S. 131 to the eastbound business route, Schirripa said. Its the southernmost route shown in orange on the map, below. The southernmost ramp shown in orange on the map is already complete. This route will open while work on the northern ramp is underway. MDOT Construction Engineer Christopher Jacobs drives up a finished ramp that will take drivers from US-131 NB to US-131 BR EB/SB in Kalamazoo County, Michigan, on Tuesday, July 22, 2025. The entire project is expected to be completed in November 2025. (Devin Anderson-Torrez | MLive.com) Drivers will then exit the business route at Douglas Avenue and get back on the business route heading west, where it eventually connects with northbound lanes. The bridge work is part of a $19 million MDOT interchange expansion project. The expansion provides a connection to downtown Kalamazoo that didnt exist previously. The current configuration only allows business route traffic to continue north on U.S. 131. When work on the interchange is complete, commercial and commuter traffic on the business route can go south onto U.S. 131, eventually connecting with I-94, without leaving the highway. Want more Kalamazoo-area news? Bookmark MLives local Kalamazoo news page. MIDLAND, MI A collaborative effort between Dow Credit Union and local Habitat for Humanity chapters has secured nearly $195,000 in critical home repair funding for 15 homeowners across Midland and Saginaw counties. The funds come from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Revive Home Repair Program, which provides up to $15,000 per household for essential repairs for low- to moderate-income homeowners, organizers say. The program, formerly known as the Neighborhood Impact Program, helps address deteriorating conditions to ensure homes remain safe and livable. For over five years, Dow Credit Union has participated in this program, and the results speak volumes about how the power of collaboration multiplies good, Michael Goad, chief executive officer of Midland-based Dow Credit Union, said in a statement. Were especially proud to see the program grow securing nearly $200,000 this year and expanding support from just Midland County to include both Midland and Saginaw counties. This marks the first year Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity partnered with Dow Credit Union on the initiative. Abbegail Stemple, executive director of Saginaw-Shiawassee Habitat for Humanity, in a statement said the partnership demonstrates the powerful impact that shared values and community investment can make. With support from Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Revive Home Repair Program, the partnership allowed the initiative to serve four additional families with critical home repair projects that would not have been possible otherwise, Stemple said. The scope of work includes essential repairs such as roofs, insulation, gutters, doors, water heaters, furnaces, and windows. These improvements directly address health, safety, and livability concerns, Stemple said, allowing families to remain in the homes they love, in a safer and more stable environment. Under the Federal Home Loan Bank Act, institutions such as the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Revive Home Repair Program must help meet the credit needs of communities in which they do business, organizers say. The Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis Revive Home Repair Program works through local member institutions, such as Dow Credit Union, to identify qualified homeowners and coordinate support within communities. Dow Credit Union continues to play a vital role in helping connect qualified homeowners with these essential grants, Kris Brozzo, mortgage sales manager at Dow Credit Union, said in a statement. In every county and community, there are homeowners with tight household budgets doing their best to hold things together. It is an honor to give our time and talent to support such a wonderful cause. For many recipients, the grant funding makes the difference between living in a home thats safe and functional or one that poses daily challenges, organizers say. Critical repairs restore structural integrity and extend the life of homes and preserve equity for families who might not otherwise have access to affordable financing. Through ongoing collaboration with organizations like Habitat for Humanity, the credit union is helping create stronger foundations literally and figuratively for the people it serves, Goad said. Generative AI was used to organize information for this story, based on information provided by Dow Credit Union. It was reviewed and edited by MLive staff. A milk tanker overturned in Tuscola County, Michigan, spilling over 12,000 gallons of milk on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. The driver of the tanker suffered minor injuries. Courtesy photo TUSCOLA COUNTY, MI The driver of a milk tanker miraculously suffered only minor injuries after the tanker overturned, spilling thousands of gallons of milk. Tuscola County Sheriffs deputies and first-responders from multiple other agencies responded to M-46 near Phillips Road just after 6 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5, on the report that the tanker had overturned, the sheriffs office reported. Deputies said that the fact the driver only suffered minor injuries was miraculous. Personnel from the Kingston and Mayville fire departments worked together to extricate the driver following the crash. As the result of the tanker overturning, over 12,000 gallons of milk emptied into a nearby drainage ditch, the report states. Tuscola County Emergency Manager Steve Anderson contacted EGLE regarding environmental cleanup. The sheriffs office issued a special thank you to Michalski Excavating for bringing in sand to stop the milk from spreading further. The Michigan State Police assisted with traffic control. Current Mayor Ken Johnson and Bob Garretson were the top two vote-getters in the Aug. 5 primary race for Muskegon mayor. The two will now square off in the Nov. 4 general election. Pictured is Ken Johnson (left) and mayoral candidate Bob Garretson (right). (MLive File Photo) MLive File Photo MUSKEGON, MI - Muskegon voters on Tuesday, Aug. 5, narrowed the field of candidates vying for a chance to be the citys next mayor. Ken Johnson and Bob Garretson were the top vote-getters in the primary election, beating out one other candidate in the race, according to unofficial results from the Muskegon County Clerks Office. The two will now square off in the Nov. 4 general election. Johnson came in first place with 2,043 votes, and Garretson placed second with 1,011 votes. John Richard Allen came in third place with 407 votes. Primary election results are considered unofficial until they are certified. Mayor Ken Johnson was first elected in 2021. Before taking the reins of the city in January 2022, he served eight years on the city commission. During his first term, Johnson oversaw the allocation of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to various community projects, including parks, a new fire truck, the downtown convention center, the Muskegon Museum of Art, the Boys and Girls Club and a community grant program. Over the last four years, he said he is proud of reviving the citys parks and recreation department and enhancing community engagement to city hall. Other future priorities for Johnson include increased waterfront access, and public safety. Bob Garretson moved to Michigan in 2006 and Muskegon in 2019 and is a financial planner. Continuing the city staffs work in brownfield redevelopment, environmental restoration, community collaboration, housing and downtown development is what Garretson hopes to support as mayor. Garretson said he would prioritize not being a strong mayor city and empower city staff more. He said he also wants to see the city collaborate more with municipalities around Muskegon County around housing, emergency services, environmental issues and jobs. While John Richard Allen will not be put on the Nov. ballot, his father, John C. Allen, was one of the top vote getters in the at-large commissioner race for the city of Muskegon. Buddy Kennedy, who played for the Tigers in 2024, is back in the big leagues with the Blue Jays. (AP Photo/Abbie Parr) AP DETROIT -- Former Detroit Tigers infielder Buddy Kennedy is back in the big leagues with the Toronto Blue Jays. Hes taking the spot of catcher Ali Sanchez, another former Tiger, who was designated for assignment. Kennedy, 26, was released by the Philadelphia Phillies last month and quickly signed with the Jays on a minor-league deal. Kennedy spent eight days with the Tigers big-league club after being recalled from Toledo to replace injured infielder Gio Urshela last April. He went 2-for-10 with a home run, four RBIs, two walks and four strikeouts in six games. He was designated for assignment last June and was traded to the Phillies for cash considerations a few days later. Kennedy was drafted in the fifth round out of high school in 2017 by the Diamondbacks. He reached the big leagues with Arizona and played briefly in 2022 and 2023. Kennedy is a New Jersey native and attended Millville Senior High School, Mike Trouts alma mater, about 40 miles from Philadelphia. His grandfather is 16-year big-league infielder Don Money, who played for the Phillies from 1968-1972. Sanchez spent only about a week on the Jays roster, filling in for Alejandro Kirk during his concussion-related absence. Sanchez, 28, played for Triple-A Toledo after being claimed off waivers from the St. Louis Cardinals in 2022. He was never called up to Detroit. After spending 2023 with the Arizona Diamondbacks Triple-A affiliate, Sanchez signed a big-league deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates ahead of the 2024 season. He was waived at the end of spring training and landed with the Chicago Cubs, playing for Triple-A Iowa before being traded to the Miami Marlins last June. He signed a minor-league deal with the Blue Jays over the winter. PORT AUSTIN, MI Viewing the rugged and beautiful Lake Huron shoreline from the water is an experience every Michigander should have. Hearing the gentle waves hit the kayak and soaking in the summer sun are both part of the fun. Getting in a workout with a unique, up-close view of one of Lake Hurons gems makes it even better. 10 1 / 10 Kayak to Michigans Turnip Rock Turnip Rock is a destination only accessible by water, and kayak or boat are the best ways to do so. The interesting rock formation with its own vegetation on top is near the coast, but the land is a private community named Pointe aux Barques, so there is no public land to see the photogenic rock. A view of Turnip Rock on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Port Austin, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Port Austin Kayak, 119 E. Spring St., rents single kayaks, tandem kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for visitors looking to explore Lake Huron. According to the Port Austin Kayak website, the trip is about seven miles to Turnip Rock and back, which takes anywhere from two to four hours. For the Turnip Rock trip, the four-hour single kayak rentals are available for $40-$45. Once checked in with a completed waiver, Port Austin Kayak staff show the route on a map, provide a life jacket and push the kayakers into Bird Creek, from a launch behind the building, which leads into the Port Austin Harbor. From there, its all about taking in the kayaking adventure, sticking close to shore, until you reach the beloved Turnip Rock. A view of Turnip Rock on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Port Austin, Mich. Kaytie Boomer | MLive.com Theres a small, rocky beach area near Turnip Rock where kayakers can pull their vessel to shore to swim, take photographs and simply take in the views. Weather is an important factor to double check before heading out on the water. Port Austin Kayak lists on their website whether they will be renting or not due to the conditions. There is the option to utilize a personal kayak, of course. The best launch sites are the Bird Creek County Park and Veterans Memorial Park. Another option is the Port Austin State Harbor, but you will need a State Park pass to do so. For more information, check out the Port Austin Kayak website here. Our warming trend starts building today. The daytime high temperatures will nudge ahead each day until Saturday, when many places across Michigan will be hitting 90 degrees, the National Weather Service said. That feels like temperature will be even higher by then, though. Thats because humidity will start building back into the forecast, making it feel more like Down South than a nice, northern summer day. And while the wildfire smoke from Canada will be pushed out of the lower half of the Lower Peninsula today, it will linger for the top half of Michigan. Points from Cadillac northward and into the Upper Peninsula will still have Air Quality Alerts in place. Here are the statewide forecast highlights from the NWS offices across Michigan: We should prepare for a challenging week of increasing heat and potential thunderstorms across the state through the weekend. An Air Quality Advisory remains in effect for most of Michigan, with lingering smoke from Canadian wildfires continuing to impact visibility and air quality. Temperatures will steadily rise, with highs reaching the mid-80s today and potentially climbing into the low 90s by the weekend, creating uncomfortable and potentially dangerous heat conditions. Be ready for scattered showers and thunderstorms developing tonight through the weekend, with the highest chances in the Upper Peninsula and western parts of the state. Isolated thunderstorms are possible Wednesday afternoon and evening, with more widespread storm potential Thursday and Friday. Heat will become a significant concern Friday and Saturday, with heat indices potentially exceeding 90 degrees in many areas. The Marquette NWS office warns that lower elevation areas near Lake Superior could see heat indices approaching 95 degrees. Michigan residents are advised to stay hydrated, seek cool spaces, and limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day. The extended forecast indicates continued warm and humid conditions through the weekend, with a cold front potentially bringing relief and cooler temperatures early next week. Uncertainty remains in the precise timing and intensity of storm systems, particularly for the weekend and early next week. Long-term outlook suggests a pattern change by early next week, with temperatures expected to moderate and a more active weather pattern developing across the Great Lakes region. Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story based on data from the National Weather Service. It was reviewed, edited and expanded by MLive staff. Ukraine and Romania plan to open the Bila Tserkva Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing point by the end of this year on a temporary infrastructure for passenger cars, while the "full" infrastructure is being built, Deputy Minister of Community and Territorial Development of Ukraine Serhiy Derkach said following a meeting with State Secretary of the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure of Romania Ionel Scriosteanu. "The construction of the new Bila Tserkva Sighetu Marmatiei border crossing point is a priority. The contract has been signed for the work. The construction itself will be divided into three stages. This is a large infrastructure project that requires time and resources," Derkach said on Facebook. Among other key agreements, he named the synchronization of work at the largest checkpoint with Romania, the Porubne Siret border crossing, in order to simultaneously complete work on building lanes for trucks. This will allow for a doubling of throughput, the deputy minister emphasized. According to him, the issue of opening local checkpoints was also discussed, in particular, one each in Chernivtsi and Zakarpattia regions. It is noted that these checkpoints will be created for cars and pedestrians. Among the latest joint developments, Derkach recalled the possibility of large-capacity buses freely traveling through the Diakivtsi Rakovets border crossing. "The next step is to consolidate this decision without restrictions on an indefinite basis. Plus, add the possibility of crossing with empty trucks. Romanian colleagues are considering this possibility and will return with feedback," the deputy minister said. Varun Singh A journalist covering the automotive sector in depth, across business and product verticals. Trying to hit the gym at least four times a week! I am not a fitness freak though. Varun Singh USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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Fedorov later said five people in serious and moderate condition had been taken to hospital. Archisha Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Archisha Yadav is a sub editor with 1.5 years of experience in writing news articles on topics like education, jobs, and politics. She specialises in crafting simple, clear, and engaging stories that are easy to understand and hold the readers interest, making complex topics accessible and relatable to a larger audience. Archisha Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept As a result of Russian attacks in the Dnipropetrovsk region, an enterprise and infrastructure were damaged, Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration head Serhiy Lysak has said. "The aggressor continued to attack the Nikopol region with drones and artillery. He terrorized the Nikopol, Pokrovska, and Marhanets communities," he said on Telegram. According to Lysak, a private house caught fire, the fire was extinguished by rescuers. The enterprise and infrastructure were also damaged. There were no deaths or injuries anywhere, Lysak said Aanand L Rai and Dhanush to consider legal action over AI-altered ending of Raanjhanaa re-release M Snehanjali USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Kajol to return as Noyonika Sengupta in The Trial Season 2 Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept On the night of Wednesday, August 6, the invaders attacked the Izmail district (Odesa region) with strike drones, damaging the gas infrastructure, Odesa Regional Military Administration head Oleh Kiper has said. "Despite the active work of our air defense forces, there is damage to the gas infrastructure," he said on Telegram on Wednesday. Kiper said a fire broke out at the site, which was extinguished by firefighters at 07:25. Work is currently underway to release gas from the system. "The fire destroyed production equipment. Due to damage to the main gas pipeline, 2,500 subscribers were temporarily disconnected," Kiper wrote. Work to eliminate the consequences is ongoing. All authorized services are working at the site. Law enforcement officers are recording traces of another crime by Russians against civilians. When Salman Khan reacted to Aishwarya Rais wedding to Abhishek Bachchan after abuse accusations: "If I hit somebody, its going to be a..." Gayatri Rani USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept 7 surprising early signs of heart failure you should never ignore Nivedita is a Delhi-based journalist who writes on health, fashion, lifestyle and entertainment. Views expressed are personal. Manjiri Patil USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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He was previously with the Economic Times and has tracked the sector for 14 years. Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Trump tariffs news live: Investors unfazed by Trumps 100% semiconductor tariff threat US President Donald Trumps threat to impose a 100% tariff on chip imports left analysts puzzled and shares little changed as the industry tried to work out which companies that make and design semiconductors could be hit. Trump said in a meeting at the Oval Office this week that the tariff would apply to companies unless they had committed to build in the US. He named Apple Inc., which had just announced a new $100 billion domestic manufacturing plan, as an example. The biggest chipmakers have largely committed to US production projects or seem to be covered by other trade agreements, making it unclear how wide-reaching the levies would be. - Bloomberg Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aryaman Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept GST Council may take up proposal for uniform 12% tax on fertilisers, inputs by September Meghna Mittal Deputy News Editor at Moneycontrol. Meghna has experience across television, print, online and wire media. She has been covering the Indian economy, monetary and fiscal policies, Finance and Trade ministries. She tweets at @Meghnamittal23 Contact: meghna.mittal@nw18.com Meghna Mittal USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept The Kursk operation, which began on August 6 last year, for the first time transferred a full-scale war to enemy territory, where the Ukrainian military controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers, demoralizing the Russian personnel, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Oleksandr Syrsky has said. "August 6 is a significant date in the military history of our state. On this day in 2024, the Kursk offensive operation of the Defense Forces of Ukraine began, which for the first time transferred a full-scale war to the territory of the aggressor country," he wrote on Facebook. According to Syrsky, this was a "resolute and bold step" in response to the enemy's preparation of a new offensive campaign. "We did not expect a blow - we inflicted it ourselves. We proved by deed that Ukraine is capable not only of defending itself, but also of acting in advance and effectively attacking," he writes. According to the commander-in-chief, after careful planning of the operation, Ukrainian units were able to break through the enemy's defenses, go deep into the enemy's rear and disrupt his logistics. At the peak of the operation, the Armed Forces of Ukraine controlled up to 1,300 square kilometers of the Kursk region. "We demoralized the Russian personnel and forced them to transfer significant reserves to the Kursk region, easing the pressure on other areas of the front," he stressed. Syrsky noted that at that time the Defense Forces did not allow the enemy to implement their offensive plans and formed a buffer zone, thanks to which Sumy and Kharkiv remain on free Ukrainian land. Infosys should consider expanding to other North Karnataka districts, says Industries Minister Patil Reshab Shaw USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Reshab Shaw USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Highway Infrastructure IPO GMP surges as subscription crosses 53 times on Day 2; Should you bid? Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers. Paras Bisht USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Paras Bisht A financial journalist with over 10 years of experience, specialising in tracking stock market movements and fundamental developments that impact investors and the broader economy. A keen observer of global financial markets, I regularly engage with leading market voices to write stories. At Moneycontrol, I focus on decoding market trends, policy shifts and economic changes, driven by a constant passion to learn, analyse, and share knowledge with my readers. Paras Bisht USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Sunil Matkar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Zoya Springwala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept For retail investors, SMIDs are still the favourite bets even as prices plunge Ashish Rukhaiyar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Anishaa Kumar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept The Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine, Andriy Yermak has has noted the importance of introducing secondary sanctions against the tanker fleet and buyers of Russian energy resources to end the war in Ukraine. "The tanker fleet is the foundation of Russian sanctions evasion and war financing. Secondary duties will make Russian energy resources extremely expensive for those who consider them too cheap and turn a blind eye to the killings of Ukrainians. A complete ceasefire and a meeting of leaders. The war must end, but for now everything rests with Russia," Yermak said on Telegram on Wednesday. As reported, on August 5, US President Donald Trump said that he could significantly increase duties on goods from India within the next 24 hours due to the fact that Delhi buys Russian oil. He again suggested that if oil prices were further reduced, this could push Russia to intensify negotiations on Ukraine. On August 3, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Sunday imposed new sanctions against the Russian Federation, including a package of sanctions against the shadow tanker fleet - five operating companies and 94 individuals, including tanker captains. He also imposed sanctions on 39 individuals and 23 legal entities, mostly Russian, involved in the illegal export of grain from the occupied territories of Ukraine and the development of mineral resources in these regions. Small and midcap indices down for a second day over tariff threat and earnings Debaroti Adhikary USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept In August 26 edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: It's silver's moment to shine, lucrative domestic manufacturing would stem fert... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | How to keep calm and bank on USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Armaan Bhatnagar USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Private entities not allowed in offshore mining of uranium and thorium, Centre clarifies Sweta Goswami USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept SC quashes Madras HC ban on using CM Stalin's name for Tamil Nadu govt schemes Siddharth Chakravorty USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Naina Sood USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Who is PB Balaji, first Indian to become CEO of Jaguar Land Rover Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Photo: https://t.me/dsns_telegram Nine people have been hospitalized after an enemy strike with high-explosive aircraft bombs on a recreation center in the Zaporizhia region, Zaporizhia Regional Military Administration head Ivan Fedorov has said. "Two children were among the injured. Both are under medical supervision, one in serious condition. All victims are receiving necessary medical care," Fedorov said on Telegram on Wednesday morning. He previously reported that the occupiers shelled unspecified locations in the Zaporizhia region on Wednesday morning, killing two people and injuring 12 others, including four children. At least nine buildings were also damaged. Fedorov later reported that five people in serious and moderate condition were sent to the hospital. The State Emergency Service of Ukraine also reported two deaths and 12 injuries as a result of the strike on the recreation center, but specified that only two of them were children. "On August 6, between 05:55 and 06:10, the enemy launched air strikes on the territory of a recreation center in one of the settlements of the Zaporizhia district. According to preliminary data, two people were killed, 12 were injured, among them - according to confirmed information - at least two children. The number of victims is being specified," the message says. Currently, emergency services are eliminating the fire of a farm building, cars and five fire centers in an open area. Nine one-story recreation houses were damaged. 'Abhi aur aage jaana hai': In Modi's praise for Shah, a message of continuity with a hint at the future Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Chhabi Kala USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Parimal Peeyush USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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What is the process and how it will impact CMs powers Smriti Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official/ On Wednesday night, Russian occupiers struck power grids in the Dnipropetrovsk region and shelled a gas station in Novosilske in the Odesa region, leaving hundreds of families without gas, such attacks are a deliberate attack on preparations for the heating season, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Also at night - vile attacks on power grids in the Dnipropetrovsk region, a drone strike on people in Kherson, an attack on a gas station in Novosilske in the Odesa region. Hundreds of families were left without gas. And this was a deliberate attack on our preparations for the heating season, absolutely cynical, like every Russian attack on the energy sector. Kharkiv region, Donetsk region - people's private homes were hit," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Wednesday. Also, as a result of shelling of a recreation center in the Zaporizhia region, 12 people were injured and two were killed. "There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate," the president said. He noted that the Kremlin will sincerely strive to end the war only after feeling the appropriate pressure. "And right now it is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe and the G7 so that the ceasefire really comes immediately. Ukraine sees the political will, appreciates the efforts of our partners, America and all who help. And we are counting on the necessary decisions," the president said. Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Mallikarjun Kharge writes to Rajya Sabha Deputy Chairman Harivansh to allow discussion on SIR in Bihar Ria Kapoor USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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I Accept Opposition proposes discussion on 'electoral reforms' as 'middle path' to end deadlock on SIR Yeeshu Yadav USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Photo: https://t.me/VadymFilashkin One civilian in the Donetsk region was killed and seven others were injured as a result of shelling by Russian occupiers over the past day, Donetsk Regional Military Administration head Vadym Filashkin said on Tuesday, August 5. "In Pokrovsk, one person was killed and three were injured, a house was damaged. In Toretske, Shakhivska community, five houses were damaged," Filashkin wrote on Telegram on Wednesday morning. The rest of the victims were in the Kramatorsk district. "In Zarechne, Lymanska community, a person was injured. In Znamenivka, Oleksandrivska community, a house was damaged. In Kostiantynivka, three people were injured, 39 private houses and a religious building were damaged," the head of the regional administration reported. According to him, in Siversk, Bakhmutsky district, four houses were damaged. In total, over the past 24 hours, Russian occupiers have shelled settlements in the Donetsk region 16 times, Filashkin reported. Some 678 people were evacuated from the front line on Tuesday, including 63 children. Compared to Monday, the number of shellings has increased, and the scale of evacuations has decreased. In August 26 edition of Moneycontrol Pro Panorama: It's silver's moment to shine, lucrative domestic manufacturing would stem fert... Moneycontrol Pro Panorama | How to keep calm and bank on US strategy to counter Chinas mineral strengths is riddled with contradictions USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Former Google executive predicts AIdriven collapse of middle class by 2027: 'Hell before we get to heaven' Shubhi Mishra USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept 1/10 Mirror of Nature: Say hello to Chrysina limbata, the beetle whose shiny silver body reflects like an exact mirror. It's one of the world's shiniest insects. (Image: @ephemeral1107/X) 2/10 A Metallic Marvel: The shell of this beetle isn't silver-paintedits mirror appearance is due to microscopic layers that bounce light exactly. (Image: Michael Farmer/@gunsnrosesgirl3/X) 3/10 Found in the Rainforests: Chrysina limbata inhabits Central America's rainforests, particularly Costa Rica, keeping itself hidden among leaves. (Image: @FabulousWeird/X) 4/10 All Show: Its reflective shell is not all it seemsit's actually a brilliant example of camouflage, allowing it to merge with shiny rain-washed leaves. (Image: @7ayawaana/X) 5/10 Little but Breathtaking: At just around 2 cm in length, this beetle still manages to turn heads with its liquid-metal-like appearance. (Image: Michael Farmer/@gunsnrosesgirl3/X) 6/10 Elusive and Exotic: It's not easy to spot one in the wild. They're timid, nocturnal and very good at disappearing into their leafy habitat. (Image: Michael Farmer/@gunsnrosesgirl3/X) 7/10 Eco Role: Similar to most beetles, Chrysina limbata assists in breaking down plant life, with an important role to play in the forest's ecosystem. (Image: Michael Farmer/@gunsnrosesgirl3/X) 8/10 Not a Pet: Although stunning, it's unlawful in most nations to capture or sell them because they're a protected species. (Image: @Cybisterplatina/X) 9/10 Found in the Rainforests: Chrysina limbata inhabits Central America's rainforests, particularly Costa Rica, keeping itself hidden among leaves. (Image: @Botanichka/X) Still think cheetah is the fastest? This is the real speed king of the animal kingdom Sheetal Kumari USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Over 2 billion Apple devices at risk: Indian government issues warning for iPhone, Mac, iPad, and Watch users MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Prosecutors have opened criminal proceedings into the shooting of a civilian in the Donetsk region by a Russian serviceman, the case is being investigated as another war crime by the enemy. "A video was published on a Telegram channel in which a civilian is trying to evacuate from the village of Udachne. The man was walking along the side of the road, holding a suitcase with the remains of his personal belongings in his hand. A serviceman of the Russian Armed Forces cynically opened aimed fire from an ambush set up in a destroyed building and killed a passerby with an automatic weapon," the Prosecutor General's Office said on Telegram on Wednesday. Information on the fact of a war crime that caused the death of a person (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations. Under the procedural guidance of the Donetsk Regional Prosecutor's Office, investigators of the Main Directorate of the State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) are conducting a pre-trial investigation. Urgent investigative (search) actions are being carried out aimed at establishing all the circumstances of the incident and the persons from among the Russian military personnel involved in the commission of the specified crime. "This is the third fact of the execution of civilians by the occupation forces recorded by regional prosecutors this year," the message says. Samsung Expands One UI 8 Beta to more Galaxy smartphones: All the details MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept This US state has banned ChatGPT and others from providing therapy MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Aabhas Sharma USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. 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I Accept TSMC employees arrested for stealing chip technology used in Apples most powerful iPhones, may face 12 years in jail MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Ankita Chakravarti USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why OpenAIs education head Leah Belsky believes AI is essential for students and future professionals MC Tech Desk Read the latest and trending tech newsstay updated on AI, gadgets, cybersecurity, software updates, smartphones, blockchain, space tech, and the future of innovation. Invite your friends and family to sign up for MC Tech 3, our daily newsletter that breaks down the biggest tech and startup stories of the day Shaurya Shubham USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Rajni Pandey is a seasoned content creator with over 15 years of experience crafting compelling stories for digital news platforms. Specializing in diverse topics such as travel, education, jobs, science, wildlife, religion, politics, and astrology, she excels at transforming trending human-interest stories into engaging reads for a wide audience. Rajni Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Kuwait launches new e-visa system in 2025, making travel faster and easier: All you need to know Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Lord Howe Island has the most beautiful airport landing in the worldand the runway starts in the ocean Priyanka Roshan With over eight years in multimedia journalism, is passionate about storytellingboth visual and textualacross travel, jobs, business, markets, politics, and daily news. From crafting engaging articles to producing compelling videos, she blends creativity with strategy to bring stories to life. With a strong foundation in SEO, and video production she ensures content not only informs but also resonates with audiences. Priyanka Roshan USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Ajit Doval lands in Moscow amid growing India-US tensions over Russian oil: Whats on the agenda? Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Photo: https://www.president.gov.ua For more than a year, Ukraine has been conducting active operations in the Kursk and Belgorod regions of the Russian Federation. The Kursk operation has shown that Ukrainians will continue to defend their independence and force Russia to end the war, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on the first anniversary of the operation. "For more than a year, Ukraine has been conducting active operations in Russian territory - in the Kursk and Belgorod regions. Ukrainians have once again managed to prove to the world that it is quite possible to put Russia in its place and adequately respond to its attacks," Zelenskyy said on Telegram on Wednesday. He noted that the Kursk operation was truly special because the world's intelligence agencies did not predict it, and the Russians did not expect it. "When many in the world thought that the situation was at a dead end, Ukrainians showed that they would continue to defend their independence and force Russia to end the war," the president emphasized. Zelenskyy thanked every soldier, sergeant and officer and everyone who was involved in the tasks in the Kursk region. "To everyone who prevented another full-scale Russian strike on our Sumy and Kharkiv regions. We defend Ukraine. And we remember each and every one who gave their lives in battles for Ukraine," he added. China faces worst Chikungunya outbreak yet: The unusual methods Beijing is using to curb the spread Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept How Palantir became Trumps go-to tech partner for AI, defence and immigration Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Surabhi Pandey USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Modi to visit China for first time since Galwan: Is Trumps tariff war bringing rivals together? Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Never said a percentage: Trump responds to tariff threat after Indias response on Russia trade Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pakistan eyes 2035 moon landing with Chinas help; India already succeeded with Chandrayaan-3 Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Pakistan misses 3 out of 5 IMF targets ahead of review: How it may boost Indias FATF Grey List push Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/87 The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has appointed Oleksandr Tsyvinsky to the position of Director of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced this on Telegram on Wednesday. "Today, the government has decided to appoint Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as Director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine. After the decision of the competition commission, proper checks and passing a polygraph test, there are no reservations about his candidacy," she wrote. According to her, the government expects the Bureau to update its work, strengthen the institution, and achieve a significant level of trust between BES and Ukrainian entrepreneurs. "It is important that economic relations in Ukraine are not distorted by shadowy schemes and that business can count on respect from the state," the prime minister emphasized. Prior to that, Tsyvinsky was the head of the detective unit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). As reported, the Commission for the Competition for the Position of Director of the BES first recommended Tsyvinsky to the government on June 25. Three foreign members of the Commission voted for him, while Ukrainian representatives gave their votes to two other candidates - Mykhailo Burtov and Oleh Borysenko. The Cabinet of Ministers, which has 10 days to approve the candidacy, considered this submission on July 7 and, in connection with the SBU letter, addressed the Commission with a proposal to resubmit no more than two candidacies that would meet all established requirements, including security criteria. On July 23, the Commission for the Selection of the BES Director resubmitted Tsyvinsky to the government. Later, at Tsyvinsky's request, the SBU officially confirmed that there were no grounds for his non-appointment to the position of Director of the BES. On August 1, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that she had agreed with Tsyvinsky to undergo a polygraph test before his appointment. Pakistan will not develop closer ties with US at the cost of China: Chinese experts 101Reporters USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. 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I Accept Trump eyes 250% tariff on drug imports: How his trade hammer could hit Indias $50 billion pharma engine Abhinav Gupta USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Trumps defence-tech boom: How Anduril, Palantir and other AI firms are cashing in Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. 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I Accept Between January and July this year, Finland provided Ukraine with a total of 31 rescue vehicles, and 32 trucks of other civil aid, the Finnish government jas said. "Ukraine's need for assistance remains significant and diverse. The current focus is on providing Ukraine with rescue vehicles and supplies for the energy and healthcare sectors. This year, Finland has sent fire engines, control units, ambulances, generators and hospital equipment and supplies to Ukraine. The functioning of Ukrainian society has also been supported with communication equipment and donated buses," the statement said. The government noted that Ukraine's rescue services are vulnerable to attacks, as Russia has systematically carried out double strikes on Ukrainian rescue personnel working at the sites of missile attacks. The civil aid materials from Finland are being delivered to Ukraine through the EU Civil Protection Mechanism. The mechanism allows EU Member States and participating countries of the Civil Protection Mechanism to submit offers of assistance, which the recipient country then accepts based on its needs. The system integrates offers of assistance from individual countries into a pan-European mechanism that ensures effective assistance by combining the different strengths of the donor countries. Since the beginning of the Russian war of aggression, Finland has delivered a total of 126 vehicles and 414 trucks of other civilian material assistance to Ukraine. "We'll speak when it makes sense": Canada PM Mark Carney on Trump raising tariffs from 25% to 35% Hemant Abhishek USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. 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For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Chinas chip consolidation drive is stallingand what it means for its tech ambitions Sonalee Borgohain USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Why Trumps DOJ is reviving the Russia probe and what it means for his enemies Pragya Trivedi USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Zelenskyy says he had productive conversation with Trump on ending Ukraine war Deblina Halder USER CONSENT We at moneycontrol use cookies and other tracking technologies to assist you with navigation and determine your location. We also capture cookies to obtain your feedback, analyse your use of our products and services and provide content from third parties. By clicking on 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies and other tracking technologies. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy. *We collect cookies for the functioning of our website and to give you the best experience. This includes some essential cookies. Cookies from third parties which may be used for personalization and determining your location. By clicking 'I Accept', you agree to the usage of cookies to enhance your personalized experience on our site. For more details you can refer to our cookie policy *I agree to the updated privacy policy and I warrant that I am above 16 years of age I agree to the processing of my personal data for the purpose of personalised recommendations on financial and similar products offered by MoneyControl I agree personalized advertisements and any kind of remarketing/retargeting on other third party websites I agree to receive direct marketing communications via Emails and SMS Please select (*) all mandatory conditions to continue. I Accept Photo: https://t.me/V_Zelenskiy_official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has met with State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) head Vasyl Maliuk on special operations and long-range actions of the SBU soldiers and approved some operations. "Report of SBU head Maliuk. First of all, about the military component, special operations and long-range actions of the Security Service of Ukraine soldiers. Thank you for the accuracy. We do not make the details public, but the enemy feels the consequences of our actions," Zelenskyy wrote in the Telegram channel on Wednesday. He noted that the results of the SBU for the first half of the year in destroying Russian air defense systems deserve special attention. "This significantly helps our long-range strikes on the objects of the Russian military machine and the Russian military economy," Zelenskyy added. He reported that he approved some operations. First Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine Halyna Hryhorenko has said funding for the cinema sector for 2026 must be increased to at least UAH 500-600 million. "We will work to increase funding for cinema next year. We understand that if we do not finance the creation of content now, the aggressor will create its own content about our war. Accordingly, we must talk about increasing funding," Hryhorenko said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine. She noted that currently the budget declaration for 2026 includes the same amount of funds for the State Film Agency as for the current year - approximately UAH 120 million, which is insufficient. "That is, we are not launching new projects. We continue to co-finance what was selected earlier. And we still have unfinished projects from 2017 and 2018, and the 19th pitching (2024 - IF-U). Therefore, the first issue is to restore financing for the industry, because this is staff retention and content production," the deputy minister added. When asked how much money the Ministry of Culture is asking to allocate for the State Film and Television Agency in the state budget for 2026, Hryhorenko noted that at a minimum, they would like to restore financing in the "provisional" amount of 500-600 million per year. "This is the minimum that is needed to support the industry, just so that people remain in their professions... Because we simply will not be able to recover after the end of martial law, because these people will leave the profession for other areas where they can earn money. And culture, which is always the lowest paid in our country, will be left without personnel," she emphasized, expressing hope that this year the Ministry of Culture will manage to achieve an increase in funding. In addition, she noted that the State Film and Television Agency has the task of looking for international funds that can help Ukrainian film producers. As reported, the state budget for 2024 provided UAH 663.4 million for the State Film and Television Agency, of which UAH 28.7 million for leadership and management in the field of cinematography and UAH 634.7 million for state support for cinematography, in particular, documentation of war crimes. The state budget for 2025 provides for a 69.2% reduction in funding for the State Film Agency. In particular, UAH 204.1 million is planned, of which UAH 30.4 million is for management and administration in the field of cinematography, and UAH 173.7 million is for state support for cinematography, in particular, documentation of war crimes. The head of the State Film Agency, Andriy Osipov, expects to increase funding for the cinema sector to UAH 2 billion in the state budget for 2026. Photo: https://t.me/Denys_Smyhal/ Ukrainian Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal has announced a government resolution that improves the treatment, rehabilitation, and adaptation of Ukrainian military and civilian personnel released from Russian captivity. "We are improving the treatment, rehabilitation, and adaptation of Ukrainian military and civilian personnel released from Russian captivity. Today, the Government, at the request of the Ministry of Defense, adopted a corresponding resolution," he said on Telegram on Wednesday. The minister noted that the resolution provides for: clearer requirements for medical examinations of former prisoners to determine their health status for the most effective treatment, a set of medical, preventive, and rehabilitation measures to return a person to a full life. The measure also expands the network of rehabilitation facilities through the reintegration centers of the Ministry of Defense, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, the State Security Department, the Foreign Intelligence Service and other institutions, as well as mentions strengthening the social and administrative component of rehabilitation, in particular, people will be assisted in obtaining internal and international passports directly in the institutions where they are being treated. In addition, amendments to orders on equating injuries received by defenders in captivity to injuries received on the battlefield are being prepared at the ministry level. "We will provide everyone who has experienced the horrors of Russian captivity with attention and an individual approach. We value every person, we protect their life and health," Shmyhal said. Reporter Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker attends a news conference in Aurora, Illinois, Aug. 5, 2025, held by Texas Democratic lawmakers after leaving their state to deny Republicans the quorum needed to redraw Texas 38 congressional districts. REUTERS Trump could meet in person with Putin as soon as next week, White House official says Trump could meet in person with Putin as soon as next week, White House official says View Photo WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said Wednesday. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Trump was also open to a meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. A meeting between Putin and Trump would be their first since Trump returned to office this year. It would be a significant milestone in the 3-year-old war, though theres no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. Trump, appearing before reporters later at the White House, didnt answer questions about a potential location for a meeting but when asked about a summit with Putin and Zelenskyy, said theres a very good prospect that they will meet. The president declined to predict how close he was to reaching a deal to end the fighting, saying, Ive been disappointed before with this one. Rubio lowers expectations for a meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was asked in an interview on Fox Business about a potential Trump-Putin meeting, said a lot has to happen before that can occur. Rubio said the U.S. would be having talks with its European allies and the Ukrainians over the next few days. He said Trump meeting directly with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine would help close an agreement, but said, Weve got to get close enough to that point so that a meeting like that will be productive and worth doing. Today was a good day, but weve got a lot of work ahead, he said. Theres still many impediments to overcome. News of a potential meeting with Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow. Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Putin in which great progress was made. Zelenskyy has been willing to meet face-to-face with Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Trump has met with Zelenskyy several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met with Putin this year, Trump met with him five times during his first term. Trump said earlier Wednesday that he had updated Americas allies in Europe and that they would work toward an end to the war in the days and weeks to come. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the Russians had expressed their desire to meet with Trump. The Kremlin has not yet commented on any potential meetings with Trump. Witkoff met with Putin days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin and Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia. The threat of US sanctions Earlier on Wednesday, the same White House official said the U.S. was still expected to impose secondary sanctions against Russia on Friday, after a 10-day deadline that Trump imposed is to expire. The White House has not yet released details about the sanctions. Washington has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties if the killing doesnt stop. Trump also has threatened to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increase import taxes dramatically on China and India. He said Tuesday he hadnt publicly committed to any particular tariff rate, and indicated that his decision could depend on an outcome of the meeting with Putin. Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Putin over Russias escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intended to erode morale and public appetite for the war. The intensified attacks have occurred even as Trump has urged the Russian leader in recent months to relent. Zelenskyy said Wednesday evening that he and Trump spoke on the phone after Witkoff met with Putin. He said European leaders also participated in the conversation, and we discussed what was said in Moscow. It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire, Zelenskyy said, adding that the pressure on Moscow is working, without elaborating. Zelenskyy stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not deceive us or the United States when it comes to the details of a potential agreement. Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies soon talk to determine our position, our common position, and our common view. The fighting grinds on Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational center in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said Wednesday. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. Russia also struck the Ukrainian power grid and facilities for heating and cooking gas, Zelenskyy said, as Ukraine makes preparations for winter. Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the fall is advancing faster than last years push but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defenses are not about to collapse, analysts say. Risks of more pressure Stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin risks stoking international tensions amid worsening Russia-U.S. relations. Putin has given no hint that he might be ready to make concessions. Instead, the Russian leader and senior Kremlin officials have talked up the countrys military strength. Putin announced last week that Russias new hypersonic missile, which he says cannot be intercepted by current NATO air defense systems, has entered service. Russia announced Tuesday that it no longer regards itself as bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, meantime, warned that the Ukraine war could bring Russia and the U.S. into armed conflict. Trump responded to that by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Witkoffs visit. We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful, he said. Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline, but later moved up his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. By MICHELLE L. PRICE Associated Press UK regulators criticize all sides in dispute over Prince Harry and Prince Seeisos charity View Photo LONDON (AP) British regulators criticized on Wednesday both sides in a dispute over the future of a charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, for allowing the issue to be played out in public and damaging the organizations reputation. The Charity Commission for England and Wales went on to say that it found no evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny at Sentebale, which provides support for young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho. The commission opened a review of Sentebales governance in April after the two princes stepped down as patrons and a group of trustees, saying the relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, was beyond repair. Chandauka later accused Harry of orchestrating a campaign of bullying and harassment to try to force her out. Disagreements over the organizations future surfaced in 2023 after the then-board of trustees sought to roll out a new fundraising strategy in the United States, the commission said. The dispute between Chandauka, other trustees and Harry was first reported to the commission in February 2025. Those tensions became public in March, when Harry announced he was stepping down as patron to support the trustees who had resigned. In his role as patron, the prince used his star power to promote and raise funds for Sentebale. Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardizing the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve, commission CEO David Holdsworth said in a statement released Wednesday. Harrys spokesman attacked the commissions decision. The report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support, Harrys spokesman said in a statement. Harry will now look at alternative ways to help young people in Botswana and Lesotho, the spokesman said. Chandauka welcomed the report, saying it confirmed the governance issues she raised earlier this year. The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private, she said in a statement. Harry and Seeiso founded Sentebale in 2006 to honor their late mothers By DANICA KIRKA Associated Press Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy The Cabinet of Ministers has allowed free renewal of driver's licenses and vehicle registration certificates for citizens who suffered as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation, Prime Minister Yulia Svirydenko announced. "The renewal of driver's licenses for citizens who suffered during the shelling will be free of charge. We must be sensitive to the needs of those who lost property, housing or documents due to the war. Today, the government adopted a decision that allows free renewal of driver's licenses and vehicle registration certificates for citizens who suffered as a result of the armed aggression of the Russian Federation," Svirydenko said on Telegram on Wednesday. According to her, these are cases where documents were lost due to shelling. "People should not face additional bureaucratic barriers in already difficult circumstances," she said. Ukrainian Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko explained how this will work in practice. "A person who has suffered as a result of shelling receives a document from the investigator stating that he has the status of a victim. With this document, he applies to any Interior ministry service center (stationary or mobile, which works at the site of the liquidation). The administrator quickly processes the application and issues new documents without any payment," Klymenko said on Telegram on Wednesday. He noted that this is another step towards ensuring that state assistance is accessible and without unnecessary bureaucracy. Klymenko added: "I often communicate with people who have suffered from enemy attacks. And, of course, they always ask a simple and painful question: 'Where to look for help when you are left with nothing?' We must give a clear answer to it: help is nearby." According to the minister, the next step is the urgent free restoration of ID documents. "We are working on solving this problem," he said. Mexican authorities arrest outspoken activist ahead of a planned migrant caravan View Photo TAPACHULA, Mexico (AP) Authorities arrested an outspoken activist and immigration advocate in southern Mexico on Tuesday, a day before a group of migrants was planning to march to the countrys capital to protest their treatment. According to a federal official, Luis Garcia Villagran was arrested in Tapachula, in the state of Chiapas, for alleged crimes related to his work with migrants. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly about the case. Garcia Villagrans relatives who were waiting outside the Attorney General offices in the southern city of Tapachula, near the border with Guatemala, declined to comment. The activist-lawyer has accompanied many caravans over the years that formed in Tapachula, demanding safe passage to the U.S. border or speedier processing of asylum applications in Mexico. The caravan planned for Wednesday had the more limited goal of reaching Mexico City, where there are more opportunities for work, since U.S. President Donald Trumps administration has effectively shut off the possibility of requesting asylum at the U.S. border. In recent years, the Mexican government has worked to contain migrants in southern Mexico far from the border with the United States. At times, this strategy has swollen migrant numbers in Tapachula until hundreds set out walking in protest. Chiapas is Mexicos poorest state and migrants complain there is little work or available housing. Last year, some migrants accused Garcia Villagran of extortion and state prosecutors opened an investigation. The Chiapas state prosecutors office has not said where that case stands. Mexican authorities have arrested immigration activists in the past. In 2018, activist Irineo Mujica was arrested as he led a protest in Ciudad Hidalgo, a city at the Guatemala-Mexico border. He heads the organization Pueblo sin Fronteras, or People without Borders, and was accused at the time of property damage and resisting arrest. On Tuesday, Mujica condemned Garcia Villagrans arrest in a video released on his social platforms and accused the Mexican government of criminalizing immigration and those who advocate for migrants rights. Mujica was arrested again in 2019 with another activist as the Mexican government negotiated with the first Trump administration to avoid threatened tariffs. They were released days later due to lack of evidence. Cuban migrant Jesus Perez said on Tuesday the arrest of Garcia Villagran was meant to keep them from leaving Tapachula, but were going to leave. In recent days, he said, immigration agents and National Guard troops had been carrying out operations in places where migrants gather, calling it an attempt to intimidate them. ___ Verza reported from Mexico City. By EDGAR H. CLEMENTE and MARIA VERZA Associated Press Division among Brazilians over Bolsonaro house arrest order could set the tone for next election Division among Brazilians over Bolsonaro house arrest order could set the tone for next election View Photo SAO PAULO (AP) Brazilians were divided Tuesday over a house arrest order against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial for allegedly masterminding a coup plot to remain in office. The division could set the tone for next years general election. Brazils Supreme Court on Monday issued the order in a case that has gripped the South American country even as it faces a trade war with the Trump administration. Supporters of the far-right leader and some moderates see the ruling as harsh, while allies of incumbent President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and other moderates want to move on and leave the issue for the judiciary. Creomar de Souza, a political analyst with Dharma Political Risk and Strategy, a political consultancy firm based in Brasilia, said that could be the dynamic of next years election. One is the effort of Bolsonaro supporters to keep strong on the right, no matter if it is pushing for amnesty in congress or putting themselves physically out there, the analyst said. The second is how the Lula administration will try to show that the country has a government. Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes, who put Bolsonaro on trial for his alleged role in the coup plot to keep him in office despite his defeat in the 2022 election, ordered the 70-year-old former presidents arrest for violating precautionary measures imposed on him by spreading content through his three lawmaker sons. That decision followed one from the court last month ordering Bolsonaro to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway. The polarization between supporters and critics of the former president took Brazils congress by storm Tuesday and was also reflected in figures from pollster Quaest, which say 53% are favorable to the order against the far-right leader and 47% against it. Analysts expect another narrow election next year, with Lula running for reelection and Bolsonaro barred. The political repercussions in Brazil are getting attention from the U.S. government as President Donald Trump directly tied a 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to his allys judicial situation. Late on Monday, the U.S. State Departments Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs condemned the far-right leaders order for house arrest and attacked de Moraes. Bolsonaro blockade Since de Moraes order, Bolsonaro allies are pledging to stop congress unless an amnesty bill is passed in favor of the far-right leader and his supporters involved in the coup plot probe. Early on Tuesday, a group of 40 pro-Bolsonaro lawmakers told journalists in the capital Brasilia they will push hard for the former presidents release. Altineu Cortes, the conservative deputy speaker of the lower house, said he will put the amnesty bill to a vote if he gets the chance. Ive already told speaker Hugo Motta that I will do that in the first moment I am working as the speaker of the house during one of his trips abroad, Cortes said. Later, many of the same lawmakers protested in the lower house and the senate by blocking access to the presiding tables. This is an arbitrary action, said Sen. Davi Alcolumbre, the president of Brazils senate. I call for serenity and spirit of cooperation. We need to start working with respect, civility and dialogue so congress can fulfill its mission in favor of Brazil and our population. Members of Brazils opposition say such a move would also allow Bolsonaro to run in next years election, from which he was barred by the countrys top electoral court for abuse of power in 2022. That claim is denied by many legal experts and also by Supreme Court justices. Moving on Meanwhile, Lula and his allies initially showed they wanted to move past the issue of Bolsonaros house arrest and focus on trade negotiations with Trump, who imposed 50% tariffs on Brazilian import goods starting Wednesday. Trumps justification for the measure was what he called unfair treatment of the far-right leader. I dont want to speak about what happened to that other Brazilian citizen who tried to stage a coup, Lula said during a long speech in Brasilia on Tuesday. The leftist leader added he will not call Trump to talk about trade because he doesnt want to speak about it. Lula said he might instead invite him to attend (Novembers climate summit) COP in Belem. I came here with the compromise of not wasting much time speaking about tariffs. I will just say the least I can. If I didnt (say anything) you would go: Why didnt Lula speak about it? Is he afraid of Trump? And I dont want you to leave with that impression, he said. Members of Lulas Cabinet have also avoided discussing Bolsonaros future. A Brazilian government staffer told The Associated Press that Lula told his ministers that his reelection depends on governing, not on his predecessors future. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak about the matter publicly. Moderates speak If the next Brazilian election has the same standard of the previous face off between Lula and Bolsonaro, the winner will be decided by turnout and a very slim number of moderates. Gov. Eduardo Leite, a moderate from the Rio Grande do Sul state, embodied the split among many Brazilian voters who will likely have to chose one of the two camps in 2026. A critic of de Moraes actions against Bolsonaro, Leite does not condone the former presidents actions either. I dont like the idea of a former president not being able to speak, and even less see him get arrested for that before he is put on trial at the Supreme Court, Leite said. Our country does not deserve to remain hostage to this legal-political tug of war that only hinders us all. Gilberto Kassab, the chairman of the centrist Social Democratic Party, has both Bolsonaro and Lula supporters in his partys ranks and said exaggeration on both sides are contaminating Brazil. I express my solidarity to the former president, I regret his arrest without discussing the merits of the issue. This is all that the country did not need, Kassab said in a statement. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america By MAURICIO SAVARESE Associated Press First responders thanked for Jamestown Fire response View Photo Sonora, CA The Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office, CAL Fire, and local fire departments were thanked for their exceptional response to a house fire on Main Street on June 30. We reported earlier that smoke billowed through the downtown district, and one person was tragically killed, in the incident. Local Jamestown business owner Casey Harless led an effort to have a thank you card signed by many Jamestown residents and business leaders, as a token of appreciation to the first responders. It was presented, as a surprise, at Tuesdays Board of Supervisors meeting. She also presented the agency leaders with sheriff/fire stuffed animals. This is a small gesture to recognize the big impact our first responders made that day, said Harless. Were so lucky to have such skilled and dedicated professionals serving our community. We want to show that Jamestown cares with this meaningful gesture. Harless continued, We are very proud of how professional and organized our first responders are. We are very lucky to have them in our area. On hand were Sheriff David Vasquez, CAL Fire Unit Chief Nick Casci, Assistant Tuolumne County Fire Chief Nathan Gorham, Tuolumne County Battalion Chief Mario Torres, and Chicken Ranch Rancheria Fire Chief Aimee New. Iran executes a man accused of spying for Israel and another for planning IS group sabotage Iran executes a man accused of spying for Israel and another for planning IS group sabotage View Photo DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran executed two men on Wednesday, one who was accused of spying for Israel and another said to have been a member of the militant Islamic State group, state media reported. A report by the judiciary news website Mizanonline identified the alleged spy as Rouzbeh Vadi and said he had relayed classified information to Israels Mossad intelligence service. Authorities said Vadi provided information about an Iranian nuclear scientist who was killed during Israels June airstrikes on Iran, the report said. It did not identify the scientist or the time and place of Vadis arrest. Vadi met the Mossad officers five times in Vienna, Austria, the report also said. The official IRNA news agency said later Wednesday that Vadi was working with unnamed but important and sensitive agencies in Iran and was attractive to Mossad because of his access level to information. Also, state TV broadcast a brief video purporting to show Vadis alleged confession in which he says worked with Israel for financial gain. It was not immediately clear if he spoke under duress. His profile on ResearchGate identifies him as a PhD graduate and says he was a senior nuclear safety assessment expert at Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority, which is affiliated to the country Atomic Energy Organization. In 2011 he co-authored a dissertation with Abdolhamid Minuchehr, a nuclear scientist who was killed during Israeli strikes in June. Israels ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, said in June that Israels 12-day war on Iran included targeted strikes that killed at least 14 physicists and engineers involved with Irans nuclear program. Iran has hanged seven people for espionage during the conflict with Israel, sparking fears from activists that the government could conduct a wave of executions. Also on Wednesday, Iran hanged a member of the militant Islamic State group on Wednesday convicted of plotting sabotage, Mizanonline reported. Authorities has accused Mehdi Asgharzadeh of participating in military training in Syria and Iraq as an IS member, before illegally entering Iran with a four-member team. The other team members were killed in a fight with Iranian security forces, the news site reported. The reports on Mizanonline said that for both men, Irans Supreme Court upheld the sentences of lower courts and followed full legal procedures before executing them. Dozens killed seeking aid in Gaza as Israel weighs further military action View Photo DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) At least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israels ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some 2 million Palestinians into famine. A new U.N. report said only 1.5% of Gazas cropland is accessible and undamaged. Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahus far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. U.S. President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasnt aware of the suggestion but that its going to be pretty much up to Israel. More Palestinians killed in scramble for food Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where U.N. convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites, and that the one in central Gaza was not open on Wednesday. It said the violence may have been related to the chaos around U.N. convoys. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months. Israeli and U.S. officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. The U.N. human rights office said last week that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along U.N. convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of U.N. special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law. The experts work with the U.N. but do not represent the world body. The GHF called their statement disgraceful, and urged the U.N. and other aid groups to work with it to maximize the amount of aid being securely delivered to the Palestinian people in Gaza. The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots when crowds threatened its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding at its sites. Gazas farmland has been destroyed, contributing to hunger crisis Israels air and ground war has destroyed nearly all of Gazas food production capabilities, leaving its people reliant on international aid. A new report by the U.N.s Food and Agriculture Organization and the U.N. satellite center found that just 8.6% of Gazas cropland is still accessible following sweeping Israeli evacuation orders in recent months. Just 1.5% is accessible and undamaged, it said. The military offensive and a breakdown in security have made it nearly impossible for anyone to safely deliver aid, and aid groups say recent Israeli measures to facilitate more assistance are far from sufficient. Hospitals recorded four more malnutrition-related deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 193 people, including 96 children, since the war began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Jordan says aid convoy attacked by Israeli settlers Jordan said Israeli settlers blocked roads and hurled stones at a convoy of four trucks carrying aid bound for Gaza after they drove across the border into the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli far-right activists have repeatedly sought to halt aid from entering Gaza. Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammed al-Momani condemned the attack, which he said had shattered the windshields of the trucks, according to the Jordanian state-run Petra News Agency. The Israeli military said security forces went to the scene to disperse the gathering and accompanied the trucks to their destination. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted another 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Of the 50 still held in Gaza, around 20 are believed to be alive. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. It is part of the now largely defunct Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source for the number of war casualties. ___ Khaled reported from Cairo and Melzer from Tel Aviv. Israel. Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Berlin and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By WAFAA SHURAFA, FATMA KHALED and NATALIE MELZER Associated Press US wont seek death penalty for Mexican drug lords Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero View Photo NEW YORK (AP) U.S. prosecutors said Tuesday they wont seek the death penalty in their cases against Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero, the drug lord charged with orchestrating the 1985 killing of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent. Caro Quintero, 72, and Zambada, 75, have pleaded not guilty to an array of drug trafficking charges. The prosecutions are separate, but they similarly target two of Mexicos most notorious narcos. It is unclear whether taking the death penalty off the table signals any possibility of a plea deal with either or both men. Their lawyers welcomed the decision but were circumspect about what happens next. Caro Quinteros attorney, Elizabeth Macedonio, said she and her client look forward to resolving this matter quickly to bring closure to all parties. Zambadas lawyer, Frank Perez, said the governments decision marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution. Prosecutors said last winter that they were having plea discussions with Perez. Prosecutors wouldnt comment further Tuesday after telling judges in brief letters that Attorney General Pam Bondi had directed them not to pursue capital punishment for Caro Quintero, Zambada, or a third defendant, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, known as The Viceroy. Sent from Mexico to the U.S. last winter along with Caro Quintero, he also has pleaded not guilty. Carrillo Fuentes lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, said he and his client are very thankful and think it was the right decision. The cases are unfolding in the same Brooklyn federal courthouse where infamous Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was tried and convicted. The Sinaloa cartel is Mexicos oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. It is a drug trafficking power player: A former Mexican cabinet member was convicted of taking bribes to help the cartel. Guzman and Zambada built it from a regional group into a huge manufacturer and smuggler of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs to U.S., authorities say. While Zambada was seen as the cartels strategist and dealmaker, prosecutors have said he also was enmeshed in its violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew. Zambada avoided capture for years, until he was arrested in Texas last year, after what he has described as a kidnapping in Mexico. One of Guzmans sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested with Zambada and has pleaded not guilty in a Chicago federal court. Caro Quintero headed the Guadalajara cartel, parts of which later merged into the Sinaloa organization. The White House has called him one of the most evil cartel bosses in the world. Prosecutors say he is responsible for sending tons of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine into the U.S. and had DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena abducted, tortured and killed as revenge for a marijuana plantation raid. The killing was dramatized in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico. ___ Associated Press writer Philip Marcelo contributed. By JENNIFER PELTZ Associated Press College applications rise outside US as Trump cracks down on international students College applications rise outside US as Trump cracks down on international students View Photo LONDON (AP) In China, wait times for U.S. visa interviews are so long that some students have given up. Universities in Hong Kong are fielding transfer inquiries from foreign students in the U.S., and international applications for British undergraduate programs have surged. President Donald Trumps administration has been pressuring U.S. colleges to reduce their dependence on international enrollment while adding new layers of scrutiny for foreign students as part of its crackdown on immigration. The U.S. government has sought to deport foreign students for participating in pro-Palestinian activism. In the spring, it abruptly revoked the legal status of thousands of international students, including some whose only brush with law enforcement was a traffic ticket. After reversing course, the government paused new appointments for student visas while rolling out a process for screening applicants social media accounts. The U.S. remains the first choice for many international students, but institutions elsewhere are recognizing opportunity in the upheaval, and applicants are considering destinations they might have otherwise overlooked. The impact on U.S. universities and the nations economy may be significant. New international enrollment in the U.S. could drop by 30% to 40% this fall, according to an analysis of visa and enrollment data by NAFSA, an agency that promotes international education. That would deprive the U.S. economy of $7 billion in spending, according to the analysis. Many international students pay full price, so their absence would also hurt college budgets. Britain stands to gain as the US takes a massive hit As the second most popular destination for international students, Britain is positioned to benefit. The countrys new Labour government has vowed to cut migration, and officials have imposed time limits on post-study visas allowing graduates to stay and work. But admissions consultants say the United Kingdom is still seen as the most welcoming of the traditional big four English-speaking destinations in higher education the U.S., U.K., Canada and Australia. After declining last year, the number of international applications for undergraduate study in the U.K. this fall grew by 2.2%, official figures show. A record number of applications came from China, up 10% compared with the previous year. Applications from the U.S. also reached nearly 8,000 students an increase of 14% and a 20-year high. Acceptances of international students for graduate programs in the U.K. grew an estimated 10% from last year, driven by demand for business and management courses in particular, according to data from UniQuest, which works with many British universities on admissions. Data showing the extent of any impact will not be available until fall, said Mike Henniger, CEO of Illume Student Advisory Services, a consultancy that works with colleges in the U.S., Canada and Europe. But the American brand has taken a massive hit, and the U.K. is the one that is benefiting, he said. Staying in Asia is becoming more popular Demand from Chinese students has risen rapidly for universities places in Hong Kong, Singapore and Malaysia, said Will Kwong, managing director of AAS Education, a consultancy in Hong Kong. Many Western universities have offshore campuses there that are more affordable than going to the U.S. or U.K. Opting for study in Asia has been a trend since the easing of COVID-19, Kwong said. But obviously its been exacerbated by the change of administration in the U.S. Some Asian families have told him the U.S. is no longer their clear first choice because of political turbulence and visa difficulties, many are still waiting for U.S. visa interviews and will likely miss the start of the fall term, Kwong said. Chinese college student Alisa, who is studying data science, plans to attend an exchange program this fall at the University of California, Berkeley. She hopes to pursue a masters degree in the U.S. But she is also looking into other options just so I could still go to school if the extreme scenario occurs, said Alisa, who spoke on condition of partial anonymity out of fear of being targeted. Hong Kong will welcome any students who are denied entry to the U.S., the citys leader John Lee has said. Last year, the Chinese territory decided to allow international students to work part-time. Hong Kong University said it has received over 500 inquiries from students in the U.S. and is processing around 200 applications for transfer. At another school, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, international undergraduate applications have surged by 40% from last year, said Alison Lloyd, associate provost on institutional data and research. Upheaval could be a boon for countries with satellite campuses Countries including the United Arab Emirates have invested heavily in attracting international students by partnering with universities elsewhere to host branch campuses. These arrangements could appeal to students who fear being denied access to the U.S. Dubai, which has designs on becoming a global education hub, hosts dozens of international institutions satellite campuses. It saw international student numbers grow by a third in 2024-2025. Lisa Johnson, principal of Dubais private American Academy for Girls, said her mostly Emirati student body is increasingly looking away from the U.S. for college. Every student wants and dreams to go to Harvard, she said. But as college options increase in the United Arab Emirates, more and more students are staying. Kazakhstan has similar ambitions, said Daniel Palm, who has helped U.S. universities set up campuses abroad. Illinois Tech and the University of Arizona are among colleges offering degree programs in the Central Asian country, drawing students mostly from China and Russia. All of a sudden U.S. colleges are asking how to provide diversity, provide access, Palm said, because you have students who want to come to the U.S. and cant. ___ Associated Press writers Kanis Leung in Hong Kong; Albee Zhang in Washington, D.C.; and Gabe Levin in Dubai contributed. By SYLVIA HUI Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) An 18-year-old inmate who pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of a guard at a Wisconsin juvenile prison was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison. Rian Nyblom pleaded guilty in April to two counts of being a party to the crime of battery by a prisoner. As part of a plea deal, the original charge of felony murder with special circumstances was reduced. An additional charge of battery by a prisoner was dismissed. Cory Proulx, 49, was a guard at the Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes juvenile prison when he was punched multiple times by a 16-year-old inmate, fell and hit his head on the pavement in June 2024. He died a day later. According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old inmate was upset at a female guard whom he felt was abusing her power. He threw a cup of what he thought was soap at her and repeatedly punched her. The inmate then ran into the courtyard and Proulx followed to stop him. The complaint said the 16-year-old then punched Proulx multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. Nyblom told investigators that he knew the 16-year-old was upset with the female guard and wanted to splash her with conditioner and then start punching her, according to a criminal complaint. Nyblom said about 15 minutes before the fighting began he got extra soap and conditioner from guards and secretly gave it to the 16-year-old, the complaint alleged. Nyblom said that he didnt see the 16-year-old punch the female guard but he watched as the boy punched Proulx and Proulx hit his head, according to the complaint. Nybloms attorney, Joseph L. Bauer, didnt immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment following the sentencing Wednesday. Nyblom was sentenced to five years in prison, minus 405 days already served, by Lincoln County Circuit Judge Galen Bayne-Allison. He was relocated from the juvenile prison to the Lincoln County Jail last year. Nyblom was sent to Lincoln Hills a month before Proulx was killed after being charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He pleaded no contest to both charges in May and was found guilty. The other inmate, who is now 17-years-old, faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by prisoners. He pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and a trial is set to begin in February. He has been charged as an adult but The Associated Press is not naming him because his attorneys could seek to move the case back into juvenile court, where proceedings are secret. By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press Trump administration: El Salvadors Bukele not a dictator View Photo MEXICO CITY (AP) The Trump administration said El Salvador President Nayib Bukele should not be lumped together with leaders in other countries it considers dictatorships after his party and allies discarded presidential term limits. Bukele posted the statement of U.S. support on X Tuesday. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said in a statement to The Associated Press that the constitutional change axing term limits in the Central American country was made by a democratically elected Congress and that it is up to them to decide how their country should be governed. We reject the comparison of El Salvadors democratically based and constitutionally sound legislative process with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region, the statement said. The speedy approval of indefinite presidential terms last week generated warnings from watchdogs and El Salvadors beleaguered opposition that it spelled the end of the countrys democracy. The Congress also approved extending presidential terms from five to six years. Its unfortunate to see the US government is defending efforts to establish an autocracy in El Salvador. This undermines the credibility of the State Departments criticism to other authoritarian governments and dictatorships in the region, said Juan Pappier, Americas deputy director for Human Rights Watch. El Salvadors archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas joined those expressing concern on Wednesday and called on lawmakers to reconsider approving the overhaul without consulting the Salvadoran people, which was crucial for the legitimacy of the constitutional reform. The populist leader and his New Ideas party have spent years consolidating power, weakening checks and balances as they placed loyalists on the highest courts, undercut government watchdogs and pursued political opponents and critics. Bukele remains wildly popular, largely because his all-out pursuit of the countrys once-powerful street gangs has brought security, though critics argue at the cost of due process. Bukele defended the constitutional changes last week, writing on X that many European nations allow indefinite reelection but when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly its the end of democracy. Critics have said that is a false comparison, as those nations have stronger democratic institutions to serve as a check on executive power. Increasingly though, those critics are leaving the country out of fear of arrest. Watchdogs say an escalating crackdown on dissent is underway by Bukele, who has been emboldened by his alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump. After initially being critical of Bukele, the Biden administration also remained largely silent over human rights violations and concentration of power in El Salvador as the country helped slow migration north. But as Trump has reshaped American democracy, Bukeles critics say that lack of U.S. pressure and praise from Trump officials has offered the Salvadoran leader an opening to more rapidly consolidate power. In just a span of months, Bukeles government has detained some of its most vocal critics, violently repressed a peaceful protest, and passed a foreign agents law similar to those used by governments in Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Belarus to silence dissent by exerting pressure on organizations that rely on overseas funding. More than 100 human rights activists, academics, journalists and lawyers have fled El Salvador in recent months, saying they were forced to chose between exile or prison. By MEGAN JANETSKY Associated Press Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health View Photo The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially shutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. President Donald Trumps budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. NASA said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the missions were beyond their prime mission and being terminated to align with the Presidents agenda and budget priorities. But the missions a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope still are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a national asset that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. They helped scientists discover, for example, that the Amazon rain forest emits more carbon dioxide than it absorbs, while boreal forests in Canada, Russia and places where permafrost is melting absorb more than they emit, Crisp said. They also can detect the glow of photosynthesis in plants, which helps monitor drought and predict food shortages that can lead to civil unrest and famine, he said. This is really critical, Crisp said. Were learning so much about this rapidly changing planet. The decision to end the missions is extremely shortsighted, said Jonathan Overpeck, a climate scientist at the University of Michigan. The observations provided by these satellites (are) critical for managing growing climate change impacts around the planet, including in the U.S., he said. Looking to Congress Crisp and others hope Congress will vote to preserve funding for the missions, which are funded through the fiscal year that ends Sept. 30. A bill in the House closely aligns with the presidents request and would eliminate the missions, while a Senate version preserves them. But with Congress in recess, it is unclear whether a budget will be adopted before the new fiscal year begins Oct. 1. If it doesnt, Congress could adopt a resolution to continue current funding until a budget is passed, though some lawmakers fear the Trump administration could try to delay or withhold that money. Congressional Democrats warned acting NASA Administrator Sean Duffy last month that it would be illegal to terminate missions or impound funds already appropriated by Congress. Experts said the administrations move to eliminate funding aligns with other actions to cut or bury climate science. The principle seems to be that if we stop measuring climate change it will just disappear from the American consciousness, said University of Pennsylvania climate scientist Michael Mann. Backup plan Crisp and others also are trying to put together a coalition of outside partners including from Japan and Europe that could fund and operate the instrument attached to the space station. NASA said it will accept outside proposals through Aug. 29. The free-flying satellite, though, is at risk of being brought down, meaning it would burn up in the atmosphere. National Public Radio first reported that NASA employees were making plans to end the missions. Crisp said advocates are hoping NASA also allows outside control of that satellite, which covers more of the globe, but there are legal hurdles to overcome because it would mean giving control of a U.S. satellite to a group that could include foreign partners. Were going out to billionaires. Were going out to foundations, Crisp said. But its a really, really bad idea to try and push it off onto private industry or private individuals or private donors. It just doesnt make sense. ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. By TAMMY WEBBER Associated Press The Ministry of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine considers the Ukrainian Cultural Fund (UCF) to be underfunded and will request an increase in funding for 2026, First Deputy Minister Halyna Hryhorenko has said. "As of today, we believe that the UCF is underfunded because they are trying to balance the UAH 150 million allocated to them for projects. They are actively seeking extrabudgetary funds, they have many partnerships that they have developed with both private business and local authorities, and are applying to various European funds. They are actively seeking extrabudgetary funds to provide opportunities for the cultural sector," Hryhorenko said in a comment to Interfax-Ukraine. She added that the budget declaration for 2026 includes the same funding indicators for both the UCF and the Ukrainian Book Institute (UBI) as for previous years, noting that the Ministry of Culture will request more funds. "According to the Ukrainian Book Institute, there is a question of directing funds to various programs. The largest program now is "eBook." As of today, more than 330,000 books have been purchased, more than 170,000 of our citizens have used this assistance. There is still a demand, but it is not as large as we predicted based on the statistical assessment of the number of 18-year-olds who have the right to apply for this program. Perhaps we will redirect some of these funds to other expenses, in particular, to replenish library funds," Hryhorenko said. As reported, the state budget of Ukraine for 2025 provides for financing of UAH 250 million for the Ukrainian Cultural Fund (which is 15% more compared to 2024) and for the Ukrainian Book Institute - UAH 278.6 million for the popularization of Ukrainian literature and support for book publishing, including the implementation of the E-Book project. How Afghan women under Taliban rule are coding their way to a brighter future How Afghan women under Taliban rule are coding their way to a brighter future View Photo KABUL, Afghanistan (AP) One after the other, the opportunities vanished. Like so many other Afghan women, Sodaba could do little but watch as her countrys new Taliban government imposed a stranglehold on womens lives. The Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, and quickly set about implementing a dizzying array of restrictions for women: No visiting parks or gyms, no eating in restaurants, no working, except in very few professions. But one of the cruelest blows for the pharmacology student was the ban on education beyond primary school. Pushed by necessity, she went online. And there, she found hope: a free computer coding course for women in Afghanistan. Taught in her own language, Dari, by a young Afghan refugee living half a world away, in Greece. I believe a person should not be (bowed) by circumstance, but should grow and get their dreams through every possible way, Sodaba said. She began learning computer programming and website development. The new skills helped me regain my confidence and clarity in my direction, said the 24-year-old, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons because of the education ban. I am so happy to be part of this journey. The courses are part of Afghan Geeks, a company created by Murtaza Jafari, now 25, who arrived in Greece on a boat from Turkey years ago as a teenage refugee. I had no idea Like zero zero While living in a shelter in Athens after he arrived, Jafari received help from a teacher to enroll in a computer coding course. He knew nothing about computers not even how to switch one on didnt know what coding was and didnt speak a word of English, essential for computer programming. I had no idea about English. No idea, like zero zero, he said. And I was trying at the same time to learn Greek, learn English and then also learn computer It was super difficult for me. But several months later, he earned his certificate. Coding opened up a new world. A couple of years ago, he set up Afghan Geeks. Paying it forward Jafari said that he started providing online courses last December to help women in his homeland, and as an expression of gratitude for the help he received as a youngster alone in a foreign country. The main goal was to give back to the community, especially to the Afghan women, what I had received from the other people for free, he said, sitting in his sparse one-room flat in downtown Athens. I think sharing knowledge is what makes a real difference to someone, he said. And if I share it, it just goes and expands, and then theres more people to learn things. Jafari now has 28 female students in Afghanistan in three classes: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Aside from teaching, he also mentors his students in finding online internships and jobs using their new skills. For women in a country where nearly all professions are banned, the opportunity for online work is a lifeline. The most qualified join his team at Afghan Geeks, which also offers website development and chatbot creation services. He now has several clients, he said, from Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Those clients were happy that they are contributing in a meaningful goal. So the goal was to support women And thats why they keep coming back for other projects that they have, Jafari said. Although hes been teaching his students for seven months, Jafari has never seen their faces. He asks how they are and what the situation is in Afghanistan, but Ive never asked them to open their cameras or to share their profile, to share the image. Ive never done that. I dont want to do it, because I respect their culture, their choice. Online academy With the Taliban governments restrictions increasingly confining women to their homes, and going as far as officially banning womens voices and bare faces in public, the web has opened a new world of possibilities for women in Afghanistan. Zuhal, a young Afghan woman whose dream of going to university was shattered, partnered with a university professor to launch an online academy for women about 18 months ago. What began as a team of five people now has a crew of 150 teachers and administrators, and more than 4,000 students, she said. We are all working voluntarily with no salary, no support, said the 20-year-old, who uses a nickname for fear of reprisals after receiving threats over the academy. Our only aim or goal is to provide free education for girls and to enhance research in Afghanistan. The academy, Vision Online University, now runs courses in a range of subjects, from psychology and foreign languages to Quranic studies, nursing and public speaking, among others. When the education ban came into effect, Zuhal said that she was depressed because nothing was available. There was no school, no university, no courses, she said. And that really affected me. Then I thought (to) myself that this is not the solution. If I get depressed, that will not be helpful, not for me and not for other girls. She decided that I shouldnt give up. I should do something for girls of my country. Now she also pursues a degree in computer science through an American online university, the University of the People. Its tough, she said. With no funding, the academy for women cant pay for premium online services that allow large group meetings. She herself often struggles to afford her internet service. But Im doing it because I have a goal, she said. And my goal is to support girls. If I stop it, more than 4,000 or 5,000 girls will be depressed again. By ELENA BECATOROS Associated Press Hiroshima marks 80 years as US-Russia nuclear tensions rise Agence France-Presse Lightning Kills Way More Trees Than You Would Ever Believe ScienceAlert (Dr. Kevin) Titan implosion that killed all five on board was preventable, says report BBC (Kevin W) Fraudulent Scientific Papers Are Rapidly Increasing, Study Finds New York Times Our BrainImmune Axis Gets A Jolt Eric Topol (Robin K) COVID-19/Pandemics Climate/Environment China? Africa Trumps Africa deal: Peace plan or power grab? Aljazeera Both the famines in Palestine and Sudan have crossed beyond stage 5. This means theyve reached a level of no return. Beyond fixation. The starvation has changed the very genetics of our people. I will never forgive the world for what it allowed to happen. We are beyond tired. Karim Wafa-Al Hussaini (@DrKarimWafa) August 5, 2025 AFRICA/DR CONGO Ituri youth peace demonstration marked by Komanda church massacre Agenzia Fides South of the Border US steps up efforts to help Bolsonaro avoid jail over alleged coup plot Guardian (resilc) European Disunion Old Blighty Israel v. The Resistance New Not-So-Cold War Big Brother is Watching You Watch Mastercard wants everyone to have a digital wallet and mDL to make ID like payments Biometric Update. I am opposed to getting a mobile digital license. Imperial Collapse Watch Trump 2.0 Tariffs Russiagate GOP Clown Car Democrat Death Wish Where are all the Democratic donations? Angry Bear. A must read. AI The Bezzle Class Warfare Antidote du jour (via): A bonus (Chuck L): Bro felt it for the first time pic.twitter.com/nxIx0D00QN Interesting things (@awkwardgoogle) August 5, 2025 And a second: this is my new favorite video on the internet pic.twitter.com/BhTHEZYiC3 Nature is Amazing (@AMAZlNGNATURE) August 5, 2025 And a third: Dogs who love water very much pic.twitter.com/MxVANstc1H Enezator (@Enezator) August 5, 2025 See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here. Palmer Luckey, the CEO of autonomous weapons systems maker Anduril, is being heralded as the potential savior of Americas defense industry. Hes not. But if you want to see end-stage capitalism in its rococo phase, theres no better term to pop into search than Palmer Luckey. .@PalmerLuckey's personal arsenal includes helicopters, nuclear missile silos, a submarine AND a warship. @emilychangtv takes a ride and tries her hand at the helm. Watch The Circuit for more: https://t.co/N6mFgnUit7 pic.twitter.com/s81iFqzgcD Bloomberg (@business) May 18, 2024 The subtitle on that American Vulcan piece is From virtual reality to remaking our bloated defense industry, Palmer Luckey is trying to forge a new America. Will it let him? That piece is from the one and only Tablet magazine and bears extensive quotation, if only of the can you believe they typed that? sort: The facts of Palmer Luckeys life are so uniquely bizarrecombining elements of fantasy with lunacy and also world-altering changethat they could be printed on magnetic poetry tiles, rearranged in an endless number of indiscriminate combinations by a drooling baby, and yet every time, still manage to convey something significant and true. Let me show you: Luckey is the owner of the worlds largest video game collection, which he keeps buried 200 feet underground in a decommissioned U.S. Air Force nuclear missile basewhich is the kind of thing a man can afford to buy when he single-handedly turns virtual reality from the laughingstock of the technology industry into a multi-billion-dollar enterprise by inventing the Oculus Rift in a camper trailer parked in the driveway of his parents duplex in Long Beach, California, where at 19 years old he lived alone and survived on frozen burritos and Mucho Mango AriZona tea. Or: After selling Oculus to Facebook for $2.7 billion and then getting fired by Mark Zuckerberg for making a $10,000 donation to a pro-Trump troll group dedicated to shitposting in real life, Luckey tried his hand at building a nonprofit private prison chain that only gets paid when ex-prisoners stay out of prison. After he decided that would require too much lobbying work, he attempted to solve the obesity epidemic by making food out of petroleum products centrifuged out of the sewer systema perfectly delicious and low-calorie idea, he maintains, which he only ditched because of the marketing nightmare of persuading people to eat remanufactured sewage. In the end, he decided instead to found Anduril Industries, a defense technology startup that makes lethal autonomous weapons systems. It is now valued at $14 billion. I bolded the bit about getting fired for making a pro-Trump campaign contribution because its the easiest pickings for a quick debunk. While The Wall Street Journal did report that in a piece headlined Why Did Facebook Fire a Top Executive? Hint: It Had Something to Do With Trump and subtitled Palmer Luckey, co-founder of virtual-reality pioneer Oculus, was ousted after his political activity sparked a furor within the social-media giant and Silicon Valley, the more likely explanation for Luckeys firing was a $500 million legal settlement Facebook (now Meta) had to pay out. ZDNet made the case in 2018: (The Wall Street Journal) fails to mention a simple little fact: On Feb. 1, 2017, Oculus lost an intellectual property (IP) theft case against game maker ZeniMax, to the tune of $500 million. ZeniMaxs argument? Oculuss Rift virtual reality headset illegally misappropriating ZeniMax trade secrets relating to virtual reality technology, and infringing ZeniMax copyrights and trademarks. The villains of the piece, according to ZeniMax, were Oculus CTO and Id co-founder John Carmack and what a surprise Oculus founder Mr. Luckey. So, if one of your employees just cost your company a cool half-billion bucks for doing wrong what would you do? Well, Facebook isnt saying, even now, but on March 30, 2017, it let Luckey go. I didnt cover Luckeys misadventures, but I recalled the rough timeline. It took me all of 10 minutes of searching to lock down the sequence of events. Yes, Luckey also lied about his political moves, which went well beyond donating to an anti-Hillary billboard campaign. But lets look at the record. Everyone knew hed lied by Feb. 22, 2016. Was he fired then? No. Was he fired after being found guilty of stealing ZeniMaxs trade secrets? Yes. But it is true that Luckey is a huge Republican whos gone on to donate hundreds of thousands of dollars to GOP campaign funds. Interestingly, those donations resulted in the Biden administration showering Luckeys company Anduril with contracts. As The Los Angeles Times reported in 2021: In July, the Department of Homeland Security awarded Anduril a contract for as much as $250 million to expand its virtual border wall pilot program, which links a series of electronics-packed sensor towers and lightweight drones along the U.S.-Mexico border via powerful artificial intelligence software that simplifies surveillance. The company landed an even larger contract with the Air Force, for as much as $950 million, in September, after demonstrating that the companys software could use sensors and drones to autonomously detect and react to a simulated threat. And The Telegraph in 2024: A defence technology start-up led by 32-year-old billionaire and Republican Party donor Palmer Luckey has signed a deal with the US Army to provide futuristic combat goggles as part of a $22bn (17bn) project. Anduril, which develops military drones and artificial intelligence software, will work with Microsoft to develop the new headsets, based on augmented reality technology where virtual images are projected over the real world. The Integrated Visual Augmentation System is designed to act as a soldiers heads-up display, providing live battlefield data and night vision capabilities. The system will be attached to a helmet but can be flipped up and down while in the field. Using Andurils Lattice software, the headsets will be able to provide information on real-time threats across the battlespace, such as incoming drones or missiles. The LA Times also wrote Andurils origin story in the waning days of the Biden presidency: He founded his new enterprise with four others. One had worked with Luckey at Oculus, but the remaining three came from Palantir, the intelligence analytics software company founded by Peter Thiel, the billionaire tech investor and right-wing political donor. When Thiel founded Palantir in 2003, he named the firm after the magical seeing-stones from Tolkiens Lord of the Rings. Luckey followed in Thiels footsteps. Anduril is the elvish name of the reforged sword of Aragorn, king of men and hero of the forces of good in Tolkiens epic. Translated into English from Quenya, the name means Flame of the West. A replica of the sword from the Lord of the Rings films hangs on the wall in Andurils office. The first page of our first pitch deck said that Anduril is a company that will save Western civilization by saving taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars a year as we make tens of billions of dollars a year, Luckey said. Were not making tens of billions of dollars a year yet, he said, but were getting there. If an evil alchemist wanted to create a homunculus that would be perfectly positioned to grift in the second Trump era, he would have created Palmer Luckey. Did I mention that the gentile Luckey is also a self-described radical Zionist? And not being one to miss any tricks, Palmer Luckey is also playing in the extremely promising digital banking arena: Palmer Luckey, cofounder of the weapons manufacturer Anduril, along with firms connected to Palantir cofounders Joe Lonsdale and Peter Thiel, are investing in a new bank that is aiming to fill a gap left by Silicon Valley Banks collapse two years ago. The venture is expected to be backed by upwards of $250 million in funding from Luckey, Lonsdales venture firm 8VC, Thiels Founders Fund, crypto-focused VC Haun Ventures, and several angel investors whose identities are not yet publicly known. Like Anduril and Palantir, Erebor Bank is named after a term coined by J.R.R. Tolkien. (Introduced in The Hobbit, its the name of a mountain where the murderous dragon Smaug hoards gold and jewels.) The banks organizers and backers have remained tight-lipped about their vision. But their national bank charter application filed in June with the US Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC), as well as interviews with more than a dozen industry sources, suggest the organizers are leveraging current regulatory openness in banking, as well as their political power, to build a crypto-focused Silicon Valley Bank successor made in their image. The leadership team named in Erebors application includes Michael Hagedorn, an experienced bank executive who will serve as Erebors president; Trevor Capozza, head of operations at Palmer Luckeys family office; and co-CEOs Owen Rapaport, cofounder of crypto compliance platform Aer Compliance, and Jacob Hirshman, who has served in regulatory and advisory roles at the stablecoin provider Circle. Erin Gleason, chief communications officer of Founders Fund, told WIRED that Thiel was not involved in the deal and that Founders Fund invested $1 million into Erebor. Luckey and Lonsdale are not named in the nonconfidential sections of Erebors filings; the application notes that major shareholders will not be involved in day-to-day operations. As Naked Capitalisms Yves Smith wrote at the time, (Erebor) is how Silicon Valley intends to double down on financial failure, and: The plan for yet more looting of the public purse is clear. How far these broligarchs get is not yet clear, if only because the economic cycle may become more hostile to tech companies, a state few can even recall. When I was a young thing at Goldman, venture-capital backed companies could float an IPO only about two years out of five. So if these big boys dont realize their scheme, it may be because even bigger forces, as in a systemic shift in investor appetite, has gotten in their way. Time will tell how Luckeys side-hustle in banking goes, but in the meantime hes focused on growing his main line of business by promoting his vision for a Taiwanese victory against China. Speaking of synergy, Palmer Luckey is getting his war profiteering on at Bari Weiss Free Press, aka the $250 million Substack. As one would expect from a fantasy fiction fan like Luckey, he begins with a narrative about the Ukraine war that certainly spins a tale: Just a few weeks after Russian tanks rolled into Ukraine in 2022, I went to the front lines. Im not a soldier. Im not used to setting foot in a war zone. I was there to train Ukrainian soldiers on advanced military technology that I had developed. I wanted to understand the future of war, in practice. And what I saw was remarkable. Ukraine wielded technology in a devastating fashion against the enemy. In doing so, theyve upended decades of conventional wisdom in how wars are fought and won. Today, victory on the battlefield does not depend on who has the shiniest, most capable weapons system. Success relies on the ability to apply new technologies in the largest numbers. With drones costing just a few thousand dollars each, a handful of Ukrainian pilots remotely carpeted airstrips with explosives thousands of miles into Russia. Ukraine does not even have a navy. But a few years later, Vladimir Putin would need to pull back his Black Sea Fleet because of the constant threat of maritime drones. These and so many other examples demonstrate battlefield dominance through high technology at the appropriate scale. He also includes a patriotic variation on the Anduril origin story, with his own personal heroism appropriately centered: Simmering in the background was the fact that the nations best technologists had begun to take the freedoms that had made them so successful for granted. Meanwhile, it became increasingly obvious that those freedoms were coming under threat from countries that had studied the American way of war and designed fighting forces specifically to overtake our own. I knew that if both the smartest minds in technology abandoned defense innovation, the United States would forever lose its ability to protect our way of life. And if no one else was willing to solve that problem, I would. He gets down to business with more fantasy fiction, this time as targeted sales pitch to an American client state: I want you to close your eyes, and imagine a scenario: In 2029, Xi Jinping orders the invasion of Taiwan. But after years of preparation, with support from strong allies and powerful partners, Taiwan is ready. Thousands of AI-powered drones spring toward the incoming Chinese fleet. Autonomous submarine systems and surface craft emerge from the sea to protect the island. Mass-producible missiles crowd the skies over Taiwan, stopping hundreds of Chinese fighter jets. The day is won. The military that the Chinese Communist Party spent decades to develop for that singular purposeinvading Taiwanis destroyed for a generation, and Xis so-called Chinese Dream is dead with it. Better yet, think of another scenario: Xi asks his top generals to analyze what an invasion of Taiwan would look like. They run the numbers, and they report back to him. A new result emerges, different from their previous war games: Taiwan wins, decisively. What Xi wants would come at too high a price because of the strength of Taiwans defenses. He is forced to surrender a lifetime of imperial ambition because his best-laid plans are upended by a technological revolution, powered by the free people in this room. Palmer Luckey shoots, and he scores a contract with Taiwan to deliver drones (in Chinese, Googles AI translation is hilarious). Defense Blog has more: According to Taiwans Ministry of National Defense, Minister Wellington Koo met on Tuesday with Anduril founder Palmer Luckey in Taipei following the drone handover. The meeting took place amid ongoing tensions in the Taiwan Strait and direct warnings from Beijing over U.S. arms transfers to the island. Koo reaffirmed the Republic of China Armed Forces commitment to building what he described as asymmetric and resilient defense capabilities. The delivery of Altius-600M drones is part of a broader initiative to expand Taiwans ability to respond rapidly and flexibly to potential threats, particularly in scenarios where conventional force parity is not feasible. Andurils presence in Taiwans defense ecosystem represents a notable step in U.S.-Taiwan defense cooperation. While the exact number of drones delivered has not been disclosed, the Altius-600M is a known loitering munition capable of precision engagement against mobile and fixed targets. For what its worth, the Events in Ukraine newsletter claims that: The cost 291 units for just 300 million US dollars. For reference, the Mavic 3 drone, one of Ukraines most used, costs $2000. According to Ukrainian media, Russias feared Molniya drone costs $300 USD to make, though it is sold for around the price of a Mavic. I have no way to confirm any of those numbers, but I would certainly not be surprised if Palmer Luckey is selling overpriced and under-powered tech to the Taiwanese. And who wouldnt overpay for the privilege of funding Palmer Luckey, a man who often has time to engage in dazzling public debates: Or perhaps hes just what the estimable Aurelian would call an idiot in search of funding. Time will tell. Yves here. Before you take Andrew Korybkos view as extreme, a new story in the Washington Post, framed as Trump hosting a meeting on Friday to try to broker a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Conor has warned at length about the importance of the Zangezur Corridor and US-Israel schemes to use it to weaken Iran: Even though it does not mention the idea of a US lease of the Zangezur Corridor even though that was floated by the US as part of a US conflict resolution proposal in July. Recall, as Mark Sleboda has pointed out, that Russia won the war in Syria but lost the peace. By Andrew Korybko, a Moscow-based American political analyst who specializes in the global systemic transition to multipolarity in the New Cold War. He has a PhD from MGIMO, which is under the umbrella of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Originally published at his website Armenia might formally withdraw from the CSTO and then replace Russian troops with American PMCs. US Ambassador to Turkiye Tom Barrack proposed in mid-July that his country lease the Zangezur Corridor for 100 years as a means of breaking the deadlock between Armenia and Azerbaijan over this issue. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova reacted negatively to his suggestion by accusing the US of trying to take over the peace process and jeopardizing regional stability. Her remarks followed a report alleging that a secret memorandum had already been signed for creating the Trump Bridge. The Spanish outlet Periodista Digital claimed that members of the Armenian diaspora procured this document from their state contacts, which will also see the deployment of around 1,000 American PMCs to secure this route. RT chief Margarita Simonyan, whos ethnically Armenian and passionate about her ancestral homelands affairs, popularized the report by sharing it on X. Shes also been very critical of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, who she earlier accused of selling Armenia out to Turkiye. If agreed to, and the report remains unconfirmed for now, the Trump Bridge could lead to Russias expulsion from the South Caucasus. The last clause of the Moscow-mediated November 2020 ceasefire between Armenia and Azerbaijan calls for Russias FSB Border Guards to secure what Baku has since taken to calling the Zangezur Corridor through Armenias southern Syunik Region. Replacing them with American PMCs could precede the expulsion of Russian troops from Armenia. Pashinyan confirmed in mid-July that Armenia will likely leave the CSTO instead of unfreeze its membership that he unilaterally suspended. This could be the pretext for requesting the withdrawal of Russian troops simultaneously with welcoming American PMCs. From his perspective, their deployment could function as an informal security guarantee vis-a-vis Azerbaijan and Turkiye since theyd think twice about endangering US citizens, especially those guarding a project called the Trump Bridge. What the US wants to gain from this, apart from some easy profits, is setting into motion the sequence of events required for removing Russian forces from Armenia as explained above. The US can also monitor Turkish military traffic across the route to Central Asia while possibly stoking Azeri separatism in neighboring Irans majority-Azeri northern regions. Another benefit is that Trump could present this deal as having averted war and thus possibly raise the prospects that hell be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Armenias latest political unrest earlier this summer was driven in part by concerns that Pashinyan was on the brink of clinching a deal to open the Zangezur Corridor without any Russian role. That scenario coupled with Armenias possibly imminent withdrawal from the CSTO could leave Syunik vulnerable to an Azerbaijani(-Turkish?) invasion. He might have thus thought that inviting American PMCs to replace Russias FSB could placate his people, but they might still protest if he leases Armenian land to the US. In the event that he does and isnt deposed by a popular revolution or patriotic military coup, the Trump Bridge is expected to result in a surge of Turkish influence across Central Asia as explained here, which might then lead to Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan defecting from the CSTO. The easiest means to this geopolitical end is for Armenia to cut an economic-security deal with the US that excludes Russias envisaged role in monitoring Turkish military traffic to Central Asia. Its unclear how Russia could stop this. Like LSD, which can convince people they can flycausing them to jump out of windowsweapons can make people overconfident. Skewing their tactical judgment. -Ng, Snow Crash As the US flails about trying to maintain a dominance thats already gone, its often difficult to analyze or predict US actions because they usually appear on their face so irrational. I generally view Washington moves on the world stage as akin to playing blocks with a two-year-old. Without their involvement, you might be able to meticulously build a well-planned castle, but the two-year-old when reengaged might topple it with the swing of a hand. The takeaway: building is hard. Destruction is easy. And in the case of the US its the destruction of economies, societies, and the planet through mafia logic. The first goal is to profit through extortion and rent-seeking. Everywhere. When that fails, Washington quickly pivots to its backup plan: regime change. But even that strategy is running out of steam these days. There is little to no chance of forcing Russia and China to bend the knee, and Washington has few options aside from mutually assured destructioneither economic with Beijing or the good ol fashioned variety with Moscow. The attacks (and years of economic warfare) have thus far failed to bring about regime change in Tehran, and next time Iran, the thinking goes, will be more preparedperhaps with China and Russia at its side. The bleed over from the thrashing about in impotent rage against Russia now has the US once again doing its best to push India off the fence and into the embrace of China and Russia. There are still fever dreams in Washington of using ethnic divisions and proxy forces to take down Tehran, of destabilization in Moscow once Putin eventually dies, of economic or demographic forces weakening China, etc., but these are all based on wishful thinking rather than any realistic plan. In its place were seeing more lashing out, more sanctions, weaponized tariffs, and more bombings with Trump on a record airstrike pace. Its not working. Many in Washington are still tempted to double down on sanctions and tariffs as a tool to force countries to decouple from China and Russia despite the fact it hasnt worked yet. As even Foreign Policy admits: Sanctions are conceived to be coercive tools, inflicting economic pain until a state changes its behavior. In practice, however, states resist sanctions, absorbing the costs while exploring ways around them. Rather than change state behavior, sanctions change markets and reshape economic relationships, redirecting oil into channels built around geopolitics rather than commercial logic. Thus far the sanctions on more powerful states like Russia and Iran oil do little more than rework the global oil market, forcing those countries even closer to China. Beijing, meanwhile, continues on with its efforts to build a more interconnected world with itself at the center. A study published last week by Christoph Nedopil in partnership with Griffith Universitys Asia Institute and Fudan Universitys Green Finance & Development Center found that Chinas investments and construction contracts in Belt and Road Initiative countries during the first six months of 2025 soared to $124 billion, compared to only $122 billion in all 12 months of 2024. And so the BRI marches on despite the years-long effort by the US to smear and sabotage it. What exactly is the plan to compete with it? Well, nothing, of course. While the US warns against loans and infrastructure cooperation with China, what does it offer in its place? Precious little. As Nigerian Vice President Yemi Osinbajo explained a few years back during his March 27 remarks at Kings College in London: In the arguments about the Chinese debt traps (as it is called sometimes) and the large amounts of loans to African countries, I think that what is clear is that the Chinese have proven to be quite responsible in the giving out of these loans. There are always arguments about whether you get the best deal all the time, but the real question of Africa and African governments is who else is offering these loans? Who else is offering the support? It is not a question of here or there, it is really a question of what is available and it seems to me to make sense to take what is available. At the same time Washington is working overtime in a neverending job to peel countries away from Beijing, the US itself would collapse were it to do the same it is asking of these nations. The rare earths metals and magnets chickens are finally coming home to roost, threatening all Americas precious death machines. And the US and the rest of the world are increasingly reliant on China for their pharmaceuticals and other types of necessities. These are not supply chain issues that can be corrected overnight, and will be challenging to change at all due to the neoliberal economic models in the west that prioritize finance over actually making stuff. One could almost laugh at these American elites and all their incompetence if they didnt leave a trail of destruction in their wake. They first hollowed out US communities by shipping the countrys industry abroad, primarily to China, so they could a yacht or private jet upgrade. Do they take ownership of the fatal mistake? Of course not. Instead we have children knocking over blocks. And its difficult to argue with Russian Minister of Foreign Affairs Lavrovs recent assessment that theyre essentially crazy little Nazi children knocking over blocks (he was talking about the Europeans, but I see no reason it shouldnt extend to the US as well). And these children are capable of doing a lot of damage. We see what that looks like in Ukraine and West Asia where the US and its vassals help carry out a genocide in Gaza and spill blood everywhere. And unless Arab regimes or China or Russia or somebody wakes up, we may well get a temporary victory for the Western Zionists there in the form of more land and more control over regional supply chains. How that changes the long term downward trajectory of the US-led western facism project is less clear. US sanctions are still capable of killing a lot of people. As The Lancet pointed out in a July study, sanctions were associated with an annual toll of 564 258 deaths, similar to the global mortality burden associated with armed conflict. And on average, half of those were children. To repeat, the US killing roughly 250,000 kids per year with sanctions. Washington might not be able to put much of a dent in Moscow or Tehran, the think tanks in DC believe all those deaths are worth it because they help decimate smaller countries like Syria and others in South America and Africa and cause chaos in regions that are integral to other powers foreign plans. The US can still weasel its way into foreign governments and spread like termites eating away at the foundation until all that is left is a failed state blowing up a region. Take the example of the Caucasus, where under the cover of another Trump Nobel Peace Prize audition, the true aim is to inflame the region. It makes little economic sense for the people of Armenia and Azerbaijan. Perhaps it does for the ones calling the shots. Bribes and extortion work wonders for a time. So does nurturing extremist ideologies. If we gander at a map one sees a wall of fire from the Baltic to the Black Sea (Nazism) that then branches Eastwards to the Caspian and beyond into Central Asia (neo-Ottomanism/pan-Turkism) and southwards to the Red Sea (Zionism and CIA Islam). Even if these fanatics are unable to find success toppling governments in Russia, Iran, and other unfriendly states, they aim to prevent the goal of a secure, interconnected, and prosperous Asian heartland. The goal is chaos. Destruction. There and elsewhere. This approach inevitably destabilises the global order and creates new risks, including for US interests. While that might sound counterintuitive, have you seen how crazy US elites are? Embracing the Breakdown While the US cannot compete on a traditional nation-state board, on merit, by building things, or offering a vision of a better world, there is a belief held in high places that it is well-positioned for a world of fire and brimstone. These accelerationists in the US who embrace the breakdown of society arent just keen on eroding state sovereignty at home but want to do it across the world where they believe they can build an empire-by-contractor where ruling clans do no more than oversee weapon systems, AI data centers, and mercenaries. Quinn Slobodian with a useful summary: Right-wing accelerationists imagine existing sovereignty shattering into a patchwork of private entities, ideally governed by what one might call technomonarchies. Existing autocratic polities like Dubai serve as rough prototypes for how nations could be dismantled into a global spiderweb of tens, even hundreds, of thousands of sovereign and independent mini-countries, each governed by its own joint-stock corporation without regard to the residents opinions. These would be decentralized archipelagoes: fortified nodes in a circuitry still linked by finance, trade, and communication. Think of the year 1000 in Middle Europe but with vertical take-off and landing taxis and Starlink internet. Oh, and theres also boatloads of money to be made in the carnage, as Christopher Cook notes about the ongoing US-backed genocide in Gaza: [United Nations special rapporteur on the occupied Palestinian territories, Francesca] Albanese lists dozens of major western companies that are deeply invested in Israels oppression of the Palestinian people. This is not a new development, as she notes. These firms have exploited business opportunities associated with Israels violent occupation of the Palestinian peoples lands for years, and in some cases decades. The switch from Israels occupation of Gaza to its current genocide hasnt threatened profits; it has enhanced them. Or as Albanese puts it: The profits have increased as the economy of the occupation transformed into an economy of genocide. According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute, the US remains the biggest exporter of weapons worldwide, delivering to a total of 107 countries between 2020 and 2024, and with a 43 percent share of global exports, thats more than four times as much as the next-largest exporter, France. Is it any wonder that the US embraces global warming, which is the great destabilizer? Shes an icon Shes a legend And she is the moment pic.twitter.com/MDkIj71JZf U.S. Department of Energy (@ENERGY) July 31, 2025 Not only has the US given up on competing with China on clean energy tech, but the spooks at the National Intelligence Council sound almost giddy in their estimates of how states like Iran and China will be hit harder than the US and how this will present opportunities. Washington doing its best to set the world on fire also means that other countries must devote more resources and attention to defense from the lunatic empire, which can mean less resources to deal with the fallout from global warming. That might have played a role in Iran where the government recently declared emergency public holidays in 18 provinces, including Tehran, as temperatures soared to nearly 50C. From Unherd: According to official reports, reserves in the capitals main dams have plummeted to their lowest levels in a century, with a five-year drought and record-low rainfall cited as the main reasons. Despite repeated warnings from environmental experts, the government appears to have been unprepared for what it has referred to as the worst drought in 60 years. Whats To Be Done? As the US descends deeper into Dr. Strangelove territory and violence, decay, and lawlessness reigns supreme, the great question is where and how does this madness end? Here are two options. The crazy elites in the US need to be stopped or theyre going to kill us alleither slowly through a mixture of climate catastrophe, breakdown capitalism, and genocide or theres always the nuclear option. Lets not forget that a lot of these Silicon Valley accelerationists that are increasingly taking up roles in the government falsely believe they can ride out the nuclear holocaust or other major disasters and come out on top. Thats why theyre building their bunkers with pools and movie theaters. Nevermind that theyd probably only last a few weeks there before running into serious issuesand thats if their servants or robots dont kill them firstits all part of their vision of the world that doesnt extend beyond themselves. As Douglas Rushkoff, who tech billionaires have called on for advice on how to survive the apocalypse, explains: [Its] the excuse for them to think through the fantasies theyve had since they were little baby tech bros, to somehow create a digital womb around themselves that could anticipate their every need so they dont have to deal with real people, and have nice little robots take care of them. Its the dream that little boys and girls have being the last person alive and getting all the toys. As they increasingly buy out and take up larger roles in government, theyre getting closer to being able to cause even more widespread destruction than theyre used to. And even if theyll never really be able to enact their global digital womb, they might kill us all trying to. As Alastair Crooke has pointed out, the key nuclear allegation that started the war with Iran was coaxed from a Palantir counter-intelligence algorithm. So maybe the question we should be asking is: Do Palantir inputs believe those it deems worth living could survive a nuclear war and thrive? Its not like a lot of influential and well-funded thinkers in the US need a lot of convincing. As the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists points out, many in the US defense establishmentthe military, government, think tanks, and industrypromote the perception that a nuclear war can be won and fought. Add to the equation that if the US plutocrats have gone as far as Gaza, is there anywhere theyre not willing to go? Add it all up, and it feels like were rapidly approaching that moment many have dreaded: decision time in America when the powers that be either give up on the dream of the Great American century or burn the whole joint to the ground. And the prospects arent looking good for elite American acceptance. As just one recent example, here are the plutocrats court jesters in think tanklandia calling Russias nuclear doctrine bluster and that the Trump administration should not fall for it. The administration apparently agrees with its recent nuclear brinkmanship. The calculation in their minds is simple: it is preferable to find out rather than accept a world that isnt dominated by Washington. What can the other powers like Russia and China do? They could start by locking down Eurasia. Thats what theyve been gravitating towards for some time. At the mid-July meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Council of Foreign Ministers in China Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi proposed the following for collective security and sovereignty: A collective security body to respond to external aggression, sabotage, and terrorism A permanent coordination mechanism for documenting and countering subversive acts A Center for Sanctions Resistance, to shield member economies from unilateral Western measures A Shanghai Security Forum for defense and intelligence coordination Enhanced cultural and media cooperation to counter cognitive and information warfare Should the SCOwhose members industrial capacities dwarf NATOforge such a bloc, it could greatly challenge the Western dreams of picking off countries one at a time. Thats hard to do with US beachheads in Israel, Turkey/Armenia, the Philippines, and of course all of Europe, but economic forces are not on the side of Washington, and you can almost feel the US collapsing under the sheer weight of keeping up this global game of subterfuge, clandestine activity, bribery, and just plain old troublemaking. It does so while ignoring its own decay and when the other side makes more economic sense and offers more peace and stability. Yet, heres the rub. Even if an alternative currency project gets up and running, and even if Russia and China keep playing the long game and bleeding the US dry (China cutting off critical minerals to Western defense companies is a good start) and waiting for it to collapse, that does nothing to guarantee the crazies are kept away from the nukesit probably makes the US using them more likely. And even a cordon sanitaire around the US wont prevent its elites from taking out their rage on US citizens. Ultimately, the responsibility for dethroning these spoiled Nazi children (and Im talking more about Musks, Thiels, Andreessens, Karps and company than Trump or the CIA Democrat neoliberals in their service) and restoring some sense of humanity will fall to Americans. When could that come to pass? Its hard to say, indeed: This story is a partnership between the Nashville Banner and the Nashville Scene. The Nashville Banner is a nonprofit, nonpartisan news organization focused on civic news. Visit nashvillebanner.com for more information. Oh, its hurting so bad. Three minutes after Byron Black began receiving a lethal dose of pentobarbital in the execution chamber at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison on Tuesday, he lifted his head off of the gurney he was strapped to and groaned. Whether it was the effects of the drug, which can cause pulmonary edema (or fluid in the lungs), or shocks to his heart from the defibrillator implanted in his chest, Black was in obvious distress. His spiritual adviser, the Rev. Monica Coakley, sang to comfort him. Im so sorry, she said. Just listen to my voice. Two minutes later, at 10:35 a.m., Black raised his head and groaned again before lying back and becoming unresponsive. At 10:43 a.m., a doctor pronounced him dead. Byron Black Set to Be Executed Despite IQ Concerns In March of 1988, Black shot his girlfriend and her two daughters; under todays standard he would not be eligible for the death penalty His attorney, federal public defender Kelley Henry, said at a press conference after exiting the prison that her 69-year-old client had been tortured. The execution was carried out more than 35 years after Black was convicted and sentenced to death in Nashville for the murders of his girlfriend Angela Clay and her daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha. Black was on furlough from a Nashville jail facility when the murders occurred, and Clay had reportedly been considering reconciling with her estranged husband, Bennie Clay. Black had been sentenced to two years in jail for shooting Bennie Clay during an altercation the year before. Henry had warned in court and in the media that Blacks defibrillator was likely to shock him repeatedly during the lethal injection if it was not properly deactivated, and the state attorney generals office never contested Blacks medical experts. The Tennessee Supreme Court ruled last month that the state could kill him without deactivating his defibrillator. Today, the state of Tennessee killed a gentle, kind, fragile, intellectually disabled man in violation of the laws of our country simply because they could, Henry said after the execution, reading from a written statement. No one in a position of power, certainly not the courts, was willing to stop them. Henrys formal statement came after she fought back tears while relaying what shed witnessed during the execution of a man she represented for 25 years. The people who made it possible, she said, should feel shame. Black, she said, had asked her to express his gratitude to his family, supporters and even the prison staff who had shown him kindness in his final days. +2 Federal Defender's Office Asks Lee to Pause Executions Oscar Smith and Byron Black could be executed before a court reviews Tennessees new lethal injection protocol Byron left this world with words of grace, mercy and love, Henry said, I wish I could share these sentiments. I do not. The state of Tennessee heartlessly and intentionally traumatized a second family today. A family that matters. A family that is devastated. May God have mercy on their souls. I know that he has mercy for Byron. A group of Angela Clays family also witnessed the execution and spoke through Abigail Dyer, a victim witness coordinator for the Tennessee Department of Correction. I thank God for this day, a day that was a long time coming," Dyer said in a statement provided by the family. "This was 37 years too late. Demonstrators gathered in a fenced-in field adjacent to the prison, separated by prison officials into pro-death penalty and anti-death penalty groups. Approximately 25 people, including leaders of the nonprofit group Death Penalty Action, death row visitors and religious leaders who opposed Blacks execution, participated in a liturgy for him that included prayers for the Clay victims and family. We pray for Angela Clay and her daughters Latoya and Lakeisha Clay, who died violent deaths, read one portion of the liturgy. Lift them to eternal peace, and grant that their goodness may continue to shine in those they loved. Relatives of the Clay family made up the pro-death penalty group, including Clay family cousins Nicoule Davis and Sharonda Page. Davis, who recalled playing with Latoya and Lakeisha Clay as a child, called the execution day a celebration that had been a long time coming. Metro Councilmember Delishia Porterfield demonstrated alongside opponents and told the Banner she was there because she opposed state executions. She said she was grieving for both families involved. Before the 1989 trial, Blacks original attorney argued he was mentally incompetent for the proceedings, and that issue surfaced again in recent years as Black faced multiple execution dates. His intellectual disability was so well-documented tests over the years found his IQ to be below 70 that state attorneys had stipulated in a court filing that he would be deemed ineligible for the death penalty if a new hearing were held. Davidson County District Attorney Glenn Funk asked a judge to vacate Blacks death sentence in 2022 for the same reason. But courts denied Blacks appeals on that issue because the states current intellectual disability law does not apply to people who have had their competence adjudicated previously. His mental capacity had only been further diminished due to dementia. Blacks legal team also raised alarms about his physical condition as the execution date approached. He had been diagnosed with end-stage kidney disease and congestive heart failure. Doctors had placed an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator in his chest last year to treat his heart condition. Black had been rendered essentially immobile in recent years. Blacks day began at 4:45 a.m. with a final meal of pizza with mushrooms and sausage, followed by doughnuts and butter pecan ice cream. According to Henry, he participated in a church service in his cell. Other death row inmates reported seeing him wheeled off to death watch two weeks ago, and Henry said Tuesday that two prison guards had to hold him up as they took him to the gurney before his execution. He was wheeled from his cell to the execution chamber at 10:07 a.m., where correctional officers placed two tight straps across his chest and taped his arms out from his side onto extensions for his IVs. His hands were heavily wrapped in tape to prevent movement. According to Henry, medical personnel had trouble finding the veins in both of his arms, leading to a puddle of blood on his right side. She said it took 10 minutes for the tubes to be attached, which first brought saline and then pentobarbital. As a sheet was placed over most of his body, Coakley told him, Youre almost home. Fourteen minutes later, he was. This article first appeared on Nashville Banner and is republished here under a Creative Commons Attribution-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. A traumatologist, two residents of Odesa, and the head of the security group of one of the Odesa military recruitment center organized an illegal scheme to earn money from those wishing to avoid mobilization, the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) has said. "They were looking for men liable for military service, and after performing fictitious operations on their knee joints, they provided medical certificates necessary for unhindered passage of the military medical commission. Later, with the assistance of the serviceman and based on the medical documents received, the men were to receive deferrals from military service," the PGO said in a statement on Wednesday. The cost of such "services" started at $4,000, and one of the operations was to cost $7,000, but it was stopped in time by law enforcement officers. In addition, a serviceman, the head of the security group of one military recruitment center in Odesa, acting in collusion with one of the suspects, sold fictitious summonses to a conscript for UAH 15,000 a conscript for summons to the military recruitment center. "Such a document allowed him to avoid checks of military registration documents and safely move around the city for a certain period of time. Later, he even made a "discount" - each subsequent summons cost UAH 1,000 less," the PGO said. In total, law enforcement officers documented the fact of his sale of seven summonses for a total amount of over UAH 70,000. All those involved in the case were detained under Part 1 of Article 114-1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine, Part 3 of Article 368 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine and preventive measures were imposed on them. The full range of persons involved in the crime is currently being identified, as well as citizens who used illegal "services." Caffeine and antibiotics: A surprising link that demands caution A new study reveals that caffeine (found in coffee, tea and energy drinks) may help bacteria like E. coli resist antibiotics by altering their genetic defenses, reducing the effectiveness of drugs like ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin. Caffeine triggers changes in bacterial genes, decreasing production of the OmpF protein a key entry point for antibiotics making it harder for drugs to penetrate and kill bacteria. Antibiotic resistance is a major global crisis, projected to cause 10 million annual deaths by 2050. While overuse of antibiotics is a known factor, everyday chemicals like caffeine may also contribute silently. Experts caution that human implications are still unclear, and there's no evidence that drinking coffee directly impacts infection treatment. However, the lab findings highlight a concerning interaction needing further study. The study suggests other common substances (e.g., aspirin, herbicides) may similarly affect bacterial resistance, emphasizing the need for rigorous research and responsible antibiotic use to combat evolving superbugs. In a world that's becoming increasingly dependent on caffeine and antibiotics, a new study has uncovered a troubling connection: caffeine may help bacteria like E. coli resist life-saving drugs. The research, published in PLOS Biology on July 22, suggests that the stimulant found in coffee, tea and energy drinks could reduce the effectiveness of common antibiotics by altering bacterial defenses. While experts urge calm emphasizing that human implications remain unclear the findings raise urgent questions about how everyday substances influence the growing crisis of antibiotic resistance. This discovery is not just a scientific curiosity; it's a warning. For decades, bacteria have evolved sophisticated survival tactics, including molecular pumps that eject antibiotics before they can work. Now, scientists are realizing that chemicals in food, medicine and environment may be accelerating this resistance. (Related: Enjoy that cup of joe: Here are some science-backed health benefits of CAFFEINE.) How caffeine shields bacteria At the heart of the study is Escherichia coli (E. coli), a common gut bacterium that can turn deadly under the right conditions. Researchers at Germany's University of Tubingen exposed E. coli to 94 different substances from antibiotics to vanilla flavoring and monitored how the bacteria adjusted their genetic activity. The results were striking. Caffeine, along with 27 other chemicals, triggered changes in genes that control transport proteins the microscopic gatekeepers that determine what enters or exits a bacterial cell. Specifically, caffeine reduced the production of a protein called OmpF, which acts like a doorway for antibiotics like ciprofloxacin and amoxicillin. Fewer doorways mean fewer drugs getting inside, leaving bacteria unscathed. This isn't mere speculation. When tested on a strain of E. coli taken from a human urinary tract infection, caffeine's interference held up in the lab. The implications are clear: Something as routine as a morning coffee could, in theory, give harmful bacteria an edge. Why this matters now Antibiotic resistance is already one of the greatest public health threats. The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, drug-resistant infections could kill 10 million people annually more than cancer. The overuse of antibiotics in medicine and agriculture has long been blamed, but this study suggests another culprit: the silent influence of everyday chemicals. Historically, bacteria have always adapted. Penicillin, discovered in 1928, was a miracle until resistance emerged just years later. Now, with modern lifestyles introducing countless synthetic and natural compounds into the human body, scientists are racing to understand how these substances might be undermining medicine's last line of defense. Don't ditch coffee yet but don't ignore science either Despite the alarming findings, experts stress that caffeine consumers shouldn't panic. April Hayes, a microbiologist at the University of Exeter, notes there's no proof yet that drinking coffee reduces the body's ability to fight infections. Andrew Edwards of Imperial College London agrees, advising patients to follow their doctors' orders on antibiotics rather than altering habits based on preliminary data. Still, the study's lead author, Ana Rita Brochado, warns that caffeine's "antagonistic interaction" with antibiotics is real at least in petri dishes. The next step? Determining whether this lab phenomenon translates to human infections. Beyond caffeine, the study identified other substances like the herbicide paraquat and common drugs such as aspirin that also tweaked bacterial genes. This suggests a broader pattern: The chemical-laden environment may be quietly shaping the evolution of superbugs. Science moves incrementally. While this study doesn't warrant dumping coffee down the drain, it adds a critical piece to the puzzle of antibiotic resistance. The lesson isn't to fear modernity but to respect its complexities. The best defense remains a well-informed public, prudent medical practices and unwavering support for research that puts truth not ideology first. Watch this video featuring a book about herbal antibiotics. This video is from the BrightLearn channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: The hidden dangers of antibiotics & 10 natural antimicrobials to incorporate into your life. Use Garlic Instead of Antibiotics. Five Natural Antibiotics. #10YearChallenge with antibiotics: How antibiotics have become nearly useless over the past decade. How to avoid antibiotics. Sources include: Livescience.com cmfi.uni-tuebingen.de News-medical.net Brighteon.com Health Ranger Report: Del Bigtree on MAHA, RFK Jr.s confirmation and the future of U.S. healthcare : This article is based on a "Health Ranger Report" interview following Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as HHS secretary.) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s confirmation as health secretary signals a potential transformation in U.S. health policy, aiming to address chronic disease epidemics and reduce pharmaceutical industry influence. Advocates highlight recent victories like Louisiana's shift to voluntary vaccination and the removal of harmful additives, crediting public awareness campaigns led by figures like RFK Jr. Del Bigtree emphasizes on improving vaccine injury reporting (e.g., VAERS) and leveraging AI/tech partnerships (e.g., with Elon Musk) to enhance transparency and safety in healthcare decisions. Bigtree and Mike Adams urge bipartisan collaboration and public engagement, stressing the need for trusted medical voices and individual responsibility in health choices. A future focused on prevention, nutrition and natural remedies, driven by RFK Jr.'s leadership but reliant on grassroots movements and empowered citizens to achieve lasting change. The Health Ranger Mike Adams and health freedom advocate Del Bigtree, the host of "The HighWire," sat down on the "Health Ranger Report" to discuss a monumental shift in American health policy under the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) initiative. The recent confirmation of Robert F. Kennedy Jr. as the secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) marks a pivotal moment, signaling a potential transformation in the nation's approach to health and wellness. Bigtree, who served as RFK Jr.'s director of communications, reflected on the journey that led to this historic moment. He emphasizes that RFK Jr.'s candidacy was driven by a singular mission: to dismantle the chronic disease epidemic plaguing America. Despite facing skepticism and opposition, RFK Jr. remained steadfast in his commitment to challenging the status quo, particularly the influence of the pharmaceutical industry. Bigtree recounted the emotional moment of RFK Jr.'s swearing-in, highlighting the significance of his appointment. "The HHS Secretary is arguably the most powerful position in health globally," the founder of the non-profit Informed Consent Action Network (ICAN) stated, underscoring the potential impact of RFK Jr.'s leadership. Adams echoed this sentiment, noting his long-held belief that achieving true national greatness hinges on prioritizing health. The discussion delved into the profound changes already underway. Bigtree cited Louisiana's recent decision to shift from a mandatory vaccination program to a recommendation-based approach. This, Bigtree pointed out, serves as a testament to the growing demand for informed consent and choice in healthcare. He attributed this shift to the collective voice of the people, amplified by figures like RFK Jr., who have tirelessly advocated for transparency and accountability in the vaccine industry. Bigtree also addressed the removal of Red Dye No. 3 from the market, attributing it to the heightened public awareness and scrutiny fostered by RFK Jr.'s campaign. This development, he argued, exemplifies the power of grassroots movements in driving policy change. A vision for a healthier America A key theme of the conversation is the importance of data-driven decision-making. Adams and Bigtree agree that a robust surveillance system is crucial for accurately capturing vaccine injuries and adverse events. They highlight the alarming findings of a Harvard study, which revealed that the current Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) captures less than one percent of actual vaccine injuries. (Related: Study reveals FEWER than 1% of vaccine injuries are reported to VAERS.) Adams proposed leveraging advanced AI tools to analyze vast datasets and uncover correlations that could inform safer health practices. He suggested that RFK Jr. could collaborate with tech innovators like Elon Musk to revolutionize data collection and analysis within HHS. Bigtree emphasized the need for unity and collaboration across political lines. He acknowledged the challenges of navigating a deeply divided political landscape but expressed optimism about RFK Jr.'s ability to build bridges and foster bipartisan support for health reforms. He stressed the importance of engaging with trusted medical professionals and experts to communicate the message effectively to a broader audience. Adams echoed this sentiment, urging Americans to take personal responsibility for their health. He criticized the reliance on quick fixes and processed foods, advocating for a return to natural, whole foods and decentralized agriculture. The Health Ranger believes empowering individuals with knowledge and resources is essential for creating lasting change. "We The People need to really up our game and do as much as we can in order to help people learn more about living healthy," he told Bigtree. Adams and Bigtree advocate for a holistic approach that prioritizes prevention, nutrition and natural remedies. They see RFK Jr.'s appointment as a catalyst for this transformation, but they emphasize that true change will come from the collective efforts of informed and engaged citizens. Follow HealthFreedom.news for more news about the MAHA movement in America. Watch the full interview between Del Bigtree and the Health Ranger Mike Adams below. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Is Del Bigtree leaving MAHA? Bigtree blasts the MAHA report's shocking silence on vaccine failure and vaccine injury. Grassroots health revolution gains momentum as MAHA movement expands beyond RFK Jr.. Trump approves RFK Jr. to investigate the growing link between vaccines autism. Sources include: Brighteon.com ICANDecide.org The Red Sea crisis: Houthi attacks threaten Saudi Arabias economic ambitions Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 aims to reduce oil dependence by boosting trade, tourism and manufacturing. But Houthi attacks on Red Sea shipping have severely disrupted maritime traffic, hurting key Saudi ports. King Abdullah Port (a key Vision 2030 project) saw a 70 percent drop in container ship traffic due to security risks. Jeddah Islamic Port also declined but less severely (14 percent drop), as it handles essential imports rather than transshipment. Many ships now reroute to Dammam (eastern coast) for safety. The Red Sea coast is central to Saudi Arabias non-oil growth, including luxury tourism (Neom) and manufacturing. Overcapacity in regional ports (Saudi Arabia, UAE, Egypt) and weak investor interest are worsening the situation. Houthis vow to attack ships linked to Israel, making the Red Sea unsafe despite a truce attempt by the U.S. Many shipping companies now take the longer (and costlier) route around Africa to avoid the Red Sea. Saudi Arabia pushed for a halt to U.S. airstrikes on Houthis, but attacks continue. A Gaza ceasefire may be the only way to stop Houthi disruptions, but the situation remains unresolved. The ambitious plans of Saudi Arabia to transform its economy and reduce dependency on oil revenues have encountered a significant obstacle in the form of Houthi attacks on the Red Sea. These assaults have disrupted maritime trade and cast a shadow over the kingdom's strategic economic diversification efforts, particularly those centered around the Red Sea ports. King Abdullah Port, inaugurated in 2014, was envisioned as a linchpin in Saudi Arabia's economic strategy. Positioned strategically on Red Sea trade routes, the port was intended to capitalize on transshipment, where goods are transferred from large vessels to smaller ones for their final destinations. The port was also meant to serve as the gateway to the King Abdullah Economic City, a hub envisioned to entice foreign companies and boost manufacturing. However, the reality has been starkly different. Data from ship tracking and maritime analytics provider Marine Traffic has revealed that container ship traffic at King Abdullah Port plummeted by nearly 70 percent, dropping from 188 ship calls in 2023 to a mere 59 in 2024. So far, 2025 has seen only a slight improvement, with 51 container ships arriving. The dramatic decrease in traffic is primarily attributed to the Houthis' maritime attacks, which have deterred international shipping companies from using the Red Sea route. A port executive has said that business at King Abdullah Port is so bad that owners are unable to "sell the container terminal if they wanted to." While King Abdullah Port has been hit hard, another key Saudi Arabian port has also experienced a decline in traffic. The impact on the Jeddah Islamic Port has been less severe, with a 14 percent drop from 400 vessels in 2023 to 344 in 2024. Compared to the King Abdullah Port, the Jeddah port has fared better because it serves as a primary gateway for imports into the western half of the kingdom, rather than relying on transshipment. Nevertheless, the overall trend is clear. Container ships are avoiding the Saudi Arabian Red Sea coast, particularly those arriving from Asia. Instead, they are heading for King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam on the kingdom's eastern coast. "BYD vehicles destined for Saudi Arabia are going to Dammam. Not the Red Sea Ports. Its safer," an executive noted, referring to the Chinese electric car maker that is gaining market share in the Gulf. Houthis escalate their attacks: The broader economic implications The disruption in maritime trade has far-reaching consequences for Saudi Arabia's economic diversification plans. Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman's Vision 2030 aims to reduce the country's reliance on energy by expanding relevant sectors such as manufacturing and tourism. The Red Sea coast is a crucial component of this vision, intended to host luxury hotels and factories. Robert Mogielnicki, a resident scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute, said that the Red Sea is "the most important dimension of the Vision 2030 plan for developing untapped potential - especially non-oil and gas related." Mogielnicki added that when in terms of the countrywide transformation, the Red Sea coast is crucial. However, the port-building boom in the region involving Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt has led to overcapacity. To date, there isn't enough trade to match the infrastructure. Moreover, projects like Neom are being scaled back due to weak foreign investor interest and lower oil prices further complicating Riyadh's economic diversification efforts. The Houthis have been escalating their attacks, pledging to target any vessel associated with companies that have dealings with Israel, "regardless of its nationality and destination." This escalation has raised concerns about the safety of a vital trade route, despite a truce announced by President Donald Trump earlier in May, which was intended to restore freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. The parameters of the truce were unclear, and the Houthis have stated they will continue attacks targeting Israel. The episode has renewed fears that the Red Sea is no longer a safe passage, prompting vessel owners to avoid the area and seek alternative routes around Africa's Cape of Good Hope. (Related: U.S. THAAD defense system makes first missile interception against Houthi attack in Israel.) An Egyptian intelligence delegation told U.S. counterparts that the only way to effectively halt the Houthi attacks is to achieve a ceasefire in Gaza, indicating a lack of appetite for resuming military operations. Visit Chaos.news for more updates about ongoing global conflicts. Watch the full video below of "Brighteon Broadcast News" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams as he discusses Trump's 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: U.S. Navy destroyers successfully repel Houthi missile and drone attacks in Gulf of Aden. Israeli military hits Houthi targets in Yemen, leaving key port city in darkness. Israel vows to strike Yemen without restrictions after Houthi missile hits Ben Gurion airport. Sources include: MiddleEastEye.net NYTimes.com TimesOfIsrael.com Brighteon.com Russian drone found at NATO military site in Lithuania: A provocation or misfire? A Russian-made drone (likely a Gerbera-type model) entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus, crashing at the NATO-linked Gaiziunai military training site near Rukla, sparking accusations of deliberate provocation. This marks at least the second such breach in under a year, raising concerns about Russia's intentions and NATO's eastern border security. Eyewitness footage captured the drone over Vilnius, heightening unease. Lithuanian officials noted no immediate threat but cited possible deliberation due to the crash location at a strategic NATO site. Similar drones have violated Polish, Romanian, Moldovan and Latvian airspace, reflecting spillover risks from Russia's war in Ukraine. The incident fuels scrutiny of NATO's defense protocols and Lithuania's response time. While Russia hasn't commented, speculation includes testing NATO defenses, operational mishaps or hybrid warfare tactics. The event underscores vulnerabilities in Eastern Europe and NATO's need for heightened vigilance. A Russian-made drone breached Lithuanian airspace earlier this week before crashing at a military training site hosting North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) troops, sparking alarm and accusations of deliberate provocation. Lithuanian authorities confirmed the drone's discovery on Friday, Aug. 1, after residents in Vilnius filmed its flight path before it vanished. The incident marks at least the second time in less than a year that a Russian drone has entered Lithuanian territory raising concerns about Moscow's intentions and NATO's eastern border security. The unmanned aircraft, identified preliminarily as a Russian Gerbera-type drone, first entered Lithuanian airspace from neighboring Belarus early Monday morning. Lithuanian radar tracked the drone over Belarusian territory near the border before losing contact. Later, it was recovered at the Gaiziunai training grounds near Rukla home to a NATO multinational battalion. "It's likely the same drone that breached our airspace on Monday. Initial analysis suggests it may be a Gerbera model, though this is still being confirmed," Lithuanian military officials stated. The Gerbera series frequently used in Ukraine serves as a decoy to confuse air defenses making its appearance in NATO airspace particularly sensitive. Eyewitness footage captured the drone flying over Vilnius, heightening public unease. Lithuanian officials emphasized that while no immediate threat was detected, the drone's crash at a military installation suggests possible deliberation. NATO concerns and regional reactions The Kremlin has not commented, but the timing fuels allegations of testing NATO's defenses or sending a message. Mindaugas Sinkevicius, interim leader of Lithuania's ruling Social Democratic Party, called the incident a "provocation," noting its proximity to strategic NATO assets. This is not an isolated case. A similar drone entered Lithuania on July 10, 2023, prompting officials to take shelter. Stray drones have also violated Polish, Romanian, Moldovan and Latvian airspace most notably in September 2024, when a Russian Shahed attack drone crashed in Latvia. Such breaches underscore growing regional anxieties as Russia's war in Ukraine spills beyond borders. (Related: Russia unleashes largest drone attack of Ukraine war in retaliation for strikes on air bases. Lithuania's Ministry of National Defense faces scrutiny for its response time. Officials pledged procedural reviews, including rules to intercept suspicious drones faster. Lithuania, a Baltic NATO member, shares a border with Belarus Russia's close ally and a staging ground for its Ukraine invasion. Neutral airspace violations, whether accidental or not, risk escalating tensions between Moscow and the alliance. Historical context amplifies concerns: In 2022, a missile killed two in Poland after a Ukrainian air defense intercept, briefly rattling NATO-Russia relations. The drone's discovery at a NATO-linked site could signal Russian probing of alliance defenses, akin to Cold War-era brinkmanship. Alternatively, it may reflect Moscow's loosening operational control as it deploys swarms of drones in Ukraine. Either way, the event underscores the vulnerability of Eastern Europe's borders and NATO's need for vigilance. As Lithuanian authorities analyze the recovered drone, questions linger over Russia's motives malfunction, psychological warfare or a test of NATO's resolve. With history repeating via errant drones and NATO tightening its eastern flank, the incident serves as a stark reminder: In an era of hybrid warfare, no breach is too small to ignore. Watch the video below that shows a Russian drone strike in Kharkiv. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Ukrainian drone attack hits Russian seaside city of Sochi. Russia alleges Ukraine hid chemical drone munitions amid escalating CWC violations. Reduced Russian drone strike sets the stage for Istanbul's critical peace talks. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com United24Media.com Brighteon.com Ukraine anti-corruption agencies unearth CORRUPTION in military drone procurement Ukrainian anti-corruption agencies (NABU and SAPO) exposed a bribery and embezzlement network involving military drone and electronic warfare procurement implicating a lawmaker, officials and military personnel. The group allegedly siphoned millions from defense budgets via inflated contracts (e.g., $35,900 in bribes on a $119,660 jamming system deal) and kickbacks totaling 30 percent of contract values since 2024. Zelensky reversed a controversial law that weakened NABU/SAPO's independence after public protests and EU warnings, reaffirming reforms critical for Ukraines EU accession bid. Key figures implicated include lawmaker Oleksii Kuznietsov (Zelensky's party), regional head Serhii Haidai, and military official Andrii Yurchenko, fueling public distrust. The scandal highlights Ukraine's struggle to balance anti-corruption efforts with wartime needs, as Western allies scrutinize aid effectiveness ($100B+ from the U.S.). Ukraine's embattled anti-corruption agencies have uncovered a sprawling bribery and embezzlement network in the country's procurement of military drones and electronic warfare systems. The National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO) revealed the scheme in a Facebook post Saturday, Aug. 2. It reportedly involved a sitting lawmaker, regional officials and military personnel. The suspects reportedly conspired to pilfer millions of dollars from defense budgets meant to fortify the nation against Russian attacks. Funds were siphoned through inflated contracts, compromising equipment quality while lining pockets. While the initial statement did not name the conspirators, Ukrainska Pravda made their identities public. Among those implicated were: People's Deputy Oleksii Kuznietsov , a member of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People (SN) party. , a member of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's Servant of the People (SN) party. Serhii Haidai , a regional administration head. , a regional administration head. Andrii Yurchenko, a city military official. Investigators allege the group orchestrated "systematic misappropriation" of local defense funds since 2024, taking kickbacks worth 30 percent of contract values. One deal involved Yastruby Peremohy 6D jamming systems priced at $119,660 with $35,900 paid in bribes. Another deal saw an inflated first-person-view drone contract by $80,000. (Related: Corrupt Ukraine official found with $6 million in cash allegedly obtained by providing medical exemptions to men avoiding conscription.) Anti-corruption backslide puts Ukraine's democracy in question The scandal strikes at a precarious moment. Earlier, Zelensky reversed course on a law that had gutted NABU and SAPO's independence following mass protests and EU warnings. The July 22 measure, which placed the agencies under the prosecutor general's control, was branded a "serious step back" by European officials. Kuznietsov notably voted for it, fueling public distrust. Western allies had cautioned that backsliding on anti-corruption reforms could delay Ukraine's EU accession a key strategic goal. Zelensky, now positioning himself as a reform defender, signed a new law on July 31 overturning the measure that compromised the two agencies' independence but not before outrage from Ukrainians forced him to walk back. The comedian-turned-president, who is also a member of SN, praised NABU's "zero tolerance" approach and lauded the reinstated independence law as "well-balanced." Historically, Ukraine's corruption crises have eroded public faith during pivotal conflicts. The 2014 Maidan revolution overthrew a regime infamous for graft. Aid from various countries following the onset of the Russia-Ukraine war over $100 billion from the U.S. alone demanded scrutiny. This case underscores a lingering dilemma: balancing wartime urgency with accountability. For Ukraine's Western backers, the question is whether Kyiv can root out rot while fighting a war. As suspects face detention, the agencies vow further probes. "The state must hear its citizens," Zelensky declared a nod to protesters who forced his U-turn. With EU membership and military readiness at stake, Ukraine's crackdown may prove a litmus test for its democratic resilience. Head over to Corruption.news for more similar stories. Watch Russian President Vladimir Putin pointing out that Ukraine is known worldwide for its corruption in this clip. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Where did the money go? Zelensky exposes $102 billion black hole in U.S. aid to Ukraine. Is Zelensky corrupt? He amassed an $850 million personal fortune in the years before the war with Russia. Ukrainian officials pocket half of U.S. aid money, launder some back to Democrats, former Polish official reveals. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com Facebook.com Pravda.com.ua Brighteon.com Austrian university under fire for lowering grade of student who rejected GENDER-NEUTRAL language A student at the University of Teacher Education Burgenland (PH Burgenland) received lower marks for refusing to use gender-inclusive terms in her coursework, igniting a national debate on enforced linguistic norms. The university mandated gender-neutral language and threatened to give failing grades for non-compliance, citing government guidelines. However, the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) ruled the policy legally unjustified, calling it ideological coercion. Critics condemned the policy as an overreach of academic freedom, while supporters argued such measures promote inclusivity, especially in education. The AOB's intervention forced authorities to retract the grading mandate. The reversal reflects wider cultural clashes over linguistic norms in academia and government, with parallels drawn to historical ideological enforcement. The case raises concerns about balancing advocacy with compulsion. While the university removed its policy, the debate continues globally, questioning whether inclusivity and intellectual freedom can coexist or if one must supersede the other. An Austrian university has drawn criticism after one of its students faced academic penalties for refusing to use gender-inclusive terms in her coursework. The controversy erupted when a University of Teacher Education Burgenland (PH Burgenland) student received a lower evaluation in the Fundamentals of Subject Didactics 2 course she was taking. The lower marks were specifically because she avoided gender-sensitive phrasing in her written work. PH Burgenland previously mandated gender-neutral language in assignments, warning that non-compliance could result in automatic failing grades. University officials justified the decision by citing guidelines issued by Austria's Office for Gender and Diversity Competence, which treated gendered language as compulsory. (Related: "Ze" gender-neutral pronoun being pushed by safe space universities is identical to Communist China pronoun.) However, the Austrian Ombudsman Board (AOB) intervened in the case, calling the policy legally baseless. It argued that PH Burgenland's rigid enforcement of the policy lacked legal justification and amounted to ideological coercion. Ombudsperson Christoph Luisser, a member of the AOB's three-person panel, dismantled that rationale. He rejected the notion that every sentence must be gender-neutral, likening the approach to outdated "drilling in" tactics rather than fostering genuine linguistic awareness. Language policing in schools: Inclusivity or intellectual fascism? Critics argue that mandating gender-inclusive language often involving asterisks, colons or neutral pronouns oversteps academic freedom and imposes subjective norms on expression. Supporters, however, view such measures as essential for inclusivity, particularly in education, where language can shape societal perceptions. Following Luisser's ruling, educational authorities retreated from the requirement marking a significant moment in the broader cultural clash over linguistic norms. Even the Austrian Ministry of Education, Science and Research conceded that the strict grading mandate could no longer stand. The reversal carries broader implications in Austria and beyond, where similar policies have fueled contention in academia, government and media. Historical context underscores why this dispute matters beyond Austria's borders. Debates over language policing echo mid-20th-century ideological clashes, where institutions weaponized vocabulary to enforce political conformity. While modern gender-equality efforts aim to rectify historical marginalization, opponents warn against replicating authoritarian tactics such as grading students based on ideological adherence rather than academic merit. The PH Burgenland case now serves as a cautionary example, prompting scrutiny over where advocacy ends and compulsion begins. For now, Austria's retreat signals a tentative compromise, though the underlying tensions remain unresolved. The university has removed its gender-language warning from official communications, an unspoken admission that the policy overreached. But as campuses worldwide grapple with similar dilemmas, the Burgenland backlash leaves a pivotal question unanswered: Can inclusivity coexist with intellectual freedom, or must one inevitably yield to the other? Head over to PoliticalCorrectness.news for more similar stories. Watch Owen Shroyer of InfoWars discussing Merriam-Webster's addition of the gender-neutral "they" pronoun to its dictionary in this video. This video is from the War Room channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Don't say 'man' on campus: Biological language deemed offensive by Ivy Leaguers. 120 Medical professionals sign letter against use of GENDER-NEUTRAL language in medicine. Harvard demanding students dumb down their language with new gender-neutral, politically correct pronouns like "hir" and "ze". Sources include: InfoWars.com EuropeanConservative.com Exxpress.at Brighteon.com Australias Victoria state urges citizens to surrender their MACHETES or face punishment Australia's Victoria state will prohibit machetes starting Sept. 1, with a three-month amnesty (until Nov. 30) allowing anonymous surrender via reinforced bins at police stations. After the amnesty, possession carries severe consequences up to two years in prison or a A$47,000 AUD fine with exemptions for agricultural, cultural or traditional uses. The ban is a response to surging youth violence, including a 161 percent rise in shopping-center blade assaults since 2014, often linked to African youth gangs in Melbourne. Critics call it a superficial fix ignoring root causes like migration-related gang activity, while supporters argue it's vital for public safety. Enforcement has been strict, with retailers (e.g., Amazon) swiftly complying. Similar to policies like the U.K.'s "ninja sword" ban, Victoria's move reignites debates over weapon restrictions efficacy versus civil liberties amid rising urban crime. Success hinges on long-term enforcement and violence trends. In a bid to crack down on knife-related violence, the state of Victoria in Australia has outlawed machetes ordering citizens to surrender theirs or face punishment. Victoria's ban on machetes is set to take effect on Sept. 1, but the state government has announced a three-month amnesty period ending Nov. 30. In line with this, more than 40 reinforced disposal bins have been installed outside police stations statewide. This allows Victorians to surrender their machetes anonymous without being penalized. Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan announced the measure alongside Police Minister Anthony Carbines in a press conference on July 31. In a statement, she framed the prohibition as a proactive strike against weapons that "destroy lives." The machete ban follows a surge in violent youth crime, with Victoria Police confiscating an average of 44 illegal blades daily in 2025. Critics argue the move fails to address root causes like migration-fueled gang activity, while proponents insist its a necessary step toward public safety. (Related: Gun control now turns to machete control as NY lawmaker tries to criminalize common agricultural tool.) After the end of the amnesty period, those possessing a machete could face severe penalties including up to two years prison or a fine of more than 47,000 Australian dollars ($30,358). Exemptions are allowed for agricultural, cultural or traditional uses. Will Victoria's machete crackdown stop the violence? The policy arrives amid escalating crime data. Government reports show a 161 percent increase in shopping-center blade assaults since 2014, with youths aged 10 to 17 disproportionately involved in robberies and car thefts. Authorities attribute part of the spike to African youth gangs in Melbourne, though Allan has consistently praised Victoria's multiculturalism. The ban mirrors recent Western restrictions, such as the United Kingdom's prohibition of "ninja swords" that similarly faced accusations of sidestepping deeper societal issues like migration policy. Carbines warned offenders during the Thursday press conference at Melbourne West Police Station: "Our message is simple. Get rid of them or face the consequences." Victoria's government has already enforced a temporary machete sales ban since May, compelling retailers like Amazon to remove listings. Consumer Affairs Victoria inspections uncovered minimal noncompliance just seven stores suggesting most vendors adhered swiftly. The measure complements broader reforms, including expanded stop-and-search powers and stricter bail laws targeting repeat offenders. Yet skepticism persists. Social media users ridicule disposal bins as superficial fixes, while advocates of personal liberty question the encroachment on tool ownership. Historically, weapon bans have sparked debates over efficacy versus civil freedoms, from Australia's 1996 firearm restrictions to the U.S. "assault weapons" discourse. As Victoria prepares for the ban's rollout, the outcome may hinge on enforcement and long-term crime trends. The amnesty period offers a grace window, but its success and the policy's legacy will depend on whether confiscated machetes are replaced by other weapons or a genuine decline in violence. For now, the state's experiment joins a global reckoning over balancing security and individual rights in an era of rising urban disorder. Visit Tyranny.news for more similar stories. Watch this clip of a machete-wielding migrant in the United Kingdom getting tasered by British police. This video is from the HaloRock channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: KNIFE ATTACKS reported in France and China after Hamas called for Oct. 13 to be a global "day of rage". Crimes involving knives rises after British nanny state bans citizens from carrying sharp knives. Hawaii knife ban is unconstitutional. Sources include: RT.com FoxNews.com TheIndianSun.com.au Brighteon.com Big Media wants the world to be on HIGH ALERT for a new highly pathogenic avian influenza spreading in African birds in Cape Town Look, up in the sky, its a bird, its a plane, no, its a bird with avian influenza over Cape Town. Dont touch it. Dont even look at it, or you might spread the next plandemic of gain-of-function bird flu. Yes, thats right, its happening now in South Africa. South African authorities have confirmed a new outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), commonly known as bird flu, in the Western Cape province. The virus, which primarily affects birds, has caused significant mortalities among wild species such as Great White Pelicans near Malmesbury and Hartlaubs Gulls in Cape Town. These are the first major wild bird deaths linked to HPAI in the region since 2022 and the first confirmed cases since April 2024. New HPAI Outbreaks in Western Cape: South African authorities have confirmed the resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Western Cape, with notable wild bird deathsincluding Great White Pelicans and Hartlaubs Gullsmarking the first mass mortalities since 2022. South African authorities have confirmed the resurgence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in the Western Cape, with notable wild bird deathsincluding Great White Pelicans and Hartlaubs Gullsmarking the first mass mortalities since 2022. Public Health Risk Remains Low: While avian influenza can cause severe disease in birds, health agencies including the CDC affirm there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1, though vigilance is urged due to potential mutation risks. While avian influenza can cause severe disease in birds, health agencies including the CDC affirm there is currently no evidence of human-to-human transmission of H5N1, though vigilance is urged due to potential mutation risks. Global Concern and Gain-of-Function Research: Controversy surrounds the virus's potential origins and risks, with figures like Dr. Fauci and Bill Gates accused of funding gain-of-function research that could enable airborne human transmission. Controversy surrounds the virus's potential origins and risks, with figures like Dr. Fauci and Bill Gates accused of funding gain-of-function research that could enable airborne human transmission. Speculation of Future Pandemic: Some experts, such as former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield, warn that a future bird flu pandemic could pose a greater threat than COVID-19, with speculation mounting over vaccine stockpiles and possible engineered strains. South Africa Confirms New Bird Flu Outbreak HPAI is a serious viral disease that spreads through the droppings and bodily fluids of infected birds, and can be transmitted via direct contact or contaminated materials. Infected birds may behave unusually, such as becoming tame or exhibiting neurological symptoms like seizures. While primarily an animal health concern, the disease has raised global awareness due to its occasional zoonotic potential. The Western Cape Government has urged both the public and agricultural sector to remain alert and report any suspected outbreaks in poultry. Under the Animal Diseases Act of 1984, avian influenza is a controlled disease in South Africa, and early detection is vital to limit its spread and economic impact. Though human transmission of H5N1 remains rare and inefficient, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and most media sources assert that the risk to the public is currently low. The outbreak in South Africa comes amid questions in the United States and elsewhere about the sudden decline in bird flu coverage in the media. Following over a year of elevated concern, including mass poultry culls and dairy cattle infections, attention to the virus has diminished sharply. Some observers compare this to the abrupt disappearance of seasonal flu coverage during the COVID-19 pandemic and speculate on the reasons for this pattern. Further skepticism surrounds the extensive funding into bird flu research, particularly concerning controversial gain of function studies. Prominent figures such as Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates have invested in projects aimed at understanding and potentially modifying avian flu viruses to assess their pandemic risk. One such researcher, Dr. Yoshihiro Kawaoka, reportedly combined elements of bird flu and Spanish flu to create a respiratory virus capable of human transmission. Another scientist, Ron Fouchier, has worked on creating an airborne version of the virus using genetic engineering. These experiments raise ethical and biosafety concerns, with critics fearing that this type of research could inadvertently (or intentionally) lead to the creation of a virus with devastating potential. Former CDC Director Dr. Robert Redfield has publicly warned that the next major pandemic may be bird flu, predicting a mortality rate of 10 to 50 percent should it gain the ability to spread efficiently among humans. Speculation continues around the global stockpiling of H5N1 vaccines and the recent discovery of human cases, including one in the United States. With research being conducted in labs linked to the Pentagon and in international locations like Ukraine and China, fears about a potential lab-created pandemic persist. As South Africa faces the real threat of HPAI in its bird populations, the broader global context suggests that bird flu could play a much larger role in future public health scenarios. Bookmark plague.info to your favorite independent websites for updates on TWO HUNDRED new gain-of-function viruses NIH, CDC and WHO plan to release into the wild, including bird flu, while blaming small farmers in America and infected bat soup eaters at the Wuhan wet market. Sources for this article include: Pandemic.news GatewayPundit.com NaturalNews.com SHTFplan.com Borrell slams EUs complicity in Israeli war crimes, calls for action Josep Borrell has accused the EU of complicity in Israeli war crimes due to its inaction on human rights violations in Gaza. The EU's strong response to Russia's aggression contrasts with its passivity in the Gaza conflict, damaging its credibility. Failure to act has prevented the EU from upholding commitments to human rights and international law, undermining its global standing. Gaza faces a dire situation with over 60,000 deaths and insufficient aid, exacerbated by Israeli restrictions. Borrell urges immediate EU sanctions on Israel to stop crimes against humanity and preserve the EU's moral authority. Josep Borrell, European Union's former top diplomat, has accused the bloc of being complicit in Israeli war crimes due to its inaction in the face of "massive human rights violations" in Gaza. Borrell's remarks, made in a recent interview, highlight the EU's reluctance to hold Israel accountable despite clear evidence of transgressions that surpass those the bloc has condemned in other contexts. During his tenure as the EU's high representative, Borrell made concerted efforts to address the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza and the escalating violations of international law in the West Bank. However, his attempts were met with resistance from EU member states, which have consistently failed to utilize the diplomatic and economic tools at their disposal to pressure the Israeli government. This inaction has persisted for more than a year, leaving the EU unable to uphold its commitment to fundamental human rights, international law and the two-state solution. The stark contrast between the EU's firm response to Russia's aggression against Ukraine and its passivity in the face of the Gaza conflict has not gone unnoticed. Critics argue that this double standard has not only damaged the EU's geopolitical standing but has also been exploited by adversaries like Russian President Vladimir Putin to undermine the bloc's credibility. (Related: Slovenia becomes first EU nation to impose arms embargo on Israel over Gaza assault.) Borrell highlights the cost of complicity Borrell emphasizes that the EU's inaction has serious consequences. By not suspending the association agreement with Israel, despite its clear violations, the EU is effectively turning a blind eye to illegal settlement activities. The failure to block arms deliveries to Israel, despite evidence of war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza, further compounds the issue. Additionally, the EU has not banned imports from illegal settlements, despite rulings from the International Court of Justice (ICJ), nor has it sanctioned Israeli ministers and political leaders who make genocidal statements. The arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has also been ignored, with the EU failing to ban him from using European airspace. Furthermore, the EU has not supported judges of the court and United Nations (UN) officials sanctioned by the United States for their stance on the conflict. This persistent inaction, Borrell argues, is not only discrediting the EU in the eyes of the world but also undermining the international law and multilateral order it is supposed to defend. The situation in Gaza has reached catastrophic proportions. Since the Oct 7, 2023 attack by Hamas, which killed an estimated 1,139 people and took over 200 hostages, Israel has launched a military operation in the enclave. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of at least 60,933, mostly civilians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Israel has also been accused of obstructing humanitarian aid, exacerbating the suffering of the population. The UN has warned that 28 children are dying daily due to Israeli bombardment and lack of aid. Despite Israel easing some restrictions on July 27, allowing an average of 84 trucks to enter Gaza daily, aid organizations stress that at least 600 trucks are needed to meet the territory's basic needs. A growing call for sanctions Many EU member states are reluctant to impose sanctions on Israel, even as the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate. According to the diplomat, EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has played a role in stalling the process. She has refused to put the issue of sanctions on the agenda and has prevented an open debate within the commission. The EU's response to the conflict has been described as a "bad joke" by Borrell, who notes that the sanctions considered by Brussels against Tel Aviv are minimal compared to the thousands sanctioned in Russia for less severe offenses. He emphasizes that the situation in Gaza is an example of "horrors" that are "greater than others," and that further inaction could cost the EU its international image and reputation. Borrell's call for the EU to finally decide to sanction Israel without further delay is a plea for the bloc to take a stand. He believes that this is the only language that can bring Israeli leaders to stop committing crimes against humanity. The EU's credibility and moral authority are at stake, and the time to act is now. As the conflict continues to unfold, the leaders of the EU and its member states may be called to account in the future for their complicity in the crimes against humanity committed by Netanyahu's government. Watch the full video below of "Brighteon Broadcast News" with the Health Ranger Mike Adams about the U.S. Deparment of Homeland Security blocking disaster aid to Democrat-run cities that reject Israel's ethnic cleansing. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Denial of hunger in Gaza: A deepening crisis amid international outcry. French NGOs file complaints against pro-Israel groups for complicity in Gaza genocide. UNICEF: Extensive Israeli bombings in Lebanon have affected thousands of children. Sources include: RT.com TheGuardian.com EUObserver.com Aljazeera.com Brighteon.com China rapidly expanding its NUCLEAR ARSENAL, seeks to dominate Asia by 2035 China is rapidly expanding its nuclear arsenal (projected to exceed 1,000 warheads by 2030) and developing advanced capabilities like hypersonic missiles and a full nuclear triad, shifting from "minimum deterrence" to strategic dominance in Asia. Beijing aims to undermine U.S. alliances by sowing doubt over America's willingness to defend partners (e.g., Japan, South Korea, the Philippines) in a nuclear conflict, pressuring them into strategic passivity. Investments in hypersonic missiles, Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS) and mobile launchers ensure a survivable second-strike capability, enabling coercion without direct conflict. China exploits regional anxieties pressuring Japan on Taiwan, threatening the Philippines over U.S. missile deployments and keeping South Korea focused on North Korea to isolate U.S. influence. The U.S. is urged to strengthen allied conventional forces, expose China's coercive tactics and prevent nuclear blackmail. Inaction could irreversibly shift power in Beijing's favor. According to a report by the Hudson Institute, China is no longer satisfied with merely deterring its adversaries. It is now aggressively expanding its nuclear arsenal to rival that of the U.S., with the ultimate goal of dominating Asia by the mid-2030s. According to the report, Beijing's rapid nuclear buildup is not solely for defensive purposes but is part of a broader strategy to undermine American influence in the region. By amassing over 1,000 warheads, establishing a full nuclear triad (land, sea and air-based missiles) and developing tactical nuclear weapons, China aims to sow doubt among U.S. allies, pressuring them into strategic inaction. This shift represents a perilous new chapter in global security, where nuclear weapons are not just instruments of war but tools of political coercion. If left unchecked, China's strategy could fracture U.S. alliances in Asia, embolden its territorial ambitions and fundamentally alter the balance of power in the Indo-Pacific. (Related: China sends two aircraft carriers to the Pacific, signaling growing naval ambitions.) For decades, China adhered to a doctrine of "minimum deterrence," maintaining a modest nuclear arsenal sufficient to retaliate if attacked. However, under President Xi Jinping, Beijing has abandoned restraint. The U.S. Department of Defense estimates that China currently possesses at least 600 warheads, with projections suggesting that number will surpass 1,000 by 2030. While still trailing the U.S. and Russia in sheer numbers, this expansion signifies a dramatic shift in Chinas strategic posture. China is not preparing for an all-out nuclear war. Instead, it seeks to exploit psychological and political vulnerabilities among U.S. allies. By fostering uncertainty over whether America would risk nuclear conflict to defend partners like Japan, South Korea or the Philippines, Beijing aims to erode trust in U.S. security guarantees. The Hudson Institute warns that this could lead to "strategic passivity" allies hesitating to resist Chinese aggression out of fear of abandonment. The think tank's report identifies three key U.S. allies in Beijing's sights: Japan , heavily reliant on the U.S. nuclear umbrella, faces a relentless Chinese information campaign aimed at weakening confidence in American commitments. Beijing seeks to make Tokyo hesitant in supporting U.S. operations, particularly in a potential Taiwan crisis. , heavily reliant on the U.S. nuclear umbrella, faces a relentless Chinese information campaign aimed at weakening confidence in American commitments. Beijing seeks to make Tokyo hesitant in supporting U.S. operations, particularly in a potential Taiwan crisis. Philippines , embroiled in maritime disputes in the South China Sea, has faced subtle nuclear threats from China. These threats could escalate if Manila hosts U.S. missile systems capable of striking Chinese territory. , embroiled in maritime disputes in the South China Sea, has faced subtle nuclear threats from China. These threats could escalate if Manila hosts U.S. missile systems capable of striking Chinese territory. South Korea, preoccupied with North Korea's nuclear threat, has been reluctant to fully align with U.S. efforts against China. Beijing aims to keep Seoul disengaged from broader regional conflicts, further isolating America's influence. China's nuclear rise and the future of Asia China's nuclear modernization is not merely about quantity it is about capability. The country is investing in advanced technologies designed to evade missile defenses and strike with minimal warning. Hypersonic missiles capable of maneuvering mid-flight present a formidable challenge to interception. Fractional Orbital Bombardment Systems (FOBS), a Cold War-era concept revived by China, involve launching warheads into low-Earth orbit before deorbiting them onto targets, bypassing traditional missile detection. Additionally, mobile launchers road-mobile and submarine-based missiles make preemptive strikes against China's nuclear forces far more difficult. These advancements ensure China has a "survivable second strike" capability, guaranteeing retaliation even after an enemy attack. More critically, they allow Beijing to intimidate U.S. allies without ever firing a shot. The Cold War demonstrated that nuclear parity between superpowers can prevent direct conflict, but also embolden coercion and proxy wars. As China rises to become a nuclear peer of the U.S., the Indo-Pacific risks entering an era of heightened instability, where Beijing leverages its arsenal to intimidate neighbors and challenge American leadership. Taiwan remains the most immediate flashpoint. If China believes the U.S. and its allies will hesitate to intervene due to nuclear risks, it may gamble on invasion. Similarly, nations like Vietnam and India could face intensified pressure to acquiesce to Chinese demands. The report advocates a decisive response, noting that traditional arms control agreements are unlikely to work given China's opacity. Instead, the U.S. must focus on maintaining military superiority. Strengthening conventional forces among allies will raise the cost of Chinese aggression, while publicly exposing Beijing's coercive tactics could galvanize allied resolve. "Washington and its allies must show that China's buildup is backfiring leading not to fear and passivity, but to renewed resolve and regional rearmament," the report says. The stakes could not be higher. If America fails to counter China's nuclear strategy, the balance of power in Asia and the world will shift irreversibly in Beijing's favor. The time to act is now. Watch this Sky News Australia report about China criticizing the U.S. for "inciting tensions." This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Pentagon: China seeking to build military that will dominate American systems, even as U.S. introduces 6th-generation bomber. China making dramatic advances in development of HYPERSONIC WEAPONS. Report: US lags behind Russia, China in hypersonic weapons race. Sources include: TheNationalPulse.com Newsweek.com FoxNews.com Brighteon.com Photo: https://www.facebook.com/ Former owner of PrivatBank Hennadiy Boholiubov has said he plans to appeal the decision of the High Court of London in the PrivatBank case, issued on July 30, 2025, the businessman's press service told Interfax-Ukraine. "We believe that the judge made a significant error in the key conclusions regarding Mr. Bogolyubov's involvement in the fraud, and the alleged harm and losses caused to the bank," said the businessman's lawyer George Maling from the Enyo Law firm. The report emphasizes that the defense believes that during the consideration of the case, errors were made in assessing the role of Boholiubov in the disputed events, who denies his involvement in any fraudulent actions and insists on his non-involvement in the financial schemes that became the subject of the trial. "The appeal will be filed within the established time frame," the release says without specifying. Earlier, another former owner of PrivatBank, Ihor Kolomoisky, who has been in custody in Ukraine for almost two years, also announced his intention to appeal the decision of the London court. "The decision of the High Court of London will be appealed. We will defeat all Ukrainian corruptors taken together, whether they are from the Poroshenko camp or Yermak-Zelenskyy, truth and justice will be restored," the businessman's press service said in an official statement. According to the text of the court decision, "one of the most significant (and interesting) aspects of Mr. Boholiubov's case is his statement that in early July 2014 he entered into an oral agreement with Mr. Kolomoisky that he would exercise the voting rights associated with his shares in the Bank and perform the duties of the Chairman of the Supervisory Board exclusively on the instructions of Mr. Kolomoisky." According to Boholiubov, later, in May and June 2015, this was reflected in official documentation, but the nationalized PrivatBank did not agree with this statement, as did the judge later during the hearing of the case. The court decision also noted that there was some documentary evidence indicating that Kolomoisky and Boholiubov may have parted ways since 2007, but this was contained in the testimony of Boholiubov's witness provided in court, on which PrivatBank was unable to cross-examine him. Therefore, the judge was unable to conclude that the witness's words fully reflected the true situation, especially since the former owners themselves refused to testify and be present at the cross-examination of the witness's testimony. According to the ruling, Boholiubov considered himself more internationally oriented, having left Ukraine in 2007 and moved to London in 2009, where he remained until 2017, when he moved to Geneva. His position was that since leaving Ukraine in 2007, he and Kolomoisky had been focusing on their own individual projects. Like Kolomoisky, he returned to Ukraine in 2019, the judge noted. He concluded that while it is entirely possible that there had been a change in the exact nature of the relationship between the former owners of PrivatBank, they continued to act in concert with each other during the period relevant to the proceedings. "In short, the evidence shows that even after May 2015 they (Kolomoysky and Boholiubov) continued to control the Supervisory Board both through their continued role as members and through their ability as shareholders to control the composition of its members," the court verdict said. As reported, according to the decision announced on July 30 of this year, Kolomoysky and Boholiubov are jointly and severally liable to the bank for compensation for the damage caused to it. This amount should be determined at $1 billion 911.88 million less the real value of the assets transferred to the bank, as indicated in the text of the decision. As noted by PrivatBank's lawyers, the court established the need to take into account their real value of approximately $140 million for the transferred assets, while the defendants' estimates (approximately $640 million) should not be taken into account. As for the interest, Judge Trauer ruled that this issue should be resolved at the next hearing. The amount of the payment that the former owners will be required to make will be determined at the next hearing in October 2025. It is expected that the amount compensated to the bank will exceed $2 billion, including interest and legal fees," the Ministry of Finance reported. PrivatBank itself and the National Bank agree with this assessment. PrivatBank is the largest state-owned bank in Ukraine: its total assets as of April 1 of this year amounted to UAH 945.5 billion ($22.6 billion at the current exchange rate), or 25.2% of the entire banking system. Today, the bank serves more than 18 million active clients, and a total of 70 million Ukrainians use its services. Trump administration ties disaster aid to support for Israel The Trump administration now requires states and cities to certify they do not boycott Israeli companies to receive federal disaster preparedness and homeland security funding. The rule could affect over $1.9 billion in federal grants, including key programs like the Urban Area Security Initiative, which allocates $553.5 million for terrorism prevention. DHS defines a "discriminatory prohibited boycott" as refusing to engage commercially with Israeli companies or those doing business with or licensed by Israel. Recipients must certify compliance under penalty of perjury; violations can result in suspended payments, terminated awards and repayment demands. The anti-boycott clause is part of broader DHS conditions banning programs that promote DEI initiatives or benefit undocumented immigrants. The Trump administration has announced a new policy requiring U.S. states and cities to certify they do not boycott Israeli companies to receive federal disaster preparedness funding. In an updated grant guidelines on Aug. 1, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) stated that recipients must pledge not to sever "commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies" to qualify for critical emergency preparedness grants. The new requirement could impact at least $1.9 billion in funding used to support vital services, including search-and-rescue operations, emergency management staff salaries and infrastructure like backup power systems. (Related: Calls to boycott tech company Stripe after CEO posts about recent visit to Israel.) At least 34 states already have anti-Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) legislation or policies in place, limiting the practical impact of the FEMA requirement for now. However, cities or counties within those states with opposing views on Israel could face tough choices. Under one grant program, the Urban Area Security Initiative, cities must comply with the new policy to access $553.5 million in terrorism prevention funding. New York City stands to receive the largest portion, $92.2 million, based on FEMA's assessment of terrorism risk. "DHS will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the BDS movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism," a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem said. DHS bars grant recipients from boycotting Israel under new funding rules The policy is in line with the DHS's announcement in April that states and cities receiving its grant funding are prohibited from boycotting Israel. According to the Fiscal Year 2025 DHS Standard Terms and Conditions, the stipulation prohibits a "discriminatory prohibited boycott," defined as a refusal to deal with Israeli companies or companies doing business with Israel or those licensed or authorized by the Israeli government. To receive and maintain DHS funding, recipients must certify under penalty of perjury that they do not engage in such boycotts and will not do so during the term of the award. The requirement applies to all federal funds administered by DHS and FEMA, including homeland security and disaster preparedness grants. By accepting the award, recipients certify that they do not and will not operate programs that engage in discriminatory boycotts against Israel or Israeli-affiliated companies. If a recipient is found to have violated this clause, DHS reserves the right to suspend payments, terminate awards and demand the return of any disbursed funds. The anti-boycott clause appears in Section XVII of the DHS conditions under the heading "Anti-Discrimination," alongside prohibitions on promoting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs and operating any programs that benefit undocumented immigrants. Visit WWIII.news for more stories related to the conflict between Israel and Hamas. Watch this clip of BDS protesters removing products that support Israel from grocery shelves in Northern Ireland. This video is from the Cynthia's Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Netanyahu promises to turn Gaza into "rubble" following Hamas attack they will pay "unprecedented price." Hamas to boycott ceasefire negotiations as long as Israel continues killing Palestinians in Rafah. University of California students exclude Jewish student representative from voting on Israel boycott while accusing him of being part of a 'Jewish agenda.' ALONE IN THE DESERT: South Africa, Chad join DIPLOMATIC BOYCOTT of Israel, adding to the growing list of countries protesting against Israel's genocide in Gaza. Turkey's Erdogan warns of "spiral of violence" in phone call with Israel's Herzog. Sources include: InformationLiberation.com USAToday.com DHS.gov Brighteon.com FBI expands global reach with New Zealand office amid escalating surveillance concerns FBI Office Significance: The FBI's new standalone office in Wellington signifies deeper integration with Five Eyes intelligence partners, contradicting promises to reduce the "deep state" and suggesting expanded activities beyond embassy liaisons. The FBI's new standalone office in Wellington signifies deeper integration with Five Eyes intelligence partners, contradicting promises to reduce the "deep state" and suggesting expanded activities beyond embassy liaisons. Covert Operations Concerns: Critics suspect the office, officially for cybercrime/terrorism, enables broader covert operations like unauthorized surveillance and drone strikes, institutionalizing programs similar to past Operation Iron Sands. Critics suspect the office, officially for cybercrime/terrorism, enables broader covert operations like unauthorized surveillance and drone strikes, institutionalizing programs similar to past Operation Iron Sands. Geopolitical Focus on China: The timing suggests the office supports US positioning against China, leveraging New Zealand's location to monitor China's Belt and Road and potentially enable AI targeting for Pacific operations. The timing suggests the office supports US positioning against China, leveraging New Zealand's location to monitor China's Belt and Road and potentially enable AI targeting for Pacific operations. Contradictory Expansion & Interests: This expansion clashes with rhetoric about reducing federal overreach, instead reflecting influence by military-industrial and geopolitical interests amid US military overextension in other conflicts. This expansion clashes with rhetoric about reducing federal overreach, instead reflecting influence by military-industrial and geopolitical interests amid US military overextension in other conflicts. Risks & Need for Scrutiny: Prather warns this normalizes unchecked surveillance and dangerous military escalations, like increased reliance on nuclear posturing, demanding public discourse on the FBI's global role. The FBI is establishing a standalone office in New Zealand, a move critics argue signals deeper integration with the Five Eyes intelligence alliance while contradicting promises to dismantle the "deep state." The office, ostensibly focused on combating cybercrime and terrorism, is suspected of enabling broader covert operations, including drone strikes and geopolitical posturing against China. Five Eyes Alignment Covert Surveillance Former DEA/DIA officer Jeffrey Prather, a vocal critic of the expansion, notes that the FBIs new standalone office in Wellington signifies an "enhanced long-standing cooperation with key Five Eyes partners"the intelligence-sharing bloc comprising the U.S., U.K., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Historically, FBI liaisons operated within embassies, but this dedicated facility suggests escalated activities, possibly tied to military targeting and autonomous AI-driven nuclear threat assessments. Prather points to Operation Iron Sands, a previously exposed U.S. military spying program in New Zealands Waihopai region, which facilitated unapproved satellite surveillance for drone strikes. The FBIs new office, he alleges, may institutionalize such covert operations, masking them under law enforcement cooperation. Geopolitical Posturing and China Tensions The timing raises eyebrows. The U.S. is embroiled in proxy conflicts with Russia and Iran while positioning against Chinaa strategy Prather links to Trumps ambition to "defeat Chinese communism." New Zealands proximity to the Pacific makes it a logistical hub for monitoring Chinas Belt and Road Initiative, which bypasses U.S.-controlled naval routes. Prather warns the FBIs presence could support: AI-driven targeting for potential nuclear submarine operations. Controversial drone strikes in regions like Gaza, Pakistan, or Yemen. Covert ops shielded by diplomatic cover, akin to Pine Gaps NSA facilities in Australia. Moral and Strategic Fallout The expansion clashes with Trumps campaign rhetoric of reducing federal overreach. Instead, Prather argues, it reflects capitulation to Greater Israel proponents and the military-industrial complex. Meanwhile, U.S. military overextensiondepleted munitions stockpiles from Ukraine and Israelheightens reliance on nuclear posturing, a dangerous gambit given Russias Poseidon drone capabilities and Chinas naval expansion. Public discourse, Prather stresses, must confront the FBIs role in "global cabal" operationsor risk normalizing unchecked surveillance and military escalations. Watch the full episode of the "Health Ranger Report" with Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, and Jeffrey Prather as they reveal shocking truths about the FBIs international deep state spying operations to prepare for WAR WITH CHINA. This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Cold War escalates as China arms Iran with advanced missiles, refuting U.S. narratives of Irans containment US-China tensions explode as US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth warns of imminent war Trump orders nuclear submarine repositioning amid escalating tensions with Russia Sources include: Brighteon.com JeffreyPrather.com JLR CEO Adrian Mardell retires amid industry upheaval Adrian Mardell, a 30-year veteran of Jaguar Land Rover and CEO since 2023, is stepping down amid ongoing brand and business upheaval. He led the rebranding of the company to "JLR" and elevated Range Rover, Defender and Discovery as standalone marques. Under Mardell, Jaguar pivoted toward becoming a high-end EV brand, discontinuing all legacy models and preparing a new luxury EV lineup starting above $100,000 a move met with skepticism and poor market reception. Jaguar's attempt to embrace progressive, identity-focused marketing targeting younger, more diverse audiences failed dramatically, contributing to a 97 percent drop in sales and positioning JLR as a cautionary tale of "woke" marketing missteps. While Land Rover models like Range Rover and Defender remain profitable, delays in launching electric versions and softening demand cast doubt on JLR's electric transition and future competitiveness. Geopolitical factors, including U.S. tariffs on U.K. and Slovakian-built vehicles, are complicating JLR's restructuring efforts, adding pressure as the company seeks a successor to Mardell and tries to regain stable footing. Adrian Mardell, the longtime Jaguar Land Rover executive who led the company's dramatic rebranding as simply "JLR," is stepping down after two years of being a CEO and more than three decades at the automaker. Mardell, who joined the company in 1990, became chief financial officer in 2018 and was appointed CEO in 2023 following the resignation of Thierry Bollore. Under his leadership, JLR clawed back profitability after a turbulent stretch during the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic and began a far-reaching transformation of its brand identity and business strategy. His tenure marked a departure from Jaguar Land Rover's traditional structure. Mardell spearheaded a plan to market Range Rover, Defender and Discovery as distinct brands under the simplified JLR umbrella, to align the company with premium automakers that treat nameplates like Porsche or Mercedes-Benz sub-brands. Yet Mardell's retirement comes as JLR faces stiff headwinds. Jaguar, once a pillar of British automotive heritage, has pivoted toward becoming a high-end electric vehicle brand. The company ceased production of all existing Jaguar models last year and teased a new lineup of EVs expected to start above $100,000. The relaunch has been met with skepticism, with its accompanying marketing campaign widely ridiculed and a broader luxury EV market cooling amid consumer hesitation and high costs. Meanwhile, the Land Rover side of the business is on firmer ground. Range Rover and Defender models remain strong sellers and key sources of profit. Still, challenges loom there as well: The first electric Range Rover has been delayed until next year amid reports of soft demand, raising questions about JLR's electric future. Geopolitical concerns are also weighing on the company's global strategy. A U.S. tariff structure places a 10 percent duty on the first 100,000 U.K.-built vehicles exported annually, relatively low, but most Defender and Discovery models are made in Slovakia, making them subject to a 15 percent tariff. Such hurdles add complexity to JLR's already ambitious restructuring efforts. Despite all this upheaval, Mardell's retirement leaves JLR without a named successor. Jaguar's woke rebrand backfires JLR has become a prominent example of "woke suicide." Over the past decade, the company attempted to pivot toward women and younger, more progressive audiences. In doing so, Jaguar embraced diversity marketing, featuring trans and androgynous models in campaigns designed to appeal to Millennials and Gen Z consumers. However, this rebranding failed spectacularly, culminating in a 97 percent drop in sales. The strategy faltered because it aimed luxury products at an audience with minimal purchasing power, primarily online activists lacking financial means. Ultimately, companies like Jaguar miscalculated the influence and size of the woke demographic, falling victim to their own marketing illusions and activist-driven narratives. (Related: Get woke, go broke: Jaguar sales plunge 97.5% amid controversial rebrand.) In turn, Tyler Durden concluded in his article for Zero Hedge that JLR, like many other "woke" companies, "hit a wall." "Progressive companies have hit a wall they did not expect: They did not consider the fact that they can bombard the public with propaganda but they can't force the public to buy their products. And, with government subsidies drying up, they must now rely solely on consumers to keep them financially afloat. Wokeness is over, and the free market wins again," Durden wrote. Visit Wokies.news for more stories related to the woke agenda. Watch Benny Johnson commenting on Jaguar's woke ad and noting how the car brand went the same path as Bud Light. This video is from the Sanivan channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: Mastermind behind disastrous Jaguar 'rebrand' is a BLM-supporting LGBT activist. Marketing director responsible for WOKE Jaguar rebrand is also an LGBT activist who supports Black Lives Matter. Jaguar recalls nearly 6,400 electric vehicles due to high risk of batteries catching fire when they overheat. Jaguar's parent company experiences stock price drop following WOKE rebranding. Jaguar Land Rover temporarily shuts down two factories in the UK due to semiconductor chip shortage. Sources include: ZeroHedge.com Motor1.com Brighteon.com Federal judge upholds constitutionality of Rhode Islands gun permit law A federal judge upheld the "constitutionality" of Rhode Island's concealed carry permitting system, rejecting claims that it violates the Second Amendment. Michael O'Neil and others sued in 2023 after being denied permits, arguing the law improperly restricts their right to carry firearms for self-defense. Plaintiffs cited the 2022 Bruen decision, which struck down New York's "special need" requirement for carry permits and emphasized historical consistency in gun regulations. Judge William Smith ruled that Rhode Island's law fits within historical firearm regulation traditions, noting it limits open carry while preserving concealed carry rights. The plaintiffs plan to appeal to the First Circuit, while the Attorney General's Office welcomed the decision and vowed to continue defending the state's gun laws. A federal judge has ruled that Rhode Island's gun permitting system does not violate the U.S. Constitution, rejecting a lawsuit brought by residents who claimed the state's concealed carry requirements infringe on their Second Amendment rights. In September 2023, Michael O'Neil and several other residents filed a lawsuit against Rhode Island, arguing that the system unfairly restricts their right to carry firearms for self-defense. They claimed their applications for new or renewed permits were denied by the attorney general because they failed to prove a specific need. The plaintiffs cited Bruen, which struck down a similar "special need" requirement in New York. That decision held that Americans have a constitutional right to carry firearms in public for self-defense and required gun regulations to align with historical traditions of firearm regulation. (Related: Philadelphia's Democrat mayor signs gun ban that applies to concealed carry permit holders.) However, U.S. District Judge William Smith ruled on Aug. 1 that Rhode Island's permitting framework is "within the Nation's historical tradition of regulation," referencing standards set by the U.S. Supreme Court in its landmark 2022 ruling in New York State Rifle and Pistol Association v. Bruen. Rhode Island law allows both the state attorney general and local municipal officials to issue concealed carry permits. The attorney general's office may grant a permit if an applicant makes a "proper showing of need," while local authorities must issue one if the applicant can demonstrate a credible threat or another valid reason and is deemed "suitable." "Plaintiffs' argument to the contrary is foreclosed by Bruen itself," Smith wrote. "There, the Supreme Court concluded that 'the historical evidence from antebellum America does demonstrate that the manner of public carry was subject to reasonable regulation.' And it drew that conclusion, in part, from its finding that historically, 'States could lawfully eliminate one kind of public carry, concealed carry, so long as they left open the option to carry openly.' The Firearms Act, through its permitting structure, does just this, albeit in reverse: it regulates Plaintiffs' manner of public carry in that it limits their right to open carry but leaves unaffected their right to concealed carry." Plaintiffs vow to challenge the ruling In response to the ruling, Frank Saccoccio, the attorney for O'Neil, said on Monday, Aug. 4, that they plan to challenge the ruling in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit. "We do not agree with his reasoning as it is not in line with the Bruen decision," Saccoccio said. "We will be appealing his decision." Meanwhile, Tim Rondeau, a spokesperson for Attorney General Peter Neronha, said the office is "grateful for the court's decision, reaffirming the constitutionality of Rhode Island's permitting system for the public carry of handguns." "This decision fully resolves this case in the State's favor, though it remains subject to possible appeal," Rondeau said. "The attorney general will continue to vigorously defend Rhode Island's gun violence prevention laws to ensure the public safety of all Rhode Islanders." Check out SecondAmendment.news for more stories related to Americans' constitutional right to bear arms. Watch the video below that talks about having no more right to carry weapons in Hawaii. This video is from Alex Hammer's channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: NRA warns of ATF's gun control proposal, which unjustly criminalizes those selling firearms to family members or friends. Another win for the Second Amendment: Oregon judge rules that Ballot Measure 114 VIOLATES state constitution. Georgia becomes 25th state to allow residents carry handgun without permit. 21 states sue Biden over cancellation of Keystone XL pipeline permit. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com CourtHouseNews.com Brighteon.com New Jersey secures record $2 billion PFAS settlement with DuPont, Chemours and Corteva New Jersey reached a $2 billion agreement with DuPont, Chemours and Corteva to address PFAS ("forever chemicals") contamination the largest environmental settlement in state history. The deal includes $875 million over 25 years for natural resource restoration, $1.2 billion for site remediation and a $475 million reserve fund to protect taxpayers in case of company insolvency. The companies will clean up contamination at four key sites (Pompton Lakes, Parlin, Repauno and Chambers Works) and resolve all legacy PFAS claims, including those tied to firefighting foam use. Chemours will pay 50 percent of the settlement, DuPont 35.5 percent and Corteva 14.5 percent, with payments beginning no earlier than January 1, 2026. DuPont and Corteva will also purchase Chemours' rights to certain PFAS-related insurance proceeds for $150 million. The DuPont deal follows a separate $450 million agreement with 3M, announced in May, to resolve similar PFAS contamination claims at several New Jersey sites. 3M has pledged to stop PFAS production by the end of 2025. New Jersey has secured a $2 billion agreement with three major chemical companies, DuPont, Chemours and Corteva, to address the widespread contamination caused by per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) also known as "forever chemicals." Under the terms of the settlement, the companies will pay $875 million over 25 years to support the restoration of damaged natural resources and the abatement of PFAS contamination. In addition, $1.2 billion will be set aside in a dedicated remediation fund to finance the cleanup of PFAS pollution at affected sites across the state. To safeguard taxpayers, a separate $475 million reserve fund will also be established to ensure financial coverage if any of the companies declare bankruptcy or fail to meet their payment obligations. The agreement also compels the companies to clean up PFAS contamination at four key sites where they previously operated: Pompton Lakes Works, Parlin, Repauno and Chambers Works. The companies acknowledged the settlement in a joint statement, confirming that it resolves all legacy PFAS contamination claims tied to their operations, including the use of aqueous film-forming foam (AFFF), a fire suppressant known to contain PFAS compounds. (Related: Forever no more? Scientists discover new, low-cost way to break down certain types of "forever chemicals.") Per the financial arrangement, Chemours, which was spun off from DuPont in 2015, will cover 50 percent of the payments, DuPont will contribute 35.5 percent and Corteva, a 2019 spinoff from DowDuPont's agriculture division, will pay 14.5 percent. Payments under the settlement are scheduled to begin no earlier than Jan. 1, 2026. In a related transaction, DuPont and Corteva will jointly purchase Chemours' rights to certain insurance proceeds related to PFAS claims for $150 million, pending judicial approval. The landmark deal, announced on Aug. 4 by New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette, resolves decades of environmental damage linked to PFAS contamination across the state. "Polluters who place profit above public well-being by releasing poisonous PFAS and other contamination in our State can expect to be held responsible to clean up their mess and fully compensate the State and its citizens for the precious natural resources theyve damaged or destroyed," LaTourette stated. 3M to pay up to $450 million in a similar New Jersey PFAS settlement The agreement follows New Jersey's $450 million settlement with chemical manufacturer 3M, reached just months earlier, to resolve allegations that the company contaminated the state's water and natural resources with PFAS chemicals. On May 13, the settlement resolves a trio of lawsuits filed by the state in 2019, which accused 3M of polluting water and other natural resources at several sites, including the Chambers Works facility in Salem County and the Parlin facility in Middlesex County. The third complaint, also filed in 2019, alleged 3M violated the state's Consumer Fraud Act by manufacturing and selling products that either contained or degraded into PFAS. The settlement will be paid out over 25 years, with approximately $275 million to $325 million scheduled between 2026 and 2034 and the remainder distributed through 2050. It also resolves 3M's liability under a 2019 directive issued by the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, which held the company responsible for statewide PFAS contamination. In its statement released May 12, 3M confirmed the agreement and emphasized its commitment to ending PFAS production by the end of 2025, saying it was "on track to do so." The company described the settlement as a way to "reduce risk and uncertainty on these legacy issues" and said it enables 3M to focus on its "strategic priorities." Notably, the state acknowledged that 3M "has taken actions, which other companies have not taken, to cease manufacturing" PFAS. Visit Chemicals.news for similar stories. Watch a feature on the poisonous dangers of forever chemicals. This video is from the Daily videos channel on Brighteon.com. More related stories: CHEMICAL COVER-UP: EPA's plan to regulate wastewater pollution DOES NOT deal with "forever chemicals." Chemical giants hid dangers of "forever chemicals" in food packaging for more than a decade. Study finds harmful "forever chemicals" in wristbands. Toxic "forever chemicals" are contaminating Florida oysters. Forever chemicals in farmland sludge threaten health, EPA admits. Sources include: TheEpochTimes.com 1 TheEpochTimes.com 2 Brighteon.com Organ harvesting abuse triggers bipartisan outrage: RFK Jr. launches federal overhaul after shocking case of patient waking during surgery RFK Jr. demands immediate end to organ harvesting from non-deceased patients. Case uncovered where patient regained consciousness during organ removal, later died. HHS revokes controversial organ-procurement contracts after systemic ethics violations. Kentucky nonprofit highlighted in federal probe exploited patients in 73 medically questionable cases. Kennedy vows direct federal oversight to replace rotten oversight system. Department Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. this week announced urgent reforms to overhaul Americas organ transplant system following a federal probe that exposed horrific cases of patients being harvested for organs while still showing signs of life. The revelations, including documented instances of donors regaining consciousness during procedures, have triggered bipartisan outrage and urgent calls for accountability. Kennedys emergency measures direct federal oversight, private-chaos and the cancellation of organ-recovery contracts reflect a radical departure from the lax oversight critics say prioritized profit over human life. Reforming organ transplant system amid horrifying findings The scandal came to light through a Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) review of Louisville-based nonprofit Network for Hope, which revealed concerning features in 103 out of 351 unresolved donation cases. At least 28 showed irregularities suggesting donors may not have been legally deceased, while 73 displayed neurological signs incompatible with organ donation. One case stood out: a donor who was revived during surgery, briefed by family litigation, who was later returned to a hospital and died only after organ removal. Hospitals began organ harvesting while patients still showed signs of life. Thats horrifying and it ends now, Kennedy declared in a viral social media post. In a Newsmax interview, he described a capture of the Organ Recovery and Logistics (ORL) sector, where regulators and organ-harvesting contractors ironically overlapped, allowing abuse to flourish unchecked. This systemic breakdown, Kennedy asserted, stemmed from a culture of unethical profit-making. Organ procurement organizations became self-policed, he said, adding, Some states were a nightmare. It was sickening to read these stories. Kentucky case ignites federal intervention The horror of living donors surfaced most dramatically in a 2021 incident detailed in a New York Times investigation. After a Kentucky man was erroneously declared brain-dead from an overdose, surgeons moved to harvest his organs before discovering he was still responsivemoaning and moving moments before organ removal began. The patient survived but highlighted a chilling pattern of rushed, error-prone protocols. The HRSA probe linked such failures to smaller hospitals in rural areas, where access to advanced neurological testing was limited. Kennedys reforms now require mandatory brain-death confirmation via imaging in all cases, combined with punitive decertification for noncompliance. A broader assault on systemic ethics failures Kennedys crackdown extends beyond individual cases. He announced HHS will assume direct control of transplant system oversight and dissolve the conflicted ORL, calling it rotten to the core. The move marks the first federal takeover of organ procurement since 1984. Its time to rebuild the system from the ground up, Kennedy emphasized. Were stopping relying on outsourced contractors. This will be run the HHS way with medicine, not money, driving the agenda. Critics of the status quo agree. Dr. James Winters, a bioethicist at Johns Hopkins, stated: The profit-driven model turned donors into product. RFK Jr.s federal mandate is the only way to restore medical integrity. A new era for medical integrity? As Kennedys reforms take hold, Americans face critical questions: Can federal authorities effectively supervise a system long plagued by corruption and commercialization? Will the public trust institutions like HHS to prioritize life over bureaucratic inertia? The stakes are nothing less than the moral foundation of modern medicine. Kennedys broadside attack on organ-harvesting abuses mirrors his earlier battles for vaccine transparency, framing this moment as part of a broader crusade. Truth always wins, he tweeted Sunday, and truth will rebuild this system. For now, patients families and medical ethicists alike hope hes rightbefore another living donor pays with their life for the systems failures. Sources for this article include: YourNews.com X.com NewsNationNow.com Russia abandons INF Treaty restraints, threatens new arms race as U.S. allies deploy missiles Russia formally abandons the INF Treaty, citing U.S. and allied missile deployments as justification. The 1987 treaty collapsed after U.S. withdrawal in 2019, with Moscow accusing Washington of violating arms control agreements. U.S. missile tests in the Philippines and Australia, including the MRC, Typhon and PrSM systems, trigger Russian warnings. Former Russian President Medvedev warns of a "new reality," while Putin links treaty collapse to eroding global security. Analysts caution the move could escalate a nuclear arms race, with no immediate diplomatic resolution in sight. Russia has formally withdrawn from compliance with the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, declaring itself unfettered to deploy intermediate-range missiles as U.S. allies expand military cooperation, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced Monday. The move marks the definitive end of the Cold War-era accord banning ground-launched missiles with ranges of 5005,500 kilometers, a cornerstone of global arms control that collapsed after the U.S. withdrew in 2019 during President Trump's first term. "The conditions for maintaining a 'unilateral moratorium' no longer exist," the Russian Foreign Ministry stated, accusing Western nations of deploying banned-class systems such as the U.S.-supplied Typhon missile launchers in the Philippines and testing Lockheed Martins Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) in Australia. Russias announcement follows weeks of escalating rhetoric, including warnings from former President Dmitry Medvedev that adversaries face a "new reality" if the Kremlin expands its arsenal. INF Treatys decline and collapse The INF Treaty, signed in 1987 by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev, eliminated an entire category of nuclear-capable missiles, easing Cold War tensions. Its demise, however, has been years in the making. The U.S. accused Russia of violating the pact for decades, most notably with the 9M729 cruise missile. In December 2019, Washington formally exited the treaty, citing Russias refusal to return to compliance. Moscow denied wrongdoing and mirrored the withdrawal, adopting a "moratorium" on deploying INF-class missiles only so long as the U.S. did not. Now, Russias Ministry argues that U.S. actions in the Pacific have nullified this restraint. The Philippines deployed U.S.-manufactured Typhon launchers capable of firing Tomahawk cruise missiles (range 1,800km) in 2024, while Julys Exercise Talisman Sabre saw Australian forces test the INF-banned PrSM. "Western militarism has created a direct threat to Russian security," the ministry asserted, signaling readiness to "take appropriate measures." Medvedevs bluster and Trumps submarine gambit Former Russian president Medvedev amplified Kremlin warnings, branding the INFs collapse a consequence of "NATOs anti-Russian expansionism." His X (formerly Twitter) posts fueled tensions with Washington, sparking a public feud with Trump. After the U.S. shortened its ceasefire deadline for Russia, Medvedev called Trumps ultimatums "steps toward war." In response, Trump ordered two nuclear-armed submarines to patrol Pacific waters "just in case these foolish statements are more than words," per a White House statement. Analysts dismissed Medvedevs persona as calculated provocation. "Hes performing a role as the hawkish enforcer, not a strategist," said Mark Galeotti, a former NATO advisor. "His aim is to enrage Western audiences into overreaction." Global security concerns: A new arms race takes shape With INF restrictions gone, Russia is accelerating development of weapons like the Oreshnik intermediate-range missile, set for deployment to Belarus by year-end. Analysts warn this could outpace U.S. capabilities. "Russias lead in INF-capable systems could destabilize European and Asian theaters," said William Alberque, a Pacific Forum expert. China, a non-signatory to the INF Treaty, has quietly gained influence, with analysts noting Beijings growing arsenal of conventionally armed missiles in the Indo-Pacific. Meanwhile, U.S. allies are modernizing arsenals: Japan plans 55km anti-air systems, while the U.S. fields the PrSM. "Everyones going to start racing to fill the INF vacuum," warned former Pentagon official Steve Ganyard. "Diplomacy is scarce, and the technology is cheap." A world without restraints The INF Treatys death leaves a security framework in tatters. Russias military plans, paired with Medvedevs incendiary rhetoric and Trumps muscular posturing, signal heightened risks of miscalculation. For now, only one thing is certain: the rules of the Cold War no longer apply. As diplomatic channels grow colder, the world is left to wonder how many red lines remainand who will test them next. Sources for this article include: RT.com NBCNews.com Newsweek.com Photo: https://t.me/svyrydenkoy/ The Cabinet of Ministers has updated the procedure for providing assistance to defenders who have returned from Russian captivity, Prime Minister Yulia Svirydenko announced. "Servicemen who have returned from Russian captivity must have access to comprehensive state support. Today, the government updated the procedure for providing assistance to our defenders who have returned home. We have taken into account the experience of the security and defense forces to make the reintegration process more systematic and sensitive to the needs of people. We are expanding the initial medical examination upon return - in particular, we are increasing the volume of medical services and ensuring that the consequences of injuries and wounds are recorded. We are also introducing a more effective mechanism to prevent the spread of infections," Svirydenko said on Telegram on Wednesday. She also said that the day before, at a working meeting with representatives of public organizations, they talked about how to ensure that all Heroes who were captured received exactly the assistance that meets their needs. Photo: https://www.facebook.com/orbanviktor Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban has stressed the importance of not providing more aid to refugees from Ukraine than unemployed Hungarian citizens receive, in order to safeguard the interests of Hungarians. "There is no such thing as free money. So if a Hungarian receives unemployment benefits for three months and then has to participate in community service, then, my dear Ukrainian friend, you can also only receive as much as we have," Orban said in a video message posted on X on Wednesday. He also noted that if a country is attacked, as happened to Ukraine, "then if you can, you must help." "Tens of thousands of refugees began to leave there every day, we accepted them all, we helped them all. And today there are tens of thousands of Ukrainians in Hungary. Yes, it is true that we are the only country that said that you can only receive as much assistance from the state as a Hungarian receives," Orban said. In a comment to the video address, he added that "we have provided assistance to thousands of those in need and continue to do so today." "Our duty is clear: to provide assistance, but never to compromise the interests of Hungarians. This is a balance that we must maintain," Orban said. In 2023, 34,300 thousand Ukrainian refugees were registered in Hungary, in 2024 their number decreased to 31,000. Due to scheduled maintenance from Saturday, March 15, 2025, at 10 PM to Sunday, March 16, 2025, at 2 AM, there may be interruptions for our News Gazette Digital subscribers. During this time frame, please click on any News Gazette website content without logging into your News Gazette Digital subscription account. Thank you for your patience during this scheduled maintenance. Champaign, IL (61820) Today Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 49F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. The deliberate destruction of health services and systems as an act of war should be termed 'healthocide' and medical practitioners should call out and stand firm against this weaponization of healthcare, insists a thought-provoking commentary published in the open access journal BMJ Global Health. Silence implies complicity and approval, and undermines international humanitarian law as well as medical and professional ethics, say Dr. Joelle Abi-Rached and colleagues of the American University of Beirut, Lebanon. Although they refer to other conflicts in El Salvador, Ukraine, Sudan, and Syria, the authors focus primarily on the impact of armed conflict on healthcare in Lebanon and Gaza. Data from Lebanon's Ministry of Public Health show that between 8 October 2023 and 27 January 2025, 217 healthcare workers were killed by the Israel Defense Forces; 177 ambulances were damaged; 68 attacks on hospitals were recorded; and 237 attacks on emergency medical services took place, they say. Israel's military operations in Gaza since October 7, 2023 have resulted in at least 986 medical workers' deaths: 165 doctors; 260 nurses; 184 health associates; 76 pharmacists; 300 management and support staff; and 85 civil defence workers, they add. "Both in Gaza and Lebanon, healthcare facilities have not only been directly targeted, but access to care has also been obstructed, including incidents where ambulances have been prevented from reaching the injured, or deliberately attacked," note the authors. "What is becoming clear is that healthcare workers and facilities are no longer afforded the protection guaranteed by international humanitarian law," they add. Yet faced with such wanton destruction, doctors have done little, the authors suggest. "These attacks have been met with astounding silence or, at best, terse and often belated statements from American, European, or Israeli medical associations, professional groups, and journals," they point out. "Are medical doctors ready to forsake the principle of medical neutrality, first forged amidst the carnage of 19th century wars and profoundly reshaped following the liberation of Nazi death camps in 1945? And if so, at what cost?" they ask. "As difficult as this question is, it is one that physicians must address as they grapple with the normalisation of healthcare's weaponisation in a world where warfare has changed dramatically, marked by the use of Artificial Intelligence for mass killing, the reliance on drones and killing robots, the deployment of internationally banned weapons, which carry devastating public health and ecological consequences, and, of course, the looming threat of nuclear weapons," they write. The 'normalisation' of healthcare attacks has increased alarmingly over the past few years, say the authors. "But what we are witnessing today is more pernicious than mere normalisation of such attacks, something that could be described as 'healthocide': the deliberate killing and/or destruction of health services and systems for ideological purposes." Normalising or excusing healthocide sets a dangerous precedent, the authors argue, as it emboldens future violators and erodes the principle of medical neutrality, which is essential for ensuring impartial and humane care during conflict. "Medical neutrality is not 'apolitical'; for us it means standing with humanity, social justice, and health-enabling policies, they add. The actions medical practitioners must take include advocating for enforcement of justice and international humanitarian law; and documenting and exposing abuses to medical neutrality by both state and non-state actors, insist the authors. "Rather than passively observe the erosion and normalisation of the weaponisation of health and healthcare, [we call] for critical reflection and decisive action, underscoring that silence implies complicity, approval, or the toleration of double-standards - all of which stand in clear opposition to international humanitarian law and medical deontology [ethics]," they conclude. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, during a telephone conversation with Brazilian President's Special Assistant for International Affairs Celso Amorim, has exchanged views on the "crisis in Ukraine," with Wang noting that "the crisis settlement process is now at a crucial stage," the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said. "Russia and Ukraine have taken an important step forward by starting negotiations. The crisis settlement process is now at a crucial stage," he said. The foreign minister added that China and Pakistan can continue to maintain communication and make joint efforts to promote the "Friends of Peace" group to further consolidate the consensus of the global South on "ceasefire, end war, believe in the need for peace and promote negotiations to play their role in the political settlement of the crisis." In a revealing Genomic Press Interview published today in Brain Medicine, Professor Philip Hyland describes his extraordinary journey from personal struggles with anxiety to becoming one of the world's foremost authorities on posttraumatic stress disorders. The interview illuminates how his groundbreaking research on Complex PTSD fundamentally changed World Health Organization diagnostic criteria, directly impacting how clinicians worldwide assess and treat trauma survivors. From personal crisis to scientific revolution Professor Hyland's path to scientific prominence began unexpectedly during what he describes as a "tough time personally" in his late teens and early twenties. Despite experiencing none of the typical risk factors for mental health problems, he found himself profoundly anxious, depressed, and unhappy. This personal crisis became the catalyst for a career that would reshape global understanding of trauma psychology. "I was lucky enough to want to figure out what was wrong with me, to understand why I had become so unhappy," Professor Hyland reveals in the interview. This drive for understanding led him to psychology, where he discovered that science could be applied to understanding how people think and feel. His fascination with the human mind, combined with his admission that "you did not have to be brilliant at maths to be a psychologist," steered him away from his childhood interests in physics and astronomy toward a field where he would make unprecedented contributions. Challenging clinical orthodoxy Perhaps most controversially, Professor Hyland champions what many in his field consider heretical: prioritizing self-report measures over clinician judgments when assessing psychological symptoms. "I have an idea that most people in my field think is crazy," he states, "which is that if you want to know what a person is experiencing, it is better to rely on a self-report from that person than on a clinician's judgement of what that person is experiencing." This revolutionary stance challenges decades of clinical tradition and has positioned Professor Hyland at the forefront of developing innovative measurement tools. His International Trauma Questionnaire, now used globally, exemplifies this patient-centered approach to psychological assessment. The tool's widespread adoption demonstrates how challenging conventional wisdom can lead to practical improvements in clinical practice. Expanding boundaries of grief research Professor Hyland's recent expansion into grief research showcases his commitment to addressing overlooked aspects of human suffering. His latest work validates that people can develop prolonged grief disorder following the death of a pet, despite current diagnostic manuals not recognizing this possibility. "That irritated me, so I had to do some work on it," he explains, demonstrating his characteristic drive to challenge limitations in current psychological understanding. This willingness to explore unconventional territories extends to his co-leadership of Ireland's first major sexual violence prevalence study since 2002, addressing critical societal issues through rigorous scientific methodology. Such work illustrates how Professor Hyland combines scientific excellence with social responsibility, using research to illuminate pressing public health concerns. The science of serendipity Throughout the interview, Professor Hyland attributes much of his success to "extraordinary good luck," describing his career trajectory as "winning the lottery over and over and over again." From his fortuitous pairing with supervisor Professor Mark Shevlin, whom he calls "the most intelligent and nicest person I have ever met," to his current position at Maynooth University, he emphasizes the role of chance encounters and supportive colleagues. Yet this modesty belies the systematic excellence of his work. With 19,898 citations across more than 340 publications and recognition including the 2023 Early Career Achievement Award at Maynooth University, Professor Hyland's impact stems from rigorous methodology and innovative thinking rather than mere fortune. His role as Deputy Statistical Editor for the Journal of Traumatic Stress and Chair of the International Trauma Consortium further demonstrates his field's recognition of his expertise. Pursuit of truth above all When asked about his goals, Professor Hyland's response reflects his fundamental commitment to scientific integrity: "I never think about that. I do the work that interests me and that is important. I do it and I write it up. I never expect my work to have any impact, or even to be read by anyone." This dedication to truth over recognition aligns with his concerns about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science. "I am concerned about the influence of identity politics and social activism on science," he states. "It is so important that people trust science (with a healthy degree of scepticism, of course) and trust the process of science that gives us the best understanding we have of the way the world is." His commitment to maintaining scientific objectivity while addressing deeply personal human experiences like trauma and grief exemplifies the balance required in psychological research. Looking forward, Professor Hyland continues developing theoretical models of Complex PTSD while pioneering new measurement approaches that could transform how psychological symptoms are assessed globally. His work serves as a blueprint for how personal experience, combined with rigorous scientific methodology, can lead to discoveries that improve countless lives. This approach exemplifies the type of transformative scientific discourse found across Genomic Press's portfolio of open-access journals (https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/). Dr. Philip Hyland's Genomic Press interview is part of a larger series called Innovators & Ideas that highlights the people behind today's most influential scientific breakthroughs. Each interview in the series offers a blend of cutting-edge research and personal reflections, providing readers with a comprehensive view of the scientists shaping the future. By combining a focus on professional achievements with personal insights, this interview style invites a richer narrative that both engages and educates readers. This format provides an ideal starting point for profiles that explore the scientist's impact on the field, while also touching on broader human themes. More information on the research leaders and rising stars featured in our Innovators & Ideas -- Genomic Press Interview series can be found in our publications website: https://genomicpress.kglmeridian.com/. It's known as biology's central dogma: All living organisms' genetic information is stored in DNA, which is transcribed into RNA, which is translated into proteins that perform nearly all essential tasks in a cell. A tiny cellular machine called the ribosome builds a protein until it's signaled to stop, and the protein is released into the cell through a reaction with a water molecule. But scientists have long puzzled over one detail: If all it takes is a water molecule to release the finished protein, why doesn't it happen by accident? Now researchers at the University of Illinois Chicago have uncovered the detailed chemical mechanism behind this process. The study, published in Science, helps answer a longstanding question in biology and clarifies how all living organisms execute protein production, one of life's most essential processes. From hard drive to 3D printer DNA is like a hard drive that stores an organism's genetic information in the form of genes. Each gene contains instructions for making a specific protein, and the proteins control most of the functions in the cell, be it digestion in the gut, oxygen transfer in the blood or contraction of the muscles. But cells can't use those instructions directly. First, a copy is made in the form of messenger RNA (mRNA). Then the ribosome reads that mRNA and assembles the corresponding protein by linking amino acids together in a precise sequence. "The process of making proteins is absolutely fundamental to life" said Yury Polikanov, professor of biological sciences in the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and senior author of the study. In the cell, the ribosome and helper proteins read the "language" of nucleotides in mRNA and translate it into the "language" of amino acids in a protein. The ribosome is like a cellular 3D printer that actually receives the instructions from the genome and makes a protein." Yury Polikanov, professor of biological sciences in the UIC College of Liberal Arts and Sciences The ribosome stops "printing" a new protein once it encounters a special signal in the mRNA known as a stop codon. At that point, a dedicated helper molecule called a release factor enters the ribosome and triggers the release of the finished protein from the carrier molecule holding it, called transfer RNA (tRNA). This final step involves breaking the bond between the finished protein and the tRNA through hydrolysis, a chemical reaction with a water molecule. Knowing when to stop "printing" a protein chain is just as important as knowing when to start, Polikanov said. "The malfunctioning of this process can lead to pretty bad consequences," like the production of faulty or dangerous proteins, he said. For example, mutations in stop codons can lead to fatal conditions like cystic fibrosis or Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Getting the full picture Previously, researchers couldn't figure out exactly what was happening during this bond-breaking release process. If hydrolysis just requires water, why doesn't the bond break spontaneously from a random water molecule bouncing around? Some had guessed that the release factor carried in the water molecule was what initiated the break. However, this step happened too quickly for scientists to capture and observe. Any attempt to assemble all the components in a test tube and freeze the ribosome right before "printing" stopped would result in the protein being released, Polikanov said. Luckily, Polikanov and his lab had a trick up their sleeves. In 2022, they developed a technique to create a molecule that mimics the tRNA-protein bond but couldn't be broken by a water molecule - it is "non-hydrolyzable." Using the non-hydrolyzable mimic, Polikanov's team took detailed snapshots of the protein release reaction at near-atomic resolution with a method called X-ray crystallography. What they found changed the widely accepted textbook explanation: There are no water molecules in the right place to break the bond. Instead, the release factor causes the tRNA to change its shape just enough to unleash its hidden chemical potential. A small part of the tRNA reaches over and breaks the bond, releasing the finished protein from the ribosome. "It's actually kind of nudging or kicking the substrate so that it promotes hydrolysis itself," Polikanov said. The finding explains why the release factor is required for termination. That small nudge ensures proteins do not release prematurely and have lengths strictly defined by the corresponding genes. The protein release mechanism uncovered by UIC researchers appears to be at work across all forms of life - from bacteria to humans, Polikanov said. It also highlights the precision and elegance of the cellular machinery. "We uncovered how one of the most basic biological processes actually works," said Polikanov. "It's not just that the release factor brings the right ingredients; it repositions the existing parts so the system can finish the job by itself." Other UIC co-authors on the paper include Elena Aleksandrova and Egor Syroegin. Stress internalization is a significant risk factor for age-related cognitive decline in older Chinese Americans, according to Rutgers Health researchers. The study, published in The Journal of Prevention of Alzheimer's Disease by researchers from the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research, examined multiple risk and resilience factors associated with cognitive decline in Chinese adults older than 60. Researchers chose to study this population because older Chinese Americans are historically underrepresented in brain aging research. With the number of older Asian Americans growing significantly, it's vital to better understand the risk factors of memory decline in this understudied population." Michelle Chen, a core member of the Center for Healthy Aging Research in the Rutgers Institute for Health, Health Care Policy and Aging Research and lead author of the study Researchers said the model minority stereotype which portrays Asian Americans as consistently successful, educated and healthy is a unique factor facing this population and their mental health. In this context, Chen and colleagues said older Asian Americans may endure stress from experiencing language and cultural barriers. Other immigrant groups in the U.S. also may experience stress associated with language and cultural barriers, according to the researchers. "Stress and hopelessness may go unnoticed in aging populations, yet they play a critical role in how the brain ages," said Chen, who is also an assistant professor of neurology at Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. "Because these feelings are modifiable, our goal is for this research to inform culturally sensitive stress-reduction interventions to mitigate these feelings in older adults." The researchers analyzed data from the largest community-based cohort study on older Chinese Americans, the Population Study of ChINese Elderly (PINE), which included interviews conducted between 2011 to 2017 with more than 1,500 participants in the Chicago area. They focused on three sociobehavioral factors examined through the study: stress internalization, neighborhood or community cohesion and external stress alleviation. The researchers found that stress internalization, consisting of hopelessness or a tendency to absorb and internalize stressful experiences, showed a strong association with memory decline over three waves of the PINE study. The other factors weren't associated with a decline in memory functioning over time. This study was supported by the Rutgers-NYU Resource Center for Alzheimer's and Dementia Research in Asian and Pacific Americans, co-led by William Hu of Rutgers Institute for Health and Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School. Coauthors of the study include Yiming Ma, Charu Verma, Stephanie Bergren and William Hu of Rutgers Institute for Health. A new study from researchers at the Advanced Science Research Center at the CUNY Graduate Center (CUNY ASRC) reveals that extremely simple peptides can mimic a biological process that protects sensitive proteins from environmental stress. The findings, published today in Nature Materials, offer a promising new approach to stabilizing biomolecules like vaccines and therapeutic proteins-potentially without the need for refrigeration. The interdisciplinary study, led by Rein Ulijn, founding director of the CUNY ASRC Nanoscience Initiative and distinguished professor of chemistry at Hunter College, and co-led by Ye He, director of the CUNY ASRC Live Imaging and Bioenergetics Core facility and research associate professor with the Neuroscience Initiative, demonstrates how short peptides-just three amino acids long-can undergo liquidliquid phase separation through a drying process that enables the peptides to encapsulate proteins, protect them, and release them intact upon rehydration. Inspired by how organisms like tardigrades survive extreme dehydration, we asked whether we could replicate nature's strategy using minimal synthetic materials. To our surprise, we found that simple tripeptides could form dynamic, reversible structures that protect proteins under stress. This opens up new possibilities for protein preservation." Rein Ulijn, founding director of the CUNY ASRC Nanoscience Initiative and distinguished professor of chemistry at Hunter College In biology, cells often respond to stress by creating protective compartments through a process known as phase separation. These compartments stabilize vulnerable proteins and can dissolve again when conditions improve. The research team applied this principle to design adaptable peptide-based materials that mimic this process-offering a simple and effective alternative to conventional methods for biomolecular stabilization, which often require complex formulations and cold-chain logistics. Key findings from the study include: Tripeptides can form reversible, disordered assemblies that undergo phase separation upon drying. These assemblies solidify into porous microparticles, efficiently encapsulating proteins. Upon rehydration, the peptides release their protein cargo with preserved structural integrity. The process mimics natural protective mechanisms and provides insight into a new mode of supramolecular material formation. "The protein encapsulation was remarkably efficient," said Ye He.. "This minimalistic approach achieved a level of protection we didn't expect from such short peptide sequences." "This work not only reveals a novel mechanism of peptide self-organization but also introduces a minimalistic material platform for applications in biotechnology," added Ulijn. The implications are far-reaching. From vaccine distribution in regions without reliable refrigeration to new classes of smart, responsive materials, the study lays foundational work for both practical innovations and further scientific exploration. The research was supported primarily by the Air Force Office of Scientific Research, with additional contributions from City College of New York, Hunter College and Columbia University collaborators. A study of over 6000 patients shows how Alzheimers risk is shaped by sex and age of onset, offering clues that could change diagnosis and treatment options for millions. Study: Sex differences in clinical risk factors for Alzheimer's dementia patients with early-onset and late-onset. Image credit: Lucigerma/Shutterstock.com A recent study published in Frontiers in Global Womens Health explored sex-specific differences in the risk factors underlying Alzheimers disease (AD) in men and women, focusing on the onset-dependent subtypes separately. Introduction AD is the most common neurodegenerative condition in the world, often leading to complete disability. It is number six among causes of death in the United States. Its correlation with aging and the global increase in life expectancy poses a grave public health challenge. It is estimated that AD prevalence could triple over the next few decades. AD risk is higher in females, making up 66% of all cases. This could perhaps be explained by the reduced ability of the female brain to cope with damage and maintain cognitive function (cognitive reserve) with age. Differences in sex hormones, especially in the postmenopausal period, a longer lifespan, and sex-linked genetic susceptibility are other potential mechanisms. In the future, AD risk among women is projected at 21.2%, vs 11.6% among men. Pathologically, AD has long been linked to increased levels of plaque-forming amyloid-beta (A) protein outside the neurons, and intracellular hyperphosphorylated tau proteins that form neurofibrillary tangles. AD presentation varies largely, sometimes beginning with language deterioration or abnormalities with vision. Memory loss and behavioral changes often follow later, with impaired cognition, until patients can no longer complete the routines of daily living on their own. Only about 10% or less of patients develop early-onset AD (EOAD), before 65 years, in contrast to late-onset AD (LOAD). People who snore because of obstructive sleep apnea, have heart disease, obesity, or diabetes are more likely to develop LOAD. EOAD is more likely to occur between 45 and 65 years old, but the symptoms are unpredictable. These patients may find it hard to remember something they just learned, easily forget dates, keep asking the same questions, or struggle to find the right word. Acts of poor judgment, abnormal mood swings, or personality changes accompany this. Eventually, EOAD patients may find swallowing, speaking, or walking difficult. Given that females have multiple sex-specific risk factors for AD, the current study sought to identify the differences in their risk profiles compared to men. About the study The study included a cohort of 6,212 AD patients diagnosed between February 2016 and August 2020. The majority (~89%) had LOAD, vs EOAD in 11%. In either subtype, women comprised 60% to 65% of the cases, vs 30% to 35% of men. LOAD vs EOAD As expected, LOAD patients were older on average, at 86 years, vs 75 years in the EOAD group. EOAD patients were twice as likely to drink (27%) as LOAD patients, and more likely to have cancer or to be anxious. Down syndrome occurred in 3%, 30 times higher than for LOAD patients, while lung adenocarcinoma risk was 23-fold higher. Drugs prescribed to EOAD patients were more often cholinesterase inhibitors, second-generation antipsychotics, and memantine compared to LOAD patients. LOAD patients had a much higher risk of arteriosclerosis and congestive heart failure. Other cardiovascular risk factors were also more common, such as atrial fibrillation, insomnia, and hypertension. Osteoporosis and urinary infections were also significantly more common. Males vs females with AD Males with AD (early- or late-onset) presented more often with high blood lipids, abnormal gait, peripheral vascular disease, or obstructive sleep apnea. Down syndrome, alcohol, and memantine were other associated risk factors. Females with AD more often presented with osteoporosis, urinary infection, mild cognitive impairment, or congestive heart failure. In some onset subtypes and primarily in unadjusted analyses, higher odds of anxiety and hallucinations were observed. Hypertension was associated with males rather than females in adjusted LOAD analyses. Traumatic head injury, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and rheumatoid arthritis were also more likely in specific subtypes. Males vs females LOAD Corroborating earlier research, the findings show that males with LOAD were more likely to have metabolic or vascular disease (including high blood cholesterol, peripheral vascular disease, and obstructive sleep apnea) and pneumonia. Alcohol and tobacco use were more common, as was treatment with memantine and valproate. The picture among females was different. These patients were older, on average, and less likely to be hypertensive and to have congestive heart failure. Osteoporosis, urinary infections, and rheumatoid arthritis were also more likely. However, in adjusted analyses, hypertension was significantly less likely in females than in males. Males vs females EOAD For EOAD males, gait abnormalities were much more likely, as were peripheral vascular disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Alcohol use was also more common. Treatment was more often with cholinesterase inhibitors and memantine. Prior research also suggests that EOAD presents with gait slowing and difficulties with turning, preceding cognitive impairment. In EOAD females, the mean age was higher. These patients had a higher risk of osteoporosis and anxiety, and in unadjusted analyses, more often had strokes, with males showing higher adjusted odds, along with more infections. These conditions enhance the risk of disability and cognitive decline with AD. They are more likely to receive second-generation antipsychotics and valproate. Conclusions The study suggests that men and women have different risk markers for AD overall, as well as its subtypes. Vascular and lung conditions occur more often in males with AD, but osteoporosis is strongly linked to females. However, different risk factors are more prominent in either sex with EOAD or LOAD. Peripheral vascular disease and alcohol use are common to both forms of AD in males, suggesting the prime role of vascular dysfunction in this neurodegenerative disease. Alcohol is the most significant modifiable risk factor in dementia prevention and confers independent increases in risk for multiple other conditions. For women, osteoporosis and, in some cases, stroke-related damage may be a significant risk factor. These patterns highlight the importance of sex-specific considerations in the clinical management of EOAD and LOAD patients. This understanding is essential in developing accurate diagnostics and appropriate interventions, helping improve these patients' health outcomes. Download your PDF copy now! John-Paul Sager appreciates the care he has received at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics, but he thinks it should be easier for veterans like him to use their benefits elsewhere. Sager, a Marine Corps and Army veteran, uses his VA coverage for non-VA treatment of back injuries stemming from his military service. But he said he sometimes must make several phone calls to obtain approval to see a local chiropractor. "It seems like it takes entirely too long," he said. Many veterans live hours from VA facilities, or they need health services that aren't readily available from the VA. In such cases, the department is supposed to provide a referral and pay for private care. Critics say it often hesitates to do so. Republicans controlling Congress aim to streamline the process of obtaining what is known as community care. Two Republican senators have introduced legislation that would make it easier for rural veterans to seek care at local hospitals and clinics. The proposals would build on VA community care programs that started under Democratic President Barack Obama and were expanded in Trump's first term. The proposals would build on VA community care programs that started under Democratic President Barack Obama and were expanded in Trump's first term. Critics worry that steering veterans to private care facilities drains federal money from the VA hospital and clinic system. But supporters say veterans shouldn't be forced to travel long distances or wait months for the treatment they could obtain at local hospitals and clinics. "My main concern is for veterans, not for the VA," Sen. Kevin Cramer (R-N.D.) told KFF Health News. "I dont believe we have an obligation to sustain the bureaucracy." About 9 million veterans are enrolled in the VA health system. Last year, about 3 million of them including 1.2 million rural veterans used their benefits to cover care at non-VA facilities, according to data provided by the department. Cramer co-sponsored a bill that would allow veterans who live within 35 miles of a rural, "critical access" hospital to use VA benefits to cover care there or at affiliated clinics without referrals from VA staff. Cramer, who serves on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee, noted his state has just one VA hospital. It's in Fargo, on the state's eastern border, which is more than 400 miles by car from parts of western North Dakota. Many North Dakota veterans drive past multiple community hospitals to get to the VA hospital for treatment, he said. Meanwhile, many rural hospitals are desperate for more patients and income. "I kept thinking to myself, 'This doesn't make any sense at all,'" Cramer said. Cramer said previous laws, including the VA Mission Act, made it easier for veterans to use their benefits to cover care at community hospitals and clinics. But he said veterans still must fill out too much paperwork and obtain approval from VA staffers to use non-VA facilities. "We cant let the VA itself determine whether a veteran is qualified to receive local care," he said. U.S. Rep. Mark Takano of California, who is the top Democrat on the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said he sees the need for outside care for some veterans. But he contends Republicans are going overboard in shifting the department's money to support private health care facilities. The VA provides specialized care that responds to veterans' needs and experiences, he argues. "We must prevent funds from being siphoned away from veterans' hospitals and clinics, or VA will crumble," Takano said in a statement released by his office. "Veterans cannot afford for us to dismantle VA direct care in favor of shifting more care to the community." Some veterans advocacy groups have also expressed concerns. Jon Retzer, deputy national legislative director for the Disabled American Veterans, said the group wants to make it easier for veterans to find care. Rural and female veterans can have a particularly tough time finding appropriate, timely services at VA hospitals and clinics, he said. But the Disabled American Veterans doesn't want to see VA facilities weakened by having too much federal money diverted to private hospitals and clinics. Retzer said it's true that patients sometimes wait for VA care, but so do patients at many private hospitals and clinics. Most delays stem from staff shortages, he said, which afflict many health facilities. "This is a national crisis." Retzer said the Disabled American Veterans favors continuing to require referrals from VA physicians before veterans can seek VA-financed care elsewhere. "We want to ensure that the VA is the primary provider of that care," he said. Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has pledged to improve the community care program while maintaining the strength of the department's hospitals and clinics. The department declined a KFF Health News request to interview Collins. Marcus Lewis, CEO of First Care Health Center, which includes a hospital in Park River, North Dakota, supports Cramer's bill. Lewis is a Navy veteran who uses the VA's community care option to pay for treatment of a back injury stemming from his military service. Overall, Lewis said, the community care program has become easier to use. But the application process remains complicated, and participants must repeatedly obtain VA referrals for treatment of chronic issues, he said. "It's frustrating." Park River is a 1,400-person town about 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Its 14-bed hospital offers an array of services, including surgery, cancer care, and mental health treatment. But Lewis regularly sees a VA van picking up local veterans, some of whom travel 140 miles to Fargo for care they're entitled to receive locally. "I think a lot of folks just dont want to fight the system," he said. "They dont want to go through the extra hoops, and so theyll jump in the van, and theyll ride along." Rep. Mike Bost (R-Ill.), chairman of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, said veterans in some areas of the country have had more trouble than others in getting VA approval for care from private clinics and hospitals. Bost helped gain the House's approval for Trump's request for $34.7 billion for the community care program in 2026. Although spending on the program has gone up and down in recent years, the appropriation represents an increase of about 50% from what it was in 2025 and 2022. The Senate included similar figures for next year in its version of a military spending budget that passed Aug. 1. Bost also co-sponsored a House bill that would spell out requirements for the VA to pay for community care. Sager hopes the new proposals make life easier for veterans. The Gulf War veteran lives in the northeastern Iowa town of Denver. He travels about 15 miles to Waterloo to see a chiropractor, who treats him for back and shoulder pain from injuries he suffered while training Saudi troops in hand-to-hand combat. Sager, who remains active in the Army Reserve, also visits a Waterloo outpatient clinic run by the VA, where his primary care doctor practices. He appreciates the agency's mission, including its employment of many veterans. "You just feel like you're being taken care of by your own," he said. He believes the VA can run a strong hospital and clinic system while offering alternatives for veterans who live far from those facilities or who need care the VA can't promptly provide. The local VA doesn't offer chiropractic care, so it pays for Sager to visit the private clinic. But every few months, he needs to obtain fresh approval from the VA. That often requires several phone calls, he said. Sager is one of about a dozen veterans who use the community care program to pay for visits at Vanderloo Chiropractic Clinic, office manager Linda Gill said. Gill said the VA program pays about $34 for a typical visit, which is comparable to private insurance, but the paperwork is more burdensome. She said leaders of the chiropractic practice considered pulling out of the VA program but decided to put up with the hassles for a good cause. She wishes veterans didn't have to jump through so many hoops to obtain convenient care. "After what they've done for us? Please," she said. The mitral valve controls blood flow between the heart's left atrium and ventricle. When structural changes affect the atrium or valve, it may not close fully-causing blood to leak backwards, a condition known as atrial functional mitral regurgitation (AFMR). Common in frail or elderly patients, AFMR often leads to heart failure, and standard surgery is typically too risky due to other health issues. Transcatheter edge-to-edge repair (TEER), a minimally invasive surgery, has emerged as a low-risk treatment option for various types of mitral regurgitation. TEER has demonstrated its efficacy by lowering the mortality rate in patients with ventricular functional mitral regurgitation (VFMR). While both VFMR and AFMR affect the mitral valve, their causes differ-can TEER offer the same survival benefit in AFMR? In a large-scale collaborative study, researchers from multiple Japanese institutions-led by Assistant Professor Tomohiro Kaneko and Associate Professor Nobuyuki Kagiyama, both from the Department of Cardiovascular Biology and Medicine at the Juntendo University Graduate School of Medicine, Tokyo-evaluated the association between TEER and clinical outcomes in patients with AFMR by comparing those who underwent TEER with those who received standard medical therapy alone. The study was published in the European Heart Journal and made available online on July 09, 2025. The study was co-authored by Dr. Masanori Yamamoto (Toyohashi Heart Center) and Professor Kentaro Hayashida (Keio University School of Medicine), among other experts contributing to the registry-based research. The study included a total of 1,081 patients with AFMR, with a mean age of 80.1 8.2 years, of whom 60.5% were women. Among them, 441 patients, selected from the OCEAN-Mitral registry, underwent TEER, while the remaining 640 patients, chosen from the REVEAL-AFMR registry, were the medically managed controls. The research team used a statistical technique called propensity score-based overlap weighting to balance the characteristics of both groups, enabling an accurate estimation of treatment outcomes. The association between TEER and clinical outcomes was evaluated based on mortality and heart failure-related hospitalizations in patients with AFMR. Patients who underwent TEER had a 35% lower risk of the primary endpoint-a composite of all-cause mortality and hospitalization due to heart failure (hazard ratio: 0.65 [0.430.99]). The risk of all-cause mortality alone, which was the secondary endpoint, was also 42% lower (hazard ratio: 0.58 [0.350.99]). Survival benefit remained evident over time. Even after three years, the estimated incidence of death or hospitalization was 44.3% in the medication group, compared to only 21.0% in the TEER group. "Elderly patients with AFMR often fall into a therapeutic gray zone-too high-risk for surgery, yet poorly served by medical therapy alone," says first author Dr. Kaneko. "TEER may help address this gap by providing a feasible, evidence-supported option that is associated with better outcomes in this vulnerable population." Outcomes were also determined by the degree of residual mitral regurgitation after TEER (residual AFMR). Among patients in whom residual AFMR was mild or less, the risk of death or hospitalization was more than 50% lower compared to the medication group. However, in cases of moderate or greater residual AFMR, outcomes were no better or worse than those who received medical therapy alone. This suggests that the degree of success after surgery is a key determinant of the benefit of TEER. TEER success was notably high in the study's Japanese cohort, with over 78% achieving mild or less residual AFMR at the time of discharge. Only 2.9% experienced some complications. Moreover, factors such as age, sex, and left atrial volume did not significantly affect the association between TEER and favorable outcomes. However, in cases of extreme left atrial enlargement (>100 mL/m), this association appeared to be attenuated or possibly absent. "This was an observational study, not a randomized trial, so unmeasured confounding cannot be ruled out," notes Dr. Kaneko. "Nevertheless, we employed multiple statistical methods to validate our findings, and the consistency across analyses strengthens our confidence in the conclusions." With Japan's growing elderly population, mitral regurgitation could become more prevalent. This study offers compelling evidence that TEER, when performed successfully, may represent a promising and low-risk treatment option for patients with AFMR who have limited alternatives. "In an aging world where frailty limits surgical choices, TEER provides a much-needed bridge between risk and reward," Dr. Kagiyama concluded. "Our findings support its use as a real and promising solution for this demographic." The authors extend their sincere appreciation to the investigators and institutions who participated in the OCEAN-Mitral and REVEAL-AFMR registries. This research would not have been possible without their dedicated efforts in data collection, patient care, and long-term follow-up. Cops return 347 stolen mobile phones to their owners Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Mumbai, Aug 6 (PTI) Police returned 347 mobile phones stolen from central Mumbai areas in 2022 to their rightful owners, officials said on Wednesday. The phones, collectively worth Rs 56 lakh, were stolen from the jurisdictions of six police stations, including Sion, Bhoiwada, Matunga, Antop Hill, Rafi Ahmed Kidwai Marg, and Wadala Truck Terminus. Recommended Stories Police had formed various teams to nab the accused persons and dispatched personnel to various states, the official said. PTI DC NSK First Published: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST News agency-feeds Cops return 347 stolen mobile phones to their owners 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 Loading comments... Man disguised as sadhu kills estranged wife with hammer in Delhi Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) A 50-year-old woman was bludgeoned to death with a hammer allegedly by her estranged husband who arrived from Bihar disguised as a sadhu in south Delhis Neb Sarai area, police said on Wednesday. Pramod Jha alias Pappu (60) attacked his wife Kiran Jha inside her house in the early hours of Wednesday in what the police called a pre-planned attack. Recommended Stories Kiran, who worked as a caregiver, was found lying in a pool of blood by her daughter-in-law around 4 am, DCP (South) Ankit Chauhan said. The accused arrived in Delhi from his native village in Bihars Munger district on August 1 after nearly a decade-long separation with his wife. He reportedly dressed as a sadhu to mislead his family members and gain access to the house," the DCP said. Kiran had been living separately from her husband for the past 10 years due to repeated instances of domestic violence. She lived with her son Durgesh, daughter-in-law Kamal Jha, and a granddaughter in Neb Sarai, the officer said, adding that Durgesh works with a microfinance company in Darbhanga, Bihar. Preliminary investigation revealed that the accused had no stable means of income and had sold off his ancestral property. He was pressuring his wife to return to Bihar and earn money, which she refused," the officer said. According to Kirans daughter Roma, the accused physically abused her mother, which prompted her to leave him and start life afresh in Delhi. The family visited Bihar around two months back for a funeral, during which Pramod pretended to have renounced violence, Roma told police. On the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, he killed my mother after she again refused to accompany him back to Bihar," Roma alleged. Police said a hammer believed to have been used for the murder was found inside Kirans room. Footage from a Delhi government CCTV camera installed in front of the house captured Pramod leaving the premises at 12.50 am after changing his clothes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police have launched a manhunt for the accused, the officer said. Teams have been dispatched to railway stations and bus terminals to trace his movements. We are working on multiple leads to arrest the accused," the DCP said. PTI BM ARI First Published: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST News agency-feeds Man disguised as sadhu kills estranged wife with hammer in Delhi 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 Loading comments... Minor gang-raped in Kanpur, juvenile among two held, third accused at large Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kanpur (UP), Aug 6 (PTI) Two people, including a 15-year-old, were on Wednesday held in connection with the gang-rape of a minor girl in Maharajpur area of Uttar Pradeshs Kanpur, police said. The police said that the third accused is at large and a manhunt has been launched to nab him. Recommended Stories The incident came to light after the victim approached Maharajpur police on Monday to report the incident, which took place on July 26, they said. Deputy Commissioner of Police (East) Satyajeet Gupta said, The victim had been with her boyfriend, identified as Mahesh (19), a resident of Fatehpur district. Mahesh had allegedly taken her to a secluded spot in Maharajpur under the pretext of making some purchases and raped her." While the two were together, two individuals Divyanshu alias Lucky (19) and his 15-year-old friend arrived and began filming them with the intention of blackmail. The perpetrators demanded 7,000 from the girl, who pleaded with them, stating she had no money, they said. Assistant Commissioner of Police (Chakeri) Abhishek Pandey said as the two men began to molest the girl, Mahesh fled the scene, leaving her alone. The girl desperately offered her nose pin to her attackers, but they later allegedly gang-raped her and took about 1,000 before leaving, he said. The suspects dropped the girl near her house on their motorcycle after noticing she had remained at the secluded spot for several hours, the officer said. Following the girls report, Maharajpur police, with the assistance of the crime branch, launched an investigation. Divyanshu and the juvenile were held and presented before the court. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Divyanshu has been sent to jail, while the minor has been moved to a juvenile home, the police said. The police have initiated a search for Mahesh, who is currently absconding. The girls medical examination has been conducted to confirm the charges of gang-rape, but the results are still awaited, Pandey said. PTI COR CDN NB First Published: August 07, 2025, 00:30 IST News agency-feeds Minor gang-raped in Kanpur, juvenile among two held, third accused at large 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 Loading comments... Photo: https://www.delo.si/ European Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos welcomes the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as Director of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES). "I welcome the appointment of the new head of the Bureau of Economic Security #ESBU, a crucial reform strongly encouraged by the EU. The EU supports this step toward stronger institutions and s path to membership. Progress must continue," she wrote on the social network X on Wednesday. The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine appointed Oleksandr Tsyvinsky as Director of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES) on August 6. Prior to that, Tsyvinsky was Head of the Detective Unit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). As reported, the Commission for the Competition for the Position of BES Director first recommended Tsyvinsky to the government on June 25. Three foreign members of the Commission voted for him, while Ukrainian representatives cast their votes for two other candidates - Mykhailo Burtovy and Oleh Borysenko. The Cabinet of Ministers, which has 10 days to approve the candidacy, considered this submission on July 7 and, in connection with the SBU letter, addressed the Commission with a proposal to resubmit no more than two candidacies that would meet all the established requirements, including security criteria. On July 23, the Commission for the Selection of the Director of the BES resubmitted the candidacy of Tsyvinsky to the government. Later, at Tsyvinsky's request, the SBU officially confirmed the absence of grounds for his non-appointment to the position of Director of the BES. On August 1, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko announced that she had agreed with Tsyvinsky to undergo a polygraph test before his appointment. Odisha: Man alleges torture by police, probe ordered Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 (PTI) A man on Wednesday alleged he was subjected to third-degree torture" at Biridi police station in Odishas Jagatsinghpur district, prompting the authorities to order an investigation. The man was identified as Partha Sarathi Das, a resident of Balia area. Recommended Stories Speaking to reporters, Sarathi said that the alleged incident took place on July 25 during a scheduled review meeting at the Biridi block office, which was supposed to be chaired by BJD MLA Ramakant Bhoi. However, the meeting did not take place, reportedly due to the unavailability of the MLA, because of which a clash erupted between two groups at the venue, he said. Following the group clash, the police picked me up from the block office and took me to Biridi police station, where they stripped me and physically assaulted me," Sarathi alleged. He alleged that he was beaten up and threatened by the police. Sarathi claimed he has been undergoing treatment since then. He claimed he had lodged a formal complaint with the Jagatsinghpur superintendent of police (SP) on August 3 and also moved the Odisha Human Rights Commission. However, Jagatsinghpur SP Bhawani Sankar Udgata said he came to know about the alleged incident on Wednesday from the media and ordered an inquiry. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all No one had earlier made any such allegation. I came to know about the incident from media reports today. I have formed a team led by an additional SP rank officer to probe the matter," the SP said. He said the police will examine the CCTV footage and other evidence. If the police officers are found guilty, action will be taken against them as per the law, Udgata said. PTI BBM BBM ACD First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:15 IST News agency-feeds Odisha: Man alleges torture by police, probe ordered 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 Loading comments... On Raksha Bandhan, free travel for women in Haryana Roadways buses: Anil Vij Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:30 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Chandigarh, Aug 6 (PTI) On the festival of Raksha Bandhan, women along with their children (up to 15 years of age) will be provided free travel on Haryana Roadways buses, the state government announced on Wednesday. Haryana Transport Minister Anil Vij stated that a proposal in this regard has been approved by Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini. Recommended Stories Vij explained that free travel will be available on the ordinary buses operating within Haryana, as well as those travelling to Chandigarh and Delhi. This service will be offered from noon on August 8 to midnight on August 9. Additionally, Vij mentioned that he has received reports indicating that the allocation of routes for private buses has not been properly managed. He has instructed the relevant officers to review the schedules and timings of these private buses. He noted that in several instances, private buses leave just moments before state transport buses, leaving the state buses underutilised. Vij assured that officials have been tasked with investigating these situations and considering adjustments to the timings or allocation criteria for these routes. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Reiterating the governments commitment to ensuring that Haryana Roadways buses reach every village in the state, Vij informed that a letter has been sent to all general managers of the transport department for implementation. Vij further stated that from August 15 onwards, he will begin visits across Haryana. This is not for political rallies or meetings, but to meet the public and engage with party workers, both new and old," he added. PTI SUN MPL MPL First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:30 IST News agency-feeds On Raksha Bandhan, free travel for women in Haryana Roadways buses: Anil Vij 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 Loading comments... Oppositions demand for discussion on votebandi non-negotiable: Congress Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 09:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) The Congress on Wednesday said the Oppositions demand for a discussion on the votebandi" by the Election Commission is non-negotiable" in both Houses of Parliament. There has been a logjam in Parliament over the Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls in Bihar, which the Opposition has alleged is being done to cut votes ahead of the state election. Recommended Stories Congress general secretary in-charge, communications, Jairam Ramesh, said the Chair in the Rajya Sabha is a continuing entity despite the comings and goings, scheduled and unscheduled. Yesterday, the Deputy Chairman gave a ruling that because the Lok Sabha Speaker had said so on December 14, 1988, any matter concerning the Election Commission cannot be discussed in Parliament. But on July 21, 2023, the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha, a Modi appointee, had categorically ruled that the Rajya Sabha is entitled to discuss anything under the planet with only one restriction," Ramesh said in a post on X. He had gone on to say that the only one restriction related to the conduct of any judge except on a motion related to his removal. The then-Chairman had added that the concept of sub-judice was totally misconceived," the Congress leader pointed out. He said the Opposition is constantly reminded that Parliament runs on rulings and conventions Why is the Rajya Sabha Chairmans ruling of July 21, 2023, being so wilfully ignored?" Ramesh said. The Oppositions demand for a discussion on the votebandi and votechori being orchestrated by G2 through the Election Commission in Bihar & to be followed in West Bengal, Assam, and other states is non-negotiable in both Houses of Parliament," he said. 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. Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Tuesday had dared the government to debate the Election Commissions voter roll revision in Bihar and claimed that the fact that the House is not being able to run smoothly is a manifestation of the ruling sides weakness. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Her remarks came amid the logjam in Parliament due to vociferous protests by opposition parties demanding a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise. Several MPs of the INDIA bloc parties have also been staging a protest in the Parliament House complex on the issue. PTI ASK VN VN First Published: August 06, 2025, 09:45 IST News agency-feeds Oppositions demand for discussion on votebandi non-negotiable: Congress 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 Loading comments... Theatre stampede: NHRC issues show cause notice to Telangana Chief Secy Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Hyderabad, Aug 6 (PTI) The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) on Wednesday issued show cause notice to the Telangana government Chief Secretary as to why it should not recommend a compensation of Rs five lakh to the next of kin of the woman, who died in a stampede during the screening of actor Allu Arjuns film Pushpa-2 last year. The action came while dealing with a complaint lodged by advocate Rama Rao Immaneni, who alleged that lathi charge by the police and lack of necessary arrangements when Allu Arjun entered the theatre, resulted in death of the woman Revathi and injuries to her children. Recommended Stories Following the Commissions direction, the city police submitted an action taken report on March 3, 2025. During the course of enquiry, it was revealed that permission for the event was rejected and Allu Arjun did not have permission for a road show and that the allegations of lathi charge were false, the report said. The report said arrangements were made for crowd control as professionally done for new movie releases despite the rejection of permission. The inadequate infrastructure at the theatre, including limited parking, entry and exit points, led to the crowd gathering and subsequent tragedy. The officers who were at bandobust duty on the occasion exhibited exceptional proactive response in managing and controlling the unexpected crowd and also saved the life of the womans son and shifted him to a hospital, it said. However, the Commission observed that it fails to understand why the police allowed the crowd, the accused actor, theatre management to gather at the place for the event which did not have the permission. The police should have taken legal action against accused actor, management at the very first occurrence, prior to incident itself, for breaking the law and attending the unlawful events, the Commission said. Observing that the police might have foreseen the present accident, which compelled them to deny permission, the Commission sought an additional report from the police. The police reported to the Commission on July 14, 2025 that permission was granted on December 4, 2024 for the pre-release screening of Pushpa-2 at four theatres at RTC X Roads in the city. The report said police denied permission for the actors visit to the cinema theatre citing public safety and crowd control concerns. The theatre management was informed in writing and advised to notify the actor and production team accordingly, the police report said. Due to the anticipated large crowd in a densely populated area, it was not possible to control or restrict the public movement prior to the crowd gathering, it said. The report pointed out that despite prior security arrangements by police, an unexpected crowd surge occurred. Officers managed the situation promptly, though legal action at the time was not feasible, it said. Subsequently, on December 5, 2024, a case was registered against the theatre management, actor Allu Arjun, and his security staff. Ten people, including the actor, were arrested. Arjun secured bail in the case. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Commission has considered the report and noted that there was negligence and lapse in maintaining public order on the part of police authorities in providing adequate assistance and ensure the safety when it was clear that there will be a huge crowd gathering". The Commission issued a show cause notice to the Chief Secretary as to why it should not recommend compensation to the kin of the deceased. It also issued a direction to the city police to ensure fair investigation in the matter. PTI SJR VVK SJR KH First Published: August 06, 2025, 22:45 IST News agency-feeds Theatre stampede: NHRC issues show cause notice to Telangana Chief Secy 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 Loading comments... Trump, Cook to announce Apple is investing another USD 100 billion in US Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 02:45 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Washington, Aug 6 (AP) Apple CEO Tim Cook is expected to join President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday to announce a commitment by the tech company to increase its investment in US manufacturing by an additional USD 100 billion over the next four years. As part of the Apple announcement, the investments will be about bringing more of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing to the United States as part of an initiative called the American Manufacturing Programme, but it is not a full commitment to build its popular iPhone device domestically. Recommended Stories This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce components semiconductor chips included that are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and were grateful to the President for his support," Cook said in a statement announcing the investment. The new manufacturing partners include Corning, Coherent, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments and Broadcom among others. Apple had previously said it intended to invest USD 500 billion domestically, a figure it will now increase to USD 600 billion. Trump in recent months has criticised the tech company and Cook for efforts to shift iPhone production to India to avoid the tariffs his Republican administration had planned for China. While in Qatar earlier this year, Trump said there was a little problem" with the Cupertino, California, company and recalled a conversation with Cook in which he said he told the CEO, I do not want you building in India." India has incurred Trumps wrath, as the president signed an order on Wednesday to put an additional 25 per cent tariff on the worlds most populous country for its use of Russian oil. The new import taxes to be imposed in 21 days could put the combined tariffs on Indian goods at 50 per cent. Apples new pledge comes just a few weeks after it forged a USD 500 million deal with MP Materials, which runs the only rare earths producer in the country. That agreement will enable MP Materials to expand a factory in Texas to use recycled materials to produce magnets that make iPhones vibrate. Speaking on a recent investors call, Cook emphasised that there is a load of different things done in the United States". As examples, he cited some of the iPhone components made in the US such as the devices glass display and module for identifying peoples faces and then indicated the company was gearing to expand its productions of other components in its home country. We are doing more in this country, and that is on top of having roughly 19 billion chips coming out of the US now, and we will do more," Cook told analysts last week, without elaborating. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all News of Apples latest investment in the US caused the companys stock price to surge by nearly 6 per cent in Wednesdays midday trading. That gains reflect investors relief that Cook is extending an olive branch" to the Trump administration, said Nancy Tengler, CEO of money manager Laffer Tengler Investments, which owns Apple stock. Despite Wednesdays upturn, Apples shares are still down by 14 per cent this year, a reversal of fortune that has also been driven by the companys botched start in the pivotal field of artificial intelligence. (AP) RC First Published: August 07, 2025, 02:45 IST News agency-feeds Trump, Cook to announce Apple is investing another USD 100 billion in US 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 Loading comments... Trump tariffs extremely shocking; 55 pc of Indias exports to be impacted: FIEO Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) The US decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods is extremely shocking" and will impact 55 per cent of Indias exports to America, FIEO said on Wednesday. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods coming from India as a penalty for New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oil, a move that is likely to hit sectors such as textiles, marine and leather exports hard. Recommended Stories After this order, the total tariff on Indian goods, barring a small exemption list, will be 50 per cent. This move is a severe setback for Indian exports, with nearly 55 per cent of our shipments to the US market directly affected. The 50 per cent reciprocal tariff effectively imposes a cost burden, placing our exporters at a 3035 per cent competitive disadvantage compared to peers from countries with lesser reciprocal tariff," Federation of Indian Export Organisations (FIEO) DG Ajay Sahai said. He added that many export orders have already been put on hold as buyers reassess sourcing decisions in light of higher landed costs. For a large number of MSME-led sectors, absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin, and this additional blow could force exporters to lose long-standing clients," Sahai said. With this high tariff, the domestic exporters will have to look for alternative markets, he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all After the new levy, India will attract the highest tariff of 50 per cent along with Brazil. After this, Indias competitors will be much better placed in the US market as their duty is lower Myanmar (40 per cent), Thailand and Cambodia (both 36 per cent), Bangladesh (35 per cent), Indonesia (32 per cent), China and Sri Lanka (both 30 per cent), Malaysia (25 per cent), Philippines and Vietnam (both 20 per cent). In 2024-25, the bilateral trade between India and the US stood at USD 131.8 billion (USD 86.5 billion exports and USD 45.3 billion imports). PTI RR MR MR First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Trump tariffs extremely shocking; 55 pc of Indias exports to be impacted: FIEO 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 Loading comments... Unfair, unjustified: India on Trumps additional tariff on Indian goods Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) New Delhi, Aug 6 (PTI) India on Wednesday described the US action of levying 25 per cent additional tariff on Indian goods as unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". New Delhis sharp reaction came shortly after US President Donald Trump signed an executive order imposing the fresh tariff citing Indias continuing purchase of Russian crude oil notwithstanding the Western sanctions. Recommended Stories The new tariff is in addition to 25 per cent levies he has already announced. In a statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," it said. The MEA said the US has in recent days targeted" Indias oil imports from Russia. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," it said. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," it added. PTI MPB KVK KVK First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Unfair, unjustified: India on Trumps additional tariff on Indian goods 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 Loading comments... Violent clashes mars varsity students union election in Kerala Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST Representational image (Image: News18) Kannur (Kerala), Aug 6 (PTI) The students union election in the Kannur University was on Wednesday marred by violent clashes between the ruling CPI (M) affiliated SFI and the United Democratic Students Front (UDSF), causing injuries to several students and a police officer. A tense atmosphere prevailed as members of the SFI and UDSF violently clashed with each other, throwing stones and helmets at each other and causing injuries to several members of each group. Recommended Stories The UDSF comprises the Congress party affiliated Kerala Students Union (KSU) and the Indian Union Muslim Leagues (IUML) student wing, Muslim Students Federation (MSF). Police resorted to lathi charge several times to disperse the two clashing groups the Student Federation of India (SFI) on the one side and the UDSF on the other side. Kannur SP Nidhinraj P told reporters that both sides have made several allegations against each other in connection with the election and further steps would be taken after examining the claims of the two student outfits. The allegations include illegal voting and tampering. Eventually, SFI, the CPI(M)s student wing, bagged all the general seats in the elections to lead the university union for the 26th consecutive time, while the MSF got two district executive seats. MSF alleged that a SFI candidate snatched a bag containing voter certificate and ballot paper of a MSF University Union Council (UUC) member. Following the accusation, police restrained the woman SFI candidate. Subsequently, SFI activists intervened in large numbers, clashed with the police and freed the woman and a police officer was reportedly injured. SFI State Secretary PS Sanjeev told reporters that the SFI candidate was restrained by the police without any reason as there was no evidence that she snatched the bag of a MSF UUC member. He alleged that the woman was restrained by police merely on the basis of accusations by the MSF. The SFI alleged that the MSF engaged in illegal voting by bringing voters in a bus from outside. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The police were present on the campus following a Kerala High Court order asking the Vice Chancellor to seek police assistance, if necessary, to conduct the university union election. The High Court had also ordered that the entire election process be videographed. The order was following a plea by a MSF candidate who had alleged that candidates of her student organisation were threatened and prevented from filing their nomination papers by the SFI. PTI COR HMP HMP VGN First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:15 IST News agency-feeds Violent clashes mars varsity students union election in Kerala 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 Loading comments... Air India's International Flights To Be Fully Operational From October 1 Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:07 IST Air India will resume international operations from October 1, 2025, after halting flights due to the Ahmedabad tragedy. A photo of an Air India aircraft (PTI) Air India will resume international operations from October 1. The Tata-owned airline halted international flights in the wake of the Ahmedabad plane tragedy on June 12. Acknowledging some operational challenges over the last few weeks, Air India CEO Campbell Wilson said the airline is committed to strengthening its internal processes to minimise the inconvenience that such circumstances cause to passengers. Recommended Stories We have begun a phased restoration of international operations from August 1, 2025, with full resumption targeted for October 1, 2025. This measured approach ensures we complete every verification thoroughly and resume service with complete confidence," he said. The Tata Group airline had decided to observe a Safety Pause" in the aftermath of the Boeing 787-8 plane crash. The airline had said that the pause enabled it to perform additional precautionary checks on its Boeing 787 aircraft as well as accommodate longer flying times arising from airspace closures over Pakistan and the Middle East. Our regular safety protocols are rigorous and multi-layered, with every aircraft undergoing thorough checks before take-off by trained engineers and pilots. Maintenance is conducted at certified facilities before and between flights," said Wilson. Addressing concerns about air travel post June 12 plane crash, the Air India CEO informed that the airline has taken several measures, including detailed inspections of its fleet of Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft. Each aircraft underwent inspections under the oversight of Indias aviation regulator, the DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation), and we confirm that no issues were found during these inspections. As with some other international airlines, we also inspected the fuel control switch mechanism of Boeing 737 and 787-8 aircraft, likewise with no findings," he added. Air India has cancelled and delayed several flights due to technical issues with aircraft in the past few weeks. The airline cancelled its flight from Delhi to Milan due to a technical snag detected in the Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft prior to departure. 51 Safety Lapses At Air India The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) had found 51 safety lapses at Air India in its July audit, including a lack of adequate training for some pilots, the use of unapproved simulators and a poor rostering system, as per a report in news agency ANI. June 12 Plane Crash top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On June 12, the London-bound Boeing 787 Dreamliner began to lose thrust within seconds of taking off from the Ahmedabad Airport and ploughed into a medical college hostel, killing all but one of the 242 onboard and another 19 on the ground in the deadliest aviation accident in a decade. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more. You can also download the News18 App to stay updated. First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:51 IST News auto Air India's International Flights To Be Fully Operational From October 1 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 Loading comments... Fahadh Faasil Adds Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG To His Luxury Car Collection Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:35 IST Fahadh Faasil and wife Nazriya were seen taking delivery of their new Ruby Red Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG in Kochi. It was a dream of Fahadh to own a G-Wagen. (Photo Source: Instagram) Fahadh Faasil, one of Malayalam cinemas most respected actors, is known not just for his acting but also for his love of cars. He recently added another luxury vehicle to his impressive collection, the Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG. A video of Fahadh and his wife, Nazriya Nazim, taking delivery of the new SUV has now gone viral on social media. Although the couple reportedly purchased the vehicle last year, the video was released recently by Mercedes-Benz Coastal Star, the dealership in Kochi. In the clip, the couple is seen arriving in style in another one of Fahadhs high-end cars, a Lamborghini Urus, which he was among the first to reportedly own in the Malayalam film industry. Recommended Stories A Dream Come True Moment The dealership had arranged a special setup to celebrate the occasion, with decorations and a ceremonial delivery. Further in the clip, Fahadh is seen interacting with the staff, expressing his excitement and sharing how owning a G-Wagen had always been a dream for him. After completing the paperwork, the couple unveiled the vehicle, which was covered in a satin cloth. The G63 AMG they purchased stands out with its striking Ruby Red (or Rubellite Red) paint, a rare colour choice for this model. While most G-Wagens are seen in black or dark green, this unique red shade is more commonly seen on Maybach models. After the unveiling, the couple drove the SUV home, marking another proud addition to Fahadhs luxury garage. Features of the G63 AMG The Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG is a powerful and premium SUV. It is equipped with a 4.0-litre twin-turbo V8 engine, delivering 585 PS of power and 850 Nm of torque. The car comes with an automatic transmission and sends power to all four wheels, making it suitable for both city drives and off-road adventures. The model Fahadh bought is from the previous-generation G63 AMG lineup. With Mercedes now offering electric versions of the G-Wagen, this could be one of the last few opportunities for car lovers to own the classic petrol-powered version. Fahadhs Love for Cars Fahadh Faasil has long shown a genuine passion for automobiles. According to Cartoq, his garage includes a Lamborghini Urus, a Porsche 911 Carrera S (992 generation), a Mini Countryman, a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG and a Land Rover Defender 90. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The actor is not only a big name in Malayalam cinema but also enjoys a strong following in the Tamil and Telugu industries. His car choices reflect both luxury and personality and the G63 AMG adds yet another layer to his impressive collection. Fahadh likely spent over Rs 4.5 crore (ex-showroom) for the G63 AMG, further proving his status as both a cinema icon and a true auto enthusiast. 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. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:35 IST News auto Fahadh Faasil Adds Mercedes-Benz G63 AMG To His Luxury Car Collection 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 Loading comments... Photo: https://eurosolidarity.org/ The appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, the winner of the competition for the position of head of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES), is a victory for law, justice, and common sense, according to a statement by the European Solidarity party (Eurosolidarity) published on its official website on Wednesday morning. "But this is only one of the first steps in the fight to restore democracy in Ukraine and a real fight against corruption. Unfortunately, many more such steps will be needed, but only those who walk can overcome the road. What has inspired optimism in recent weeks is that society has a healthy immunity that condemns those who dream of authoritarianism in Ukraine to failure," the political force said in a statement. Eurosolidarity stressed the need to return competitive selection to the prosecutor's office system, since this is an obligation of Ukraine on its path to membership in the European Union, and it has already been credited to Ukraine as fulfilled. As reported, on August 6, after successfully passing the background checks and polygraph test, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a candidate recommended by the competition commission, to the position of director of the BES. Prior to that, Tsyvinsky headed the detective unit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Greater Noida To Faridabad In Just 30 Minutes? New Road Project Gets Green Signal Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:44 IST The road will directly connect Greater Noida to the Manjhawali Bridge over the Yamuna River. A direct road link from Greater Noida to Faridabad promises faster, smoother, and stress-free travel for daily commuters. (Representative Image) Daily travel between Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh and Faridabad in Haryana is about to become a lot faster. The Uttar Pradesh government has approved Rs 65.5 crore for a road project that will cut travel time from nearly 2 hours to just 2030 minutes. Recommended Stories Why Was the Route So Slow? Till now, commuters had to take long detours via Delhi or Noida, often getting stuck in traffic on routes like the Kalindi Kunj flyover or Eastern Peripheral Expressway. Though the Manjhawali Bridge over the Yamuna was completed in 2022, it remained underused due to missing road links on the UP side, as per Hindustan Times. Whats the plan? The project includes: A brand-new 1.7 km road Widening of 3 km of existing roads Direct connection from Atta Gujran in Greater Noida to Jasana and Manjhawali in Faridabad Link-up with the 630-metre-long Manjhawali Bridge The bridge, completed in December 2022, had remained underused due to the missing road on the UP side. While Haryana built its part earlier, UP faced land and fund-related delaysuntil now. When will work begin? Construction is likely to start soon. Officials confirmed that Rs 25 crore has already been released for compensating around 110 farmers whose land is required. Land agreements with about half the affected farmers have been signed. The rest are in progress, with further compensation under review. Tender documents are being prepared, and bidding will begin shortly. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all How will this help commuters? Once complete, this road will not only save time and fuel but also boost connectivityespecially when the Noida International Airport in Jewar becomes operational. It will offer a smoother and faster option for passengers travelling from Haryana. About the Author Samreen Pall Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Samreen Pall, Senior Sub-Editor at News18, is a Computer Science graduate but a writer at heart, Samreen has one motto that she swears by: 'Everything is dull and useless if it has no drama in it.' This motto c... Read More Get the latest updates on car and bike launches in India including reviews, prices, specs, and performance. Stay informed with breaking auto industry news , EV policies, and more. You can also download the News18 App to stay updated. First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:44 IST News auto Greater Noida To Faridabad In Just 30 Minutes? New Road Project Gets Green Signal 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 Loading comments... Is India Facing Trumps Harshest Tariff Yet? A Look At Levies On Other Countries Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:53 IST Trump announced a fresh 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhis ongoing purchase of Russian oil, taking the total amount of tariffs on Indian imports to 50%. Prime Minister Narendra Modi with US President Donald Trump. (Image: PTI/File) US President Donald Trump announced a fresh 25% tariff on Indian goods, citing New Delhis ongoing purchase of Russian oil, taking the total amount of tariffs on Indian imports to 50%, among the highest tariff imposed among dozens of economies by his administration. The newly imposed tariff, directly tied to Indias energy relationship with Russia, will take effect 21 days from the date of the order. Meanwhile, a previously declared 25% tariff, aimed at narrowing the US trade deficit with India, is scheduled to come into force on August 7. Recommended Stories India now has the highest amount of tariffs, matching Brazil, at 50%, followed by Syria (41%), Myanmar (40%), Laos (40%) and Switzerland (39%). Indias neighbour China currently faces 30% US tariffs, and Canada and Iraq are facing 35% tariffs each. The new tariffs will come into effect on August 7, except Canadas, which already started on August 1. Trump slapped a 50% on Brazil, with many exemptions, in what he called a witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial on charges of plotting a coup following his election loss in 2022. Negotiations are still under way with China as Beijing and Washington have agreed to hold off until August 12. Mexico received a 90-day reprieve from 35% tariffs imposed by Trump. Heres A List Of Tariffs In Other Countries: Brazil 50% 50% India 50% 50% Syria 41% 41% Switzerland 39% 39% Canada 35% 35% South Africa 35% 35% China 30% 30% Vietnam 20% 20% Bangladesh 20% 20% Pakistan 19% 19% Israel 15% 15% United Kingdom 10% Since returning to office in January, Trump has introduced a series of these import taxes, arguing that they will boost American manufacturing and protect jobs. However, his aggressive trade policy has thrown the world economy into chaos and also contributed in soaring domestic prices. Trump has been attacking India over the sale and purchase of oil from Russia, which has been at war with Ukraine since 2022. The US President has repeatedly alleged that it was very difficult to do business in India due to its high tariff rates and that New Delhi was fueling Russias war machine against Ukraine by purchasing Russian oil. In response, the Ministry of External Affairs said targeting of New Delhi is unjustified" and unreasonable", emphasising that India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," it said on Wednesday. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," it added. The MEA said India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict, a move that was encouraged by the US to strengthen global energy market stability. 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 06, 2025, 20:51 IST News business Is India Facing Trumps Harshest Tariff Yet? A Look At Levies On Other Countries 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 Loading comments... From Textiles To Gems: India's Key Exports In Trouble As Trump Doubles Tariff To 50% Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:40 IST US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% import duty on goods coming from India, effectively doubling the total tariff to 50% Follow us on: US President Donald Trump (Image Credit: Reuters) A fresh wave of US tariffs is set to severely hit several of Indias key export sectors, including textiles, gems and jewellery, leather, chemicals, footwear, and shrimp, according to industry experts. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% import duty on goods coming from India, effectively doubling the total tariff to 50%. The move is being seen as a penalty for Indias continued import of oil from Russia, and will take effect in two stages, the first on 7 August, and the second on 27 August. Recommended Stories Notably, India appears to be the only country facing such penalties over Russian oil imports. Other major buyers like China and Turkey have not been subjected to similar tariff hikes. Indian Exports Could Fall By Nearly Half Experts at trade think tank GTRI (Global Trade Research Initiative) warn that these steep tariffs could make Indian goods significantly more expensive in the US market, potentially slashing exports by 4050%. The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with potential to cut US-bound exports by 4050 per cent," GTRI said. After the new tariff, it said, organic chemicals exports to the US will attract additional 54 per cent duty. The other sectors which will attract high duties include carpets (52.9 per cent), apparel knitted (63.9 per cent), apparel woven (60.3 per cent), textiles, made ups (59 per cent), diamonds, gold and products (52.1 per cent), machinery and mechanical appliances (51.3 per cent), furniture, bedding, mattresses (52.3 per cent). In the financial year 202425, bilateral trade between India and the US stood at $131.8 billion, with Indian exports at $86.5 billion. Key sectors at risk include textiles and clothing ($10.3 billion), gems and jewellery ($12 billion), shrimp ($2.24 billion), leather and footwear ($1.18 billion), chemicals ($2.34 billion), and machinery ($9 billion). Exporters Raise Alarm Yogesh Gupta, MD of Megaa Moda in Kolkata, said Indias shrimp exports are already under pressure from Ecuador, which faces only a 15% tariff in the US. We are already facing huge competition from Ecuador as it has only 15 per cent tariff. Indian shrimp already attracts a 2.49 per cent anti-dumping duty and a 5.77 per cent countervailing duty. After this 25 per cent, the duty will be 33.26 per cent from August 7," Gupta said. The Confederation of Indian Textile Industry (CITI) expressed deep concern" over the situation. The US tariff announcement of August 6 is a huge setback for Indias textile and apparel exporters as it has further complicated the challenging situation we were already grappling with and will significantly weaken our ability to compete effectively vis-a-vis many other countries for a larger share of the US market," it said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Similarly, Colin Shah, MD of Kama Jewelry, said, Many export orders have already been put on hold as buyers reassess sourcing decisions in light of higher landed costs. For a large number of MSME-led sectors, absorbing this sudden cost escalation is simply not viable. Margins are already thin, and this additional blow could force exporters to lose long-standing clients." (With inputs from PTI) About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 23:37 IST News business From Textiles To Gems: India's Key Exports In Trouble As Trump Doubles Tariff To 50% 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 Highway Infra IPO Day 2: Issue Gets 72.92x Subscription So Far: Should You Apply? Check Details Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 17:34 IST Highway Infrastructure IPO GMP Today: Its grey market premium currently stands at 54.29%, indicating strong listing gains for investors. Highway Infrastructure IPO Day 2. Highway Infrastructure IPO GMP: The initial public offering of Highway Infrastructure Ltd is witnessing its second day of bidding today, Wednesday, August 6. It will be closed on August 7. The price band of the mainboard IPO, which plans to raise Rs 130 crore, has been fixed in the range of Rs 65 to Rs 70 apiece. Till 5:00 pm on the second day of bidding on Wednesday, the issue received a strong 72.92 times subscription, garnering bids for 1,16,98,86,124 shares as against the 1,60,43,046 shares on offer. The retail and NII participation stood at 73.55x and 97.90x, respectively. The QIB category has received a 7.10x subscription. Recommended Stories The IPOs grey market premium currently stands at 54.29%, indicating strong listing gains for investors. Highway Infrastructure IPO Key Dates The IPO will remain open for public subscription between August 5, 2025, and August 7, 2025. The share allotment will likely be finalised on August 8, and the company is expected to be listed on both BSE and NSE on August 12. Highway Infrastructure IPO Price & Lot Size The price band of the IPO has been fixed in the range of Rs 65 to Rs 70 per share. For investors, the minimum lot size for the IPO is 211. It means investors will have to apply for a minimum of 211 shares or in multiple thereof. So, retail investors require a minimum capital of Rs 13,715 to apply for the IPO. Highway Infrastructure IPO GMP Today According to market observers, unlisted shares of Highway Infrastructure Ltd are currently trading at Rs 108 against the upper IPO price of Rs 70. It means a grey market premium or GMP of Rs 38, which is 54.29% over its issue price, indicating strong listing gains. The GMP is based on market sentiments and keeps changing. Grey market premium indicates investors readiness to pay more than the issue price. Highway Infrastructure IPO: Should You Subscribe? The IPO of Highway Infrastructure Ltd (HIL), a company operating in the tollway collection and EPC infrastructure space, has garnered mixed recommendations from leading brokerages. While majority firms have issued a subscribe rating, especially for long-term investors or listing gains, several have urged caution citing valuation and operational risks. Swastika Investmart: Subscribe Swastika Investmart is also bullish, recommending a subscribe rating for both listing gains and long-term investment. The firm appreciated the companys investment in advanced technologies such as ANPR for toll management and noted that its order book, primarily driven by EPC projects, provides visibility for future revenues. At 18.06x FY25 earnings, the brokerage feels the IPO is fully priced" but sees room for upside given the sector outlook and companys execution capabilities. Anand Rathi Shares & Stock Brokers: Subscribe for Long-Term Anand Rathi is optimistic about HILs long-term prospects, citing the governments increased focus on road infrastructure development and the companys efforts to strengthen its tollway and EPC businesses. The brokerage believes HIL is well-positioned to ride on this momentum. It presents a niche opportunity in Indias tollway and EPC infrastructure space, supported by consistent growth and a robust order book," the note said. It also highlighted HILs use of ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) technology as a key differentiator that improves operational efficiency. The brokerage has issued a subscribe for long-term recommendation. Arihant Capital Markets: Subscribe for Listing Gains Arihant Capital took a balanced stance, recommending investors subscribe for listing gains. It acknowledged HILs strong presence across toll operations in 11 states and one union territory, and its diversified business model spanning toll collection and EPC infrastructure. As of May 31, 2025, the companys consolidated order book stood at Rs 666.3 crore. With a focus on cost optimization and project execution, HIL is well-positioned to benefit from Indias growing investment in national highway development," the note added. The IPO is valued at a P/E of 22.41x on FY25 projected EPS of Rs 3.1. SBI Securities: Avoid Taking a contrarian view, SBI Securities advised investors to avoid the IPO. It pointed out that HIL is still a relatively small player in the infrastructure sector, with short-term toll collection contracts that are subject to frequent rebidding and intense competition. The brokerage raised concerns over the companys high dependency on public sector clients, which account for 91 per cent of its revenue. The low margin profile, higher working capital cycle and geographical concentration fail to justify these valuations," it noted. Based on post-issue capital, the stock is valued at 25.5x FY25 P/E and 17.8x EV/Ebitda, levels SBI believes are not justified given the companys fundamentals. Highway Infrastructure IPO: More Info The Highway Infrastructure IPO, which is a book-building of Rs 130 crore, is a combination of a fresh issue of 1.39 crore shares aggregating to Rs 97.52 crore and an offer for sale of 0.46 crore shares aggregating to Rs 32.48 crore. Highway Infrastructure Limited (HIL), established in 1995, is an Indian infrastructure development company primarily engaged in tollway collection and EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) projects, with a smaller presence in real estate. The company operates toll systems across 11 states and one Union Territory, leveraging technologies like ANPR and RFID-based ETC. As of August 31, 2024, it had completed 24 toll projects and was operating 7. HIL has executed 63 EPC projects and is currently working on 20 more, mainly in Madhya Pradesh, covering roads, bridges, irrigation, and civil construction. Its real estate division focuses on residential and commercial developments, though it remains a minor part of the business. The company employs 398 people across its operations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Its revenue fell 13% and profit after tax (PAT) rose 5% between the financial year ending with March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2024. Pantomath Capital Advisors Pvt Ltd is the book-running lead manager of the Highway Infrastructure IPO, while Bigshare Services Pvt Ltd is the registrar for the issue. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 11:06 IST News business ipo Highway Infra IPO Day 2: Issue Gets 72.92x Subscription So Far: Should You Apply? Check Details 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 Loading comments... Stocks To Watch Today: Airtel, Britannia, NCC, Gland Pharma, Bajaj Auto, Trent In Focus On August 6 Reported By : Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:34 IST The GIFT Nifty Futures are trading 39 points lower at 24,700.5, indicating a weak start. Here're the stocks to watch today: Stocks To Watch Today, August 6. Stocks To Watch Today, August 6: After a weak session, the Indian stock markets are bracing for another session on Wednesday. The session will react to corporate earnings, global cues and the RBI MPC meeting outcome today. The GIFT Nifty Futures are trading 39 points lower at 24,700.5, indicating a weak start. Herere the stocks to watch today: Q1 Results Today Recommended Stories Several big names are scheduled to release their financial results for the quarter ending June 2025. These include Bajaj Auto, Hero MotoCorp, Divis Laboratories, Trent, Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), Bharat Forge, Fortis Healthcare, Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences, Pidilite Industries, Power Finance Corporation, Blue Star, Jindal Stainless, Bajaj Holdings, PVR Inox, Jyoti CNC Automation, UNO Minda, and TD Power Systems. Quarterly Results Snapshot Lupin reported a 52.1 per cent rise in Q1FY26 net profit to Rs 1,219 crore, compared to Rs 801.3 crore in the same quarter last year. Revenue also climbed 11.9 per cent to Rs 6,268.3 crore. Bharti Airtel posted a 43 per cent jump in consolidated net profit for Q1FY26 at Rs 5,947.9 crore, up from Rs 4,159.9 crore a year ago. Revenue surged 28.5 per cent to Rs 49,462.6 crore, while EBITDA expanded by 41.3 per cent to Rs 27,838.7 crore. EBITDA margin improved to 56.3 per cent from 51.18 per cent. There were no exceptional items during the quarter, unlike a gain of Rs 735 crore last year. Torrent Power saw a decline of 24.8 per cent in net profit at Rs 731.4 crore for Q1FY26. Revenue dropped 12.5 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7,906.4 crore from Rs 9,033.7 crore. Prestige Estates Projects registered a profit of Rs 292.5 crore for the quarter, up 25.8 per cent over Rs 232.6 crore last year. Revenue rose 23.9 per cent to Rs 2,307.3 crore. Britannia Industries reported a modest 3 per cent growth in profit at Rs 520.1 crore for Q1FY26, with revenue rising 8.8 per cent to Rs 4,622.2 crore. Sheela Foam saw its quarterly profit plunge 83.9 per cent year-on-year to Rs 7.43 crore from Rs 46 crore. Revenue increased marginally to Rs 821.4 crore from Rs 809.8 crore. There were no exceptional gains this time, compared to Rs 30.62 crore in Q1FY25. Lloyds Engineering Works posted a 23.4 per cent drop in Q1FY26 profit to Rs 391.6 crore, despite an 18.4 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 2,263 crore. NCC Ltd reported a consolidated net profit of Rs 192.1 crore, down 8.5 per cent from Rs 209.9 crore a year earlier. Revenue dropped 6.3 per cent to Rs 5,179 crore. Raymond Realty delivered an impressive performance, with profit more than doubling to Rs 16.5 crore in Q1FY26 from Rs 7.4 crore. Revenue jumped 188.7 per cent to Rs 374.4 crore. Other income also surged to Rs 17.5 crore compared to Rs 0.1 crore last year. Container Corporation of India posted a 3.2 per cent rise in net profit at Rs 266.5 crore, while revenue grew 2.4 per cent to Rs 2,153.6 crore. CCL Products reported a 1.4 per cent increase in Q1 profit to Rs 72.4 crore, while revenue surged 36.5 per cent to Rs 1,055.6 crore. Automotive Axles posted a 4.9 per cent year-on-year growth in profit to Rs 35.7 crore, though revenue saw a slight dip of 0.6 per cent to Rs 489.4 crore. Gland Pharma reported a 49.9 per cent jump in Q1FY26 profit to Rs 215.5 crore and a 7.4 per cent rise in revenue to Rs 1,505.6 crore. EIH Ltd reported a steep 63.3 per cent drop in Q1FY26 profit to Rs 33.9 crore from Rs 92.2 crore last year. However, revenue increased 8.9 per cent to Rs 573.6 crore. Godawari Power and Ispat saw profit fall 24.6 per cent to Rs 216 crore, while revenue declined slightly to Rs 1,323.3 crore from Rs 1,342.5 crore. Gujarat Gas posted a marginal decline in net profit at Rs 327.6 crore versus Rs 330.7 crore a year earlier. Revenue fell 13 per cent to Rs 3,870.9 crore. HG Infra Engineering has received a Letter of Award from the Military Engineer Services (MES) for the development of an integrated material handling facility at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai, Maharashtra. This infrastructure contract is expected to be a key trigger for the stock. Bulk Deals One97 Communications (Paytm) saw a significant ownership reshuffle as Antfin (Netherlands) Holding BV, backed by Alibaba Group, completely exited the company by offloading its 5.84 per cent stake worth Rs 3,981 crore. Meanwhile, Societe Generale picked up 67.5 lakh shares at Rs 1,067.5 per share, aggregating Rs 720.56 crore. My Asian Opportunities Master Fund also acquired 35 lakh shares for Rs 373.6 crore at the same price. Aditya Infotech saw Invesco Mutual Fund purchase 9.8 lakh shares at Rs 1,023.57 per share, taking the total transaction value to Rs 100.8 crore. Laxmi India Finance witnessed a sell-off by BofA Securities Europe SA, which offloaded 3.54 lakh shares at Rs 141.12 apiece. Block Deals Lloyds Engineering Works was in the spotlight after Thriveni Earthmovers acquired 14.2 lakh sharesrepresenting 0.1 per cent of paid-up equityat Rs 70.5 per share. The shares were sold by promoter Lloyds Enterprises. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all IPO Listings Today Three companies NSDL, M&B Engineering, and Sri Lotus Developers and Realty will be listed on the mainboard exchanges today. On the SME front, Takyon Networks, B D Industries (Pune), and Mehul Colours are scheduled to debut on August 6. About the Author Mohammad Haris Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More Haris is Deputy News Editor (Business) at news18.com. He writes on various issues related to personal finance, markets, economy and companies. Having over a decade of experience in financial journalism, Haris h... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:34 IST News business markets Stocks To Watch Today: Airtel, Britannia, NCC, Gland Pharma, Bajaj Auto, Trent In Focus On August 6 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 Loading comments... Mumbai Gets A Crying Club: How Japan Came Up With Top Tear Solution For Stress & Woes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:00 IST Mumbai gets a crying club: What are crying clubs? Why are they becoming popular? Is there science behind it? What is the Japanese concept they are based on? Explained Follow us on: Crying plays an important role in mental health by helping regulate emotions, reduce stress, and promote psychological relief. (AI generated) Looking to release your emotions amid the stress and disappointments? Indias metros have come up with a solution crying clubs. Mumbai recently got one, while Delhi, Bengaluru already have their versions. What are crying clubs? Why are they becoming popular? Is there science behind it? What is the concept? Recommended Stories Firstly, why do tears matter? Crying plays an important role in mental health by helping regulate emotions, reduce stress, and promote psychological relief. Studies have shown that emotional crying activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which calms the body after stress, and may release hormones like oxytocin and endorphins that improve mood and relieve pain. Crying also encourages social support by signalling distress and fostering emotional connection, which can reduce feelings of isolation. However, the mental health benefits of crying depend on contextpeople often feel better after crying when it happens in a safe and supportive environment, but those with conditions like depression may not experience the same relief. What is a crying club? Mumbais The Cry Club in Khar offers the definition in an online announcement for its June 15 event a safe, non-judgmental space to express emotions. It is basically a space where supportive strangers are ready to listen, not fix. What does Mumbais The Cry Club offer? Tissues, tea, and emotional support music provided. Ranting, crying, and hugging are encouraged. Designed to help you leave feeling lighter. Step into a space where your feelings are welcome and your tears are safe," it says. The Cry Club invites you to embrace your emotions in a gentle and non-judgmental environment, it says. Whether youre carrying heartbreak, burnout, or just the weight of the week, come as you are. Surrounded by soft lighting, comforting tea, and people who understand, youre free to cry, rant, or simply sit in silence. Theres no pressure to explain or fix anything. Its a quiet rebellion against emotional suppression a place to let go, breathe, and leave feeling just a little bit lighter," it says. Do other metro cities have such clubs? Surat has had a Healthy Crying Club since 2017, where people gather once a month to cry. Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad host informal vulnerability circles inspired by Ruikatsu. What is the Japanese concept behind crying clubs? Ruikatsu, literally meaning tear activity or tear-seeking, is a Japanese wellness trend focused on the intentional act of crying to relieve stress, improve emotional health, and promote mental well-being. The term combines the words rui (tears) and katsu (short for katsudo," meaning activity), similar to other Japanese trends like shukatsu (job hunting) or konkatsu (marriage hunting). Ruikatsu involves organised sessions where participants gather to watch emotional films, listen to touching stories, or read heartfelt lettersanything that can provoke a genuine emotional release. The idea is that crying helps people release bottled-up emotions. These sessions are sometimes led by professional tear therapists who guide individuals through the process. How did the concept come up in Japan? The term was first coined around 2013 by Hiroki Terai, a Japanese entrepreneur who originally gained attention for offering divorce ceremonies. He noticed that people going through breakups or stressful life events often felt better after crying, and this observation led him to create structured sessions where people could cry intentionally to relieve emotional tension. Why is Ruikatsu popular? In high-pressure environments like Japans work culture, emotional suppression is common. Ruikatsu provides a safe and socially acceptable outlet to let those feelings out. Scientific studies have also supported the idea that cryingespecially emotional crying, not just reflex tearscan reduce stress hormones, lower blood pressure, and promote emotional clarity. Participants often report feeling lighter, calmer, and more emotionally balanced after a session. Why Ruikatsu is key to Japan top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Ruikatsu taps into a broader cultural shift in Japan toward mental health awareness, emotional literacy, and alternative forms of stress relief. While Japan traditionally values emotional restraint and stoicism, especially in public or professional settings, trends like ruikatsu are helping normalise emotional expression in a structured, purposeful way. 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 Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:56 IST News cities mumbai-news Mumbai Gets A Crying Club: How Japan Came Up With Top Tear Solution For Stress & Woes 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 Fine Fright: Shivakumar Zips Around On Bike With 35 Pending Traffic Challans; What Happened Next? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 00:28 IST After the traffic violations were flagged and opposition parties joined in on the criticism, the vehicle owner was pulled up and made to settle the fines late in the night Karnataka Deputy CM DK Shivakumar on a two-wheeler ride in Bengaluru on August 6; (right) A resident of RT Nagar settled unpaid fines worth Rs 19,500 against 35 traffic violations. (Image: News18/Sourced) What began as a filmy joyride on a two-wheeler to inspect the under-construction Hebbal flyover loop, ended as an embarrassment for Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar. The vehicle he was riding apparently had 35 traffic violations registered against it and unpaid fines amounting to Rs 19,500. Recommended Stories News18 has learnt that after the issue was flagged, the vehicles owner a resident of RT Nagar was pulled up by the traffic police and made to settle the fines late on Wednesday. A photo of the police and the vehicle owner holding an almost metre-long receipt was posted to show that the dues had been cleared and action taken. Shivakumar shoulders wrapped in a shawl with sunglasses on and wearing what police call a half helmet" was accompanied by state urban development minister and Hebbal MLA Byrathi Suresh riding pillion. Ironically, the kind of helmet donned by the politicians have been under traffic police scrutiny for not offering sufficient protection. There has been a crackdown on this kind of gear and several riders have been booked for safety violation. The deputy chief ministers office posted a video of the joyride on social media, portraying it as an inspection of the under-construction flyover. The Hebbal flyover loop is set to open, easing traffic congestion and ensuring smoother and faster commutes as part of our governments commitment to building a better Bengaluru," said the official handle with the video of Shivakumar riding the two-wheeler. The 700-metre loop, part of the busy Hebbal interchange, has been under construction since April 17, 2024, and is expected to open before August 15 this year. Once completed, it aims to decongest one of Bengalurus most gridlocked intersections and improve access to the Kempegowda International Airport. Even before the flyover could open to the public, however, Shivakumar has seemingly veered onto a bumpy stretch. Social media users and opposition parties, BJP and JD(S), were quick to notice that the two-wheeler, with the registration number KA 04 JZ 2087, had Rs 19,500 in unpaid traffic fines. The BJP went to the traffic police website and posted details of the violations, pointing out that the vehicle had been booked for repeated offences, including riding without a helmet, using a mobile phone while driving, and entering restricted or one-way roads. The Honble Deputy CM @DKShivakumar, is there one law for you and another for the common people in the state?" the BJP asked in a post on X, sharing images of the ride and screenshots of the challans. DK breaks two rules," they wrote, mocking the ride as a violation-filled publicity stunt. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The JD(S) also joined in the criticism, calling the event a photo-op at the cost of the law. In a post on X, it said: Instead of indulging in photo shoots and making reels for publicity, first fulfil your responsibilities as a minister properly." 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 06, 2025, 23:47 IST News cities Fine Fright: Shivakumar Zips Around On Bike With 35 Pending Traffic Challans; What Happened Next? 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 Loading comments... Copernicus Olympiad 2025: Young Genius Makes India Proud At Columbia University Curated By : Translation Desk-Local18 Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 09:53 IST At the Copernicus Olympiad 2025 in New York, Udaipur's Prakhar Singhvi won first place in the Maths category, beating global peers and making India proud on the international stage Prakhar Singhvis triumph at such a revered competition is a proud moment not just for Rajasthan, but for entire India. (Local18) Prakhar Singhvi, a bright young mind from Udaipur, Rajasthan, has once again proven that Indias talent knows no bounds. At the prestigious Copernicus Olympiad 2025, held at Columbia University in New York, Prakhar secured first place in the Mathematics category, outshining participants from across the globe and bringing laurels to India on an international platform. The Copernicus Olympiad is a highly competitive and globally recognised event where exceptional students showcase their skills in mathematics, science, logical reasoning, and innovation. Prakhar Singhvis triumph at such a revered competition is a proud moment not just for Rajasthan, but for entire India. Recommended Stories Behind Prakhar Singhvis remarkable achievement lies years of hard work, dedication, and a deep-rooted love for problem-solving. From spending countless hours tackling advanced international math test series to training on online platforms, he has consistently honed his skills. His passion lies in simplifying complex mathematical theorems, solving logic puzzles, and exploring the beauty of numbers. His father, Bharat Singhvi, is a senior advocate, while his mother, Pratibha Singhvi, is a homemaker. Both have played a vital role in nurturing his curiosity. They always encouraged him to think independently, ask questions, and approach problems from unique perspectives. For Prakhar Singhvi, mathematics is not just a subjectits a way of thinking. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speaking about his win, Prakhar Singhvi said, This achievement has been made possible because of my parents, teachers, and mentors. Representing India at Columbia University has been a dream come true. I dedicate this honour to my country and to Udaipur." His victory has sparked excitement and pride across Udaipur, especially among schools, teachers, and fellow students. A special ceremony will soon be held at his school to celebrate his success. Location : Udaipur, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 09:53 IST News education-career Copernicus Olympiad 2025: Young Genius Makes India Proud At Columbia University 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 Loading comments... GK: Indias Top 10 Safest Cities 2025, Check If Your City Is On The List Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:26 IST Mangalore has been ranked the safest city in India in 2025, followed by Vadodara, Ahmedabad, and Surat, while Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad are among the least safe. Mangalore tops list of safest Indian cities in 2025; Delhi, Noida among least safe. Despite Indias steady rise as a global economic and tech powerhouse, safety remains a key concern for its urban population. In the latest mid-2025 Numbeo Safety Index, India ranked 67th worldwide with a modest safety score of 55.8. Yet, when zoomed in on its cities, a few urban centres stand out for providing a greater sense of security to their residents. Mangalore, known for its clean streets and disciplined civic systems, has emerged as the safest city in India, securing the 49th spot globally. Meanwhile, Gujarat shines on the safety map with three of its citiesVadodara, Ahmedabad, and Suratmaking it to the national top 10. On the other end of the spectrum, major NCR hubs like Delhi, Noida, and Ghaziabad continue to struggle with crime, ranking among the least safe cities in the country. Check the full list below. Recommended Stories Top 10 Safest Cities In India | Mid-2025 Rankings Global Rank India Rank City, State Safety Index Crime Index 49 1 Mangalore, Karnataka 74.2 25.8 85 2 Vadodara, Gujarat 69.2 30.8 93 3 Ahmedabad, Gujarat 68.2 31.8 106 4 Surat, Gujarat 66.6 33.4 118 5 Jaipur, Rajasthan 65.2 34.8 126 6 Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra 63.5 36.5 149 7 Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala 61.1 38.9 158 8 Chennai, Tamil Nadu 60.3 37.9 167 9 Pune, Maharashtra 58.7 41.3 175 10 Chandigarh 57.4 42.6 Source: Numbeo Safety Index By City 2025 Several cities in the Middle East continue to set global benchmarks for safety and public order, with an impressive five making it to the worlds top 10 safest cities in the mid-2025 Numbeo rankings. At the forefront is Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, which has maintained its position as the worlds safest city for the ninth year in a row. Check list of top 10 safest cities in the world here: Top 10 Safest Cities In The World 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Rank City, Country Safety Index 1 Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates 88.8 2 Doha, Qatar 84.3 3 Dubai, United Arab Emirates 83.9 4 Sharjah, United Arab Emirates 83.7 5 Taipei, Taiwan 83.6 6 Manama, Bahrain 81.3 7 Muscat, Oman 81.1 8 The Hague (Den Haag), Netherlands 80.0 9 Trondheim, Norway 79.3 10 Eindhoven, Netherlands 79.1 Source: Numbeo Safety Index by City 2025 About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:24 IST News education-career GK: Indias Top 10 Safest Cities 2025, Check If Your City Is On The List 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 Loading comments... IIM Ranchi To Replace Traditional Exam With AI Problem-Solving Projects For Mid-Terms Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:07 IST The new approach will be applied to the mid-term assessments. IIM Ranchi stated that it will maintain the traditional hall-based examinations for end-term evaluations. Follow us on: IIM Ranchi has restructured its attendance policy. (File Photo) IIM Ranchi has announced the complete replacement of traditional hall-based mid-term exams with AI-integrated business problem-solving projects across all courses. This initiative, termed WAI" (Working with AI), aims to address a critical gap in traditional management education, where students often graduate with theoretical knowledge but lack practical experience in human-AI collaboration a skill increasingly essential in todays workplace. We recognised that the traditional model of isolated theoretical learning was increasingly disconnected from the dynamic needs of modern business," explains Dr. Deepak Srivastava, Director, IIM Ranchi. Our students needed to develop competencies that transcend textbook knowledge they need to work collaboratively with emerging technologies to solve complex business challenges," he added. Recommended Stories The WAI model aims to ensure graduates are truly industry-ready. Traditional assessment methods, while valuable for testing theoretical understanding, often fail to evaluate students ability to navigate complex, technology-enhanced business environments, the institute stated in an official press release. Furthermore, IIM Ranchi has restructured its attendance policy, moving away from compulsory attendance to a flexible model based on positive reinforcement. Students will receive incentives for participation while maintaining the freedom to pursue additional skill development opportunities. Were creating an environment where students take ownership of their learning journey," notes Dean, Academics Prof. Tanusree Dutta. This requires balancing freedom with responsibility students have more autonomy in how they engage with content, but theyre also held to higher standards in demonstrating practical competencies," Dutta added. By engaging students in working with AI systems to address real business challenges, the assessment process aims to transforms into a hands-on training platform for practical skills. Students will acquire the ability to select suitable AI tools, recognise their limitations, communicate effectively with AI systems, and integrate AI-generated insights with human judgment, the IIM added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Despite these innovative changes to mid-term assessments, IIM Ranchi continues to use traditional hall-based examinations for end-term evaluations. This hybrid approach allows students to develop fundamental analytical and reasoning skills while also gaining practical technological competencies. Prof. Gaurav Manohar Marathe, Chairperson, Student Engagement and Development Committee (SEDC), stated: We are not discarding the strengths of traditional evaluation methods. Rather, we are building a well-rounded assessment ecosystem that equally values foundational academic knowledge and the ability to apply that knowledge in real-world scenarios." About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:54 IST News education-career IIM Ranchi To Replace Traditional Exam With AI Problem-Solving Projects For Mid-Terms 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 About a thousand civilians remain in the Korabel (Ostriv) neighborhood of Kherson after the Russians partially destroyed a road bridge, Vladislav Voloshyn, a spokesman for the Southern Defense Forces, has said. "A few days ago, the enemy launched an air strike with a guided bomb on this bridge. It partially destroyed it. There is a fairly large hole there. There are certain violations, but a commission will work to determine the extent of the bridge's destruction," he said during a telethon on Wednesday. According to Voloshyn, the enemy launched an attack on the bridge because the Russians were trying to "cut off" civilians living in the area. "This is pure terrorism," the spokesman stressed. "Today, about a thousand residents remain there. At the time of the attack, there were about 1,500 - 1,700 residents," Voloshyn noted. He recalled that the local authorities are currently evacuating civilians. At the same time, Voloshyn stressed that the Russians are constantly carrying out drone attacks on Kherson, so it is dangerous to be in the city. In particular, the enemy is hitting police crews and ambulances. As reported, Russian aircraft attacked Kherson on the evening of August 2: they dropped two guided bombs, significantly damaging the road bridge leading to the Korabel neighborhood. SC Directs States To Conduct Surveys On Orphaned Children Deprived Of Education Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:38 IST The petitioner argued that while India provides significant support to children from weaker sections through scholarships, reservations, jobs; orphans receive no such support. The Supreme Court was addressing a plea that highlighted concerns for orphans needing care and protection. (PTI Photo) On Wednesday, the Supreme Court instructed all states to survey orphaned children who were denied education under the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009. A bench comprising Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan also urged the Centre to consider including data on such children in the forthcoming census, scheduled for 2027. Recommended Stories The apex court was addressing a plea that highlighted concerns for orphans needing care and protection. The bench further directed states to survey orphaned children who have been admitted to schools under the 2009 Act provisions. The petitioner argued that existing schemes by the Centre and state governments for orphan care and protection were inadequate and needed reassessment. The top court stated, "States to make a survey of the orphan children who have already been granted admission under the provisions of the Act as well as a survey of the children who have been denied such right to free and compulsory education under the Act and if so, for what reasons," the top court said. States are required to submit their respective affidavits. Alongside the survey and data collection, the bench emphasized ensuring that deserving children receive admissions to nearby schools. Authorities were given four weeks to comply with the directions. It was noted that several states, including Gujarat, Delhi, Meghalaya, and Sikkim, had already issued notifications to include orphaned children within the 25 percent quota for weaker sections and disadvantaged groups as prescribed in Section 12 (1) (c) of the law. Section 12 outlines the extent of a schools responsibility for free and compulsory education. The bench recommended that other states also consider issuing similar notifications and file related affidavits. The next hearing is scheduled for September 9. During the hearing, the petitioner requested the Centre to consider including data on orphans in the upcoming census. The bench suggested to Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, who was present for another matter, There should be a box for orphans as well." Mehta responded, It should be. I will take it up because orphans are our responsibility." When the petitioner asked the Centre to submit a detailed affidavit addressing the issues raised in the plea, the bench assured that all aspects would be considered. The bench noted that Juvenile Justice Committees exist in all high courts and national consultations are being held on these issues. So it is not as bad as it was," the bench remarked, positive developments are also occurring." The petitioner argued that while India provides significant support and opportunities to children from weaker sections through scholarships, reservations, jobs, and loans, orphans receive no such support. She cited UNICEFs estimate of 25 million orphans in India. As a country, we dont even have an official count of orphans. Currently, we are conducting a historic caste census, yet orphans are not being counted," the petitioner stated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Indias 16th Census with caste enumeration will take place in 2027, with the reference date of October 1, 2026, for snow-bound areas like Ladakh and March 1, 2027, for the rest of the country. In July 2018, the apex court agreed to examine the plea seeking reservations in educational institutions and government jobs for orphans, equating them with those belonging to the SC/ST and OBC categories. About the Author Education and Careers Desk A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More A team of reporters, writers and editors brings you news, analyses and information on college and school admissions, board and competitive exams, career options, topper interviews, job notifications, latest in ... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:37 IST News education-career SC Directs States To Conduct Surveys On Orphaned Children Deprived Of Education 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 Loading comments... Preaching Russia Sanctions, Paying Putin: Inside The EUs Energy Trade Hypocrisy Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 17:33 IST Since 2022, the European Union has paid Russia 212 billion euros for fossil fuels, 66 billion more than India, despite war, sanctions, and all the moral grandstanding Model of natural gas pipeline, EU and Russia flags (REUTERS/Illustration/File Photo) When the European Union declared war on Russian energy after Vladimir Putins full-scale invasion of Ukraine, it did so with conviction, or so it seemed. In public, Brussels positioned itself as the global moral compass, championing sanctions, condemning the Kremlin, and promising to wean the continent off fossil fuels from Moscow. But more than two years later, the numbers reveal a different story: one where the EU continues to import Russian energy, in massive quantities, through technicalities, loopholes, and quietly maintained dependencies. At the centre of this complex contradiction lies a reality many in Europes political leadership dont publicly admit: despite pledges, declarations, and plans like RePowerEU the EUs flagship roadmap to end all Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027 Russian energy is still flowing into the bloc, not only in trickles, but in volumes substantial enough to power Putins war machine. Recommended Stories Europes Energy Tab: 212 Billion And Counting According to the Russia Fossil Tracker maintained by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA), the EU has purchased over 212 billion worth of fossil fuels from Russia since the start of the invasion in February 2022. That includes crude oil, liquefied natural gas (LNG), pipeline gas, and coal. While the overall share has declined from pre-war levels, the EU remains Russias single largest fossil fuel customer, just edging out China. This figure becomes even more striking when placed in context. The EUs payments for gas alone since the war began total roughly $105.6 billion, which amounts to 75 per cent of Russias 2024 military budget. In effect, while Europe imposes sanctions in theory, its energy transactions in practice continue to fund the very war effort it seeks to weaken. LNG: The Sanction-Free Stream No One Wants To Talk About Perhaps the most blatant gap in the EUs sanctions regime is LNG. While Russian seaborne crude oil and refined petroleum products were banned in December 2022, LNG remains entirely exempt. This exemption was largely intended to safeguard energy security for member states that lacked reliable pipeline alternatives, but it left a gaping loophole that Moscow continues to exploit. In the third year of the war, the EU paid $8.5 billion for Russian LNG, with volumes increasing by 9 per cent year-on-year. In fact, 52 per cent of all Russian LNG exports currently head to Europe, making the bloc the single biggest customer by far. The distribution of these imports tells an even more nuanced story. In the first half of 2025, France increased its Russian LNG intake by 46 per cent, reaching 7.7 billion cubic metres. The Netherlands saw an even steeper surge, 81 per cent, bringing total imports to 1.7 bcm. Belgium and Spain, while showing declines from previous highs, still imported 5.1 and 5.7 bcm, respectively. These four countries together accounted for 87 per cent of all Russian LNG arrivals into the EU. Much of this LNG is then re-gasified and sent through cross-border interconnectors, meaning the original importer is often not the final consumer, a convenient arrangement that diffuses responsibility and obscures the true scale of dependency. In the public narrative, LNG is often excluded from discussions around energy dependence. But in hard terms, it is the last remaining tap, and its still wide open. Pipeline Gas Via TurkStream The picture is similar when it comes to pipeline gas, albeit with more nuance and historical baggage. Before the Ukraine war, Russia supplied pipeline gas to Europe via multiple routes, through Belarus, Ukraine, and the Baltic Seas Nord Stream pipelines. However, by 2025, all but one of these have either been decommissioned or disrupted. After Ukraine chose not to renew its five-year gas transit agreement with Moscow, which expired in January 2025, and following the sabotage of Nord Stream 1 and 2 in late 2022, the TurkStream undersea pipeline became the only remaining direct conduit for Russian pipeline gas into the EU. Running from Russia to Turkey and then into southeastern Europe, TurkStream has now become the sole operational artery in what was once a vast gas network. And its far from idle. In July 2025, Russian gas flows via TurkStream surged to 51.5 million cubic metres per day, up from 37.6 mcm/day in June, a 37 per cent monthly jump according to Reuters data. Compared to July 2024, volumes were up by 4.7 per cent, indicating not a one-off spike but a trend of sustained revival. Over the first six months of 2025 alone, 9.93 billion cubic metres of Russian gas flowed through this pipeline, slightly more than during the same period last year. Whats crucial to note is that none of this violates EU law. There are no formal sanctions on Russian pipeline gas. The sharp decline in pipeline flows since 2022 was not due to EU policy decisions, but rather physical and political disruptions. The infrastructure for imports remains legally available, and TurkStream now quietly fills the gap, with minimal political scrutiny. G7 Tankers Are Still Shipping Russian Oil Another uncomfortable truth lies offshore. While the G7 has championed the oil price cap as a sanctions success story, its own fleet of tankers is helping move Russian crude and refined products across the globe. In June 2025, over 56 per cent of Russias seaborne oil exports were carried by tankers owned or insured in G7 countries. Just six months earlier, that figure stood at 36 per cent. For oil products diesel, gasoline, and more the share was even higher: 80 per cent of seaborne product exports were handled by G7+ vessels, according to CREAs June report. In contrast, the share of shadow fleet" tankers older, often uninsured ships sailing under flags of convenience declined. This suggests that as sanctions enforcement became riskier, Western actors quietly re-entered the trade, this time under the umbrella of price cap compliance. The price cap mechanism, introduced by the G7, allows maritime transport of Russian oil only if it is sold below $60 per barrel. But enforcement is often weak, and opaque documentation makes it easy for shipments to pass with little scrutiny. Technically, much of this oil is sold below the sanctioned threshold. But practically, it means the same actors calling for tougher sanctions are simultaneously enabling Russian exports, with legal cover. Fertilisers: A Strategic Exception That Keeps Flowing While fossil fuels dominate headlines, the story of fertilisers is just as revealing. Russia continues to be the EUs largest supplier of fertilisers, even in 2025. And thats because fertilisers are not sanctioned, a conscious exemption made to protect European agricultural stability and food security. For example, nitrogen-based fertilisers derived from natural gas are critical for European crop yields, particularly in grain-producing nations such as France and Germany. According to Eurostat, Russias share of EU fertiliser imports dipped only slightly, from 28 per cent in Q1 2021 to 26 per cent in Q1 2025. Despite the war, despite the sanctions, and despite other alternatives, Europe has continued to depend on Russian supply to feed its soil. This trade not only boosts Russian export earnings but also highlights how the EUs strategic dependencies" have been carved out of the sanctions regime, quietly, deliberately, and without much public debate. Long-Term Contracts, No Legal Exit A major barrier to breaking this dependence lies not just in political will, but in contractual reality. Many EU companies hold long-term LNG purchase agreements with Russian entities, some stretching up to 2040. As CREAs April 2025 analysis points out, these contracts are nearly impossible to break without invoking force majeure, and force majeure clauses require a legally binding ban, not just a political preference. Thats the core problem with the EUs vaunted RePowerEU plan, which aims to end all Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027. While ambitious on paper, it is not legally binding. This means companies have no grounds to exit their contracts without facing lawsuits or penalties. Until Brussels formalises that plan into law, Russian gas and LNG will continue flowing under the protection of binding commercial obligations. India, Trump, And The Wests Convenient Blind Spot The contradictions in Europes energy posture have become even more visible in light of recent US commentary. On Monday, US President Donald Trump accused India of profiteering" from Russian oil and threatened additional tariffs on Indian exports to the US. He alleged that New Delhi was fuelling the Kremlins war economy while turning a blind eye to Ukraine. But the numbers, again, tell a different story. Since the invasion, Indias total fossil fuel imports from Russia have stood at 146 billion, far below the EUs 212 billion. Moreover, Indias purchases are conducted transparently, within the bounds of international law, and do not involve Western-owned tankers or indirect re-exports. The criticism appears rooted less in substance and more in optics, as Indias rising geopolitical clout and independent energy policy have unsettled traditional Western power centres. Unlike the EU, India has no legacy contracts, no hidden transshipment corridors, and no subsidy-driven LNG pipeline tying it to Moscow. The criticism, therefore, seems not only misplaced but also hypocritical, especially when it comes from actors complicit in Russias sustained energy revenues. The Sanctions That Werent The EUs energy relationship with Russia is not just a matter of incomplete decoupling; its a reflection of strategic ambiguity, where public morality and private necessity move in opposite directions. While Brussels proclaims solidarity with Ukraine, it has continued, through loopholes, exemptions, and logistical partnerships, to funnel billions into Russias energy sector. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This quiet complicity does more than sustain the Kremlins budget. It undermines the very credibility of Western sanctions, casting doubt on whether the objective is deterrence, or simply optics. Unless the EU moves from declarative policy to enforceable bans and aligns its commercial reality with its political rhetoric, the message will remain mixed. About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:33 IST News explainers Preaching Russia Sanctions, Paying Putin: Inside The EUs Energy Trade Hypocrisy 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 Loading comments... Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy: Why Her American Eagle Campaign Is Being Called Nazi Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 14:20 IST Meant to promote denim & raise awareness about domestic violence, American Eagles ad campaign starring Sydney Sweeney has instead been accused of echoing white supremacist tropes In July this year, American Eagle launched a bold campaign to promote its denim revival, featuring one of Hollywoods rising stars, Sydney Sweeney. (Photo Credit: Instagram) In July this year, American Eagle launched a bold campaign to promote its denim revival, featuring one of Hollywoods rising stars, Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria, The White Lotus, and Madame Web. The campaign was designed to blend cheeky humour with body positivity, philanthropy, and a dash of Gen-Z irony. In the central video, Sweeney, wearing an American Eagle denim outfit, faces the camera and says: Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair colour, personality and even eye colour. My jeans are blue." Recommended Stories The ad ends with the line: Sydney Sweeney has great jeans." In a follow-up clip posted to Instagram, she is seen approaching a billboard that reads Great Genes." She crosses out the word genes" and writes jeans" instead, adding: See what I did there?" But not everyone was amused. The reference to genetics, her blonde hair and blue eyes, and the campaigns overall tone quickly triggered outrage, not just for its innuendo, but for what critics said was a disturbing nod to white supremacist ideology. What Were The Accusations? To understand the backlash, its important to understand the weight of the phrase great genes" in American cultural and political history. The early 20th-century eugenics movement in the US promoted the idea that the human race could be improved by selective breeding. This pseudoscientific theory targeted people of colour, immigrants, and people with disabilities, and led to forced sterilisation laws, segregation, and immigration bans. These ideas were later embraced by Nazi Germany, forming the basis for policies of racial purity and genocide. Re: Sydney SweeneyGenes are passed down from parent to offspring, often determining traits like eye color, personality, and even hair color" So Sydney (& American Eagle) somehow expect audiences to not interpret this visual as a euphemism for eugenics and white supremacy? https://t.co/yG5BFm9PDj pic.twitter.com/QXObl7A2PK My Fairy Godfather. (@MFG_iWPJ) July 26, 2025 So when a modern ad features a blue-eyed, blonde-haired white woman saying she has great genes", even as a pun, the visual and linguistic choices land uncomfortably close to the historical language of racial superiority. Why Did Critics Call It Tone-Deaf, Especially For A Domestic Violence Campaign? The controversy was further complicated by the campaigns stated social purpose. As part of the promotion, American Eagle launched a special edition product, The Sydney Jean, with 100 per cent of its purchase price donated to Crisis Text Line, a US-based mental health and domestic abuse support service. The idea was to blend fashion with philanthropy. But critics felt the campaigns visual tone undermined its mission. In several versions of the ad, Sweeneys body was the focal point. The camera panned down her chest, or lingered on her curves, as she spoke about genetics. In one video, she says: My bodys composition is determined by my genes" Then pauses and adds: Hey, eyes up here." This hyper-sexualised aesthetic, critics argued, clashed sharply with the campaigns goal of raising awareness around gendered violence. Many said the brand was using Sweeneys body to drive clicks, while claiming to stand for womens empowerment. Damn I thought you all were joking but that Sydney Sweeney ad really does say genes determine personality." Our culture is absolutely cooked Erik Baker (@erikmbaker) July 26, 2025 NPR wrote that the dissonance between message and method rendered the ad completely tone-deaf," especially in a country where womens bodies have historically been commodified even in the name of advocacy. How Did The Internet React? The backlash wasnt limited to op-eds. It was instant, viral, and vicious, with many accusing American Eagle of creating a modern dog whistle" for racist ideology. After the ad went live, social media was filled with posts labelling it Nazi-coded," white supremacist chic," and one of the most obvious racialised dog whistles in a while." On Reddit, users criticised Sweeney for what they saw as calculated indifference: She is loving all of this attention the girl does NOT care." This might be the funniest way someones career could implode lol." At the premiere of her film Americana, TMZ captured a protester heckling her from the crowd. As Sweeney stepped out of her car, a woman was heard yelling: Stop the ad, that is being racist." Sweeney, flanked by her team, appeared unfazed. But critics viewed that too as part of the problem, accusing her of staying silent while profiting off controversy. Internets Reaction Didnt Stop At The Ad In one of the more bizarre turns, even Sweeneys pet dog, a red-and-black German Shepherd named Sully Bear, became the target of online anger. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Sydney Sweeney (@sydney_sweeney) Given the ads perceived eugenic undertones, users began pointing out that German Shepherds were the breed used by Nazis during World War II, and that Hitler himself owned several. Posts soon called Sully a Nazi pet." One user wrote: Swastika Sweeney. Hyper white person pet for sure." The moment crystallised the absurd extremes of the backlash, but also how deeply some felt about the campaigns symbolism. What Role Did Trump Play And Why Did It Escalate The Backlash? What might have been a fashion controversy turned into a full-blown culture war when Donald Trump endorsed the ad. Taking to Truth Social, the US President wrote: Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. The jeans are flying off the shelves. Go get em, Sydney!" When asked later by reporters if he supported the campaign, he replied: If Sydney Sweeney is a Republican, I think her ad is fantastic." Trumps backing reframed the controversy. Overnight, conservative media turned Sweeney into a symbol of anti-woke defiance, someone allegedly punished by liberal outrage for simply being attractive and Republican. The right-wing press ran with it. According to a Media Matters study, Fox News mentioned the campaign 28 times in one week, more than it discussed the Jeffrey Epstein case. Even Vice President JD Vance weighed in on a podcast, mocking the backlash. LMAO! JD Vance just reacted to leftists melting down over Sydney SweeneyMy political advice to Democrats is continue to tell everyone who thinks Sydney Sweeney is attractive is a NAZl" You guys, did you learn NOTHING from the 2024 election?! I actually thought one of pic.twitter.com/qp3zLxU9lG Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) August 1, 2025 Is Sydney Sweeney A Registered Republican? Yes. According to The Independent, Sydney Sweeney has been a registered Republican in Florida since June 2024, months before Trumps second-term win. This detail gained traction as the backlash grew. Critics saw it as confirmation that the ad wasnt apolitical. Supporters framed it as bravery in an industry dominated by liberals. While Sweeney has never publicly endorsed a candidate, her political registration, silence, and now celebrity branding deals have been closely scrutinised. Was The Campaign Actually Bad For Business? Not at all, at least financially. American Eagle was in trouble. Just weeks earlier, the company: Withdrew financial guidance due to macro uncertainty" Forecasted a 5 per cent revenue drop Reported an $85 million operating loss Saw its gross margins fall from 40.6% to 29.6% But after the campaign went viral, American Eagles stock surged: 10% bump when the campaign first dropped in July 28% spike after Trumps public endorsement Nearly $200 million added to the companys market value in one session, as reported by Vanity Fair In short, outrage worked. What Now For Sydney Sweeney And American Eagle? Sweeney has not issued any statement. Her silence has been interpreted as everything from strategic distancing to quiet agreement. American Eagle, for its part, continues to defend the campaign, stating: Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story Great jeans look good on everyone." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Eagle (@americaneagle) The company has not pulled the campaign, though some videos have been deleted from social media. 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 06, 2025, 14:08 IST News explainers Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy: Why Her American Eagle Campaign Is Being Called Nazi 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 Loading comments... Uttarakhands Flash Flood Threat: What It Is And Why It Wont Go Away Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:25 IST Unlike regular floods that build up over time, flash floods come with little warning and can overwhelm an area in minutes. Houses partially submerged following mudslide and flash floods triggered by a cloudburst at Kheer Gad area in Dharali of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. (Image: PTI) Flash floods wreaked havoc in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district on Tuesday, claiming four lives, while several others are still feared missing. Although Uttarkashi had been receiving heavy rainfall for the past three days, only light to moderate showers were reported on Tuesday. Yet, around 1:40 PM, a sudden and massive deluge occurred in the Kheer Ganga stream, hitting the Dharali village, located along its banks, and causing large-scale destruction. The flash floods triggered severe mudslides that swept away houses, hotels, and other buildings. Visuals from the disaster showed terrified residents running for their lives, but the raging waters engulfed the area within seconds, leaving behind a trail of devastation. Recommended Stories This tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the state of Uttarakhand. As the Indian Army leads rescue and relief operationsjoined by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF)it is crucial to understand the causes of flash floods and why Uttarakhand remains particularly vulnerable to such deadly disasters. Also Read: Cloudburst To Blame? What Caused The Catastrophic Flash Floods In Uttarakhand What Is a Flash Flood? A flash flood is a sudden, intense flooding event that happens very quicklyusually within six hours of heavy rainfall or another trigger like a dam break or a glacial lake burst. Unlike regular floods that build up over time, flash floods come with little warning and can overwhelm an area in minutes. These floods bring fast-moving water that can flood low-lying areas, dry riverbeds, and even city streets. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) defines a flash flood as rainfall exceeding 100 mm per hour over a small area (about 2030 sq km). Recent research suggests it can be even more extremeup to 250 mm per hour over just 1 sq km. What Causes Flash Floods? Flash floods are triggered by a mix of natural conditions and human activities: 1. Heavy Rainfall and Cloudbursts The most common cause is intense, short bursts of raincalled cloudburststhat dump huge amounts of water in minutes. These typically happen during the monsoon season from June to September. 2. Steep Terrain In hilly or mountainous areas, rainwater flows downhill very fast, increasing the speed and volume of the flood. Narrow valleys and steep slopes are particularly prone. 3. Glacial Melts And Snowmelt Rising temperatures can cause rapid snowmelt or glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). A major example was the 2021 Chamoli disaster in Uttarakhand, caused by a sudden rock and ice avalanche. 4. Urbanisation and Poor Drainage In cities, concrete surfaces prevent water from soaking into the ground. This causes fast runoff. Encroaching on riverbanks and having poor drainage systems make flooding worse. 5. Deforestation And Construction Unplanned cutting of trees and random construction loosen the soil and increase runoff. It can also cause landslides that block rivers and create sudden flooding. 6. Climate Change Warmer weather leads to more intense rainfall and faster glacier meltingboth of which raise the risk of flash floods. Why Are Flash Floods So Dangerous? Flash floods are one of the deadliest natural disasters because they happen quickly and cause large-scale damage. Flash floods can hit within minutes. That leaves very little time to warn or evacuate people. Heres why theyre so risky: High-Speed Water And Debris The water flows with great force and often carries mud, rocks, and debris. It can easily destroy houses, roads, and vehicles. In the Uttarkashi flash flood, hotels and homes in Dharali village were wiped out within minutes. High Death Toll And Property Damage Flash floods often kill large numbers of people and destroy homes, businesses, and infrastructure. The 2013 Uttarakhand floods killed more than 5,000 people and damaged over 2,000 homes. In 2021, the Chamoli flood left over 200 dead and wiped out hydropower stations. Inaccessibility In remote mountainous areas, floods can cut off roads and bridges, making rescue efforts difficult and delaying help. Flash floods can also lead to landslides, contaminate drinking water, and ruin peoples livelihoodsespecially in places like Uttarakhand that depend on tourism. Why Flash Floods Occur In Uttarakhand? Uttarakhand, located in the Himalayas, faces a high risk of flash floods due to both natural features and human activities: Geological Weakness The region sits on the southern Himalayan slopes, which are geologically young and unstable. The steep slopes and dense network of rivers allow water to rush through quickly, causing landslides and floods. Extreme Weather Uttarakhand receives very heavy rainfall during the monsoon. Cloudbursts are common and can drop over 100 mm of rain per hour. The Uttarkashi disaster is one such example. The IMD continues to warn about such intense rain events. Climate Change Effects Warming temperatures are making the glaciers melt faster and making monsoons more erratic. Events like the 2021 Chamoli and yesterdays Uttarkashi floods are likely to become more common due to climate shifts. Unplanned Development Rapid constructionof roads, buildings, hotels, and hydropower projectsis disrupting the natural landscape. Slopes are destabilised, and water flow is blocked or diverted in harmful ways. More than 70 hydropower projects and numerous road expansions have been blamed for increasing flood vulnerability. Tourism Pressure Uttarakhands tourism industry, especially pilgrimages to Kedarnath and Gangotri, leads to construction in risky flood-prone zones. The heavily affected Dharali village lies on a major pilgrimage route. High Population in Risk Zones Over half the population of Uttarakhand lives in areas vulnerable to landslides and floods. This high exposure increases the impact of disasters when they strike. What Can Be Done To Prevent Flash Floods? Reducing the risk of flash floods in Uttarakhand requires a combination of long-term planning and immediate response readiness: 1. Better Early Warning Systems Use advanced weather forecasting tools and satellite data to detect cloudbursts and issue flood warnings in real time. 2. Smart And Sustainable Development Strictly regulate construction in flood-prone areas. Maintain natural drainage systems, protect forests, and move people away from high-risk zones when neededas was advised after the Chamoli disaster. 3. Stronger Flood Control Infrastructure Build flood defences like embankments, check dams, and modern drainage systemsespecially in fast-growing urban areas. 4. Community Training And Awareness Teach residents about flood risks and emergency plans. Local-level disaster planning can save lives during sudden events. 5. Climate Action Combat climate change through reforestation, watershed restoration, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions to prevent extreme weather from getting worse. 6. Coordinated Disaster Response Improve coordination between rescue forces like the NDRF, SDRF, and Army. Their quick response during the 2025 Uttarkashi disaster saved many lives. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 7. Scientific Mapping and Monitoring Use mapping tools like GIS and watershed analysis to identify danger zones. This has already been done in parts of the Upper Ganga Basin and should be expanded. About the Author Surbhi Pathak Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11. Surbhi Pathak, subeditor, writes on India, world affairs, science, and education. She is currently dabbling with lifestyle content. Follow her on X: @S_Pathak_11. First Published: August 06, 2025, 10:16 IST News explainers Uttarakhands Flash Flood Threat: What It Is And Why It Wont Go Away 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 Loading comments... Uttarkashi Disaster: We Can Predict Tsunamis And Cyclones, So Why Not Cloudbursts? Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 14:59 IST A cloudburst is essentially an extreme weather event (over 100 mm of rainfall in less than an hour) usually in a small area no larger than 20-30 sq kms According to local authorities, 15 to 20 houses were completely destroyed in the Uttarkashi cloudburst. (Photo: ANI) In just 34 seconds, disaster struck the Himalayan village of Dharali near the Kheer Ganga river in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district. A cloudburst on Tuesday afternoon unleashed a violent torrent of water, mud, and debris that flattened Dharalis bustling market and dozens of homes. At least four people have been confirmed dead and over 50 are still missing. But beyond the immediate tragedy, the incident has once again raised a painful question: Why, in an age of satellite monitoring and early-warning systems, is modern science still unable to predict cloudbursts? The incident occurred at 1:55 pm on Tuesday, August 5, catching residents and tourists completely off guard. The water level in the Kheer Ganga river rose dramatically within seconds, pushing a deadly mix of debris and floodwater into the heart of the village. Dramatic videos shared on social media show buildings collapsing like paper houses, swept away by the surge. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami called the event sorrowful and shocking," while Union Home Minister Amit Shah immediately deployed NDRF, SDRF, Army, and ITBP teams for rescue operations. Recommended Stories According to local authorities, 15 to 20 houses were completely destroyed. Gangotri Dham, a major pilgrimage destination, has been cut off from the district headquarters, deepening the regions isolation. Survivors have spoken of hearing a roaring sound moments before the wave struck, the only warning they ever received. Why Can We Predict Cyclones, Tsunamis But Not Cloudbursts? Unlike cyclones or earthquakes, cloudbursts remain notoriously difficult to predict. A cloudburst is essentially an extreme weather event (over 100 mm of rainfall in less than an hour) usually in a small area no larger than 20-30 square kilometres. It typically occurs when moisture-laden monsoon clouds are forced upwards by the mountains, triggering rapid condensation and sudden downpours when hot and cold air masses meet. Despite advances in meteorology, there are major challenges. First, the small scale and short duration of cloudbursts mean they require high-resolution radar and satellite data, which is still sparse in hilly regions. Second, the rugged Himalayan topography complicates weather modeling. Third, although India does have Doppler weather radar systems that can signal intense rainfall, theyre not deployed densely enough to capture hyperlocal events like what happened in Dharali. In this case, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) had indeed issued a general warning for heavy rain in the area, but there was no specific alert for a cloudburst. That distinction matters. While heavy rainfall alerts can prompt caution, they do not trigger immediate evacuation or emergency response, as a cloudburst warning might. Climate Change Is Making Things Worse According to meteorologists and climate experts, the frequency of cloudbursts in the Himalayas has increased by nearly 1.5 times in the past two decades. Warmer air holds more moisture, and increasingly erratic monsoon patterns mean more intense rainfall events. The Himalayas, already fragile and densely populated in parts, are bearing the brunt, with landslides, flash floods, and extreme weather becoming the new normal. In Dharali, the fear is still palpable. Families are still searching for missing loved ones. Roads are blocked, communication is patchy, and many areas remain inaccessible. The devastation has reignited debate over whether India is doing enough to adapt its meteorological infrastructure to deal with such events. Urgent Need For Better Forecasting Tools top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If India can issue early warnings for tsunamis using ocean-floor sensors and predict cyclones through satellite modeling days in advance, why not cloudbursts? Experts say its not just a question of science but also of investment and prioritisation. High-resolution Doppler radars cost crores of rupees and require ideal geographical conditions. Installing them across the length of the Himalayas is a logistical and financial challenge, but one that may no longer be optional. The Uttarkashi cloudburst disaster is a brutal reminder that while nature cannot always be tamed, its fury can sometimes be anticipated. Cloudbursts may be unpredictable in their exact timing, but better data collection, dense sensor networks, and AI-based models could at least narrow down vulnerable zones. For now, though, villages like Dharali remain terrifyingly exposed. Location : Uttarkashi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 14:58 IST News explainers Uttarkashi Disaster: We Can Predict Tsunamis And Cyclones, So Why Not Cloudbursts? 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 Loading comments... Why Is A Japanese Anime Pirate Flag Causing A Political Uproar In Indonesia? Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:53 IST One Piece Flag Banned In Indonesia: As Indonesia prepares to mark 80 years of independence, a fictional pirate flag from the One Piece anime is flying high, in protest. First released in 1999, One Piece is one of the worlds most popular and longest-running anime franchises. In the Japanese anime One Piece, the Jolly Roger is a pirate flag carried by the Straw Hat Pirates, a ragtag group of misfits led by the animes protagonist Monkey D. Luffy. Their mission? To defy tyranny, challenge corrupt power, and seek ultimate freedom. But as Indonesia gears up to celebrate its 80th Independence Day on August 17, this anime symbol of resistance has found an unlikely real-world role: as a banner of protest. Instead of the traditional red-and-white flag fluttering from rooftops and motorcycles, many Indonesians are now hoisting the One Piece Jolly Roger, a black flag emblazoned with a straw hat-wearing skull, in neighbourhoods across the archipelago. For those flying it, the message is clear: Indonesias democratic spirit feels hollow, and the real enemies are no longer colonisers, but the powerful elites in charge. Recommended Stories This is the spirit of resistance against injustice," one user wrote on social media, explaining why the red-and-white flag felt too sacred" to raise at a time when many people still felt colonised by those in power" How The Trend Took Off The phenomenon began picking up momentum in late July and exploded in early August across platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Photos and videos of the Jolly Roger flag flying on balconies, motorcycles, homes, and flagpoles quickly went viral. A bandeira dos Piratas do Chapeu de Palha de ONE PIECE presente em diversos lugares da Indonesia como simbolo de protesto contra o atual governo do Pais.O governo indonesio considera este movimento como um ato de rebeliao. pic.twitter.com/GbAuKHEody Otakus Brasil (@_OtakusBR) August 2, 2025 In some cases, the pirate flag was raised on the same pole as the Indonesian national flag, a move that has sparked sharp reactions from lawmakers and state officials. Many Indonesians have gone a step further, digitally modifying official Independence Day posters and emblems to include the anime symbol, using it as a cheeky but pointed critique of the government. The protest has not remained just online. Dendi Christanto, owner of the garment company Wik Wiki Apparel in Central Java, told Jakarta Post that hes received thousands of orders" for the pirate flag in recent weeks. The trend started to pick up by the end of July. I could receive hundreds of orders a day from all over Indonesia," Dendi said on Monday. He added that many customers saw the flag as a form of freedom of expression and social criticism ahead of the Independence Day celebrations." For many, the anime reference was also a way to veil political frustration in pop culture symbolism. One Piece is like the state of Konoha and was just in time for the Independence Day," Dendi said, referring to Naruto, another popular anime, whose fictional village Konoha is often used as a euphemism for Indonesia on social media. Worlds Most Popular Anime First released in 1999, One Piece is one of the worlds most popular and longest-running anime franchises. Created by Japanese manga artist Eiichiro Oda, the series follows a crew of rebellious pirates in search of freedom and justice. Its themes of anti-authoritarianism, loyalty among outsiders, and resistance to corrupt power have earned it a devoted following across Southeast Asia, particularly in Indonesia. Why Are Indonesians Choosing The One Piece Flag Over Their National One? At the heart of the protest is a broader sentiment of dissatisfaction, particularly among the youth and lower-income communities, who feel increasingly alienated from the countrys political and civic narrative. Indonesias New Protest Symbol: The Straw Hat FlagAmid backlash over recent government policies including military law reforms and budget cuts Indonesian citizens have begun waving the One Piece Straw Hat Pirates flag (a skull wearing a straw hat) in place of the national flag. pic.twitter.com/DYAL3b2bS6 Ackerman (@ackermandegen) August 2, 2025 The flashpoint came when President Prabowo Subianto, ahead of his first Independence Day as head of state, called on citizens to fly the red-and-white flag throughout August as a show of national pride. But instead of sparking patriotism, the appeal triggered a wave of cynicism online, especially among those who view the current administration as being out of touch with the struggles of ordinary Indonesians. Many saw the directive as hollow, a symbolic gesture meant to paper over real grievances. For many citizens, that call for national pride rang hollow. They saw it as a demand for performative patriotism from a government whose policies they felt were failing the people, especially the lower classes," wrote Indonesian commentator Farhan Rizqullah in an article on Medium. So, they responded with a symbol of their own." The Jolly Rogers popularity, especially among younger Indonesians, is rooted in its symbolism. In One Piece, the flag isnt just a pirate marker. It represents a resistance to oppression, a call for freedom, and loyalty among outcasts challenging authoritarian systems. Its that message that many Indonesians are now rallying behind. ONE PIECE FLAG BECOMES SYMBOL OF PROTEST ACROSS INDONESIA. Some Indonesian citizens are raising the Straw Hat Pirates flag in protest of the current state of the government #ONEPIECE #Indonesia #protest #onepieceisreal pic.twitter.com/ak1cH71uf8 Akil R (@Akil_exe) August 2, 2025 What Has The Indonesian Government Said About It? The official response has been far from united, ranging from cautious acceptance to stern warnings of legal consequences. Some voices in the government have urged restraint and dialogue. Deddy Yevri Sitorus, an MP from the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle, told the Jakarta Globe that flying the flag should be seen as a public expression of criticism, which is part of a democratic society." He added: This kind of symbolic action is better than street protests that could turn violent." Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Bima Arya Sugiarto took a similar view, telling Antara news agency: In my view, such a form of expression is a natural phenomenon in a democracy, as long as it does not contradict the constitution." But he emphasised that the national flag must remain paramount". But others are calling for a crackdown. Coordinating Politics and Security Minister Budi Gunawan has cited Article 24 Clause 1 of Law No. 24/2009, which bans the national flag from being flown below other flags or symbols, warning that violators could face criminal consequences". Flying the anime flag was a provocation to reduce the authority and degree of the state flag," Budi said on Saturday, according to Jakarta Post. How Are Police Enforcing This? According to Jakarta Globe, police in Central Jakarta have begun monitoring public spaces for signs of the One Piece flag and other non-national" symbols. Were monitoring the use of non-national flags and symbols that dont align with the spirit of nationalism, including pirate or fictional-themed flags," Central Jakarta Police spokesman Ruslan Basuki said. He clarified that police were using a persuasive and educational" approach for now, and had not found any legal violations yet. In Banten, however, Deputy Police Chief Hengki issued a more stern warning. Well take firm action if we find any violations," he said, particularly warning against flying the Jolly Roger near the national flag. In Belitung, officials from the local National Unity and Politics Agency also urged people to avoid using the anime flag. Were asking people not to raise the One Piece flag, especially as we celebrate the Republics 80th anniversary," said agency head Fedy Malonda. Interestingly, Bali officials have taken a more tolerant stance. As long as it doesnt violate any established national regulations, its not an issue," Bali Police spokesperson Ariasandy told local media. It wont diminish the honour or dignity of Indonesia." Is It Illegal To Fly The One Piece Flag In Indonesia? Not exactly, but there are conditions. Indonesian law doesnt explicitly ban fictional or cultural flags on private property. However, if flown alongside the national flag, protocols require that the red-and-white flag always take the position of honour. That means flying the anime flag above or at the same level could potentially be interpreted as a violation, particularly during Independence Day celebrations, where national symbolism takes on heightened significance. So far, there have been no criminal charges or confiscations, but officials have hinted that stricter enforcement could follow if the trend continues into August 17. What Happens Next? With August 17 approaching, the status of the Jolly Roger protest remains uncertain. While authorities have so far relied on persuasion and protocol reminders, multiple officials from local police to cabinet ministers have warned that firmer action could follow if the anime flag is flown in ways deemed disrespectful. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all So far, no legal action has been taken, and many citizens continue to display the flag on homes, vehicles, or in online posts. Traders in some regions, however, have reported hesitancy in selling the flag openly, citing fears of confiscation or unclear enforcement. The governments mixed response underscores the legal grey area in which the protest sits. With no outright ban on fictional flags in private spaces, and rising public interest in symbolic expression, the situation remains fluid. 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 06, 2025, 11:05 IST News explainers Why Is A Japanese Anime Pirate Flag Causing A Political Uproar In Indonesia? 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 Loading comments... 2013 Kedarnath Floods: Can The Govt Locate 3,075 Missing Bodies? Plea Filed In HC Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:56 IST Since the tragedy, search teams have been sent four times. In 2020, 703 skeletons were found, while 21 were recovered in 2014 and 9 in 2016. A 2024 search yielded no results Unfortunately, the 6,000 people who provided samples have not been matched with the unidentified remains. (News18 Hindi) It has been 12 years since the Kedarnath tragedy, but the harrowing memories of water, debris, and piles of dead bodies remain etched in the minds of those affected. Many families who lost loved ones in the disaster are still waiting to perform their last rites with respect, hoping for a renewed search effort. The Kedarnath tragedy left 3,075 people missing, and their remains have not been found to this day. Recently, families have filed a petition in the Uttarakhand High Court, urging the Pushkar Singh Dhami government to resume the search for the skeletons of the missing and to ensure their proper last rites. Recommended Stories The government has dispatched search teams on four occasions. In 2020, teams recovered 703 skeletons in the Chatti and Gomukhi areas. Earlier, 21 human skeletons were found in 2014 and nine in 2016. In November 2024, ten teams set out on various routes, but their efforts yielded no significant results. Recovered skeletons undergo DNA testing, and if a match is found, the remains are handed over to the respective families. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman has indicated that preparations are underway to dispatch another search team this year. The Uttarakhand High Court had previously instructed the state in 2016 and again in 2019 to locate the skeletons of the 3,075 missing individuals and perform their last rites. To date, 702 victims of the Kedarnath disaster remain unidentified, despite the police holding DNA reports of these deceased individuals. Unfortunately, the 6,000 people who provided samples have not been matched with the unidentified remains. The search continues in the hope of bringing closure to the affected families. Location : Kedarnath, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:56 IST News india 2013 Kedarnath Floods: Can The Govt Locate 3,075 Missing Bodies? Plea Filed In HC 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 Loading comments... As Donald Trump Targets India Over Russian Oil, A Fact Check On Whos Really Buying What Curated By : News18.com Edited By: Karishma Jain Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 09:20 IST India hit back at Trumps tariff threat with a sharp rebuttal, citing Western imports from Russia. Heres a look at whos actually trading with Moscow, and whos getting the blame Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump. (AP Photo) After threatening to hike tariffs on India for its continued energy ties with Russia, US President Donald Trump found himself cornered when asked to explain his own countrys imports from Moscow. India, meanwhile, issued a sharp rebuttal, calling out the Wests double standards. While the diplomatic exchange grabbed headlines, the broader question remains: where does India really stand when it comes to buying Russian energy? Heres a detailed look at the facts. Recommended Stories What Did Trump Say About Indias Oil Imports? On Monday, Trump claimed that India is profiteering off Russian oil while ignoring the human cost of the Ukraine war. In a post on Truth Social, he wrote: India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA." The new tariffs, he suggested, would go well beyond the 25% rate imposed earlier. How Did India Respond? Within hours, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) issued a firm and detailed response, calling the fresh tariffs unjustified and unreasonable." India also pushed back on the moral argument, pointing out that: The US and EU continue to do business with Russia, including energy and critical imports The US still imports Russian Uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear sector The EUs 2024 trade with Russia stood at 67.5 billion in goods and 17.2 billion in services, far exceeding Indias trade volumes India underlined that it would take all necessary measures to safeguard national interest and economic security." Trumps Reaction To Indias Rebuttal While taking questions from reporters on Tuesday (local time), Trump appeared unaware of Indias specific claims about US imports from Russia. When asked by ANI about American purchases of Russian Uranium and chemical fertilisers, Trump said: I dont know anything about it. I have to check But we will get back to you on this." Now, To The Real Question: Is India Secretly Funding Russias War? Is Russian Oil Under Sanctions? No, Russian oil is not under a blanket sanction regime like Iranian or Venezuelan oil. Instead, it is subject to a price cap mechanism introduced by the G7 and the European Union. This allows oil to remain in global markets but aims to restrict the revenue Russia can earn from it. India adheres to this price cap, buying oil below the threshold through legal channels, under rules designed by the West itself. Then Why Is India Being Targeted? Because while Indias energy trade with Russia is transparent and within globally accepted norms, several other countries continue similar transactions without facing comparable scrutiny. The criticism directed at India often overlooks a broader reality: it is not the only, or even the largest, buyer of Russian energy. The data tells a far more balanced story than the headlines suggest. Who Are The Top Buyers Of Russian Crude Oil? According to data from December 2022 to July 2025: China accounted for 47 per cent of Russias crude oil exports India bought 38 per cent The EU and Turkey each imported 6 per cent India is a major buyer, yes, but not the largest. And it is certainly not alone. European countries, despite their political stance, also remain importers. What About Russian Natural Gas? Is India Buying That Too? Not in any significant volume. The European Union, on the other hand, remains the biggest importer of Russian gas. In June 2025 alone, the EU paid over 1.2 billion for Russian gas. France, Hungary, the Netherlands, and Slovakia were among the main importers. Does India Buy Refined Petroleum Products From Russia? No. India does not purchase refined fuel from Russia. However, other countries do. Turkey, a NATO member, bought 26 per cent of Russias refined fuel. China and Brazil also figure among major buyers. Is India Violating International Rules? No. Indias purchases are routed through international commodity traders, are priced below the G7-mandated cap, and comply with global norms regarding shipping and insurance. The process is legal, transparent, and adheres to the structure laid out by Western-led sanctions frameworks. What Happens If India Stops Buying Russian Oil? Energy analysts have warned that a complete halt in Indian purchases could destabilise global oil markets, potentially driving prices above $200 per barrel. Indias role in the global energy ecosystem has helped prevent a price shock, especially for developing economies. Even several US officials have made public statements recognising Indias role in maintaining market stability. In November 2022, the US Treasury Secretary said Washington was happy for India to keep buying oil." In 2024, Bidens energy adviser acknowledged Indias contribution to stabilising global markets. In May 2024, US Ambassador Eric Garcetti said that India delivered" and helped prevent a global oil price spike. Do Western Countries Continue To Trade With Russia? Yes. Despite sanctions, several Western nations continue to trade in various forms: The EU imports Russian crude through pipelines to Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic Japan has an exemption that allows oil imports from Russia until 2026 The EUs 18th sanctions package included exceptions for the UK, Canada, Norway, Switzerland, and the United States India isnt hiding its trade; others just dont talk about theirs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Bottom Line Indias oil imports from Russia are legal, capped, and transparent. The framework it follows was set by the same countries now raising objections. Meanwhile, some of the loudest voices continue business with Moscow, quietly, and at scale. 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 06, 2025, 09:20 IST News india As Donald Trump Targets India Over Russian Oil, A Fact Check On Whos Really Buying What 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 Loading comments... Darbhanga Nursing Student Shot Dead By Wifes Father Over Inter-Caste Marriage Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:49 IST The victim, Rahul Kumar, a second-year BSc Nursing student at DMCH, was shot at point-blank range inside the hospital premises. The victim, Rahul Kumar, a second-year BSc Nursing student at DMCH, was shot at point-blank range | Image: X A 25-year-old nursing student was shot dead at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday evening, allegedly by the father of his recently wedded wife. The incident, which took place in full view of patients and staff, sparked outrage among students and raised concerns over honour-based violence. Recommended Stories The victim, Rahul Kumar, a second-year BSc Nursing student at DMCH, was shot at point-blank range inside the hospital premises. The alleged assailant, Premshankar Jha, is the father of Rahuls wife, Tannu Priya, a first-year student at the same college. The couple had married four months ago against the wishes of Tannus family, reportedly due to caste differences. According to eyewitnesses, the attack occurred in front of Tannu, reported NDTV. Recounting the horror, she said: He had a gun. It was my father, Premshankar Jha. He shot my husband in the chest, in front of my eyes. My husband fell into my lap." She further alleged that her fathers actions were part of a larger family conspiracy. We had also gone to court and said that my father and my brothers may harm me or my husband," she told reporters. Following the shooting, enraged students and hostel residents overpowered Jha and assaulted him before police intervened. He sustained injuries and was initially admitted to the same hospital, but is now being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for advanced treatment, police said. Visuals from the hospital showed chaos as students clashed with security personnel and demanded immediate justice for Rahul. Police were seen struggling to disperse the crowd and restore order. District officials, including Darbhanga District Magistrate Kaushal Kumar and Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Jagannath Reddy, rushed to the scene to assess the situation. A large police force has been deployed to prevent further unrest. Addressing the media, SSP Jagannath Reddy confirmed the sequence of events. We first got information that a BSc (Nursing) student had been shot dead. Later, we came to know that he and a fellow student had a love marriage. Her father came and shot him," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all There was a scuffle at the hospital because the students were not letting healthcare staff treat Jha. He is now being referred to Patna Medical College and Hospital. We will register a case and take necessary action," the SSP added. An FIR is expected to be registered soon, and police say further investigation is underway. Location : Bihar, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 10:49 IST News india Darbhanga Nursing Student Shot Dead By Wifes Father Over Inter-Caste Marriage 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 Loading comments... Delhi T1 Canopy Collapse: DGCA Expert Panel Blames Poor Workmanship, DIAL Refutes Findings Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:46 IST Delhi T1 Canopy Collapse: The report, that was not made public, has been accessed by CNN-News18, and has made startling revelations related to the construction of the canopy Follow us on: The incident took place at Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on June 28, 2024, killing one taxi driver and leaving others injured. (PTI) A report submitted by a committee set up by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) to carry out technical assessment of the collapse of canopy roof at Terminal One of the Delhi International Airport last year has highlighted discrepancies in the fabrication work, calling it poor workmanship". The operator, Delhi International Airport Limited (DIAL), however, claimed that neither the design, the fabrication, nor the workmanship is inferior". The incident took place at Terminal 1D of Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on June 28, 2024, killing one taxi driver and leaving others injured. Recommended Stories The aviation regulatory authority DGCA had then requested the Department of Civil Engineering, IIT Delhi to investigate the reasons of failure. A detailed report was submitted to the DGCA in October last year. What does the report say on the canopy collapse? The report, that was not made public, has been accessed by CNN-News18, and has made startling revelations related to the construction of the canopy. The report clearly mentions that the purlin drawings did not match with site conditions. In addition, the fabrication shows poor workmanship in a few places, the document reads. It further says, during inspection, it was observed that the welding, connection detailing, etc., appear to be of inferior workmanship at some locationsthe structural members concealed between the roof and the false ceiling didnt have fireproof paint or anti-corrosion measures in the collapsed portion of the structure," it reads. Further, the findings reveal that the location of purlin joints lies very close to the supports where hogging bending stresses are maximum. It is an undesirable location for the splices and should have been avoided," the experts mentioned. DIALs strong response to the findings It said in a response that fire protection coatings are not required for internal roofs above 6.7m in height. NFPA clause 7.2.3.2.8 also states that any roof more than 6.1 m in height does not require fire protection. The Old Terminal 1D Canopy was over this 6.7 m height and was external. Accordingly, fire protection was not required. All the members were adequately coated either with vermiculite coating, anti-corrosive metal primer, or a paint that acts as a protective coating for rust prevention," DIAL said. It added that to overcome the space constraints and to establish a viable connection, the horizontal tie member was lowered within the proximity of the joint location and connected to the flaring columns. The design effects due to lowering of the horizontal tie were duly accounted for in the connection design and detailing of the horizontal tie member, and thereby the structural adequacy and integrity of the joints were ensured. The changes made were safe and vetted by the structural consultants and TATA Consulting Engineers," the airport operator claimed. It further added that the assumption that the detailing and design of connections, particularly welding connections, have not been carried out adequately and were left to fabricators is incorrect. The detailing and design of connections, particularly welding connections, have been carried out by a specialist steel agency (Geodesic Techniques) with ISO 9001 certification, with decades of experience in the design and detailing of complex steel structures. The design of connections, including the weld in the fin, was based on the prevalent IS 1893-2002 and IS 800-1984, and in line with proper design practices," DIAL said, adding they have done the testing of the collapsed structure through an NABL-accredited laboratory and the test results do not suggest any inferior workmanship and show weld quality was satisfactory. Test reports were made available to the concerned, it said. Expert panels recommendations & DIALs reaction In addition to its findings on the collapsed structure, the report by the experts committee had further made recommendations for the non-collapsed roof structure. It said that a thorough inspection and investigation by a specialized agency is recommended. In particular, all connections, welding, etc. shall be checked thoroughly. The structural design and detailing are required to be checked thoroughly, it said. The committee has also suggested that all connections and components essential for the load transfer mechanism should be looked into and retrofitted by the specialized agency, if required. Drainage design shall be investigated for adequacy/inadequacy. Necessary modifications for example provision of suction devices in the drain, overflow mechanism, perforated false ceiling near drains, etc. may be required to remove the water stagnation in case of incessant rain events, it added. Reacting to these recommendations, DIAL said it appointed CORTEX Construction Solutions, a NABL-accredited agency that conducted several non-destructive tests on the non-collapsed structure of Old Terminal 1D, including on all weld joints. The test results and the recommendations were validated by IIT BHU, it claimed. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The airport operator further added, L&T was entrusted with the T1 reinstatement and retrofitting works, duly considering the IIT recommendations." All the design calculations and design drawings, prepared by L&T in accordance with the current code provisions, were thoroughly checked and approved by a team of three professors from IIT Delhi & IIT Jammu and are being implemented at the site, it said. About the Author Anvit Srivastava Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited journalists i... Read More Anvit Srivastava, Principal Correspondent at CNN-News18, covers crime, security, policing and society in Delhi. His impactful ground reports have helped him make his mark among the select credited journalists i... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:46 IST News india Delhi T1 Canopy Collapse: DGCA Expert Panel Blames Poor Workmanship, DIAL Refutes Findings 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 On the night of August 6, 2025, the Russian Federation carried out a targeted attack on the compressor station of the GTS Operator of Ukraine (OGTSU) in the Odesa region near the Ukrainian-Romanian border, which provides a diversified route for the supply of natural gas to Ukraine. "This compressor station was used as part of the route connecting Greek LNG terminals with Ukrainian gas storage facilities via the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline, and along which LNG from the United States and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas were already being delivered," the Ministry of Energy of Ukraine said on Wednesday. Also on the night of August 6, the equipment that provides the specified supplies was attacked by dozens of attack drones. As noted by the Ministry of Energy, the Russian Federation struck purely at civilian infrastructure, targeted at the energy sector and at the same time against relations with Azerbaijan, the United States and partners in Europe. Currently, specialists are working at the site of the attack to establish the consequences of the attack. "The massive Russian drone attack on a key compressor station on the Trans-Balkan route indicates that Moscow will use all available means and levers to destroy the energy independence of Europeans and alternative gas supply routes," said Ukrainian Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk. According to her, if the Russians are allowed to strike with impunity at Ukrainian energy infrastructure and gas routes, no infrastructure facility in Europe will be safe. Earlier, the Ministry of Defense of the aggressor country reported strikes on facilities of the Ukrainian gas transportation system. "Operational-tactical aviation, strike drones, missile troops and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces groups of troops struck at facilities of the gas transportation system," the report said. Disaster After Disaster: Why Uttarakhand Gets Caught Off-Guard Again And Again Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 15:25 IST Repeated disasters expose grim pattern of reckless construction, ignored warnings, and race for tourism infra that continues to cost hundreds of lives each year, say scientists n excavator being used to clear debris from a road following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, near Harsil in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. (PTI) On February 7, 2021, residents of a few villages in Chamoli heard loud sounds and witnessed huge amounts of mass consisting of rocks, mud, water, and ice blocks roaring down the Dhauli Ganga river, destroying parts of two hydropower plants in its path. More than 204 people lost their lives, while hundreds went missing. Two years later, over 700 houses across the holy town of Joshimath developed cracks, with water oozing out of walls and roads, exposing massive land subsidence. On Tuesday, a massive flash flood devastated Dharali village in Uttarkashi, sweeping away everything in its path, with over a hundred still missing. Just days earlier, on July 31, the states disaster management confirmed 17 deaths from severe overnight rains, and landslides all through monsoon. Recommended Stories More than 10 years after the deadly Kedarnath floods shook Uttarakhand, killing thousands, the state remains unprepared as disaster after disaster strikes with little warning. Each year, the state repeats the same mistakescutting down forests, exposing fragile slopes, narrowing river channels and expanding construction deep into the ecologically-sensitive catchment areas. Uttarakhand Himalayas are extremely fragile. Rainfall is almost always the trigger. But even when rainfall is not intense, it can still cause slope failure and landslides, especially because the mountain rocks have been weathered, and weakened by repeated freezing and thawing caused by extreme temperature fluctuations. Temperatures in upper altitudes are rising more than in the plains," said Dr Kalachain Sain, former director of Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG), Dehradun. With rampant construction of hydropower projects, hotels, roads, and highwaysall driven by a booming tourism industrytrees are being felled mercilessly, destabilising the the hills. Geologists explain how the persistent rains tend to percolate into the subsurface layers, saturating the soil and weathering rock mass. In areas where forest cover has been removed, there is little to hold the soil in place. The infiltrated water adds weight to the slope material, making it heavier, which gives in to even a slight disturbance and causes a massive landslide. We all know how dangerous it is during monsoons, when prolonged rainfall, even if moderate, mixes with soil and debris to cause these destructive flash floods," he added. Despite ecological concerns, large-scale tree felling, and the fragile, disaster-prone terrain of Uttarakhand, construction activities have continued unabated. A total of 2,969 kms of National Highways have been developed between 2014-15 and June 2025, Union transport minister Nitin Gadkari told Parliament this July. A centre piece of this is the Union governments Char Dham National Highway Connectivity Programme to improve road access to four pilgrimage sites of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath and Badrinath. Dr Anand Sharma, former Additional Director-General at IMD, known for predicting the intense rains spell leading up to the Kedarnath floods in 2013, highlighted the failure to ensure early warnings. Cloudbursts are challenging to predict. But in Uttarakhand, even 6-7 cms of rainfall can cause water to mix with rock, sediment, soil and come crashing down the slopes. Radars should be able to detect such cloud formations, and that warning be disseminated immediately. These disasters unfold within seconds, so the response time must be immediate. Additionally, why has the construction been allowed in the close catchment areas? Most of these houses in Dharali which got washed away were so close to the stream, and recently built." Uttarakhand now has three Doppler weather radarslocated in Mukteshwar, Surkanda Devi and Lansdownecommissioned last year, which can provide data for numerical weather prediction models, particularly for nowcasting (forecast for a few hours). These were also expected to improve rainfall estimation, especially heavy rains. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all What is lacking is a coordinated response during disasters," remarked Dr M Rajeevan, former secretary of the ministry of earth sciences. Even if radar coverage is available, we still need adequate algorithms to predict such extreme events. Technology has advanced, and there must be automated systems to issue real-time Nowcast warnings to alert people. We can no longer afford delays between data analysis and dissemination of information. The major problem is that currently, warnings for rainfall, landslides, flash floods are fragmented handled by multiple agencies without a unified command, which hampers timely action to save lives." About the Author Srishti Choudhary Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More Srishti Choudhary, Senior Assistant Editor at CNN-News18 specializes in science, environment, and climate change reporting. With over a decade of extensive field experience, she has brought incisive ground repo... Read More Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:25 IST News india Disaster After Disaster: Why Uttarakhand Gets Caught Off-Guard Again And Again 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 Loading comments... Dowry, Assault, Forced Abortion: Woman Found Dead In Lucknow Home, Husband Arrested Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 14:53 IST The police have arrested her husband, who claimed she died by suicide, even as the womans family alleges that she was murdered after months of dowry-related harassment and assault The husband has been arrested as probe continues | Image: News18 A 32-year-old woman was found dead at her home in Lucknow five months after her marriage to a Merchant Navy officer, said officials. The police have arrested her husband, who claimed she died by suicide, even as the womans family alleges that she was murdered after months of dowry-related harassment and assault. Recommended Stories The deceased, identified as Madhu Singh, had married Anurag Singh, a second officer in a Hong Kong-based shipping company, on February 25 this year, reported NDTV. Her body was discovered hanging from the ceiling at their residence, and a post-mortem has confirmed death by hanging. According to police, Anurag called the 112 emergency helpline around noon on August 4. However, Madhus family alleges they were informed of her death only at around 4:30 pm, nearly five hours later. Anurag was arrested after preliminary questioning and has been charged under sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita related to cruelty, as well as the Dowry Prohibition Act. Madhus family has accused Anurag of repeated torture over dowry demands. Her father, Fateh Bahadur Singh, alleged in his police complaint that Anurag initially demanded Rs 15 lakh as dowry, despite the family stating they could only arrange Rs 5 lakh. WhatsApp chats shared by the family reportedly show Anurag insisting on Rs 15 lakh, saying he would limit the wedding guests to only 150 baaratis" but would not reduce the dowry demand. After Holi, less than a month into the marriage, Anurag assaulted Madhu for the first time and she returned to our home," her father said in the complaint. Later, we paid the dowry amount he asked for, and he took her back, but the torture continued." Madhus sister Priya Singh described her as a lively person" whose behaviour changed drastically after marriage. He did not want her to have a social life; he would ask her not to talk to her friends or with us. We would speak only when he was out of town. He hit for absolutely no reason, such as keeping a plate where he did not want her to keep it. He pressured her to drink with him," she said. According to Priya, Madhu lost contact with her friends and was only allowed to use her phone in Anurags absence. He would check her phone, call records and even her online orders," she added. In their last conversation, Priya said Madhu had told her about a recent assault. They were returning from somewhere, and she was driving. The road had potholes and it was raining, so Madhu kept to the left. Anurag accused her of keeping to the left because she spotted some men there. That was the trigger of his last assault." Priya said she offered to bring Madhu home, but Madhu refused, fearing further violence. In an audio clip shared by the family, Madhu is heard saying: Mujhe bohut mara (he beat me up badly) because when he was drinking, I did not keep the bottle right in front of him." Madhus father has further alleged that Anurag was in an extramarital relationship and had recently spent a night with his ex-girlfriend at a hotel in Lucknow. My daughter had become pregnant, but he forced her to abort," he said. The family claims to have hotel booking records from July 31, just days before Madhus death. The complaint also mentions that on August 3, Madhu told Priya about another assault. On August 4, at 4.32 pm, he called and said my daughter died by suicide I believe he has killed my daughter," Fateh Bahadur Singh said. Police are examining further evidence, including hotel records and digital data. Anurags phone reportedly shows he ordered food online around 10:30 am on the day of Madhus death. He also sent a message to the maid asking her not to come, though she arrived anyway and found the door locked. She rang the bell multiple times but received no response. Investigators said Anurag offered no clear explanation as to why Madhu may have taken her life. He repeatedly stated that she died by suicide but could not say what may have driven her to that point," a police official said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Police officials also noted Anurags behaviour during custody, saying he kept asking for cigarettes. The investigation is ongoing, and further forensic and digital evidence is being gathered to determine the circumstances surrounding Madhus death. First Published: August 06, 2025, 14:53 IST News india Dowry, Assault, Forced Abortion: Woman Found Dead In Lucknow Home, Husband Arrested 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 Loading comments... ECI Suspension Of 4 Bengal Officials Triggers Pushback, Mamata Slams Move Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 06:31 IST The WBCS (Executive) Officers Association has written to the state chief secretary, requesting his intervention and urging a review of the Election Commission's decision On August 5, the ECI suspended two electoral registration officers (EROs) and two assistant EROs (AEROs) for allegedly facilitating the inclusion of fictitious names in the voter list. File pic/PTI The suspension of four government officers in West Bengal by the Election Commission of India (ECI) has triggered strong reactions from both the WBCS (Executive) Officers Association and chief minister Mamata Banerjee, deepening tensions between the state administration and the central poll panel. On August 5, the ECI suspended two electoral registration officers (EROs) and two assistant EROs (AEROs) for allegedly facilitating the inclusion of fictitious names in the voter list. According to sources within the Election Commission, the suspended officers allegedly shared confidential email credentials with unauthorised individuals, enabling manipulation of electoral rolls. Following an initial summons by the chief electoral officer in Kolkata, an inquiry reportedly found the officers guilty, and the matter was forwarded to Delhi. The suspensions followed, along with a directive to the chief secretary of West Bengal to initiate FIRs against the accused officers. Recommended Stories The suspended officers are: Debottam Dutta Choudhury WBCS (Exe.), 2012 batch; ERO, 137-Baruipur Purba AC Tathagata Mondal AERO, 137-Baruipur Purba AC Biplab Sarkar WBCS (Exe.), 2012 batch; ERO, 206-Moyna AC Sudipta Das AERO, 206-Moyna AC In response, the WBCS (Executive) Officers Association has written to the chief secretary, requesting his intervention and urging a review of the ECIs decision. The association maintained that the officers acted in good faith under difficult circumstances, and there was no evidence of malicious intent. Administrative actions must be fair, proportionate, and considerate of the officers service records and morale," the letter said. It further added that such punitive measures have deeply concerned the officer community" and could negatively impact morale at a time when integrity and neutrality in public service are crucial. Experts say if the chief secretary does not act according to the ECIs directive, the poll body can initiate action against him, as it has plenary powers under the Constitution. Mamata Banerjee Terms EC BJPs Bonded Labour Chief minister Mamata Banerjee also launched a scathing attack on the Election Commission over the suspensions. Speaking at an internal party meeting, she questioned the legality and timing of the action. Government workers are being intimidated. Two officers were served suspension notices yesterday. Have elections even been announced yet? Which law allows them to be suspended at this stage?" she said, accusing the EC of acting on behalf of the ruling BJP at the Centre and union home minister Amit Shah. BJP Defends Suspension In contrast, the BJP has strongly backed the Election Commission, stating that the suspension and planned FIRs send a strong message about electoral integrity. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Mamata Banerjee = Threat to Indian DemocracyFrom shielding goons and corrupt officials to defending fake voter data manipulation in Moyna, Baruipur Purba, and beyond Mamata Banerjee is no longer just turning a blind eye. She is now leading the assault on fair and free pic.twitter.com/5KlgzL3frC Amit Malviya (@amitmalviya) August 6, 2025 Senior BJP leaders said such strict actions are essential to prevent voter list manipulation and restore public trust in the electoral process. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More First Published: August 07, 2025, 04:54 IST News india ECI Suspension Of 4 Bengal Officials Triggers Pushback, Mamata Slams Move 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 Loading comments... Failure To Lower Flag After Sunset 'Lapse, Not Disrespect': Kerala HC Quashes Case Against Official Reported By : LawBeat Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:25 IST The flag was hoisted on the morning of August 15, 2015, but remained flying until noon on August 17, 2015. The court quashed a nine-year-old case that had snowballed into a prosecution under national honour laws. (AI generated image) A Kerala civic officials failure to lower the National Flag after sunset did not constitute a criminal offence, the Kerala High Court recently held, quashing a nine-year-old case that had snowballed into a prosecution under national honour laws. Vinu C Kunjappan, who served as Secretary of the Angamaly Municipality in Ernakulam district, was facing trial for allegedly violating the Prevention of Insults to National Honour Act, 1971 and the Flag Code of India, after the Tricolour remained hoisted on municipal premises for nearly two days following the 2015 Independence Day ceremony. Recommended Stories The flag was hoisted on the morning of August 15 but remained flying until noon on August 17. A suo motu FIR was registered by the local police, triggering proceedings in the Judicial First Class Magistrate Court at Angamaly. The allegation was that the officials failure to lower the flag in time amounted to disrespect. But Justice Dr Kauser Edappagath of the Kerala High Court, while deciding a plea to quash the case, found no material to suggest any criminal intent. Mere lapse or inaction cannot be equated with insult," the court said, adding that no provision in the 1971 Act criminalised such conduct unless it was done wilfully with the intent to insult national honour. Court noted that while the Flag Code requires the National Flag to be lowered at sunset, it is not a statute and cannot attract penal action on its own. The Code, the judge observed, is a set of executive instructions, and violating it is not automatically an offence unless backed by a specific legal provision. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Crucially, the court observed that none of the instances listed in the Acts definition of disrespect", such as burning, mutilating, or dragging the flag, applied in this case. There was no evidence that the accused intended to offend or undermine national symbols. Kunjappans petition succeeded on the ground that the allegations, even if accepted entirely, did not establish the basic ingredients of the offence. No useful purpose will be served by allowing criminal prosecution to continue," the court remarked, bringing the trial to a close. About the Author Salil Tiwari Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:25 IST News india Failure To Lower Flag After Sunset 'Lapse, Not Disrespect': Kerala HC Quashes Case Against Official 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 Loading comments... Fast Lane To Growth: Maharashtra's Vadhavan Port To Link Directly With Samruddhi Expressway Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 05:56 IST This strategic corridor aims to reduce travel distance, save fuel and time, and boost trade connectivity for regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra By linking it directly to the Samruddhi Expressway, this new corridor will enable faster, more cost-effective transport of goods to and from the port across Maharashtra and other parts of India. (File image/News18) In a major step towards transforming Maharashtras transport and logistics infrastructure, the state government has approved the construction of a 104.89-km high-speed freight corridor connecting the upcoming Vadhavan Port in Palghar district to the Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray Maharashtra Samruddhi Mahamarg at Bharvir in Nashik district. The decision was taken during the state cabinet meeting held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis. This strategic corridor aims to reduce travel distance, save fuel and time, and boost trade connectivity for regions like Vidarbha, Marathwada, and North Maharashtra. Recommended Stories The project will be executed by the Maharashtra State Road Development Corporation (MSRDC), with financial assistance of Rs 1,500 crore from HUDCO. The total estimated cost stands at Rs 2,528.90 crore, and the project is targeted to be completed in the next three years. Vadhavan Port is being developed as a major transshipment hub through Vadhavan Port Project Limited. Once operational, the port is expected to handle large volumes of international cargo. By linking it directly to the Samruddhi Expressway, this new corridor will enable faster, more cost-effective transport of goods to and from the port across Maharashtra and other parts of India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Currently, travel from Vadhavan to the Samruddhi Expressway requires a 183.48 km journey via the Vadodara-Mumbai Expressway. The new corridor will cut this distance down to 104.89 kmsaving 78.58 km. Travel time will also shrink from the current 4-5 hours to just about 1 to 1.5 hours. This high-speed route will pass through key regions like Dahanu, Vikramgad, Jawhar, and Mokhada in Palghar district, and Trimbakeshwar and Igatpuri in Nashik district. The improved connectivity is expected to benefit local businesses, including small and medium industries, agri-enterprises, educational institutions, and IT companies. Local communities stand to gain significantly through new employment opportunities and access to wider markets. By integrating port and highway infrastructure, officials say the state government is not just building roadsits building a future-ready Maharashtra. As per sources within the state government, to boost connectivity in the region, a plan for an airport in Palghar district is also under consideration. The feasibility report of this has been submitted to the state government. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 05:56 IST News india Fast Lane To Growth: Maharashtra's Vadhavan Port To Link Directly With Samruddhi Expressway 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 Loading comments... Gaya Airports GAY Code Uncomfortable? Lets Talk About PEE, POO, LOL & YUM: Heres The List Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 11:57 IST MP Wants Gaya Airports GAY Code Changed: Who assigns these codes? Can they be changed? A list of the funny ones Follow us on: IATA codes are part of the international aviation language. (AI generated) Bhim Singh, a Rajya Sabha member from Bihar, has sought the changing of the three-letter code of the Gaya International Airport GAY calling it uncomfortable". While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP has sought a more respectful and culturally appropriate code", his remarks have drawn the ire of the LGBTQ community. Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol in a written reply on Monday said the three-letter airport codes once assigned are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns. Recommended Stories Who assigns the three-letter codes? In India, three-letter airport codes, known as IATA codes, are assigned by the International Air Transport Association (IATA). IATA (International Air Transport Association) is a global trade organisation based in Montreal, Canada. These codes are not assigned by the Indian government or any Indian authority. IATA assigns codes worldwide to identify airports uniquely and simplify airline operations, ticketing, baggage handling, and logistics. Example: DEL for Indira Gandhi International Airport, Delhi BOM for Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj International Airport, Mumbai BLR for Kempegowda International Airport, Bengaluru These are different from ICAO codes, which are four-letter codes assigned by the International Civil Aviation Organization, often used for air traffic control and flight operations. Why do airport codes matter? These codes are printed on luggage tags to ensure bags are routed correctly. Mislabeling could send bags to the wrong destination, so these codes reduce errors. Airport codes appear on boarding passes, tickets, itineraries, and e-tickets. They help travelers quickly understand their route and transfers. These codes are used in departure/arrival boards, airline websites and apps, flight-tracking software, air traffic management interfaces. IATA codes are part of the international aviation language. They allow airlines, travel agencies, cargo handlers, and regulatory bodies to coordinate worldwide. Can airport codes be changed? These codes are generally assigned using the first three letters of the locations name where the airport is situated. Requests for changing the code of Gaya have been received in the past by the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Airports Authority of India. IATA location codes are primarily intended for commercial airline operations and are issued at the request of airline operators. Air India had earlier approached IATA seeking change of the existing airport code. However, IATA has conveyed that under the provisions of IATA Resolution 763, assigned three-letter codes are considered permanent and are altered only under exceptional circumstances, usually involving air safety concerns," Mohol said. Does any airport have a funny code? Any? Many. Take a look at the list. SUX (Sioux Gateway, USA) PEE (Perm, Russia) POO (Pocos De Caldas, Brazil) FAT (Fresno Yosemite, USA) LOL (Derby Field, USA) OMG (Omega, Namibia) DIE (Arrachart, Madagascar) BUM (Butler Memorial, USA) EEK (Eek, Alaska) BRR (Barra, Scotland) FUN (Funafuti, Tuvalu) YUM (Yuma, Arizona) GAG (Gage, Oklahoma) HOG (Frank Pais, Cuba) GRR (Grand Rapids, USA) CAT (Cascais Municipal, Portugal) DAD (Da Nang, Vietnam) WOW (Willow, Alaska) BOO (Bodo, Norway) IOU (Ile Ouen, New Caledonia) SAD (Safford, USA) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all FAB (Farnborough, UK) With PTI Inputs About the Author Manjiri Joshi At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More At the news desk for 17 years, the story of her life has revolved around finding pun, facts while reporting, on radio, heading a daily newspaper desk, teaching mass media students to now editing special copies ... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 11:50 IST News india Gaya Airports GAY Code Uncomfortable? Lets Talk About PEE, POO, LOL & YUM: Heres The List 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 Heavy Rain, Lightning Claimed 1,600 Lives Across India Till July This Year, 71 In Uttarakhand: MHA Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:23 IST The top five states with the highest number of deaths due to hydro-meteorological disasters this year are Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka and Bihar The Ministry confirmed that it does not centrally maintain data on such disasters but relies on states to report figures. (File) While Uttarakhand is facing yet another flood, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) data has revealed that at least 1,626 people have lost their lives this year due to heavy rain and lightning across India. According to a reply tabled in the Rajya Sabha by the Ministry of Home Affairs on August 6, the figure, labelled provisional, is a strong reminder of Indias growing vulnerability to climate-related disasters. Recommended Stories One of the worst-hit states, Uttarakhand, has already seen deaths of 71 people, alongside 67 animal deaths and damage to 9.47 hectares of crops till July. The Ministry confirmed that it does not centrally maintain data on such disasters but relies on states to report figures a decentralisation approach that some experts say limits coordinated national response. The primary responsibility for disaster management, including disbursal of relief assistance on ground level, rests with the State Governments concerned," the minister added, referencing the National Policy on Disaster Management. The Broader National Picture Apart from Uttarakhand, several states have witnessed unusually high toll. As per data presented in the Rajya Sabha on August 6, 2025, the top five states with the highest number of human deaths due to hydro-meteorological disasters this year are Andhra Pradesh (343 deaths), Madhya Pradesh (243), Himachal Pradesh (195), Karnataka (102), and Bihar (101). These states account for over 60% of the total 1,626 reported fatalities nationwide, underscoring the widespread impact of extreme weather across diverse geographies. The high toll reflects not only the intensity of this years monsoon but also the need for stronger early warning systems, community preparedness, and climate-resilient infrastructure in vulnerable regions. In addition to the devastating human toll, the 2025 monsoon has also resulted in the loss of over 52,000 animals across India, reflecting the severe impact on rural livelihoods and agrarian communities. According to official data, Himachal Pradesh reported the highest number of animal deaths at 23,992, followed by Assam (14,269) and Jammu & Kashmir (11,067). Other states like Madhya Pradesh (1,625) and Gujarat (698) also recorded significant livestock losses. #UttarakhandFlashFlood | Cloudburst or unchecked development? What really caused the devastating flash floods in #Uttarakhand that swept away homes and hotels? Rescue ops still underway, many feared trapped@ShivaniGupta_5 explains | #PlainSpeak #UttarkashiFlashFlood pic.twitter.com/t2Tv8Gmz3Q News18 (@CNNnews18) August 6, 2025 Is the warning system working? When asked whether the public is receiving sufficient lightning and storm warnings, the government denied any major gaps. According to the Ministry, India Meteorological Department (IMD) has established a comprehensive system for the seamless monitoring, forecasting, and dissemination of warnings for thunderstorm and lightning hazards." The IMD reportedly operates a 102-sensor ground-based lightning detection network and offers a mobile app called DAMINI, which provides real-time alerts for lightning strikes within a 20-40 sq km radius. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Furthermore, the government stated, IMD issues thunderstorm and lightning warnings up to 5 days in advance These forecasts are provided in multi-hazard color-coded formats at the meteorological sub-division and district levels." Still, people argue that while the systems exist, implementation on the ground remains inconsistent, especially in rural or remote areas where phone connectivity and public awareness are lacking. The government also noted that it has approved a Mitigation Project on Lightning Safety with a budget of Rs 186.78 crore for 50 lightning-prone districts across ten states. However, Uttarakhand is not on the list. About the Author Ankur Sharma With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More With over 15 years of journalistic experience, Ankur Sharma, Associate Editor, specializes in internal security and is tasked with providing comprehensive coverage from the Ministry of Home Affairs, paramilitar... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:13 IST News india Heavy Rain, Lightning Claimed 1,600 Lives Across India Till July This Year, 71 In Uttarakhand: MHA 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 Loading comments... India Hits Back At Trump's 25% Additional Tariffs: 'Unfair, Unjustified And Unreasonable' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:54 IST US President Donald Trump announced a fresh 25% ad valorem tariff on imports from India, citing the countrys continued purchase of Russian oil The new tariff, which links Indias energy ties with Moscow to its trade relationship with Washington, will take effect 21 days from the date of the order. (PTI file) India strongly condemned the United States decision to levy additional tariffs in response to its continued import of Russian oil, describing the move as unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable." In a firmly worded statement, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the US had recently targeted Indias oil imports from Russia" despite New Delhi having articulated its position on the issue. Recommended Stories Our imports are governed by market dynamics and are undertaken with the overarching goal of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion Indian citizens," the statement emphasised. Describing the US action as deeply regrettable," the MEA pointed out that several other nations continue to import Russian oil in accordance with their respective national interests. It said that singling out India for punitive measures was discriminatory and reiterated that the government would take all necessary steps to safeguard the countrys national interests." As Donald Trump Targets India Over Russian Oil, A Fact Check On Whos Really Buying What The statement came after US President Donald Trump announced a fresh 25% ad valorem tariff on imports from India, citing the countrys continued purchase of Russian oil. The executive order, published on the White House website, stated that India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," and said that it is necessary and appropriate" to impose punitive duties in response. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The new tariff, which links Indias energy ties with Moscow to its trade relationship with Washington, will take effect 21 days from the date of the order. This comes alongside a separate 25% tariff already set to be enforced from August 7, aimed at reducing the US trade deficit with India. Earlier in the week, Donald Trump accused India of buying large volumes of discounted Russian crude and reselling it for profit, writing on Truth Social that they dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine." First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:40 IST News india India Hits Back At Trump's 25% Additional Tariffs: 'Unfair, Unjustified And Unreasonable' 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 Loading comments... India, Russia Hold 11th Working Group Meet, Sign Protocol To Boost Industrial Cooperation Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:18 IST The meeting took place at Vanijya Bhawan under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation The Indian side was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, DPIIT, and the Russian side by H.E. Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade. (Photo: PIB) India and Russia on Wednesday held the 11th session of the Working Group on Modernisation and Industrial Cooperation in New Delhi, where both sides signed a protocol to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as aluminium, fertilisers, railway transport, and mining technology. The meeting took place at Vanijya Bhawan under the framework of the India-Russia Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific, Technological and Cultural Cooperation. Recommended Stories The Indian delegation was led by Amardeep Singh Bhatia, Secretary, Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), while the Russian side was headed by H.E. Mr. Alexey Gruzdev, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade of the Russian Federation. According to a press release from the Press Information Bureau (PIB), the session reviewed the progress made since the 10th meeting and served as a platform to discuss new areas of collaboration. Updates were shared by sub-groups on modernisation, mining, fertilisers, and railway transport, with both sides showing keen interest in expanding industrial ties. Emerging areas of cooperation discussed included aerospace science and technology, particularly the development of a modern wind tunnel facility and small aircraft piston engines. The two countries also explored joint efforts in carbon fibre technology, additive manufacturing, and 3D printing. Further discussions covered rare earth and critical minerals extraction, underground coal gasification, and the development of modern industrial infrastructure. Both sides agreed on the importance of technology transfer and capacity building, especially in the mining sector and waste management. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The session concluded with the formal signing of the protocol by the two co-chairs, reaffirming the long-standing strategic partnership between India and Russia and their commitment to deepen economic and industrial cooperation. Around 80 delegates from both countries took part in the meeting, including senior officials, technical experts, and representatives from various industries. 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 06, 2025, 19:18 IST News india India, Russia Hold 11th Working Group Meet, Sign Protocol To Boost Industrial Cooperation 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 Loading comments... Karnataka Lingayat Seer Forced To Step Down After His Muslim Identity Gets Revealed Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 17:07 IST Born Mohammed Nisar in Shahpur, Yadgir district, he had embraced the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and formally adopted the Lingayat faith five years ago. He was given the spiritual name Nijalinga Swamy by Basavaprabhu Swamy of Basavakalyan. (Image: News18) A 22-year-old Lingayat seer, known as Nijalinga Swamy, was forced to step down from his position at a mutt in Karnataka after villagers discovered his Muslim background. Born Mohammed Nisar in Shahpur, Yadgir district, the young man had embraced the teachings of 12th-century social reformer Basavanna and formally adopted the Lingayat faith five years ago. He was given the spiritual name Nijalinga Swamy by Basavaprabhu Swamy of Basavakalyan, under whose guidance he studied and committed himself to the tenets of Lingayat philosophy a tradition that historically emphasises equality, social justice, and personal devotion to Shiva. Recommended Stories Nijalinga Swamy was recently appointed as the head of the newly constructed Gurumalleshwara Shakha Mutt in Chowdahalli village, Chamarajanagar district. The mutt, built by a villager named Mahadev Prasad who currently resides abroad, was meant to serve as a spiritual centre rooted in the inclusive ethos of Lingayatism. For nearly a month and a half, the young seer led prayers, performed rituals, and preached Basavannas teachings to the local community. However, the situation took a dramatic turn when a group of local youths obtained a copy of his SSLC (10th-grade) marks card, revealing his birth name and previous religious identity. This disclosure triggered objections from a section of the villagers, who expressed discomfort with a person of Muslim origin leading a Lingayat mutt. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In response to the uproar, Nijalinga Swamy addressed the controversy directly. He said that he never concealed his background and had sincerely embraced Lingayat philosophy out of genuine spiritual conviction. Yet, respecting the sentiments of the devotees and to avoid further discord, he voluntarily relinquished his position and returned to his hometown in Yadgir district. Speaking to local media, he reiterated his dedication to Basavannas ideals. I will continue to live by and spread Basavannas message, regardless of where I am," he affirmed. 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 06, 2025, 17:07 IST News india Karnataka Lingayat Seer Forced To Step Down After His Muslim Identity Gets Revealed 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 Loading comments... Iryna Friz, a member of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security, Defense and Intelligence (European Solidarity faction), has said she hopes that the new head of the Bureau of Economic Security (BES), Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, will justify the public's credit of trust. "He received a credit of support and trust from the public sector, which will expect the new head to truly cleanse the economy of schemes, "cover-ups" and strengthen anti-corruption efficiency," Friz told Interfax-Ukraine on Tuesday. She expressed hope that the BES director will report on the activities of the anti-corruption body not to the Office of the President, but to the people of Ukraine. At the same time, Friz noted that given the autocratic approaches of the authorities, there remains a risk of political pressure on the independence of the structure. According to the MP, the appointment of Tsyvinsky as BES director ended a long bureaucratic delay in appointing the BES head. "The winner of the competition passed the polygraph and background checks, despite speculation about security," Friese emphasized. She recalled that the International Monetary Fund and the EU publicly insisted on the appointment of the head of the BES by July 31. As reported, on August 6, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed the candidate recommended by the competition commission, Tsyvinsky, to the position of director of the BES. Before that, Tsyvinsky headed the detective unit of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau. Madras HC Asks Tamil Nadu Govt To Decide On Horizontal Reservation For Transgender, Intersex Persons Reported By : LawBeat Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:13 IST While welcoming the states effort to codify rights and protections for transgender and intersex persons, the HC said implementation mechanisms must be representative and inclusive The court clarified that these were constructive recommendations aimed at strengthening the policy and not criticisms of the governments efforts. File pic In the hearing on a plea concerning the rights of LGBTQIA+ individuals, the Madras High Court on August 4 asked the Tamil Nadu government to take a clear stand on whether it intends to provide horizontal reservation in education and public employment for transgender and intersex persons under its newly released Transgender Persons Policy, 2025. The bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh noted that while the state had made progress by notifying the policy on July 31, certain key issues remain unresolved. The policy refers to a right to representation" but does not explicitly mention reservation, prompting the court to seek clarification on this crucial aspect. Recommended Stories The transgender and intersex persons need not knock the doors of this Court every time and seek for reservation in public employment and educational institutions," the judge said, referencing previous rulings, including the NALSA v Union of India judgment by the Supreme Court and the Madras High Courts own decision in Rakshika Raj v State of Tamil Nadu. The court was hearing the long-running writ petition filed by S Sushma and another petitioner seeking protection for queer individuals from violence and harassment. While welcoming the states effort to codify rights and protections for transgender and intersex persons, the court highlighted that implementation mechanisms must be representative and inclusive. Justice Venkatesh directed the government to ensure that both the district and state-level committees formed under the policy include at least one trans woman, one trans man, and one intersex person. Such representation is essential for the policys effective functioning, the court said. The HC also raised concerns about practical challenges transgender and intersex couples face in registering their marriages, despite their legal validity being upheld by courts. Citing earlier judgments, including Arunkumar v Inspector General of Registration and the Supreme Courts decision in Supriyo v Union of India, the judge urged the government to issue directions to marriage registrars to address these hurdles. Another suggestion taken on record involved recognising non-marital partnerships such as domestic unions through legal instruments like a Deed of Familial Association. Given that succession laws do not currently protect such relationships, the court said this was necessary to allow individuals to govern their personal affairs through legal agreements. The court also encouraged the state to consider renaming the policy to reflect the inclusion of both transgender and intersex persons more explicitly. A request to expedite the development of a separate policy for LGBQA+ individuals was also recorded, with the court noting that such a framework was still in progress. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the hearing, written submissions were made by multiple counsels and stakeholders, including suggestions for curriculum changes, healthcare sensitisation, and reforms in shelter facilities and prison protocols. The court clarified that these were constructive recommendations aimed at strengthening the policy and not criticisms of the governments efforts. The matter has been posted for further hearing on September 15, 2025. About the Author Salil Tiwari Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:13 IST News india Madras HC Asks Tamil Nadu Govt To Decide On Horizontal Reservation For Transgender, Intersex Persons 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 Loading comments... Madras HC Seeks 'Operation Sindoor Tech' To Tackle Non-Consensual Intimate Images Online Reported By : LawBeat Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:23 IST Madras HC has urged Centre to use Operation Sindoor-level tech, which blocked 1,400 anti-India URLs, to curb the online spread of non-consensual intimate images (NCII). Court was informed that the Centres Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had constituted a six-member committee to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tackling NCII content. (AI generated image) The Madras High Court has urged the Union Government to employ the same technical expertise used during Operation Sindoor, where over 1,400 anti-India URLs were blocked, to crack down on the spread of non-consensual intimate images (NCII) online. Hearing a plea by a woman whose intimate videos have resurfaced repeatedly on digital platforms despite previous takedowns, the bench of Justice N Anand Venkatesh suggested that the governments blocking capabilities can also be used with the same intensity to protect individual rights. Recommended Stories Court was informed that the Centres Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) had constituted a six-member committee to develop a Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for tackling NCII content. The committee includes representatives from MeitY, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Department of Telecommunications, the Ministry of Women and Child Development, and cyber law experts. The petitioner had earlier flagged six video links containing her private content. On August 5, the court was informed that number had risen to thirteen. While the videos were reportedly inaccessible in Delhi and Mumbai, they were still viewable in Tamil Nadu, pointing to a gap in coordination between central and local internet service providers. The Committee can also take into consideration the method that was adopted for blocking nearly 1,400 anti-India URLs during the Operation Sindoor," the court observed, asking the committee to treat the matter as a test case. It said that if the Committee is able to succeed in this mission, the same module can be adopted for all the other cases to effectively block the video links and prevent resurfacing of the same. The judge noted that this case could serve as a model for how India responds to NCII cases in the future. The government submitted that it would file the SOP shortly and assured the court of its commitment to addressing the issue. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all A solution must be found at the earliest, since it involves the dignity of a woman which has to be safeguarded under Article 21 of the Constitution of India", court said. The matter is scheduled to be heard again on August 19, when the Union is expected to submit its SOP and provide a status update on the action taken against the 13 flagged links. About the Author Salil Tiwari Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More Salil Tiwari, Senior Special Correspondent at Lawbeat, reports on the Allahabad High Court and courts in Uttar Pradesh, however, she also writes on important cases of national importance and public interests fr... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:23 IST News india Madras HC Seeks 'Operation Sindoor Tech' To Tackle Non-Consensual Intimate Images Online 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 Loading comments... News18 Afternoon Digest: Uttarkashi Cloudburst, Mohali Oxygen Plant Explosion & More Curated By : Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:58 IST We also covered: Visuals Reveal Full Scale Of Damage After Uttarkashi Cloudburst and PM Modi Inaugurates Common Central Secretariat Building 'Kartavya Bhavan' At Kartavya Path. Follow us on: Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Two Bodies Recovered In Dharali (PTI) In todays afternoon digest, News18 brings you the latest update on full extent of devastation caused by recent cloudbursts and flash floods in Dharali. Due to the major disaster, at least four people have died and several others remain missing; Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path in the national capital; and other news stories. Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Dramatic Visuals Reveal Full Scale Of Damage As Rescue Ops Continue Recommended Stories Dramatic visuals continue to surface from Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district, revealing the full extent of devastation caused by recent cloudbursts and flash floods in Dharali. At least four people have died and several others remain missing, prompting rescue agencies to launch operations on a war footing. Read more PM Modi Inaugurates Common Central Secretariat Building Kartavya Bhavan At Kartavya Path Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday inaugurated Kartavya Bhavan-3 at Kartavya Path in the national capital. Kartavya Bhavan-3 is the first among the 10 upcoming Common Central Secretariat buildings, and is a part of the broader transformation of the Central Vista, officials said. Read more Will Call PM Modi, Xi: Brazilian President Refuses Talks With Donald Trump After Tariff Blow | Watch Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has refused to contact Donald Trump, days after the US President claimed Silva can call him anytime to discuss tariffs and other friction between the countries. Followed Throughout Country: Top Court Allows Tamil Nadu Govt To Use Former CMs Photos In Ads The Supreme Court on Wednesday set aside the Madras High Court judgment, which had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from using the name Stalin with You and pictures of former chief ministers for multiple platforms, and opined that such norms are followed throughout the country. Read more TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Pinaki Misra Host Wedding Reception At Delhis Hotel Lalit | Pics Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra and former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Pinaki Misra hosted a grand wedding reception on August 5. The reception was held on Tuesday evening at Hotel Lalit in New Delhi. Several political figures from across parties attended the celebration. Read more Darbhanga Nursing Student Shot Dead By Wifes Father Over Inter-Caste Marriage A 25-year-old nursing student was shot dead at the Darbhanga Medical College and Hospital (DMCH) on Tuesday evening, allegedly by the father of his recently wedded wife. The incident, which took place in full view of patients and staff, sparked outrage among students and raised concerns over honour-based violence. Read more Mrunal Thakur Has Met Dhanushs Sisters, Family Approves Alleged Relationship? Actors Mrunal Thakur and Dhanush have left fans excited after sparking dating rumours. While neither Mrunal nor Dhanush has addressed these speculations, the rumour keeps churning due to the stars activities and frequent sightings. Now, reports claim that things are getting serious between the two, and Dhanush has likely introduced Mrunal to his family. Read More top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Watch: Mohammed Siraj Mobbed For Selfies After Landing In Mumbai Mohammed Siraj, the hero of Indias epic victory at The Oval, has landed in Mumbai and expectedly was mobbed by fans trying to catch a glimpse of the star fast bowler. The Indian team has started arriving home in batches after securing a 2-2 draw in a highly competitive Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy. Read more About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:58 IST News india News18 Afternoon Digest: Uttarkashi Cloudburst, Mohali Oxygen Plant Explosion & More 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 'Not Particularly Friendly': Tharoor Calls Out Trump's 'Double Standard' Over Additional 25% Tariff Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 21:14 IST Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said the US is importing uranium and palladium from Russia, and have given China, which imports "far more" Russian oil, a 90-day break Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said under such circumstances, India will have to start looking at other trading partners (Image: PTI/File) Congress MP Shashi Tharoor on Wednesday called out US President Donald Trumps double standard" for imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on India over buying Russian oil. Tharoor said this has not been a particularly friendly gesture" for the United States and the Trump administration, which seemed to be well disposed" towards India. He said while the Americans are themselves importing uranium and palladium from Russia, they have also given China, which also imports far more" Russian oil, a 90-day break. Recommended Stories Uranium, Palladium, there are various things they (US) are importing from Russia. There is, unfortunately, a certain double standard involved. They have given the Chinese a 90-day break, but the Chinese are importing far more Russian oil than we are. So clearly this has not been a particularly friendly gesture from a country we thought was well disposed towards us, an administration that we thought was well disposed," Tharoor told reporters, responding to the imposition of a doubled tariff of 50 per cent against Indian goods. Tharoor further said under such circumstances, India will have to start looking at other trading partners and there will likely be pressure within India" to impose comparable reciprocal tariffs on American exports to India. Very clearly, we have to act accordingly, and we will have to learn our lessons from this experience. I think there is certainly a likelihood that there will be some pressure within India now to impose comparable reciprocal tariffs on American exports to India. So I think were going to have to really start looking at other trading partners much more in these circumstances," he added. India, too, strongly condemned the decision, describing it as unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable". In a firmly worded statement, the ministry of external affairs (MEA) said the US had recently targeted Indias oil imports from Russia" despite New Delhi having articulated its position on the issue. Trump signed the executive order to place an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the US on its ally to 50%. The tariffs will go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. As part of a negotiating period, Trump has placed 30 percent tariffs on goods from China, a rate that is smaller than the combined import taxes with which he has threatened India. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all (With agency inputs) About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:10 IST News india 'Not Particularly Friendly': Tharoor Calls Out Trump's 'Double Standard' Over Additional 25% Tariff 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 Loading comments... Odisha College Student Dies After Being Set Ablaze, Kin Allege 'Mental Torture' By Boyfriend Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:26 IST The police said the woman was doused with kerosene before being set on fire but the cause of death is yet to be ascertained The Odisha DGP directed the Kendrapara SP to immediately visit the crime scene. (Image for representation) A college student from Odishas Kendrapara died after allegedly being set ablaze, following which her family accused her boyfriend of mentally harassing and blackmailing her. The incident took place in the Badapada area under Pattamundai police station limits in Kendrapada district. According to the police, the woman was doused with kerosene before being set on fire but the cause of death is yet to be ascertained. Recommended Stories The woman was reportedly alone at home when the incident happened. An investigation is underway, even as the director general of police directed the Kendrapara superintendent of police to immediately visit the crime scene. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The victims family, meanwhile, alleged that she was being mentally tortured by her boyfriend, and they had even approached the police about this but their complaint was ignored. She was being harrased by her boyfriend; he also blackmailed her. We had submitted a complaint to the local police station, but no action was taken," said the womans father. Location : Kendrapara, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:26 IST News india Odisha College Student Dies After Being Set Ablaze, Kin Allege 'Mental Torture' By Boyfriend 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 Loading comments... Passenger's Jewellery Illegally Seized By Customs At Delhi Airport | Know Your Rights Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:58 IST The woman was stopped at the green channel by customs officials who found four gemstone-studded gold bangles, a gold pendant, a gold chain, and a gold bangle during baggage scan The woman explained that all the items were personal jewellery taken for a wedding ceremony in Thailand. (Representative/PTI) A woman returning from Thailand experienced a harrowing ordeal at Delhis Indira Gandhi International Airport when her jewellery was confiscated by customs officials. After enjoying a trip for a family wedding, she found herself subjected to a rigorous search and intense questioning by the Air Intelligence Unit (AIU). Despite her assertions that the jewellery was personal and not purchased abroad, her earrings and other valuables were seized, leading to a distressing experience for her and her family. Recommended Stories The incident took place when she was passing through the green channel of customs. The customs officials stopped her for inspection and demanded her baggage be x-rayed. During the search, four gemstone-studded gold bangles, a gold pendant, a gold chain, and a gold bangle were found. The woman explained that all the items were personal jewellery taken for the wedding ceremony in Thailand, but her pleas were ignored. It is alleged that the AIU officers forced her to sign a statement under duress. Seeking justice, the lady passenger approached the High Court, which ruled in her favour and imposed a fine of Rs 25,000 on the Customs. Additionally, the court ordered action against the officials responsible for coercing her into signing the statement. What You Should Know About Personal Jewellery Rules This incident has raised significant concerns among international travellers regarding the rules on personal jewellery. To address the concerns of passengers, a senior customs officer clarified that the rules regarding personal jewellery under the Customs Act are very clear. Passengers are allowed to travel abroad wearing personal jewellery, but they must follow a specific procedure. Before departure, travellers must declare their personal jewellery at the customs office in the departure terminal. This involves filling out a form detailing the jewellery, which is then verified and approved by customs. A certified copy of the declaration is given to the passenger. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all On returning to India, the passenger must choose the red channel (not the green) at the arrival terminal and present the declaration form to the customs officer, confirming the jewellery was taken along during departure. This process helps avoid any complications. Customs officials say there have been cases where passengers left wearing imitation jewellery but returned with real gold or diamonds. Such incidents bring personal jewellery under scrutiny. However, following the correct process ensures a hassle-free experience. Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 10:58 IST News india Passenger's Jewellery Illegally Seized By Customs At Delhi Airport | Know Your Rights 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 Loading comments... Philippines Grants Visa-Free Entry To Indians: Check Full List Of Visa-Free Countries You Can Visit Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:07 IST Countries that offer visa-free access to Indian passport holders allow them to travel without the need to apply for visa in advance, making the journey more convenient Follow us on: Heres a look at the list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders, as per Henley Passport Report 2025 The Philippines has decided to allow visa-free entry to Indian passport holders, in a major step that could provide a fillip to tourism and strengthen people-to-people ties. Reciprocating the gesture, India has decided to extend the facility of free e-visas to tourists from the Philippines. Apart from this, there may be direct flight connectivity between India and the Philippines in the coming months. Recommended Stories In a statement on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said: We welcome the decision of the Philippines to grant visa-free entry to Indian tourists. India, in turn, has decided to extend the facility of free e-visas to tourists from the Philippines. Efforts will also be made to launch direct flights between Delhi and Manila within this year." Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal also said the Philippines has made visa-free entry possible for Indian tourists up to a period of 14 days. We expect that these measures would bolster our tourism exchanges, commercial linkages, and people-to-people interactions," he added. Heres a look at the list of visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries for Indian passport holders, as per Henley Passport Report 2025: Visa-free countries Countries that offer visa-free access to Indian passport holders allow them to travel without the need to apply for a visa in advance, making the journey more convenient and hassle-free. 1. Angola 2. Barbados 3. Bhutan 4. British Virgin Islands 5. Cook Islands 6. Dominica 7. Fiji 8. Grenada 9. Haiti 10. Iran 11. Jamaica 12. Kazakhstan 13. Kenya 14. Kiribati 15. Macao 16. Madagascar 17. Malaysia 18. Mauritius 19. Micronesia 20. Montserrat 21. Nepal 22. Niue 23. Philippines 24. Rwanda 25. Senegal 26. St. Kitts and Nevis 27. St. Vincent and the Grenadines 28. Thailand 29. Trinidad and Tobago 30. Vanuatu Countries that offer visa-on-arrival It is a type of visa that is issued upon arrival in a country, rather than being obtained in advance before traveling. 31. Bolivia 32. Burundi 33. Cambodia 34. Cape Verde Islands 35. Comro Islands 36. Djibouti 37. Ethiopia 38. Guinea-Bissau 39. Indonesia 40. Jordan 41. Laos 42. Maldives 43. Marshall Islands 44. Mongolia 45. Mozambique 46. Myanmar 47. Namibia 48. Palau Islands 49. Qatar 50. Samoa 51. Sierra Leone 52. Somalia 53. Sri Lanka 54. St. Lucia 55. Tanzania 56. Timor-Leste 57. Tuvalu 58. Zimbabwe Electronic travel authority (ETA) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all An ETA is a digital document that allows foreign nationals to enter a country, often for short visits or transit, without needing a traditional visa 59. Seychelles About the Author News Desk The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More The News Desk is a team of passionate editors and writers who break and analyse the most important events unfolding in India and abroad. From live updates to exclusive reports to in-depth explainers, the Desk d... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 10:05 IST News india Philippines Grants Visa-Free Entry To Indians: Check Full List Of Visa-Free Countries You Can Visit 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 PM Modi To Visit China For SCO Summit, His First Trip Since 2020 Galwan Clash Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:03 IST The bilateral ties hit rock bottom in May 2020 after violent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakh's Galwan Follow us on: PM Modi with Xi (Image: PTI/File) Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit this month, his first trip to Beijing since the violent clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers in 2020. PM Modi will visit Japan on August 30 before heading to China for a two-day visit. Recommended Stories Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also attended the SCO ministerial meetings in June. Jaishankar had also met Xi in Beijing and briefed him on recent developments in India-China relations while emphasising the importance of continued leadership guidance in advancing bilateral ties. From Big Freeze To Slow Thaw: A Timeline Of India-China Ties Since 2020 Galwan Clashes India-China Ties The relationship between India and China hit rock bottom in May 2020 after deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese soldiers in eastern Ladakhs Galwan. 20 Indian personnel lost their lives, and casualties were also reported on the Chinese side in the first violent clash between the two countries since the 1962 war. After tense ties for over four years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the 16th BRICS Summit at Kazan on October 23, 2024, marking the revival of bilateral ties between the two Asian giants. The two leaders welcomed the agreement for complete disengagement and resolution of issues that arose in 2020 in the India-China border areas. Prime Minister Modi had underscored the importance of properly handling differences and disputes and not allowing them to disturb peace and tranquillity. India and China reached an agreement on patrolling arrangements along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in the India-China border areas in Depsang and Demchok on 21 October 2024, leading to disengagement from all the points of friction from April/May 2020. It has been agreed that patrolling activities and, wherever applicable, grazing will resume as per longstanding practice before friction started in these two areas, as per the Ministry of External Affairs. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In June, both countries agreed to resume direct air services, Kailash Mansarovar Yatra for pilgrims, and take steps towards visa facilitation and also share data on transnational rivers. Last month, the Indian Embassy in China said India is set to resume issuing tourist visas to Chinese citizens. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:30 IST News india PM Modi To Visit China For SCO Summit, His First Trip Since 2020 Galwan Clash 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 From Big Freeze To Slow Thaw: A Timeline Of India-China Ties Since 2020 Galwan Clashes Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:29 IST From a period of high military tension in 2020 to partial disengagement and limited border patrol in 2025, India and China have come a long way since Galwan In their 75th year of diplomatic relations, India and China are entering a recovery phase with a decision to celebrate the milestone. (Image for representation) Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to visit China for the SCO summit starting August 31 the first time since bilateral ties between the two countries hit rock bottom in May 2020 following the Galwan Valley clashes. Besides, Modi has not visited China in more than seven years, further making this a sign of a diplomatic thaw with Beijing amid rising tensions with the United States due to the Trump administrations tariff war. Recommended Stories His last visit to China was for the same summit at the city of Tianjin in June 2018. After that Sino-Indian ties deteriorated sharply as Chinese incursions in the border area starting from the 2017 Doklam standoff snowballed into a military clash along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in 2020. There have, however, been positive developments since 2024 Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in Russia in October that year with both the countries choosing to defuse tensions and improve bilateral ties. From a period of high military tension to partial disengagement and limited border patrol, India and China have come a long way since Galwan. In their 75th year of diplomatic relations, they are entering a recovery phase with a decision to celebrate the milestone by resuming the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra. Here is a timeline of all that has transpired since the 2020 Galwan clashes: THE DEADLY CLASH May-June 2020: Starting May 5, 2020, Chinese and Indian troops were involved in skirmishes at various locations along the Sino-Indian border, including near the Pangong Lake in Ladakh, and along the LAC in eastern Ladakh. After the Chinese side objected to the Indian road construction on the Galwan river valley in late May. The tensions culminated in a violent military clash around June 15, resulting in casualties on both sides the first time since 1975. TALKS AND TENSIONS June-July 2020: The clashes led to a dramatic straining of ties. But there was partial disengagement from Galwan, Hot Springs, and Gogra in June-July 2020. September 2020: Foreign ministers meet in Moscow and agree on phased disengagement February-August 2021: Troop withdrawals and disengagement completed at Pangong Tso, Gogra-Hot Springs areas via corps commander-level talks. China acknowledges the deaths of five soldiers and a hotline is established. October 2021: Talks break down. December 2022: Renewed clash near Chumi Gyatse Falls in Arunachal Pradesh. At least 300 Chinese troops advance on Indian outposts resulting in serious injuries on both sides. August 2023: Modi and Xi agree to de-escalate tensions at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, South Africa, marking the resumption of diplomatic outreach. But this is also a period of intense restrictions by India on Chinese foreign direct investment and technology with a ban on more than 250 apps. SLOW DE-ESCALATION, DISENGAGEMENT September 2023-October 2024: This period can be highlighted by the border patrol agreement with the disengagement at Depsang and Demchok finalised. Modi and Xi meet at another BRICS summit in Russias Kazan, signalling a diplomatic reset". October 2024: India-China Border Patrol Agreement restores joint patrolling in friction points, ending the four-year standoff in key Ladakh regions. November-December 2024: Meetings at G20 and ASEAN ministerial forums help translate patrol accord into groundwork for broader dialogue on trust-building. JAISHANKAR ACKNOWLEDGES BORDER ISSUE December 2024: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar informed Parliament of continuous diplomatic engagement" and a step-by-step approach with China in achieving disengagement in the border areas. He gave a 20-minute statement to the Lok Sabha, recounting the steps leading to the border patrol agreement announced on October 21, 2024, in which the Indian Army and Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) agreed to disengage troops at Demchok and Depsang and proceed towards de-escalating tensions along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). January 2025: Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri visits Beijing and both sides agree to resume direct flights and the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra as part of the 75th anniversary of Indo-China relations. PAHALGAM April 2025: China was cautious in its approach after Pahalgam, which led to Indias Operation Sindoor against terror targets in Pakistan and Pakistan-Occupied Kashmir, and called for a fair and just investigation" into the deadly terror attack. While it condoled the loss of lives, it did not outright pronounce it as an act of terror, seen as a bid to appease its ally Pakistan. This came as a disappointment to India amid the restoration of the ties between New Delhi and Beijing. China has since tweaked its views to a certain extent. RENAMING BID IN ARUNACHAL PRADESH May 2025: Recovery notwithstanding, India slammed China for attempting to rename places in Arunachal Pradesh and said creative naming will not alter the undeniable reality that the state is an integral and inalienable part of India". June 2025: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visits China for the SCO defence ministers meeting, urging a structured roadmap for permanent border resolution and trustbuilding. DALAI LAMA SUCCESSION, DRAGON-ELEPHANT DANCE July 2025: Ahead of another visit by Jaishankar to China, Beijing says the succession of Tibetan spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, is a thorn in its relations with India days after New Delhi said it holds no position on the succession and reincarnation issue, or anyones faith and religion. China had protested Prime Minister Narendra Modis greetings to the Dalai Lama on his 90th birthday and the attendance of Indian officials at the celebrations. The Chinese embassy in New Delhi said India should be fully cognizant" to the sensitive nature of issues related to Xizang a term used by China to refer to Tibet and that the reincarnation and succession of the Dalai Lama is an inherently internal affair of China, brooking no interference of any external forces". Immediately after expressing grief over Indias stance on Tibet, China managed to renew its efforts to bolster bilateral relations during Jaishankars visit. Vice President Han Zheng invoked the metaphor of the Dragon-Elephant Dance" during a meeting with him in Beijing, indicating a desire to deepen cooperation. He referred to the 2023 meeting between Xi and Modi, which ultimately set the ball rolling for a normalisation in ties, and described it as a pivotal moment. He said as major developing nations and key members of the Global South, China and India must choose to be partners that support each others success", noting that the Dragon-Elephant Dance" remains the right path forward. July was a month of significant developments for India-China ties. Calling for regional cooperation against terrorism, China acknowledged US efforts to designate The Resistance Front (TRF) a proxy of the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) as a foreign terrorist organisation for its involvement in the Pahalgam attack. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all MODI IN CHINA August 31: And now, Modi is all set to travel to China to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) from August 31 to September 1. There is, however, no official confirmation yet. About the Author Oindrila Mukherjee Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More Oindrila Mukherjee is a senior sub-editor who works for the rewrite and breaking news desks. Her nine years of experience in print and digital journalism range from editing and reporting to writing impactful st... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:01 IST News india From Big Freeze To Slow Thaw: A Timeline Of India-China Ties Since 2020 Galwan Clashes 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 Loading comments... Uttarakhand Weather Update: Red Alert In 5 Districts, IMD Issues Warnings Amid Flash Floods Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 12:09 IST Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, and parts of Kumaon are under 'Red Alert' with forecasts of lightning, strong winds, and heavy to very heavy rainfall Follow us on: The Disaster Management Department, SDRF and NDRF are on high alert. (PTI/File) A devastating cloudburst in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district triggered flash floods on Tuesday, wreaking havoc in the high-altitude village of Dharali. The disaster claimed four lives and left a trail of destruction as heavy rain and treacherous conditions hampered rescue efforts. Despite the challenges, over 130 people were rescued as teams from the Indian Army, ITBP, NDRF, and SDRF launched round-the-clock operations. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has been camping in the village for the past two days to oversee relief and rescue efforts firsthand. Recommended Stories Amidst ongoing heavy rains in Uttarakhand, the Meteorological Department has issued a district-level nowcast bulletin for August 6. The bulletin warns of potential natural disasters, including very heavy rains, lightning, floods, and landslides across several districts in the state. Which Districts Are Most At Risk? The districts most at risk include Dehradun, Haridwar, Tehri, Pauri Garhwal, and several areas in the Kumaon region, which have all been placed under a Red Alert due to the likelihood of lightning, strong winds, and heavy to very heavy rainfall. Past 24 Hours Of Rainfall Raise Concern Maldevta: 174.0 mm Bajpur: 166.0 mm Narendra Nagar: 148.5 mm Ganai Gangoli: 147.0 mm Kashipur: 143.5 mm Jaspur: 127.0 mm Bageshwar: 120.0 mm Sahastradhara: 116.0 mm Jolly Grant: 105.0 mm Nainital: 83.0 mm Pauri: 73.0 mm Dehradun: 48.0 mm What 174 mm Rain In 24 Hours Means Experts classify 174.0 mm of rainfall in 24 hours as extremely heavy, posing significant danger, particularly in hilly, river-adjacent, or urban areas. Such rainfall can lead to landslides, rockfalls, traffic disruptions, flooding in low-lying regions, and damage to raw and under-construction buildings. There is also a risk of sudden rises in river and drain water levels. What Are IMDs Rainfall Levels? The India Meteorological Department (IMD) categorises rainfall as follows: 64.5115.5 mm: Heavy rainfall general waterlogging, strong flow in drains Heavy rainfall general waterlogging, strong flow in drains 115.6204.4 mm: Excessive rainfall possibility of flooding, landslides in hilly areas Excessive rainfall possibility of flooding, landslides in hilly areas 204.5 mm or more: Extremely heavy rainfall severe flooding, structural damage, possibility of loss of life Safety Advice: What To Do, What To Avoid Shelter should be sought in concrete structures during lightning; standing under trees must be avoided. Animals should be kept indoors, and children and the elderly placed in safe locations. Rivers, drains, and landslide-prone zones must be avoided. Travel through mountain roads and valleys should be avoided. Driving in areas prone to flash floods must be refrained from. Crops should be protected against potential rain damage. Rescue Teams, Administration On Alert top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Disaster Management Department, State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) are on high alert, with intensified surveillance in sensitive areas. Residents are advised to monitor weather updates and contact authorities in emergencies. Important helpline numbers have been issued. The disaster control room can be reached at 1070 for assistance or to share critical information. view comments Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 12:09 IST News india Uttarakhand Weather Update: Red Alert In 5 Districts, IMD Issues Warnings Amid Flash Floods 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 Photo: https://www.facebook.com/Nawrocki25/photos_by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has congratulated Karol Nawrocki on his inauguration as President of Poland, and hopes for a constructive dialogue for the common interests of the countries. "I congratulate Karol Nawrocki on his inauguration as President of the Republic of Poland. I wish him success in realizing the will and aspirations of the Polish people. I hope for a constructive and direct dialogue for the common interests of our countries. Ukraine remains committed to good-neighborly relations and mutually beneficial cooperation aimed at strengthening our partnership and countering common threats," Zelenskyy wrote on X on Wednesday. He thanked Poland for its unwavering support. "Ukraine and Poland can only walk the path of freedom and security together, as well as together with other free European nations," Zelenskyy added. In addition, he thanked Andrzej Duda for his leadership, personal dedication and unwavering support for Ukraine in the most difficult times. "From the first minutes of the full-scale war, we felt that Poland was not indifferent, and constantly worked together to protect our independence - and therefore Polish independence," Zelenskyy said. Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:49 IST Houses buried under debris following flash floods triggered by a cloudburst, in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, Wednesday, Aug. 6. (PTI Photo) Uttarakhand Cloudburst News, Floods Today Updates: A cloudburst in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district caused flash floods on Tuesday and wreaked havoc in high-altitude villages of Dharali. The disaster has so far claimed four lives. At least 130 people were rescued as authorities swung into action despite unfavourable weather conditions and incessant rain in the region. Two cloudbursts, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, caused widespread destruction, with Dharali bearing the brunt. Reportedly, the region also suffered from mudslides. Rescue and relief efforts are ongoing, led by the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Dramatic Visuals Reveal Full Scale Of Damage As Rescue Ops Continue Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:32 IST Videos from the ground show collapsed roads, washed-away bridges, debris-strewn terrain, and raging mountain streams cutting off entire stretches. Rescue operations are underway | Image: News18 Dramatic visuals continue to surface from Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district, revealing the full extent of devastation caused by recent cloudbursts and flash floods in Dharali. At least four people have died and several others remain missing, prompting rescue agencies to launch operations on a war footing. Recommended Stories Videos from the ground show collapsed roads, washed-away bridges, debris-strewn terrain, and raging mountain streams cutting off entire stretches. The situation remains critical, particularly in Dharali, one of the worst-hit areas. A high-intensity rescue operation involving the Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local residents has already saved over 130 people, according to officials. We are putting in all efforts to rescue everyone safely," said Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, confirming that damaged roads and a collapsed bridge were making access extremely difficult. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance." The CM also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi for his constant support and said the PM continues to closely monitor the situation. PM Modi took the details of the rescue operation today as well," Dhami added. The extent of destruction came into sharp focus as visuals showed entire sections of the Uttarkashi-Harsil road washed away, particularly near Bhatwadi, leaving areas like Dharali completely cut off. Massive earth-moving equipment, including JCBs, is being used to clear debris and restore access to remote stretches. Two separate cloudburst incidents one in Dharali and another near Sukhi Top have led to widespread damage, with several homes, shops, and stretches of road swept away. Several people remain missing, and mudslides continue to pose a risk across the hill district. Army Choppers On Standby Indian Army helicopters are also on standby for aerial evacuation, but their deployment has been delayed due to poor weather conditions. As soon as the weather improves, helicopters will be used. Food packets and a team of doctors have also been prepared," said CM Dhami, noting that communication lines in Dharali remain down. Over 160 police officials, including 10 DSPs and 3 SPs, have been deployed in the field, working alongside NDRF and SDRF teams. Mobile connectivity remains suspended in several affected areas, further complicating rescue efforts. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned of continued heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, raising fears of further landslides and flash floods in the days ahead. Centre Assures Assistance Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed condolences to those affected, stating, I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. I pray for the well-being of all the victims." He said he had spoken to CM Dhami and was in constant touch for updates. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured all necessary Central support and directed the deployment of additional NDRF and ITBP teams. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath also spoke with Dhami and extended his governments support. The full scale of the disaster is still being assessed, even as rescuers race against time and terrain to reach those still stranded in the hills. Location : Uttarakhand (Uttaranchal), India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:09 IST News india Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Dramatic Visuals Reveal Full Scale Of Damage As Rescue Ops Continue 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 Loading comments... Uttarkashi Cloudburst: 190 Rescued, 5 Dead As Relief Ops Continue In Dharali | Latest Updates Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:36 IST A cloudburst in Uttarkashi sent a massive surge of water and debris through Dharali village and nearby regions, killing five people and injuring dozens of others. Rescue operations continue after a deadly cloudburst in Uttarkashi. (PTI) After a cloudburst in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi district caused flash floods on Tuesday and wreaked havoc in high-altitude villages of Dharali, authorities have rescued at least 190 people so far, including 11 Army personnel, while five people have been killed. The flash floods, caused by a cloudburst over the Kheer Gad area, sent a massive surge of water and debris through Dharali village and nearby regions. Dharali, a key halt on the route to Gangotri, saw widespread destruction. Several houses, homestays, restaurants, and hotels were either damaged or swept away in the flood. Recommended Stories This tragic incident has once again raised serious concerns about the increasing frequency of natural disasters in the state of Uttarakhand. The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) are leading rescue operations in the area. Whats The Latest: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Wednesday said 190 people have been rescued from Uttarkashis Dharali village. In an official statement, Uttarakhand Police informed that 11 Army personnel and two locals were rescued via helicopters. Two bodies were recovered from the area, of which one was identified. At least five people had been killed, and several have been injured in the flash flood which hit Dharali on Tuesday. Dhami said he was camping at the site and will monitor rescue work. Rescue efforts were hampered due to inclement weather and heavy rainfall on the Gangotri route. According to a statement from the Indian Army, over 225 Army personnel, including infantry and engineering teams, are on the ground for search, rescue, and relief tasks. Dozens of people are missing as several roads have been blocked due to landslides and debris flows. A 28-member group of tourists, who are natives of Kerala, is also among the missing. Rescuers have retrieved two bodies from the rubble in flood-ravaged Dharali village. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met MPs from Uttarakhand at the Parliament House on Wednesday in view of the cloudburst incident. (with inputs from agencies) 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 : Uttarkashi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 23:35 IST News india Uttarkashi Cloudburst: 190 Rescued, 5 Dead As Relief Ops Continue In Dharali | Latest Updates 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 Loading comments... Vantara Offers To Set Up Satellite Rehabilitation Centre For Elephant Madhuri In Kolhapur Published By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 12:19 IST Vantara will also extend support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Govt of Maharashtra before the Court requesting Madhuris return to Kolhapur, the statement said Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) at Vantara. (Instagram) Amid the protests over transfer of Elephant Mahadevi (Madhuri) from Kolhapur to Jamnagar, Anant Ambanis Vantara has offered to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. Vantara will also extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Court requesting Madhuris return to Kolhapur, it said in statement. Vantara acknowledges the deep religious and cultural significance that Madhuri holds for the Jain Math and the people of Kolhapur. For decades, she has been an integral part of deep-rooted spiritual practices and community life. We recognise and respect the sentiments of the devotees, the leadership of the Jain Math, and the wider community who have expressed their concerns and attachment to Madhuris presence in Kolhapur," it read. Recommended Stories CM Devendra Fadnavis in a post on X said: I had an extensive discussion with The Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Governments petition before the Honble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant Madhuri back to the Math. Vantara told that they are acting only on the orders of the Hon Supreme Court and had no intentions to grab the custody of Madhuri. The team also showed their willingness to build a rehab centre for Madhuri in Kolhapur near Nandani at a place selected by the Forest Department of Govt of Maharashtra. They also informed that they give highest respect to the religious sentiments of the community." Decision taken by court, Vantara played no role in transfer Vantaras involvement in this matter has been limited to acting strictly in accordance to the binding directions issued by the Honble Supreme Court and the Honble Bombay High Court. The decision to relocate Madhuri was taken under judicial authority, and Vantaras role was to provide care, veterinary support, and housing as an independent rescue and rehabilitation centre. At no stage did Vantara initiate or recommend the relocation, nor was there any intent to interfere with religious practice or sentiment. Vantara to extend support to Jain Math In alignment with our commitment to lawful conduct, responsible animal care, and community cooperation, Vantara will extend full support to any application filed by the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra before the Honble Court requesting Madhuris return to Kolhapur. Subject to the Courts approval, Vantara will provide complete technical and veterinary assistance for her safe and dignified return. Vantara offers to set up satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri Furthermore, Vantara will work in close coordination with the Jain Math and the State Government to establish a satellite rehabilitation centre for Madhuri in the Nandani area of Kolhapur. The proposed facility will be developed in accordance to the established animal welfare guidelines, after consultation with experts from the High-Powered Committee and consensus of the Math, while aligned to international best practices in elephant care. The proposed centre will include: Specialised Hydrotherapy Pond for joint and muscular relief A second, larger water body for swimming and natural movement Laser therapy and treatment room for physical rehabilitation Covered night shelter for rest and protection Lush open space habitat for unrestricted movement without chains Sand pit for environmental enrichment and natural behaviours Fully equipped on-site veterinary clinic for 247 medical care Rubberised flooring platform for safe and comfortable resting Carefully formed mounds of soft sand to support sloped resting positions, aiding recovery from foot rot, relieving pressure from arthritis, and reducing stress on joints. The land for the proposed facility is to be identified in consultation with the Guru of the Jain Math and the Government of Maharashtra. Upon receiving the necessary grants and permissions, Vantaras expert team is ready to begin implementation in close coordination with relevant authorities. I had an extensive discussion with The Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Governments petition before the Honble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant Madhuri back to the Math.Vantara told pic.twitter.com/X75AsYrOIb Devendra Fadnavis (@Dev_Fadnavis) August 6, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We wish to clarify that this proposal is put forward solely to comply with and facilitate any directive that may be issued by the Honble Court regarding Madhuris future care, in accordance with international standards. It is not intended for any credit, recognition, or vested interest of Vantara. Moreover, this is a recommendation, not a binding or imposed condition. We remain fully open and respectful to any alternative proposal the Jain Math may wish to put forward, in accordance with the final directions of the Honble Court," said Vantara. The statement said: If our involvement, despite being carried out solely under legal instructions, has caused any distress to the Jain community or the people of Kolhapur, we express our sincere regret. Michhami Dukkadamif any hurt was caused through thought, word, or deed, knowingly or unknowingly, we seek your forgiveness. Vantara remains committed to the highest standards of animal welfare, institutional integrity, and respectful engagement with communities across India. Our efforts will continue to prioritise lawful conduct, transparency, and the well-being of the animals entrusted to our care. Let us move forward not in opposition but in unity, with love for Madhuri at the heart of it all." 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 06, 2025, 12:09 IST News india Vantara Offers To Set Up Satellite Rehabilitation Centre For Elephant Madhuri In Kolhapur 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 Loading comments... Zaroor Denge: How PM Modi Responded To Maharashtra Deputy CM Shindes Special Request Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:58 IST On seeing the Shinde family, the first question PM Narendra Modi asked was: Where is the special guest? Senior Shinde told the PM that Rudransh wanted a fighter plane The Shinde family also presented a portrait of Lord Shiva to the Prime Minister. (PTI File) Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde on Wednesday afternoon had a one-and-a-half hour meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He was accompanied by his family, his son, his daughter-in-law, and his wife. But there was a special guest who was missing. On seeing the Shinde family, the first question the PM asked was: Where is the special guest?" Recommended Stories It was none other than Rudransh Shinde. Rudransh is the grandson of Eknath Shinde and the son of Shrikant Shinde, and the last time the family met the Prime Minister right after the Maharashtra election results, the PM had shared a few special moments with the little boy. Rudransh, who could not meet the Prime Minister, made sure that his special message reached the Prime Minister. Senior Shinde told PM Modi that Rudransh wanted something very special and important". Upon the Prime Ministers query, it was learned that the kid had asked his grandfather to ask the Prime Minister to give him a special fighter jet. There was a burst of laughter in the room as the DCM conveyed the request to the Prime Minister. We may need to do a strike any time soon, therefore you please ask the Prime Minister to give me a jet," Shinde ji warmly conveyed his grandsons message to the Prime Minister. Pat came the reply from Modi, Zaroor Denge", leaving everybody in the room in splits. The family also presented a portrait of Lord Shiva to the Prime Minister, signifying the success of Operation Sindoor. A local artist painted this in a matter of two days, and many on social media said that the message of the success of the operation was conveyed without words, only through the picture. Rudransh has great interest in toys, especially toy planes, but the fact that Indias fighter jets have been able to teach Pakistan a lesson, especially in the recent Operation Sindoor, it is learned that he has conveyed to the family that fighter jets are his favourite, and that he may look to become a fighter jet pilot. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The Prime Ministers amazing equation with children is no secret, especially with many stories being reported in the past, including Anant Kumars grandson conveying that he wanted to be a Hanuman when he grew up, to the fact that Poonam Mahajans daughter thought that Prime Minister Modi was the coolest grandpa in town. On Wednesday afternoon, the Prime Minister spent an hour with the Shinde family and another half an hour with the Deputy CM discussing issues of Maharashtra and national importance. Earlier in the day, Eknath Shinde also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah and conveyed the unconditional support of his party for the choice of the NDA to pick the next Vice-President of India. First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:56 IST News india Zaroor Denge: How PM Modi Responded To Maharashtra Deputy CM Shindes Special Request 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 Loading comments... Beyonces Latest Denim Ad Draws Comparisons To Controversial Sydney Sweeney Campaign Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:42 IST Beyonce's ad with Levi's and Sydney Sweeney's ad with American Eagle has become the most talked about campaigns on social media. Beyonce's Levi's ad is a part of the Reimagine campaign. Amidst the Sydney Sweeney x American Eagle jeans row, Beyonce has turned heads with her collaboration with Levis. Promoting the second chapter of the Reimagine campaign, the visuals were striking. Beyonce posed confidently in a denim-on-denim ensemble: a fitted vest, embroidered jacket, and flared jeans. It wasnt just about fashion; it was about legacy, cultural presence, and reinterpreting American style through a Black womans lens. Her confident pose and high-impact styling were praised for celebrating individuality and self-expression. Recommended Stories Take a look at the pictures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Levis (@levis) The Levis ad comes at a time when American Eagle debuted its new denim campaign starring Euphoria actress Sydney Sweeney last month. The actress sported seven trendy denim outfits with the tagline: Sydney Sweeney has great jeans." While intended as a pun, the ad featured Sydney explaining how genes" influence traits like eye colour and personality right before zooming in on her striking blue eyes and blue jeans. Take a look at the pictures here. View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Eagle (@americaneagle) Though the visual and linguistic play aimed to be clever, many online called it tone-deaf. Social media users claimed the messaging echoed problematic themes of genetic superiority and exclusion, particularly given Sydneys Eurocentric features. This entire campaign is a dog whistle that pushes white supremacist/nazi propaganda and the idea of eugenics btw.jessbritvich on TikTok explains it better than I could but yeah long story short American Eagle and Sydney Sweeney are promoting fascism with this campaign. https://t.co/Q5rxUAq2k1 pic.twitter.com/EE4hlRa8Yd Lex Yi Arknights Shady Facts and Tea (@asb3st0s_) July 28, 2025 finally listened to this whole thing and im just in awe at how blatantly obvious it is that this is right-wing, nazi propaganda https://t.co/XXl9BAhDkq goth georgia miller (@emomilfcentral) July 27, 2025 The controversy gained momentum when fans began comparing Sweeneys ad to Beyonces. On social media platforms, users pointed out how the composition, poses, and styling were eerily similar. Whats the difference between Beyonce LEVIS ad and Sydney Sweeney for American Eagle?Why cant we just celebrate two beautiful women, instead of making every thing fucking political on here. pic.twitter.com/iNiKaR0SKt Penelope (@Lavishlyhers) July 31, 2025 American Eagle addressed the backlash with a statement clarifying that the campaign was always intended to spotlight denim and self-expression. They emphasised that the focus was on Sydneys style and how she wears her jeans with confidence. Reaffirming their inclusive messaging, the brand added that great jeans" are for everyone. View this post on Instagram A post shared by American Eagle (@americaneagle) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Whether intentional or not, the response to both ads highlights how brands must tread carefully when blending style, identity, and messaging. 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 06, 2025, 13:42 IST News lifestyle Beyonces Latest Denim Ad Draws Comparisons To Controversial Sydney Sweeney Campaign More Than Just Good Vibes: Rethinking Toxic Positivity And Forced Optimism Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:03 IST Changing the culture of toxic positivity doesnt mean abandoning hope or optimism; it means making room for the full spectrum of human experience. Toxic positivity pressures people to hide their true feelings. (Pixabay) From Instagram captions and school posters to workplace slogans and wellness campaigns, were surrounded by messages that promote happiness, strength, and gratitude. But beneath the glossy stay strong mantras lies a complicated truth: not every emotion needs to be wrapped in positivity, and sometimes, pretending everything is fine causes more harm than good. Toxic positivity isnt optimism," says Abeer Kapur, Founder & CEO of the Trusted Inclusive Futures Network Foundation (TIFN). Its pressure the pressure to smile when youre hurting, to say youre grateful when youre overwhelmed, to be silent because your truth makes others uncomfortable," he adds. This cultural expectation to always be upbeat often sidelines honesty, especially when people are navigating mental health struggles, burnout, or bias. Recommended Stories The Subtle Ways Toxic Positivity Shows Up Toxic positivity isnt always loud or obvious. Often, it hides in well-meaning phrases like look on the bright side" or others have it worse." These dismissive reassurances can prevent people from expressing their reality and feeling heard. When we praise resilience without asking what someone had to survive, we erase their story," Kapur explains. In schools, students are told to bounce back but arent taught how to process sadness. At home, peace is often maintained through emotional silence. And in workplaces, mental health is reduced to motivational posters while the root causes of stress remain untouched." Why The Toxic Positivity Culture Is Isolating For those already navigating exclusion due to race, gender, identity, or mental health, forced positivity deepens the isolation. It creates an environment where only sanitised, socially acceptable feelings are welcome. When someone says, Im not okay, we rush to fix it rather than sit with it," Kapur notes. But real inclusion begins when we let people be human without conditions." What Real Change Looks Like True emotional wellness doesnt come from curated positivity but from allowing people to show up as they are, especially on hard days. It means building homes, classrooms, and workplaces where vulnerability is not just accepted, but valued. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all We dont need more polished versions of each other," Kapur says. We need more honest ones. Thats where real trust begins." Real inclusion and emotional safety begin when people feel they can show up with their whole selves, even when that self is tired, overwhelmed, or hurting. 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 06, 2025, 10:03 IST News lifestyle More Than Just Good Vibes: Rethinking Toxic Positivity And Forced Optimism Raksha Bandhan 2025 Celebrations: Did You Know These Unique Traditions Across India? Published By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:00 IST Raksha Bandhan Celebrations 2025: From Rajasthans Lumba Rakhi to Tamil Nadus Avani Avittam, explore how Rakhi reflects India's cultural richness through regional traditions. Raksha Bandhan 2025 Celebrations: Celebrate culture, love, and rituals this Rakhi on August 9, 2025. (AI generated image) Raksha Bandhan Celebrations 2025: Raksha Bandhan, a joyous celebration of sibling love, is surely a reflection of Indias diverse traditions. This year, Rakhi falls on August 9, 2025, marking the full moon day of the Shravan month. Beyond the core ritual of sisters tying rakhi threads on their brothers wrists, symbolising love and protection, different regions add their unique twists. Lets explore 5 Raksha Bandhan traditions from across India that showcase the countrys rich cultural and traditions. Lumba Rakhi in Rajasthan Recommended Stories In Rajasthan, the Marwari and Rajput communities practice the unique tradition of tying Lumba Rakhi, a colourful, ornate rakhi designed specifically for sisters-in-law (bhabhis). ALSO READ: Raksha Bandhan 2025: Easy DIY Rakhi-Making Ideas For Kids And Adults At Home These rakhis are larger, often adorned with beads, mirrors, and embroidery, reflecting the states rich handicraft heritage. The custom stems from the belief that the sister-in-law plays a vital role in the familys well-being. Avani Avittam in Tamil Nadu Raksha Bandhan converges with Avani Avittam, a sacred ritual for Brahmin men in Tamil Nadu. On this day, men renew their janeyu (sacred thread) in a ceremony that emphasises spiritual energy and Vedic traditions. While the rakhi ritual is observed, Avani Avittam takes centre stage, with men performing sacred chants and prayers by rivers or at home. ALSO READ: Raksha Bandhan Mehndi Designs 2025: Traditional And Modern Styles For The Festive Look The celebration seamlessly blends familial love with spiritual renewal as sisters tie rakhis afterwards, highlighting Tamil Nadus unique cultural and religious harmony. Rakhi Purnima in Odisha In Odisha, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Rakhi Purnima, where the full moon days spiritual significance is woven into the festivities. Beyond the traditional sibling bond, the festival takes on a broader meaning with the worship of Lord Jagannath in many households. PHOTOS: 10 Bollywood Films To Celebrate Sibling Bond This Raksha Bandhan Families seek divine protection by offering prayers and tying rakhis to deities. Whats unique to Odisha is the exchange of rakhis among cousins and close friends, extending the celebration beyond biological ties. Pavitropana in Gujarat Pavitropana, Gujarats unique variation of Raksha Bandhan, extends beyond sibling bonds. Devotees visit temples, especially those dedicated to Lord Krishna, to tie rakhis on idols in hopes of receiving divine blessings. The tradition showcases intricately crafted rakhis made from vibrant, coloured cotton threads. Gujarati families celebrate with special dishes such as shrikhand and puri, and the festival is marked by community gatherings and fairs. Jhulan Yatra in West Bengal top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In West Bengal, Raksha Bandhan is celebrated as Jhulan Yatra, a joyous celebration of Radha and Krishnas divine love. As sisters tie rakhis to brothers, families adorn swings (jhulans) with flowers and worship idols of the beloved deities. The festival transcends sibling ties, with threads being tied on friends and community members, symbolising universal brotherhood. The streets resonate with cultural performances and devotional songs, making Raksha Bandhan even more special. About the Author Nibandh Vinod Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More Nibandh Vinod is a seasoned journalist with 26 years of experience, specializing in covering events, festivals, and driving SEO content for News18.com. A tech-savvy person, Nibandh works closely with a young te... Read More fashion, travel, News18 Lifestyle section brings you the latest on health food , wellness tips, celebrity style, travel inspiration and recipes. Also Download the News18 App to stay updated. First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:00 IST News lifestyle Raksha Bandhan 2025 Celebrations: Did You Know These Unique Traditions Across India? Opinion | Kamal Haasans War On Sanatan Dharma Exposes Deep-Rooted Hinduphobia Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 17:06 IST From films to political rhetoric, Kamal Haasans consistent vilification of Sanatan Dharma reveals not reformist zeal, but a calculated ideological attack on Hindu identity Kamal Haasans political activism and cinematic projects reflect a persistent effort to vilify Hinduism. (Photo Credits: X) On August 3, 2025, Tamil actor-turned-politician Kamal Haasan, speaking at an event organised by the Agaram Foundation, declared that education is the only weapon that can break the chains of dictatorship and Sanatan." He urged students to fight majority fools" using knowledge and education, an unsubtle attack on what he described as Sanatan Dharma, equating it to tyranny and oppression. This was not an offhand remark. It was part of a long-standing pattern of statements and actions that betray Haasans deep ideological hostility toward Hinduism. Behind the facade of progressive intellectualism lies a deeply troubling Hinduphobic streak that seeks not reform but erasure of Sanatan Dharmas foundational place in Indian civilisation. Recommended Stories Targeted Again Haasans remarks are reminiscent of the now-infamous comments made by Tamil Nadu minister Udhayanidhi Stalin in 2023, who compared Sanatan Dharma to diseases like dengue and corona, calling for its eradication." These are not isolated slip-ups. They represent a larger ideological blueprint rooted in the Dravidian political ethos that misrepresents Hinduism as nothing more than a tool of Brahminical oppression. Haasan, who claims to be an atheist but has admitted to evangelising Christianity in the past, continues to demonstrate selective intolerance, particularly toward Hinduism. He has never used such harsh metaphors for other religions or religious institutions. The problem lies not with religion per se, but with the Hindu identity that Sanatan Dharma represents. Haasans Track Record: A Pattern Of Hinduphobia Kamal Haasans political activism and cinematic projects reflect a persistent effort to vilify Hinduism. In 2019, he infamously labelled Nathuram Godse, Gandhis assassin, as free Indias first terrorist," solely because he was a Hindu. In 2017, he declared that extremism has spread even among Hindus," and that they have become violent. In 2022, Haasan dismissed the existence of Hinduism during the Chola era, saying the British had coined the term Hindu" to club together Vaishnavites and Shaivites. This distortion ignores the spiritual unity and cultural continuity that Sanatan Dharma has always maintained among its diverse sects. Vaishnavism and Shaivism are not disconnected tribal cults; they are deeply embedded traditions within Hinduism. His views on films like The Kerala Story, which was inspired by real accounts of Hindu girls being radicalised and trafficked into terrorist networks, are equally revealing. While he dismissed it as propaganda," he has never acknowledged the overtly anti-Hindu content of his movies, many of which routinely mock deities and Hindu practices. From trivialising Lord Murugan in Kaadhala Kaadhala (1998) to turning Lord Shiva into a bubble-gum-chewing caricature in Pammal K. Sambandam (2002), his filmography reveals a consistent undertone of mockery and ridicule directed at Hindu beliefs. The Dravidianist Playbook Haasans statements fit neatly into the broader Dravidianist strategy of painting Sanatan Dharma as synonymous with Brahminism" and therefore oppressive. This reductionist equation fails to understand or willfully ignores that Sanatan Dharma is not limited to any caste or community. It encompasses a vast spiritual, philosophical, and cultural spectrum from tribal traditions to temple rituals, from Advaita Vedanta to Bhakti poetry. Periyarism, the ideological fountainhead of the DMK and its offshoot, has always used anti-Brahminism as a convenient disguise for anti-Hinduism. Haasan, although technically an outsider to the DMK, finds his relevance today in echoing these divisive themes. His open support for Udhayanidhi Stalins call to eradicate" Sanatan Dharma, masked as a reformist concern for social justice, is an ideological fraud. Reform is not the goal; cultural and religious obliteration is. Education As A Weapon? The irony of Kamal Haasan invoking education as a tool to break" Sanatan Dharma cannot be overstated. Historically, Sanatan Dharma has been the bedrock of Indian intellectual tradition, producing timeless treatises in mathematics, philosophy, medicine, and metaphysics. From the Vedas to the Upanishads, from Paninis grammar to Aryabhatas astronomy, Hindu thought has always fostered intellectual inquiry and debate. To claim that education must be used to break" such a tradition is not just ignorant, it is malicious. Education, in its true form, seeks to understand and elevate, not destroy. What Haasan seems to advocate is indoctrination masquerading as enlightenment. Politics Over Principle Let us not pretend this is about ideology alone. Kamal Haasans political ambitions have long floundered. His party, Makkal Needhi Maiyam (MNM), has failed to make electoral inroads. In this vacuum, Hinduphobia becomes an easy ticket to stay relevant, especially in Tamil Nadu, where anti-Hindu rhetoric often wins brownie points in elite intellectual circles and among so-called progressives. By slandering Sanatan Dharma, Haasan aligns himself with a class of elites who view Hindu traditions as regressive and their Westernised worldview as the gold standard. In doing so, he alienates the very masses, many of them deeply devout Hindus who once celebrated him as a cultural icon. Sanatan Dharma: The Real Liberator It is ironic, if not tragic, that Haasan labels Sanatan as a dictatorship." The essence of Sanatan Dharma lies in its pluralism, its acceptance of multiple paths to truth, and its emphasis on inner liberation. Sanatan Dharma gave this land the Bhagavad Gitas call to Karma Yoga, the Upanishadic quest for Atman, and the Bhakti movements rejection of priestly dominance. It inspired Adi Shankaras Advaita as well as Ramanujas Vishishtadvaita schools of thought that could not be more different and yet coexist harmoniously within the Hindu fold. If anything, Sanatan is the antidote to the very dogmas Haasan accuses it of being. Conclusion: Mask Off Kamal Haasan is not simply calling for reform. He is weaponising education to further a political and ideological project aimed at demonising Hindu identity. In doing so, he does a grave disservice to the millions of Hindus across castes and communities who revere Sanatan Dharma not as a tool of oppression but as a source of inner and social liberation. Let us be clear: this is not about freedom of speech or reformist critique. It is about deliberate, targeted, and consistent Hinduphobia. And its time we called it out for what it is. In a Hindu-majority country, disparaging Sanatan Dharma may earn Haasan applause from the anti-Hindu echo chambers. But it will also deepen the divide between elites who ridicule faith and the masses who live by it. Kamal Haasan may believe he is breaking chains, but in truth, he is forging new ones: of resentment, division, and cultural alienation. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Sanatan Dharma doesnt need to be broken. It needs to be understood. And perhaps, that is what Kamal Haasan fears the most. The writer is a technocrat, political analyst, and author. He pens national, geopolitical, and social issues. His social media handle is @prosenjitnth. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Prosenjit Nath The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author. The writer is an Indian technocrat, political analyst, and author. First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:06 IST News opinion Opinion | Kamal Haasans War On Sanatan Dharma Exposes Deep-Rooted Hinduphobia 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 Loading comments... Opinion | Uttar Pradeshs Silent Revolution: Women Lead The Workforce Surge Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:29 IST Since Yogi Adityanath took office, the female labour force participation rate in Uttar Pradesh has surged from a dismal 14 per cent to 36 per cent Follow us on: Apart from employment opportunities, the government has also encouraged opportunities for self-employment and income generation. (PTI File) Between 2017 and 2024, a silent revolution has been taking place in Indias largest and most populous state. A movement that has not registered amidst the raucous headlines that emerge from Uttar Pradesh. It is the silent revolution of more women entering the workforce. In these intervening years, since Yogi Adityanath took office, the female labour force participation rate (FLFPR) has surged from a dismal 14 per cent to 36 per cent. While its still below the national average of 45 per cent, it is nonetheless a dramatic breakthrough and is expected to continue to rise, powering the $1 trillion economy goal set by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath. The Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Index, a key barometer that tracks these figures, says that a sustained policy effort under CM Yogi Adityanath, which has placed women at the centre of government policy priorities, has made the difference. Recommended Stories When CM Yogi took office in 2017, he inherited a legacy of goondaism in the streets and perilous safety standards for women. So endemic was it to society that a bloody riot was sparked by an episode of sexual harassment prior to his taking office for the first time. Womens safety was not a case of isolated incidents, but circumstances that created powder keg situations in the state not to mention the negative public sentiment that existed about the state and female safety. Very early in his tenure, Yogi made this a compelling priority, noting presciently that once female safety was established, only then would other empowerment schemes take root, including economic independence. It has been on the foundation of this policy to first ensure female safety that the FLFPR figures of female participation in the workforce have seen such a jump. The Mission Shakti Scheme introduced by CM Yogi ensured that safety went hand in hand with employment. For example, if the new regulations permitted women to work night shifts, then employers had to ensure that safety guidelines were followed. According to an official UP notification (2022) all employers must obtain written consent from female workers before assigning them to the night shift. Furthermore, there should be a minimum of four women at the workplace, and facilities like pick-up and drop from the residence must be provided, as well as bathroom facilities and safe lighting in the workplace. The minutiae confirm how seriously womens safety is taken. Apart from employment opportunities, the government has also encouraged opportunities for self-employment and income generation. There are over 10 lakh self-help groups that engage more than 1 crore women in micro-enterprises. Fifty-three per cent of the registrations on the e-Shram portal are women, and they form 34.65 per cent of the states construction workforce. There are numerous personal narratives that attest to these developments on the ground, like night-shift factories near Lucknow and Kanpur that have seen increasing female participation in production lines. In eastern Uttar Pradesh, which is seeing rapid infrastructure development, construction clusters are employing thousands of workers, and a sizeable number are women. However, it would be a mistake to view this development only through the lens of data points. This shift underlines a far more significant move: a change in social expectations and dynamics. Employment ensures greater mobility for women, and financial decision-making gives them agency. It is heartening to note that in Uttar Pradesh, these changes are being observed in semi-urban and rural areas. However, there are still challenges. While the increase in participation is heartening, it is still dominated by the unorganised sector and seasonal work a circumstance prevalent nationwide. But Uttar Pradesh, by showing such a remarkable jump in participation and led by CM Yogi, is well poised to move into the next stage. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all While admittedly some of the conditions are sociological and need to be addressed by society and the family unit, the governments encouragement and support of female employment and hence empowerment is undeniable. With its large demographic advantage and area, the state, often referred to as a trouble spot in the past and a reflection of Indias failure to realise its post-Independence promise, seems to finally be turning the tide. Powered by none other than the women of the state, taking one steady step at a time. Advaita Kala is a best-selling novelist and award-winning screenwriter. The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not represent the stand of this publication. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google. view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:27 IST News opinion Opinion | Uttar Pradeshs Silent Revolution: Women Lead The Workforce Surge 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 Vladimir Putin's meeting with US President's special envoy Steven Witkoff has concluded in the Kremlin, Russian media reported with reference to the Russian President's press service. The conversation reportedly lasted about three hours. Witkoff arrived in Moscow early on Wednesday morning and was met by Kirill Dmitriev, head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund and special representative of the Russian President for economic cooperation with foreign countries. This is already Witkoff's fifth visit to Russia since the beginning of the year; he last came to Moscow on April 25, and was also received by Putin. Straight Talk | Donald Trump, India Wont Be Bullied By You Written By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 15:28 IST But Trump has fundamentally miscalculated. This is India, not some pliant client regime that buckles under Washington's economic blackmail. Donald Trump responds to India's criticism of US buying Russian Uranium (Reuters Image) But Trump has fundamentally miscalculated. This is India, not some pliant client regime that buckles under Washingtons economic blackmail. Recommended Stories Western Hypocrisy Exposed Monday evening, the Ministry of External Affairs delivered a surgical strike on American duplicity. While Trump pontificates about Indias Russian oil purchases, his own country continues importing uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for electric vehicles, fertilisers, and chemicals from Moscow. The European Union Americas closest ally" recorded a staggering 67.5 billion in goods trade with Russia in 2024, plus 17.2 billion in services. European LNG imports from Russia hit a record 16.5 million tonnes in 2024, surpassing even 2022 levels. All such figures were quoted by the MEA in its combative statement which caught the worlds attention for the manner in which it exposed American duplicity. Donald Trumps conspicuous silence on his countrys continuing trade ties with Russia has hardly been missed by anyone in India. In fact, when asked by a journalist what his response to Indias statement was, he could muster very few words, saying, I dont know." While Trump sets the Indo-US relationship on fire, he remains a mute spectator when it comes to Europe, or even Chinas trade with Russia. Does Trump have the courage to sanction American and European companies that continue to profit from Russian energy? The silence is deafening because the truth is inconvenient: Americas rage isnt about Ukraine, but about control in the Indian Subcontinent. The Real Game: Economic Coercion Trumps strategy follows the well-worn American playbook of coercive diplomacy. First, create artificial moral outrage. Then deploy economic weapons. Finally, demand capitulation disguised as partnership." The world has seen this script play out on more occasions than one. Now, it is Indias turn to be lectured by a country that pioneered sanctions as statecraft and tariffs as threats. The F-35 offer dangled before Prime Minister Modi in February was essentially a bait. When India rightfully declined this overpriced military hardware that would make us dependent on American maintenance, spare parts, and operational approval, Trumps mask slipped. The strategic partnership" rhetoric gave way to trade war threats and economic intimidation. This is the American way: friendship when you comply, punishment when you dont. Indias Strategic Calculations Trumps fundamental error lies in misunderstanding Indias strategic autonomy. Our foreign policy isnt driven by sentiment or ideologyits anchored in national interest and civilisational wisdom. When traditional oil suppliers diverted their exports to Europe after the Ukraine conflict began, India adapted. When the United States itself encouraged these purchases to stabilise global energy markets, we obliged. Indias oil imports from Russia serve 1.4 billion people who deserve affordable energy. This isnt war profiteeringits responsible governance. Unlike Europes luxury consumption of Russian energy, Indias purchases are driven by vital national necessity. Behind Trumps trade tantrums lies a deeper strategic miscalculation. America wants India as a counterweight to China while simultaneously weakening Indias defence capabilities. The timing isnt coincidental as India faces growing threats from a multi-front scenario involving China, Pakistan and others, Trump demands we abandon our most reliable defence partner, Russia. India currently operates over 270 Russian Su-30MKI fighters and has also purchased five S-400 air defence systems. These systems proved their worth during Operation Sindoor, successfully intercepting hundreds of Pakistani drones and missiles. Russia offers technology transfer, source code access, and integration flexibility that no Western supplier provides. The F-35, by contrast, comes with built-in restrictions, NATO-only integration, and American operational oversight. Trumps demand that India abandon its proven defense partnership with Russia while facing existential threats exposes the hollowness of American assurances. When push comes to shove, will American weapons arrive without strings attached? Will US technology transfers be unconditional? The answer is written in decades of American arms embargoes, technology denials, and conditional support. Indias Response: Principled Defiance The MEAs scorching response reflects Indias diplomatic maturity. Unlike previous eras when India might have sought accommodation with American pressure, todays India calls out hypocrisy by name. When Trump threatens substantial" tariff increases, India calmly notes that it will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security". The message from New Delhi is loud and clear. India will not be bullied into submission by a President who confuses bluster with diplomacy. Our economy isnt dead"its the worlds fastest-growing major economy, projected to become the third-largest globally. Trumps coercive diplomacy reveals more about American insecurities than Indian vulnerabilities. A confident superpower does not threaten allies with economic warfare. A secure alliance leader does not demand exclusive loyalty from partners facing existential threats. However, the fact is that Donald Trump remains a highly insecure leader at his core. Hence, his desire to secure a win against India by forcing New Delhi to bend the knee. Unfortunately for him, India has no plan to take the easy way out. Submission is easy, but standing up to a bully when it matters most is what the world will remember in the times to come. Indias strategic autonomy should not be confused as anti-American. We will engage with Washington where interests align, resist where they diverge, and maintain independent decision-making always. This approach has served India well through the Non-Aligned Movement, the Cold Wars end, and the rise of multipolarity. It will serve us well through Trumps tantrums too. The Bottom Line Donald Trump can keep his tariffs, sanctions, and threats. India has faced worse from more dangerous adversaries and emerged stronger. Weve built our nation on principles, not pressure. Weve grown our economy through innovation, not intimidation. Weve secured our borders through strategic partnerships, not strategic subservience. Trump wants India to choose between America and our national interests. Thats not a choice, but an insult. India will buy oil where its cheapest, weapons where theyre most effective, and partnerships where theyre most beneficial. American approval is neither sought nor required. If the US wants to compete for a share in Indias oil import basket, Donald Trump should offer New Delhi crude at prices cheaper than Russia. Washington should focus less on bullying India and instead try to ensure its oil is more competitively priced in global markets. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is India youre talking to, Mr President. We dont yield to pressure. We dont follow diktats. We dont serve others interests. Try to remember that the next time you confuse friendship with subordination. This relationship works both ways, or it doesnt work at all. Views expressed in the above piece are personal and solely those of the author. They do not necessarily reflect News18s views. About the Author Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. Sanbeer Singh Ranhotra is a producer and video journalist at Network18. He is enthusiastic about and writes on both national affairs as well as geopolitics. First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:28 IST News opinion Straight Talk | Donald Trump, India Wont Be Bullied By You 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 Loading comments... Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:52 IST 1 / 6 It was an evening of quiet elegance and political camaraderie as Trinamool Congress MP Mahua Moitra and former BJD MP Pinaki Misra hosted a grand wedding reception in the capital on Tuesday, months after tying the knot in a low-key ceremony in Berlin. (News18 Bengali) 2 / 6 The couple, who had managed to keep their May 3 wedding under wraps until images and videos later surfaced online, formally celebrated their union with friends, colleagues, and political heavyweights at a five-star hotel in Delhi. The guest list was a blend of power and panache, with Congress leader Sonia Gandhi making a notable appearance alongside Trinamool MPs Sayani Ghosh, Sagarika Ghosh, June Mallya, and Rachana Banerjee. (News18 Bengali) ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 6 Though the reception was political in its guest list, it was deeply personal in tone. Mahua Moitra, known as much for her fiery speeches as for her sharp fashion sense, wore a striking red saree paired with traditional gold jewellery. Pinaki Misra complemented her look in a cream dhoti and a red-bordered kurta. (News18 Bengali) 4 / 6 This is the second marriage for both Mahua, 50, and Pinaki, 65, who have reportedly shared a close friendship for years. Sources close to the couple said their relationship had quietly deepened over time and culminated in a private wedding atop a historic palace in Berlin. (News18 Bengali) ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 6 According to insiders, Berlin was chosen specifically to avoid the crowds and scrutiny that public figures in India often face. The ceremony was intimate, with only a handful of close friends in attendance. It wasnt until wedding clips emerged online that the news became public. (News18 Bengali) Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:11 IST 1 / 8 Sonali Bendre, once one of Bollywood's most admired actresses, was initially rejected at the start of her career for being too slim. In the 1990s, curvier physiques and curly hair were in vogue, and Sonali Bendre's straight hair and slender frame didnt fit the prevailing beauty standards. 2 / 8 Yet, she persevered. Speaking in a recent interview, Sonali Bendre revealed how difficult those early days were, facing countless rejections purely based on appearance. ADVERTISEMENT 3 / 8 Despite these challenges, Sonali Bendre quickly established herself in the film industry, thanks to her onscreen presence, grace and undeniable talent. One of her iconic songs, Jo Haal Dil Ka from the movie Sarfarosh (1999) remains a favourite among her fans even today. 4 / 8 Her debut film, Aag (1994), paired her with Govinda and was well received. She went on to star alongside major actors including Ajay Devgn, Suniel Shetty, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Salman Khan. ADVERTISEMENT 5 / 8 Her filmography spans over 53 films, with notable titles like Bombay (1995), The Don (19950, Takkar (1995), Gaddar (1995), English Babu Desi Mem (19960, Sapoot (1996), Diljale (1996) and Hum Saath Saath Hain (1999). 6 / 8 Sonali Bendre didnt limit herself to Bollywood. She also made a significant impact in the South Indian film industry, particularly with her Telugu debut in Murari (2001), opposite Mahesh Babu. Their romantic scenes were widely praised, and the film marked another turning point in her career. ADVERTISEMENT 7 / 8 Just when everything seemed to be at its peak, fame, recognition, and success, Sonali Bendre was diagnosed with a life-threatening form of cancer. Abhishek Banerjee Elevated As TMCs Lok Sabha Leader: A Strategic Move Amid Internal Discord Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 06:30 IST The move comes at a time when the party is battling both external political challenges and internal factionalism Abhishek Banerjees elevation as TMCs Lok Sabha leader is not just a change in designationits a calculated political step that cements his growing stature within the party and reflects Mamata Banerjees trust in his ability to manage both organisation and legislation with discipline, efficiency, and authority. File image/PTI In a significant development within the Trinamool Congress, party supremo and West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee has officially declared that Abhishek Banerjee will now serve as the leader of the TMCs Lok Sabha unit. The announcement came during a closed-door meeting held with party MPs earlier this week. This decision marks a major elevation for Abhishek Banerjee, who was appointed national general secretary of TMC in 2021 following the partys emphatic assembly election victory. Since then, he has emerged as a central figure in the partys organisational machinery, closely implementing strategies charted by Mamata Banerjee. Recommended Stories Why This Elevation Matters Political observers and party insiders see this as more than a routine reshuffleits a strategic consolidation of authority within the TMC, especially at a time when the party is battling both external political challenges and internal factionalism. Abhisheks appointment comes in the wake of recent infighting among Trinamool MPs, most notably a very public spat between Mahua Moitra and Kalyan Banerjee, which resulted in leaked WhatsApp conversations that exposed deep divisions within the parliamentary unit. According to senior party functionaries, Abhisheks leadership is expected to bring discipline, coordination, and unity to a team that has struggled with internal rifts and lapses in communication. Leadership Vacuum and Lack of Coordination Until now, Sudip Bandyopadhyay had been coordinating parliamentary affairs. However, questions were raised within the party about his consistency and leadership, with many pointing to his frequent absences from Lok Sabha. While Mamata Banerjee cited his health condition in her recent communication, insiders suggest that his disengagement had become a long-standing issue. In his absence, Kalyan Banerjee had taken over coordination duties, but Mamata Banerjee recently expressed clear dissatisfaction with the lack of coordination and internal discipline within the Lok Sabha party. This led to the decision to hand over charge to Abhishek, signalling a new era in the TMCs parliamentary functioning. What Abhishek Brings to the Table Having overseen the partys organisational affairs for the past four years, Abhishek Banerjee enjoys both command and acceptance among MPs. Party insiders believe that under his leadership: Internal lobbies will dissolve, ensuring unified strategy and action. Chronic absenteeism from parliamentary sessions will be curbed. The long-standing issue of selective speaking opportunities will be addressed, giving all MPs equal space. Communication with the partys top leadership will improve, avoiding confusion as seen in the recent Kirti Azad letter incident, where he independently wrote to the coal ministry requesting ED and CBI intervention. A Trusted Crisis Manager Abhishek is also being seen as a troubleshooter. Despite the party accepting Kalyan Banerjees resignation, a meeting between the two is scheduled for later this week, indicating Abhisheks role in bridging gaps and maintaining unity within the ranks. TMC seniors note that Abhishek handled the 2021 assembly election campaign under immense pressure, proving his resilience and leadership capabilities. His experience in navigating those high-stakes political moments is expected to serve the party well as it prepares for future challenges in Parliament and beyond. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Abhishek Banerjees elevation as TMCs Lok Sabha leader is not just a change in designationits a calculated political step that cements his growing stature within the party and reflects Mamata Banerjees trust in his ability to manage both organisation and legislation with discipline, efficiency, and authority. This move not only empowers Abhishek but also signals a strategic tightening of internal controls ahead of crucial electoral battles in 2026. About the Author Kamalika Sengupta Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More Kamalika Sengupta is the Editor (East) at CNN-News18 / News18.com, focusing on politics, defence, and womens issues. She is a seasoned multimedia journalist with over 20 years of experience reporting from East... Read More First Published: August 06, 2025, 06:30 IST News politics Abhishek Banerjee Elevated As TMCs Lok Sabha Leader: A Strategic Move Amid Internal Discord 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 Loading comments... ChatGPT Quoted In Delhi Assembly During 'Gallows Room' Debate, Speaker Calls It 'Misleading' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:10 IST An AAP MLA cited ChatGPT in a Delhi Assembly debate on the historical accuracy of the "fansi ghar" after finding an underground structure. Follow us on: ChatGPT Quoted In Delhi Assembly (File) In an unusual debate in Delhi Assembly on Tuesday, an Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLA quoted ChatGPT during debate over historical accuracy of the fansi ghar" (gallows room). The debate centred on an underground structure that was discovered in 2021. MLAs were debating whether the section was once a gallows chamber for hanging freedom fighters, or simply a rope-operated lift room meant to deliver tiffins. In 2021, former Speaker Ram Niwas Goel, called this mysterious tunnel a British-era hanging chamber". Recommended Stories During the debate on Tuesday, opposition and government leaders were accusing each other of distorting colonial past. The tone of the debate was set by Speaker Vijender Gupta after he questioned the accuracy of the section. Notably, it was inaugurated by former chief minister Arvind Kejriwal and then speaker Ram Niwas Goel three years ago. As per the plaque installed near the section, it was dedicated to unknown martyrs who were hanged here." However, BJP refutes the claim and calls it a misinterpretation. AI Reference In Delhi Assembly To prove AAPs claim of gallows room correct, its MLA Jarnail Singh referred ChatGPT and stated, If you search for gallows in Delhi Assembly on ChatGPT today, all the information traces back to here." Speaker Vijendra Gupta cancelled out Singhs claim and refused to accept digital summaries as primary evidence. As per an NDTV report, Gupta said, Even the lies of ChatGPT are being spread. The people of the country are being misled." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all It is a tiffin room. The wooden lift found inside was used to carry food and items, not for executions. No evidence has been found to support the presence of gallows," the speaker added. Delhi Minister Parvesh Verma also questioned AAPs narrative and said, ChatGPT says it was Ram Niwas Goel who described it as a hanging house. But the maps we found from the archives do not support this. We must respect the dignity of the House." view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 07:36 IST News politics ChatGPT Quoted In Delhi Assembly During 'Gallows Room' Debate, Speaker Calls It 'Misleading' 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 'Economic Blackmail': Rahul Gandhi Dubs Trump's Additional Tariffs An 'Attempt To Bully India' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:15 IST The additional tariff, to come into effect after 21 days, will increase the duties on some Indian goods to 50 per cent. After Trump issued an executive order slapping the additional tariff, India said that it will "take all actions" necessary to protect national interests. (PTI File Image) Rahul Gandhi, Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, on Wednesday called US President Donald Trumps additional tariffs on Indian goods an attempt to bully India into an unfair" trade deal. The Congress MP also said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi should not let his weakness" override the interests of the Indian people. Recommended Stories Trumps 50% tariff is economic blackmail an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal.PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people. Rahul Gandhi (@RahulGandhi) August 6, 2025 India Hits Back At Trumps 25% Additional Tariffs: Unfair, Unjustified And Unreasonable After Trump issued an executive order slapping the additional tariff, India said that it will take all actions" necessary to protect national interests. Defending Indias energy ties with Russia, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said the imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of the country. The additional tariff, to come into effect after 21 days, will increase the duties on some Indian goods to 50 per cent. The tariffs are likely to hit sectors such as textiles, marine and leather hard. How Other Congress Leaders Reacted Congress MP Shashi Tharoor said Trumps new tariff will make Indian goods unaffordable to Americans and suggested that India needs to explore other markets. Im afraid that if you look at people like Vietnam, Indonesia, the Philippines, even Bangladesh and Pakistan have lower tariffs than us, then ultimately people will not be buying goods from us in America if they can buy them cheaper elsewhere. So thats not very good for our exports to America. This means we need to very seriously diversify to other countries and other markets that may be interested in what we have to offer. We now have an FTA with the UK. We are talking to the EU. There are many countries in which hopefully we would be able to, but in the short term, it is definitely a blow," he said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Congress leader Pawan Khera dubbed Trumps additional tariff as pure and simple blackmail." He also targeted Prime Minister Modi over the countrys foreign policy. It is surprising that we have reached this spot, where we can be bullied around by a superpowerOver the last 11 years, the track record of our foreign policy, diplomacy, the Prime Ministers own initiatives abroad, diaspora events, everything was targeted at projecting the Prime Minister and his image, not the countrys interests. Here we are paying a price for 11 years of self-projection at the expense of the countryWe hope that no negotiation which undermines our interests takes place," he said. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 First Published: August 06, 2025, 23:05 IST News politics 'Economic Blackmail': Rahul Gandhi Dubs Trump's Additional Tariffs An 'Attempt To Bully India' 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 Loading comments... Shinde Visits Delhi Second Time In 7 Days, Meets PM Modi & Amit Shah Ahead Of Civic Polls Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Oindrila Mukherjee Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 04:38 IST During his meeting with PM Narendra Modi, Maharashtra deputy CM Eknath Shinde congratulated him on the success of 'Operation Sindoor' and 'Operation Mahadev' PM Narendra Modi with Maharashtra Deputy CM Eknath Shinde and his family members during a meeting, in New Delhi on August 6. (Image: PTI) Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was in New Delhi on Wednesday, where he met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. This is his second trip to the national capital in seven days. During his meeting with Modi, Shinde congratulated him on the success of Operation Sindoor and Operation Mahadev. After his meeting with Shah, he said their discussion centred on administrative matters, particularly the upcoming elections for local governing bodies like the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and other civic bodies in Maharashtra. Recommended Stories I regularly visit Delhi during the Parliament session and, this time, our MPs also met the Union home minister. We discussed issues related to their constituencies, especially matters that require coordination with the central government," Shinde told reporters. In the NDA meeting held yesterday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi praised Home Minister Amit Shah, mentioning that he is the longest-serving home minister of the country. The Prime Minister also expressed that Shah still has more work to do in the future, and the alliance partners honoured him for his efforts and contribution." The visit is part of routine coordination between central and state leadership, especially with the upcoming civic elections. The BMC polls, significant for all major political parties, are expected to be announced soon. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all During the visit, Shinde was accompanied by key members of the Shiv Sena and was expected to meet several other senior leaders in Delhi. He stressed that these visits are part of his regular duties as deputy, especially when Parliament is in session. His meetings with national leaders come at a time when coordination between the Centre and state is crucial to expedite development projects and ensure policy implementation at the grassroots. About the Author Mayuresh Ganapatye Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More Mayuresh Ganapatye, News Editor at News18.com, writes on politics and civic issues, as well as human interests stories. He has been covering Maharashtra and Goa for more than a decade. Follow him at @mayuganapa... Read More First Published: August 07, 2025, 04:38 IST News politics Shinde Visits Delhi Second Time In 7 Days, Meets PM Modi & Amit Shah Ahead Of Civic Polls 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 Loading comments... TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Pinaki Misra Host Wedding Reception At Delhi's Hotel Lalit | Pics Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:52 IST TMC MP Mahua Moitra and former BJD MP Pinaki Misra hosted a grand wedding reception at Hotel Lalit in New Delhi. Leaders across party lines attended the celebration. TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Pinaki Misra Host Wedding Reception Trinamool Congress (TMC) Lok Sabha MP Mahua Moitra and former Biju Janata Dal (BJD) MP Pinaki Misra hosted a grand wedding reception on August 5. The reception was held on Tuesday evening at Hotel Lalit in New Delhi. Several political figures from across parties attended the celebration. West Bengal MP Mahua Moitra tied the knot with former MP Pinaki Misra in a private wedding ceremony, that took place on May 30 in Germany. Recommended Stories Samajwadi Party leader and former Uttar Pradesh minister Virendra attended the reception and shared pictures from the event on social media. He posted on X, Attended the reception of TMC MP Mahua Moitra ji and former MP Pinaki Misra ji at Hotel Lalit. I wish them a happy married life." Sagarika Ghose, TMC MP and Deputy Leader in the Rajya Sabha, also took to X (formerly Twitter) to congratulate the couple. She posted, Wishing beautiful bride @MahuaMoitra and Pinaki Misra every happiness at their lovely reception this evening. Big congratulations." Wishing beautiful bride @MahuaMoitra and Pinaki Misra every happiness at their lovely reception this evening. Big congratulations pic.twitter.com/IdEnS7rZOM Sagarika Ghose (@sagarikaghose) August 5, 2025 top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Moitra, known for her fiery speeches in the Parliament, is a two-time MP from West Bengals Krishnanagar constituency. Pinkali Misra is a senior advocate in the Supreme Court. An alumnus of St Stephens College, he pursued a law degree from Delhi University. Misra first made it to the Lok Sabha from Puri in 1996 on a Congress ticket. 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 06, 2025, 08:52 IST News politics TMC MP Mahua Moitra, Pinaki Misra Host Wedding Reception At Delhi's Hotel Lalit | Pics 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 Loading comments... iPhone 16 Users Issued Major Security Warning By Indian Govt: What You Should Know Reported By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 07:34 IST iPhone security warning issued by the Indian government relates to the issues that have been fixed with the latest iOS, macOS and iPadOS update. Follow us on: The new security risk warning has been issued by the Indian govt iPhone 16 and other users have got a security risk alert from the Indian government this week. The new warning has been issued just a few days after Apple released the iOS 18.6 update for users that comes with a host of security fixes. The alert from the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team or CERT-In clearly highlights the need for iPhone, iPad and even Mac users to install the latest update immediately. The security warning talks about multiple security vulnerabilities that can be exploited to bypass device control and gain access to confidential data. Recommended Stories iPhone Security Risk: What The Warning Says The latest CERT-In security bulletin dated August 4, 2025 comes with a high severity rating. The alert says, Multiple vulnerabilities have been reported in Apple products due to type confusion, use-after-free errors, out-of-bounds memory access (read/write), integer overflows, buffer overflows, race conditions, logic errors, improper file parsing, insufficient input validation, improper privilege management, and flawed memory handling. An attacker could exploit these vulnerabilities by sending specially crafted requests on the targeted system." If the hacker is able to exploit these risks, they can use malicious applications to target the devices and make them unusable. iPhone And Mac Security Issue: Does Apple Have A Fix? The good news is that the security agency and Apple are aware of who is at risk because of the new issue. The worrying news is that it includes almost every iPhone and iPad user out there. Here is the list of iOS, macOS and iPadOS versions that are at risk: top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Apple iOS versions prior to 18.6 Apple iPadOS versions prior to 17.7.9 and 18.6 Apple macOS Sequoia versions prior to 15.6 Apple macOS Sonoma versions prior to 14.7.7 Apple macOS Ventura versions prior to 13.7.7 Apple watchOS versions prior to 11.6 Apple tvOS versions prior to 18.6 Apple visionOS versions prior to 2.6 As we mentioned before, Apple already knows about the vulnerability and has offered the iOS 18.6 update for the mentioned devices and platforms. All you have to do is go to Settings General Software update to install the new update and secure your devices. You can also join the iOS 26 public beta program which is available for iPhone 11 and later models. About the Author S Aadeetya S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More S Aadeetya, Special Correspondent at News18 Tech, accidentally got into journalism 10 years ago, and since then, has been part of established media houses covering the latest trends in technology and helping fr... Read More Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, Get latest technology updates, including phone launches, gadget reviews, AI advancements. Stay informed with breaking tech news , expert insights, and trends from India and around the world . Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! view comments Location : Delhi, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 07:34 IST News tech iPhone 16 Users Issued Major Security Warning By Indian Govt: What You Should Know 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 Charged Rs 11,900, IndiGo Passenger Alleges Luggage Weight Scam At Goa Airport Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:09 IST A passenger's claim of faulty baggage weighing machines at Goa's Dabolim Airport has sparked controversy with IndiGo and airport authorities denying the allegations The passenger was charged Rs 11,900, including Rs 1,500 for an umbrella. (Source: X/@ShivrattanDhil1) A passengers allegation of faulty baggage weighing machines at Goas Dabolim Airport has triggered a heated controversy, with budget carrier IndiGo and airport authorities refuting any discrepancies. The claim, made by Rattan Dhillon, a Chandigarh resident, has now gone viral on social media, raising fresh questions about transparency in baggage fee calculations. Dhillon, who boarded IndiGo flight 6E724 from Goa to Chandigarh on August 4, posted a detailed grievance on X (formerly Twitter), accusing the airline of overcharging him due to manipulated" luggage scales. According to him, the same bag showed three different weights at three separate counters (18 kg, 16 kg, and 15 kg) yet he was told to pay excess baggage fees based on the highest figure. Recommended Stories Yesterday, while boarding flight 6E724 from Goa to Chandigarh, my bag showed 18 kg on one belt, 16 kg on another, and 15 kg on a third. When I questioned the discrepancy, the IndiGo staff simply replied, Sir, the 15 kg machine must be wrong, 18 is the correct weight," Dhillon wrote in his post on Tuesday, August 5. He further claimed that his luggage had weighed exactly 15 kg at his hotel before leaving for the airport. He was eventually charged Rs 11,900, including Rs 1,500 for an umbrella. This is nothing less than daylight robbery, and passengers are being ripped off without realizing it. IndiGo must be held accountable for this fraud," he added. See the viral post: One of the biggest unnoticed scams by IndiGo is the inconsistent weighing scales at their check-in counters.Yesterday, while boarding flight 6E724 from Goa to Chandigarh, my bag showed 18 kg on one belt, 16 kg on another, and 15 kg on a third. When I questioned the pic.twitter.com/L6wOQFIway Rattan Dhillon (@ShivrattanDhil1) August 5, 2025 His post sparked outrage among other frequent flyers who shared similar experiences of inconsistent baggage weighing. The viral post included a photograph of the weighing counter and a screenshot of his ticket, further fuelling public debate over airline practices. IndiGo issued a formal response, asserting that its equipment is regularly calibrated and inspected. We attempted to contact Mr Dhillon on his registered number but could not reach him. All our baggage weighing machines are certified by the airport authority and undergo periodic checks," the airline said in a statement. IndiGo also revealed that the total check-in luggage for Dhillon and his co-passengers amounted to 52 kg, exceeding the permitted limit of 45 kg for three passengers, and the extra charges were in accordance with airline policy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Goa International Airport backed IndiGos explanation, stating that all check-in counter weighing machines are verified and certified annually by the Legal Metrology Department of the Goa government. While IndiGo maintains that there was no fault in the equipment, Dhillons post has reignited debate about accountability and consumer rights in domestic air travel. Calls for stricter independent audits and the installation of transparent weighing systems visible to passengers have intensified. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Goa, India, India First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:09 IST News viral Charged Rs 11,900, IndiGo Passenger Alleges Luggage Weight Scam At Goa Airport 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 Loading comments... NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has held a meeting with Lithuanian Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys, during which the parties discussed violations of Lithuanian airspace by Russian military drones, Alliance spokeswoman Allison Hart said. NATO Secretary General spoke with Minister Budrys Kestutis on the recent Russian military drone violations of Lithuanian airspace. NATO takes these incidents very seriously. We remain vigilant and ready to defend every inch of NATO territory, she said on X Wednesday. Did You Know These 5 Countries Also Celebrate Independence Day On August 15 Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:52 IST Besides India, other countries that celebrate Independence Day on August 15 include South Korea, North Korea, Bahrain, Liechtenstein, and Congo Five other countries, scattered across Asia, Europe, and Africa, also celebrate their independence on the same day. As India gears up to mark its 78th Independence Day on August 15, 2025, the tricolour is once again set to flutter across rooftops, schools, offices, and public spaces nationwide. Patriotic melodies will fill the air, and a deep sense of pride will sweep over a billion people remembering the long and arduous journey to freedom. But India isnt alone in commemorating its independence on this date. Five other countries, scattered across Asia, Europe, and Africa, also celebrate their independence on the same day. Though their histories and geographies differ, August 15 binds them in a shared spirit of sovereignty and resilience. Recommended Stories 1. South Korea On August 15, 1945, South Korea broke free from 35 years of oppressive Japanese colonial rule. The day, known locally as Gwangbokjeol or Restoration of Light Day", is one of the countrys most significant national holidays. Public offices shut down, and celebrations take place across the nation, including cultural events, patriotic displays, and solemn ceremonies that remember the sacrifices of those who fought for freedom. 2. North Korea While the Korean peninsula would eventually split into two starkly contrasting regimes, both North and South Korea share August 15 as the day of their liberation from Japanese occupation. In North Korea, the date is still marked as a national holiday, although it is observed in line with the countrys own traditions and political narratives. 3. Bahrain On August 15, 1971, the island nation of Bahrain declared its independence from British rule. While the countrys National Day is officially celebrated in December, August 15 remains a historically important milestone. It was the day Bahrain charted its own course as a sovereign state in the Gulf region. 4. Liechtenstein One of Europes smallest countries, Liechtenstein proclaimed its independence from German influence on August 15, 1866. Interestingly, the date also coincides with the birthday of the reigning Prince, turning the day into a grand dual celebration. Citizens gather for parades, festivities, and an address from the royal family, making it one of the most important days on the national calendar. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all 5. Congo (Brazzaville) On August 15, 1960, the Republic of the Congo (also known as Congo-Brazzaville) gained its freedom from France. Formerly referred to as French Congo, the country transformed into a sovereign republic and began its post-colonial journey. The day is marked with official ceremonies, public gatherings, and cultural performances that honour the legacy of its independence movement. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:52 IST News viral Did You Know These 5 Countries Also Celebrate Independence Day On August 15 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 Loading comments... This Solo Traveller's Japan Vacation Was Shattered By Terrifying Hotel Encounter Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 15:37 IST Solo traveller Natalie from Thailand faced a terrifying incident in a Japanese hotel when she found a man hiding under her bed The incident, caught neither on CCTV nor by hotel staff, left Natalie shaken. (Source: Instagram/@natalisi_taksisi) The solo travel trend is growing among young women worldwide, but so are stories that remind us why vigilance is still necessary. A disturbing incident shared by a solo traveler named Natalie has sparked fresh concern about womens safety while traveling alone, especially when staying in hotels. According to a report by The Sun, Natalie, originally from Thailand, had travelled to Japan in March for a solo vacation. Her trip was going smoothly, until she checked into a hotel one evening. What happened next left her traumatised and has made it difficult for her to sleep in any hotel room ever since. Recommended Stories Natalie arrived at the hotel around 7:30 pm and headed straight to her room to rest. But just moments after lying on the bed, she noticed an odd, musty smell. Initially assuming it was coming from the sheets, she followed her instincts and began inspecting the room. The smell seemed to be emanating from under the bed, and what she discovered sent chills down her spine. Hiding underneath was a man. As soon as she screamed, the man scrambled out from under the bed and fled from the room, visibly panicked. The incident, caught neither on CCTV nor by hotel staff, left Natalie shaken. The hotel, she later found out, had no surveillance cameras in the area. The only proof of the intruders presence was a charger and power bank he left behind. See the viral post: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Natali (@natalisi_taksisi) Natalie immediately contacted hotel management and local police. But with no camera footage and little evidence beyond the abandoned items, its unclear whether the man was ever identified or caught. Terrified, Natalie checked out of the hotel immediately and booked herself into another accommodation. The experience left a lasting scar. Speaking to The Guardian, she revealed that since the incident, shes never felt fully safe while staying in hotels. She reportedly requested emotional compensation from the hotel but was turned down on the grounds of company policy. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Following the traumatic encounter, Natalie posted about the ordeal on Instagram, warning other solo female travellers to be extra cautious. She now encourages women to thoroughly inspect their rooms before settling in check under the bed, behind mirrors, inside closets, and even for hidden cameras. The incident has reignited conversations around hotel safety and the need for surveillance, especially in budget accommodations that may not have the same security standards as luxury stays. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! Location : Thailand First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:37 IST News viral This Solo Traveller's Japan Vacation Was Shattered By Terrifying Hotel Encounter 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 Loading comments... Man Electrocuted To Death While Doing Laundry; Never Make This Washing Machine Mistake Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 13:50 IST In the video, a man adds detergent, switches on the machine, and touches the water, only to be electrocuted instantly. He collapses within seconds, leaving viewers in shock A viral video shows a man getting fatally electrocuted while using a washing machine. (News18 Hindi) A heartbreaking video has recently gone viral on social media, showing a man fatally electrocuted while using a washing machine. The incident is not only tragic but also serves as a stark reminder of how everyday household appliances can turn deadly if proper precautions arent taken. In the video, the man is seen preparing to do laundry, he adds detergent, switches on the machine, and then places his hand in the water. Unbeknownst to him, there was an existing electrical leakage in the appliance. The moment he touched the water, he received a massive electric shock. Within seconds, he collapsed and lost consciousness, a horrifying moment that shook anyone who saw it. Recommended Stories Death In Seconds What started as a routine household chore turned fatal in an instant. Sadly, this isnt an isolated case. Just recently in Lucknow, 28-year-old Irfan, a fast food vendor, was electrocuted while attempting to repair his washing machine. Despite being rushed to Lohia Hospital, he was declared dead on arrival. In a similar incident in Indore, police head constable Jawahar Singh Yadav, affectionately nicknamed Yamraj, died of electrocution while bathing his cow. These cases underline the very real dangers that electrical appliances pose when used or maintained carelessly. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vikram Solanki (@vikram.solanki.0001) top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all According to scientists, electric shock occurs when current flows through the body, disturbing the nervous system and generating heat. If the victim cannot detach from the current source, they may remain stuck, leading to severe injury or death. Washing machines, which combine both electricity and water, pose a particularly high risk. Experts strongly recommend placing such appliances on a wooden or elevated stand to avoid current dispersion through water. It is also crucial to always switch off and unplug the machine before inserting your hands into it. Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: August 06, 2025, 13:50 IST News viral Man Electrocuted To Death While Doing Laundry; Never Make This Washing Machine Mistake 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 Loading comments... Woman Drove 8 Hours To Attend Wedding, Only To Be Told: 'Youre Not On The Guest List' Curated By : Translation Desk Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 18:54 IST In tiny print, the invite said they werent invited to the banquet. Humiliated, they left, only to learn later they were invited just because the brides boss insisted As the guests examined the table plan at the wedding venue, they realised their names were missing. (Representative/News18 Hindi) In recent times, the tradition of inviting everyone from the neighbourhood and distant acquaintances to weddings has significantly changed. To cut costs, people often avoid inviting even their acquaintances. Alternatively, they employ tactics that guests only realise later. Such an incident befell a woman who received a wedding invitation from a colleague. Upon arriving at the wedding, she discovered her name was not on the guest list. She scrutinised the card and was shocked by what she found. Receiving a wedding invitation is usually a joyous occasion, especially for someone attending a wedding for the first time. However, for this anonymous woman, her happiness quickly turned to embarrassment when she was barred from attending the wedding reception. Recommended Stories Sharing her experience on Reddit, she explained that she had attended the wedding with another colleague and was enjoying the ceremony. They had planned to take photos with the bride and enjoy the banquet. Yet, as they examined the table plan at the venue, they realised their names were missing. The woman recounted, We kept looking for our names on the table plan but could not find them. Then the Master of Ceremony approached us and asked to see our invitation card. He then clearly stated that we were invited only for the church ceremony and evening drinks, not for dinner." In very small letters on the invitation card, it was specified that they were not invited to the banquet. Humiliated, both colleagues quietly left the venue. Later, they learned that the bride had invited office employees merely because her boss had insisted. We thought we were her friends, but in reality, we were invited only as a formality," the woman lamented. Still in their party attire, the pair found a local cafe in the Scottish Highlands where they had bacon rolls and tea before returning to their bed and breakfast to refresh. The sympathetic hostess drove them back to the venue for the evening party. Upon their return at 7 pm, they found all the other guests were drunk, and they were the only evening guests. The uncomfortable atmosphere, exacerbated by hands-on" men, prompted them to leave. They later visited a local bar where the welcoming locals entertained them. The locals saved our day and assured us that such behaviour with guests is not typical in Scotland," the woman said. Now, I read every wedding invitation very carefully. If Im invited only for the evening function, I dont mind, but I want it clearly stated upfront," she added. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all However, the woman ended up teaching the bride a lesson. We had put 50 each on the card and also bought an expensive bedding set from her registry. But after being insulted, we withdrew the money from the card and gave only the gift." The incident sparked hundreds of comments on Reddit. One user wrote, Its very rude to invite someone for celebrations and drinks but not for dinner. Either include them for the whole day or just the evening, not both." Click here to add News18 as your preferred news source on Google, News18's viral page features trending stories, videos , and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! First Published: August 06, 2025, 18:54 IST News viral Woman Drove 8 Hours To Attend Wedding, Only To Be Told: 'Youre Not On The Guest List' 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 Loading comments... 3 Frontier Corps Personnel Among 4 Killed In Attack On Vehicle In Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Karak Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 15:42 IST Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021 KP has been at the epicenter of Pakistans war against terrorism since the early 2000s. (AP) Four people were killed in the Karak area of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa when a Frontier Corps (FC) vehicle was attacked on Wednesday. The four killed included three Frontier Corps personnel and a driver. Sources told CNN-News18 that the vehicle was stationed for the security of local oil and gas. Recommended Stories Earlier in July, at least eight Pakistani paramilitary troops and four militants were killed in a clash in the countrys northwest in the latest violence to hit the restive region. Armed terrorists attacked a Frontier Corps (FC) convoy with heavy weapons The fighting continued for several hours. Eight FC personnel were killed, and 11 were injured," a senior security personnel had then told AFP. The clash, which lasted for several hours, took place in Daburi, Orakzai district, near the Afghan border. Pakistan has witnessed a sharp rise in violence in its regions bordering Afghanistan since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul in 2021. Islamabad accuses its western neighbour of allowing its soil to be used for attacks against Pakistana claim the Taliban denies. More than 320 people, mostly security personnel, have been killed in attacks since the start of the year by armed groups fighting in both Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, according to an AFP tally. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Khyber Pakhtunkhwa borders eastern Afghanistan, and the Durand Line (the disputed border) cuts through traditional Pashtun tribal territories. This porous border has historically allowed militant groups, smugglers, and refugees to cross easily. The region has been used as a staging ground or sanctuary by groups involved in the conflicts in Afghanistan, including the Taliban. KP has been at the epicenter of Pakistans war against terrorism since the early 2000s. Groups like the Tehreek-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), Al-Qaeda, and later Islamic State (IS-K) have operated in or targeted this region, with suicide bombings, ambushes, and attacks on schools making global headlines. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:41 IST News world 3 Frontier Corps Personnel Among 4 Killed In Attack On Vehicle In Khyber Pakhtunkhwas Karak 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 Loading comments... Apple To Invest $100 Billion In US Manufacturing Over Next Four Years, Says Tim Cook Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 04:40 IST Apple has been under increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration in recent months. Follow us on: Apple received a key exemption from President Trumps proposed 100% tariffs Apple CEO Tim Cook has announced a major investment of $100 billion over the next four years to bolster US manufacturing, during a meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House on Wednesday, according to the Associated Press. The move comes amid growing pressure on Apple from the Trump administration to shift its production base from overseas to the US. Welcoming the announcement, President Trump praised Apples commitment to bringing jobs and production back to American soil. This is a significant step toward the ultimate goal of ensuring that iPhones sold in the United States of America also are made in America," Trump said, adding, This is the largest investment Apple has ever made in America and anywhere else. As you know, Apple has been an investor in other countries a little bit, I wont say which ones, but a couple, and theyre coming home." Recommended Stories During the meeting, Cook also presented President Trump with a symbolic gift, an inscribed piece of Apple-produced glass made in Kentucky, mounted on a 24k gold base manufactured in Utah. The gift was intended to mark Apples renewed focus on domestic production under its American Manufacturing Program." In a statement announcing the investment, Cook said, This includes new and expanded work with 10 companies across America. They produce componentssemiconductor chips includedthat are used in Apple products sold all over the world, and were grateful to the President for his support." Some of Apples new and existing US manufacturing partners include Corning, Coherent, Applied Materials, Texas Instruments, and Broadcom. As part of this initiative, Apple plans to produce glass for iPhones and Apple Watches at Cornings Kentucky facility. The company also announced a $2.5 billion investment to expand its partnership with Corning. Apple has been under increasing scrutiny from the Trump administration in recent months for moving iPhone production to India, a move perceived as an attempt to avoid tariffs on China-based imports. Initially, Apple had planned to invest $500 billion in the US, but the total now rises to $600 billion following this latest commitment. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Just weeks earlier, Apple signed a $500 million agreement with MP Materials, the only rare earth materials producer in the US, to expand a Texas facility that will use recycled materials to produce magnets essential for iPhone vibration systems. In return for its renewed manufacturing efforts announced on Wednesday, Apple received a key exemption from President Trumps proposed 100% tariffs on imported semiconductors and chips, giving the tech giant a competitive edge over foreign-based rivals. view comments Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 07, 2025, 04:40 IST News world Apple To Invest $100 Billion In US Manufacturing Over Next Four Years, Says Tim Cook 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 Boris Johnson Backs 'Brave' Trumps Tariffs, Asks UK And Europe To Follow: 'Have The Guts?' Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:28 IST Boris Johnson supports Donald Trump's decision to impose tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, calling it "brave, principled and logical." Former UK PM Boris Johnson and US President Donald Trump (File Photo) Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson voiced strong support for US President Donald Trumps decision to impose tariffs on countries importing Russian oil, calling the move brave, principled and logical." In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Boris Johnson praised Donald Trumps latest executive action and challenged Britain and other European nations to follow suit. Donald Trump has done the brave, principled and logical thing- finally punishing the countries that have been funding Putins vicious war machine by buying Russian oil and gas," Boris Johnson wrote. Recommended Stories He added, When will Britain and the rest of Europe have the guts to do the same?" The remarks come in the wake of Donald Trumps newly announced 25% additional tariffs on Indian goods, citing New Delhis continued purchase of Russian crude as justification. Boris Johnsons comments add pressure on the UK and European governments, some of whom still allow pipeline imports or purchase refined products of Russian origin through third countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all In March this year, Boris Johnson had taken a swipe at Russian President Vladimir Putin, following the latters refusal to accept a ceasefire proposal backed by Donald Trump. Posting on X then, Boris Johnson claimed Vladimir Putins rejection showed the Russian leader was laughing at us." What a surprise- Putin rejects an unconditional ceasefire. He wants to keep bombing and killing innocent Ukrainians. He wants Ukraine disarmed. He wants Ukraine neutralised. He wants to make Ukraine a vassal state of Russia. He isnt negotiating. Hes laughing at us," Boris Johnson wrote. Location : United Kingdom (UK) First Published: August 06, 2025, 22:26 IST News world Boris Johnson Backs 'Brave' Trumps Tariffs, Asks UK And Europe To Follow: 'Have The Guts?' 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 Loading comments... 'Will Call PM Modi, Xi': Brazilian President Refuses Talks With Donald Trump After Tariff Blow | Watch Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:45 IST Brazilian President Silva has said he will not initiate contact with Donald Trump to discuss tariffs, despite Trumps recent remarks suggesting Lula could call him anytime. Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (Photo: AP) Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has refused to contact Donald Trump, days after the US President claimed Silva can call him anytime to discuss tariffs and other friction between the countries. In a video, widely shared on social media, the Silva could be heard saying he would not take the initiative to speak to Donald Trump, adding that he would rather call Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Recommended Stories I am not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesnt want to talk," Silva said during an event. But rest assured, Marina, I will call Trump to invite him to the COP, because I want to know what he thinks about the climate issue. I will have the courtesy to call, I will call him, I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi, I will call," he said. I just wont call Putin, because Putin cant travel right now. But I will call many presidents," Silva added. On August 1, Trump said that Brazilian President Silva can call him anytime to discuss tariffs and other things. He can talk to me anytime he wants," Trump said of Lula, speaking to reporters at the White House. He added he was fond of the Brazilian people but the people running Brazil did the wrong thing." Later, speaking with reporters in Brasilia, Brazil Finance Minister Fernando Haddad called Trumps remarks great," saying he is sure Lula feels the same, and would be willing to receive a call from the US President. Trump slapped a 50 per cent tariff on Brazil, with many exemptions, in what he called a witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is on trial on charges of plotting a coup following his election loss in 2022. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The US also announced sanctions on a Brazilian Supreme Court justice who has been overseeing Bolsonaros trial. Lula has rejected both the sanctions and the tariffs, calling them unjustifiable" and an unacceptable" interference in Brazils justice system. About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:43 IST News world 'Will Call PM Modi, Xi': Brazilian President Refuses Talks With Donald Trump After Tariff Blow | Watch 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 Loading comments... 5 Soldiers Injured In Shooting At US Army Base In Georgia; Suspect In Custody Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:05 IST While casualties have been reported, authorities have not yet released information about the number of injured or whether there were any fatalities Fort Stewart, located near Hinesville, about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, is home to the US Armys 3rd Infantry Division and thousands of military personnel. (Photo: X) Five US Army soldiers were injured in an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart, the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River. The shooting occurred within the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2nd ABCT) complex, prompting a swift lockdown and emergency response. According to a statement from the US Army, all five soldiers were treated on-site by emergency medical personnel and subsequently transported to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. Their current conditions have not been disclosed but the US Army confirmed that there is no active threat to the community. Recommended Stories Law enforcement was dispatched to the scene and the suspect was apprehended while the base was placed on lockdown. Although, the main cantonment area reopened , the 2nd ABCT complex remains under lockdown as the investigation continues, the US Army said. Fort Stewart, located in southern Georgia near Hinesville, is home to the 3rd Infantry Division and thousands of active-duty service members. The base issued an immediate alert on its official Facebook page urging personnel to stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reacted to the incident on X (formerly Twitter), expressing sympathy for those affected, saying, We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same." Military officials said the incident remains under investigation. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:59 IST News world 5 Soldiers Injured In Shooting At US Army Base In Georgia; Suspect In Custody 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 Loading comments... Caught In Trump's Crosshairs, Stanford University Lays Off Over 360 Employees Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 11:03 IST University officials directly attributed the financial strain to Trump-era policy shiftsincluding targeted cutbacks to federal research grants and an increase in the endowment tax These cuts represent nearly 2 per cent of Stanfords administrative and technical workforce of roughly 13,000 people. (AFP) Stanford University on Tuesday said it has laid off over 360 employees, blaming budget constraints that it attributed to the federal funding policies of US President Donald Trump. The staff reductions are part of wider budget cuts amounting to $140 million for the 202526 academic year. According to a Reuters report, university officials directly attributed the financial strain to Trump-era policy shiftsincluding targeted cutbacks to federal research grants and an increase in the endowment tax under the so-called One Big Beautiful Bill". Recommended Stories University leadershipincluding President Jonathan Levin and Provost Jenny Martinezhad warned earlier that new federal legislation raising the endowment tax from 1.4 per cent to as much as 821 per cent, combined with significant reductions in NIH and NSF research funding, posed existential risks to Stanfords operating budget and mission-critical programmes. The Guardian reported that Stanfords endowment, valued at approximately $37.6 billion, has long been a key funding source for student financial aid, faculty salaries, and research. But the proposed tax hike, if fully enacted, could reduce annual income by an estimated $750 milliona blow the university said would force substantial internal restructuring. As filed with Californias Employment Development Department, the layoffs, as per CBS News, affect 363 existing employees across more than 200 departments and job categories, including research, communications, IT, facilities, libraries, and student services. These cuts represent nearly 2 per cent of Stanfords administrative and technical workforce of roughly 13,000 people. Affected staff will receive severance packages, three months of health insurance continuation, and career transition assistance, university officials said. Stanford had communicated in June that it would implement a $140 million reduction in its general funds ahead of the upcoming academic year to manage the fiscal fallout. The hiring freeze announced earlier this year remains in place, though limited exceptions will be made for critical roles. Faculty hiring is expected to continue, albeit cautiously. The Trump administration has also frozen more than $330 million in funding for the University of California, Los Angeles, after alleging the university failed to prevent a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students since campus protests erupted after the start of Israels war in Gaza. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The administration of Columbia and Brown universities negotiated a settlement with the Trump administration and made changes to university policies in exchange of which funding was restored but with financial penalties. Critics, including civil liberties advocates, warn that the federal actions risk undermining academic freedom, suppressing free expression, and conflating legitimate campus activismparticularly protest around Palestinewith antisemitism. About the Author Apoorva Misra Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S... Read More Apoorva Misra is News Editor at News18.com with over nine years of experience. She is a graduate from Delhi University's Lady Shri Ram College and holds a PG Diploma from Asian College of Journalism, Chennai. S... Read More Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 11:03 IST News world Caught In Trump's Crosshairs, Stanford University Lays Off Over 360 Employees 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 Loading comments... G7 Ambassadors to Ukraine welcome the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvynsky as Director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine (BES) and note that this step "contributes to improving the business climate in Ukraine." "We congratulate Oleksandr Tsyvynsky on his appointment as Director of the Bureau of Economic Security of Ukraine. This is an important step by the Cabinet of Ministers in support of transparent and accountable leadership, which strengthens the institution and contributes to the improvement of the business climate in Ukraine," the ambassadors said on X. 'Charity Building Used For Terrorism': Sikh Broadcaster Writes To Canada PM Over 'Khalistan Embassy' Reported By : News18.com Edited By: Pragati Ratti Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 09:37 IST Local radio station head Maninder Gill has demanded government scrutiny over a community centre built with $150,000 in provincial grants, now converted into 'Embassy of Khalistan'. Follow us on: 'Embassy of Khalistan' in Surrey (Photo: CNN-News18) A day after CNN-News18 reported an Embassy of Khalistan in Surrey, the local radio station has written a strongly worded letter to both British Columbia provincial leaders and Canada Prime Minister Mark Carney. Local radio station head Maninder Gill has demanded government scrutiny over a community centre built with $150,000 in provincial grants, now converted into Embassy of Khalistan. Speaking to CNN-News18 on the letter, Gill emphasised that the building was a government funded charity building, meant not just for Sikhs, but for people from around the world. He questioned why a building that is run on governments charity was being used for terrorism. He also added that he was hopeful of getting a response from the Carney administration even though he had written several letters to previous governments flagging extremist activities in the building. Recommended Stories Gill wrote that a Gurdwara committee, which received public funding, has installed signage declaring part of the building as the Embassy of the Republic of Khalistan. He urged authorities to hold the committee accountable, arguing this move signals promotion of separatist extremism funded by the Canadian government. In the letter addressed to both the provincial premier and Prime Minister Carney, Gill asserted that a registered Canadian charity is working in opposition to the sovereignty and territorial integrity of an allied nation indicating India. His letter stresses that community infrastructure funded through taxpayer dollars should not serve as a platform for extremist or separatist messaging. Gill argues that using provincial grant money to host or promote a selfdeclared embassy" of Khalistan crosses a line, and Canadian authorities must act promptly to ensure public funds are not enabling foreign political agendas. The massive controversy in Surrey, British Columbia, erupted after a building within the Guru Nanak Sikh Gurdwara complex was seen bearing a board reading Republic of Khalistan or Embassy of Khalistan. The sign appears amid banners and symbols associated with Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) a proKhalistan group behind unofficial referendums calling for a Sikh homeland. ProKhalistan sentiment among portions of the Sikh diaspora in Canada has long stirred diplomatic tension with India. The Khalistan Referendum, organised by SFJ, has held multiple unofficial votes in Surrey since 2022, drawing thousands of participants and raising alarm in New Delhi. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The signs appearance comes amid a broader context of strained CanadaIndia relations, which escalated following the 2023 assassination of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh terrorist, in Surrey. Canadian authorities alleged links to Indian government agents, leading to reciprocal diplomat expulsions and intense diplomatic friction. Despite recent efforts at normalisation marked by the resumption of ambassador-level ties under Prime Minister Carney and Prime Minister Narendra Modi India remains deeply concerned about Canadas tolerance of proKhalistan activities. About the Author Siddhant Mishra Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More Siddhant Mishra is a Senior Special Correspondent at CNN-News18, covering foreign affairs and international relations. With over 12 years of experience in journalism, he has also reported extensively on crime, ... Read More view comments First Published: August 06, 2025, 09:37 IST News world 'Charity Building Used For Terrorism': Sikh Broadcaster Writes To Canada PM Over 'Khalistan Embassy' 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 Donald Trump Plans To 'Take Over' Gaza Aid Effort Amid Hunger Crisis: Report Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:18 IST Donald Trump is reportedly planning to expand his involvement in managing humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing worsening starvation and inadequate Israeli response. Palestinians rush to collect humanitarian aid airdropped by parachutes into Zawaida in the central Gaza Strip (Photo: AP) Donald Trump is reportedly mulling a significant increase in his role in providing humanitarian aid to Gaza. Axios quoted two US officials and an Israeli official as saying that the US President discussed such plans with special envoy Steve Witkoff during a meeting earlier this week. According to the report, Witkoff flew in from Miami to meet Trump for dinner on Monday. He had been to Israel and Gaza before that. Recommended Stories A US official told the publication that during Trumps meeting with Witkoff, it was decided that the Trump administration would take over" management of the humanitarian effort in Gaza, because Israel isnt handling it adequately. Trump is not thrilled" about the idea of the US taking charge, but it kind of has to happen," the official was quoted as saying. There doesnt seem to be another way," the official added. The starvation problem in Gaza is getting worse. Donald Trump does not like that. He does not want babies to starve. He wants mothers to be able to nurse their children. Hes becoming fixated on that," the official continued. The report also quoted another US official as saying that the administration will be careful not to get dragged too deeply into the Gaza crisis. The President doesnt want to see the US being the only country throwing money at this problem. Its a global problem. And hes been tasking Witkoff and others to make sure everyone is stepping up, our European friends and our Arab friends," the official said. An Israeli official, commenting on the development, told the publication, They are going to spend a lot of money in order to help us significantly improve the humanitarian situation so that it will be less of an issue." Since March, when Israel ended a ceasefire in its war with Hamas and halted all imports, the situation has grown increasingly dire in the territory of some 2 million Palestinians. International experts are now warning of a worst-case scenario of famine" in Gaza. Under heavy international pressure, Israel last week announced measures to let more aid into Gaza. Though aid groups say its still not enough, getting even that amount from the border crossings to the people who need it is difficult and extremely dangerous, the drivers said. On Monday, thousands of people packed the road as two trucks entered southern Gaza. Young men overwhelmed the trucks, standing on the cabs roofs, dangling from the sides and clambering over each other onto the truck beds to grab boxes even as the trucks slowly kept driving. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Meanwhile, the United Nations does not accept protection from Israeli forces, saying it would violate its rules of neutrality, and said that given the urgent need for aid, it would accept that hungry people were going to grab food off the back of the trucks as long as they werent violent. ALSO READ | Netanyahu Set To Unveil New War Plan, May Order Total Conquest Of Gaza About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:16 IST News world Donald Trump Plans To 'Take Over' Gaza Aid Effort Amid Hunger Crisis: Report 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 Loading comments... Four Killed After Medical Plane Crashes While Landing On Navajo Nation In Arizona Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 08:27 IST According to the Navajo Police Department, the crew was en route to pick up a patient from a local hospital Medical transport plane crashes in Northern Arizona | Image: X Four people were killed on Tuesday when a medical transport plane crashed and caught fire near Chinle Municipal Airport on the Navajo Nation, tribal officials confirmed. The aircraft, a Beechcraft 300 operated by CSI Aviation of Albuquerque, New Mexico, went down around 12:40 pm while attempting to land. Recommended Stories According to the Navajo Police Department, the crew was en route to pick up a patient from a local hospital. All on board were medical personnel and described as non-local," Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren said in a statement. Emergency responders from the Navajo Police Departments Chinle District, along with the tribes fire and rescue services, arrived at the crash site shortly after the incident. This was a heartbreaking event," Nygren said in a statement. These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation. We honor their service, their sacrifice, and the love they showed our communities through their work. On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, colleagues, and all who are grieving." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The cause of the crash remains under investigation as both the Federal Aviation Administration and the National Transportation Safety Board are examining the incident. CSI Aviation is assisting with the investigation and has notified the victims families, according to law enforcement. Location : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 08:27 IST News world Four Killed After Medical Plane Crashes While Landing On Navajo Nation In Arizona 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 Loading comments... From Syria To Ukraine: How Wife Melania Shaped Trump's Foreign Policies On Global Stage? Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 11:54 IST From Syrian Civil War to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the US First Lady Melania Trump has reportedly played a significant role in shaping the US president's foreign policy. US President Donald Trump with his wife Melania Trump. 9AP Photo) With US President Donald Trumps extreme shift in the policy, there is a question that is crossing everybodys mind Who is the most influential advisor to Trump? According to several reports, it has been learnt that from the Syrian Civil War to the Russian invasion of Ukraine, it appears that US First Lady Melania Trump has played a significant role in shaping the US presidents foreign policy. While Trump has briefly acknowledged her stance on the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, no one is aware of her larger role in the recent United States foreign policies. Recommended Stories According to The Daily Telegraph, Melania has been the driving force behind Trumps policies on Syria and Ukraine. There are also indications that Melania influenced Trumps change in tone regarding Gaza. Reportedly, during Trumps first term (2017-21), Melania was a key factor in his decision to launch airstrikes on Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assads regime, following a chemical attack on Syrians opposing Assad. Trumps airstrikes, intended to deter the use of deadly chemical weapons, marked the first direct US military action against Assads forces. The Telegraph reported that Melanias horror at videos of children dying from the chemical attack in Khan Shaykun shaped Trumps decision. In fact, a former White House official has also described her as highly influential", and stated that she reacted to the human suffering as a mother and shared her gut reaction with her husband. During Trumps second term as well, Melanias criticism of Russian leader Vladimir Putins actions versus promises to her husband influenced a shift in US policy. Despite Putins conversations with Trump expressing openness to end the war, Russian aerial attacks on Ukraine coincided with these calls, leading Trump to announce fresh weapon deliveries to Ukraine and issue ultimatums to Putin. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Trump also referred to Melanias impact on his stance regarding Gazas hunger crisis. He stated that she found the situation terrible," reacting emotionally to images of suffering children, which influenced his shift in tone. Melanias human-centered perspective has evidently shaped several key decisions in Trumps foreign policy, demonstrating her significant influence behind the scenes. 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 : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 11:54 IST News world From Syria To Ukraine: How Wife Melania Shaped Trump's Foreign Policies On Global Stage? 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 Loading comments... Ghana's Defence And Environment Ministers Killed In Helicopter Crash Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:06 IST Ghana Crash: A military helicopter crash in Ghana killed Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah, Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. Ghana's Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed. A military helicopter crash claimed the lives of Ghanas Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, along with six others on board. The presidency confirmed the deaths hours after the armed forces reported that a chopper carrying five passengers and three crew members had vanished from radar. Local television outlet Joy News aired cell phone footage from the crash site, showing smouldering wreckage strewn across a densely forested area. The helicopter was reportedly en route to an event related to illegal mining, a pressing environmental concern in the West African nation. Recommended Stories Edward Omane Boamah, a medical doctor and veteran public servant, had been appointed defence minister earlier this year, shortly after President John Mahama returned to office in January. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was serving as the minister for environment, science and technology, leading efforts on sustainability and natural resource management. All those on board were killed," the Ghana Armed Forces confirmed, as Julius Debrah, chief of staff to President Mahama, conveyed official condolences, saying, The president and government extend our condolences and sympathies to the families of our comrades and the servicemen who died in service to the country." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Edward Omane Boamah had been leading the defence ministry at a time of heightened concern over jihadist activity in neighbouring Burkina Faso. He had previously served as communications minister during Mahamas earlier tenure from 2012 to 2017, and before that, as deputy environment minister. Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed was considered a key figure in the administrations environmental enforcement agenda. Authorities have launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Location : Ghana First Published: August 06, 2025, 21:52 IST News world Ghana's Defence And Environment Ministers Killed In Helicopter Crash Disclaimer: Comments reflect users views, not News18s. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy Loading comments... 'Half Of Pakistan's Bureaucracy Preparing Foreign Exit Via Portugal': Defence Minister's Explosive Claims Reported By : CNN-News18 Edited By: Apoorva Misra Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 15:12 IST Khawaja Asif alleged that over half of Pakistans bureaucratic elite have purchased property in Portugal using what he called 'black money' Pakistan Defence Minister Khawaja Asif. (IMAGE: X) Pakistans defence minister Khawaja Asif, in a shocking revelation, has publicly accused the countrys top bureaucrats of massive corruption and international money laundering, claiming that billions of dollars in illicit wealth have been moved from Pakistan to Portugal. In a post shared on X (formerly Twitter), Asif alleged that over half of Pakistans bureaucratic elite have purchased property in Portugal using what he called black money", with many seeking residency or citizenship in the European nation as part of a quiet exit strategy. Recommended Stories Asif further said politicians are treated unfairly. Politicians only get what is left over by them (bureaucrats) and still get blamed for everything," he said, adding that most politicians do not own plots or foreign citizenship because they have to face the public and contest elections. He further alleged that one senior bureaucrat, reportedly close to former Punjab chief minister Usman Buzdar, received a staggering Rs 4 billion in salami (ceremonial gifts) at his daughters weddinga symbol, he said, of the unchecked and lavish lifestyles financed through corruption. Asif labeled the actions of these officials as shameful", stating bluntly: This bureaucracy is polluting our land." Commenting on Asifs revelations, top Indian intelligence sources told CNN-News18 that this was a classic case of elite asset laundering under diplomatic immunity". This is a serious loophole that FATF mechanisms failed to audit rigorously. Portugal was deliberately picked as a low-risk FATF blind spot, bypassing stricter jurisdictions like the UK or UAE which are now under increased scrutiny. This confession is designed to shift global watchdog attention from military-political corruption to civil bureaucratic sectors," they said, adding that it was an attempt to protect ISI and senior army officials from immediate sanctions. This is a systemic laundering via Gulf-EU laundering corridors, possible due to FATFs inadequate scrutiny of complex intercontinental real estate chains," they said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Corruption in Pakistan is a long-standing and deeply rooted issue that affects nearly every sector of governance, from the political elite and bureaucracy to the judiciary and law enforcement. It has been a major barrier to the countrys development, weakening institutions, draining public resources, and eroding public trust. While politicians have been widely accused of misusing public funds, accepting kickbacks, and owning undeclared foreign assets, civil servants are often accused of taking bribes for routine administrative tasks, such as issuing licenses or clearing government projects. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: August 06, 2025, 15:12 IST News world 'Half Of Pakistan's Bureaucracy Preparing Foreign Exit Via Portugal': Defence Minister's Explosive Claims 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 Loading comments... 'Emerging From Low Point': Chinese Media Stresses Mutual Benefit, Shared Development With India Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 14:29 IST A Chinese state-run editorial said China-India ties are improving and highlighted the need for practical cooperation and mutual benefit. It also urged both nations to build trust. A file photo of Chinese President Xi Jinping (AP) Chinas relations with India are gradually emerging from a low point, both nations have a history of cooperation, and their economies are complementary, an editorial piece with the Chinese state-run outlet Global Times suggested on Wednesday. The report also stated that it makes sense if the two nations use each others strengths and promote mutual benefit and shared development, adding that China highly values cooperation with India, and is one of Indias most important trade partners. Recommended Stories China-India relations are at a critical juncture, gradually emerging from a low point," it stated. India and China have a long history of cooperation, and their economies are complementary. China highly values cooperation with India, and is one of Indias most important trade partners," it mentioned. It makes far more sense to utilise each others strengths, work on practical cooperation, and promote mutual benefit, winwin outcomes and shared development," the opinion stated. The Chinese editorial also stated that since the beginning of 2025, both countries have seized the opportunity of the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties to strengthen communication and build mutual trust". This has led to a steady improvement in relations and positive outcomes, it stated. Facts have proven that a healthy and stable development of China-India relations aligns with the common interests of both sides." Both countries should enhance political mutual trust, properly manage differences, build more consensus, expand cooperation channels and jointly write a new chapter of friendly cooperation, striving to make greater contributions to peace, stability and development in both nations, as well as the region and the world," the editorial mentioned. It also mentioned that as an emerging major power, India is facing challenges in its industrial and economic development, and claimed that these problems are difficult to resolve in the short term. As an emerging major power, India faces challenges in its industrial and economic development, such as outdated technology, limited capital and weak infrastructure problems that are difficult to resolve in the short term," the opinion mentioned. Coupled with certain investment policies and practices, these issues have led to repeated setbacks for foreign companies investing in India, earning the country, at one point, the reputation of a graveyard for foreign investment," it added. The opinion comes as US President Donald Trump is pushing China and India to stop buying oil from Russia and helping fund the Kremlins war against Ukraine. However, the countries importing Russian oil are not showing any inclination to halt the practice. Trump is raising the issue as he seeks to press Russian President Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire. Since January 2023, China has been the biggest overall purchaser of Russian energy since the European Union boycott, with some $219.5 billion worth of Russian oil, gas and coal, followed by India with $133.4 billion and Turkey with $90.3 billion. On August 5, a report with Bloomberg suggested that Trumps lashing out at India risks trashing decades of careful diplomacy with New Delhi, and driving it closer to China. Trumps threats to further ratchet up tariffs only make accommodation look more appealing. They follow a breakdown in trade-pact talks and Trumps growing friendliness with Pakistans top general, Asim Munir," the Bloomberg report mentioned. The India-China dynamic is tentative, but its just one indication of shifting international relations as the US antagonises traditional allies," it stated. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all If Trump casts India aside, New Delhi may see a rapprochement with China as the best alternative," the report mentioned. ALSO READ | Will Call PM Modi, Xi: Brazilian President Refuses Talks With Donald Trump After Tariff Blow About the Author Vani Mehrotra Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. Vani Mehrotra is the Deputy News Editor at News18.com. She has nearly 10 years of experience in both national and international news and has previously worked on multiple desks. First Published: August 06, 2025, 14:29 IST News world 'Emerging From Low Point': Chinese Media Stresses Mutual Benefit, Shared Development With India 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 Loading comments... Don't Know Anything: Trump Caught Off Guard As India Calls Out US Over Russian Purchases Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 09:41 IST Amid India-US trade war, Trump was asked about India's response to his criticism of New Delhi buying Russian oil. He was taken off guard, as he reacted to reporter's query. Donald Trump responds to India's criticism of US buying Russian Uranium (Reuters Image) In a rare moment captured on camera, US President Donald Trump was caught off guard on Tuesday (local time) after he was asked about Indias strong rebuttal to his criticism of New Delhis decision to continue purchasing Russian oil despite his tariff threats. While taking questions from the media, Trump was asked by news agency ANI on India calling out the US imports of Russian Uranium and chemical fertilizers, as New Delhi responded to the Presidents threat to substantially" increase tariffs for its ties with Moscow in an escalation in India-US trade war. Recommended Stories Responding to the question: India says that the US imports Russian Uranium, chemical fertilizers, while criticising their energy imports. Your response to that?", Trump denied having any knowledge of the Russian imports to the US. I dont know anything about it. I have to checkBut we will get back to you on this," Trump said. #WATCH | Responding to ANIs question on US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilisers while criticising their (Indian) energy imports, US President Donald Trump says, I dont know anything about it. I have to check"(Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/OOejcaGz2t ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 Trumps Tirade Against India Trumps awkward moment came after India responded to his criticism on Monday, as New Delhi exposed the double standards adopted by the United States and the European Union on New Delhi buying Russian energy for its domestic needs. On Monday, Trump had announced on social media that he would substantially" increase tariffs on India from 25% imposed earlier for its continued ties with Russia. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," Trump had posted on Truth Social. India Responds To Trump, Exposes US-EU Duplicity Within hours, New Delhi hit back at the US in a statement, describing the latest levies as unjustified and unreasonable". The Ministry of External Affairs also highlighted the US-EU duplicity on the issue and underlined that America continues to import Uranium hexafluoride from Russia for its nuclear industry. India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," the statement said. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The MEA said that the US and the EU continue to do business with Russia including buying its energy and other key items even though they speak out against the Ukraine war. It also said that the EU traded goods worth 67.5 billion and services worth 17.2 billion with Moscow, noting that it was much more than what India trades with Russia. About the Author Ashesh Mallick Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Ashesh Mallick is a Sub-Editor with over three years of experience in news writing, video production. He primarily covers national news, politics and global affairs. You can follow him on Twitter: @MallickAshes... Read More Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 07:00 IST News world Don't Know Anything: Trump Caught Off Guard As India Calls Out US Over Russian Purchases 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 Loading comments... Indian-Origin Professor Under Police Scanner After Child-Sex Sting Operation in California Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 16:18 IST Nisarg Shah, an Indian-origin professor at UC San Diego, was caught in an online child predator sting. Accused of trying to meet a minor, Shah denied the allegations. Screengrab from the video posted by People v Preds on X (Credit: @peoplevpreds) An Indian-origin associate professor at the University of California San Diego, has come under police lens after he was caught in a child predator sting operation, according to a report in India Today. A video has also emerged that allegedly shows the man, identified as Nisarg Shah, as being confronted in the sting operation. Recommended Stories The footage, recorded on August 2 inside a Pavilions grocery store in San Diegos Hillcrest neighborhood, was released by a group People v Preds. People v. Preds CATCH 539NISARG JAYDEEP SHAH SAN DIEGO, CA HE CAME TO MEET WHAT HE THOUGHT WAS A 14 YEAR OLD BOY FOR ADULT PURPOSES pic.twitter.com/Wb8fh5Gmdq People v. Preds (@peoplevpreds) August 3, 2025 People v Preds is a US-based vigilante group known for targeting suspected predators through online sting operations. Shah is accused of attempting to meet someone he believed was a 14-year-old boy for sexual activity. The report stated that he was confronted by activist Tim Johnson after alleged explicit conversations on the dating app Grindr. Shah reportedly identified himself as a 28-year-old. During the confrontation, Shah appeared regretful, admitting to bringing personal lubricant and a douche, and stating, I feel horrible, the worst Ive ever feltI need to maybe get help or something." Soon after the confrontation, San Diego Police Department (SDPD) officials arrived on the scene but did not arrest him. However, Shahs phone was seized, and the case was referred to the Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force. Meanwhile, Shah denied the allegations when contacted by local outlet SanDiegoVille, the India Today report claimed. These are wrongful allegations and while I would have been willing to share my account, my attorney will not let me do so, but he would be happy to speak with you," Shah was quoted as saying by SanDiegoVille. Further, UC San Diego has acknowledged the incident and affirmed full cooperation with law enforcement. The university reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy toward sexual misconduct, urging the campus community to report any harassment or abuse. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Shah is an associate professor in the Aiiso Yufeng Li Family Department of Chemical and Nano Engineering and is recognized for his work in immunoengineering and nanomaterials. So far, no charges have been filed against him. An investigation into the matter is underway. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Location : California, USA First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:17 IST News world Indian-Origin Professor Under Police Scanner After Child-Sex Sting Operation in California 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 Loading comments... Most Favoured At This Point: Trump Backs JD Vance As Heir Apparent For 2028 Curated By : Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 05:48 IST In addition to praising Vance, the President also expressed admiration for Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As of now, both JD Vance and Marco Rubio are viewed as likely contenders for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination (IMAGE: REUTERS file) US President Donald Trump has hinted at his preferred successor, giving a strong endorsement to Vice President JD Vance as a leading contender for the presidency in 2028. While Trump acknowledged it was too early to make a definitive decision, he stated that Vance is most likely" to carry forward the legacy of the Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, according to a report by CBS News. Its too early, obviously, to talk about it. But certainly, hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favoured at this point," Trump said during a recent executive order-signing ceremony at the White House. Recommended Stories In addition to praising Vance, the President also expressed admiration for Secretary of State Marco Rubio, suggesting that Rubio could also play a significant role in the future of the Republican Party. Trump noted that Rubio is somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form," while commending the incredible people" currently within the GOP. Although this is not the first time Trump has spoken positively about both Rubio and Vance, it is among the clearest indications yet of where his preferences may lie. In a May interview with NBC News, Trump had previously stated that he didnt want to get involved" in picking a future leader. However, he did admit that vice presidents typically have a natural advantage in such scenarios. As of now, both JD Vance and Marco Rubio are viewed as likely contenders for the 2028 GOP presidential nomination. Trump, who is constitutionally barred from seeking a third term, will not be eligible to run again. However, earlier this year, there were reports suggesting that Trump and his allies were privately exploring legal avenues that could potentially allow him to serve beyond two terms. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Speculation about a third Trump presidency was further fueled in April when merchandise such as hats bearing the slogan Trump 2028" began appearing in the market. Its worth noting that both Rubio and Vance were once vocal critics of Trump. Rubio, in particular, ran against him during the 2016 Republican primaries. Over time, however, both men have aligned with Trump and have taken on prominent roles within his administration. Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 05:48 IST News world Most Favoured At This Point: Trump Backs JD Vance As Heir Apparent For 2028 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 Loading comments... Photo: https://www.facebook.com/zelenskyy.official President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Sumy region talked with the commanders of the command post of the 225th separate assault regiment, he will discuss with Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Oleksandr Syrsky the request of the regiment commander to scale the unit to the level of a brigade. "I spoke with the commanders. There were reports on the liberation of Andriyivka and Kindrativka in Sumy region, Russian attempts at counterattacks, our next steps to liberate Ukrainian land. We discussed the needs, the level of support in general, the training of recruits and instructors. The regiment commander requested to scale the unit to the brigade level. I will discuss this issue with the commander-in-chief," Zelenskyy said in a Telegram channel on Wednesday. He noted that the soldiers of this unit were the first to enter the territory of Kursk region last year, and significantly replenished the exchange fund. "I thanked the soldiers for their service and the results that the Kursk operation brought thanks to them, and awarded them with state awards. We will always be grateful for your service to Ukraine. And we will always honor the memory of all who gave their lives for our country," the president said. 'Most Likely': Donald Trump Endorses JD Vance As Heir Apparent For 2028 Presidential Race Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 10:19 IST Donald Trump also floated the idea of Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining future Republican ticket as Vances partner US President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance (AP Photo) US President Donald Trump has publicly signaled Vice President JD Vance as the most likely" successor to carry forward the MAGA movement in the 2028 Republican race, marking his strongest endorsement yet. Well, I think most likely. In all fairness, hes the vice president," Trump was quoted as saying by Reuters when asked if Vance was the heir apparent. Trump also floated the idea of Secretary of State Marco Rubio joining future Republican ticket as Vances partner. I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form," he added suggesting a possible VanceRubio ticket for 2028. Recommended Stories Since joining Trumps administration, Vance has taken a visible role as chief surrogate and diplomat, staunchly defending the administrations AmericaFirst agenda. Trump had previously described Vance earlier in the year as very capable," but had stated it was too early to anoint a successor. This shift marks a clear escalation in Trumps public positioning of Vance as his political heir. All The Times Trump Has Praised Vance In his postelection remarks in Florida, Trump had introduced Vance as Vice Presidentelect JD Vance" and lauded both him and his IndianAmerican wife, Usha. He called Vance a feisty guy," saying he would go into the enemy camp" (media outlets) and absolutely obliterate them." He also described Usha Vance as remarkable". After taking office, Trump had praised Vances performance in his Senate reelection and said: He was a great senator and a very, very smart one," before joking that the only person smarter" was his wife, Usha. He quipped that if succession rules allowed, he would have chosen her" as vice president instead. Following Vances Senate victory, Trump had celebrated his role in leading an economic recovery, commending his willingness to take on media and his commitment to traditional MAGA principles. He credited Vance as key to orchestrating economic leadership and messaging During an interview at the National Association of Black Journalists conference, Trump acknowledged he had always had great respect" for Vance but downplayed the vice presidencys electoral importance, saying it had virtually no impact." However, he added: Youre voting for the president youre voting for me," while still asserting that Vance was outstanding in every way". While campaigning for Vances Senate bid, Trump had praised Vance as tough" and the endorsement as deserved based on consistency and alignment with MAGA values. Trump Signals He Probably" Wont Run Again In an interview with CNBC on August 5, Trump stated he would probably not" seek a third presidential term, noting, No. Probably not. Id like to run. I have the best poll numbers Ive ever had," but added that he was unlikely to run again due both to constitutional prohibitions and practical considerations. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The 22nd Amendment prohibits anyone from being elected president more than twice. While Trump has previously joked about loopholes or nonconsecutive term paths and even briefly promoted Trump 2028" merchandise he reiterated in recent remarks that such scenarios remain unrealistic under existing law. With Trump signaling his retreat from future candidacy and naming Vance as the standardbearer, he appears to be orchestrating a planned transition that seeks to anchor MAGA. 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 06, 2025, 10:17 IST News world 'Most Likely': Donald Trump Endorses JD Vance As Heir Apparent For 2028 Presidential Race 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 Loading comments... New Covid Variant 'Stratus' Accounted For 14% Of Cases In US In 3 Months: Know The Symptoms Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:12 IST A new Covid-19 variant, Stratus (XFG), is spreading in the US, accounting for 14 perccent of cases in just three months. It is now the third most common variant in the US. Stratus variant is now the third most common variant in the US. (Representative image) A new Covid-19 variant known as Stratus is spreading across the United States, prompting health officials to monitor it closely. Also known as XFG, the new Covid strain was firstly detected in Southeast Asia in January, according to a report in Hindustan Times. The strain remained largely unnoticed in the US until recently. Recommended Stories According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it accounted for 14 per cent of all Covid-19 cases in the US by late June, making it the third most common variant currently in circulation. The World Health Organization (WHO) has added XFG to its list of monitored variants but declared its global public health risk as low." WHO also confirmed that current Covid-19 vaccines are still expected to protect against both symptomatic and severe illness caused by this latest strain. What is Stratus (XFG)? XFG is a recombinant variant a combination of two earlier strains: F.7 and LP.8.1.2, the latter now being the second most prevalent strain in the US. Scientists believe XFG may carry mutations that help it better evade the immune system, but theres no strong evidence yet that it spreads faster than previous variants. While speaking to USA Today, Dr. Subhash Verma, professor of microbiology and immunology at the University of Nevada, Reno, emphasized that there are no immediate public health concerns linked to XFG. There is currently no clear evidence that XFG causes more severe disease or significantly different symptoms than earlier Omicron variants," USA Today quoted Verma as saying . What Are The Symptoms Of Stratus? The Stratus strain began to surface in the US from April. As per CDC data, in March, there was no Stratus case in the States. Thereafter, cases climbed to 2% in April, 6% in May, and 14% by late June, according to the CDC. Globally, WHO reported its rise from 7.4% of cases in early May to 22.7% by June-end across 38 countries. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The symptoms for this strain remain consistent with other Covid variants. The symptoms include: Fever or chills Cough Fatigue Sore throat Loss of taste or smell Congestion Muscle aches Headache Nausea or vomiting Shortness of breath About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:08 IST News world New Covid Variant 'Stratus' Accounted For 14% Of Cases In US In 3 Months: Know The Symptoms 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 Loading comments... No Puffs, No Butts: France To Sue Man Who Lit Cigarette From Paris War Memorial Flame Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 17:02 IST The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath one of Pariss most iconic monuments, holds the remains of a soldier killed in the First World War A video of the act, which took place on Monday evening, shows the man crouching near the flame, lighting his cigarette, and walking away calmly as onlookers watched. French authorities have said that it will take legal action against a man who lit a cigarette using the eternal flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier beneath the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. The act, widely condemned by officials and the public alike, has sparked outrage across the country. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau on Tuesday confirmed that the man had been arrested in Paris. Recommended Stories The man who desecrated the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by lighting a cigarette with the memorial flame was arrested in Paris for violating a burial site, tomb, urn, or monument erected in memory of the dead," he wrote on social media platform X. Lhomme qui a profane la tombe du Soldat inconnu en allumant une cigarette avec la flamme du souvenir a ete interpelle a Paris pour violation de sepulture, tombeau, urne ou monument edifie a la memoire des morts. Il a ete place en garde a vue et a reconnu les faits. A la suite du Bruno Retailleau (@BrunoRetailleau) August 5, 2025 Retailleau further stated that the man have reportedly admitted to the offence while in police custody. A video of the act, which took place on Monday evening, shows the man crouching near the flame, lighting his cigarette, and walking away calmly as onlookers watched. The footage spread quickly on social media, drawing sharp criticism from veterans, officials, and members of the public. Patricia Miralles, Frances Minister for Veterans and Remembrance, has vowed to pursue legal action. I am filing a case immediately with the Paris state prosecutors so that this man will be found and sanctions imposed to make an example of him," she posted on X. You cannot ridicule French remembrance and get away with it." The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located beneath one of Pariss most iconic monuments, holds the remains of a soldier killed in the First World War and symbolises the sacrifice of all French soldiers who have died in war. The eternal flame is a solemn tribute that has burned continuously since 1923. This flame does not light a cigarette, it burns for the sacrifice of millions of our soldiers," said Miralles. This is an insult to our dead, to our history and to our nation." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The video is believed to have been filmed by a Latvian tourist and first posted on TikTok. According to Le Figaro, the tourist said the man appeared sober and fully aware of his actions. (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 : Paris, France First Published: August 06, 2025, 17:02 IST News world No Puffs, No Butts: France To Sue Man Who Lit Cigarette From Paris War Memorial Flame 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 Loading comments... Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir To Visit US, His Second Trip In Two Months Reported By : CNN-News18 Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:46 IST Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir will visit the US for the CENTCOM change in command, his second trip in two months. US President Donald Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir for lunch at the White House on June 18. (Image: AP/PTI/File) Pakistans Army Chief Field Marshal Asim Munir will visit the United States to attend the CENTCOM change in command later this week, his second trip to Washington in less than two months. During his last visit in June, Munir met Trump over lunch at the White House, weeks after India dismantled terror infrastructure in Pakistan and PoK. This was the first time in history that a US president has welcomed the military leader without senior Pakistani civilian officials present. Recommended Stories During the two-hour meeting, they discussed trade, economic development, and cryptocurrency. Trump had praised General Munir for his role in preventing an escalation of conflict between India and Pakistan, saying, The reason I had him here was I wanted to thank him for not going into the war and ending it" Munir has said Trump should be nominated for the Nobel Prize for "averting nuclear war" between India and Pakistan. Trump has been claiming credit for the ceasefire between India and Pakistan on May 10, ending the conflict after four days of intense cross-border drone and missile strikes. However, India has said that no foreign leader was involved in the ceasefire, and New Delhi and Islamabad reached an understanding following DGMO-level talks. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Under Operation Sindoor, India struck nine terror facilities in Pakistan and PoK, killing over 100 terrorists. The action came two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, in which 26 people were killed. Trump has also announced a trade deal with Islamabad, giving Washington access to Pakistans oil reserves. However, Trump signed an executive order, slapping a 19 per cent tariff on Pakistani goods. Earlier, Pakistan had been subjected to a steep 29 per cent duty. About the Author Manoj Gupta Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 Group Editor, Investigations & Security Affairs, Network18 First Published: August 06, 2025, 23:26 IST News world Pakistan's Army Chief Asim Munir To Visit US, His Second Trip In Two Months 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 Loading comments... Pakistans Move To Deport Afghan Refugees By Sept 1 Raises Concern From UNHCR Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 00:08 IST The refugees will now be allowed a 25-day grace period from August 4 to August 31 to voluntarily repatriate. The PoR cards issued by Pakistani authorities to refugee Afghans were valid only until June 30 (Pexels/Representative Image) The Pakistani government has announced a major phase of its ongoing Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan (IFRP), targeting the deportation of Afghan refugees who currently reside in the country with Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. As reported by Dawn, the government aims to begin formal repatriation and deportation proceedings starting September 1, 2025. The announcement has drawn concerns from the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), which confirmed receiving reports of forced arrests and detentions of Afghans across Pakistan following the announcement. Recommended Stories According to Pakistans Interior Ministry, over 1.3 million Afghan refugees currently hold PoR cards, which have historically allowed them to stay in Pakistan without a valid visa. However, in a statement released last week, the Ministry declared that all PoR cardholders would be considered unlawful residents following the expiration of their documents. Afghans who have fled to Pakistan over the past four decades are currently allowed to reside with PoR cards issued by Pakistani authorities. These cards were valid until June 30, 2025, and the government has refused to renew them anymore. The refugees will now be allowed a 25-day grace period" from August 4 to August 31, to return voluntarily to Afghanistan, according to Lateef-ur-Rehman, spokesperson for the Home and Tribal Affairs Department. In a letter dated August 4, the Interior Ministry instructed provincial chief secretaries, police chiefs, and other top bureaucratic officials to begin implementing the IFRP. The ministry also requested local authorities to submit comprehensive data on PoR cardholders to provincial, divisional, and district-level repatriation committees. As reported by PTI, the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) will assist in identifying and processing deportees. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all This is not the first step in Pakistans broader effort to expel Afghan migrants. In 2023, Pakistan began its push to repatriate Afghan nationals. The government claims over 800,000 Afghans have already been returned under the IFRP. The UNHCR has voiced concern, particularly over the forced return of vulnerable groups such as women and girls, warning that such actions could place them at serious risk. given that those holding PoR cards have been recognised as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistans long-standing humanitarian approach to this group," the agency said, urging the government to ensure that all repatriations are voluntary. Location : Islamabad, Pakistan First Published: August 07, 2025, 00:08 IST News world Pakistans Move To Deport Afghan Refugees By Sept 1 Raises Concern From UNHCR 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 Loading comments... Prince Harry Cleared Of Bullying Allegation In African Charity Row Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:56 IST The UK's Charity Commission cleared Prince Harry of bullying allegations at Sentebale but criticized all parties for publicizing the dispute and noted governance issues. Sentebale, launched by Harry in memory of his mother Princess Diana, supports children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. (AP file photo) The United Kingdoms Charity Commission has cleared Prince Harry of bullying allegations made during a public row over his African charity, Sentebale. However, it criticised all parties involved for allowing the internal dispute to unfold in the public eye, damaging the charitys reputation, news agency AFP reported. The controversy erupted earlier this year when Sophie Chandauka, chair of Sentebale, accused Prince Harry of bullying" after a disagreement over governance. The dispute intensified in March and April, prompting the trustees to step down. Later, Prince Harry and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho also announced their resignation from the charity they established in 2006. Recommended Stories Sentebale, launched by Harry in memory of his mother Princess Diana, supports children affected by HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and Botswana. Following a months-long investigation, the Charity Commission stated on Wednesday it found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity." However, it noted serious governance issues, including a lack of clear delegation, which led to mismanagement. The commission has now issued a plan to address governance weaknesses." Sentebale said it welcomed the findings. Chandauka, who was appointed to the voluntary post in 2023 and remains the charitys chair. She said she appreciated" the conclusions. Although she did not address the dismissal of the bullying claims. According to AFP report, Harry had earlier described the situation as heartbreaking," accusing others of spreading blatant lies." A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the probe falls troublingly short in many regards. Primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support," AFP quoted the spokespersons statement. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Chandauka had previously criticised Harry for involving a Netflix crew at a polo fundraiser and for Meghans unplanned appearance at the event. The Commission urged all parties to refocus on the charitys mission and those it serves. About the Author Manisha Roy Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Manisha Roy is a Senior Sub-Editor at News18.com's general desk. She comes with an experience of over 5 years in media industry. She covers politics and other hard news. She can be contacted at Manisha.Roy@nw18... Read More Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:56 IST News world Prince Harry Cleared Of Bullying Allegation In African Charity Row 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 Loading comments... Pakistan Businessman Jailed In UK For Threatening To Rape Air Hostess, Bomb Her Hotel Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:48 IST Salman Iftikhar was sentenced to 15 months in jail in the UK for threatening to gang-rape an air hostess on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London to Lahore Authorities in Pakistan did not take any action against Iftikhar, but he was arrested in the UK on March 16, 2024. (AI-generated Photo) A businessman from Pakistan has been sentenced to jail for 15 months in the UK for threatening an air hostess that he would drag her out of her hotel room and gang-rape her. The incident took place when Salman Iftikhar was flying first class with his wife and three children on February 7, 2023, on a Virgin Atlantic flight from London Heathrow to Lahore. The 37-year-old was drinking champagne at the in-flight bar when he reached over the counter and grabbed ice with his bare hands. The cabin crew confronted him and asked him to return to his seat. Recommended Stories In a short video shot by another passenger, Iftikhar can be heard repeatedly accusing the air hostess of being a racist after drinking champagne during an eight-hour flight. You called me a P*ki in front of everybody Dont tell me what to do, you racist fking bitch. I know where you are from in Cardiff," Iftikhar said, as reported by The Mirror. As per prosecutor Abdul Kapadia, Iftikhar knew the specific hotel, but also the hotel room numbers, and threatened the cabin crew. He told [the stewardess]: You will be dead on the floor of your hotel." You will be dragged by your hair from your room and gang raped and set on fire," Kapadia said, citing Iftikhar. Kapadia said authorities in Pakistan did not take any action against Iftikhar, but he was arrested in the UK on March 16, 2024. The victim, who was present in the court during the hearing, said: I am a strong, brave, happy stewardess, and loved my job I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and Ive even flown into a warzone. But this incident has broken me." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all I felt exposed and vulnerable, especially as we were 39,000 feet in the air. There was nowhere for me to go," the victim said Iftikhar has been convicted six times in 15 offences, including assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008. About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : London, United Kingdom (UK) First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:01 IST News world Pakistan Businessman Jailed In UK For Threatening To Rape Air Hostess, Bomb Her Hotel 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 Loading comments... US Hails Putin Talks But Says Sanctions On Russias Trade Partners Still Coming Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 23:31 IST US plans new sanctions on Russia's trading partners despite "productive" talks in Moscow. The two leaders were seen smiling in the video that emerged from the meeting in Moscow. (Photo: AFP file) The United States said it would proceed with a new round of secondary sanctions targeting Russias trading partners even as Washington described diplomatic talks in Moscow as highly productive." The announcement comes after US President Donald Trump imposed a 25% tariff on Indian goods citing New Delhis continued purchase of Russian oil. US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for a three-hour session focused on the Ukraine conflict. While the tone was described as encouraging, officials made it clear that it would not alter Washingtons pressure campaign on those enabling the Kremlins war economy. Recommended Stories The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday," a senior US official said as per AFP, underlining that diplomatic engagement would not come at the cost of accountability. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The upcoming measures are expected to target third-party countries and companies engaged in trade with Russia- particularly in energy and dual-use sectors. India, a major purchaser of Russian crude, became the first significant economy to face punitive action as Donald Trump announced a 25% ad valorem tariff today on top of the 25% existing tariff. On his social media platform Truth Social, Donald Trump praised Steve Witkoffs meeting with Vladimir Putin as highly productive." He wrote, My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" Location : Washington D.C., United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 23:31 IST News world US Hails Putin Talks But Says Sanctions On Russias Trade Partners Still Coming 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 Loading comments... US Millionaire Hunter Killed By Over 1,300kg Buffalo He Tried To Hunt On African Safari Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 20:07 IST The animal, which weighed over 1,300kg (more than 1.3 tonnes), reportedly charged at 35mph and fatally struck Watkins almost instantly 52-year-old Asher Watkins was tracking a Cape Buffalo known as the Black Death when it suddenly charged at him. A millionaire American trophy hunter has died after being gored by a massive buffalo he was trying to kill during a hunting trip in South Africa. According to a report by Metro, 52-year-old Asher Watkins was tracking a Cape Buffalo known as the Black Death" when it suddenly charged at him. The deadly incident took place on Sunday in the 50,000-acre Bambisana concession in Limpopo Province. Recommended Stories The animal, which weighed over 1,300kg (more than 1.3 tonnes), reportedly charged at 35mph and fatally struck Watkins almost instantly. The Cape Buffalo is considered one of the most dangerous animals to hunt in Africa, with its horns connected by a thick bone shield and able to span up to 4ft apart. Safari operator Coenraad Vermaak Safaris confirmed Watkins was with a professional hunter and tracker when the sudden and unprovoked" attack happened. In a statement, the company said it was a devastating incident" and they were doing all they could to support his family, both in South Africa and back in the US. Watkins, a ranch broker from Texas, was known for his support of big game hunting. His social media included photos of him posing with hunted wildfowl and mountain lions. In one post from Argentina, he boasted of shooting thousands of doves in just three days. His ex-wife Courtney paid tribute to him, saying their teenage daughter Savannah was in shock. Its a reality thats still hard to put into words," she said. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead." top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Watkins mother Gwen, stepfather Tony, and brother Amon were waiting for him back at the lodge when the attack happened. The safari company has also been in contact with Savannah and Courtney following the tragedy. Watkins owned the Watkins Ranch Group, which specialised in selling exclusive ranches valued between 1 million and 30 million. 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 : United States of America (USA) First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:07 IST News world US Millionaire Hunter Killed By Over 1,300kg Buffalo He Tried To Hunt On African Safari 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 Loading comments... US Set To Sanction Russia Over Ukraine War? Trump Sends Envoy To Meet Putin Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 22:50 IST Russian President Putin met US envoy Steve Witkoff to avoid sanctions from President Trump if Russia fails to end the Ukraine war. Trump set a Friday deadline for progress. The two leaders were seen smiling in the video that emerged from the meeting in Moscow. (Photo: AFP file) Russian President Vladimir Putin met US special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday, in what is being seen as a last-minute effort to avoid President Donald Trumps sanctions if Moscow fails to end the Ukraine war. The two leaders were seen smiling in the video that emerged from the meeting in Moscow. Recommended Stories Trump, who had bragged that he could end the conflict within 24 hours of taking office, has given Russia a deadline till Friday to make progress towards peace with Ukraine or face new penalties. After the meeting, Trump said Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Putin. My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" he wrote on Truth Social. Three rounds of peace talks have been held so far, but the two sides have failed to reach a ceasefire agreement. Trump has not said anything about actions against Russia, but he has previously threatened to impose secondary tariffs" targeting Russias key trade partners. The move would aim to stifle Russian exports, but would risk significant international disruption. Trump said Tuesday that he would await the outcome of the Moscow talks before ordering any economic retaliation. Were going to see what happens," he had said. Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov considered the talks with Witkoff to be important, substantial and helpful" and valued US efforts to end the conflict. Russia-US Tensions The tensions between Moscow and Washington escalated when Trump ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines near Russia following an online row with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. However, Trump has not said whether he meant nuclear-powered or nuclear-armed submarines. He also did not elaborate on the exact deployment locations, which are kept secret by the US military. In its response, Russia urged caution" and suggested it could deploy such weapons in response to what it alleged were similar US deployments within striking distance of Russia. Zelenskyy Urges US To Pressurise Russia Over Ukraine Ceasefire Ahead of the Putin-Witkoff meeting, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Washington to up its pressure on Moscow to agree to a ceasefire. It is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe, and the G7 so that a ceasefire truly comes into effect immediately. Ukraine sees the political will, appreciates the efforts of our partners, of America, and of everyone who is helping," Zelensky wrote on social media on Wednesday after Witkoff landed in the Russian capital. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all Russias more than three-year campaign on Ukraine has killed tens of thousands of people, destroyed swathes of the country and forced millions to flee their homes. Moscow has demanded that Ukraine cede more territory and renounce Western support if it wants the fighting to stop. (With agencies inputs) About the Author Saurabh Verma Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Saurabh Verma covers general, national and international day-to-day news for News18.com as a Senior Sub-editor. He keenly observes politics. You can follow him on Twitter --twitter.com/saurabhkverma19 Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: August 06, 2025, 16:23 IST News world US Set To Sanction Russia Over Ukraine War? Trump Sends Envoy To Meet Putin 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 Loading comments... Cyber specialists of the State Security Service (SBU) together with the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) with the assistance of the newly appointed Minister of Justice of Ukraine Herman Haluschenko have exposed another scheme of embezzlement of state funds. As reported in the Telegram channel on Wednesday, the defendants stole more than UAH 10 million in purchases for digital modernization. "According to the case materials, the former state secretary of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine, as well as the current head and deputy head of departmental administrations, are involved in the transaction. As the investigation established, officials embezzled budget funds allocated for the purchase of server equipment and software for the needs of the Ministry of Justice. This hardware and software complex was supposed to ensure the modernization of the department's electronic systems," the service said. According to the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAPO), officials made changes to the estimate for 2021, and the heads of the private company organized the preparation of technical specifications for the modernization of the complex, indicating specific requirements for the characteristics of the equipment, which ensured the victory in the tenders of this particular company. "In addition, it turned out that the cost of services indicated in the company's commercial proposals was significantly overstated," the office said. In order to ensure the appearance of legality of the bidding, the individuals involved another private firm, but its tender offer was recognized as less commercially attractive. Among the suspects: the former state secretary of the Ministry of Justice; the head and deputy head of departments of the Ministry of Justice; the beneficial owner and two heads of private companies. Today, the actions of the suspects have been qualified under Part 5 of Article 191 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The head of the department of the Ministry of Justice of Ukraine has additionally been charged with committing a crime under Part 1 of Article 263 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The investigation is ongoing. The crime was uncovered by NABU detectives together with the SBU under the procedural guidance of SAPO prosecutors. As a source in law enforcement agencies told Interfax-Ukraine, this is former State Secretary of the Ministry of Justice Olena Bohachova. It is known that Bohachova also headed the tender committee of the Ministry of Justice. In 2023, she was dismissed after one of the tenders and publications in the media. 'We'll Speak When It Makes Sense': Canadian PM Shrugs Off Trump's 35% Tariff Hike Curated By : News18.com Last Updated: August 06, 2025, 19:43 IST Carney noted that, despite the recent tariff increase on some products, Canada still faces one of the lowest average US tariff rates of any country Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney talks with President Donald Trump before a group photo at the G7 Summit. (AP file photo) Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney on Wednesday expressed disappointment over US President Donald Trumps decision to raise tariffs on certain Canadian goods from 25% to 35%. Speaking in British Columbia, Carney said, Well speak when it makes sense," while expressing hope that negotiators could still work towards a comprehensive bilateral trade deal. Recommended Stories At the press conference, Carney highlighted that more than 85% of trade between the United States and Canada remains tariff-free, showing the strength of the trading relationship between the two countries. Carney also noted that, despite the recent tariff increase on some products, Canada still faces one of the lowest average US tariff rates of any country. He praised the US-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), which Trump signed and supported during his first term, for protecting exemptions on goods that comply with its rules. Trump had defended the latest tariff increase by blaming Canada for not doing enough to stop fentanyl crossing the border into the United States, where it has worsened the opioid crisis. Carney called fentanyl coming from Canada a rounding error" compared to other sources. US data shows that less than 0.1% of fentanyl seizures between 2022 and 2024 happened at the northern border. Carneys comments came as he announced new support for Canadas softwood lumber industry, which has been affected by trade tensions with the US. Statistics Canada reported that Canadian exports to the US dropped by 12.5% in June compared to the same month last year. Canadian PM also acknowledged the impact of US protectionist policies on major Canadian industries such as autos, steel, and aluminium. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all He added, While well continue to work with the United States on the many mutually beneficial opportunities that we shareit is clear that we cannot count, or fully rely, on what has been our most valued trading relationship." (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 : Canada First Published: August 06, 2025, 19:42 IST News world 'We'll Speak When It Makes Sense': Canadian PM Shrugs Off Trump's 35% Tariff Hike 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 Loading comments... Who Is Quornelius Radford? Suspect Behind Fort Stewart Shooting In Georgia Arrested Curated By : Trending Desk Last Updated: August 07, 2025, 02:45 IST Military officials have so far found no reports of behavioural red flags prior to the incident. The shooting took place around 10:56 am local time on Wednesday (Reuters Image) The suspect who opened fire at a US Army base in Georgia has been arrested, according to the Associated Press. He has been identified as 28-year-old Quornelius Samentrio Radford, an acting army sergeant. Initial reports from Georgia indicate that Radford used a personal handgun, not a military-issued firearm. However, the motive behind the shooting remains unclear at this time. Recommended Stories Radford serves as an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. According to NBC, he has no known combat history. It has also emerged that Radford was arrested in May for driving under the influence (DUI). However, Brigadier General John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, confirmed during a press briefing on Wednesday that Radfords chain of command was unaware of the DUI arrest until after the shooting. I do believe he was arrested locally for a DUI. That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases," Lubas said. Military officials have so far found no reports of behavioural red flags prior to the incident. Its early in the investigation, but not that Im currently aware of," Lubas added. He also confirmed that Radford has been stationed at Fort Stewart since 2022, with no prior combat deployments or disciplinary history in the Army. top videos View all Swipe Left For Next Video View all The shooting took place around 10:56 am local time on Wednesday at Fort Stewart, near Hinesville. Radford opened fire near the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (2ABCT) area, wounding five fellow soldiers. Following the attack, the base was placed on lockdown at approximately 11:04 am. Radford was apprehended by 11:35 am, and the lockdown was lifted within an hour. The wounded soldiers are reported to be out of danger. Some were treated at the scene before being transferred to Winn Army Community Hospital, according to a Facebook post from base officials. Others were taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, spokesperson Bryna Gordon said. Location : New York, United States of America (USA) First Published: August 07, 2025, 02:45 IST News world Who Is Quornelius Radford? Suspect Behind Fort Stewart Shooting In Georgia Arrested 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 Loading comments... Transitional justice is a key mechanism for overcoming the consequences of the Russian aggression and a duty to the victims and the entire society that is waiting for justice, Prosecutor General Ruslan Kravchenko said. "Today I had a meaningful conversation with Ambassador Rolf Holmboe, Head of the European Union Advisory Mission on Civilian Security Sector Reform in Ukraine. Full mutual understanding and a common vision of the future in all key areas," the prosecutor general said in a Telegram channel on Wednesday. He said he had informed Ambassador Holmboe about the rule of law roadmap. "The Prosecutor General's Office is involved in the implementation of over 100 measures within the Roadmap. Almost 40 of them are our direct responsibility. This includes strengthening institutions, protecting human rights, and strengthening the capacity of law enforcement agencies," Kravchenko said. According to the prosecutor general, the issue of reforming the security sector was discussed. "A special emphasis is placed on transitional justice as a key mechanism for overcoming the consequences of the Russian aggression. This is our duty to those who suffered and to the entire society that is waiting for justice," he said. In addition, Kravchenko outlined the issue of digitalization of the criminal process. "We are moving towards full-fledged electronic criminal proceedings from the beginning to the trial. The SMEREKA pilot project, which is being implemented jointly with partners, including EUAM, has already proven its effectiveness," the prosecutor general said. According to him, after finalization, this system will be scaled to the entire law enforcement system. "This is a new quality of justice: transparent, fast, convenient for each participant in the process," the prosecutor general said. He also said he spoke with Ambassador Holmboe about the challenges facing the prosecution authorities, in particular, low salaries, more than 1,000 vacant positions and long-term competitions. Expressing gratitude to the ambassador and the entire EUAM team, Kravchenko said: "The PGO will fulfill all international obligations in full." Florida's ongoing battle with invasive Burmese pythons has gone high tech, with wildlife teams now deploying robotic rabbits to help find and capture the elusive snakes. The solar-powered, remote-controlled decoys look and smell like marsh rabbitsfavored python preyand even emit heat signatures to lure the snakes out of hiding, per ABC News . Outfitted with cameras, the devices alert authorities to python activity, prompting wranglers to respond and remove the predators. The effort is funded by the South Florida Water Management District as part of its broader Python Elimination Program. University of Florida researchers, with support from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, designed and built the robot rabbits, replacing the stuffing in 40 toy bunnies with electronics protected against Florida's wet climate. "Working in the Everglades for 10 years, you get tired of documenting the problem," University of Florida wildlife ecology professor Robert McCleery tells the Palm Beach Post, via the Independent. "You want to address it." Burmese pythons, once imported for the pet trade, now reside across more than 1,000 square miles in South Florida, with detection rates stubbornly lowonly about 1% to 3% in surveyed areas. The snakes have been linked to steep declines in native mammals and birds since the first established breeding populations emerged in 2000, and they've even been found swallowing deer and alligators whole. story continues below The team's novel approach follows a string of creative python-hunting strategies in recent years: detector dogs, live rabbits in cages, and tracking devices on prey animals and male snakes. Experts caution that eradication of the Burmese python is unlikely, but hope remains that technology like the robotic rabbits will help reduce python numbers. "Every python that is removed and eliminated is making a difference to protect the Everglades and South Florida's diverse and native wildlife," the SFWMD notes in a statement. In a major shakeup for Puerto Rico's financial recovery, President Trump has abruptly removed five members of the island's powerful fiscal oversight board, leaving the future of the territory's debt crisis uncertain. Just three members of Puerto Rico's Financial Oversight Management Board, the federally appointed body in charge of guiding the territory's troubled finances, now remain, CBS News reports. According to the White House, the firings were prompted by concerns that the board had been "run inefficiently and ineffectively for far too long," and that new leadership is needed. Those let go include the board's chairman, Arthur J. Gonzalez, as well as Cameron McKenzie, Juan A. Sabater, Luis A. Ubinas, and Betty A. Rosa. Four were originally picked by Democratic presidents, while Rosa was first chosen by Trump and later reappointed by President Biden. Only two board members remain, along with a non-voting participant selected by Puerto Rico's governor. Despite the upheaval, the board has stated it will continue fulfilling its mandate under PROMESA, even as the White House has not yet named replacements for the ousted members. The oversight board was established in 2016 under the Obama administration, via the PROMESA law, to help Puerto Rico address its government-debt crisis and support vital infrastructure. The territory, which has been mired in fiscal distress for years and filed for municipal bankruptcy in 2015, still faces unresolved issuesnotably, a bitter fight over how much the Electric Power Authority owes to bondholders. That more than $9 billion debt is all that remains of the government debt, but restructuring it has been a struggle, the AP reports. Congressional Democrats recently criticized both the board's performance and what they say is undue pressure from creditors, while Puerto Rico's Republican governor has called for the board's immediate departure. Legendary filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola is recovering in a Rome hospital after undergoing a scheduled heart procedure, just days after finishing a US tour for his latest film. The acclaimed 86-year-old director behind the Godfather trilogy was treated by Dr. Andrea Natale, a cardiologist who has managed Coppola's care for more than three decades, a source told the Hollywood Reporter . The source indicated Coppola is now resting and doing well. Coppola's rep later confirmed the filmmaker underwent a "non-emergency" procedure, denying previous rumors that he was experiencing cardiac arrhythmia, the Guardian reports. Later still, Coppola himself issued a statement assuring fans he was "fine" and had simply taken the opportunity "to do the update of my 30-year-old afib procedure with its inventor, a great Italian doctor." Per the American Heart Association, "afib" is a reference to atrial fibrillation, a treatment to reset the rhythm of the heart using either electrical shocks or medication. Coppola's hospitalization came just days after he completed a six-city US promotional tour for his self-financed film Megalopolis, which included screenings and Q&A sessions. His last appearance was at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, where he shared reflections on life and loss, referencing the recent death of his wife, Eleanor. "My attitude for death is that I always lived my life so that when I was at the moment approaching death, I wouldn't say, 'Oh, I wish I had done this and I wish I had done that.' Instead, I say to myself, 'I got to do this,'" Coppola told the crowd. It's unclear when Coppola returned to Italy, but prior to his hospitalization, he was in Calabria scouting locations for a new project. While details about the film remain under wraps, Coppola stated it would highlight Calabria's beauty and explicitly distance itself from mafia narratives, saying, "That doesn't interest me. My film instead will focus solely on the beautiful things about this region." The infamous teenage employee of the Department of Government Efficiency, a key lieutenant of Elon Musk when the billionaire was involved with DOGE, was assaulted in the nation's capital this week, according to President Trump and authorities. Trump on Tuesday posted a photograph of 19-year-old Edward Coristine bloodied and shirtless on a Washington, DC, street, claiming his injuries had been caused during an attempted carjacking, the New York Times reports. (Trump did not specifically name Coristine in his post.) Coristine, a software engineer known online as "Big Balls," was surrounded by 10 young people and attacked in the wee hours of Sunday, according to a police report. Police reportedly interrupted the alleged carjacking attempt. "If D.C. doesn't get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City," Trump said in his post, in which he claimed young people in the city have no fear of legal consequences because they know "that they will be almost immediately released," NBC News reports. "The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these 'minors' as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14," he continued. Authorities say two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the incident and more suspects are being sought. "It is time to federalize D.C.," wrote Musk in his own post referencing the incident. China is taking drastic measures after being hit with its largest-ever outbreak of chikungunya, a mosquito-borne virus known for causing fever and severe joint pain. The majority of the roughly 8,000 infections reported in the last month are in Foshan, a city of 10 million in Guangdong province, just north of Hong Kong. Chikungunya rarely kills, but the symptoms can linger for months, and older adults, infants, and those with health issues can have a particularly tough time. As the New York Times reports, officials are responding with a blend of old-school mobilization and high-tech tactics. Soldiers in masks are dousing streets and parks with insecticide; residents are sprayed with mosquito repellent before entering city buildings; and drones scout out mosquito breeding grounds. On the biological front, researchers have released "elephant mosquitoes" (which prey on their smaller, virus-carrying cousins) and thousands of mosquito-eating fish into local ponds. Homes are being inspected for standing water, with all residents instructed to spend three minutes each morning looking for itchecking "plant holders, tea trays, unfinished drinks, and roof awnings for water," per the Times. Fines of up to $1,400 are being issued to those who don't comply. In a few cases, power has been cut to households seen as obstructing prevention efforts. The effort may be working: The AP reports authorities say the new-cases count seems to be slowly declining. story continues below The US CDC on Friday issued a Level 2 travel advisory for the region and recommended vaccinations; the US has two such vaccines available, while China has none. The Washington Post reports the CDC also flagged outbreaks in Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia, and Sri Lanka. "One of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face" was successfully completed on Wednesday. The Guardian reports three research staff were evacuated from Antarctica's remote McMurdo Station by a New Zealand air force crew during a time of year when flights to the continent only happen when absolutely necessary, due to volatile weather, 24-hour darkness, and the need to land on ice. The mission was requested by the US National Science Foundation, with one of the evacuees needing urgent medical attention and the others requiring less urgent attention. The evacuation involved a C-130J Hercules aircraft, which departed New Zealand on Tuesday afternoon and completed the round trip in 19.5 hours. Radio New Zealand reports the US Antarctic Program winter team had to physically create the runway before the plane could leave Christchurch. Air Commodore Andy Scott of the New Zealand air force noted that flying under these conditionsit was -11 degrees Fahrenheit at the stationis especially difficult, requiring night vision goggles and constant adjustment to fast-changing weather. Once the plane crosses a certain point, there are no alternate airfields to land at, enhancing the risk. Melissa Sweeney, the US charge d'affaires in New Zealand, spoke of what she called "one of the most technically demanding operations": "Our Kiwi partners didn't hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class." The RNZAF "brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night," per the embassy. The Independent notes RNZAF conducted similar rescues in 2021 and 2024. Microsoft's cloud technology is helping to facilitate an unprecedented Israeli surveillance system, according to a joint investigation by the Guardian , +972 Magazine, and Local Call. They report that in late 2021, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella met with the head of Israel's Unit 8200, the country's elite military intelligence arm, to discuss giving the unit access "to a customized and segregated area within Microsoft's Azure cloud platform." Per the report, Nadella wasn't told what the storage would be used forretaining and analyzing millions of phone calls from Palestinians each day, something the military's own servers couldn't handle from a storage or computing perspective. While Israel has long monitored Palestinian communications, the reach of the systemoperational since 2022 and thought to involve data centers in the Netherlands and Irelandis far broader and "captur[es] the conversations of a much larger pool of ordinary civilians," per the Guardian. Insiders say this vast trove of data has helped inform airstrikes in Gaza, though it was allegedly originally developed with an eye toward the West Bank. "When they need to arrest someone and there isn't a good enough reason to do so, that's where they find the excuse," one source said, referring to the information stored in Azure. Microsoft maintains that it's unaware of exactly what data Unit 8200 planned to store, claiming its work with the unit focused on bolstering Israel's cybersecurity. "At no time during this engagement has Microsoft been aware of the surveillance of civilians or collection of their cellphone conversations using Microsoft's services," a rep for the company said. (Read the full article here.) U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday went well, a White House official said, adding that Washington still planned to proceed with secondary sanctions on Friday, a White House spokesman said on Wednesday, Reuters reports. "The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday," the White House official said. Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the 3-1/2-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow if no moves are made to end the war in Ukraine. Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharma heavyweight behind Ozempic, is feeling the squeeze as its once-booming diabetes drug sales slow. The company's GLP-1 injectables, key players in the diabetes and weight loss boom, saw their sales growth plummet to 8% in the first half of this yeardown from 21% last year, reports the Guardian . Obesity drugs like Wegovy fared better, with sales up 56%, but overall, the company's shine has dulled, reflected in a nearly $100 billion wipeout from its market value after it slashed its 2025 sales forecast. The slowdown comes as Eli Lilly's Mounjaro, a rival GLP-1 drug hailed for its greater effectiveness, eats into Novo's market share. Generic competition, the threat of tariffs under the Trump administration, and "compounding"the practice of pharmacies mixing up drugs themselveshave added to the headache for Novo Nordisk, even as US regulators try to clamp down on the latter. The AP noted last month that prices for these type of drugs have been falling overall, though access continues to be a challenge. The company's outgoing CEO, Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen, who's handing the reins to Mike Doustdar, says the company is tightening costs and sharpening its commercial focus. It's also dropping several experimental weight-loss drugs, including one that just cleared midstage trials, as it retools its portfolio. Jorgensen also says that slimming its workforce is also on the table. story continues below "We probably won't be able to avoid layoffs," he told Danish broadcaster DR, per Reuters. "When you have to adjust a company, there are some areas where you have to have fewer people, some [areas] where you have to be smaller." Looking ahead, Novo Nordisk expects 2025 sales growth of 8% to 14%, a noticeable drop from earlier forecasts. Investors aren't thrilled, and a US class-action suit accuses the company of painting too rosy a sales picture. A 15-year-old carriage horse named Lady collapsed and died Tuesday afternoon near 11th Avenue and West 51st Street in Manhattan, less than two months after starting work in New York City. Police responding to a 911 call found Lady unresponsive; she was pronounced dead after being transported to a stable in Hell's Kitchen, reports the New York Times . While authorities say there's no evidence of criminality, the city's health department is investigating and plans to conduct a necropsy to try to determine the cause of death. Lady's sudden death has reignited the debate over horse-drawn carriages in New York, a long-standing source of controversy. Animal rights activists, including NYCLASS executive director Edita Birnkrant, blame city officials and the carriage drivers union for enabling what they call systemic animal abuse. Birnkrant has renewed calls for the passage of Ryder's Law, a bill that would ban horse-drawn carriages by mid-2026. The measure is named after a horse that collapsed in 2022; a recent animal cruelty trial related to that incident ended in acquittal. City officials have expressed concern and described Lady's death as "tragic." A spokesperson for Mayor Eric Adams promised a thorough review, while City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams' office emphasized that the proposed ban is still working its way through the legislative process. story continues below Christina Hansen, a carriage driver and industry spokesperson, says Lady had passed a physical before starting work in June and had just given two rides before collapsing. Hansen notes that 15 isn't especially old for a horse and maintains that horses "sometimes just die," arguing there's no evidence that carriage work played a role. She believes Lady likely died of a stroke, heart attack, or aneurysm, per NBC New York. Uber, long touting itself as a safe way to get around, dealt with a sexual assault or misconduct report in the US about every eight minutes from 2017 to 2022, the New York Times reports based on newly unsealed court records related to large-scale litigation against the company. That's a far higher frequency than the ride-hailing giant has ever disclosed to the public. While Uber's public messaging spotlights how rare incidents are, documents and interviews reveal the company has long been aware of the scope of the problem. Inside Uber, safety teams developed toolsranging from algorithmic risk assessments to pilot programs letting women pair with women drivers and debated the use of in-car cameras. Yet, many of these measures were delayed, left optional, or quietly shelved, often due to protecting its finances and because of risk to Uber's core business model, which relies on classifying drivers as independent contractors, the Times reports. This strategy, while cost-saving, limits oversight. The records show that between 2017 and 2022, Uber logged more than 400,000 reports of sexual assault or misconductwell beyond the 12,500 or so serious sexual assaults the company admits to in its curated safety reports. Uber's head of safety states that 75% of the cases are "less serious," including unwanted comments or flirting. But internally, employees have acknowledged sexual assault likely goes underreported. They also note attacks tend to follow patterns: often occurring late at night, involving intoxicated passengers, and usually perpetrated by men with low ratings or previous complaints. Uber reported it has rolled out features like GPS tracking, in-app emergency buttons, and optional audio or video recording, but it has stopped short of making many tools mandatory due to cost, legal complexity, and concerns over privacy and discrimination lawsuits. Still, the company says data from 2023 onward will show "critical sexual assaults" at their lowest level in years. President Trump is set to unveil a fresh $100 billion commitment from Apple to bolster US manufacturing, a move expected to bring more of the tech giant's supply chain stateside. The announcement, which is scheduled to be made at a White House event Wednesday attended by Apple CEO Tim Cook, aims to ramp up domestic assembly of key components as Apple navigates ongoing tariff pressures, Bloomberg reports. The new pledge builds on Apple's earlier plan to spend $500 billion in the US over four years, funding projects like a server plant in Houston and a supplier academy in Michigan. The White House told CNN the move was "another win for our manufacturing industry that will simultaneously help reshore the production of critical components to protect America's economic and national security." The initiative arrives as the Trump administration increases tariffs on Indian goods, partly in response to India's purchases of Russian oil. Apple's growing reliance on India for iPhone assembly has drawn scrutiny, though analysts believe the company will prioritize advanced products and semiconductor work in the US, rather than shifting mass production of lower-end models. The push for domestic manufacturing comes as Trump has threatened further tariffs on Apple if more production isn't brought home. Apple has said last quarter's tariffs already cost it $800 million, with another $1.1 billion anticipated if trade policies remain unchanged. A Texas man's hunting trip in South Africa ended in his own deathby a Cape buffalo he was pursuing. Asher Watkins, 52, was killed by the 1.3-ton buffalo in Limpopo province on Sunday during an expedition organized by Coenraad Vermaak Safaris. The safari company said Watkins and his teamincluding a professional hunter and a trackerwere following the animal when it suddenly charged at 35mph in what it described as an "unprovoked attack by an unwounded buffalo." Watkins' brother, mother, and stepfather were at the safari lodge at the time, per the Guardian . Watkins' ex-wife confirmed his passing on social media, noting the difficulty of processing the loss, especially for the couple's teenage daughter. CV Safaris said it was "a devastating incident" and pledged support for Watkins' family, per People. A warning on the safari company's website highlights the risks of tracking Cape buffalo, known for their aggressive behavior and reputation as one of Africa's most dangerous animals. According to the site, these animals, the largest of the African buffalo subspecies, are responsible for numerous deaths and injuries among hunters each year. Watkins was a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group, which described him as an expert in the "purchase and sale of Ranch and Land properties across Texas and Oklahoma," per People. The millionaire hunter, who often shared his kills on Facebook, reportedly shelled out nearly $10,000 for the trip, the outlet notes. A World War II bomb unearthed during cleanup at Dresden's collapsed Carola Bridge prompted the evacuation of about 17,000 residents from the German city's Old Town on Wednesday. Authorities cleared the areaincluding the Frauenkirche, a landmark church meticulously reconstructed after wartime destruction, and several hotelswhile bomb-disposal experts moved in, CBS News reports. The device, a 550-pound British-made bomb, was discovered as workers prepared the bridge for demolition following its partial collapse in September 2024. "It is equipped with a detonator and must be defused on site," authorities said. "An evacuation area with a radius of approximately 1,000 meters around the bomb site is planned." Even eight decades after the war, Germany continues to grapple with leftover munitions. The discoveries are common, particularly during construction projects. Earlier this year, Cologne saw its largest evacuation since World War II when three American bombstwo weighing 20 tons and one 10 tonswere uncovered, requiring more than 20,000 people to vacate the area. Dresden avoided Allied bombing attacks until the final months of the war, Deutsche Welle reports. Four massive raids in February 1945 killed up to 25,000 people and destroyed much of the city center. story continues below The Carola Bridge, now slated for demolition by October, is just the latest site to join a long list of postwar cleanups. Unexploded bombs have surfaced elsewhere in Europe this year, including near Paris' Gare du Nord train station. President Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday made his fifth trip to Russia's capital, where he met with Vladimir Putin ahead of Trump's shortened ceasefire deadline. The White House has said Russia must reach a peace deal with Ukraine by Friday or potentially face severe economic consequences that could extend to countries buying its oilchief among them India and China, reports the Wall Street Journal. The pain came to India earlier than Friday, with Trump signing an executive order shortly after the Witkoff-Putin meeting that raised the tariff imposed on India to 50%. In a post on Truth Social, Trump, who has been increasingly critical of Putin in recent months, said the meeting was "highly productive" and "great progress" was made. "Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies," he wrote. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come." Part of the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi was locked down after reports of an active shooter Wednesday morning. Authorities at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia said five soldiers were shot and the shooter was apprehended about half an hour after the lockdown began, 11Alive reports. In a Facebook post, Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield said the incident happened in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. "Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at 10:56am," the base said. "The shooter was apprehended at 11:35am." Democrats who fled Texas to thwart the redrawing of a congressional map said they were "undeterred" Wednesday after a bomb threat at the Illinois hotel where some of them are staying. The St. Charles Police Department said that around 400 people were evacuated from the hotel after the threat Wednesday morning but that bomb squad units didn't find any devices, the Hill reports. The threat followed Pritzker's Tuesday night appearance on the Late Show, where he vowed that the Texas Democrats would be "safe" as long as they were in Illinois, despite threats of arrest or removal from Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican leaders. Pritzker told Stephen Colbert that with the effort to give Republicans five more US House seats, Texas Republicans are "taking rights away from Black and brown people" and "literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act." The Chicago Tribune reports that the Democratic governor "used humor to deflect questions about Illinois' own heavily gerrymandered congressional map," joking that, with one oddly shaped district, his party "handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide." With a 5.1% gain, Apple alone accounted for more than a third of the S&P 500's gain ahead of an announcement at the White House where it's expected to increase its US investments by an additional $100 billion over the next four years, the AP reports. Trading elsewhere on Wall Street was mixed following a jumble of profit reports. McDonald's climbed 3% after reporting stronger profit and revenue for the spring than analysts expected. A meal tied to the Minecraft movie proved to be a hit for the restaurant chain. Shopify jumped 21.5% after the company, which helps businesses sell on the internet, said it made more in revenue last quarter than expected. Analysts also said the company's forecast for revenue in the current quarter suggests the strong trends are continuing. Arista Networks was one of the stronger forces lifting the S&P 500 and leaped 17.4% after the networking company delivered a bigger profit for the latest quarter than expected. Its forecast for revenue in the current quarter also topped forecasts. They helped offset a 18.3% slump for Super Micro Computer, which gave back some of the huge gains the server maker has made recently. Super Micro came into the day with a nearly 88% gain for its stock so far this year, but it reported weaker profit and revenue for the latest quarter than analysts expected. It also gave a forecast for profit in the current quarter that fell short of what Wall Street had penciled in. Disney dropped 2.7% after its profit beat forecasts but its revenue fell short. Analysts said investors may have been looking for Disney to boost its profit forecast by a bigger amount. Chip company Advanced Micro Devices fell 6.4% after its profit for the latest quarter only matched analysts' expectations. Three civilians injured due to enemy shelling in Kharkiv region Three people were injured in enemy attacks in Kharkiv region on Wednesday. In particular, law enforcement officers recorded the consequences of the shelling of Kupyansk and Borova (Kharkiv region), which the Russian Armed Forces carried out on Wednesday. "Pretrial investigations have been launched into the facts of war crimes (Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine)," the press service of Kharkiv regional prosecutor's office reports. At approximately 10:30, the Russian armed forces shelled Kupyansk. Two men (45 and 55 years old) were injured. In the afternoon, an enemy attack drone, according to preliminary data, Molniya, attacked Borova. An 86-year-old woman was injured. A house and a car were damaged. Fairbanks, AK (99701) Today Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High near 65F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.. Tonight Partly cloudy this evening, then becoming cloudy after midnight. Low 52F. Winds light and variable. TOKYO, Aug 06 (News On Japan) - Japans government plan to flood the market with stockpiled rice to lower prices is facing setbacks, as demand slumps and cancellations from retailers increase. Initially popular, the rice is now piling up on shelves, prompting calls to extend the end-of-August sales deadline. Even discounted imported rice is struggling to sell. Meanwhile, rice prices have unexpectedly risen for the first time in 10 weeks. Initially launched as part of a campaign to flood the market and drive down prices, the plan is now prompting calls from retailers to extend the looming sales deadline. Panasonic has just unveiled a new rice cooker designed to cook even aged rice deliciouslyan apparent nod to the current oversupply. But despite early enthusiasm, demand for the government-released stockpile rice has sharply declined. At one point, long lines formed before stores opened. Now, shelves are visibly stacked with unsold bags, and purchase limits have been lifted. "The initial sales were overwhelming, but that was the peak," said Junko Matsui, head of Super Maruyasu. "We expect to sell out by late August, but its going to be close." The same slowdown is affecting imported rice. Aeon began selling U.S.-grown Calrose rice in June, and starting today, the price has been slashed by 700 yen to 1,980 yen (excluding tax) in a bid to stimulate demand. Despite the market being saturated with ricefrom both stockpiles and importsprices are not falling as expected. On the contrary, the average price for a 5-kilogram bag of rice at supermarkets rose 40 yen from the previous week to 3,625 yen, marking the first increase in 10 weeks. Some consumers remain hesitant to buy the older rice, with one shopper in her 30s saying, "My family is concerned because its aged rice, and the taste is different. Since we have kids, weve gone back to regular branded rice." Agriculture Minister Koizumi revealed that about 29,000 tons, roughly 10% of the 300,000 tons of stockpile rice allocated to supermarkets and food services, have been canceled. Delays in distribution and processing facilities are believed to be behind the cancellations. The government-set sales deadline is the end of this month, but many businesses are calling for it to be extended. "Extending the sales period may affect the pricing of newly harvested rice," said Koizumi. "Well monitor the situation closely and consider countermeasures as needed." Source: TBS OSAKA, Aug 06 (News On Japan) - A centuries-old temple in Osaka has become a hotspot for trespassing and online ghost-hunting rumors, following the absence of its head priest and the fallout from a criminal case involving its former leader. Located in Abeno Ward, Shoenji is a temple with deep historical roots tracing back to the Heian period. Once cherished by locals and even linked to *Tsurezuregusa* author Yoshida Kenko, the site is now overrun with weeds and mystery. Since the end of last year, the temple has been without a head priest, and the grounds have fallen into disrepair. Adding to the turmoil, a partially constructed building on the property has been dubbed a "ghost spot" on social media, drawing waves of thrill-seeking minors and resulting in a surge of illegal entries. Police have stepped up patrols, but the problem continues to escalate. The origin of the situation dates back two years, when then-head priest Tsujimi was arrested and sentenced to two years and six months in prison by the Osaka High Court. At the center of the scandal was the large unfinished structure on temple grounds, which Tsujimi had planned to turn into a special elderly care facility to save the temples struggling finances. However, false filings to Osaka City halted construction, and the project was left abandoned. With the temple effectively leaderless and unmanaged, the site has deteriorated, giving rise to rumors and ghost stories that have spread rapidly online. The derelict building, particularly at night, emits an eerie presence that has captured the imagination of curious youths. Reporters witnessed several teenagers trespassing into the grounds, crossing ropes and lingering around the structure before slipping inside. At one point, lights were seen moving on the second floor, despite the building being off-limits and unsafe. Police confirmed that since May, they have apprehended 13 minors for trespassing. An inspection of the interiorconducted with permission from the current caretakerrevealed extensive vandalism: graffiti sprayed across walls, shattered windows, and signs of overnight stays, including sleeping bags and bottles of water. The building, four stories tall, has dangerously exposed areas and open shafts plunging to the first floor, posing serious risks to intruders. "Even though patrols are frequent, it's a crime to enter," said the caretaker. "It's also property damage. I just want them to stop." Experts note that Shoenjis plight reflects a broader trend: more temples across Japan are being left unattended as successors become harder to find. These so-called "vacant temples" are increasingly targeted not only for illegal exploration but also for theft of Buddhist items and other valuables. One long-time parishioner expressed deep sadness over the temples decline. "At first, I was angry. But with incidents happening almost daily, now it's just resignation. Its heartbreaking." With its reputation as a haunted location spreading and trust among parishioners eroding, the path to restoring Shoenji remains uncertain. Source: KTV NEWS YOKOHAMA, Aug 06 (News On Japan) - Authorities have launched a full investigation into the fire that broke out during the Minato Mirai fireworks festival in Yokohama, where five workers had to be rescue from an exploding barge. The fire occurred on August 4th on a barge used to launch fireworks in the Minato Mirai waterfront area. Five workers on board were rescued after the vessel caught fire. With the safety of the burned-out barge confirmed, the Yokohama Coast Guard and Kanagawa Prefectural Police began a full-scale investigation around 10:30 a.m. on August 6th. It has been revealed that attempts by the workers to stop the fireworks using the control system immediately after the fire broke out were unsuccessful. Investigators are now looking into whether a malfunction in the launch control system may have contributed to the fire. Source: TBS Russian occupiers shelled Nikopol, Dnipropetrovsk region, on Wednesday, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration Serhiy Lysak said. "Two men and a woman died in Nikopol due to shelling," Lysak said on the Telegram channel. In addition, four more people were injured as a result of the shelling. As a result of the strike, a car was destroyed, the consequences are being clarified. "Back-to-school shouldn't be a source of anxiety for parents or students," says Gina Haggett, Divisional Secretary for Public Relations, The Salvation Army BC Division. "We're seeing communities come together in remarkable ways to ensure every child starts their year with confidence." In Vancouver , Boundless Vancouver's Back-to-School Program created a welcoming community experience by combining practical support with celebration. The event served more than 120 local families with fully stocked backpacks and essential school supplies, while children enjoyed game stations and activities, transforming what could be stressful preparation into a joyful community gathering. , Boundless Vancouver's Back-to-School Program created a welcoming community experience by combining practical support with celebration. The event served more than 120 local families with fully stocked backpacks and essential school supplies, while children enjoyed game stations and activities, transforming what could be stressful preparation into a joyful community gathering. Meanwhile, The Salvation Army Alberni Valley's Back-to-School program assembles and distributes backpacks filled with school supplies, reaching families through their Community and Family Services programs and soup kitchen. The community can participate by donating supplies directly, making financial contributions at their thrift store, or volunteering to pack backpacks. Each donation at their thrift store is recognized with a backpack picture on their wall, with distribution beginning in the last week of August to ensure students are ready for their first day of class. The Langley Gateway of Hope has expanded their back-to-school initiative to serve both Langley City and Township communities, with plans to distribute 900 fully stocked backpacks to local students. Their forward-thinking approach includes a volunteer driver program for deliveries and comprehensive support that reaches across both municipalities to ensure no child starts school unprepared. has expanded their back-to-school initiative to serve both City and Township communities, with plans to distribute 900 fully stocked backpacks to local students. Their forward-thinking approach includes a volunteer driver program for deliveries and comprehensive support that reaches across both municipalities to ensure no child starts school unprepared. From the Interior to Northern BC, The Salvation Army is adapting their programs to meet unique local needs, ensuring that geography never stands in the way of support. "The blessing of giving and being part of this program is absolutely wonderful," says Major Michael Ramsay of The Salvation Army Alberni Valley. "When children come in with their parents or grandparents to make donations for other children's school supplies, it opens the door for a brighter future. We're creating a community where everyone can participate in making a difference, regardless of their circumstances." To join your local community in making a difference in a child's back-to-school journey, visit salvationarmy.ca/britishcolumbia About The Salvation Army: The Salvation Army is an international Christian organization that began its work in Canada in 1882 and has grown to become the largest non-governmental direct provider of social services in the country. The Salvation Army gives hope and support to vulnerable people today and every day in 400 communities across Canada and more than 130 countries around the world. SalvationArmy.ca SOURCE The Salvation Army British Columbia Division For more information, contact: Gina Haggett, [email protected], Cell: (604) 834-2164 TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2025 /CNW/ - Unifor, Canada's forestry union, welcomes the federal government's new measures to support Canada's softwood lumber industry, including an emphasis on income supports for workers, product and market diversification, and a commitment to using Canadian lumber and wood products more effectively. "Canada's forestry workers are world-class and form the backbone of a vibrant and sustainable forestry industry," said Unifor National President Lana Payne. "Today's announcement is the start of a plan to support a sector that has been slammed hard by U.S. economic trade decisions. Our union will continue to fight for forestry workers and a strong future for this critical industry." Unifor has been actively calling on the federal government to shore up aid for workers impacted by unfair tariffs with direct income supports and training opportunities. The union has also called for regulations to enhance the industry's role in homebuilding to help strengthen the domestic market for forest products and to help address the housing crisis. While the government's announcement refers to an "industrial strategy", Unifor cautions that, for that to be true, it would have to be considerably more comprehensive and have a structural and ongoing role for workers. "Rejuvenating the forestry industry in every region is an ongoing dialogue that must include workers, our communities, and First Nations," said Unifor Quebec Director Daniel Cloutier. "Our industry is dynamic and innovative. Workers are eager to play an active role in the next phase of our proud history." Unifor is Canada's largest union in the private sector, representing 320,000 workers in every major area of the economy. The union advocates for all working people and their rights, fights for equality and social justice in Canada and abroad, and strives to create progressive change for a better future. SOURCE Unifor For media inquiries please contact Unifor Communications Representative Ian Boyko at [email protected] or 778-903-6549 (cell). Sonny White updates his work on using nanoscale fabrication to harness the Casimir effect. He has a company, Casimir space, working to commercialize it. The Casimir force in quantum mechanics has empty space (the quantum vacuum) is filled with fluctuating fields, virtual particles, and energy wavelengths. When two metal plates are placed very close (e.g., 100 nanometers apart) in a vacuum, wavelengths larger than the gap are excluded between them, creating a negative pressure that pushes the plates together. This was theorized by Hendrik Casimir in 1948 and experimentally confirmed in 1996-1997. White is making static nanostructures on silicon chips using standard semiconductor techniques. The cavity walls are fixed to the substrate and electrically connected, with antenna-like pillars in the gaps center (which are also fixed). The quantum field interacts asymmetrically: it stimulates electrons in the walls to quantum tunnel to the pillars, but the pillars protected environment (like a calm lagoon amid ocean waves) reduces the return tunneling probability. This creates a preferential electron flow, generating continuous power when connected to a load (this is like a resistor or LED). Prototype Chips are generating power and they are targeting 5mm x 5mm produce 1.5 volts and 25 microamps (picowatt to nanowatt range). This is demonstrated via capacitive discharges and steady-state currents in shielded enclosures. White draws parallels to solar panels (real photons vs. virtual photons from the vacuum). They plan to make multilayer chips (which is already done for high bandwidth memory with 16 layers and soon 24 layers) and die stacking. This should increase power 100-150x while keeping thickness under 1 millimeter. Using several chips should yield 0.5-5 watts or more. They should mass produce and get economics improving from $500 immortal phone upgrades and then eventually to $50-100 per watt for broader applications. They leave the battery in the phone but have their chips constantly trickle charging. Smartphones can efficiently use about 18 watt hours of battery for 33 hours of operation. A phone that would never need charging would need 1 watt of constant power and some could be made that would last on 0.5 watts of power. White thinks low-power electronics like tire pressure monitors, glucose sensors, key fobs, Apple AirTags, IoT devices, photonic displays, and NFC cards could use his scaled casimir devices. If the economics and scaling could be worked out this could enable trickle-charging EVs (1kW bricks for 24kWh/day), off-grid homes, or remote cabins. White emphasizes economics (dollars per watt) and the exploding low-power market. The discussion shifts to warp drives. White references Miguel Alcubierres 1994 metric, which requires exotic matter (negative energy density) to warp spacetime for faster-than-light travel without violating relativity locally. The Casimir effect provides such negative energy mathematically. Whites team, funded by DARPA for power extraction (not propulsion), accidentally found that their cavity designs (e.g., pillars or sphere-in-ring structures) produce energy density distributions matching Alcubierres requirements. A 2021 paper in the European Physical Journal C proposes building micron-scale metalized structures via 3D printing to test optical effects (e.g., photon path changes), potentially validating warp concepts experimentally. A possible timeline for Casimir Force Energy Chips if they get good funding. They likely need at least a few tens of millions and then partnerships and more funding. Short-Term (2025-2026): Focus on prototype iteration. White mentions 2-week fabrication cycles for testing materials/morphologies. Expect multilayer chips (100x power boost) and steady-state outputs reaching 100-500 microamps. Early commercialization: Partnerships for low-power devices (e.g., IoT sensors, medical implants). Proof-of-concept demos, like powering AirTag-like trackers. Funding via DARPA extensions or VCs; aim for default alive revenue from niche markets (e.g., space/military eternal batteries). Medium-Term (2027-2028): Scaling via die stacking and aggregation. Chips could hit 0.5-2 watts, enabling hybrid systems (e.g., immortal smartphones at $200-300 upcharge). Broader testing: Radiation-hardened versions for space (e.g., ISS integration). Economics drop to $200-300/watt. Publications on warp crossovers, potentially small-scale experiments (e.g., micron structures testing optical shifts). Collaborations with semiconductor giants (e.g., TSMC) for mass production. Longer-Term (2030+): Kilowatt-scale bricks if multilayer yields 1000x gains. Applications expand to EV trickle-charging, off-grid power (e.g., $50-100/watt). If energy density reaches solar panel parity (but always-on), adoption in renewables/climate tech. Warp development: Lab tests of negative energy structures; if successful, DARPA/NASA funding for propulsion prototypes. Challenges: Manufacturing yields (nanoscale precision), thermal management, and regulatory hurdles for infinite energy claims. NOTE: There was some earlier work on casimir force chips. 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West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Puerto Rico US Virgin Islands Armed Forces Americas Armed Forces Pacific Armed Forces Europe Northern Mariana Islands Marshall Islands American Samoa Federated States of Micronesia Guam Palau Alberta, Canada British Columbia, Canada Manitoba, Canada New Brunswick, Canada Newfoundland, Canada Nova Scotia, Canada Northwest Territories, Canada Nunavut, Canada Ontario, Canada Prince Edward Island, Canada Quebec, Canada Saskatchewan, Canada Yukon Territory, Canada Postal Code Intangible cultural heritage breathes new life into traditional villages in Turpan, NW China's Xinjiang People's Daily Online) 14:16, August 06, 2025 Shanshan county in Turpan city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, is home to eight officially recognized traditional villages in China. In recent years, the county has integrated its tourism resources and developed cultural and historical experience zones centered on these villages, turning them into tourist attractions. As a result, Shanshan has seen rapid growth in both its cultural and tourism industries, along with a sharp rise in tourist visits and tourism revenue. Situated east of downtown Turpan, Tuyugou village is one of Shanshan county's officially recognized traditional villages, known for its well-preserved earthen architecture. Photo shows the gate of an earthen house in Tuyugou village, Shanshan county, Turpan city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo/Zhang Weiguo) According to Ji Xiang, head of the urban-rural development service center under the county's housing and urban-rural development bureau, the houses are built using clay or simply processed earth materials and are arranged along the slopes of the mountain and the curves of the river. The village's alleys crisscross in all directions, with each home connected to others while still maintaining its own private space. "There are 73 courtyards and 84 houses that can be usedthose in good condition have already been opened to visitors, while the more fragile ones are awaiting restoration," said Ji. According to Yin Zhixin, director of the housing and urban-rural development bureau of Shanshan county, the county's eight traditional villages are home to a total of 952 well-preserved earthen houses. With walls 40 to 50 centimeters thick, these structures offer natural insulation, staying warm in winter and cool in summer. Lukqun town was once the economic and cultural hub of the Turpan Basin. Today, it is home to seven traditional villages, including Sangeqiao village. After breakfast, local villager Shata'er Simayi heads to a traditional crafts experience center about a kilometer away to prepare for the day's mulberry bark paper making experience sessions for tourists. Mulberry bark paper once largely disappeared from daily life. But with the rise of tourism, this ancient craft has been revived and is now a popular hands-on experience for visitors. Actors and actresses perform at the Muqam heritage center in Lukqun town, Shanshan county, Turpan city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Photo courtesy of the publicity department of the CPC Shanshan county committee) Shata'er Simayi said that a single sheet of A3-sized mulberry bark paper sells for around 30 yuan (about $4.18). At the experience center, some tourists purchased several thousand yuan worth of paper. Thanks to its growing popularity, mulberry bark paper making has become a source of income for local villagers. Once impoverished, Shata'er Simayi has left poverty behind through this traditional craft. The Uygur mulberry bark paper making craft was listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in 2006. At the Muqam heritage center in Lukqun town, Ili Muhmet, head of the center, joins other performers as they prepare to take the stage for a Muqam performance. The Xinjiang Uygur Muqam Arts of China is recognized by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity" and listed as a national intangible cultural heritage in China. Turpan Muqam, a genre of the Xinjiang Uygur Muqam, features lively, upbeat rhythms and rich, diverse content. Its lyrics are often inspired by folk songs and poetry, embodying generations of life experiences and artistic expression. Photo shows Tuyugou village at the foot of the Flaming Mountains in Shanshan county, Turpan city, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (People's Daily/Li Yanan) "Embracing innovation while inheriting Turpan Muqam is what keeps the art form alive," said Ili Muhmet. By combining classic tunes with fresh interpretations, the art of Turpan Muqam has been revitalized with new energy. "We currently have over 40 inheritors at different levels, and performances take place once or twice a week," Ili Muhmet said. Ahmet Yiming, director of the culture and tourism bureau of Shanshan county, said in 2024, Shanshan county welcomed 13.01 million tourist visits, a 24.6 percent increase from the previous year. The total tourist spending reached 6.8 billion yuan, a 28.47 percent rise year on year. (Web editor: Chang Sha, Liang Jun) Steve McCurry (Philadelphia, 1950) is a great photographer, but does have a reputation for, at times, being difficult in interviews. His career took off in 1979, when he photographed the civil war in Afghanistan prior to the invasion of the country by the Soviet Union. Later, he covered numerous conflicts, during which he placed special focus on the human condition, and specifically, faces. To this end, one of his most important books is Portraits (1999). In it is the shot he took of Afghan girl Sharbat Gula in a Pakistan refugee camp, with her enormous and frightened green eyes. That photograph became the symbol of her peoples plight and made a global impact, thanks to it appearing as the cover of a 1985 issue of National Geographic. The recipient of numerous awards and subject of many museum exhibitions, the photography of McCurry stands out for its saturated colors and lyrical imagery, even as it explores the lives of the disadvantaged. A member of the Magnum agency since 1985, McCurry has largely focused on Southeast Asias light and color. However, his reputation was tarnished in 2016 when The New York Times published an article saying he had manipulated some of his images, deleting elements like people and objects that he thought marred photographic composition. At the time, McCurry argued that he was not a photojournalist, but rather, a visual storyteller. At the end of June, McCurry was one of the star guest photographers featured at the 100th anniversary celebration in Wetzlar, Germany of the first compact camera, the Leica I, an event to which EL PAIS was invited. The American photographer participated in panels and gave interviews like the one below though in this case, he ended things abruptly when asked about the controversy of his retouched images. Question. What are you working on at the moment? Answer. I have been doing some workshops in Rome, Im working on a couple of books. Thats about it for now. Q. Were at the centennial celebration of the first Leica compact camera. What makes Leica special for you? A. I like the quality of the lenses, the reliability, the functionality of the camera. Its really that. Q. In your photographs there is beauty, a great aesthetic sense, but on occasion, they portray people who are suffering. Why is that? A. [Ironic laughter] Oh, the subject matter. My God, I think he has me mixed up with somebody else. I dont always focus on human suffering. Not always. Thats an interesting question, but its sort of a trick question. Q. Its a trick question? Why? A. Because in the same sentence, you have the words aesthetic and suffering. You have tried to manipulate me. Let me say this, youre a free man, you got your [recorder] on, you can say whatever you want. So we can continue or not, and you can just write whatever you want. But I think that I object to the manipulation of suggesting that somehow Im trying to beautify human suffering. Its totally legitimate for an artist or a photographer to document the world as it is, and whatever the human emotion is joy, happiness, suffering, sadness. Id stand firmly behind any filmmaker, writer, poet, songwriter that talks about human suffering. That is part of the human story, the human experiment, but this idea that somehow youre beautifying that, that Im using it as some aesthetic tool to glorify Im not sure about that. Q. Its not my opinion. It was just a question. A. You know, they said the same thing about my late friend, Sebastiao Salgado. I dont think we want to turn away from the less fortunate. I think that we need to care for people, children, poor people. We cant ignore them. I mean, to say, youre profiting off them just the contrary, I could have done far better if I had photographed advertising or whatever. I mean, if we dont know the problem, then how can we solve it? 1984 photograph taken by Steve McCurry in the Indian city of Porbandar. Steve McCurry / Magnum Photos / ContactoPhoto Q. From when you began as a photographer up until now, what strikes you as the principal difference in people, in humanity? Are we the same? Worse? A. I dont think there is any difference, really. Human nature is basically the same. The majority of people are kind and nice, and some people arent. Q. And when you see the wars continue, whats happening in Palestine, in Ukraine? A. I have been to Ukraine, Ive seen it for myself. You have one guy who wants to rebuild the Russian empire. I love traveling to Russia, I have friends there! But whats happening in Ukraine makes no sense. It never makes sense to kill innocent people or anybody, for that matter. And then theres the soldiers, who are given instructions. What are they going to do? Its their job. I think whats happening in Gaza is not new, this has been happening for thousands of years. Its about power and lack of respect, of wanting to discriminate. But anyway, without dwelling too much on politics, were talking about human action. Q. On the other hand, theres Donald Trump. Do you think his policies could further destabilize the world? A. Yeah, that too. I think it was a mistake, him being made president. But I dont want to make this whole thing about Donald Trump. Theres a lot of problems with him, but lets pick one as an example. The deal breaker for me was questioning Barack Obamas birthplace and [his] American citizenship. So he has a strange name, OK. Hes a half-Black man, so you attack him because hes not white? Thats the only thing you need to know about [Trump], that disqualified him right from the beginning. [McCurry opens his arms wide] Forget the list of 900 things, thats the one thing. Photographer Steve McCurry during the Chora Media festival in Milan on February 23, 2025. Elena Di Vincenzo (Mondadori Portfolio/Getty Images) Q. I wanted to ask you about the polemic from a few years ago with some of your photos. A. This is old news, man. Im not going to get into that, and Im disappointed in you. I knew when the Spanish newspaper came in, you were going to go there. And you guys always leave it to the last question. You work for a newspaper? Yeah, this is old news. Thank you, thats it. [McCurry gets up to leave] Q. Sorry, but, is this the end of the interview? A. Theres nothing to be sorry about, it was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you very much. I appreciated our time together and youve been very kind with me. I appreciate your time and I appreciate you coming here. You came here as a guest of Leica? Q. Yes. A. We both came here as guests, I didnt come here to discuss Im happy to talk to you about politics. If you want to talk about politics, call me in my office. I think weve talked enough, OK? You work for a newspaper, man. You need to be more creative, do a bit of research. I know its difficult, I know youre busy. But do some homework. If you took the time youre a lazy man. That [other] question was a trick question, but I tried to give you some time. You are trying to trip me into some bullshit. Honestly, I think you should put the whole interview into the trash can and just leave it like that. Q. Im sorry, but Im a journalist. I have the right to ask questions. A Youre a journalist and I have my right to not waste my time. [McCurry gestures to the phone that is recording the interview] Do have have that fucking thing on? Do you have that fucking thing on? Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A landlord in Absecon tried to blame his tenant for a dog bitebut the court ruled that the responsible party is the dog owner. Canva for NJ.com A landlord tried to pin a dog bite on his tenanteven though it was his own aggressive dog that attacked a guest. A New Jersey appeals court has ruled that a tenant cannot be held responsible for injuries caused by his landlords dog, reversing a lower courts decision that had misapplied state law. The case involved Joseph A. Kelly Jr., the landlord, and David Holman, a tenant who rented a bedroom in Kellys Absecon home in early 2023. Kelly owned a dog he described as very aggressive to strangers, and claimed he had warned Holman not to let anyone into the house without securing the animal, according to the opinion. Holman denied receiving any such warning. While Kelly was recovering from surgery upstairs, his friends mother entered the home unannounced and was bitten by the dog, the court said. The woman required medical treatment at a cost of nearly $2,000. The trial court initially found Holman liable, stating he was in control of the dog at the time of the attack. However, the Appellate Division disagreed, citing New Jerseys dog bite statute, which places strict liability solely on the dogs owner. The trial court misstated the law and, therefore, ruled erroneously, the opinion stated. Liability lies with the dog owner. Under New Jersey law, strict liability means the owner is legally responsible for a dog bite regardless of whether the dog had shown aggression before or whether the owner was negligent. If the victim was legally permitted to be on the premises, the owner is automatically liable. The appeals court dismissed the dog bite claim with prejudice, meaning it cannot be refiled. However, the court upheld a separate part of the case involving damage to a beverage refrigerator. Video footage showed Holman and a friend handling the fridge, which ended up with a broken lock. The court found Holman 50 percent responsible and ordered him to pay $400 toward its replacement. The court denied Holmans request for a new trial. Holmans attorney, Lori S. Klinger, declined to comment on the case. Kelly could not be reached for comment. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. A woman was awarded $3 million by an Atlantic County jury after she accused a lifeguard of sexually assaulting her in 1979. Patti Sapone | NJ Advance Media A woman was awarded $3 million by an Atlantic County jury last week after finding a former Margate City lifeguard liable for sexually assaulting her for four years starting when she was 15 years old. Rachel Neufeld-Del Rossi accused Steven Allen Chasens of grooming and sexually assaulting her beginning in the summer of 1979 while Chasens was a lifeguard in Margate City, Del Rossis attorney Jeffrey P. Fritz said Friday. A New Jersey company that sold faulty air conditioners pleaded guilty to a criminal complaint in federal court and agreed to a large civil penalty, authorities said. Ed Murray | For NJ Advance Media Representatives of a former Bergen County company pleaded guilty to federal charges that it sold faulty and dangerous air conditioners leading to several injuries and at least one death, officials with the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The representatives of Royal Sovereign International, formerly located in Rockleigh, pleaded guilty Tuesday to criminal allegations of failing to immediately report potential safety issues with their air conditioners to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission. The air conditioners were linked to over 40 fires and one death, officials said. Royal Sovereign also agreed to pay just over $16 million in a civil penalty, the maximum penalty allowable under the Consumer Product Safety Act, officials said. The company imported and sold over 33,000 defective air conditioners between 2008 and 2014 before the products were recalled in 2021 due to a malfunctioning drain motor that could ignite and cause the unit to catch fire, officials said. At the time of the recall, Royal Sovereign was aware of 11 reports of air conditioners catching fire or smoking while in use resulting in two injuries and one death caused by smoke inhalation, officials said. The incidents caused over $1 million in property damage, officials said. A woman died and her two children were injured in August 2016 after their Royal Sovereign air conditioner caught fire, according to officials. Takwan Lim, the companys CEO, previously agreed to a settlement with the Consumer Product Safety Commission regarding a related company, Royal Sovereign Corporation that sold portable ceramic heaters that also had the propensity to catch fire, according to officials. Lim died in 2023, officials said. Royal Sovereign admitted that they failed to immediately report defects in the air conditioners to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, officials said. The company was accused of misleading the Consumer Product Safety Commission in November 2010 by stating it was only aware of two fires related to their products and that the air conditioners had been discontinued, according to court filings. Prosecutors accused the company of being aware of at least 16 fires at the time and continuing to distribute the air conditioners anyway. Royal Sovereign is required to pay over $395,786 in restitution to victims, officials said. However, all but $100,000 of the settlement is suspended due to the companys limited ability to pay the full $16 million, officials said. Employees of Royal Sovereign and others connected to the business are required to notify the government and implement internal controls to ensure timely and honest reporting of issues with their products before marketing and selling consumer products again, according to the settlement. The companys website is no longer functioning and the office in Rockleigh is closed. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Matthew Enuco may be reached at Menuco@njadvancemedia.com. A recent Appellate Division ruling allows Recovery Court graduates to expunge their entire criminal and juvenile records, even for serious offenses. Canva for NJ.com People who complete the states Recovery Court program can fully erase their criminal and juvenile records even for serious offenses that would normally block expungement, a New Jersey appeals court has ruled. The law governing Recovery Court expungements allows graduates to clear their juvenile records without the restrictions that normally apply, according to the ruling issued July 30. Recovery Court is a diversion program for individuals who commit nonviolent crimes due to drug or alcohol addiction. Instead of serving prison time, participants undergo intensive probation that includes treatment, counseling and regular court supervision. Upon successful completion, participants may petition to have their records expunged under a separate statute specifically for Recovery Court graduates. The case before the appeals court involved a man identified only as P.L., who completed Recovery Court after pleading guilty to drug possession. He asked the court to expunge both his adult criminal record and a juvenile adjudication for first-degree conspiracy to commit robbery. The state agreed to clear his adult record but argued the juvenile offense was too serious to be removed. The appeals court disagreed. Writing for the three-judge panel, Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski emphasized that the Recovery Court statute contains no language barring juvenile offenses from expungement. We cannot presume the Legislature intended a result different from what is indicated by the plain language, the court wrote. The ruling clarified that judges cannot add restrictions not written into the law. It also reaffirmed that juvenile adjudications are not considered criminal convictions under New Jersey law. The Cape May County Prosecutors Office opposed P.L.s request, a position supported by the New Jersey Attorney Generals Office. Both argued that allowing serious juvenile offenses to be expunged could conflict with legislative intent and lead to problematic outcomes. The court responded that any changes to the law must come from lawmakers not the judiciary. Assistant Public Defender Fletcher Duddy praised the decision. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender is committed to helping individuals overcome the barriers of their past records, Duddy said. We believe this is especially important when a person made a mistake as a child but has since taken meaningful steps to better themselves, such as successfully completing New Jerseys rigorous Recovery Court program, he added. Captl Daniel D. Holt of the Cape May County Prosecutors Office said his office is preparing to challenge the Appellate Division decision in a petition to the New Jersey Supreme Court. Colleen Murphy may be reached at cmurphy@njadvancemedia.com. Records suggest Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger Leon is seeking a new contract that would extend his tenure heading the state's largest school district by two years. Leon is seen here at a Weequahic High School event in October 2023. The last time Newark Superintendent of Schools Roger Leon got a new contract, nobody even noticed. Until they did. Word surfaced in January 2023 that his first deal with the district had been renewed automatically for another five years without public notice or a vote of the board a legal move that nonetheless outraged district parents, transparency advocates and some Newark Board of Education members. Leon, 56, whose tenure has been mired in controversy, is one of the highest paid school officials in the state, making $308,971 in 2024. Records now indicate that Leon, who lives in his native City of Newark, is seeking to extend his tenure as head of New Jerseys largest school district by another two years, through a proposal for a new five-year contract. This is according to a letter from a representative of the state Department of Education approving the deal, the details of which were obtained by NJ Advance Media. I have determined that those provisions of the contract subject to my review are in compliance with applicable laws and regulations, wrote interim Executive County Superintendent Joseph Zarra in a letter to the districts general counsel, Brenda Liss. Therefore, I approve the contract for a period commencing on July 1, 2025 through September 30, 2030. The new contract would replace the five-year deal that was automatically renewed on May 15, 2022, the deadline by which the Newark school board would have had to notify Leon that it did not intend to renew his initial five-year deal. The renewed contract took effect more than a year later, on July 1, 2023, and is set to expire on June 30, 2028 if its not replaced by the newly proposed deal. The new deal would effectively extend Leons tenure by two years. Because the recent proposal for a new contract differs from the automatic renewal process, under N.J.S.A. 18A:7-8(j), the executive county superintendent must review and approve his contract prior to a vote of approval by the local board of education. State law also requires that the board hold a public hearing and a vote in open session to approve it. It must be advertised 30 days in advance. Zarras letter instructed Liss that the district would have to submit to him any changes to the new contract, prior to the required public notice and hearing of such changes. The district has not announced plans to award Leon a new contract, and a Newark Public Schools spokesperson did not provide answers to questions related to Zarras letter approving one, including whether the board had advertised or taken any action on the matter. The board meets twice this month. A remote-only retreat on Aug. 16 at 9 a.m. is followed by a regular 6 p.m. meeting at its Broad Street office on Aug. 21. Board President Hasani Council, the one member authorized under district policy to speak to the press, did not respond to requests for comment. Zarras office also did not respond, and a spokesperson for the Department of Education declined to provide copies of Zarras letter or related correspondence from the district that prompted it, and instead told NJ Advance Media to file a request under the states Open Public Records Act, or OPRA. Leons effort to extend his tenure comes after eight years as the districts first locally-appointed superintendent, beginning in 2018, following a takeover by the education department that lasted a quarter century. During that time, Leon has presided over creation of several new schools as the district strives to improve lagging test scores among its largely poor and otherwise disadvantaged students. From its outset, his tenure has also been marked by controversy, starting with his firing of 31 district employees just after being sworn in. He struck an unusual deal to remake a former hospital into a high school for architecture and design involving a New York City developer in a project stalled due to repeated worksite violations. State lawmakers from areas where state school aid has been cut have criticized Leon for what they call excessive spending on central office staff travel, food and a Fun Day. And there have been allegations of anti-Black bias at the School of Global Studies, followed by the districts refusal to release a damning report on the matter though the report was eventually obtained and posted by ChalkBeat.org. Like other district budgets, Newarks has steadily risen under Leon, supported largely by growing state aid under Gov. Phil Murphy, with the 2025-26 spending plan at $1.57 billion, 83% of which, or $1.3 billion, is paid for by state aid. Critics of Leons automatic contract renewal three years ago had mixed reactions when told this week that the superintendent appeared to be seeking another two years in the job. Shennell Barnes McCloud, CEO of Project Ready, a Newark non-profit that promotes voting in local elections, said it was encouraging to hear that the contract process would be more transparent than last time, which created confusion for the public as to how our superintendent became an extended superintendent for over 5 years. So, I applaud the school board for taking that measure this time, McCloud said. Denise Cole, the parent of a Newark Public Schools graduate and district watchdog, said she was still outraged over what she characterized as a failure three years ago by Liss, the corporation counsel, to alert board members to the approaching notification deadline that would have called attention to the automatic contract renewal. It was Brenda Liss job to make them aware, said Cole. Cole had little doubt the board would approve Leons new contract because, she said, he controls a school board that is officially supposed to be his boss. For example, the father of the boards president is Newark City Councilman Patrick Council, who is also an employee of the school district and, as such, essentially works for Leon. Board members who have publicly questioned Leon in recent years have left the board, including Dawn Haynes, who stepped down in the spring following a controversy that grew out of the School of Global Studies bias matter. Crystal Williams, who in January 2022 joined Haynes and two other board members in voting 4-0 to hire their own lawyer something that never happened did not seek re-election in April. He keeps doing what Trump does, Cole said, comparing Leon to President Donald Trump. He has the board stacked with people who go along with what he wants. Nobody knows Jersey better than N.J.com. Sign up to get breaking news alerts straight to your inbox. Steve Strunsky may be reached at sstrunsky@njadvancemedia.com Invited Coffee Co. at NJ Coffee Festival at Bell Works in Holmdel, NJ Sipping Visions Photography Coffee lovers, mark your calendars New Jerseys beloved coffee festival is back again and its shaping up to be even bigger and bolder. NJ.coms second coffee festival will be a two-day celebration of all things caffeinated, happening Saturday, Nov. 1, and Sunday, Nov. 2 at The Event Center at iPlay America in Freehold. Each day will feature two timed sessions from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. designed to make the experience smoother for everyone. NJ Coffee Festival at Bell Works in Holmdel on Saturday, March 22 2025 (photo taken by Sipping Visions Photography) Sipping Visions Photography Were going bigger with the venue, meaning shorter lines, more space to sip and shop, and plenty of room to explore your coffee obsessions without the crowds. With 70-plus vendors expected including local roasters, cold brew kings and artisan bakers this years festival promises more flavors, more finds, and more fun than ever before. Want to be a vendor? Apply online! Coffee, tea, desserts, breakfast and coffee businesses are welcome to apply. Applications will be accepted until Thursday, September 25. Tickets will be available in September. Join the waitlist online and be the first to be notified when tickets go live. Thanks to our sponsor Culligan New Jersey, all vendors will have access to complimentary dechlorinated, reverse osmosis, and remineralized water throughout the weekend. If you are interested in sponsoring the event, please reach out to info@njcoffeefestival.com. Please subscribe now and support the local journalism YOU rely on and trust. Lauren Musni may be reached at lmusni@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @Laurengmusni and on Instagram. Find NJ.com on Facebook. Lauren Semanchik, 33, of Franklin Township, and Tyler Webb, 29, of Lacey Township, were found shot to death in Semanchik's home in Hunterdon County on August 2, 2025. (Photo by Victoria Gladstone for NJ Advance Media | Inset photos provided) UPDATE: Top cops suspended over serious concerns after 2 killed by stalker ex-boyfriend The Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office says it will investigate murder victim Lauren Semanchiks previous interactions with police regarding her ex-boyfriend, a police officer who authorities believe killed her this past weekend. Lauren Semanchiks family has said Ricardo J. Santos, a New Jersey State Police lieutenant, stalked and harassed Semanchik when their relationship ended in September 2024 and her pleas to police went unheeded. It culminated in Santos following her home from work this past Friday night and gunning her down in her Franklin Township home, along with new boyfriend Tyler Webb, of Lacey, Ocean County. A family member found their bodies the next morning, on Aug. 2. Semanchik, a veterinarian, was 33; Webb, a mechanic and volunteer firefighter, was 29. Police found Santos, 45, dead in Piscataway the same morning of a self-inflicted gunshot wound. He was a 20-year member of the New Jersey State Police and currently a lieutenant earning $147,900 annually and had worked on the unit that guards the governor. Prosecutor Renee Robesons office issued this statement Wednesday: The Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office (HCPO) is aware of the communitys concerns regarding local law enforcements prior interactions with Dr. Semanchik and the domestic violence relief she may have requested. A formal investigation into this has been initiated. An office spokesperson said theyd be making no further comments since the investigation is ongoing. The Washington Township, Morris County police department, the town where Semanchik worked as a veterinarian, and the Franklin, Hunterdon police did not return messages seeking comment. The New Jersey State Police has referred comment to the Hunterdon prosecutors office Jennine Semanchik, Laurens mother, said in response Monday: This was dereliction of duty at the utmost level. She has previously told NJ Advance Media that her daughter reached out to a local police department where she worked, and the State Police for assistance. And she could not get help from anyone, she said. Jennine said her daughter suspected Santos of scratching, or keying her car and other harassing behavior. Lauren met Santos online in early 2024 when she was off her feet due to an injury and using a wheelchair. He doted on her, taking her on wheelchair dates, Jennine said. Santos changed, though, when the relationship ended and would not leave her daughter alone. Santos reached out relentlessly, to the point that Lauren Semanchik called local police looking for a restraining order, which did not happen, her mother said. Lauren Semanchik even reached out to one of Santos police colleagues, hoping to end the harassment, but her mother said Lauren did not want Santos job jeopardized. He just wouldnt stop harassing her, Jennine Semanchik said. The prosecutors office said Monday they have evidence from a video recording system Semanchik installed in her vehicle that shows Santos followed Semanchik home from work Friday evening and approached her house on foot, at about 6 p.m. Webb arrived at the house at about 6:45 p.m., the video shows. Franklin police officers were called to Semanchiks street, Upper Kingtown Road, at 7:08 p.m. on Friday for a report of audible gunshots and screaming, but left after checking the area, unable to locate the source of the sounds, the office has said. Semanchik and Webb started dating after they met at a pop punk concert at the Stone Pony on Memorial Day weekend. Editors Note: Reach the New Jersey Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-572-SAFE (7233). Reach the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-SAFE (7233), chat with their advocates here or text LOVEIS to 22522. Lauren Semanchik and Tyler Webb at a concert. (Photo from the Webb family) Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a voluntary subscription. Kevin Shea may be reached at kshea@njadvancemedia.com The latest statement from Donald Trump in reference to trade with Mexico demanded that the latter immediately terminate its Non Tariff Trade Barriers, that is to say, the various mechanisms that affect the import and export of products between the two countries. In large part, these boil down to customs, a filter that has been questioned by the U.S. president and is now a policy priority for Mexico. Director General of Customs Investigation Alex Tonatiuh Marquez is currently under scrutiny for supposedly having embezzled nearly $14 million. This is not the first time that customs have been in Mexicos political crosshairs. President Claudia Sheinbaums administration has been looking into fraud and abuse in the department for months, and has revoked some licenses granted to customs agencies. As economy minister Marcelo Ebrard said at the end of last year, The partys over. Its important to remember that Mexico and the United States share a 1,954-mile border running from Matamoros to Tijuana, a fact that greatly contributes to their status as each others favorite trade partner, with around $800 billion in goods crossing the border each year. But the span is also the site of some of the pairs biggest problems when it comes to international relations, like arms and drug trafficking, key factors behind high rates of violent crime. Beyond the issue of tariffs, new threats loom over Mexico as a result of President Trumps demands, with non-tariff barriers such as customs having become important sources of friction. International organizations like the Latin American Confederation of Customs Agents have denounced extortion and threats directed at the customs officials that handle these commercial transactions. But some customs operations are also hampered by corruption. The Mexican government is reviewing the situation, and the Mexican Chamber of Commerce Agents (CAAAREM) has proposed measures to Ebrard meant to combat smuggling and fraud. Mexicos National Customs Agency (ANAM), where Marquez is employed, reports to the countrys ministry of finance, but the economy ministry is also involved in its operations, and Ebrard is taking the lead on the current investigations. The minister has pointed out that no country can completely review everything that enters and leaves its borders, which is why it is important that customs agencies and agents licensed to act as intermediaries in these exchanges do their job well. This certainly applies to Marquezs agency, which is responsible for analyzing which goods may pose a risk, so that they can be monitored more closely. Due to difficulties at the border, Mexico inspects around 3% to 10% of products, which is similar or higher to percentages in other countries. Such reviews require agent honesty and sufficient infrastructure. Midway through the last presidential administration, control of customs was turned over to the military. The area had always counted with support from the armed forces, but their duties were largely limited to security, rather than the administrative tasks they now assume. That has made the work more complex, because they had to be trained and for some time now, customs has been operating on a delay due to the use of technology, the digitalization of services and daily operations, which are not supported by military staff due to a lack of flexibility, says Jesus Carrillo, an economic analyst. On the Mexican side, there are few border crossings, with more being built in Tijuana. In addition to infrastructure saturation, there is also the question of institutional capacity, he continues. And on top of all that, there is fraud and corruption. The poor functioning of customs is also a tariff barrier, and we will probably hear more about that from Ebrard and perhaps, from President Claudia Sheinbaum, says Carrillo. The issue is bound to be the subject of more discussion, because tariff delays mean money lost, and border security is important to the United States, not only because of drug trafficking, but also due to the ease of entry of goods like medicine, vegetables and livestock. In addition, Trump uses these non-tariff barriers to reduce or increase the flow of trade, just as with tariffs, says Sergio Barajas, a partner in the foreign trade and customs department of Basham, a specialized law firm. The United States can play this tool to its advantage, both to restrict certain imports into the country and to favor its own exports to Mexico. The fact that Trump has turned his attention to these non-tariff regulations indicates that they are another option for modulating the flow of trade, adds Barajas, who believes that the Mexican governments investigation of customs agents seeks alliances in the fight against fraud. Barajas explains that it is difficult to measure the effectiveness of anti-fraud measures by the amount of customs fees that are collected, because international trade is uneven and varies year to year, depending on needs for products like vaccines and livestock. However, it is evident that curbing fraud is good for Mexicos finances. At her Tuesday press conference, Sheinbaum reported that customs revenue this year has increased by 25% compared to 2024, to more than $7 billion. In regards to Marquez, the president has only said that the case is in the hands of anti-corruption authorities. I feel like there is still a long road ahead when it comes to customs, a lot of work to do. The new customs law that will soon be up for debate could be an opportunity, says Barajas. For his part, Carrillo thinks that Mexico needs a lot of investment in logistics, from airports to customs, and the private sector could also be brought on board. Add to that U.S. pressure, which provides a great incentive to combat fraud and streamline negotiations. There is still much to be done in terms of trade with the United States, particularly with the renegotiation of the USCMCA free trade agreement coming up around the corner. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Delicious eats await you at El Asadero Mexican Grill. Secaucus, New Jersey. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Provided by El Asadero The new location of El Asadero Mexican Grill in Secaucus was designed with a simple idea: Make authentic Mexican food from the heart, and treat every guest like family. Originally opened in 2012, this will be the fourth expansion for El Asadero Mexican Grill. Other locations are in Passaic, Rochelle Park and Fort Lee. The family-owned restaurant was founded by the Delgado Brothers: Jose, Bonifacio, Marco, Jaime and Hector. After immigrating to the United States at different times, the brothers wanted to honor their mother, Teresa Mendez. They wanted to celebrate the foods they ate they lived in Mexico, the foods of their home. In every conversation with my brothers, the same ache would return, Jaime Delgado said. We couldnt find our food here. Real food from Veracruz, from Mama. The Delgado family celebrates the opening of their Secaucus location. From left, Hector, Bonifacio, Jose, Marco and Cindy. Provided by El Asadero The brothers missed a lot about their home food: The spices, the slow stews, the flavors. They missed their mamas hands making tortillas without rushing. They missed her calling them while they played outside, and them running into their mamas kitchen with muddy feet and eating all their favorites with abandon, and with apetite they couldnt revive here at their new home in the United States. That was when the idea of opening a restaurant was born, Jaime said. We wanted a restaurant to offered not just food, but a piece of home, a way for other compatriots to feel closer to Mexico, to their childhood, to their mothers. The menu at El Asadero features the rustic Mexican tradition of cooking over open flames. Signature dishes from the grill include the jalapeno burger, ($20) with grilled black angus topped with chipotle Asadero sauce, guacamole, pico de gallo, jalapenos, and served with fries. The birria tacos, ($15) come with shredded beef in chili consomme with cilantro, onions and lime; and the chicken, shrimp, or skirt steak fajitas, ($16) are served with sauteed peppers, onions, tomatoes, refried beans and handmade tortillas. Grilled meats will come to your table steaming at El Asadero Mexican Grill in Secaucus, New Jersey. Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Provided by El Asadero On the lighter side, you can try the shrimp ceviche ($18) with pico de gallo, cucumber, tomato and avocado; or the avocado salad, ($16) with avocado, tomato and red onion. Heading the culinary program for El Asadero Mexican Grill is executive chef Gonzalo Colin, a Mexico City native. He also values the memories of home. I view my dishes as a tribute to what I grew up eating in Mexico, Colin said. And Im always working on mixing our old traditions with modern ways of cooking. The bar at El Asadero Mexican Grill includes a large collection of tequilas and mezcals. Cocktails include the Asadero mezcalita with mezcal, lime, and agave; the passion azteca with anejo tequila, passion fruit, and the honey pina Asadero with grilled pineapple, lime, and blanco tequila. With handcrafted wooden chairs and artisanal tiles and pottery, the new Secaucus space is designed to match the authenticity of the food. Give El Asadero Mexican grill a try. Youll sample dishes made with authetic Mexican ingredients and spices, and with a ton of heart. Karim Shamsi-Basha may be reached at kshamsi-basha@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter & Instagram. Follow Mosaic on Instagram at @MosaicNJcom and on Facebook at MosaicNJcom. The U.S. State Department issued its highest travel advisory for Iraq, warning Americans not to travel there "for any reason." Canva If youre thinking of traveling to Iraq anytime soon, take note that the country is one that you should avoid traveling. The U.S. State Department issued its highest travel warning for Iraq, warning Americans not to travel there for any reason. It also advises all non-emergency U.S. government personnel to leave the country due to tensions in the region. Here is what you need to know about the travel advisory and why the U.S. government is saying you shouldnt travel there. What does the latest travel advisory to Iraq mean to you? Item Detail Start Date June 11, 2025 Whats changing Updated travel advisory urging travelers not to travel to Iraq for any reason due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest and the U.S. governments limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq What will happen? Travelers should not travel to Iraq, and all non-emergency U.S. government personnel should leave the country due to tensions in the region. Who will it affect? Travelers to Iraq The agency gave a Level 4: Do Not Travel advisory to Iraq due to terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict, civil unrest and the U.S. governments limited ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Iraq. Also, the State Department warns U.S. citizens not to travel near groups that are armed or Iraqs northern borders due to continued threat of attacks by terrorist groups, armed conflict, aerial bombardment and civil unrest. Additionally, if U.S. citizens travel through Iraq to engage in armed conflict with Syria, they run the risk of kidnapping, injury, death, fines, arrest and expulsion from the country. U.S. government workers in Iraq are also banned from flying out of Baghdad International Airport. What is the highest travel advisory? There are four levels of travel advisory, Level 1 through Level 4. When planning a vacation, you should check the current travel advisory for that destination. So, which level is the most concerning? Level 1 : Exercise Normal Precautions This is the lowest level of advisory; it is advised that there is some risk in that area, and travelers should take precautions while on their visit. Level 2 : Exercise Increased Caution There is a heightened risk for safety and security in that area, and travelers need to take extra caution. Level 3 : Reconsider Travel There are serious risks to safety, and travelers are advised to reconsider their travel plans to this destination. Level 4: Do Not Travel This is the highest level of advisory, and it is strongly recommended not to travel to any destinations with a Level 4 advisory, due to many factors, one of which is that the U.S. government might not be able to provide travelers any assistance in the event of an emergency. What should travelers to Iraq do in light of this travel advisory? The U.S. State Department warns people who do not heed the travel warning to do the following: Consider hiring professional security. Prepare a will. Leave DNA samples with your physician in case your family needs them for identification purposes. Have departure plans that do not rely on U.S. government assistance. Share important documents, login information and points of contact with loved ones so that they can manage your affairs if you are unable to return to the United States as planned. You can find more information and advice related to this travel advisory here. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips. Heavy overnight rain caused Main Street in Lodi and surrounding neighborhoods to flood from the overflow of the Saddle River early in the morning on Wednesday January 10, 2024 Jeff Rhode | For NJ Advance Medi By Rebecca Lubot New Jerseys recent State of Emergency due to flash flooding with the unfortunate loss of life and the tragic flooding in Texas offer a stark reminder of how devastating flooding can be to families, communities, and local economies. New Jersey communities have also suffered from costly flooding over the past several years, and the risk of future flooding is increasing. The beginning of the hurricane season creates an imperative for elected officials in flood prone New Jersey communities to turn their attention to addressing this growing risk. To start, we all need to face some indisputable facts: The risk of more frequent, more severe flooding in New Jersey is increasing. The costs in terms of human lives, property damage, property values, and local economies are also on the rise. The insurance industry is responding to this increased risk by raising premiums, reducing coverage, or pulling out of high-risk markets altogether. This year, the federal government has drastically cut budgets for storm monitoring and alert systems, for disaster recovery assistance, and for environmental regulations and programs that help manage and reduce stormwater runoff. The federal government and insurance industry are putting us all on notice: when it comes to preventing flooding and dealing with its aftermath, New Jersey and other states are pretty much on their own. This puts more responsibility in the hands of state and local policymakers to pick up the slack. United we are resilient, divided we are vulnerable Unfortunately, the partisan extremism that has led to the slashing of federal protections and programs threatens to make New Jersey more vulnerable to flood risks and associated costs. But floodwaters dont distinguish between political or cultural groups. When it comes to flood risk, we must join together to protect our communities and main street businesses. Fortunately, our state government has already had the foresight to enact a number of laws and regulations designed to address this growing threat. Passed in 2019, the Clean Stormwater and Flood Reduction Law authorizes local and county governments to create stormwater utilities. Municipalities can use the funds generated from these utilities to improve infrastructure that protects water quality and prevents flooding in our communities. New Brunswick and Raritan Township have recently taken the initiative to implement stormwater utilities. The 2024 Flood Risk Notification Law requires property owners and landlords to disclose information related to flood hazards to potential buyers or renters before completing a real estate transaction. The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has proposed updating land resource protection rules to help businesses and communities become more resilient to sea-level rise, flooding, and superstorms. The rules will streamline permitting processes and expedite resilient investments in New Jerseys communities and economy. These proactive policies have served to incentivize innovation, investment, and the creation of a growing market for sustainable water management practices. Businesses, universities, and non-profit organizations have been developing and implementing green stormwater infrastructure and other technological innovations that can help local communities and businesses become more resilient and sustainable. New Jersey Strong If necessity breeds self-reliance, then all New Jerseyans now have a greater need to understand what we can do together to make our towns and businesses more resilient. Implementing green infrastructure will help reduce stormwater runoff. Implementing stormwater utilities will raise dedicated funding for communities to invest in stormwater management infrastructure. Implementing New Jersey Protecting Against Climate Threats - Resilient Environments and Landscapes (NJPACT REAL) land use rules will prevent us from making the costly mistake of building in flood-prone areas. While the risk is real and growing, so is the opportunity. When we pulled together to recover from the devastation of Superstorm Sandy, New Jersey Strong became the slogan that united us. Now its time to revive that same spirit to do what we can to prevent the worst of what flooding can do to all of us. Lets pull together and make greater use of the tools we already have to continue making New Jersey a great place to live and work. Calling your elected representative in the state Assembly or Senate is the most effective way to influence policy. To find your state Assemblymember and Senator to voice your position, go to the New Jersey Legislature websites Legislative Roster. Rebecca C. Lubot, Ph.D. M.Sc. is the executive director of the New Jersey Sustainable Business Network. NJSBN is a member of the American Sustainable Business Networks Clean Water is Good for Business initiative, a broad coalition of business voices working to reduce surface water pollution and advocate for better water infrastructure and policies that increase resiliency to floods and droughts. Local journalism needs your support. Subscribe at nj.com/supporter. Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) has denied knowledge of the police report and any wrongdoing. (AP Photo/Rod Lamkey, Jr.) AP A woman who claimed to be in a relationship with Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) has accused the congressman of threatening to release nude videos of her, according to a police report obtained by POLITICO. Lindsey Langston, a Florida Republican state committee member who holds the title of 2024 Miss United States, informed authorities last month that Mills had allegedly threatened to harm her future romantic partners after she broke off their relationship. The report was submitted to the Columbia County Sheriffs Department on July 14, the outlet reported. Mills, who represents the north central portion of the state, told POLITICO in a statement that he is unaware of the police filing. He also denied wrongdoing. We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant, Mills said. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. The news was first reported by Blaze Media and Drop Site News. Langston told Drop Site News that she first started dating Mills in November 2021. She claimed that she moved in with him last summer, before breaking up with him in February. Langston said that the congressman had since harassed her for months, prompting her to submit a police report. In February, Mills had first made headlines after he was accused of an assault at an apartment building in Washington, D.C. At the time, his spokesperson said that Mills vehemently denies the incident. NBC News reported that Metropolitan Police Department officers were investigating a simple assault, noting that the alleged weapon used was Personal weapons (hands/feet), according to a police report. However, the alleged victim later denied that an assault took place, and Mills wasnt charged. While the personal matter in question was emotionally charged, there was no physical altercation, she wrote in a statement. Regrettably, the situation has since been misrepresented by reporters and led to relentless harassment from various sources. Meanwhile, Mills has been under scrutiny for other allegations. In March, the congressman became the subject of a House Ethics Committee search into whether he omitted or misrepresented information in financial disclosure reports, and maintained contracts with the federal government. In July, NBC News reported that Mills is facing a lawsuit that seeks to evict him over alleged failure to pay rent for a property in D.C. He has denied both accusations. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. speaks as President Donald Trump listens at an event to promote his proposal to improve Americans' access to their medical records in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein) AP A top former official of President Donald Trumps first administration sounded the alarm on Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. over his dangerous decision. Former Surgeon General Jerome Adams, who served under Trumps first administration, criticized Kennedys move to cancel $500 million for mRNA projects. Adams said in a post on social media platform X that cutting half a billion in funding isnt just bad policyits dangerous." He pushed back on claims that the mRNA vaccines were rushed." They were built on decades of research funded by NIH, DARPA, and global scientists.This investment let us go from COVIDs genetic code to safe, effective vaccines in under a year - and out of lockdowns FAR faster than predicted, Adams wrote on X. He said the cuts will also affect research being done for vaccines and therapies for the flu, RSV, HIV, Zika, cancer and autoimmune diseases. 600 million mRNA COVID doses have been safely given in U.S. alone. The data is clear: mRNA vaccines have a strong safety record. We shouldnt ignore concerns, yet risks of COVID far outweigh rare side effects. Calling them inherently dangerous ignores science & risks lives," Adams continued. We should be doubling down on what works - not defunding it. And we need constructive dialogue vs destructive idealogues. America has always led the world in biomedical innovation. Lets not let fear or politics derail progress. Let science lead. Lives are depending on it, he added. mRNA research helped develop COVID vaccines in record time - saving millions of lives. Cutting half a billion in mRNA funding, as HHS Sec. Kennedy proposes, isnt just bad policy - its dangerous. As a physician & recipient of mRNA vaccines, heres what people need to know Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) August 6, 2025 Kennedy announced his decision on Tuesday, criticizing mRNA vaccines in a post to his social media platforms as he vowed to replace these programs with safer strategies. We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Were shifting that funding toward pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025 Kennedys decision to terminate the projects is the latest in a string of decisions that have put the longtime vaccine critics doubts about shots into full effect at the nations health department. Kennedy has pulled back recommendations around the COVID-19 shots, fired the panel that makes vaccine recommendations, and refused to offer a vigorous endorsement of vaccinations as a measles outbreak worsened. The health secretary criticized mRNA vaccines in a video on his social media accounts, explaining the decision to cancel projects being led by the nations leading pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer and Moderna, that offer protection against viruses like the flu, COVID-19 and H5N1. To replace the troubled mRNA programs, were prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that dont collapse when viruses mutate, Kennedy said in the video. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. President Donald Trump received some of the lowest net favorability ratings among U.S. views of 14 world leaders, according to a new Gallup poll released Tuesday. The new Gallup poll found that Americans view Pope Leo XIV the most favorably among a group of 14 newsmakers including Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Vice President JD Vance and Trump. The poll found that Trump trails 10 of the public figures listed on his net favorability rating. The poll found that 41% of Americans have a favorable view of Trump, while 57% have an unfavorable view, resulting in a net favorability rating of negative 16 points. Two percent said they had no opinion of Trump, according to Gallup. Trumps net approval rating was lower than Sanders, Ocasio-Cortezs, Vances and former President Joe Bidens. Sanders had a positive 11 point net favorable rating, Ocasio-Cortez had a negative four point net favorable rating, and Vance and Biden each had a negative 11 point net favorable rating. The poll found that California Gov. Gavin Newsom had a negative 11 point net favorable rating, with 30% having a favorable view, 41% having a negative view and 28% having no opinion. Gallup poll | 7/7-7/21 2025 newsmaker favorable ratings pic.twitter.com/FFxboq1Ixl Politics & Poll Tracker (@PollTracker2024) August 5, 2025 Other Trump administration officials also had negative net favorable ratings, according to the poll. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a negative five point rating, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth had a negative 11 point rating and Secretary of State Marco Rubio had a negative 16 point rating Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who left the Trump administration in June amid a public fallout with the president, had the lowest net favorable rating at negative 28 points. According to Gallup, the dampened favorable ratings of key Trump administration officials since January are broadly consistent with the decline in Trumps job approval rating over the same period, down 10 percentage points. Sanders stands out as a Democrat who is largely familiar to the American public, enjoys high favorability with Democrats and has at least a slightly positive image with independents. Both Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom are less well-known nationally and less well-liked, although Ocasio-Cortez is nearly as popular as Sanders among Democrats, the Gallup analysis stated. The poll was conducted July 7-21 among 1,002 adults with a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced the cancelation of millions in funding for mRNA vaccine projects. (AP Photo/Mark Thiessen) Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is facing a grilling on social media over his departments latest move. The Department of Health and Human Services announced on Tuesday that it would be canceling nearly $500 million of grants and contracts for mRNA vaccines, which have been used to fight respiratory viruses like COVID-19 and the flu. The step had quickly alarmed a number of infectious disease experts many of whom believe that the type of shot is safe and an integral part of safeguarding the health of Americans during a pandemic. The termination will impact 22 projects managed by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), according to department. The type of vaccine, first used by Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna during the COVID pandemic, cues an individuals body to create a snippet of a virus, which ultimately leads to an immune response. The mrNA shots could also be developed within months, and then altered, unlike traditional vaccines. To replace the troubled mRNA programs, were prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that dont collapse when viruses mutate, Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, said in a video on his social media platforms. We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Were shifting that funding toward pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025 Kennedy was quickly met with criticism online over his newest decision. Dr. Alastair McAlpine, a pediatric palliative care physician, slammed the move as insanity. No other technology promises to provide as much protection against an array of diseases. Now this anti-vaxx weirdo has shut them all down, McAlpine wrote on X, adding Never has America been more vulnerable. Dr. Jake Scott, an infectious disease specialist, argued that the belief that mRNA vaccine technology poses more risk than benefits is simply false. What poses risk is abandoning the most adaptable, scalable vaccine platform weve ever had. Halting future development undermines pandemic preparedness at a time when we can least afford it, Scott said. Another user posted: Literally one of the dumbest self-own moves in history. The stupidity of this clown and the corrupt madmen backing him is going to kill millions of people. This man is a f------ idiot, a different user bluntly wrote, and someone else joked, Yeah I guess one american century was enough. One user said, Congratulations to everyone who foisted this despicable quack on the nation. When all is said and done, how much will the Trump admin manage to slow down and disrupt medical research? a user asked. Kennedys newest decision comes amid a string of vaccine pullbacks at the health department in recent months. In May, he said that COVID shots are no longer recommended for healthy children and pregnant women. The next month, he fired a panel that makes vaccine recommendations for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The mRNA vaccine has not only been used to combat infectious diseases. Researchers have been exploring its use for cancer immunotherapies. Larry Ellison, the chair of the technology company Oracle, had praised the potential of artificial intelligence and mRNA technology in fighting cancer at the White House earlier this year, prompting Moderna stock to surge. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Trump administration officials are planning on meeting at Vice President JD Vance's residence on Wednesday, according to CNN. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon) AP Social media users are questioning a potential new development in the Jeffrey Epstein saga. CNN reported late Tuesday that top officials in President Donald Trumps administration will be meeting at Vice President JD Vances residence on Wednesday to discuss the handling of the Epstein case and a unified response. The outlet, citing three sources familiar with the dinner, said that White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche are expected to be in attendance. The meeting comes as Blanche interviewed Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins accomplice who is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence for sexually exploiting underage girls, last month in Florida over the course of two days. Maxwell, who was recently moved to one of the cushiest federal detention facilities in the country, had asked a federal judge on Tuesday to deny the Trump administrations request to unseal grand jury transcripts from the governments earlier investigation of her and Epstein. The CNN story has since sent some on social media into a tailspin. You dont need a big meeting with so many high officials if your plan is to just release the files, Sen. Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) wrote on X. Dan Pfeiffer, a co-host of the podcast Pod Save America, posted a gif about a criminal f----- conspiracy. Rep. Eric Swalwell (D-Calif.) joked: A family meeting. Yeah this is how the mob does it, too. Suffice it to say its not normal for the AG and FBI director to meet with administration officials about an ongoing coverup, journalist Aaron Rupar said. Another user posted a barrage of question marks: ??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????! Ron Filipkowski, the editor-in-chief of MeidasTouch, suggested that administration officials had an ulterior motive with the meeting. A strategy meeting to discuss messaging so the MAGA influencers and Fox can push out their propaganda to help pull off one of the biggest and obvious cover-ups in history. This isnt a Dept of Justice, its a Dept of Coverups, Filipkowski wrote. A strategy meeting to discuss messaging so the MAGA influencers and Fox can push out their propaganda to help pull off one of the biggest and obvious cover-ups in history. This isnt a Dept of Justice, its a Dept of Coverups. https://t.co/bUs325JCvR Ron Filipkowski (@RonFilipkowski) August 6, 2025 Amid calls from members of Congress and even a handful of the presidents base to release all government documents related to the Epstein case, Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the chair of the House Oversight Committee, announced on Tuesday that he had issued subpoenas for interviews with a set of former government officials, as well as Justice Department records related to the late disgraced financiers investigation. In a post on X, Comer released a list of individuals who he is asking to appear for depositions from mid-August until October, including former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. He is also seeking testimony from former FBI Directors Robert Mueller and James Comey, and former U.S. Attorneys General William Barr, Alberto Gonzales, Jeff Sessions, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder and Merrick Garland. Some lawmakers in Congress have turned their attention to the Epstein case after the Justice Department and FBI released a memo last month that concluded that the disgraced financier did not keep a client list of public figures, and confirmed that he had died by suicide while awaiting his sex-trafficking trial in 2019. The agencies have said that they did not plan to release any other information related to the case. Rep. Thomas Massie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are also looking to force a separate House vote to declassify the so-called Epstein files once the lower chamber returns from its recess in September. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Education Secretary Linda McMahon was made subject to a bizarre heckling incident. While addressing the National Conservative Student Conference hosted by the Young Americas Foundation, McMahon was suddenly interrupted by a background voice mid-sentence as she was discussing the dismantling of the Education Department, an effort backed by President Donald Trump. She pointed to how the Department of Labor has its own version of education programs. I said, Were going to take this. The funding will come from the Department of Education, McMahon said, before a voice went on to call her a corrupt billionaire. Apparently, the [Chinese Communist Party] didnt like that. Theyre cutting into our technology, Scott Walker, the conversation moderator and former Wisconsin governor, butted in. Linda McMahon's talk at a conservative conference was interrupted by audio of someone calling her a "corrupt billionaire" pic.twitter.com/ttPg4yPU22 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 6, 2025 McMahon, while expressing a look of confusion, replied: Were getting a little feedback in here. I think it was a few of the liberal senators in connection with the CCP thought they could try and cut into that, Walker added. McMahon then continued to talk over the audio even with circus music playing in the background. Social media users immediately shared their thoughts. Nothing says student conference like getting schooled mid-speech, one user wrote on X. Another user said: The mic said what most people in the room were thinking but too polite to say out loud. She is no stranger to theatrics, someone posted, referencing her time with the WWE. Earlier in the day, McMahon was joined by Sen. Ashley Moody (R-Fla.) and Rep. Laurel Lee (R-Fla.) to tout Trumps big, beautiful bill and school choice. The GOP budget bill, signed into law early last month, would provide a first-of-its-kind federal school voucher program. It also will increase the cap for the child tax credit and change federal student loan policy. Florida is on the front line of our mission to return education back to the states, where it does belong, McMahon said during a news conference. In multiple different metrics, Florida has ranked number-one for education. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Donald Trump said JD Vance is the "most likely" GOP candidate in 2028. AP Photo/Alex Brandon/Julia Demaree Nikhinson President Donald Trump floated Vice President JD Vance as his potential successor on Tuesday. Despite repeatedly joking about running for a third term in office, the president said on Tuesday that Vance is his most likely successor. Vance has been floated as a potential contender for the 2028 presidential election as numerous recent polls list him as the clear frontrunner in the GOP field. Trump told CNBCs Squawk Box on Tuesday morning that he would probably not run for a third term. Later that day, Fox News Peter Doocy asked Trump if Vance is the heir apparent to MAGA. When asked directly about Vances potential as his political successor, Trump suggested that his vice president would follow in his footsteps. He also noted that there are other potential candidates, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Well, I think most likely, in all fairness, hes the vice president. I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form, Trump told reporters. I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here. So its too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job. And he would be probably favored at this point, he added. Doocy: Do you agree that the heir apparent to Maga is JD Vance? Trump: Well, I think most likely, in all fairness, he's the VP. I also think we have incredible people. So it's too early obviously, to talk about it, but certainly he's probably favored at this point. pic.twitter.com/Df8vaO5hkp Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025 Vances potential as a possible 2028 candidate is already being measured in polling data. A recent Emerson College poll asked voters about possible matchups between Vance and potential Democratic contenders in the 2028 presidential election. The poll found Vance had a slight advantage over three possible rivals, including former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) and California Gov. Gavin Newsom. The tightest hypothetical race was between Vance and Buttigieg, according to the poll. The vice president received 44% of support while Buttigieg clinched 43%. Another 13% said they were undecided. In hypothetical matchups with Ocasio-Cortez and Newsom, Vance had a 3-point advantage. A key takeaway from the ballot tests is that about 13% of the electorate remains persuadable, while the other 87% have already settled on a party preference, Spencer Kimball, executive director of Emerson College Polling, said in a statement. Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com. Ismael El Mayo Zambada, the drug lord with a thousand lives, will be able to extend his legend in the United States. Despite his spectacular downfall, betrayed and handed over by his godson, the 77-year-old capo will spend the last days of his life in a U.S. prison cell. Donald Trumps Department of Justice officially announced Tuesday that it will not seek the death penalty against one of the historic leaders of the Sinaloa Cartel. Rafael Caro Quintero and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, alias El Viceroy, other prominent drug lords recently handed over to Washington by Mexican authorities, will receive the same benefit, which points to a pact between prosecutors and defense attorneys to reach plea agreements. The news was conveyed by Joseph Nocella, the prosecutor in the case, to Judge Brian Cogan, who is presiding over the trial against El Mayo in the Eastern District Court of New York. The Attorney General (Pam Bondi) has authorized and directed this office not to seek the death penalty against the defendant, reads the brief document sent Tuesday, also signed by other attorneys in the case, Francisco J. Navarro, Robert M. Pollack, and Lauren A. Bowman. Frank Perez, El Mayos defense attorney, welcomed Bondis decision to remove the possibility of his client ending up on death row. We welcome this decision, which marks an important step toward reaching a fair resolution, the lawyer said in a statement. Perez had been working on alternatives for his clients trial since at least January, when federal authorities in Washington admitted they were working on a possible deal. Zambada faces 17 charges for crimes related to drug trafficking, money laundering, arms trafficking, kidnapping, and murder. With the death penalty no longer a possible outcome of the trial, negotiations between El Mayos defense team and the Trump administration to reach a plea agreement have been strengthened. July 25 marked one year since the criminal boss, who had never set foot in a prison in his native country, was captured at an airport in New Mexico. Joaquin Guzman Lopez son of Joaquin El Chapo Guzman and one of the most prominent members of Los Chapitos, the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel controlled by the sons of the drug lord, who has also been sentenced to life in prison in the U.S. was also arrested in that operation. The arrest, according to Mayo himself in a letter written from prison, was a betrayal orchestrated by his godson. The United States lacks the legitimacy to impose such a severe punishment as the death penalty on me, the drug lord said in the same letter. Ovidio Guzman Lopez, another of El Chapos sons, pleaded guilty in July to drug trafficking charges brought against him by the United States. He is the first of El Chapos heirs to reach an agreement with the Justice Department. The Trump administration blames him for the entry of huge quantities of fentanyl into the country. Joaquin Guzman, who turned in El Mayo, is in negotiations to follow in Ovidios footsteps. The benefit announced Tuesday also affects Caro Quintero, perhaps the most emblematic drug lord among the 29 cartel bosses that Claudia Sheinbaums government handed over to Donald Trump at the beginning of the Republicans term. The veteran drug trafficker, also in his seventies, will appear for the first time before U.S. courts to answer for the murder of DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena 40 years ago. Caro Quinteros next court hearing in New York will be on September 18. El Viceroy, of the Juarez Cartel, brother of legendary drug lord Amado Carrillo, also faces a busy fall with the justice system. Vicente Carrillo received a 28-year prison sentence in Mexico in 2021. He had served less than four years before being sent north as part of the historic operation to hand over Mexican drug lords to U.S. authorities. When the United States received these drug traffickers, it announced that it would seek the death penalty for four of them. Vicente Carrillo has now been spared that burden, as has Caro Quintero. Only two candidates for capital punishment remain: Jose Rodolfo Villarreal Hernandez, a Beltran Leyva Cartel hitman who will be tried in Texas, and Andrew Clark, the only Canadian in the group and a member of the Jalisco New Generation Cartel, who will face a judge in California. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition A North Jersey woman was arrested after intentionally hitting two people with her car in the parking lot of a shopping plaza last month, police said Wednesday. Yesenia M. Garcia, 48, of Franklin Borough in Sussex County, was charged with two counts of assault by auto, police said. She was also charged with two counts of endangering the welfare of another and criminal mischief, both fourth-degree crimes. Garcia is acquainted with one of the pedestrians she struck at the Sterling Plaza on Munsonhurst Road on July 2, but police did not elaborate further on their relationship. Both pedestrians were examined at the scene by first responders, police said. An attorney representing Garcia in the case did not immediately return an emailed request by NJ Advance Media for comment. Garcia was released with court summonses, police said. A pre-indictment conference is scheduled for late August, court records show. Thank you for relying on us to provide the local news you can trust. Please consider supporting NJ.com with a subscription. Eric Conklin may be reached at econklin@njadvancemedia.com. The Yankees don't know yet if Aaron Judge (left), Giancarlo Stanton (right) or someone else will be their right fielder this weekend. AP ARLINGTON, Texas Off the injured list as of Tuesday but only DHing because his right elbow isnt fully healed, Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge was back throwing for the first time in almost two weeks before Wednesdays series finale with the Rangers at Globe Life Park. Judge played catch for a few minutes with designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton, who is prepping for his first outfield action since 2023 this weekend. Judge told reporters after his light throwing that he was sore, but felt better than he did prior to his 10-day IL stint. Its too soon to know when Judge will be able to play the field again. It could be as early as this weekend, but might not occur for days or weeks later. I think its going to be (pain) tolerance, manager Aaron Boone said of Judge, who has a right elbow flexor strain. Hell be introduced at 60 feet. Whats that feel like? Sixty to 90 feet Then what kind of intensity can he do? You listen to the arm. Judge badly wants to get back in right because the Yankees, losers of five in a row heading into Wednesday, need Stanton in the lineup. Stanton has been the Yankees hottest hitter in the last three-plus weeks with a .301 average, nine homers and 21 RBI in his last 21 games, but he has been a bench player since Judge returned on Tuesday. Boone didnt want Stanton returning to the outfield in the Rangers series because Globe Life Field has a turf playing survive that is tough on the knees. Stanton might not be able to play regularly in right even for a short stretch after only DHing for two seasons and most of the time since 2020. Hopefully I get out there because we need all the big boys in the lineup, said Judge, who was 0-for-3 with two strikeouts in his return for Tuesday nights 2-0 loss to the Rangers. As for this weekend, Boone appears to be leaning on starting Stanton a game or two in right for the two games that the Astros start left-handers. Youre trying to get a feel from Big G, Boone said. What were going through as a club right now, obviously you want him in there. But he also hasnt been out there and theres an element to that not only from you know what kind of ground hes going to be covering, but also the long -term health and things like that How long does it look like Judge is going to be down? Is (Judge) going to be out there in short order. If looks like we do (face) a couple lefties with Houston. Theres probably an avenue to get him out there and I feel like G in his head is feeling like he can go out there and be representative. So well see. Im not sure yet, but well see where we are in a couple days. Besides Judge making progress with his throwing, two injured Yankees pitchers have been getting closer to coming off the IL, righty Fernando Cruz for bullpen duties and lefty Ryan Yarbrough to be a starter or reliever. Both are on the IL with oblique starts, both have progressed to throwing bullpens in their rehabs and are expected to be back on the Yankees active roster at some point this month. Cruz threw a second bullpen in four days on Monday, and it went really good, according to Boone. Hell throw another in the next day or two, then on Sunday do it for a fourth time or progress to throwing live BP. The Yankees are unsure at this point if theyll build Yarbrough up to rejoin the rotation or bring him back as a long reliever. Thatll probably depend on the health of the other Yankees starters and what they get from Cam Schlitter, a rookie who has made three starts since his first call-up last month. Well see, Boone said. (Yarbrough) will have his first live Thursday or Friday, then hell have another live and then well start building up to 30-35 (pitches). And then at that point well have more information. Well be 10 days out from this and decide: Do we want to keep pushing him to 50 (pitches, or do we just take him (on the active roster) at that point? Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Randy Miller may be reached at rmiller@njadvancemedia.com. The Yankees ignored industry-wide concerns about trade-deadline addition Jake Bird, according to scouts who spoke with one team beat writer. Jake Bird, who was acquired from the Colorado Rockies at the deadline last week, allowed six earned runs over two innings including two home runs before being optioned to Triple A on Tuesday. Through July 1, Bird pitched to a 2.63 ERA, but in his last eight games with the Rockies, he gave up 14 earned runs for a 23.63 ERA. In his previous appearance with the Rockies before coming over to the Yankees, Bird allowed a homer and four earned runs on July 28. There were some concerns industry-wide about Bird, not that he was injured or anything like that, but just basically that he might have been overused a bit with Colorado, and his numbers did show that in July, Newsdays Erik Boland said on the Foul Territory show. In 3 appearances with the Yankees, Jake Bird has allowed: 7 runs (6 earned) and 2 homers In his last 4 appearances overall, he has allowed 11 runs (10 earned) and 3 homers pic.twitter.com/58F5Fwwqo7 Adam Zagoria (@AdamZagoria) August 5, 2025 The Yankees gave up prospects Roc Riggio (second base) and Ben Shields (pitcher) for Bird, who could still play a major role in their bullpen. The Yankees have dropped five in a row entering Wednesdays afternoon game at the Texas Rangers. They stand 6 1/2 games back of the Toronto Blue Jays in the AL East. Thank you for relying on us to provide the journalism you can trust. Please consider supporting us with a subscription. Adam Zagoria is a freelance reporter and Basketball Insider for NJ Advance Media. You may follow him on Twitter @AdamZagoria and check out his Website at ZAGSBLOG.com. Six-day (Tuesday through Sunday) print subscribers of the Watertown Daily Times are eligible for full access to NNY360, the NNY360 mobile app, and the Watertown Daily Times e-edition, all at no additional cost. If you have an existing six-day print subscription to the Watertown Daily Times, please make sure your email address on file matches your NNY360 account email. You can sign up or manage your print subscription using the options below. In the north of Ciudad Juarez, a few meters from the Rio Grande, there is a nearly empty camp waiting to mitigate the waves of Mexican repatriates promised by Donald Trump, but they either dont arrive or arent what was expected. Elsewhere, to the northwest, a convoy of state police trucks patrols the land next to the wall looking for drug traffickers or migrants, but finds nothing beyond holes in the border fence. Between these two points, in the Centro neighborhood, dozens of migrants live crowded in rented housing awaiting some change in U.S. immigration laws; others have already settled there with the idea of remaining in Mexico. The shelters, once overrun, now look empty. Meanwhile, the U.S. presidents media and terror policy is having an effect, even without data to back up his threats. Life plans have been reconsidered after January 20. Now, for many, its a matter of waiting four years at the border for the U.S. presidency to change, if it ever does, says Daniel Soto, a 37-year-old nurse born in Venezuela who arrived in Ciudad Juarez in 2018 with the firm intention of staying there, where he works providing humanitarian aid to people in transit so they can access the healthcare system. Nurse Daniel Soto in Ciudad Juarez, June 2025. Ciela Avila Migrant shelters are below 10% of their occupancy capacity, and the people there are considering staying in the city and renting a home or returning to their home countries, according to Ivonne Lopez, a social worker at the Casa del Migrante. Right now, for example, we have about 30 or 40 people waiting to decide whether to leave or stay. At the most critical moments, we had 1,138. All the citys shelters are similar, says Lopez. According to Dirvin Garcia, coordinator of the Migrant Assistance and Urban Mobility Program of the State Population Council in Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, 23 shelters monitored had 625 people staying in them as of July 31. This means that the 23 facilities together are still at just over half the capacity the Casa del Migrante housed at its peak. David Berrio attempted to cross the border with his family: his wife and his daughter, who was just over a year old. They were sent to Cuba, where all three are originally from. But David, without explanation, was left in Ciudad Juarez. They separated us; that has been the hardest thing in my life. But at least being here in Juarez, I can send them some money that I wouldnt be able to get back there, says the man, who plans to remain on the border, working in a shopping mall parking lot where he looks out for and washes cars. He lives in a rented room with two Colombians in a house with about 12 people in the city center. Under the Mexico Embraces You plan, the federal government implemented a reception strategy along the entire border for Mexicans repatriated by the United States, in response to Trumps warnings of mass deportations. An empty camp dining hall, May 2025. Marco Antonio LopeZ In Ciudad Juarez, five days after Trumps inauguration in January, the tents with a capacity for 2,500 people were ready. They were set up in an area known as El Punto, named after Pope Francis visit in February 2016, from where he sent a message of encouragement to migrants in the United States. Anyone who wanted to see the Pope would gather there, hence its name: El Punto. The Mexico Embraces You strategy is comprehensive, bringing together various government agencies at all three levels, international and local organizations, military forces, and Civil Protection agencies, among others. However, what was expected to be a historic crisis has remained below the deportation figures of the Joe Biden and Barack Obama administrations. We cant talk about a mass repatriation. Were facing a situation that has been managed at all times. Its not a migration emergency. And its good that it isnt and that were not full, says Mayra Chavez, Chihuahuas welfare delegate and coordinator of the Mexico Embraces You Support and Services Center, in an interview. And its true: from January to July of this year, 6,983 Mexicans were repatriated through Ciudad Juarez, according to Chavez; during the same period in 2024, 7,052 returned, very similar numbers for discourse as different as that of Trump and his predecessors. While the statistics remain similar, its the aggressiveness that makes the difference. The Mexicans stay at the camp is short, just one or two days, during which time they can contact their families, receive financial assistance of 2,000 pesos through a card called Paisano, and transportation support to their places of origin, explains Chavez. For this reason, although the monthly average of people being served in the tents is 1,200, the actual occupancy rate remains between 30 and 50 people per day. This represents between 10% and 15% of the installed capacity. However, there are approximately 100 federal government employees working there, in addition to the organizations and National Guard personnel guarding the space more employees than returnees. The objective of this strategy is to guarantee the welcome and reintegration of our Mexican brothers and sisters to their places of origin. To guarantee their rights and support them in every way possible, which they deserve, with dignity, asserts Chavez. An empty women's dormitory, May 2025. Marco Antonio LopeZ Operation Mirror Two pickup trucks and a Suburban from the State Department of Public Security weave their way through downtown traffic heading north, then travel west along the entire border while a group of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol agents do the same, but on the other side of the wall. Between the two trucks is the Suburban, with Commander Benjamin Esparza in the passenger seat. As they drive through the Rancho Anapra neighborhood, one of the most dangerous areas for drug and human trafficking, he says: This remote neighborhood is very suitable for sheltering people who are about to cross. There are safe houses, because they blend in with the surroundings. You think a family lives there, but no, they are very well-hidden houses where they hold migrants. Agents of the State Public Security Secretariat in Anapra, Juarez, in June 2025. Marco Antonio LopeZ However, the encounters weve had we call them rescues have been very few since the new administration took office in the United States. Yes, there has been a significant reduction, but weve noticed an increase in other crimes unrelated to border crossings, such as kidnapping, for example, he added. Operation Mirror brings together authorities from both countries to locate people attempting to cross into the United States. To do so, agents advance simultaneously on both sides of the border, sometimes with the assistance of a U.S. or Mexican helicopter. On a July afternoon as the sun is beginning to set, the dust stirred up by a helicopter paints the edges of the wall ochre as it flies low, next to an empty highway about to lead into Santa Teresa, Chihuahua. Only the sound of the propellers can be heard breaking the wind. All around, the border desert appears empty. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The clock reads just after 9 a.m. Thermometers are already above 30C (86F). Bicycles, buses, and cars crisscross the leafy boulevard. A mother and daughter bow in reverence at the entrance to a shrine; suited officials walk briskly; uniformed schoolchildren listen to their teachers explanations; tourists follow their guides pennant toward the river. It is an August morning in Hiroshima, 80 years after the Enola Gay, an American B-29, dropped the most destructive weapon ever used in war on the population of this Japanese city: the atomic bomb. So many died without being able to tell their story Thats why were speaking out, so that it wont be forgotten, says Satoshi Tanaka, a survivor of the August 1945 disaster and a member of Nihon Hidankyo, the institution awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2024, for its efforts to achieve a world free of nuclear weapons and for demonstrating with witness testimony that nuclear weapons must never be used again, according to the Nobel Committee. Hiroshima has been rebuilt stone by stone, but the still visible scars of that attack are a stark reminder that the world cannot afford to repeat the hell experienced here, which Nagasaki would also be subjected to three days later. However, in a context marked by growing distrust between world powers, that lesson seems to be in danger of being forgotten. Eight decades after the end of World War II and the subsequent construction of a new rules-based global order, international consensus on non-proliferation is weakening. Moreover, the nine nuclear-weapon states (the United States, Russia, the United Kingdom, France, China, India, Pakistan, North Korea, and Israel) have ambitious plans to renew their arsenals and delivery systems, according to the 2025 report of the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). The language of deterrence has returned to the forefront of geopolitical discourse, and with it, the possibility that nuclear weapons could once again emerge as a real option in conflict scenarios. Atomic bomb survivor Satoshi Tanaka gives a talk to high school students. Tanaka was one year and four months old when, on the morning of August 6, 1945, a white flash cut across the sky above Hiroshima. Little Boy, a bomb measuring three meters in length, weighing four tons, and carrying about 50 kilograms of enriched uranium, had just exploded 580 meters above downtown. It was 8:15 a.m. on a Monday, and the city was already in full swing. 4,000C and 140,000 dead In a matter of seconds, the explosion unleashed an unprecedented amount of energy over an inhabited area. Beneath a giant mushroom cloud, the air was transformed into fire; it is estimated that at the epicenter of the impact, the heat reached 4,000C at ground level; 70,000 people were killed instantly. Another 70,000 would die before the end of the year, either from their injuries or from radiation exposure. The blast wave devastated the heart of the city, leaving behind a landscape of rubble, ash, and desperate pleas for help. From a bustling metropolis of 300,000 inhabitants, Hiroshima was transformed into a wasteland of devastation and horror in a matter of minutes. Thousands of wounded cried out for help, their bodies covered in burns, their skin peeling off, and their clothing reduced to rags. Some walked in silence, others lay on the ground as the fires raged through the remains of the city. Of 90,000 buildings, 60,000 were destroyed, and 6,000 more were damaged beyond repair. Three days later, on August 9 at 11:02 a.m., another American bomber, Bockscar, dropped an atomic bomb (this time a much more powerful plutonium bomb) on a suburb of Nagasaki. Fat Man killed 40,000 people that day and was responsible for the deaths of another 30,000 by the end of 1945. Japan capitulated a week later, on August 15, and officially surrendered on September 2, effectively ending the Second World War. The testimonies Tanaka, now 81, lost almost his entire family as a result of the bombing. He keeps his mothers diaries, in which she described what postwar Hiroshima was like. Barbarism is a fact. Thats why I try to pass my baton on to the younger generations, to make sure they know what happened, he told EL PAIS minutes before beginning a talk for high school students. The testimonies of those who experienced the tragedies of Hiroshima and Nagasaki firsthand the so-called hibakusha are harrowing. And they are becoming fewer and fewer. The inexorable passage of time means that voices capable of recalling the horror are disappearing. According to official figures, in March 2025 there were 99,130 hibakusha across Japan, with an average age of 86.13 years. At the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, photographs from the days following the catastrophe, victims belongings, remains of the city, and various artifacts related to the atomic bomb on display highlight the magnitude of the disaster and confront visitors with the brutal reality of the use of nuclear weapons. I remember a childhood surrounded by ruins and chaos, recalls Sumiko Fujii, 74. Her mother and aunt were hibakusha, who grew old without knowing the whereabouts of a third sister. Fujii says she had been aware that something serious had happened to her family since she was three, even though her mother avoided talking about the bomb. My mother was unharmed, but my aunts arm was covered in keloid scars, she recalls. Sumiko Fujii, daughter of a 'hibakusha' and pacifist activist. Inma Bonet Many hibakusha developed leukemia, various types of cancer, and other illnesses that reflected the invisible damage of the bomb. These physical scars were compounded by social stigma, workplace discrimination, and the persistent fear that their children would be born with genetic defects. Growing nationalism Fujii is a petite woman with a sweet and curious gaze. She says she grew up trapped in a contradiction: Japan was a victim of the atomic bomb, but before that, it was a predator. For this reason, she decided to dedicate her life to anti-war and anti-nuclear activism. In 1992, she founded the Article 9 Society Hiroshima, which defends and promotes the pacifist spirit enshrined in this article of the Japanese Constitution. Fujii is concerned about the growing inclination toward nationalist positions among young Japanese people as demonstrated by the results of the last election, in which a far-right party surprisingly performed well and that more and more people are in favor of rearmament. Even so, the atmosphere in Hiroshima during these days of commemoration is one of conciliation. Around Peace Park, the epicenter of collective memory, messages rejecting war abound. Thousands of orizuru, colorful paper cranes, hang in display cases or from trees; dozens of students leave handwritten messages; volunteers pass on the citys symbolic value to future generations. Concerts, recitals, marches, and rallies have been organized. One of them, over the weekend, called for an end to the genocide in Palestine. Its terrifying. We havent learned anything in 80 years, laments hibakusha Masako Kido. She was two years old when the atomic bomb fell, but her family lived far enough from ground zero for everyone to survive. A former music teacher, she devoted herself to studying languages in her youth and traveling the world after retirement. Now she says shes afraid of the future: Whats happening is very dangerous. I see a very bleak future, because of politicians like [Benjamin] Netanyahu, [Donald] Trump, or [Vladimir] Putin. Tetsuo Hamano, grandson and son of 'hibakusha.' Inma Bonet Its an opinion shared by survivor Tanaka: The risk is that many leaders now have the option of pressing the [nuclear] button. Talking about deterrence is nonsense, a lie, he emphasizes. Nuclear countries dont rule out using such weapons in the event of war. Its dictatorial and intimidating behavior. He acknowledges his fear that the memories of Hiroshima and Nagasaki will be diluted by the passing of the hibakusha. Tetsuo Pancho Hamano, the 55-year-old grandson, son, and nephew of a hibakusha, is more optimistic. Anyone who visits Hiroshima clearly understands what is at stake if that line is crossed, he says. Hamano is a law graduate who, after decades dedicated to the business world in larger cities like Tokyo and Osaka, decided to return to his native Hiroshima a couple of years ago. My father and grandfather were passionate about peace education, and they repeated their experiences to me over and over again, he says. During the pandemic, he turned his life upside down and now works as a guide, the destiny his father prepared him for, he jokes. Hamano, like so many other voices in Hiroshima, asks the world not to repeat the mistake made in 1945. He insists that history cannot be changed but neither can it be ignored, and that, therefore, in turbulent times like these, it is crucial to understand the past in order to move toward the future in the right direction. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Amid the storm of national and international criticism sparked by the Salvadoran parliaments decision to approve indefinite reelection which will allow Nayib Bukele to remain in power the Donald Trump administration has delivered a resounding endorsement to its closest political ally in Central America: The Legislative Assembly of El Salvador was democratically elected to advance the interests and policies of its constituents. The decision to make constitutional changes is theirs. It is up to them to determine how their country should be governed, stated a State Department spokesperson. On July 31, the popular Salvadoran president fulfilled his loftiest political ambition, taking advantage of his legislative majority to break the constitutional barriers that prohibit indefinite reelection, the most common evil that has led dozens of Latin American countries to dictatorships. The constitutional changes clear the way for Bukele to seek a third term; they extend the presidential term to six years (up from five) and eliminate the runoff round in the voting process. For Salvadoran civil society organizations and international human rights defenders, the reform approved by the Bukele-led Assembly raises alarm bells about what they see as the latest step in an increasingly authoritarian regime. They are following Venezuelas path. It begins with a leader who uses his popularity to concentrate power, and ends in a dictatorship, warned Juanita Goebertus, director of the Americas Division of Human Rights Watch (HRW), on her X account. For his part, HRW deputy director for the Americas, Juan Pappier, recalled that the Inter-American Court of Human Rights has been clear about the risks to democracy posed by indefinite presidential reelection. That court warned, in a June 2021 advisory opinion, that the greatest current danger for the regions democracies is not an abrupt breakdown of the constitutional order, but a gradual erosion of democratic safeguards that can lead to an authoritarian regime, even if it is elected through popular elections. However, the Trump administration, which became a staunch ally of Bukele after the latter offered his Cecot mega-prison to house deportees from the United States, has decided to support reform in El Salvador, a country that has seen around 40 journalists and human rights defenders go into exile in recent months and already holds several political prisoners, including lawyer Ruth Lopez. We reject the comparison of El Salvadors legislative process democratic and constitutionally sound with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region, the State Department spokesperson insisted. This represents a complete reversal from the previous administration, that of Joe Biden, which consistently challenged Bukeles burgeoning authoritarianism and sanctioned several of his officials, including Director General of Penitentiary Centers and Deputy Minister of Justice and Public Security Osiris Luna Meza. Specifically, through the Penal Centers portfolio, Bukele made his Terrorism Confinement Center (Cecot) available to Washington to house deported migrants, including Venezuelans accused without evidence of belonging to the Tren de Aragua criminal organization. Last week, Pappier told EL PAIS that the reason Bukele was able to carry out the constitutional reform allowing indefinite reelection at this point is because he knows that with Trump in the White House, he has a free rein. Today, he feels he has no international barriers to prevent him from taking the country down the path of Nicaragua. He knows that Trump couldnt care less about democracy and the separation of powers; that what matters to him is having governments like El Salvadors that do his work for him, and [Bukele] is happy to do Trumps homework at the expense of his authoritarian project. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Businesses are being invited to join the new Sponsor a Nurse campaign launched by North Devon Hospice to help support more local patients in their own homes. So far, holidaycottages.co.uk and C-Tec South West are the first companies to join the campaign, by pledging 1,500 towards funding a hospice community nurse for a year, with more needed to reach the total. Businesses can pledge their support via as a company donation, or perhaps hold their own fundraising activities throughout the year to reach the target. READ NEXT: Hospice tribute to 'incredible' and much missed long-serving volunteer This is the route holidaycottages.co.uk has taken, as Serena Pearce, its regional communities manager, explains: As long-term supporters of North Devon Hospice, our staff love to get involved in fundraising because its a cause close to all our hearts. There is barely a family in the area who have not been touched by the hospices care. So whether its a staff quiz night or bake sale in the office, our team get so much out of this partnership and its fantastic for morale. Were delighted to now be joining the Sponsor a Nurse campaign because its amazing to know exactly how our support will be making a difference. We know our sponsored nurse will be caring for real people in real homes every single day and its humbling to know the company and our staff have helped in some way. Neil Deakin, director of C-Tec South West, agrees: North Devon Hospice could be caring for someone in your family at any time and its likely that one of their community nurses will be the first face you see. They do incredible work, which probably goes unseen, but its helping thousands of people every year who need that support when theyre facing a life-illness like cancer. Please join us and get involved. This is an amount almost all companies could raise throughout the year, but it will mean the world to people being looked after by these hospice nurses. READ NEXT: Hospice Cuddle Appeal is a huge success thanks to the people of North Devon Claire Paine, business relationship manager at the hospice, said companies taking part would get a video of thanks from a nurse as well as regular updates throughout the year on how their donation is helping. She added: There will be a special reception event at the end of the year where we can come together to celebrate what has been achieved. There are a host of other benefits including promotional materials and other ways in which to engage your staff with the cause. So, get in touch today and find out more. We're delighted holidaycottages.co.uk and C-Tec South West are the first to join this initiative. They are valuable partners over a long period of time, who really understand the vital work of our care teams. They also know the positive impact this relationship has on their staff too, because it genuinely helps people in this community. If you would like to sign your business up to the Sponsor a Nurse campaign, please call Claire Paine on 01271 344248 or email clairepaine@northdevonhospice.org.uk. To find out more about the campaign and the full list of benefits for your company, please visit https://www.northdevonhospice.org.uk/nurse. The Trump administration has exempted several U.S. Steel and Cleveland-Cliffs facilities from having to follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rules limiting airborne emissions of toxic chemicals. President Donald Trump issued an executive order in late July that exempts the steelmakers from emissions requirements for two years. Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel will now have to follow new national emissions standards for hazardous air pollutants those two years. The exemptions apply to U.S. Steel's Keetac Plant in Keewatin, Minnesota and Minntac Plant in Mountain Iron, Minnesota, as well as to Cleveland-Cliffs' United Taconite, Northshore Mining, Hibbing Taconite and Mincora mines in Minnesota and Tilden and Empire mines in Michigan. The mines supply iron ore, a crucial ingredient in steelmaking, to the Cleveland-Cliffs and U.S. Steel integrated steel mills along the South Shore of Lake Michigan in Northwest Indiana, shipping it across the Great Lakes via lake freighters. It's burned in the Region's blast furnaces to make the iron that's turned into steel. U.S. Steel had objected to the new rules on taconite iron ore processing that the EPA adopted last year. The regulations would have capped emissions of mercury, which the EPA says can result in health issues like tremors, insomnia, mood swings, muscle atrophy, headaches and poor mental function. The World Health Organization says prolonged mercury exposure especially poses a risk to children and their development. "To preserve American jobs and domestic steel production, industries like ours must be able to rely on and play by rules that are well-grounded in science and law," U.S. Steel spokesman Andrew Fulton said. "U. S. Steel challenged all three rules legally because they were supported by neither science nor law and would impose significant costs while setting technically unachievable standards. Seeking the presidential exemptions reflects no change to U.S. Steels original position that it is supportive of revisions to regulations that are within EPA's statutory authority, based on sound science, and are technically feasible." New EPA administrator Lee Zeldin invited companies to apply for exemptions to environmental rules if the technology to comply was not yet readily available at a commercial scale, if the company played a role in national security and if the exemption could preserve jobs. "The presidential exemptions provide an additional path to achieving reasonable, effective environmental standards, which we support as part of our commitment to environmental excellence and to being a good neighbor in the communities where we live and work," Fulton said. "These requests do not change our continued commitment to environmental performance and safety." The administration and steelmakers have not yet publicly disclosed what exemptions were sought and granted for steel mills and other industrial facilities. Trump said in his executive order that the Biden administration's Taconite rule placed "significant burdens on a sector critical to the Nations industrial foundation." "Taconite iron ore processing is fundamental to the United States steel production and manufacturing sectors," the executive order read. "The facilities involved in the process supply essential raw materials used to make steel, which is used in national defense systems, critical infrastructure, and a broad range of industrial applications. Preserving and enhancing domestic taconite processing capabilities is vital to reducing reliance on foreign sources and ensuring resilience of American industrial supply chains." The executive order said that emissions control technologies were not yet advanced enough to help the steelmakers comply with the emissions regulations, asserting the rules could threaten jobs and facilities. "The Taconite Rule risks forcing shutdowns, reducing domestic production, and undermining the nations ability to supply steel for defense, energy, and critical manufacturing," the executive order read. "The United States must not allow inflexible regulatory deadlines to jeopardize a material critical to our industrial base. Maintaining this capacity is essential to our national security and economic resilience." The Sierra Club environmental group decried the regulatory rollback that also exempted three coal plants from mercury and air toxics standards and 52 plants from emissions limits on toxic gases like ethylene oxide and chloroprene. The Trump administration follows a very simple philosophy: if youre a big corporation that puts profit over people, you can have any hall pass you want regardless of how many lives you endanger and how much harm you cause our clean air and water. It is disgusting that Donald Trump and Lee Zeldin are continuing to hand out exemption after exemption from standards that would save lives and prevent illnesses," Sierra Club Climate Policy Director Patrick Drupp said. "They have completely betrayed our health, our communities, and our futures in exchange for profits for big polluters." Lithium deficiency is a possible cause of Alzheimers disease, according to a pivotal study that provides a new theory of the disease and a novel treatment strategy. The researchers, from Harvard University, have shown that lithium, a chemical element found in the Earths crust, plays an essential role in brain function. The scientists also observed that administering a salt, lithium orotate, to mice prevents memory loss and the characteristic pathological changes of dementia. But the signatories urge citizens not to take supplements on their own, as they can be extremely dangerous. Instead, they urge the launch of clinical trials to investigate the effect of lithium orotate on humans. Their results are published this Wednesday in the journal Nature, one of the most prestigious scientific publications in the world. Research leader Bruce A. Yankner compares Alzheimers to a chaotic battlefield covered in corpses after a war. There is so much destruction that its hard to know how it all began. Yankner himself discovered in 1990 that a protein that is deposited in the brains of people with Alzheimers, called beta amyloid, can cause neuron degeneration. Another protein, called tau, forms tangles inside the brain cells of these patients. And the activation of immune cells maintains chronic neuroinflammation that damages neurons and deteriorates their connections. The battlefield in the brain is so confusing that, more than a century after the discovery of the disease in a German woman with memory loss, the scientific community still doesnt understand how Alzheimers arises. Lithium deficiency is the breakdown in communication that leads to war, Yankner explains to EL PAIS. The Harvard team wanted to shed light on the possible role of some 30 metallic chemical elements, such as iron and copper, in the enigmatic process that leads to Alzheimers. The researchers analyzed human samples stored in the Rush University Brain Bank in Chicago, a collection of donations from thousands of healthy individuals or those in various stages of cognitive decline. After measuring the minute traces of these metals with unprecedented precision, the group found that only lithium levels declined dramatically as Alzheimers progressed. The finding was consistent with previous studies that had observed a surprising fact: drinking water with higher amounts of lithium is associated with a lower incidence of dementia in the population. In Denmark, this effect was seen in a 2017 analysis of 800,000 people. Yankners group explains that characteristic deposits of beta amyloid protein bind to lithium and sequester it, impeding its natural function in the brain. This drop in the metals levels affects all key brain cells, the neurologist emphasizes. Lithium deficiency is a potential common mechanism for the multisystem degeneration of the brain that gives rise to dementia, he notes. The finding is momentous, Harvard University emphasized in a statement. The idea that lithium deficiency could be a cause of Alzheimers disease is new and suggests a different therapeutic approach, Yankner concludes. Lithiums role as a mood stabilizer is well knownit was an ingredient in the original recipe for the popular American soft drink 7UP a century agoand it is used as a treatment for people with bipolar disorder, depression and schizophrenia. The most common drug is lithium carbonate, a toxic substance that can cause kidney failure and seizures. Yankners team has discovered that another compound, lithium orotate, is effective at one-thousandth of the usual dose and does not become trapped in the deposits of the beta amyloid protein. This saltmade up of five carbon atoms, three hydrogen atoms, one lithium atom, two nitrogen atoms, and four oxygen atoms (CHLiNO)prevents pathological changes and memory loss in both naturally aging mice and those genetically modified to mimic the effects of Alzheimers, according to experiments conducted at Harvard. As a neuroscientist, I am excited about exploring the normal functions of lithium in the brain. Our analysis of the genes in the brain suggests that all the major brain cell types are affected by lithium. I suspect we have just scratched the surface of what will be some very interesting neurobiology, says Yankner, who continues research to pave the way for future clinical trials of lithium orotate in humans. The idea that lithium deficiency could be a cause of Alzheimers disease is new and suggests a different therapeutic approach Bruce A. Yankner, Harvard neuroscientist A Spanish study led by the biologists Javier Vitorica and Antonia Gutierrez showed in 2013 that lithium carbonate slowed the progression of Alzheimers in transgenic mice and improved their memory. Vitorica emphasizes that the Harvard team has now opted for a seemingly less toxic compound, but insists that no one should take it on their own. Lithium is very dangerous; the dose must be carefully controlled, warns the researcher, a professor at the University of Seville. Vitorica applauds the new study but remains cautious until these encouraging results are confirmed in human trials. Its not going to be the drug that cures Alzheimers, but it may mitigate its symptoms, he opines. His colleague Antonia Gutierrez highlights that the Harvard study has established a relationship between lithium deficiency and the activation of a pro-inflammatory state in microglia, the brains immune cells discovered in 1918 by the Spanish neuroscientist Pio del Rio Hortega. The dysfunction of these cells prevents them from removing harmful deposits of beta-amyloid protein, which in turn would lead to the progression of the neurodegenerative process through inflammation, the accumulation of tau protein tangles, and the loss of connections between neurons. The results of this study support the idea that lithium could be a modulator of the microglial state and, from this perspective, open a way to modulate disease progression, celebrates the biologist, a professor at the University of Malaga. Gutierrez, however, is skeptical that lithium deficiency is a cause of Alzheimers. The suggestion that lithium is a key factor in the origin of the disease is somewhat speculative. The work does not determine whether lithium deficiency is a consequence or a primary factor of the disease, the professor believes. Extrapolation of the results of this study to human pathology requires further scientific support. Most of the experiments were conducted in transgenic animal models, and direct causality has not been demonstrated in humans, Gutierrez warns. If confirmed, the main challenge would be finding a safe and effective dose, since lithium can have toxic effects, especially in people with compromised kidney function, she adds. Pathologist Alberto Rabano directs the CIEN Foundations brain bank in Madrid, which has over a thousand donated organs. The relationship between lithium and Alzheimers has a long history, but this study is truly new and important, he says. Rabano particularly values the fact that the Harvard team analyzed post-mortem human tissue because it reveals the importance of brain donation. Rabano points out that two treatments already exist, lecanemab and donanemab, which slow cognitive decline in Alzheimers patients by between 27% and 35%, but they are very expensivemore than 20,000 per patient per yearand cause serious side effects. The pathologist emphasizes that the lithium orotate proposed by Yankners team could complement the modest efficacy of these two therapies, if their activity in humans is confirmed. This is excellent news in the field of Alzheimers, Rabano celebrates. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition DCI Group has picked up a $3M one-year pact to help Myanmar rebuild its relations with the US. The focus is on trade, natural resources and humanitarian relief, especially in the wake of the massive earthquake that rocked the former Burma on March 28, killing at least 5,400 people. President Trumps decision to eliminate the US Agency for International Development limited Americas ability to respond to Myanmars deadliest earthquake since 1930. The State Dept. claims the US via international partners channeled $9M into the devastated area for emergency shelter, food, medical support, health, access to clean health, access to clean water, and sanitation. The US imposed sanctions on Myanmar relations for the militarys 2017 genocide of the Rohingya people and 2021 coup. DCI Group, which has strong ties to the Republican Party, has managing partner Justin Peterson and partner Ryan Grillo handling the Myanmar account. Peterson worked on the presidential campaigns of Elizabeth Dole and George W. Bush. Trump appointed him to serve as his rep to the Financial Oversight and Management Board for Puerto Rico. Grillo began his career as a staffer for Sen. Chuck Hagel and oversees DCIs global business and its office in Brussels. Xi Jingping China keeps on winning. While campaigning in 2026, Donald Trump boasted to supporters that they will get tired of winning: We are going to win so much, you may even get tired of winning, and youll say please, please its too much winning, we cant cant take it anymore, the candidate said. Chinas leader Xi Jingping has done a lot of winning of late, thanks to Trump. The Washington Posts Max Boot published an opinion piece on Aug 4 called China is winning the trade war that Trump started. Edward Luce of the Financial Times followed up on Aug 5 with Trump is the gift that keeps giving to China. Both writers note that Trump, while kowtowing before strongman Li, is punishing Americas traditional Asia-Pacific allies. For instance, his decision to slap a 25 percent tariff on China rival India for importing from Russia is especially sweet for Li. That's nuts. The US has been strengthening its ties with India during the past 25 years. The goal is to make the world's most populous nation a counterbalance to China in the region. India also is part of the US, Australia and Japan quad alliance designed to contain China. Trump could be the guy to make China and India friends again. He also threw Li a bone by shuttering the Voice of America, which was a thorn in the side of the Chinese dictator. A spokesperon for Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs called VOA a lie factory that stirs up conflict with a notorious track record in their China coverage. VOA challenged China for its brutal repression of the Uighur ethnic minority and its threat to Taiwan. When VOA was created during WWII, China was among its first targeted countries. Luce noted some observers could be forgiven for thinking Trump wants to keep China winning." Maybe Trump was referring to The Middle Kingdom and its leader during those 2016 campaign rallies. Keep 'em distracted. Trump Media and Technology Group is using the same distract and divert attention strategy that is the hallmark of its biggest stockholder. In its Q2 "earnings" release, TMTG headlined its nearly $2.4B Bitcoin hoard of treasuries, which provides it with a tremendous level of liquidity and financial freedom. That trove gives investors indirect exposure to cryptocurrencies and solidifies the companys financial freedom including enhancing security against debunking and other acts of political discrimination, according to the release. Does TMTG anticipate that black helicopters will be hovering over its 2026 annual meeting? What gets short-shrift in the release? How about revenues? A curious reader will find that information buried in paragraph nine. The news is not so hot. TMTG chalked up a paltry $900K in revenues, which is rounded up from the actual $883.3K that is listed in the companys 10-Q. It lost $20M. Its hard to believe that TMTG cant generate more revenues from its consumer-facing Truth Social platform since it is the primary megaphone used by the dear leader. Are you ready for another diversion? TMTG announced Aug. 6 that it has begun public beta testing of its Truth Search AI, a tool that will make the Truth Social platform an even more vital element in the Patriot Economy, said CEO Devin Nunes. Forget the smokescreens: Dev needs more Patriots to enlist at the Truth Social site to smoke out more advertisers. Pope Leo is enjoying his PR honeymoon The first American pope, who was elected May 8, chalked up a 57 percent favorability rating in a Gallup poll ranking 14 top newsmakers. The Chicago native beat the ratings of No. 2 Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky (52 percent) and No. 3 Senator Bernie Sanders (49 percent). Leo pulled exceptionally well among polled Democrats, who gave him a 68 percent net-favorable score. He scored 39 percent among Independents and 33 percent for Republicans. Leo though shouldnt let the Gallup ratings go to his head. His initial ranking is on par with what Pope Francis (58 percent) and Pope Benedict (55 percent) polled when they first were elected. Will Leo go the way of Francis, who had the same Gallup rating before he exited the scene, or Benedict? Even God couldnt help dour German, who clocked out at 40 percent when he decided to relinquish the Throne of St. Peter. My hunch is that the Chicago White Sox fan will follow the footsteps of Francis. THE poet and songwriter Anthony Sullivan, a native of Lusmagh in Offaly, has teamed up with "The Wrafter Family Band" for the release of their very first original song, "That Tune", which will be available on all platforms from this Friday, August 8. An upbeat blend of folk and country, "That Tune" explores how certain loves leave a permanent echo in the heartmemories that can linger with both sweetness and a quiet ache. Written by Sullivan and brought to life by the energy and harmonies of The Wrafter Family Band, the track marks a new chapter for the group, known for their spirited live performances and deep musical roots. The song is powered by the emotional longing expertly expressed in the vocal of Thomas Wrafter, and the unmistakable banjo sound of his brother Conor. Indeed, the brothers' input on That Tune runs deep as they also co-produced the song alongside Seamus Cullinane, one of Irish music's finest producers. For Sullivan, this release represents a bridge between his lyrical craft and musical passion. A devoted traditional rhyming poet, Sullivans work is heavily inspired by Irish literary icons like Patrick Kavanagh, W.B. Yeats, and Thomas Kinsella, as well as Romantic giants such as Wordsworth, Keats, and Emily Dickinson. READ NEXT: THOUGHT FOR THE WEEK: Offaly columnist asks 'who are we becoming' As a songwriter, he draws influence from the raw storytelling of classic American countryHank Williams, Harlan Howard, Guy Clarkas well as the elegance of the Great American Songbook, citing Irving Berlin, the Gershwins, and Cole Porter as among those he admires and looks to for inspiration. Among more contemporary voices, Sullivan names Take Thats Gary Barlow as a standout songsmith for his melodic craft, emotional resonance, and career versatility. Sullivan has previously published two well-received poetry and lyric collections: Under Star And Under Sun (2004) and Pilgrim In The Heartland (2009). His third collection, The Light Of Hope's Ascent, is due out later this year, continuing his legacy of thoughtful, emotionally rich verse. READ NEXT: Major milestone for young parkrunner Mia at event in Offaly This collaboration is a celebration of the Irish tradition of lyricism and storytelling, says Sullivan. Its an honour to work with The Wrafter Family Band and to see my words take on new life through their music. ~ "That Tune" will be available on all major streaming platforms from Friday, August 8, marking an exciting new step for both Anthony Sullivan and The Wrafter Family Band. "That Tune" is available to pre-add/pre-save now, and also to request from radio stations nationwide. As a Zapotec person who is Indigenous to the Mexican state of Oaxaca, Omar Angel Perez, 48, knows about the discrimination and racism inflicted on immigrants in the United States, where he emigrated two decades ago. Personal experience led him to dedicate his career to the struggle for the rights of others like himself. Today, he is director of the immigration justice program at Faith in Action, a network that brings together multi-denominational congregations from around the country primarily of Christian faith, but also Jewish and Muslim and has chapters in Central America and Africa. The coalition has spoken out against Donald Trumps administration during both terms for its promotion of racism and brutal attacks against migrants, and about how religious communities are organizing to combat it. Question. What is the relationship between faith and immigration? Answer. There is a diversity of theological versions and sacred texts that speak to immigration. From a theological perspective, there is the teaching of being on the side of the unprotected, and the imperative to protect those who travel, those who migrate. When we do this work, more than taking a political position, what we are doing is adopting a moral position. Question. How is the collaboration between different religions when it comes to migratory issues? Is there a common narrative? Answer. Political conditions surrounding migration in this country have changed a lot in the last 20 years and that has led to a near uniformity in the need to create channels through which migrants can come into the country. There are people who are seeking asylum, who come fleeing from different kinds of violence in their own countries. There is also an understanding of the contributions made by the migrant workforce to the countrys economy. What we experienced during the first Trump administration and is now on the rise is an attack on the social fabric of communities, with consequences from which all will suffer. Faith communities understand that when they take a position and respond to this moral imperative we have. Question. What has changed in your work since January 20, the day Trump was inaugurated? Answer. We have seen a brutal increase in attacks on the migrant community in a variety of ways. Directly, through the presence of immigration agents in our neighborhoods, in our homes, and through the separation of families. We are seeing how they are kidnapping people. Once someone is detained, how they can easily disappear from the system. The case of Kilmar [Abrego Garcia] is a very good example of this. The Constitution guarantees him the right to remain in the country, argue his case and not be deported. And yet, he was deported. His wife only found out he was in a El Salvador prison because she saw him in a photo published in the media. There are hundreds of cases like this. The goal of carrying out 3,000 deportations a day is irrational. It is leading to violations of all the rules we knew before January 20. Question. How is all this being impacted by the fact that places of worship are no longer protected from immigration raids? Answer. The immediate impact is that there is a lack of physical presence of parishioners, and some dioceses have exempted their faithful from attending mass. So far, we have not seen immigration agents enter churches to make arrests, but some have taken place as people are leaving services. Under the previous Trump administration, they did enter places of worship to make arrests. This has created a lot of fear, but at the same time, the largest faith communities in the country have taken a strong stand to defend their communities and their spaces. The Pope called on the Catholic church to stand with migrants, and we have seen that in the actions of some bishops in Newark, El Paso, Miami. This is part of the work we are doing through Faith in Action. Question. Can you tell me about a case that illustrates the impact that Faith in Action has had on the migrant community? Answer. Under current conditions it has been very difficult, but in the last 10 years, we have made advancements in some places. Our headquarters in Massachusetts was part of a campaign that managed to make drivers licenses available to undocumented people. In Arizona, our chapter was part of another that made it so undocumented students didnt have to pay out-of-state tuition. In Washington DC, a sanctuary law was passed prohibiting local government from sharing information from the vehicle registration database with immigration authorities. Question. Do you think racism is on the rise in the United States? Answer. Definitely. The result of the elections is a clear example of that. Basically, 50% of the population voted for Trump. I think that due to the rise in violence against migrants, there are sectors of the population that are starting to question his policies, but racism has grown since his first administration, when the foundation and conditions were established for this to happen. Question. What are the most widespread misconceptions about immigration? Answer. Migrants have been used as a scapegoat for everything that is wrong with the countrys economy. There is a way of thinking which is not only nationalist, but racist that migrants are coming to destroy white society. They dont stop to see reality, their contribution to the economic, social, cultural and political life of the country, and not only by Latino communities, but by all immigrant communities. When the raids began in California, immigrants didnt show up to work the fields, and that created tremendous anxiety among landowners, because there wasnt going to be a workforce for the next season. The same thing is happening in the construction industry. Question. During the first Trump administration, some churches gave shelter to migrants to prevent them from being detained by ICE. Will that happen again? Answer. There are congregations and faith leaders that are open to doing so, taking on the risk and responding to a moral imperative. Question. Many of the migrants in detention centers, those who have been separated from their families, deportees, they came here looking for the American Dream. Is it a mirage? Answer. Its been a mirage for many years, and conditions are getting worse and worse, particularly under this administration. Question. What must be done to create a more just and humane immigration system? Answer. Its important to analyze the economic impact and contribution that migrant communities make to the country, realize that the large part of migrant families have been here for decades and are an integral part of society. From there, there is a path towards citizenship for undocumented migrants. The societal impact, particularly the economic impact, would be positive, they just dont want to do it. Question. The two main parties of the United States have been trying for years, unsuccessfully, to arrive at an agreement on reforming the broken immigration system. Does the political will to achieve this exist? Answer. There is no political will at this moment. There could be political will on one side, but not both. We were close a few years ago and there were a few advancements, like the implementation of temporary protective programs like DACA and TPS, which are temporary status programs. There are examples of what is possible and advisable, its just that the political will hasnt been there. Question. Are you hopeful that the situation will improve in the future? Answer. My hope is that we are going to continue working with our communities, guided by faith, commitment and the imperative of prominent faith leaders, beginning with the Pope and our organizations bishops. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition Corporate tax revenues have increased by 14% compared with the same period last year, according to the Department of Finance. A total of 58 billion euro in tax receipts was collected as of the end of July, representing an increase of 5.6 billion euro, or 11%, on last year. This includes 1.7 billion euro from the Apple tax money that was the feature of a dispute between the US tech giant, Ireland and the European Commission. When the Apple tax money is excluded, tax revenues amounted to 56.2 billion euro, up by 3.9 billion euro, or 7.5%, on last year. Corporation tax receipts excluding the Apple tax money were up by 1.8 billion euro, or 14.1%, on the same period last year. While July is not usually a significant month for corporation tax revenues, receipts of 1.2 billion euro were collected, an increase of 900 million euro on July last year, which the department said highlighted the exceptional month-to-month volatility of the sector. Income tax receipts until the end of July were up by 800 million euro on last year, or 3.9%, and VAT receipts were up by 700 million euro, or 4.8%. Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe said the tax revenue figures are broadly in line with what was expected at this point in the year, while corporation tax is for now well ahead of last year. As I have said many times, we cannot assume these overperformances will continue indefinitely, particularly in the context of a deeply uncertain international trading environment, he said. In June, Government transferred some 3 billion euro in excess corporation tax into the Future Ireland Fund and Infrastructure, Climate and Nature Fund, and by the end of this year there will be 16 billion euro invested to help us prepare for future challenges. Minister for Public Expenditure Jack Chambers said gross spending of 60.5 billion euro represented an increase of 8.6% on this time last year. Expenditure to this point in the year reflects sustained investment in our public services and infrastructure, he said. However, to effectively manage overall expenditure for the reminder of the year, it will be important that key spending departments such as health, education and housing remain within the agreed allocation for 2025. Of particular note in todays figures is expenditure on capital infrastructure projects. Departments have spent almost 7.3 billion euro to end July, an increase of over 21% year on year, underscoring Government commitment to infrastructure delivery to strengthen our economy and society for the longer term. This is reflected in the National Development Plan review recently published by my department, which provides funding certainty for departments for the next five years and will support targeted investment in the critical, growth enabling infrastructure projects. Looking at expenditure beyond 2025, I will shortly publish a medium-term expenditure framework, a multi-year public expenditure planning exercise. It will complement the annual budgetary process and will be used to inform future requirements for existing services, and to assess the resource implications of future policy decisions over the period 2025-30. All over Offaly preparations are being made to welcome you to explore a wide range of heritage sites and topics during this years National Heritage Week. There are over 60 events in Offaly and the vast majority of them are free! You can pick up a County Offaly Heritage Week brochure of events in your local library or check online on www.heritageweek.ie for full details of events listed below. Some events do require booking so dont delay! Many of the events are hosted by communities and provide a unique insight into the heritage of their area, many joined by experts sharing their perspectives. Sincere thanks to all those involved in hosting events. The theme this year the national theme is Exploring our Foundations. A key feature of Heritage Week is finding out about aspects of heritage that you may not have noticed or come across; learning more about them with experts or exploring and researching new areas. Three good examples of this are the walking tour of Tullamores Benchmarks, Post boxes and more with Richard Jack as one of Offaly Historys events. This starts in OConnor Square at 11am on Saturday 23rd for two hours walk. The second is viewing for wonderful St Manchans Shrine in Boher Church with Kevin ODwyer, metalsmith, sculptor and co-author of the book on St Manchans Shrine, starting at 3pm on Saturday 23rd; and then on Sunday 24th Bracknagh Heritage Society are collecting field names with their project Grassroots, Whats in a Name? from 2.30pm to 5pm in Bracknagh Community Hall. Get Booking! Carrigeen farmhouse has been hugely popular for Heritage Week over the years and this year they are hosting Carrigeen Crochet morning on Saturday 16th. In the afternoon of the 16th and Sunday 17th, the family are hosting farmhouse tours and on Sunday from 5pm there is a traditional music evening. Booking is required for all these events with annemaria.egan@gmail.com In 2024 conservation work was carried out on a cart house near Ferbane, the owner is kindly sharing his story at 11am on Saturday 17th booking essential with kgray@offalycoco.ie Last year, Tullamore Courthouse opened its doors for tours for Heritage Week and it was rapidly booked out. They are hosting tours in 2025 on Monday 18th to Wednesday 20th from 11am book with kgray@offalycoco.ie The Tullamore Masonic Lodge is offering a tour on Wednesday at 6.30pm and Saturday 23rd at 1.30pm to learn more about their traditions. The 18th century Springfield House near Daingean is open this year on Friday 22nd (2pm) and Saturday 23rd (3pm). Book with muireannnoonan@gmail.com Exploring outdoors The Native Woodland Trust have a reserve in Forelacka, on the Camcor upstream from Kinnitty They are meeting at the Kinnitty Looped Walk Trail head at 10.30am on Saturday 16th for a guided tour it is on uneven ground so sturdy footwear and agility are required! Clara Bog Visitor Centre is hosting a walk focusing on identifying trees and exploring their folklore and myths at Doory Wood at 6pm on Tuesday 19th and arts and crafts in the visitor centre. Book for both events with claraguides@npws.gov.ie Many people may know the walk upstream of the Silver River from Cadamstown however few will be familiar with the geological details and Sunday 17th is a great opportunity for a 4-5 hour walk with geologist, John Feehan book with heritage@offalycoco.ie Tullamore Town Park and Wetlands will be explored with biodiversity officer, Ricky Whelan on Tuesday 19th at 10am. The fishermans path along the Camcor from Birr upstream has been opened for walkers who can now continue through Syngefield Demesne, past the ruins of Clonoghill Castle and back into town. This looped walk has been developed by Birr 2020 who invite you to join them on this walk on Wednesday 20th at 6pm. On Sunday 24th Ricky Whelan, biodiversity officer, leads a walk at Derryounce Lakes starting at 10am for a leisurely stroll. That afternoon Ballycumber Tidy Towns celebrate their heritage focusing on bats and bridges meeting at 2pm. Nature photographer Tina Claffey is hosting a small field photography session at Killaun Bog near Birr with limited spaces book with kgray@offalycoco.ie Monastic Sites and Burial Grounds Exploring the Foundations of Rahan Monastic site and St Carthages church will be led by archaeologist Caimin OBrien and hosted by Tullamore Union of Parishes from 2pm to 4pm on Saturday 16th August. Clonmacnoise Monastic site is internationally famous and is free to visit on Saturday 16th August. This year they are also offering an Irish Sign Language Tour on Saturday 23rd at 12.45pm book with clonmacnoise@opw.ie Stephen Callaghan will lead a guided tour explaining the carving and symbols on the memorials in the graveyard at Seir Kieran Church of Ireland / Monastic site on Saturday 23rd at 11am. This is the subject of a forthcoming book by Stephen. Book with kgray@offalycoco.ie Considerable work has been done over the past decade to conserve and present Killoughey graveyard and church. On Sunday 17th at 2pm the new information board map showing the location of the graves will be unveiled. In the Roman Catholic church of St Brendan in Birr an event to mark the conservation of the stained-glass window of St Brendan, the founder of Birrs monastic site, is on at 2.30pm on Monday 18th. The church railings at Liss Graveyard near Ballycumber are being conserved with phase one completed in 2024 and phase 2 in progress. On Friday 22nd at 4pm conservation architect Richard McLoughlin and blacksmith Brendan St. John will describe the challenges of the project. The Lemanaghan Heritage and Conservation group have teamed up with the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland for walks, talks and kite flying at Lemanaghan monastic site commencing at 12noon on Saturday 23rd at Lemanaghan and proceeding to the Granary at Boher Church. You are then invited to St Manchans church in Boher at 3.00pm to explore St Manchans Shrine with metalsmith and author Kevin ODwyer. Towns and Villages Geashill is always a joy to meander through, on Monday 18th at 7pm there will be an hour long walk around the village noting features of interest to mark the launch of a new audio guide. Clara Heritage has a great tradition of embracing Heritage Week and this year they invite you to explore the Marconi Dickensian Mile: Presentation and Walking Tour, meeting at 6.30pm on Tuesday 19th August. They are hosting a second event The Brosna River, Past Present and Future, focused on its impact on Clara, on Wednesday 20th at 7pm. Then on Thursday 21st The History of Claras Colourful Educational Journey will be presented at 7pm. On Tuesday 19th at 10am the embroidery project inspired by Anne Jellicoe and the Goodbody family will be explored through an exhibition and meeting the artists and participants. All events are in the new venue at the Old Bank. The guided tours of Daingean Heritage Trail were popular in 2024 and it is a great way to glean information about the town tours are on Wednesday 20th at 7pm and Saturday 23rd at 3pm. The tour on Wednesday is followed by a talk on the history of the Canal Store in Daingean in the Town Hall at 8.30pm. The Crotty Schism of Birr is an unusual story and will be discussed at Crottys Church on Castle Street in Birr at 11am on Thursday 21st. On Saturday 16th (families) and 17th (individuals) the Tin jug Studio in Birr is hosting a Mini Museums of Birr Workshop where you can design your own miniature museum. Book with info@tinjugstudio.com Exhibitions and talks Offaly Libraries are hosting a range of exhibitions and talks. On display in Edenderry library is the Shirone Gown recreated in 2024; Storytelling Homes exhibition is on in Tullamore Library featuring the work of the Tullamore Chatters and Matters group; Birr library hosts the Leinster Regiment Memorabilia Exhibition. On Wednesday 20th Tullamore Library host arts and crafts for 69-year-olds. The same day there is a Finding your Roots workshop in Tullamore, Clara and Banagher. Hosted by Tullamore Library, the Midland Strings group will perform To and Fro, From Chicago to Offaly on Thursday 21st from 6.30pm to 7.30pm playing music by Irish fiddler and composer Liz Carroll. Offaly History have a display of History in Bottles used by the Williams and Egan firms from the collection of Noel Guerin and Pat Doheny. This will be open on Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th from 1.00 to 5.00pm. On Thursday 21st Offaly Libraries are hosting three honeybee pollinator workshops in Clara, Ferbane and Kilcormac where children become beekeepers with an educational honeybee. In the evening Tullamore Library host Our Musical Heritage, Folksongs with Ruairi O Se from 6.30pm to 7.30pm The Banagher Bronte group have arranged three days (16th -18th) of Celebrating the Bronte connection with Banagher register with www.banagerbrontegroup.com. The final day on Monday 18th Offaly History are Balloonamania Belles and the Brontes morning (from 11am to 2pm) including a musical recital by the Banagher Bronte Ensemble, launch of Let me In: The Brontes in Bricks and Mortar by Ann Dinsdale and Sharon Wright; followed by a talk on early female balloonists by Sharon Wright and a screening of Dr Maebh ORegans film on Charlotte Brontes marriage settlement. Offaly Heritage Centre has an open afternoon the same Monday and Thursday 21st for those who want to explore the library and research facilities. James Larrigys Farm Machinery collection at the Auld Haggert near the Well, is open from 2pm to 6pm daily from Wednesday 20th to Sunday 24th The Rosse Historical Astronomical Drawings are available to view free of charge in the Copper Gallery in Birr Castle Demesne and childrens astronomy creative workshops are free (booking required) on Tuesday 19th August at 10am and 11.30am. Check on www.heritageweek.ie for their new mapping tool to see events near you. Heritage Week is a joint programme with the Heritage Council with events co-ordinated by the heritage team in Offaly County Council. We would like to acknowledge all the community groups, individuals and organisations who are hosting events. La classifica di OndaRock dei migliori album hard-rock e al centro della nuova puntata di Rock in Onda, il programma condotto da Claudio Fabretti sulle frequenze digitali di Radio Citta Aperta. Dagli Who ai Led Zeppelin, dai Black Sabbath agli Ac/Dc, dai Guns'n'Roses ai Deep Purple, un viaggio in oltre mezzo secolo di storia di un genere cruciale per l'affermazione del rock e della sua mitologia. Ascolta o scarica gratuitamente il podcast: Classifica di OndaRock dei migliori album hard-rock L'hard-rock ("rock duro") e un genere al confine tra la musica rock e quella blues, creato alla fine degli anni 60 in Inghilterra (e parallelamente, anche se in modo meno programmatico, in America) e caratterizzato da sonorita aggressive, ottenute con l'esasperazione degli espedienti e degli strumenti del rhythm and blues americano della prima meta del Novecento e di quello inglese dei primi anni 60 che a questo si rifaceva. Formalmente l'hard-rock non e riconducibile al rock perche non si fa esclusivamente con quelli che saranno gli strumenti canonici del rock (chitarra, basso, batteria), ma a questi si aggiungono regolarmente strumenti di chiara derivazione blues: armonica a bocca e pianoforte/tastiere su tutti (...) L'hard-rock si configura come una musica violenta, pesante, essenziale e gretta. Molto piu lenta del rock n' roll, molto meno percussiva del rhythm and blues, guadagna in potenza cio che perde in velocita e ossessivita. La chitarra e piu che mai lo strumento protagonista e da essa l'attenzione e distolta solo per il falsetto del cantante che (adottando e semplificando inasprendoli espedienti soul e rhythm and blues) diventa l'altro polo d'attenzione per un pubblico richiamato in manifestazioni dal vivo in luoghi molto piu grandi dei tradizionali club; poi, qua e la, un assolo di batteria o basso. Il rhythm and blues e negato nei limiti in cui se ne alterano tempi, cadenze e timbriche; presente invece nel permanere di quella fusione godereccia e deflagrante col tutto cosi caratteristica del blues. I temi sono quelli del rock'n'roll prima e dei Rolling Stones poi: donne e sesso su tutto. I Rolling Stones, in particolare, sono fondamentali per quell'approccio alla musica e alla vita "negativo", "ribelle" nel senso piu fine a se stesso del termine, balordo, teppistico, provocatorio, edonistico. (da "La storia dell'hard-rock" di Tommaso Franci) Vi ricordiamo di iscrivervi alla pagina Facebook di Rock in Onda, presso la quale potrete sempre trovare i podcast da scaricare, piu le scalette integrali e tutte le news relative alla trasmissione. Inviateci pure commenti, suggerimenti e proposte per le prossime puntate, su Facebook e all'indirizzo mail: rockinonda@ondarock.it Sara un piacere costruire le scalette anche grazie al vostro contributo. 05/08/2025 Supreme Court Opened the Door to Gerrymandering Joel D. Joseph, author of Black Mondays: Worst Decisions of the Supreme Court, Sixth Edition For forty-seven years, the law of the land was one man, one vote. This was decided by the Supreme Court in Baker v. Carr, 369 U.S. 186 (1962). It was a landmark United States Supreme Court case in which the Court found that redistricting qualifies as a justiciable question under the Fourteenth Amendment, thus enabling federal courts to hear Fourteenth Amendment-based gerrymandering cases. The court summarized its Baker holding in a later decision as follows: Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment limits the authority of a State Legislature in designing the geographical districts from which representatives are chosen either for the State Legislature or for the Federal House of Representatives. Gray v. Sanders, 372 U.S. 368 (1963). In 2019 in Rucho v. Common Cause, the Supreme Court essentially reversed Baker v. Carr, holding that gerrymandering cases were not justiciable. In other words, the Supreme Court told the states to gerrymander because no one could file suit challenging it. The Supreme Court of Chaos Much like the reversal of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court has created havoc around the nation with its failure to enforce rules against gerrymandering. Abortion is now in the hands of the states and there are numerous battles, mothers dying unnecessarily and doctors under attack, all caused by the Supreme Court. Now the states are in mortal combat over gerrymandering. Texas is now considering a gerrymandering plan proposed by President Trump that would add five more Republican seats in the state. Democratically controlled states including New York, Illinois and California are threatening to gerrymander their states if Texas enacts its undemocratic plan. Eight states have independent electoral commissions to ensure that redistricting does not favor one party. These states are Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Michigan, Montana and Virginia, liberal states, moderate states and conservative states. California may abandon its impartial electoral commission to counteract Texas' undemocratic attempt to seize power for the Republicans. What Can Be Done to Prevent Gerrymandering? In 1993, the Supreme Court ruled that odd-shaped districts in which minorities were clumped together was a sign that the district was unconstitutionally formed. Justice O'Connor, a Ronald Reagan Republican appointee, ruled, We believe that reapportionment is one area where appearances do matter. A reapportionment plan that includes in one district individuals who belong to the same race, but are otherwise widely separated by geographical and political boundaries, and who may have little in common with one another but the color of their skin, bears an uncomfortable resemblance to political apartheid. Shaw v. Reno, 509 U.S. 630 (1993). That case used the Voting Rights Act to overturn gerrymandering. Texas' gerrymanding plan can be attacked as a violation of the Voting Rights Act. Under Article I, Section 4 of the Constitution, "The Times, Places and Manner of holding Elections for Senators and Representatives, shall be prescribed in each State by the Legislature thereof; but the Congress may at any time by Law make or alter such Regulations, except as to the Places of chusing Senators." There have been many congressional proposals to regulate gerrymandering, but none have passed. Most recently, Senator Amy Klobuchar introduced The Redistricting Reform Act of 2024. Unfortunately, this bill went nowhere. While Congress probably has the power to regulate gerrymandering, it appears to have no will to do so. The courts may be open to a challenge based on race under the Voting Rights Act. The most likely solution is for a truce between the Democrats and the Republicans. If the political parties do not have a ceasefire agreement in place, it is likely that Texas will be the first to gerrymander, followed by California, New York and Illinois. Even though most voters are against gerrymandering, the political parties are likely to keep the battle going. Overview "Sexploitation" is a poignant and empathetic exploration of the life of a sex worker, written from the perspective of the speaker, who seeks to humanize themselves and challenge societal judgment. The poem delves into themes of marginalization, shared humanity, survival, and the desire for dignity and redemption. Through vivid imagery, contrasts, and a conversational tone, the poet highlights the harsh realities of the speaker's life while emphasizing their inherent worth and commonality with others. Structural Analysis Form and Rhyme: The poem consists of nine couplets (18 lines), with no consistent rhyme scheme, giving it a free-verse structure. The lack of rigid form mirrors the chaotic, unstructured life of the speaker, while the couplets provide a sense of rhythm and balance, reflecting their attempt to assert order and dignity. Tone: The tone is a mix of defiance, vulnerability, and quiet hope. The speaker directly addresses the reader ("Look not upon me aghast, or with scorn") to confront judgment while pleading for understanding and empathy. Voice: The first-person perspective creates intimacy, allowing the reader to connect with the speaker's personal experiences, emotions, and aspirations. The voice is raw and honest, oscillating between resignation to their circumstances and a yearning for respect. Thematic Analysis: Shared Humanity The poem repeatedly emphasizes the speaker's similarity to the reader: "I am like you, flesh and blood, of woman born" and "we breathe air from the same abiding, eternal, divine source". These lines assert that, despite societal differences, the speaker is fundamentally human, with familial roles ("cherished daughter, sister, niece, aunt, mother") and personal preferences (favorite color, meal). By highlighting universal traits, the poem challenges the dehumanization of sex workers, urging readers to see beyond their profession to their inherent worth. Marginalization and Social Stigma The speaker describes themselves as "society's throw-away - other", a powerful phrase that captures their exclusion from mainstream society. The term "other" underscores how they are marginalized and dehumanized, reduced to a stereotype. The imagery of being "trapped in an ugly, cruel, iron vise" conveys the oppressive, inescapable nature of their circumstances, driven by societal neglect and economic necessity. Survival and Resilience Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). This Netflix movie highlighted important concerns about the Titan but bypassed major technical facts. Misinformation by others promoted a fundamentally flawed documentary. An explosion ripped the Titan apart, rather than an implosion. The true story of this explosion disaster was overlooked in this documentary. I stand behind these conclusions as an expert in fluid mechanics and failure analysis. Even so, the NetFlix documentary was well produced and very informative, where the Titan was used to observe the wreckage of the Titanic. The final report from the Marine Board of investigation was published while this Op Ed was in review, and this Op Ed was updated accordingly ("Report of the Marine Board of Investigation Into the Implosion of the Submersible Titan (CG1788361) in the North Atlantic Ocean Near the Wreck Site of the RMS Titanic Resulting in the Loss of Five Lives on June 18, 2023", click here). Update Comment, 8/9/2025 The U.S. Coast Guard, Marine Board of Investigation refuses to respond to legitimate safety concerns and chooses to endorse incompetence in what has now become a coverup of their mistakes during the Titan explosion investigation. Breakthrough Science for the Titan Disaster I invented and published a brand new theory to explain explosion risks and explosion threats to submersibles. This invented and proven theory for pressure vessels and piping, based on decades of pressure-vessel and piping damage and shock-wave research, is stated as follows. The Titan sub was a 22-feet-long pressure vessel, shaped like a pipe with pipe caps (Figure 1), subjected to high pressure shock waves inside the sub. First, high pressures cracked and imploded the Titan window in cyclic fatigue or sheared the adhesive layer at the titanium dome in fatigue. Second, high-pressure reflected water hammer waves nearly doubled the external ocean pressure inside the sub. Third, the front dome blew off the sub due to these extraordinarily high pressures, exceeding approximately 16 million pounds. Fourth, the Titan hull then exploded outward at nearly twice its failure stress to shoot debris hundreds of feet through the water. Fifth, the expected blast load was less than 2 tons of TNT (Figure 2). The explosion magnitude was determined by assuming cavitation, or vaporization, of water in the sub as a high pressure blast wave blew the sub apart. Sixth, low pressures following the outward explosion wave crushed some debris back into the sub. Finally, the carcass of the sub sunk to the bottom of the ocean. I stand behind these conclusions as an expert in fluid mechanics and failure analysis, where I performed an independent investigation of the Titan explosion. Although I am not an expert in submersible design, I am an expert in shock waves and their destructive interactions to destroy piping and pressure vessels. The Titan was, in fact, a pressure vessel subjected to explosive shock waves, and the Titan investigation has not pursued explosive shock waves to date. Figure 2. Aboveground 1-ton explosion for comparison to the underwater 2-ton Titan explosion. The Titan explosion was a cavitation pressure release explosion only without flames or detonation. (Image by SRL Images Channel) Details DMCA The True Cause of the Titan Disaster Facts and proof were published in an OpEd News article ("The Titan Submersible Blew Apart in an Explosion Before Partial Crushing - A Fight Against Public Opinion"). This Op Ed proved that a flaw in the viewport or adhesive induced a small-scale implosion to blast a wall of water into the submersible compartment to kill all five occupants and explode the hull. That killer wall of water blasted into the sub at hundreds of miles per hour and thousands of pounds per square inch. One 'item recovered included an "intact" pen belonging to Rush [the OceanGate CEO], which was found inside a piece of clothing believed to be the 61-year-old's sleeve' (click here). The final Titan report concluded the following, in part. 'Five people died when the commercial submersible TITAN imploded on June 18, 2023, in what is considered to be a preventable tragedy. The U.S. Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation into the fatal incident found that OceanGates failure to follow established engineering protocols for safety, testing, and maintenance of their submersible, was the primary causal factor. The investigation further identified the need for proper corporate governance, a professional workplace culture, and improved regulatory oversight, in particular for novel vessel designs and operations.' 'Titans carbon fiber hull design and construction in terms of winding, curing, gluing, thickness of hull and manufacturing standards introduced flaws that weakened its original structural integrity, and those flaws likely worsened over time.' Next Page 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 (Note: You can view every article as one long page if you sign up as an Advocate Member, or higher). Gaza as a bombed out pogrom pogrom (Image by A 'Cecil' I) Details DMCA Shoah (1985), directed by Claude Lanzmann, is a monumental nine-and-a-half-hour documentary about the Holocaust, constructed entirely from first-person testimonies. Eschewing archival footage, Lanzmann relies solely on interviews with survivors, former Nazis, and bystanders, intercut with haunting visuals of the present-day locations where atrocities occurred. The film unfolds slowly and methodically, drawing out the psychological weight of memory and the mechanisms of genocide. Lanzmann interviews Jewish survivors of the death camps, such as Treblinka and Auschwitz, as well as train conductors and SS officers, often pushing them to confront the moral implications of their roles. The result is a chilling, deeply human portrait of systematic extermination, not through spectacle but through voices and silences. Shoah is less a historical record than a philosophical meditation on the act of remembering and the impossibility of fully representing the Holocaust. It stands as one of the most significant films ever made on genocide. Memory and genocide. Erasure of a gene pool. Remember? We said, Never Again. Never erase genocide from memory again. f*ckers, you'll pay. Glad the poor, long-suffering Jewish people would finally have their own homeland -- Israel. No more diaspora blues. How did Robert Frost put it? Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in. And when they got there, because they had to, the Palestinians welcomed them with open arms. Oh boy, one Sunni lad said to another, now we don't have to go through history alone anymore! Or something like that. But then they began to fight like die Katzenjammer kids. Growing up Catholic in Massachusetts, I lived for a while in the Jewish neighborhood of Mattapan, where the boundaries between communities were porous but real. We lived in iconic three-deckers. I remember the day I slapped my friend Jeffrey Rosenbaum in our shared backyard-- a moment of childhood aggression that ended our friendship and left me with a wound that never quite healed. Later, the Jewish neighbor who lived on the first floor confronted me about the incident (apparently the incident went phone viral) with words that have haunted me for decades: "I'd really like to know what makes you tick." The question carried an undertone of genuine bewilderment, as if my capacity for casual cruelty toward a Jewish child revealed something essential and troubling about my character. For my part, I couldn't get over how red his white cheek turned where I had applied my filaments of wrath. This early encounter with Jewish wariness sent me searching for understanding. I read Elie Wiesel's Night as a child, watched Claude Lanzmann's nine-hour documentary Shoah, studied Alain Resnais' Night and Fog, and absorbed Marcel Ophuls' The Sorrow and the Pity, which made me want to strike out against collaborators everywhere -- hell, I became punchy. I grew up on Woody Allen's nervous Holocaust jokes-- like the one about coming home from school and telling his mother he was dating a shiksa, whereupon she calmly walked into the kitchen, turned on the gas, and stuck her head in the oven. These cultural artifacts shaped my understanding of Jewish experience as one defined by perpetual vulnerability and the proximity of annihilation. And probably it was my fault. Yet as I write this, watching the systematic destruction of Gaza unfold in real time, I find myself grappling with a terrible historical irony. The same people whose suffering had taught me about the fragility of human dignity have become the architects of what can only be described as a contemporary holocaust-- lowercase, as I now distinguish it, but no less real in its systematic dehumanization and slaughter of Palestinian civilians. The Dreyfus Mirror Hannah Arendt, in her monumental study The Origins of Totalitarianism, analyzed the Dreyfus Affair not merely as an episode of French antisemitism, but as a dress rehearsal for the totalitarian horrors of the twentieth century. As she observed, the Affair "reveals the same inhuman character, preserving amid the welter of unbridled passions and the flames of hate an inconceivably cold and callous heart." Arendt understood that the bureaucratic machinery of persecution, the manufactured evidence, and the mob violence surrounding Dreyfus foreshadowed something far more sinister than traditional religious prejudice. What makes Arendt's analysis particularly prescient is her insight into how victimhood itself can become a source of political power and, ultimately, a justification for the persecution of others. She noted how "the more equal the Jewish condition, the more surprising were Jewish differences. This new awareness led to social resentment against the Jews and at the same time to a peculiar attraction toward them; the combined reactions determined the social history of Western Jewry." The Jews of the Dreyfus era found themselves trapped in a paradox: their integration into European society made them more visible as targets, while their continued difference made them perpetual outsiders. Today, we witness a cruel historical reversal. The descendants of Dreyfus-- metaphorically and sometimes literally-- have created their own machinery of exclusion and persecution. Netanyahu's Israel has adopted many of the same techniques that once terrorized Jewish communities: the manufacture of evidence to justify violence, the creation of administrative categories that strip people of basic rights, and the deployment of state violence against a defenseless population. The Jewish state has become, in Arendt's terms, a laboratory for totalitarian governance. The Poison of Ressentiment Friedrich Nietzsche identified a psychological mechanism that helps explain this historical transformation. In On the Genealogy of Morals, he described ressentiment-- a French term he used deliberately-- as the "slave morality" born from powerlessness, a reactive hatred that seeks to reverse historical hierarchies through moral condemnation rather than direct action. Nietzsche saw the Jews as masters of this psychological strategy, writing: "It was the Jews who, with awe-inspiring consistency, dared to invert the aristocratic value-equation (good = noble = powerful = beautiful = happy = beloved of God) and to hang on to this inversion with their teeth, the teeth of the most abysmal hatred (the hatred of impotence)." What Nietzsche described as a survival strategy for an oppressed people has, in contemporary Israel, curdled into something far more dangerous. What we are witnessing in Gaza is the explosion of what Nietzsche called "that poisonous bile called ressentiment." The historical trauma of the Holocaust-- real, immeasurable, and lasting-- has been weaponized to justify the systematic oppression of Palestinians. The victims have become victimizers, but they retain the psychological posture of the persecuted, creating a feedback loop of justified violence. The most frightening aspect of this transformation is the claim many Zionists make to the "Chosen People" trope. As I've come to understand it, this assertion is eerily similar to the Nazi claim to being the "Master Race." Both ideologies assert a fundamental superiority that justifies the subordination or elimination of others. The difference is that Jewish claims to chosenness carry the moral authority of historical suffering, making them even more dangerous because they are harder to challenge. It seems to me that modern Zionist Jews have become insane, driven mad by what the Nazis did and having internalized their oppressors' values in a process that psychologists call identification with the aggressor. The ghetto walls that once imprisoned Jews have been rebuilt as barriers imprisoning Palestinians. The yellow stars that marked Jews for persecution have been replaced by Israeli ID cards that mark Palestinians for restriction and control. The Lowercase holocaust I want to be clear about terminology here. The Holocaust-- uppercase, proper noun-- refers to the specific, systematic extermination of European Jewry by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. But holocaust-- lowercase, common noun-- describes any systematic campaign of destruction against a civilian population. What is happening in Gaza qualifies as the latter, and recognizing this does not diminish the former. There: I covered my ass. This lowercase holocaust in Gaza has been characterized not by war in any meaningful sense, but by the continuous slaughter of civilians. Most of the casualties have been women and children. Starving masses of people have been gunned down while seeking water and food. The Israeli military has targeted hospitals, schools, refugee camps, and aid distribution centers with methodical precision. Record numbers of journalists have been killed, clearly to keep these events under cover and prevent the world from witnessing the full scope of the atrocity. Israel has attempted to corral Gazans into what can only be described as concentration camp conditions, probably with the intended message of encouraging emigration-- a form of ethnic cleansing through manufactured desperation. The parallels to historical Jewish experience are unavoidable and deeply troubling. Those who suffered under the Nazi regime have created their own version of systematic dehumanization. Netanyahu's Israel has become a champion of totalitarianism, providing surveillance technology and crowd control techniques to authoritarian regimes throughout the Middle East, including Saudi Arabia and the UAE. This represents a new form of dehumanization and is, without doubt, a crime against humanity. The Jewish state has become an exporter of the very technologies of oppression that were once used against Jewish communities. The Global Stakes The transformation of victim into victimizer might be dismissed as a tragic irony of history were it not for the broader implications that writer Sim Kern has articulated with devastating clarity. As Kern observes, what happens in Gaza has profound implications for our entire species; it is not merely "a cause" but a test of what remains of human moral integrity. "The weapons manufacturers and petrochemical shareholders who are profiting off the Palestinian genocide," Kern writes, "are the same group of elites dooming all life on earth to extinction through runaway climate change caused by burning fossil fuels. The struggle to free Palestine is inextricable from every other liberatory struggle on earth. In short: if we can free Palestine, we can free the world. And if we can't free Palestine, we're all fucked." This analysis cuts to the heart of why Gaza matters beyond the immediate suffering of Palestinians. The same corporate and political structures that enable Israeli violence against Palestinians are driving climate destruction, wealth inequality, and the erosion of democratic institutions worldwide. The military-industrial complex that profits from Israeli occupation is the same system pushing humanity toward ecological collapse. The international community's failure to stop Israeli atrocities represents a broader collapse of moral and political institutions. When the International Criminal Court issues arrest warrants for Israeli leaders and the world's most powerful countries openly declare they will ignore them, we witness the death of international law. When universities suppress student protests against genocide while claiming to uphold academic freedom, we see the corruption of educational institutions. When media outlets refuse to use the word "genocide" (the g-word) to describe systematic mass killing, we observe the failure of journalism itself. The Necessity of Resistance The United Nations should deploy NATO forces to Gaza and the West Bank to protect Palestinian civilians, just as international forces intervened in the Balkans and other sites of ethnic cleansing. But this will not happen because Israel, supported by the United States, has shown contempt for international law and has made threats against international institutions. This sounds very much like the Nazi approach to international governance. We are witnessing the collapse of the post-World War II international order, and Israel's impunity in Gaza is both a symptom and cause of that collapse. The same institutions created to prevent another Holocaust are proving incapable of stopping a contemporary one. As someone who grew up among Jewish neighbors, who learned about the Holocaust as a moral imperative to "never again," I find myself forced to conclude that "never again" has become a hollow slogan. It apparently means "never again to Jews," not "never again to anyone." This selective application of moral concern represents the ultimate corruption of Holocaust memory. The poisonous ressentiment that Nietzsche identified in historical Jewish experience has reached its logical endpoint in Gaza. The victims of history's greatest crime have become perpetrators of a contemporary atrocity, all while claiming the mantle of victimhood. Until we can name this transformation honestly and resist it effectively, human moral integrity itself remains at stake. The question my Jewish neighbor asked me in childhood-- What makes you tick?-- "has returned with terrifying relevance. But now it must be directed at those who use historical suffering to justify contemporary cruelty. What makes them tick? And can we stop the mechanism before it destroys everything we claim to value about human dignity and international law? Shoah, indeed, but not in the way anyone intended. The never-ending catastrophe continues, but now the victims and perpetrators have traded places. And all of us, as Sim Kern reminds us, face the consequences of this moral collapse together. tu.be/S7z8lOvfskk Sustainable Arts and Crafts Institute of Thailand (Public Organization), or SACIT, is hosting the 1st National Academic Symposium on Arts and Crafts, "SACIT Symposium 2025," A new clash between the two U.S. giants: California Governor Gavin Newsom threatened to play an ace up his sleeve and respond in kind if Texas goes ahead with its plan to approve new electoral maps that could widen the Republicans advantage in Congress in the 2026 midterm elections. Newsom is not alone. The Democratic governors of Illinois and New York have not ruled out similar redesigns of their local legislatures, a practice known as gerrymandering, if the conservative stronghold sticks with the plan devised by Texas Governor Greg Abbott and endorsed by Donald Trump. They know theyre headed toward a loss of the Congress in 2026. Theyre afraid. And they should be, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Tuesday. The politician was accompanied by members of the delegation of about 50 Texas representatives who fled the state for the north to break the quorum in the state Congress, controlled by conservatives. In this way, they bought time for the imminent approval of new electoral maps in five metropolitan districts governed by Democratic legislators. Trump defended the Republicans plans in Texas on Tuesday. I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats, the president said in an interview with CNBC. His response reflected his particular relationship with the truth, as he did receive the most votes, but his margin of victory over Kamala Harris didnt set a record. In his talk with the progressive-leaning channel, the president underscored an uncomfortable truth about the American system: both parties use redistricting to their advantage. You notice [the Democratic lawmakers] go to Illinois for safety, but thats all gerrymandered, Trump asserted, accusing the Democrats of being hypocrites. They did it to us, he recalled. JB Pritzker at the press conference for Texas Democratic lawmakers in Aurora, Illinois, on Tuesday. Tom Krawczyk (REUTERS) Illinois, with nearly 13 million inhabitants, has only three Republican legislators in 17 districts. This represents just 18%, despite Trump winning 44% of the vote in last Novembers presidential election. A Princeton University analysis finds that Illinois, which approved new electoral maps in 2021, has one of the most unfair designs in the country, along with Texas and North Carolina. Abbotts announcement has triggered a response plan in California, the nations most populous state, which sends 52 legislators to Washington each election, compared to 38 representatives from Texas. Governor Newsom has acknowledged that the actions in the Texas Congress could trigger a Democratic backlash to win back the members they would lose in conservative territory. California Democrats currently hold 43 seats in the lower chamber at the Capitol. There are only nine Republican congressmen in a state of nearly 40 million people. According to leaked unofficial plans, a group of Democratic Party consultants in California is drawing up the new maps. These would seek to expand their congressional seat capacity from 48 to 52 legislators. Details of this plan would not be known until August 18, the date on which the local congressmen would return to Sacramento, Californias capital, to begin a new term. The redesign is not guaranteed, as the maps must first clear a tight congressional circuit and then be presented to voters in a special election in November of this year. Spotlight on the Latino vote In Texas, where this new standoff originated, Republicans have openly admitted that the maneuver seeks to expand their representation in Congress, where they now hold 25 of 38 seats. Local officials have claimed, however, that the change to the maps is due to the Department of Justices decision that five districts in the state could be unconstitutional because they favor a racial minority. District Attorney Harmeet Dhillon threatened legal action if local officials didnt redraw the maps for Districts 3, 9, 18, 29, and 33. According to the court, these are coalition regions where the percentage of Black and Latino residents combined to form a majority, something that could trigger a lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act, the election law, and the Fourteenth Amendment, which guarantees all citizens equal treatment under the law. Critics of the new district design claim its a maneuver to disempower ethnic minorities and accuse the Department of Justice of acting without justification, as there are no ongoing lawsuits targeting these districts. The new districts, legal experts warn, could lead to discrimination lawsuits. The five contested districts are located in the metropolitan areas of Dallas, Houston, and Austin, the state capital, as well as on the border with Mexico. They all share a common theme: they are comprised of a diverse cross-section of minorities that make up the state of 31 million people. Although considered a solid conservative stronghold, the districts in the regions larger Texas cities tend to lean more toward the ideological center or even favor progressive candidates. Districts 28 and 34, held by Democrats Henry Cuellar and Vicente Gonzalez, respectively, would be redrawn to give Republicans a slight advantage in a Hispanic-majority area. But the victory of Trumps party candidates is not assured. The president had an excellent showing among the Latino population in South Texas, where he won 12 of the 14 counties in the border area. Six months into the administration, however, many of those who voted for the Republican have vowed never to do so again. At least a third of Latinos who supported Trump in 2024 have stated they will not vote for a Republican in the 2026 midterm elections, according to an Equis poll conducted last month. More than six in 10 of those surveyed have rejected the economic measures adopted by the White House, especially the administrations unpredictable tariff policy that has impacted the border. Next years elections are still a long way off, but Latino voters will be evaluating not only the presidents economic performance but also his immigration policy. Some of the counties Republicans are seeking to redraw, especially in Houston and Dallas, have suffered harassment by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents targeting countless Hispanic families. This could backfire on Republican congressmen. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition In today's fast-paced, always-online world, digital marketing isn't just a trend-it's the heartbeat of business growth. Whether you're a local shop or a global brand, Bangalore, Karnataka, India, August 06, 2025/ Press Release/- As an established leader in Artificial Intelligence and computer vision solutions, Visionfacts is proud to announce FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE McKinney, TX - [Date] - Landers Law Firm PLLC announces that founding attorney Lynda Landers has been recognized as one of the top Alaska Airlines is debuting a new look for its international long-haul fleet that won't include the Alaska Native image on the tail. AP Alaska Airlines this week previewed a new look for its growing long-haul fleet. Gone is the image of an Alaska Native man on the planes tail, which the airline has said attests to its heritage of serving Alaskan communities. Instead, the fleet of Boeing Dreamliner 787-9 jets serving routes to Europe and Asia will feature a livery inspired by the Northern Lights. Alaska Airlines says the new livery on its global flights is inspired by the aurora borealis. Alaska Airlines It also said a horizontal stripe along the fuselage was a nod to its look in the 1970s and 80s. Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaskas transition to a global airline with beauty, grace and a nod to our heritage, Alaskas chief commercial officer, Andrew Harrison, said in a statement. It said the Alaska Native image would remain on its smaller planes, and that Pualani the Hawaiian Airlines logo featuring a womans face would remain on Hawaiian Airlines aircraft serving the Hawaiian Islands. The airline has four Dreamliners in its fleet, all acquired along with Hawaiian Airlines last September. Alaska added the smaller carriers 787 jetliners to its fleet and assumed its order for a dozen of the planes. Its used the planes to start building a slate of international destinations from Seattle. It previously announced new flights to Tokyo, Seoul and Rome. On Tuesday Alaska added London and Reykjavik to the list. It said those routes would begin in the spring. The airline says it will have at least 12 international destinations from its Seattle hub by 2030, served by as many as 17 of the Dreamliners, 13 of which have yet to be delivered by Boeing. Officials did not report any injuries. Oregonian file photo A 20-year-old Hubbard man accused of setting fire to a church was arraigned Monday on arson and other charges, according to the Clackamas County District Attorneys Office. Malachi Samuel Kercher is being held at the Clackamas County Jail on $200,000 bail, officials said. Kercher is being charged with first-degree arson, first-degree criminal mischief and second-degree burglary. Officials allege that Kercher broke into the Zion Mennonite Church in Hubbard on Saturday evening and set a fire inside the building. Firefighting crews and police responded to the scene, where Kercher was taken into custody. Officials did not report any injuries. Kimberly Cortez covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. She can be reached at kcortez@oregonian.com The Clark County Sheriffs deputy who fatally shot a man in Vancouver last week was involved in two previous incidents where police shot suspects to death, one in 2019 and one in 2021. Deputy Michael Gonzalez shot and killed Branden Michael Whitcomb, 36, around 10:50 p.m. on July 30 near Main Street & East 19th Street in uptown Vancouver, the Clark County Sheriffs Office said in a statement. Officials released the names of Gonzalez and Whitcomb on Wednesday. The medical examiner ruled Whitcombs death a homicide and confirmed that he died from gunshot wounds to his head, neck and torso, officials said. Gonzalez has worked for the Clark County Sheriffs Office since 2021 and is currently assigned as a patrol K9 handler, the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations said in a statement. Gonzalez used his patrol car in 2021 to help stop a suspect fleeing in another car. The pursuit ended with two other deputies fatally shooting the suspect. In 2019, Gonzalez, then with Portland police, and another officer shot to death a man suspected of stabbing four people. A grand jury determined that the officers actions were justified. Gonzalez was one of several deputies who responded to a 911 call from a home near East 27th Street and H Street last Wednesday. The caller said their son had been drinking and was high on meth. The caller added that the son had broken the front door of the callers house and was armed and was going to kill the two of them, officials said. The intruder fled the house on a bike before deputies arrived, police said. A Vancouver police officer spotted him riding on Columbia Street a few minutes later. Shortly after he was spotted, a deputy radioed that he had a gun, officials said. Deputies caught up to Whitcomb around 10:50 p.m., and Gonzalez shot him during the resulting confrontation, officials said. Nobody else was reported injured during the shooting. Gonzalez was placed on critical incident leave, which is standard procedure, while the Washington State Office of Independent Investigations investigates the shooting. 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. No charges have been filed against firefighter Andrew Ligatich, but civil court records allege there is an active investigation involving him. (File photo) Sean Meagher/The Oregonian A Portland firefighter was put on paid leave in July after he became embroiled in a custody dispute and a police investigation. A civil court document filed last month in the name of Brooke Ligatich claims that Andrew Ligatich is under investigation. The filing seeks a temporary suspension of all parenting time for Andrew Ligatich, 42. Andrew and Brooke Ligatich married in 2009 and initiated a divorce in 2018. In a 2022 court filing, Brooke Ligatich accused Andrew Ligatich of being negligent, and that this allowed one of their children to be abused. Andrew Ligatich, who has worked for Portland Fire & Rescue for 21 years, made $159,732 last year, according to city records. When asked for comment, fire bureau spokesperson Rick Graves confirmed that Andrew Ligatich was put on paid administrative leave on July 8 after law enforcement contacted Portland Fire & Rescue regarding an active investigation into the employee at issue. Graves said the bureau will undertake its own investigation if needed. Willamette Week first reported that Andrew Ligatich had been put on leave. In April 2022, Brooke Ligatichs legal team filed a motion to impose an emergency restriction on Andrew Ligatichs joint custody of their children, citing immediate danger, court records show. Brooke and Andrew Ligatich have two children together, and Andrew Ligatich has three stepchildren from a previous marriage. That same month, Clackamas County Judge Kathie Steele approved the motion to restrict Andrew Ligatichs access to the children, but she stipulated that he could see them on select days of the week as long as the time they spent together was outside of his home, court records show. The temporary order was ultimately lifted, court records show. Less than a month later, Brooke Ligatich filed a motion to gain sole custody of the children, alleging Andrew Ligatichs negligence allowed the child to be abused, according to court records. In a declaration filed in civil court last month, Brooke Ligatich claimed that the Clackamas County Sheriffs Department and the Oregon Department of Human Services are investigating Andrew Ligatich. Judge Katherine E. Weber issued a temporary order later that day forbidding Andrew Ligatich from contacting the children he shared with Brooke Ligatich. The Clackamas County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to questions. The Department of Human Services declined to comment when reached by The Oregonian/OregonLive. Brooke Ligatich declined to comment when reached by The Oregonian/OregonLive, and Andrew Ligatich could not be reached for comment. Its not clear from court documents whether Andrew Ligatich has an attorney at this time. 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. Vancouver police has about 240 sworn officers in a city with a population close to 200,000. File Photo Voters in Vancouver will once again decide whether to increase their property taxes to fund more police officers. This week, the Vancouver City Council approved a resolution to place Proposition 5 on the November general election ballot. If it passes, the proposition would increase the citys property tax by about 15 cents per $1,000 in assessed value. City officials say the permanent increase will fund up to 13 officers and raise roughly $6 million per year starting in 2026. The money will also fund administrative and staffing costs to support the officers, equipment upgrades and prosecution and criminal-justice costs, city officials said. The proposal is considerably less than Proposition 4, which a majority of voters rejected last year. That ballot measure would have increased the citys property tax rate by about 41 cents per $1,000 in assessed value in 2025 and then by 5% each year for six years after that. City officials had said the funding would have added 80 sworn officers and 36 non-sworn police employees. Vancouver city manager Lon Pluckhahn said Monday that officials recognized residents concerns about the size of Proposition 4, leading to the slimmed-down Prop 5. Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle said in a statement that the citys need for police services continues to grow as its population increases. The department has about 240 sworn officers in a city with a population close to 200,000, which is about 1.2 officers per 1,000 people. In comparison, Portland police, which is also dealing with staffing woes, has the same rate with 798 officers and a population close to 640,000. The current staffing level in Vancouver, McEnerny-Ogle said, contributes to longer response times, a reliance on overtime to staff shifts and reduced capacity for investigation. After the 2024 proposition failed to pass, the city manager reconvened a police advisory committee, made up of 13 community members and three elected city leaders. The proposition is part of a three-prong funding strategy recommended by the committee that includes a council-approved public-safety sales tax and state grants. Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson in May signed House Bill 2015 to create a $100 million grant program to help local governments hire more officers. To qualify for the grants, among other requirements, the new law says cities and counties must impose a 0.1% sales tax to pay for criminal justice expenses. Vancouver city councilors havent yet voted on the sales tax, according to a city spokesperson. City officials say the three sources can fund 25 officers and 10 civilian employees. Zaeem Shaikh covers the Portland Police Bureau and criminal justice issues for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach him at 503-221-4323, zshaikh@oregonian.com or on X@zaeemshake. Jobanpreet Singh, 24, listens to testimony during his trial on Wed., July 30, 2025. Zane Sparling/The Oregonian The business battle between two across-the-street vape shops in Southwest Portland ended in a nine-second burst of gunfire that left two brothers dead and resulted in a guilty verdict Tuesday for the rival owner. Jobanpreet Singh, 24, grabbed for a tissue as a Multnomah County jury found him guilty of second-degree murder in the death of Dilrajpal Singh, 33, and first-degree manslaughter in the death of 27-year-old Guriqbal Singh. A wolf from the Snake River Pack passes by a remote camera in eastern Wallowa County in 2014. Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife via AP, File The U.S. Department of Agriculture has taken a unique approach to scare wolves away from cattle in southern Oregon and California. Researchers have found some success chasing the predators with drones equipped with loud speakers, blasting the sounds of AC/DCs Thunderstruck and an argument between actors Scarlett Johansson and Adam Driver in the Oscar-nominated movie Marriage Story, according to a recent Wall Street Journal article. They deployed drones recently at Jim and Mary Rickerts Prather Ranch in Macdoel, California, according to the Journal. The ranch is just across the border from Oregon about 30 miles from Klamath Falls. Mary Rickert told The Oregonian/Oregonlive that wolves killed 20 cows on the ranch last year. Forty calves also died, she said, either snatched by wolves or lost when their mothers miscarried after being chased and attacked by wolves. Thats not typical, she said. Its been gut wrenching for us, in terms of the loss of life of our animals. She said she and her husband have noticed that the herd has been more spread out and relaxed this week with the drones, compared to being huddled up when they feel threatened. But the ranchers also said wolves adapt quickly. They might soon get used to the arguments by the actresses, Jim Rickert said. This image released by Netflix shows Scarlett Johansson, left, and Adam Driver in "Marriage Story." In 2020, the film was nominated for an Oscar for best picture. Johansson and Driver were also nominated for best leading actress and leading actor, and Laura Dern took home the supporting actress award. (Netflix via AP) AP AP The USDA also used the drones in southern Oregons Klamath Basin, where 11 cows were killed by wolves over a 20-day period, according to the Journal. With the drones on patrol, only two cows were killed over the next 85 days. I need the wolves to respond and know that, hey, humans are bad, Paul Wolf, a USDA district supervisor based in Jackson County, told the Journal. The agency is testing various sounds as part of a research project to see what elicits the strongest responses from the wolves, USDA spokesperson Tanya Espinosa told The Oregonian/OregonLive. The audio from The Marriage Story was chosen to test whether wolves were deterred by human voices, because the clip has both male and female voices to represent different tones, Espinosa said. While the pilots have the ability to speak directly to the wolves through the speaker on the drone, this standard audio was chosen to control for individual differences in tone, she said. In addition to AC/DC and Marriage Story scenes, the researchers and biologists operating the drones use other sounds to haze the wolves, the Journal article said, including stern yells, Five Finger Death Punchs song Blue on Black and the sounds of fireworks and gunshots. Maddie Khaw covers breaking news, public safety and more for The Oregonian/OregonLive. Reach her at mkhaw@oregonian.com. Starting August 25, more than 11,000 beneficiaries of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program across the United States will lose access to affordable healthcare. This follows a change in Trump administration regulations that eliminates their eligibility for insurance through the Affordable Care Act (ACA) marketplace and Basic Health Programs (BHP). This measure affects thousands of so-called dreamers undocumented immigrants who arrived in the United States as children and represents a setback in the Biden eras efforts to expand health coverage. In California alone, about 2,300 dreamers enrolled in Covered California plans will be dropped at the end of August. Similarly, approximately 500 DACA recipients in New Jersey will lose their plans through the states Get Covered NJ marketplace. Oregon and Minnesota will also see about 1,000 dreamers excluded from their respective BHP coverage programs. Nationwide, the total number of people affected is expected to reach 11,000. The rule, approved by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in June, revokes a 2023 Biden administration regulation that classified DACA recipients as lawfully present, a designation that temporarily allowed them to purchase ACA marketplace insurance with financial assistance. Without that classification, DACA recipients are once again barred from accessing federally subsidized health insurance. The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) claims that the change is intended to stabilize the risk pool, reduce premiums, and decrease improper enrollments, and says the decision is being made to protect the financial sustainability of the healthcare system; however, health policy experts argue the opposite; removing younger, healthier members from the insurance pool will likely increase premiums for everyone. What can dreamers do? Dreamers may still be eligible for employer-sponsored insurance or Californias Medi-Cal program in that state if their income is low enough; however, many dreamers earn too much for Medi-Cal but not enough to afford private insurance without a subsidy. Some states are fighting the change. In New Jersey, State Attorney General Matt Platkin is leading a legal challenge supported by 15 other states (Alabama, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, North Dakota, South Dakota, Ohio, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, and Virginia) against the rule, arguing that it harms both individuals and state health systems. Undermining dreamers access to healthcare not only harms them and their American children, but also harms states like New Jersey, said Platkin. The reduction in health coverage is only part of a broader restructuring of federal health policy under the Trump administration. In July, Trump approved deep cuts to Medicaid and the elimination of market subsidies for certain groups of immigrants who are legally in the country, including refugees and asylum seekers, beginning in 2027. These measures are expected to significantly increase the number of uninsured Americans, especially among low-income and immigrant populations. Although the DACA program offers work authorization and protection from deportation, it does not grant legal immigration status, which limits access to many federal benefits. Risk of deportation A few days ago, the Trump administration emphasized that the more than 500,000 DACA beneficiaries are not exempt from deportation. They have even been urged to self-deport. DACA does not grant any kind of legal status in this country, Tricia McLaughlin, deputy press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), recently told NPR. Sign up for our weekly newsletter to get more English-language news coverage from EL PAIS USA Edition The Oregon Humane Society received 16 dogs from three central Texas shelters to help alleviate the increased needs of shelters as Texas deals with the aftermath of severe flooding. As soon as we heard the news about the flooding, we immediately reached out to offer our help, said Steve Kochis, co-interim president & CEO and chief medical officer in a press release. Oregon Humane Society is a part of an animal welfare ecosystem we show up and support each other in emergencies. Due to torrential flooding in July that claimed more than 100 lives in Texas, there has been an uptick in stray animals and surrenders to shelters. When the pups landed on July 31, they were assessed for their behavioral and medical needs and are now at both the Portland and Salem campuses of the rescue. Sixteen dogs arrived in Oregon after being displaced due to the recent flooding in Texas. They went to stay at the Oregon Humane Society's two campuses. Oregon Humane Society Some dogs were eligible for adoption as early as last weekend. If adopting a dog is out of the question but showing support is still top of mind, OHA has asked the community for help in raising $5,000 to help support the care of the dogs. Whether the dogs are prepared for adoption or not, OHA has said that the dogs will have a loving home with the organization until they are ready for their forever families. Two dogs from the cohort have already been adopted, including Baxter (pictured below with his new family). 16 dogs from Texas, displaced due to recent flooding, came to the Oregon Humane Society. Shortly after their arrival, this dog Baxter was adopted. Oregon Humane Society Destiny Johnson | Djohnson@oregonian.com OKLAHOMA CITY The U.S. Department of Justice on Tuesday sued Oklahoma over a state law giving undocumented immigrants access to in-state tuition and financial aid at colleges and universities. President Donald Trumps administration argued that Oklahoma state law violates the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution and asked the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Oklahoma to find the statute invalid. Oklahoma Attorney Gentner Drummond, a Republican, whose office represents the state and public officials in litigation, filed a motion Tuesday in support of the lawsuit. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Attorneys for the Department of Justice argued that the law extends eligibility for in-state tuition to undocumented immigrants while not extending that treatment to U.S. citizens in other states. This unequal treatment of Americans is squarely prohibited and preempted by federal law, which expressly provides that an alien who is not lawfully present in the United States shall not be eligible on the basis of residence within a State . . . for any postsecondary education benefit unless a citizen or national of the United States is eligible for such a benefit . . . without regard to whether the citizen or national is such a resident, the lawsuit reads. The lawsuit references executive orders from the Republican president, this year that emphasize that federal and state governments must not grant greater benefits to individuals who are unlawfully present in the United States than to American citizens. Oklahoma is one of 23 states and Washington D.C. that provides in-state tuition and financial aid benefits to undocumented students, according to an analysis by the Higher Education Portal, which is a platform for data, resources and policy analysis regarding immigrant student populations. 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 Oklahoma law allows requires in-state tuition be offered to anyone who graduates high school in the state and resides in Oklahoma for at least two years prior to graduation. The lawsuit also argues that under the law, undocumented immigrants are eligible. Students who meet the residency requirements and provide one of Oklahomas colleges and universities with their application or a petition to legalize their immigration status can be eligible for state scholarships or financial aid, according to the lawsuit. Angela Caddell, a spokesperson for the Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education, said in a statement Tuesday that the Regents are in the process of determining how many students will be impacted. The Oklahoma State Regents for Higher Education will follow federal law, she said. State system institutions will determine their next steps in concert with their respective campus governing boards. Drummond, in his motion, sided with the Trump administration and requested that the court prevent the state statute from being enforced. Today marks the end of a longstanding exploitation of Oklahoma taxpayers, who for many years have subsidized colleges and universities as they provide unlawful benefits to illegal immigrants in the form of in-state tuition, Drummond said in a statement. Rewarding foreign nationals who are in our country illegally with lower tuition costs that are not made available to out-of-state American citizens is not only wrong it is discriminatory and unlawful. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. Norman City Council heard a presentation at its Tuesday study session regarding the Federal Emergency Management Agencys community rating system following recent flash floods and road closures. Public Works Director Scott Sturtz said FEMA sets floodplain management standards for communities participating in the National Flood Insurance Program, which provides access to federally funded flood insurance for property owners. Floodplains are nearly flat areas along the course of streams or rivers that are naturally subject to flooding, Sturtz said. Floodplain management is a community program to reduce the risk of flooding and includes requirements for building codes and floodplain ordinances. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Sturtz said the city is part of FEMAs Community Rating System, a voluntary incentive program encouraging floodplain management within individual communities. Under the rating system, communities are rewarded for going above minimum standards set by the National Flood Insurance Program by receiving discounted flood insurance premiums. There are 10 community rating system classes, which are determined based on the number of points a community achieves in four categories: public information activities, mapping and regulations, flood damage reduction activities, and warning and response. Norman is a Class 6 community, meaning theres a 20% premium reduction on properties within Normans Special Flood Hazard Area. Sturtz reported only about 7%, or 64 out of 863 buildings, under the Special Flood Hazard Area have flood insurance. Norman is way ahead of the curve, Sturtz said. Theres only a few communities that participate in this rating system that we do, and were one of the top communities in Oklahoma in that. Mayor Stephen Tyler Holman said reaching higher classes would help Normanites and significantly aid the citys execution of its floodplain management. A Class 1 community with a 45% discount (on insurance) would be pretty significant, Holman said. Especially since Oklahomas becoming one of the hardest states to get insured (in). Holman told OU Daily after the meeting that the presentation showed where the city stands with flooding. We all know flooding is a real issue in Norman, Holman said. Thankfully, we havent had major flooding events that have resulted in loss of life in Norman, but we have had property damage very significant property damage. Sturtz said he wishes Normanites would inform Public Works of flood damage so the department knows how it can better help in flooding situations. 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 I wish that when citizens do have damage in their homes or in their business, Sturtz said., I wish they would call us, because if we have that information, then that helps us also know where we need to put the efforts in. Sturtz told OU Daily after the meeting that the presentation helps spread information to residents. Its another way for us to get the information to our (residents), Sturtz said. As (council is) discussing with people in their wards and (with) their constituents, theyre able to share this information. Sturtz said one of his future goals for floodplain management in Norman is to achieve a higher class rating. We always want to improve it, Sturtz said. Wed like to continue to try to improve into higher classes. Flood warning system Amid FEMA cuts made under the Trump administration, the city of Norman was forced to put a hold on building an automatic flood warning system. Sturtz said city officials are continuing to pursue funding for the project despite the funding slashes. It can help keep Norman (residents) safer and help us protect our roadways and our flooding areas, Sturtz said. We will continue to apply to grants for that. Holman said city officials are considering local funding while exploring state and federal funding options. A flood management system could be a project that we try to get locally funded, maybe over a span of time, Holman said. If we have to, try to save up and do that, but then just continuing to explore any state or federal options that come up in the future for how we can improve our systems. This story was edited by Ana Barboza and Natalie Armour. OKLAHOMA CITY Oklahomas House speaker said Tuesday a bizarre accident likely caused images of nude women to appear on state Superintendent Ryan Walters office TV. Two law enforcement agencies said Tuesday that they are still investigating. Walters recently had a Samsung TV installed in his office that, when powered on, automatically displayed the Samsung TV Plus Channel 1204 (Movie Hub Action), House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, R-Bristow, said in a news release. NEWSLETTERS * required Thank you for subscribing! Email * Please enter a valid email address First Name Last Name When major news breaks + a few times a week FREE SIGN UP Subscribing... Hilbert said he learned Tuesday morning from Samsung that the channel was airing the 1985 film The Protector followed by the 2017 film The Foreigner during the timeframe when two members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education reported seeing the explicit images during a private portion of their July 24 meeting. Descriptions of scenes in the The Protector are consistent with what board members reported seeing on Walters TV, Hilbert said. The film also matches images of a doctor, a nurse and a white lab coat that Walters told Hilbert he saw when he turned around toward the TV screen, according to the speakers release. Walters previously said the board members allegations were categorically false and suggested it was a set-up by Gov. Kevin Stitt, whose appointees made the claims. His office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. Hilbert said he and the Office of Management and Enterprise Services investigated the matter. He contacted a government affairs specialist at Samsung to request what aired on that channel during the time and date of the meeting, he said. 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 The cause of the images, Hilbert said, seems to be the TVs default display, not an intentional act by Walters or his staff. A planned conspiracy is also highly unlikely, he said. In my opinion, the most plausible explanation for what occurred that day is that the television, which had only been in the superintendents office for fewer than two months, automatically launched Samsungs free streaming service and began playing a film that contained explicit content, without anyone in the room realizing it at the time, Hilbert said. This information seems to vindicate both the state superintendent as well as the two board members. The two board members, Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage, did not immediately return requests for comment Tuesday afternoon. The Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation are still investigating the matter, representatives of both agencies confirmed. The Senate president pro tems office didnt immediately comment on Hilberts report. Barbara Hoberock contributed to this report. Oklahoma Voice is an affiliate of States Newsroom, a nation 501(c)(3) nonprofit supported by grants and donations focused on delivering state government news. The Voice maintains full editorial independence. For more stories by Oklahoma Voice go to oklahomavoice.com. Two London teenagers were sentenced to 12 months and nine months of detention over the horrific torture and killing of two kittens in a wooded area in the region. The defendants were two 17-year-olds, one boy and one girl. The boy said that he dreamed of killing a human being, but instead tortured and killed a small black kitten before hanging it with a rope near Ruislip in May this year. Teens Sentenced Over Animal Cruelty Judge Hina Rai said that the tragic killings were "without a doubt the most awful offences against animals I have seen in this court." She added that the teenage boy's actions were "extensively planned" and "clearly premeditated." The judge told the defendant that he seemed to have decided to target the kittens because "they have emotion and you would have power over them." She continued to say that the teenage boy apologized during his interview with the police. Still, she argued that reports showed he struggled to show empathy for the kittens he killed, according to The Guardian. Read more: Disney Tourist Charged With Child Abuse After Violently Manhandling Teenager To Get Better View of Parade The teenage boy, whose name was not revealed because of his age, said he had a desire to "get away with murder" during a hearing at London's Highbury Corner magistrates' court on Monday. Officials found notes on the defendant's phones, which revealed that he "really wanted to murder someone. Every day, I was researching how to get away with murder." He also said that he had come close before but chose to kill cats to reduce his urges. Causing Unnecessary Harm to Animals On May 21, 2025, the two teenagers in the case pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering to the animals by mutilating and killing them. The case was initially brought to attention after a member of the public found the dead kittens on May 3, BBC reported. Authorities found the black kittens with ropes attached to them, and they were cut open. They also discovered several items at the scene, including blowtorches, three knives, and a pair of scissors. One of the animals was hanging from a rope and was completely ripped open, and had its eyes bulging. Officials also found a significant amount of blood and fur alongside the tools that the teenagers allegedly used. It was believed that the two teenagers viewed or searched for gore online in the months before actually killing the kittens. On top of this, the 17-year-old boy messaged an unknown TikTok user talking about sacrificing animals to Satan, as per MyLondon. The parents of a 20-year-old Westchester high school grad said that their daughter was detained by agents with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after a routine visa hearing. The incident sparked protests on Saturday, where people left flowers on the fence outside the Federal Plaza Immigration Court. The demonstrations involved religious and city leaders, who were in support of the loved ones of individuals who were detained by ICE agents amid the government's ongoing crackdown. High School Grad Detained by ICE The latest detainee is 20-year-old Yeonsoo Go, whose parent is beloved Episcopal priest Kyrie Kim. Yeonsoo Go is a graduate of Scarsdale High School in Westchester County and is a South Korean native who moved to New York in 2021 with her mother. A lawyer who is close to the family of the detained individual said that Go had an application to extend her current visa, which will expire in December. Assistant Secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, claims that Go "overstayed her visa that expired more than two years ago," according to ABC7NY. McLaughlin added that ICE agents arrested the 20-year-old on July 31 and have placed her in expedited removal proceedings. Go's lawyer noted that their client was ordered to appear in court on Thursday for a procedural hearing on her visa renewal application. The judge handling the case gave Go a date to return to court in October, but when she left the building, ICE agents were there waiting to arrest her. Her boyfriend, Leo Chu, said that at the time, she was with her mother, who was heartbroken about the development. Trump Administration's Immigration Crackdown Before the hearing, Go spoke to her boyfriend and friends, with one, Gabriella Lopez, saying the detained individual was a "little nervous" given the current situation in the United States. Now, it seems like her fears have come true, MSN reported. Rev. Matthew Heyd of the Episcopal Diocese of New York said that Go's mother gets regular calls from her daughter amid her detention. He added that the 20-year-old was staying at 26 Federal Plaza, which is not actually a facility equipped with showers or beds. He called the detentions there illegal and immoral. The detention of Go comes as President Donald Trump's administration is expanding its efforts to gain control over "sanctuary cities" such as New York. The Justice Department filed a lawsuit in July against the city over measures that were "designed to impede the Federal Government's ability to enforce the federal immigration laws," as per the Hindustan Times. Nvidia is sitting on an absolutely mind-boggling amount of money like, enough to make Solomon and Midas and Croesus go, Wow, thats a lot of money. Its become one of, if not the, richest companies on the planet by riding both the crypto and AI chip booms. But are all those pricey chips secure? Nvidia says they areand should stay that way, much to the chagrin of some lawmakers. To mitigate the risk of misuse, some pundits and policymakers propose requiring hardware kill switches or built-in controls that can remotely disable GPUs without user knowledge and consent, reads a blog post from Tuesday. Some suspect they might already exist. Nvidia GPUs do not and should not have kill switches and backdoors. The blog post is an obvious response to the tensions between the United States and China, which are currently in something of an arms race for AI technology, with Nvidias chips a key point of contention. Earlier this year, a US lawmaker proposed putting location trackers in Nvidia chips to keep them from being smuggled into mainland China, something that happens on a regular basis to evade export restrictions. Chinese cybersecurity authorities summoned Nvidia employees last week to rather pointedly ask if newly available industrial H20 AI chips contained spyware or backdoors. The highly-sought-after chips were cleared for export by the Trump administration in April, immediately after an apparent bit of personal lobbying from Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang at a $1-million-a-head dinner at Trumps personal residence in Florida. There is no such thing as a good secret backdooronly dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated, wrote Nvidias chief security officer in the blog post. Kill switches and built-in backdoors create single points of failure and violate the fundamental principles of cybersecurity. In light of the bill proposed earlier this year, it seems possible that the US could demand exactly that as a condition of clearing hassle-free and lucrative chip exports to China. I wonder if more expensive dinners are in Jensen Huangs future. The blog post gives a brief history of chip-level security failures, name-dropping Spectre and Meltdown. Its important to note that what Nvidia is denying here is deliberate, intentional means of disabling or spying upon chipsnot security vulnerabilities or bugs that make them susceptible to attack, which do crop up from time to time. Stuck on a boss? Dont know how to perfect parry? Microsoft is adding its AI assistant, Copilot, to help you with your games via an addition to the Windows Game Bar application. Right now, what Microsoft is calling Gaming Copilot (Beta) will show up only for those enrolled in previews for Xbox Insiders on the PC platform. Microsoft has issued a similar update for handheld PCs, too. Microsoft says that Gaming Copilot understands what game youre playing, which makes sense. A Voice Mode allows you to open an oral conversation via the microphone widget and then pin the widget to your screen as you play. You can also snap a screenshot of your screen and then let Gaming Copilot look at it for additional help. To use the new Copilot-equipped Game Bar, youll need to be enrolled in the program, launch Game Bar (the Windows key+G) and then look for the Gaming Copilot logo on the home bar to open the widget, Microsoft says. Its available for Xbox Insiders in the United States, but only if youre 18 or older. Microsoft doesnt explain the last requirement. Oddly, Microsoft already has a technology to see your entire screen and help you out: Copilot Vision, which Microsoft says is out of beta and is available for all PCs in the United States. But Copilot Visions vision was pretty lousy when I tested it on games like Solitaire, let alone quick first-person games. Microsoft may have improved its vision capabilities with the new Copilot Game Bar, but I wouldnt expect it to be as helpful as an online guide or just a nearby buddy. But with the Copilot application cropping up everywhere within Windows, the Edge browser, even applications like Microsoft Excel expect Copilots march to continue into pretty much every PC application that Microsoft owns. A man was found dead in the front yard of a home on the 400 block of East Marble Street on Sunday, July 13, 2025. Richard King, 35, was later charged with homicide. (Photos courtesy of Natalie Rowe) Natalie Rowe Investigators have seized a Cumberland County law clerks work laptop in hopes of unraveling the connection between him and a man hes accused of killing last month at his house in Mechanicsburg. In a search warrant application filed Tuesday, agents from the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office said they planned to check Richard Kings laptop for personal communications between him and Zachary Gula, 35. King, an attorney, served as the law clerk for the Cumberland County president judge. Luigi Mangione was recently granted permission to use a 'discovery laptop' to help his attorneys review the 7 terabytes of evidence prosecutors handed over in discovery. (Steven Hirsch/New York Post via AP, Pool, File) AP A federal judge gave Luigi Mangione permission to use a laptop from his cell to help his attorneys prepare for his trial, per an order handed down Monday. Mangione will be able to use his laptop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. seven days a week to access the voluminous amount of discovery in his case, Federal Judge Margaret M. Garnett ruled Monday. Mangione is being held in a federal Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn, awaiting trial in a federal death penalty case accusing him of fatally shooting United Healthcare CEO Brian Thompson last December. Prosecutors accuse Mangione of killing Thompson Dec. 4 before fleeing to Altoona, Pennsylvania, where he was arrested in a McDonalds on Dec. 9. Mangione faces a second-degree murder charge in New York state court and felony forgery and firearms offenses in Pennsylvania. His social media presence, particularly on platforms like X, saw a significant increase in followers after the shooting, with many expressing support while also criticizing the healthcare system. Prosecutors have handed over more than 7 terabytes of discovery in the case to Mangiones attorneys, and Mangione needed access to the laptop to be able to effectively assist in his own defense, Karen Friedman Agnifilo, his attorney, argued in a letter to the court Friday. Incarcerated people awaiting trial in federal prison are also permitted to use discovery laptops from prison to prepare for trial, and the permission Mangione received is consistent with permission others have been given, his attorneys letter said. Mangiones attorneys provided a laptop to a third party who disabled its ability to connect to the internet or other networks. They plan on handing it to prosecutors, who will upload all non-sensitive discovery into its hard drive before sending the laptop to the federal prison where Mangione is being held. The Bureau of Prisons can ask for modifications to the order for operational or security reasons through prosecutors, the order said. Find out which rapper had an Uber driver drive him all the way to his show while on tour. (Advance Local File Photo) The Patriot News Rest assured that some Uber drivers are there to lend a helping hand in any way possible. This is something Jeezy came to realize after an Uber driver became an unexpected hero in his struggle to get out of Atlanta recently. The beloved rapper made it on time for the Baltimore stop of his TM: 101 Live Tour, but it was thanks to his Uber driver Tanner that the show wasnt canceled all together. On Friday, the Put On rapper turned to Instagram to post a clip of himself on stage, telling the crowd about the journey he took after flights out of Atlanta were canceled due to severe weather. Thats when he decided to drive but ended up stuck in the middle of South Carolina after the car broke down. Jeezy accompanied the post with a lengthy caption that further explained how Tanner needed just a bit of convincing to pull off such a tall task. I woke up to my team informing me that all flights to Baltimore and D.C. had been canceled, he wrote. They then told me that my driver was on his way to pick me up, so we could drive to Baltimore for the next stop on the tour. Two hours into our drive, we hit an object on the highway, puncturing the gas tank and causing fuel to leak everywhere. We pulled over to a small gas station to regroup in S.C. My team tried to arrange a jet from South Carolina to Baltimore, but with the flights canceled due to weather, we werent sure if the jet would get us there on time, risking another cancellation. Next, we called an Uber to take us to a rental car location at the airport. When the Uber driver arrived, he quickly loaded our bags and sped off. Eight minutes into the ride, I turned to him and said, Hey, we need to go to Baltimore. I asked how much hed charge to take us there, and after a moment of consideration, he replied, Let me think about it. I assured him that whatever it was, hed have it. Like real one, he didnt hesitate and just kept driving. The Soul Survivor rapper concluded the post by honoring Tanner, saying he received VIP treatment at the show and included a snapshot of the two backstage, with Tanner wearing the legendary Snowman t-shirt. Ten hours later, we arrived in Baltimore just ten minutes before showtime, he said. I told him he made a lot of people happy tonight! Gave him a Snowman Tee and told him he was my guest for the show tonight! Shout out to the real MVP, my Uber driver Tanner! Not all heroes wear capes! Jeezy even brought Tanner out on stage during the show, and the crowd showed him some love. On July 25, Jeezy released TM: 101 (Live) featuring the Color of Noize Orchestra to commemorate the 20th Anniversary of his classic debut album Lets Get It: Thug Motivation 101, which was released on July 26, 2005. Heinz and Smoothie King are teaming up to release a Tomato Ketchup Smoothie at select locations. Provided Ketchup is no longer for just squeezing on hot dogs, hamburgers and french fries. Enter the latest ketchup creation: the Heinz Tomato Ketchup Smoothie. Starting Aug. 6, Heinz is teaming up with Smoothie King to offer the sweet and tangy sippers at select locations. The smoothies blend sweet Acai sorbet, crisp apple juice, juicy strawberries and tart raspberries. The key ingredient? Heinz Simply Ketchup, an all-natural condiment made from tomatoes. The smoothie was inspired by the latest social media debate asking, if tomatoes are a fruit, is ketchup a smoothie? According to a press release, the drinks offer a deliciously refreshing way for fans to enjoy the beloved condiment highlighting how the slightly sweet and tangy taste of Heinz Ketchup can elevate any dish, even a cold and refreshing fruit smoothie." The idea of a ketchup smoothie is provocative, and our top priority was landing a delicious tasting fruit smoothie with distinct yet well-balanced ketchup notes, Angie Madigan, vice president of Elevation Marketing at Kraft Heinz, said in a press release. The limited-time-only beverages are selling for $5.70 at Smoothie King locations in New York, Chicago, Atlanta, Denver and Miami. Fans are encouraged to share their thoughts about the beverages on social media with #KetchupSmoothie. A 120 pound blue catfish caught in 2012. The species in invasive in the Susquehanna River, and is being targeted by new legislation to encourage their harvesting in the Chesapeake Bay. (Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources) Lawmakers have introduced legislation targeting an invasive species in the Susquehanna Rivers major outlet. The Southern Maryland Chronicle reports that members of the US Congress from Maryland and Virginia have introduced the Mitigation Action and Watermen Support Act, or MAWS Act, targeting blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay. The Susquehanna River is the major tributary to the Chesapeake Bay, and the the Chesapeake Bay Foundation has warned that the river is also at threat from the invasive species. The MAWS Act incentivizing the capture and harvest of the blue catfish in the Chesapeake Bay, via a pilot program through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The program would provide grants to animal food manufactuers that prioritize harvesting the fish, as well as building infrastructure to process and ship them. Data collected by the NOAA would then be used to promote recommendations for similar programs nationwide. Invasive blue catfish pose a direct ecological and economic threat to our Bay, said Congresswoman Congresswoman Sarah Elfreth of Maryland, according to the Chronicle. Elfreth is one of the bills sponsors, along with Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, and Rob Wittman and Jen Kiggans of Virginia. Blue catfish live up to 20 years and can grow to weigh over 100 pounds. The species lacks natural predators in the Chesapeake Bay watershed, and as they eat nearly anything, they threaten several other species and the biodiversity of the region. The MAWS Act was introduced to the House of Representatives in July and went before the Natural Resources Subcommittee on July 22. This money is part of a state program to get unclaimed property automatically returned to people. (Getty Images) Getty Images/fStop Roughly Tens of thousands of people in Pennsylvania will be receiving checks in the mail this month. And just to reiterate: This money is absolutley not part of a scam. A press release sent out by the state Treasury Department explains that these checks which can amount to as much as $500 are part of the Pennsylvania Money Match program. For those unfamiliar, the Money Match program allows the Treasury Department to automatically send unclaimed property to its rightful owners. This motion was approved unanimously by the General Assembly and signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro last year. Its exciting to see so many people getting money they didnt know they had, said Garrity. Its now important that people cash these checks. We want everyone to know this is a real program and this is real money. Every dollar we return to Pennsylvania families is money they can use to buy groceries, fill up their cars with gas, or pay their rent or mortgage. This money belongs to them, not the state. State Treasurer Stacy Garrity confirmed via the release that the second round of over 39,000 Money Match checks totaling a whopping $9.2 million were sent out earlier this summer. The next batch an estimated 40,000 letters will be released in the coming weeks. Pennsylvania is doing right by its workers and taxpayers by automatically returning more than $10 million in unclaimed property back to its right owners through the first two rounds of the Money Match program, added state Rep. Ryan Bizzarro. Anytime we can cut red tape and return money to taxpayers is a reason to celebrate. As a prime sponsor of the Money Match program, Im working with my House and Senate colleagues to expand this initiative and return even more money to the people of our commonwealth. Its a commonsense approach to giving back the more than $5 billion in unclaimed property sitting in the PA Treasury. For more information about the Pennsylvania Money Match program, please click here. Doves fly over the cenotaph dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park during a ceremony to mark the 80th anniversary of the bombing in Hiroshima, western Japan, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Kyodo News via AP) AP By MARI YAMAGUCHI, The Associated Press HIROSHIMA, Japan (AP) Hiroshima on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the western Japanese city, with many aging survivors expressing frustration about the growing support of global leaders for nuclear weapons as a deterrence. With the number of survivors rapidly declining and their average age exceeding 86, the anniversary is considered the last milestone event for many of them. There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years, Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, said after he knelt to pray at the cenotaph. Thats why I want to share (my story) as much as I can. The bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, destroyed the city and killed 140,000 people. A second bomb dropped three days later on Nagasaki killed 70,000. Japan surrendered on Aug. 15, ending World War II and Japans nearly half-century of aggression in Asia. 34 1 / 34 The bombing of Hiroshima and Nagaski Mayor says world should have learned from tragedy Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned against a growing acceptance of military buildups and of using nuclear weapons for national security during Russias war in Ukraine and conflicts in the Mideast, with the United States and Russia possessing most of the worlds nuclear warheads. These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history, he said. They threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to construct. He urged younger generations to recognize that such misguided policies could cause utterly inhumane consequences for their future. We dont have much time left, while we face a greater nuclear threat than ever, said Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese grassroots organization of survivors that won the Nobel Peace Prize last year for its pursuit of nuclear abolishment. Our biggest challenge now is to change, even just a little, nuclear weapons states that give us the cold shoulder, the organization said in its statement. A visitor lights incense sticks at the Peace Memorial Park ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII U.S. atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Japan. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte) AP Prayers, tributes and hope About 55,000 people, including representatives from a record 120 countries and regions, including Russia and Belarus, attended the ceremony. A minute of silence was held while a peace bell rang out at 8:15 a.m., the time when a U.S. B-29 dropped the bomb on the city. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, the citys mayor and other officials laid flowers at the cenotaph. Dozens of white doves, a symbol of peace, were released after the mayors speech. Hours before the official ceremony, as the sun rose over Hiroshima, survivors and their families started paying tribute to the victims at the Peace Memorial Park, near the hypocenter of the nuclear blast 80 years ago. Kazuo Miyoshi, a 74-year-old retiree, came to honor his grandfather and two cousins who died in the bombing and prayed that the mistake will never be repeated. We do not need nuclear weapons, Miyoshi said. There is hope, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres said in a statement read by Izumi Nakamitsu, U.N. Under-Secretary-General and High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, noting Nihon Hidankyos Nobel Peace Prize and countries re-commitment to a nuclear free world in the Pact for the Future adopted last year. Guterres stressed the importance to carry forward the survivors testimony and message of peace and added: Remembering the past is about protecting and building peace today and in the future. Near Hiroshimas iconic Atomic Bomb Dome under high security, more than 200 protesters gathered, holding posters and flags carrying messages such as No Nuke, Stop War and Free Gaza! No more genocide while chanting slogans. Local police said two people were arrested in separate cases, each on suspicion of assaulting a security guard. Survivors want nuclear abolishment, not deterrence Wednesdays anniversary comes at a time when possession of nuclear weapons for deterrence is increasingly supported by the international community, including Japan. Some survivors said they were disappointed by President Donald Trumps recent remark justifying Washingtons attack on Iran in June by comparing it to the atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the mild response from the Japanese government. Its ridiculous, said Kosei Mito, a 79-year-old former high school teacher who was exposed to radiation while he was still in his mothers womb. I dont think we can get rid of nuclear weapons as long as it was justified by the assailant. In the Vatican, Pope Leo XIV said Wednesday that he was praying for those who suffered physical, psychological and social effects from the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, adding that the event remains a universal warning against the devastation caused by wars and, in particular, by nuclear weapons. Protesters sit outside the Atomic Bomb Dome ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII U.S. atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Wednesday, August 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Louise Delmotte) AP Japan seeks US nuclear protection Japans government has rejected the survivors request to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons or attend its meetings as observers because it is under the protection of the U.S. nuclear umbrella. Matsui, the citys mayor, in his speech Wednesday, urged Japans government to sign and ratify the nuclear weapons ban treaty, a request also made by several groups of survivors in their meeting with Ishiba after the ceremony. Ishiba, in a speech, reiterated his governments pledge to work toward a world without nuclear weapons, but did not mention the treaty and again indicated his governments support for nuclear weapons possession for deterrence. At a news conference later Wednesday, Ishiba justified Japans reliance on U.S. nuclear deterrence, saying Japan, which follows a non-nuclear principle, is surrounded by neighbors that possess nuclear weapons. The stance, he said, does not contradict Japans pursuit of a nuclear-free world. Past prime ministers have stressed Japans status as the worlds only country to have suffered nuclear attacks and have said Japan is determined to pursue peace, but survivors say its a hollow promise. The Japanese government has only paid compensation to war veterans and their families, even though survivors have sought redress for civilian victims. They have also sought acknowledgment by the U.S. government of its responsibility for the civilian deaths. Cars drive past a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border is pictured Tuesday Aug.5, 2025. (Richard Capoulade/UGC via AP) AP By Sylvie Corbet, The Associated Press PARIS Frances biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. The fire had burned an area larger than Paris. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou deplored a disaster on an unprecedented scale in the region. Over 2,100 firefighters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries. The fire, which has burned 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), remained very active on Wednesday, the local administration said in a statement. The weather was hot, dry and windy, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said the military will reinforce efforts starting from Thursday, with several dozens of soldiers to be deployed. This photo provided by the Securite Civile shows the wildfire in the Corbieres massif, southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP) AP One person died in their home, and at least 13 others were injured, including 11 firefighters, local authorities said. One person who was initially described as missing has been located and is safe. Jacques Piraux, mayor of the village of Jonquieres, said all residents have been evacuated. Its a scene of sadness and desolation, he told broadcaster BFM TV after he visited Wednesday morning. It looks like a lunar landscape; everything is burned. More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down. Its hellish. Residents and tourists in nearby areas were requested to remain in their homes unless told to evacuate. Two campsites were evacuated as a precaution. The prime minister met Wednesday afternoon with firefighters and residents at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where the fire services command post has been set up. He said he came to express national solidarity. The areas economy is relying on wines and tourism, and both sectors are affected, he stressed. This photo provided by the Securite Civile shows an aerial view of the wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border, southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. (Securite Civile via AP) AP Bayrou said an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. The environment ministry said the Aude region has been experiencing a drought this month, with water use restrictions in place. Lack of rainfall in recent months played a major role in the spreading of the fire, since the vegetation is very dry, the statement said. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, Frances second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. Five soldiers were shot at Fort Stewart in Georgia. (Staff Sgt. Daniel Guerrero/U.S. Army via AP, file) AP By David Aaro, The Atlanta Journal-Constitution (TNS) ATLANTA Five soldiers were shot at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia, officials said Wednesday. The U.S. Army base was placed under lockdown at about 11 a.m. and all gates remain closed. The incident occurred in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. WJCL in Savannah said one person was taken into custody. Personnel were asked to stay inside during the lockdown, which includes the 2ABCT area and the Wright and Evans Army Airfield. The base is near Hinesville, about 40 miles from Savannah. Lock down your facility immediately, stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors, the post said in a statement. Keep telephone lines open and report accountability to your leadership. In a statement, Gov. Brian Kemp said his family was saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart. He said his office remains in close contact with law enforcement on the ground. We are keeping the victims, their families and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same, Kemp said. FBI Atlanta said its Savannah office was aware of the incident and was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division for any assistance that might be needed. Several Liberty County schools were also placed under lockdown due to the incident, including Button Gwinnett Elementary, Joseph Martin Elementary and Snelson-Golden Middle School. We are continuing to work closely with law enforcement to ensure the safety of our students and staff, the school system said in a statement. Thank you for your patience and support as we prioritize the safety of our campuses. Israeli right-wing activists watch the northern Gaza Strip during a rally calling for the re-establishment of Jewish settlements in the Gaza Strip, near the border in southern Israel, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Ohad Zwigenberg) AP By Joseph Krauss, The Associated Press Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering ordering the full reoccupation of the Gaza Strip, according to Israeli media, a move that would draw fierce opposition internationally and within Israel. It would mark a stunning escalation of the nearly 22-month war in the territory that has already been largely destroyed and where experts say famine is unfolding. It would put the lives of countless Palestinians and about 20 living hostages at risk, and deepen Israels already stark international isolation. It would also face fierce opposition within Israel: Families of the hostages would consider it a virtual death sentence, and much of the security establishment is also reportedly opposed to an open-ended occupation that would bog down and further strain the army after nearly two years of regional wars. The threat to reoccupy Gaza could be a negotiating tactic aimed at pressuring Hamas after talks mediated by the United States, Egypt and Qatar appeared to have broken down last month. Or it could be aimed at shoring up support from Netanyahus far-right coalition partners. His governing allies have long called for escalating the war, taking over Gaza, relocating much of its population through what they refer to as voluntary emigration and reestablishing Jewish settlements that were dismantled when Israel withdrew in 2005. Whether they prevail will likely depend on the one person with leverage over Israel U.S. President Donald Trump. Asked Tuesday whether he thought Israel should reoccupy Gaza, he said he wasnt aware of the suggestion but that its going to be pretty much up to Israel. Ground operations in the most densely populated areas To take full control of Gaza, Israel would need to launch ground operations in the last areas of the territory that havent been flattened and where most of Gazas 2 million Palestinians have sought refuge. Palestinians struggle to get donated food at a community kitchen in Gaza City, northern Gaza Strip, Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (AP Photo/Jehad Alshrafi) AP That would mean going into the central city of Deir al-Balah and Muwasi, a so-called humanitarian zone where hundreds of thousands of people live in squalid tent camps along the coast. Such operations would force another wave of mass displacement and further disrupt aid deliveries as the U.N. agencies and humanitarian organizations are already struggling to avert famine. Israel already controls around 75% of the territory, which has been declared a buffer zone or placed under evacuation orders. With Israel also largely sealing Gazas borders, its unclear where civilians would go. It would also pose a major risk for the remaining 20 or so living hostages, likely held in tunnels or other secret locations. Hamas is believed to have ordered its guards to kill captives if Israeli forces approach. Hamas-led militants abducted 251 hostages in the Oct. 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war and killed around 1,200 people that day, mostly civilians. They are still holding 50 hostages, less than half of them believed to be alive, and recent videos have shown emaciated captives pleading for their lives. Israels retaliatory offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gazas Health Ministry, which does not say how many were civilians or combatants. The ministry, which is part of the Hamas-run government and run by medical professionals, is seen by the United Nations and other experts as the most reliable source on casualties. Israel disputes its toll but has not provided its own. International outrage and further isolation Israels wartime conduct has shocked much of the international community and prompted even close Western allies to call for an end to the war and to take steps to recognize Palestinian statehood. The International Court of Justice is considering allegations of genocide, and the International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Netanyahu and his former defense minister, alleging war crimes and crimes against humanity, including the use of starvation as a method of war. People take part in a protest outside US Embassy Branch demanding the end of the war and immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government in Tel Aviv, Saturday, July 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Mahmoud Illean) AP Israel has rejected the allegations and accused those making them of antisemitic blood libel. It says it has taken every effort to avoid harming civilians and blames Hamas for their deaths because the militants are deeply entrenched in heavily populated areas. Israel has said it will keep fighting until all the hostages are returned, Hamas is defeated or disarmed, and Gazas population is given the option of voluntary emigration, which the Palestinians and much of the international community view as forcible expulsion. Hamas has said it will only release the remaining hostages in return for a lasting ceasefire and an Israeli withdrawal. It says it is willing to give up power but will not lay down its arms as long as Israel occupies territories the Palestinians want for a future state. Another open-ended occupation Israel captured Gaza, the West Bank and east Jerusalem in the 1967 Middle East war. The United Nations, the Palestinians and others continued to view Gaza as occupied territory after the 2005 withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers, as Israel maintained control of its airspace, coastline, most of its land border and its population registry. The full reoccupation of Gaza would pose long-term challenges that Israel is well aware of given its long history of occupying Arab lands, including the likelihood of a prolonged insurgency. Israeli support for the war already appears to have declined since Netanyahu ended a ceasefire in March, as soldiers have been killed in hit-and-run attacks. As an occupying power, Israel would be expected to maintain order and ensure the basic needs of the population are met. In the West Bank, it has largely outsourced that to the Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited autonomy in population centers. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks to reporters at the U.S. Capitol following a meeting with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., Tuesday, July 8, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson) AP But in Gaza, Netanyahu has ruled out any future role for the PA, accusing it of not being fully committed to peace, and has not produced any plan for Gazas postwar governance and reconstruction. Long-term repercussions Even if Israel succeeds in suppressing Hamas, the reoccupation of Gaza could pose an even more profound threat to the country. It would leave Israel in full control of the territory between the Mediterranean Sea and the Jordan River, which is home to around 7 million Jews and 7 million Palestinians most of the latter denied basic rights, including the vote. Even before the war, major human rights groups said the situation amounted to apartheid, something Israel vehemently denies. Unless large numbers of Palestinians are expelled no longer merely a fantasy of Israels far-right Israel would face an all-too-familiar existential dilemma: Create a Palestinian state in the 1967 territories and preserve Israel as a Jewish and democratic state, or rule over millions of Palestinians indefinitely and hope they never rally behind the idea of equal rights in a binational state. Israel would no longer be able to point to Hamas rule in Gaza, or factional divisions among Palestinians, as reasons to avoid such a reckoning. And when Trump leaves office, it may find it has few friends to back it up. Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war By Nathan Willison, LNP, Lancaster, Pa. (TNS) Safety improvements are being considered for a Penn Township railroad crossing where trucks collided with Norfolk Southern freight trains in two separate incidents over one week in June. The first happened June 3 when a driver lost control of a truck hauling farm equipment and hit a train passing through the crossing. No one was injured. On June 10, the driver of a dump truck hauling stone drove in front of a train. A member of the trains crew suffered non-life threatening injuries. Kasandra Ortiz, a spokesperson for Norfolk Southern, which operates the crossing, said the crashes remain under investigation and the company is working with municipal and state officials to discuss any changes at the location. The crossing on the 600 block of Auction Road is less than 2,000 feet from the rear of the Manheim Auto Auction at Auction and Junction roads. While the area is rural and dotted with farms, there are several homes next to the crossing. Warning features at the Auction Road crossing include signs. Penn Township Manager Mark Hiester said the township met with representatives of Norfolk Southern and the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in late June to discuss ways to improve safety and visibility there. Any proposal to significantly modify a railroad crossing, such as adding warning lights or a gate, has to be submitted to the Pennsylvania Public Utilities Commission by the railroad company or the owner of the road, according to Nils Hagen Frederickson, the commissions press secretary. Hagen-Frederiksen said the commissions role in the process is to review any proposal and assign responsibilities for any required improvements and ongoing maintenance while determining cost-sharing arrangements. At this time informal discussions continue with stakeholders to determine what other enhancements might be possible, Hagen-Frederiksen said. These discussions have included making minor changes to the crossing, such as trimming foliage to improve visibility or adding stop signs. These types of changes can be made without the involvement of the PUC. We had productive discussions, Hiester said. There are things we can do without submitting a formal proposal, but the township engineer is putting together a report, and were exploring all options. Hiester said with trains passing through the crossing only a handful of times a day, there hasnt been a need to add safety measures in the past, but that has changed. The fire started around 4:50 p.m., sending thick, black smoke into the air. Picture taken by Ron S. Bullock. Ron S. Bullock A fire at Harrisburgs tent city on Tuesday destroyed a mans dwelling and other belongings, Harrisburg Fire Chief Brian Enterline told multiple news outlets. Firefighters were dispatched to the homeless encampment, located along South Front Street near PennDOTs riverfront building, around 4:50 p.m. Pictures posted on social media showed a thick plume of black smoke rising from the encampment, visible from miles away on Interstate 83. The cause of the fire is undetermined at this time, but Enterline said the blaze burned an area around 100 to 125 feet wide, according to WGAL and CBS21. No one was injured as a result of the fire, and a preliminary investigation suggested it was accidental, Enterline said. Its the most recent of several fires that have been reported at the encampment this year. On the morning of Jan. 16, a fire at the encampment killed Alfred Colon after a lit Sterno canister he was using to stay warm caught fire to his tent amid single-digit temperatures. Colon was airlifted to Bayview Medical Center in Maryland, where he died of his injuries. About a month later, on Feb. 27, a small fire quickly grew out of control in the encampment. In July, Harrisburg-based nonprofit Amiracle4sure Inc. announced a 3.5-acre lot where the citys homeless population can set up their tents while also being provided with cooking areas and portable restrooms. The Pennsylvania state Capitol is seen on Dec. 14, 2020, in Harrisburg. A Pennsylvania court ruled Friday, Jan. 13, 2023, that special elections to fill three vacancies in Democratic-leaning state House districts will be held together next month, with partisan control of the chamber at stake. AP File Photo/Matt Slocum By Mickey Dollens Heres a fascinating piece of Pennsylvania history most people dont know: The state still has an anti-blasphemy law on the books that dates back to the 1700s. Pennsylvania is one of just six states that has anti-blasphemy laws, alongside Massachusetts, Michigan, Oklahoma, South Carolina and Wyoming. These outdated statutes originate from Americas colonial era, before the U.S. Constitution, when church and state were entangled and religious orthodoxy was enforced by law. You might assume statutes like this are forgotten blue laws never enforced in modern times. But in Pennsylvania, enforcement happened as recently as 2010. George Kalman attempted to register a film production company named "I Choose Hell Productions." State officials rejected his application because Pennsylvania statute says corporation names are not allowed to be blasphemous. Thankfully, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania stepped in. The court ruled that the states enforcement of its blasphemy statute violated the First Amendment, which protects freedom of speech and religion. And yet, to this day, the unconstitutional law remains on the statute books. Why? Not because anyone is defending it. Not because its needed. But because no one has taken the time to repeal it. Leaving laws like this in place sends the wrong message. It tells Pennsylvanians that their rights are conditional, that religious speech is protected, but religious dissent can still be punished. And it leaves open the possibility that someone could misuse the law again, especially since the U.S. Supreme Court has shown a willingness to rewrite constitutional law in favor of religious litigants. Even conservative evangelical politicians agree that blasphemy laws are wrong. In 2020, U.S. Senator James Lankford introduced a bipartisan Senate resolution calling for the global repeal of blasphemy laws. The resolution condemned foreign governments that jail or persecute individuals for religious speech and non belief. It passed unanimously in the Senate and was also approved in the House by a vote of 3863. That kind of rare, overwhelming support shows that protecting religious expression, including the freedom to question or reject religion, is a shared American value across party lines. Its also worth noting that faith-based religious liberty advocates, including the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, support repealing blasphemy laws. They recognize and acknowledge what the founders believed: true religious freedom requires the freedom to criticize, question, reject religion and speak freely without fear of censorship or punishment. For Pennsylvania, the solution is straightforward. Complete the constitutional work the federal court began in 2010. Repealing the states blasphemy law would bring its legal code in line with established precedent and reaffirm its commitment to both religious liberty and freedom of expression for all. Mickey Dollens is the regional government affairs manager at the Freedom From Religion Foundation, where he fights to uphold state-church separation and protect religious freedom for all. Central Pennsylvania residents can expect continued hazy conditions and an air quality alert due to Canadian wildfire smoke through Wednesday night. The National Weather Service has issued an alert for counties across northcentral and northeastern Pennsylvania, with reduced visibility and potential health impacts. Wildfires smoke continues to influence portions of central Pennsylvania this evening and will continue into tomorrow, especially across portions of northeastern Pennsylvania where a Code Orange Air Quality Alert remains in effect through Wednesday. #PAwx pic.twitter.com/OYrAJZ8t3W NWS State College (@NWSStateCollege) August 5, 2025 The wildfire smoke is creating significant atmospheric conditions, with visibility dropping to 3-6 miles at times. The Department of Environmental Protection has extended Air Quality Alerts for numerous counties, warning of increased fine particulate matter. Residents, especially those with respiratory sensitivities, are advised to limit outdoor activities and monitor local air quality updates. Temperatures will remain seasonable, with highs near 80 degrees on Wednesday and gradually warming into the upper 80s by early next week. High pressure from eastern Canada will maintain dry weather through the weekend, with only a slight chance of isolated afternoon showers, particularly in higher terrain areas. The extended forecast indicates a gradual warming trend, with humidity increasing and temperatures potentially reaching the 90s by Monday and Tuesday. Wildfire smoke is expected to persist, though its intensity may diminish over time. Overnight temperatures will range from the mid-50s to low 60s, with increasing cloud cover and potential fog formation by Thursday morning. Meteorologists note that the KCCX radar is currently experiencing technical issues and may be offline until Thursday, Aug. 7. Residents are encouraged to stay informed through multiple weather information sources during this period. Long-term outlook suggests a stable weather pattern with minimal precipitation chances until early next week, when upper-level atmospheric changes may increase the likelihood of rain. Current weather radar Generative AI was used to produce an initial draft of this story, which was reviewed and edited by PennLive.com staff. JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Indonesian government on Wednesday launched a comprehensive initiative aimed at reducing waste from rivers to the sea, with a target of cutting marine waste by 70 percent by 2029. The initiative aims to comprehensively manage marine debris from upstream to downstream of rivers. "Marine waste remains a major problem in Indonesia," said Deputy Minister of Marine Affairs and Fisheries Didit Herdiawan on Wednesday. According to him, the program will reduce marine waste through direct interventions in rivers, coastal areas, small islands, seaports, and other marine activity zones. As the leading sector, the ministry will collaborate with other ministries, government institutions, provincial administrations, non-governmental organizations, academics, and the private sector, Herdiawan added. Indonesia is among countries located near the world's largest marine waste accumulation zone, the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, and ranks the fifth globally in terms of waste production. ISTANBUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Drought and low rainfall have caused the main dams supplying water to Turkiye's western province of Izmir to drop to critically low levels, threatening the city's water supply, according to official data released on Wednesday. The Izmir Water and Sewerage Administration confirmed the severity of the situation, reporting that five of the six dams are now at dangerously low levels, only a fraction of the total reservoir capacity. The Tahtali Dam, which supplies nearly half of Izmir's drinking water, has plummeted to just 7.97 percent, down sharply from 22.55 percent a year ago. Other key reservoirs, including the Alacati and Gordes dams, have also seen steep declines, with levels dropping below 3 percent. Only one of the six major dams remains above 50 percent of its capacity. Local authorities have launched scheduled and rotating water cuts from Wednesday across 11 central districts of Izmir, where consumption is highest, along with public awareness campaigns. Due to drought and significantly dropping water levels at the Alacati dam, a former highway, which had been submerged before the dam's construction, has become visible again and walkable. Images captured in drone footage by the state-run Anadolu Agency show the dramatic decline in water levels at the dam. Near-Broke Champ Ready to Quit Poker Hits Life-Changing Tournament Score Jon Sofen Senior Editor U.S. Copy link A rags-to-riches story played out on Sunday when a player with only three digits in his bank account slayed the Grosvenor Goliath for life-changing money. Paul Worsley from Liverpool, England, was ready to quit poker before entering the 200 buy-in no-limit hold'em event at Grosvenor Casino Coventry in the UK. His odds of winning were slim to none, and not only because his past live tournament cashes, according to The Hendon Mob, barely exceeded $2,000. He was facing a field of 12,961 entrants, the largest-ever live tournament outside Las Vegas. If he could find his way through all the landmines and win the tournament, he'd take home 316,640 (approximately $421,000 USD). Even just making the final table would pay 17,140, enough to give Worsley some needed financial assistance. Every Struggling Poker Player's Dream The Goliath, a tournament that has drawn in more than 10,000 entrants annually since 2022, requires luck and skill to run deep. Worsley would reach the final table against eight others who also lacked any significant live tournament score. Players would fall quickly, one by one. Worsley found himself three-handed and guaranteed at least 144,800, more than he could have ever imagined. "I thought if I got to the final nine, I'd be guaranteed fifty grand, and that would be fantastic, and people would chop it," Worsley said during his postgame interview on the Grosvenor livestream. "To be honest, this was supposed to be my last ever, like, I was gonna quit poker. I thought I'd come to the Goliath and that's it, I'm done," he continued. Worsley would far surpass his expectations once he reached the final table. But he ran into a major setback during three-handed play. 2025 Goliath Final Table Results Rank Player Prize 1 Paul Worsley 316,640 2 Thomas Clack 217,500 3 Vasilica Luca 144,800 4 Ben Parkin 100,470 5 Velupillai Kalahmohan 68,950 6 William Tagg 48,270 7 Jason Smith 33,490 8 Ryan Johnstone 23,640 9 Keith Tuckley 17,140 The tournament clock was paused after Ben Parkin was eliminated in fourth place (100,470). Thomas Clack, the most experienced player left, Worsley, and Vasilica Luca took a short break to discuss a potential chop. They didn't come to an agreement because Clack was asking for more than the others were willing to offer. Play resumed with the blinds at 3,000,000/6,000,000 (6,000,000 big blind ante). Clack would move all in for 114,800,000 on the button with QJ. Luca, in the small blind with 99, called off his final 53,500,000. Worsley then picked up AQ in the big blind and made the call with the biggest stack. The board ran out 67K6J, giving Clack a winning hand on the river. Luca was out in third place for 144,800, while Worsley was down to crumbs. Heads-up play began with Clack feeling great about his decision not to accept the proposed chop deal. He held a 9:1 chip advantage. But the small stack would quickly begin to chip up. And then Worsley took over heads-up play completely. Worsley went from five big blinds to the chip leader within a half hour, and then he decided to gamble with the best hand. Clack raised all in for 98,750,000 on the button with 97, and received a call from the big blind, who had 109. The board came J93A10, giving Worsley two pair and a winning hand to finish off the tournament for 316,640. Clack earned 217,500 as a consolation prize. Worsley, in his Grosvenor postgame interview, shocked the audience when he shared a surprising detail about his financial situation. "I can't believe I've won, to be honest," Worsley said. "I'm speechless. I was saying I've got 600 pounds in me bank." Not anymore. PokerNews encourages players to gamble responsibly at all times . Please visit the link for further information on PokerNews' commitment to Responsible Gambling. Share this article FILE - In this Dec. 14, 2004 file photo, the former head of the British Intelligence service Stella Rimington poses in her office in London. This file photo taken on April 19, 2024 shows Carolien Van Loo (1st L), head of the Yili Innovation Center Europe, and Ignatius Man-Yau Szeto (2nd L), assistant president of Yili Group, working at the Yili Innovation Center Europe in Wageningen, the Netherlands. (Yili Group/Handout via Xinhua) WAGENINGEN, the Netherlands, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nestled in the heart of Europe's agricultural and food science hub, the Yili Innovation Center Europe has become a vital bridge for scientific collaboration between China and Europe in the dairy sector. Established in 2014 by China's leading dairy producer, Yili Group, the center is located in the renowned university town of Wageningen, globally recognized for its excellence in life sciences. In an exclusive interview with Xinhua, Carolien Van Loo, head of the innovation center, emphasized strengthening partnerships with European research institutions and startups. Wageningen, with its rich research ecosystem and culture of open collaboration, offers fertile ground for advancing the future of food science, she said. Van Loo joined the center nine years ago as a senior nutrition scientist. Her research focuses on how nutritional components influence human health, particularly in areas such as cognitive function and immune response. She has led key projects on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), probiotics, lactoferrin, and variations in breast milk composition, several of which have been applied in Yili's infant formula products. Van Loo is particularly optimistic about the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and digital tools in food innovation, highlighting AI's ability to significantly accelerate product development cycles. Ignatius Man-Yau Szeto, assistant president of Yili Group, said over the years, Yili has established a global innovation network spanning Asia, Europe, and Oceania, with deep investment in nutrition, breast milk research, dairy processing and food safety. "Innovation is the engine of progress in the dairy industry," Szeto told Xinhua, stressing that Yili's broader innovation strategy places consumer needs and internationalization at its core. "Europe is a leader in dairy, with advanced systems and strong market maturity," Szeto noted, emphasizing the importance of Europe to Yili's international strategy. He added that Wageningen University is part of the Netherlands' Food Valley and a global leader in agri-food research, this environment allows Yili to tap into world-class expertise and technologies. Over the past 11 years, the Yili Innovation Center Europe has delivered achievements in fields such as breast milk analysis, probiotics development, cheese innovation, sugar reduction, food safety, and AI-driven product development, and many of these advances have been integrated into Yili's commercial offerings, including its infant formula, yogurt and cheese products, Szeto said. Ruth Cronin covers local government, education and business in Horry County. She wrote for the Indiana Daily Student and interned for the Cincinnati Enquirer while attending Indiana University. CANBERRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Australian government's online safety commissioner has criticized technology giants for failing to prevent child sexual abuse. In a report published on Wednesday, the federal government's eSafety Commissioner said that global technology giants have failed to prioritize the protection of children by leaving "significant gaps" in their efforts to combat the spread of abuse content on their platforms. The report singled out Apple services and YouTube for failing to track the number of user reports they received of child sexual abuse content on their platforms and for not disclosing how long it took them to respond to those reports. The eSafety Commissioner in July 2024 issued transparency notices to Apple, Google, Meta, Microsoft, Discord, WhatsApp, Snap and Skype, requiring each company to report every six months for two years on how they are tackling child sexual exploitation or abuse (CSEA) material. Wednesday's report said that none of the eight companies were using tools to detect CSEA livestreaming on all of their services. It said that Apple, Google, Microsoft and Discord do not use hash matching to detect known CSEA material on all parts of their services and that Apple, Google and WhatsApp do not block URL links to known CSEA material on any part of their services. The report said that minimal progress has been made by "some of the most well-resourced companies in the world" despite previous reports published in 2022 and 2023 showing that not enough was being done to protect children on their services. "It shows that when left to their own devices, these companies aren't prioritizing the protection of children and are seemingly turning a blind eye to crimes occurring on their services," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said in a statement. "No other consumer-facing industry would be given the licence to operate by enabling such heinous crimes against children on their premises, or services." The report noted some improvements, including Discord and Snap deploying language analysis tools to detect grooming. Syndicated and guest columns represent the personal views of the writers, not necessarily those of the editorial staff. The editorial department operates entirely independently of the news department and is not involved in newsroom operations. Grace Beahm Alford is the Assistant Visuals Editor for The Post and Courier, where she has been since 2001. Her photojournalism has sent her to every corner of South Carolina, and was part of the newspaper's team recognized as a Pulitzer Prize Finalist in Feature Photography for coverage of the mass shooting at Emanuel AME Church. Staff members cut a flood-toppled tree with a chainsaw in Dinghu District of Zhaoqing City, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 6, 2025. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The commission has dispatched a team to flood-affected areas to support local disaster relief efforts, prioritizing the securing of basic livelihoods for affected residents. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. The rainfall is expected to ease by Thursday and Friday, with most areas of the province seeing cloudy skies and rising temperatures, according to the observatory. A village Party chief checks a flood-damaged house in Huanghua Village of Qingyuan City, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 6, 2025. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) A man drives an excavator to clear silt and debris in Huanghua Village of Qingyuan City, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 6, 2025. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 6, 2025 shows staff members clearing silt in Dinghu District of Zhaoqing City, south China's Guangdong Province. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) Staff members clear silt in Dinghu District of Zhaoqing City, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 6, 2025. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) Villagers move flood-damaged furniture in Huanghua Village of Qingyuan City, south China's Guangdong Province, Aug. 6, 2025. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) An aerial drone photo taken on Aug. 6, 2025 shows villagers clearing silt and debris in Huanghua Village of Qingyuan City, south China's Guangdong Province. China's national commission for disaster prevention, reduction and relief on Wednesday initiated a Level-IV emergency response in Guangdong Province due to heavy rainfall and severe flooding, according to the Ministry of Emergency Management. The southern province has been experiencing heavy rain since the beginning of the week, with the provincial meteorological observatory alarming about geological disasters, urban waterlogging and mountain torrents. (Xinhua/Xiao Ennan) PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 18:40:30 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 510 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LITTLETON, COLORADO / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Colorado Eye Consultants is proud to announce that founding owner Dr. Lance Forstot has been selected as a 5280 Magazine Top Doctor for 2025, joining an elite group representing the top 7% of practicing physicians nationwide. This distinguished recognition, determined through peer nominations and a comprehensive vetting process conducted in partnership with Castle Connolly, celebrates Dr. Forstot's exceptional contributions to ophthalmology and unwavering commitment to patient care. Dr. Forstot"I feel incredibly honored to be selected by my peers as a Top Doc. I'm lucky to be surrounded by amazing doctors and staff," said Dr. Forstot, reflecting on this prestigious achievement that underscores more than four decades of medical excellence.Dr. Forstot established Colorado Eye Consultants in 1982, originally as Corneal Consultants of Colorado, with a vision to provide the Rocky Mountain region's most advanced care for corneal and external eye diseases. His distinguished academic foundation began at Princeton University, where he graduated with honors, followed by his medical degree from the renowned Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.After completing his internship at Washington University School of Medicine and serving his country for two years in the U.S. Public Health Service and as a medical officer with the United States Coast Guard, Dr. Forstot pursued specialized training through his ophthalmology residency and corneal fellowship at the University of Florida College of Medicine.Throughout his illustrious career, Dr. Forstot has garnered national recognition as one of America's leading ophthalmologists. He has been acknowledged as one of the "Nation's Top Doctors" of Ophthalmology since 1981 and recognized by Castle Connolly as one of "America's Top Doctors" since 2000.His professional leadership includes serving as President of the Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists and dedicating more than 30 years as Medical Director of Rocky Mountain Lions Eye Bank. Dr. Forstot's commitment to medical education is equally impressive. The University of Colorado School of Medicine twice honored him as Faculty Teacher of the Year during his tenure as Clinical Professor of Ophthalmology. His dedication to serving others extends to over 35 years of volunteer service treating veterans at the Veterans Administration Medical Center of Denver.A pioneer in his field, Dr. Forstot was among the first surgeons in the United States to perform corneal crosslinking for keratoconus treatment, demonstrating the innovative approach that has defined his practice. His extensive research contributions through clinical trials and FDA studies have advanced both surgical and non-surgical ophthalmological treatments. The American Academy of Ophthalmology has recognized Dr. Forstot's contributions with both Honor Awards and Senior Honor Awards, while his expertise has made him a sought-after lecturer, author, and board member throughout the ophthalmology community.Colorado Eye Consultants has evolved from Dr. Forstot's original specialized practice into a comprehensive ophthalmology center, maintaining his founding philosophy of delivering quality care with compassionate bedside manner in a safe, caring environment. For more information about Colorado Eye Consultants or to schedule an appointment, visit their website or call their Littleton office at 303-730-0404.Contact InformationLori JessenPractice Administratorljessen@ corneaonline.com 303-730-0404SOURCE: Colorado Eye Consultants PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 15:01:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 541 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Contractors can now browse, quote, and order construction equipment parts online 24/7 with fast shipping and expert support.BUFFALO, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Sourcing heavy equipment parts just got easier. ConEquip Parts, a leading name in construction, mining, and agriculture machinery components, has officially launched its brand-newonline store , offering 24/7 access to thousands of OEM, aftermarket, and rebuilt parts.Why the ConEquip Online Store Is a Game-Changer for Contractors and Equipment Owners Whether you're searching for a final drive for a John Deere excavator or a hydraulic pump for your Caterpillar dozer, the ConEquip online store is built to streamline the procurement process. With over 10,000 parts available online, users can quickly buy heavy equipment parts online and order the exact components they need, anytime, from anywhere.Key Benefits of the New Online StoreAdvanced Search & Filtering Tools: Find parts by make, model, or part # with precision. From Kobelco undercarriage parts to Hitachi engine components, search functionality is optimized for efficiency.Real-Time Inventory and Pricing: See live stock levels and transparent pricing so you can make informed decisions quickly.Integrated Expert Support: Need help? Over 70 experienced Parts Specialists are just a phone call or chat away, ready to assist with complex orders or hard-to-find parts.Fast, Streamlined Checkout: Enjoy a hassle-free purchase experience with full order tracking and mobile-friendly navigation.Mobile-Optimized for On-the-Go Orders: Perfect for field technicians and jobsite managers who need parts fast while working on-site.Built on Trust, Backed by Service Since 2008, ConEquip Parts has served the heavy machinery industry with dedication, expertise, and one goal in mind: helping customers get back to work. "We built this online store as another convenient way to source parts for our customers," said Albert Alexander, Co-Founder of ConEquip Parts. "It's about giving them options, online, by phone, or chat, to find the right part, right when they need it." This new eCommerce platform reinforces that mission by combining digital convenience with the company's renowned customer service.The platform is optimized for mobile devices and secure checkout, ensuring a smooth ordering experience whether you're at the office or on the jobsite.Explore Brands and Equipment TypesThe online store features parts for top equipment brands including:Caterpillar, Deere, CASE, Volvo, Hitachi, Doosan, Hyundai, Komatsu, Kobelco, Kubota, Link-Belt, Tigercat, Takeuchi and many more.From agriculture to construction and mining, ConEquip has your equipment covered.Need Help Ordering?If you're new to the process, check out our step-by-step online ordering guide for tips on how to search, select, and order parts.Start Shopping Now:Discover a faster, more reliable way to buy heavy equipment parts online. Visit the new ConEquip Parts Online Store: www.conequip.com/shop About ConEquip Parts: ConEquip Parts is a nationwide supplier of heavy equipment parts for construction, agriculture, and mining machinery. The company specializes in sourcing new, used, aftermarket, and rebuilt components including final drives, hydraulic cylinders, engines, and undercarriage parts. ConEquip supports major brands such as CAT, Komatsu, Deere, Case, and Volvo. Headquartered in Depew, NY, ConEquip serves heavy equipment machine owners across the United States and internationally. Additional information about the company can be found at www.conequip.com MEDIA CONTACT:Mike VaskoMarketing DirectorConEquip Parts1-716-836-5069 marketing@ conequip.com SOURCE: ConEquip Parts & Equipment, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 17:02:38 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 641 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 LAS VEGAS, NV / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Fintech Meetup , the most anticipated financial sector event, attended by more than 1,000 CEOs and Founders and over 700 financial institutions, is proud to announce its theme for 2026: Win Tech with Fintech.Fintech Meetup 2026, the premier event where high-intent buyers, decision-makers, and dealmakers come to connect, will host more than 5,000 attendees at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas from March 30-April 1, 2026. This year's theme was selected because it perfectly encapsulates the fintech ecosystem's decisive new chapter.The financial services sector has shifted from survival mode to acceleration, as goals have advanced from passive learning to active problem solving. With capital returning, technology maturing, and banks eager to innovate, fintech has moved to its next phase of strategic growth. This year's theme is a call to action, uniting founders, banks, investors and platforms to bring forth their best playbooks, partnerships and technologies. Winners won't succeed alone, it will take collaboration, bold strategies, and purpose.The theme, Win Tech with Fintech, will guide the event's action-packed agenda and valuable and productive meetings program. Using ground-breaking technology, Fintech Meetup powers more than 60,000 curated one-to-one meetings."At Fintech Meetup 2026, we'll showcase the real stories, strategies, and leaders proving that innovation is better when we build together. This isn't about disruption for disruption's sake. It's about pragmatic progress and the partnerships that power it. In today's landscape, it takes strategic collaboration and working together to truly Win Tech with Fintech," saidLouisa Hunter , Fintech Meetup Event President.Finding the Winning TrackThis year, Fintech Meetup will feature four content tracks, which have moved to the show floor, making it easy for attendees to identify sessions most relevant to them. These include:FintechWin the future of finance by exploring how emerging fintech innovations are reshaping financial ecosystems, from building AI-native products, to exploring stablecoins for faster payments, or unlocking new business models through Open Finance.BankingDiscover unique paths to success by hearing from regional, community and top-tier banks on the newest, real use cases behind AI, cloud, and compliance innovation that are delivering tangible business results.PaymentsRace to the future of seamless, secure and scalable payments by gaining insights from payment processors, networks, retailers, acquirers, platforms, and commerce-focused banks.LendingTurbocharge your strategies and execution by joining lenders, platforms, credit bureaus, fintechs, community banks and regulators as they discuss how to maintain a winning track record of credit innovation, financial inclusion and responsible lending.Fintech Meetup 2026 will also have its main stage and a central content feature in the heart of the Expo. That central space will be a high-energy, immersive space for fast-format content like pitches, ideal for Founders, VCs, Angels, Analysts, Accelerators.It's Time to Win Tech with FintechAchieve a competitive edge in the fintech ecosystem by attending Fintech Meetup 2026. For more information on sponsorships, speaking opportunities, exhibitor packages, and registration, visitwww.fintechmeetup.com About Fintech Meetup Fintech Meetup is the most anticipated financial sector event of the first half of the year. It is attended by the CEOs and senior leaders from thousands of Banks, Credit Unions, Fintechs and Investors that serve the US market. The event hosts the sector's most valuable and productive meetings program, using ground-breaking technology to power over 60,000 one-to-one meetings. It's nothing short of a phenomenon.www.fintechmeetup.com Hyve GroupFintech Meetup is part of Hyve Group ( Hyve | unmissable events - Hyve Group ). Hyve delivers game-changing impact for people, business and beyond. How? By helping people to make the connections that could change everything, through its portfolio of unmissable events and hyper-productive meetings programmes. Hyve is on a mission to redefine everyone's expectations of events and provide attendees with unbeatable return on investment and time. Hyve's portfolio includes world-renowned events such as Shoptalk, HLTH, Bett and Fintech Meetup.For media inquiries, please contact: Heather Valle fintechmeetup@ calibercorporate.com SOURCE: Fintech Meetup PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 14:14:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 1049 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR WITHIN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, NEW ZEALAND, CANADA, SOUTH AFRICA OR JAPAN, OR ANY MEMBER STATE OF THE EEA, OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE, OR TO ANY OTHER PERSON TO WHOM, TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OR BREACH OF ANY APPLICABLE LAW OR REGULATION. PLEASE SEE THE IMPORTANT NOTICE AT THE END OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT.LONDON, UK / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Helium One Global Ltd (AIM:HE1), the primary helium explorer in Tanzania with a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA, announces that due to the level of demand received, the Company has closed the WRAP Retail Offer early. A further announcement will be made in due course regarding the total proceeds to be accepted and the number of ordinary shares to be issued pursuant to the WRAP Retail Offer.Terms used but not defined in this announcement have the same meaning as set out in the Company's announcement released at 16:31 BST on 5 August 2025.Helium One Global Ltd+44 20 7920 3150Lorna Blaisse, CEOGraham Jacobs, Finance and Commercial DirectorPanmure LiberumLimited (Nominated Adviser and Joint Broker) Scott MathiesonNikhil Varghese+44 20 3100 2000Zeus Capital Limited (Joint Broker) Simon JohnsonLouisa Waddell+44 20 3829 5000Tavistock(Financial PR) Nick ElwesTara Vivian-Neal+44 20 7920 3150Winterflood Retail Access Platformwrap@ winterflood.com +44 203 100 0286Kaitlan BillingsSophia BechevFurther information on the Company can be found on its website at www.helium-one.com The Company's LEI is 213800J96OENDQKNQZ60.This announcement should be read in its entirety. In particular, the information in the "Important Notices" section of the announcement should be read and understood.Notes to EditorsHelium One Global, the primary helium explorer in Tanzania with a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA. The Company holds helium licenses within two distinct helium project areas, across two continents. With an expanding global footprint, the company has the potential to become a strategic player in resolving a supply-constrained helium market.The Company's flagship southern Rukwa Project is located within the southern Rukwa Rift Basin in south-west Tanzania. This project entering a full appraisal and development stage following the success of the 2023/24 exploration drilling campaign, which proved a helium discovery at Itumbula West-1 and, following an extended well test ("EWT"), successfully flowed 5.5% helium continually to surface in Q3 2024.Following the success of the EWT, the Company filed a Mining Licence ("ML") application with the Tanzania Mining Commission in September 2024 and the 480km2 ML was formally awarded to the Company in July 2025.The Company also owns a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Las Animas County, Colorado, USA. This project is operated by Blue Star Helium Ltd (ASX: BNL) and has successfully completed a six well development drilling campaign in H1 2025. The completion of the development programme is a key component of the broader Galactica-Pegasus development strategy; aimed at progressing the helium and CO2 discoveries to near-term commercial production.This programme has seen a systematic approach to developing the extensive Lyons Formation reservoir. The programme has delivered encouraging results, in line with expectations, consistently encountering good helium (up to 3.3% He) and CO2 concentrations in the target formation and demonstrating promising flow potential. The next steps will see the Galactica wells tied into initial production in Q4 2025.Helium One is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange with the ticker of HE1 and on the OTCQB in the United States with the ticker HLOGF.Important NoticesThis announcement and the information contained herein is not for release, publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in whole or in part, in or into or from the United States (including its territories and possessions, any state of the United States and the District of Columbia (the "United States" or "US")), Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, any member state of the EEA or any other jurisdiction where to do so might constitute a violation of the relevant laws or regulations of such jurisdiction.The WRAP Retail Offer Shares have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "US Securities Act") or under the applicable state securities laws of the United States and may not be offered or sold directly or indirectly in or into the United States. No public oering of the WRAP Retail Offer Shares is being made in the United States. The WRAP Retail Offer Shares are being oered and sold outside the United States in "oshore transactions", as dened in, and in compliance with, Regulation S under the US Securities Act ("Regulation S") to non-US persons (within the meaning of Regulation S). In addition, the Company has not been, and will not be, registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.This announcement does not constitute an offer to sell or issue or a solicitation of an offer to buy or subscribe for WRAP Retail Offer Shares in the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, the Republic of South Africa, any member state of the EEA or any other jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is or may be unlawful. No public offer of the securities referred to herein is being made in any such jurisdiction.This announcement is not for publication or distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States of America. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the US Securities Act, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.The distribution of this announcement may be restricted by law in certain jurisdictions and persons into whose possession any document or other information referred to herein comes should inform themselves about and observe any such restriction. Any failure to comply with these restrictions may constitute a violation of the securities laws of any such jurisdiction.WRAP is a proprietary technology platform owned and operated by Winterflood Securities Ltd (registered address at Riverbank PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 16:37:08 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 604 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Honeycomb more than doubled its sales in 2024 while maintaining exceptional loss ratios. This partnership with a leading insurer expands its admitted footprint across 18 states, key to meeting future capacity needs and sustaining growth.CHICAGO, ILLINOIS / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Honeycomb Insurance, a deep-tech digital insurer specializing in tailored property and casualty coverage for landlords and condominium associations, has announced a partnership with Trisura Insurance Company, a leading insurance provider. This collaboration enhances Honeycomb's admitted capacity and underscores its position as a stable, growth-focused insurer with strong underwriting performance.The addition of Trisura diversifies Honeycomb's carrier partnerships while reinforcing the company's commitment to providing scalable, AI-powered coverage solutions across the U.S. Advanced AI and machine learning capabilities enable Honeycomb to offer the most competitive coverages and pricing in the industry to well-maintained properties. Honeycomb more than doubled its sales in 2024 while maintaining a loss ratio that's significantly lower than the industry average, thanks to its precise risk selection. Through this alliance, Honeycomb continues to deliver competitive pricing, customized policies, and market-leading loss ratios. "Trisura is a highly credible and trusted partner whose support reflects the market's confidence in Honeycomb's model and long-term strategy," said Itai Ben Zaken, Co-Founder and CEO at Honeycomb Insurance. "This partnership boosts our admitted capacity and strengthens our foundation as we continue to expand into new states and serve more policyholders." "Honeycomb has strong underwriting discipline and a clear vision for long-term growth and profitability," said Michael Beasley, President & CEO of Trisura. "We're proud to support continued expansion by providing admitted capacity and partnering with a team that shares our commitment to innovation and stability in the market." Honeycomb's proprietary underwriting engine uses advanced computer vision and AI to evaluate each building independently, enabling precise risk assessment at scale. Built by insurance experts, the platform allows Honeycomb to insure properties that traditional carriers often avoid, not because of higher risk, but because they lack the tools to accurately underwrite them. By eliminating physical inspections and lengthy approval processes, Honeycomb makes coverage faster, more efficient, and easier to access.About Honeycomb InsuranceHoneycomb Insurance is a deep-tech property and casualty digital insurer specializing in providing tailored coverage for landlords and condominium associations. Using advanced computer vision and AI developed by insurance industry experts, Honeycomb has developed a best-in-class underwriting engine that delivers competitive pricing and customized policies for a diverse range of properties often overlooked by traditional carriers, all while maintaining an industry-leading loss ratio. Its intuitive, streamlined platform eliminates the need for lengthy approval processes and physical property inspections, making the insurance process faster and more efficient.Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, with additional offices in the United States and Israel, Honeycomb operates across 18 major states, covering over 60% of the U.S. population, and manages insured assets exceeding $55 billion.About Trisura GroupTrisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "TSU".Further information is available at https://www.trisura.com . Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group's SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca For more information, please contact:Mia BalabanMia@ tellny.com SOURCE: Honeycomb PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 18:15:15 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 376 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / With Intelligence recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to With Intelligence.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On June 28, 2025, PeopleCheck, a third-party vendor for With Intelligence, discovered that threat actors had accessed data using compromised login credentials. On July 7, 2025, PeopleCheckalerted With Intelligence that data processed on its behalf may have been affected.The impacted files may have included your name, email, internal reference name, date of birth, phone number, birth city, Social Security number, gender, mother name, and share code.On July 11, 2025, With Intelligence reported the breach to the Massachusetts Attorney General and began notifying affected individuals. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter from With Intelligence, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 18:30:32 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 394 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America ("Allianz Life") recently disclosed that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal information entrusted to Allianz Life.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On July 16, 2025, Allianz Life Insurance Company of North America ("Allianz Life") detected unauthorized access to a third-party, cloud-based CRM system used by Allianz Life. The breach compromised the personal information of most of its 1.4 million customers, along with some financial professionals and employees.The impacted data may include names and other personal identifiers.An investigation with cybersecurity experts followed, and Allianz Life filed notice of the breach with the Maine Attorney General on July 25, 2025. Allianz Life will begin mailing notice letters on August 1, 2025, to impacted individuals. Compensation may be available for individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter or email from Allianz Life, you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more. Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 15:01:00 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 475 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Ellis Sandifer says the lender's special program for trucking businesses changed his lifeSLIDELL, LOUISIANA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Lendistry announces today that it was proud to help 2'EAZY LLC, a locally-owned business, grow its operations with a new take on revenue-based financing (RBF). Ellis Sandifer Owner of 2'EAZY LLCEllis Sandifer began his career delivering antique furniture, mattresses, and other large items as an employee. He excelled in his role and quickly realized he could run a similar business for himself, eventually saving enough to put down half the cost of his own box truck-just as the pandemic increased the need for local deliveries. Even with the uptick in business, inconsistent payments from clients made it hard to make ends meet, so he applied to become a driver for a major e-commerce platform. This opportunity, combined with the financing Lendistry, changed everything."The Lendistry loan program gave me security," says Sandifer. "A lot of issues can come out of nowhere with truck maintenance that knock you off your shoes, but with this financing available, I didn't have to choose between purchasing new trucks and fixing old ones. Now I have four trucks, I've paid off my first loan and am ready for more." Now, Sandifer has been able to create jobs for family and local community members, and can spend time with his children while still running a growing business.Lendistry offers RBF through a special program for "middle mile" carriers. RBF provides a flexible repayment plan that matches carriers' financing expenses to their income, and the program takes a different approach that can allow small businesses to keep more of their revenue during overperforming months and keep growing."I was working so hard for five years, and thanks to this program I can finally see the business running itself. I finally see the work paying off," Sandifer adds. "I didn't believe opportunities like this could exist." About LendistryLendistry ( lendistry.com ) is a tech-enabled small businesses lender, grant administrator for private and public agencies, and a trusted resource for undercapitalized entrepreneurs including people of color, veterans, and those in rural communities. Founded in 2015, Lendistry has used technology and community partnerships to deploy over $10 billion in its first ten years. Lendistry was recently named the winner of the LA Area Chamber of Commerce Corporate Leadership Award, BankRate's Best Minority-Led Business Lender, and one of American Banker's Best Places to Work in Fintech. Lendistry has both Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) and Community Development Entity (CDE) certifications, is an SBA Preferred Lender and is now the #2 non-bank SBA 7(a) lender in the country. In collaboration with The Center by Lendistry, a nonprofit business education organization, Lendistry helps business owners achieve their goals and prepare to scale.Contact InformationKate KearnsSr. Communications Managercommunications@ lendistry.com SOURCE: Lendistry PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 16:30:33 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 384 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Jake and Keith Ponsler's Naples Vacation Properties now controls over 25% of the Naples vacation rental search market -with plans to expand nationally and become the #1 operator in Southwest Florida.NAPLES, FLORIDA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / What began as a personal investment journey for brothers Jake and Keith Ponsler has quickly grown into one of the fastest-scaling vacation rental and real estate brokerages in Southwest Florida. Naples Vacation Properties, now a top-three operator in the region, is on an aggressive path to dominate the local market and expand nationally. Jake Ponsler and Keith Ponsler Brother Jake and Keith Ponsler, founders of Naples Vacation PropertiesFrustrated by the limited and outdated property management options available while building their own rental portfolio in Naples, Jake and Keith set out to build something better. As licensed real estate brokers, they initially took on a handful of properties for clients who had purchased investment homes through their brokerage-and who shared similar dissatisfaction with the status quo.Early success snowballed. Leveraging their sales background, tech-savvy operations, and a relentless focus on guest and owner experience, the brothers grew Naples Vacation Properties into a market-leading operation managing over 100 high-end vacation rentals across top communities like Treviso Bay, Park Shore, and Pelican Bay."We knew there had to be a better way to do this-smarter systems, better communication, more transparency. So we built it," said Jake Ponsler, co-founder.Today, Naples Vacation Properties owns over 25% of all vacation rental search traffic in the Naples area, meaning 1 in 4 online rental seekers end up on their site. Their ambitious goal? Reach 50% market share and expand into other tourist-heavy regions across the U.S. using a proven operational playbook."Our growth wasn't luck," adds Keith Ponsler. "We've built a scalable backend, assembled a top-tier team, and we constantly refine our systems. That's why we've been able to outperform operators who've been in this business for decades-within just a few years." With robust technology, in-house expertise, and a loyal client base of property owners and travelers, the company is already laying groundwork in other premium vacation markets. Their aim is clear: to become the largest, most respected vacation rental brand in each market they enter-starting with Naples.Contact InformationRomina Ayres Marketing Manager, Naples Vacation Propertiesromina@ naplesvpr.com 2396410544SOURCE: Naples Vacation Properties PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 18:25:31 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 359 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK CITY, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / PDI Health recently discovered that it suffered a data breach that compromised the sensitive personal and protected health data of individuals. This data breach has led to concerns over the security of sensitive personal and protected health information entrusted to PDI Health.WHAT'S THIS ABOUT?On May 14, 2025, PDI Health discovered a security breach involving its internal systems. An unauthorized party accessed and extracted sensitive data, compromising patient records. The impacted data may include names, Social Security numbers, dates of birth, billing information, electronic medical records (EMRs), testresults,and medical history.The ransomware group Everest claimed responsibility for the attack on the dark web. Compensation may be available for those individuals who receive notice that their sensitive personal information was compromised.WHY YOU MAY BE ENTITLED TO COMPENSATION?Data breaches are serious matters that can cause long-term damage. Hackers may use stolen information to commit identity theft, financial fraud, or other crimes. Companies that fail to secure your personal data may be held liable for the resulting harm.HOW DO I KNOW IF I WAS AFFECTED?If you received a data breach notification letter fromPDI Health,you are likely to be affected. Follow the link below to find out if you may be eligible for compensation.Levi Korsinsky, LLP is investigating whether affected individuals are entitled to compensation. There is no cost or obligation to participate. Follow the link below to find out:Levi & Korsinsky, LLP is a nationally recognized consumer advocacy law firm that has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars against large corporations. The firm's team of over 70 extraordinary attorneys and professionals have a winning track record going against the most powerful defense attorneys in the world and know how to maximize your compensation. Our firm works on a 100% contingency fee basis - you pay nothing unless we win your case! Visit our website to learn more.Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.CONTACT: Levi & Korsinsky, LLPJoseph E. Levi, Esq.Ed Korsinsky, Esq.33 Whitehall Street, 17th FloorNew York, NY 10004 jlevi@ levikorsinsky.com Tel: (212) 363-7500Fax: (212) 363-7171 https://zlk.com/ SOURCE: Levi & Korsinsky, LLP WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The Republican-controlled House of Representatives on Tuesday issued subpoenas to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and several high-profile figures, demanding records related to deceased American financier and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, as the Trump administration is under mounting pressure to release the files. Nearly two weeks after a House subcommittee voted to demand the Justice Department release its files, House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer formally authorized the subpoenas. Under House rules, Comer was obligated to issue the subpoenas, and no full vote was required, according to media reports. In one of the 11 subpoenas formally issued on Tuesday, the DOJ was given until Aug. 19 to comply and produce all records related to Epstein and his incarcerated accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell. In addition to requesting the Epstein files, the chairman also subpoenaed documents and testimony from multiple prominent individuals connected to Epstein's investigations or past associations. The House subcommittee's requests are likely to intensify pressure on the Trump administration, which is already facing criticism for withholding documents related to previous investigations, according to media reports. Epstein, who had extensive connections with U.S. political and business elites, was arrested on sex crime charges and died in prison in August 2019, which was officially ruled a suicide. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 19:45:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 419 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 First-ever deal for mass-manufactured nuclear microreactor signed with Defense Innovation Unit, Department of the Air ForceEL SEGUNDO, CA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Radiant, the company pioneering the world's first portable, mass-produced nuclear microreactor, announced today it has signed an agreement with the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) and the Department of the Air Force, under the Advanced Nuclear Power for Installations (ANPI) program. This is the first-ever agreement designed to deliver a mass-manufactured nuclear microreactor to a U.S. military base. Rendering of Radiant Kaleidos Reactors installed on a U.S. Air Force BaseThis contract comes just weeks after the Department of Energy selected Radiant's Kaleidos reactor to be scheduled to test next year at Idaho National Laboratory's Demonstration of Microreactor Experiments (DOME) facility. This will be the first new design of a U.S. reactor to be tested at DOME in almost 50 years."We're proud to be the first agreement designed to deliver mass-manufactured nuclear microreactors for a U.S. military base," said Radiant CEO and Founder Doug Bernauer. "In 36 months, Kaleidos reactors will arrive via truck and within 48 hours plug in, power on, and provide resilient, cyber-secure power to our nation's Air Force for years without refueling." DIU's mandate is to strengthen our national security by accelerating the adoption of dual-use technology for our military. DIU and the service components are collaborating on ANPI, a disciplined competition to field the nation's best microreactors, rewarding designs that prioritize safety, scalability, and the warfighter's needs. By leading on this novel capability, the Pentagon is capitalizing on this resilient, safe, and secure technology - one that will harden military bases at home and abroad and provide a decisive advantage over America's near-peer adversaries.Radiant is eager to continue to work with DIU, Department of Defense leadership, Congress, and the President to deliver Kaleidos to the Air Force within three years. For more information on Radiant and the Kaleidos microreactor, visit www.radiantnuclear.com About RadiantRadiant is building the world's first mass-produced nuclear microreactors that can go anywhere they're needed, whenever they're needed and without constant refueling. The company's first reactor, Kaleidos, is a 1 MW failsafe microreactor that can be transported anywhere power is needed. Founded in 2020, Radiant plans to test its first reactor in 2026, with initial customer deployments beginning in 2028. Radiant's mission is to mass produce the most economical and reliable portable reactors.ContactFor media inquiries, contact Ray Wert at press@ radiantnuclear.com Contact InformationRay Wert press@ radiantnuclear.com SOURCE: Radiant Industries, Incorporated PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 14:13:37 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 694 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Key Facts:SKUx's patented SKUPay technology rapidly enables merchants to accept item-level payment programs across a variety of growth industries; from health and wellness benefits, to consumer-packaged goods promotions, to merchant private label brands, and beyond.Merchants who implement the solution can now accept item-level restricted payment programs through one single point of integration between their POS system and multiple program providers, eliminating costly custom development and reducing operational complexity.The innovative technology solution is designed to be rapidly deployed as a POS update without changes to core POS logic, all while delivering a seamless checkout experience for customers.ST. PETERSBURG, FL / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 /SKUx, a leader in item-level payment acceptance and digital payment innovation and TRUNO, the leading national integrated retail technology solutions provider, today announced a partnership to enable TRUNO U.S. merchants to advance their acceptance of item-level payment programs, helping merchants unlock new revenue streams, create efficiencies, and attract new customers across a variety of use cases.This comes at a pivotal moment in retail as brands, governments, and benefit program administrators seek more effective ways to fund and deliver value to consumers at the point of sale. SKUx enables tenders to be linked to any number of approved item lists simultaneously-whether for item-level promotional offers, wellness incentives, or government and privately funded benefit programs, providing a powerful rules-based engine for verifying product-level eligibility in real time. This allows merchants to activate highly targeted, brand-funded promotions that drive measurable results, increase basket size, strengthen customer loyalty, and capture greater share of wallet-all while delivering superior return on investment for participating brands and program sponsors.SKUPay: Built for Merchants with Consumers Top of Mind SKUPay is a merchant-centric solution designed with consumers in mind, offering a range of benefits. With one-to-many program acceptance, this new approach aims to transform item-level payments eligibility, offering a contemporary solution that also aligns with the expectations and preferences of today's digital-savvy consumers. Additionally, SKUPay is payment type agnostic, allowing for flexible transaction routing and unlocking new incremental value streams that merchants can pass on to their loyal shoppers. It streamlines processes, reduces friction, and enables merchants to unlock the true potential of item-level acceptance in our modern world of commerce."We're thrilled to announce our partnership with TRUNO," said Bobby Tinsley, CEO and Co-founder of SKUx. "TRUNO's commitment to continuous innovation will further advance our vision of transforming item-level payments for the next era of retail consumer engagement. The launch of SKUPay makes trusted, seamless SKU-level offers a reality, creating new revenue streams for merchants and consumer packaged goods brands, and ultimately improving value for the consumers who need it most." "Our work with SKUx expands the value TRUNO brings to our partners by innovating a new way for payment technology to drive revenue and growth and engage consumers," said Steven Watters, President of TRUNO. "It is our goal to simplify acceptance of these types of programs for our merchants while streamlining the checkout experience for shoppers at the same time." About SKUx SKUx is unlocking value with every transaction. With mobile phones, qr codes, virtual cards, and app-based payments now ubiquitous tools of commerce, SKUx is enabling brands to deliver personalized, seamless and impactful buying experiences that drive loyalty, financial inclusion and wellness over our network. The multi-patented SKUx platform is enabling the shift to trusted and universal item-level acceptance and engagement for consumers, merchants, brands, banks, payment networks and processors. For more information, visit skux.io About TRUNO TRUNO is the national leader in integrated retail technology solutions. With 40 years of experience and innovation, 12,000+ customer sites, unmatched customer service, and a best-in-class product portfolio, TRUNO provides secure, stable, and integrated technology solutions empowering businesses of any size to succeed in an ever-changing, competitive environment. TRUNO's expertly vetted product portfolio includes solutions in point of sale, margin management, productivity, digital commerce, and risk management. With complete integration into sales data and operations, TRUNO delivers end-to-end technology solutions that can be crafted to meet the unique needs of each retailer. For more information, visit truno.com SKUx Media Contact: Kevin Sugarman ksugarman@ globalfluency.com SOURCE: SKUx PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 13:06:01 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 411 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 NEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC, a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Sable Offshore Corp. ("Sable" or "the Company") (NYSE:SOC) and certain of its officers.Class DefinitionThis lawsuit seeks to recover damages against Defendants for alleged violations of the federal securities laws on behalf of all persons and entities that purchased or otherwise acquired Sable securities: (1) pursuant and/or traceable to Sable's May 21, 2025 secondary public offering (the "SPO"); or (ii) between May 19, 2025, and June 3, 2025, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC Case DetailsThe Complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) they represented that Sable Offshore Corp. had restarted oil production off the coast of California when it had not; and (2) as a result, defendants' statements about Sable's business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.What's Next?A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to review a copy of the Complaint, you can visit the firm's site: bgandg.com/SOC . or you may contact Peretz Bronstein, Esq. or his Client Relations Manager, Nathan Miller, of Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC at 332-239-2660. If you suffered a loss in Sable you have until September 26, 2025, to request that the Court appoint you as lead plaintiff. Your ability to share in any recovery doesn't require that you serve as lead plaintiff.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.Why Bronstein, Gewirtz & GrossmanBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC is a nationally recognized firm that represents investors in securities fraud class actions and shareholder derivative suits. Our firm has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors nationwide.Follow us for updates on LinkedIn, X, Facebook, or Instagram.Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.ContactBronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLCPeretz Bronstein or Nathan Miller332-239-2660 | info@ bgandg.com SOURCE: Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 15:00:43 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 504 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Global Fintech Doubles Down on ESG Commitments to Build a More Sustainable and Inclusive FutureBOULDER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / For the fourth consecutive year, global fintech, SumUp has reaffirmed its dedication to making a meaningful and lasting impact through its environmental initiatives. Generation Since 2022, SumUp has been working with American NGO, Generation, to offer free Java Full Stack courses to unemployed minority youth across LatAm, with over 80% of the graduates securing jobs in the tech industryGuided by its mission to champion small business ownership globally and its "3Es" framework - focusing on Environment, Education and Entrepreneurship, SumUp continues committed to initiatives that empower thousands of people around the world. Learn more about SumUp's ESG efforts below:Environmental InitiativesHaving already worked with Belgium-based NGO, River CleanUp, to remove 215 tons of plastic from the Citarum River since 2022, SumUp is pledging to remove a further 100 tons of plastic in 2025.Together with Wilderness International, SumUp has helped protect 300,000 m2 of rainforest in Peru, preserving valuable habitats and biodiversity while offsetting 18,000 tons of CO2. SumUp is also supporting StoveTeam International to supply 3,000 families in Central America with safe, fuel-efficient cookstoves.Education InitiativesSince 2022, SumUp has been working with American NGO, Generation, to offer free Java Full Stack courses to unemployed minority youth across Brazil, Chile and Colombia, with over 80% of the graduates securing jobs in the tech industry.In Brazil, SumUp is collaborating with Associacao Comunitaria MonteAzul, who provide 350 children each month in the MonteAzul favela with extracurricular activities, cultural projects and psychological care. Additionally, SumUp supported an initiative with Brazilian charity, CapacitaMe, to help 500 vulnerable individuals enter the labor market.SumUp has worked with the Rusalya Association in Bulgaria to improve the quality of education for 50-70 socially disadvantaged children at the Dimitar Ekimov Boarding School of Arts and Crafts.Entrepreneurship InitiativesIn partnership with DharmaLife, SumUp has made a positive impact on the lives of thousands of girls in rural India. Building on the success of the Lighting Up Young Minds program - a digital platform that delivers education to over 10,000 children each year - SumUp now also funds JAYA, an entrepreneurship-focused initiative.SumUpco-founder, Marc-Alexander Christ comments: "As a global industry leader, we recognize the importance of empowering individuals worldwide to reach their full potential while championing environmental conservation efforts. In 2025 we've taken action to complete our first double materiality assessment and understand our carbon footprint in preparation for further ESG reporting, doubling down on our commitments to sustainability and social impact initiatives." About SumUpSumUp is a global financial technology company driven by the mission of empowering small businesses all over the world. Established in 2012, SumUp is the financial partner for more than 4 million entrepreneurs in over 35 markets worldwide.In the United States, SumUp offers an ecosystem of affordable, easy-to-use financial products, such as point-of-sale and loyalty solutions, card readers, and invoicing.For more information, please visit https://www.sumup.com/en-us/ Contact InformationAdriano LiraPR Manager, USadriano.lira@sumup.com SumUp PR Teampress@ sumup.com SOURCE: SumUp PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 16:30:16 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 644 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 With zero marketing spend and over a million monthly downloads, Tavily's Platform is rapidly becoming the standard search layer for AI applicationsNEW YORK, NY / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Tavily announced today that it raised $25 million in funding, including a $20 million Series A led by Insight Partners and Alpha Wave Global. The company's platform enables AI agents to navigate live web data through a single, developer-friendly search layer. Tavily has set its sights on the critical problem of agentic search, and since its launch, has seen a meteoric rise to over a million monthly downloads. The company is already serving leading Fortune 500 companies and fast-growing tech firms, like Cohere and Groq, with headquarters in New York and additional offices in Tel Aviv and Abu Dhabi.Despite giant leaps in the capabilities of large language models (LLMs), search remains the critical frontier for AI agents. From fluidly navigating the web to traversing an internal knowledge base, agents that can retrieve reliable, real-time information offer a crucial edge to enterprises. And yet, model hallucinations, outdated responses, or missed context are barriers for production-ready agents. Developers tasked with building dependable agents are confronted with brittle retrieval stacks or expensive and ineffective in-house infrastructure, diverting time away from product development and innovation. Unlike generic search APIs, Tavily was purpose-built to inject real-time, structured data into the context window of LLMs, making it ideal for AI agents and advanced AI applications."We're on a mission to onboard the next billion AI agents to the web," said Rotem Weiss, CEO of Tavily. "Building agentic web infrastructure is uniquely challenging, especially when these agents serve mission-critical applications. That's why we built an architecture that generates unique economies of scale: a system that becomes smarter and faster the more it is utilized." Founded by Rotem Weiss (CEO), Assaf Elovic, and Yuval Rozio (in his capacity as Managing Director at Alpha Wave Global, which incubated the company 12 months ago), Tavily delivers the search layer for AI agents. Through high-performance search, web page extraction, and intelligent crawling, Tavily enables AI agents to navigate the web fluidly. In doing so, Tavily presents enterprises with an all-in-one solution, bridging their organizational data, agents, and the entire Internet.Tavily instantly dominated the open-source community, gained traction with AI builders, and the company grew into the leading search platform for enterprises. Today, the platform supports a wide range of applications, including fraud prevention at major financial institutions, logistics optimization for large-scale shipping providers, and academic research at leading institutions. With this funding, Tavily will double its headcount and expand its go-to-market reach, deepen partnerships across developer and LLM ecosystems, and pioneer the next frontier of AI search by delivering lightning-fast, precision retrieval of both internal and external data to millions of developers worldwide."Tavily's approach to building web infrastructure for agents won developers' love from day one, which led to immediate adoption across Fortune 500 enterprises and public institutions," said Yuval Rozio, Managing Director at Alpha Wave. "In just 12 months, the company grew into a category leader, proof that they're solving a real and urgent problem"."Enterprises need safer, more secure approaches for agents to interface with the Internet. Tavily is building one of the leading web infrastructures for enterprises to have a trusted, auditable gateway for their agentic systems," said George Mathew, Managing Director at Insight Partners. "It's been impressive to see how quickly Tavily has become essential to building compound AI systems at scale." About TavilyTavily is building the search layer that connects AI agents to the real-time web. Used by over a million monthly users, Tavily provides a suite of web-access APIs that allow agents to search, crawl, and extract structured insights from public and private sources at scale. For more information, visit https://www.tavily.com/ Contact Information:Ofir Zimbermedia consultantofirz@ tellny.com PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 13:07:54 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 974 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 WHITE ROCK, BC / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 /TDG Gold Corp. (TSXV:TDG)(OTCQX:TDGGF) (the "Company" or "TDG") is pleased to provide an update regarding its fully funded, ongoing discovery-focused exploration program at the Company's 100% owned Greater Shasta-Newberry ("GSN") project which is located immediately adjacent to the Freeport McMoran-Amarc Resources' ("Freeport-Amarc") AuRORA1 gold-rich copper discovery in the evolving Toodoggone District of northern British Columbia.Additional Drill Rig Mobilized to ProjectTDG has mobilized a second drill to site to accelerate drill testing of the newly developed exploration targets. These targets are defined by integrating geochemical and geological data, alteration mapping, structural analysis and geophysical targets generated from the ongoing 2025 Induced Polarization ("IP"), surveys. The second rig is expected to commence drilling by the end of the week. Both drill rigs will be operating in the vicinity of the TDG's AuWEST target which is located directly west of the 2024 Freeport-Amarc Aurora1 copper-gold-silver ("Cu-Au-Ag") discovery. Proposed drill locations will be results driven and are subject to change. (Figure 1).Figure 1 -Proposed drill pad locations and IP anomalies in relation to GSN-AuRORA1.Current Drilling StatusOne near vertically oriented drill hole has been completed to date with a final depth of 645 metres. Designed to confirm the projected extension of the Freeport-Amarc AURORA1 mineralization, onto TDG's GSN property, and to evaluate a broad Au-in-soil geochemical anomaly (coincident with the IP response) west of the property boundary. Drill core samples from this first hole are currently being expedited to the assay laboratory for analysis and results will be released when appropriate.2025 Phase I Drilling DiscussionThe 2025 IP survey, and corroborated by airborne and ground magnetics data, has outlined an upper and lower geophysical feature with a signature that appears to share characteristics with the AuRORA1 Cu-Au-Ag discovery, with the upper anomaly lying at a similar elevation to AuRORA1. Drilling will be performed on spacings approximately 100 metres between drill holes in order to efficiently define the scale of the potential mineralization. Drill step-out spacing is subject to geological interpretation, and subject to future refinement.Qualified PersonThe technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Steven Kramar, MSc., P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration for TDG, a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101Notes1Adjacent Properties: The Company has no interest in, or rights to, any of the adjacent properties mentioned, and exploration results on adjacent properties are not necessarily indicative of mineralization on the Company's properties. Any references to exploration results on adjacent properties are provided for information only and do not imply any certainty of achieving similar results on the Company's properties.About TDG Gold Corp.TDG is a major mineral tenure holder in the Toodoggone District of north-central British Columbia, Canada, with 100% ownership of ~50,000 hectares of brownfield and greenfield exploration ground.In 2023, TDG defined the 5.5 sq.km Greater Shasta-Newberry exploration target area (news release Jan 25, 2023) which is located directly adjacent to the gold-rich copper porphyry AuRORA1 discovery announced by Freeport McMoran Inc. and Amarc Resources Ltd. (news release Jan 17, 2025).In 2024, TDG identified new copper-gold target areas over an expanded footprint covering ~53 sq.km known as the Baker Complex' (news release Feb 28, 2024), including the North Quartz (news release Apr 02, 2024) and Trident (news release Mar 07, 2024) targets.TDG's other Toodoggone projects within the property package include the former producing, gold-silver Shasta and gold-silver-copper Baker mines, which produced intermittently between 1981-2012, and the historical high-grade gold Mets developed prospect, all of which are road accessible, and combined have over 65,000 m of historical drilling. These projects have been advanced through compilation of historical data, new geological mapping, geochemical and geophysical surveys and, at Shasta, 13,250 m of modern HQ drill testing of the known mineralization occurrences and their potential extensions. In 2025, TDG published an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for Shasta (news release Jan 08, 2025), which remains open at depth and along strike.In July 2025, TDG closed the acquisition of Anyox Copper Ltd. ("Anyox", news release July 14, 2025) which holds a combination of crown grants (100% owned and optioned) and mineral claims totaling over 10,000 hectares including the former producing Hidden Creek copper-gold mine - all located within the Anyox peninsula at the southern tip of BC's Golden Triangle. Exploration at Anyox will commence in the second half of 2025 and gives TDG access to a volcanogenic massive sulphide horizon within a significant past-producing district with copper-gold-lead-zinc-silver potential.ON BEHALF OF THE BOARDFletcher MorganChief Executive OfficerFor further information contact:TDG Gold Corp.Telephone: +1.604.536.2711Email:info@ tdggold.com Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements that are based on the Company's current expectations and estimates. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "represent", "appropriate", "appears", "focus", "anticipate", "accelerate", "efficient", "immediate", "coincident", "characteristics", "design", "expedite", "potential", "corroborate", "outline", "extension", "approximate", "projected", "associate", "expect" and variations of these words as well as other similar words or statements that certain events or conditions "could", "may", "would" or "will" occur. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results implied or expressed in such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, among others: the uncertainty that any mineralization encountered on adjacent properties continues on to TDG tenure; the uncertainty that geological and/or geophysical and/or geochemical anomalies and/or any trends, interpretation PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 15:01:18 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 321 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 From Staffing Stability to Seamless Operations, TELE-NET Continues to Power the Growth of Non-Emergency Medical Transportation Businesses Across the U.S.LAS VEGAS, NEVADA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / As the Non-Emergency Medical Transportation (NEMT) industry continues to grow in complexity and demand, TELE-NET is proud to reaffirm its support for NEMT providers nationwide through dependable contact center services that improve efficiency, reliability, and client satisfaction.With years of experience partnering with transportation companies, including those operating large fleets, TELE-NET has become a trusted outsourcing partner by delivering consistent staffing, scalable support, and industry-specific expertise."As the owner of a [large] fleet, I needed dependable operational support and staffing solutions that would allow me to focus on scaling and managing other areas of the business. We never faced staff shortages, and every representative they provided was well-educated, professional, easy to train, and a great cultural fit for our organization," shared Courtney, President of a 50-vehicle NEMT fleet. "Their services have been a game-changer for my business." TELE-NET provides fully managed staffing solutions from its operations center in Cebu, Philippines, backed by Japanese-quality processes and 24/7 service capability. By reducing common pain points like recruitment delays and turnover, TELE-NET allows NEMT companies to focus on growth and compliance.To further its commitment to the industry, representatives from TELE-NET will be visiting the NEMTAC Transform 2025 Annual Conference, held in Dallas, Texas, from Aug. 24-26. The team looks forward to connecting with transportation providers and exploring new opportunities to support the future of accessible, non-emergency care.About TELE-NETTELE-NET is a global customer support outsourcing company with offices in Japan, the U.S., and the Philippines. Combining Japanese hospitality principles (omotenashi) with advanced technology and scalable operations, TELE-NET supports companies across multiple industries - including healthcare, logistics, and transportation - with reliable, human-first solutions.For more information about TELE-NET, visittelenetamerica.com Contact InformationIan BlotterGeneral Managerpress@ tele-net-global.com (702) 850-1464SOURCE: tele-net America Corporation PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 21:36:14 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 696 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 TORONTO, ON / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc., a long-standing training partner of the Canadian Red Cross, is proud to host its fifth annual Train the Next Hero event - a free, citywide First Aid and CPR training initiative aimed at giving everyday citizens the skills and confidence to save lives in emergencies.The initiative began in 2018 as a direct response to the North York van attack, where the need for an immediate community response became painfully apparent. Since then, Train the Next Hero has equipped thousands of Torontonians with life-saving skills, helping to build a safer, more resilient city. This year's event has expanded hands-on workshops, expert demonstrations, and real-world simulations to prepare participants for the unexpected - from cardiac arrests to opioid overdoses, and choking emergencies."The first person on the scene is almost never a paramedic - it's a bystander," says Aryan Sekhavati, Director at Coast2Coast. "That's why we created this event - to turn hesitation into action, and bystanders into heroes. We expect to teach more than 500 participants this summer and help build a stronger, safer community together." Over the years, Train the Next Hero has gained wide recognition, with coverage from major news outlets including CTV News, Global News, The Toronto Star, and CBC. Their support has helped bring national attention to the importance of public safety training and community preparedness.Watch this short video from previous years: CLICK HEREThe event also features some great organizations such as the Canadian Red Cross, Canadian Blood Services, and Ski Patrol to raise awareness about health and safety.Co-founder Ashkon Pour-heidary said, "Emergencies don't come with a warning. Whether it's cardiac arrest, choking, or an overdose, knowing how to respond could mean the difference between life and death. Our goal is to ensure more people feel ready to step up when it matters most." What to Expect at Train The Next Hero 2025Live CPR and first aid demonstrations led by our certified Canadian Red Cross instructors, plus opportunities for attendees to practice on ManikinsInteractive workshops on medical emergencies like heart attacks, strokes, opioid overdoses, and choking - to learn how to deal with themA youth zone with games and colouring for kidsCommunity resource booths, giveaways, and moreWhether you're a student, parent, caregiver, or simply a concerned community member, this event provides a supportive and inclusive environment to learn essential emergency response skills. In the midst of a crisis, when stress is high and others may depend on you, your ability to act effectively relies on preparation and practice. That's why this workshop emphasizes keylife-saving techniques. By developing muscle memory through hands-on training, you'll be better equipped to respond confidently and make a meaningful difference when it matters most.Admission is entirely free, with spots available on a first-come, first-served basis. Coast2Coast encourages families, students, frontline workers, and concerned citizens to participate.Event DetailsDate: Saturday, August 9, 2025Time: 1 PM - 6 PMLocation: Mel Lastman Square, 5100 Yonge St, North York, TorontoAdmission: FreeCertified instructors will lead hands-on training sessions throughout the day. All attendees will walk away with practical skills that could one day save a life.How to RegisterParticipation is free, but space is limited.Register online at: https://www.c2cfirstaidaquatics.com/train-the-next-hero-free-first-aid-cpr-workshop/ For questions, please contact: contact@ c2cfirstaidaquatics.comToll-Free: 1-866-291-9121About Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc.Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics is a Red Cross and Heart & Stroke recognized training provider. Approved by WSIB Ontario and OHS Alberta, Coast2Coast delivers certified First Aid, CPR, BLS, and safety training across Canada. With over a decade of experience, Coast2Coast is committed to building safer communities through accessible, high-quality education.Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc. was honoured as one of the Top 3 National Training Providers by the Canadian Red Cross in 2023 and 2024. The organization has trained over 1,500 companies and more than 150,000 students across 25 locations in Canada since its business opened in 2014, and continues to grow.Press Contact: Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc.1-866-291-9121contact@c2cfirstaidaquatics.com SOURCE: Coast2Coast First Aid & Aquatics Inc. PR-Inside.com: 2025-08-06 19:30:13 Press Information Published by ACCESSWIRE News Network 888.952.4446 e-mail http://www.accesswire.com # 463 Words ACCESSWIRE News Network888.952.4446 Strategic Appointment to Accelerate Therabene's Oncology Drug Pipeline and Global Clinical StrategyNORWOOD, MA / ACCESS Newswire / August 6, 2025 / Therabene Inc., a biotechnology company pioneering next-generation small-molecule protein degraders for the treatment of hard-to-treat cancers, is pleased to announce the appointment of Oscar L. Kashala, MD, PhD, DSc, as Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President of Global Clinical Development, effective immediately.Dr. Kashala brings over 30 years of leadership in oncology research, translational medicine, and global biopharmaceutical development. His expertise spans the full spectrum of drug development-from discovery through clinical trials, regulatory approval, and commercialization-gained through senior roles across academia, hospitals, government, and the pharmaceutical industry."Oscar's deep clinical expertise and success in bringing oncology assets through the clinic make him an ideal addition to our leadership team," said Dr. Mario DiPaola, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Therabene Inc. "His guidance will be instrumental as we advance our degrader-based pipeline into clinical studies." Zoser Mohamed, President of Therabene Inc., added: "We're thrilled to welcome Dr. Kashala. His strategic insight, regulatory knowledge, and mentorship experience will be vital as we build Therabene's global development capabilities and clinical trial infrastructure." In this role, Dr. Kashala will oversee Therabene's global clinical development strategy, lead regulatory and translational initiatives, and guide the design and execution of clinical trials across the company's pipeline. Therabene's lead programs-TB-003B and TB-008-are aimed at treating cancers with significant unmet need, including triple-negative breast cancer, ovarian cancer, non-small cell lung cancer, and pancreatic cancer."I am honored to join Therabene at such a transformative moment," said Dr. Kashala. "Therabene's commitment to scientific excellence and its innovative degrader technology platform offer a powerful opportunity to reshape the therapeutic landscape for patients battling aggressive cancers." Dr. Kashala earned his MD from the University of Kinshasa Medical School and completed advanced training in oncology and pathology through a collaborative program involving the University of Kinshasa, University of Lausanne, and University of Geneva. He later received a Doctor of Science degree through a joint program with Harvard University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.A widely published physician-scientist, Dr. Kashala has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed publications in oncology, immunology, and molecular therapeutics. He has received numerous accolades for his contributions to medical science and global health.About Therabene Inc. Therabene Inc. is a preclinical-stage biotechnology company developing first-in-class small-molecule degraders that harness the power of targeted protein degradation to treat aggressive and treatment-resistant cancers. Leveraging deep medicinal chemistry expertise and a robust pipeline of rationally designed inhibitors and degraders targeting kinases, Therabene is committed to delivering transformative therapies that improve survival and quality of life for patients with difficult-to-treat malignancies.Media Contact: Lindy YanChief Operating OfficerTherabene Inc. info@ therabene.com SOURCE: Therabene Inc. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) said a fire incident occurred at the Egbin Power Plc at about 6:30 a.m. on Tuesday, affecting TCNs 150MVA power transformer at its Egbin transmission substation. The TCN General Manager, Public Affairs, Ndidi Mbah, in a statement on Wednesday evening said the fire, which originated from one of the power stations service transformers owned by Egbin Power Plc, is directly connected to the 33KV side of one of TCNs power transformer, a 150MVA 330/132/33kV Inter-Bus Transformer II. The Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) wishes to inform the public that a fire incident occurred at the Egbin Power Plc at about 6:30 am on August 5, 2025, affecting TCNs 150MVA power transformer at its Egbin Transmission Substation, the statement said. Ms Mbah said investigations traced the cause of the fire to a faulty 33KV instrument transformer (CT/VT) installed by Egbin Power Plc, which was engulfed by fire. This, she said, ultimately led to the damage of a 150MVA power transformer belonging to TCN, causing oil leakage from the transformer due to a tear in its main tank. As a result of the incident, she added that there is a temporary reduction in bulk power supply to Ikorodu and Odogunyan 132/33KV transmission substations, which supply Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC) and Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC) for some parts of its franchise areas, as well as Sagamu Line 1, Sagamu Line 2, and Maryland Line 2 on the 132kV network within Lagos State. At the time of the incident, Ms Mbah said, a total load of 47MW was affected. She explained that this load was immediately diverted to the second available 150MVA power transformer within the substation, which is now operating under strain. Since then, she said, the capacity deficit has increased and remains high, resulting in load-shedding across all affected areas. READ ALSO: DisCos assure Lagos residents of daily power restoration amid TCN maintenance Please bear with us as we work diligently to replace the damaged transformer and restore normal power supply as soon as possible. TCN has already notified the IKEDC and Eko Electricity Distribution Company (EKEDC) to assist in load management within their franchise areas. On our part, TCN is already making urgent arrangements to source the replacement transformer. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this is causing the two distribution companies and electricity customers in the affected areas and pledge to work hard to ensure full restoration of bulk supply to the substations in the shortest possible time, she said. TOKYO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The population of Japanese nationals continued its sharp decline in 2024, falling by 908,574 people to 120.65 million as of Jan. 1, 2025, according to the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications. This was the 16th consecutive year of decline and the largest annual drop since government records began in 1968, with the total Japanese population now down by over 6.42 million since its 2009 peak. The primary driver was the widening natural population decrease, with 1,599,850 deaths far outpacing 687,689 births, resulting in a net loss of 912,161 people, according to the data. Meanwhile, foreign resident population rose 11 percent to a record 3.68 million, surpassing the 3.5 million mark for the first time. Including foreigners, Japan's total population stood at 124.33 million, down 554,485 from the previous year. Foreign nationals now account for 2.96 percent of Japan's population, up 0.3 percentage points from the previous year. The working-age population (15-64 years) held steady at 59.8 percent of the total. While Japan's native working-age population fell by over 500,000, the number of working-age foreigners rose by over 321,000, helping to stabilize the demographic balance, the data showed. Award-winning Nigerian writer, Chimamanda Adichie, has attributed her persistent support for former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, to his selfless, humble nature and patriotism to Nigeria. Making a sharp contrast between Mr Obi and his counterparts on Channel TVs Amazing Africans, Chimamanda stated that Mr Obi is a selfless, committed leader who does not need peoples praise for doing his job, unlike other politicians. The people who are desperate to become president, not because they have good intentions for the country, but because of their egos. And I think that distinction is important because you choose the right leader and realise its not about him. It is for people, its never been about him. Chimamandas unwavering support for Mr Obi has been especially evident during Nigerias 2023 presidential election. She expressed her support through social media posts, a birthday tribute, and an official video that garnered widespread attention. Patriotism While responding to a question about whether she will support Mr Obi under the new coalition, ADC, and as Vice President Atiku Abubakars running mate, the Purple Hibiscus author said her support for Mr Obi is a product of her love for the country. We dont know who is running yet, but I dont like to speak speculatively about things Im not sure of, so we dont know whos a candidate, but I will say that my support for Peter Obi is something I do not hesitate to proclaim or talk about. My support for Peter Obi is rooted in my love for this country. Its rooted in my belief that we can be better than we are with the right leader. We can create a country where people feel included, one that is not corrupt and does not tolerate corruption. Again, if the leader sets the tone, it makes all the difference, Chimamanda explained. Chimamanda expressed her unwavering confidence in Mr Obis intentions for the country, describing him as genuine and consistent as a person and leader. And I think hes also a person who doesnt need to be president. He wants to be because he cares about Nigeria, but doesnt need to be president. And that is a crucial distinction. The people desperate to become president are not doing so because they have good intentions for the country, but because of their egos. And I think that distinction is so important because you choose the right leader, and you realise its not about him but for the people, she claimed. Obis personality Chimamanda extended her praise for the former Anambra state governor to her past encounter with Mr Obi; she noted that the politician has not changed in value and genuineness since she knew him 15 years ago. Even as a person, his personality is very telling. Hes one of the simplest men Ive ever known, and Ive known him for many years. And hes genuine and consistent. The person I knew 15 years ago is still the same regarding his values. And hes very curious. He wants to learn. And I think thats a good quality for a leader. I mean, theres a wonderful humility in him. We lack that in this country. Theres a sense, I think, hes accountable to the people, she said. Speaking further on why she will support the presidential hopeful, the novelist added, He is not someone who will lord over people. Peter Obi does not expect you to thank him for doing his job as a leader. Because to him, its his job. These are the reasons why I support him and will continue to support him in whatever way I can. But I dont want to discuss how I will feel if hes not the presidential candidate. I dont want to think about that because we dont know. We dont know what will happen, she concluded. After Mr Obi, under Labour Partys umbrella, came third behind President Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chimamanda wrote an open letter to then-US President Joe Biden, questioning the credibility of the election and warning against endorsing what she described as a deeply flawed process of election conducted by INEC. Whereas Mr Obi has since reaffirmed his intention to contest the presidency again in 2027, recently, he joined the newly formed coalition group in preparation for the 2027 presidential race with Atiku Abubakar. The Anambra State Police Command has broken its silence after activist Martin VeryDarkMan (VDM) Otse defied its directive regarding a candlelight procession held in honour of the late CEO of Fish Magnet, Ifesinachi Onyekere, whose abductors killed. PREMIUM TIMES reported that VDM led a procession on Tuesday from Aroma Junction to the Fish Magnet office at Ring Road, Awka, just hours after the police o against such a gathering. The candlelight procession, held in defiance of the police warning, saw participants dressed in black as they marched in solidarity for the slain entrepreneur. Interestingly, the demonstrators were accompanied by police officers throughout the march. However, in a statement on its Facebook page on Wednesday, the state police described the procession as a walk for peace and a united stance against violent crime. The youths of Anambra came out in their numbers in a symbolic walk for peace, a collective stance against violent crime. It was not just a march for Fish magnet, a show of solidarity with the Nigerian Police and other security agencies, but a bold statement to condemn all forms of criminality. Together, they echoed a clear message: Enough is enough. Criminals can no longer be allowed to terrorise Anambra State and the South-East region. The time has come for unity, vigilance, and community-driven action for a safer Anambra, the police said. Backstory This newspaper earlier reported that gunmen abducted and subsequently killed an entrepreneur at his residence in Ezinifite village, Okpuno, located in Awka South Local Government Area of the state. The assailants, who arrived in an ash-coloured Lexus SUV, stormed the home of Mr Onyekere, the son of Chinyere Onyekesi, the Women Leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state. They shot him in the leg before whisking him away in his own navy blue Toyota Corolla. According to the state police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, the victims body was later discovered by the roadside in Awka, the state capital. Mr Ikenga disclosed that police intelligence units have intensified efforts to track down those responsible for the abduction and murder. He further assured the victims family and state residents that the perpetrators would be brought to justice in accordance with the law. Nigerias Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Muhammad Pate, has called for a new vision for global health that places Africa at the core of future governance, trade, financing and innovation. Speaking on Tuesday at the Africa Health Sovereignty Summit in Accra, Ghana, Mr Pate challenged existing frameworks that reduced global health to a narrow set of diseases or priorities largely shaped by external narratives: He said global health is often described through the lens of a few priority issues, like HIV, malaria and tuberculosis, or through specific areas such as health financing or maternal and child health. Yet these issues are framed by externally driven perspectives, leaving African voices, especially from poorer countries, less acknowledged, he said. The minister explained that most health progress in lower-income countries over the past 25 years has depended on domestic financing and local leadership, with donor support playing a complementary role. He warned that shifting geopolitics and nationalist tendencies demand a recalibration. We cannot build healthier populations purely on the generosity of other nations. It is time to define our path, rooted in sovereignty and aligned with local needs, he said. He traced the evolution of global health to two contrasting legacies. The first is the positive legacy of 19th-century international sanitary cooperation, which laid the foundation for todays collaborative institutions. The second is the colonial legacy, rooted in tropical medicine and neo-colonial economic structures, issues that were powerfully critiqued by Ghanas Kwame Nkrumah, he said. He noted the continuity of structural inequities, despite efforts ranging from the Bandung Conference in 1955 and the Alma-Ata Declaration of 1978, to global debt initiatives and public health commissions. He said donor-driven priorities routinely undermine national agency and compromise the independence of institutions like the WHO. Too often, macroeconomic metrics prioritise short-term value for money over the critical public health investments our people need, such as sanitation, clean water, waste management and nutrition, he said. He warned of fragmentation and dwindling resources despite these structural flaws and the emergence of over 70 global health partnerships like the Global Fund, Gavi and CEPI. To reclaim leadership in global health, he said, we must act decisively through a seven-point strategic framework. Mr Pate said the region must forge a strategic South-South alliance, uniting Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean to form a new geopolitical axis that, while mindful of global power dynamics, remains committed to equity-driven governance. He said it is also essential to revise trade terms restricting manufacturing capacity and limiting access to essential medicines. He added that the continent must champion true country ownership and accountability. We must push for a more independent and effective WHO by restructuring its funding model to emphasise predictable, unearmarked contributions that allow for impartial and equitable leadership. We need to prioritise domestic financing models. This includes exploring innovative instruments such as pooled regional health funds, diaspora bonds, and blended finance approaches that reduce overreliance on foreign aid, he said. He said it is important to industrialise the health trade under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA). This means engaging trade and finance ministries to build infrastructure for continental markets, harmonise professional standards, and support the health value chain, from diagnostics and test kits to digital health platforms. Finally, we need to strengthen intellectual property protections while encouraging local innovation. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Mr Pates vision aligns with broader continental priorities focused on health resilience, economic sovereignty, and inclusive growth, a strategic roadmap emerging from recent high-level African summits. (NAN) Tosin Odumosus hearing impairment has often been an obstacle to her growth. A business education graduate of the Federal College of Education, Oyo, employers overlook her credentials as soon as they realise she cannot hear. One time, I went for an interview, but they did not attend to me because of my deafness. They were wondering how I would cope with the job, Ms Odumosu recalled. For many Nigerian university graduates, life after school is a difficult waiting game. But for graduates living with disabilities, that wait often turns into a long and isolating road. With scarce opportunities, deeply rooted societal biases, and inaccessible systems, this transition into adulthood and the workforce becomes a period of indefinite uncertainty, a stage many have described as waithood. This limbo is more than just a delay; it is a consequence of structural inequality. Many Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) in Nigeria come from low-income backgrounds, often relying on scholarships or charitable sponsors to access education in the first place resources that are not readily available. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, over 53 per cent of Nigerian youths were unemployed in 2022. According to the Nigeria Graduate Report, many graduates find it difficult to secure employment, and graduates with HND are affected the most. However, graduates with disabilities face significantly deeper barriers, from inaccessible application processes and physical infrastructure to discriminatory hiring practices that shut them out before they even get a foot in the door. Discrimination at the door With her NCE, Ms Odumosu planned to work as a teacher in a deaf school, where she believes her skills can be used without communication barriers. Looking for a job in Nigeria is already challenging, but as a deaf person, these obstacles are even worse, said Daniel Sunday, an Economics and Special Education graduate. Mr Sunday aspired to work in banking and finance. However, his job search in Nigeria has revealed the deep-rooted challenges PWDs face. When I manage to secure interviews, companies dont provide sign language interpreters, creating an immediate communication barrier, he said of his experience as a deaf person. Instead of seeing my qualifications and capabilities, employers focus solely on my disability. Mr Sunday described the psychological toll of such repeated rejections as immense. Vincent Okoye, a history graduate of the Nasarawa State University, Keffi, was in a 13-month internship at the British Council until COVID-19 disrupted operations in 2020. As a person with albinism, he had aspired to be a tech entrepreneur but needed to work first to save some money to start. In 2022, he applied for an executive assistant position at an outsourcing company. After excelling in online interviews and written assessments, he advanced to the final interview stage with the firms senior management. I knew I performed well, and the feedback was positive, he recalled. However, the tone shifted when the company requested his passport photograph, which he didnt include in his CV. After submitting my photo, which revealed my albinism, all communication ceased. Despite my follow-up attempts three weeks later, I never received a response, Mr Okoye explained. A cycle of rejection Abayomi Soetan was confined to life in a wheelchair at the age of four due to polio. Mr Soetan, a 2011 Agricultural Extension and Rural Development graduate of the Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta, recounted his experience: It is a long story, he said. I wrote so many applications, I met prominent people for contacts to gain employment, but nothing worked, so I returned for my masters degree. Even after that, no employment. Graduates like Messrs Vincent, Abayomi, and Odumosu faced systemic obstacles. Recent graduates with disabilities face compounded challenges in the job market, said Adebukola Adebayo, a disability inclusion expert consultant with the World Bank Nigeria. Mr Adebayo pointed out how employment platforms, processes, and assessments are often not designed with PWDs in mind. He noted that beyond the usual employment hurdles, they encounter multiple forms of discrimination and often cant even access job postings, as these are provided in unsuitable formats. He said this creates a cycle of frustration and limited opportunities, even when positions are available. For PWDs, the path to gainful formal employment is riddled with hurdlesbiases, logistical challenges, and societal misconceptions. In 2018, the Nigerian government passed the Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities (Prohibition) Act. This legislation mandates workplace inclusivity and requires employers to maintain at least five per cent of their workforce as PWDs. However, the findings of this reporter show that implementation is still low. Tomiwa Abidakun, a human resources manager at an international NGO in Abuja, said most organisations do not have a policy around hiring PWDs. Organisations with this policy have a ratio of 50 to one to those that do not have it. It is hard to spot PWDs during the application phase, she said. A labour market assessment study conducted by Sightsavers reveals another challenge: when employers are willing to hire PWDs, they often encounter a skills gap. The labour market generally doesnt give PWDs as many chances at employment; they have limited experience and, in turn, dont have enough experience to cut screening processes, she noted. Against All Odds: Success stories of inclusion Despite these challenges, there are stories of PWDs thriving in their fields, offering a glimpse of what is possible when barriers are removed. Junaid Ahmed, a man in his late 30s who was born blind, is a civil servant in Ogun State. Mr Ahmeds path was far from easy, but he credited his determination and drive for personal development, especially for acquiring ICT and management skills while still at the university. Apart from just going to school, you need to acquire the skills employers will always need, he said. As a visually impaired person, I dont know how you are going to function in any company without ICT skills because we are in the age where you cant do anything without the use of a computer. Mr Ahmeds investment in personal development helped him navigate the job market. Eleanora Boyo, a teacher and human resource professional working with BAOBAB for Womens Human Rights, said she grew up with the mindset that as a person with a disability, one has to do four times what a person without a disability would do. Ms Boyo said, I say four times because first, I am a PWD, and I am a woman, so if a woman would do two times what a man would do, a woman with a disability has to do four times that, she explained. While at the university, I took certification courses and sought a job. I started learning how to use the computer when I was in JSS 3. Aside from doing that, I was looking for opportunities to volunteer, she said. Key provisions of the Disability Act related to employment The National Disability Act makes substantial provision for the employment of PWDs. Sections 28 and 29 provide that PWDs have the right to work on an equal basis with others, and this includes the right to an opportunity to gain a living by work freely chosen or accepted in a labour market and a work environment that is open. Public institutions must have PWDs constituting at least five per cent of their workforce. The Act also imposes a penalty of up to N250,000 on organisations that contravene its provisions regarding employment access for PWDs. Ikem Uchegbulam, the director of Compliance and Enforcement at the National Commission for Persons with Disabilities (NCPWD), said the federal government, through the commission, has made progress in implementing this policy. Through the NCPWD, we have secured a commitment from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to comply with the five per cent employment quota for PWDs, Mr Uchegbulam said. He noted that the Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation issued a service-wide circular making this requirement official. Additionally, the Federal Character Commission now includes PWD representation as one of its conditions for compliance. Mr Adebayo, the disability inclusion expert consultant, however, said implementation of the law has been weak, leaving many PWDs unsupported. Those who get these jobs are few and far between. There is still a huge population of unemployed PWDs. The law has not been implemented to the fullest, he said. The NCPWD recently unveiled the national framework for access to work schemes for people with disabilities. According to Mr Adebayo, the framework encourages private-sector employers to employ PWDs by helping them cover the disability cost. That is, whatever assistive aid the employers need, the federal government, through the NCPWD, would cover that cost. The Way Forward: Creating lasting change Due to the work of civil society organisations, the media, and government agencies, people are being sensitised and enlightened about the skills and talents of people with disabilities. However, addressing waithood among disabled graduates in Nigeria requires a multi-faceted approach. Mr Adebayo said PWDs have the right to work, and society must do everything to make access to work equitable and create equal employment opportunities. When we begin to enforce the prohibition against the PWDs law, it punishes employers who refuse to employ PWDs due to discrimination, he said. He said this puts the responsibility on PWDs to develop their capacity and make themselves employable. Ms Boyo advised that initiatives like job readiness training and mentorship can equip PWDs with the skills and confidence needed for successful employment integration when they lack the necessary skills that the labour market requires. Continue to build capacity, most especially in the use of technology. Take employability skills training, such as how to write a CV, cover letter, and interview skills, to remain competitive, she said. Mr Adebayo said organisations of persons with disabilities (OPDs) need to do a lot of advocacy to convince employers that there is no type of value that PWDs cannot bring to work. PWDs should not be seen as objects of shame, he emphasised. Mr Adebayo said society must ensure equitable access to work opportunities for PWDs. He, however, said this is a two-way street. While we fight discrimination, PWDs must continue developing their professional skills to enhance their employability. The Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) has reported that all pregnant women receiving HIV care at its facility have delivered babies without transmitting the virus to them. This was revealed during the keynote address delivered by NIMRs Director-General, John Obafunwa, at the opening of the 7th National Council on AIDS (NCA) on Tuesday in Lagos. Mr Obafunwa, a professor, represented the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako. He noted that as of June 2025, the institute was providing HIV care to 5,444 adults, 64 children and 16 pregnant women. He said all the women enrolled in its Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT) programme have delivered HIV-negative babies. Mr Obafunwa said that since 2004, the institute has managed 8,086 HIV cases, including over 7,000 pregnant women. In July 2025 alone, he noted that NIMR enrolled 120 new adults, three children, and 24 pregnant women in HIV care at the institute. Gaps, challenges Mr Obafunwa said the burden of HIV remains high and that many people living with the virus are still undiagnosed in the community. He referenced a research initiative where blood samples collected from community screenings will also be tested for drug levels to measure treatment adherence. He said transport costs and lack of employment remain key reasons patients drop out of care. He called for improved government support to help people living with HIV gain access to income, jobs, and other social support systems. Mr Obafunwa expressed NIMRs readiness to work with the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) on research and surveillance. He said the institute has the technical expertise to support national HIV goals. Expanded efforts During its media chat in June, NIMRs Director of Research, Oliver Ezechi, explained that the HIV prevention programme launched to ensure safe childbirth for women living with HIV, uses scientific methods already proven effective in developed countries. Mr Ezechi noted that one of the key problems the programme aimed to solve was the tendency of health centres to turn away HIV-positive women during delivery. We observed that health facilities often turn away HIV-positive women once their status is known. One key action we took was applying proven scientific methods used in developed countries to ensure effective prevention of HIV transmission. We are now seeing results, as our paediatric HIV clinic is nearly empty, showing the prevention programme is highly effective, he stated. He added that other ongoing HIV-related studies include youth-friendly HIV self-testing tools and the integration of hypertension care into HIV treatment in Nigeria. Global concerns According to the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF), countries in West and Central Africa, including Nigeria, have contributed significantly to the reduction of new HIV infections among children under five. Between 2000 and 2024, the region accounted for around 14 per cent of the 4.4 million infections prevented through the global prevention of mother-to-child transmission programmes. However, despite progress, UNICEF warns that current efforts are insufficient to meet the 2030 global targets. But progress is not fast enough to reach the 2030 targets set by UNAIDS and partners as part of the UNAIDS Global Strategy to End AIDS. Acceleration of treatment for all pregnant and breastfeeding women living with HIV is still needed to achieve elimination of new infections among children and halve HIV-related deaths among pregnant women and new mothers, it noted. Nigerias sustainability plan Speaking at the Council, NACAs Director-General, Temitope Ilori, said Nigeria is now prioritising domestic solutions to keep its HIV response on track. These include expanding access to health insurance, strengthening local drug manufacturing, and reducing dependence on international donors. Mrs Ilori noted that the National Council on AIDS is the highest policy platform for coordinating Nigerias HIV response. She described it as a forum for reflection, realignment, and renewed action. This Council is not just a statutory obligation under the NACA Establishment Act of 2006, she said. She identified three core focus areas of the 7th Council: sustainability amid changing donor support, multi-sectoral collaboration, and sub-national strengthening. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has said popular Fuji musician, King Wasiu Ayinde Marshal (KWAM 1), violated aviation regulations by trying to take an alcoholic drink into a commercial airline and disrupting the airlines operations. FAANs stance on the Tuesday incident appears to contradict that of another aviation regulator, NCAA, which punished the two pilots of the airline involved in the incident but made no mention of KWAM 1s role. Their different stance may, however, be based on their constitutional responsibilities. While FAAN manages all of Nigerias airports, the NCAA serves as the main civil aviation regulator in the country. In a statement on Wednesday, FAAN said its preliminary investigation of the incident that happened on Tuesday confirmed that the passenger was scheduled to board the morning flight to Lagos operated by ValueJet Airlines (Flight VK 201). During boarding, the passenger attempted to carry an unidentified liquid substance on board despite repeated warnings from Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel and the Flight Captain. The aviation authority said the airlines efforts to get KWAM 1 to drop the alcoholic drink before boarding the flight to Lagos failed. As boarding continued, an airline security officer asked the passenger to step aside for further clarification. The passenger allegedly refused and spilled the contents of the flask on the officer, which turned out to be alcohol. The Flight Captain intervened but faced similar resistance, FAAN said in the statement by its spokesperson, Obiageli Orah. KWAM 1 is one of Nigerias most influential musicians and is a personal friend of President Bola Tinubu. PREMIUM TIMES reported how the musician recently shared a recording of his phone conversation with President Tinubu when the president called to console the musician over the passing of his mother. In its statement, FAAN suggested it would not be deterred by KWAM 1s influence and would do a thorough investigation of the incident. This matter remains under thorough investigation, and all parties found culpable will be held accountable according to the law, FAAN said. Incident Several reports had it that KWAM 1 was spotted sipping from a flask after boarding the plane, prompting a flight attendant to question him over concerns it might contain alcohol, banned on flights within Nigeria. The attendant allegedly requested that he hand over the flask, but the 68-year-old declined, claiming it contained doctor-prescribed medication. When he persisted in keeping the flask, the airline crew reportedly asked him to leave the aircraft. Following this, KWAM 1 allegedly left the plane but stayed close to it, seemingly attempting to halt the planes departure. In a video published by a blog on Wednesday, the singer was seen in front of the plane while airport officials engaged him in conversation. The pilot, however, decided to take off, seemingly endangering the lives of the musician and the airport officials, a decision that may have warranted the NCAA sanction. As the plane taxied, the musician and the airport officials moved out of its way. The footage sparked public outcry online, with many Nigerians calling for accountability and a thorough probe of the incident. In its statement, FAAN reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all passengers, crew, and airport staff. The agency said any behaviour which compromises operational integrity or breaches aviation safety standards will not be tolerated, irrespective of the status or identity of those involved. FAAN reiterated its dedication to upholding the highest professionalism, safety, and regulatory compliance standards across all Nigerian airports. Enter NCAA PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported that the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) suspended two ValueJet pilots involved in the incident. According to the NCAA, the pilots conduct seriously violated established safety protocols at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja. In a statement issued by its Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu, the agency confirmed it had taken swift enforcement action by suspending the licences of those involved. The affected pilots were named as Oluranti Ogoyi, the captain, and Ivan Oloba, the first officer. The aviation regulator stated that preliminary findings indicated the pilot initiated departure procedures from the assigned bay without securing the required pre-departure clearance. The Nenadi Usman-led faction of the Labour Party (LP) has dissociated itself from the planned protest by some members of the party at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) today (Wednesday). A statement by Ken Asogwa, media aide to Mrs Usman, on Wednesday, said the protest is allegedly being organised by some unknown individuals purportedly operating under the banner of the LP.. Mr Asogwa said the organisers are unknown to the leadership of the party, and the action lacks its approval and backing of the party. We wish to categorically state that the said protest is not sanctioned by the Labour Party. The organisers are unknown to the partys leadership, and the action lacks the approval and backing of the party. The public is hereby put on notice that anyone participating in or promoting this protest is doing so without the consent of the Labour Party and should be seen as an impostor, he said. The faction called on the security agencies to note that the persons planning the protest are not representatives of the party, but political impersonators and mischief-makers. In light of the foregoing, we therefore call on all security agencies to take note: the persons planning to stage a protest at INEC headquarters on 6th August 2025 are not representatives of the Labour Party. They are political impersonators and mischief-makers, and should be treated as such. We call for their immediate arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law, the statement said. The partys faction led by Julius Abure had on Monday accused INEC of working against the party. The National Youth Leader of the faction, Kennedy Ahanotu, made the accusation during a media interview. INEC is doing hanky-panky with Labour Party affairs. And I dont know maybe because of the wonders the party performed in 2023 maybe INEC under Mahmood (Yakubu), because Mahmood, Im sure, received the shock of his life with the performance of Labour Party in the 2023 general election, Mr Ahanotu said. Read the full statement by Nenad Usman-led faction LABOUR PARTY NOT BEHIND PLANNED PROTEST AT INEC HEADQUARTERS The attention of the leadership of the Labour Party has been drawn to an invitation circulating in certain quarters regarding a purported protest scheduled to hold tomorrow, 6th August 2025, at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). This protest is allegedly being organised by some unknown individuals purportedly operating under the banner of the Labour Party. We wish to categorically state that the said protest is not sanctioned by the Labour Party. The organisers are unknown to the partys leadership, and the action lacks the approval and backing of the party. The public is hereby put on notice that anyone participating in or promoting this protest is doing so without the consent of the Labour Party and should be seen as an impostor. It would be recalled that INEC recently rejected the illegitimate list of candidates for the upcoming national bye-elections and local council elections submitted by the former chairman of the party, Barr. Julius Abure, and his unlawful group. The Labour Party received that decision with relief, knowing that INEC as a responsible electoral umpire would eventually proceed to accept and publish the authentic list submitted by the current, lawful leadership of the party. We urge INEC to remain steadfast and continue to disregard the desperate antics of these individuals whose tenures expired since 8th June 2023 and whose expiration was expressly affirmed by the Supreme Court in its judgment of 4th April 2025. While we await INECs timely action in publishing the valid list of candidates submitted by the legitimate party leadership, we also call on the Commission to give full effect to the said Supreme Court ruling by updating its official portal and other platforms to reflect the correct leadership of the Labour Party in line with the courts judgment. In light of the foregoing, we therefore call on all security agencies to take note: the persons planning to stage a protest at INEC headquarters on 6th August 2025 are not representatives of the Labour Party. They are political impersonators and mischief-makers, and should be treated as such. We call for their immediate arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law. Ken Eluma Asogwa Senior Special Adviser, Media, to the Interim National Chairman of the Labour Party, Senator Nenadi Usman 5th August, 2025 The United Kingdom has officially opened applications for its Chevening scholarships, a programme that offers opportunities for a fully funded masters programme in the country. The British High Commission announced this in a statement issued on Tuesday, noting that the application window will run from 5 August to 7 October 2025. The scholarship is targeted at Nigerians and citizens of other countries with strong academic backgrounds, leadership potential, and a clear vision for how their UK education will contribute to positive change in their home countries. Funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Chevening Scholarship enables successful applicants to pursue a one-year masters degree at any UK university, covering tuition, travel, and living expenses. According to the Head of the Scholarships Unit at the FCDO, Emma Hennessey, the Chevening scholarship selects only the most outstanding candidates globally. Chevenings highly competitive selection process ensures that those chosen to become Chevening Scholars or Fellows represent the brightest and most driven individuals from around the world, she said. More than 1,500 Nigerians have received the scholarship since the programme was launched in 1983. Speaking on this, the British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Richard Montgomery, identified the broader impact of the scholarship, describing it as a gateway to a global network of leaders and changemakers. Whether your aspirations lie in shaping public policy, launching a business, or addressing the worlds most pressing challenges, the Chevening Scholarship offers a unique opportunity to advance your knowledge and skills. While there is no typical scholar, we seek individuals with the passion, ideas, and influence to drive meaningful change in Nigeria and beyond. READ ALSO: CJID Director selected for Poynters Media Transformation Fellowship Our alumni network includes dynamic professionals across diverse sectors who are making significant contributions in their fields, he said. Interested candidates are advised to review eligibility requirements and application guidance at the Chevening website before applying. Prospective candidates can submit their applications via chevening.org/apply, the statement added. President Bola Tinubu congratulates Nafisa Aminu, Rukayya Fema, and Hadiza Kalli on emerging world champions in English language communication skills and debate at the 2025 TeenEagle Global competition in London, United Kingdom. Seventeen-year-old Nafisa was named the overall best in English language skills; 15-year-old Rukayya emerged as the overall best in debate, while Hadiza clinched the outstanding talent award (gold medal). President Tinubu commends these exceptional young Nigerians for the feat and affirms that the nations future is much brighter with many of its youth as repositories of excellence. The president also commends the institutions of learning and states that these accomplishments are a testament to the quality and potential of Nigerias education system as a nurturer of some of the worlds brightest minds. President Tinubu believes that education is a critical element for national development; hence, his administrations significant investment in the sector and the removal of financial barriers for indigent Nigerians seeking higher education through the Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND). The president encourages Nafisa, Rukayya, and Hadiza to remain steadfast in their studies and wishes them continued success. Bayo Onanuga Special Adviser to the President (Information & Strategy) The Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Drainage Services and Water Resources, Mahmood Adegbite, has raised serious concerns about the health risks posed by residents of the Lekki area digging boreholes. Speaking at a stakeholders meeting, as captured in a video posted on Channels Televisions YouTube page on Tuesday, Mr Adegbite warned that borehole drilling in the Lekki axis could expose residents to significant health hazards. He said: Yesterday, it rained heavily, which is unusual because this is supposed to be August break. However, we started having it because of a lot of complex issues. In terms of flooding, even though we have committed so much, we still need much to do in that space. Presently, on the wastewater treatment, Id say that everyone digging a borehole within the Lekki axis is probably drinking what I will call shit water, kind of. However, if we can treat all the wastewater within this axis, which we have plans for, we should be able to also eradicate any form of disease that might result from the non-treatment of our waste. Move now Similarly, the state Commissioner for Environment and Water Resources, Tokunbo Wahab, has warned Lekki, Ikorodu, and Ajegunle residents about flooding. He urged them to relocate from low-lying areas to higher ground to avoid the risk of flooding. Mr Wahab gave the warning during an appearance on Tuesday on Channels Televisions Politics Today programme. He explained that, as a coastal city, Lagos remains vulnerable to the effects of climate change and is expected to experience flash flooding this year. Those around the Ajilete axis of Lagos, thats Ajegunle, must move. Those around the coastline of Ikorodu, Majidu, have to move. Some areas around the Lekki corridor, too, not all. Epe had always been safe, Mushin will be safe, Ikeja will be safe, Mr Wahab said. The commissioner also urged residents of Isheri in the OPIC area to remain vigilant, warning that, according to projections by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), the state is expected to experience heavier rainfall this year compared to last year. READ ALSO: Tinubu congratulates three Nigerian students for excelling at global competitions The warning followed an earlier report by PREMIUM TIMES, in which Mr Wahab urged residents of the state to remain calm after a prolonged 12-hour downpour. Mr Wahab cited a fresh weather advisory from the NiMet, forecasting heavy rainfall and thunderstorms over the next three days. He warned that flash flooding may occur in some areas, as the volume of rainwater could overwhelm major drainage channels. DAR ES SALAAM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Tanzania has successfully traded more than 200,000 tonnes of sesame through the Tanzania Mercantile Exchange (TMX), a government-backed digital platform designed to manage commodity auctions, TMX Business Operations Officer Mahama Kadikilo announced Tuesday. Kadikilo highlighted the platform's role in revolutionizing the agricultural market by providing fairer prices to farmers and fostering transparent price competition among buyers. He noted that this digital system offers a significant improvement over traditional selling methods, which often lacked fairness and efficiency. "The Lindi Region leads the way, having sold approximately 74,000 tonnes of sesame through TMX so far," Kadikilo said, adding that more farmers are embracing the professionally managed auction system as a result. This milestone, he emphasized, marks a growing awareness among producers about the benefits of modern, transparent, and officially regulated sales platforms. A new Nigerian Army recruit, Dauda Dedan, has gone into hiding after allegedly stabbing a police constable, Aaron John, to death in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital. Speaking with journalists in Jalingo on Wednesday, James Lashen, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), said the incident occurred at 9 p.m. on Monday in Mayo-Goyi, a suburb of Jalingo town. Mr Lashen said the late Mr John had been alerted to a misunderstanding between some residents of the area where he was stabbed by the soldier. The PPRO, who stated that the soldier was currently at large, said the army was investigating the matter and had assured the police of tracking down the suspect to face the full wrath of the law. READ ALSO: Police investigating suspected murder inside Akwa Ibom church We have reported the matter to the 6 Brigade headquarters of the Nigerian Army, and we have been given full assurances of tracking down the fugitive soldier to face the full wrath of the law. Both the army and the police are working hand in hand. We have gotten to the house of the soldier, we will ensure he is arrested and brought to book accordingly, he said. Mr Lashen said the relationship between the two security agencies was very cordial. (NAN) A man and his wife have been abducted in Ivo Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, Nigerias South-east. The couples abduction followed a crisis between Ezza and Ihe people in Ishiagu Community in the local government area of the state. The incident happened on Saturday. PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the Ezza and Ihe people had a disagreement over ownership of farmland which resulted in the crisis. The couple were said to have been attacked in the farmland, but the identities of the attackers were unclear. Sources said that trouble started when a male indigene of Ihe was stopped by some boys when he wanted to fetch a pig feed during a burial of a youth in the area. It was a personal matter that escalated. So, when they told the man to go back, it resulted in a fight where one person was injured, and the other group went on a rampage, burning a house. The police were invited, and some people were arrested. They said that some boys attacked and killed some people in the early hours of yesterday (Tuesday), and also abducted two people, said one of the sources, who asked not to be named. The Chairperson of Ivo Local Government Area, Emmanuel Ajah, has confirmed the incident. Mr Aja said he went to the police to appeal for the release of those arrested and learnt that two people a couple had been abducted. The chairperson said the matter was a personal fracas between Ezza and Ihe people over where they farm, pointing out that some boys hijacked the situation to cause mayhem in the area. Speaking to reporters in Abakaliki on Tuesday, Mr Ajah condemned the frequent killings, abductions, arson and reprisals involving the warring towns of Ezza, Ihe and others. He regretted that innocent residents were bearing the brunt of the clashes. Nobody has the right to take a life. You cannot create a human being, so there is no reason to kill one because of land. Once you take the law into your hands, the law will hold you whether you are right or wrong, he noted. The chairperson pointed out that the crisis escalated because of the activities of armed groups suspected to have links to the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra, a group seeking secession of South-east and South-south from Nigeria. He said the armed groups were brought into the area under the guise of protecting communities from marauding herders. Mr Ajah recounted multiple incidents, including the killing of a white expatriate, two police officers, and several locals, which he said had deepened tensions and triggered retaliatory attacks in the area. The chairperson stressed that security operatives had already identified militant hideouts in the Ezza-Ekembe Axis and were making arrangements to dislodge them. He explained that committees have been set up to mediate into disputes between landlords and tenants which he said have been exploited to fuel the violence. Mr Ajah lamented that despite efforts to broker peace among the warring communities, attacks on farms and homes, as well as the abduction and killing, have persisted. The people committing these crimes often escape, leaving innocent persons to suffer. I am appealing to both sides to stop the killings. We must give peace a chance, he appealed. The chairperson said a high-level security meeting had been scheduled to determine the fate of missing victims, recover corpses, and forge a sustainable peace plan for the troubled communities. We must ensure the dislodging of any bad elements causing unrest, if only to provide peace for our people. We learnt that several persons, including women from the community, have been abducted. I have been informed about the abductions and, as the council chairman, I must condemn these acts, he said. He stressed that resorting to violence was not the solution and called for unity among the two warring communities. I urge the residents to practice restraint and avoid violent reprisals. Killing is never justifiable, especially over land disputes. READ ALSO: Soldier stabs police constable to death Taking a human life is condemnable, and those who engage in such actions will face the wrath of the law, he stated. We call for thorough investigations to determine the truth behind these escalating hostilities. We must investigate whether it was indeed an attack from Ihe or a retaliatory action. Police speak The police spokesperson in Ebonyi State, Joshua Ukandu, has confirmed the incident. Mr Ukandu, a superintendent of police, identified the abducted couple Mr and Mrs Lazarus Igboke. The spokesperson said the police in the state had launched an operation to rescue the victims. When we got the information, we launched an operation, trying to rescue the abductees, but our men could not see them, but recovered a piece of cloth belonging to one of them, he said. For now, we dont have a record of any killing, but an investigation is on to ascertain the cause of the crisis. The Nigeria Police Force has reissued a corrected invitation to #TakeBackNigeria convener, Omoyele Sowore, requesting him to appear for questioning on Wednesday (today). The new invitation, dated 5 August and addressed to Mr Sowore through his lawyer, Tope Temokun, followed his (Sowore) earlier refusal to honour a flawed summons. The police appear to have dropped the allegation of inciting disturbance contained in the initial invitation letter, following Mr Sowores critical review pointing out flaws in it. Instead of that, the police now accuse him in their subsequent letters of criminal defamation in addition to forgery, which was one of the two initial allegations. Mr Sowore had demanded a proper reissue, including a legitimate legal basis and prior disclosure of the petition. In the letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, the policethrough the Inspector General of Police Monitoring Unit at Force Headquartersacknowledged receipt of Mr Temokuns protest letter and agreed to reschedule the interview for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday. The police also stated that a copy of the petition would be made available to Mr Sowore physically when he honours the invitation, which is in line with standard procedure. Please counsel your client to be properly guided, the police warned in the closing paragraph of the letter. Mr Sowore subsequently confirmed via his Facebook page that he would honour the invitation, having received a properly dated and revised letter. He also called on freedom fighters, citizens of conscience, and voices of resistance to accompany him to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for the meeting. IGP Monitoring Unit Summons Tomorrow at 11AM. The IGP Monitoring Unit has scheduled my interview for tomorrow at 11:00 AM, yet they have refused to provide a copy of the purported petition against me. It is now clear that their intention is to conceal the sinister plan of the illegal IGP and continue operating in darkness. Despite this, I will honour the invitation but not alone. I will be going with a full house. To all our revolutionary comrades, as always, we move together. Let every freedom fighter, every citizen of conscience, every voice of resistance assemble early tomorrow at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. #RevolutionNow #EgbetokunMustGo, he wrote. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Sowore had rejected an earlier police summons, which cited a non-existent legal provisionSection 53(2) of the ACIA 2025and charged him with inciting disturbance. He accused the police of fabricating charges and altering the content of their invitations. They are engaging in trial and error. First, they fabricated offences and cited a fake law, and now theyre quietly changing the narrative, he wrote on Tuesday afternoon. Background The invitation by the police followed Mr Sowores involvement in a protest by retired police officers at the Force Headquarters on 21 July. The retirees demanded removal from the Contributory Pension Scheme and requested improved welfare benefits. During the demonstration, Mr Sowore alleged that an agent of the police stole his Ray-Ban Meta AI smart glasses. He later identified the person as Aku Victor Chiemere, said to be a cameraman attached to the office of the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi. After an initial delay, Mr Sowore filed a theft complaint at the Asokoro Police Division when a petition submitted to the Force Criminal Investigation Department was redirected. As of press time, the police have not publicly responded to the theft allegation. On Wednesday, the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) announced that it has suspended two pilots working with ValueJet following an alleged serious breach of safety procedures at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja. This was disclosed in a statement issued and published on the Authoritys X page by NCAAs Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection, Michael Achimugu. The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) confirms that it has received reports concerning a serious breach of aviation safety protocols by a ValueJet pilot at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja (Domestic Terminal) on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the statement said. Consequently, it said the agency has taken immediate enforcement action by suspending the licences of the pilots involved. The statement listed the pilots as Captain Oluranti Ogoyi, and his co-pilot, First Officer Ivan Oloba, noting that their suspension is with immediate effect. The regulatory body said preliminary information suggests that the pilot in question commenced departure procedures from the designated bay without adhering to the mandatory pre-departure clearance protocols. This reckless action endangered the safety of ground personnel and other airport users, contravening established civil aviation regulations and international safety standards, the statement said. In a video attached to the statement posted, about five officials stood in front of a Valuejet aircraft when the pilot commenced departure and subsequently adjusted their position to distance themselves from the departing aircraft. READ ALSO: NCAA speaks on allegation of complicity in poor service delivery by Nigerian airlines Mr Achimugu, in his statement, said the NCAA views this incident with utmost seriousness and that the suspension will remain in place pending the conclusion of a full investigation into the incident. ValueJet has yet to issue a public response at the time of filing this report. Nigerias Federal Capital Territory (FCT) authorities have removed 273 destitute persons from the streets and impounded 670 vehicles in the past four months under Operation Sweep, the citys ongoing campaign to restore order and curb street-related crimes. The FCT Commissioner of Police, Wale Ajao, disclosed this on Tuesday while briefing journalists on the outcome of the Security Committee Meeting held at the residence of the FCT Minister, Nyesom Wike. Mr Ajao said the 273 destitute persons removed are now in the Social Development Secretariat Centre in Bwari for profiling and care. Their welfare has been taken care of, and they need to be relocated to where they belong, he said. He said the exercise will continue, stressing that the goal is to relocate those who have no business being in the FCT. He noted that 670 vehicles have been impounded due to traffic offences, improper documentation, tinted glasses, issues of covered number plates and commercial operations without an appropriate licence. Mr Ajao said individuals apprehended for drug peddling have also been handed over to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) for further necessary actions. Operation Sweep Mr Wike launched Operation Sweep to rid the capital city of beggars, scavengers, one-chance robbery gangs, and other criminal syndicates. The initiative aims to restore safety, order, and the citys aesthetic integrity. The crackdown follows a Federal High Court ruling last month dismissing a suit seeking to stop the minister from evacuating beggars from the city. Mr Ajao said the next phase will involve stricter enforcement of traffic laws, warning that driving against traffic or with covered license plates poses serious safety risks and will no longer be tolerated. New directives Mr Wike has also ordered an immediate clampdown on illegal mining operations emerging around the FCT, removal of shanties and illegal Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps. The police commissioner said individuals in the illegal IDP camps will be profiled and those without valid displacement reasons will be relocated to their places of origin. Specifically, the issue of shanties springing up everywhere in the FCT has been of concern and importance to the Minister, he said. READ ALSO: Abuja pastor facing rape charges returns to pulpit after five weeks detention We have been addressing those issues, and he has tasked the Service Commander to continue addressing the situation to see that we rid the whole of FCT streets of all these miscreants that are constituting threats to the environment. Mr Ajao also said the police will roll out full implementation of the clampdown against traffic offenders with proper documentation of offenders. He described traffic infractions such as driving with covered licence plates or against one-way streets as life-threatening issues. Former Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido has said he remains in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but is willing to throw his weight behind any arrangement to remove the All Progressives Congress (APC), which he likened to cancer, from power in 2027. We must remove this cancer called APC, which we can call malaria, cancer level 4. APC is our problem. We must remove that corruption, which has become a cancer in Nigeria. And it has to be excised out, Mr Lamido said during an interview on Arise News Televisions Prime Time programme on Tuesday. Although he expressed reservations about the African Democratic Congress (ADC)-led coalition as currently constituted, he said, Im not inside, but then, Im willing to support any arrangement, by whatever nomenclature, especially now, to restore Nigeria. Its not about Tinubu. Its about APC. He lamented that the APC, which has been in power from 2015 to date, has failed as a party, adding that the idea behind a coalition as an avenue for democracy is excellent. However, he queried the commitment of some opposition figures championing the coalition against President Bola Tinubu and the APC. He urged the opposition leaders to slow down, build a strong party, and unite Nigerians around key national issues, not personalities. I think theres too much rushing I mean, he said, adding, There are too many sprinters there. I think they should slow down and look at issues in a deeper way and see how they can come up with a coalition in Nigeria, a coalition of national interest, a coalition of unity, well be able to remove this cancer called APC. He called for a coalition that would proffer solutions to the challenges of Nigerias democracy, security, economy and corruption. Mr Lamido, who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1999 to 2003, pledged loyalty to the PDP despite the partys internal crisis. When there is a crisis, running away is not a solution. You stay in and fight where possible, and see what I can do to make sure the dream of the founding fathers for Nigeria, either within or outside, is achieved, he said. READ ALSO: PDP releases timetable for elective National Convention The coalition In July, many top politicians from major political parties, including the PDP and the APC, adopted ADC to challenge President Bola Tinubus re-election in 2027. Some of the prominent figures, who lost out in the power play in their former political parties, include, Vice President and ex-PDP presidential candidate Atiku Abubakar, former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, former Osun State Governor and former Minister of Interior Minister Rauf Aregbesola, former Rivers State Governor and former Minister of Transportation Rotimi Amaechi, and former Senate President David Mark who immediately emerged as the partys national person. There are others professed backers of the coalition against Mr Tinubu and the APC, but have yet to join the ADC. This category includes former Labour Party presidential candidate and former Anambra State Governor Peter Obi. The Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) has described Nigerias ongoing health sector reforms as central to advancing the continents priorities for transforming Primary Health Care (PHC) systems. The Director of Primary Health Care (PHC) at the Africa CDC, Landry Tsague, said this on Tuesday in Abuja at the opening of a three-day Continental Consultation on Community Health. The Africa CDC convened the consultation with UNICEF and the African Union Commission (AUC). The event, titled Validation of the 2024 Community Health Landscape Survey: Shaping the CHW Strategy, Scorecard and Strategic Action, brought together delegates from all 55 African Union Member States. The aim was to validate the survey findings and shape future strategies for effective community health delivery across the continent. Nigerias reforms Mr Tsague lauded Nigerias reforms, which he said were built on domestic financing, community engagement, and transparent governance. Some of the reforms he might be referring to include the ongoing revitalisation of one PHC per ward, the implementation of the Basic Health Care Provision Fund (BHCPF), and the expansion of the Community Health Influencers, Promoters and Services (CHIPS) programme to improve grassroots service delivery. Nigerias experience offers a replicable model for other Member States and a strong foundation for peer learning, high-level advocacy, and regional collaboration, he said. Mr Tsague also commended President Bola Tinubus role as the AU Champion for Health Workforce and Community Health Delivery Partnership, citing his leadership as key to galvanising continental efforts to scale up PHC systems. Investment in PHC and Community Health Workers (CHWs) is both a political and economic imperative for Africas development, he said. He highlighted Africa CDCs Five Plus One PHC transformation strategy, which includes workforce transformation, digital and infrastructure transformation, commodity security, financial access, and quality of care and data. Mr Tsague noted that governance and accountability serve as the sixth pillar, anchoring the entire framework to support resilient and people-centred health systems. Nigerias commitment to the AU goal Declaring the meeting open, Nigerias Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Salako, reaffirmed the countrys commitment to the AUs goal of deploying two million CHWs across Africa by 2030. CHWs are our first line of defence, the custodians of health education and the link between our health system and communities, he said. Mr Salako noted that Nigeria had tripled the number of CHWs trained annually over the past three years and is integrating digital platforms into community service delivery. He added that the country is also aligning its health budgets through basket fund mechanisms to strengthen community health financing. UNICEFs Deputy Representative in Nigeria, Rownak Khan, emphasised the role of CHWs in reducing under-five mortality in countries like Rwanda, Malawi, and Ethiopia. For every $1 invested in community health, the return exceeds $10, she said, adding that increased political will across Africa makes the AUs goal of deploying one million additional CHWs within four years achievable. More interventions Also speaking, Muyi Aina, executive director of the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA), said the agency had redesigned Nigerias national community health programme in partnership with state governments and development partners. Represented by Ngozi Nwosu, director of PHC Systems Development, Mr Aina said that 70,000 Community-Based Health Workers (CBHWs) would be recruited, trained, and deployed by 2029, one CBHW per 250 households, targeting 160 million Nigerians. He added that NPHCDA would provide time-bound salary support to states, enabling them to transition CBHWs into their civil service structures. So far, eight states, Bauchi, Borno, Niger, Kaduna, Yobe, Zamfara, Katsina and Ebonyi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding, while five have begun recruitment, he said. The agency will also provide training, job aids, commodities, and digital tools to support integrated service delivery. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the three-day consultation will develop a Community Health Scorecard, strategic recommendations, and a continental framework to support the AUs 2030 target for CHW deployment. (NAN) The Kano State Commissioner for Transportation, Ibrahim Namadi, has resigned hours after Governor Abba Yusuf received an investigative committee report probing his alleged involvement in the bail of a suspected drug baron, Sulaiman Danwawu. Mr Namadis spokesperson, Sunusi Dawakin-Tofa, disclosed this in a statement issued in Kano on Wednesday. Mr Dawakin-Tofa said Mr Namadi cited the overriding public interest and the matters sensitive nature as reasons for his resignation. Stressing the state governments commitment to fighting illicit drug sales and consumption, Mr Namadi stated, As a member of an administration that has consistently championed this fight, it behoves me to take this steppainful as it may be. According to his spokesperson, he insisted on his innocence in the matter. Reaffirming his dedication to good governance and responsible leadership, Mr Namadi thanked Governor Yusuf for giving him the opportunity to serve the state. Mr Dawakin-Tofa said the governor had accepted the resignation and reiterated his administrations stance on justice, discipline, and the fight against drug-related crimes. Mr Yusuf also stressed the need for political appointees to exercise caution on sensitive matters and obtain permission from higher authorities when engaging in public interest issues. The governor suspended Mr Namadi from his position two weeks ago and ordered a panel to probe his role in the alleged illegal release of a drug trafficking suspect from prison custody. ( NAN) Doyin Abiola, widow of the late Moshood MKO Abiola and the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor of a national daily newspaper, is dead. In its Wednesday report, the Punch newspaper said MKO Abiolas son, Jamiu, confirmed the death of the veteran journalist. The paper added that the former Managing Director of National Concord died on Tuesday following a period of illness. She was 82. Mrs Abiola made history as a pioneering figure in Nigerian journalism. She earned a degree in English and Drama from the University of Ibadan in 1969 and began her journalism career with the Daily Sketch newspaper. While working with the Daily Sketch, she began writing Tiro, a column that tackled various public interest issues, including gender-related matters. In 1970, she left the Daily Sketch to pursue a masters degree in Journalism in the United States. Upon her return, she joined the Daily Times as a Features Writer and eventually became Group Features Editor. She went on to earn a PhD in Communications and Political Science from New York University in 1979. After completing her doctorate, she returned to the Daily Times, where she joined the editorial board, working alongside esteemed editors such as the late Stanley Macebuh, Dele Giwa, and Amma Ogan. She spent only a short time at the Daily Times before being invited to join the newly established National Concord as its pioneer daily editor. Accomplishments She became the newspapers Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief in 1986, becoming the first Nigerian woman to hold such a position. In 1981, she married MKO Abiola and remained by his side throughout the tumultuous years following the annulment of the June 12, 1993, presidential election. Late Doyin also made significant contributions outside the newsroom. She chaired the Awards Nominating Panel at the first Nigerian Media Merit Awards (NMMA). She served on the Advisory Council for the Faculty of Social and Management Sciences at Ogun State University. She received numerous accolades throughout her career, including the prestigious Diamond Awards for Media Excellence (DAME) for her lifelong commitment to expanding the frontiers of knowledge and strengthening the media as a pillar of democracy. Recognising her exceptional contribution to journalism, the DAME Trustees honoured her with a Lifetime Achievement Award at the 24th DAME ceremony. This made her the second woman, after Omobola Onajide, to receive the distinction. In 1986, she was also awarded the prestigious Eisenhower Fellowship. Most governors in Nigeria are hesitant to sign death warrants due to several complex reasons. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that their stand may not be far from some moral and religious convictions. Pundits say many governors are deeply influenced by their personal beliefs, with both Christianity and Islam emphasising mercy and forgiveness. According to NAN findings in Kaduna, Kano and Katsina states, this makes them reluctant to authorise such pending executions. Also, some of them take such actions due to the fear of wrongful convictions. Nigerias legal system is often criticised for delays, weak investigation procedures, and lack of access to quality legal representation, raising concerns about potential wrongful convictions. Others hinged their procrastination on political sensitivity as they think signing a death warrant can be politically risky, potentially alienating voters or interest groups who oppose capital punishment. Also, some governors posit that they may face public backlash or protests from human rights groups and religious bodies. Similarly, the lengthy appeal process, which can take years, also contributes to the delay. Inmates on death row have the right to appeal to the Court of Appeal and even the Supreme Court. This makes the governors cautious about signing death warrants without exhausting all legal avenues. Nigerias signatory status to international human rights treaties, which often criticise capital punishment, may also influence governors decisions. Some governors may simply believe in the sanctity of life and oppose capital punishment on ethical grounds. These factors combined create a de facto moratorium on executions, leaving thousands of condemned inmates in limbo. Some experts and citizens are calling for a review of the constitutional provision, suggesting that Judges should sign death warrants instead of governors. Prof, Kano residents express divergent views In Kano, residents have expressed divergent views on whether to retain or abolish the death penalty in the countrys constitution. Some have argued that the governors lack of commitment to carrying out death sentences makes the provision irrelevant, while others insist it should remain part of the law. Yahaya Bunkure, a professor at the Department of Science Education, Bayero University Kano, wholeheartedly supports the constitutional provision under Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution. It empowers state governors to lend their consent before the execution of individuals sentenced to death. This provision is a critical safeguard that underscores the gravity of capital punishment. It ensures that the decision to end a life is not taken lightly but is subject to a final review by an elected official who represents the will of the people. He said, However, I believe there is a need for an amendment to this section to compel governors to strictly adhere to its provisions. This amendment should ensure that all possible avenues, including those of amnesty and adherence to the rule of law, are exhausted before any execution can proceed. By doing so, we would reinforce the integrity of our judicial system, promote transparency, and ensure that mercy and justice are not just options but obligations that governors must consider seriously. Abubakar Malam of Unguwar Wambai, suggested amending the law to allow for life imprisonment or a specific number of years at the courts discretion. He said that Section 212 of the Nigerian Constitution gives governors the power of prerogative of mercy over convicts, but argued that this power is not absolute and can be subject to certain conditions. Mr Malam said, The debate highlights the complexities surrounding the death penalty and the need for careful consideration of its implications. Abdulsalam Mohammad, a resident of Unguwa Uku in Tarauni Local Government Area, lamented Nigerian governors have failed to sign death warrants for condemned criminals over the past two decades. He suggested that the legislature should amend the constitution to make it mandatory for governors to sign death warrants within a specified timeframe, such as three months, after a Court verdict is pronounced, to uphold justice and promote the rule of law. Paul Israel of Igbo Road in Sabon Gari Area, believed that notorious criminals who had committed heinous crimes and sentenced to death should be executed. He decried that governors often fail to sign death warrants, leading to overcrowding in prisons and the potential for released inmates to return to criminal activities. Mr Israel advocated compelling state executives to sign death warrants, arguing that this would help curb rising criminality in the country. Some individuals alleged that governors are hesitant to sign death warrants due to corruption, in spite of it being constitutional. They recalled that during the military era, administrators were more inclined to enforce the law, which maintained order in society. Some individuals, like Friday John, advocated abolishing the death penalty, citing that many developed countries had done so. They argued that governors should not sign death warrants, emphasising the value of life. Musa Abdullahi of Hotoro Quarters, who opposed abolishing the death penalty, instead urged governors to fulfill their statutory responsibility of signing death warrants. He warned that failing to apply the law in cases of treason, homicide, and armed robbery could have repercussions, and argued that the death penalty serves as a deterrent to potential offenders. Call for removal of governors consent In Katsina State, a lawyer, Abdullahi Muhammad, has called for the removal of state governors consent in signing death warrants of convicts. Mr Muhammad made the call on Tuesday in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN). He said that the call has become imperative because in the history of the country since the return to democracy in 1999, very few governors signed the death warrant of convicts. Mr Muhammad observed that the governors were reluctant to sign such death warrants even after the courts convicted a person. Just remove the governors consent on the issue of whether the warrant should be signed to execute the convict or not, he said READ ALSO: Kano commissioner suspended for standing surety for drug trafficking suspect resigns According to him, that has been costing the government a lot of money, hence the need to review the law in the interest of justice. He further argued that the governors reluctance to act on the death penalty judgement had been contributing to the prison congestion in the country. If you visit correctional centres, you see some convicts that have already exhausted their appeals, but are still waiting for execution. We really need to review the law to allow for the execution of such persons. That will even serve as a deterrent to others who might want to commit a similar capital offence, he said. (NAN) WELLINGTON, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand has pledged support to Samoa amid a severe dengue outbreak that has so far claimed the lives of five Samoan children. Acknowledging the close ties between the two nations, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that the New Zealand government will dispatch a small team to Apia, the Samoan capital, to provide clinical assistance and work with Samoan authorities on further medical support requirements. Additionally, New Zealand will provide 300,000 NZ dollars (177,978 U.S. dollars) worth of medical supplies to aid the response efforts, Peters said. Senior New Zealand public health officials are also engaging with their Samoan counterparts to coordinate assistance. Travelers to Samoa are advised to take precautions against mosquito bites and follow dengue prevention guidelines provided by New Zealand's SafeTravel advisory. United States (US) President Donald Trumps policy of deporting foreign nationals convicted of violent crimes has sparked a global uproar. It also highlights the stark power imbalance between the US and developing countries, and raises serious concerns about security risks, human rights abuses and the denigration of international humanitarian law. The controversy started in March when the US paid El Salvador $5 million to incarcerate over 250 Venezuelan deportees accused of gang affiliations, in a maximum-security prison notorious for human rights abuses. Though the deals terms remain unknown, the rewards appear to include a White House visit and endorsement of President Nayib Bukele, despite alarm over his repression of civil liberties. Since then, the Trump administration has expanded this policy to Africa, with recent deportations of individuals from countries such as Vietnam, Jamaica and Yemen to South Sudan and Eswatini. The Department of Homeland Security justified the decision by saying their home countries refused to take them back. The deportations were enabled by a June US Supreme Court ruling that allows migrants to be sent to third countries without notice or legal recourse. The judgement overrules protections in the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that prevent deportations to countries where people are at risk of torture. Despite the US being a party to the convention, the Supreme Courts conservative majority set aside those safeguards, granting the government broad authority to expedite deportations. The majority opinion provided no reasons for its findings. In contrast, the minority opinion stressed that life-and-death matters required careful attention and adherence to the rule of law. The abandonment of international law by way of the courts ruling also casts doubt on whether it intends to uphold Americas obligations towards refugees and asylum seekers under the 1951 Refugee Convention and its 1967 Protocol. These frameworks prohibit the return of refugees to countries where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. In April, the US reportedly paid Rwanda $100,000 to accept an Iraqi refugee accused by Iraq of having ties to the Islamic State. The decision was taken despite a 2023 US State Department report detailing Rwandas harsh and life-threatening prison conditions. Similarly, The New York Times recently reported that a US diplomat urged Eswatini officials in March to accept deportees even though another State Department report documented human rights abuses there, including extrajudicial killings and torture. These concerns seem warranted. On 31 July, the Southern Africa Litigation Centre filed an urgent High Court application against Eswatinis correctional services department for denying the deportees access to legal counsel. Rights implications aside, the deportations have deepened public distrust in host country governments. Secrecy surrounding the deals exacerbates instability in both countries, which are already burdened by violence, instability and crackdowns on pro-democracy movements. Many citizens believe the US has used aid and trade to pressure South Sudan and Eswatini into compliance and gain favour with the Trump administration, triggering fears over what was promised in exchange. The USs approach reflects a troubling perception of Africa as a dumping ground for foreign nationals convicted of violent crimes, rather than a strategic partner in global security. But outsourcing migration is not unique to the US. Australia, the United Kingdom and European Union have long focused on outsourcing asylum processing and returns to African countries. While aimed at controlling migration, this shifts the administrative burden to nations with limited resources and weak protections. These policies raise ethical and legal questions about how asylum seekers and refugees are treated by Western countries, reflecting a view that Africas interests are less important than their own. Mr Trumps pledge to make America great again has translated into a sharp focus on expelling foreign nationals convicted of violent crimes, prioritising US interests above all else. In his first six months in office, he dismantled US soft power by cutting foreign aid, insisting America had gotten a raw deal from its global counterparts. This shift was highlighted during an April cabinet meeting when Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasised that instead of asking what is good for the world, every diplomatic decision would now ask: Is it good for America? He said that US foreign policy would be guided by whether it made America stronger, safer, or richer. Mr Rubio said the Trump administration was actively searching for other countries to take people from third countries, stressing this was a global effort. Were approaching nations to ask, Will you take some of the most despicable human beings as a favour to us? The farther from America, the better. In May, CBS News reported the US had asked Angola, Benin, Equatorial Guinea and Libya to accept deportees. In June, The New York Times revealed the Trump administration pressured 58 countries, many in Africa, to accept deportees. This intense diplomatic campaign targeted nations facing US travel bans, visa restrictions or tariffs, raising concerns that some leaders may comply regardless of whether it serves their countrys interests. And in July, Mr Trump hosted a mini-summit in the White House with the leaders of Senegal, Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia and Gabon. The meeting was mainly about the five countries critical minerals wealth, although making deals on accepting US deportees has been suggested as the underlying motive. According to Nigerias Foreign Minister Yusuf Tuggar, the US was mounting considerable pressure on African countries to accept deportees. He said Nigeria outright rejected the deal, saying the country had enough problems of its own. Such policies will likely erode years of diplomatic progress and US-Africa relations, especially in intelligence, counter-terrorism and anti-trafficking, which have already suffered significant setbacks during Mr Trumps second term. These actions show that Trump is using diplomacy to secure Americas short-term interests at the expense of human rights and regional security in Africa. As African nations reconsider their ties to a Trump administration that treats them as expendable, these deportation policies shaped by short-term, unilateral decisions amid complex global threats serve the interests of no one, including America. Dr Kelly E Stone, Senior Consultant, Justice and Violence Prevention, Institute for Security Studies (ISS) Pretoria (This article was first published by ISS Today, a Premium Times syndication partner. We have their permission to republish). An advocacy group has raised an alarm over rising child malnutrition in Nigerias Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps, due to poor maternal nutrition and disrupted breastfeeding patterns. The group, Adinya Arise Foundation (AAF), issued the warning in a statement on Monday to mark the 2025 World Breastfeeding Week (WBW). The group Executive Director, Mabel Ade, said breastfeeding is a critical survival tool for children in humanitarian settings and a key investment in national development. Ms Ade warned that when breastfeeding is compromised, it becomes a national development issue. She emphasised that a malnourished mother cannot breastfeed adequately. WBW, marked annually from 1-7 of August, presents an opportunity to highlight the importance of this practice. This years theme, Prioritise Breastfeeding: Create Sustainable Support Systems, emphasises the urgent need for consistent support at home, in communities, workplaces, and health facilities to help mothers breastfeed successfully. Conflict and hunger fueling crisis IDP camps, which house Nigerians displaced by conflict, violence, and disasters, often lack adequate food, water, and healthcare. As of July 2025, Nigeria is estimated to have more than three million forcibly displaced persons, according to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, also known as the UN Refugee Agency. Compared to the previous year, a 2024 report by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) recorded a 24 per cent rise in child malnutrition in northeastern Nigeria, highlighting the impact of escalating conflict and climate change on food security. Similarly, the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning said that as of August 2024, over 31.8 million Nigerians faced acute food insecurity, with women and children bearing the brunt. Importance of breastfeeding Breast milk is a natural and complete source of nutrition for infants. It contains antibodies that protect children from disease, support brain development, and reduce the risk of obesity later in life. For women, it lowers the risk of breast and ovarian cancers as well as Type 2 diabetes. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) describes breastfeeding as a sustainable, cost-effective, climate-smart intervention that produces zero waste. Despite its numerous benefits, breastfeeding remains poorly supported or widely misunderstood. Urgent Intervention needed Ms Ade said there is a need for intervention as poor nutrition in early childhood is linked to irreversible cognitive delays, poor academic performance, reduced economic productivity, and increased health care burdens. And the implications are not limited to the children. For mothers, the consequences include weakened immunity, higher maternal mortality, and socio-economic vulnerability, she said. Additionally, she said, in Nigeria, where multiple humanitarian and socioeconomic crises converge, the act of breastfeeding has become both a survival strategy and a national development priority. She noted that mothers who breastfeed exclusively for the first six months and continue alongside complementary feeding offer their children a healthy start in life. She highlighted the UNICEFs data that shows that only 29 per cent of Nigerian infants are exclusively breastfed, while the country holds the grim record of housing the highest number of malnourished children in Africa. Behind this figure is a deeper crisis: the widespread malnutrition of mothers, particularly among pregnant and lactating women in internally displaced persons (IDP) camps, Ms Ade said. She noted that to improve breastfeeding outcomes and protect maternal nutrition in humanitarian and food-insecure areas, a multi-faceted approach is crucial. This includes ensuring that exclusive breastfeeding and complementary feeding are prioritised in national and subnational nutrition and emergency response plans. President Bola Tinubu has mourned the death of prominent Nigerian journalist Doyin Abiola. PREMIUM TIMES reported the death of Mrs Abiola, 82, early on Wednesday. Wife of the late Moshood (MFO) Abiola, Mrs Abiola was the first Nigerian woman to serve as editor of a national newspaper. In his condolence message on Wednesday, President Tinubu described Mrs Abiola as an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism. She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first Managing Director of a daily newspaper, the president wrote. Read the full statement on Mrs Abiola by the president below. I received with deep sadness the news early on Wednesday of the passing of Dr. Doyinsola Hamidat Abiola, a trailblazing journalist, editor, and former Managing Director of the defunct Concord Group of newspapers and wife of the late Bashorun MKO Abiola. Doyin Abiola, 82, was an Amazon and an icon in Nigerian journalism. She stayed in the journalism course since starting as a reporter with the defunct Daily Sketch after graduating from the University of Ibadan in 1969, majoring in English and Drama. She broke the gender barrier, becoming the first woman to edit a national newspaper and the first Managing Director of a daily newspaper. Her immense contributions to journalism and gender equity laid a foundation for generations of women. Her impact on our democracy was even more profound. Doyin embodied integrity, tenacity, hard work, commitment to excellence and dedication to public good and democratic good governance. In 1980, she emerged as the pioneer Editor of National Concord, owned by the late MKO Abiola. She later became the managing director and editor-in-chief of all the Concord titles, including founding the Weekend Concord, which set new standards for making people the focus of reporting. I had a good relationship with the late Doyin, which stemmed from my close relationship with the late MKO Abiola. As MKOs wife, Doyin became acquainted with politics and took a keen interest in it, particularly when her husband ran for the countrys presidency in 1993. She played a prominent role in MKOs election, mobilising and providing direction for the media under her control. And when the June 12 election, won by her husband, was annulled, she did not stand aside. Despite the military junta shutting down the Concord Group, she also joined the fray, demanding the validation of the election. She was a soldier of democracy in her own right. Nigerians will never forget Doyin Abiolas leadership during her illustrious journalism career, her championing womens empowerment, and her commitment to democracy. I commiserate with the Abiola and Aboaba families, her only daughter, Doyinsola, and the government and people of Lagos and Ogun States. May her soul rest in peace. May this nation be blessed with more women of Doyin Abiolas calibre and pedigree. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR President, Federal Republic of Nigeria Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu has once again called for the designation of Lagos as a Special Status State, citing the citys strategic economic importance and the enormous burden it bears in supporting Nigerias population and infrastructure. Speaking during the opening session of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commissions (RMAFC) on-the-spot assessment visit to Lagos on Tuesday, Governor Sanwo-Olu, represented by his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat, stressed that the demand was not sentimental but based on verifiable data and global best practices. If it is truly recorded that Lagos contributes 33 per cent of Nigerias GDP, then we must act accordingly, Mr Hamzat said. We cannot ignore this reality and continue to run the country on emotions. In developed countries, regions contributing this significantly to national wealth receive proportional attention in federal policy and funding. The governor pointed to the Apapa and Tin Can ports, which handle nearly 90 per cent of Nigerias imports, as examples of the federal governments neglect. Ideally, a 20-kilometre radius around these ports should be federally maintained with world-class infrastructure, but in Lagos, we handle it all from road repairs to waste management, he said. He warned that neglecting Lagos unique challenges would have ripple effects on the country. Every Nigerian is represented in Lagos. A collapse in Lagos is a national emergency, he added. Mr Sanwo-Olu urged the RMAFC to recognise the 37 Local Council Development Areas (LCDAs) in Lagos in revenue allocation. Created in 2003, the LCDAs have accelerated grassroots development, yet remain unlisted in the Nigerian Constitution. Excluding the LCDAs from federal planning frameworks amounts to denying services to millions of Nigerians, he said. RMAFC acknowledges Lagos role In his remarks, RMAFC Federal Commissioner, Adekunle Wright, said the visit was part of efforts to evaluate Lagos States request for support through the Stabilisation Fund for critical infrastructure projects. He described Lagos as Nigerias economic hub and assured that the commission would base its findings and recommendations on transparent, data-driven processes. We are committed to ensuring equitable resource distribution based on actual needs and contributions. Lagos deserves attention, and the Commission recognises that, Mr Wright, a professor, he said. Infrastructure gap Also speaking at the event, Lagos State Commissioner for Finance, Abayomi Oluyomi, emphasised the growing infrastructure burden on the state. He disclosed that Lagos has committed over N1.1 trillion to infrastructure in recent years but still faces a gap of over N20 trillion in key sectors such as housing, sanitation, education, and healthcare. Lagos accounts for half of Nigerias GDP. If anything happens here, it affects the whole country, he said. We must be intentional in planning and fiscal support, especially as we cater to a population of over 22 million Nigerians from every corner of the country. Mr Oluyomi urged the RMAFC to support the strengthening of Lagos budgeting and development framework, noting that better revenue allocation would enable the state to meet the expectations of its diverse and rapidly growing population. Call for legislative action The renewed demand for a special status for Lagos comes amid ongoing constitutional review efforts. In July, Governor Sanwo-Olu, speaking at a South-west zonal public hearing on the review of the Nigerian Constitution, argued that Lagos should not be left to bear the weight of its federal legacy alone. Any former federal capital must inherit not just the assets but also the responsibilities and must be supported accordingly, he said. He also called for the formal recognition of the LCDAs and the establishment of state police. State policing is not about semantics its about protecting lives, he added. The Lagos State House of Assembly has also consistently backed the call for special status. In January, the chairperson of the House Committee on Information, Stephen Ogundipe, described Lagos as a national economic asset. Lagos is home to Nigerias most viable ports and airport, major financial institutions, and serves as the tax engine of the country, he said. It is time the National Assembly gives Lagos the legislative backing it deserves. Governor Sanwo-Olu has previously asked for Lagos to receive one per cent of revenue allocation in the federal distribution formula, arguing that the states prosperity has multiplying effects across the country. The benefits of Lagos transcend the Southwest, Mr Ogundipe said. Lagos carries a burden that serves all Nigerians and its time we matched this with adequate federal support. Kogi, Kwara and Niger States have unveiled their plans to prevent the loss of lives and property during this years rainy season, following alerts issued by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA). In Lokoja, Muktar Atimah, the executive secretary of the Kogi Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday that the state had developed a comprehensive flood preparedness plan. According to Mr Atimah, the measures include collaboration between SEMA and NEMA to enhance staff capacity through workshops and seminars, the establishment of an emergency response framework, and the setting up of departments for search and rescue, Information Communication Technology (ICT), disaster risk reduction, and logistics coordination. We have also launched community sensitisation campaigns involving traditional rulers, religious and community leaders, as well as youth and women groups, he said. Mr Atimah also said the agency had embarked on a media campaign in Hausa and three other indigenous languages on the need to clear drainage. We have also created a temporary warehouse for stockpiling relief materials, and partnered with NGOs like the Red Cross, UN-International Organisation for Migration (IOM), and African Network for Environment and Economic Justice (ANEEJ), amongst others. He said the agency was engaging with the Nigeria Inland Waterways (NIWA) to promote waterway safety. He added that post-flood rehabilitation plans were underway to empower displaced persons after the rainy season. On his part, Zakari Abubakar, the head of NEMAs Abuja Operations Office, said the agency was collaborating with the Kogi government on proactive disaster management. Mr Abubakar noted that in July, NEMA assessed flood damage in Lokoja and Kabba and was working to facilitate the release of relief materials. Plans are ongoing to establish emergency operation centres across all 21 local government areas to ensure efficient and transparent distribution of palliatives, he said. Abdullahi Abubakar, the acting secretary of the Nigerian Red Cross Society (NRCS) in Kogi, revealed that the European Humanitarian Aid (EHA) and the EU were partnering with the NRCS to provide integrated flood response interventions through the IFRC and Red Crescent Societies. He urged residents in flood-prone areas to heed early warnings and relocate to safer grounds. The flood will come, as predicted by NiMet, and prevention is always better than cure, he warned. Nasarawa: Residents fleeing high-risk areas In Nasarawa State, residents of flood-prone communities in Awe, Doma, Nasarawa, and Toto LGAs have started relocating from high-risk areas. Benjamin Akwash, the director general of the Nasarawa State Emergency Management Agency (NASEMA), told NAN in Lafia that the movement resulted from the agencys intensive early warning sensitisation campaign. He said the campaign reached riverine communities such as Tunga (Awe), Loko (Nasarawa), Umaisha (Toto), and Doma town, and involved palace visits, local radio messages, and collaboration with disaster-response ministries, departments and agencies. Upon assuming office, I made flood prevention and mitigation my top priority, and our efforts are yielding results, Mr Akwash said. He commended residents who have relocated and urged others yet to do so. He also revealed collaboration with local government councils to identify safe corridors and highlands for potential relocation. Mr Akwash said the state government had activated emergency kits, including speed boats, canoes, and rain gear, and was working closely with disaster-line MDAs for efficient search and rescue operations if needed. Niger monitoring flood-prone areas In Niger State, NSEMA and NEMA have intensified flood preparedness efforts. The Executive Secretary of NSEMA, Ibrahim Hussaini, said the agency has held stakeholder engagements, sensitisation visits to traditional institutions, and town hall meetings. Currently, we are running continuous public enlightenment campaigns across the state, and the agency is also monitoring flood-prone areas and identifying high grounds for emergency relocation, he said. Mr Hussaini noted that although only flash flooding had been reported so far, rising water levels and increasing rainfall were being closely watched. He said the agency was working with the State Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the IDPs Agency to manage potential displacement and camp operations. Similarly, Hussaini Isah, NEMAs head of operations for Niger and Kwara States, emphasised the importance of translating flood preparedness messages into local dialects. He underscored the need for early warning systems, evacuation to higher ground, and provision of shelter and relief items. He also mentioned that NEMA was advising farmers on improved seeds and optimal planting and harvesting times to minimise agricultural losses. Mr Isah confirmed that relief materials were being stockpiled, and safe locations for possible IDP camps were being identified in anticipation of displacement. By taking proactive measures, we can strengthen community resilience and minimise the impact of flooding, he said. (NAN) Flood has wreaked havoc in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, destroying houses, property and farmlands. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Onitsha on Wednesday reported that Ogbaru is a flood-prone community in Anambra, which has continually suffered devastation in the past years. NAN also reported that the flooding followed persistent rainfall that caused the rise of the water level from the River Niger. A NAN correspondent who visited the area said some residents were seen wading through the waters, while houses, farmlands, and private and public facilities were submerged. According to NAN, residents now paddle wooden canoes to their destinations, as the roads in the area have been submerged. When contacted, the Executive Secretary of Anambra State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA), Paul Odenigbo, disclosed that all residents in water-prone areas were well sensitised about the impending flood that is expected this year. Mr Odenigbo said the Anambra State Government had prepared a haven for those who would be affected by flooding, adding that personnel were on the ground to evacuate affected residents when the floods became unbearable. He noted that this was the early stage, and the water would continue to rise daily. All water-prone areas in Anambra were well sensitised about the flood situation; they were not taken unaware, and the agency is preparing its staff who work in the field to mitigate the flooding. They are also getting the holding centres ready, by preparing them, fumigating them and preparing them for occupation by people who are going to be affected by the flood, its a normal thing at this stage, he said. READ ALSO: Three Nigerian states unveil plans to tackle flooding When asked if the people would not be adamant to evacuate to a haven, he explained that such resistance could happen with some residents, as the agency experiences it yearly. The high water is not a new thing to them, they have been living with it year in, year out, its not the way you are seeing it, they are seeing it. When you tell them to go, they laugh at you, because to them, nothing has happened. NAN could not get the reaction of the states Commissioner for Environment, Felix Odumegwu, as he did not respond to phone calls and text messages. The Enugu North Magistrate Court 1 in Enugu State has remanded Onyeka Obu, a native doctor who allegedly buried several people alive in a sewage pit. Burying people alive PREMIUM TIMES earlier reported how Mr Obu allegedly buried several people in the pit, including a pregnant woman, apparently for ritual purposes. The incident happened on 26 May at Umumba Ndiagu, a community in Ezeagu Local Government Area of Enugu State, Nigerias South-east. The native doctors full name is Levi Onyeka Obieze Obu. He is popularly known as Ozo Ezeani as well as E dey play E dey show. Arraignment and remand Mr Obu was arraigned on Wednesday on seven counts of conspiracy, kidnapping and murder. The native doctor was arraigned alongside two others Sebastine Offor, the second defendant, and Ejike Odinwakpa, the third defendant. Police prosecutor and head of the legal team, Justice Attah, told the court that the defendants committed the alleged offences between April and 26 May. Mr Attah said the offences were punishable under the Criminal Code, CAP 30, VOL II, Revised Laws of Enugu State 2004 and Criminal Code (Amendment) Laws of Enugu State of Nigeria No 14 of 2010. When the charges were read to the defendants in Igbo language, the clerk separately asked them if they understood the charges against them. After confirming separately that they understood the charges, the accused persons said they were not guilty of the charges. The Chief Magistrate, O.S. Chukwuani, ordered that the defendants be remanded until 20 August. Mr Chukwuani ordered the transfer of the case file to the Director of Public Prosecutions for legal advice and prosecution at a high court. The magistrate explained that the court lacked the jurisdiction to either entertain the case or grant the defendants bail, given that they are accused of capital offences. Lawyer speaks Alex Amujiogu, counsel to the second defendant, told reporters after the hearing that the defendants would apply for bail at a high court. The offences in question are unbailable offences at the Magistrate Court. But the defendants have an option to apply for their bail at the high court, where they can be granted bail or not, Mr Amujiogu said. READ ALSO: Mainpower gives reason for power outage in parts of Enugu Background After Mr Obus alleged criminal activities went public, he attempted to flee Nigeria. But he was arrested by personnel of the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) at the Badagry-Seme Border Area of Lagos. Days later, NIS authorities handed him over to the Lagos State Command of the Nigeria Police Force. The native doctor was subsequently moved from Lagos to the Enugu State Command of the police, hours later, to face prosecution. The Court of Appeal in Lagos has reinstated an interim forfeiture order previously granted to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over 14 properties and N400 million allegedly linked to former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello. In a unanimous judgement delivered virtually on Wednesday by a panel of three justices led by Yargata Nimpar, with Danlami Senchi and Paul Bassi concurring to set aside an earlier ruling of the Federal High Court, which had struck out the forfeiture case on grounds of immunity under Section 308 of the Nigerian Constitution. The appellate court held that the immunity granted to serving governors does not extend to assets suspected to be proceeds of crime, thereby restoring the EFCCs right to pursue final forfeiture proceedings. Background The legal battle began in February 2023 when a trial judge Nicholas Oweibo of the Federal High Court, Lagos, granted the EFCC an interim order to seize 14 properties located in Lagos, Abuja, and Dubai, as well as the sum of N400 million recovered from one Aminu Falala. The commission alleged that the assets were acquired through unlawful means and sought their forfeiture under the Proceeds of Crime (Recovery and Management) Act, 2022. The EFCC also complied with a court order to publish the interim forfeiture notice in national newspapers to enable any interested parties to show cause why the properties should not be permanently forfeited. Bello fights back In response, Mr Bello filed a notice of intention to oppose the forfeiture and applied to vacate the interim order. Through his lawyer, Abdulwahab Mohammed, who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the former governor argued that the properties were acquired before he assumed office as governor. Mr Bello further noted that section 308 of the Constitution shields him from any civil or criminal proceedings while in office and the Proceeds of Crime Act could not be applied retroactively. The former governor maintained that the Federal High Court in Lagos lacked jurisdiction, as the properties were located outside its territorial reach. On 26 April 2023, Mr Oweibo ruled in Mr Bellos favour, holding that Section 308 conferred immunity on him and thus the court lacked jurisdiction to proceed with the forfeiture suit. The judge consequently struck out the case, despite noting that Mr Bello had failed to provide adequate evidence of how the properties were acquired. EFCC appeals, cites precedents The EFCC, led by Rotimi Oyedepo, also a SAN, immediately appealed the ruling, arguing that the lower court erred by misconstruing the extent of constitutional immunity. The anti-graft agency relied on previous decisions of the Court of Appeal in EFCC v. Fayose (2018) and the Supreme Courts judgment in Fawehinmi v. IGP (2002) to support its position that immunity does not bar investigation or asset preservation. Mr Oyedepo maintained that Mr Bello failed to disclose credible evidence of ownership or source of funds for the properties and did not rebut the EFCCs claims in its counter-affidavit. He further argued that the Proceeds of Crime Act outlines a clear process for challenging forfeiture orders, which the governor did not follow. Among the assets listed for forfeiture is a luxury apartment in the Burj Khalifa, Dubai, identified as Hotel Apartment Community, Sky View Building No. 1, Property No. 401, Floor 4, Plot 160, Municipality No. 345-7562. Appeal court overrules In its ruling on Wednesday, the Court of Appeal agreed with the EFCCs position. Mr Nimpar emphasised that Section 308 does not shield assets from legal scrutiny, especially when such assets are suspected to have been acquired with illicit funds. The trial court erred in striking out the case rather than proceeding to determine whether the properties should be finally forfeited, the court ruled. The appellate court dismissed Mr Bellos preliminary objections, reinstated the interim forfeiture order, and directed the EFCC to proceed with a final forfeiture hearing. A member of House of Representatives from Ebonyi State, Chinedu Ogah, has issued a seven-day ultimatum to the West African Examinations Council (WAEC) to release the results of 192,089 candidates withheld over alleged examination malpractice. The WAEC Head of National Office, Amos Dangut, on Monday announced that the exam body withheld results of 192,089 candidates, representing 9.75 per cent of the total number of candidates who sat for the 2025 West African Senior School Certificate Examination. Mr Dangut explained that the results were withheld in connection with various reported cases of malpractice. But Mr Ogah, who represents Ikwo-Ezza South Federal Constituency of Ebonyi State, expressed anger over the development. The lawmaker described the action as unfair and a deliberate attempt to frustrate Nigerian students. He vowed that if WAEC fails to release the results within the seven days period, he would take legal action against it. It is very unfortunate that after candidates wrote both WAEC and JAMB examinations in preparation for university admission, WAEC would withhold their results on flimsy excuses. This act is capable of denying many young Nigerians the opportunity to gain admission into higher institutions, he said. WAEC should release the withheld results within seven days or face legal action for abuse of office. Mr Ogah questioned the rationale behind the withholding of the results when WAEC officials, including supervisors and external examiners, were on ground to monitor the conduct of the examinations. WAEC has supervisors, examiners, and external monitors overseeing the examinations. If there was any malpractice, it should have been addressed immediately, not after the exams when students are already applying for university admission, he said. He argued that such actions are not allowed in other West African countries such as Ghana and accused the examination body of sabotaging the future of Nigerian youths. If there was malpractice, the affected papers should have been canceled on the spot, not after the fact, when it becomes too late for the candidates, he maintained. A new study by Nigerian media and governance researcher, Olasunkanmi Arowolo, has raised concerns over the way Nigerias flagship poverty alleviation initiatives are reported. The study, which formed the basis of Mr Arowolos recently concluded PhD thesis at the University of Kent, United Kingdom, examined Nigerias National Social Investment Programmes (NSIP) and how they are covered by both traditional and digital media platforms. His thesis, titled Poverty, Politics, and the Press: Uncovering the Complexities of Media Coverage on Nigerias Social Investment Programmes, reviewed newspaper coverage, public discussions on social media, and interviews with journalists on how media narratives shape public understanding of the initiative. The NSIP was launched in 2016 by the Nigerian government to tackle poverty and hunger, with initiatives such as N-Power, the National Home-Grown School Feeding Programme (NHGSFP), the Conditional Cash Transfer Programme (CCT), and the Government Enterprise and Empowerment Programme (GEEP). Since the commencement of NSIP in 2016, the Nigerian government has allegedly invested billions of naira to halve poverty by 2020, yet more Nigerians fall into poverty every minute, Mr Arowolo noted in his findings. Media framing, access to information One of the key findings of the research is the way NSIP is framed in media reports. According to Mr Arowolo, Nigerian newspapers often focus on themes of governance failure, corruption, and operational inefficiencies. The heart of this thesis is grounded in the belief that the press could play a crucial role in effective communication of social welfare programmes such as the NSIP, as it provides essential information about social welfare, Mr Arowolo said. However, the study highlights significant challenges in how journalists access and use information about NSIP to report comprehensively. Journalists faced challenges accessing the NSIP policy documents, leading to difficulties in incorporating them into their reporting effectively. There is no defined source where journalists could obtain policy information if they did not attend press briefings, Mr Arowolo observed. The study argues that the lack of access to credible policy documents prevents journalists from effectively holding implementing agencies accountable or helping the public understand how these programmes are meant to work. The thesis also highlights the role of social media in shaping public discourse around the NSIP. Social media discourse on X reflects a range of public opinions, from scepticism and criticism to support for the programme, with power dynamics and socio-political influences shaping the conversations, he said. Recommendations for reform Mr Arowolo recommends improved transparency and better media engagement from government agencies responsible for NSIP. He argues that clearer, more accessible policy information can improve public trust and accountability. The study offers valuable insights for policymakers, journalists, and stakeholders involved in poverty alleviation efforts, recommending improved media engagement strategies and enhanced transparency in communication to foster public trust and accountability in the NSIP, he said. Academic praise Mr Arowolos thesis has received praise from his supervisors and examiners. Ben Cocking, Director of Research at the Centre for Journalism, University of Kent, described the thesis as excellent, unique, and engaging. Its incredibly rare to get a PhD with no corrections. Its a really big deal, Mr Cocking said. Ive supervised 14 or 15 PhDs to completion, and theres only been one other thats gone through without corrections. Martin Scott, a professor at the University of East Anglia, who served as external examiner, also commended Mr Arowolo for the quality of his research and performance during the defence. Ola, we thought your thesis was excellent. It was thorough, comprehensive, and well thought through. Your performance during the viva was equally impressive. You answered all our questions with clarity, demonstrated original contributions to knowledge, and thoughtfully justified your research decisions, Mr Scott. Speaking on the achievement, Mr Arowolo said: This research sits at the intersection of media, development, and governance. Passing without corrections affirms not just the work Ive done, but also the urgency of telling more accurate and people-centred stories about poverty in Nigeria. Mr Arowolo is a media lecturer, consultant, and journalism trainer. His work was supported by TETFund Nigeria, Lagos State University (LASU), and the Centre for Journalism at the University of Kent. People place paper lanterns on a river at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) HIROSHIMA, Japan, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. Since Tuesday evening, large crowds have gathered at the bombing site, holding banners that read "The Japan-U.S. alliance is a war alliance" and "Stop nuclear war," expressing grave concerns about Japan's continued military buildup and calling for concrete efforts to prevent a repeat of past wars. Yasuhiro Ikkanda, a co-representative of the protest organizer and a descendant of atomic bomb victims, told reporters that the Japanese government is increasingly raising its defense budget, conducting large-scale military exercises with the U.S., and even exploring the controversial concept of "nuclear sharing." He said these actions are a serious departure from Japan's pacifist constitution. "The tragedy of Hiroshima must not be forgotten. The government should strive for a genuine peace," he emphasized. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, speaking at the ceremony, reaffirmed Japan's commitment to its Three Non-Nuclear Principles. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged the public to remember the nuclear devastation and carry forward the ideals of peace. However, none of them mentioned the historical context behind the bombing of Hiroshima. On August 6 and 9, 1945, the United States dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, respectively, to hasten Japan's surrender in World War II. For decades, the Japanese government has avoided acknowledging its role in the war of aggression, instead portraying itself primarily as a victim of the atomic bombings, with little mention of the historical context and sufferings it inflicted upon China and other Asian countries during World War II. Paper lanterns are seen floating on a river at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Paper lanterns are seen floating on a river at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Paper lanterns are seen floating on a river at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Protesters rally at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Protesters rally at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Protesters rally at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Citizens lay flowers in front of the monument at the Peace Memorial Park in commemoration of atomic bombing victims in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) A child passes by paper cranes used to pray for peace at the Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) People walk around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park with lanterns in commemoration of atomic bombing victims in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Guests participate in a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba speaks during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) People lay flowers in commemoration of atomic bombing victims in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Participants strike the Bell of Peace during a memorial ceremony to commemorate the 80th anniversary of atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday held a ceremony at the Peace Memorial Park to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing, while citizens gathered at the Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome to criticize the government's ongoing military buildup policies. (Xinhua/Jia Haocheng) Amnesty International and some Nigerian lawyers have condemned the detention of Omoyele Sowore, a human rights activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, describing it as unlawful and politically motivated. Mr Sowore, a former presidential candidate, was detained on Wednesday after honouring a police invitation by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Monitoring Unit at Force Headquarters in Abuja. The invitation followed allegations of forgery and criminal defamation. The police have yet to provide details of the allegations despite Mr Sowores request before honouring the invitation. But they appeared to have dropped an incitement allegation contained in the initial invitation letter that was withdrawn and reissued following the activists protest. In response to his detention, Amnesty International issued a statement on Wednesday condemning the action as arbitrary and a violation of Sowores human rights. Amnesty International strongly condemns the arbitrary detention of human rights activist and journalist Omoyele Sowore, who has been facing ongoing harassment and intimidation by the Nigerian Police, the statement read. The Nigerian authorities must immediately and unconditionally release Sowore and drop all bogus and politically motivated charges. Authorities should listen to critics instead of seeking to gag them through outright abuse of power. The rights group recalled that it had designated Mr Sowore a Prisoner of Conscience in 2019 after his prolonged detention for peaceful activism. It said his continued targeting exemplified how far Nigerian authorities were willing to go to silence dissent. As of the time of this report, Mr Sowore remained in police custody. His legal team is reportedly taking steps to secure his release. PREMIUM TIMES reported that Mr Sowore had raised concerns over the legality of the initial police summons. Through his lawyer, Tope Temokun, he demanded a reissued invitation that included a proper legal basis and prior disclosure of the petition against him. The police responded in a letter seen by PREMIUM TIMES, agreeing to reschedule the interview for 11:30 a.m. on Wednesday and promising to provide a copy of the petition when Mr Sowore arrived at the Force Headquarters. The letter, signed by the IGP Monitoring Unit, concluded with a warning to the legal team to be properly guided. Following the response, Mr Sowore confirmed on his verified Facebook page that he would honour the rescheduled invitation. He also called on freedom fighters, citizens of conscience, and voices of resistance to accompany him to the police headquarters. IGP Monitoring Unit summons tomorrow at 11 a.m. Theyve refused to disclose the petition, confirming their intention to operate in darkness. Still, Ill honour the invitationbut not alone, he wrote. Let every freedom fighter, every citizen of conscience, every voice of resistance assemble early tomorrow at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja. #RevolutionNow #EgbetokunMustGo. However, following his appearance at the Force Headquarters on Wednesday, Mr Sowore was detained. A post on his Facebook page, now being managed by an associate, revealed that Mr Sowore was interrogated by Deputy Commissioner of Police Akin Fakorede, a former Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) officer, who presented two petitions against him. The notorious former SARS officer, DCP Akin Fakorede, presented two petitions: one alleging forgery and the other from Bukola Yemisi Kuti, who was reportedly promoted to Assistant Commissioner of Police due to a personal relationship. The latter petition alleges criminal defamation, the post stated. Others criticise arrest Some lawyers also criticised the police action, citing constitutional breaches and abuse of power. Abbas Ochogwu, a legal practitioner, argued on a post on Facebook that the police violated the principle of natural justice. The police cannot be both the complainant and the investigator. Thats a clear breach of due process. If DCP Akin Fakorede is acting on petitions from questionable sources, including one allegedly linked to an improper relationship, then the entire process is already compromised, he said. This reeks of abuse of power and must be challenged under the law. Another lawyer, Marshall Abubakar, referenced relevant legal authorities to denounce the police action. The Police Act 2020 and Regulation 367 of the Nigeria Police Regulations forbid officers from using their positions to settle personal scores. Based on Omega Bank Plc v. Ekiti State (2007) 16 NWLR (Pt 1061) 445, the petitions grounding Sowores invitation are a reckless abuse of power and a fundamental violation of due process. The IGP and his alleged mistress cannot be the complainants and investigators in the same case. The detention of Sowore is unlawful and a gross affront to justice, Mr Abubakar said. Hamza Dantani, another lawyer, added in his reaction, This is the worst IGP in the entire history of this country! The Kaduna State Primary Healthcare Board (SPHCB) has announced plans to inaugurate a monkeypox vaccination campaign in selected local government areas affected by the outbreak. The Health Educator at the SPHCB, Isah Yushau, said this on Wednesday during a stakeholders engagement meeting on the introduction of the monkeypox vaccine in Kaduna. Mr Yushau stated that the board is working proactively to prevent the spread of the disease and ensure the health and safety of Kaduna residents. He noted that several LGAs in the state had recorded a significant number of monkeypox cases. In response, he said the federal government, in collaboration with the National Primary Health Care Development Agency (NPHCDA) and development partners, had approved reactive vaccination for high-risk groups. The vaccination exercise is scheduled to begin tentatively on 10 or 11 August, and will run for 10 days in the selected LGAs. He said a second round of vaccinations will follow four weeks later. According to Mr Yushau, the vaccine will be prioritised for high-risk individuals, including: laboratory personnel who may have handled infected specimens, people with compromised immune systems and Individuals with high-risk sexual behaviour. To ensure the success of this vaccination drive, we are engaging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, and medical institutions, he said. This is to provide accurate information, address concerns, and encourage public acceptance of the vaccine. He urged the public to receive the vaccine in good faith, assuring that distribution would be strategic and targeted to ensure maximum impact. By launching this campaign, the board is taking proactive steps to combat the monkeypox outbreak and safeguard public health, he added. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that attendees at the stakeholders meeting included health workers, religious leaders, social mobilisation officers (SMOs), trade union representatives, and the media. Abubakar Musa, the coordinator of Jamaatu Nasril Islam (JNI) in Kaduna North LGA, also addressed participants. Drawing lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, Mr Musa called on the public to support the monkeypox vaccination effort. He highlighted JNIs role during COVID-19 in curbing misinformation and supporting safety protocols. He reiterated the importance of religious leaders in public health initiatives and affirmed JNIs ongoing commitment to balancing religious practices with health concerns. (NAN) Okello inspired students; made us to think critically, strategically, and proactively; to recognise and pay serious attention to the specificities and uniqueness of African problems and crises; and to know that our faith as a people is organically linked with, and dialectically connected to, Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Okello Oculi, a Ugandan, professor of Political Science, novelist, poet, literally critic, thorough Pan-Africanist, scholar, and advocate of African unity, democracy and development, passed on, on 26 July, in Abuja, Nigeria. Born on 1 January, 1942, Okello lived in Nigeria for forty-eight years, raised a Nigerian family, and taught largely in Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria. Okello taught me throughout my undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the 1980s. As a post-graduate student under him, I had to read Karl Marxs Capital, Volume 1. But my focus here are two undergraduate courses Okello taught me. The first was Introduction to African Politics, which I took in part one. Like Bonaventure Swai of the History Department, Patrick Francis Wilmot of Sociology Department and Yusuf Bangura and Bjorn Beckman of the Political Science Department, Okello allowed students to interrupt his lectures, with questions. He tolerated when students, during lectures, criticised him for not being too Marxist-Leninist enough or for being too Pan-Africanist and Afrocentric. But Okello did not introduce most of us to African Politics. Nor was he the first to teach us African Politics. Most of us, who went through the School of Basic Studies, ABU, and read Chinua Achebes Things Fall Apart and Arrow of God; Kennett Kaundas Zambia Shall Be Free; and Peter Abrahams Mine Boy and Tell Freedom, had been so introduced. Surely, we did not fully understand these literatures, but we made some sense out of them. We imagined, if not felt, the pains that Africans were subjected and subordinated to by European imperialist forces. Besides, some of us took Government and Politics in our pre-university institutions. But Okellos lectures blended African politics with African History and African Literature. He made us read, summarise and critique Walter Rodneys How Europe Underdeveloped Africa and Frantz Fanons The Wretched of the Earth. He regularly drew attention to the history, politics and culture of African literature like Achebes Things Fall Apart; Ngugis wa Thiongos Weep Not Child, Petals of Blood and Devil on the Cross; Ousmane Sambenes Xala and Gods Bits of Wood; and, Okot pBiteks Songs of Lawino and Songs of Ocol, amongst others. Okello equally taught, amongst others, the politics of Patrice Lumumba, Kwame Nkrumah, Ahmed Sekou Toure, Julius Nyerere, Amilcar Cabral, Augustino Neto, Samora Michael, and he encouraged us to read their works. He also encouraged us to study pro-Western politicians like Jomo Kenyatta of Kenya; Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Cote dIvoire; Joseph-Desire Mobutu of Congo; Kamuzu Banda of Malawi; Ahmadu Ahidjo of Cameroon; Gnassingbe Eyadema of Togo. He constantly insisted that we paid attention to primary documents when studying and writing African Politics, without neglecting secondary materials. He stressed that we must take cognisance of the fact that the African state, military, police, judiciary and civil service are different from those in the West. By his teaching philosophy and methodology, I learnt from Okello that history is the politics of the past, and politics is the history of the present. That African literatures are not just stories, but they also contain the philosophy, traditions, cultures, and everyday history and everyday politics of Africa. I learnt that while we must hold the West responsible for African underdevelopment, we must equally hold those Africans who collaborated with the West, subverted the independence struggles, and willingly and slavishly collaborated with the West to plunder Africa and loot its commonwealth for Western and their own interests. Further, that while Marxism-Leninism is of epistemological and theoretical importance, it will only be useful when grounded in our concrete realities, and creatively not subjective and mechanically applied to Africa. The second course of Okello that I took was African Strategic Thinking. Here, he lectured us on how the West and the East used strategic thinking to advance their interests and goals. And why we should always be thinking strategically, stressing that what is good for the imperialist West and communist East might not necessarily be good for Africa. The problematic questions where: How do we counter subversive foreign interests that obstruct democracy and development in Africa, taking into consideration that the African ruling classes are organically connected with, and dialectically related to, imperialist forces? How do we make others work for us, without necessarily subordinating ourselves to them? How do we, Africans, capitalise on the Cold War to defend, promote and advance African interests? How do we build organic relations with Africans in the Americas to protect and defend our collective interests as black people? This course compelled us to embark on individual studies, and think critically and produce original papers. I submitted two essays in this course. The first was Strategic programme on promoting development relationship between Africa and the Soviet Union. The second was Strategic programme of building organic and beneficial relationship between Africans and Africans in the Americas. This course helped me when I was a student and a civil servant. As a student, it impelled me to go beyond class work and to conduct independent research. To always ask questions. To continuously imagine what my opponents are imaging and might do. To learn negotiations. To relate to opponents, without necessarily being antagonistic. To be antagonistic when antagonism is the only way to get concession. This course led me to earnestly study Immanuel Geiss The Pan-African Movement: A History of Pan-Africanism in America, Europe and Africa; Kwame Nkrumahs Africa Must Unite, Challenge of the Congo, Neocolonialism: The Last Stage of Imperialism, Class Struggles in Africa; Liu Shaoqis Three Essays on Party-Building; and Mao Tse-Tungs papers: On Contradictions; On Practice On Correct Handling of Contradictions among the People; and Analysis of the Classes in Chinese Society, amongst many others. The ideas I got in this course, I put to use as a national and ABU student leader. As a staff of the Centre for Democratic Studies (CDS), it helped me contribute to the CDS organisation of the Nigerian Election Monitoring Group, which monitored the June 12, 1993 presidential election. I was in charge of monitoring the election in the North-West zone. As a staff of the International Cooperation Department of the National Planning Commission, the knowledge I received helped me critique European Union funded projects, especially the Micro Projects Programme for Six States of the Niger-Delta, amongst others. Okellos teachings, philosophy and methodology were neither turgid nor rigid, but simple, engaging, discursive, and attractive. The way he lectured us was as if he was engaging us in story-story. In fact, he was ever smiling when lecturing, only looking directly at, and seriously into, our eyes when driving home serious points. So interesting were his teachings that students from other faculties like Science, Engineering, Agriculture, Environment Designs, etc., found time to attend his lectures. Okello inspired students; made us to think critically, strategically, and proactively; to recognise and pay serious attention to the specificities and uniqueness of African problems and crises; and to know that our faith as a people is organically linked with, and dialectically connected to, Africans in Africa and Africans in the diaspora. Rest in power, Okello. Ahmed Aminu-Ramatu Yusuf worked as deputy director, Cabinet Affairs Office, The Presidency, and retired as General Manager (Administration), Nigerian Meteorological Agency, (NiMet). Email: [email protected] It always strikes me as ironic that to determine whether a text is AI-generated, we must consult another AI tool. Likewise, to verify if an image or video is a deepfake, we rely on AI detectors. Technology and artificial intelligence have become two sides of the same coin capable of both unveiling truth and enabling deception. This paradox was the central theme of a recent virtual panel discussion hosted by the Wole Soyinka Centre for Investigative Journalism (WSCIJ). Renowned for its commitment to promoting accountability and investigative reporting, the WSCIJ has embraced fact-checking as a cornerstone of its work. Today, this crucial process goes beyond referencing trusted sources it involves deploying AI-powered tools that make verifying claims faster and more accurate. Together with my colleagues Hanniel Nobo and Fatima Ikram Abubakar, fellow PRNigeria interns, I participated in this engaging XSpaces discussion held on 8 July. The theme: the double-edged nature of technology in generating and disseminating information. The session was ably moderated by the passionate Glory Itiafe, a broadcast journalist at Diamond FM, and featured a lineup of seasoned journalists and fact-checkers. Miss Itiafe aptly stated at the outset, Technology is both a tool for truth and a channel for distortion. This sentiment perfectly encapsulated the conversation. While technology can expose falsehoods with remarkable efficiency, it also gives rise to a new wave of misinformation that spreads faster than ever. On the positive side, AI-powered fact-checking tools now allow journalists and researchers to verify information at record speed. I recently had to write on a political topic I was unfamiliar with, and thanks to digital tools, I could cross-check claims ten times faster than traditional methods would have allowed. However, the same tools meant to empower us are also being exploited by bad actors. With just a few keystrokes, anyone can create convincing fake news or deepfake videos. This ease of access without proper ethical guidelines is troubling. The ability for anyone to shape a viral narrative, regardless of truth, can and has led to chaos. Disturbingly, the very technologies used by responsible journalists to uncover the truth are also being weaponized to fabricate lies. Without a sound understanding of media literacy, many people are unable to distinguish between fact and fiction. Deepfake videos of reporters or manipulated footage of real events continue to circulate in WhatsApp groups and family chats, often believed without question. During the discussion, it was mentioned that the Director General of the National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Kashifu Inuwa, recently announced that Nigerias digital literacy rate has risen to 50 per cent a step up from 44 per cent. While this improvement is commendable, it still means over 116 million Nigerians may lack the skills to spot an AI-generated video or assess a dubious online claim. Worse still, even among the digitally literate, many struggle to detect fake news. That puts nearly double the population of Kenya at risk of falling for misleading content. A telling example is the recent viral video falsely claiming that the federal government had banned single people from buying airtime. As Ebunoluwa Olafusi, a panelist and Head of the Fact-Check Desk at TheCable, noted, the video was just too believable. In the ongoing battle against misinformation, fact-checkers remain on the frontlines, employing various methods and technologies to respond in real time. Still, as panelist David Ajikobi stressed, technology alone isnt enough. There must also be a growth in the number of skilled human fact-checkers. Tools must be localised designed with the African context in mind. Thankfully, platforms like Dubawa and Udeme are leading the way in this regard. Mr Kemi Busari highlighted how misinformation during the 2023 general elections influenced voter sentiment. He pointed out how the cashless policy was framed in a misleading narrative that discouraged voter turnout even though the claims werent rooted in fact. Ms Olafusi also warned that even human sources can be misleading whether intentionally or not. Thus, the fact-checking process must involve rigorous cross-verification to ensure a claim is thoroughly substantiated or decisively debunked. In her contribution, Mrs Motunrayo Alaka, executive director of WSCIJ, emphasised the need for media organisations to equip journalists with fact-checking skills. She reminded us not to discard the old-school tools such as calling sources to confirm details despite our growing dependence on digital methods. She also expressed concern about the ever-increasing scale at which false information is produced, far outpacing efforts to counter it. Importantly, Mrs Alaka called for social media platforms to be held accountable. She urged them to build and integrate fact-checking mechanisms tailored to the Nigerian information space. Algorithms that prioritize sensational and false content must be redesigned to elevate credible information instead. The unfortunate reality is that fake news spreads because it appeals to curiosity and emotion. Meanwhile, genuine fact-checking takes time, effort, and resources making it harder to keep up. As Mrs Alaka poignantly noted, the goal shouldnt be to outpace misinformation, but to consistently put forward verified truth. That is enough. As young communicators and aspiring media professionals, we recognise the immense value of AI in modern journalism. However, we must also insist on the continued role of human verification. AI must not become a substitute for journalistic integrity, ethical standards, and primary knowledge especially in an era where misinformation is rampant. Even as we adopt tech tools to suit our local realities, we must never lose sight of the fact that humans not machines are the ultimate custodians of truth. Khadijah Lawan Muhammad is a Mass Communication student at Nile University. She can be reached via [email protected]. Standard Chartered has reinforced its commitment to accelerating Africas economic resilience and long-term development through trade finance, sustainability finance and infrastructure investments, following the recently concluded Africa Summit held in Lagos. Buttressing its commitment to the continent, the Africa Summit in Nigeria, served as a platform to discuss Africas resilience and growth opportunities in a global system. It brought together thought leaders within the public and private sector including Dr Jumoke Oduwole, Minister of Industry, Trade and Investments; outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi Adesina; Aliko Dangote Founder and President/Chief Executive of the Dangote Group; Hakeem Belo-Osagie, Senior Lecturer Harvard Business School /Chairman, FSDH Group and Raj Gupta Chairman of the African Industries Group (AIG) in Nigeria, among others. To support Africas resilience, Standard Chartered is expanding its sustainable, trade and infrastructure finance. The Bank financed $US 4billion worth of infrastructure projects in Africa last year, including arranging a $US455 million blended finance facility [backed by the African Development Bank] for Cote dIvoire; a $US1.47 billion solar-powered electricity distribution in Angola and $US1.46bn term loan for Tanzanias Standard Gauge Railway. Further, Standard Chartered has signed $US70 million and $US100 million trade finance deals with International Finance Corporation [IFC] and British International Investment [BII], respectively, to empower local enterprises across Africa to trade, bolstering the continents financial resilience. Dalu Ajene, CEO of Standard Chartered Nigeria Limited and host of the summit in his opening remarks, said, Africas potential is not a question of if,but of how fast. And Nigeria, with its dynamic entrepreneurs, world-class institutions, resilient private sector, and youthful energy, continues to be a key driver of this momentum. At Standard Chartered, we are proud of our long-standing presence across Africa and are resolute on our commitment to driving commerce and prosperity through our unique global network. In his keynote address titled, Tilting Global Capital for Unlocking Investment Opportunities In Africa; outgoing President of the African Development Bank Group, Dr Akinwumi A Adesina said, It is clear that Africa is a profitable investment destination with vast opportunities for investors. The continent has demonstrated incredible resilience, and its future will be powered even more with financial innovations and strategic partnerships to tilt more global capital to the continent. Africa must attract global capital at scale. This is urgent given the rapid scaling back of traditional aid flows and lower concession financing flows and the direct and indirect effects of the US tariffs on export revenues and foreign exchange reserves. To achieve faster and more stable economic growth, Africa must move away from aid to investment to unlock its vast assets. And Africa has all it takes to achieve this bold ambition. Kariuki Ngari, Managing Director & CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa also added: Africas economic potential is undeniableand its growing resilience is evident in the structural reforms were seeing across the continent. With bold reforms underway in several countries, this is a critical moment to invest in the continents future and we are ready to play our part. Our focus is to be a long-term partner in building sustainable and inclusive economies across Africa. The Africa Summit is a proprietary thought leadership and networking event hosted by Standard Chartered Corporate & Investment Banking (CIB). It is a flagship Africa CIB thought leadership event that brought together over 350 stakeholders to discuss topical subjects and their relevance towards achieving sustainable impact on the African continent. Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State has kicked off the membership revalidation and registration exercise of the Akwa Ibom chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Mr Eno validated his membership at Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom on Monday, 4 August, and was given the 001 registration number in the APC register. He called on all party faithful and intending members to register at their different wards in the state. This exercise became necessary in order to validate and revalidate the authentic members of our party. All members and intending members of the party are directed to get registered at their respective wards to prove their true membership and loyalty to the party, he stressed. According to Mr Eno, the partys membership validation and registration exercise will last one month before it is temporarily closed. At the end of the validation exercise, the new membership register will be recognised to serve as the authentic working document of the party. So, all the party faithful and supporters that progressively moved with me to the APC are expected to be fully involved in this registration and validation exercise in their respective wards for us to know their stance and alignment with the party formally, he said. Fielding questions from Government House correspondents shortly after the registration, Governor Eno expressed satisfaction with the smooth conduct of the exercise and charged party members to be patient and orderly during the registration process. I feel good that I have validated my membership in the party in my ward. It is what every party member is expected to do to update his or her membership. I feel good to join the party. It is a deliberate calculation and a strategic move to link up to the centre in the interest of our state. It is a decision to fully support President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to continue in his laudable economic transformation of Nigeria, and also support our illustrious son, the Senate President, Chief Godswill Akpabio, to continue with his sterling leadership at the Senate. The governor urged the people to continue to work in unity, peace, and love for a united Akwa Ibom, reiterating that a united people will always remain progressive. As no one is able to break a bunch of broom, which is our partys symbol, let us continue to be united in oneness of purpose, common growth and greatness as a unique people of one ancestry. Let no one divide us and set us up against ourselves. Make sure you are registered and the party membership ticket issued to you. The party membership registration exercise at Ibiakpan Obotim Ward II witnessed a large turnout of members and would-be members of the APC who were enthusiastic and excited to participate in the registration. UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca (Front) speaks at a Security Council meeting at the UN headquarters in New York, on Aug. 5, 2025. Jenca on Tuesday warned against the possible expansion of Israeli military operations through the Gaza Strip. (Evan Schneider/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) UNITED NATIONS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- A senior UN official on Tuesday warned against the possible expansion of Israeli military operations through the Gaza Strip. The latest reports regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's possible decision to expand Israel's military operations through the entire Gaza Strip, if true, are deeply alarming, said UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca. "This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining (Israeli) hostages in Gaza," Jenca told the Security Council in a briefing. "International law is clear in this regard. Gaza is and must remain an integral part of the future Palestinian state," he stressed. As declared by the International Court of Justice, in its July 2024 Advisory Opinion, Israel is under an obligation to cease immediately all new settlement activities and to evacuate all settlers from the occupied Palestinian territory, and to bring to an end its unlawful presence there as rapidly as possible, he said. "The situation in Gaza is horrifying. It is unbearable," said Jenca, noting that Palestinians are subjected to squalid, inhumane conditions on a daily basis. Since the beginning of the conflict in October 2023, over 60,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Gaza Ministry of Health. More than 1,200 Palestinians have been killed and over 8,100 injured while trying to access food supplies since the end of May this year, including in the vicinity of militarized aid distribution sites run by the United States in Gaza, Jenca added. "The deaths and injuries continue to mount, day by day, with no end in sight to the suffering," he said. Israel continues to severely restrict humanitarian assistance entering Gaza, and the aid that is permitted to enter is grossly inadequate. Hunger is everywhere in Gaza, Jenca told the council. "I would like to echo the (UN) secretary-general's condemnation of the ongoing violence in Gaza, including the shooting, killing, and injuring of people attempting to get food for their families," said Jenca. "Civilians must be respected, protected and never targeted or deliberately deprived of food or access to other lifesaving aid. Doing so is a war crime." The UN official called on Israel to immediately allow and facilitate the rapid and unimpeded passage of sufficient amounts of humanitarian relief for civilians in need to avert further suffering and loss of life. There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict, Jenca said. "We must establish political and security frameworks that can relieve the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, start early recovery and reconstruction, address the legitimate security concerns of Israelis and Palestinians, and secure an end to Israel's unlawful occupation and achieve a sustainable two-state solution," he said. The UN Security Council holds a meeting on the situation in the Middle East, including the Palestinian question, at the UN headquarters in New York, on Aug. 5, 2025. UN Assistant Secretary-General for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas Miroslav Jenca on Tuesday warned against the possible expansion of Israeli military operations through the Gaza Strip. (Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua) PITTSBURGH, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- "I desperately wanted to find a way to help grandparents and others get up after a fall," said an inventor, from Jonesborough, Tenn., "so I invented the NANA & POPPY LIFT. My design allows the user to assist themself with their own rescue, therefore providing the freedom to live at home rather than a care facility." The invention provides an effective way for an individual to get up after a fall. In doing so, it increases safety and independence. It also provides added peace of mind. The invention features an innovative design that is easy to employ so it is ideal for the elderly, individuals with limited mobility, etc. The NANA & POPPY LIFT is currently available for licensing or sale to manufacturers or marketers. For more information, visit www.nanaandpoppylift.com. Or contact Ben Parrish at 423-741-4554 or email [email protected]. SOURCE InventHelp MONTREAL, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- A Certified Legal Investigator and recently re-elected International Regional Director for the National Association of Legal Investigators (NALI), Mr. Roman Bazikalov, the president of MADPI GLOBAL, a Montreal based private investigation boutique firm, is bringing Lie Detection to all the discerning clients who know the value of truth. The newly elected Executive Council of the National Association of Legal Investigators ODT vs. Polygraph Feature Comparison Table The Ocular Motor Deception Test, an AI-Powered Lie Detection Technology, has been in use since 2009, and has been adopted by the U.S. Department of Defense, FBI, CIA, more than two dozen governments, hundreds of law-enforcement agencies, and thousands of professionals around the world, all relying on its precision and accuracy. ODT Lie Detection technology: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uqZdytF7wuE Unlike polygraph, which relies on stress-induced physiological responses, ODT focuses on cognitive load indicators visible through the eyes, a method that is both less invasive, faster, and is also more precise in detecting truthfulness and deception. The ODT boasts an accuracy rate of over 89%. However, combined with a polygraph, the result can yield a 98 to 99% confidence level, making ODT a superb tool that can significantly improve the narrative of any interview, legal case, corporate compliance and HR assessment. Mr. Roman Bazikalov is the first professional private investigator in Canada certified to administer this technology. By embracing the cutting-edge tools and methods, he is committed to advancing investigative accuracy, professionalism, and the responsible use of emerging science. Mr. Bazikalov highlights the precision and wide-ranging applications of ODT in legal and corporate investigations. "What can be more precise than capturing 5000+ images measuring involuntary eye movements, pupil dilation, fixation, reaction times, and response behaviors, while the interviewee answers a series of True/False statements?" he asks. "The data is processed through a patented algorithm that produces a credibility score indicating truthfulness or deception. ODT can be used in various plaintiff and criminal defense cases, to assess the credibility of witnesses or suspects in investigations; in corporate screenings and to monitor employee compliance; and even in personal matters like spousal fidelity." "Bringing ODT to Canada will allow legal professionals, government agencies, private investigators, corporate HR and top management to conduct truth verification interviews with a much higher rate of success and detect lies and inaccuracies with ease", said Mr. Bazikalov who started his professional career in 2002. He holds a bachelor's degree in criminology and psychology, and is a Certified Legal Investigator (CLI), Certified International Investigator (CII), and Certified Master Investigator (CPIO-MI). Mr. Bazikalov is an active member in several prestigious national and international professional associations and serves on the Board of Directors for the Council of International Investigators (CII). As the International Reginal Director for NALI, Mr. Bazikalov brings a wealth of professional experience to his role and is set to lead NALI on the international stage in the coming year. NALI was founded in 1967 and until this day, is the benchmark for investigative professionalism and ethics. SOURCE MADPI GLOBAL Grassroots coalition also delivers letters to President Trump and urges Congress and State Attorneys General to open formal investigations. CUMMING, Ga., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The America First Tea Party (AFTP) today announced it has filed a formal complaint with the Internal Revenue Service against the Center for Biological Diversity (CBD) and its political affiliate, the Center Action Fund (CAF). "CBD has used America's courts and its 501(c)(3) status to fight against President Trump and the American people," said Debbie Dooley, President of AFTP. "The time for accountability is now." CBD has been subject to Congressional investigation for foreign influence during the first Trump administration. Alongside the IRS filing, AFTP delivered an open letter to President Donald J. Trump, detailing the environmental group's litigation record, transfer of funds to their associated nonprofit that then made endorsements of democrats and pro-abortion ballot measures across the country and asking him to publicly support investigations into the group's tax-exempt status. "Whether at the federal or state level, enforcement agencies have to protect taxpayers and honest charities alike," Dooley added. "We demand equal justice under the law." About the America First Tea Party Founded in 2016, the America First Tea Party is a grassroots coalition dedicated to preserving the principles of limited government, strong borders, and economic freedom. The organization mobilizes patriotic citizens nationwide in support of the America First agenda. Media Contact: Debbie Dooley, [email protected], 678-761-6725 SOURCE America First Tea Party The American Red Cross provides 40% of the nation's blood supply, making this expansion vital to save more lives. Post this At the opening of the expanded blood donation center, the American Red Cross recognized all the sponsors for this project on a Donor Recognition Wall, and American Packaging Corporation is proud to be listed among many philanthropic companies and individuals who share the American Red Cross's dream. American Packaging's representatives Sophia Morici and Amy Cornell attended the ribbon cutting ceremony and tour the renovated center. Sophia Morici, Employee Engagement Business Partner, described, "The new American Red Cross Blood Donation Center in Fairport is a beautiful, relaxing, and welcoming facility. I hope they continue to receive many blood donations to support those in the community and those in need." The expanded donation center will provide: More convenient and consistent locations for donors existing and new to give blood. More opportunities for donors to give red blood cells, platelets and plasma, which can only be collected at Blood Donation Centers, not mobile sites. And most importantly, an increased capacity to collect lifesaving blood products more efficiently and build a more resilient blood supply for people in need during medical emergencies. APC is proud to support the American Red Cross and encourage all to consider donating blood to help those in our community receive the lifesaving care they need. For more information, please visit: https://www.redcross.org/local/new-york or https://www.redcross.org. About American Packaging Corporation Founded in 1902, American Packaging Corporation is a recognized leader in the flexible packaging industry. Family-owned, APC distinguishes itself by investing in state-of-the-art facilities and capabilities, delivering packaging innovation, promoting sustainable products and practices, and focusing customer delight. Today, APC operates six Centers of Excellence in the United States and employs approximately 1,300 talented, motivated professionals. For more information, please visit americanpackaging.com. MEDIA CONTACT Teri Meadow, Director of Corporate Marketing American Packaging Corporation [email protected] SOURCE American Packaging Corporation NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association (GNYADA) is proud to announce the appointment of Eleanor Gulla as its new Chairwoman. Gulla, an accomplished automotive executive, community leader, and advocate for the next generation of dealers, brings deep industry experience and a lifelong dedication to her family's legacy. Eleanor Gulla speaking during the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association's Annual Meeting, where she was elected as Chairwoman of the influential metro New York automobile retail trade group. Eleanor Gulla named Chairwoman of the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association. A Board Member of GNYADA since 2018, Gulla has served as Vice Chairwoman and Chair of the Employee Relations Plan Committee. Eleanor was a key member of an Ad Hoc committee to address the growing challenges around direct sales and broker practices. In addition to her role with GNYADA, Gulla is a founding member of Next Gen National Automotive Dealers Association, an organization that mentors and prepares the next generation of automotive dealers and general managers through education, advocacy, and networking. Gulla is Managing Partner at Larchmont Chrysler Dodge Jeep RAM, a family-owned dealership founded by her father, Alfredo Gulla, who immigrated from Catanzaro, Italy, in the 1950s and built a respected business that has thrived for more than 60 years. She has overseen operations since 1992 and also works closely with the dealership's related business, Alfa Romeo of Larchmont. A proud New Yorker born and raised in Westchester County and now living in Manhattan, Gulla spent time working in real estate after college before returning to the automotive business a move she says was "in her DNA." "Being named Chairwoman is an incredible honor. This industry has given so much to my family and others, and faces extraordinary challenges. I'm deeply committed to supporting our members, advocating for our shared interests, and building on the legacy my father started," said Gulla. Throughout her career, Gulla has been recognized for excellence in customer service and dealership operations. Under her leadership, Larchmont Chrysler Jeep Dodge RAM has received numerous customer satisfaction commendations for exceptional sales and service experiences, including the JD Power Customer First Award for Excellence every year since 2019. Recently, she joined hundreds of fellow dealers at the NADA Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C., where she met with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, Representative Grace Meng, Representative Nicole Malliotakis, and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, Transportation staff, along with House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, to discuss key federal issues impacting the retail automotive industry. "Eleanor represents the next generation of automotive leadership," said Mark Schienberg, President of GNYADA. "Her dedication to our industry, her thoughtful advocacy on complex issues, and her commitment to customer service make her an outstanding choice to guide the Association forward." As one of a growing number of women in automotive retail leadership, Gulla is vocal about the importance of representation and mentorship. "This has long been a male-dominated industry, but women have proven that we have an important role in its future success," she says. "I'm so proud to be part of this exclusive group." Beyond her professional achievements, Gulla is a passionate supporter of charitable causes. She contributes to several organizations, including the American Red Cross, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and Orpheus, reflecting her deep commitment to community, mentorship, and the arts. About GNYADA Founded in 1910, the Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association represents franchised new car and truck dealers in the metro New York area. GNYADA advocates for its members on legislative, regulatory, and consumer issues, while supporting industry growth, workforce development, and the iconic New York International Auto Show. Its members are a powerful economic influence and contribute significantly to the creation of high-paying jobs throughout the metropolitan area. Together, metro area dealers produce $67.6 billion in economic activity and support more than 67,000 jobs. For more information, visit www.gnyada.com. SOURCE The Greater New York Automobile Dealers Association STAMFORD, Conn., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As families across the U.S. prepare for the busy back-to-school season, many parents are turning to au pairs for a stress-relieving solution that offers dependable childcare and cross-cultural enrichment. Au Pair in America, the nation's first and longest-running au pair program, provides live-in, intercultural childcare assistance that can help parents manage hectic school-year routines while giving children opportunities for cultural learning. The kids adore our au pair. She is incredible and a true member of our family Post this Au Pair in America Back-to-School Image From coordinating drop-offs and pick-ups to assisting with homework and afterschool routines, au pairs can help reduce the pressure on parents during one of the busiest times of the year. As a live-in childcare option, the au pair program is often more reliable and flexible than nannies and babysitterssomething increasingly valued by parents balancing work schedules with their children's extracurricular activities and academic demands. "I have used day care, a nanny, and [been] a stay-at home parent before I chose Au Pair in America. I love the ease with which I can get up and go to work and not drag my children out of the house so early in the morning. I rarely miss a day of work because the kids are sick, which makes my employer much happier. The kids adore our au pair. She is incredible and a true member of our family," shares Kathleen, a host mom in Michigan. Au Pair in America was established in 1986 and was the first au pair program designated by the U.S. Department of State. Since then, the program has connected hundreds of thousands of au pairs and U.S. host families. Today, the program continues to evolve to meet the needs of modern families through tailored options such as EduCare in America, which gives parents of school-aged children up to 30 hours of childcare per week. Participants provide families with experienced childcare assistance while also engaging in cultural exchange. Whether helping children get ready in the morning, preparing lunchboxes, or assisting with pick-ups and drop-offs, au pairs offer consistency and stress-relieving childcare throughout the school year. To learn more about how Au Pair in America supports families year-round, visit the Au Pair in America website. About Au Pair in America: Au Pair in America, the first au pair program in the U.S., combines live-in childcare and cultural exchange for a rewarding and enriching experience for the entire family. Au Pair in America recruits au pairs from over 60 countries, offering families across the U.S. dependable, flexible childcare that meets their unique needs. Learn more at aupairinamerica.com. SOURCE Au Pair in America CARMEL, Ind. and SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Baker Hill, a leading provider of loan origination, risk management, and analytics software, today announced a strategic partnership with LoanPro, the market-leading modern loan management and servicing platform. Baker Hill chose LoanPro as its partner to deliver a truly unified, modern lending experience, combining Baker Hill's robust loan origination capabilities with LoanPro's configurable servicing infrastructure for a complete end-to-end platform. Baker Hill & LoanPro have partnered to help Financial Institutions loan app to loan servicing with speed, and accuracy. Post this Baker Hill + Loan Pro logos Together, Baker Hill and LoanPro will enable banks, credit unions, and fintechs to move from loan application to loan servicing with more speed, accuracy, and control than legacy platformsempowering financial institutions to scale smarter while reducing friction for both teams and borrowers. "At Baker Hill, we've always believed in a connected lending ecosystem," said Andy Ivankovich, President and CEO of Baker Hill. "This partnership is a significant win for institutions looking to modernize both front-end and back-end processes without the pain of siloed systems. Together, we're making seamless, data-driven lending a reality." The partnership between the two platforms allows lenders for any asset class to originate loans using Baker Hill's automated workflows, decisioning, and analyticsthen manage those loans in LoanPro's platform for monitoring, compliance, collections, payments, and servicing. The result is fewer manual handoffs and a better experience for borrowers and teams alike. "This isn't just about integrating systems," said Rhett Roberts, Co-Founder and CEO of LoanPro. "It's about creating continuity and confidence for financial institutions at every stage of the loan lifecycle. LoanPro's robust servicing and collections platform complements Baker Hill's origination stack, and we're aligned in our vision to help financial institutions modernize without compromise." As lenders of all shapes face increasing pressure to streamline operations while meeting rising borrower expectations, this partnership offers a future-ready platformwith agility, compliance, and scalability baked in. About Baker Hill Founded in 1984 and headquartered in Carmel, Indiana, Baker Hill is a leading provider of cloud-based loan origination, risk management, and analytics solutions for financial institutions. With its award-winning Baker Hill NextGen platform, the company empowers banks and credit unions to drive growth, reduce risk, and improve productivity. Backed by Flexpoint Ford, Baker Hill continues to innovate and deliver technology that transforms the lending experience. For more information, visit www.bakerhill.com . About LoanPro LoanPro is the market-leading modern lending and credit platform enabling financial organizations to innovate quicker, driving account growth while optimizing operational efficiency. Today, 600+ financial organizations use LoanPro to holistically upgrade their borrower, agent, and back-office experiences. LoanPro's mission of providing the platform to innovate the future of finance currently is enabled through its composable architecture, allowing lending and credit providers to enhance their origination, servicing, payments, collections, all built on the foundation of a modern lending core. Learn more at www.Loanpro.io. SOURCE Baker Hill Nonprofit health plan and Gemini Health deliver real-time notifications, allowing members to compare prescription drug prices, find lower-cost alternatives OAKLAND, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Blue Shield of California announced a new, first-of-its-kind offering: mobile push notifications that let members know when their doctor initiates an e-prescription order, prompting patients to view drug prices and compare alternatives, including lower-cost options. Blue Shield of California Launches First-in-the-Nation Digital Experience to Improve Medication Choice and Transparency Powered by Gemini Health and accessible in the Blue Shield mobile app, the Price Check My Rx dashboard allows members to immediately view the out-of-pocket price of any new or renewed prescription medications ordered by their clinician and covered by their pharmacy benefit plan. Members can also view lower-cost, alternative medications and other in-network pharmacies, and look for available discounts. As the first health plan in the country to offer these real-time notifications, Blue Shield is building on its commitment to a more transparent and affordable healthcare system. Blue Shield sends the same drug cost and alternatives information to clinicians when they are e-prescribing, helping facilitate their conversations with members as they make informed medication decisions, including selection of the most affordable options. "I'm proud that we are removing the guesswork for patients when it comes to drug costs," said Jigar Shah, chief marketing and strategy officer at Blue Shield of California. "With this new digital experience, we are bringing transparency straight to our members' fingertips so they can view and discuss their medication and price options with their provider. This is another important step toward a healthcare system that is worthy of our family and friends and sustainably affordable." In recent years, Blue Shield has launched a number of products and enhancements aimed at easing the healthcare experience for members, including simple online appointment booking powered by Zocdoc, and Virtual Blue a benefit plan that integrates high-quality primary care, specialist care, behavioral health and mental health support in a virtual-forward care model. Today's announcement builds on the health plan's efforts to engage and support members along their care journeys with tools that are accessible on their everyday devices. "For too long, patients have found themselves in line at the pharmacy counter not knowing what new prescriptions will cost, whether lower-cost alternatives are available, or if there are other coverage issues," said Edward Fotsch, chief executive officer at Gemini Health. "We are very excited to continue our collaboration with Blue Shield in this new opportunity to deliver price transparency and choice for their members." Prescription drug affordability remains a top priority at Blue Shield. In 2018, the nonprofit health plan announced its collaboration with Gemini Health to give healthcare providers instant access to lower-cost, alternative medication options for patients. Since 2022 alone, these efforts have generated more than $100 million in savings through informed provider decisions about prescription drug coverage and prices for their Blue Shield patients. As part of its Pharmacy Care Reimagined initiative, Blue Shield announced a first-of-its-kind pharmacy management model in 2023, focused on medication cost transparency. This new model successfully went live on January 1 of this year and is already providing members with more transparent and sustainably affordable prescription drug services. The Price Check My Rx real-time alert feature is available to members who have the Blue Shield of California mobile app downloaded and push notifications turned on. Physicians in Blue Shield's network have access to the same information which prompts them to choose a lower-cost alternative when prescribing medications for their patients. About Blue Shield of California Blue Shield of California strives to create a healthcare system worthy of its family and friends that is sustainably affordable. The health plan is a taxpaying, nonprofit, independent member of the Blue Shield Association with 6 million members, over 7,500 employees and more than $27 billion in annual revenue. Founded in 1939 in San Francisco and now headquartered in Oakland, Blue Shield of California and its affiliates provide health, dental, vision, Medicaid and Medicare healthcare service plans in California. The company has contributed more than $60 million to the Blue Shield of California Foundation in the last three years to have an impact on California communities. For more news about Blue Shield of California, please visit news.blueshieldca.com . Or follow us on LinkedIn or Facebook . About Gemini Health Gemini Health LLC delivers Drug Cost Transparency Services for providers, pharmacists, care managers and health plan members to reduce prescription drug and related administrative costs. Gemini's suite of patented Drug-Cost Transparency Services cover new and existing medications and deliver decision support for busy providers and pharmacists as well as patients integrated into their existing workflows. Information delivered includes actual patient-specific costs of drugs, lower-cost clinically equivalent alternative drugs and lower-cost pharmacies. The alternatives and costs are based upon the patient-specific pharmacy benefit and related health plan coverage details. Gemini serves providers and payer partners and their members, with a focus on Blue Cross Blue Shield plans. For more information, reach out to Joe Bisson at 443-277-5218. CONTACT: Ashleigh Norris Blue Shield of California 415-310-1091 [email protected] SOURCE Blue Shield of California HAMILTON, Bermuda, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Borr Drilling Limited (NYSE: BORR) ("BORR" or the "Company") announces the results of 2025 Special General Meeting ("SGM"), held on August 6, 2025 at 11:00 am (Bermuda local time) at the Company's registered office located at 2nd Floor, The S.E. Pearman Building, 9 Par-la-Ville Road, Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda. At the SGM, the following resolutions were approved by shareholders: To set the maximum number of Directors of the Company to be not more than eight. To elect Mr. Thiago Mordehachvili as a Director of the Company. To approve the increase of the Company's authorized share capital from US$31,500,000.00 divided into 315,000,000 common shares of US$0.10 par value each to US$36,500,000.00 divided into 365,000,000 common shares of US$0.10 par value each by the authorization of an additional 50,000,000 common shares of US$0.10 par value each. Hamilton, Bermuda August 6, 2025 Board of Directors CONTACT: Questions should be directed to: Magnus Vaaler, CFO, +44 1224 289208 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/borr-drilling-limited/r/borr-drilling-limited---results-of-2025-special-general-meeting,c4215240 SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Bybit , the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, has unveiled its bold roadmap for the future of crypto, setting the tone for a new era of innovation, security, and trading excellence. In the highly anticipated " Keynote with Ben: Reshaping What's Next, Bit by Bit ," CEO and Co-founder Ben Zhou delivered a forward-looking vision grounded in real-world adoption, institutional-grade innovation, and deep ecosystem alignment. Bybits Ben Zhou Charts Bold New Course to Rewrite Crypto Success at Mid-Year Keynote Celebrating over six years of service, 74 million users, and a milestone where 1 in 8 crypto enthusiasts globally have chosen Bybit, CEO and Co-founder Ben Zhou reaffirmed the exchange's mission: Rewrite Your Success. Reshape The Standard. "Crypto is no longer just about speculation it's about real world application. At Bybit, we're not just trading the future; we're rewriting and reshaping what success looks like, bit by bit," said Zhou. Compliance as a Foundation for the Future Bybit opened the keynote with a reaffirmation of its compliance-first approach a critical pillar as the industry matures. Now fully compliant with the EU's Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR) framework and securing FIU-India registration in the first half of 2025, Bybit emphasized compliance not as a barrier but as an enabler. Zhou emphasized that "sustainability in crypto begins with trust and transparency," and positioned compliance not as a constraint, but as a catalyst for long-term growth. Rewriting the Industry Security Standard Bybit has also successfully rewritten the industry standard for security following a sophisticated multi-stage attack on one of its vendors in February the largest known hack in crypto history. While Bybit's own infrastructure remained uncompromised, the company acted swiftly in response. Within weeks, it completed nine extensive security audits conducted by both internal and independent experts and implemented over 50 enhanced safeguards. The response drew industry-wide praise and global recognition for its transparency, resilience, and user-first approach. Today, Bybit's security overhaul is regarded as a new benchmark in platform integrity. Trading Excellence Backed by Infrastructure Upgrades Bybit continues to lead in performance and reliability. Its upgraded matching engine now handles 3.5 million transactions per second, processing nearly 200 billion daily orders a 75% year-over-year increase in the first half of 2025. By extending its Rapid Price Improvement (RPI) mechanism to perpetual contracts, Bybit has delivered 150% higher liquidity and up to 5x better execution across retail and VIP accounts, firmly establishing itself as the go-to destination for professional trading. Setting a New Height in Crypto Wealth Management As institutional and high-net-worth adoption increases, Bybit is reshaping what wealth preservation means in the digital age. Its newly launched wealth management platform has already surpassed $150 million in AUM, offering curated portfolios and strategic services tailored to sophisticated investors all underpinned by Bybit's trading depth and robust security infrastructure. Redefining Real-World Utility: Bybit Card and Payments Another highlight was the new edition of the Bybit Card now positioned as a crypto-native business card that integrates seamlessly into both corporate and consumer spending. With support for Visa and Mastercard networks, smart security features, and real-time expense tracking, the card bridges the gap between digital assets and daily transactions. Bybit Card is expected to expand into the EU region in August, with Peru and Colombia lined up for Q4. Bybit's payments infrastructure has also made major strides. Native support for nationwide QR payments in Southeast Asia and LATAM has driven a 719% quarter-over-quarter increase in usage. With over two million users and cross-sector partnerships with local services like Rappi and Vivaticket, Bybit is moving closer to making crypto as usable as "cash". Introducing Bybit Lite to Earn, Manage, and Trade Zhou unveiled the upgraded Bybit App a unified platform that streamlines both active trading and passive income generation. Bybit Lite is a new upgraded version for casual users and a reimagined Earn section, offering personalized strategies and simplified ways to activate idle capital. A Key Partner of Mantle 2.0 A major announcement was Bybit's deepened strategic alignment with Mantle This partnership sets the stage for what Zhou called "a bold new chapter in institutional-grade on-chain finance." The launch of Mantle 2.0 comes with renewed leadership and tighter ecosystem integration including Helen Liu, Co-CEO and Partner of Bybit and Emily Bao, Head of Spot and Web3 at Bybit stepping in as key advisors. Together, Bybit, as one of Mantle's ecosystem partners, will accelerate the development of decentralized finance by aligning infrastructure, liquidity, and governance. The collaboration aims to set new standards for scalability and compliance, while tapping into the growing demand for trust-driven DeFi solutions. Reshaping the Standard With this keynote, Bybit signaled more than just platform growth it marked a shift in how the industry defines success. Zhou's message was clear: The next era of crypto will be shaped by platforms that offer trust, usability, and true innovation. "We believe crypto should be usable, secure, and powerful enough to serve everyone from first-time users to institutional investors," Zhou said. "Together with our community, we are rewriting the rules and reshaping the space for good." Watch the full keynote replay here . #Bybit / #TheCryptoArk About Bybit Bybit is the world's second-largest cryptocurrency exchange by trading volume, serving a global community of over 70 million users. Founded in 2018, Bybit is redefining openness in the decentralized world by creating a simpler, open and equal ecosystem for everyone. With a strong focus on Web3, Bybit partners strategically with leading blockchain protocols to provide robust infrastructure and drive on-chain innovation. Renowned for its secure custody, diverse marketplaces, intuitive user experience, and advanced blockchain tools, Bybit bridges the gap between TradFi and DeFi, empowering builders, creators, and enthusiasts to unlock the full potential of Web3. Discover the future of decentralized finance at Bybit.com . For more details about Bybit, please visit Bybit Press For media inquiries, please contact: [email protected] For updates, please follow: Bybit's Communities and Social Media Discord | Facebook | Instagram | LinkedIn | Reddit | Telegram | TikTok | X | Youtube SOURCE Bybit BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua)-- More Bruneian workforce are entering the local job market, a government minister said on Wednesday. According to a 2024 workforce study, local workforce participation was 71.3 percent while foreign workforce accounted for 28.7 percent of the total labor market, Haji Ahmaddin Haji Abdul Rahman, the minister of home affairs, said at the legislative council. Haji Ahmaddin said in the category of professional, managerial, executive and technical, 71,500 Bruneians have filled the positions, compared to 15,900 foreign workers, reflecting positive trends in line with Brunei Vision 2035 aspirations for quality of life. He said the Ministry of Home Affairs has always supported the government's efforts to attract more foreign investors to Brunei, including introducing a special Long Term Pass policy to foreign nationals involved in the business and investment sectors in the country. The policy introduced will make Brunei a preferred destination for investors and professionals. SARASOTA, Fla., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CITY Furniture, Florida's leading home furnishings retailer, celebrated the successful grand opening of its new Sarasota showroom, marking an exciting milestone in the company's expansion across the Tampa Region. Ribbon Cutting at CITY Furniture's Sarasota Showroom The 120,000-square-foot showroom opened with a ribbon-cutting on July 17, followed by a four-day celebration featuring $70,000 in giveaways, live DJs, food trucks, and exclusive in-store experiences. The event drew thousands of guests eager to explore the store's inspiring spaces, including a Custom Design Gallery, Home Theater Gallery, Florida's largest mattress gallery, and an in-store Cafe & Wine Bar. "Our vision is to be the #1 home furnishings retailer in the Tampa Region," said Andrew Koenig, CEO of CITY Furniture. "To achieve that, we need to be where our customers live, offering them convenience, inspiration, and an unforgettable shopping experience. Sarasota and our upcoming Wesley Chapel showroom are key to that vision." Sarasota has already delivered record-breaking customer satisfaction, highlighting CITY's evolution in customer experience, innovation, and environmental responsibility. Designed to be more than just a store, the showroom serves as a community hub, hosting events and creating spaces for customers to shop, connect, and be inspired. Koenig added, "Our expansion into Sarasota and Wesley Chapel represents years of planning to build the right store network supported by our 1.3 million sq. ft. Plant City Distribution Center. Sarasota is exceeding expectations, and we're excited to bring this same energy to Wesley Chapel when it opens soon." With Sarasota now open, CITY Furniture is turning its sights toward the highly anticipated Wesley Chapel showroom, which will continue the company's mission to make home furnishings shopping more convenient, innovative, and community-focused throughout the Tampa market. For more information, visit cityfurniture.com/Sarasota . About CITY Furniture CITY Furniture, a South-Florida based, family-owned American furniture and mattress retailer and fine upholstery manufacturer, is one of America's Top 100 furniture retailers. Operating more than 2 showrooms across Florida, as well as fourteen Ashley Home Store showrooms as the brand's Southeast and Southwest Florida licensee. CITY Furniture is known for its commitment to innovation, sustainability, and community giving through its 5% Giving Pledge. For more information, visit www.cityfurniture.com . SOURCE City Furniture, Inc. Company Also Intends to Commence Proceedings in Canada Under CCAA Company Continues to Serve Customers In-Store and Online During the Process HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Claire's Holdings LLC and certain of its U.S. and Gibraltar-based subsidiaries (collectively "Claire's U.S."), the operator of Claire's and ICING stores across the United States, today announced that it has commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware (the "U.S. Court") to maximize the value of its business. Its Canadian affiliate operating stores across Canada ("Claire's Canada", and together with Claire's US, "Claire's" or the "Company") also intends to commence proceedings in Canada under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) in the Ontario Superior Court of Justice (Commercial List) ("Canadian Court"). These proceedings will enable Claire's to immediately commence the monetization process for its assets to maximize value for the business, while continuing an active and comprehensive review of strategic alternatives, including discussions with potential strategic partners that began prior to the filings. "This decision is difficult, but a necessary one. Increased competition, consumer spending trends and the ongoing shift away from brick-and-mortar retail, in combination with our current debt obligations and macroeconomic factors, necessitate this course of action for Claire's and its stakeholders," said Chris Cramer, CEO of Claire's. "We remain in active discussions with potential strategic and financial partners and are committed to completing our review of strategic alternatives." Cramer continued, "I'd like to express my gratitude for our employees, who have continued to work diligently in a constantly evolving consumer landscape to deliver amazing products and experiences for our customers. We remain committed to serving our customers and partnering with our vendors and landlords in other regions during this time." Claire's retail stores in North America will remain open and continue to serve customers while the Company continues to explore all strategic alternatives. Through the filing of customary "first day" motions with the U.S. Court and the Canadian Court, Claire's intends to uphold its commitments to customers, employees, and partners, including continued payment of employee wages and benefits. Claire's U.S. intends to seek approval for a consensual use of cash collateral to ensure it has the liquidity necessary to support its operations. Additional Information Additional information regarding the Chapter 11 proceedings is available at www.omniagentsolutions.com/claires. Court filings and information regarding the claims process are available at www.omniagentsolutions.com/claires, by calling the Company's claims agent, Omni Agent Solutions, toll-free at (888) 202-5971 (U.S.) or (747) 293-0183 (International) or by sending an email to [email protected]. Additional information regarding the Company's CCAA proceedings and related court-filed materials is available at the court-appointed monitor's website at www.ksvadvisory.com/experience/case/claires, by calling KSV Advisory at +1 (844) 249-2665, or by emailing at [email protected]. Advisors Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to Claire's. Houlihan Lokey is serving as investment banker, and Alvarez & Marsal is serving as restructuring advisor. Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is serving as Canadian legal counsel to Claire's. About Claire's Holdings LLC Claire's Holdings LLC is a fully integrated, global fashion brand powerhouse committed to inspiring self-expression through the creation and delivery of exclusive, well-curated products and experiences. Through its global brands, Claire's and Icing, the company delivers an immersive, omnichannel shopping experience with owned and concession stores throughout North America and Europe as well as around the world. More information regarding Claire's is available at corporate.claires.com. Media Contact Prosek Partners for Claire's [email protected] SOURCE Claire's BOSTON, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rubin and Rudman is pleased to announce that Clara Jensen has joined the firm as an associate in its Trusts and Estates group. She joins the firm from Monteforte Law, P.C. Clara Jensen has joined Rubin and Rudman LLP as an associate in its Trusts and Estates group. Jensen focuses her practice on complex estate planning that is tailored to meet her clients' unique family dynamics, tax objectives, and asset protection goals. She has experience drafting wills, durable powers of attorney, health care proxies, HIPAA authorizations, and revocable and irrevocable trusts. She is also well-versed in a wide range of trust funding structures, including credit shelter trusts, personal asset trusts, irrevocable life insurance trusts, qualified personal residence trusts, and irrevocable Medicaid asset protection trusts. She is admitted to the bar in Massachusetts. Jensen earned her J.D. from New England Law, with concentrations in trusts and estates, business law, and family law, in 2023 and her B.A., with honors, from Montana State University-Bozeman in 2019. About Rubin and Rudman LLP Founded over a century ago, Rubin and Rudman is a full-service law firm with nearly 100 lawyers in Boston, Massachusetts. With a diverse mix of practices, Rubin and Rudman serves national and international companies, including large public companies and closely held businesses; real estate developers; biotechnology, pharmaceutical and medical device makers; regulated industries, public entities and municipalities; insurance companies and their insureds; educational and other institutions; non-profit organizations; families and high net worth individuals. Rubin and Rudman also has suburban offices in Andover and Woburn, Massachusetts. Web: www.rubinrudman.com. Contact: Amy Blumenthal Kristen Weller Blumenthal & Associates Chief Marketing & Growth Officer 617.879.1511 617.330.7189 [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE Rubin and Rudman New Sinch survey reveals trust, not just technology, will influence which brands break through this holiday season STOCKHOLM, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Sinch AB (publ) (XSTO: SINCH), which is pioneering the way the world communicates through its Customer Communications Cloud, today released new global research ahead of the 2025 Black Friday and Cyber Monday season. The research reveals a clear paradox that brands cannot afford to ignore. While 48% of consumers say AI will make Black Friday and Cyber Monday (BF/CM) shopping easier, over 90% have reservations about using AI during peak shopping, citing concerns such as data use or privacy. Consumers are increasingly embracing AI to improve and simplify their shopping journey, but with conditions. As adoption grows, so do expectations. Shoppers want the benefits of AI, but they also expect more visibility into how it's used, greater control over their data, and communications that feel personal and relevant. "Consumers want help, not hype," said Sophie Cheng, Senior Vice President of Product Marketing at Sinch. "They still want the benefits of AI, but they expect brands to prove it's working in their interest. If your AI feels invasive or unverified, you won't convert. Trust is the conversion engine this BF/CM. The brands that win will prove their communications are secure, relevant, and authentic." Sinch surveyed consumers across seven global markets to understand their views on AI and holiday shopping. The data shows shifting expectations: 48% say AI will simplify their BF/CM shopping say AI will simplify their BF/CM shopping 53% want AI-powered order tracking, while 38% are open to chatbot-based customer support want AI-powered order tracking, while are open to chatbot-based customer support Personalization and brand trust are under pressure with a 43% YoY increase in consumers mentioning personalized messages feel invasive Findings from Sinch's State of Customer Communications 2025 report reinforce that trust is the new differentiator: Only 32% feel comfortable sharing personal preferences with an AI assistant feel comfortable sharing personal preferences with an AI assistant 53% of consumers report receiving legitimate brand messages they initially thought were spam report receiving legitimate brand messages they initially thought were spam 79% say they trust messages more when verified with brand logos or sender IDs say they trust messages more when verified with brand logos or sender IDs 72% find AI-powered recommendations helpful, but only when delivered in the right context and channel Together, these insights point to a rising demand for verified, value-driven communication. Consumers are not rejecting personalization or AI, they're rejecting communication that feels disconnected, generic, or unclear. They are looking for meaningful interactions and valuable insights, not just a lot of repeated or overwhelming information. What this means for brands heading into BF/CM 2025 Frictionless commerce is no longer enough. To earn attention and loyalty during the 2025 peak shopping season, brands must deliver secure, transparent experiences that put trust first. Sinch enables this shift through privacy-first, scalable communications infrastructure trusted by global enterprises. On Black Friday 2024, Sinch delivered over 800 million SMS messages, a 23% increase from 2023, with 99.99% uptime and enterprise-grade encryption. With tools for verified messaging, rich customer journeys, and secure AI interactions, Sinch helps brands close the trust gap at scale. This BF/CM, the difference between being ignored or engaged, could come down to one thing: trust. To read the full 2025 BF/CM Consumer Report and explore how Sinch can help support you with smarter holiday campaigns, visit www.sinch.com. For more information please contact: Janet Lennon, Director of Global PR & Communications [email protected] | 1.206.914.6175 This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com. https://news.cision.com/sinch-ab/r/despite-48--interest--over-90--of-global-consumers-have-reservations-about-ai-for-bf-cm,c4214918 SOURCE Sinch AB CECU members gain access to world-class learning products, industry recognized IT certifications, and career resources ARLINGTON, Va. and DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) and CompTIA are together expanding opportunities for college students to prepare for employment and careers in the technology workforce. The organizations announced today their collaboration to bring CompTIA's world-class learning products, industry recognized IT certifications and career resources to CECU's growing network of career colleges. "CECU is thrilled to partner with CompTIA to bring high-quality resources and cybersecurity training to our member institutions," said Kelley Breton, executive vice president, CECU. "The library of resources offered enables institutions training in a wide range of programs to offer easy implementation to support future essential career skills." CECU members will have access to: Exclusive partner pricing on CompTIA certifications and training resources Comprehensive career solutions to help students build foundational skills and advance into specialized tech job roles Robust curriculum solutions, hands-on labs and instructional resources to enhance current programs Seamless integration of learning products, certifications and support resources to prepare students for the jobs of the future "Coupling outstanding classroom instruction with IT certifications is a winning combination for students, whether they intend to join the tech workforce or want to enhance their digital fluency for another profession," said Mark Plunkett, executive vice president, sales and marketing, CompTIA. IT certifications have taken on added importance for employers and job candidates alike. According to CompTIA research: 93% of HR professionals report industry-recognized certifications factor into the hiring process for candidates in technology job roles 1 83% of community college students (net) believe industry-recognized certifications validate skills that are relevant and up to date 2 Earning a technical industry-recognized certification is the top strategy employed by active job seekers pursuing a career in technology3 CompTIA is the world's largest vendor-neutral credentialing organization for technology workers. Over 3.6 million CompTIA certifications have been earned by technology professionals across a wide range of countries, employers and industries. With technology as a driving force across every industry sector and business function, CompTIA is also at the forefront of supporting tech-adjacent job roles with best-in-class learning solutions and industry-recognized certifications that open doors to employment and career opportunities. About Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) Career Education Colleges and Universities (CECU) is the national organization serving postsecondary career education schools, staff, and most importantly, students. Representing over 1,300 campuses across North America, CECU provides valuable services for members and advocates for policies that advance postsecondary career education. All CECU member schools are licensed by the state(s), accredited by a regional or national accreditor, and must be eligible to participate in Title IV financial aid programs. For more information, visit career.org . Follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter , LinkedIn and YouTube . About CompTIA CompTIA Inc. is the leading global provider of vendor-neutral information technology (IT) training and certifications. CompTIA unlocks potential in millions of aspiring technology professionals and careers changers. Working in partnership with thousands of academic institutions and training providers, CompTIA helps students build career-ready skills through best-in-class learning solutions, industry-recognized certifications and career resources. Learn more at https://www.comptia.org/. Media Contacts Jenny Faubert CECU [email protected] +1 571.970.6391 Steven Ostrowski CompTIA [email protected] +1 630.678.8468 1 "Workforce and Learning Trends 2025", April 2025. 2 "Community College Student Trends", February 2025. 3 "Job Seeker Trends 2025", June 2025. SOURCE CompTIA SALT LAKE CITY, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Extra Space Storage Inc. ("Extra Space") (NYSE: EXR), a leading owner and operator of self-storage facilities in the United States and a member of the S&P 500, today announced that its operating partnership, Extra Space Storage LP (the "operating partnership"), has priced a public offering of $800 million aggregate principal amount of 4.950% senior notes due 2033 (the "Notes"). The Notes were priced at 99.739% of the principal amount and will mature on January 15, 2033. J.P. Morgan, BMO Capital Markets, PNC Capital Markets LLC, BofA Securities, TD Securities, Truist Securities, Wells Fargo Securities and US Bancorp are acting as the joint book-running managers for the offering. Regions Securities LLC, Citigroup, Huntington Capital Markets, Scotiabank, Zions Capital Markets, BOK Financial Securities, Inc., Fifth Third Securities, Academy Securities and Ramirez & Co., Inc. are acting as the co-managers for the offering. The offering is expected to close on or about August 8, 2025, subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions. The Notes will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Extra Space and certain of its subsidiaries. The operating partnership intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to repay amounts outstanding from time to time under its lines of credit and its commercial paper program, and for other general corporate and working capital purposes, including funding potential acquisition opportunities. The Notes will be issued pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale is not permitted. The offering will be made only by means of a prospectus supplement and accompanying prospectus, copies of which, when available, may be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, Attention: Prospectus Department, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at 1-866-803-9204; BMO Capital Markets Corp., Attention: IG Syndicate, 151 W 42nd Street, 9th Floor, New York, NY 10036, or by telephone at +1 (888) 200-0266; or PNC Capital Markets LLC, 300 Fifth Avenue, 10th Floor, Pittsburgh, PA 15222, by telephone at +1 (855) 881-0697, or by email at [email protected]. A prospectus supplement related to the offering will also be available free of charge on the SEC's website at http://www.sec.gov. About Extra Space Storage Inc.: Extra Space Storage Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed real estate investment trust, and a member of the S&P 500. As of June 30, 2025, the Company owned and/or operated 4,179 self-storage stores in 43 states and Washington, D.C. The Company's stores comprise approximately 2.9 million units and approximately 321.5 million square feet of rentable space operating under the Extra Space brand. The Company offers customers a wide selection of conveniently located and secure storage units across the country, including boat storage, RV storage and business storage. It is the largest operator of self-storage properties in the United States. Forward-Looking Statements: Certain information set forth in this release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include statements concerning the terms, timing and completion of the offering of securities by Extra Space and the operating partnership, including the anticipated use of proceeds therefrom. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "believes," "estimates," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "anticipates," or "intends," or the negative of such terms or other comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy. All forward-looking statements are based upon our current expectations and various assumptions. Our expectations, beliefs and projections are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them, but there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and projections will result or be achieved. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in or contemplated by this release. Such risks and uncertainties include without limitation those associated with market risks and uncertainties and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions for an offering of securities, as well as the risks referenced in the "Risk Factors" section included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. All forward-looking statements apply only as of the date of this release. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements which may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. SOURCE Extra Space Storage Inc. Co-development work underway for vehicles to launch in 2028 Jointly developed next-generation commercial van to be introduced in North America DETROIT and SEOUL, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors announced plans for their first five co-developed vehicles, marking a significant milestone in their previously announced strategic collaboration. The two companies will co-develop four vehicles for the Central and South American market, including a compact SUV, car and pick-up, as well as a mid-size pick-up, all with the flexibility to use either internal combustion or hybrid propulsion systems. Hyundai and GM also will co-develop an electric commercial van for North America. Hyundai and GM expect sales of the co-developed vehicles to be more than 800,000 vehicles a year once production is fully scaled. GM will lead the development of the mid-size truck platform, while Hyundai will lead on the compact vehicle and electric van. The two companies will share common platforms and develop unique interiors and exteriors consistent with their respective brands. Design and engineering work is underway on the new vehicles for the Central and South American markets, which will launch in 2028. The electric commercial van will be manufactured in the U.S. as early as 2028. "Hyundai's strategic collaboration with GM will help us continue to deliver value and choice to our customers across multiple vehicle segments and markets," said Jose Munoz, President and CEO of Hyundai Motor Company. "Our combined scale in North and South America helps us to more efficiently provide our customers more of what they want beautifully designed, high-quality, safety focused vehicles with technology they appreciate." Shilpan Amin, GM senior VP and global chief procurement and supply chain officer, said the vehicles announced today were targeted at the largest segments in the Central and South American markets, as well as the commercial segment in North America. "By partnering together, GM and Hyundai will bring more choice to our customers faster, and at lower cost," Amin said. "These first co-developed vehicles clearly demonstrate how GM and Hyundai will leverage our complementary strengths and combined scale." The two companies also plan joint sourcing initiatives in North and South America for materials, transport, and logistics. Further areas for potential joint operations include raw materials, components, and complex systems. Hyundai Motor and GM also agreed to explore collaboration on low-carbon emissions steel as part of their commitment to sustainable manufacturing. Following the signing of a framework agreement in September 2024, the companies continue to assess additional joint vehicle development programs for global markets, as well as collaboration opportunities across propulsion systems, including internal combustion engines, hybrid, battery electric, and hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements: This press release and related comments by management may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the U.S. federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are any statements other than statements of historical fact. Forward-looking statements represent our current judgment about possible future events and are often identified by words such as "anticipate," "appears," "approximately," "believe," "continue," "could," "designed," "effect," "estimate," "evaluate," "expect," "forecast," "goal," "initiative," "intend," "may," "objective," "outlook," "plan," "potential," "priorities," "project," "pursue," "seek," "should," "target," "when," "will," "would," or the negative of any of those words or similar expressions. In making these statements, we rely upon assumptions and analysis based on our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, and expected future developments, as well as other factors we consider appropriate under the circumstances. We believe these judgments are reasonable, but these statements are not guarantees of any future events or financial results, and our actual results may differ materially due to a variety of factors, many of which are described in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or other factors that affect the subject of these statements, except where we are expressly required to do so by law. General Motors (NYSE:GM) is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is GM's battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a global leader in vehicle safety and security services, can be found at https://www.gm.com. About Hyundai Motor Company Established in 1967, Hyundai Motor Company is present in over 200 countries with more than 120,000 employees dedicated to tackling real-world mobility challenges around the globe. Based on the brand vision 'Progress for Humanity,' Hyundai Motor is accelerating its transformation into a Smart Mobility Solution Provider. The company invests in advanced technologies such as robotics and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) to bring about revolutionary mobility solutions while pursuing open innovation to introduce future mobility services. In pursuit of a sustainable future for the world, Hyundai will continue its efforts to introduce zero-emission vehicles with industry-leading hydrogen fuel cell and EV technologies. More information about Hyundai Motor and its products can be found at: https://www.hyundai.com/worldwide/en/ or Newsroom: Media Hub by Hyundai SOURCE Hyundai Motor Company BEIJING, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Development advantages are generated under specific historical conditions and change as these conditions evolve. In present China, there are overlapping strategies in various regions. Harnessing these overlapping strategic benefits has become one of the highlights of high-quality development in various provinces during the 14th Five-Year Plan period (2021-25). The Central Economic Work Conference has put forward the task of "fully harnessing the synergy between the coordinated regional development strategy, major regional strategies, and the functional zoning strategy, so as to actively foster new growth poles." The question of how to convert these overlapping strategic advantages into robust development momentum is a key topic for all regions to actively explore during the 14th Five-Year Plan period. Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China, emphasized that "as far as industrial development is concerned, provinces and cities along the Yangtze River should tap into their own development potential and find their own distinctive strength on the one hand, and coordinate with each other and foster connectivity between them on the other," according to the Xinhua News Agency. This profound statement reveals the essence of development dialectics. Anhui, once labeled as "neither eastern nor western," has become a province boasting overlapping strategic advantages in the new era. Last year, its GDP surpassed 5 trillion yuan ($695 billion), having consecutively broken through the trillion-yuan mark for four times over the past decade or so. Its foreign trade volume and innovation capabilities have made remarkable progress. In the first half of this year, the production of both automobiles and new-energy vehicles (NEVs) in Anhui ranked first in the nation. The revenue of automotive industry-chain enterprises in Anhui exceeded 1.5 trillion yuan last year, maintaining a growth rate of over 20 percent for two consecutive years. One out of every four automobiles exported by China is "made in Anhui." As the material and technological cornerstone of a modern nation, a modern industrial system holds the key to the rise or fall of great nations. But how can an industrial system be modernized? The rapid growth of Anhui's NEV industry vividly demonstrates that "higher strategic priority must be given to fostering new-quality productive forces in line with local conditions" Differentiated development To better coordinate national strategies as a "single chessboard," break the cycle of "involution-style" competition, and address issues like industrial homogenization, the key lies in finding the right positioning in the overall national situation and giving full play to overlapping strategies. Understanding the strategic intentions of the CPC Central Committee and implementing the General Secretary's strategic blueprint of "three hubs and one zone," Anhui has remained steadfast in pursuing innovation-driven development and achieving progress through quality growth, positioning the NEV industry as a key engine for fostering new quality productive forces. This reflects a well-calibrated strategy that aligns broad vision with targeted actions. "Adapt to local conditions, and each place has its own unique advantages." "To an outsider, Anhui boasts a solid industrial foundation; to an industry insider, Hefei's interconnected sectors form a complete ecosystem; to an entrepreneur, talent is never in short supply here." "Compared to other cities, shipping a finished vehicle from Hefei nationwide significantly cuts logistics costs." In the eyes of entrepreneurs, Anhui possesses many unique advantages. Shanghai has a concentration of leading enterprises and strong innovation and R&D capabilities, Jiangsu has a large-scale parts and components industry, and Zhejiang has an advanced private economy and a vibrant innovation ecosystem. How to avoid "homogenization"? Anhui, strategically located in the Yangtze River Delta region's "4-hour industrial cluster" and with its geographical advantages, has positioned itself as the region's "super connector," reshaping the automotive industry landscape. Jiangsu, focusing on "four key pillars," is committed to building a globally influential hub for industrial and technological innovation, demonstrating "greater responsibility" in implementing national strategies and contributing to the country's overall development. Heilongjiang, upholding its role as the "ballast of national food security," has ranked first in national grain output for 15 consecutive years, filling "China's rice bowl" with more high-quality "Heilongjiang grain." By acting in alignment with national strategies, leveraging comparative advantages, and pursuing differentiated development paths, all regions can combine their strengths to generate powerful momentum for the nation's development. Coordination, integration From the coordinated development of the Beijing-Tianjin-Hebei region, and efforts to strengthen ecological protection and collaboration across the Yellow River Basin, to greater emphasis on enhancing coordination in advancing the marine economy, the concept of synergistic development lies at the heart of coordinated regional development. The General Secretary emphasized the need to focus on strengthening regional coordination and integration. Provinces and cities along the Yangtze River should keep to inter-provincial consultation and joint ecological conservation, and make sure that all localities are on board with their shared development initiatives for the benefit of all. Efforts should be made to enhance regional connectivity, consistency in policies and rules, and coordination in their implementation, so as to steadily build a community for ecological conservation and shared interests, and promote coordinated regional development, according to Xinhua. The important remarks embody the fundamental requirements of coordinated and integrated development. Taking the Yangtze River Delta as an example, effective coordination hinges on sound mechanisms. At the regional level, the focus is on integration and high-quality development. In 2003, Xi, then secretary of the Zhejiang Provincial Committee of the CPC, proposed establishing a regular meeting mechanism among top officials of the Yangtze River Delta region. Today, from high-level forums to economic coordination meetings and thematic cooperation sessions and now with the establishment of the Yangtze River Delta Regional Cooperation Office the mechanism regularly lists tasks and sets priorities. More than a hundred provincial-level innovation mechanisms have taken shape. Cities in Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Zhejiang have paired up with cities in northern Anhui for targeted cooperation and assistance, all reflecting Anhui's deep integration into the Yangtze River Delta region. At the provincial level, emphasis is placed on top-level design and overall coordination. In July 2023, Anhui established a provincial automobile office, which operates as a fully functional entity without adding any new official positions. Anhui has issued guidelines on building NEV industry clusters and implemented provincial regulations to support their development. The province has optimized internal industrial coordination, set up supply-demand matchmaking platforms, and worked to avoid disorderly competition while strengthening the resilience of the industrial and supply chains. Anhui promotes integrated development across whole vehicles, parts, and the aftermarket, bringing together 7 automakers, over 3,000 large-scale parts suppliers, and more than 1,700 aftermarket firms to build a complete automotive industry chain. As the twin engines of Anhui's auto industry, Hefei and Wuhu take the lead in vehicle R&D and assembly, while Chuzhou, Ma'anshan, and Xuancheng focus on parts manufacturing and battery material supply. Fiscal, investment, consumption and other policies work in tandem, and the government actively promotes market efficiency. Seizing opportunities To break the mindset of being confined to "one's own small plot of land," it's imperative to adhere to open development, and "seize opportunities from all sides" within major national development strategies. The General Secretary stressed the need for Anhui to comprehensively expand opening up within the country and to the outside world. It demonstrates a systematic approach to addressing the interconnected issues of internal and external development. Vividly demonstrating how regions are joining forces to advance shared goals aligned with top-level design, NEVs and integrated circuits are developing in tandem, while also converging with emerging sectors such as the low-altitude economy, embodied intelligence, and next-generation displays. Efforts are also underway to foster county-level auto parts industry clusters, enhancing the sector's overall driving force. Leveraging east-west cooperation between Guangdong and Guizhou Province, the prickly pears from Guizhou have grown into a "10-billion-yuan fashion industry," supported by integrated efforts in technology, talent, and marketing from Guangdong. Promoting integrated urban-rural development and stronger regional connectivity continues to generate fresh momentum for high-quality development. In vivid practice of the "sweet potato economy" theory, joint efforts are made to build a river-sea direct transport system and establish an integrated supervision and operation model with Shanghai Port. The successful establishment of the Hefei China-Europe Railway Express consolidation hub and the launch of the Wuhu Taqiao multimodal transport base have helped deepen global industrial chain integration under the Belt and Road Initiative. Opening-up empowers inland regions to shift from the "rear" to new development "frontiers." Leveraging the New International Land-Sea Trade Corridor, Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region is accelerating its transformation into a key gateway for westward opening-up and a vital hub along the Eurasian transport route. Meanwhile, South China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region is embracing the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area to the east and strengthening ties with ASEAN to the south, charting a new course of maritime-driven development. Strengthening synergies and actively integrating into a fully open framework that connects land and sea, connects domestic and international markets, and facilitates east-west two-way flows helps open up new avenues for development. On the new journey, regions across China are deeply integrating into the new development paradigm, turning strategic advantages into robust development momentum. And the potential for comprehensively advancing Chinese modernization through high-quality development is unlimited. https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202508/1340259.shtml SOURCE Global Times Travelers who book through an Internova travel advisor will have their choice of more than 1,000 hosted cruises offering exclusive amenities, including complimentary shore excursions NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Internova Travel Group is proud to announce the launch of its 2025-2026 Distinctive Voyages Planner filled with departures beginning in August for Distinctive Voyages by Internova. These amenity-filled journeys take the cruise experience to a new, more luxurious level and are available exclusively through its affiliated travel advisors. Internova Travel Group is proud to announce the launch of its 2025-2026 Distinctive Voyages Planner filled with departures beginning in August for Distinctive Voyages by Internova. These amenity-filled journeys take the cruise experience to a new, more luxurious level and are available exclusively through its affiliated travel advisors. Consumers who book their trip with a travel advisor from Andrew Harper, Cruise Specialists, Nexion Travel Group or Travel Leaders Networkall part of Internova Travel Groupwill have access to more than 1,000 Distinctive Voyages by Internova hosted cruises, sailing through 2027 aboard 14 cruise lines and visiting some of the world's most sought-after ports. Participating cruise lines include AmaWaterways, Atlas Ocean Voyages, Azamara, Celebrity Cruises, Crystal, Cunard, Explora Journeys, Holland America Line, Oceania Cruises, Princess Cruises, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Seabourn, Silversea and Windstar Cruises. "Today's luxury travelers want more than just a cruise, they seek exclusivity, elegance and unforgettable experiences," said Stephen McGillivray, Chief Partner Marketing Officer at Internova Travel Group. "Distinctive Voyages by Internova delivers all of that and more, thanks to our expert advisors, unmatched cruise line partnerships and the power of our global network." Distinctive Voyages by Internova departures include complimentary amenities available nowhere else, and include the services of a Distinctive Voyages Host who has intimate knowledge of the ship and cruise itinerary and will make sure the trip goes smoothly, helping with everything from restaurant and spa reservations to recommending off-the-beaten-path port experiences; a Private Welcome Reception to meet other VIPs; and an Exclusive Shore Event guided by experts with a connection to the local culture. The Exclusive Shore Events can range from a trip to Australia's Bonorong Wildlife Sanctuary to see kangaroos, wombats and other native species; a food tour of Paris to soak up the city's fabled cuisine, stunning architecture and rich history; a visit to the vibrant South Korean city of Busan, exploring its culture and colorful marketplaces; a breathtaking tour of Bora Bora including lunch on a private island; a game drive through Nyosi Safari in South Africa, where elephants, cheetahs and giraffes roam freely; and a close-up look at Native culture in Ketchikan, Alaska, along with a visit to a charming waterfront retreat. In addition, passengers can be among the first to travel aboard luxurious new ships that offer innovative design and incredible dining experiences, like Cunard Line's Queen Anne, Celebrity Cruises' Celebrity Ascent and Oceania Cruises' next new ship Allura, scheduled for launch in July 2025. Special sailings include culinary-themed cruises that are ideal for food and wine enthusiasts, featuring demonstrations from world-renowned chefs, cooking classes, galley tours, wine and spirit tastings and meals focused on regional cuisine. On select cruises, passengers also have the option of using a private car and driver, taking either a pre-planned route or a customized itinerary. Travel advisors can enhance the Distinctive Voyages by Internova experience even further with pre- or post-cruise hotel stays through the SELECT, CURATED and WORLDWIDE Hotels & Resorts by Internova programs, where clients are eligible for special perks and privileges at a carefully curated collection of luxury hotels, resorts and villas. Also, private jet travel to many U.S. and international destinations can be organized through ALTOUR Air. More information about Distinctive Voyages by Internova can be found here. To book one of the Distinctive Voyages by Internova, connect with a travel advisor at www.travelleaders.com. About Internova Travel Group Internova Travel Group is one of the largest travel services companies in the world with a collection of leading brands delivering high-touch, personal travel expertise to leisure and corporate clients. Internova manages leisure, business and franchise firms through a portfolio of distinctive divisions. Internova represents more than 100,000 travel advisors in over 6,000 company-owned and affiliated locations predominantly in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, with a presence in more than 80 countries. CONTACTS: Elizabeth Gaerlan [email protected] 212-944-1125 Berit Griffin [email protected] 651-442-5173 SOURCE Internova Travel Group NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Albany International Corp. ("Albany" or the "Company") (NYSE: AIN). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Albany and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On July 30, 2025, Albany issued a press release reporting its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Among other items, Albany reported non-GAAP earnings per share of $0.57, missing consensus estimates by $0.16. The Company's President and Chief Executive officer said that the financial results "lagged our expectations," citing the impact of "certain timing and operational issues[.]" On this news, Albany's stock price fell $16.77 per share, or 23.63%, to close at $54.19 per share on July 31, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP SHENZHEN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese drone giant DJI stepped into the smart home cleaning market on Wednesday with its inaugural robotic vacuum cleaner series, expanding its technological expertise beyond aerial devices. The new product line, called the DJI ROMO series, integrates sweeping and mopping capabilities, leveraging the company's proprietary environmental sensing and intelligent path planning technologies originally honed for its drone operations. "ROMO represents DJI's first strategic shift from aerial intelligence to home cleaning scenario," said Zhang Xiaonan, spokesperson of Shenzhen-based DJI. While home floors differ from aerial environments, the core principle remains identical -- employing intelligent navigation, environmental perception, and precision control to enable machines to serve people more effectively and intelligently, Zhang said. The company's drone expertise positions it to tackle key challenges in the robotic vacuum industry, the spokesperson added. The company said the ROMO series is expected to launch in overseas markets later this year, though specific launch dates and regions remain unconfirmed. Global robotic vacuum shipments reached 20.6 million units in 2024, up 11.2 percent year on year, according to market research firm IDC. The firm's Q1 2025 report showed global shipments rising to 5.1 million units, an increase of 11.9 percent from the previous year. Chinese brands Roborock, Ecovacs, Dreame and Xiaomi claimed four of the top five spots by shipment volume. NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of Insperity, Inc. ("Insperity" or the "Company") (NYSE: NSP). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether Insperity and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On August 1, 2025, Insperity issued a press release announcing its financial results for the second quarter of 2025. Among other items, Insperity reported adjusted earnings per share of only $0.26, missing analyst estimates and representing a 70% year-over-year decline. Insperity attributed its results to higher-than-expected benefits costs, specifically pointing to rising pharmacy expenses and an increased frequency of large insurance claims. Insperity also lowered its full-year earnings forecast. On this news, Insperity's stock price fell $14.51 per share, or 24.35%, to close at $45.07 per share on August 1, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP announces that a class action lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk A/S ("Novo Nordisk" or the "Company") (NYSE: NVO). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, (or 888.4-POMLAW), toll-free, Ext. 7980. Those who inquire by e-mail are encouraged to include their mailing address, telephone number, and the number of shares purchased. The class action concerns whether Novo Nordisk and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. You have until September 30, 2025 to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class if you purchased or otherwise acquired Novo Nordisk securities during the Class Period. A copy of the Complaint can be obtained at www.pomerantzlaw.com . [Click here for information about joining the class action] On July 29, 2025, Novo Nordisk significantly lowered its sales outlook for 2025, citing the impact of increased competition in the markets for its drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. On this news, Novo Nordisk's American Depositary Receipt ("ADR") price fell $15.06 per ADR, or 21.83%, to close at $53.94 per ADR on July 29, 2025. Pomerantz LLP, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, Paris, and Tel Aviv, is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, Pomerantz pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 85 years later, Pomerantz continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP IRONDALE, Ala., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- (EWTN) Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day of faith, inspiration, and family fun at the EWTN Family Celebration on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Virginia. This free event is your chance to connect with the EWTN community, hear from beloved hosts and inspirational speakers, participate in sacred moments of worship, and enjoy activities for all ages. Reserve your spot today at https://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration and join us for a day filled with fun, fellowship, and spiritual renewal! The EWTN Kids Booth will offer engaging and fun-filled activities to help children learn about their faith. Post this Mark your calendars for an unforgettable day of faith, inspiration, and family fun at the EWTN Family Celebration on Saturday, August 30, 2025, at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Virginia. Reserve your spot today -- it's free! -- at https://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration. A Day of Inspiration and Faith "A highlight of the day will undoubtedly be the Papal Roundtable, which will reunite EWTN's conclave team to discuss the interregnum, conclave, and election of Pope Leo XIV, as well as what we can expect from the first American Pontiff," said EWTN Chairman & CEO Michael P. Warsaw. "Rome-based EWTN Vatican Correspondent Colm Flynn will host our panel, including Montse Alvarado, President of EWTN News; Dr. Matthew Bunson, author of the first book on the new American Pope; Msgr. Roger Landry, National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the U.S., and Paola Flynn, Vatican correspondent for EWTN Noticias, EWTN's Spanish-language news program." In addition, you'll be inspired by talks from dynamic speakers such as Dr. Ray Guarendi, host of The Doctor Is In, who will offer practical wisdom for Catholic families; and Catherine Hadro, host of EWTN News In Depth, who will discuss how to integrate your faith with your life and work. Michael P. Warsaw, EWTN Chairman and CEO, will welcome attendees and lead the much-loved family talk with Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe, M.F.V.A., and the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word. All of these events will be broadcast on EWTN the following weekend (www.ewtn.com/everywhere), so check in to relive the fun and to see if EWTN's cameras caught you and your family enjoying the day as part of the live studio audience! Fun for the Whole Family Speaking of family, the EWTN Kids Booth will offer engaging and fun-filled activities to help children learn about their faith. At the same time, adults can meet EWTN's bestselling authors at the Meet the Author booth, connect with EWTN hosts and friars at the Family Corner, and pick up Holy Reminders from EWTN Religious Catalogue to keep the faith alive in your home. Sacraments and Devotions for All In addition to all of the above, you'll have opportunities for Confession and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. The highlight of the event will be Holy Mass at 5 p.m., celebrated by Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, of the Diocese of Arlington, assisted by the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word. You can also join the friars in praying the Rosary at 4:30 p.m. Event Schedule Here's a look at what you can look forward to on Aug. 30 at Capital One Hall (schedule subject to change): 8:00 a.m. Doors Open/Registration Doors Open/Registration 9:30 a.m. Opening Prayer and Welcome by Michael P. Warsaw , EWTN Chairman and CEO Opening Prayer and Welcome by , EWTN Chairman and CEO 9:45 a.m. Address by Dr. Ray Guarendi , Host of The Doctor Is In Address by , Host of 10:30 a.m. Address by Catherine Hadro , Host of EWTN News In Depth Address by , Host of 11:30 a.m. Lunch Break (on your own) Lunch Break (on your own) 1:30 p.m. Family Talk with Michael P. Warsaw , Fr. Joseph Mary Wolfe , M.F.V.A. , and the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word Family Talk with , , and the 3:00 p.m. Special Roundtable on Pope Leo XIV , hosted by Colm Flynn with Montse Alvarado , Monsignor Roger Landry , Dr. Matthew Bunson , and Paola Flynn Special Roundtable on , hosted by with , , , and 4:30 p.m. Pray the Rosary with the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word Pray the Rosary with the 5:00 p.m. Holy Mass with Bishop Michael F. Burbidge and the Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word Don't Miss Out! The EWTN Family Celebration offers a unique opportunity to grow in faith, connect with the Catholic community, and create lasting memories with your family. Admission is free, but we anticipate space will be limited, so reserve your spot today at https://www.ewtn.com/familycelebration. Whether you're joining us for the inspiring talks, sacred liturgy, or family-friendly activities, this is an event you won't want to miss. We look forward to celebrating with you at Capital One Hall in Tysons Corner, Virginia! ABOUT EWTN and EWTN NEWS In its 45th year, EWTN is the largest Catholic media organization in the world. EWTN's 11 global TV channels and numerous regional channels are broadcast in multiple languages 24 hours a day, seven days a week to over 435 million television households in more than 160 countries and territories. EWTN platforms also include radio services transmitted through SIRIUS/XM, iHeart Radio, and over 600 domestic and international AM & FM radio affiliates; a worldwide shortwave radio service; numerous digital and social media platforms including one of the most visited Catholic websites in the U.S.; as well as EWTN Publishing, its book publishing division. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., EWTN News operates multiple global news services, including Catholic News Agency, "The National Catholic Register" newspaper and digital platform, ACI Prensa in Spanish, ACI Digital in Portuguese, ACI Stampa in Italian, ACI Africa in English, French and Portuguese, ACI MENA in Arabic, CNA Deutsch in German and ChurchPop, a digital platform that creates content in several languages. It also produces numerous television news programs including EWTN News Nightly, EWTN Noticias, EWTN News In Depth, EWTN Pro-Life Weekly, The World Over, and Vaticano. SOURCE EWTN Global Catholic Network BOSTON, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Liberty Mutual Holding Company Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively "LMHC" or the "Company") reported net income attributable to LMHC of $1.845 billion and $2.870 billion for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, versus income of $717 million and $2.252 billion for the same periods in 2024. "We delivered strong second quarter results, with net income attributable to LMHC of $1.8 billion driven by disciplined underwriting and excellent investment performance," said Tim Sweeney, Liberty Mutual Chairman & Chief Executive Officer. "Our combined ratio improved by 12.4 points to 87.2%, reflecting the impact of our underwriting actions and strategic choices made over the past two years. These results demonstrate meaningful progress toward our 95% combined ratio target and create confidence in our path to sustainable, profitable growth." The tables below outline highlights of LMHC's consolidated financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025. Net Written Premium ("NWP") by Business: Consolidated NWP by business was as follows: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, $ in Millions 2025 2024 Change 2025 2024 Change USRM $6,909 $7,415 (6.8 %) $12,970 $13,960 (7.1 %) GRS 4,290 4,062 5.6 8,995 8,438 6.6 Corporate and Other 13 (50) NM 6 (13) NM Total NWP $11,212 $11,427 (1.9 %) $21,971 $22,385 (1.8 %) Foreign exchange effect on growth - (0.1) NWP growth excluding foreign exchange1 (1.9 %) (1.7 %) 1 Determined by assuming constant foreign exchange rates between periods. NM = Not Meaningful Consolidated Results of Operations: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, $ in Millions 2025 2024 Change 2025 2024 Change Revenues $12,499 $12,798 (2.3 %) $24,985 $25,273 (1.1 %) Underlying PTOI before limited partnerships income 2,667 2,444 9.1 5,378 4,373 23.0 Catastrophes (808) (1,742) (53.6) (2,629) (2,569) 2.3 Net incurred losses attributable to prior years: - Asbestos and environmental1 - - - - - - - All other2 241 (24) NM 437 (18) NM Pre-tax operating income before limited partnerships income 2,100 678 NM 3,186 1,786 78.4 Limited partnerships income3 410 466 (12.0) 777 625 24.3 Pre-tax operating income 2,510 1,144 119.4 3,963 2,411 64.4 Net realized losses (123) (162) (24.1) (193) (254) (24.0) Acquisition & integration costs (28) (19) 47.4 (52) (40) 30.0 Restructuring costs (8) (19) (57.9) (23) (25) (8.0) Pre-tax income 2,351 944 149.0 3,695 2,092 76.6 Income tax expense 501 232 115.9 816 502 62.5 Consolidated net income from continuing operations 1,850 712 159.8 2,879 1,590 81.1 Discontinued operations, net of tax - 10 (100.0) - 673 (100.0) Consolidated net income 1,850 722 156.2 2,879 2,263 27.2 Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest 5 5 - 9 11 (18.2) Net income attributable to LMHC 1,845 717 157.3 2,870 2,252 27.4 Net income attributable to LMHC excluding unrealized impact4 1,847 717 157.6 2,988 2,260 32.2 Cash flow provided by continuing operations $1,765 $1,414 24.8 % $2,204 $2,315 (4.8 %) 1 Asbestos and environmental is gross of the related adverse development reinsurance (the "NICO Reinsurance Transaction", which is described further in Reinsurance). 2 Net of earned premium and reinstatement premium attributable to prior years of $2 million and $93 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025, and $104 million and $112 million for the same periods in 2024. 3 Limited partnerships income includes LP, LLC and other equity method income within net investment income in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations and revenue and expenses from direct investments in natural resources. 4 Excludes unrealized gains on equity securities and the corresponding tax impact. NM = Not Meaningful Combined Ratio: Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, CONSOLIDATED 2025 2024 Change (Points) 2025 2024 Change (Points) Combined ratio Claims and claim adjustment expense ratio 53.8 % 57.6 % (3.8) 53.9 % 59.8 % (5.9) Underwriting expense ratio 28.3 26.4 1.9 28.1 26.4 1.7 Underlying combined ratio 82.1 84.0 (1.9) 82.0 86.2 (4.2) Catastrophes 7.3 15.4 (8.1) 12.0 11.3 0.7 Net incurred losses attributable to prior years: - Asbestos and environmental - - - - - - - All other1 (2.2) 0.2 (2.4) (2.1) 0.2 (2.3) Total combined ratio 87.2 % 99.6 % (12.4) 91.9 % 97.7 % (5.8) 1 Net of earned premium and reinstatement premium attributable to prior years. 2 The combined ratio, expressed as a percentage, is a measure of underwriting profitability. This measure should only be used in conjunction with, and not in lieu of, underwriting income and may not be comparable to other performance measures used by the Company's competitors. The combined ratio is computed as the sum of the following property and casualty ratios: the ratio of claims and claim adjustment expense less managed care income to earned premium; the ratio of insurance operating costs plus amortization of deferred policy acquisition costs less third-party administration income and fee income (primarily related to the Company's involuntary market servicing carrier operations) and installment charges to earned premium; and the ratio of policyholder dividends to earned premium. Provisions for uncollectible premium and reinsurance are not included in the combined ratio unless related to an asbestos and environmental commutation and certain other run off. Restructuring and acquisition and integration costs are not included in the combined ratio. Equity: As of June 30, As of December 31, $ in Millions 2025 2024 Change Unassigned equity $37,244 $34,374 8.3 % Accumulated other comprehensive loss (2,602) (3,928) (33.8) Non-controlling interest 211 206 2.4 Total equity $34,853 $30,652 13.7 % Subsequent Events Management has assessed material subsequent events through August 6, 2025, the date the financial statements were available to be issued. Financial Information The Company's financial results, management's discussion and analysis of operating results and financial condition, accompanying financial statements and other supplemental financial information for the three and six months ended June 30, 2025 are available on the Company's Investor Relations website at www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. Conference Call Information On August 7, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time, Tim Sweeney, Liberty Mutual Insurance Chairman and CEO, will host a conference call to discuss the Company's second quarter financial results. To participate in the event via telephone and to ask a question, please dial 844-481-2837 and request to join into the Liberty Mutual Insurance call. To listen to the call online via PC and view a presentation on financial performance, please log into https://event.choruscall.com/mediaframe/webcast.html?webcastid=IdkOPAPX. Following the call, a recording of the event will be available on the Investor Relations section of Liberty Mutual's website, www.libertymutualgroup.com/investors. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. For more than 110 years we have helped people and businesses embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow by providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care. A Fortune 100 company with more than 40,000 employees in 28 countries and economies, we are the ninth largest global property and casualty insurer and generate more than $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We operate through three strategic business units: US Retail Markets, providing auto, home, renters and other personal and small commercial lines property and casualty insurance to individuals and small businesses countrywide; Global Risk Solutions, delivering a full range of comprehensive commercial and specialty insurance, reinsurance and surety solutions to mid-size and large businesses worldwide; and Liberty Mutual Investments, deploying more than $100 billion of long-term capital globally across its integrated platform to drive economic growth, power innovation and secure Liberty Mutual's promises. For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com. Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements This report contains forward looking statements that are intended to enhance the reader's ability to assess the future financial and business performance of the Company. Forward looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements that represent the Company's beliefs concerning future operations, strategies, financial results, investment market fluctuations, or other developments, and contain words and phrases such as "may," "expects," "should," "believes," "anticipates," "estimates," "intends" or similar expressions. Because these forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions that are subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties, many of which are beyond the Company's control or are subject to change, actual results could be materially different. Contact: Investor Relations Media Relations Robert Pietsch Rich Angevine 857-224-6655 617-833-0926 SOURCE Liberty Mutual Insurance National campus campaign offers genetic screening, kosher comfort food, and educational outreach just in time for Back-to-School and Tay-Sachs Awareness Month ATLANTA, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- jscreen, a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing Jewish and other genetic diseases, announces a meaningful partnership with Manischewitz, the leading kosher family brand with a rich history spanning over 120 years. This collaborative effort, entitled 'Deli is in my DNA,' aims to raise awareness about the importance of genetic screening for family planning and prevention of hereditary cancers. The initiative highlights the risks specific to Jewish genetics and how genetic testing can help save lives. "Deli is in Your DNA" campaign logo - a national jscreen and Manischewitz partnership bringing genetic screening, Jewish comfort food, and health education to college campuses nationwide. A meaningful moment from the "Deli is in Your DNA" tour: where comfort food meets life-saving education The launch is timed to coincide with the 'Back to School' season, with a primary focus on college campuses where students are offered genetic testing to help ensure the health of their future families. Additional events and activations will continue throughout the year to engage young adults and families in communities across the country. September also marks Tay-Sachs Awareness Month, a time dedicated to educating the public about Tay-Sachs disease a rare, inherited disorder that destroys nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord. Tay-Sachs is more common among people of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and typically presents in infancy, leading to severe physical and mental deterioration and ultimately early death, often by the age of five. There is currently no cure. Tay-Sachs Awareness Month underscores the critical importance of genetic screening, especially for those in high-risk populations, to prevent the transmission of this devastating condition to future generations. Over the years, jscreen has built strong relationships with student groups on college campuses through on-site genetic screening events and partnerships with organizations that connect with younger and broader communities. During these particularly challenging times for the Jewish community, Manischewitz has joined forces with jscreen to support students and other individuals at screening events by providing care packages with kosher comfort foods and co-branded "Deli is in my DNA" T-shirts and sweatshirts. Select events will also feature the "Manischewitz Deli on Wheels," a new traveling restaurant serving food and distributing swag. Manischewitz food items provided at events will include matzo ball soup, hot dogs, knishes, rugelach, babka and more. Events on the schedule include: AEPhi convention in Maryland; ZBT convention in New Orleans; Tu B'Av White Party in New York City; HIGA conference in Boston; JGO conference as well as screening events at colleges such as Yeshiva University and Stern College. Events will continue throughout the year. Now in its 12th year, jscreen simplifies genetic screening by providing access to at-home saliva kits. jscreen's reproductive carrier testing empowers individuals and couples with comprehensive insights into their genetic makeup and the risk of having a child with a genetic disease. If an elevated risk is identified, genetic counselors offer private consultations via phone or video conferencing to help families plan for healthy futures. "We are proud to launch the 'Deli is in Your DNA' program with Manischewitz and to provide students and others with education and support," said Karen Arnovitz Grinzaid, Founding Executive Director of jscreen. "There is no better time than now to collaborate with jscreen to educate and reach college students, and people of all ages, about the significance of genetic screening for the well-being of this and future generations," said Shani Seidman, CMO of Manischewitz. "We share the love of family and are proud to launch the 'Deli is in Your DNA' program to support genetic testing with comforting, nostalgic Jewish food. Manischewitz products are 'comfort food for the soul,' and what better time than now to nurture young people at screenings and help spread awareness for a healthier future?" Visit https://www.jscreen.org/ to support this important cause and contact sbender@bendergroupprcom if you would like a "Deli is in Your DNA" screening event at a location. For more information about jscreen testing, visit www.jscreen.org. To learn more about Manischewitz, visit www.manischewitz.com. Follow us: jscreen: Facebook | Instagram Manischewitz: Instagram | Facebook About jscreen jscreen is a national non-profit public health initiative dedicated to preventing genetic diseases. The jscreen program provides convenient at-home access to cutting-edge genetic testing technology, patient education, and genetic counseling services. jscreen believes the combination of education, access to premier genetic screening technologies, and personalized, confidential support are the keys to preventing devastating diseases. About the Manischewitz Brand: The Manischewitz Brand offers a diverse product line of over 30 unique categories. Established in 1888 by Rabbi Dov Behr Manischewitz, the iconic brand began as a small bakery producing Passover matzo. Its success paved the way for introducing new products such as Tam Tam Crackers, Chicken Soup, Macaroons, and Gefilte Fish. Today, Manischewitz offers a wide range of products including Broths, Noodles, Potato Pancakes, and Matzo Balls. The Manischewitz Brand, now part of New Jersey-based KAYCO, a family-owned company known as America's first name in kosher products, continues to uphold its tradition. Media Contact: Stacey Bender 973-405-4600 [email protected] SOURCE jscreen Series of Executive Level Appointments Further Position the Company for Next Chapter of Growth BOCA RATON, Fla., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- MDVIP, the market leader in membership-based healthcare with a network of over 1,400 primary care physicians nationwide, today announced the completion of a year-long leadership transition, culminating with the Board of Directors naming CEO Larry Kutscher to the additional role of Chairman. Kutscher succeeds Bret Jorgensen, who was most recently Non-Executive Chairman and will continue to serve as a Board member and CEO Emeritus. Over the past year, MDVIP has built a world-class leadership team who will drive the company's next chapter of growth Post this MDVIP CEO Larry Kutscher has been appointed to the additional role of Chairman of the Board of Directors Over the past year under Kutscher's leadership as CEO, MDVIP has made a series of key executive hires who bring specialized expertise across critical business functions, including operations, marketing, technology, product development and human resources. "I'm honored to be appointed Chairman, which caps off an organizational evolution that advances our mission to transform primary care and firmly positions MDVIP for its next phase of growth," said Kutscher. "This past year has been exceptional for the company, as we've built a world-class leadership team, while strengthening our national network with a record number of new physicians and investing in the business to better serve our affiliates and members." MDVIP Leadership Team The MDVIP leadership team is comprised of several long-term MDVIP veterans as well as newcomers to the company. Andrea Klemes , DO, FACE , Chief Medical Officer , is responsible for driving quality in the delivery of MDVIP's primary care model, working in collaboration with the network's Medical Advisory Board. Prior to joining MDVIP in 2010, Klemes worked at Procter & Gamble in personal healthcare, women's health and digestive wellness. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and is a graduate of the New York College of Osteopathic Medicine. , is responsible for driving quality in the delivery of MDVIP's primary care model, working in collaboration with the network's Medical Advisory Board. Prior to joining MDVIP in 2010, Klemes worked at Procter & in personal healthcare, women's health and digestive wellness. She is board certified in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology and is a graduate of the New of Osteopathic Medicine. Ben Stapleton , Chief Operating Officer , is responsible for delivering operational excellence across the physician lifecycle, from practice transitions to succession planning. Prior to joining MDVIP in January 2025 , Stapleton served in senior healthcare leadership roles at DaVita, Everside Health and Crossroads Treatment Centers. He holds degrees from Harvard University and the University of Cambridge . , is responsible for delivering operational excellence across the physician lifecycle, from practice transitions to succession planning. Prior to joining MDVIP in , Stapleton served in senior healthcare leadership roles at DaVita, Everside Health and Crossroads Treatment Centers. He holds degrees from and the . Jessica Jacobs , Chief Marketing Officer , leads MDVIP's customer marketing, member sales and physician marketing teams. Jacobs, who joined the company in January 2025 , has an extensive background in consumer marketing for technology businesses, including Shopify and Wayfair, and holds degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and University of Chicago Booth School of Business. , leads MDVIP's customer marketing, member sales and physician marketing teams. Jacobs, who joined the company in , has an extensive background in consumer marketing for technology businesses, including Shopify and Wayfair, and holds degrees from the and Booth School of Business. John Kane , Chief Technology Officer , oversees all technology functions, including cybersecurity, software engineering, IT operations and digital platforms that support physicians and patients. Kane, who joined MDVIP in October 2024 , brings deep expertise in building data-driven digital experiences, with prior leadership roles at Billtrust (FinTech SaaS) and TravelClick (Travel SaaS). He holds degrees from Carnegie Mellon University and Drexel University's College of Engineering. , oversees all technology functions, including cybersecurity, software engineering, IT operations and digital platforms that support physicians and patients. Kane, who joined MDVIP in , brings deep expertise in building data-driven digital experiences, with prior leadership roles at Billtrust (FinTech SaaS) and TravelClick (Travel SaaS). He holds degrees from and College of Engineering. Ken Nazemetz , Executive Vice President, Physician Development , heads the strategy and day-to-day operations of MDVIP's physician development efforts. Since joining the company in 2008, Nazemetz has been instrumental in the recruitment and transitioning of hundreds of primary care physicians from solo and small independent practices, large medical groups, hospitals and health systems into the MDVIP practice model. He is a graduate of Davidson College . , heads the strategy and day-to-day operations of MDVIP's physician development efforts. Since joining the company in 2008, Nazemetz has been instrumental in the recruitment and transitioning of hundreds of primary care physicians from solo and small independent practices, large medical groups, hospitals and health systems into the MDVIP practice model. He is a graduate of . Matt Grossman , Chief Financial Officer , oversees the financial planning and analysis, accounting, payments and M&A functions for MDVIP. Prior to joining the company in 2016, he was controller for Charter Schools USA . Grossman is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor's and master's degree from Florida Atlantic University . , oversees the financial planning and analysis, accounting, payments and M&A functions for MDVIP. Prior to joining the company in 2016, he was controller for Charter Schools . Grossman is a certified public accountant and holds a bachelor's and master's degree from . Michele Martello , General Counsel , manages the company's legal affairs and leads its compliance and government relations efforts, advocating on behalf of primary care and MDVIP's affiliated physicians to influence federal policy. Martello, who has been with MDVIP since 2008, previously worked for Broad and Cassel as a member of the firm's Health Law Practice Group. She holds degrees from Nova Southeastern University Shepard Broad Law Center and Westminster College . , manages the company's legal affairs and leads its compliance and government relations efforts, advocating on behalf of primary care and MDVIP's affiliated physicians to influence federal policy. Martello, who has been with MDVIP since 2008, previously worked for Broad and Cassel as a member of the firm's Health Law Practice Group. She holds degrees from Shepard Broad Law Center and . Neal Keltz , Chief Product Officer , leads the vision, strategy and execution for innovative product offerings that elevate the MDVIP experience for physicians and patients. Prior to joining the company in April 2025 , Keltz headed transformative product initiatives at companies including Togetherwork, TravelClick and American Express. He holds a degree from the State University of New York at Buffalo . , leads the vision, strategy and execution for innovative product offerings that elevate the MDVIP experience for physicians and patients. Prior to joining the company in , Keltz headed transformative product initiatives at companies including Togetherwork, TravelClick and American Express. He holds a degree from the . Theresa Graff , Chief Human Resources Officer, is responsible for all aspects of MDVIP's HR strategy, including talent acquisition, professional development, performance management and workplace culture. Prior to joining MDVIP in January 2025 , Graff served in HR and operational leadership roles at 3Pillar Global, Hilton and Deloitte. She holds degrees from The George Washington University and Grand Canyon University . About MDVIP Founded in 2000, MDVIP leads the market in membership-based healthcare that goes far beyond concierge medicine services with a national network of over 1,400 physicians serving over 425,000 patients. MDVIP-affiliated physicians limit the size of their practices, giving them the time to provide patients with more individualized service and attention, including an annual comprehensive preventive care program and customized wellness plan. Published research shows that the MDVIP model identifies more patients at risk for cardiovascular disease, delivers more preventive health services and saves the healthcare system hundreds of millions of dollars through reduced hospitalizations and readmissions. MDVIP is ranked one of the 10 Top Executive Wellness Programs by Worth magazine and is recognized by Fortune as one of the Best Workplaces in Healthcare. For more information, visit www.mdvip.com. Follow MDVIP on Facebook, Instagram, X and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Nancy Udell (561) 310-5455 [email protected] SOURCE MDVIP Mercury to Support Agents and Consumers as Safeco Parent Liberty Mutual Shifts Its California Personal Lines Strategy LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is partnering with Liberty Mutual Insurance on a plan to provide coverage for thousands of California Safeco Insurance customers impacted by a shift in Liberty Mutual's California personal lines product strategy. Liberty Mutual will recommend to its appointed independent agents that they place impacted Safeco renters, condo and select auto policies with Mercury to ensure a smooth and seamless transition for customers. "Mercury and Safeco have long had a healthy, competitive relationship, sharing a common desire to protect California consumers," said Gabriel Tirador, Chief Executive Officer of Mercury. "When Safeco approached us with the idea of transitioning their impacted customers into our portfolio, we saw an opportunity for Mercury to be there for California consumers and agents when they need us most. The result is a win for everyone their customers and agents, Safeco and Mercury. "Mercury demonstrated its commitment to California in a similar way last year when we took on Tokio Marine's personal lines business following their decision to no longer sell those lines in the state. We believe in California, and we're excited to welcome Safeco customers into the Mercury family." "We are committed to the California insurance market, and independent agents are critical to achieving sustained success. This partnership with Mercury ensures they and our customers have a seamless path available for uninterrupted coverage as we focus on our core auto, home, landlord and liability products throughout the state," said Luke Bills, Liberty Mutual President, Independent Agent Distribution, US Retail Markets. Mercury is expanding its commitment to California consumers at a time when they need it most. The company continues to write homeowners policies in many parts of the state where others have pulled back, providing an important alternative to the FAIR Plan. Mercury's interest in this partnership is based on more than just a new business opportunity. "We believe very strongly in California's future," said Tirador. "The steps Commissioner Lara and the California Department of Insurance are taking to modernize the insurance market through the Commissioner's 'Sustainable Insurance Strategy' will help stabilize the market and create a transparent, sustainable model that will benefit California consumers." Mercury has been selling insurance through independent agents for more than 60 years. This unwavering commitment to California is a core piece of Mercury's strategy to expand the company's footprint in the state and provide high quality insurance options for both agents and consumers. "Safeco customers are similar to ours in terms of their coverage needs and their insurance agent relationships," said Nick Colby, Mercury's Vice President and Chief Sales Officer. "Many independent agents already represent both Safeco and Mercury, but for those who don't have a Mercury appointment, we will immediately begin the process of vetting Safeco agents who are interested in a Mercury appointment." About Mercury Insurance Mercury Insurance (NYSE: MCY) is a multiple-line insurance carrier offering personal auto, homeowners, and renters insurance directly to consumers and through a network of independent agents in Arizona, California, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Texas and Virginia, as well as auto insurance in Florida. Mercury also writes business owners, business auto, landlord, commercial multi-peril and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Since 1962, Mercury has provided customers with tremendous value for their insurance dollar by pairing ultra-competitive rates with excellent customer service, through more than 4.200 employees and a network of more than 6,340 independent agents in 11 states. Mercury has earned "A" ratings from A.M. Best and Fitch, as well as "Best Auto Insurance Company" designations from Forbes and Insure.com. For more information visit www.MercuryInsurance.com or follow the company on X, Instagram or Facebook. About Liberty Mutual Insurance At Liberty Mutual, we believe progress happens when people feel secure. For more than 110 years we have helped people and businesses embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow by providing protection for the unexpected and delivering it with care. A Fortune 100 company with more than 40,000 employees in 28 countries and economies, we are the ninth largest global property and casualty insurer and generate more than $50 billion in annual consolidated revenue. We operate through three strategic business units: US Retail Markets, providing auto, home, renters and other personal and small commercial lines property and casualty insurance to individuals and small businesses countrywide; Global Risk Solutions, delivering a full range of comprehensive commercial and specialty insurance, reinsurance and surety solutions to mid-size and large businesses worldwide; and Liberty Mutual Investments, deploying more than $100 billion of long-term capital globally across its integrated platform to drive economic growth, power innovation and secure Liberty Mutual's promises. For more information, visit www.libertymutualinsurance.com. SOURCE Mercury Insurance LIVERMORE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Miller's Air Conditioning & Heating, the leading HVAC company in Livermore, California, proudly marks 65 years of serving the TriValley community, including Pleasanton, Dublin, and San Ramon. To thank local residents for decades of support, Miller's is offering a limitedtime Buy One Year, Get One Year Free Preventative Maintenance Plan for just $180. Founded by the Miller family in 1960, Miller's has grown into one of the most trusted heating and air conditioning companies in the TriValley. Today, Larry Miller, secondgeneration owner, continues his father's legacy alongside CEO DJ Gainous, COO Kelly Dancoff, and Service Manager Sonny Mabuyo. "This milestone is a testament to the families of Livermore and the entire TriValley area who have trusted us for generations," said Larry Miller. "We are proud to continue delivering reliable heating and cooling solutions with the same values my father started this company with 65 years ago." The 65th Anniversary Special Offer includes two full years (in six-month intervals) of preventative HVAC maintenance for the price of one. This plan helps homeowners reduce energy costs, prevent unexpected breakdowns, and extend the life of their HVAC systemsespecially during hot Livermore summers and cool TriValley winters. "This offer is our way of giving back to the community that made our success possible," added CEO DJ Gainous. "Regular HVAC maintenance is one of the smartest investments homeowners can make." Residents of Livermore, Pleasanton, Dublin, San Ramon, and surrounding TriValley communities can sign up by visiting www.millersacandheating.com or contacting [email protected] / 9254938579. About Miller's Air Conditioning & Heating Miller's Air Conditioning & Heating has been a trusted HVAC contractor in Livermore, CA since 1960. The company provides professional air conditioning, heating, installation, and maintenance services across the TriValley. Familyowned and communityfocused for two generations, Miller's is known for integrity, expertise, and exceptional customer care. Media Inquiries: Justin Lizama [email protected] 8016662953 https://fullflex.agency SOURCE Miller's Air Conditioning & Heating COLLEGE PARK, Md., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) has selected Elise Durham as its next executive director. Durham comes to NABJ with more than 30 years of professional work experience in television news management, strategic communications, and government relations, and has an extensive background leading dynamic, results-oriented teams. She is also a longtime member of NABJ. Elise Durham Durham was selected after multiple reviews by the NABJ executive board and ad hoc executive director search advisory committee. Candidates were scored on key measurements critical to an executive director's responsibilities, considering the ever-changing landscape for journalists and media professionals. Durham was a standout on each level. Currently, Durham is the Assistant General Manager of Marketing, Communications, and Public Affairs for Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, the busiest airport in the world. She oversees a multi-million-dollar portfolio and a team of thirty employees. In that role, she manages the airport's relationship with corporate, strategic and community partners. Before that, Durham was communications director for Atlanta Mayors Keisha Lance Bottoms and Andre Dickens. She also served as Executive Director of Strategic Communications for Morehouse College where she contributed to a 5-year capital campaign that raised $120 million. Durham's commitment to NABJ has lasted for more than 35 years. During that time, she produced major events for NABJ including serving as convention program chair, convention chair, and producer of several U.S. presidential candidate forums. She also was behind the Founders' reception held at the African American Museum on History and Culture in Washington, D.C. Her passion for NABJ runs deep. "I am honored and ready to help lead NABJ into its next, most transformative chapter grounded in vision, advocacy, innovation, and love," said Durham. "I often say that NABJ is the longest love affair I have ever had, and I am excited about what the future will bring." As an "NABJ baby" Durham participated, as a student, in the very first NABJ Short Course, held at her alma mater Florida A&M University -where she sits on the Board of Visitors of the School of Journalism and Graphic Communication. She has worked for six television stations including market powerhouse WSB-TV, producing two of the No. 1 news programs in the country. Over the years, she has raised tens of thousands of dollars for scholarships for the Atlanta Association of Black Journalists, where she currently serves as Parliamentarian. As current NABJ Executive Director Drew Berry recently announced his upcoming retirement later this year, NABJ leadership is looking forward to welcoming Durham. President Ken Lemon says, "The selection of our next executive director now allows the current executive board, which also serves as NABJ's personnel committee, to fulfill responsibilities they were elected to do. That includes ensuring an Executive Director is in place and empowered to do the business of NABJ as we roll into our next 50 years." NABJ made the decision to fill this critical role at this time to: Allow for a smooth transition between the outgoing and incoming executive directors, Ensure stability with sponsor and partner relationships, many of whom are attending the convention this year, and Create synergy with the Board of directors and NABJ staff while the current executive director is in place. Retiring Executive Director Drew Berry says, "We are thrilled to welcome Elise Durham as NABJ's next executive director. With a deep understanding of our organizational history and culture, and a proven track record of visionary leadership, she is uniquely positioned and qualified to guide NABJ into its next chapter." Berry continued to say, "Serving this extraordinary organization has been the honor of a lifetime. As I prepare to pass the baton, I do so with pride and optimism, knowing that NABJ will be in capable and committed hands. I'm grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve, and I leave this position proud of what we've built together." Durham will officially begin her position as NABJ executive director this fall. Media contacts: KTA Media Group Kayla Tucker Adams, [email protected], 214-403-9852 Candace Ledbetter, [email protected], 770-709-1509 NABJ press: [email protected] SOURCE National Association of Black Journalists New direct admission program offers eligible students a streamlined pathway to higher education RALEIGH, N.C., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Starting this fall, more than 62,000 North Carolina public high school seniors will be offered direct admission to select institutions in North Carolina as part of the NC College Connect program. NC College Connect provides a simpler and faster way for eligible seniors to be admitted to colleges and universities in North Carolina. "We are delighted to be a part of this joint initiative, bringing the unique strengths and characteristics of our independent colleges and universitieswith locations across the state, small class sizes, specialized programs, and personalized attentioninto this streamlined pathway for students," said NCICU President Dr. A. Hope Williams. "With 29 NCICU campuses participating this year, we believe this expansion of college access will help over 62,000 students find their 'right fit' and will also contribute to meeting the state's myFutureNC educational attainment goal." Public high school students who complete their junior year with a weighted GPA of 2.8 or above and meet the NC College Connect requirements will be eligible. Participating institutions include select UNC System universities, North Carolina independent colleges and universities, and North Carolina community colleges across the state. A full list of participating institutions can be found below. Eligible high school students entering their senior year will receive an official NC College Connect letter in the mail this fall, offering them direct admission for the 2026-27 academic year. Students can also check their eligibility by visiting NCCollegeConnect.com and logging into the portal or speaking with their high school counselors. "NC College Connect represents a fundamental shift in how we approach college admissions in North Carolina," said Peter Hans, President of the University of North Carolina System. "We started this initiative with a simple question: how can we make the path to college clearer for students who are ready to succeed? By eliminating unnecessary complexity, we're ensuring that college-ready students can focus on choosing the right institution for their goals, not navigating bureaucratic hurdles." NC College Connect began as a pilot program last year, offering a simplified process to more than 70,000 students and creating a path to college for our state's seniors. Likewise, NCICU launched its Direct Admission Program last year with the support of North Carolina district superintendents and high school principals. This year's program has expanded to more colleges and universities and has made the process more streamlined for students by directly admitting them to colleges where they're eligible. "This is a defining moment for North Carolina education," added Maurice "Mo" Green, State Superintendent of Public Instruction. "When our entire education community works together like this, students win. NC College Connect removes barriers and creates clear pathways to college for thousands of our students." To learn more about the program and confirm admission at select colleges and universities, eligible students should visit NCCollegeConnect.org. There, they will see a "Claim Your Spot" button and can login to the NC College Connect portal to see the institutions where they have been offered direct admission. Students are encouraged to confirm their admission to institutions during College Application Week, October 20-26, 2025, to avoid most application fees. "NC College Connect is making it easier than ever for students to take that first step toward a college education," said Dr. Jeff Cox, President of the North Carolina Community College System. "By removing barriers and simplifying the process, we're helping more students access the life-changing opportunities our community colleges provideclose to home and at a price they can afford." North Carolina has also invested resources to ensure that students have financial aid opportunities to help pay for college. This includes opportunities such as the Next NC Scholarship, which helps most North Carolinians from households making $80,000 or less pursue higher education by fully covering tuition and fees at any community college or more than half, if not all, of tuition and fees to attend any public university in the state. North Carolina students attending the state's independent, nonprofit colleges and universities may be eligible to receive the NC Need-Based Scholarship which provides financial aid for the state's Pell-eligible and middle-income undergraduate students. Students can apply for both scholarships by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In addition, admitted students who enroll in Elizabeth City State University, Fayetteville State University, University of North Carolina at Pembroke and Western Carolina University will only pay $500 per semester in tuition as part of the low-cost NC Promise plan. Participating institutions include: UNC System: Appalachian State University East Carolina University Elizabeth City State University Fayetteville State University North Carolina Central University University of North Carolina Asheville University of North Carolina at Charlotte University of North Carolina at Greensboro University of North Carolina at Pembroke Western Carolina University Winston-Salem State University North Carolina Community College System: All 58 NC community colleges . Students will be automatically directed to the traditional application process for their local community college, where they have received direct admission. North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities: Barton College Belmont Abbey College* Bennett College* Brevard College Campbell University Catawba College Chowan University Gardner-Webb University* Greensboro College Guilford College* Johnson C. Smith University* Lees-McRae College Lenoir-Rhyne University* Livingstone College Louisburg College Mars Hill University* Meredith College* Methodist University Mid-Atlantic Christian University Montreat College North Carolina Wesleyan University Pfeiffer University Saint Augustine's University Salem College* Shaw University University of Mount Olive Warren Wilson College William Peace University Wingate University* *These colleges and universities have additional requirements for a student to qualify for direct admission. These requirements will be noted in each institution's NC College Connect form. NC College Connect was created in partnership with the University of North Carolina System, North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI), GEAR Up North Carolina, the North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS), North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities, the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA), and the Office of the Governor. For more information about the program, please visit NCCollegeConnect.org. ABOUT NCICU North Carolina Independent Colleges & Universities (NCICU) is the statewide office of private, nonprofit, liberal arts and research colleges and universities. NCICU supports, represents, and advocates for North Carolina independent higher education in the areas of state and federal public policy and on education issues with the other sectors of education in the state. It also raises funds through the Independent College Fund of North Carolina for student scholarships and enrichment experiences, provides research and information to and about private colleges and universities, conducts staff development opportunities and coordinates collaborative programs. Presidents of the colleges and universities comprise NCICU's Board of Directors. About the UNC System: The University of North Carolina System enrolls nearly 248,000 students at 17 institutions, including the state's 16 public universities and the nation's first public residential high school for academically gifted students. The UNC System is among the strongest and most diverse higher education systems in the country, with more than $2.2 billion in research expenditures and campuses that serve every region of North Carolina. Affiliate organizations include PBS North Carolina, with 12 public television stations across the state, and UNC Health, with 19 hospital campuses and an extensive healthcare network. About the NC Department of Public Instruction: The North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) is charged with implementing the state's public school laws for pre-kindergarten through 12th-grade public schools at the direction of the Superintendent of Public Instruction and State Board of Education. The agency provides leadership and service to the state's 115 school districts, 200+ charter schools, North Carolina's Virtual Public School, and three residential schools for students with hearing and visual impairments. About the North Carolina Community College System: The North Carolina Community College System provides open-access, affordable education and workforce training, reaching all 100 counties. Serving more than 600,000 North Carolinians each year, the System acts as a critical engine for economic mobility and workforce development. With 58 colleges located within 30 minutes of nearly every resident, community colleges offer accessible pathways for high school students, adult learners, and working professionalsdelivering degrees, credentials, and skills that align with today's labor market and support long-term career success. SOURCE North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Chinese officials have been instructed to hold fewer meetings, give shorter speeches, file concise documents, and minimize inspections, said a new set of regulations published Wednesday. The regulations were issued by the general offices of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and the State Council to free grassroots officials from bureaucratism and pointless formalities, and refine a long-term mechanism for reducing burdens at the primary level. Highlights Revenue at Rs. 451.4 Cr, up 11% YoY and 5% QoQ EBITDA at Rs. 95.1 Cr, EBITDA margin at 21%, up 112 bps QoQ Added 2 new MTS clients taking the tally to 95; Revenue Visibility at USD 388 million Acquired Germany based MST Group in July 2025 Consolidated Financials for Q1 FY'26 (In Rs. Crores) Quarter ended June 30, 2025 Quarter ended March 31, 2025 QoQ change Quarter ended June 30, 2024 YoY change Net Revenue 451.4 429.7 5 % 407.2 11 % EBITDA 95.1 85.7 11 % 102.4 (7 %) EBITDA % 21 % 20 % 112 bps 25 % (408) bps Profit After Tax 49.3 48.7 1 % 60.0 (18 %) NEW DELHI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- NIIT Learning Systems Limited (Ticker Symbol: NIITMTS), a global leader in managed learning services, announced the results for the first quarter of Financial Year 2025-2026 ended June 30, 2025. During the April to June 2025 quarter, the company recorded a consolidated Net Revenue of Rs. 451.4 Cr, up 5% QoQ and 11% YoY. EBITDA was Rs. 95.1 Cr while EBITDA Margin stood at 21%. Profit After Tax was Rs. 49.3 Cr. EPS for the quarter was Rs. 3.62. The results were taken on record at the meeting of the Board of Directors held on August 6, 2025. During the quarter, NIIT MTS added 2 new global Managed Training Services (MTS) clients. Further, the company maintained its track record of 100% renewals, with 3 contract renewals during this quarter. The MTS client tally at the end of the quarter stood at 95, bringing revenue visibility to USD 388 Million. In July, NIIT MTS completed the acquisition of Munich, Germany based MST Group, a leader in managed learning services in the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland). The company was acquired through NIIT MTS' wholly owned subsidiary NIIT (Ireland) Limited for Euro 22.37 million, subject to certain adjustments as per the terms of the definitive agreements. The transaction expands NIIT MTS' presence in Europe's fastest-growing region and increases market penetration in the automotive and industrial market segments while strengthening its portfolio of managed learning services with the addition of QuickStart Learning Academy capabilities. The transaction will enable MST Group to bring NIIT MTS' global reach and comprehensive, AI-enabled, end-to-end managed learning and consulting services to its clients. Vijay K. Thadani, Co-founder NIIT and Vice Chairman & Managing Director, NIIT MTS shared his views on the results, "NIIT MTS continues to demonstrate remarkable resilience by delivering strong sequential growth with a healthy margin in a volatile and uncertain environment. The addition of MST Group to NIIT MTS' family marks a major next step in our global expansion strategy." Commenting on the results, Sapnesh Lalla, CEO and Executive Director, NIIT MTS, stated, "NIIT MTS continues to maintain its track record of 100% contract renewal. Key customers and leading industry analysts acknowledge our pole position in AI in learning. The addition of MST Group creates an opportunity for the company's growth in the DACH region." Awards and Accreditations The company continues to receive strong industry recognition for its capabilities and awards for its execution excellence: NIIT MTS was named a Strategic Leader on the Fosway 9-Grid for Digital Learning for the third consecutive year. NIIT MTS named in the 2025 Top Training Companies in Learning Services by Training Industry, Inc. for the eighteenth consecutive year. NIIT MTS featured on the Training Industry, Inc. Top 20 Custom Content Development Companies list for the fifteenth consecutive year in 2025. NIIT MTS earned the Databricks 2025 APJ Training Partner of the Year award for 2025. About NIIT Learning Systems Limited (NIIT MTS) NIIT MTS is the trusted and award-winning L&D and talent partner for the world's leading companies in over 30 countries. Established in 1981, NIIT MTS offers managed learning and strategic consulting services to solve the most complex challenges in learning, talent, skills, and workforce transformation. With a Net Promoter Score of 9/10 and a 100% renewal rate, NIIT MTS helps leading companies transform and reimagine their learning ecosystems while increasing the business value and impact of learning. For more information, visit: www.niitmts.com. SOURCE NIIT (USA), INC. Surpasses $2.8 Billion in Loan Sale Commitments To-Date NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Octane (Octane Lending, Inc.), the fintech revolutionizing the buying experience for major recreational purchases, announced today that it has executed a $300 million forward-flow transaction with the Moore Specialty Credit (MSC) Platform, the Private Asset-Backed Finance (ABF) platform of Moore Capital Management, LP (Moore), a global private investment management firm. Through this two-year, renewable agreement, MSC has agreed to purchase up to $300 million of high-quality, fixed-rate installment powersports loans originated by Octane's in-house lender, Roadrunner Financial , Inc. Octane's in-house loan servicer, Roadrunner Account Services, LLC, will service the loans. The transaction Octane's fourth forward-flow agreement to date brings the Company's total value of forward-flow commitments signed in the past year to more than $2 billion. Octane has sold or entered into commitments to sell more than $2.8 billion since its first whole loan sale in December 2023. "We deeply appreciate and value the MSC team's partnership as we endeavor to deliver innovative, tailored solutions and a seamless, digital experience for dealers and OEMs," said Steven Fernald, President and Chief Financial Officer at Octane. "We are thrilled to see growing demand from esteemed partners such as MSC for our asset class, buoyed by consistent and stable credit performance, and look forward to deepening our relationship with them in the years to come." "We are pleased to initiate this new partnership with Octane," said Erik Siegel, Chief Investment Officer of the Moore Specialty Credit Platform. "Octane's strong credit performance, focused underwriting, and differentiated approach to secured lending make this a compelling opportunity for MSC. We look forward to working together to support the continued development of this growing asset class." Octane continues to diversify its large base of existing capital providers in order to facilitate its continued strong growth and momentum. The company recently surpassed $6 billion in aggregate originations , seven months after it surpassed $5 billion in aggregate originations . Octane grew originations in 2024 by 36% year over year . About Octane: Octane is revolutionizing recreational purchases by delivering a seamless, end-to-end digital buying experience. We connect people with their passions by combining cutting-edge technology and innovative risk strategies to make lifestyle purchaseslike powersports vehicles, RVs, boats, personal watercraft, and outdoor power equipmentfast, easy, and accessible. Octane adds value throughout the customer journey: inspiring enthusiasts with the Octane Media editorial brands, including Cycle World and UTV Driver , instantly prequalifying consumers for financing online, routing customers to dealerships for an easy closing, and supporting customers throughout their loan with superior loan servicing. Founded in 2014, Octane supports over 60 OEM partner brands and over 4,000 dealer partners, and has a team of 600 in remote and hybrid roles. Visit www.octane.co . Octane and Roadrunner Financial are registered service marks of Octane Lending, Inc. Cycle World and UTV Driver are registered trademarks of Octane Media, LLC. About Moore Capital Management Moore Capital Management is the global private investment management firm of Louis Bacon. Moore Capital invests in the public global financial markets and real estate, private lending and private equity markets. Media Relations: Shannon O'Hara [email protected] Investor Relations: [email protected] SOURCE Octane CHONGQING, China, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On August 4, The "Open The Way With AITO Launch Ceremony" was grandly held at the SERES Super Factory in Chongqing. As a luxury intelligent vehicle brand nurtured in Chongqing, AITO's ASEAN journey signifies not only accelerates Chongqing-made vehicles going global, but also represents a key practice in response to the Belt and Road Initiative. A significant moment was witnessed by guests at the launch ceremony. (photo provided by Seres) Looking back to last year, the "Eurasian Tour with AITO" spanned 38 days, crossed 12 countries and covered 15,000 kilometers, culminating its debut at the Paris Motor Showshowcasing the strength of China's new energy luxury vehicles on a global stage. This year, the AITO fleet will embark southward from the SERES Super Factory in Chongqing, traversing the vast lands of Southeast Asia. The year 2025 marks the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Indonesia. Seizing this opportunity, the AITO brand, as an explorer in China's luxury new energy vehicle sector, aims to use automobiles as a medium to initiate deep dialogue and cultural exchange with users in countries along the route. Leon He, President of SERES Automobile, stated that this ASEAN tour is strategically significant for SERES as it expands its footprint across Southeast Asia. SERES will continue to connect with ASEAN through technological innovation and intelligent manufacturing, showcasing AITO's philosophy of intelligence redefining luxury and anew benchmark for China's intelligent manufacturing going global. Facing the complex road challenges of Southeast Asiafrom congested urban areas, to winding and narrow mountain roads, to muddy and slippery tropical rainforest pathsAITO vehicles are built to confidently handle these scenarios with their advanced smart technology. Featuring a premium chassis equipped with Continuous Damping Control (CDC) that dynamically adjusts suspension stiffness to effectively smooth out bumps, AITO ensures stable and comfortable driving. Meanwhile, powered by the Super Extended-Range Platform technology, the engine achieves a thermal efficiency of 44.8% and a comprehensive driving range exceeding 1,000 km, effortlessly meeting long-distance energy replenishment needs. AITO will also take advantage of this event to gain deeper insights into overseas market, listen to the voices of local users, and optimize product and service, ensuring that China's intelligent technology can better serve global consumers. In the new era of rapid global transformation towards smart and electric mobility, AITO is willing to collaborate with overseas partners, driven by innovation and powered by technology, to jointly promote a thriving intelligent mobility ecosystem. Looking ahead, AITO will continue to cultivate the international market with an open approach, and explore cooperation models in the new energy field bringing Chinese smart technology across mountains and seas, and making every journey smarter, safer, and more convenient. SOURCE AITO PRAIRIE VIEW, Texas, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pioneer Realty Capital, LLC ("PRC"), a distinguished Texas-based advisory firm specializing in commercial real estate capital markets, proudly announces the successful completion of its inaugural institutional bond refinancing transaction. The sophisticated deal secured $19.58 million in taxable bond funding for 625 at Prairie View, a premier student housing community strategically located adjacent to Prairie View A&M University. Pioneer Realty Capital Secures 19.58 Million Dollars Bond Refinancing for Texas Student Housing Project (PRNewsfoto/Pioneer Realty Capital, LLC) This landmark refinancing marks a critical milestone for both PRC and the PRC Equity Fund, underscoring the firm's robust capacity to structure and execute complex, institutionally-backed financing solutions within the higher education real estate sector. The transaction ensures long-term financial sustainability for the property, safeguards investor interests, and provides essential capital momentum for the forthcoming Phase II expansion, anticipated to introduce over 700 additional student beds to accommodate growing demand. Charles Williams, Founder and Managing Member of PRC, emphasized, "This transaction was about more than merely securing financingit was a strategic endeavor to preserve investor value and fortify the future of a pivotal housing development dedicated to supporting students from historically underserved communities." Strategic Execution Amidst Complexities The PRC leadership team, in collaboration with capital markets partners, adeptly navigated regulatory intricacies, procedural hurdles, and stringent time constraints to achieve a timely and efficient closing. Morgan Stanley served as lead underwriter for the bond issuance, supported by Norton Rose Fulbright as legal counsel, Orrick providing bond and trustee counsel, and closing coordination by M&W Law and Stewart Title. Wilmington Trust effectively managed trustee responsibilities Special recognition is extended to Osaze Romany of Morgan Stanley for his exemplary dedication and instrumental role in the transaction's success. Additional critical support was provided by J.C. Shelley and Joeylene Hunggay, who meticulously managed time-sensitive investor waivers, and Elliot Williams, whose proactive intervention ensured lien clearance through personal delivery of documents to the Waller County Courthouse immediately preceding the closing. Demonstrating Commitment and Resilience This successful transaction serves as a definitive response to skeptics questioning the project's viability. Williams noted, "Throughout the process, the challenges we encountered were substantial. Yet, we remained disciplined, steadfast, and unwaveringly committed to our core mission. This closing represents a collective victory, achieved through integrity, diligence, and collaboration by every stakeholder invested in our vision." About Pioneer Realty Capital Founded in 2003, Pioneer Realty Capital is a premier Texas-based advisory firm, distinguished by its extensive expertise in structuring debt and equity solutions across national commercial real estate markets. Through the PRC Equity Fund, the firm provides investors with access to institutionally-backed real estate opportunities, specializing in student housing initiatives and public-private community partnerships. Contact: Charles Williams [email protected] Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2745600/Pioneer_Realty_Capital_LLC.jpg SOURCE Pioneer Realty Capital, LLC Innovative home maintenance plan will expand into new markets through variable-repayment funding agreement that requires no equity exchange or loss of control AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PreFix Inc., an Austin-based company whose innovative systems reduce the costs and hassles of homeownership, has landed a multi-million-dollar growth financing package through Decathlon Capital Partners. The additional funding will support expansion into new markets as well as growth of the company's sales and field-support teams. James Bilodeau, Founder and CEO of PreFix, said the customized financing package offers a solid base for growth of the company, which provides its homeowner members with regular maintenance of home systems and appliances, as well as a dedicated home manager to handle most repairs. "For a fast-growing company such as PreFix, flexible, growth debt financing provides access to resources for growth without any dilution," Bilodeau said. "This transaction will support our development and ability to better serve our customers in both new and existing markets without the loss of management control or costly additional overhead." John Borchers, Managing Director of Decathlon Capital Partners, said the innovative membership plan pioneered by PreFix is quickly gaining traction among homeowners who want hassle-free home maintenance and repairs. "From its start in Austin, PreFix has successfully scaled and found strong acceptance among homeowners in San Antonio, Houston and Dallas as well," Borchers said. "We're pleased that Decathlon Capital Partners can support the continued expansion of PreFix with this company-friendly funding package." About PreFix PreFix is a tech-enabled service that eliminates the hassles of home ownership, saves homeowners up to 50 percent off home maintenance costs, and creates a data-driven "operating system" for the home. A fully trained, dedicated Home Manager fixes most things for a low co-payment. Seasonal preventive maintenance on all appliances and systems is included, which pays for the cost of the service on its own. Learn more at www.prefixinc.com. About Decathlon Capital Partners Decathlon Capital Partners provides growth capital for companies seeking alternatives to traditional equity investment. Through the use of highly customized growth-debt financing solutions, Decathlon provides long-term growth capital without the dilution, loss of control and operational overhead that often comes with equity-based funding. With offices in Palo Alto and Park City, Decathlon is active across a wide range of sectors. Learn more at www.decathloncapital.com. SOURCE PreFix Longtime IPG, Publicis, and R/GA vet Chris Wilhelmi joins Monks to enhance data offering with AI-powered solutions and holistic approach to data-driven results NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Monks, the global, purely digital, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4 Capital plc, is delighted to announce the appointment of Chris Wilhelmi as its new EVP, Data for the company globally. S4 Capital's Monks Welcomes Marketing Analytics and Data Pioneer Chris Wilhelmi as EVP, Head of Global Data In his new role, Chris will spearhead the company's differentiated data offering, leveraging Monks' expansive expertise across the data ecosystem and proprietary AI platform Monks.Flow. His focus will be on integrating cutting-edge AI solutions into client marketing operations, ensuring transformative results across the marketing value chain. He will also oversee R&D initiatives within the data function and foster stronger synergy between data, media, content, and creative teams to deliver seamless, insights-driven work for clients. Wilhelmi will report to Bruno Lambertini, Monks CEO, and will work alongside Monks newly-appointed EVP, Head of North America, James Stephens to expand the measurement frameworks and data solutions across Monks' go-to-market strategies, which span integrated marketing, key partnerships and innovations, turning every new act of creation into an act of data insight. "Chris is the perfect fit to carry on Monks' data leadership legacy," said Bruno Lambertini, CEO. "I'm looking forward to seeing him work alongside James to broaden our data solutions, creating more value for our clients through a combination of technical skills, AI innovation, and a holistic view of data-driven marketing. This will help take our GTMsReal Time Brands, Orchestration, and Glass Bos Mediato the next level." "After decades in this industry, I'm thrilled to join an organization that has embraced innovation and the power of data-driven marketing from the start," said Chris Wilhelmi, Monks EVP, Head of Global Data. "We've already hit the ground running and I cannot wait to bring my experience to bear as we create holistic, innovative solutions that are defining the future of results-driven marketing." "We're thrilled to welcome Chris to Monks, where he will set a forward-looking agenda for the next evolution of our data offering," said James Stephens, EVP, Head of North America at Monks. "Chris brings a holistic view of the marketing ecosystem that enables us to design for data insight at every touchpoint. He will be instrumental in our efforts to bridge the gap between our clients' greatest ambitions of brand and business building and the real-time measures of marketing investment efficacy in the world. Strong data foundations turn every act of creation into an act of data creation, which, in turn, feeds the decision-making process for our clients and our AI-driven innovations alike." Chris Wilhelmi brings unparalleled expertise and a passion for transforming data into actionable business insights. His journey began during the dawn of data analytics, spearheading database marketing initiatives and advanced predictive modeling with Comcast. Chris held leadership positions overseeing comprehensive marketing analytics and data efforts at MRM, Publicis, and Tapjoy. Holding executive roles at R/GA, Chris led analytics for marquee clients like Verizon, Nike, Samsung, and Ameriprise, streamlining operations across multiple divisions to form a unified creative and media data powerhouse. At Epsilon, he played a pivotal role in expanding the Google business. Most recently, Chris was Chief Data and Analytics Officer for IPG's UM, deploying some of UM's most sophisticated analytic offerings, Chris oversaw analysis and insights across the full spectrum of campaigns and client projects consulting on data, measurement, analytics tools and resources for brands to reach the right audiences, in the right places, at the right time; supporting clients like General Mills, American Express, Hulu, Sony Pictures, CVS Health, and Charles Schwab. When he's not solving complex data challenges, Chris enjoys exploring his creativity beyond the screencooking traditional BBQ and Brazilian dishes with his family, honing his woodworking craft, or practicing archery with his kids. About Monks Monks is the global, purely digital, data-driven, unitary operating brand of S4 Capital plc. With a legacy of innovation and specialized expertise, Monks combines an extraordinary range of global Marketing and Technology Services to accelerate business growth and redefine how brands interact with the world. From crafting tailored, outcome-focused campaigns to modernizing critical infrastructure for the ever-evolving digital landscape, Monks delivers solutions that engage audiences in real time, drive cultural relevance and sustain long-term impacta tripartite approach that establishes it as a trusted partner to the world's most innovative brands. Monks was named a Contender in The Forrester Wave: Global Marketing Services, ranks among Cannes Lions' Top 10 Creative Companies (2022-24) and remains the only partner featured in AdExchanger's Programmatic Power Players list every year (2020-24). Named Adweek's first AI Agency of the Year (2023) and The One Show's inaugural AI Pioneer Organization, Monks was also awarded Business Intelligence Group's 2025 Excellence in Artificial Intelligence Award in both the Organizational and AI Product categories. As a trusted partner to cutting-edge innovators in tech, Monks earned titles such as Optimizely Experimentation Partner of the Year (2025), runner-up for the Adobe Firefly Partner Award (2024), and Workato's AI Visionary Customer Impact Award (2024). Additionally, Monks was named Webby Production Company of the Year (2021-24) and achieved a record-breaking number of FWAs. About S4Capital S4Capital plc (SFOR.L) is the tech-led, new age/new era digital advertising, marketing and technology services company, established by Sir Martin Sorrell in May 2018. Our strategy is to build a purely digital advertising and marketing services business for global, multinational, regional, and local clients, and millennial-driven influencer brands. This will be achieved by integrating leading businesses in two synchronised practices: Marketing services and Technology services, along with an emphasis on 'faster, better, cheaper, more' execution in an always-on consumer-led environment, with a unitary structure. The Company now has approximately 7,000 people in 33 countries with approximately 80% of net revenue across the Americas, 15% across Europe, the Middle East and Africa and 5% across Asia-Pacific. The longer-term objective is a geographic split of 60%:20%:20%. At the Group's last full year results, Content accounted for approximately 60% of net revenue, Data&Digital Media 24% and Technology Services 16%. The long-term objective for the practices is a split of 50%:25%:25%. Sir Martin was CEO of WPP for 33 years, building it from a 1 million 'shell' company in 1985 into the world's largest advertising and marketing services company, with a market capitalisation of over 16 billion on the day he left. Prior to that Sir Martin was Group Financial Director of Saatchi & Saatchi Company Plc for nine years. Media Contact [email protected] SOURCE Monks Donations of food, hay, and bedding enable life-saving care for 400+ neglected guinea pigs LOS ANGELES, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Washington -based pet supply company, Small Pet Select, has teamed up with Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue (LAGPR) to provide critical resources for 400 guinea pigs rescued from extreme conditions in a South Los Angeles home. The donation, which included critical care supplies like food pellets, hay, and bedding, helped LAGPR to undertake one of its largest rescues to date. The Crisis: Overcrowding, Neglect, and Dire Conditions On July 15, 2025, Los Angeles Animal Services responded to reports of animal hoarding, initially estimating 200 guinea pigs at the scene. Upon arrival, Commander Yvonne Rodriguez discovered an estimated 400 guinea pigs living in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions both inside and outside of an LA home. Veterinarian Dr. Alexis Zieve was on the scene to help triage the animals who suffered from respiratory illnesses, ringworm, and bite wounds, with many pregnant or nursing. Dr. Zieve confirmed that the bites were likely due to overcrowding, which she says can "trigger territorial aggression among males." "How On Earth Can We Manage This?" Saskia Chiesa, Director of the Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue, faced an unprecedented challenge. "How on earth can we manage this?" she recalled, explaining that taking in hundreds of animals at once could be "financially draining". With no other local options to accommodate such a large population, and knowing the guinea pigs would have no option without their help, she rallied a team and phoned an ally. Small Pet Select's Swift Lifeline When Chiesa reached out to Bill Gordon, the CEO of Small Pet Select, for help, there was no hesitation. "Bill said, 'What do you need? When do you need it? Where do you need it?' According to Chisea, that gave her the courage to move forward." The generous donation will help with bedding and feeding the 246 females LAGPR rescued, as well as the babies that are yet to be born. Guinea pigs can start reproducing at just a few weeks old and become pregnant within hours after birth. What's more, they can have up to 8 pups at a time! Sadly, Chiesa says it is likely that most (if not all) of the female intakes are pregnant, estimating they could birth up to 625 or more babies in the coming weeks. The males were divided among 6 separate animal shelters in LA for rehoming, while the LA Guinea Pig Rescue took the females and babies and has made preparations for a birthing center where they can raise their young in a safe, healthy environment. Small Pet Select is no stranger to animal welfare and rescue efforts, and even has a rescue locator tool on its website to help homeless small pets find their forever families. The donation will help alleviate some of the financial strain associated with such a massive rescue effort, allowing LAGPR to focus on ongoing medical treatment, foster care, and eventual adoption efforts for all the new piggies. How You Can Help The LA Guinea Pig Rescue continues to seek: Donations for medical bills. Visit the LAGPR donation page to support. Adopters for healthy guinea pigs (you can fill out their adoption form here!) Supplies, including fresh veggies if you are in the area, or check out their Amazon wishlist to have supplies sent straight to the rescue. About Small Pet Select Small Pet Select is a family-owned and operated producer of premium food, hay, and bedding for rabbits, guinea pigs, chickens, and other small pets. Founded by animal allies, Small Pet Select prides itself on ethical sourcing, sustainability, and rescue partnerships. Learn more here. About Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue LAGPR is a no-kill, nonprofit rescue founded by Saskia Chisea. The organization's mission is to rehabilitate and rehome abandoned guinea pigs. The rescue is a private foundation and operates through a team of staff and volunteers. Watch the rescue story here. SOURCE Small Pet Select BANGKOK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Thailand's Acting Prime Minister Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai today welcomed senior executives from 30 global companies from diverse sectors, which have all made significant investments in strategic industries in Thailand over the past two years, to reaffirm the government's commitment to welcome foreign investment and provide an update on the progress made in the implementation of key initiatives to strengthen Thailand's competitiveness in the world market. Thailands Acting Prime Minister Mr. Phumtham Wechayachai today welcomed senior executives from 30 global companies, reaffirming the governments commitment to foreign investment and highlighting progress on initiatives to boost Thailands global competitiveness. The event, "Confidence in Thailand's Future Prime Minister's Dialogue with Global Investors," was held at the Government House in Bangkok. Joining the Acting Prime Minister in meeting the investors from Europe, the United States, Japan, South Korea, China, Taiwan, and Singapore, were Mr. Pichai Chunhavajira, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and Mr. Narit Therdsteerasukdi, Secretary General of the Thailand Board of Investment (BOI). The participation of so many leading corporate entities just days after the announcement last week by the U.S. of an agreement on a 19% tariff on Thai imports, is reflecting strong investor confidence in Thailand. "While the 19% tariff rate on Thai-made goods is competitive compared to regional peers, the Thai government remains aware of the uncertainties surrounding the global economy and trade rules, and we are taking this opportunity to support the business sector by implementing mechanisms that will allow companies operating in our country to comply with global rules and to better mitigate risks," Mr. Phumtham told the gathering. "We are also strengthening Thailand's investment ecosystem and enhancing our competitiveness, through business-friendly regulations, the development of a highly skilled workforce, and an increase in the offer of clean and renewable energy." "We would like to express our sincere appreciation to the Thai government for its successful negotiation of the U.S. tariff rate, aligning it with the rates applied to other Southeast Asian countries," said Mr. Eiji Koizumi, Managing Director of Sony Technology (Thailand) Co., Ltd. "This effort significantly contributes to maintaining Thailand's competitiveness in the global market." Mr. Phumtham added that Thailand is negotiating increased market opening around the world for companies manufacturing in Thailand, to add on the 17 trade agreements Thailand currently has with a total of 24 countries. By accelerating negotiations with partners including the EU, South Korea, and Canada, Thailand expects to soon enhance the competitiveness of Thai exports in more than 50 countries, he added. Senior executives from several leading companies spoke during the dialogue to share their experiences and perspectives on investing in Thailand, including Infineon Technologies, Sony Technology, Changan Auto Southeast Asia, Nestle, and Google. "In today's fast-evolving global landscape, the ability to adapt, to welcome collaboration, and to foster trust between the public and private sectors is more important than ever. Thailand has exemplified this through its commitment to economic resilience, regulatory reform, and digital transformation," said Mr. Lim Wei Khoe, Senior Vice President & Managing Director, Infineon Technologies Thailand. "Your vision and policies have not only strengthened investor confidence but have also encouraged innovation, sustainability, and inclusive growth across industries." Regarding the development of clean energy supply to support sustainable business operations, the Thai government through the Ministry of Energy and related agencies, launched the Utility Green Tariff (UGT1) mechanism, which provides clean energy services with certification for renewable energy use. Over 40 companies have expressed interest in applying for this service, Mr. Phumtham said. In addition, the government is preparing the Direct Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) mechanism, which allows electricity consumers to purchase electricity directly from producers. Initially, 2,000 megawatts of clean energy will be provided to the data center sector, which has high energy demand and long-term commitments. "Green tariff is important to our business. In fact, we have just announced our collaboration with Metropolitan Electricity Authority (MEA) and Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to implement the UGT1 program across six factories in Thailand," said Mr. Victor Seah, Chairman and CEO of Nestle Indochina. "It will help companies like us meet our renewable energy goals." "This will also ensure a sustainable and greener future for Thailand. Google's commitment, like many of our peer companies, is to prioritize the use of clean energy and also play our role in this ecosystem" said Ms. Su Ann Lim, Director, Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google. "Google is committed not only to invest in digital infrastructure but also in the community. Through Leave no Thai Behind Program, Google has trained 3.6 million Thai in digital and AI skills." At the conclusion of the meeting, a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Office of the Vocational Education Commission, the Board of Investment, and the six PCB companies attending the Dialogue to jointly work in the development of the vocational workforce for the PCB manufacturing sector. This initiative adds to several other projects to develop human resources in support of strategic industries, such as the Sandbox project for the advanced semiconductors and electronics sector, a collaboration between 15 universities and eight private companies, a part of the Ministry of Higher Education, Science, Research and Innovation's (MHESI) plan to develop over 80,000 personnel in advanced semiconductors and electronics within five years. "This is a strong example of our government's commitment to developing a skilled workforce, a crucial foundation to maintain Thailand's competitiveness and meet the needs of the industrial sector," Mr. Phumtham said. "The Thai government and I are committed to putting in place the factors conducive to business development and building a strong foundation for the Thai economy. The government is ready to provide assistance in reducing obstacles to business operations, in a way that will ensure sustainable growth for your businesses and for Thailand." "We will establish a regional adaptive engineering center, with significant investment in R&D, infrastructure, testing equipment, smart facilities, and advanced technologies. Our goal is to bring top global talent to Thailand and build long-term technical capability here," said Mr. Wu Xiaokang, Vice President of Changan Auto Southeast Asia. "We are actively increasing recruitment of Thai local talent to support our expanding operations." Thailand's strong investment momentum and investors' confidence continue to be reflected in record numbers. In the first half of 2025, applications for investment promotion filed with the BOI increased by 139% year-on-year, reaching an unprecedented 1.06 trillion baht (ca. USD 32.5 billion). Notably, foreign direct investment (FDI) applications accounted for 70% of the total value. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111 Website: www.boi.go.th YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand SOURCE Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) From the White House to Nairobi: Two Visionary Brothers Reimagine Black Global Leadership, Creating Jobs in Africa, Cultivating Cultural Spaces, and Inspiring a New Era of Ownership LINK TO ASSETS WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As Nairobi rises to global prominence with major United Nations agencies set to relocate their headquarters to the city, a new era for Africa is unfolding. John and Mike Burnsthe visionary entrepreneurs and cultural architects known as The Burns Brothers are building bridges across continents, advancing a movement of Black leadership that reflects Africa's expanding role on the world stage. From orchestrating historic White House events to launching Africa's first African American-owned private members' club, the brothers are charting an interconnected world where the diaspora thrives. Their expanding ecosystem of businesses now spans continents united by a singular mission: to uplift, connect, and inspire diverse communities through ownership, creativity, and opportunity. "This is about dignity, hope, and generational wealthnot just for individuals, but entire communities," says Mike Burns Post this Mike and John Burns at HQ Kenya House in Tatu City (near Nairobi) The Burns Brothers by Monarch Magazine "Africa isn't just the futureit's the now," says John Burns , a seasoned attorney and co-founder. "We're not here to just open doors. We're building the house." From War Zones to the White House Mike Burns , U.S. Army veteran and West Point graduate, brings a warrior's discipline to their multinational mandate. After flying helicopters in Iraq and Afghanistan, he turned his focus toward service through leadership, becoming Chief Diversity Officer at a Fortune 500 company and creating economic pipelines that now employ tens of thousands across Africa. As cultural event producers for the Biden Administration, The Burns Brothers made history with the first-ever Juneteenth Celebration at the White House in 2023 and returned in 2024 with an encore featuring legends like Gladys Knight, Patti LaBelle, and Kirk Franklin. "We've devoted our lives to ensuring Black voices aren't just heard, but honored at the highest levels," says Mike. "Now, we're harnessing that resolve to transform Africa." Where Culture, Community, and Commerce Converge From HQ DC House in Washington to HQ Kenya House in Tatu Cityjust outside Nairobithe Burns Brothers are redefining global luxury, hospitality, and legacy. The exclusive private members' clubs serve as dynamic hubs for connection, advancement, and creative exchange among professionals, entrepreneurs, and cultural leaders. Their growing portfolio of hospitality brands also includes: KATA : An Asian-inspired culinary and nightlife destination in Washington's historic Chinatown. An Asian-inspired culinary and nightlife destination in historic Chinatown. The Nohmad : A stylish day-to-night coffee and cocktail lounge located above KATA. Designed by Jimmie Drummond , each space becomes a gateway where form, function, and culture converge in an immersive experience. Investing in Opportunity and Lasting Impact In partnership with CCI Global , one of Africa's largest private employers, The Burns Brothers have supported the creation of over 20,000 jobs across Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Egypt, and Nigeria. Their own ventures have directly generated nearly 500 new positionswith ambitious plans to bring that number to 50,000 over the next decade. Through high-growth sector collaborations, they're building lasting bridges between U.S. enterprise and African talent. "For us, this is about dignity, hope, and creating generational wealthnot just for individuals, but for entire communities," says Mike Burns. "We're not just investing in businesseswe're investing in people, and in a future that's shared." From Boardrooms to the Cultural Stage At the intersection of business and culture, The Burns Brothers ignite conversations and connections that inspire progress. From private tastings with Hollywood legends to provocative discussions with stars of Netflix's Love Is Blind DC, their curated experiences spark dialogue and innovation. With the ICON to ICAN Foundation , they extend their impact, forging pathways for mentorship, storytelling, and inspirationuplifting the next generation alongside luminaries like Chaka Khan and Congressman Jothn Lewis. Resonate Africa 2025: Uplifting a Global Movement At this pivotal moment for Nairobi and the continent, The Burns Brothers will launch Resonate Africa in late 2025a first-of-its-kind summit where trailblazers in technology, culture, finance, and wellness will meet to bolster the global voice of the African diaspora. Upcoming Book: The Continuum of Change: Impacting Change Through Moments That Matter On September 16, 2025, The Burns Brothers and co-author Meghan Davis Hill will release The Continuum of Change: Impacting Change Through Moments That Matter at The Nohmad ( 600 F St NW, Washington D.C. 20004 ). This new book distills their personal experiences into practical strategies for achieving meaningful transformation at every level. Advance copies are available here. Follow The Burns Brothers' journey on Instagram , Facebook , or LinkedIn. For additional information, media requests, or press assets, contact Asma Amani at [email protected] or +1 (703) 286-9084. About The Burns Brothers The Burns BrothersJohn and Mike Burnsare visionary entrepreneurs, cultural architects, and global thought leaders reshaping the narrative of Black excellence across business, hospitality, and social impact. With ventures spanning five continents, their work bridges the African diaspora through ownership, creativity, and opportunity. From producing historic cultural events at the White House to launching Africa's first African American-owned private members' club, The Burns Brothers are pioneering a new era of global Black leadership rooted in legacy, inclusion, and innovation. SOURCE The Burns Brothers, Inc. APPLE VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Desreta Jacksonbest known for her iconic role as young Celie in Steven Spielberg's The Color Purpleis returning to the national spotlight with The Desreta Jackson Show, premiering this fall. Produced by Desicon Pictures, the show aims to spark transformative conversations around mental health, personal healing, and legacy-building during a time when these issues are more urgent than ever. "This show is my way of saying: your healing matters, your story matters, and you are not alone." Post this The Desreta Jackson Show official poster. Jackson is not only an acclaimed actress but also a third-generation natural healer, a certified trichologist, a published author, and a real estate developer. She brings a unique blend of wisdom, life experience, and professional expertise to the screen. Her show will feature authentic and emotionally grounded conversations with real people, subject-matter experts, and public figures. Topics will cover a wide range, including generational trauma, spiritual and emotional wellness, entrepreneurship, rebuilding relationships, reclaiming self-worth, and legacy planning. "Coming from poverty, abuse, homelessness, and even childhood paralysis, I understand the silent burdens many people carry," Jackson says. "This show is my way of saying: your healing matters, your story matters, and you are not alone." Mental health continues to be a national crisis in America. According to the National Institute of Mental Health, nearly 1 in 5 adults lives with a mental illness. The impact spans all racial and ethnic groups: 23% of Native American/Alaska Native adults 21.4% of multiracial adults 20.6% of white adults 18.6% of Black adults 18.4% of Hispanic/Latino adults 16.2% of Asian adults Despite these numbers, access to care remains limited, particularly in underserved communities. Jackson's mission is to eliminate stigma, encourage open dialogue, and promote radical transparency on topics that are often overlooked. In addition to her acting and healing work, Jackson is the founder of BlackSilk, a wellness and haircare brand inspired by ancestral traditions. Episodes will spotlight emotionally charged viewer questionsparticularly from single men and women ages 2550on topics like trust, abandonment, trauma recovery, and self-discovery. Celebrity guests, licensed therapists, and spiritual leaders will join Jackson to explore what real healing looks like. The Desreta Jackson Show is filmed in Chino Hills, California, and will premiere this fall via YouTube and Patreon, offering global audiences free and exclusive access to life-changing conversations. Media Contact: Tina Bailey [email protected] 1-818-659-8186 SOURCE Desicon Pictures HOUSTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Texas state House Speaker Dustin Burrows adjourned the GOP-dominated chamber again on Tuesday as most Democratic lawmakers continued staying out of the state so as to deny a quorum needed for enacting a redistricting bill supported by President Donald Trump, who is eyeing the 2026 midterm elections. The Republican speaker said the state House will try to reach a quorum on Friday and that he has been fully briefed on the efforts by the Texas Department of Public Safety "to locate and return members who are actively trying to thwart the legislature from performing its duties." Also on Tuesday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton announced his decision to seek court rulings "ensuring that their seats are declared vacant" if absent state House Democrats fail to return by Friday. "If you don't show up to work, you get fired," Paxton, a veteran Republican, said in a statement. "Any lawmaker who has not been arrested and returned or fails to appear by the Speaker's deadline will be subject to aggressive legal action by Attorney General Paxton." The current congressional map in Texas was drawn in 2021, with Republicans having 25 seats out of Texas's 38. Pushed by the White House, Texas Republicans proposed new congressional lines last week to divide up existing districts in Austin, Houston and Dallas in a bid to garner five more seats. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump voiced his support for the redistricting plan, claiming that Republicans are "entitled to five more seats" in the 2026 midterms in Texas, the largest red state in the country. "We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas ... We are entitled to five more seats," Trump said on CNBC's Squawk Box program. Facing the criticism of using gerrymandering in the Texas redistricting, the Republican president claimed that Democratic states like Illinois and California are "all gerrymandered". "They did it to us," Trump said. At a news conference on Tuesday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin reiterated his vow that Democrats will "fight fire with fire," accusing Texas Republicans of trying to "cheat" in their redistricting plan. "This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to the knife fight," Martin said. "This is a new Democratic Party; we are bringing a knife to a knife fight, and we are going to fight fire with fire." Martin said Monday that if Texas Republicans pass the redistricting map into law, Democratic governors will "put every single option they can on the table to respond in kind." The Texas House of Representatives, which currently has 88 Republicans, requires 100 members in the room as the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct legislative business. On Monday, the state House voted 85-6 to arrest more than 50 absent Democrats, and Burrows signed civil warrants shortly afterwards. However, the absent Democrats chose the three blue states of Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, where Texas can't exert state authority without local cooperation. Despite the Democrats' resistance, with a sweeping majority, Texas Republicans may easily resume business and pass the legislation once Democratic lawmakers return, or are compelled to return. "This is often a very effective strategy to delay legislation and shine a spotlight on that legislation," Mark P. Jones, a political science professor at Rice University, has said of Democrats' walkout in an interview with NPR. "But it's not an effective strategy to actually block the legislation." The strategy also has no mechanism for enacting structural reform and is doomed to fail to block future gerrymandering, local analysts say. Critics also argue that fleeing the state amounts to dereliction of duty, and such moves can alienate moderate voters or energize Republican bases. In the summer of 2021, Texas Democrats used a similar walkout strategy to resist redistricting, thrusting the issue of gerrymandering and voter suppression into the national spotlight. The bill was passed after a delay of nearly 40 days when several Democratic lawmakers returned to the state capitol, allowing for a vote. The Texas legislature is currently in a 30-day special session that is slated to end on Aug. 19, but the governor can keep calling the Texas legislature back for a special session. Birelentinib (DZD8586) received Fast Track Designation from the U.S. FDA for relapsed/refractory CLL/SLL Supporting data from a pooled analysis of phase I/II studies of birelentinib showed an objective response rate of 84.2% in heavily pretreated CLL/SLL patients SHANGHAI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Dizal (SSE:688192), a biopharmaceutical company committed to developing novel medicines for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases, announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Fast Track Designation to its Birelentinib (DZD8586) for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor. Patients with CLL/SLL treated with a BTK inhibitor or a BCL-2 inhibitor often relapse or progress due to two major resistance mechanisms: BTK C481X mutations and BTK-independent activation of BCR signaling pathway. No targeted therapy currently addresses both mechanisms, posing an urgent clinical challenge. Although BTK degraders have shown encouraging anti-tumor activity in early CLL/SLL clinical studies, mutation-mediated resistance has already been reported, and degrader-associated toxicities may limit their long-term clinical application. Birelentinib is a first-in-class, non-covalent, LYN/BTK dual inhibitor with full blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration. It has high selectivity against other TEC family kinases (TEC, ITK, TXK and BMX). By targeting both BTK and LYN, it blocks both BTK-dependent and -independent BCR-signaling pathways, effectively inhibiting tumor growth of B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphomas (B-NHLs). The Fast Track Designation is supported by data from a pooled analysis of two phase I/II studies of birelentinib in CLL/SLL patients previously treated with covalent/non-covalent BTK inhibitors and BTK degraders. The results were presented at 2025 European Hematology Association (EHA) Annual Congress and featured in oral presentations at both the 2025 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting and the 18th International Conference on Malignant Lymphoma (ICML). Birelentinib demonstrated significant anti-tumor efficacy in heavily pretreated CLL/SLL patients with an objective response rate (ORR) of 84.2%, with a good safety profile. Tumor responses were observed irrespective of prior treatment with covalent/non-covalent BTK inhibitors, BTK degraders, or BCL-2 inhibitors, including in patients harboring classic BTK resistance mutations (C481X) as well as other BTK mutations, such as kinase-dead mutations. Responses were durable, with an estimated 9-month duration of response (DOR) rate of 83.3%. "The granting of Fast Track Designation underscores the U.S. FDA's recognition of birelentinib's potential to address an unmet medical need in patients with CLL/SLL," said Dr. Xiaolin Zhang, CEO of Dizal. "We look forward to working closely with the FDA to accelerate the global clinical development of birelentinib and bring this treatment option to patients as quickly as possible." Fast Track Designation is an FDA program designed to facilitate the development and expedite the review of drugs for serious conditions that address unmet medical needs. The designation enables for frequent FDA interactions and may allow for rolling revie, priority review, or accelerated approval if criteria are met. About Birelentinib (DZD8586) Birelentinib is a first-in-class, non-covalent, LYN/BTK dual inhibitor with full blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration, designed as a potential treatment option for B-cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). While Bruton's Tyrosine Kinase (BTK) inhibitors have been approved for the treatment of B-NHL, resistance can arise through two major mechanisms: the BTK C481X mutation and BTK-independent BCR signaling pathway activation. Currently, there is no targeted therapy available to address both resistance mechanisms, posing an urgent clinical challenge. Although BTK degraders have shown encouraging efficacy in early clinical studies, mutation-related resistance has been reported, and degrader-related toxicities may affect long-term clinical application. Birelentinib has high selectivity against other TEC family kinases (TEC, ITK, TXK and BMX). By targeting BTK and LYN, it blocks both BTK-dependent and -independent BCR-signaling pathways, effectively inhibiting tumor growth of B-NHLs in cell lines and in animal models. In clinical studies, birelentinib exhibits favorable PK properties, good central nervous system (CNS) permeability, complete blockade of BCR signaling, and encouraging anti-tumor efficacy with good safety and tolerability in patients with B-NHL. In August 2025, birelentinib was granted Fast Track Designation by the U.S. FDA for the treatment of adult patients with relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia or small lymphocytic lymphoma (CLL/SLL) who have received at least two prior lines of therapy, including a BTK inhibitor and a BCL-2 inhibitor. About Dizal Dizal is a biopharmaceutical company, dedicated to the discovery, development and commercialization of differentiated therapeutics for the treatment of cancer and immunological diseases. The company aims to develop first-in-class and groundbreaking new medicines, and further address unmet medical needs worldwide. Deep-rooted in translational science and molecular design, it has established an internationally competitive portfolio with multiple assets in global pivotal studies and two leading assets: ZEGFROVY, approved in both the U.S. and China, and golidocitinib, approved in China. To learn more about Dizal, please visit www.dizalpharma.com, or follow us on Linkedin or X. Forward-Looking Statements This news release may contain certain forward-looking statements that are, by their nature, subject to significant risks and uncertainties. The words "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "expect", and "intend" and similar expressions, as they relate to Dizal, are intended to identify certain forward-looking statements. Dizal does not intend to update these forward-looking statements regularly. These forward-looking statements are based on the existing beliefs, assumptions, expectations, estimates, projections, and understandings of the management of Dizal with respect to future events at the time these statements are made. These statements are not a guarantee of future developments and are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, some of which are beyond Dizal's control and are difficult to predict. Consequently, actual results may differ materially from information contained in the forward-looking statements as a result of future changes or developments in our business, Dizal's competitive environment, and political, economic, legal, and social conditions. Dizal, the Directors, and the employees of Dizal assume (a) no obligation to correct or update the forward-looking statements contained on this site; and (b) no liability in the event that any of the forward-looking statements does not materialize or turnout to be incorrect. Contacts Investor Relations: [email protected] Business Development: [email protected] Media Contact: [email protected] SOURCE Dizal Pharmaceutical Agreement focuses on providing clinical solutions to support the Tohono O'odham Nation NORTHFIELD, Ill., Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Medline today announced a new Prime Vendor agreement with Arizona-based skilled nursing and assisted living provider, Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority (TONCA), which includes Archie Hendricks Skilled Nursing and Tohono O'odham Elder Assisted Living Residence. As part of the agreement, TONCA will source Medline's extensive portfolio of medical supplies, including its skin health products, programs, and clinical guidelines. The organization will also benefit from Medline's robust educational offerings and in-service support, delivered by a dedicated team of clinicians, skin health specialists, and product support specialists. "As TONCA's Prime Vendor, our goal is to help healthcare run better within their organization to meet their operational, clinical and financial goals," said Shannon Morelock, divisional manager, Medline Post-Acute Care. "TONCA approaches care with a compassionate mindset, and we look forward to supporting their staff with initiatives that help empower them in their daily care." Located in Sells, Arizona, an hour and 40 minutes outside Phoenix, TONCA is designed to empower elders to receive the care they need without leaving their Nation. "Medline is a natural partner for the Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority," said Ross Wilkoff, administrator at Tohono O'odham Nursing Care Authority. "When we seek collaborators, we look for a learning mindset, quality assurance embedded in workflows, and unwavering integrity. We look forward to leaning on Medline to help with staff education and processes that will drive measurable quality outcomes. We couldn't be more confident in our path forwardand we're counting on Medline to empower our future." Learn how Medline works with long-term care providers to improve clinical, financial and operational outcomes to help facilities thrive at https://www.medline.com/about-us/who-we-serve/long-term-care/. About Medline Medline is the largest provider of medical-surgical products and supply chain solutions serving all points of care. Through its broad product portfolio, resilient supply chain and leading clinical solutions, Medline helps healthcare providers improve their clinical, financial and operational outcomes. Headquartered in Northfield, Illinois, the company employs more than 43,000 people worldwide and operates in more than 100 countries and territories. To learn more about how Medline makes healthcare run better, visit www.medline.com. SOURCE Medline Industries, LP Free Community Event Recognizes First Responder and Military Personnel SEQUIM, Wash., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Unity of Effort returns to Sequim on Saturday, August 9, 2025. This year's event features acclaimed rock band FireHouse, who will headline the celebration. The free, family-friendly event runs from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm, offering a day filled with helicopters, first responder and military vehicles, music, family activities, food, and more. Attendees at the 2024 Unity of Effort celebration tour a Life Flight helicopter. (PRNewsfoto/Security Services Northwest) For 25 years, Security Services Northwest has hosted this annual event to honor and recognize the service of military members, first responders, law enforcement, and security personnel. Unity of Effort is free and open to the public, with free, on-site parking available at the festival grounds in front of Security Services Northwest, located at 250 Center Park Way, Sequim. Gates open at 10:00 am. Helicopters will begin to arrive at 10:15 am, continuing approximately every 15 minutes until the flight line reaches capacity. A variety of law enforcement, military, and emergency service vehicles and exhibits will be on display throughout the day. (Due to police K9 dogs being on site, please leave pets at home.) Representatives from law enforcement, first responder, and military groups will have vehicles and/or displays set up. Attendees include King County Sheriff Office, Clallam County Sheriff Office, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, Washington State Patrol, U.S Army, U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Marine Corps, Life Flight, Airlift Northwest, FBI, Washington Army National Guard, Lower Elwha Police Department, Department of Natural Resources, Port Angeles Police Department, Sequim Police Department, Port Townsend Police Department, Seattle Police Department, and more. Festival attractions include: 10:00 am - 4:00 pm : Community and vendor booths : Community and vendor booths 10:00 am - 4:00 pm : Kids activities including bounce houses and face painting : Kids activities including bounce houses and face painting 10:15 am - 12:00 pm : Helicopter arrivals : Helicopter arrivals 10:30 am : Miss Fort Discovery recognition : Miss Fort Discovery recognition 12:15 pm : Kids Toy Find : Kids Toy Find 1:15 pm : Police K-9 demonstration Live music kicks off at noon, with the National Anthem sung by Pearle Peterson of Sequim. The music lineup includes: 12:10 pm America's First Corps Band (U.S. Army rock band) America's First Corps Band (U.S. Army rock band) 1:30 pm Buck Ellard Band 3:15 pm Chelsea Rose 4:00 pm Scooter Brown Band 8:00 pm FireHouse Multi-platinum rock band FireHouse headlines the evening with a show at 8:00 pm. With over 7 million albums sold worldwide and hits like "Love of a Lifetime," "Don't Treat Me Bad," and "I Live My Life For You," FireHouse will bring an unforgettable close to the evening. General Admission tickets for the FireHouse performance are free. A limited number of VIP Show Passes will be available for $100. VIP Show Passes include front-area stage seating to the FireHouse performance and two complimentary drinks. All tickets are available at the gate. Seats are not provided at the stage, so attendees should bring camp chairs or blankets. Unity of Effort was started by Joe D'Amico, president and CEO of Security Services Northwest, Inc. "Each year, we celebrate the importance of unity in our shared efforts," said D'Amico. "Unity of Effort is our way of showing our gratitude and respect for all those who tirelessly protect and serve our communities and nation. It is a chance for the community to come together and recognize their invaluable contributions and sacrifices." Join us for Unity of Effort on Saturday, August 9, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm at 250 Center Park Way, Sequim. For more information, call 833-525-6448 (toll free) or visit www.unityofeffort.org. Contact Information: Security Services Northwest, Inc. 800-859-3463 [email protected] SOURCE Security Services Northwest Rapid Implementation to Strengthen Continuity of Care SAN DIEGO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- CliniComp, a pioneer of high-performing, reliable electronic health record (EHR) solutions, today announced it has successfully expanded its EHR Solution Suite at the VA Hampton Health Care Systempart of the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6)to the Medical-Surgical (MedSurg) unit in just one month. Awarded on July 1, the contract went live on Aug. 6, underscoring CliniComp's ability to deliver impactful, site-specific solutions through a collaborative approach tailored to each facility's needs. VA Hampton is renowned for its deep commitment to Veterans, their families, and caregivers. The expansion advances this commitment by streamlining clinical workflows and strengthening the continuum of care for all patients. Developed in close collaboration with VA Hampton's clinical and IT teams, the project showcases the value of a flexible implementation model built on decades of experience. "We're incredibly excited to expand the use of CliniComp into our Med-Surg unit," said Amy Brueder, MSN, BSN, BA, RN, Med-Surg/Telemetry Nurse Manager at VA Hampton. "Having continuity in documentation between Med-Surg and ICU will be a game-changer for our staff and ultimately enhance care for our Veterans. CliniComp' s team has been an outstanding partner, and we're looking forward to continued collaboration." "At CliniComp, speed with purpose is a hallmark of our approach. We move quickly because we start by deeply understanding each facility's goals and challenges, then we take on the heavy lifting," said Sandra Johnson, SVP of Client Services at CliniComp. "From change management to configuration, we partner closely with clinical and IT teams to minimize disruption and ease the transition. This go-live reflects the strength of that collaboration and the power of a clinician-designed system that delivers real, quality results, fast." VA Hampton's expanded EHR deployment with CliniComp delivers clear, day-to-day benefits that reinforce high-quality care delivery: Supports Continuity of Care: Real-time access to patient information in the Med-Surg unit helps maintain alignment across care teams and ensures timely, coordinated treatment as patients move between clinical settings. Real-time access to patient information in the Med-Surg unit helps maintain alignment across care teams and ensures timely, coordinated treatment as patients move between clinical settings. Simplified Documentation Workflows: The intuitive, clinician-designed interface reduces documentation burden, giving nurses and providers more time for direct patient interaction without compromising data quality. The intuitive, clinician-designed interface reduces documentation burden, giving nurses and providers more time for direct patient interaction without compromising data quality. Timely Clinical Insight: Immediate access to up-to-date patient data supports faster, more confident decision-making at the bedside. Immediate access to up-to-date patient data supports faster, more confident decision-making at the bedside. Support for Operational Oversight: The system's reporting capabilities offer valuable insight into patient throughput, resource use, and staffing needshelping teams manage day-to-day operations more effectively. The system's reporting capabilities offer valuable insight into patient throughput, resource use, and staffing needshelping teams manage day-to-day operations more effectively. Flexible, Scalable Design: The system architecture allows the facility to grow, adapting to new clinical needs and technology priorities over time. The Med-Surg deployment supports more coordinated inpatient care by aligning documentation and workflows within the unit and across connected services. CliniComp's System-as-a-Service (SYaaS) model provides seamless scalability, continuous optimization, and 24/7 customer support from subject-matter experts. The company's technology has delivered consistent uptime in VA environments for decades, giving care teams a system they can trust. The expanded deployment at VA Hampton builds on that foundation and reflects CliniComp's ongoing commitment to supporting Veterans' health systems with adaptable technology that grows as needs change and maintains virtually no downtime. Veterans Health Administration/VISN 6 Veterans Integrated Service Network 6 (VISN 6), also known as the VA Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network, is one of the fastest-growing VA Health Care Networks in the nation, serving Veterans in the majority of Virginia and all of North Carolina. The network has 53 sites of care, including seven VA Medical Centers and 41 associated Community-Based Outpatient Clinics (CBOCs), five Health Care Centers (HCCs), one HCC in construction, three large outpatient clinics in construction or design, and two free-standing dialysis clinics. Our total enrollment now stands at more than 584,000 across our seven health care systems. The Network's Veteran patient trust score has surpassed 90 percent. About CliniComp CliniComp is a global healthcare IT leader with over 40 years of advanced innovation. Their New Era EHR Solution Suite offers a comprehensive, end-to-end platform with Intrinsic AI and integrated ancillary solutions across the care continuum. CliniComp's unique System as a Service (SYaaS) model delivers rapid deployment, all-inclusive support and eliminates high ownership costs. In 2024 and 2025, CliniComp earned top honors from MedTech Breakthrough, including "Best Electronic Health Record Service" and the "EHR Innovation Award." CliniComp was also named a Top 100 Healthcare Technology Company and received the Platinum Pinnacle Award for Healthcare Technology Trailblazer. Designed by clinicians for clinicians, its web-based EHR ensures seamless interoperability, real-time performance, and unmatched reliabilityeven in the most complex hospital environments. Learn more at CliniComp.com and follow us on LinkedIn. Media contact: Katlyn Nesvold Amendola Communications for CliniComp [email protected] SOURCE CliniComp New short wheelbase variant offers up to 12,450 lbs payload, dual ePTOs, and up to 165 miles of range for fleet versatility FONTANA, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ZM Trucks today proudly announced the official launch of its newest model, the ZM8 SWB (Short Wheelbase), featuring a 138-inch wheelbase designed for enhanced maneuverability with a variety of upfit applications. The ZM8 SWB is engineered to support 12-, 14-, and 16-foot box configurations, making it an ideal solution for a wide range of urban delivery and vocational use applications. Despite its compact size, this model retains the signature features of the ZM8 platform, including standard dual ePTOs (electric power take-offs), which allow seamless integration with liftgates, refrigeration units, and other auxiliary equipment. The ZM8 SWB is available in both Class 4 and Class 5 configurations: Class 4: Payload capacity of 8,950 pounds with an estimated range of 165 miles Class 5: Payload capacity of up to 12,450 pounds, with an estimated range of 150 miles The ZM8 SWB empowers fleet operators with increased flexibility, allowing them to confidently meet the demands of dense urban environments, municipal deliveries, and specialized vocational upfits, all while maintaining zero emissions and low total cost of ownership compared to traditional commercial vehicles. "The ZM8 SWB was developed in response to real-world fleet feedback," said Joost de Vries, CEO at ZM Trucks. "By combining shorter wheelbase agility with the power and range commercial fleets expect, we're opening the door to more use cases than ever." The ZM8 SWB will be on display at the ZM Trucks Fontana Grand Opening in late August, where the company will host customers, media, and industry partners for one of the first looks at the vehicle and the expanded facility. The ZM8 SWB is now available for pre-order, with initial deliveries expected to begin later this year. For more information or to schedule a demo, visit zmtrucks.com or contact your regional ZM Trucks representative. About ZO Motors ZO Motors is a global leader in zero-emission commercial vehicles, dedicated to delivering sustainable transportation solutions for industries including commercial vehicle, port and aviation ground logistics as well as transit and tourist transportation. With manufacturing facilities in Asia and North America, ZO Motors is at the forefront of innovation, combining cutting-edge technology with a commitment to reducing environmental impact. About ZM Trucks ZM Trucks, a subsidiary of ZO Motors, is a global leader in innovative new-energy commercial vehicles. Originating from Japan, the company specializes in the R&D, manufacturing, and sales of intelligent new-energy commercial vehicles with powertrain choices that include Battery Electric, Hydrogen Fuel Cell Electric and to be announced Hydrogen ICE. ZM Trucks' commercial vehicles are entering the following new markets during 2024: North America, South America, and the Middle East. For more information, please visit ZMTrucks.com . SOURCE ZM Trucks Zoomcar leverages Google Cloud's Gemini models and AI/ML platform to achieve a significant reduction in host onboarding time, host-driven cancellations and also fraud detection on the platform. BENGALURU, India, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zoomcar Holdings, Inc. ("Zoomcar") (OTCQX: ZCAR), India's largest peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, has collaborated with Google Cloud to integrate Generative AI (GenAI) and Machine Learning into its platform enhancing how guests book, hosts onboard, and how Zoomcar ensures safety at scale. The announcement builds on a period of strong financial and operational momentum for the company. In FY2425, Zoomcar reported a 44% improvement in Adjusted EBITDA, with contribution margin reaching a record 47%, driving approximately $10 in contribution per booking. These gains reflect significant progress in automation, AI-led customer experiences, and operational rigor, many of which are now being further scaled through this deepened technology partnership with Google Cloud. Over the past three months, Zoomcar has used Google Cloud's Vertex AI and Gemini models to deploy intelligent AI agents across the user journey. These solutions are already delivering tangible improvements in user experience, operational efficiency, and trust on the platform. One of our standout innovations is Host Assist a Large Language Model (LLM)-powered AI assistant designed to simplify and accelerate the host onboarding journey. Hosting a car on Zoomcar comes with its nuances, and Host Assist clarifies the process by delivering instant, 24X7 policy-aware guidance 24x7 to prospective hosts. Built on a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) framework and leveraging the Gemini Flash 2.0 model, Host Assist has helped prospective hosts complete their onboarding journey faster driving a 30% reduction in average onboarding time. By providing on-the-go, real-time query resolution, it eliminates the need for hosts to wait for live interactions with Zoomcar's Host Success team. To support hosts beyond onboarding, we're building a Host Intelligence Engine an AI-powered platform that delivers personalized feedback and actionable insights to help maximize host earnings and lifetime value. By analyzing host behavior, actions, and benchmarking against top performers, the engine offers tailored recommendations on key business levers. We've begun with Pricing Insights providing data-backed suggestions to help hosts price their cars more effectively and improve their earnings. As part of our broader AI-led efforts to enhance marketplace quality, we've also focused on reducing host cancellations a key factor in guest satisfaction. By leveraging Google Cloud's Gemini models to analyze hostguest chats and voice calls, we can accurately pinpoint responsibility in cancellation disputes. This enables timely feedback and corrective actions with hosts, leading to improved behavior. This is expected to reduce host-driven cancellations, directly contributing to a better guest experience and repeat rates. Complementing these efforts, we're also strengthening guest quality another key pillar of marketplace trust. Leveraging a real-time AI-driven fraud detection engine built on our Customer Data Platform (CDP), we analyze encrypted identity attributes, KYC documents, and selfies to proactively flag suspicious activity. This system equips our operations team with timely alerts and is expected to significantly improve the fraud detection accuracy in future, further enhancing platform integrity and host confidence. "Generative AI is transforming industries, and Zoomcar is an example of how companies can leverage these tools to create truly intelligent and seamless customer experiences," said Sashi Sreedharan, Managing Director, Google Cloud India. "We are excited to see Zoomcar's continued innovation and how their use of Vertex AI and Gemini is setting new benchmarks for efficiency, trust, and personalized interactions in the car-sharing marketplace." "Our focus has been to bring GenAI out of the lab and into real-world impact for both our customers and internal customer experience teams. With Google Cloud, we've built context-aware AI agents and ML models that are deeply embedded into our workflows that not only drive significant commercial results but also build deeper trust and loyalty with our customers," said Vishal Ramrakhyani, Head of Product & Engineering at Zoomcar. About Google Cloud Google Cloud is the new way to the cloud, providing AI, infrastructure, developer, data, security, and collaboration tools built for today and tomorrow. Google Cloud offers a powerful, fully integrated and optimized AI stack with its own planet-scale infrastructure, custom-built chips, generative AI models and development platform, as well as AI-powered applications, to help organizations transform. Customers in more than 200 countries and territories turn to Google Cloud as their trusted technology partner. About Zoomcar Founded in 2013 and headquartered in Bengaluru, Zoomcar is India's leading peer-to-peer car-sharing marketplace, connecting Hosts with Guests across 90+ cities. The platform promotes affordable, flexible, and sustainable urban mobility while empowering individuals to become mobility micro-entrepreneurs. Forward-Looking Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking statements about our plans, efforts, projections, goals, assumptions, commitments, expectations, or prospects related to our collaboration with Google. These forward-looking statements reflect our management's current expectations for this alliance and these statements entail significant risk and uncertainty. To identify these forward-looking statements, we use terms such as "may," "will," "aim," "increase," "estimate," "intend," "indicate," "continue," "expand," "empower," "believe," "evolve," "exponentially," "emerging," or the negatives thereof, as well as other variations or comparable terminology. We ask that you read statements that contain these terms carefully because we believe this information is important for our investors and customers. Any forward-looking statement in this press release refers solely to what is accurate as of the day it is issued or based on assumptions that Zoomcar believes to be reasonable. The actual results and outcomes may materially differ due to various factors or events beyond our control which may not be foreseeable at all times. We cannot guarantee or assure any plan, initiative, projection, goal, assumption, commitment, expectation, or prospect set forth in this press release can or will be achieved. We undertake no obligation to alter or revise publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, save and except as required by law. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2517562/5182911/Zoomcar_Logo.jpg SOURCE Zoomcar SYDNEY, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Great Barrier Reef's hard coral cover has sharply declined, returning to near long-term average levels after recent record highs, a report revealed Wednesday. The findings underscore a new volatility in coral health, according to the Australian Institute of Marine Science's (AIMS) annual survey report of the world's largest coral reef system off the coast of Australia's Queensland. The Great Barrier Reef has experienced the largest annual decline in coral cover in two of its three regions since AIMS began monitoring 39 years ago, the report said. This decline was mainly caused by climate change-driven heat stress from the 2024 mass bleaching event, alongside damage from cyclones and crown-of-thorns starfish outbreaks, it said. According to AIMS, coral cover fell by about 25 percent in the northern section, nearly 14 percent in the central region, and around one-third in the southern region, which experiences such severe bleaching for the first time. AIMS Long-Term Monitoring Program (LTMP) leader Mike Emslie said that over the past 15 years, hard coral cover has become more volatile, fluctuating rapidly between record lows and highs, pointing to an ecosystem under stress. Coral reefs dominated by the Acropora species, known for their fast growth but high vulnerability, were among the most impacted, "as they are susceptible to heat stress, cyclones and are a favorite food of crown-of-thorns starfish," Emslie said. AIMS' 2025 LTMP surveyed 124 reefs between August 2024 and May 2025, finding that most reefs had hard coral cover of 10-30 percent, 33 reefs had 30-50 percent, two reefs exceeded 75 percent, and two were below 10 percent. AIMS CEO Selina Stead said the findings strongly demonstrate how ocean warming due to climate change is causing significant and rapid harm to the Great Barrier Reef's coral communities. WINDHOEK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Namibia has embarked on a pilot project to develop a blueprint for artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted learning, with connectivity support provided by the country's national telecom operator, Telecom Namibia. This five-month research project, known as the YYeni AI Luderitz Pilot, was launched in July at the Luderitz Secondary School in southwestern Namibia, Telecom said in a statement released on Tuesday. The project seeks to develop a scalable blueprint for AI-assisted learning in Namibia's public education system by integrating AI tutoring with traditional teacher-led instruction. "Telecom Namibia is proud to contribute to initiatives that empower young people and advance digital innovation," said Stanley Shanapinda, chief executive officer of Telecom Namibia. "Whether connecting youth from around the world or helping to shape the future of AI in education, our goal is to enable progress through reliable, high-speed connectivity." The ultimate aim, endorsed by the Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts and Culture, is expected to expand the model to 25 schools and 2,500 learners by 2026, Shanapinda added. If you were looking for the Charlestown Democratic Town Committee website and ended up here, try this Got news tips, gossip, suggestions, complaints?E-mail us: progressivecharlestown@gmail.com We strive to avoid errors in our articles. Our correction policy can be found here New York, Aug 6 : US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce refused to comment on India's reactions to President Donald Trump's threats to impose punitive tariffs for buying Russian oil. Asked by a reporter on Tuesday about External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar's comments, she said, "I will not characterise or remark on another nation's comments about what they will or will not do". She added with a touch of irony, "I can barely do that here". But she added a criticism of India's oil purchases, saying Trump "is the guiding hand, and when it comes to what Russia is doing and those nations that are facilitating this war on Ukraine, it will be up to President Trump about how to respond". Bruce was speaking at the regular briefing for reporters held after Trump had said that he would impose a heavy tariff on India in 24 hours for buying Russian oil and reselling products from it, over the 25 per cent tariff he had announced on Friday. "They are buying Russian oil and fueling the Russian war machine", he alleged. EAM Jaishankar said on Monday in an implied criticism of the tariff threat, but without mentioning Trump, "We live in complicated and uncertain times. Our collective desire is to see a fair and representative global order, not one dominated by a few". The External Affairs Ministry said, "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security". It also criticised the inherent double standards in singling out India, pointing out that the European Union's Russia trade was $67.5 billion, and Washington was also buying uranium, palladium, fertilisers and other chemicals. Nikki Haley, a former US cabinet-level permanent representative to the UN who ran against Trump for the Republican Party's presidential nomination, also brought up the singling out of India, warning it could "burn" ties with "strong ally" New Delhi. She wrote on X, "India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India". Explaining and justifying Trump's strategy of imposing the tariff penalty, known formally as secondary tariffs, Bruce said Trump has many tools in his tool chest." "This is one of them he (and in which he) has invested a great deal of and will continue to regarding the wars and the conflicts around the world to stop them", she said. "And as a businessman, he likes to use, understandably, the tools that can make a difference with countries we usuall" she said. "It is about economy", she added. "And that's a very specific approach. It's something every country can understand". Baghdad, Aug 6 : Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia' al-Sudani affirmed his country's commitment to Lebanon's stability and its support for the Lebanese people. Al-Sudani made the remarks when meeting here with Lebanese Labor Minister Mohammad Haidar on Tuesday, during which they reviewed bilateral ties, developments in Lebanon, and the overall regional situation, read a statement by al-Sudani's media office. The two sides discussed several topics of mutual interest, including cooperation in the fields of economy, telecommunications, investment, facilitation of private sector operations in both countries, activation of the Iraqi-Lebanese Business Council, and the regulation of labor affairs and movement between the two countries, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the statement. Al-Sudani reaffirmed Iraq's "firm and principled stance in support of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and rejection of aggression," read the statement. For his part, Haidar reaffirmed his government's continued commitment to "strengthening a constructive partnership with Iraq and expanding economic cooperation in the interests of both brotherly nations," it noted. Media Office of the Iraqi Prime Minister said in a statement, "Discussions covered several topics of mutual interest, including cooperation in the fields of economy, telecommunications, investment, facilitation of private sector operations in both countries, activation of the Iraqi-Lebanese Business Council, and the regulation of labor affairs and movement between the two countries." It further stated "Prime Minister Al-Sudani affirmed Iraq's commitment to Lebanon's stability and its support for the Lebanese people in facing challenges and turning points with courage. He reaffirmed Iraq's firm and principled stance in support of Lebanon's sovereignty, territorial integrity, and rejection of aggression." Uttarkashi: Police, ITBP, Army, SDRF, and other agencies conduct a swift rescue operation following a flash flood in Dharali village, safely evacuating 37 people, including 22 men, 11 women, and 4 children, to ITBP BOP Kopang for first aid, in Uttarkashi on Tuesday, August 5, 2025.. Image Source: IANS/X/@uttarakhandcops New Delhi, Aug 6 : In the wake of a devastating cloudburst in Uttarkashi's Dharali area, the Indian Army has ramped up rescue and relief efforts, with ground and aerial support being coordinated to assist the affected population. Taking to its official X handle, the Indian Army's Central Command posted, "Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in critical rescue and relief operations since 5 Aug 25 (AN). Inputs from the CO have been received reassuring the citizens of Army's continued efforts to rescue all survivors." The Army further confirmed that "additional Army columns along with Army tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment, etc have been moved ahead to supplement the resources at Harsil to hasten the efforts." Army and Air Force helicopters have been mobilised for essential supply drops, medical assistance, and evacuation of marooned residents. "In the meanwhile, the residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains," the Army's post stated. The Uttarkashi district administration is on high alert following heavy flash floods and landslides triggered by continuous rainfall. A red alert has been issued for extremely heavy rainfall, prompting the closure of all government and private schools, as well as Anganwadi centres. Local authorities have begun public announcements via loudspeakers, urging residents in low-lying areas and near riverbanks to evacuate immediately and move to safer locations. At least four people have been confirmed dead, and several remain missing following Tuesday's cloudburst. Rescue efforts are being carried out by combined teams of the Army, police, NDRF, and SDRF. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who cut short his Andhra Pradesh visit, returned to Dehradun to monitor the situation from the State Emergency Operation Centre. He stated that over 130 stranded individuals have been relocated to safety, with directives issued to ensure food, shelter, and medical aid reach those in need promptly. Lusaka, Aug 6 : The Zambian government on Tuesday defended its decision to apply for an extension of its International Monetary Fund (IMF) Extended Credit Facility (ECF) program. Minister of Finance and National Planning Situmbeko Musokotwane said the extension is necessary to consolidate and maintain the economic confidence that the country has achieved following the successful implementation of the program, Xinhua news agency reported. He noted that the program has not only boosted investor confidence but also reassured creditors of the country's economic direction. "After debt restructuring, we are seeing creditors bringing back funds in the form of lending to the private sector. We are also seeing renewed interest in government securities," Musokotwane said during a press briefing. While acknowledging the government's ongoing fiscal prudence, Musokotwane emphasised that extending the IMF program will provide further advantages. He added that the extension will attract more financial support from cooperating partners. The government, he said, needs approximately $145 million in donor support for next year. Musokotwane warned that Zambia risks losing some of this donor support if the IMF program ends, which further justifies the government's decision to seek an extension. He also highlighted that the IMF program has been beneficial, helping the country increase its international reserves and allowing the government to channel funds into key sectors such as social services. In late July, the Cabinet authorized the finance minister to apply for a 12-month extension of the IMF program. The current program, approved in August 2022, is scheduled to conclude in October this year. Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries perform during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) TIANJIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Hundreds of young students from SCO countries gathered at the event to experience cultural diversity through showcases and performances. Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries try shadow puppet show during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries perform during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries try on Beijing Opera costumes during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries watch a performance of Chinese traditional martial art during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries try Chinese calligraphy during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) Young students from the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) countries try Chinese stone rubbing art during the Kaleidoscope Cultural Bazaar in north China's Tianjin, Aug. 6, 2025. (Xinhua/Li Ran) New Delhi, Aug 6 : To encourage the concept of balanced and judicious use of fertilisers, the government has notified alternative fertilisers like organic fertilisers, bio-fertilisers, de-oiled cake, organic carbon enhancer and nano-fertiliser to encourage nutrient management. Soil Health and Fertility Scheme introduced in the year 2014 with objective to assist states in promoting Integrated Nutrient Management (INM) through judicious use of chemical fertilizers including secondary and micro nutrients in conjunction with organic manures and bio-fertilizers for improving soil health and its productivity. Soil samples are processed following standard procedures and analyzed for various parameters pH, electrical conductivity (EC), Organic Carbon, available Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium, Sulphur and micronutrients (Zinc, Copper, Iron, Manganese and Boron), said Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Anupriya Patel, in Rajya Sabha in a written reply to a question. Soil Health Card provides information to farmers on soil nutrient status of their soil and recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility. Under the scheme, 25.13 crore soil health cards have been issued to farmers. About 93,781 farmer's trainings, 6.80 lakh demonstrations, 7,425 farmer's melas/campaigns on soil health card recommendations have been organised across the country. Organic farming is promoted through Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) in all the sates/UTs except North Eastern States and Mission Organic Value Chain Development for North Eastern Region (MOVCDNER) for the Northeast. Under PKVY assistance of Rs 31,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for promotion of organic farming. "Out of this, assistance of Rs. 15,000 per ha is provided to farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer for on- farm /off -farm organic inputs including organic compost. Under MOVCDNER, assistance of Rs 46,500 per hectare in 3 years is provided for creation of Farmers Producer Organization, support to farmers for organic inputs, etc," said the minister. Out of this, assistance at Rs 32,500 per hectare is provided to farmers for off -farm /on-farm organic inputs under the scheme including Rs 15,000 as Direct Benefit Transfer to the farmers, the minister added. Patna, Aug 6 : An inter-state dreaded criminal, Roshan Sharma, sustained a gunshot injury on his leg while attempting to flee police custody in the early hours of Wednesday in Kurkuri village, on the outskirts of Patna. The incident was confirmed by Patna Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Kartikeya Sharma. According to the SSP, Roshan Sharma was arrested in Jehanabad and was being brought to Patna for further investigation. "During interrogation, Roshan revealed information that led us to recover a number of weapons and even bust a mini gun factory in the Phulwarisharif area, where raw materials of weapons and other incriminating evidence were seized," SSP Sharma said. While being escorted to arrest one of his aides, Roshan attempted to snatch the weapons of the cops and escape near Kurkuri village. "Our team immediately pursued him and managed to overpower him after shooting a gunshot in his leg. He sustained a leg injury during the attempt and was rushed to a local hospital," said SSP Sharma. Following initial treatment, doctors referred him to Patna Medical College and Hospital (PMCH) for further care. Roshan Sharma is a notorious criminal wanted in over 18 cases of murder, loot, dacoity and others across Bihar, Jharkhand, and West Bengal. His criminal activities date back to 2004, and he was recently linked to a firing incident near the bus stand under Ramkrishna Nagar police station in Patna. "We have already informed the police departments in Jharkhand and West Bengal regarding his arrest," added Sharma. This incident comes amid a statewide police crackdown named 'Operation Langda', launched in response to a recent spike in criminal activities across Bihar. In a related development, Saran police on Tuesday arrested another criminal, Randhir Kumar alias Bhuwar, after an encounter in Taraiya. He, too, suffered a gunshot injury in his leg during the encounter. Police officials say Operation Langda aims to dismantle active criminal networks operating in Bihar and neighbouring states. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 : The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has predicted extremely high rainfall in Kerala on Wednesday. Kerala is expected to see generally cloudy conditions on Wednesday morning, with rain advancing by early afternoon and continuing into the evening and night. The current temperature is around 24adegrees Celsius, expected to rise to a high of about 29adegrees Celsius before cooling through the evening. A red alert has been issued for Kannur and Kasaragod districts, while an orange alert is in place for Malappuram, Wayanad, and Kozhikode. Likewise, a yellow alert has been issued for Ernakulam, Idukki, Thrissur, and Palakkad districts. All educational institutions in Kasaragod, Kannur, and Thrissur districts have been closed for the day. The IMD has also predicted strong winds reaching up to 60 km/h along the Kerala coast. Extremely heavy rainfall refers to rainfall exceeding 204.4 mm in a single day. Such intense rainfall can lead to dangerous situations. According to the State Disaster Management Authority, there is a trend of intense rain over a short period, which can cause flash floods and lightning-related floods. Heavy rain on Tuesday caused flooding and waterlogged roads in urban areas, especially in Ernakulam, Thrissur, and Palakkad. Consequent to the rain in the past few days, rivers and dams, particularly in Idukki and Wayanad, are approaching or at critical alert levels. On Tuesday, public ire was on display in Thrissur as the road with potholes was being resurfaced during rain. When the locals raised an alarm over the insensitive manner in which road resurfacing was going on, the Thrissur Corporation Mayor, M.K. Varghese, arrived at the spot and said that no work was undertaken. The fishing community in the state is also eagerly waiting to resume fishing operations after the trawling ban, which ended on July 31, but after that, the sea was rough, and in certain areas, the fishing ban continues. Dehradun, Aug 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday spoke with Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami over the phone and inquired about the grim situation in Uttarkashi's Dharali region, which was hit by twin cloudbursts, sweeping away an entire village and leaving several missing. The Prime Minister also sought an update on the status of the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the area. CM Dhami briefed him on the state's response efforts, saying that the government was fully prepared and all concerned agencies were working in coordination to ensure prompt assistance to those affected. Due to relentless rains, the Chief Minister said, some areas remain difficult to access, but round-the-clock efforts are underway to provide relief. Sharing details of the conversation, CM Dhami posted on X, "Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi took information about the ongoing relief and rescue operations in Dharali over the phone this morning. During this, he was informed about the rescue operations conducted throughout the night, the rescue of people from the incident site to safe locations, and the availability of essential services and resources." Expressing his appreciation for the Prime Minister's support, CM Dhami added, "Heartfelt gratitude to Honourable Prime Minister for providing every possible assistance! I am in constant contact with the team engaged in the rescue operation. I am also heading to Dharali myself to inspect the incident site." During the conversation, PM Modi assured the Chief Minister that the Centre would extend all possible help to the state in managing the crisis. This was the second time since Tuesday, after the cloudbursts hit the state's hilly area, that the Prime Minister reached out to CM Dhami. On Tuesday, PM Modi had expressed his concern over the devastation caused by the cloudbursts, including the damage to an Army camp that left several soldiers missing. The twin cloudbursts have wreaked havoc in the region, leaving many missing and significant infrastructure damaged. Rescue efforts are continuing amid difficult weather conditions. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday issued a 'heavy rainfall' warning and a red alert for Uttarakhand. The IMD forecast stated that heavy rain is likely to occur at isolated places across several districts, including Uttarkashi, Rudraprayag, Chamoli, Bageshwar, Pithoragarh, Udham Singh Nagar, Dehradun, Nainital, Champawat and Pauri Garhwal. It further warned that thunderstorms accompanied by lightning and intense to very intense spells of rain are likely at isolated locations in all districts of the state. Kabul, Aug 6 : Iran has deported thousands of Afghan refugees, many of whom had long been employed in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and skilled trades. Their sudden return is placing immense strain on Afghanistan's already fragile economy, creating an urgent need for employment opportunities and essential support services, local media reported. Abdul Rahim, one of the Afghan migrants who had worked in Iran's agricultural sector for four years, said that he can support his six-member family using his skills if employment opportunities are made available in the home country. "We have now returned to our own country. We used to work in agriculture there. If an opportunity arises here in the agricultural sector, I would be happy because I have skills in this field," Afghan media outlet TOLO news quoted Rahim as saying. "If the work we did in Iran was available in our own country, we would never go to Iran. The Iranian government and people mistreated us. We rented houses there, and they would not pay us our wages," said another Afghan migrant. Recently, Ahmadullah Wasiq, spokesperson of the Afghan Commission for Refugee Affairs, condemned the Iranian government for the ill treatment of Afghan migrants and urged them to coordinate with the Afghan government for the deportation process. He called on the international organisations to scale up their humanitarian assistance to returnees in coordination with the Refugee Affairs Commission. Earlier, Fatima, one of the deportees from Iran who had lived with her family in Iran for three years, recounted the abuses by Iranian officials, TOLO news reported. "We were brought from the camp, and they told us not to bring anything because they would help us. But on the way, no one gave us anything, and my children became very hungry. They harassed us during the journey, taking our money and phones," she stated. According to a report of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) from the beginning of 2025 to August 1, more than 2.1 million Afghans have been deported from Iran and Pakistan and returned to their country. "Since 1 April, as of July 30, 1.4 million Afghans returned from Iran and 303,300 from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Over 2.1 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan have returned in 2025. Despite high protection and basic needs, the Afghanistan situation is critically underfunded, receiving only 24 per cent of the required $478 million for this year," the report added. Several deported Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan had raised concerns about their difficult living conditions in their home country due to a lack of shelter, unemployment, and basic services. Montreal, Aug 6 : Clara Tauson scored a 6-1, 6-4 win over reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys at the Canadian Open to move into her second WTA 1000 semifinal of 2025. Tauson needed just 27 minutes to win the opening set, and while the second set proved more challenging for Tauson, the late push by Keys came too late. With back-to-back wins over Iga Swiatek and Madison Keys, Tauson has notched multiple Top 10 victories at a single tournament for the first time in her career, earning her spot in a seventh WTA semifinal, WTA reports. Tauson will next face four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who punched her own ticket to the semis in an equally dominant 6-2, 6-2 display against No. 10 seed Elina Svitolina. Osaka defeated Svitolina for the fifth time in eight matches to reach the Canadian Open semifinal for the first time in her career. Overall, the win sends Osaka into her sixth WTA 1000 semifinal -- and her first since Miami in 2022. And with Victoria Mboko also advancing to the semifinals Monday, it's the first time two unseeded players have made the semifinals at the Canadian Open since Jessica Pegula and Camila Giorgi in 2021. Speaking about her semifinal matchup with Tauson, Osaka said, "She's really tough. I played her in Auckland this year and I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So, I'm really excited that I'm healthy and I hope that it's a good match for everyone that comes and watches." Osaka and Tauson's semifinal meeting will be their second career matchup. Tauson won their first in Auckland earlier this year. In that match, Osaka was forced to retire after winning the opening set 6-4. Mumbai, Aug 6 : Shiv Sena(UBT) on Wednesday came out in support of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and raised questions about the Supreme Court's observations, terming them "wrong in every manner". Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Shiv Sena(UBT) on Wednesday came out in support of Rahul Gandhi, the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, and raised questions about the Supreme Court's observations, terming them "wrong in every manner". "What has the Supreme Court achieved by making its observation that a 'true Indian' would not make a remark like China had occupied 2,000 square kilometres of Indian territory and Chinese troops were thrashing Indian soldiers in Aunachal Pradesh," the Uddhav Thackeray camp said in it's mouthpiece 'Saamana' editorial on Wednesday. It claimed that after 2014, "the days of liars have come in the country and those who speak the truth and question the government are being considered 'anti-India'." In a scathing editorial, the Shiv Sena(UBT) said the definition of patriots has changed since the BJP came to power in 2014, adding that those who heap praise over the government are treated as patriots, but anyone who questions the government is stamped as anti-national. Based on this criterion, the ruling government at the Centre started issuing certificates of patriotism and labelling them as anti-nationals. The ruling party's sweeping definition that citizens of India cannot question the government should be rejected by the country's constitutional institutions. But unfortunately, that does not seem to be happening, it added. The Thackeray camp referred to the questions posed by a division bench, comprising Justice Dipankar Dutta and Justice A.G. Masih, about statements made by Rahul Gandhi during his Bharat Jodo Yatra while hearing a petition against the Leader of Opposition. "How did you know that China swallowed 2,000 square kilometres of India? Were you present there?' Justice Dutta asked. What evidence do you have of the intrusion? And why don't you speak in Parliament about whatever you want to say about this? Justice Dutta also admonished Rahul Gandhi that 'No true Indian would say such things, and if you are a true Indian, do not make such statements.' Whether Rahul Gandhi is a true Indian or not was not the issue before the court. Therefore, what did the court achieve by unnecessarily expressing its opinion on how 'true Indian' Rahul Gandhi is or not?" asked the editorial. Defending Rahul Gandhi, the Thackeray camp argued that as the LoP, he, as the representative of the people, is entitled to ask questions to the government on issues of public and national interest related to national security. "If Rahul Gandhi did so, what was wrong with that?" Commenting on the Supreme Court's statement asking Rahul Gandhi to speak on the issue (Chinese infiltration) in the Parliament and not on social media, the Thackeray camp said he is not allowed to speak in Parliament, and it has been his main complaint about the government. "After 2020, the opposition parties have tried to raise the issue of Chinese intrusion in Parliament many times. But what happened? Was a discussion allowed? The issue of intrusion was always covered up by putting forward the shield of 'national security issue'. Is Rahul Gandhi the only one who speaks about intrusion in the country again? Not so. Even the senior leader of the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party, Dr Subramanian Swamy, has always criticised his own government in venomous language on Chinese intrusion," said the editorial. Further, the editorial mentioned that Dr Swamy has often accused China of grabbing 4,067 square kilometres of Indian land in Ladakh. In this case, he used the Right to Information to ask the government for information, but the government refused to provide that information. Dr Swamy also approached the court to get this information. "But when Dr Swamy criticises, he does not hurt the feelings of the petitioner in this case. When Dr Swamy alleges that China has swallowed up more than 4,000 square kilometres of land, no one is defamed. But when Rahul Gandhi alleges that China has occupied 2,000 square kilometres of Indian land, he hurts feelings and gets defamed," said the editorial, asking why such kind of duplicity. The Uddhav Thackeray camp said BJP's Arunachal Pradesh MP Tapir Gao had also questioned his government in Parliament in 2019 about Chinese infiltration, saying that the latter has encroached on a large area of our land by infiltrating 50 to 60 kilometres in Arunachal Pradesh. "But if Rahul Gandhi raises the same issue, it is being treated as a shocking comment. Rahul Gandhi went to Ladakh on a bike, met the people there. The people of Ladakh also expressed their concerns to Rahul Gandhi about Chinese infiltration, and the court, however, asks Rahul Gandhi for evidence," it added. If the Supreme Court has questioned Rahul Gandhi's statement about China, saying a "true Indian" cannot make such remarks, then it is a serious one, taunted the Thackeray camp. "Therefore, the Supreme Court should now decide 'who is a true Indian?' For this, will the Supreme Court constitute a fact-finding committee on Chinese infiltration?" asked the editorial. Kolkata, Aug 6 : The BJP MPs from West Bengal are all set to raise the issue of the attack on the convoy of the leader of the opposition in the West Bengal Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, at Cooch Behar in West Bengal. "One of our members will raise this issue on the floor of the Parliament and will seek discussions on the issue," confirmed a BJP Lok Sabha member from West Bengal. According to him, while the Trinamool Congress is so vocal about creating a "false narrative" on alleged harassment of the Bengali-speaking people in the BJP-ruled states, under the Mamata government, "even the security of the Leader of the Opposition in the state Assembly is compromised". "We know that Trinamool Congress MPs will try to dilute the issue and deny any involvement of their party in the matter. But we have enough pictures and video clippings to prove the involvement of Trinamool Congress goons behind the attack on Adhikari's convoy," the BJP Lok Sabha member said. He also said, "The attack on Adhikari's convoy was pre-planned. It was evident from the fact that Trinamool Congress organised their public programmes at 19 places, all concentrated in Cooch Behar town, on the same day and at the same time when the leader of the opposition went there to attend a pre-scheduled programme. "This point will also be highlighted in our arguments," the BJP Lok Sabha member said. Meanwhile, the Cooch Behar Police have intimated that till now, three persons have been arrested in connection with the attack on the convoy of the leader of the opposition. The accused have been identified as Zahirul Islam, Sukhlal Rabidas, and Ranjit Dey. However, the district police had not said anything about their "political connections". Soon after the attack on his convoy, Adhikari received a call from the Union Home Ministry enquiring about the attack. Union Home Minister Amit Shah dialled former Union Minister of State for Home Affairs and former BJP Lok Sabha member from Cooch Behar constituency, Nisith Pramanik, and enquired about the attack on Adhikari. Thereafter, LoP Adhikari received a call from an official from the Union Home Ministry, who sought details on the attack on his convoy, sources said. After getting the details on the attack, the Union Home Ministry official also enquired about LoP Adhikari's health condition. According to sources, Adhikari said over the phone that he would have died if his car was not bulletproof. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Delhi Police's Anti Auto Theft Squad (AATS) has arrested a man involved in the chain snatching of Congress MP R. Sudha Ramakrishnan in the Chanakyapuri area of the national Capital. The AATS recovered a gold chain weighing 30.90 grams (snatched from the complainant), two stolen scooties and four mobile phones from the possession of the accused Acting on the complaint, the police conducted a detailed analysis of CCTV footage from the incident route, gathered information with the help of local intelligence and also used technical surveillance to track the movement and identity of the accused. After a thorough investigation, the accused was identified and apprehended. The accused was identified as Sohan Rawat alias Sonu, a resident of Okhla Industrial Area, according to the police. Sonu, aged 24, is a "highly notorious and habitual offender with 26 previous involvements across various police stations of Delhi," the police said, adding that he had recently been released from jail on June 27. "The accused has been previously involved in multiple cases registered under IPC sections 356, 379, 392, 411, 34 as well as Arms Act and BNS provisions across the jurisdictions of Amar Colony, Sunlight Colony, R.K. Puram, Lajpat Nagar, Inder Puri, Kalkaji, Hauz Khas, Mandawli, Fatehpur Beri, Defence Colony, Ambedkar Nagar, Naraina, Saket, and others," the police said. "The accused is currently under further interrogation for ascertaining his involvement in other recent incidents of snatching and vehicle theft," the authorities said. Further investigations are underway. More details are awaited. The incident occurred on August 4 while the Mayiladuthurai MP was out for a walk near Gate 3 and 4 of the Polish Embassy, accompanied by Rajya Sabha member Rajathi. According to her complaint, a man wearing a helmet approached them on a scooty from the opposite direction and snatched the MP's gold chain before fleeing. The area is known for housing multiple foreign embassies and VIP residences, raising serious security concerns. Gumla : , Aug 6 (IANS) Jharkhand Police gunned down top Maoist Martin Kerketta, the self-styled supremo of the banned outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), during an encounter in Gumla district late Tuesday night, officials said on Wednesday. Kerketta, who carried a bounty of Rs 15 lakh on his head, had been a dreaded figure across Gumla, Khunti, Simdega, Lohardaga, and Ranchi districts for nearly two decades. He was wanted in connection with over 70 cases related to violent and extremist activities. According to Gumla SP Haris Bin Zama, police received intelligence inputs that an armed PLFI squad led by Kerketta had arrived in the Changabari Upartoli area under Kamdara police station to extort money from a local businessman. Acting swiftly, a special police team, including the district's anti-Naxal Quick Response Team (QRT) and forces from two police station areas, launched a cordon-and-search operation. On spotting the advancing forces, Kerketta and his associates opened fire, triggering a retaliatory gunfight in which Kerketta was killed on the spot. Arms and ammunition were recovered from the encounter site. Following the encounter, a massive search operation was launched in the region to trace other members of the squad. Kerketta, a native of Redma village in Kamdara, had been closely associated with former PLFI chief Dinesh Gop and rose through the ranks of the organisation. He assumed command of the outfit after Gop's arrest from Nepal two years ago and was also a central committee member of the PLFI. He was reportedly involved in several high-profile acts of violence and extortion. Kerketta had earlier escaped police encounters on at least two occasions. Speaking to the media, SP Haris Bin Zama said, "PLFI supremo Martin Kerketta, who had a reward of Rs 15 lakh on his head, has been killed in an operation by Gumla police. This is a significant success in our anti-Naxal campaign." CANBERRA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A report by an independent advisory body of the Australian government has found that strictly regulating artificial intelligence (AI) would inhibit the country's economic growth. Published on Tuesday night by the Productivity Commission (PC), the government's independent advisory body on economic, social and environmental issues, the report found that AI will likely increase Australia's economic output by more than 116 billion Australian dollars (75.1 billion U.S. dollars) over the next decade. It said that the federal government should check for, and fill, gaps in current regulation exposed by AI but that AI-specific regulation should only be considered as a "last resort." "Adding economy-wide regulations that specifically target AI could see Australia fall behind the curve, limiting a potentially enormous growth opportunity," Commissioner Stephen King said in a statement. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Labor Party federal government is currently considering a legislative response to the rise of AI technologies, including a possible AI Act that would force AI-generated content to be labelled and impose mandatory safeguards on AI deemed high-risk. The PC report, which was commissioned by Treasurer Jim Chalmers, was released ahead of the government convening business leaders, trade unions and economists for an economic reform roundtable at Parliament House in Canberra from Aug. 19-21. According to the agenda released by Chalmers last Friday, the entire second day of the gathering will focus on boosting Australia's productivity. The PC report found that AI could drive a 4.3 percent increase in labor productivity over the next decade. Additionally, it said that giving individuals and businesses greater access to data that relates to them would increase competition and innovation, delivering productivity gains worth up to 10 billion Australian dollars (6.4 billion U.S. dollars) per year. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Lok Sabha on Wednesday marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki of Japan, with Speaker Om Birla leading a commemorative tribute at the start of the session. Recalling the devastation unleashed on August 6 and 9, 1945, Speaker Birla said the House "reiterates its commitment to the elimination of nuclear weapons and the pursuit of lasting world peace." Members observed a minute's silence in memory of the over 2,10,000 lives lost in the twin bombings, which 'rema' (is a word of Japanese origin generally designating the people affected by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki), continue to bear the physical and emotional scars of the attacks, and their testimonies have shaped decades of anti-nuclear advocacy. However, the solemnity in Parliament was short-lived. As Speaker Birla initiated Question Hour by calling on MP Naveen Jindal, the Opposition erupted in protest, demanding Prime Minister Narendra Modi's presence in the House. Chants of "Pradhan Mantri Sadan mein aao" echoed across the House, drowning out BJP MP Arun Govil's question. Despite repeated appeals for order, the disruptions persisted. Speaker Birla, visibly perturbed, warned the Opposition: "If you do not want the House to run, I will adjourn." He then suspended proceedings until noon. The ruckus reflects deepening tensions between the treasury and Opposition benches over the Prime Minister's absence during key debates. Wednesday's disruption also overshadowed the House's symbolic gesture on Hiroshima Day -- a moment meant to unite lawmakers across party lines in reflection and resolve. Globally, Hiroshima's 80th anniversary has drawn participation from over 120 nations, including Russia and Belarus, with ceremonies held at the Peace Memorial Park and calls to revive stalled nuclear disarmament efforts. In India, the Lok Sabha's tribute was a rare parliamentary acknowledgement of the bombings' legacy, though its impact was blunted by political discord from Opposition members who have been demanding debate on special intensive revision of the voter list for the past several days. As the House reconvenes later in the day, questions remain over whether the spirit of Hiroshima -- of peace, accountability, and remembrance -- can find resonance amid the din of domestic politics. Moscow, Aug 6 : Moscow on Wednesday said that it is not surprised by the record-long absence of a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump, given the "unprecedented deterioration" of Russia-US relations during the tenure of former US President Joe Biden. Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov made the remarks on an assessment, which noted that for the first time in the modern history of Russia, the US-Russian summit had not been held even after more than six months since the inauguration of the new US President. Previously, the wait for the Russia-US summit reportedly lasted on average from one to five months. This time, six months and 16 days have passed since Trump took over the presidency; however, there has not been any personal meeting between the American President and Putin, Russian state-run news agency TASS reported. "It is unlikely that one can speak about a unique situation. After all, under the previous (US) administration, our bilateral relations experienced an unprecedented deterioration," said Peskov. He stated that under Biden, Moscow and Washington accumulated an "unprecedented number of irritants." The US Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff will be in Moscow on Wednesday to hold meetings with Russian leaders, amid heightened tensions over the US sanctions deadline. Witkoff's visit comes at a time when tensions between Russia and the US are escalating. Trump also confirmed that Russia could face sanctions by August 9 if an agreement is not reached on resolving the Ukraine crisis. India's study on nutritional impact on TB outcomes contributed to global guidance: WHO. Image Source: IANS New Delhi, Aug 6 : The study undertaken by India that showed the positive impact of nutrition on the outcome of tuberculosis (TB) contributed to global guidance on the world's most infectious disease, said the World Health Organization (WHO), while calling for more research and innovation to fight TB. Led by ICMR, the study conducted in Jharkhand, offered the first evidence that providing extra nutrition is effective in preventing TB cases and mortality in India. "The findings from India's RATIONS study on the impact of nutrition on TB outcomes and incidence of the disease have contributed to the global guidance," said the WHO, during a three-day virtual workshop. The WHO also urged the South-East Asia region -- accounting for the highest share of cases and deaths worldwide -- to urgently scale up research and innovation to achieve the End TB goals. "In our Region alone, nearly 5 million people developed TB and close to 600,000 died from the disease in 2023," said Dr Catharina Boehme, Officer-in-Charge, WHO South-East Asia Region. "Achieving the ambitious targets in the WHO End TB Strategy requires collaboration to accelerate research and innovation. It requires the adoption and use of new tools, technologies, and drugs. Ensuring timely and equitable access to these innovations remains critical to achieving impacts at scale, leaving no one behind," she added. The WHO noted that the South-East Asia Region has made notable progress, including an increase in TB case notifications in 2023, which signalled recovery after Covid-19-related setbacks. Yet, progress remains insufficient to meet the End TB Strategy targets. Post-Covid-19 pandemic, TB once again reemerged as the world's leading cause of death from a single infectious agent, the WHO said. It places a disproportionate burden on the poorest and most vulnerable, further exacerbating inequalities. To counter this, "countries in the Region are increasingly leveraging new approaches such as artificial intelligence for case detection, computer-aided diagnostics, digital adherence tools, and direct benefit transfers for patients, streamlining the social support process," the WHO said. Several countries are also undertaking important research, including epidemiological research to assess the disease burden. However, uptake of research outcomes remains uneven due to knowledge gaps and limited platforms for knowledge exchange and collaborative use. "Our progress is uneven. Research and innovation capacity is varied across the Region, and the results of these efforts are often siloed and unavailable for collaborative use. The rise in drug-resistant forms of TB remains very concerning," said Boehme. Boehme stressed "the need to ensure equitable access to the benefits of research and innovation, including vaccines, medicines, and diagnostics." -- Except for the title, this story has not been edited by Prokerala team and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed Seoul, Aug 6 : The South Korean military has completed removing loudspeakers for propaganda broadcasts against North Korea along the heavily fortified border, military officials said Wednesday. About 20 fixed speakers installed in the front-line areas had all been dismantled as of Tuesday afternoon, nearly a day after the military began removing them on Monday in an effort to ease inter-Korean tensions, according to officials. The removed speakers are to be stored in military units, Yonhap news agency reported. The move came less than two months after the South Korean President, Lee Jae Myung ordered the suspension of loudspeaker broadcasts in frontline areas as part of efforts to mend frayed ties with the North. The North has since responded by suspending its own noise-blaring campaigns against the South in June. However, North Korea has yet to show any signs of removing its own loudspeakers along the border areas in response to the South's removal, according to military officials. North Korea has long bristled against the military's loudspeaker broadcasts and leaflets sent by activists over fears of outside information that could pose a threat to its ruling regime. But under the former conservative Yoon Suk Yeol administration, South Korea turned on the loudspeaker campaign for the first time in six years in June last year as Pyongyang launched thousands of trash-carrying balloons across the border. Seoul had previously conducted the campaign on an on-and-off basis following North Korea's fourth nuclear test in 2016. Since taking office in June, Lee has taken measures to revive inter-Korean ties that remain practically severed since the North declared in late 2023 that the two Koreas are two separate "hostile" countries and moved to dismantle symbols of inter-Korean relations and unification. In addition to halting the military's loudspeaker broadcasts, Lee has called on civic groups to suspend their distribution of anti-Pyongyang leaflets, expressing hope that the reconciliatory gestures could pave the way for engagement with the North. Vladivostok, Aug 6 : A dam has been destroyed near the Klyuchevskoy Volcano on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East, raising concerns over potential mudflows and transportation disruptions in the region, local authorities said on Wednesday. Fieldwork conducted from July 30 to August 2, 2025, near the Studenaya River revealed that the dam -- constructed in 2023 to separate the river's right and left channels -- has collapsed, allowing water to flow freely through both channels, the Institute of Volcanology and Seismology of the Far Eastern Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences said in its Telegram channel. Scientists attribute the damage to increased volcanic activity triggered by a powerful earthquake that struck the region on July 30, Xinhua news agency reported. Lava from Klyuchevskoy volcano is currently descending toward the Bogdanovich Glacier, causing accelerated ice melt. The resulting surge of meltwater cascades down the slopes, generating large-scale mud and debris flows. Experts warn that if these flows continue to intensify, they will cause a direct threat to tourists in the Tolbachinsky Valley. Another powerful earthquake of magnitude 6.7 struck Russia's Kuril Islands earlier in the day on August 3, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ). The agency initially estimated the quake at 6.35 magnitude with a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6.2 miles), but later revised its findings. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center measured the earthquake at magnitude 7.0 and confirmed that no tsunami warning had been issued in the aftermath of the quake. The initial earthquake was followed by aftershocks with a magnitude of 6.8in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula in the Pacific Ocean, 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. Phnom Penh, Aug 6 : Thailand's legal action against Cambodia for using military forces and weapons to violate its sovereignty is baseless and politically motivated and lacks an incredible basis, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. Cambodian Foreign Ministry's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Chum Sounry said this legal measure is entirely baseless and represents a deliberate attempt to divert both domestic and international public attention from Thailand's hostile policy against Cambodia, Xinhua news agency reported. "The accusations forming the basis of legal action are unfounded, politically motivated, and lack incredible basis," he said in a press briefing. Sounry said Cambodia strongly rejects these claims and reaffirms that the country did not start hostilities. Cambodia remains committed to peace, the spokesperson said, adding that despite continued provocation, Cambodia remains fully committed to the ceasefire agreement. "Cambodia urges Thailand to halt its disinformation campaign and/or hostile actions and return to constructive dialogue in the spirit of peaceful co-existence and ASEAN solidarity," he said. The reaction came after Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Tuesday ordered relevant departments to draft legal documents to initiate criminal and civil lawsuits domestically and internationally against Cambodia. He accused Cambodia of using military forces and weapons to violate Thailand's sovereignty, resulting in significant loss of life and property among Thai civilians and military personnel. On August 4, Thai and Cambodian officials arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, for the General Border Committee meeting, as part of efforts to resolve the conflict between the two countries. The meeting was scheduled to be held on August 7 in Malaysia, with the country being selected as a neutral venue, the Malaysian Armed Forces said in a statement. The meeting aims to resolve the border dispute between the two countries, as part of the implementation of the ceasefire agreement reached in Malaysia on July 28, the statement added. Armed clashes broke out between soldiers of Cambodia and Thailand along their disputed border on July 24. The two ASEAN member states agreed to a ceasefire in the afternoon of July 28, taking effect at midnight of the same day. Mumbai, Aug 6 : Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has opened up about the challenges of shooting "Special Ops 2" across multiple international locations. Mumbai, Aug 6 (IANS) Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey has opened up about the challenges of shooting "Special Ops 2" across multiple international locations. He shared how the diverse settings added visual richness to the series but also turned the production into a logistical nightmare as it required extensive planning and coordination. When asked if the diverse filming locations of "Special Ops 2" were a deliberate creative choice, Pandey revealed to IANS that the character of Dr. Bhargav, who is kidnapped, is transported across various locations as part of the narrative. This movement was built into the script from the start, making the use of multiple filming locations a natural creative choice. However, Pandey admitted that executing this vision came with its own set of hurdles, calling the experience a "logistical nightmare" due to the complexities of shooting across so many different places. The filmmaker shared, "Actually, if you follow the story, then you will get to understand that because Dr. Bhargav, who is being kidnapped, is being taken from one place to another. So, organically, it was in the script in the same way. But, shooting at so many places, it's a logistical nightmare." "So, we had a fantastic crew, which again, whether it was in Budapest or Georgia, our local line production team was very capable. And, in a way, we have to shoot everything 2-2.5 months in advance and plan that we are here on this date, we are shooting this, then we are in Budapest for 3 days, then we will take a flight from here, we will go to Batumi, we will prep for 4 days in Batumi, then we will shoot for 2 days. So, in this way, you have to do everything like a clockwork to achieve the whole thing. Otherwise, you will not be able to If you miss one day of shoot, then everything goes for a toss." "Special Ops 2," the second season of the Indian espionage thriller series, stars Kay Kay Menon, Vinay Pathak, Karan Tacker, Gautami Kapoor, Kali Prasad Mukherjee, Parmeet Sethi, Tahir Raj Bhasin, Arif Zakaria, and Saiyami Kher. Chennai, Aug 6 : If rumours doing the rounds in the industry are to be believed, director Jithin K Jose's much-awaited film Kalamkaval, featuring Malayalam superstar Mammootty and Vinayakan in the lead, is likely to release on October 9 this year. Sources in the industry claim that Dulquer Salmaan's Wayfarer Films, which is distributing the film, has informed theatre owners of the makers' decision to release the film on October 9. However, there has been no official announcement about the release date from the film's producers or from Wayfarer Films until now. It may be recalled that Mammootty, whose production house Mammootty Kampany is producing the film, had taken to his X timeline to release the first look poster of the film and its title. The film, which is Mammootty Kampany's seventh production, had a tagline that read, "The venom beneath". Earlier this year, the makers had released the second look poster of Mammootty from the film. While releasing it, Mammootty Kampany, on its timeline said, "Some Faces Raise Questions Not Answers...Presenting The Second Look Poster of #Kalamkaval Directed by Jithin K Jose." 'Kalamkaval', the shooting of which was wrapped up in November last year, has story and screenplay by Jithin K Jose and Jishnu Sreekumar. It has editing by Praveen Prabhakar and cinematography by Faisal Ali. Music for this exciting entertainer will be by young composer Mujeeb Majeed. Stunts for the film have been choreographed by Action Santhosh. The film has been in the news for the curiosity that it has triggered with its makers claiming that the film will showcase Mammootty in a role in which he has never been seen before. Already, rumours doing the rounds in the industry suggest that Mammootty plays a character with shades of grey in it. However, there has been no official confirmation in this regard until now. Shimla, Aug 6 : As many as 413 devotees were on Wednesday rescued and moved to safe places in Himachal Pradesh's mountainous Kinnaur district by an Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team from the 17th Battalion using the rope-based traverse crossing technique. They had been stranded after flashfloods en route to the Kinnaur Kailash pilgrimage, a largely uphill pilgrimage, since Tuesday. Subsequently, the local administration temporarily stopped the pilgrimage. Every year, pilgrims undertake the arduous trek to the Himalayas to have a view of Mount Kailash, known as the winter abode of Lord Shiva. As per the ITBP, the pilgrims were rescued from the Tangling area along the Kinnaur Kailash yatra route, where a flash flood washed away a large part of the trekking path, leaving hundreds of pilgrims stranded. The rescue operation was carried out by one Gazetted Officer, four Subordinate Officers, and 29 other ranks of the ITBP, in coordination with one team of 14 of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF). On receiving a distress call from the Kinnaur administration on Wednesday morning about more stranded pilgrims, the ITBP and NDRF search and rescue teams were again mobilised to the site and are continuing the operations, said the ITBP in a statement. The 10-day annual Kinnaur Kailash pilgrimage, dedicated to Lord Shiva's 79-ft vertical rock Shiva Lingam, was stopped after several bridges at Tanglippi and Kangarang were washed away due to the increased water flow in the streams. "Besides, most of the trekking paths have become either dangerously slippery or have suffered landslides, posing a serious threat to the safety of pilgrims. Therefore, in view of these adverse conditions, the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra is being temporarily suspended until further orders," the Subdivisional Magistrate (SDM) posted in Kalpa said in a statement. Meanwhile, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued a weather warning on Wednesday, forecasting light to moderate rain at most places in Himachal Pradesh, with a few spells of intense to very intense rain likely in Bilaspur, Solan, Shimla, Sirmaur and Mandi districts. Authorities in Shimla's six subdivisions -- Chopal, Kumarsain, Rampur, Sunni, Jubbal and Theog -- have ordered the closure of all educational institutes, including government and private schools, colleges, ITIs, and anganwaris. Kyiv, Aug 6 : Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said that "mercenaries" from China and Pakistan, along with a few other nations, are fighting alongside Russian forces in the ongoing conflict. Zelensky's statement came after he met with Ukrainian soldiers fighting in the Vovchansk direction. He stated that soldiers in this sector have mentioned the participation of "mercenaries" from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war and vowed to respond to them. In a post on X on Monday, Zelensky stated, "Today, I was with those defending our country in the Vovchansk direction -- the warriors of the 17th Separate Motorized Infantry Battalion of the 57th Brigade named after Kish Otaman Kost Hordiienko." "We spoke with commanders about the frontline situation, the defence of Vovchansk, and the dynamics of the battles... Our warriors in this sector are reporting the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the war. We will respond," he stated. He expressed gratitude to the Ukrainian soldiers for fighting for the nation and presented them with state awards. Meanwhile, a total of 143 combat engagements were recorded between forces of Russia and Ukraine on the frontlines on August 5, with the heaviest fighting witnessed in the Pokrovsk sector, local media platform Ukrinform reported. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces shared the operational update as of 8 a.m. on August 6, the report said. According to the statement shared by the General Staff, Russian forces carried out two missile strikes and 107 airstrikes, using two missiles and 147 guided bombs against Ukrainian forces and populated areas. In response to Russia's attacks, Ukrainian aircraft, missile troops, and artillery hit 14 Russian targets, including two artillery systems, eight areas of enemy troop, weapon, and equipment concentrations, and four command posts. This photo provided by Indonesia's National Search And Rescue (BASARNAS) shows rescuers attempt to recover a fast boat after it capsized in Bali, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2025. Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on Wednesday apologized on behalf of the government over the capsizing of a boat near the entrance of Sanur Harbor, Bali, and called for prompt measures to address the accident. Two passengers, who were Chinese nationals, were confirmed dead, and one crew member was missing as a result of the accident. A total of 73 passengers and four crew members were rescued and taken for treatment. As of Wednesday, the body of the missing crew has been found, bringing the death toll to three. (BASARNAS/Handout via Xinhua) JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on Wednesday apologized on behalf of the government over the capsizing of a boat near the entrance of Sanur Harbor, Bali, and called for prompt measures to address the accident. According to Dudy's statement on Wednesday, the vessel, carrying 75 passengers and five crew members, departed from Nusa Penida Harbor at about 2:30 p.m. local time on Tuesday and capsized around 3:15 p.m. as it was entering Sanur Harbor. "We express our condolences and regret for the capsizing of the Bali Dolphin Cruise 2 fast boat at the entrance to Sanur Harbor, Bali. On behalf of the government, we apologize and will promptly handle and evaluate this accident," Dudy said in the statement. The statement said sea conditions were calm during the voyage, but as the boat passed the red and green beacon buoys at the harbor entrance and turned to approach the dock, a sudden wave struck the port side, causing the vessel to overturn. The minister said that a navigational warning had also been issued to help prevent similar maritime accidents and ensure shipping safety. Two passengers, who were Chinese nationals, were confirmed dead, and one crew member was missing as a result of the accident. A total of 73 passengers and four crew members were rescued and taken for treatment. As of Wednesday, the body of the missing crew has been found, bringing the death toll to three. The Chinese consulate general in Denpasar, Bali, reminded Chinese citizens in Indonesia to monitor sea condition information and pay attention to travel safety. This photo provided by Indonesia's National Search And Rescue (BASARNAS) shows rescuers attempt to recover a fast boat after it capsized in Bali, Indonesia, on Aug. 6, 2025. Indonesian Minister of Transportation Dudy Purwagandhi on Wednesday apologized on behalf of the government over the capsizing of a boat near the entrance of Sanur Harbor, Bali, and called for prompt measures to address the accident. Two passengers, who were Chinese nationals, were confirmed dead, and one crew member was missing as a result of the accident. A total of 73 passengers and four crew members were rescued and taken for treatment. As of Wednesday, the body of the missing crew has been found, bringing the death toll to three. (BASARNAS/Handout via Xinhua) Mumbai, Aug 6 : Veteran actor Anupam Kher was conferred with the prestigious Raj Kapoor Lifetime Achievement Award at the Maharashtra State Film Awards ceremony. Taking to Instagram, the acclaimed actor expressed his heartfelt gratitude to the Government of Maharashtra and its dignitaries, including Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, and Cultural Minister Ashish Shelar, for recognizing his contribution to Indian cinema. Calling it a deeply humbling moment, Kher shared how Mumbai has played a vital role in shaping his career, describing the city as one with the "largest heart in the world" that gives everyone a chance to dream and succeed. He also paid tribute to the late legendary actor Raj Kapoor, calling him an inspiration. The special 26 actor also reflected on the surreal feeling of receiving an award named after such an iconic figure in Indian film history. The 70-year-old actor shared a video of him accepting the prestigious award on the stage and wrote in the caption, "RAJ KAPOOR LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: Thank you Govt. Of Maharashtra, Chief Minister Shri. #DevendraFadnavis ji Dy. CM Sh. #AjitPawar ji, Cultural Minister #AshishShelar ji and other dignitaries for honouring me with the most prestigious #RajKapoorAward at the #MaharashtraStateFilmAwards function! I am deeply honoured and humbled! Maharashtra, especially the city of #Mumbai has made all (and continues to) my dreams come true. Mumbai as a city has the largest heart in the world! It gives everybody that ONE chance. Also #RajKapoor ji has been an inspiration for me. To get an award named after him is surreal and most important! Jai Hind! Jai Maharashtra!." In the images, Anupam Kher is seen sitting alongside veteran actress Tanuja Mukherjee and Kajol. In his acceptance speech, Kher said, "I came to Mumbai on June 3, 1981. Despite being a gold medalist from the National School of Drama, the job I was looking for was not available. I was living in a small room in a chawl and I didn't even know the address of that chawl. Now, those things are 40 years old. My love for this city is still the same. Mumbai is a city with a big heart. Everyone who comes here definitely gets an opportunity." The 60th and 61st editions of the Maharashtra State Film Awards were held on August 5 in a combined ceremony. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi met the Members of Parliament (MPs) from Uttarakhand on Wednesday and inquired about the situation in Uttarkashi following the twin cloudbursts in the Dharali region. MPs Anil Baluni, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Trivendra Singh Rawat, and Ajay Bhatt met the Prime Minister at the Parliament House and briefed him on the current situation and the rescue operations in the disaster-hit area. PM Modi advised the MPs to stay in contact with the people in their Lok Sabha constituencies to make every effort to ensure the safety of the rain and landslide-affected areas and to provide all possible assistance to them. Following the meeting, Garhwal MP Anil Baluni posted on X, "The Honourable Prime Minister is deeply pained, grief-stricken, and distressed by this severe calamity in Uttarkashi. He is personally overseeing the continuous review of relief and rescue operations. He stated that all agencies of the Central Government and the State Government are fully engaged with utmost urgency in the tasks of relief, rescue, and rehabilitation." Baluni said that PM Modi also reaffirmed that the Central Government stands "firmly with all the disaster-affected people, including those in Dharali." Furthermore, he mentioned that the Central government is providing every possible assistance to Uttarakhand to combat and recover from this disaster. "The Honourable Prime Minister Ji urged all MPs to stay in contact with the people living in areas affected by heavy rainfall and landslides in their Lok Sabha constituencies and to make every effort to ensure all possible assistance is provided to them," he added. Tehri Garhwal MP Mala Rajyalaxmi Shah told IANS, "There is a lot of destruction, it's a very painful and distressing situation. The heavy rainfall is continuing in the entire state, and the situation is devastating. Rescue operations are also underway amid a difficult situation." Meanwhile, Rajya Sabha member Mahendra Bhatt, speaking to IANS, expressed confidence that the Centre would provide all possible assistance to the affected region. "PM Modi and HM Shah are continuously monitoring the situation. NDRF and SDRF teams have been deployed, and nearly all possible health teams have been stationed there. Army is also deployed to carry out prompt rescue and relief operations," he said. Hyderabad, Aug 6 : Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Bandi Sanjay Kumar, on Wednesday alleged that the Congress party was staging a dharna in New Delhi for Muslim reservation and not for Backward Class reservation. The Congress party under the leadership of Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy is staging dharna at Jantar Mantar in Delhi on Wednesday to demand Presidential assent for two Bills passed by the Assembly to provide 42 per cent reservation for Backward Classes (BCs) in education, employment and local bodies. Bandi Sanjay, however, alleged that the Congress government was conspiring to enhance BC reservation by only 5 per cent and provide 10 per cent reservation to Muslims. He claimed that the Congress was working to provide 100 per cent reservation to Muslims on the pretext of BCs. The MoS also claimed that there is no support from BCs to the Congress party's dharna. The BJP leader stated that if the Congress provides 42 per cent reservation only for BCs, the BJP would extend support to the Bills. He threw a challenge for a debate on the steps taken for the welfare of BCs. He asked if the Congress made a BC leader the Prime Minister in its 50 years of rule in the country. "The Congress party was in power in united Andhra Pradesh for 48 years. I want to ask if it ever appointed a BC leader as the Chief Minister," he said. Bandi Sanjay asked the Congress if it was ready for a debate on how many BCs were inducted in the state Cabinet and how many BCs were given nominated posts. "Will the Congress party answer how many MP seats it gave to BCs. You have no right to preach us on the welfare of BCs," he said. The MoS said that BJP made a BC leader the Prime Minister. There are 27 Central ministers from the BCs while chief ministers of several states are also from the BCs, he added. He alleged that the Congress was trying to escape from its promise for BC reservation by laying the blame at the BJP's feet. Bandi Sanjay said the Congress party would disappear from Telangana like it has disappeared from Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal and Bihar. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The government's BharatGen AI initiative will cover all 22 scheduled Indian languages by June 2026, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. The move is part of a roadmap to create sovereign foundational AI models tailored to Indian languages and societal contexts. "BharatGen currently supports nine Indian languages -- Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Malayalam, Bengali, Punjabi, Gujarati, Telugu, and Kannada," Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences Dr. Jitendra Singh said in a written reply to a question in Lok Sabha. "By December 2025, the coverage will expand to 15 languages, including Assamese, Maithili, Nepali, Odia, Sanskrit, Sindhi, and others," he added. BharatGen is India's first government-supported national AI initiative, spanning text, speech, and vision-language systems. It has developed applications for agriculture, governance, and defence, with pilot projects already conducted. "Once fully deployed, these solutions will be made available across all states and districts," Dr. Singh mentioned. The project is being implemented under the National Mission on Interdisciplinary Cyber-Physical Systems (NM-ICPS) of the Department of Science and Technology. The Technology Innovation Hub (TIH) for IoT and IoE at IIT Bombay is leading the programme, overseeing model development, academic partnerships, data infrastructure, and strategic planning. Dr. Singh said BharatGen is currently in the pilot deployment phase and has not yet been released for public or institutional use. "However, once fully operational, it will be extended nationwide, benefiting rural and semi-urban areas as well," he added. The government may also explore partnerships with research institutions in Karnataka to expand BharatGen's reach and applications. Meanwhile, the LLM model was launched by the Union government in June at the BharatGen Summit. "BharatGen is a national mission to create AI that is ethical, inclusive, multilingual, and deeply rooted in Indian values and ethos," said Singh while addressing the launch event on June 2. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought a response from the Election Commission of India (ECI) to a plea seeking disclosure of details of nearly 65 lakh voters whose names were omitted in the recently published draft electoral rolls in Bihar. A Bench comprising Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan, and N.K. Singh passed the order after advocate Prashant Bhushan mentioned the application filed by the Association for Democratic Reforms (ADR). The ADR's application demanded that the ECI release constituency and booth-wise list of names and details of voters whose enumeration forms were not submitted, along with reasons for non-submission (like death, permanently shifted, duplicate, untraceable, etc.) against each name. In a bid to enable political parties, the general public, and the petitioners to cross-check and verify the draft electoral rolls, the application also sought an Assembly constituency -- and booth-wise list of voters on the draft electoral rolls, whose enumeration forms have been "not recommended" by the BLO (Booth Level Officer). After the poll body stated that the information of deleted voters had already been shared with the booth-level representatives of political parties, the Justice Kant-led Bench asked the ECI to place its reply on record. "Give a list of political parties that were supplied with it. We will hear the case on August 12. File your reply by Saturday (August 9)," said the apex court. "We will ensure that every voter likely to be affected is informed and given an opportunity to comply with requirements. Political parties as well as the local administration must be in possession of the requisite information," it added. The ADR on Tuesday filed an interlocutory application in the plea challenging the June 26 decision of the ECI directing a Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. It referred to the ECI's press statement dated July 25, which said that nearly 65 lakh voter names are likely to be deleted from the existing electoral rolls as a result of the SIR process. "This shows that the ECI admittedly has details with names and other particulars of the nearly 22 lakh voters who are deceased, nearly 35 lakh voters who have either permanently migrated or couldn't be traced, nearly seven lakh voters who are registered at multiple locations and of nearly 1.2 lakh voters whose enumeration forms were yet to be received," the application said. The plea added that the poll body's failure to disclose the specific reason for deletion against each of the 65 lakh names "appears to be an attempt to prevent the general public, including the petitioners, from verifying whether the individuals listed are indeed deceased or have permanently migrated". Meanwhile, sources in the Bihar election office said that, contrary to the opposition parties' allegations and narrative that the SIR could disenfranchise a large number of voters, the Opposition has not pointed out even a single infirmity in the exercise. Not a single claim or objection has been filed by any political party since August 1, the poll panel said. New Delhi, Aug 6 : India fast bowlers Mohammed Siraj and Prasidh Krishna have achieved their career-best positions in the ICC Test rankings after their memorable performances led India to a thrilling six-run win over England in the fifth Test at The Oval. After his Player of the Match effort for picking 9-190, Siraj has jumped 12 slots to be at a career-best 15th position, with 674 rating points. Krishna, meanwhile, has attained a career-best 59th position after picking four wickets in the fourth innings of a pulsating Test match. Siraj and Krishna have also become only the second Indian pair to take four or more wickets each in both innings of a Test match, a feat earlier accomplished by spinners Bishan Singh Bedi and Erapalli Prasanna against Australia in Delhi in 1969. England fast bowlers Atkinson and Josh Tongue have also attained career-best positions after finishing with eight wickets each in the match. While Atkinson is in the top ten for the first time, Tongue is up 14 places to 46th position in the bowlersa rankings. In terms of battersa rankings, Englandas Joe Root retains the top spot while Harry Brookas 98-ball 111 has helped him be back at second position. Indiaas left-handed opener Yashasvi Jaiswal is back to number five after his knock of 118 in the second innings at The Oval. Meanwhile, New Zealand seamer Matt Henryas nine wickets in the recent win over Zimbabwe have helped him attain a career-best fourth position and move above 800 rating points for the first time. His team-mate Daryl Mitchell has returned to the top ten of battersa rankings after making a score of 80 against Zimbabwe. In terms of Menas T20I Player Rankings, Pakistanas Hasan Nawaz (up 24 places to 30th), Saim Ayub (up 25 positions to joint-37th) and Sahibzada Farhan (up 34 spots to 63rd) make notable progress in battersa list after the side won their T20I series against the West Indies 2-1. Left-arm wrist-spinner Sufiyan Muqeemas economic spells that saw him return figures of 1-20, 1-19 and 1-20 have helped him progress 69 places to joint-34th position. Mohammad Nawaz, who took three wickets each in the first two matches to lift the Player of the Series awards, has gained 51 places to reach 56th position in the bowling rankings. Jakarta, Aug 6 : India's steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality and community-building efforts, as well as its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and fora, came in for huge praise from ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn during his meeting with newly-appointed Indian Ambassador Srinivas Gotru, on Wednesday. Gotru assumed office as India's Ambassador to the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN), bestowing his Letter of Credence to the Secretary General of ASEAN, at the grouping's headquarters. Congratulating Ambassador Gotru, ASEAN Secretary General reiterated the Secretariatas readiness to work closely with the Indian Ambassador along with the Indian Mission to ASEAN in Jakarta, while further strengthening the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP). "Secretary-General Dr. Kao commended Indiaas steadfast support for ASEAN Centrality and Community-building efforts as well as its active participation in ASEAN-led mechanisms and fora," read a statement issued by the Secretary General's office. Gotru, while underscoring his commitment to deepen the ASEAN-India CSP, ensured "seamless" continuation of efforts in fostering stronger ties between India and ASEAN and expressed his willingness to work closely with the ASEAN Secretariat to facilitate the advancement of cooperation. Ambassador Gotru succeeds Ambassador Jayant N. Khobragade, who completed his tenure on August 2. India began accrediting an Ambassador to ASEAN in 2010, and established a dedicated diplomatic Mission to ASEAN in 2015. India began formal engagement with ASEAN in 1992 as a 'Sectoral Dialogue Partner' (Secretary level interaction) and subsequently as a 'Dialogue Partner' in 1995. The initial years as a Dialogue Partner (DP) entailed interaction at the Foreign Minister-level which was further upgraded to the Summit level in 2002. At the 20th anniversary of the relationship, a Commemorative Summit was held in New Delhi in December 2012 where the Dialogue Partnership was further elevated to a Strategic Partnership. During the 25-year Commemorative Summit held in New Delhi in January 2018, India and ASEAN further agreed that the strategic partnership will be focused inter-alia on building cooperation in the maritime domain. The year 2022 marked 30 years of ASEAN-India relations and it was celebrated as the 'ASEAN-India Friendship Year'. Its most important outcome was the elevation of the ASEAN-India Strategic Partnership to CSP. Kannur : , Aug 6 (IANS) Tension flared up at Kannur University on Wednesday during the union elections as a violent clash broke out between SFI (Students' Federation of India) and UDSF (United Democratic Students' Front) activists. Kannur (Kerala), Aug 6 (IANS) Tension flared up at Kannur University on Wednesday during the union elections as a violent clash broke out between SFI (Students' Federation of India) and UDSF (United Democratic Studentsa Front) activists. The confrontations primarily involved the SFI on one side and opposition student groups, including the Muslim Student Federation (MSF) and Kerala Students Union (KSU) on the other. The situation persisted since the polling started, leading to multiple instances of police lathi charge on the campus. Several students from both factions were injured in the scuffles. Amid the unrest, a major controversy erupted when SFIas joint secretary candidate, K. Adhisha, was accused of snatching a ballot paper from an MSF-backed woman university councilor. The police immediately detained Adhisha following the complaint. Soon after, a group of SFI activists, led by SFI state secretary P.S. Sanjeev, forcibly entered the scene and freed Adhisha from police custody, further escalating the situation. During the commotion, a police officer was injured. Sanjeev alleged that UDSF activists attempted to engage in bogus voting, triggering the initial round of confrontation. He also accused the police of an unprovoked lathi-charge against SFI supporters, during which an SFI district committee member was injured. UDSF activists, meanwhile, claimed that they too were assaulted by both the police and SFI members during the unrest. SFI activists have accused the police of acting at the behest of rival student organizations, particularly the MSF. They claim the law enforcement authorities have been partial and biased in their actions on campus. With election tensions mounting, university authorities and law enforcement agencies are facing mounting pressure to ensure peaceful conduct and impartial handling of election-related disputes. Trouble started from 9 a.m. onwards, and now an additional police force has been deployed on campus as the counting of votes is to take place in the evening. In the melee, the cameras of media organizations were also damaged. Meanwhile, top district leaders of all leading political parties have reached the campus to cool down tempers. The Kannur University union elections cover colleges across the Wayanad, Kannur, and Kasargod districts. Kolkata, Aug 6 : A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) has been filed in the Calcutta High Court on Wednesday to prevent 'Nabanna Avijan (march to the state secretariat)', a call for which has been given by the parents of R. G. Kar rape and murder victim. A resident of Kolkata-adjacent Howrah district, where the state secretariat of Nabanna is housed, filed the PIL at the division bench of Justice Sujoy Paul and Justice Smita Das De, seeking intervention to prevent the said march. The petitioner contended that whenever there is such a "march to the state secretariat" rally, the people of the Howrah district, especially those staying near the state secretariat at Mandirtala, face immense inconvenience. This is the second petition filed in the matter at the Calcutta High Court. Already, a group of traders from Howrah district has filed a similar petition at a single-judge bench of the same court. The Bench has admitted the petition, and the matter is expected to come up for hearing on Thursday. The march has been convened on August 9, which marks the first anniversary of the ghastly rape and murder of a woman junior doctor within the hospital premises. The body of the victim was recovered from a seminar hall within the hospital premises on the morning of August 9. The victim's parents have asked all political parties in the state, except Trinamool Congress, to participate in the march, but without carrying their respective party flags. The Leader of the Opposition in the West Bengal Legislative Assembly, Suvendu Adhikari, who first floated the idea involving the victim's parents there, had extended full-fledged support to the protest march. On Wednesday, Adhikari slammed the Mamata Banerjee-led West Bengal government for using police administration to stop the protest march. The BJP leader said that a special police briefing has been convened on Wednesday evening, likely to be attended by almost all top IPS officers of the state. Taipei, Aug 6 : Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence (MND) said on Wednesday that 16 Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels, and one official ship were detected operating around Taiwan until 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. According to Taiwan's MND, eight out of 16 People's Liberation Army (PLA) aircraft crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and eastern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). In response to Chinese military activity, Taiwan's armed forces monitored the situation and deployed aircraft, naval vessels, and a coastal-based missile system. "16 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwanas northern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," the MND posted on X. This latest incursion follows a recent pattern of Chinese military activity near Taiwan. Earlier on Tuesday, Taiwan reported that 12 Chinese military aircraft, five naval vessels and one official ship were tracked operating near Taiwan. According to the statement, Taiwan forces monitored the situation and responded to Chinese military action. In a post on X, the MND wrote: "12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwanas northern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." Similarly, on Monday, the MND stated that five Chinese military aircraft, six naval vessels and one official ship were spotted operating near Taiwan. According to it, four out of five sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ). "5 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 4 out of 5 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwanas northern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded," it said in a statement shared on X. Taiwan, officially the Republic of China (ROC), continues to be governed independently since 1949. However, Taiwan continues to face threats from China, which claims the self-ruled island as part of its territory under the "One China" principle, insists on its reunification with Beijing. Despite China's efforts, Taiwan, backed by strong public support, continues to assert its sovereignty and respond to China's incursions. GUANGZHOU, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport, a major air hub in south China's Guangdong Province, has handled over 10 million inbound and outbound trips this year as of Wednesday, according to local border authorities. This milestone was achieved 41 days earlier than it was in 2024. Foreign nationals made up more than 3.82 million of these trips, surging 37.4 percent year on year, with their share of total passenger volume ranking first among China's major airports. The surge in growth has largely been driven by robust route expansion, with 18 new or resumed regular international passenger routes added this year. The airport now operates around 75 international passenger flight routes and 46 cargo routes weekly. Immigration data showed that nearly half of all arriving foreigners, totaling over 760,000 visits, benefited from China's visa-free entry so far this year, marking a 123.5 percent year-on-year surge. With China's expanding visa-free policies and the peak summer travel season, Baiyun authorities anticipate sustained high passenger volumes. The border inspection station plans to streamline processes through paperless clearance and multilingual services to transform passenger "flow" into economic "growth". New Delhi, Aug 6 : Telecom industry body Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) on Wednesday urged the government to bind OTT communication apps with the verified mobile SIM card of the users at all times. Currently, a subscriber's app-based communication services such as WhatsApp are connected to their mobile SIM card only during installation and verification, after which the app works independently on the device even if the SIM card is removed or deactivated, COAI said. The industry body called for the Centre's intervention in light of the increasing number of digital scams and challenges to national security. Despite the best efforts of telecom operators to implement spam protection measures, fraudsters avoid these security-checks by shifting to over-the-top (OTT) messaging platforms that operate independently of SIM verification, the statement said. aAll OTT communication apps should be mandated to bind with the verified mobile SIMs at all times to ensure cyber fraud prevention and to strengthen national security. This approach would ensure consumer trust, accountability, traceability and alignment with existing regulatory frameworks," the statement added. Indiaas mobile network operators are proactively implementing Caller Name Presentation (CNAP) and suspected spam protection measures on voice calls and SMS, the industry body informed. The telecom operators are also implementing TCCCPR related checks such as Principal entity (PE)-Telemarketer (TM) binding, Application-to-Person (A2P) SMS header and content registration and keyword-based content screening of messages. "However, fraudsters are increasingly adapting by shifting to OTT messaging platforms that are installed or used independent of SIM verification and are immune to telecom-level controls," COAI stated. Persistent SIM-binding for OTT communication apps will prevent the communication service from running without the authenticated SIM in the device, maintaining user, number, and device traceability. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Mallikarjun Kharge, the Congress President and Leader of the Opposition in the Rajya Sabha (RS), wrote to Deputy Chairman Harivansh, requesting an urgent discussion on the issue of the revision of electoral rolls in Bihar. The letter, dated August 6, 2025, specifically highlights the ongoing Special Intensive Review (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and to be carried out in West Bengal, Assam and other states as a matter of "fundamental importance in our democracy." The Congress leader's move is aimed at bringing attention to a topic he believes is crucial for the fairness of future elections and the representation of all sections of society. In the letter, Kharge points out that Opposition parties have been seeking an urgent discussion on this matter since the first day of the current session. He emphasises the need for a thorough debate, especially concerning the review process in states like Bihar, where the integrity and accuracy of voter lists are paramount. The letter also touches upon a ruling by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha on July 21, 2023, regarding a discussion on the conduct of a Supreme Court or High Court judge. Kharge argues that the concept of "sub judice" was "totally misconceived" in that context and that the Chair has a continuing entity, implying that a new discussion on the electoral roll review should not be restricted. Kharge's focus on Bihar underscores the strategic importance of the state in national politics and the need for a transparent and unbiased electoral process there. The letter states that the issue is of "paramount concern to crores of voters," particularly those belonging to the weaker sections of society. By bringing this to the forefront, the Congress President is not only seeking to hold the Election Commission of India accountable but also to ensure that the voices and rights of voters in states like Bihar are protected. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Delhi High Court has dismissed an appeal by a 70-year-old retired school teacher seeking interim maintenance from her estranged husband, noting that she possesses sufficient means to support herself. A Bench of Justices Anil Kshetarpal and Harish Vaidyanathan Shankar upheld a February 8, 2023, order of the Family Court, which had rejected the woman's plea for Rs 60,000 per month as interim maintenance and Rs 1 lakh litigation expenses under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955. The Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench observed that "the income of the appellant (wife) is sufficient to maintain herself, and as such, the learned Family Court has rightly dismissed the application filed by her under Section 24 of the Hindu Marriage Act." It opined that interim maintenance is meant to provide sustenance to a spouse genuinely unable to maintain themselves during matrimonial litigation, not as "an automatic entitlement". The appellant, Yashwani Verma, married the respondent, Virender Verma, in 1978 but has been living separately from him since 1987. Although the parties filed for divorce by mutual consent in 2003, the appellant-wife later withdrew her consent. In 2021, she filed a fresh petition before the Family Court, alleging that her husband had contracted a second marriage during the subsistence of their marriage, and sought a declaration that the subsequent marriage was null and void ab initio. Seeking interim maintenance, the appellant contended that she survives on a pension of around Rs 2,000 a month and has no substantial income. In contrast, the husband alleged that she earns about Rs 40,000 per month from private tuitions, lives in a self-owned house, and holds maturity proceeds from a Life Insurance Corporation (LIC) policy. The respondent-husband said that he has been unemployed since 2017 after Reliance Communication's collapse deprived him of retirement benefits and pension. He, now 73, claimed to be living with his brother and surviving on loans - Rs 10 lakh from his brother and Rs 13 lakh from a friend, to meet medical exigencies. In its judgement, the Delhi High Court noted that the couple had been separated for over three decades without the appellant-wife seeking maintenance earlier. The court said that her interim maintenance application may have been prompted by the alleged second marriage and property transactions. "The appellant is also residing with her two sons, both of whom appear to be gainfully employed. It appears that the appellant has adequate financial resources and support systems available to her," the Bench added. The Justice Kshetarpal-led Bench further acknowledged the husband's financial distress, saying that "the respondent's financial frailty, compounded by his advanced age, and loss of post-retirement entitlements, weighs significantly against imposing any further pecuniary obligation upon him." Dismissing the appellant's appeal on the ground that she failed to demonstrate "genuine financial incapacity", the Delhi High Court observed, "In the absence of any persuasive evidence justifying the appellant's claim of the interim maintenance, this Court is of the considered view that the respondent should not be burdened with the obligation to provide interim maintenance, particularly when his own financial, physical and emotional conditions are visibly strained." Mumbai, Aug 6 : As Gujarat is set to become the second state in the country to implement a Uniform Civil Code (UCC) after Uttarakhand, BJP leader Sanjay Upadhyay on Wednesday said that the UCC should be enforced nationwide to ensure equal rights for all citizens. A report on Gujarat's UCC proposal is expected to be tabled in the monsoon session of the state assembly. Speaking to IANS, Sanjay Upadhyay said, "The BJP has supported the Uniform Civil Code from the very beginning. After Uttarakhand, Gujarat starting the process is a welcome step. It is my opinion that the UCC should be implemented across the entire country so that all citizens enjoy equal rights. The politics of appeasement must end, and there should be no discrimination based on religion. I fully support the Gujarat government's move and consider it crucial for the unity and equality of our nation." Upadhyay further commented on the recent Supreme Court censure of the Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, over his alleged remarks about the Army following the 2020 Galwan clash with China. The Congress had responded by stating that the judiciary does not decide who a "true Indian" is, with the issue discussed in a meeting of the INDIA Bloc floor leaders on Tuesday. According to the Congress, all alliance members agreed that "the extraordinary observation" by the sitting judge was "unwarranted" and encroached upon the democratic rights of political parties. Countering this, Upadhyay said, "Rahul Gandhi is unable to understand both the judiciary and the sentiment of the country. His statements are foolish and against the nation's interests. The court's reaction to his remarks is appropriate. The judiciary has correctly assessed his mental level. This raises serious questions about his loyalty and attitude towards the country. One must ask has Rahul Gandhi truly understood India? It is worth pondering." Upadhyay further expressed grief over the devastation caused by a cloudburst in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district. "I want to express deep sorrow over this tragic incident, which has left many people homeless and bereaved. My condolences go out to the affected families. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken serious cognisance of the situation, and NDRF teams are carrying out relief work at a rapid pace," he said. He added that while human interference with nature can sometimes lead to disasters, cloudbursts are beyond human control. "What happened on Tuesday was extremely painful and heart-wrenching," he stated. Gandhinagar, Aug 6 : The state-level celebrations of Sanskrit Week in Gujarat began on Wednesday in Gandhinagar with a vibrant and spiritually charged Sanskrit Gaurav Yatra. Education Minister Kuber Dindor flagged off the procession at Pethapur, accompanied by Gandhinagar Mayor Meena Patel, marking the official start of a week-long statewide celebration of India's ancient language and cultural heritage. Organised jointly by the Gujarat State Sanskrit Board, the District Education Office, and Samarpan Arts and Commerce College, the procession witnessed participation from over 650 Sanskrit enthusiasts, including students from schools, colleges, and Sanskrit Vidyapeeths. The rally commenced from Ramdevpir Mandir and concluded at Pethapur Chokdi, where participants carried placards promoting Sanskrit and chanted verses, creating an atmosphere steeped in devotion and pride. Speaking at the event, Minister Dindor emphasised the importance of Sanskrit in preserving India's spiritual and cultural roots. "Sanskrit is the mother of all Indian languages and the soul of our ancient scriptures. Through Sanskrit Week, we aim to inspire the youth to learn, understand, and embrace this timeless language," he said. He noted that under the leadership of Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel, the Gujarat Sanskrit Board is observing Sanskrit Week across all districts from August 6 to 12. Aligned with the objectives of the National Education Policy 2020, the celebration aims to promote awareness of India's cultural values and knowledge systems. A series of thematic days will be observed throughout the week, including Sambhashan Divas (Conversational Sanskrit Day), Sanskrit Sahitya Divas (Literature Day), and days dedicated to the four Vedas -- Rigveda, Samaveda, Yajurveda, and Atharvaveda -- through rituals and chanting. The week will culminate on August 12 with a grand valedictory event chaired by Governor Acharya Devvrat. Also present at the inauguration were MLA Rita Patel, Gandhinagar District Collector Mehul Dave, District Development Officer B.J. Patel, and DEO Bhagwanbhai Prajapati. College and board officials including Dr. Mahendrasinh Vaghela and Dr. Ashish Dave extended their support and participated enthusiastically. Bhopal, Aug 6 : Chief Minister Mohan Yadav chaired a meeting with a group of senior ministers of his Cabinet and Chief Secretary Anurag Jain to review the government's preparations for Independence Day, and the festival season ahead. The meeting held at the Chief Minister's Office in the state Assembly, was joined by Deputy Chief Ministers Jagdish Devda and Rajendra Shukla, along with Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya, Panchayat and Rural Development Minister Prahlad Patel, School Education Minister Uday Pratap Singh, and PWD Minister Rakesh Singh. The Chief Minister was briefed about the preparations at the meeting and after having a healthy discussion with ministers, he gave necessary instructions and suggestions to ensure better preparations for Independence Day and the festivals ahead. The festival season will start from Rakha Bandhan followed by Krishna Janmashtami and then Navratri in the next couple of months. Meanwhile, Madhya Pradesh Assembly's Monsoon Session, which is underway since July, expressed condolences on the devastating cloudburst in Uttarkashi's Dharali area on Tuesday. The House observed two minutes' silence in respect of lives lost in the tragic incident. At least four people have been confirmed dead, and several others remain missing following Tuesdayas cloudburst. Rescue efforts are being carried out by combined teams of the Army, police, NDRF, and SDRF. The Indian Army has ramped up rescue and relief efforts, with ground and aerial support being coordinated to assist the affected population. Local authorities have also begun public announcements via loudspeakers, urging residents in low-lying areas and near riverbanks to evacuate immediately and move to safer locations. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav had expressed his concerns and condolences to lives lost due to the devastating cloudburst on Tuesday. "The news of the cloudburst disaster in Uttarkashi is extremely concerning. At this hour of crisis, my sympathies are with affected families," CM Yadav wrote on X. Surat, Aug 6 : As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation to adopt the 'Vocal for Local' initiative, two thousand businessmen doing business in different sectors in Gujarat's Surat gathered on Wednesday under the 'Progressive Alliance', aimed at making India the world's third-largest economy. Surat, Aug 6 (IANS) As Prime Minister Narendra Modi urged the nation to adopt the aVocal for Locala initiative, two thousand businessmen doing business in different sectors in Gujaratas Surat gathered on Wednesday under the 'Progressive Alliance', aimed at making India the worldas third-largest economy. The event comes amid US President Trump's tariff threat. However, PM Modi has said that citizens also have certain responsibilities, and urged everyone to take a pledge for Swadeshi. He defined Swadeshi as anything made with the sweat and effort of an Indian, calling upon the nation to adopt the mantra of aVocal for Local". During the business event, businessmen from different cities of Gujarat, including Surat, brainstormed on how the US tariff will affect MSME and export-based industries and what should be done to deal with it. The main objective of the event was to strengthen the local economy by giving priority to Indian products under 'Swadeshi' empowerment, and to establish strong networking among businessmen. Speaking to IANS, Kamal Diora, who conducted the event, said that PM Modi's 'Swadeshi' resolution will give us new strength amidst the US tariffs. "We are supporting the Prime Minister's 'Vocal for Local', and we discussed making our country's economy the third-largest economy in the world," he claimed. The businessmen who attended the event also seemed determined to take the PM Modi's initiative forward. Ashish Sukhadia, a Diamond businessman from Surat, said, "As an Indian, I fully support 'Vocal for Local'. We are already doing great as we are the top 4th GDP in the world. If we support this initiative, we will overcome all the challenges. We are also focusing on how we can support each other." Amit Koladiya, a textile businessman from Surat, said, "So, under 'Vocal for Local', we have discussed how we can come up with new products and whatever products we are dealing with, how we can make them in India." The 'Vocal for Local' movement, which gained traction in India in recent years, encourages citizens and businesses to prioritise locally made products over imports to promote domestic manufacturing, create jobs, and boost the local economy. New Delhi, Aug 6 : As many as 7, 221 grievances related to the sale of spurious, fake and duplicate products in the e-commerce sector have been registered in the 6-month period from Jan to June this year on the National Consumer Helpline, up from 4,997 such complaints registered during the entire year in 2024, the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. During FY 2024-25, the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has carried out a total of 22 search and seizure operations at warehouses associated with e-commerce platforms. These include three search and seizure operations each in the states of Delhi, Haryana, Karnataka, and Maharashtra; two search and seizure operations each in Rajasthan and Tamil Nadu; and one search and seizure operation each in Gujarat, Odisha, Telangana, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh and Uttarakhand, Minister of State for Consumer Affairs B.L.Verma said in a written reply to a question in the Lok Sabha. The minister said that to safeguard the interests of consumers from unfair trade practices in e-commerce, the Department of Consumer Affairs has notified the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020. These rules outline the responsibilities of e-commerce entities and specify the liabilities of marketplace and inventory e-commerce entities, including provisions for consumer grievance redressal. In terms of the provisions of these rules, e-commerce entities are not allowed to manipulate the price of goods or services offered on their platforms to gain unreasonable profit by imposing on consumers any unjustified price having regard to the prevailing market conditions. The rules also bar these entities from discriminating between consumers of the same class or making any arbitrary classification of consumers affecting their rights under the Act. Besides, the rules provide that no e-commerce entity shall adopt any unfair trade practice, whether in the course of business on its platform or otherwise. On National Consumer Day 2024, 13 major e-commerce companies, including Reliance Retail, Tata Sons Group, Zomato, Ola and Swiggy, signed the "safety pledge" finalised by the Department to ensure consumer safety. The Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) has been set up to prevent consumer detriment arising from unfair trade practices and to initiate class action, including the enforcement of recalls, refunds and return of products. Its core mandate is to prevent and regulate false or misleading advertisements which are prejudicial to the public interest. The CCPA has also issued "Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023," listing 13 specified dark patterns identified in the e-commerce sector. These dark patterns include false urgency, basket sneaking, confirm shaming, forced action, subscription trap, interface interference, bait and switch, drip pricing, disguised advertisements, nagging, trick wording, SaaS billing, and rogue malware. Further, an "Advisory in terms of Consumer Protection Act, 2019 on Self-Audit by E-Commerce Platforms for detecting the Dark Patterns on their platforms to create a fair, ethical and consumer-centric digital ecosystem" was issued by the CCPA on June 5. The CCPA has also notified the Guidelines for Prevention of Misleading Advertisements and Endorsements for Misleading Advertisements. These include conditions for an advertisement to be non-misleading and valid; certain stipulations in respect of bait advertisements and free claim advertisements; and duties of manufacturer, service provider, advertiser and advertising agency, the minister said. Action is taken by the CCPA against various entities, including e-commerce platforms, for affecting consumers, as a class, for violation of consumer rights, false and misleading advertisements and unfair trade practices as defined under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, he added. Bhopal, Aug 6 : Madhya Pradesh Urban Affairs Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya said on Wednesday that the preparations for traditional Simhastha mela 2028 in the religious city Ujjain has been speed-up. The Minister made this statement after attending a review meeting chaired by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav at his office. "With divine grace of Lord Mahakal, the holy of city of Ujjain is moving towards a divine chapter. Preparation for Simhastha has begun and the city has started adorning itself with devotion, services, and development," Vijayvargiya said on social media platform X. The Minister told that decisions are being taken step-by-step keeping the safety of devotees as well as sadhus and sanyasis from all 18 Naga Akharas from across the country. He said that the development works are being carried out in a swift manner. "During the meeting, detail discussions were held on progress of development works being carried out for Simhastha-2028 in Ujjain, and necessary instructions were issued to the officials," he wrote on X. In a previous meeting held last month in Ujjain, Chief Minister Yadav had directed that all work related to the Simhastha be completed by June 2027, and that monthly reviews be held. The ongoing development works includes widening the roads and lanes of Ujjain, which has seen a rising influx of devotees since the establishment of the Shri Mahakal Lok. The Chief Minister had also stressed that walking distances should be minimised and e-vehicles be deployed. Disaster and fire management are to be the top priorities. Seven major routes leading to Ujjain city have been approved to be developed, as four lanes and one major route as a six-lane road. The Chief Minister has directed that work on these routes be expedited. Ujjain's Simhastha Mela is organised after a gap of 12 years, and a large number of devotees during the month-long festival. The Madhya Pradesh government is expecting to receive nearly 15 crore pilgrims this time. In 2016, during the last Simhastha, 75 million people had been part of the month-long gathering. Bhopal, Aug 6 : A retired Madhya Pradesh government official in Gwalior became the latest victim of cybercrime as he lost more than Rs 7 lakh after being kept in digital arrest for almost 22 hours, the police said on Wednesday. The fraudsters, impersonating Crime Branch officials, contacted Avneesh Chandra, a retired employee of Madhya Pradesh's Dairy Department, through a WhatsApp call, saying that his mobile SIM card would be deactivated soon as multiple SIM cards were procured against a single Aadhaar ID. "Cybercriminals told the victim that a mobile SIM card issued on his Aadhaar ID was used in Hawala money of more than Rs 700 crore into a Delhi-based bank, therefore, Crime Branch is investigating the matter, and his number is under scanner," the Gwalior Police said on Wednesday. According to police, the caller impersonating a senior Crime Branch officer from Delhi, told the victim that money transacted in multiple bank accounts is lacking mandatory details, including income tax verification, etc. "During the digital arrest, criminals accessed his bank details in the name of inquiry and duped him of Rs 7.10 lakh," the police said. In a complaint filed at police station in Gwalior recently, the victim said that he was asked to transfer Rs 7.10 lakh into a bank account of a person living in Firozabad, Uttar Pradesh. The fraudsters told the victim that money would be sent to RBI for an undergoing inquiry into the matter and then it would be returned to his bank account, if no irregularities are detected. After waiting for two-three days to get his money back, Avneesh Chandra filed a complaint at Gwalior police station a few days ago. Additional Superintendent of Police (ASP) Krishna Lalchandani said that a case has been registered and an inquiry would be initiated soon. Earlier in April this year, Swami Supradiptananda, secretary of Ramakrishna Mission Ashram in Gwalior, had lost Rs 2.5 crore after he was kept under digital arrest for 26 days. Over a period of 26 days, he was virtually held hostage through video calls and coerced into transferring the money to multiple bank accounts across the country. --IANS pd/pgh BRASILIA, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Brazil will respond to a steep tariff increase imposed by the United States with a contingency plan and take its case to the World Trade Organization (WTO), President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Tuesday. During a meeting of the Council for Sustainable Economic and Social Development held in Brasilia, the president depicted the U.S. trade move as "unjust" and highlighted Brazil's progress on the international stage. "The government's commitment is to the Brazilian people. We will implement a contingency plan to mitigate this unjust attack, and alleviate its economic and social damage," Lula said. "We will protect Brazilian workers and companies affected by these measures and will resort to all available mechanisms, including the World Trade Organization, to defend our interests," Lula told business leaders, union organizers, agricultural representatives and members of civil society. Brazil continues to pursue negotiations, he said, noting that talks with U.S. authorities have been underway since March. Brazil will officially announce its response to the tariff increase on Aug. 18, when its foreign ministry files a request with the WTO to challenge the measure adopted by the United States. Vientiane, Aug 6 : Laos has raised public awareness, especially among vulnerable groups, to prevent human trafficking. Laos' Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare held a campaign to commemorate the World Day Against Trafficking in Persons, aiming to strengthen joint efforts against human trafficking and promote legal employment, the ministry said on Wednesday. The event aimed to raise public awareness about the dangers of human trafficking, a serious crime that violates human rights, inflicts physical and psychological harm on victims, and undermines families, socio-economic development, and national security. The World Day Against Trafficking in Persons is observed annually on July 30 to raise awareness and promote international cooperation in ending human trafficking, Xinhua news agency reported. Earlier this year, Laos planned to enforce the law more strictly to combat human trafficking and intensify efforts to reduce the vulnerability of at-risk groups. Laos recorded 46 new human trafficking cases in 2024, resulting in 95 arrests and 85 victims, including 40 girls under the age of 18. According to a report from the Lao Ministry of Public Security, human trafficking in Laos often involves brokers and criminals using cyber scams, particularly call-centre scams, to trick Lao girls into risky and illegal situations. In 2024, 127 people attended counseling sessions at protection centres established to assist women and children, while 104 females were reunited with their families after being lured into unsafe and illegal work. Additionally, 962 individuals at potential risk of human trafficking received both face-to-face and hotline counseling on 54 occasions. In 2025, anti-trafficking efforts planned to focus on high-risk groups, enforce stricter laws, and reduce vulnerabilities to prevent further crimes. The National Committee on Anti-Trafficking in Persons is collaborating with Vietnam, China, Thailand, and Cambodia to combat cross-border trafficking. Supported by international organisations and other partners, the countries have signed documents to strengthen efforts. Anti-trafficking operations are carried out under a national plan implemented at both the central and local levels. To combat human trafficking, legislation has been strengthened, manuals published, and training sessions and seminars organised to raise awareness of the issue and ensure people remain vigilant against tricksters and scammers. a"IANS int/bpd/as New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Election Commission (EC) on Wednesday brushed aside claims of AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi and Congress leader Randeep Surjewala, about the alleged irregularities and imperfections in the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar and advised them to lodge their complaints, if any, via proper channels. EC's pointed rebuttal comes on back of charges by the two tall leaders of respective parties, where they called the exclusion of 65 lakh names from draft voter list an 'attack on constitutional democracy' and also cried conspiracy over the procedure, alleging that this was deliberately designed to benefit a certain political party. The draft electoral rolls for Bihar were published by the poll panel on August 1 and it has invited suggestions, complaints and grievances by parties and electors alike, leaving the window open for, if any, within a certain time frame. However, almost a week has passed, but none of the parties have posted any complaint, despite raising hue and cry over it. AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi on Wednesday took to X and wrote: "The result of Bihar's SIR is clear the names of 56 lakh people have been removed." Hinting at manipulation of voters list in Bihar, Owaisi claimed: "The majority of the names were cut from districts where the Muslim population is higher, and where people, out of necessity, migrate to other parts of the country in search of employment. This kind of process is causing harm to those Indians who are the most vulnerable, who have no voice other than their right to vote." Randeep Surjewala, Congress MP and CWC member said it was a crime to stay mum in such times and called for raising voices, acting as the guardians of democracy. "This is the biggest proof that the entire process of 'electoral roll revision' in Bihar is a fraud and a way to steal votes. The Election Commission's act of striking off 65,00,000 (65 lakh) voters from Bihar is a direct attack on electoral democracy. The fraud is now evident to all, which is what Congress and Mr. Rahul Gandhi are fighting against," he wrote on X, citing a news report, which claimed that a certificate was issued in the state, in name of 'Donald Trump'. Notably, the EC released the draft rolls comprising of 7.24 electors out of 7.89 existing voters after extensive enumeration exercise. About 65 lakh voters have been left out from the draft electoral rolls. This included 22 lakh deceased electors (2.83 per cent), 36 lakh (4.59 per cent) who had permanently shifted or not found and seven lakh (0.89 per cent) who had enrolled at more than one place, the EC data showed. The poll panel, since the publication of draft electoral rolls for Bihar on August 1, has been urging the political parties to submit their complaints, grievances over alleged anomalies in the verification drive but till date, none of them have lodged any plaint. "Submit your claims and objections to rectify any errors in the draft Electoral Roll of Bihar published on August 1. So far, not even a single claim or objection has been submitted by any political party," EC said in a statement, this morning. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi and AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge on Wednesday called for Presidential assent on two Bills passed by Telangana legislature for 42 per cent reservation for backward classes. Rahul Gandhi expressed the hope that the President of India Droupadi Murmu will give her assent to the Bills. "The Telangana Government and Congress sat on a dharna in Delhi today, demanding that the President assent to the law reserving 42 per cent for backward classes in education, employment and local government. This law is a major advance towards the Constitution's vision of social justice, grounded in data from the caste census," he posted on X. "I am grateful to INDIA leaders who voiced their support, and hope the Hon'ble President will take note and assent. This fight is not just for Telangana. It is a collective fight to ensure that Indians from marginalised communities have their rightful share in power and progress," added the Congress leader. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government over the delay in approving the Telangana Bills. "The Telangana government of Congress has passed a Bill to ensure 42 per cent reservation for OBC categories in education, government jobs, and local self-governance. This Bill is currently pending with the Honourable President. On this issue, today, the Chief Minister of Telangana, all ministers, MPs, MLAs, and leaders of the Congress party staged a protest in Delhi," Kharge said in a post on 'X'. "After the caste survey, our government has taken such a step, which will strengthen social justice. Modi government's 'Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas' is hollow because it is determined to become a barrier between this Bill and the rights of the deprived," added Kharge, who is also the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also called for early Presidential assent for the Backward Class reservation Bill. "The Congress govt in Telangana has passed a historic Bill ensuring 42 per cent reservation for the OBCs in education, employment, and local governance a bold step grounded in caste census data. But the Bill remains stuck, awaiting the President's assent. In protest, the CM, ministers, MPs, MLAs, and Congress leaders held a dharna in Delhi, demanding immediate approval," wrote the MP from Wayanad. "This is not just Telangana's fight it's a national call for justice, equity, and rightful representation for marginalised communities. Justice delayed is justice denied," she added. Kolkata, Aug 6 : A court in West Bengal's West Burdwan district on Wednesday handed down the death penalty to a man convicted of killing his minor daughter after raping her. The court pronounced the verdict within 15 months since the heinous crime was committed. Judge Suparna Bandopadhyay of the exclusive Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) court in Asansol gave the verdict after considering the testimony of 16 witnesses and supporting evidence of the presence of the father's DNA in his daughter's body. Public prosecutor Somnath Chatteraj said that the judge convicted the accused father within one year and three months after taking the testimony of 16 people. The incident took place on May 13 last year, in the Narsinghbandh area of the Hirapur police station in Asansol. As the girl's mother saw the 15-year-old lying on a bed, bleeding from her nose and ears, she screamed, waking up the neighbours, who rushed to her house. The victim also had a scar on her neck. The mother had complained at that time that her husband prevented her from taking her to the hospital. The neighbours forcibly took the girl to the hospital, where the doctor declared her dead. The initial autopsy report revealed that the minor was raped before being murdered. The father was arrested based on the complaint of the girl's mother. Following an investigation, explosive information emerged. After interrogating the father and receiving the post-mortem report, the police found out that the minor was raped and strangled to death with a rope. The police also recovered the rope, which was used in the murder, from a dustbin near the house. The Asansol court convicted the father on Monday on the basis of all the evidence and testimonies of 16 people, and the judge announced the quantum of punishment today. Public prosecutor Chattaraj said the DNA of the accused person was found on the victim's genitals. "Multiple pieces of evidence were found on the bed sheet. The court sentenced the accused to death based on the statement of the mother, the statements of the investigating officer, doctors, and considering other evidence," he added. Mumbai, Aug 6 : Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday held discussions with the Vantara team about the return of the 36-year-old, ailing elephant Mahadevi from the Vantara wildlife rehabilitation facility in Gujarat, to the Nandani Monastery in Kolhapur District. Wednesday's meeting took place a day after Fadnavis chaired a meeting with representatives of various political parties and government officials and announced that the state government will file a review petition to bring back the old elephant to Kolhapur. CM Fadnavis in his post on X said, "I had an extensive discussion with the Vantara team today in Mumbai. Good news is that they assured me that they are happy to join Maharashtra Government's petition before the Hon'ble Supreme Court for the smooth passage of the elephant. "Vantara told me that they are acting only on the orders of the Honourable Supreme Court and had no intentions to grab the custody of Mahadevi. The team also showed their willingness to build a rehabilitation centre for Mahadevi in Kolhapur near Nandani at a place selected by the Forest Department of the Government of Maharashtra. They also informed that they give highest respect for the religious sentiments of the community." CM Fadnavis said that on behalf of the Forest Department, a detailed independent stance will be presented in the Supreme Court. This will address all the points suggested by the high-level committee in accordance with the criteria of the Central Zoo Authority. Fadnavis held the meeting when the issue of Mahadevi the elephant at Nandani Monastery has been hogging the headlines, especially in Kolhapur, after the Bombay High Court on July 16 had allowed the relocation of the old and ailing elephant to Vantara's wildlife rehabilitation facility in Gujarat. The Bombay High Court had made the decision after noting that the elephant had been kept in solitary confinement and was reportedly in poor physical and mental health. The court's decision came after hearing a petition by the animal rights organisation People for Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), which had earlier raised concerns about the elephant's health and psychological condition with the Maharashtra forest department and the High-Powered Committee (HPC) appointed by the Supreme Court to look after the transfer and welfare of captive elephants in the country. PETA had pointed out that the elephant had painful arthritis and foot rot and was kept in solitary confinement, leading to psychological trauma as elephants are social animals who live in herds. The Supreme Court upheld the HC order on July 22. After initial resistance, Mahadevi was given up by the temple authorities and shifted to Vantara for rehabilitation on July 28. That led to a silent rally in Kolhapur demanding the return of the elephant. CM Fadnavis further noted that the state government's intervention in this issue is keeping in mind the public sentiments that Mahadevi should be brought back. Fadnavis said that Mahadevi has been at Nandani Monastery for the past 34 years. "There is a public sentiment that Mahadevi should return to the monastery. Keeping this public sentiment in mind, the state government will file a review petition in the Supreme Court. The monastery should also include the state government as a party in its petition. "Additionally, on behalf of the Forest Department, a detailed independent stance will be presented in the Supreme Court. This will address all the points suggested by the high-level committee in accordance with the criteria of the Central Zoo Authority." "To ensure proper care for Mahadevi the elephant, the state government will form a team and provide all necessary assistance. If needed, arrangements similar to a rescue centre will also be made, and facilities will be provided accordingly. A request will be made through the petition for the Supreme Court to appoint an independent committee to inspect these facilities," said the chief minister. Imphal, Aug 6 : Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, on Wednesday, stressed for an elected government in the state, which has been under the President's Rule since February 13. Singh, who quit the Chief Ministerial post on February 9, had said that he was forced to quit due to the deteriorating situation in the state. "Everyone is aware about the reason and circumstances behind the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. Now there is a need for a popular government, people of the state wanted a popular government in the state. People are facing hardship in absence of a popular government. I have been in favour of a popular government since the very beginning," Singh told the media after attending the Iputhou Marjing Expo in Imphal. He said that he considers that an elected government can handle the issues by the administration in association with the people. An elected government can listen to the people and address their concerns directly, Singh said, adding that he as the Chief Minister took many steps against drug peddlers and encroachers, who illegally encroached government and forest lands. He earlier said that the top leaders of the BJP are assessing the situation and said that efforts are on to reinstall an elected government in the state. "The BJP and its ally parties all wanted a popular government in Manipur to effectively deal with the situation in the state," Singh had told the media. The former Chief Minister had said that many leaders and organisations have approached the Central government and all stakeholders to evolve an amicable solution and restore peace and normalcy in the state. Singh earlier said that he and BJP's Rajya Sabha member from the state, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi in June and urged his intervention to restore normalcy in the state. BJP's North East In-charge Sambit Patra, also in May, visited the state's Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts and met Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Nemcha Kipgen and several Kuki-Zo and civil society organisations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity. Patra also met former CM Biren Singh and other leaders in Imphal. The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which, after the promulgation of President's Rule on February 13, has been put under suspended animation, has a tenure till 2027. Imphal, Aug 6 : Former Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh, on Wednesday, stressed for an elected government in the state, which has been under the President's Rule since February 13. Singh, who quit the Chief Ministerial post on February 9, had said that he was forced to quit due to the deteriorating situation in the state. "Everyone is aware about the reason and circumstances behind the imposition of President's Rule in Manipur. Now there is a need for a popular government, people of the state wanted a popular government in the state. People are facing hardship in absence of a popular government. I have been in favour of a popular government since the very beginning," Singh told the media after attending the Iputhou Marjing Expo in Imphal. On August 5, the Parliament has given its nod to the statutory resolution regarding the extension of President's rule in Manipur for a further period of six months from August 13. He said that he considers that an elected government can handle the issues by the administration in association with the people. An elected government can listen to the people and address their concerns directly, Singh said, adding that he as the Chief Minister took many steps against drug peddlers and encroachers, who illegally encroached government and forest lands. He earlier said that the top leaders of the BJP are assessing the situation and said that efforts are on to reinstall an elected government in the state. "The BJP and its ally parties all wanted a popular government in Manipur to effectively deal with the situation in the state," Singh had told the media. The former Chief Minister had said that many leaders and organisations have approached the Central government and all stakeholders to evolve an amicable solution and restore peace and normalcy in the state. Singh earlier said that he and BJP's Rajya Sabha member from the state, Maharaja Sanajaoba Leishemba, met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi in June and urged his intervention to restore normalcy in the state. BJP's North East In-charge Sambit Patra, also in May, visited the state's Kangpokpi and Churachandpur districts and met Kuki BJP MLAs Vungzagin Valte and Nemcha Kipgen and several Kuki-Zo and civil society organisations, including the Committee on Tribal Unity. Patra also met former CM Biren Singh and other leaders in Imphal. The 60-member Manipur Assembly, which, after the promulgation of President's Rule on February 13, has been put under suspended animation, has a tenure till 2027. Dhaka, Aug 6 : Three more people have died due to dengue in Bangladesh in the past 24 hours till Wednesday morning, raising the death toll from the mosquito-borne disease in 2025 to 92. The fatalities have been recorded in the Chattogram and Rajshahi divisions and the Dhaka North City Corporation, according to the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS). During this period, 428 more people were admitted to hospitals due to viral fever, bringing the number of confirmed cases to 22,812 in 2025, the United News of Bangladesh reported. According to the DGHS, the new cases of dengue were reported in Barishal division (104), Dhaka division (74), Dhaka South City Corporation (62), Dhaka North City Corporation (51), Rajshahi division (50), Chattogram division (39), Khulna division (30), Mymensingh (14) and Rangpur (4). Currently, 1,259 patients are undergoing treatment in various hospitals in Bangladesh. As many as 575 people lost their lives due to dengue in Bangladesh in 2024. Last month, the health authorities in Bangladesh issued fresh directives to all hospitals, including the creation of fever/flu corners in outdoor departments and keeping dedicated beds for dengue patients. The DGHS also issued separate directives to hospitals for the treatment of people infected with Covid-19 virus as the cases of Covid-19 witnessed a rise in June but were now on a downward trend, Bangladesh's 'The Daily Star' reported last month. The health authorities issued fresh directives as Bangladesh witnessed an outbreak of three diseases - Covid-19, dengue, and chikungunya in June. Health experts had warned that three diseases may overwhelm the healthcare system of Bangladesh until the authorities take swift and coordinated action. Abu Hussain Md Moinul Ahsan, Director (Hospital) of DGHS, who signed the directives on July 16, said Covid-19 cases are showing a downward trend, while dengue cases continue to increase. The DGHS issued 16 directives to all private and government hospitals. According to the directives, all hospitals must establish a flu/fever corner at their outpatient departments. Confirmed dengue cases must be categorised into A, B, and C groups on the basis of disease severity, and people must be treated as per the national guidelines, it said. Government hospitals have been directed to keep laboratory facilities for dengue testing in addition to keeping an adequate stock of dengue diagnostic kits. Keeping in view the severity of the disease, dengue patients should be admitted to the hospital or referred to higher-level facilities if required. According to the directive, all the hospitals must have a trained and designated medical team for the treatment of dengue patients. Hospitals have been instructed to ensure the availability of necessary intravenous (IV) fluids for dengue treatment and, if required, arrange procurement according to regulation. The directive said that the fluid intake and output chart of the patients must be regularly recorded and monitored. Hospitals have been asked to ensure adequate mosquito nets for admitted dengue patients. Kolkata, Aug 6 : The Border Security Force (BSF) arrested a smuggler and seized gold worth Rs 62.68 lakh along the Indo-Bangladesh Border (IBB) in the North 24-Parganas district of West Bengal. This is the fourth gold seizure by the BSF along the IBB in the last few days. "Troops of the Ghojadanga Border Outpost, belonging to the 102 Bn BSF of South Bengal Frontier, were acting on the basis of specific intelligence inputs of an attempt to smuggle gold from Bangladesh to India through the BSF duty point. Around 6.30 am, they spotted a man approaching on a bicycle with two buckets full of fish feed. He was moving towards Kalupota. The jawans stopped him for questioning and searched the buckets. A sealed packet was found inside one of them," a senior BSF official said. According to him, the BSF jawans displayed marvellous alertness by reacting to the situation in record time. The intelligence inputs were received by the company commander at 6 am, and the troops were in position by 6.30 am. "After finding the packet, the jawans informed the company commander, who rushed to the spot. The packet was opened, and six pieces of gold of various sizes were found inside. The man was immediately taken into custody and taken to the Ghojadanga BOP for questioning. The man confessed that he had received the packet and was to deliver it to someone else. He was to receive Rs 2,000 for the job," the official said. The gold pieces weighed 607.66 grams, and their estimated price is Rs 62,68,620, the BSF has ascertained. The smuggler, along with the seized gold, has been handed over to the concerned department for further legal processing. It has come to light that a network of local contacts was to be used to smuggle the gold to its ultimate destination. The prompt action by the troops not only foiled the smuggling attempt but also traced many links of the entire network. The matter is being investigated further, the official said. He praised the efforts of the BSFas intelligence network and the jawans and appealed to the border population to share information about gold smuggling through the 'Seema Sathi' helpline number 14419. They can also send voice or text messages to the WhatsApp number 9903472227. Those providing credible information will be suitably rewarded, he said, and their identities will be kept a secret. New Delhi, Aug 6 : India's IT industry is witnessing a remarkable shift as growth expands beyond traditional metro cities, driven by the government-backed Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) Indiaas IT industry is witnessing a remarkable shift as growth expands beyond traditional metro cities, driven by the government-backed Software Technology Parks of India (STPI), the Parliament was informed on Wednesday. As of FY 2024-25, Indiaas software exports touched $224.4 billion, up from $136 billion in 2019, and total revenue from the IT industry stood at $282.6 billion, with the sector employing 5.8 million people, a significant rise from 4.14 million in 2019, Union Minister of Electronics and Information Technology Ashwini Vaishnaw told the Lok Sabha in a written reply to a question. According to data shared by the minister, STPIas increasing presence in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities is powering software exports, innovation, and employment generation. The STPI network now spans 68 centres, with 60 located in non-metro cities, including Bhagalpur, Darbhanga, Vijayawada, and Jajpur. Over the last five years, 9 new STPI centres and 15 Centres of Entrepreneurship (CoEs) were launched to support startups in emerging tech areas like AI, blockchain, agritech, and gaming, Vaishnaw said. These initiatives have led to the creation of 2.98 lakh jobs in non-metro locations through STPI-registered units, with an additional 9,800 jobs supported via startup incubation programmes. A total of 1,121 startups have been assisted under government schemes, with $39.86 crore disbursed to 590 startups, according to the data. The Next Generation Incubation Scheme (NGIS) and other digital innovation programs have strengthened India's position in the global software product market. Patent filings by Indian startups have surged from 4,331 in 2019 to nearly 90,000 in 2024, reflecting a growing focus on intellectual property and product development. According to the minister, India is also seeing a rise in youth-led digital innovation under schemes like GENESIS, TIDE 2.0, and SAMRIDH, aligned with the National Policy on Software Products (NPSP) 2019. With total software exports from STPI-registered units crossing Rs 10.64 lakh crore, the governmentas push for decentralised IT growth is yielding tangible results. By taking innovation to smaller cities, India is building a more inclusive and robust digital economy, Vaishnaw said. KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Persistent high temperatures and low water levels at dams in parts of Malaysia have prompted authorities to carry out cloud seeding to address the situation, according to Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi. The area around the Bukit Merah Dam in Perak state is the focus of the latest cloud seeding efforts, as the water in the dam has reached critical levels, Ahmad Zahid said at a recent press briefing. "I, along with the National Disaster Management Agency director-general, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) deputy director-general and the Royal Malaysian Air Force, have participated in this operation using a C-130 aircraft carrying approximately 6,000 liters of sodium chloride solution." "The solution was sprayed on towering cumulus clouds at an altitude of between 5,000 and 8,000 feet, and within 45 minutes after spraying, heavy rain occurred in the target area," he said. He noted that cloud seeding operations might also be carried out in other regions based on monitoring by technical agencies, and also warned that the extremely hot weather increases the risk of haze due to forest fires. Chandigarh, Aug 6 : Sharpening its ongoing battle against the anti-farmer land pooling scheme of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, the BJP on Wednesday announced a state-wide "Save Land, Save Farmers" procession from August 17 to September 5. Chandigarh, Aug 6 (IANS) Sharpening its ongoing battle against the anti-farmer land pooling scheme of the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Punjab, the BJP on Wednesday announced a state-wide "Save Land, Save Farmers" procession from August 17 to September 5. It will be led by the party's state working President Ashwani Sharma. An announcement in this regard was made by party's state Vice-President Kewal Singh Dhillon. He said during the yatra the BJP would go village-to-village, creating awareness among farmers against the scheme and mobilise them. Party activists will meet farmers, who are struggling against the scheme. The procession will kick off on August 17 from Patiala, and pass through villages in Malwa, Majha, and Doaba regions and culminating in Pathankot on September 5. BJP leaders condemned the Bhagwant Mann government, saying it has launched an assault on the land of farmers. "Through the land pooling scheme, the government seeks to hand over farmers' land to land mafias through backdoor means, which is completely unacceptable," said the BJP. "The BJP stands like a rock with the farmers. Until the AAP government withdraws the land pooling policy, the BJP will continue to fight at all levels in solidarity with the farmers," it added. Party's national General Secretary Tarun Chugh on Tuesday demanded the immediate scrapping of the land pooling scheme. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led government is committed to protecting farmers, adding a "state-sponsored conspiracy to loot farmers' land in the name of development to help realtors" would never be accepted. Chugh said, "This is not a policy, it's a betrayal. Farmers know exactly what this scheme is -- an official tool to snatch their ancestral lands. Let the Mann government hear this loud and clear: we will not let them grab even an inch of Punjab's farmland." He accused the Mann government of acting like middlemen for real estate mafias, betraying the very farmers who voted for change but were delivered betrayal. However, state Finance Minister Harpal Cheema has clarified that the land pooling scheme is farmer-friendly and based on mutual consent. "Not a single inch of land will be forcibly taken from any farmer. Whether to give land or not is entirely up to the farmers' will," minister Cheema told the media here. --IANS vg/pgh Bengaluru, Aug 6 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday in its official statement that the autorickshaw blast which took place in communally-sensitive Mangaluru city in Karnataka was a part of the plan of the terrorist organisation ISIS. The Enforcement Directorate initiated an investigation into the blast case on the basis of the FIR registered by the Kankanady police station in Mangaluru on the complaint of K. Purushottama, an autorickshaw driver, relating to the explosion that took place on November 19, 2022, at about 4:40 p.m., at the rear side of his autorickshaw. Later, the FIR was registered by the NIA. The official statement by the NIA said, "The charge sheet filed in this case reveals that the autorickshaw blast at Mangaluru was a part of the plan of the ISIS, a terrorist organisation, with the aim to spread terror and wage war against the Indian government and to threaten the integrity and sovereignty of India." "Investigations conducted revealed that the ISIS online handler named 'Colonel' had given training over Wicker app/Telegram etc., to the main accused Mohammad Shariq alias Premraj and other accused persons, to make improvised explosive device (IED)/bomb. He also arranged funds through certain mule accounts and also through crypto currencies, which were at times encashed by Syed Yasin and Mohammad Shariq, through point of sale (PoS) agents, for a commission, and at some instances the encashed cryptocurrencies were routed through the fraudulently opened mule accounts in FINO Payments Bank," the NIA added. In the above manner, the amounts totalling to Rs 2,86,008 was deposited by different cryptocurrency dealers in the mule accounts and Rs 41,680 was collected in cash from PoS agents, the central probe agency said. The said amounts were utilised for purchase of the items online to assemble the IED and for hiring hideouts in Mysuru city and other places and also for conducting recce at various places in Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka and specifically the above said bomb was supposed to be planted at Dharmasthala Manjunatha Swamy Temple, it added. "The bomb had exploded in the autorickshaw as the bomb timer was set as nine seconds instead of 90 minutes. One other accused person namely Maaz Munir was the person, who provided the details of the above said FINO payments bank mule accounts to Mohammad Shariq to receive the various payments sent by the online handler Colonel," the NIA said. "The above said amounts had been spent for the said purposes and the amount of Rs 39,228 seized from the bag of Mohammad Shariq at the Father Mullar Hospital by the Karnataka Police has been taken over by the NIA. Hence, currently amount available in the bank account of Syed Yasin i.e., Rs 29,176 has been attached. At present, all the above said accused persons are in judicial custody," the NIA added. The ED's Bengaluru Zonal Office has provisionally attached one movable property on August 5 in the form of bank balance to the extent of Rs 29,176, which was available in the account of Syed Yasin, one of the main accused in the Mangaluru autorickshaw blast case, under the provisions of Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002, the statement said. Further investigation in the matter is underway. Kolkata, Aug 6 : West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee said on Wednesday that her administration will not take any action against the four election officers in the state against whom the Election Commission of India (ECI) has directed immediate suspension and lodging of affairs for their involvement in the wrongful addition of names in the electoral rolls of two Assembly seats should be considered as the commission's first note of caution for all involved in the electoral process in the state. A clear instruction on the count came from ECI to West Bengal Chief Secretary Manoj Pant on Tuesday. However, just a day after that, the Chief Minister made it clear that her administration will not take any action against this errant election officer, two electoral returning officers (EROs) and two assistant electoral returning officers (AEROs). She made this claim while addressing a rally at the Jhargram town in Jhargram district on Wednesday after conducting a protest rally there against the alleged harassment of Bengali-speaking people in BJP-ruled states, the second such rally led by Chief Minister Banerjee on this issue, the first being at Bolpur in Birbhum district last month. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister also questioned the authority of the ECI in directing the state government to suspend four officers, who were actually state government employees. "The election in West Bengal is far away. But the commission had already become overactive in the state. The process of suspending state government officials has started. They are threatening the administrative and police officers of the state government. They are playing in the hands of the BJP and the Union Home Ministry," Chief Minister Banerjee said. Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister once again reiterated her previous claim that the proposed special intensive review planned by the commission in West Bengal was nothing but an indirect ploy to impose the National Register of Citizens (NRC) in the state. Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari said that the announcement of the Chief Minister on not taking any action against the four election officers as directed by the ECI proves her disrespect towards constitutional bodies. He also added that the fear of getting the names of illegal Rohingya and Bangladeshi voters from the voters' list in West Bengal had made Chief Minister Banerjee so desperate. New Delhi, Aug 6 : Telangana Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy, his entire Cabinet, Congress MPs and state legislators on Wednesday staged a day-long dharna at Jantar Mantar, demanding Presidential assent for two Bills passed by the state legislature for enhancing reservation for backward classes to 42 per cent in education, employment and local bodies. Top Congress leadership stayed away from the protest but leaders of INDIA partners extended their support. AICC president Mallikarjun Kharge and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi did not turn up at the dharna but they took to 'X' to demand Presidential assent for the Bills. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi also did not attend the dharna but backed the demand for Presidential assent. CM Revanth Reddy led the 'dharna' in which Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka, state ministers, state Congress president Mahesh Kumar Goud, Congress MPs, MLAs, MLCs and Backward Class leaders participated. AICC in-charge for Telangana Meenkashi Natrajan, Digvijay Singh and Deepa Dasmunshi were among the central leaders of the party who addressed the 'dharna'. Leaders and MPs of parties like DMK, Samajwadi Party, NCP, CPI and CPI-M participated in the 'dharna' to extend their support to the Telangana government. The Telangana Assembly has passed two Bills in March to enhance Backward Class reservation in education, employment and local bodies to 42 per cent. The Governor had sent the same to the President for her assent as the overall reservation for all categories would breach the 50 per cent cap. The Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues highlighted the need to approve the Bills to do justice to the Backward Class. They mentioned that the Bills were drafted and passed based on the data collected during caste survey conducted in the state. Revanth Reddy alleged that Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP leaders were doing injustice to Backward Class by obstructing the Bills. Stating that the Congress party gave a call for 'Chalo Delhi' to mobilise support of various parties, he said the party was determined to achieve the goal of 42 per cent reservation. The Chief Minister said if PM Modi declines to accept their demand, they would take up the issue at the national level and defeat him in the elections and make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister. "In the 2029 elections, we won't let BJP get even one seat more than 150. We take the responsibility to defeat Narendra Modi and make Rahul Gandhi the Prime Minister. I swear this with Jantar Mantar as the witness," he said. He slammed BRS leader K.T. Rama Rao for calling the Congress dharna a drama. He remarked that all dramas are happening in KCR's house. The Chief Minister said while one member of the KCR family supports Backward Class reservation, another member opposes and the third stays neutral. Deputy Chief Minister Mallu Bhatti Vikramarka also exuded confidence that Congress will definitely achieve 42 per cent reservations for Backward Classes. He said the Congress was committed to Backward Class reservation and would ensure its implementation in local body polls. TPCC president Mahesh Kumar said that Revanth Reddy government's decision has left PM Modi worried. "To make a politically bold decision, one needs courage. Conducting a caste survey and reporting that Backward Classes constitute 57 per cent of the population in Telangana is no small feat," he said. NCP working president Supriya Sule was all praise for Revanth Reddy for taking a bold decision. She extended her party's support for the Telangana government's demand. DMK leader Kanimozhi also joined the dharna in solidarity with Telangana's demand for 42 per cent reservations. She said that her party supports the fight for social justice and equity, and demand immediate action on the caste census and reservation bill. She said removing 50 per cent cap on reservation was the need of the hour to do justice to weaker sections of the society who suffered for centuries in the name of caste. Kanimozhi said that Tamil Nadu is forerunner in reservation as it increased the overall quota to 69 per cent. She alleged that the BJP government was using Governors to stall bills and progress of the states. Burhanpur : , Aug 6 (IANS) With the Centre setting a target to eliminate sickle cell anaemia from the country by 2047, Health Department officials in Madhya Pradesh's Burhanpur are working tirelessly to contribute to this national mission. Burhanpur (Madhya Pradesh), Aug 6 (IANS) With the Centre setting a target to eliminate sickle cell anaemia from the country by 2047, Health Department officials in Madhya Pradeshas Burhanpur are working tirelessly to contribute to this national mission. The responsibility of achieving this ambitious goal has been entrusted to the Health Department, which is carrying out extensive ground-level work. Teams of healthcare workers are visiting villages, schools, and hostels in the district to raise awareness among girls, youth, men, and women about the disease. Under this campaign, people are being informed that sickle cell anaemia is a genetic disorder that can be managed through timely diagnosis and counselling. Health workers are going door to door, motivating residents to get tested early so the disease can be detected before complications arise. Since sickle cell anaemia stays with a person for life once it develops, early detection is key. "This initiative is not only increasing health awareness among people but also paving the way for a healthier future for coming generations," an official said. Speaking to IANS, Seema David, Field Officer for the sickle cell campaign, said: "We are screening people aged 0 to 40 years, with a special focus on children and women. Burhanpur has been given a target of 86,000 screenings, and everyone suspected will undergo further testing." Dr. Bhupendra Gaur, District In-Charge for Sickle Cell Anaemia, added: "Today we focused on making adolescent girls aware of prevention. If the youth understand this disease, they can help stop its spread. Some girls are hesitant to undergo testing, but we are making continuous efforts to inform them about its effects. We tell them it is genetic, and only a check-up can reveal it." Sickle cell anaemia is a hereditary blood disorder in which red blood cells, usually round and flexible, become rigid and shaped like a sickle. This abnormal shape hinders blood flow and reduces oxygen delivery to the body, leading to health complications. It is the most common form of sickle cell disease and is characterised by chronic anaemia, fatigue, and painful episodes. In patients with the condition, red blood cells contain abnormal haemoglobin (haemoglobin S), causing them to become stiff and sticky, taking on a crescent shape. This not only shortens their lifespan but also leads to blockages in blood vessels, triggering episodes of severe pain and other complications. Beijing, Aug 6 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Summit to be held in Tianjin City from August 31-September 1, reports cited on Wednesday. This will be PM Modi's first visit to China since the Galwan clash in 2020, which severely strained bilateral ties. PM Modi had earlier travelled to China in 2019. He also held a meeting with the Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Russia's Kazan in 2024. The breakthrough in bilateral talks, first after the Galwan Valley face-off between the soldiers of the two countries at the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in June 2020, was made possible after New Delhi and Beijing reached an agreement on patrolling along the nearly 3500-km Line of Actual Control (LAC) to end the four-year-long border confrontation. In July, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar's visited China to attend the Meeting of the SCO Council of Foreign Ministers in Tianjin. He also held discussions with his Chinese counterpart Wang Yi on the sidelines of the event. He also called on Chinese President Xi Jinping along with his fellow SCO Foreign Ministers. Earlier in June, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh visited China to attend the SCO Defence Ministers Meeting. India had refused to endorse the joint declaration at the SCO Defence Ministersa meeting, citing the exclusion of concerns around terrorism as a key reason. India stated that it wanted concerns about terrorism reflected in the document, which was not acceptable to one particular country; therefore, the statement was not adopted. During his visit, Singh met his Chinese counterpart Admiral Don Jun and the two leaders had "constructive and forward looking exchange of views on issues related to bilateral ties. National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval also visited China to attend the 20th meeting of the Security Council Secretaries of the SCO Member States in Beijing. In his intervention at the meeting, he highlighted the need to shun double standards in the fight against terrorism and take decisive actions against UN-proscribed terrorists and entities like LeT, JeM and their proxies and dismantle their terror eco-systems. The SCO is a permanent intergovernmental international organisation established in Shanghai on June 15, 2001. The member states of SCO include India, Iran, Kazakhstan, China, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Belarus. New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) on Wednesday issued an advisory cautioning the public about a rise in cyber frauds and financial scams involving misuse of its name. According to the authority, the fraud includes impersonation of TRAI officials through calls, messages, forged documents, and fraudulent letterheads to threaten or mislead individuals and coerce them into sharing personal information or transferring money. "Any such outreach allegedly in the name of the TRAI is unauthorised and not associated with the TRAI," it said. Emerging scams misusing the TRAIas name, a prominent example is the so-called adigital arresta scam, where callers impersonate TRAI or law enforcement officials and falsely accuse individuals of telecom or financial violations or criminal actions. As per the TRAI, victims are manipulated through fake legal documents, forged identities, and threats of arrest or account freezing, and are coerced to transfer money under the pretext of bail, fines, or verification. Reiterating its non-involvement in any fraud activities, the authority said that it does not initiate communication with customers regarding mobile number disconnection through messages or otherwise. The TRAI has also not authorised any third-party agency to contact customers for such purposes, and no one from the regulatory body conducts investigations or collects payments through phone calls, messaging apps, or video platforms, it stated. Threats for SIM deactivation, registration fee for tower installation and forged email letter containing fake documents with the TRAI's logo are forms of fraud misusing the TRAI's identity, the regulatory body said. Kolkata, Aug 6 : The West Bengal unit of the BJP, on Wednesday, completed the process of selection of district presidents for all the 42 organisational districts in the state. While the state unit of the BJP announced the names of presidents for 38 organisational districts in the state quite some time ago, the announcement of the names for four districts, namely Darjeeling in Darjeeling district, Barrackpore and Bongaon in North 24 Parganas district, and Ghatal in West Midnapore district, was pending. However, on Wednesday afternoon, the party's state president in West Bengal and Rajya Sabha member Samik Bhattacharya announced the names of the presidents for these four organisational districts. The four names that were announced by Bhattacharya on Wednesday are Sanjeev Tamang for Darjeeling, Tapas Ghosh for Barrackpore, Bikash Ghosh for Bongaon, and Tanmay Das for Ghatal. While Tanmay Das is the only one to be re-nominated for the chair, the other three named on Wednesday were new faces. A state committee insider said that in case of the appointment of the president for the Darjeeling organisational district, the state leadership has accepted the recommendation of the party Lok Sabha member from Darjeeling constituency, Raju Bista. "Political equations in the hills are different from those of the plains, and hence the state leadership thought it wise to honour the recommendation of the local MP on this count. Although the Darjeeling Lok Sabha has a combination of both hills and the plains, the voters in the hills are the deciding factor than their counterparts in the plains," the state committee member said. Similarly, in the case of Bangaon, where the decision makers are the voters coming from the Matua community, recommendations of the local party Lok Sabha member and the Union Minister of State, Santanu Thakur, who also comes from the same community, had been given maximum weightage. In the case of Barrackpore, the choice was made on the basis of unanimous decisions from heavyweight party leaders from that Lok Sabha area. In the case of Ghatal, the old face has been retained because of his dedicated organisational activities, the state committee insider said. Patna, Aug 6 : In a shocking broad daylight robbery, a gang of six armed criminals looted jewellery worth Rs 12 lakh in Bihar's Gopalganj district on Wednesday. The armed criminals struck at Surbhi Jewellers in the Dharamparasa market under the Manjha police station area. The gang, riding three motorcycles, stormed into the shop and held the shop owner, employees and customers hostage at gunpoint. They have fired several rounds, created panic before fleeing with the looted ornaments. The incident triggered chaos in the market, forcing nearby shopkeepers to shut their establishments and flee the area in fear. The brazen act has raised serious questions about the security arrangements in the district. Upon receiving information, Sadar Sub-Divisional Police Officer (SDPO) Rajesh Kumar, along with a police team, reached the spot and launched an investigation. Senior officers, including Saran range Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Nilesh Kumar and Gopalganj Superintendent of Police Awadhesh Dixit, visited the crime spot. The CCTV footage from the area is being reviewed, and the police have launched intensive raids to nab the culprits. DIG Kumar said, "Preliminary inputs suggest that around six criminals were involved. Jewellery worth Rs 10 to 12 lakh has been looted. The investigation is underway, and arrests will be made soon. We are scanning the CCTV footage of the area to identify the robbers." The police suspect local support for the gang and are probing potential lapses in the local security setup. Meanwhile, the incident has left the jewellery trader community in shock, demanding swift and strict action in this incident. The Gopalganj police have registered an FIR under relevant sections of Bhartiya Nyaya Sanhita in Manjha police station. Earlier on June 25 this year, a gang of five armed men looted the jewellery shop in the Kuchaikot area in Gopalganj. They had looted around gold and silver ornaments worth Rs 25 lakh. --IANS ajk/khz Mumbai, Aug 6 : Two senior IAS officers on Wednesday were appointed as the General Manager of Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST), mainly due to a lack of coordination between the departments led by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and another by Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde. However, the opposition has slammed the government, accusing it of a "turf war." The Shinde-led Urban Development Department issued an order giving additional charge to Ashwini Joshi as the GM. Joshi is the Additional Municipal Commissioner in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Within hours, the General Administration Department (GAD), led by Fadnavis, issued an order giving additional charge of the post to State GST Commissioner Asheesh Sharma. Officials from UD or GAD did not reply to the queries over the lack of communication between the departments. "Ideally, an order for appointment is issued by the GAD. In some cases, the department secretary issues the order, but the file has to be approved by the Chief Minister. I don't know what happened in this case," said a senior officer from the GAD. Initially, Joshi, a 2006-batch IAS officer from the Maharashtra cadre, was announced to take over the position on an additional charge following the retirement of former GM S V R Srinivas. However, that decision was abruptly reversed. Sharma, who is currently the Commissioner of Goods and Services Taxes (GST), Maharashtra, will take the additional charge as the GM of BEST until a regular appointment is finalised by the state government. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has been functioning without a full-time general manager since the beginning of the year. The previous full-time GM, Anil Diggikar, was transferred in December last year following the Kurla bus accident. Since then, the position has seen a series of temporary appointments, with senior IAS officers holding additional charge. An initial order to appoint Harshdeep Kamble as GM was later withdrawn without explanation. Before this, Srinivas had taken over as the GM in an additional capacity in February 2025. BEST, which operates Mumbai's public bus services, continues to face mounting challenges, including financial strain, an ageing fleet in need of modernisation, and concerns over service reliability and efficiency. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) Undertaking operates one of the largest public transport networks in Mumbai, serving more than 2.5 million commuters daily across the city and its suburbs. The undertaking plays a crucial role in the city's daily commute. In addition, BEST is also engaged in the electricity distribution to consumers. Meanwhile, the opposition has slammed the government over the appointment of two IAS officers as BEST GM. Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray in his post on X said: "So the BEST is being killed by the state government on purpose, but what is worse is the coordination between CM and Gaddaarnath Mindhe is already dead. CM's GAD (The official dept for posts and transfers) has issued orders to one name as administrator, while the Gaddaarnath's UD department has issued orders to another name. Shouldn't the DCM have first discussed this with CM? Shouldn't the GAD be issuing these orders? Why should our State suffer in this ego war?" He further said, "Imagine, if this basic coordination is SO dead, these are the people who are supposed to be leading our State! The most corrupt and incompetent government that Maharashtra has seen." Further, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal also rapped the government, saying that "1 post, 2 orders, 2 leaders, is this a double gang war of the double engine government?" In his post on X, Sapkal said: "A gang war is ongoing between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis over the transfer of officials. For a single post, appointments of two different officials are being made on the same day. Seeing this struggle to place people in lucrative positions, the public is left wondering whether it is a government or a turf war." The NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar took a dig at the state government, saying the MahaYuti government's "best coordination." In his reaction on X, he said: "As soon as the post of General Manager in BEST became vacant, it seems a race has begun between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Saheb and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Saheb to place 'their' person in this position. As soon as BEST's General Manager, Srinivas, retired yesterday, the Chief Minister's General Administration Department assigned the additional charge to Ashish Sharma and issued an order accordingly, while the Urban Development Department under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assigned the same additional charge to Ashwini Joshi. By giving the additional charge of a single post to two officers, the tug-of-war within the Mahayuti alliance has come into the open, but now the attention of BEST employees is focused on when two chairs will be placed in a single cabin." BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Brunei is actively involved in international cooperation to ensure that the country's health system is always at the front amid global challenges, a government minister has said on Tuesday. In 2024, Brunei has been appointed as the World Health Organization (WHO) Executive Board Member to represent the western pacific regional states, marking international recognition of Brunei's credibility and leadership in health, Haji Md Isham Jaafar, the minister of health, said at the legislative council meeting. He said this role enables Brunei to contribute to the global health policy and establish the relationship between regional needs and universal health agenda, in line with Brunei Vision 2035. This participation also provides the opportunity for the country to share the best practices and take advantage of the latest health strategies and technologies. Isham Jaafar also said, as a sign of support and commitment to the Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Brunei has taken the initiative to become a leading country and coordinator in the project to obtain vaccines and antiviral drugs for monkeypox through ASEAN funds. This initiative reflects not only Brunei's commitment to regional cooperation, but also the country's ability to lead in global health emergencies. Jaipur, Aug 6 : In response to a question raised by MP Hanuman Beniwal in the Lok Sabha, the Central government has officially acknowledged the shortfall in supply of crucial medical radioisotopes used in cancer diagnosis and treatment. These include Iodine-131 (I-131), Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), and Fluorine-18 (F-18), with Mo-99 being the parent isotope of Technetium-99m (Tc-99m), the most widely used isotope in cancer medicine. The Central government admitted that the supply of these isotopes is not aligned with national demand, and highlighted a 10a"15 per cent shortage in the availability of isotopes such as Lutetium-177 (Lu-177) as well. While the government claims that no formal complaints have been received from government or private hospitals regarding isotope shortages, this does not reflect the ground reality, said Beniwal. Across the country, particularly in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities, hospitals regularly face irregular or delayed deliveries, leading to postponed treatments and disrupted diagnostics. The crisis is especially severe in Rajasthan and western India. Cancer hospitals in Jaipur and Jodhpur often face delays in treatment due to limited isotope availability. In districts such as Nagaur, Bikaner, Sikar, and Jhunjhunu, the situation is worse; patients frequently have to travel 200-300 km to access diagnostic services, placing a significant burden of time, travel, and cost on rural and economically weaker patients. The government also informed Parliament that a new isotope reactor, under the PPP model, is expected to be operational only by 2035. This implies that for the next 10 years, India will have to rely on existing domestic production and imports to meet its needs. MP Hanuman Beniwal, expressing deep concern, urged the government to ramp up domestic production of Mo-99, I-131, and F-18 on a war footing. He called for immediate action, including technical cooperation with global partners, development of cold chain logistics and strengthening of the national distribution network Additionally, he recommended the introduction of mobile isotope units and digital tracking systems to address supply challenges, particularly for short-lived isotopes like F-18, ensuring timely delivery across districts. If left unaddressed, the shortage of critical radioisotopes could soon become a major public health crisis affecting millions of cancer patients across the country, said Beniwal. Seoul, Aug 6 : A special counsel team plans to question former South Korean Defence Minister Kim Yong-hyun next week over his alleged role in the botched martial law episode, judicial sources said Wednesday. Special prosecutor Cho Eun-suk's team will visit a detention facility in eastern Seoul, where Kim is being held in custody, at around 2 p.m. Monday to question him as a witness as part of an investigation into jailed former President Yoon Suk Yeol's martial law declaration late last year, according to the sources familiar with the matter. Cho's team is investigating charges of insurrection and other offences stemming from the martial law fiasco. The special counsel is said to be planning to grill Kim over suspicions he informed former Interior Minister Lee Sang-min that the martial law decree would be imposed before Yoon announced such a decision at a Cabinet meeting on December 3. Last week, Lee was arrested on charges of aiding and abetting the martial law imposition by instructing the police and fire agency to cut off power and water to media outlets critical of the then administration. Kim was also arrested in December on charges of playing a key role in the martial law episode, Yonhap news agency reported. Meanwhile, another special counsel team investigating the alleged cover-up of the truth behind the death of a Marine officer in 2023 also plans to visit the Seoul detention centre on August 18 to question the former Defence Minister, according to the sources. Earlier on Wednesday, Special Counsel Lee Myeong-hyeon's team raided South Koreaas Foreign Ministry over allegations that former Defence Minister Lee Jong-sup was abruptly allowed to leave the country last year to avoid an investigation into suspected government interference in the military probe into the death of a marine in 2023. The team has been investigating the circumstances surrounding Lee's sudden appointment as the Ambassador to Australia on March 4 last year, when he was under probe by the Corruption Investigation Office for High-ranking Officials (CIO) over his alleged involvement in the external intervention in the marine death case. At the time of his appointment, Lee was under a travel ban due to the CIO probe, but the Justice Ministry lifted the ban on March 7. Lee immediately departed for Australia but returned home 11 days later as controversy mounted over his abrupt departure. At that time, critics raised suspicions that former President Yoon had attempted to have Lee flee overseas by appointing him as the envoy to Australia. a"IANS int/bpd/vd New Delhi, Aug 6 : India on Wednesday reiterated that the latest tariff actions by US President Donald Trump are "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". Trump has signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, citing the countryas continued purchase of Russian oil. "We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified, and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," an MEA spokesperson said in a statement. The United States has in recent days targeted Indiaas oil imports from Russia. "We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India," the MEA spokesperson said. "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," said the official statement. In the executive order, Trump said the decision is aimed at strengthening measures taken under earlier sanctions against Russia following its actions in Ukraine. The order states that India is directly or indirectly importing oil from Russia, which the US considers a threat to its national security and foreign policy. "Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order reads. The new tariffs will be applied to all eligible Indian goods entering the US from 21 days after the orderas signing, except for shipments already in transit before the deadline and cleared before September 17. Get Outlook for iOS Washington, Aug 6 : US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, with the new measure set to take effect after 21 days from now. The move comes in response to what the US says is Indiaas continued purchase of Russian oil, which Washington claims undermines its national security and foreign policy. The fresh tariff will be added to the 25 per cent duty already announced by Trump, bringing the total levy on Indian goods to 50 per cent. The earlier tariffs and penalties were introduced over what the Trump administration described as Indiaas ongoing oil imports from Russia and longstanding trade barriers. The decision follows a series of warnings from Trump over the past few days. On his social media platform, Truth Social, the US President threatened to raise tariffs substantially on India for buying what he called "massive amounts" of Russian oil. A day before signing the order, he warned that new tariffs could be announced within "24 hours". Under the new order, the additional duty will apply to all eligible Indian goods entering the US after 21 days from now. Shipments already in transit before that date and cleared before September 17 will be exempt. The tariffs will be in addition to all existing duties unless goods qualify for specific exemptions under other trade measures. The order defines "Russian Federation oil" as crude or refined petroleum of Russian origin and includes purchases made indirectly through third countries or intermediaries. US authorities, led by the Secretary of Commerce, will also monitor other countries for similar imports and may recommend further actions. Trump has retained the authority to modify the order based on new intelligence, retaliation from other nations, or policy changes by Russia or India. The move expands Washingtonas use of trade measures as a tool to pressure countries into cutting energy ties with Russia amid the ongoing war in Ukraine. Bengaluru, Aug 6 : The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday stayed proceedings against state Energy Minister K .J. George and officials of the Bengaluru Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) in connection with a private complaint alleging irregularities in the tender process for the procurement and installation of smart electric meters in the state. The private complaint was filed by BJP leaders, and legal proceedings were ongoing in the trial court. The bench headed by Justice M.I. Arun passed the stay order and posted the next hearing of the case for August 20. The court directed that no proceedings shall take place until further orders. The petitioners in the case have sought the quashing of the complaint filed against them. However, the bench has directed the Karnataka Lokayukta to submit its report in the case on or before the next hearing date. Senior counsel C.V. Nagesh, appearing on behalf of George and Bescom officials, argued that all the persons named in the case, including the minister, are public servants and therefore enjoy protection under Section 17A of the Prevention of Corruption Act when prosecution is initiated or cognisance of an offence is taken. He further submitted that the trial court had passed an order directing the Lokayukta police to submit a report, which, he argued, was not permissible under law. BJP MLA and former Deputy Chief Minister C.N. Ashwath Narayan, along with other BJP leaders, had earlier filed a complaint with the Lokayukta and the Governor regarding the alleged smart meter scam. The Karnataka BJP had also urged Chief Minister Siddaramaiah to dismiss George and sought his resignation over the controversy. However, the minister has refuted all charges. Ashwath Narayan had alleged that the smart meter scam involved Rs 15,000 crore and said it was no minor issue. He said that the contract was awarded to an unqualified contractor, an agreement was made with a blacklisted company, rules were violated, and exorbitant rates -- among the highest in the country -- were imposed even when not required. "Despite bringing all these violations to light, this self-serving ATM government tried to loot people in broad daylight. We filed a complaint with the Lokayukta police in April and later submitted a follow-up petition. Due to delays, we filed a private criminal complaint before the court. Myself, MLAs S.R. Vishwanath, and Dheeraj Muniraju have approached the court," Ashwath Narayan had stated. He demanded that the current contract be scrapped, citing misuse of power, and reiterated his call for George's resignation. BJP Legislative Council member K.S. Naveen also alleged that farmers in Chitradurga district had staged protests three times and alleged that " the sole purpose behind implementing smart meters is to generate money". Chennai, Aug 6 : Tamil Nadu's Namakkal, one of India's largest egg-producing hubs, has been hit by a sudden setback after the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and on Wednesday, imposed another 25 per cent, stalling the export of eggs worth Rs 20 crore. Chennai, Aug 6 (IANS) Tamil Nadu's Namakkal, one of Indiaas largest egg-producing hubs, has been hit by a sudden setback after the US imposed a 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods and on Wednesday, imposed another 25 per cent, stalling the export of eggs worth Rs 20 crore. According to industry sources, Namakkal had, for the first time, shipped a trial consignment of 1.20 crore eggs to the US earlier in June, marking a milestone for local poultry farmers. The move had generated optimism among exporters, who saw it as an opportunity to tap into the lucrative American market. Namakkalas poultry industry is a key player in the countryas food supply chain, producing over 7 crore eggs daily. Of this, approximately 7 crore eggs are supplied across Tamil Nadu and other states, while an additional 80 lakh eggs are exported every day to markets in the Middle East, including several Arab nations. However, the recent US tariffs have brought this budding export relationship to an abrupt halt. The 1.20 crore eggs earmarked for the US are now stranded in Namakkal, with no immediate overseas buyer. At the local level, each egg is priced at Rs 4.50, while transporting them to the US costs around Rs 7.50 per piece. In the American market, these eggs were expected to retail at Rs 15 each. With the export plan in limbo, the Egg Exporters Association is now working on strategies to redirect the unsold stock to domestic markets to prevent wastage and avoid a surplus crisis. Association President Vangili Subramaniam said: "The opportunity to export 1.20 crore eggs to the US was a one-time arrangement, and unfortunately, it coincided with the sudden imposition of tariffs. This consignment is only a small fraction of our daily output, so the overall industry impact is limited. We will ensure these eggs are sold domestically." Industry experts say while the loss from this halted shipment is significant, Namakkalas robust domestic demand and established Middle Eastern export channels will help cushion the blow. Still, the incident has sparked concern among poultry exporters over future trade prospects with the US, especially if the tariffs remain in place. For now, Namakkalas farmers and traders are shifting their focus back to traditional markets, even as they keep an eye on developments in global trade policies that could reopen the door to the US. Kolkata, Aug 6 : A single-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court, on Wednesday, granted interim protection from coercive police action to actor and BJP leader, Mithun Chakraborty, in a case filed against him for financial forgery. The actor moved the Calcutta High Court last week seeking quashing of an FIR against him at the Chitpur police station in Kolkata, where an interior designer accused the former of not paying him the money after getting the work of interior designing at hotels owned by Chakraborty. The matter came up for hearing on Wednesday at the single-judge bench of Justice Jay Sengupta, and at the end of the hearing, the court granted interim protection from coercive police action based on the FIR filed against him till September 10. At the same time, Justice Sengupta allowed the Kolkata Police to continue its investigation into the matter. The judge also directed the state to submit the case diary before the court by September 3, when the matter will be heard again. The court further directed all parties to submit their respective affidavits before that date. Chakraborty owns two hotels, one in Ooty in Tamil Nadu and another in Kurseong in West Bengal. It is alleged that Chakraborty did not pay the money after getting the interior decoration of his hotels done. The complainant recently filed a complaint of financial forgery against the actor at Chitpur police station in Kolkata. He alleged in the complaint that the incident took place in 2019. Based on that complaint, the police registered an FIR against the veteran actor. Sources said that the woman interior designer has already recorded her statement before a magistrate at a city sessions court in the matter. Following the development, Chakraborty approached the Calcutta High Court seeking quashing of the FIR in this regard. Bhopal, Aug 6 : Senior Congress MLA and former Madhya Pradesh Leader of Opposition (LoP) Ajay Singh, on Wednesday, criticised the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government over fertiliser shortage in the state, alleging that lack of advanced preparation has made farmers to suffer. The Congress leader said that he felt "annoyed" when the state's Agriculture Minister Aidal Singh Kansana told in the House that Madhya Pradesh has adequate fertilisers in stock to provide farmers for sowing Kharif crops, despite the fact that farmers in several districts are struggling to get urea and DAP fertilisers. "It's really painful that the BJP Minister said in the House that there is no fertiliser shortage in Madhya Pradesh. I am saying, there is no fertiliser available in my own Churhat constituency in Sidhi district," Ajay Singh said. He added that during monsoon, farmers only get few days for sowing their Kharif crops within a limited period. He said that had the state government made the arrangements for fertilisers, a panic situation may not have arrived among the farmers in the state. "I think at current situation, we should refrain from doing politics and making statements, to take prompt action to ensure that farmers do not suffer. Our state is not like Gujarat and Maharashtra, as we are fully dependent on our agriculture," the Congress leader said. Meanwhile, the Congress MLA from Churhat, the native town of his father and former Chief Minister Arjun Singh, also criticised the Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. "This is the situation in the native state of the Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, who calls himself as farmer's son," he said. Before Ajay Singh, veteran Congress leader and former Chief Minister Kamal Nath had also criticised the BJP-led state government for registering FIRs against farmers who protested over the shortage and black-marketing of fertilisers in the state, asserting that the government is treating the farmers like "criminals". Last week, the Congress led by LoP Umang Singhar had held a protest during the ongoing Monsoon session of the Assembly. Imphal, Aug 6 : In an important development towards restoring peace in Manipur, various Civil Society Organisations representing the Thadou tribe and Meitei community held a vital meeting in Imphal on Wednesday, organisation sources said. The Coordinating Committee on Manipur Integrity (COCOMI), the Meitei community apex body, All Manipur United Clubs Organisation (AMUCO), Federation of Civil Society Organisations (FOCS), Ima groups, student leaders and Arambai Tenggol held the crucial meeting with the 13-member delegation of Thadou Inpi Manipur (TIM), a tribal organisation. After the first-ever such meeting, a leader of the TIM, without elaborating on their discussions, said that they discussed the peace process in Manipur. A TIM statement said that historically and culturally, there is no community known as "Kuki" indigenous to Manipur. "The term 'Kuki' has foreign origins, and those who adopt it today often do so to push a separatist and extremist ideology. Many who currently identify as Kuki are suspected illegal immigrants, having settled in Manipur in recent decades," the statement said. It said that over time, "church politics" and "religious affiliations" have also played a significant role in "misclassifying" many members of the Thadou tribe as Kuki, creating further confusion and undermining the true identity of the Thadou people. "This has become a threat not only to the Thadou tribe, but also to the Meiteis, Meitei-Pangal, other tribal communities and Manipur's unity as a whole," the statement said, adding that the point to remember is that 'Kuki' is not an ethnic identity; it is a political ideology. "Let us stand united in truth. The path to lasting peace in Manipur begins with clarity of identity, rejection of extremism, and a renewed commitment to coexistence," the TIM said. Wednesday's meeting between TIM and Meitei CSOs in Imphal is the first consultation since the ethnic violence broke out in the state in May 2023. However, TIM had previously held meetings with Meitei CSOs in Delhi. Political observers felt that Wednesday's meeting could open a new chapter in the ethnic conflict resolution process, led not only by political figures but by the collective will of the people through their civil and student bodies. --IANS sc/dan New Delhi, Aug 6 : The Parliament on Wednesday passed two landmark maritime bills, in a first for the Shipping Ministry, paving the way for a modern, efficient and globally aligned maritime policy framework in India. While the Lok Sabha cleared The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, aimed at streamlining maritime governance with a modern and internationally compliant approach, the Rajya Sabha passed The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, replacing a century-old colonial-era law with updated legislation designed to promote ease of doing business and make Indiaas shipping sector future-ready. Union Minister of Ports, Shipping & Waterways Sarbananda Sonowal said: "Today is a historic day for all of us at the Ministry. Parliament passed two important legislations a" The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 and The Carriage of Goods Sea Bill, 2025 a" effectively endorsing Prime Minister Narendra Modias vision to modernise Indiaas maritime sector." "With the passage of the two bills, the Modi governmentas push for Indiaas modern shipping gets double endorsement from Parliament," he added. Introducing The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024 in the Lok Sabha, Sonowal said: "This Bill is a progressive and advanced legislation, up to date with international maritime conventions and informed by the best practices of leading maritime nations." The Bill is part of a series of major legal reforms undertaken over the past 11 years under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aimed at enabling robust growth in the shipping and maritime sectors, he said. These reforms have significantly enhanced efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness. Highlighting the need for an updated framework, the minister noted that the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, had become bulky, fragmented, and outdated, with 561 sections, failing to address contemporary maritime challenges or fully implement Indiaas obligations under several key International Maritime Organisation (IMO) conventions. "The Merchant Shipping Bill, 2024, with 16 Parts and 325 clauses, modernises Indiaas maritime legal framework by aligning with international conventions, enhancing safety at sea, improving emergency response, and ensuring environmental protection. It reduces compliance burdens, promotes Indian tonnage, and prioritises seafarer welfare and ship safety. The Bill aims to make India a globally respected maritime jurisdiction and unlock sustainable growth, investment, and innovation in the sector," Sonowal further stated. Meanwhile, The Carriage of Goods by Sea Bill, 2025, was passed in the Rajya Sabha to repeal the century-old Indian Carriage of Goods by Sea Act, 1925. The new legislation is part of the governmentas broader effort to modernise Indiaas legal framework by eliminating outdated colonial-era laws and aligning with global best practices to improve ease of doing business. The bill adopts the Hague-Visby Rules, a globally accepted maritime standard also followed by countries like the UK. By replacing complexity with clarity, the legislation is expected to simplify maritime trade laws, reduce litigation risks, and enhance transparency and commercial efficiency in cargo movement by sea. The bill was introduced by Union Minister of State for Ports, Shipping & Waterways Shantanu Thakur. "This Bill is not merely a statutory reforma"it reflects a broader philosophy of governance led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi to replace complexity with clarity, outdated norms with modern standards, and colonial remnants with forward-looking laws that serve the interests of a resurgent India," he said. The bill is a key step in making Indiaas maritime trade laws future-ready and compatible with international trade agreements, including the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with the UK. The legislation was passed by the Lok Sabha on March 28 this year. During the Rajya Sabha discussion, members raised issues including maritime security and smuggling risks, which the government assured were being addressed through statutory and operational safeguards. KABUL, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Afghan police have apprehended 27 criminals across the country over the past 24 hours, the Ministry of Interior Affairs said Wednesday. The alleged criminals were involved in theft, gambling, moral corruption and other illegal activities. Police will not allow anyone to create law and order problems, the ministry said. Srinagar, Aug 6 : Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor (L-G) Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday that the young generation must be inspired to preserve and cherish the values, knowledge and traditions of the tribal communities. Taking to social media platform X after inaugurating the national tribal festival in Gurez border town of Bandipora district, the L-G said: "Inaugurated National Tribal Festival at Gurez. It is celebration of culture & tradition of Dard-Shina tribal community." "A community radio station was also launched today to inspire young generation to preserve & cherish the values, knowledge and traditions of the community." The two-day tribal festival celebrates the culture and tradition of Dard-Shina tribal community. Addressing the gathering through virtual mode, L-G Sinha lauded the immense contribution of the tribal community to cultural diversity of the country. He also paid tributes to tribal freedom fighter Birsa Munda. "I consider the Dard-Shina tribal community to be the most precious treasure of India, which is inspiring the people to preserve their traditions and rituals." "Its rich traditions are a guiding light for us. The Dard-Shina community's deep connection to nature has shaped a unique culture and set of values. They impart a powerful lesson to humanity to lead a sustainable lifestyle in harmony with nature." "Under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the priceless tribal culture is being preserved and their ancient glory and dignity is restored," the L-G said. He added that the Central government has always focused on empowering the tribal community and transforming their lives. "Decades of injustice against tribals ended in August 2019. Various transformative initiatives have enhanced the socio-economic conditions of tribal brothers and sisters. Gurez was connected to grid power in 2023 for the first time since 1947." "This reflects our commitment to Gurez and Dard-Shina community," L-G Sinha said. On the occasion, the L-G dedicated the Shina Gilgit 88.8 FM Radio Station to the Dard-Shina tribal community. He said that the community radio station will inspire the young generation to preserve and cherish the values, knowledge and traditions of the community. He suggested that the new radio station should broadcast the rich history of the tribal community, through a dedicated weekly programme. "Gurez was developed and established as the most favourite offbeat tourist destination of the country. Today Gurez is ranked as a top travel destination of the country and it is considered as a haven for outdoor enthusiasts with its serene landscapes and picturesque villages." "The community radio programmes must reflect its natural, artistic and cultural heritage," he added. He also appreciated the Indian Army, Tribal Affairs Department, district administration and various voluntary organisations for their dedication to promote the priceless cultural heritage of the Dard-Shina community. Captivating performances by the artists from Jammu and Kashmir and other states celebrating "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat" received special appreciation from L-G Sinha. Members of the tribal community were also honoured for their service to the society and the Indian Army. Javed Ahmed Rana, Minister for Tribal Affairs, Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology and Environment; Nazir Ahmad Khan, Member of Legislative Assembly from Gurez; Vijay Kumar Bidhuri, Kashmir Divisional Commissioner; Prasanna Ramaswamy G, Tribal Affairs Department Secretary; Manzoor Ahmad Qadri, Bandipora Deputy Commissioner, senior officials of security forces, civil and police administration, and people from all walks of life in large number attended the inaugural ceremony. New Delhi, Aug 6 : In a swift and courageous operation, the Indian Army sprang into action to contain a massive fire that broke out in Menchuka town of Shi Yomi district in Arunachal Pradesh, preventing a potential large-scale disaster in the remote region. The fire, which threatened to engulf residential areas in the town, prompted an immediate response from the Army. Upon receiving a distress call, a well-equipped relief column consisting of two officers, five Junior Commissioned Officers (JCOs), and 86 other ranks was mobilised without delay. Braving the harsh terrain and unpredictable conditions typical of the region, the troops reached the site quickly and commenced firefighting operations. Their relentless efforts not only succeeded in controlling the blaze but also ensured it did not spread to the more densely populated areas of the town. Thanks to their timely action, multiple homes were saved and, most importantly, no loss of life was reported. In addition to firefighting, the Army personnel extended full humanitarian support to the affected families. Essential relief items, including food, clean drinking water, and basic necessities, were distributed to those who had lost belongings in the fire. The assistance brought much-needed relief and reassurance to the local population, who were grappling with the aftermath of the sudden blaze. Menchuka, located close to the India-China border, is a strategically sensitive region with limited civilian infrastructure. The Armyas quick response and compassionate outreach underscored its enduring commitment to national service and community support, particularly in far-flung and underserved regions. The Menchuka fire response once again demonstrated the Indian Armyas core values of service, sacrifice, and nation-building. In times of crisis, the armed forces continue to serve as a pillar of support to local communities, showcasing unparalleled professionalism, preparedness, and resolve. Thiruvananthapuram, Aug 6 : Legendary filmmaker Adoor Gopalakrishnan, presently under fire for his controversial remarks at a film conclave recently, can now breathe easy as the Kerala Police have received legal advice stating that no case can be filed against him in the matter. According to the legal opinion, Gopalakrishnan's speech did not contain any derogatory statements against SC/ST communities, nor did it suggest that government funds should be stopped or that the disbursement of such funds was inappropriate. The legal counsel clarified that the filmmaker's comments were part of an opinion expressed during a policy discussion on cinema, and hence, do not warrant criminal action. Activist Dinu Weyil had on Monday lodged a complaint at a local police station, seeking action against Gopalakrishnan under the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Weyil alleged that the filmmaker's remarks were derogatory and suggested that individuals from these communities are prone to corruption. "He made a blanket statement that tarnishes an entire section of society and implies that people from these communities are thieves," Weyil said. The controversy erupted on Sunday during the Kerala Film Policy Conclave, where Gopalakrishnan expressed concern over what he described as excessive government funding for debutant filmmakers from SC/ST and womenas categories. "The government is providing Rs 1.5 crore to SC/ST filmmakers. I told the Chief Minister that while the intention is good, such large sums without proper training could lead to corruption. These new filmmakers should be given at least three months of intensive training," he had said. Even though the legend clarified that he never intended to insult or stereotype anyone, and that his comments stem from his six decades of experience in cinema, Gopalakrishnan came under fire from several quarters, including a few State Ministers. However, on Wednesday, some womenas organisations approached the Kerala State Womenas Commission seeking that it should summon him and find out about his remarks on women filmmakers. New Delhi, Aug 6 : BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, accusing him of defaming India's institutions, democracy, and Constitution to please foreign masters. New Delhi, Aug 6 (IANS) BJP National General Secretary Tarun Chugh launched a scathing attack on Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, accusing him of defaming Indiaas institutions, democracy, and Constitution to please foreign masters. BJP leader Chughas remarks came in response to Rahul Gandhi's recent comments where he criticised the state of the Indian economy and the government's policies. He alleged that Rahul Gandhi was acting as a "puppet" of billionaire investor George Soros, whom he termed as having malicious intentions against India. "Rahul Gandhi is giving these statements to please his American master George Soros, who harbours intentions to destabilise India. Rahul is working like his puppet," BJP leader Chugh said in a statement to IANS. He also added that making such remarks about India's economy -- which he asserted had reached new heights under Prime Minister Narendra Modi -- was akin to "spitting on the moon". "Prime Minister Modi is loved across the world. He has taken the Indian economy to unprecedented heights. Speaking against such a leader is like spitting on the moon -- it has no effect but shows one's own mindset," the BJP leader said. He accused Rahul Gandhi of repeatedly undermining India's institutions, including the judiciary and armed forces, and said this behaviour had become a "habit" of the Congress party. "They raise questions on the Army, insult constitutional institutions, and indirectly make Pakistan happy. This has become Congress' nature," he remarked. Calling out the Gandhi-Nehru family, BJP leader Chugh claimed their mindset was rooted in authoritarianism. "There is dictatorship in the DNA of the Gandhi-Nehru family. They believe they are above the Constitution and the country's institutions." In a direct message to Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, BJP leader Chugh said, "India will be governed by Ambedkar's Constitution, not by the Gandhi family's autocracy." Chennai, Aug 6 : Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) President Thol Thirumavalavan, Communist Party of India-Marxist state Secretary P. Shanmugam, and Communist Party of India (CPI) state Secretary R. Mutharasan on Wednesday submitted a joint representation to Chief Minister M.K. Stalin, pressing for the enactment of a special law to curb caste killings and ensure protection for inter-caste and inter-faith couples in Tamil Nadu. The delegation met Stalin at his residence in Chennai, where they also enquired about his health following his recent hospitalisation and week-long stay in a city hospital. The Chief Minister was discharged only a few days ago. In their detailed memorandum, the leaders expressed concern over the recurring incidents of violence and murders involving inter-caste and inter-faith couples in the state. They said such attacks highlighted the urgent need for targeted legislation to address caste killings, going beyond the scope of general criminal provisions. "Hundreds of lives have been lost to caste-based violence in Tamil Nadu over the past decade. These are not isolated crimes committed solely by individuals or families, but often the outcome of social pressure, intimidation from dominant caste groups, extra-legal akatta panchayatsa (kangaroo courts), and entrenched notions of caste purity and family honour," the representation said. They pointed out that in most cases, these killings were booked merely as murders under Section 302 of the Indian Penal Code or Section 101 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, without acknowledging the caste-based motivation and coercion behind the crime. Citing reports and recommendations from rights agencies, as well as private member bills introduced in Parliament and the Tamil Nadu Assembly, the leaders also referred to similar laws passed in states like Rajasthan and Haryana, which recognise honour killings as a distinct and aggravated offence. They urged the Chief Minister to take immediate steps to draft and pass a state-specific law that would impose stringent penalties on offenders, dismantle extra-legal caste forums, and establish protection mechanisms for couples facing threats. The leaders said such a law would send a strong message against caste discrimination, reaffirm Tamil Naduas legacy as a State committed to social justice, and safeguard the constitutional rights of citizens to choose their partners freely, irrespective of caste or religion. Bhubaneswar, Aug 6 : In a fresh case of self-immolation, one more girl student on Wednesday died after she set herself on fire allegedly due to blackmail by her boyfriend in Pattamundai area of Kendrapara district. The victim was a last year undergraduate student of the local college. The deceased girl's father while speaking to media persons alleged: "My daughter was in a relationship with a youth. After the break-up, he was harassing her so she took the extreme step. Her boyfriend used to send obscene photos and threaten to kill her." The victim's father also stated that around six to eight months ago, they approached the police who allegedly told them to block the mobile number of her boyfriend. As per initial reports, her parents and other family members were away when the victim girl allegedly committed suicide by setting herself on fire. Upon being informed, the Kendrapara district Superintendent of Police, Siddharth Kataria, along with other senior police officials reached the spot and launched an investigation. SP Kataria told reporters that the victim's farther told them that she had committed suicide and investigation has been launched to ascertain the real cause of death. He also assured an investigation into the allegations of police negligence labelled by the victim's father. It is pertinent here to mention that just a couple of days back, the 16-year-old girl who was set on fire by three unknown bike-borne miscreants in Balanga area of Puri district on July 19, succumbed to the burn injuries while undergoing treatment at AIIMS, New Delhi. Earlier, one female student of Fakir Mohan Autonomous College in Balasore poured petrol on herself and set herself on fire over alleged sexual harassment by one of the faculties of the college. The victim who sustained over 90 percent burn injuries later succumbed at AIIMS, Bhubaneswar. Mumbai, Aug 6 : In the wake of a controversy over the appointment of two senior IAS officers as the BrihanMumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) general manager, the state Urban Development on late Wednesday evening issued a statement saying that 'the orders regarding handing over the additional charge of the post of General Manager, BEST to Ashwini Joshi (IAS) have not been officially issued by the Urban Development Department.' The statement said that on the initiative of the BEST Workers Union, it was planned to take out a march to ensure that the employees who have retired and are retiring from the service of BEST enterprises receive their gratuity amount immediately within the prescribed time. "In this situation, it was necessary to give additional charge to the post of General Manager, BEST until regular orders are issued through the General Administration Department," it said. The statement added that, considering the order dated July 31, 2025, of the General Administration Department, action was being taken to issue an order through the Urban Development Department to hand over the additional charge of the post of General Manager, BEST, to Joshi in order to handle the workers' union's march. "However, in the meantime, the additional charge of the post of General Manager, BEST was handed over to Ashish Sharma (IAS) by the General Administration Department as per the order dated August 05, 2025," it said, claiming that no official order of Joshi was since issued. Earlier, the opposition slammed the government over the appointment of two IAS officers as BEST GM, as they uploaded on social media the two separate signed orders. The one order was by the Deputy Chief Minister Shinde-led Urban Development Department, giving additional charge to Ashwini Joshi as the GM. Joshi is the Additional Municipal Commissioner in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Within hours, the General Administration Department (GAD)-led by Fadnavis issued an order, giving additional charge of the post to State GST commissioner Asheesh Sharma. The Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) undertaking has been functioning without a full-time general manager since the beginning of the year. The previous full-time GM, Anil Diggikar, was transferred in December last year following the Kurla bus accident. Since then, the position has seen a series of temporary appointments, with senior IAS officers holding additional charge. However, Shiv Sena UBT leader Shiv Sena UBT leader Aaditya Thackeray in his post on X said, "So the BEST is being killed by the state government on purpose, but what is worse is the coordination between CM and Gaddaarnath Mindhe is already dead. CM's GAD (The official dept for posts and transfers) has issued orders to one name as administrator, while the Gaddaarnath's UD department has issued orders to another name. Shouldn't the DCM have first discussed this with CM? Shouldn't the GAD be issuing these orders? Why should our State suffer in this ego war?" He further said, "Imagine, if this basic coordination is SO dead, these are the people who are supposed to be leading our State! The most corrupt and incompetent government that Maharashtra has seen." Further, the Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee president Harshwardhan Sapkal also rapped the government, saying, "1 post, 2 orders, 2 leaders, is this a double gang war of the double engine government?" In his post on X, Sapkal said, "A gang war is ongoing between Chief Minister Shinde and Deputy Chief Minister Fadnavis over the transfer of officials. For a single post, appointments of two different officials are being made on the same day. Seeing this struggle to place people in lucrative positions, the public is left wondering whether it is a government or a turf war." The NCP SP legislator Rohit Pawar took a dig at the state government, saying the MahaYuti government's "best coordination." In his reaction on X, he said: "As soon as the post of General Manager in BEST became vacant, it seems a race has begun between Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis Saheb and Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde Saheb to place 'their' person in this position. As soon as BEST's General Manager, Shri Srinivas, retired yesterday, the Chief Minister's General Administration Department assigned the additional charge to Ashish Sharma and issued an order accordingly, while the Urban Development Department under Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde assigned the same additional charge to Ashwini Joshi. By giving the additional charge of a single post to two officers, the tug-of-war within the Mahayuti alliance has come into the open, but now the attention of BEST employees is focused on when two chairs will be placed in a single cabin." The Leader of Opposition in the state council, Ambadas Danve, also criticised the MahaYuti government, saying that this is a simple example of the complete lack of coordination among the parties in the state government. In his post on X, he claimed, "Thus is the competition between the departments of the Chief Minister and the Deputy Chief Minister, who frequently visits Delhi, to appoint people to the post of BEST GM. If three partners of the MahaYuti cannot coordinate with each other, what welfare will they achieve for 11 crore people?" he asked. Bengaluru, Aug 6 : Karnataka Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao has written to Union Health Minister J.P. Nadda on Wednesday defending the move of the state government to shut down the Jan Aushadhi Centres from the premises of government hospitals and urged the Centre to supply medicines to the state health department at the same rates at which these are supplied to Janushadhi Kendras. In his letter, Minister Rao said: "As per the Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pari Yojana (PMBJP) scheme, prices of the Jan Aushadhi medicines are 50 per cent-80 per cent less than that of branded medicine's prices available in the open market and Scheme is implemented by a society registered under the Societies Registration Act, Pharma and Medical Bureau of India (PMBI)." "It is requested that they may be directed to supply to the state health department at the same rates at which these are supplied to Janushadhi Kendras. That will help a long way in the envisaged free drug supply in government hospitals of Health and Family Welfare department of Karnataka State," Minister Rao demanded. He further said: "I acknowledge the receipt of your letter written to Chief Minister, concerning the closure of Jan Aushadhi Kendra's (JAKs) within government hospital premises in Karnataka. I appreciate your concern regarding access to affordable and quality medicines for the public. "I would like to respectfully clarify that the Government of Karnataka has ensured the free supply of all essential medicines as per the Essential Medicines List (EML) in all government healthcare institutions. However, we would like to clarify that this decision does not restrict the operation of Janaushadhi Kendras outside government premises, and citizens are free to access them in the private domain as per their choice," he stated. Karnataka ranks among the top ones in the country with more than 1,417 Jan Aushadhi Kendras functioning in the State. Of these, only 184 Jan Aushadhi Kendras are located within the premises of government hospitals under the Department of Health and Family Welfare and rest are functioning outside the government hospital premises, he stated. This decision of the government is to reduce the out-of pocket expenditure incurred by patients towards purchasing of medicines from pharmacy stores. This will benefit the poor and marginalised patients who are the ones primarily accessing healthcare services at the Government Hospitals, Minister Rao claimed. "We remain committed to ensuring the best possible access to affordable and quality healthcare for all citizens of Karnataka and are continuously strengthening our supply chain, availability, and rational usage of medicines within the public system," he stated. "We deeply value your concern for public health and reiterate our shared commitment to the welfare of the people," he added. The government hospitals are regularly supplied all the required medicines through the Karnataka State Medical Supplies Corporation Limited. In addition, the hospitals have been provided sufficient funds, and they have been given standing instructions that in case of shortage of any drugs, they should utilise these funds to buy medicines locally. This effort aims to ensure universal access to essential medicines for patients visiting government facilities completely free of cost, he stated. In this context, the decision to discontinue Jan Aushadhi Kendras within government hospital premises has been taken with the intent to prevent any chances of referring the patients to the commercial shops for purchase of medicines and consequent denial to them from the assured free supply of drugs, Minister Rao stated. Amaravati, Aug 6 : The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday approved the scheme for free travel for women in APSRTC buses from August 15. The Cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu put its stamp of approval on the scheme to fulfill another promise made in the elections last year. As part of the coalition government's "Super Six" promises, the "Stri Shakti" - free bus travel will be launched on Independence Day. The implementation of this scheme will cost Rs 162 crore per month, approximately Rs 1,942 crore per year, benefiting about 26.95 lakh people daily in the state. In the state's population of 5.25 crore, there are 2.62 crore women. Under this scheme, women, girls, and transgenders belonging to the state will be eligible to travel free of charge from anywhere to anywhere. They can travel on PalleVelugu, Ultra Pallevelugu, City Ordinary, Express, Metro Express services. To avail this facility, they need to show Aadhaar, Voter, or Ration cards as ID proofs. This scheme does not apply to non-stop interstate bus services or any other categories. Similarly, it does not apply to contract carriage services, chartered services, and package tours. The beneficiaries can travel in 6,700 buses or 74 per cent of all APSRTC buses. This year, measures have been taken to purchase an additional 3,000 electric buses, and in the next two years, another 1,400 electric buses will be purchased. The government said it while implementing this scheme, it would place great emphasis on the safety of women and girls by providing body cameras to female conductors and installing CC cameras in buses. Through the implementation of this scheme, in addition to the 16.11 lakh people already using transport services, an estimated 10.84 lakh more people will have the opportunity to use them. About 1.42 crore women are likely to will utilize free bus facility annually. The Cabinet approved the proposal to extend the ban on Communist Party of India (Maoist), its front organisations, Revolutionary Democratic Front (RDF) as 'unlawful associations' under A.P. Public Security Act, 1992, (Act No. 21 of 1992) Section 3 and its sub-clauses for another year. The government stated that despite the ban being in effect, the Communist Party of India (Maoist) is making intense efforts to use every opportunity available to them in Andhra Pradesh. The CPI (Maoist) continues destructive activities by targeting citizens as police informers, damaging government property especially in Alluri Sitarama Raju (ASR) district, along with their cadres from neighboring states Telangana, Odisha, and Chhattisgarh. The Cabinet approved the proposal for AP Land Incentive for Tech Hub (LIFT) Policy (4.0) 2024-2029. Under the policy, IT/ITeS companies, Global Capability Centers (GCCs) and IT park developers, fulfilling the criteria, will be allotted land for 99 paise per acre. The Cabinet also approved the 2025-28 Bar Policy based on Cabinet Sub-Committee recommendations. The Cabinet Sub-Committee recommend a comprehensive excise policy draft after studying the current bar policy regarding practices followed in other states and stakeholder representations. Under the new policy, bars will be allocated through lottery. This method will be followed only when at least four applications are received. Business hours have also been permitted from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Out of total 840 bars, 10 percent bars have been reserved for welfare of toddy workers at 50 per cent fees. Jaipur, Aug 6 : Rajasthan Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma, on Wednesday, approved a series of strict disciplinary action against several government officials facing allegations of corruption and misconduct. In a major decision, the Chief Minister has approved the compulsory retirement of nine police inspectors found guilty of serious lapses during their service. These Police Inspectors had a history of tainted records, with multiple charges and departmental inquiries pending against them. A high-level committee conducted a comprehensive review of these Police Inspectors, examining their working style, performance, integrity, departmental records, and annual confidential reports. Based on the findings, the State Home Department recommended their forced retirement. The Chief Minister gave his final approval to remove them from service, aiming to uphold discipline and integrity within the police force. In another significant move, disciplinary proceedings have been approved against an IAS officer accused of illegally allotting land in violation of established rules. The Chief Minister has granted permission to initiate action under Rule 8 of the All India Services (Discipline and Appeal) Rules, 1969, highlighting the state government's commitment to transparency and accountability at the highest administrative levels. He has approved prosecution against six state service officers involved in corruption cases, allowing the Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB) to proceed with legal action. Additionally, two Rajasthan Administrative Service and Accounts Service officers will face detailed investigations under Section 17-A of the Prevention of Corruption (Amendment) Act, 2018. Taking disciplinary measures beyond active service, Chief Minister Sharma has also decided to withhold the annual increments of 13 officers under Rule 16, and in a strong message to retired officials, pension benefits of five retired officers have been stopped. In one of these cases, the entire pension has been withheld following proven corruption charges. Moreover, the Chief Minister has disposed of several appeal and review cases. He rejected a review petition filed under CCA Rule-34, upholding the original decision. Appeals under CCA Rule-23 were accepted in three cases and partially accepted in two others. These decisions reflect the state government's zero-tolerance policy towards corruption and its ongoing effort to strengthen governance through strict accountability measures, officials said. BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China's job market has remained stable amid rising global challenges, supported by a range of policy measures from central and local authorities to boost employment and help companies retain jobs. According to the latest data, the average urban surveyed unemployment rate nationwide in the first half of the year was 5.2 percent, down 0.1 percentage points from the first quarter, indicating an overall stable employment situation. Amid an increasingly complex and challenging external environment, Zhang Chenggang, director of the research center for new forms of employment, emphasized the need for concerted efforts to tackle these challenges. "We must fully counter the impact of external pressures and domestic economic shifts on employment," Zhang said, calling for diverse measures to ensure both high-quality and sufficient employment. The State Council recently issued a notice on further strengthening policy support to maintain employment stability, and unveiled seven policy measures. Among them are a package of new initiatives, including expanding the scope of special loans for keeping the job market stable, increasing the proportion of unemployment insurance rebates for related enterprises, and broadening the coverage of social insurance subsidies. These measures reaffirm the government's support. Starting this year, China will subsidize vocational skills training for over 10 million people annually for three consecutive years, with a focus on key sectors like healthcare, childcare, advanced manufacturing, modern services and new occupations, according to the State Council. In the first half of the year, China's GDP grew by 5.3 percent year on year. While the overall economy provides a foundation for employment, many regions have ramped up employment-first policies, refined job promotion mechanisms, and injected fresh momentum into enterprises to keep the job market stable. For instance, Jiangxi Province has intensified efforts to explore and expand job opportunities in key fields, key industries, grassroots areas, and small and micro-sized enterprises, while supporting employment among key groups. Chongqing has implemented a youth employment and entrepreneurship action plan targeting around 1 million college graduates and others. Jilin Province's human resources and social security departments have established direct contacts with 69 local colleges and universities to promote policies and offer job guidance. These pragmatic measures have significantly facilitated graduate employment, steadily injecting fresh energy into economic and social development. On the demand side, recruitment has surged in emerging industries and modern services, fueled by deeper integration of technological and industrial innovation, coupled with steady consumption growth. Recruiting platform Zhaopin.com reported strong year-on-year growth in Q2. Hiring demand in industries such as humanoid robotics, new materials, and intelligent hardware increased by 398.1 percent, 72.1 percent, and 50.3 percent year on year, respectively. Recruitment in pet services, automobile services, elderly care, gaming, and online life services sectors also rose by over 30 percent year on year. China's vast base of approximately 190 million business entities remains the bedrock of its economy and employment stability. Moving forward, China will continue to promote the implementation of a series of measures to keep employment and the economy stable, Zhou Chen, an official with the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC), told a press conference last week. The NDRC will strengthen economic monitoring, forecasting and early warning, regularly conduct policy research and preparation, and continuously improve the policy toolkit for sustaining stable employment and boosting domestic demand, Zhou said. "With positive factors supporting employment gathering momentum, the stable employment trend is expected to continue," Zhang added. Agartala, Aug 6 : Responding to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha's request, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed the top officials to study the condition and to take appropriate steps for the National Highway-8, the state's lifeline, officials said on Wednesday. Agartala, Aug 6 (IANS) Responding to Tripura Chief Minister Manik Sahaas request, Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari has directed the top officials to study the condition and to take appropriate steps for the National Highway-8, the stateas lifeline, officials said on Wednesday. The National Highway-8 between Assamas Sribhumi district (formerly Karimganj) and Tripuraas Sabroom sub-division, along Bangladesh, connects the state (Tripura) with the rest of the country through Assam. An official of the Chief Ministeras Office said that Saha had earlier informed the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, about the poor condition of certain stretches of the National Highway. In response to the Chief Ministeras request, the Union Minister, in a written communication earlier, informed that an official team from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) recently inspected the National Highways. It was stated that a detailed report based on the inspection would be submitted to the Union Road Transport and Highways Ministry by August 15. As per the instructions of the Union Minister, the Managing Director of NHIDCL, National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd, Krishna Kumar, would visit the state on August 10 to review the construction and repair work of various National Highways in Tripura. The Chief Minister has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Union Ministry to the urgent need for renovation of these important alternative highways in the state, the official said. He said that Saha, who holds the PWD portfolio, has also personally discussed the matter several times over the phone with the Union Minister Gadkari. Additionally, the Chief Minister has directed the Secretary of the Public Works Department, Kiran Gitte, to pay special attention to this issue and to take necessary steps in coordination with the central authorities. Tripura currently has six National Highways, and the Centre recently sanctioned a few more National Highways to improve the surface connectivity. --IANS sc/dan Bhopal, Aug 6 : The Madhya Pradesh Child Rights Protection Commission department of the state government will host will a one-day regional workshop on the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act on Thursday. The workshop, which is a significant step toward strengthening child protection mechanisms in the state, will be organised at the Kushabhau Thackeray International Convention Centre (Minto Hall) in Bhopal. Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, along with some other senior Ministers of his Cabinet will address the session, highlighting the steps taken to protect the child rights and provisions made to protect them from sexual assault in the state. School Education Minister Rao Uday Pratap Singh, Women and Child Development Minister Nirmala Bhuria, and Child Rights Protection Commission Chairman Dravindra More will attend as special guests at the event. Officials and representatives from multiple departments, including Women and Child Development, Education, Police, and Tribal Affairs etc. will converge at the workshop. Participants are expected from across all districts of Madhya Pradesh, making this a key regional training and awareness initiative. The primary focus of the workshop is to ensure effective implementation of the POCSO Act, which plays a vital role in addressing crimes against children. Attendees will receive legal training, updates on recent policy developments, and sensitisation on handling child sexual abuse cases with empathy and procedural integrity. The workshop will also host brainstorming sessions aimed at reinforcing processes from policy formulation to grassroots execution, ensuring a more robust and child-sensitive legal and administrative framework across the state. "With active participation from key departments and political leadership, the workshop is expected to foster a coordinated approach to child safety in Madhya Pradesh," the state government said in a statement on Wednesday. For Cardboard House Press, a Phoenix-based bilingual publisher of Latin American and Spanish poetry in translation, the everyday material in its name is central to how it thinks aboutand makesbooks. Cardboard Houses catalog is largely inspired by the cartonera publishing movement in Latin America, says founder and editorial director Giancarlo Huapaya. The grassroots phenomenon began in Argentina in 2003 and centers on the production of handmade books using cardboard, which is cheap and readily accessible. Since its start in 2014, Cardboard House has hosted 120 bookmaking workshops across the country, from Brooklyn to Bloomington, Ind., to Santa Cruz, Calif. In addition to its chapbooks and cardboard books, which are assembled by hand in community workshops run by a team of volunteer bookmakers called the Cartonera Collective, the nonprofit press also publishes full-length paperback poetry collections, which are printed by Ingram and Bookmobile but feature handmade jackets. In its publishing and its programming, Cardboard House has developed a sort of polyglot ethics, pointing toward what Huapaya describes as two broader goals: to create spaces for language justice and to re-form and reformulate audiences. The presss workshops, readings, board meetings, and conversations with volunteers generally occur bilingually, between English and Spanish. Cardboard House has so far built a list of 48 titles, all of which are bilingual editions. Its most popular sellers include Album of Fences by the Mexican poet Omar Pimienta and Boat People by the Puerto Rican poet Mayra Santos-Febres, both of which address life and politics along different U.S. borders, as well as The Equestrian Turtle and Other Poems by the Peruvian poet Cesar Moro, the only Latin American to participate in the original Surrealist movement. All titleswhether made by hand or by machinereceive ISBNs and are distributed by Asterism. The press generally prioritizes authors who have not yet been translated into English, and hopes to serve as a springboard for them to find homes at larger presses. In 2023, Cardboard House introduced anglophone readers to the Peruvian poet Tilsa Otta with the publication of And Suddenly I Was Just Dancing; Graywolf Press went on to publish her collected poems, The Hormone of Darkness, the following year. The way poetry is written in Latin America is not institutionalized in the same way writing is in the United States, Huapaya says. Its hard to sustain oneself in a publishing market shaped by institutional power, the MFA, competition, and the author-as-brand and dominated by English. With typical print runs of 8001,000 copies for paperback collections and 350550 copies for chapbooks and cardboard books, Cardboard House cant sustain its efforts through book sales alone. Grants and individual donors help fill the gap, says board member Honora Spicer, but the press has long operated on a shoestring budget through the work of volunteers and many in-kind donations of space, materials and expertise. At the same time, part of what makes Cardboard House and other small presses exist is working at a scale thats sustainable for us, says Cartonera Collective member Ryan Greene. There are modes of engagement with books beyond simply buying them. These are things we make together. Focus on the Family Takes Title Promoting Faith in Public Schools Focus on the Familys Larry Weeden, editor-in-chief of book publishing, has taken world rights to the tentatively titled Backpack Faith: Helping Your Child Live Their Faith Confidently in Public School by Kori Pennypacker. Pennypacker is CEO of Bible2School, a ministry that helps communities bring free Bible classes to public elementary schools. The book explains legal and constitutional rights, and it includes steps to take and Bible teachings. Blythe Daniel of the Blythe Daniel Agency brokered the deal for the fall 2026 release. Broadleaf Takes Collection from Spoken-Word Artist Lisa Kloskin at Broadleaf Books has bought world rights via David Morris at Hyponymous Literary to spoken-word artist Joe Daviss Body Poems: Spiritual Liberation for the Whole Self. It is a collection of poems, prose reflections, and body practices that invite readers into a sacred reconnection with their body, said the publisher. A fall 2026 release is planned. Picture Book on God Goes to Penguin Workshop Nicholas Magliato, executive editor at Penguin Workshop, has bought world rights to God Is... by Deb Adamson, illustrated by Merce Tous. The rhyming picture book for ages 3-8 highlights the many ways to look for, and find, God, per the publisher. Publication is slated for fall 2026. The author represented herself and Mela Bolinao at MB Artists represented the illustrator. Ode to Women as Rebels Heads to Zondervan Andrea Palpant Dilley, senior acquisitions editor at Zondervan, has taken world rights to Jessica Hooten Wilsons next book, Twice Rebels. Wilson, Fletcher Jones Chair of Great Books at Pepperdine University, argues that Christian women today can rebel by not surrendering traditional roles in family and culture and still have a broader vocation outside the home. Wilson traces the lives of six 20th-century women who model this way of being. The book is scheduled for fall 2026. Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary brokered the deal. Nelson Addresses Mixed Emotions with Answered Prayer Brigitta Nortker, associate publisher at Nelson Books, took world rights for But I Prayed for This: Getting Stronger Every Day When Change Is Harder Than You Hoped by Melissa Miller, represented by Blythe Daniel at the Blythe Daniel Agency. Miller, writer/producer for South Floridas Christ Fellowship Church podcast, writes encouragement and empowering suggestions for women who struggle when their prayers are answered, but the results they want bring fear, anxiety, and more. A fall 2026 release is planned. IVP Nets Marriage-Building Guide InterVarsity Presss acquisitions editor Kelli Trujillo has signed a world rights contract with David James Van Dyke and Tara Narelle Van Dyke for the summer 2027 release of the tentatively titled With You in Marriage. The unagented couple's book offers help to build a shared, values-based vision for marriage according to research and Scriptural truth, said the publisher. David VanDyke, a marriage and family therapy professor, and Tara VanDyke, a womens health advocate, have a ministry equipping Christian families in building healthy marriages. Devotional for Insomniacs Heads to Revell Rachel McRae, executive editor at Revell, bought world rights from Keely Boeving at WordServe Literary to Sarah Frazers His Night Song Is with Me. The 40-day devotional through the Book of Psalms is intended for women who are struggling to sleep due to depression and anxiety and includes research-based tools and perspectives from clinical neuropsychologist Dr. Michelle Bengston. The book is scheduled for early 2027. Paraclete Press Takes Easter Board Book Lillian Miao, acquiring editor at Paraclete Press, has taken world rights to Happy Easter, Risen King! by Laura Sassi, illustrated by Gabi Murphy. This board book for young children, a companion to the author-illustrator duo's Happy Birthday, Christmas Child, celebrates the joy of Easter and Jesus's resurrection. Charlotte Wenger at Prospect Agency represented the author, and the illustrator represented herself. Publication is scheduled for winter 2026. British social media personality Jack Edwards has launched the Inklings Book Club, attracting 46,000 members on Instagram and 26,000 on the Fable platform within 10 days of its debut. The initiative represents Edwards's effort to create what he describes as a middle ground between traditional local book clubs and celebrity-driven reading recommendations. Edwards, who has 3.7 million followers across YouTube, TikTok, Instagram, and Goodreads, and has been called "the Internet's resident librarian" by Oprah Daily, made headlines last year when his TikTok video about Dostoevsky's White Nights helped make the novella the fourth bestselling translation in the U.K. in 2024. The success demonstrated the sales impact of social media book recommendations, leading Penguin Audio to release a new audiobook version narrated by Bridgerton star Luke Thompson. The inaugural Inklings pick is Evenings and Weekends by Oisin McKenna, which PW called an "ornate tapestry" that readers will "savor." "I find a lot of book clubs intimidating," Edwards said. "You either have those really localized town hall type book clubsthe very first one was in 1634 with sailors' wives discussing Bible versesor, today, you have celebrity book clubs where someone famous talks about books or recommends them, but there's not that grassroots conversation." To make participation in the club more accessible and affordable, Edwards ensures that all book selections are available in paperback, which "essentially halves the price," Edwards said. "It's more likely you'd be able to find them at a thrift store or charity shop. Your library probably has copies in stock." He said he was drawn to the Fable platform in particular for Inklings because it allows chapter-by-chapter discussions, enabling members to participate without completing entire books. Edwards said this nonlinear approach removes barriers to participation that exist in traditional book clubs. "The great thing about Fable is that it's not a conversation where you've either read the book or you haven't," Edwards said. "You can actually discuss every chapter individually." Edwardss began his career as a content creator five years ago after graduating with a literature degree during the pandemic and struggling to land a job in publishing. He started off making videos about books that celebrities were photographed reading, as well as books that appeared on television shows and movies. He soon became a trusted source for book recommendations. In addition to his own videos, Edwards has hosted livestreams for the Booker Prize announcements and conducted interviews with authors including Percival Everett, Douglas Stuart, and Richard Osman. He has also appeared at major literary festivals including Hay Festival and the Gothenburg Book Fair, where his discussion about BookTok's impact on the industry was the best attended program at the event and led to an invitation to curate an entire day of programming at this year's fair. "The first time I went to Hay Festival, Edwards recalled, we were in the green room and I could hear authors whispering to their publishers or agents and publicists, 'He's not going to make me do a TikTok, is he?' TikTok was a dirty word, but as time has gone on, people have realized it can hugely impact book sales." Edwards's own influence on book sales is undeniable. U.K. sales of Haruki Murakami's The City and Its Uncertain Walls nearly doubled following one of Edwards's TikTok posts about the authors latest novel, and his discussion of Dostoevsky's White Nights led to U.K. bookstores displaying the Little Black Classics as a prominent, point-of-sales selection around their cashwraps. Edwards is keen to spotlight both classic and genre literature, drawing connections between historical and contemporary works. "I care so much about the craft of writing and believe that all books are worthy of the dignity of criticism," he said. "I want to talk about fluffy romances and fantasy and romantasy, and all of these new subgenres with as much respect as I talk about the classics and literary fiction." With his growing online celebrity, Edward said he feels hes helping establish more meritocratic and inclusive literary landscape. Making the time to read and fall in love with a book is not motivated by the one that comes with the biggest marketing budget," he said. "It's about the book that resonates with the most people and has the most thought-provoking message." Editors Note: This article has been updated to include comments from Colin Williams, coordinator of the USGS Mineral Resources Program, who responded to RCIs request for comment after publication. On July 11, Energy Secretary Chris Wright and Wyomings top elected officials were in the Cowboy state celebrating something that last happened when Dwight Eisenhower was president and the Brooklyn Dodgers won the World Series: The United States opened a rare earth mine. Ramacos Brook Mine in Ranchester, Wyoming, is the first such domestic mine in 70 years. The Trump administration is touting it as part of a critical effort to free the U.S. from Chinas stranglehold on the minerals and elements that are essential components in products ranging from smartphones and electric vehicles to advanced medical devices, oil refining, and missile guidance systems. We are going to get those rare earth elements that are going to break our dependence on China, Wright said. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says American mines "are going to break our dependence on China." AP Wrights shovel and hard-hat photo op in Wyoming, like the Pentagons recent $400 million stock purchase in an extant California mining project, reflect the Trump administrations commitment to finding more rare elements like dysprosium, neodymium, and praseodymium along with common graphite, copper, and nickel that comprise the U.S. Geological Surveys list of critical minerals. But unshackling American mining could prove to be neither swift nor certain. Today, the timeframe for mining permits is already so long that even cutting it in half would push new ribbon cuttings beyond the end of Trumps second term. That, along with concerns that a different administration could reapply the brakes to opening new mines, has deterred private investment. It doesnt help that the U.S. has seen its mining engineering corps age. Perhaps most importantly, Chinas dominance in processing these minerals once they are extracted from the ground makes its commanding position even stronger. Its not only mining, said Daniel OConnor, the chief executive and co-founder of the Rare Earth Exchanges website. Downstream are magnets, batteries, missile systems, Kevlar. Think of it like gasoline, and it all comes from China. Well aware of Trumps intent, China has recently tightened restrictions on rare earth exports, moves that come just a month after Trump claimed a deal on the precious materials had been struck with Beijing. Whatever deals are hammered out, the U.S. faces a daunting challenge because it is far behind in the race. No realistic difference can be made in at least the next 10-15 years to supply, said Peter Bryant, chairman of the consulting firm Clareo who also leads Key Minerals Forum, an informal Washington-based group that advises Congress members on global mining issues. OConnor echoed that assessment. This is all going to take longer than theyre saying. Supply Chain Headwaters Right now, it takes more than seven years to secure a permit for mining something other than coal or gravel on public land. A formidable panoply of federal agencies and regulations awaits any new mining effort. While the overarching legislation is ancient the General Mining Law of 1872 modern times require an environmental impact statement under the National Environmental Policy Review Act (NEPA). That generally takes three to five years to complete. Following that, would-be miners must navigate the Endangered Species Act, consultations with Native American tribes, water rights and discharge permits through the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System, and finally, a public comment period. Running the entire regulatory gauntlet takes, on average, seven to 10 years unless the project faces litigation, in which case the process takes more than a decade and carries the corresponding lawyers bills. The green groups have been using NEPA for more than a decade to get uncertainty and make it expensive if you apply, said H. Sterling Burnett of the Heartland Institute, a group that favors traditional sources of energy production. They can always come back and say, You didnt look at X, or You didnt do Y, or cite ancillary impacts of climate change. Lawsuits and protests, such as the one pictured against the Dakota Access oil pipeline, have slowed development of some natural resources in the U.S.. Ramacos Brook Mine illustrates some of the challenges. In 2011, the company bought the Wyoming property about 70 miles south of where Custer made his last stand, and planning for the mine began the following year. The first permit application was filed in 2014. The mine was initially envisioned as a coal source. It wasnt until 2016 that Ramaco noticed it had valuable commodities co-mingled with the coal, especially heavy rare earths like gallium and scandium. More regulatory hurdles awaited, and final approval came in 2020, according to the companys executive vice president, Mike Woloschuk. Production is only now ramping up at Brook Mine, and the company forecasts that it will not have solid supplies of rare earths coming until 2028-2029 provided everything continues to run smoothly. Our mine permit was for a 2 million tons per year production level, Woloschuk said. We have now been asked by the government to consider both accelerating our commercial timeframe to produce rare earth element oxides. We would expect this production increase to be in the range of 7 to 10 million tons per year. Goosing the System As Wrights appearance in Wyoming makes clear, the Trump administration is trying to remove some of the industrys obstacles. On Jan. 20, Trumps first day in office, he declared a national energy emergency, and issued an executive order on March 20 titled Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production, invoking the wartime powers contained in the Defense Production Act of the Korean War era. In April, the Interior Department said it would use its emergency authorities to accelerate critical minerals projects. Later that month, the government identified new projects on the Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council dashboard, which the administration said would boost predictability for the permitting review process. Interior also announced emergency procedures in April, which it hoped will expedite reviews and approval of various energy projects, including mines, and in June, Trump directed agencies to streamline the funding processes for the same projects. On June 26, Interior took steps to jumpstart offshore mineral production, too. Unsurprisingly, perhaps, the administrations maneuvers have been warmly received by the National Mining Association. Ramping up American mining is a national security imperative, and President Trumps strong action recognizes that, NMA president and chief executive Rich Nolan said. By encouraging streamlined and transparent permitting processes, combined with financing support to counter foreign market manipulation, we can finally challenge Chinas mineral extortion. Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber has introduced legislation to make it easier to open and run mines. Republicans in Washington who support Trumps mining agenda are also moving. Minnesota Rep. Pete Stauber, chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, has introduced legislation he said will codify many of Trumps executive maneuvers. Stauber said the time from first planning a mine and having one built and producing can take nearly three decades, and that reforming that is just a first step. Our countrys broken and duplicative permitting process has prevented many responsible mining projects across the nation from moving forward, he said. The U.S. has the most arduous permitting process in the world. To succeed, this kind of commitment will have to last longer than Trump, experts say. Even in the best-case scenario, the U.S. will probably not be able to counter Chinas dominance of the market on its own. Well have to rely on securing supply from allied and friendly countries, said Peter Bryant of the Key Minerals Forum. Got Rare Earths? The goal, Trump has insisted, is to liberate U.S. supply chains from Chinese dominance. And that dominance is pronounced: China is the top producer of 30 of the 50 minerals the U.S. considers critical, and of 90% of the 17 that comprise rare earths. From that position atop the mineral pyramid, China has taken equity stakes in mining operations globally and has manipulated the market of supply and demand. For example, China can undercut new supply sources by briefly flooding the market with a mineral, lowering the price and making the new venture less attractive. Or China can go in the other direction, as it has recently, imposing sharp limits on supplies available to U.S. companies, crimping manufacturing production and making it much more expensive. Neodymium-praseodymium, or NdPr, is used to produce advanced magnets. One problem is that the extent of Americas potential rare earth deposits is unclear. The Interior Department, which manages 245 million acres of public lands and 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estates, is required by statute to provide recurring mapping and assessments of what minerals and elements might lie under U.S. soil. Im not sure those surveys have been done for years, said Thomas Pyle, president of the American Energy Alliance. The U.S. Geological Survey agreed the country lacks a clear picture of what mineral supplies may be available, but said it was working to rectify that shortcoming. The United States remains significantly undermapped compared to many other developed and even some developing countries, Colin Williams, coordinator of the USGS Mineral Resources Program, told RealClearInvestigations. In 2019, for example, the nation had modern geological maps for just 6 percent of its priority mineral areas, a figure that has grown to 36 percent under an Earth Mapping Resources Initiative (Earth MRI) launched during Trumps first term, Williams said. The Energy Act of 2020 established a goal of mapping the entire country for critical minerals by 2030, and we are working toward that target, he said. The Geological Surveys global rare earth element occurrence database appears to have most recently been updated in February 2022. In May, the Geological Survey announced $5 million for state consortiums to find the needed critical minerals out of materials left over from mining at active and legacy sites, and a mapping project known as Earth MRI is ongoing. We are confident that the United States has more mineral resources, including critical minerals like rare earth elements, than we currently produce, Williams said. Several experts agreed that such searches would likely prove productive. Historically, the U.S. has found what it needed, such as rich sources of aluminum, iron, and other necessary elements during wartime. Exploration is expensive, so we only do it when we are actively looking for something, said Andrea Brickey, a professor at the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology. If we want to look for something, we have the tools to help us evaluate potential exploration sites. Despite prescient warnings between world wars, the U.S. failed to keep atop its mineral supplies and production. It should be map, baby, map, said Ann Bridges, a former commodities trader who now writes about energy. We know we have a lot its the same mountain range, basically, from Chile to Canada and we need to tap it, but we stopped. One complicating factor, as Ramacos Brook Mine experience showed, is that these valuable rare earths are comingled with other rock and strata. That makes discovery of rich veins more difficult, requiring expertise and expense to extract the precious commodities. From publicly disclosed data, there are only a handful of rare earth deposits in the U.S., Woloschuk said. All of them except the Brook Mine are hard rock deposits. Hard rock deposits are typically more complicated to process, and they contain significant levels of radioactive elements such as uranium and thorium, which become environmentally challenging. Overall, however, the mood seems confident, with Bridges, Burnett, and Brickey all noting supplies under U.S. land or that coupled with supplies from allies like Canada and Chile will prove extensive. Flip Side of the Green New Deal? Rare earth metals are crucial for making electricity created by solar panels available to businesses and homes. There seems to be a growing, bipartisan consensus that whatever the U.S. subterranean supply may be, it wont be cheap to dig it up. While such projects align with Trumps directive to produce abundant, affordable energy, government spending here could represent the flip side of the Biden administrations spending on green energy initiatives. In other words, the federal government would still be operating as an equity investor in energy projects, picking which firms may benefit from taxpayer largesse. Not everyone is comfortable with that arrangement, necessary as it may be. Yes, that is a problem, said Mark Mills, executive director of the National Center on Energy Analytics. Fortunately, there is bipartisan agreement on mining, unlike, say windmills. But even if we remove the political and regulatory impediments, it takes many years and many billions of dollars to build significant new mining capacity. Others are skeptical that the U.S. has the time or the political will to enhance Americas domestic supplies. Were 10 years away from where we need to be, even if Trump did a warp speed kind of thing on this, Rare Earth Exchanges OConnor said. Its all going to take longer than theyre saying. In July, the Defense Departments $400 million stock purchase of MP Materials, amounting to a 15% stake, marks one significant mining investment. The companys Mountain Pass operation in California makes it the biggest current domestic player in the rare earth minerals race. Mountain Pass is expected by 2028 to supply the Pentagon with rare earth mineral products especially magnets - at a fixed price. It is the largest move defense has made so far, and it wont be the last, a department official told RCI. By leveraging preferred equity, loans, price floors, and other approaches, [DoD] is ensuring access to critical defense capabilities while also sharing the risk inherent in a commercially dominated market space, an Air Force official said who requested not to be named. Environmental groups have opposed many mining operations and support heavy regulation because they often involve the massive destruction of mountains and forests, releasing a significant amount of toxins and leaving a scar on the land visible from a long distance. Mining is an inherently dirty business a whole lot of dirt and rock needs to be moved to get to the gems. Roughly 1,000 tons of rock dug up to get one ton of copper, for example, said the national centers Mills. Thats the nature of geology, and the ratio is similar or far worse for most minerals. Neither the Sierra Club nor the Natural Resources Defense Council responded to a request for comment on recent developments. The Chinese Vise The Energy Act of 2020 requires the U.S. to update its list of 50 critical minerals every three years, but for now, the 2022 list is still in force. At that time, the U.S. relied on imports for more than 50% of its supply for 47 of the 50, and the supply of 17 of them relied exclusively on imports. China is America's main supplier of rare earth metals and dominates the mineral supply chain. The much-ballyhooed rare earths are a subset of that 50 list, and while China is still the main U.S. supplier of them, the U.S. has slightly improved its rare earth trade balance, going from 100% imported in 2020 to 80% in 2024. The fact remains that China dominates important mineral supply chains, the American Energy Alliance said. And its not clear whether the U.S. currently has the engineering wherewithal it will need to build and manage this new mining and processing sector. Only a handful of schools still turn out mining experts the days of Columbia University or the University of California at Berkeley leading the field are long gone, and today the industry is facing what it calls a gray tsunami as top experts age out of the field, Professor Brickey said. Were down to about 13 accredited schools now, she said. We could face a massive shortage of mining engineers in the next decade. Unfortunately, this affects the workforce, especially in a field where you could potentially be looking at multiple decades to get a big profit. All told, despite the mining push of the Trump administration and moves to reduce regulations to create more certainty for investors, the future pace and success of rare earth extraction in the U.S. remains decidedly uncertain. As long as the Democratic Party hates mining, it is difficult to continually move forward on mining domestically, the Institute for Energy Researchs Pyle said. And the irony of that is they are the ones pursuing an all-electric economy. As long as China controls the global market for them, it would mean increased dependency on China for our economy. Not exactly a good national security strategy. Madame Tussauds New York is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Broadway hit Hamilton with a wax figure of the musical's creator and original star, Lin-Manuel Miranda. ADVERTISEMENT Miranda's wax figure was unveiled Tuesday at the Richard Rodgers Theatre in New York City. The statue is seen in Miranda's Alexander Hamilton costume. "Honestly, this is very strange," the actor and composer said Tuesday, according to Playbill. "It's a full day of head scans and eye scans, there's a lady who has a box full of eyeballs... She's flipping through the eyeballs looking for the one that most closely resembles your eyeball," he said, describing the process. "And I did all of this about a year ago. You pose for it a year in advance, and I've been waiting to see which one she picked. It's very Coraline." Jimmy Fallon hosted the ceremony. Miranda, 45, is also known for the Broadway musical In the Heights. He and other original Hamilton cast members reunited for a performance at the Tony Awards in June. Leslie Odom, Jr., will reprise his role of Aaron Burr in the musical for a limited time on Broadway beginning in September. DAMASCUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Syria signed a series of investment memoranda worth a total of 14 billion U.S. dollars with foreign companies on Wednesday, according to state-run SANA news agency. The agreements cover 12 projects across Syria, including infrastructure, transportation, and commercial development. A signing ceremony was held in Damascus and attended by Syrian interim leader Ahmad al-Sharaa. Talal al-Hilali, chief of the Syrian Investment Authority, said at the ceremony that the signing of the deals was "an announcement that Syria is open for investment." Al-Hilali said the projects include the redevelopment of Damascus International Airport with a 4-billion-dollar investment, the construction of the Damascus Metro system with 2 billion dollars, and the Damascus Towers project, also valued at 2 billion dollars. Additional developments include the Baramkeh Towers project of 500 million dollars and the Baramkeh Mall project worth 60 million dollars. The Syrian interim authorities have been promoting a series of investment announcements and development projects. Public reactions remain mixed. Some express cautious optimism, while others remain skeptical until seeing tangible results on the ground. When you're building out a rig that's got to perform on the trail and look good doing it, there's a balancing act between form, function, and longevity. Aggressive tread design, sidewall styling, and real off-road capability usually mean youre sacrificing somethingbut that doesnt need to be durability and long-term value of your tires. We dug into the warranties behind the most aggressive-looking, off-road-ready all-terrain tires on the market. These aren't mall-crawler specials. Every tire here is offered in both hard metric and LT metric sizes with 35 overall diameter options and 3PMS-certification for year-round confidence. Whether your setup leans overland, pre-runner, or heavy-duty daily with a weekend trail schedule, these tires are made to look tough and work even tougher. Here are the A/T tires we stacked up: Nitto Terra Grappler G3 BFGoodrich All-Terrain T/A KO3 Falken Wildpeak A/T4W Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT/LT Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 Toyo Open Country A/T3 Mileage Warranty Breakdown Tire Model P/Hard Metric Warranty LT/Flotation Warranty Nitto Terra Grappler G3 70,000 miles 55,000 miles BFG KO3 N/A 50,000 miles Falken Wildpeak A/T4W 65,000 miles 60,000 miles Cooper Discoverer AT3 XLT 60,000 miles 60,000 miles Mickey Thompson Baja Boss A/T 60,000 miles 50,000 miles Yokohama Geolandar A/T4 65,000 miles 55,000 miles Toyo Open Country A/T3 65,000 miles 50,000 miles Top Performer: Nitto Terra Grappler G3 The Nitto Terra Grappler G3 takes the win here, offering the highest mileage warranty of the bunch70,000 miles on hard metric sizes and a solid 55,000 miles for LT/flotation. For an A/T that delivers aggressive curb appeal and all-terrain capability, thats a serious standout. Its not just about surviving the daily commute, either. The G3 delivers stable highway manners while still packing the beefy shoulder blocks and deep sidewall lugs you want when the asphalt ends. For enthusiasts who demand both looks and longevitywhether its hauling gear, towing toys, or chasing trailsits the rare combo that doesn't ask you to choose. Deciding Which A/T Tire Works for You From daily drivers to work trucks and beyond, your tires have a lot rolling on them. When most of your driving time is spent on-road, todays aggressive all-terrains strike a near-perfect balance of capability, looks and solid performance you can trust no matter where you drive. Choosing your tire purchase carefully can mean you get years more of wear. For our money, the Nitto Terra Grappler G3 brings the best blend of style, performance, and mileage-backed confidence. If youre modding your rig for weekend adventures and weekday reliability, this tire keeps you rolling longerand looking good doing it. Investors in Indias information technology (IT) companies are likely in for more pain ahead as muted earnings for the first quarter of 2025-26 (Q1FY26) play spoilsport at the bourses in the worst-performing sector this year amid macro uncertainties. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff Investors, analysts suggest, can look for better opportunities in the markets as things stand. The Nifty IT index is set for three straight quarters of underperformance against the benchmark Nifty50, and has fallen by 18.4 per cent so far this year, the worst among key sectors. Year-to-date (YTD), all 10 constituents of the index have declined, led by Oracle Financial Services, with a fall of 32 per cent, followed by Tata Consultancy Services (25.5 per cent), and HCLTech (23.5 per cent).During the same period, Nifty has risen by 4.8 per cent. US President Donald Trumps flip-flops on the tariff front, and tax policies have triggered growing concerns in America, making the outlook for IT stocks more cautious. Companies flagged continued macro uncertainty and global disruptions from conflicts and supply issues while announcing their Q1FY26 numbers. Sandip Agarwal, fund manager at Sowilo Investment Managers, said that though the Q1 results of IT companies were broadly in line with expectations, revenue growth disappointed in some cases, like TCS, while Infosys delivered a slightly positive surprise. The challenge is that even on margins, its a mixed bag, Agarwal said. He further said that the massive weakness in demand is a structural issue that is likely to persist going ahead, along with continued challenges in volume growth. Agarwal warned that the second half of the financial year will face pressure on both revenue and margins. We are in for a tough time. he averred. Agarwal sees more pain in the upcoming quarter, with September likely to bring a little relief, given that growth in India is primarily first-half-driven. In the second half of the year, December typically sees holiday-related breaks, with many manufacturing units going on furlough. The only opportunity for growth is in the first half, and the first quarter has already been poor, he said. Even if the second quarter is slightly better, I dont think it can make up for what weve lost, Agarwal added. The IT sector is in a wait-and-watch mode, with stocks likely to move sideways. Fundamentally, this sector doesnt deserve to be where it is, Agarwal said. Various brokerages, including JM Financial and PL Capital, are underweight on the IT Services pack. Analysts at PL Capital noted that they remain underweight as the current phase of global uncertainty will result in slow orders from clients. IT remains the lowest-performing major sector so far this year. "There are no strong near-term triggers that would lead to a major outperformance from here. "The Trump-era tariffs continue to have an effect, and this impact is likely to persist until there is more clarity on the matter, said Sanjeev Hota, vice president-head of research at Mirae Assets Sharekhan. The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed, observes Shyam G Menon. IMAGE: The Bharatiya Janata Party's Kerala President Rajeev Chandrasekhar, second from left, with Sister Preethy Mary and Sister Vandana Francis (in blue) at the Durg central prison in Chhattisgarh, August 2, 2025, after a court granted the nuns bail. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajeev Chandrasekhar/X How much of a lasting lesson to Kerala politics can the recent arrest and subsequent release of two Christian nuns in Chhattisgarh, be? On July 25, Sisters Preethi Mary and Vandana Francis were arrested in Chhattisgarh in a case of alleged human trafficking and forced religious conversion. The complaint was filed by a local functionary of the Bajrang Dal, an organisation associated with extreme right-wing Hindu sentiments and generally considered to be a part of the pantheon of outfits forming the face of Hindutva, of which the most prominent political manifestation is the Bharatiya Janata Party. A BJP-led central government has been ruling India for the past over a decade. The arrest of the nuns created a flutter in Kerala because it followed months of cozying up between the BJP and sections of the state's Christian church, not to mention the ascent of the religiously conservative right-wing outfit, Christian Association & Alliance for Social Action (CASA), within the Christian community in Kerala. The emergent equation had contributed to the BJP winning its first parliament seat from the state, when actor turned politician Suresh Gopi won from Thrissur. The Thrissur victory had been despite attacks on the Christian minority reported elsewhere in India. Same time as the BJP triumphed in Thrissur in the 2024 polls to Parliament, the Christian electorate along Thiruvananthapuram's coastal belt behaved differently, voting in favour of the Congress' Shashi Tharoor. The impression observers have is that the BJP has made inroads into the Christian electorate in central and northern Kerala by exploiting the insecurities of the church as it struggles to keep its flock together amidst a general fraying of social and religious bonds caused by education and human mobility, and strains within the economic/business verticals relevant to the Christian community. The nuns' arrest was thus after the gains the BJP had come to register in Kerala via its newfound friendship with sections of the Christian church. IMAGE: CPI-M MP John Brittas, third from left, Kerala Congress-M MP Jose K Mani, left, and CPI MP P Sandhosh Kumar, right with Sister Preethy Mary and Sister Vandana Francis in Raipur after the NIA court granted them bail. Photograph: @cpimspeak/X The backlash to the arrest was quick and the embarrassment to the BJP, sizeable. The BJP's state unit headed by Rajeev Chandrasekhar (he lost to Tharoor from Thiruvananthapuram in the Lok Sabha polls of 2024) dismissed the allegations against the nuns in Chhattisgarh and seemingly distanced itself from the views of the party up north. It would seem an intelligent move as it also dilutes the northerner-stamp the BJP endures in South India. During the period of incarceration of the nuns, rallies and street side protest meetings were dime a dozen in Kerala. The state's two main political fronts -- the Left Democratic Front (LDF) and the United Democratic Front (UDF) -- dispatched senior politicians to Chhattisgarh to meet the nuns and state authorities. As did the BJP, which couldn't be seen to trail behind. Discussions happened with the Union home minister and senior BJP functionaries in Delhi. Reported less prominently but known well by the Kerala electorate nonetheless were the scenes of right-wing jubilation staged outside the venue of the proceedings in Chhattisgarh. It pointed to the nature of the ecosystem that sections of the church had opted to cavort with. IMAGE: Rajeev Chandrasekhar tweeted this picture of his meeting with representatives of the Christian community who visited Mararji Bhavan with a cake to express their joy and gratitude for the BJP's intervention in securing bail for the nuns in Chhattisgarh. Photograph: Kind courtesy Rajeev Chandrasekhar/X On August 2, the nuns were released on bail. But as Kerala-based news television channels reported, despite even the BJP's state unit shying off the charges alleged, the charges were not entirely dropped and the release featured restrictions on the nuns' freedom like surrendering their passports, furnishing bonds and regularly informing authorities of their whereabouts. The question many in Kerala now ask is whether the case of the two nuns will have a substantial impact on how sections of the Christian community see their emergent proximity to Hindutva. Will they re-evaluate it? Or, will political adjustments by the BJP, like accommodating more from the Christian community in key positions in the party, revert the situation to business as usual? It is a question with no clear answer for there are multiple variables although none of them genuinely weaken the BJP even as they make the forces opposed to Hindutva seem yet to grasp the true nature of the beast and still lacing their responses with political opportunism. Take the case of the Communist Party of India-Marxist -- CPI-M, which anchors the LDF. At the height of the nuns' arrest and debates around whether the Christian community had erred cozying up to the BJP, there were those recalling the CPI-M's ability to coexist with the polarising statements of another community leader. Vellapally Natesan is the longstanding general secretary of the SNDP Yogam, an organisation representing the interests of the Ezhava community, the largest community within the Hindu fold in Kerala. On July 20, about a week before the nuns' arrest in Chhattisgarh, Natesan was in the news in Kerala for his observations on the state's Muslim population. Natesan, as reported in The New Indian Express of July 20, 2025, said that both the LDF and the UDF were 'primarily catering to the interests of the Muslim community' and he 'warned that the Muslim population would soon become the majority in the state and said the current situation is such that the state government should just listen to Kanthapuram and govern'. Kanthapuram A P Aboobacker Musliyar is the tenth and current grand mufti of India and general secretary of the All-India Sunni Jamiyyathul Ulama as well as the Samastha Kerala Jamiyyathul Ulama of AP Sunnis. Natesan, as per The New Indian Express report, claimed that the Indian Union Muslim Leage (IUML -- it is powerful in north Kerala politics) was seeking influence beyond Malabar and was now looking at Thiruvananthapuram and Kochi with a view to securing the chief minister's post. IMAGE: Priyanka Vadra, the Congress MP from Wayanad in Kerala, protests outside Parliament over the arrest of the two nuns in Chhattisgarh, July 30, 2025. Photograph: AICC/ANI Photo In the last several years, Natesan has been an unpredictable figure in Kerala politics and it has much to do with how the emergent balance of power in the state can be played. The current situation in Kerala politics is perhaps best described as a case of the state's traditional two front politics now seeing a third front (the BJP) muscling in with the potential outcome being either a messy three front affair or a renewed endorsement of the two front pattern but with one of the old fronts compromised or quashed. The general perception is that the LDF and the BJP are ideologically opposite and similar in cadre-based architecture, replete with propaganda and publicity wings. The UDF lacks the architectural discipline and cohesiveness of its rivals but somewhere in its looseness, appeals to the humanist side of existence. Further, Kerala's three main communities -- Hindus, Muslims and Christians -- have, broadly speaking, distinct behavioural patterns at the community level. Although there are community organisations specific to caste within the Hindu vertical, they have usually pulled on each one's terms. Aiding this has been the absence of a church (in the generic sense) within Hinduism. Nudging the religion closer to a church-directed architecture with offices and office-bearers that matter has been among the perceived agendas of Hindutva. Muslims have been known to be religiously and politically bonded and in the case of Christians, the general imagery has been one of the bonding being business-driven as well. The above is a street-level picture. Confronted with academic research and precision, it won't hold. But it won't be wrong to say that the above imagery is the rough backdrop against which, Kerala's contemporary politics is popularly beheld. The religious composition of Kerala, wherein the three main religions are near evenly matched and all have their share of Communist-supporters, means that unlike elsewhere in India, the BJP will require to get communities other than the Hindus also on board to dominate state level politics. The BJP, as the biggest, wealthiest and politically most powerful party in India at present, has plenty to offer those aligning with it. BJP politicians have in the past hinted at being able to do much in Kerala with an increase in assembly seats (they have none currently), even if said increase is short of sizable numbers. They are likely not incorrect in their assessment. Kerala politics, steeped in community and religion-based verticals, still falls short of unitedly opposing the BJP, except in the case of the Muslims who have at national level borne the brunt of the Indian right-wing's attacks. Journalists and researcher all talk of how clued into contemporary politics, Kerala's Muslims are. Reason -- as a frequently targeted community at the national level, they have to stay abreast of what's going on; there is no other option. However, there is a trend to note here. When it comes to elections to Parliament, Muslims typically go with the UDF because at a national level, the UDF's constituents -- mainly the Congress -- are politically significant. Parties like the CPI-M and CPI are marginal players nationally. In state elections, the Muslim vote has sometimes stood with the LDF, sometimes with the UDF and overall, generally shunned the BJP. This reflects issue and context-based choice of candidate and party. The flip side of the trend is that both the UDF and the LDF, one could argue, don't have an all-weather incentive to keep on indulging the Muslim vote. IMAGE: Women from the Christian community protest demanding justice over the arrest of two nuns in Chhattisgarh, August 3, 2025. Photograph: ANI Photo Amidst this, for many years, Kerala's Ezhava community had stood firmly with the Left parties. It showed indications of change some years ago, when Natesan betrayed signs of warming up to the BJP. The signs were alarming enough for the parties concerned to take note. Today, the CPI-M is perceived as trying to regain the trust of the Ezhava vote bank and not so much, that of the Muslims. One proof, critics cite for this is the lack of any major criticism of Natesan by the CPI-M despite his recent remarks. On the other hand, Natesan's remarks had drawn strong protest from the IUML and the Congress. As LDF politicians turned up alongside the UDF and the BJP, to press for the release of the arrested nuns in Chhattisgarh, the CPI-M's relative quietness on Natesan's remarks was remembered by discerning critics. It made the LDF's protest at the nuns' arrest look like opportunism. Worse, it underscored the bleakness at the heart of Kerala politics wherein concerns rarely exceed the self-interest within religious and communal silos and due to which, a firm solidarity designed to keep the BJP at bay has eluded the LDF and the UDF. A day after the nuns' release, social media was alive with displays of firm resolve to check the BJP. But in a season of drift as outlined above, what lasting lesson can the nuns' arrest teach the LDF, the UDF or the electorate? A prominent political commentator I spoke to pointed out that the nuns belonged to the Roman Catholic church, the most powerful faction within India's Christian community. To him, that explained the scale of protest and access to senior politicians, to find a solution. Smaller factions remain easy prey and it is unlikely they would earn similar support. Further, its wealth and assets make the Christian church vulnerable. He saw the arrest and release sending a message to the Christian church to fall in line and his gut feeling was, the church will. " I believe, they will comply," he said. Thanks to such angles, observers keep their fingers crossed on whether the nuns' arrest works as a lasting lesson for the state about the BJP's nature. Properly analySed and articulated, there is enough in the episode for the UDF and the LDF to tuck into, during a future election campaign (the state has local body elections later this year and assembly polls in 2026). But will they? There are other factors too, as to why such doubts persist. IMAGE: Opposition MPs from Kerala protest against the Chhattisgarh government after the nuns's arrest, July 28, 2025. Photograph: Rahul Singh/ANI Photo For some months now there has been an ongoing discussion in Kerala about how its political imagination and political concerns may have changed in line with the onset of economic prosperity. We are not talking of a prosperous government (the state has a financially weak government); we are talking of a people who have become prosperous thanks to their earnings and the remittance economy and enjoy a generally high standard of living. The question doing the rounds is what would the priorities of such an electorate be and can a modern politics founded on secularism, social justice and diminishing economic inequality be deemed the main aspiration of such an electorate? The answer to it is as yet unclear but some feel that a combination of economic well-being, the need of the successful to establish their choices in life as the best ideal, residents deeply partial to a well-settled life and a growing component of older people in the population mix, have Malayalis leaning towards a revival of conservatism and continued social domination by community and religious silos. If so, it is advantage BJP in the long run because it unhesitatingly endorses these values and practices. In contrast, both the UDF and the LDF would seem rolling on short term objectives, constant recalibration of political loyalties to suit political aims and a general lack of clearly stated long term goals. To be fair, the sense of humanism receding in the rear-view mirror is an Indian problem. It is not Kerala's alone. Around the time the nuns' arrest was inspiring protests in Kerala, there was a major news reported at the national and international levels. The story of how India deported alleged illegal Bangladeshi migrants -- basically how it treated them during the deportation process -- was reported in depth by The Washington Post in the US. Subsequently, The Indian Express, carried a report on the same subject on August 2. Why don't these reports concern us as much as, say, 25 per cent import tariff on Indian goods imposed by the US? The deportation story may also seem very different from the nuns' arrest. But I suspect, in the low attention span and concern we reserve for such matters, there is a larger change in character to swathes of us that must be noticed. On July 31, 2025, a special National Investigation Agency court in Mumbai delivered its verdict on the 2008 Malegaon bomb blast case. All the seven accused persons were acquitted. Same day, The Indian Express reported a conversation with former special public prosecutor Rohini Salian, wherein she pointed out that the electorate must shoulder its share of blame for the prevailing state of affairs. 'I am not even disappointed with the verdict because this has become routine for me. We lose our sensitivity when this keeps happening. 'Nobody wants the truth to come out. We work very hard, but someone doesn't want us to. Whose failure is this finally? Our own -- the people's. 'Not the government because this is the government that the people have elected, and they will govern the way they need to. 'You cannot blame the government -- you must blame your own selves,' Salian was quoted as saying. Although from a totally different topic, Salian's observation should sum up what at least some in Kerala must be feeling after the nuns' arrest and release. More than the state's political parties, its electorate needs to introspect. Shyam G Menon is a freelance journalist based in Mumbai. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff The blame must be shared by the investigating agencies, the government of the day and the nation at large, points out Colonel Anil A Athale (retd). IMAGE: A train compartment damaged in the serial Mumbai train blasts of July 11, 2006. Photograph: Punit Paranjpe/Reuters On July 21, 2025, after 19 years, the Bombay high court found 12 accused in the July 11, 2006 train bombing case not guilty of the offence under the Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act (MCOCA). Ten days later, a special court in Mumbai acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon bomb blast case of 2008. The verdicts produced less outrage than what happened when Jessica Lal's killer was acquitted due to 'deficiency in the investigation' in 2011, 12 years after the murder. The murder of 187 people in Mumbai and 6 dead in Malegaon failed to prick the conscience of the candlelight march brigade. The Bombay high court verdict and the special court verdict represents collective national failure. The blame must be shared by the investigating agencies, the government of the day and the nation at large. While many countries like the United States that faced the threat of terrorism seem to have successfully prevented any repetition, we seem to continue to suffer the scourge of terrorist violence, the latest being the Pahalgam killing of the tourists on April 22, 2025. India has been facing the scourge of terrorism since the 1980s. The West woke up to this menace only after the 9/11 terror attacks. The British had a taste of terror when London was shaken with bomb blasts on July 7, 2005 in which 52 people died. The train bombing case acquittals and the Malegaon case verdict based on legal technicalities raises the larger question of India's approach to terrorist violence. This is not a problem peculiar to India but has a global dimension. The basic problem in our case is that we have approached the issue of terrorism with measures legal, police, military, political and psychological in isolation from each other. There has been a perceptible lack of a combined holistic approach. One reason the West seems to have succeeded more than us is this difference between a coordinated action versus several agencies and departments doing their own thing. I was fortunate to participate in a six day workshop in Salzburg, Austria in 2007. The participants included legal luminaries like Justice Sandra O'Connor, the first woman judge appointed to the US supreme court, the British attorney general, many legal luminaries, counter -terrorism experts as well as police and intelligence operatives. The theme of the workshop was 'Democracy, Rule of Law, Human Rights In The Age Of Terrorism'. The dilemma posed by transnational crimes and the difficulties in defining the terrorist's status and tracking them across borders was debated threadbare. My contribution was essentially to draw attention to the following: Terrorism mainly emanates from developing countries. Al-Qaeda and such like organisations that the West faces are NGOs, in a sense that it is out of government control. India on the other hand faced terrorists created, trained, financed and controlled by a neighbouring country. In the developing world, the institutions of State are weak. Nothing should be done to weaken them further. Terrorism cannot be dealt with using 'normal' criminal law and needs special provisions. A model law balancing human rights concerns without affecting the fight against terrorism is possible and needed. Since terrorism is transnational, it has to be dealt at the global level. Individual countries cannot deal with the menace successfully. Despite having faced the problem of terrorism for over four/five decades, I have not come across a single effort where the judiciary, the police, intelligence and military elite sat together and debated the issue. The various arms of the State seem to have almost an antagonistic view of each other's role. While the judiciary is concerned with the letter of the law and human rights, the other wings of the government often turn a blind eye to legal and human rights. As there is no dialogue, a middle path eludes us. India faces a peculiar problem unique to us and probably Israel. We face terror groups that have full access to the resources of a functioning State, in our case Pakistan and in Israel's case, Iran. Essentially, terrorist violence in India is committed by another State in our country. How do the police gather evidence and prepare a case when the planners and implementers have already fled to Pakistan! IMAGE: Local residents and police personnel clear debris at a blast site in Malegaon, September 30, 2008. Photograph: Reuters State supported terrorism and murder being tried under MCOCA (Maharashtra Control of Organised Crime Act) is ludicrous. These are no gangsters but State operatives and even military men at times. This is like trying a case of poisoning as a case of food adulteration. In both these cases we erred in trying it under the anti gangster act, instead it should have been tried as waging war against India! It seems that after four decades we have finally found the gumption to call a spade a spade and hold the Pakistani State responsible for acts of terror in India. That was the biggest gain of Operation Sindoor. Colonel Anil A Athale (retd) is a military historian and author of Let the Jhelum Smile Again (1997) and Nuclear Menace The Satyagraha Approach (1998). His earlier columns can be read here. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff Trump's new rules for how countries should treat him have led to the current breakdown in India-US relations, explains Ambassador T P Sreenivasan. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House. Photograph: Reuters/ANI A diplomat and author, Professor Dennis Kux called his analysis of India-US relations from 1941 to 1991 Estranged Democracies. This was the period covering US presidents from Franklin Delano Roosevelt to George H W Bush. He told me that his next two books on the subject will be Engaged Democracies and Embracing Democracies. In fact, India and the US passed through the two stages Kux had anticipated, engagement at the time of President Clinton and embrace during President Trump's first term. Sadly, today, we are back to being estranged democracies. The Trump-Modi bromance was at its height in the first months of Trump's second term even after India's 'neutrality' in the Russia-Ukraine war had become clear and it appeared for a while that an India-US-Russia axis was in the making to confront China. When Modi visited the White House, the body language between them was like in the days of 'Howdy Modi' and 'Namaste Trump'. The tariff war was looming on the horizon, but still Trump agreed to resume negotiations on a limited trade agreement with India, which meant that threatened high tariffs would not apply to India. India was all set to continue its embrace of Trump regardless of his unpredictability. Even when the Pahalgam terrorist attack took place and India made it known that terrorism would be eliminated at all costs and proclaimed the new doctrine that terrorist acts will be treated as war, Trump did not show any sympathy with Pakistan. But unknown to the world, Trump was developing his own norms about his relationship with the world. To be his friend, the countries concerned should recognise his peacemaking role and use his good offices to resolve conflicts. Trump abandoned Russia when President Putin ignored every ultimatum he gave to end the Ukraine war. Trump resumed the supply of missiles to Ukraine after having publicly urged Volodymyr Zelenskyy to compromise with Putin. With Israel, he was patient, but appreciated Benjamin Netanyahu nominating him for the Nobel Prize for Peace establishing a precedent for other aspiring friends of Trump to follow. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff When Operation Sindoor started in all its fury, the US initially took the line that the India-Pakistan conflict was none of its business, but Trump saw in it an opportunity to try out his new norm for his admirers. No doubt, India and the US were in touch with each other through diplomatic channels and the conversations must have centered around the conflict and the way to end it. When Pakistan resorted to an approach to Trump to end the conflict, he saw in it an opportunity to assume the role of peacemaker and get recommendations from India and Pakistan for a Nobel honour. India, not having noted Trump's new norm, neither acknowledged that Trump had mediated, as it is our principled position, nor did we think of nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize. Trump may have been banking on the several telephone calls that his vice president made to Modi, who did not respond initially. When Modi finally picked up the call, he took it as a warning that Pakistan might escalate the war and not as a call for peace. Trump had reason to think that he advised his friend to stop the war and Modi was honest in saying that he was not approached by any world leader to end the war with Pakistan. If only India had given Trump credit for ending Operation Sindoor and nominated Trump for the Nobel Prize, there would have been no tariff war, particularly if India was more flexible on agricultural goods in the trade negotiations. Photograph: Leah Milli/Reuters Pakistan, having followed the new norm that Trump should be nominated for the Nobel Peace prize, it earned Trump's affection and was designated the strongest partner in fighting terrorism and its chief of army staff, Field Marshal Asim Munir, was invited to lunch at the White House as a special gesture. India and the US became estranged democracies once again and India became the victim of the new norm for adversaries, namely 25% tariff and unspecified penalty tariff for importing oil from Russia. Trump also made the discovery that India was a member of the 'anti-dollar' alliance called BRICS. The grouping was the brain child of an American economist, Jim O'Neill, who suggested that the rapidly growing economies of Brazil, Russia, India and China should work together to have a significant impact on the global economy in the coming decades. It was China's prominent position by hosting the BRICS in Beijing and pushing its proposal for BRICS to have its own currency that angered Trump. There was probably another provocation for Trump. India sent a special envoy to Washington in the aftermath of Operation Sindoor, who had publicly criticised Trump as lacking in gravitas and wisdom, compared to the other US presidents and that his personal manner struck him as not entirely as agreeable or pleasant as one would like to see in a distinguished American political figure. President Trump is not in the habit of forgiving or forgetting such comments about him. Illustration: Dominic Xavier/Rediff As of now, the engagement we had with the US after 'the nuclear winter' of 1998, following our nuclear tests and the subsequent India-US Agreement on Civilian Nuclear Cooperation and the Trump-Modi friendship before Operation Sindoor do not appear to move in the direction of the two countries becoming 'embracing democracies'. The US seems to have opted for Pakistan's military leadership to be its ally and India has been relegated to the status of an importer of oil from Pakistan, which may not even exist! The situation today is reminiscent of May 1998 soon after our nuclear tests. Clinton came down on India like a ton of bricks and demanded immediate signature on the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty. He told us that he was going to Europe and he would impose the Glenn Amendment sanctions on arrival in Europe if India did not sign the CTBT by then. We did not give a reply and he signed the sanctions order without even ascertaining what the Glenn Amendment would do to bilateral relations. The US maintained that there was nothing to discuss with India and that India's guilt was established and only the method of punishment was to be determined. It took us two years of sustained dialogue between Jaswant Singh and Strobe Talbot to get the sanctions lifted and that too at the insistence of the business lobbies in the US. But eventually, a new symphony came into India-US relations, true to the roller coaster ride reputation of India-US relations. The weaponisation of trade will undermine the world economic order, but Trump takes pride in the fact that he has become a messiah of peace by replacing shooting wars with the more humane trade sanctions. That alone may qualify him for a Nobel and India will have to deal with a peacemaker. The new norms that Trump has developed for his friends to follow have caused the present impasse. Unless those norms change, the two cannot become embracing democracies. Ambassador T P Sreenivasan is a long-time contributor to Rediff. You can read his earlier columns here. Feature Presentation: Rajesh Alva/Rediff 'Militants are taking over the administration. Fundamentalists have been released from jail.' IMAGE: People use coloured smoke and wave flags as they celebrate the one year anniversary since student-led protests ousted Sheikh Hasina at Manik Mia Avenue, outside of the parliament building, in Dhaka, August 5, 2025. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters "On August 5, 2024 when Sheikh Hasina was ousted out of the Ganabhaban palace, the Bangaldesh prime minister's official residence, political parties and people in the street were united against her. "Today, they are actually split three ways," says senior journalist and Press Club of India President Goutam Lahiri. Mr Lahiri has reported on most Bangladesh elections, visited the neighbouring country many times and has vast experience of covering Bangladesh politics. He has interviewed Sheikh Hasina several times and written for Bangladeshi publications. "Bangladesh is in a hotchpotch sort of situation. I don't see any golden future," Mr Lahiri tells Rediff's Archana Masih in a two-part interview on the first anniversary of the fall of Sheikh Hasina. Following last year's student-led uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina exactly a year ago, where do India-Bangladesh relations stand currently? India and Bangladesh had a strategic partnership during Sheikh Hasina's tenure as prime minister. The relations collapsed with the fall of her government. Visas are not being issued like they were in the past and travel has almost stopped. Only essential items are being transported through the land borders. Just at the end of a year since she was deposed, there seems to be a sliver of improvement. A new high commissioner to India was appointed in April. High Commissioner Raiz Hamiduallah has been very active since he took office. He is trying to reach out to the political leadership, civil society and cultural representatives of Indian states that neighbour Bangladesh. The Government of India must have given him clearance and that is how he met Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri and several chief ministers. He met Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee of West Bengal. He visited Shillong, Meghalaya. He went to the Dawki border. He met the chief minister of Assam who has a controversial position on Bangladeshi migrants and has expelled more than 300 illegal immigrants. Hemanta Biswa Sarma was gracious to welcome him which I think is a good sign. He then went to Tripura and met Chief Minister Manik Saha and the governor. He inspected the Agartala-Akhaura rail link project that is stalled because of the political turbulence in Bangladesh and the attack on Indian contractors and workers. He visited infrastructure projects and the Maitri Setu with the hope that the normal relationship will begin and the connectivity will resume. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Bangladesh's Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on the sidelines of the BIMSTEC Summit in Bangkok. Photograph: @ChiefAdviserGoB/X What is the political situation between the two neighbours? The Government of India has reached out to all sections, all stakeholders of Bangladesh. Sheikh Hasina, the ousted prime minister, has been allowed to meet her people in Delhi. The Opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party is also is in touch with India. The Government of India has opened a window, you can say. The government of Professor Muhammad Yunus is not a legitimate government. The Bangladeshi constitution says the interim government cannot stay beyond three months. But the Yunus government is continuing in office with a manufactured supreme court judgment. It will be a year since Muhammad Yunus took charge of the interim government. What is the sentiment in Bangladesh towards the interim government? On August 5, 2024 when Sheikh Hasina was ousted, political parties and people in the street were united against her. Today, they are actually split three ways. Two days ago the students and the BNP organised separate celebrations for the one year anniversary. I am told that Jamaat-e-Islami would be doing another meeting. A year later all political stakeholders are divided among three players. Therefore, there's no sign of any sort of political consensus, a year later? There is no consensus on how the country will be governed. The students have a different plan. They are openly saying that the July revolution was not for removing one party and bringing back another. They ousted the Awami League, but that doesn't mean that they want to bring back the BNP. The students want a depoliticisation of the polity. The BNP, of course, is harping that the election should be held as early as possible. IMAGE: People hold a helicopter-shaped balloon as a symbol of Sheikh Hasina's dramatic departure by air during celebrations. Photograph: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters What will India Bangladesh relations be if the BNP wins the next election? Last year, the Indian high commissioner met BNP leaders in Dhaka. It is up to the people of Bangladesh. India had maintained a relationship with the BNP. As prime minister Begum Khalida Zia has travelled to India and trade and commerce agreements were signed. Before that when there was an army backed government, the Government of India gave them duty free access at the SAARC summit in Delhi. India has always engaged with the governments in Bangladesh. Obviously, there will be some party that will be better for India as it has been with the Awami League. India has maintained that there should be an inclusive election, participation of every political party. The BNP even yesterday has said that the Awami League should not participate in the election which indicates that the party still enjoys the support of the people. Bangladesh is in a hotchpotch sort of situation. I don't see any golden future. At the same time militants are taking over the administration. Fundamentalists have been released from jail. The death sentences given to terrorists have been converted to life sentences. I think, they may even get bail later on. One of them is the fugitive ULFA chief Paresh Barua. Militants and fundamentalists are actually running the show from behind. At the National Citizen Party rally to mark the one year anniversary, the student leaders said they did not want Sheikh Mujib's constitution. They demanded a new constitution, a new Bangladesh and August 5 as the second revolution of Bangladesh. Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff 'The government only wakes up after devastation.' 'The government does not understand the gravity of the situation nor they do not want to understand the gravity of the situation.' IMAGE: A road is inundated with rainwater following a cloudburst at Dharali in Uttarkashi, August 5, 2025. Photograph: @UttarkashiPol on X/ANI Photo Cloudbursts in Uttarkashi district on August 5 killed many and several others are feared missing. Many houses were swept away by the raging waters, videos shared on social media showed. Uttarakhand, celebrated as Dev Bhoomi since houses the most sacred Dhams in the Hindu tradition, has been facing nature's fury in recent years. In 2021, a glacier burst led to flooding of the Alakananda and Dhauliganga rivers, while a flash flood triggered an avalanche in Chamoli district; in 2016, Ghansali in Tehri district faced two cloudbursts; in 2012 a cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi; and in 2013, over 6,000 were feared killed when Kedarnath bore the brunt of flooding caused by a cloudburst. What is going wrong in the abode of the Gods? Syed Firdaus Ashraf/Rediff spoke to environmentalist Rajendra Singh, winner of the Magsaysay Award in 2001, to understand the causes behind the series of natural disasters. You have been warning of natural disasters in Uttarakhand. And today we saw what happened in Uttarkashi. How do you see the latest tragedy to befall Uttarakhand? I have been warning about this danger Uttarakhand is facing from 2007, that you will drown the state with flood water. And this is exactly what is happening today. The first proof was that in 2013 when Uttarakhand faced a tremendous natural calamity and post that almost every second year the state is facing such natural calamity. Why is this happening? This is happening because you have gone and constructed all-weather roads across Uttarakhand. It has disturbed the ecology of the state. SEE: The devastation caused by the cloudburst in Uttarkashi on August 5, 2025. These all-weather roads cannot hold when the water flows from mountains in great speed to the lowlying areas sweeping entire villages and towns across Uttarakhand. It is total devastation. The situation is very scary and things will not improve until we stop mining and industrialisation in Uttarakhand. It needs to be regulated, but that is not happening. The government only wakes up after devastation. And I personally feel the government does not understand the gravity of the situation nor they do not want to understand the gravity of the situation. You will see more devastation in the coming days in Uttarakhand. Why do you say so? Because they have made tunnels across Uttarakhand by breaking the mountains and we saw the Joshimath disaster in 2023. If you want to stop all this then right now you've got to stop all the tunnel work that is going on in Uttarakhand and also the dams that are being constructed. The mining work you want to do should also be done scientifically but here too we are having irregular mining in the Himalayas. But in case of a cloudburst what can the government do? It is a natural calamity. Cloudburst happens because of the mistakes of the government. They permit mining which results in heat waves. There are glaciers in the mountains and when you generate heat by mining, it results in heatwave generation. This heatwave generation leads to cloudburst in the mountains. Are you saying this is a man-made disaster? Yes, this is a man-made disaster as you never saw these things happening in 52 years ago in Uttarakhand. These things are happening only in the last 10 to 12 years and I have been warning about this since 2007. What did you warn about in 2007? I had warned at that time that there are rivers flowing in the Himalayas like the Ganga, Yamuna, Bhagirathi, Alakananda and Mandakini that flow freely. But what we are doing is that we are changing their natural flow by making tunnels across the state. This results in breaking up of the Himalayas which will result in floods. Who did you warn at that time? I warned the then BJP chief minister of Uttarakhand, Ramesh Pokhriyal. I met him personally and warned of the dangers we will face in Uttarakhand but nothing happened. I warned him three times in one on one meetings. Later, due to our agitation, work stopped at Pala Maneri and Bhairo Ghati. The same should have happened in Alakananda and Bhagirithi but no one listened. Professor G D Agarwal fasted for 111 days against these projects and had to pay with his life for this cause in 2018. What is this all-weather road? It means you can travel during rains and snow too in Uttarakhand. Earlier, cars wouldn't run in Uttarakhand in harsh weather. With all-weather roads transportation is going on all the time. They are blowing up the Himalayas with dynamite and destroying the Himalayan ecosystem. The government wants more and more people to travel to the Dev Bhoomi state. And for that you will need all-weather roads. There is a reason you visit Dev Bhoomi. You go to Dev Bhoomi when the Gods are awake. IMAGE: A view of the damage caused by the cloudburst in Uttarkashi, August 5, 2025. Photograph: @UttarkashiPol on X/ANI Photo Today, nobody goes to Dev Bhoomi for the Gods but for tourism and fun. This was a religious tourist place and now they have converted it into a tourist spot. Uttarakhand has become a tourist centre from a pilgrimage centre. They call Ganga as Mai but do only kamaai (earn money) in its name. This is the sole agenda of the government. Was there a specific time to visit Uttarakhand earlier? Earlier, people used to visit Uttarakhand only from May to November. There was no word called tourism for Uttarakhand 30 years ago. Now, people go in big cars and travel smoothly to this place. Religious tourism is dead and only tourism exists as it is non-stop tourism. For the last 10 years this has become the trend which is resulting in ruining the ecosystem of the Himalayas. This latest incident happened in Uttarkashi. Can you speak about it? Uttarkashi is 150 km downside from Gaumukh. The Ganga starts its flow from Gaumukh. Even here they have a dam project called the Maneri Bhali dam. Why does nobody in the government heed your warnings? They hear me all the time but it is the vested interests which do not want my voice to be heard. I don't speak for profits. Devtaon ka shraap mil raha hai humko Uttarakhand mein (The Gods are cursing us in Uttarakhand). TEHRAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iran's President Masoud Pezeshkian and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim on Wednesday highlighted the necessity to stop Israeli "crimes" in Gaza through cooperation among Muslim states, according to a statement issued by the Iranian president's office. The two leaders discussed the latest regional developments and bilateral relations in a phone conversation. Pezeshkian called for collective efforts among Muslim states to prevent the continuation of the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, stressing that the disasters in Gaza caused by Israel's actions were unacceptable. He expressed hopes that Muslim states, through their active diplomacy and diplomatic pressures, would prevent the continuation of Israeli "crimes" in Gaza. Shifting to bilateral ties, he called for the promotion of cooperation and interactions between Iran and Malaysia in all areas of common interest. The Malaysian premier, for his part, condemned Israel's "crimes" in Gaza, noting that the Malaysian government had issued a strong statement against Israeli "crimes" in Gaza. Anwar said his country was making extensive diplomatic efforts to stop the "genocide" in Gaza, hoping that "we would be able to stop these crimes through cooperation with other Muslim countries." On bilateral relations, he said Malaysia would make efforts to enhance interactions with Iran in all areas. A cloudburst in the upper catchment of the Kheer Ganga river is widely believed to have triggered the flash flood in Uttarkashi's Dharali, but experts feel the amount of rain the Uttarkashi district received on Tuesday was not enough for it to be termed a 'cloudburst'. IMAGE: Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team, with the help of JCB clears debris at a road near Dharali after a cloudburst and landslides hit at various places, in Uttarkashi on Wednesday. Photograph: ITBP/ANI Photo "Data available with us does not reflect the occurrence of a cloudburst," Rohit Thapliyal, a scientist with the India Meteorological Department (IMD), told PTI. He explained that Uttarkashi received only 27 mm of rain on Tuesday, 'which is too little for a cloudburst or flash flood of such devastating intensity'. Asked what could have been the reason for the flash flood if not a cloudburst, he said it was a subject of research. "Only after detailed research can anything be definitively said about what led to the flash flood," he said. "All I can say is the data available with the meteorological department confirms there was no cloudburst," Thapliyal said. Counted among the most devastating natural disasters in the Indian Himalayas, a cloudburst causes an enormous amount of rainfall across a limited area within an extremely short span of time. According to the IMD, rain falling at a rate of over 100 millimetres an hour with strong winds and lightning across 20-30 square kilometres of area is termed a cloudburst. However, in a 2023 paper, researchers from IIT-Jammu and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee, define cloudburst as a 'sudden downpour of rainfall in a range of 100-250 millimetres an hour in a short span covering a smaller spatial extent similar to one square kilometre'. It is not just the amount of rainfall. D P Dobhal, a former scientist at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, also said the possibility of a cloudburst at an altitude like that is too thin. "The heights from where the sludge came rushing down the slopes fall in the Alpine region where the possibility of a cloudburst is minimal," Dobhal told PTI. "Most likely it was an ice chunk falling, a rockfall or a huge landslide which mobilised the moraine deposits in the narrow stream, causing the flash flood," the former scientist said. However, the precise cause of the disaster will be known only after a scientific analysis is done of the satellite images of the event that caused such devastation in Dharali, he said. Satellite images have been requested from the Indian Space Research Organisation to clearly ascertain the causes of the Uttarkashi disaster. Officials said that the Uttarakhand Space Application Centre has issued a request letter to ISRO in this matter. A study published last month in the Journal of the Geological Society of India has confirmed a sharp rise in extreme rainfall and surface runoff events in Uttarakhand after 2010. The research, led by Professor Sundriyal, shows that while 1998-2009 saw warming and low rainfall, the trend reversed post-2010, with central and western Uttarakhand witnessing more extreme precipitation events. The state's geology compounds its risk. Steep slopes, young and fragile formations prone to erosion and tectonic faults such as the Main Central Thrust make the terrain unstable. The orographic effect of the Himalayas forces moist air upwards, leading to intense localised rainfall, while unstable slopes magnify the risk of landslides and flash floods. A November 2023 study published in the Natural Hazards journal, analysing disaster data between 2020 and 2023, recorded 183 incidents in Uttarakhand during the monsoon months alone. Landslides accounted for 34.4 per cent of these, flash floods 26.5 per cent and cloudbursts 14 per cent. The Centre for Science and Environment's Atlas on Weather Disasters shows that between January 2022 and March 2025, the 13 Himalayan states and Union territories reported extreme weather events on 822 days, claiming 2,863 lives. Experts say these natural factors are worsened by human activity. Unregulated road-building, deforestation and construction of tourism infrastructure and settlements on unstable slopes or riverbanks have increased disaster risk. On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, thousands of Bangladeshis gathered in Dhaka to mark the first anniversary of the mass protests that toppled Sheikh Hasina's regime. Rallies, concerts and prayer sessions were held in the capital as Bangladeshis celebrated what they called the country's 'second liberation'. IMAGE: People celebrate the one year anniversary at Manik Mia Avenue, outside the parliament building in Dhaka. Photographs: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters IMAGE: People hold a helicopter-shaped balloon as a symbol of Hasina's dramatic departure by air. IMAGE: People attend an open-air concert. IMAGE: People watch Muhammad Yunus, leader of Bangladesh's interim government, as he appears on a screen while reading the July Declaration, here and below. IMAGE: Coloured smoke billows. IMAGE: A man holds a Bangladeshi flag and a smoke flare during celebrations. IMAGE: Police officers stand with umbrellas to shelter themselves from the rain. Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff President Donald Trump has said that he doesn't know anything about the US imports of Russian uranium, fertilisers and chemicals. IMAGE: US President Donald Trump addresses a press conference after singing an executive order creating a task force for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Photograph: Emily J. Higgins/White House Trump made the comments on Tuesday while responding to a question on India's statement on American imports of these commodities. I don't know anything about it. I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that, Trump said, adding that he will soon decide on tariffs to be imposed on nations buying Russian energy. Trump has threatened to substantially raise US tariffs on India, accusing it of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits. India on Monday mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their unjustified and unreasonable targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement on Monday night. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment, the MEA said. "Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals," it added. "In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable," the MEA said. In response to another question that he has threatened to impose 100 per cent tariffs on all countries that purchase Russian energy, including China, Trump said while he never said a percentage, but we'll be doing quite a bit of that. We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of time. He said that the US has a meeting with Russia on Wednesday, without giving further details on where and what the meeting will entail. We're going to see what happens. We'll make that determination at that time. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump said in an interview with CNBC that India has not been a good trading partner and announced he is going to raise tariffs on India very substantially over the next 24 hours because New Delhi is buying Russian oil and "fuelling the Ukraine war machine". At the event Tuesday afternoon, where Trump signed an executive order establishing a White House Olympics Task Force to handle security and other issues related to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, he repeated again that he stopped the war between India and Pakistan, a claim he has made over 30 times since May 10. India has been consistently maintaining that the understanding on cessation of hostilities with Pakistan was reached following direct talks between the Directors General of Military Operations (DGMOs) of the two militaries. I stopped five wars in the last five months, Trump said, adding that he would like the Ukraine conflict to be the sixth one he helps bring to an end. You just take a look at the ones just over the last two or three months, it's been amazing. This is the one I'm trying to stop. This is the one we're working hardest on, Trump said, referring to the Ukraine conflict with Russia. The other ones I stopped within a matter of days, almost every one of them, including India and Pakistan. And I could go over the whole list, but you know the list as well as I do, he said. Meanwhile, State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce said it will be up to President Trump on how to respond to those nations that are facilitating this war on Ukraine. She was asked about India's comment that New Delhi is not going to change its position on oil purchase from Russia. I will not characterise or remark on another nation's comments about what they will or will not doBut I do know that, of course, President Trump understands the entire field, and he has made it very clear he doesn't like what's been happening, she said. To another question on India and China indicating they fully intend to continue purchasing Russian oil irrespective of US sanctions, Bruce said Washington is now talking about secondary sanctions, sanctioning a country, company or others that might be doing business with a country that the US has sanctioned in this instance. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has travelled to Russia to hold crucial talks on bilateral energy and defence ties and to prepare ground for Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to India later this year. IMAGE: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval. Photograph: ANI Photo Doval's visit to Russia comes amid some strain in ties between India and the United States over New Delhi's continuing procurement of Russian crude oil, notwithstanding Western sanctions on Moscow. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday issued an executive order slapping an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian goods as a penalty for New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil. The additional duties raised the overall tariff on India to 50 per cent. Defending its purchase of Russian crude oil, India has been maintaining that its energy procurement is driven by national interest and market dynamics. People familiar with Doval's visit to Moscow said bilateral energy and defence ties as well as Western sanctions on Russian crude oil will figure in his talks with Russian officials. Russia has emerged as India's top energy supplier since the West slapped sanctions on its crude oil after the invasion of Ukraine. The NSA is also expected to press Moscow to ensure early delivery of remaining two regiments of S-400 air defence systems to India. The S-400 systems played a crucial role during the Operation Sindoor. India signed a $5.43 billion deal with Russia in 2018 for five squadrons of the S-400 Triumf missile system, a state-of-the-art air defence platform capable of engaging multiple aerial threats at long ranges. Three squadrons have already been delivered. The people cited above said the two sides will also prepare ground for President Putin's planned trip to India later this year to hold summit talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Uttar Pradesh Fisheries Minister Sanjay Nishad has sparked controversy during his visit to a flood-affected area in Kanpur Dehat where he told a woman that the Ganga river has reached "your doorstep to clean your feet". IMAGE: Incessant rainfall in Uttar Pradesh has led to floods in 13 districts of the state. Photograph: @NDRFHQ/X The remark triggered sharp reactions from opposition leaders, who accused the minister of being insensitive to the plight of those affected by floods. Several districts of Uttar Pradesh, including Kanpur, Prayagraj, and Varanasi, have been affected by rising water levels of the Ganga and Yamuna rivers in recent days. In a video that surfaced on social media on Tuesday, Nishad can be seen speaking to a local woman standing in floodwaters and saying, "Ganga river reaches your door steps to clean your feet and this will take you directly to heaven." After the minister's statement during his visit on Monday, the woman was heard saying in the viral video, "Take the blessing of Ganga yourself". However, it was not clear whether the woman was replying to the minister or talking to another woman present there. Nishad, who is head of NISHAD party, an ally of the BJP, said the remark was made in a lighter vein. "I was on a visit to a flood-hit area of Nishads where while interacting with them I said that for seeking salvation, people from far away place come to take the holy dip in Ganges and here Ganga 'maiya' was right at their doorstep," the minister told PTI. "We Nishads worship rivers, our source of life and livelihoods. So the remark has its own context," the minister said. During his visit, the minister also reportedly spoke about a policeman from the Nishad community in Prayagraj whose videos of worshipping Ganga waters at his doorstep and swimming in the flood waters have gone viral. "Yes, the minister did make a mention of the Prayagraj cop as he too is a Nishad and again the reference was to merely highlight the high esteem in which Ganga maiya in particular and all other rivers in general are kept by the community," a minister's aide said. Flaying Nishad's remark, Samajwadi Party spokesperson Sharvendra Bikram Singh said this shows the insensitivity of the minister. "He is not aware of the ground reality and the situation in which flood affected people are living. The state government has failed to provide relief to the people and its minister are looking for photo opportunities. At a time when people are losing their homes and livelihoods due to floods, such statements show how disconnected UP ministers are from ground reality," Singh said. The Congress dubbed Nishad's remarks astha ka apman (insult of faith).' "Such irresponsible statements are akin to 'astha ka apman'. There are ministers who are preaching swadeshi but moving about in swanky, imported cars," UP Congress Committee chief Ajay Rai told PTI. Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has constituted team of officers and ministers, who are visiting flood affected areas. High drama unfolded in Mumbai's bustling Dadar area as angry protesters on Wednesday morning forcibly removed the tarpaulin put up by the city civic body to cover a popular pigeon feeding spot in compliance with a Bombay high court order, leading to clashes with police. Photograph: Sahil Salvi for Rediff.com IMAGE: Protesters remove tarpaulin cover from the Dadar kabutarkhana in Mumbai. The protesters, mostly members of the Jain community, clashed with police, who tried to stop them from removing the large plastic cover put on bamboo scaffolding at the Dadar Kabutarkhana (pigeon feeding site) put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). The HC recently ordered the closure of Mumbai's kabutarkhanas, including the one at Dadar, over health concerns like respiratory issues from pigeon droppings. After the HC order, BMC officials on Sunday covered the Dadar Kabutarkhana, a grade II heritage structure, with a tarpaulin sheet to discourage people from feeding grains to pigeons, considering it a public health hazard. After cops dispersed protesters, Mumbai suburban district guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visited the spot and condemned the act of defiance, saying police will take appropriate action in the matter. The Bharatiya Janata Party minister appealed to people to maintain peace and said the management of trust of a Jain temple located in the area claimed they had no role in the protest. Maharashtra Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar suggested a 'controlled feeding' of pigeons, an idea first floated by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday, and said it should not cause inconvenience to people. Fadnavis, who chaired a meeting on the issue of 'kabutarkhanas' in the light of the HC order, discussed regulated feeding to prevent pigeon deaths while safeguarding people's health through precautions and mechanised droppings' clean-up. At the meeting, the CM directed the BMC to continue controlled feeding with organisational support until alternatives are established. The Jain community, for whom feeding pigeons is a sacred tradition, have fiercely opposed the closure, with demonstrations in Mumbai highlighting the cultural significance and the distress of pigeons dying on streets. Whatever happened at the Dadar kabutarkhana in the morning was 'wrong' and 'condemnable', Lodha told reporters after the protest. Asked about action against the protesters, he said, "Police will take a right decision on this." However, no FIR was filed till the evening, according to police. Lodha said when he spoke to the management of the Jain temple trust in Dadar, they denied participating in the protest and claimed some "outsiders" had a role in the agitation. On Tuesday, the chief minister listened to everyone (during the meeting with his cabinet colleagues) and gave a balanced directive so that people's health is not undermined and pigeons, too, are prevented from dying, he said. "Tomorrow (Thursday), a report will be submitted in the high court on the (Kabutarkhana) issue," he added. His cabinet colleague Shelar insisted on a 'controlled feeding' of pigeons. "Kabutarkhanas should be saved by this controlled feeding structure. It should not be excessive and should not cause any inconvenience to people," Shelar contended. Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande argued prolonged feeding of pigeons increases the risk of zoonotic diseases like respiratory disorders and suggested the issue should be dealt with scientifically and medically. The nominated member in the Maharashtra Legislative Council said public awareness is very crucial while dealing with the issue. "I have a PhD in zoology and have taught in this field for 35 years at college level. Pigeon feeding and mercy feeding is a nuisance in Mumbai. Pigeon is a bird which gets habituated to feeding and the Dadar Kabutarkhana is one such example. This gives rise to zoonotic diseases, leads to respiratory disorders," cautioned Kayande, whose party is a constituent of the ruling Mahayuti bloc. "There is a Jain temple near (Dadar) kabutarkhana. Why have you covered it with nets - so that pigeons do not come? When kite festival takes place in Gujarat and birds get killed during that, where do animal lovers go then?" said the lawmaker who raised the issue of health hazards associated with pigeon feeding in the council during the monsoon session last month. Kayande pointed out that Hindus stopped the tradition of feeding milk to snakes because it is not their food. "There has to be a regulation on feeding animals/birds in public places and there should be a discussion on whether there should be designated places for it. The issue has to be dealt with scientifically and medically," she opined. Congress leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the BJP-Shiv Sena-NCP government of attempting to mislead the Jain community by first targeting and later backtracking on issues like kabutarkhana. "A BJP MLA raises an issue (kabutarkhana), action is taken by the BMC, Jains protest, and then BJP ministers oppose the same action. This is nothing but double standards aimed at gaining votes ahead of the BMC elections," he alleged while talking to reporters. He argued the Mahayuti government was creating unnecessary controversies to divert people's attention from real issues and positioning itself as a saviour of the Jain community for political gains. "This is a clear case of the BJP trying to cook its political meal over communal sentiments," Wadettiwar remarked. The metropolis has 44 'kabutarkhanas', of which the highest number of five are in the P-North and P-East wards in the western suburbs, followed by four each in the K-West in western suburbs and D ward in south Mumbai. In what is being claimed as a first-of-its-kind order by a court in Kolkata, all four accused in the South Calcutta Law College rape case were remanded to police custody for an additional period of three days, 39 days after they were first arrested. IMAGE: Police personnel seen after South Kolkata Law College shuts for indefinite period amid the alleged gang rape case of a 24-year-old law student, in Kolkata on Tuesday. Photograph: ANI Photo The prime accused in the case, Monojit Mishra, an alumnus and a contractual employee of the college, and two of his suspected accomplices, Pramit Mukhopadhyay and Zaib Ahmed, both students, along with Pinaki Banerjee, security guard of the campus, were granted police custody till August 8 by Amit Sarkar, Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate of Alipore Court. The order was passed on Tuesday in the wake of all four accused having previously been remanded to police custody for 11 days, followed by their judicial custody for another 28 days. "Under the provisions of Section 167 of the earlier CrPC Act, the prayer for police remand had to be made within the first 15 days of arrest. That provision has now changed under the new Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS), which replaced the CrPC on July 1, 2024. The BNSS now empowers the police to pray for remand anytime within the first 60 days of arrest for heinous crimes like rape and murder," Sourin Ghosal, the Kolkata Police Chief Public Prosecutor in Alipore Court, explained. "But this was the first time that the relevant clauses of BNSS were invoked in a court in Kolkata and, possibly, in the entire West Bengal and in which the judge found merit," Ghoshal added. He said that the prayer for additional police remand of the accused was made in the light of fresh reports received by the investigators from cyber and forensic experts. "The statements previously made by the accused and the reports we have now received do not match in many places. Hence, there is a need to freshly interrogate the accused in police custody and, if required, they may be made to sit face to face to get to the bottom of the alleged crime," Ghoshal said. In its order, the ACJM court, Alipore, rejected the defence counsel's prayer for bail and held that Section 47 of the BNSS, which mandates the police to inform the arrested person of the grounds of arrest and right to bail, has been 'duly complied' with. 'It transpires from the prayer of the prosecution that PC is required for the purpose of pending investigations and so more fully described in the forwarding report of the IO. On perusal of the CD (case diary), I do find incriminating materials available against all the accused persons,' the judge stated in his order. 'All these aspects seem to this Court to be much of the essence and importance so far as investigation of this case is concerned, but the case itself is very grave and heinous to say the least. The purpose of the investigation of this case can be well served if the police custody of the present accused persons is granted by this court as prayed for,' the order goes on to add. The shocking on-campus rape was alleged by a first-year student at the law college in south Kolkata's Kasba area where she named Mishra as the principal perpetrator of the crime and both Mukhopadhyay and Ahmed as accomplices. While the crime allegedly took place between 7.30 pm and 10.50 pm on June 25, the three accused were arrested on the intervening night of June 26 and 27. They were subsequently produced in Alipore court and remanded in police custody on June 27. A day later, the on-duty security guard of the campus during the time of the alleged crime, was also booked and remanded in custody. All accused have since been produced before the court thrice for extension of police remand and their subsequent judicial custody. The Kolkata Police prayed for the maximum term of custody for all the accused after they had served two back-to-back judicial remands of 28 days. After a gap of over seven years, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is expected to travel to China later this month to attend the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), people familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit, in Kazan on October 23, 2024. Photograph: ANI Photo According to the plan, Modi will embark on a visit to Japan around August 29 and after concluding the trip, he will travel to the northern Chinese city of Tianjin for the SCO summit to be held on August 31-September 1. The prime minister's visit to China is being planned amid efforts by the two sides to repair their bilateral ties which came under severe strain following the deadly clashes between Indian and Chinese troops in Galwan Valley in June 2020. There is no official confirmation yet on Modi's two-nation visit to Japan and China. The visit is likely to take place from August 29 to September 1. Ahead of Modi's trip to China, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi is set to visit India for the next edition of the Special Representatives dialogue on the boundary question, it is learnt. Prime Minister Modi last visited China in June, 2018 to attend the SCO summit. Chinese President Xi Jinping visited India in October 2019 for the second 'informal summit'. However, the relationship came under stress due to the eastern Ladakh border face-off. The military standoff in eastern Ladakh began in May 2020 and the clashes at the Galwan Valley in June that year resulted in a severe strain in ties. The face-off effectively ended following completion of the disengagement process from the last two friction points of Demchok and Depsang under an agreement finalised on October 21 last year. In the last few months, both sides revived the Special Representative dialogue on boundary question and other dialogue mechanisms. The decision to revive various dialogue mechanisms was taken at a meeting between Prime Minister Modi and Chinese President Xi in Kazan (Russia) on October 23, 2024. The Modi-Xi meeting came two days after India and China firmed up a disengagement pact for Depsang and Demchok. The two sides also took a number of initiatives to rebuild the ties that included resumption of Kailash Mansarovar Yatra and New Delhi restarting issuance of tourist visas to Chinese nationals. Both sides are also discussing modalities to resume direct flight services between the two countries. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and NSA Ajit Doval visited China in the last two months to attend SCO meetings. China is the current chair of the SCO. It is not immediately clear whether PM Modi and President Xi will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the SCO summit. It is expected that Russian President Vladimir Putin will be among the top leaders who will participate in the SCO summit. The SCO, comprising India, China, Russia, Pakistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Iran and Belarus, is an influential economic and security bloc that has emerged as one of the largest transregional international organisations. It was founded at a summit in Shanghai in 2001 by the presidents of Russia, China, the Kyrgyz Republic, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Pakistan became its permanent member along with India in 2017. Iran joined the grouping in 2023 and Belarus in 2024. The Kerala high court on Wednesday said if the NHAI or its agents fail to provide unhindered, safe and regulated access to highways, then they cannot collect user fees or tolls for such roads from the public. IMAGE: Kindly note that this image has been posted for representational purposes only. Photograph: Rupak De Chowdhuri/Reuters The ruling by a division bench of Justices A Muhamed Mustaque and Harisankar V Menon came while suspending toll collection on the Edappally-Mannuthy stretch of NH 544. "... we order that the collection of user fees shall be suspended forthwith for four weeks, and we further order that the central government shall take appropriate decisions within the above period addressing the concern and grievance of the public..." the court said. The interim order suspending toll collection came on a batch of writ petitions challenging the charge of user fees from the public when currently the stretch of highway was suffering from heavy traffic congestion due to construction of underpasses, flyovers, drainage work, etc and improper maintenance of the service road. The bench said that while the public was obliged to pay the user fees at the toll for using the highway, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has the responsibility to ensure smooth traffic without any barrier created by it or its agents, the concessionaires. "This relationship between the public and the NHAI is bound by the tie of public trust. The moment it is breached or violated, the right to collect toll fees from the public created through statutory provisions cannot be forced on the public," the court said. The bench also pointed out that every public infrastructure project initiated by the State inherently imposes a corresponding obligation on it to ensure that public interest is not only safeguarded but prioritised. "This responsibility necessitates effective public management and oversight of such infrastructure projects. The contractual obligations entered into by the State with private partners cannot absolve the State of its foundational duty arising from the public trust doctrine," the bench said. One of the contentions of the NHAI was that the toll collection was a matter of contract and any direction to stop it would have serious consequences under the contract law, giving rise to a claim for damages against it. Rejecting the contention, the bench said no agreement between the State and a private entity can override the imperative to protect public interest. "If the public is not receiving the intended benefit of road usage in return for the user fees imposed, the State cannot compel payment of such a fee solely based on a private contractual arrangement," it said. It also said that the entitlement of the NHAI or its concessionaire to collect user fees arises under statutory provisions and not merely based on any inter se contractual arrangement. "Consequently, in the absence of compliance with the objectives underlying the imposition of such fees, the National Highways Authority or its concessionaire cannot assert a right to demand or collect the same," it said. The bench further said the obligation of the public to pay a user fee under statutory provisions is premised on the assurance that their use of the road will be free from hindrances. "Any failure on the part of the National Highways Authority or its agents to ensure such access constitutes a breach of the public's legitimate expectations and undermines the very basis of the toll regime," the court said. The bench noted that in the instant case, the NHAI has ignored the interests of the public and has taken their grievances lightly. "We note with concern the total apathy displayed by the National Highways Authority in addressing the grievances raised, despite multiple opportunities having been made available to them at least from February 2025 onwards. "Although the issue was repeatedly brought to their attention, no meaningful steps were taken to pursue redressal with the central government," it said. It also noted that there are "no managerial standards" evolved by the central government to address issues of this nature. "In such circumstances, we are of the considered view that the collection of toll shall remain suspended until the central government, in consultation with the National Highways Authority, chief secretary of the state and concessionaire, takes appropriate remedial action addressing the public grievance," the bench ordered. It further said that public accountability principles demand that the central government intervene in the matter, as they are the only authority to prescribe rates and decide on the levy of fees. "In a situation like this, in what manner the toll fee has to be levied is for the central government to decide; whether a pro rata deduction has to be given, or the levy of the fee be suspended till measures are taken; all these are to be addressed by the central government," the bench said. A cloudburst triggered devastating flashfloods in the Harsil area of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, with at least 8-10 Indian Army personnel reported missing from a camp in the lower Harsil region. Image: A view of the massive mudslide that struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil following a cloudburst, in Uttarkashi on Tuesday . Photograph: @suryacommand X/ANI Photo The cloudburst occurred around 1:40 pm on Tuesday, causing widespread damage in Dharali village, a key stop for Gangotri pilgrims. Despite their personnel missing, the Indian Army is actively engaged in rescue efforts, demonstrating its commitment to protecting citizens during natural calamities. 8-10 Indian Army soldiers are reported missing in the lower Harsil area from a camp. Despite its own people missing in the incident, Indian Army troops are engaged in relief operations, according to Indian Army officials. The Indian Army, Indo-Tibetan Border Police, National Disaster Response Force, and State Disaster Response Force have been deployed to the site, with rescue operations underway. Three ITBP teams have reached the location, and four NDRF teams are en route. Several homes, hotels, and shops have been destroyed, with many more damaged. Teams are working tirelessly, even during the night, to rescue people trapped in the affected areas. Earlier in the afternoon, a massive mudslide struck the Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement, the Indian Army's Surya Command said. "Troops of the Ibex brigade were immediately mobilised and have reached the affected site to assess the situation and undertake rescue operations. Extent of damage is being ascertained and updates will follow as relief operations unfold," the Army said. Bharatiya Janata Party MP Ajay Bhatt has confirmed that rescue teams are working around the clock, with two helicopters on standby in Sarsawa and two Chinooks in Chandigarh, ready to assist as soon as the weather clears. "We have a report of 4 missing, Our priority is to rescue the people. The teams are working to rescue the people during the night too... Two helicopters are on standby in Sarsawa, and two Chinooks are on standby in Chandigarh. Medical and food arrangements have been made... We are doing everything we can, but no one can control natural disasters... We pray that more and more people are rescued safely," the BJP MP told ANI. Medical teams and food supplies have been arranged to support those affected by the disaster. Announcements are being made in areas along the Ganga River, urging people to stay alert and reach safer locations. The district administration of Uttarkashi has also informed that the Government Kirti Inter College has been made a shelter, providing a safe place to the people living in the riverine areas around the district headquarters. Given the disaster situation, the Uttarakhand government has deployed three police and Indian Administrative Service (IAS) officers each in Uttarkashi till further orders. Indian Air Force officials have also confirmed that Chinook Mi-17 V5, Cheetah and ALH helicopters are on active standby at the Chandigarh air base for the relief operations in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. The choppers are ready with the required equipment and material and would take off as soon as the weather clears up in the affected areas. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah have expressed condolences and assured support for relief efforts. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami has directed officials to conduct rescue operations on a war footing. BUJUMBURA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye has appointed Nestor Ntahontuye as the East African country's prime minister, according to a presidential decree signed on Tuesday. Ntahontuye had served as the country's minister of finance, budget and economic planning since December 2024, until his appointment on Tuesday. After Ntahontuye's appointment and the endorsement of his candidacy by both chambers of the Burundian Parliament -- the National Assembly and the Senate -- he was sworn in before Ndayishimiye, members of both chambers, and the Constitutional Court. Ntahontuye pledged to abide by the National Constitution, the National Unity Charter, and other laws governing Burundi. "I hereby undertake to combat any genocide ideology and practices of exclusion, to promote and defend individual and collective rights, freedoms of individuals, citizens, and to protect the integrity and independence of the Republic of Burundi," said Ntahontuye. Ntahontuye replaced Gervais Ndirakobuca, who was elected on Tuesday as the president of the Burundian Senate. Ndirakobuca was elected senator in the Bujumbura constituency, western Burundi, during the country's senatorial elections held on July 23. The Burundian president also carried out a major cabinet reshuffle, reducing the number of ministries from 15 to 13 and appointing 10 new members, including four women. President Donald Trump has suggested that Vice President J D Vance is "most likely" the heir apparent to his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio can also join him in "some form". IMAGE: US President Donald Trump greets US Vice President JD Vance and his wife Usha Vance. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters United States President Donald Trump has suggested that Vice President J D Vance is "most likely" the heir apparent to his Make America Great Again (MAGA) movement, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio can also join him in "some form". "Well, I think most likely. In all fairness, he's the vice president," Trump said on Tuesday while answering a question on his "heir apparent" to MAGA. Trump, who assumed office over six months ago, said that it is "too early" to talk about successors, but Vance is certainly "doing a great job, and he would be probably favourite at this point," CNN reported. However, Trump was quick to add that Rubio can also "get together with JD in some form." Trump had earlier declined to offer any endorsement for a 2028 successor. Trump said in February that Vance was very capable but that it was too early to name him as the leading candidate, the report added. Vance, 40, is a former Marine and served as Ohio Senator from 2023 to 2025. He has carved out a sizable role in the second Trump administration for himself, the report said. Rubio, in an interview with Fox News last month, brushed off talks of his presidential ambitions for 2028 and said that he is focused on his current job, Time.com reported. However, he did not completely rule it out, adding, "you never know what the future holds." Rubio and Vance competed for the Vice President's post but now work closely to promote Trump's policies. Marco is incredibly competent and reliable, and he's also one of my closest friends in the administration, Vance told CNN last month. This is the first time the US President has come close to hinting at Vance as a potential successor. Trump had previously named both Vance and Rubio as potential successors in May, Time.com reported. A Supreme Court order relocating an elephant to a care facility in Vantara has sparked public outrage in Maharashtra and put the state government in a difficult position. On Sunday, August 3, Kolhapur witnessed a massive turnout as thousands of people walked in silent protest to bring back 36-year-old elephant Mahadevi, also known as Madhuri, from NGO Vantara's wildlife rehabilitation facility in Jamnagar, Gujarat. Vantara is run by businessman Anant Ambani and it is a sprawling wildlife rescue and rehab centre home to over 150,000 rescued animals. IMAGE: Madhuri in Vantara. All photographs: Kind courtesy Vantara/Instagram Madhuri was a resident of the Swastishree Jinsen Bhattarak Pattacharya Mahaswami Sanstthan Math, a Jain monastery, at Nandani village in Karvir in Kolhapur district. She was in the news in 2017 when she killed the chief priest of the math by slamming him against the wall. Later, she was kept in chains on the premise of the temple and occasionally went on tours across Maharashtra for religious processions. In 2023, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) moved the Bombay high court against the alleged ill-treatment of Madhuri and wanted her to be shifted to a sanctuary. Their argument was Madhuri's health was deteriorating and her foot was rotting, which was painful. They also stated that Madhuri had overgrown nails and suffered from arthritis. The high court ordered on July 16, 2025 that Madhuri should be rehabilitated at Vantara's Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust in Jamnagar due to her deteriorating health condition. In its order, the court said, 'We have no doubt that the petitioner-math may have had no deliberate intent to cause injury to the elephant; however, in the given circumstances of conflict between the rights of an elephant and the rights of petitioner-math to use the elephant in the discharge of its religious activities, priority must be given to the elephant's welfare.' The Jain math challenged the high court order in the Supreme Court, which upheld the verdict on July 25. Post the Supreme Court order, Madhuri was shifted to Vantara last week. This resulted in protests across Kolhapur to bring Madhuri back to the Jain math. Seeing the scale of protest, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis intervened and his office stated, 'There is significant public sentiment in favour of returning the elephant to the monastery and legal steps will be taken accordingly.' The CM urged the Nandani math to include the state government as a party in its (future) petition (to the courts), while the forest department will also present an independent and detailed stand before the apex court. 'Taking into consideration the traditions of Nandani math and the emotional bond of local people with Madhuri, we will pursue all legal avenues to bring her back. The state will also form a dedicated team, including veterinary experts, to ensure the elephant's welfare,' Fadnavis stated. On Wednesday, he further stated that Vantara will support the state government's petition in the Supreme Court to take Madhuri back to the Kolhapur math. Meanwhile, Vantara posted pictures of Madhuri on its Instagram account where she is enjoying nature and also posted a video. On Monday, Vantara issued a statement, stating, 'Vantara did not initiate or request the relocation of the elephant named Mahadevi (Madhuri) from a monastery in Kolhapur to its facility in Jamnagar but served only as the 'court-appointed recipient facility.' Brattleboro, VT (05301) Today A few clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 49F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph.. Tonight A few clouds. Slight chance of a shower throughout the evening. Low 49F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. A drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows an obsolete petroleum industrial site in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) Tourists visit the Heidu Mountain in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 30, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) A teacher demonstrates the assembly of a miniature rocket for students on a summer camping tour at the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 29, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) Students on a summer study tour learn astronomical knowledge at the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 29, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows the Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST) jointly developed by the University of Science and Technology of China and the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows the Wide Field Survey Telescope (WFST) jointly developed by the University of Science and Technology of China and the Purple Mountain Observatory of the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) An aerial drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows a view of Serteng Mountain in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) A staff member prepares to clean rooms at a homestay in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 30, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) This stacked photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows the starry sky near the Lenghu astronomical observatory in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) This photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows a view of the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Heidu Mountain in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) Sci-fi writer Yang Ping (1st L) chats with children on a summer study tour at the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 29, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) An aerial drone photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows tourists visiting the Heidu Mountain scenic spot in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) A student on a summer camping tour checks the growth of vegetable cultivated at a chips-powered farm inside the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 29, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) Sci-fi writer Yang Ping works at the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, July 29, 2025. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) This photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows starry sky in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) This photo taken on July 30, 2025 shows the starry sky near the Lenghu astronomical observatory in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) This photo taken on July 28, 2025 shows the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Zhang Long) A drone photo taken on July 29, 2025 shows the Lenghu Lab in Lenghu Town, Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province. Lenghu Town, located in Mangnai City of Haixi Mongolian and Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture of northwest China's Qinghai Province, had risen and fallen -- both because of a wave in the petroleum industry. Isolated from the outside world by the 800-mile-wide Gobi, the town is now transformed into a sanctuary for stargazers thanks to its special geographic condition. The Lenghu astronomical observatory, built in the Serteng Mountain at 4,320 meters above sea level, has by far introduced 12 scientific and research institutions and 45 telescopes. Meanwhile, the cultural tourism characterized by science and astronomy developed here has brought a new look for this town. Landmarks such as Mars Camp and Heidu Mountain in the town have attracted numerous visitors. Moreover, science fiction awards held consecutively here have made the town a new pop land for sci-fi creation. (Xinhua/Qi Zhiyue) New Zealand headquartered Bastion Security Group has signed an agreement to merge with Perth-based cyber security managed services specialist Seamless Intelligence. The deal is Bastions second in Australia, having acquired Melbourne-based cyber security managed services provider Cythera in December, 2024. It further enhances Bastion Security Groups Australian presence and reinforces its commitment to delivering cyber security services across the A/NZ region. Seamless customers are expected to benefit from enhanced managed services support coverage, with access to both Australian East Coast and New Zealand support staff. They will also have access to Bastions extended service offering, which spans governance, risk and compliance, penetration testing, cloud and network security, cyber strategy advisory services and threat intelligence, and access to complementary managed services products. The deal is expected to complete in the September 2025 quarter with the current shareholders of Seamless remaining invested in the Bastion Group. Established in 2018 by Christopher Bolan and Tristan Bennett, Seamless has grown to around 25 cybersecurity professionals with a suite of in-house developed, proprietary tools to support effective service delivery. Bastion Security Groups CEO, Eugene Gibney, said the Seamless Intelligence deal represented another important step in the companys strategy to build a trans-Tasman cybersecurity powerhouse. BATUMI, Georgia -- Mzia Amaglobeli, a noted Georgian journalist and founder of the independent media outlets Netgazeti and Batumelebi, has been sentenced to two years in prison in what rights groups are calling a politically motivated case. Judge Nino Sakhelashvili of the Batumi City Court pronounced the sentence on August 6 after finding Amaglobeli guilty of resisting or using violence against a law enforcement officer during a pro-European protest in January. Amaglobeli was initially charged with assaulting a police officer, a more serious offense, but the charge was later reduced. Authorities claim she slapped Batumi police chief Irakli Dgebuadze. Amaglobeli denies the allegation, saying Dgebuadze insulted her and spat in her face, prompting an instinctive reaction. Her defense says no objective evidence supports the charge and plans to appeal. After the judge pronounced the ruling, supporters outside the courthouse chanted "Slaves!" against what they say is a politicized judiciary. Georgia's Media Crackdown Watchdogs and journalist organizations around the world have condemned Amaglobeli's arrest as part of a broader crackdown on media freedom in Georgia. The European Parliament, in a resolution passed on June 19, demanded Amaglobeli's immediate release and denounced what it called systematic attacks on independent media by the Georgian government. Georgian officials have been quick to respond to the international criticism, maintaining that the case against Amaglobeli is unrelated to her work in journalism. They have also accused the EU of interfering in domestic affairs, further highlighting the political tension surrounding the case. In her final statement in court, Amaglobeli thanked colleagues and international partners for their solidarity, saying her case reflects the broader struggle for press freedom in Georgia. At a press conference on July 31, Kazakhstan's First Deputy Prime Minister Roman Sklyar revealed that China will build Kazakhstan's third nuclear power plant, further deepening Beijing's growing influence over the Central Asian country's nuclear future. "The third plant (like the second one) will also come from China," Sklyar said, responding to a question from an RFE/RL journalist. "Our colleagues from the relevant agency are currently working on this matter." The announcement follows an earlier June decision to award the second plant to China's state-run China National Nuclear Corporation (CNNC), just one day before President Xi Jinping visited Astana for the ChinaCentral Asia summit. China Rises, Russia Lingers While Kazakhstan formally awarded the symbolic "first" nuclear power plant project to Russia's Rosatom in June, it now appears Astana is strategically dividing its nuclear infrastructure among major powers. This move, a demonstration of Kazakhstan's strategic foresight, is widely seen as a geopolitical balancing act: maintaining ties with Moscow while pivoting toward Beijing as a more reliable and less sanctioned partner. "China is definitely one of the countries that has all the necessary technologies and the entire industrial base," said Almasadam Satqaliev, chairman of Kazakhstan's Atomic Energy Agency, during a June 15 announcement. The contrast between the two projects is stark. While Rosatom remains tasked with building Kazakhstan's first nuclear plant, slated for completion by 2035 or later, it is heavily reliant on Russian export financing, which remains uncertain amid the Kremlin's ongoing war in Ukraine and deepening fiscal pressures and sanctions. "Work on the issue of attracting state export financing at the expense of the Russian Federation has begun," the Kazakh government said in a statement in June. Kazakh lawmaker Ermurat Bapi told RFE/RL that "CNNC is backed by China's robust industrial base, ample funding, and, most importantly, freedom from Western sanctions, making it a far more practical and politically safer partner for our country." "This choice reassures us about the practicality and safety of Kazakhstan's nuclear future," Bapi said, adding that although Russia had been announced as the builder of the first nuclear plant, it is obvious that China will most likely be capable of accomplishing the so-called second nuclear plant or even the third one in Kazakhstan long before Rosatom accomplishes its project. "So, the de facto first nuclear plant in Kazakhstan will most likely be built by China, not Russia," Bapi said. Dosym Satpaev, an Almaty-based political analyst and head of the Risk Assessment Group, agreed with Bapi, saying, "Russia simply cannot finance major infrastructure right now." "Sklyar's announcement about the decision to choose China to build the third plant came just as Russia declared that it will no longer build three thermal power stations in Kazakhstan, a $2 billion project promised in 2024," Satpaev noted. Satpaev also pointed to the Akkuyu nuclear plant in Turkey, also being built by Russia's Rosatom, as a warning sign. There, workers recently staged protests over unpaid wages, reflecting Moscow's growing inability to honor long-term commitments due to its economic strain from sanctions and war. "As Russia's Rosatom remains the contractor for Kazakhstan's first-ever nuclear power plant, costing an estimated $14 billion, it is an expensive and risky endeavor," Satpaev told RFE/RL. Referendum As A Turning Point The groundwork for Kazakhstan's nuclear resurgence was laid in October 2024, when the government held a controversial referendum on whether to pursue nuclear energy development. Officially, more than 71 percent of voters supported the plan, but the referendum was marred by widespread allegations of ballot-stuffing, low turnout in major cities like Almaty (25 percent), and the arrests of over 30 activists. Many in Kazakhstan criticized the idea of building nuclear plants in the country, citing environmental problems inherited from decades-long Soviet-era nuclear tests in the country's northeast, Baikonur Cosmodrome's operations, and fears of Russian involvement in the project. Nonetheless, the government used the results of the referendum to justify its energy ambitions and signal international investors that public backing, however manufactured, existed. Astana's Nuclear Diplomacy: A Multi-Vector Strategy Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev has repeatedly said Kazakhstan is open to partnerships with other countries, including South Korea's electric powerhouse KHNP and France's multinational electric utility company EDF, and has even floated the idea of an international consortium under the oversight of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). However, the increasing strategic tilt toward China could strain Kazakhstan's relations with these other potential partners. This shift in alliances could have significant implications for Kazakhstan's foreign policy posture and its role in regional energy and security diplomacy. Beijing has now been confirmed to operate the construction of two of the three planned plants, and Kazakhstan's top nuclear officials have publicly praised Chinese capabilities. A location for the third plant is expected to be announced before the end of 2025, Kazakh officials said. According to Bapi, this emerging pattern reveals a significant shift in Kazakhstan's foreign policy posture: from passive balancing to active orchestration of great-power competition on its own terms. "In choosing China as its primary nuclear partner, Kazakhstan is not just hedging against Russian volatility; it is asserting itself as an autonomous actor in regional energy and security diplomacy. This shift underscores Kazakhstan's growing autonomy and influence in regional diplomacy," Bapi emphasized. "Kazakhstan's current maneuvering in this matter is the reflection of the ongoing global geopolitical changes," he said. Why It Matters Kazakhstan, the world's leading uranium producer, has long been viewed as a neutral zone between rival powers. But its strategic value has grown since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022, which definitely weakened Moscow's soft power in the post-Soviet space. Now, Astana is leveraging its energy sector, notably nuclear, to build long-term security and economic leverage. "Kazakhstan's multi-vector foreign policy is no longer about pleasing everyone equally; it's about picking winners in critical sectors while avoiding excessive dependency," Bapi said. In March, Toqaev said, referring to the country's energy strategy: "We do not choose one partner -- we choose what is best for Kazakhstan." However, Satpaev warns China's rapid strides in nuclear energy are not just about meeting energy needs. "Building a nuclear power plant is never just about energy. It's a geopolitical project. The supplying country provides the reactors, technical support, consulting, and often maintenance. That makes the host country dependent, both strategically and technologically," he said. "This dependence can have significant geopolitical implications, potentially compromising the host country's sovereignty and security." Satpaev warned that by splitting its nuclear future between China and Russia, Kazakhstan risks undermining its national energy security, and by extension, its national sovereignty. This division could lead to a lack of control over the country's energy resources, making it vulnerable to external influence, he stressed. "In times of war, we've seen what happens. The aggressor's first move is often to strike or choke off energy infrastructure. By relying on two major geopolitical players, Kazakhstan is compromising its independence," Satpaev said. Ahead of an August 8 deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the Kremlin to stop the fighting in Ukraine, Washington is looking to squeeze Moscow economically and has found a new target: Russian oil sales to China. Reining in how much oil China buys from Russia has become an unexpected sticking point in ongoing US-China trade talks in Stockholm, where both sides are looking to settle many of their differences in order to avert punishing tariffs and reach a broader trade deal. With Trump growing increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin for spurning past efforts to broker peace in Ukraine, Washington is hoping to gain more leverage by denying Moscow billions in revenue. "The administration has come to the realization of how important Russian oil sales to China are," Dennis Wilder, who was a top White House China adviser to former US President George W. Bush, told RFE/RL. "Without them, you can argue that the Russian economy would have already gone into a tailspin." But getting Beijing to meet the US demand is proving difficult, with Chinese officials refusing to reduce the country's oil purchases during the ongoing talks. In response, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has raised the possibility of a 100 percent tariff. "China will always ensure its energy supply in ways that serve our national interests," China's Foreign Ministry posted on X last week, responding to the threat of further tariffs. "Coercion and pressuring will not achieve anything. China will firmly defend its sovereignty, security, and development interests." Former officials and energy analysts who spoke to RFE/RL say China is unlikely to stop buying Russian oil but could be willing to limit its purchases for a short period as a goodwill gesture while both Beijing and Washington look to strike an economic bargain that could be a precursor to a potential summit between Trump and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, which reportedly could take place in October. "It's possible that Beijing could decide to subtly reduce their monthly imports of Russian oil, but I wouldn't expect them to completely cut them off or to publicly announce any change if they do," Wilder said. Can The US Convince China To Stop Buying Russian Oil? Whether Washington can get Beijing to cut back on Russian oil will depend on the complex US-China trade talks under way in Sweden that face an August 12 deadline to reach a deal. Beyond pushing China on Russian oil, Washington has also demanded that Beijing stop purchasing oil from Iran, which is subject to US sanctions. Iran currently sends more than 90 percent of its oil exports to China. Russia supplies approximately one-fifth of China's total oil, analysts say. Trump has also ramped up pressure on India, which has shifted between first and second position alongside China as the top buyers of Russian oil since Moscow's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. In an August 4 post on Truth Social, Trump said he will be "substantially raising" tariffs on India over its purchases of Russian oil, having already threatened a 25 percent tariff on Indian goods. Curbing Chinese and Indian purchases would be felt in Moscow, but Beijing also has cards to play against the United States, analysts say. The White House is now actively encouraging China to buy more US products, including American technology. Trump and Bessent have also said they want China to make it easier for US businesses to operate and also increase Beijing's purchases of US energy. But China has also used its dominant position in the flow of rare earths, an essential group of elements that are needed to manufacture everything from electric vehicle batteries to vital defense technology, to get concessions of its own. This was underscored in July when the United States relaxed a ban on sales of jet engines and Nvidia's H20 artificial-intelligence chips in exchange for Beijing lifting restrictions on the sale of rare earths. Pushing too hard on oil purchases could risk derailing some of the trade progress already made by US and Chinese negotiators. "Beijing has demonstrated that its restrictions on exporting rare earths are a powerful weapon, and the US administration wouldn't want to jeopardize this fragile truce," Maria Shagina, a senior fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, a London-based think-tank, told RFE/RL. What Leverage Does Washington Have With China? Beijing may also be hesitant to undertake any moves that could hurt Russia's war effort against Ukraine. China has been one of Russia's closest backers, with Putin and Xi declaring a "no limits" partnership shortly before the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. While Beijing has stopped short of sending lethal aid, Chinese firms have supplied the bulk of the dual-use products that have allowed Moscow to replenish its supply of missiles, drones, and other munitions throughout the war. In July, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi told EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas that Beijing couldn't accept Russia's defeat in the war as it would free up Washington to focus on China. The comments were first reported by the South China Morning Post and later confirmed by RFE/RL. Experts say a bipartisan bill introduced in the US Senate could also factor in as a negotiating tool for Washington against Beijing. The legislation would impose tariffs of up to 500 percent on countries that support Russias war machine by buying its oil and gas, with China and India as the two main targets. But enacting such measures, should the bill be passed by Congress, would escalate tensions sharply. In the meantime, Beijing is weighing its options, including limiting oil purchases from Russia but also looking to entice the Trump administration with promises to invest more in the United States and to increase sales of US energy and agricultural products. Joe Webster, an expert of China and Russias energy relationship at the US-based Atlantic Council think tank, says that its more likely to see Beijing increase purchases of US energy than to cut back on buying Russian oil. "Increasing US exports is a fairly straightforward step [China] could take," he told RFE/RL. "Reducing imports from Russia is more of a challenge, as that could still lead to real material pain for Russia, and Beijing clearly does not want Moscow to lose the war." But even that could be met with hesitation from Beijing. Chinese officials have long worried that the United States and its allies could hamstring the nation's economy by choking off its supply of foreign oil, leading to China investing hundreds of billions of dollars into boosting its own domestic production and building the worlds top electric-vehicle industry. "Beijing doesn't seek dependency on anyone, including Russia, but especially the United States," Webster said. "This will be met with reluctance." A top Kremlin aide says President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump will meet in the "coming days" after the Russian leader had "useful and constructive" talks with a US special envoy in Moscow over bringing more than three years of war in Ukraine to an end. Putin's foreign policy adviser Yury Ushakov said on August 7 that preparations for the meeting had begun and the two sides had already agreed on the venue "in principle." "At the suggestion of the American side, an agreement has been reached in principle to hold a bilateral summit in the coming days," Ushakov was quoted as saying by Russian state news agencies. If the two do meet, it will be the first summit of US and Russian presidents since Putin and Joe Biden met in Geneva in June 2021. Relations between Moscow and Washington ruptured less than a year later when Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Ushakov's comments came after Trump said a day earlier the meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin "made a lot of progress" and added that he might meet with Putin soon. "There's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon," Trump said after his spokeswoman confirmed he was open to a meeting with Putin to discuss Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. Asked if Putin had offered anything in return for the meeting, Trump offered no specifics, saying only that "we've had very productive talks today." Trump spoke with reporters at the White House after his spokeswoman, Karoline Leavitt, said in a statement that the Russians "expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the president is open to meeting with both President Putin and [Ukrainian] President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy." A diplomatic source from EU ranks told RFE/RL that a "personal Trump-Putin meeting seems to be in the making." Will Zelenskyy Join The Talks? Trump plans to sit down with Putin as early as next week, and then wants a three-way meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, The New York Times and CNN reported, citing people familiar with the plan. While there has been no information on where the meeting would be held, Putin is scheduled to meet later on August 7 with the president of the United Arab Emirates, which some media reports have quoted sources as suggesting could be a possible venue. Trump said on August 7 that Putin does not have to agree to meet with Zelenskyy in order to have a meeting with him. Lucian Kim, Ukraine analyst at the International Crisis Group, told RFE/RL that Putin has been reluctant to meet Zelenskyy but wouldn't want to forgo a chance to meet Trump. "We should be aware that his idea of a solution to the conflict is very different from Trump's or Zelenskyy's," Kim said. Putin has been seeking to balance an obvious desire to improve badly strained relations between Russia and the United States with his continuing effort to subjugate Ukraine, where he launched the biggest war in Europe since 1945 with the full-scale invasion in February 2022. Ushakov called the roughly three-hour meeting between Witkoff and Putin at the Kremlin "quite useful and constructive." "Our side gave certain signals about the Ukrainian issue, among other things," and "signals were received from President Trump," Ushakov, who was present at the meeting, said. In addition to the war, he said, they discussed "the prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the US and Russia." John Hardie, deputy director of the Russia Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies, was cautious about the prospect of a deal to end the war resulting from the Witkoff-Putin meeting. "We've kind of seen this movie before where Trump will threaten economic punishment if a deal isn't made by a certain deadline, and then the Russians kind of offer some empty promise or meaningless talks, and the can gets kicked down the road," Hardie told RFE/RL. "I would hope that is not going to be the case here." The potential summit was discussed in a call between Trump and Zelenskyy after Witkoff met Putin, according to media reports. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and the leaders of Britain, Germany, and Finland took part in the call, a source in Kyiv said, according to AFP. Trump said he spoke by phone with Zelenskyy and "European allies," adding that "everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work toward that in the days and weeks to come." "Our common position with our partners is absolutely clear: The war must end. It must be an honest end," Zelenskyy wrote on X of the call. What About Trump's August 8 Cease-Fire Deadline? The Kremlin meeting took place ahead of Trump's August 8 deadline for Putin to agree to a cease-fire with Kyiv or face additional tariffs aimed at reducing Russian oil revenues used to fund the war. The White House also threatened secondary measures against countries seen as helping fund Russia's war machine. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Trump will decide in the next 24 to 36 hours whether to impose the secondary sanctions. Rubio said in an interview with Fox Business that it had been a "good day," but there were still "many impediments to overcome. We have a better understanding of the conditions under which Russia would end the war, Rubio said, adding that the key elements of ending the war will be territorial. Trump Targets Russian Oil Imports In a possible sign that the White House is still pushing its August 8 deadline, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 percent tariff on India. The new import tax, effective in 21 days, will raise duties on some Indian exports to as high as 50 percent -- among the highest levied on any US trading partner. Indias External Affairs Ministry called the decision "extremely unfortunate," noting that many other countries are also importing Russian oil in their national economic interest. "India will take all necessary steps to protect its national interests," it said, adding that purchases were driven by market factors and the energy needs of India's 1.4 billion people. Trump said he would determine later whether there would be tariffs on Russia and said he might also announce tariffs on China. Trump proposed a full, extendable 30-day cease-fire in April and Ukraine agreed, but Russia effectively rejected the idea, saying it wants peace but setting several conditions that Kyiv and many in the West say are unacceptable. In addition to Ukrainian neutrality and strict limits on the size of its military, Putin has demanded that Ukraine hand Russia four regions it partially occupies and baselessly claims as its own: Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhya, and Kherson. Many analysts say that with Russian forces making persistent gains on the front lines, albeit at a huge cost, Putin wants to seize those regions in their entirety before starting any substantive talks. While few expect Russia to end or halt its war in the coming days, some analysts had predicted the Kremlin might use Witkoff's visit to try to stave off or soften the sanctions threat. Citing unnamed sources, Bloomberg News reported that Moscow was considering possible concessions that could include an offer of a pause on air strikes involving drones and missiles. "For Russia, it is now important to find certain initiatives that can help postpone Trump's deadline. And accordingly, to apply a 'salami tactic' -- slicing everything into very thin pieces and feeding Trump small victories over time," Ukrainian political analyst Oleh Saakyan told Current Time on August 6 before the Putin-Witkoff meeting. "The only question is whether Trump is ready to fall into this trap or not." Three rounds of direct Russian-Ukraine talks in Istanbul since May produced agreements on prisoner exchanges but no apparent progress toward peace, and the sides' positions remain miles apart. Trump announced on July 14 that Putin had 50 days to end the war or Russia would face severe tariffs targeting its oil and other exports, but he later moved the deadline up to August 8. JAKARTA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia will tighten restrictions and strengthen supervision on imports to safeguard domestic industries and protect consumers, Trade Minister Budi Santoso said on Wednesday. Santoso said that between January and July this year, authorities uncovered import violations involving commodities worth at least 26.4 billion Indonesian rupiahs (around 1.6 million U.S. dollars). These commodities included household goods, food, supplements, plastics, electronics, and animal products. The violations ranged from incomplete documentation to the absence of mandatory Indonesian National Standard certificates. Sanctions have been imposed on businesses found to have breached import regulations, he added. Authorities will step up monitoring to curb the entry of illegal goods, Santoso said, urging businesses to comply with existing trade provisions. The funeral details of a Roscommon woman who died after getting into difficulty while swimming in County Donegal have been announced. Maire Murray, formerly of Harold's Cross, Dublin and Croghan Road, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co Roscommon, had been swimming off the coast of Glencolmcille on Friday when the tragedy occurred. Gardai were alerted to the incident shortly after 7 p.m. Ms. Murray, who was in her 50s, was airlifted to Sligo University Hospital where she was subsequently pronounced dead. Its understood that she had had just finished a week long Irish language course at the Oideas Gael college and had been a regular visitor to the area over the past 20 years. Mary and Martin McAleese were among those who expressed their condolences online: We send our deepest condolences to all Maires family on her very sad passing. She was a sister student at Oideas Gael and so happy to be there as were we all until that fateful Friday when the sea took her so cruelly as she took her last swim of the week. It could so easily have been any one of us for the beach is so beautiful and so tempting despite its occasional dangers. The fantastic rescue teams by air, sea and land along with the comforting help of the local community and staff at Oideas Gael and the folk village will stay long in the memory of all who were there. And Maire will be remembered with great fondness and grief too. Ar dheis De go raibh a anam uasal - Mary and Martin McAleese. Ms. Murray is pre-deceased by her parents Joe and Nancy and sister-in-law Sylvia. She will be sadly missed and remembered with love by her sister Catherine [Kate] (Dublin); brothers Tomas (USA) and Kevin (Cork); sister-in-law Allie; nephew Tom, nieces Anna, Alice and Lily; her very wide circle of friends, extended family, neighbours and colleagues at St. Michael's Hospital, Dun Laoghaire. Her funeral service will take place on Friday, August 8th in Our Lady of the Rosary Church in Harold's Cross Dublin at 12 noon followed by cremation at Mount Jerome crematorium. Biofuel Policy 2025 Launched at Bihar Biofuel Dialogues 2025 Latest News Various investors appreciated the state government's policy and expressed serious interest in investing in the CBG sector. Biofuel Policy 2025 Launched at Bihar Biofuel Dialogues 2025 Latest News Patna, 5 August 2025 The Department of Industries, Government of Bihar, organized the Bihar Biofuel Dialogues 2025 at Hotel Maurya, Patna. Advertisement On this special occasion, the much-awaited Biofuel Production Promotion (Amended) Policy 2025 was formally unveiled. This policy is a visionary step towards promoting green energy in the state, encouraging the production of Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG), enhancing farmers income, and accelerating sustainable development. The official launch of the Biofuel Production Promotion (Amended) Policy 2025 took place in the esteemed presence of Honble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary and Honble Industries Minister Shri Nitish Mishra. The event commenced with the traditional lighting of the ceremonial lamp. Distinguished dignitaries present on the dais included: Advertisement * Honble Deputy Chief Minister of Bihar, Shri Samrat Choudhary * Honble Minister for Industries, Shri Nitish Mishra * Shri Mihir Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Industries * Smt. Vijay Lakshmi, Additional Chief Secretary, Department of Animal & Fishery Resources * Shri Suresh Kumar Rungta, Honble Chairman, Bihar State Entrepreneurs and Businessmen Commission * Shri Kundan Kumar, Managing Director, BIADA * Shri Sudhir Kumar Porika, DIG, Bihar Fire Services & Home Guards * Shri Mukul Kumar Gupta, Director, Industries * Shri Shekhar Anand, Director (Technical), Department of Industries * Shri Yashpal Meena, Director, Handloom & Sericulture * Shri Vijay Prakash Meena, Additional Secretary, Urban Development & Housing Department Shri Yashpal Meena, Director, Handloom & Sericulture Directorate, delivered the welcome address. This was followed by a brief presentation by Shri Mihir Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary, Industries Department, highlighting the potential of biofuelespecially CBGproduction in Bihar and the anticipated impact of the new policy. He emphasized that CBG production in Bihar will promote green energy and benefit farmers, entrepreneurs, and the environment alike. The amendments in the policy offer clear direction and incentives to investors. Honble Industries Minister Shri Nitish Mishra, in his address, stated that Bihars policy in the biofuel sector is designed to inspire innovation, investment, and enterprise. It not only showcases the states commitment to green energy but also opens new avenues for farmers. Bihar is poised to become one of the leading states in biofuel production in the near future. This policy is a significant step toward the Honble Prime Ministers vision of a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). Advertisement Honble Deputy Chief Minister Shri Samrat Choudhary emphasized the need for Bihar to focus on alternatives like CBG. He said that the time is ripe to realize the Waste to Wealth vision, which will yield economic, environmental and social benefits for the state. This policy will serve as a strong foundation for a greener Bihar in the years to come. During the Industry Speaks session, various investors appreciated the state governments policy and expressed serious interest in investing in the CBG sector. Currently, there are 12 ethanol production units operational in Bihar, with a combined production capacity of 1617.5 kilolitres per day. BIADA will lease out 25% of industrial land in designated industrial areas to Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs) and private suppliers for setting up CBG units at a rate of Rs75,000 per acre per year for 30 years. Advertisement Following this event, Bihar is expected to attract significant investments, thereby further accelerating the states economic and environmental progress. (For more news apart from Biofuel Policy 2025 Launched at 'Bihar Biofuel Dialogues 2025', stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Government's clarification on Bans on paracetamol and other common medicines, Check what's banned (Representative Image) It noted that paracetamol is not banned in India; however, its combinations with other drugs have been banned. Is Paracetamol Banned in India? Latest News The centre on Wednesday issued clarifications on rumours surrounding bans on paracetamol and other common medicines, informing that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is not in receipt of information about such rumours. The union government, in a press release, said, The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has informed that the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation is not in receipt of information about such rumours. Advertisement It noted that paracetamol is not banned in India; however, its combinations with other drugs have been banned. It has further informed that the drug Paracetamol is not banned in the country, although in the recent past various Fixed Dose Combinations, including such combinations of Paracetamol with other drugs, have been banned in the country, and the list of all such banned combinations is available on the website of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (www.cdsco.gov.in ), the press note read. The National Pharmaceutical Pricing Authority (NPPA) under the Department of Pharmaceuticals fixes and monitors the prices of drugs, including OTC drugs, under the Drugs (Prices Control) Order, 2013 (DPCO, 2013), the press said. According to the press release, the government has rolled out the Free Drugs Service Initiative under the National Health Advertisement Mission to ensure the availability of essential drugs and to reduce the direct expenditure of patients visiting the public health facilities, including government hospitals and rural primary health centres. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has recommended that each public healthcare facility should make a list of essential medicines available at the Health Centres. The information above was shared by the Union Minister of State for Chemicals and Fertilisers, Anupriya Patel, in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question on August 5. Advertisement (For more news apart from Governments Clarification On Bans On Paracetamol And Other Common Medicines, Check What's Banned , stay tuned to Rozana Spokesman.) Albuquerque, New Mexico Plane Crash in U.S. Kills 4, Investigations Underway All those who died in the incident were not from Arizona, though police have not yet publicly revealed their identities. Albuquerque, New Mexico Plane Crash in U.S. Kills 4, Investigations Underway An Arizona-based plane crash has killed four people on Tuesday, August 5 (U.S. time), The Financial Express reported. Advertisement It was a medical transport plane. All the victims who lost their lives in the crash were medical personnel, reportedly on their way to pick up a patient when the incident occurred. According to the report, the plane was registered to SCI Aviation, a medical flight service based in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The small dual-propeller plane, a Beechcraft 300, crashed around 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday near Chinle Municipal Airport. The tragedy occurred as the plane was attempting to land at the airport; it subsequently erupted into flames. Advertisement All those who died in the incident were not from Arizona, though police have not yet publicly revealed their identities. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) are investigating the incident. The cause of the crash has yet to be disclosed. Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren expressed condolences in a social media post, These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation. Advertisement We honor their service, their sacrifice, and the love they showed our communities through their work. On behalf of the Navajo Nation, I extend my deepest condolences to their families, colleagues, and all who are grieving, he added. ULAN BATOR, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At a construction site near the Green Lake in the Sukhbaatar District of Ulan Bator, capital of Mongolia, 60-year-old Tsogtsetseg stands on tiptoe, gazing at the soon-to-be-delivered apartment buildings, clutching a floor plan tightly in her hand. "Hopefully I will be able to move in soon, and I come here to check it out every few days," she told Xinhua, pointing to the area marked as "balcony" on the blueprint, her eyes shining with hope. "I plan to plant flowers here, and let my grandson run on the grassland outside. We won't have to worry anymore about leaking roofs when it rains." The new home Tsogtsetseg is looking forward to moving into is part of the "Green Lake 1,008 housing Project," a China-aided project in Mongolia being constructed by China Second Metallurgy Group Co., Ltd. Set to be delivered this month, the project aims to significantly improve living conditions for 1,008 households. "In addition to constructing residential buildings, the project simultaneously supports the development of basic infrastructure such as water and electricity supply, as well as public service facilities like community service centers, kindergartens and small green spaces, aiming for a comprehensive improvement in living conditions and convenience," Li Haofei, the project manager, told Xinhua. The "Green Lake 1,008 housing project" is one of many China-aided projects in Mongolia. In recent years, China has completed various aid projects in Mongolia, including the new International Airport highway, the Development Center for Children with Disabilities, and construction of several schools, injecting vitality into Mongolia's development. Wugenqiqig, head of the Development Center for Children with Disabilities in Mongolia, told Xinhua that over the past six years since its operation, more than 40,000 children have received treatment, with continual donations of supplies and training from China, improving the health level of disabled children. Chinese medical assistance to Mongolia has been warmly welcomed by local residents. From May 21 to 23 this year, the 2025 "Belt and Road Initiative: Brightness Journey" event was launched in Ulan Bator, with the Chinese doctors providing screening services for local cataract patients. Based on screening results, 120 eligible cataract patients from Mongolia successfully underwent successful free cataract surgeries in late June at a hospital in Erenhot, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region of China. Among them was 68-year-old Ulan Bator resident Dorjsuren. Following the surgery, his vision has improved, enabling him to watch television and read newspaper clearly. "The surgery was very successful. Once I fully recover, I'd like to visit more places in China," Dorjsuren told Xinhua. As a humanitarian cooperation initiative, the event was launched in 2019 jointly by the Red Cross Society of China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and the Red Cross Society of Mongolia. Since then, 645 Mongolians have received successful free cataract surgeries. August 6, 2025 UPDATE (1) A roundup of local and world news August 6, 2025 UPDATE (1) Newsroom, 06.08.2025, 15:32 FUNERAL Romanian citizens on Wednesday paid their last respects to the first president of post-communist Romania, Ion Iliescu (1990-1996 and 2000-2004) at the Cotroceni presidential palace. Former presidents Emil Constantinescu and Traian Basescu, in addition to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and members of his Cabinet paid hommage to the former president. Members of the diplomatic corps also came to pay their respects. Thursday will be a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of the former president. In accordance with the legal provisions in force, all central and local public institutions and authorities will fly the Romanian flag at half-mast. Also, the national flag will be flown at the headquarters of political parties, trade unions and employer organizations, educational units, cultural institutions and diplomatic missions of Romania, at border crossings, in airports, ports, train stations and bus stations, as well as on ships of any kind and on boats sailing under the Romanian flag. Radio and television stations, as well as cultural institutions will adapt their broadcasts and organize their activity accordingly on this day. Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday, at the age of 95, to lung cancer. EUROSTAT Retail trade volumes increased by 0.3% at European Union level and in the Eurozone in June, compared to the previous month, the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) announced on Wednesday. Romania is among the EU member states that reported growth (1%), along with Croatia, Sweden, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Estonia and Lithuania. Sales of food, beverages and tobacco, automotive fuels and non-food products went up. The most significant decreases were reported in France, Poland, Slovenia and Denmark. PROTEST Hundreds of teachers on Wednesday protested in front of the Ministry of Education headquarters in Bucharest for the sixth day in a row against the measures adopted by the Government to reduce the budget deficit. Protesters say the measures that severely hit education in Romania are the increase in the teaching load by two hours, the merger of hundreds of educational units, which, in their opinion, will lead to layoffs of auxiliary teaching staff and even administrative staff, and the decrease in the hourly pay rates. The teachers said they will continue to protest on Thursday, both in front of the ministry and at the headquarters of the main political parties. PROTEST Hundreds of teachers on Wednesday protested in front of the Ministry of Education headquarters in Bucharest for the sixth day in a row against the measures adopted by the Government to reduce the budget deficit. Protesters say the measures that severely hit education in Romania are the increase in the teaching load by two hours, the merger of hundreds of educational units, which, in their opinion, will lead to layoffs of auxiliary teaching staff and even administrative staff, and the decrease in the hourly pay rates. The teachers said they will continue to protest on Thursday, both in front of the ministry and at the headquarters of the main political parties. WILDFIRES Romanian firefighters on mission in Greece were deployed, on Wednesday, to strategic points in the Nea Makri area (southeast), where the risk of forest wildfires remains high. The crews will be able to ensure a rapid and efficient response in the event of an outbreak, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations reports. Until September 15, 40 Romanian firefighters, along with eight technical means, are taking part in joint European civil protection efforts in support of Greek authorities, together with intervention teams from Austria, Czechia, France, the Republic of Moldova and Bulgaria. (DB & VP) August 6, 2025 UPDATE (2) A roundup of local and world news August 6, 2025 UPDATE (2) Newsroom, 06.08.2025, 20:00 FUNERAL Romanian citizens on Wednesday paid their last respects to the first president of post-communist Romania, Ion Iliescu (1990-1996 and 2000-2004) at the Cotroceni presidential palace. Former presidents Emil Constantinescu and Traian Basescu, in addition to Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan and members of his Cabinet paid hommage to the former president. Members of the diplomatic corps also came to pay their respects. Thursday will be a day of national mourning in Romania in memory of the former president. In accordance with the legal provisions in force, all central and local public institutions and authorities will fly the Romanian flag at half-mast. Also, the national flag will be flown at the headquarters of political parties, trade unions and employer organizations, educational units, cultural institutions and diplomatic missions of Romania, at border crossings, in airports, ports, train stations and bus stations, as well as on ships of any kind and on boats sailing under the Romanian flag. Radio and television stations, as well as cultural institutions will adapt their broadcasts and organize their activity accordingly on this day. Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday, at the age of 95, to lung cancer. MEASURES Representatives of the ruling coalition continue their assessment of the second package of measures aimed at curbing Romanias budget deficit. The reform of the local administration by cutting staff expenses and improving tax collection or investment are only a couple of the measures discussed both at the level of the Executive and the ruling coalition. The package also includes a reform of state institutions, proposals for combating tax evasion and improving the activity of the states fiscal authority. The Executive is also focusing on ways of improving access to European funds. Concurrently, talks on completing the bill on raising the retirement age for magistrates and reducing their pension quantum are expected to continue. EUROSTAT Retail trade volumes increased by 0.3% at European Union level and in the Eurozone in June, compared to the previous month, the European Statistical Office (Eurostat) announced on Wednesday. Romania is among the EU member states that reported growth (1%), along with Croatia, Sweden, Malta, Portugal, Spain, Estonia and Lithuania. Sales of food, beverages and tobacco, automotive fuels and non-food products went up. The most significant decreases were reported in France, Poland, Slovenia and Denmark. PROTEST Hundreds of teachers on Wednesday protested in front of the Ministry of Education headquarters in Bucharest for the sixth day in a row against the measures adopted by the Government to reduce the budget deficit. Protesters say the measures that severely hit education in Romania are the increase in the teaching load by two hours, the merger of hundreds of educational units, which, in their opinion, will lead to layoffs of auxiliary teaching staff and even administrative staff, and the decrease in the hourly pay rates. The teachers said they will continue to protest on Thursday, both in front of the ministry and at the headquarters of the main political parties. WILDFIRES Romanian firefighters on mission in Greece were deployed, on Wednesday, to strategic points in the Nea Makri area (southeast), where the risk of forest wildfires remains high. The crews will be able to ensure a rapid and efficient response in the event of an outbreak, the General Inspectorate for Emergency Situations reports. Until September 15, 40 Romanian firefighters, along with eight technical means, are taking part in joint European civil protection efforts in support of Greek authorities, together with intervention teams from Austria, Czechia, France, the Republic of Moldova and Bulgaria. (DB & VP) Reactions to former president Ion Iliescus passing Former president Iona Iliescu passed away on Tuesday, aged 95. Ion Iliescu (1930-2025) / Foto: Agerpres Corina Cristea, 06.08.2025, 14:00 The news of the passing of the first president of democratic Romania, Ion Iliescu, came as little surprise. At the age of 95, the former head of state had been treated in a hospital in Bucharest for two months, being diagnosed with lung cancer. A controversial politician, Ion Iliescu led the country for 11 years, playing a decisive role in steering it towards the EU and NATO after managing to convince all political parties to support it. Nevertheless, Ion Iliescu, a former prominent member of the Communist Party, who later fell into Nicolae Ceausescus disgrace, is at the same time accused by some historians of having created, together with the National Salvation Front, which he founded immediately after the dictators fall, an atmosphere of chaos that allowed them to seize power and which caused casualties on the streets. That is because, although Ceausescu was in the custody of the army, over 800 people had been shot dead until the day of the dictators execution. At the same time, Ion Iliescu is accused of crimes against humanity for the violent repression of peaceful student protests against the government in the 1990s, the famous miners riots, which resulted in deaths and hundreds of injuries, hampered Romanias transition to a market economy and discouraged the much-needed foreign investment for many years. Beyond lights and shadows, after his death, personalities of Romanian public life sent messages of condolences. A prominent personality of recent history, Ion Iliescu, the first president of the democratic Romania, had a major contribution in defining moments for the destiny of Romanians, such as joining NATO and the EU, said the interim president of the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Sorin Grindeanu. The National Liberal Party (PNL) also says that Ion Iliescu was an important personality of the post-1989 politics and the first democratically elected president after 1989, and that his activity influenced significant moments in the countrys recent history. In turn, the president of the Save Romania Union (USR), Dominic Fritz, emphasizes the role that Ion Iliescu had in Romanias strategic orientation towards NATO and the EU, but, at the same time, he emphasizes that we cannot overlook the suffering of those who paid with blood for the right to freedom and democracy during the revolution and the miners riots. In a message posted on the Facebook page of the Presidential Administration, Romanian President Nicusor Dan says that history will judge Ion Iliescu, the central figure of the transition of the 1990s. He also says that it is our obligation to shed light on the big cases of the era in order to move forward responsibly. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan also points out that Iliescus passing is the end of a significant stage in the countrys recent history, marked by the post-communist transition and essential transformations in public life. Ion Iliescu now enters history and its rightful analysis, Bolojans message says. Former presidents Emil Constantinescu, Traian Basescu and Klaus Iohannis also sent messages of condolence. (EE) Wednesday, MasterBrand, Inc. (MBC) has agreed to merge with American Woodmark Corp. (AMWD) in an all-stock deal, forming a combined company of an enterprise value of $3.6 billion. As per the deal, American Woodmark shareholders will receive 5.150 shares of MasterBrand common stock for each share of the company's stock owned. Notably, MasterBrand and American Woodmark shareholders will own approximately 63 percent and 37 percent of the combined company, respectively, on a fully diluted basis. The deal expects the combined entity, to be led by Dave Banyard, to provide a broader product portfolio across expanded channels, advance its innovation capabilities, and create exciting opportunities for team members. Upon closing of the deal, expected in early 2026, American Woodmark will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of MasterBrand. Currently, MBC is moving up 4.74 percent, to $11.86 on the New York Stock Exchange. For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com Business News Olwethu Ncapayi is a TikTok content creator known for his Xhosa comedy skits, often impersonating his parents and depicting relatable scenarios from growing up in a Xhosa household. By: Mo Senne (Senior Communications Officer) Have you ever wondered what it takes to transform everyday moments into digital gold, captivating an audience of hundreds of thousands while excelling in academia and mentoring the next generation? Look no further than Olwethu Ncapayi, a true embodiment of passion meeting perseverance. From humble beginnings in a vibrant Eastern Cape city to digital stardom and a thriving career in media, Olwethu's journey is a powerful testament to the impact of dedication, creativity, and an unyielding commitment to purpose. As a dynamic media professional, award-winning content creator, writer, and skilled camera operator and video editor, Olwethu's story is precisely why he is our first feature for #BOSSMondays, designed to inspire students to reach their extraordinary heights. Olwethu, 22 years old and born on October 19th, hails from the small yet vibrant city of Grahamstown (now Makhanda) in the Eastern Cape. Currently in his final year at Rhodes University, he is pursuing a double major in Journalism and Media Studies (specialising in TV) and African Languages. His academic path is as impressive as his creative one. Olwethus story is one of unwavering determination. He was part of the extended studies class 2022, coordinated by Ms. Judith Reynolds, a programme that helped pave the way to university. Having completed his first major in Journalism and Media Studies last year, he is now focusing on his second major in African Languages [isiXhosa MT]. Before his university journey, Olwethu attended Khutliso Daniel Senior Secondary School, where he matriculated in 2020 with the honour of serving as the school president. Despite achieving a bachelors pass, his APS score was not initially sufficient for university admission. However, Olwethu refused to let this setback define his dreams. He enrolled with GADRA Education in 2021 to upgrade his results, a crucial step that ultimately opened the doors to his university journey. This early display of resilience is a powerful lesson for all aspiring students: never give up on your aspirations. Growing up, Olwethu was fortunate to have a supportive family that instilled strong values of faith, salvation, and perseverance principles that continue to guide him today. His childhood, though typical, had a significant influence: television. He spent countless hours watching TV, a pastime that nurtured his innate passion for storytelling and the arts, profoundly shaping his career aspirations. This passion led him to Journalism and Media Studies, a field he chose because it was the closest path to pursuing his love for storytelling while challenging norms, stereotypes, and societal expectations. Olwethu is deeply passionate about using media for social change, believing it holds the immense power to break down barriers and tell the stories that truly matter. Olwethu has truly harnessed this power. With a strong social media presence of over 800,000 followers and a distinct creative voice, he has produced high-quality, culturally grounded content across various platforms. His work transforms everyday moments into innovative, informative, and entertaining pieces, spanning studio and field production, documentary filmmaking, animation, student media reporting, and podcast hosting. He has collaborated with well-known and national media outlets, and his work has been featured on News24 and in interviews by DRUM Magazine, where he shared insights on content creation and youth social issues. His talent has also been recognised by and featured on media outlets such as Daily Dispatch, Herald News, Feel SA (e.tv news), Tru-FM, and Umhlobo Wenene FM. Olwethu is particularly known for his TikTok comedy skits, where he often imitates his parents and depicts relatable scenarios from growing up in a Xhosa household. The inspiration behind these characters stems from his deep passion for storytelling, aiming to recount the narratives of everyday individuals and magnify the authentic, unembellished moments drawn from his own life experiences and observations. He performs various scenarios using a diverse cast of characters, including: The Xhosa Mum (Maka Sablela): Olwethu highlights the unique and often dramatic nature of Xhosa homes, showcasing how mothers react to different situations with intensity, humour, and unexplainable flair. He illustrates how love and care are expressed in these households in a way that, while not universally understood, deeply resonates with those who have lived similar experiences. Olwethu highlights the unique and often dramatic nature of Xhosa homes, showcasing how mothers react to different situations with intensity, humour, and unexplainable flair. He illustrates how love and care are expressed in these households in a way that, while not universally understood, deeply resonates with those who have lived similar experiences. The Son (Sablela/Siya/Siyabulela): The relatable figure navigating the dynamics of a Xhosa household. The relatable figure navigating the dynamics of a Xhosa household. The Dad (Max): In "The Dad Series," Olwethu embodies the quintessential Xhosa dad or uncle who speaks English with panache, claims omniscience, and is always eager to impart wisdom or share a story. This character frequently references his pasthaving studied mathematics and science and played rugbyand insists on maintaining his youthful vigour, much to the comedic exasperation of the mum, who constantly urges him to mature. This dynamic brings both humour and a sense of realism to the series. In "The Dad Series," Olwethu embodies the quintessential Xhosa dad or uncle who speaks English with panache, claims omniscience, and is always eager to impart wisdom or share a story. This character frequently references his pasthaving studied mathematics and science and played rugbyand insists on maintaining his youthful vigour, much to the comedic exasperation of the mum, who constantly urges him to mature. This dynamic brings both humour and a sense of realism to the series. Anelisa (Siyas Girlfriend): A relatively new addition to Olwethu's character roster, featured in "You Are Dating That One Girl." While drawing from personal inspiration, Olwethu prefers to keep the specifics veiled, encouraging audience speculation. Viewers have formed various assumptions: some perceive Siya as nonchalant, dating Anelisa for financial gain and taking advantage of her, while others see Anelisa as a "delusional" girlfriend who overlooks obvious red flags and continues to believe in Siyas good intentions, even when others find them questionable. Beyond his creative pursuits, Olwethu is also a dedicated academic. For two consecutive years, he has served as a University Tutor in the School of Journalism at Rhodes University, where he has mentored and supported first-year students. He blends his academic insight with practical industry experience, providing weekly tutorials, one-on-one academic assistance, and group study sessions tailored to diverse learning needs. He marks assignments, offers detailed feedback, and designs lesson plans to enhance course comprehension. Furthermore, Olwethu contributes to the Universitys Communications & Marketing Unit in the Division of Communications & Advancement, where he is involved in institutional storytelling, visual media coverage, and strategic brand communication. His combined education and digital media expertise positions him as a versatile and impactful figure across academic and creative spheres, committed to redefining representation and empowering communities through critical and creative thinking. Olwethus journey, marked by his resilience in overcoming academic hurdles, his unwavering passion for storytelling, and his commitment to using media for social good, makes him an undeniable #BOSSMondays inspiration. He is a shining example of how dedication, talent, and a strong sense of purpose can lead to remarkable achievements. Nominate a BOSS Student here. Rhodes University student representatives at Siyaphumelela 2025. [L-R] Omphulusa Nengwekhulu, Thembelani Chili, Makgotso Mcwabeni, and Nokuphila Khanyile Rhodes University isnt just talking about student success; its actively shaping it. A high-level delegation, along with academic development staff and student representatives, recently attended the Siyaphumelela conference a vital national initiative focused on broadening evidence-based strategies for postsecondary student success across South Africa. The Siyaphumelela (We Succeed) Student Success Network Conference brought together over 450 attendees and featured more than 120 presentations, all aimed at improving student outcomes in South African higher education. As an official partner, Rhodes University actively contributes to this initiatives mission to foster a student-centred culture and enhance institutional capacity to collect and use student data effectively. The initiatives collaborative network strives to expand these efforts nationwide. Rhodes Universitys delegation included Vice-Chancellor Professor Sizwe Mabizela, Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs Professor 'Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Director of Student Services and Development Dr Pakiso Tondi, the Rhodes University Centre for Higher Education Research, Teaching and Learning (CHERTL) Student Academic Development Team (Kelly Vorster, Tracy Kitchen, Yanela Ndabula, and Nichola van der Poel), and four student representatives: Makgotso Mcwabeni, Nokuphila Khanyile, Thembelani Chili, and Omphulusa Nengwekhulu. The full participation of these students highlighted the Universitys unwavering commitment to student-centred approaches. Both the Vice-Chancellor and Deputy Vice-Chancellor contributed to engaging panel discussions, while the CHERTL team presented two papers showcasing key projects underway at Rhodes University. These included faculty-based and learning literacy toolkits, and Rhodes Universitys impactful Mentoring Programmes. Conference highlights featured keynote addresses by Dr Tim Renick from the University of Georgia and Andrew Magliozzi from Mainstay, alongside dynamic panels with Deputy Vice-Chancellors from various institutions. A particularly moving element was the recital of I am poems by Siyaphumelela scholars, adding a personal and powerful dimension to the conference. Delegates also enjoyed a cocktail evening with performances by Steel, the Poet, and Dr Diana Ferris, fostering networking and collegiality. For the Rhodes University delegation, two key messages stood out: the paramount importance of incorporating the student voice in all initiatives, and the resonant reminder: Separately, you will go faster. Together, we will go further. These insights will continue to inform Rhodes Universitys dedicated commitment to student success. Professor Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Rhodes University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs, celebrated SWEEP launch as a landmark moment - a critical bridge between classroom learning and real-world economic engagement [PHOTO CREDIT: Tito Hermans] By: Ephreeda Banda Marking the start of Women's Month in South Africa, Rhodes University officially launched its Student Women Economic Empowerment Programme (SWEEP) in the Eastern Cape. This initiative is a robust response to persistent inequalities in economic participation, and it arrives at a time when the need for targeted support for women is more critical than ever. The programme, run in partnership with the University's Career Centre and the Division of Student Services and Development, aims to bolster economic agency among women students through targeted support in leadership, entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and career development. It is a movement that addresses women's complex challenges in South Africa's social and cultural landscape and celebrates their potential as future leaders and innovators. SWEEP is significant because it is not merely a local initiative. It forms part of a national movement under Universities South Africa (USAf), operating within the Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE) programme. This national footprint gives the Rhodes University chapter immense weight, connecting it to a broader support network and shared purpose. The SWEEP programme was born at Nelson Mandela University in 2022 and has since spread remarkably, establishing 17 university chapters nationwide. Each chapter is committed to nurturing a sisterhood of economically empowered young women. The Rhodes University launch, therefore, signals the deepening of this national movement within the Eastern Cape, highlighting the University's steadfast dedication to gender equity and student entrepreneurship. The launch event brought together a diverse audience, reflecting the programme's wide-reaching impact. The audience included Rhodes University students, university leadership, representatives from sister SWEEP chapters at other universities, and local community partners. The atmosphere was one of shared purpose and a collective understanding that economic empowerment is not simply about offering equal opportunities. Instead, it requires acknowledging the uneven playing field many women face, barriers shaped by history, culture, finance, and systemic exclusion. This was the central message and the heart of the launch's keynote address, delivered by Dr. Edwell Gumbo, Director of Entrepreneurship Development in Higher Education (EDHE). The theme, "Equality vs Equity: Women in Economic Participation," framed the entire event and provided a crucial lens through which to view the programme's mission. Dr. Gumbo reminded attendees that entrepreneurship cannot be treated as a race where everyone begins at the same starting line. He detailed the challenges facing women entrepreneurs in South Africa: they remain underrepresented in high-growth sectors, grapple with limited access to capital, and are often sidelined from the networks where opportunities flourish. The challenge, he argued, is not about women's capabilities, but about opening access to the structures that support success. As Dr. Gumbo explained, SWEEP is designed to close this equity gap. It focuses on capacity building, networking, and visibility, ensuring women have the skills, connections, and advocacy needed to thrive in their entrepreneurial journeys. This deliberate and targeted approach sets SWEEP apart and makes it vital. Tailoring Support to Lived Realities The University's leadership echoed this profound commitment to inclusive economic participation. Professor Mabokang Monnapula-Mapesela, Rhodes University's Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Academic and Student Affairs, celebrated the launch as a landmark moment. She underscored the University's role in nurturing students who are not only intellectually curious but also socially conscious leaders. For Professor Monnapula-Mapesela, SWEEP is a critical bridge between classroom learning and real-world economic engagement. It helps students envision a future where their ideas and leadership can create sustainable social impact, linking academic theory to practical application. The discussion at the launch was a deep dive into the practicalities of equity. Professor Tshidi Mohapeloa, Director of the Rhodes University Centre for Entrepreneurship Rapid Incubator (CfERI) and Chair of EDHE, highlighted the importance of tailoring support to the "lived realities of women students". She stressed that generic interventions cannot dismantle systemic financial, technological, or social barriers. Instead, intentional, context-sensitive support is essential. This means advocating for comprehensive policies, equal access to technology, and opportunities designed to empower women on their terms. SWEEP, she explained, embodies this vision by fostering a sisterhood that uplifts through solidarity and shared purpose. Ms. Karen Synman, Specialist Student Entrepreneurship at Nelson Mandela University, further illuminated the origins and rapid growth of the SWEEP movement. Reflecting on the programme's inception, Ms. Synman explained how recognising historical exclusion spurred the creation of SWEEP. She elaborated on the distinction between equality and equity, noting that equality "fails to account for the deep-rooted barriers women face" - barriers such as Apartheid legacies, patriarchal norms, and economic marginalisation. Conversely, equity recognises these challenges and "seeks to level the ground with deliberate, targeted support ". The rapid expansion of SWEEP chapters across South Africa is a powerful testament to the urgent need for and widespread commitment to this equitable approach. Redefining Success, Reshaping Culture This vision of transformation extends beyond mere numbers and programmes. Dr. Claire Kelly, Rhodes University's Director for Equity and Institutional Culture, challenged attendees to rethink what success truly means. She argued that inclusion is not simply about presence but about "reshaping policies, cultures, and systems" so that women can lead authentically and without hindrance. She emphasised that starting from the undergraduate level, dismantling patriarchal stereotypes is key to creating environments where women do not just participate, but innovate and influence. SWEEP drives these cultural shifts within higher education and beyond. Planting Seeds of Change The launch concluded on an inspiring and hopeful note, with reflections from Mrs. Milisa Mamase, the SWEEP Rhodes University Chapter Chairperson, and Mr. Thobani Mesani, SWEEP Rhodes University Chapter Coordinator. Their words celebrated the programme as a "seed planted", a beginning that promises growth in empowerment, sisterhood, and opportunity. This promise has already begun to bear fruit. The Rhodes University chapter has extended its impact into the wider Makhanda community, mentoring Grade 7 girls from C.E. Vellem Primary School and igniting aspirations early. This community engagement demonstrates the practical, on-the-ground impact that SWEEP is committed to achieving. The SWEEP launch at Rhodes University was far more than a formal event. It was a powerful reaffirmation of the institution's commitment to inclusive innovation and social justice. It served as a vital recognition that the economic future of South Africa depends on ensuring women have not only the right to participate but also the resources to thrive and lead. As Women's Month inspires reflection and action, SWEEP stands as a living testament to the power of equity-driven change. With the proper support, the seeds planted at Rhodes will grow into a landscape where women shape the economy, their communities, and the nation's future on equal footing and with unwavering confidence. This initiative is a beacon of hope and a blueprint for a more equitable and prosperous South Africa. LILONGWE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Parliament of Malawi on Tuesday reconvened and amended an electoral law to ensure that all eligible citizens, including those assigned to duty on election day, can cast their votes. The country's 2019-2025 Parliament was initially dissolved on July 22 by National Assembly Speaker Catherine Gotani Hara, in line with constitutional provisions for an election year. On July 27, President Lazarus Chakwera, through his constitutional powers, ordered Parliament to reconvene on Aug. 5 to make the amendment, as the previous state of the law had restricted voters from casting their ballots at centers other than their registered polling place. After a heated debate, the Malawian Parliament passed an amendment to the law, allowing eligible Malawians, including security officers, Malawi Electoral Commission (MEC) officers, and other officials assigned to electoral duties on voting day, to vote at the center where they will be deployed. According to MEC, up to 80,000 eligible voters could have been deprived of their right to vote if the law remained unamended. Over 20 presidential hopefuls are competing in Malawi's Sept. 16 general elections, whose campaign was officially launched by the country's electoral body on July 14. Chakwera of the Malawi Congress Party is being challenged by two former presidents, Peter Mutharika and Joyce Banda. Other challengers include Michael Usi, current vice president, and Dalitso Kabambe, former governor of the Reserve Bank of Malawi. A total of 7.2 million Malawians are expected to cast votes on Sept. 16. Under the electoral law adopted following the 2020 rerun presidential election, the winner must secure 50 percent plus one vote to claim victory. HELSINKI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Swedish telecom operator Tele2 announced plans on Wednesday to establish a new joint venture aimed at accelerating the rollout of mobile and 5G services across the Baltic region. The new venture will own and operate approximately 2,700 tower and rooftop sites across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, significantly boosting digital connectivity and infrastructure in the region. The new company will be based in Lithuania and formed through a 50/50 equity partnership between Tele2 and Global Communications Infrastructure LLC (GCI), a telecom tower platform backed by Manulife Investment Management (Manulife IM). According to Tele2, this initiative marks the establishment of the first pan-Baltic tower company. The transaction values the new venture at 560 million euros (651.36 million U.S. dollars) on a debt-free basis, Tele2 confirmed. Under a 20-year Master Service Agreement (MSA), Tele2 will act as the anchor tenant, ensuring long-term, stable access to critical telecom infrastructure. The joint venture will play a central role in strengthening mobile network coverage and supporting the sustained rollout of next-generation services. Beyond the management of existing sites, both Tele2 and GCI have committed to a 10-year investment plan focused on building new infrastructure throughout the Baltic states. This initiative aims to improve network reach, reliability, and resilience, addressing rising consumer and enterprise demand. The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and is expected to be completed in early 2026. Manulife IM, the global asset management division of Manulife Financial Corporation, manages GCI on behalf of institutional clients. GCI specializes in global investments in telecom infrastructure, with a focus on mobile tower assets. (1 euro = 1.16 U.S. dollars) KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Malayan Banking Bhd (Maybank), Malaysia's leading financial services group, has said that it has entered into a strategic partnership with U.S. tech firm Microsoft to accelerate its digital transformation. Maybank said in a statement that this will see the bank embracing the power of Microsoft's collaboration suite, cloud, AI, and security capabilities to drive customer centricity, enhance operational agility, and foster a culture of continued innovation. The partnership is for a value of approximately 1 billion ringgit (240 million U.S. dollars) over five years, which will include the upgrade of existing capabilities to Microsoft 365. The partnership will explore the establishment of a Center of Excellence for both companies to collaborate on developing cloud and artificial intelligence (AI)-powered innovation, and in nurturing in-house talents in these areas. The partnership will also cover Maybank's presence across ASEAN and beyond, and further underscores Maybank's commitment to drive digitalization and AI adoption in ASEAN. NEW DELHI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump has threatened to "substantially" increase the U.S. tariffs on Indian imports over its "massive" purchase of Russian oil, while India's foreign ministry vowed to "take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," deepening the trade rift between the two countries. Some Indian experts believe that the recent threats and tariffs from Trump are bargaining measures aimed at securing a trade deal with India that is favorable to the U.S. In an earlier social media post, Trump said India's trade barriers were the "most strenuous and obnoxious." Calling India a "dead economy," Trump said the U.S. will impose a 25 percent tariff on Indian imports starting from Aug. 1, and warned of additional "penalties" for New Delhi's purchase of Russian weapons and energy. India's Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a press conference on Friday that the India-Russia relationship is "stable and time-tested" and "should not be viewed through the prism of a third country." The New York Times quoted two unnamed senior Indian officials on Saturday as saying there had been no change in Indian government policy regarding oil imports from Russia. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has taken a defiant stance against Trump's tariff warnings, encouraging people to buy locally made products. He also said India is positioned to become the world's third-largest economy, so it must remain vigilant in terms of economic interests. HEAD-TO-HEAD India and the U.S. have been locked in negotiations over a trade deal to reduce Trump's tariffs, but have yet to agree on a pact, even though New Delhi has cut tariffs on several U.S. imports. A key sticking point is agriculture and dairy products, where India has long imposed high tariffs to protect its farm sector, which represents about half of the country's population. Meanwhile, Trump's previous pledge to bring the Russia-Ukraine conflict to a quick end has reached an impasse. Recently, the Trump administration has been trying to force Moscow to compromise by restricting Russian oil and gas exports. Michael Kugelman, a South Asia expert at the U.S.-based Wilson Center, said Trump "also wants India to buy (even) more (and pricier) American oil." Experts said the Trump administration's latest anti-India rant was not surprising, as it has treated U.S. allies such as Japan and Canada with hostility to advance its own interests. Some pointed out that the U.S. side, by ratcheting up the pressure on India, was also intimidating other trading partners that have not yet reached agreements with the U.S. For India, Russia has historically been India's primary weapons supplier, and the two countries have enjoyed a close relationship for decades. In recent years, cheap Russian oil has helped India establish a lucrative business exporting refined products. Moreover, Modi faces domestic pressure not to concede to Trump's demands, emphasizing India's economic priorities and urging citizens to support locally made products, experts said. Driven by fast growth in recent years, India is on path to become world's fourth-largest economy in 2025, overtaking Japan, according to data from the International Monetary Fund. TIES UNDER STRAIN It was a different picture in February, when Modi was among the first world leaders to visit the White House after Trump returned to office. The bonhomie did not last long. Since then, the relationship between India and the U.S. has been on a slippery slope, facing one of its most significant challenges in decades, according to some experts. Robinder Sachdev, president of the New Delhi-based think tank and research center Imagindia Institute, said that in the past six months, the mentality in India toward the U.S. is changing, with more intense dislikes and worries about the reliability of the U.S. and the Trump administration. The bromance between the U.S. and Pakistan also raised eyebrows in India. According to a Guardian report, the two countries have recently signed deals on cryptocurrency, mining, and oil. Trump hosted Pakistan's army chief, Field Marshal Asim Munir, for lunch in the White House. Kugelman said U.S. relations with Pakistan have experienced "unexpected resurgence," adding that the sudden change signalled a serious challenge for New Delhi, given Washington and India had seen a deepening strategic partnership over the last two decades. "Amid a worsening U.S.-India malaise, it's worth remembering that there is no U.S. ambassador in New Delhi and no confirmed assistant secretary of state for South Asia in D.C.," Kugelman said in a post on social media. Indian political scientist Pratap Bhanu Mehta said suspicions towards the U.S. in New Delhi now resembled those of 1971, one of the lowest points of the India-U.S. relationship due to a major military conflict between India and Pakistan. "The damage is already done," said Mehta. "No matter what deal they come to now, distrust of the U.S. is only going to continue to skyrocket." WASHINGTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump's administration will first require visa applicants from Zambia and Malawi, two African countries, to pay bonds of up to 15,000 U.S. dollars for some tourist and business visas, the State Department said on Tuesday. "Starting August 20, 2025, any citizen or national traveling on a passport issued by one of these countries who is found otherwise eligible for a B1/B2 visa must post a bond in amounts of 5,000, 10,000, or 15,000 U.S. dollars, determined at time of visa interview," the State Department said in a notice on its website. This requirement is part of a pilot program scheduled to begin Aug. 20 and last until Aug. 5, 2026. It will apply to nationals from certain foreign countries applying for B-1 or B-2 visas for business or tourist travel to the United States. These visas usually allow for a maximum stay of six months, though extensions are permitted in some cases. The list of countries may be amended throughout the program, according to the notice. "This requirement applies regardless of place of application," said the notice, adding that "a bond does not guarantee visa issuance, and if any individual pays fees without being directed to do so by a consular officer, that money will not be returned." BEIJING, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- China is willing to work with Brazil to continually deepen cooperation in various fields and add more strategic dimensions to the China-Brazil community with a shared future, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Wednesday. Guo made the remarks when answering a relevant question at a regular press conference. Guo said that under the strategic guidance of the two heads of state, the building of the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet has yielded fruitful outcomes. The mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between China and Brazil has benefited the two peoples, promoted the modernization process of each country, and become a model of major developing countries working together for solidarity and cooperation, Guo noted. "China is willing to work with Brazil to continually deepen cooperation in various fields and add more strategic dimensions to the China-Brazil community with a shared future," said Guo. China has allocated disaster relief funds totaling 1.015 billion yuan (about 142 million U.S. dollars) to multiple provincial-level regions, the Ministry of Finance (MOF) said on Tuesday. #XinhuaNews China proposes rules to enhance oversight of food retail chains Xinhua) 08:45, August 06, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China's top market regulator has recently drafted a set of new rules to strengthen food safety oversight of food retail chains, and is soliciting public opinions. These rules clarify the power and responsibilities of regulators at all levels, while specifying risk prevention requirements and legal liabilities, according to the draft unveiled by the State Administration for Market Regulation. Specifically, the headquarters of food retail chains will be overseen by provincial-level regulatory authorities, while their branches and outlets will be regulated by city- and county-level regulators, respectively. The headquarters must intensify oversight of key processes such as personnel management, purchasing and delivery, the draft states. It also emphasizes the timely prevention and control of risks and hidden dangers. According to the draft, all food retail chains must establish a dynamic mechanism for food safety risk management that covers the entire supply chain, including headquarters, branches, warehouses, delivery centers and outlets. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) VILNIUS, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Approximately 30 Lithuanian hotels have joined a growing class action lawsuit against the international online booking platform Booking.com, as more than 10,000 hotels across Europe seek compensation for financial losses allegedly caused by the platform's controversial "best price" clause, Lithuanian business news portal vz.lt reported on Wednesday. Egle Lizaityte, executive director of the Association of Lithuanian Restaurants and Hotels, confirmed that the Lithuanian participants joined the legal initiative at the end of July. She noted that the deadline for hotels to become part of the lawsuit has been extended to Aug.29. The class action is being coordinated under the auspices of the European Association of Hotels, Restaurants, and Cafes (HOTREC). According to HOTREC, Booking.com's longstanding price parity clause, which has been in effect for the past two decades, has restricted hotels from offering lower prices on their own websites. This has not only inflated commissions payable to the platform but also reduced competition in the online travel agency (OTA) market. The legal claims are supported by a landmark ruling from the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) issued in September 2024. The CJEU found that such parity clauses violate EU competition law, lending significant legal weight to the case against Booking.com. Lizaityte stated that the class action lawsuit will be filed in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, where Booking.com is headquartered. In 2014, after graduating high school, Whitney Ponwith decided to take some time before going to college. I had a few adverse years after high school and needed time before I was ready for college, she said. Her decision paid off. The time gave me the confidence to make a meaningful difference in the world. When I decided to go back to college, I made it a goal of mine to inspire the younger generations in the world of science. Outreach events sponsored by Mines have given me the platform to make a difference today, and my studies are giving me the platform to make a difference tomorrow, she said. Now a graduate student in South Dakota Mines accelerated biomedical engineering program, Ponwith is conducting impactful research and has earned one of the nations most prestigious honors for young scientists: a National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship. This program recognizes outstanding graduate students who have demonstrated the potential to be high-achieving scientists and engineers early in their careers and are pursuing a full-time research-based master's and doctoral degrees in STEM or STEM education. The fellowship provides three years of financial support over a five-year period. The purpose of the GRFP is to help ensure the quality, vitality and strength of the scientific and engineering workforce of the United States. I was so excited, Ponwith said after hearing she had been one of 1,000 recipients. I feel very honored to have received the fellowship. GRFP is a competitive program with only a small percentage of the more than 13,000 applications accepted. With federal budget cuts to the NSF, this years pool was cut in half. Ponwiths research focuses on improving wound healing through electrospun nanofiber scaffoldsa process that uses an electric charge to spin fine fibers from a polymer solution. Its like spinning cotton candy but on a nano level, she said. Shes creating a unique coaxial, core-shell fiber using PCL in the core and PLGA in the shell, with the shell functionalized by HA-binding peptides that attract hyaluronic acid to the site. By comparing how neonatal and adult fibroblastsskin cellsinteract with these fibers, Ponwith aims to better understand age-related differences in healing. Her work has broad potential in regenerative medicine, offering pathways toward scarless healing, reducing painful internal scarring from surgeries or implants, and even contributing to anti-aging therapies. I also plan to build on this work by creating a parabiosis-inspired bioengineered culture system that exposes aging or senescent cells to an environment shaped by neonatal fibroblasts, she said. The goal is to see whether this process can shift cell behavior toward a more functional, regenerative state. She credits Drs. Tugba Ozdemir, Steve Smith, and Brandon Scott from the Department of Nanoscience and Biomedical Engineering for their guidance and mentorship over the years. The support, mentorship, and opportunities Ive received at Mines have been truly invaluable, she said. Ponwith has been working in Ozdemirs lab since January 2023. She has been working very hard on her project and so far is making great progress, Ozdemir said. I am delighted to see her successes. Ponwith has five years to use her funding, so she plans to finish her masters this spring and use the three years toward expanding her research and earning her doctorate what shell do after that, she is still contemplating. I can see myself staying in academia. I love mentoring, and I do a lot of outreach at Mines, she said. But also, it would be really cool to go into research or work in industry, bringing what you do in the lab into reality. Whatever path she chooses, Ponwith is ready to make a difference by turning her ground-breaking research into a real-world impact. NEOMED's new Bitonte College of Dentistry will embed dental students in Ohio communities to improve access and address shortages in rural and urban oral health care. NEOMED The Bitonte College of Dentistry will launch its inaugural class with 52 students. NEOMED Bitonte College of Dentistry emphasizes care access in underserved northeastern Ohio communities. NEOMED Bitonte College of Dentistry features a strong focus on hands-on training. NEOMED In their first two years, Bitonte dental students train in campus clinics and labs. HOUSTON, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Donald Trump said Tuesday that the FBI "may have to" help arrest and bring back more than 50 Texas Democratic lawmakers who are staying out of the state to deny a quorum needed for the state Republicans to enact a new redistricting plan into law. Earlier on Tuesday, Republican Senator John Cornyn of Texas called on the FBI to help locate and arrest these absent Democrats. Asked by reporters on this issue, Trump said, "They may have to." Also on Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced his petition to the state Supreme Court seeking the removal from office of Gene Wu, one of the top Democrats in the state House of Representatives. "Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences," Abbott said in a statement. Firing back, Wu accused Abbott of using "the law as a weapon to silence his people." Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, also a veteran Republican, asked the state's highest court to hold on ruling on Abbott's petition until Friday, the date Texas state House Speaker Dustin Burrows said he will try to establish a quorum for the third time. The current congressional map in Texas was drawn in 2021, with Republicans having 25 seats out of Texas's 38. Pushed by the White House, Texas Republicans proposed new congressional lines last week to divide up existing districts in Austin, Houston and Dallas in a bid to garner five more seats. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his support for the redistricting plan, claiming that Republicans are "entitled to five more seats" in the 2026 midterm elections in Texas, the largest red state in the country. At a news conference on Tuesday, Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin reiterated his vow to "fight fire with fire," accusing Texas Republicans of trying to "cheat" in their redistricting plan. Martin said Monday that if Texas Republicans pass the redistricting map into law, Democratic governors will "put every single option they can on the table to respond in kind." The Texas House of Representatives, which currently has 88 Republicans, requires 100 members in the room as the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct legislative business. On Monday, the state House voted 85-6 to arrest the absent Democrats and Burrows signed civil warrants shortly afterwards. However, the Democrats chose the three blue states of Illinois, New York and Massachusetts, where Texas can't exert state authority without local cooperation. Despite the Democrats' resistance, with a sweeping majority, Texas Republicans may easily resume business and pass the legislation once Democratic lawmakers return, or are compelled to return, local analysts say. In the summer of 2021, Texas Democrats used a similar walkout strategy to resist redistricting, thrusting the issue of gerrymandering and voter suppression into the national spotlight. However, the bill was passed after a delay of nearly 40 days when several Democratic lawmakers returned to the state capitol, allowing for a vote. The Texas legislature is currently in a 30-day special session that is slated to end on Aug. 19, but the governor can keep calling the Texas legislature back for a special session. London stocks were still in the black by midday on Wednesday as investors sank their teeth into another barrage of earnings and mulled the latest reading on the UK construction sector. The FTSE 100 was up 0.2% at 9,163.94 Danni Hewson, head of financial analysis at AJ Bell, said: "After running out of steam and slipping into the red in the latter part of yesterdays trading session, the FTSE 100 made another modest move higher on Wednesday. "Concern around tariffs continues to swirl as Indian stocks slipped thanks to Trump administration threats to impose higher levies on India for buying and selling Russian oil. "However, a more positive tone on trade talks with China meant most other Asian markets closed higher overnight. An agreement between Washington and Beijing would remove the last remaining big uncertainty around tariffs as a 12 August deadline approaches. "A weak PMI reading for the US services sector helped put Wall Street on the back foot on Wednesday and a disappointing set of earnings from chip maker Advanced Micro Devices saw its shares slump in after-hours trading. "Attention will turn to numbers from McDonalds, Walt Disney and Uber Technologies later as investors continue to pick through how companies are faring against an uncertain backdrop." On home shores, a survey out earlier showed that construction activity fell in July at the fastest pace in over five years amid a fresh drop in residential building. The S&P Global construction purchasing managers index declined to 44.3 from 48.8 in June, remaining below the 50.0 mark that separates contraction from expansion. Economists were expecting the index to be unchanged. Firms mentioned site delays, lower volumes of incoming new business and weaker customer confidence. Some respondents also cited lower work undertaken on public sector projects. Of the three monitored types of construction work, civil engineering saw the sharpest drop in July. Joe Hayes, principal economist at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: "Having trended upwards in recent months, our survey data for July signal a fresh setback for the UK construction sector, with total industry activity falling at the sharpest rate since May 2020. Dissecting the latest contraction, we can see a fresh and sharp drop in residential building, as well as an accelerated fall in work carried out on civil engineering projects. "Forward-looking indicators from the survey imply that UK constructors are preparing for challenging times ahead. They're buying less materials and reducing the number of workers on the payroll. Expectations also continue to underwhelm, despite a modest pick-up in confidence from June's two-and-a-half-year low. "Anecdotally, companies reported a lack of tender opportunities and a hesitancy from customers to commit to projects. Broader themes of uncertainty, both domestically but also internationally, will do little to reignite investment appetites." In equity markets, specialist insurer Hiscox surged to the top of the FTSE 100 as it posted a slight drop in first-half pre-tax profit but said insurance contract written premiums grew 5.7% to $2.9bn, with all three business segments growing, and increased its ongoing share buyback by $100m. Hiscox also lifted its dividend by 9% and said that despite the largest wildfire insurance event in history, it achieved a "strong" operating return on tangible equity of 14.5%. Fellow insurer Beazley gained, while Telecom Plus rallied after results. On the downside, Coca-Cola HBC slumped despite saying that its full-year performance was set to be at the top end of guidance as it hailed "strong" first-half results, with particular strength in emerging markets. Glencore fell as the mining giant reported a drop in half-year profits, reflecting weaker coal prices and lower copper volumes, while the company also said it would retain its London listing after mulling a move to New York. Adjusted core earnings declined 14% to $5.4bn, while marketing operating profits slid 8% to $1.8bn, which the miner and commodities trader hailed as a "solid" result against a macroeconomic environment that was heavily influenced by US tariff policy uncertainty and tensions in the Middle East. Legal & General was in the red despite reporting a 6% jump in first-half core operating profit and a 28% rise in IFRS pre-tax profit. TP ICAP was also weaker even as it posted a 9% increase in interim revenue - a record level of growth - and a 10% rise in EBIT. Market Movers FTSE 100 (UKX) 9,163.94 0.23% FTSE 250 (MCX) 21,912.06 0.05% techMARK (TASX) 5,290.12 -0.15% FTSE 100 - Risers Hiscox Limited (DI) (HSX) 1,368.00p 8.57% Fresnillo (FRES) 1,594.00p 4.87% Diageo (DGE) 1,961.00p 2.99% Beazley (BEZ) 926.00p 2.72% BP (BP.) 427.80p 2.48% Anglo American (AAL) 2,139.00p 2.34% Ashtead Group (AHT) 5,092.00p 2.04% Shell (SHEL) 2,744.50p 1.97% Centrica (CNA) 167.25p 1.61% Mondi (MNDI) 1,077.00p 1.46% FTSE 100 - Fallers Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (DI) (CCEP) 6,620.00p -10.42% Coca-Cola HBC AG (CDI) (CCH) 3,586.00p -8.57% Glencore (GLEN) 289.05p -3.99% Legal & General Group (LGEN) 254.10p -2.83% Relx plc (REL) 3,722.00p -2.41% Marks & Spencer Group (MKS) 340.40p -1.45% International Consolidated Airlines Group SA (CDI) (IAG) 376.30p -1.31% Pearson (PSON) 1,114.00p -1.15% Next (NXT) 12,120.00p -1.06% Games Workshop Group (GAW) 15,890.00p -0.94% FTSE 250 - Risers Vistry Group (VTY) 622.80p 5.60% Hochschild Mining (HOC) 312.60p 3.99% Harbour Energy (HBR) 203.40p 2.99% Ocado Group (OCDO) 349.90p 2.91% Telecom Plus (TEP) 1,920.00p 2.56% Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings (AML) 72.05p 2.42% Sirius Real Estate Ltd. (SRE) 106.50p 2.40% Hays (HAS) 63.20p 1.94% B&M European Value Retail S.A. (DI) (BME) 222.90p 1.87% Ashmore Group (ASHM) 177.40p 1.78% FTSE 250 - Fallers TP Icap Group (TCAP) 281.00p -8.47% 4Imprint Group (FOUR) 3,340.00p -7.61% Auction Technology Group (ATG) 350.50p -4.63% Future (FUTR) 705.50p -3.16% Chemring Group (CHG) 542.00p -2.69% Mitie Group (MTO) 145.00p -2.68% WH Smith (SMWH) 1,025.00p -2.01% BH Macro Ltd. GBP Shares (BHMG) 387.00p -1.65% Clarkson (CKN) 3,640.00p -1.62% Oxford Instruments (OXIG) 1,768.00p -1.45% Danish drugs giant Novo Nordisk posted a jump in second-quarter profit on Wednesday, against a backdrop of reduced sales forecasts, potential US tariffs and competitors threatening its blockbuster Ozempic and Wegovy weight loss treatments. The group reported a net profit of 26.5 billion kroner, up 32% on last year. Sales rose 18 percent to 76 billion kroner. Second-quarter sales of Wegovy rose 67% to 19.53 billion kroner. Novo last week warned on profits and replaced its chief executive, sparking a share price slump that saw $95bn wiped off the company's value. It held full-year guidance on Wednesday and named Maziar Mike Doustdar to take over from CEO Lars Fruergaard Jorgensen. Novo faces increased competition in the US from so-called unregulated "compounded' versions of its major drugs and rival treatments from Eli Lilly. "We have lowered our full-year outlook due to lower growth expectations for our GLP-1 treatments in the second half of 2025," Jorgensen said. Sales for 2025 sales are now expected to grow between 8% and 14%, cut as part of the profit warning from 13% - 21%. At first glance, Novo Nordisks first half performance was in decent shape, but the headline figures were flattered by accounting adjustments. The groups now zoning in on improving efficiency, but its growth thats been the stocks main attraction in recent years. There are several reasons why the first mover in next-generation obesity and diabetes therapies has been losing its way," said Hargreaves Lansdown analyst Derren Nathan. "Tariffs and drug pricing policy are another threat Mike Doustdar will need to tackle head-on if one of Denmarks greatest success stories is to regain its crown as Europes most valuable company." The 15% blanket rate on EU imports is not necessarily the end of the story as Donald Trump dangles the prospect of levies of up to 250% on pharmaceutical imports." "The weakness in Novos valuation is a tempting opportunity to gain exposure to a name at the forefront of the enormous market opportunity in obesity and chronic diseases. But unless the new chief hits the ground running, the risks associated with catching a falling knife cant be ignored. Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com Rachel Reeves will need to raise taxes to close a government spending gap that is on course to reach more than 40bn after a slowdown in economic growth and higher-than-expected inflation, according to a leading thinktank. In a blow to Labours hopes of balancing the books without breaking manifesto commitments ruling out personal tax rises, the National Institute of Economic and Social Research (NIESR) said a number of factors would knock off course the chancellors plans to stay within Whitehall spending limits. Guardian Two more misleading adverts promoting heat pumps have been banned by the UKs advertising watchdog. A week after the Advertising Standards Authority banned an Octopus Energy ad that claimed consumers could have a heat pump installed for as little as 500, it has taken action against adverts from the home heating supplier Aira and from EDF Energy. - Guardian Labour should scrap its ban on the sale of new petrol cars by 2030 amid growing concerns over the shift to electric vehicles, the boss of a British engineering giant has said. Liam Butterworth, the chief executive of London-listed Dowlais, a car parts supplier, has urged Sir Keir Starmer to review the impossible target to ensure the UK isnt out of step with the rest of Europe and America. Telegraph A startling number of workers are choosing to hand in their notice rather than return to the office, as companies tighten their grip on remote working arrangements. One in 10 businesses surveyed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said that at least some of their employees were quitting rather than shift back to in-person work. Telegraph President Trump has claimed that JPMorgan Chase and Bank of America refused to do business with him for political reasons. Trump said that two of Americas largest investment banks rejected his business, forcing him to go to small banks all over the place. The Times Companies House is to enforce a legal requirement for directors and people with significant control of businesses to verify their identities. The new rule, which follows the enactment of the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act in 2023, will take effect from November 18 and cover both existing and new directors or persons with significant control of a company. The Times ISLAMABAD, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least four people, including three members of Pakistan's Frontier Corps (FC) and a driver, were killed in a terrorist attack in the country's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, officials said on Wednesday. The incident occurred in Karak district when the security members were travelling for field security duty, according to police. A local police official told Xinhua that armed assailants positioned atop a hill opened fire on the vehicle using small arms, causing the deaths of four occupants on the spot. Following the attack, security forces and police cordoned off the area and launched a search operation in the surrounding mountainous terrain to trace the attackers, said the official. 110 projects related to 5G and 6G have been funded under the TTDF scheme to boost telecom R&D in India. Projects involve collaboration among academia, startups, MSMEs, and industry, with durations ranging from 1 to 5 years. DoT launches FRI to detect high-risk mobile numbers; 10.02 lakh accounts frozen based on alerts to curb financial fraud. The Indian government has approved 110 projects worth Rs 304.70 crore under the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, aimed at accelerating innovation in 5G and 6G technologies. The information was shared in Parliament on Wednesday by Dr. Pemmasani Chandra Sekhar, Minister of State for Communications and Rural Development. Launched on October 1, 2022, the TTDF scheme supports Research and Development (R&D) initiatives in telecom, encouraging collaboration among academia, start-ups, MSMEs, research institutions, and industry players. The duration of the approved projects ranges from one to five years, and most are currently in the early development stages. telecom technologies by funding diverse domain-specific projects led by both public and private institutions. The scheme is expected to significantly boost Indias position in next-generationby funding diverse domain-specific projects led by both public and private institutions. In parallel with advancing telecom innovation, the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) is also actively addressing cybersecurity and financial fraud concerns. As informed in the Lok Sabha, DoT has developed a Financial Fraud Risk Indicator (FRI) a tool that evaluates and classifies mobile numbers as Medium, High, or Very High risk for financial fraud. Accessible via the Digital Intelligence Platform (DIP), FRI enables key financial stakeholders such as banks, NBFCs, and UPI service providers to adopt real-time response protocols, including transaction alerts, delays, or even rejections, for numbers flagged as high risk. The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has issued advisories urging financial entities to integrate FRI into their systems. Based on Action Taken Reports (ATRs), 34 banks and UPI providers have so far frozen 10.02 lakh bank accounts and payment wallets, while imposing debit/credit restrictions on 3.05 lakh accounts to prevent fraud. The governments Digital Intelligence Unit (DIU) continues to play a pivotal role in curbing the misuse of telecom resources for cybercrime and financial fraud. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City district attorneys offices are receiving increased funding, Mayor Eric Adams announced on Wednesday, and while other boroughs will be taking in millions of dollars, Staten Island will receive less than $1 million of the more than $17 million investment in the offices. The Bronx was awarded the largest amount, with $6.08 million, followed by Brooklyn with $5.6 million, Manhattan with $2.98 million, and Queens with $1.75 million. Staten Island will receive $970,000 in total new investment for its district attorneys office. The additional funding to all five of the citys district attorneys offices and the Office of the Special Narcotics Prosecutor will bring funding to a total of $633 million across offices. This marks a 23% increase this current fiscal year compared to when Adams first took office in 2022. Justice delayed is justice denied and thats why our administration is investing in a system that delivers public safety quickly, fairly, and effectively, said Adams. Since day one, weve said public safety and justice are the prerequisites to prosperity and that continues to stand true today. This means giving our citys district attorneys the resources they need to protect both from cutting case backlogs to expanding diversion initiatives to standing up new programs that keep our communities safe. By increasing their budgets to a total of $633 million annually, we are giving our local prosecutors their largest budgets ever, as we continue to invest borough by borough, program by program and investment by investment in building a safer, fairer city for all. How Staten Island will use the new funds The bolstered investments for each of the district attorneys offices are intended to allow district attorneys to hire additional assistant district attorneys and develop or upgrade programming and units. Its a boost that is contained within the the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Adopted Budget, which builds off of Adams Best Budget Ever. The funding allocated to Staten Island District Attorney Michael E. McMahons office will go toward the creation of a dedicated intimate Partner Violence Unit. This unit will be tasked with handling specific domestic violence cases and providing early victim engagement to prevent future harm. The group will consist of an assistant district attorney, victim advocates, as well as a unit chief. Richmond County District Attorney Michael E. McMahon speaks at an event in City Hall on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Courtesy of the RCDA) Additionally, the investment will also allow for the expansion of the offices Cybercrimes unit, which will add an analyst, a paralegal, a unit chief and two assistant district attorneys, as well as some new technology. As Staten Islands chief law enforcement officer, it is my responsibility not only to prosecute dangerous criminals in the courtroom but to ensure that the men and women of my office have the technology, people power and funding necessary to effectively combat and prevent crime, said McMahon. And while we have made tremendous strides in reducing violent crime here on Staten Island in recent years, domestic violence and cybercrime remain significant drivers of crime in our borough, shattering families and robbing hard-working Staten Islanders of their hard-earned savings in the blink of an eye. I am incredibly proud to share that the citys Fiscal Year 2026 Adopted Budget represents a remarkable investment in district attorneys offices across the five boroughs, including nearly $1 million in direct funding to my office to support the creation and proper staffing of a dedicated Intimate Partner Sexual Assault Unit and RCDAs Cybercrimes Unit. McMahon added he was grateful to Mayor Eric Adams and the New York City Council, particularly our Staten Island delegation, for this essential investment in public safety and look forward to working with our partners in government to ensure Staten Island remains the safest community of its size in the country. This announcement follows Mondays announcement that the city has recorded the lowest number of shooting incidents and victims in its history for the first seven months of a year. As previously reported, from January through July 2025, the city logged 412 shooting incidents and 489 shooting victims, breaking previous record lows of 426 incidents in 2017 and 522 victims in 2018. New monthly records were set in July, with just 75 shooting incidents and 92 victims, surpassing the previous July lows from 2017. Pictures is Captain Yesenia Mata being sworn in by her husband, Captain Cesar Vargas. Courtesy of Liam Mejia STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. When Yesenia Mata, 36, first told people she wanted to join the U.S. Military, they didnt put much faith in her ability. In fact, they said the slim, 5-foot-2-inch woman wouldnt stand a chance in the U.S. Army. Whenever I wanted to join, people would say, Well, youre very small, and youre not going to make it. Do you even meet the height requirements?... They would say, The rucksack weighs more than you, she recalled. Pictured are Captain Cesar Vargas, judge advocate officer and West Point professor, with his wife his wife Captain Yesenia Mata. Courtesy of Liam Mejia But Mata, a North Shore resident -- who is also executive director of La Colmena, and Commissioner on New York Citys Racial Equity Commission -- proved all the naysayers wrong when she enlisted as a military police specialist in 2009. I wear this uniform not just for myself, but for every young girl told her dreams were too big, for every immigrant parent who sacrificed everything, and for the promise of our nation, said Mata, noting she is the daughter of Mexican immigrants. And her military career recently reached a peak this week when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army. Yesenia Mata's military career recently reached a peak this week when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Liam Mejia Women are capable of serving and were capable of being captains and leading, said Mata. I know how important it is to always carry myself very well, to be disciplined and to continue going. And its hard. Getting to this point was not easy. Support from family and peers Among those who never doubted her ability to achieve success in the military were her parents. My family has always taught me the importance of being involved in the community and serving our country, said Mata. Sometimes you do need other people to support you, and tell you that you can do it. And that was my parents. That was also my husband reminding me, No, you can do this. Dont be afraid. Keep pushing. U.S. Army Captain Yesenia Mata with her parents. Courtesy of Liam Mejia Mata comes from a proud military family: her older brother served in the Iraq War, and her nephews are currently serving in the U.S. Air Force and Marines. Her parents who came to the country seeking a better life stood beside her during the ceremony. Like any mother, I criedbut not out of fear. I knew how strong she is, and I had no doubt she would succeed and keep rising, but I still worried, said Mata mother. This was her dream, and as parents, its our role to stand behind them. I always say, she may look small, but dont be fooled, shes tough. Just like every woman is. She noted that once she joined the U.S. Army, she was also greatly supported by other women. I had a group of females who were very supportive of each other. It was very hard. We were military police, and it was one of the hardest MOS [Military Occupational Specialty] for women, said Mata. More than 100 guests attended the ceremony where Yesenia was sworn in as captain in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Liam Mejia Whenever my rucksack was very heavy, they [fellow female military members] would go behind me and they would try to carry it for me. And vice versa; I would do that too. ...Theres no way I could have finished it without the support of other women. And I reenlisted again. Im going into my seventh year, and I keep doing it because of the support that I get from women in the military, she added. According to a November 2023 Department of Defense report, women make up 17.5% of the active-duty force and 21.6% of the selected reserve a number that continues to rise each year. Mata says her story stands as proof that women, immigrants, and people of all backgrounds can lead and thrive in Americas military. Yesenia Mata's military career recently reached a peak this week when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Liam Mejia A mission to help The ceremony, held Saturday at the Noble Maritime Collection Museum in Livingston, was led by her husband, Captain Cesar Vargas New York Citys first openly undocumented attorney, now serving as a U.S. Army judge advocate and West Point professor. Vargas, like Mata, began his service as an enlisted soldier before earning his commission. Pictured are Specialist Castrejon and Specialist Jimenez from U.S. Army with Captain Mata. Courtesy of Liam Mejia In her remarks, Mata also underscored the contributions of immigrants in the military. Immigrants and children of immigrants proudly serve in the U.S. Armed Forces. Today, about 45,000 immigrants wear the uniform, with thousands more who have served before us. Yet, far too many immigrant veterans have been deported despite their service. My mission is to fight for them and to ensure their sacrifices are honored not erased. Yesenia Mata's military career recently reached a peak this week when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Liam Mejia State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the North Shore and Southern Brooklyn, presented Mata with an official New York state proclamation recognizing her service and leadership. Yesenia Matas promotion to captain is not only a testament to her leadership, discipline, and deep commitment to service, but also an inspiration to so many in our communityespecially young women who see themselves reflected in her journey. It was an honor to attend her promotion ceremony and witness her rise through the ranks," said Scarcella-Spanton. Said Specialist Juan Jimenez of the U.S. Army Reserves: For those of us still in the enlisted ranks, it means something to see one of our own make it through the ranks. Captain Matas path proves that with hard work, discipline, and commitment, it can be done. She leads by example, and shows us whats possible. State Senator Jessica Scarcella-Spanton, a Democrat representing the North Shore and Southern Brooklyn, presented Mata with an official New York state proclamation recognizing her service and leadership. Courtesy of Liam Mejia More than 100 guests attended the ceremony. In addition to Scarcella-Spanton, this included: Assemblymember Marcela Mitaynes, a Democrat representing Red Hook, Sunset Park and Northern Bay Ridge, Brooklyn; Commissioner James Hendon of NYC Veterans Services; Commissioner Manuel Castro of the NYC Mayors Office of Immigrant Affairs; veterans, community leaders, labor unions, and immigrant rights advocates. How she came to love Staten Island Born in Chicago, Ill., Mata moved to Staten Island in 2016. When she was working as Sen. Bernie Sanders national Latino outreach strategist, she learned more about New York City, and was drawn to Staten Island. My husband, who was my friend at the time, showed me Staten Island. He showed me La Colmena, and reminded me that its easy to organize in places that are already organized, but its harder to organize in places that are not. So he told me the amount of work that needed to happen on Staten Island when it comes to immigration, she said. Yesenia Mata's military career recently reached a peak this week when she proudly took the oath as a newly commissioned captain in the U.S. Army. Courtesy of Liam Mejia When it comes to organizing, Staten Island is the place. Its hardcore; its not an easy place to organize. So I was drawn in by all the organizers, and were just trying to make Staten Island the best it can be. And I ended up staying, Mata added. Mata was appointed by former Mayor Bill De Blasio to serve as commissioner for the NYC Racial Justice Commission from 2020 to 2022 and appointed by Mayor Eric Adams to serve in the immigration transition team in 2022. She currently serves on the Board of New York Immigration Coalition and Chais Nonprofit Staten Island. As the daughter of formerly undocumented immigrants, Mata is a passionate advocate for immigration reform. And she said she will stay in the U.S. Army Reserves until she reaches retirement age. I want to keep going up. I want to continue opening up doors for other women...so they dont have to go through the hurdles that I went through, said Mata. In this 1945 file photo, a view of the devastation after the atom bomb was dropped, in Hiroshima, Japan. AP STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. The Unitarian Church of Staten Island is marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki with a special commemoration event Sunday, Aug. 10. The free event will run from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the church, located at 312 Fillmore St. in New Brighton and will feature traditional Japanese storytelling and live music. This will include Kamishibai, an ancient Japanese storytelling form that combines narration with illustrated cards and text. Attendees also will hear the stories of Yasuaki Yamashita, a survivor of the Nagasaki bombing; Shigeko Sasamori, a Hiroshima survivor; and Pamela Kingfisher of the Cherokee Nation, who grew up on the Hanford Reservation where her father worked for the Manhattan Project. The Young Musicians of Staten Island, a group of middle school, high school and college musicians, will provide musical performances We hold these commemorations every year in the hope that nuclear weapons will never again be used and that they can be abolished, as called for by the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, organizers stated in their announcement. This gathering is co-sponsored by Peace Action of Staten Island, Staten Island4Palestine and Youth Art NY, and comes at a time when nuclear treaties face uncertainty. The New START agreement, one of the only remaining arms control treaty between Russia and the United States, is set to expire next year. Refreshments will be served at the event and it is open to all ages. The Todt Hill mansion formerly owned by Paul Castellano was recently featured on an episode of HGTV's "Zillow Gone Wild." (Courtesy Staten Island Multiple Listing Services, MLSSINY.com) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. Its Staten Islands most notorious property the iconic borough landmark where tough guy Paul Castellano conducted much of his business and raised his kids; a home that has languished on the market for a cool $18 million for almost a full year. And now the expansive eight-bedroom, 17-bathroom mansion best known as the White House has a new claim to fame: Star of the HGTV summer hit Zillow Gone Wild. Starring Jack McBrayer of 30 Rock fame, the show chronicles some of Americas wackiest and wildest homes, all of which usually have an eye-popping price tag and quirky characteristics. The Benedict Road address got its 15 minutes on July 25, in an episode titled Where the Trolls Live. The show is now streaming on HBO Max and Discovery+. This place is 33,000 square feet, McBrayer details after entering the home and launching a tour with the owner who has lived there since 2001, identified only as Dave. You could fit about 15 average-sized homes in this home. Affectionately calling the property Staten Island Stunnah, McBrayer takes viewers into the homes 25-seat movie theater and offers a look inside the private hair salon. He also wastes no time delving into the homes mob background. I understand a previous owner was a Mr. Paul Castellano? the host asks Dave as the screen fades into the mobsters mug shot. He was a troublemaker I heard, Dave replies as text bubble facts about the mob boss pop up, offering the following details: Paul Castellano was the head of the Gambino crime family from 1976-1985. He lived here only five years before he was murdered. In 1983, an FBI agent posed as a cable guy to bug the house. It picked up incriminating evidence on Castellano. But the segment quickly moves away from the homes history to focus on the mansions grandiose features: An Italian cafe complete with an elaborate espresso station; a six-foot-tall King Tut-inspired sarcophagus custom made to hold DVDs. Growing up here was definitely fun, Dave notes, detailing how his contractor father rebuilt the mansion from top to bottom, doubling its footprint by buying the property next door. The concept was always the more you put somewhere, then the kids will stick around longer. And while Dave notes he still lives at the address with his parents and some extended family, he says his father has listed the property, because he ran out of projects to complete. The house, which is situated on 1.75 acres, is still listed for $18 million, and a real estate agent who also appeared on the HGTV episode said it takes her approximately three hours to show it to potential buyers. According to the episode, the agent continues to vet the slew of offers it receives, none of which have met the asking price. The residence, which features an array of other lavish interior details, is currently listed by RJM Realty Empire Inc. STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. AARP New York recently celebrated Social Securitys 90th anniversary with a pizza party at Staten Islands Bravo Pizza in New Dorp. Community members and volunteers gathered to eat, share stories, and celebrate the program that provides financial protection for retirees and their families. The event, which took place on Wednesday, was themed around everyone receiving their slice of the pie. It focused on both saluting the program, which has never missed a payment, and spreading the word about the Social Security Trust Funds latest report. The Social Security Act, which was signed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt on Aug. 14, 1935, supports 67 million Americans, including retirees, disabled workers, and surviving families of deceased workers. In 1983, President Ronald Reagan and Congress enacted a large solvency package to prevent the shortfall of Social Security. According to Beth Finkel, state director of AARP, in order to keep functioning in 2034, the fund will have to decrease checks by 18%, meaning the almost 4 million New Yorkers who receive social security benefits will be losing almost a fifth of their promised income. Theyve paid into it their whole lives. This is not an entitlement. This is a benefit. You pay in and you get it back as a covenant that the United States government made with each and every one of us, said Finkel, who has worked with AARP for over 30 years. I started paying in when I was 16 years old. I paid in every single paycheck, and now I know its going to be there for me. I want to make sure for my children or my grandchildren, it is also going to be there. The event included an introduction from Finkel and Wilson Guzman, an associate state director, as well as giveaways and Social Security trivia, which gave background information on what the minimum age to collect is and what happens to the payments after death. AARP continues to hold events such as these across the state to encourage people, especially younger generations, to have confidence in the future of Social Security and to hold elected officials accountable for maintaining the program. We need your voices, said Finkel. We need people who are willing to talk to their legislators and share how important this is. When asked about what advice she would give to to those reaching retirement age, Finkel suggested doing the research on how much they will receive depending on their age. People need to really think about their Social Security. They need to plan ahead for it. They can check with the Social Security Administration, and they can find out what they can expect at different ages, she said. But also you can go on aarp.org, and we have a Social Security calculator tool that you can go on and find out for yourself. The following is in response to National Grid pipeline fee another rip-off for Staten Islanders whove already given enough, July 27, 2025. In New York City today, there are more than 1,000 licensed plumbers with over 10,000 plumbing technician employees working on construction projects, large and small, to create new homes, offices, hospitals and educational institutions while maintaining complex plumbing systems all designed to improve our quality of life and power the citys economic engines for years to come. The Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline project which will bring new gas lines to Brooklyn, Queens and Long Island is one of those projects, and Staten Island-based construction businesses, including plumbing and mechanical contractors, are looking forward to its installation as it will generate the potential for a wave of new construction projects across the region. That means new business opportunities for Staten Island contractors and new jobs for residents all supporting the economy on the Island. As a person who has been a part of plumbing trade associations for nearly 20 years, I strongly disagree with your opinion piece on July 27 that claims the new pipeline project will not benefit Staten Island in any meaningful way. The first phase of the ban on new natural gas hookups in New York City, which took effect on January 1, 2023, has devastated our industry, leading to job and revenue losses while forcing electric bills to spike citywide. In addition, Local Law 154 of 2021 prohibited important renewables like biofuel and green and blue hydrogen. With these restrictions in place, it is abundantly clear that New York lacks the infrastructure needed to support an all-electric construction mandate. Our power grid was never meant to handle an all-electric city, and with more strain placed on the system, this pipeline project is a positive step toward reality for all New Yorkers. Customers may see a minimal increase in their bills to help pay for the pipeline, but that would be relatively small compared to the exorbitant rate hikes Con Edison called for earlier this year. Generating renewable energy to create healthier communities is an important goal, and natural gas can serve as a bridge to a future when we are no longer reliant on coal, oil and other dirty fossil fuels. The New York of today depends on natural gas the cleanest and most efficient fossil fuel to power up electrical substations, heat our homes and offices, and support a variety of commercial industries. According to a 2025 report by the New York Independent System Operator (NYISO), New Yorks electric system is projected to peak in 15 to 25 years, and that means the availability of natural gas for power generation will be severely limited. Instead of limiting our fuel sources, we should focus on leveraging the latest technology to create energy diversity, efficiency and reliability so our city can continue to grow in a safe and secure manner. Simply put, the all-electric energy push is creating a socio-economic disaster waiting to happen, and our government leaders must understand New York needs gas-focused projects to protect the essential elements of our society. This once-in-a-generation pipeline project will provide more reliability and redundancy for our life-safety systems, and therefore, such a project will benefit all of us, especially in a citywide emergency, and better protect our children, our grandchildren, and our great-grandchildren. As populations grow and the needs of society evolve, new infrastructure is necessary, and that can come with a cost. Your assertion that there must be a direct and immediate benefit for Staten Island is both shortsighted and inaccurate. Our members which represent the largest plumbing and mechanical contractors in New York state, including those who live and work on Staten Island support the Northeast Supply Enhancement pipeline project because they believe an investment today will preserve the viability of our infrastructure and our economy tomorrow. Our businesses and our families are counting on it. (Terence OBrien is the co-executive director of the New York State Plumbing, Heating and Cooling Contractors, senior director of the Plumbing Foundation City of New York, and executive vice president of the Association of Contracting Plumbers of the City of New York.) Vice President Kamala Harris reportedly pressured a leader of the powerful Teamsters Union during a stormy encounter in the midst of the 2024 presidential campaign. Teamsters boss Sean OBrien told The Free Press founder and editor Bari Weiss on her Honestly podcast that Teamsters vice president Joan Corey came face to face with Harris on a photo-op line during the campaign. So, Joan goes in the line and Joan says, Im Joan Corey. Im a vice president with the Teamsters Union, and [Harris] pointed her finger at Joan and said, Teamsters better get on board, and so Joan says, Excuse me? Yeah, Teamsters better get on board. I dont know why you havent endorsed me yet. So she comes back, and she tells me this, and Im like, The nerve! OBrien, the New York Post reported, then recounted how Harris came to a meeting with the Teamster executive board. The board had prepared 16 questions for the veep, but Harris answered only four. He said, She really didnt answer the questions, and then on the fourth question my chief of staff slides me an index card and says, This is the last question. Shes not answering anymore, because she wanted to, like, pontificate and give her speech of why the country is the way it is, why we should endorse her. OBrien then paraphrased Harris closing comment as basically telling the union, Listen, Im going to win with you or without you. OBrien said that many in the union leadership were turned off by Harris smug demeanor and body language. You could smell it a mile away, he said. The union didnt make an endorsement in the 2024 race. OBrien took flack after he spoke at the Republican National Convention. URUMQI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- A suspension bridge accident at a scenic spot in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region left five people dead and 24 others injured, local authorities said Wednesday. The accident occurred at 6:18 p.m. on Wednesday in Zhaosu County, northern Xinjiang's Ili Kazak Autonomous Prefecture, when one of the bridge's suspension cables snapped, causing the bridge deck to tilt. A total of 29 people fell from the bridge. Among the injured, 22 sustained minor injuries, while two others were seriously hurt. All injured individuals were promptly transported to local hospitals for medical treatment. Authorities said none of the injured are in life-threatening condition. The scenic spot has been closed. An investigation into the cause of the accident is currently underway. President Donald Trumps top security official believes in the possible existence of extraterrestrial life and still has a lot of questions about the swarm of drones seen over New Jersey and New York last year. Appearing on the New York Posts Pod Force One podcast, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard told host Miranda Devine that there could be aliens and that she had her own thoughts and opinions on the matter. In this role I have to be careful with what I share, said Gabbard, who oversees the coordination between 18 intelligence agencies. When pressed, however, the DNI said Yes when asked if she believed in the possibility of alien life and UFOs. Were continuing to look for the truth and share that truth with the American people, she said. Gabbard said that she still has a lot of questions about the flurry of drone activity over New Jersey last year. There were also mystery drones spotted over New York, including in the skies over Staten Island. Members of the Trump and Biden administrations have said that the drones were actually lawful personal, professional and government aircraft. I still have a lot of questions around that, Gabbard said. Ive heard what the public official line is. Gabbard said, I just personally still have a lot of questions that are unanswered, because it wasnt just New Jersey. It was happening in different parts of the country. The drones began to appear in New Jersey skies in the middle of November 2024 and rapidly expanded their flight path to include Staten Island, the Verrazzano-Narrows Bridge, Brooklyn and Queens. Some of the aircraft were reported to be as big as a car. Drones were also spotted over airports and over military bases in the United States and Europe. President Donald Trump has given a stunning answer when asked about the possibility of seeking a third term in the White House. Appearing on CNBCs Squawk Box program, the president said that he would probably not run again. Id like to run, Trump said, per Politico. I have the best poll numbers Ive ever had. The 22nd Amendment to the U.S. Constitution bars anybody from being elected to the presidency more than twice. But Trump has often talked about running for a third term. And the president has joked that hes already been elected three times, a reference to the 2020 election, which Trump without proof has said was stolen from him. Trumps comments came amid already increasing interest in who will run for president in 2028 and whom Trump will designate as his MAGA heir apparent. The president recently said that he thought that Vice President JD Vance could probably be considered the favorite to be the next GOP nominee for president. Trump also said that Secretary of State Marco Rubio could team up with Vance as the vice presidential candidate and make for a potent GOP ticket. Politico said that Trump could get around the constitutional prohibition by having the 22nd Amendment repealed or by running for vice president on the 2028 ticket and then ascending to the presidency. However, there are questions about whether someone who has already been elected to two terms as president, such as Trump, Barack Obama, George W. Bush or Bill Clinton, would be eligible to run for the vice presidency, which would put them in line to again serve as president. Trump is just the second president in U.S. history to be elected to non-consecutive terms in the White House. Democrat Grover Cleveland was the first, in 1892. This AccuWeather graphic shows the forecast track of wildfire smoke across New York through Thursday, Aug. 7, 2025. (AccuWeather) STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. New York City remains under an air quality alert as wildfire smoke from Canada continues to impact the five boroughs. As of 3 p.m., Staten Island has an air quality index value of 130 for extremely small particles, according to AirNow. The higher the air quality index value, the greater the level of air pollution and health concern. More smoke from Canada today! You can see the smoke coming in from the north and east on this satellite imagery. #NYwx #NJwx #CTwx #wildfires #smoke pic.twitter.com/YJLpaZuaYf NWS New York NY (@NWSNewYorkNY) August 5, 2025 A value of 130 is unhealthy for sensitive groups and AirNow suggests that those with heart or lung disease, older adults, children and teens take steps to avoid unnecessary exposure. It is amid these conditions that the air quality alert remains in place for the city; The alert will extend until midnight Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service. Tuesdays plume of smoke comes from northwestern parts of Canada and has come a long distance to make it to the city, said Dave Dombek, a senior meteorologist with AccuWeather. A lingering impact According to Dombek, city residents can expect the conditions to soon begin to clear up. The air, just in general, will be cleaner by the time you get to the end of the week, Friday, and into the weekend, he said. Although the air will be less than ideal on Wednesday and Thursday, Dombek told the Advance/SILive.com that he doesnt think this will be a continuous siege of smoke and haze and horrible air quality. Rather, he said he believes the smoke will come in waves and there will be moments of slight improvement and deterioration. Most of this smoke will be in higher elevations and result in hazy skies, yet there could certainly be moments in which the air quality is reduced, Dombek explained. Most of New York is under an Air Quality Health Advisory today due to wildfire smoke. Our team is monitoring conditions closely. Please check the Air Quality Index before you go outside and take any necessary precautions.For real-time updates, visit: https://t.co/f9zZwidGhF pic.twitter.com/lzbxT5VafU Governor Kathy Hochul (@GovKathyHochul) August 4, 2025 As noted by Dombek, it has been exceptionally dry in parts of Canada and these wildfires have proven to be a struggle for weeks on end. On Monday, Gov. Kathy Hochul urged residents to monitor the air quality and take precautions amid this ongoing issue. Support the Peninsulas only locally-owned newspaper. Subscribe! Subscribing annually brings you big savings. We also offer monthly and weekly subscriptions. Premium Subscription As low as $8.25 per week Premium Includes: -- Access to the Daily Journals e-Edition: a digital replica of our daily newspaper including crossword puzzles, games, comics, classifieds and ads. You can download a digital replica of the Daily Journal for offline reading. You can also clip & download articles or images from the e-edition to share with others The most recent 90 issues are available at any given time. -- Unlimited access to our award-winning online content -- Commenting access on all stories as a valued member of the DJ community -- NEW! Access to our online-only digital crossword puzzle. A new puzzle every day, seven days a week! Glover claims White was instrumental in removing Phelan as the sole director and was Kyckrs controlling mind. Glover claims White was informed of the technical and compliance concerns she raised, and was in ongoing communication with Lamb, who dismissed her. White had knowledge of the internal dynamics following Ms Phelans departure and of the impending transaction with Encompass, and stood to benefit from the removal of individuals unwilling to downplay material risk, the application said. There is no suggestion that allegations made in the FWC are true, only that they have been made. Kyckr, in its response to the FWC, rejected the suggestion that performance issues were not raised with Glover. The application is nothing more than a collection of baseless assertions that have been contrived post-termination, Kyckr said in its reply to the claim. The company asserts she has no right to make an unfair dismissal claim. Lamb told The Australian Financial Review, The Sydney Morning Herald and Age that Glover and Daveys allegations are denied in the strongest possible terms. However, due to the fact that this is before the Fair Work Commission and is a confidential matter, it is not appropriate to comment further, he said. White did not respond to questions. The company, which originated in Ireland, was delisted from the Australian Stock Exchange in November 2022 after White acquired it for $43.5 million. Under Whites ownership, it operates in Australia, the United Kingdom and Ireland, providing data and software so that clients, particularly financial institutions, can meet their know your customer (KYC) obligations. One of Kyckrs key features is the ability to identify a companys ultimate beneficial owners via registries in 100 countries so that their customers can assess the money laundering or terrorism financing risk. However, it was Whites alleged failure to inform either Kyckrs management or UK regulatory authorities of the change in the ultimate beneficial ownership of Kyckr which began sparking dissent in the ranks. Loading On October 24, the same day White stepped down as chief executive of WiseTech following reports about his alleged inappropriate behaviour toward women, he quietly appointed his new wife, Zena Nasser, to the board of his private investment company. A week later, on November 2, Nasser became a 50 per cent owner of this company, which in turn owned Kyckr. Kyckr executives did not become aware of Nassers ultimate beneficial ownership until early December 2024 when it was revealed by the Herald, The Age and the Financial Review. This provoked immediate concern within the data security company responsible for anti-money laundering protocols. Glover cited Nassers publicly reported criminal associations as a reason why Nasser, as an ultimate beneficial owner, might not meet the stringent UK fit and proper persons requirements, according to court documents. Phelan is alleged to have raised the reputational and regulatory risks associated with Nassers ownership as well as the failure to notify senior Kyckr executives about her appointment. Nasser is a former criminal defence lawyer who once had an array of Sydney underworld figures as clients. These included bikie boss Hassan Kalache, drug importer Michael Ibrahim (the brother of Kings Cross identity John Ibrahim) and gang leader Bassam Hamzy. She was banned from visiting jails in NSW in 2007 because NSW Corrective Services had reason to believe she was forwarding her clients calls to their associates outside prison. In 2012, she was briefly a director and shareholder of Krazye Dave Pty Ltd, a company associated with one-time Notorious bikie gang enforcer Sofe Veiru Levi, better known as Crazy Dave Lima. However, a fortnight after the articles appeared regarding Nassers half-ownership of Kyckrs parent company, her shares were reduced to 1 per cent, meaning the company no longer had to identify her ownership. Loading In her wrongful dismissal claim, Glover claimed another reason for Phelans removal followed escalating tensions concerning Whites failure to honour equity and management buyout commitments made to Ms Phelan and other key personnel. These current legal actions cap a tumultuous year for White, who resigned as chief executive last October following an investigation by the Herald, The Age and Financial Review which revealed allegations of inappropriate behaviour towards women, including complaints by multiple women who alleged he traded business advice for sex, a $2 million settlement with a former lover and WiseTech contractor, as well as bullying and intimidation. A board review cleared White of wrongdoing. However, it found White had misled the board about personal matters, but would take no action against him. ASHGABAT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov has proposed launching a global program for the transition to hydrogen energy covering the period 2030-2040. Speaking at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) on Tuesday, Berdimuhamedov suggested beginning discussions in 2026 on developing the program under the UN framework. He emphasized Turkmenistan's consistent support for expanding practical cooperation in renewable energy and expressed the country's readiness to contribute to hydrogen energy development. Clear joint plans and coordinated mechanisms are needed to achieve this, he noted. Berdimuhamedov also stressed that Turkmenistan operates in the international energy space in full accordance with UN-adopted documents and advocates for strict adherence to international environmental standards and climate agreements. The LLDC3 is being held from Aug. 5 to 8 in Turkmenistan's National Tourist Zone of Awaza. The event has drawn heads of state and government, senior officials from over 100 countries, and representatives of around 50 international organizations and more than 20 major companies. Since the release of ChatGPT in late 2022, OpenAI has exploded from a little-known not-for-profit to one of the worlds most influential tech companies, helmed by its mercurial chief executive Sam Altman. Having helped send the artificial intelligence boom into overdrive, it was only a matter of time before OpenAI would let its lobbying muscle loose on Canberra, where politicians have historically been a little flat-footed in the face of new technological developments. OpenAI chief executive officer Sam Altman arrives at a conference in Sun Valley, Idaho. Credit: Bloomberg The OpenAI circus came to town in June for a widely publicised lobbying blitz, led by chief economist Ronnie Chatterji, who met with a posse of Labor frontbenchers including Andrew Leigh, Tim Ayres, Andrew Giles and Andrew Charlton. Lots of policy wonks are called Andrew, apparently. Less attention fell on OpenAIs wooing of senior public servants. After a busy day on the hill, Chatterji and the company hosted a private dinner for top public servants at the Boat House, a modern Australian fine diner on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin. As a former ad man, he understood decades before anyone else that Bryce Courtenay was a brand. He got huge amounts of shit over that, but I think it is his greatest legacy, says Adam with a snide laugh. But perhaps Bryces greatest fictional creation was himself. Not only was he a master storyteller, he was a master of self-invention. Adam believes Bryce invented himself from the moment he set foot on Australian soil in 1958. Sydney was a sunny, open place where you could leave the past behind and become somebody else. And so the myth began; the ascendancy of Bryce Courtenay, the braggadocio, the legend. There were the advertising years, in says Adam, the flimflam man; the drinking, smoking, womanising. Adam feared sitting next to his father at dinner parties, the more beers, the greater the megalomania. Then came the Damascene conversion to long-distance running and positive thinking. Pain was gain. Adam had a front-row seat: he watched all these incarnations, caught between love and admiration for my father, and a gnawing sense that something wasnt right. He and his brothers let the Dad facts through to the keeper all the time. Spending his life in close proximity to a fabulist, Adam became a truth seeker. He became a financial journalist, first in Sydney, then for 15 years in London working for the Financial Times and The Sunday Times. Now an author, his own strictly non-fiction historical books deal with the great characters and stories from early colonial history, the escaped convicts and reprobates, the men who went native, the guys that history has often overlooked. They are a fascinating insight into how it was in the brutal newly formed colony, how we became what we are. As Adam got older, there was a moral confusion about his father mixing bullshit with a marvellously told story. He was finding it harder to accept the narrative as it flew along. He now realises his sense of self was at stake. We all tell porkies all the time. But when it comes to important things I think you have to be honest. And by the third act of Bryces life, fame and wealth. It started to wear very thin because it became bullshit about himself and who he was and where he came from, Adam says. Thats a different mode of bullshit. The Dad facts become pertinent and real. It takes on a different dimension. As his father became Australias most beloved author, Adam says he had trouble recognising him. His first wife of 38 years, Benita, had been left behind. He was shedding skin. He had a new family with Christine Gee. His new role in life was to be a guru for the people, says Adam. There was almost a priest-like ability he ministered to people. He was always there to help. I never doubted his capacity or ability, but I no longer believed in the myth that he was still creating right up to the end. Fiction and fact were becoming blurred. Defending charges of antisemitism for The Potato Factory, Bryce blithely told The Australian Jewish News that his wife and sons had freely chosen to be Jews. They had not. Adams mother Bonita was Jewish but agnostic and called herself Anglican. Adam, a Christian, was very, very angry. There was no Jewish religion or culture. It just did my head in because he was saying something about me that didnt exist. Adam believes his finest book was April Fools Day, about his favoured son Damon, who was a haemophiliac and died of AIDS at 25 after a contaminated blood transfusion. In theory, it was non-fiction, but he caricatured people, played fast and loose with the facts and hurt people who loved Damon, some of whom threatened to sue. There was no need for exaggeration, says Adam. There were things that were just wrong. It wasnt necessary to enhance what happened. The story had enough pathos in itself. Bryce Courtenay in his days as an advertising man, in 1992. Credit: Barry Chapman/Fairfax Media Bryce would go on to be an advocate for blood screening and HIV. He demystified AIDS to a great degree, Adam concedes. And that has to be remembered. Adam does, though, have some fond memories I remember laughing (at) Dads trying to be cool. I found it really sweet, he says. He was a present and involved father who sent his boys to Cranbrook, and gave them substantial financial help in buying their first homes. But Adam would learn though that confronting Bryce was seen as an act of betrayal. Moderating my adoration, Adam says diplomatically. The blue eyes would turn acidic. It was only years later that he realised I was being gaslit by a specialist, he writes in the memoir. Suddenly, Bryce would be the victim. Loading It was Bryces sister Rosemary who provided the answers Adam needed: the foundation of his own life had been based on confabulation. Bryces insatiable need for adulation came from a place of shame. He was not the orphan he told audiences he was, often moving himself to tears. But he was illegitimate. In provincial 1930s and 40s South Africa, this made his mother socially unacceptable. There was no noble lineage; his father was not a crusading barrister but an alcoholic married clothing salesman, Arthur Ryder. Bryces childhood was chaotic. His mother Paddy Greer, who eventually embraced Pentecostal religion and spoke in tongues, was constantly moving, unable to hold down a job.I think his mother treated him very badly, Adam says. And I think he was very, very lonely. The poverty was dire. Bryce spent time in an orphanage at Krugersdorp and was bullied at several schools because he didnt have a father. Loading Adam learnt that he was not the most gifted scholar ever seen at the King Edward VII school, nor was he ever offered a place at Oxford. I feel compassion and sadness. There was darkness there and stories and myths may have been to get himself out of depression. Adam stops short of calling Bryce a narcissist. A narcissist is someone who doesnt care about anybody else. And I want to give Bryce credit for really caring about lots of people, his generosity was incredible. He helped hundreds of people as a mentor, he says. I think he was an egotist, not a narcissist. Adam still has great love for his father. He wasnt a Machiavellian guy. He didnt have a nasty side. Essentially, he was a very, very pleasant, engaging, good guy, he says. Even if he used to say things that werent true. My Father Bryce (Hachette) by Adam Courtenay is out now. 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 Poetrys a bore, a chore, a snore or so the haters swear. But is that really fair? This Poetry Month, were putting verse on trial. We asked two writers to go head-to-head: one ready to champion poetrys power to cut deep and linger long after the page, the other armed with all the reasons it deserves your eye-rolls and groans. So before you scoff at another line break, grab a seat ringside and decide for yourself: is the hatred of poetry justified, or have we all just forgotten how to fall in love with a good stanza? O Captain! My Captain! Credit: Touchstone THE CASE AGAINST POETRY By Suren Jayemanne I was chuffed when I was invited to be an ambassador for this years Poetry Month. Admittedly, I neither write nor regularly read poetry, so Im mostly in it for the title. I mean, who wouldnt want to be called ambassador? I was once before invited to be an ambassador, by some digital marketing agency desperately trying to rope influencers into spruiking Oodies. As much as I desire the title of ambassador, Im loath to be thought of as an influencer. I politely declined. They love-bombed me with flattery, at one point claiming I was a perfect fit! I admire the tenacity, but Oodies are one-size-fits-all all, so who isnt a perfect fit? By contrast, the Poetry Month people, whose main aim is to show that poetry is for everybody, did not attempt to butter me up at all. Quite the opposite. You look like you hate poetry, youre a terrible fit! Perfect! they said. They wanted me because, as a comedian, rather than poetry, I write silly little jokes. Who better to speak for the common man than someone whose art form, unlike other art forms, is not an art form. What they dont realise is that whenever a silly little joke flops, I tell myself what I actually wrote was a poem. Suren Jayemanne. As it happens, as ambassador, I was commissioned to write a poem. Im ashamed to say, before I sat down to pour out my soul, I fired up a certain search engine to research what makes a poem a poem. I was surprised by what I found a very clear and unambiguous lack of consensus. It seems even poets hate poetry. Should poems at least follow a consistent metre? Should they rhyme? Is it enough to call something a poem just because it contains an occasional apostrophe moonlighting as a syllable oer ere and oer thre? Advertisement Outside the poet community, criticisms were unsurprisingly levelled from all angles. Poetry is at once completely uninviting, yet disgustingly available to anybody to write. A poem should be complex enough that its meaning is a mystery waiting to be unlocked, but not so complex that it would seem out of place printed on a pillow. Poetry too often is like eating a risotto; the heart knows there must be some delightful ones out there, but the head sure as hell hasnt so far encountered anything more than stodge and cheese. I love that anybody can write it, but its simply too easy to publish. Have you ever had a friend read a poem of theirs to you? Its awful. Its far too earnest, a moment laden with expectation. You could almost write a poem about it. This happened to me recently, and in hindsight, I probably should have found a more diplomatic response than write that in the one sitting, did you? But honestly, isnt there some sort of dream you had recently you could tell me about instead? Unfortunately, good poetry was always inherently doomed. The good stuff, though, thats good! Hidden among the bad prose cosplaying as poetry, somewhere among the metaphors sucked dry of any literary impact through painstaking over-explanation, there is good stuff. Shall I compare thee to a summers day. That kind of thing. (Side-note: please dont compare me to a summers day. Ill save you the time. Im dry and in my late 30s. Its called atopic dermatitis and costs me a fortune in skincare products). When done well, a poem reflects a journey inwards, a poets brief departure from the rational and logical to flirt instead with the transient present. The problem with logic is that, while great for narrative arcs or writing succinct and coherent emails in a chain between higher-ups plotting a wrongful dismissal, it dulls the present, stripping it of its magic. The best poets, such as Keats, Dickinson, or closer to home and our present day, David Malouf and Eileen Chong, do the impossible they catch hold of the uncatchable, grasp the ephemeral, or in the case of Sufi and Hindu mystics such as Rumi or Kabir, capture the souls eternal connection to the divine. Unfortunately, good poetry was always inherently doomed. It excels when it echoes the intangible feeling of existence itself. It reminds us were alive. But that must be felt first to be translated to a page. Great poets have demonstrated the journey to writing poetry like that is both inwards and long. Its inspiring, yet terribly difficult to replicate without years of practice, years of writing. Which is why its perfectly reasonable to openly loathe poetry - those compelled to write will write, hone their craft and spend time alone in the woods, and the rest will hopefully be scared off from poetry altogether, or, at the very least, take themselves off to the woods and leave us all alone for a few years. Suren Jayemanne is a comedian, writer and actor. Advertisement THE CASE FOR POETRY By Eloise Grills It feels strange to be compelled to write an impassioned defence of poetry. Its like when youre a kid and your parents entreat you to be nice to your nerdy and socially unfortunate younger sibling. This kind of artificial propping up only calls attention to poetrys inherently piteous nature, like a street urchin in a Charles Dickens novel. And as much as I wrestle it, my inner school bully emerges, demands to dangle it by its gangly ankles and flush its head in a toilet bowl until it can only speak in blank verse. My analogy begins to break down here, as they usually do, like so much toilet paper under poetrys geeky head. Hating poetry is like throttling a poor, defenceless nerd for no reason, who just wants to live his one mild and pathetic life; to compare his loves smell to a flower, even though he has terrible allergies and all his loves are unrequited, at best. And alright, I guess in the above (and all) scenarios, I am the nerdy and socially unfortunate sibling. I proclaim it, unashamed. Write it in permanent marker, staple it to my forehead: I LOVE POETRY! Eloise Grills. Credit: Bee Elton Loving poetry is like giving yourself a lobotomy because your thoughts are just too damn sublime. Its like suddenly becoming obsessed with other peoples dreams; they are appreciative but slightly suspicious that theres something irrevocably wrong with you. Advertisement I love poetry because it reminds me that for most of time, I was not alive. That the years when I am alive, compared to those where I am not, are insignificant enough to be a statistical anomaly. Poets from the past whisper secrets to me across this vastness, like bats sending their sonic waves across the night. I have had the words piteous overthrows (from Shakespeare?) etched in my mind since high school, and I dont know what they mean or their exact provenance, but I know that they instil this inimitable feeling, like a medieval bell tower ringing out across the windswept valley of my brain. The best poems are beautiful, but they also harbour a little evil inside, like a Kinder Surprise loaded with a single bullet. Alice Notley seething on the bus, wishing her ex-lover insane. Mary Ruefle venturing out into the snow to have sex with a stranger, their private parts whited out, as by TV static. I often contemplate these lines from Hera Lindsay Bird, where her lovers eyes are like two black cats/ licking their assholes/ in the hot morning sun of my face. I can and will never look at a cats asshole the same. Poets from the past whisper secrets to me across this vastness, like bats sending their sonic waves across the night. The beauty and bile in Evelyn Araluens Dropbear, bristling with rage at the colonial-settler project. Mary Fallons Working Hot, squishing violent and profane turns of phrase such as what could I club to death to make it possible for us to touch again? into the curves of my brain. I love poetry because, like a teenage girl from the early 2000s, its like, so random. Anything can be a poem if you insist it is. Anyone can be a poet with a wrinkled copy of Love is a Dog From Hell under their arm, sucking moodily on a cigarette and treating his girlfriend so subtly cruelly that she thinks shes the problem. To be a poet is to have the singular, universal experience of encountering Sylvia Plath and deciding that you, and only you, have her soul lurking within you, begging to be expressed in lovelorn verse. And then to forget about it and write copy for an ad agency, like Lady Lazarus, if she cared inordinately about superannuation. Thats poetry. To be a poet is to cleave to the ridiculous, to hold a penchant for melodrama, an absurd lust to capture manias in wry fragments before they turn to ash in your mouth. Advertisement We need not reserve poetry for serious milestones. Funereal elegies and wedding poems are all fine and dandy, but they have the bureaucratic mouthfeel of reading someone their Miranda rights. Same for the allure of the Australian pastoral. Please dont @ me, John Kinsella, but writing for 25 minutes in a Year 12 English exam about honeycombed sheep skulls is hardly the way to be set alight by the possibilities of poetry. Loading The best poems make you feel like a killer, returning once more to the scene of the crime. They hold on to you, like youre an elderly woman whos forgotten your husbands name while your mind is held at gunpoint by the lyrics of Mambo No. 5. To be a poet is to be a poor, defenceless nerd, and to hit yourself over the head, while taunting yourself to stop hitting yourself. It is a sestina, written by an idiot, dumped like a turd into a cistern, signifying nothing. And despite myself, I want to swirl my own head up and down in its holy toilet water. Religiously, repeatedly, amen. Eloise Grills is an artist and the author of Big Beautiful Female Theory. 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 Rose Byrne is in every frame of If I Had Legs Id Kick You, the remarkable, funny and slightly scandalous movie that opens the Melbourne International Film Festival tonight. The camera sits tight really tight on her flawless face, tracking every twitch, grimace, scowl and frown as Linda, a therapist and the mother of a very sick child, descends into a psychological hell from which she can see no escape. Its called motherhood. What I wanted to do was something I have never seen before, says the movies American writer-director, Mary Bronstein, who is in Australia as a guest of the festival. I wanted to make an expressive piece of work about what its like to be a caretaker in a very serious, high-stakes situation, where you feel like the entire universe is against you. For most of the film, Lindas husband is nothing more than an angry voice (Christian Slaters, to be precise) on the other end of the phone, offering unwanted advice about how to fix things. The child heard but not seen wont or cant eat, and demands almost constant care. Writer-director Mary Bronstein, pictured at Wax Music Lounge in Melbourne, drew from her own life experiences for the film. Credit: Joe Armao Their home has become unlivable because a leak in the apartment above has caused the ceiling to collapse, so mother and child have moved into a motel room, whose tiny space is filled with the beeps and flashing lights of the machine that pumps life-sustaining nutrients into the child. Linda seeks relief in alcohol, drugs, and sly escapes from the nightmarish claustrophobia of her situation. Advertisement Theres nothing heroic or stoic about this long-suffering woman whose tribulations may be real or may be at least partly manufactured in her mind but shes absolutely anchored in truth. The tiny seed that started the entire movie is a real situation I lived through with my daughter shes 15 now when she was seven, says Bronstein. She was very seriously ill. Bronstein and her husband live in New York City, and the treatment their daughter needed was in San Diego, on the other side of the country. So my daughter and I lived together as sort of demented roommates in a small motel room for eight months, and I had a full existential crisis. I was so focused on the situation at hand, which was everything to do with her, that I felt like I was disappearing, literally. The things that happen in the film, she adds, arent all drawn from her actual experience, and she isnt interested in detailing whats factual and whats not. What is important to me to get across is that its all emotionally true. Rose Byrne won the Silver Bear for best lead performance at the Berlin International Film Festival in February for her performance. Credit: Getty Images Bronstein, who started as an actor before making her directing debut 17 years ago with Yeast (in which she co-starred alongside Barbie writer-director Greta Gerwig), has a small role in this movie, as the doctor in charge of the sick childs care. And her view of Linda is not a particularly kind one. Doctor Spring represents, Bronstein concedes, the self-hatred she felt at the time. But in a more general sense, it is a judgment of mothers who are not being perfect all the time, who are having their problems, who are struggling, who maybe are faced with something they cant handle and need help [with]. You know, theres a lot of helpers in the film, and theres a lot of listeners, or potential listeners, but Linda feels as if shes screaming into the wind and the void and nobody is hearing or helping. Advertisement There is a lot of very dark humour in the film, alongside a deep sense of frustration and confusion. Above all, its about a side of motherhood that rarely gets addressed in cinema. Loading I want it to spark a conversation about female rage, and why that makes people so uncomfortable, Bronstein says. It makes women uncomfortable too, not just men. It makes everybody uncomfortable, the idea of female rage, because it feels bottomless. The love for If I Had Legs Id Kick You has been almost bottomless too. Since its debut at Sundance in January, it has garnered rave reviews and earned Rose Byrne the best actress prize at Berlin the following month. But theres a special burden that comes with being the opening-night film at MIFF, one of the biggest film festivals on the planet namely, that it should spark chatter at the after-party without killing the vibe. Theres every chance it will succeed on both scores. But exactly what sort of chatter are you hoping for, Mary Bronstein? I hope electric, thats the word Im going to use, she says. Curious, with people excited at seeing something they havent seen before. And, she adds, she hopes for a lot of car conversations on the way home. Thats my goal. Advertisement 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 Its always been about passion. Passion fuels the fans as they fall hopelessly in love with the principles and principals of Outlander. And it drives the story, keeping its characters simmering, in a romance for the ages. Outlander winds down with its eighth and final season next year, but no one could let it simply die, quietly slipping into endless syndication and eventual trivia questions. Universally beloved except by those bestowing awards the show had to go on. Filling that need, Outlander: Blood of My Blood premieres with two of its 10 episodes. (Its already renewed for a second season.) The prequel reveals the origin stories of Outlanders main characters, Claire and Jamie (Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan), by focusing on their parents. Fittingly, both sets of parents were also ruled by passion. The passion is also transferable, says Hermione Corfield, who plays Claires mother, Julia. Youve got the romantic passion a lot of the characters are driven by their hearts and are willing to do anything to follow their hearts. But I think that also applies for their passion to their clan, or to their families, or to their cause. Everyone is passionate and passionate in different shades, depending on what their main plight is. Outlanders red-hot leads Caitriona Balfe as Claire Randall and Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser. Claires parents, like their daughter, are book-smart, brave and methodical, relying on facts but also trusting their intuition. Claires father, Henry Beauchamp (Jeremy Irvine), and mother leave her with her uncle, an archaeologist, for a holiday when shes six years old. This sort of casual detail reinforces the care with which the origin story is told. Claire grows into a logical, intellectually ravenous woman, whose sense of the explicable world is tested when shes forced to believe in time travel as she flits between post-World War II England and 18th-century Scotland. Advertisement As several actors noted, viewers can come to the spin-off having never seen Outlander. For millions of loyal fans, however, the prequel will make perfect sense. The physical resemblances between parents and offspring are uncanny. Its startling how much Corfield resembles Balfe. Like her daughter, Julia wears her untamable hair pushed off her face, held back with a scarf from which curls escape. Jeremy Irvine as Henry and Hermione Corfield as Julia in 1917 London, before their fateful visit to Scotland. The casting is so spot-on that were anyone to glance at photos of Harriet Slater and Jamie Roy and imagine what their gorgeous child would look like, the result would be Heughan, the perfect morphing of these two. Loading We actually went to a look-alike competition to get these roles, Roy says, deadpan. It wasnt an audition. Its just, you know, in a field with 100 guys, if you looked like Sam. Roy had auditioned for Outlander but wasnt cast because he looks too much like Heughan. He breaks into a wide grin as he speaks with Slater, who has flaming red hair, like Heughan. Their characters are star-crossed lovers, the Romeo and Juliet tragedy. Coming from clans that hate each other, the kids are destined to fall in love. But they would not allow their passion to be extinguished. Advertisement Shes so complicated, which is what I love about her, Slater says of her character, Ellen MacKenzie. She is very strong-willed. Shes very smart. She is trapped in a situation. You know, shes a woman in 1714 Scotland. There are so many things she cant do or say. There are so many expectations put on her. Shes expected to perform her duty and marry for the sake of the clan, but she doesnt want to do that. Shes never wanted to do that, and her father always protected her from that. Jamie Roy as Brian and Harriet Slater as Ellen Outlander original Jamies parents in the prequel. But at the start of the show, we see her vulnerable because he [her father, the laird] has just passed away, and her brothers use that immediately to their own advantage, Slater continues. And start making plans for who theyre going to marry her off to, in order to secure lairdship or whatever. And thats when she meets this guy and falls head over heels in love, and her whole world is turned upside-down because she never thought shed feel this way. Shes fully torn between wanting to be with him but knowing that hes from a rival clan, and thats just not done, and she wants to protect the clan at the same time and protect her family. So, its a really tricky situation, but an exciting one to play. Loading Longtime fans neednt fret. The prequel delivers what they crave. Its beautifully produced some shots resemble Vermeer paintings has haunting melodies, some dialogue in Gaelic and fierce fight scenes. Its designed to retain the sagas global fan base and lure in new devotees by living within the layered universe Diana Gabaldon created with her bestsellers. Her work forms the foundation for Outlander: Blood of My Blood. Advertisement This phrase is invoked often in the first three episodes. People declare their allegiances, and never half-heartedly. Passion thrums through all. Honour, loyalty, fealty. Before these words were diluted into meaningless corporate mission statements, they represented selfless principles for which a man would give his life. When that man is a well-muscled, square-jawed Scotsman wrapped in a kilt, standing in the mists of the Highlands, passion gets elevated to frenzy. The parents love stories unfold in 1714 and 1917. That passion is combustible with Jamie and Claire, consumed by the sort of love so singular that all else fades. Its the sort of connection people spend their lives seeking. Blood of My Blood takes viewers to familiar, yet slightly different times as the parents epic love stories unfold in 1714 and 1917. Of course, time travel must be a constant, and the characters reflect their eras. The actors playing Claires parents had an advantage because theyre friends. We did a film called Fallen, which was part of a YA novel series, Corfield says. We shot it about 10 years ago. We met on a job in Budapest and stayed friends all these years. Advertisement Henry and Julia forge their bond intellectually, and when they can be together, its incendiary. With both couples, their initial attraction is explosive, sparking reactions so profound their atomic matter must have been shuffled. Given Jamies parents were born when marriages were arranged and women were considered chattel, options were limited. Ellen MacKenzie was a prize her brothers could use to sweeten a deal. Naturally, shes savvier than her brothers. On a publicity tour, having shot the first five episodes of the second season, Roy considers what drives his character, Brian Fraser. First of all, hes pragmatic, Roy says. He can be quick-cutting when he needs to be, but hes honestly a man of very simple needs. Hes a bastard, born out of wedlock. So, he doesnt have the same opportunities as a lot of men his age would have, and he wont have those, unfortunately. But hes very much made peace with that. Hes very stoic in that sense, but hes extremely passionate. They are all incredibly passionate people, Slater, his onscreen wife, notes. Its not just necessarily romantically, although it is as well. There are so many other things that they are passionate about. Colum and Dougal [her brothers], theyre so passionate about power. Having already encountered fans at conventions, the actors realise a new level of celebrity could soon envelop them. Theyve talked about signing on to Outlander: Blood of My Blood for six years. However, nothing is definitive beyond the second season. Advertisement Advertisement The Weekly Special Eating outWhats on The Weekly Special: Which dearly departed WA restaurant is being resurrected for one day only? Max Veenhuyzen August 6, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share Since its first iteration in 2012, OzHarvests CEO Cookoff has raised more than $16 million dollars for the food charitys vital mission to feed hungry Australians. This year, West Australian business and community leaders finally get their chance to be part of the event when the CEO Cookoff makes its Perth debut. Colin Fassnidge cooking at OzHarvests CEO Cookoff in Sydney. Held at Perth City Farm on October 16, the event invites West Australians to roll up their sleeves and, working alongside OzHarvest ambassadors and food personalities Miguel Maestre and Colin Fassnidge, transform rescued food into meals for vulnerable members of the community. To register your interest and find out more about qualifying requirements (participants are required to raise $5000 to be part of the event) visit ceocookoff.com.au. Advertisement Stepping up the Plate(ful) Plateful Perth, the City of Perths month-long celebration of food and drink, is in full swing and sees dining rooms, bars and pubs hosting a variety of specials and one-off events in the name of good eating and living. More than 100 venues are getting involved in this years program that covers all price points and tastes. Highlights from this first week include Fleurs Gallic celebration, Oui, Paris! (August 7); aperitivo hour at Santini at the QT Hotel (daily); plus a lunchtime banh mi deal at Le Vietnam that includes an iced tea and pork puff pastry (daily). This is also the first year that hotels are getting in on the action with all-in dining and accommodation packages being offered. Visit platefulperth.com.au for more details. Albertas pops up at Si Paradiso Advertisement Albertas Busselton: gone, but not forgotten. Max Veenhuyzen Kirsty Marchant and Ben Ing, the Noma alum behind Busseltons dearly departed Albertas, are resurrecting their rootsy brand of hospitality plus a few carefully nurtured ferments to the big smoke for a one-day takeover at Beaufort Streets Si Paradiso this Sunday (August 10). Unsurprisingly, table bookings for lunch and dinner disappeared in a flash, but walk-ins will be available on the day. Dont miss out. WA hosting national conversation on farming, food and community This September sees the southwest town of Bridgetown host Grounded 2025, a national conversation on farming, food and community. Founded by farmer, food advocate and former Sydney Morning Herald food critic Matthew Evans, Grounded is taking over Galloway Springs Farm from September 19 to 20 and will bring together farmers, educators, researchers, chefs and consumers for two days of honest conversation, practical workshops, and community connection. Advertisement Grounded is about real stories, real people, and real solutions, Evans says. Its a chance to gather on-country and talk about what really matters - from soil health and climate to big-picture systems thinking and community resilience. The 2025 edition will include sessions on biodiversity, waste, nutritional density and mental health led by national and international speakers. Long-table meals, local wines, book signings and music will feature in the program. Grounded is supported by RegenWA and will run as a satellite event of the Regenerative Food Systems Conference that will also be running in Perth (September 17 to 18) earlier that week. Visit groundedaustralia.com.au for more details. Chef Kurt Sampson has passed away after a battle with Motor Neuron Disease. GoFundMe Vale, Kurt Sampson The Australian hospitality family is mourning the passing of New Zealand-born chef Kurt Sampson in Dunedin last week. While eaters in Western Australia will remember Sampson from his time at key restaurants such as 44 King Street, Pata Negra and Propeller, he had a similarly illustrious career in Melbourne where his knowing way with Levantine and Moorish flavours at MoMo, OConnells and Harveys - among other influential dining rooms - endeared him to Victorian diners too. Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Advertisement Eating outJust open Neil Perry opens Italian restaurant in former Song Bird site After missing the mark with his Asian-leaning venture on Bay Street, the veteran restaurateur is rebooting the space with pasta, ossobuco and a $260 steak. Scott Bolles August 7, 2025 Save Log in , register or subscribe to save articles for later. You have reached your maximum number of saved items. Remove items from your saved list to add more. Save this article for later Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime. Got it Share 1 / 7 The former Song Bird site in Double Bay has been transformed into Gran Torino. Yusuke Oba 2 / 7 Agnolotti del plin is filled with veal, guinea fowl and sage butter. Plin means to pinch and refers to the way the pasta is sealed. Yusuke Oba 3 / 7 Brussels sprouts salad with pear, walnut and Pecorino di Fossa an Italian cheese aged in underground pits. Yusuke Oba 4 / 7 Bresaola made from the Japanese mishima breed of cattle is served with parmigiano reggiano and olive oil. Yusuke Oba 5 / 7 Chefs (from left) Ervin Mumajesi, Richard Purdue and Neil Perry will be behind the wheel at Gran Torino. Yusuke Oba 6 / 7 Italian art and framed posters have been added to the walls. Yusuke Oba 7 / 7 Bar Torino will take over the former Bobbies site downstairs. Yusuke Oba Previous Slide Next Slide As Neil Perrys Gran Torino moves to the starting grid on Saturday, the restaurants chefs have been scrambling, cooking pasta in woks in the reboot from the Asian-leaning Song Bird to an Italian venue. Perry has always liked the Gran Torino muscle car from the 1970s, and the inclusive race message behind the Clint Eastwood film of the same name. And theres the Italian city of Turin, where hed originally planned to attend the Worlds 50 Best Restaurants awards in June before events unfolded in Double Bay, culminating in the decision to close Song Bird after less than a year. Chefs (from left) Ervin Mumajesi, Richard Purdue and Neil Perry will be behind the wheel at Gran Torino. Yusuke Oba The $13 million gamble with the Neville Gruzman building on Bay Street hasnt matched the chefs enduring success a block down at Margaret restaurant, which Perry said clocked its busiest day of trade late last month. Advertisement Perry originally conceded hed missed the mark with the massive scale of the three-level Song Bird, plus Bobbies bar in the basement. But hes walked back on earlier plans to recalibrate the site as a smaller venue under the new Gran Torino plan. Bar Torino will open in the Bobbies space on September 2, and hes keeping the top-floor event area, which had been earmarked to be leased out as office space. Perry said it made sense to retain the bar rather than bring in an external operator, given Bar Torinos antipasti menu will come out of the Gran Torino kitchen upstairs. Well be doing Italian cocktails, the veteran restaurateur said. Hes more confident in the bar on its second lap after an early plumbing issue was finally sorted out. You couldve filled a swimming pool, Perry said. We all got pretty depressed when it smelled like a damp cave. Agnolotti del plin is filled with veal, guinea fowl and sage butter. Plin means to pinch and refers to the way the pasta is sealed. Yusuke Oba Advertisement Restaurant pivots are notoriously difficult, and the Asian-to-Italian move isnt Perrys first culinary shift. He cites the successful segue at Star Grill at Darling Harbour to Wokpool in the 1990s. And hes had some experience behind the wheel with Italian, having previously opened Rosetta restaurants in Melbourne and Sydney. Theres probably slightly more dishes from the north, but well walk all around Italy, Perry said. With Italian, good shopping is good cooking. The Gran Torino kitchen will tap the network of suppliers built up at Margaret. Expect top-shelf snapper in acqua pazza (crazy water) and premium swordfish with salmoriglio, Mishima beef in ossobuco (all three dishes will be $49), and a one-kilogram dry-aged CopperTree T-bone if you splash on the $260 bistecca alla Fiorentina. Gran Torinos executive chef Richard Purdue steered the Margaret kitchen, and he was part of the opening team with Perry at Rosetta in Sydney before that. While Rosetta closed during COVID, Purdue said theres a small nod to the restaurant, with its vitello tonnato finding space on the Gran Torino antipasti line-up alongside dishes such as calamari e zucchini fritti and a salad of Brussels sprouts, pear and walnuts. Advertisement Brussels sprouts salad with pear, walnut and Pecorino di Fossa an Italian cheese aged in underground pits. Yusuke Oba Purdue is also rebirthing torta di Verona, a dessert that owes more to the long-closed Taylors restaurant in Surry Hills for its lineage than the Italian city in its name. Its got nothing at all to do [with the] city, Purdue said. While Gran Torino will share some of the slow-steaming technique of its predecessor, Purdue said the team has been forced to cook pasta in woks until the imminent arrival of new kitchen equipment. With the minimal addition of Italian art and framed photos, one featuring actress Gina Lollobrigida, Perry said the team had been lucky the Song Bird interior was neutral enough to require minimal change for its Italian pivot. He is aware of the high stakes involved, for both himself and his business partner wife, Sam. Its our house on the line, he said. Advertisement Gran Torino might be a used classic; it could also prove a race-winning getaway car. Open lunch and dinner Wednesday-Sunday; dinner Tuesday 24 Bay Street, Double Bay, themargaretfamily.com/venue/gran-torino Related Article Neil Perry to replace Song Bird with Italian restaurant Restaurant reviews, news and the hottest openings served to your inbox. Sign up Its this element of their relationship a commitment despite living apart thats key. We have each others backs, says Ruschanow. Wolff says: If I had to describe our relationship in one word, it would be contentment. What are living-apart-together couples? Living-apart-together or LAT couples, as sociologists refer to them, make the conscious choice to maintain separate homes over the long term. They are not separated due to work or family commitments (like fly-in, fly-out families), nor are they in the transition stage before cohabitation. Quantifying the number of living-apart-together couples can be hard. However, in 2019, more than 1.8 million Australians reported having an intimate partner they didnt live with, according to the Household Income and Labour Dynamics Survey from 2021. Of this group, almost 80 per cent lived within an hours travel of one another, while 89 per cent saw one another in person at least once a week. Loading Some of the earliest forms of LAT relationships were observed in Western Europe in the 1970s, while in the US, the number of married couples who lived apart increased by 25 per cent between 2000 and 2019. Relationships NSW chief executive Elisabeth Shaw has noticed an increase in LAT couples, particularly those in the middle stages of life who are not willing to blend families or who have come to value their independence. She says the two main benefits are protection of assets and having distinct, independent time, without having to defend or justify it. Many well-known couples, from Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera to Gwyneth Paltrow and Brad Falchuk, have enjoyed separate living arrangements. But living apart typically relies on a level of financial privilege. Wolff and Ruschanow say their arrangement is made possible only because they could afford to buy their own homes. House prices in Australia have risen about 38 per cent in the past five years while divorce is at its lowest level since the introduction of no-fault divorce in 1976, a fall that has been attributed in part to the lack of affordable housing. Recently, the number of couples separated but living under the same roof has also risen. Living apart together couples buck this trend. Defying convention Sharon Hyman, a Canadian filmmaker who is working on a documentary about the living arrangement, founded an online community for couples who live apart. She says LAT relationships often face judgment. When I speak to people in the group in their 20s and 30s, they still feel the pressure from Hollywood movies and romance novels, where you meet somebody, you fall in love, and then you live together, Hyman says. Says Shaw: Weve got this standard in society that relationships play out one way. But she says LAT couples say they have just as much care and love for one another. [Societys] beliefs really come from the idea that theres only one way to prove true love. Hyman coined the term Apartners for her online community, which she believes is the largest of its kind globally, with more than 7000 members worldwide, including in Australia. Having been with her partner, David, for 26 years, Hyman believes living apart is key to a happy and healthy relationship. Its been 26 years, and every time David comes over, Im so excited to see him. I dont know a lot of couples who could say that. Sharon Hyman When you have time alone, you get to recharge your batteries ... and then you become a better partner because when youre together, its very intentional, she says. Its been 26 years, and every time David comes over, Im so excited to see him. I dont know a lot of couples who could say that. Other benefits include maintaining childrens routines separately, and avoiding squabbles over domestic duties, the burden of which women tend to bear. Hyman sees the trend as emblematic of a broader shift in the way we think about relationships. Dont expect to get everything out of one person ... nobody could meet those expectations. The findings of a 2024 study of 50,000 UK adults suggested those in LAT relationships had similar levels of mental wellbeing and mental distress to those in conventional married or cohabiting relationships. Hyman credits the LGBTQ community with paving the way for LAT couples, who inherently defy conventional ideas around what partnership looks like. They really have taught us different ways to look to and determine what is family, she says. She stresses shes not against co-habitation, but an advocate for flexibility in relationship structures. Independence was high on the list Hobart couple Lauren Watson (left) and Jess Yasuda, pictured with Yasudas cat, Ava, are in a living-apart-together relationship. Credit: Peter Mathew Hobart couple Lauren Watson, 37, and Jess Yasuda, 39, have been together for three years, during which time theyve lived an hour apart from one another. They met online, and each has three children from previous marriages. We actually had a really good discussion on our third date about what kind of relationship we were looking for, and we were on the same page, with independence being really high on that list, says Watson, explaining they also chose not to blend their families. For Yasuda, a small business owner and entrepreneur, independence was not just about having her own space (Im a bit of a clean freak ... I get really stressed if housework isnt done, so I know Im not easy to live with, she says), but financial independence, too. I earn more money than Lauren, and I dont ever want to feel that resentment of feeling like Im financially looking after someone again, because thats been a dynamic for me in the past. Despite the benefits, both concede the arrangement can be challenging if there is an emergency. Theres a stereotype with lesbians that they move in with each other after the second date and blend really quickly ... they can become quite co-dependent. Lauren Watson Watson acknowledges the LGBTQ community has typically challenged traditional family structures, but says questioning of their relationship has, paradoxically, come mainly from within the community. Theres a stereotype with lesbians that they move in with each other after the second date and blend really quickly ... they can become quite co-dependent, she says. She credits the time apart with maintaining their physical relationship too. I think its kept our sex life really active. Were three years in, and it feels like nothings changed. We get to really cherish each other, says Yasuda. Doing it for the kids Yvette Evans-Streeter and Ed Streeter lived in separate homes after getting married. Credit: Janie Barrett Yvette Evans-Streeter and Ed Streeter met in 2021, marrying not long after in 2022. But for three years, they lived in separate parts of Sydney. Each has young children from previous marriages, so they wanted stability for their kids as they saw them through their final years of schooling. During this time, Evans-Streeter kept an arrangement often called bird-nesting with her ex, in which their kids stay in the family home and the pair rotated in and out, living in a one-bedroom apartment they bought together on their off-weeks. I wish more people would do [what we did], because there are so many failures at blending families, because often the adults want it, but the children dont. We have given our children a lot of time and space and not interrupted their lives in order to blend, says Evans-Streeter. While the pair are now happily cohabitating (along with Evans-Streeters three adult sons, the girlfriend of her eldest and Streeters two children), they say the time apart gave them an appreciation for one another. Australias northern neighbour will convert a medical facility on a currently uninhabited island to treat about 2000 wounded Palestinians, who will return to Gaza after recovery, a presidential spokesperson said on Thursday. The injured people and their relatives will be housed at a site on the island of Galang off Sumatra, south of Singapore, which was previously a COVID-19 hospital and, until 1996, a Vietnamese refugee camp. Palestinians injured while trying to reach aid trucks entering Gaza Strip receive treatment on Tuesday. Credit: AP Indonesia will give medical help for about 2000 Gaza residents who became victims of war, those who are wounded, buried under debris, spokesperson Hasan Nasbi told reporters, adding that the exercise was not an evacuation. The patients would be taken back to Gaza after they had healed, he said. The plan comes months after Indonesian President Prabowo Subiantos offer to shelter wounded Palestinians drew criticism from Indonesias top clerics for seeming too close to US President Donald Trumps suggestion of permanently relocating Palestinians out of Gaza. It comes as a former Israeli prime minister has said most Israelis are not in favour of what its government is doing in Gaza. Former Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert. Credit: AP Speaking on ABC News Afternoon Briefing, Ehud Olmert said: The idea of conquering all of Gaza is something which is not going to do any good, not to the Israeli hostages, and not to the prospect of ending the war, and definitely not of refraining from killing unnecessarily the Palestinians, which will become victims almost inevitably, of this military operation. Loading Olmert also said recognising Palestinian statehood was not a punishment for Israel. When I was prime minister, from 2006, early 2006, til mid-2009, I proposed a Palestinian Authority with comprehensive peace plan that will allow, as part, the creation of a Palestinian state on the basis of the borders of 1967 with the Arab side of Jerusalem as the capital of Palestine, he said. I dont need the Australian prime minister today to tell me there is an idea of two states. The Palestinian side didnt have the courage and the wisdom to then agree to it, which may have changed history for millions. I definitely support the creation of a Palestinian state. I think its a mistake to present it as a kind of a threat, as a punishment to Israel. Really, what does the Australian prime minister say? He says Israel will not behave itself until the September assembly of the United Nations, they will recognise the Palestinian state, which doesnt exist. Olmert said countries around the world could continue to build a coalition to influence the Israeli government and Palestinian Authority to reform themselves. With Alexander Darling 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 Dennis Glover, in his expose of the needless and immoral 1945 atomic bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki (Atomic bombs werent needed to end WWII, August 6) and likewise the false rationalisation offered for current missile attacks on Gaza and Ukraine cities, makes the crucial points that in built-up areas, there is no such thing as a precision bomb or missile and we learn from history or repeat it. The use of nuclear weapons can never be justified, and so Australia needs to resist pressure from those countries that possess nuclear weapons, such as the US, take the only moral stance possible and become a signatory to the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons. Paul Casey, Callala Bay People lay flowers at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Credit: Getty Images Dennis Glover points out the ghastly similarities between Japans stance at the end of World War II and Gaza today. Like Japan was, Hamas is also effectively beaten but refuses to surrender embedded and all too willing to sacrifice innocent civilians. The cover of war unleashes the very worst human behaviour on both sides. Perhaps we only ever learn the lessons from history that suit our current purposes. Margaret Johnston, Paddington How fickle the convoluted path that history carves us. The freshly awarded Japanese naval contract reinforces the futility of war (Japan wins lucrative warships deal, August 6). In 1915, the Japanese navy assisted in the safe escort of the ANZAC force to their baptism on the international stage of war. A shade over 20 years later and the Imperial navy loomed menacingly on our doorstep. Now, on the eve of the 80th anniversary of Hiroshima we see Japan, an important trading partner, is to supply us with warships. Lets rather skip the conflicts and concentrate on the commerce. Steve Dillon, Thirroul Total trumpery How ironic that, soon after the World Meteorological Organisation celebrated its 75th birthday and not long before Brazil hosts this years climate summit, the Trump administration is making random cuts to its marine, climate and weather services (Trumps cuts cast a cloud over Australian forecasting, August 6). In fact, its much worse than ironic, its dangerous. As Climate Change Authority chair Matt Kean points out, the world relies on global collaboration for predictions of major weather patterns such as El Nino and La Nina, as well as warnings of catastrophic weather events such as tsunamis. Its another example of Donald Trumps amoral disregard for the consequences of his decisions, including cutting off life-saving funds from USAid. The evidence continues to mount that Trump may be plausibly accused of crimes against humanity. Tom Knowles, Parkville (Vic) Advertisement Oxford Dictionary definition of the word trumpery worthless finery, unsound reasoning, things of no real value, tawdry and worthless, fallacious. (French: tromperie deceit) No further comment. Bill Baragry, Forster Bridging the divide As much as I believe in the right to protest, I believe that letter writers are on the whole unfair to Premier Chris Minns when he said protests that close the bridge cannot become a regular occurrence (Letters, August 6). He represents us all those who wish to protest but also the silent majority who are inconvenienced. Everyone has a right to use their city. Manuela Epstein, Pyrmont Readers are defending Premier Chris Minns over the bridge march. Credit: Getty Images Chris Minns cant win. He was elected by a majority of us in 2023. He has done a reasonable job but no politician can please everyone. He is premier in difficult times, and believed it was in the best interests of all not to close the Harbour Bridge, a vital piece of our road network. I believe he acted in the best interests of the silent majority. Denis Suttling, Newport Beach I went on the bridge march on Sunday, but because my legs dont work as well as they used to, I rode my mobility scooter, Neddy. We were towards the end of the march when we were told to turn around. I found myself on the wrong side of a traffic barrier and approached one of the policemen on duty and pointed out that although Neddy was a stout steed, he was not good at the jumps. No problem; I dismounted and the policeman and a colleague lifted Neddy over the barrier, steadied me while I stepped over, guided me to the next divider and repeated the operation. This interaction epitomised the attitude of the march as I saw it. I heard no complaints, even when Neddy occasionally ran into the backs of marchers in front of me. It seemed as though everyone realised that the discomfort of a bit of rain was insignificant compared with the sufferings of the Gazans. David Swain, Glenhaven Credit: Cathy Wilcox Advertisement What about Syria? Alex Kemeny, its a good question where are the protesters for the Sudanese starving (Letters, August 6)? And what about Syria, where three million people are food insecure? Ex-president Assad had a policy of besiege, starve, force to surrender. His regime bombed food stores, livestock, agricultural machinery and infrastructure to starve civilians. He even besieged and sealed off Yarmouk, the capital of the Palestinian diaspora, leading to starvation and typhus, and then mass bombing. At the end of the war in Syria, 16 million people relied on humanitarian assistance. Can anyone recall a single protest, photos of the starving, letters to the editor during the 13 years of horror that left more than 600,000 people dead? Richard Abram, Bexley Your correspondents question the focus on food security in Gaza rather than Sudan (Letters, August 6). There are presently 110 active war zones in the world, with very few mentioned in the Western media. Our energies would be well directed to the stakeholders in active conflicts. Consider the trillion-dollar arms industry, also the potential bounty of war: resources, land, money, power. Thus, a journalist researched Sudans 21-year civil war, portrayed by the Western media as a conflict between the Muslim north and the Christian and animist south. The journalist found many foreign countries were heavily involved in the war, investing with weapons and money to gain later access to Sudans wealth of resources, including gold. Incidentally, I have taught refugees and frequently heard people whod fled to Sudan from nearby war-torn countries speak of the great kindness of the Sudanese people, and their willingness to share whatever they had with others in need. While we hear a lot about Africas troubles, there are also strongly positive attributes in its societies, too. Barbara Chapman, South Yarra (Vic) A Sudanese mother feeds her severely malnourished son with peanut paste. Credit: Getty Hoards descend Offering suggestions on how to invest hoarded cash misunderstands the situation (How to invest the $103.7 billion Aussies have stashed under the mattress, August 6). Anonymity, a valued characteristic of hoarded cash assets, would be lost if the cash was invested. That is precisely why it is not invested. Some hoarded cash would have been received as income but not declared to evade paying tax. Much of the hoarded cash belongs to older people entitled to a part age-pension. Part-pension entitlements are increased when the value of means-tested assets are reduced an increase equivalent to a tax-free return of 7 per cent per annum on cash deposited under the bed. Hoarding cash may be immoral but, done deliberately, it can be a financially sensible decision. Peter Mair, Dee Why Advertisement Peter who? The happy news of one of the worlds most powerful batteries coming online here in Australia (Huge battery switches on, August 6) summoned a vision of a King Canute-like character in a suit and blue tie aghast that the tide now laps around his ankles. And then I read the musings of Peter Dutton, whose spectral words of support echo from his political grave (despite his promise to maintain a graceful silence) and I thank the electorate yet again for rejecting this gloomy naysayer for once and for all (Dutton breaks his silence, August 6). Alison Stewart, Riverview There is nothing Dutton says that deserves a story in the paper. His comments do not make an iota of difference to the current issues and crises. The world has moved on, and so have Herald readers. Mukul Desai, Hunters Hill Nick Toscanos article introduces the new $1 billion Waratah Super Battery as one of the largest of its kind in the world. This should be put into context. This battery would provide about 12 minutes of statewide electricity supply. The battery is presently designed to be a shock absorber in the event of lightning strikes or when the sun does not shine. Proponents of green energy might want to ponder on how many more batteries like this will be needed when we decommission all of our fossil fuel generators. Perhaps then they might accept that green electricity is not the cheapest form of 24/7 power. Richard Freemantle, Palm Beach The Waratah Super Battery in NSW. Chance to save Kosciuszko Now is the perfect time for both sides of the NSW parliament to agree to repeal former National Party leader John Barilaros grotesque legacy (Barilaros Brumby Bill back to divide NSW coalition, August 6). The brumby bill allocates one-third of Kosciuszko National Park to 3000 feral horses. Their presence has caused enormous damage to a broad range of ecosystems and pushes already threatened species into greater peril. We have now seen the effective and humane removal of horses outside of the horse retention zones, bringing horse management in line with the control of other feral animals. People now broadly understand the science underpinning these management decisions. I hope the NSW Liberals join Labor in developing a common-sense, science-informed approach to managing national parks. Professor Don Driscoll, Deakin University Advertisement I have followed the debate about brumbies in Kosciuszko for years, and was dismayed at the support for allowing these feral animals to live in such a pristine, unique, part of the world. So I was delighted, thrilled actually, to read in your paper that many NSW Liberals now support independent MP Joe McGirrs proposed bill to repeal the Kosciuszko Wild Horse Heritage Act. This truly demonstrates the importance of giving credence to science, rather than legislation by emotion. Terrylea Reynolds, Garran (ACT) Its fantastic to see current and former Liberal MPs like Matt Kean, Rob Stokes, Aileen McDonald and Robert Dwyer speaking out in favour of Joe McGirrs bill. The current legislation, which mandates keeping about 3000 feral horses, has caused significant damage to our precious Kosciuszko National Park. Its been a ridiculous law that many of us have been working hard to see scrapped. Kean hit the nail on the head calling the original bill a mistake of potentially historic proportions. Heres hoping parliament acts swiftly to reverse this damaging policy. Ainslie Fisher, Leura Brumbies in the Kosciuszko National Park are causing erosion to the waterways. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen The report that parliament is soon to consider repealing the appalling Barilaro wild horse legislation is welcome news and deserves support. As a long-term advocate for the protection of Australias unique nature, I urge our representatives to ensure this overdue private members bill gets up. Anne Reeves, Glebe There will never be peace of mind for anyone who has any concerns for the environment until Barilaros Brumby Bill is repealed. The Liberal Party has an opportunity to demonstrate that it isnt the lackey of the National Party, which created this tragedy. Annette Smith, Farrer (ACT) Suburban crusade Gold stars to Judith Pearson for her bravery at taking on the government housing reforms (Mosman resident fights housing reform in court, August 6). The low to mid-rise reforms, together with the Transport Oriented Development reforms, the prevalence of State Significant Developments and the introduction of the Housing Delivery Authority, have the potential to destroy this city as we know it. Dont be fooled, if these reforms come to fruition there will be few trees left, a multitude of unit blocks staring at each other, insufficient schools, hospitals and green space, major deterioration of the natural environment, an increase in mental health problems and you wont be able to go anywhere because the roads will be totally congested. Madness. What we know and treasure and what makes us the community we are, is in danger of being taken from us. Elizabeth Howard, Katoomba Advertisement WINDHOEK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Namibia on Wednesday launched the second phase of the Africa Asia Youth Coding Initiative, aimed at integrating coding and artificial intelligence (AI) skills into the country's formal education system. The initiative is a partnership between the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), China-based coding education company CODEMAO, Chinese consumer electronics manufacturer OPPO, and Namibia's Ministry of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture. The launch marked a new phase for the project, which previously operated through after-school programs from 2021 to 2024, reaching more than 3,000 young people and 350 teachers. In her keynote address, Minister of Education, Innovation, Youth, Sports, Arts, and Culture Sanet Steenkamp said the program will empower youth to take ownership of Namibia's digital future. "Phase II of this initiative is part of Namibia's Sixth National Development Plan (NDP6) in action, transforming our national vision into reality," she said. The minister emphasized that NDP6 targets increasing access to modern technologies from an average of 28 percent of the population to 70 percent. "Initiatives like this bring us closer to that target by putting technology directly in the hands of our youth," she added. "This second phase of the Africa Asia Youth Coding Initiative in Namibia is focused on having a long-term, sustainable impact," Eunice Smith, UNESCO's head of office and representative to Namibia, said at the launch. It aims to reach all information and communication technology (ICT) teachers and students by 2029 by embedding coding and artificial intelligence (AI) into the national curriculum, Smith noted. Aligned with UNESCO's broader efforts to strengthen ICT in education, the initiative will support curriculum reform, train teacher trainers, and implement student training programs in coding and AI across Namibian classrooms. To help bridge the digital divide, 200 OPPO tablets were handed over at the launch. These will be distributed to eight selected schools to enhance hands-on learning and improve access to digital tools for both teaching and learning. A complaint made by a Palestinian man against the Australian Jewish Association, and accepted by the Anti-Discrimination Board of NSW, claims the organisation engaged in serious and repeated public acts of racial and religious vilification. The 58-page complaint points to nine alleged acts of racial vilification and seven acts of religious vilification, in social media posts by AJA on X, Facebook and Instagram. Pro-Palestine protesters march across the Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sunday. Credit: Janie Barrett Kassem Chalabi, a Palestinian-Australian Muslim based in Sydney and chief executive of the Palestinian Australians Welfare Association, alleged the posts incited hatred, contempt and ridicule of Palestinians and Muslims. As a grandfather, father, a husband, and a proud Palestinian Muslim, I couldnt stay silent, he said. Nearly 74,000 Queensland students showed up at school on Wednesday as their teachers walked off the job and rallied across the state to demand nation-leading pay and conditions. The Education Department said about 13 per cent of primary and high school students were marked in attendance, as some 50,000 members of the teachers union stopped work for the first time in 16 years. Teachers voted to strike again should satisfactory progress towards a reasonable agreement not be made, with union president Cresta Richardson saying: We can afford an Olympic Games, but we cant afford to pay our teachers properly? Come on. The union was set to continue conciliation through the Industrial Relations Commission on Thursday a process that could take months. But Richardson said it would be prepared to fast-track negotiations if the state made an improved offer. Much of the illicit loose tobacco in Australia is home-grown, while most illegal cigarettes come from China. Those cigarettes are either counterfeits of cigarettes sold here or brands not available in Australia. Because they are smuggled in through Australias porous border, importers do not pay the tobacco excise currently $1.40 per cigarette and lack the barcode, plain packaging and health messaging on their legal counterparts. Loading They are also significantly cheaper, sold through the convenience stores that have become ubiquitous in Sydney. Estimates have the cost price of a packet of illegal smokes as low as $2, providing both a significant profit for the importers and a cheaper product for the consumer. Organised crime are filling some of that void. Theyre able to provide cigarettes between $10 and $25 a packet rather than between $40 and $65 a packet, Bennett said. NSW Premier Chris Minns in June came out swinging at the Commonwealth tobacco excise which is indexed and also being increased by 5 per cent each year for a three-year period starting in 2023 saying it should be reconsidered. On Wednesday, the state government introduced what it describes as tough new laws to parliament. The sweeping new legislation is designed to penalise selling illegal tobacco, and would allow evictions of retailers selling illegal tobacco, business shutdowns and fines of up to $1.5 million. As lucrative as illegal drugs Sydneys criminal milieu has long been keen to meet the citys ravenous appetite for illicit drugs; anecdotal evidence suggests that major players such as the Alameddine crime family can earn up to $1 million a week in profit. Despite these eye-watering profits, criminal groups are increasingly looking to illegal tobacco, says Bennett. A briefing to Police Minister Yasmin Catley, seen by this masthead, suggests players responsible for violence in Victoria have moved into NSW and aligned themselves with known actors. Asian and Middle Eastern organised crime groups have also become involved in the illicit tobacco trade, the briefing says. Australian Border Force officers with a container of illegal cigarettes. Credit: Luis Enrique Ascui There are two reasons for this illegal tobacco has a much larger potential market than illicit drugs, and the penalties for importing or selling illicit smokes are considerably lighter than for drugs. Large organised crime groups that have traditionally been involved in drug trafficking, extortion, kidnapping and ransom, theyve all got an offshoot in illegal tobacco, Bennett said. From what I can see, its easily as lucrative as illegal drugs. Were certainly seeing that sort of traditional organised crime tactics around eliminating competition and establishing an area where you can do business. Loading Arson attacks, which have authorities particularly concerned because of the proximity of many tobacconists to residential dwellings, have been used in NSW, says the briefing to the police minister. Legitimate retailers have also been targeted by organised crime, who are forced to sell illicit products on behalf of the crime group then are extorted for protection money. In a matter before the courts, a man allegedly planned to steal almost $1 million in cash from the home of a NSW tobacconist in November last year. Documents seen by the Herald allege the man used a device to track multiple cars and was heard on a phone tap discussing kidnapping people, dressing up as a police officer to orchestrate a vehicle stop or breaking into storage sheds. Police tracking the man and his co-accused stymied the alleged plot before the money which police say is profits from illegal tobacco could be stolen. He cannot be identified for legal reasons. Cigarettes are sold virtually everywhere, in all types of retailers. Credit: Sam Mooy In a separate case, an alleged tobacco runner had his big toe partially severed; in another instance last year, a tobacconist business was burnt to the ground. Bennett said it could be difficult to discern if this extreme violence was born of illegal drugs or tobacco, but more frequently were finding from our intelligence base and from talking to the police, and talking to victims and talking to offenders, that the motivation is illegal tobacco. The business of illicit tobacco has ensnared a huge number of seemingly everyday people such as the Sydney woman with $2 million in the boot, now before the courts on two counts of dealing with the proceeds of crime whose alleged role is to move huge volumes of cash, cigarettes and tobacco up and down the eastern seaboard. Loading In January, a truck driver was caught in one of the north shores most moneyed suburbs, allegedly with $1 million in the back of his truck. The money was seized by the Crime Commission and he remains before the courts on proceeds of crime offences. That man, too, cannot be identified. Bennett said the NSW Police have been very active, very busy both in vehicle stops of the type that allegedly both foiled the truck driver and the Sydney woman, and in their ongoing fight against organised crime. On a local [police station] level is where you get that short-term information based around storage sheds or vehicle movements, which have led to quite a few seizures north of $1 million, Bennett said. Police are heavily involved in stopping illegal tobacco, but debate has raged over exactly who should regulate it. While NSW Health is the lead agency, it is ill equipped to take on the underworld. Minns has said he doesnt want police taken away from the fight against domestic violence and organised crime. Commercial implications Independent MP Jacqui Scruby has proposed exclusion zones around schools for tobacconists. Credit: Janie Barrett Then there is the question of the place of illegal tobacconists in the commercial landscape. On Penriths main street, there are four within a 50-metre radius. Dozens more feature along the suburbs main strip. On the other side of the city, tourists alighting from the famous Manly ferry pass three as they walk the 450 metres down the Corso to the beach. Theres a massive capital investment going into illegal tobacco sales, Bennett said, something that has alarmed many communities. Independent MP for Pittwater Jacqui Scruby has been agitating for more action on illegal tobacconists, and says there is real fear in the community because of tobacconists links to organised crime. She says legitimate businesses are being pushed out, neighbouring business owners have seen an increase in insurance premiums because of the risk of firebombs, and people living near or above those shops are concerned about being caught in the crossfire. Scruby has made a number of submissions to a parliamentary inquiry, including buffer zones to prohibit businesses around schools and playgrounds, tougher penalties and moving the responsibility for enforcement to a better resourced interagency taskforce. But with illegal tobacco being sold in plain sight, issues with regulation and the sheer volume of illicit smokes for sale, the problem for government remains diabolical. Everyones got a stake in stopping this and thats got to start with people not buying it, Bennett says firmly. But whether Joe Average is willing to pay double or triple what they can pay to mitigate the organised crime aspect of it remains to be seen. For the first Albanese government timidity resulted in another bite of the cherry. But, unfortunately, caution is lingering as a second-term hallmark, despite a massive landslide that gave Labor open slather to effect wide-ranging change. This months Economic Reform Roundtable should have been the vehicle for substantial reform. But, amid the Productivity Commission recommendations for tax reform, unions calling for curbs on negative gearing, the capital gains discount and the use of family trusts, business groups railing against too much change and suggestions that the transition from fossil fuels to renewables be speeded up, the government appears to have lost some chutzpah. Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Secretary to the Treasury Jenny Wilkinson on Wednesday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen A day after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese talked down the roundtables significance, Treasurer Jim Chalmers also started hosing down expectations, sending a clear message around parliament: excited observers should curb their enthusiasm. Beginning on August 19, the three-day Economic Reform Roundtable aims to build consensus on ways to improve productivity, enhance economic resilience and strengthen budget sustainability in the face of global uncertainty. It brings together a mix of leaders from business, unions, civil society and government. Some 900 submissions have been received and anticipations of change were running high. But the Heralds chief political correspondent Paul Sakkal said cabinet had become concerned about the huge expectations stoked, and the summit is expected to produce a handful of policies to which Chalmers would immediately commit. Speedier approvals for energy projects, cutting red tape and new incentives for home building were seen as quick wins with wide support from warring unions and business lobbies. More significant changes that gain support from assorted experts, captains of industry and unions will be put off for further examination. The roundtable was already seen at risk of becoming a Canberra gabfest. But tax will undoubtedly be the elephant in the room, given Albaneses refusal to consider changing the GST, a veto that is already tying one of the governments hands behind its back. The exclusion of those major players in taxation and deregulation, states and territories, is another handicap. For a summit considering Australias economic future, ignoring the GST seems blinkered, especially as economist Richard Holden and independent MHR Kate Chaney suggested to the Heralds Shane Wright that a 15 per cent GST could deliver a $28 billion boost to government coffers while providing an annual $3300 rebate to all Australians as an offset. However, almost all other taxes are on the table. The Productivity Commission has proposed a company tax cut for smaller businesses, while larger companies pay more. New visions are required in a world where old certainties are quickly fading, and the one reality is that productivity is key to meeting future challenges. That said, courage and big ideas including controversial reform of the GST will help drive the Australian economy, not the risk aversion displayed by a Labor government too afraid for, or of, its own mandate to act for the greater good. London: US President Donald Trump has targeted Russia and India in a new move to force a ceasefire in Ukraine, as he reveals plans to meet Russian leader Vladimir Putin to try to end the war. Trump signed an executive order to double tariffs on India to 50 per cent within three weeks for buying Russian oil, days after the Indian government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi warned against the economic penalty. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and US President Donald Trump at the White House in February. Credit: Bloomberg Trump claimed progress in the talks on a ceasefire, however, and could meet Putin face-to-face as early as next week, The New York Times reported, as well as holding separate talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The meetings would position Trump as the key go-between in peace talks with Putin and Zelensky, and the US president suggested the Russian and Ukrainian leaders might agree to the plan. Israel is weighing up an expansion of its armed presence in Gaza, despite concern by military chiefs and a majority of the countrys public that the move risks jeopardising the prospect of freeing the remaining hostages held by Hamas. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is considering whether to deploy the Israel Defence Forces into the 25 per cent of the Palestinian territory not already under its control, according to an Israeli official briefed on the matter, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive information. A wider ground offensive will have military and political repercussions for Israel, at home and overseas. Credit: AP Some Israeli military leaders have expressed reservations, the official said, while the plan would most likely face considerable opposition from international governments fearful of the worsening the humanitarian situation in the strip. A final decision hasnt been made, the official said, and Netanyahu plans to convene his decision-making Security Cabinet some time this week to finalise a strategy. Washington: The Trump administration has taken the Albanese government by surprise after saying that an Iranian man arrested by US immigration agents as he walked his dog in Maryland could be sent to Australia. Reza Zavvar came to the US in 1985 on a student visa and was later granted asylum and a green card. But his immigration status was jeopardised when he was aged in his 20s after two misdemeanours for possession of marijuana. One charge is more than 30 years old, and recreational cannabis is now legal in the state. Reza Zavvar, 52, was arrested by US immigration agents while walking his dog near his home in Maryland. Credit: Nine News. Since 2007, Zavvar has been able to remain in the US under a withholding of removal order that said it was not safe for him to return to Iran. However, President Donald Trump came to power promising to conduct the largest mass deportation in US history, which has so far included a limited number of removals of immigration detainees to third countries. Zavvar, 52, was arrested in late June near his home in Gaithersburg, Maryland a short drive from Washington. He was later moved to a prison in Ohio. US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told Zavvar it intends to remove him to either Australia or Romania. An excerpt from Woody Allens letter Being neighbors, my wife Soon-Yi and I have been invited for dinner many times. Always accept, always interesting. Wide variety of interesting people at every dinner just about . Politicians, scientists, teachers, magicians, comedians, intellectuals, journalists, an entymologist (sic), a concert pianist. Anyhow, its always interesting and the food is sumputuous (sic) and abundant. Lots of dishes, plenty of choices, numerous dessets (sic), well served. I say well served often its by some professional houseman and just as often by several young women remding (sic) one of Castle Dracula where Lugosi has three young female vampires who service the place. Add to this that Jeffrey lives in a vast house alone , one can picture him sleeping in damp earth. The ensuing right-wing outrage has threatened to splinter the Make America Great Again movement for whom Epstein is a central figure in conspiracy theories and has put Trump on the defensive in a way few other issues have done. Seeking to quell the backlash, the Justice Department dispatched a top official to meet with Ghislaine Maxwell, Epsteins longtime associate who is serving a 20-year prison sentence for sex trafficking. On Friday, Maxwell was moved to a lower-security facility. That fuelled speculation that Trump might commute her sentence or even pardon her in return for her co-operation. Pictures seen in Epsteins townhouse. Credit: US Department of Justice For years, Maxwell was a fixture in Epsteins New York townhouse, where she had an office. But she and Epstein had split by the mid-2010s. A framed photo in the townhouse showing Epstein with Trump and his then girlfriend, Melania Knauss, was cropped to exclude Maxwell. At least one other MAGA luminary also visited the townhouse: Steve Bannon, a former adviser to Trump and an online media personality, who has said he videotaped hours of interviews in the mansion with Epstein in 2019. Framed photos of Bannon including a mirror selfie snapped by Epstein were kept in at least two rooms in the mansion. The townhouse was one of five properties around the world owned by Epstein. After his release in 2009 from a Florida jail, where he served 13 months for soliciting prostitution from a teenager, the mansion served as a personal hideaway and a salon where he could hold court with accomplished intellectuals, scientists and financiers, according to legal records and interviews with people who frequented the home. The visitors considered Epstein fun, smart and curious. Another perk: getting to mingle with the young, attractive women who roamed the property and worked as his assistants. The townhouse, a stones throw from Central Park, was sold to Epstein in 1998 by Leslie Wexner, the billionaire owner of L Brands. Epstein renovated and redecorated the mansion in an eccentric style. Ghislaine Maxwell with Epstein. Credit: AP Dozens of framed prosthetic eyeballs lined the entryway. A sculpture of a woman wearing a bridal gown and clutching a rope was suspended in a central atrium. In the ground-floor dining room, Epstein entertained a rotating cast of celebrities, academics, politicians and businessmen. The food could be mundane sometimes nothing more than a buffet of Chinese takeaway, Woody Allens letter noted but the events were anything but. Photos show that guests sat in leopard-print chairs around a large rectangular table. Occasionally, attendees said in interviews, a magician performed. Sometimes, a chalkboard was wheeled out so a guest could sketch a diagram or write a mathematical formula. Epstein preserved a map of Israel drawn on a chalkboard with Baraks signature, according to a photo reviewed by The New York Times. Up a grand staircase was Epsteins wood-panelled office, featuring a massive desk. Photos show a taxidermied tiger lounging on a lush rug. In the office, according to photos reviewed by the Times, Epstein showcased a green first edition of Lolita the 1955 novel in which an intellectual develops a sexual obsession with a 12-year-old girl and repeatedly rapes her. The massage room had paintings of naked women and shelves stocked with lubricant. Credit: US Department of Justice Atop a wooden sideboard were more framed photos, including one of Epstein with Saudi Arabias Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman. Several of Epsteins victims have said the mansion was outfitted with a network of hidden video cameras. Loading In the massage room were paintings of naked women, a large silver ball and chain, and shelves stocked with lubricant, according to photos reviewed by the Times. Epstein regularly directed teenage girls some recruited from middle schools in Queens to massage him while he was naked. Sometimes he masturbated in front of them, according to court records and interviews with victims. Sometimes he raped or assaulted them. No surveillance cameras were visible in the photos of the massage room. An earlier collection of letters, presented to Epstein in a leather-bound album for his 50th birthday in 2003, reflected an era of his life before he was first arrested. That book included contributions from Trump and Bill Clinton, among dozens of others, The Wall Street Journal reported. Loading Trump has denied a report in the Journal that he contributed a sexually suggestive note and drawing. He has sued the news organisation for defamation. Clintons spokesperson has said the former president was unaware of Epsteins crimes. But by 2016, as Epsteins reputation as a sexual predator became increasingly hard to ignore, his social network was shrinking. Three years later, he would die in a Manhattan jail while awaiting prosecution on federal sex-trafficking charges. The Times reviewed seven birthday messages given to Epstein in 2016. In addition to those from Zuckerman, Allen and Barak, there were letters from linguist Noam Chomsky and his wife; Joichi Ito, an entrepreneur who years later would resign from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and the board of The New York Times Co. because of his ties to Epstein; and Lawrence Krauss, a prominent physicist. Martin Nowak, a Harvard University biologist, contributed a science-themed poem. Loading Zuckerman, Allen, Ito, Nowak and Bannon did not respond to requests for comment. Barak declined to comment. Chomskys wife responded on his behalf and declined to comment. Krauss said he didnt recall the letter, but attended several lunches with very interesting discussions with scientists, authors and others at Epsteins home. In their typed letter, Barak and his wife, Nili Priel, hailed Epstein as A COLLECTOR OF PEOPLE. The letter concluded, May you enjoy long and healthy life and may all of us, your friends, enjoy your table for many more years to come. PHILIPSBURG:--- The Ministry of Justice continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to building a more fair, effective, and humane justice system. As part of that mission, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling recently convened a strategic meeting with key stakeholders to explore new opportunities for inmate rehabilitation and reintegration. The meeting brought together the management team of the Point Blanche Prison, the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF), the UNODC focal point within the Ministry, and leadership from Tur Cos Ta Posibel (TCTP), an Aruba-based organization operating European Union-funded prison programs with proven results in rehabilitation and reintegration. Recognizing the ongoing financial constraints and infrastructural challenges within the current prison system, Minister Tackling has remained focused on identifying alternative funding sources and strategic partnerships that can strengthen outcomes without increasing the burden on the national budget. Tur Cos Ta Posibel successfully runs rehabilitation programs in Arubas prison system, focusing on transformation through creative arts, social enterprise, and post-release international volunteer opportunities for inmates ages 18 through 30. These initiatives are fully funded by the European Solidarity Corps and come at no cost to the local government. Inmates are enrolled in these programs alongside EU volunteers and are treated as any other volunteer, receiving 7 per day in pocket money and participating in activities that range from mural painting and music production to jewelry making and conditional international volunteer placements upon release. To facilitate the adaptation of such programs in Sint Maarten, the St. Maarten Development Fund (SMDF) has been identified as a key local partner. SMDF currently holds the required EU Quality Label for hosting and is pursuing the additional accreditation needed to host EU volunteers to facilitate these programs. This partnership ensures that the Ministry can tap into existing European resources and expertise, while building capacity on the ground. TCTP Director, Claire, will be supporting the Ministry and its partners by sharing access to her trusted EU support and volunteer network, along with guidance on implementation, screening, and program development. This level of collaboration significantly reduces entry barriers and gives Sint Maarten a head start in creating a more structured, scalable rehabilitation and reintegration framework. This collaboration does not replace ongoing efforts. Rather, it complements the Ministrys partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), which will introduce structured rehabilitation programming that aligns with international standards. The goal is to combine key elements of the EU-funded TCTP model with the structured frameworks and best practices provided by UNODC. By bringing both approaches together, the Ministry is laying the groundwork for a system that is resilient, forward-looking, and rehabilitative by design. Despite ongoing challenges and budgetary limitations, the Ministry remains focused on solutions that bring real, lasting change to the justice system. This collaboration is a reflection of that commitment. LJUBLJANA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Several hundred people gathered in front of the Slovenian parliament on Wednesday to protest the ongoing violence in the Gaza Strip. While calling for an immediate ceasefire, the protesters also urged the Slovenian government to end all cooperation between public institutions and their Israeli counterparts. Waving banners and chanting slogans, the demonstrators expressed solidarity with the Palestinians and demanded concrete action from both the Slovenian authorities and the international community. "This is the second protest I've attended this week," said Mija, one of the demonstrators outside the parliament. The protest was part of a series of public demonstrations held across Slovenia in recent weeks in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. On the same day, more than 50 university professors and scholars released a series of open letters calling on Slovenian universities to suspend all academic ties with Israeli institutions. "Slovenian universities have an undeniable academic and ethical duty to act in response to the systematic violations of international law and human rights being committed by the State of Israel," one of the letters read. POINTE BLANCHE:--- Prison reform is a key priority for many governments, promising safer and more effective systems for inmates, staff, and society at large. Yet, in St. Maarten, the path to achieving meaningful change has been fraught with delays and challenges. During the Council of Ministers press briefing on August 6, 2025, Minister of Justice Nathalie Tackling candidly discussed the hurdles her ministry faces in overhauling the correctional system, while also outlining efforts and plans to push ahead. The Advanced SXM Rehabilitation Program and the planned construction of a new prison facility are cornerstones of this reform. While these initiatives demonstrate a broader commitment to change, progress has yet to match the promise. Addressing both the setbacks and the potential solutions is critical for ensuring these initiatives succeed. Minister Tackling acknowledged significant delays in the construction of the new prison facility at Point Blanche, which is now slated to begin in Q4 2025. Originally intended to start earlier, the projects timeline was derailed by an unsuccessful tender process. The restart of this process, now in its final stages, has added months to the schedule. Tackling explained that the Ministry is working on securing approvals for building permits and preparing for community engagement to minimize disruptions during construction. Another major hurdle is the bureaucracy inherent in such large-scale projects. Tackling pointed to the complexities of government processes and budgetary constraints as key factors slowing progress. While she described navigating these obstacles as akin to steering a slow-moving container ship, the reality is that such delays directly impact the lives of inmates and staff at an already overburdened facility. These delays also extend to rehabilitation programs. Although the Advanced SXM Rehabilitation Program officially launched on August 1, its implementation has only just begun. Compounding these challenges is the Ministrys struggle to repair basic infrastructure, such as internet cables damaged by fire, which has hindered the delivery of education initiatives like the GED program. Despite these setbacks, the Ministry of Justice is taking deliberate steps toward improvement. The partnership with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), through a four-year agreement totaling 3.8 million euros, exemplifies the governments dedication to integrating global best practices. The program emphasizes not only inmate rehabilitation but also the training and professional development of prison staffa vital element in ensuring sustainable reforms. The Ministry is also collaborating with the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) in planning the new prison facility, with a phased construction approach aimed at expanding capacity incrementally. Tackling has highlighted that this project will involve safer, more humane conditions for inmates and staff alike. Additionally, Tackling has explored external models for inspiration, such as rehabilitation programs in Aruba that integrate vocational training and reintegration support. While these ideas are still in the exploratory phase, they offer a glimpse of a more structured approach to rehabilitation that could be adapted for St. Martin. To turn promises into progress, it is essential to address the recurring issues of bureaucracy and inefficiency. Tackling has emphasized the importance of "building a foundation" for sustainable change, and while this is a crucial first step, it must be paired with clear, actionable timelines and regular updates to restore public trust. Investing in immediate fixes within the existing prisonsuch as ensuring the GED program is fully operational and revitalizing dormant initiatives like woodworking and sewingcould provide inmates with functional tools for reintegration. These smaller wins can serve as a bridge while larger reforms, including the new facility, take shape. The government must also ensure ongoing communication between all stakeholders, including prison staff, inmates, and the general public. Transparency will be critical in demonstrating progress and addressing concerns. Tacklings acknowledgment of the obstacles ahead is a sign of self-awareness, but a shift toward more solution-oriented leadership is necessary to achieve the ambitious goals laid out. The need for reform is clear, as is its potential to create a justice system that is more humane, effective, and respected. Tackling herself noted that failure to act would merely reinforce cycles of recidivism and erode public faith in government institutions. St. Maartens justice system is at a pivotal moment. The initiatives in place, while promising, will only be effective if implemented without unnecessary delays. Tacklings leadership will be judged not by the challenges identified, but by the solutions delivered. Her ministry has an opportunity to translate its vision into reality, offering hope for a safer, more compassionate system that benefits everyone. By focusing on collaboration, bold decision-making, and transparency, St. Maarten can overcome these hurdles and set the stage for lasting reform. The clock is ticking, but the opportunity to deliver transformational change is still within reach. PHILIPSBURG:--- Workplace harassment is an issue that no organization can afford to ignore, and the Ministry of Justice in St. Maarten is no exception. During the August 6, 2025, Council of Ministers press briefing, Minister Nathalie Tackling addressed questions surrounding the sexual harassment case within the government, offering a glimpse into her perspective on justice, accountability, and the importance of fostering a respectful workplace. Tacklings comments underscored the need to confront such behavior head-on, with a clear call for strong institutional responses and cultural change. Her candid acknowledgment of the challenges ahead, paired with her support for global and local initiatives to combat violence and harassment, reveals both the complexities of addressing these deep-rooted issues and the commitment required to bring about meaningful change. When asked about the high-profile harassment case discussed within the Council of Ministers, Tackling was careful not to divulge specifics, citing confidentiality. However, she didnt shy away from expressing her stance on the broader issue. The Minister emphasized that sexual harassment has no place in government or any workplace, noting that it erodes trust, damages employee morale, and tarnishes the reputation of institutions tasked with leading by example. As a woman and as a lawyer, Tackling said, I feel very strongly about sexual harassment It has no space in our government. She added that governments, as representatives of their people, must model the behavior they expect from society, particularly for younger generations. Her remarks signaled a clear understanding that the fight against workplace harassment requires more than just addressing individual casesit demands a shift in workplace culture, policies, and attitudes to ensure lasting change. One of the most profound insights from Tacklings comments was her acknowledgment that some aspects of harassment are deeply entrenched in cultural attitudes. Tackling noted that in Caribbean societies like St. Maarten, certain behaviors and remarks have historically been normalized, often dismissed as cultural or harmless. She reflected on how individuals are increasingly recognizing that these actions are, in fact, unacceptable and harmful. The Minister expressed respect for the individuals who have come forward with their stories, calling their actions brave and emphasizing that these are the seeds of societal change. I think over time, well get to a place where we, as a community, see the importance of treating each other with respect, she added. Tacklings comments conveyed a recognition that fostering a culture of accountability and mutual respect will take time and sustained effort. Tacklings leadership on the issue extends beyond rhetoric. During the briefing, she highlighted her Ministrys commitment to the Treaty of Istanbul, an international framework addressing violence against women and girls, including workplace harassment. She described her discussions in Strasbourg about aligning St. Maartens policies with the principles of the treaty as a key step toward legislative improvements. The Ministry is also exploring how to incorporate workplace harassment protections into local legislation, reflecting a commitment to institutionalizing these values. The Ministers involvement in the No Mas - No More Conference earlier this year also stresses her active role in promoting awareness and advocacy. By partnering with global movements and local organizations, Tackling is signaling that her Ministry views harassment not merely as an interpersonal issue but as a systemic one requiring comprehensive solutions. Minister Tacklings deliberate and thoughtful approach to workplace harassment underscores a broader principle: leadership must play an active role in driving change. Tacklings position on ensuring safe, respectful workplaces extends to her vision of government being an example for society. She understands that tackling harassment requires not only policies but also visible leadership. While substantial progress will take time, clear and consistent messagingbacked by actionable initiativescan help rebuild trust in institutions. Her Ministrys ongoing support for legislative updates and international frameworks reflects a practical commitment to creating structural protections, while her public comments show an awareness of the cultural shifts needed to make those protections effective. Minister Tacklings words at the press briefing highlight both the scale of the challenge and her resolve to address it. By framing workplace harassment as an issue of justice, accountability, and cultural change, she has outlined a roadmap for creating safer and more inclusive environments. However, the success of these efforts will depend on her Ministrys ability to translate advocacy into action, ensuring that structures are in place to dismantle harmful behaviors at all levels. St. Maartens government has an opportunity to lead by example, fostering workplaces that reflect integrity, equality, and respect. Minister Tacklings leadershipand her willingness to confront tough questionsmarks an important step toward that goal. Its a step that must be followed by many more, but it opens the door to a future where workplace harassment is no longer tolerated, and accountability becomes the standard. In a landmark effort to deepen regional integration and empower citizens, Dominica played host to two dynamic sessions on July 30th, spotlighting the transformative potential of free movement and contingent rights within the Organisation of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) Economic Union. The day unfolded in two distinct but interconnected conversations - a morning Public Sector Town Hall Meeting, followed by a vibrant Youth Engagement Session, both held at the Public Service Union in Roseau, Dominica. Under the shared theme of regional unity, mobility, and opportunity, the sessions served as critical platforms for unpacking the OECS Free Movement of Persons Regime, demystifying contingent rights, and engaging with public sector professionals and the youth alike. A Morning of Dialogue and Policy Direction The Public Sector Town Hall brought together senior public sector officials, statutory bodies and civil society agencies for a focused dialogue on the policy landscape underpinning the free movement of persons in the OECS. The Public Sector Town Hall included participation from a wide cross-section of agencies, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of National Security/Immigration, Ministry of Legal Affairs, Ministry of Labour, , Ministry of Education, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Social Development, Customs and Excise Department, and Trade Unions/Labour Organisations. Opening remarks from the Government of Dominica and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) framed the conversation, highlighting ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening regional mobility. Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Labour, Mrs. Gloria Joseph, urged participants to lend their voices to the regional dialogue, stressing the importance of migration governance and free movement in advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. According to Ms. Joseph: "As a region and members of the Eastern Caribbean Economic Union (ECEU) it is incumbent on us to pay close attention to today's discussion. I therefore encourage all the valued participants here to allow your voice of reason, of intellect and passion for the unified, strategic and sustainable advancement of the OECS Region be heard. This will become even more important as we advance towards total free movement espoused under the Revised Treaty of Basseterre 2010. This move towards migration governance will contribute to achievement of the Safe, Regular and Orderly migration adopted by the General Assembly in 2018; and indeed, some of the goals set forth in the UN Sustainable Goals to improve the wellbeing of our people, our cities and communities, our economic prosperity, our peace and partnership for the goals, with no one being left behind." Key presentations from OECS technical experts clarified the practical dimensions of free movement and contingent rights, particularly how these rights impact citizens ability to live, work, and access services across OECS Member States. The interactive "Open Mic" segments invited participants to raise questions, voice concerns, and propose policy ideas, making it a participatory forum. Communications Officer for the IOM, Ms. Maxine Alleyne-Esprit, emphasized the IOM's commitment to the OECS Free Movement Regime. According to Ms. Alleyen-Esprit. The contingency rights policy is a cornerstone of freedom of movement within the OECS, ensuring that citizens who move across borders can access key rights and services, not just for themselves but also for their families. Some years ago I think we saw this really very vividly demonstrated after Hurricane Maria, when many of us from Dominica moved, even if temporarily, to sister islands close by. At IOM, we are proud to work with the OECS Commission and national governments to strengthen the implementation of the free movement regime and its associated rights. Our work focuses on supporting governments to build the legal, operational, and human capacity necessary to deliver these rights in areas such as education, health, social security, and labor market access, which are all very important to us when we move. Youth Voice Takes the Stage In the afternoon, attention shifted to the Youth Engagement Session, where young people from across Dominica gathered to share their hopes, ideas, and personal stories about life in a borderless OECS region. The tone was energetic and inclusive, beginning with an engaging icebreaker and continuing through interactive activities and open mic discussions. Australia watchdog says tech giants turning 'blind eye' to child abuse material Sydney, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Australia's online watchdog accused tech giants including Apple and Google on Wednesday of "turning a blind eye" to child sex abuse material shared on their platforms. The eSafety Commission found that Apple and video streaming site YouTube -- owned by Google -- did not track the number of user reports they received about child sexual abuse, nor did they outline how long it took to respond to these reports. "When left to their own devices, these companies aren't prioritising the protection of children and are seemingly turning a blind eye to crimes occurring on their services," eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant said. She added that tech companies had not "taken many steps to lift and improve their efforts" since she asked them three years ago. "No other consumer-facing industry would be given the licence to operate by enabling such heinous crimes against children on their premises, or services." The report also found companies including Apple, Google, Microsoft and Skype did not use tools to proactively detect child sex abuse material. Tech companies are required to report to the commission every six months on how they are tackling child sexual abuse material, including AI-generated images. Inman Grant said she hoped she would see "meaningful progress". Australia last year unveiled landmark laws that will ban under-16s from social media by the end of 2025. The government had previously indicated YouTube would be exempt, given its widespread use in classrooms. But last week it announced the video-streaming site, one of the most visited websites in the world, would also be included in the ban. Firms face fines of up to Aus$49.5 million (US$32 million) for failing to comply. Officials are yet to solve basic questions surrounding the laws, such as how the ban will be policed. Press Release from Business Wire: INNOCEAN INC. (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 SEOUL, Aug 6, 2025 (BSW) - INNOCEAN (KRX: 214320)(Global CEO Yongwoo Lee), in collaboration with Shinsegae Property (CEO Young-lock Im), has launched a public safety campaign titled The World's Biggest Lifeguard at Grand Josun Media - a large-scale digital signage display in front of Haeundae Beach in Busan, Korea. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805919143/en/ The World's Biggest Lifeguard in Busan, South Korea (Photo: INNOCEAN) This campaign delivers real-time safety messages through a 3D anamorphic video featuring an oversized lifeguard. The content reflects live environmental data such as weather conditions, wave height, and safety guidelines. For instance, when waves are high, the lifeguard issues on-screen alerts, from partial to full beach access restrictions. During normal conditions, the video background reflects weather changes, including clear skies, clouds, and rain, to add a sense of realism. At night, the video shows lifeguards monitoring emergency systems, reinforcing 24-hour vigilance. Grand Josun Media is a curved digital board (25m wide, 31m tall) installed on the facade of Grand Josun Busan. Since its operational launch in June, it has drawn major public interest as Korea's first free outdoor ad zone outside the Seoul metropolitan area. Utilizing this massive screen, the campaign features an overwhelmingly large lifeguard delivering real-time safety messages to vacationers at Haeundae Beach. The initiative is led by Shinsegae Property, with INNOCEAN in charge of planning and production. An INNOCEAN official noted, "We believed outdoor advertising could deliver a strong visual impact. To build trust, we featured a real Haeundae Beach lifeguard as a model in the video." Haeundae Beach attracts 200,000-250,000 visitors daily in peak season. Rising sea temperatures have increased rip currents, and risky behavior like swimming under the influence persists. With limited rescue staff, verbal alerts alone have proven insufficient. The campaign aims to reduce accidents and boost awareness through intuitive, real-time visuals. It also offers tourists a unique, immersive digital experience, contributing to both public safety and local tourism. INNOCEAN and Shinsegae Property plan to continue developing digital-out-of-home (DOOH) campaigns that deliver meaningful public messages and enrich urban experiences. CEO Yongwoo Lee stated, "Starting with The World's Biggest Lifeguard, we will continue to share campaigns that positively impact society through creative media." INNOCEAN won the operating rights in June for Grand Josun Media, a large-scale outdoor media display installed on the facade of Grand Josun Busan in Haeundae-gu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250805919143/en/ Contact INNOCEAN Kim Shin-bi [email protected] TEHRAN/CAIRO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi and his Egyptian counterpart, Badr Abdelatty, on Wednesday highlighted the necessity to end Israeli "crimes" in Gaza and ensure immediate delivery of humanitarian aid into the enclave. In a phone call, the two sides discussed the latest regional and international developments as well as bilateral ties, according to a statement released by the Iranian Foreign Ministry. They exchanged views on the exacerbation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza because of the Israeli siege of the coastal enclave, the statement said. The two ministers also talked about Iran's nuclear issue following the Israeli-U.S. attacks on the country and reviewed bilateral relations, it added. Meanwhile, Egypt said it has continued its humanitarian airdrops over the Gaza Strip, deploying 12 military aircraft over the past three days to deliver food and essential aid to Palestinians in areas that are difficult to access by land, the Egyptian Armed Forces said in a statement on Wednesday. The military said the airdrops aim "to alleviate the harsh living conditions and the shortage of humanitarian needs suffered by the Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," as part of Egypt's ongoing efforts to support them amid the current crisis. Israel has been waging a large-scale war in Gaza since Oct. 7, 2023, which has so far killed 61,158 Palestinians, injured 151,442 others, and caused massive destruction of buildings and infrastructure, according to an update released by Gaza's health authorities on Wednesday. US government gets a year of ChatGPT Enterprise for $1 San Francisco, United States, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 OpenAI on Wednesday said it was letting the US government use a version of ChatGPT designed for businesses for a year, charging just $1 for the service. Federal workers in the executive branch will have access to ChatGPT Enterprise in a partnership with the US General Services Administration, according to the pioneering San Francisco-based artificial intelligence (AI) company. "By giving government employees access to powerful, secure AI tools, we can help them solve problems for more people, faster," OpenAI said in a blog post announcing the alliance. ChatGPT Enterprise does not use business data to train or improve OpenAI models and the same rule will apply to federal use, according to the company. Earlier this year, OpenAI announced an initiative focused on bringing advanced AI tools to US government workers. The news came with word that the US Department of Defense awarded OpenAI a $200 million contract to put generative AI to work for the military. OpenAI planned to show how cutting-edge AI can improve administrative operations, such as how service members get health care, and also has cyber defense applications, the startup said in a post. OpenAI has also launched an initiative to help countries build their own AI infrastructure, with the US government a partner in projects. The tech firm's move to put its technology at the heart of national AI platforms around the world comes as it faces competition from Chinese rival DeepSeek. DeepSeek's success in delivering powerful AI models at a lower cost has rattled Silicon Valley and multiplied calls for US big tech to protect its dominance of the emerging technology. The OpenAI for Countries initiative was launched in June under the auspices of a drive -- dubbed "Stargate" -- announced by US President Donald Trump to invest up to $500 billion in AI infrastructure in the United States. OpenAI, in "coordination" with the US government, will help countries build data centers and provide customized versions of ChatGPT, according to the tech firm. Projects are to involve "local as well as OpenAI capital." Confederate memorial returning to Arlington Cemetery: Pentagon chief Washington, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that a Confederate memorial will be reinstalled in Arlington Cemetery after it was removed as part of an effort to take down monuments that honored the pro-slavery rebellion. "Moses Ezekiel's beautiful and historic sculpture -- often referred to as 'The Reconciliation Monument' -- will be rightfully be returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site," Hegseth wrote on X. He did not mention the piece's other name -- the "Confederate Memorial" -- which was unveiled in 1914. "It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings. Unlike the Left, we don't believe in erasing American history -- we honor it," the Pentagon chief wrote. The bronze portions of the memorial were removed from Arlington -- the hallowed final resting place of more than 400,000 veterans and their dependents -- and put into storage in 2023. The granite base was left in place to avoid disturbing nearby graves. The memorial featured a "nostalgic, mythologized vision of the Confederacy" and included "highly sanitized depictions of slavery," according to the Arlington Cemetery website, which also noted that it included a Latin inscription that "construes the South's secession as a noble 'Lost Cause.'" Nationwide protests against racism and police brutality that were sparked by the 2020 murder of George Floyd reignited calls for the removal of statues honoring the Confederacy, which was defeated in the 1861-1865 US Civil War. Advocates also called for the renaming of military installations named for figures from the secessionist South. The 2021 defense budget required the establishment of a commission to plan for the removal of Confederate-linked "names, symbols, displays, monuments, or paraphernalia" from Defense Department property, and gave the secretary three years to complete its recommendations. The process -- including changing a series of military base names that honored Confederate officers -- was carried out under Hegseth's predecessor Lloyd Austin, the country's first Black defense secretary. Hegseth has already brought back the original Confederate-linked monikers to several bases by renaming them in honor of US troops who had the same last names as the secessionist officers the bases were originally named for. The Pentagon chief's announcement on the return of the memorial to Arlington came a day after the US National Park Service said it would reinstall a statue in Washington of a Confederate general that was torn down amid 2020 protests. 80 years on, Korean survivors of WWII atomic bombs still suffer Hapcheon, South Korea, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Bae Kyung-mi was five years old when the Americans dropped "Little Boy", the atomic bomb that flattened Hiroshima on August 6, 1945. Like thousands of other ethnic Koreans working in the city at the time, her family kept the horror a secret. Many feared the stigma from doing menial work for colonial ruler Japan, and false rumours that radiation sickness was contagious. Bae recalls hearing planes overhead while she was playing at her home in Hiroshima on that day. Within minutes, she was buried in rubble. "I told my mom in Japanese, 'Mom! There are airplanes!'" Bae, now 85, told AFP. She passed out shortly after. Her home collapsed on top of her, but the debris shielded her from the burns that killed tens of thousands of people -- including her aunt and uncle. After the family moved back to Korea, they did not speak of their experience. "I never told my husband that I was in Hiroshima and a victim of the bombing," Bae said. "Back then, people often said you had married the wrong person if he or she was an atomic bombing survivor." Her two sons only learned she had been in Hiroshima when she registered at a special centre set up in 1996 in Hapcheon in South Korea for victims of the bombings, she said. Bae said she feared her children would suffer from radiation-related illnesses that afflicted her, forcing her to have her ovaries and a breast removed because of the high cancer risk. - A burning city - She knew why she was getting sick, but did not tell her own family. "We all hushed it up," she said. Some 740,000 people were killed or injured in the twin bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. More than 10 percent of the victims were Korean, data suggests, the result of huge flows of people to Japan while it colonised the Korean peninsula. Survivors who stayed in Japan found they had to endure discrimination both as "hibakusha", or atomic bomb survivors, and as Koreans. Many Koreans also had to choose between pro-Pyongyang and pro-Seoul groups in Japan, after the peninsula was left divided by the 1950-53 Korean War. Kwon Joon-oh's mother and father both survived the attack on Hiroshima. The 76-year-old's parents, like others of their generation, could only work by taking on "filthy and dangerous jobs" that the Japanese considered beneath them, he said. Korean victims were also denied an official memorial for decades, with a cenotaph for them put up in the Hiroshima Peace Park only in the late 1990s. Kim Hwa-ja was four on August 6, 1945 and remembers being put on a makeshift horse-drawn trap as her family tried to flee Hiroshima after the bomb. Smoke filled the air and the city was burning, she said, recalling how she peeped out from under a blanket covering her, and her mother screaming at her not to look. Korean groups estimate that up to 50,000 Koreans may have been in the city that day, including tens of thousands working as forced labourers at military sites. - Stigma - But records are sketchy. "The city office was devastated so completely that it wasn't possible to track down clear records," a Hiroshima official told AFP. Japan's colonial policy banned the use of Korean names, further complicating record-keeping. After the attacks, tens of thousands of Korean survivors moved back to their newly-independent country. But many have struggled with health issues and stigma ever since. "In those days, there were unfounded rumours that radiation exposure could be contagious," said Jeong Soo-won, director of the country's Hapcheon Atomic Bomb Victim Center. Nationwide, there are believed to be some 1,600 South Korean survivors still alive, Jeong said. Eighty-two live at the center. Seoul enacted a special law in 2016 to help the survivors -- including a monthly stipend of around $72 -- but it provides no assistance to their offspring or extended families. "There are many second- and third-generation descendants affected by the bombings and suffering from congenital illnesses," said Jeong. A provision to support them "must be included" in future, he said. A Japanese hibakusha group won the Nobel Peace Prize last year in recognition of their efforts to show the world the horrors of nuclear war. But 80 years after the attacks, many survivors in Japan and Korea say the world has not learned. - 'Only talk' - US President Donald Trump recently compared his strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities to the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. "Would he understand the tragedy of what the Hiroshima bombing has caused? Would he understand that of Nagasaki?" survivor Kim Gin-ho said. In Korea, the Hapcheon center will hold a commemoration on August 6 -- with survivors hoping that this year the event will attract more attention. From politicians, "there has been only talk... but no interest", she said. Hiroshima marks 80 years as US-Russia nuclear tensions rise Hiroshima, Japan, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Japan marked 80 years since the atomic bombing of Hiroshima on Wednesday with a ceremony reminding the world of the horrors unleashed, as sabre-rattling between the United States and Russia keeps the nuclear "Doomsday Clock" close to midnight. A silent prayer was held at 8:15 am (2315 GMT), the moment when US aircraft Enola Gay dropped "Little Boy" over the western Japanese city on August 6, 1945. On a sweltering morning, hundreds of black-clad officials, students and survivors laid flowers at the memorial cenotaph, with the ruins of a domed building in the background, a stark reminder of the horrors that unfolded. In a speech, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui warned of "an accelerating trend toward military buildup around the world", against the backdrop of Russia's invasion of Ukraine and the chaos in the Middle East. "These developments flagrantly disregard the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history," he said. Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said it was Japan's mission "to take the lead... toward a world without nuclear weapons". The final death toll of the Hiroshima attack would hit around 140,000 people, killed not just by the colossal blast and the ball of fire, but also later by the radiation. Three days after "Little Boy", on August 9, another atomic bomb killed 74,000 people in Nagasaki. Imperial Japan surrendered on August 15, bringing an end to World War II. Today, Hiroshima is a thriving metropolis of 1.2 million but the attacks live on in the memories of many. On the eve of the ceremony, people began lining up to pay their respects to the victims in front of the cenotaph. Before dawn on Wednesday, families who lost loved ones in the attack also came to pray. Yoshie Yokoyama, 96, who arrived in a wheelchair with her grandson, told reporters that her parents and grandparents were bomb victims. "My grandfather died soon after the bombing, while my father and mother both died after developing cancer. My parents-in-law also died, so my husband couldn't see them again when he came back from battlefields after the war. "People are still suffering," she added. Wednesday's ceremony was set to include a record of around 120 countries and regions including, for the first time, Taiwanese and Palestinian representatives. The United States -- which has never formally apologised for the bombings -- was represented by its ambassador to Japan. Russia and China were absent. Nihon Hidankyo, the grassroots organisation that last year won the Nobel Peace Prize, is representing the dwindling number of survivors, known as hibakusha. As of March, there were 99,130 hibakusha, according to the Japanese health ministry, with the average age of 86. "I want foreign envoys to visit the peace memorial museum and understand what happened," the group's co-chair Toshiyuki Mimaki told local media ahead of the commemorations. Pope Leo XIV said in a statement that "in our time of mounting global tensions and conflicts", Hiroshima and Nagasaki remained "living reminders of the profound horrors wrought by nuclear weapons". United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warned that "the very weapons that brought such devastation to Hiroshima and Nagasaki are once again being treated as tools of coercion". - Younger generation - The attacks remain the only time atomic bombs have been used in wartime. Kunihiko Sakuma, 80, who survived the blasts as a baby, told AFP he was hopeful that there could eventually be a nuclear-free world. "The younger generation is working hard for that end," he said ahead of the ceremony. But in January, the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists' "Doomsday Clock" shifted to 89 seconds to midnight, the closest in its 78-year history. The clock symbolising humanity's distance from destruction was last moved to 90 seconds to midnight over Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Russia and the United States account for around 90 percent of the world's over 12,000 warheads, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). SIPRI warned in June that "a dangerous new nuclear arms race is emerging at a time when arms control regimes are severely weakened," with nearly all of the nine nuclear-armed states modernising their arsenals. Earlier this month, US President Donald Trump said that he had ordered the deployment of two nuclear submarines following an online spat with former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Iran executes man convicted of spying for Israel: judiciary Tehran, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Iranian authorities on Wednesday executed a man convicted of spying for Israel by passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed during the 12-day war with Israel in June, the judiciary said. "Roozbeh Vadi... was executed following judicial proceedings and confirmation of his sentence by the Supreme Court," the judiciary's Mizan Online website said, adding that the man had leaked information about a "nuclear scientist who was assassinated during the Zionist regime's recent aggression." The execution was carried out by hanging, it added. It was not immediately clear when he was arrested or sentenced. Mizan reported that Vadi worked at one of Iran's "key and sensitive organisations" and that his access enabled him to pass on "classified information" after being recruited online by Israel's Mossad spy agency. In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign against Iran, triggering a war during which Iran responded with missile and drone strikes. The Israeli offensive killed senior military commanders, nuclear scientists and hundreds of others, striking both military sites and residential areas. According to local media, at least a dozen nuclear scientists were killed. Iran has since the war vowed swift trials for people arrested on suspicion of collaborating with Israel. Authorities have announced multiple arrests of people suspected of spying for Israel and the executions of several convicted of working with Mossad. Iran is the world's second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups, including Amnesty International. Separately on Wednesday, authorities executed a man convicted of being a member of the extremist Islamic State group, who was allegedly planning "terrorist operations inside Iran," according to Mizan. Israel defence minister says army will have to 'execute' govt decisions on Gaza Jerusalem, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir had a right to "express his views", but that the military would ultimately have to "execute" any government decisions on Gaza. Katz's statement on X came after reports in the Israeli media in recent days suggested that Zamir is opposed to a government plan to occupy the Gaza Strip. "It is the right and duty of the Chief of Staff to express his position in the appropriate forums, and after decisions are made by the political echelon, the (army) will execute them with determination and professionalism... until the war's objectives are achieved," Katz wrote on X. "As the defence minister responsible for the (army) on behalf of the government, I must ensure that these decisions are carried out -- and so it will be," he added. Chief of Staff Zamir has made no public statements on the matter but reportedly expressed his opposition to a full military occupation in a restricted meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security chiefs on Tuesday. Israel army chief will have to 'execute' govt decisions on Gaza: defence minister Jerusalem, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said Wednesday that army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir could "express his views", but that the military would ultimately have to "execute" any government decisions on Gaza. Katz's statement on X came after reports in the Israeli media in recent days suggested that Zamir is opposed to a government plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip. "It is the right and duty of the Chief of Staff to express his position in the appropriate forums, and after decisions are made by the political echelon, the (army) will execute them with determination and professionalism... until the war's objectives are achieved," Katz wrote. "As the defence minister responsible for the (army) on behalf of the government, I must ensure that these decisions are carried out -- and so it will be," he added. "Hamas's refusal to release the hostages requires making additional decisions regarding how to advance the war's objectives: eliminating Hamas while creating the conditions for the release of the hostages." Chief of Staff Zamir has made no public statements on the matter but reportedly expressed his opposition to a full military occupation of Gaza during a restricted meeting between Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and security chiefs on Tuesday. According to public broadcaster Kan 11, Zamir warned such an occupation would be a "trap". Israeli media reported that Netanyahu would gather his security cabinet on Thursday to make a final decision on next steps in the war in the Palestinian territory. The same media predicted that the army would expand operations in the whole of Gaza's territory, including in heavily populated areas where hostages are believed to be held. glp/lba/ser AMMAN/GAZA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Jordan on Wednesday condemned repeated attacks by Israeli settlers on its humanitarian aid convoys bound for the Gaza Strip, urging Israel to halt such violations, following a new attack on its convoy. Government spokesperson Mohammad Momani said in a statement that the latest incident occurred when Israeli settlers on Wednesday attacked a convoy of 30 aid trucks crossing into Gaza, damaging four vehicles by blocking the road and throwing stones. The assault marked the second such attack in a week, following a similar incident on Sunday that forced two trucks to return to Jordan. Momani stressed that the attacks endanger drivers and hinder the delivery of humanitarian assistance, adding that they violated international conventions and signed agreements. Momani criticized what he described as lenient handling of such incidents, urging the Israeli authorities to take immediate action. He also highlighted obstacles facing the Jordan Hashemite Charity Organization in delivering aid, including slow border procedures, limited inspection hours, and new customs fees of 300 to 400 U.S. dollars per truck. "The journey from Amman to Gaza should take only about two hours, but due to restrictions, a single trip now takes approximately 36 hours," he said. The Hamas-run government media office in Gaza said Wednesday that the total number of trucks that have entered the Gaza Strip since Israel announced it would allow aid on July 27 is 853, out of a total of 6,000 trucks that had been ready to enter Gaza. The office said the Gaza Strip needs at least 600 trucks of aid and fuel per day to meet the minimum needs of the health, service, and food sectors. Hezbollah says will treat disarmament decision 'as if it does not exist' Beirut, Lebanon, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Hezbollah said Wednesday that it would treat Beirut's decision a day earlier to disarm it "as if it did not exist", accusing the cabinet of committing a "grave sin". Amid US pressure and fears of Israel expanding its strikes on Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government "tasked the Lebanese army with setting an implementation plan to restrict weapons" to the army and other state forces "before the end of this year". The plan is to be presented to the cabinet by the end of August for discussion and approval. In its first response to the decision, Hezbollah said: "Prime Minister Nawaf Salam's government committed a grave sin by taking the decision to disarm Lebanon of its weapons to resist the Israeli enemy. "This decision undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and gives Israel a free hand to tamper with its security, geography, politics and future existence... Therefore, we will treat this decision as if it does not exist." Hezbollah said it views the decision as "the result of dictates from US envoy" Tom Barrack, referring to a proposal he submitted to authorities calling for the group's disarmament within a timetable. It "fully serves Israel's interests and leaves Lebanon exposed to the Israeli enemy without any deterrence", according to Hezbollah. The government said its decision came as part of the implementation of the US-brokered ceasefire agreement that ended the war between Hezbollah and Israel on November 27. The agreement stipulated that government authorities including the army and internal security forces should be the exclusive bearers of weapons in Lebanon. In its statement, Hezbollah reiterated its condition that Israel must halt its strikes on Lebanon before a new defence strategy is discussed. "We are open to dialogue, ending the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, liberating its land, releasing prisoners, working to build the state, and rebuilding what was destroyed by the brutal aggression," the group said, adding that it was "prepared to discuss a national security strategy", but not under Israeli fire. Hezbollah-affiliated Health Minister Rakan Nassereldine and Environment Minister Tamara Elzein, who is affiliated with its ally Amal, walked out of Tuesday's meeting. Hezbollah described the move as "an expression of rejection" of the government's decision and "the decision to subject Lebanon to American tutelage and Israeli occupation". Soldier opens fire at US military base, wounding five troops Washington, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 A soldier opened fire at a US base in the southern state of Georgia on Wednesday, wounding five fellow troops before he was tackled and apprehended, a senior officer said. Fort Stewart, a large Army base that is home to thousands of soldiers and their relatives, went into lockdown as emergency personnel raced to respond to the "active shooter" situation, with troops stepping in to help stop the violence. "Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him, that allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody," Brigadier General John Lubas told a news conference. Lubas -- the commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, which is based at Fort Stewart -- put the toll at five wounded, saying that "all are in stable condition and all are expected to recover." The general identified the alleged shooter as Sergeant Quornelius Radford, saying his motive was unclear. A military weapon was not used in the shooting, which is believed to have been carried out with "a personal handgun," Lubas said. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said President Donald Trump had been briefed on the incident, while US Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal law enforcement were "coordinating to provide support." Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell said Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was "monitoring the situation." Though relatively rare, shootings -- including some apparent terror-related attacks -- periodically target military facilities in the United States, a country that is plagued by an epidemic of gun violence. In 2019, a US sailor fatally shot two people and wounded a third at the Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard in Hawaii, while a Saudi military student shot dead three people at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida the same year. In July 2015, Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez attacked two military installations in Tennessee, killing four Marines and a sailor. The FBI concluded the violence was inspired by a "foreign terrorist group." Two years earlier, Aaron Alexis killed 12 people and wounded eight at the Washington Navy Yard in the US capital, before being shot dead by officers. And four years before that a US Army psychiatrist killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 at Fort Hood in Texas. MUSCAT, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamood Al busaidi and Palestinian Vice President Hussein al-Sheikh on Wednesday discussed the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip in a phone conversation, calling for international action to end the violence and alleviate the suffering of civilians. According to a statement from Oman's Foreign Ministry, the two officials reviewed the developments in the Palestinian territories, particularly the continued Israeli military operations in Gaza, which they described as acts of "genocide" against civilians. They also condemned the ongoing blockade and restrictions that have resulted in widespread hunger and deprivation in Gaza. Both sides emphasized the need for concerted regional and international efforts to halt the "aggression," lift the siege, and ensure the unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the population in the enclave. They also reiterated the importance of resuming serious negotiations based on international resolutions and the two-state solution, so as to achieve a just and comprehensive peace. Al busaidi underscored Oman's firm position in support of justice, dialogue, and respect for international law, reaffirming Oman's backing for the Palestinian people's right to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital. Westminster City said it plans to appeal the decision. Cllr Liza Begum, Cabinet Member for Housing Services, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: We are disappointed by the judgement in this case. While it relates to the wording used in a small number of historic section 106 agreements, we are seeking permission from the Court of Appeal to appeal. We believe the judges interpretation was wrong and we are writing to ministers to make that point. I cant see how Beijing is going to meet the Secretary of States conditions. So, either a deal has already been done and the Government is trying to look tough or theyve genuinely seen the light. After a long, hard fight, were certainly hoping the latter. But we know there is more work to do to fix the housing crisis in London. Im pleased that the Government has committed to work with me to establish the City Hall Developer Investment Fund to unlock further housing in London. As a Government, we have a duty to act on this worrying trend. Todays investment is about offering a better alternative: transformative, real-world opportunities that will have an impact in communities across the country, so young people can discover something new, find their spark and develop the confidence and life skills that no algorithm can teach. Allow Google Search To use the search feature, we need your consent to load Google Custom Search, which may use cookies or similar technologies. Please click 'Allow and Continue' below to enable search. See our privacy policy for more information. Allow and Continue A secondary school teacher, from Darlington, Co Durham, Ms Sparks said: We are comforted by the fact that more than 25,000 people have signed our petition at change.org/JusticeForThe29 and we would encourage anyone that is sick of state cover-ups to add their names so that we can get truth and transparency. OSLO, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Women who have given birth to multiple children have a significantly lower risk of developing certain cancers, according to a new large-scale Norwegian study. The research, conducted by the Arctic University of Norway (UiT), found that the risk of breast, ovarian, and uterine cancer decreases by approximately 10 percent with each childbirth. Women who have had six children face nearly half the risk compared to women who have not given birth, the Norwegian broadcaster NRK reported on Wednesday. Led by Eiliv Lund, professor emeritus at UiT, the study analyzed historical data from Norway's 1960 census and cancer registry records of more than 385,000 women born between 1870 and 1915. Researchers went far back in time to gather sufficient data on women with large numbers of children, as high fertility rates are rare in Norway today. "Our analysis shows a consistent decrease in cancer risk with each childbirth, and the effect extends up to 15 children, something no previous studies have documented," Lund told NRK. The study attributes this protective effect to hormonal and immunological changes that occur during pregnancy. Researchers observed nearly identical risk-reduction patterns across the three cancer types. According to Lund, pregnancy requires the mother's immune system to adjust significantly, as the fetus is genetically distinct. This immune modulation is believed to play a role in reducing cancer risk later in life. Giske Ursin, director of the Cancer Registry of Norway, noted that while the link between childbirth and reduced cancer risk has been known for years, this study is unique in its inclusion of women with up to 15 children. "The findings add valuable insight into cancer prevention, even though women today have fewer children on average," she said. The study was funded in part by the Norwegian Cancer Society, which highlighted the importance of further research into women's health. "This is very exciting research that helps us improve prevention and treatment strategies," said Brage Larsen Sollund, regional director of the Norwegian Cancer Society in Northern Norway. A screenshot from another video which showed two people on mopeds trying to leave the hotel matches Street View images from the scene. In response to that the police said: The two people leaving were members of staff working at the hotel who were, as with the incident this afternoon, subjected to unacceptable harassment by those waiting outside. In a statement following their meeting, Mr Higgins said: It was a pleasure to renew my conversations with Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, The Princess Royal, and to recognise the significant contribution which she has made over so many years to the relationship between our two countries. Coppola shared: I lost my wife a year ago, around this time. But my attitude for death is that I always lived my life so that when I was at the moment approaching death, I wouldnt say, Oh, I wish I had done this and I wish I had done that. Instead, I say to myself, I got to do this. An driverless Tesla Robotaxi, with a man serving as a safety monitor in the front passenger seat, rolls along Laguna Drive in Southeast Austin on Friday, June 27, 2025. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman A group of Tesla shareholders have filed a lawsuit accusing CEO Elon Musk and his Austin-based electric vehicle company of making misleading statements about the safety of its self-driving technology, including the robotaxis currently operating in Austin. The proposed class-action lawsuit was filed Monday night in an Austin federal court. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Tesla launched its driverless ride-hailing service in Austin in June, but access remains limited to a small, invite-only group, consisting mostly of Tesla fans and influencers. Since then, the company has expanded its coverage area to 80 square miles as it seeks to compete with industry leader Waymo, whose service area now spans 90 square miles in Austin. Shortly after launching the robotaxi service in Austin, videos began pouring in online from the small group, mainly Tesla influencers and fans, who were able to catch a ride. While many clips were uneventful, some showed robotaxis swerving in traffic, speeding, braking suddenly, hitting curbs, entering incorrect lanes and dropping off passengers in the middle of intersections. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reportedly is reviewing the videos as part of a broader investigation into Teslas autonomous driving technology. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit accuses Musk and Tesla of exaggerating the effectiveness of the companys autonomous driving system, thereby inflating stock prices and financial projections. In the two days following the robotaxi launch in Austin, Teslas stock fell 6.1%, erasing an estimated $68 billion in market value. It cites repeated public safety assurances, including comments made during Teslas first-quarter earnings call in April, when Musk said: The team and I are laser focused on bringing robotaxi to Austin. The lawsuit calls Musk and Teslas safety claims materially false, alleging the company overstated its capabilities in autonomy. Musk continued to promote Teslas autonomous technology during the companys second-quarter earnings call on July 23, despite reporting a 16% drop in profit and revenue for the April-through-June period. Musk said in July that he wants to offer the service to at least half the U.S. population by the end of the year. Tesla is currently looking to launch services in the San Francisco Bay area, as well as in Nevada and Florida. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit also names Chief Financial Officer Vaibhav Taneja and his predecessor, Zachary Kirkhorn, as defendants. It is led by shareholder Denise Morand and seeks damages for investors who held stock between April 19, 2023, and June 22, 2025. The case follows a separate legal setback for Tesla. Last Friday, a jury in Florida found the company partially liable for a 2019 crash involving its Autopilot software, which killed a 22-year-old woman and severely injured her boyfriend. Tesla was ordered to pay $243 million in damages. The company has said the driver was solely at fault and plans to appeal. Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) GAZA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. Mahmoud Basal, spokesperson for the Civil Defense in Gaza, told Xinhua that the attacks targeted a tent housing displaced persons and gatherings of people waiting for aid in the Gaza Strip. Basal said that seven people were killed by Israeli army fire while waiting for aid near two U.S.-backed distribution centers in Rafah and at the Netzarim area in the center. Issa Mukhaimer, 37, was among the mourners with his family at the Nasser Complex in Khan Younis, where they had gathered to receive the body of a relative killed by Israeli army fire in Rafah while trying to obtain food. "Everyone who goes to the aid centers returns carrying a bag of flour or being carried on shoulders," Mukhaimer told Xinhua tearfully. The man said in a loud voice, "The people don't want war. We want to live in freedom and peace and end the tragic situation of displacement and homelessness." Nine people, including children, were killed when Israeli aircraft bombed two homes in the Shuja'iyya and Zeitoun neighborhoods east of Gaza City, according to Basal. Three people were killed and five others wounded in an airstrike targeting a convoy of aid workers north of Gaza City. Basal added that among those killed were two girls. One was a six-month-old baby who was shot by an Israeli drone while she was in her family's tent on al-Nafaq Street in Gaza City. The other girl was shot in the head inside her tent in the northwest of Khan Younis. He said that a family of five, including a husband, wife, and three children, was killed when Israeli aircraft targeted their home in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip. He noted that a neighbor of the house was also killed by shrapnel from the bombing. Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of the Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza City, said that the pressure on the Gaza Strip's hospitals is extremely high, warning of the loss of wounded patients due to the hospitals' inability to accommodate them. Abu Salmiya added in a press statement that hospital occupancy exceeds 300 percent, noting that anesthetics will run out in the Gaza Strip within 48 hours, and the health authorities do not have sufficient stocks of blood units. Meanwhile, local Palestinian sources told Xinhua that Israeli naval forces arrested six fishermen in the sea off the central Gaza Strip after surrounding their boat and transferring them to an unknown location. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement on Wednesday that directed by intelligence, IDF troops continue operations against "terrorist organizations" in the Gaza Strip. "IDF troops operating in northern Gaza continue to dismantle terrorist infrastructure above and below ground. During operational activity yesterday (Tuesday), IDF troops rapidly dismantled the launcher that launched mortars towards IDF troops in northern Gaza," it said. "In the southern Gaza Strip, IDF troops dismantled terrorist infrastructure, located several significant tunnel shafts, and eliminated several terrorists," it said. Since Israel resumed its intensified military campaign on March 18, at least 9,654 Palestinians have been killed and 39,401 injured, bringing the overall death toll in Gaza since the war began in October 2023 to 61,158, with a total of 151,442 people injured, according to health authorities in Gaza on Wednesday. Furthermore, the Israeli army spokesperson Avichay Adraee on Wednesday ordered residents of several areas in the Zeitoun neighborhood, east of Gaza City, to evacuate their homes. Adraee said in a press statement that the Israeli forces "are continuing to deepen their operations westward." Adraee continued, "For your safety, evacuate immediately south toward Al-Mawasi, west of Khan Younis, south of the Gaza Strip." Following the order, dozens of families in those areas were forced to leave their homes, carrying belongings and clothes under the sun amid dire humanitarian conditions, according to local sources and eyewitnesses. Mohsen Malka, as he and his family were about to leave, told Xinhua, "The situation has been unbearable for 21 months, and we have been displaced between areas due to Israeli military orders." Later on Wednesday, Adraee issued a new warning regarding Khan Younis, saying, "To those in the tents in the Al-Nasr neighborhood of Khan Younis, in Block 110 and the eastern part of Block 89, the IDF is continuing its ground maneuver and using heavy force in your area to expand the scope of the fighting." In a separate statement, Adraee confirmed that "the area will not be included in the areas witnessing a tactical, temporary, and local ceasefire for humanitarian purposes," calling on residents to evacuate the area westward immediately for their safety. He emphasized that the evacuation order does not include the Nasser Medical Complex. Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian man collects items from the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian woman inspects the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians walk past a building destroyed after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) A Palestinian boy inspects the damage after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians pass the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians are seen among the rubble after an Israeli airstrike in the Sheikh Radwan area, northwest of Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for a victim at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for victims at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for victims at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for a victim at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for victims at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for a victim at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Palestinians mourn for victims at Al-Shifa Hospital in central Gaza City, on Aug. 6, 2025. At least 27 Palestinians were killed in Israeli attacks on Wednesday, while 20 others died in a food truck overturn in the Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian sources. (Photo by Mahmoud Zaki/Xinhua) Sao Paulo, Brazil, March 15 2023. Front view of Oxxo supermarket in Sao Paulo city. Oxxo is popular Mexican chain of grocery stores or convenience stores Alfribeiro/Getty Images A new convenience store giant is moseying on into the state. Mexico's retail titan, FEMSA, is swapping out the familiar DK signs in Texas with its own Oxxo brand. FEMSA has already flipped the script on 15 stores in the Midland-Odessa area, with plans to convert nearly all of the DK locations it recently snagged. Think of it as a Tex-Mex makeover, but for your local corner store. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Oxxo reports initial success in Texas The early returns on these Oxxo conversions are looking mighty fine, with FEMSA reporting a serious bump in both sales and foot traffic. The company is currently testing out a few different store formats, with some locations leaning more into groceries and others trying to find a sweet spot between a traditional convenience store and a dollar store feel. Rumor has it, a pizza partnership might also be in the works. Oxxo competing with 7-Eleven, Circle K Over the next couple of years, FEMSA is on a mission to figure out a "winning value proposition" to go head-to-head with the big dogs like 7-Eleven and Circle K. While they're focused on building up their brand from the ground up, theyre not shying away from buying up other chains, especially in the southern United States. Advertisement Article continues below this ad With over 22,000 stores in Mexico and more than 1,000 across Latin America, Oxxo knows a thing or two about dominating the convenience store game. Dobie Middle School Teacher Tatiana Brown-Gomez helps students with a project during class on April 14. The Texas Education Agency has approved plans aimed at turning around Dobie and two other North Austin middle schools the district worries are on an "F" track. Ricardo B. Brazziell/American-Statesman The Texas Education Agency has approved plans that Austin school district officials hope will increase scores at three North Austin middle schools, which have failed state ratings for multiple years in a row. Austin district officials fear that another F score at either Burnet, Dobie or Webb middle schools this school year could trigger a state takeover of the district. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The Austin district's Board of Trustees on June 26 approved plans for all three campuses that included incentives for teachers, increased math and reading instruction and an additional $1.7 million at each campus. Each school would need to achieve at least a C rating to be removed from the state's list of concern. The Austin district needed the TEAs stamp of approval for the turnaround plans. The agency confirmed Tuesday it had approved the three plans on July 25. During several public meetings over the spring and summer, Superintendent Matias Segura has said he "1,000%" believes the campuses can improve scores. The announcement that changes would be coming to the campuses caused some concern among families and staff during the spring semester. Of most worry was a requirement that teachers of core subjects would be selected based on their ability to meet academic improvement targets. They also had to have at least three years of experience. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Some concerned parents and staff worried that would cause disruption for returning students. School officials said the district's choices for how to improve the campuses, including staff requirements, were limited by state guidelines. The plans, based on the Accelerating Campus Excellence model, also invest $1.7 million per school and will give students extra math and reading lessons, small group instruction and additional staffing, such as content interventionists and counselors. All three campuses first got an F rating in 2019 and a second in 2023. The Austin district predicts the campuses will receive a third and fourth F in with the release of the 2024 and 2025 scores, both of which are slated for Aug. 15. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Release of some state ratings had been delayed because of a pair of lawsuits that temporarily blocked the TEA from releasing 2023 and 2024 ratings. A fifth F would trigger either a campus closure or state takeover, similar to the 2022 takeover of the Houston district. Austin school leaders have pledged that if preliminary scores dont improve enough in the fall semester, the district will contract with a charter school for Dobie, Webb or Burnet to buy more time for improvement and to avoid more dire state consequences. School begins Aug. 19. Glen Shield expresses his frustration last month as he recalls SWAT mistakenly targeting his Southeast Austin home in 2023. This week he and his wife sued the city of Austin and officers with the Austin Police Department and the state Department of Public Safety. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Glen and Mindy Shield discuss SWAT mistakenly targeting their home two year ago in Southeast Austin, Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Shields home has been repaired since a SWAT team trampled through it nearly two years ago on Aug. 6, 2023, but the couple is still trying to get answers and an apology from the the officers who mistakenly targeted their home and took them into custody. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Mindy Shield, shown last month in her Southeast Austin home, recalls the 2023 ordeal in which a SWAT unit searched her house for a neighbor who lived across the street. Its like being in a bad movie, she said. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Glen Shield expresses his frustration as he recalls SWAT mistakenly targeting his home in Southeast Austin, Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Shields home has been repaired since a SWAT team trampled through it nearly two years ago on Aug. 6, 2023, but the couple is still trying to get answers and an apology from the the officers who mistakenly targeted their home and took them into custody. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman If the police made a series of terrible mistakes calling you out of your house at gunpoint, holding you in the back of a cop car for nearly three hours, using explosives to blow off the front door of your unlocked home, leaving thousands of dollars in wreckage and a ruptured gas line in the attic that could have turned catastrophic you would expect an explanation. You would expect an apology and something resembling amends. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Glen and Mindy Shield have received none of those things in the two years since Austin police detained the couple while a SWAT unit from the state Department of Public Safety tore through their Southeast Austin home. Both law enforcement agencies were fixated for hours on the wrong address while the gunman they were looking for the Shields neighbor was holed up in his home across the street. I didnt think something like that could happen in this country, Glen Shield said when I caught up with the couple recently. And now, every time I see a story on the news about the SWAT team coming out, Im wondering, do they have the right house, and what are they doing to that person? Its like being in a bad movie, added Mindy Shield, who had trouble sleeping for weeks after the traumatic event. Ive never in my life experienced anything like that before. A doorbell camera shows a SWAT officer placing a strip of explosives along the front door of Glen and Mindy Shield's home on the night of Aug. 6, 2023. Provided by Glen Shield The Shields kept waiting for some type of accountability for the Aug. 6, 2023 ordeal, in which they were caught in the crossfire of a shootout between their troubled neighbor, Dwayne Brzozowski, and two Austin police officers conducting a welfare check. Police body camera footage shows the officers kicked in Brzozowskis door, and he came out with his shotgun, chasing the officers into the street. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Detective Daniel Jackson and Brzozowski were injured in the gunfire exchange that also sent a bullet into the Shields living room, a few feet away from where the couple had been watching TV. But the Austin Police Department's internal affairs review, which took more than a year, absolved the Austin police officers who detained the Shields for hours. While tepidly acknowledging that communication between officers on scene regarding the facts of the situation was not ideal, an initial November 2023 review by the citys Office of Police Oversight blamed the SWAT actions on the state DPS, over whom it has no jurisdiction. Meanwhile, officials at the city of Austin and DPS told the Shields that the officers were acting within the bounds of what theyre allowed to do as law enforcement an assertion that seemed to overlook any duty to avoid inflicting harm on others. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Glen and Mindy Shield look at the damage in their home last month. Glen holds pieces of the explosives that a SWAT unit used in 2023 to blow open their front door. Mindy shows where a bullet came through their window. Officers searched for a suspect who was, in fact, across the street. "These kinds of things really shouldn't happen," Glen said. "State police should be accountable. City police should be accountable." Glen and Mindy Shield look at the damage in their home last month. Glen holds pieces of the explosives that a SWAT unit used in 2023 to blow open their front door. Mindy shows where a bullet came through their window. Officers searched for a suspect who was, in fact, across the street. "These kinds of things really shouldn't happen," Glen said. "State police should be accountable. City police should be accountable." Now the Shields have turned to the courts. This week the couple filed a federal lawsuit against the city of Austin and numerous individual officers with APD and DPS, alleging not only grievous errors but a culture of impunity toward officer misconduct. Among the lawsuits most stunning assertions: In the early minutes of what became a three-hour ordeal, an Austin police officer said the officers outside the Shield home were at the wrong frickin house, according to police radio communications described in an Office of Police Oversight report obtained by the Shields attorneys. About 25 minutes later, that officer reiterated to dispatch that the Shields house was 100% the wrong house, the lawsuit said. Those statements came from Detective Christopher Van Buren, one of the two officers involved in the initial shootout with Brzozowski. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The lawsuit says that after Van Buren alerted others they were at the wrong house, another officer responded, let them do business. That was around 9:14 p.m. The Shields doorbell camera showed a DPS SWAT officer putting the strip of explosives around their unlocked front door at 11:01 p.m. The blast destroyed the door, shattered windows and sent splintered chunks of wood to the far end of the house. Glen Shield expresses his frustration as he recalls SWAT mistakenly targeting his home in Southeast Austin as he sits next to his wife, Mindy Shield, Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Shields home has been repaired since a SWAT team trampled through it nearly two years ago on Aug. 6, 2023, but the couple is still trying to get answers and an apology from the the officers who mistakenly targeted their home and took them into custody. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Shrouded in secrecy Once the lawsuit was filed Monday, I reached out to the city of Austin and to the Texas attorney generals office, which represents DPS in legal matters. "The city has not yet been served with this lawsuit, but will review it and respond appropriately," Austin spokesman Erik Johnson said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I have also been sending detailed questions to both law enforcement agencies since February, after APDs internal affairs review wrapped up in late December by finding no wrongdoing. Neither APD nor DPS provided answers to my questions or would agree to an interview. Nor would they release most of the public records I requested about this incident. The Shields' attorneys at Smith & Vinson law firm managed to obtain more records than I did from the Office of Police Oversight, revealing crucial new details such as Van Buren's warnings that officers were at the wrong house. Sources: APD press release, police body camera footage, doorbell camera footage, court records and communications cited in Shields' 2025 lawsuit against the city of Austin and the Department of Public Safety. Bridget Grumet/Staff To my requests, APD and DPS invoked the exemption under Texas public records law for information related to a pending criminal case. Because Brzozowski faces two charges of aggravated assault for the shootout with police, the agencies claimed they couldnt release information about the police activity at the Shields home, asserting it was all part of the same case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Details about SWAT activity were redacted in the Austin Police Department's general offense report about the Aug. 6, 2023 welfare check that resulted in an officer-involved shooting. APD has declined to release most other records because Dwayne Joseph Brzozowski, the person accused of opening fire on police, has not yet gone to trial. Grumet, Bridget/Image from APD report Which has stymied public scrutiny of the way police treated Glen and Mindy Shield. As I noted when I first reported on this case in the fall of 2023, police rushing to the scene of this officer-involved shooting faced early moments of confusion. The shootout unfolded in the street between the Brzozowksi and Shield homes, both situated on Channel Island Drive in the Parkside at Slaughter Creek neighborhood. Detective Jackson had run toward the Shields open garage to take cover when he was hit with a shotgun blast. Inside the Shield home, Glen and Mindy both called 911 from separate phones, while Glen retrieved his firearm. He could hear someone in his garage and feared it was an armed criminal. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I said, Ive got a shotgun, and dont move; Ive called the police, Glen Shield told me in 2023. Through the closed door and gripped by panic, he didnt hear Jackson respond that he was the police. Weeks after a SWAT unit used explosives in 2023 to blow off his front door, Glen Shield looks at the boarded-up entryway to his Southeast Austin home. Shield and his wife have since repaired the home, which suffered about $23,000 in damages. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman So you can see the potential for misunderstanding. It makes sense that new officers arriving on scene would call the Shields out of their home, question them separately and take steps to ensure neither one of them was the shooter. Advertisement Article continues below this ad But Ive never understood why the confusion wasnt cleared up in minutes instead of hours. Van Buren and Jackson clearly saw who opened fire on them when they kicked in Brzozowskis front door, fearing he might be dead or needing help. Brzozowski lived in a red brick house. The Shields place is made of white limestone. Broad authority A couple of days after the ordeal, a neighbor told the Shields she smelled natural gas outside which is how the couple discovered the ruptured line in their attic from the SWAT entry into their home. Had the gas leak remained undetected, Glen Shield said, a spark could have ignited an explosion. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Homeowners' insurance ended up covering most of the $23,000 in damage to the Shields home. But the couple said the agencies that caused the damage to property and to people should be the ones to answer for it. So many things that were done that night were just wrong to me from a basic civil rights point of view, Glen Shield said. But he said the silence from city officials reflects an attitude like, dont say nothing, just ignore it, itll go away. The couple hopes their lawsuit demands a reckoning. Still, the courts have historically given wide latitude to officers who make mistakes while carrying out their official duties, Jennifer E. Laurin, a professor of criminal law at the University of Texas law school, told me. Not everything thats outrageous that happens to people actually has been held by courts to violate constitutional rights, she said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Glen and Mindy Shield are shown recently at their home in Southeast Austin. Spending a couple of hours in 2023 detained in separate police cars was "very humiliating and embarrassing," Glen Shield said. Added Mindy Shield: "It was stressful and emotional." Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman For example, officers have broad authority to detain people and search places without a warrant under exigent circumstances, such as cases where lives are at risk or a suspect might escape. Laurin noted, however, as the spur-of-the-moment threat passes and officers have hours to assess a situation, the courts become less forgiving of officers failure or refusal to use that time to gather information or obtain review by a judge of the situation in order to get a warrant. Even though the Shields sat in separate police cars for nearly two hours before the SWAT unit blew open their front door around 11 p.m., court records show APD didnt obtain a search warrant for that home until about 1:30 a.m. That warrant was limited to collecting bullet fragments from the officers shootout with Brzozowski. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It's important to remember the hours-long ordeal wasnt just traumatizing for the Shields. The delay endangered everyone. For the hours that police focused on the wrong house, they failed to take into custody the man who actually opened fire on police, who still posed a threat to officers and neighbors. Finally, around midnight, police got Brzozowski to surrender from his red brick home across the street. According to the inventory of items seized from the house, Brzozowski had 17 firearms, including an AR-15 with a scope, and 12 different types of bulk ammunition. Glen Shield recalls SWAT mistakenly targeting his home in Southeast Austin, Thursday, July 24, 2025. The Shields home has been repaired since a SWAT team trampled through it nearly two years ago on Aug. 6, 2023, but the couple is still trying to get answers and an apology from the the officers who mistakenly targeted their home and took them into custody. Mikala Compton/Austin American-Statesman Facing larger questions The Shields lawsuit will force a much-needed airing of this case. I expect the city and DPS will circle the wagons. But for the benefit of Austinites, I hope the entities step back and look at the larger questions raised by this case. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Why doesnt Austin have a fair-minded mechanism to pay for repairs when law enforcement causes thousands of dollars in damage to the home of law-abiding citizens? The Shields were fortunate their homeowners' policy paid up. Often such policies won't. Why doesnt the city have a plan to connect troubled people with mental health support? Court records provide glimpses of Brzozowskis state of mind as he sparred for years with code enforcement over his overgrown yard, saying in a 2021 email that he was instructed by Special Forces of the U.S. Military not to cut the grass. Yet theres no sign he received mental health care until after the shootout, once he became a criminal defendant whose competency needed to be restored for trial. Why doesnt APD have access to information showing a person has previously threatened other city workers, such as code enforcement officers? When I first inquired about this case in 2023, a city spokesperson for Development Services told me that Brzozowskis earlier conduct toward code enforcement officers had been concerning enough that the agency decided not to press ahead with a warrant to clear his overgrown property. Wouldnt that be useful information for police to know as theyre deciding whether to kick in someones front door? Instead, what started as a welfare check on Aug. 6, 2023 ended with a police officer wounded, the subject of that welfare check wounded, and the neighbors across the street traumatized, sticky bomb residue clinging to their doorway. Advertisement Article continues below this ad (Left) Damage from a shotgun blast are seen on a drain pipe at Glen and Mindy Shields home, (Top right) Mindy points to the spot a bullet landed in her living room,(Bottom right) Glen holds a piece of their former door and points to the direction it flew off their door when it blew off the frame Mikala Compton, Austin American-Statesman Jackson, the APD detective who suffered injuries to the face and arm from a shotgun blast, promptly sought accountability. He sued Brzozowski for assault. A judge in June granted a default judgment for $4.4 million although its anyones guess how much of that Jackson, now working in APD's cold case unit, will ever collect from Brzozowski, who still faces criminal charges. The Shields lawsuit against the city and various APD and DPS officers seeks unspecified damages. But really, it seeks answers and an affirmation that what happened to them was wrong, too. Either way, the couple plans to move closer to family near Seguin, but also away from Austin. The home, originally built for Glen Shield's late mother, will go on the market soon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Its just lost, Glen Shield said, shaking his head. Too many bad memories now. About this story Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ever since I witnessed my mothers murder at the hands of the land mafia in India, I knew my life would never be the same. That devastating moment filled me with sorrow but also purpose. I vowed to ensure that no one else suffers simply because of the family or community they are born into. From that tragedy, I began a lifelong journey to defend dignity and fight injustice. My path has taken me around the world connecting with people across cultures, faiths, and struggles. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wherever I go, I remind people: You are the hope for tomorrow. I carry this message rooted in faith in humanity and as a humanist, Ive seen how it can ground us, guide us, and empower us to transform the world Paul Divakar The Inclusivity Project brought faith leaders together to end generational discrimination. Provided by iACT Austin, Texas, a city long marked by racial inequity, is also a place of healing and moral courage. Advertisement Article continues below this ad On July 21, a diverse crowd gathered at First Baptist Church of Austin for Unite for Rights: Take a Stand for Human Dignity, hosted by Interfaith Action of Central Texas. The event brought together voices from across the globe Queen Bisseng (Cameroon), Simona Torotcoi (Romania), and myself activists with The Inclusivity Project, an international effort to end descent-based discrimination that is working at the UN level. Together, we named an uncomfortable truth: Even in 2025, millions of people are still dehumanized because of their caste or inherited lineage. Indeed, across Asia, Africa, Europe and Latin America, more than 270 million people face descent-based discrimination oppression rooted in the idea that certain lives are inherently inferior. These Communities Discriminated on Work and Descent are often assigned to impure labor, denied land and education, and excluded from public life: In India, Dalits once labeled untouchables are assaulted or killed for drinking from a village well or entering a temple. In Nepal, Dalits live in segregated settlements. In Nigeria, Osu communities are forbidden from marrying outside their caste. In Yemen, the Muhamasheen are denied IDs and basic rights. In Europe, Romani people face systemic exclusion from jobs, housing and schools. Advertisement Article continues below this ad These are not isolated injustices. They form a global system of inherited inequality deeply entrenched, violently enforced and painfully familiar to those who have fought racism in the United States. Just as Black Americans have long battled a racial caste system from Jim Crow to redlining and mass incarceration CDWD communities across the world face similar structural and generational harms. The civil rights movements language of dignity, its strategies of resistance and its unwavering hope now inspire a global uprising against caste. At the Austin gathering, our stories gave voice to the personal toll of this global injustice. Simona Torotcoi, TIPs Europe Ambassador shared how she grew up in shame as a Romani girl in Romania before reclaiming her identity through activism. Queen Bisseng, our Africa Ambassador, led an exercise to help attendees feel what structural inequality and inherited privilege look like. Together, we offered a message of possibility: Justice is achievable when we unite. TIP is building a global movement rooted in human dignity. We are connecting Dalits, Osu, Roma, Muhamasheen, Quilombola, Burakumin, Afro-Colombians, and others to dismantle the intergenerational hierarchies that divide and diminish us. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Through TIP, we are training 50 young leaders from CDWD communities across five continents to become the next generation of global advocates. Audience members were deeply moved. One participant said, If we can unite for the same cause, it can strengthen us all. As people of faith, we are called not to silence or neutrality, but to solidarity. Racism, casteism and classism are not just political failures they are moral crises. Just as American civil rights leaders once stood with South Africas anti-apartheid movement, we are now called to stand with CDWD communities around the globe. The TIP delegation invited attendees to join the movement by: Advertisement Article continues below this ad Supporting TIPs youth leadership training Hosting forums on casteism and descent-based discrimination Building alliances between African American and CDWD communities Advocating for U.S. foreign policy that addresses caste-based exclusion Amplifying the voices of historically silenced groups This is our moment to act. We cannot wait for justice to trickle down. We must rise together and claim it for ourselves, for our neighbors and for the generations to come. Learn more and join the movement at theinclusivityproject.org. Together, we can reclaim the dignity that every human being deserves. Overwhelmed with emotion, Carol Jacobs embraces her neighbor, Kaleen Schumaker while checking on her on Monday afternoon, July 7, 2025, after a weekend flash flood devastates homes in Leander, Texas. Ricardo B. Brazziell/Austin American-Statesman Travis and Williamson county residents affected by the deadly July 5 flooding can now apply for monetary assistance from local relief funds run by the Central Texas Community Foundation, officials announced Tuesday. The foundation hopes to raise $10 million to support Williamson and Travis counties long-term flood relief money that will go directly to support families recovering from the disaster, said Amy Merida, executive director of the foundation. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The role of this community foundation is not just to react, but to respond with integrity, with transparency and with compassion, Merida said at a news conference Tuesday. It's something that we hope will provide meaningful support as they look to rebuild. The announcement comes exactly one month after a deadly flood ravaged Williamson and northwestern Travis County on July 5, wreaking havoc in Georgetown, Liberty Hill, Big Sandy Creek and Cow Creek. The overnight flood leveled homes, destroyed roads and killed 13 people from the two counties. A home lies in ruins on Monday July 7, 2025 after a weekend flash flood devastated Leander, Texas. Floodwaters caused extensive damage, prompting widespread evacuations, leaving roads impassable, and triggering power outages in the area. Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman The flood on July 5 was more than a natural disaster. It was a heartbreaking and life-altering event for our neighbors in Big Sandy Creek, Travis County Judge Andy Brown said. If you've been wondering how you can help, this is it." He urged residents to donate to a Community Foundation fund for either county. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Residents in the hardest-hit areas are eligible for Federal Emergency Management Agency assistance, but many need more urgent help to find transportation, temporary housing and to replace lost or damaged items like furniture, clothes and cars, Merida said. The fund will help fill that gap. WilCo Cares, a fund set up July 6, has raised $950,000 so far with the help of local donors like Susan and Michael Dell, Texas Mutual and the Georgetown Health Foundation. A Travis County Cares fund, set up July 15, has raised $250,000, and hopes to raise $1 million by the time of distribution. The goal is for funds to be distributed in four to five weeks, officials said. Applicants must apply by 5 p.m. on Aug. 25 and be within the impacted area shared by the county. Financial circumstance and level of loss will determine what aid residents receive. The short-term recovery costs can be used by residents to cover immediate losses at their discretion, Merida said. Advertisement Article continues below this ad We've seen an army of volunteers with donations, an army of volunteers picking up the pieces and helping neighbors clean up the damage to the flood, and now we have an organized way through the Central Texas Community Foundation to pull those resources and help those in greatest needs, Williamson County Judge Steven Snell said. olunteers distribute water and supplies to homeowners affected by a weekend flash flood that devastated homes in Leander, Texas. Ricardo B. Brazziell, Austin American-Statesman As residents wait for the aid to come through, both counties are working to support immediate needs. Brown said the countys Health and Human Services Department has helped connect people with temporary housing. The department and Texas Division of Emergency Management officials are going door to door to understand specific resources needed, he added. Williamson Countys Disaster Recovery Center at the Williamson County EMS North Campus in Georgetown is open from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. every day through Aug. 17 to connect residents to assistance. Snell said he encourages people to apply to all government assistance and to seek help from the recovery center. Advertisement Article continues below this ad If you have any needs whatsoever, if you go up there, we will walk you through every form and help you fill it out, Snell said about the center. The $10 million the foundation ultimately hopes to raise will also support more long-term recovery needs such as temporary housing, mental health and gaps in what FEMA funds dont cover, Merida said. Merida encourages people to donate to the funds to support recovery. St. Davids Foundation announced a $100,000 matching gift until Aug. 15, and a Band Together Texas concert Aug. 17 at the Moody Center also will benefit local relief. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The application at CTXCF.org is available in English and Spanish. Applicants will need an identification card and proof of residency, and then can submit any insurance claims or damage estimates. Those without insurance will still be able to access help. ICE has made arrests near an apartment construction site in Austin. American-Statesman file photo U.S. Rep. Greg Casar is demanding answers from federal immigration authorities after a Statesman report revealed that five men were arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement near a central Austin construction site last week. In a letter made public Wednesday morning, Casar asked ICE and the Department of Homeland Security to explain why the men were taken into custody, provide details about their immigration status and criminal histories, and disclose how federal agents collaborated with state law enforcement. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Your Administrations enforcement actions have wrought havoc on communities and [made] it more difficult for state and local law enforcement to build and maintain trust with the communities they serve, especially when state and local law enforcement are viewed as enforcing or cooperating to enforce federal immigration law, Casar wrote in the letter. Casar, an Austin Democrat and former labor organizer, said he sent the letter in response to the Statesman's reporting, which first detailed the circumstances of the arrests and the lack of transparency from officials involved. Donald Trump said he would go after dangerous people, but instead here in Austin he is going after dads at the job site, Casar said in an email to the Statesman. Austinites deserve to know why Trump and [Gov. Greg] Abbott targeted people just trying to go to work and where else innocent people may be at risk. As the Statesman previously reported, the arrests stemmed from a traffic stop by the Texas Department of Public Safety, which pulled over a van near the construction site due to a license plate violation. DPS said it contacted federal immigration officials after it was unable to identify the driver using state databases. Advertisement Article continues below this ad ICE later confirmed that it arrested five men at the scene, who are now being held pending removal proceedings. The agency has not released the mens names, nationalities, or criminal histories. In the letter, Casar pressed ICE to clarify whether the federal agents identified themselves to the men they eventually arrested, how the arrests were carried out, and whether any of the men had previously received stays of deportation. Deportation stays occur when a judge or DHS orders a pause on a final deportation order. He also questioned the role of DPS. The DPS officer involved was part of a regional tactical strike team formed earlier this year by Abbott to support federal immigration enforcement. A DPS spokesperson said the team is focused on arresting criminals. Casar, who previously worked with the labor rights group Workers Defense Project, argued that targeting workers arriving at job sites is arbitrary and evidence that the Trump administration lacks clear enforcement priorities. Advertisement Article continues below this ad According to laborers interviewed by the Statesman, the recent detentions marked the second time in two weeks that immigration authorities had made arrests adjacent to the same construction site, which is slated to become an apartment complex. Emily Ledesma shows a printed x-ray of her arm in her South Austin home on Monday, August. 4, 2025. Ledesma was severely injured and hospitalized on June 7, 2025 after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a police chase ran a red light and hit her vehicle. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Emily Ledesma wipes her eyes in her South Austin home on Monday, August. 4, 2025. Ledesma was severely injured and hospitalized on June 7, 2025 after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a police chase ran a red light and hit her vehicle. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman A state trooper who is the son of Texas Department of Public Safety director Freeman Martin remains on active duty two months after he blew through a red light and seriously injured a bystander during a high-speed chase in Austin. The trooper, Freeman Hunter Martin, has so far not faced disciplinary action, though the agency says it is investigating the case. A crash report said Martin was driving at an unsafe speed of 101 mph in a 45 mph zone when he ran the light. Advertisement Article continues below this ad DPS says it is standard procedure for troopers involved in crashes to remain on active duty while the agency investigates. But police experts say officers in other agencies would typically be placed on leave, especially in cases involving serious injuries. M. George Eichenberg, a professor and interim head of the Department of Criminal Justice at Tarleton State University, said he was surprised Martin was still on active duty. I do not know the DPS policy, but in general the officer would be suspended with pay pending the outcome of the investigation, Eichenberg said. The optics are certainly bad. The woman who was driving a car that the trooper hit is still homebound after she spent weeks in the ICU and endured three separate surgeries. Emily Ledesma, 33, has been unable to work and said doctors expect it will be at least another month before she can get back to normal life. She is considering suing. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I just want accountability, Ledesma said. I just want someone to take responsibility for something that could have been completely avoidable. Emily Ledesma was severely injured and hospitalized on June 7, 2025 after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a police chase ran a red light and hit her vehicle. Courtesy of Brad Bonilla An attorney representing Ledesma says the incident and DPSs handling of it raises serious questions about oversight at the state police force, which was the sole law enforcement agency to respond to the crash and the only agency to investigate it. The very person entrusted with leading the DPS and with ensuring that this trooper in question never endangered the public again is the troopers own father, said Brad Bonilla, Ledesmas attorney. I think everyone here in Texas deserves the confidence that accountability will not be compromised by personal ties. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Ericka Miller, a DPS spokeswoman, said the agencys initial review could be completed as early as this week. The agencys crash reconstruction team has 60 days to finish its work, after which agency officials can decide whether to discipline Martin or elevate the case to an inspector general. We expect the final report will be submitted for full review and determination of any disciplinary action or need for additional training very soon, Miller said. She said it was the first wreck Martin has been in during his time at DPS. Both Martin and his supervisor, Sergeant Juan Santiago, who was riding in the passenger seat, were hospitalized after the crash. The extent of their injuries is unclear. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martin did not respond to a request for comment, nor did Santiago. Details of the crash The DPS crash report from the scene said Martin was driving 101 mph down a 45 mph zone along the Ben White frontage road in South Austin a speed deemed unsafe by the troopers who responded. A tree line was blocking his vision of the upcoming intersection, the report said. Ledesma was driving through a green light on S. Congress Ave. and did not have time to see and respond to the approaching emergency vehicle. Bonilla, Ledesmas attorney, said he believes Martin broke the law that night by driving at unsafe speeds and failing to slow down at the intersection. He pointed to a section of the states transportation code that says police may proceed through a red light after slowing as necessary for safe operation. The code also says police can drive over the speed limit, as long as it does not endanger life or property. Advertisement Article continues below this ad The law is very clear, Bonilla said. Even if an emergency situation existed, officers must operate their vehicles with due regard for the safety of the public. These safeguards exist for a reason. Emily Ledesma, left, talks to her father Ariel Ledesma, right, in her South Austin home on Monday, August. 4, 2025. Ledesma was severely injured and hospitalized on June 7, 2025 after a Texas Department of Public Safety trooper in a police chase ran a red light and hit her vehicle. Since the accident, Ariel has been living with his daughter as a full-time caregiver. Aaron E. Martinez/Austin American-Statesman Ledesma said she doesnt remember much of the wreck, just the feeling of going over a bomb and just exploding. The crash left her with a broken arm and abrasions on her colon and small intestine. She underwent multiple surgeries, including one in which doctors removed two feet of her small intestine and a foot of her colon. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Advocates say the incident underscores the dangerous nature of high-speed police chases. Miller said Martin, who was on routine patrol, initiated the pursuit after he noticed a vehicle with no front license plate, no visible vehicle registration and dark-tinted windows. When he began to follow the vehicle, he reported it made an erratic lane change, and after he activated his lights to make a traffic stop, the vehicle began to speed away. Martin followed, but the vehicle got away after the wreck. DPS pursuit policy Jon Farris, founder of Pursuit for Change, an advocacy group that pushes for safer police chases, said studies have shown officers involved in chases frequently get tunnel vision. Advertisement Article continues below this ad I am basically the greyhound chasing the rabbit, and thats all I can see. I can see nothing else but that car thats in front of me, and I lose the vision of everything surrounding me, Farris said. Farris said such high-speed chases should really only happen in situations where the officer is pursuing someone they believe to be an imminent threat, otherwise they may be putting the public in danger. In my mind, an officer whos breaching 100 mph in that situation probably needs to say, This is probably getting out of control, Farris said. DPS has a pursuit policy that notes that there are many times when it is not practicable to continue pursuit, including when it becomes evident that continued pursuit will bring about unwarranted danger to the public or to the officer. Advertisement Article continues below this ad It says troopers should give strong consideration to abandoning pursuit if the suspect they are chasing does not pose an immediate threat to the public. Still, it notes that the decision of when to abandon pursuit can only be made by the officer involved. The policy has drawn scrutiny in recent years. A 2023 report by Human Rights Watch found at least 74 people had been killed in car chases involving DPS troopers or local law enforcement working under Operation Lone Star, Gov. Greg Abbotts multibillion-dollar border security initiative. Advertisement Article continues below this ad An independent report commissioned by El Paso County found DPS guidelines for vehicle pursuits were inadequate and failed to prioritize public safety, KTEP reported in January. According to the report the policy inappropriately puts the decision to initiate high-speed pursuits on individual troopers. Freeman Martin's history The crash came after Martin had been reminded in three consecutive performance reviews to always use safe driving skills to reduce the risk of injury or property damage in all situations including high speed pursuit driving, according to his personnel file, which was obtained by Hearst Newspapers through an open records request. The evaluations from 2022, 2023 and 2024 all include manager comments that say Martin should be proactive to ensure that Department policies and procedures are properly understood and followed. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Those reviews were given by Santiago, a sergeant and Martins supervisor, who was riding in the police vehicle with Martin at the time of the accident. Miller said the remarks in the review are commonly issued to the more than 4,000 commissioned officers that patrol the states highways. It is something that is frequently discussed in our commissioned ranks, she said in the statement. Miller said Martin specializes in recovering stolen vehicles and property. Since Jan. 1, 2023, he has conducted 442 traffic stops and arrested 178 individuals, she said. He has been involved in 64 pursuits and recovered 36 stolen vehicles and seized 10 firearms. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Martin received high marks overall. Santiago wrote that Martin has consistently proven to be a valuable asset to the department, demonstrating excellence across multiple areas and being committed to professional growth. Texas Rep. Gene Wu speaks as Illinois Governor JB Pritzker looks on during a news conference in Chicago on Tuesday, Aug 5, 2025. (AP Photo/Erin Hooley) Erin Hooley/Associated Press The House Chamber at the Capitol in Austin, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, shortly before the session began. A quorum was not present after most Democrat state representatives left Texas to break quorum and block a vote on a Republican plan for Congressional redistricting. Jay Janner/Austin American-Statesman Texas Governor Greg Abbott and incoming Border Czar Tom Homan make remarks at a Thanksgiving lunch event at Forward Operating Base Eagle, a newly built military base serving Operation Lone Star near the Rio Grande River on Tues, Nov. 26, 2024, in Eagle Pass, Texas. Christopher Lee/Staff Photographer Gov. Greg Abbott asked the Texas Supreme Court on Tuesday to remove state Rep. Gene Wu of Houston from office for his role in leading Democrats in their quorum break over redistricting. Wu and dozens of other Democrats fled to Illinois on Sunday to block a vote on a new congressional map meant to shore up Republicans power in Congress. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Representative Wu and the other Texas House Democrats have shown a willful refusal to return, and their absence for an indefinite period of time deprives the House of the quorum needed to meet and conduct business on behalf of Texans, Abbott said in a statement. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences." SEARCH OUR MAP: Could your congressional district change as Republicans push redistricting? The state Supreme Court is made up of nine Republicans and led by Chief Justice Jimmy Blacklock, who was first appointed to the court in 2018 by Abbott. The Republican governor had threatened over the weekend to go to seek the courts intervention, pointing to a 2021 nonbinding legal opinion by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton after Democrats fled the state that year to block a voting restrictions bill. In the opinion, Paxton said it was beyond the scope of his office to say whether leaving the state for this reason qualifies as abandonment of office, and that would be up to the courts. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Wu quickly shot back against the move, saying in a statement that "denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath." "Unable to defend his corrupt agenda on its merits, Greg Abbott now desperately seeks to silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office," Wu said, adding that "history will judge this moment." The 35-page lawsuit by Abbott, who ordered lawmakers back to Austin last month to redraw the states congressional map, capped a whirlwind day in which Paxton threatened legal action against the absent Democrats and U.S. Sen. John Cornyn asked the FBIs help in returning the Democrats to Austin under the threat of arrest. Paxton and Cornyn are both seeking the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate in 2026. In a letter to the Texas Supreme Court Tuesday night responding to Abbott's lawsuit, the attorney general's office argued that Paxton and local county and district attorneys were the only officials who could file to remove lawmakers from office. Paxton said in a statement that he planned to file his own legal action against the Democrats if they don't return to the Capitol by Friday, the deadline that House Speaker Dustin Burrows has given them. Advertisement Article continues below this ad President Donald Trump, meanwhile, told a cable news outlet early Tuesday that the Republicans are entitled to five additional congressional seats from Congress, citing his winning the state in 2024 as justification. The legal action by Abbott ratchets ups the Republican effort to move ahead with the congressional map last week. In past quorum breaks by Democrats one in 2021 and two others 18 years earlier ended with the absent members returning to the Capitol voluntarily. No legal action was taken, much less threatened, in those cases. Abbott, in the court filing, asked the justices to make a ruling on his request by Thursday. If they do not order Wus removal from office, Abbott asked them to find that at the very least he has demonstrated demonstrated probable grounds to file additional court documents to advance his claims. Advertisement Article continues below this ad Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin warned Tuesday night that if Abbott succeeds, "we do not have a democracy anymore." KAMPALA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Nineteen people were killed and 13 others injured after a lorry overturned in the western Uganda district of Hoima, police said Wednesday. Julius Hakiza, the Albertine region police spokesperson, told Xinhua by phone that the accident happened Tuesday night while the fuel truck was carrying traders from a market in neighboring Buliisa district. "The lorry failed to brake, lost control, fell and overturned, killing 19 people on the spot," Hakiza said, adding that the injured were rushed to hospital. Hakiza said overloading may be the cause of the accident, with the lorry carrying both passengers and merchandise. A Uganda police report released in February indicated that 5,144 people were killed in road crashes in 2024, up from 4,806 in 2023 and 4,534 in 2022. KHARTOUM, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The Sudanese air force had destroyed an Emirati aircraft carrying Colombian mercenaries while it was landing at an airport controlled by the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in the Darfur region of western Sudan, official Sudan TV reported on Wednesday. Citing military sources, the TV reported that the Sudanese air force launched a surprise strike on the runway of Nyala International Airport in South Darfur State earlier on Wednesday. "The surprise attack targeted a group of Colombian mercenaries upon their arrival aboard a private plane believed to have taken off from one of the air bases in the Gulf," the report said, noting that "the air operation resulted in the deaths of dozens of mercenaries." It added that the mercenaries were brought in to support the RSF as part of a "foreign plot" aimed at destabilizing Sudan and prolonging the war. The sources indicated that the Sudanese army's military intelligence had been tracking the plane's movements and monitoring its coordination with RSF members controlling the airport, which allowed the strike to be executed immediately upon its landing before the RSF could deploy. On Monday, Sudan accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of bringing in and funding Colombian mercenaries to fight against the army on behalf of the RSF. The UAE, for its part, denies any involvement in funding the RSF. Meanwhile, Sudan's Civil Aviation Authority on Wednesday said the UAE has banned Sudanese aircraft from landing at its airports, and also prevented one Sudanese airline's aircraft from taking off from Abu Dhabi Airport, marking the latest sign of tension between the two countries. A source at one of Sudan's airlines told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that "the UAE authorities justified their decision by stating that Sudanese airlines do not meet operational standards." Sudan's Badr Airlines and Tarco Aviation operate almost daily flights to Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and Dubai airports. Sudan remains gripped by a conflict between the Sudanese Armed Forces and the RSF, which erupted in April 2023. The fighting has killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions, both internally and across borders, deepening the country's humanitarian crisis. The National Meteorological Administration (ANM) issued a Code Yellow warning for scorching heat on Wednesday, affecting 11 counties and the Municipality of Bucharest in the coming hours. According to the source, today between 12:00 and 21:00, in the south, centre, and east of Muntenia, the south of Moldavia, as well as the continental part of Dobrogea, thermal discomfort will be high, and the heat index (temperature-humidity index, THI) is expected to reach the critical threshold of 80 units. Maximum temperatures will range from 35 to 37 degrees Celsius, and the affected counties are: Tulcea, Constanta, Galati, Braila, Ialomita, Calarasi, Vrancea, Buzau, Ilfov, Giurgiu, Teleorman, plus the Municipality of Bucharest. With the European Commission set to relax airport security rules so as to allow passengers to take more than 100 ml of liquid in their carry-on luggage and no longer require them to extract electronics such as laptops and tablets from their hand luggage - provided that the airport uses new cutting-edge 3D CT screening equipment - AGERPRES looked at the situation in Romanian airports and found that just some such facilities already have or have initiated steps to acquire security control equipment that allows scrapping the respective restrictions, but even those that have such technology cannot use it yet because the software needs to be reinstalled. *** The 'Avram Iancu' International Airport in Cluj has such scanners, but they need software updates from the manufacturing company.*** Craiova International Airport is the first airport in the country to have been equipped with scanners for bottles of liquids up to 2 liters and electronic devices, but starting September 1, 2024 the European Commission reinstated the 100ml liquid restriction, ordering all equipment in this category to undergo a new set of tests for certification.The Craiova International Airport is in the process of modernizing and expanding its terminals, and this also applies for the equipment purchased.*** In Oradea, new generation scanning equipment might be purchased no sooner than in two years, given that the one currently in operation has been in use only since 2020.Oradea Airport manager Razvan Horga told AGERPRES that any purchase of new technology depends on budget allocations."We do not have such equipment, but, of course, we are considering such a purchase once the equipment we currently have in operation, and which has been in use for approximately five years now, reaches its life limit. We hope that we will be able to initiate the purchase in the next two years, but it all depends on budget allocations for this purpose," Horga said.*** The Satu Mare International Airport does not have a passenger traffic high enough to justify the purchase of scanners that would allow scrapping the 100ml rule, the institution's management said."Yes, at the Cluj-Napoca airport, which has a passenger traffic of two million per year, these scanners are justified. But at our facility, which only had 70,000 passengers last year and hopes to reach the 100,000-line, they are not justified. (...) We preferred to invest in modernizing the infrastructure, in expanding our 'house' first," airport director Mihai Patrascu told AGERPRES.According to him, the airport had a modernization project intended to triple the passenger handling capacity from 150 to 450 people/hour, an investment that will be completed in December. With big plans afoot for next year, which could lead to an increase in the number of passengers, the management might also consider purchasing new scanners, said Mihai Patrascu.*** 'Transilvania' Airport in Targu Mures said on Wednesday, at the request of AGERPRES, that the purchase of security check equipment was completed in 2024, but then the European Commission decided to suspend the use of these types of screening systems starting from 01.09.2024, following the identification of certain technical issues. For the equipment to be used further on, it must be re-certified, a process that can only be initiated by the manufacturer. After the successful completion of the re-certification process, the 'Transilvania' Airport will be able to use the screening equipment, without passengers being required to remove liquids or large electronic devices from their carry-on luggage, the airport stated.The 'Transilvania' Airport in Targu Mures served 213,312 passengers in 2024.*** The 'Traian Vuia' International Airport in Timisoara (AIT) is in a similar situation, as restrictions on on-board liquids are maintained until the screening equipment is updated, spokeswoman Amalia Matei told AGERPRES."This is modern, new equipment, but the software needs to be re-installed, an operation that can take several months, it does not depend on us. So, basically, we are under a ban. The announcements will probably be made by each airport, when they manage to solve the problem. The contracts for the equipment belong to the airport and the airport discusses with the respective companies, but the Romanian Intelligence Service must confirm their compliance," said Amalia Matei. Arrivals in tourist accommodation units, including apartments and rooms for rent, totaled 5.8 million people between January 1 and June 30, 2025, up 0.1% compared to the same period last year, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (INS) on Wednesday. Of the total number of arrivals, during the said period, arrivals of Romanian tourists in tourist accommodation units represented 80.8%, while arrivals of foreign tourists represented 19.2%. Overnight stays recorded in tourist accommodation units (including apartments and rooms for rent), in the first six months, totaled 11.6 million, up 2.3% compared to those in the same period last year. Of the total number of overnight stays, during the mentioned period, overnight stays of Romanian tourists in tourist accommodation units represented 79.8%, while overnight stays of foreign tourists represented 20.2%. The average length of stay was two days for Romanian tourists and 2.1 days for foreign tourists. The net occupancy rate of tourist accommodation units in the first six months of this year was 25.7% for all tourist accommodation units (including apartments and rooms for rent), up 0.1 percentage points compared to the same period in 2024. By county, the number of tourist arrivals in tourist accommodation units (including apartments and rooms for rent) recorded higher values in: Bucharest (953,900 people), Brasov (635,600 people) and Constanta (366,200 people), as well as overnight stays: Bucharest (1.93 million people), Brasov (1.18 million people) and Constanta (977,000 people). By country, the most arrivals of foreign tourists accommodated in tourist accommodation units (including apartments and rooms for rent), during the reference period, came from: Germany (104,800 people), Italy (103,000 people) and the United Kingdom (72,700 people). The INS specifies that following Romania's accession to the Schengen Area on January 1, 2025, starting with January of this year, information regarding the arrivals of foreign visitors to Romania and the departures of Romanian visitors abroad are no longer comparable and will no longer be published. MANILA, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos on Wednesday ordered the suspension of rice importation for 60 days beginning Sept. 1 to protect Filipino farmers during this current harvest season. Marcos issued the directive after consulting with cabinet members and upon the recommendation of Philippine Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel. The country's Department of Agriculture earlier recommended to Marcos the temporary suspension of rice importation and an increase in tariffs on imported rice to protect local farmers. The measures regarding the administrative reform, included in the second package, respond to local authorities' challenges and needs, in the context of 2025 and will solve some inconsistencies, both past and ongoing, in administrative procedures, Minister of Development, Public Works and Administration Cseke Attila told AGERPRES. Minister Cseke Attila announced that in a few days, this draft law shall be submitted to the decision-making transparency process, adding that, work is currently underway to complete the measures, including following a new round of debates held on Tuesday with the Association of Municipalities in Romania (AMR), which was attended by Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan, Vice Prime Minister Tanczos Barna and Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity Florin Manole.He mentioned that this package of administrative measures is made up of three large parts.The third part of the package of measures regarding local public administration, which focuses to improve efficiency, includes some measures, with some of them also being implemented to central public administration and they relate to streamlining activities regarding the total number of positions that can be established at the level of local public authority or administration. The measure to reduce the number of positions by 20pct, included in this chapter, could simply involve removing some vacant positions, the minister mentioned.According to the minister, a significant reduction in positions in both local and central administration regards the offices of local elected officials and the offices of central-level dignitaries.An important point regards the possibility of ensuring specialized competences and responsibilities by allowing public positions to be held on a part-time basis, not only full-time, which will enable smaller communities to fill specialized public positions across multiple local authorities.According to him, an important measure is the proposal to transfer personal assistants of people with disabilities from local authorities to the Ministry of Labour.He also mentioned the possibility that the support structures at the level of main credit authorizing officers could fully or partially take over, starting January 1, 2026, the activities of certain support structures under the subordination, coordination or authority of the main credit authorizing officer. Four young men from Bucharest were caught by the Directorate for Investigating Organized Crime and Terrorism (DIICOT) prosecutors while picking up a package from Spain which contained 24.2 kilograms of cannabis. The sting operation took place on July 31, and the next day, the four suspects were placed in pre-trial detention.On August 1st, the judge of rights and liberties within the Bucharest Courthouse ordered the pre-trial detention of the defendants for a period of 30 days. Minister of European Investments and Projects Dragos Pislaru declared on Wednesday that the city of Iasi is "a living symbol of the continuity between the past and the aspirations of the future", although "a large part of the diaspora originates from the region of Moldavia", and underscored the importance of national unity against the backdrop of ever-widening social and economic cleavages. "Iasi is a perfect bridge, and not just symbolic. It is the city of great beginnings, of cultural resistance, of critical thinking. Today's meeting takes on a special significance, because we are also discussing partnerships, getting closer to our brothers across the Prut, everything that our commitment to the community means. A large part of the diaspora originates in the region of Moldavia," Pislaru said during his video-call intervention at the conference "Diaspora Celebration - Iasi is HOME!""They are all the more important because Romania's very social fabric is suffering. We are a society fraught by major divisions both at territorial level, and (...) regarding income polarization - which is the largest since 1989; divisions related to nostalgia for the past - just look at those polls that revealed a quite strong nostalgia for the period before 1990 versus those who look towards the future," the minister of European Investments and Projects said.Attending the event, which takes place in a hybrid format, are representatives of the central and local public administration and the Romanian diaspora communities, journalists, teachers, and Romanian-language writers from abroad. Ialomita County will host one of Romania's most significant investments in renewable energy with the development of the Ialomita Wind Farm, which will have a total capacity of over 250 MW and an estimated value of more than 400 million euro, County Council (CJ) President Marian Pavel announced on Wednesday. The project is being developed by the companies KKR, GreenVolt and Renovatio, and involves the construction of three wind farms across four localities in the county: Tandarei, Gheorghe Lazar, Grivita and Ograda, with completion expected in 2027. 'An investment of over 400 million euro in Ialomita! I had an important meeting with representatives from KKR, GreenVolt and Renovatio, who are bringing an ambitious project to our county: the Ialomita Wind Farm, with a total capacity of over 250 MW. The goal is to build three wind farms across four administrative-territorial units: Tandarei, Gheorghe Lazar, Grivita and Ograda, with completion estimated in 2027. The constructors have been encouraged to collaborate with local companies and communities for mutual benefit,' Marian Pavel wrote on his Facebook page. The Ialomita Wind Farm will contribute to strengthening Romania's energy transition and achieving national targets for reducing carbon emissions and increasing the share of renewable energy in the energy mix. 'The County Council, together with all the institutions involved, is offering full support for the smooth implementation and completion of this project, which will bring added value to the area and a strong boost to sustainable development. We are transforming Ialomita through clean and sustainable energy,' Marian Pavel added. Former President Ion Iliescu will arrive at Cotroceni Palace for the last time on Wednesday. The coffin with the lifeless body of the former head of state will be taken at 8:30 a.m. from the "Agrippa Ionescu" Hospital, where Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday, and will be taken to the Cotroceni Palace along the route: Arhitect Mincu Street - Kiseleff Boulevard - Victoriei Square - Lascar Catargiu Boulevard - Romana Square - Universitatii Square - Regina Elisabeta Boulevard - Mihail Kogalniceanu Boulevard - Heroes Bridge - Eroii Sanitari Boulevard - Gheorghe Marinescu Boulevard. At 9:00 AM, the funeral procession will enter the courtyard of the Cotroceni Palace via the Marinescu Gate. Here, the Guard of Honor, made up of soldiers from the 30th Guards Brigade "Mihai Viteazul", will present the honor. The coffin with the lifeless body of the former president of Romania will be laid in the Union Hall of the Cotroceni Palace and will be flanked by soldiers in the Honor Guard at the catafalque. After a short religious moment, between 9:30 and 12:30, high-ranking officials are expected to pay their last respects and sign the Book of Condolences that will be placed in the Flower Salon. Afterwards, between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM, citizens who wish to do so will be able to present their condolences. Their access will be via the Registry Entrance on Geniului Boulevard (Lion Statue Area), and the exit will be via the Museum Gate on Cotroceni Road. The public can only place flowers or candles in the specially arranged space in front of Cotroceni Palace, in the Presidential Administration parking lot on Geniului Boulevard. At 6:30 PM, the presentation of condolences by former collaborators and relatives is scheduled, after which the Order of the Pillar Service will be celebrated. During the night from Wednesday to Thursday, the 30th Guards Brigade "Mihai Viteazul" will provide guard duty at the catafalque. For the presentation of condolences at Cotroceni Palace, several access rules were established, considering the state funerals. Thus, those who will come to offer condolences must wear a sober outfit in dark colors. To gain access to the "Cotroceni Palace" Complex, the public will undergo an individual security check and baggage check, at the request of security personnel. Access for children under 14 years of age is prohibited. Also, talking on the phone, taking photos, and filming are strictly prohibited, out of respect for the solemnity of the moment. Access with dangerous objects, weapons, large backpacks, suitcases or large luggage or other objects that may hinder access and affect the safety of visitors is prohibited. The use of cameras, mobile phones or other electronic devices is prohibited. Access will not be allowed to persons who violate or do not respect the protocol and behavior rules. Persons present at the Cotroceni Palace are asked to maintain solemnity and silence throughout the presentation of condolences, to respect internal order measures and to cooperate with the specialized personnel of the Protection and Security Service during the security checks that will be carried out in the courtyard and inside the Cotroceni Palace, to respect the schedule of activities and the travel route established by the organizers, as well as the instructions of the specialized personnel of the Presidential Administration and the SPP, and not to bring personal items - volumes, letters, illustrations, documents or photographs. Former President Ion Iliescu died on Tuesday at the age of 95. He had been hospitalized since early June at the "Prof. Dr. Agrippa Ionescu" Emergency Clinical Hospital (SRI Hospital). More than a thousand people on Wednesday passed for five hours before the catafalque of Ion Iliescu, laying in state in the Union Hall of the Cotroceni Presidential Palace. Those who chose to mourn near the catafalque between, mainly elderly but also mature and young, crossed themselves and bowed. Some wept, knelt, and even cried.Soldiers of the 30th Mihai Viteazu Guards Regiment permanently guarded the catafalque.Starting at 18:30hrs, collaborators and close friends of the late president will present condolences, and at 19:00hrs a prayer service is scheduled. The service will be celebrated by the assistant bishop of the Archdiocese of Bucharest, Timotei Prahoveanul. At 20:00hrs the procession ends, and during the night only the guard of honour will remain at the catafalque.Flowers and candles are deposited only in the specially arranged space in front of Cotroceni Palace, on the sidewalk of Geniului Boulevard. Prime Minister Ilie Bolojan came to Cotroceni Palace on Wednesday to pay his last respects at the catafalque of former president Ion Iliescu. The Prime Minister was accompanied by three members of the Cabinet - Deputy Prime Minister Catalin Predoiu, Minister of Internal Affairs, Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete, and Minister of Labor, Florin Manole. They also lit a candle in the specially arranged place in the courtyard of Cotroceni Palace. The coffin with the lifeless body of the former president was placed in the Union Hall of the Cotroceni Palace. After the religious moment, the presidential and state advisors also paid their last respects, one by one. The modern retail spaces cover 4.73 million sq m in Romania, in June, most of it being located in the central-western area of the country, with about 1.6 million sq m (33% of the total) and in Bucharest-Ilfov area, with 1.33 million sq m (28%), according to data from reports launched by a real estate consulting company. "The retail market was very active in the first half of the year, during which projects of over 162,000 sq m were completed nationwide. The modern retail spaces in Romania reached 4.73 million sq m mid-year, most of it being located in the central-western area of the country (16 counties in Transilvania and Banat) with about 1.6 million sq m (33% of the total) and in Bucharest-Ilfov, with 1.33 million sq m (28%)," according to the Bucharest Retail Market and Romania Retail Regional Cities reports, launched by the real estate consultancy company Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. According to the same source, the modern retail spaces in the central-western area is 17% higher than that in Bucharest, and more than double the stock in the Moldova region (8 counties), which covers approximately 735,000 sq m. A fourth region analyzed is the southern one (16 counties, excluding Bucharest - Ilfov), where the cumulative area of malls, retail parks and shopping galleries amounts to 1.1 million square metres. At the national level, the density of retail spaces increased to 248 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants, an area that is among the lowest in Europe. At city level, the localities with the highest density of commercial spaces are Pitesti (1,510 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants), Suceava (1,471 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants), Deva (1,252 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants), Sibiu (1,213 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants), Oradea (1,123 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants) - cities with up to 150,000 inhabitants and Timisoara (1,089 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants) - a primary city with a population of over 250,000 inhabitants. In the other cities with over 250,000 inhabitants this indicator varies between 522 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants in Cluj Napoca and 914 sq m/ 1,000 inhabitants in Iasi. In the first half of the year, new project deliveries increased by over 60% compared to the same period last year. Mall Moldova in Iasi (125,700 sq m) and the extension of the Iulius Mall in Suceava (16,500 sq m) are the most important projects delivered in this period. Considering the projects currently in various stages of development, the development of commercial spaces maintains its sustained pace, with more than 700,000 sq m of projects to be completed by the end of the decade. The central-western area, namely Cluj-Napoca and Resita, is expected to attract about 60% of these deliveries, and the eastern area, namely Bacau and Galati, is expected to attract 16% of the projects under construction at the national level. In the southern part of the country, scheduled deliveries are at 65,000 sq m, among the targeted cities being Tulcea and Giurgiu. In Bucharest, development activity continues to be moderate, with projects totaling 46,000 sq m under construction. "The Romanian retail market is experiencing a period of accelerated expansion, stimulated by developers' desire to expand their portfolios and by the low density of spaces in many secondary and tertiary cities. Bucharest remains an important pole, but the central-western region has taken the lead nationally. These two areas, home to approximately 45% of the country's population and where they register among the highest net monthly earnings, accumulate over 50% of the modern retail stock. On the other hand, Moldova, which has the lowest surface of retail spaces nationally, has started to catch up with the other areas of the country, being on the map of the largest developers for future projects," said Dana Radoveneanu, head of the retail agency Cushman & Wakefield Echinox. International e-commerce platforms that sell directly to consumers in Romania may generate tax losses of about 10.86 billion lei per year (2.12 billion euros) in the next two years, according to an analysis published on Wednesday by the Romanian Association of Online Stores (ARMO). According to the research, carried out by economist Iancu Guda at the request of ARMO, for 2025, the negative effect is estimated at at least 5.4 billion lei (1.06 billion euros), "an amount that could double by 2027 if the volume of parcels and the average value of orders continue to grow at the current rate". "The study starts from the hypothesis that, in 2025, approximately 78 million non-EU parcels below the 150 euro threshold will enter Romania, a segment currently exempt from customs duties, at an average value of 50 euro/parcel. In the scenario in which the volumes or value of ordered parcels double, the annual commercial value of direct imports through platforms such as Temu, AliExpress, Shein or Trendyol could reach 39.78 billion lei (7.8 billion euros) equivalent to about 28.8% of the local retail market, compared to 14.4%, the estimated value for the end of 2025," the specialized analysis states. The study shows that the retail sector represents approximately 21% of Romania's GDP, and the approximately 60,000 companies considered employ 200,000 people and contribute 37.8 billion lei annually to the budget, through direct and indirect taxes and duties (supplier purchases, commercial space rentals and salaries paid). "Doubling the market share of non-EU platforms would erode the tax base and put additional pressure on these companies, warns the report. If non-EU platforms double their market share in Romania to 28.8% in the next two years, by 2027, tax losses automatically double. We are talking about at least 2.1 billion euros per year in direct and indirect tax losses for Romania, which is huge. In addition, physical stores in established categories may lose a relevant part of their traffic, with severe effects on investments, employment and contributions to the public budget," claims the author of the research. In this context, the list of recommended measures includes: implementing a fair tax system that would tax international platforms in the country where the income was obtained, the consumption was made and the services were provided; introducing, at the Romanian level, an administrative fee of at least 5 euros/non-EU parcel (equivalent to 10% of the average value of a parcel sent by these platforms), which would generate approximately one million euros/day for the state budget; accelerating the elimination of the customs duty exemption for non-EU parcels under 150 euros. Although the European Commission announced the elimination of the de minimis threshold of 150 euros for customs duty exemption starting in 2028, ARMO representatives have constantly drawn attention to the fact that the Romanian economy cannot afford to wait another three years to implement corrective measures. Economist Iancu Guda's analysis complements the sectoral study published by ARMO in July 2025, conducted by Mia Marketing, according to which 7 out of 10 companies expect sales declines this year due to competition from Asian platforms, 8 out of 10 Romanian retail companies expect their activity to be affected by international platforms in the next 12 months, and 75% of the respondents warned that small Romanian producers risk bankruptcy due to the pressure exerted by these platforms. Presidents of tribunals across the country are calling for dialogue among the three branches of government legislative, executive, and judicial in a joint effort "to correct the excesses in recent fiscal policies that place an excessive financial burden on the shoulders of citizens." Amid heated recent debates on the reform of special pensions, the presidents of the tribunals issued a message to society on Wednesday titled "Justice among the people, not above them." "The presidents of tribunals nationwide wish to express a unified position regarding the recent media and social media debates related to accusations against the the magistrate profession by certain segments of public opinion. These grievances, some stemming from mistrust, others from a misunderstanding of the difficulties faced by the judicial system (mainly caused by the quality of the legal framework), have shaped an unfair image of a profession that does not exist behind cold walls but lives among the citizens. The intense campaign against magistrates under the pretext of a new 'reform,' which could even threaten the rule of law, cannot be justified by the alleged alignment with EU requirements, especially considering that Law no. 282/2023 was recently adopted. This law corrects certain legislative anomalies and currently regulates the gradual increase of the retirement age for magistrates to 60 years, as well as establishing a service pension at 80% of the calculation base," the tribunal leaders stated. They went on to express their intention to open an honest dialogue between the three powers of the state legislative, executive, and judicial aimed at a "common effort to correct the excesses in fiscal policies adopted recently, which impose an excessive financial burden on citizens." "In this context, we are aware that tensions are rising and disappointment sometimes turns into reproach towards those who enforce the law. But let us not forget: magistrates do not make the laws; they apply them. Our independence ensures the protection of citizens and is not a privilege granted to magistrates. We are not ideals but people among people. We share the same fears, concerns, and hopes as anyone else. We entered this profession to seek the truth and apply the law impartially, thus contributing to the guarantee of the rule of law. We want to be understood, not blamed; listened to, not attacked; to be part of the solution, not the problem. We firmly support the positions of the Superior Council of Magistracy (CSM), the presidents of courts of appeal, prosecutors, magistrates' associations, and all legal professions that understand the depth of these moments. At the same time, we stand with the citizens we serve daily, convinced that only together, through unity and cohesion, can we send a clear and strong message: justice is not above society but a living part of it, and it needs to breathe the same air of continuous dialogue with every citizen. Justice is a right for all!," the message from the presidents of tribunals concludes. VIENTIANE, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Authorities in northern Laos' Luang Prabang province are preparing to host a boat racing festival that will highlight the province's rich cultural heritage, while also promoting tourism, boosting the local economy, and increasing income for residents. This year's festival, running from Aug. 14 to Aug. 24, will also feature a variety of cultural and community activities, including a cultural market, boat races, traditional parades and ceremonies, and temple visits for blessings and good fortune, the Lao Economic Daily reported on Wednesday. Preparations were underway, with local authorities coordinating city clean-ups, decorating key areas and tourist attractions, inspecting roads, riverbanks, and boating areas, and organizing roadside food stalls. All sectors were being mobilized to ensure peace, safety, and a welcoming atmosphere for visitors. Each year, the festival attracts both domestic and international tourists to Luang Prabang, helping to preserve the unique local culture and traditions while also stimulating the economy and generating income for the local community. Known for its cultural heritage and natural beauty, Luang Prabang is also considered the rice and water basin, sustaining local livelihoods. Piano recitals, jazz performances and a concert featuring a 1727 Stradivarius violin are the highlights of this year's edition of the Stradivarius Music Nights by The Castle Festival, which takes place outdoors at the Corvin Castle from August 12 to 14. "From August 12 to 14, 2025, Romania's most spectacular medieval castle - the Corvin Castle opens its gates for three magical evenings of classical music and open-air jazz. The 8th edition proposes three memorable nights featuring exceptional artists, in a Festival built on passion, vision and respect for excellence," a Dobondi Art Cultural Association release mentioned.The festival's second evening will be defined by freedom, sensitivity and improvisation through jazz. Called "Voice for Peace," the recital will be performed by Teodora Brody Enache, an iconic voice of Romanian and international jazz and Martin Melendez, a renowned Cuban cellist, renowned for the originality of his artistic expression.Tickets for the festival can be purchased at entertix.ro. Following the EU's green light for new CT scanners, EU airports may now allow larger quantities of liquids in hand luggage at security checks. Meanwhile, however, consumers and airlines remain at odds over extra fees for carry-ons. Are you about to go on holiday within the EU but afraid you'll run out of soap and shampoo, as the airport you're departing from has the age-old 100 millilitre limit rule for hand luggage in place? Or that your carry-on bag will cost you an extra fee at the gate?However, small carry-on luggage remains disputed territory as EU lawmakers pushed to ban airlines from charging passengers for small carry-on luggage - a move strongly opposed by the aviation sector.It took almost 20 years, but the European Union has now approved scanners capable of reliably detecting liquid explosives, potentially paving the way for the lifting of these long-standing restrictions.Roughly 700 scanners using the new software are currently in use or being installed across 21 EU countries, according to the Commission. According to news reports, some airports in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Spain, and Ireland are among those already using them.Not an overnight updateSeveral EU airports had already loosened the liquid restriction in July 2024, as they installed the new CT scanners that can quickly draw a three-dimensional image of a bag's contents.But EU officials had raised doubts about the reliability of the new CT baggage scanners. In Germany, for example, the German Federal Police and Frankfurt Airport operator Fraport drew attention to the looming rule change.The European Commission therefore re-enforced a "temporary" restriction on liquid screening "at certain EU airports" as a precautionary measure from September 1, 2024, albeit a bit more relaxed - the liquids if placed in a see-through bag were allowed to remain in the hand luggage.The EU's official approval of the new scanners now paves the way for airports to start using them at their security checks. However, implementation is set to take time due to outdated equipment and technical hurdles.A spokeswoman for Germany's airport association (ADV) said full nationwide rollout is complex and expensive, requiring not just the new equipment but structural modifications due to the machines' larger size.At Frankfurt Airport - Germany's busiest -, 40 of about 190 security lanes are equipped with the new systems, with 40 more on order, a spokeswoman said. However, passengers still face the 100-millilitre limit because it's unclear which scanner will inspect their bags - and some of the new devices are still missing the necessary software.Munich Airport faces similar delays, with software upgrades postponed until after the busy holiday season.At Slovenia's main international airport, Ljubljana Joe Pucnik Airport, German-owned operator Fraport has upgraded its X-ray equipment for screening hand luggage when a new terminal opened in 2021. It already uses advanced technology in accordance with the latest standard (EDS 3.1) for screening hold baggage, which enables three-dimensional analysis of the contents of the baggage and is capable of detecting explosives."As far as hand luggage is concerned, we are currently still examining all aspects: benefits, costs, space requirements and the impact on the entire security screening process. This is a major investment, which involves not only the purchase of equipment, but also adjustments to the infrastructure and organisation of the terminal," the company said.In Spain, a new CT scanner is also already in operation at Palma de Mallorca Airport and more are in the process of being installed at Adolfo Suarez Madrid-Barajas Airport and Josep Tarradellas Barcelona-El Prat Airport, where they are operational in some inspection lines.In Romania, the software update necessary to meet the conditions for lifting the restrictions at airports is almost ready. Twelve airports in Romania operate international routes.The National Company Bucharest Airports informed AGERPRES that lifting restrictions depends on the completion of the installation and commissioning operations of all equipment. According to the project implementation schedule, the completion of those operations was to occur no later than the first quarter of 2026.The Romanian Intelligence Service (SRI), which carries out security control at all airports in Romania, said in July that lifting restrictions on liquids in hand luggage will be possible exclusively at airports in Romania that have recertified and fully updated equipment.The fight for 'free' hand luggageA second contentious issue in the field of air travel is the cost of small carry-on luggage. Many low-cost air carriers include only one small on-board item - like a small backpack or laptop bag - in the ticket, charging extra for other hand baggage - a practice deemed unlawful by consumer rights organisations.In May, about fifteen European associations requested that the European Commission launch an EU-wide investigation into the hand luggage fee policies of seven low-cost airlines.EasyJet, Norwegian, Ryanair, Transavia, Volotea, Vueling, and Wizzair "impose undue charges on consumers", the French consumer rights organisation Confederation de la Consommation, du Logement et du Cadre de Vie (CLCV) accused the airlines in a statement."The European Court of Justice ruled (...) in 2014 that the transport of carry-on luggage cannot be subject to an additional charge, provided it meets reasonable requirements in terms of weight, dimensions, and safety rules," the association emphasised.However, according to the collective of associations, these seven airlines impose charges for reasonably-sized carry-on luggage that they classify as "large": 36 Euro for Ryanair, nearly 43 Euro for EasyJet, and up to 280 Euro for Vueling if the dimensions defined by the airline are not respected.In June, the European Parliament's transport committee (TRAN) adopted a proposal that would allow travellers to bring a personal item into the cabin, such as a handbag or backpack, and a hand luggage of up to 7 kilograms at no extra fee.The measure, which would apply to all flights departing or arriving within the 27-nation European Union, was adopted as part of a package of amendments to passenger rights rules put forward by the European Commission.Airlines for Europe (A4E), an industry association, condemned the proposal, suggesting it would result in higher flight prices, upping costs for those who travel light.Also in June, a Spanish court said it had temporarily suspended heavy fines the leftist government imposed on budget airlines Ryanair and Norwegian Air. The consumer ministry announced fines against five companies in November for what it identified as 'abusive practices', including charging for hand luggage, providing misleading information and a lack of price transparency.Irish no-frills carrier Ryanair was specifically fined for charging passengers a 'disproportionate amount' for printing their boarding passes at terminals when they did not have them. The British low-cost carrier EasyJet and Spanish airlines Volotea and Vueling were also among the punished firms.The European Parliament's transport committee proposal on carry-on luggages must go to a vote by the full Parliament next. They are subject to change as they will need to be negotiated with and approved by member states before they can enter into force.This means consumers will have to wait a bit longer if they are hoping to pack bottles of local wine or olive oil in their free-of-extra-charge hand luggage.The content of this article is based on reporting by AFP, Agerpres, dpa, EFE, STA, as part of the European Newsroom (enr) project. Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Metro columnist Follow Tony Messenger | Post-Dispatch Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today When a SWAT unit kicks down somebodys door, youd expect the police officers are seeking a dangerous criminal. Thats what Oran Ambus used to think. Until it happened to him. It was January 2024. Ambus was living in OFallon, Missouri, when the SWAT team came calling. They kicked the door in and used flash bangs and came in with AR-15s and scared the hell out of me, Ambus told me last week. I thought I was going to die. Ambus alleged offense? He posted a video that called a woman a liar. Last year, Ambus was charged with seven felony harassment charges. They stemmed from a series of Facebook and TikTok videos in which he advocated for an old friend convicted of rape more than a decade ago. Ambus, who has lived most of his life in north St. Louis, fancies himself as part of the wave of livestreamers who record or comment on news. Starting in 2021, he produced a podcast on various social media outlets called Chronic Chronicles. He commented on criminal cases he found interesting, and he livestreamed some crime scenes. Two years ago, he started talking about the 2014 rape conviction of a man he knew when they were both younger. Ambus started interviewing the man and examining some of the evidence. He believed his friend was wrongfully convicted. He called the victim in the case a liar and posted her photo on social media. No doubt, it was aggressive and intrusive material. I wont name the victim or the man convicted of raping her because I dont want to cause the woman more pain. But the videos, like many posted across the country to advocate for the innocence of people convicted of crimes, were also protected free speech. Thats what Ambus attorney, public defender Brendan Kottenstette, argued to the prosecutor and judge. The First Amendment in our country is designed to allow public scrutiny of our government operations, Kottenstette says. We spoke last week after he was successful in getting the charges against Ambus dropped. St. Louis Circuit Attorney Gabe Gores office signed a deferred prosecution agreement with Ambus that dropped the charges as long as Ambus agreed to stop talking about the woman in online forums and to avoid contacting her or people connected to her. The agreement acknowledges that some of the acts that Defendant was charged with in this case included conduct that is protected by the First Amendment. This agreement is not to be construed as prohibiting speech or conduct which would be protected under the First Amendment, it adds. In an emailed statement, Gores office said, We understand that such outcomes can be difficult for victims, and we remain mindful of the emotional toll the legal process can take on those directly impacted. ... In some cases, there are complex considerations related to constitutional rights among the factors that influence such decisions. Ambus said the agreement lifted a burden that has weighed him down for months. Im glad its over, he says. But he wonders: Why was the case brought in the first place, and with such a heavy-handed arrest? Its a fair question. Whether you agree with Ambus tactics or find them offensive, such issues are generally handled through civil lawsuits alleging libel or slander. To be in jail for practicing my First Amendment rights? Ambus says. I dont understand. How is this possible? In fact, Ambus is not alone. A couple of years ago, I wrote about a livestreamer in Howell County, in southeast Missouri. Randle Daily was arrested in September 2022 on a public sidewalk outside the courthouse in West Plains because he was using his phone to take videos. Presiding Circuit Court Judge Steven Privette had issued an order banning such videos. Daily is a livestreamer whose YouTube page is called Show Me State News. Daily thought the judges order was unconstitutional, so he ignored it. He thinks hes King George, Dailey told me at the time. He thinks hes above the law. Dailys arrest was captured on video by a local journalist, who shared it with me. After the local sheriff made clear he thought the order was unconstitutional, the judge rescinded it. There are a lot of folks like Ambus and Daily these days, in urban and rural environments, on the left and right sides of the political aisle. Some of them dont trust the government. Others dont trust folks in my line of work, the so-called mainstream media. They call themselves citizen journalists, even if they often dont follow the rules and ethical practices that traditional journalists adhere to. People want to feel like theyre getting news firsthand from somebody whos there, right there on the scene, Ambus told me. The system has a narrative. Thats why he got into livestreaming. He plans to return to it soon, once he figures out how to get back on the social media platforms he was banned from after being charged. He got rid of his old phone and now is struggling to get reconnected. Im ready for Round 2, Ambus says. Im not taking this lying down. CTV Advertising's Performance vs. Premium Conundrum Everyone in advertising knows that streaming and connected TV are the future of the industry. One only has to look at the recent upfront closings for NBC, Fox, and Disney, with each boasting about streaming ad sales. That perfect marriage of digital delivery and TV engagement is the kind of thing that marketers have dreamt about for years. Yet its this dual nature that creates a conundrum. Yes, CTV is the future of advertising, but no one is sure yet what that future will look like. Will it be the TV side of the equation, where premium content and channel names are all that matter to ad buyers? Or will it be the data-driven side, where performance is key, regardless of content channel? The premium halo Conventional wisdom is that there are fewer than 10 streaming platforms that matter when it comes to advertising. While these platforms may garner the most eyeballs and household name recognition, limiting yourself to them undoes any of the potential of making a performance-oriented programmatic ad buy. When Netflix launched its advertising initiative in 2022, it was widely seen as a limited offering. Netflix offered very little in the way of measurement, which made it hard for brands to judge whether or not their advertising worked. Still, because Netflix is the biggest streaming platform with an extensive library of content, advertisers lined up to buy into it. It worked - for Netflix, at least. The platform now has 94 million active monthly users who subscribe to an ad-supported plan. But did it work for advertisers? On some level, yes, absolutely. Brand advertising still has a place in the world, and it would be foolish to dismiss the power of TV in keeping a brand name top of mind with consumers. But did this kind of premium ad buy drive conversions, or foot traffic, or other KPIs? Its hard to say. Performance-oriented The sheer number of CTV channels available right now makes it an ideal performance channel. When brands can identify audience targets that match their criteria and then reach those audiences via programmatic CTV buys, they unlock that mythic combination of data-driven targeting and lean-in engagement. Brands may find this performance ability on second-tier channels, or those that fall outside of the top 10 streaming platforms. This strategy matches how programmatic display grew out onto the long tail of web content. On paper, that should be OK, so long as the content is suitable and the impressions hit the right performance KPIs. In practice, we all know its more complicated than that. Many DTC brands are comfortable with this strategy because they value consumer acquisition cost more than anything. Luxury retailers, on the other hand, may feel split. These brands want to drive in store visits while getting the imprimatur of premium content. CTV is teaching us that it doesnt always work like this. The channels that lead to the best results may not match the channels that brands feel are important for their brand. Ultimately then, this comes down to brands and the tradeoffs that they feel comfortable with. Advertising has always been about balancing art and science, the rapid rise of AI is pushing things hard in the direction of science. When media plans are dictated by robotic logic, the logic will prioritize campaigns that meet their goals. Yet it remains true that brands will always value aligning their brand with a well-known, trusted media entity. Thats never a bad thing. Nearly all of the reported upfront closings have seen huge revenue due to live sports, and brands are willing to pay to have their message associated with the events that draw people to watch. What really needs to happen isnt a business or investment shift, but an evolution in brands understanding. AI promises efficiency and performance, while the human heart wants premium associations. Brands can and probably should - continue to include both in their media plans. But they need to enter with the expectation that vanity buys need to come from their own separate budget, so that they dont damage the performance numbers that come from the science. Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. Related Articles An F-15E Strike Eagle comes in for the landing at Kadena Air Base on Monday, August 4, 2025. The fighter jets back right wheel is bare. (Hung-Hsin Hsu) This story has been corrected The 18th Wing is conducting safety inspections on all F-15E Strike Eagles deployed to Kadena Air Base after one of the multirole fighters safely landed there with a missing wheel this week. Two airmen with the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., were uninjured after landing the aircraft at 6:40 p.m. Monday, according to a news release Wednesday from the 18th Wing. A safety investigation is underway. Twelve of the squadrons Strike Eagles arrived at Kadena in April for a duty rotation. All will return to flying immediately following the inspection, the release said. The way the aircrew handled the landing is a testament to their training and professionalism, and I want to thank the first responders and safety teams for being poised and ready to respond, wing commander Brig. Gen. John Gallemore said in the release. This event fortifies my confidence in Team Kadenas ability to react to complex problems on a moments notice. The aircraft was en route to Okinawa from a deployment at U.S. Naval Support Facility Diego Garcia, a remote island base in the Indian Ocean approximately 4,300 miles away, when the wheel was discovered to be missing, the release said. It was recovered on the flightline at Diego Garcia. An F-15E Strike Eagle deployed to Kadena Air Base landed safely after one of its wheels was discovered missing in flight. (Hung-Hsin Hsu) A photo provided to Stars and Stripes shows sparks flying from the missing right rear wheel as the aircraft touched down at Kadena. The runway has been inspected and is fully operational, according to the release. Kadena has experienced issues with tires multiple times over the past year. In April, an F-15E lost a tire while taxiing on the runway, according to the wing. On Oct. 18, two F-22 Raptors were involved in separate incidents. One aircraft experienced two tire failures upon landing, while the other encountered a tire malfunction before takeoff, the wing said. Since April, the Strike Eagles have operated out of Kadena alongside two F-35A Lightning II rotational squadrons from Hill Air Force Base, Utah, and Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska. The service instituted rotational fighter deployments to Kadena when it began phasing out the aging F-15C/D fleet there in late 2022. In July 2024, the Air Force announced plans to permanently base 36 F-15EX Eagle IIs at Kadena. The new fighters are expected to begin arriving between March and June, former wing commander Brig. Gen. Nicholas Evans told reporters in March. A 21-year-old U.S. soldier assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment died in a car crash near Vilseck, Germany, on Aug. 5, 2025, after striking a tree, Army officials said. (Westpfalz Police) Updated Aug. 8, 2025, 2 p.m. CET GRAFENWOEHR, Germany A U.S. soldier was killed Tuesday night after his car crashed into a tree on a forested state road between Vilseck and Freihung. Spc. Demarcus Lee, 21, was driving at about 8:25 p.m. at a high rate of speed when his Ford Fusion veered off the road, Auerbach police said Friday in a statement. The car immediately caught fire after striking the tree, police said. The speed limit on that road where the crash occurred is 62 mph. The road was blocked for several hours after the crash. Freihung is about 7 miles from the U.S. base at Vilseck, where Lee was a mortarman assigned to the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. Lee joined the Army in February 2023 and reported to Germany in August of that year, V Corps spokesman Lt. Col. Cain Claxton said in a statement Friday. Lee earned two Army Achievement Medals and the Expert Infantry Badge during his short career. V Corps and 2nd Cavalry Regiment leaders extend their deepest condolences to the family and friends of the deceased, Claxton said. Former President Barack Obama awards the Medal of Honor to retired Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Kyle Carpenter at the White House on June 19, 2014. (Carlos Bongioanni/Stars and Stripes) The Navy will name its newest Arleigh Burke-class, guided-missile destroyer for the youngest living Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for bravery in combat. The USS Kyle Carpenter will honor the Marine from South Carolina who was 21 in 2010 when he shielded a fellow Marine from a grenade on a rooftop in Afghanistan. He was severely wounded but survived to become a veterans advocate and motivational speaker. Navy Secretary John Phelan, who holds the authority to choose ship names, made the announcement Monday that the service would follow through with former Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toros plan in January that a future destroyer would carry Carpenters name. Carpenter was a lance corporal with the 2nd Battalion of the 9th Marine Regiment when he was deployed to Helmand Province on Nov. 21, 2010. Two Marine squads and one Afghan army squad were sent to the Marjah District to reinforce a patrol base. Carpenter and Lance Cpl. Nick Eufrazio was assigned to the rooftop to monitor the perimeter for enemy forces. The pair came under attack, and a grenade was thrown onto the roof. Carpenter jumped between the grenade and Eufrazio, taking the force of the blast on his right side, according to Marine reports. Fragments tore into Carpenters torso, blew out his right eye, most of his teeth and part of his jaw, and fractured bones in his face and torso. He was in a coma for five weeks. Eufrazio suffered a traumatic brain injury to his frontal lobes but has been able to recover much of his speech and memory, according to published news reports. For three years after the incident, Carpenter recovered at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Md. In 2014, he received the Medal of Honor from former President Barack Obama. By his undaunted courage, bold fighting spirit, and unwavering devotion to duty in the face of almost certain death, Lance Cpl. Carpenter reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States naval service, according to the award citation. Carpenter co-wrote You Are Worth It: Building a Life Worth Fighting For, an autobiographical book published in 2019. He also has become a motivational speaker and works with veterans, highlighting his post-traumatic stress disorder to advocate for better awareness of veterans mental health. The latest Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are armed to defend aircraft carrier strike groups and other ships with a mix of anti-ship, anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and anti-ballistic missile weapons. These include a 96-cell vertical launching system for surface-to-air missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles or anti-submarine missiles. The upgraded destroyers also have advanced radar that better guides missiles to their targets, two torpedo tubes and two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters that can be used for submarine search-and-destroy missions. Under Navy policy, destroyers are named for Navy and Marine Corps service members who serve with heroism, valor and distinction. Names have included Medal of Honor recipients, influential top officers, and lawmakers who supported the Navy. The Navy will also continue to name destroyers after earlier ships of the type that have storied histories in the service. PHNOM PENH, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's legal action against Cambodia for using military forces and weapons to violate its sovereignty is baseless and politically motivated and lacks incredible basis, a Cambodian Foreign Ministry spokesperson said on Wednesday. Cambodian Foreign Ministry's Secretary of State and Spokesperson Chum Sounry said this legal measure is entirely baseless and represents a deliberate attempt to divert both domestic and international public attention from Thailand's hostile policy against Cambodia. "The accusations forming the basis of legal action are unfounded, politically motivated, and lack incredible basis," he in a press briefing. Sounry said Cambodia strongly rejects these claims and reaffirms that the country did not start hostilities. Cambodia remains committed to peace, the spokesperson said, adding that despite continued provocation, Cambodia remains fully committed to the ceasefire agreement. "Cambodia urges Thailand to halt its disinformation campaign and/or hostile actions and return to constructive dialogue in the spirit of peaceful co-existence and ASEAN solidarity," he said. The reaction came after Thai acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai on Tuesday ordered relevant departments to draft legal documents to initiate criminal and civil lawsuits domestically and internationally against Cambodia. He accused Cambodia of using military forces and weapons to violate Thailand's sovereignty, resulting in significant loss of life and property among Thai civilians and military personnel. Armed clashes broke out between soldiers of Cambodia and Thailand along their disputed border on July 24. The two ASEAN member states agreed to a ceasefire in the afternoon of July 28, taking effect at the midnight of the same day. Sideboys render honors to Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett, outgoing commander, Navy Region Hawaii, as he departs during the Commander, Navy Region Hawaii (CNRH) change of command ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Aug. 5, 2025. (Tristan Labugen/U.S. Navy) (Tribune News Service) Rear Adm. Stephen Barnett relinquished command of U.S. Navy Region Hawaii on Tuesday at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam in a ceremony that for its backdrop had the USS Missouri, the USS Arizona Memorial and the visiting aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson. We have had our share of challenges over the last three-plus years, but we have also had opportunities to make things better and move forward together, Barnett said. The importance of community, collaboration and relationships has never been more vital. Barnett assumed his command in Hawaii in June 2022. It was a time when the Navy was desperate to repair its image in Hawaii in the aftermath of the 2021 Red Hill spill that contaminated the Navys Oahu water system, which serves 93, 000 people. Thousands of people, including service members, military families and local Hawaii residents on the Navy waterline reported getting sick from fuel exposure. Commanders realized they didnt know how to drain millions of gallons of fuel from the Red Hill fuel facility, which sits just 100 feet above a critical aquifer most of Oahu relies on for clean water. The military was trying to do that even as the Navy simultaneously worked to bolster its forces and infrastructure in the Pacific amid simmering tensions with China. Barnett recalled that in 2021 he was overseeing Navy Region Southwest in San Diego when Adm. Samuel Paparo, the then commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, who now serves as the chief of U.S. Indo-Pacific command, reached out to him and said he wanted him to come to Hawaii for a few months. He reiterated I only need you there for 12 months : one year. That was 39 months ago, said Barnett. I joke about that, but in all seriousness, this is the longest place that (my wife ) Elaine and I have ever been since 1987. So this is de facto our home. Of the U.S. military branches, the Navy has the largest presence in Hawaii. The federal government estimates that the Navy spends as much as $1 billion on salaries in Hawaii and $1 billion in operations, contracts and local purchases. Barnett oversaw shoreside operations at Pearl Harbor as well as operations at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. The job included maintenance and operations of facilities along with working with local and state officials. In addition to holding the position of commander of Navy Region Hawaii, he also became commander of Navy Closure Task Force-Red Hill after a task force led by Vice Adm. John Wade successfully oversaw the draining of the Red Hill fuel tanks. While the fuel has been removed, the issue is far from settled. The closure and remediation of the facility is expected to take years and cost untold millions. Last month the Honolulu Board of Water Supply filed a nearly 100-page federal civil tort complaint in the U.S. District Court of Hawaii in which it said it is suing the Navy for negligence, nuisance, and trespass resulting in damages where the government of the United States of America, if a private party, would be liable to the BWS. BWS has estimated the cost of past, current and future impacts from the fuel leaks at $1.2 billion. Vice Adm. Scott Gray, commander of Navy Installations Command, attended the ceremony, where he said that Barnett really had a tough job here. Theres so much going on as we prepare for whats coming in the Pacific. Tensions have been on the rise in the Pacific as Beijing spars with neighboring countries over territorial and navigation rights in the South China Sea, a busy waterway that more than a third of all international trade moves through and that the Chinese government has claimed as its exclusive sovereign territory. The Chinese military also has stepped up maneuvers around Taiwan, a self-ruled island democracy that Beijing regards as rogue province. Chinese leader Xi Jinping has reportedly tasked Chinese military brass with ensuring their forces have the capability to invade the island by 2027 though analysts have debated whether that directive actually means he intends to launch such an invasion. Adm. Stephen Koehler, current U.S. Pacific Fleet commander, said that under Barnetts leadership Region Hawaii has spent the last several years evolving and growing every day. It has expanded support to our fleet and families across all its various missions and operations. Region Hawaiis serv ice to the fleet helps us defend our homeland and our way of life make no mistake, Hawaii is vital to Americas ability to project, direct and sustain combat power across the vast expanses of the Indo-Pacific, if and when required. Barnetts replacement, Rear Adm. Brad Collins, most recently served as commander of U.S. Navy Region Europe, Africa, Centralwhich is headquartered in Italy. Gray said that from there, Collins managed the only permanent installation we have on the continent of Africa, contingency locations in Somalia, our bases in the Middle East during the recent war and all the things that went on there, our support to Ukraine and everything thats happening in Europe. Hes definitely the right guy to take over. I am immensely honored to be your commander, and I am here to advocate, nonstop, for the elimination of barriers that stand in the way of progress and to clear the path needed to accomplish the mission, Collins said. There is no promise that this task will be easy, but I am confident that we have the people and talent to drive toward the solutions needed. Barnett will be reporting to Norfolk, Va., and assume command of Navy Region Mid-Atlantic. He will serve as regional coordinator for all shore-based Navy personnel and shore activities in the U.S. Navys Mid-Atlantic region, which encompasses 20 states, 13 installations, and numerous Navy Reserve Centers from Maine to Virginia and as far west as Illinois. Among his tasks will be overseeing renovations to some of the serv ices oldest infrastructure. 2025 The Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Visit www.staradvertiser.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. (Lorrence/Stars and Stripes) Editors note: The below caption and cited report includes language now considered offensive and dated. Frankfurt, Germany, Mar. 22, 1948: A reception was held for a group of visiting newspaper editors, all hailing from newspapers geared towards the Black community in the U.S. From left to right: Thomas Young, editor of the Norfolk Journal and Guide; James Devlin, president of the Frankfurt Press Center; Clifford W. Mackay, managing editor of the Baltimore Afro-American, and Robert Haeger, president of the Frankfurt Press Center. Young is also president of the Negro Newspaper Publishers Association. The reception was part of a 17-day tour of the U.S. zones of Germany and Austria. The group of visiting newspapermen further consisted of Frank Stanley, of the Louisville Defender; William Walker, of the Cleveland Call; Carl Murphy, of the Afro-American newspapers; Louis Martin, of the Detroit Chronicle; Dowdal Davis, of the Kansas City Call; William G. Nunn, of the Pittsburgh Courier; Carier Wesley, of the Houston Informer. At the invitation of the Secretary of the Army, seven of the men completed an inspection tour of troop installations and military government centers, focusing on the conditions, well being and morale of Black troops and to observe the degree to which Army policy is moving in the direction of desirable integration of the Negro soldier on an individual as well as unit basis. The report they published was made public by the U.S. Army in May of 1948 and can be found here. The visit came a month after President Trumans historic Feb. 2, 1948 speech before Congress in which he called for a series of legislative proposals based on the findings in To Secure These Rights, the landmark report. On July 26, 1948 Truman would sign Executive Order 9981, which desegregated the U.S. Armed Forces. Chris Farley, left, and David Spade appear in a scene from the 1995 comedy Tommy Boy, which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Sandusky, Ohio, the primary setting of the film, will celebrate a Tommy Boy Fest from Aug. 7-9 to celebrate the anniversary. (KPA, United Archives, ZUMA Press Wire/TNS) WILLOUGHBY, Ohio The version of Sandusky that serves as the primary setting of the movie Tommy Boy has only so much in common with the actual city in north-central Ohio. While a coffee mug from the world-famous Cedar Point amusement park sits on a desk in the 1995 comedy starring the late Chris Farley a memento now residing in the Cedar Point Historical Museum downtown the cinematic Sandusky revolves around the fictional Callahan Auto Parts, which makes quality brake pads for the working man and whose factory employs hundreds. (And while Sandusky formerly was home to the small Griffing Sandusky Airport, the version in Tommy Boy boasts the seemingly decent-sized Sandusky Regional Airport, where one could fly to presumably among other places Chicago, Salt Lake City and, wait for it, Cuyahoga Falls.) None of that has stopped Sanduskians and now the city from embracing the Pete Segal-directed film, which was shot in Canada and Los Angeles and also features the late Brian Dennehy, Bo Derek, Julie Warner, Dan Aykroyd, Rob Lowe and, last but not least, Farleys then-Saturday Night Live castmate David Spade and was produced by SNL creator Lorne Michaels. Im (for) any positive reference of Sandusky, says Jason Werling, the citys recreation superintendent and the man behind the citys fast-approaching Tommy Boy Fest. Thats the second thing we hear most. The first thing is Cedar Point when you say, Sandusky, Ohio. The second thing is, Oh, Tommy Boy! There are still people who live in Sandusky that swear that parts of the movie were filmed here and that they used an actual (Sandusky) police car in the film, adds Werling, who says the production did reach out to a then-Sandusky Register photographer for photos of the city and of a cop car for reference. Tommy Boy Fest will take place from Aug. 7 through 9 on and around downtowns Jackson Street Pier and feature an outdoor screening of the movie each day, celebrity guests, live music and comedy and more thanks in part to presenting sponsor (and real company) Callahan Brake Parts. The movie sees Farley portraying good-natured slacker Tommy R. Tommy Callahan III, a (mostly) lovable loser whose catchphrase is Holy schnikes! After the death of his larger-than-life father, Thomas Big Tom Callahan Jr. (Dennehy), Tommy hits the road with reluctant colleague Richard Hayden (Spade) in a desperate attempt to try to secure enough sales to keep the company afloat at this challenging time and prove to himself and others hes capable of leading it into the future. The obvious question ISNT why Sandusky is having this Tommy Boy-centric celebration but, instead, why is it happening only now. We tried to make this happen before, but the pandemic got in the way, Werling says of a would-be 25th-anniversary celebration in 2020. If it was up to me, it wouldve been done at 10 years later, 20 years later, 25 you know, like a high school reunion. For this 30th-anniversary Tommy Boy bash, the city got the go-ahead to use the name from the studio behind the movie, Paramount Pictures, with only a few restrictions, Werling says, and was able to secure a commitment from Segal to attend. He was the original get for us, Werling says of Segal, who will bring along a restored car one of the Plymouth convertibles used in the movie to represent the 1967 car Tommy and Richard take around the country and all but destroy. Segal is slated to take part in a Q&A with audience members paired with the final showing of the movie that will bring the event to a close at 7 p.m. on Aug. 9. The first night of the fest will feature Kevin Farley, brother of Chris, who will perform stand-up comedy at the pier and host the Tommy Boy Look-Alike Contest. We want to make sure everybody knows that it doesnt have to be people dressed up as Tommy, Werling says. It could be Richard. It could be Rob Lowes character. (It could be) Michelle (Warner). Theres a Brian Dennehy (lookalike) locally that I think somebodys trying to (get), he adds. He could be a ringer. While Werling is holding out hope that a cast member or two may just pop in, the city was, at last check, moving closer to securing the involvement of Warner, whose credits also include 1991s Doc Hollywood and the turn-of-the-century series Family Law. Music will be a key component of Tommy Boy Fest, with performances by covers acts the Menus (7 p.m. Aug. 7) and My So Called Band (3:30 p.m. Aug. 9), as well as Dave Paulson & The Holy Schnikes Present Sandusky, Ohio A Tommy Boy-Inspired Album (6 p.m. Aug. 9). Other elements of the affair include a vendor event happening all three days, Big Toms Market: Brake Pads & More, which is expected to include handcrafted goods, merchandise and memorabilia; the Tommy Boy and Classic Movie Vehicles Car Show (4:30 to 8 p.m. Aug. 8); a screening of another comedy directed by Segal, 2004s 50 First Dates, starring Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore (5 p.m. Aug. 8); the Tommy Want Wingy Throwdown, a fundraiser for Sandusky-based nonprofit Ability Works Inc. (11 a.m. Aug. 9); Tommy Boy Trivia (4:30 p.m. Aug. 9); and the Fat Guy in a Little Race, a 0.5K walk/run inspired by the early scene in which Tommy runs to catch a school bus. Were looking to get a Sandusky City Schools bus to lead off the event, Werling says of the oh-so-doable jaunt. A news release for Tommy Boy Fest from Shores & Islands Ohio, an entry that promotes the tourist-friendly region that includes Erie and Ottawa counties, points out that Aug. 9 also will see a beer festival/street party held by downtown sister operations The Small City Taphouse and CLAG Brewing Co. and taking place on Columbus Avenue. (Beer drinkers may wish to try the Fat Guy in a Little Can Double IPA, said to boast tropical flavors.) Werling says city officials arent sure how many folks to expect for Tommy Boy Fest. While last years multiday Total Eclipse of SUNdusky event was a success, the city didnt see the hundreds of thousands of people some suggested would venture to the North Coast. The eclipse was awesome, but the entire state of Ohio was, basically, in the path of the eclipse, he says. Were the only ones doing Tommy Boy Fest. In the event your travels to Sandusky in recent years have involved little more than drives to and from Cedar Point, you may not be aware that the city spent years transforming the Jackson Street Pier from a parking lot and waiting area for the ferries coming from the Lake Erie island to what Shores & Islands Ohio calls the citys premier public space. (For any event there, such as the Tommy Boy Fest performances and screenings or the summer-long Party at the Pier series, you are strongly encouraged to bring chairs and/or blankets for comfy seating.) Also seeing some work was the aforementioned thoroughfare Columbus Avenue, which recently was named one of the top cities in the nation for wellness walks by Assisted Living Magazine. If you havent been to downtown Sandusky in a while, Werling says, its totally changed. Tommy Boy Fest People line up to pay their respects at a cenotaph for atomic bombing victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) HIROSHIMA, Japan More than 55,000 people standing in Peace Memorial Park bowed their heads at 8:15 a.m. Wednesday, marking with silence the precise moment that the U.S. military dropped an atomic bomb on this city 80 years ago. For one minute, the only sounds were the drone of cicadas and the rhythmic tolling of the parks Bell of Peace. This years annual Peace Memorial Ceremony drew visitors from across the globe to honor those who died in the Aug. 6, 1945, bombing that claimed the lives of more than 140,000 people. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui and representatives of the bereaved families opened the ceremony with a ritual offering of water to the victims and a ceremonial update to the registry of names stored in the parks cenotaph. A bell rings at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Aug. 6, 2025, exactly 80 years after the city was devastated by the world's first atomic bombing. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Water is ceremonially offered to atomic bombing victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025, on the 80th anniversary of the attack. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Nearly 5,000 names have been added to the list since last year, bringing the registrys total to 349,246. There is also a separate list of unidentified victims. Doves were later released as family members and hibakusha the term used for survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki atomic bombings watched. The number of remaining hibakusha fell below 100,000 this year, according to Japans Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare, with the average age of survivors at just over 86 years old. Matsui, in an emotional peace declaration, described one victim who begged for water in the aftermath of the bombing. Gravely injured victims were sometimes denied water out of fear that it could worsen their situation or even kill them. Decades later, a woman who heard that plea still regretted not giving the young woman water, he said. She told herself that fighting for the elimination of nuclear weapons was the best she could do for those who died. Matsui called on the global community to learn from history and referred to Russias invasion of Ukraine and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East. Nations now strengthening their military forces, some including nuclear arsenals, must engage constructively in talks aimed at abandoning reliance on nuclear weapons, he said. The Atomic Bomb Dome is seen through the Hiroshima Victims Memorial Cenotaph in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025, the bombing's 80th anniversary. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) People line up to pay their respects at a cenotaph for atomic bombing victims at Peace Memorial Park in Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 5, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) At least 120 countries and regions were represented at this years ceremony, a record, Mainichi Shimbun reported Tuesday. Palestine and Taiwan, although not formally recognized by Japan, participated for the first time, according to an event handout. Representing the United States was U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, who is also expected to attend Nagasakis memorial on Saturday. The people of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and their message of peace and hope are an enduring reminder of the power of reconciliation, he said in a Monday news release from the embassy. On Aug. 6, 1945, bombardier Thomas Ferebee at 8:15 a.m. called, Bomb away, as the 4 -ton device called Little Boy fell from the B-29 Superfortress Enola Gay. The bomb detonated 1,968 feet above Hiroshima with an explosive power equal to 20,000 tons of TNT. The explosion instantly killed as many as 80,000 people, with tens of thousands more succumbing in the following months from radiation sickness and other injuries. The exact number of fatalities that day is unknown. Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, far right, attends the ceremony marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing on Hiroshima, Japan, Aug. 6, 2025. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes) Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba, during the ceremony, described the bombing and its aftermath as days of indescribable suffering. On Aug. 9, 1945, the U.S. dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, about 260 miles southwest of Hiroshima. That bomb, known as Fat Man, was more powerful than Little Boy, but Nagasakis hilly terrain lessened the damage. An estimated 70,000 people were killed. Japan officially surrendered less than a week later on Aug. 15, 1945, marking the end of World War II. We must never repeat the horrors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Ishiba said. Marines operate an Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel at Naha Military Port, Okinawa, Japan, Jan. 17, 2025. (Rodney Frye/U.S. Marine Corps) CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa An unmanned, semi-submersible vessel designed to move supplies and weapons across oceans will stay on Okinawa indefinitely following an 11-month trial with the Marine Corps, a spokesman said Wednesday. The Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel arrived at Naha Port in October and was scheduled to operate in Okinawas coastal waters through August, the III Marine Expeditionary Force said at the time. The Marines now plan to keep the vessel on Okinawa indefinitely, III MEF spokesman 2nd Lt. James T. Selcke said by email Wednesday. III MEF is continuing its evaluation and integration of the Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel to enhance training, readiness, and the sustainment of distributed maritime forces, he said. The incorporation of new systems, like the ALPV, ensures III MEF Marines are equipped to persist in challenging, contested, and complex environments. The drone vessel is designed to resupply troops on contested islands in the Indo-Pacific as part of the island-fighting doctrine described in the Marines Force Design plan. The vessel can carry up to five tons 2,000 nautical miles, according to a March 2024 news release from the vessels designer, Leidos, a defense contractor in Reston, Va. Brig. Gen. Simon Doran, commander of the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory in Quantico, Va., at a conference Sept. 4 described it as just a narco-boat low-profile boats used by drug runners in Central and South America. Marines of Combat Logistics Battalion 31 recover an Autonomous Low-Profile Vessel during a cargo transfer at Kin Red Training Area, Okinawa, Japan, April 9, 2025. (Skilah Sanchez/U.S. Marine Corps) The Marine Corps has deployed one of the vessels to Okinawa and is not planning to add more, an Okinawa Defense Bureau spokesman said by phone Wednesday. The vessel may operate outside the coastal waters of Okinawas main island, he added. Okinawa prefecture made no complaint about the vessel when the bureau, an arm of Japans Ministry of Defense, notified the prefecture Tuesday in Naha of the vessels indefinite deployment, according to a spokeswoman with the prefectures Military Base Affairs Division. The vessel will continue operating in the waters around Okinawa, but the U.S. has no plans to transport missiles or ammunition in it, the spokeswoman said by phone Wednesday. Some Japanese government officials may speak to the press only on condition of anonymity. Marines in units across III MEF used the vessel in 2024 during covert resupply exercises that demonstrated the ability to resupply a dispersed lethal fighting force in contested maritime terrain, according to a January news release. In January, the 12th Littoral Logistics Battalion, the support element for the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment, practiced piloting the vessel remotely and directly to deliver supplies at Naha Military Port, according to a February news release from the 3rd Marine Division. Marines with the Combat Logistics Battalion 31, 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit, trained with the vessel at White Beach Naval Facility and Kin Red Beach Training Area in April. The 3rd Landing Support Battalion and Combat Logistics Battalion 4 with 3rd Marine Logistics Group also trained with it at the same locations in May, according to photos released by the service. The Marines plan to employ the vessel during the joint exercise Resolute Dragon scheduled Sept. 11 to 25 across Japan and Okinawa, according to a fact sheet provided Wednesday by the Ministry of Defense. The exercise is meant to enhance cooperation between the two militaries during remote island defense operations, it said. The crew of a New Zealand air force C-130J Super Hercules flew a high-risk, midwinter medical mission to evacuate three people from McMurdo Station, Antarctica, on Aug. 5-6, 2025. (Al Denovan) A New Zealand air force C-130J Super Hercules crew completed a high-risk midwinter medical evacuation from McMurdo Station in Antarctica, U.S. and New Zealand officials said Wednesday. The mission was requested by the U.S. National Science Foundation, which manages the research hub for American scientists on the frozen continent, the New Zealand Defence Force said in a news release. One patient required urgent medical treatment, while two others needed medical attention, according to the release. Medical personnel, including a doctor, were aboard the aircraft to care for the patients during the flight back to Christchurch, New Zealand. This mission wasnt just difficult; it was one of the most technically demanding operations an aircrew can face, Melissa Sweeney, the U.S. charge daffaires in Wellington, said in a news release on the U.S. Embassy to New Zealands website. In extreme conditions, with little margin for error, the [New Zealand air force] executed this mid-winter Antarctic medevac flawlessly. McMurdo Station typically houses up to 1,100 people during the summer but has fewer than 200 in winter, according to the National Science Foundation. In early August, the base, where temperatures can fall as low as minus-58 degrees Fahrenheit, is plunged into 24-hour darkness. Sweeney described the operation as one that brought hope in the middle of the Antarctic night. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were medevaced from MucMurdo Station, Antarctica, to Christchurch, New Zealand, Aug. 6, 2025. (New Zealand Defence Force) We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didnt hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth, she said in the release. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class. The aircrew wore night-vision goggles to land in darkness, on ice in frigid temperatures, Sweeney said. This required absolute precision, she said. It was daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous. This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery. [The New Zealand air force] delivered, just as they always do. New Zealand and the United States maintain a close partnership in Antarctica, New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters posted Wednesday on X. We were pleased to be able to respond rapidly to a US request for New Zealand to medically evacuate US staff on the ice in need of treatment and attention, he wrote. Medical evacuations from the ice are complicated and risky. We pay tribute to all those New Zealand Government personnel involved in pulling this off successfully for their professionalism and heroism. Before the aircraft could land, a U.S. team on the ground prepared a runway by grooming the ice surface and ensuring conditions were suitable for landing, said Air Commodore Andy Scott, New Zealands air component commander. Although they determine it is safe, its still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge, he said in the Defence Force release. This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly. The Super Hercules landed in Christchurch on Wednesday morning after the nearly 20-hour mission, Scott said. The patients are receiving medical treatment there. We wish the Americans evacuated all the best for a speedy recovery, Peters wrote on X. A U.S. Army veteran extradited to Germany to stand trial in the nearly 50-year-old cold case slaying of a German teenager was convicted of murder in a German court on July 29, 2025. (Aspen Reid/U.S. Air Force) GRAFENWOEHR, Germany A former U.S. soldier extradited to stand trial for the killing of a pregnant German teen nearly 50 years ago has been found guilty and sentenced to life in prison. Tommy Molina, 71, was convicted of murder July 29 by a three-judge panel in Schweinfurt District Court for fatally stabbing 18-year-old Cornelia Humpfer on April 20, 1978. Her body was found a day later, discarded along a dirt road in Schweinfurt, a Bavarian city about halfway between Frankfurt and Nuremberg. A Nebraska native, Molina was long suspected in Humpfers death. The two were reportedly having an affair and he was questioned about the killing, extradition records state. He told German authorities at the time he had been with his wife, Linda, who told police she could not remember if that was true. U.S. Army Europe and Africa on Tuesday did not immediately have the details of Molinas service record. German police reopened the case in 1995 after his subsequent wife, Cindy Newstead, told Army officials that Molina, while intoxicated, had admitted to killing a pregnant lover with a knife in Schweinfurt, the extradition order said. He again denied involvement. A Schweinfurt court issued an arrest warrant for Molina in February 2021. A Nebraska judge in 2023 granted the request to extradite him. Molina arrived in Germany in June 2024 and his trial started in February, court spokeswoman Kerstin Leitsch told Stars and Stripes on Tuesday. Prosecutors said Molina met Humpfer at around 8 p.m. near Dittelbrunn. They parked his white Fiat 124 on a dirt road off State Road 2271 and had consensual sex, Nebraska extradition records say. Humpfer told Molina she was pregnant and planned to tell his wife, the German indictment states. While leaving, she was stabbed in the back and neck 14 times with a 5-inch blade, the indictment said. Police found tire tracks near Humpfers body that matched the type on Molinas car, the extradition order said. Witnesses reported seeing two people in a car matching the Fiats description around the time of the killing, the extradition records state. The car had the green license plates given to U.S. soldiers at the time. Investigators noted that the diamond-shaped pattern of Molinas car mats was visible on the sole of Humpfers shoe and on her skirt, the extradition records said. A DNA sample taken in 2021 matched five separate samples taken from Humpfers knee-length stocking. Johannes Makepeace, the German-American lawyer who defended Molina, said Wednesday that his client maintains his innocence. Makepeace criticized the courts reliance on what he described as hearsay and said the DNA results did not establish what happened. He also said that some of the physical evidence had been lost by police. Molina plans to appeal the verdict, said the spokeswoman Leitsch, who is also a district court judge. German law requires the verdict to be delivered in writing, which can take up to two months, before the appeal can proceed, Makepeace said. An Iranian Shahed 136 drone is displayed at a defense exhibition in Qom, Iran. (West Point) Irans expansive drone program is giving the U.S. and its allies a lopsided problem: cheap, expendable aircraft that can evade detection and cost much more to shoot down than to build. The U.S. is relying on a mix of sanctions, interdictions and emerging defensive technologies to blunt the threat posed by Iran and proxy forces like Houthi militants in Yemen. But analysts say the U.S. must move faster to stay ahead of Tehrans adaptations. A recent example of Washingtons strategy to counter Irans ability to mass produce and export drones came July 31, when the Treasury Department sanctioned five companies and an executive accused of supplying Iran Aircraft Manufacturing Industrial Co., or HESA, with technology. HESA is a state-owned subsidiary of Irans defense ministry that produces the Ababil series of one-way attack drones. The sanctioned companies were enabling Irans plans for attacks on American service members and allies in the Middle East, the agency said in a July 31 statement. Drones are a relatively inexpensive way to deliver explosives over long distances, said Wolf-Christian Paes, a senior fellow for armed conflict at the International Institute for Strategic Studies. And whatever we can do to defend against these weapons systems, in most cases, is a lot more expensive, he added. Iranian Shahed 136 drones in a transport container. (U.S. Army) Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen are perhaps the most innovative users, Paes said, and have consistently used one-way attack drones to target both commercial vessels and U.S. Navy ships. Iranian drones also have shown up in Ukraine, where Russia has used them against military and civilian targets. Iran has worked over the past several decades to master what analyst Behnam Ben Taleblu calls the unmanned aerial threat spectrum, which spans mortars, drones and ballistic missiles. The strategy allows Iran to launch layered attacks that, while often minimally effective, force adversaries to expend costly missiles, said Taleblu, director of the Iran Program at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies. Such was the case in April last year, when U.S. forces and their allies intercepted a barrage of 170 drones, along with dozens of cruise missiles, that were launched at Israel from Iran and Yemen. Even though, hypothetically, the U.S. or the Israelis may be very, very successful when it comes to deterrence by denial, the fact that the U.S. or Israel has to spend more to track, detect and destroy the systems is still notched, at least intellectually, as a win for the Islamic Republic, Taleblu said. At the same time, the U.S. is scaling up its own unmanned aircraft programs and funneling resources toward anti-drone technology. In December, the White House signed off on a strategy to develop counterdrone systems, which former Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin called an urgent and enduring threat. Last month, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced a goal of domain dominance for uncrewed aircraft by 2027. The Army has already begun testing out some drone-busting technologies in the field, like signal jammers that disrupt radio frequencies. Iran manufactures its unmanned aircraft domestically, with low-cost commercial parts sourced globally. One-way Shahed attack drones, widely used by Russian forces in Ukraine, generally cost about $35,000 apiece, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies. Paes estimates the cost may be less than $20,000 apiece. The aircraft are made of light material like fiberglass or plywood that are more difficult to detect on radar. That gives them the element of surprise in some cases, Paes said. Last month, one person was killed when a Houthi drone exploded in Tel Aviv near the U.S. Embassy branch office. Israeli air defense systems had failed to identify it as a threat. American sanctions might not be a panacea for Iranian drones, but they can disrupt a key part of the supply chain, including foreign partners, according to analysts. The U.S. has previously sanctioned drone-linked companies in Russia, Turkey and Germany. The most recent sanctions targeted entities in Iran, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. These designations can be effective if they consistently name, shame or punish all of the front companies that basically get Western components into Iranian drones, Taleblu said. In addition to sanctions, the U.S. and its allies can also focus on intercepting shipments of weapons and parts headed to Iran. Last month, the Yemeni government captured a large shipment bound for the Houthis that included hundreds of drone engines. Going forward, tracking developments in Irans drones will be key to getting ahead of the curve when it comes to disrupting the supply chain, Paes said. For example, there are some indications that Iran is looking into the use of hydrogen fuel cells, which would give battery-operated drones a much longer range, he said. A large challenge is that we are always just reacting to what is happening, Paes said. Usually, by the time we find out that they have a new weapon system that uses this or that its too late. BANDAR SERI BEGAWAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Regional and international peace and stability assist Brunei in realizing Brunei Vision 2035 aspirations, a senior official said on Tuesday. Brunei gains benefits and expertise in various areas such as security, economy, education and culture through bilateral relations with other countries and participation in regional and international organizations such as ASEAN, the Commonwealth, Organization of Islamic Cooperation and the United Nations, Haji Erywan Mohd Yusof, second minister of Foreign Affairs said at the legislative council. This is in line with Brunei Vision 2035 to produce a highly educated and skillful workforce, he said, adding that Brunei will continue to strengthen foreign relations and enhance its role regionally and internationally. Brunei is also working closely with other nations in facing challenges such as tackling pandemic diseases, climate change, cybersecurity, and economic resilience, said the official. Workers remove the Confederate Memorial in Section 16 of Arlington National Cemetery in December 2023. (Elizabeth Fraser/U.S. Army) WASHINGTON A memorial commemorating Confederate soldiers will be reinstated to Arlington National Cemetery after it was removed as part of an effort to eliminate references to the Confederacy from military bases and assets. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth said Tuesday that the statue, which he referred to as The Reconciliation Monument, will rightfully return to its former location near the burial site of its sculptor, the Confederate veteran Moses Ezekiel. The monument, commonly called the Confederate Memorial, was taken down in December 2023 on the recommendation of an independent commission convened by Congress. The statue will return to Arlington in 2027 after refurbishment at a cost of about $10 million, according to the Army. It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings, Hegseth wrote in a post on X announcing the memorials reinstatement. Unlike the Left, we dont believe in erasing American history we honor it. The commission said the statue offered a nostalgic, mythologized vision of the Confederacy, including highly sanitized depictions of slavery and misleadingly featured the coats of arms of several non-Confederate states to inflate the Confederacys size, support and significance. Unveiled in 1914, the memorial depicts a bronze woman and mythical gods alongside Southern soldiers and civilians, including an enslaved man following his owner to war and an enslaved woman depicted as a mammy holding the child of a white officer. A Latin inscription on the monument construes the Souths secession as a Lost Cause an interpretation of the Civil War that romanticizes the Confederacy and its motivations while downplaying slavery as a root cause of the war. The granite base and foundation of the memorial have remained at Arlington to avoid disturbing surrounding graves. The rest of the monument is being stored at a secure Defense Department facility in Virginia. Its removal was part of a response to the racial justice protests that consumed American cities in 2020. That year, lawmakers voted over the objection of President Donald Trump during his first term to create a renaming commission specifically to review military assets honoring the Confederacy. Since returning to the presidency, Trump has taken steps to undo efforts to reexamine American history and the way it is presented. Hegseth in recent months has reverted the names of seven Army bases to match the historical Confederate figures after which they were named. This is something that weve been proud to do, something thats important for the morale of the Army, Hegseth told senators in June. And those communities appreciate that weve returned it back to what it was instead of trying to play this game of erasing names. Confederate soldiers were barred from interment at Arlington Cemetery for decades until Congress passed a bill in 1900 designating a special area for their remains. In 1906, the United Daughters of the Confederacy began the effort to erect a memorial in the Confederate section. Stars and Stripes reporter Matthew Adams contributed to this story. The Warrior-Scholar Project, a military nonprofit, offered a humanities boot camp for enlisted veterans and service members transitioning into college at William & Mary last week. (iStock) (Tribune News Service) William & Mary hosted a humanities boot camp last week through the Warrior-Scholar Project, which offers accelerated college courses to enlisted veterans and service members transitioning into college. The boot camps, which began in 2012, provide weeklong courses focused on STEM science, technology, engineering and math business or humanities. William & Mary has been working with a military nonprofit for the past four years. Camps provide participants with college success workshops, lectures, research projects, tutoring and more. Including William & Mary, the program partnered with 19 different schools this summer, said Rebekah Bien-Aine, a Warrior-Scholar Project fellow. She said the camps goal is to help students learn and discover how they learn and what works for them before settling into a higher education setting. Its a little more in-depth than just writing an essay, Bien-Aine said. Jay Jolles, assistant director for William & Marys Writing and Communications Center, said the humanities boot camp takes a 16-week freshman communication class and distills it into four days. The week ended with students writing a three-to-five page paper focused on American democracy. Two texts were given to participants to study for their thesis papers, he said: a set of historical documents by Alexis de Tocqueville and an academic monograph by Daniel Allen. Robert Kissell and Rafael Doolittle were two of the boot camps six participants. Kissell, a New York resident raised in Virginia, served nearly six years in the U.S. Air Force. After suffering an injury in 2018, the 29-year-old staff sergeant was medicinally discharged. After his departure from the military, he found he had no real direction, but was encouraged by his family to give college a try despite not feeling confident in himself. The Warrior-Scholar Project was presented to him while studying for his associate degree at Hudson Valley Community College in Troy, N.Y. Participants who complete the boot camp become part of the Warrior-Scholar Project alumni, which leads to an opportunity to become a Warrior-Scholar Project fellow. Kissell said becoming a fellow is one of his goals. Essentially, he said, he wants to be a guide to veterans who are kind of considering going back to college, or are already in college, or still in that transition period of getting out of the military and trying to find a path that suits them the most. Boot camp days ran from 7:25 a.m. to about 10 p.m. and included multiple two-hour classes running throughout the day, with meals in between. With the humanities boot camp, literary professors and tutors assisted students in writing papers in preparation for college level writing. Doolittle, from Dallas, Texas, served four years in the U.S. Air Force as a senior airman. Prior to the Air Force, he attended Centenary College of Louisiana. After the Air Force, the 32-year-old attended Dallas College, where he noticed the program at his veterans center. I was like, I might as well check this one out, since its my weakness, Doolittle said. Its a very strong writing program here, too. Kissell and Doolittle both said their studies are doing well. While he struggled as a high school student, Kissell said being in the military allowed him to take his first steps toward college. In the coming weeks, hes moving to Poughkeepsie, N.Y., to start Vassar College, where he plans to double major in psychology and sociology while focusing on social work and child psychology relating to traumatic experiences. For Doolittle, he said hes leaning into either a business or law degree, and possibly studying cybersecurity or nursing. He said hes looking at William & Mary due to its really good law and business program. For more information on the Warrior-Scholar Project, visit warrior-scholar.org. 2025 The Virginia Gazette (Williamsburg, Va.). Visit www.vagazette.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Caspar Lund is on bail facing three charges arising from an incident on 19 May this year A barrister for a Co Down businessman who doused himself in petrol and threatened to set himself alight in a neighbour dispute, confirmed today the defendant is denying the offences. Caspar John Lund had been excused from attending Newtownards Magistrates Court where defence counsel Peter Canavan confirmed the 52-year-old wants to pleads not guilty to each of the three charges against him. Lund, from Clanbrassil Terrace in Holywood, is on bail facing three charges arising from an incident on 19 May this year. Caspar Lund News in 90 Seconds - August 6th The 52-year-old, former antique dealer is charged with causing criminal damage to his neighbours door mat and carpet, using disorderly behaviour at the Ulster Hospital and making a threat to police that he would damage his neighbours property. An earlier court heard how the charges arise after Lund poured petrol over himself and threatened to set fire to himself at the Cultra apartment block overlooking Belfast Lough. Fearing the potentially lethal consequences, the people upstairs, a couple in their 80s, contacted the police. Caspar Lund Officers attended and detained Lund but due to concerns over his mental health, he was taken to the Ulster Hospital and when he was there, Lund was allegedly behaving in a disorderly manner. While Mr Canavan formally entered not guilty pleas today, the court has heard before that Lund admitted the incident at interview and he accepts the facts. Adjourning the case to 26 August to fix a date for the contest, District Judge Mark Hamill said Lund could be excused from attending that hearing as well. The judge warned however that if the 52-year-old failed to attend the trial, it will proceed in his absence. He appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday for developments in his case, which was upgraded with a more serious charge. A Dublin man is to stand trial accused of strangling a woman during a non-fatal assault at his home. Lee Quinn, 29, of Keeper Road, Dublin 12 was initially charged with criminal damage to a door, bed and window and a minor category assault of a named woman, at his home address on June 3 last. He was remanded in custody the following day. News in 90 Seconds - August 6th He appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin at Cloverhill District Court on Tuesday for developments in his case, which was upgraded with a more serious charge. The Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) authorised investigating officer, Garda Adam Deegan, to bring an additional charge under section 3A of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act for strangulation of the woman, who did not have to attend the proceedings today. The Sundrive Road-based garda told Judge Cronin that the DPP has directed trial on indictment in the Circuit Court, and that the accused could be sent forward for sentencing on a signed plea should that arise. Garda Deegan said Mr Quinn was cautioned and made no reply when the extra alleged offence was put to him today shortly before his court hearing. Defence solicitor Katie Dowling said her client, who did not address the court, was not applying for bail. She also granted an order for disclosure of evidence for Mr Quinn to consider, if he wished to enter a guilty plea. Judge Cronin remanded him in custody to appear again in one week, the longest period available, due to the new charge. She said that was to let the accused consider his position, but noted that he may not have had an opportunity to do so by that stage. Legal aid was granted to Mr Quinn, who will appear again via video link at his next hearing. Mans serious addiction to cocaine had permanently damaged his nose, court hears A 45-year-old man who was described as operating at a medium level in the Barry Young Organised Crime Group was given a suspended sentence by Judge Ronan Munro at Sligo Circuit Court. Thomas Carmody, pleaded guilty to three out of eleven charges, on a full facts basis, with the remaining charges to be taken into consideration. He admitted that on dates unknown between August 19, 2019, and December 21, 2021, both dates inclusive within the State, he did, with the knowledge of the existence of a criminal organisation, participate in, or contribute to, activity, intending to, or being reckless as to whether such participation or contribution could facilitate the commission of a serious offence by that criminal organisation or any of its members, to wit, possession of controlled drugs for sale or supply. Thomas Carmody pictured outside Sligo Courthouse. News in 90 Seconds - August 6th He also pleaded guilty to two charges of possession of cannabis at McDermott Terrace, Manorhamilton on July 29 2021 and May 31 2022. The other charges included possession of cannabis at McDermott Terrace on July 29 2021 and also for the purpose of selling or otherwise on July 29, 2021, at McDermott Terrace. He was charged with possession of cannabis at the same dates and locations. Also at the same date and location, Taobh na habhainn, Manorhamilton, he was charged with possession of phenazepam for the purpose of selling or otherwise. He was also charged with possession of cannabis on the same date at Taobh na habhainn. Mr Leo Mulrooney BL with Ms Elisa McHugh, State Solicitor, prosecuted, while Mr Colm Smyth SC with Mr Eoin McGovern BL instructed by McGovern Walsh Solicitors appeared for Carmody. Garda Mark Butler of Sligo Garda Station outlined the evidence, led by Mr Mulrooney. On March 20 2025, Carmody was arraigned and pleaded guilty to three charges on a full facts basis, the court heard. The charges were outlined and Mr Mulrooney said that counts 2 to five were in relation to drugs seized on July 29 2021. Counts six to eleven also related to drugs seized on May 31 2022. The court was told that McDermott Terrace, Manorhamilton also referred to as 10 Taobh na habhainn, is the home of the accuseds mother. Mr Mulrooney outlined that Detective Inspector Ray Mulderrig was in April 2021 working in an investigation with Detective Superintendent John OFlaherty and their team was investigating the criminal activity of an organisation known as the Barry Young Organised Crime Group. The main activities of the organised crime group were serious offences including drug trafficking on an international scale, money laundering, threats and intimidation, Dt Ins Mulderrig had been involved in 30 separate investigations that involved the seizures of in excess of 1.3m worth of controlled drugs including cocaine, cannabis, mdma (ecstasy)and amphetamines. Barry Young The leader of the group, Barry Young, pleaded guilty at the Special Criminal Court and was given an eleven-year prison sentence. The court heard that two mobile phones were seized by gardai. One was seized from Young on December 4 2029 by Detective Garda Eamonn McDonnell and Carmodys was seized by Garda James Conneely on May 23 2021. Gardai analysed the phones and whatsapp messages were harvested and there was a very large volume of content throughout the period, which Garda Butler made into a shorter document, which was provided to the court. Detective Garda Oliver McHale analysed the phones and a flavour of the activity between Carmody and Young was outlined. Garda Butler read out some of the messages between both, which also included some photographs of the drugs. The messages referenced the collection and movement of drugs. Judge Munro said it seemed like a system of we will pay people lower down the organisation. He said they were operating it like a business model except it was a criminal organisation, bringing other people into crime. Judge Munro said he could not believe they were sending pictures of the drugs to each other and enquired what ages the men were. The court heard Carmody was 45. Judge Munro said there was also personal stuff in the messages, such as going to the gym. When asked if the messages were daily, Garda Butler replied that they were. Judge Munro commented that these two were fairly tight and Gda Butler replied they would have been. Judge Munro said the relationship seemed one of respect for one another. Gda Butler said that Carmody was running everything by Young. The garda told the judge that there was also a Spanish number from Young included in the evidence. When asked by Judge Munro why it was Spanish, the garda replied that Young did spend a bit of time in Spain. Mr Mulrooney said that in relation to the searches at McDermott Terrace, the value of cannabis was 445 and at Carmodys mothers house, the value was 580 on July 29 2021. On May 31 2022, the cannabis at his house was 385.43 and 373 at his mothers house. The value of the phenazepam was 510. Sligo gang boss Barry Young When arrested and interviewed by gardai, Carmody said he was on job seekers allowance all his life and he had done some labouring. He told gardai that drugs had destroyed his life and that of his family. He confirmed he knew Young. When asked by gardai if he was surprised to hear Young was running an international drugs operation, he said Young was a drug dealer but not at international level. He told gardai he owed Young 12,000 for cocaine. He said the debt was paid off through his mother, father, who left 5,000 in his will and also his sister. He said that he didnt owe money to anybody. When asked about the tablets, he said they were sleepers and Mr Mulrooney said they were essentially xanax. He had 41 previous convictions. Mr Mulrooney said his previous convictions included a suspended sentence for aggravated burglary. He had two assault causing harm, five for assault, one threat to kill and extortion were included in his previous convictions. Mr Smyth said that Young was an international drug dealer who spent a lot of his time in Spain. He said that a number of people were prosecuted in relation to this investigation who all seemed to be involved in the same patter of running drugs and moving cash. He said Carmody was one of the cogs in the wheel. He said his client was severely addicted to cocaine at the time and had taken drugs since his early teens. He had the need to get more money and the need to get more cocaine. Mr Smyth said that Carmody had to undergo surgery because of his cocaine addiction he had a hole in his nose. When he asked Garda Butler if he has since turned his life around, the garda said in the last few interactions with him, he seemed to have improved. Carmody took to the witness box. He said he began smoking weed as a teenager aged 13 and began taking cocaine in his twenties. He had been getting drugs first off a friend and then Young took over the debt. It was only supposed to be a small amount 2,000 but it went from that to 14,000. He said the debt never went away. It destroyed my life, Carmody said. He described how his children could not be in the house because of his addiction and he went down to eight and a half stone. He described the impact it had in particular on his daughter who was very worried. He has five children with his former partner. He said his conviction for aggravated burglary involved him chasing someone that owed a debt to Barry Young, Whatever he (Young) said I hopped, Carmody told the court. He said he has since changed his life and has been drug tested. He was working full-time in a dry-lining business operated by his brother for the past two years. He said that cocaine destroyed his nose and it gets infected and he had an operation to block the gap. He had also done a course in personal training. When asked by his barrister what his relationship is like with his 18-year-old daughter, who was present in court, Carmody said he would be on the streets only for her. He said he had thought that people who were working for a living were mugs but said he was the mug. He brought 5,000 with him to court as a token of remorse, which Mr Smyth said could possibly go to the North West Drug and Alcohol Task Force. His daughter also took to the witness box. She told Judge Munro about her relationship with her father and said that for a long period of time she had no relationship with her father,. She had no relationship with him because her mum wouldnt let her because of his drug addiction. She said his cocaine addiction was really bad and she wouldnt go near him on the street and wouldnt want people to know that they were related. She said she missed him but didnt understand his addiction. She said since he stopped taking drugs, she got to understand him and they helped each other. She told Judge Munro that she has been regularly living with him and she had ambitions to go to college and said she wants to study law. Carnodys sister also told the judge that Youngs associates rang her mum about the drug debt and how they wanted the money. They paid the money in lots and her brother didnt know. She said they were afraid for his life and paid the money which was about 17 to twenty thousand euro. She said he was in a mess and he was more of a fool for Barry Young. Thomas Carmody pictured outside Sligo Courthouse. At the sentencing on Thursday, after hearing the evidence on Wednesday, Judge Munro said Carmody was somewhere in the middle range of the Barry Young organisation. He had a serious addiction to cocaine and had done permanent damage to his nose. A Probation Report said he had not been offending since 2023, was engaging with Probation and they noted the grim background. He had engaged positively with the Probation Service, had insight into his offending and was assessed as being at a moderate risk of re-offending. The defendant had addressed his addiction issues and was sober for the past two years. And he was now working six days a week. This was a marked improvement for a man who had been on drugs for 20 years. Crucially, there was no evidence that he had any kind of lavish lifestyle and any money he had made was spent on his addiction The defendant had made an early plea, had committed no offences since February 2023 and nothing significant since March 2021. He sentenced Carmody to five years in jail suspended for five years on condition he keeps peace on a bond of 500, refrain from drugs, pay 15,000 within two years to drugs charities, and stay under the care of the Probation Service, including treatment for drug abuse. He was also given a 12- month suspended jail sentence for a year to run concurrently. HANOI, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- The State Bank of Vietnam (SBV) has urged both domestic and foreign commercial banks to make greater efforts to stabilize deposit rates and reduce lending rates, Vietnam News Agency reported Wednesday. The move aimed to improve credit access and support the government's target of achieving 8 percent economic growth this year. SBV Deputy Governor Pham Thanh Ha said that stabilizing deposit rates and lowering lending rates are essential measures to stimulate economic recovery and maintain macroeconomic stability. He called on credit institutions to cut operational costs and accept lower profit margins in order to reduce lending rates further, thereby easing financial pressure on households and businesses. Credit growth should be directed toward manufacturing, business, and other priority sectors, while lending to high-risk sectors must be strictly controlled, he said. According to the central bank, since early July, several banks have trimmed deposit rates by 0.1 to 0.2 percentage points for terms ranging from six to 13 months. It happened 18 days after he was handed a suspended sentence for an earlier theft crime. A woman was the victim of a random "unprovoked" attack where she was kicked in the stomach, knocked to the ground and left in pain after she went jogging in Dublin, a court has heard. Hoyda Hamad, a Syrian national of no fixed abode who has used multiple identities, was jailed for three months on Wednesday over the incident at East Wall Road, Dublin 3, on the morning of July 26 last. It happened 18 days after he was handed a suspended sentence for an earlier theft crime. The 35-year-old, a barber by trade, was charged with a section 2 assault, which carries a six-month sentence, as well as with providing a false or misleading name and address to a member of An Garda Siochana and with using threatening, abusive, or insulting words or behaviour. Cloverhill Prison News in 90 Seconds - August 6th "This was an unprovoked attack on a female member of the community who was going about her own business, out for a jog, and was attacked by someone who was unknown to her, and suffered pain and suffering," said Judge Patricia Cronin at the sentence hearing at Cloverhill District Court Hamad pleaded guilty last week, and the case was adjourned until Wednesday for facts and a victim statement. The woman did not have to attend the hearing or give evidence because of the guilty plea. Court Sergeant Olyn Murphy outlined the prosecution's evidence on behalf of investigating officer Garda Ruth Redmond. Judge Cronin heard that the incident happened at around 10.05 am when the defendant assaulted the woman "by kicking her in the stomach, causing her to fall back on the ground," and Hamad was verbally abusive toward her. She also suffered a back injury, a swollen finger, and her head was "throbbing" after being attacked by Hamad. Gardai attended the scene and Hamad gave a false name and date of birth before being arrested and brought to a station to be charged. Judge Cronin noted that he had two sets of prior convictions, one under the name Hamad with two theft convictions which led to the imposition of a two-month sentence, suspended for one year, in Wexford District Court on July 8. That term could now be activated. He also committed several other crimes under a different name: three for vehicle theft and driving offences, one for drug possession, another for burglary, one trespass and another for failing to provide a passport as required. That resulted in a 10-month prison sentence from Cork District Court on July 31 last year. In a mitigation plea, the defence counsel asked the judge to heed that he had pleaded guilty at an early stage, which was valuable given the moving victim impact statement, which was not read aloud during the hearing. The defence stressed that Hamad did not prolong the ordeal for the woman who did not have to testify, and that he had no prior assault convictions, and should be given significant credit for those factors. Later in the hearing, the defence described Hamad as non-binary and originally from Syria, having come through France. Over recent months, the accused had a transient living situation and was in a transient relationship with a supportive partner, counsel said. Pleading for leniency, the defence described the situation as a "chaotic set of circumstances". Hamad's recollection of events was minimal, and he was apologetic, and his expression of remorse was evidenced by his early guilty plea, the barrister submitted. The accused had been remanded in custody on the date of the incident. Hamad did not testify and spoke only to instruct his barrister that he wished to have the case finalised. Judge Cronin remarked how the victim's statement was eloquent and outlined the psychological and physical injuries, "significant impact", and the life changes the woman made since the attack. The judge found her account to be honest and not exaggerated, and she took notice of the fact that her employer was assisting her in getting counselling. Sentencing, the judge took into account Hamad's plea and prior convictions and that he had none under the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act or similar public order matters. The early guilty plea meant the victim did not have to come to court, she noted. However, she had to take into account all the circumstances and the mitigating factors. The sentence was backdated to July 26, and the judge expressed her wish for the woman to know that she was well in her recovery. The three-month term was handed down on the assault charge, with the two remaining offences taken into consideration. Details of the broken promise have emerged in declassified British government documents from 2003-4 National Archives records released...File photo dated 06/02/03 of the former Northern Ireland Secretary, Paul Murphy, talking to reporters outside the Old Library at Trinity College, Dublin. Sinn Fein raised security concerns with the Government about housing Northern Ireland's new Assembly at Stormont, according to newly released documents from the National Archives. Issue date: Wednesday December 29, 2021. PA Photo. See PA story RECORDS Ulster Stormont. Photo credit should read: Haydn West/PA Wire ...A The UDA leadership pledged to stop all paramilitary activity in a secret meeting with government officials more than 20 years ago. Details of the broken promise have emerged in declassified British government documents from 2003-4. In a number of meetings with officials and then Secretary of State Paul Murphy, the UDA leadership, in the shape of Brigadiers Jackie McDonald, Billy McFarland, Andre Shoukri and Tommy Kirkham, said in return for certain assurances they were ready to transition away from criminality. They had agreed to make an announcement at Remembrance Sunday services in advance of putting their plan in the place. The proposals were warmly welcomed by British officials. Billed as an Ulster Political Research Group (UPRG) delegation, the four leading loyalists raised concerns about the influence of UFF commander Johnny Adair and they also demanded equal treatment when compared to the support given to the IRA as they stood down their activities. memo The UDA made the demands during a meeting with the NIOs Nick Perry, a senior government official. His memo, dated November 4, 2004, said: They had two main points to make. First, they want specification lifted before they make their statement on 14 November. Second, they are very concerned about the negative impact which Johnny Adairs release in January could have on the UDA. They did not expect him to stay in Northern Ireland after his release, but they did expect him to try to make his mark before departing the scene, or attempt to do so by proxy after his departure. They also raised concerns about the LVF, an even more sectarian terror offshoot set up by former UDA and UVF members opposed to a ceasefire. Kirkham said their followers needed to have some early wins if they were to be persuaded to take a course many would find uncomfortable, the memo states. Perry wrote: McDonald stressed that part of the process was about equality of esteem. The awful things the UDA had done were no worse than those perpetrated by, for example, the last Executives Education Minister [Martin McGuinness], and the loyalists deserved the same chance of rehabilitation that the republican movement had received. Shoukri in particular said that he would need time to wean people off their criminality (!); more genuinely, perhaps, McFarland said that leaving too many people behind could be dangerous. He said McDonald was vehement in his condemnation of drugs, which Perry noted clearly made Shoukri uncomfortable. Under the terms of their intended statement, the UDA would remain intact and continue to be a proscribed organisation but with a commitment to cease criminal activity. Paul Murphy said it would amount to return to barracks. In a memo to Prime Minister Tony Blair, Mr Murphy was positive about the developments. He said he would be announcing my intention to despecify the UDA in light of the Remembrance Day statement. This move is largely symbolic. The UDA will remain an illegal organisation, as, for example, the IRA and UVF still are. Specification relates specifically to the early release of prisoners legislation, and will have little practical effect. Former UDA spokesman Tommy Kirkham But politically it is important, as it involves the Government recognising the UDAs ceasefire. I am taking this step partly because the UDAs behaviour has improved somewhat in recent months, but mainly because there are positive signs that some in the UDA leadership, and their political wing the UPRG, now want to pursue a political path. He said the Remembrance Sunday pledge in 2004 would a very forward development. Another letter from Nick Perry, dated November 4, described a constructive meeting with Tommy Kirkham and the UPRGs Frankie Gallagher who said that their key requirement remained a despecification announcement ahead of their statement on 14 November. At the end they stressed again the seriousness of their initiative: they wanted a dignified end to their war and some acknowledgement in return. Their statement was not dependent on a breakthrough with the Provisionals, nor on action by the UVF. Billy McFarland The proposed statement is very positive (indeed, almost too good, given the UDAs lack of credibility); Kirkham, however, seems confident he can deliver. One of the conditions was that the UDA would re-engage with the International Commission for Decommissioning. Elsewhere in the newly released files is a report of a meeting between Tony Blair and Bertie Ahern with the UVF-linked PUP where David Ervine told them there was only one blockage in the pipe the IRAs refusal to acknowledge the war was over. The document said he continued: If the IRA ceased to exist there would be no need for loyalist paramilitaries. It had been a long time since the ceasefires but still these hadnt turned into full cessation of activity. Both Governments should hammer home to the IRA the need to declare an end to the war. The document adds: The end of the conflict, Ervine continued, had weakened the loyalist leadership. In particular, many of the good guys [his term] had now walked away, to return to normal life. This meant the proportion of bad guys increased. Previous bad summers had made communities feel insecure, increasing the likelihood of people getting involved with paramilitaries. More than two decades later the UDA has yet to publicly state their intention to transition away from paramilitary activity and criminality. Jackie McDonald and Andre Shoukri News in 90 Seconds - August 6th The harassment consisted of Walsh sending anonymised letters and cards to the women Walsh did not want to add to her court apology when she was approached by our reporter Patrick OConnell This is the former school principal and part-time university lecturer who orchestrated an anonymised campaign of harassment which resulted in two innocent teachers leaving their posts. Celia Walsh, Director of Waterford Education Support Centre, a former principal of Murrintown National School in Wexford and a part-time lecturer with the University of Limerick, targeted the women after they raised concerns over safety protocols in a school where her sister held a role. The harassment consisted of Walsh sending anonymised letters and cards to the women, forging documents from the Teaching Council to make them fear they were under investigation and making calls to and leaving voicemails on the phone of one of her victims elderly mother-in-law. Walsh, who gives training courses for teachers in the area of Special Education Needs with the Waterford Education Support Centre, appeared before Wexford District Court earlier this month where she was convicted of two counts of harassment and one count of forgery. Walsh did not want to add to her court apology when she was approached by our reporter Patrick OConnell A six-month sentence was imposed on each of the counts of harassment, she was ordered to pay 4,000 to each of her victims, and a 10-month sentence was handed down to her for the count of forging Teaching Council documents. Convictions Approached by the Sunday World at her home outside the village of Campile last week, Walsh, who holds a doctorate in education and lectured as a tutor in educational leadership at UL, declined to add to an apology she offered in court for her behaviour. Instead, she told our reporter she did not want journalists calling to her home. When contacted, the University of Limerick, which was not aware of Walshs convictions prior to our call, declined to comment. The Sunday World understands Walsh was not employed as a staff lecturer with the university but was instead part of a panel from which the college drew tutors when the module in educational leadership was running. A source said other universities and colleges also had access to this panel of lecturers. The Waterford Education Support Centre which, on its website, describes Walsh as a good role model for all staff employed in the Centre did not answer queries as to whether it had taken steps to address her behaviour. Walsh talks with our reporter Patrick OConnell At Walshs sentencing hearing, Garda Donal Doyle told the court that he had received correspondence from Victim A in November 2020 that appeared to be a letter from the Teaching Council. I was extremely worried that I had been reported to The Teaching Council, the victim told the court. I was so upset. I cried in work and at home that day. The evening I received it, at 7pm it was confirmed by the Teaching Council of Ireland that the letter did not originate from them. After this incident, on February 14, 2022, Victim A received a Valentines day card which was posted to her home address which read Happy Valentines Day, see you soon. Victim A was in a long term relationship at this time. A month later a St Patricks Day card was also sent to her home. In her victim impact statement, victim A said: These implied I was having an affair. This not only attempted to tarnish my reputation but also attacked my personal life. Celia Walsh attempted to cause huge suspicion in my relationship. It was mortifying and deeply upsetting to know that someone was trying to harm me so personally and vindictively. Alarm The second complainant, Victim B, worked in the school alongside Victim A. Both women had raised concerns within the school and in June 2020 Victim B received a letter which again appeared to be from the Teaching Council which was sent to her home address. This letter seemed to accuse the injured party of harassing and bullying co-workers and referred to health and safety legislation. The defendant also phoned Victim Bs mother-in-law. The court heard these calls were not threatening but deemed inappropriate, with Garda Doyle saying the tone was not great. In her victim impact statement, Victim B said: The arrival of anonymous letters created suspicion, alarm, fear and disbelief. Nothing like this had ever happened to me in my career, before or since. I felt so hurt and so distressed at the loss of what had been a wonderful school atmosphere prior to September 2019. Each anonymous item that was sent by Celia Walsh had to be composed, typed, printed, folded, placed in an envelope, addressed, stamped, brought to a post office or letter box, and posted. At any one of these steps, Celia Walsh could have stopped herself, but she did not. When I was informed by Detective Garda Donal Doyle that the investigation confirmed that Celia Walsh was the author of the anonymous letters, I was shocked that as a former principal of two schools, director of a Teacher Centre and a recently-qualified Doctor of Education, Celia Walsh would threaten, intimidate and harass a fellow teacher. I felt that Celia Walshs conduct was a betrayal of the teaching profession. In relation to the St Patricks Day card received by Victim A in March 2021, the stamp was traced to the post office in which it was bought as well as the date and time it was bought. This allowed gardai to locate CCTV and identify Celia Walsh as the person buying the stamp. As a result, Walsh was arrested and made admissions. She claimed she was trying to help her sister who held a position within the school at the time. Sentence Ross Pratt OBrien BL, counsel for the defendant, said his client was the older sister to a woman who worked within the school and this woman would have kept the accused appraised of everything going on within the school. He described the incident as not a very sophisticated operation which Garda Doyle confirmed, but stated there was a bit of thought in putting everything together. Walsh took to the witness stand to convey her apologies to the injured parties. Judge John Cheatle stated he could not see the benefit in imprisoning the accused and imposed a 10-month sentence suspended for 12 months, and also ordered 4,000 be paid to each of the injured parties as a gesture of remorse and in circumstances where the victims do not want the money they can nominate a charity for the funds to be paid to. Celia Walsh escaped with a suspended sentence for her actions News in 90 Seconds - Tuesday, August 5th Ryan King (38) attempted to smuggle 72kg of cocaine and 51kg of heroin into the UK. A drug smuggler in the UK has been jailed after the discovery of 11 million (12.6m) worth of class A drugs hidden in an air compressor. Ryan King, 38, of Tollerton Road, West Derby, Liverpool has been sentenced to 14 years in prison. King was a member of an organised crime group that had attempted to smuggle the drugs into the country in March 2022. The eight-figure drug haul included 72kg of cocaine as well as 51kg of heroin. Ryan King. News in 90 Seconds - August 6th His DNA had been found on the drugs packages as well as on a tracker inside the concealment. The drugs were initially discovered concealed in the machinery at Killingholme Port near Grimsby in Lincolnshire by the Border Forceafter arriving from the Hook of Holland in an unmanned trailer. National Crime Agency officers then subsequently began an investigation into the matter. Nine months after the discovery of the drugs, King was arrested at Liverpool John Lennon Airport in December 2022. He had been set to begin his trial this week at Hull Crown Court before changing his plea to guilty. A statement from NCA operations manager Carl Barrass said: This was excellent work by our Border Force partners to detect a large amount of class A drugs concealed in a piece of machinery. The loss of those drugs and the loss of King damages the crime group behind the smuggling attempt. They have lost a huge amount of money which cannot now be ploughed back into further offending, and the drug seizure means they will not be pushed around our communities causing misery. Swiss clinic criticised by family of Cavan woman (58) with history of mental illness after they were left in dark over her death plan Or at least that is what her family have been told. None of them were with the 58-year-old as she slipped away at a clinic in Switzerland. In fact, news of Ms Sloughs death reached her daughter, Megan Royal, back in Dublin by WhatsApp. Ms Royal was horrified to be informed that her mothers ashes would be posted to her. Now the family of the Cavan-based woman, who had a long history of mental illness and had tried to take her own life last year, want to know how somebodys life could be ended in such a manner. Maureen Slough Ms Slough travelled to the Pegasos clinic in Switzerland less than a month ago, on July 8, having told her family she was going to Lithuania with a friend. Her family became suspicious and contacted her. They say she promised to return. But Ms Royal and Ms Sloughs partner, Mick Lynch, would later receive a message from a volunteer for the Pegasos group to inform them of her death. The family immediately set about trying to find out why they were not informed by the clinic in advance, and also questioned if Ms Sloughs history of mental illness was assessed by the clinic first. The Pegasos group has said in response to questions from family and friends of Ms Slough, that it received a letter from Ms Sloughs daughter Megan saying she was aware of her mothers wishes and accepted them. It also says it verified the letter through an email response to Ms Royal using an email address supplied by Ms Slough. Ms Royal has said she never wrote such a letter or verified any contact from Pegasos, and now her family think Ms Slough may have forged the letter and verified it using an email address she created herself. Maureen Slough with her daughter Megan News in 90 Seconds - August 6th Pegasos was asked further questions by the Irish Independent as to why it did not ring Ms Royal, and whether it sought a mental health history for Ms Slough before her death. The Pegasos group responded that Ms Slough went through an extensive assessment process leading up to her death, including an independent psychiatric evaluation confirming she was of sound mind. Her brother Philip, a UK solicitor, has now written to the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office in the UK, asking it to investigate the matter with Swiss authorities. In his letter, he said Pegasos did not rigorously follow its own policy to inform a family. He said while he understands Ms Slough represented to the clinic that this had been done by the letter purportedly written by Ms Royal, the clinic only sought confirmation through an email provided by Ms Slough. I am working on the assumption that my sister created this email and the clinics procedures were woefully inadequate in verification, he wrote. The Pegasos clinic has faced numerous criticisms in the UK for their practices with British nationals It appears my sister provided Pegasos with letters of complaint to medical authorities in Eire in respect of bogus medical conditions, and that these documents were considered by Pegasos in support of her application. While I understand that Swiss law permits assisted dying, the Pegasos clinic has faced numerous criticisms in the UK for their practices with British nationals, and the circumstances in which my sister took her life are highly questionable. In March, the BBC ran a report saying the Pegasos clinic allegedly helped a Welsh woman named Anne (51) end her life in January without informing her family, despite promising to change its practices following a previous case. It said that under similar circumstances, Alistair Hamilton (47) died in 2023, and the Pegasos clinic reportedly promised last year that it would always contact a persons family before carrying out an assisted death. However, Anne, whose death was first reported by ITV News, allegedly died without her family being informed. The BBC reported that Pegasos said it had attempted to phone and text Annes brother John, but he insisted he had received no communication from the group. Dyfed-Powys Police in Wales told the BBC it is investigating her death. The Pegasos building Annes family learnt of her intention to die only after goodbye letters posted to them from Switzerland arrived. Ms Royal and Ms Sloughs partner, Mr Lynch, received a similar card, handwritten by her mother, in recent weeks. The grieving daughter said her mother had tried to take her own life last year following the deaths of two of her sisters, and was not in her right mind when she made her decision to go to Switzerland. Her latest granddaughter had been born just days earlier. They should not have allowed her to make that decision on her own. This group did not contact me, even though my mother had nominated me as next of kin. They waited until afterwards and then told me she had died listening to an Elvis Presley song, Ms Royal said. She added that her mother had a difficult upbringing, having been brought to Ireland by her own mother and a man she had met while in a mental hospital in the UK. She said that despite years of trauma, her mother made a good life for herself and joined the civil service, being promoted to executive officer before retiring last year. Ms Royal said that her mother travelled alone to Switzerland and paid 15,000 to the Pegasos Swiss Association to facilitate her death two days later. I was actually talking to her that morning and she was full of life She had told us she was going to Lithuania, but she had confided in two people that she had other plans, and after a series of concerned phone calls she said she would come home, but then we got the WhatsApp message to say she had died, her daughter said. Mr Lynch said: I was actually talking to her that morning and she was full of life. She said she was after having her breakfast and she was going out to sit in the sun. Maybe she was heading off to that place. I still thought she was coming home. The Pegasos group said Ms Slough went through an extensive assessment process leading up to her death, including an independent psychiatric evaluation confirming she was of sound mind. It said she was consistently forthcoming about her background and history, and provided thorough medical documentation, including from her pain-management consultant. It said she had stated repeatedly that she was in chronic pain that was unbearable to her, despite seeing the pain specialist. Pegasos logo Pegasos added that Ms Slough provided a letter from her daughter Megan, and in the letter she stated in writing that she confirmed she was fully informed regarding her mothers decision, and that she had been made fully aware of her intentions and the nature of the procedure she was seeking. It said Megan stated that she had the opportunity to discuss this matter with her mother and understood the reasons behind the decision, and the implications of her choice. Pegasos said Megan was contacted directly by email to confirm the authenticity of the letter, and that in the email, Megan confirmed that the letter was indeed hers, and that she was sorry she could not accompany her mother to Switzerland, and that she was not happy with her mothers decision but understood that she was in a great deal of pain. The letter and email are disputed by Ms Royal and Ms Sloughs family. Friends of Ms Slough have been horrified by the manner of her death, and questioned everything about it, including the manner in which the Swiss group repatriates remains through the parcel post system. You get letters in the post, not people, her friend Stephanie Daly said. Ms Sloughs ashes have now arrived with her family and funeral arrangements are being made. If you have been affected by the issues raised in this article, you can call Samaritans free on 116123 or email jo@samaritans.ie; or call Pieta on freephone 1800 247 247 or text HELP to 51444 The Co Mayo woman was kidnapped alongside seven other people in Haiti on Sunday. The leader of a Haitian gang who kidnapped an Irish charity worker and her colleagues have made contact with the with the organisation she works for. Gena Heraty has been living in Haiti for 32 years and is director of the special needs programme at an orphanage. The Co Mayo woman was taken alongside seven others, including a three-year-old child, on Sunday. According to the Irish Times, two members of the organisation that runs the orphanage Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NFPS) have spoken via intermediaries to the head of the kidnap gang. Gena Heraty with some of the children and young adults under her care at Kay Christine in Kenscoff, Haiti. Photo: Mark Condren It has been reported that they are now awaiting further contact over the situation. The family of the Westport native previously stated they were absolutely devastated by the news of her abduction in the Caribbean island nation. The situation is evolving and deeply worrying, a family statement read. We are working closely with NPFS in Haiti and Ireland, the Irish Government, and international partners who are doing everything possible to ensure the safe and immediate release of Gena and her colleagues. NPFS Haiti is working actively to ensure the ongoing safety and well-being of all the children and workers at the orphanage in Kenscoff during this challenging time. Gena Heraty was taken from an orphanage in Port-au-Prince on Sunday "We ask that you keep Gena and her colleagues in your hearts as we pray for their safe return." Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Simon Harris said he has spoken to the family of Ms Heraty and said her kidnapping is deeply worrying. Speaking on Monday, the Tanaiste said: The kidnapping of Irish citizen Gena Heraty, along with seven of her colleagues and a three-year-old child from the grounds of an orphanage in Kenscoff, Haiti, is deeply worrying. Gena has served the people of Haiti for over 30 years. Gena Heraty News in 90 Seconds - August 6th She has dedicated her life to supporting the most vulnerable people in Haiti and it is imperative that she is released immediately. This morning, I had a good conversation with Genas sister, Noreen, and I assured her that all is being done to ensure Genas release. My Department is in close contact with the Heraty family, local authorities and Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs, the organisation Gena works for. The countrys two ambassadors are also in close contact. "We will continue to leave no stone unturned to ensure Gena and her colleagues are released. Recent turmoil in Haiti has seen crime gangs seize control over areas of the country in place of the current government. According to the United Nations, gangs control 90pc of Haitis capital Port-au-Prince, and recent months has seen attacks launched on previously peaceful communities. 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. Police name deceased as successful Irish businesswoman Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) Police are investigating all circumstances surrounding the death of a young Irish woman in New York on Monday night. Martha Nolan OSlatarra (33) was found dead on a yacht at the Montauk Yacht Club, East Hampton. Detectives and Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office are now investigating the death of the Carlow-born fashion designer, who first moved Stateside when she was 26 years old. In a statement issued by police, a spokesperson said emergency services attended the scene after receiving a call regarding an unconscious woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra News in 90 Seconds - August 6th The statement reads; "East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12 a.m. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by First Responders. "The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to the Sunday World they are aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. The spokesperson added; As with all consular cases, the Department does not comment on the details of individual cases. Ms Nolan-OSlatarra was a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and founder of fashion brand East x East. Ms Nolan founded her own fashion brand East x East The well-known and popular businesswoman spoke to The Irish Independent last year about her entrepreneurial spirit and her love of fashion. She said it inspired her to merge her love for travel with her knowledge of marketing. She also spoke of her hard work mindset and determination. Carlow is a small town, I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams, she said at the time. She added; I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money driven, business driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road. US police are investigating the death of Martha Nolan-OSlatarra (33) Speaking about networking and business relationships, Ms Nolan OSlatarra said she had made new friends through her career but she still [had] all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. The young woman studied commerce at UCD before completing a Masters in digital marketing at Smurfit Business School. Montauk Yacht Club is a popular lakefront club located on the north coast of East Hampton, New York. More to follow The MMA fighter had launched a petition to change the process around electing an Irish president. The chair of the Irish Muslim Peace & Integration Council has described Conor McGregor as Ireland's shame following the Dubliners attempts to seek the Irish presidency. Dr Umar Al-Qadri, who last year ran as an independent in Dublin for last year's European Parliament elections, also stated that the MMA fighter undermines the values of Irish people. On Monday, the former UFC champion launched a petition declaring both his intentions to seek the office of President of Ireland as well as demanding a reform of the nomination process. The move comes a week following the 37-year-old losing his challenge against a High Court jury's finding that he raped Nikita Hand in a Dublin penthouse. Conor McGregor and Dr Umar Al-Qadri. News in 90 Seconds - August 6th After McGregor unveiled his petition on social media, Dr Al-Qadri hit back at the presidential hopeful by calling him delusional. "He genuinely seems to believe that Americans and fans abroad signing an online form will somehow override Irelands democratic process, the Muslim cleric said on X. Thats not how Irish political system works. "The Presidency is meant to embody the best of Ireland: decency, integrity, respect for all, especially for women and personal autonomy. "McGregors history reflects the opposite. He does not represent Irish values; he undermines them. He is not Irelands hope. He is Irelands shame. McGregor subsequently responded to Dr Al-Qadri on social media and described the chief imam as a leech off the state. Dr Umar Al-Qadri. He added: Nothing or no one will stop me from putting the peace, safety, and prosperity of the people of Ireland first! McGregor proposed a petition advocating for a modification of the nomination process to allow his name to be included on the presidential ballot for the forthcoming election. Since its publication, that Change.org petition has acquired over 11,000 signatures at the time of writing with no indication if those who have signed up are themselves based in Ireland or included on the voting registry. The petition declares that the current constitutional framework however presents a significant barrier to democratic participation and proposes a modification of the nomination process to allow [McGregor's] name be included on the ballot. While the petition does not state what this modified process would look like, it does state that the citizens of Ireland, both at home and abroad, should have the unhindered right to determine the candidates who appear on the presidential ballot. The current President Michael D Higgins term will end on November 11, requiring the election is scheduled to take place on or up to 60 days before that date. The current system requires any potential candidate for the presidency is required to either be nominated by at least 20 members of the Oireachtas or at least four local authorities. According to a Sky News survey from March of this year, 134 members of the Oireachtas said they would not nominate the MMA star for the presidency. Of the 234 total members asked between 174 TDs and 60 senators every member who responded to the survey said no. In an Irish Times survey that same month, 188 councillors (of the 949 total members of local authorities) were asked whether they would nominate McGregor for the presidency. All but one of those who responded also said no. Limerick native Conor Phillips came close to making the final of the latest series of Love Island. Conor Phillips in action for Munster during the URC match against Connacht at the Sportsground in Galway in 2022. Photo: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile A former Munster Rugby star turned Love Island contestant has opened up about his time in the villa in the wake of the latest series coming to an end. Toni Laites and Cach Mercer were crowned the winners of series 12 on Monday after making it down to the final four couples. Irelands Conor Phillips narrowly missed out on appearing in the grand finale after getting voted from the villa just days beforehand. The rugby star had previously coupled up with Dublins Megan Forte Clarke but the popular 24-year-old was herself voted out earlier in the series when she dumped show favourite Tommy for Conor. Following Megans departure, however, the Limerick native was coupled up with several different women on the dating show but struggled to find a spark with any of them. Conor Phillips News in 90 Seconds - August 6th Conor then coupled up with close pal Shakira and it seemed that the couple might work for a time before Shakira dumped him. The Irishmans fortunes turned for the better when Megan re-entered the villa in recent weeks in a shock move by producers. The pair quickly took up where they left off and were going from strength to strength but were dumped by the public vote last week. In his first post on social media since his departure from the villa, the 25-year-old described the experience as less straightforward than expected. "Walking into the Love Island villa 8 weeks ago, I didnt know what to expect, the ex-Ireland 7s star said. "I came in with an open heart and the promise to stay true to myself no matter what and I am proud to say I have done exactly that, even if it meant saying whats the craic like a few too many times. Megan Forte Clarke and Conor Phillips "My journey wasnt as straightforward as I would have intended but it was a massive learning curve, from laughs to lessons, challenges to connections and feeling emotions I never thought I had (Cach and myself have the same AI tear generator). I have grown in so many different ways and to have that seen and supported by all you means more than I can put in words! "More than anything, I just wanted to make my mother proud, my family, my friends, everyone back home, I hope I did you justice. "The messages, the love, the unreal support has been overwhelming in the best way. Thank you all for riding with me, I appreciate everyone single one you. "This is just the beginning, lets see whats next. Prior to becoming a reality TV star, Conor was a talented rugby player and initially joined up with the Munster academy in 2021. At Ireland under-20s level, he became a Grand Slam winner in the 2019 Six Nations. He went on to represent his country with Ireland 7s and featured in the Sevens World Series. He made his senior debut for Munster in October 2022 but exited the province at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. His villa pal Megan has also spoken up since jetting home from Mallorca, stating she got what I wanted after her time on the series. After sharing a photo of herself alongside Conor, she told her followers: Diva up x What an experience!!! "I've laughed, cried, belched and wouldn't have had it any other way I've learned so much about myself throughout this journey and I am so so grateful for the love and support it's been a wild one!! "Got what I wanted in the end off to sing hsm in the pub now xxxx When it comes to toasties, Rotorua is a cut above the crust. Lime Cafe and Capers Cafe & Store has been named among 13 finalists in the 2025 Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover. The competition is open to all New Zealand eateries, with specific criteria requiring sandwiches to be toasted between two slices of bread and easily eaten by hand. Each toastie must include cheese (or a vegan substitute) and McClures Pickles, with the remaining ingredients left to the entrants creativity. This years competition was the biggest yet, with more than 200 eateries competing. Lime Cafe head chef Rohan Jalota had a gut feeling their toastie would make the finals. He said the very first time they served one, a customer fell in love. She [keeps] coming back, say, twice a week just for the toastie, he said. The Hogget Stuck in Spelt toastie was a blend of braised lamb, minted caramelised onions, creamy camembert, McClures Sweet & Spicy Pickles, jalapenos, peppery arugula, and salted pecans, all melted together between slices of hearty spelt sourdough. Jalota said the goal was simple: Make a toastie that makes people say wow. He was especially proud of the toasties cool name, which he came up with himself. Hogget is a sheep just out of lamb stage and the spelt sourdough was made at his bakery, Pantry dOr Boutique Bakery. Lime Cafe's Ning Natvaly, Kelsey O'Connor, Hannah McGovern, John Paul Tolentino, Rohan Jalota the head chef and toastie creator. Photo / Supplied Last years supreme Toastie Takeover winner was Rotoruas Okere Falls Store, with its Figgy in the Middle toastie featuring Swiss cheese, pickle cheesecake mix, walnuts, figs, streaky bacon, rocket, chilli honey, blue cheese and pickles. Jalota said the Okere Falls toastie was made using their Pantry dOr sourdough. So he figured, I can stick some lamb in the middle of the spelt [too]. The toastie earned a spot at the top of Lime Cafes specials board, quickly becoming a best-seller and customer favourite. Lime Cafe's toastie finalist in the Great New Zealand Toastie Takeover, the Hogget Stuck in Spelt. Photo / Supplied Jalota said every toastie was made with pure love. Capers Cafe & Store marketing manager Philly Angus said in her opinion, Rotorua was the toastie capital of New Zealand. Capers finalist entry, the Braised Birria Brotha, featured slow-cooked, birria-style brisket, parmesan, mozzarella, red onion, coriander and McClures Sweet & Spicy Pickles on toasted panini served with a side of tomato salsa and rich consomme for dipping. Angus said apprentice chef Jesse Olsen was inspired to create a taco-style toastie, aiming to capture a vibrant Mexican street food vibe. Last year the cafe won the Peoples Choice Award with its Brotha Mmmm toastie, a hoisin-glazed pork belly creation. Capers Cafe & Store head chef Jay Baker with Zion Te Kowhai, Paris Mohi and Angela Lobes. Photo / Annabel Reid Angus said their 2024 toastie was so popular they sometimes ran out of the makings. She said this year the team dialled in to make sure no one would miss out on the tastiest toastie in Rotorua. Toastie Takeover head judge Kerry Tyack said having two finalists from one city was impressive. She said the competition this year was really tough, with all finalists scoring more than 90 out of 100. These Rotorua toasties have certainly met the criteria and gone that extra mile with creativity, she said. Tyack said the Rotorua community was always very supportive of the toastie competition, with plenty of entries and cafes selling a hell of a lot of toasties. The 2025 supreme winner will be announced on August 20, with the winner earning the title of New Zealands best toastie-maker for the next 12 months. Each of the finalists toasties would remain on menus until then. The judging panel also highly recommended several other local entries, including those served at: Annabel Reid is a multimedia journalist for the Bay of Plenty Times and Rotorua Daily Post, based in Rotorua. Originally from Hawkes Bay, she has a Bachelor of Communications from the University of Canterbury. BERLIN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Germany's industrial sector remained under pressure from persistent uncertainty in international trade policy, with incoming orders falling again in June, official data showed on Wednesday. New manufacturing orders fell by 1 percent from the previous month, following a 0.8 percent decline in May, the Federal Statistical Office (Destatis) said. The drop in June was driven largely by weaker demand in the automotive and fabricated metal products sectors, down 7.6 percent and 12.9 percent, respectively. Both industries have endured months of falling orders, partly due to U.S. tariff hikes on steel, aluminum and automobiles imported from the European Union, said Destatis. Data released Wednesday also showed foreign orders down 3 percent in June, including a 7.8 percent drop from non-eurozone countries, while domestic orders rose by 2.2 percent. Persistently high trade and geopolitical uncertainties have kept incoming orders highly volatile, the Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy said in a statement. "Despite a slight improvement in export expectations in July, tariffs on exports to the United States are expected to remain high for an extended period, which is likely to keep foreign demand subdued," it added. The offender was serving home detention after pleading guilty to unlawfully carrying a firearm and unlawfully discharging a firearm, as well as 13 other unrelated dishonesty and traffic-related charges. Some related to him doing wheelies on a trail bike around Rotorua. Judge Greg Hollister-Jones said he took breaches of home detention seriously and sentenced him to a further two weeks home detention. On May 28 this year, while serving his home detention sentence, he failed a cannabis test. Then on July 10, he was nearly five hours late returning home after an approved absence. He was 18 at the time of the 2023 West End shooting, and was granted permanent name suppression when sentenced in February to nine months home detention for his role in the daylight public incident. . An offender who vowed to change his ways and was spared a jail sentence for his role in a Rotorua gang shooting has breached his home detention. At the time of the shooting, he was in a car with his then-Black Power associate, Himiona Buffett, when they pulled in behind two utes containing Mongrel Mob members on Malfroy Rd, at the intersection with Old Taupo Rd. The teen covered his face, leaned out the passenger window and fired five shots at the rival gang utes. One bullet shattered a utes rear window and another travelled through the open window of an uninvolved car. No one was hurt. While on bail awaiting sentencing, the teen cut off his electronically-monitored ankle bracelet and went on the run for more than three months. He was eventually found and put into the care of a person in Rotorua who the court heard saw potential in him. Judge Hollister-Jones gave him extra time to prove himself in his new circumstances before sentencing. At sentencing, Judge Hollister-Jones spared him from a prison sentence for several reasons, including saying he had one of the worst childhoods he had ever seen during his time as a judge. The teen was prospecting for a gang at the time of the shooting but said at sentencing he was turning his back on gangs and crime and striving for a better life. Judge Hollister-Jones said it was better for the teen, and the community, to not send him to prison, where he would be forced back into gang association. Today in court, the teens lawyer, Grace Banuelos, asked Judge Hollister-Jones to sentence the teen to community work or that he be sentenced on the breaches if he contravened his home detention conditions again. Banuelos explained the teen was late back from his approved absence because he was at a family gathering. She said he was studying a trade and was looking forward to ending his sentence in November. However, Judge Hollister-Jones said a firmer approach was needed. I take breaches of home detention very seriously. This was an absence of nearly five hours. Kelly Makiha is a senior journalist who has reported for the Rotorua Daily Post for more than 25 years, covering mainly police, court, human interest and social issues. A group of undergraduate science students from America are participating in the University of Waikatos Marine Science for Conservation programme a six-week academic and cultural experience based at the Tauranga campus. The cohort, from the University of California and the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, is part of the inaugural intake of this international short programme, which brings together marine science, fieldwork, Maori perspectives and hands-on conservation practice. Students earn formal university credits while exploring real-world challenges in marine spatial planning, ecosystem protection and sustainable ocean use. I was looking for a study abroad programme that focused on marine science, and this one was the perfect fit, said Madison Wall, an aquatic science student from the University of WisconsinLa Crosse. What really stood out to me is how Maori knowledge is part of the conversation around marine conservation. Ive never experienced that before. The learning has been incredible, and living right by the beach at Mount Maunganui has made it even more special. My grandfather always spoke highly of New Zealand, so I knew I had to come here one day, added Samuel Hostrop, an ocean science student from the University of California, Santa Barbara. This programme has given me the chance to not just study marine science but to really connect with the people, culture and environment. The relationship Maori communities have with the ocean and land is unlike anything Ive seen before, and its made me reflect on how I relate to place and community back home. New Zealand is home to one of the most unique marine environments on the planet, with easy access to a diverse range of coastal and ocean ecosystems. US students on a field trip to Maketu estuary. Photo / Supplied The programme makes the most of this setting by combining interactive seminars, community engagement and field-based science. Students also spend a day aboard a research vessel collecting acoustic and underwater video data. The Marine Conservation and Spatial Management paper introduces scientific principles and quantitative tools that support ecosystem-based planning. Students explore how to balance economic activities such as fishing and aquaculture with conservation goals, including global targets like protecting 30% of oceans by 2030. Their final project, focused on marine conservation, human use and underwater noise, involves collaboration with iwi and hapu, the regional council and the Department of Conservation. Students gain practical experience in balancing environmental protection with cultural and community priorities. Our students are thinking beyond the science, said Dr Joanne Ellis, academic team leader of Marine Science and Aquaculture at the University of Waikato. They are learning to navigate the real-world challenges of marine management, where conservation goals, cultural perspectives and community needs all come into play. That kind of learning helps shape them into well-rounded and future-ready marine professionals. Students are based in beachfront cabins at Mount Maunganui and take part in field trips to locations such as Leigh Marine Reserve, guided by senior lecturer and marine researcher Dr Jenni Stanley. Maketu estuary. Photo / Supplied The programme also includes a Maori cultural experience and culminates in the awarding of an official University of Waikato academic transcript. These students are forming a professional network they will carry into their careers, said Ellis. They are not only developing technical capability, but they are also building global awareness, cross-cultural understanding and the ability to contribute meaningfully to complex marine conservation efforts. The six-week programme is part of a broader growth in marine science at the University of Waikato. The marine science major has doubled in size this year, reflecting strong international interest in coastal research and education grounded in both western science and Matauranga Maori. It also aligns with the universitys strategy to position the Tauranga campus as a centre of excellence in coastal and marine learning and contributes to internationalisation goals by connecting global learners with locally grounded, globally relevant education, and fostering long-term academic and cultural exchange. A building programme for college kids in Opotiki is giving hard-to-reach students career options they never thought possible, while boosting school attendance. The Eastern Bay Trades Academy is owned and run by John Gilmour and Steve Mahy, and is funded by the Bay of Plenty Futures Academy. They take on about 15 students a year who learn on the job and gain their NCEA level 3 at the same time. The students build about four relocatable houses a year on a site at the back of Opotiki College. Ranging in size from two to four bedrooms, the houses are mostly sold to Kainga Ora and used for local housing. Te Raiwa Maki of The Eastern Bay Trades Academy. Photo / Alexa Coo, RNZ For students like Te Raiwa Maki, the course has given her new options for the future. School was boring and most of the subjects I already knew. Building was something I had no idea about and I wanted to do, and learn how to use the tools. Its good, Ive learnt so much, I didnt think I could learn this much in a year, she said. Oaariki Waititi was also enjoying being out of the classroom. Id just moved back from the coast and came here ... and saw there was an opportunity for trade. Its good here, better than sitting in the classroom. Next year Ill be going for an apprenticeship, he said. The project began about four years ago as a partnership between Opotiki College and Te Whakatohea Trust, but when some funding was cut, the iwi had to pull out. Steve and John decided to take on the challenge and renamed the programme the Eastern Bay Trades Academy. In order to survive, theyve broadened it out to also sell the homes privately, which reduces the reliance on Kainga Ora buying homes. It was tough in the building industry at the moment, as Kainga Ora had reduced the number of homes it usually ordered, Gilmour said. Its very tricky out there for building companies at the moment and I think weve done well to stay afloat this year, especially with Kainga Ora limiting the number of houses theyve given us. This year has been really challenging and we are trying to sell them privately to keep the kids busy, really because without houses to build ... the programme isnt as effective as it could be, he said. About 60% of the students go on to professional trade apprenticeships, and the building programme hires two students from each year as apprentices to help them out. Photo / Alexa Cook, RNZ The hands-on learning experience could be life-changing for many of the hard-to-reach kids in the Opotiki area, Gilmour said. A lot of them are disengaged in school and theyre attending sort of 30 to 40% of the time, and then after a year with us we see that attendance rate jump up to the 80-90% mark. It speaks a thousand words in just giving kids something they are engaged in and want to come to school for, he said. About 60% of the students went on to professional trade apprenticeships, and the building programme hires two students from each year as apprentices to help them out. As a licensed builder with a teaching background, Steve Mahy said the students were treated like adults and it was rewarding to see how much they mature over the year-long course. They might be ratbags in the classroom, but because they are out here doing something they like a bit more, you can see changes and their actions prove it They just grow up and are ready to go into the world, he said. The students build about four relocatable houses a year on a site at the back of Opotiki College. Photo / Alexa Cook, RNZ While a number of schools in Aotearoa offer building programmes, Gilmour said theirs was the only one to run it as a private company. I think that is kinda of like how it works so well because youre not micro-managed by a principal, you can run all your own employment and payroll. Whereas in a school system its very complicated what you can pay people ... this gives us a lot more flexibility and is the best way for the kids, he said. Gilmour and Mahy would love to replicate the business model around the country and give more students the chance to learn a useful trade while completing their academic requirements. Weve got visions of seeing this set up in other schools so other kids can benefit from what these Opotiki students are getting right now, Gilmour said. -RNZ Irene Quirante Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 12:29 Share The Guardia Civil has opened an investigation after the body of a 44-year-old woman was found early on Wednesday 6 August on a beach in Rincon de la Victoria on the eastern Costa del Sol. According to sources consulted by SUR, the body was found on the shore at around 2.50am. Apparently, a person walking along the Virgen del Carmen promenade found the body and alerted the 112 emergency number when they saw that the woman was not responding. On arrival at the scene, Guardia Civil and Local Police officers were unable to save the woman and the body was removed from the beach. An autopsy will now be carried out in Malaga to determine the cause of death. Plaza Al-Andalus in Rincon de la Victoria will be the setting for the Gastrolatino food festival from 7 to 10 August SUR Rincon de la Victoria Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 12:16 Share Rincon de la Victoria on the eastern Costa del Sol is hosting the Gastrolatino Festival with dishes from Mexico, Chile, the Dominican Republic and Venezuela from 7 to 10 August on Plaza Al-Andalus with a programme that includes food, dance and music Mayor of Rincon de la Victoria, Francisco Salado, said that the Gastrolatino Festival, "not only represents a commitment to cultural diversity but also a tourist attraction that complements the local gastronomic offer and positions Rincon de la Victoria as a destination of gastronomic and cultural interest". The Gastrolatino Festival is designed for all audiences, with a diverse artistic programme that includes live music, traditional and contemporary dance performances and performances representative of each participating country. "Attendees will be able to enjoy rhythms including salsa, merengue, bachata, reggaeton and other popular genres, with Mexican mariachis, a Cuban and Brazilian show," explained Rafael Urquiza, head of Producciones Raices. The festival will offer flavours of the Dominican Republic, Cuba, Colombia, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico, Spain and the United States, with typical dishes and drinks that will allow visitors to take a tour of the flavours of Latin America. The event will also include a Latin American and international craft fair, where visitors can purchase unique handmade products and a children's area with activities specially designed for them, making the festival a space for the whole family. Admission to the festival is free and the programme will begin each day at 7.30 pm. Cristina Vallejo Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 17:39 Share Black, white, green and red filled Plaza de la Merced as the Palestinian flag decorated the Malaga city square on Tuesday evening. The sound of pots and pans provided the soundtrack to the largest rally of the many that have taken place in Malaga in solidarity with the Gazan people attacked by Israel and in condemnation of genocide. Images of starving children have resonated in the consciences of the people of Malaga. Three groups, Malaga Por Palestina, Voces De Palestina and Axarquia Por Palestina, organised the demonstration. Hatem Abdul had a few words for SUR before the protest officially began: "I feel a lot of frustration, pain and indignation. Things are getting worse and worse and the world is still not waking up. If you haven't reacted by now, you are an accomplice, you are part of the genocide, it is no longer neutrality. We have to move from words to deeds, cut diplomatic relations, trade relations, all kinds of relations, it is the only way to make Israel understand." Adham, 35, who has been in Malaga for a decade, told the newspaper. that his family has been displaced for seven months: they do not live in Gaza, but in the West Bank, but that area is also suffering attacks from the Israeli army to expand illegal settlements. His family have been evicted from their camp in Tulkarem. "I am sad, frustrated and angry". There was no hiding his vulnerability, his sadness. Alaa is from Gaza. He has family there. He talks to them when he can. Most recently, he was able to talk to his brother last week. "He told me that finding food is very difficult and that what food there is is very expensive," he said. His eyes were shining, he couldn't hide his emotion at seeing the square full: "There are many people with us. People know what is happening in Gaza." The first to make their presence felt in Plaza de la Merced were the young people from Malaga Por Palestina, the group who camped out in the university library some months ago. Some of them compared what the Gazans are suffering with the Desbanda (the massacre of those escaping from Malaga to Almeria during the civil war). "It's unthinkable that people go to ask for food and they are killed. We have to demand that this stops. I don't know what's going to happen next. It's genocide in the eyes of the whole world. We must also remember that there are Israelis who are also protesting against what their government is doing" Migue Fernandez The recent media coverage depicting starving children and the massacres in food distribution areas have stuck in the minds and flooded the words of those gathered: "It is unbelievable that people go to ask for food and they are killed," said Maria Jesus Lambistos Roca and Mercedes Lopez Moret, both social workers, who added: "We have to demand that it stops. I don't know what's going to happen next. It is genocide with the whole world watching." And they also wanted to make it clear: "There are Israelis inside the country who are protesting against what their government is doing." The mission of these protests, said Miriam Rengel, is to "prod governments" into action. "They have to see that we are against them," she added. Zoom Migue Fernandez What is genocide? But the function of these rallies is also to educate. Rami, 16, admitted that he was at the rally because his mother, who is Lebanese, told him to. He tried to define genocide: "When one country kills the civilians of another without opposition." Someone explained to him that what defines genocide is the desire to annihilate a people. "In all wars there is killing, but here... we all know what it is," added another woman in the group that included Rami, his mother Dania, as well as protesters from Iraq and Tunisia. Amina, a French-Algerian woman, went to the demonstration with her three and one-and-a-half-year-old daughters. They live in Marbella and travelled to Malaga city for the sole purpose of attending the protest. The little girls are wearing T-shirts designed by themselves in solidarity with the children of Gaza and those around the world: "It's for them, for a future of peace and a world of unity and justice," said the mother. The rally was full of people of all ages, families, groups of friends. It was a multicultural gathering. The slogans and banners were also written in English in some cases. And there were feminists: "Feminism is internationalist and defends human rights everywhere in the world." The protesters read out a manifesto which announced that: "Gaza is in an officially recognised famine phase." "We need to remember that starving the Palestinian people is not the only crime. It is not enough to drop food from aeroplanes, as some European governments are now doing, which, after months of ignoring the genocide, recognise the Palestinian state in a cynical gesture that seeks to wash their image. The urgent thing is not to throw crumbs from the sky, but to stop the massacre, open the borders, end the siege and break off all relations with the Zionist state of Israel." They reiterated their demands and commitments: the total rupture of diplomatic, commercial and military relations with Israel, the immediate release without charge of all repressed activists and the recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to resist by all means. "This did not start on 7 October 2023. It started more than 75 years ago, in the Nakba of 1948, with the beginning of the colonisation, expulsion and systematic murder of the Palestinian people," they shouted. The protest was scheduled for 8pm. Two hours later there were still people gathered. Although the pots and pans could no longer be heard. And the slogans that had been chanted minutes earlier, such as "It's not a war, it's a genocide," had been silenced. Chus Heredia Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 11:48 Share Acosol, the water supply company on the western Costa del Sol, has just awarded Sacyr Agua the third mega-contract for the optimisation of the Marbella desalination plan, which serves as something of a lifeline for the 11 municipalities on the strip of coast to the west of Malaga city. The awarded company will be responsible for the energy modernisation contract, worth 7.6 million euros, with a completion period of 22 months. It is a strategic action in environmental and economic terms, given the demands of a plant of these characteristics and the reverse osmosis processes. The work tender had attracted the interest of several giants in the sector: Aquambiente-Elmasa, Cox Water, Drace Geocisa-Covico, Medio Ambiente Residuos Agua y Marea (the contractor for the two phases of expansion from six to 20 million cubic metres), Remondis Agua, Tedagua; Naxfor and Sacyr Agua. On 31 May, the Marbella desalination plant completed the second phase of its expansion or, more precisely, the recovery of its initial design capacity. It can now produce 20 million cubic metres per year for a population that needs around 90, so the buffer added to the La Concepcion reservoir, wells and other resources of the municipalities is valuable. Site management Acosol had already awarded the management of the energy work to the alliance of consultants Narval and Prydo for 229,989 euros. The renovation work aims to save up to 30% of energy. "To achieve the savings, energy improvements will be made to the seawater collection pumping system, intermediate pumping in the pre-treatment, product water pumping and the high-pressure pumping system through isobaric chamber type energy recuperators. All this will contribute to reducing the total electricity consumption to produce desalinated water," say the specifications, published in the journal of the EU. The total cost for the project to save energy is ten million euros, of which three million will be provided by the Andalusian energy agency, with the possibility of a European fund support. The rest will come from the Mancomunidad association of the Costa del Sol municipalities. The contractor will have to draw up the project and subsequently execute the work. It is essential to improve energy efficiency in a plant that works with powerful pumps and high pressure systems and in which the cost is one of the main maintenance variables. Moreover, the desalination plant's peak electricity requirements have sometimes caused outages in the surrounding area. The specifications highlight the need to programme the work in such a way as to condition the day-to-day operation of the desalination plant as little as possible. The final project will have to be supervised by the central government, which owns the plant. Moreover, energy efficiency was one of the bases of the agreement signed by the Mancomunidad and state-owned water company Acuamed in 2006. Maria Albarral Marbella Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 13:38 Share The construction of the new Nueva Andalucia health centre in Marbella has now entered the final stretch, with 75% of the work completed. The centre should be finished later this year. During her visit to the facilities with Malaga provincial delegate for health Carlos Bautista , mayor Angeles Munoz stated that the health centre "will provide a response to one of the areas of greatest expansion in the municipality". According to her, the new Nueva Andalucia centre covers 400 square metres, exceeding the building that already exists. The mayor thanked the Junta de Andalucia regional government and the company responsible for the construction for maintaining the established deadlines. Munoz said that the new facility will expand the services on offer in the area. It will have ten consultation rooms, six for general medicine and nursing, two additional ones dedicated exclusively to nursing and two more for pediatrics. The mayor said that the aim is to provide a modern space, in line with the required healthcare services, to the residents of Nueva Andalucia, "where more and more young families live". Current building Munos said that, once the new building is operational, the old one will undergo refurbishment in order to remain part of the healthcare network. In addition, she said that "a specific area will be set up for the entry and exit of ambulances and the car park will be improved, with a completely new and functional infrastructure". Bautista highlighted that progress made in the healthcare system in Marbella is the result of "the successful collaboration between different administrations". "Marbella is a municipality that streamlines procedures, shortens deadlines and gives tangible results to the local population, allocating its investment to areas as essential as health, which is what residents demand the most," he said. The provincial delegate stated that "this ambitious action is part of the effort made throughout the Costa del Sol to overcome a historical deficit". In addition to the new Nueva Andalucia centre, there have been other initiatives, including "the extension of the Hospital Universitario Costa del Sol, the construction of new health centres in Ricardo Soriano and Las Chapas and the completion of the Las Albarizas emergency rooms". Europa Press Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 17:13 Share The National Police in Spain have dismantled a high-end mobile phone trafficking network The operation, which began in March 2022, has resulted in a total of four arrests - three in Madrid and one in Fuengirola. A further 17 people are under investigation in Madrid, Alicante, Girona, Malaga, Seville, Almeria, Granada, Jaen and Cadiz. The modus operandi consisted of buying and selling high-end mobile phones and other electronic devices at prices below their market value. They were obtained through various types of crime, such as fraud, theft or identity theft. They were subsequently sold on online second-hand platforms. The ringleader, who operated from his own home in Madrid, reportedly made an illicit profit of more than 300,000 euros. He had a network of collaborators in different towns in Spain, who acquired and supplied him with the devices. Following a search of the home of the main suspect, police seized 136 mobile phones, five tablets, five smart watches, four laptops and a desktop computer. The police investigation began in March 2022, thanks to the cyberpatrolling and monitoring of web content carried out by the central cybercrime unit. They detected a profile with thousands of sales of high-end electronic devices at prices well below market prices. The profile was found on a well-known second-hand commerce platform. The investigation into the person behind the profile was launched on suspicion that the lower prices could be explained by the illicit origin of the devices. Several investigations revealed that a large number of the mobile phones came from thefts committed by disloyal employees in different phone shops located in Fuengirola (Malaga) and Alcala de Henares (Madrid). On the other hand, the police discovered that these employees were selling many phones by usurping the identity of their customers. Thanks to the collaboration of the second-hand platform, the investigators uncovered several fraudulent purchases in which money obtained through scams was loaded onto virtual wallets and ultimately made available to the ringleader of the operation, who used it to buy devices through his profile. Finally, the police located and arrested one of the main intermediaries of the network in the province of Malaga. Seven people have been charged in Fuengirola and Ronda, while another 12 people are under investigation in Madrid, Granada, Jaen, Almeria, Alicante, Girona, Sanlucar de Barrameda (Cadiz) and Dos Hermanas (Seville). Ringleader The ringleader operated from his own home in Madrid, where he received and sent the devices through delivery companies. Together with his wife, who is also under investigation, he reported the theft of several devices from his home, some of which were found by the police on a well-known trading platform where they were offered for sale. The wife of the main suspect was in charge of his company's bank accounts and bookkeeping, providing him with cover and using her knowledge as a tax employee. Both were arrested at the end of June. The investigators are currently waiting for information on the origin of the seized items, having requested the relevant information from the service providers. Jose Carlos Garcia Fuengirola Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 16:15 Share The river in Fuengirola has some new tenants - 16 Spanish pond turtles, which belong to the only native aquatic turtle species in Spain. The specimens have been separated from the 71 aggressive invasive species with which they used to live in a pond in La Cantera park, in the Los Pacos area. According to sources, the turtles were abandoned in the park pond by their previous owners - a practice considered a crime, according to the penal code modification from 2015. Operation Tortuga was carried out by the town hall, in collaboration with Bioparc Fuengirola. It was a complex task, given that the first step was to look for the turtles. "The Spanish pond turtle has adapted to Mediterranean rivers, which dry out for much of the year, so what they do is bury themselves in the mud at the bottom and hibernate; they do the same in the winter if it is so cold that they can go for days without water. That's why it was a complicated process, because there was a lot of mud at the bottom of the pond and it wasn't easy to find the turtles," said Jesus Recuero, veterinary officer at Bioparc Fuengirola. Bioparc assisted the town hall in the creation of "suitable pools to house" all the turtles found while cleaning the pond in La Cantera park. When the process is complete, the invasive species will return to the same place where they were, while the 16 turtles are already living at the mouth of the Fuengirola river. Environmentally aggressive species Recuero warned that "many of the turtles that used to be sold in pet shops" are "very aggressive to our environment" and are therefore included in the catalogue of invasive species, so "they should not be bought". If someone does purchase a species that can be legally bought, they should "keep it for the rest of the animal's life", because leaving it in a park, as has been done in this case, is considered "abandonment". Spanish pond turtles are almost entirely aquatic, but they sometimes leave the water to rest and sunbathe, as they are cold-blooded animals that need to regulate their temperature. They are omnivorous and breed between March and July, with courtship and mating taking place underwater. MOSCOW, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Sovereign nations have the right to choose their trade and economic partners based on their own interests, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday. "We believe sovereign countries must and do have the right to independently choose their trade and economic cooperation partners, as well as determine the forms of such cooperation that align with their own interests," Peskov said, commenting on U.S. tariff threats against India. There have been numerous statements intended to coerce countries into severing trade ties with Russia, he said, deeming such threatening remarks unlawful. On Monday, U.S. President Donald Trump said in a post on Truth Social platform that he would significantly raise tariffs on India over its import and resale of Russian oil. On Tuesday, Trump repeated the tariff threat against India in a televised interview with the CNBC. "We settled on 25 percent, but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours because they're buying Russian oil." Meanwhile, the U.S. president said that "India has not been a good trading partner." On Monday, India's Foreign Ministry released a statement dismissing as "unjustified and unreasonable" the U.S. and European Union criticism of its Russian oil imports. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 14:56 Share If you have ever been to holiday resorts in the Caribbean or the Pacific, you will know what the sea along the Costa del Sol could become like: water that feels like a warm cauldron, with totally different species of fish than the norm. Bathers on Malaga province's beaches and elsewhere are already experiencing it: the sea water is getting warmer every summer and it's happening earlier than usual. Now, a scientific study by Malaga's own oceanographic centre - part of the Spanish institute of oceanography (IEO) which in turn is part of Spain's national scientific research council (CSIC) - has gone a step further to investigate the consequences of this phenomenon. The research paper, entitled 'The tropicalisation of the Mediterranean Sea as reflected in changes in fish diversity: a case study in Spanish waters' was conducted by Davinia Torreblanca and Jose Carlos Baez. It looks into the arrival of new species in the Alboran Sea, which is the part of the Mediterranean closest to the Costa del Sol, thanks to the fact that they are increasingly found here in conditions similar to their native waters. The paper begins by describing the favourable temperature for the development of species native to this part of the Mediterranean. From there, the paper presents the analysis of the temperatures in which new species, both invasive and vagrant, are developing in this habitat. "What we've seen is that the temperature of the Alboran Sea has increased significantly, such that the favourable temperature for this new ichthyofauna (the species of fish found in a given location) to live is up to 6C higher," said Jose Carlos Baez. New fauna "The issue is that species from increasingly warmer waters are becoming established in the Alboran Sea and growing accustomed to living in these waters that are now up to six degrees warmer than before," he reiterates. Therefore, "a process of tropicalisation is taking place, because the new species are of tropical origin." To make matters worse, this is happening more rapidly in the Alboran than in the Levantine-Balearic basin (the part of the Mediterranean between the southeastern stretch of the Spanish mainland and the Balearic Islands). 6 degrees above normal temperatures for native species living in the Alboran Sea. This is the favourable temperature at which the fish and algae species that are establishing themselves on Andalucia's Mediterranean coastline live in their native waters, according to the IEO study. Initially, the researchers hypothesised that this was related to the Alboran's connection with the Atlantic, due to the proximity of the Strait of Gibraltar. However, this possibility clashes with the fact that one of the most potentially harmful species that have appeared, the lionfish, which has already been spotted in Cabo de Gata, did not arrive specifically via Cadiz. "We believe that it entered via the Suez Canal, on the other side of the Mediterranean, and yet it has appeared here. The conclusion is that the Alboran Sea is getting warmer and 'tropicalising' faster than the rest of the Mediterranean." The marine biologist warns that, although only one specimen has been documented to date, there is a risk that the species could become established and threaten the ecosystem, as it is a voracious predator and its spines are poisonous. However, this is by no means the only exotic species to have arrived. A whale shark has also appeared in Ceuta, which is the most striking case according to the scientist, as it is a common species in tropical waters around the world and very vagrant. Specimens of tropical grouper, "with colourful spots" have been observed in the Strait. Such is the case with new species arriving, but it is also possible now to see more often the variety of grouper known as island grouper (native to the Canaries), "which has gone from being an occasional species, rarely sighted, to being fully established, as though it were native to these waters." Added to this is the problem of the arrival of other, more harmful types of jellyfish and, of course, the huge swathes of invasive Asian seaweed (Rugulopteryx okamurae), which are also tropical and are wreaking havoc on the beaches of several municipalities along the Costa del Sol, but especially in Estepona. Changes in the ecosystem The scientist warns that ecosystem change is having a direct impact on the general population living on the coastline of Malaga province, "because it affects the ecosystem resources provided by the Alboran Sea, and let's not forget that this is the main economic engine of the Costa del Sol." It's no longer just that the water is warming up, the change is "more profound, serious and worrying and it's becoming tropicalised. It's changing rapidly. And this change affects the inhabitants of the Alboran basin in every way, including the people of Malaga." Among the direct effects are those that affect the resources that the ecosystem can provide. For example, in terms of local fishing, where seaweed damages the fishing nets. It also changes the type of species that are caught, which are no longer typical and also are increasingly invasive, due to new competition. Water quality is also changing, tending to decline, with effects correlated to pollution. This even affects the ports, where accumulations of invasive algae can hinder maritime traffic in this area, as happens in other parts of the world. Ignacio Lillo Malaga Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 11:29 Share The general feeling is that July in Malaga province was "cooler" than last year. This is the subjective opinion conveyed by most local residents when talking about the weather, which is always a favourite topic in social gatherings and general conversations, especially at this time of year. Still, is it true that it was cooler in July? The answer lies in the weather data collected by Aemet, Spain's state weather agency. Juan de Dios del Pino, the agency's key representative in Andalucia, has explained the key weather patterns in the province over the past month. First of all, he said that the month had been classed between "warm" and "very warm", depending on the maximum and minimum temperatures. Looking at maximum temperatures first, meaning daytime temperatures, the positive anomaly was +0.6 degrees, with an average of 32.5C. However, here comes the first piece of data that supports the general sentiment of a cooler July: last year was warmer. In 2024, the historical average was +1C higher and the month was "very warm", with an average maximum temperature of 32.9C. In conclusion, it is true that this past July "has been slightly less hot during the day than last year." Del Pino points out that this is largely due to the fact that there have been very few occurrences of 'terral' winds - the local, hot, land-based winds that particularly affect Malaga. Warmer at night However, this trend was broken thanks to the night-time temperatures. The minimums have had an anomaly of +1.6C (considered "very warm"), with an average of 20.5C. Last year, this stood at +1C, with an average of 19.9 degrees. 32.5C was the average maximum temperature, slightly lower than the previous year. However, the night-time minimum was 20.5 degrees, higher than in 2024. As for the absolute average, which takes into account the 24-hour period, it was 1.1C above the historical value and was considered "very warm" at 26.5 degrees. In this case, it practically ties with last year, when it was 1C above normal. In conclusion, the meteorologist Del Pino said: "This year has been less hot during the day, but hotter at night, although overall it has been a little warmer than last year." The key: fewer 'terral' winds As for the key factors that may explain the subjective perception of a milder start to summer 2025, firstly, there is the fact that daytime highs have indeed been slightly lower. "During the day, people are correct, but the nights have been warmer." Added to this is the fact that there have been hardly any instances of 'terral' winds. "That's what makes the difference: there have been no heatwaves here, the Costa del Sol has a microclimate where easterlies predominate." Another possible clue is that this year's relative humidity may have been somewhat lower in general, resulting in less of that feeling of 'mugginess' ('bochorno' in Spanish, or 'plasta' as known in Malaga), associated with cloudiness and haze. In this case, Aemet's top representative in Andalucia acknowledged that it does not have the data to determine whether relative humidity was higher or lower this year, although he admits that this factor is very important in determining how we as humans respond to hot weather. The body adapts If temperatures have truly been similar, then why do the majority of Malaga residents consider this July to have been cooler? "It's not less hot: it's your body that has adapted." This is the response given by Jose Antonio Trujillo, vice-president of Malaga's professional association of doctors. "The human body has a great capacity to adapt to the environment and heat is no exception. With climate change, we have been exposed to longer and more extreme summers for years. This causes the body to activate acclimatisation mechanisms: we sweat sooner, we regulate our internal temperature better and even our thermal perception changes," explained Dr Trujillo. Added to this is a psychological factor: "If the last few summers have been particularly harsh, one with 'normal' temperatures may seem more bearable. In short, it's not that it's been less hot, it's that our body and mind have started to normalise the extreme heat," he said. Helena Rodriguez Cantabria Wednesday, 6 August 2025, 13:25 Share A 12-year-old boy died in the early hours on Wednesday, 6 August, after suffering a serious chest injury due to a 20-metre fall from a cliff in the municipality of Castro in the region of Cantabria in the north of Spain. The youngster, originally from the Basque Country, was playing with a friend, when he fell. He was pronounced dead shortly after his transfer to the Hospital de Valdecilla in Santander. Around 9.45pm on Tuesday night, a resident of the Cotolino area reported that he coud hear cries for help coming from the cliffs. The 112 emergency services immediately activated the rescue protocol. A large deployment was mobilised to the scene: a civil protection team, the Local Police, firefighters, DYA rescue boats and Red Cross personnel. Herido rescatado y evacuado en helicoptero de @salvamentogob para atencion en centro hospitalario. pic.twitter.com/dhqAStTSbW DYA Cantabria (@DYACantabria) August 5, 2025 The victim fell in an area that was very difficult to access both by sea and on foot, so it was necessary to mobilise the Helimer maritime rescue helicopter of the Cantabrian regional government. With the combined efforts of all the emergency personnel, it was possible to reach the boy, who had sustained a severe blow to the chest. A doctor gave him initial assistance and managed to stabilise him. Subsequently, he was lifted onto a stretcher to the aircraft using a cable. Once at Seve Ballesteros Airport, an advanced life support ambulance transported the minor to the Hospital Marques de Valdecilla, where he died shortly afterwards. The Guardia Civil has opened an investigation to clarify the causes of the tragic accident. Unprotected section The Cotolino area is one of the most popular spots on the coast for visitors from the Basque Country, given its proximity to Brazomar beach. The fall of the 12-year-old boy happened from a part of the cliff that lacks protective barriers. Zoom The Castro cliffs where the tragic accident happened. Sergio Garcia The tragic accident has shocked the people of Cantabria and Castro town hall decreed a minute of silence at 12pm on Wednesday. The municipal extended their "most sincere condolences to the boy's family". Theresa Braine l New York Daily News (TNS) Actress Christina Applegate is in the hospital fighting an agonizingly painful, double kidney infection with intravenous antibiotics, she revealed Tuesday. The Married with Children alum first started feeling unwell while visiting family in Europe, she said on Tuesdays edition of the podcast MeSsy, which she co-hosts with fellow actress and MS sufferer Jamie-Lynn Sigler, broadcasting from the hospital. While on the plane home, she said she decided to go straight to the hospital from the airport. Applegate, who revealed her multiple sclerosis diagnosis in 2021, jokingly calls the hospital her pied-a-terre, given her frequent visits. Normally, she said on MeSsy, doctors give her meds and send her home. This time, Applegate demanded to be admitted. Im staying here because I want answers, Applegate said she told hospital personnel. I want every test that you can possibly think of or ones that you havent even thought of, and I want them done. Doctors at first suspected a urinary tract infection, and on a previous hospital visit had even gone so far as to quiz Applegate on her wiping technique, double-checking that she went front to back. Like, what am I, back-wiping? Applegate said on the podcast. Like, seriously, Im 53. The Dead to Me actress said she was painfully validated when she awoke with excruciating pain radiating from her right side and thought her appendix was bursting. So much pain, Applegate said. Im screaming, and they ordered me an emergency CT at 2 in the morning. That revealed an infection in her right kidney that later spread to her left side as well. Now, rather than trying to send her home, the hospital wont let me leave yet because things are messy, Applegate said. Because of this kidney infection, I have to have intravenous antibiotics right now. And thats where were at. Sigler noted that if Applegate hadnt advocated for herself, this could have been so much worse. Applegate assured listeners shes going to be ok, even while admitting she was holding in a bag o tears right now. 2025 New York Daily News. Visit nydailynews.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Rome, N.Y. A Rome man was arrested Wednesday after police said they found cocaine, a loaded handgun, drug packaging materials and scales during a search of a home and business. Iabriel T. Sumter, 41, was charged with second-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance and second-degree criminal possession of a weapon, both felonies, according to State Police spokesperson Jennifer Jiron. State Police, along with multiple other law enforcement agencies, executed search warrants at a home at 313 W. Embargo St. and a business at 602 Calvert St., Jiron said. The business at 602 Calvert St. is listed as Gary Auto Sales, according to Oneida County records. Officers seized more than four ounces of cocaine, over a half ounce of crack cocaine, a loaded Walther PK380 handgun, more than $2,000 in cash and various drug packaging materials and scales, Jiron said. Sumter was taken to the Oneida County jail pending centralized arraignment. The investigation was a joint effort between State Police and the Rome Police Department. Syracuse, N.Y. A man shot early Wednesday morning was taken to a Syracuse hospital by private vehicle, police said. Around 2:21 a.m., officers responded to St. Josephs Hospital after receiving a report that a man had been shot, according to Kieran Coffey, a spokesperson for the Syracuse Police Department. The 25-year-old man was shot in the left ankle, Coffey said. The man is in stable condition, he said. Police have not determined where the shooting happened, Coffey said. Police ask anyone with information about the shooting to contact the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222. Staff writer Darian Stevenson covers breaking news, crime and public safety. Have a tip, a story idea, a question or a comment? You can reach her at dstevenson@syracuse.com Syracuse, N.Y. A Syracuse man has been sentenced to 15 years in federal prison for selling bricks of fentanyl, meth and guns, according to prosecutors. Uqoeon Lawrence, 29, pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including drug trafficking, possessing a firearm in furtherance of drug trafficking, possessing a firearm as a convicted felon and firearms trafficking, according to a news release Tuesday from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of New York. On June 26, 2023, a search warrant was executed on Lawrences apartment at 250 Thurber St. Lawrence admitted selling fentanyl and methamphetamine in the Syracuse area and said he kept a shotgun to protect his drug trade, prosecutors said in a criminal complaint Because of a prior felony conviction, he was prohibited from owning firearms. He also purchased two semi-automatic pistols in Maine to sell in Syracuse, prosecutors said. Lawrence will have a 5-year term of supervised release when he gets out of prison. Syracuse, N.Y. Smoke from Canadian wildfires is expected to continue blanketing the Northeast on Wednesday, causing unhealthy pollution levels for sensitive groups. An air quality health advisory will continue into Wednesday for much of Upstate New York, according to a news release from the state Department of Environmental Conservation on Tuesday. The DEC has warned of poor air quality in the region for four days in a row. The smoke has also caused hazy skies. The smoke-related pollution is a concern for people with cardiovascular and respiratory conditions, according to the DEC. The Air Quality Index is expected to exceed a value of 100, according to the release. A higher value on the index indicates a higher health concern. At 5 p.m. Tuesday, the air quality index was 122 in Syracuse. Over 280 wildfires are burning in Canada, with approximately 60 fires burning uncontrolled and 100 under control, according to the National Wildland Fire Situation Report Exposure to smoke-related pollution can cause short-term effects, including eye irritation, coughing, sneezing and shortness of breath. Medical conditions, including asthma and heart disease, can also worsen with exposure. The DEC recommends people stay indoors to avoid prolonged exposure. The following regions are affected: Lower Hudson Valley Upper Hudson Valley Eastern Lake Ontario Central New York Western New York A La Quinta Inn & Suites location in Florida is currently under fire for allegedly allowing remote workers to check in guests. A recent video circulating on social media shows a guest filming their check-in experience at a La Quinta Inn & Suites location in Miami. In the video, the guest checks in at an electronic kiosk that connects them with a hotel employee named Stevenson, who appears on screen. The employee is heard asking them typical check-in questions, such as, Do you need one room key or two room key? The guest is then prompted to sign their registration form which reads La Quinta Inn & Suites on the screen using their finger. Above the kiosk, a sign reads, Check-in & out here. Although the video does not specify the employees location, multiple social media posts claim that the employee wasnt based in the U.S. and that the hotel had outsourced its front desk operations overseas. It is unclear if this is true as the employee could have been Miami-based and just working from home. Additionally, its unclear if this virtual check-in was the only check-in method available for guests. @interesting.always In a growing hospitality trend, some La Quinta hotels - including locations in Miami - have adopted virtual front desk systems that connect guests to live agents overseas via video call. These remote employees handle check-in, room assignments, and general assistance - often from call centers in countries like the Philippines or India. While the model can cut costs and improve 24/7 coverage, critics argue it removes the personal touch and local knowledge that traditional hotel staff provide. Still, hotels embracing this tech-driven solution say it boosts efficiency and reflects a broader shift toward automation in travel. #travelfail #virtualassistant #interestingthings Titanic flute fail - Kate McKenzie On an X post of the video, users shared their thoughts on this alleged practice, with many expressing disapproval. I would immediately walk out and find another hotel, wrote one user. Another said: Companies should be taxed for outsourcing to overseas that replaces America workers. A third added: Boycott these hotels. Users appeared most frustrated by two issues: Guests having to use a machine instead of being greeted by an actual front desk employee, and the hotels unconfirmed outsourcing of jobs internationally. A spokesperson from Wyndham Hotels & Resorts which owns La Quinta Inn & Suites says that it has just learned of this matter and is actively investigating it. In a statement to syracuse.com | The Post-Standard, a Wyndham spokesperson said: This is a franchised location, meaning the hotel is independently owned and operated, and as such, we dont control staffing. That said, this franchisees use of this equipment is not brand-approved nor is it being marketed to other franchisees. They added that their brand standards require hotels to have a team member physically stationed at the front desk at all times. As of writing, this Miami-based La Quinta Inn & Suites is the only location reported to be letting remote workers check in guests via kiosk. YEREVAN, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will attend a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Washington during Pashinyan's visit to the United States on Thursday and Friday, Armenian state news agency Armenpress said Wednesday. Citing the Office of the Prime Minister of Armenia, Armenpress said the trilateral meeting is expected to focus on promoting peace, prosperity and economic cooperation in the South Caucasus region. Pashinyan will also hold a separate bilateral meeting with Trump aimed at strengthening the strategic partnership between the two countries, it added. When Donald Trump swore his oath in January, he promised to impose stiff tariffs to end the giant trade deficit he blames for poisoning our economy and hollowing out the heartland. And in six months, the average rate has jumped from about 2 percent to 18 percent. But please, someone explain why a country like Brazil should pay 50 percent, even though we have a trade surplus with them. Thats nearly double the rate paid by China, by far the biggest offender when it comes to trade deficits. Something fishy is going on. Because when you look at the crazy quilt of different rates paid by each country, it becomes crystal clear that trade deficits are only part of this. Trump has other motives. Brazil is the extreme case, but several countries are in the same bucket. The list includes the United Kingdom, Belgium, the Netherlands, Australia and the United Arab Emirates. All of them are buying more American goods than they sell here, and all facing higher tariffs anyway. So, what is driving Trump? If the trade deficit is really poisoning our economy, and all these countries are helping to offset the damage, then why are we screwing them? The Brazil case makes one part of the explanation abundantly clear: Tariffs are a source of unchecked power for Trump, a power he is exercising without a scrap of input from Congress, based on his fantastical claim that the trade deficits have created a national emergency. The tariffs give Trump a hammer he can use any way he likes. In the case of Brazil, hes using that power to help its former president, Jair Bolsonaro, Trumps mini-me, who lost an election fair and square in 2022 and responded by unleashing a violent mob to overturn the results. (Sound familiar?) Hes awaiting trial now, under house arrest with an ankle bracelet, and Trump wants him freed. Leave Bolsonaro alone! Trump posted on social media last month. He is not guilty of anything. Its not going to work, and well get to that. But whats not in dispute even by Trump is that his beef with Brazil is not about trade. Hes using the tariffs to bully Brazil on a matter thats entirely unrelated. So, thats part of the explanation. Tariffs give Trump unchecked power, and thats his happy place. A week ago, he threatened higher tariffs on Canada if they go through with plans to recognize a Palestinian state. GREASING THE SKIDS But theres a second reason Trump loves tariffs they offer a golden opportunity for corruption. That may seem cynical, but he has established a pipeline that allows political and business leaders across the world to make unlimited and secret payments that directly enrich him and his family. Investors can buy a Trump meme coin, or invest in crypto ventures launched by his business. Trump has gorged on these payments, netting him more than $1 billion as of June, according to an investigation by Forbes. I have never seen such open corruption, says Steven Levitsky, a professor of government at Harvard University and an expert on authoritarian regimes who co-authored the book How Democracies Die. So, are foreign leaders paying Trump to show mercy on tariffs? How about industry leaders? Why, for example, is Trump exempting orange juice from the tariffs on Brazil, but not coffee? Why is he hitting Britain with a 10 percent tariffs, France and Germany with 15 percent, and Switzerland with 39 percent? Economists cant seem to make any sense of it. No, there is no evidence Trump is cashing in on the tariffs, at least not yet. But he has set up the machinery to grease those skids, and that makes it fair to raise the question. NOT A PRETTY HISTORY Back to Brazil, and why this bullying is unlikely to work. For one, Brazil is a democracy now, with an independent judiciary that doesnt take orders from Washington. And while the U.S. is an important trade partners for Brazil, we take in only 12 percent of its exports, while China and the European Union take in more than 40 percent combined. Already, China is licensing importers to take in more Brazilian coffee. In fact, defying Trump is political gold in Latin America, where many voters resent the long history of American bullying in the region. They remember that we took more than half of Mexicos territory after the Mexican-American War in 1848, a war that then-Congressman Abraham Lincoln scorched as an unprovoked land grab. They know we helped install and support dictatorships all over Latin America, including in Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Cuba, Bolivia, Dominican Republic, Haiti, Panama, Venezuela, and Nicaragua. Our efforts to promote democracy in the region came later, beginning under President Jimmy Carter. But the legacy of American bullying hasnt been forgotten, and a recent poll from Pew Research Center shows that Trump is radioactive in Latin America. In Mexico, 91 percent say they have no confidence in him. In Brazil, where our support for a military coup in 1964 led to two decades of dictatorship, the number is 61 percent. THE ART OF ALIENATION By picking this fight, Trumps bullying has revived the political prospects of Brazils leftist president, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who defiance now makes him the favorite to win re-election in 2026. President Trumps behavior strayed from all standards of negotiations and diplomacy, he told the New York Times recently. When you have a disagreement, a political disagreement, you pick up the phone, you schedule a meeting, you talk and try to solve the problem. What you dont do is tax and give an ultimatum. This is a mess, and I cant see what Americans will get from it, beyond higher prices for coffee. The best hope now is that legal challenges will succeed, that the courts will find Trumps emergency to be the naked power grab it is. Until then, Trumps tariff hammer is likely to keep pounding away, alienating our trading partners, driving up prices at home, and opening the door to new frontiers of corruption. What a dealmaker! Moran is a national political columnist for Advance Local and the former editorial page editor/columnist for The Star-Ledger of Newark, N.J. He can be emailed at aquinas1222@gmail.com. Former New York Congressman George Santos has served less than two weeks of a seven-year prison term, but he already has a current member of Congress lobbying to get him out. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., has written a letter asking President Donald Trump to commute Santos sentence. I strongly believe in accountability for ones actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system, Greene wrote in a letter to Edward R. Martin Jr. in the Office of the Pardon Attorney, part of the Department of Justice. Commuting his sentence would acknowledge the severity of his actions and simultaneously provide a path forward in allowing him to make amends for his crimes and strive to better serve the people in his community. Santos was elected to Congress in 2022 from a district spanning parts of Queens and Long Island, but faced controversy before even taking office when accusations surfaced that he had lied about his heritage, his education and his professional resume. He was in Congress less than a year before being expelled from the lawmaking body after a House Ethics Committee report found overwhelming evidence of lawbreaking. In August of 2024, Santos pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud and aggravated identity theft charges, and was sentenced to 87 months in prison. He admitted to deceiving donors and stealing peoples identities to help fund his campaign. He began serving his sentence July 25. The day before his prison sentence began, Santos posted on the social media site X that I may be leaving the stage (for now), but trust me legends never truly exit. Greene came to Santos defense on Monday, posting a copy of the letter to her X account asking the Office of the Pardon Attorney to urge the President to commute the sentence of Santos. I wholeheartedly believe in justice and the rule of the law, and I understand the gravity of such actions. However, I believe a seven-year sentence for such campaign-related matters for an individual with no prior criminal record extends far beyond what is warranted, Greene wrote. I worked with Mr. Santos on many issues and can attest to his willingness and dedication to serve the people of New York who elected him to office. He committed himself to serving his constituents and did whatever it took to represent their interests in Washington, D.C. He is sincerely remorseful and has accepted full responsibility for his actions. Santos was just the sixth member in the history of the House of Representatives to be ousted by colleagues. President Donald Trump is threatening a federal takeover of Washington after a member of the Department of Government Efficiency was beaten in a carjacking in the city. Trump shared a social media post about the incident Tuesday afternoon. A photo showed the victim, 19-year-old Edward Coristine, lying in the street battered and shirtless, according to The New York Times. Trump wrote that crime in Washington was totally out of control, the Times said. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore, Trump wrote, according to NBC. He also said young people in the city dont fear consequences if they commit crimes. Youths and gang members ranging in age from 14 to 16 have been randomly attacking, mugging, maiming and shooting innocent people in the city, Trump wrote, according to NBC. He said they know theyll be immediately released if caught. The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14, Trump wrote in his social media post, according to the Times. Violent crime in Washington is down 26% from last year, NBC said. Coristine currently works for the Social Security Administration after holding various other roles throughout the government, according to the Times. He played a role in dismantling the U.S. Agency of International Development. Coristine was attacked by about 10 juveniles near Dupont Circle at about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to Politico, which obtained a police report detailing the incident. He told officers the attackers approached him outside his vehicle while he was with a woman, who was identified as his significant other. The juveniles made a comment about taking the car. Coristine told officers he was able to get the other person into the vehicle just before he was attacked, according to Politico. A fellow DOGE staffer, Marko Elez, took the photo of the bloodied Coristine after the attack, Politico said. Police arrested two 15-year-olds as they were fleeing the scene. A black iPhone was also reported stolen in the incident, according to Politico. Catskill, N.Y. Two men have been charged with criminal trespassing after one fell 120-feet down an abandoned silo shaft in Upstate New York. Troopers responded around 10:30 p.m. Aug. 1 to the former Lehigh Cement Plant on Route 9W in Catskill after receiving a report of a man who had fallen into one of the silos. An investigation revealed that two men, Lucas Marrello, 21, of Cambridge, and Luke H. Apy, 23, of Malta, had illegally entered the property after climbing over a perimeter fence to camp and explore the site, NY State Police reported in a press release. Apy, who describes himself on social media as an urban exploration photographer, and Marrello climbed to the top of one of the plants silos. Troopers said Apy removed a piece of plywood covering an opening and fell roughly 100 feet inside. He was conscious and alert but unable to get out on his own. Technical crews rescue man who fell an estimated 150-feet down a silo at the former Lehigh Cement Company plant in Catskill on Friday, August 1, 2025. Provided photo | Catskill Fire Company, Inc. Provided photo | Catskill Fire Company, Inc. Rescue crews from the Twin Cloves Technical Rescue Team extricated Apy from the silo. He was evaluated by Catskill EMS and taken to Albany Medical Center for further treatment, troopers said. Following the incident, both men were charged with third-degree criminal trespass, a Class B misdemeanor. Marrello was arrested at the scene and released on an appearance ticket. Apy reported to the State Police barracks on Aug. 3 and was also arrested and released. They are scheduled to appear in Town of Catskill Court on Sept. 4. Sites like the Lehigh Cement plant, which opened in 1902 and permanently shut down in 1982, may be enticing to photographers, but officials warn they are also dangerous. Catskill Fire Company reminded the public that the cement plant is off-limits for exploring. People walk past the U.S. Capitol building in Washington, D.C., the United States, Jan. 19, 2025. (Xinhua/Wu Xiaoling) While trying to bully its way to better deals, the United States has instead found itself increasingly sidelined in global trade. BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Washington has turned tariffs into instruments of coercion -- used to extract big money from allies and rivals in exchange for access to the U.S. market. By forcing compliance, showers of ultimatums laid bare Washington's abuse of threats and coercion as a defining feature of its diplomatic playbook, turning "America First" into "America Alone." "The erratic and arbitrary nature of the policies, and the willingness to exploit U.S. economic might to extort concessions, will undermine American standing nearly everywhere," The Atlantic said in a recent report. Tariffs are "destroying a pillar of American global power, and it will further isolate the country at a moment when others stand ready to fill the vacuum," it said. "Tariffs are not going to make other countries respect the United States. But they can make them move on without it." While trying to bully its way to better deals, the United States has instead found itself increasingly sidelined in global trade. Analysts warn that the United States could lose its status as the world's top importer, as U.S. Census Bureau data show that the country saw its steepest single-month drop on record in April, with imports of goods and services falling 16.3 percent year-on-year to 351 billion U.S. dollars. According to the Financial Times, the United States accounts for only 13 percent of global goods imports today, down from nearly 20 percent two decades ago. "The importance of the United States to global trade can be overstated," it said, citing a simulation by Simon Evenett, a professor at the IMD Business School, which found that even if the United States cut off all goods imports, 70 of its trade partners would fully make up their lost sales within one year, and 115 within five years, assuming they maintained their current pace of export growth to other markets. Just as troubling is the country's rapidly deteriorating global image. Hardline policies have not won respect but instead triggered resistance and resentment, even among longtime allies. A YouGov poll released in March showed that European favorability to the United States plummeted compared to the last survey conducted prior to Donald Trump's re-election as U.S. president, with ratings in Denmark, Sweden and Germany falling by 20 to 30 percentage points. Favorability in Britain, Spain and Italy also sank to historic lows. Globally, the U.S. global net favorability score dived from over +20 at the beginning of 2024 to -1.5 by the end of May -- its first drop into negative territory since January 2022, according to data from Morning Consult. Public favorability declined in 38 of the 41 countries surveyed, with the country's global image further dented by the Trump administration's April announcement of so-called "reciprocal tariffs." Likewise, a recent Pew Research Center survey found that in 19 of the 24 countries polled, more than half of respondents expressed "little or no confidence" in the Trump administration's ability to handle major international issues like the global economy. Jason Furman, a professor of economics at Harvard University, told CNN that the United States "right now is an incredibly unreliable partner to anyone in the world, and I don't know how we are going to get back to being reliable." NEW YORK, Aug. 6 (Xinhua) -- Five soldiers have been shot and injured during an active shooter incident at the U.S. Army's Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia state on Wednesday, according to an official social media post of the fort. The suspect is identified as Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant, according to John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. Radford used a personal handgun to open fire on fellow soldiers at his assigned base. "I can confirm it was not a military weapon. And we believe it was a personal handgun," Lubas told a news conference. "We're still not certain about the motivation, but again, he's been interviewed by Army investigators and we believe we'll gain more information here shortly," Lubas said. The shooter has been previously arrested locally for driving under the influence. A lockdown of the base was initiated at 11:04 a.m. (1504 GMT) and was fully lifted in the afternoon. "All soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. There is no active threat to the community," said the fort. All the victims are now in stable condition in the afternoon and are expected to survive their wounds, according to officials. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah city, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. The Federal Bureau of Investigation in Atlanta said on social media that its Savannah office is coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. The incident remains under investigation. 'Not backing down': activists block hydro plants in N.Macedonia Gevgelija, Macedonia, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Deep in the rugged forests of North Macedonia, small-hydropower developers are facing off with activists who warn that a thirst for lucrative green energy contracts is threatening the country's rivers. For over a month, protesters have blocked roads into Hydro Dosnica's remote construction sites on Mount Kozuf, where two small hydroelectric power plants are proposed on what activists claim is one of the last healthy rivers in the country. "Until the licenses are cancelled and all machines are removed from the river Dosnica, we will not move," environmental activist Marina Tomova told AFP at her mountainous campsite near the southern border with Greece. Opponents have been fighting developers for years, fearing the plants will ruin a vital ecosystem in a basin already stretched by decreasing rainfall and hotter summers. Hydro Dosnica has rejected the allegations of damaging the river, and said the project follows environmental standards. In recent years, Balkan governments have welcomed hundreds of hydro developments with lucrative subsidies, drawing a flood of investors who promise to harness a potentially reliable and renewable energy source. According to a 2024 report from conservation groups EuroNatur and Riverwatch, the Balkans have around 1,800 hydropower plants and over 3,000 planned. The vast majority are small-scale plants like those being built on the Dosnica. In response, protest movements have sprung up too, arguing that the ecological footprint and impact for those living on the rivers far outweighs the output from the small plants. But the report also notes that hundreds of slated plants have since been axed and the booming number of planned builds has slowed slightly since its 2022 peak. North Macedonia has around 125 small plants, with plans to almost double that, according to the report. Much smaller than huge hydroelectric dams, the stations divert water through a pipe into a turbine kilometres downstream. - An 'extinct' river - On Mount Kozuf, protesters accuse Hydro Dosnica of breaching its licence by illegally felling swathes of forest and irreparably damaging the river's upper basin. Protester Kiril Ruzinov said that during summer months, the river's flow slows and any redirection of the stream would run it dry. "It is too small; it cannot fill a tenth of the pipe. If it is put into a pipe, the whole riverbed will be extinct," the 65-year-old told AFP. The law requires developers to leave at least 10 percent of the stream to flow naturally. The developer Hydro Dosnica, in a statement to AFP, said the activist's allegations were "incorrect and tendentious" and the project was "being carried out transparently, respecting all environmental and technical standards". The firm said it was ready to engage with environmental experts and institutions regarding any new findings at the site. The environment ministry did not respond to requests for comment. These small plants, with a capacity up to 10 megawatts each, accounted for just four percent of North Macedonia's overall energy production in 2020, according to the latest available data from the state audit service. At the time it had around 90 small hydro plants already in operation, according to EuroNatur and Riverwatch. Hotter, drier summers coupled with more extreme flooding events driven by climate change are posing a challenge to hydropower generation around the world. A 2023 study of a different river basin, which begins in North Macedonia and flows into Albania and Montenegro, found that climate change could cut yearly hydropower generation there by up to 52 percent by 2050. The research, funded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, warned that hydro-reliant Albania would be worst impacted by changes in the Drina basin and suggested investing in other renewable sources to secure its grid. - 'Not backing down' - One of the few rivers in North Macedonia still clean enough to drink from, the Dosnica is a small tributary to the Vardar, which flows into Greece. It is home to "exceptionally" valuable animals -- including several protected species, according to environmental non-profit Eko Svest. Along with a group of prominent scientists, the NGO has appealed to the government to officially protect the river. In a previous statement published online, the government said it was "closely monitoring public reactions and is ready to encourage an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders". The government recently extended the license for the development until April 2026. "The devastating projects here have to stop," Risto Kamov, from environmental activist group Changemakers4All, told AFP. "We are not backing down, and we will stay to protect Dosnica and Kozuf." Indian army searches for scores missing after deadly Himalayan flood New Delhi, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 The Indian army brought in sniffer dogs, drones and heavy earth-moving equipment Wednesday to search for scores missing a day after a deadly Himalayan flash flood. At least four people were killed and around 100 are unaccounted for -- including 11 soldiers -- after a wall of muddy water and debris tore down a narrow mountain valley, smashing into the town of Dharali in Uttarakhand state. "Additional army columns, along with army tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment etc., have been moved... to hasten the efforts", the army said Wednesday. Military helicopters were working to bring in "essential supplies, medicines and (for the) evacuation of the marooned", it added. Uttarakhand State Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said the flood was caused by an intense "cloudburst" of rain, and that rescue teams had been deployed "on a war footing". Videos broadcast on Indian media showed a terrifying surge of muddy water sweeping away multi-storey apartment blocks in the tourist region on Tuesday afternoon. Several people could be seen running before being engulfed by the dark waves of debris that uprooted entire buildings. Minister of State for Defence Sanjay Seth told the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency late Tuesday that he had reports of "four deaths and around 100 people missing". - 'Extreme event' - Torrential monsoon rains continue to pour down. "Residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains", the army added. Government weather forecasters said Wednesday that all major rivers in Uttarakhand were flowing above the danger mark. Images released by the army, taken from the site after the main torrent had passed, showed a river of slow-moving mud. A large part of the town was swamped by mud, with rescue officials estimating it was 50 feet (15 metres) deep in places, swallowing some buildings entirely. Deadly floods and landslides are common during the monsoon season from June to September, but experts say climate change, coupled with urbanisation, is increasing their frequency and severity. The UN's World Meteorological Organization said last year that increasingly intense floods and droughts are a "distress signal" of what is to come as climate change makes the planet's water cycle ever more unpredictable. Expert hydrologist Manish Shrestha said the 270 mm (10 inches) of rain within 24 hours reported in the flood zone "counts as an extreme event". Shrestha, from the Nepal-based International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, said such rain in mountains has a "more concentrated" impact than on flatter lowlands. "Such intense rainfall events are becoming increasingly common, and could be linked to climate change", he said. One dead, nine injured in huge France wildfire Lagrasse, France, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Hundreds of firefighters on Wednesday battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in southern France that has scorched a vast area, killed one person and injured nine others. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavorable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the southern Aude department, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer. An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. Seven firefighters have also been injured by smoke inhalation. The blaze has burned some 12,000 hectares (27,000 acres) of land. "The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress," Roesch said. Planes were dropping water on the flames but Roesch warned "this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation". Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed. "I left everything behind me," said David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan, who lived near the victim. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau were to visit the Aude on Wednesday. -'People losing everything'- The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along its Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, while calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". The Aude department in particular has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which used to help slow down the advance of fires. The frequency of wildfires is taking a toll on local residents, said Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan. "I find it tragic to see so many fires since the beginning of the summer," she said. "It's terrible for the wildlife, the flora, and for the people who are losing everything," she added. Some 24,000 hectares have burned in France since the start of the year, according to the European Union's Copernicus weather and climate observatory. The figure is far below record highs in 2019 and 2022. bur-tc-ekf/sjw/tw Jumbo journey as Indian elephant set to return home New Delhi, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 An Indian elephant taken on an epic journey to a tycoon's giant zoo is expected to return home after protests by the religious community she came from, officials said Wednesday, following a court battle over the animal's welfare at the temple. The story of the 36-year-old elephant called Madhuri reflects both the passion that some communities have for elephants in India -- and the mind-boggling scale of the self-declared "world's biggest wild animal rescue centre". The elephant spent her adult life at a Jain monastery in Kolhapur in Maharashtra state -- where campaigners from People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India said she experienced "cruel and bleak living conditions". The often chained animal killed a monk in the temple in 2017 when she lashed out in frustration, and a court in 2024 ordered she be rehabilitated after a complex legal battle. Madhuri was taken more than 1,100 kilometres (700 miles) to the Vantara Animal Rescue Centre, run by Anant Ambani, son of the billionaire head of Reliance Industries Mukesh Ambani, arriving in July. Vantara is a vast operation that includes more than 200 elephants, as well as more than 50 bears, 160 tigers, 200 lions, 250 leopards and 900 crocodiles. It was also among the many venues for Anant Ambani's lavish multi-day wedding celebrations in 2024, parties that set a new benchmark in matrimonial extravagance -- including private performances by R&B star Rihanna, Justin Bieber, Katy Perry and Italian tenor Andrea Bocelli. Elephants taken to the zoo are usually transported by road in "elephant ambulances" -- specially adapted trucks -- accompanied by a large team including vets. Vantara said Madhuri was given veterinary care, and space to roam alongside other elephants. Activists offered a rubberised "anti-cruelty" mechanical elephant model to the monastery as a replacement. But thousands marched on Sunday in Kolhapur demanding the real elephant be returned. Vantara on Wednesday offered a solution, acknowledging the "deep religious and cultural significance" that the elephant holds. It proposed to house the elephant at a special rehabilitation centre near the temple -- which would include pools to ease the elephant's arthritis and open spaces. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Wednesday said in a statement that he had "good news" that Vantara would join a court petition "for the smooth passage of the elephant Madhuri back". Vantara said that, subject to court approval, it "will provide complete technical and veterinary assistance for her safe and dignified return". PETA says the more than 2,700 captive elephants in India often face "severe physical and psychological stress". When the herd animals are not chained up, they are used in temple ceremonies, paraded through packed crowds with flashing lights and ear-splitting music. pjm/mtp Putin decree allows Russia to increase greenhouse gas emissions Moscow, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree that would allow Russia to increase its greenhouse gas emissions by a fifth by 2035 compared with 2021 levels. Russia, the world's fourth-largest emitter of planet-warming carbon dioxide gas, aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. But activists say its current climate goals are woefully insufficient to combat global warming. In the decree, Putin ordered his government to implement "by 2035 a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 65-67 percent relative to the 1990 level", taking into account the impact of Russia's vast forests that soak up carbon. This would set Russia's maximum allowed emissions at around two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035 -- lower than the record of 3.1 billion tonnes in 1990 but around 22 percent higher than the 2021 figure of 1.7 billion, according to data provided by Russia to the United Nations. Russia has cautioned against phasing out fossil fuels at previous climate summits. Its economy is largely dependent on oil and gas exports and it has repeatedly set targets campaigners have described as unclear and unambitious. Experts say the 1990 baseline is also misleading as Russia's greenhouse gas emissions plunged by more than half between 1990 and 2000, largely due to the collapse of industry following the break-up of the Soviet Union. The Paris Agreement, which Russia has signed, aims to limit a rise in global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the planet, according to the head of Russia's state meteorological service. Experts from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have warned that there is a 50/50 chance the world will pass the 1.5C threshold in the early 2030s. One dead, nine injured in huge France wildfire Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, France, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 Hundreds of firefighters on Wednesday battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in southern France that has scorched a vast area, killed one person and injured nine others. The blaze, which started on Tuesday, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the southern Aude department, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. Seven firefighters have also been injured by smoke inhalation. The blaze has burned some 15,000 hectares (37,000 acres) of land in less than 24 hours. "The fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress," Roesch said. Planes were dropping water on the flames, but Roesch warned "this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation". Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads have been closed. "I left everything behind me," said David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan, who lived near the victim. Prime Minister Francois Bayrou and Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau were to visit the Aude department on Wednesday. An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, said local officials. -'People losing everything'- The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, while calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". The Aude department in particular has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the uprooting of vineyards, which used to help slow down the advance of fires. People as far as 30 kilometres (18 miles) away from the fire have felt its impact. "The air is suffocating...the smell of burning has seeped into homes," said Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle. The frequency of wildfires is taking a toll on local residents, said Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan. "I find it tragic to see so many fires since the beginning of the summer," she said. "It's terrible for the wildlife, the flora, and for the people who are losing everything," she added. bur-tc-ekf/sbk France wildfire kills one as Spanish resort evacuated Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, France, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 French firefighters on Wednesday battled to halt the spread of a wildfire in the south of the country that has left one person dead as emergency workers in Spain fought a fire that has forced the evacuation of more than 1,500 people from a resort. With Europe facing fresh August heatwaves as concerns grow over the impact of global warming, many areas are on alert for the risk of wildfires. Winds were hampering efforts to put out a wildfire raging Wednesday near the Spanish Mediterranean tourist town of Tarifa that prompted evacuations, the regional government said. Meanwhile the French blaze, which started on Tuesday, has destroyed or damaged 25 homes in the southern Aude department, where some 2,000 firefighters are struggling to control the largest wildfire in France this summer. It has killed one person and injured 13 others, two of them seriously. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," said Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. An elderly woman died in her home, one person is missing and two people were injured, one of whom is now in critical condition with severe burns, according to the Aude prefecture. The 13 injured included nine firefighters. The wildfire is a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale" triggered by global warming, said French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou while on a visit to the affected Aude region. "What is happening today is linked to global warming and linked to drought," Bayrou added. The blaze has burned some 16,000 hectares (39,500 acres) of land in less than 24 hours. Planes were dropping water on the flames, but Roesch warned "this fire will keep us busy for several days. It's a long-term operation". Camping grounds and at least one village were partially evacuated, and several roads were closed. "I left everything behind me," said David Cerdan, a 51-year-old who fled Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where a woman in her 60s died after she refused to leave her home. "I'm putting it into perspective. I only have material damage," said Cerdan, who lived near the victim. -'People losing everything'- The wildfire is the biggest in France so far in a summer which has already seen some 9,000 fires, mainly along the Mediterranean coast, according to the emergency management service. An investigation has been opened into the cause of the fire, said local officials. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, calling on people to exercise "the utmost caution". The Aude department in particular has seen an increase in areas burnt in recent years, aggravated by low rainfall and the uprooting of vineyards, which used to help slow down the advance of fires. Strong, changing winds made the firefighters' job particularly difficult, officials said. People as far as 30 kilometres (18 miles) away from the fire have felt its impact. "The air is suffocating...the smell of burning has seeped into homes," said Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle. The frequency of wildfires is taking a toll on local residents, said Aude Damesin, who lives in the town of Fabrezan. "It's terrible for the wildlife, the flora, and for the people who are losing everything," she said. The European Union's crisis management commissioner, Hadja Lahbib, said on X that "the EU stands ready to mobilise international support, if needed". - 'What concerns us is the wind' - Although fire crews had secured areas near hotels and other tourist accommodation, the fire in Spain's Tarifa was still not under control, said officials. "What concerns us most right now is the wind -- whether it shifts between the west and east," said Antonio Sanz, interior minister for Andalusia's regional government. Spanish public broadcaster TVE reported that the fire had started in a camper van at a beachside campsite, before being quickly spread by strong winds. About 1,550 people and 5,500 vehicles were evacuated from campsites, hotels, and homes, said Sanz. Emergency crews worked through the night to prevent the fire from reaching coastal resorts, but residents and tourists have not been allowed to return, he added. Spain is experiencing a heatwave with temperatures nearing 40C in many regions and officials reported 1,060 excess deaths in July that could be attributed to intense heat. Climate experts say that global warming is driving longer, more intense and more frequent heatwaves around the world, making for more favourable forest fire conditions. bur-tc-ekf-jh-sjw/sbk US orders staff evacuation 6 months after Zambia mine spill Lusaka, Aug 6 (AFP) Aug 06, 2025 The US on Wednesday ordered staff in Zambia to immediately leave an area around a massive copper dam spill six months ago following new information about toxic pollution including carcinogens. The February 18 spill at a Chinese-owned mine in Zambia's northern copperbelt released 50 million litres (13 million gallons) of toxic waste into a tributary of one of the country's longest rivers, the Kafue, which was also polluted, environmental groups said. "The US government has ordered the immediate withdrawal of all US government personnel from Kitwe and nearby areas affected by the Sino Metals mine tailings dam spill," the embassy said in a social media post. "Newly available information reveals the extent of hazardous and carcinogenic substances -- including arsenic, cyanide, uranium, and other heavy metals -- as well as the immediate and long-term health threats that exposure to these contaminants pose as long as they remain in the environment," it said. The post did not say how many people were affected by the order and the Zambian government did not immediately comment or release similar advice for its nationals. The area, about 285 kilometres (180 miles) north of the capital Lusaka, is a major hub for Zambia's copper production, which is one the largest in the world and includes significant Chinese investment. The acid spill occurred when a tailings dam, which is used to capture waste from the mining process, collapsed. Media reports from the area soon after the disaster said that the pollution had travelled more than 100 kilometres from the dam, killing fish and livestock. After a bruising Hungarian Grand Prix weekend that exposed more of Red Bull Racings growing weaknesses, team principal Laurent Mekies has clarified that there is no magic solution to be found in the teams sister outfit, Racing Bulls. Despite Liam Lawsons impressive eighth-place finish for the satellite squad, Mekies made it clear: the Red Bull RB21 and Racing Bulls VCARB 02 are simply too different for any immediate technical crossover. Max Verstappen could only manage a lowly ninth in Budapest, while Lawson brought home valuable points in a car that looked far more compliant across the Hungarorings twisty layout. Nothing to Take from one Car to the Other With such stark contrast in fortunes, speculation immediately grew around whether Red Bull might look to emulate elements from Racing Bulls' more stable package. Mekies, however, has firmly ruled that out. No, I think the question is fair, but theres a genesis of the car, Mekies told reporters in Hungary when asked about the possibility of learning from the sister teams design. Where the cars are coming from is too different for anyone to transfer anything from a car to another. Its what Formula 1 is today. You know, its 10 independent teams all coming with their own ideas about where to develop the car, what difficulties they found along the way, which development paths they have ended up having due to that. And there is nothing you could take from a car to another. Its really down to how it was developed from early on. Mekies acknowledged the contrast between the performance of the two teams designs, but insisted the RB21s concept is on its own trajectory and must be solved internally. The Hungaroring Puzzle Red Bulls struggle in Hungary was apparent from the very first session, according to Mekies, who recounted the bafflement the team faced from FP1 onward. What I can tell you is that it was there from the first lap in FP1. We look at each other and we say, whats going on? he recalled. We could see in all the slow-speed, medium-speed [corners], we are just very slow. It was something, we couldnt say that it was balance-related. We felt that we couldnt put the car in the right window, we couldnt switch on the tyres. Sometimes it happens in FP1, but not in that magnitude. The team attempted multiple setup variations across both Verstappens and Yuki Tsunodas cars, but nothing worked. The good thing is that the guys really went out and tried with both cars different things, Mekies said. It didnt do any difference, we couldnt switch on the tyres. Long run, short run, sometimes it makes you get by luck or by merit in the right window, but it never quite happened. And it was like that in qualifying. Of course, you can always look at your best sample and think that this was actually alright. But the truth is, on average, it never quite came back. A Narrow Setup Window Red Bull has previously admitted that the RB21 operates within an extremely narrow setup window but according to Mekies, Hungary was a worst-case scenario. I think its been a theme this year to say that the window is narrow and sometimes very narrow, he said. I think today was a lot more than that. Today we were really unable to get the car to run. Even Verstappen, with his deep knowledge of the cars characteristics, could do little to pull performance out of a fundamentally uncooperative machine. Its a huge advantage because he knows when the car has been working. He knows when the car has not been working, Mekies said of Verstappen. And especially in a situation like that where its not so much a balance issue, its really like we are struggling to find the level of grip we should be having here. And hes certainly been a huge, huge help in these situations. With the team falling from its once-dominant perch, Red Bull is left staring down a development dead end, where no easy solutions or sibling synergies exist. The RB21 is its own beast, and right now, not even Verstappens brilliance can consistently tame it. Keep up to date with all the F1 news via X and Facebook Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Any good horror director will want their audiences gasping in their seats. Or covering their eyes. Screaming, even. What no one is aiming for, though, is full body collapse. But film history is full of movies so shocking, strange or downright ugly that viewers just stopped being conscious while watching them. Coincidence or not, a hell of a lot of them seem to be French. But others are more mainstream. Take Saw III, a film so gnarly that Bolton ambulances were put on stand-by after reports that filmgoers were passing out during scenes of brain surgery. Cry babies! Last year, reports emerged of yet another film the latest film in the Terrifier franchise leaving audiences feeling rather queasy. Here are 13 films that quite literally knocked people out. Freaks (1932) One of the most notorious horror films in history, Tod Brownings Freaks cast real actors with disabilities and physical differences to play carnival attractions. Test screenings for the film held in 1931 were so disastrous that numerous audience members fainted. One went on to sue filmmakers at MGM, claiming that the film was so grotesque that she miscarried as a result. MGM naturally got cold feet and cut the 90-minute film down to 60 for release. A graphic castration scene has subsequently never seen the light of day. Probably for the best, that. Pulp Fiction (1994) For the pivotal scene in which John Travolta plunges a hypodermic needle into Uma Thurmans chest after she overdoses, the act was filmed in reverse and then played backwards on-screen. The uncanny effect sped up and accompanied by a morbid thud proved too much for one audience member at the films world premiere in 1994. They stopped the film, actor Eric Stoltz said. We were all in a box seat in the balcony, and I was mortified. The lights went up, ushers flocked around the audience member in question, and he was brought back around with a glug of Coca Cola. Director Quentin Tarantino was probably ecstatic. Saw III (2006) There were three separate call-outs to the Cineworld cinema in Stevenage on Friday night, a spokesperson for the East Anglian Ambulance Trust said in a statement in 2006. The reason: that pesky mass murderer Jigsaw. Saw was the high priest of horror throughout the Noughties, with audiences sent into convulsions by needle pits, eyeball poking and ribcage removals. Saw III, though, seemed to be the most destructive, with reports of fainting in Bolton, Cambridge, Peterborough and Stevenage screenings. The Blair Witch Project (1999) It wasnt the spookiness that made Blair Witch audiences hurl in 1999 it was the filmmaking. After reports that the movie was upsetting stomachs across the US, cinemas began putting up warning signs about possible motion sickness and fainting spells due to its use of handheld cameras. It was too late for some, though, with tales of cinemagoers throwing up in the aisles and collapsing in Atlanta, Portland, Georgia and Dallas. open image in gallery Heather Donahue in The Blair Witch Project' ( Moviestore/Shutterstock ) Irreversible (2002) Gaspar Noes revenge drama features a 10-minute rape scene in a Paris underpass, and is the kind of thing the fast-forward button was practically designed for. For those trapped with it in a cinema screening, though, its a nightmare. Take the films premiere at Cannes in 2002, which led to at least 250 people walking out, and 20 people fainting. A fire brigade spokesperson said: In 25 years in my job Ive never seen this at the Cannes festival. The scenes in this film are unbearable, even for us professionals. 127 Hours (2010) Whod have thought a film about a man removing his own arm with a pair of rusty pliers would be too much for some? This James Franco drama based on the real story of climber Aron Ralstons self-amputation led to three people fainting and one person having a seizure when it premiered at the Toronto Film Festival in 2010. Even Ralston himself hated watching it, saying: I was ecstatic to be getting out of there. The Exorcist (1973) In 1973, The Exorcist was such a runaway smash that audiences lined up for hours for a chance to see it. Many were left scarred. As captured by news reports from the time, cinemagoers often emerged from screenings shaking and crying and unsure of what theyd just seen. The demonic possession tale was so terrifying for Seventies audiences that fainting and vomiting was widespread. I just found it really horrible, a trembling British woman told a news reporter, as captured in the YouTube compilation below. I couldnt take it anymore. Antichrist (2009) Somewhere between scenes of a baby falling to its death and a scene of genital mutilation later on, Lars Von Triers Antichrist inspired one New Yorker to have a panic attack during a screening in 2009. Earlier that year at the films premiere in Cannes four people fainted, while its debut at the Toronto Film Festival led to at least one person vomiting. Von Trier was unbothered. I dont have to justify myself, he said that year. You are all my guests, its not the other way round. Prometheus (2012) There were reports of cinemagoers fainting during the first Alien in 1979, and audiences hadnt become desensitised by 2012, either. Upon the release of Alien prequel Prometheus, at least one person shared that they had fainted during a scene in which star Noomi Rapace aborts her own alien foetus. The last thing I remember was watching her being stapled back together whilst the alien squid-thing lashed around in the tight auto-surgery chamber, the person shared on an Alien message board. The Last House on the Left (1972) open image in gallery The poster artwork for The Last House on the Left, complete with fainting warning ( American International Pictures ) Wes Cravens infamous rape-revenge movie sparked controversy even before it was released, with a graphic scene of sexual assault leading to audiences walking out and fainting. Because scandal sells, the films backers quickly exploited the horrified reactions and adjusted the films posters accordingly. Its new tagline? To avoid fainting, keep repeating Its only a movie, ...only a movie. Raw (2016) Julia Ducournaus 2016 debut revolved around a young cannibal. The characters graphic munching led to audience members passing out at the Toronto Film Festival. Because hes very good at his job, the films publicist Ryan Werner quickly rushed out a statement confirming the story: An ambulance had to be called to the scene as the film became too much for a couple patrons. Titane (2021) Making Raw look like an episode of Junior Masterchef, Ducournaus follow-up Titane doubled down on the gore. Full of self-mutilation, torture and graphic violence, Titane incited mass hysteria when it played at the Sydney Film Festival last year. In a statement, the festival confirmed 13 people had fainted. Earlier, at Cannes, there were other reports that fainting had occurred. As for Ducournau, shes suggested most of the fainting stories may have been whipped up for marketing purposes. I was in Cannes when Raw premiered and I didnt see anyone faint or throw up, like many said, she told Exberliner. Hmm. Psycho (1960) Alfred Hitchcocks classic horror film proved so shocking to Sixties audiences that it seemed to spark a kind of collective mania in those who watched. Reports from New York at the time claimed that cinemas became hotbeds of hyperventilating, with police called to deal with mass fainting. Demands to have the film banned naturally followed, but proved unsuccessful. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice George Clooney has hit back at critics who questioned his versatility as an actor, claiming that he doesnt give a s*** what anyone thinks. The Hollywood movie star and director, 64, was recently subject to criticism from American attorney Hunter Biden, who took aim at the Good Night and Good Luck stars acting talents and suggested he merely played himself when taking on roles. In a new interview with Vanity Fair, Clooney was asked about the comments made by Biden the son of former president Joe. In response, the Gravity star said: Do people say that I only play myself? I dont give a s***. He continued: There arent that many guys in my age group that are allowed to do both broad comedies like O Brother, Where Art Thou? and then do Michael Clayton or Syriana. So if that means Im playing myself all the time, I dont give a s***. Clooney, who won an Oscar for his role in Syriana, then quoted the character he plays in new movies Jay Kelly: Have you ever tried playing yourself? Its hard to do. He then explained that he benefitted from not experiencing success in his career until starring in his first big hit, the TV drama ER, by which point hed already been acting for 12 years. George Clooney claimed that there arent many actors in his age group that have been allowed to do the types of films he has ( Getty Images for Tony Awards Productions ) Ive been the beneficiary of having my career not be massively successful in lots of different directions, he said. I didnt really get successful, in the kind of success that can be blinding, until I was 33 years old. Id been working for 12 years at that point. I had a real understanding of how fleeting all of it is and how little it has to do with you, quite honestly. Jay Kelly, which is the new film from Frances Ha director Noah Baumbach, premieres at the Venice Film Festival later this month. In the film, Clooney plays a famous actor on a trip through Europe with his longtime manager, portrayed by Adam Sandler. It also stars Laura Dern, Isla Fisher, Greta Gerwig, Billy Crudup, Stacy Keach, Riley Keough, Patrick Wilson, Jim Broadbent, Eve Hewson, Lenny Henry and Ruby Stokes. In July 2024, Clooney wrote a much-discussed op-ed for The New York Times encouraging Joe Biden to step aside so that the Democrats could appoint a new nominee in the 2024 presidential campaign. Barack Obama reportedly received an advanced version of the article following Bidens disastrous debate performance against Donald Trump. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Paddington actor Sally Hawkins has said starring in third film Paddington in Peru wouldve broken her heart due to the absence of the franchises former director Paul King. The 49-year-old played Mrs Brown in the live action comedies Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017) alongside Hugh Bonneville, 61, who played her husband Mr Brown. When King opted to pass on the film series third instalment, Hawkins also waved goodbye to the project and followed the director to Wonka, where she played the mother of Timothee Chalamets young chocolatier. Speaking to The Times, Hawkins said she feels so awful about removing herself from the cast of Paddington in Peru, but noted Bonneville did get an upgrade in her replacement, Emily Mortimer. Because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it wouldve broken my heart, she said of her decision to exit the film, which was instead directed by Dougal Wilson. Hawkins met King at a theatre workshop at Ealing Studios, 20 years before the first Paddington film. Although the actor described her experience working on Paddington as a gift, she noted she often becomes embarrassed by fans of the films approaching her in the street. Sally Hawkins in 'Paddington' ( StudioCanal ) It can really upset me, she said. Because you dont know why people are smiling at you or staring at you, or being aggressive and weird to youYou just want to live but it can cripple you. Paddington in Peru was released in November 2024, seven years after the franchises acclaimed second instalment. Paddington in Peru follows the Peruvian bears journey to his South American birth place, where he visits his beloved Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. The film was received less positively by critics than Paddington and Paddington 2. In a three-star review, The Independents Clarisse Loughrey said the bearss usual tomfoolery was underutilised. Itd be delusional to think that Paddington had anywhere to go but down, she wrote. It appears director Paul King may have packed up most of that magic and taken it with him over to last years Wonka. If telly and food have one thing in common, its the importance of comfort. French onion soup, shepherds pie, sticky toffee pudding; all classic comfort foods. As a three-course meal, they might be accompanied by some nice comfort viewing, like the BBCs cookery contest MasterChef, an hour-long hug of a show that returns this week. But, in the wake of allegations made against presenter Gregg Wallace and his co-anchor John Torode, which have resulted in the corporation severing ties with both men, this usually reassuring series is tinged with a strange, bitter aftertaste. When reports about Wallaces alleged misconduct broke last November, the BBC was still filming its latest competition, the 21st series of the show to air since it was revived in 2005. Wallace immediately announced that he would step aside from presenting during the investigation, with chef and former MasterChef: The Professionals judge Anna Haugh taking his place in the final episodes. Last month, following the conclusion of the investigation, Wallace was sacked, with his co-host, Australian-born chef Torode, also axed after scrutiny on the shows workplace culture unearthed an instance of racist language. This series already filmed (and largely edited) by the time Wallace and Torode received their P45s looked doomed. Yet, despite one contestant, Sarah Shafi, requesting that the show be scrapped (she eventually agreed to be edited out of it instead), the BBC has gone ahead with the broadcast. It makes for uncomfortable viewing. MasterChef is not thrill-a-minute television. It is a gentle, reliable programme that viewers have on in the background while doing the washing up after dinner. Recent series have run for 24 episodes, broadcast in three-episode tranches over a couple of months, meaning that the contestants alongside Wallace and Torode spend much of the late summer living in our houses. With Wallace and Torode both appearing here, condemned yet oblivious, that easy, ambient watching feels marred. Wallace cuts a distinctive figure on TV. Now, his broad, toadish smile evokes not just his cheeky greengrocer persona but the long index of allegations about inappropriate behaviour. Viewers (even Wallaces defenders) will be preternaturally alert to any sense that he is straying towards that dreaded banter. Your girlfriend is a Disney princess?! he marvels at a young cook at one point. Yeah, the contestant replies. Its a tough life, Gregg. Clearly no line is crossed in an exchange like that, yet the reports that have surfaced over the past year have transformed that genial rapport into a warning sign. An amber flag, if you will. Oh God, that was stressful, a young challenger, Thea, says, pulling a face after a brief interaction with Wallace at the kitchen counter. It is the light, breezy comment that contestants have always made, yet it is also something that you can imagine being spoken in a more troubling context. Some viewers would never notice that, while others minds will be drawn to it. It is indicative of the tension facing the BBC. There was no easy way out of this mess. To abandon the series would be to privilege the BBCs reputation over the hard work of not only the contestants, but a large cast and crew who stretch far beyond the shows two hosts (though when the credits roll and John Torode MBE and Gregg Wallace MBE get top billing, it is a salient reminder of how deeply embedded in the establishment bad behaviour is). Airing this series was a risk, yet the most striking thing is the uncanny normality of these new episodes. The allegations were looming, and yet filming went on. The result is something that, on the surface, feels inoffensively bland. An illustration, then, of how a toxic culture can seemingly hide in the plainest of plain sight. Its one of the largest companies in the world, but Microsoft rose from humble beginnings. Founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the tech giant celebrated its 50th anniversary on April 4, 2025. Theres a good chance you have the Microsoft Office suite on your computer, but you might not know much about the groundbreaking company. In honor of a half-century of Microsoft, heres a look at five surprising facts that show how much the company has grown since inception. Check Out: Self-Made Millionaires Suggest 5 Stocks You Should Never Sell Read Next: 6 Popular SUVs That Aren't Worth the Cost -- and 6 Affordable Alternatives The First Office Was Tiny Microsoft was founded in Albuquerque, New Mexico. The companys first office was a modest storefront in the Cal-Linn building, which was approximately 640 square feet, according to MyEListing. In 1979, Microsoft moved to Seattle. Today, the companys global headquarters is a 500-acre campus in Redmond, Washington. Investing Report: I Asked ChatGPT What the Stock Market Will Look Like in 100 Days Heres What It Said Current Staff Is 20,727 Times Larger Than Founding Team Like most startups, the original Microsoft team was bare bones. A 1978 portrait of the companys founding employees revealed a staff of just 11 people. Things have certainly changed, as the tech giant now employs 228,000 people worldwide, according to its website. This includes 126 U.S. employees and 102,000 international workers. Revenue Has Surged 15.3 Million Times Since Inception In 2024, Microsoft realized more than $245 billion in annual revenue and more than $109 billion in operating income, according to the companys 2024 annual report. A record performance, year-over-year profits were up 16% (in revenue) and 24% (in operating income). It might seem hard to believe, but even Microsoft didnt initially churn out billions or even millions. In 1975, year-end sales totaled $16,005, according to its website. Microsoft Provides Billions in Technology To Help Nonprofits Given the companys unassuming beginnings, the amount Microsoft gives back today is impressive. In 2024, the company partnered with 375,000 nonprofits globally to give $4.7 billion in donated and discounted technology, according to its website. Theyve provided digital skills training and certification to 14.1 million people in 202 countries, as of June 2024. Most were from underserved areas. It Has Connected More Than 100 Million People Worldwide Since 2017 Microsoft started small, but its had a major impact. Using its power for good, the company has played a part in bringing high-speed internet to more than 100 million people globally including nearly 40 million in Africa, according to the 2024 Microsoft Impact Summary. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Senator Elizabeth Warren and Hacks co-creator Paul W. Downs have weighed in on the debate over the cancellation of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. The most recent season of Hacks followed host Deborah Vance (Jean Smart) as she achieved her long-held dream of hosting a late night talk show and then lost the job after network interference. In a video posted to Warrens YouTube channel, the Massachusetts senator tells Downs: Ive now finished season four, so I have since figured out that you all are in the prediction business and very, very good at it. She then asks: What are we going to do about this business of censorship, not just of the hard newsbut people who tell jokes? Downs responds: I think thats one of the most tragic things about the cancellation of the Stephen Colbert show is that he was one of the hosts that was actually speaking truth to power, and talking about some of the absurdity thats happening in Washington, and making it accessible for people from both sides to understand whats happening. Senator Elizabeth Warren, Stephen Colbert and 'Hacks' co-creator Paul W. Downs ( Getty ) He continues: Its just really shocking to me that an American institution like this, which built the wealth of CBS, could be canceled. Warren herself said that while she understands late night shows need to be profitable, in the Stephen Colbert case, this is the President of the United States, at least it appears, holding back favors and making threats that then cause these giant corporations to censor their own people, and once weve headed down that path, we no longer have an independent media. Downs agreed, adding: Its really scary, and you know, in our show, thats exactly why Deborah stepped down, because she believed in a business that was better than being censored, and she wouldnt roll over for this huge tech company in her corporate overlord. So it is really scary when those outlets are taken away. Its really terrifying. It feels like the most brazen example of whats going on in the country, because theres no way to really spin it. The Late Show with Stephen Colbert is set to end in May 2026, a move that network CBS claims was motivated by a financial decision. However, there has since been speculation that the cancellation was announced to appease Donald Trump, as Paramount, which owns CBS, relied on the presidentially controlled Federal Communications Commission to approve its $8 billion sale to Skydance. Colbert has long been a vocal critic of Trump. His most recent spat with the president began when Colbert claimed that Paramounts decision to pay a $16 million settlement to Trump over another CBS show, 60 Minutes, amounted to a big fat bribe. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The new MasterChef 2025 series controversially features sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode but the final episodes will see Wallace replaced by Irish chef and restaurateur Anna Haugh. This morning (Wednesday 6 August), the first three episodes of the series launched on BBC iPlayer. The first episode will also air on BBC One this evening, with the next two following on Thursday and Friday. The Independent understands that Wallace will be replaced by Haugh towards the end of the new series, since allegations of inappropriate behaviour emerged against him during filming last November. It is understood that Wallace wont feature in the series after the semi-finals. Haugh, best known for hosting the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef in the past, and in 2022, she joined Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals. She appeared as a guest judge on Gordon Ramsay's US show Hell's Kitchen and as a chef on BBC's Ready Steady Cook, and often imparts her cooking wisdom on daytime shows, including Saturday Kitchen. On her Big Irish Food Tour, Haugh is accompanied by celebrity friends as they explore the history of Irish cuisine and try different recipes. Stars including TV presenter Laura Whitmore, comedian Katherine Ryan and presenter Angela Scanlon have all made appearances on the series. In May 2019, Haugh founded the modern European and Irish-influenced Myrtle Restaurant in Chelsea, London. Restaurant critic and TV personality Grace Dent, meanwhile, was brought in to replace Wallace on the next series of Celebrity MasterChef, which has already been filmed. open image in gallery Gregg Wallace will be replaced by Anna Haugh for final MasterChef 2025 episodes ( Getty Images ) Wallaces MasterChef sacking came after an independent report substantiated 45 allegations against him, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact. He has apologised for any distress caused, saying the report into his misconduct cleared him of the most serious and sensational accusations. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. His co-host Torode was also the subject of an allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the Lewis Silkin review, but the TV star said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation. When the BBC announced the 2025 series would be broadcast despite the controversy surrounding its hosts, a statement said it had not been an easy decision in the circumstances. open image in gallery Anna Haugh on her BBC show 'Big Irish Food Tour' ( BBC ) The BBC added that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. But the corporation said a decision had not yet been made regarding the celebrity series and the Christmas special. open image in gallery John Torode and Gregg Wallace in the new series of MasterChef ( BBC ) Six amateur chefs feature in the first heat of the current series, with both hosts appearing in the opening episode, in which Wallace says: Light the stoves, get yourselves a clean apron, and lets find some talent. The pairs usual jokes appear to be considerably pared back, and there is less chatter between them and the chefs. In an interview with The Sun last month, Wallace apologised to anyone hurt by his behaviour, but insisted he is not a groper, a sex pest or a flasher. He said: People think Im a sex pest. I am not. I am not sexist or a misogynist, or any of it. There never were any accusations of sexual harassment. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice The controversial new series of MasterChef, which is presented by sacked hosts Gregg Wallace and John Torode, has aired on BBC One, leaving fans of the show torn. The first three episodes of the 21st series were released on the streaming platform on Wednesday (6 August), with the BBC reporting that the new episodes will feature fewer jokes and chatter between the hosts and the chefs. Episode one also aired on BBC One at 8pm. In the introductory scenes of episode one, Torode can be heard saying: This is the sort of stuff that dreams are made of. Wallace, meanwhile, can be seen telling a contestant: That is a cracker of a job. However, there has been pushback from viewers, who, despite being fans of the show, feel uncomfortable about watching Wallace and Torode following the misconduct allegations against them. open image in gallery John Torode and Gregg Wallace in episode one of the new series of 'MasterChef' ( BBC ) One fan noted: Im split over watching MasterChef. I dont want to be watching Wallace but I do love seeing people doing things they are so passionate about (the contestants, not hosts). Another wrote: I'm glad they're showing #MasterChef after all the hard work they've put in, it's only fair on the contestants that it's aired. If you're upset by Gregg and John... don't watch. Simple. A third said: Im intrigued to see how they manage the edits... Im a MasterChef fan watch every episode and have my system set to record all in case I miss one. I feel conflicted on this one and its right that theyve sacked the presenters given the background. And a fourth person remarked: Just disgraceful that they are broadcasting this. Meanwhile, a fifth viewer said that it was not acceptable that the BBC was airing the show just to keep the summer schedule filled, stating that the treatment of women should have been prioritised. Asked whether the new series of MasterChef should be shown, MP Lisa Nandy told BBC Breakfast: Its absolutely not for me, as the Culture Secretary and a member of the government, to tell broadcasters what they can and cant broadcast. However, Nandy said she certainly wont be watching this series. The Independent has contacted the BBC for comment. open image in gallery Numerous misconduct allegations against Wallace and Torode were held up in a report published in July ( BBC ) In July, the BBC confirmed that the 2025 series of MasterChef, which was filmed in 2024 before allegations against Wallace and Torode were upheld, would be broadcast in August, adding that it had not been an easy decision in the circumstances. The broadcaster added in their statement: In showing the series, which was filmed last year, it in no way diminishes our view of the seriousness of the upheld findings against both presenters. We have been very clear on the standards of behaviour that we expect of those who work at the BBC or on shows made for the BBC. However, we believe that broadcasting this series is the right thing to do for these cooks who have given so much to the process. We want them to be properly recognised and give the audience the choice to watch the series. In addition, the corporation said that a decision is yet to be made about Celebrity MasterChef and its Christmas specials, which are both presented by Torode and Grace Dent, the latter of whom replaced Wallace after he stepped away from the show. Six amateur chefs feature in the first heat, and a message on the BBC media centre, alongside interviews with the contestants, states: Please note this information is accurate at the time of filming, certain aspects may have since changed but this represents the contributors as the competition starts. It comes after one of the contestants, Sarah Shafi, agreed to be edited out of the series after objecting to it being broadcast. During an interview with The Guardian, the 57-year-old explained that, during a heated conversation with a producer, she was urged to think about the life-changing opportunity the show provided to some contestants. open image in gallery Sarah Shafi on Newsnight ( BBC ) In November 2024, it was announced that Wallace had stepped away from his role on the BBC cooking show while historical allegations of misconduct were investigated. In July, a statement from Banijay UK and the BBC said they had agreed that Mr Wallaces return to MasterChef is untenable. This came after a review, published by the legal firm Lewis Silkin, upheld 45 of 83 allegations against the chef, including claims of inappropriate sexual language and one incident of unwelcome physical contact Wallace issued an apology saying he was deeply sorry for any distress caused and that he never set out to harm or humiliate. Torode was the subject of one allegation about using racist language that was upheld as part of the review, but the TV star said he had no recollection of the incident and was shocked and saddened by the allegation. The Independent understands that Wallace wont feature in the new series after the semi-finals and will be replaced by Anna Haugh. The Irish chef, best known for hosting the BBC cookery show Big Irish Food Tour, has made appearances on Celebrity MasterChef in the past, and in 2022, she joined Wallace and Marcus Wareing as a judge for MasterChef: The Professionals. Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Ralph Ineson has claimed that he was intimidated by Ricky Gervais when he first appeared in The Office. The 55-year-old actor, who stars in The Fantastic Four: First Steps as Marvel villain Galactus, first rose to fame in 2001 when playing the thoroughly unlikable Chris Finchy Finch in the BBC sitcom. Finchy, a sales representative on the show with an incredibly offensive sense of humour, appeared in seven episodes of the comedy and is practically hero-worshipped by Gervaiss character David Brent. Although Finchy was a standout on the series, Ineson has revealed that he had personal doubts as to whether he could match the early high standards that the likes of Gervais, Mackenzie Crook, Martin Freeman and Lucy Davis had set on the show. open image in gallery Ineson (far left) and the large ensemble cast of The Office' ( BBC ) I remember being really terrified. How brilliant they were, the central four, firing off each other, the actor told The Guardian. I was slightly intimidated. My first thought was: S***, can I do this? Ineson, who was sent a VHS of The Offices pilot episode before filming his parts, decided to play the character as a Yorkshireman and used his own accent so he didnt have to worry about keeping up with the rest of them. Although it gave Finchy a distinctive characteristic, Ineson said it was a big mistake as fans, for years later, assumed that I wasnt acting; that was just my personality. So having people thinking youre Chris Finch, looking at you with amusement, but also a bit of disgust, a bit of fear hes just such a s***ter. Its not a nice skin, he explained. Ineson also said that it proved difficult for his career as, for a long while, he just got offered w***ers, racists, misogynists and homophobes. open image in gallery Ralph Ineson ( Getty Images ) The actors comments arrive after Ineson admitted that his role, as the gigantic Galactus in The Fantastic Four, got him in trouble with his wife. Speaking to Empire about preparing for the part, Ineson admitted that, in order to get into Galactuss headspace, he had to think large. This included driving through the tunnels of Mont Blanc in the Alps and imagining that was his windpipe and his trachea. However, this type of contemplation did prove to be detrimental, at least in the eyes of his wife. I also went to a lot of tall buildings. We went to a wedding at the top of the Gherkin building in London, and I spent most of the afternoon just staring out, ruminating. I got in trouble with my wife she was like, Youve got to say hello to the bride and groom at some point! Get the latest entertainment news, reviews and star-studded interviews with our Independent Culture email Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Get the latest entertainment news with our free Culture newsletter Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Wednesday has returned without one of its main cast members after actor Percy Hynes White was axed from the show. The Addams Family spin-off starring Jenna Ortega, which became a smash hit for Netflix when it premiered in November 2023, dropped its frightfully formulaic second season on Wednesday (6 August). While Ortega and fellow stars Emma Myers, Isaac Ordonez and Catherine Zeta-Jones have all reprised their roles from the first season, Hynes White, who played Xavier Thorpe, will not feature. Whites character was a major player in season one, but was axed from the show after allegations of sexual misconduct, which the Canadian actor, 23, denied. Netflix has never confirmed the reasoning for his departure. Its revealed in the shows new season that Xavier has left Nevermore Academy, the school he attended with Ortegas Wednesday, after his parents sent him to Reichenbach Academy in Switzerland over concerns for his safety. Fans highlighted the fact he is barely mentioned in the opening episode, noting that everyone moves on like he never existed. open image in gallery Percy Hynes Whites Wednesday character Xavier Thorpe has been dropped from season two ( Netflix ) In January 2023, Hynes White was accused of alleged sexual activities with several women in a series of now-deleted tweets. Months later, the actor said that the accusations were untrue and part of a campaign of misinformation. The actor wrote in an Instagram post on June 2023: Earlier this year, somebody Ive never met started a campaign of misinformation about me online. Because of this, my family has been doxxed, and my friends have received death threats. Underage photos of me were used, and examples of me acting in character were presented as hateful. My friend Jane was falsely portrayed as a victim, and her attempts to set the record straight have been ignored. She gave me permission to include her in this message. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. Watch Apple TV+ free for 7 day New subscribers only. 8.99/mo. after free trial. Plan auto-renews until cancelled. Try for free ADVERTISEMENT. If you sign up to this service we will earn commission. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent. He continued: The rumours are false. I cant accept the portrayal of me as someone bigoted, or criminally negligent of peoples safety. These are the kind of baseless, harmful claims that can create mistrust toward victims. Its very distressing to know that this misinformation has upset people. Im really thankful for everyone whos stood by me and helped share the facts. Harassment of my family, friends and coworkers needs to stop please. Thank you for taking the time to read this. open image in gallery Wednesday cast members Jenna Ortega and Percy Hynes White ( Netflix ) After his removal from the show was confirmed, he re-shared a photo of season twos main cast members, writing: I had so much fun working on this show. I cant wait to watch season two. Much love. Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673) Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Chris Appleton has shared the challenges of coming out as gay to his former partner, Katie Katon, and their two children. The celebrity hairstylist, 42, recalled coming out in his twenties during Tuesdays episode of Jay Shettys podcast, On Purpose. He confessed that he held [his] breath about his sexuality from the age of eight to 27, and he just couldnt do that anymore. [There was] the shame of, Well, Im going to hurt all these people Ive created this life with, he said. So I kept pulling back, and I had to let go. Appleton said that when he could finally be honest with himself about his sexuality, he then told Katon, whom he had known since age 13 and had been dating for nine magical years. That was a process, he said about coming out to Katon. I also had to respect that she needed to go through her own grief. Chris Appleton has recalled the struggle of deciding to come out as gay ( Getty Images for Emirates ) Because I loved her. I really loved her, the hairstylist, who notably works for Kim Kardashian and Jennifer Lopez, added. I didnt want to be gay. I didnt want to be different. However, once Appleton told Katon, he shared the news with his entire family, including his and his exs two children, who are both now adults: Billy, 21, and Kitty-Blu, 20. The hardest part was telling my kids. And I think mentally for me, I couldnt really ever get my head around that, he said. He noted that when he came out, he wanted to protect his children, and he was worried theyd get bullied because their dad was gay. I know the things that kids say and how mean they could be. I just didnt want them to ever had that shame put onto them, he said. In a way it felt like a disease, it felt like cancer and I wanted to cut it out. Like, if I could just get rid of that then I could be a good dad. Cause thats what they need. I just felt so selfish putting myself first. Appleton confessed that his then-young children were upset and confused when he came out, and he felt guilty about that. All of a sudden, I just felt like I just messed their life up. I felt like I'd failed as a dad because my job was to protect them, he continued. And if anyone ever hurt them, I would protect them. But I was the one hurting them. And I couldnt understand that. He said that he felt so much shame after that conversation that he began to have thoughts of suicide. I felt like it would be better for them to have a dad that was dead than a dad that was gay, he explained. And so I brought some painkillers, I brought a bottle of alcohol and I checked myself into a hotel. While he held onto a computer case with his childrens handwriting, Appleton took the tablets and drank the alcohol. He then called Katon and apologized for the pain he caused before closing his eyes. Everything after that was a blur for Appleton, since he next remembered waking up in a hospital, where he had a realization that changed everything for him. I just remember thinking, What about if I just surrender? What about if Im just gay and I just be that? he explained. I dont really know where to begin with it, and I dont know where its going to lead me, but it has to be better than what Ive been doing. And in that moment, something changed. I decided to live. He acknowledged that while this was the darkest night of [his] life, it was a turning point for him. He also said he was sharing this story for other people who have struggled to come out, with the hope they could find the help they need. If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you. Sign up to IndyEat's free newsletter for weekly recipes, foodie features and cookbook releases Get our food and drink newsletter for free Get our food and drink newsletter for free Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Growing up in rural Ireland in the Eighties, Lou Robbie remembers her grannys very, very traditional Irish cooking from beef stew to brown bread and specifically just how much she used the freezer. Processed and pre-packaged didnt exist. It was all very wholesome, organic, natural food, says the Galway-based chef and content creator. They had a farm and my granny would make all her own breads and cakes everything was made from scratch. She grew up watching both her granny and mum batch-cook and freeze leftovers at home in Tipperary. Even after my grandad had passed away, she would still make her own beef stew, portion it for her own dinners and freeze the stew. She would never make one loaf of brown bread, ever. Shed make four and freeze three. My mum does the exact same thing as my granny, says the mum-of-two, who found social media success with @LittleLouCooks, sharing homemade lunchbox snack recipes with other parents, often involving the freezer. Cooking and meal planning this way is a brilliant way to save money and waste less food and its not difficult, its just a great habit. My granny wasted nothing we would joke about it! Now, Robbie, who spent many years working as a professional chef, has published her debut cookbook, Make & Freeze, sharing freezeable, family-friendly recipes (think chicken and leek pie, pizza scones and no-bake caramel bars) and insists its not as time-consuming to batch cook as you might think. Im not baking every week, Im doing this every three weeks and Ill do a couple of things together at the same time, she says, and they have to be snacks that my children [Meabh, 10, and Hamish, seven] will eat because theres no point in making them if they dont like them. open image in gallery For Robbie, family cooking starts with simple, wholesome ingredients and a plan to make them last ( Ella Miller ) So what are Robbies tips for using the freezer more effectively? Start afresh Sometimes the freezer gets a bit out of control, and then you actually dont want to go near it, says Robbie. So I would get a big container, empty everything out and go through it. Discard anything that has no label on it. It might be bolognese, and God knows how long it's been in there. If you can defrost the freezer at the same time. Thats brilliant. Meal plan for the week While in the summer months her family are more relaxed, in term time Robbie writes a meal plan on Sundays for Monday to Friday. If you write five days of meals, breakfast, lunch and dinner, roughly of what youre going to have, and knowing whats in the freezer already, then you can plan on what to cook on what days. The meal plan dictates the shopping list for the week. Its about habit forming. If youve never made a meal plan before, sometimes it can be very daunting. But if you did it for four weeks, you can reuse the meal plans for the next month if youre happy with them. Youll most likely have 20 dinners that you know your family will eat and enjoy. And then youre in control of the spend too because were all watching our pennies with the cost-of-living crisis. Double or triple recipes Robbie encourages home cooks to double or triple a recipe that your family likes, to put the leftovers in the freezer. Theres no point in making one lasagne have a second lasagne dish and double it up, portion it and freeze the cooked portions, suggests Robbie. Make 24 muffins. If I make 12, they disappear. Its just about getting into that mindset. Plus, I think every busy household should have a slow cooker, she says. Label and date everything Even a small freezer can be effective, but then when you start to make things for the freezer, you write the label on the bag and you put the date on it. open image in gallery A freezer full of clearly labelled, home-cooked meals means fewer last-minute panics and less food waste ( Alamy/PA ) A general rule of thumb is, for a standing freezer, I would put things in there for three months, and then a deep freeze, like a chest freezer, for six months. I like to put things in Ziploc bags, because they take less space than containers, and then lay them flat, and then you can stack them in. And hopefully, then you could actually see what you have in the freezer. Defrost in time I like to defrost the night before, because a lot of the time its for school snacks. So in the evening, around 6pm when youre making your dinner, set a reminder on your phone from Monday to Thursday, especially in the school term, to go to the freezer and defrost what you need. Meat should be defrosted in the fridge, she notes, but low-risk foods like a baked good can be left on the worktop to defrost overnight. Itll be safe, she says. Then youre not rushing to pull something out of the freezer on a busy school or work morning, thats when it gets chaotic. Feel good about it Its that feeling of being in control, a little bit of power that you have, because were all trying to feed our kids better food, less processed and more homemade. Its really hard to do all homemade all the time, but knowing that [your child] has got some homemade snacks in his lunchbox during the week, knowing that were going to have at least two homemade dinners in the week, thats a great feeling. I think thats a really powerful feeling for a parent you might not be able to do more than that, but even having that is better than none at all. Make & Freeze by Lou Robbie (Penguin Michael Joseph, 22). Sign up for our free Health Check email to receive exclusive analysis on the week in health Get our free Health Check email Get our free Health Check email Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice People diagnosed with ME/chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) have significant differences in their DNA compared to those without the condition, a new study has found. Scientists said the findings offer the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a persons chance of developing the disease. The DecodeME study, said to be the largest of its kind in the world, uncovered eight areas of genetic code in people with ME/CFS (myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome) that are markedly different to the DNA of people without the condition. Researchers hope the findings will boost validity and credibility for patients, and help rebuff some of the stigma and lack of belief that exists around the condition. There is currently no diagnostic test or cure for ME/CFS, which is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, and very little is known about what causes it. A key feature of the condition is a disproportionate worsening of symptoms following even minor physical or mental activity, which is known as post-exertional malaise (PEM,) while other symptoms include pain, brain fog and extreme energy limitations that do not improve with rest. open image in gallery Scientists uncovered eight areas of genetic code in people with ME/CFS different to the DNA of people without the condition ( ALAMY ) For the new study, researchers analysed 15,579 DNA samples from the 27,000 people with ME/CFS participating in DecodeME, described as the worlds largest data set of people with the disease. The eight regions of DNA where scientists found genetic differences involve genes linked to the immune and nervous systems. At least two of the genetic signals relate to how the body responds to infection, which researchers said aligns with long-standing patient reports that the onset of symptoms often followed an infectious illness. Professor Chris Ponting, DecodeME investigator from the University of Edinburgh, said: This is a wake-up call. These extraordinary DNA results speak the language of ME/CFS, often recounting peoples ME/CFS symptoms. DecodeMEs eight genetic signals reveal much about why infection triggers ME/CFS and why pain is a common symptom. ME/CFS is a serious illness and we now know that someones genetics can tip the balance on whether they are diagnosed with it. As a persons DNA does not change over time, experts say the genetic signals identified would not have developed because of ME/CFS and are therefore likely to reflect the causes of the disease. Populations used in the initial study were limited to those from European ancestries. DecodeME research studying DNA data from all ancestries is ongoing. ME/CFS, thought to affect around 404,000 people in the UK, affects more females than males, although researchers found nothing to explain why this is the case. The DecodeME team is now calling on researchers from around the world to access its rich dataset and help drive forward targeted studies into ME/CFS. Sonya Chowdhury, chief executive of Action for ME and a DecodeME co-investigator, said: These results are groundbreaking. open image in gallery At least two of the genetic signals relate to how the body responds to infection, which researchers said aligns with patient reports that the onset of symptoms often followed an infectious illness ( PA Wire ) With DecodeME, we have gone from knowing next to nothing about the causes of ME/CFS, to giving researchers clear targets. She also hopes the discoveries will help change the way the condition is viewed. Ms Chowdhury said: This really adds validity and credibility for people with ME. We know that many people have experienced comments like ME is not real, or theyve been to doctors and been disbelieved or told that its not a real illness. Whilst things have changed and continue to change, that is still the case for some people and we hear that repeatedly as a charity. Being able to take this study into the treatment room and say there are genetic causes that play a part in ME is going to be really significant for individuals. It will rebuff that lack of belief and the stigma that exists. The findings have been reported in a pre-print publication, or unpublished study. During a media briefing about the study, researchers were asked about similarities between the symptoms of long Covid and ME/CFS. Prof Ponting said: Its very clear that the symptomology between long Covid and ME is highly similar. Not for everyone but there are substantial similarities but as a geneticist the key question for me is are there overlapping genetic factors, and we havent found that in DECode ME with the methods that weve employed. One of the key things that were doing is enabling others to use their different approaches to ask and answer the same question. DecodeME is a collaboration between the University of Edinburgh, the charity Action for ME, the Forward ME alliance of charities, and people with ME/CFS. It is funded by the Medical Research Council and National Institute for Health and Care Research. Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Stay ahead of the curve with our weekly guide to the latest trends, fashion, relationships and more Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Teddi Mellencamp has spoken out for the first time about her rumored affair with her horse trainer. In November 2024, news first broke that former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Mellencamp, 44, was allegedly having an affair with her horse trainer, Simon Schroeder, who was married with two children. An insider told PageSix at the time that the affair was what led to her filing for divorce from Edwin Arroyave. Weeks later, Schroeder later filed for divorce from his wife on December 30, 2024, according to court documents obtained by People. On Tuesdays episode of The Jamie Kern Lima Show podcast, Mellencamp tearfully discussed the rumors and why she never addressed them. I've never talked about it at all, just because of the kids. And I've never wanted anybody to have, you know, a guarantee whether it happened or didn't happen, she said. But what I can say is, did I do things that hurt other people? Yes. To this day, does it still hurt my heart, and I wonder if that's why it got cancer? Yes, like it was my payback, the former Bravo star continued. I've never talked about it at all, just because of the kids, Mellencamp said about the rumored affair ( Getty Images ) Mellencamp was first diagnosed with melanoma in 2022. Her condition advanced to stage four in February this year and metastasized to her lungs and brain, resulting in major brain surgery and the removal of four tumors. Last month, she revealed her decision to stop the immunotherapy treatment she was receiving after her surgery due to the side effects she was experiencing. Mellencamp grew emotional reflecting on the alleged affair during her conversation with Lima. It was all over the press, it was everywhere, Mellencamp said. And you know, you're trying to minimize everybody's pain, you end up maximizing it. Whereas, if you feel like you could just open up, because now, not only do you have yourself, you have your significant other, your kids, the other person's significant other, their kids. Mellencamp and Arroyave who share three children were married for 13 years before the reality star filed for divorce November 1, 2024, citing irreconcilable differences in court documents obtained by People. The divorce proceedings were later paused in February, following Mellencamps stage four cancer diagnosis. I mean, so many people are hurt in the wreckage, Mellencamp said on the podcast, discussing the aftermath of the rumors. But I can say this from knowing, the wreckage doesn't happen on its own. I think I was so broken as a human being during that part of my life that I did things out of my better judgment. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Arizona man accused of killing a 16-year-old girl who police say was carrying his unborn child is also linked to a nearly two-decade-long history of sexual abuse, authorities have said. Jurrell Davis, 36, and Jechri James-Gillet, 18, were charged with first-degree murder in connection with the shooting death of Zariah Dodd, the Phoenix Police Department announced Friday. Dodd, who was 22 weeks pregnant, was shot dead at Marivue Park in Phoenix in the early hours of July 5, police said. Investigators said Davis was the father of Dodds unborn child. The victim was 15 years old when the baby was conceived, police added. Sgt. Rob Scherer of the Phoenix Police Department condemned Davis and James-Gillet as monsters and accused the men of having planned the homicide. The victims father told FOX 10 that he felt traumatized and was left feeling disgust over the situation. open image in gallery Dodd was found dead near Marivue Park on 55th Avenue and Osborn Road in Phoenix, police say ( Google Street View ) Now, new details have emerged about Daviss criminal history, including numerous sexual abuse allegations involving minors dating back to 2007. On Tuesday, the Avondale Police Department to Arizona Family that it submitted charges against Davis, accusing him of asking a 17-year-old girl for sexually explicit photos. The recommended charges include sexual exploitation of a minor, sexual conduct with a minor, custodial interference, and interfering with judicial proceedings. The girl, who was under the age of consent in Arizona, allegedly had a protection order against Davis filed by her mother in August 2024. Davis and the teen had reported running away together in May, with police stating that the girl was spotted in the suspects car and at an apartment in Phoenix. The alleged victims mother told ABC15 Arizona that Davis had taken advantage of her daughter during her working hours. The type of mind control and the things that were going on, I dont think at times she felt like she had an option, she said. Speaking to the Fox affiliate, she claimed that Davis would control when the girl could eat, when she could shower, where she could go. The teenagers mother said she is not just advocating for justice with her daughters case, but for Dodd, too. I will continue speaking, saying their names, said the woman, who attended Dodds vigil on Friday. I will continue to be at every court appearance. Davis was arrested on July 15 after police said they found a gun inside his vehicle, for which he was banned due to a 2008 felony conviction for child abuse with sexual motivation. Court documents show that a 19-year-old Davis was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old girl. He was sentenced to 10 years of probation. We came across a bullish thesis on Abercrombie & Fitch Co. on Trendinvests Substack by Makios. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on ANF. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.'s share was trading at $98.67 as of July 30th. ANFs trailing and forward P/E were 9.73 and 9.18, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Jim Cramer Says Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (ANF) Could Go Bonkers If the Brand Turns A close-up of a customer trying on a piece of apparel in the retailer's spacious dressing room, emphasizing the company's focus on personal care and experience. Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF) appears significantly undervalued despite delivering strong fundamentals and multiple near-term growth catalysts. Trading at just ~10x free cash flow, ~9x forward P/E, and less than 1x sales, the company is growing revenues from $3.7B in 2023 to an expected $4.9B by 2025, while improving margins and maintaining a healthy balance sheet. The business operates with 810% net margins, ~30% ROE, and minimal China tariff exposure (~56%), limiting downside risk from geopolitical tensions. Q1 FY2025 results were strong, with a $1.59 EPS beat versus $1.33 expected. ANF has also authorized a $1.3B buyback program, with $200M spent in Q1 aloneno dilution, just enhanced shareholder value. Recent stock weakness stems from tariff concerns and sluggish Abercrombie brand performance, not deteriorating fundamentals. Notably, Hollister, which accounts for ~50% of revenue, is seeing strong traction, fueled by a Gen Z-focused strategy including viral TikTok collaborations such as with Spencer Barbosa and a hit 2000s retro collection. Web and foot traffic data suggest robust in-store activity and growing online interest. A second catalyst looms: the launch of a 25th anniversary collection on July 29, already generating millions of views and viral momentum on social media. While core Abercrombie remains flat, recent signs hint at a potential rebound. Alternative data (Google Trends, TikTok metrics, website traffic) shows rising interest across both brands. With a PEG ratio of just 0.22, the market seems to be pricing in none of this growth or brand momentum. An inflection point may be near, and sentiment could shift fast. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Urban Outfitters (URBN) by Value Dont Lie in September 2024, which highlighted strong free cash flow, brand strength, and capital returns. The stock has appreciated approximately 115.35% since our coverage as the thesis played out. The thesis still stands. Makios shares a similar view on Abercrombie & Fitch, emphasizing viral brand momentum and near-term catalysts. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Former DOGE employee Edward Coristine, the 19-year-old better known by his nickname Big Balls, has been identified as the federal staffer who was attacked in Washington, D.C., over the weekend in an apparent attempted carjacking. President Donald Trump shared a photo of the bloodied former DOGE worker on Truth Social Tuesday and claimed crime was out of control in D.C. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16 years old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released, the president wrote. They are not afraid of law enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! The law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. open image in gallery President Donald Trump shared a photo of the bloodied former DOGE worker on Truth Social Tuesday and said crime was out of control in D.C. ( Donald Trump/Truth Social ) He continued: If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take federal control of the city, and run this city how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of violent crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this city. The presidents threat to take the responsibility for law enforcement in D.C. away from the city and into the hands of the central government comes despite violent crime in the nations capital dropping by an impressive 35 percent in 2024. Trump did not name Coristine in his post. Still, the teenager, who Elon Musk hired to help slash waste federal expenditure earlier this year, was the victim of the attack referenced by Trump, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by The New York Post. Musk also posted about the incident on X but likewise did not name Coristine. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in D.C., Musk said Tuesday. A Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize D.C. Marko Elez, a software engineer who also worked at DOGE, before he resigned over a racist social media post, said he took the photo of his friend following the attack. My friend Big Balls is a hero. I took this photo after Edward protected a young woman from an attempted carjacking by eight thugs near Dupont Circle, Elez wrote on X. Violence like this in the heart of D.C. is completely unacceptable. Coristine was with the unnamed woman in downtown D.C. at 3 am on Sunday when a group of juveniles approached their car, according to the police report of the incident. The report explains that the suspects approached the victims standing next to the vehicle parked on the 1400 block of Swann Street and demanded that they hand it over before assaulting one of the victims. During the attack, an MPD cruiser pulled up, prompting the attackers to flee. Two of the suspects were apprehended by the on-scene officers. At the same time, one of the victims [Coristine] was treated on scene by emergency services personnel for injuries sustained during the assault. The pair arrested was two 15-year-olds, a male and a female, from nearby Hyattsville, Maryland. They were subsequently charged with unarmed carjacking. Coristines iPhone 16, worth $1,000, was reportedly stolen during the incident. open image in gallery Coristine, known by his online nickname 'Big Balls, was the individual assaulted by a group of juveniles, according to a report. ( Jesse Watters Primetime/ Fox News ) The Independent has contacted the White House and the Social Security Administration (SSA), where Coristine now works, for comment. Coristine claimed to have caught the eye of the worlds richest man by simply changing his name on LinkedIn to Big Balls. He left his role with DOGE shortly after Musk left the government in June and quickly landed a new role with the SSA. Edward Coristine joined the Social Security Administration this week as a special government employee, spokesperson Stephen McGraw said at the time he was hired. His work will be focused on improving the functionality of the Social Security website and advancing our mission of delivering more efficient service to the American people. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police in Florida arrested a 29-year-old woman after she allegedly impersonated a registered nurse and provided medical care to more than 4,400 patients at a Flagler County hospital without a valid license. Autumn Bardisas alleged crimes came to light in January when hospital officials reviewing her credentials for a chargenurse promotion realized she held only an expired Certified Nursing Assistant license. That discovery triggered an internal investigation and ultimately led to her termination. Bardisa was originally hired in July 2023 at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway as an advanced nurse technician under the supervision of a registered nurse. She had claimed to be an education-first registered nurse, meaning she had completed the required coursework but had not yet passed the licensing exam. During hiring, Bardisa claimed to have passed the exam and gave a license number matching her first name but a different last name. She claimed a recent marriage to explain the different last name, but never provided a marriage license to verify it, officials said. The investigation found Bardisa shared a first name and school with a real AdventHealth nurse, but didnt personally know her. open image in gallery Autumn Bardisa, 29, of Palm Coast, Florida, was arrested on Wednesday and is in jail on a $70,000 bond after police say she treated thousands of patients without a license. ( Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility ) open image in gallery Bardisa shared a first name and school with the real nurse, who worked at another AdventHealth hospital, but they didnt know each other ( Flagler County Sheriff's Office ) Investigators determined that from June 2024 through January 2025, Bardisa treated approximately 4,486 patients while unlicensed and accepted payment for services rendered. Bardisa was arrested Wednesday at her home in Palm Coast, Florida. She faces seven felony counts of practicing a healthcare profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification, corresponding to seven months of alleged impersonation. Bardisa is currently held on $70,000 bond at the Flagler County Jail. "This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud weve ever investigated," Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly said in a statement. "This woman potentially put thousands of lives at risk by pretending to be someone she was not and violating the trust of patients, their families, AdventHealth, and an entire medical community." Officials urge anyone who thinks they may have been cared for by Bardisa to contact the sheriffs office by email at fakenursecase@flaglersheriff.com. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice An Army sergeant opened fire at the Fort Stewart Base in Georgia Wednesday, shooting five fellow soldiers and causing a lockdown, officials said. Authorities identified the suspected shooter as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford. A motive was not immediately known, but officials said they believed Radford used a personal handgun, not a military weapon. Ahead of the violence, Radford allegedly sent his aunt a text message saying he loved everybody, and that hell be in a better place because he was about to go and do something, his father, Eddie Radford, told The New York Times. The attack prompted soldiers in the area to immediately and without hesitation, tackle the shooter, Brig. Gen. John Lubas said. Radford was taken into custody soon after the shooting, and officials later said that there was no active threat to the community. He has a limited criminal past, including a recent DUI arrest, but officials at the base admitted they were unaware of his history. The five soldiers who were injured are in stable condition and are expected to recover, Lubas said. The Army wont release their names pending notification of family members, and officials wont speculate on a motive, Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said. open image in gallery Sgt. Quornelius Radford was taken into custody soon after the shooting, though authorities have not yet shared a motive for the attack. ( AP ) What happened? The shooting occurred in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, according to the army base. Law enforcement was called to the scene just before 11 a.m. and by 11:04 a.m., the base went into lockdown. About 30 minutes after the base went into lockdown, authorities apprehended the gunman. Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. 2nd ABCT complex is still locked down, officials said. The lockdown order was extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield. The lockdown lasted about an hour, and prompted three schools near the base to also lock down out of an abundance of caution, the Liberty County School System said. The lockdown, which was lifted just before 2 p.m., coincided with students first day back in the classroom after summer break. What do we know about the suspected shooter? Officials identified the shooter as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford. He is 28 years old and from Jacksonville, Florida. He was arrested by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for DUI and failing to obey a traffic control device on May 18, 2025. He was on bond at the time of the shooting, according to reports. open image in gallery Radford is in custody after five soldiers were shot at the Fort Stewart army base, putting the facility into lockdown on Wednesday. ( Liberty County Sheriff's Office ) According to a summons obtained by Fox News Digital, Radford allegedly told the responding officer in May that he ran a red light because he had to go to the bathroom. The suspected shooters supervisors did not know he had previously been arrested, Lubas said. I do believe he was arrested locally for a DUI. That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases, Lubas said. Radfords father said his son had no history of serious mental health issues, but sometimes suffered from depression due to the death of his mother during his childhood. Radford had never been deployed to combat and was not known to base officials to have had any disciplinary issues, Lubas said. open image in gallery It was not immediately clear how the shooter brought a personal gun onto the Army base. ( AP ) He joined the Army as an automated logistical specialist in January 2018 and has been assigned to Fort Stewart since 2022, the military said. He is currently being held in pretrial confinement awaiting charges, Lubas said. Authorities have not yet shared a motive behind the attack. They also have to determine how the suspected shooter brought his personal gun onto the Army base. Were going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty, Lubas said, later reaffirming that he is still very confident in the bases security. What is the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team? The Armys 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 after over 200 vehicles were added to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers, the Associated Press reported. The team, also known as the Spartan Brigade, has been deemed the most modern land fighting force by the Army. Fort Stewart trains and deploys active and reserve Army units, primarily members of the 3rd Infantry Division. What happened to those injured? Five soldiers were shot during the incident, officials said. All five were treated at the base before some were taken to Winn Army Community Hospital. Some of the wounded were later transferred to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, a top-level trauma center. During a press briefing, officials confirmed the five soldiers struck in the gunfire were in stable condition and recovering. open image in gallery Army officials said Radford was tackled to the ground by fellow soldiers after he opened fire at the base on Wednesday. ( AP ) What was the reaction of Georgia lawmakers? Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in a statement said he was saddened to hear about the tragedy. As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart, he wrote on X. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Democratic Sen. Raphael Warnock said he was heartbroken to see the news, writing on X, Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families. Republican Rep. Rich McCormick also wrote on X that he was monitoring the situation and that his heart is with the entire community. Republican Reps. Mike Collins and Marjorie Taylor Greene shared their prayers for the soldiers and their families. Thank you also to the first responders on base and medical personnel who swiftly and valiantly acted to save lives and end the threat. As the investigation unfolds we hope for swift justice for the shooter, Collins wrote on X. Please join me in a prayer for the safety of everyone at Fort Stewart, Greene wrote. Former state lawmaker Stacey Abrams wrote, Praying for the wounded soldiers and their families following todays horrific shooting at Fort Stewart. Grateful to the first responders who rushed to the scene and saved lives. White House reacts President Donald Trump vowed the suspect who shot five soldiers at Fort Stewart base will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. open image in gallery Law enforcement apprehended the gunman about 30 minutes after the base went into lockdown. ( WJCL ) Five people were seriously wounded and two very, very seriously hurt around 11:00 this morning. The shooter is now in custody and the Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, Trump said from the Oval Office Wednesday before giving remarks about an Apple investment. The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully theyll fully recover and we can put this chapter behind. But were not going to forget what happened. Were going to take very good care of this person that did this -- horrible person, Trump said. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A judge has granted Luigi Mangione access to a laptop in prison as he awaits trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. Mangiones attorneys requested the laptop so the accused killer can prepare for the upcoming trial and view discovery material, court filings show. The Ivy League graduate, 27, faces four federal charges for the fatal shooting of Thompson, who was gunned down in midtown Manhattan last December. The charge of murder through the use of a firearm carries the possibility of the death penalty. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to all counts. U.S. District Judge Margaret M. Garnett granted Mangiones request for a laptop Monday, permitting him to use it seven days a week from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. The laptop will not be connected to the internet and he will only be able to view case-related files like videos and documents, his defense attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote. open image in gallery Luigi Mangione has been granted access to a laptop in prison, where he is awaiting trial for the murder of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. ( Steven Hirsch/POOL/AFP via Getty Images ) Mangione is being held at the notorious Metropolitan Detention Center in New York City, a facility that has been described as hell on Earth. It has held several high-profile individuals, including Sean Diddy Combs, and disgraced crypto founder Sam Bankman-Fried, who was moved from the facility in March. Mangiones next court hearing is set for September. The manifesto of the alleged killer was released in June and revealed his desire to wack Thompson to generate headlines, court documents revealed. Sections of Magiones scrawlings were shared as part of a filing from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg, giving some insight into the 27-year-olds thought process and hopes to prove a point about the medical industry. Frankly, these parasites simply had it coming, Mangione wrote in a red book he used as a diary, which was shared alongside a confessional note he had on him at the time of his arrest titled, To the feds. He stated in the note that it had to be done. open image in gallery The laptop will not be connected to the internet and he will only be able to view case-related files like videos and documents, his defense attorney Karen Agnifilo wrote. ( Getty ) To the feds, Ill keep this short because I do respect what you do for our country. To save you a lengthy investigation, I state plainly I wasnt working with anyone. This was fairly trivial, some elementary social engineering, basic [computer aided design] and a lot of patience, Mangione wrote. Mangione wrote that he considered UnitedHealthcare, the largest health insurance company in the U.S., as well as other health insurance providers, to be fair targets because they literally extracts human life force for money. Some of the quoted excerpts revealed how Mangione allegedly weighed different options for the attack, and at one point, considered bombing UnitedHealthcares headquarters before settling on targeting the CEO. Donations from Mangiones supporters have topped $1.2 million so far in an online fundraiser for his defense. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A woman accused of selling Friends star Matthew Perry the dose of ketamine that killed him will go to trial in September. Jasveen Sangha's trial is the only one forthcoming over the death of the actor, who passed away in 2023 aged 54, after four other defendants reached plea agreements with prosecutors. It is now set to begin September 23 after a federal judge in Los Angeles made an order Tuesday. Sangha, 42, was known to her customers as the Ketamine Queen, according to prosecutors. She is charged with five counts of ketamine distribution, including one count of distribution resulting in death. She has pleaded not guilty and has been held in federal custody since her arrest in 2024. open image in gallery Jasveen Sangha has been dubbed the Ketamine Queen by prosecutors ( Instagram/Jasveen Sangha ) Her trial had been scheduled to start August 19, but the judge postponed it for the fourth time since her April 2024 indictment after lawyers on both sides agreed it should be moved. Sangha's lawyers said they needed the time to go through the huge amount of evidence they have received from the prosecution and to finish their own investigation. Sangha was one of the two biggest targets in the investigation of Perry's death, along with Dr Salvador Plasencia, who pleaded guilty to ketamine distribution in July. Perry's personal assistant, his friend and another doctor also entered guilty pleas and are cooperating with prosecutors. All are awaiting sentencing. open image in gallery Matthew Perry died in 2023 because of the acute effects of ketamine and drowning ( AP ) Perry, who had long battled addiction, had been getting ketamine from his regular doctor for treatment of depression. It is an increasingly common off-label use for the surgical anesthetic. But prosecutors say when the doctor would not give Perry as much as he wanted, he illegally sought more from Plasencia, then still more from Sangha, who they say presented herself as "a celebrity drug dealer with high quality goods. Perry's assistant and friend said in their plea agreements that they acted as middlemen to buy large amounts of ketamine for Perry from Sangha, including 25 vials for $6,000 in cash a few days before his death. Prosecutors allege that included the doses that killed Perry. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Kevin Franke, the ex-husband of former family vlogger and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke, has filed a lawsuit against Jodi Hildebrandt, alleging that she used her status as a mental health professional to manipulate and isolate him from his family. The medical malpractice suit filed in Utah alleges that Hildebrandt misrepresented herself as a psychologist while acting as Frankes licensed clinical mental health counselor, according to KUTV. Hildebrandt, who was business partners with Ruby and is also a convicted child abuser, is accused of gross negligence, deceit, and abuse of her role, according to the lawsuit. Franke claims that while he sought therapy to strengthen his marriage, Hildebrandt misused her position to manipulate and isolate him contributing to the collapse of his marriage and severing ties with his children. She was in a position of trust, the complaint states, alleging Hildebrandt diagnosed Franke with a slew of negative personality traits and advised him to cut off communication with his wife and children, claiming his presence would harm them. open image in gallery Kevin Franke, the ex-husband of former family vlogger and convicted child abuser Ruby Franke (left) has filed a lawsuit against Jodi Hildebrandt (right) ( Washington County Attorney's Office ) The lawsuit comes after the criminal convictions of both women in February 2024, who are serving sentences of up to 30 years in prison for the aggravated child abuse of Frankes young children. In August 2023, the couples 12-year-old son escaped from Hildebrandts home and ran to a neighbor for help. He was emaciated, bound with duct tape, and had visible wounds. When police responded, they found his 9-year-old sister hiding in a closet, also malnourished. The two children were held in a work-camp like setting, regularly deprived of food, water, and beds, and forced to perform physical labor in extreme heat, according to the Washington County Attorneys Office. The abuse was motivated by religious extremism, with Ruby and Hildebrandt believing it would drive out evil spirits and teach repentance for imagined sins. open image in gallery Hildebrandt, who is also a convicted child abuser, is accused of gross negligence, deceit, and abuse of her role, according to the lawsuit Franke, whose divorce to Ruby has since been finalized, was estranged from her and children at the time the abuse occurred, at the insistence of Hildebrandt, the lawsuit claims. He claimed that he was not aware that his children were living in Hildebrandts home and being abused while she continued to provide him mental health counseling. Hildebrandt described Franke as lustful, narcissistic, manipulative, deceptive, controlling, and selfish, and told him he required her professional services to overcome these perceived faults, according to the lawsuit, which also alleges that Hildebrandt manipulated Ruby into accepting this diagnosis and supporting its resulting treatment plan. open image in gallery Kevin and Ruby were married in 2000 and divorced in 2025 ( Instagram/@moms_of_truth ) She also went so far as to label Franke a lover of darkness, a lover of Satan, and accused him of hiding something very dark and evil, according to the lawsuit, which claimed Hildebrandt instructed him to write letters about his perceived flaws, and then encouraged Ruby to use them as leverage during their divorce. The lawsuit claims Hildebrandt even exploited Frankes religious devotion, telling him that losing his job at Brigham Young University, where he was fired from in June 2023, would aid in his recovery, and that men like him were not worthy to work at BYU, she said, according to the suit. Franke says he paid Hildebrandt $900 per month for the weekly therapy sessions and an additional $300 for participation in an online mens therapy group. The lawsuit demands a jury trial and seeks to target Hildebrandt's personal assets. However, according to 2News Investigates, Hildebrandts $5 million home in Ivins, Utah, was recently pulled from the market, and it is not known what assets she has left. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Attorneys for Sean Diddy Combs have reached out to the Trump administration about the possibility of a pardon. Nicole Westmoreland, a member of the convicted music moguls defense team, told CNN Tuesday that conversations had taken place with officials about the possibility of clemency. Last month, a jury convicted Combs on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution. He was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. Its my understanding that weve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon, Westmoreland told CNN. open image in gallery Last month, a jury convicted Sean Diddy Combs on two lesser charges of transportation to engage in prostitution, though he was acquitted of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking. His attorneys say they have approached the Trump administration for a pardon ( AP ) When asked previously, the president has seemed to consider that a pardon for the rapper may well be possible, though he noted during the trial that no one had asked him for that. But in a Friday interview Trump also recalled previous previous remarks made by Combs, when he called for the president to be banished in 2020, and, following his defeat to Joe Biden that the number one priority is to get Trump out of office. When I ran for office, he was very hostile, Trump said in the interview. 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. So I dont know It makes it more difficult to do. open image in gallery When asked previously, the president has seemed to consider that a pardon for the rapper may well be possible, though he noted during the trial that no one had asked him for that. However he said on Friday it might be difficult ( Getty Images ) open image in gallery Combs had been facing up to life in prison if convicted on the most serious charges, but now faces a maximum possible sentence of 20 years. He is due to be sentenced on October 3 ( Getty ) He added that Combs was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent He was celebrating a victory, but I guess it wasnt as good of a victory. Combs had been facing up to life in prison if convicted on the most serious charges, but now faces a maximum sentence of up to 20 years. Prosecutors have not said what sentence they will pursue, though previously indicated Combs could face a minimum range of 51 to 63 months in prison and a recent filing indicated the sentence could be substantially higher. Asked about Combs feelings over his chances of a pardon, Westmoreland told CNN that the mogul is a very hopeful person and I believe that he remains hopeful. The Independent has reached out to the White House about the possibility of a presidential pardon for Combs. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice President Donald Trump has threatened to federalize Washington, D.C. after claiming violent crime is out of control in the capital, but police figures found rates had dropped 35 percent there in 2024. Trump railed against violent crime in D.C. Tuesday after posting a photo of bloodied former Department of Government Efficiency staffer Edward Coristine, who was reportedly assaulted by a group of teenagers. The president did not name Coristine on social media, but the teenager hired by Elon Musk was the victim of the attack referenced by Trump, according to a Metropolitan Police Department report obtained by the New York Post. Somebody from DOGE was very badly hurt last night, Trump told reporters Tuesday. A young man who was beat up by a bunch of thugs in DC. And either they're gonna straighten their act out in terms of government and in terms of protection of we're gonna have to federalize. Figures from the Metropolitan Police Department found that crime was down 35 percent in 2024 compared to 2023a 30-year low. Preliminary numbers from the police found that violent crime was down 26 percent for 2025 so far. open image in gallery Figures from the Metropolitan Police Department found that crime in the capital was down 35 percent in 2024 compared to 2023a 30-year low, contrary to President Donald Trumps claims. ( Getty Images ) Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, Trump said in a Truth Social post Tuesday and shared the image of Coristine after the reported attack. Former first buddy Musk shared Trumps Truth Social post on X. The billionaire claimed that the staffer intervened after a group of men attempted to assault a woman, but did not name Coristine in his post. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her, Musk said. It is time to federalize DC. The Independent has contacted the White House for comment. Nationally, violent crime has also dropped 4.5 percent in 2024, according to the FBIs annual crime report, released Tuesday. open image in gallery The reports overall findings appear to contradict statements made by Trump, who said on the campaign trail that violence in the U.S. is out of control and on the rise. ( Getty Images ) The report uses data from over 16,000 agencies across the country, covering 95.5 percent of the population. Murder and non-negligent manslaughter decreased an estimated 14.9 percent compared to 2023, according to the FBIs report, while rape decreased an estimated 5.2 percent. Aggravated assault decreased by an estimated 3 percent, and robbery by an estimated 8.9 percent. While the estimates on reported crime have decreased, violent crime occurred an average of every 25.9 seconds in 2024. Still, the reports overall findings appear to contradict statements made by Trump on the campaign trail that violence in the U.S. is out of control and on the rise. You cant walk across the street to get a loaf of bread. You get shot, you get mugged, you get raped, Trump said at a Michigan campaign event last August. ACCIONA, in collaboration with ACS Infrastructure and Meridiam, has finalised the financial arrangements for the $11bn SR 400 Express Lanes toll road project in Atlanta, Georgia, US. The project involves design, construction, operation, and maintenance over nearly 56 years. Funding will come from both public and private sources, marking it as the reportedly largest public-private partnership (PPP) bond financing initiative in the US to date. The US Department of Transportation (DoT) will contribute around $3.89bn via the Transportation Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act, representing the largest loan ever granted under this initiative. Additionally, the project will benefit from the largest issuance of tax-exempt private activity bonds for a highway PPP, valued at $3.44bn. These bonds have received investment-grade ratings of Baa3 from Moody's and BBB+ from Kroll, both with stable outlooks. Private capital will be injected during the construction phase, supported by letters of credit from ACCIONA and its partners. The Georgia Department of Transportation and the State Road and Tollway Authority awarded the concession to ACCIONAs consortium last year. It is the first express lanes project under Georgia's Major Mobility Investment Program aimed at alleviating traffic congestion. Construction, split evenly between ACCIONA and FlatironDragados, will add two express lanes along a 16-mile stretch from North Springs Station to north of McFarland Parkway. An additional 0.9-mile fast lane will be deployed in each direction from McGinnis Ferry Road to McFarland Parkway. Upon completion, a dynamic toll system will be implemented for the express lanes to enhance traffic flow. This system allows drivers to pay based on traffic volume, providing access to additional toll lanes when required, thereby reducing congestion and emissions. "ACCIONA closes financing for $11bn SR 400 Express Lanes project in Atlanta" was originally created and published by World Construction Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice A beloved Virginia actor is being remembered as a hero after he was fatally shot while trying to stop a domestic dispute during a morning walk with his dog. Adam Turck, 35, was shot on Saturday outside an apartment building in Richmond, according to the Richmond Police Department. When police responded to the scene around 10 a.m., they found two men with serious injuries. An investigation determined that Turck had encountered the dispute between the man and woman while walking his dog. He tried to intervene to deescalate the situation when he was shot by the 19-year-old man, before the man turned the gun on himself, police said. Adam put his life on the line to protect someone in need, and we will forever remember him for this sacrifice, Turcks family said in a statement to WTVR. Adam Turck, 35, was shot on Saturday outside an apartment building in Richmond ( Instagram ) Although we cannot go into details on the events of this past Saturday due to the nature of the event, we were told that if Adam had not been there, the person he intervened to help would not be with us today. Turck, who was well-known in Richmonds theater and fitness communities, was kept alive for a short time so his organs could be donated. Adam will be 35 years old when he passes in the next few days, after donating his organs to help save the lives of others, the family said in the statement that was issued before his death was confirmed. Thats what heroes do they save the lives of others. Turck moved from Bucks County, Pennsylvania to Richmond after touring the country with Olney Theatres National Players. He became a fixture in the local arts scene, earning multiple nominations for the Richmond Theatre Community Circle Awards and winning Best Actor in a Play in 2018 for Hand to God. He had been preparing to star as the lead in Dracula: A Comedy of Horrors this fall. This is a tragic story of gun violence against a person who was simply trying to de-escalate a disturbing argument, Richmond Police Chief Rick Edwards said. This is a heartbreaking reminder that we must, as a community, continue to combat gun violence in our society. Dozens of friends and community members gathered at the Firehouse Theatre to honor his life and legacy this week. He is the person who put us all back together, said Kerith Rae, owner of the gym Tequila & Deadlifts, where Turck was a longtime member. He would give you a hug and it puts you back together, he would tell you a story or an anecdote. He would ask you how youre doing and actually mean it and want to know and truly care. I cannot explain the size of the hole that has been left, not just in our gym community or our theater communities, but in the fabric of this world to lose somebody like Adam, Rae told WWBT. Hes the kind of person people write about in books because they want to be that good and he just was. And this world is a duller, darker place without him. In a tribute on social media, the Virginia Repertory Theatre, where Turck frequently performed, described him as a light, both on stage and in every space he entered. We are heartbroken by the tragic loss, the statement read. He was a gifted actor, passionate activist, and beloved member of our community. His artistry, integrity, and fierce compassion touched so many of us. This is a profound loss we share as a community. The latest headlines from our reporters across the US sent straight to your inbox each weekday Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Your briefing on the latest headlines from across the US Email * SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our Privacy notice Police used advanced DNA testing to identify a murdered Pennsylvania boy more than 50 years after his body was found in Virginia, but the events leading up to his death remain a mystery. In June 1972, a little boy was found dead in Massey Creek under the Old Colchester Road Bridge in Lorton, Virginia. An autopsy revealed he had died of blunt force trauma but he was not able to be identified until now. The Fairfax County Police Department revealed the boys name on Monday Carl Matthew Bryant. Bryant had turned four years old shortly before he was found dead. Police were able to identify Byrant through advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing. open image in gallery A computer-generated sketch of Carl Matthew Bryant, 4, who was murdered and found dead in Virginia in 1972 ( The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children ) Astrea Forensics, a biotechnology research company that helps law enforcement solve forensic cold cases, developed a DNA profile suitable for genetic genealogy with just a few millimeters of hair collected from the boy. With this DNA profile, Innovative Forensic Investigations, an investigative genetic genealogy and private investigation firm, was able to identify a possible relative of the boy. Detectives then traced the boys family to Philadelphia, and with the help of local authorities, they contacted a relative who led them to the boys mother, Vera Bryant. Vera died in 1980, but her body was exhumed, and her DNA confirmed a match. But its still unclear what exactly happened to Bryant and his six-month-old brother, James Bryant, who was killed around the same time. James body has never been found. Detectives believe Vera and her then-boyfriend, James Hedgepeth, who is also now dead, were involved in Bryants murder. Hedgepeth was previously convicted of murder and had a violent criminal history, according to Fairfax County police. A family member said Vera had two sons, Carl and James, and she planned to travel from Philadelphia to Virginia in 1972, according to authorities. Police theorize the murders of the Byrant boys happened somewhere between Philadelphia and Middlesex County, Virginia. (Corrects paragraph 7 to say annual recurring revenue has doubled in the past 12 weeks, not 12 months) By Aditya Soni (Reuters) -Rillet, a startup developing AI-powered accounting software, has raised $70 million in a fundraise co-led by venture capital firms Andreessen Horowitz and ICONIQ in a bid to disrupt an industry dominated by tools from Oracle and Microsoft. The company did not disclose the valuation it secured in the Series B funding round. A source close to the deal said the startup was valued at around $500 million. The round was joined by Sequoia, Oak HC/FT and FOG Ventures, the company said on Wednesday, and comes just over two months after Rillet raised $25 million, bringing its total funding to more than $100 million. Founded by Nicolas Kopp, former U.S. head of digital bank N26, Rillet makes AI-powered ledger software that helps companies automate accounting tasks. Its more than 200 customers include AI-assisted coding tool Windsurf and e-commerce marketing platform Postscript. Rillet said its platform allows finance teams to close books in hours rather than weeks thanks to integrations with systems from companies such as Salesforce, Stripe and Brex. Kopp told Reuters in an interview the startup aims to replace legacy systems that function as "dumb databases" by offering a platform that pulls in data directly and uses AI to automate tasks and deliver real-time insights. The efforts have helped the startup double its annual recurring revenue over the past 12 weeks and led to tie-ups with accounting firms such as Armanino and Wiss. Rillet plans to use the funds to speed up development of the platform and build out its team, including by hiring more engineers. Andreessen Horowitz general partner Alex Rampell and ICONIQ general partner Seth Pierrepont are joining the company's board as part of the fundraise. (Reporting by Aditya Soni in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh Kuber) Planned Parenthood is ceasing operations in Louisiana and shutting down its reproductive health clinics in Baton Rouge and New Orleans, part of a wave of closures of the organization's clinics across the U.S. due to funding issues and moves by the Trump administration to cut off access to federal money. An African rare earths developer has pulled off the deal of the week to become the talk of the town, as wheelers and dealers descended on the gold mecca of Kalgoorlie for the annual Diggers and Dealers conference. Emerging junior Lindian Resources has unveiled a multi-pronged, multi-million-dollar major offtake agreement, cornerstone funding and strategic partnership with global critical minerals heavyweight Iluka Resources to push its world-class Kangankunde project in Malawi towards first production. Lindian Resources chairman Robert Martin has announced the company has formed a strategic partnership and received funding from Iluka Resources for its Kangankunde rare earths project in Malawi. The seismic deal for the company cements Kangankunde as one of the pre-eminent rare earths developments on the planet, as Iluka scrambles to lock in its strategic rare earths supply for Australias future. The news has set the market abuzz with Lindians share price soaring by as much as 60 per cent in early trading this morning, as investors piled into the stock on the back of the US$20 million (A$32 million) partnership. In an upstairs room of a Collingwood gallery hangs a line of colourful prints on a wall. Its only when you look closely that you see small areas of damage, evidence of their role in a troubled recent past. Dissident Chinese artist Badiucao points to a scratch on one and steps back. Some of the frames are even broken, he explains, saying it was a deliberate choice to leave them this way. Badiucao with a work from his new exhibition, Disagree Where We Must. Credit: Jason South These works were originally slated for display in 2018 at a doomed exhibition in Hong Kong. They now open his first Australian solo show, Disagree Where We Must. One of the prints features Joshua Wong, a key figure in Hong Kongs pro-democracy Umbrella Movement. At the time it was created, Badiucao was working anonymously. But three days before the Hong Kong show was due to open, the Chinese government found out my identity and took my relatives into the police station, he says. In response, he cancelled his show. A year later he shed his anonymity and finally revealed his face and identity to the world. Sumeet Grover, a British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy-registered psychotherapist, says: Pulling you into their world gives them power and a sense of grandiosity. And it deflects what is really going on for them internally. Their sense of self who I am as a person is fragmented, and so they dont feel in the same way as most people. They can be very charming, believable and relatable, while often lacking in a felt sense of empathy or remorse. Grover goes on to explain that while the exact cause of ASPD, particularly sociopathy, isnt known, it is believed that genetics and environmental factors, including parenting styles, abuse and neglect, play a role. Specific behavioural traits can be seen in children as young as seven and this is called conduct disorder, Grover says. This might be when a young person has a history of being cruel to animals or vulnerable people, destructive at school or consistently involved in arson or theft. Research suggests that 40 per cent of males and 25 per cent of females with conduct disorder are likely to be diagnosed with ASPD in adulthood. Christian Bale as sociopath Patrick Bateman in American Psycho. Bateman was outwardly charming but lacked the ability to connect emotionally. Credit: Columbia Tri-Star Films They rebel against authority (and never pay their parking fines) Its two-fingers-up to anyone who tries to tell them what to do or stands in their way of success. Sociopaths are masters of deceit and would rather suffer potential legal action than abide by the rules. Often they act irresponsibly without feelings of culpability, remorse or guilt. Because ASPD sits on a spectrum, some sufferers might commit monstrous acts, while others with low-level traits may veer more towards petty crimes like not paying overdue fines or shoplifting and, upon reflection, experience shame for their misdemeanours. Dr Lisa Orban, a clinical psychologist, believes these offenders could benefit from talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy to manage compulsions and harmful thoughts, or acceptance and commitment therapy which focuses on handling unhelpful beliefs and feelings so they dont control someones life. She stresses: The success of these treatments is dependent on the persons awareness of their actions and a commitment to behavioural change. They will charm a crowd, but lasting relationships can elude them While sociopaths can feel automatic emotions like anger, fear and sadness, its more difficult for them to experience and understand learnt emotions like guilt, shame, affection and, particularly, empathy. Internally, they tend to believe everyone else on the planet is a loser, but externally they exploit their manipulative charm and lack of social anxiety to snare others. Loading Their ability to mirror the more positive behaviour of those around them reaps the attention (and adoration) they crave. But when it comes to building more lasting and loving connections, their performance is revealed as being void of genuine feeling. Dr Tharaka Gunarathne, a clinical psychiatrist, adds: Someone with ASPD may form attachments, but these are often shallow and driven by personal gain rather than mutual care. The kind of love rooted in empathy, vulnerability and emotional reciprocity is typically impaired. This relates in part to how their brain is wired. The amygdala which helps us read emotional cues often shows reduced activity in people with ASPD, and its communication with the prefrontal cortex (our brains control centre which helps us with moral judgment and long-term thinking) is often disrupted. So, while they might mimic the behaviours of love, the emotional depth behind those behaviours is usually limited. They live life on the edge Studies show that because sociopaths have reduced amygdala activity in the brain, they often underestimate risk and experience a delayed response to fear. Danger becomes a means to feeling alive or empowered. In her memoir Sociopath, Gagne writes about the risky behaviour she has displayed over the years: stealing cars and cruising around the late-night streets of Los Angeles, breaking into homes, attending the funerals of strangers. Self-confessed sociopath and author Patric Gagne says you can be a sociopath and have a healthy relationship. Her belief is that sociopaths find it impossible to feel in the same way as most people. Instead, they can experience apathy, or a lack of feeling, which can be a driver for certain destructive actions. In the book, Gagnes therapist explains: It is this lack of feeling, many researchers believe, that causes them (sociopaths) to behave aggressively and destructively. The sociopaths subconscious desire to feel is what forces him to act out. Gagne adds: I was starting to understand why doing bad things made me feel something. However brief, it connected me to the way I imagined everyone else felt all the time And we werent bad or evil or crazy, we just had a harder time with feelings. We acted out to fill a void. They will be aware of your every move and seek to dominate in relationships Very little escapes the laser focus of a sociopath. Their drive for control and power can trump any interest for a deep connection or intimate partnership. They often seek to dominate and dictate the situation and mood, with little or no concern for your needs or desires. Its not uncommon for a sociopath to engage in obsessive behaviour, even stalking someone who piques their curiosity. In extreme cases, their compulsion to control can resort into aggression and maybe violence. Dr Gunarathne says that those who are low on the spectrum may have more success with relationships, but he suggests: If youre with someone who fits this pattern, setting firm, non-negotiable boundaries in your own mind is essential. Dont get drawn into trying to fix them instead, focus on what you can control: your response, your limits and your network of friends who will support you. Seek professional advice if needed. They wont say sorry To be able to apologise, or learn from mistakes, a person needs to care about the impact of their actions. Sociopaths might say sorry especially if it serves a purpose or garners trust but do they mean it? Its more likely they will see apologising as a sign of cowering down or a threat to their supremacy. They are more likely to push the blame on to others, making them believe everything is their fault. Dr Orban adds: Even though someone with ASPD may not feel remorse, they can still recognise right from wrong and read the reactions of others. Skills-based training that incorporates emotional intelligence, for example, can help improve social awareness, self-regulation and relationship management, even if the capacity for empathy is limited. Former Enron executive Jeff Skilling expressed no remorse after being convicted of fraud in 2006. Credit: AP They manipulate the truth We actually anticipated readers changing beer topics from DA (C8) to KB, but initial responses are based around its meaning. The Beer Police will tell you it stands for Kent Brewery, but thats apparently a divertissement. Max Redmayne of Drummoyne calls it a Killer Brew while John Lees of Castlecrag and Dave Pyett of Maroubra have both opted for a long cold Kiddies Beer. Kent Mayo of Uralla recalls: One Sunday in the 1950s, the vicar at the Penshurst Presbyterian Church (pron Chuch), in his sermon on the evils of alcohol, held up a KB beer bottle, proclaiming that KB stood for Kills Boys. Hilarious, eh? I noticed it was empty and, although I was only ten years old, whispered to the old bloke sitting next to me, He drank that last night, I reckon. Its a good idea to go to the experts. One is Ken Finlayson of East Corrimal: When Australian Playboy launched, some 55 years back, it included a beer tasting [story]. We young steelworks shift workers were appalled that Fosters got the nod from celebs who likely were more attuned to drinking Mateus. We then conducted our own poll at our regular early opener, where we arranged to sample beers from each state for a tasting after a night shift. It ended up with a drink-off between two Melbourne varieties. The results were submitted, and published in Australian Playboy No.2. And while were talking Mateus, Ross Millar of West Ryde recalls That the wonderful writer Kingsley Amis once said of Mateus Rose that both the price and the reputation owe more to the craft of the glassmaker than to that of the winemaker. It was my birthday last Sunday, writes Mary Carde of Parrearra (Qld). My husband gave me a glorious bunch of flowers, bless him. Hed also purchased a lovely card featuring a beautiful image that he knew Id love. Fortunately for him, just as he was about to enrich it with some profound words, he noticed it was a sympathy card, thus giving new meaning to coming within an inch of your life. His, not mine! Wearing a mask with the word Silence crossed out, teacher Lyn was among the thousands of teachers who marched to Parliament House on Wednesday. Weve been quiet for long enough, our classroom conditions need to improve, she said. Queenslands 50,000 state school teachers walked off the job for the first time in 16 years, marking the largest teachers strike in the states history and the Queensland Teachers Union has not ruled out further strikes. Teacher, Lyn, who says she and her colleagues will no longer remain silent. Credit: Catherine Strohfeldt Well be updating our members around the state, and then well be considering what our next steps are, QTU president Cresta Richardson said. The American Institute of CPAs (AICPA) has requested immediate guidance from the US Department of the Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) on the recently enacted section 174A. The section addresses the treatment of domestic research and experimental (R&E) expenditures, commonly referred to as domestic research costs, for small business taxpayers. AICPA is advocating for Treasury and the IRS to allow eligible small business taxpayers to deduct domestic research costs directly on their 2024 federal income tax returns. It is expected to eliminate the need to capitalise these costs, which could otherwise lead to administrative burdens and compliance risks for taxpayers. According to the accounting industry body, many eligible taxpayers have not yet filed their 2024 income tax returns and face uncertainty regarding the deduction of these costs. Without immediate guidance, taxpayers may be forced to amend their returns later, increasing their compliance burdens. To address this, AICPA recommends that Treasury and the IRS issue guidance allowing taxpayers to deduct 2024 domestic research costs on their originally filed returns. It would require a statement or reference indicating an election under Section 70302(f)(1)(A). Additionally, taxpayers may amend their 2022 and 2023 returns to deduct domestic research costs paid or incurred in those years. If the election impacts a year with a reported net operating loss (NOL), taxpayers should be permitted to adjust the NOL in the carryforward year(s) instead of amending the original NOL year return. This is expected to streamline the process and reduce unnecessary administrative tasks. AICPA Tax Policy & Advocacy senior manager Reema Patel said: Providing the guidance cited in the AICPAs comment letter allows immediate tax relief to eligible taxpayers and resolves uncertainty for those who may have already deducted 2024 domestic research costs. This guidance benefits sound tax administration for impacted taxpayers, practitioners, and the IRS and we urge Treasury to act immediately to provide taxpayers with certainty and allow them to meet their tax obligations with minimal confusion. In July 2025, AICPA announced its support for a bill introduced by Senator John Fetterman. The Survivor Assistance for Fear-free and Easy Tax Filing Act of 2025 (SAFE Act), identified as S. 2129, aims to provide a critical tax filing option for individuals who have experienced spousal abuse or abandonment. "AICPA urges guidance on small business research costs " was originally created and published by The Accountant, a GlobalData owned brand. The approval of a five-storey apartment complex may have dealt a fatal blow to a years-long fight against development on the southern edge of South Melbournes heritage-listed Emerald Hill precinct. But a planning expert says the fight against the mid-rise housing project demonstrates the missing middle in Melbournes housing supply, which should be easier to build. Alan Nightingale (right) and Mitchell Dowd of the Emerald Hill Residents Association in front of the Patross Knitting Mills building, which is opposite a site of a new development. Credit: Eddie Jim In a decision published on July 28, the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) granted a permit for a 14-apartment project on Park Street opposite the Patross Knitting Mills building despite almost 50 objections. The Emerald Hill Residents Association fought against the mixed-use development, arguing that it was too overbearing on the historic shops and homes nearby, following the association's defeat of a proposal for a slightly taller office building in 2022. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. Just click here. I've learned the hard way that Mother Nature is anything but weak and feeble. I bought a house in the country a little over 30 years ago a total fixer-upper. An old couple had lived there hoarders and the place was a mess. But that didn't trouble me. I was full of energy. I had big improvement plans. Then I learned how ruthless Mother Nature really is. I first discovered this when I tore off an old porch enclosure. When I began peeling the siding off, I was attacked by hornets and wasps I eventually uncovered 80 nests! which sent me swatting, jumping and cussing throughout my yard. When the first summer arrived, I decided to build a planter in front of my house. I tore out some old shrubs and jagger bushes and came across a nest of ground bees. Ground bees become very angry when they are disturbed. The nasty little buggers stung me a half-dozen times. Following advice from a neighbor, I poured gasoline into the nest. I set the canister on the ground, four feet away. I lit a match, but before I could throw it into the nest, I heard Wooooooooooof! You see, "woof" is the sound gasoline makes when it ignites. It ignites because gasoline gives off fumes, and fumes I tend to learn things the hard way are flammable! Suddenly, an 8-foot flame shot out of the bee's nest right up the side of my newly painted house! To my right, I noticed the gas can filled with 2 gallons of premium was on fire. Thinking quickly, I picked up the canister and ran down my driveway, cussing. I launched the Molotov cocktail into the air. It exploded into a fireball. I raced for the hose and barely managed to douse both fires before I burned down the neighborhood. I moved to Washington, D.C. in 1998 and rented out my house for many years before moving back to finish off all renovation projects. Last week I was putting my tractor away in the shed after dark when I got stung a dozen times by hornets I didn't see, who, I now know, live in a large nest. Thanks to my forever war with stinging insects, I chuckle when I hear environmentalists describe Mother Nature as feeble and weak. As author Michael Crichton once said, the idea that nature is "fragile" is profoundly wrong. Earth has survived asteroid strikes, supervolcanoes, magnetic pole reversals and mass extinctions. Long after we're gone, Crichton said, the planet will still be here doing just fine. Scientist Bjorn Lomborg agrees. He doesn't deny the environmental challenges we face, but says we need perspective. While problems like climate change and pollution are real, he argues they're often exaggerated in ways that lead to panic instead of practical solutions. He says that nature is remarkably resilient forests regrow after wildfires, wildlife returned to Chernobyl and coral reefs have shown signs of recovery. Lomborg believes innovation, adaptation and economic growth are better paths forward than fear and alarmism. We absolutely must be good stewards of Mother Nature's beauty and preserve her resources. Just know that Mother Nature will flood your basement, infest your walls, sting your backside and burn down your house then go on about her day like nothing happened. If that sounds fragile to you, I've got a hornet's nest the size of an Airbnb you can borrow. (COMMENT, BELOW) Italian private equity investor Aksia is to acquire a majority stake in bakery products producer Fornaio del Casale. Financial terms were not disclosed, and the transaction awaits necessary regulatory approvals. Aksia is acquiring the stake from Riello Investimenti SGR and the founding Gecchele family. Riello Investimenti SGR has held a majority stake since July 2023, alongside the Gecchele family. Both will be reinvesting and retaining a minority stake in the company. Aksias entry will support Fornaio del Casale in pursuing an ambitious buy-and-build strategy to establish a leading group in the sweet and savory snack market, the companies said in a joint statement. Nicola Riello, chairman of Riello Investimenti SGR, believes Fornaio del Casale is ready for a second phase of development focused on acquisitions and international expansion. Set up in 1969, Fornaio del Casale specialises in bakery products. Operating under brands Gecchele and Antico Casale, it offers over 450 SKUs in cakes, pastries, bakery items, and carnival specialties. The Casale sul Sile, Treviso-headquartered company distributes primarily through large-scale retail, with a network across Italy and expansion into Germany, France, and Japan. According to Filippo Anichini, partner of Aksia, Fornaio del Casale will continue to pursue integration and consolidation both in Italy and abroad, leveraging the strong Gecchele brand and expanding its commercial footprint. The investors and baked goods company said they have identified four target companies for acquisition, with the deals expected by the end of 2025, contributing initial revenues exceeding 80m ($92.6m). Currently, Fornaio del Casale 60m in revenues, with 25% coming from international markets. The group has a 12,500 m2 facility with eight production lines. The current leadership will remain, with Darix Gecchele as CEO and Samuele Gecchele as head of international sales and commercial products. Darix Gecchele added: With the entry of the new partner, a new phase of growth begins for Fornaio, which strengthens and accelerates the development path initiated in recent years. The Gecchele and Botter families confirm their commitment to the companys capital, with the enthusiasm and passion that have always distinguished us. "Aksia to acquire majority stake in Fornaio del Casale" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. Brutal Lovelorn teeanged boykills 15-year-old girl Staff Reporter : The accused had expressed his desire to marry the victim but her mother refused the proposal Sensation prevailed in Sakra village where a 15-year-old girl was brutally murdered by a teenged boy who had been harassing her over a one-sided love affair under the jurisdiction of Patan Police Station. According to Patan police, on receiving information about the murder, SHO Gopindra Singh Rajput, along with his team, rushed to the village of Sakra. There, a 19-year-old girl informed the police that her younger sister had been stalked by Rakesh Raikwar (19), a youth from the same village. She informed that Rakesh expressed his desire to marry her 15-year-old sister despite their different castes. When her mother refused the proposal and explained that marriage was not possible due to caste differences, Rakesh threatened them. Late night on Monday, the girl and her sister went to sleep on floor mattresses in the central room of their house. Their parents and two other sisters were sleeping in another room. The door to their room was closed but not locked from inside. At around 2.30 am, the elder sister woke up to her younger siblings screams and saw Rakesh Raikwar standing over her with an axe in hand. Before she could react, Rakesh threatened them to life and hit on the head of 15-year-old girl for multiple times with the axe. Hearing the screams, the family rushed in but Rakesh had already managed to escape from the spot with the weapon. They reached closed to the girl and found that she had succumbed to her grave injuries. Acting on the complaint, Patan police registered a case under Sections 103(1) and 332(A) of the BNS and relevant sections of SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. Senior officers were immediately informed of the case. Additional, SP Sampat Upadhyay formed a team under the supervision of SDOP Patan Lokesh Kumar Dabar, Addl SP Rural Suryakant Sharma and Patan SHO Gopindra Singh to arrest the accused. Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) stock dropped more than 6% in early trading Wednesday after posting disappointing Data Center revenue as part of its second quarter results on Tuesday. The company missed on adjusted earnings per share (EPS) but beat analysts' expectations on overall revenue. Still, Data Center segment revenue topped out at just $3.2 billion, in line with Wall Street's expectations. Read more: Live coverage of corporate earnings The company did, however, provide better-than-anticipated Q3 guidance of between $8.4 billion and $9 billion. Wall Street was expecting $8.3 billion. For Q2, AMD saw adjusted EPS of $0.48 on revenue of $7.6 billion. Wall Street was expecting EPS of $0.49 on revenue of $7.4 billion, according to Bloomberg consensus estimates. AMD said it saw an $800 million impact from the Trump administration's ban on the sale of the company's MI308 AI chips to China. That resulted in an operating loss of $155 million in the quarter. Nvidia (NVDA) took a $4.5 billion write-down from the ban in Q1 and said it expects an $8 billion hit in its second fiscal quarter. Trump reversed course on the ban last month, which should help make up for some of those losses in the coming quarters. AMD chair and CEO Lisa Su delivers the opening keynote speech at Computex 2024, Taiwan's premier tech expo, in Taipei on June 3, 2024. (I-Hwa Cheng/AFP via Getty Images) I-HWA CHENG via Getty Images AMD should also benefit from the launch of its MI350 line of AI chips, designed to go toe-to-toe with Nvidia's Blackwell-powered chips. According to AMD, the MI350 line, which includes the MI350X and MI355X, offers four times the AI compute performance and a 35x increase in inferencing capabilities versus its predecessors. Beyond the Data Center segment, AMD's Client business, which includes sales of CPUs for desktops and laptops, generated $3.6 billion in revenue versus an anticipated $2.5 billion. Sign up for Yahoo Finance's Week in Tech newsletter. yahoofinance Email Daniel Howley at dhowley@yahoofinance.com. Follow him on X/Twitter at @DanielHowley. For the latest earnings reports and analysis, earnings whispers and expectations, and company earnings news, click here Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance Congress Legislators walk out from House, demand action against officer with fake degree By Bhavana Aparajita Shukla Chaos in the Assembly, contradictory statements by ministers The proceedings of the Assembly on Tuesday marked with the heated Question Hour and various bills, including Metropolitan Area Planning and Development Bill and petitions, were presented amid Oppositions uproar over the officers fake degree case. During the call attention motion, Congress MLA and former minister Lakhan Ghanghoria raised the issue of appointments made on the basis of fake educational qualifications in Jabalpur . In this serious matter, he termed the educational qualification of an officer posted at Victoria Hospital in Jabalpur as fake. Even after the Education Minister confirmed the fake degree on this subject, Deputy Chief Minister Rajendra Kumar Shukla denied it and cited the investigation report, in which he did not call the degree of the concerned officer fake. All the Congress MLAs including Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar accused the Government of biased behaviour regarding the contradictory attitude of the Government in the matter. The Leader of Opposition said that the minister deliberately does not want to take action in this matter, because the concerned officer is probably getting protection from the government. Dissatisfied with the evasive and insensitive reply of the Government, the Congress Legislature Party walked out of the House under the leadership of Leader of Opposition Umang Singhar and demanding that fair and prompt action be taken in such sensitive cases. Other bills amendment to Madhya Pradesh Public Development Act, Motor Vehicle Taxation , Amendment Bill, Shops and Establishment Act Amendment, Madhya Pradesh Legal Aid Repeal Bill and Amendment in Registration Act and Stamp Act were presented and discussed. The issue of tampering with the historical identity by opening a hotel in Gwalior Fort echoed in the Assembly during the call attention motion. MLAs raised demands for basic amenities in their respective Assembly. Proceeding began with expressing condolences on the death of former Union Minister Shibu Soren. ED seizes, freezes over Rs 40 cr assets Staff Reporter Raipur, Bank balances, FDs, demat shares and vehicles secured under PMLA provisions July 3031 search-ops exposed cartel tendering, inflated supplies, and PoC diversion Five days after its massive July 3031 multi-city search and seizure operation in the Rs 411 crore Chhattisgarh Medical Services Corporation Limited (CGMSCL) scam, the Enforcement Directorate Raipur Zonal Office (ED-RPZO) on Tuesday shared its explosive findings-confirming the seizure and freezing of assets worth over Rs 40 crore under Section 17 of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA), 2002. The two-day action had covered 20 premises across Chhattisgarh, including residences and offices linked to Mokshit Corporation director Shashaank Chopra, his family members, associated business entities, and certain State government officials. According to ED, the properties seized or frozen include bank balances, fixed deposits, shares in demat accounts, and high-end premium vehicles-all identified as Proceeds of Crime (PoC). The five-day gap between the raids and todays disclosure was used for tedious quantification and meticulous scrutiny of voluminous documents, digital files, and banking records recovered during the operations. According to an official communique issued by ED-RPZO, the final valuation was pegged at Rs 40 crore-plus, excluding other PoC still under forensic verification. As per the federal agency communique, the ED investigation stems from an FIR filed by the State Economic Offences Investigation and Anti-Corruption Bureau (SEOIACB) against Mokshit Corporation and senior officials of CGMSCL and the Directorate of Health Services (DHS) for alleged criminal conspiracy and corruption. The SEOIACB has already filed a chargesheet before the competent court detailing how Chopra, in alleged collusion with top DHS and CGMSCL officials, manipulated tender processes, fabricated procurement demand, and supplied medical equipment and reagents at grossly inflated prices. The EDs financial probe has revealed that CGMSCL tenders were allegedly secured by Mokshit Corporation through pool tendering and cartel formation with certain officials and selected firms. Inflated supply contracts generated substantial illicit gains for the accused and inflicted corresponding losses on the State exchequer. The July 3031 search-ops-steered by ED-RPZO Joint Director Prabhakar Prabhat and supported by a pan-zone team from Raipur, Nagpur, Ranchi, and Vizag-were backed by 56 armed CRPF personnel to secure all sites. These covered 10 residential and 8 commercial premises across Durg, Raipur, and Bilaspur, along with offices of linked firms and associates. Apart from the frozen and seized assets, investigators recovered incriminating paper trails, high-value property records, and digital devices indicating suspicious transactions, hidden beneficiary layers, and utilisation of PoC in luxury asset acquisitions and investments. Early forensic scans of the devices have traced encrypted ledgers and communications linking the scam proceeds to multiple private individuals and entities. An ED official privy to the investigation told The Hitavada that the seized records mark a turning point in connecting financial trails to specific decision-making nodes within the scams operational chain. He added that custodial interrogation of Chopra-currently lodged in Raipur Central Jail following his SEOIACB arrest in January-is being considered to unearth additional beneficiaries and trace missing PoC. With multiple investigative threads still open, the ED confirmed that further action, including attachments of immovable properties and possible arrests, will follow as the probe expands into the wider network of conspirators, the communique concluded. Flashflood havoc in Ukhand 4 killed, countless feared dead; thousands of structures vanish; no count of buried humans UTTARKASHI : DISASTER swept through the Himalayan village of Dharali on way to Gangotri on Tuesday with a massive cloudburst leading to flashfloods that barrelled through homes, trees and cars, trapping 60-70 people and leaving at least four dead. Dharali is the main stopover on way to Gangotri, the origin of the Ganges, and home to many hotels, restaurants and home stays. At least half the village was buried under the fast flowing mudslide of slush, rubble and water, officials said as rescue personnel battled the elements in the ecologically fragile heights to contain the damage of the afternoon. Contiguous buildings, including three and four-storey houses, fell like a pack of cards as the surging waters washed over them. The devastating flashflood came in the wake of a cloudburst somewhere in the catchment area of the Kheer Ganga river. And Dharali was not the only hit. The raging waters flowed down two different sides of the same hill, one towards Dharali and the other towards the village of Sukki, said state Disaster Management Secretary Vinod Kumar Suman. The rain continued through the afternoon and till evening, hampering rescue efforts. Besides, landslides blocked 163 roads, including five national highways, seven State highways and two border roads across the State, further impeding rescue and preventing personnel from getting to the far-flung area, about 140 km from the state capital Dehradun and usually a five-hour drive. An Army team from the nearest location of Harsil was immediately rushed to the spot to launch rescue operations but teams from other places found it difficult to reach due to bad weather and disrupted roads, Suman said. According to initial reports, at least four people have died, Uttarkashi District Magistrate Prashant Arya told reporters in Dehradun before rushing to the spot. There was no official confirmation on the number of people who went missing after the flashflood but it is likely to be high as the sudden rush of floodwaters gave people no time to run towards safety. Uttarakhand Principal Secretary R K Sudhanshu said 40 to 50 buildings are damaged. He added that helicopters could not be pressed into service either because of bad weather. As darkness fell, announcements were made asking people to move to safer ground. Locals said a large portion of the Dharali market was washed away. Rajesh Panwar, an eyewitness to the horror of nature's relentless fury, told PTI that about 20-25 hotels and homestays may have been washed away. A 16-member Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) team reached Dharali from its 12th battalion stationed at Matli in Uttarakhand while another unit of the same strength was also asked to rush to the disaster site, officials said. The team of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is yet to reach the area. There was widespread panic in the neighbouring villages following the flashflood. Videos from the area showed a torrent of muddy water and silt tearing through the slopes towards settlements along the banks of the river. People could be heard screaming in fear. In one video, people can be heard in the video gasping for breath and trying to call their relatives in affected areas to find out if they were alright. A voice is heard in the video saying, Everything is finished. In another, a man is seen trying to walk through the slushy waters but being unable to. No stone is being left unturned in providing assistance to the people, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said in a post on X. I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami ji and obtained information about the situation. Under the supervision of the state government, relief and rescue teams are engaged in every possible effort, he said. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also spoke to Dhami and ordered the dispatch of seven rescue teams to assist the affected people. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh added that the Centre and the state government are working in tandem, taking all possible measures to save precious lives. Have been seeing disturbing visuals from Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) on the devastation caused by flash floods. Praying for the well-being of the people affected by the tragedy..., he wrote on X. Beds have been kept ready at AIIMS, Rishikesh and ambulances rushed to Dharali. Dhami, who happened to be in Andhra Pradesh, cancelled his trip to return to Dehradun. He said he is constantly in touch with senior officials and the situation is being closely monitored. The news of heavy losses due to cloudburst in Dharali (Uttarkashi) area is extremely sad and painful. SDRF, NDRF, district administration and other related teams are engaged on war footing in relief and rescue operations, he said in a post on X. Tomorrow might not bring much relief either. The Meteorological department has put out an orange alert for heavy rain for seven districts, including Nainital, Champawat, Udham Singh Nagar, Bageshwar, Pauri Tehri, Haridwar and Dehradun. Cloudbursts are counted as among the most devastating natural disasters in the Indian Himalayas, causing an enormous amount of rainfall across a limited area within an extremely short span of time. According to the India Meteorological Department, rain falling at a rate of over 100 millimetres an hour with strong winds and lightning across 20-30 square kilometres of area is termed a cloudburst. The Indian Himalayas are considered vulnerable to unusual and extreme weather events, including cloudbursts, extreme precipitation, flash floods, and avalanches, the risk of all of which is said to increase as climate change intensifies. Occurrence of extreme weather events is frequent for locations at elevation 1,000-2,000 metres, which are densely populated valley folds of the Himalayas, according to a 2023 paper by researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology, Jammu, and National Institute of Hydrology, Roorkee. Uttarkashi is located at about 1,160 metres above sea level. Cloudburst events per unit area are very high in Uttarakhand, compared to other regions in the Indian Himalayas, with recent events being more severe and impacting more communities, it said. Researchers have called for concrete policies, planning and management of cloudburst events by national and global organisations. Hindu outfit seeks ban on film Khalid Ka Shivaji MUMBAI : A LOCAL Hindu outfit has written to the Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) seeking a ban on the Marathi film Khalid Ka Shivaji, slated for release on August 8, claiming that it has attempted to distort the history of Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. Hindu Mahasangh, a Pune-based organisation, has submitted its objections to the CBFC and the films producers. The film attempts to distort the history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj. The producers have portrayed him as secular, which is not acceptable. If the film is not banned, we will protest at the theatres where it is screened, Hindu Mahasangh chairman Anand Dave said in a statement. We urge all theatres in Pune not to screen this film. If it is shown in rural areas, we will visit cinema halls and hold lectures on the true history of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, he said. Dave further claimed that the film tries to change the historical narrative. Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj belonged to us, to Hindus, and Marathas. Our objection is to the very idea of Khalid Ka Shivaji, he stated. Directed by Raj More, Khalid Ka Shivaji is a film about a Muslim boy who learns about Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj through life experiences. Khalistani terrorists go global with ISI and cartel support By Vicky Nanjappa NEW DELHI INDIA has repeatedly warned countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom about the Khalistan terror menace. Both countries have been complicit when it comes to taking action against the Khalistani terrorists operating on their soil. The problem is also persistent in the United States, and these elements have managed to get away under the garb of free speech. While they state that their demand is the creation of a separate Khalistan nation carved out of India, in reality, these elements are notorious gangsters, terrorists, arms smugglers, and drug lords. Earlier, they would operate by using their own networks in these foreign nations. The Khalistani terrorists also have a wide network of gangsters operating in India. These persons indulge in hit jobs, terror acts, and narcotic smuggling. However, in recent times, the Khalistani elements have teamed up with Latin-American drug cartels and the Chinese network as well. These connections were exposed after the US Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) revealed that there was a Khalistan connection to the Chinese and Latin-American cartels. The busting of these networks, which also have an ISI link, led to the arrest of an Indian-Canadian gangster, Opinder Singh. There has not been any link with the Chinese elements and Khalistani terrorists. However, the security agencies suspect that China may have started to promote these elements following a request by the ISI. In a bid to gain the support of the Chinese, the ISI roped in Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the head of the proscribed group, Sikhs for Justice (SFJ). Intelligence agencies say that the proximity between the Chinese and Khalistani elements may have begun when India and China were locked in a tense standoff along the Line of Actual Control (LAC). It was at that time that Pannun had written to Chinese President Xi Jinping, in which he justified Chinas stand against India. We consider Chinas counter-military action against India as legitimate and justified to protect its territorial integrity under international laws, he had written. He urged the Chinese President to take up the issue of Sikhs rights of self-determination in the UN Security Council. He had also written a letter in 2019 to the Chinese ambassador to Pakistan stating that the Indian agencies are planning to attack the Chinese consulate in Pakistan. MSRTC to operate passenger app to book taxi, auto rides MUMBAI : THE Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC) will operate an aggregator-based passenger app aimed at providing all transport services through a single platform, an official said on Tuesday. The transport body, in a release, said that State Transport Minister Pratap Sarnaik, who is also chairman of the corporation, made this announcement during a high-level meeting on Monday. The app, developed under the Central and State Governments aggregator policy, would offer transport services such as buses, autorickshaws, taxis, and e-buses through a single platform. Sarnaik further said that the MSRTC, with its robust infrastructure, workforce, and experience, was best suited to operate the app, which is expected to generate a new revenue stream for the transport body while providing commuters a trusted and transparent service. According to the release, a consensus has been reached on naming the app Chhava Ride. The minister pointed out that while private aggregators were reaping profits using unregulated apps, often exploiting both drivers and passengers, the government-backed model would be a reliable and fair alternative. Meanwhile, Dr Keshav Nana Kshirsagar, president of the Maharashtra Kamgar Sabha, criticised the move, alleging that the government is attempting to enter the private app-based transport sector under the pretext of reform, instead of resolving the ongoing grievances of cab and autorickshaw drivers. He warned of staging a protest if the government fails to address their concerns. Russia defends Indias right to select trade partners MOSCOW RUSSIA on Tuesday said sovereign countries have the right to select their partners in trade and economic cooperation based on their interests, a day after President Donald Trump threatened to substantially raise US tariffs on India for buying Russian oil. We believe that sovereign countries must have and do have the right to choose their trade partners, the partners in trade and economic cooperation, on their own and independently determine those modes of trade and economic cooperation that suit the interests of a country in question, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, commenting on the US threats regarding India. President Trump on Monday said he will substantially raise US tariffs on India, accusing it of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits. Hours later, India mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their unjustified and unreasonable targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilizers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment, the MEA said. Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilizers as well as chemicals, it added. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security, the MEA said. On Monday, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakahrova accused the US administration of continuing a neo-colonial policy against the nations of the Global South to maintain American hegemony. Sanctions and restrictions are a regrettable reality of todays historical stage, which affects the entire world, Zakaharova said in a statement. Washington cannot come to terms with the loss of hegemony in the emerging multipolar world order and continues to pursue a neocolonial policy in an attempt to maintain its position, using politicised levers of economic pressure against those who refuse to follow in its wake in the international arena, she added. Trump had earlier announced a 25 per cent tariffs on imports of Indian goods along with an unspecified penalty for buying vast majority of Russian military equipment and crude oil. Trump threatens rise in India tariff in 24 hours By Yoshita Singh NEW YORK US PRESIDENT Donald Trump on Tuesday said India has not been a good trading partner and announced that he will raise the tariffs on New Delhi very substantially over the next 24 hours because it is buying Russian oil. With India, what people dont like to say about India, theyre the highest tariff nation. They have the highest tariff of anybody. We do very, very little business with India because their tariffs are so high, Trump said in an interview with CNBC Squawk Box. India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we dont do business with them. So we settled on 25% (tariff), but I think Im going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because theyre buying Russian oil. Theyre fuelling the war machine. And if theyre going to do that, then Im not going to be happy, US President Donald Trump added. When asked about the trade deal with India that seemed imminent, Trump said the sticking point with India is that its tariffs are too high. Now I will say this, India went from the highest tariffs ever, they will give us zero tariffs.But thats not good enough, because of what theyre doing with oil. A day earlier, Trump said he will substantially raise US tariffs on India, accusing the country of buying massive amounts of Russian oil and selling it for big profits. Hours later, India mounted an unusually sharp counterattack on the US and the European Union for their unjustified and unreasonable targeting of New Delhi for its procurement of Russian crude oil. Firmly rejecting the criticism, India pointed out the double standards in targeting it on the issue and said both the US and the EU are continuing their trade relations with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel, and machinery and transport equipment, the MEA said. Where the US is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers as well as chemicals, it added. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security, the MEA said. On August 1, Trump signed an Executive Order titled Further Modifying The Reciprocal Tariff Rates, raising tariffs for over five dozen countries, including a steep 25 per cent for India. The executive order, however, did not mention the penalty that Trump had said India will have to pay because of its purchases of Russian military equipment and energy. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, in an interview to Fox News Sunday, stated that President Trump has said very clearly that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing the Ukraine war by purchasing oil from Russia. Last week, Trump mounted a sharp attack on India and Russia for their close ties and said the two countries can take their dead economies down together, a remark which prompted New Delhi to say that India is the worlds fastest-growing major economy. Trump had earlier announced a 25 per cent tariff on imports of Indian goods along with an unspecified penalty for buying vast majority of Russian military equipment and crude oil. 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 had said. New crackdown on overstays: US may impose $15,000 Visa Bonds on tourists By Yoshita Singh NEW YORK, Aug 5 (PTI) THE Trump administration is implementing a pilot programme under which foreign visitors arriving in the US on tourist or business visas could be required to pay a bond of up to USD 15,000 to ensure they dont overstay their visas. The countries that would come under the purview of the programme have not been announced yet. The US State Department has issued a temporary final rule under which a 12-month long visa bond pilot programme will be started. The State Department said that under this pilot programme, foreign individuals applying for the B-1/B-2 visas to come into the US for business or tourism could be required to post a bond of up to USD 15,000. The Department said that the rule is described as a key pillar of the Trump administrations foreign policy to protect the United States from the clear national security threat posed by visa overstays and deficient screening and vetting. Individuals applying for visas as temporary visitors for business or pleasure (B-1/B-2) and who are nationals of countries identified by the Department as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering Citizenship by Investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, may be subject to the pilot programme, the department said in a public notice. It said consular officers may require covered nonimmigrant visa applicants to post a bond of up to USD 15,000 as a condition of visa issuance, as determined by the consular officers. The pilot programme, expected to start this month, will be effective till August 5, 2026. The pilot programme appears to be part of the Trump administrations crackdown on illegal immigration, a key agenda of the US presidents electoral run and his second term in the White House. The public notice states that over the years, it has been found that hundreds of thousands of nonimmigrant visitors do not depart the US timely and overstay their visas. While the public notice does not mention which countries will come under the purview of the programme, it said that the State Department will announce the covered countries within at least 15 days before the pilot programme takes effect and this list will be amended as required. In announcing the covered countries, the Department will also provide a brief explanation of the basis for requiring bonds consistent with this rule, it said. The pilot programme is further designed to serve as a diplomatic tool to encourage foreign governments to take all appropriate actions to ensure robust screening and vetting for all citizens in matters of identity verification and public safety and to encourage specified countries with visa overstays to ensure their nationals timely depart the United States after making temporary visits. The public notice said that by its design and intention, the pilot programme is a tool of diplomacy, intended to encourage foreign governments to take immediate action to reduce the overstay rates of their nationals when travelling to the United States for temporary visits. The notice also cites estimates by the Department of Homeland Security, which said that in the DHS FY 2023 Overstay Report, data indicated there were over 500,000 suspected in-country overstays, - individuals who remained in the country past the end of their authorised stay and had yet to depart the country - among nonimmigrants admitted through air or sea ports of entry. Through the programme, the Department seeks to send a message to all countries to take immediate action to encourage their nationals to comply with US immigration law, it said. (Bloomberg) -- Armis, the cybersecurity startup eyeing an initial public offering in 2026, has reached $300 million in annual recurring revenue, Chief Executive Officer Yevgeny Dibrov said in an interview with Bloomberg. Most Read from Bloomberg Thats up from $200 million from last August, when it announced that it had doubled sales in less than 18 months. Meanwhile, Dibrov said Armis is still assessing the right time for a public listing. The IPO will happen, he said, but it will happen at the right time to maximize shareholders and employees value. The San Francisco-based company specializes in identifying, tracking and helping protect the devices of companies and institutions against cybersecurity threats. Its technology is used in IT systems across industries, including medical, financial services and defense. Dibrov attributed the higher revenue rate to the overwhelming number of devices that organizations need to protect from ever-increasing risks. There are more and more attacks on critical infrastructure, Dibrov said. This is why we basically continue to grow fast. In the last year or so, Armis has been buying up other cybersecurity startups, including CTCI and Silk Security last year and Otorio earlier this year, and incorporating them into a platform of cybersecurity products for customers. As youve seen with the CyberArk and Palo Alto deal, the industry is going to platformization, Dibrov said in an interview with Bloomberg Television on Monday. They want those five to 10 platforms to protect all their critical environments. Armis recently closed an employee tender of approximately $100 million that valued the company at $4.5 billion, up slightly from a $4.2 billion valuation in October. Georgian and G Squared participated in the tender, Dibrov said. The incredibly successful public debut of the design software firm Figma Inc. has reignited some interest in the IPO market. It was only the sixth IPO in the US to top the $1 billion mark this year, and market watchers have been hoping it will be the offering that clearly and finally signals that first-time share sales are back on track. Figmas 250% rally on the day of its debut was the largest first-day pop in at least three decades for a US-traded company raising more than $1 billion, data compiled by Bloomberg show. By Melanie Burton MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Australia said on Tuesday that it will provide A$135 million ($87.4 million) in financial support for two smelters owned by Trafigura unit Nyrstar, as part of its strategy to become a key supplier of critical minerals to Western allies. The funding, announced by federal and state governments and supported by investment by Nyrstar, comes amid growing worries about supply chain vulnerabilities tied to China that have ramped up pressure on Western nations to secure access to critical minerals vital for the energy transition and defence. Australia aims to position itself as a main player in this shift, but its metals processing sector is under strain from high energy and labour costs, while oversupply from top producer China continues to depress prices. Earlier this year, Nyrstar put its troubled Port Pirie lead smelter in South Australia and Hobart zinc processing operations in Tasmania under strategic review, citing high energy prices and lower processing fees. The support package will now allow Nyrstar to maintain operations while it explores modernisation of both facilities and accelerates studies to produce critical minerals - germanium and indium in Hobart and antimony and bismuth in Port Pirie. The initial focus will be on fast-tracking an antimony pilot plant in Port Pirie, Nyrstar said. It first told Reuters in May that it was considering production of the metal used in ammunition and lead-acid batteries at the site. But modernising Australia's ageing smelters will require significantly more capital, potentially testing the government's, and taxpayers', resolve. China, which dominates global processing of many critical minerals, has over the past year imposed restrictions on antimony and rare earths exports, disrupting supply chains for industries including automotive and defence and underscoring the geopolitical risks of over-reliance on Chinese refining. Bolstering an alternative supply chain has become a top priority for Western governments and for the Trump Administration. South Australia Premier Peter Malinauskas warned that without Western intervention, China could hold all the world's smelting capacity. "That's an unacceptable risk, particularly in the current geostrategic environment," he told broadcaster ABC. Australia's minister for industry and innovation, Tim Ayres, told the ABC that he expected Port Pirie would be capable of producing 15,000 metric tons of antimony metal. Antimony is an alloy hardener for other metals in ammunition and batteries and is critical for the manufacturing of semi-conductors found in electronics and defence applications. It is also used in flame retardant materials. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report) had its target price raised by equities research analysts at Susquehanna from $50.00 to $60.00 in a report released on Tuesday, August 5th, Marketbeat.com reports. The firm currently has a positive rating on the transportation companys stock. Susquehannas price objective points to a potential upside of 17.23% from the companys previous close. Several other research analysts also recently commented on ALK. UBS Group lifted their target price on Alaska Air Group from $49.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, July 25th. Barclays boosted their price target on Alaska Air Group from $55.00 to $60.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, July 10th. Finally, TD Cowen upped their target price on Alaska Air Group from $54.00 to $62.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Friday, April 25th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Alaska Air Group currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $67.83. Get Alaska Air Group alerts: Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Alaska Air Group Alaska Air Group Stock Down 2.1% ALK opened at $51.18 on Tuesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $51.05 and a 200-day moving average of $54.72. The company has a current ratio of 0.52, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.14. The stock has a market capitalization of $5.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 20.81, a P/E/G ratio of 0.51 and a beta of 1.45. Alaska Air Group has a 1-year low of $34.44 and a 1-year high of $78.08. Alaska Air Group (NYSE:ALK Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The transportation company reported $1.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.56 by $0.22. The firm had revenue of $3.70 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $3.65 billion. Alaska Air Group had a return on equity of 12.62% and a net margin of 2.33%. The companys quarterly revenue was up 27.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.55 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Alaska Air Group will post 6.03 earnings per share for the current year. Insiders Place Their Bets In other Alaska Air Group news, EVP Andrew R. Harrison sold 7,600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, July 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $53.22, for a total value of $404,472.00. Following the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 18,930 shares in the company, valued at $1,007,454.60. The trade was a 28.65% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, VP Emily Halverson sold 2,946 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Thursday, June 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $51.34, for a total value of $151,247.64. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president owned 8,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $423,709.02. The trade was a 26.31% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 18,046 shares of company stock worth $957,045 over the last quarter. 0.92% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Institutional Trading of Alaska Air Group Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Brooklyn Investment Group raised its holdings in shares of Alaska Air Group by 41.1% during the 1st quarter. Brooklyn Investment Group now owns 632 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $31,000 after buying an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co lifted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 125.7% in the 1st quarter. Perkins Coie Trust Co now owns 677 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $33,000 after purchasing an additional 377 shares during the period. Wood Tarver Financial Group LLC purchased a new position in shares of Alaska Air Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of Alaska Air Group by 459.1% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 1,297 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 1,065 shares during the period. Finally, SBI Securities Co. Ltd. raised its stake in Alaska Air Group by 85.3% during the second quarter. SBI Securities Co. Ltd. now owns 1,308 shares of the transportation companys stock valued at $65,000 after buying an additional 602 shares during the last quarter. 81.90% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. About Alaska Air Group (Get Free Report) Alaska Air Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates airlines. It operates through three segments: Mainline, Regional, and Horizon. The company offers scheduled air transportation services on Boeing jet aircraft for passengers and cargo in the United States, and in parts of Canada, Mexico, Costa Rica, Belize, Guatemala, and the Bahamas; and for passengers across a shorter distance network within the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Featured Stories Receive News & Ratings for Alaska Air Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Alaska Air Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Associated Banc Corp decreased its stake in Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report) by 8.3% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 19,314 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 1,756 shares during the period. Associated Banc Corps holdings in Illinois Tool Works were worth $4,790,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also added to or reduced their stakes in ITW. F M Investments LLC increased its position in Illinois Tool Works by 4.9% in the 4th quarter. F M Investments LLC now owns 896 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $227,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Trust Co of the South increased its position in Illinois Tool Works by 2.9% in the 1st quarter. Trust Co of the South now owns 1,478 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $367,000 after acquiring an additional 42 shares during the period. Clearstead Trust LLC boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Clearstead Trust LLC now owns 4,758 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,180,000 after purchasing an additional 43 shares during the last quarter. Northern Financial Advisors Inc boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 1.9% in the 1st quarter. Northern Financial Advisors Inc now owns 2,348 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $582,000 after purchasing an additional 44 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Integrated Advisors Network LLC boosted its stake in shares of Illinois Tool Works by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Integrated Advisors Network LLC now owns 5,930 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,504,000 after purchasing an additional 45 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 79.77% of the companys stock. Get Illinois Tool Works alerts: Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of research firms have recently commented on ITW. Citigroup upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $254.00 to $265.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Monday, July 14th. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $252.00 to $249.00 and set an underperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, May 19th. Barclays upped their price objective on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $240.00 to $243.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday. Bank of America lowered shares of Illinois Tool Works from a neutral rating to an underperform rating and set a $220.00 target price on the stock. in a research note on Wednesday, May 7th. Finally, UBS Group increased their target price on shares of Illinois Tool Works from $243.00 to $255.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 31st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $259.33. Illinois Tool Works Stock Up 0.9% Illinois Tool Works stock opened at $255.94 on Wednesday. Illinois Tool Works Inc. has a 1-year low of $214.66 and a 1-year high of $279.13. The firm has a market capitalization of $74.61 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 22.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 5.47 and a beta of 1.09. The firms fifty day moving average price is $251.54 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $250.10. The company has a current ratio of 1.59, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.40. Illinois Tool Works (NYSE:ITW Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 30th. The industrial products company reported $2.58 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $2.56 by $0.02. Illinois Tool Works had a net margin of 21.31% and a return on equity of 90.89%. The firm had revenue of $4.05 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.01 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.54 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up .6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Illinois Tool Works Inc. will post 10.39 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Illinois Tool Works Increases Dividend The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 10th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, September 30th will be issued a $1.61 dividend. This is an increase from Illinois Tool Workss previous quarterly dividend of $1.50. This represents a $6.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, September 30th. Illinois Tool Workss dividend payout ratio is currently 52.59%. Insider Activity at Illinois Tool Works In other news, Director David Byron Smith, Jr. bought 872 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, June 2nd. The stock was bought at an average price of $241.16 per share, for a total transaction of $210,291.52. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director directly owned 122,884 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,634,705.44. This trade represents a 0.71% increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.88% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders. Illinois Tool Works Profile (Free Report) Illinois Tool Works Inc manufactures and sells industrial products and equipment in the United States and internationally. It operates through seven segments: Automotive OEM; Food Equipment; Test & Measurement and Electronics; Welding; Polymers & Fluids; Construction Products; and Specialty Products. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding ITW? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Illinois Tool Works Inc. (NYSE:ITW Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Illinois Tool Works Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Illinois Tool Works and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report) by 65.6% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 25,786 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 10,213 shares during the quarter. Citigroup comprises about 0.6% of Legacy Capital Group California Inc.s investment portfolio, making the stock its 24th largest position. Legacy Capital Group California Inc.s holdings in Citigroup were worth $1,831,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in C. Intrust Bank NA boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 10.9% in the 1st quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 16,096 shares of the companys stock worth $1,143,000 after buying an additional 1,582 shares in the last quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 69.7% in the 1st quarter. Wealthspire Advisors LLC now owns 14,507 shares of the companys stock worth $1,030,000 after buying an additional 5,960 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Citigroup in the 1st quarter worth about $816,000. Ranch Capital Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 6.5% in the 1st quarter. Ranch Capital Advisors Inc. now owns 27,806 shares of the companys stock worth $1,974,000 after buying an additional 1,701 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC boosted its position in shares of Citigroup by 22.5% in the 1st quarter. Cary Street Partners Investment Advisory LLC now owns 2,147 shares of the companys stock worth $152,000 after buying an additional 394 shares in the last quarter. 71.72% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Citigroup alerts: Analysts Set New Price Targets C has been the topic of several recent research reports. Morgan Stanley boosted their price objective on shares of Citigroup from $103.00 to $107.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 16th. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $85.00 to $95.00 and gave the company a hold rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Royal Bank Of Canada reduced their target price on shares of Citigroup from $85.00 to $78.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 16th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $84.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company upped their target price on shares of Citigroup from $110.00 to $115.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $96.54. Insider Transactions at Citigroup In related news, Director Peter B. Henry sold 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, July 16th. The shares were sold at an average price of $90.40, for a total transaction of $271,200.00. Following the completion of the sale, the director owned 2,140 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $193,456. This represents a 58.37% 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. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock. Citigroup Trading Down 0.6% NYSE C opened at $91.52 on Wednesday. Citigroup Inc. has a 12 month low of $55.51 and a 12 month high of $96.90. The company has a 50-day moving average of $85.06 and a 200-day moving average of $77.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.61, a current ratio of 0.99 and a quick ratio of 0.98. The company has a market cap of $170.93 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.52, a P/E/G ratio of 0.79 and a beta of 1.38. Citigroup (NYSE:C Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 15th. The company reported $1.96 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.35. Citigroup had a net margin of 8.44% and a return on equity of 7.29%. The company had revenue of $21.67 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $20.75 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.52 EPS. The companys quarterly revenue was up 8.2% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts predict that Citigroup Inc. will post 7.53 earnings per share for the current year. Citigroup Increases Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Monday, August 4th will be given a dividend of $0.60 per share. This is a boost from Citigroups previous quarterly dividend of $0.56. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, August 4th. This represents a $2.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.6%. Citigroups dividend payout ratio is currently 35.45%. About Citigroup (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. Featured Articles Want to see what other hedge funds are holding C? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Citigroup Inc. (NYSE:C Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Citigroup Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Citigroup and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Hemington Wealth Management boosted its position in shares of Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report) by 6.4% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 466 shares of the industrial products companys stock after acquiring an additional 28 shares during the quarter. Hemington Wealth Managements holdings in Deere & Company were worth $218,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. AXS Investments LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 23.7% during the 1st quarter. AXS Investments LLC now owns 3,661 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,718,000 after buying an additional 702 shares during the last quarter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Exencial Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,613 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $2,165,000 after buying an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 22,063,590 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $10,355,546,000 after buying an additional 185,671 shares during the last quarter. Wallington Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 0.3% during the 1st quarter. Wallington Asset Management LLC now owns 26,383 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $12,383,000 after buying an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Leisure Capital Management raised its stake in shares of Deere & Company by 0.8% during the 1st quarter. Leisure Capital Management now owns 2,886 shares of the industrial products companys stock valued at $1,355,000 after buying an additional 23 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.58% of the companys stock. Get Deere & Company alerts: Deere & Company Stock Performance NYSE:DE opened at $507.98 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $137.58 billion, a PE ratio of 24.58, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 1.06. The businesss fifty day moving average price is $512.25 and its 200 day moving average price is $488.25. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a current ratio of 2.11 and a quick ratio of 1.89. Deere & Company has a 12 month low of $342.70 and a 12 month high of $533.78. Deere & Company Announces Dividend Deere & Company ( NYSE:DE Get Free Report ) last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 15th. The industrial products company reported $6.64 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.72 by $0.92. The firm had revenue of $11.17 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.80 billion. Deere & Company had a return on equity of 24.39% and a net margin of 12.40%. Deere & Companys revenue for the quarter was down 17.9% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $8.53 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Deere & Company will post 19.32 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 8th. Investors of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a $1.62 dividend. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.3%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. Deere & Companys dividend payout ratio is 31.35%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several equities analysts recently weighed in on DE shares. Melius Research upgraded Deere & Company from a hold rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 6th. Barclays lifted their price target on Deere & Company from $475.00 to $530.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. Evercore ISI lifted their price target on Deere & Company from $455.00 to $493.00 and gave the company an in-line rating in a research note on Monday, May 19th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a buy rating on shares of Deere & Company in a research note on Thursday, May 15th. Finally, Robert W. Baird lifted their price target on Deere & Company from $501.00 to $514.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, May 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, twelve have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $515.50. Check Out Our Latest Analysis on Deere & Company About Deere & Company (Free Report) Deere & Co engages in the manufacture and distribution of equipment used in agriculture, construction, forestry, and turf care. It operates through the following segments: Agriculture and Turf, Construction and Forestry, and Financial Services. The Agriculture and Turf segment focuses on the distribution and manufacture of a full line of agriculture and turf equipment and related service parts. Recommended Stories Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Deere & Company (NYSE:DE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Deere & Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Deere & Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLC decreased its stake in Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report) by 36.4% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 8,078 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after selling 4,615 shares during the period. Fi3 FINANCIAL ADVISORS LLCs holdings in Pfizer were worth $205,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 0.9% in the 1st quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 523,165,127 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $13,257,004,000 after purchasing an additional 4,629,976 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake in Pfizer by 7.7% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 58,382,560 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,548,889,000 after purchasing an additional 4,167,222 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its stake in Pfizer by 3.5% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 39,402,619 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $1,045,351,000 after purchasing an additional 1,333,740 shares during the last quarter. Invesco Ltd. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 9.6% in the 4th quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 29,458,139 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $781,524,000 after purchasing an additional 2,579,455 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. lifted its stake in Pfizer by 51.9% in the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 26,456,457 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $670,407,000 after purchasing an additional 9,041,990 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 68.36% of the companys stock. Get Pfizer alerts: Pfizer Stock Performance Shares of Pfizer stock opened at $24.69 on Wednesday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.96, a current ratio of 1.26 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.64. Pfizer Inc. has a twelve month low of $20.92 and a twelve month high of $30.43. The stock has a market cap of $140.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.89, a P/E/G ratio of 0.85 and a beta of 0.52. The companys fifty day moving average is $24.39 and its 200 day moving average is $24.54. Pfizer Announces Dividend Pfizer ( NYSE:PFE Get Free Report ) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $0.78 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.58 by $0.20. Pfizer had a net margin of 12.62% and a return on equity of 20.33%. The company had revenue of $14.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $13.43 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.60 earnings per share. Pfizers revenue for the quarter was up 10.3% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Pfizer Inc. will post 2.95 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Friday, July 25th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, July 25th. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 7.0%. Pfizers payout ratio is currently 124.64%. Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades Several brokerages recently issued reports on PFE. UBS Group raised their target price on shares of Pfizer from $24.00 to $25.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 30th. Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $23.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. Cantor Fitzgerald initiated coverage on shares of Pfizer in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. They set a neutral rating and a $24.00 price objective for the company. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $32.00 to $33.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 21st. Finally, The Goldman Sachs Group raised their price objective on shares of Pfizer from $25.00 to $27.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating, six have assigned a buy rating and three have assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $28.28. Read Our Latest Stock Report on PFE Pfizer Profile (Free Report) Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products in the United States, Europe, and internationally. The company offers medicines and vaccines in various therapeutic areas, including cardiovascular metabolic, migraine, and women's health under the Eliquis, Nurtec ODT/Vydura, Zavzpret, and the Premarin family brands; infectious diseases with unmet medical needs under the Prevnar family, Abrysvo, Nimenrix, FSME/IMMUN-TicoVac, and Trumenba brands; and COVID-19 prevention and treatment, and potential future mRNA and antiviral products under the Comirnaty and Paxlovid brands. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding PFE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Pfizer Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Pfizer and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CGI Group, Inc. (TSE:GIB Free Report) Stock analysts at Desjardins upped their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for CGI Group in a report released on Wednesday, July 30th. Desjardins analyst J. Dubreuil now expects that the company will post earnings of $8.35 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $8.22. Desjardins also issued estimates for CGI Groups Q4 2025 earnings at $2.04 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $2.16 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $2.27 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.30 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $9.10 EPS. Get CGI Group alerts: CGI Group Price Performance About CGI Group (Get Free Report) See Also CGI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services in Canada; Western, Southern, Central, and Eastern Europe; Australia; Scandinavia; Finland, Poland, and Baltics; the United States; the United Kingdom; and the Asia Pacific. Its services include the management of IT and business outsourcing, systems integration and consulting, and software solutions selling activities. Receive News & Ratings for CGI Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CGI Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. US Bancorp DE reduced its holdings in Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report) by 3.2% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 111,483 shares of the casino operators stock after selling 3,708 shares during the period. US Bancorp DEs holdings in Las Vegas Sands were worth $4,307,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in LVS. Capital Research Global Investors raised its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 26.5% during the 4th quarter. Capital Research Global Investors now owns 58,824,289 shares of the casino operators stock worth $3,021,205,000 after purchasing an additional 12,304,533 shares in the last quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC raised its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 55.7% during the 4th quarter. Janus Henderson Group PLC now owns 14,218,581 shares of the casino operators stock worth $730,295,000 after purchasing an additional 5,088,095 shares in the last quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP raised its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 12.9% during the 1st quarter. ARGA Investment Management LP now owns 7,342,577 shares of the casino operators stock worth $283,644,000 after purchasing an additional 841,195 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP raised its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 42.7% during the 4th quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 2,652,458 shares of the casino operators stock worth $136,218,000 after purchasing an additional 793,789 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp raised its stake in shares of Las Vegas Sands by 6.5% during the 1st quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 12,415,492 shares of the casino operators stock worth $479,610,000 after purchasing an additional 752,944 shares in the last quarter. 39.16% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. Get Las Vegas Sands alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Argus raised Las Vegas Sands from a hold rating to a buy rating and set a $60.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 28th. The Goldman Sachs Group assumed coverage on Las Vegas Sands in a research note on Monday, July 7th. They issued a neutral rating and a $52.00 price objective on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $47.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. UBS Group raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $48.00 to $55.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 30th. Finally, Macquarie raised their price objective on Las Vegas Sands from $52.00 to $58.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research note on Thursday, July 24th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eleven have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $58.13. Las Vegas Sands Price Performance Shares of NYSE:LVS opened at $52.17 on Wednesday. Las Vegas Sands Corp. has a 1-year low of $30.18 and a 1-year high of $56.60. The firm has a market capitalization of $35.81 billion, a PE ratio of 26.35, a PEG ratio of 2.04 and a beta of 1.08. The businesss 50 day moving average is $46.12 and its 200-day moving average is $42.41. The company has a current ratio of 1.22, a quick ratio of 1.21 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.53. Las Vegas Sands (NYSE:LVS Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, July 23rd. The casino operator reported $0.79 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.53 by $0.26. Las Vegas Sands had a return on equity of 55.37% and a net margin of 12.16%. The company had revenue of $3.18 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.83 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.55 EPS. Las Vegas Sandss revenue for the quarter was up 15.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts predict that Las Vegas Sands Corp. will post 2.6 earnings per share for the current year. Las Vegas Sands announced that its Board of Directors has authorized a stock buyback program on Wednesday, April 23rd that permits the company to buyback $2.00 billion in outstanding shares. This buyback authorization permits the casino operator to buy up to 8.2% of its shares through open market purchases. Shares buyback programs are often a sign that the companys management believes its shares are undervalued. Las Vegas Sands Announces Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, August 13th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, August 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.25 per share. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.9%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 5th. Las Vegas Sandss dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 50.51%. About Las Vegas Sands (Free Report) Las Vegas Sands Corp., together with its subsidiaries, develops, owns, and operates integrated resorts in Macao and Singapore. It owns and operates The Venetian Macao Resort Hotel, the Londoner Macao, The Parisian Macao, The Plaza Macao and Four Seasons Hotel Macao, Cotai Strip, and the Sands Macao in Macao, the Peoples Republic of China; and Marina Bay Sands in Singapore. See Also Want to see what other hedge funds are holding LVS? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Las Vegas Sands Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Las Vegas Sands and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Limassol, Cyprus, August 5th, 2025, FinanceWire B2PRIME Group, a global financial services provider for institutional and professional clients, has published its Founders Letter for Q2 2025, unveiling new strategic milestones and a continued trajectory of growth. In the letter, Eugenia Mykuliak, the companys Founder & Executive Director provides a transparent look at B2PRIMEs key financial results and outlines the next steps on its roadmap. According to the report, B2PRIME exceeded EUR 50 million in AUM (Assets Under Management) during Q2 2025. Client deposits grew by 12% quarter-on-quarter, reaching EUR 27.7 million, while gross trading income expanded by 55% and net profit margin rose by 36%. Supported by a 20% increase in trading volumes, equity climbed to EUR 30 million, representing 44% of total assets. These results reaffirm B2PRIMEs resilience and strong fundamentals amid ongoing market volatility. The company continues to see acceleration in asset-class specific trading volumes as well, with notable Quarter-over-Quarter growth in Gold (+49%), GBP/USD (+35%), and NDX (+14%). Our Q2 performance reflects the strength of our team, our operational discipline, and our long-term product vision, Eugenia commented. We remain focused on delivering transparent, reliable, and innovative liquidity solutions to institutional clients and these numbers show were on the right path. Beyond financials, the letter highlights B2PRIMEs major strategic developments across people, products, and partnerships. The company welcomed senior hires from industry leaders, including oneZero, Edgewater Markets, and Centroid, bolstering its global presence and depth of expertise. In June, the company hosted its B2MEET event in Cyprus, bringing together economists and market professionals to discuss macro trends such as gold underperformance and USD resilience. Looking ahead to Q3 2025, B2PRIME announced a strategic TradingView integration, which will position the firm as a Platinum Broker inside the worlds largest trading and charting ecosystem. The group has also entered a new liquidity distribution partnership with Your Bourse, further enhancing its delivery across OneZero, PrimeXM, Centroid, and FXCubic. With an expanding global team and more events planned, B2PRIME is poised for further momentum in the second half of 2025. The full letter is available via the link: https://b2prime.com/news/founders-letter-eugenia-mykuliak-on-b2prime-groups-milestones-in-q2-2025 About B2PRIME Group B2PRIME Group is a global financial services provider for institutional and professional clients. Regulated by leading authorities including CySEC, SFSA, FSCA, and FSC Mauritius the company offers deep liquidity across multiple asset classes. Committed to the highest compliance standards, B2PRIME delivers institutional-grade trading solutions with a focus on reliability, transparency, and operational excellence. US Bancorp DE lowered its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report) by 4.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 15,635 shares of the insurance providers stock after selling 802 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DEs holdings in RenaissanceRe were worth $3,753,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the 4th quarter valued at $27,000. Tsfg LLC bought a new position in shares of RenaissanceRe during the 1st quarter valued at $40,000. LRI Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 116.5% during the 1st quarter. LRI Investments LLC now owns 262 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $63,000 after purchasing an additional 141 shares in the last quarter. Huntington National Bank raised its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 179.3% during the 4th quarter. Huntington National Bank now owns 257 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $64,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares in the last quarter. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its holdings in shares of RenaissanceRe by 165.1% during the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 464 shares of the insurance providers stock valued at $111,000 after purchasing an additional 289 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 99.97% of the companys stock. Get RenaissanceRe alerts: RenaissanceRe Stock Performance NYSE RNR opened at $240.18 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 1.36 and a quick ratio of 1.36. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.14, a P/E/G ratio of 2.41 and a beta of 0.29. The companys fifty day moving average is $242.31 and its two-hundred day moving average is $240.86. RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. has a 52-week low of $219.00 and a 52-week high of $300.00. RenaissanceRe Dividend Announcement RenaissanceRe ( NYSE:RNR Get Free Report ) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 23rd. The insurance provider reported $12.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $10.28 by $2.01. RenaissanceRe had a net margin of 15.44% and a return on equity of 15.00%. The company had revenue of $2.77 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.96 billion. During the same period last year, the business posted $12.41 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was down 2.4% on a year-over-year basis. Equities research analysts forecast that RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. will post 26.04 EPS for the current year. The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 30th. Stockholders of record on Monday, September 15th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, September 15th. RenaissanceRes payout ratio is 4.09%. Analyst Ratings Changes Several research analysts recently commented on the stock. JMP Securities reiterated a market perform rating on shares of RenaissanceRe in a report on Thursday, April 24th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $266.00 to $265.00 and set a hold rating on the stock in a report on Friday, April 11th. UBS Group lifted their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $250.00 to $265.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Monday, July 28th. Barclays lifted their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $256.00 to $273.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, July 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their target price on shares of RenaissanceRe from $285.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Monday, July 14th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $287.50. Read Our Latest Research Report on RenaissanceRe RenaissanceRe Company Profile (Free Report) RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides reinsurance and insurance products in the United States and internationally. The company operates through Property, and Casualty and Specialty segments. The Property segment writes property catastrophe excess of loss reinsurance and excess of loss reinsurance to insure insurance and reinsurance companies against natural and man-made catastrophes, including hurricanes, earthquakes, typhoons, and tsunamis, as well as winter storms, freezes, floods, fires, windstorms, tornadoes, explosions, and acts of terrorism; and other property class of products, such as proportional reinsurance, property per risk, property reinsurance, binding facilities, and regional U.S. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding RNR? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for RenaissanceRe Holdings Ltd. (NYSE:RNR Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for RenaissanceRe Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for RenaissanceRe and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. increased its stake in Lithia Motors, Inc. (NYSE:LAD Free Report) by 10.2% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 77,383 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 7,186 shares during the period. Westwood Holdings Group Inc. owned 0.30% of Lithia Motors worth $22,715,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of LAD. LPL Financial LLC lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 14.2% during the 4th quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 4,049 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,447,000 after purchasing an additional 503 shares during the period. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 30.5% during the 4th quarter. O Shaughnessy Asset Management LLC now owns 1,580 shares of the companys stock valued at $565,000 after purchasing an additional 369 shares during the period. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 9.7% during the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 10,528 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,763,000 after purchasing an additional 930 shares during the period. Wells Fargo & Company MN lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 30,685 shares of the companys stock valued at $10,968,000 after purchasing an additional 1,546 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Lithia Motors by 3.8% during the 4th quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 27,974 shares of the companys stock valued at $9,999,000 after purchasing an additional 1,013 shares during the period. Get Lithia Motors alerts: Wall Street Analyst Weigh In A number of research analysts have issued reports on LAD shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $335.00 to $315.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $364.00 to $317.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, July 30th. Guggenheim cut their target price on shares of Lithia Motors from $417.00 to $356.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, April 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on shares of Lithia Motors in a research report on Tuesday, June 3rd. They set a neutral rating and a $340.00 target price on the stock. Finally, Citigroup upped their price target on Lithia Motors from $378.00 to $383.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $376.60. Insider Transactions at Lithia Motors In related news, Director Shauna Mcintyre sold 256 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, July 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $293.05, for a total transaction of $75,020.80. Following the completion of the sale, the director directly owned 1,376 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $403,236.80. This represents a 15.69% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 0.87% of the companys stock. Lithia Motors Price Performance NYSE LAD opened at $298.55 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $324.57 and a 200 day simple moving average of $322.00. Lithia Motors, Inc. has a 52-week low of $255.32 and a 52-week high of $405.67. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.24, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a current ratio of 1.22. The stock has a market cap of $7.77 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.85, a PEG ratio of 0.44 and a beta of 1.30. Lithia Motors (NYSE:LAD Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, July 29th. The company reported $10.24 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $9.78 by $0.46. Lithia Motors had a return on equity of 13.21% and a net margin of 2.39%. The business had revenue of $9.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $9.56 billion. Analysts anticipate that Lithia Motors, Inc. will post 34.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year. Lithia Motors Announces Dividend The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, August 22nd. Investors of record on Friday, August 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.55 per share. This represents a $2.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 8th. Lithia Motorss dividend payout ratio is presently 6.52%. Lithia Motors Company Profile (Free Report) Lithia Motors, Inc operates as an automotive retailer worldwide. It operates in two segments, Vehicle Operations and Financing Operations. The companys Vehicle Operations segment sells new and used vehicles; provides parts, repair, and maintenance services; vehicle finance; and insurance products. Its Financing Operations segment provides financing to customers buying and leasing retail vehicles. Featured Articles Receive News & Ratings for Lithia Motors Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Lithia Motors and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. By Nicholas P. Brown NEW YORK (Reuters) -Bath & Body Works is going to college. Students at hundreds of U.S. universities will soon be able to buy the company's fragrances, candles and other items at campus bookstores, in a departure from the beauty retailer's long-held business model as it tries to lure coveted Gen-Z shoppers. Bath & Body has struck deals with bookstore operators like Barnes & Noble and Follett Corp to set up shops inside some 600 campus stores, where it will sell popular fragrances like Mahogany Teakwood and Champagne Toast, new CEO Daniel Heaf told Reuters. Schools include George Washington University, Boston College and Vanderbilt University. It is the first time that Bath & Body will sell items outside its own stores, but it won't be the last, Heaf said. "This idea of being either a wholesale brand or a direct-to-consumer brand is over," he said, adding that third-party distribution will be key to growth in the future. Boosting sales with Gen-Z is a priority for Heaf, who took the reins in May after a tough year that saw the company's shares removed from the benchmark S&P 500 index. The shares have lost 24% over the last two years, and closed at $28.93 on Tuesday. College bookstores could be fertile ground for gauging what younger buyers want without investing much capital, said Morningstar analyst Jaime Katz. It's also "a way to keep the conversation going with teen girls while they're ... not living with their parents anymore, not going to their usual places anymore," Katz said. An April survey by investment bank Piper Sandler found that, among teens, sales of fragrances were up 22% versus the same time last year, making it the fastest-growing segment in the beauty industry among teen shoppers. Before joining Bath & Body, Heaf held various roles at Nike, including running its direct-to-consumer business, which former CEO John Donahoe leaned heavily into after the pandemic, reducing the apparel brand's reliance on third-party retailers. That direct-to-consumer shift backfired, and Nike has since sought to repair its retail relationships. But analysts have attributed the failure more to a lack of fresh product than to the work of Heaf, whose reputation as an innovator remains solid. Katz believes Bath & Body's $29 share price could be a bargain, noting the company's strong operating margins and limited exposure to tariffs. One challenge Bath & Body faces, she said, is communicating to consumers the breadth of its product line, which ranges from soaps to lip balms to wallflowers. BounceBit, a crypto infrastructure provider that combines features of centralized and decentralized finance (CeDeFi), is bringing Franklin Templeton's tokenized money market fund into its structured yield platform BB Prime, combining U.S. Treasury yields with crypto funding and basis arbitrage strategies. The tokenized fund, which belongs to the suite of BENJI products, will serve as a collateral and settlement instrument for investment strategies. This way, investors can reap the underlying Treasury yield while adding additional return sources. Tokenized money market funds, now a roughly $7 billion asset class, have been at the forefront of tokenization efforts. Global asset manager BlackRock created with tokenization firm Securitize the BUIDL token, backed by short-term U.S. government securities, and it's becoming increasingly accepted as collateral on exchanges. Meanwhile, Bank of New York Mellon and Goldman Sachs recently rolled out tokenized money market funds as institutional investors. Franklin Templeton, one of the earliest traditional asset managers to issue tokenized funds on public blockchains, first launched its tokenized U.S. money market fund BENJI in 2021. "We have structured our suite of BENJI tokenized money market fund products to support a wide range of global client needs across retail, wealth, institutional, bank and collateral use cases," the firm said in a statement. BounceBit have worked with FT to incorporate operational use of its tokens in active yield strategies, marking what BounceBit CEO Jack Lu described as "the first real-world application of tokenized Treasuries in active yield strategies." "Partnering with Wall Street titans like Franklin Templeton signifies that institutional-grade RWA products have moved beyond experimentation into scalable, usable infrastructure," Lu said. The launch follows BounceBits earlier pilot using BlackRocks BUIDL token as collateral for a bitcoin derivatives strategy that produced over 20% annualized returns. BB Prime is currently accepting pre-registrations ahead of a public rollout. Read more: Goldman Sachs and BNY Mellon Team Up for Tokenized Money Market Funds US multi-brand restaurant company BT Brands has revealed that it is working with an investment banker to explore strategic options, which may involve a potential merger. The review process began in 2024 and has led to an assessment of transactions that extend beyond the company's initial concentration on the food service sector. The company has evaluated opportunities in several fast-growing industries, including food service, restaurants, biotechnology, cryptocurrency and drone services. There is no certainty that this strategic exploration will lead to any definitive transaction. The company has also announced that its affiliate, Bagger Dave's Burger Tavern (BDVB), in which it holds a 40.8% stake, is in discussions to sell five of its six operating restaurant locations. BDVB is a fast-casual dining establishment that currently operates in the US state of Michigan and Ohio. This transaction is expected to be finalised in the third quarter of 2025 and will enable BDVB to reposition itself for future strategic initiatives, including a potential merger. BT Brands CEO Gary Copperud stated: Our objective is to create shareholder value by identifying opportunities that strengthen our platform and broaden our growth prospects. Our advisor in this process brings capital markets expertise and a track record advising companies as they evaluate strategic options. We look forward to continuing our work with their team as we pursue these opportunities. "BT Brands considers strategic options, including potential mergers" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. We came across a bullish thesis on Burford Capital Limited on Coughlin Capitals Substack by Brian Coughlin. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on BUR. Burford Capital Limited's share was trading at $12.92 as of July 30th. BURs trailing and forward P/E were 7.78 and 9.68, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. 15 Best Shareholder Activism Law Firms A corporate lawyer explaining the terms of a contract to a customer in a contemporary office. Burford Capital remains a polarizing stock due to its complex, high-stakes business model centered on financing legal claims with uncertain timelines and binary outcomes. Long seen as opaque and volatile, Burfords model demands patience and a deep understanding of litigation processes across jurisdictions. However, a decisive court order on June 30mandating Argentina to transfer its 51% stake in YPF to plaintiffs Petersen and Eton Parkhas meaningfully changed the investment narrative. Burford, which funded the claim in exchange for a portion of any recovery, saw a 20% stock rally on the news, yet shares merely returned to their prior-month level, reflecting lingering skepticism and latent upside. The courts ruling, enforcing one of the largest sovereign judgments ever ($16.1 billion), was unequivocal in rejecting Argentinas appeal prospects. Burfords expected cut, estimated at 3573% of net proceeds, could total $89 billionover twice its market capunlocking the potential for massive value realization if enforcement succeeds. A prior political risk scare tied to proposed U.S. tax changes on litigation proceeds was also neutralized in July, reducing near-term regulatory overhang. Despite Argentinas resistance and political backlash, the legal momentum has shifted, validating Burfords long game and the litigation-finance model itself. While risks remainincluding future tax threats and disclosure mandatesthis inflection point strengthens the companys credibility. With enforceable judgments now materializing and litigation finance gaining legitimacy, Burford stands as a uniquely positioned vehicle with asymmetric upside. For long-term investors comfortable with complexity and uncertainty, the current setup offers a deeply mispriced opportunity. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Burford Capital Limited by Coughlin Capital in May 2025, which highlighted the companys leadership in litigation finance, strong historical returns, and potential upside from the YPF case. The stock has depreciated ~10% since then. Brian Coughlin shares an updated thesis but emphasizes the June 30 court order as a legal turning point. Calling the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as silent invisible rigging, Trinamul Congress national general secretary Abhishek Banerjee urged party workers to ensure that the name of not a single genuine voter is deleted from the voter list. Mr Banerjee today held a virtual meeting with the party leaders, including the MPs, MLAs and other functionaries. Around 9,000 leaders up to the booth level attended the meeting. Subrata Bakshi, state president of Trinamul Congress was also present at the meeting. Advertisement Mr Banerjee said SIR implementation and an attempt to force NRC through the backdoor by the BJP will be foiled by the party. We are not going to accept the BJPs arbitrary way of deleting the genuine names with the help of the Election Commission of India. We will fight till the end, he said. Advertisement Mr Banerjee said the booth president of the booths where Trinamul Congress candidates had lost by 100 votes or more will be replaced. Only those who work seriously will get a promotion. Bury your hatchets and work seriously for the party, he said. He said in 80,000 booths two booth-level meetings will have to be held in the next two months. There is no place for complacency in the party and pull up your socks to ensure victory of the candidates in the 2026 Assembly election, he said. Mr Banerjee made it very clear that the party is not going to tolerate any anti-party statement. One should give up the I-centric attitude and work for the party. Actions will be taken against those whose attitude and ego will affect the interest of the party. Trinamul Congress is a disciplined party and no one flouting the discipline of the party will be allowed in the party. Mr Banerjee became the leader of Trinamul Congress Parliamentary Party replacing Sudip Bandyopadhyay yesterday. The way Mr Banerjee conducted the meeting it is evident that he will play a major role in 2026 Assembly election from the selection of candidates to conducting the campaign. Abhishek said: More than Rs 1.75 lakh crore have been withheld by BJP but we are not dependent on them. Money for Awas Yojana has been given by state govt in two instalments. We went to Delhi to protest. Our women MPs were assaulted. On the APAS , Abhishek said, Amader Para, Amader Samadhan is a historic step, first-of-its kind by any govt after Independence. Abhishek also raised the issue of Delhi Police letter where Bengali was termed Bangladeshi and slammed BJP and Amit Malviya for insulting Bengali. This is why we call them Bangla birodhi and zamindars. How dare they call Bangla bhasha as Bangladeshi? Not a single MLA of BJP is protesting this insult on Bengal and Bengalis, said Abhishek. Subrata Bakshi, who also spoke at the meeting highlighted what Didi had said from 21 July rally dais and even protested at the Gandhi Murti in Kolkata to protest against Bengalis being harassed. He instructed party workers to be on the ground and interact regularly with the people. He stressed on Amader Para Amader Samadhan and said that leaders have to be on the booths to inform people why the TMC is saying Bangla birodhi bisorjon. Burmese restaurant and tea room chain Burma Burma has broadened its presence in the Delhi-NCR region of India by opening three new outlets. The recent additions in the districts of Vasant Kunj, Aerocity and Gurugram bring the brand's total number of locations in the area to six. Burma Burma now has18 restaurants and one delivery kitchen across India and is present in Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Ahmedabad. The latest establishments are situated at DLF Promenade in Vasant Kunj, Worldmark 3 in Aerocity, and Worldmark 65 in Gurugram. The Aerocity venue is the largest of the new trio at 6,302ft and offers seating for 110 guests. It features a striking atrium and a hanging pagoda installation. The DLF Promenade restaurant, with 94 seats, covers 2,017ft and the Gurugram outlet, spanning 3,238ft, includes a tea bar and a private dining area. Each of the new Burma Burma restaurants has been designed by Minnie Bhatt, principal architect at Minnie Bhatt Designs, to capture the essence of Burmese artistry, craftsmanship and storytelling traditions. In celebration of the new openings, Burma Burma has introduced a special limited-edition tea house menu titled From Burma with Tea, which will be available exclusively at the three new locations until 30 September 2025. It offers traditional Burmese pulled teas, iced teas, snacks,and shareable bowls, and will be available nationwide from 1 September. Burma Burma co-founder Ankit Gupta was quoted by Restaurant India: Over the years, diners in Delhi have embraced Burma Burma with warmth and enthusiasm, and that continued support inspires us to grow with the city. With three new locations now open across vibrant neighbourhoods in Delhi-NCR, were deepening our presence in the region. "Each of our spaces reflects our commitment to offering not just a meal, but a meaningful experience-one that resonates with the citys dynamic spirit and ever-curious palate." "Burma Burma expands in India with three new outlets" was originally created and published by Verdict Food Service, a GlobalData owned brand. If everything goes as planned, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Bengal again on 20 August to attend a special programme in Dum Dum. The Assembly elections in the state are due next year. Despite the BJPs vigorous efforts during the 2021 Assembly elections, the party was unable to form the government in Bengal. Advertisement In a strategic move, the Prime Minister has decided to hold a programme every month targeting the Bengali community in the state. Advertisement On 29 May, he addressed a public meeting in Alipurduar. Subsequently, he held another programme in Bengal just before the Trinamool Congresss Martyrs Day on 21 July. Further, after the appointment of the new BJP state president, Shamik Bhattacharya, the Prime Minister conveyed a political message to party workers and supporters during a gathering in Durgapur on 18 July. According to sources, Dum Dum has been selected as the venue for the 20 August event. Notably, the current state president contested from the Dum Dum Lok Sabha constituency in the last general election. Sources also indicate that the Prime Minister aims to send a strong message to the people of Bengal that the BJP is not against the Bengali community. The partys central leadership has advised the state unit to avoid a repeat of the outsider narrative, which the Trinamul Congress had effectively used against the BJP during the 2021 elections. The Prime Minister has reportedly instructed the Bengal BJP to focus on the central governments development initiatives. While the Trinamul Congress continues to intensify its stance on the SIR issue, the BJP plans to counter it by highlighting the Tiranga Yatra as a symbol of national pride and unity. The erstwhile state president of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has accused the ruling Trinamul Congress (TMC) government in West Bengal of targeting Hindu pilgrims with an unauthorised tax during one of the states largest religious festivals. Sukanta Majumdar, a central minister and former state BJP president, alleged that the state government is charging devotees a fee of Rs 10 per person for collecting water from the Ganges at Baidyabatis Nimai Tirtha Ghat before embarking on a pilgrimage to the Shiva temple in Tarakeswar. In a strongly-worded post on X, Mr Majumdar compared the fee to a jizya a tax historically levied on non-Muslims during Islamic rule and claimed it reflects the anti-Hindu and fundamentalist mindset of the Mamata Banerjee-led state government. Advertisement This is not just about money, Majumdar wrote. This is a message to Bengali Hindus that even their religious practices are now taxable in West Bengal. Advertisement Tens and thousands of Hindu devotees gather in Tarakeswar for the month-long Shravani Mela, an annual religious fair where pilgrims walk barefoot for miles to offer sacred Ganges water to Lord Shiva. State authorities say they have taken extensive measures to ensure the smooth conduct of the festival, deploying police forces, setting up surveillance cameras, and coordinating food, water, shelter, and medical support for the arriving devotees. The West Bengal government has not formally responded to Majumdars allegations. However, several local civic volunteers and event organisers told the Press that a small fee is sometimes collected at ghats for sanitation and crowd management, especially during large-scale religious events. They insist such contributions are voluntary and not mandated by the state. The incident underscores deepening political and religious fault lines in the state, where faith and governance often collide in the public arena. It also comes amid a broader national debate over religious freedoms, state control, and the rights of faith-based communities. Majumdars accusations come just when the TMC has been criticising the BJP over the safety of Bengali migrant workers in other Indian states. Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari, on Tuesday accused the Trinamul Congress-led state government of deliberately not cooperating with the Election Commission of India (ECI) in executing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls. Drawing a comparison with Bihar, Adhikari said the Nitish Kumar-led government has extended full support to the ECI for preparing a revised voters list, while the Bengal government is resisting the process to protect its vote bank of fake and illegal voters, including Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims. Advertisement Speaking to reporters in Siliguri, Adhikari said: The question is who holds the real power the ECI or the state government? As per the Constitution, the ECI will prevail. Once the SIR begins in Bengal, the power equation will be settled. Advertisement He asserted that genuine Indian Muslims have no reason to fear the SIR, but illegal immigrants would be removed from the rolls before the 2026 Assembly polls. Hindus from Bangladesh will be recognised as refugees and given Indian citizenship under the CAA, he said. Already, over 3 lakh illegal entrants have been pushed back to Bangladesh. This process will continue, especially against illegal Bangladeshi Muslims. When asked about senior MP Kalyan Banerjees decision to resign as TMCs Chief Whip in Lok Sabha, Adhikari remarked: Kalyan Banerjee is an experienced leader who joined politics before 2011 and played a crucial legal role during the Left regime. He should not be compared with Abhishek Banerjee, who entered politics post-2011 from Delhi, using Mamata Banerjees shadow and surname. Launching a scathing attack on chief minister Mamata Banerjee for her appeasement politics, Adhikari declared, I defeated Mamata at Nandigram in 2021, and I will defeat her again in Bhawanipur in 2026. Hundreds of Trinamul Congress supporters allegedly attacked the convoy of Leader of Opposition (LoP) Suvendu Adhikari at Khagrabari, the gateway to Cooch Behar town, on Tuesday, damaging his bulletproof car as he was en route to a political programme, permitted by the Jalpaiguri Circuit Bench of the Calcutta High Court. Despite police presence, TMC activists waved black flags and shouted slogans to block his convoy. According to Cooch Behar district TMC president Abhijit Dey Bhowmik, the party had staged protests at 20 locations across the district against Adhikaris visit. Advertisement When the convoy reached Khagrabari, the crowd turned violent, and the bulletproof car carrying the LoP was allegedly attacked. Security personnel, including the CISF and local police, eventually brought the situation under control, allowing Adhikari and his team to proceed. Advertisement Following the attack, an angry Suvendu Adhikari and BJP MLAs from Cooch Behar marched to meet Superintendent of Police Dyutiman Bhattacharya and submitted a formal representation. Mr Adhikari had earlier announced on 21 July in Siliguri that he, along with BJP MLAs, would stage a protest in Cooch Behar against recent attacks on three BJP legislators in the district. After the SP denied permission for the programme, Adhikari and Kalchini MLA Bishal Lama approached the Calcutta High Court. Justice Sugata Bhattacharya allowed the visit and directed the LoP, along with MLAs Nikhil Ranjan Dey, Baren Barman, and Sushil Barman, to meet the SP. After meeting the SP, Adhikari told reporters, Around 1,500 TMC supporters, including Bangladeshis and Rohingyas, led by minister Udayan Guha, attacked my car and attempted to kill me. I was saved only because I was travelling in a bulletproof car provided by former Union minister Nisith Pramanik. Otherwise, I would have died. He further alleged that SP Dyutiman Bhattacharya was indirectly involved in the conspiracy and said both Guha and Bhattacharya would be held accountable in the High Court. The attack took place in front of the police, who remained mute spectators, Adhikari claimed. He said he had prior intelligence about possible attacks and had alerted the chief secretary, home secretary, director general of police, and the Governor. I will inform the high court about this incident, he added. The SP reportedly informed the BJP delegation that one person involved in damaging the vehicle had been arrested. Despite prior intimation, there was no proper security arrangement. Had I not boarded Nisiths car, I would not have survived, Adhikari reiterated. Addressing a party programme later, Adhikari vowed, I will take this to its conclusion. Once I return to Kolkata, I will take on Udayan Guha. He also alleged that illegal infiltration had led to a 26 per cent rise in the voter population in Cooch Behar. Bangladeshi and Rohingya Muslims in the district are involved in anti-national activities. If the Election Commission fails to act, Sanatani Hindu voters will not be able to reach polling booths, he warned. To reassure Hindu refugees, Adhikari said, There is no need to worry. I will be their guarantor. If any technical issue arises regarding their citizenship, I will resign. Sarkar bodol hobe, badla-o hobe (The government will change, and there will be retribution), he thundered, urging BJP workers to unite. Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor Sanjay Malhotra on Wednesday informed that banks are organising camps at the Panchayat level from July 1 to September 30 for re-KYC of Jan Dhan Accounts. Apart from opening new bank accounts and re-KYC, the camps will focus on micro insurance and pension schemes for financial inclusion and customer grievance redress. Advertisement Governor Malhotra also mentioned that as the Jan-Dhan Scheme completes 10 years, a large number of accounts have fallen due for re-KYC. Advertisement Earlier, RBI Deputy Governor M Rajeshwar Rao also highlighted that the JAM Trinity has provided a quantum leap in the countrys efforts to ensure universal access to banking services, making it the worlds largest financial inclusion programme. Prior to this, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman also highlighted KYC in a social media post on X, saying, With the programme completing 10 years & these accounts requiring KYCs, I urged the banks to start an initiative of reaching out to people for the same. Since 1st July 2025, banks have covered nearly 1 Lakh Gram Panchayats under this initiative. Calling PMJDY one of the biggest financial inclusion initiatives globally, FM Sitharaman said that the government has set a target of opening three crore more accounts this year. Notably, according to the official data, the average bank balance per account has risen from Rs 1,065 in March 2015 to Rs 4,352 now, with around 80 per cent of accounts active. Prime Minister Narendra Modi also said the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) has transformed access to financial services for the poorest by bridging the gap between banks and the unbanked, promoting dignity, self-reliance, and economic inclusion. The PM shared an article on how the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has transformed access to financial services for the poorest as the social welfare scheme completed 11 years. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has transformed access to financial services for the poorest. It has bridged the gap between banks and the unbanked, promoting dignity, self-reliance, and economic inclusion, PMO India said in a post on X. While the Trump tariff will affect approximately $8.1 billion worth of Indias exports to the US, the overall impact on Indias economy remains manageable, said PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI). In a comprehensive white paper analyzing the impact of the US 25% tariff on Indian imports, PHDCCI President Hemant Jain said, India continues to be the fastest growing economy amongst the major economies of the world. Our analysis indicates that there will be an estimated impact of only 1.87% on Indias total global merchandise exports and negligible 0.19% on Indias GDP as a result of the 25% tariff announced by the US on India. Advertisement PHDCCI, in its white paper, highlighted that the total potential export impact was estimated at $8.1 billion based on FY2025 merchandise exports of $86.5 billion. Advertisement This impact represents only 1.87% of Indias total global merchandise exports. GDP impact projected at a negligible 0.19%, and India continues to be the fastest-growing major economy at 6.4% GDP growth, as per IMF July 2025 forecast, globally. Analysis on the sectoral impact, the white paper identified the potential impact on Engineering Goods at $1.8 billion; Electronic Goods at $1.4 billion; Pharmaceuticals at $986 million; Gems & Jewelry at $932 million and Ready-made Garments at $500 million. PHDCCI also has outlined a four-pronged strategy to strengthen Indias trade positioning and mitigate tariff-related challenges in global markets. The first pillar, market penetration, focuses on deepening access in the US by negotiating bundled pricing with major retailers such as Walmart, Target, and Amazon. It also calls for leveraging the Indian diaspora network to unlock new sales channels and securing long-term offtake agreements to ensure consistent demand. The second pillar, product development, emphasizes value enhancement through the creation of premium variants of existing export lines with higher acceptance in international markets. This includes co-innovating with US buyers to meet custom specifications and launching a dedicated Make in India Select premium sub-brand to differentiate Indian offerings. The third pillar, market development, seeks to diversify Indias export destinations by redirecting volumes to regions with relatively moderate tariffs the EU (15%), Canada (20%), and Latin America (10% on average). It also stresses fast-tracking the use of Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) such as India-UK and India-ASEAN, while positioning India as a China-plus-one alternative in key Asian markets. Finally, the diversification pillar focuses on building resilience through joint ventures for on-shore production in the US, deploying agri-tech solutions in American specialty crop regions, and setting up integrated service-product capability centers to provide end-to-end solutions for buyers. Together, these measures aim to strengthen Indias trade competitiveness, enhance product value, and expand market reach, it said. Chief Minister Rekha Gupta on Wednesday urged Delhiites to celebrate Indian handloom by posting pictures in traditional weaves on social media and tagging her to support the cause. Her appeal came during Vastra Katha 2025, an event organised to mark National Handloom Day at the Ashoka Hotel in New Delhi. I invite every Delhiite to post their handloom outfits on social media, tag me, and support Indian handloom. Together, we can strengthen our economy, support our artisans, and celebrate our heritage, Gupta said. Advertisement According to an official document, the day-long exhibition showcased the finest handloom and khadi products, followed by a fashion show highlighting the strength, beauty, and sustainability of indigenous fabrics. Advertisement The exhibition featured 24 unique stalls from across India, displaying GI-tagged textiles, live weaving demonstrations, and intricate embroidery. Visitors got a glimpse of Indias rich weaving heritage through exhibits that included real zari Banarasi sarees by Mohammad Salam Ansari, Kancheepuram and Mysore silks by Mohan Varghese, Ladakhs Pashmina, Telanganas Ikat, Meghalayas Eri silk, Nagalands Chagan Masi shawls, Bihars Tassar silk with Madhubani prints, and Gujarats Patola and Double Ikat weaves. Eco-friendly fabrics made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton were also featured at the event. Vastra Katha concluded with a fashion show that traced the journey from ancient roots to modern global trends, presenting Indian fabrics in both traditional and contemporary styles. Welcoming the artisans and thanking them for their craftsmanship, Industries Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa said, Our goal is to bring handloom into every household, not just as a tradition but as a fashion icon. The work done here today will be talked about across Delhi and beyond. A 60-year-old estranged husband, who arrived in Delhi from Bihar disguised as a sadhu, allegedly bludgeoned his wife to death in a pre-planned attack in Neb Sarai area of South Delhi, police said on Wednesday. The accused, identified as Pramod Jha, allegedly attacked his 50-year-old wife, Kiran Jha, inside her residence in the early hours of Wednesday. Advertisement Ankit Chauhan, Deputy Commissioner of Police (South), said, We received a PCR call around 4:09 am informing us that Kiran, who worked as a caregiver for patients, was found lying in a pool of blood by her daughter-in-law. Advertisement According to police, Pramod had travelled from his native village, Chidiabad in Bihars Munger district, on Friday after nearly a decade-long separation from his wife. He allegedly impersonated a sadhu to mislead family members and gain access to the house, the DCP added. Kiran had been living separately from her husband for the past 10 years due to repeated incidents of domestic violence. She was residing with her son Durgesh, daughter-in-law Kamal Jha, and granddaughter in Neb Sarai. The DCP further stated that Durgesh currently works for a microfinance company in Darbhanga, Bihar. Preliminary investigation revealed that Pramod had no stable source of income and had sold off his ancestral property. He had been pressuring Kiran to return to Bihar and earn money, a demand she consistently refused. When spoken to, Kirans daughter Roma alleged that her father used to abuse her mother during their marriage. This prompted Kiran to leave him and live separately in Delhi, the officer said. Roma also told police that the family had visited Bihar about two months ago for a funeral, during which Pramod appeared to have renounced violence. Taking advantage of this false impression, he came to Delhi on Friday and stayed with us. On the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, he killed my mother after she again refused to accompany him back to Bihar, Roma alleged. As part of the investigation, a crime team along with forensic experts visited the scene and recovered the weapon of offence a hammer from inside the room. Investigators also examined footage from a Delhi government CCTV camera installed in front of the building, which reportedly showed Pramod leaving the premises around 12:50 am after changing his clothes. Based on technical surveillance and local inputs, police have launched a manhunt for the accused, who is currently absconding. Teams have been dispatched to railway stations and bus terminals to track his movements. We are working on multiple leads and are confident of arresting him soon, the officer added. A case has been registered under relevant sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) at the Neb Sarai Police Station, and further investigation is underway. Actor Manchu Manoj, known for his dynamic roles in Telugu cinema, celebrated a major milestone this week, marking 21 years in the film industry. To commemorate this special occasion, he revealed news about his upcoming project, titled David Reddy, a historical action drama. Taking to his social media accounts, Manoj shared his heartfelt gratitude with fans and supporters, expressing how blessed he felt to still be doing what he loves. He wrote, With a heart full of gratitude Today marks 21 years of my journey in cinema. I feel truly blessed to be still doing what I love. And with the same love and hope, sharing my 21st film titled #DavidReddy. Advertisement The actor gave fans a sneak peek into what they can expect from David Reddy, describing it as a raw, intense, high-octane historical action drama. Advertisement Set between the years 1897 and 1922, the film will explore a gripping period in history. Manoj also credited director Hanuma Reddy Yakkanti for bringing the project to life, with support from Velvet Soul Motion Pictures. Along with the announcement, Manoj shared a captivating poster for the film. The tagline on the poster reads: Born in the Madras Presidency, Raised in Delhi. Now, shaking the British empire. Rebellion begins Manchu Manojs announcement also comes on the heels of his return to the big screen earlier this year with the action-packed thriller Bhairavam. After a long hiatus of nine years, the actor made an emotional comeback to the industry. During the trailer launch of Bhairavam, Manoj became visibly emotional when a special tribute video (AV) was played. Actor Vijay Deverakonda, known for his roles in popular films like Arjun Reddy and Liger, appeared before the Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday for questioning related to an investigation into money laundering. This case is linked to illegal online betting and gambling activities operated by certain platforms. The actor visited the EDs zonal office to provide information regarding the ongoing probe. Advertisement The appearance of Vijay Deverakonda follows a similar one by actor Prakash Raj, who was questioned by the ED on July 30. Other prominent actors, including Rana Daggubati and Lakshmi Manchu, have also been summoned by the agency for questioning in connection with the case. Advertisement These celebrities are being investigated for their alleged role in endorsing online betting apps that are suspected of generating illicit funds. According to reports, these online betting platforms are accused of using celebrities to promote their services, which are believed to have been involved in illegal gambling operations. These platforms are said to have generated large sums of money, amounting to crores of rupees, through activities that violate the law. The actors, including Deverakonda, are being questioned under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). The ED is recording their statements as part of the investigation. The case stems from several First Information Reports (FIRs) filed by state police, which were later referred to the ED. These FIRs allege that the actors and other celebrities may have knowingly or unknowingly endorsed the platforms that promote illegal betting, in exchange for celebrity fees. While some of these celebrities have denied any involvement in illegal activities, stating they were unaware of the platforms illegal operations, the ED is continuing its investigation. Vijay Deverakonda began his acting career with the 2011 film Nuvvila and gained massive fame after his 2017 hit film Arjun Reddy. His successful career, coupled with his popularity, made him a prime candidate for endorsements. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. There's a house-of-mirrors quality to the newly-declassified annex from special counsel John Durham's investigation of the investigation in the Trump-Russia matter. What is true? What is genuine? What does it mean? There's a simpler way to read it: Just focus on what we know the Hillary Clinton campaign actually did in the 2016 presidential campaign against Donald Trump. Leave speculation and judgments of motive out of it. The best way to do that is to start not with the Durham annex but with the actual Durham report, which was released in 2023. In it, Durham discussed what he called the "Clinton Plan intelligence," that is, his discovery that U.S. intelligence learned about what Russian intelligence learned yes, it's complicated about an alleged Clinton campaign plan to accuse Donald Trump of collusion with Russia. This is perhaps the most important paragraph in Durham's 306-page report. It's worth reading carefully: The Clinton Plan intelligence itself and on its face arguably suggested that private actors affiliated with the Clinton campaign were seeking in 2016 to promote a false or exaggerated narrative to the public and to U.S. government agencies about Trump's possible ties to Russia. Given the significant quantity of materials the FBI and other government agencies did in fact receive during the 2016 presidential election season and afterwards that originated with and/or were funded by the Clinton campaign or affiliated persons (i.e., the Steele Dossier reports, the Alfa Bank allegations, and the YotaPhone allegations), the Clinton Plan intelligence prompted the [special counsel's] office to consider (i) whether there was in fact a plan by the Clinton campaign to tie Trump to Russia in order to "stir up a scandal" in advance of the 2016 presidential election, and (ii) if such a plan existed, whether an aspect or component of that plan was to intentionally provide knowingly false and/or misleading information to the FBI or other agencies in furtherance of such a plan. This is what we know, as outlined in the Durham report. On April 1, the Democratic/Clinton law firm Perkins Coie hired Fusion GPS, an opposition research term, which in turn hired former British spy Christopher Steele to investigate allegations of Trump ties to Russia. Steele was also a CHS, or confidential human source, for the FBI, going back several years. On June 14, 2016, there were media reports the Russians had hacked the Democratic National Committee. On July 22, the Friday before the Democratic National Convention was scheduled to begin on Monday, stolen DNC emails were published in the press, causing embarrassment to the Democratic Party. (The emails showed clearly that Clinton and the party had worked to undermine rival Bernie Sanders.) On July 24, Clinton campaign manager Robby Mook took to the Sunday shows to claim that Russia was behind the DNC hack a lot of people were saying that and further, that "experts" were saying "this was done by the Russians for the purpose of helping Donald Trump." Mook had no evidence to support his charge. "It was a remarkable moment," the New York Times reported the same day, July 24. "Even at the height of the Cold War, it was hard to find a presidential campaign willing to charge that its rival was essentially secretly doing the bidding of a key American adversary. But the accusation is emerging as a theme of Mrs. Clinton's campaign." With that, the effort to smear Trump as a "Russian asset" was off and running. But smearing your opponent is part of politics, however unsavory. What if what Clinton did was just opposition research? "Steele was hired by Fusion GPS to essentially conduct opposition research against then-candidate Trump in the midst of a U.S. presidential election," the Durham report notes. "While many may find this practice unseemly, political opposition research is a firmly entrenched feature of U.S. electoral politics." On the other hand, what if the Clinton team went beyond oppo research? That is what Durham was getting at when he wanted to know if Clinton's plan was to "intentionally provide knowingly false and/or misleading information to the FBI or other agencies." That's more than just opposition research. The answer is in the Durham report, with new details provided by the Durham annex. Among those new details is that the FBI received from a secret source a Russian communication from early March saying that Clinton's staff was "preparing scandalous revelations of business relations between Trump and the 'Russian Mafia.'" That certainly lines up with the campaign's hiring of Christopher Steele and the plan to tie Trump to Russia. Then we learn, from another Russian communication provided by the secret source, that on July 26 remember the leaked emails were made public on July 22 and Mook made his accusation on July 24 Clinton "approved a plan proposed by one of her foreign policy advisers to 'smear Donald Trump by magnifying the scandal tied to the intrusion by the Russian special services in the pre-election process to benefit the Republican candidate.'" Democrats and their allies in the media immediately pronounced that information fake. Durham's investigators, experienced prosecutors, felt otherwise. But leave that question unsettled. Focus instead on what we know, from the Durham report, and now from the Durham annex, about what Clinton actually did. Consider five data points: 1) By April, 2016, the Clinton campaign already had a contractor Steele working on developing damaging information on Trump and Russia. 2) By July 24, the campaign was publicly raising the charge of Trump-Russia collusion, and the New York Times reported the topic was "emerging as a theme of Mrs. Clinton's campaign." 3) Also in July, Steele contacted an FBI agent and "requested an urgent meeting," according to the Durham report. There Steele gave the FBI one of his first reports. It alleged, famously, that "Russian authorities had been cultivating and supporting US Republican president candidate Donald Trump for at least five years," an operation that was "both supported and directed by Russian President Vladimir Putin." It also alleged, infamously, that Russian spy cameras had recorded "Trump's (perverted) conduct in Moscow" including "employing a number of prostitutes to perform a 'golden showers' (urination) show in front of him." That was the salacious and wildly false allegation that later became known as the "pee tape." It is without any doubt an example of the Clinton campaign, working through its contractor Steele, providing "false and/or misleading information to the FBI or other agencies." 4) After July, Steele worked hard to funnel his anti-Trump material into the media. For journalists, the dossier's unsupported gossip would be legitimized by the fact that the FBI was investigating it. 5) In September, a Democratic lawyer working on behalf of the Clinton campaign, Michael Sussmann, planted a false allegation about Trump and Russia the so-called Alfa Bank story with the FBI. At the time, Sussmann denied he was acting for the Clinton team, even though he billed the campaign for the outreach to the FBI. In light of that, look at Durham's two questions: "(i) whether there was in fact a plan by the Clinton campaign to tie Trump to Russia in order to 'stir up a scandal' in advance of the 2016 presidential election, and (ii) if such a plan existed, whether an aspect or component of that plan was to intentionally provide knowingly false and/or misleading information to the FBI or other agencies in furtherance of such a plan." The answer to (i) is yes, there was a plan. The answer to (ii)? Well, there is no question that the Clinton campaign provided false and/or misleading information to the FBI. Whether it did so knowing the information was false and/or misleading is still a point of argument, at least among Democrats. In light of the entirety of what is now known, it seems extremely hard to believe the campaign did not know its feeds to the FBI were false and/or misleading. Still, in the most basic sense, we know what Hillary Clinton did. It wasn't just opposition research. She and her campaign team accused Trump of collusion and then fed false and/or misleading information relating to that accusation to the FBI, after which it became the subject of alarmist reporting in the press. The Clinton Plan In the short run, it didn't work Clinton lost and Trump won. But in the long run, it upended American politics for years, and no one is the better for it. However, questions still remain on how the Financial Conduct Authority will handle a redress scheme worth as much as 18bn, which industry leaders risked being completely impractical. The Supreme Courts decision on the car finance scandal has sent shares in some of Britains biggest lenders, including Lloyds Bank, soaring. Thanks for joining us this morning. To quickly re-cap: Mr Phillipou, who was speaking on a webinar hosted by Asset Finance Connect, said the 3pc rate of interest proposed by the FCA would also be a massive topic for the group. Bank shares surged on Monday as markets opened for the first time since the Supreme Courts judgment. Shares in Lloyds Bank, the UKs biggest car finance lender, were up 6pc. Shares in Close Brothers, a specialist lender, jumped as much as 25pc to 494p. Many banks that provided loans to car buyers failed to properly disclose the details of the schemes. On Friday, the Supreme Court rejected claims this commission amounted to a bribe, but ruled some rates had been excessive and unfair. Lenders could be forced to pay between 9bn and 18bn to customers who were mis-sold car finance. The FCA is now consulting on the proposals. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Sunday said motorists who had taken out loans to pay for their vehicles which included secret commission agreements between banks and dealers could be in line for payments of up to 950 under a redress scheme . I understand the doing right by the consumer but one of the things is showing loss to consumers. Thats going to be quite hard to prove without paperwork and evidence. I dont think its good for UK investability that the reason for keeping the data is that you might get sued in 15 years time. Mr Phillipou said: The outline of the redress scheme is impractical and going back to 2007 is going to be impossible to get that data. If youre running your businesses properly, we encourage them to follow the GDPR rules. Then you havent got the reason to retain that data. He said it would be impossible for banks to obtain data dating back to 2007 because businesses are already encouraged to delete loan information under data protection rules. John Phillipou, chairman of the Finance & Leasing Association, said offering compensation to customers on deals dating back nearly two decades would harm the UKs investability. A car finance compensation scheme that risks leaving the City with a bill of up to 18bn will hammer Britains prospects as a place to invest, lenders have warned. Story Continues Stephen Haddrill, director general of the Finance & Leasing Association said the industry had a major concern about the redress scheme going back to 2007. He told the BBCs Today programme: I just think that is completely impractical. It is not just firms that dont have the details about contracts back then, customers dont either. 01:06 PM BST Can I get compensation for my car finance? The Financial Conduct Authoritys consultation means people who took out car finance on unfair terms could be eligible for up to 950 in compensation. However, for now, the best advice is to sit tight and wait for more details, rather than signing up to a claims management firm. Telegraph Money explains what you should and shouldnt do next... 12:28 PM BST Dealmaking could follow Supreme Court ruling, lawyer suggests The Supreme Courts decision to block the majority of claims against the car finance industry could unlock a wave of dealmaking between dealerships and finance providers, a City lawyer has said. Hyder Jumabhoy, a partner at White & Case LLP who leads its financial institutions group, said: Investors are comforted that a path through the uncertainty has emerged. While it is too early to predict the full impact with certainty until the FCAs consultation process is complete, we expect this move to accelerate M&A activity due to some lenders having decreased risk appetite but also because of unused provision amounts becoming available for acquisitions. It could also prompt some car manufacturers to enter the UK motor finance market to steady the supply of finance to buyers of new vehicles. 11:46 AM BST Motor finance compensation will hurt UK investability Plans to force lenders to pay compensation to millions of car finance customers dating back almost two decades risk hurting Britains investability, an industry body has claimed. John Phillipou, the chair of the Finance and Leasing Association, said: The outline of the redress scheme is impractical and going back to 2007 is going to be impossible to get that data. Were all encouraging them, if youre running your businesses properly, to follow the GDPR rules and then if you havent got the reason to retain that data. I dont think its good for UK investability that the reason for keeping the data is that you might get sued in 15 years time. I understand the doing right by the consumer but one of the things is showing loss to consumers. Thats going to be quite hard to prove without paperwork and evidence. 11:39 AM BST Lloyds shares up 7.5pc Shares in Lloyds have continued to climb this morning and are now up 7.5pc as the market welcomes the Supreme Courts decision on Friday. 11:03 AM BST City watchdog to take moderate approach, analysts predict The Citys financial regulator is expected to take a moderate approach when it comes to compensation claims from motorists, analysts at RBC have said. We see Fridays Supreme Court judgement as a clearing event for the bank and expect the FCA to take a moderate approach when laying out its final redress scheme towards the end of this year, analysts at the bank said in a note. They added: Its hard to see Lloyds underperforming into the medium term given rate expectations and a softening regulatory backdrop. 10:30 AM BST Extraordinary intervention by FCA could still cost banks billions, analysts say The UK finance watchdogs mass redress scheme has been labelled an extraordinary intervention because banks may still be forced to put more cash aside. Analysts at Keefe, Bruyette and Woods said the Financial Conduct Authoritys 9bn to 18bn estimate would force Close Brothers to increase provisions from 165m to 285m and Lloyds from 1.2bn to 2bn. KBW said it was surprising banks were being asked to put more aside by the FCA despite lenders already having earmarked 2bn to cover the costs of the issue. Instinctively one might have thought that that would leave managements existing litigation provision sufficient, but the FCAs extraordinary intervention on Sunday afternoon suggests that further provisions may still be required - albeit still well below our pre-Supreme Court assessment, they said about Close. They were surprised about Lloyds having to pay more, because the FCA had already backed the 1.2bn provision. Quite why regulators agreed Lloyds 1.2bn earlier in the year if they thought the liability was so much higher is not explained, they said, adding that Lloyds had a long track record of understating litigation risk). 09:59 AM BST Car finance compensation will hit profits, South African bank warns FirstRand, the South African owner of car finance giant Motonovo, has warned investors that the UK car payout scheme could weigh on profits. On Monday, the lender said it may need to set aside more money than expected after the Financial Conduct Authority unveiled plans for a mass redress scheme, Michael Bow reports. In particular, the bank said predicted earnings growth of low double digits to mid teens - roughly 10pc to 15pc - would not trend closer to the bottom end of the guidance, meaning closer to 10-11pc. Much will hinge on the FCAs proposed interest penalty of around 3pc for the redress scheme, it indicated. Despite the threat, shares in the Johannesburg lender spiked 6pc this morning. Motonovo is a major UK car finance lender, and FirstRand was one of the companys being sued as part of Fridays Supreme Court case. 09:43 AM BST Victory for common sense in car finance case, says lender The founder of a specialist finance lender which saw shares battered by the motor finance controversy has praised the outcome as a victory for common sense, Michael Bow reports. Anthony Coombs, a former Tory MP and now chair of lender S&U, said the watchdog-led redress scheme was entirely consistent with the Governments growth mission. S&U shares tanked 33pc in the wake of the Court of Appeal judgment last October amid fears its lending practices would be caught up in a redress scheme. Shares have bounced back since and rose nearly 14pc on Monday after the Supreme Court overturned the ruling, and S&U said any impact would be minimal. Mr Coombs said: It will significantly boost confidence throughout the motor finance industry and benefit lenders and consumers alike in attracting investment and increasing competition. As such, it is entirely consistent with the Treasurys recent emphasis on regulation which encourages growth. 09:24 AM BST Car finance compensation credit negative for banks, says Moodys Car finance payouts will be credit negative for Britains banks after the expected compensation sums came in higher than expected, a leading ratings agency warned. Moodys said the UK finance watchdogs redress scheme, announced on Sunday, would lead to substantial compensation payouts for lenders and hurt balance sheets, Michael Bow writes. Simon Ainsworth, from Moodys, said: The FCAs decision to proceed with a consultation for a redress scheme on motor finance commissions is credit negative for UK banks and other consumer credit providers. He added lenders had already put aside 2bn - but the estimated 9bn to 18bn cost of the scheme meant banks would have to take a bigger hit. Before the Supreme Court ruling, Moodys had originally predicted the compensation hit could have hit 30bn. Judges on Friday dramatically narrowed the scope of the scheme. 09:03 AM BST Shares in Close Brothers climb 21pc on car finance ruling Shares in specialist lender Close Brothers are flying on Monday morning as investors unpack the Supreme Courts decision late last week to reject the majority of car finance compensation claims. The lender climbed as much as 25pc in early trades and is now trading up around 21pc at 481p. Close Brothers was one of the lenders most exposed to he scandal. Roughly 20pc of its loan book was dedicated to car finance and the mid-market lender had set aside 165m to cover anticipated losses from claims. However, the Supreme Courts decision to dismiss blanket calls for compensation for mis-sold car finance have reassured investors in the lender. Close Brothers lost close to 50pc of its value in the days following a court ruling in October that left it exposed to a vast compensation payout. Its shares have now recovered that lost value, giving it a market capitalisation of 720m. In a statement, Close Brothers said it was still considering the financial impact of Fridays decision and the FCAs consultation on redress. It said: Until the FCA confirms whether it will consult on a redress scheme and, if so, confirms the design and scope of that scheme, there remains uncertainty as to the range of outcomes, and the financial impact to the group, including any impact on its provisioning assessment. 08:34 AM BST Lloyds expects to pay more than 1bn in compensation Lloyds Bank has confirmed it still expects to pay more than 1bn in compensation over the motor finance scandal, despite Fridays Supreme Court ruling. In a statement on Monday, the lender, which is the UKs biggest car finance firm through its Black Horse division, said the scale of payouts was expected to be broadly similar to its earlier estimates given to investors. The bank said: After initial assessment of the Supreme Court judgment, and pending resolution of the outstanding uncertainties, in particular the FCA redress scheme, the group currently believes that if there is any change to the provision it is unlikely to be material in the context of the group. The provision will continue to be reviewed for any further information that becomes available, with an update provided as and when necessary. The bank has already set out a provision of around 1.15bn for compensation claimants. Lloyds shares were up 6pc on Monday morning. 08:24 AM BST Bank shares surge after Supreme Court ruling Shares in some of Britains biggest lenders are surging this morning after the Supreme Court rejected the majority of motor finance claims in a ruling on Friday. Lloyds Bank shares were up 6pc in early trading in London, while shares in specialist lender Close Brothers climbed 25pc. Shares in Secure Trust Bank were up 19pc while shares in Barclays were up 1.8pc. Lloyds is Britains biggest car finance lender through its Black Horse division. The share price jump comes after a court ruling that was handed down after markets closed on Friday, largely throwing out claims for compensation brought over mis-sold car loans. The Supreme Courts judgment was delayed to avoid turbulence in the City given fears the claims could give rise to compensation payouts of as much as 44bn. Over the weekend, the FCA said the scale of redress payouts under a new scheme being pulled together by the watchdog would be in the region of 9bn to 18bn. 08:14 AM BST Do not hire a law firm for motor finance, says FCA chief Consumes should avoid hiring a law firm or claims management company to handle their compensation claim for car finance, the chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority has said. Nikhil Rathi, the head of the City watchdog, said: You dont need to use a claims management company or law firm. He said the FCA had already taken action against 225 adverts because there have been exaggerated claims out there of compensation that could be on offer. However, he added consumers still deserved redress, despite the Supreme Courts decision to throw out the majority of claims last week over motor finance. We have found in our review that many firms broke the law, Mr Rathi told the BBC. In those cases where consumers have lost out it is important that there is appropriate compensation. He said there were grounds to go back to 2007 to avoid thousands of cases going through the courts in order to bring this to a close now given that his has been argued about for several years. 07:48 AM BST Car finance compensation will hit borrowing costs, lenders warn Good morning, the fall out from the car finance scandal has continued this morning as lenders digest plans for a compensation scheme that could leave them on the hook for up to 18bn. Uncertainty over the compensation payouts could increase borrowing costs, lenders have warned, after Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on Sunday announced a consultation on how customers could seek redress for mis-sold laons. Stephen Haddrill, director general of the Finance & Leasing Association, warned that questions over how a redress scheme will award payments dating back as far as 2007 would increase lending costs. He told the BBC: The more uncertainty there is for people who finance the car finance industry, the more expensive that finance becomes for the firms and ultimately the more expensive borrowing becomes for the customer. Over the weekend, Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, said: 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. The Supreme Court last week through out the majority of claims related to car finance schemes, ruling that commission awarded to car dealers by lenders in secret was not a bribe. However, the FCA said it still wanted to ensure customers were consistently, efficiently and fairly awarded compensation if they were wrongly sold certain types of loans for buying cars. 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. Two women YouTubers were arrested by the Brahmpuri Police in Meerut city of Uttar Pradesh for allegedly spreading false rumours about a drone thief through social media. The women were later released on bail from the police station. One of the accused, identified as Layba, a postgraduate student (MSc), runs a beauty parlour and was residing in Rasheed Nagar. She operates an Instagram account under the username meerut_twins_454, which has over 74.1K followers. She has also received a YouTube Silver Play Button for her content creation. Advertisement The other woman, Meenakshi, is an actress in short films and resides in Saraswati Lok. Her Instagram following is comparatively modest, with around 1,530 followers. Advertisement On the night of August 5, Layba uploaded a video to her Instagram in which she claimed, Guys, its 3 a.m. and we have found the drone thief. Many people are chasing him, and hes about to be caught. You were all worried; now well catch him and hand him over to you. Let us know in the comments. The video ends with the popular jingle Jagte Raho (Stay Awake), commonly associated with night watch alerts. The video quickly went viral, causing panic in the Khata Road area. Himanshu Bhardwaj, the in-charge of Ganeshpuri outpost, filed a complaint at Brahmpuri Police Station on Wednesday. In the complaint, it was stated that the video falsely reported drone activity, creating unnecessary fear among residents. A case has been registered under IPC Section 353(1) and Section 66D of the IT Act against the Instagram account meerut_twins_454. Additionally, action was taken under Section 351 of the new Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), which pertains to intentionally spreading fear among the public and is punishable with imprisonment up to two years. Laybas brother denied the allegations, claiming, My sister hasnt done anything wrong. She just makes normal videos. She isnt even in Meerut right now. We have nothing more to say. Police have also contacted Meta (Instagrams parent company) and YouTube to request that the video be taken down. Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Dr Vipin Tada confirmed the arrests, saying, A case has been registered against two women who claimed to be influencers and were spreading false rumors about drones. So far, 26 cases have been filed, and over 35 people have been arrested in connection with similar fake news incidents. He further clarified that there has been no confirmed case of any drone activity in the area. While responsible citizens do not believe in such rumors, certain mischief-makers are taking advantage and creating public panic, he added. The police are continuing to monitor social media accounts and have warned others against spreading unverified information. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Tuesday announced the launch of a dedicated portal through which eligible indigenous citizens residing in sensitive areas can apply for arms licences. The initiative, according to the Chief Minister, is rooted in longstanding demands dating back to the Assam Agitation era (19791985), when many indigenous groups first raised concerns about demographic changes and safety in regions experiencing socio-political tension and influxes of migration. Advertisement Taking to social media platform X on Wednesday, Sarma said, A dedicated portal is coming up where indigenous people, who perceive a threat to their lives and reside in sensitive areas, can apply for arms licenses. He also shared detailed eligibility guidelines and a multi-layered scrutiny process that applicants must undergo. Advertisement As per the guidelines, only original inhabitants or Indigenous Indian citizens of Assam who feel a genuine threat to their life and safety due to the vulnerability of their locality will be eligible. The policy specifically mentions residents of vulnerable or remote areas, as identified by the district administration or authorized security agencies. The licensing process will involve security assessment, verification and vetting, compliance with existing arms regulations, a non-transferability clause, periodic review, and close monitoring. The move comes following a Cabinet decision taken on May 28, which allowed the issuance of arms licences to indigenous people in remote and vulnerable areas as a confidence-building measure. CM Sarma had earlier identified several such areas, including Dhubri, Barpeta, Morigaon, Nagaon, South Salmara-Mankachar, Rupahi, Dhing, and Jania regions known for their sizable Muslim populations and history of ethnic and demographic tensions. Sarma emphasized that this is a practical step to empower indigenous communities to feel secure in their homeland. We wont survive merely through agitations, he said, alluding to the past protest movements. We need to take practical measures to protect our people. The arms portal is part of a broader policy framework by the Assam government, which has focused increasingly on security, border surveillance, and demographic regulation often sparking political debate across party lines and communities. The government is expected to make the portal live soon, with applications being processed in close coordination with law enforcement and administrative officials. With Tamil Nadu witnessing a spurt in honour killings across the state, alliance parties of the ruling DMK on Wednesday have made a strong push to press the Stalin government to enact a special law to curb this menace. While Viduthalai Chiruthaigal Katchi (VCK) president Thol Thirumavalavan, MP, CPI(M) state secretary P Shanmugam and his CPI counterpart R Mutharasan, jointly called on Chief Minister MK Stalin and submitted a memorandum, the Congress staged a token one-day fast at the party headquarters, Satyamurti Bhavan. Advertisement Even though enacting a special statute against honour killing was a poll pledge of the DMK, the Stalin government had not made any step in honouring that assurance in the last four years. The principal opposition AIADMK is silent on this. Advertisement The renewed push from the DMKs allies for the law comes in the wake of the recent gruesome murder of a Dalit IT professional, Kavin Selvaganesh, in Triunelveli. He was hacked to death by the brother of the girl with whom he was in a relationship and this had sparked statewide outrage. Enacting such a legislation was well within the powers of the state and hence, we urged the Chief Minister to take expeditious steps in that direction. The menace of honour killing is not only a menace confronted by Dalits. Honour killings against lovers is there in all communities, and as such it is a social issue required to be dealt with an iron hand, Thirumavalavan, a Dalit leader, flanked by Shanmugam and Mutharasan, told the media after the meeting with Stalin. The National Commission for women in 2010 as well as the Law Commission in 2012 have called for such a special law to prevent crimes against women in the name of tradition and honour and provided a framework for this. CPI(M) member A Soundararajan in 2015 had tabled a private member Bill in the Tamil Nadu Assembly. The then Judge of Madras High Court, Justice V Ramasubramanian, had emphasised this in a verdict. The Supreme Court, while calling for such a legislation, had given instructions to the police on how to act in dealing with such cases, he said, listing the growing support across the nation for addressing the issue of honour killings. The VCK will hold state-wide protests to press the demand from August 9 to 11, he said, adding that he would be participating in the demonstration in Chennai on August 9. The joint meeting with the Chief Minister was also to inquire about his health as he was discharged from hospital last week, he said. We urged the Chief Minister to bring in a law to address the issue. Already states like Rajasthan are having such a legislation, to curb dishonour killings, another form of gruesome casteist violence, He assured to consider the demand favourably, CPI (M) Stare Secretary said. The joint memorandum stated that caste is entrenched through Sanatan and varnashrama dharma, leading to murdering young couples for defying caste and community norms. Right from Vriddhachalam kannagi-Murugesan to Usilampatti Vimaladevi and Krishnagiris Subash as well as Kavin Selvaganesh, the horrendous murders in the name of honour had claimed more than 100 young lives. Such killings are the result of caste panchayat intimidation as well as toxic notion of caste purity and honour. Under the current legal system, these crimes are reduced as ordinary murders, read the memorandum. It also called for defining and criminalising honour killings, allow for prosecution of investigators, including caste bodies and relatives, shift the burden of proof on the accused and ensure fast track courts, special public prosecutors and victim compensation. Haryana is set to host the prestigious 18th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference-cum-Exhibition, scheduled to be held from November 7 to 9, 2025, in Gurugram. Preparations for this international event were reviewed at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi here on Wednesday. The UMI Conference is a flagship annual event organized under the aegis of the Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA), Government of India. It serves as a globally recognized platform for stakeholders to deliberate on emerging issues, trends, innovations, and challenges in the field of urban transport and mobility. Advertisement Chief Secretary Rastogi emphasized that hosting this prestigious event is a matter of pride for Haryana and presents a significant opportunity to showcase the states progress in sustainable urban development, smart transportation solutions, and infrastructure innovation. Advertisement The theme of this years conference is Urban Development and Mobility Nexus, focusing on the critical inter-linkages between planned urban growth and efficient transport systems. The conference will feature plenary sessions, technical sessions, panel discussions, and interactive exhibitions, with participation from policymakers, industry experts, researchers, and delegates from across India and various countries. Since its inception in 2008, the UMI Conference has evolved into a comprehensive knowledge-sharing platform that promotes best practices, encourages cross-learning among cities, and helps shape future policies for improved urban mobility across India. In addition to the main sessions, the event will include technical tours and heritage site visits, offering delegates a glimpse of the regions rich culture and urban transport initiatives. Additional Chief Secretary, Town and Country Planning, AK Singh; Director General, Information, Public Relations, Languages and Culture, K Makarand Pandurang; Additional Director (Administration) Yogesh Mehta; and senior officers of various departments attended the meeting. Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in Delhi on Wednesday and is also expected to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, sources said. According to sources, Eknath Shinde and Amit Shah had a closed-door meeting for 25 minutes during which the issue of controversial ministers in the Maharashtra cabinet was discussed. Advertisement Amit Shah is likely to meet constituent parties of the Mahayuti soon to discuss this issue after Eknath Shinde told him that raising concerns about controversial cabinet ministers is an attempt to tarnish the image of the alliance, the sources said. Advertisement Confirming his meeting with Amit Shah, Shinde told media persons, I met Union Home Minister Amit Shah along with all MPs. It was a goodwill meeting. There were also some issues of special interest that I raised during this meeting. I was in Delhi last week as well, but I did not meet him at that time. So, today I raised some issues related to MPs. Development-related projects being implemented by both the state government and the central government were also discussed. The parliamentary session is on in Delhi. I do not do any work in secret. I do everything in front of everyone. Meanwhile, Shiv Sena chief Uddhav Thackeray and Sena MLA Aaditya Thackeray arrived in Delhi on Wednesday for a three-day visit. Uddhav Thackeray landed at the Delhi airport around 3:30 pm, where he was received by Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP and chief party spokesperson Sanjay Raut, Arvind Sawant, Sanjay Dina Patil, and Anil Desai of the Uddhav Thackeray-led Shiv Sena. Sources said that Uddhav Thackeray might attend a luncheon organised by NCP chief Sharad Pawar for the MPs from the opposition Maha Vikas Aghadi (MVA) on Wednesday. Uddhav Thackeray will also visit the Shiv Sena party office in Parliament, where PM Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and other BJP leaders are likely to be present. According to sources, Uddhav Thackeray is likely to have dinner with Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday, before his scheduled meeting with leaders of the INDIA alliance on Thursday. Ahead of the INDIA alliance meeting at Rahul Gandhis residence on August 7 (Thursday), Shiv Sena Rajya Sabha MP Sanjay Raut stated on Wednesday that key issues, including Prime Minister Narendra Modis lies, the Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor, and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voters list in Bihar, will be discussed. On August 7, there is a meeting of the INDIA alliance. Rahul Gandhi has personally called up everyone and extended an invitation, Raut said, adding that Uddhav Thackeray will be in Delhi until August 8 (Friday). Uddhav Thackeray will be in Delhi till August 8. He will attend the INDIA alliance meeting and meet everyone. He will also visit our new party office at the Parliament premises. In a series of swift operations across Manipur, security forces have arrested multiple individuals linked to insurgent groups, arms smuggling networks, and vehicle theft gangs. The crackdown, which unfolded over the last two days, is part of an intensified drive to restore law and order in a state grappling with prolonged unrest and rising criminal activity. Advertisement On August 5, a team of security personnel apprehended an active member of the proscribed outfit Kanglei Yawol Kanna Lup (KYKL). Advertisement The accused, identified as Sagolsem Hemanta Singh (41) of Phumlou Keiroi Maning Leikai in Imphal West, was arrested from his residence. According to police, Singh was actively involved in the recruitment of cadres for the banned group. A mobile phone was seized during the operation. On the same day, another individual, Naobi Leishangthem (33), also known by the alias Youhenba, was arrested from a rented house in Lamphel Yaipha Leikai under the jurisdiction of Lamphel police station. Leishangthem is reportedly associated with the Kangleipak Communist Party (KCP Military & Foreign Liaison). Authorities say he was involved in extortion, criminal mediation, and settling disputes including crimes against women through threats and coercion. A mobile handset and an Aadhaar card were recovered from his possession. A day earlier, two suspected arms smugglers were nabbed from separate locations in Imphal East. The accused Ningombam Abung Meitei (50) of Huidrom Awang Leikai and Ningthoujam Konungjao Meetei (33) of Keibi Khulen Makha Leikai were found in possession of a 9mm pistol with a magazine, two live rounds, a Vespa scooter, two mobile phones, and an Aadhaar card. The arrests were made during a coordinated operation by state security personnel. Efforts to tackle vehicle thefts have also been stepped up. On August 4, two alleged vehicle lifters Md. Mufasin (20) of Lilong Makha Leikai and Md. Aman (20) of Lilong Lou Tara were arrested from Lilong Dam near the Anjuman Office in Thoubal district. Police recovered a stolen Royal Enfield Interceptor motorcycle, which had been reported missing from Lilong Kaleikhong. Meanwhile, the Manipur Police Traffic Division continued its enforcement drive against traffic violations. On August 5 alone, police issued 63 challans amounting to Rs 99,500 in fines. On the previous day, tinted films were removed from nine vehicles, and one vehicle was detained for rule violations. According to officials, these actions are part of a larger push involving intelligence-based combing operations and cordon-and-search drives aimed at dismantling insurgent infrastructure, breaking extortion networks, and reducing overall criminal activity. The fresh wave of arrests comes at a time when the state remains under heightened security measures. Manipur has been experiencing ethnic tension and political instability since May 2023, leading to the extension of Presidents Rule, recently approved by the Rajya Sabha. Authorities say the operations will continue, and further arrests may follow as investigations into the cases progress. Prime Minister Narendra Modi is likely to travel to Japan and China on a two-nation tour, beginning around August 29. The prime minister is expected to first visit Japan to hold an annual India-Japan summit. From there, he is likely to travel to China to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), scheduled to be held from August 31 to September 1. Advertisement This will be Modis first visit to China since the Galwan valley clashes between Indian Army personnel and Chinese PLA soldiers in 2020. He had last met Chinese President Xi Jinping in 2024 on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in Russia. Advertisement Earlier in July this year, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar had also visited China. This was also the first meeting of Jaishankar since the 2020 military standoff between the armies of the two countries. Modis visit to China, if materialized, will come amid a strain in Indias ties with the US in the wake of President Donald Trumps imposition of enhanced tariffs on India in addition to penalties for purchasing Russian oil. Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Wednesday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of being unable to stand up to US President Donald Trump due to the ongoing investigation into the Adani Group. In a statement posted on his handle X, Gandhi claimed that Modis hands are tied because of the financial links between his government and the Adani Group, as well as Russian oil deals. India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing US investigation into Adani. One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modis hands are tied, Gandhi said in his post. The Adani Group has been embroiled in a controversy over allegations of financial irregularities and stock manipulation. The US short-seller Hindenburg Research has accused the group of brazen stock manipulation and accounting fraud scheme over the course of decades. The investigation has raised concerns about the groups governance and transparency. Gandhis statement has sparked a fresh debate about the relationship between the Modi government and the Adani Group. The opposition leader has been vocal about the alleged nexus between the government and corporate interests, and this latest statement is likely to further intensify the controversy. The government has denied any wrongdoing and has accused the Congress party of trying to malign the countrys image. The Adani Group has also rejected the allegations made by Hindenburg Research, calling them malicious and manipulated. Advertisement Congress leader and Leader of Opposition in the Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, was granted conditional bail by the MP-MLA Special Court in Chaibasa on Wednesday in connection with a criminal defamation case filed by a BJP leader. Gandhi appeared in person before Judge Supriya Rani Tigga at 11 am, complying with an earlier directive of the Jharkhand High Court, which had temporarily stayed a non-bailable warrant issued against him. The court granted bail on the condition that he would extend full cooperation during the trial. Advertisement The case relates to alleged defamatory remarks made during a Congress convention on March 28, 2018, where Gandhi had reportedly targeted BJP leaders. BJP functionary Pratap Kumar filed the complaint in the Chaibasa court, initiating the legal process. Advertisement After jurisdictional transfers between the Ranchi MP-MLA court and Chaibasa, and Gandhis repeated non-appearance despite summons, the Chaibasa court issued first a bailable, and later a non-bailable warrant. His plea for exemption was initially rejected by the lower court. Also Read: PM Modi Unable to Stand Up To Trump, Says Rahul Gandhi Amid Adani Row On June 10, the Jharkhand High Court stayed the NBW and allowed Gandhi time till August 6 to appear. His counsel Dipankar had argued that Gandhi was unable to appear on June 26, the earlier date fixed by the court. Since the case involves only bailable sections, legal experts had anticipated that bail would be granted. The trial will now proceed with the courts directive for Gandhi to remain cooperative through the legal process. Rejecting Oppositions demand of a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise, Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Wednesday said that the issue is under consideration in the Supreme Court and cant be discussed in the Parliament. The government has been open to take up discussion on any matter, however, any discussion in Parliament has to be in accordance with constitutional rules and procedures, Rijiju said. Advertisement This matter is under consideration by the Supreme Court, Rijiju said, adding it is sub judice and hence cannot be taken up by Parliament. Advertisement The minister asserted that discussing SIR issue in Parliament would mean breaking the rules and conventions. As the logjam continued in both the Houses of Parliament, the minister urged the Opposition MPs to allow the House to function. However, the Opposition MPs continued to protest and raise slogans demanding a discussion over the Bihar SIR, leading to the adjournment of the proceedings in Lok Sabha for the day. The House will resume at 11 am on Thursday, August 7. Earlier in the day, Congress leader Mallikarjun Kharge addressed a joint press conference with his INDIA bloc allies over the issue of SIR exercise. Kharge said that the entire Opposition is united in demanding a discussion on the SIR issue but the government is not willing. Referring to the governments stand that the functioning of the Election Commission of India cannot be discussed in Parliament, Kharge cited Dhankhars statement that the House is entitled to discuss everything under this planet. On 21st July 2023, the then Chairman Jagdeep Dhankhar said that this house is entitled to discuss everything under the planet, he said. The Congress leader claimed that votes of Dalits, tribals, MNREGA workers and minorities are being cut under the SIR exercise in Bihar. Whose votes are being cut? Minority votes are being cut, Dalit votes are being cut, tribal votes are being cut, MNREGA workers votes are being cut and the migrant workers are being deprived of their rights, he said. Kharge also pointed out that a complete discussion will rectify the mistakes and protest those who are losing their voting rights. We want that we get a break to discuss this and the irregularities in the voter list and the theft of votes. We want that if a complete discussion is held then wherever they have made mistakes and whatever they are doing in an unconstitutional manner, we can answer them, give suggestions and in the interest of the country, especially we can protect those voters who are losing their rights, he added. Chevron and Valero Energy are reportedly in discussions to restart the supply of Venezuelan crude oil to Valero's US refineries, according to a Reuters report, citing sources. This development follows Chevron's receipt of a restricted licence from Washington in late July, allowing operations and oil exchanges with Venezuela, a nation currently under US sanctions. The permit is subject to strict terms that forbid the allocation of any oil revenue to the regime of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. The licence, which came as part of a policy shift after a prisoner swap, enables Chevron to resume oil shipments, with the company set to restart deliveries this month, albeit with an initial small volume. Chevron is awaiting the allocation of cargoes for August delivery from Venezuelan state company PDVSA. Negotiations between Chevron and Valero include the revival of a ship-to-ship operation off the Caribbean Island of Aruba. This operation could potentially restart this month, pending mandatory inspections and ongoing vessel contract negotiations, according to one of the sources, the report said. Before the revocation of Chevron's licence to operate in Venezuela, the company supplied approximately 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) of Venezuelan heavy crude to Valero's refineries via Aruba in the first quarter, based on shipping data. This volume accounted for around 20% of Chevron's total Venezuelan oil exports during that time frame. The supply agreement is particularly crucial for Chevron's second-largest joint venture in Venezuela, Petroboscan, located in the country's western region. The heavy Boscan crude produced by Petroboscan has faced storage limitations, leading to production cuts in the past. Resuming the supply deal would address these challenges. "Chevron and Valero plan to restart Venezuelan crude supplies to US refineries" was originally created and published by Offshore Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. The Himachal Pradesh government is giving top priority to skill development and employment generation for youth, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani said while presiding over a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Skill Development Corporation on Wednesday. Dharmani stated that innovative initiatives are being undertaken to enhance the skills of young people and promote self-reliance across the state. Advertisement The state aims to open new avenues of employment and self-employment by aligning training programmes with current market demands and encouraging innovation. Advertisement The Minister directed officials to prepare a comprehensive action plan for the effective implementation of skill training initiatives. He stressed the need to equip the youth with practical knowledge and industry-relevant skills to help them face future challenges in an increasingly competitive environment. He said the various schemes being run by the state government are focused on improving the capabilities and employability of young people. Several innovative measures are being introduced in certified training programmes conducted by the Skill Development Corporation. During the financial year 202425, around 4,100 trainees were awarded certificates in trades such as automotive, construction, apparel, and electronics. In addition, over 650 youth received certifications in other sectors, including agriculture, handicrafts, and healthcare. A presentation was also made during the meeting by Knowledge Corporation Limited, showcasing progress, challenges, and future plans related to training and employment generation. The Minister reiterated the governments commitment to empowering the youth of Himachal Pradesh through skill development and capacity building. In a sharp critique of the Opposition for allegedly pursuing the politics of appeasement, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath said on Wednesday that certain antisocial elements conspired to tarnish the image of the Kanwar Yatra. He, however, added that timely intervention of the administration foiled the sinister design with the help of public awareness. Today, he asserted, the Yatra stands out as a symbol of social unity. Advertisement The chief minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 545 development projects worth 2,264 crore in Nath Nagri, Bareilly. Advertisement Addressing a public gathering on the occasion, highlighting Bareillys transformation, he said lakhs of devotees now participate in Jalabhishek at the Nath Corridor, which is emerging as the new identity of the city. During the programme, CM Yogi also handed over appointment letters to over 6,000 youth selected through the Rozgaar Mela, and distributed certificates and tablets to beneficiaries of various welfare schemes. Referring to the Kanwar Yatra, he added, Some individuals had tried to insult public sentiments and defame the tradition, but the alertness of society and the states strong law-and-order machinery foiled such efforts. The double-engine BJP government is committed to blending heritage with development. Bareilly, which once suffered frequent communal riots before 2017, is now gaining fame for the Nath Corridor and spiritual tourism, he stated. The chief minister emphasized that government schemes are now reaching every section of society without any discrimination based on caste, religion, or region. This is the new India, marching ahead with the mantra of Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas. Bareilly is progressing rapidly, and the double-engine government is striving to ensure happiness, prosperity, and inclusive development, he said. CM Yogi informed that Bareilly has been given 545 development projects worth 2,264 crore. This includes the inauguration of 222 projects worth 1,258 crore and the laying of the foundation stone for 322 projects worth 1,004 crore. Key projects include the Nath Corridor, flood protection measures, bridges, bypass roads, road widening works, a Unani Medical College, rural drinking water supply schemes, as well as projects under the Power Department and Municipal Corporation. The Nath Corridor project will see the development of iconic temples such as Alakhnath, Tripathinath, Gopeshwarnath, and Pashupatinath into prominent centers of spiritual tourism. During the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath handed over appointment letters to more than 6,000 youth selected through the Rozgaar Mela. Encouraging young individuals to take advantage of the Mukhyamantri Yuva Udyami Vikas Yojana, he highlighted that under the scheme, eligible youth are being provided with collateral-free, interest-free loansstarting from 5 lakh, increasing to 7.5 lakh upon timely repayment, and further up to 10 lakh. Taking a swipe at past regimes, CM Yogi Adityanath said that before 2017, government jobs were handed out like personal favours through uncle-nephew networks and family ties. In sharp contrast, he noted, the current government has provided 8.5 lakh government jobs in the last eight years through a transparent, merit-based system with over 12,000 posts secured by young women. He appealed to public representatives to honor the selected youth and their families publicly to inspire others and foster a culture of aspiration. Earlier, jobs were limited to a select family. Today, opportunities are available to every deserving youth, without any discrimination, he asserted. Highlighting the law-and-order improvements, CM Yogi said, The state is now mafia-free and fear-free. Earlier, mafias used to be appointed district-wise; today, every district is being recognized for its progresswith initiatives like One District One Medical College and One District One Product. He emphasized that the double-engine BJP government is integrating heritage with modern development. Uttar Pradeshs infrastructure is being transformed through enhanced connectivityvia expressways, highways, metro projects, airports, and flyovers, he noted. Describing Bareilly as the sacred land of Lord Parshvanath, CM Yogi said that UP is the janmabhoomi and tapobhoomi (birthplace and the place of enlightenment) of Lord Ram, Krishna, Buddha, and Jain Tirthankaras. We are preserving this spiritual heritage and integrating it with world-class infrastructure so that UP emerges as a leader not only spiritually and culturally but also economically. The chief minister inaugurated new projects, including the Ramganga Flood Protection, widening of Sanda Pal Marg, Unani Medical College, Municipal Corporation Office, Power Department Building, and Gas Conservation Projects, and also laid the foundation stone for several others. Yogi also informed that, with central support, tourism development projects have been sanctioned for sites like Ramnagar Fort and Ahichhatra Parshvanath Digambar Jain Temple. Reiterating the commitment to Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, he emphasized that development benefits are being delivered to all citizens without any discrimination. Referring to his meeting earlier that morning with public representatives of Bareilly division, he said that the priorities for future projects are being shaped by their suggestions. These initiatives will accelerate development in Bareilly, Pilibhit, Shahjahanpur, and Budaun. As of August 6, at least five people have died and over 150 individuals were rescued after a devastating cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides near Harsil and Dharali in Uttarkashi district. One body was recovered todays morning, confirmed ITBP. Rescue operations by the Army, NDRF, SDRF, ITBP, and local authorities are ongoing. More than 100 people still feared missing, including around 11 Army personnel stationed near Harsil. Continuous rainfall and damaged infrastructure have hampered relief efforts, raising concerns that the toll may rise. Torrential rainfall in Uttarakhand has put obstacles in the rescue operations. IMD has predicted rainfall in the state of Uttarakhand for the next three days. Top developments related to Uttarkashi cloudbursts Advertisement 1) 413 people rescued so far: confirms ITBP Advertisement Kamlesh Kamal, ITBP Spokesperson, provided an update on the ongoing efforts, stating, Five teams of ITBP consisting of 130 jawans are there in Dharali. More than 100 jawans are en route, and they will reach there soon We have recovered a body this morning, and more than 100 people have been rescued. Today, we have also set up communication Now that the equipment has been provided, it is possible that we will see that this rescue operation will gain momentum He further added, Yesterday, we got information that on the route to Kinnaur, there was a single wooden maxi-shift bridge that was washed away. We learned in the initial stage that about 100 people were stranded Till this morning, 413 people have been rescued safely. From morning till now, 57 people have been rescued. The information is that 100 more people are stranded there. They will also be rescued by evening. We have received information that one person has lost his life there 2) Everything was destroyed, says Dhami after Dharali visit, confirms 190 rescued Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said Dharali village has suffered extensive destruction in the recent disaster, with debris flowing in multiple phases since the incident. During his visit to the affected area, he met with residents and assessed the damage, describing the scene as one of complete devastation. By evening, around 190 people had been rescued by army personnel and relocated to safer locations, while efforts to evacuate the injured to Uttarkashi are still ongoing. He noted that landslides have severely damaged several connecting roads. The Chief Minister assured that the state government is fully committed to relief and rehabilitation efforts, and added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has promised full support to assist the affected people. Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Shocking before-and-after photos reveal scale of destruction in Harsil village 3) Uttarakhand MPs meet PM Modi to discuss cloudburst MPs from Uttarakhand, Ajay Bhatt, Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah, Trivendra Singh Rawat, and Anil Baluni met Prime Minister Narendra Modi today. On Uttarakhand MPs meeting with PM Modi over recent cloudburst & mudslide incident in Dharali, BJP MP Mala Rajya Laxmi Shah says, He (the PM) has given assurance that he will provide any help that we may need. 4) Dhami meets disaster victims of Dharali; victims share heartbreaking accounts Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami met victims of the devastating cloudburst in Dharali village at the PWD Guest House in Uttarkashi and assured them of ongoing efforts to rescue those still trapped. He said that airlift operations would begin as soon as weather conditions improve. Victims like Mahendra Chauhan shared heartbreaking accounts of missing family members, including his sister, brother-in-law, and their child. Another resident reported that his younger brother and his entire family had been missing since the disaster. CM Dhami assured them that all possible resources were being mobilized for rescue and relief efforts, with special emphasis on aerial evacuation once the weather clears. Earlier in the day, CM Dhami chaired a disaster management meeting at the State Emergency Operations Centre to review the situation. He also conducted an aerial survey of the flood-affected areas and visited the Joshiyada helipad to oversee operations. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to the Chief Minister over the phone to take stock of the situation and assured full support from the central government. Despite challenges posed by ongoing heavy rains, coordinated efforts by the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and local agencies are continuing at full scale to rescue the missing and provide relief to the affected population. 5)IMD predicts heavy rainfall over Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh for next three days The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has forecast heavy to very heavy rainfall to continue over Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and parts of Uttar Pradesh for the next three days. It also warned of isolated incidents of extremely heavy rain in northwest Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand between Tuesday and Wednesday. 6)Uttarakhand CM Pushkar Singh Dhami takes stock of the situation in Dharali A powerful cloudburst struck Dharali village in the Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand on Tuesday, unleashing a sudden deluge that devastated several hillside settlements and caused extensive damage to life and property. As per the latest updates, at least five people have lost their lives, while more than 100 are still missing. Rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing amid the widespread debris and destruction. The incident came after days of continuous monsoon rainfall in the region. The frequency and intensity of extreme weather events in Uttarakhand have increased significantly in recent years. From cloudbursts and flash floods to landslides and glacial lake outbursts, the states fragile Himalayan ecosystem is facing mounting pressure due to a combination of climate change, unregulated development, and deforestation. Advertisement Cloudbursts on the Rise: New Research Raises Alarm Advertisement A recent study published in the Journal of the Geological Society of India (July 2025) has confirmed growing fears that Uttarakhand is becoming a hotspot for extreme weather events. Conducted by researchers from Doon University, the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology, and Delhi University, the study analysed satellite climate data from 1982 to 2020. The findings show a sharp rise in rainfall variability, temperature, and surface runoff, with a significant spike in the frequency of cloudbursts and flash floods, particularly after 2010. Central and western Uttarakhand have emerged as the most affected regions. Lead author Prof Y P Sundriyal attributed this surge to both regional climate shifts and global climatic phenomena like El Nino, the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO), and the Indian Ocean Dipole. Cloudbursts have become key indicators of Uttarakhands deepening climate vulnerability, the study warned. Uttarakhand Cloudburst Top Updates: Everything was destroyed, says Dhami after Dharali visit, confirms 190 rescued Nature and negligence: A deadly combination Experts point to a combination of the regions natural topography and unchecked human activity as reasons behind the increasing destruction. Uttarakhands steep, ecologically sensitive terrain allows moist monsoon winds from the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal to rapidly rise and condensecreating ideal conditions for sudden cloudbursts. However, environmentalists say that human intervention has dramatically amplified the damage caused by such events. The Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (BESZ) spanning over 4,179 sq km from Gaumukh to Uttarkashi is being irreparably damaged by unregulated construction, deforestation, and rampant tourism, said environmentalist Anoop Nautiyal in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Unplanned construction, massive deforestation, land use changes, vanishing rivers, encroachments, waste piling up in fragile areas Uttarakhand is following Himachals reckless path, he added. This is a cruel and tragic existential crisis, fueled by state-sponsored development, the climate crisis, and human apathy. ESZ violations and infrastructure push draw scrutiny In 2024, members of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) monitoring committee raised alarms over multiple violations in Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) in Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. These included a helipad under construction in Jhala village and several illegal multi-storeyed hotels in Maneri, Jamak, and near Uttarkashi town all reportedly built along the Gangas banks in breach of ESZ regulations. The controversial Char Dham highway project, particularly its Gangotri stretch, has also come under fire. Despite cutting through the ecologically fragile zone, the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has claimed that the stretch does not require a separate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA). Independent experts and activists vehemently opposed this stance. The bypassing of safety regulations and environmental laws, especially after disasters like the 2023 Silkyara tunnel incident, is completely unacceptable, said ESZ committee member Mallika Bhanot in a statement to The India Forum. She warned that the Char Dham Pariyojana, a project to widen roads to Uttarakhands pilgrimage sites, is being pushed ahead without adequate environmental safeguards. Over 10,000 trees were marked for felling along a 30-km stretch from Harsil to Gangotri an action that experts believe could spell ecological disaster in the already fragile terrain. Uttarkashi Cloudburst: Shocking before-and-after photos reveal scale of destruction in Harsil village According to Down To Earth, Over 25,300 trees have been cut and 373 hectares of forestland diverted for the Char Dham Mahamarg project, with thousands more likely lost to landslides triggered by construction, according to environmentalists. Native species like deodar trees have been marked for felling even in protected zones like the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ), drawing sharp criticism from conservation groups. In Uttarkashi, tree cutting was temporarily halted following a National Green Tribunal (NGT) petition, but concerns remain high as agencies like the Border Roads Organisation have already been penalised for illegally dumping debris into the Bhagirathi River. Experts warn that widespread deforestation, without proper slope stabilisation or Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), is dangerously destabilising the fragile Himalayan terrain, as per Down To Earth. Himalayan warnings go unheeded Scientific analyses by The Wire Science, Frontiers in Environmental Science, and other research platforms have repeatedly cautioned that unplanned urbanisation, deforestation, and infrastructure development are destabilising Himalayan slopes. This leads to increased surface runoff, landslides, disrupted drainage systems, and, ultimately, greater human and ecological losses during extreme weather events. With Uttarakhand continuing to grapple with deadly floods, landslides, and now cloudbursts, the call for a more sustainable and ecologically sensitive approach to development in the Himalayas is growing louder than ever. Agencies failed to ascertain the death toll in the flash flood at Dharali Market near Harsil in Uttarkashi since an all-out rescue operation could start only on Wednesday afternoon after additional NDRF, SDRF, and other teams sent from Delhi and Dehradun to the ground zero. The arrival of rescue teams was hampered by the debris blocking Gangotri highway leading to Dharali at Netala Gameshpur near Sukhi Tal. Advertisement Officials in the state Disaster Management Department, Dehradun informed that a full-fledged rescue operation by the Central and state government teams could start only after Wednesday afternoon when additional forces of NDRF, SDRF, Indian army were airlifted from Dehradun. Advertisement A statement, issued by the State Emergency Operation Centre (SEOC) in Dehradun, said 130 victims of the disaster were rescued safely under highly-adverse weather conditions at Dharali. Earlier, responding to the states demand, the Central government deployed two Chinook and two MI-17 helicopters of India Air Force from Chandigarh, Sarsawa and Agra to Jolly Grant Airport early Wednesday morning. Heavy machinery used in the rescue operation were airlifted to restore road connectivity at the disaster hit Dharali. Around 125 Army personnel and 83 additional ITBP men were deployed in the rescue operations. Apart from this, BRO teams, including six officers and over 100 workers, were also engaged to clear blocked roads en route to Dharali. While the Army, ITBP, SDRF, Police, and state Revenue Department teams have taken rescue works on the ground, relief camps were set up at Inter College Harsil, GMVN, and Jhala for shifting the victims to these places. Efforts were also underway to restore electricity, water, and communication networks on a war-footing. Nehru Institute of Mountaineering (NIM) and SDRF have begun constructing a temporary bridge at Limchagadh to facilitate the relief works. Meanwhile, officials, not willing to be named, informed that the district administration and agencies engaged in the rescue operation have not yet been able to assess the extent of human losses in the disaster-hit area amidst reports that more than 70 persons, including 11 Army personnel were still missing. So far, the search and rescue operation was being managed by nearly 150 Army personnel deployed at the Harsil base camp, SDRF and ITBP teams shifted from their Gangotri shrine area camps. Between these irreconcilable positions lies a war that refuses to end, and a humanitarian crisis deepening by the day. Recent overtures from Western nations to recognise a Palestinian state ~ France, Canada, and potentially the UK ~ appear to be driven more by mounting international outrage than by a coherent peace strategy. These recognitions, while symbolically important, do not address the operational impasse on the ground. Arab states have followed suit, pressuring Hamas to relinquish control of Gaza. Yet to Hamas, surrendering weapons without statehood is tantamount to political suicide. At the heart of this conflict is a basic disagreement about sequencing. Israel wants security before sovereignty; Hamas demands sovereignty before security guarantees. Advertisement Advertisement Hamas, for its part, has not hesitated to exploit suffering to gain sympathy, while also drawing accusations of using civilians as shields. US envoy Steve Witkoffs push for a full peace deal rather than a partial or staggered one is idealistic, but perhaps detached from the urgent realities on the ground. Incremental agreements ~ like temporary ceasefires or limited prisoner exchanges ~ may be the only feasible path in the short term, even if unsatisfying to both sides. Ultimately, without a shared vision for what comes after the guns fall silent, ceasefires will remain tactical pauses rather than steps toward peace. Disarmament, statehood, and security cannot be achieved in isolation. The tragedy lies in the fact that each is held hostage by the other. Until that logic is broken, stalemate will persist ~ not by accident, but by design. The impasse isnt just political, its philosophical. Each side sees its position as existential. Hamas commitment to resistance may sound ideological, but it is also strategic. With no trust in negotiations and no control over borders, airspace, or access to international institutions, Hamas views its weapons as a form of insurance. The call to disarm, in its eyes, is a call to dissolve. The battlefield logic has infected diplomacy. Every concession is framed as a loss, every pause in fighting as weakness. This zero-sum mind-set leaves little room for the mutual compromises that peace demands. Meanwhile, civilians are paying the cost of this deadlock. The staggering death toll in Gaza, the emergence of famine-like conditions, and images of emaciated hostages used for propaganda have all underscored the brutal human toll. Israels insistence that it does not block humanitarian aid rings hollow in light of UN reports and the mounting death toll from malnutrition and violence near aid sites. Amid escalating trade tensions with the United States, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has turned down US President Donald Trumps offer to discuss tariffs over a phone call, saying he would instead call his BRICS allies, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I will call Xi Jinping, I will call Prime Minister Modi. I wont call Putin, because he cant travel now. But I will call many Presidents, Lula said while responding to Trumps offer. Advertisement His remarks come after President Trump, who has imposed 50 per cent tariff on Brazil over the alleged witch hunt against former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, said that Lula can call him to discuss the tariffs. Advertisement Lula further said that he will resort to all possible measures, starting with the WTO, to defend national interests. In fact, the government was already taking action to strengthen foreign trade and generate new opportunities for domestic companies before the change of administration in the United States, Lula said, speaking at an event in Brasilia on Tuesday. However, the Brazilian leader said that he will call Trump to invite him to the COP30 UN climate change conference, which will be held in Belem, Para, later this year. You can be sure, I will call Trump to invite him to COP30 and find out his opinion on the climate issue. I will be kind enough to call him, he said. Earlier, Brazilian finance minister Fernando Haddad said that Trumps offer for talks is great and that Lula would be happy to receive a call. Meanwhile, the Brazilian Supreme Court has put former President Jair Bolsonaro under house arrest ahead of his trial for an alleged coup plot after losing elections in 2022. The US State Department condemned the house arrest order, saying Justice Alexandre de Moraes was using the Supreme Court to silence the Opposition in Brazil and threaten democracy. The State Department further added, the US would hold accountable all those aiding and abetting sanctioned conduct. Five soldiers were shot as a gunman stormed US military base Fort Stewart in Georgia on Wednesday, Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield said. The gunman opened fire at the soldiers in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, the base said in a social media post. Advertisement Fort Stewart is currently on lockdown due to an active shooter situation in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area. The base was locked down at 11:04 a.m., and law enforcement was already at the scene, the base said on Facebook. Advertisement The injured soldiers have been shifted to Winn Army Community Hospital for treatment and the shooter has been apprehended. Casualties have also been reported, the base added. FBI Atlantas Savannah office is coordinating with Army Criminal Investigation Division for any assistance that might be needed. US President Donald Trump has been briefed about the incident and White House is monitoring the situation. The President has been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The White House is monitoring the situation, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. Meanwhile, Georgia Senator Raphael Warnock said he was heartbroken to see.the news of the shooting. Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families, Warnock said. SANTIAGO (Reuters) -Chile's state-run mining company ENAMI has kicked off a process to draw in investors for a $1.7 billion smelter in exchange for copper cathode supply, it said on Wednesday. The Hernan Videla Lira smelter in the Atacama region is undergoing renovations that will give it the capacity to process 850,000 metric tons of copper concentrate a year and produce 240,000 tons of copper cathodes, ENAMI said. The company is analyzing various financing options, and has brought on Chilean financial adviser Asset to gauge interest from investors in the coming weeks, it said. ENAMI also created a new business unit to develop the smelter, called Proyecta ENAMI. Chile is the world's biggest copper producer, and sends the majority of its concentrate for processing in China. (Reporting by Daina Beth Solomon and Fabian Cambero; Editing by Brendan O'Boyle and Kylie Madry) NEW YORK (AP) A public document filed by a company that just hired President Donald Trumps two oldest sons as advisers included a sentence early Monday that said it hoped to benefit from grants and other incentives from the federal government, which their father happens to lead. But when The Associated Press asked the Trump family business about the apparent conflict of interest, the document was revised and the line taken out. Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr. are getting founder shares worth millions of dollars in New America Acquisition 1 Corp., a company with no operating business that hopes to fill that hole by purchasing an American company that can play a meaningful role in revitalizing domestic manufacturing, according to the filing. The president has geared his trade policy toward boosting manufacturing in the U.S. The original version of the securities filing said the target company should be well positioned to tap federal or state government incentives. That reference was taken out of the revised version. The Trump Organization didn't reply to a question about whether New America still planned to benefit from government programs or why the line was cut. But the outside law firm Paul Hastings that helped prepare the document sent an email to AP saying it was mistake made by scriveners, an old term for transcribers of legal papers. Kathleen Clark, an expert in government ethics, said any excuses are too late because the Trumps had already tipped their hand. They just deleted the language. They havent committed not to do what they said earlier today they were planning to do," said the Washington University law professor and Trump critic. "It's an attempt to exploit public office for private profit. New America is whats know as a special purpose acquisition company, or SPAC. Its a publicly traded company that exists solely to use its funds to acquire another company and take the target public. New America plans to raise money by selling new stock on the New York Stock Exchange at $10 a share. That will hand the two Trump sons a potential total of $50 million in paper wealth the moment the stock begins trading on the first day. The company hopes to sell enough shares to raise $300 million, which it then plans to use buying a yet unidentified manufacturer. A press release issued by New America saying it was focused on American values and priorities." It made no mention of the aim to get government incentives. The filing to New America's potential new investors to the Securities and Exchange Commission was explicit about what it was looking for in a target company. It said, among other things, it wanted a company that can ride public policy tailwinds" by benefiting from federal or state grants, tax credits, government contracts or preferential procurement programs. Just weeks before August began, India was confident in securing a trade deal with the United States. But in the days that ended July, Donald Trumpin his signature irate fashionannounced sweeping 25 per cent tariffs on the worlds fourth largest economy, signalling that any deal between the two nations was dead on arrival. So, what happened? A REUTERS exclusive gave us the answers. After five rounds of negotiations, India thought the US President himself would announce the deal before August 1. Instead, what came was a shock for New Delhi. Along with the tariffs came unspecified penalties over oil imports from Russia. Instead, Washington pivoted to Japan and the European Union, and even adjusted their deal terms to favour Pakistan, which India accused of bankrolling the latest slew of terrorist attacks on the country. REUTERS interviewed four Indian government officials and two US government officials who revealed details of the proposed India-US deal and an account of how negotiations fell flat, despite reaching technical agreements on most points. The exclusive cited that both the Indian side and the US side agreed on the same thing: a mix of political misjudgment and missed signals. Back home, India thought that Piyush Goyals visit had cemented the deal. US VP J.D. Vances recent Delhi visit was the cherry on top. India offered to knock down tariffs to zero on industrial goodsthey were 40 per cent of all of US exports to India, REUTERS reported, citing two Indian government officials. India even looked at slowly cutting tariffs on US automobiles and alcohol, and even entertained Trumps call for more energy and defence imports from America. But it was farm and dairy imports that broke the camels back. India unlikely to cut duty on farm and dairy imports (ever) Most of Trumps voter base comes from republican agricultural bases. The industrialist-turned-president was always going to press for duty-free farm imports and dairy products from the US. But what Washington did not anticipate was that dairy and agriculture farmers were also among the ruling BJP governments main voter base in the northern part of India. This was a no-go from the start. In fact, Union Cooperation Minister Amit Shah today announced Indias plan to lift milk procurement by 50 per cent over the next five years under the cooperative-led White Revolution 2.0. The ruling BJP-led Union governments plans are ambitiousto set up 2 lakh multipurpose cooperative societies around dairy. To date, White Revolution 2.0 has given birth to 35,395 new cooperative societies. Moreover, US agriculture is the froth of capitalism manifestedcorporatised to the brim. In contrast, farming in India is a livelihood. Tariffs on cheap US produce essentially protect small farmers and help India manage price volatility and ensure food security. India, REUTERS reported, believed that the US would understand its reluctance to cut duties on agricultural and dairy imports. Trump pushed. Finally, according to a White House official, there was never a deal that we felt good about, the report said. Apparently, the misguided Americans thought India would back down on the agriculture and dairy tariffsIndia was never going to concede. The report, however, said that India grew overconfident when Trump hinted at the big deal with the worlds most populous nation. But did we? The Centre was always clear on dairy and agriculture, both major local industries of the country. The moment the US inked deals with Japan and the European Union, New Delhi knew that the big deal was more of a pipe dreamlike most of Trumps promises throughout his public existence. The exclusive even cited that India pushed for a lower 15 per cent tariff ratebut Trumps ego couldnt take it. He wanted a headline. Indian negotiators wanted what was best for the nation, and the governments interest. We were not South Korea, which readily offered cuts on rice and beef imports to get tariffs cut to 15 per cent. The report also went on to cite a major gap in communicationsthere was no direct line between dear friends Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Trump. While REUTERS cited a White House official disputing the need for it, stating other deals went through without such involvement, an Indian official said that Modi could not afford a classic one-sided Trump conversation. But what really riled up New Delhi, REUTERS said, citing three other Indian officials, was Trumps insensitive and removed-from-reality remarks about being the one who mediated the peace between India and Pakistan. REUTERS went on to say that an Indian official even blamed the collapse of the deal on poor judgment and that the negotiators did not get the diplomatic support needed after the US struck better deals with Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the EU. When we removed the Western bias, it became clear that India could not, would not stand down on two thingsthe Modi government would never lend credibility to Trumps peace claims, and they would not cut duties on dairy and agriculture imports. The REUTERS report also mentioned that India was looking to re-negotiate tariffs in the farm and dairy sectors, but multiple statements from government bodies, industry organisations, and market watchers attest to the fact that New Delhi would move on it, inviting the ire of dairy associations and farmers in India. US President Donald Trump on Wednesday imposed additional 25 per cent tariffs on India, taking the total tariff levied on New Delhi to 50 per cent. The executive order will come into force on August 27. "I find that the Government of India is currently directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil," the executive order read. "Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent." This come a days after Trump said India has not been a good trading partner, adding that Washington will impose additional tariffs on New Delhi within the next 24 hours. "India has not been a good trading partner, because they do a lot of business with us, but we don't do business with them," Trump told CNBC in an interview. "So we settled on 25 percent, but I think I'm going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because they're buying Russian oil. They're fuelling the war machine." Earlier Trump alleged that India does not care about Ukraine, claiming that the country is purchasing "massive amounts" of Russian oil and selling it on the open market for "big profits". "They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA," he added. He had announced the initial 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports on July 30. New Delhi has rejected Trump's claims, saying the tariffs targeting India is unjustified and unreasonable, and pointed out that the US and the European Union are still trading with Russia. Kerala police have registered a case against Malayalam actress Shwetha Menon after a complaint alleged that she made financial gains by acting in obscene scenes in films. This comes days before the elections to the office bearer posts at the Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA). The complaint was filed by one Martin Menachery, who alleged that the obscene scenes from the movies were circulated on social media and porn websites, according to Manorama Online. Following this, the Ernakulam CJM court directed police to register a case. The charges include IT Act Section 67(A) and the Prevention of Immoral Activities Act, said the report. Shwetha Menon has acted in some intimate scenes in films like 'Paleri Manikyam', 'Rathinirvedam' and 'Kalimannu' as well as a Kamasutra ad. The FIR alleged that she went nude in these films and ads with the alleged intention fo financial benefit and these scenes were circulated on social media and adult websites for profit. Shwetha Menon won Femina Miss India Asia Pacific 1994, the same year Sushmita Sen became the first Indian to win Miss Universe and Aishwarya Rai won the Miss World title. She kicked off her acting career in Malayalam films in the early 1990s, before debuting in Hindi with Ishq in 1997. In the movie, Shwetha was the main dancer in the song, 'Humko Tumse Pyaar Hai' that featured Aamir Khan and Ajay Devgn. The timing of the complaint has raised eyebrows as Shwetha Menon is contesting for the post of the AMMA president while main contender Jagadeesh withdrew from the polls. The election to the posts of AMMA office bearers is scheduled to be held on August 15. Besides Shwetha Menon, actor Devan is also contesting for the president's post. The latest development comes days after actor Baburaj was forced to withdraw from running for the post of AMMA general secretary as he was facing a sexual harassment case. Kukku Parameswaran and Raveendran are currently contesting for the general secretary post. After Ernakulam police filed an FIR against Malayalam actress Shwetha Menon over promotion of obscene content on social media and porn websites, the complainant claimed that the case has no links to the upcoming Association of Malayalam Movie Artists (AMMA) elections. Social activist Martin Menachery, who filed the complaint against Shwetha, said it was filed on March 3 and that the actress was not running for AMMA president post back then. "When I filed the complaint in March, the Ernakulam Central Police did not take action. Following this, I moved Ernakulam Chief Judicial Magistrate court, which has found substance in the complaint prima facie," he told Mathrubhumi TV channel. His response came as the complaint raised eyebrows with just over a week left for the AMMA elections. While actor Jagadeesh was the main contender to the post of AMMA president, he withdrew later. Shwetha and actor Devan are the current candidates running for the post. Menachery alleged that the actor claimed in an interview with a digital platform that she would act in sexually explicit videos again if she gets paid. However, when asked why he is targeting Shwetha alone and not the producers of the movies in question, Menachery did not reply, according to the channel. The FIR claimed that Shwetha Menon went nude in these films and ads with the alleged intention to make financial gains and these scenes were promoted on social media and adult websites for profit. Martin alleged that Shwetha was also involved in the distribution of porn content through adult sites, citing that she has acted 'intimately' in films like 'Paleri Manikyam', 'Rathinirvedam' and 'Kalimannu' as well as a Kamasutra advertisement. AMMA elections are scheduled to be held on August 15. Earlier, actor Baburaj was forced to withdraw from running for the general secretary post as he was facing a sexual harassment case. Kukku Parameswaran and Raveendran are the key candidates contesting for the post. As World Breastfeeding Week comes to a close today, conversations around breastfeeding have expanded beyond health and nutrition. Increasingly, mothers are speaking up about the social barriers they facenot in breastfeeding itself, but in doing it publicly. From awkward stares in malls to being asked to cover up in various other public places, breastfeeding in public remains a deeply uncomfortable experience for many Indian mothers. And yet, for infants, breastfeeding is often an urgent, non-negotiable needirrespective of whether theres a private room around. Latent support systems For 29-year-old working mother Meher Khan, feeding her daughter at a bus stop in Delhi was the first time she realized how invisible support systems for breastfeeding mothers are. "I was drenched in sweat, trying to balance my crying baby and my dupatta while being stared at by at least ten people. No one offered help or even looked away. It was humiliating," she recalls. Across India, public infrastructure rarely accommodates breastfeeding needs. Feeding rooms in malls or airports are often tucked away, locked, or poorly maintained. Public transport, local markets, and places of worship offer little to no privacy. This lack of safe and hygienic spaces forces mothers into a painful choicefeed their baby and risk being shamed, or simply pack up a bottle of Formula Milk, "the easy way out." Between 2016 and 2021, early breastfeeding rates declined in 17 states across India, as per the National Family Health Survey data. Yet, some mothers are determined to reclaim the act of feeding their child in public as a basic right. "Breastfeeding is not an act of indecencyit is an act of survival," says Sucharita G, a mother of twins and an advocate for breastfeeding rights. Would we ever ask someone to eat their lunch by covering up? Then why do we expect babies to be fed like that? she asks. Breastfeeding groups on Facebook and Instagram are gaining increasing popularity with mothers who share their stories and photos of breastfeeding in everyday spaces with hashtags like #normalizebreastfeeding and #freethenipple. Still, not everyone feels empowered. For women in smaller towns and conservative households, the stigma runs deeper. Riya Jaiswal, a first-time mother from a semi-urban town in UP, says she avoids stepping out for more than two hours with her baby. "I have to plan outings around my baby's feeding schedule. I don't have the courage to do it in publicnot because I think it's wrong, but because others do." That fear is not unfounded. Many times, breastfeeding mothers have been asked to do so in private, citing that "open breastfeeding is disturbing." Health impacts on the baby Health experts emphasize that shame and stigma can have far-reaching impacts. Delayed or skipped feeding due to social pressure can affect an infants nutrition and a mothers health, say lactation consultants. Given that mothers already navigate so much exhaustion, postpartum changes and guilt, is it not cruel to shame them for feeding their babies? ask activists. World Breastfeeding Week, celebrated annually from August 17, is themed this year around Enabling breastfeeding: making a difference for working parents. But for many mothers, the real difference lies in being able to nurse their child freely without judgmentwhether at work, home, or on the go. Some fathers, too, are stepping in as allies. My wife would panic whenever our son cried in public, because she knew shed have to feed him. I started carrying a scarf and positioning myself to block stares. People still judged, but we were a team, says Rajiv M., a software engineer and new dad. Slowly, things are changing. Startups are offering portable nursing covers, and some state governments have proposed "baby feeding pods" in public spaces. While there is no specific law in India that criminalizes or prohibits breastfeeding in public, there also isnt a comprehensive statute that explicitly protects a womans right to do so. Breastfeeding: A fundamental right However, under Article 21 of the Indian Constitution, which guarantees the right to life and personal liberty, courts have interpreted this to include the right of a mother to breastfeed her child with dignity. In 2021, the Kerala High Court made headlines when it ruled that breastfeeding is a fundamental right and must be protected from public scrutiny or obscenity charges. The court also held that the act of breastfeeding cannot be considered obscene under Section 294 of the Indian Penal Code, which deals with public obscenity. THE WEEK spoke to Dr Arun Gupta, who founded the Breastfeeding Promotion Network of India (BPNI) in 1991. Over nearly 32 years, BPNI has played a key role in strengthening national policies to promote, protect and support breastfeeding. "Out of approximately 22 million babies born in India each year, less than 10 million are breastfed within the first critical hour of life. That leaves over 12 million missing out on the immediate benefits of breastfeeding, which is proven to reduce the risk of infections, obesity, and non-communicable diseases later in life." He further adds how hospitals are not helping promote breastfeeding either. "A former representative of a major formula company says distributors are offered a volume bonus and doctors and nursing staff cash incentives for recommending infant formula. Evidence indicates that if the health system is weak on breastfeeding counselling, and health workers lack skills to support breastfeeding, it leads to replacement by formula even when the mother wasnt initially keen. Heavily discounted prices on formula make it easier." The Aam Aadmi Partys rebranded student wing in Delhi, the Association of Students for Alternative Politics (ASAP), has started its mobilisation process a month before the Delhi University student union elections. The student wing held a protest at the main gate of Delhi University North Campus on the faulty recruitment process of the Staff Selection Commission (SSC). Delhi University Students Union (DUSU) elections will have 4 seats for grabs next month. Earlier, we used to contest student elections intermittently, but things are different now, said Delhi ASAP vice president Kamal Tiwari. This time, we are bringing in fresh energy. We will contest every time, everywhere. Tiwari emphasised that ASAPs focus is now firmly on student elections and that the party will contest all four central panel seats in the upcoming Delhi University Students' Union (DUSU) elections. We already have units prepared in almost every college and have announced 30 functional college units, he added. The AAP's leadership has also set a target of reaching 20,000 students across the country. For now, we are focusing only on Delhi, Tiwari says. The student wing kicked off its campaign with the protest named 'Hala Bol', where around 150 students participated, to demand systemic improvement in the recruitment process of the Staff Selection Post (SSC) on August 5. The Phase 13 exam, which was conducted between July 24 and August 1 across 142 cities and 194 centres, was plagued by multiple glitches like abrupt cancellations, biometric verification failures, erroneous centre allotments and software crashes. However, the on-campus presence of the wing is comparatively smaller than its competitors, the BJPs student wing ABVP and Congress student wing NSUI. Both the student wings of national parties have dominant physical flag presence and huge registered members as compared to the AAPs student wing. The partys student wing, initially known as the Chhatra Yuva Sangharsh Samiti (CYSS), was established after the partys first government formation in Delhi in September 2014 as AAPs student organisation. However, due to waning visibility and limited success especially in Delhi UniversityAAP decided to rebrand CYSS as ASAP in May 2025. The launch marked AAPs first high-profile political engagement in the capital after suffering a major setback. With the new name, it seeks to reignite its grassroots connection with Indian youth. ASAP president Kuldeep Bidhuri, who previously contested his first election on an AAP ticket and lost to the ABVP in Delhi University Student Union (DUSU), has remained active since. Despite the loss, he has played an active role in keeping the organisations student wing ticking. His early efforts laid the foundation for ASAPs current campus outreach, aiming to challenge the traditional dominance of student bodies like ABVP and NSUI. AAP national convenor Arvind Kejriwal has earlier framed ASAP as not just a student organisation but a unit that will work as a movement to redefine politics on campus. This includes challenging, which he calls the failed model of mainstream politics practiced by the BJP and Congress for decades. Right now, only two student wings are dominating the scene, and that is Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad (ABVP) and National Students Union of India (NSUI), Varun Goel, a Delhi University student, says, there is not much impact of it. Another student, Vishnu, says the student wing is just picking up on becoming a third front in student politics but does not have that pull yet. They dont seem to be picking issues that can connect with us, Vishnu says, there are many issues and if they pick up those issues many students can turn towards them. However, a few other students emphasised that the new formation has become active and can become a solid force in student politics if they perform well in the upcoming elections. The opposition Congress took a jibe at Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday and charged that the prime minister is not responding to United States President Donald Trump's threats to protect his billionaire "friend" Gautam Adani. In a video published on Tuesday, the Congress called Prime Minister Modi "weak" and he is "feared" to take on President Trump, despite the latter taking open jabs at Modi. "It is Trump vs AA (Adani, Ambani) and Modi is stuck in the middle... too scared to speak... too tied to his billionaire friends," Congress charged. Modi Is A Weak Prime Minister pic.twitter.com/LtxFRhEb0a Congress (@INCIndia) August 6, 2025 Congress charged Trump is aware about the US probe against Indian billionaire Gautam Adani and Mukesh Ambani is earning huge profits processing Russian oil. "Modi knows if Trump exposes AA, he goes down too," the opposition party charged. "Modi is staying quiet, not out of strategy, but out of fear," it alleged. Congress attack comes amid fresh tariff threats from Trump. The US president has threatened to impose additional tariffs over India-Russia ties. Earlier on Wednesday, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said, "India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing US investigation into Adani. One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modis hands are tied." Congress slammed Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union government after US President Donald Trump raised tariffs on imports from India by 50 per cent and charged it reflected "abysmal failure" of foreign policy under the current regime. The opposition pinned the blame on the prime minister and said the tariff hike reflects the failure of Modi's "huglomacy". Congress leader Jairam Ramesh, highlighting the headline-grabbing events hosted by the Modi-Trump duo in the US and India, charged the prime minister should take inspiration from Indira Gandhi and stand up to the US's tariff threats. US President Trump raised tariffs on Indian imports to 50 per cent on Wednesday. The hiked tariff rates comes after the US president announced that an additional penalty will be imposed on India for purchasing Russian oil and defence equipment. "Mr Modi wooed Elon Musk and his family as well, at a time when Mr Musk was very close to President Trump. The wooing of Mr Musk was part of Mr. Modi's strategy to please President Trump. Mr Modi has time and again flaunted his supposedly close friendship with President Trump," Ramesh said. "Prime Minister Modi has kept completely quiet even as President Trump has claimed 33 times that he intervened to bring about a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. There was total silence from the PM and his close circle when President Trump hosted Pakistan's chief of army staff Field Marshal Asim Munir to lunch on June 18, 2025, at the White House. This was the same person whose inflammatory and communally poisonous remarks had provided the backdrop to the Pahalgam terror attacks on April 22, 2025," the Congress leader charged. The Rajya Sabha MP charged that Modi and the Centre remained silent when Trump destroyed the WTO and withdrew from key international programmes, including the Paris Climate Accord. "India has remained a mute onlooker," he said. "Now, President Trump, while still claiming to be a friend of Mr Modi, has hit India hard and unjustly. While his tariff and penalty actions are simply unacceptable, the fact remains that they also reflect the abysmal failure of Mr Modi's personalised and headline-grabbing style of huglomacy," he added. "India has stood up to the bullying of the US in the 1970s, especially under the Prime Ministership of Smt Indira Gandhi." US alcohol giant Constellation Brands has offloaded American brandy and Bourbon maker Copper & Kings to local spirits group Bourdon Spirits Company. The financial terms of the deal, which was finalised yesterday (5 August), were not disclosed. In a statement, Bourdon Spirits Company said the acquisition "marks a key milestone and deepens Bourdon Spirits' investment in the future of American brandy". Production will continue at Copper & Kings' distillery in Kentucky following the acquisition, the family-run business said. Like Copper & Kings, Bourdon Spirits Company is also based in Louisville. "We plan to build on Copper & Kings' legacy by honoring its roots and continuing to do things our own way, just as the brand always has," Rob Bourdon, the founder of Bourdon Spirits Company, said. "This is a brand that respects tradition while creating with a distinct, American-made spirit. We're excited to bring American brandy to more people, in more places." Just Drinks asked Constellation Brands for comment on the deal. It said: "This transaction supports Constellation Brands commitment to disciplined focus and execution in the specific consumer segments, channels, and markets that can drive growth for our premium and fine wine and craft spirits portfolio." The Pacifico brewer first took a minority stake in Copper & Kings in 2018. It then acquired the business through its incubator arm, Constellation Ventures, in 2020. In December, Constellation sold Svedka vodka to Buffalo Trace and Southern Comfort owner Sazerac. At the time, Constellation said the deal was another move to focus on higher-end wine and spirits brands. In April, Constellation sold six wine brands, including Woodbridge, Meiomi and Cooks, to The Wine Group. In 2022, the group sold another clutch of brands to The Wine Group, such as Cooper & Thief, 7 Moons and The Dreaming Tree brands. Constellation still retains presence in wine, with brands like Robert Mondavi Winery, New Zealands Kim Crawford and Italy's Ruffino Estates, which, at the time, it said were predominantly priced $15 and above. The Rochester-headquartered business has been facing hurdles in its Wine and Spirits division for some time now. The segment saw organic net sales decline 6% in the company's fiscal 2025 to $1.7bn. In its first quarter of its 2026 fiscal year, Constellation saw a 21% decline in organic net sales for its wine and spirits business at $280.5m. The company has forecasted organic net sales for the unit to drop 17% to 20% in the full-year, and expects organic operating income from the wine and spirits unit to slump 97% to 100%. The longstanding relations between India and the US have been strained over US President Donald Trump's decision to impose a 25 percent tariff on India and his acerbic remarks about Indias economy. But, what baffled many was how Trump went lenient on arch-rival China, stating the countries were getting very close to a deal. The US President also stated he would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping if the countries sign a trade pact. His stance baffled many, including Republican Nikki Haley, who wondered how an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause but not ally India. Though many express apprehension that the tariff threat over the purchase of Russian oil looms over China too, a Russian analyst has a theory about why Trumps targeting of Chinas geopolitical rival India was not an accident. According to Maxim Chirkov, associate professor at the State University of Management in Russia, Trump is trying all tricks. The thing is that India is Chinas geopolitical rival, and pressure on New Delhi is also in Beijings sphere of interests. Additionally, the US is limiting contacts with Taiwan and extending the effect of more restrained tariffs on imported Chinese products. These steps aim to achieve Chinas relative benevolence," the economist explained. He added that the statement by Trump is aimed at pursuing two goals: a peaceful settlement in the Ukrainian conflict and bringing closer a compromise with China. The Trump administrations plan to get close to Beijing was evident when it decided to stop the Taiwanese presidents US stopover. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on China, said it was both a sharp break from precedent and another example of the Trump administration caving to China in hopes of reaching a trade deal. He said the policy decision 'sends a dangerous signal' that Taiwans democracy is negotiable. The US is also concerned about Beijings strengthening alliance with Moscow, which resulted in China increasing its purchase of crude oil from Russia. The two countries have also increased financial and military cooperation. Experts believe this axis raises risks for Washington, and Trump wants to avert it. CapitalMind CEO Deepak Shenoy too took to X to state why Trumps tariff move wasn't about Russia, but about pressure. Trump is poking to see what level of tariff will, if it ever will, make India respond. It's a game, but he's not the only one playing. China seems to have him cornered, so he's looking at everyone else now," Shenoy added. A flash flood struck the Uttarakashi district of Uttarakhand, killing at least four and trapping around 200 people in the village of Dharali. The flood, which created a river of sludge, was caused by a cloudburst. The cloudburst that occurred close to the Kheer Ganga river catchment area saw an extreme rainfall of over 210 mm in the last 24 hours. The wall of debris reported to have been around 25 feet high swamped the village and destroyed homes, trees and cars. The rains have been continuous for the past three days. Rescue operations are now underway, and around 150 people have already been rescued. #WATCH | Uttarkashi cloudburst incident | Delhi: Mohsen Shahedi, DIG, NDRF says, "As per the information received, four people have lost their lives and over 50 people are reported missing. Flash floods were also reported in two places in Harsil and Sukhi Top. Around 11 Army pic.twitter.com/nI3yMrk1xt ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2025 Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said, "All our agencies, including the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF and locals, are carrying out rescue operations. 130 people were rescued yesterday. Search and rescue operations are underway. Roads and a bridge have been damaged, making it difficult to reach the site. The disaster operations station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are making efforts to rescue everyone safely. I would like to thank PM Modi for providing all possible assistance. PM Modi also took details of the rescue operation today..." #WATCH | Uttarkashi cloudburst incident | Delhi: Mohsen Shahedi, DIG, NDRF says, "Around 150 people have been taken to safe spots. As far as the information, four people have been found dead, and over 100 people are missing. We are still waiting for the confirmation from the pic.twitter.com/KCFQ73etyL ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2025 Indian army helicopters, along with 10 DSP, 3SP and around 160 police officers, are engaged in a rescue operation, according to the minister. The helicopters will be used once the weather improves. #WATCH | Incessant rainfall in Uttarakhand has damaged roads at multiple locations on NH-34 (UttarkashiGangotri axis), including a 100m washout at Papadgad and major debris blockage near Dharali. Restoration work by BRO is underway despite inclement weather, continuous rainfall pic.twitter.com/teeAKdQx26 ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2025 Efforts are being taken to build a temporary bridge to reach the village. Food packets and a team of doctors are also on standby, local media reported. The Chief Minister had conducted an aerial survey of the area. The continuous rains also caused the Ganga River in the Haridwar region of Uttarakhand to rise. The water level has reached close to danger levels according to the executive engineer of the Irrigation Department, Vikas Tyagi, who said, Yesterday its water level was around 293, which is the warning level here, and today it has reached close to the danger mark. However, it has not reached the danger mark yet. But the way it is raining, it will remain close to the danger mark today. There is no worrying situation in Haridwar. The situation is completely under control. We are in touch with the administration, and the administration is active." Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have been taking note of the incident. In a stern reminder that the legal profession is not a marketplace for self-promotion, the Bar Council of Delhi (BCD) has issued a strong advisory warning to lawyers against using social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn to market themselves through flashy reels, influencer-style content, and self-congratulatory posts. The Council's notice cites Rule 36 of the Bar Council of India Rules, which prohibits lawyers from soliciting work or advertising, and warns that violations could lead to suspension or disciplinary proceedings under Section 35 of the Advocates Act, 1961. While the Bars warning may appear like a routine reiteration of ethics, the message comes at a time when a growing number of young lawyers are embracing social media not just to discuss the law but to build their personal brand. From celebratory posts about bail orders and court appearances to influencer-style a day in the life of a lawyer videos, the legal profession is facing a modern test of its deeply held standards on professional conduct. Posting court victories, issuing thank-you notes to clients in the form of reels, or sharing media coverage of ones arguments, all of this violates the spirit of legal ethics, the BCDs advisory stated, warning that any lawyer found promoting themselves directly or indirectly would be liable to disciplinary action. According to Rule 36, which restricts advocates from advertising their services through circulars, personal communication, interviews, or by touting. Traditionally, this rule has meant that lawyers could not promote themselves like businesses, no hoardings, no newspaper ads, no radio jingles. Over the past few years, dozens of lawyers, especially from metropolitan cities have built strong followings online, sharing legal insights, case explainers, courtroom anecdotes, and even vlogs. While many claim to be focused on public legal education, their presence often overlaps with brand-building. Clients look you up online before anything else, so theres a real pressure to be visible, said a young Delhi High Court lawyer, requesting anonymity. For many in my generation, being active on Instagram or LinkedIn feels like part of the job. But the Bar clearly wants to draw a line, courtrooms arent meant to be runways. However, not everyone is convinced that a blanket ban on social media activity is the answer. Several lawyers argue that there is a difference between unethical promotion and public legal literacy. If a lawyer is educating the public about law or explaining court judgments without promoting their services, that should not be penalised, said another Supreme Court advocate. The rules need to evolve with time. A rigid reading of Rule 36 risks silencing legitimate voices. Internationally, bar associations in countries like the US and UK have relaxed advertising norms with adequate disclaimers and transparency clauses. Social media has become a powerful tool, but the line between legal awareness and self-promotion is getting blurred. Many young lawyers see reels as a way to reach out, but we now have to be extra cautious, said another lawyer. The Bar Council of Delhis advisory zeroes in on a growing trend that lawyers using short-form videos particularly Instagram Reels and YouTube Shorts to promote themselves. These clips often show lawyers entering courtrooms in black robes, posing with clients or celebrating orders with dramatic background music, captions like bail granted in 30 seconds, or even cinematic re-enactments of legal arguments. According to the BCD, such content crosses the line from information to blatant self-advertisement. The Council warned that even indirect advertising such as third-party pages showcasing individual lawyers' victories or client reviews disguised as testimonials would be examined. The emphasis is on upholding dignity, decorum, and confidentiality. Manoj Sinha is approaching the completion of his five-year term as the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Jammu and Kashmir on August 6, 2025. However, the Central Government has yet to announce whether he will continue in this role or be replaced. In India, state Governors are generally appointed for a term of five years. However, for Union Territories like Jammu and Kashmir, there is no fixed term for LGs. They are appointed by the President of India and serve at the Presidents pleasure, meaning they can remain in office as long as the President decides. The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act of 2019, which transformed J&K into a Union Territory, does not specify a time limit for an LG's term. Sinhas journey so far Sinha, a former Member of Parliament from Uttar Pradesh and a minister in Prime Minister Modis cabinet, became the LG of J&K following the resignation of GC Murmu. After the abrogation of Article 370, Sinha was viewed as a calm and experienced leader capable of bringing peace and development to the region. Achievements During his tenure, infrastructure development in Jammu and Kashmir has accelerated. Projects such as the Rs 900 crore Srinagar Smart City, improved road networks, tunnels, and railway lines have advanced with strong support from the Central Government, particularly the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. Tourism has seen growth, attracting thousands to places like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonmarg. New investment proposals have been received in the tourism, health, and IT sectors. However, job creation remains a pressing concern, with sectors like horticulture, tourism, and handicrafts still being the primary sources of employment for locals. Sinha's administration also launched a job scheme for families affected by terrorism. However, it faced backlash due to the dismissal of numerous government employees for alleged links to anti-national groups, sparking opposition from regional parties and creating unease among the populace. The security situation has yielded mixed results. While the number of newly recruited local militants has decreased and many top militants have been neutralised, attacks persist, especially in Rajouri and Poonch. The April 2025 Pahalgam terror attack, which resulted in the deaths of tourists, was a significant failure, and Sinha took responsibility. Some observers believe this helped shield the Union Home Ministry from criticism from the opposition. The Army recently reported that they have killed all three terrorists involved in the Pahalgam attack. Controversies Despite noticeable development, Sinhas tenure has not been free from controversy. His working relationship with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has had its tensions. Although they maintain a polite public demeanor, Abdullah has expressed frustration over Sinhas control over the bureaucracy and sensitive departments like Home and Law. Two notable instances highlight this friction: Sinha has refused to approve the extension of Advocate General D.C. Raina despite Abdullahs recommendation, and the Business Rules defining power-sharing between the CM and LG remain pending. Sinha has also faced criticism for his treatment of elected leaders. On July 13, Abdullah and his cabinet ministers were placed under house arrest to prevent them from visiting the Martyrs' Graveyard in Srinagar. They were only able to visit the next day after scaling walls and facing police resistance. This incident drew attention to how an elected leader like the J&K CM was being treated by the police under LG control. Many locals view Sinha as an outsider representing the BJPs political agenda. While pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi and the Amarnath Yatra receive top-notch facilities, congregational prayers at the Jama Masjid in Srinagar have often been restricted, even during Ramadan and Eid. Sinhas government has also implemented new reservation rules, land eviction drives, and introduced new property regulations without adequate public consultation. These actions have generated widespread fear and resentment among the local population. Whats next? Given that there is no legal term limit for LGs in Union Territories, the decision of whether Sinha will remain in his position or be replaced lies entirely with the President of India. Whatever the Central Government decides will send a strong message about its plans for Jammu and Kashmir, particularly concerning the long-demanded restoration of statehood. The opposition Congress slammed the 50 per cent tariff hike on imports from India to the United States and called on the Narendra Modi-led Centre to defend national interests in a befitting manner. Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi termed the 50 per cent hike an "economic blackmail". "Trumps 50% tariff is economic blackmail - an attempt to bully India into an unfair trade deal. PM Modi better not let his weakness override the interests of the Indian people," Gandhi said in a post on X. US President Donald Trump announced a 50 per cent hike on Indian imports, citing India's oil and defence purchases from Russia. Trump alleges India's oil purchase from Russia is funding its war against Ukraine. Congress MP Shashi Tharoor called the unprecedented hike a blow to India and said China imports far more Russian oil than India, and they have been given a 90-day break. "Uranium, Palladium, there are various things they (US) are importing from Russia. There is, unfortunately, a certain double standard involved. They have given the Chinese a 90-day break, but the Chinese are importing far more Russian oil than we are. So clearly this has not been a particularly friendly gesture from a country we thought was well disposed towards us, an administration that we thought was well disposed," the Congress leader told reporters. "We will have to learn our lessons from this experience. I think there is certainly a likelihood that there will be some pressure within India now to impose comparable reciprocal tariffs on American exports to India. So I think we're going to have to really start looking at other trading partners much more in these circumstances," Tharoor added. India called the tariff hike "unjustified". In a statement, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "We have already made clear our position on these issues," and added that Indian imports are based on market factors and are decided to ensure that the energy requirements of 1.4 billion people are met. On July 31, after a 10-day break due to a therapeutic procedure, as chief minister M.K. Stalin got back to his routine work, he had high profile visitors who came enquiring about his health at his Chitranjan Road residence in Chennai. Former chief minister O. Panneerselvam, DMDK general secretary Premalatha Vijayakanth came calling on Stalin to enquire about his health. Though these were only formal meetings, it had strong political messages. With only nine months to go for the assembly elections in 2026, the major political parties in the state have already begun working on their electoral strategies. With the DMK launching a membership drive called Ooraniyil Tamil Nadu meaning Tamil Nadu as one team, the AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami has launched his election campaign with a tag line - Makkalai kaappom, Thamilagathai meetpom (save people and retrieve Tamil Nadu). Actor Vijay has launched a new mobile app called MyTVK to enrol more members into his fledgling Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK). He will soon launch his state-wide tour called Vettri Peraniyil Tamil Nadu meaning Tamil Nadu in victory rally. BJP state chief Nainar Nagendran, AIADMK rebel leader O. Panneerselvam, DMDK leader Premalatha Vijayakanth are also set to launch their state-wide tour soon. The political landscape in Tamil Nadu has been changing significantly in the past five years, with the DMK reaching out to the people with welfare schemes with Stalins popularity among the people. While the DMKs eight-year-old rainbow alliance remains intact, the AIADMK front has renewed its alliance with the BJP and is waiting for other parties to form a mega alliance. Vijays fledgling TVK, though not for alliances now, seems to be a formidable force cutting into the youth and the first-time voters in the state. Tamil Nadus bipolar politics and the emerging challenges From 1977, the first election when M.G. Ramachandran won to 2021, the DMK and the AIADMK have managed to win 75 to 80 per cent of the total votes in Tamil Nadu in every assembly general election. Though the two Dravidian majors saw various splits, had alliances with national parties or the fringe groups in the state, states politics had always remained bipolar. One more than the opponent was the kind of the setup. Any other party which contested as an opponent or an alternative had won only the residual 15 per cent vote share. However, in 2024, this Dravidian forte, which was 80 per cent, became 70 per cent. Though the DMK played its role and got 46 per cent along with its alliance, the AIADMK got only 24 per cent votes, much less than the votes it won under Jayalalithaa. Apart from AIADMK, the remaining votes were shared by the NDA alliance which won 19 per cent votes and Seemans Naam Tamilar Katchi (NTK) won close to 9 per cent. This raised the prospect of a tripolar contest, with the BJP-led alliance seeking to occupy the anti-DMK space more assertively, than the AIADMK. In the upcoming 2026 election, this change will necessitate major adjustments to electoral strategy and ideological framing. It also forces a reconsideration of whether Tamil Nadu will remain an outlier in resisting the national trend of party centralisation or whether the logic of nationalisation. Actor Vijays political entry complicates this scenario further. While his impact remains speculative for now, his potential to galvanise youth, urban voters, and those alienated from traditional party structures could accelerate the fragmentation of the opposition space. As his political messaging manages to combine regional pride with developmental pragmatism, along with anti-corruption and anti-dynasty plank Vijay can become a catalytic force, as AIADMK continues to falter. The bipolar politics in TN seems unsettled with the entry of BJP and its emergence at the cost of AIADMKs weakness. The AIADMK voter is not a DMK voter naturally. This clear distinction has been built over decades. In Bihar, like how BJP grew with JD(U), won't happen quickly in TN, because here the two Dravidian parties have similar ideological vocabulary. Because the AIADMK is falling slowly, Vijay thinks that the discomforted voter will come to him. Vijays calculation is very simple - because DMK or BJP is not the natural choice. He thinks he can win the AIADMK votes. He is trying to fill the void created by EPS who has vacated the AIADMKs ideological stance, Dr Vignesh Rajahmani, Post doctoral Research Fellow of Indian and Indonesian Politics at the Royal Netherlands Institute of Southeast Asian and Caribbean Studies - Leiden. AIADMKs prospects Though the AIADMK is not strong as it was under Jayalalithaa, in the past three months, its leader Edappadi K. Palaniswami, known as EPS among his followers, did two interesting things when he forged an alliance with the BJP. He ensured that former IPS officer K. Annamalai vacated the BJP state president post and Nainar Nagendran, a former AIADMKian became the BJP chief. By the removal of Annamalai, EPS has ensured that there is no challenge for him in West Tamil Nadu from his own Gounder community. With Nainar at the helm of affairs, EPS calculates that he can win the votes AIADMK lost in the south because of the exit of OPS, Dhinakaran and the Sasikala faction. The BJP, EPS feels, will play a supportive role with leaders like Tamilisai Soundararajan, Nainar Nagendran who have their community strength attached to their political popularity. Though Palaniswami has managed an alliance with the BJP to solve the electoral clarity which was lacking in 2024, he is losing ideologically and has also compromised on his political messaging to the party cadres. The BJP usually gets in as a smaller partner. Be it in Bihar or Maharashtra, they did that. And then they emerged as the leading partner in the alliance. Hope our leader realises this, says a senior AIADMK leader. O. Panneerselvams political shift He was the man who rolled out the red carpet for the BJP and the RSS ideologues in Tamil Nadu soon after the death of Jayalalithaa. In 2017, when he rebelled against Jayalalithaas close aide V.K. Sasikala, OPS as he is popularly known among his supporters was accorded as a hero. Nevertheless within six months, he merged his faction with the AIADMK led by his colleague Edappadi K. Palaniswami. He had no other option but to second fiddle the then chief minister EPS. Three elections passed since then - 2019 and 2024 Lok Sabha polls and 2021 assembly polls. But EPS did not accord any importance to OPS. Subsequently OPS, who was isolated completely from the party found solace under the BJP, once again in 2024, months ahead of the election. This time, the Delhi high command asked him to contest as an independent candidate from the NDA fold from the Ramanathapuram constituency. OPS who had always taken pride in being in the AIADMK, its two-leaves symbol and known to be a staunch Jayalalithaa loyalist had to contest in jackfruit symbol against the AIADMK and DMK, only to make it a three cornered contest. Though OPS won more than three lakh votes and pushed the AIADMK to the fourth place to make it lose its deposit, he seems to have lost his space even in the BJP now. On July 29, when Prime Minister Narendra Modi was at Gangaikonda Cholapuram to participate in the Thiruvathirai Naval festival of celebrated king Rajendra Chola, OPS was waiting for an appointment to meet and receive Modi at the Tiruchirapalli airport. While there was no reply from the PMO, OPS dialled Tamil Nadu BJP chief Nainar Nagendran at least six times, sent several text messages. Nagendran said that he would have helped me meet with the PM, if I had contacted him. I tried reaching him. But he did not answer my phone calls. Did not reply to my text messages rather, OPS said. And finally when he understood that the BJP had ditched him, he decided to enquire on Stalins health. This meeting was not for aligning with the DMK. It was only a courtesy call to enquire about the CM's health. There is no permanent friend or friend in politics, OPS told THE WEEK. When asked for more details one of his family members, on conditions of anonymity revealed that the PM snub was because of Palaniswami. While OPS has still not joined the DMK or not formally announced ties with the DMK alliance, the DMK under Stalin is playing a calculated political game to isolate the AIADMK-BJP alliance in Tamil Nadu. Sources say that OPS in the next few months will expose AIADMK leader Palaniswamis political fallouts, how his government was marred with corruption and why he clinched a deal with the BJP now. Though OPS doesnt command a huge cadre base in the AIADMK, his exit will cost the NDA. DMDKs new-found love for Stalin In 2016, a few months before the assembly election, DMK patriarch M. Karunanidhi while inviting late Vijayakanths Desiya Murpokku Dravida Kazhagam (DMDK) into the alliance said, the fruit will slip and fall into the milk. But Vijayakanths party forged a third front called the Peoples Welfare Front with VCK and MDMK in the alliance and ate into DMKs vote bank in most of the assembly constituencies. In the next 2019 elections, the party contested from the NDA fold and contested with T.T.V. Dhinakarans AMMK in 2021 elections. Again in 2024, after the demise of Vijayakanth, the party led by his wife Premalatha, aligned with the AIADMK. The alliance equation between the AIADMK and the DMDK which has close to four per cent votes across the state seems to have fallen apart. Premalatha openly criticised the AIADMK for not keeping up its promise of a Rajya Sabha ticket to the DMDK. We will decide on our future course after our partys state conference at Cuddalore on January 9, 2026, she told The Week. Though the DMDK walked out of the NDA soon after the 2019 elections, Modi wrote a long obituary note for Vijayakanths demise. But this time around, Premalatha, the present general secretary of the DMDK, feels that the party had been ditched by both the AIADMK and BJP. Party insiders say that this was because of AIADMK leader Palaniswamis decision - not to honour the commitment given to the DMDK. He feels being with BJP itself is enough to win the elections, a senior leader from the DMDK told THE WEEK. Like OPS, on July 31 Premalatha too called on Stalin, enquiring about his health. I only came to enquire about his health. We did not talk about politics, she said. Premalatha has however set out on a state-wide tour to appease the voters. OPSs and Premalathas meeting with Stalin has turned the political tables in the state, suggesting that the DMK leadership, unlike his father, is more inclusive and is like an expansionist. He is like an election fighting machine. In 2021 he pushed the DMK into the south - where it was relatively weak and increased the votes and seats. In the West he increased the votes but not the seats. This is because the Gounder community was with AIADMK, says Dr. Vignesh Rajahmani. Even if OPS and Premalatha do not join the DMK alliance, they will play the role of a spoiler for the AIADMK in the south, where it is already weak. The AIADMK which used to have a strong vote base in South Tamil Nadu, had lost it after Jayalalithaa. In the 2021 elections, Dhinakaran won close to 25 lakh votes across the state, spoiling the prospects of the AIADMK. Even now, if OPS and Dhinakaran get together, their alliance can make an impact in 88 constituencies in the south, spoiling the Thevar community votes. The Thevars or the Mukkulathors (comprising three sub castes - Kallar, Maravar and Agamudaiyar) who form close to seven percent of the total voters in the districts down Madurai to Tirunelveli. A politically vibrant community has always been with the AIADMK during MGR and Jayalalithaas leadership. There are close to 30 constituencies in Tirunelveli, Tenkasi, Virudhunagar and Theni districts which have majority Maravar votes, OPSs community. If not in all the 88 constituencies, he can tilt the Thevar votes in these 30 constituencies. In 2024, out of the 18 per cent votes scored by the BJP alliance, TTV Dhinakarans Amma Makkal Munnetra Kazhagam and OPSs AIADMK Cadres Rights Retrieval Committee contributed to at least four percent votes in Theni, Madurai and Ramanathapuram. Vijay factor In at least 75 constituencies in West Tamil Nadu and parts of South, the vote share difference between the AIADMK and the DMK was less than 10,000 in 2021 assembly general elections. This was because of Seeman and his NTK which played the disruptor role. In 2021, Seeman campaigned against both the dravidian parties and the BJP and claimed the alternate votes which were once with Vijayakanths DMDK. Seeman, though has not changed his stance and speaks in the same tone as in 2021, his recent meetings with chief minister Stalin and an earlier meeting with finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has toned down his opposition against the DMK and the BJP. This space vacated by Seeman, is likely to shift towards actor Vijay, who will naturally cut into the votes of the Dravidian parties and make the contest between the two big alliances difficult. Although the entry of Vijay did not directly impact the 2024 general elections, his political foray introduces a variable that may reshape the contours of electoral competition in the near future. With a carefully curated public image, zero engagement with the media and a mass following, Vijay has the potential to draw support from disenchanted urban voters, younger demographics, and segments of the electorate seeking a break from entrenched party structures. His emergence is likely to affect the DMK in terms of the magnitude of its victory more than the AIADMK or BJP, if he positions himself as a pro-Tamil, non-communal alternative with grassroots appeal. The significance of his entry will become clearer in the run-up to the 2026 state assembly elections. Vijays entry will also serve a significant blow to the NTKs vote-share. It was bipolar only for the reason that there was no credible alternative. He has charisma and ideology. We speak for the entire Tamil Nadu and not just a section of the voters. There was general apathy or disenchantment from the youth till Vijay launched his party. The change is very visible with the entry of Vijay. Because people voted for AIADMK or DMK earlier it doesnt mean that they will vote for the two parties forever. This is because Vijay is not just an actor. His charisma and ideological rooting is a deadly combination. He is speaking about social justice - that shifted the entire dynamics. The DMK is literally shaken that their stronghold is getting eroded because there is a charismatic leader who speaks social justice much stronger than it does. People are desperately trying for a change. The two dravidian parties have contributed to the state. We are not ridiculing that. But the present set of leaders who are at the helm of affairs in the Dravidian parties are not doing justice to their own dravidian ideologues, K.G. Arunraj, general secretary, policy and propaganda of the Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam told The Week. Incidentally Vijay will soon host his second state-wide conference at Madurai on August 27 and then set out on a state-wide tour to meet the people. His party has relaunched its membership drive app called MyTVK mobile app with a tagline called Vettri Peraniyil Tamil Nadu meaning, Tamil Nadu in a victorious rally. He aims to enrol at least two crore voters as members of his party. However Vijays party is yet to have its complete infrastructure like the AIADMK and the DMK which are stronger in the grass roots. In the meanwhile, his party insiders say that OPS had already sent feelers to Vijay for alliance talks. Vijay has not had a high profile face in the party since he launched it in 2024. If OPS joins with him in alliance, Vijays camp feels it can be an addition. If OPS walks in then it is more likely T.T.V. Dhinakaran might also go with Vijay. While the 2024 Lok Sabha elections in Tamil Nadu reaffirmed the vitality of the Dravidian-Tamil tradition, the run up to the 2026 election could alter the existing equations in the state. The AIADMKs continued decline, the BJPs strategic recalibration and the widening of the anti-DMK space signal a transition in the making. With the young voters emerging more significant this election the political parties might have to offer more than legacy and charisma to appease the people. The India Army has deployed 150 personnel for the rescue and relief operations in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi where four people were killed and several others went missing following a flash flood. The Army said the team of its rescue personnel is led by Colonel Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF. "Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in critical rescue and relief operations since 5 Aug 25 (AN). Inputs from the CO have been received, reassuring the citizens of the Army's continued efforts to rescue all survivors." Central Command of the Indian Army wrote on X. "Additional Army columns, along with Army tracker dogs, drones, logistic drones, earthmoving equipment, etc, have been moved ahead to supplement the resources at Harsil to hasten the efforts," it said. " , We ." #MudslideReliefOperations#HADR Col Harshvardhan, Commanding Officer of 14 RAJRIF, is personally leading 150 personnel in critical rescue and relief operations since 5 Aug 25 (AN). Inputs from the CO pic.twitter.com/XpoijzQitj SuryaCommand_IA (@suryacommand) August 6, 2025 The post further added that the Army and Air Force helicopters are assisting in providing the essential supplies and medicines. The residents have been moved to higher reaches in view of rising water levels due to incessant rains. The cloudburst-triggered flash flood has wreaked havoc in the Harsil area, sweeping away homes, shops and roads. Four deaths have so far been confirmed, while around 130 people have been evacuated to safety. At least 60 people, including 11 soldiers, are said to have gone missing, but reports said the number is likely higher, as many had gathered for the Har Dudh fair in Dharali village when the tragedy struck. #WATCH | Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand | Latest visuals from the route to ground zero of Uttarkashi cloudburst. pic.twitter.com/4ZcX8SL3b1 ANI (@ANI) August 6, 2025 According to reports, nearly half of the picturesque Dharali villagethe main stopover on the way to Gangotriwas ravaged by the flash flood. Two youths are now under police custody after one of them sneaked up on Former Uttar Pradesh cabinet minister and Lok Morcha chief, Swami Prasad Mauraya, and slapped him after pretending to garland him in Raebareli, UP. The RSSP national president was at Gol Chauraha in the district on Wednesday when the incident happened. VIDEO | Raebareli: A person tried to slap former UP minister Swami Prasad Maurya during a public event. The accused was later thrashed by the supporters of the leader before the police detained him. #UPNews #UttarPradeshNews (Full video available on PTI Videos - pic.twitter.com/OyXIJnyjOa Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) August 6, 2025 The crowd of Mauryas supporters chased the youth and beat them with sticks, kicked and punched them. Police who arrived at the scene later took them away According to reports, the two accused were part of the Karni Sena. However, the organisation has not made a statement regarding the incident. Police have said that the attacker blended in with the crowd and pretended to offer a garland before he hit the politician. An investigation is underway to uncover the motive behind the attack, according to the PTI. It is not the first time Maurya has been attacked in public. On May 4, 2024, Maurya was pelleted with shoes while he left a public meeting in Agra. The incident occurred after he left the Samajwadi Party, citing ideological differences. A week ago, Maurya resigned from the post of the national General Secretary, saying that Akhilesh Yadav is going against the 'socialist ideology'. Reacting to Maurya's resignation, Samajwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav had said that he had joined the party during the elections and, despite not winning, the party made him an MLC and sent him to the Assembly. He said that Akhilesh Yadav is going against the socialist ideology. Samajhwadi Party leader Dimple Yadav commented on Mauryas resignation, saying that he joined the party during the election and, despite not winning, the party had made him an MLC and sent him to the Assembly. Maurys statements have often created political controversies. In 2023, Maurya had described some verses of the Ramcharitmanas as against the backwards classes and Dalits. It was also after this incident that he was attacked with a shoe. He has recently demanded a caste census for the OBCs and Dalits, which has incited some backlash from other political parties As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu prepares to push forward with a contentious plan to fully occupy the Gaza Strip, an increasingly public rift has emerged between Israels political leadership and its military command. At the centre of the storm is Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, who has openly opposed the proposed move, warning that it could endanger the lives of remaining hostages and exhaust the army. The divide came to light during a tense three-hour closed-door meeting earlier this week involving Netanyahu, Zamir, and key security officials. According to media reports, Zamir told the prime minister that the proposed full occupation of Gaza would be a strategic blunder. Youre going to create a trap in Gaza, he reportedly said, arguing that such a decision would significantly endanger the lives of the hostages and cause the erosion of the army. Netanyahu, facing pressure from far-right coalition partners who have long demanded a total takeover of Gaza, responded curtly. He directed Zamir to refine and resubmit plans for a ground campaign, despite the IDFs apparent resistance. Make the improvements and present it, the prime minister reportedly insisted after Zamir stated that operational plans had already been submitted. Zamir, who was scheduled to attend a CENTCOM change-of-command ceremony in the United States, cancelled the trip at the last minute, citing the deterioration of ceasefire and hostage negotiations. In a quiet but decisive move, he instead announced a reduction in the size of Israels standing army, reversing a wartime emergency order that had extended soldiers reserve duties by four months since the October 2023 Hamas attacks. The cancellation of the emergency mobilisation came just as Netanyahus allies floated the idea of removing Zamir from his post should he continue opposing the occupation plan. While the IDF did not officially comment on the political speculation, many observers interpreted Zamirs decision as a calculated act of restraint in defiance of the political tide. The military has, until now, maintained control over approximately 75 per cent of Gaza. Under Netanyahus proposal, the IDF would be tasked with occupying the remainder, including heavily populated urban centres believed to be housing the remaining hostages. Intelligence assessments suggest that at least 20 of the 50 hostages are still alive. Hamas has repeatedly warned that any move to encroach on these areas could lead to their execution. Zamir reportedly advocates a more strategic and less destructive approach: encircling key population centres like Gaza City and using those positions as bases for surgical operations. The aim, according to sources quoted in Hebrew media, is to minimise civilian casualties, protect hostages and avoid an indefinite ground presence that could sap the armys strength. The prime minister appears unfazed by the warnings. In private meetings, he has told ministers he will seek full cabinet approval for the Gaza occupation plan despite internal dissent. According to some websites, Netanyahu has accepted that hostages may die as a result of the operation but views a full military conquest as essential to securing Israels long-term objectives in the enclave. But tensions erupted further following an extraordinary personal attack on Zamir by Netanyahus son, Yair, who does not hold any public office. From his residence in Miami, Yair Netanyahu accused the IDF chief of staging a rebellion and attempted military coup fit for a banana republic in Central America during the 70s. The remarks were sparked by a tweet from journalist Yossi Yehoshua criticising the occupation plan, which Yair implied was orchestrated by Zamir himself. The IDF chief, present at the security meeting where the comments were discussed, reportedly confronted the prime minister directly: Why are you attacking me? Why are you speaking against me in the middle of a war? Netanyahu deflected the criticism, saying, My son is 33, hes a grown man, before chastising Zamir for threatening to quit in the media. The atmosphere of mistrust between the government and military brass has only deepened since. Defence Minister Israel Katz, while publicly affirming the militarys subordination to the political leadership, also issued a subtle warning that he expects the IDF to professionally implement the determined policy once final decisions are made. Katz was among the senior officials attending yesterdays security meeting, which excluded far-right ministers Itamar Ben Gvir and Bezalel Smotrichboth strong advocates for the full occupation of Gaza. Ben Gvir responded by demanding that Zamir publicly commit to carrying out the political leaderships decisions, regardless of his professional stance. The chief of staff must say clearly that he will fully carry out the orders of the political echelon, even if its decided to go for full conquest and a clear result, Ben Gvir posted on X. Meanwhile, Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, a member of Netanyahus government, offered rare public support for the embattled IDF chief. The chief of staff is required to express his professional opinion clearly and unequivocally to the political echelon. He is not required to clarify the subordination of the military echelon to the governments decisions, Saar wrote on social media. Opposition leaders have warned that the public airing of disagreements could have dangerous implications. Yair Lapid, head of the opposition, said, IDF soldiers should not think that a divided and conflicted leadership is leading them. He warned that the operational price of political interference could deter military leaders from offering honest assessments. Blue and WhiteNational Unity chairman Benny Gantz also stepped in to defend Zamir. In the State of Israel, the chief of staff is subordinate to the political echelon, as it has always been and will be, but he is not a puppet on a string or a rubber stamp, Gantz wrote. The problem lies with the political echelon, not the military one. Netanyahu is reportedly moving quickly to secure cabinet approval, with sources close to him telling Israeli media that the direction is full occupation. Yet military officials continue to warn that such a step could destabilise the region further, stretch IDF resources, and escalate the humanitarian crisis already unfolding in Gaza. International concern is growing. At a UN Security Council meeting yesterday on the situation in Gaza, Assistant Secretary-General Miroslav Jenca warned that any further expansion of Israels military operations could have catastrophic consequences. Such a move would risk catastrophic consequences and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza, Jenca said. There is no military solution to the conflict in Gaza or the broader IsraeliPalestinian conflict. Russia and Indias deepening defence cooperation - the latest being Moscows proposal for joint production of T-14 Armata battle tanks - has been criticised in Turkey for double standards adopted by the West over India's Russian weapons deals. A report that appeared on a local Turkish website, Marmara Bogle, questioned why the sanctions imposed by the US on Turkey in 2020 for the purchase of Russia's S-400 surface-to-air missile system was not imposed on India, which acquired the same. The sanctions imposed on Turkiye over the S-400 air defense system were not applied to India, which made similar purchases. Now, Russia has proposed a much deeper defense industry partnership with the country: production of T-14 Armata battle tanks in India, the report added. The report added that Turkey was previously excluded from the F-35 program and subjected to Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act (CAATSA) sanctions for purchasing the S-400 system. Ankara interprets the failure to impose such sanctions on India as a double standard. Now, India's agreement with Russia on tank production could once again revive this debate in Turkiye, Marmara Bogle report said. The report comes as relations between India and Turkey soured over the last few months over the latters public support for Pakistan in the recent conflict. Ever since that, Turkish media has been carrying reports about Indias defence capabilities and how its burgeoning defence relations with Turkeys arch foe, Greece. Recently, a report published in the conservative news website Yeni Akit cited Prime Minister Narendra Modis statement about the impact of the BrahMos missile as a threat to Turkey itself. This is despite the Prime Minister making no statement about Turkey. (Bloomberg) -- Copper rose as traders continued to digest US President Donald Trumps decision to spare the most traded form of the metal from his 50% tariff, while a deadly mine accident in Chile raised supply concerns. Most Read from Bloomberg Copper trading conditions started to settle on the London Metal Exchange, after the White Houses shock move last week to exclude refined metal from the newly imposed import levy. The decision sent US prices plunging by a record 22% on Thursday, pushing them back to parity with the LMEs global benchmark. A key question now is what will happen to the huge volume of copper thats been shipped to the US in anticipation of tariffs, with the spreads between prices in London, New York and Shanghai likely to determine whether the metal flows back out quickly or remains in US ports. On Monday, US copper futures on CME Groups Comex were trading about 1.8% or $176 a ton above those on the LME, undercutting the immediate rationale for exports. In the past, metal flowed between the CME and LME whenever the spread between those two prices moved outside a $100-200/t band, Bank of America analysts led by Irina Shaorshadze said in an emailed note. As the trade flows normalize, the LME-CME spread should revert to the historical mean-reverting relationship. Copper traders are also on alert for supply disruptions, after six people were killed in a tunnel collapse triggered by an earth tremor last week at El Teniente, which accounts for over a quarter of Chilean mining giant Codelcos output. Underground operations are halted and with the company launching an investigation into the causes its unclear how long the stoppage will last or whether it will trigger changes to Codelcos output goals. El Teniente, one of the worlds biggest underground mines, produced 356,000 tons of copper last year. That volume is equivalent to more than a month of Chinese imports of refined copper. The stoppage at El Teniente comes as the worlds copper smelters face intense competition to secure mine supply. Treatment fees typically the main earner for smelters remain at deeply negative levels on a spot basis, and plants in the Philippines and Japan have cut output or closed. Even in China, where output has remained robust, there is some speculation that production is reaching a limit. On Monday, the Philippines' President Ferdinand Marcos Jr., who is on a visit to India, announced that his country is entering into a strategic partnership with India, the core part of the pact being defence cooperation. Both countries also released a declaration that expressed concern for the situation in the South China Sea, particularly with regard to coercive and aggressive actions that impact on regional peace and stability. This came as India and the Philippines' Naval forces began a joint drill in the South China Sea, wherein they engaged in joint maneuvers. The renewed ties between the countries clearly underpinned the shared concern about Chinas growing maritime capability, and Beijings response came soon after. Without naming India, its Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Guo Jiakun said disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned. No third party is in any position to interfere, Gao added, when asked about the India-Philippines joint exercises in the South China Sea. But the Chinese state mouthpiece didnt mince words. An article that appeared in the Chinese state-backed Global Times took a swipe at Manila for its partnership with New Delhi. Xu Liping, director of the Center for Southeast Asian Studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, took a swipe at both India and the Philippines, stating Manila's attempts to rope in outside parties are both unwise and counterproductive. India's interference, as an extraterritorial actor, is neither reasonable nor responsible, Xu told Global Times, adding that India's involvement only escalates tensions in the South China Sea and contradicts the so-called 'peaceful and constructive means' mentioned in the declaration. The Chinese People's Liberation Army sternly opposed the drills. It called the war games a destabilising move and slammed the Philippines for "bringing in external forces to stir up trouble in the South China Sea." It said the forces remain on high alert, adding that "any military activity aimed at hyping up the South China Sea will be fully monitored." Expectedly, Chinese navy ships, including a guided-missile destroyer, shadowed the Indian and the Philippines vessels. Chinese ships were spotted about 25 nautical miles (46 kilometers) from one of two Philippine navy frigates. The strategic partnership has angered China. Reason: India is the island nations fifth strategic partner, alongside Japan, Australia, South Korea, and Vietnam. Of the five, all except Australia have border disputes with China. Benjamin Blandin, an expert in maritime security and research fellow at the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies, told South China Morning Post that the latest patrols meant India had joined the three other Quad nations in getting involved in the maritime row at a significant level. To China, all lights seem to be turning red, and no improvement is in sight which might lead China to be even more aggressive against its direct neighbours, Blandin said. Indias stance also means that it has decided to go beyond simple tactical manoeuvres and passage exercises, Nishant Rajeev, a senior analyst at the South Asia Program in the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, told South China Morning Post. President Donald Trump on Tuesday feigned ignorance on the USs chemical and fertiliser imports from Russia, days after India accused Washington of hypocrisy amid tariff threats over Russian oil imports. I dont know anything about it, he said when a reporter sought his response to New Delhis claim that the US continues to trade with Moscow while threatening other countries with increased tariffs for importing oil from Russia. I'd have to check, but we'll get back to you on that," Trump said. #WATCH | Responding to ANI's question on US imports of Russian Uranium, chemical fertilisers while criticising their (Indian) energy imports', US President Donald Trump says, "I don't know anything about it. I have to check..." (Source: US Network Pool via Reuters) pic.twitter.com/OOejcaGz2t ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 India on Monday claimed that the US continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. The Ministry of External Affairs statement came after Trump announced a 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports and further warned of punitive tariffs for importing oil from Russia. Accusing the US and European Union of targeting India, the MEA claimed New Delhi began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict. It further alleged that, while blaming India, both the US and EU continued their trade with Moscow. The Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment, it said. Trump had alleged that India buys a massive amount of Russian oil and sells much of it on the open market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA, he wrote on his social media page on Monday. The MEA, however, clarified in its response that Indias imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. "Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," it said. Pakistani Defence Minister Khawaja Asif has alleged that more than 50 per cent of the bureaucrats in his country are buying real estate assets in Portugal with plan to acquire citizenship and settle there. "These are well-known bureaucrats. Yet, after devouring billions of rupees, they are comfortably living a retired life," wrote Asif. One of the babus, who is close to former Punjab Chief Minister Usman Bazdur, received Rs 4 billion in ceremonial gifts at his daughter's wedding, alleged the minister, saying it is a symbol of lavish lifestyle led by the bureaucrats through corruption. Calling the act 'shameful', Asif said the bureaucracy is 'polluting our land'. The Pakistani minister said because of high-level corruption in bureaucracy, politicians only get the leftovers and "still get blamed for everything". He added that politicians do not own plots or get foreign citizenship as they have to face elections. Asif made headlines during Operation Sindoor when he claimed that he has proof that Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and the Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) are Indian proxies. However, the Pakistani politician has not been able to prove any links between India and these militant outfits based in Pakistan. India back in May slammed Asif for trying to hoodwink the world, saying blaming India for its reputation as global epicentre of terrorism has become Pakistan's "second nature". "India rejects the baseless allegations made by Pakistan regarding Indian involvement with the incident in Khuzdar," Randhir Jaiswal, the spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said. In another public blunder, the Pakistani defence minister went live on CNN during Operation Sindoor, claiming that the evidence of Pakistan downing Indian jets is all over the social media. CNN host Becky Anderson confronted Asif, reminding him that he is the defence minister of the country. "The reason to talk to you today, sir, is not to talk about content all over social media. I'm sorry," she said. Amid Donald Trump's tariff rhetoric, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is leaning towards China and Russia as part of India's balancing geopolitical tactic. Modi is set to attend the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation summit in Tianjin city by end of this month, the first such step from India since the Galwan clash in 2020. The visit was announced a day after Trump threatened to levy additional tariffs on India over Russian oil purchase, saying New Delhi is fuelling the war machine. This comes on top of the 25 per cent tariffs already announced. India has dismissed Trumps tariff threats as 'unjustified and unreasonable'. Is Modi cosying up to the dragon? Trump's hostile policy towards India, despite close ties with Modi, has definitely pushed New Delhi to improve its ties with Beijing. With the pre-2020 border status restored and both sides reaching an agreement on patrolling along the border, there is no reason for India to keep distance from China. The last time Modi visited China was in 2019. However, he had met Xi Jinping during the BRICS Summit in Kazan in October 2024. During the Kazan meeting, Modi told the Chinese president that their priority should be maintaining peace and stability on the borders. In June this year, both sides decided to negotiate trade and economical issues in a bid to mend the relations. Recently, India and China had agreed to take measures to resume direct air services that have been suspended since 2020. National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Tuesday arrived in Moscow on a two-day state visit to discuss defence cooperation. Doval's meeting will also bring up US decision to impose tariffs on India over purchase of Russian oil. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also scheduled to visit the Russian capital later in August. The relationship between India and Bangladesh, once hailed as a South Asian success story, stands today at a critical juncture. A series of dramatic political upheavals in Bangladeshculminating in the ouster of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on August 5, 2024has ushered in a new phase of uncertainty. The event, triggered by a violent nationwide protest movement and a subsequent institutional collapse, has profoundly impacted the trajectory of IndiaBangladesh relations. ALSO READ | From protests to polls: The emerging political landscape of post-Hasina Bangladesh As Dhaka transitions into a new political phase under an interim administration, India must carefully recalibrate its policies to preserve regional stability and strategic interests. The fall of Sheikh Hasina and its aftermath Sheikh Hasina, a central figure in Bangladeshs political landscape for over two decades, was forced to resign in August 2024 after mass protests (initially against a controversial job quota system) which spiralled into a nationwide anti-government movement. The violent suppression of student protests, in which over 300 people were killed, triggered widespread institutional breakdown. As her support crumbled within the police and military, Hasina fled to India, where she was granted political asylum. ALSO READ | Beyond Hasina: How Bangladeshs internal politics reshaped India-US-China dynamic In her place, a caretaker administration led by Nobel laureate Muhammad Yunus was installed. It was tasked with overseeing reforms and steering Bangladesh toward fresh elections by mid-2026. The Hasina governments collapse ended a 15-year period of political continuity, during which India and Bangladesh enjoyed close strategic and economic cooperation. However, the post-Hasina period has brought a visible deterioration in bilateral trust. On August 3, 2025, Bangladesh's International Crimes Tribunal commenced the trial of Sheikh Hasina in absentia for alleged crimes against humanity linked to the suppression of the 2024 protests. This marks a stark reversal from her previous stature as Indias most reliable ally in South Asia. Why Sheikh Hasina lost power The collapse of Hasinas government stemmed from three interlocking factors: Popular discontent and electoral backlash: The January 2024 general elections, widely seen as manipulated and illegitimate, sparked nationwide anger. The opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party (BNP) boycotted the polls, and voter turnout remained low. Widespread detentions and voter suppression created a climate of repression which culminated in open revolt. ALSO READ | The call that changed Bangladesh: Sajeeb Wazed Joy's role in Sheikh Hasina's resignation Authoritarian governance: In her second tenure (20092024), Hasina faced growing criticism over accusations of silencing dissent, controlling the judiciary, stifling the media, and rigging elections, alienating many inside Bangladesh and abroad. Institutional disintegration: The tipping point was the militarys refusal to suppress protests with force. With warnings of civil war and depleting security resources, key institutions like the police and border forces disintegrated, ultimately forcing Hasinas resignation. A historical lens: India-Bangladesh relations Indias involvement in Bangladeshs liberation in 1971 remains the cornerstone of bilateral relations. The Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed in 1972 reflected Indias enduring commitment to Dhaka's sovereignty and stability. Yet, the post-independence period has been turbulent. ALSO READ | Why Bangladeshi exporters are cheering on Trumps 25% tariff on India Ties fluctuated during Bangladesh's military rule in the 1970s and 1980s. The 1996 return of Sheikh Hasina improved cooperation, particularly on counter-terrorism, transit rights, and economic connectivity. The Land Boundary Agreement of 2015 was a landmark achievement, resolving long-standing border disputes. India also extended generous lines of credit and development assistance, cementing its role as a key development partner. Still, irritants like the Teesta water-sharing issue, border killings, and Indias perceived 'Big Brother' attitude occasionally strained relations. While Sheikh Hasinas rule fostered strategic stability, her exit has revived old anxietiesabout Bangladesh's political trajectory, its internal stability and foreign policy orientationand created new geopolitical challenges. Post-August 2024 challenges in bilateral relations Since Hasinas ouster, bilateral tensions have escalated on multiple fronts: Communal violence and minority protection: Over 2,000 incidents of violence targeting Hindu minoritiesincluding arson, rape, and attacks on templeshave reportedly taken place in Bangladesh since August 2024. Indias sharp condemnation of these events, especially the arrest of ISKCON monk Chinmoy Krishna Das, has been met with accusations of political interference by Dhaka. Rise of anti-India sentiment: Anti-India rhetoric has gained traction among segments of the Bangladeshi political elite and civil society. The interim governments call for Hasinas extradition and its India Out messaging has led to a recalibration of foreign policy, with a visible tilt toward China and Pakistan. ALSO READ | August 5 'July Uprising Day' is a category 'A' Holiday in Bangladesh. Will banks open in Dhaka? Diplomatic and institutional fallout: Incidents such as the attack on Bangladeshs Assistant High Commission in Agartala (December 2024) and Dhakas cancellation of a judicial training programme in India have exposed a breakdown in trust. Bangladeshs suspension of visa services and formal diplomatic protests reflect growing estrangement. Trade and transit disputes: Indias restrictions on Bangladeshi exports to its North-east, as well as the closure of land and river border ports, have hurt both economies. These moves (interpreted as retaliatory) have triggered mutual suspicion and economic friction. Security and border tensions: Reports of increased cross-border militant activity from Bangladeshs Chittagong Hill Tracts, coupled with aggressive deportations of Bengali-speaking Muslims from Indian states, have sparked regional concerns. Allegations of human rights abuse during push-backs have attracted international scrutiny. Water-sharing disputes: The unresolved Teesta water-sharing issue continues to fuel discontent in Bangladesh. The interim governments inability to advance negotiations, partly due to domestic political complexities in India, further deepens the divide. Stalled reforms and Islamist resurgence: The slow pace of political reform and the rising influence of the Jamaat-e-Islami have raised alarms in New Delhi. India fears that hardline Islamist groups could undo decades of secular progress and tilt Bangladesh's foreign policy away from India. The July Declaration: Formally announced by Interim Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus on August 5, 2025, this document lays out 26 reform points, including constitutional restructuring and political overhaul. While it promises democratic renewal, it also repudiates the Awami Leagues political legacy, implicitly criticising Indias past support. Indias roadmap for renewing bilateral ties Given the evolving realities in Dhaka, India must adopt a multi-pronged, principle-based strategy to repair and revitalise its ties with Bangladesh: Reaffirm non-interference and mutual respect: India must publicly distance itself from any single political faction in Bangladesh. Affirming respect for Bangladeshs sovereignty, constitutional process, and democratic transition is essential to restore credibility. Engage constructively on the minority protection issue: While India should express concern over violence against minorities, this must be done through diplomatic channels and international forums, avoiding public grandstanding. Encouraging the interim government to uphold minority rights through quiet diplomacy will prevent backlash. Revive economic and trade cooperation: India must lead the way in restoring disrupted trade. Reopening border posts, restoring port access, and enhancing energy and infrastructure ties will provide mutual economic benefit and reduce space for geopolitical manipulation by rival powers. Resolve the Teesta water-sharing dispute: Water-sharing remains a vital issue for Bangladeshs public and political psyche. India must explore innovative solutionssuch as joint river management, real-time data sharing, and downstream impact studiesto build trust and foster goodwill. Enhance border and security collaboration: India should invest in reviving joint border management mechanisms and boosting Bangladeshi capabilities in counter-terrorism and maritime security. Northeast Indias stability is intrinsically linked to cooperative security with Bangladesh. Counter geopolitical competition smartly: With China and Pakistan making inroads into Dhaka, India must project itself as a reliable, inclusive partner. Cultural diplomacy, student exchanges, media collaboration, and academic partnerships can strengthen people-to-people ties and offset political antagonism. A time for strategic patience and recalibration In conclusion, Indias strategic stakes in Bangladesh are too vital to be managed with short-term reactive policies. Lt Gen Philip Campose (retd) The post-Hasina era has undeniably reduced Indias influence in Dhaka, but it also presents a chance for New Delhi to reimagine the relationship within a more inclusive and resilient framework. As Bangladesh undergoes a political transition, India must recalibrate its approachanchored in respect, reciprocity, and regional responsibility. Ensuring that Sheikh Hasina does not attempt to wage a political battle from Indian soil will be central to Indias credibility. At the same time, India must engage with the interim administration on shared goals: development, security, and democratic consolidation. Handled with maturity and strategic foresight, the current crossroads in IndiaBangladesh relations can become a gateway to deeper cooperation, mutual respect, and sustainable peace in South Asia. The writer was Vice Chief of the Indian Army. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK. At a time when the ties between India and the United States took a dramatic nosedive over President Donald Trumps tariff threats, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval has arrived in Moscow on a two-day state visit. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is also scheduled to visit Moscow later this month. The NSAs visit coincides with that of US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who will also arrive in Moscow on Wednesday to meet with the Russian leadership. Amid rumours that India's NSA Ajit Doval is already in Moscow, TASS reports that he has "a number of scheduled meetings on August 7".https://t.co/aQIrrQLaBD https://t.co/n2VPhZaJE8 Aleksei Zakharov (@AlexisZakharov) August 5, 2025 Although the agenda of Dovals visit will focus on defence cooperation between the two countries, the current escalation of the geopolitical situation will also be discussed, according to Russias TASS news agency. Apart from that, the topics will include such pressing matters as supplies of Russian oil [to India]," it said, quoting a source. Trump on Tuesday repeated his accusation that New Delhi was fuelling the war machine by importing oil from Russia and further threatened India with punitive tariffs. The US president has already announced 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods. #WATCH | On being asked about imposing 100% tariffs on all countries that purchase Russian energy, including China, US President Donald Trump says, "I never said a percentage, but we'll be doing quite a bit of that. We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of pic.twitter.com/qHOVywQ9TW ANI (@ANI) August 5, 2025 India has rejected Trumps tariff threats as unjustified and unreasonable and asserted that New Delhi would take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. According to Reuters, between January and June, India purchased 1.75 million barrels per day of Russian seaborne crude, the highest of any foreign buyer. Although it is unclear whether Doval and Witkoff will meet in Moscow, their simultaneous trips to Russia have sparked speculation amid the evolving geopolitical situation. Witkoffs visit is understood to be an attempt to secure an elusive ceasefire deal with Ukraine before the deadline set by Trump ends. Last month, Trump issued a 50-day ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, threatening sanctions and tariffs if the Kremlin failed to agree to a ceasefire. Trump also threatened secondary sanctions on top customers for Russian energy exports like China and India. Ohio GOP gubernatorial frontrunner Vivek Ramaswamy issued a sharp warning Monday morning, declaring that the surge of far-left candidates like New York City mayoral hopeful Zohran Mamdani poses a national threat and represents a defining moment for the country. This is a fork in the road for the future of America, Ramaswamy said in an appearance on Fox & Friends. Its not just about one candidate in New York. You look at the rise of [Omar] Fateh in Minneapolis. Theres a deep fissure in the Democratic Party. Ramaswamy, 39, who mounted a high-profile but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2024, is now widely seen as the favorite to win next years Ohio gubernatorial primary. He is positioning himself as a national spokesman for the fight against what he calls the radical lefts agenda, warning that Mamdanis election would be a catastrophic endorsement of socialism in Americas largest city. If Mamdani wins, it will be a wake-up call a painful one, Ramaswamy said. The well-intentioned, so-called solutions to the housing crisis will only deepen the affordability crisis and hurt the very people they claim to protect. The biotech entrepreneur is urging Republicans to seize what he calls a historic opportunity to redefine Americas direction. This is our moment to make the case unapologetically that capitalism and free enterprise are not only just, but the greatest system ever created to lift people out of poverty, he said. Ramaswamy has taken his message directly to New Yorkers. Last month, his Super PAC purchased billboard space in Times Square reading: Worried About Zohran? Ohio Is Waiting For You! The message was that New Yorkers fed up with progressive politics should consider fleeing to Ohio. Beyond political ideology, Ramaswamy is also focusing on law and order, condemning what he calls a growing epidemic of urban violence. Later Monday, he was slated to visit his hometown of Cincinnati to address public safety concerns following a brutal attack that shocked the city. Viral footage of the incident shows a woman, identified only as Holly, being sucker-punched and left bleeding on the sidewalk after attempting to defuse an altercation. Ramaswamy said he spoke to her directly and intends to use her story to highlight what he sees as political cowardice on the issue of crime. This is about more than one attack, he said. Its about a pattern people afraid to walk in their own neighborhoods. We need leadership that refuses to sweep urban crime under the rug. Im not going to stay silent. Too many leaders are afraid to speak the truth because its politically incorrect, he added. But we need to talk about it openly, honestly and demand change. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A woman widely believed to be Russian President Vladimir Putins secret daughter has publicly condemned the man many suspect is her father, accusing him of destroying her life and taking millions of lives in a cryptic but unmistakably pointed message. Elizaveta Krivonogikh, 22, a Russian art school graduate living in Paris, posted the remarks on her private Telegram channel, amid her growing openness online after years of retreat. The comments mark her most overt criticism to date of the Kremlin leader at a time when Russia remains mired in a costly and brutal war in Ukraine. Its liberating to be able to show my face to the world again, Krivonogikh wrote. It reminds me of who I am and who destroyed my life. Though she didnt name Putin directly, the subtext was clear especially given her long-rumored lineage and her use of the name Luiza Rozova, a pseudonym tied to years of speculation about her being Putins youngest daughter. Born in 2003, Krivonogikh is reportedly the child of a secret relationship between Putin and Svetlana Krivonogikh, a former housekeeper who became part of the Russian presidents inner circle. While Putins name does not appear on Elizavetas birth certificate, her patronymic Vladimirovna literally, daughter of Vladimir has fueled persistent rumors. The allegations were first brought to light in 2020 by Russian investigative outlet Proekt, which noted the phenomenal resemblance between Putin and the then-teenage Krivonogikh. Soon after, jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny spotlighted her lavish lifestyle on Instagram replete with yachts, luxury fashion, and elite parties as further evidence of her privileged ties to the Kremlin. But the war in Ukraine marked a turning point. Krivonogikh went dark on social media following the 2021 invasion, retreating from public life as anti-Russian sentiment surged. Her once-glamorous Instagram was deleted, and she avoided showing her face online for over a year. Far from flaunting wealth, she now works in a Parisian art gallery known for anti-war exhibits and has taken on a second alias, Elizaveta Rudnova a reference to Oleg Rudnov, a deceased Putin confidant and media baron, in what some observers see as a sardonic jab at her own lineage. She has also used her platform to disavow the excesses of her upbringing and express shame over Russias military campaign. Am I really responsible for the activities of my family, who cant even hear me? she wrote in a recent post, defending her presence in anti-war circles despite lingering skepticism from some Ukrainians and exiled Russian dissidents. In addition to Krivonogikh, Putin is rumored to have fathered at least two sons now 10 and 6 with former Olympic gymnast Alina Kabaeva, though the Kremlin has never acknowledged the children. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) The Trump administration is racing to deploy a powerful nuclear reactor on the moon by 2030 a high-stakes project that could redefine the future of lunar exploration and space-based national security. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy, who is also serving as acting NASA Administrator, issued an internal directive this week calling for the space agency to fast-track its long-discussed plan to install a nuclear fission reactor on the lunar surface. The memo lays out an aggressive timeline and a dramatic escalation in power output more than doubling the original designs capacity. To properly advance this critical technology to support a future lunar economy, power exploration on Mars, and strengthen our national security in space, it is imperative the agency move quickly, Duffy wrote. NASA has long explored nuclear surface power as a way to sustain long-term missions in deep space. But the new plan marks a dramatic acceleration of that vision, calling for a 100-kilowatt reactor (enough to power a small neighborhood) to be ready for launch within the next five years. By comparison, NASAs 2022 Fission Surface Power Project had only envisioned a 40-kilowatt unit. Duffys move comes amid growing concerns that rival powers particularly China and Russia could outpace the U.S. in establishing permanent footholds on the moon. If another country were to build a reactor on the moon first, the memo warns, it could declare a keep-out zone which would significantly inhibit the United States. The directive, first reported by Politico, gives NASA 60 days to appoint a project leader and solicit input from private industry, including launch and reactor technology providers. The administration is also seeking proposals from commercial spaceflight companies capable of delivering the reactor to the moons surface by 2030, the same year China is aiming to land a manned mission on the moon. The policy move comes just weeks after President Trump abruptly withdrew his nomination of billionaire space entrepreneur Jared Isaacman a close ally of Elon Musk to head NASA. Trump instead tapped Duffy, a former congressman and Fox News contributor, to helm the agency on an interim basis. The reversal reportedly followed a review of Isaacmans political contributions, which included over $41,000 to Democratic causes in late 2024. Since assuming the interim role, Duffy has laid out a sweeping vision for NASAs future under Trumps second term: orbit the moon by early next year, land a crew on the surface a year later, and build a permanent lunar base shortly thereafter. Were going to stay on the moon, Duffy said last month in an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. And what we learn on the moon is whats going to take us to Mars. The nuclear reactor is expected to be central to that ambition. Designed to operate independently of sunlight and harsh lunar conditions, the power system would provide a steady energy supply for habitat modules, scientific labs, and eventually launch facilities for Mars-bound missions. Critics have raised questions about the safety and international ramifications of nuclear power on the moon, but Duffys memo signals a readiness to move forward regardless. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Jews were once again the most targeted religious group in America in 2024, according to newly released FBI data that paints a grim picture of surging antisemitism across the country. The FBIs 2024 Hate Crime Report, published Tuesday, documented 1,938 anti-Jewish hate crime incidents affecting 2,237 victims a staggering 69% of all religion-based hate crimes recorded nationwide. The number marks a 2% increase from 2023, when Jews were the victims in 1,832 incidents, or 67% of the total. The breakdown is chilling: 67 cases of aggravated assault, 111 simple assaults, 672 incidents of intimidation, 1,130 acts of property destruction or damage, eight arsons, and a dozen other crimes categorized as offenses against society. In most cases, the perpetrators were white. By comparison, anti-Muslim hate crimes the second highest among religiously motivated offenses totaled just 228. Other religious groups barely registered in the data, underscoring the uniquely targeted nature of antisemitism in the United States. The numbers go beyond religious hate. Anti-Jewish crimes were the second most common hate crime motivation across all categories, trailing only anti-Black hate crimes, which accounted for 26% of total hate crime incidents. Anti-Jewish hate crimes made up 18% of the total. Geographically, California topped the list for total hate crimes, followed by New Jersey and New York. The data comes amid growing concern that antisemitism is no longer confined to the fringes, but is seeping into mainstream discourse, university campuses, and city streets with increasing brazenness. Law enforcement and Jewish advocacy groups have warned for months that the climate for Jews in America is deteriorating, and the FBIs report adds weight to those warnings. Despite heightened public awareness, the trend remains persistent: American Jews, who make up just 2% of the population, are the targets in nearly seven out of ten religiously motivated hate crimes. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) (Reuters) -CoreWeave's proposed $9 billion acquisition of data centre landlord Core Scientific is facing potential revolt, as some top shareholders of the target firm argue the deal may leave them short-changed, the Financial Times reported. Some major Core Scientific shareholders plan to vote against the deal unless the terms are revised in the coming weeks, the report said on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. Reuters could not immediately verify the report. CoreWeave and Core Scientific did not immediately respond to Reuters request for a comment outside regular business hours. 55th Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport near Paris The shareholder vote for Core Scientific has not yet been scheduled but is expected to take place sometime this autumn, the report said. The all-stock deal, valued at about $9 billion and announced last month, highlights the race among AI infrastructure firms to secure the energy and data center capacity required to meet surging demand. CoreWeave, which provides access to data centers and Nvidia-powered AI chips, initially submitted an unsolicited, non-binding takeover offer to Core Scientific in June 2024. However, the company rejected the offer, citing that its business was significantly undervalued. (Reporting by Gursimran Kaur in Bengaluru; Editing by Sonia Cheema and Sherry Jacob-Phillips) Russia has declared that it no longer considers itself bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race as tensions between Moscow and Washington rise again over Ukraine. In a statement Monday, the Russian Foreign Ministry linked the decision to efforts by the U.S. and its allies to develop intermediate range weapons and preparations for their deployment in Europe and other parts of the world. It specifically cited U.S. plans to deploy Typhoon and Dark Eagle missiles in Germany starting next year. The ministry noted that such actions by the U.S. and its allies create destabilizing missile potentials near Russia, creating a direct threat to the security of our country and carry significant harmful consequences for regional and global stability, including a dangerous escalation of tensions between nuclear powers. It didnt say what specific moves the Kremlin might take, but President Vladimir Putin has previously announced that Moscow was planning to deploy its new Oreshnik missiles on the territory of its neighbor and ally Belarus later this year. Asked where and when Russia could potentially deploy intermediate-range weapons, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that its not something to be announced in advance. Russia no longer has any limitations, Russia no longer considers itself to be constrained by anything, Peskov told reporters. Therefore Russia believes it has the right to take respective steps if necessary. Decisions on specific parameters of response measures will be made by the leadership of the Russian Federation based on an interdepartmental analysis of the scale of deployment of American and other Western land-based intermediate-range missiles, as well as the development of the overall situation in the area of international security and strategic stability, the Foreign Ministry said. Russias move follows Trumps nuclear messaging The Russian statement follows President Donald Trumps announcement Friday that hes ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines based on the highly provocative statements of Dmitry Medvedev, who was president in 2008-12 to allow Putin, bound by term limits, to later return to the office. Trumps statement came as his deadline for the Kremlin to reach a peace deal in Ukraine approaches later this week. Trump said he was alarmed by Medvedevs attitude. Medvedev, who serves as deputy chairman of Russias Security Council chaired by Putin, has apparently sought to curry favor with his mentor by making provocative statements and frequently lobbing nuclear threats. Last week. he responded to Trumps deadline for Russia to accept a peace deal in Ukraine or face sanctions by warning him against playing the ultimatum game with Russia and declaring that each new ultimatum is a threat and a step toward war. Medvedev also commented on the Foreign Ministrys statement, describing Moscows withdrawal from the moratorium as the result of NATO countries anti-Russian policy. This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with, he wrote on X. Expect further steps. INF treaty abandoned in 2019 Intermediate-range missiles can fly between 500 to 5,500 kilometers (310 to 3,400 miles). Such land-based weapons were banned under the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. Trump withdrew from the pact in his first term, citing Russian violations, which Moscow denied. It, in turn, alleged the U.S. had committed violations. The treaty was terminated in 2019, but the Kremlin declared its self-imposed moratorium on their deployment until the U.S. makes such a move. The collapse of the INF Treaty has stoked fears of a replay of a Cold War-era European missile crisis, when the U.S. and the Soviet Union both deployed intermediate-range missiles on the continent in the 1980s. Such weapons are seen as particularly destabilizing because they take less time to reach targets, compared with intercontinental ballistic missiles, leaving no time for decision-makers and raising the likelihood of a global nuclear conflict over a false launch warning. Russias missile forces chief has declared that the new Oreshnik intermediate range missile, which Russia first used against Ukraine in November, has a range to reach all of Europe. Oreshnik can carry conventional or nuclear warheads. Putin has praised the Oreshniks capabilities, saying its multiple warheads that plunge to a target at speeds up to Mach 10 are immune to being intercepted and are so powerful that the use of several of them in one conventional strike could be as devastating as a nuclear attack. Putin has warned the West that Moscow could use it against Ukraines NATO allies who allowed Kyiv to use their longer-range missiles to strike inside Russia. (AP) Mairekk Griffiths, a 26-year-old cook in a Denver suburb, doesnt think hell ever pay a lot of attention to U.S. politics unless radical change happens. If another party was likely to win, Id be interested in that, said Griffiths, who voted for Democrat Kamala Harris in last years presidential race but, like many his age, does not see voting as that valuable. I cant say either way that voting matters, Griffiths said. Its just picking the least bad option. Thats what I remember my whole life both sides are bad, but this side is less bad. Young people such as Griffiths are less engaged with U.S. politics than older Americans and less likely to say voting is important, according to a new poll from The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research. Young people even those who follow politics closely are less likely to say issues such as the economy, government spending and health care are extremely important to them than comparable older adults. The findings point to a broad sense of disillusionment among younger people about the countrys political system even if, like Griffiths, they still end up casting a ballot. Alberto Medina, who leads the Center for Information and Research on Civic Engagement at Tufts University, which studies youth and politics, noted that turnout among young people hit record levels in the 2020 election and was high last year. Theres a sense that democracy isnt working for young people. Theres a lack of belief that democracy is even able to improve their lives, Medina said. At the same time, we have been living in an era of high youth voting. Disengagement from political parties and politics In another sign of their general estrangement from politics, the poll shows young adults are more likely to reject political party labels. About one-third of adults under age 30 identify as political independents who dont lean toward either major political party, compared with 17% of Americans age 60 or older. The poll also finds young people are far less likely to follow politics closely than older adults are. Only about 2 in 10 of adults under age 30 say they follow U.S. politics extremely or very closely, compared with about one-third of Americans overall. Thats even higher among adults age 60 or older 45% of this group says they follow U.S. politics at least very closely. Disengagement is higher among teenagers, with an AP-NORC poll from May finding 44% of teens ages 13 to 17 report following U.S. politics not very closely or not closely at all. Meanwhile, about two-thirds of adults under age 30 say its extremely or very important to vote, compared with almost 9 in 10 over age 45 who say its at least very important to vote. Some of these habits could shift as people grow older. Younger people traditionally are less likely to vote than older people, and voter participation tends to go up with age. Its possible that engagement with politics could follow a similar pattern. Brittany Diaz, 28, follows politics closely for an unusual reason: Her oldest son, who is 7, is obsessed with the news and watches it every night. Diaz, a Republican who lives in an Albuquerque, New Mexico, suburb, acknowledges that shes unusual among her age group because she decided to start paying attention to politics when she had her first child at 20. Now that I have kids, Im like, I need to care, she said. In closely following politics, Diaz is different from many other women under 30. Women in her age group are less likely than young men to say they follow U.S. politics, the poll finds. About one-quarter of men under 30 say they follow politics extremely or very closely, compared with 16% of women in the same age group. And about 4 in 10 young women say they follow U.S. politics not very closely or not closely at all compared with about a quarter of young men. Lower investment in key issues On a few issues, such as the economy and health care, the divide between the youngest and oldest Americans isnt large. About 8 in 10 Americans under age 30 say the economy is extremely or very important to them personally, compared with about 9 in 10 Americans age 60 or older. But older adults are much likelier to say topics that have taken center stage during the first six months of President Donald Trumps second term including immigration and government spending are extremely or very important to them personally compared with Americans under 30. Thats even true for topics such as the situation in the Middle East, which has become a rallying cry for young activists since the Israel-Hamas war broke out. Only about 4 in 10 adults under 30 say this is highly important to them personally, compared with about 6 in 10 Americans age 60 or older. For some, that lack of interest could be related to a sense that the political system doesnt respond to their needs. At 18, Blake Marlar is just starting to pay attention to politics. As Trumps tax cut and spending bill moved through the Republican-controlled Congress, the aspiring geology major at the University of Nebraska emailed his states two senators, both Republicans, objecting to its Medicaid cuts and increases in immigration enforcement funding. They didnt seem to take me seriously, Marlar said. While I recognize they have to represent the whole state and the whole state doesnt agree with me, it could have been a different experience. But hes resolved not to give up on politics: In the future, he said, Ill do my part and vote. (AP) This morning, Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein and NYPD Deputy Chief Richie Taylor arranged a memorable tour for members of Harmony Services, Inc., an adult care program serving individuals with special needs. The visit took place at the NYPD Highway Patrol headquarters on Flatbush Avenue. NYPD Chaplain David Heskiel also joined the group for the special event. Participants enjoyed an engaging and hands-on experience, exploring the Highway Patrols impressive fleet of motorcycles and vehicles, learning about the responsibilities of patrol officers, and asking thoughtful questions about highway safety and enforcement. The tour was inspired by a recent visit to Assemblyman Eichensteins office, during which members of the Harmony Services community expressed interest in learning more about the work of local police. The Assemblyman reached out to Deputy Chief Taylor, who graciously coordinated the visit. We were thrilled to visit the NYPD Highway Patrol 2 headquarters with the wonderful individuals from Harmony Services, said Assemblyman Simcha Eichenstein. Their curiosity and enthusiasm were inspiring, and the gracious patrol officers patiently discussed their work and answered questions. Im especially grateful to Deputy Chief Taylor for making this meaningful experience possible. Its a visit that will be remembered for a long time to come. A vehicle bearing a swastika and New York State EMT plates continues to spark outrage, with officials from both New Jersey and New York now calling for investigations and expressing solidarity with the Jewish community. On Tuesday, Closter, New Jersey, Mayor John C. Glidden Jr. and the Borough Council issued a public letter condemning overt antisemitic expressions from a local resident and reaffirmed Closters commitment to diversity, tolerance, and support for all faiths. The statement, prompted by public backlash over the Nazi imagery displayed on a car with New York EMT plate number 544, declared that Closter officials unequivocally condemn antisemitic statementswritten, spoken, or implied. The letter noted that while the First Amendment protects freedom of speech, hate speechespecially involving antisemitic imageryviolates the spirit of Closters values. Make no mistake, the borough wrote, Closter officials stand in solidarity with Jewish neighbors and we strive to maintain our towns reputation of valuing human dignity, equality and justice. On Tuesday night, New York State Assemblyman Kalman Yeger (D-Brooklyn), who had already contacted New Yorks DMV demanding a review of the EMT license plate registration, responded to the Closter letter with a message of gratitude. I was heartwarmed to read your letter, Yeger wrote in a follow-up letter to Mayor Glidden, thanking the borough for its strong show of solidarity with the Jewish community and all decent people. Assemblyman Yeger had previously raised alarms over how the individualidentified by YWN sources as John Kanjiramretained New York EMT plates despite no apparent current certification and a public display of hate symbols. In a letter to DMV Commissioner Mark J.F. Schroeder, Yeger questioned how such plates were still valid and warned of the false appearance of official authority. In the follow-up, Yeger said the Commissioners office had assured him the matter would be investigated and urged Closter officials to share any information they may have about the registrants residency status or potential violations of state law. If you believe that a New Jersey law has been violated, he added, I would also urge you to refer the matter to your local prosecutors office. Although acknowledging that there may be little we can do regarding an individuals right to display hate symbols under free speech protections, Yeger stressed that officials canand mustenforce existing laws regarding vehicle registration and public safety. You have my very warmest regards, Yeger wrote in closing, particularly Jewish New Yorkers need as many friends as we can find right now. Kanjiram, a former EMT whose certification expired in 2015, has not responded publicly to the controversy. The New York DMV has not yet issued a public statement. Law enforcement officials in both states have been made aware of the situation. Closter officials confirmed they have consulted local rabbis and national Jewish organizations including the American Jewish Committee (AJC) and the Anti-Defamation League (ADL). (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A historic shul in Odessa was severely damaged Monday after a direct strike by an Iranian-made Russian suicide drone. The Nachalas Eliezer shul, located in Odessas Peresyp District near the Black Sea, was engulfed in flames following a barrage of Shahed-model drones launched by Russian forces in a nighttime assault on the city. The strike sparked multiple fires and widespread destruction in central Odessa, though no casualties were reported. While the shul was no longer in regular use, it housed sifrei kodesh, including ancient seforim and relics of a once-thriving kehilla, and remained a symbol of Odessas deeply rooted Yiddishe heritage. Just one day after mourning the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, we now mourn a new and painful destructionthe severe damage to the Peresyp Synagogue in Odessa, said Odessa Chief Rabbi Shlomo Bakst. Although it hasnt been in regular use in recent years, it stood for generations as a house of prayer, memory and sanctity, housing ancient scrolls and holy books. Its destruction is a wound to our community and our heritage, he added. The Jewish Community of Odessa has called on world leaders and human rights organizations to respond with urgency, saying that repeated Russian attacks on civilian and religious sites must be confronted forcefully and without delay. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) U.S. prosecutors said Tuesday they wont seek the death penalty in their cases against Mexican cartel kingpin Ismael El Mayo Zambada and Rafael Caro Quintero, the drug lord charged with orchestrating the 1985 killing of a U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration agent. Caro Quintero, 72, and Zambada, 75, have pleaded not guilty to an array of drug trafficking charges. The prosecutions are separate, but they similarly target two of Mexicos most notorious narcos. It is unclear whether taking the death penalty off the table signals any possibility of a plea deal with either or both men. Their lawyers welcomed the decision but were circumspect about what happens next. Caro Quinteros attorney, Elizabeth Macedonio, said she and her client look forward to resolving this matter quickly to bring closure to all parties. Zambadas lawyer, Frank Perez, said the governments decision marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution. Prosecutors said last winter that they were having plea discussions with Perez. Prosecutors wouldnt comment further Tuesday after telling judges in brief letters that Attorney General Pam Bondi had directed them not to pursue capital punishment for Caro Quintero, Zambada, or a third defendant, Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, known as The Viceroy. Sent from Mexico to the U.S. last winter along with Caro Quintero, he also has pleaded not guilty. Carrillo Fuentes lawyer, Kenneth Montgomery, said he and his client are very thankful and think it was the right decision. The cases are unfolding in the same Brooklyn federal courthouse where infamous Sinaloa cartel co-founder Joaquin El Chapo Guzman was tried and convicted. The Sinaloa cartel is Mexicos oldest criminal group, with various incarnations dating to the 1970s. It is a drug trafficking power player: A former Mexican cabinet member was convicted of taking bribes to help the cartel. Guzman and Zambada built it from a regional group into a huge manufacturer and smuggler of cocaine, heroin and other illicit drugs to U.S., authorities say. While Zambada was seen as the cartels strategist and dealmaker, prosecutors have said he also was enmeshed in its violence, at one point ordering the murder of his own nephew. Zambada avoided capture for years, until he was arrested in Texas last year, after what he has described as a kidnapping in Mexico. One of Guzmans sons, Joaquin Guzman Lopez, was arrested with Zambada and has pleaded not guilty in a Chicago federal court. Caro Quintero headed the Guadalajara cartel, parts of which later merged into the Sinaloa organization. The White House has called him one of the most evil cartel bosses in the world. Prosecutors say he is responsible for sending tons of heroin, methamphetamine, marijuana and cocaine into the U.S. and had DEA agent Enrique Kiki Camarena abducted, tortured and killed as revenge for a marijuana plantation raid. The killing was dramatized in the Netflix series Narcos: Mexico. (AP) China, the adversary. China, the friend? These days, maybe a bit of both. From easing export controls to reportedly blocking the Taiwanese presidents plans to travel through the United States, President Donald Trump is raising eyebrows in Washington that he might offer concessions that could hurt U.S. interests in his quest to meet, and reach a deal with, the Chinese leader. There is no firm plan for Trump to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. But its widely believed that the men must meet in person, likely in the fall, for the two governments to ink a trade deal, and some are worried that Xi is leveraging Trumps desire for more giveaways. The summit mismatch is real. Theres a clear gap between Trumps eagerness for a face-to-face with Xi and Beijings reluctance to engage, said Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies. There are concerns that Trump may throttle back on export controls or investment curbs to preserve summit prospects, Singleton said, warning the risk isnt just in giving away too much but also in letting Beijing set the tempo. China-U.S. relations have pinballed often since Washington established relations with communist-led Beijing in 1979. Theyve hit highs and lows the latter in the aftermath of the 1989 massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, after a 2001 incident involving a U.S. spy plane, during the COVID pandemic and right now. Both countries have struggled to understand each other, which has sometimes gotten in the way of deeper partnerships. And this time around, theres a wild card: the anything-might-happen second presidency of Trump. Disputes often accompany potential US-China leader meetings Efforts by a U.S. president to meet the head of the authoritarian Chinese government have often met with partisan outcries which happened when former President Joe Biden hosted Xi in California in 2023. But Trumps case is peculiar, partly because he is willing to break with conventional political restraints to make deals and partly because his own party has grown hawkish towards China over national security. With President Trump, everything seems to be open for negotiation, and there are few if any red lines, said Gabriel Wildau, managing director of the global consultancy Teneo. The hawks worry that if Trump gets into a room with Xi, he will agree to extraordinary concessions, especially if he believes that a big, beautiful deal is within reach. While most Republican lawmakers have not voiced their concerns openly, Democrats are vocal in their opposition. President Trump is giving away the farm to Xi just so he can save face and reach a nonsensical trade deal with Beijing that will hurt American families economically, said Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. On Tuesday, Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said the Trump administration has not wavered and will never waver in safeguarding our national and economic security to put America first. The administration continues to have productive conversations with China to address longstanding unfair trade practices, Desai said, adding that export controls on cutting-edge technology and many tariffs remain in place. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, after his latest round of trade negotiations with the Chinese in July, told CNBC that the team was very careful to keep trade and national security separate. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing on Fox News Radio, said the U.S. remains as committed as ever to our partners in places like Taiwan but also spoke of the strategic need to keep trade ties with China steady. In the end, we have two big, the two largest economies in the world, Rubio said. An all-out trade conflict between the U.S. and China, I think the U.S. would benefit from it in some ways, but the world would be hurt by it. Theres worry over Taiwan Taiwan is concerned that the self-governing island could be trade-able when Trump seeks a deal with Beijing, said Jason Hsu, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former legislator in Taiwan. Our concern is that, will any of the trade deals lead to concession on political support for Taiwan? Hsu said, citing the case last month where the White House allegedly blocked a request for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to transit through the United States. The U.S. maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and has always allowed such transits in the past. Experts are worried that the Trump administration is setting a bad precedent, and Democrats have seized on it to criticize Trump. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on China, called the move both a sharp break from precedent and another example of the Trump administration caving to China in hopes of reaching a trade deal. He said the policy decision sends a dangerous signal that Taiwans democracy is negotiable. Hsu said Taiwan fears that Trump could be coerced or compelled to support the one-China principle, as espoused by Beijing, that acknowledges Beijings sovereignty claim over the island. There are also concerns that Trump might utter anything in support of unification. That was a request Beijing raised with the Biden administration, though it failed to get a positive response. Now, its upon Taiwan to persuade Trump to think of the island as an economic partner rather than something that he can trade when he negotiates with China, Hsu said, suggesting that Taiwan step up defense commitments, increase energy procurement, open its market to U.S. companies and invest more in the U.S. But Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said Trump is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act, a domestic law that obligates the U.S. to maintain an unofficial relationship with the island and provides it with sufficient hardware to deter any invasion by China. He can dial the (U.S.-Taiwan) relationship up and down, Sun said, but he cant remove the relationship. Export controls have been instituted, to mixed results In April, the White House, citing national security, announced it would restrict sales of Nvidias H20 computer chips to China. The ban was lifted about three months later, when the two governments had climbed down from sky-high tariffs and harsh trade restrictions. The decision upset both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on China, wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to stress that the U.S. cannot let the Chinese Communist Party use American chips to train AI models that will power its military, censor its people, and undercut American innovation. In Stockholm, Bessent pushed back at the concern that national security might be compromised. We are very diligent, Bessent said, adding theres an interagency process that involves the National Security Council and the Defense Department for decisions. Theres nothing thats being exchanged for anything, Bessent said. Addressing H20 chips specifically, Bessent said they are well down Nvidias technology chips stack. U.S. companies are banned from selling their most advanced chips to China. That might not be persuasive enough. Teneos Wildau said China hawks are most worried that the H20 decision could be the beginning of a series of moves to roll back export controls from the Biden era, which were once considered permanent and non-negotiable. (AP) U.S. President Donald Trump raised the tariffs on Canadian goods to 35% last week, but a key exemption for Canada and Mexico shields the vast majority of goods from the punishing duties. Goods that comply with the 2020 United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement that Trump negotiated during his first term are excluded from the tariffs. Heres a look at Trumps tariffs on the two countries and their exemptions: Most Canadian exports reaching the US duty free Canadas central bank says 100% of energy exports and 95% of other exports are compliant with the trade pact, known as USMCA. The Royal Bank estimated that almost 90% of Canadian exports appear to have accessed the U.S. market duty free in April. Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney said the commitment of the U.S. to the core of USMCA, reaffirmed again last week, means the U.S. average tariff rate on Canadian goods remains one of its lowest, and over 85% of Canada-U.S. trade continues to be tariff free. Canada is better off than any of the trading partners right now because the Americans appear to be relying as a default on USMCA, said Flavio Volpe, president of the Automotive Parts Manufacturers Association. That gives them the tough tariff headline but also allows them the access to the stuff they need from us. Because of that were in a relative better position. Canadian and Mexican companies can claim preferential treatment under the USMCA based on where the products are made. The headline news is 35% tariffs but its somewhat targeted, said John Manley, Canadas former industry minister, finance minister, foreign affairs minister and deputy prime minister. Manley said Canada is doing okay despite the economic uncertainty. There is a lot of resilience Id say. The Canadian economy has done relatively well, better than most of us expected, and remember that there is no tariffs on any of our energy exports, he said. 25% tariffs on Mexican goods target a small slice of trade Trump said last week he would enter into a 90-day negotiating period with Mexico, also one of Americas largest trading partners. The current 25% tariff rates are staying in place, down from the 30% he had threatened earlier. But that 25% only applies to the fraction of Mexicos trade with the U.S. that isnt covered by the USMCA. Shortly after speaking with Trump on Thursday, President Claudia Sheinbaum said that within the new commercial world order, Mexico was still the best positioned nation because of the free trade agreement. Whats within (USMCA) has no tariff, with the exception of what we already know: autos, steel and aluminum; and what is outside the treaty has 25%, Sheinbaum said. But Economy Secretary Marcelo Ebrard pointed out that under the USMCA no tariffs were paid on more than 84% of Mexicos trade with the United States. Most imports from Canada and Mexico are still protected by the USMCA, but the deal is up for review next year. U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said last month: I think the president is absolutely going to renegotiate USMCA. Preserving the free trade pact will be critical for Canada and Mexico. It would be an incredible disruption to lose it especially if you lost it to the levels of tariffs Trump is imposing, 30%, 25% or even 20%. You can absorb a single digit tariff level across the board but you cant adjust that kind of increase, Manley said. More than 75% of Canadas exports go to the U.S. while more than 80% of Mexicos exports go there. Manley said that depending on how the trade war plays out the risk to the USMCA is very high. Uncertainty in business is the enemy of decision making, he said. Charging for access Carney said in a series of recent agreements with other countries that America is, in effect, charging for access to its economy. Manley said the investment thesis for Canada is pretty straightforward as Canada is rich in natural resources, has a skilled labor force, is open to immigration and has unfettered access to the U.S. market, the largest economy in the world. If that latter point is no longer the case, weve still got all the others, but weve got to really redevelop the investment thesis for attracting investment to Canada, Manley said. Trump has some sector specific tariffs, known as 232 tariffs, that are having an impact. There is a 50% tariff on steel and aluminum imports and a 25% tariff on auto imports, though there is a carve-out for Canadian and Mexican made cars. Despite our advantages, certain major Canadian industries are being severely impacted by U.S. trade actions. These strategic sectors include autos, steel, aluminum, copper, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, and of course, softwood lumber, Carney said on Tuesday as he announced an aid package for the lumber industry as the U.S, ratches up duties. It is clear we cannot count or fully rely on what has been our most valued trading relationship for our prosperity, he added. (AP) A sergeant shot five soldiers Wednesday at one the countrys largest Army bases before he was quickly tackled by other Fort Stewart troops, forcing a brief lockdown, officials said. Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials said the shooter was Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, who used a personal handgun, not a military firearm. Radford opened fire where he worked but officials wouldnt speculate about a motive, authorities said. The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, said Brig Gen. John Lubas. The soldiers who tackled Radford helped ensure his arrest, said Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry Division. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded, he said. This latest act of violence on a U.S. military installation sites that are supposed to be among the most secure in the country again raised concerns about safety and security within the armed forces own walls. The Army said its investigating the shooting. There were still many unanswered questions, including the scope of the injuries and the shooters motive. The injured were taken to the hospital and three underwent surgery, officials said. A telephone number listed for Radford in public records rang unanswered. Army records released to The Associated Press show that Radford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed. Radford faced an Aug. 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. on May 18, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said. Attorney Sneh Patel is representing Radford in the traffic case but not the shooting as of Wednesday, he said in an email. He cited attorney-client privilege in declining to comment about any his conversations with Radford. Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. The shooter was arrested at 11:35 a.m., officials said. The lockdown lasted about an hour. After it was lifted, cars began to move through the normal security checkpoint at the forts main gate. The Armys 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the Spartan Brigade, the Army has called the unit its most modern land fighting force. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River by land area. Its home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division and family members. President Donald Trump called the shooter a horrible person in comments to reporters at the White House. Your browser does not support the video tag. The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Among the deadliest acts of violence on U.S. military bases was a 2009 attack. A U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people in a shooting that left more than 30 wounded at Fort Hood, a military installation in Texas. In 2013, a defense contract worker and former Navy reservist killed 12 people at Washington Navy Yard. He was then killed in a gun battle with police. In 2014, a soldier opened fire on his fellow service members at Fort Hood, killing three people and wounding more than a dozen others before the gunman killed himself. In 2019, an aviation student opened fire in a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, killing three people and injuring another dozen people including two sheriffs deputies. Just days earlier, a U.S. Navy sailor shot two people to death before killing himself at Pearl Harbor, the Naval station in Hawaii. (AP) The Iranian regime has indicted Hassan Younesi son of former Intelligence Minister Ali Younesi on charges of supporting Israel, according to a report Tuesday by opposition outlet Iran International. Younesi revealed the indictment on the social media platform X, saying that the accusations stem from pro-Israel posts he had shared online. Tehrans public prosecutor further charged him with spreading lies and propaganda against the regime. The younger Younesis prosecution signals Tehrans increasingly aggressive effort to silence perceived dissent following its 12-day war with Israel, which concluded in June. Human rights organizations say Iranian authorities have since arrested hundreds of civilians and executed dozens in a sweeping campaign of intimidation aimed at stamping out public discontent and rooting out alleged collaborators with the Jewish state. Ali Younesi, Hassans father, served as intelligence minister under President Mohammad Khatami between 1997 and 2005, and later as a senior adviser to President Hassan Rouhani. A longtime insider turned outspoken critic, Ali Younesi previously warned of the deep penetration of Israels Mossad within Iranian institutions, and warned that every member of the regime should fear for their lives. Those comments now appear chillingly prescient. The indictment of his son underscores how far the regime is willing to go in its efforts to project strength after the conflict with Israel exposed glaring weaknesses in Irans intelligence and military capabilities. Rights groups have sounded the alarm over the regimes recent actions, warning that the indictments, arrests, and executions are part of a broader campaign to consolidate power and suppress any sign of dissent particularly any perceived sympathy with Israel. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) Cotton futures are up 22 to 28 points a midday. The US dollar index was back down $0.375 to $98.545, as crude oil futures are another $1/barrel lower. OPEC+ announced another production hike of 547,000 barrels per day in September. CFTC data showed spec funds in cotton futures and options adding 482 contracts from their net short position as of 7/29, taking the position to 40,361 contracts. More News from Barchart The Seam showed sales of 84 bales on Thursday, with an average price of 60.45 cents/lb. The Cotlook A Index was down 40 points at 78.50 cents on August 1. ICE cotton stocks were steady on 8/1, with the certified stocks level at 21,617 bales. USDAs Adjusted World Price (AWP) was back down 43 points on Thursday afternoon at 54.52 cents/lb. Oct 25 Cotton is at 64.7, up 28 points, Dec 25 Cotton is at 66.58, up 22 points, Mar 26 Cotton is at 67.96, up 27 points On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) threw her weight behind radical New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani on Monday, declaring that his platform of aggressive tax hikes and government expansion should serve as the national blueprint for the Democratic Party. Appearing at a campaign event with Mamdani at the District Council 37 union hall in Manhattan, Warren praised his far-left proposalsincluding universal childcare, expanded housing subsidies, and government interventions in food pricingas real plans and a model for Democrats nationwide. This is the Democratic message, Warren told reporters. Were going to experiment. Were going to try things on groceries. She added: Yes. You bet, when asked if Mamdanis brand of democratic socialism is what the Democratic Party should embrace. Mamdanis campaign has proposed sweeping new spending initiatives funded by steep tax hikes on high earners and businesses. On CNBC earlier in the day, Warren defended the mayoral hopeful against concerns about the economic fallout of such policies. What Zohran is saying is, I want people to be able to afford to live in New York City, Warren told anchor David Faber. When pressed on how raising taxes would achieve that, Warren scoffed: Oh dear, are you worried that billionaires are going to go hungry?! Critics say Mamdanis proposals would devastate the citys tax base and accelerate an exodus of businesses and high-income residents already fleeing due to crime, regulation, and soaring costs. Opponents also note Mamdanis support for defunding the police and anti-Israel stances, which have drawn criticism even from within the Democratic Party. Despite these red flags, Warrens enthusiastic endorsement signals the growing influence of far-left figures like Mamdani within national Democratic leadershipand underscores a deepening ideological split between progressives and the partys moderate wing. The Democratic Party needs to stand up and be clear, Warren said. We are the party that fights for affordability for working families. Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) In a heartbreaking address before the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday evening, Ilay David, the brother of Israeli hostage Evyatar David, delivered an emotional appeal, warning world leaders that his brother and other hostages held in Gaza by Hamas are on the brink of death. Speaking just days after new footage emerged showing emaciated hostages, including Evyatar and Rom Breslevsky, Ilay stressed what life is like in Hamas captivity. They only have days left. Days! he told delegates. My brother weighs about 40 kilograms. He looks like a skeleton. He could barely move or speak. He was forced to dig his own grave. The gut-wrenching video, released by Hamas over the weekend, has triggered a wave of horror in Israel but garnered little global condemnation. In the footage, Evyatar David appears frail, visibly abused, and forced to recite scripted propaganda while his captors film. One terrorists handthicker than my brothers leg, Ilay notedbriefly enters the frame, underscoring the grotesque disparity between the captors and their victims. According to medical experts, many of the remaining living hostages have lost half their body weight and are suffering from prolonged starvation. Hamas has food. The hostages do not, Ilay said. They are deliberately being starved. It is a war crimean act of systematic, calculated cruelty. The testimony comes amid growing frustration in Israel over the international communitys deafening silence. Despite the UNs swift condemnation of Israeli operations in Gaza, the crimes against hostagesmany of whom are civilianshave drawn only muted reactions. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who convened the session, castigated the global body for its complicity through silence. I came here because our hostages are being tortured in tunnels while the world looks away, Saar said. Evyatar was forced to dig his own grave. It is diabolical. Yet some nations continue to pressure Israel instead of the terrorists who caused this war. Aid flows into Gaza while the hostages havent received a crumb. Saar also warned against what he called free gifts being handed to Hamas through premature recognition of a Palestinian state. The terrorists are emboldened when the world rewards them while ignoring their atrocities, he said. International pressure must target Hamasnot the country trying to rescue its citizens. The session was called in response to a psychological campaign by Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which have released several hostage videos aimed at manipulating both Israeli society and international diplomacy. French President Emmanuel Macron was the first world leader to commentthree days after the footage surfacedcalling Hamas actions appalling cruelty. The UK and Cyprus followed with their own condemnations, but global outrage has remained strikingly tepid. UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy called the hostage videos sickening, but tied his statement to demands for an immediate ceasefire and broader political conditions, including recognition of a Palestinian state. For the David family, such equivocation is unbearable. My mother hasnt stopped crying. My father cant sleep, Ilay told the chamber. What would you do if it were your son, your brother, your father? Your browser does not support the video tag. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) A talmid of the Maorot HaTorah yeshiva in Kiryat Yearim and his brother, a graduate of the yeshiva, were arrested overnight Tuesday at their home in Tel Aviv by military police officers for draft dodging. The arrest took place as part of a night raid on dozens of homes of bnei yeshivos in mainly secular cities. However, apart from the two bochurim, the attempts to locate the others were unsuccessful. The IDF claimed that the operation did not specifically target bnei yeshivos but was directed at deserters from all sectors. The arrest of the bochurim took place while their parents were on vacation, unaware of what was happening at their home and the arrest of their sons. The yeshiva administration was also not updated on the arrest. Many hours after their arrest, the bochurim were permitted to make a phone call. They called the yeshiva staff, who responded quickly and transferred the case to Adv. Menachem Stauber, who will represent them. The older brother was previously arrested on Purim and sentenced to 14 days in military prison. Overnight Monday, in the first action of its kind, military police attempted to arrest a newly married avreich in Haifa for draft-dodging. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The UN Security Council held a special session on Tuesday to discuss the Israeli hostages still held in Gaza at the demand of Foreign Minister Gideon Saar. Ilay David, the brother of hostage Evyatar David, who was featured in a psychological terrorism video Hamas recently published, spoke via teleconference at the beginning of the session. Just this past weekend, we received a new video from hell, he said. We were reminded how cruel and inhumane Hamas and its sick partners are. My brother is a living skeleton with barely the strength to move or speak. His voice is barely recognizable. In that video, my little brother is forced to speak to the world and then actively begins to dig his own grave inside the filthy, dark tunnel in Gaza. Your browser does not support the video tag. My mother and I couldnt summon the strength to watch it. We knew if we did, we wouldnt be able to function. My father and sister chose to watch it, trying to feel him somehowand now theyre haunted by the images. My father cannot sleep and my mother hasnt stopped crying. What would you do if it were your son, your brother, or your father? In the latest video, another chilling detail emerged: you can see the fat hand of a terrorist entering the framethe hand of his captor. Its visibly thicker than my brothers leg. Hamas showed what weve known for months: the terrorists have plenty of food. The only ones starving are my brother and the other hostages. From testimonies, we know the terrorists are in the next room. They are choosing to starve them as part of a sick campaign, using hunger as a weapon of war. This is a humanitarian crisisyet no one here, or in other UN bodies, is talking about it. Aid flows into Gaza, but the hostages are denied even the most basic food. They havent received a single crumb. The very soul of humanity is being scarred by Hamass barbaric actions. We, Evyatars family, refuse to give up hope. We are weeping and suffering, but we are also fighting. Everyone bears responsibilitythe worlds leaders, every member of this council, and the international community. Your silence in the face of this monstrous cruelty is complicity. I beg you: dont let them die, Ilay concluded. Despite the searing images and Ilays heartbreaking words, the members of the council, albeit expressing token acknowledgement of the brutal treatment of the hostages, continued to blame Israel with false claims of starvation and genocide and repeat demands for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Only the US expressed words of support for Israel and put the blame for the situation where it belongs on Hamas. The United States calls upon all countries to join together and say with one clear voice that Hamas must immediately surrender, release all the hostages, both those living and those who have already been murdered at the hands of Hamas, and allow this war to end, said US representative to the UN Dorothy Shea. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The UN Security Council held a special session on Tuesday to discuss the Israeli hostages still being held in Gaza at the demand of Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar During his speech, Saar emphasized how the Israeli hostages are being sadistically starved and tortured while the terrorists are feasting on meat. Meanwhile, Israel is facilitating truckloads of aid to Gaza, a step that no other country has carried out during wartime in historyto an enemy that has committed crimes like the Nazis and ISIS: massacres, rape, the murder of children in front of their parents and parents in front of their children, and the abduction of hundreds. The world has been turned upside down while Hamas runs its propaganda machine, Saar asserted. A huge part of the international media is both ignoring the truth and buying its lies. Holding up a copy of the New York Times, Saar continued: I read the New York Times the day after Hamas released the video of Evyatar David. I looked but couldnt find Evyatar on the front page. And I couldnt find his picture anywhere in the paper. I call on the international media to put Evyatar and Rom [Braslavki] front and center. Is it not newsworthy? Were witnessing an upside-down world. Were witnessing the twisted anti-Israel agenda of the global media. They shift the responsibility from the kidnappers and rapists to the attacked country. They shift the blame from terrorists to the victims. Instead of standing by Israel, they are blaming the victimsthe victims of attacks from seven different fronts. Do you know what the UN Secretary-General Guterres tweeted after the horrific images of Evyatar and Rom were released? Not a word! Deafening silence! Yet we all see his endless and obsessive tweets against Israel, time and again. Ladies and gentlemen, what we are witnessing today is the rise of psychotic antisemitism around the world, fueled by modern blood libels like the darkest days of history. Jews are hunted around the world simply because they are Jews. But its not the only war on earth. But its the only case that people are being hunted everywhere because of their nationality. Do you know of another nation fighting for its life and suffering around the world from hostility and violence? We are living in an upside-down world, a world in which Israel sits on the bench of the accused while it fights for its survival. There is a name for thisits called antisemitism. Saar also excoriated the countries, such as the UK, Canada, and France, who recently announced their intentions to recognize a Palestinian state, accusing them of killing all chances of reaching a hostage deal and ceasefire in Gaza. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The German BILD newspaper published an investigation on Tuesday exposing a Gazan photographer as staging starvation scenes in Gaza as material for Hamas propaganda against Israel. The investigation found that many Gazan photographers are connected to Hamas. For example, photographer Anas Zayed Fteiha, whose photos and videos appear in international newspapers and news agencies, staged images to exaggerate suffering in Gaza and serve as leverage for international ire at Israel. Fteihas photos have been published in many outlets, including CNN, BBC, Reuters, and New York Magazine, as well as BILD, before the investigation. One of his widely circulated photos shows a group of Gazans, almost all women and children, holding empty pots at a food distribution site. The report notes that photographs by others at the site show that the group received food after the photo was taken, questioning why the full picture wasnt presented. In addition, other photographs of the site show that the crowd waiting for food was mainly comprised of adult men, who also received food. The investigation notes that Fteiha is on a mission to Free Palestine, frequently publishing pro-Palestinian posts on social media, casting doubts about his objectivity. One of his Instagram posts shows him wearing combat gear with the word Press, which according to the report, was created by an avowed Jew-hater. Another video on his account is accompanied by a caption cursing Israel. Additionally, Fteiha presents himself as a journalist for Anadolu Agency, a state-supported Turkish news agency known for its support of Hamas. Historian and photography expert Gerhard Paul told Suddeutsche Zeitung, another German outlet that also carried the story, In southern Gaza, Hamas controls 100 percent of image production to generate Western sympathy while inflaming anger toward Israel. Suddeutsche Zeitung noted that there are serious doubts about the authenticity of many of the images from Gaza, with at least some presented in a false or misleading context. A photography expert quoted by the report said, Many images of starving or sick children are likely staged or taken out of context. Theyre not fake, but the subjects are positioned a certain way or paired with misleading captions that tap into our visual memory and emotions. Hamas is a master of staging visuals, he added. The images also serve another purpose: to overwrite the brutal visuals from Hamas October 7, 2023, attack. Many people dont even remember those images anymore. Following the reports, Israels Foreign Ministry stated, Beware of fake news. A joint investigation by Suddeutsche Zeitung and BILD reveals how Hamas uses Pallywood, staged or selectively framed media, to manipulate global opinion. At the center is Anas Zayed Fteiha, a Palestinian photographer for Anadolu and an open Israel- and Jew-hater, whose images are designed to evoke pity and fuel outrage. Despite his bias, his photos are published by major outlets like CNN, BBC, and Reuters. With Hamas controlling nearly all media in Gaza, these photographers arent reporting; theyre producing propaganda. This investigation underscores how Pallywood has gone mainstream, with staged images and ideological bias shaping international coverage, while the suffering of Israeli hostages and Hamas atrocities are pushed out of frame. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) The two Chareidi brothers arrested by the military police this week were sentenced by the military court on Wednesday for failing to report for army service. The bochur who learns at the Maorot HaTorah yeshivah was sentenced to 17 days of detention, and his brother, a graduate of the yeshivah, was sentenced to 13 days of detention. It is likely that protests will take place against the prison sentences by various factions within the Chareidi sector. The Agudat Bnei HaYeshivos, which is handling the case, stated, The Rabbanim of the Agudat Bnei HaYeshivot visited the residences of the Sephardi Gedolei HaTorah today and were advised that the Chareidi public will no longer remain silent in the face of the armys attempts to target yeshiva students in peripheral cities and that they will soon announce an escalation of the public struggle. Maorot HaTorah is a Chareidi yeshivah intended for bochurim who are baalei teshuvah or stem from a less religious background who are interested in becoming more yeshivish. Some Rabbanim are complaining that the army is davka targeting weaker bochurim. A Rav in Maorot HaTorah told Kikar HShabbat, We all knew that the army would not start arresting standard bochurim from Jerusalem, Modiin Illit, Bnei Brak, or Beit Shemesh who are from mainstream families and learn in regular yeshivos. However, the Rav warned that Chareidi leaders must fight for these bochurim. This is the litmus test for what will happen to us later. Now they are normalizing arrests of non-mainstream bochurim, and when the army sees that it is getting away with it quietly, it will certainly increase its efforts, and then we will see a huge wave of arrests in in the Chareidi cities. (YWN Israel DeskJerusalem) Harav Dov Landau shlita has issued a severe warning to Israeli officials following the arrest of two yeshiva bochurim over allegations of military draft evasion. In a sharply worded statement released by his gabbaim, Rav Landau accused the Israeli government of declaring war on the olam hatorah and warned that the entire Torah community would rise up in response. The State of Israel has declared war on yeshiva students, the statement read. Torah Jewry will embark on a global campaign the likes of which the world has never seen. Rav Landau, the venerated leader of Degel HaTorah and widely considered the gadol hador, has been holding emergency consultations in his home in Bnei Brak with senior askanim and leaders from across the Torah world to establish a unified front. The response will not be from one segment of Klal Yisrael alone, an insider said. It will be a unified cry from all who hold the Torah dear. At a recent gathering of rabbanim in Bnei Brak, the Rosh Yeshiva warned that if the Israeli government dares to arrest even one more yeshiva bochur, the Torah world would not remain silent. We will shake the worldwith all our strength and heart, he said. A united Torah Jewry across the globe will rise to defend the honor of those who carry the burden of Torah. Degel HaTorah, which represents the Lithuanian-Yeshivish tzibbur, is one of the two factions of the United Torah Judaism party alongside the Chassidic Agudas Yisrael. Senior rabbanim and leaders from both factions have been in communication in recent days to coordinate a joint approach as tensions escalate. This latest episode follows growing pressure from certain elements within the government to impose stricter enforcement of military draft laws against yeshiva bochurima move which gedolim have called a direct attack on Torah. Gedolei Yisrael are expected to release additional directives and statements in the coming days as the Torah world braces for what may be a defining moment in the struggle for Limud Torah in Eretz Yisrael. (YWN World Headquarters NYC) How jolly good it is that financial justice has finally caught up with disgraced investment guru Neil Woodford and his irresponsible and deceitful management of the collapsed Woodford Equity Investment Fund (WEIF). There is satisfaction to be drawn from the ban imposed on Woodford from holding senior management roles and looking after retail investors cash. Moreover, Woodford personally will have to cough up 5.8million in fines and his eponymous investment firm some 40million. Yet the process of delivering verdicts for Woodford savers (including this writer), which started when Andrew Bailey was chief executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), has been exasperating. It has taken six long years to reach this point, and one fears that there will be victims of Woodfords nefarious behaviour who will have missed out on seeing the regulator swing into action. And it is not over yet since Woodford, lawyered to the hilt, is taking the matter to the Upper Tribunal, the FCAs equivalent of the High Court. That means more delays. Ban: Disgraced investment guru Neil Woodford (pictured) personally will have to cough up 5.8m in fines and his eponymous investment firm some 40m Much of the material in the voluminous decision documents relating to Woodford Investment Management and WEIF emerged at the time. It was known, for instance, that Woodford sought to cover up a lack of liquidity in his funds by transferring assets to the obscure Guernsey stock exchange. He also sought to shift the blame for what happened to corporate director Link. The FCA found them jointly culpable and Link, now controlled from Down Under, has already paid 230million in restitution for its error. The rules-based system under which the FCA operates needs to be preserved if retail investors and professionals, such as Kent County Council, are to be protected. What is intolerable is the bureaucratic faffing which has taken so long to put Woodford in the stocks. In the interim, Woodford still offers his services as a financial adviser. The FCA has also failed, thus far, to establish how it was that some 300,000 people who invested in Woodford funds were exposed through the Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) platform and its own fund of funds. HL is now owned by a consortium of private equity investors led by CVC. That is no excuse for escaping culpability and facing up to HLs responsibility for misleading savers. Musical chairs Often it is said that the main duty of the chairman is to fire the chief executive. At Diageo, Sir John Manzoni, who took over as chairman early this year, lost little time in disposing of one of the FTSE 100s small gang of women bosses, Debra Crew. Admittedly, at the time, Diageos share price was in sharp retreat, falling by 30 per cent. Authoritative accounts suggest that Crew was ambushed. When she questioned the assertiveness of finance director Nik Jhangiani with Manzoni, she signed her own resignation letter. The latest results show that, were it not for the Trump tariffs which cannot be blamed on Crew the underlying picture was much better than thought with organic sales up 1.7 per cent at 15.1billion. The vital North American market was still robust with sales up 1.5 per cent. This is despite the trend of Gen Z turning away from alcohol. Where does this, one wonders, leave Murray Auchincloss, chief executive of BP, in another part of the corporate forest? New chairman Albert Manifold has ordered a review of the business and costs, and he hasnt even been seated. What that means for the sensible Auchincloss strategy, already under fire from activist Elliott, one shudders to think. Tech leakage No board of directors would dare turn down a bid premium of 104.9 per cent unless it came from the Ayatollah himself. So British scientific instrument maker Spectris has been able to sit back as private equity ghouls Advent and KKR fight it out for control, with the latter back in the driving seat. If the sharp minds at Advent and KKR were able to see the value, where were the British analysts and buy-side investors as Spectris languished in the lower reaches of the FTSE 250? And doesnt a Labour government, committed to a high-tech future for the UK, worry about the escape of British intellectual property overseas? It should do. I am executor for the estate of my father who died last year, aged 93. He left 1,661 unused non-barcoded postage stamps with a face value of 1,442.19. I contacted Royal Mail to ask if they could be cashed in as we are never going to use so many stamps. I was advised to post them with a Swap Out form because they were not bar-coded, include a Grant of Probate certificate, and request a cash value rather than replacement stamps. I added a note to the form indicating I did not wish to swap out but wished the cash value instead. Royal Mail simply replaced them with newer bar-coded stamps and will not budge. K.W., Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. No returns: Royal Mail is refusing to swap 1,661 unused non-barcoded postage stamps into their cash face value of 1,442.19 Sally Hamilton replies: You were furious when Royal Mail delivered the response that it would not let you cash in the stamps. You have no use for so many stamps and could do with the money to meet bills owed by your fathers estate. As stamps are not legal tender, they cannot be used to pay official bills though some individuals might accept them if you owe them money. In an age of email and WhatsApp, I can appreciate your frustration at sitting on a pile of postage stamps, ranging from 152 x 1p stamps and 114 x 2p stamps, to the handier 1st and 2nd class items. I suggested it might be easiest to share them between beneficiaries or relatives and friends. But you said the two beneficiaries of the estate are pensioners, including yourself, who send just a couple of Christmas cards a year. Although I use post quite often, when I purchased a pack each of first and second class stamps last week, the teller even exclaimed at the extortionate 13.46 price tag. Anyway, your complaint to Royal Mail customer services was essentially returned to sender with confirmation it could not exchange your stamps for cash. You felt particularly sore as the 19.55 you paid to send the stash of outdated postage by secure delivery to the swap out service was refunded in the form of stamps (aargh). When you escalated matters to the Postal Review Panel, which oversees gripes the Royal Mail doesnt resolve itself, it simply referred unhelpfully to the fact it could not make changes to the terms and conditions of any Royal Mail product or service. Scam Watch TSB customers should beware a scam text from fraudsters purporting to be from the bank, consumer website Which? warns. The message appears on your phone as being from TSB, but scammers have spoofed its sender ID, meaning it appears to be a legitimate text from the bank. The text claims your internet banking phone numbers were changed and to call the number in the message to cancel this change. Do not call this number, as it will put you through to a fraudster who will try to steal your personal and financial information. Instead, forward suspicious texts to 7726, so they can be reported. Since the message wasnt getting through to customer service, you came to me. You had read, in December 2023, about a reader who had purchased too many stamps in error from her local post office but on my intervention was permitted to return half of them to Royal Mail for cash. Although your position was not the same (in that case the customer had receipts to show for her barcoded stamps), I thought Royal Mail might show some leniency. But Im afraid I could not persuade Royal Mail to budge. It said your position with the older stamps was different to the previous case and responded with a firm no, stating the swap out scheme is designed to offer replacements for invalid stamps, but it does not include a monetary refund option. A Royal Mail spokesman said: We are very sorry to hear about the passing of her father. While we appreciate this has been a challenging period, we would like to clarify that our policy does not allow for cash refunds on unused, non-barcoded stamps. 'Based on this, she was directed to our swap out scheme, which enables customers to exchange old stamps for valid replacements. Options for your stamps are to either sell or give them away. Selling is legal, though sellers should expect to offer a discount. There are also specialist traders. One I found online was offering 99p for a 1.70 first class stamp. Giving away unused stamps to charity is useful for estates wanting to reduce an inheritance tax liability, as charitable gifts of assets, including stamps, are tax-free. Specialist firm Xchange Master works with charities, including the RNIB, to convert stamps into funds for use by the charities, and says the organisations usually receive most of the stamps face value. Holiday cottage plumbing fail Earlier this year I was diagnosed with prostate cancer and underwent surgery which was successful but left me with urinary problems. My wife and I decided to book a short break but because of my condition deliberately chose a place with separate bedrooms and two toilets. We booked one in Whitstable through Sykes Cottages that advertised two bedrooms and two bathrooms, and paid 439. The holiday was due to start on June 3 but a few days before Sykes told us one of the toilets was out of order. There was no indication when it would be repaired as the plumber was waiting for parts. I replied that because of my medical issue this was not acceptable and asked for a refund. This was refused. A.M., Bromley, Kent. Sally Hamilton replies: You were not pleased to receive an email from Sykes stating the company judged one toilet to be a reasonable solution for your party of two guests. Quite the contrary. You had gone out of your way to find accommodation with two loos and repeatedly explained this when you complained. Sykes pointed to its cancellation policy which says late cancellation will result in forfeiture of the full amount. Normal rules should not apply, I believe, as the cancellation was prompted by the property not being as advertised. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 says holidaymakers are entitled to the accommodation promised and as described. On my intervention, Sykes immediately agreed to refund you. A spokesman for Sykes Holiday Cottages says: We understand A.M.s reasons for wanting to cancel his booking and are sorry to hear of his experience. 'A payment to cover the cost of the holiday has now been paid and we have been in touch to confirm this with him. Straight to the point My wife, daughter and I went to the AO Arena in Manchester in December to watch Les Miserables. We arrived early so had something to eat, but when we arrived at the venue later we were shocked to see the show had already started. In the interval we found out many other people were also late. The head of guest experience at the arena confirmed wrong information had been advertised. My ticket had the correct time but the website showed the wrong time. C.N., via email. You have now had a full refund. *** Three years ago I had solar panels installed for 14,500 but in April they stopped working after a power cut. I had a 12-year warranty with the company that made the panels so I contacted it. But three months later it still hasnt sent out the inverter part I need, which costs about 600. Nobody answers the phone when I call and I only get messages saying the part will arrive soon. S.H., Yorkshire. The manufacturer apologises. The inverter has now arrived and you have been given a 300 Amazon voucher as a goodwill gesture. *** I tried to close my broadband account, but the provider said there was an issue so couldnt close it. I cancelled my direct debit then got a letter which said my service would be cut off. I called to settle the remaining balance 296 but was told again my account couldnt be closed. Last month, I got a letter stating my account had been handed to a debt collector. The company backed down and said it would wipe off my debts, but Ive now been rejected for a mortgage. B.S., via email. Your account is now closed, the debt has been waived and credit agencies have removed this incident from your record. Back before Wall Street infiltrated the blockchain industry, Morehead stood out in the chaotic world of early crypto. A two-sport athlete at Princeton in football and heavyweight crew, Morehead still has the broad shoulders and square jaw of his youth. The figure he cut was a far cry from the wiry, iconoclastic types who spent most of their time on internet message boards. Morehead, in contrast, came from the conventional world of finance. Hes still rarely spotted without a blazer on. Today, Pantera manages over $5 billion in assets across different crypto funds. Its holdings comprise digital assets such as Bitcoin and Ethereum , as well as venture investments in projects such as Circle, which went public in June, and Bitstamp, which was acquired by Robinhood earlier this year for $200 million. But what sets the firm apart from the crowded field of crypto VCs is its early-mover status as a storied bridge between the buttoned-up world of traditional finance and the once-renegade crypto sector. At the center is Morehead, an unsung figure in an industry dominated by larger-than-life characters. Less than a decade later, as Bitcoin pushes $120,000, Moreheads brutal early slog feels like the stuff of founder mythologyright up there with the tales of Apples Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak tinkering in Jobs parents garage, or Warren Buffett and Charlie Munger trading stock tips at an Omaha dinner party. During his 2016 trip to evangelize Bitcoin, Morehead took 170 meetings, each time going into a prospective investors office and spending an hour arguing why the new currency was the most compelling possible opportunity. The result: He managed to raise just $1 million for his flailing fund. Even worse, Moreheads own fees totaled around $17,000. I earned $100 a meeting, going out there trying to evangelize people to buy Bitcoins, he tells Fortune. The new operation, launched in 2013, got off to a roaring start, with backing from two of Moreheads fellow Princeton alumni, Pete Briger and Mike Novogratz, both from the private equity giant Fortress. The trio watched with glee as the Bitcoin purchased by Pantera at an initial price of $65 soared to over $1,000 by the end of the year. But then disaster struck as hackers cleaned out the fledgling crypto industrys main exchange, Mt. Gox, and the price of Bitcoin plummeted 85%. People would say, Didnt you do that Bitcoin thing that died? Morehead recalls. Its still alive! he would respond. In 2016 Dan Morehead embarked on a world tour to preach the gospel of Bitcoin . A former trader at Goldman Sachs and Tiger Management, Morehead had become orange-pilled just a few years before, convinced that Bitcoin would reshape the global economy. He believed in the currency so fervently that he came out of semiretirement to remake his hedge fund, Pantera Capital, into one of the worlds first Bitcoin funds. Story Continues Morehead had already had a long trading career before learning about Bitcoin. After stints at Goldman Sachs and Tiger, he began his own hedge fund, Pantera, which flamed out during the 2008 financial crisis, right around the time that a shadowy figure named Satoshi Nakamoto introduced Bitcoin to the world in an online white paper. Morehead first heard about Bitcoin in 2011 from his brother and was vaguely aware that a classmate from Princeton, Gavin Andresen, was running a website that gave out 5 Bitcoins to any user for solving a captcha (current street value: $575,000). But Morehead didnt think much about it until a couple of years later, when another classmate, Briger, invited Morehead for coffee at the San Francisco office of Fortress to talk crypto, with Novogratz calling in. Since then, Ive been possessed by Bitcoin, Morehead says. Tech is famous for its so-called mafiasclusters of employees from prominent organizations like PayPal who go on to lead the next generation of startups. In crypto, its not a company but a university, with Princeton responsible for some of the industrys most influential projects. Briger and Novogratz both served as key backers of Pantera, with Morehead even moving into empty office space at Fortresss San Francisco office. Briger remains a powerful, albeit behind-the-scenes, presence in crypto, recently taking a seat on the board of directors of Michael Saylors $100 billion Bitcoin holding firm, Strategy. Novogratz went on to found Galaxy, one of the largest crypto conglomerates. And another classmate, Joe Lubin, went on to become one of the cofounders of Ethereum. But back in 2013, it still seemed far-fetched that Ivy League graduates working in the rarified fields of private equity and macro trading would be interested in Bitcoin. Briger tells Fortune that he first learned about it from Wences Casares, an Argentine entrepreneur and early crypto adopter, while sharing a room at a Young Presidents Organization gathering in the San Juan Islands. Briger quickly saw the appeal of upending the global payments systema point he sticks by today, though he argues that Bitcoin is still in its infancy. He says that Bitcoin mirrors the promise of the internet, which facilitated a new form of information flow. The fact that money movement doesnt happen in the same way is a real shame, he says. After sharing the idea with Novogratz, they thought that Morehead, who had experience working in foreign exchange markets, would be the right person to bring on. When Morehead decided to devote the rest of his financial career to crypto, he rebranded Pantera as a Bitcoin fund and opened it back up to outside investors. Briger and Novogratz both signed on as limited partners, with Fortress and the venture firms Benchmark and Ribbit taking general partner stakes, though they would later withdraw. His old mentor at Tiger, the legendary investor Julian Robertson, even backed a later fund. Panteras rebirth In the hurly-burly early days of crypto, entrepreneurs had to confront dramatic booms and busts that make todays volatility look like minor blips. But the wild price roller-coaster wasnt the biggest headache, Novogratz recalls. It was simply trying to procure BTC in the first place. He went to Coinbase, then just a year old, to try and buy 30,000 Bitcoins, which would have sold for around $2 million. He was met with a pop-up that his limit was $50. After trying to work it out with Olaf Carlson-WeeCoinbases first employee, who would go on to become a famed crypto figure in his own rightthe firm agreed to increase his limit all the way to $300. Moreheads most impressive achievement, however, may be sticking it out during the doldrums of 2013 through 2016, when prices remained in the basement and no one outside of the insular blockchain community paid Bitcoin much mind. In those quiet years where crypto wasnt doing shit, Dan was out there beating the pavement, Novogratz tells Fortune. That epoch still had its highlights, including three annual conferences hosted by Morehead out of his Lake Tahoe home. At one, Jesse Powell, cofounder of the exchange Kraken, opted out of taking a private plane chartered by Morehead and drove instead. There was a large enough fraction of the Bitcoin community [there] that he feared if the plane crashed, it would take Bitcoin down, Morehead recalls. Unlike many of his compatriots, Morehead never positioned himself as a Bitcoin maxi, or someone who argues that no other cryptocurrencies should exist. After buying up 2% of the global Bitcoin supply, Pantera became an early investor in Ripple Labs, which created the digital asset XRP. The way I think about it is Bitcoin is obviously the most important, Morehead says. But there isnt one internet company. According to Morehead, Pantera has made money on 86% of its venture investments. Its a staggering figure considering that the vast majority of VC-backed startups fail. Crypto may be more forgiving given that many projects come with an accompanying cryptocurrency, meaning speculative value often endures even if a startups product goes nowhere. Morehead now spends half his year in Puerto Rico, which has become a hotbed for crypto. Joey Krug, then a partner at Pantera and now at Peter Thiels Founders Fund, had relocated down there, and Morehead decided to make the move. He estimates there are 1,000 blockchain entrepreneurs on the island, though theyve drawn scrutiny for driving up real estate prices. Morehead faced an inquiry from the Senate Finance Committee over whether he violated federal tax laws by moving to the island and earning more than $850 million in capital gains from Pantera. He told the New York Times earlier this year that he believed he acted appropriately with respect to my taxes and declined to comment further to Fortune. Bitcoins future Morehead acknowledges that much of the crypto industry is saturated with gambling, with Pantera staying away from memecoins, unlike many other venture firms. Still, he argues that it shouldnt distract from blockchains broader goal of reshaping global finance. Its ridiculous to try and take down the blockchain industry because of a little sideshow, he says. [GameStop] doesnt mean the entire U.S. equity market is tainted. Pantera continues to grow, including raising a fifth venture fund with a $1 billion target, which Morehead says the firm will close after finishing investing out of its fourth fund later this year. Pantera has also moved into the red-hot field of digital asset treasuries, where publicly traded companies buy and hold cryptocurrencies on their balance sheets. But Bitcoin remains at the core of Panteras strategy. At the end of last year, its Bitcoin fund hit 1,000x, with a lifetime return of over 130,000%. When asked for a prediction of where Bitcoin is headed, Morehead has always had the same answer: The price will double in a year. For the most part, the simple model has worked, though Morehead admits the days of rapid growth are likely slowing down. He argues Bitcoin will still go up another order of magnitude, meaning it will approach $1 million, though he thinks that will be the last time it has a 10x increase. Morehead is happy to shoulder the criticism if Bitcoin never reaches that milestone. In 2016, after all, he was struggling to make the case for the cryptocurrency at $500. And less than a decade later, hes just getting started. I have the same convictionthe vast majority of institutions have zero, he tells Fortune. It feels like we have another couple of decades to go. Updated to reflect the latest regulatory filing figures on assets under management. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com The financial watchdog has fined Neil Woodford and his company 46million and banned the disgraced fund manager from holding top City jobs. The former star stock picker made unreasonable and inappropriate investment decisions before his fund collapsed and left thousands of investors trapped, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) found. In a damning verdict, it yesterday hit Woodford with a 5.9million charge and his company with a 40million penalty. And the regulator said the money managers lack of competence, capability and reputation meant he was not a fit and proper person to hold senior management roles or control retail investor funds. It comes six years after more than 300,000 investors were left with around 3.7billion stuck in the Woodford Equity Income fund in one of the UKs biggest retail investment scandals. The FCA said Woodford did not react appropriately as the funds value declined, its liquidity worsened, and more investors withdrew their money. Appeal: The Supreme Court has hit disgraced ex-fund manager Neil Woodford with a 5.9mi charge and his company with a 40m penalty The regulator accused Woodford of holding a defective and unreasonably narrow understanding of his responsibilities. Campaigners have urged the Government to strip Woodford of the CBE he received in 2023 for services to the economy. But in a statement through his lawyers, Woodford said he will fight the decision and blamed the regulator and the funds manager Link for the collapse and investor losses. The penalty and ban are dependent on the outcome of the appeal process. At the crux of the scandal was a lump of illiquid investments made by Woodford, meaning they were difficult to rapidly turn into cash. When investors started pulling out their money, it was the more liquid investments that were sold first to fund the withdrawals. But that was unfair to those who kept their money invested, because they were left with a disproportionate share of the remaining illiquid assets before being locked out of the fund. Woodford Investment Management (WIM) insisted that his new venture a subscription service that costs up to 840 a year would not be affected. A spokesman for WIM and Woodford said: We believe the appeal process will shed much needed light on the events leading to and following the funds suspension, including the regulators role in those events. Brookfield Infrastructure Partners LP (TSE:BIP Free Report) Analysts at National Bank Financial reduced their FY2026 earnings estimates for shares of Brookfield Infrastructure Partners in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, July 31st. National Bank Financial analyst P. Kenny now expects that the company will post earnings per share of $5.00 for the year, down from their prior estimate of $5.12. Get Brookfield Infrastructure Partners alerts: Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Price Performance Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Company Profile (Get Free Report) Featured Articles Brookfield Infrastructure Partners is a leading global infrastructure company that owns and operates high-quality, long-life assets in the utilities, transport, midstream and data infrastructure sectors across North and South America, Asia Pacific and Europe. The Company is focused on assets that have contracted and regulated revenues that generate stable and predictable cash flows. Receive News & Ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Brookfield Infrastructure Partners and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. EMCOR Group, Inc. (NYSE:EME Free Report) Research analysts at DA Davidson upped their FY2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for EMCOR Group in a report issued on Friday, August 1st. DA Davidson analyst B. Thielman now anticipates that the construction company will post earnings of $27.88 per share for the year, up from their prior forecast of $26.54. DA Davidson has a Buy rating and a $725.00 price objective on the stock. The consensus estimate for EMCOR Groups current full-year earnings is $20.74 per share. Get EMCOR Group alerts: EMCOR Group (NYSE:EME Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 31st. The construction company reported $6.72 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $5.68 by $1.04. The company had revenue of $4.30 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.10 billion. EMCOR Group had a return on equity of 38.01% and a net margin of 7.07%. The firms revenue was up 17.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $5.25 EPS. Several other research firms also recently issued reports on EME. Wall Street Zen upgraded EMCOR Group from a buy rating to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Saturday. Hovde Group upgraded EMCOR Group to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. TD Securities assumed coverage on EMCOR Group in a research note on Friday, June 27th. They set a buy rating for the company. Baird R W upgraded EMCOR Group to a strong-buy rating in a research note on Friday, June 27th. Finally, Stifel Nicolaus upped their price target on EMCOR Group from $503.00 to $597.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, July 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and two have given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $605.33. View Our Latest Research Report on EMCOR Group EMCOR Group Stock Performance EME opened at $624.66 on Monday. The company has a market cap of $27.96 billion, a PE ratio of 25.92 and a beta of 1.27. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $534.04 and a 200-day moving average of $458.57. EMCOR Group has a 52-week low of $320.89 and a 52-week high of $667.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 1.15 and a current ratio of 1.18. EMCOR Group Dividend Announcement The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, July 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were given a $0.25 dividend. This represents a $1.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.2%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 15th. EMCOR Groups dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 4.15%. Institutional Inflows and Outflows Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Private Trust Co. NA boosted its position in shares of EMCOR Group by 28.6% in the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 279 shares of the construction companys stock worth $103,000 after purchasing an additional 62 shares during the last quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC boosted its position in shares of EMCOR Group by 20.8% in the 1st quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 19,796 shares of the construction companys stock worth $7,317,000 after purchasing an additional 3,407 shares during the last quarter. Redwood Investment Management LLC bought a new position in shares of EMCOR Group in the 4th quarter worth $1,417,000. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its position in shares of EMCOR Group by 146.6% in the 1st quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 10,700 shares of the construction companys stock worth $3,955,000 after purchasing an additional 6,361 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp boosted its position in shares of EMCOR Group by 17.5% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 844 shares of the construction companys stock worth $312,000 after purchasing an additional 126 shares during the last quarter. 92.59% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors. EMCOR Group Company Profile (Get Free Report) EMCOR Group, Inc provides construction and facilities, building, and industrial services in the United States and the United Kingdom. It offers design, integration, installation, start-up, operation, and maintenance services related to power transmission, distribution, and generation systems; energy solutions; premises electrical and lighting systems; process instrumentation; low-voltage systems; voice and data communications systems; roadway and transit lighting, signaling, and fiber optic lines; computerized traffic control systems, and signal and communication equipment; heating, ventilation, air conditioning, refrigeration, and geothermal solutions; clean-room process ventilation systems; fire protection and suppression systems; plumbing, process, and high-purity piping systems; controls and filtration systems; water and wastewater treatment systems; central plant heating and cooling systems; crane and rigging services; millwright services; and steel fabrication, erection, and welding services. See Also Receive News & Ratings for EMCOR Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for EMCOR Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. CGI Group, Inc. (NYSE:GIB Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) Analysts at Desjardins upped their Q2 2026 EPS estimates for shares of CGI Group in a report released on Wednesday, July 30th. Desjardins analyst J. Dubreuil now expects that the technology company will earn $1.66 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $1.60. The consensus estimate for CGI Groups current full-year earnings is $5.79 per share. Desjardins also issued estimates for CGI Groups Q3 2026 earnings at $1.68 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $1.60 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $6.64 EPS. Get CGI Group alerts: Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on GIB. Royal Bank Of Canada decreased their target price on shares of CGI Group from $185.00 to $175.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. UBS Group reduced their price objective on shares of CGI Group from $112.00 to $105.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, July 31st. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, CGI Group presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $148.25. CGI Group Stock Up 0.6% Shares of NYSE GIB opened at $97.60 on Monday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $103.89 and its 200-day moving average price is $106.23. The company has a current ratio of 1.27, a quick ratio of 0.94 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. The stock has a market capitalization of $21.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.78 and a beta of 0.72. CGI Group has a 12-month low of $92.85 and a 12-month high of $122.79. CGI Group (NYSE:GIB Get Free Report) (TSE:GIB.A) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, July 30th. The technology company reported $1.52 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.51 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $3 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $4.01 billion. CGI Group had a net margin of 11.01% and a return on equity of 18.53%. The businesss revenue was up 11.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $1.91 EPS. CGI Group Increases Dividend The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 19th. Investors of record on Friday, August 15th will be given a $0.1086 dividend. This is an increase from CGI Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.11. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, August 15th. This represents a $0.43 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 0.4%. CGI Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 7.95%. Institutional Trading of CGI Group A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. SVB Wealth LLC bought a new position in CGI Group in the 1st quarter worth about $25,000. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in CGI Group by 239.5% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 258 shares of the technology companys stock worth $26,000 after acquiring an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd grew its stake in CGI Group by 292.6% in the 1st quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 1,005 shares of the technology companys stock worth $100,000 after acquiring an additional 749 shares in the last quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its stake in CGI Group by 371.7% in the 1st quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,052 shares of the technology companys stock worth $105,000 after acquiring an additional 829 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC grew its stake in CGI Group by 80.4% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 1,299 shares of the technology companys stock worth $142,000 after acquiring an additional 579 shares in the last quarter. 66.68% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. About CGI Group (Get Free Report) CGI Inc, together with its subsidiaries, provides information technology (IT) and business process services. Its services include the business and strategic IT consulting, systems integration, and software solutions. The company also provides application development, modernization and maintenance, holistic enterprise digitization, automation, hybrid and cloud management, and business process services; intellectual property-based solutions; business consulting; managed IT services; and IT infrastructure services. Read More Receive News & Ratings for CGI Group Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for CGI Group and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Tidemark LLC increased its position in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report) by 39.5% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 59,696 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 16,889 shares during the quarter. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF makes up 4.2% of Tidemark LLCs portfolio, making the stock its 6th biggest position. Tidemark LLCs holdings in iShares S&P 500 Value ETF were worth $11,377,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period. A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in IVE. Pinney & Scofield Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Cloud Capital Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $27,000. Mowery & Schoenfeld Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $29,000. Nemes Rush Group LLC grew its position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF by 625.0% during the 1st quarter. Nemes Rush Group LLC now owns 174 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 150 shares during the period. Finally, IMG Wealth Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of iShares S&P 500 Value ETF during the 1st quarter worth about $34,000. Get iShares S&P 500 Value ETF alerts: iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Trading Down 0.2% iShares S&P 500 Value ETF stock opened at $196.07 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $39.22 billion, a P/E ratio of 20.70 and a beta of 0.94. iShares S&P 500 Value ETF has a 1 year low of $165.45 and a 1 year high of $206.63. The business has a 50-day moving average of $194.70 and a 200-day moving average of $190.94. About iShares S&P 500 Value ETF iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (the Fund), formerly iShares S&P 500 Value Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund (ETF). The Fund seeks investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the S&P 500 Value Index (the Index). The Index measures the performance of the large-capitalization value sector of the United States equity market and consists of those stocks in the S&P 500 exhibiting the strongest value characteristics. Further Reading Want to see what other hedge funds are holding IVE? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF (NYSEARCA:IVE Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for iShares S&P 500 Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX Get Free Report) and Straumann (OTCMKTS:SAUHY Get Free Report) are both large-cap medical companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their risk, earnings, analyst recommendations, dividends, valuation, profitability and institutional ownership. Valuation & Earnings This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumanns top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation. Get Becton Dickinson and Company alerts: Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Becton, Dickinson and Company $20.18 billion 2.51 $1.71 billion $5.24 33.75 Straumann $2.84 billion 7.06 $441.09 million N/A N/A Risk and Volatility Becton, Dickinson and Company has higher revenue and earnings than Straumann. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a beta of 0.2, suggesting that its share price is 80% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Straumann has a beta of 1.52, suggesting that its share price is 52% more volatile than the S&P 500. Analyst Recommendations This is a breakdown of current recommendations for Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumann, as reported by MarketBeat. Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Becton, Dickinson and Company 0 7 4 0 2.36 Straumann 0 0 0 3 4.00 Becton, Dickinson and Company presently has a consensus price target of $212.8750, indicating a potential upside of 20.36%. Given Becton, Dickinson and Companys higher probable upside, analysts plainly believe Becton, Dickinson and Company is more favorable than Straumann. Profitability This table compares Becton, Dickinson and Company and Straumanns net margins, return on equity and return on assets. Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Becton, Dickinson and Company 7.28% 15.99% 7.36% Straumann N/A N/A N/A Dividends Becton, Dickinson and Company pays an annual dividend of $4.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.4%. Straumann pays an annual dividend of $0.03 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.2%. Becton, Dickinson and Company pays out 79.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend, suggesting it may not have sufficient earnings to cover its dividend payment in the future. Becton, Dickinson and Company has raised its dividend for 53 consecutive years. Becton, Dickinson and Company is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth. Institutional & Insider Ownership 87.0% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of Becton, Dickinson and Company shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, endowments and hedge funds believe a stock is poised for long-term growth. Summary Becton, Dickinson and Company beats Straumann on 11 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks. About Becton, Dickinson and Company (Get Free Report) Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company operates in three segments: BD Medical, BD Life Sciences, and BD Interventional. The BD Medical segment provides peripheral intravenous (IV) and advanced peripheral catheters, central lines, acute dialysis catheters, vascular access technology, vascular care and preparation products, needle-free IV connectors and extensions sets, closed-system drug transfer devices, hazardous drug detections, hypodermic syringes and needles, anesthesia needles and trays, enteral syringes, and sharps disposal systems; IV medication safety and infusion therapy delivery systems, medication compounding workflow systems, automated medication dispensing and supply management systems, and medication inventory optimization and tracking systems; and prefillable drug delivery systems. The BD Life Sciences segment offers specimen and blood collection products; automated blood and tuberculosis culturing, molecular testing, microorganism identification and drug susceptibility, and liquid-based cytology systems, as well as rapid diagnostic assays, microbiology laboratory automation products, and plated media products; and fluorescence-activated cell sorters and analyzers, antibodies and kits, reagent systems, and solutions for single-cell gene expression analysis, as well as clinical oncology, immunological, and transplantation diagnostic/monitoring reagents and analyzers. The BD Interventional segment provides hernia and soft tissue repair, biological and bioresorbable grafts, biosurgery, and other surgical products; surgical infection prevention; peripheral intervention products; and urology and critical care products. The company was founded in 1897 and is headquartered in Franklin Lakes, New Jersey. About Straumann (Get Free Report) Straumann Holding AG provides tooth replacement and orthodontic solutions worldwide. It researches, develops, manufactures, and supplies dental implants, instruments, CADCAM prosthetics, orthodontic aligners, biomaterials, and digital solutions for use in tooth correction, replacement, and restoration, as well as to prevent tooth loss. The company offers dental implants and components made from titanium, titanium alloy, and ceramics; prosthetic elements made od ceramics, metal or polymer; and clear aligners. In addition, it offers resins for 3D printing and thermoplastics for clear aligner production; and biomaterials for tissue generation. Further, it provides digital equipment comprising scanners, milling machines and 3D printers. Further, it offers training and education services. The company provides its products to general dentists, specialists, and dental technicians and laboratories, as well as customers, such as distributors, hospitals, universities, and dental service organizations in approximately 100 countries through a network of distribution subsidiaries and partners. Straumann Holding AG was founded in 1954 and is headquartered in Basel, Switzerland. Receive News & Ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Becton Dickinson and Company and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. MGB Wealth Management LLC boosted its position in shares of Motorola Solutions, Inc. (NYSE:MSI Free Report) by 8.0% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 2,387 shares of the communications equipment providers stock after buying an additional 177 shares during the period. MGB Wealth Management LLCs holdings in Motorola Solutions were worth $1,040,000 at the end of the most recent quarter. A number of other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 110.0% during the first quarter. Legacy Capital Group California Inc. now owns 3,186 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,395,000 after buying an additional 1,669 shares in the last quarter. Intrust Bank NA grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 1.8% during the first quarter. Intrust Bank NA now owns 3,150 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $1,379,000 after buying an additional 55 shares in the last quarter. Endowment Wealth Management Inc. grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 6.4% during the first quarter. Endowment Wealth Management Inc. now owns 582 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $255,000 after buying an additional 35 shares in the last quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC grew its stake in Motorola Solutions by 32.4% during the first quarter. Annis Gardner Whiting Capital Advisors LLC now owns 229 shares of the communications equipment providers stock worth $100,000 after buying an additional 56 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in Motorola Solutions during the first quarter worth about $88,000. 84.17% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds. Get Motorola Solutions alerts: Insider Activity In other news, CAO Katherine A. Maher sold 1,073 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, May 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $418.68, for a total value of $449,243.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer owned 804 shares of the companys stock, valued at $336,618.72. This represents a 57.17% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. 1.44% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders. Motorola Solutions Stock Performance Motorola Solutions Announces Dividend Motorola Solutions stock opened at $434.77 on Wednesday. The business has a 50 day moving average of $419.42 and a 200-day moving average of $428.04. Motorola Solutions, Inc. has a 1 year low of $388.90 and a 1 year high of $507.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.42, a current ratio of 1.20 and a quick ratio of 1.03. The company has a market capitalization of $72.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 36.29, a P/E/G ratio of 3.79 and a beta of 0.97. The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, July 15th. Stockholders of record on Friday, June 13th were paid a $1.09 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. This represents a $4.36 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.0%. Motorola Solutionss dividend payout ratio is currently 36.39%. Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth A number of brokerages have issued reports on MSI. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a research note on Monday, July 7th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price objective on shares of Motorola Solutions from $570.00 to $515.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, April 17th. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Motorola Solutions in a report on Wednesday, July 16th. They issued a buy rating and a $490.00 target price for the company. Barclays dropped their target price on shares of Motorola Solutions from $527.00 to $511.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, May 5th. Finally, Wall Street Zen cut shares of Motorola Solutions from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, May 22nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $510.67. Get Our Latest Report on MSI Motorola Solutions Company Profile (Free Report) Motorola Solutions, Inc provides public safety and enterprise security solutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and internationally. The company operates in two segments, Products and Systems Integration, and Software and Services. The Products and Systems Integration segment offers a portfolio of infrastructure, devices, accessories, and video security devices and infrastructure, as well as the implementation and integration of systems, devices, software, and applications for government, public safety, and commercial customers who operate private communications networks and video security solutions, as well as manage a mobile workforce. Read More Receive News & Ratings for Motorola Solutions Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Motorola Solutions and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Leeward Financial Partners LLC raised its holdings in Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VTV Free Report) by 1.0% during the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 79,788 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 789 shares during the period. Vanguard Value ETF makes up 5.1% of Leeward Financial Partners LLCs investment portfolio, making the stock its 3rd largest position. Leeward Financial Partners LLCs holdings in Vanguard Value ETF were worth $13,783,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of VTV. Brighton Jones LLC raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard Value ETF by 7.9% in the 4th quarter. Brighton Jones LLC now owns 42,618 shares of the companys stock valued at $7,215,000 after acquiring an additional 3,109 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Vanguard Value ETF by 14.9% in the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 355,569 shares of the companys stock valued at $60,198,000 after acquiring an additional 46,021 shares in the last quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA increased its position in shares of Vanguard Value ETF by 376.7% during the 4th quarter. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA now owns 10,239 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,733,000 after purchasing an additional 8,091 shares during the last quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp increased its position in shares of Vanguard Value ETF by 15.5% during the 4th quarter. Peapack Gladstone Financial Corp now owns 15,368 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,601,000 after purchasing an additional 2,061 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Waterloo Capital L.P. increased its position in shares of Vanguard Value ETF by 43.1% during the 4th quarter. Waterloo Capital L.P. now owns 1,932 shares of the companys stock valued at $327,000 after purchasing an additional 582 shares during the last quarter. Get Vanguard Value ETF alerts: Vanguard Value ETF Trading Up 0.0% Shares of Vanguard Value ETF stock opened at $177.20 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $139.24 billion, a PE ratio of 18.14 and a beta of 0.89. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $176.04 and its 200-day moving average price is $172.70. Vanguard Value ETF has a 12 month low of $150.43 and a 12 month high of $182.38. Vanguard Value ETF Company Profile Vanguard Value ETF (the Fund) is an exchange-traded share class of Vanguard Value Index Fund, which employs a passive management or indexing investment approach designed to track the performance of the MSCI US Prime Market Value Index (the Index). The Index is a diversified index of value stocks of predominantly large United States companies. Read More Want to see what other hedge funds are holding VTV? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Vanguard Value ETF (NYSEARCA:VTV Free Report). Receive News & Ratings for Vanguard Value ETF Daily - Enter your email address below to receive a concise daily summary of the latest news and analysts' ratings for Vanguard Value ETF and related companies with MarketBeat.com's FREE daily email newsletter. Digital Currency Groups (DCG) Barry Silbert has been re-appointed as chairman of the board at asset manager Grayscale, one of DCG's subsidiaries, alongside several other new, high-ranking hires at the firm. Silbert, who owns Grayscale, resigned in December 2023 after the company was hit with a lawsuit from the New York Attorney Generals office which accused Silbert and DCG of misleading investors and hiding financial losses totaling more than $1 billion. Both Silbert and DCG denied the claims, and the case is ongoing in New York state court. Silbert was replaced by DCG's chief financial officer Mark Shifke, who will remain a board member. Grayscale filed a confidential submission for an initial public offering last month, despite the ongoing legal back-and-forth with the New York Attorney General's office. "I'm honored to rejoin the Grayscale board at a defining moment for both the company and the broader digital asset ecosystem," Silbert said in a statement. "I continue to have deep conviction in the companys long-term positioning and in the leadership team guiding it forward." Grayscale also hired a new chief operating officer, chief marketing officer, chief communications officer, and as chief human resources officer, who all report to Grayscale CEO Peter Mintzberg. Since Silberts resignation, Grayscale has converted its flagship Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) into an exchange-traded fund (ETF) as well as its Ethereum counterpart. It is also in the process of launching or converting several other products as ETFs. The News in Brief Wednesday, August 6, 2025 Five Ukrainian citizens stuck at the Russia-Georgia border have started an indefinite hunger strike in protest against the actions of Georgian border guards. The announcement was made by Sergei Larko, one of the individuals involved, in an interview with Echo of the Caucasus.Larko has been at the Darial border checkpoint for nearly a month. He said the group plans to officially notify Georgian authorities about the start of the hunger strike. He also shared a written statement outlining the reasons for the protest."I, Sergei Alexisovich Larko, declare an indefinite hunger strike due to the illegal actions of Georgian border guards and the violation of my rights," the statement reads. "I have been placed in inhumane conditions at the Darial border checkpoint along with 97 other people, including those infected with HIV and tuberculosis. I was denied entry into Georgia, the opportunity to apply for asylum, access to legal assistance, and the ability to appeal my detention."Larko said he was deported from Russia on June 21, 2025. After arriving in Georgia, his passport was confiscated and his biometric data was taken without legal basis, he claimed.The hunger strikers are demanding access to a Ukrainian consul, a formal explanation of their detention, the option to leave Georgia or apply for asylum, medical examinations, and an end to what they describe as unlawful detention. They say the protest will continue until these demands are met.According to available reports, Russian authorities have been transferring prisoners who were originally convicted in Ukrainian territories now under Russian occupation. Many of them served time in Russian prisons and are now being directed toward the Russia-Georgia border, where they remain without legal status.Several political parties have officially submitted their applications to participate in Georgia's upcoming local self-government elections, according to Natia Ioseliani, spokesperson for the Central Election Commission (CEC).Ioseliani confirmed that three political parties already represented in Parliament or registered during the last parliamentary elections have applied. These include For Georgia, Georgian Dream - Democratic Georgia, and Strong Georgia - Lelo, For the People, Freedom Square."As you know, for political parties to participate in elections, their leaders must submit an application to the Chairperson of the Central Election Commission," Ioseliani said during a press briefing. "Three political parties have already taken advantage of this opportunity."In addition, two political parties not currently in Parliament and not registered in the last parliamentary election cycle have also submitted applications. These are Conservatives for Georgia and Homeland, Language, and Faith."Political parties that were not registered in the parliamentary elections and do not have representatives in the Georgian Parliament had the opportunity to apply to the CEC Chairperson from January 1 to July 14," Ioseliani explained. "At this time, two such political parties have applied to the Central Election Commission." Denso, a key supplier to Toyota, has reported that the consolidated operating profit fell by 11.1% to Y107.2bn ($0.7bn) for the first quarter (Q1) ending 30 June 2025. Profit attributable to parent companys owners saw a 16.1% down to Y79.3bn ($0.5bn). The company's consolidated revenue stood at Y1,754.1bn ($11.7bn), in line with the last year. These figures come against the backdrop of a global automotive industry grappling with supply chain issues, and the recent profit decline has significant implications for the Japanese automaker's supply chain. In July, the US agreed to lower tariffs on Japanese car imports to 15%, a substantial reduction from the proposed 25%. This tariff reduction is expected to alleviate some pressure on Japanese auto manufacturers, including Toyota, which has been facing production bottlenecks partly due to Denso's challenges. Denso executive vice president and CFO Yasushi Matsui commented: "Revenue in the first quarter remained consistent with the previous year, driven by a strong increase in vehicle sales in Japan, despite a decline in revenue due to the impact of the strong yen." He also noted that the company forecasts Y7,200.0bn ($48.2bn) in revenue and Y675.0bn ($4.5bn) in operating profit for the fiscal year, taking into account the first quarter's results and the anticipated tariff cost reflections from the second quarter onwards. Matsui added: Operating profit forecast remains unchanged supported by efforts to minimise the impact of tariff costs and to steadily reflect incurred costs in pricing. Furthermore, as part of measures to enhance corporate value, it was resolved to sell Densos own shares in Toyota Industries Corporation (Toyota Industries) and to provide advance notice of a tender offer for its own shares held by Toyota Industries. Regionally, Denso saw a revenue rise in Japan by 2.9% to Y1,013.3bn ($6.8bn), while operating profit plummeted by 70.4% to Y13.3bn ($89.3m). North America experienced a revenue decrease of 5.4% to Y473.2bn ($3.2bn), with a 3% drop in operating profit. Europe's revenue fell by 6.4% to Y186.9bn ($1.3bn), but operating profit rose by 4.4%. Asia's revenue dipped slightly by 0.5% to Y459.0bn ($3.1bn), with a 33.3% increase in operating profit. Other areas saw a 4% revenue increase and a 7.3% decrease in operating profit. The interdependence between Toyota and Denso is highlighted by Ainvest, noting that Denso supplies more than 1,000 components per vehicle to Toyota. This has traditionally streamlined Toyota's production process but has also created vulnerabilities. The family of Westport woman Gena Heraty have been assured that that everything possible is being done to get Gena, and those taken with her, safely released as soon as possible by Nos Petits Freres et Soeurs (NPH) in Haiti and Ireland, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, and international partners. In a statement the Heraty family have said that they are still coming to terms with the awful news that Gena and seven others were kidnapped on Sunday. READ NEXT: RIP: 'An absolute gentleman'- Tributes paid to young man killed in tragic car crash They also wished to express their gratitude for all the messages of support and said that Gena is loved and respected by so many people, as is evident in the outpouring of concern, support and prayers from everyone near and far. We are truly so grateful for all the messages of support we have received over the past few days. They go on to say that given the sensitivity and evolving nature of what has happened, and mindful of the ongoing efforts to get everyone released safely, we are not in a position to share any further details at present. We echo NPH International in asking for discretion and patience throughout this difficult time. We continue to ask that you keep Gena, everyone taken with her, and their families in your hearts as we pray for their safe and speedy return. Diplomatic efforts continue Tanaiste Simon Harris has raised Genas case with his Haitian counterpart and the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. The Tanaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs has said that the Haitis Foreign Minister, Harvel Jean-Baptiste, has assured me of his support in our work to ensure the safe release of Gena, and all the hostages, who have gone through the most horrendous of ordeals. We have agreed to stay in touch about the case, which remains extremely sensitive. READ NEXT: RIP: 'Shocking'- Tributes paid as man found in a pool of blood in his home named locally Speaking after meeting with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs, he stated that he was glad tonight to secure the full backing of the EUs High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas. She has agreed to immediately put in place measures to support Ireland in relation to this case. As a result of these discussions, an EU diplomat based in Haiti will be tasked as the point of contact in the case. This is an important development; ensuring that this case is firmly on the agenda of the European Union and our EU colleagues. Various different avenues at both political and diplomatic level continue to be exhausted as part of the ongoing efforts to secure Gena. An Irish woman has been found dead on board a boat at a yacht club on Long Island in New York. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, who lived in Manhattan, was discovered unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday. She was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on her body by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. Ms Nolan-OSlattara, originally from Carlow, was the founder of fashion brand East x East. A statement from Suffolk County Police Department said detectives are investigating. It said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Local news isn't picking up this argument but the dueling press releases offer an IMPORTANT glimpse at what's happening at the courthouse right now . . . Amid the recall there's no denying that tensions are high on this corner of 12th & Oak. Accordingly and as objectively as possible . . . We'll start with allegations from the Exec and then continue with the response that deems those concerns "desperate" and answers the charges . . . Check-it: Jackson County Executive urges action following Legislators shocking behavior KANSAS CITY, Mo. Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. is expressing deep concern after Legislator Sean Smith appeared before the Jackson County Board of Equalization (BOE) on July 18, 2025, to advocate for a corporate property owner with more than a dozen tax parcels in the County. According to the official hearing recording, Smith identified himself and requested that the board reduce the propertys assessed value, offering no additional documentation, market analysis, or other evidence to support his request. It is unknown whether he received compensation. Days later, he promoted his participation on social media, calling it his first actual appeal to the BOE and encouraging others to watch it as a model. The outcome was significant: the propertys 2023 assessed value of $77,480 was cut to $40,990 a 47% decrease despite Zillow estimating the market value at $135,100 and showing a 190% increase over the past decade. Just four days after the ruling, Smith met with BOE members in a meeting where the sole agenda item was their compensation. Appearing before a board you help oversee and then meeting with them to discuss their pay right after they grant your request creates the appearance of a conflict of interest, said Jackson County Executive Frank White, Jr. This raises serious questions about fairness, independence, and whether taxpayers can trust the process. Smith holds direct legislative authority over the BOE, including approving appointments, setting salaries and budgets, and shaping ordinances that govern its operations. This latest matter follows other incidents that have drawn scrutiny, including his connection to the distribution of a falsified county document, a court finding of improper coordination with the Missouri Attorney Generals Office, and the misuse of public resources for political purposes, conduct already referred for investigation. The County will refer this incident to law enforcement, the Missouri Ethics Commission and the Jackson County Ethics Commission. At this point, only the Jackson County Legislature has the authority to prevent further harm. Yet despite repeated misconduct and mounting evidence, it has failed to act. County Executive White said Legislator Smith has shown he cannot fulfill his duties without compromising the appearance of fairness, and that the Chair of the Legislature has chosen to protect a narrow political majority dependent on Smiths support instead of upholding the ethical standards the public deserves. Jackson County residents deserve leaders who act with integrity and put the public good ahead of political convenience, White said. Until the Legislature takes action, public confidence in our government will continue to erode. Here is the July 18, 2025 BOE hearing where Legislator Smiths appearance begins around the 30minute mark Board of Equalization July 18, 2025 Docket Hearings-20250718_082903-Meeting Recording 1 1.mp4. Additionally, you will find attached a screenshot from his social media post. ### Here is Legislator Sean Smith's Response Even better . . . Legislative Chair DaRon McGee also shared a reaction with media . . . STATEMENT CONCERNING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE'S DESPERATE ATTACKS In light of County Executive Frank Whites repeated attacks, I stand firmly in support of Legislator Sean Smith and his unwavering commitment to Jackson County taxpayers. As elected officials, we have been forced to go to extraordinary lengths to serve our constituents because of the dysfunction of Frank Whites administration. Legislator Smith is doing whatever it takes to help the people he represents. Whether its assisting an elderly resident struggling with mobility issues or guiding taxpayers through the broken property assessment system, Legislator Smith has repeatedly gone the extra mile for the people of Jackson County. His hands-on approach is what residents expect and deserve from their elected leaders, especially when the County Executives failures have left so many without help. These baseless attacks are a smokescreen, designed to deflect accountability for the County Executives record: unlawful assessment hikes, refusal to hire taxpayer advocates even after funding was secured, and now policies that actively block legislators from working with county staff to help residents. Legislator Smiths actions are not only appropriate, but they are necessary. In the absence of competent leadership from the Executives office, legislators are stepping up to ensure taxpayers arent abandoned. This is what representation looks like. As Chairman, I will continue to support and defend the right of every legislator to advocate directly for their constituents, especially the most vulnerable among us, and we will not allow this administrations hostility to accountability to silence those who are doing the work. Jackson County residents deserve leaders who will go the extra mile for them, not an Executive more concerned with political attacks than solving real problems. ### Developing . . . Sadly . . . This is, in fact, a talking point under the current epoch of American discourse. A local council lady clarifies her immigration status amid nasty allegations. It's kind of a bummer because she's obviously NOT undocumented but the clarification puts EVERYONE on the defensive and mostly distracts from more important issues. Here's the word . . . A Lenexa city council member is now sharing that she was falsely accused of being an undocumented immigrant. She was reported to the authorities two weeks ago. Immigration conversations were not on Tuesday night's council agenda, but they did take up the majority of the meeting. Dozens of Lenexa residents spoke out on the recent ICE operation, expressing their concern and anger. Councilwoman Melanie Arroyo called on her fellow leaders to bring awareness and action to false immigration status allegations. In fairness, here's more context . . . "Arroyo, who was elected to the city council in 2021 and previously announced she is not seeking reelection, was born in Mexico and became a naturalized U.S. citizen in 2018. She used her experiences as an immigrant as an example in the Star column." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Lenexa councilwoman calls on city for action following accusations about her legal status in the U.S. The Lenexa City Council held its first meeting since an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation at a Lenexa Mexican restaurant where several workers were taken into custody. Postscript on alleged American domestic terrorism with a connection to a local who was slain by a gunman. Here's the national news update . . . "The Justice Department will seek to indict the man accused of killing two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, DC, on federal hate crime charges this week, according to sources familiar with the matter. "The indictment against Elias Rodriguez is expected to include special findings for capital punishment, where the Justice Department indicates it can pursue the death penalty, one of the sources said. " Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . Justice Department to seek federal hate crime charges and death penalty in killing of Israeli Embassy staffers | CNN Politics The Justice Department will seek to indict the man accused of killing two Israeli Embassy staff members in Washington, DC, on federal hate crime charges this week, according to sources familiar with the matter. DOJ set to seek hate crime charges in killing of Israeli Embassy staffers: Sources The DOJ is also eying the death penalty, sources said. Developing . . . Let's start with context . . . The Kansas City Police Board hosts two African-American members which brings its level of representation of KC's Black community to 33% That's roughly about 7% higher than local population numbers. However . . . There is no legal mandate for representation by neighborhood or street. In fact . . . The "East Of Troost" argument is a political talking point that's ACTUALLY just a thinly-veiled criticism of the new police commish Heather Hall who is a conservative and has spent most of her career advocating for the Northland . . . KC's fastest growing enclave. We could pretend that this is journalism but the write-up mostly concerns power and speaks to so many locals who don't realize that a recent SCOTUS decision abolished the U.S. defacto racial quota system. Check-it . . . "With the Missouri governor's appointment of Heather Hall, a former Kansas City councilwoman from the Northland, the state-run Board of Police Commissioners lacks any appointees from east of Troost Avenue. Residents and activists worry about accountability." Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . . KCUR: Kansas City's police board has no members from east of Troost. Residents say it's 'disrespectful' Developing . . . Dole has sold its fresh vegetables division in the US to Arable Capital Partners, following a previous unsuccessful attempt. In a joint statement, the New York-listed group said it had sold the unit to the holding company of packaged salads maker Organicgirl, which sits in Arables portfolio, for $140m. Carl McCann, executive chairman of Dole, said the combination with Organicgirl will create a strong platform to realise operational efficiencies and expand the overall offering and service to customers and consumers. McCann added that the sale will enable us to further concentrate our efforts and investments on our core business activities. Dole confirmed it will retain its facilities in Huron, California, and Yuma, Arizona following the transaction. The company had been trying to sell its fresh vegetables arm for over two years. In 2023, the group tried to sell its fruit and veg business in the US to a subsidiary of local peer Chiquita Holdings for $293m. However, the transaction had been subject to regulatory approval from the US Department of Justice, which seemingly was not granted, prompting Dole to call off the sale. The fresh vegetables division focuses on the processing and sale of whole produce such as iceberg, romaine, and leaf lettuce, along with cauliflower, broccoli, and salad kits. The business has agricultural operations and three processing plants across the US, employing more than 3,000 people. As of 31 March, the fresh vegetables business current assets held for sale amounted to $318.8m, while current liabilities in the unit held for sale were valued at $206.4m, the company said it its first quarter results. Derek Yurosek, managing director of Arable Capital Parners, said: With strong brands and presence across multiple channels, as well as strong leadership, Dole Fresh Vegetables is an outstanding addition to our portfolio that is positioned for continued growth and success. Arable also purchased assets from Dole in February last week. The fresh produce major agreed to sell its 65% stake in its North American Progressive Produce business to Arable for a sum of $125.2m. "Dole offloads fresh-veg arm to Arable Capital" was originally created and published by Just Food, a GlobalData owned brand. Thank you for signing up! Youll soon be getting your Toronto scoop in your inbox. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page. Step Aboard History: Discover the Legacy of Queen Elizabeth 2 with Guided Heritage Tours in Dubai (TRAVPR.COM) UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - August 5th, 2025 - The Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2), the worlds most legendary ocean liner and now a floating hotel docked permanently at Mina Rashid, Dubai, invites you to journey through maritime history with its exclusive Heritage Tours a captivating experience that brings to life the vessels remarkable past, iconic design, and royal legacy. Originally launched by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on 20th September 1967, the QE2 has sailed more than 5.6 million nautical miles, carrying over 2.5 million passengers and earning her place as a true icon of British engineering and seafaring excellence. The Heritage Tour provides a rare opportunity to step back in time and explore the stories, milestones, and personalities that made QE2 a symbol of elegance and innovation. From her days as a glamorous transatlantic liner to her service during the Falklands War and her transformation into one-of-a-kind hotel, QE2 has worn many faces. Highlights of the Heritage Tour Include: Original Artifacts and Memorabilia: See authentic objects from the ships early voyages, including photographs, artworks, and navigational instruments. Historic Design and Innovation: Learn how QE2 was the first ship to feature air-conditioning throughout, and how her powerful steam turbines enabled her to reach over 32 knots at sea. Gain unique insights into British heritage, design, engineering, and the maritime history of this legendary vessel, spanning over five decades. An authentic passenger cabin, the captains quarters, and flag room, and an original garage housing a vintage Rolls-Royce. Built by John Brown's shipyard in Clydebank, Scotland, QE2 was not only a triumph of design but also a cultural icon, hosting Royalty, celebrities, and world leaders across her service years. Today, the QE2 continues to be a symbol of timeless elegance and heritage. Moored permanently in Dubai, she offers not only a unique place to stay but also an enriching educational and cultural experience for residents, tourists, families, and school groups. Whether you're a maritime enthusiast, a lover of British history, or simply curious to see what life aboard an ocean liner was like, the QE2 Heritage Tour promises a nostalgic and awe-inspiring journey unlike any other. QE2 Heritage Tours Book your QE2 Heritage Tour and walk in the footsteps of Royalty, captains, and travellers who made history aboard this magnificent vessel. QE2 Heritage Tour A classic guided experience taking guests through the ships most historic spaces, sharing the stories, design, and moments that shaped her legacy. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. QE2 Heritage Tour for Schools Specially designed for student groups, this educational tour runs on weekday mornings at 8:30 am and 9:30 am, with a maximum of 30 students per session. Advance booking is required. QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea & Heritage Tour Pair your heritage journey with the QE2 Royal Afternoon Tea experience at the Queens Grill, available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 3:00 pm and 6:30 pm (last seating at 5:00pm). QE2 Dine & Discover Combine the Heritage Tour with a lunch or dinner for a complete culinary and cultural experience aboard Dubais most iconic vessel. Available daily at 11:00 am and 5:00 pm. For inquiries, please contact us at Phone: +971 4 526 8888 or Email: tours.qe2@accor.com www.qe2.com/heritage-tours ### BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The TKJ-178 flight from Baku to Istanbul (Sabiha Gokcen Airport, SAW), operated by AJET on August 6, has been cancelled due to a technical issue, Trend reports citing Heydar Aliyev International Airport. "For safety reasons, passengers were disembarked and directed to the terminal for waiting. The airline is currently arranging hotel accommodation and carrying out other necessary procedures for the passengers. The flight is now tentatively rescheduled for August 7, 2025. Heydar Aliyev International Airport advises all passengers to contact only the official representatives and communication channels of the airline. All information regarding the new departure time, ticket changes, and other related matters will be provided directly by the airline," the statement said. Photo: Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. On August 5, at around 7:05 p.m., a military truck was blown up by a mine laid by the Armenian armed forces during a supply mission in the Kalbajar district, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. Meanwhile, it was noted that four Azerbaijani Army servicemen who were injured in the explosion were evacuated to a nearby medical facility. Their lives are not in danger. This matter is currently under investigation. Photo: Press Service of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev sent a congratulatory letter to Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, Trend reports. ''Dear Mr. Prime Minister, On my own behalf and on behalf of the people of Azerbaijan, I extend my heartfelt congratulations to you and all your people on the occasion of Jamaicas national holiday Independence Day and convey my best wishes. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Azerbaijan and Jamaica. I am confident that we will continue our joint efforts to strengthen our friendly ties in line with the interests of our peoples. On this remarkable day, I wish you robust health, success in your endeavors, and everlasting peace and prosperity to your friendly people,'' the letter reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Meeting took place between the Commander of the Azerbaijan Navy, 1st grade Captain Shahin Mammadov and the Chief of the Naval Staff of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Defense Ministry. At the official welcoming ceremony, the chiefs of the Navy passed in front of the guard of honor. The national anthems of both countries were performed. As part of the visit, the Pakistani delegation honored the memory of National Leader Heydar Aliyev by laying flowers at his monument located within the military unit's grounds. During the meeting, the sides engaged in a comprehensive exchange of views on the future development of bilateral naval cooperation, the importance of exchanging experience between the crews of warships was emphasized, and a number of other issues were discussed. Subsequently, at a briefing organized for Pakistani guests visiting the Navy base, detailed information was provided on the structure of the Azerbaijani Navy, its operational capabilities, activities in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, the conditions created for personnel, the training and educational process, as well as the organization of service and combat activities. As part of the visit, the Pakistani delegation also visited one of the military units of the Navy. After getting acquainted with the military unit, the guests watched exemplary performances by the marine special forces. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. As prospects for a peace deal between Armenia and Azerbaijan become more tangible, Armenia's pro-Russian opposition is facing a political reckoning. For years, this campcentered around figures like former President Robert Kocharyan and the remnants of the so-called Karabakh clanhas drawn strength from a state of unresolved conflict, weaponizing insecurity and geopolitical tension to retain relevance. But that window may be closing fast. A shifting narrative Just days ago, Robert Kocharyan appeared on Armenian television, posturing as a statesman-in-waiting and framing himself as Armenias only true defender. With a familiar tone of disdain for the current leadership, Kocharyan used the airtime to promote Moscow as Armenias only viable strategic partner. In doing so, he effectively acknowledged where his marching orders come from. But this time, something felt different: his words fell flat. Almost simultaneously, whispers began circulating about the imminent signing of a peace framework between Armenia and Azerbaijan. The Armenian government made its first cautious public comments. Baku remained silent, but the air had shifted. The old opposition, once fueled by revanchist rhetoric, now finds itself caught off guardand without a script. Peace as an existential threat for opposition For Kocharyan and his allies, peace is not just politically inconvenientits existentially threatening. Their entire narrative has been built around conflict, grievance, and the promise of restoration. The moment peace arrives, this narrative collapses. With open borders, restored communication routes, and normalized relations, Armenia may finally begin to breathe economically and socially. Thats bad news for those whove profited from political suffocation. The oppositions ideal scenario was clear: oust Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan first, then negotiate peaceon their terms, with conditions. That window has now likely closed. The longer Pashinyan stays in power, the closer Armenia comes to a geopolitical realignment that will make the opposition's old playbook obsolete. A losing battle for influence Polling data further undercuts Kocharyans confidence. According to recent figures from the International Republican Institute, Kocharyan commands a mere 4% public support. Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan polls slightly higher at 5%. Pashinyan still leads the pack with 13%not overwhelming, but far ahead of his rivals. Notably, the publics lack of enthusiasm for the old elites extends beyond Kocharyan. Serzh Sargsyan, Seyran Ohanyan, and other figures from the previous regime no longer carry the influence they once did. Their criminal cases and political marginalization havent stirred mass protesttheyve barely registered with the broader public. Yet Kocharyan still clings to selective polling data, claiming that the public doesnt trust Pashinyan or support peace. It's a narrative tailored less for Armenians and more for an audience in Moscowan audience that increasingly sees the South Caucasus through a different lens. The myth of a popular uprising Since 2020, Armenias opposition has tried to capitalize on wartime trauma to unseat Pashinyan. It failed in the immediate aftermath of the war and failed again after the September 2023 clashes. Even the mass voluntary relocation of Armenians from Karabakh did not provide the groundswell of discontent the opposition hoped for. Instead of sparking unrest, most of these displaced individuals turned inward, focusing on resettlement rather than political mobilization. Attempts by fringe figures like Vahe Zrbasyan to organize mass demonstrations yielded only a modest turnout. Its clear: the Armenian public is tirednot just of war, but of those who promise to restart it. A game that cant be won Kocharyan and his circle misread the moment. Their belief that the West would tolerate or even endorse another anti-government uprising after a peace agreement is deeply flawed. If peace is signed on Western ground, with international backing, any revanchist uprising will be seen for what it isa Russian proxy play. And the international community is unlikely to indulge it. Russia, for its part, may still offer rhetorical support. But military backing? Thats unlikely. This isnt the early 1990s. Moscow has its own geopolitical fires to manage, and Armenia no longer sits at the center of its strategic map. The end of an era Armenias pro-Russian opposition is discovering that timeand public sentimentis no longer on its side. The Karabakh conflict once offered political capital, a convenient justification for authoritarianism, economic stagnation, and dependence on Moscow. Those days are over. If peace is achieved and relations normalize with Azerbaijan, the rewards for Armenia could be profound: open borders, renewed trade, diversified partnerships. But for the revanchists, it will mean political irrelevance. In a recent post, political analyst Suren Surenyants summed it up bluntly: The Hayastan Bloc is practically ineffective. Samvel Karapetyans power has not yet been born. And the fundamental change in the political arena is still awaiting real actors, not pretenders. The Armenian opposition has spent years putting on a performance. But now the curtain is falling. And peacenot warmay be its final act. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The Azerbaijani Parliament's Commission on Foreign Interventions and Hybrid Threats has issued a statement in connection with the information campaign conducted against Azerbaijan, Trend reports. The statement states that the commission notes that unfriendly actions against Azerbaijan from the territory of one of the neighboring states through social networks and Facebook continue. Thus, a number of pages (Echo Baku, Azeri Horizon, Xbr24, Merry you, Azerbaijan Pulse, Az insight, etc.) are making targeted attempts to interfere in the information space of the Republic of Azerbaijan through the aforementioned platform, thereby misleading public opinion in our country and casting a shadow on the successful domestic and foreign policy pursued by the state. Meanwhile, it is emphasized that following the dissemination of information related to geopolitical manipulations in Azerbaijani on Facebook, users are asked to switch to platforms such as Telegra.ph, which, in turn, may lead to the interception of a range of user data (IP address, device used, etc.). "We would like to inform our citizens that the necessary measures against such information operations are constantly being taken in conjunction with the relevant state authorities. At the same time, it should be noted that as a result of appeals to Meta, it was possible to close pages acting against Azerbaijan. The Commission on Combating Foreign Interference and Hybrid Threats urges our citizens to be cautious, not to trust such information, and regularly informs the public about the methods and tools of hybrid threats used against our country," the statement reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. In our territories liberated from Armenian occupation, mines and unexploded ordnance laid during the occupation continue to pose a threat to the lives and health of civilians and military personnel. Yesterday, as a result of a mine explosion in the Kalbajar district, five servicemen of the Azerbaijani Army suffered injuries of varying severity, the statement issued by the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson's Office said, Trend reports The statement says that the mass laying of mines on the territory of Azerbaijan, the exact maps of which have not yet been provided, continues to pose a serious threat to the lives and health of innocent people on a daily basis. Moreover, it was noted that the mines also create obstacles to the return of former internally displaced persons to their native lands and to the restoration of these territories, and cause serious damage to the environment, disrupting the ecological balance in the region. Furthermore, it was emphasized that, despite our repeated appeals to international organizations to provide information on the exact maps of mines laid in the territories we have liberated, the Armenian side refuses to provide this information, violating the requirements of international humanitarian law. As the Human Rights Ombudsperson of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I once again call on the relevant international organizations to exert serious influence on Armenia with the aim of transferring accurate maps of minefields to Azerbaijan and to respond decisively to its military and environmental crimes, including violations of humanitarian law, the statement reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Azerbaijan has taken part in discussions of the main directions of joint activities to reduce the negative impacts of the shallowing of the Caspian Sea at a meeting of Caspian littoral states' government officials within the framework of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Awaza, Turkmenistan, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. Speaking at the meeting, Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev highlighted the steady growth dynamics of trade turnover among the Caspian littoral states, stating that this creates a solid foundation for deepening cooperation in both bilateral and multilateral formats. The deputy prime minister noted that the 3rd Caspian Economic Forum, held in Tehran in February this year, was significant in terms of expanding trade and mutual investment volumes, as well as deepening cooperation in the energy and transport-logistics sectors. Addressing environmental challenges in his speech, he emphasized that the declining water level of the Caspian Sea is causing concern throughout the region. He pointed out that this issue was first raised by the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, at the Ashgabat Summit in 2022, and that preparations are ongoing for organizing the first meeting of a five-party expert group in Baku. Additionally, the event featured extensive discussions on the socio-economic and environmental aspects of changes occurring in the Caspian Sea ecosystem. The potential impacts of changes in water level on living conditions in coastal areas and on regional development processes were at the forefront of attention. Mustafayev underlined that in order to minimize the negative effects of water level changes, it is necessary to expand scientific research cooperation and to implement joint programs for the protection of fisheries, shipping, and biodiversity. During the meeting, a proposal was made to launch a multilateral cooperation mechanism aimed at developing common standards and approaches for studying the changes taking place in the Caspian Sea. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Duke Energy has signed a definitive agreement with Brookfield Asset Management, wherein the latter will acquire a 19.7% indirect equity interest in Duke Energy Florida for $6bn. This all-cash transaction will enhance Duke Energy's financial stability and support its energy modernisation strategy. Duke Energy will allocate $2bn of the proceeds from the deal towards its five-year capital plan, now estimated at $87bn. The remaining proceeds, amounting to $4bn, are earmarked for reducing the holding company's corporate-level debt. Brookfield's investment will be channelled through Florida Progress, the parent entity owning all of Duke Energy Florida. The acquisition will occur in phases, with Florida Progress receiving $2.8bn at the initial closing, anticipated in early 2026, followed by $200m by the end of that year. An additional $2bn is expected in 2027, with the final $1bn due in 2028. Brookfield retains the option to expedite the full $6bn investment. Duke Energy will retain majority control with an 80.3% interest and continue managing operations at Duke Energy Florida. Duke Energy president and CEO Harry Sideris said: We are pleased to have Brookfield, a highly regarded infrastructure investor, as a long-term partner in Duke Energy Florida. This significant transaction at a compelling valuation best positions Duke Energy to unlock additional capital investments in Duke Energy Florida during this unprecedented growth period. It also materially strengthens Duke Energys overall credit profile, which in turn enables us to invest in our energy modernisation plans across our entire footprint all while helping keep prices as low as possible for our customers. The additional funds from this transaction will help increase investments in the state to more than $16bn by 2029. The completion of this transaction is contingent upon regulatory approvals from various federal bodies including the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the US, and a review by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission. Brookfield infrastructure group CEO Sam Pollock said: We are delighted to partner with Duke Energy in a critical business and premier regulated utility like Duke Energy Florida through Brookfields Super-Core Infrastructure strategy. We look forward to supporting the continued growth of Duke Energy Floridas regulated asset base and, accordingly, ensuring excellent service delivery for its customers. JP Morgan Securities is acting as financial advisor to Duke Energy, while Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is serving as legal advisor. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. This week, the White House is set to be in the thick of things, as it navigates a diplomatic dance that could turn the tide in one of the longest-running conflicts in the post-Soviet arena. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, is scheduled to conduct distinct diplomatic engagements with the President of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, and the Prime Minister of Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan. The forthcoming discussions are poised to culminate in a collaborative communique from the involved stakeholdersa strategic political indicator with ramifications extending to both the geopolitical landscape of the region and the overarching framework of the United States' foreign policy paradigm. At first blush, the setup might look like just another cookie-cutter approach: one-on-one talks with each leader, then a public wrap-up to tie it all together. However, when you take a step back and look at the bigger picture of recent happeningsfrom the delegations' jaunts to Abu Dhabi to the mounting heat on Armeniait becomes as clear as day: the White House is playing a long, methodical game aimed at stabilizing a key segment of Eurasia, where Western, Russian, Turkish, and Iranian interests intersect with particular intensity. Azerbaijan has shown it's ready to cross the finish line of settlement, as long as the key principles are kept in the mix: territorial integrity, sovereign control over borders, and the launch of transport connections without any outside meddling. In recent years, Azerbaijani foreign policy has shown a remarkable blend of adaptability, steadfastness, and a keen eye on the horizon for a developing nation. While many states chase ephemeral advantages, Baku is architecting a stratified alliance framework wherein the United States occupies a pivotal role. Washington is progressively recalibrating its perception of Azerbaijan, transitioning from viewing it as a marginal post-Soviet entity to recognizing it as a critical nexus for Eurasian logistics, energy dissemination, and geopolitical equilibrium. The Trump administration, reinstated through a surge of non-interventionist sentiment and pragmatic governance, delineates its strategic priorities in a manner distinct from its antecedents. Azerbaijan slots right into this new framework as a partner who can tackle issues not with hot air, but with well-measured, strategic moves. Core domains of collaborative synergy persist: energy infrastructure, security frameworks, and the digital economy landscape. In the context of geopolitical energy vulnerabilities in the Persian Gulf and the prevailing volatility in the Middle East, the imperative for supply diversification from the Caspian Basin transitions from a strategic option to an essential mandate for the United States. The development of energy corridors, especially through the Trans Adriatic Pipeline (TAP), has shown that Azerbaijan is not merely a supplier of raw materials but rather a key player in keeping the European energy market on an even keel. Under President Trump, these initiatives garnered unequivocal diplomatic endorsement. Azerbaijan consequently emerges as a pivotal component of the Western energy framework, concurrently bolstering its autonomy and contributing to the mitigation of Europes reliance on volatile energy suppliers. However, the central focus of the visit remains the situation in the South Caucasus. Azerbaijans victory in the 44-day war in 2020 and the following re-establishment of constitutional order in Karabakh have ushered in a new realityone that the international community can no longer turn a blind eye to. Baku acts as the guarantor of this reality, laying down a legally sound and politically backed roadmap for Yerevan, steering clear of ultimatums, and instead paving the way for a lasting peace. In this context, the Washington meeting isnt just a box to check; its a clear sign that the US is stepping up to the plate, taking the bull by the horns when it comes to the moral and political responsibility for steering the negotiation process. As Russia's grip on Armenian foreign policy loosens and the ties between Moscow and Yerevan grow ever more tenuous, the American initiative is stepping into the limelight. If anyone in Washington still thinks the South Caucasus is just a fly on the wall in global politics, today's diplomatic scene is ringing the alarm for a fresh look at those old-fashioned notions. The meeting in the US capital, dedicated to a peace agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, is not a sudden burst of activity or a goodwill gesture but a meticulously calculated episode in a far broader and well-conceived strategy. To comprehensively grasp not only the empirical data but also the intricate causal linkages, it is imperative to commence with the paramount assertion: this procedural evolution has been undergoing maturation over an extended temporal framework. Specifically, it is now transitioning into a critical juncture where each miscalculation could prove catastrophic, and every diplomatic maneuver must be executed with utmost precision to be impactful. Unlike his predecessors, Donald Trump is not putting all his eggs in one basket with bureaucratic mechanismslike the notorious and toothless OSCE Minsk Groupbut is instead rolling up his sleeves and banking on direct political capital. The heart of the Washington meeting is all about tying the knot on a fresh geopolitical and diplomatic setup: the conflict matrix between Armenia and Azerbaijan is undergoing a dynamic transformation, shedding its previously static and frozen-paradigm characteristics. The conflict is transitioning into a paradigm of dynamic evolution, moving from a realm of aggressive engagement to a domain of regulatory formalization. This does not denote an instantaneous cessation of hostilities; however, it does render the prospect of achieving a sustainable peace feasible within a moderate temporal framework. Azerbaijans stance is as steady as a rock and crystal clear: Baku isn't playing with kid gloves, nor are they looking to sugarcoat things with diplomatic niceties or half-baked compromises that only serve to pull the wool over our eyes about real progress. Azerbaijan insists on a clearly articulated, legally binding, and unambiguous recognition of its territorial integrity within internationally recognized borderswith neither caveats nor latent conditions. The foundational tenets of Bakuencompassing border delimitation and demarcation, the unblocking of communications, and the repudiation of historical distortionsestablish a robust normative framework from which the Azerbaijani contingent remains steadfast. The Washington meeting isn't just a flash in the pan; it's a game changer. It's not a compromise but a crystallization of a long-maturing reality. Armenia, despite its internal turbulence, is getting closer to recognizing the inevitability of peace. Azerbaijan is one step ahead, offering concrete mechanisms, and the US, under President Trump, gains a platform for diplomatic triumph at a time when such platforms are increasingly rare. If consensus is reached in Washington on these fundamental positions, this will be the dawn of a new chapter, where a fair and legally binding peace can take root, grounded in the acknowledgment of sovereignty, the laying down of territorial ambitions, and a collective commitment to the region's safety. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The importance of accelerating the implementation of existing projects between Azerbaijan and Iran, including the Astara railway freight terminal and the border bridges under construction, was emphasized during the meeting of Azerbaijan's Deputy Prime Minister Shahin Mustafayev with Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development Farzaneh Sadegh, the Azerbaijani Cabinet of Ministers told Trend. The meeting held in the Turkmen city of Awaza on the sidelines of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries discussed cooperation between the two countries in various economic sectors. Moreover, the meeting noted that contacts between the presidents of both countries played a special role in deepening relations between the two countries. The sides also concurred on reciprocal visits in the imminent future. A broad exchange of views on the promotion of projects, solving existing problems, and deepening cooperation took place at the meeting. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The next panel discussion at the VI Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth, was devoted to the Year of the Constitution and Sovereignty, focused on restoration and construction work being carried out in the liberated territories, Trend reports. The panel was moderated by Elshad Aliyev, Deputy Chairman of the State Committee for Work with the Diaspora. The discussion was attended by Masim Mammadov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Lachin District, Aydin Karimov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Shusha District, Emin Huseynov, Special Representative of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Aghdam, Fuzuli, and Khojavend districts, and Telman Karimli, Executive Director of the State Agency for Construction, Restoration, and Management in the city of Khankendi, Aghdara, and Khojaly districts. The speakers presented extensive information on large-scale infrastructure projects being implemented in the liberated territories as part of the Great Return program, as well as models of smart villages and cities. They spoke about the construction of roads and communication lines, the erection of social facilities, as well as comprehensive measures to restore natural and cultural heritage. The event continued with a discussion of the role of the Azerbaijani diaspora in informing the world community about the damage caused to material values and historical monuments as a result of Armenian terror during the occupation, and other topics. Questions of interest to young people were answered. The 6th Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth, which will run from August 3 through 9, is being held in Khankendi. The camp is organized by the State Committee of the Republic of Azerbaijan for Work with the Diaspora and the Heydar Aliyev Foundation. The VI Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth is attended by 128 young people from 61 countries around the world. Previous camps were held in the cities of Shaki, Shamakhi, Shusha, Nakhchivan, and Lachin, and in total, more than 700 young people from over 60 countries participate in the camps each year. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Deputy Minister of Defense of Bosnia and Herzegovina for Resource Management, Aleksandar Goganovic, together with his associates, received the outgoing Hungarian Defense Attache to BiH, Colonel Attila Sandor, and the newly appointed Defense Attache, Colonel Janos Takacs, in a farewell-introductory visit, Trend reports. At the beginning of the meeting, Deputy Minister Goganovic conveyed warm greetings from the Minister of Defense Zukan Helez and the Deputy Minister for Policy and Plans Slaven Galic, emphasizing that Bosnia and Herzegovina and Hungary enjoy an exceptionally good and substantive cooperation. He especially thanked Hungary for its significant contribution to the EUFOR Althea mission and other activities that help preserve peace and stability in Bosnia and Herzegovina. Deputy Goganovic also underlined the importance of consistent respect for the Dayton Peace Agreement and reiterated Bosnia and Herzegovinas clear commitment to full membership in the European Union. Colonels Sandor and Takacs thanked for the hospitality, the correct and open cooperation, and expressed confidence that the friendly relations and military cooperation between the two countries will continue and be further enhanced. The interlocutors agreed that the current level of cooperation is high, but there is still room for further improvement, especially in the area of participation of members of the Armed Forces of BiH in training programs in Hungary. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The European Commission has announced the creation of a new position: European Coordinator for Central and South-East European interconnectivity, Trend reports citing the European Commission's latest reports. Supported by the relevant Member States, the Commission has opened a call for expressions of interest from qualified candidates. In accordance with Article 6, paragraph 2 of the Trans-European Network for Energy (TEN-E) Regulation, the Coordinator will be responsible for monitoring the progress of infrastructure investments and policy measures related to the completion of Projects of Common Interest (PCIs) within Central and South-East Europe. The role includes advising stakeholders and authorities, facilitating necessary actions, and regularly reporting updates to the Commission and involved Member States. Applicants must be nationals of the European Union, possess fluent English language skills, and have a minimum of 10 years relevant professional experience. Interested candidates can request further information by contacting [email protected]. The deadline for final applications is 4 September 2025. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The Deputy Prime Minister of Montenegro for Infrastructure and Regional Development, Milun Zogovic, met with representatives of investors from the Arab Republic of Egypt, with the presence of a delegation from the Municipality of Zeta, Trend reports The meeting took place at the Government building, and the main topic of discussion was the improvement of cooperation in the fields of infrastructure and tourism, with a focus on the potentials of Zeta and other developmentally important areas. Deputy Prime Minister Zogovic welcomed the investors and emphasized that Montenegro remains open to serious foreign partners who want to contribute long-term to the development of local communities and the overall economic stability of the country. Regional development is a priority for the Government of Montenegro. Investments in infrastructure and tourism not only strengthen the economy but also directly improve the quality of life for citizens. We are open to serious partners who want to build together with us in the long term, Zogovic stated. Both sides agreed that there is broad room for improving cooperation, especially in the development of tourism offerings and better regional connectivity. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. On August 4, Acting Minister of Culture of Lithuania Sarunas Birutis met with the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Denmark to Lithuania, Grete Sillasen, to discuss Denmarks priorities during its Presidency of the Council of the European Union, regional resilience, bilateral cultural exchange, and continued support for Ukraine, Trend reports. Minister Birutis emphasized that Denmark is a strategic partner for Lithuania, and that culture remains a vital part of this partnership, particularly in the current geopolitical context. In the face of todays challenges, cultural and informational resilience has become integral to national security. Denmarks chosen EU Council Presidency priorities, security, democratic resilience, and comprehensive support for Ukraine, are fully aligned with Lithuanias strategic goals. We highly value our close cooperation with the Danish Embassy and the Danish Cultural Institute, and we remain committed to strengthening bilateral ties. Shared values are the strongest foundation for building a secure and resilient Europe, Birutis said. The meeting addressed Denmarks EU Presidency agenda, with a special focus on the role of culture in reinforcing European values, democracy, and resistance to disinformation. The parties also discussed the ongoing cooperation between Nordic and Baltic countries in safeguarding cultural heritage during times of crisis, a dialogue that began in Helsinki in May and is expected to continue in 2026 when Denmark will chair the Nordic Council of Ministers, placing a special emphasis on security and preparedness for hybrid threats. Both sides praised the success of ongoing cultural collaboration across a wide range of fields. Positive examples included Denmarks support for Lithuanian translations of Danish literature, its partnership with the Lithuanian Film Centre, and collaborations between national philharmonics and other cultural institutions. The parties also highlighted Denmarks strong involvement in the Kaunas European Capital of Culture 2022 project. Ambassador Sillasen introduced future initiatives in Lithuania, including events featuring renowned Danish architect and urbanist Jan Gehl, and upcoming Danish literature promotion campaigns. The conversation also touched on significant anniversaries for Lithuania. In discussing the upcoming 150th anniversary of composer M. K. Ciurlionis birth, Ambassador Sillasen praised the Danish Embassys fruitful cooperation with the National M. K. Ciurlionis School of Art. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys and Acting Minister of National Defense Dovile Sakaliene have jointly addressed a letter to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, urging the Alliance to implement additional measures to strengthen the security of Lithuanias airspace, Trend reports. In the letter, the ministers emphasized that in less than a month, Lithuanias airspace and by extension NATOs has been breached twice by unmanned aerial vehicles. These drones were reportedly linked to recent hostile operations in the region. According to the ministers, such incidents are becoming more frequent and represent a serious threat to the security of both Lithuania and the broader Alliance. Budrys and Sakaliene stressed that a swift and decisive NATO response would send a clear message to any adversaries: the Alliance is strong and fully committed to defending every inch of its territory. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The LatviaIsrael Business Forum was held today in Riga, organized by the Ministry of Economics of Latvia and the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA), in cooperation with leading business and innovation organizations from both countries. The forum took place in honor of the official visit of the President of Israel, Isaac Herzog, to Latvia, Trend reports. The gathering convened premier executives from Latvia and Israel, inaugurated by President Herzog alongside Latvian Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis. In his inaugural address, President Herzog underscored the robust prospects for synergistic collaboration between Israel and Latvia across sectors such as commerce, scientific innovation, technological advancement, and the tourism industry. Our objective is to cultivate enhanced synergies between our nations and to exponentially increase our trade throughput, he articulated. Minister Valainis, in turn, expressed appreciation for Israels achievements in innovation and the development of startups. We are open to future joint projects and invite Israeli entrepreneurs to take advantage of Latvias strengthsfast decision-making and trusted partnerships, which are the foundation of long-term success, Valainis noted. The main goal of the forum was to strengthen cooperation in the fields of innovation, manufacturing, research, and high technology. During the event, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Israel Export Institute and the Latvian Exporters Association The Red Jackets, as well as between the Manufacturers Association of Israel and the Latvian Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Latvia sees vast opportunities for economic collaboration with Israel, especially in innovation development and the defense sector. Israel is one of the worlds leading innovation hubs, and we can work together on technology transfer and the development of new solutions, leveraging the advantages of the European Union market, said Ieva Jaunzeme, Director of LIAA. At the forum, Janis Oslejs, CEO of the Latvian company Primekss Group, shared insights from more than a decade of experience in the Israeli market. The company has installed over 130,000 m of innovative concrete flooring in Israel, helping to save more than 5,000 tons of CO emissions. Currently, exports to Israel account for about 8 percent of the companys turnover. Latvia sees Israel as a key partner for several reasons: Israel is a global leader in innovation, with the high-tech sector contributing nearly 50 percent of its GDP. Latvian and Israeli companies already collaborate in digital health, military technologies, and green innovation. Israeli businesses are seeking to expand in Europe, and Latvia can serve as a strategic gateway to the EU market. The forum led to agreements to explore new forms of cooperation, including joint research projects, startup initiatives, and innovation partnerships. Both sides committed to expanding collaboration in defense technologies, hydrogen solutions, semiconductors, and precision medicine. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Iran augments product exports via its West Azerbaijan Province customs Exports through West Azerbaijan Province customs in northwest Iran saw a notable increase in early 2025. During the first four months of the Iranian year, export value rose by 20 percent, and export weight grew by 27 percent compared to last year. A total of 1.26 million tons of goods worth $685 million were exported during this period. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register The Ecuador Constitutional Court has unanimously rejected the final legal challenge against the environmental licence for Silvercorp Metals El Domo mining project. The El Domo project sets a precedent in Ecuador as the first in the country to conduct environmental consultations in line with the Regional Agreement on Access to Information, Public Participation and Justice in Environmental Matters in Latin America and the Caribbean. This procedure has been confirmed by various tiers of the judicial system in Ecuador, encompassing both the regular courts and the Constitutional Court. Upon completion, the project is set to deliver substantial socio-economic benefits to the Las Naves community, with 98% approval within its influence area. The project, currently under construction, is expected to commence production in 2026. On 5 June 2024, a constitutional protection action was initiated against the Ministry of Environment, Water, and Ecological Transition, challenging the environmental licence and consultation process of the El Domo project. The legal action was dismissed by a local court on 24 July 2024, and subsequent appeals were also rejected, upholding the project's compliance with environmental consultation requirements. The plaintiffs filed an Extraordinary Protection Action on 19 December 2024, but this was declined by the Constitutional Court on 26 February 2025 for not meeting constitutional admission criteria. A subsequent motion for clarification was also unanimously rejected on 24 July 2025. Despite these legal victories, Silvercorp Metals has faced opposition from anti-mining groups that persist in illegal and disruptive actions, raising safety concerns and challenging the rule of law. Nonetheless, these activities have not significantly hindered the project's progress. In December 2024, Silvercorp Metals announced plans to develop the Condor gold project in Ecuador as an underground operation following a comprehensive review of technical data and historical core samples. The Condor project features a variety of gold deposits, chief among them the Camp and Los Cuyes areas, which are home to the most identified mineral resources. "Ecuador court rejects final legal challenge against Silvercorps El Domo project" was originally created and published by Mining Technology, a GlobalData owned brand. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The European Commission has confirmed that Turkmenistan could play a role in the EUs gas diversification efforts through the Southern Gas Corridor, a source in the Commission told Trend. According to information, EU-Turkmenistan energy relations are framed by the 2008 memorandum, which supports collaboration on energy security, infrastructure of mutual interest, renewable energy, and energy efficiency. A bilateral working group has been established to facilitate regular dialogue, particularly on natural gas. The Commission emphasized that while decisions on specific infrastructure projects are made by companies and national authorities, Turkmenistans plans to increase gas supplies may contribute to the EUs goals of energy diversification via the Southern Gas Corridor. "Under our REPowerEU plan launched in 2022, our policy is to diversify away from Russian fuels, following Russias weaponization of energy supplies and full-scale war of aggression against Ukraine. On 6 May 2025, the Commission presented the REPowerEU roadmap, setting out a coordinated, secure and gradual phase out of Russian gas, oil and nuclear energy imports. In June, we presented a legislative proposal which, when approved by the co-legislators (European Parliament and Council), would introduce an EU ban on Russian gas imports," the Commissions representative said. The source also clarified that decisions related to the Trans-Caspian Pipeline or other infrastructure projects remain the responsibility of Turkmenistan, private investors, and regional partners. Furthermore, EU regulations no longer allow for investment in international fossil fuel projects using EU budgetary funds. Subscription to paid content Gain access to all that Trend has to offer, as well as to premium, licensed content via subscription or direct purchase through a credit card. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The Central Bank of Azerbaijan (CBA) discussed in detail the main trends and priorities for the development of the fintech ecosystem for the first half of 2025, Trend reports via CBA. Thus, Deputy Chairman of the Central Bank Vusal Khalilov held a regular meeting with representatives of the Azerbaijan Fintech Association. During the meeting, the main trends and priorities for the development of the fintech ecosystem in the first half of 2025 were discussed in detail. In addition, the participants were informed about the expansion of the scope of application of the Instant Payment System and the expansion of access for fintech entities to innovative solutions through this system, as well as ensuring full compliance of the activities of electronic money and payment organizations with legislative requirements in the field of AML/CFT and information security, and effective compliance risk management. The meeting also included an exchange of views on opportunities for improving and implementing a special regulatory regime, work being done in the field of open banking, and the preparation of a draft law regulating the activities of virtual assets and their providers. ASTANA, Kazakhstan, August 6. Azerbaijani investors are implementing a project to build an international medical and health complex on the coast of Lake Alakol in the southeastern part of Kazakhstan and the total investment will amount to $20 million, Trend reports via the press service of the Akimat of the Kazakhstan's Abai region. This was reported by the press service of the Akimat of the Abai region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, as reported by Trend. This initiative was presented during a meeting between the akim of the region, Berik Uali, and the Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Kazakhstan to Azerbaijan, Alim Bayel. The meeting was also attended by the deputy chairman of the Azerbaijan-Kazakhstan Business Council, chairman of the board of the Association of Turkic Entrepreneurs Aslan Kuniyarov, as well as representatives of the Azerbaijan Investment Holding and the Azerbaijan Business Development Fund. According to the information, investors plan to build a year-round tourist complex designed to accommodate up to 800 people at a time. With the commissioning of the facility, about 200 new jobs will be created in the region. The project aims to increase the tourist appeal of the Alakol coast, boost tax revenues to the local budget, and develop a new direction at the intersection of medicine and tourism. At the meeting, Bayel noted that relations between Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan had reached a new level of alliance. The ambassador recalled that the Kazakh leadership had set the task of strengthening economic ties and implementing joint projects, including in the field of tourism. "In 2024, we created a joint investment fund between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan. If the project in Alakol is implemented, it could be one of the first within the framework of this fund," the diplomat emphasized. In turn, the regional governor emphasized the importance of the tourism project for the region. "Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan are brotherly nations, united by a common history and spiritual roots. We are delighted with your visit and your initiative to create a large-scale tourist complex in our region. A master plan for the Alakol tourist zone is currently being developed. We are ready to allocate a plot of land for construction. The regional administration will provide the necessary support," Uali emphasized. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 6. A meeting took place between Uzbekistans Uzatom Agency and representatives of Technip Energies and UTG Energies, and the parties discussed prospects for long-term cooperation, Trend reports. During the negotiations, the parties discussed prospects for establishing a long-term strategic partnership within the framework of projects in the nuclear and energy infrastructure sectors. Technip Energies expressed readiness to make a significant contribution to the development of infrastructure solutions, including design, technical supervision, and preparation of project documentation in accordance with international standards. Special attention was given to project financing issues. The parties explored opportunities to attract export financing and international grants for the implementation of joint initiatives. Additionally, representatives of Technip Energies expressed interest in creating an official partnership with the Uzbek side, as well as collaborating in third-country markets. The parties confirmed their mutual interest in further strengthening the dialogue and elaborating concrete areas of cooperation aimed at developing sustainable energy and implementing advanced technologies. Technip Energies is a leading international engineering company headquartered in France, specializing in large-scale projects in the energy, petrochemical, and infrastructure sectors. The company actively develops sustainable energy, natural resource processing, and the implementation BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Cooperation between Iran and Kazakhstan in the development of joint infrastructure projects and transit within the framework of the eastern route of the North-South International Transport Corridor is of great importance, Iran's Minister of Roads and Urban Development, Farzaneh Sadegh said, Trend reports. She made the remark at a meeting with Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev at the 3rd UN Meeting on Landlocked Developing Countries, held on August 6 in Turkmenistan. According to her, the Iranian side hopes for the speedy implementation of the provisions of the cooperation document signed at the level of deputy ministers of transport between Kazakhstan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran. At the meeting, the Iranian Minister of Roads and Urban Development also proposed signing a five-year document on cooperation in all transport sectors between the two countries. The ministers of the two countries agreed to immediately explore opportunities to use the Caspian Sea to expand transport cooperation. Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport Nurlan Sauranbayev put forward a proposal for cooperation between Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan within the framework of the Caspian Bridge project. This proposal was positively received by Iran, and an agreement was reached to consider its details. The ministers of the two countries discussed issues related to increasing trade turnover between Iran and Kazakhstan to $3 billion, diversifying transport routes to Iranian ports, logistics, and holding multilateral meetings with neighboring countries on the Caucasus and European directions. The creation of the North-South transport corridor was based on an intergovernmental agreement between Russia, Iran, and India dated September 12, 2000. In total, this agreement was ratified by a number of countries (the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Republic of Belarus, the Republic of Bulgaria, India, the Islamic Republic of Iran, the Republic of Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, the Sultanate of Oman, the Russian Federation, the Republic of Tajikistan, the Republic of Turkiye, and Ukraine). The purpose of creating the corridor is to reduce the delivery time of goods from India to Russia, as well as to Northern and Western Europe (the delivery time along the current route is more than 6 weeks, while the North-South route is expected to take 3 weeks). On March 6, 2019, the Qazvin-Rasht railway (175 km) was put into operation as part of the corridor, connecting the Azerbaijani railways with the Iranian railway network. The Rasht-Astara railway is to be built on Iranian territory. The North-South Corridor has three directions across Iranian territory. The eastern direction is Turkmenistan and the countries of Central Asia, the middle direction is Russia and other countries across the Caspian Sea, and the western direction is Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, and the countries of Eastern Europe. On May 17, 2023, Russia and Iran signed an agreement on the construction of the Rasht-Astara railway in the province of Gilan in northern Iran. Nine stations will be built on the Resht-Astara railway line, which is approximately 163 km long. Upon completion of this railway, the North-South international corridor will be improved, and Iran's railway network will be connected to the Caucasus countries, Russia, and Northern Europe. According to the agreement, the Russian side is expected to allocate 1.6 billion euros for the construction of this railway. The construction and completion of the railway is planned to take 48 months. TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 6. A delegation from Uzbekistans Uzatom Agency is visiting Belarus, following the directive of President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, to study Belaruss successful experience in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and apply it to the development of Uzbekistans first NPP, Trend reports. During the visit, the delegation held talks with Belaruss Minister of Energy, Denis Moroz. The parties discussed key areas of cooperation in the nuclear energy sector, including the integration of large-scale NPPs into national energy systems, exchange of best practices in physical protection systems, management of spent nuclear fuel and radioactive waste, and effective public communication during project implementation. The Uzbek side presented updates on the progress of its nuclear power plant construction project, while the Belarusian side shared insights into infrastructure development for NPP projects including the creation of shift camps, residential areas for plant staff, and efforts toward production localization. Our country commissioned the first Belarusian NPP with a total capacity of 2,400 megawatts in 2023. About 40 percent of the electricity consumed nationwide is generated by this plant. The companies that performed successfully during its construction are now actively participating in international projects with Russias Rosatom. I am confident that Belarusian specialists will also contribute to the development of Uzbekistans NPP, said Minister Denis Moroz. The Uzbek delegation also visited the Central Control Board (CCB) of the dispatch service at the Public Association Belenergo, which provides 24/7 centralized management of electricity production, transmission, and distribution across Belarus, coordinating all power stations, substations, and energy systems nationwide. The visit program also includes a tour of the Belarusian NPP, familiarization with the BelNPP training center, and a series of bilateral meetings and working consultations on current and future areas of cooperation. Photo: Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Uzbekistan TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, August 6. Tashkent Metallurgical Plant and SIA Grange have signed a contract valued at 20 million euros, Trend reports. The agreement includes the supply of coated rolled products and paves the way for expanding Uzbek metal exports to the Baltic countries and European Union markets. The contract was finalized in Vilnius during the recent business forum and meeting of the Uzbekistan Lithuania Business Council. The event brought together official representatives from both countries, top executives of major Lithuanian companies, and entrepreneurs visiting from Uzbekistan. During the forum, Dilshod Rasulov delivered a comprehensive presentation to foreign participants outlining the extensive reforms Uzbekistan has undertaken in recent years, as well as the countrys investment and economic potential, with a particular focus on the incentives and opportunities available to entrepreneurs. As part of the forum, Tashkent Metallurgical Plant, the UZ Terminal logistics center, and several Lithuanian companiesincluding TPC, TVG Group, TL Nika, Bunasta, Everwest Group, Vilteda, and Arijusshared insights about their operations and cooperation plans with Uzbekistan. Meanwhile, Uzbekistans foreign trade turnover with Lithuania reached $532.8 million from January through October 2024, positioning Lithuania among Uzbekistans top 15 trading partners during this period. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan discussed cooperation in the field of transport and logistics, the country's Minister of Digital Development and Transport, Rashad Nabiyev wrote on X, Trend reports. "We met with Asel Zhanasova, advisor to the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, who is visiting our country, and Talgat Aldybergenov, chairman of the board of directors of the National Company Kazakhstan Railways. The meeting discussed cooperation in the field of road, air transport, and shipbuilding. We also exchanged views on the development of the Middle Corridor, the digitalization of ports, and logistics corridors," the publication reads. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The price of Azerbaijans Azeri Light crude oil on a CIF basis at Italys Augusta port declined by $1.45, or 2.05 percent, to $69.59 per barrel on August 5, a source in the oil market told Trend. At Turkiye's Ceyhan port, the price of Azeri Light on an FOB basis decreased by $1.57, or 2.27 percent, to $67.60 per barrel. Meanwhile, the price of URALS crude went down by $1.44, or 2.45 percent, to $57.36 per barrel. Brent Dated crude, produced in the North Sea, saw a decrease of $1.36, or 1.92 percent, bringing the price down to $69.48 per barrel. By Max A. Cherney SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -U.S. Republican Senator Tom Cotton sent a letter to Intel's board chair on Wednesday with questions about the chipmaker's new CEO Lip-Bu Tan's ties to Chinese firms and a recent criminal case involving his former company Cadence Design. Writing to "express concern about the security and integrity of Intel's operations and its potential impact on U.S. national security", Cotton asked in the letter to Intel chairperson Frank Yeary whether the company's board was aware of the subpoenas sent to Cadence during Tan's time there as CEO before Intel hired him. Cotton asked what measures were taken to address those concerns. He also asked whether Intel's board required Tan to divest from chip firms in China linked to the Chinese military or Communist Party, and if Tan adequately disclosed other ties to Chinese companies due to Intel's involvement in the Secure Enclave program, an initiative designed under the Biden administration to ensure a secure supply of microelectronics for defense. Because of Intel getting federal funding under the initiative, Cotton questioned Yeary in the letter about Tan's disclosures related to investment, professional roles or other ties to Chinese companies. "Intel is required to be a responsible steward of American taxpayer dollars and to comply with applicable security regulations," Cotton wrote. "Mr. Tan's associations raise questions about Intel's ability to fulfill these obligations." In a statement, an Intel spokesperson said, "Intel and Mr. Tan are deeply committed to the national security of the United States and the integrity of our role in the U.S. defense ecosystem." The company said it would address the matters in the letter with the Senator. In April, Reuters reported Tan - himself or through venture funds he has founded or operates - has invested in hundreds of Chinese companies, some of which are linked to the Chinese military. The Intel CEO invested at least $200 million in hundreds of Chinese advanced manufacturing and chip firms between March 2012 and December 2024, Reuters found. A source familiar with the matter had at the time told Reuters that Tan had divested from his positions in entities in China, without providing further details. Chinese databases reviewed by Reuters at the time had listed many of his investments as current, and Reuters was at the time unable to establish the extent of his divestitures. Cotton's letter mentioned the Reuters story as a source. KazMunayGas energizes petrochemical growth with new gas separation complex Photo: KazMunayGas KMG PetroChem, a subsidiary of KazMunayGas, has signed an EPC contract with Italys Tecnimont S.p.A. and Lebanons CCIC for the construction of a large-scale gas separation complex (GSC) at Kazakhstans Tengiz field. The facility, with a processing capacity of 9.1 billion cubic meters of dry gas annually, will supply ethane and propane to support domestic petrochemical development. Access to paid information is limited If You already have a account, please log in Login Register BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. Russia has attacked a key compressor station on the Trans-Balkan route, which recently began supplying Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine, Trend reports via Ukraine's Ministry of Energy. According to information, on the night of August 6, 2025, Russia attacked a gas infrastructure facility a compressor station belonging to the Ukrainian gas transmission system operator in the Odessa region, near the Ukrainian-Romanian border. This facility ensured the operation of the route through which test volumes of gas from Azerbaijan, as well as liquefied natural gas from the US via Greek LNG terminals and the Trans-Balkan gas pipeline, were delivered to Ukraine. The equipment responsible for the operation of this route was attacked by dozens of strike drones. Specialists are working on site to assess the consequences of the strike, the information notes. The Naftogaz group of companies signed its first agreement with SOCAR Energy Ukraine, part of the SOCAR Group, to purchase Azerbaijani natural gas. Gas supplies via the Trans-Balkan route through the Bulgaria-Romania-Ukraine corridor began for the first time in test mode. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. bp, as operator of the Shah Deniz gas and condensate field development project and the Sangachal terminal, is pleased to announce the award of two major engineering contracts, Trend reports via bp. These contracts - covering detailed engineering and procurement support services - have been awarded to the SOCAR-KBR joint venture and represent a significant step forward in the execution of the Shah Deniz Compression (SDC) and Sangachal Terminal Electrification (STEL) projects. The contract awards follow the Final Investment Decisions (FIDs) announced for both projects during Baku Energy Week on 3 June 2025, marking a key milestone in the progress into the execute stage. Matt Kirkham, bp vice president, projects, for the Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye region, Middle East and Africa, said: I am proud to share a significant milestone in the advancement of the SDC and STEL projects. Following the FIDs in early June, we have successfully completed the sourcing phase and awarded key contracts to the SOCAR-KBR joint venture. Their proven expertise in similar Caspian region projects, including the successful delivery of previous SDC project scopes, was a decisive factor in this selection. A heartfelt thank you to everyone whose dedication and hard work have made this achievement possible. I look forward to the continuing partnership that will deliver both projects safely, competitively and on schedule. The SDC contract, valued at 43 million, has been effective since 1 July 2025. The work under this contract is planned to be completed in 2026. The scope of work includes engineering and procurement support for the construction of the following facilities, including readiness for installation, commissioning and operational readiness: Topside facilities for the SDC platform; Jacket and piles for the SDC platform; Onshore and offshore brownfield installations (Shah Deniz Alpha, Shah Deniz Bravo, and Sangachal Terminal;) System design engineering for integration with the subsea system. The STEL project contract, valued at 7 million, has been effective since 1 June 2025. The work under this contract is planned to be completed in 2028. This contract covers engineering and procurement support services for a number of new equipment, and a series of brownfield modifications inside the Sangachal Terminal to enable grid power transmission and ride through protection. The $2.9 billion SDC project is designed to access and produce low pressure gas reserves in the Shah Deniz field and maximize resources recovery. The project is expected to enable around 50 billion cubic metres of additional gas and approximately 25 million barrels of additional condensate production and export from the field. The project involves installation of a new compression facility an electrically-powered unmanned compression platform, or Normally Unattended Installation (eNUI). With four 11-MW compressors onboard, the SDC platform is designed to serve as a host facility for gas compression from both the Shah Deniz Alpha (SDA) and Shah Deniz Bravo (SDB) platforms, meaning that before flowing to the Sangachal terminal onshore, export gas from the platforms will be compressed at SDC. The project also includes several associated facilities to be installed offshore in the Shah Deniz contract area, and additional brownfield works to be undertaken at SDA, SDB, and the Sangachal terminal. Construction activities are planned to commence in 2025, with completion expected in 2029 to be ready to receive first gas for compression from the SDA platform in 2029 and from the SDB platform in 2030. These activities will take place in-country utilizing local resources and creating up to 4,000 jobs. The STEL project will enable the terminal to connect with the national grid of Azerbaijan, via new facilities to be built both within and outside the terminal, including a new 220/110 kV electricity substation. The terminal currently uses seven gas turbines to generate the power it needs. Following the electrification, the turbines will be removed in phases, freeing up the fuel gas for export and enabling to reduce the operational emissions from the biggest facility bp operates in Azerbaijan. Construction activities for the $230 million STEL project have already commenced with completion expected in two stages Stage 1 in mid-2027, and Stage 2 by the end of 2028. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The European Commission has launched an open public consultation and a call for evidence to inform its upcoming Strategic Roadmap for digitalisation and artificial intelligence (AI) in the energy sector, Trend reports via the Commission. Both initiatives will contribute key insights for the roadmap, which is scheduled for release in the first quarter of 2026. Building on its commitment that the green and digital transitions should reinforce each other, the Commission aims through this roadmap to accelerate the deployment of digital solutionsincluding European AI technologiesin critical areas for decarbonisation. These include electricity grid optimisation, enhancing energy efficiency in buildings and industry, and improving demand-side flexibility. The consultation highlights the importance of promoting research, innovation, and coordination in these fields to prepare the energy system of the future. It will also address the growing energy demands of data centres and explore ways to integrate them more sustainably into the broader energy infrastructure. Additionally, the Commission will examine necessary safeguards to mitigate potential risks associated with the large-scale rollout of AI solutions in energy. Both the open public consultation and the call for evidence will be open for 14 weeks, closing on 5 November 2025. Alongside these, the Commission is conducting targeted workshops with stakeholders from the digital and energy sectors. The strategic roadmap is part of the Commissions Affordable Energy Action Plan and complements other AI initiatives such as the AI Act and the AI Continent Action Plan. BAKU, Azerbaijan, August 6. The World Bank has approved a large financing package for the implementation of the Turkiye Power Transmission System Transformation (TPTS) project, Trend reports via WB. This was reported on Wednesday by Trend, citing the World Bank. The financing package is aimed at integrating increasing amounts of renewable energy into the country's national power grid and supporting Turkey's sustainable development and climate change goals. The total financing for the project exceeded $747.9 million. The package includes: 625 million euro (approximately $707.9 million) in the form of a loan from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD); 32.798 million euro ($38 million) in the form of a loan from the Clean Technology Fund (CTF); and a $2 million grant from the CTF on a non-repayable basis. The project is being implemented as part of the seventh phase of the large-scale ECARES (Renewable Energy Scale-Up in Europe and Central Asia) program and directly supports Turkiye's Renewable Energy 2035 (RE 2035) strategy, which aims to achieve 120 GW of installed wind and solar energy capacity by 2035, in the context of the national goal of achieving carbon neutrality by 2053. According to Humberto Lopez, World Bank Director for Turkiye, modernizing networks and developing renewable energy sources will not only increase energy security and reduce dependence on fossil fuel imports, but also open up new economic opportunities and create thousands of jobs: Key areas of the project include a large-scale modernization of the grid infrastructure, which covers the construction of new and renovation of existing substations, as well as the expansion of power lines and cable connections. These measures will enable the connection of 1.7 GW of renewable energy sources and significantly improve the reliability of energy supply. In addition, the project envisages the digitalization of the power system through the modernization of SCADA/EMS control systems and the introduction of modern digital technologies necessary for the effective management of variable energy flows from RES. The third important element will be technical support and innovation, including the development of Turkiye's first HVDC (high-voltage direct current) corridors and strengthening the institutional capacity of TEIAS, the main contractor for the project. We are helping to make Turkiye's energy system greener, more sustainable, and more digital, thereby unlocking its enormous potential in renewable energy and improving the reliability of electricity supply, said Yesim Akcollu, World Bank project manager. The project is fully in line with Turkiye's 12th National Energy Plan and aims to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Its implementation will boost the country's economy and strengthen Turkiye's global position in the field of green energy. The ECARES program, initiated by the World Bank, is implemented using a multi-stage model and covers countries in Europe and Central Asia, stimulating the development of renewable energy through reforms, investments, and institutional development. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, August 6. Tajikistans Minister of Transport Azim Ibrohim and Director of the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) Dima Al-Khatib discussed the development of multimodal transport corridors within the frame of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) in Turkmenistan, Trend reports via the country's Ministry of Transport. The sides discussed enhancing transport connectivity, simplifying border procedures, and supporting projects aimed at modernizing logistics through digitalization and green solutions. They also explored expanding technical and expert assistance to develop sustainable logistics strategies for mountainous and remote regions. A key part of the discussion focused on creating a knowledge-sharing platform based at a Sustainable Transport Center under development in Tajikistan, designed to facilitate exchange of best practices among LLDC countries. Joint pilot projects involving the private sector and regional development institutions were also addressed. UNOSSC is a specialized UN body tasked with promoting, coordinating, and supporting South-South and triangular cooperation among developing countries. Its mission is to facilitate the sharing of knowledge, technology, policies, and resources among Global South nations to advance sustainable development and implement the UN 2030 Agenda. DUSHANBE, Tajikistan, August 6. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has recommended that Tajikistans Customs Service (TCS) step up its reform efforts by creating a dedicated Reform Commission and Project Management Unit to oversee and report on modernization progress, Trend reports via the fund. The IMF also called for improvements in human resources, including a new performance appraisal system tied to strategic goals. It advised TCS to begin issuing advance rulings on tariff classification and product origin, enhance risk management procedures, and strengthen data analysis across departments. In connection with the ongoing implementation of the automated customs data processing system (ASYUKDA), the fund emphasized the possibilities for optimizing customs declarations and more effective management of benefits through centralized automation. The IMF mission, conducted in Dushanbe in December 2024, evaluated TCS's progress under its 2020-2024 modernization program and offered recommendations to align customs reforms with Tajikistans broader Medium-Term State Revenue Program (20242029). Photo: Screenshot from the video of the Third United Nations Conference on LLDCs in Awaza AWAZA, Turkmenistan, August 6. Transit cooperation, regional integration, and multimodal connectivity must become the pillars of sustainable development for landlocked countries, Turkmenistans Foreign Minister Rashid Meredov said at the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) in Awaza, Trend reports. Speaking at the opening of the Press Conference by the UN Office for Disaster Risk Reduction (UNDRR), Meredov highlighted the symbolic importance of the first-ever observance of the International Day of Awareness of the Special Development Needs of LLDCs, recently adopted by the UN General Assembly on July 25. "We welcome this historic moment during the third United Nations Conference on LLDCs taking place here in Awaza," he noted. Focusing on trade and transport issues, the Turkmen official stressed the urgency of overcoming geographical remoteness through investment in infrastructure and coordinated international support. The main goals of our conference are to connect landlocked nations with global trade, transit and development pathways through peaceful cooperation, infrastructure investment and multilateral dialogue, Meredov said. While acknowledging the disproportionate challenges LLDCs face - including 30 percent higher trade costs and accounting for only 1.1 percent of global goods exports - Meredov asserted that geography must never be an obstacle. In this regard, Turkmenistan reiterated its commitment to facilitating transit corridors, harmonizing customs procedures, and advancing green energy cooperation. Meredov said that the newly adopted Awaza Programme of Action for 2024-2034 represents a call to action for the global community to eliminate trade and transit bottlenecks and to support LLDCs in unlocking their economic potential. From access to finance to technology transfer to capacity building, Turkmenistan advocates for enhanced international cooperation, he stated, adding that these efforts must be paired with regional stability and multilateral diplomacy. Meredov concluded that landlocked nations must not be seen through the lens of limitation, but through their capacity for opportunity, innovation, and resilience. AWAZA, Turkmenistan, August 6. Turkmenistan and Estonia have expressed their intent to strengthen mutually beneficial cooperation in trade, digitalization, and international diplomacy, Trend reports via Turkmen MFA. The discussion took place during a meeting between Deputy Foreign Minister of Turkmenistan Ahmet Gurbanov and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Economic Affairs and Development of Estonia Mariin Ratnik at the Berkarar Hotel in the Awaza National Tourist Zone. The sides reviewed the current state of bilateral relations and identified new prospects for expanding cooperation in sectors of shared interest. In particular, both diplomats emphasized the growing importance of trade and economic engagement, especially in advancing digital transformation initiatives. Cooperation within international institutions, including the United Nations and the European Union, was also discussed. The Estonian side highlighted the significance of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries and reaffirmed support for inclusive multilateral dialogue. In addition to bilateral and economic matters, the meeting touched on regional and global developments. Gurbanov and Ratnik exchanged views on peaceful foreign policy approaches, with particular emphasis on Turkmenistans neutral status. Both sides acknowledged the upcoming International Forum of Peace and Trust, scheduled to take place in Ashgabat this December, as an important diplomatic initiative aligned with Turkmenistans neutrality and dialogue-based foreign policy. EYM Cafe is a former operator of at least 13 Panera Bread cafes in Eastern Texas. Panera Bread You can find original article here Nrn. Subscribe to our free daily Nrn newsletter. EYM Cafe a former operator of at least 13 Panera Bread cafes in Eastern Texas has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, court records show. Per the EYM Cafe bankruptcy documents, the former Panera operator had little to no assets, and between $10 million and $50 million in debt owed to at least 100 creditors. The bankruptcy documents show that EYM Cafe owes rent to 13 different landlords, $550,000 in federal taxes to the Internal Revenue Service, and $354,714 in Texas state taxes. EYM Cafe is operated by Eduardo Diaz as part of EYM Group. Pizza Hut franchisee, EYM Pizza and KFC franchisee, EYM Chicken also operated by Diaz separately filed for bankruptcy in July 2024, and June, respectively. Following bankruptcy proceedings, EYM Pizza shuttered and sold more than 77 Pizza Hut restaurants. Additionally, 10 months prior to filing for bankruptcy in June, EYM Chicken abruptly closed about 25 KFC restaurants in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin. EYM Cafes Chapter 11 filing reflects ongoing legal and financial issues with the group. In March 2024, EYM Group, which at the time operated 142 Pizza Hut locations across Illinois, Indiana, Georgia, South Carolina, and Wisconsin, filed a lawsuit against Pizza Hut, alleging a breach of contract. Later that year, Pizza Hut countersued EYM Group for failing to pay royalties on time, which led to a legal dispute that was later settled when EYM Pizza filed for bankruptcy following a precipitous decline in sales. According to Google and Yelp listings, many of the Panera Bread cafes operated by EYM Group have since closed. Contact Joanna at joanna.fantozzi@informa.com AWAZA, Turkmenistan, August 6. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov met with Irans First Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref on the sidelines of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, with both sides driving home the significance of ramping up regional trade and transport connections, Trend reports. Aref conveyed greetings from Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and praised Turkmenistan for hosting the international forum. The two officials discussed the long-standing cooperation between their countries, highlighting trade, energy, and transit as key areas of mutual interest. Both sides put their heads together to stress the importance of beefing up cross-border transport infrastructure and getting the ball rolling on coordination in regional logistics. President Berdimuhamedov noted Turkmenistans readiness to deepen its economic partnership with Iran through both public and private sector initiatives. Cultural and humanitarian cooperation was also noted as a valuable pillar of bilateral relations. The meeting concluded with mutual expressions of goodwill and confidence in the continued growth of Turkmen-Iranian ties. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel AWAZA, Turkmenistan, August 6. Turkmen President Serdar Berdimuhamedov held talks with Prime Minister of Georgia Irakli Kobakhidze on the sidelines of the Third UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, focusing on strengthening regional trade and transport links, Trend reports via the Turkmen MFA. During the meeting, both sides emphasized the importance of developing connectivity through the Black SeaCaspian Sea and Afghanistan-Turkmenistan-Azerbaijan-Georgia-Turkiye (Lapis Lazuli) transport corridors. President Berdimuhamedov reaffirmed Turkmenistans interest in expanding these routes to enhance regional logistics and economic cooperation. Prime Minister Kobakhidze lauded the exemplary orchestration of the international symposium and extended cordial salutations from Georgian President Mikheil Kavelashvili. He observed that the Forum encapsulates Turkmenistans dedication to the Sustainable Development Goals framework. Both leaders underscored the robust expansion of bilateral discourse and collaboration across sectors, including industry, healthcare, education, and cultural exchange. They articulated a reciprocal inclination towards enhancing synergies in the domains of scientific inquiry, artistic endeavors, and humanitarian initiatives. The meeting concluded with a reaffirmation of shared commitment to furthering long-term cooperation based on principles of equality, trust, and mutual benefit. Stay up-to-date with more news on Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel Germany's Paulaner Brauerei has won its court battle against Berentzen Gruppe over the design of the latter's Mio Mio soft drink brand. Paulaner took legal action against Berentzen at the start of this year for the design used on the label of one of its soft drinks. At the time, Berentzen told Just Drinks Paulaner had argued Berentzens Mio Mio Cola + Orange Mix drink used a colour wave that is claimed to correspond to the colour combination of Paulaner Spezi and is therefore confusingly similar. In a statement yesterday (5 August), Berentzen CEO Oliver Schwegmann said the business had been notified by a local court in Munich it had ruled in favour of Paulaner's argument and decided the Mio Mio Cola + Orange Mix beverage was "too similar to the design of Paulaner Spezi". He added: "According to the ruling, this could give consumers the impression that our product is associated with Paulaner. We acknowledge the ruling and will now review the next steps internally." Paulaner welcomed the court's decision. "Paulaner Spezi's product presentation has remained unchanged for decades. It enjoys a high level of recognition and serves as proof of origin. This is why the iconic five-color wave is protected by trademark law," it said. "However, if other manufacturers imitate this design, appropriate action must be taken to protect the trademark. Otherwise, this right is forfeited. We always seek dialogue first. In most cases, we reach an agreement, and lawsuits are the exception. However, no out-of-court settlement could be reached with Berentzen." Paulaner has dealt with other trademark hurdles around Spezi in the past. Three years ago, the group was taken to court by Brauhaus Riegele over its use of the Spezi name. Both brewers produced a soft drink using the Spezi name. Riegele argued at the time it had invented the drink and that Paulaner should hand over licence fees to continue to use the Spezi name. In October 2022, the District Court of Munich ruled Paulaner could continue making the drink under the name Paulaner Spezi due to an agreement signed between both companies in 1974. Riegele had tried to end the agreement in 2021. Commenting on the court's latest decision in a post on LinkedIn, Schwegmann added the group was "still convinced that our MioMio Cola + Orange clearly stands out from the competition and that there is no risk of confusion". He added: "Whether we will appeal in the next step or develop a new and even more frightening design together with our loyal MioMio community is not yet clear." facebook like button Tweet tweet button for twitter Published August 6, 2025 CAPTION: The ULM Wind Ensemble performed at Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 24, 2025. The ensemble includes 44 students who were accompanied by four ULM music faculty members. Photo Credit: Manhattan Concert Productions MONROE, LA The ULM Wind Ensemble recently performed at the historic Carnegie Hall in New York City on June 24, 2025. The ULM Wind Ensemble was one of four featured performers in the grand finale of Manhattan Concert Productions 2025 season, titled Songs of Peace, Hope, and Unity. Im so grateful that I got to experience this with our students and faculty, said Dr. Nicholas Bratcher, Director of the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts and Conductor of the ULM Wind Ensemble. As a teacher, its a wonderful feeling, and honestly, a goal, to see and hear the growth of your students, added Bratcher, noting that the Wind Ensemble received a standing ovation from each tier of the hall. The ULM Wind Ensemble currently includes 44 students. In addition to Bratcher, ULM music faculty members Dr. Allen Parrish (guest conductor), Dr. Scot Humes (guest soloist), and Dr. Kathryn Irwin (percussion coordinator) also accompanied the students to New York. The seeds of the Wind Ensembles performance at Carnegie Hall were planted in November 2023 when Dr. Bratcher submitted a video audition following the ensembles fall concert. After being accepted for the 2025 summer concert series, fundraising efforts began to ensure that the students could make the trip to New York. Through a variety of private donations and fundraisers hosted by the ULM Foundation, a total of $90,000 was raised. Because of the collaborative effort, students paid nothing out of pocket for the trip. Emma Babcock is an Instrumental Music Performance major from Pineville, La., and plays saxophone in the ULM Wind Ensemble. As a musician, this experience was a full-circle moment for me, fulfilling a special dreamnot just mine, but one shared by many of my colleagues. My favorite part was the moment after we finished performing, seeing hundreds of people applauding us. It made me realize that all the hours of practice, hard work, rehearsals, and school that led me to this point were truly worth it, said Babcock. Christopher Bickley is a clarinet player in the ULM Wind Ensemble and an Instrumental Music Performance major from West Monroe, La. The experience of playing in Carnegie Hall means that all the years I have poured into my instrument have truly paid off, and that it was worth every second. My favorite part of getting to play at Carnegie Hall was walking across the stage as a three-tier audience was cheering for me as I took a bow, said Bickley. The Wind Ensemble performed a half-hour of music on the Carnegie Hall stage that included three works. The first was Selections from Porgy and Bess by George Gershwin, guest conducted by Dr. Allen Parrish. The second work was a two-movement piece titled Come Sunday by Omar Thomas. The closing piece was Scott McAllisters Black Dog: A Solo Rhapsody for Clarinet and Wind Ensemble, with featured soloist Dr. Scot Humes. Professionally, its always a great thing to perform on one of the biggest stages in the world, said Bratcher, with this being his second opportunity to conduct at Carnegie Hall. For my colleagues Dr. Parrish and Dr. Humes, it would mark their Carnegie debut, and this performance wouldnt have been possible without their work and efforts, he added. Bratcher says the experience meant so much to him because of the impact he saw it have on the students, stating that for many of them, New York was as far away from Louisiana as they had ever been. Bratcher videoed the students initial reaction when they walked into the hall for sound check, catching the awed expressions on their faces. For me, that was one of the most rewarding parts of the trip, said Bratcher. In their limited downtime in New York, the students got to take in some sights of the city, including Times Square, and tickets to Chicago on Broadway, provided by the concert promoters. Bratcher says the members of the ULM Wind Ensemble will continue to strive for new heights in the coming year. I feel like the baseline has been established, and I always try to challenge them with pieces that push beyond the boundaries of traditional wind band repertoire. The ULM Wind Ensemble is poised for great things in the future, and I cant wait for us to share those things with the campus and community, said Bratcher. Click here to watch a video of the ULM Wind Ensembles performance at Carnegie Hall, courtesy of Manhattan Concert Productions. Click here to view a gallery of photos from the performance, courtesy of Manhattan Concert Productions. (Enter password mcp2025 to view the gallery.) For more information about the ULM School of Visual and Performing Arts, including dates for upcoming performances, please visit ulm.edu/vapa. Malegaon Blast Verdict: Crime and [No] Punishment The Malegaon blast judgment has acquitted all seven accused, which came as a blow to the victims and celebrations to the Hindutva camp Wednesday August 6, 2025 1:51 PM , Ram Puniyani [RR Patil, then Home Minister Maharashtra, and Chagan Bhujbal, then Guardian Minister Nashik District, at Bhikku Chowk in Malegaon a day after the blast on September 29, 2006. (Image: ummid.com)] The long-awaited verdict on the Malegaon blast of 2008 was delivered by a Special NIA Court in Mumbai. The judgment has acquitted all seven accused in the Malegaon blast case, which came as a blow to the victims and celebrations to the Hindutva camp. Many were anticipating this type of verdict and it was no surprise to them as during the period of last 17 years the investigating agencies did change the track, particularly after 2014. Malegaon Blast The blast was carried by a group which used a motorcycle. The RDX used in the bomb blew up at a time when the gathering of Muslims was there, and killed six people and injured over one hundred people. This happened in the month of Ramadan. Former BJP MP from Bhopal Pragya Singh Thakur, a serving Army officer Lt. Colonel Prasad Shrikant Purohit, Retd Major Ramesh Upadhyay were among the seven accused who were arrested and later charged. Initially the Malegaon blast case was investigated by the Maharashtra Anti-terrorism Squad (ATS). Later, the National Investigation Agency (NIA) took it over in 2011. In its verdict , the court observed that there is a strong suspicion about the accused being involved but prosecution has not been able to prove it beyond doubt, so all the accused are acquitted. There was a strong appreciation of the judgment from Hindu Right. They also accused the Congress for setting the narrative for "Saffron Terror" the result of which was this accusation of various people from the right wing. Key Points to Note There are some key points of the trajectory of investigation which need to be kept in mind while making an opinion on this. Hemant Karkare, who investigated the case, began with the motor cycle of Sadhvi Pragya Thakur, an ex-ABVP activist. The trail led to these accused and they were arrested. One of the early blasts in the area was the one in Nanded in April 2006 . In the house of Rajkondawar, a bomb exploded. The reason was that in the house a bomb was being assembled and due to some mishandling, it exploded. The incident was investigated by a citizens inquiry team under the leadership of Ex-Rashtra Seva Dal President, Dr. Suresh Khairnar. Two youths, Himanshu Panse (27) and Naresh Rajkondwar (26), died on the spot and three, Yogesh Deshpande (24), Maruti Wagh (23) and Gururaj Tuptewar (25), were badly injured. The flag of Bajrang Dal was flying over the house. At the site, fake beard and moustache and pajama Kurta were also seen. Around this time, some explosions also took place in Parbhani, Panvel and Jalna. Meanwhile, all the surviving accused in the Nanded blast case were, however, acquitted in January this year. "The prosecution could not prove that the incident was a 'bomb blast' and not the explosion of a gas cylinder or some other inflammable object", the Court said. Outrage against Hemant Karkare In case of Malegaon 2008 blast as Karkare was doing meticulous investigation and arresting the accused, the ally of BJP, the united Shiv Sena Chief Bal Thackeray in his paper Saamana wrote that, We spit on Karkare for his anti-Hindu activity. Lal Krishna Advani, the then leader of opposition, said that the accused are being tortured. Hemant Karkare was killed in the 26/11 2008 Mumbai terror attack . After he was killed, Karkare started being presented as a martyr. Narendra Modi, who was then Chief Minster of Gujarat, rushed to Mumbai with a cheque of one crore rupees to Karkares widow, who politely declined to accept it. The same Modi had called Karkare as doing things against national interests as he had arrested Pragya Thakur and company. As Karkare was investigating the blast case, due to such comments coming from different Hindutva quarters, he went to Julio Ribbeiro, his peer and an upright professional. Ribeiro appreciated his forthright work and asked him to continue in a professional manner. After the tragic death of Karkare, Pragya Thaur had her own version of the story. Applauded by leaders of the BJP who surrounded her during a press-conference, Thakur described Karkare as anti-national and dharamvirudh (anti-religion). You wont believe but I said, tera sarvanash hoga [You will be destroyed], she said. Just after sawa mahina [one and a quarter months], terrorists killed him. Aseemanand's Confession In the other cases of terror blasts (Ajmer, Mecca Masjid and Samjhauta Express) Swami Aseemanand was arrested. After his arrest, he confessed to his crimes in front of a Metropolitan Magistrate. The confession was voluntary and was recorded under Section 164 of the Criminal Procedure Code before the Metropolitan Magistrate at Tis Hazari courts on December 18. Swamis statement was recorded after 48 hours of judicial custody, to ensure that no sort of pressure or intimidation is working on the mind of the confessor. In this statement he confessed that he and other Hindu activists were involved in bombings at Muslim religious places because they wanted to answer every Islamist terror act with a bomb for bomb policy. A bit later he retracted the statement saying that this was given under coercion. It came as a lot of surprise as one knows that the statements given in front of police authorities can be under pressure or coercion, but in front of a judge, it is another matter. His 48 hours judicial custody was a time enough to consider all aspects of the issues involved. It seems more of a turning around, an afterthought to protect his associates and the parent organization. Swami, after accepting the legal assistance; retracted the statement. These confessions were published in Caravan and a lot of turmoil was created. Swami went on to retract the content of the interviews he gave to the reporter of Caravan. The reporter and the editor of the magazine stood by their version and also released the parts of the audio tapes to authenticate the interviews contents. The Caravan story not only reconfirmed most of what Swami had confessed in the Court but added other dimensions also. The Caravan report points out (The Believer: Swami Aseemanands radical service to the Sangh, by LEENA GITA REGHUNATH | 1 February 2014, Caravan Magazine, http://www.caravanmagazine.in/reportage/believer). Mumbai Train Blast Verdict The other major verdict in recent times is the one related to train blasts in Mumbai. In this case, the Muslim accused were released and declared non guilty . The state government immediately appealed against the judgment. In the Nanded judgement case too, there is a wide celebration in the right-wing camp and no talk of appealing against it by the government. Interestingly just before the date of Malegaon blast judgment, Home Minister Amit Shah declared that "a Hindu can never be a terrorist", thereby associating terrorism to religion. Amit Shah deliberately forgot Godse (Mahatams Killer), Dhanu (Rajiv Gandhis killer) and so many other terrorists whose religion is Hindu. But surely terrorism has nothing to do with any religion. [The writer, Ram Puniyani, is former Professor at IIT Bombay.] Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic Welcome Guest! You are here: Home OpenAI launches 'open-weight language models' - What's big deal? AI giant OpenAI Tuesday launched two open-weight language models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, with Sam Altman calling them a big deal Wednesday August 6, 2025 1:50 PM , ummid.com News Network AI giant OpenAI Tuesday launched two open-weight language models, gpt-oss-120b and gpt-oss-20b, with Sam Altman calling them a big deal. An open-weight model, in the context of generative AI, is one in which the trained parameters are made public, allowing users to fine-tune it. OpenAI launched the new Artificial Intelligence models that anyone can download, use and modify for free, in a move to challenge similar offerings by US and Chinese rivals, news agency AFP said. "A Big Deal" While announcing the launch of the free downloadable AI models, OpenAI founder Sam Altman writing on X said "gpt-oss is a big deal. It is a state-of-the-art open-weights reasoning model, with strong real-world performance comparable to o4-mini, that you can run locally on your own computer (or phone with the smaller size), Altman said. "We believe this is the best and most usable open model in the world", he added. Altman said with gpt-oss, the AI will substantially expand its reach. "We're excited to make this model available to the world to get AI into the hands of the most people possible", he said. "Internal Safety Benchmarks" The OpenAI founder further said that the company has tried to mitigate serious safety issues while developing the two models. "We believe far more good than bad will come from it; for example, gpt-oss-120b performs about as well as o3 on challenging health issues", he said. "We have worked hard to mitigate the most serious safety issues, especially around biosecurity. gpt-oss models perform comparably to our frontier models on internal safety benchmarks", he added. "Push for Innovation" Sam Altman said allowing the users to edit and modify the language models, will enable new kind of research and the creation of new kind of products. "Although we believe most people will want to use a convenient service like ChatGPT, people should be able to directly control and modify their own AI when they need to, and the privacy benefits are obvious", he said. "As part of this, we are quite hopeful that this release will enable new kinds of research and the creation of new kinds of products. We expect a meaningful uptick in the rate of innovation in our field, and for many more people to do important work than were able to before", he added. Meta promotes its open-source approach to AI, while Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has shaken the industry with its low-cost, high-performance model based on an open-weight approach that enables customisation of the technology. This is the first time that were releasing an open-weight model in language in a long time, and its really incredible, OpenAI co-founder and president Greg Brockman told journalists during a briefing. Follow ummid.com WhatsApp Channel for all the latest updates. Select Language to Translate in Urdu, Hindi, Marathi or Arabic By Charlie Conchie and Pratima Desai LONDON (Reuters) -Glencore will keep its primary listing in London, rejecting a move to the United States for now in a rare win for the city's markets, which have been shrinking due to a dearth of new share issues. The London-listed miner said on Wednesday that a move across the Atlantic would not increase value for shareholders. In February, it said it might switch its main listing from London, and CEO Gary Nagle said New York was being considered. Nagle said on Wednesday that the company had extensively researched a move to the major exchanges around the world. "A move in our primary listing ... would not be value accretive for Glencore at this stage, having done that thorough analysis, and therefore we keep it on a watching brief, but will remain listed in London for the moment," he said. The decision is a boost for UK capital markets after years of few initial public offerings and depressed valuations leading to a string of takeovers of public companies. That has led London's equity markets to shrink as some companies seek higher valuations elsewhere, prompting a suite of listing reforms. High-profile companies to recently announce their departure from London include travel giant TUI and Netherlands-based food delivery company Just Eat Takeaway.com. BHP Group, the world's largest miner, also ended its dual listing in favour of Sydney in 2022. Britain's reforms to try to attract more companies include reducing shareholder votes on certain transactions, and easing the prospectus requirements for companies listing shares. Asked about Glencore's decision, Antonio Simoes, CEO at Britain's largest investor Legal & General, said he saw pent-up demand to invest in Britain from international clients, including in London-listed companies, but that the government needed to press ahead with reforms to boost economic growth. "The more we get the country growing, the stock market will be a reflection of that," he said. "We just want to see those reforms coming through, so that there's more capital investing in the UK." Some companies could still shift London listings, including publisher Pearson, which is under shareholder pressure to do so, and oil major Shell, which is considering a move to the U.S. to address a valuation gap with rivals there. Glencore's shares have fallen 26% in the last year, prompting analysts to suggest the company might get a boost by a relisting in New York. However, Nagle said on Wednesday that decline was due at least in part to lower coal prices SALT LAKE CITY The University of Utah is facing a major financial crisis amid sweeping federal research funding cuts that could cost the school over $110 million annually, reshaping the future of higher education in Utah and across the country. At the heart of the issue is a proposed 40% reduction in National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding by the Trump administrationcompounding the $30 million already lost this year. These proposed changes reflect a larger conservative shift away from traditional public investment in research toward market-based, workforce-driven priorities. Why This Matters: A National Shift in Higher Education Funding NIH Cuts : The University of Utah risks losing $110M/year in federal research support. : The University of Utah risks losing $110M/year in federal research support. Policy Realignment : A shift from academic research to job training and labor-market performance. : A shift from academic research to job training and labor-market performance. Partisan Polarization: Red states like Utah largely support the changes; blue states are pushing back. How Utah's Political Climate Is Shaping the Crisis With Republicans firmly in control of Utah's state government, there's broad support for federal budget proposals that prioritize fiscal restraint and accountability over academic research spending. These cuts have also entangled previously bipartisan-supported programs, such as university-based disability centers, in the broader national backlash against Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. New Federal Policies Impacting Universities Several new federal policy trends are poised to redefine the priorities and funding formulas of higher education: Short-Term Job Training Wins : Pell Grants will soon cover job-training programs starting in the 20262027 academic year. : Pell Grants will soon cover starting in the 20262027 academic year. Earnings Tests for Degrees : Programs must prove graduates earn more than high schoolers or risk federal defunding . : Programs must prove graduates earn more than high schoolers . Youth Program Cuts: Federal grants for afterschool programs are on the chopping block. Blue states are suing to stop the cuts. Red States vs. Blue States: Legal Battles Begin The policy overhaul has deepened the red-state vs. blue-state divide: Republican-led states like Utah support or remain neutral on the reforms. Democratic states are suing to block defunding, especially for youth and research programs. Higher ed leaders are sounding the alarmbut admit they have little leverage under current political realities. Public Opinion Has ShiftedFast While many local stakeholders still support university researchespecially for vulnerable groupspublic attitudes have changed. Issues like DEI have become political flashpoints, allowing conservative lawmakers to frame higher education spending as ideological excess, rather than public good. This shift has made it easier to implement sweeping cuts without facing political consequences among core GOP voters. Institutional Fallout at the University of Utah University administrators say the effects of these funding losses could be long-lasting and destabilizing: Overhead Cuts: NIH caps on "indirect costs" weaken research infrastructure. Medicaid & SNAP-Linked Costs: Budget pressures from unrelated federal programs are hitting state education budgets. Performance Metrics = Defunding Risks: Programs that don't meet new federal ROI thresholds could be shut down overnight. The model now emerging favors job placement stats over scientific breakthroughs or community service missionsa fundamental shift in what higher education is valued for. The Bigger Picture The University of Utah's struggle is a microcosm of what's happening across the U.S.: A retreat from traditional, publicly funded academic research toward a market-oriented system where ROI rules everything. This pivot has profound implications for: Institutional autonomy Research and program diversity Social equity efforts Regional economic development The University of Utah's funding crisis exemplifies how national conservative policy trends are reshaping local educational landscapes amid intensifying partisan conflict. These developments reflect a broader narrative: a retreat from traditional public investment models toward market-driven accountability frameworkswith profound implications for institutional autonomy, program diversity, social equity goals, and regional economic development prospects moving forward Boston University has taken a decisive step to modernize its leadership by installing a full-time vice president and secretary of the Board of Trustees. This newly created executive role is more than a titleit's a response to a rapidly shifting political landscape where universities face mounting scrutiny from lawmakers, donors, and advocacy groups. Across the U.S., higher education is under the microscope. Congressional debates rage over student debt relief and Pell Grant funding. At the same time, state legislatures are locked in battles over book bans and curriculum restrictions, especially around topics of race and gender. These conflicts have forced universities to rethink not just what they teach, but also how they govern themselves. Boston University's move is part of a broader trend. According to a BU News Service report, the new full-time board officer will streamline decision-making at the highest level. The goal: keep the university agile as it navigates complex compliance requirementslike evolving Title IX rules, DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) mandates or restrictions, and the growing influence of donors on academic priorities. This is not just about internal efficiency. The American Council on Education stresses that today's universities must adapt their governance models for both transparency and effectiveness, as legislative scrutiny reaches new heights. The stakes are high: recent Supreme Court rulings have limited the federal government's authority to forgive student loans, while state governments expand school voucher programs and clamp down on what can be taught in public schools. Polling data shows the public is split. A majority of Americansabout 58%support some form of student debt relief, according to Pew Research Center. Yet there's fierce debate over school choice and curriculum control. Gallup finds that 52% of Americans oppose book bans related to race or gender, but most want more parental input in classroom decisions. For Boston University, professionalizing the board's executive leadership is a calculated move. With alumni, donors, and politicians all vying for influence, quick yet principled decisions are vital. The new vice president and board secretary will be expected to steer the university through regulatory challenges and public controversies, ensuring BU can respond quickly when external pressures mount. Why should citizens care? Because governance changes like this could shape the future of academic freedom, resource allocation, and the quality of higher education. As the 2026 midterm elections approach, education policy is set to dominate the national debate. The way universities adapt now will influence everything from tuition costs to what's taught in classroomsand who gets to decide. Boston University's new appointment is a bellwether. As more institutions professionalize their boards, expect a shift toward centralized, accountable leadershipone that must balance tradition, innovation, and the demands of a divided political era. August 6 2025 A storm-damaged Dundee pub, shuttered since 2021, is to be reborn as a dual convenience store and bar in response to shifting market demands. The Charlie Bar on Charleston Drive suffered extensive roof damage during Storm Arwen, a double whammy on the back of the pandemic from which it never recovered. LJRH Architects propose to head off potential demolition by reinstating the property as a diversified commercial premises, introducing a shop on the upper ground floor while reinstating the pub in a former function suite below. This will solidify the area as a walkable neighbourhood, encourage social interactions and improve kerb appeal with an upgraded raised platform in front of the building. In a planning statement, the applicant wrote: "The hospitality sector has faced significant challenges in recent years. Rising operational costs, increased competition from supermarkets and off-sale retailers, and the lasting impact of Covid-19 restrictions have all contributed to this decline, leading to the closure of multiple pubs across Dundee. "Given these circumstances, the new owner has determined that operating the Charlie Bar as a two storey pub is no longer sustainable. Instead, they propose to repurpose part of the premises as a convenience store to better serve the needs of the local residents and businesses." In recent years the Menzieshill area of the city has lost two public houses; the Jimmy Shand Pub and the Rock Pub, both formerly located on Dickson Avenue. LONDON (Reuters) -Miner and trader Glencore said on Wednesday that its long-term strategy could involve the sale of its 16.4% stake in enlarged global agribusiness Bunge Global some time in the future. Glencore became the owner of the 16.4% stake after Bunge closed a long-delayed deal to merge with Glencore-backed grain handler Viterra in July, two years after announcing the $34 billion mega-deal. "The agriculture business is not necessarily consistent with our business model," Glencore CEO Gary Nagle told a media call on Wednesday after the company released its first-half financial results. "Having a 16.4% shareholding in Bunge is probably not something that would be for Glencore in the long term." He added that this did not mean Glencore would be in a rush to sell the stake, and if it ever decided to do that "we would do it in absolute collaboration and conjunction with Bunge, its board and its management". The merger with Viterra enhanced Bunge's grain exporting and oilseed processing businesses in the United States and expanded Bunge's export capacity and physical grain storage and handling footprint in major wheat suppliers Canada and Australia, according to analysts. Glencore's aim is to maximise the value of this investment, while the possible "exit of that at some stage in the future would be done very smartly and carefully to ensure that we preserve that value," the CEO added. Glencore said on July 2 that its 16.4% stake in enlarged Bunge had a market value of $2.6 billion at the deal close, and that those shares were viewed by the miner as a surplus capital. (Reporting by Polina Devitt. Editing by Mark Potter) By Kenrick Cai SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Alphabet's Google on Wednesday announced a three-year, $1 billion commitment to provide artificial intelligence training and tools to U.S. higher education institutions and nonprofits. More than 100 universities have signed on to the initiative so far, including some of the nation's largest public university systems such as Texas A&M and the University of North Carolina. Participating schools may receive cash funding and resources, such as cloud computing credits towards AI training for students as well as research on AI-related topics. The billion-dollar figure also includes the value of paid AI tools, such as an advanced version of the Gemini chatbot, which Google will give to college students for free. Google hopes to expand the program to every accredited nonprofit college in the U.S. and is discussing similar plans in other countries, Senior Vice President James Manyika said in an interview. He declined to specify how much Google is earmarking in direct funds to external institutions relative to footing its own cloud and subscription bills. The announcement comes as rivals like OpenAI, Anthropic and Amazon have made similar pushes around AI in education as the technology pervades society. Microsoft in July pledged $4 billion to bolster AI in education globally. By evangelizing their products to students, tech firms further stand to win business deals once those users enter the workforce. A growing body of research has mapped concerns around AI's role in education, from enabling cheating to eroding critical thinking, prompting some schools to consider bans. Manyika said Google had not faced resistance from administrators since it began to plot its education initiative earlier this year, but "many more questions" about AI-related concerns remain. "We're hoping to learn together with these institutions about how best to use these tools," he said, adding that the insights could help shape future product decisions. (Reporting by Kenrick Cai; Editing by Jamie Freed) Italy's transport minister said bridge could be in use by 2032. The Italian government on Wednesday approved a controversial 13.5 billion project to build a massive suspension bridge connecting the island of Sicily to mainland Italy. The governmental economic planning committee CIPESS gave the green light to what would be the world's longest suspension bridge, spanning the 3.3 kilometres over the Strait of Messina. The news was announced by deputy premier and transport minister Matteo Salvini, who resurrected the multi-billion project after the planned construction of the bridge was scrapped a decade ago over budget constraints. Describing it as a historic day, Salvini told reporters that the bridge should be in operation "by 2032 or 2033" with work set to get underway in the autumn, pending approval by the audit court. The bridge would act as a "development accelerator" for the impoverished , Salvini said, boosting economic growth and creating tens of thousands of jobs. Prime minister Giorgia Meloni hailed the bridge as "a strategic project for the development of the entire nation", describing it as "an investment in Italy's present and its future". The landmark bridge is designed with two railway lines in the centre and three lanes of traffic on either side, with a span of 3.3 kilometres, suspended between two 400-metre high towers. Currently the only way to cross the Strait of Messina is by ferry. The trip takes about an hour by car and two hours on the train - with individual carriages loaded onto the ferry - however the bridge aims to cut these travel times to 10 and 15 minutes, respectively. Ok al progetto definitivo del Ponte sullo Stretto di Messina. Insieme scriviamo la storia, con unopera che fara bene allItalia da Sud a Nord. pic.twitter.com/MPEIxyTHyc Matteo Salvini (@matteosalvinimi) August 6, 2025 Salvini has said the bridge will represent "the crowning glory of Italian engineering" and would be built according to "new technical, safety and environmental standards. However critics have raised concerns about its structural viability in an earthquake-prone area as well as its environmental impact and the risk of mafia infiltration. The project has also faced criticism over its exorbitant cost, with opponents arguing that the money could be better spent elsewhere. The Italian government recently announced that it will seek to classify the bridge as a strategic military asset amid a push to meet NATO's five per cent GDP defence expenditure target. Plans to undertake the massive infrastructure project, rejected by previous governments due to high costs and engineering impracticability, date back to Roman times. (ECNS) Chongqing Municipality in southwestern China has surpassed Shanghai to become China's leading city in consumption, achieving total retail sales of consumer goods 830.037 billion yuan (about $115.62 billion), about 4 billion yuan more than Shanghai, according to latest data from both Chongqing and Shanghai municipal governments. Shaped by the rugged terrain carved by the Yangtze and Jialing Rivers, Chongqing has earned its distinctive reputation as a "magical 8 dimensional city." Chongqing Municipality. (File photo/China News Service) Capitalizing on this distinctive geography, the city has developed a diverse consumer space system known as "Cliffside Street Wonderland", comprising riverbanks, footpaths, backstreets, caves, and rooftops. Across Chongqing, 286 integrated consumer spaces combining mountain trails, specialty streets, and riverside economic zones have transformed everyday uphill climbs into one-of-a-kind commercial experiences. One moment, a visitor might be strolling along a cliffside path; the next, they could turn a corner to find a bustling hotpot restaurant hidden inside an old air-raid shelter. These distinctive consumer experiences have spurred a 1520% increase in rental prices for commercial spaces along these routes, highlighting that uniqueness offers far greater market vitality compared to homogeneous retail environments. By transforming its physical landscape into shareable, immersive consumer symbols, Chongqing secures its ticket to thrive in the traffic-driven era. The city's consumption boom is no coincidence either it's backed by supportive policies. This year, Chongqing rolled out a package of measures to stimulate spending, including, for the first time, subsidies for 3C digital products, significantly boosting sales in related categories. As of June-end, the city had recorded 3.27 million subsidy-related transactions for home appliances and digital products, involving a total subsidy amount of 1.7 billion yuan. Chongqing, with its stunning mountain-and-river landscapes and urban scenery, has also drawn waves of visitors, creating significant new momentum for consumption growth. In the first half of the year, Chongqing welcomed 235 million domestic tourist visits, marking an 8.6% increase year-on-year, and generated 250.7 billion yuan in domestic tourism revenue, up 11.9% year-on-year. Additionally, the city also welcomed 923,000 inbound tourists, up 77.2% year-on-year, according to Chongqing Municipal Commission of Culture and Tourism Development. Nationally, Chongqing's consumer resurgence reflects the broader recovery trend in domestic demand. China's National Bureau of Statistics reveals that China's overall retail sales of consumer goods rose by 5.0% year-on-year in the first half of 2025, accelerating by 0.4 percentage points compared to the first quarter. Chongqing's experience shows that transforming local characteristics into consumer-driven momentum and using targeted policies to unlock market vitality can accelerate growth on the consumption track. China's consumption-driven growth continues to gain momentum, fueled by local innovation and policy support. Leading cities like Chongqing exemplify this broader trend of domestic consumption, becoming a key pillar of China's economic resilience and transformation. (By Gong Weiwei) Contract logistics provider GXO Logistics touted new business wins and slightly raised its 2025 outlook on Tuesday after the market closed. The Greenwich, Connecticut-based company cited increased interest from e-commerce and reverse logistics companies as a reason. GXO (NYSE: GXO) reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 57 cents. The result was 2 cents higher year over year and 1 cent ahead of the consensus estimate. (Adjusted results exclude nonrecurring acquisition and restructuring expenses, among other items.) Adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization of $212 million was 13% higher y/y. GXO inked $307 million in new deals during the second quarter, pushing total business wins to $535 million in the first half of 2025. The companys pipeline was $2.4 billion at the end of the period, a modest step down from $2.5 billion at the end of the first quarter, however it continues to convert the pipeline into revenue. (The pipeline excludes any contribution from the Wincanton acquisition, which was cleared by the UK Competition and Markets Authority in June.) Management described the pipeline on a Wednesday call with analysts as more diverse than ever before, and noted it contains more warehouse automation opportunities than in the past. It said many of its new wins in the e-commerce space include the use of AI inventory replenishment tools. Consolidated revenue of $3.3 billion was 16% higher y/y and ahead of the consensus estimate of $3.1 billion. The bulk of the growth was tied to recent acquisitions. Organic revenue grew by 6% in the quarter. GXO reiterated its full-year 2025 outlook for organic revenue growth of 3.5% to 6.5% and adjusted EPS of $2.43 to $2.63. (The consensus EPS estimate was $2.50 at the time of the print.) It raised adjusted EBITDA guidance by $5 million to a new range of $865 million to $885 million. This was the second increase to the EBITDA outlook since it released first-quarter results in May. Were seeing customers really preparing in earnest for what will be a good holiday season, said GXO CEO Malcolm Wilson on the call. He said the recent activity provides a strong level of confidence in delivering the full-year organic outlooks. He also said that the company is set up well for 2026 given the recent business wins, noting it will enter a new year with more incremental revenue booked than ever before. Wilson admitted the management team has a reputation for being prudent with guidance. While acknowledging several opportunities to outperform the new guide, he said a level of conservatism is warranted given market uncertainties and the companys upcoming executive leadership transition. Gardai are investigating a reported attack on a child in Waterford City. The alleged assault is understood to have occurred on Monday evening, August 6. According to the Irish Daily Star, the little girl was playing outside her home with her friends in Kilbarry when several boys, aged between 12 and 14 began shouting racist slurs at her, twisted her hair and punched her neck. One boy is said to have pushed a bicycle wheel into her. The child, born and raised in Waterford, was told to 'go back to India'. The incident has deeply disturbed her, her friends and her family, who have been living and working in Ireland for nearly a decade. Rise in racist attacks In the past month there have been a number of attacks against people of Indian descent. In Dublin, two men were attacked in separate incidents. One man, a taxi driver, was attacked by two young men with a bottle and told 'go back to your own country'. In Tallaght, a tech worker was stripped and assaulted by a gang of men after being falsely accused of impropriety. These racist attacks have prompted the Ireland India Council to wrote to the Minister of Justice Jim Callaghan and Tanaiste Simon Harris to raise awareness of the uptick in attacks. The Council have called for urgent action against these incidents by establishing a taskforce on hate crime and youth violence. They have requested legislation to hold parents responsible both financially and criminally for repeated violent actions of minors in their care. Worry in community Waterford News and Star spoke to Senthil Ramaswamy, founder of Waterford Tamil Sangam and a member in the Waterford New Communities Network, about the incidents. Senthil said that tensions 'were high' and that there was a lack of communication with the figures in government over these attacks: "This has been happening and we've had no reply." Senthil worried that these incidents could scare people away from visiting Ireland, whether to visit or to live and work, for fear of being targeted. The Embassy of India recently issued a statement warning people of Indian descent to take 'reasonable precautions for their personal safety' and to 'avoid deserted areas, especially in odd hours.' By Jonathan McCambridge, PA An Irish woman has been found dead on board a boat at a yacht club on Long Island in New York. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, who lived in Manhattan, was discovered unconscious on the boat at Montauk Yacht Club in the early hours of Tuesday. She was later pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services. A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on her body by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. The Department of Foreign Affairs has said it is aware of the case and is providing consular assistance. Ms Nolan-OSlattara, originally from Carlow, was the founder of fashion brand East x East. A statement from Suffolk County Police Department said detectives are investigating. It said: East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12am. Good samaritans attempted to perform CPR on the woman. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan, was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Vlassakis told police in a confidential interview that Bunting and Wagner took a sliver of flesh from Johnsons right thigh, heated a frying pan, cooked the flesh and ate it. Youde was 21 and asleep at home when Vlassakis, Bunting and Wagner hit him with planks and jack handles. They dragged Youde to the bathroom, handcuffed and gagged him, and squeezed his toes with pliers. Wagner stood on Youdes chest to ensure he was dead after he was strangled. Before his death, Youde was forced to apologise for sexually abusing Vlassakis when Vlassakis was 13. Vlassakis, the youngest of the perpetrators, provided testimony in exchange for a lesser sentence. He confessed to four murders in 2001, including that of Johnson and Youde, and became a key witness for the Crown, which helped convict Bunting and Wagner of 11 and 10 murders respectively. A high level of secrecy has accompanied his imprisonment, and the location of where in South Australia he was jailed has never been revealed. A police officer carrying a body bag enters the excavation site at the rear of a Housing Trust home at Salisbury North as part of the Snowtown murders investigation in 1999. Credit: Bryan Charlton How did James Vlassakis get parole? Although Vlassakis was sentenced to life, he was given a non-parole period of 26 years because he assisted authorities and was a key witness for the Crown against Bunting and Wagner. Loading The South Australian Parole Board announced its decision to grant Vlassakis parole request on Tuesday afternoon at its monthly meeting, with the boards chair Frances Nelson KC saying she believed Vlassakis was a suitable candidate for parole and was genuinely remorseful. Weve had a look at the legislative criteria and, in our view, he meets the criteria, Nelson said. We have to look at whether or not he presents a risk to the community and in our assessment he does not. His institutional behaviour has been excellent. Nelson said on Tuesday that Vlassakis has done it hard in prison because he provided evidence against his accomplices, and that Vlassakis had spent his formative adult years in a very structured environment. As of Tuesday afternoon, Nelson said, Vlassakis had not been informed of the South Australian Parole Boards decision. South Australias Commissioner for Victims Rights, Sarah Quick, first needed to contact the victims. Who else was involved in the Snowtown murders? Several perpetrators were involved in the murders, with Bunting, 58, found to be the ringleader. Both Bunting and Wagner, 53, are serving life sentences without possibility of parole. Nelson said in 2024 that Bunting and Wagner were obviously very unpleasant people and had not shown any shame for their crimes. I dont get the impression that either of them is particularly remorseful for what they did, Nelson said at the time. Vlassakis mother, Elizabeth Harvey, knew about the murders, and assisted one of them with Buntings encouragement. Wagner and Harvey, with Bunting present, strangled 26-year-old Ray Davies, who lived in a caravan in the backyard of fellow victim Suzanne Allen, who was Buntings ex-girlfriend. Allens grandsons alleged Davies had made sexual advances towards them, which saw Davies and Allens sexual relationship come to an end, though the two remained friends. Harvey died from cancer in 2001. Accomplice Mark Ray Haydon, 66, was released into the community last year after serving a 25-year sentence. He had been convicted for helping cover up the deaths of seven victims, though he was not found guilty of any of the murders. Haydons wife, 37-year-old Elizabeth Haydon, was killed by Bunting and Wagner in November 1998. Elizabeth Haydons sister, Jodie Elliott, was engaged to Bunting, and pretended to be Allen to receive her social security income. Elliotts 18-year-old son, Frederick Brooks, was tortured and killed by Vlassakis, Wagner and Bunting in September 1998. Brooks voice had been recorded on tape to help cover up his disappearance. Officers remove items from a former bank building at Snowtown in May 1999. Credit: Bryan Charlton What has been the reaction from Snowtown victims families? Quick said on Tuesday that the parole boards decision to grant Vlassakis request would understandably bring fresh pain and anger for friends and family of the victims, who she said have already suffered beyond measure. These individuals are not only worn down by their trauma, but also by the ongoing criminal justice processes, Quick said. The prospect of Mr Vlassakis re-entering the community is a difficult reality for the victims and will require a significant emotional adjustment, adding to an already unbearable burden. We must never forget that for the friends, family and loved ones of murder victims the impact of the killing does not end simply because a prison term has ended. It is something they live with every day for the rest of their lives. Loading Nelson, meanwhile, said she was sure the victims loved ones would feel Vlassakis had been insufficiently punished, noting its quite common for victims to feel that way, but thats not our role. Sentencing and punishment is a matter for a judge, not for a parole board, and the legislation prevents us from imposing our own view on sentence, so our role is simply to assess whether he fulfils the legislative criteria for parole, Nelson said. Ray Davies sister, Karen Davies, opposed Vlassakis release, saying, per 9News: No. I dont think he deserves to come out. I cant see my brother again, so why is it fair for him to come out and live his life as if nothings happened? Ronald Lane, the nephew of victim Vanessa Lane (formerly Barry Lane), told the ABC in May that Vlassakis parole bid was a slap in the face. I really disagree with it, the matter of fact that hes done a lot of murders, Lane said shortly after Vlassakis release was publicly confirmed. I find it very disturbing and very uncomfortable I dont think its going to be safe for everyone here. Lane also said he felt shaken when Haydon was released into the community in 2024, and does not feel safe going out in public as a result. What happens now? Nelson said on Tuesday that Vlassakis will be moved to a pre-release centre in Adelaide for up to 12 months provided there is no request to review our decision. Loading There is a 60-day period which would enable either the attorney-general or the commissioner for victims rights or the police commissioner to apply for a review, Nelson said. She said Vlassakis has family support but will need a period of reintegration and re-socialisation and that will take some time. A suppression order on images of Vlassakis, now in his mid-40s, remains in effect. Nelson said Vlassakis would need the chief of the Department of Correctional Services permission to change his name, of which she said: I very much doubt he would get that permission. Western Australias top police officer has called for a ban on the import of high-powered electric scooters following the death of a Perth father who was struck by one of the vehicles. Police Commissioner Col Blanch made the comments during a parliamentary committee hearing on Wednesday, convened after the death of Thanh Phan, who was hit from behind by an e-scooter in Perths CBD on May 31 and died three days later. Perth has suspended e-scooter hire after 51-year-old pedestrian Thanh Phan was killed on May 31. British backpacker Alicia Kemp has been charged with dangerous driving occasioning death and dangerous driving occasioning bodily harm, both while under the influence of alcohol. Kemp has not entered a plea and has been refused bail. She will reappear in court next week. In WA, e-rideables such as electric scooters and skateboards are legally allowed to travel up to 10km/h on footpaths and 25km/h on bike paths and shared paths. We came across a bullish thesis on Hims & Hers Health, Inc. on The Musings of Ozzs substack by Christopher De Ozz. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on HIMS. Hims & Hers Health, Inc.'s share was trading at $58.68 as of July 28th. HIMSs trailing and forward P/E were 86.29 and 97.09, respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Hims (HIMS) Jumps 8.6% as Firm Still Open to Work With Novo A nurse in a telehealth platform talking with a patient on video call for consultation. Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS), a telehealth and wellness platform, has quietly surged over 60% year-to-date, driven by strong Q1 performance, expanded GLP-1 weight-loss offerings, and a broadened digital health ecosystem. Founded in 2017, the company began with discreet mens health products but now spans mental health, skincare, primary care, and womens wellness under its Hims and Hers brands. Its model of low-friction telehealth consults and vertically integrated fulfillment continues to resonate, and a personalized health dashboard reinforces its pivot toward a full-service health platform. Yet, speculative fervor has mixed with fundamentals: short interest exceeds 30% of float, bullish options activity is climbing, and social media buzz hints at a meme-stock setup. Bulls highlight HIMSs 20% projected sales growth, superior gross margins, and efficient customer acquisition, arguing its ~5x forward revenue multiple undervalues it relative to peers like Teladoc. However, recent turbulence complicates the story. Novo Nordisk terminated its partnership over alleged knockoff Wegovy sales, triggering a 34% share drop, and HIMS now faces securities fraud lawsuits and congressional scrutiny over compounded semaglutide. Insider selling, largely through 10b5-1 plans, has further fueled skepticism. Despite controversy, expansion plans into Canada (2026) and Europe via ZAVA support its long-term ambitions. With an August 4 earnings call approaching, investors face a narrative blending solid fundamentals with a speculative squeeze dynamic. For some, the setup offers asymmetric upside if sentiment turns, but the path forward hinges on HIMS proving it can scale profitably and outgrow its meme-stock image amid mounting regulatory and competitive pressures. Previously, we covered a bullish thesis on Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (HIMS) by Oliver | MMMT Wealth in May 2025, highlighting its breakout quarter with triple-digit growth, rising personalized offerings, and disciplined execution. The stock appreciated about 12% as momentum continued. Christopher De Ozz shares a similar view but emphasizes meme-stock dynamics, regulatory scrutiny, and short interest shaping near-term price action. As part of the WCO Women in Customs series, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Felicia Dadeboe Azuma, Assistant Commissioner and Sector Commander within the Customs Division of the Ghana Revenue Authority. A woman of vibrant energy and determination, Felicia revitalized underperforming sectors, led policy reforms, and drove revenue growth. Read on to discover her story. WCO: Felicia, where do you come from and how did you find yourself in Customs? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I am a proud Ghanaian from a town called Ada in the Greater Accra region. I entered Customs in 1992 as a Junior Collection Assistant, charged with supporting examination officers in inspecting imported goods. I heard about Customs through a cousin who had come to live with my family because he had been employed by Customs and had to do his training in Accra. In the evening, he would tell us about his training and what he had learned. I had been working as a secretary for a private firm for some time and was thinking about what to do next. He told me that the administration was recruiting junior officers through an examination. So, I followed his path: I took the exam, went for training, and started working. I must tell you that I had met Customs officers before in other circumstances. When I was a child, I remember that people wearing uniforms visited my parents home regularly to conduct searches. My parents were traders. They were hardworking and entrepreneurial but did not always follow the law. A bulk of goods used to appear in our home and then disappear. It was a mix of general goods, fabrics, and cigarettes, bought in Togo or Benin and smuggled into Ghana by boat. My parents were moving this cargo from one house to another, sometimes several times a day, to hide it from Customs. WCO: How did your parents react to your decision to join Customs? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: Thankfully, I did not have to choose between my family and my job. At the time I entered the administration, my dad had passed away, and my mother was no longer involved in smuggling activities. She couldn't believe it when I told her I wanted to become a Customs officer. WCO: How did you develop your career? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I started working at the Tema Port as an examination assistant. In 1999, I took a study leave and enrolled in the University of Ghana. After three years, I graduated with a Bachelor of Laws. When I got back to work, I passed the examination to become Assistant Collector and worked at the airport, where I oversaw the examination, authorization, and inspection of imported goods, ensuring compliance with regulations and accurate record-keeping. At the same time, I was studying at the Ghana School of Law and earned my law degree in 2004. From then on, I climbed the career ladder. I first occupied several positions in Tema and was then appointed as Sector Commander of the Ho collection district, not very far from Accra, close to Togo. I stayed there for four years and was able to raise the amount of revenue collected. My team and I exceeded the set target by an unprecedented margin in 2022 and nearly achieved the same success in 2024. In 2024, I was put in charge of the Sunyani collection district, which was trailing in its revenue mobilization efforts by 51.76%. We worked hard, and in six months, we were able to get the service back on its feet. We closed 2024 with a positive revenue collection growth of 21.13%. Since a few weeks now, I have moved to another collection district and have yet to discover what the specificities of trade flows in this region are and the challenges in terms of revenue collection and trade facilitation. WCO: How do you explain these successes? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I am highly disciplined and strict. I am also deeply motivated by what I do, which is serving my country. I have learned to mobilize staff so that they work better and give them a sense of purpose in their work. I have acquired a reputation, and I have seen that my presence alone has made a difference. Some teams that were not meeting their monthly targets exceeded their targets by 10% the first month after I took office. When I arrive at a new collection district, I also engage with the local business community. For example, I ask to be invited by radio stations to discuss Customs issues, or I meet with traders at marketplaces to explain their civic rights and obligations. They often dislike Customs because they don't understand the purpose of the laws. I explain to them why and when they should pay duties. For example, small traders do not have to pay duties if they bring in 10 bags of rice across the border, but they do if they exceed their quota. Land borders are porous, so I also cultivate contacts with police officers and other actors at the borders and checkpoints who can provide me with useful information on suspicious movements of people and goods. If they think a vehicle should be checked, for example, they simply give me a call. WCO: What does a normal day consist of? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I exercise every morning. Then I usually go to my office. I am in charge of seven border posts, which I regularly visit. During my spare time, I cook, attend choir practice when possible, and play the piano. WCO: What about your family life? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I got married and had two kids, a boy and a girl. They are adults now. My husband worked in the United States, but my family was here to support me. In Ghana, we are accustomed to relying on our extended family when help is needed. My mother came to live with me and the kids, and we brought in two cousins who wanted to come to Accra. So, I had mostly quality time with my children when I came back from work. WCO: Did you encounter any obstacles as a woman? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: Ghana has changed a lot when it comes to the place of women in society, and so has the Customs administration. When I started, we were only a few women passing the examination. It was a male-dominated environment, but it was the case for many institutions and businesses back then. I think some men were surprised or annoyed when women started speaking at meetings. Some roles were not assigned to women, especially at the borders. Men assumed that women would get pregnant and would have to leave early if their child was sick. Early in my career, I worked at the Kotoka International Airport, and the women working there had established a Ladies Club. It was dormant when I arrived, and I was asked to take the presidency of the club and revive it. We organized meetings to discuss the issues women were facing, offer career advice, and motivate them to take advantage of educational opportunities. We also organized getaways and trips. With time, Ghana society changed. Women were given various roles, with more and more responsibilities, and they excelled. Today, Ghana has a woman as Vice-president. At the Ghana Revenue Authority, several high-level positions are occupied by women, such as human resources, ethics, and good governance. Not long ago, a large majority of assistant commissioners were women. Unfortunately, several of them have recently retired. I am deeply proud to have been part of the transformation that has led to the implementation of gender-sensitive policies, confidential reporting channels, and a more inclusive workplace for women in the Ghana Customs Service. Witnessing this shift and contributing to the empowerment of women in our institution has been one of the most fulfilling aspects of my career. WCO: Can you tell us about a project you are most particularly proud of? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: Not so long ago, I was asked to lead the Penalty Discipline Project, which aims at aligning Ghana Customs code on penalties with Article 6.3 of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement. The article states that Penalties imposed for legal or administrative breaches must be fairly grounded on objective facts and must be commensurate with the severity of the infringement. Its objective is to reduce the arbitrary imposition of penalties and avoid any conflict of interest in their assessment and collection." In Ghana, the Commissioner had decided to impose the same level of penalty for all breaches at a rate of 300% to prevent Customs officers from making discretionary decisions. The problem was that many trade operators started to complain, and letters of mitigation piled up on the Commissioner's desk. The team categorized the various customs offenses and listed the percentages to be imposed for each of them based on their magnitude. The system was accepted by the Commissioner and is now applied throughout the country. WCO: What advice do you give to young professionals and women in particular? Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: I encourage young professionals - especially women - to believe in themselves. I tell them that with determination and focus, they can achieve whatever they set their minds to, just as I did. I tell them that people may try to bring them down or make assumptions about their capabilities, but that they must keep their heads up and never let that deter them from their path. WCO: Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts with us. Felicia Dadeboe Azuma: Thank you once again for the opportunity to share my story. I hope it inspires others to rise above their circumstances and embrace their potential. This story was originally published on Fashion Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Fashion Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Hugo Boss reported group sales of 1 billion euros ($1.15 billion) for the second quarter, representing a 1% decrease year over year, according to a Tuesday earnings release. By brand, Hugo saw the largest drop, with sales declining 14%. Boss womenswear fell 10%, while Boss menswear grew 2%. The Germany-based fashion house saw decreases in each region it operates, with the exception of the combined region of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, which grew by 2%. The Americas declined by 6% and the Asia Pacific region decreased by 8%. Dive Insight: Hugo Boss said its second quarter saw noticeably dampened consumer sentiment, which it attributed to macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. It also said that muted consumer confidence and light store traffic particularly had an impact on sales in China. By sales segment, the companys licensing business saw a 9% decrease. Hugo Boss attributed this decline to a tough prior-year comparison, which benefited from an eyewear contract renewal. The fashion houses brick-and-mortar retail business decreased 4%, while brick-and-mortar wholesale was flat. Meanwhile, its digital business grew 5%. Boss menswears 2% growth was strengthened by heightened consumer engagement and sell-through rates for the first Beckham X Boss collection, codesigned by David Beckham. Meanwhile, Hugo Boss said it was taking proactive steps to help the long-term performance of Boss womenswear and the Hugo brand, including streamlining product assortment and refining sales activities. Importantly, we remain committed to our long-term ambition of strengthening brand relevance over short-term gains, CEO Daniel Grieder said in the release. For the second half of the year, the company plans to create cost efficiency and work on brand relevance. It expects to make profitable improvements for the rest of the fiscal year. In terms of sourcing, Hugo Boss said it has taken preventative measures to keep up with changing tariff policies, including increasing inventory coverage in the U.S. and rerouting products from China to other regions. Last quarter, Yanmei Tang, analyst at Third Bridge, said Hugo Boss appeared to be well positioned against tariff pressures, with more than 50% of its production in Europe and another 20% in Turkey. Hugo Boss continues to expect group sales of between 4.2 billion and 4.4 billion euros for the full year. The third reason was China. They are ahead of us between five and eight years when it comes to how they behave in digital world. They're ahead of the world. We looked at China, and we said that let's build something that works for Western markets. The second reason for the pivot was video. Today, 82% of all IP traffic in the world is video; the majority of what we do all day long is spend time watching videos of all sorts watching news, talking to our loved ones, sitting in meetings, watching YouTube, and much social media is video content, of course. Based on that, we thought that if the Internet is becoming video, then commerce will, over time, adapt and become video also. Today though, if you look at e-commerce, it's very, very static. It's not video first at all. We decided that e-commerce was where we want to be, ensuring that how you present your product can be more educational, inspirational, immersive, and fun. We decided to pivot into live shopping because of three things. The first one was e-commerce. It had been static for 25 to 30 years. To begin, it was a picture, some text and a buy button. Then everything evolved to include shipments tracking, payments, peer recommendations and so on. Maryam Ghahremani (MG): The company started in 2007, and it was the first company in the world to do a live stream from a mobile phone. This was before the iPhone was launched. They did the first live stream with a Nokia phone with no screen. The company really pioneered mobile live streaming since the early days. A lot of journalists were using the app to stream news from the field directly into the news desk. We spoke to Maryam Ghahremani, CEO, Bambuser, and Pontus Lamberg, digital marketing manager at Audi Sweden, to learn more about the benefits of such new sales platforms. OEMs such as Audi have adapted to this new way of selling by partnering with video commerce platform specialist, Bambuser. Since the partnership Audi has launched twenty new vehicles via shoppable video, and says it has seen an increase in customer interest and engagement. Some industry experts predict up to 42% of sales will be online by 2026, growing to 56% by 2030. Alongside this 83% of buyers wish they could shop for cars online, 75% say video has influenced a purchase and 29% says they would now buy their next car entirely online. The traditional way to purchase a car - going to a showroom, speaking to the sales representative and running the rule over a showroom demo - is being challenged, especially by younger consumers. As social media and e-commerce grows, the attraction of buying a vehicle online, skipping a large portion of the in-person sales journey, has become appealing to a wide range of buyers. Story Continues How did the company start working with automotive clients? Today we have Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and we are in discussions with a lot of the other big OEMs. MG: Tesla opened the door to selling cars digitally. They opened the digital space for automotive. For us it started with Hyundai who were our first client within automotive in the US. They run a lot of live shows; they run around 10-20 shows a week. They've been doing it for the past four years. It's the dealers that run the shows across the US market, and they use the live or pre-recorded solutions. Today we have Mercedes, Audi, Volvo, and we are in discussions with a lot of the other big OEMs. I think this format is going to be a staple in the next two to three years. How is Audi utilising Bambuser to reach their target audience? When Audi did the live stream launch for the Q6, you could see that they had more test drives booked, viewers stayed longer, the engagement was boosted. The live event can still be streamed on the website, theyre still picking up interest, and seeing a lot of engagements. With e-commerce you create assets and you can keep them up on your website for a while and they continue to generate interest afterwards. They really wanted to have a channel that could help them to reach a younger audience. A lot of automotive companies want to know how they can get to a more digitalized customer journey. I think those were the two biggest things; they wanted to have a new, fresh take on the digital customer experience/journey, but also, work out how to reach the younger audience. Audi is launching over twenty new models, and they wanted to showcase all those models via livestreams, and we can help with that. Retail today really needs to rethink the customer experience. The customer experience needs to be tailored, and personalised. It needs to be a wow experience, and I think you can tailor it with adding more digital touch points, make it a wow journey. Looking at automotive, it's so old school which I think means they lose out on a lot of sales, because the younger generation are very different in their expectations. Pontus Lamberg (PL): Audi Sweden is expanding digital platforms like Audi Live. Retail partners in Sweden are being trained to integrate these tools, ensuring a smooth transition from digital to physical. Dealers are also encouraged to localise content on their websites. Audi Sweden saw a rise in Swedish EV sales in Q1 2025, aligning with global trends. With new EV and plug-in hybrid models coming, Audi aims to meet growing demand and strengthen its market position in Sweden. What are the main benefits of video commerce platforms for automotive? MG: If you look at automotive compared to the other industries, the only thing that's more expensive is buying real estate or a property. I would class automotive as luxury because it's very expensive. It's not a quick add to cart and checkout. It is a complex product, it's very technical, a lot of the standards need to be high on the sell end; you can't just put anyone in front of a camera. You need to have education about what you're selling and the workflows with cameras. When we look at why are automotive using this channel to sell, I think they're looking at the younger generation. Looking at Gen Z, it's the richest generation ever, and in 2028 a lot of that wealth will be inherited, but they're also making a lot of money. We predict that Gen Z is going to be the richest generation after silver spenders. . Looking at Gen Z, it's the richest generation ever, and in 2028 a lot of that wealth will be inherited, but they're also making a lot of money. Their behaviour is very different to a silver spender or a millennial. They spend an average of three times more time daily watching video, compared to a traditional web format, like a website. If you have social commerce or live streaming for your brand, you can get them to stay on your website three times longer than coming in and going out. That three times longer buys you a lot of time to educate, inspire, and create a relationship. I think what makes this channel really strong is thinking: how can I get them into my customer relationship management (CRM) to be able to create that relationship. What we can see with that generation is that they are very social media friendly. They love social media formats, which is short form videos, very snappy, very short form. Their attention span is short. If you want to reach them, having a flat website with picture and text won't do it. You really need to go a bit further, I'd say, above and beyond, to create something that will catch their attention and keep it. A lot of aspiration and inspiration today happens on social media. If they land on your website from a YouTube clip or a TikTok reel, how do you pick them up in the same mode, which is a short-form video, where they can watch, endlessly scroll, ask questions, book a test drive? Its not just video, it needs to be interactive, engaging. Either it needs to be highly educational or very inspiring and fun. We see around 23% higher engagement when they land on a video rather than just landing on a page that's static. With the younger generation, what we're seeing is that they're quite comfortable with this; they don't want to drive for 45 minutes to come out and look at a car. It works better for them to do the first part digital, but the last part, (which is driving the car), in person. PL: The benefits of shoppable video are significant for both Swedish customers and Audi Sweden. For customers, it offers the convenience of accessing detailed product information anytime, along with clearer explanations of complex features, which helps build confidence in their purchasing decisions. For Audi Sweden, it results in better-informed leads, ensures consistent brand messaging across channels, and enables the brand to reach a broader audience that prefers digital-first experiences. Shoppable videos blend inspiration, information, and interaction, letting users explore features and take action in one seamless experience boosting engagement and speeding up decision-making Do you see solutions such as this continuing to grow in popularity in the future? MG: If you look three to five years ahead, I think this is going to be a commodity. I think that it's the purchase funnel, and the customer experience together, they go hand in hand. The automotive industry, for example, is much more aware of environmental sustainability - all those things that are elements that are hard to explain in text - but you can do that in a video for 30 seconds. You can explain why you're a sustainable company, and how youre a sustainable brand within this industry. Saying it with picture and text is going to be super tough. Customers are looking for that authenticity - they want storytelling about someone that's in love with your brand. I think tailoring it, and having this nice journey and having the blend of both is going to be critical. I think around 2027, 2028 is going to be a turning point, because that's when we see Gen Z being the ones with the power. I think that's where the brands are going to hurt financially if they don't convert into that experience. PL: Online sales are growing but wont replace dealerships. Instead, they complement them. Audi Sweden is building a seamless experience across digital and physical channels, giving customers flexibility while preserving the value of in-person interactions. "Item has been added to cart: vehicle purchasing with shoppable video" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. River Island is struggling under the burden of rents - Maureen McLean/Alamy Live News A High Court judge is set to decide the fate of River Island this week after the retailers radical rescue plan failed to secure sufficient support from landlords and lenders. River Island is seeking to close 33 stores, cut rents on a further 71 shops and write off a series of debts, including business rates to councils, to get itself out of severe financial distress. The retailer has warned it will essentially run out of money by the end of the month if unable to back out of those payments, as previously revealed by The Telegraph. Around 80pc of River Islands creditors by value chose to support its plan, drawn up by advisers at PwC, during a vote held last Friday. It needed approval from at least three quarters of creditors to unlock an emergency loan from its own founders, the billionaire Lewis family. However, the company did not secure 75pc of the vote in every individual class of creditor, with some landlords resisting the plans. There are 10 creditor categories, ranging from councils owed business rates to landlords. Store owners include British Land, the Crown Estate and Mike Ashleys Frasers Group. Of the stores in the plan that River Island is not proposing to close, the company is aiming for three-year rent cuts of between 75pc and 25pc. The owners of 24 shops are asked to accept zero rental payments. The plan will be put before the High Court on Thursday for a formal decision on whether to approve the restructuring. A spokesman for River Island said: River Island circulated its proposals for a restructuring plan to creditors on June 20. In combination with the companys ongoing transformation strategy, the plan is a proactive measure to place the company on a firm footing. We have been having positive conversations with key stakeholders and are confident that we will achieve approval of the plan in the coming days. River Island employs 5,300 staff in around 230 stores and another 950 at its headquarters in Hanger Lane, West London. It blamed its liquidity crisis on a sharp rise in the cost of doing business over the last few years and the shift to online shopping, burdening it with a large portfolio of stores that is no longer aligned to our customers needs. Some landlords have expressed frustration at the fact that they face financial pain as a result of what they claim is the retailers mismanagement. This is family-run, theyve just overstretched, and its unfair that the landlords will struggle because they havent maintained their relevance, one landlord, whose stores are unaffected, previously told The Telegraph. 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. Khosla argued that even disciplines like computer science are valuable less for programming expertise (which AI increasingly handles) and more for the process of thinking and understanding systems and architectures they impart. The ultimate goal for a young individual, he suggests, is to choose a path where your knowledge compounds and your capability compounds over time, mirroring the principle of financial compounding in knowledge acquisition. For a 22-year-old wondering where to focus their efforts, Khoslas advice is clear: You have to optimize your career for flexibility, not a single profession. He emphasized that the value of learning lies not in mastering one specific trade like welding, finance, or even accounting, but in cultivating the ability to learn in its own right. He claimed that at 70 years old, he is learning at a much faster pace than ever before, and every young person should strive for this capability. This includes thinking from first principles and jumping into diverse fields, whether physics, biology, or finance, because AI tools will facilitate the rapid acquisition of new knowledge. Looking 10 to 15 years out, Khosla said, he believes theres no chance theres a job that humans do that AI cant do almost as well. He allowed for some minor exceptions and said even heart or brain surgery an AI should theoretically be able to perform to a high level, although regulation may not allow it. This rapid pace of change, faster than the world has seen in the past 50 years, demands a radical shift in how young people approach their careers, he argued. The Sun Microsystems cofounder, known for his contrarian views and unwavering certainty in technological possibilities, painted a future where artificial intelligence (AI) will fundamentally transform the job market. He asserted that there isnt a job where AI wont be able to do 80% of 80% of all jobs within the next three to five years. He explained that the vast majority of all job functions will be replicable by AI, hence the 80% of 80% estimate. It recalled Sam Altmans claim that AI will result in intelligence too cheap to meter. In a candid and far-reaching discussion on Nikhil Kamaths YouTube channel , legendary venture capitalist Vinod Khosla , one of Fortunes most powerful people in business, delivered some advice for Gen Z. It could be seen as a stark warning or as simple pragmatism: The single most important skill for young workers at this moment is not specialization, but the ability to learn rapidly and adapt continuously. His reasoning is simple yet profound: ChatGPT can teach you any new areas, rendering traditional academic paths and fixed skill sets increasingly obsolete. The title of the episode was more blunt: College Degrees Are Becoming Useless . Story Continues The quality of the entrepreneur For aspiring entrepreneurs, Khosla advises a strategic focus, since he believes that anybody in any industry not using AI will be rendered obsolete by somebody who is using the tool. While AI may democratize technology, he said, success will hinge on the innate quality of the entrepreneurtheir ability to think strategically, envision long-term goals, select the right teams, and wisely choose who to trust for advice. Khosla believes the current shortage is not of technology or capital, but of great entrepreneurs who know how to make these choices. Beyond individual careers, Khosla and Kamath talked about the wider implications of AI on the economy. Khosla said it should drive down the cost of many things, acting as a deflationary force on many services, and he envisioned an AI-powered utopian future where services like education, medical expertise, and legal advice become almost free. He speculated that in 20 to 25 years, $10,000 might buy more goods and services than $50,000 does today, thanks to the deflationary impact of machines providing abundant services. The career path open to Gen Z Khosla is far from the only thought leader weighing in on the employment prospects for Gen Z in the age of AI. Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have engaged in an ever-more-heated war of words over the formers doomsday prediction that 50% of all white-collar jobs will be wiped out. Geoffrey Hinton, the godfather of AI, has largely agreed with Amodei, saying that only the very skilled will remain employed. Huang and Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell have largely agreed with Khosla, arguing that creativity and constant learning will create new jobs for the economy in a virtuous cycle. Goldman Sachs chief economist Jan Hatzius has looked at the data and echoed Khoslas argument that college degrees are losing value, finding that the safety premium of a college degree is disappearing. Berkeley economist Brad DeLong agrees that the college degree is losing its status but casts the blame away from AI and toward the policy uncertainty plaguing the economy, arguing that many Gen Z college graduates are going unhired because conditions are just too risky for most companies. Goldman seems to agree with DeLong, finding in July that AI was overhyped as a reason for most corporate layoffs. Meanwhile, the Federal Reserve isnt completely sold on the revolutionary prospects of AI, arguing that it may be a revolutionary invention like the electric dynamo, but may end up being a one-off boost to productivity, like the light bulb. Gen Z, for its part, seems to be craving more human connection. Starbucks recently announced it would sunset its mobile-only locations, thought to be more appealing to Gen Z and a desire for frictionless experience, in favor of a renewed emphasis on hospitality and human-to-human connection. The generation has been weathering criticism of late that they lack the social skills necessary for success, with the stereotypical Gen Z stare at the center of the conversation. Careers site Glassdoor, for its part, has punctured the myth of conscious unbossing by Gen Zers, finding that they are becoming managers at exactly the same historical rate as any other generation, AI notwithstanding. Ultimately, Khoslas message for the next generation is one of relentless pursuit of learning and adaptability. In a world rapidly being reshaped by AI, the ability to continuously reinvent oneself and embrace new knowledge may be the ultimate differentiator for survival and success. The human capacity to learn new things, after all, is endless. For this story, Fortune used generative AI to help with an initial draft. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing. This story was originally featured on Fortune.com Tom Tuite A 23-year-old man charged over the stabbing of a Garda on a Dublin street last week has agreed to stay in prison for another four weeks pending directions from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP). Abdullah Khan replied "sound" in Cloverhill District Court on Wednesday when told that his next hearing was set for September 3rd and that he was going to have a further consultation with his legal team. Mr Khan, with an address in north Dublin that cannot be reported by court order, was arrested at the scene following an incident at around 6pm on Capel Street in the city's north side on July 29th. He appeared before Judge Patricia Cronin on Wednesday for his second court appearance, having been held in custody with no bail application on July 31st. Appearing via video link, seated and wearing a grey sweatshirt, he confirmed to his solicitor Katie Dowling that he consented to being further remanded in custody pending the DPP's decision on the case. He initially said, "That's all right," "Yeah, yeah," and "Thank you" when his case was called early and put to second calling. When it resumed, he spoke up to give his surname and confirmed to his solicitor, Katie Dowling, "I can hear you". It was explained to him that the matter was listed for mention, and he answered, "Yeah". Judge Cronin noted the DPP's directions were not yet available. Detective Sergeant Liam McLaughlin, of the Bridewell Station, informed the court that he was applying for a four-week remand if there was consent. During later exchanges with Ms Dowling, Mr Khan was informed that the directions were not available and he was entitled to apply for bail at any stage. The defence solicitor also explained that the State was asking for another four weeks for those directions, and he could consent to a two-week adjournment, but it was unlikely that they would be available. Or, she said that he could agree to a four-week adjournment. "On consent to the four weeks," he replied. Judge Cronin remanded him in continuing custody, noting that a video link appearance was acceptable on the next date. At the end of the hearing, his solicitor advised him that he had a video link consultation arranged for that night, adding, "we will be able to discuss the matter in more detail at that stage", to which Mr Khan replied, "Sound". Ms Dowling also advised him that if he wished to apply for bail, he could do so at any time once gardai have been notified in advance. The injured garda, a young probationary member of the force who was on high-visibility patrol with a colleague, received hospital treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. The accused man is charged with assault causing harm to the officer and the production of a Tactix knife capable of causing serious injury. He has yet to indicate a plea to the charges, which are under section 3 of the Non-Fatal Offences Against the Person Act and section 11 of the Firearms and Offensive Weapons Act. At the first court appearance on Thursday, the defence secured reporting restrictions on the publication of Mr Khan's address, due to "concerns around safety", which was confirmed by Detective Sergeant McLaughlin. Medical attention in custody was also ordered, and legal aid was granted. A Mayo County Council delegation have returned from the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford following a fact-finding mission to determine the potential for Ballina to host the traditional music event. Ballina has been mooted as a host for the 2028 Fleadh. The Salmon Capital last staged the event in 1997 and 1998 and there is local appetite for the Fleadh to return to the banks of the Moy. Over 600,000 Fleadh-goers converge on Wexford town for the event generating an estimated 60 million to the local economy. The Fleadh will move to Belfast in 2026 and is hoped that Ballina could be the next location two years later. Head of Ballina, Municipal District Declan Turnbull was among the delegation which included Fleadh campaigner Eamonn Walsh. Mr Turnbull said the visit showed the benefits and challenges of bring the event to Ballina. The cost of running the event is estimated to be in the region of 1.9 millio We heard first hand what the challenges are and the benefits are, Mr Turnbull told the Western People. We knew it was a big event but I think we came to realise its even bigger than what we thought it was. It takes a lot of work and organisation to put the whole thing together, it takes a lot of finances, and a lot of other resources. You need so many venues for comnpetitons, spaces available for campsites and large dome tents. It is a very, very big event, he added. Mr Turnbull said they will consider all they have learned before making a potential bid. Its not just a council matter, Comhaltas, Gardai, the Civil Defence will all need to be involved in this. It cant be taken lightly, he commented. If Ballina does host the Fleadh it is likely to play host for a two-year period. Mr Turnbull said Ballina 2023 and the Joe Biden visit showed what Ballina can achieve. He said people at the Fleadh in Wexford were enthused by the prospect of bringing it back to Mayo. We are not saying we are definitely going to put a bid in but we think we could do it if all the logistics work out, he commented. Allentown developer Nat Hyman, who previously sued the city earlier this year over property maintenance issues along Jordan Creek, is now preparing a new lawsuit. He claims the citys failure to address homeless encampments in the area is causing serious pollution and violating multiple environmental laws. President Trump warned he could impose new tariffs and export limits on advanced technology and semiconductors in response to digital service taxes in other countries that he says unfairly target American tech firms. In a post to Truth Social late Monday, Trump argued the taxes are meant to hurt US companies while letting China's biggest tech players off the hook. "As the President of the United States, I will stand up to Countries that attack our incredible American Tech Companies," Trump wrote. Trump did not specify any countries in his post, but the European Union has employed various taxes and regulatory methods that Trump has said unfairly targets US tech giants. The EU defended its use of the measures on Tuesday. "Its the sovereign right of the EU and its member states to regulate our economic activities on our territory," a spokeswoman said. The new drama comes after the US and the EU established a written framework for the trade deal agreed to in late July. Also on Monday, Trump said a 15% tariff on imports from South Korea will hold despite President Lee Jae Myung's visit to Washington, D.C. The two countries struck a trade deal in July, allowing South Korea to avoid a stiffer 25% tariff, but tensions over the agreement have persisted, Bloomberg reported. Last week, Trump said that the US is investigating furniture imports and will impose a tariff on the products once the probe is complete. Meanwhile, US tariffs on imports from India are set to double to 50% on Wednesday, with no indications that the countries are moving toward any kind of deal. Also last week, Canada vowed to drop its retaliatory tariffs to match US tariff exemptions for goods covered under the US-Mexico-Canada trade pact. Earlier this month, Trump unveiled "reciprocal" tariffs on dozens of US trade partners (which you can see in the graphic below). Those tariffs face legal limbo in an appeals court case that could be decided within days. Justice Department lawyers and lawyers for a group of small business importers who are challenging the tariffs imposed under this authority argued their positions before the US Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit. If the court rules against the government, it's likely Trump would appeal to the Supreme Court. Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. LIVE 1748 updates Despite her outward markers of financial success homeownership, a $120K salary and consistent retirement contributions 33-year-old Erin finds herself at a pivotal moment in her financial journey. Her boyfriend wants to get married, but he earns far less, supports two kids via child support and has nothing saved for retirement. As a result, Erin wrestles with whether marriage was a smart idea and could offer her any financial upside. Don't miss The financial risks Erin has built solid foundations homeownership, retirement contributions and stable income. But marrying someone with little financial cushion introduces real vulnerability. If things go south and result in divorce or financial hardship, her assets may be split, or she may face support obligations depending on state laws. If you're in a similar situation to Erin, keep in mind that asset division in marriages without legal protection is governed by state law, which may not reflect each spouses contributions or intentions. A prenuptial agreement can help. It encourages transparency and communication about financial realities, which protects both you and your partner emotionally and legally, letting you each define ownership of premarital assets (like your home, and savings and retirement accounts), while setting rules for assets accrued during marriage. In Erin's case, her home and 401(k) would be designated as solely hers, and she could decide how much of her future income would be shared. This helps avoid uncertainty if the relationship ends. While there's some stigma behind prenups, know that they don't need to be seen as unromantic. Couples use prenups to start marriage on a foundation of honesty and mutual understanding, not assumptions. One survey found about 20% of U.S. couples had signed one. Beyond a prenup, consider consulting a certified financial planner (CFP) to structure asset protection strategies, such as keeping certain accounts separate, insuring significant property or using trusts for future gifts or estate planning. As with Erin, if children are involved in your case, seek advice from a family law attorney on how child support obligations or income disparity may affect marital finances. McDonald's (MCD) reported a return to sales growth in the second quarter on Wednesday as the fast food giant shook off the overhang from an E. coli outbreak late last year and economic uncertainty that weighed on consumers in the early part of 2025. The company reported global comparable sales or sales at restaurants in operation for more than one year jumped 3.8%, more than the expected 2.5% increase that had been forecast, according to Bloomberg data. US same-store sales jumped 2.5% in the company's fiscal second quarter, more than the 2.3% analysts had expected and a marked turnaround from the 3.6% drop posted during the company's fiscal first quarter reported back in May. US same-store sales fell 0.7% in the same quarter last year. McDonald's stock rose more than 2.3% following the results. McDonald's CEO Chris Kempczinski called this quarter "a testament to the power of compelling value, standout marketing, and menu innovation," in the company's earnings release. Kempczinski added on the call the company will "remain agile with respect to our value offerings to ensure the US strengthens its leadership in value and affordability." Second quarter revenue clocked in higher than expected at $6.84 billion, more than the $6.70 billion predicted. That's also up from $6.49 billion a year ago, when Kempczinski told investors it was "clear that our value leadership gap has recently shrunk." Adjusted earnings per share ticked higher at $3.19, five cents more than analysts expected and up from $2.97 this period last year. International developmental markets saw a 5.6% same-store sales increase, led by Japan, which was more than the 3.6% increase forecast. International operating markets' sales growth moved higher too, up 4%, far more than the 1.8% analysts projected. Restaurants that have not been open for more than a year, in addition to existing stores, saw sales spike 6%. In the quarter, McDonald's sought to emphasize its value leadership as it leaned into value offerings like the Meal Deal, innovations like its McCrispy Chicken Strips, and marketing with its Minecraft Movie promotion. Wall Street expects same-store sales to grow 1.9% for the full fiscal year, with US same-store sales up 1.20%. A McDonald's fast food restaurant in Okeechobee, Fla., shows a McDelivery service order pickup zone. (Jeffrey Greenberg/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Jeff Greenberg via Getty Images Ahead of the quarter, analysts were optimistic the company would paint a rosier outlook for the second half of the year, as it launched the return of the Snack Wrap on July 10, which is part of its current quarter. McDonald's reaffirmed its 2025 fiscal year financial targets. Smart cities start with people, not technology Lessons from Westbury, Johannesburg, show that technology must be controlled by the community and enhance peoples daily lives. African cities are growing at an incredible pace. With this growth comes a mix of opportunity and challenge. How do we build cities that are not only smart but also fair, inclusive and resilient? A smart city uses digital tools such as sensors, data networks and connected devices to run services more efficiently and respond to problems in real time. From traffic and electricity to public safety and waste removal, smart technologies aim to make life smoother, greener and more connected. Ideally, they also help governments listen to and serve citizens better. But without community input, smart can end up ignoring the people its meant to help. Thats why a different approach is gaining ground. One that starts not with tech companies or city officials, but with the residents themselves. Ive been exploring what this looks like in practice, in collaboration with Terence Fenn from the University of Johannesburg. We invited a group of Johannesburg residents to imagine their own future neighbourhoods, and how technology could support those changes. Our research shows that when residents help shape the vision for a smart city, the outcomes are more relevant, inclusive and trusted. Rethinking smart cities Our research centred on Westbury, a dense, working-class neighbourhood west of central Johannesburg, South Africa. Originally designated for Coloured (multi-racial) residents under apartheid, Westbury remains shaped by spatial injustice, high unemployment and gang-related violence, challenges that continue to limit access to opportunity and basic services. Despite this, it is also a place of resilience, cultural pride and strong community ties. We tested a method called Participatory Futures, which invites people to imagine and shape the future of their own communities. In Westbury, we worked with a group of 30 residents, selected through local networks to reflect a mix of ages, genders and life experiences. Participants took part in workshops where they mapped their neighbourhood, created stories and artefacts and discussed the kind of futures they wanted to see. This approach builds on similar methods used in cities like Helsinki, Singapore and Cape Town, where local imagination has been harnessed to inform urban planning in meaningful, grounded ways. We invited residents to imagine their own future neighbourhoods. What kind of changes would they like to see? How could technology support those changes without overriding local values and priorities? Through this process, it became clear that communities wanted a say in how technology shapes their world. They identified safety, culture and sustainability as priorities, but wanted technology that supports, not replaces, their values and everyday realities. The workshops revealed that when people imagine their future neighbourhoods, technology isnt about gadgets or buzzwords; its about solving real problems in ways that fit their lives. Safety was a top concern. Residents imagined smart surveillance systems that could help reduce crime, but they were clear: these systems needed to be locally controlled. Cameras and sensors were fine, as long as they were managed within the community by people they trusted, not some distant authority. The goal was safer streets, not more control from afar. Safety is a deeply rooted concern in Westbury, where residents live with the daily reality of gang violence, drug-related crime and strained relations with law enforcement. Trust in official structures is eroded. The desire for smart safety technologies is not about surveillance but about reclaiming a sense of control and protection. Energy came up constantly. Power cuts are a regular part of life in Westbury. People wanted solar panels, not as a green luxury but as basic infrastructure. They imagined solar hubs that powered homes, schools and local businesses even during blackouts. Sustainability wasnt an abstract goal; it was about self-sufficiency and dignity. Technology also opened the door to cultural expression. Residents dreamed up tools that could make their stories visible, literally. One idea was using augmented reality, a technology that adds digital images or information to the real world through a phone or tablet, to overlay neighbourhood landmarks with local history, art and personal memories. Its tech not as a spectacle, but as a way to connect past and future. And then there were ideas about skills and education: digital centres where young people could learn to code, produce music or connect globally. These were spaces to build the future, not just survive the present. People imagined smart tools that could showcase local art, amplify community voices, or support small businesses. In short, the technology imagined in Westbury wasnt about creating a futuristic cityscape. It was about building tools that reflect the communitys values: safety, creativity, shared power and resilience. Lessons for the future If we want African smart cities to succeed, they need to be designed with, not just for, the people who live in them. Top-down models can miss the nuances of everyday life. There are growing examples of participatory approaches reshaping urban futures around the world. In Cape Town, the Play Khayelitsha initiative used interactive roleplay and games to engage residents in imagining and co-planning future neighbourhoods. This helped surface priorities such as safety, mobility and dignity. In Medellin, Colombia, a history of top-down planning was transformed by including local voices in decisions about transport, public space and education. These cases, like Westbury, show that when communities are treated as co-creators rather than passive recipients, the outcomes are more inclusive, sustainable and grounded in real-life experience. This shift is especially important in African cities, where the effects of colonial history and structural inequality still shape urban development. Technology isnt neutral. It carries the assumptions of its designers. Thats why it matters whos in the room when decisions are made. The smartest cities are those built with the people who live in them. Rennie Naidoo, Professor of Information Systems, University of the Witwatersrand. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Andre Romani SAO PAULO (Reuters) -Latin American e-commerce giant MercadoLibre on Monday missed analysts' estimates for second-quarter net profit and core earnings, as increased free shipping in Brazil drove sales up but also hit margins. MercadoLibre, Latin America's largest company by market value, reported net income of $523 million for the quarter through the end of June, down 1.5% year-on-year and below the $596 million expected by analysts in an LSEG poll. Shares in MercadoLibre, which operates an online marketplace and the fintech Mercado Pago, fell some 4% after the bell. The firm, based in Uruguay, sells products in around 20 Latin American countries. Net revenue of $6.8 billion was up 34% year-on-year, beating the estimate of $6.7 billion, with sales measured by gross merchandise value rising 37% on a forex-neutral basis. In early June, MercadoLibre cut the threshold for purchases eligible for free shipping in Brazil, after also lowering shipping costs for companies and users selling on its platform in May, amid fierce competition in the country's e-commerce segment. Brazil, the firm's main market, together with Mexico helped MercadoLibre to increase total items sold by 31% in the quarter, the fastest pace year-on-year since mid-2021. However, that also hurt margins, said Chief Financial Officer Martin de los Santos. "We don't want to miss the growth opportunities ahead of us," he said in an interview. "That might generate some short-term margin pressure, but we are very optimistic about the long-term trajectory of our profitability." Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) reached a record high of $825 million, but also missed the $869 million forecast. The EBIT margin stood at 12.2%, down from 14.3% a year earlier. The CFO said that among the main impacts on margins were investments in free shipping and related marketing, and growth in its so-called 1P business, which sells directly to customers. "We expect a negative reaction given the earnings miss, however, we do not expect sustained underperformance as downward revisions should be limited," Santander analysts, including Ruben Couto, wrote in a note to clients. Asked if similar free-shipping policies could take place in other countries, MercadoLibre commerce head Ariel Szarfsztejn, who is set to become chief executive next year, told an analysts' call that the firm "will evaluate, and we will decide eventually which policies we want to bring where." In its earnings report, MercadoLibre also said deeper currency-related losses, mainly due to Argentina's peso, and a higher tax rate hit its net profit in the quarter. A visitor lights incense sticks at the Peace Memorial Park ahead of the memorial service to mark the 80th anniversary of the WWII U.S. atomic bombing in Hiroshima, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025, in Japan. Folha de S.Paulo: Brazils diplomatic presence in Beijing is growing. There will be new attaches from the Federal Revenue Service and the Federal Police. And generals will take over as attaches from the Brazilian Army and Navy. Can you comment on that? Guo Jiakun: Under the strategic guidance of the two presidents, the building of the China-Brazil community with a shared future for a more just world and a more sustainable planet has yielded fruitful outcomes. The mutually beneficial and friendly cooperation between China and Brazil has benefited the two peoples, promoted the modernization process of each country, and become a model of major developing countries working together for solidarity and cooperation. China is willing to work with Brazil to continually deepen cooperation in various fields and add more strategic dimensions to the China-Brazil community with a shared future. Reuters: A former assistant of Chinese descent to a politician for the Alternative for Germany (AfD) has gone on trial in a German court. The man is charged with spying for Chinas intelligence agency. At the same time, a woman identified as Chinese national is also on trial being charged with helping him by providing information about flights. Does the Foreign Ministry have any comment on these cases? Guo Jiakun: China always opposes peddling the so-called spying threat from China. We urge relevant party to stop the vilification and smears. Ukrinform News Agency: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Ukrainian soldiers record the participation of mercenaries from China, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Pakistan, and African countries in the battles on the Russias side in the Kharkiv direction. Can the Foreign Ministry comment on such a statement by the Ukrainian leader? Guo Jiakun: On the Ukraine crisis, Chinas position is consistent and clear. We have been committed to promoting talks for peace and the end of fighting. China has issued multiple security alerts to ask Chinese nationals to stay away from areas of armed conflict, avoid any form of involvement in armed conflict, and in particular avoid participation in any partys military operations. By Ana Isabel Martinez and Adriana Barrera MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexico's government on Tuesday said it aimed to cease funding Pemex by 2027 when the highly-indebted state energy company should become financially self-sufficient, helped by a series of measures to bring down debt and stabilize production. Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, flanked by her energy and finance ministers and the chief executive of Pemex, told a press conference that by 2027, Pemex "will no longer need the finance ministry's support." Pemex reported last week a financial debt of around $99 billion and a debt to providers of around $23 billion, which is down from earlier years but still has investors worried. In recent years, Pemex has received what the government has often called unprecedented support, mostly in the form of capital injections, refinancing of debt, tax reductions and credit lines. Later in the day, the government presented a ten-year plan in which it laid out steps on how to achieve its goals to make Pemex financially self-sufficient. In it, the government said that 21 so-called mixed contracts could help lift declining production by as much as 450,000 barrels per day (bpd). At the same time, it would refine more at home and therefore reduce crude oil exports to 393,100 bpd in 2035, from 487,900 bpd in 2026. The target for local crude oil processing, including at the new Olmeca refinery in the port of Dos Bocas, is 1.3 million barrels per day. This would help wean the country off gasoline and diesel imports. Officials reiterated the government's ambition to pay down debt - both maturing bond debt and what the company owes to providers. To achieve all this, a new government-backed investment vehicle will seek to raise up to 250 billion Mexican pesos ($13 billion) for Pemex projects in 2025 alone. It follows a $12 billion debt offering to ease Pemex's short-term financial pressures and support debt refinancing, announced last week. This year, $5.1 billion of bond debt is due for repayment, followed by $18.7 billion for next year, and $7.7 billion for the year after. Finance Minister Edgar Amador said that through a capitalization and financing strategy currently underway, Pemex's financial debt should close this year at $88.8 billion and at $77.3 billion by 2030. Pemex Chief Executive Victor Rodriguez also outlined several additional initiatives, including for the development of the Zama and Trion fields and returning to other fields with potential to lift production. In addition, Pemex intends to build three new pipelines. Smoke rises following an explosion detonated by the Israeli army in the West Bank Jenin refugee camp, February 2, 2025. [AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed] While the European states have announced they may recognise a Palestinian state in a cynical effort to placate mounting popular revulsion over the Gaza genocide, Israels Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus fascist government has already ensured the impossibility of establishing such a state. After nearly two years of war, Gaza lies in ruins, its people are starving, and Israel is preparing for invasion and annexation. Less well reported is that annexation of the West Bank, illegally occupied along with East Jerusalem, Gaza and Syrias Golan Heights since the 1967 Arab Israeli war, is almost complete. Netanyahu and his Likud party are the political descendants of Jabotinskys Revisionist Party that had insisted on the Jewish right to sovereignty over the whole of the Land of Israel, including Mandatory Palestine and Transjordan (now Jordan). They opposed the 1993 Oslo Accords that were supposed to usher in a bifurcated Palestinian state alongside Israel. Committed to a Greater Israel policy, Netanyahu and his co-thinkers supported Israels occupation of the West Bank, East Jerusalem and Gaza and the expansion of Zionist settlements. In October 1995, he addressed right-wing rallies baying for the blood of Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin, one of the signatories to the Accords. Weeks later, Rabin was assassinated. During his first premiership 1996-99, Netanyahu stymied negotiations begun by the previous government and delayed or refused to implement provisions of signed agreements. Some 10 years later, Netanyahu opposed Prime Minister Ariel Sharons Disengagement Law authorising the pull-out from Gaza in 2005 and resigned from his cabinet. Sharon had calculated that Gaza would be easier to control without the presence of the settlements. The pull-out was massively unpopular with the ultra-nationalists and fuelled the growth of Israels far-right settler movement. Following Hamas surprise victory in the January 2006 Palestinian elections, due to hostility to Fatah and the Palestinian Authoritys (PA) role as Israels subcontractor, and an attempted coup by Fatah in May 2006, Hamas took control of Gaza. Branding Hamas a terrorist organisation, Israel blockaded the enclave, turning Gaza into an openair prison. It would periodically mow the grass to suppress the Palestinians through massive ground invasions and bombing campaigns that have killed tens of thousands. Netanyahus support for Hamas as a counterweight to the Palestinian Authority Netanyahu, prime minister for almost all of the period since 2009, did everything he could to sabotage any possibility of a Palestinian statelet, including exacerbating tensions between President Mahmoud Abbass PA based in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza. He told Israeli journalist Dan Margalit in 2012 that it was important to keep Hamas strong, as it served as a counterweight to the PA. He turned to Qatar to finance Hamas operations in Gaza, part of his strategy of buying quiet, with the petro-state reportedly sending $30 million per month to help operate Gazas power plant, provide welfare and support the government. The Jerusalem Post quoted Netanyahu as saying in 2019, Whoever is against a Palestinian state should be for transferring the funds to Gaza, because maintaining a separation between the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and Hamas in Gaza helps prevent the establishment of a Palestinian state. He offered Palestinians in Gaza daily travel permits to work in Israel where wages were higher, increasing the number to 20,000 a day in 2023 from 3,000 in 2021. In December 2023, at a press conference he boasted, Im proud that I prevented the establishment of a Palestinian state. He added, You and your journalist friends have been blaming me for almost 30 years for putting the brakes on the Oslo Accords and preventing the Palestinian state. Thats true. He has refused to countenance Hamas or the PA ruling Gaza after the war, saying that either scenario would be a reward for October 7. Netanyahu turns to fascistic forces to control the West Bank Since returning to power in December 2022 with the help of the ultra-nationalist Religious Zionist Party and theocratic Jewish Power, after an 18-month period in opposition, Netanyahu has all but completed the process of annexing the West Bank. Netanyahu gave Religious Zionist leader Bezalel Smotrich the Finance Ministry and control of the Settlement Administration inside the Defence Ministry that hands him de facto control over the West Bank. Itamar Ben-Gvir, Jewish Power leader, was given the Interior Ministry. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, right, speaks with Minister of Finance Bezalel Smotrich during the weekly cabinet meeting at the Defence Ministry in Tel Aviv, Israel, January 7, 2024. [AP Photo/Ronen Zvulun] The government retroactively legalized ten outposts and allowed settlers to return to privately owned Palestinian land in the northern West Bank, outlawed under the 2005 Disengagement Law. It took control of archaeological sites across the West Bank and allocated funds to turn Sebastia into a biblical tourist attraction, tasking the settlers with heritage preservation and giving them a new source of revenue. Smotrich allocated almost $1 billion for road infrastructure, including a segregated highway dubbed the apartheid road that would divert Palestinian vehicles away from the main settlement areas, made $70 million available for illegal outposts in the West Bank and developed plans for an industrial zone and settlement expansion. He approved the largest number of West Bank housing units since 1993, while freezing $80 million for Arab municipalities within Israel and funds for education programs in East Jerusalem. The annexation of the West Bank under the cover of the Gaza genocide The government seized the opportunity presented by the Palestinians October 7, 2023 attack, the result of multiple provocations by Israel, to wage all-out war on the Palestinians in the name of Israels existential crisis and national security. Smotrich sought to equate Abbass PA in the West Bank with Hamas. He deemed virtually all PA activity hostile to justify withholding tax revenues upon which the PA depended, imposing sanctions and extending Israels enforcement powers beyond Area C. While the Oslo Accords designated Area C (60 percent of the West Bank where about 200,000, less than 10 percent of the Palestinians, live) as under full Israeli military control, Area A (18 percent) would be under full Palestinian control and Area B (22 percent) under joint Israeli and Palestinian control. Smotrich said, We need to understand that there is no big difference between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. The Arabs are the same Arabs, and the land is the same land. The sea they want to throw us into is the same sea. While slashing public spending to channel money to the war, Smotrich made another $105 million available to West Bank settlements for security purposes, $20 million to go directly to illegal outposts, and initiated legislation granting them additional revenue. Ben-Gvir armed vigilante groups and the violent settler gangs became, de facto, another arm of the state, carrying out daily attacks on the Palestinians to drive them off their land, with the full protection if not active support of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF). The United Nations has recorded more than 1,400 attacks by settlers against Palestinian communities since October 2023 and $76 million in direct agricultural damage in the first year of the war. According to the Israeli NGO Peace Now, there are now 134 illegal outposts and 136 settler farms on Palestinian land in the West Bank. Last week, Defence Minister Israel Katz confirmed that the government had approved the construction of 22 new West Bank settlements including new communities, and the legalisation of several outposts, a move he said was aimed at preventing the establishment of a Palestinian state that would endanger Israel. This is in addition to the 450,000 settlers in the West Bank, 220,000 in East Jerusalem and a further 100,000+ on Palestinian land on the Israeli side of Sharons infamous Separation Barrier. Smotrich hailed the announcement, saying The next step sovereignty! Palestinian demonstrators run from tear gas fired by Israeli troops during a protest against Israeli settlements, in the West Bank village of Deir Jarir, north of Ramallah, Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Majdi Mohammed) The government stopped the 150,000 Palestinians (22 percent of the Palestinian workforce) from working in Israeli establishments, typically in construction and agriculture in Israel, the settlements and industrial zones. The IDF set up hundreds of roadblocks leading to hours-long delays, mounted mass search and arrest campaigns, demolishing 1,400 homes and displacing at least 42,000 Palestinians from refugee camps in the cities of Tulkarem and Jenin. According to Palestinian government figures, at least 1,012 Palestinians have been killed, including at least 196 children, and nearly 7,000 injured in the West Bank, including occupied East Jerusalem, by settlers and the army since the war on Gaza began. The economic consequences have been devastating. According to the UNs Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, total losses in the commerce and industry sector in the West Bank are estimated at US$1.3 billion. Unemployment rose to 35 percent in 2024. According to the anti-poverty NGO World Visions recent report The Unseen Crisis, 74 percent of families are now living below the minimum standard of living, up from 21 percent just one year ago; 70 percent of children are frequently skipping meals and 9 percent have dropped out of school;. There has been a 950 percent increase in the number of families reporting that a member had gone a full day without eating since 2022. These conditions have forced some to seek work illegally in the settlements with all the risks of super-exploitation and arrest. Ben-Gvir has ordered the prisons to reduce the food rations given to Palestinians in Israeli jails and to worsen their conditions. More than 10,000 Palestinians are in Israeli detention, including around 3,600 without charge or trial. Smotrich has initiated a raft of new regulations and submitted legislation for the Knesset to approve. These include: the reclassification of any unregistered land in the West Bank as belonging to the Israeli state, enabling Israel to claim vast tracts of Palestinian land while voiding Palestinian registration; the application of Israeli civil law to the West Bank, effectively dissolving Israels internationally recognised borders; direct purchase of land by settlers from Palestinians without military approval; expansion of the city of Jerusalems boundary to include the surrounding settlements within Israel; and the official designation of the West Bank as Judea and Samaria. In practice, the West Bank is under full Israeli control. It has been annexed in all but name. Abbas and the Palestinian Authority None of this could have gone ahead without the complicity of Abbas and the PA, which has the largest per capita police force in the world. Instead of using it to support the Palestinians against violent settlers and Israeli military incursions, the PA has suppressed any expression of opposition to Israel. Abbas repudiated the October 7 incursion, saying that the policies and actions of Hamas do not represent the Palestinian people. He later withdrew his statement, but his attacks on Hamas have continued. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer in New York City, September 25 2024 [Photo by OGL 3/Number 10] In January, when the ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas was announced, Abbas declared that the PA was ready to assume full responsibility in post-war Gaza. Under Egypts $58 billion scheme, Gazas reconstruction would be carried out with the Palestinians remaining in the ruined enclave, in contrast to US President Donald Trumps Riviera of the Middle East based on the expulsion of the Palestinians, and under the technocratic management of the Palestinian Authority. Abbas lambasted Hamas as sons of dogs in an angry speech in which he demanded the group release the remaining hostages, disarm, and hand over control of Gaza in order to end the war with Israel. It is these conditions that brought thousands of Palestinians onto the streets for the first time last week in coordinated action across the West Bank against the war in Gaza and in support of Palestinians held in Israeli prisons, with one of the largest marches in Ramallah. Protesters carried photos of Palestinians killed or imprisoned by Israel, as well as photos showing the famine in Gaza. Such is the widespread anger that the PA was forced to give government workers the day off to attend the demonstrations. The rating agency adds that the financial impact is unlikely to be evenly distributed, since lenders had differing commission structures, sales volumes and documentation quality during the review period. Fitch estimates that of the 918 billion in potential costs, 511 billion may fall on banks, with the rest borne by non-bank lenders such as car manufacturers captive finance arms. While Fitch says this is largely absorbable from earnings or actions already taken, it expects banks will need to increase the 2 billion in redress provisions theyve already set aside. However, this doesnt mean banks are off the hook. The FCA has already confirmed it will launch a consultation this October on a sector-wide redress scheme. The scheme would require lenders to reassess complaints relating to DCAs issued between 2007 and 2021 and compensate customers for overcharging plus interest. According to Fitch Ratings, the Supreme Court ruling materially reduces the potential scope of consumer redress for UK banks, especially since it rejects the fiduciary duty argument. Large-scale claims based solely on the non-disclosure of commissions are now unlikely to have legal traction. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has since announced plans for a much smaller redress scheme, that could ultimately cost lenders between 9 billion and 18 billion. Announced on 1 August, the judgment in a trio of linked cases Johnson v FirstRand Bank, Wrench v FirstRand Bank, and Hopcraft v Close Brothers determined that motor dealers arranging finance do not owe a fiduciary duty to consumers, even when they fail to disclose commission arrangements. Observers say this wipes out a key legal argument underpinning many of the thousands of historic motor finance complaints lodged in recent years. Legal experts say the UK Supreme Court has handed down one of the most consequential rulings for the motor finance industry in years dramatically reducing the scope of legal liability for firms involved in discretionary commission arrangements (DCAs), while leaving the door open for regulatory redress on a vast scale. The Supreme Court's dismissal of fiduciary duty claims has narrowed legal exposure for motor finance lenders, but the operational burden is only beginning. With the FCA preparing a sweeping redress scheme covering historic discretionary commission arrangements, banks and brokers now face the challenge of unpicking years of legacy data, contracts, and consumer interactions often dating back to 2007. Story Continues Legal clarity, but operational complexity ahead From a legal standpoint, experts broadly welcomed the clarity provided by the ruling. Jonathan Butler, legal counsel to the Vehicle Remarketing Association (VRA) and a partner at Geldards, highlighted three practical implications for motor retailers and lenders. Firstly, we shouldnt lose sight of the fact that this is good news, he said. Potential exposure is well below the largest forecasts, with many claims likely capped at under 950. Secondly, he stressed that firms can now begin assessing their risk. They should be tracking down all relevant paperwork dating back to the 2007 cut-off point If it clearly explained that a commission was due and they can show the level was less than 55%, they roughly know the maximum that will be payable. Butlers third point is more of a warning: firms must scrutinise old contracts with finance providers to check for indemnity clauses. These sometimes required dealers to cover the cost of customer claims and may now be enforceable. He also cast doubt on the practical viability of the FCAs redress model: The Johnson-type threshold is actually a value judgment These are highly fact sensitive matters. It needs qualified people to make assessments Its far from clear how the FCA envisages this working in the real world. The legal profession weighs in Across the legal sector, most commentary saw the judgment as a partial win for the industry, but not a clean slate. Tim West, dispute resolution partner at Ashurst, said the ruling clarifies that claimants now face a higher bar to prove dealers owed them an undivided duty of loyalty. This will make motor finance claims based on undisclosed commissions more difficult to bring, he said. However, he added that the door remains open to unfair relationship claims under the CCA, where commissions were particularly large or hidden. Lorraine Johnston, Ashurst financial regulation partner, agreed. The decision on Johnson will give the government stronger grounds to progress CCA reform with greater vigour, she said, adding that the FCA will now likely pursue a more limited redress scheme for DCA cases over a defined period. Steven Francis of Faegre Drinker described the ruling as a real vindication for lenders, given the rejection of fiduciary duty arguments. But he warned: The Supreme Court also found that the relationship [between Mr Johnson and FirstRand] was unfair The importance of this should not be overlooked. That aspect, he said, would require lenders to revisit their historic practices. Richard Coates, head of automotive at Freeths, reinforced the point: The judgment opens the gateway for consumers to bring claims under the Consumer Credit Act, where particularly large commissions have been paid. Mixed reactions from consumer law firms Unsurprisingly, law firms representing consumers saw the decision differently. Coby Benson, solicitor at Bott & Co, called it a serious setback for financial justice and warned it sends a concerning message to the industry that a lack of transparency can go unpunished. Nonetheless, he insisted that we will not stop here, suggesting new legal arguments may be pursued under the CCA. Robert Whitehead, chairman of Barings Law, described the judgment as a major blow to consumer protection and a missed opportunity for accountability. Thousands of car buyers were sold finance deals without ever being told that brokers and dealers were pocketing secret commissions, he said. Its disappointing that the Supreme Court has chosen not to hold the industry accountable. Operational and reputational consequences Even if litigation risk has narrowed, the motor finance sector still faces an enormous operational burden, reputational challenges and regulatory scrutiny. Richard Barnwell, partner at BDO, warned that while fiduciary duty claims have been ruled out, redress for unfair relationships could still reach 513 billion or more. Brian Nimmo, head of redress at Broadstone, added that lenders must now review all of their DCA cases, assess whether they are unfair and then calculate potential redress, which will be a significant exercise. Greg Huitson-Little, of Menzies LLP, pointed to the long-term consequences for public trust: Although the Supreme Courts decision reverses much of the Court of Appeals earlier decisions, the reputational damage is already done The days of opaque deals must come to an end. And from a market-wide lens, Ian Hughes, CEO of Consumer Intelligence, summarised the ruling as clarity the industry needed but also a call to action. The industry must meet this challenge constructively This is a consequence of legacy practices from a minority of market participants. Looking ahead Industry observers say the FCAs upcoming consultation will be crucial in determining how redress is structured especially whether it requires consumers to opt in, or whether lenders will be expected to proactively compensate affected borrowers. With final rules not expected until 2026, the industry now enters a period of preparation, calculation and, for many, negotiation over who ultimately bears the cost of past practices. The legal questions may be answered but the financial, operational and reputational challenges are only just beginning. "Motor finance sector braces for operational test after Court ruling" was originally created and published by Leasing Life, a GlobalData owned brand. Workers and youth in Britain must come to the defence of migrants and refugees. Far-right forces have been mobilising in their hundreds outside hotels and hostels housing asylum seekers over the last weeks, demanding their closure and mass deportations of immigrants. The mobilisations are a repeat of those held last summer after a fascist-organised riot in Southport, England, following the tragic stabbing deaths of three children by a mentally disturbed 17-year-old British citizen, Axel Rudakubana. A series of pogrom-type attacks were carried out nationwide, mostly targeting asylum seeker accommodation, with an attempt made to set one building on fire. Far-right demonstrators wave England and Union flags, and Reform UK flags as they stand outside the Bell Hotel in Epping, near London, July 27, 2025 [AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali] This years events began July 13, when protesters gathered at The Bell Hotel in Epping, Essex to demand an end to its use as accommodation for asylum seekers. Among them were many members of fascist parties. Local Conservative MPs used the event as a platform to demand the hotel be closed to asylum seekers. The pretext was the arrest of a man from Ethiopia accused of propositioning a girl. He has denied the charges and will attend a two-day trial from August 26. Counter-protests were mounted by anti-fascist groups. On July 20, police issued a dispersal order preventing people from gathering and protesting outside or near the Bell Hotel. The far-right, backed by the tabloid media, cried foul and claimed police were supporting the counter-protesters. Reform UK leader Nigel Farage even declared that Essex police had bussed them in. The truth is that counter-protesters at Epping were confronting ranks of police protecting the fascists. Events at the Bell Hotel were used as a launchpad for a national campaign of far-right mobilisations against asylum accommodation. In Canary Wharf, an attempt was made to break into the building. In Manchester, the fascist Britain First group led a march of hundreds chanting, We want our country back in a March for Remigration through the city centre. Farage and his Reform UK party have provided a steady stream of support, having popularised provocations at asylum accommodation for years. Just a few weeks ago, he had organised photo-ops of himself on the lookout for small boats of asylum seekers arriving in Britain via the Channel. He said of the anti-migrant demonstrations: Dont underestimate the simmering anger and disgust that there is in this country that we are letting in every week, in fact, some days, many hundreds of undocumented young males, many of whom come from cultures in which women and young girls are not even treated as second-class citizens. Farage egged on the fascists, speaking of civil disobedience on a vast scale on the horizon, while claiming that this was the last thing many of us want to see in order to insist that the government should therefore act on their demands. Reform UK and the fascist demonstrations do not come from nowhere. The far-right are able to mobilise because their message is only the most concentrated form of the anti-immigration agenda of all the main parties of the ruling class, starting with the governing Labour Party. Figures at the end of last month on record UK population growth of 700,000 last year, driven almost wholly by migration, prompted Labour Home Secretary Yvette Cooper to respond that they confirm the truth of the Tory legacy on immigration. She complained, Under the Tories... lower-skilled migration soared while the proportion of UK residents in work plummeted. With anti-migrant demonstrations in full swing, US President Donald Trump used his visit to the UK to rant about migration, Youre not going to have Europe any more, youve got to get your act together Youve got to stop this horrible invasion thats happening to Europe. Prime Minister Keir Starmer stood beside him saying nothing, before moving on to the usual praise and pleasantries. Asked directly about the far-right protests, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds declared, I think what weve got to talk about is: why are people unhappy with, say, the asylum system? Are they reasonable? Are they upset for legitimate reasons? Yes, we share those as a government That is why we are sorting it out. It was briefed to the media that Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner had suggested limiting migrants access to the state pension and welfare benefits and increasing the National Health Service surcharge that they must pay for health treatment. The prime ministers official spokesperson said in reference to the ongoing provocations, I think she sees a link between concerns that people have about where the Government is acting on their behalf and acting in their interests. This follows a general election campaign a year ago in which Labour made a pledge to Stop the Boats, referring to asylum seekers crossing the Channel, a flagship policy. It comes just one month after Coopers summer blitz of police raids on immigrants, and two months after Chancellor Rachel Reevess pledge to end the use of asylum hotels by 2029 to save 1 billion a year. In March, Starmer delivered an anti-immigration speech behind a lecturn reading Securing Our Borders as he boasted of Just focusing our efforts and resources on the nuts and bolts of removing people. Labours stance is reflected in its friendly press. Over the weekend, the Guardian provided sympathetic coverage to some of those jailed for their role in the attack on and setting fire to a hotel in Rotherham, South Yorkshire last year. The building housed 200 asylum seekers. The articles strap line reads, Men sentenced to prison time for role in violent protests after the Southport murders describe their feelings of injustice. In this noxious atmosphere, and with Labour continuing the Tory assault on the living standards of the working class, Reform is gaining ground politically. The party is now polling in first place in the UK at close to 30 percent. The Daily Mail, and the Murdoch mediathe Times, Sunday Times and the Suntraditionally associated with the Tory Party are lending Farage an ever friendlier ear. In its 2024 Congress resolution, the Socialist Equality Party argued that the far-right danger does not flow primarily from the social dust that makes up the various fascist outfits, but from a lurch to the right of the entire capitalist political system as it seeks to impose a deepening social catastrophe and expanding agenda of war on the working class. The SEP concluded, Opposing the far-right therefore entails not only the necessary defence of immigrants and Muslims from violence instigated by fascist thugs such as Tommy Robinson and egged on by Farage. Above all, it means a fight against the Starmer Labour government, its allies in the trade union bureaucracy and their agenda of austerity and war. This has been confirmed in spades. Only by mounting a socialist challenge against the Labour Partyrelentlessly exposing and opposing its right-wing, warmongering, pro-austerity policiescan a movement of the working class defend migrants in a struggle for the rights of workers everywhere to good jobs, housing, wages and social services. The SEP counterposed its perspective to the programme of the Socialist Workers Party, which politically leads the Stand Up to Racism counter-protests opposing the fascists outside asylum seeker accommodation. We noted, SUTRs calls for a United Front of all democratic forces against fascism, led by the Labour left and the trade unions, prevents any action being taken against root causes of the far-rights growth. A July 22 piece in the Socialist Worker, as the far-right demonstrations in Epping got underway, presented the battle as being one against hardened fascists, including supporters of Tommy Robinson, without once mentioning the right-wing rhetoric coming from the Labour government. # Subsequent SWP coverage has referenced the comments of Reynolds and Rayner, while insisting that the main task ahead is not the struggle against the Starmer government but confronting fascists outside hotels and preparing to gather numbers for an expected national protest by Robinsons supporters in September. Without a political offensive against the Labour Party to put a stop to its continual impoverishment of workers and scapegoating of migrants, aided by the trade unions and the state, the far-right cannot be defeated. The Albanese Labor government quickly exploited, and claimed credit for, the arrest of a Chinese citizen in Canberra last Saturday, charged with one count of reckless foreign interference. Despite years of allegations of malign Chinese interference in Australia, she was only the third person to be charged under the far-reaching foreign interference legislation pushed through parliament by the Liberal-National Coalition government, backed by Labor, in 2018. The woman, an Australian permanent resident who cannot be named because of a court suppression order to protect her from reprisals, appeared in the Australian Capital Territory Magistrates Court on Monday, accused of secretly collecting information about a Buddhist association. Media headlines were triggered in Australia and internationally after the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the domestic political surveillance agency, the Australian Security Intelligence Organisation (ASIO) issued a joint statement. They alleged that the woman was tasked by a Public Security Bureau of China to covertly gather information about the Canberra branch of Guan Yin Citta, a Buddhist association. Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke speaks in parliament on November 19, 2024 [Photo by Parliament of Australia / CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 In a statement that prejudicially assumed her guilt, Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke said the governments message to people who would attempt to threaten or interfere with Australian communities was simple: Our law enforcement and intelligence agencies will find you. The Canberra resident was arrested by the AFP-ASIO Counter Foreign Interference Taskforce and charged with reckless foreign interference, contrary to section 92.3 of the Criminal Code Act, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years jail. In court, the prosecution claimed the woman had received money from Chinese-based financial institutions, and was tasked through an encrypted app. She was denied bail on the ground of being a flight risk and imprisoned until a further hearing on September 1. That was despite offering a $50,000 surety and having what her lawyer described as strong business and commercial ties in Canberra. A letter from the federal Attorney-Generals Department to the court claimed that if she fled to China, Chinese authorities would refuse any extradition request. As the WSWS has explained, the foreign interference laws violate basic democratic rights. They contain sweeping offences, ranging from treason to breaching official secrecy and cooperating with a foreign or international organisation. As well as creating seven new foreign interference offences, the legislation expands existing offences, including sabotage and advocating mutiny, to broaden their potential use to criminalise anti-war advocacy and activity, including the exposure of war crimes. These provisions, which carry penalties of up to life imprisonment, go beyond accusations of assisting another country. They could be used to outlaw any political dissent that has international links, such as the campaign opposing the US-backed Israeli genocide in Gaza or the escalating US-led war drive against China. The charge of reckless foreign interference illustrates how far the legislation can stretch. It does not require a deliberate attempt to act on behalf of a foreign power. Instead, it is enough that an individual acted covertly and was aware of a substantial and unjustifiable risk that their conduct would influence a political or government process in Australia, or influence the exercise of an Australian democratic or political right or duty, or support foreign intelligence activities, or prejudice Australias national security. All these words are vague. AFP Counter Terrorism and Special Investigations Assistant Commissioner Stephen Nutt conducted a media conference to announce the arrest, proclaiming it to be the first directed at protecting local communities against foreign interference. Nutt clearly sought to whip up fears of foreign spies, just as the Trump administrations trade war and military threats escalate global geo-strategic tensions, particularly against China. We should not expect that this arrest will prevent further attempts to target our diaspora communities, Nutt said. At a time of permanent regional contest, offenders will attempt to spy on individuals, groups and institutions in Australia. Nutt said the counter foreign interference taskforce had launched Operation Autumn Shield in March after receiving information from ASIO. He appealed for a wartime-like atmosphere of public alert. The AFP and our partners are working closely with diaspora communities and to help protect them from this criminality, Nutt said. But we need all Australians to be our eyes and ears, and alert authorities if they see people being targeted. ASIO Director-General Mike Burgess also aggressively went public. He said he was proud of ASIOs significant contribution to the case. Foreign interference of the kind alleged is an appalling assault on Australian values, freedoms and sovereignty, he said. In this years Annual Threat Assessment, I called out these types of activities and put perpetrators on notice by stating, we are watching, and we have zero tolerance. Anyone who thinks it is acceptable to monitor, intimidate and potentially repatriate members of our diaspora communities should never underestimate our capabilities and resolve. Just last week, in a speech endorsed by Burke, Burgess had ramped up the scare campaign by declaring that because of strategic competition, the country faced unprecedented dangers of foreign interference and espionage. In that speech, Burgess demanded an all-of-nation offensive to counter alleged plots by other countriesspecifically China, Russia and Iranto gain access to US-linked military information. Burgesss speech followed the Albanese governments sudden introduction of legislation, on the first full parliamentary day since the May 3 election, to extend and expand ASIOs compulsory interrogation powers. After seven years of witch-hunting by the media, police, intelligence agencies and successive governments about supposedly insidious operations by China, there is just one guilty verdict so far under the 2018 legislation, and a dubious one at that. In December 2023, Melbourne businessman and Vietnamese-Chinese community figure Di Sanh Duong became the only person to be convicted. He was declared guilty of a vague charge of preparing for or planning an act of foreign interference, supposedly on behalf of China. In a largely closed-door trial, prosecutors argued that Duong planned to secretly gain political influence in 2020 by cultivating a relationship with a then-Coalition government minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party. This covert interference took place in the full glare of publicity, however. Duong allegedly arranged for Tudge to receive a $37,450 novelty cheque donation raised by community organisations for the Royal Melbourne Hospital in June 2020 amid the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. A judge nevertheless sentenced Duong, 68, to a two-year and nine-month prison term, despite his ailing health. The only other prosecution case, which Labors previous Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus personally authorised, has shown signs of unravelling. In June 2024, Alexander Csergo, a Sydney businessman charged with reckless foreign interference, was granted bail after a judge said the case against him was arguable. Csergos crime appears to be working in China as a consultant. He had run a digital advisory business that provided services to large corporations. There was no indication that he had access to classified documents. All the information, on topics such as the state of the mining industry, that he gave to two clients, alleged to be undercover Chinese agents, was based on publicly available material. An earlier bid to invoke the legislation ended without charges being laid, but nevertheless left a chilling mark. In 2020, the AFP and ASIO raided the home and parliamentary office of New South Wales state Labor MP Shaoquett Moselmane. Moselmane was quickly suspended from the Labor Party and forced to seek indefinite leave from the parliament. Far from being covert in his views, he had made speeches, including in parliament, calling into question Australias alignment behind the intensifying US confrontation with China, opposing the foreign interference laws and crediting Chinas swift response to the COVID-19 pandemic with saving lives globally. Months later, after no charges were laid, Moselmane returned to parliament and was reinstated in the Labor Party. But he lost Labor preselection for the 2023 state election. US media coverage of the latest arrest pointedly commented that it came just after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited China and met President Xi Jinping for the fourth time since taking office in 2022. Whether this arrest was coordinated with US agencies is not clear. Previously, both the Trump and Biden administrations actively backed the adoption and use of the foreign interference laws. The latest arrest is another warning of a wartime-like atmosphere being drummed up by the political establishment and the corporate media to intimidate opponents of the intensifying offensive against China. The shocking reports of the scale of Israels genocide in the Gaza Stripfrom the bombing of civilian facilities and the shooting of people seeking aid, to the systematic starvation of small childrenhave sparked a renewed wave of global protest involving hundreds of thousands. In Hamburg, a dockworker, Palestinian Mohammed Alattar, has spoken out. He had approached the public service union Verdi, which claims to represent the interests of employees. Verdi traditionally negotiates wages and working conditions for millions of workers in ports, airports, railways, public transport and other public services. In all these sectors, workers are prepared to take action against the genocide and boycott German arms shipments to Israel, but the union refuses to lift a finger. Verdi stands firmly behind the Social Democratic Party (SPD), in a coalition with the Christian Democrats (CDU) in the Merz-led government. This not only supplies Israel with weapons and money, but it also makes this a matter of state policy and bans and punishes any resistance to the genocide. Mohammed Alattar, who has lost 80 family members in the Gaza massacre, writes in a petition addressed to Verdi that he approached the union leadership with his story and asked what the union was doing in answer. He described the response with anger: Nothing came back, no chance. Only complete ignorance and silence. This disregard for the suffering and catastrophe in Gaza, Alattar writes, reflects the same disregard and isolation that Jewish people in Germany experienced 80 years ago. In his petition to Verdi, Alattar recounts the experiences he has had as a Palestinian from Gaza. He arrived in Germany in 2015, and continues: In 2023, I completed my vocational training in the port of Hamburg and have since been employed on a permanent basis and a member of the Verdi union. In 2023, I went home to Gaza for the first and last time since arriving in Germany. On February 6, 2024, the Israeli occupation army murdered my brother Abood. He was 33 years old, married, and left behind three children. In early May 2024, the Israeli occupation army levelled my familys house in the Gaza Strip to the ground. All my musical instruments, my fathers library (with more than 5,000 books), all our photos and memorieseverything is gone. I have lost over 80 members of my family and more than 130 of my friends, neighbours and former colleagues. Since then, my parents have endured the horror of destruction, loss and physical and mental illness, caused by the Israeli occupation army. Through these acts of aggression, 90 percent of my entire life before 2015 has been damaged and wiped out: people, streets, paths, places, property. Alattar writes that it became clear to him what an important role, responsibility and political and social position a union holds, and describes his initiatives in which he reached out to Verdi six months earlier, in February 2025. He shared his horrific experiences and demanded that the union take actionBut nothing came back From this, Alattar concludes: The disregard for my suffering by Verdi and its silence in the face of the catastrophes I personally experience, and which my people and the rest of my family experience every day, reflects the same disregard and isolation that Jewish people in Germany experienced 80 years ago. Then, as now, there is silence. The stories are similar, perhaps the names, dates, details and interests differ, but the catastrophe, its causes, and the factors that led to its emergence and continuation are the same. Here, in a country that should have learned from history, history is ignored and suppressed. This country, which more than any other should have learned from its past, continues to repeat the mistakes of historyin a different form, but with the same consequences. I am aware that the silence, disregard and isolation I am experiencing today resembles what a Jewish, exhausted man had to endure in Hamburg 80 years ago. He concludes, I know that the silence of my union Verdi is part of this nightmare. It is complicity, collaboration and support. He states that he will continue to take to the streets, to raise my voice, and to fight this disregard, this racism, and the discrimination I have experienced from my union. Alattar has touched a raw nerve and spoken an essential truth: the tacit, and sometimes explicit, cooperation of the public service union with the Merz governments war policy and the genocide is a key reason for the current paralysis and confusion in the working class. Verdi has openly aligned itself with the government. At its last congress in September 2023, when it dealt with the question of war policy, Verdis main resolution supported the enormous military build-up and specifically endorsed arms deliveries to Ukraine. Verdi chairman Frank Werneke described them as legally legitimate and necessary. Verdis leadership has not publicly criticised Israels arms shipments even once since October 2023. As late as March 2025 (long after he had received Alattars letter), Werneke defended the governments 1 trillion rearmament programme, intended to turn Germany into a major military power, on the Verdi website with the words: The security promise of the United States to Europe has become shaky. Against this background, discussions about higher defence spending in Germany and Europe are understandable. Europe must be able to defend itself; the Bundeswehr [Armed Forces] must be operational. At the same time, Verdi accepted cuts in real wages during collective bargaining negotiations in the public service, public transport and at DHL Deutsche Post, thereby paving the way for workers to bear the costs of the massive military escalation. Mohammed Alattar in front of Verdi headquarters in Berlin [Photo by M. Alattar] The trade union bureaucracy, as well as that of IG Metall and all the other unions affiliated to the German Trade Union Confederation (DGB) is an integral part of the German state apparatus. Only through an open struggle against it can the necessary working class resistance to the war policy of the CDU-SPD coalition be developed. Mohammed Alattar told the World Socialist Web Site, Since this experience with Verdi, I have decided to go public myself and to gather allies, union organisations and groups, to carry out this fightthis campaignalso against Verdi. The Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) is fighting to build independent rank-and-file action committees in the ports, at the airports, on the railways, and in the arms industry, in order to coordinate resistance. These will link up with workers around the world to stop war and genocide. An international boycott will develop as part of the social revolution that will finally overcome capitalism itself, the root cause of war, fascism, and genocide. Souleymanes Story (written and directed by Boris Lojkine) is an excellent and moving work from France, one of the best films of the year. It opened August 1 in New York City and will show up on screens in other cities across North America in the coming weeks, including Los Angeles, Boston and Cleveland in the US, and Halifax, Toronto and Hamilton in Canada. Lojkines work has won prizes at the Cannes film festival, Cesar awards (top French film awards), European film awards and collected other honors internationally, including the audience award at the San Francisco film festival. These are well-deserved. Souleymanes Story Governments throughout the world have declared war on immigrants and refugees. The Trump administrations agenda may be one of the most brazen, sadistic and transparently illegal, but the pursuit and persecution of the most defenseless members of the human community is the policy, stated or unstated, of every capitalist regime and leading party, far-right or nominally left. Everywhere governments frame their racist and chauvinist anti-immigrant programs as the defense of native-born workers, but nothing could be further from the truth. The policies are merely meant to divide the oppressed and pit one section of workers against another in a scramble for the crumbs that the billionaires let fall. The conditions facing Souleymane Sangare (Abou Sangare), a Paris food delivery worker, in Souleymanes Story (Lhistoire de Souleymane) are ghastly, but typical. The phrase precarious work may be metaphorical in some cases, but in the unstable and perilous existence Souleymane leads the precariousness is real and ever-present. The fiction work treats two desperate days in the life of this undocumented Guinean immigrant, as he struggles heroically to make a living and simultaneously prepares for an all-important asylum application interview, which will go a long way toward determining his official fate in France. He pays cash, something he is terribly short of, to get tutored by a fellow Guinean in a fake account of political persecution. He has to remember (falsely) that he was arrested for resisting evictions, that he is a member of the UFDG (Union of Democratic Forces of Guinea), the bourgeois opposition coalition, etc., etc. This is intended to qualify Souleymane as a political refugee. In fact, as we learn, his actual circumstances are far more devastating than the story he shakily learns by heart. Souleymane delivers meals, but in fact he rents an UberEats account from another African immigrant, who takes half or more of the earnings every week. The undocumented are frequently reduced to this. In the end, his colleague refuses to pay him what hes owed and even pushes him down a flight of stairs. A tiny episode is enough to propel Souleymane toward disaster: a minor accident while riding his bicycle damages a bag of food, which a customer refuses to accept. Life is harsh. Souleymane is always rushing, running, chasing after people who owe him money or favors. A missed bus means losing out on a bed in a homeless shelter and a night on the cold, wet streets of Paris. Director Boris Lojkine notes that the absence of music in the film was my decision from the start. No artifice. The point wasnt to stick to some documentary aesthetic, but rather to make the most of the citys sound score, the horns and sirens, the clatter of trains, the roar of engines. The absence of music forced us to be more radical when it came to editingthere was no room for empty, pretty, peaceful moments. We always move forward, shadowing Souleymane, holding our breaths, tirelessly, until the final scene that has us trapped in the small bare office. Souleymane phones his girlfriend in Guinea in the middle of the night, while huddling on the street, only to tell her she should marry an engineer who has asked for her hand. He has no future to offer her. The pain of leaving you burns I wish you a happy life. Ill never forget you. Its an affecting, difficult sequence. I dont know why I came to France, Souleymane says forlornly, but without self-pity, at another moment. Souleymane's Story (Boris Lojkine) The final portion of the film is devoted to the frightening, all-important asylum application interview with a government official in the small bare office. She is perfectly sympathetic, but she knows his story about membership in the UFDG and so forth is phony as can be. What will happen when he tells the truth? Souleymanes Story is very strong, sympathetic. It cuts through a lot of rubbish and sets out the nightmarish, exhausting, debilitating circumstances undergone by the undocumented, friendless, isolated immigrant. Lojkine explains that he and a collaborator met many food delivery workers. They told us about the behind-the-scenes aspects of their work: the problems with their account holders, the scams theyd fallen victims to, their interactions with customers; they told us about their difficulties to find accommodation, their relationships with their fellow deliverymen, colleagues who arent necessarily their friends. In all their stories, the issue of papers occupied a special place. It was particularly the case with the Guineans we talked to. Almost all of them were or had been asylum seekers, and they were obsessed with the application process, because being granted asylum could radically change their lives. Lojkine observes that he and his co-writer, Delphine Agut, built a dramaturgy closer to a thriller than to a social chronicle. Here are the efforts of a character struggling like a fly in a jar, prey to an oppressive system. During these two days when he should be resting before his interview, our protagonist doesnt have a minute to catch his breath. He runs around, trying to sort out problems that are piling up, grappling with the merciless system of a European society that we think is gentle, but which is terrible for those who arent citizens. Interviews and research do not by themselves produce an aesthetically accomplished work. Far from it. But the filmmakers in this case bring sensitivity, thought and artistry to their effort. The fight over Republican efforts to redraw congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections has escalated sharply. On Tuesday, Texas Senator John Cornyn publicly urged the FBI to intervene and arrest the Democratic state legislators, who fled the state to deny the legislature a quorum. Sen. John Cornyn, right, speaks to media during a press conference next to Gov. Greg Abbott in Texas. [AP Photo/Rodolfo Gonzalez] On Sunday night, just over 50 Democrats in the Texas House left the state to delay attempts by Texas Republicans to gerrymander five seats primarily located in and around the larger urban centers. Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott, at the behest of President Donald Trump, called a special session to force through the new maps before the 2026 midterm elections. In a letter sent to FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday, Cornyn asked Patel to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state. Cornyn concluded that these legislators have committed potential criminal acts in their rush to avoid their constitutional responsibilities and must be fully investigated and held accountable. As a matter of fact, the Texas Supreme Court ruled in 2021 that legislators are permitted to leave the state to prevent a quorum. It is not a state or federal crime, and the FBI has no lawful role in such a dispute. In a press conference held Tuesday afternoon, Trump was asked about Cornyns demand and declared that the FBI may have to get involved and physically seize the Democrats. A reporter asked, Do you want the federal government and the FBI to help locate and arrest these Texas Democrats that have left the state? Trump replied, Well, I think they have abandoned the state, nobody has seen anything like it even though theyve done it twice before. And uh, in a certain way it almost looks like theyve abandoned the state, it looks very bad. The reporter pressed, If the FBI should get involved? Trump said, Well, they may have to. They may have to. President Donald Trump listens to a question from a reporter in the South Court Auditorium of the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House campus, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025, in Washington. [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] He added, I know they want them back, not only the attorney general, the governor wants them back if you look, I mean the governor of Texas is demanding they come back so a lot of people are demanding they come back. You cant just sit it out. You have to go back, you have to fight it out; thats what elections are all about. The confrontation in Texas over redistricting is not an isolated dispute but part of a nationwide assault on democratic rights following the Supreme Courts effective dismantling of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. That legislation, won through mass struggles of the working class and oppressed minorities, was designed to prevent precisely the type of targeted disenfranchisement now openly embraced by both parties. An ominous feature of the current conflict is the trend towards regional conflict, with the Texas Democrats fleeing to states with Democratic governors, like Illinois, New York, Massachusetts and California, because Republican governors would honor the arrest warrants issued by Texas. With Cornyns appeal to the FBI and Trumps evident support, the federal government is now intervening to take sides in this state versus state conflict, raising the spectacle of federal agents grabbing state legislators off the streets as they have been seizing immigrants, by the tens of thousands. Gerrymandering is an old-fashioned corrupt practice in capitalist politics, in which the office holders choose the voters, rather than the reverse. But with modern technology, including the use of specialized software and artificial intelligence, it has become possible to fine-tune this to the point of outright election rigging, ensuring that broad layers of the population are denied political representation. For decades, both the Democrats and Republicans have wielded this weapon to entrench their own positions while at the same time safeguarding the two-party monopoly, virtually outlawing any left-wing, socialist and anti-capitalist parties from appearing on the ballot. Urban, working-class, and minority communities have been systematically divided, while safe seats for political insiders have been protected. The Texas maps currently under dispute were already redrawn in 2021 to cement Republican control for the next decade, locking in districts that bear no relationship to actual demographic realities. But it is only now, under conditions of an open drive toward dictatorship, that Trump and the Republicans are threatening to arrest Democrats for attempting to block an especially egregious case of gerrymandering. The current redistricting push is not about representation or process but about consolidating one-party rule and criminalizing any resistance. Trumps threats to send the FBI to seize lawmakers engaged in lawful political activity reveal the true nature of the political crisis: The ruling class, faced with deepening social opposition, is preparing to abolish what remains of democratic forms in the United States. Never before has one partys leadership threatened to use federal law enforcement to arrest sitting legislators for engaging in lawful parliamentary tacticsin this case, fleeing the state to deny a quorum and block the passage of an especially provocative law. Trumps declaration that the FBI may have to seize Democratic lawmakers, echoed by Texas Senator John Cornyns call for arrests, is not bluster. It is the language of dictatorship. American history offers warnings. In the years before the Civil War, repeated breakdowns of the legislative processnearly always involving conflict over the expansion of slavery into new territorieswere accompanied by violence in the halls of Congress, armed confrontations in the states, and the use of federal power to enforce the will of the slaveholding elite. In this fight, the working class cannot rely on either of the capitalist parties, both of which have spent decades perfecting the mechanisms of disenfranchisement. The Democrats response to Trumps threats is not to mobilize mass opposition but to plead to the courts to impose restraint, while threatening to further gerrymander states currently controlled by the Democrats. The Texas redistricting fight is a warning: The methods of authoritarian rulecriminalizing political opposition, weaponizing law enforcement, nullifying elections through rigged mapsare being normalized. The International Youth and Students for Social Equality at George Mason University (GMU) denounces the Trump administrations fraudulent investigations into alleged racial discrimination in hiring, admissions, and the universitys response to antisemitism as fraudulent attempts to silence dissent and undermine democratic rights. These attacks serve the aim of paving the way for a presidential dictatorship, trampling academic freedom and student activism. The White House has launched a series of federal investigations into GMU, focusing on accusations of discriminatory practices tied to its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. These probes examine GMUs admissions, scholarship policies, and employment practices under civil rights laws such as Title VI and Title VII, specifically targeting alleged race and sex-based discrimination in hiring, promotions, student benefits and false claims of antisemitism. The George Mason University campus [Photo: George Mason University] This is part an escalating attack on higher education institutions across the country. It follows on the heels of the forced resignation of the University of Virginias president, Jim Ryan, on June 27, following pressure from the Department of Justice using similar allegations. Two weeks ago, Columbia University agreed to pay the Trump administration $220 million to settle investigations of alleged antisemitism. Harvard may follow Columbias lead to submit to the administration, reportedly in discussions to pay out as much as $500 million. The investigations are being spearheaded by the White Houses Joint Task Force to Combat Anti-Semitism, commissioned in the weeks following Trumps return to office to address the supposed failures of higher education institutes to crack down on anti-genocide and pro-Palestinian protests that have swept the country, in the name of protecting Jewish students. The character of the task force and the personnel that make it up reveals the baseless character of the administrations campaign against antisemitism. The task force is headed by civil rights attorney Leo Terrell, a former Democrat turned Fox News contributor and ardent Trump supporter. Terrell has made antisemitic comments on X, calling for the revoking of Democratic Senator Charles Schumers Jew Card, and sharing a post from prominent antisemite and former president of the Identity Evropa group, Patrick Casey. A Washington Post article on the task force reveals the connection between the attack on student protesters and the Trump administrations attack on DEI policies. It states, In reality, many of the task forces unprecedented demands and punishments have nothing to do with antisemitism. Instead, they seek hiring and programming changes to strip long-standing conservative targets including DEI and a liberal worldview from higher education. The Post cites a member of the task force saying, the policies are necessary to stamp out the corrupt culture on college campuses which labels Jews as oppressors [and] also isolates White students in favor of promoting racial minorities. In line with this, Trump has initiated investigations into GMUs hiring and admissions policies, which it alleges not only allow[s] but champion[s] illegal racial preferencing in violation of federal civil rights law. Trump and other officials falsely refer to these initiatives as 'Marxist or as Cultural Marxism. Some of the White Houses allegations against the GMU administration include: The use of Equity Advisors in academic departments to consider race and sex in faculty recruitment. University directives to develop promotion and tenure processes that account for the invisible emotional labor of faculty of color. Metrics and task forces designed to advance systemic and cultural anti-racism and diversity hiring to reflect student demographics. The White House has cited President Gregory Washingtons internal communications, some of which advise hiring staff to retain candidates for specific roles based upon their ethnic or racial backgrounds, even if that candidate may not have better credentials than another. In response, Washington has pledged to comply with the new administration, stating, Just as we complied with leadership expectations to increase DEI programming, we have also worked in good faith to follow directives in the opposite direction. A pro-Palestinian protester interrupts President Joe Biden during an event on the campus of George Mason University in Manassas, Va., Tuesday, Jan. 23, 2024 [AP Photo/Alex Brandon] The IYSSE at GMU opposes the Trump administrations hostile takeover of George Mason University and other schools around the country. In targeting DEI as a supposed Marxist concept, Trump reveals his real aim is to stamp out all left wing thought. But we also reject the claim that DEI and other forms of race or gender-based criteria in academia are in any way a left-wing or Marxist response to the crass right-wing politics of the Trump administration. These racialist fixations reject the central concept of social class, an essential component of Marxism in determining a policys progressive character. Instead, such policies promote the careerism of the middle class within academia and professional life, while also attempting to divide and misdirect workers and youth away from challenging capitalist relations in society. The circumstances under which the policy was adopted make this clear. Washington, in a recent email to the student body, notes that the university adopted its DEI policy in 2021, as mass protests against police brutality swept the globe in the aftermath of the police murder of George Floyd. GMU, working under the direction of Democratic Governor Ralph Northam, in office 2018-2021, set out to establish and maintain a comprehensive diversity, equity, and inclusion strategic plan in coordination with the Governor's Office. They were likewise required to 'integrate the diversity, equity, and inclusion goals into the agency's mission, operations, programs, and infrastructure.' The capitalist class responded to the 2020 mass protests against George Floyds killing through a dual strategy of violent repression and political co-optation. The Democratic Party, while feigning outrage against Trumps authoritarianism, joined Republicans in imposing curfews, deploying the National Guard, and denouncing protesters as outside agitators. Simultaneously, Democrats promoted racial identity politics to divert and fragment the movement along non-class lines. This reached its peak with the attack on monuments to the American founding fathers; figures emblematic of the United States democratic foundations. At GMU, this takes on special relevance as George Mason, a close ally of Thomas Jefferson and George Washington, was a major influence on the U.S. Declaration of Independence and helped to enshrine the Fifth Amendmentin particular, its guarantee of the right of due processin the Constitution. The reaction against these founding principles ties directly to the current witch-hunt against alleged antisemitism at GMU, where demands for ideological conformity mean suppressing dissent and academic freedom. The crackdown uses false claims of antisemitism as a pretext to target those opposing state policies, justifying repression in the name of combating hate, even while undermining basic democratic rights. Nothing in the school adoption of DEI policies has stopped Washington, GMUs first black president with a yearly salary of over $823,452, from orchestrating this crackdown on campus protesters demonstrating against the Israeli genocide of the Palestinian people. Under his watch, the school has adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliances definition of antisemitism as an amendment to its non-discrimination policy, which slanders criticism of Zionism as antisemitic. Under President Washington, the same nostrums that proclaim American society to be hopelessly racist have now been used to claim that the university is a stronghold of ingrained antisemitism, which Trump now claims to be stamping out. As the GMU IYSSE wrote last year, Students and youth need a perspective to guide a struggle against the attacks on democratic rights. In doing this, they must draw the political lessons of 14 months of protests against the US-backed genocide in Gaza. This included rejecting the politics of putting pressure on the Democratic Party as the focus of the protests and to recognize The root cause lay not in the choice of individual governments or politicians, but in the objective crisis of world capitalism and the emergence of an imperialist redivision of the world. We again call on students, faculty and members of the community to join the IYSSE and fight to politically mobilize the working class, the only social force capable of liberating society from the stranglehold of the capitalist financial oligarchy, genocide and war, against the Trump administrations move toward dictatorship. Palestinians inspect the rubble at the Al-Ansar Mosque following an Israeli strike in Deir al-Balah, Gaza Strip, Monday, June 2, 2025 [AP Photo/Abdel Kareem Hana] As murderous military assaults as well as death from starvation intensify, details of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus plan for the total conquest and annexation of Gaza are coming to light. On Tuesday, one day after Netanyahus official announcement, a high-level strategy meeting was convened in Tel Aviv to finalize Israels military operations. According to a detailed report in the Washington Post, the meeting brought together Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Eyal Zamir, Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Major General Itzik Cohen, head of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Operations Directorate. The central topic discussed was the practical implementation of the directive to occupy the remaining parts of Gaza not currently under Israeli control. Several military options were laid on the table, including the full encirclement of major refugee camps, followed by enhanced air strikes, drone operations and special forces raids to liquidate remaining Hamas elements. Unnamed Washington Post sources present in the meeting emphasized that the Palestinian refugee camps in Gaza, still home to hundreds of thousands of displaced civilians, would now be considered combat zones. The report said Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Zamir expressed strong reservations. He warned of the risk of mass civilian casualties, further unrest in the occupied West Bank, regional spillover and the immediate endangerment of the more than 50 Israeli hostages still believed to be held in Gaza. The sources said Zamir told Netanyahu, We are paving the road to chaos, not security, a statement that was reportedly met with indifference. Netanyahu, determined to press forward, told attendees, Political leadership makes the call. The military executes the call. Katz backed him, saying, There will be no more hesitation. The time to neutralize Gaza entirely has come. While elements within the Israeli government and military remain deeply divided on this course of action, the fascist Netanyahu government has made clear it will force compliance from the IDF leadership or remove those who resist. As one senior official told Israels Channel 12: The army must fall into line. This is a matter of survival for the State of Israel. After 22 months of Israeli genocide in Gaza, the Zionist regime is now stating openly what it has refused to admit publicly all along. The objective is a total restructuring of the Strip under Israeli rule. It is an open-ended occupation with no exit strategy, no plan for Palestinian self-rule and a prerequisite for ethnic cleansing of Gaza. Such a blatantly criminal undertaking would be impossible without the support of the US. Speaking on Army Radio, Israeli national security analyst Ehud Etzion made it plain: The United States has given Netanyahu carte blanche to occupy Gaza. This is not simply diplomatic cover, this is active endorsement. On Tuesday, while declining to directly endorse Israels occupation plan, President Trump told reporters, So Israel is going to have to make a decision Its going to be pretty much up to Israel. Also on Tuesday, Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy to the Middle East, addressed Israeli hostage families in Tel Aviv. He declared, There wont be a ceasefire just for a few returns. President Trump believes there needs to be an all-or-nothing agreement. Witkoff declared, President Trump now believes that everybody ought to come home at onceno piecemeal deals. That doesnt work. He confirmed that the Trump administration had been working with Netanyahu on a new plan centered on military resolution and political reordering. The Washington Post described this policy as a maximalist stance to achieve finality, effectively discarding the last semblances of diplomacy and civilian protection. After Netanyahus declaration, the UN released a statement calling Israels plan to completely occupy and annex Gaza deeply alarming. UN human rights experts warned of an escalated policy of population transfer, mass displacement, and permanent occupation, clear violations of international treaties including the Fourth Geneva Convention. The devastation, death, hunger, and displacement of the Palestinian populationespecially childrenis exceptional in the face of modern law, the statement read. The UN called for immediate cessation of offensive operations and unrestricted humanitarian access. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said, Gaza is facing a humanitarian collapse with over 2 million deprived of basic food, water, shelter, fuel and medicine. An occupation will not restore peaceit will sustain violence. However, these declarations and others are being ignored by both Tel Aviv and Washington. Meanwhile, scenes from within Gaza continue to show a horror beyond description. In the last 24 hours alone, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have killed at least 80 Palestinians, per reports from Al Jazeera and the Palestinian Red Crescent. Local doctors reported mass casualties from fresh air strikes near Deir al-Balah and Rafah, including the deaths of at least a dozen aid workers and over 20 children. Civilian populations are being intentionally targeted under the banner of rooting out terrorist infrastructure, with refugee camps around Khan Younis and Jabaliya shelled repeatedly in a span of just six hours. Gazas Health Ministry now reports 189 deaths directly linked to malnutrition, including at least 93 children under the age of 10. These figures are believed to underrepresent the real toll, as many deaths in isolated or leveled communities go unregistered. The core of Gazas hunger crisis is the Israeli governments near-total control over the distribution of aid. Since March, all entry of humanitarian convoys has been routed through Israeli-secured corridors and processed by Israeli contractors, many of them subsidiaries of companies working under US security contracts. The UN reports that over 1.2 million Gazans are now at immediate risk of famine. UN Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food Michael Fakhri told the Guardian: Israel has built the most efficient starvation machine you can imagine. So, while its always shocking to see people being starved, no one should act surprised. All the information has been out in the open since early 2024. Israel is starving Gaza. Its genocide. Its a crime against humanity. Its a war crime. I have been repeating it and repeating it and repeating it, I feel like Cassandra. Visual evidence of the catastrophe in Gaza continues to be circulated globally. Over the weekend, the Guardian published an extensive collection of images taken from drones and satellites operated by Human Rights Watch and local NGOs. They show Gaza transformed into arid wasteland. Entire neighborhoods have been flattened into pale dust, interrupted only by blackened skeletal outlines of what were once apartment blocks, hospitals, mosques, or schools. Central Gaza City resembles Aleppo at the height of the Syrian war, though in just 22 months as opposed to years. Images show children climbing over collapsed stairwells searching for relatives, streets submerged in rubble and United Nations shelters leveled to the foundations. According to UNRWA, 79 percent of Gazas buildings have been damaged or destroyed, rendering more than 1.5 million Palestinians functionally homeless. International law forbids collective punishment, starvation and forced displacement, but what Netanyahu defines as a complete military victory is, in practice, the coordinated destruction of an entire society through war, deprivation and occupation. With US backing, the Israeli government is not only permitted to commit these acts, but being encouraged. Washington has vetoed multiple Security Council resolutions calling for an immediate ceasefire. European powers have confined themselves to statements of deep concern while arms continue to be exported to Israel. Arab governments have shifted policy quietly since early 2025, choosing to privately engage with Israel on border control and refugee management. Protests have reemerged in Tel Aviv, led this week by the families of hostages still held by Hamas. Images of emaciated hostages released over the weekend by Hamas have ignited a wave of public anger. Thousands took to the streets demanding action by Netanyahu to end the assault on Gaza. The avowedly right-wing Quebec First Coalition Avenir Quebec (CAQ) government has proclaimed rapid expansion of the provinces military-industrial base as central to its economic and political agenda. With enthusiastic support from Quebecs business and political elite, both federalist and pro-Quebec independence, the CAQ government is working hand in glove with the provinces arms manufacturers to win contracts and secure bumper profits from the vast military spending increases that have been announced by Canadas federal Liberal government and Europes NATO powers. Quebec is home to more than a hundred major military-security companies, including CAE, Bombardier Defense, Pratt & Whitney Canada and Thales Canada. It also produces much of the aluminum used in US armaments, and the CAQ government has ambitions for the province to become a major global supplier of dual-use critical minerals. On June 9, Canadas newly minted Liberal prime minister, the former central banker Mark Carney, announced a massive increase in military spending. By the end of the 2025-26 fiscal year, the government will raise military spending by 17 percent, or $9.3 billion, to $62.5 billion, more than double what it was a decade ago. Carney has also committed to fully implementing the sharp increase in military spending all NATO member countries agreed to at the June 24-25 leaders summit. By no later than 2035, Canadas military spending is to rise from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP. This will mean a defence budget of $150 billion per year in todays dollars, more than double what the federal government transfers to the provinces for healthcare. The dramatic increases in military spending will be accompanied by a frontal assault on the working class and social spending cuts of unprecedented intensity. Carney has obliquely admitted this, declaring that sacrifices will be required to secure Canadas place in the world. In April, Quebec Premier Francois Legault, an ex-corporate CEO, visited the Hannover Messe industrial fair in Germany. There he touted the 800 billion ReArm Europe plan, which was adopted by the European Union to vastly expand its member states military capabilities, as an opportunity to make Quebec exports less dependent on the US market in response to President Donald Trumps tariffs. With the immediate increase in Canadian military spending, Legault has redoubled his efforts. On June 9, he described Carneys pledge to massively increase spending over the next decade as an exceptional opportunity for Quebecs economy. Quebec Premier Legault's tweet: "Munitions, warships and warplanes, tanks ... Quebec is ready for the war effort if Ottawa wakes up" [Photo: X/Legault] To underline the point, Quebecs premier retweeted a headline from the right-wing chauvinist daily Journal de Montreal, highlighting these words: Quebec is ready for the war effort if Ottawa wakes up. Within days, Legault organized a meeting between top executives of Quebec aerospace companies and Major-General Jeff Smyth, chief of the Canada militarys air and space force development; visited several military equipment suppliers; and announced the injection of millions of dollars of public funds into night-vision goggle manufacturer Thales Canada and rocket propulsion specialist Reaction Dynamics. Legaults actions and statements were warmly welcomed by the entire political establishment, including the Parti Quebecois and its sister party at the federal level, the Bloc Quebecois, which speak on behalf of the sovereignist, i.e., Quebec separatist, sections of the ruling class. The Bloc, which has long favored increased Canadian military spending, described Prime Minister Carneys pledges to increase funding for the Canadian Armed Forces as very positive, while demanding that the money will be well spent, meaning that Quebec big business will receive its fair share of the contracts and profits. Business leaders and organizations similarly reacted with enthusiasm to the CAQ governments push to rapidly expand the provinces military-industrial base Charles Emond, CEO of the Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), a public agency that manages and invests the funds of the Quebec Pension Plan, announced that it was time for the organization to set aside ethical considerations and invest in the defense sector. The reference to ethics was utterly hypocritical. The CDPQ has extensive investments in arms manufacturers and security firms. It was recently singled out in a UN report, From economy of occupation to economy of genocide, for investing $9.6 billion in companies directly involved in Israels genocidal war against the Palestinians in Gaza. After the debacle of its attempt to make Canada a world player in the battery industry through massive subsidies, the CAQ governments promotion of Quebecs military-industrial sector is a new way to channel billions of dollars of public funds into the coffers of big business and the pockets of their wealthy shareholders. In recent years, the CAQ government has invested billions of dollars in a series of green economy enterprises that have gone bankrupt or required public bailouts, such as Northvolt and Lion Electric. According to the latest analyses, the Legault governments investments just in the battery sector will result in losses of at least $2 billion in public funds. While the Quebec ruling class is certainly eager to cash in on the opportunity to make guaranteed bumper profits from war contracts, that is not the only factor motivating its enthusiastic support for massive military spending increases and state support in expanding Quebecs military-industrial base. It is eager to dramatically augment the striking power of Canadas military and its capacity to pump out weapons and weapons systems, because it fully supports Canadian imperialisms role as a protagonist in the imperialist drive to repartition the world through what is a developing global war. For decades, the pseudo-left and other Quebec nationalists promoted the lie that the Quebec bourgeoisie is oppressed and Quebecois capitalist society is progressive, even pacifist. While it is undoubtedly true that the vast majority of workers and youth in Quebec oppose war, the Quebec ruling class and its political servants have, on the contrary, a long tradition of supporting Canadian imperialism and its depredations. Under the hypocritical guise of defending human rights, the Quebec ruling class has staunchly supported Canadas participation in US imperialist wars in the Balkans, Iraq, Afghanistan, Libya and Syria. More recently, it has fully supported NATOs war on Russia; Israels genocidal assault on Gaza and the support given it by Ottawa and Washington; and the drive of US imperialism, with Canadas assistance, to strategically encircle and prepare for war with China. Like the Carney Liberal government, Quebecs political establishment maintained a complicit silence about Trumps illegal bombardment of Iran on June 22 while demanding that Iran not retaliate in the name of reducing tensions. Visiting France in late June for the Paris Air Show, where the push for rearmament took center stage, Legault demanded Quebec workers submit to the ruling classs war frenzy and accept that we must invest heavily in defense. A year ago, he continued, this would not have been well received, but now, with what is happening in Ukraine, everyone understands. Standing alongside Legault, Quebecs delegate-general in Paris, Henri-Paul Rousseau, said that the shift toward building Quebecs defence industries was necessary not only on an economic level, but also to defend our values and our civilization. In other words, Quebecs ruling class is positioning itself to lay claim to its share of the spoils of imperialist aggression. The CAQ governments plan to develop Quebecs armaments industries will be implemented at the expense of the working class in the form of billions of dollars in subsidies and non-repayable loans, tax breaks and cheap hydroelectricity for the weapons merchants. Under conditions where the government is committed to balancing the budget without tax increases and under pressure from the credit rating agencies that speak for domestic and international finance capital to do so expeditiously, this will all add up to an even more intense state assault on public services and worker protections. In June, just before the summer school break, the CAQ government announced cuts of $570 million to the public education system. Sante Quebec, meanwhile, is pressing for cuts of over $1 billion. Aware that its frontal attacks on workers living conditions will provoke strong opposition, the Quebec ruling class is putting in place anti-democratic measures to impose its policies of war and capitalist austerity. At the end of May, the Legault government adopted Bill 89, which virtually abolishes the right to strike in Quebec. With the full support of the Parti Quebecois and the complicity of all the opposition parties, the CAQ government has also intensified its virulent Quebec chauvinist agitation targeting immigrants and religious minorities with the aim of stoking reaction and splitting the working class. Photo by Melanie Deziel via Unsplash That sounds like a nice ad-dition. The North American Securities Administrators Association proposed changing its advertising guidelines last week to align them more closely with SEC standards. The industry group whose members are made up of state and provincial regulators is looking to amend its rules to allow advisors to use testimonials, endorsements, third-party ratings and performance reports in marketing materials. Jurisdictions would still need to adopt the changes on an individual level, but the amendments could afford smaller, state-registered RIAs the same marketing opportunities that their larger counterparts have enjoyed for roughly the past five years. This is a welcome and necessary step toward regulatory harmonization, said Kate Wulfken, director at Compliance Risk Concepts, adding that the current standards create unnecessary complexity for advisors and their compliance teams. READ ALSO: VOO Becomes First ETF to Top $700 Billion in Assets and Advisors May Take the Next Exit if NJ Passes New Contractor Rule It Ads Up The SEC updated its advertising rule at the end of 2020 in order to catch up with modern marketing practices, Wulfken told Advisor Upside. The old rules really made it difficult for advisors, particularly internet-based advisors, to engage with their target audiences, she said, adding that working with finfluencers was nearly impossible. However, only about half of the states have adopted similar regulations, according to data compiled by Wealthtender, a platform that connects people with advisors: In February, Texas became the latest state to adopt updated marketing rules. Holdouts include: California, Alabama, Maine, Pennsylvania, and others. Critics say testimonials can be altered, or cherry-picked, and that can end up misleading investors. A code in California even called them potentially fraudulent, deceptive, or manipulative. But, Wealthtender CEO Brian Thorp said theres no excuse for why states have not adopted the SECs rules. To use the word fraudulent today when a California RIA invites clients to share how they feel about their experience online is anything but fraudulent, he told Advisor Upside. It Keeps Adding Up. Though SEC-registered advisors can use testimonials in ads, fewer than 10% actually are doing so, Thorp said, adding that those RIAs are winning new business as a result. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for any advisor who does have the regulatory green light to collect online reviews, Thorp said. This post first appeared on The Daily Upside. To receive financial advisor news, market insights, and practice management essentials, subscribe to our free Advisor Upside newsletter. Novo Nordisk (NVO) stock was down premarket after the company missed on top and bottom lines of second quarter earnings Wednesday. The report comes just a week after the company announced a downward revision in its 2025 guidance. The company barely missed on revenue, reporting $11.95 billion, compared to $11.97 billion expected by Wall Street. It also reported earnings per share (EPS) of $0.93, compared to estimates of $0.95 per share. The GLP-1 maker of diabetes drug Ozempic and weight-loss drug Wegovy reported sales were up 16% year over year. The two blockbuster drugs brought in revenue of $7.9 billion, or about two-thirds of the total reported in the quarter. The company previously announced a reduction in sales growth, from 13%-21% to 8%-14% this year. It has been more acutely impacted by the ongoing sales of compounded weight-loss drugs, as its semaglutide ingredient has been widely copied. The company announced 14 new lawsuits Tuesday, adding to a total of 132 suits in 40 states, to shut down copycat practices. Outgoing CEO Lars Jrgensen said compounding has been a key reason behind the company's muted growth, despite it having had the first-to-market advantage a few years ago. On a call early Tuesday, he repeated the claim that more than 1 million patients were on copycat versions of the drug. Boxes of Wegovy made by Novo Nordisk are seen at a pharmacy in London, Britain, on March 8, 2024. REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo REUTERS / Reuters "We're talking about more than 1 million people using unauthorized ... semaglutide knockoffs, mainly produced in China, not quality controlled in any shape or form, or approved by the FDA," Jrgensen said. But Novo also has a competition problem and a price threat problem as near-term headwinds. Eli Lilly's (LLY) new patient prescriptions represent about 60% of the total market, despite Novo clinching a deal with CVS (CVS) to be the sole weight-loss drug on the formulary. In addition, Novo's drugs, including Ozempic, will be facing price negotiations next year for Medicare. Most recently, an additional form of negative pressure arrived in a letter from President Trump. Novo was one of 17 companies that received a letter demanding that Novo Nordisk provide the lowest price it offers to developing countries to the Medicaid population. Jrgensen said that Medicaid enrollees are already receiving some of the lowest prices lower than in Europe. He did not respond to the letter's demand that direct-to-consumer lower cash pricing be available to all patients but noted that Novo Nordisk's direct-to-consumer platform, NovoCare, has had 10% market penetration since launching in March. Anjalee Khemlani is the senior health reporter at Yahoo Finance, covering all things pharma, insurance, provider services, digital health, PBMs, and health policy and politics. That includes GLP-1s, of course. Follow Anjalee as AnjKhem on social media platforms X, LinkedIn, and Bluesky @AnjKhem. Octopus Electric Vehicles has partnered with Mastercard to offer its electric vehicle (EV) salary sacrifice scheme to employees of small businesses. The collaboration allows small business cardholders within the Mastercard Business Bonus programme to offer their staff an additional 100 charging credit when they opt for an electric car lease. The salary sacrifice scheme is designed to make the leasing of EVs more affordable for employees. According to a press release, employees can save up to 40% on their monthly car expenses by allocating a portion of their pre-tax salary towards leasing an EV. Charging an EV using Octopus Energy's Intelligent Octopus Go tariff could yield further financial benefits, with potential annual savings when compared to traditional fuel costs. A salary sacrifice scheme is said to be the cheapest way presently to adopt EVs while enabling businesses to reduce their carbon footprint and offer employee benefits. Octopus Electric Vehicles founder Fiona Howarth said: Salary sacrifice remains the cheapest way to drive a new EV. And the benefits are not just for drivers, but for their employers too. Companies can cut their emissions, retain staff and save money. By partnering with Mastercard, more businesses, of all sizes, can discover one of the most attractive employee benefits around right now. Mastercard fintech, government and digital partnerships senior vice president Darren Deal said: Its great to team up with Octopus EV to help our small business cardholders access more sustainable travel alternatives. Through our Business Bonus programme, Mastercard collaborates with trusted partners to deliver innovative and tailored solutions that help businesses grow, and this is a prime example of that. Within four years, Octopus is said to have enabled more than 6,000 companies such as PepsiCo, Jacobs Douwe Egberts, and TPX Impact to implement EV salary sacrifice schemes. In February, Octopus Electric Vehicles partnered with Dealer Auction to create a digital marketplace for pre-owned EVs. "Octopus EV and Mastercard to collaborate on salary sacrifice scheme" was originally created and published by Motor Finance Online, a GlobalData owned brand. 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? star Darcey Silva is certainly no stranger to cosmetic procedures but there is still at least one more left to complete on her plastic surgery wish list. Actually, I was thinking of doing a make-under for maybe going a little smaller [with my breasts], the TLC personality tells Page Sixs Virtual Reali-Tea, noting that her twin sister, Stacey Silva, is also thinking of going back under the knife to minimize her augmented bust. Stacey and I were thinking of going a little smaller, maybe a size or two down, [with] our breasts, Darcey, 50, continues. Im on a roll with the make-under. 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? star Darcey Silva tells Page Sixs Virtual Reali-Tea whats next on her plastic surgery wish list. Jacquelyn Kozak The TLC personality says she and twin sister Stacey Silva want to go back under the knife to reduce the size of their breast implants. Getty Images for Discovery, Inc. Darcey known for her sexy, bold style and bodacious curves has been embracing simpler sartorial choices and gearing up for surgical enhancements that align with a more understated image she feels is more reflective of who she is in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think sometimes less is more and I think were petite anyway and [our current breast implants are] a little heavy and weighing us down so, you know, a little bit more of a demure look, a little bit more feminine, a little bit lighter, she explains. Like many in the US, Darcey and Stacey often travel to Turkey for their plastic surgeries where prices are low but medical care is known to be top-notch. Stacey and I were thinking of going a little smaller, maybe a size or two down, [with] our breasts, Darcey explains. Jacquelyn Kozak The women often travel to Turkey for their plastic surgeries. darceysilva/Instagram We go there for our surgeries and our glow-ups. Were on a longevity journey, says Darcey, who visited the Page Six studio in New York City with husband Georgi Rusev. Were really excited to continue to do more things and maybe go a little smaller in the boobs towards the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Rusev tells Virtual Reali-Tea that he feels Darcey is perfect as is. Were on a longevity journey, says Darcey, pictured here in 2018. Getty Images Darcey was joined by her husband Georgi Rusev, at Page Sixs New York City studio. Jacquelyn Kozak She should keep it just how it is, he says, though the model would prefer if Darcey would adopt a more modest style. You just need to cover them a little bit more when we go to travel to [my native] Bulgaria, especially. Darcey jokes that she will most likely revisit Turkey before she returns to Bulgaria, where she recently met Rusevs family during a trip documented for 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After?. We went [to Turkey] in April for the fox-eye [procedure], so we did the brow lift, she says, noting that the facial surgery marked Darcey and Staceys second Turkish brow lift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darcey says that she and Stacey have also had rhinoplasties, surgeries on their jaws and cheek lifts a couple of years ago. Rusev tells Virtual Reali-Tea that he thinks Darcey is perfect as is. Jacquelyn Kozak She hopes to get her breasts redone in Turkey before the year is over. Jacquelyn Kozak The most painful procedure of all, however, was liposuction and abdominal etching. Its painful and youre really bruised up so its not as tolerable, Darcey says. But the boobs, the nose, the face didnt really hurt at all. You just rest. Its not very painful. 90 Day Fiance: Happily Ever After? airs Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on TLC. When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Credit: Getty Images Summer looks a bit different for Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis than the average childthink trips to Balmoral, a casual visit to Wimbledon. But in addition to the traditional royal holiday in Scotland, the Wales children are rumored to have enjoyed a secret getaway to the Greek island of Kefalonia with their parents, and they didn't just stay at any old luxury villa. Instead, the family is said to have been spotted aboard a superyacht, and one former royal butler has opened up about why this type of travel has been a longtime favorite for the royals. Speaking to The Boat Charter, Grant Harroldwho worked as King Charless butler between 2004 and 2011revealed that while some royals still prefer Balmoral for their summer breaks, it's not surprising to see Princess Kate and Prince William enjoying time at sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Williams mother loved going on superyachts, and his father spent time on yachts like the Royal [Yacht] Britannia," Harrold said, adding, "Historically, the family tends to yacht around Greece." Prince William and Princess Kate are pictured during the King's Cup Regatta in 2019. | Credit: Getty Images Prince William and Princess Charlotte traveled to Switzerland on July 27 for the women's Euro 2025 final. | Credit: Getty Images While it's "a nice way to see the world," he adds that this type of vacation allows the Royal Family to remain more anonymous. Yachting is also a great way for the royals to get privacy while abroad," Harrold said. "When you're out at sea, its a bit trickier to be tracked or followed. It gives them that privacy, which Id imagine is a key reason Kate and William would choose a holiday like this." According to the Daily Mail, locals in Kefalonia "swear blind" that the Wales family "arrived on the island by private Lear jet on July 16" with Kate's parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. "All were then driven to a waiting superyacht," the outlet reported, suggesting the family holidayed on sustainable boating pioneer Almax, "one of the world's first fuel-cell superyachts which is estimated to be worth 40 million." Although it's yet to be confirmed if the Waleses were indeed in Greece, Harrold said that Prince William "likes the sun" as opposed to King Charles, who "is more someone who enjoys the Scottish weatherit doesn't bother him." "Prince William is a passionate swimmer and we used to get involved in competitions, so I can imagine he enjoys being at sea," Harrold added. Francis Ford Coppola has been hospitalized in Italy. The Godfather director, 86, was in the country to present his latest movie, Megalopolis, at the Magna Grecia Festival in Taranto when he was taken to the hospital for a scheduled procedure, The Post confirmed. Francis Ford Coppola during Paris fashion week on June 24, 2025. WireImage Francis Ford Coppola at the Chicago Theatre on July 25, 2025. Timothy Hiatt/Shutterstock According to The Mirror, the procedure was heart surgery, with the outlet reporting he experienced a mild cardiac arrhythmia before it began and was placed under observation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, sources close to the director tell The Post: Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure with acclaimed Dr. Andrea Natale, his doctor of over 30 years, and is resting nicely. All is well and he appreciates everyones concern. Before his hospitalization, the Apocalypse Now director was said to be in Italy to scout locations for his new film, which he reportedly plans to begin shooting this fall. The Godfather director during Paris fashion week on June 24, 2025. Getty Images He was then greeted as a special guest during the Magna Graecia Film Festival, which kicked off July 26 and wrapped up Aug. 2, and provided the crowd with an impassioned speech about the future. Young people tell me the world is a mess, but I tell them theres no problem that humanity cant solve, Coppola began. We must build a great new future, and do it together for the sake of our children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And tonight, were taking a leap into the future, he added before presenting Megalopolis, which Coppola reportedly financed using $120 million of his own money. Francis Ford Coppola during a screening of Megalopolis at the Chicago Theatre on July 25, 2025. Timothy Hiatt/Shutterstock The controversial film stars Adam Driver, Aubrey Plaza, Shia LaBeouf and Giancarlo Esposito, and it was dubbed a zero-star, wacko disaster by critics upon its release last year. Besides self-funding the passion project, Coppola also took four decades to bring Megalopolis to fruition. It raked in less than $15 million worldwide. You get more out of it every time you see it, Coppola said during a Q&A ahead of its premiere. People love it and people hate it its the best reaction. Francis Ford Coppola and his wife, Eleanor, during the 59th International Cannes Film Festival on May 24, 2006, in Cannes, France. Getty Images Francis Ford Coppola and his daughter, director Sofia Coppola, during the 76th annual Academy Awards at the Renaissance Hollywood Hotel on Feb. 29, 2004, in Hollywood, Calif. Getty Images Still, the Rainmaker director wasnt concerned about the movies mixed reviews, and he opened up about his attitude for death during another Megalopolis screening at San Franciscos Palace of Fine Arts earlier this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I lost my wife a year ago, around this time, he shared. But my attitude for death is that I always lived my life so that when I was at the moment approaching death, I wouldnt say, Oh, I wish I had done this and I wish I had done that. Instead, I say to myself, I got to do this. I got to see my daughter win an Oscar. I got to see my father win an Oscar, Coppola continued. Im going to be so busy saying all the things I got to do that when I die, Im not going to notice it. When I die, Im not going to notice it. You know how your electric toothbrush just shuts off when you least expect it? he concluded. Thats what death is like. Gordon Ramsay cannot stand poorly-run businesses, especially restaurants. After over 20 years on television, the celebrity chef and television host is no stranger to working with difficult business owners, usually restaurateurs, to make their failing ventures successful, with many viewers tuning into one of his most famous projects, "Kitchen Nightmares." In 2025, Ramsay is tackling bad restaurants from behind the cameras on "Secret Service," where he surveys and critiques poor practices through hidden cameras and secret diners. Advertisement Advertisement However, Ramsay doesn't just tackle restaurants. You may be familiar with "Hotel Hell," a successor to "Kitchen Nightmares," where Ramsay tries to help struggling hotels find their footing, despite the many disagreements, walk-outs and screaming matches that take place. Here are the Vermont hotels, resorts and inns Ramsay visited on "Hotel Hell" and where they are now. 957649258.jpg LAS VEGAS, NV - MAY 11: Chef and television personality Gordon Ramsay attends the 12th annual Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit Grand Tasting event presented by the Las Vegas Convention and Visitors Authority and Southern Glazer's Wine and Spirits of Nevada at Caesars Palace on May 11, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images for Vegas Uncork'd by Bon Appetit) Juniper Hill Inn, Windsor (CLOSED) Where: 153 Pembroke Road About: Located in the town of Windsor, this episode saw the Scottish chef enter a 110-year-old inn run by an antiques enthusiast and his partner. Ramsay discovers that the management often does not pay its staff on time, overprices its menu options, and stinking inn rooms due to plumbing problems, leading to some fiery exchanges with the owners. Advertisement Advertisement What happened: The Juniper Hill Inn, as run by the owners in the episode, went into foreclosure in 2013, according to an article by the Rutland Herald. A tax sale on the property took place in 2014 and was bought by a Vermont man and his sister, renaming it to the Windsor Mansion Inn. It was acquired by HHK Hospitality LLC in 2019, Valley News said. Situated at 153 Pembroke Road in Windsor, Vermont, Windsor Mansion Inn currently has 4.6 stars on Google with 267 reviews. More: Feeling the urge to splurge? These nine hotels in Vermont provide pampering for a price Four Seasons Inn, West Dover (CLOSED) Where: 145 Vermont Rte 100 About: Ramsay went to The Four Seasons Inn, not affiliated with the multi-national hotel chain, in West Dover, Vermont, expecting much better accommodations than what he was met with. The episode saw the Michelin-star TV host deal with a stressed-out and abrasive business owner, unpaid workers, and outdated decor. One bright spot: the beautiful inn dog, Layla. The episode's remodel saw the inn become a dog-friendly hotel with the new name of Layla's Riverside Lodge. Advertisement Advertisement What happened: The episode first aired in 2014, and the owner in the episode sold the lodge in 2022, where it would later become the Sugar Maple Inn, Bennington Banner reporting said. With 4.8 stars and 55 reviews on Google, you find the inn at 145 Vermont Rte 100 in West Dover, Vermont. Rin Velasco is a trending reporter. She can be reached at rvelasco@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Was Gordon Ramsay able to save these 2 VT inns? Where they are now Mario Lopez may have moved on to a bigger home in La Canada Flintridge, California, but the Spanish Revival estate he left behind is ready for another close-up. His historic 1929 property in Glendale, California, originally built by armored car inventor Peter Damm and affectionately dubbed Lorelei, is back on the market asking $5.99 million nearly two years after the Access Hollywood heartthrob sold it for $4.55 million, The Post has learned. The 7,711-square-foot villa was the first home ever added to Glendales historic registry. Lopez bought the property in 2010 for $1.94 million. WireImage Known as Lorelei, the home occupies 7,711 square feet. Wayne Ford The Spanish Revival estate was the first property added to Glendales historic registry. Wayne Ford With eight bedrooms and 11 bathrooms, the home boasts wraparound views spanning from downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lopez, best known for his role as A.C. Slater on Saved by the Bell, purchased the property in 2010 for $1.94 million. It offers sweeping views from downtown LA to the Pacific Ocean. Wayne Ford Lopez sold it in 2023 for $4.55 million after renovating the interiors, and adding a resort-style pool and outdoor entertaining area. Wayne Ford The estate features a wine cellar, a gym, a guesthouse and cabana with a chefs kitchen. Wayne Ford During his tenure, he reimagined the interiors, installed a resort-style pool and gave the outdoor entertaining areas a glow-up. Though he initially listed the home for $6.5 million, it ultimately sold below asking in 2023 to East Coast retail entrepreneurs Pam and Marc Salkovitz, according to public records. Now, the couple is hoping to flip the script. Perched at 330 Kempton Road, the compound is a study in Spanish grandeur: think terra-cotta tile, arched windows, wrought-iron gates and a gated courtyard anchored by hand-painted fountains. The home is eligible for tax savings under the Mills Act. Wayne Ford Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kitchen. Wayne Ford The breakfast nook. Wayne Ford A living space. Wayne Ford Inside, the home unfolds with dark hardwood floors, exposed wood beams and curated gathering spaces, including a formal living room bathed in natural light, a dining room framed by intricate ironwork, and a chefs kitchen with dual islands and a breakfast nook. The primary suite offers panoramic city and mountain views, a dedicated office or nursery and a spa bathroom with a soaking tub, an oversized rain shower and a walk-in closet. The real star, though, might be the tiered backyard. Its got a cabana with a full commercial-style kitchen, a beer tap and outdoor heaters, plus a zero-edge pool, a bocce court, secluded dining terraces and even a storybook-style playhouse. As an added bonus, the property qualifies for Mills Act tax incentives due to its historic designation. One of eight bedrooms. Wayne Ford Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of 11 bathrooms. Wayne Ford The outdoor loggia. Wayne Ford Lopez lived in the home for 13 years before parting ways with it. Wayne Ford This property is a full lifestyle experience and design, where historic Spanish architecture meets modern luxury. Every detail has been thoughtfully curated to elevate everyday living, Nancy Gerber of Compass, who is co-listing the property with Craig Strong, told The Post. Lopez now lives in a $9.3 million estate in nearby La Canada this one clocking in at over 9,200 square feet with a game room, a theater and another pool. This fall, Jason Momoa is the Chief of War. The Dune: Part Two star leads a predominantly Polynesian cast in the new Apple TV+ series about Hawaiis unification, with directing duties from Justin Chon (Pachinko). The first two episodes of the nine-episode limited miniseries dropped August 1, starring Momoa as the fierce Hawaiian warrior chief Kaiana as he wrestles sharks and takes on the whole island himself. A bit of a passion project for the native Hawaiian, Chief of War is a violent and historical account of the island nation of Hawaii at the end of the 18th century. Heres a brief history lesson. In the late 1700s, the four major islandsHawaii, Maui, Oahu, and Kauaiwere all at war. Fearing the threat of Western colonization, supreme ruler (alii nui) Kamehameha sought to conquer and unify the islands forces. We wont spoil real-life history here, but Momoas chief Kaiana serves under Kamehameha leading up to one of the most important battles in Hawaiis history. Chief of War centers fully on Kaianas journey, with Kamehamehas legacy stepping largely to the side. According to Momoa, the series aims to finally tell the story from an Indigenous point of view. You have to understand. This is not just us working our day job, Momoa told the Wrap. This is our heritage. Im not playing a fictitious character or a superhero. These are my ancestors. If I f**k any of this up, were not coming home. Nicola dove - Apple Where Can I Watch Chief of War? Chief of War airs weekly on Fridays for Apple TV+ subscribers. The streamer released the first two episodes August 1, with the remaining seven episodes to air weekly until September 19. Momoa directed the final episode, which aims to complete the entire story. Check below for a full release schedule: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Episode 1: The Chief of War August 1 Episode 2: Changing Tides August 1 Episode 3: City of Flowers August 8 Episode 4: Ciudad De Flores, Part II" August 15 Episode 5: The Race of the Gods" August 22 Episode 6: The Splintered Paddle" August 29 Episode 7: Day of Spilled Brains" September 5 Episode 8: The Sacred Niu Grove September 12 Episode 9: The Black Desert" September 19 You Might Also Like Jenna Bush Hager Could Be Leaving Connecticut as She Discusses Her Next Chapter originally appeared on Parade. On the August 6, episode of Today With Jenna & Friends, host Jenna Bush Hager admitted that she'd love to move back to her home state of Texas with her family. "I just think everybody should have chapters in their lives," she said while chatting with her co-host Matt Rogers. "So I have this dream, I dont know how realistic it is, but when the Jenna & Friends chapters come to a close I think itd be so nice to move back to Texas and let my kids have a different life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bush Hager and her husband, Henry Hager, have three children together Mila, 13, Poppy, 9, and Hal, 5. The family currently lives in Connecticut, not too far from Manhattan. This isn't the first time that Bush Hager has seemingly longed for life in the Lone Star State. Back in October 2024, Bush Hager traveled to Austin, Texas, with her former co-host Hoda Kotb. The two women discussed the city and Bush Hager expressed just how much she adored the area. "Austin was my home from middle school through college. I could not leave, I had to go to UT," she said, according to People. "My mom even said the other day, she goes, Why did you apply to all those schools you were always going to Texas?' I have lived out of Texas longer than I've lived in it, its still in every bone in my body, I love it so much." Jenna Bush Hager Could Be Leaving Connecticut as She Discusses Her Next Chapter first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Jenna Bush Hager Says Her August Book Club Pick Is Deeply Moving and She Couldnt Put It Down originally appeared on Parade. With the last month of summer starting up, Jenna Bush Hager has shared one more book to put on your summer reading list. Read With Jennas August 2025 book club pick is My Other Heart by Emma Nanami Strenner. And it was so good that she couldnt put it down, she shared on TODAY With Jenna & Friends. This novel begins when Mimi Truang's young daughter disappears in the Philadelphia airport during their travels to Vietnam. The story picks up years later in Pennsylvania, following two young women during a summer that will change everything. One heads to Japan to explore more of her Japanese heritage, having been adopted and raised by white parents. The other stays put in small-town Pennsylvania, but her days are brightened by her new mentor, who helps her look deeper into herself and what might be hiding beneath the surface. Meanwhile, Mimi never gave up on the search for her daughter, and heads back to the state from which she went missing years before. Inevitably, the three women will meet, and the story will twist in turn in ways youd never expect. This book is British Japanese author Emma Nanami Strenners debut novel. With this novel as promising as it sounds, youll want to keep an eye on her for future releases. Reeses Book Club Summer 2025 Picks While nothing compares to flying through a beach read on summer vacation, these books can be read any time of the year, so you should still get your hands on them when you can. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement June 2025: A Family Matter by Claire Lynch July 2025: Happy Wife by Meredith Lavender and Kendall Shores The Read With Jenna book club launched in 2019 as an experiment testing whether or not people still read. Now six years old and only growing in popularity, that question has been answered with a resounding yes. In fact, Hager held her very own book festival earlier this year in Nashville. The festival spanned two days, with around 200 book club members present each day, and was filled with meals, panel discussions with popular authors and plenty of time to mingle, shop and read. Related: 10 Best Audiobooks of the Summer, According to the Biggest Audiobook Narrator Jenna Bush Hager Says Her August Book Club Pick Is Deeply Moving and She Couldnt Put It Down first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Oil prices dropped to their lowest in a week on Monday as markets digested OPEC+'s decision to implement another significant output increase in September. US Oil Majors Reign Supreme as Competitors All Lose Market Edge - US oil majors ExxonMobil and Chevron are increasingly pulling ahead of their European peers, with both companies reporting their highest ever production in Q2 2025, at 4.63 million boe/d and 3.4 million boe/d, respectively. - In stark contrast to US peers, Shells production saw an annual decline of 4.2% to 2.65 million boe/d whilst BP dipped by 3.3% from a year ago to 2.3 million boe/d, leaving the French TotalEnergies as the only large European oil firm to see higher hydrocarbon output. - Moreover, ExxonMobil successfully fended off pressure from activist investors such as Elliott Investment Management, all the while the same company is pressuring BP to divest $20 billion in assets and cut net debt to $14-18 billion by 2027 (vs $26 billion now). - Saudi Aramco is faring even worse than European oil majors, losing 14% of share value since the beginning of the year, as investors have taken note of lower dividend payouts in 2025 and higher debt requirements to meet the countrys $92.3 per barrel fiscal breakeven price. Market Movers - Saudi Arabias national oil company Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL:2222) posted a 22% decline in its Q2 net profit to $22.7 billion, with its average realized crude oil price dipping to $66.7 per barrel, down from $76.3 per barrel in Q1. - US midstream firm MPLX (NYSE:MPLX) agreed to buy Northwind Midstream for $2.38 billion in cash to expand its sour gas processing portfolio across the Permian Basin, in anticipation of more output coming from New Mexico. - Indias leading energy firm Reliance Industries (NSE:RELIANCE) launched a JV with UK oil major BP (NYSE:BP) and state-run ONGC to explore the GS-2022/2 block offshore, increasing BPs Indian exposure. - US oil major ExxonMobil (NYSE:XOM) signed a memorandum of understanding with Libyas state oil firm NOC to conduct geological studies in four offshore blocks, marking Exxons return to the country after a full withdrawal in 2013. Tuesday, August 05, 2025 In a surprise move, the US-India trading relationship has become the main talking point of this week, with the Indian government pledging to protect its economic interests and calling Trumps threats unjustified. The Indian reaction has weakened concerns that Russian oil supply could see an immediate impact come August 8, adding some downside pressure on oil prices as the OPEC+ announcement for September already nudged ICE Brent closer to $68 per barrel. King of the Hill co-creator Mike Judge recently revealed why Hank Hill spent several years in Saudi Arabia before returning to Arlen. In a new interview, the series creator said Hanks overseas move became a key part of the Hulu revival. It sets up his reentry into a drastically changed America. Mike Judge on Hank moving to Saudi Arabia in King of the Hill In King of the Hill, Hank and Peggy Hill return to Arlen after several years in Saudi Arabia, where Hank worked as assistant manager in charge of Arabian propane and Arabian propane accessories. This takes place in Hulus King of the Hill revival, set 15 years after the original series. Series co-creator Mike Judge said the idea of Hank and Peggy moving overseas came about naturally during early discussions for the revival. Once we kicked around a lot of ideas, we came upon this idea of Hank and Peggy, who were gone out of the country in Saudi Arabia, for however many years, and then they come back and [things evolved from there]. It just seemed like a good way in, Judge told Deadline. He added, Also, when I would look on Twitter, I would see people saying that Bobby and Connie should be adults now. So, it just seemed like thats what the universe was telling us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge explained that aging up the characters was necessary to maintain the shows grounded tone. Because our show is less surreal than other animated shows, like say, The Simpsons, it just seemed that even during the original run of the show, especially with Bobby, how long can we get away with keeping him [a young kid and teenager]? So, for us, it just seemed like the right thing to do. He also described Hanks experience abroad as being somewhat idyllic. The Aramco base [petroleum company] has this idyllic, perfect American city for Americans over there. So, for Hank, it seemed great. Hes in this idyllic world, and then he comes back to America. And now hes like, What the hell? Judge said Hanks return shows him confronting a changed world. Hank Hill is back, and hes pissed off. Originally reported by Anubhav Chaudhry on SuperHeroHype. The post King of the Hill: Why Hank Moves To Saudi Arabia Explained by Creator appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More. Director Francis Ford Coppola was reportedly hospitalized after experiencing an irregular heartbeat in Italy Tuesday. The Godfather director, 86, allegedly suffered from a mild cardiac arrhythmia and was put under observation, the Mirror reported. He reportedly went to the hospital for a pre-scheduled heart surgery, but after arriving, medical professionals uncovered his condition. Francis Ford Coppola was reportedly hospitalized after experiencing a mild cardiac arrhythmia an irregular heartbeat while in Italy. Getty Images According to the Mirror, the Godfather director was put under observation. Timothy Hiatt/Shutterstock Mr. Coppola went in for a scheduled update procedure with acclaimed Dr. Andrea Natale, his doctor of over 30 years, and is resting nicely, an insider told People. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All is well and he appreciates everyones concern. Reps for Coppola werent immediately available to Page Six for comment. The legendary filmmaker was in Italy for a screening of his 2024 sci-fi drama film, Megalopolis, at the Magna Graecia Film Festival, according to Ansa. Speaking to a crowd, he reportedly told them, Young people tell me the world is a mess, but I tell them theres no problem that humanity cant solve. He reportedly arrived at the hospital for scheduled heart surgery when his irregular heartbeat was detected. AP Reps for Coppola werent immediately available to Page Six for comment. Getty Images We must build a great new future, and do it together for the sake of our children. And tonight, were taking a leap into the future, Coppola added. The outlet reported that the legendary filmmaker was abroad looking for locations to shoot an upcoming film. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ahead of arriving in Italy, the Conversation producer was at the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco on Aug. 1 for another screening of Megalopolis. The legendary director was in Italy for a screening of his 2024 film, Megalopolis. Getty Images He was also reportedly abroad looking for places to film an upcoming movie. Getty Images The movie, starring Aubrey Plaza and Adam Driver, received extensive backlash, with Deadline previously referring to it as something of a mess. However, the film, which Coppola spent $120 million of his personal funds on, earned him a 10-minute standing ovation at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. I dont care, I never cared about money, he said at the time. In the end there are so many people when they die that say, I wish I had done this, I wish I had done that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when I die Im gonna say I got to do this. I got to see my daughter [Sofia] win an Oscar, and I got to make wine, and I got to make all the movies I wanted to make. And Im going to be so busy thinking about what I got to do that when I die I wont notice it, Coppola added. Coppola was in San Francisco earlier this month. WireImage He was previously wed to Eleanor Jessie Coppola, who died in 2024. Getty Images While filming the movie, Coppola was accused of unprofessional behavior on set, including kissing topless extras, which he denied. However, he admitted to kissing one on the cheek. Coppola was married to Eleanor Jessie Coppola from 1963 until she died in 2024. They shared three kids: Roman Coppola, 60, Sofia Coppola, 54, and Gian-Carlo Coppola, who died in 1986 at the age of 22. Originally appeared on E! Online Eve never says no to a heart-warming reunion. When Life-Size costars Lindsay Lohan and Tyra Banks shared a moment while on the red carpet for the Aug. 5 Australian premiere of Lindsays new movie Freakier Friday, the pair reminded the world to shine bright and shine far. For the outing, Lindsay donned a black dress that featured a black bodysuit and sheer, floor-length skirt. Next to the Parent Trap alum, Tyrawho lives in Australia with partner Louis Belanger-Martin and son York Banks Asla, 9dazzled in a brown satin dress and brown leather corset. She complemented the look with a pair of mocha colored pumps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Joining in on the reunion was Lindsays Freakier Friday costar, Jamie Lee Curtis, who wore a red long-sleeved dress. After starring in the 2000 movie, which followed Lindsays teenage Casey as she brings her doll Eve to life, Tyra starred in a 2018 Life-Size sequel alongside Grown-ish actress Francia Raisa. Lindsay, however, was unavailable to be in the movie due to scheduling conflicts, but that didnt keep her influence from being present. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes gonna be in this one in a way, Tyra said during an appearance on The Talk at the time. Theres some Lindsay in there sprinkled in a very special, sweet way. Since then, the Americas Next Top Model host has been vocal about an idea she has for her and Lindsaywho lives in Dubai with husband Bader Shammas and their 2-year-old son Luaito star in a third installment of the franchise. Scott Ehler/Disney I feel like we should do one, Tyra said on The Drew Barrymore Show in October. And I feel like Ive been really looking at Lindsay [Lohan] and I feel like, what if she was a doll? What if she, in some kind of way, magically turned into a doll? ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images She added, Then my Eve character had to teach her how to be a doll. I feel like that could be very interesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While waiting to see if Life-Size 3 will come to life, read on to see which movies are premiering soon. The Fantastic Four: First Steps - July 25, 2025 Marvels First Family is reimagined against a 1960s-inspired, retro-futuristic world, starring Ebon Moss-Bachrach (The Bear), Vanessa Kirby (The Crown), Pedro Pascal (The Last of Us), and Joseph Quinn (Stranger Things). Where to Watch: In theaters Happy Gilmore 2 - July 25, 2025 Adam Sandler returns to the green in this sequel to his 1996 sports comedy. Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix The Naked Gun - August 1, 2025 Liam Neeson and Pamela Anderson show off their comedic chops in this reboot of the crime spoof franchise. Where to Watch: In theaters The Bad Guys 2 - August 1, 2025 This sequel to the 2022 animated comedy finds the now-reformed Bad Guys hijacked into a high-stakes heist, masterminded by a new team of criminals they never saw coming: The Bad Girls. Where to Watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pickup - August 6, 2025 Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer star in this action-comedy about a routine cash pickup that takes a wild turn when two mismatched armored truck drivers are ambushed by ruthless criminals. Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video Freakier Friday - August 8, 2025 Linday Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis return for this sequel to the beloved 2003 body-swap comedy. Where to Watch: In theaters Weapons - August 8, 2025 When all but one child from the same class mysteriously vanish on the same night at exactly the same time, a community is left questioning who or what is behind their disappearance. Starring Josh Brolin, Julia Garner and Alden Ehrenreich. Where to Watch: In theaters My Mother's Wedding - August 8, 2025 A heartfelt rom-com following three sisters (Scarlett Johansson, Sienna Miller, Emily Beecham) who return to their childhood home for the third wedding of their twice-widowed mother (Kristin Scott Thomas). Where to Watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highest 2 Lowest - August 15, 2025 Denzel Washington, Jeffrey Wright and A$AP Rocky star in director Spike Lee's new crime thriller about a music mogul who is targeted with a ransom plot. Where to Watch: In theaters August 15 and streaming on Apple TV+ on September 5. The Map That Leads To You - August 20, 2025 KJ Apa (Riverdale) and Madelyn Cline (Outer Banks) headline this romantic drama about two strangers whose chance encounter while traveling across Europe sparks an unexpected journey of self-discovery. Where to Watch: Streaming on Prime Video Honey Don't! - August 22, 2025 Margaret Qualley and Aubrey Plaza star in this dark comedy about a small-town private investigator who delves into a series of strange deaths tied to a mysterious church. Where to Watch: In theaters Americana - August 22, 2025 A modern-day western starring Sydney Sweeney, Paul Walter Hauser, Halsey and Eric Dane as a group of strangers who clash over the possession of a rare Native American artifact. Where to Watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caught Stealing - August 29, 2025 Austin Butler and Zoe Kravitz star in this crime caper about a washed up baseball phenom who gets embroiled with a motley crew of gangsters while taking care of his neighbor's cat. Where to Watch: In theaters Twinless - September 5, 2025 Dylan O'Brien and writer/director James Sweeney star in this black comedy about two young men who meet in a twin support group and form an unlikely friendship. Where to Watch: In theaters The Conjuring: Last Rites - September 5, 2025 The ninth (!) entry in the Conjuring cinematic universe sees Vera Farmiga and Patrick Wilson reunite for one last time as renowned, real-life paranormal investigators Ed and Lorraine Warren. Where to Watch: In theaters Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale - September 12, 2025 This third and final film will wrap up the period drama franchise, with Hugh Bonneville, Laura Carmichael, Jim Carter, Michelle Dockery and more, all set to return. Where to watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Long Walk - September 12, 2025 Based on the novel by Stephen King, The Long Walk follows the contestants of a grueling walking contest set in a dystopian reality where the U.S. is ruled by a totalitarian regime. Where to Watch: In theaters A Big Bold Beautiful Journey - September 19, 2025 Colin Farrell and Margot Robbie co-star in this romantic drama about two strangers who meet at a friend's wedding and find themselves on a fantastical adventure where they get to re-live important moments from their pasts. Where to Watch: In theaters Gabby's Dollhouse: The Movie - September 26, 2025 Based on the popular Netflix kids series, this movie adaptation follows Gabby (Laila Lockhart Kraner) and her Grandma Gigi (Gloria Estefan) as they road trip to Cat Francisco and team up with the Gabby Cats to save Gabby's dollhouse from the clutches of eccentric cat lady Vera (Kristen Wiig). Where to Watch: In theaters One Battle After Another - September 26, 2025 Writer/director Paul Thomas Anderson (Boogie Nights, There Will Be Blood) assembles an all-star cast including Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benecio del Toro and Regina Hall for this crime drama about a group of ex-revolutionaries who reunite to rescue one of their own's daughter. Where to Watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Strangers - Chapter 2 - September 26, 2025 The chilling next chapter of The Strangers franchise, starring Madelaine Petsch (Riverdale) as the lone survivor of Chapter 1 who is again pursued by the trio of masked killers. Where to Watch: In theaters Michael - October 3, 2025 Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in this biopic about the "King of Pop". Where to Watch: In theaters The Smashing Machine - October 3, 2025 Dwayne Johnson and Emily Blunt star in this true story of UFC fighter Mark Kerr. Where to Watch: In theaters Roofman - October 10, 2025 Based on an unbelievable true story, Roofman follows a struggling father (Channing Tatum) who turns to robbing McDonalds restaurants by cutting holes in their roofs. After escaping prison, he secretly lives inside a Toys R Us for six months, surviving undetected while planning his next move. But when he falls for Leigh (Kirsten Dunst), a divorced mom drawn to his undeniable charm, his double life begins to unravel. Where to Watch: In theaters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Tragedy has struck the "MasterChef" family as Yanin Campos, a fan-favorite contestant on "MasterChef Mexico" and popular TikTok influencer, has died following a horrific car accident in her hometown of Chihuahua. She was 38. The crash occurred early Saturday morning, around 6:30 a.m., along the Francisco R. Almada highway. Yanin Campos was driving a black GMC Terrain when she reportedly lost control and slammed into a parked car. 'MasterChef' Star Succumbs To Injuries After SUV Collision According to local outlets, Campos was rushed to Hospital del Parque, where she was placed in the ICU in critical condition. Despite doctors' efforts, she succumbed to her injuries on Monday night, just two days after the devastating accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her brother, Raul Campo, confirmed the heartbreaking news in a statement shared on social media. "To our family and friends, we inform you and mourn the passing of my sister, Yanin Campos. The wake is at the Hernandez Funeral Home for those who would like to say goodbye and join us," he wrote. Local authorities have opened an investigation to determine the cause of the accident. Police say Campos veered off course before colliding with a stationary vehicle, but no further details have been released. Images of Yanin Campos' mangled SUV circulated online in the aftermath. How Yanin Campos Won Hearts Beyond 'MasterChef' Campos first rose to fame in 2018 when she competed on "MasterChef Mexico," where her passion for food and charismatic personality quickly made her a standout. Although she placed sixth, she was invited back the following year to compete on "MasterChef: La Revancha" in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More recently, she had cultivated a loyal following on TikTok, where nearly 100,000 fans tuned in to her content. Her posts often mixed her love for food with glimpses into her personal life. Life After 'MasterChef' Following her breakout on "MasterChef Mexico," Yanin Campos continued to reinvent herself both in and out of the kitchen. She launched an OnlyFans account, offering exclusive content for a $7 monthly subscription. Rather than spark distance, the move cemented her image as someone fearless about breaking stigmas and expressing herself authentically, even through unconventional platforms. On television, Campos became the host of "La Tertulia," where her charisma and presence kept her connected to local audiences. She also remained deeply tied to the culinary world, teaming up with chef Raul Linares on artisanal baking projects and developing menus for vegetarian and ovo-lacto vegetarian restaurants. Yanin Campos' Final Instagram Post Turns Into Heartbreaking Memorial After Tragic Death Yanin Campos' final Instagram post, shared on April 19, 2023, showed the "MasterChef Mexico "alum smiling brightly during a trip to London. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Posing next to a classic red telephone booth with Big Ben rising in the background, Campos wore a pink coat with a fur-trimmed collar, black beret, and oversized glasses, looking both stylish and cheerful as she leaned casually against the booth. She captioned the post with a simple, heartfelt line, "Taking a stroll." Fans Mourn 'MasterChef' Star Yanin Campos Fans, friends, and fellow contestants have since flooded social media with tributes, remembering Campos not just as a talented chef but as a warm and joyful spirit who left a lasting mark on everyone she met. "I just heard about the news and how sad, so young and beautiful, we met her for her participation in 'Masterchef,' but it certainly hurts to think that a 38-year-old woman left like that," one social media user commented on Campos' final Instagram post. "I don't know her family, but I hope God sends them a quick resignation. Rest in Peace, Yanin." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Rest in peace, Yanin. So sorry for what happened," another said. "Yanin, you will be missed. Keep shining wherever you are," a third wrote. Others wrote messages like "RIP Yanin," while others left strings of dove, heart, and prayer emojis to honor her memory. Many described the chef as "beautiful" and expressed heartbreak over her sudden death, turning what was once a lighthearted travel snapshot into a poignant reminder of the vibrant life she lived. Originally appeared on E! Online The MasterChef family is mourning the loss of one of their own. Yanin Camposwho appeared on season four of the cooking competition seriesdied on August 4 following a tragic car crash, her brother Raul confirmed on Facebook. She was 38 years old. To family and friends, Raul wrote in the August 6 post, translated from Spanish. We inform and mourn the death of my sister Yanin Campos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Rauls message, Yanins family held a wake on August 4 at Hernandez Funeral for those who like to say goodbye to the late content creator. Campos was driving in her home city of Chihuahua, Mexico, on August 2, the Mexican Secretariat of Public Security told local newspaper El Financiero, when she suddenly collided with a parked vehicle around 6:30 a.m. local time. Though the influencer was quickly rushed to a local hospital, per the outlet, she succumbed to her injuries two days later. The outlet also confirmed that local authorities are investigating whether excessive speed or distracted driving contributed to the cause of the fatal crash. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yanin gained popularity when she appeared on season four of MasterChef in 2018. And while she ended up finishing the competition in sixth place, she was invited back the following year to compete in MasterChef Mexico: La Revancha. Following her time on reality TV, Camposwho initially trained as a nurse before pursuing her talents as a chefcreated a name for herself on social media, amassing nearly 100,000 followers on TikTok, where she shared funny and relatable lifestyle content. Yanin Campos / Instagram Underneath her most recent TikTok post, which was posted just two days before her passing, fans took to the comments to express their heartbreak. It will never cease to amaze me how ridiculously fragile life is, one user wrote in a translated comment. Right now its just a normal day, but in a few seconds everything will change forever, and you wont even realize it. Youll just know its the end, or sometimes not even that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laugh, love, enjoy, hug, and remind your loved ones of the love you have for them, the message continued. Life is amazing and cares about absolutely nothing. RIP. I wish you a safe journey. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App Its a tale as old as time or at least, a tale Hollywood loves to tell again and again: Body-swapping. Its magical. Its comical. It carries heartwarming messages about walking in anothers shoes, and learning about oneself along the way. So its hardly surprising that Freaky Friday, the 2003 version of the 1972 Mary Rodgers novel starring Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis, was a hit. Lohan was endearing and charismatic as an appealing, mildly turbulent teenager, and Curtis was a comic hoot as her control-freak therapist mom. And while there were a few misfires the stereotypical Asian representation has aged badly the film was powered by an easy chemistry between the two stars. So why not revisit the story in 2025? Sequels are often made for far less compelling reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief weakness of Freakier Friday which brings Curtis and Lohan back for an amiable, often joyful and certainly chaotic reunion is that while it hews overly closely to the structure, storyline and even dialogue of the original, it tries too hard to up the ante. The comedy is thus a bit more manic, and the plot machinations more overwrought (or sometimes distractingly silly). Then there's the double body-swapping. Because one major swap isn't enough, here we have two sets of swappers a quixotic quartet of lives disrupted during the lead-up to, yes, another wedding! The problem is that sometimes, its actually hard to keep track of whos inhabiting whom, and therefore why they're doing what. Not to say that Freakier Friday, directed with gusto by Nisha Ganatra, doesn't have moments of comic glee. Ill admit to laughing out loud with everyone else older than 30 near me when two teens were trying to locate an adult contact and one of them pulled up Facebook, explaining: Its like a database of old people! Touche, guys. These youngsters are actually Lohan and Curtis, playing ninth-graders trapped in adult bodies. Before we get to that, though: We begin 22 years after we last saw Lohans Anna, playing electric guitar at her mom's wedding. Now a single mom herself with a job managing a young pop star, she's trying to get her daughter up for school. Harper (the excellent Julia Butters) is surprise! an appealing, mildly turbulent teenager. And just like Anna two decades ago, she keeps people out of her bedroom. Prepare to be triggered! Anna yells before barging in. (The dialogue has been duly updated to the present time.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driving to school drop-off, Anna is joined by her mom, Tess (Curtis), who has stylish gray hair now and is still a practicing therapist, podcaster and author whose latest topic is Rebelling with Respect. Dropping Harper off, Anna calls out Make good choices! just what mom Tess used to say, natch. At school, Harper butts heads with transfer student Lily (Sophia Hammons), a budding fashion designer who hails from Britain and is very snooty. Anna is called to see the principal. There, she meets Lilys dishy chef dad Eric (Manny Jacinto), and the two flirt so intensely, the principal herself makes them a dinner reservation. All it takes is one cute dating montage, and poof, Anna and Eric are engaged. But things are still bad between Harper and Lily, whose animosity triggers a weirdly violent, all-school food fight on bake sale day. But they all have a bachelorette party to attend. There, a wacky fortune-teller and barista and business-card maker Vanessa Bayer, in a cameo that perhaps, no definitely goes on too long reads their palms. And then the earth starts shaking. Freaky fans know what happens next. The four awaken the next morning, each inhabiting someone else. Anna is Harper. Tess is Lily. Harper is Anna. Lily is Tess. Well be testing you on this later! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seriously, it's easy to lose the thread. Also, one wonders: why doesnt Lilys British accent travel with her to Tesss body? If Curtis suddenly had a British accent, the pairing would make a lot more sense. Anyway, they go about their days. Lily, in Tess body, plays pickleball awkwardly with husband Ryan (Mark Harmon is back, in a thankless part). Harper, in Annas body, goes to a pre-wedding tango lesson with Eric, with disastrous results. Meanwhile Anna and Tess, in their teen bodies, feast on junk food with impunity. I havent eaten real dairy since the Bush administration, one says. Curtis, aka Lily, gets her best moment in a drugstore, when her hubby asks her to get supplies from the senior aisle, and she stockpiles everything from adult diapers to enemas. Lohan's at her comic best when, as Harper, she tries to flirt the way she thinks her mother would. Shes flirting with Jake (Chad Michael Murray) yes, the hunky guy from the original and her flirting is so weird, Jake thinks she's having a stroke. It all barrels toward a conclusion that we wont spoil. Will the wedding be derailed by the efforts of Lily and Harper? Will that derailment be temporary? Will the sisters-to-be reach an understanding? Will Lohan get to play the electric guitar? Will everyone grow to appreciate each other? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That last question, we can answer. Of course they will. Whoever they are, and whatever they just did. Freakier Friday, a Walt Disney Studios release, has been rated PG by the Motion Picture Association for thematic elements, rude humor, language and some suggestive references. Running time: 111 minutes. Two and a half stars out of four. Nelly Akopian-Tamarina, who has died aged 84, was a Russian pianist with aristocratic poise who achieved early success in the concert hall; but on the verge of international stardom she became a victim of KGB machinations, and instead of performing to western audiences was sent to play on upright instruments in the bitterly cold wilds of Siberia. She was rediscovered by keyboard aficionados in the early 2000s, and between 2008 and 2010 gave a trilogy of recitals at the Wigmore Hall dedicated to the music of Brahms, Schumann, Janacek and Chopin. Those fortunate to hear her discovered a distinctly poetic sound delivered with care and originality. Her playing was in the Russian old-school tradition, thoughtful and measured rather than fiery and glamorous. Thundering Liszt, hammering the octaves, slashing a cadenza like lightning on a stormy night, simply wasnt her style, Ates Orga wrote in Musical Opinion. Rather, she possessed an admirable technique and an enviable range of tone colours. Ive never heard Brahmss Handel Variations played like this. The music seems to come from a distant place and time, Michael Church wrote in BBC Music magazine. It was a view echoed in 2017 by Erica Jeal in The Guardian of her all-Brahms disc, which waited more than 20 years to be released. Theres a feeling of time being suspended throughout, of Brahmss long spans being masterfully, seamlessly moulded with a finely graded, delicate touch, Jeal wrote. A sense of intimacy, especially in the Third and Fourth Ballades, was perhaps explained by the revelation that they had been recorded when the pianist thought she was alone, unaware that the producer had slipped into the studio and turned on the microphone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others found her performances too individual, or even individualistic. Readings of these well-known pieces occasionally bordered on the eccentric, the critic Robert Matthew-Walker wrote of her account of Schuberts Six moments musicaux and 10 Chopin mazurkas in the 2009 instalment of her Wigmore Hall series. On another occasion, Geoffrey Norris in The Daily Telegraph referred to some distinctly quirky moments in her recital. Nelly Akopian-Tamarina explained that her playing was defined by emotional liberation. The old masters, she said, were not inhibited by bar lines, they played phrases. The speed of her music was an inexact art, not measured by the beat of a metronome. Its our pulse, it depends on many factors, differing from morning to night, she said. My tempo is dependent on my sound within a specific acoustic. I refuse to cut my sound while it is still breathing. By the time she was nine she was playing Haydn concertos Nelly Surenovna Akopian was born of Armenian descent in Moscow on January 5 1941. Her early years were spent in Washington, from where the family returned with great wealth. Her father, an elite scientist working under direct orders from Stalin, read Pushkin to her and played Bach. Her glamorous and ambitious mother kept a picture of Tsar Nicholas II by her bedside, introduced her daughter to opera and ballet, and encouraged her keyboard studies. Winning was the only option in my family; coming second was no good at all, she told The Independent. By the time Nelly was nine she was playing Haydn concertos and studying at the Central School of Music in Moscow. During the 1958 Tchaikovsky Piano Competition she left her class without permission to hear the winner, Van Cliburn. A year later she saw Leonard Bernstein conducting on the New York Philharmonics tour of the Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moving to the Moscow Conservatoire, she was among the final students of Alexander Goldenweiser, the dedicatee of Rachmaninovs Second Suite Op 17, who regaled her with tales of taking tea with Leo Tolstoy. He lived in the 19th century, telling her that Prokofiev was too modern and instructing her to learn Beethovens Third Piano Concerto by memory in a week. She took two but by then I really had learnt it. This was a golden age of music in Moscow. Youd meet Gilels, Oistrakh on the stairs, theyd stop to chat, she told the Cross-Eyed Pianist blog in 2019. Shostakovich would ask which button to press in the lift. A lift with Richter was another matter. One didnt dare move, getting to the first floor was like an eternity Sofronitsky kept his own counsel. He was worshipped. You could walk into anyones class Id often sit in on Neuhaus, Oborin, Rostropovich their lessons were packed out, they went on for ever, no one watched the clock. We just drank it all in. After Goldenweisers death in 1961 she became one of the first students of Dmitri Bashkirov, recalling that he freed my imagination. Two years later she won the gold medal at the Schumann International Piano Competition at Zwickau in East Germany and in 1974 received the Robert Schumann prize, previously awarded to Sviatoslav Richter, Emil Gilels and Tatiana Nikolayeva. Soon she was giving hundreds of concerts both in the Soviet Union and further afield, including East Germany, Czechoslovakia, Poland and Cuba. She made several recordings for Melodiya, the Soviet label, including a celebrated account of Chopins Preludes Op 28 and the Schumann Piano Concerto with the Moscow Philharmonic Orchestra. Today these are not only collectors items but also offer an insight into what might have been. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yekaterina Furtseva, Leonid Brezhnevs culture minister, ordered her to prepare for the 1966 Tchaikovsky competition. She sought to be excused, saying that her focus was on the 1965 Chopin competition in Warsaw, only then to be mysteriously prevented from attending the Soviet selection process for that event. In London, she was occasionally spotted slipping into the Wigmore Halls green room to offer encouragement to a young pianist or reclining in a corner of the Goring Hotel, always dressed in black It was a sign of things to come. In 1973 her sister, Tatiana, married into a Jewish family and applied to settle in Israel before finally emigrating to Boston, Massachusetts. Nelly Akopian refused to denounce Tatiana and found herself tainted by association. She was largely forbidden from playing in public (her performances limited to remote corners of the Soviet Union), her overseas travel was restricted and her radio broadcasts were dropped. She turned instead to painting, exhibiting her watercolours in Moscow. By the time she was able to travel again her confidence had all but evaporated and she turned down as many engagements as she accepted. A packed diary does not necessarily measure success, she said. Somehow, she made a London debut at the Queen Elizabeth Hall in 1983 billed as Nellie Akopian. When she returned four years later, a broken piano string delayed the start of her performance. From 1989 to 2006 she was artistic consultant at the Prague Conservatoire and in 2002 she gave her first concert in Moscow for 25 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By then she had settled in London where, like Goldenweiser, she lived in the past, surrounded by Russian books, scores and memories. She was happiest at her dimly lit Steinway, practising and contemplating music into the early hours, though she also enjoyed Bette Davis films. She said little and revealed less, although there were suggestions that John Tavener had been writing a work for her before his death in 2013. Occasionally she was spotted slipping modestly into the Wigmore Halls green room to offer encouragement to a young pianist or reclining in a corner of the Goring Hotel, always dressed in black. A slim, refined and delicate figure, ballerina-like in stature and temperament, Nelly Akopian-Tamarina remained an enigma, as did the circumstances of her marriage. Her playing was unconventional; her reviews were mixed; and the public found her style of performing an acquired taste. Having to restart her career as a pianist later in life was, she said, a blessing, adding: I now play with more wisdom. She had no children. Nelly Akopian-Tamarina, born January 5 1941, died June 19 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. Prince Harry has broken his silence. The Duke of Sussex, 40, issued a scathing response after the Charity Commission for England and Wales announced Tuesday that it discovered no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir at the Sentebale charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Prince Harry at St Pauls Cathedral on May 8, 2024, in London, England. Getty Images Alix Lebec, Stacey Boyd, Hector Mujica, Prince Harry and Dr. Sophie Chandauka attend a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images for Sentebale Although the Commission also announced that it found no overreach by Harry or the African charitys current chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, it criticized both parties for allowing the dispute to play out publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Commission pointed to poor internal governance at Sentebale and claimed that both Prince Harry and Chandaukas failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally. A spokesperson for the Duke of Sussex said that it wasnt surprising the Commission found no evidence of wrongdoing. Prince Harry at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 9, 2025, in London, England. Getty Images Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebales Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, his rep began in a statement, per People. They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair. Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support, they added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, an insider close to the Duke of Sussex told the outlet that neither Prince Harry nor Prince Seeiso can envision a return to Sentebale if Chandauka remains the charitys chair. Prince Harry co-founded the youth-focused charity organization in 2006 with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho. Getty Images for Sentebale Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso both resigned as patrons of Sentebale in March following Chandaukas shocking claims. Both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso are devastated by what has effectively been a hostile takeover by Sophie Chandauka, the source said. This was Prince Seeiso and Prince Harrys life work, the insider continued. They established it 19 years ago and in that time put in blood, sweat and tears and their own money into building this charity up to what it was: a multi-million pound charity that delivered nothing but good for the beneficiary community that is supported in Lesotho and Botswana. Dr. Sophie Chandauka and Prince Harry with guests during a Sentebale reception and panel discussion at the Saxon Hotel in Johannesburg, South Africa. Getty Images for Sentebale As for Chandauka, she thanked the Commission and claimed that its findings confirmed her allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions, which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025, Chandauka said in a statement. The experience was intense, and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience. I thank every dedicated colleague and the courageous new Board members who have stayed focused on the mission in the face of unprecedented media glare, she continued. The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private. The Duke of Sussex poses for a photo with members of the community during a visit to Matlameng a Ha Mahlehle on October 2, 2024, in Leribe, Lesotho. Getty Images for Sentebale Alix Lebec, Prince Harry and Dr. Sophie Chandauka speak during a Sentebale panel discussion on April 11, 2024, in Miami Beach, Florida. Getty Images for Sentebale We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact, Chandauka added. The Sentebale scandal kicked off in March when Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who co-founded the charity in 2006 to help AIDS patients in Africa, announced that they were stepping down from their roles as patrons and trustees due to infighting within the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentebales other board of trustee members resigned shortly after, and when Chandauka was asked to step down, she sued to remain in her role as chair. Prince Harry at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024. Getty Images for Sentebale Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho arrive at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024. Getty Images for Sentebale Chandauka also alleged that the conflict began when Prince Harrys team asked her to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, 44, from negative media coverage connected to an awkward photo op at a Sentebale event in April 2024. I said no, were not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine, Chandauka told the Financial Times in an interview on March 29. The Charity Commission then announced on April 3 that it was launching an investigation to examine concerns raised about Sentebale by Chandauka. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle during the Royal Salute Polo Challenge benefitting Sentebale at Grand Champions Polo Club on April 12, 2024, in Wellington, Florida. Getty Images for Sentebale Despite the scandal and controversy, an insider told People that Prince Harry is still absolutely dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How that happens, he will keep his options open, the source said. Whether that means raising money for pre-existing charities that are doing good work in those countries or establishing something independent and new. Im positive that Prince Harry would want to work with Prince Seeiso again and deliver for Lesotho, they added. The Duke of Sussex joins in a confidence-building exercise with young people at the Kasane Health Post, run by the Sentebale charity, in Kasane, Botswana, on September 26, 2019. REUTERS However, the Commission only investigated allegations regarding Sentebale and did not clear Prince Harry of any alleged wrongdoing in connection with Chandaukas claims against him. It provides Sentebale with some degree of reassurance that the Charity Commission has not identified widespread bullying within the charity, but the Commission has acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally, the charity said in a statement released after the Commissions findings went public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charity Commission is explicitly clear, including in its public guidance, that it is not the Commissions responsibility to adjudicate or mediate internal disputes, it continued. This would include individual allegations of bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir, etc. As a result, the Commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry, a rep for Sentebale concluded. The issues not investigated by the Commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the Commission. While the royal family always seems embroiled in some drama, there is some good news this week. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the Charity Commission for England announced that it found no evidence of bullying or harassment at the nonprofit Sentebale. However, co-founder Prince Harrys future with Sentebale still remains unclear. Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebales Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, a spokesperson said in a statement, as reported by People. The statement continued, saying that the investigation fell short, and noting, The consequences of the current Chairs actions will not be borne by herbut by the children who rely on Sentebales support. The charity means a lot to Harry, who co-founded it alongside Prince Seeiso of Lesotho in honor of their mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato Bereng Seeiso. Thats why it was especially shocking when, earlier this year Harry exited Sentebale following issues with the chair of the Sentebale board, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Chris Jackson/Getty Images for Sentebale At the time, Harry and Prince Seeiso released a joint statement, saying that they had decided to step down from the charity in solidarity with a handful of trustees who had lost confidence in Dr. Chandauka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation, read the statement, in part. Dr. Chandauka accused trustees on the board of abuse of power, bullying, sexism, and racism, prompting the investigation. She also reportedly accused Harry of holding a grudge against her after she refused to defend Meghan Markle in the press. (Prince Harry has not commented on the reports.) She remains the chair of the organization, and it seems that even with the investigation closed, there isn't much hope for reconciliation. Despite all of this, a source told People that Harry is dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana and is keeping his options open as to next steps. You Might Also Like The Gist Princess Anne wore one of her favorite brooches to visit the President of Ireland in Dublin. The gold and diamond piece dates back to the 1980s. She frequently wears it at equestrian events, including Royal Ascot. Princess Anne nodded to her equestrian prowess with a little help from one of her favorite vintage accessories. On Wednesday, the royal met with Irish President Michael D. Higgins, and his wife Sabina Higgins, at Aras an Uachtarain in Dublin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anne modeled a mint green longline blazer, layering it over a crisp collared button-down. She added on an emerald-colored midi skirt, completing her look with navy gloves, a black leather handbag, and pearl studs. Affixed to her lapel was a gold and diamond horse brooch, which dates back to the 1980s. The Royal Family on X Princess Anne with President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina on August 6, 2025. Princess Anne with President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins and his wife Sabina on August 6, 2025. She's worn the pin on multiple occasions over the past 40 years, including at equestrian events like Royal Ascot. The Princess is also accomplished in the sport, having been the first member of the British royal family to compete in the Olympics. In 1976, she didn't win any medals at the Montreal Games, though her daughter, Zara Phillips, would go on to take home silver in London in 2012. "The brooch is an incredibly fitting piece for the Princess for various reasons. Firstly, there's her passion for horses and her successful equestrian career," Maxwell Stone of Steven Stone Jewellers told InStyle via email. "Secondly, there's the symbolism associated with the image of a horse." Getty Images Close-up of Princess Anne's brooch at the opening of the Reaseheath Equestrian College in 2024. Close-up of Princess Anne's brooch at the opening of the Reaseheath Equestrian College in 2024. According to Stone, horses symbolize "freedom and unrestrained spirit," which he explains, "is perfectly in keeping with Princess Anne's character." The gold accessory features a diamond-encrusted mane and tail. Stone estimates that the piece is worth 15,000, or $18,000. Getty Images Princess Anne at Cheltenham Races in 1987. Princess Anne at Cheltenham Races in 1987. Read the original article on InStyle By Nicole Jao NEW YORK (Reuters) -Oil prices slipped on Tuesday as rising OPEC+ supply and worries of weaker global demand countered concern about U.S. President Donald Trump's threats to India over its Russian oil purchases. Brent crude futures settled $1.12, or 1.63%, lower to $67.64 a barrel, while U.S. West Texas Intermediate crude slipped $1.13, or 1.7%, to $65.16. Both benchmarks settled to their lowest in five weeks. The Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and its allies, together known as OPEC+, agreed on Sunday to raise oil production by 547,000 barrels per day for September, a move that will end its most recent output cut earlier than planned. "The significant increase in OPEC supplies is weighing on the market," said Andrew Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. Also weighing on prices, U.S. services sector activity unexpectedly flatlined in July with little change in orders and a further weakening in employment even as input costs climbed by the most in nearly three years, underscoring the ongoing drag of uncertainty over the Trump administration's tariff policy on businesses. "The market now is going to see if India and China agree to substantially reduce the purchases of Russian crude oil, thereby looking for alternative supplies elsewhere," Lipow said. Trump on Tuesday again threatened higher tariffs on Indian goods over the country's Russian oil purchases over the next 24 hours. Trump also said declining energy prices could pressure Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the war in Ukraine. New Delhi called Trump's threat "unjustified" and vowed to protect its economic interests, deepening a trade rift between the two countries. Oil's move since Trump's threat indicates that traders are skeptical of a supply disruption happening, John Evans of oil broker PVM said in a report. He questioned whether Trump would risk higher oil prices. "I'd call it a stable market for oil," said Giovanni Staunovo, an analyst at UBS. "Assume this likely continues until we figure out what the U.S. president announces in respect to Russia later this week and how those buyers would react." India is the biggest buyer of seaborne crude from Russia, importing about 1.75 million bpd from January to June this year, up 1% from a year ago, according to data provided to Reuters by trade sources. U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.2 million barrels last week, sources citing American Petroleum Institute figures said on Tuesday. The U.S. Energy Information Administration is due to release weekly U.S. inventory data on Wednesday, respectively. [EIA/S] [API/S] [ENERGYUSA], [ENERGYAPI] (Additional reporting by Enes Tunagur and Alex Lawler in London, Anjana Anil in Bengaluru and Siyi Liu in Singapore; Editing by Paul Simao and Nick Zieminski) Sally Hawkins has revealed why she did not play Mary Brown in Paddington 3. Hawkins played Brown in the first two installments of the action-animated comedy franchise. However, she did not return for the third installment, Paddington in Peru, where the role of Brown was played by Emily Mortimer. At the time of her departure, Hawkins reportedly said she felt it was the right time for her to hand over the reins to another actor. However, she has now explained why she departed the role. Sally Hawkins reveals reason behind Paddington 3 absence In an interview with The Times, Sally Hawkins opened up about her decision to leave the Paddington franchise. She revealed that it boiled down to director Paul Kings departure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawkins expressed regret at her decision to leave, saying she felt so awful. However, she noted that Hugh Bonneville, who plays Henry Brown, got an upgrade in the form of Emily Mortimer, who replaced Hawkins. She then discussed why she left. Hawkins said, Because I love Paul so much, and love the way he works, it wouldve broken my heart. Hawkins reunited with Paul King for 2023s Wonka, where she played the late mother of Timothee Chalamets eponymous protagonist. Previously, in an interview with The New York Times, executive producer Rosie Alison explained why Hawkins did not return for Paddington 3. She revealed that the crew had tried to persuade the latter to reconsider her decision to depart, but Hawkins felt she had already brought everything to the role. At the time of her departure, Hawkins released a statement in which she praised Mortimer and expressed her love for the franchise. For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, the statement read. And one cant get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special (via Variety). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She further added, She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddingtons world. Hawkins stated that the experience of making the first two Paddington films was the best and most creative times she had in film. They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed, the statement concluded. Paddington in Peru was theatrically released in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024, and in the United States on February 14, 2025. The film holds a 93% fresh score and 90% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Originally reported by Abdul Azim Naushad on ComingSoon. The post Sally Hawkins Talks About Paddington 3 Absence appeared first on Mandatory. Sibiry Konate, a contemporary dance choreographer of African descent who wants to bring balance to an unbalanced world, gets a close-up in Silent Legacy, a feature documentary from writers-directors Jenni Kivisto and Jussi Rastas that will world premiere in the Locarno Critics Week (Semaine de la Critique) on Aug. 12, the independent section created by the Swiss Association of Film Journalists in partnership with the Locarno Film Festival. Konate is from Burkina Faso and now lives in Finland. In search of connection and meaning between and torn between his old and new home countries, he decides to give a valuable gift to his village in Africa. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documentary, mixing observational style and contemporary, explores identity, migration, and colonial legacies against the backdrop of the European migration crisis, promising deep insight into the complex situation of migrants and how Europes colonial past still shapes their identities. The movie also shows ultimately how the presence of the European filmmakers unintentionally influences reality. After having lived in Europe for more than 10 years, the choreographer feels more detached from Western life and looks for a way to reconnect with his home village in West Africa. However, in Burkina Faso, he is seen as a privileged European, a blessed person, who could solve many financial problems, highlights a synopsis. In reality, being a choreographer doesnt pay well, and Sibiry has to work in a mail delivery center to make a living. As financial requests from Burkina Faso continue to build up, Sibiry feels he has become a synonym for money, whilst he himself has a profound need to regain a sense of belonging. Struggling with the pressures, Sibiry decides to give a remarkable gift to his home village. Known for working on creative documentaries with social themes, directors Kivisto and Rastas previously co-directed Colombia in My Arms, an examination of the controversial peace deal between the Colombian government and the Marxist-Leninist FARC guerrillas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silent Legacy was produced by new Finnish production company Vaki Films, run by Rastas, in co-production with Ellis Films in France and Pilumpiku Production in Burkina Faso, with support from the Finnish Film Foundation, AVEK, CNC, Procirep Angoa, Aalto University/Department of Film ELO, and the Church Media Foundation. A local release for the film in Finland is scheduled for spring 2026. The trailer for Silent Legacy, which THR can exclusively premiere below, shows Konate looking to connect with people on two continents, dealing with the pressures of financial and other expectations, facing discussions about whether change is possible and, of course, dancing. Check out the Silent Legacy trailer below. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. NEED TO KNOW Prince Harry announced in March 2025 that he was stepping down from Sentebale, a charity he co-founded almost two decades ago His abrupt departure followed the resignation of Sentebale's board after their chairwoman, Dr. Sophie Chandauka, allegedly refused to step down While the board claimed Dr. Chandauka put the charity under financial pressure, she alleged her resignation request was the result of experiencing bullying and harassment Prince Harry is speaking out about why he parted ways with his long-time charity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Duke of Sussex announced in March 2025 that he and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho were stepping down as patrons of Sentebale, a Southern African nonprofit they co-founded nearly two decades ago. With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same," the princes said in a joint statement. "It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation." Their departures followed a fallout between Sentebales board of trustees and chairwoman Dr. Sophie Chandauka, who sued the trustees after they asked her to step down. A source close to the charity claimed to PEOPLE that Dr. Chandauka placed the organization under what has been characterized as financial strain. Dr. Chandauka alleged that she was asked to step down after she dared to blow the whistle about issues of poor governance, weak executive management, abuse of power, bullying, harassment, misogyny, misogynoir. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Charity Commission for England and Wales started investigating Sentebale in April 2025 and concluded four months later that it found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir. The Commission also found no overreach by Prince Harry or Dr. Chandauka. Sentebales former trustees said in a statement that they were disheartened by the findings and gravely concerned for the future of the charity. The current board accepted the Commissions recommendations to improve how it handles internal disputes and defines organizational roles. So, why did Prince Harry quit his charity? Heres everything to know about the bullying allegations behind his abrupt exit. What is Sentebale? Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry at the opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre on November 26, 2015 in Maseru, Lesotho. Prince Harry at the opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre on November 26, 2015 in Maseru, Lesotho. Sentebale is a charity that Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso co-founded in 2006. In the almost two decades that the nonprofit has been active, it has covered healthcare, critical life skills, education, advocacy, vocational training, and climate resilience for children and young people (including those with HIV/AIDS) living in the Southern African countries of Lesotho and Botswana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the organizations website, Sentebale means forget-me-not in Sesotho. Both princes set up the charity in memory of their late mothers. Prince Harry believed the nonprofit was a continuation of Princess Dianas efforts to help those with AIDS. Who runs Sentebale? Jason Koerner/Getty Dr. Sophie Chandauka attends the Sentebale's Potential is Waiting panel discussion on April 11, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. Dr. Sophie Chandauka attends the Sentebale's Potential is Waiting panel discussion on April 11, 2024 in Miami Beach, Florida. Dr. Chandauka has served as the chair of Sentebale since July 2023. She previously served on the nonprofits board from 2009 to 2015. A source claimed to PEOPLE that Dr. Chandauka financially strained the organization after taking over as chairwoman starting with the collapse of the Sentebale Polo Cup. The event, which is a major fundraiser for the nonprofit, allegedly did not take place in 2024 due to a rift between the chair and a major funder. Dr. Chandauka also allegedly spent over $600,000 on external consultants without the boards approval. Following another fundraising loss, the board formally requested the chairwomans resignation in February 2025. But she allegedly refused and filed a legal challenge to block their voting process. The board then resigned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former trustees Timothy Boucher, Mark Dyer, Audrey Kgosidintsi, Dr. Kelello Lerotholi and Damian West said in a statement that they had lost trust and confidence in their chair and felt they had no choice but to resign to protect Sentebale from the costly burden of a lawsuit. A representative for Dr. Chandauka denied the allegations and said that legal action was taken because of the cover-up of issues relating to abuse of power, misconduct, mismanagement, bullying, harassment, misogyny and misogynoir amongst other concerns." Why did Prince Harry quit Sentebale? Alamy The Duchess of Sussex presents the trophy to her husband, the Duke of Sussex after his team the Royal Salute Sentebale Team defeated the Grand Champions Team, in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, at The USPA National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida, The Duchess of Sussex presents the trophy to her husband, the Duke of Sussex after his team the Royal Salute Sentebale Team defeated the Grand Champions Team, in the Royal Salute Polo Challenge, to benefit Sentebale, at The USPA National Polo Center in Wellington, Florida, In a joint March 2025 statement with Sentebale co-founder Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry announced that he had made the devastating decision to step down as a charity patron to back the board of trustees who resigned after Dr. Chandauka refused to step down as chair. These trustees acted in the best interest of the charity in asking the chair to step down, while keeping the wellbeing of staff in mind, the statement read. In turn, she sued the charity to remain in this voluntary position, further underscoring the broken relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They continued, Whats transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebales beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about. What was Prince Harry accused of? Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Ntoli Moletsane at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024 in Leribe, Lesotho. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Ntoli Moletsane at a special Sentebale event to visit the Pointmain Health Facility on October 2, 2024 in Leribe, Lesotho. Dr. Chandauka claimed that her fallout with Prince Harry began when she refused to publicly defend his wife, Meghan Markle. During a photo op at the Royal Salute Polo Challenge in April 2024, footage went viral of the Duchess of Sussex motioning Dr. Chandauka to stand beside her rather than Prince Harry. The Sentebale chairwoman had to awkwardly duck under a trophy to switch positions, a move that sparked rumors of alleged tension between her and Markle. Dr. Chandauka later told the Financial Times that the Duke of Sussex had urged her to publicly address the incident. But she refused. I said no, were not setting a precedent by which we become an extension of the Sussex PR machine," she said in the March 2025 interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Chandauka also told Sky News in March 2025 that Prince Harry didnt inform her or other higher-ups within the Sentebale organization that he would make a public announcement of his departure. She called the move an example of harassment and bullying at scale." Representatives for Prince Harry declined to comment on Dr. Chandauka's allegations. What has Prince Harry said about the Sentebale investigation findings? Brian Otieno/Getty Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre on October 1, 2024 in Maseru, Lesotho. Prince Seeiso of Lesotho and Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex at Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre on October 1, 2024 in Maseru, Lesotho. In August 2025, the Commission concluded its investigation and announced that it had found no evidence of Dr. Chandaukas allegations or any overreach by her or Prince Harry. It did, however, criticize all parties for allowing the internal dispute to play out publicly. "The Commission has identified a lack of clarity around role descriptions and internal policies as the primary cause for weaknesses in the charitys management, the official announcement read. It finds that this confusion exacerbated tensions, which culminated in a dispute and multiple resignations of trustees and both founding patrons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentebale noted, however, that the Commission has not investigated any individual allegations and therefore has not made any findings in relation to individuals, including Prince Harry. The issues not investigated by the Commission can and may be dealt with through avenues more appropriate than the Commission. A spokesperson for Prince Harry said in a statement that while they found the Commission's findings unsurprising, the report falls troublingly short in regards to Dr. Chandaukas alleged actions. Both Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso are devastated by what has effectively been a hostile takeover by Sophie Chandauka," the source close to the former trustees and patrons told PEOPLE in August 2025. "This was Prince Seeiso and Prince Harrys life work. The source continued, They established it 19 years ago and in that time put in blood, sweat and tears and their own money into building this charity up to what it was: a multi-million pound charity that delivered nothing but good for the beneficiary community that is supported in Lesotho and Botswana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Chandauka said in a statement, I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025 ... The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private." She continued, "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our Founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato." Read the original article on People Adults-only retreat coming to more Norwegian Cruise Line ships originally appeared on TravelHost. For many cruise travelers, especially those who book cruises to The Bahamas and Caribbean, the opportunity to lounge on the pool deck as the ship sails to sunny destinations is a highlight of their vacation. But being the hot spot that they are, cruise ship pool decks can often get uncomfortably crowded during peak times like sea days. Finding a peaceful spot to soak up the sun can be a challenge, leaving some cruisers wishing for a different kind of vibe. Related: Norwegian Cruise Line is making cruising more personal As cruise lines evolve their offerings to deliver more of what passengers want from their vacations at sea, opportunities to pay more to get away from the crowds and enjoy VIP spaces are becoming standard on new cruise ships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to offering The Haven, a premium ship-within-a-ship concept available on many of its ships, Norwegian Cruise Line also offers exclusivity through an adults-only sundeck available only to a limited number of passengers with the purchase of an access pass. Passes to relax within the exclusive Vibe Beach Club are a hot commodity on many of Norwegians Caribbean sailings, but not all ships cruising in the region offer the popular sundeck. But soon, passengers sailing on two jewels of the Norwegian Cruise Line fleet will finally get their chance to experience the adults-only oasis on cruises from Miami. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter to save money on your next (or your first) cruise. Norwegian Jewel is one of two Norwegian cruise ships adding Vibe Beach Club this fall. Image source: Norwegian Cruise Line Norwegian Cruise Line is adding Vibe Beach Club to two more ships Norwegian Cruise Line is revitalizing two of its Jewel-Class ships this fall, and both projects will bring a new way for passengers to relax and elevate their onboard experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just in time for holiday getaways, Vibe Beach Club will come to both Norwegian Jewel and Norwegian Pearl, inviting passengers to purchase an access pass to escape to a quiet, serene sundeck where they can enjoy premium amenities and expansive ocean views. The exclusive, adults-only retreat will replace the additional sundeck on deck 14 (separate from the main pool) and offer a private hot tub, as well as 54 premium lounge chairs, and seven new private cabanas. Related: Norwegian Cruise Line bets on a surprising US port of call Guests at Vibe Beach Club also enjoy a full-service private bar and personalized services including water spritzers, chilled towels, and fruit skewers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vibe Beach Club will debut on Norwegian Jewel in October and Norwegian Pearl in late November. Vibe Beach Club passes and cabanas are now on sale for future cruises on both ships. Be the first to see the best deals on cruises, special sailings, and more. Sign up for the Come Cruise With Me newsletter. Norwegian Jewel and Pearl will sail to enhanced Great Stirrup Cay Following a three-week dry dock revitalization from Sept. 25 Oct. 15, Norwegian Jewel will sail Panama Canal and Caribbean cruises from Miami. Later in the fall, Norwegian Pearl will get its new Vibe Beach Club just in time for holiday cruises after undergoing its revitalization project from Nov. 3 23. From December 2025 through April 2026, the ship will sail a variety of Bahamas, Caribbean, and Panama Canal cruises from Miami. Both ships will visit Norwegians private island destination in The Bahamas, Great Stirrup Cay, which is also set to unveil new enhancements before the end of the year. Those upgrades include a new pier, a welcome center, an island-wide tram service, and a huge heated lagoon pool and complimentary splash pad. Related: Norwegian Cruise Line is making a huge Royal Caribbean-style move Cruisers will also soon have the opportunity to extend the Vibe Beach Club onboard experience ashore to Great Stirrup Cay by purchasing a day pass for Vibe Shore Club. The islands new premium adults-only area will offer a private bar, hanging day beds, and upgraded lounge seating in a sophisticated setting. Villas will also be available to rent to further elevate the beach day experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Next year, the private island will add even more new features, including a nearly six-acre Great Tides Waterpark with 19 waterslides, an 800-foot dynamic river, a 9,000-square-foot kids splash zone, first-of-their-kind cliffside jumps, and more. (The Arena Group will earn a commission if you book a cruise.) Make a free appointment with Come Cruise With Mes Travel Agent Partner, Postcard Travel, or email Amy Post at amypost@postcardtravelplanning.com or call or text her at 386-383-2472. This story was originally reported by TravelHost on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. We all know about the role of saunas, nature and near-incorruptible politicians in Finlands long-running status as the worlds happiest country. As a frequent visitor, however, Ive long held the notion that strong women are the real reason why Finland has held the title for eight years in a row. In a bid to confirm my theory, earlier this month with crayfish grilling on countless barbecues and akvavit flowing I met up with some of the countrys womenfolk. In a Helsinki side street bathed in razor-sharp midsummer sunlight, I had lunch with Jennifer de Paola, who told me that science seems to correlate my home-grown hypothesis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the worlds happiest countries, such as Iceland, Finland, Sweden and Norway, are also the most gender-equal, she told me as we ploughed through roasted sweet potatoes topped with toasted hazelnuts at Yes! Yes! Yes! a restaurant whose enthusiastic name seemed fitting for a meeting with a University of Helsinki happiness researcher. Finland consistently ranks highly for the happiness of its people - iStock Editorial The index, which is evaluated via a Gallup World Poll, asks people in more than 150 countries to rate their happiness on a scale of 1 to 10 via questions addressing everything from freedom to make life choices to perception of corruption. Studies from the University of Eastern Finland show Finnish women experience greater life satisfaction and a stronger sense of meaningfulness than men and theyre not afraid to say so, which must affect the countrys ratings, too, Paola told me. Tough times Because of our difficult history, Finnish women are tough, and we know how to make the best of our lives, opined sisters Sofia and Ella, who I met at Kahvila Rakastan, a cafe on the outskirts of Helsinki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They craft Karelian pastries (karjalanpiirakat) using the recipes of their grandmother, who lived through the Soviet invasion in 1939. The quirky little vintage-style kahvila sits in the flower-strewn courtyard of Hakasalmi, an elegant villa that belonged to another of the countrys powerful women: Aurora Karamzin. Sisters Sofia and Ella with a photo of their grandmother, the inspiration for their bakery She was a 19th-century socialite and knew all of our emperors, but when she inherited a huge fortune she used it to help other women, Ella told me. She was committed all her life to womens education and social reform. Leaving Helsinkis monumental railway station the following day I travelled via pastures and pine forests with impossibly quaint log cabins to Tampere, a lovely, lively city with lakeside saunas and riverside events which could be a strong contender for the title of happiness capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Prime Minister Sanna Marin was raised in this southern Finnish city by her mother, and her mothers female partner. I asked Minna Merikoski, Tamperes International Affairs Specialist, if it was a coincidence that Finland topped the World Happiness Report for the first time in 2018, just before Marin and her female-majority cabinet came to power. The colourful city of Tampere is the most populous inland Nordic city - Shutterstock Merikoski, who oversees the citys innovative International Gender Equality Prize, didnt think so. Their policies focused on equality, work-life balance, and social welfare, and bolstered well-being even during the Covid crisis, she told me. At Ravintola Tampella, a restaurant surrounded by the textile mills which earned Tampere its 19th-century nickname, the Manchester of the North, I met up with Miia Huitti, founder of The Finnish Happiness Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As we enjoyed one of those sun-soaked midsummer evenings where you cant tell if its 5pm or 5am, Huitti told me that her own findings showed that women leaders feel that more is expected of them than men. But in 1906 Finland was Europes first country (and one of the first in the world) to give women the vote, and we have plenty of resilient female role models, so that helps, she added. Naked logic The following day, Heli Kurjanen, inventor of the Lunette menstrual cup and co-founder of intimate skin care company Augusta Nordic invited me to lunch at Ravintola Gosta in the lake-strewn countryside near Mantta. She told me how she started Lunette with an entrepreneur loan when she was a 25-year-old stay-at-home mother without any formal business training. Its easier to address personal issues here in Finland because our progressive school system means people are less repressed, she said. Also, with our saunas women are comfortable with their bodies we undress in front of each other every week and its totally natural. I think its part of what makes us happy as a nation. Finlands sauna culture means women are generally comfortable with their bodies - Alamy Paivi Viherkoski, developer of the Routes of Nordic Women, guided tours that allow foreign visitors to meet local women, agreed: We have a different way of dealing with many issues. For a start, I think were happier because we generally dont bother with makeup and we dress in a casual, practical way, so we can go out foraging in the forest whenever we want to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tampere is also home to the worlds only Moomin Museum, dedicated to the work of comic strip creator Tove Jansson, who was renowned for her independent stance on many issues. The Moomin museum is dedicated to the family of fictional characters created by Finnish writer and illustrator Tove Jansso - Alamy She was gay at a time when it was illegal and she denounced Stalin and the Nazis in many of her cartoons, but she also loved nature so she was a typical Finn, biologist Anna Nyman, owner of Foraging in Finland, told me later as we fossicked in the hedgerows of a Helsinki park. Nyman agreed with my theory. We do have so many strong women and it does make a difference, she said as we picked nettles. Take jokamiehenoikeudet the right to forage. It was won for us in the early 20th century by a widowed mother-of-three, Ilma Kendgren. And foraging is one of the major reasons Finns are so content. How to do it Flights from Gatwick to Helsinki with Scandinavian Airlines cost from 113. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Solo by Sokos Torni in Tampere has rooms from 147 per night, including breakfast. Solo by Sokos Helsinki has rooms from 124 per night, including breakfast. For more information see Visit Tampere, My Helsinki and Visit Turku. 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. It's now or...another year. The remaining climbers on K2 are on the go toward the summit, hoping their patience will pay off. The Sherpa and Pakistani climbers led the march to Camp 1 today, while some independent climbers may wait until tomorrow and then put in a big day to join the rest at Camp 2. The Imagine Nepal team has reached Camp 1, and some members have continued to Camp 2. They plan to summit on August 10 or August 11, depending on conditions. Checking risks by taking them Mingma G himself will leave Base Camp with Sohail Sakhi of Pakistan for Camp 1 later today on a somewhat risky mission. They want to check the risk of rockfall, which always increases later in the day, to plan their group's descent. Mingma G will then join his team to bag his sixth K2 summit. That would equal the record number of summits set by fellow Nepalese Mingma David Sherpa, who left the mountain some days ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mingma David Sherpa of Elite Exped was guiding French influencer Charles Page, who has remained on the mountain and is heading up with a different guide -- probably Vinayak Malla of Nepal, who also works for Elite Exped and has remained on the mountain. According to Page's tracker, he reached Camp 1 at 6,000m today. As Mingma G recently reported, conditions are still very dry until Camp 1, but the terrain improves significantly beyond that, with good snow conditions. At the time of posting this story, we have no information about the independent climbers, including Lenka Polackova of Slovakia, Israfil Ashurli of Azerbaijan, Serge Hardy of France, and Janice Rot of Chile. Uncertainty ahead If all goes well, the climbers will reach Camp 3 on Friday. From there, all is uncertain. There are no ropes, no Camp 4 -- which might be fixed on Saturday -- and no clue about the conditions on the upper sections, which include the Bottleneck at 8,400m and the hazardous traverse under the Great Serac, before the final steep snow slopes to the summit. Marble House was completed in 1892 as a summer home for William K. Vanderbilt and Alva Vanderbilt. Built with half a million cubic feet of marble, it contains 50 rooms and spans 140,000 square feet. Scenes from the HBO show "The Gilded Age" were filmed in the historic Rhode Island home. Alva Vanderbilt's 39th birthday present from her husband was a 140,000-square-foot summer "cottage" on the shores of Newport, Rhode Island. As heir to the Vanderbilt family fortune during the Gilded Age, William K. Vanderbilt spared no expense in building Marble House for his wife. It was designed by Richard Morris Hunt, the same architect who worked on The Breakers, another expansive Newport mansion. Construction cost around $11 million in 1892, or about $387 million in today's dollars. The home's 500,000 cubic feet of marble alone cost about $7 million, or around $246 million today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The marriage didn't last, but Marble House remained in her possession after their divorce. In addition to throwing extravagant balls and dinner parties, Alva Vanderbilt also hosted women's suffrage rallies on the property and leveraged her wealth to champion the cause. She even wrote the libretto for an operetta about women's suffrage, which was performed at New York's Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in 1915. In recent years, the HBO show "The Gilded Age" has used Marble House as a film set. I visited the expansive home in August 2024. Take a look inside this historic Newport mansion. Completed in 1892, Marble House is a 50-room, 140,000-square-foot summer home that belonged to William K. Vanderbilt and Alva Vanderbilt. Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The Preservation Society of Newport Country acquired the home in 1963 and turned it into a museum open to the public. Self-guided tours cost $25 per adult ticket and can be purchased on the Preservation Society's official website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the winter months, the mansion is only open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays, with daily tours restarting in mid-February. William K. Vanderbilt gifted the home to Alva Vanderbilt for her 39th birthday. Alva Belmont, then WK Vanderbilts wife, costumed for a fancy dress ball which she gave in March of 1883. Bettmann/Getty Images William K. Vanderbilt was Cornelius Vanderbilt's grandson and heir to the family's railroad and steamship fortune during the Gilded Age. Alva Vanderbilt was a popular hostess in Newport. When Alva Vanderbilt divorced her husband in 1895, she survived the scandal and kept Marble House and custody of their three children, Consuelo, William Kissam Jr., and Harold Stirling. She then married one of her neighbors in Newport, a financier named Oliver H.P. Belmont, in 1896. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Belmont died in 1908, she became a leader in the women's suffrage movement, funding the National American Woman Suffrage Association and serving as president of the National Woman's Party. For HBO's "The Gilded Age," Alva Vanderbilt served as inspiration for aspects of Bertha Russell's character and biography. Marble House's foyer featured walls, ceilings, and a grand staircase made of solid Italian marble, which Alva Vanderbilt chose for its warm hue. The foyer and staircase at Marble House. John W. Corbett The Preservation Society of Newport County "It would have been impossible to have used a pure white marble for the interior without having a mausoleum effect too cold for living comfort and joy," Alva Vanderbilt wrote of Marble House. "The soft gold brown fading off into delicate cream catches the sunlight by day or electric sparkle at night with a warm living glow." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The marble entrance hall led out to a portico overlooking the ocean. A porch at Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The French doors in the entryway stayed open during the summer to provide a cooling ocean breeze. The Dining Room was modeled after the Salon of Hercules at the Palace of Versailles. The Dining Room. Gavin Ashworth The Preservation Society of Newport County Alva Vanderbilt was born in Alabama and raised in France. Her French design sensibilities were evident throughout the house. The purple marble used for the walls was imported from Algeria. The marble walls of the Dining Room. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The walls were created from one solid slab of marble that was cut in half to create pieces with mirroring patterns, a technique called bookmatching. Alva Vanderbilt commissioned dining-room chairs inspired by those used by King Louis XIV of France. A dining room chair. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crafted from bronze and covered in gold, the chairs weighed 75 pounds each and required the help of a footman to be seated in. The Gothic Room displayed medieval and Renaissance art that Alva Vanderbilt acquired from Emile Gavet, a French art collector. The Gothic Room. Gavin Ashworth The Preservation Society of Newport County The ribbed ceiling, stone mantlepiece, and wood floors were all imported from Paris. Alva Vanderbilt purchased the art collection "en bloc," or all together in a set. Stained-glass windows in the Gothic Room. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Buying art collections "en bloc" was popular during the Gilded Age as a way to quickly acquire a status symbol instead of taking generations to build a collection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Morning Room also functioned as a library. The Morning Room. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The wooden bookcases, built in Paris by Allard and Sons, held books on architecture and European history that were original to the Vanderbilt family's collection. The Grand Salon was also called the Gold Room because of the 22-karat gold leaf covering every wall. The Salon. The Preservation Society of Newport County "This room is really the epitome of the Gilded Age," Caitlin Emery, the research and interpretation coordinator at the Preservation Society of Newport County, said on the audio tour. "It is coated in gold and you have to imagine guests coming in on a summer evening with the sun going down. And the light picking up on all these gilded surfaces. The feel and the essence of the room would have been absolutely remarkable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vanderbilts used it as a ballroom. The Grand Salon. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider In 1895, the Vanderbilts hosted a ball to celebrate their daughter Consuelo Vanderbilt's engagement to Charles Spencer-Churchill, the ninth Duke of Marlborough. The party featured 300 guests and lasted until 5 a.m. Consuelo Vanderbilt was secretly engaged to another man and resisted the arrangement, but she wrote that her mother "would not hesitate to shoot" her lover if she tried to run away with him. "Alva wanted to secure for her daughter the one thing that money couldn't buy a title," Emery said in the audio tour. Theirs was a loveless marriage. After 26 years, Alva Vanderbilt testified that she had forced her daughter to marry the duke, which allowed her to receive an annulment in 1921. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tour continued up the grand staircase on the second floor. The second floor. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The mezzanine level featured two private studies, one for William K. Vanderbilt and one for Alva Vanderbilt. Consuelo Vanderbilt's bedroom appeared as George Russell's room on the HBO show "The Gilded Age." Consuelo Vanderbilt's bedroom. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Consuelo Vanderbilt moved to Marble House when she was 15. She described her room as "austere," writing that her mother had picked out every piece of furniture and "forbidden the intrusion of my personal possessions," according to the audio tour. A wooden spiral staircase outside Consuelo Vanderbilt's bedroom led to the service areas at Marble House. The servant staircase. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The Vanderbilts would never have used the servant staircase or gone into the service areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vanderbilts' youngest child, Harold Vanderbilt, was an award-winning sailor whose trophies were displayed in the Trophy Room. The Trophy Room. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider When the Vanderbilts lived at Marble House, the Trophy Room was a set of two connected dressing rooms for Alva Vanderbilt and Consuelo Vanderbilt. The Preservation Society turned it into a room for Harold Vanderbilt's yachting trophies. Decorated in the Louis XIV style, Alva Vanderbilt's bedroom featured a throne-like bed and silk wall hangings. Alva Vanderbilt's bedroom. The Preservation Society of Newport County The carvings in the molding throughout the room featured nymphs and cherubs for a fairytale-like oasis. The lilac silk wallpaper was an exact copy of the original. Alva Vanderbilt's purple wallpaper. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The factory that made Alva Vanderbilt's original wallpaper is still in business in Lyons, France, and it kept the Marble House orders in its archives. In 1990, the Preservation Society ordered the exact same wallpaper from the factory to replace the room's existing fabric, which had faded to gold, according to the audio tour. William K. Vanderbilt's bedroom was much smaller than his wife's. William K. Vanderbilt's bedroom. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider His bedroom was decorated in the French Neoclassical style. After he and Alva Vanderbilt divorced, William K. Vanderbilt moved to France with his second wife. The guest bed still featured its original 18th-century lace canopy. The guest bedroom. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Marble House only had one guest bedroom because it was mainly built for family use. The guest room was connected to a guest sitting room. The guest sitting room. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The guest sitting room was furnished with 18th-century French art and furniture produced by Allard and Sons. Downstairs, Marble House would receive deliveries of flowers, wine, and food through the service entrance. The service entrance. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The stairs leading up to the rest of the house were locked to protect the Vanderbilts and their priceless possessions. The Vanderbilts hired a French chef to staff the kitchen, which burned 30 tons of coal each summer. The Kitchen. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The Vanderbilts paid their French chef a salary of $10,000 per year, or around $375,000 in today's dollars. Dishes were cleaned and stored in the scullery. The Scullery. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider The sink was made of a soft mineral called soapstone to prevent the Vanderbilts' silver from being scratched or damaged during washing. Alva Vanderbilt made a set of china emblazoned with "Votes for Women," which she used at women's suffrage rallies hosted at Marble House. Alva Vanderbilt's "Votes for Women" dishes. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Alva Vanderbilt hosted women's suffrage conferences at Marble House in 1904 and 1914. She is quoted as saying in her speeches: "Just pray to God. She will help you." Replicas of the "Votes for Women" china were available for purchase in the Marble House gift shop. The gift shop. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider A "Votes for Women" teapot cost $28 at the gift shop when I visited in August 2024. The large plates cost $14.95 and the smaller plates retailed for $12.95. The grounds of Marble House featured beautiful views of the ocean. Ocean views at Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Marble House is located along Newport's Cliff Walk, a scenic walking tour of the area's famous mansions. The grounds also included a Chinese Tea House, which Alva Vanderbilt commissioned after the death of her second husband. The Chinese Tea House on the grounds of Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Designed by Richard and Joseph Howland Hunt, the Chinese Tea House is now a cafe that offers refreshments and afternoon tea to Marble House visitors. European copper beech trees dotted the property in another nod to the European palaces that inspired the design of Marble House. European copper beech trees on the grounds of Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Imported from Europe, the trees can grow 35 to 45 feet wide. Marble House is more than just an opulent Gilded Age mansion it tells the story of Alva Vanderbilt's remarkable life. Marble House. Talia Lakritz/Business Insider Built during a time of economic and technological advancement, Marble House symbolized the beginning of a new era where women could leave loveless marriages with their reputations intact and fight for the right to participate in America's democracy. Read the original article on Business Insider Auden is gurgling on a picnic blanket when I meet her and her mum, Kate Ivory, in a local park. Tower Bridge looms behind, the midday sun glinting off its gilded tips. Its a postcard-perfect setting, but I imagine at this point, its just another landmark on a long list for this well-travelled seven-month-old, who has seen a huge arc of Europe already. The mother and baby have just returned from an epic rail voyage across the Continent, a journey that took them from their home in east London to Kings Cross St Pancras and finished in Pisa, stopping in Germany, Austria, Slovenia and northern Italy on the way. In all, their route took 25 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When most new parents would rather, understandably, stay at home and work out how to keep their brand new human alive, single mother Kate booked an Interrail pass, loaded up the pram and took her first-born on a debut tour of the EU. So what made her do it? Kate's practical advice for globetrotting parents Cram that pram: You need a solid pram that's going to get you about. Make sure it's serviced before you go, and everything fits on it, so you dont have to carry a single thing. If you need to put your baby in a sling, or get to a train fast, its much easier. Route: Plan the journey so you know roughly where youre going, but leave room for flexibility. The Interrail pass lets you change trains up to 20 minutes before departure. Age: Auden was six months old when we left and turned seven while we were away. I noticed how much harder it was at the end of the trip, because she was crawling more. You could do it with an older baby, but it would look like a different trip. Accommodation: Be clear on what you want; for me, that was air-con and a cot. I always looked for places near the station, so I could put my bag in the station lockers, enjoy the city for the day, and then hop on a train out in the evening. You do you: You dont have to tailor your itinerary to a baby. We went to a palace with gilded ceilings in Turin, and Auden was fascinated, staring up at it. She loved the things I loved. Back yourself: Its normal to worry, but just trust your instincts. Also, there's a world of lovely people out there who will genuinely help you. Travelling the world after uni changed my entire outlook on life, explains 38-year-old Kate, who works in advertising. When I went on mat leave, I knew Id never have this block of free time again. I wanted Auden to come into the world with her eyes open and experience different things. Plus, we were about to start weaning, so it was a good time to go. Her first food could be pasta in Italy! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From pasta in Italy to schnitzel in Austria, and all between breastfeeding, Kate filled Audens baby passport pages as much as her stomach. Even more astoundingly, she did it solo. I wanted Auden to come into the world with her eyes open and experience different things Ive got friends, family and a partner, but I chose to have Auden on my own. I wanted us to have high-quality bonding time, just us, Kate explains. Interrailing is a good way to experience lots of different things at once without boarding a series of flights. Plus, from a money perspective, its budget-friendly. I bought the Global Pass (320), which gives you seven days of travel to use within a month, she says. With so many possible destinations and routes on offer 33 countries are covered in the Global Pass, including overnight trains I wonder if working out the route was the first challenge. Bitesize: Auden tries her first foods abroad (Kate Ivory) I used ChatGPT to plan the route Kate turned to the AI tool, keeping her prompts specific, with requests for pram-accessible trains and quieter departures to avoid rush hour. Mostly, the responses were helpful, she says, but not always infallible. There were a few times here and there where ChatGPT told me to get a train, but there wasnt one only buses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does a trip with an infant in tow require military-grade logistics? We only had the first two nights and the first train booked, Kate reveals. After that, I booked the next leg as we went. It keeps things exciting, it keeps you free. If you arrive somewhere and think, I dont like it here, you can just get up and go somewhere else. Most countries are way more baby-friendly than the UK, and people I encountered on the trip were so helpful I didnt worry about safety at all Perhaps its this free-spiritedness and iron confidence that makes Kate fearless. When I begin to ask if she worried about safety, she tells me it didnt cross her mind before Ive even finished my sentence. We live in London! she chuckles. Most countries are way more baby-friendly than the UK, and people I encountered on the trip were so helpful. Though there were some exceptions: When I crossed into Italy, it was like, Ooh beautiful baby! Okay, bye! and they left me with the pram at the top of the stairs, says Kate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To be honest, I didn't worry at all, Kate says as Auden wrestles with the picnic blanket next to us. Lots of people worried about it for me. Theyd ask, Why are you going? Have you really thought about this? You're going to be on your own, where will you stay? So where do you stay with a baby when youre travelling on a budget? Not hostels? Actually, yes. I just booked a private room instead of a dorm, because honestly, who wants to share with a baby? says Kate. I tried to get cots, but if not, we just shared a bed. The only thing I wanted - which I wouldn't have cared about had I gone on my own - was air-con, because it was so hot. Other beds for the night included local hotels or Airbnbs. With overnight trains an option, Kate and Auden tried that too. Our longest train ride was seven hours. After that, I swore wed never do more than four hours at a time, Kate admits. All aboard! Kate and Auden wait for their next ride (Kate Ivory) She didn't love it, I didn't love it. Was it worth the stress to catch an overnight train? We were going to go directly from Munich to Ljubliana, but I changed the plan to stop in Salzburg to break up the journey, and it ended up being one of the best bits of the trip, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Austria, Kates highlights included hiking up an Alpine mountain with Auden, taking in the view from her baby sling. I wanted to take my proper hiking backpack, but I just couldn't carry it along with the pram. We had one backpack between us that could fit under the pram, another little bag for her stuff, and thats it, because I needed to be able to fold the pram up. Kate and Audnen in Venice (Kate Ivory) Anyone who has holidayed with kids in tow knows that travelling light isnt an option. Kate stripped her travel wardrobe right back to the basics. As for Auden, It was 80 per cent her stuff. I vacuum-packed everything down into our backpack. She bought essentials like nappies and wipes as they went, cleverly buying a pack after a long leg so she wasnt weighed down by carrying a huge supply. For food and activities like museum entries, Kate stuck to a bootstrap budget of 20 a day, in addition to accommodation, which was about 60 a night. It helped that her Interrail pass had been pre-purchased. Kates recommended baby essentials I've got this UV blanket that has magnets on it, so Auden couldnt get sunburnt. Id wrap her up like a burrito in it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bugaboo pram was amazing, because you can put everything on it and clip things to it. I was umming and erring about getting it, but the strain I put on it saw us through the trip. The Rockit because it rocks the pram by itself and helps Auden sleep. And a little bag of toys so she could play. She doesnt need much at six months. I was strict, but anything that didnt get spent would roll over to the next days budget, so there were funds to play with. With Auden still breastfeeding, Kate would give her small snacks to try from farmers markets. If you ask, in Italy theyll sometimes do a baby aperitivo; a plate of things she could eat - breadsticks, small bits of melon, things like that, explains Kate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It all sounds very Eat, Pray, Love: the baby edition. Surely it cant have all been plain sailing? There were a couple of times in Slovenia, where the trains kept getting like cancelled or switched to buses Kate recalls. Then youre trying to get on the rail replacement, put your pram down, get your backpack in. It was stressful, but I enjoyed us getting through the gnarly bits together, she adds. In the future, when Auden doubts herself, Ill remind her we went around Europe when she was six months, so she can do anything. This trip is now part of the fabric of us. I could have gone for another couple of weeks. I just ran out of money. And pants. The Slovenian episode also had a silver lining: a new friend. We met Elenka, 82, on a train leaving Salzburg, and ended up spending the day travelling to Ljubljana together. When we had to switch to replacement buses, this 82-year-old charged off with Auden to hold our seats, throwing her suitcase out of the window for me to stow away with the pram, yelling in broken English as she went. When they eventually arrived in the city, Elenka walked Kate and Auden to their hostel, and they swapped numbers. Later, Kate found out Elenka had booked her dinner in Ljubljana and had already picked up the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They probably wouldnt have crossed paths if it werent for the baby. Shes 82, so what do we have in common? Kate agrees. But thats the magic of travel. Other friends included an Irish couple in Trieste who were in town for a James Joyce convention, one of Kates favourite poets. They invited us along, so we ended up joining a James Joyce festival for the day, Kate laughs. (Kate Ivory) I just dont want her to be scared of the world, Kate explains, bouncing Auden in her lap. When we were in Strasburg, a fire engine screamed past, and she, naturally, burst into tears. But later on, a loud helicopter went past and she looked up at me for reassurance and then smiled. Shes learning that things arent scary just because theyre loud. Ill always have her back. As my friend Leah said, Isnt it nice that she wakes up in a new place and sees all these new things, but then she looks at you, and she knows shes home? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of the trip, Kate says It was the best thing I've ever done in my life. I've travelled to so many places, with work, and in life. There's something so magical about doing it with Auden. Im seeing it through her eyes. Honestly, I could have gone for another couple of weeks. I just ran out of money. And pants. Whether soft or hard, mild or strong, young or aged, plain or flavored, cheese is central to many gastronomies and cultures around the world. In fact, global production is still on the rise to meet the growing consumer demand. One would think that a country as large and diverse as the United States, known for its particular fondness for mozzarella, cheddar, Parmesan, and Monterey Jack, would rank highly among cheese-consuming nations. Surprisingly, that couldn't be further from the truth, as it turns out that the countries that consume the biggest amount of cheese are all located in Europe, according to World Population Review. This appreciation of cheese and other dairy products isn't exactly recent. In fact, cattle, sheep, and goat farming started some 10,000 years ago, and cheesemaking was first referenced in Ancient Greece and Ancient Egypt. Fun fact: Nobody knows for certain when and how the very first cheese was prepared. The process may have been discovered by accident, either through storing milk in containers fashioned from the stomachs of animals or by salting curdled milk in an effort to preserve it. The theories abound, but one thing is sure: Cheese is beloved worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, here is an overview of the 10 countries that consume cheese the most, starting with Switzerland, which sits at the top of the list with a whopping 51.80 pounds per capita. Read more: 12 Store-Bought Quesos, Ranked Worst To Best Switzerland Traditional Swiss cheese fondue in a red pot - Hxyume/Getty Images Switzerland isn't only praised for its exceptional tap water, postcard-perfect landscapes, and fairytale-like Alpine villages. It also boasts a long history of cattle farming, which has roots in the Neolithic period. As for the earliest written reference to cheesemaking, it dates back to the first century A.D., when the Roman historian Pliny the Elder mentioned Caseus Helveticus, the cheese of the Helvetii, a major Celtic tribe that was living in the area. Swiss farmers later started exporting their cheeses by mule to Marseilles, an important French seaport, and, from there, these precious products made their way to Africa and Asia. By the 15th century, Gruyeres (the world-famous cheese it originates from is written without the "s") and Emmental were the biggest cheese-producing regions, and the areas of Fribourg, Bernese Oberland, Appenzell, Schwyz, and Unterwalden soon followed suit. Today, you can find more than 700 varieties of cheese across Switzerland, according to the federal authorities. The most consumed are Gruyere (which can be used to make the creamiest quiche), Tete de Moine, Sbrinz, Appenzeller, and raclette. It's also important to note that any Swiss-made cheese is supposed to be free from artificial additives and genetic modifications, and that the most traditional varieties are still prepared in village dairies, rather than large factories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, if you should ever find yourself in the medieval town of Gruyeres, make sure you treat yourself to a fondue, a dish that combines melted cheese, wine, and cherry brandy, in which you can dip pieces of bread or baby potatoes. You could also visit the canton of Valais to sample an authentic raclette, where the titular cheese is melted on a special pan and eaten with bread, potatoes, gherkins, and pickled onions. Germany Cheese spaetzle and bacon casserole on table - Kabvisio/Getty Images Germany is yet another country boasting a rich dairy-making heritage. In fact, evidence of curdled sheep's milk was found in the Neolithic site of Karsdorf, located in the state of Saxony-Anhalt. Today, though, it's the Allgau region, in the state of Bavaria, that holds the title of the nation's biggest cheesemaking hub. The industry blossomed there in the early 19th century as an effort to reduce the astronomical cost of cheese importation from Belgium, Switzerland, and the Netherlands. Overall, Germany produces hundreds of imitation and original cheeses, including the beloved Bruder Basil, a semi-soft and smoky product that was first prepared from semi-skimmed cow's milk by the Trappist monks of Rotthalmunster Abbey. It's typically consumed in sandwiches, gratins, and raclettes, or simply snacked on with dark German beer or dry white wine. The pungent and intensely flavored Limburger is another popular cheese, and you'll usually find it on charcuterie boards and in salads, burgers, sandwiches, and quiches. As for butterkase (literally "butter cheese," though it doesn't contain any butter), its creamy texture renders it conveniently spreadable, while the soft-ripened Cambozola is a coveted addition to cheeseboards. Germany offers many cheese-centric snacks and dishes, from kasespatzle (cheese spaetzle), the local version of Mac and Cheese, to obatzda, a spread that is best consumed with pretzels and beer and is widely popular at Oktoberfest in Munich. France Plate of soft French Camembert cheese with bread in the background - barmalini/Shutterstock Once largely operated by women, the cheese industry started developing in French farms in the 13th century to serve regional markets. In this day and age, three specific types of cheese immediately spring to mind when one thinks of France: brie, camembert, and Roquefort, as they are not only locally beloved but also widely exported. And, in case you still confuse the first two, which look somewhat alike, here's a quick recap: Brie is softer, milder, and creamier, and it originates from the Ile-de-France region, while Camembert is smaller, earthy-flavored, and more aromatic, and it hails from Normandy. As for Roquefort, one of the world's most pungent cheeses, it's made from sheep's milk and aged in the limestone caves of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, in southern France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those are not the only products of note, though. According to My French House, France produces more than 1,200 cheese varieties. Locals are very big on reblochon (which can be melted with boiled potatoes to make a tartiflette), emmental (frequently used in salads, sandwiches, and pasta), and comte (an elegant cheeseboard staple). In fact, if you're ever invited to a traditional meal, you'll likely be served a platter of assorted cheeses between the main course and dessert. Italy Slices of matured Pecorino Romano cheese - Barmalini/Getty Images Italy conjures up images of decadent pasta and pizza dishes with copious amounts of melted or grated cheese; so, it's no wonder it stands among the top cheese-consuming nations. Today, the country produces 2,500 traditional types of cheese, many of which are snacked on or used in dishes, sauces, salads, and pastries. The love of cheese is ingrained in Italian culture, as the ancient Romans were largely responsible for popularizing its consumption across Europe and the Middle East. Not to mention that most homes were equipped with an area for making, aging, and storing cheese, called a 'caseale.' So, what are some of the most beloved Italian cheeses? First, there's the salty, hard, and crumbly pecorino romano, which is produced from the titular Sardinian breed of sheep and eagerly grated over cherished dishes like cacio e pepe and spaghetti carbonara. Equally popular are the soft and mild buffalo mozzarella, which is supposed to be made from the milk of water buffalo, and not from cow's milk; the cave-aged taleggio, which goes well with polenta and risotto; and the blue-green-veined gorgonzola, which may very well date back to the ninth century. The Netherlands Traditional wheels of Gouda cheese on display - Tim Graham/Getty Images The earliest mention of cheese production in the Netherlands dates back to 80 B.C., in Julius Caesar's "Bellum Gallicum", or the "Gallic Wars" account. And, until the 19th century, most Dutch cheeses were still produced on traditional dairy farms. You can learn all about the history and techniques of local cheesemaking by visiting the Dutch Cheese Museum in Alkmaar and the Amsterdam Cheese Museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, let's explore some commonly produced Dutch cheeses. Typically made from pasteurized cow's milk (though there are other gourmet varieties), gouda, for one, is a semi-soft cheese that can be aged from two months to five years and more. It pairs well with fresh fruits, nuts, beer, or sparkling cider. As for edam, it's a mild, semi-hard, and nutty cow's milk cheese that is typically enclosed in red or yellow wax and meant to elevate pizzas, salads, and baked pasta dishes. For its part, the dry and firm leyden contains cumin seeds, cloves, and/or caraway, and it's typically consumed warm on bread, preferably with a cold brew. Finally, maasdam, the Dutch answer to emmental, is slightly nutty and sweet and would therefore make a delicious addition to a ham sandwich, a baked pasta dish, a green salad with nuts and fruits, or as a gooey pizza topping. Czech Republic Traditional Czech cheesecake on a red plate - Little Bohemian Bakery/Facebook Cheese was first incorporated into Czech gastronomy in medieval homes and monasteries as a way of preserving milk, and it didn't experience a commercial boom until the Renaissance period. In today's Czech Republic, though, this food is a vital ingredient in many simple and complex dishes and desserts, such as kulajda, a creamy mushroom soup; bramboracka, a potato soup; gulas, a hearty beef stew; tvarohove knedliky dumplings, served with cabbage stew or a pork roast; and the somewhat tangy tvarohovy kolac cheesecake. This country has produced several distinctive cheese varieties. Olomoucke syrecky, for instance, is a pungent, creamy product prepared from ripened skim milk and typically spread on bread or paired with a local wine. As for the camembert-style hermelin, it's delectably smooth, velvety, and mildly tangy, and you can order its marinated version at most pubs and restaurants, alongside a light Czech beer. Greece Bowl of salad with two blocks of feta cheese in the center - Sea Wave/Shutterstock Greece produces more than 60 types of cheese, the most famous and oldest of which is feta. Deep-rooted in local mythology and history, this crumbly, salty, and tangy national treasure was first mentioned in Homer's "Odyssey," which was written in the 8th century B.C. Previously called "prosphatos" (meaning "fresh"), feta was popularized in 15th-century Crete, as recorded by the traveler Pietro Casola. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Genuine, locally produced feta is still traditionally made from sheep's milk or a combination of sheep and goat's milk, then it's aged in brine for that distinctively sharp flavor. There are many different ways to enjoy this beloved cheese: grilled or fried until golden; in a horiatiki or Greek salad, which consists of tomatoes, olives, cucumbers, and onions; in a spanakopita, a spinach phyllo pie; stuffed with vegetables and herbs in bell peppers and tomatoes; or drizzled with honey and sprinkled with sesame seeds. Feta isn't Greece's only cheese contribution to the world, though. There's also graviera, a hard, deep-yellow variety with various flavors, from nutty to slightly sweet and spicy. As for the salty and hard kefalotyri, it's produced from unpasteurized goat's or sheep's milk (or a combination of both), and commonly added to cheeseboards alongside fruits, to be consumed with red wine; grated on pasta; or incorporated into stews. Finally, let's not forget about the semi-soft manouri, which is creamier, sweeter, and lighter than feta: It pairs well with honey or marmalade and can also be incorporated into salads and pastries. Finland The Finnish Valio Oltermanni cheese in yellow wrapping on a table - Bokehboo Studios/Shutterstock The earliest mention of homemade cheese produced from cow's milk in what is now Finland dates back to 1555, but cheese wasn't actually commercialized there until 1856, under the initiative of Rudolf Klostner, a renowned Swiss cheesemaker. Today, the mildly flavored and somewhat sour Valio Oltermanni, totally free from additives and rich in calcium, is the most popular cream cheese in Finnish homes. It's widely used in sandwiches, salads, frostings, and sauces, and it makes a light and pleasant addition to cheese boards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for Aura, a semi-soft, strong, and tangy blue cheese produced from pasteurized cow's milk, it's usually matured for either six or 12 weeks and is known across North America as Midnight Blue. Finally, juustoleipa, also called leipajuusto and juusto, is probably the most fun of the lot. Known for its squeaky sound, this semi-hard, brown-crusted artisan "cheese bread" was popularized two centuries ago. It's made from pasteurized reindeer's, cow's, or goat's milk and is best consumed with honey or lingonberry jam or simply dipped in coffee. Estonia Estonian cheese with rye bread and flower petals - Rukkimaania/Facebook Despite being the smallest of the three Baltic states, Estonia has one of the highest cheese consumption rates in the world, and the Estonians are particularly fond of cheese on rye bread and deep-fried cheese balls. The earliest mention of cheesemaking actually dates back to 1569, in the Maasi castle region, and then, between 1870 and 1910, as many as 50 manor dairies were established on the island of Saaremaa alone. Nowadays, this industry is still experiencing steady growth, and the main export markets are Finland, Latvia, Sweden, and Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two commonly consumed types of cheese in Estonia are Dutch-inspired (such as Eesti Juust) and Tilsit or Tilsiter (like Atleet, Saare Leet, and Estman). As for the most beloved cheese-centric snack, it's none other than kohuke, a delicious bar made from pressed curd and chocolate that comes in many flavors, such as lemon, coconut, strawberry, or caramel. Luxembourg Kachkeis cheese on bread with some mustard - Luxlait/Facebook We conclude this culturally diverse list of top 10 cheese-consuming nations with the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, a tiny and rich landlocked country bordered by France, Germany, and Belgium. It offers several specialty cheeses, such as Kachkeis, a popular spreadable cheese that can be compared to cooked French camembert. Free from preservatives and colorings and made from 100 percent Luxembourg milk, kachkeis is typically consumed as a snack with bread and a little bit of mustard. As for the beloved Stoffi, it's an organic, fresh curd cheese that is best enjoyed with bread, fresh fruits, or jam. Another widely consumed product is the award-winning, preservative-free cottage cheese from Luxlait, which is consumed alone on bread, sprinkled with herbs and pepper, or incorporated into both savory and sweet dishes. The brand has actually been a major player in the industry since 1894, especially after merging with two other large agricultural associations in 1978. Luxlait also produces Creme de Chapelin, a smooth gourmet cheese spread whose flavors include black truffle, sweet pepper, pimento, and Italian seasoning; an organic soft brie destined for cheese platters and sandwiches; and fruity, caramelized, beer-infused Gouda cubes to elevate salads and appetizers. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Whether you are going on holiday to relax, discover a new culture, visit friends or find yourself, having to deal with an unexpected emergency is unlikely to be on your dream itinerary. Travelling in Europe, especially in the summer, is coming with increasing challenges as climate change throws weather curveballs at the continent and more regulations and tourist taxes are being brought in. To avoid nasty surprises when you should be savouring a gelato or watching a sunset without a care in the world, here are things to watch out for and the ways you can be best prepared as a traveller. Heatwaves and wildfires scorch Europe There are several natural disaster risks around Europe that travellers should be aware of in summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heatwaves have been scorching the continent since June, creating prime conditions for the outbreak of wildfires. Over the weekend, Spain and Portugal entered a state of alert due to the worsening risk of blazes amid severe hot weather. Related Temperatures hovered around 40 degrees Celsius or over in areas of the Iberian Peninsula on Sunday. Greece and Turkiye have been battling wildfires throughout the summer, with thousands of residents forced to flee their homes and tourists evacuated. Some areas of Italy, including the island of Sardinia, and France have also been affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heatwaves themselves are also dangerous for travellers. They come with increased health risks, especially for older people or those with preexisting medical conditions. Southern Europe sees rise in seismic activity Popular holiday destinations around the Mediterranean, including Crete, Santorini, Naples, Sicily and Turkiye, have all been affected by earthquakes or volcanic eruptions this summer. Although they havent caused serious damage or casualties, they are still alarming to experience as a visitor and could mean having to evacuate your accommodation midway through your trip. There is growing concern amongst travellers about booking to visit tremor-prone destinations. In Santorini, one of Greeces most visited destinations, local tourism officials estimate that arrivals could fall by as much as 25 per cent this year. How travellers can prepare for natural disasters and weather extremes A key precautionary measure when visiting extreme weather-prone destinations is staying informed of any local warnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before your trip, research the specific area you're visiting and be aware of heat alerts, seismic risks, fire danger ratings and local emergency procedures. Ensure that your mobile phone is registered to receive emergency alerts in the area where you are staying. You can do this by going into Settings, followed by Notifications, and Enabling Alerts. Related Monitor local news, weather forecasts, and fire updates through official channels like emergency apps and websites. If there is a heatwave warning during your trip, take precautionary measures like carrying extra drinking water or avoiding high-energy outdoor activities in the middle of the day. Follow local advice about what to do and what not to do during periods of prolonged high temperatures. If there is a heatwave warning during your trip, take precautionary measures. - Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved Older travellers and those with certain health conditions should be especially careful not to exert themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your itinerary involves outdoor adventure, it might be worth asking your travel provider if you can change your plans or dates if a heatwave is expected. Ensure you have the right travel insurance for extreme weather coverage When booking travel insurance, make sure you choose a policy that will refund you or entitle you to compensation should extreme weather or a natural disaster affect your holiday. This is particularly important if you choose not to go ahead with your trip, even if the airline, tour operator or accommodation has not cancelled your bookings. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is because, without an official no-go warning from the government, travellers who choose not to go ahead with their trip are unlikely to receive reimbursement or compensation, as this is considered disinclination to travel. The vast majority of travel insurance policies will also not cover situations of loss of enjoyment due to natural disasters or extreme weather, which includes being unable to leave your hotel. Travellers can only expect refunds if their flights or accommodation are cancelled by airlines, providers or tour companies. Some insurance policies include trip disruption or natural disaster cover, but not every company will offer this, so make sure you have the correct insurance before you leave. New tourist taxes, entry fees and visitor caps Dozens of destinations have brought in tourist taxes, entry fees to attractions, and visitor caps this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hotspot Greek islands of Santorini and Mykonos both now charge a 20 cruise passenger levy during peak season, with Santorini maintaining a daily cruise visitor cap of 8,000. The capital, Athens, has brought in a visitor cap to protect its most popular ancient site. The Acropolis now only permits 20,000 visitors per day with mandatory timed entry tickets. In Spain, Barcelona has increased its municipal tourist tax to 6.75 per night for guests staying in five-star hotels. Related The surcharge is in addition to the standard nightly tourist tax (now 3.50) paid to the region, meaning a week-long stay in a five-star hotel will cost 47.25 on top of the room rate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ibiza has started limiting the number of tourist cars and caravans that can visit. From 1 June to 30 September, the number of vehicles used by non-residents will be capped at 20,168, and youll need to get a permit if you do want to drive onto the island, which costs 1 per day. Overtourism has led to a swathe of new taxes and visitor caps. - Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. In Italy, the archaeological site of Pompeii has introduced a daily visitor cap of 20,000. Visitors are recommended to purchase tickets in advance online to avoid long queues. Italys capital city, Rome, has brought in a visitor cap for the Colosseum set at 3,000 at a single time. Sardinias spectacular beaches are feeling the strain, and several now have visitor limits or booking requirements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Crescent-shaped Tuerredda beach requires visitors to book via an app in advance and has been capping visitor numbers at 1,100 per day since 2020. For the full list of beaches with restrictions, see here. One levy you dont need to worry about anymore this year is the Venice entry fee, which ended in July. If you are flying into Turkiye, be aware that the Turkish Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has imposed a new rule. It requires passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened until the aircraft reaches its designated parking spot and the fasten seatbelt sign is deactivated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They must also wait for their row to be called to disembark the aircraft. Passengers violating the rules risk a $70 (62) fine. For other fees and taxes brought in before this year, see here. Strikes and air traffic control struggles Given the increase in passenger traffic in summer, strikes are more likely to take place as they are able to have a bigger impact. For example, the General Union of Workers (UGT) has announced Spain-wide strikes at Azul Handling, part of the Ryanair group, from 15 August. Related These will see a series of stoppages at all of its work centres and operational bases, including airports in Madrid, Barcelona, Seville, Malaga, Alicante, Ibiza, Palma de Mallorca, Girona, Tenerife South, Lanzarote and Santiago de Compostela. They will take place every Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday until 31 December 2025. Tens of millions of travellers are also expected to face delays this summer due to mass cancellations caused by air traffic control (ATC) strikes during peak travel periods. The walkouts have already plunged flights into chaos in France, Spain and Italy. What can travellers do to prepare for strikes? There are several steps travellers can take to stay prepared and better informed about industrial action. This includes checking government websites for official strike information as well as asking specific airlines and airports for the latest updates. Travellers are also advised to confirm the status of their flight before leaving for the airport. If travel plans cannot be changed around strike dates, avoiding peak hours while heading to the airport and arriving with plenty of time to spare can help as well. Related Having comprehensive travel insurance coverage is also advisable. If your flight is cancelled for any reason, the airline is obliged to offer you the choice between re-routing as soon as possible, re-routing at a later date, or a full refund within seven days. However, the airline is not liable for any losses relating to accommodation, bookings or other knock-on effects of a delay or cancellation - only for the flight. To make sure you are covered for additional losses, add travel disruption cover to your travel insurance policy in advance of your trip. With Elon Musk stepping away from his Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) leadership role and back into the drivers seat at Tesla (TSLA), theres no shortage of storylines to follow about the electric vehicle (EV) market leader and its controversial co-founder and CEO. A quick search will yield headlines about Teslas recent second quarter results, the long-promised affordable model (which turns out is just a bare-bones Model Y), robotaxi timelines and the opening of the first retro-futuristic Tesla Diner & Drive-In in Hollywood. Read Next: I Asked ChatGPT What the Stock Market Will Look Like in 100 Days Heres What It Said Learn More: The New Retirement Problem Boomers Are Facing However, the big story is what investors should expect in the future from a company that now firmly has a foot in both the car manufacturing and artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics camps. Tesla supporters are hyped about Musks return, the companys robotaxi ambitions and its growth expectations, but many analysts are skeptical of the exact same things. Also see whether Tesla stock can make you rich by 2035. Teslas Insane Stock Multiple Guesting with Brian Sozzi on Yahoo Finances Opening Bid recently, Washington Crossing Advisors senior portfolio manager Chad Morganlander raised questions about Teslas sky-high stock price and robotaxi future after its recent, largely performative launch event in Austin. Theres a lot of jazz hands going on here [with Teslas robotaxi launch], Morganlander said. This stock trades at ten times revenue. You have a [stock] multiple thats insane. Morganlander said he favors Teslas self-driving taxi rival Waymo, which Alphabet has been developing since 2009. Tesla stock currently has a trailing price-to-earnings (P/E) multiple of around 185 and a forward P/E near 164, per Yahoo Finance. To put this into perspective, the forward P/E ratio for the S&P 500 sits just under 23. Until it makes significant strides in the robotaxi game, Tesla will likely be seen as overvalued. And given the companys history of bold promises followed by inevitable delays, investors are becoming anxious. Look, insane multiples are nothing new with Tesla, said Edward Corona, veteran trader and the brains behind The Options Oracle newsletter. Its always traded more like a story stock than a traditional automaker. However, that likely cant last forever. That said, at some point, the story has to catch up to reality and I think thats the tension here, Corona told GOBankingRates. The valuation is rich, no doubt, and without real progress on the robotaxi front or a pickup in earnings growth, its tough to keep justifying these levels. What is the single worst thing you have ever eaten? The one dish, out of everything you've tasted, that you would never eat again under any circumstances? Anthony Bourdain discovered that dish on camera, and viewers got to watch it happen in an episode of his show, "No Reservations." On a trip to Iceland, one of the countries that eat the most fish, Bourdain was encouraged by the locals to try a dish known as hakarl. It's one of those foods people call a delicacy, though the term seems euphemistic, since hakarl is fermented shark that smells strongly of ammonia. Hakarl is prepared using Greenland shark meat, which must be fermented because the shark's flesh is poisonous otherwise. Since these sharks live in such cold waters, their tissue contains high levels of urea and trimethylamine oxide. These chemicals function like antifreeze, helping the sharks survive in freezing depths, but they are also incredibly toxic to humans. And urea a key component of urine has a pungent ammonia smell that saturates the shark's flesh. As Bourdain prepared to eat the shark, he noted that someone had advised him not to touch it with his bare fingers. It was recommended he used gloves to handle the food, yet he was supposed to eat it. After trying a small cube of shark on the end of a toothpick, he described it as "unspeakably nasty." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 7 Foods Guy Fieri Doesn't Touch The Story Of Hakarl fermented shark chunks hanging to dry - Abinieks/Shutterstock Hakarl is also a dish that Andrew Zimmern couldn't stand at least at first. The chef, who has eaten almost everything, tried it in an episode of "Bizarre Foods" and said that the smell reminded him of "some of the most horrific things" he'd ever breathed in his life. But after sampling it, he said that it tasted much better than it smelled. He described it as sweet and nutty, but just faintly fishy. Clearly, he and Anthony Bourdain didn't see eye to eye on hakarl. The texture of hakarl varies depending on which part of the shark you're eating. Some parts can be chewy while other parts are likened to soft cheese. The meat must ferment for months to reach this point. In the past, it was buried in gravel and stones and hung to dry. Today, fermentation boxes are used, but the meat is still air-dried. Hakarl is hardly an everyday item, even in Iceland. Viking settlers developed the method after arriving on the island because the harsh conditions demanded a way to prepare and preserve otherwise toxic shark. Now, it's a special occasion food, and usually enjoyed during a midwinter festival called orrablot. Still, you can find it in many Icelandic supermarkets. One thing worth noting is that, despite Zimmern's praise for the taste, when he takes a second piece, he visibly winces and groans. In his words, it's "hardcore" and not a food for beginners. Take from that what you will. If you ever get a chance to try it, expect that you will find the smell offensive, and possibly the taste as well. But sometimes, a culinary adventure is worth the risk. Read the original article on Tasting Table. Nigerian customs officials have announced one of the largest seizures of its kind in years, intercepting more than 1,600 parrots and canaries at Lagos international airport that were being illegally transported to Kuwait. The live cargo, including ring-necked parakeets and yellow-fronted canaries, was intercepted by customs officials at the airport on 31 July, the agency announced late on Monday. Michael Awe, a customs controller at Lagos airport, confirmed the birds lacked the mandatory CITES permit and other essential documentation required to prove their legal acquisition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigeria, a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has become a significant transit hub for wildlife trafficking. Parrots, songbirds, and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds globally for the exotic pet trade, private collections, or for their feathers and trophies, according to the United Nations 2024 World Wildlife Report. "No illegal shipment will slip through the cracks under my watch at the airport, because the eagle eyes of my command officers are everywhere to detect and intercept," he said in the statement. Parrots, songbirds and birds of prey are among the most trafficked birds for the exotic pet trade, private collections and for feathers or trophies (Nigeria Customs Service) Awe said customs were investigating those responsible for the illicit cargo, adding that the birds would be handed over to the National Parks Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is the latest group of animals to be intercepted by authorities after the Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) recently announced 1,540 endangered birds were stopped from being illegally exported. Speaking during the official handover of the birds to the National Park Service in Abuja, the Customs Area Controller of the FCT Command, Comptroller Chinwe Aliboh, revealed that the intercepted birds included 200 parakeets, 40 Hasbiya (pigeons), 390 yellow canaries, 130 Janwuya (red neck), 260 black birds, 130 white canaries (Farar Daka), and 390 Beni (Hausa). In July, the MMIA Command also seized 75 bags of pangolin scales and two live pangolins. LONDON -- At least one person was killed and 11 others were injured by raging wildfires in France, where more than 1,500 firefighters are battling the flames, officials said. A French Minister has said the wildfire currently raging in southwestern France, north of Perpignan, has now burnt 13000 hectares. In a post on X, Ecology Minister, Agnes Pannier-Runacher said that was equivalent to the total area burnt by multiple wildfires throughout the whole of 2024 and double the total area burnt by all wildfires in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement France's Prime Minister, Francois Bayrou, is expected to visit the region this afternoon, according to multiple reports in the French media. In an earlier statement, Aude prefecture, which is the regional authority, said the wildfire is spreading "very quickly" and the fire "remains very active" as the conditions on Wednesday are "unfavorable." Idriss Bigou-gilles/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: FRANCE-FIRE-ENVIRONMENT-CLIMATE The fire has been spreading quickly through the countryside and the prefecture's "very provisional" figure is that the fire has so far only "touched" 25 homes, though that number is expected to rise as the fire continues to spread. Authorities said one person, whom they didn't name, died in the fires. Another 11 people were injured -- including two who were seriously burned -- as of Tuesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerial support to battle the fires is expected to arrive on Wednesday morning as 100 police officers are set to join team already working to extinguish the flames. This is a developing story. Please check back for updates. ABC News' Tom Soufi-Burridge and Aicha El-Hammar contributed to thir report. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) One person is dead and two others were hospitalized after a shooting broke out in Southeast D.C. Tuesday night. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) told DC News Now that the shooting happened minutes before 11:30 p.m. on Aug. 5, in the 1800 block of U Street. There, responding officers found three people suffering from gunshot wounds. DC neighbors, police connect over fun, safety at National Night Out D.C. police were on the scene of a deadly triple shooting in the 1800 block of U Street on Aug. 5.(Brandon Dobbs/DC News Now) Officials noted that a man and a woman were both taken to the hospital, conscious and breathing, to be treated for their injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A second man, later identified as 29-year-old Devonta Bazemore of Northwest D.C., was pronounced dead at the scene. As of Wednesday morning, no arrests have been made in connection with the case. MPD urges anyone with information about the shooting to call 202-727-9099 or text the police department at 50411. Calls and texts can remain anonymous. D.C. police officers were on the scene of a deadly triple shooting on U Street that occurred on Aug. 5. (Brandon Dobbs/DC News Now) (Brandon Dobbs/DC News Now) (Brandon Dobbs/DC News Now) Check DCNewsNow.com for updates. To keep up with the latest news and weather updates, download our Mobile App on iPhone or Android. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. NEED TO KNOW One person has died after another wildfire tore through southern France, forcing thousands of people to evacuate Two other people reportedly have been hospitalized, including one person who is in critical condition This new wildfire comes about a month after another blaze near Pennes-Mirabeau left more than 100 people injured One person is dead and thousands of people have been evacuated as a wildfire rages in southern France. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire has burned more than 13,000 hectares (50 square miles) of land since it began near the village of La Ribaute in the Aude region on Tuesday, Aug. 5, according to the BBC and The Guardian. As of Wednesday, Aug. 6, the blaze is considered Frances biggest wildfire in almost 80 years, according to Reuters. French Civil Security/Handout/Anadolu via Getty The wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France on Aug. 5, 2025 The wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France on Aug. 5, 2025 Officials have said one person has died in the village of Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse. She has been described by the BBC as an elderly woman. Two other people have been hospitalized, including one person who is in critical condition. Several firefighters have been injured as well, according to the reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf All residents in the village of Jonquieres have been evacuated, Mayor Jacques Piraux said, per The Guardian. Campgrounds in surrounding areas have been evacuated as well. In a post on X, President Emmanuel Macron urged residents to follow evacuation orders and exercise the utmost caution near the blaze. At least 25 homes have been damaged by the fire, according to the BBC and Reuters. French Civil Security/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Firefighting teams battle a large wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France Firefighting teams battle a large wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France France's Prime Minister Francois Bayrou described the fire as a catastrophe of unprecedented scale. He is expected to visit the area on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Meanwhile, Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude area, said the fire is advancing in an area where all the conditions are ripe for it to progress, according to the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said the blaze "will keep us busy for several days, describing it as a long-term operation. French Civil Security/Handout via X/Anadolu via Getty Firefighting teams battle a large wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France Firefighting teams battle a large wildfire in the Corbieres Massif in southern France This new wildfire comes about a month after a separate wildfire in southern France left more than 100 people injured after burning near Pennes-Mirabeau, north of Marseille. 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. Frances interior minister, Bruno Retailleau, said at the time that over 400 people were "ordered to evacuate" their homes due to the blaze, while another "14,000 were told to stay home." Read the original article on People A person was injured after a pickup truck hit a train in Ohio on Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Norwich Township Fire Department said in a social media post that the crash happened at a railroad crossing in Hillard. Photos show that the truck sustained heavy front-end damage. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hillard Police Sgt. Suzanne Muraco told our news partner, WBNS-TV in Columbus, that medics transported a male to the hospital. He is listed in stable condition. She said the male was the only person inside the truck. Officers reopened all roads late Tuesday afternoon. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] LIMESTONE COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Limestone County Coroner said one person was killed and multiple others were injured in a crash on Tuesday. Coroner Mike West told News 19 the crash happened on AL-251 just south of Wooley Springs Road. ALEA said that the crash happened around 4:45 p.m. Tuesday. West confirmed to News 19 that 45-year-old Robert A. Kowal Jr., of Athens, was killed in the incident, and three others were injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALEA said it is investigating the crash. At the time of the crash, all lanes on AL-251 near mile-marker 10 were closed. However, troopers say that all lanes have been reopened as of Wednesday morning. A spokesperson for East Limestone Volunteer Fire Department said they were dispatched as mutual aid to Oak Grove Thatch VFD. The spokesperson added that one vehicle caught fire. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) One person was taken to the hospital after a shooting in Greensboro on Tuesday night, according to a Greensboro Police Department news release. At 9:05 p.m., officers responded to the 6900 block of West Market Street when they were told about an aggravated assault. Officers found one gunshot victim who was taken to a hospital. No arrests have been made at this time. The investigation is ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. The Tea app, made for women to anonymously share information about men in their areas with other women, has been hit with 10 potential class action lawsuits in federal and state courts after a data breach led to the leak of thousands of selfies, ID photos and private conversations online. All of the lawsuits allege that Tea Dating Advice Inc., the company that created the Tea app, was negligent in its data practices and breached a contract with its users. The suits could result in Tea having to pay tens of millions of dollars in damages to the plaintiffs, which could be catastrophic for the company, an expert told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Tea spokesperson declined to comment on the lawsuits. The app gained popularity in late July and climbed to the top of the Apple App Store as many women sought to share information with other women about men they were dating or had dated. The app allows its users to upload photos of men, deem them red flags or green flags and share other information about them. As of Tuesday, the app was still ranked third on the Apple App Stores top free apps list. To join the app, users are required to take verification photos, which Tea has said are deleted after they are submitted. A Tea spokesperson previously told NBC News that this data was originally stored in compliance with law enforcement requirements related to cyberbullying prevention. The first breach occurred July 25. A Tea spokesperson has told NBC News that it consisted of about 72,000 images, 59,000 of which were images in which posts, comments and direct messages were viewable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 404 Media reported two days later that Tea had experienced a second security issue, in which more than 1.1 million user direct messages, spanning from early 2023 to last month, were exposed. Tea had confirmed to NBC News that a breach occurred in which some direct messages (DMs) were accessed as part of the initial incident. Scott Cole, a lawyer who is leading a lawsuit against the app, said his client, Griselda Reyes, signed up for the app only days before the breach happened. The suit says that Reyes had received a notice from Tea that her data was involved in the breach and that as a result, she has since taken action to explore credit monitoring and identity theft insurance options. A Tea spokesperson previously said the breach would have given access to a dataset from prior to February 2024. On Tuesday, a judge granted a motion an anonymous plaintiff had filed for her case to be combined with Reyes and three others. Her particular concerns have more to do with information that she has shared with others on the site and how that might come back to haunt her in the future, and I think thats probably the No. 1 concern that Ive heard directly or indirectly from users, Cole said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the suits lists the right-wing online discussion board 4chan and the social platform X as defendants, alleging that they allowed bad actors to spread users personal information. The day before the breach, users on 4chan had called for a hack and leak campaign. On the day of the leak, a 4chan user had posted a link that the suit alleges allowed people to download the database of images, some of which appeared to later circulate on X. On X, users began to circulate a link to a website called TeaSpill that allowed people to rank the photos of the women based on attractiveness. X and 4chan did not respond to requests for comment. The plaintiff in the suit against Tea, X and 4chan, who is listed anonymously as Jane Doe, joined the app to anonymously warn other women in her Northern California community about a man who sexually assaulted at least two other women. The app promised her that anonymity. It promised her safety. It promised to delete her verification data. Tea broke every one of those promises, the suit reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five of the plaintiffs in the suits are named, while five are listed anonymously as Jane Doe. John Yanchunis, an attorney for a user who filed another case anonymously as Jane Doe on Thursday, said his client has faced immense harassment online because of the breach. Because of the breach, some very sensitive information became publicly available, and that led certain individuals to engage in online harassment, he said. Thats been devastating to her, as it would be to any individual to be the subject of ridicule. She has suffered emotional distress and has had to take steps to ensure that she can defend as best she can against both the attacks as well as the ongoing threat to identity theft. Brian Fitzpatrick, a professor at Vanderbilt Law School who specializes in class action suits, said it can be easy to prove that defendants are liable for data breaches in similar class action lawsuits but harder to prove damages, such as that peoples data is being used maliciously. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Fitzpatrick said the ways users have been circulating Tea users information online, including one who is alleged to have created a map with Tea users home addresses, Tea could have a harder time fighting damage claims. At least four of the suits seek at least $5 million in damages, though the amounts awarded could climb much higher. Fitzpatrick said that, as in many data breach suits against major companies like MGM Resorts and T-Mobile, settlements can reach hundreds of millions of dollars. He said such cases typically involve millions of class members, who usually divide the settlement money. For a smaller company like Tea, which, according to its LinkedIn page, has only five employees, an adverse ruling could be extremely detrimental, meaning higher checks for the suits class members since its user base is still relatively small compared with those of larger companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We may not know if it will become an actual as opposed to potential class action for months or even years, Fitzpatrick said. All the class members are automatically included. They will be given an opportunity to opt out, but if they do not, they are included. Many of the suits have classified their class members as those who are similarly situated as the plaintiffs. One of the suits reads that its class members are so numerous that joinder of all members is impracticable, but that it estimates that it is composed of millions of individuals who have been damaged by the Tea app. The companys founder, Sean Cook, said in a Medium interview in May that he started Tea after he saw his moms dating experiences, including how easy it was for catfish, scammers and criminals to take advantage of women on dating apps and how little traditional dating apps do to protect users. According to his LinkedIn page, Cook created and self-funded Tea in November 2022. Before that,he worked in technology in San Francisco since 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yanchunis and Cole said it is difficult to estimate how much a suit against Tea could be settled for, as the numbers of class members for the suits are still developing. Teas website says the app has over 6 million users. It could be more of an existential threat to their existence, Fitzpatrick said. Not maybe so much because of the amount of money that they might have to pay, but just because, I think, this is awful for their reputation. I dont know if people are going to trust them anymore, and so they might lose all their users. Yanchunis said these cases differ from many other data breach cases because of the sensitivity of the information. Whats unique here is the way this app promoted the safety and security of the platform, and so people in this type of app are going to reveal things that they might not otherwise reveal at large, he said. I might tell a girlfriend something that I wouldnt tell anybody else, because were in a close relationship. So that kind of information through this app can be disclosed, and it could be very devastating when its revealed, as it was in this situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A user of the app, who requested anonymity because of safety concerns, told NBC News that they had been on the app since late 2023 and had felt very anxious and paranoid since the breach. Originally, the app was started for women, and I dont think they should have told the men about it, the user said. People should feel free to join the app and read the interesting comments, and if not, then you take that app down. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com On Monday, Judge Glenda Hatchett was ordered to pay legal fees to the Georgia Sheriffs Association after she withdrew a lawsuit against the GSA related to her sexual battery by a former sheriff. Now, 11 sheriffs, including nine from the metro Atlanta area, have issued a formal letter to the Executive Board of the GSA, expressing their opposition to the decision for Hatchett to pay. They argue that pursuing financial penalties against a documented victim is harmful and contrary to the values of law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are writing to express our deep concern and moral opposition to the Georgia Sheriffs Associations recent legal action seeking damages and attorneys fees from Judge Glenda Hatchetta survivor of a documented and adjudicated incident of sexual battery, the letter to the GSA board says. The sheriffs argue in their letter that seeking financial penalties from a victim sends a chilling message to survivors of sexual violence, potentially deterring them from coming forward. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Bleckley County Sheriff Kris Coody pleaded guilty to sexual battery against Hatchett in 2023 and resigned from his position in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Hatchett withdrew her lawsuit against Coody, the GSA pursued damages and attorneys fees against her, saying in a statement that her lawsuit against the organization was frivolous, despite acknowledging that Coodys assault on the judge was wrong. TRENDING STORIES: First and most importantly, the assault on Ms. Hatchett should never have happened and every sheriff and our Association staff continue to recognize the resulting trauma she suffers. This deplorable act was committed in a public space by an intoxicated individual who happened to be the elected sheriff of Bleckley County, the GSA said in a statement, in part, shared with Channel 2s Karyn Greer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the association filed for legal fees and damages in June. The letter emphasizes that demanding attorneys fees from a sexual assault survivor, especially when the offender was a high-ranking law enforcement officer, undermines the principles of justice and accountability. Just because you can doesnt mean you should, the sheriffs wrote. This course of action sends a chilling message to survivors of sexual violence in Georgia and beyond. The sheriffs urge the GSA to withdraw their claim for attorneys fees and to publicly reaffirm their support for victims of sexual violence, framing the issue as a moral imperative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter was signed by sheriffs from multiple counties, including Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, DeKalb, Douglas, Gwinnett, Fulton, Henry, and Rockdale, in the metro area. The sheriffs of Burke and Muscogee counties also signed onto the letter. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] OpenAI is reportedly holding preliminary discussions regarding a potential share sale for current and former employees, aiming for a valuation of around $500bn. The move was reported by Bloomberg, citing individuals familiar with the investment talks. According to the report, the ChatGPT-maker is contemplating a secondary stock sale valued at billions, with existing investors such as Thrive Capital expressing interest in purchasing employee shares. However, OpenAI and Thrive representatives refused to comment on the development. If successful, this transaction would boost OpenAI's valuation by about two-thirds from its previous $300bn. The start-up achieved this valuation during a $40bn funding round led by SoftBank Group in March 2025. The potential share sale follows recent news that OpenAI secured $8.3bn from a group of investors as part of the second tranche of the $40bn financing. Recently, OpenAI has seen several research staff members depart for Meta Platforms, which has been actively recruiting top talent from different firms by offering substantial pay packages. A secondary sale could serve as an incentive for staff to remain with OpenAI amidst such competition. Meanwhile, OpenAI continues to release new models. Recently, it has released two open-weight language models optimised for laptops. The company is also preparing to launch its latest GPT-5 model to maintain its competitive edge. The startup anticipates that ChatGPT will reach 700 million weekly active users this week, up from 500 million in March 2025, with daily user messages surpassing 3 billion. Despite these achievements, OpenAI faces challenges, including ongoing discussions about its future as a for-profit entity, which have continued for several months. Microsoft, a major investor in the start-up, is renegotiating the partnership to seek continued access to OpenAI's technology. The current agreement between the two companies is set to expire in 2030. "OpenAI aims for $500bn valuation through employee share sale" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. MILLARD COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) An 11-year-old boy passed away after an incident involving a watercraft at Gunnison Bend Reservoir in Millard County, the sheriffs office says. According to a press release from the Millard County Sheriffs Office, the 11-year-old was on the reservoir with a group. The boy was pulled underwater by a rope caught in the watercraft motor and severely injured. The sheriffs office says others in the boys group and bystanders quickly went into action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millard County emergency medical responders and deputies responded to the accident, and began lifesaving efforts that continued while he was transported to the hospital. The 11-year-old was then transported by medical helicopter to another hospital up north for advanced care. According to the sheriffs office, he tragically succumbed to his injuries. They are investigating what happened as an unfortunate accident. This incident marks yet another day in recent weeks wherein one of our small communities is rocked by tragedy involving a young one. Our deepest condolences go out to the family, and others affected by this tragedy. As we join in the sorrow, we are honored to be among such a resilient people, the Millard County Sheriffs Office stated in the press release. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) A luxury car theft and fraud ring operating out of central Pennsylvania used stolen vehicles from Florida to carry out a $1 million title-washing scheme, according to the Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General. Thirteen people, including the alleged ringleader and several family members, are now facing a series of criminal charges following an investigation by a statewide grand jury. Authorities say the operation was led by 44-year-old Anthony E. Troncoso, who faces multiple felonies, including corrupt organizations, washing vehicle titles, and theft by deception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scheme involved more than two dozen high-end vehicles, such as Porsches, Audis, and Land Rovers, that were stolen in Florida. Officials allege the group used fake documents to clean the vehicle titles, allowing them to be sold to unsuspecting buyers through private sales, auctions, and dealerships. Title-washing occurred at tag agencies and notaries in Berks, Dauphin, and Lehigh counties, as well as at PennDOTs Dauphin County headquarters. The fraudulent paperwork reportedly included falsified ownership, registration, and insurance information. While some defendants have been arrested or arranged to surrender, others are still at large or awaiting extradition from other states. The accused include Troncosos son, girlfriend, and several associates from Pennsylvania, Florida, and Mexico. Authorities credit the collaborative investigation to assistance from Pennsylvania State Police, county detectives, and law enforcement agencies in New York and Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Attorney Generals Insurance Fraud Section will prosecute the case. Charges are allegations, and all individuals are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. Two 13-year-olds were arrested after they allegedly threw bricks at vehicles. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Police said they received a 911 call from a driver, who said a brick was thrown from the overpass into his vehicles back window while he was driving on I-475 in Toledo, CBS-affiliate WTOL reported. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police then got a second call. The driver said she was in stop and go traffic when an unknown object struck her windshield over the drivers seat. The collision sprayed her with glass, giving her minor lacerations, police said. Police examined the womans vehicle, which they said had a shattered windshield and appeared to have small particles of red brick on it. Toledo police told WTOL that they arrested two 13-year-olds, but did not say how or when they were taken into custody. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] A 14-year-old Florida teenager killed his parents in their Middleburg home and walked to a church where he called 911 shortly after midnight and waited for deputies, Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said. The Sheriff's Office found Trevor Lee at Cross Pointe Church Aug. 4 where he was taken into custody without incident, according to the arrest report. The church was about a mile away from the home in the area of Silver Point and County Road 220, where his parents, 44-year-old David K. Lee and 45-year-old Brandi L. Smith were found dead. Here's what we know so far: What happened in the incident where 14-year-old Florida teen killed his parents? Trevor Lee called 911 and told the dispatcher he shot his parents, where deputies could find them at their home and that he was waiting at a church about a mile away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said Aug. 4 that the incident stemmed from a domestic argument the night before and that the firearm was believed to belong to Lee's parents. The gun was recovered at the home. Who called 911? Calls from 14-year-old Trevor Lee, sister in California Trevor Eugene Lee stayed on the line with a Clay County dispatcher for 21 minutes and 49 seconds, revealing what happened to his parents and talking about how he needed to pray and even asked the dispatcher if she could pray for him. Lee appeared to remain calm and polite during the call. Much of it has been redacted for privacy and investigative statutes. The other 911 call appeared to come from Ayanna Russell, Lee's sister, who lives in California. It's 38 minutes and 21 seconds, but much more is redacted and often difficult to understand. She's also crying hysterically in some of it. Action News Jax spoke with Russell, who said their family dynamic was normal when she lived with them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said her brother was a good kid, "a bright young man" with lots of friends. She said she wasn't aware of any issues between her brother and parents and had no idea about the argument. Redacted 911 call: Teen who killed parents and called 911 asks dispatcher, can you 'pray for me?' What was 14-year-old Trevor Lee charged with? Trevor Eugene Lee's arrest report was heavily blacked out and did not reveal what led up to the shooting, however Sheriff Michelle Cook said Lee was charged with two counts of second-degree murder. What did Trevor Lee's best friend say? Best friend Kyree Beamon said they went to Lakeside Junior High School together and were about to start Fleming Island High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beamon told First Coast News he last spoke with Lee around midnight, six hours before police responded to the shooting. He told me he loved me and he told me he was calling to say goodnight, Beamon said. "Trevor isnt a bad person, he made some bad mistakes and hell suffer the consequences for it, but thats not all he was. I dont want him to be known as a killer or murderer. He was a great kid, great son and great brother." Beamon also talked about Lee's parents. They were the best or one of the best families I knew, he told FCN. "They were funny and they treated me well. They told me they loved me like a son and they treated me as such. Clay County Sheriff's Office calls to the family's home The most recent call was for a follow-up investigation on April 27 and also included a suicide threat by the then 10-year-old on March 24, 2021. The others were for "one sick or down" on March 21 and April 5 of 2024 and a disturbance on July 8, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The calls for service, five since 2021, did not generate incident reports for any of the calls other than computer-aided dispatch communication. For the suicide threat, it stated "Trevor," who went to McRae Elementary, was going to cut his throat. His active-duty Navy father said he scheduled a psychiatric appointment for him. The disturbance report said the father held a female against her will and wouldn't give her items back and made some redacted references to not wanting to go back "to the naval base because 'she is going to embarrass both of us.'" More: Records show 5 calls for service to slain parents' home; sister says 'he is not a monster' Where is Clay County, Florida? Clay County, formerly a part of Duval County, is located in Northeast Florida and includes the communities of Green Cove Springs, Penney Farms and Orange Park. It lies southwest of Jacksonville and west of St. Augustine. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: 14-year-old kills parents, calls in Clay County, Florida 911 OWEGO, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Tioga Countys rich farming tradition is being celebrated this week, as it has for more than a century and a half. New York State Agriculture Commissioner Richard Ball joined the Tioga County Chamber of Commerce and other local dignitaries this afternoon to cut the ribbon on the 170th Tioga County Fair. The fair is holding its free day today as some of the displays are still getting set up. The livestock barns are already full of cows, pigs, goats, sheep, chickens, rabbits and more, ready to be judged and exhibited. Local farms, businesses and agricultural organizations have booths to showcase their products and services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eric Johnson is the President of the Tioga County Agricultural Society which puts on the fair. Johnson says it couldnt be done without the assistance of countless volunteers and the support of local businesses. Fair Director Eric Johnson says, Its absolutely as family-friendly as possible. Its $16 admission, theres no charge for parking, no charge to get into the grandstand events like the demolition derby and truck and tractor pulls. Thats all included in your $16 entry fee. So, if you compare us to other fairs, we are about the cheapest fair going in the state right now.. The fair actually held its New York Sire Stakes Harness Racing event last Saturday. Johnson says the track has been hosting horse racing events since 1871. The fair gets fully underway tomorrow with midway rides and food vendors. Special events include demolition derbies tomorrow and Friday, a rodeo on Thursday and truck and tractor pulls on Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gates open at 11 a.m. each day. The carnival rides run from 2 to 10 tomorrow through Friday and from noon to 11 on Saturday. For a complete schedule Visit the Tioga County Fair 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 WIVT - News 34. Two 15-year-old suspects have been arrested in connection with an attempted unarmed carjacking in Washington, D.C., by a group of perpetrators in which a 19-year-old man, identified by President Donald Trump and Elon Musk as a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee, was assaulted, according to police. The victim who was assaulted was Edward Coristine, according to an incident report provided by the Metropolitan Police Department. Coristine worked under Musk at DOGE until June, when Musk left the Trump administration, sources familiar with Coristine's employment told ABC News. The attempted carjacking unfolded early Sunday in northwest Washington, D.C., according to a police statement. Coristine and a woman were standing next to their car on Swann Street, several blocks from Logan Circle, when they were allegedly accosted by the multiple suspects, according to police. @realDonaldTrump/Truth Social - PHOTO: Two 15-year-old suspects have been arrested in an attempted Washington, D.C., carjacking in which 19-year-old former DOGE worker Edward Coristine was beaten up. "The suspects demanded the victim's vehicle and then assaulted one of the victims," according to the police statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police cruiser arrived as the assault was in progress, prompting the suspects to flee on foot, authorities said. Officers on the scene were able to quickly catch two of them, a boy and a girl, according to police. "One of the victims was treated on scene by DC Fire and EMS for injuries sustained in the assault," according to the police statement, which adds that "multiple suspects remain outstanding." The juvenile suspects, both from Hyattsville, Maryland, were arrested on charges of unarmed carjacking, police said. In a post on Tuesday on his social media platform, President Trump posted a photo of Coristine apparently taken after the attempted carjacking, showing him sitting on the ground, shirtless, with his face and body stained with what appears to be blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: FBI special agent carjacked in Washington, D.C. Multiple ABC News attempts to contact Coristine were not immediately successful. Trump said in his post that the incident showed that "crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control." The president also suggested that minors involved in such crimes should be prosecuted as adults, "starting at 14." "If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore," Trump said in his post. Evan Vucci/AP - PHOTO: President Donald Trump speaks during a news conference with Elon Musk in the Oval Office of the White House, May 30, 2025, in Washington. Statistics from the Metropolitan Police Department show that violent crime in the nation's capital has fallen 26% in the first seven months of this year compared to the same period in 2024. Carjackings in the city are also down 38% this year compared to last year, according to the statistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Teens accused in DC carjackings, claiming it was like 'Grand Theft Auto': Officials Coristine, who gained notoriety for his age and going by the online nickname "Big Balls," worked across multiple top agencies as a member of Musk's DOGE team, including the General Services Administration, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, the Department of Education, and the Department of Health and Human Services. MORE: US poised to see dramatic drop in homicides for 3rd straight year In a post on the social media site X, Musk shared Trump's social media post and wrote that the former DOGE employee was assaulted when he came to the defense of the female carjacking victim. Musk claimed that the former DOGE employee, whom he didn't identify, was beaten after a "dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC." GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A 19-year-old man has died and two people are in custody after a shooting on Tuesday night, according to the Greensboro Police Department. At around 9:05 p.m. on Tuesday, officers came to the 6900 block of West Market Street after getting a report of a man being shot. Police found 19-year-old Joshua Smith-Cordoba in the parking lot of a business on the 7300 block of West Friendly Avenue suffering from a gunshot wound to the chest. He was taken to a local hospital, where he later died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say that they have taken two men into custody in connection with the deadly shooting. 23-year-old Phillip Lee Perryman is being charged with first-degree murder and 19-year-old Jiavair Howard is being charged with robbery with a dangerous weapon. Police say that more charges could be forthcoming and they are not seeking additional suspects at this time. The deadly shooting is the 25th homicide of the year in Greensboro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) Two people were arrested on Tuesday for allegedly being in possession of ghost guns and engaging in narcotics sales, according to the McFarland Police Department. McFarland police officers assisted the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitations Special Services Unit in serving a search warrant in the 800 block of Fletcher Street in McFarland at around 7 a.m., according to officials. During the search of the home, officials allegedly found suspected fentanyl indicating narcotics sales activity, as well as several illegally owned firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These weapons lacked serial numbers, meaning they are referred to as ghost guns and banned under California law, police said. Photo: McFarland Police Department Photo: McFarland Police Department Photo: McFarland Police Department Photo: McFarland Police Department Ruben Andrew Garcia, 49, and Alicia Ann Garcia, 42, were arrested in the incident, according to investigators. Ruben and Alicia Garcia were both arrested for multiple felony charges related to possessing and transporting a controlled substance for sale, possessing a firearm illegally, possessing a firearm as a felon, carrying a loaded firearm without registration, child cruelty and other drug and firearm possession charges. Ruben Garcia was also arrested on suspicion of carrying a loaded firearm as a criminal street gang member, inmate records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both suspects are in custody as of Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. A Hard Summer afterparty ended in tragedy when gunfire tore through a downtown L.A. warehouse early Monday morning. Just after 1 a.m., shots rang out at the event, where a large crowd had gathered following a weekend packed with DJ sets and festival energy. Two people diedone at the scene, another later at the hospitaland six others were injured, including at least one person in critical condition, according to police. LOS ANGELES MASS SHOOTING: Mass shooting after Hard Summer Music Festival afterparty in Inglewood, LA. 2 killed, 6 injured. pic.twitter.com/Rgra9sY59O Breaking911 (@Breaking911) August 4, 2025 The party had been promoted across social media as an unofficial afterparty for Hard Summer, a two-day house and techno music festival that took place over the weekend at Hollywood Park. Although LAPD hasnt formally confirmed a link, The Los Angeles Times reported that at least one event post tied the gathering to the festival. Where did the shooting take place? The incident occurred near the 1100 block of 14th Place, in a commercial zone of downtown Los Angeles. Police were first called to the area around 11 p.m. Sunday night after spotting someone carrying a gun into the venue. That individual was arrested, and the party was shut down temporarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But after officers cleared the scene, the crowd returned with the celebration back on as planned. Just two hours later, officers were called back for reports of gunfire. Whats been confirmed so far? Authorities have not released the names of the victims, and no suspects have been identified. All eight victims were adults. As of now, no arrests have been made, and the motive behind the shooting remains unclear. Hard Summer 2025 featured a stacked lineup across seven stages, including performances from Kaytranada, Busta Rhymes, Dom Dolla, and Four Tet. While the festival itself promoted four official afterparties Sunday night, the warehouse event where the shooting occurred was not listed among them. Police are still investigating and are asking anyone with information to come forward. 2 Dead, 6 Injured From Mass Shooting After Los Angeles Music Festival first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 NEED TO KNOW A helicopter performed a dramatic rescue mission of two hikers who became trapped by rising tides on a remote beach in California The hikers were rescued on Saturday, Aug. 2 from the Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco A video shared by the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office showed the hikers being lifted to safety Two hikers were rescued in dramatic fashion after becoming stranded by rising tides on a remote beach in California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Aug. 3, the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office shared in a statement and accompanying video on Facebook that authorities were alerted to the individuals, who remained unnamed, the previous day. Yesterday (8/2/25) Henry-1 was requested by the Marin County Fire Department to assist with the rescue of two stranded hikers who became trapped on a remote beach near Elephant Rock in the Point Reyes National Seashore after rising tides cut off their exit route, the release read. The department then had to deploy their helicopter - Henry-1 - to assist with the rescue mission. With no safe access by land or sea, Henry-1 executed a long line rescue operation," the release continued. "The Henry-1 Tactical Flight Officer/EMT was inserted to the beach, where they secured each hiker into hot seat rescue devices for aerial extraction. The hikers were extracted together and received by the Marin County Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriff's office confirmed that both hikers were safely rescued with "no injuries reported." 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. Sonoma Sheriff The rescue mission at Point Reyes National Seashore The rescue mission at Point Reyes National Seashore In a video shared alongside the statement, the rescue team were seen arriving on the remote beach via helicopter before taking out a rope and attaching it to the two hikers, who were standing on rocks by the ocean. The pair were then lifted to safety and flown out of the remote location. While Point Reyes is a popular destination for people to visit, the National Park Service website states that the ocean is one of the most dangerous hazards found at Point Reyes National Seashore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do not underestimate the power of the ocean. Numerous hazards exist along all beaches, including rough surf, sneaker waves, rip currents, contaminated water, hypothermia, and buried hot ashes, the statement continues. Please use common sense when near the water's edge. There are no lifeguards present at the beaches within Point Reyes National Seashore. Read the original article on People A recent study has highlighted payroll compliance risks for small businesses, with payroll errors affecting 84% of them. The survey by Employment Hero of 1,000 small business leaders found that 40% have incurred penalties due to payroll issues, costing thousands of pounds. Despite spending an average of 2,724 ($3,629) a month to outsource payroll, many businesses struggle with outdated processes. Smaller SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) spend 1,625, while larger ones spend 3,408. More than half of the businesses reported making payroll errors more than once, largely due to outdated systems and processes. Manual processing remains prevalent, with 31% of businesses relying on spreadsheets or forms for payroll. This figure rises to 44% among the smallest SMEs with five to 19 employees. Common issues include incorrect wage calculations and late or missed payments. The most frequent payroll errors reported were incorrect wage calculations (48%), late or missing payments (38%), incorrect hours (36%) and incorrect tax calculations (27%). As employment legislation evolves, 67% of businesses expressed concern about employee complaints linked to payroll. Technology concerns exacerbate these challenges, with 70% of SMEs worried about keeping up with payroll technology. This concern is highest among businesses with 100149 employees, as they struggle to stay compliant without the right tools. Top barriers to switching from manual payroll include limited expertise (38%), lack of time to manage (36%), cost (35%) and lack of time to onboard (31%). To address this challenge Employment Hero has announced free payroll software for all UK businesses. Employment Hero UK managing director Kevin Fitzgerald said: With the rising National Minimum Wage, increased National Insurance Contributions and tougher enforcement of employment law, there has never been a more complicated time to be a small employer. Our research shows payroll has become a compliance minefield. SMEs are trying to do the right thing, but outdated systems and limited resources are costing them dearly. No small business should face fines just for lacking the right tools and that is why we are making payroll free. It is too fundamental to get wrong. If we want SMEs to power growth and employment, we need to level the playing field starting with payroll. "Payroll compliance challenges for small businesses, survey reveals " was originally created and published by International Accounting Bulletin, a GlobalData owned brand. Authorities announced the arrest of two teens in connection with the brutal beating of a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee that allegedly took place during an attempted carjacking in the nations capital over the weekend. A 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, both of Hyattsville, Md., now face charges of unarmed carjacking, Washington D.C.'s Metropolitan Police Department said Tuesday. Police did not provide their identities as both suspects are juveniles. Police said the investigation remains ongoing, with multiple suspects still outstanding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim, Edward Coristine, nicknamed "Big Balls," was assaulted around 3:00 a.m. Sunday by a group of teenagers in the citys Logan Circle neighborhood. The teens attempted to carjack him and a woman, whom police identified as his significant other, according to authorities. Trump Warns He Will Take 'Federal Control' Of Washington, Dc As Youth Violence Continues Police said Coristine pushed the woman into the vehicle for safety and turned to confront the group. At least several of the teens then attacked him, police said, until officers patrolling nearby intervened. As officers moved toward the group, the teens fled on foot. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coristine, one of the most visible figures of President Donald Trumps DOGE, was left bloodied in the attack, according to a photo the president shared on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday. President Donald Trump listens at an event to promote his proposal to improve Americans' access to their medical records in the East Room of the White House, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, in Washington. The assault prompted Trump to threaten to federalize Washington, D.C., calling for local minors and gang members over the age of 14 to be prosecuted as adults. "The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs," Trump wrote. "Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Mother Of Slain Congressional Intern Says Dc Council Treats Violent Crime Like A 'Joke' Amid Unsolved Killing Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former DOGE head Elon Musk weighed in on X, sharing more of the story. "A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC," Musk wrote. "A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC." The president said it appears criminals are "not afraid" of the police, because "nothing ever happens to them." "Washington, D.C. must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see," he wrote in the post. "If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digitals Alexandra Koch and Brooke Singman, along with the Assoicated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: 2 juveniles arrested in bloody DC attack on ex-DOGE worker known as Big Balls Editors note: The video above originally aired on July 20, 2025 NEW YORK CITY (PIX11) Two young men have been charged in the shooting of an off-duty Customs and Border Patrol Officer in Manhattan, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Christhian Aybar, 22, and Miguel Mora, 21, allegedly shot the off-duty officer in the face after a robbery spree at Fort Washington Park on July 19, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More Local News Riding on a moped, Mora had allegedly just stolen a womans phone before pushing her, Bragg said. Then, they approached the CBP officer and another person. Mora pulled out his gun and shot the off-duty officer in the face and wrist, and the officer shot Mora back in the thigh and groin, prosecutors said. Mora was arrested at the hospital and charged with attempted murder, robbery, weapons and other charges. Aybar was arrested the next day by federal authorities, Bragg said. Both men were in the country illegally, according to court documents. Emily Rahhal is a digital reporter who has covered New York City since 2023 after reporting in Los Angeles for years. She joined PIX11 in 2024. See more of her work here and follow her on Twitter here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. 2 women arrested following search warrant at Maynard spa, linking business to organized prostitution 57-year-old Meiying Cheng and 68-year-old Jianping Wu were arraigned at Concord District Court on Wednesday, with both facing several charges that include engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. A search warrant at 107 Main Street in Maynard found cell phones, cash, and other items consistent with organized prostitution at the establishment listed as Asian Spa. Maynard Police says it was the communitys concern that led the department to this investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A not guilty plea was placed on their behalf. A $5,000 bail was set for Cheng. Wu was hit with a $10,000 bail. Officers were also advised by an undercover operation that they were offered sexual favors multiple times during their 30-minute massage, said a prosecutor inside Concord District Court on Wednesday. A Judge gave both Cheng and Wu conditions: They are to avoid the spa on Main Street, surrender their passports, and stay in the state of Massachusetts. During the investigation, prosecutors say multiple men were seen going inside the spa and on the way out, disclosed that women inside were offering sexual favors to men during massages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors say an undercover officer was also offered sexual favors during their investigation into the establishment. A counsel hearing for both Cheng and Wu is scheduled for Thursday at 10 A.M. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Two women were arrested on prostitution charges after a spa in a Massachusetts town was raided on Tuesday morning, authorities said. Jianping Wu, 68, of Malden, and Meiying Cheng, 57, of Flushing, New York, were taken into custody after officers served a search warrant at the Asian Spa at 107 Main Street in the Middlesex County town of Maynard, according to the Maynard Police Department. Wu and Cheng are facing charges of deriving support from prostitution, inducing prostitution on premises, keeping a house of prostitution, and engaging in sexual conduct for a fee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say the search warrant was obtained as a result of a weekslong investigation into possible prostitution activity. During the search, officers seized cell phones, cash, checks, account information, ledgers, and other items consistent with organized prostitution, according to police. The U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Human Trafficking Unit and the Massachusetts State Police assisted Maynard police with the investigation. Our department heard from community members who had concerns about the activity that was occurring at this business, and we heard those concerns and investigated, Maynard Police Chief Christopher Troiano said in a statement. I want to thank the Department of Homeland Security and Massachusetts State Police for their assistance with this investigation. I want to credit our officers and detectives here in Maynard and thank the people of Maynard for the information they provided us. The Maynard community that we are a part of will not tolerate this type of activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu and Cheng are slated to face a judge in Concord District Court on Wednesday. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Two women were ordered held on $50,000 and $100,000 bail, respectively, in connection with a spa in Maynard ran as a brothel, according to Concord District Court records on Wednesday. Jianping Wu, 68, of Malden, and Meiying Cheng, 57, of Flushing, New York, were charged with maintaining a house of prostitution, deriving support from prostitution and keeping a house of prostitution. Cheng was also charged with sexual conduct for a fee. Judge Lynn Brendemuehl ordered they be committed to MCI-Framingham in lieu of posting cash bail, $50,000 for Cheng and $100,000 for Wu, court records show. If they post bail, both must surrender their passports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu and Cheng are expected to appear in court for a pretrial conference on Aug. 7. On Tuesday morning, Maynard police executed a search warrant at Asian Spa at 107 Main St., the Maynard Police Department said in a statement. Police obtained the warrant after a weekslong investigation into possible prostitution activity, with the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Polices help in the investigation, police said. During the search, police seized cell phones, cash, checks, account information, ledgers and other evidence, which all indicated that organized prostitution was taking place at the spa, police said. While police searched the business, officers arrested Cheng and Wu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our department heard from community members who had concerns about the activity that was occurring at this business, and we heard those concerns and investigated, Maynard Police Chief Christopher Troiano said in the statement. ... I want to credit our officers and detectives here in Maynard, and thank the people of Maynard for the information they provided us. The Maynard community that we are a part of will not tolerate this type of activity. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. SEQUOYAH COUNTY, Okla. (KNWA/KFTA) A 20-year-old woman is facing multiple charges connected to a fatal crash on Interstate 40, according to court documents. Cambre Wright, 20, of Sallisaw, was arrested on Aug. 3 on manslaughter, driving under the influence by an underage person and DUI ending with great bodily injury charges. A probable cause affidavit filed in Sequoyah County on Aug. 4 said that multiple Oklahoma Highway Patrol troopers responded to a fatal collision call around 2:26 a.m. on Aug. 3 on Interstate 40 westbound near mile marker 317. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit said a black Toyota Camry and two semi-trucks were involved in the crash. A passenger in one of the semi-trucks, identified as John Beahn, 69, of Fruitland, Florida, was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the semi was taken to a Fayetteville hospital for multiple injuries. The driver of the Camry, later identified as Wright, registered a 0.17 BAC on a preliminary breath test device, 0.09 above the legal limit. Oklahoma joins list of states excluding soda, candy from food stamp purchases Troopers spoke with Wright and detected the odor of an alcoholic beverage coming from her. Wright admitted to consuming a shot of vodka and using a THC vape pen earlier that day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wright was asked if she knew where she was, and believed she was on U.S. Highway 59 near the Kerr Lock and Dam, south of Sallisaw. The affidavit said the Kerr Lock and Dam was around 20 miles from the scene of the crash. The woman said the last thing she remembered was traveling too fast and seeing a semi-truck slow down ahead of her. She attempted to avoid it but was unsure of what happened and claimed she was unable to prevent the crash, according to the affidavit. A witness told the trooper that while she was traveling west on I-40, she was passed by a black vehicle traveling around 100 mph. A report from OHP said parts of I-40 westbound near mile marker 317 were closed for more than 13 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court records show Wright was released on bond. She is set to appear in Sequoyah County Circuit Court for her arraignment on Aug. 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. Alaska was controversially purchased by the US from Russia in 1867. Critics called the transaction "Seward's Folly" after US Secretary of State William Seward. Alaska was officially made the 49th state in January 1959. Russia sold the territory known as Alaska to the US in 1687, but Indigenous people have been living on that land for thousands of years. One commonly accepted theory was that the first people traveled to North America from Asia via the Bering Land Bridge, although more recent discoveries suggest they made their way by sea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia began colonizing Alaska and other parts of North America in the late 1700s, establishing Russian America and making money off the fur trade. But by the 1860s, the fur trade had declined due to over-hunting. US critics dubbed the purchase "Seward's Folly," named for then-Secretary of State William Seward because they felt the land, which they called an "icebox," was useless. The transaction was also made against the wishes of some Native Alaskans, who argued it wasn't Russia's land to sell, according to the Alaska Native Foundation. Three decades later, the Klondike Gold Strike brought thousands of migrants to the territory. Alaska officially became a state 92 years after the transaction, in January 1959, making it the 49th state. Hawaii became the 50th state that same year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Alaska is a popular tourist destination, with thousands of people traveling there via cruise each year. It's also the location of President Donald Trump's high-stakes meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Friday. As well as a symbolic choice, considering the state's history with Russia, it's also a practical one: It's the closest US state to Russia, and Putin, who is subject to an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes, can step foot there without fear of arrest. These vintage photos show what Alaska looked like before it became part of the United States. The town of Unalaska, on Unalaska Island, in the last years of the 19th Century. The town was founded in 1700s as the first headquarters of the Russian-American Company in Alaska. A Russian Orthodox church bears witness to this in the lower left. Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images 1880: A view of Sitka, Alaska. This city was under Russian rule until 1867. Sitka, Alaska The Russian settlement of Sitka in Alaska, circa 1880. From the Continent Stereoscopic Company of New York. Archive Photos/Getty Images 1880: Alaska was populated by many Native tribes for thousands of years. Today, the two biggest tribes are the Yup'ik and the Tlingit. Stereoscopic image showing a group portrait of northwestern Native American Alaskans, Alaska, circa 1880. The image is one half of a stereoscopic image. Continent Stereoscopic Company/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images Source: United States Census Bureau Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Circa 1880: Sheldon Jackson, an American minister, traveled to Alaska after the United States purchased it in 1867. Here he is in Haines, Alaska. American clergyman Sheldon Jackson (second right, 1834-1909) with men and Government reindeer in Haines, Alaska, circa 1880. Following the Alaska Purchase, Presbyterian minister Jackson committed himself to the Christian spiritual, educational, and economic wellbeing of the Alaskan people; image is one half of a stereoscopic image Keystone View Company/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1884: These two Inuit children were part of the exploration of the Kobuk River in northern Alaska. Northern Alaska Exploring Expedition, 1884-1886. Two Inuit children in front of tent, one holding a rifle. Exploration of the Kobuk River and northern parts of Alaska, led by Lieutenant George M. Stoney of the U.S. Navy. Specimens were collected for the United States National Museum. Artist Unknown. Heritage Art/Heritage Images/Getty Images 1887: A ship sails the Salmon River under the watchful eyes of the mountaintops. Departure Bay, Salmon River Valley, Alaska, United States of America, 1887. USA Coast Survey/Royal Geographical Society/Getty Images 1890: A canoe called Brown Bear carries a funeral party to the docks at Wrangell Island. Totem poles visible in the grounds of Chief Shakes house as a Tlingit canoe - named 'Brown Bear' - carrying a funeral party arrives at Fort Wrangel on Wrangell Island in the Alexander Archipelago, Alaska, 1890. Chief Shakes is a leadership title bestowed by the Tlingit, the northernmost peoples of the northwest coast of North America, residing on the islands and coastal lands of southern Alaska. William H. Partridge/Graphic House/Archive Photos/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1895: Even decades after the US purchased Alaska from Russia, structures built by the Russians remained for years, like this Russian Orthodox Church. A wood-built Russian Orthodox Church, dating from when the region was under Russian rule (from 1799 to 1867) in St. Michael, Alaska, circa 1895. FPG/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1896: The Klondike Gold Rush started in 1896. Thousands of prospectors trekked through the Chilkoot Pass, seen here, leading from Dyea, Alaska, to Bennett Lake, Canada. Long line of gold prospectors climb the stairs cut into the ice on the Chilkoot Trail through Chilkoot Pass during the Klondike Gold Rush. The temporary tent settlement called The Scales sits on a flat below the stairs, 1896. Michael Nicholson/Corbis/Getty Images Source: National Park Service 1897: This is what Juneau looked like in 1897, nine years before it was chosen as the territory's capital in 1906. Juneau, Alaska, circa 1897. Lightfoot/Archive Photos/Getty Images 1897: Prospectors continued searching for gold for the rest of the Klondike Gold Rush, which ended in 1899. The Nome Gold Rush then lasted from 1899 to 1909. Photographic prints of four prospectors posed on a trail, Alaska. Dated 1897 Universal History Archive/UIG/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1897: Sailing through the icy waters of Glacier Bay, which is now a national park, could be dicey. Steamer "Queen", Glacier Bay, Alaska', circa 1897. From "A Tour Through the New World America", by Prof. Geo. R. Cromwell. The Print Collector/Getty Images Source: National Park Service 1899: Totem poles like this one, seen outside an Alaskan lodge, tell the story of the family or tribe that constructed the pole. A totem pole guards the entrance to an eloborately decorated Northwest Indian Lodge House, Alaska, 1899. E.H. Harriman/Library of Congress/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images 1900: According to the handwritten note on this photo, this was the first log cabin built in Nome, Alaska, amid the gold rush. Klondike Goldrush: The first log cabin built in Nome, Alaska. 1900 Nowell/Getty Images 1900: Reindeer have been inextricably linked with the Arctic and those that live in and around it for thousands of years but they're not indigenous to Alaska. They were introduced from Siberia. Two men and two women with reindeer hitched to sleds, 1900 Michael Maslan/Corbis/VCG/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1926: Photographer Frank Kleinschmidt and his family moved to Alaska during the gold rush. This is his wife holding two huge Alaskan king crabs. Mrs Frank Kleinschmidt holds up two giant Alaskan crabs during her husband's expedition into the arctic wilderness, Cook's Inlet, Alaska, May 31, 1926 Underwood Archives/Getty Images 1929: A mother carries her child on Nunivak Island. Today, the entire island only has one town, Mekoryuk. CIRCA 1929: Child is Joe Moses, Woman and child, Nunivak Buyenlarge/Getty Images 1949: A group of Alaskan teenagers play what looks like an extreme version of a seesaw. 1940s 1950s alaskan children and teens playing a game of jumpboard a kind of seesaw game arctic kotzebue alaska USA June 01, 1949 ClassicStock/Getty Images 1950: By 1950, the city of Ketchikan had begun calling itself the Salmon Capital of the World. circa 1950: A street in Ketchikan, Alaska, the self-styled Salmon Capital of the World. J. Malcolm Greany/Three Lions/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1950: Two explorers take in the views of the Aleutian Islands, nine years before Alaska became a state. circa 1950: A typical scene of the Aleutian Islands with a volcanic cone in the background J. Malcolm Greany/Three Lions/Getty Images 1955: This photo of a group of Indigenous Alaskans was taken 70 years ago. Frederic Lewis/Getty Images 1958: Signs on the famous Alaska Highway mark the distances to other cities and states. Can you find yours? ullstein bild Dtl./ullstein bild/Getty Images Read the original article on Business Insider What comes to mind at the mention of the city of Pataskala? Pataskala Street Fair, the largest and most well-loved community event in the city that draws 30,000 to 40,000 people from central Ohio, is the answer most people would think of, Mayor Mike Compton said. The 78th annual Pataskala Street Fair celebration is back Aug. 13-16. Here's everything you need to know about the 78th annual Pataskala Street Fair: Who's performing at the 2025 Pataskala Street Fair? The fair will feature live music every night: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 8:30 p.m. Aug. 13: Long Play, a Columbus rock group 8:30 p.m. Aug. 14: Perfect Timing, a Pataskala band 8:30 p.m. Aug. 15: Marquis 66, a central Ohio rock and roll group 8:30 p.m. Aug. 16: Bryan Lewis Band, a Licking County band When will streets close and reopen? Which ones? Compton said Hazelton Etna Rd/South Main Street/Ohio 310 will close around 9 a.m. Aug. 12 for the tent to be set up. Access to the small side street, or what Crompton refers to as the baby streets on Jefferson Street, will be limited. Streets will reopen by 5 a.m. Aug. 17. When do Pataskala Street Fair rides open? Rides open at 6 p.m. Aug. 13, and 1 p.m. Aug. 14 and Aug. 15, featuring carnival rides for children. The noon parade follows on Aug. 16. Who are the food vendors at this year's street fair? The street fair features a variety of delicious food options sweet to savory. Here are the food vendors for the 2025 fair. Commercial vendors Twisted Sodas featuring unique sodas Jina Bs Sweet Treats featuring fresh baked goods Rolls By the Pound featuring baked goods and frozen drinks Pizza Cones featuring pizza in a cone-shaped crust Cates Catering featuring tacos and wraps Bavarian Almond Shoppe featuring roasted nuts Owen Concessions featuring gyros Krazy Tasters featuring ribbon fries Cheddar Burger featuring burgers and tenderloin sandwiches Whits Custard featuring frozen custard Triplett Vending featuring kettle korn popcorn and fruit smashers Grilled Cheese Gangsters featuring grilled cheese sandwiches BesTEAS Drink Den featuring bubble teas and fruit smoothies The Snack Shack featuring funnel cakes Otterbacher Fries Summer Freeze featuring French fries and frozen drinks Nonprofit vendors Healing Our Warriors featuring hot dogs, Coneys and shredded chicken Pataskala 1st Presbyterian featuring chicken and noodles and pies Summit Station Lions featuring roast beef sandwiches and corn on the cob Pataskala Lions Club featuring brats, corn dogs and pulled pork sandwiches When is the 2025 Pataskala Street Fair Parade, and what's the route? The parade, organized by the Pataskala Rotary Club, starts at 11 a.m. Aug. 16 on Oak Meadow Drive, then turns east onto Third Street, then south onto South Main Street/Ohio 310, then west onto Front Street before finishing at South High and Mill streets. When is the 2025 Little Miss Firefighter pageant? The 41st annual Little Miss Firefighter pageant starts at 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Registration for the annual pageant is open to girls entering second grade this fall who live within the West Licking Fire District. Applications closed July 31. Daughters of West Licking Firefighters, West Licking Firefighters Association and Auxiliary members are ineligible to participate. Where can people park while attending the street fair? Compton said people may park in two city parking lots north of the railroad tracks, but those fill up fast. People may park along the side streets in the area and walk over to the fair. Is there anything people should avoid bringing to the street fair? Compton said people should avoid bringing alcohol, bicycles and their pets: Its not pet-friendly to have many people, strollers and food at this event. Service dogs are permitted. What does the street fair benefit? The West Licking Firefighters Association benefits from the fair as they acquire additional equipment for the West Licking Joint Fire District, which includes ensuring the district's support truck is filled with coffee, blankets, cold water and other items firefighters need on assignments. Street fair partners with county agency to provide accessible restrooms The Licking County Board of Developmental Disabilities is providing mobile, accessible universal changing tables and restrooms each day of the fair 6-10 p.m. Aug. 13 and noon to 10 p.m. Aug. 14-16 on Main Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle, which is the size of a food truck, includes a wheelchair lift, an adjustable changing table that can accommodate an adult, a ceiling hoist and an accessible toilet and sink. Trained staff members stay with the vehicle at all times to provide information and clean the space between uses. The vehicle has been used at other Licking County events this summer, including the Newark Strawberry Festival and Granville Fourth of July fireworks. This article originally appeared on Newark Advocate: Pataskala Street Fair 2025: Here's everything you need to know KANSAS CITY, Mo. Voters in Kansas and Missouri lined up at the polls on Tuesday to cast their ballots on a number of crucial seats and measures in this years primary election. And now, all the results are in. Below is a round-up of all the candidates who fought for a spot to advance to this years general election, and all the measures that voters decided to pass or veto. Refresh this page for the latest numbers after 7 p.m., and watch FOX4 at 9 and 10 p.m. for live coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the latest coverage on Kansas Citys local elections, 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. (WAVY) Another lawsuit has been filed in connection to an incident in which Virginia Beach students allegedly racially harassed one of their classmates back in March. As 10 On Your Side has reported, five White Kellam High School students allegedly gave a Black student racist items for his birthday, including fried chicken, candy and handwritten notes. Attorney Tim Anderson alleges that this was a joke, and that all of the students involved were friends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On this particular day, it was the Black childs birthday, and they brought him a gift, Anderson said. They brought him fried chicken and watermelon Sour Patch Kids. And everybody laughed and everybody hugged. And there was teachers all around where it was happening. Not one of them jumped in and said, what are you doing.' Anderson is running for office this election cycle in Virginia Beach and he is also representing the students who were disciplined. All four of the students Anderson is representing are listed as anonymous in the court filings. In March, principal Ryan Schubart sent an email to the school community about the incident condemning the situation and said that a teacher intervened. But Anderson said the incident was caught on camera and claimed no one intervened. Anderson filed the first $10 million dollar defamation suit on behalf of three of the disciplined students back in June. It claimed the narrative put out by the school system was false and had negative impacts on the students who were involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson filed an additional $3 million lawsuit last week on behalf of a fourth child who was involved. Anderson alleges Schubart, the chief of schools, and the superintendent, all conspired to violate this childs civil rights. The latest suit includes new screenshots of text messages that appear to show Schubart discussing the situation with his staff. We attached some exhibits to the complaint, which showed that principal Schubart was having a conversation with one of the assistant principals, and she was telling him that the release was inaccurate, Anderson said. We have the principal saying himself that the superintendent of public schools had directed that maximum punishment be imposed. At the time the incident took place, the Virginia Beach NAACP said it was deeply disturbed by the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They sent a statement in March that reads as follows: The rise in emboldened racist behavior in recent years is alarming and unacceptable. Racism should have no place in our schools, our communities, or anywhere in society. It is especially troubling that our youth must continue to endure the painful reality of discrimination. The Virginia Beach NAACP is committed to ensuring that all residents, especially African Americans, can live without fear or undue anxiety due to the color of their skin. We will continue to monitor this situation closely and look forward to the findings of the ongoing investigation by Virginia Beach Public Schools. We call upon school administrators, educators, and community leaders to take decisive action in addressing these incidents and fostering an environment of respect, inclusion, and accountability. In the tradition of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Virginia Beach NAACP remains steadfast in our fight against injustice and racism, recognizing its continued threat to justice everywhere. We also echo the call for unity made by Malcolm X in January 1965, underscoring the painful reality that nearly six decades later, this struggle persists. The Virginia Beach NAACP demands that Virginia Beach Public Schools uphold its commitment to equity and justice by implementing stronger measures to prevent and address racism in our educational institutions. We will not stand by while our children suffer the consequences of intolerance. NAACP President Dr. Eric Majette The school division told 10 On Your Side its statement remains the same as it did in June in regard to the latest lawsuit, which is that it received the lawsuit and is reviewing it with legal counsel. Anderson said the school division is claiming sovereign immunity for the original defamation lawsuit. There is a court date for this lawsuit scheduled for 10 a.m. Friday, Aug. 22. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com. USCIRF Releases Report on Religious Freedom in Houthi-Controlled Areas of Yemen NEWS PROVIDED BY U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) Aug. 6, 2025 WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2025 /Standard Newswire/ The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) released the following report on religious freedom in Houthi-controlled areas of northern Yemen: Violations of Religious Freedom by the Houthi Movement in Northern Yemen This factsheet assesses freedom of religion or belief (FoRB) conditions in areas of northern Yemen controlled by the Houthi movement. Following the October 7th Hamas attacks on Israel, the Houthis have escalated their systematic and egregious violations of religious freedom affecting a range of groups, including Bahais, Christians, Jews, Ahmadiyya Muslims, Yemeni women and girls, and all individuals who dissent from the movements singular interpretation of Islam. By advancing its religious ideology across sectors including education, military, correctional facilities, and the judiciary the Houthis are severely restricting religious freedom in a country with a millennia-long history of religious diversity. The few remaining members of minority faith communities stay hidden due to threats of Houthi intimidation and violence. In its 2025 Annual Report, USCIRF recommended that the U.S. Department of State designate the Houthis as an Entity of Particular Concern, or EPC, for engaging in particularly severe violations of religious freedom. The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) is an independent, bipartisan legislative branch agency established by the U.S. Congress to monitor, analyze, and report on religious freedom abroad. USCIRF makes foreign policy recommendations to the President, the Secretary of State, and Congress, intended to deter religious persecution and promote freedom of religion and belief. To interview a Commissioner, please contact USCIRF at media@uscirf.gov. SOURCE United States Commission on International Religious Freedom CONTACT: 202-523-3240, media@uscirf.gov OpenWay, a digital payment platform, has forayed into the Francophone African market. The company has forged a long-term technology alliance with a Moroccan tier-1 bank to facilitate its digital transformation strategy. This development is set to benefit other financial institutions in Morocco and Tunisia, as it opens doors for them to integrate the Way4 platform into their operations. The Way4 platform, developed by OpenWay, provides a set of tools for financial institutions to introduce and manage digital payment services that are available in real-time, around the clock. It is designed to enable the consolidation of various payment products, including cards, digital wallets, and merchant services, on a single platform, thereby streamlining payment processes. OpenWay regional sales director Jean-Philippe Wolyniec said: "Progress in Africa is not a solo actit is a community journey. We are proud to co-create impact with our clients and support their mission to deliver inclusive, secure, and future-ready payment experiences." The company's expansion strategy includes the formation of a local team in North Africa to provide tailored support to clients in the region, complemented by the company's global delivery expertise and access to a network of industry specialists. Last month, the company collaborated with SanuPay, a payment processor based in the UAE, to introduce the first credit card issued within Ethiopia. The credit card infrastructure is powered by OpenWay's Way4 platform, providing services including card issuance, transaction acquiring, switching, and mobile wallet management. "Paytech OpenWay enters Francophone Africa " was originally created and published by Electronic Payments International, a GlobalData owned brand. NEED TO KNOW The Royal New Zealand Air Force said it dispatched a crew, including a doctor, to evacuate three people in need of medical care from the the United States' McMurdo Station in Antarctica on Tuesday, Aug. 5 The air force said the operation was a challenging one due to extreme cold, changeable weather conditions and 24-hour darkness in the area The air force said the rescue mission took about 19.5 hours to complete New Zealands Air Force faced a high-stakes mission to evacuate three people in need of medical care from a U.S. base in Antarctica. The Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) shared in a press release that a crew was dispatched to the United States' McMurdo Station in Antarctica on Tuesday, Aug. 5 after receiving a medical evacuation request from the United States' National Science Foundation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The RNZAF said the crew worked to evacuate one person who required urgent medical care and two others who also needed medical attention. However, the operation was a difficult one for the crew due to the extreme cold, changeable weather conditions and 24-hour darkness that the continent was currently in, according to RNZAF Air Component Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott. Antarctica New Zealand/Facebook A photo of the New Zealand Air Force in the middle of their rescue mission. A photo of the New Zealand Air Force in the middle of their rescue mission. "Although they determine it is safe, it's still an extremely challenging environment to fly in on Night Vision Goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge, Scott said in the press release. "This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temperatures at the McMurdo Station also fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, which also played a role in the difficult rescue mission, according to CNN. The crew had to refuel the aircraft while on ice with the engines constantly running (also known as "hot refuelling"), to ensure the aircraft could make its return flight, per the RNZAF. The RNZAF noted that the operation as a whole took about 19.5 hours to complete, with the crew working overnight to complete it. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Members of the New Zealand Defense Force medical personnel were onboard the aircraft including a doctor who could carry out immediate care for the patients on the flight from Antarctica to Christchurch, New Zealand. Al Denovan/Antarctica New Zealand/Facebook A photo of New Zealand's air force plane arriving. A photo of New Zealand's air force plane arriving. "With the support of Antarctica, New Zealand and United States' National Science Foundation staff in Antarctica, we have been able to complete the flight and the patients are now getting the medical treatment they need in Christchurch," Scott said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US Charge dAffaires for New Zealand Melissa Sweeney praised New Zealands Air Force for carrying out the mission flawlessly in a statement to CNN. We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didnt hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class, she said. PEOPLE has reached out to the U.S. National Science Foundation for updates on the conditions of those receiving medical treatment. Read the original article on People (WJW) A New Zealand flight crew faced extreme cold and dangerous flying conditions in order to rescue three people who needed medical attention at a U.S. base in Antarctica. 2 people found dead after being hit by train in Tuscarawas County: Sheriff According to a Wednesday news release from the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), three staff members at the United States McMurdo Station were in need of medical attention they werent able to get at the base. (Credit: Royal New Zealand Air Force) (Credit: Royal New Zealand Air Force) One of them required urgent medical care, the release stated, however the extent of the staff members conditions wasnt released. (Credit: Royal New Zealand Air Force) The situation prompted one of the most challenging mid-winter flights RNZAF air crews perform as theyre forced to fly in extreme cold, changing weather conditions and land on the ice in the dark, while wearing night vision goggles. The rescue also came at a time when there is 24-hour darkness in the area, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state. The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing, the release detailed. Missions like this are not taken lightly, according to RNZAF, as there are no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south. Tuesday afternoon, the decision was made to fly, with the crew planning to work through the night to complete the mission. A doctor was also brought on board to care for the patients during the return flight. Judge considers halting operations at Floridas Alligator Alcatraz Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The medical evacuation took a total of 19.5 hours to complete, the release said, and the three staff members arrived safely in Christchurch, New Zealand where they are currently being treated. (Credit: Royal New Zealand Air Force) According to the U.S. National Science Foundation, the McMurdo Station is the central logistical hub for the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP), supporting research on the continent. It houses a little more than 1,000 people a week during the summer season and up to 200 a week during the winter season. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Latasha Palmer and Jessica Johnston appeared to be in the lead in the primary race for Tacomas City Council at-large Position 6 on election night. The update comes after polls closed for Tacoma residents to cast ballots in the Aug. 5 primary, which will narrow the pool of 12 candidates down to six to fill three Tacoma council seats. Pierce County officials will continue to gradually release election results until certifying the election on Aug. 19. The Position 6 seat saw the most competition among the three races, with six candidates in the running. Palmer and Johnston received 26.50% and 21.29% of the vote, respectively. Palmer raised the third-highest amount of money in the race, and Johnston raised the second-highest amount by election night, according to public disclosures. Krista Perez, who reported the highest amount of money raised, was in third with 19.77% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perez was followed by Lindsay Wills who received 12.10%, Hunter D. Henderson with 10.20% and Todd Briske with 9.68%. Incumbent Joe Bushnell and newcomer Zev Cook also appeared to have made it through the primary on election night, kicking off what is likely to be a contentious race between the two for District 5. Bushnell received 55.80% and Cook received 28.65% of the vote. The primary appeared to have knocked candidate Brandon A. Vollmer off the ballot. Vollmer received 15.03% of the vote. Vollmer had raised the least amount of money in the race for District 5. District 5 covers neighborhoods in South Tacoma and the South End. A political action committee funded largely by donors from cities outside Tacoma had by election day spent around $20,000 on campaign mailers and text messages urging voters to oppose Cook and support Bushnell, criticizing Cooks rhetoric against Zionism and the support she has from the Democratic Socialists of America. District 4 In District 4, incumbent Sandesh Sadalge and newcomer Silong Chhun had the most votes with 38.55% and 33.42% of the vote, respectively. Candidate Israel James McKinney was behind Chhun with 27.13%. McKinney also raised the least amount of money in the race to represent District 4, which covers neighborhoods like McKinley, Salishan and the Eastside. District 2 The seat for District 2, which represents downtown Tacoma and parts of the North End, is also up for election this year, but did not appear on the primary ballot since only two candidates are in the running. Incumbent Sarah Rumbaugh and newcomer Ben Lackey will automatically advance to the Nov. 4 general election, per state law. The results of the primary election come as Tacoma undergoes a period of significant leadership change. With four council seats and the mayors seat up for election this year, five of the 10 positions on Tacomas city council could see new faces in 2026. The new council next year will be tasked with selecting a permanent city manager, and will be involved in the search for a permanent police chief. The Trump administration is pressing ahead with a probe targeting Obama-era officials and could bring charges against any number of top former government officials. The Justice Department (DOJ) this week moved to convene a grand jury to investigate claims that Obama officials politicized intelligence regarding Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. It marks a major escalation by Attorney General Pam Bondi over allegations that could reach as high as former President Obama himself, though the exact targets of the probe are unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation comes after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard claimed officials committed treasonous conspiracy and criminally referred them to the DOJ. Here are four key questions as the grand jury convenes: Who could be charged? The Justice Department has not named specific targets of its probe, but has signaled interest in several top Obama administration officials. Gabbards office last month released a report suggesting the intelligence community suppressed intelligence showing Russia did not impact the 2016 presidential election via cyberattacks on infrastructure. A timeline released alongside the report points to a Dec. 9, 2016, meeting where top Cabinet and administration officials gathered including: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Clapper, director of national intelligence John Brennan, CIA director Susan Rice, national security adviser John Kerry, secretary of State Brian McKeon, principal deputy under secretary of Defense for policy Loretta Lynch, attorney general Andrew McCabe, deputy FBI director At the end of the meeting, Clappers executive assistant sent an email instructing Office of the Director of National Intelligence leaders to create a new assessment per the Presidents request detailing the tools Moscow used and the actions it took to influence the 2016 election, the memo said. It signals that Obama himself could come under scrutiny from the probe as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump asserted last month his administration found irrefutable proof that Obama was seditious, that Obama was trying to lead a coup. He has also accused Obama of treason. Other officials, including former FBI director and longtime Trump foe James Comey, are also named in the papers. What charges could be brought? No charges have been brought at this stage, and its not clear what counts would fit the allegations. And it may be too late to pursue charges, as federal law oftentimes sets the statute of limitations to five years from the time of an alleged crime. The actions in question carried out by Obama officials occurred nearly a decade ago, in 2016 and 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treason does not have a statute of limitations, but the charge is rarely alleged. The last conviction was in 1952, when a Japanese American man was found guilty of tormenting American prisoners of war. Only one treason case has since been brought, in 2006 for making al-Qaeda propaganda, and that defendant was killed in a drone strike before he stood trial. However, any effort to charge Obama over the 2016 intelligence could be stopped in its tracks by the Supreme Courts ruling on presidential immunity, which would shield many of the former presidents official acts from criminal scrutiny. What happens next? The grand jury will convene in secret, where prosecutors will explain to them the law and present evidence. That could include witness testimony, as grand juries have subpoena power. After reviewing the evidence, the grand jurors will vote on whether to indict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont know where the grand jury will be convened. Prosecutors generally must bring indictments where the alleged crimes occurred, making Washington, D.C., one plausible venue. But Trump in the past has voiced gripes with his own previous prosecution in the nations capital, and the Justice Department could attempt to bring charges somewhere else. Why now? The administrations decision to dig into the past has raised alarm among Trumps critics that hes following through on his campaign promise of retribution against those he believes have wronged him. It also comes as the presidents political base has splintered over his administrations handling of information related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, igniting a political firestorm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Obamas office issued a rare public statement last month calling the allegations bizarre and a weak attempt at distraction. Others named in the papers have rejected any notion of wrongdoing. But Trumps allies have so far backed the probe. Dear Lawfare Democrats: Again, lawyer up, Mike Davis, president of the Article III Project, posted on X. Justice is definitely coming. Nobody is above the law. Definitely not you. Welcome to The Gavel, The Hills weekly courts newsletter from Ella Lee and Zach Schonfeld. Reach out to us on X (@ByEllaLee, @ZachASchonfeld) or Signal (elee.03, zachschonfeld.48). Not on the list? Sign up here or using the box below. Supreme Court raises stakes in redistricting battle The Supreme Court has raised the stakes in the battle over Louisianas congressional map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The justices issued a brief order Friday evening suggesting they will use the case to consider ending race-based redistricting under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act (VRA). It would mark the most significant blow to the landmark, 60-year-old law since 2013, when the Supreme Court in Shelby County v. Holder struck down a provision that required states with a history of racial discrimination to seek preclearance before enacting new voting rules. Republicans are bullish that the Supreme Courts 6-3 conservative majority will similarly invalidate Section 2, the VRAs central remaining provision that prevents voting maps and practices that abridge someones right to vote based on their race. And the court may now have the case to do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Republicans begrudgingly added a second majority-Black congressional district after a lower court used Section 2 to invalidate the states congressional map with only one. Now, the state is defending against a group of self-described non-African American voters, who convinced a lower panel that adding the second district amounts to a racial gerrymander that violates the 14th Amendments equal protection guarantee. The justices were set to decide the case, Louisiana v. Callais, this term. Instead, the court in June said without explanation that it will rehear the case following the summer recess. Questions lingered for weeks as courtwatchers awaited an announcement of what legal issue the justices would consider. In Fridays order, the justices broke their silence, and they appear to be going big: Whether the States intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the Fourteenth or Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though just a single sentence, it appears to set up a direct battle over the future of Section 2. Several of the Supreme Courts conservatives have signaled an openness to dismantling the provision by ruling it is no longer a compelling governmental interest that can justify race-based considerations. The courts long said that race-based remedial action must have a logical end point, must be limited in time, must be a temporary matter. Of course, in school desegregation and university admissions, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said at oral arguments in March, referencing the courts recent decision gutting affirmative action. Other justices have been more forceful. Conservative Justice Clarence Thomas wanted to resolve Louisianas case in June without waiting. He wrote that Section 2 has an intractable conflict with the 14th Amendment and should be reined in. These cases put the Court to a choice: It may permit patent racial gerrymandering under the auspices of 2 compliance, or it may admit that, as the Court has construed the statute, a violation of 2 is insufficient to justify a race-based remedy, Thomas wrote. That decision should be straightforward. Nevertheless, the Court demurs. The developments come amid a flurry of mid-decade redistricting activity across the country, with Texas ground zero for the fight. Texas Republicans are looking to adjust their congressional map in response to a push from Trump, who wants to shore up the GOPs chances of keeping the House majority in next years midterms. Trump said Tuesday that the GOP is entitled to five more seats in Texas. Its a push enabled by a Supreme Court decision that Roberts authored in 2019, Rucho v. Common Cause. The chief justice and other conservative members ruled that partisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts. The 5-4 decision landed along ideological lines, with four liberal justices in dissent. Some state constitutions prohibit partisan gerrymandering, allowing lawsuits to still proceed brought in state courts there. But in Texas, Republicans are set to move ahead if they can resolve a standoff with Democrats, who denied a quorum by fleeing to Illinois and other blue states. Two dozen judges failed to recuse, watchdog says Judicial ethics are back in the spotlight after watchdog group Fix the Court issued a report last week revealing two dozen federal judges did not recuse in cases involving the universities at which they teach. This has conflict written all over it, Gabe Roth, the groups executive director, said in a statement. If you teach at a law school, and especially if the law school is paying you, you shouldnt be sitting on cases involving the university that the law school is a part of. Roth added that, even if a judge is an adjunct professor, the average observer would be right to see some bias from the connection between a judge and university. Judges unwillingness to recuse in these cases does the third branch no favors, especially at a time when judicial ethics is more closely being monitored by the general public, the report said. Of the judges who failed to recuse, six were appointed by Obama, four by former President George W. Bush, three by former President Clinton, two by Trump and one each by former Presidents Reagan and Biden. Seven others were magistrate judges, who are not presidentially appointed. Some 22 of the judges sit on district courts, and two sit on appeals courts. The report is also noteworthy given its often the Supreme Court, not lower courts, thats under fire for apparent breaches of the judiciarys strict ethics standards. The justices adopted a code of conduct in 2023 amid heightened scrutiny after a series of reports detailed various undisclosed luxury trips, gifts and questionable extrajudicial activities involving multiple justices. Though Thomas and Justice Samuel Alito took most of the heat, Justice Sonia Sotomayor also came under fire for allegedly pushing colleges to purchase her books when she traveled to their schools. She also was criticized for failing to recuse from cases involving Penguin Random House, which published her books and paid her hefty advances. On Tuesday, Fix the Court published newly released audio of a July 2024 appearance Sotomayor made at the University of Zurich, where she said virtually all of her fellow justices are committed to the courts new ethics code but acknowledged a misstep on her part. Striving to act ethically, the courts most senior liberal justice said, does not mean that mistakes are not made. Ive made one, she continued. I failed to notice that there was a party of my book publisher who was in a case. Roth said in a statement that the justice has made others, of course but added the admission is notable. Any acknowledgement of error by a justice is a big deal, he said. Environmental groups challenge Alligator Alcatraz Immigration lawyers arent the only ones hoping to topple Floridas Alligator Alcatraz. Environmental groups Friends of the Everglades and the Center for Biological Diversity will head to a federal courthouse in Miami this morning, hoping to convince a judge the facilitys construction should be halted for violating a bedrock environmental law. The groups argue Alligator Alcatraz doesnt comply with the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA), which requires the federal government to consider environmental consequences before approving infrastructure projects ranging from roads to oil and gas pipelines. The immigrant-holding facility is built near the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in a 30-square-mile area otherwise surrounded by the Everglades. The lawsuit calls it arguably the most sensitive location in Florida, raising concerns the construction has created ongoing and material environmental harms. The need for immediate injunctive relief has become even more obvious and urgent since hundreds of detainees have been moved to the Site. Every day there are disturbing reports of inhumane and chaotic conditions, their motion reads. The parties have signaled plans to call a handful of witnesses. The federal government may call an Immigrations and Customs Enforcement official to the stand, court records show, while the plaintiffs have listed several of their environmental experts and state Rep. Anna Eskamani (D). The Miccosukee Tribe of Indians, which has intervened to challenge Alligator Alcatraz alongside the groups, listed several tribe officials who work on environmental issues as potential witnesses. Wednesdays hearing will be overseen by U.S. District Judge Kathleen Williams, an Obama appointee. The Trump administration contends Williamss court, the Southern District of Florida, is not the proper venue. The case instead must be brought in the Middle District of Florida, where Alligator Alcatraz is located, the administration says. And beyond the venue issue, the Justice Department argues the plaintiffs cant prove a NEPA violation because federal authorities have not directed or controlled the construction work. Florida has received no federal funds, nor has it applied for federal funds related to the temporary detention center. Courts cannot adjudicate hypothetical future funding decisions or render advisory opinions on contingent scenarios that may never materialize, the Justice Department wrote in court filings. As Williams weighs what to do, immigration lawyers are involved, too. Immigration organizations and a group of migrants detained at Alligator Alcatraz are suing over allegations that the administration is not providing them with attorney access. They are represented by the American Civil Liberties Union and Americans for Immigrant Justice. U.S. District Judge Rodolfo Ruiz, a Trump appointee, will hold a hearing Aug. 18 on whether to issue an injunction. On Monday, he ordered the federal government to produce any written agreements it has struck with Florida concerning the facility. Sidebar 5 top docket updates: Pirro confirmed: The Senate in a rare Saturday session confirmed multiple Trump nominees including Jeanine Pirro, the former district attorney and Fox News host, as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia in a 50-45 vote along party lines. Immigration raid restrictions upheld: A federal appeals court panel Friday night largely rejected the Trump administrations bid to lift judge-imposed limits on indiscriminate immigration raids in the Los Angeles area. TPS revocation blocked: A federal judge on Friday blocked the Trump administration from ending Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for roughly 60,000 citizens of Nepal, Nicaragua and Honduras as litigation continues. The Supreme Court previously lifted another judges order that had halted an end to TPS for Venezuelans and Haitians. Kavanaugh defends emergency decisions: Justice Brett Kavanaugh on Thursday defended the Supreme Court not explaining many of its emergency decisions involving the administration, warning it can sometimes create a lock-in effect. Deal reached on Murdoch deposition: Attorneys for Trump agreed to delay their demand that Rupert Murdoch sit for an expedited deposition in Trumps lawsuit against The Wall Street Journal. The 94-year-old media tycoon must provide regularly scheduled updates about his health so Trump can renew his demand if Murdoch has a health scare. In other news: Legal watchdog scales up: The left-leaning legal organization Democracy Forward has launched an appellate practice, citing its desire to handle appeals in its own cases and in cases brought by aligned organizations. Mic dropped: Rapper DeAndre Cortez Way, better known as Soulja Boy, was arrested on suspicion of being a felon in possession of a firearm in Los Angeles. Bar exam: A series of creative cocktails were served at a celebration of former Trump lawyer Emil Boves nomination to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit. Habba hurdles: A judge signaled hell seek further briefing from a criminal defendant who claims Trumps work-around to keep Alina Habba as U.S. attorney in New Jersey is illegal. The basis for the defendants claim? U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannons ruling throwing out criminal charges against Trump himself. Politico reported it first. Jailhouse blues: Ex-Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.) penned an essay detailing his experience reporting to prison. On the Docket Dont be surprised if additional hearings are scheduled throughout the week. But heres what were watching for now: Today: A federal judge in Florida is set to hold a preliminary injunction hearing in a lawsuit brought by environmental groups seeking to stop the construction of Alligator Alcatraz. A federal judge in D.C. is set to hold a preliminary injunction hearing in a challenge to the Department of Agricultures termination of hundreds of grants by claiming they relate to diversity, equity and inclusion. Another D.C. federal judge is set to hold a hearing ahead of the governments expected motion to dismiss in FEMA Chief Financial Officer Mary Comanss lawsuit challenging her firing for making payments to New York City under the agencys migrant housing grant program. Thursday: A federal judge in California is set to hold a preliminary injunction in 20 Democratic state attorneys generals challenge to the Department of Health and Human Servicess decision to turn over state Medicaid data to other agencies. A federal judge in D.C. will consider the American Association of Physics Teacherss request to block National Science Foundation grant cancellations and the governments bid to dismiss the lawsuit. Friday: A federal judge in Washington, D.C. is set to hold a status conference in the criminal case of Elias Rodriguez, who is accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers earlier this year. Another D.C. federal judge is set to hold a preliminary injunction hearing in the National Endowment for Democracys challenge to the Treasury Departments decision to withhold $167 million of congressionally appropriated funds. A federal judge in Virginia is set to hold a preliminary injunction hearing in Georgetown professor Badar Khan Suris challenge to his detention. He was released in May as the litigation proceeds. Monday: A federal judge in California is set to begin overseeing a three-day bench trial in California Gov. Gavin Newsoms (D) challenge to the Trump administrations deployment of the National Guard. He will consider whether the troops actions on the ground violated the Posse Comitatus Act, which limits the military from conducting civilian law enforcement domestically. Tuesday: The bench trial in Newsom v. Trump is expected to resume. What were reading CBS Newss Scott MacFarlane: Several former Justice Department attorneys seek elected office some to fight policies enacted by Trump The New York Timess Hamed Aleaziz, Julie Turkewitz and Jose Bautista: Can We Extradite Him? How U.S. Officials Grappled With the Release of a Triple Murderer The Associated Presss Kate Payne: DeSantis set a Florida record for executions. Its driving a national increase Thanks for reading! Check out more newsletters from The Hill here. See you next time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The best laid plans of mice and men oft go awry. So said Scottish bard Robert Burns, but its unlikely even he could have imagined what four southern California residents would do to try and scam a quick buck. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ruben Tamrazian, Ararat Chirkinian, Vahe Muradkhanyan and Alfiya Zuckerman were all in a San Bernardino court last week for a preliminary hearing for whats become known as Operation Bear Claw. The audacious scam involves security camera footage that shows someone in what appears to be a bear costume damaging the four defendants luxury vehicles before the four owners made claims to their insurance companies. Heres how the charade worked, how the fraud unfolded and whats next for Californias brown-bear four. Bear suit insurance scam The four Los Angeles County residents were arrested in November 2024 in a joint investigation by the California Department of Insurance and San Bernardino County authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dubbed Operation Bear Claw, the investigation concluded that the four suspects had defrauded insurance companies Bristol West, Progressive and State Farm, with the three companies paying out more than $300,000 in claims on three high-end vehicles: a 2010 Rolls-Royce Ghost, a 2015 Mercedes G63 AMG and a 2022 Mercedes E350. According to the defendants initial claims, the vehicles were damaged by a bear at Lake Arrowhead, a mountain resort area about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The group even provided surveillance video to help back up their claim. But those videos didnt hold up under scrutiny. Experts quickly saw through the charade Investigators consulted a biologist at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. That expert, opined it was clearly a human in a bear suit, the Department of Insurance said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The expert also noted that the alleged bear did not leave a trace, such as bear saliva, urine or hair. Tim Daly, a spokesman for the department, noted the suit appeared to be ill-fitting and the bears movements awkward and unnatural. Additionally, the scratch marks and other evidence left behind in the vehicles were in no way consistent with those of a bear. Perhaps most salient: brown bears of the type that inspired the costume havent been present in the state for the better part of a century, according to Daly. Investigators also discovered multiple insurance claims submitted for different vehicles (both Mercedes-Benzes) with identical "date of loss" and "location." All claims featured suspiciously similar videos and photos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eventually, a bear costume and tools were recovered at the suspects' home by detectives, and the four were arrested. 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) Insurance fraud is no laughing matter This is the first time a fake bear attack has been used to defraud an insurer in the state, according to the California Department of Insurance. The story even made national headlines late last year due to the ridiculousness of the claims and the comedic value of the suspects bear suit. Glenn Ennis, the actor and stuntman behind the notorious bear attack on Leonardo DiCaprio in the film The Revenant, mocked the case, telling an audience on stage that bears dont walk on their knees, and not to worry because hed never use his "bear powers" for any criminal activity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But despite the humorous nature of the scam, the penalties are very serious. Insurance fraud is no laughing matter in California, with the defendants facing felony charges that carry significant consequences of up to five years in prison and fines of up to $50,000. All four defendants face three counts each of insurance fraud and defrauding an insurer. If you suspect someone of insurance fraud in California, you can contact the California Department of Insurance and file an anonymous report with the agency. What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) Five men from the San Francisco Bay Area used jackets with fake FBI logos, bulletproof vests, and bogus police lights for a heist to steal hundreds of Apple iPhones, federal prosecutors announced Tuesday. A federal grand jury indicted Cankun He, Hailong Ma, Robert Maynard, Yuxiang Wei, and Jordan Cantie for conspiring to rob a business that ships Apple iPhones in Portland, Oregon. He, Ma, Maynard, and Wei have remained in custody since their arrests. Cantie remains at large. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the indictment, He, 31, Ma, 30, Maynard, 41, Wei, 25, and Cantie, 48, conspired to rob a reshipping business in Portland. Investigators said He, Ma, and Wei participated in planning the robbery, and Maynard and Cantie were recruited to conduct the robbery itself. On April 14, Ma and Wei waited nearby while Maynard and Cantie drove into the business parking lot while flashing blue and red lights similar to police vehicle lights, investigators said. Tech sector hit hard as AI job cuts accelerate, report finds Cantie allegedly brandished a gun and, along with Maynard, forced employees into the building, zip-tied them, and issued verbal threats. The two men then stole approximately 200 Apple iPhones and five cameras before driving away. They later drove back to California and, along the way, met with He and others to deliver the stolen iPhones, the U.S. Attorneys Office Northern District of California wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said the group planned a second iPhone heist, but the alleged thieves were arrested before it was carried out. Maynard made his first court appearance Tuesday. Wei is scheduled to appear in court for a detention hearing on Aug. 18. Ma and He will be arraigned on Aug. 6. Cantie remains on the run. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Shots were fired Wednesday morning at Fort Stewart in Georgia, injuring five soldiers and causing a lockdown to the military base before the believed shooter was apprehended. The injured soldiers were taken to Winn Army Community Hospital after being treated on site, according to Fox News. A statement from the base did not elaborate on the nature of the soldiers injuries. Fort Stewart is home to the 3rd Infantry Division and the shooting took place in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, per The New York Times. There are around 8,000 people who live at Fort Stewart, located around 40 miles southwest of Savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement was dispatched for the shooting at 10:56 a.m. and the suspect was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. per Fox News. According to The New York Times, officials have not released the identity of, or any other information about the suspect in custody. Officials said there is no active threat to the community. The lockdown that was placed on the base at around 11 a.m. has been lifted. The FBI in Atlanta posted on X saying that the Savannah office was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt also posted on X after the shooting, saying that President Donald Trump has been briefed on the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp posted on X expressing his sadness over the shooting at Fort Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same, he wrote. Five U.S. soldiers were shot Wednesday morning at Fort Stewart, Ga., before the shooter was apprehended, Army officials have confirmed. The incident, which took place in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area, caused a base-wide lockdown that lasted just more than an hour. Parts of the installation, including the area where the shooting took place, remained under lockdown as of 1 p.m., officials said in a social media post. Law enforcement agents were quickly able to apprehend the shooter at 11:35 a.m. after they were dispatched for a possible shooting at 10:56 a.m., officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All five soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment, the Army statement says. There is no active threat to the community. President Trump has been briefed on the Fort Stewart shooting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on X. The Army base, about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, was placed on lockdown at 11:04 a.m. due to the active shooter. At 11:09, emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded soldiers. Fort Stewart leaders lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. Schools in the area were also placed on lockdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident remains under investigation by the Army Criminal Investigation Division, which is coordinating with the Federal Bureau of Investigations Atlanta office for any assistance that might be needed, according to the bureau. Georgias political leaders quickly took to social media to offer their condolences, including Gov. Brian Kemp (R), who said hes in touch with police now at Fort Stewart. As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart, Kemp said in a statement posted to social media. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) said he was heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. [I] join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families, Warnock said in a post on X. Fort Stewart, home to the 3rd Infantry Division, trains and deploys active and reserve Army units and has more than 10,000 soldiers, family members and civilian employees who reside on the base. It is now the location of at least the seventh major shooting on an Army base in just over 15 years, starting with the deadly Fort Hood shooting in November 2009. In that attack, an Army psychiatrist with radical Islamist beliefs killed 13 people and wounded 32 others at a processing center on the base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was followed by the shooting at Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C. in September 2013, when the gunman a 34-year old military contractor believed to be suffering delusions fatally shot 12 people and injured three others at the headquarters of the Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA). The attack remains the deadliest mass shooting in the nations capital and the second-deadliest on a U.S. military base. Fort Hood was also the location of an April 2014 mass shooting that claimed three lives and wounded 16 others. All were military personnel. Then in July 2015: Military recruitment center and a Navy and Marines reserve center in Chattanooga, Tennessee The last mass shootings on military bases took place only two days apart in December 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first, on Dec. 4 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, two individuals were killed and another injured before the gunman took his own life. In the second, on Dec. 6 at Pensacola Naval Air Station, Fla., a Saudi Arabian soldier training with the U.S. military fatally shot three people and injured eight others. That incident was believed to be a terrorist attack. Updated: 1:24 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greenes push to commute George Santos seven-year fraud sentence is notable both for what it says and what it doesnt say. Here are five takeaways and questions from the Georgia Republicans letter seeking mercy for the former GOP House member, who reported to prison just a couple weeks ago: This is criminal justice in the Trump era Presidents have always had the vast power to issue pardons and commute (i.e., reduce) sentences. They have caused occasional controversies in their use and arguable abuse of that power throughout history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But its a new dynamic with Donald Trump in the White House. He has routinely exercised the power to reward allies, to the point where it would almost be unusual for there not to be speculation about whether he will help a Republican, vocal supporter or potential ally avoid criminal consequences, regardless of the underlying facts of the case. Greenes push comes amid speculation over whether Trump will grant clemency to Ghislaine Maxwell or Sean Diddy Combs. Marjorie Taylor Greene laughs with George Santos as voting for a House speaker continued for a third day on Jan. 5, 2023, at the U.S. Capitol. (Matt McClain / The Washington Post via Getty Images) Santos, who was previously expelled from the U.S. House of Representatives, pleaded guilty last year to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. The U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York at the time said that for what may seem like the first time since he started his campaign for Congress, Mr. Santos told the truth about his criminal schemes. He admitted to lying, stealing and conning people. The judge denounced his flagrant thievery when she imposed the 87-month sentence in April. BREAKING: I just sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging President Trump to commute the sentence of former Congressman @MrSantosNY. A 7-year prison sentence for campaign-related charges is excessive, especially when Members of Congress whove done far worse pic.twitter.com/Isj2mxlhsd Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (@RepMTG) August 4, 2025 Ed Martin holds an important government position Before getting to the substance of Greenes letter, its addressee stands out (as, of course, does the fact that the sender is somehow a member of Congress). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Recall that Martin was only available to hold the position of pardon attorney after he was effectively deemed too extreme by the Republican-controlled Senate for the position of U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C.; notwithstanding that rejection, Martin still occupies a powerful position on matters of crime and punishment in the nations capital. No MAGA left behind, Martin tweeted in May, in connection with Trumps pardon of former Virginia sheriff Scott Jenkins, who was sentenced to 10 years for bribery in what the government described as a cash-for-badges scheme. Will Martin likewise recommend saving the latest MAGA soldier from the consequences of his actions? Greene seeks a commutation, not a pardon Given how many pardons Trump has doled out, it is noteworthy that Greene doesnt seek that ultimate vindication for her congressional comrade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather, she seeks a sentence reduction (presidents can give both pardons and commutations, so it doesnt have to be either/or). At first blush, that would seem to lend an air of relative reasonableness to her request, but... What is she asking for, exactly? While insisting that she understands the gravity of Santos actions and that his crimes warrant punishment, Greene argues to Martin that 87 months is far beyond what is warranted. That raises a question that Greene doesnt answer: How much is warranted? What unspecified crimes have her colleagues allegedly committed? Finally, in perhaps the most MTG-esque aspect of her letter, the congresswoman attempts to justify relief for Santos by writing that many of her colleagues have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene doesnt give examples or flesh out why that dramatic, vague claim should spring Santos early from prison for his own admitted fraud. Subscribe to the Deadline: Legal Newsletter for expert analysis on the top legal stories of the week, including updates from the Supreme Court and developments in the Trump administrations legal cases. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com A swap meet, a pop-up, kids, crafts and a few plotting penguins (is there really any other kind?) are all on the menu this weekend at events across the South Shore. As varied in location, type and details as the five weekend picks may be, they all show how creativity and community can come together for both a common cause and a good time. Some of the listings below are for longtime favorites, others are first-timers with the potential to become traditions. Stop by, soak it in and earn future bragging rights for saying you were there when it all began. Record store popup at Widowmaker in Braintree Deep grooves, craft beer is the order of the day at a vinyl record store pop-up shop planned at Widowmaker Brewing in Braintree on Saturday, Aug. 8, 2025. When and where: Noon to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, Widowmaker Brewing, 220 Wood Road, Braintree Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vinyl lovers will find plenty to dig through at this massive record pop-up hosted by Widowmaker Brewing and Vinyl Lunatic Records. Dozens of local record shops and private collectors will be slinging LPs, 45s, and rare finds, while DJ Nothing Means Nothing keeps the vibes spinning all afternoon. Mike & Lennys bar pizza and fresh Widowmaker brews round out the scene. Free admission. Community Clothing and Book Swap at Thomas Crane Library When and where: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, Quincy Main Library, Community Meeting Room, 40 Washington St., Quincy The popular community-driven exchange returns to the Quincy Main Library this weekend. Bring gently used books, clothing and accessories to swap, or simply browse and take what you love. A family-friendly, zero-waste event hosted by the library with refreshments available. Free admission, all ages welcome. Cohasset Arts & Crafts on the Common When and where: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9, Cohasset Common, 41 Highland Ave., Cohasset Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Celebrate creativity at the inaugural Cohasset Arts & Crafts on the Common, a new outdoor arts market presented by InebriArt. This free, family-friendly festival showcases local artisans offering handmade ceramics, paintings, jewelry, textiles, live demonstrations, music and more. Learn about the craft behind the creations as you stroll the Common dont miss this chance to meet the makers and support the local creative scene. Hanovers Office of Family and Community Engagement presents "Madagascar Jr. -the Musical" Aug. 8 and 9 at the Center School Auditorium. When and where: 6 p.m., Friday, Aug. 8; and 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 9. The Center School Auditorium, 287 Cedar St., Hanover Join Alex the Lion, Marty the Zebra, Melman the Giraffe, Gloria the Hippo and the plotting penguins in this playful musical adaptation of the hit DreamWorks film. Presented by Hanovers Office of Family and Community Engagement, this family-friendly show brings lively music, colorful costumes and comedic adventure to the stage. All ages welcome. Admission info to be announced. Weymouth Kids Day at the Farmers Market When and where: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 10, Tufts Library Weston Park, 46 Broad St., Weymouth Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Expect over 50 vendors and community partners, including live music from the Providence Drum Troupe, food trucks like Donut King, touch-a-truck displays, a giant foam party (bring bathing suits), superhero and princess meet-and-greets, dino encounters and more. Rain or shine. This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: 5 South Shore weekend events: Record shop, book swap, crafty Cohasset This story was originally published on Restaurant Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Restaurant Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Philz Coffee will be acquired by private equity firm Freeman Spogli, with the transaction expected to close Aug. 6, the companies announced Monday. The 77-unit coffee chain will continue to operate under the leadership of CEO Mahesh Sadarangani, who joined the brand in 2021, according to the press release. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but Mission Local, a San Francisco-based news outlet, reported last week that Philz was in the process of selling itself for about $145 million. Dive Insight: Freeman Spogli has invested in a number of restaurant concepts over the years, according to the press release, including El Pollo Loco, Popeyes and First Watch. Sadarangani said that this restaurant investment experience made the private equity firm an ideal partner for the coffee chain, which is looking to expand its store count. Philz has been backed by private equity of some kind for more than a decade and the acquisition is not a major change for the brand, according to an FAQ website Philz set up about the acquisition. We want to reassure all employees that we have no plans to make any changes to the team. It is expected that benefits, pay, raises, hours, and promotions will continue as the company has operated historically, the coffee chain wrote According to the FAQ, the company will be paying a thank you bonus to each and every team member in our stores, roasting facility, and home office. A number of former employees 10 according to the FAQ will lose the value of stock purchased at a higher price some years ago. The size of the thank you bonus was not disclosed. There are no plans to close stores, and in fact we have an exciting pipeline of new store openings planned over the next 24 months, Philz wrote. 2025 has seen a relatively high level of restaurant M&A activity, despite the macroeconomic headwinds buffeting the industry. Since the start of June: With Darden considering a sale of its troubled Bahama Breeze brand and Jack in the Box exploring strategic alternatives for Del Taco, the summer of 2025 could end up being an exceptionally busy time for the restaurant industry in terms of mergers and acquisitions. Five American soldiers were injured after an Army sergeant opened fire at a military base in the US state of Georgia before being tackled by other troops. Officials say the soldier, identified as Quornelius Radford, opened fire with his own personal handgun, and was targeting his fellow troops. The attack at Fort Stewart, about 240 miles (386km) south east of Atlanta, triggered a lockdown at the sprawling Army base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All five soldiers who were shot are being treated for their injuries and are in stable condition, according to Brigadier General John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division. [BBC] Speaking to reporters, Gen Lubas confirmed that the alleged attacker was an active-duty solider, and that he had not previously deployed to a combat zone. He also thanked the "brave soldiers" who intervened and subdued the shooter, adding that they "without a doubt" prevented further harm. They "immediately and without hesitation" tackled the suspect and subdued him, allowing police to take him into custody, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sgt Radford, who is part of the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, is in pre-trial confinement, Gen Lubas said. He is being interviewed by Army criminal investigators, and no motive has yet been disclosed. He was previously arrested by local police for driving under the influence - a fact that was not known to US military before the attack, said Gen Lubas. Three of the soldiers who were shot have undergone surgery, he said. The pistol used in the attack was not military-issued, and officials are investigating how he was able to bring it onto the base. Law enforcement was alerted to the shooting at 10:56 EST (15:56 GMT) and the gunman was apprehended 39 minutes later at 11:35 EST. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shared on social media showed military personnel evacuating from the scene. A Burger King manager working at a restaurant on the military base described to BBC News how the staff hid in a safe room after a lockdown was announced. Hidden in the sealed chamber designed to insulate them from the outside world, the group monitored social media for updates. "I pulled them into the room so they didn't hear anything," the restaurant's manager said, referring to the sound of gunshots. "They knew it was an active shooter but they didn't know exactly where." When it was safe to emerge, their phones started to explode with calls from worried family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, a line of customers had formed at the door. Some people sheltered in their cars in the drive-through queue during the ordeal. "I wasn't worried about the food, I was worried about my crew," she says. "It's my job to keep them safe." President Donald Trump, speaking at an unrelated event at the White House, said Army investigators will ensure that the attacker is properly punished. "The perpetrator of this atrocity - and that's exactly what it is, an atrocity, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Trump said. "We're not gonna forget what happened," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Governor Brian Kemp asked residents to pray for the victims. "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," he said. At nearly 280,00 acres, Fort Stewart is the largest US Army base east of the Mississippi River, and is home to nearly10,000 people. It is located in Hinesville, a seaside town about 40 miles (64 kilometres) southwest of Savannah. A group of six criminal illegal aliens have been arrested by ICE in Houston after having collectively illegally entered the country a staggering 42 times. The six criminal aliens were finally arrested by ICE in the final days of July after two decades' worth of illegal reentries and after racking up an equally astounding 48 criminal convictions, according to a statement released on Tuesday. Criminal convictions among the group include cocaine trafficking, grand theft auto, assault, domestic violence and multiple DWIs. One of the illegals is a documented member of a cartel-connected gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ICE, one illegal, Oscar Moran Valle, a 43-year-old Mexican national and documented Paisas gang member, illegally entered the U.S. 12 times. He has been convicted of 11 criminal offenses, including three convictions for illegal entry, two for DWI, and one each for drug possession, larceny, giving a false ID to law enforcement, illegal reentry and driving without a license. He was arrested by ICE on July 29. Ice Lodges Detainer Against Illegal Migrant Charged With Kidnapping, Sexually Assaulting Neighbor In Texas Another, Alex Salomon Reyes-Chavez, a 46-year-old from Honduras, illegally entered the U.S. five times. Reyes-Chavez has been convicted of seven criminal offenses, including two convictions for burglary and heroin possession, as well as convictions for grand theft auto and cocaine trafficking. He was arrested by ICE on July 30. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another Honduran national, Angel Bonilla Barahona, 38, was arrested by ICE after illegally entering the U.S. seven times and being convicted of seven criminal offenses, including three convictions for assault as well as convictions for resisting arrest, criminal mischief and flight to avoid arrest. Marvin Javier Marquez Celaya, a 38-year-old criminal alien from Honduras, arrested by ICE July 30. He illegally entered the U.S. five times and has been convicted of eight criminal offenses, including three convictions for burglary, two for cocaine possession, and one each for larceny, domestic violence and illegal reentry. Thanh Van Nguyen, a 53-year-old from Vietnam, illegally entered the U.S. and has criminal convictions for burglary, larceny, assault and obstructing police and damaging private property. Dhs Scoops Up Trans Illegal Alien Charged With Heinous Crime On Child In Sanctuary City: 'Worst Of The Worst' ICE made 422 arrests earlier this year in an operation in Houston spanning just one week. The last of the six, Jose Angel Munoz Saucedo, a 40-year-old from Mexico, illegally entered the U.S. 12 times and has been convicted of eight criminal offenses, including four convictions for DWI, two for illegal entry, and one for fleeing from a police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE said the six were arrested by multiagency targeting teams established under the Trump administration to target the "worst of the worst" criminal illegal aliens for removal. Commenting on the arrests, Gabriel Martinez, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting field office director, thanked the administration for making immigration enforcement a priority so that such criminal illegals "will no longer be able to prey on innocent Americans." Venezuelan Suspect 'Should Never Have Been In The United States,' Police Chief Says After Deadly Shooting Commenting on the arrests, Gabriel Martinez, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations Houston acting field office director, thanked the Trump administration for making immigration enforcement a priority so that such criminal illegals "will no longer be able to prey on innocent Americans." "For the past 20 years, these six violent criminal aliens have brazenly violated our nations immigration and criminal laws, wreaking havoc in our local communities and leaving countless victims in their wake," said Martinez. "Thanks to the current administrations focus on securing the border and making immigration enforcement a priority, they have been removed from the local community." Original article source: 6 criminal aliens nabbed in Houston ICE raids boast startling number of convictions The Brief Six migrants were arrested by ICE after entering the U.S. undocumented and being convicted of 49 criminal offenses. They were all arrested between July 29 and 30 in the Houston-area. HOUSTON - In Houston, ICE arrested six undocumented migrants who have all entered the United States illegally 42 times and have been convicted of nearly 50 criminal offenses. 6 migrants arrested in Houston The backstory Last week, six men were detained by ICE in the Houston-area for various offenses. These men include: Oscar Moran Valle Oscar Moran Valle, 43, from Mexico was arrested on July 29. According to ICE, Valle is a documented Paisas gang member. He has entered the U.S. 12 times and been convicted of 11 criminal offenses, including illegal entry, DWI, drug possession, larceny, giving a false ID to law enforcement, illegal reentry, and driving without a license. Thanh Van Nguyen Thanh Van Nguyen, 53, from Vietnam was arrested on July 29. He has been convicted of nine criminal offenses, including burglary, larceny, assault, obstructing police, and damaging private property. Alex Salomon Reyes-Chavez Alex Salomon Reyes-Chavez, 46, from Honduras, was arrested on July 30. He entered the U.S. five times and has been convicted of seven criminal offenses, including burglary, heroin possession, grand theft auto, cocaine trafficking, and illegal reentry. Marvin Javier Marquez Celaya Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marvin Javier Marquez Celaya, 38, from Honduras, was arrested on July 30. He entered the U.S. five times and has been convicted of eight criminal offenses, including burglary, cocaine possession, larceny, domestic violence and illegal reentry. Angel Bonilla Barahona Angel Bonilla Barahona, 38, from Honduras, was arrested on July 29. He entered the U.S. seven times and has been convicted of seven criminal offenses, including assault, resisting arrest, criminal mischief, flight to avoid arrest and illegal reentry. Jose Angel Munoz Saucedo Jose Angel Munoz Saucedo, 40, from Mexico, was arrested on July 30. He illegally entered the U.S. 12 times and was convicted of eight criminal offenses, including DWI, illegal entry, and fleeing from a police officer. The Source U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement press release LUSAKA, Zambia (AP) The United States Embassy in Zambia ordered all U.S. government personnel Wednesday to leave a region in the north of the country affected by a toxic spill from a Chinese-owned mine that happened six months ago. The embassy said in an alert on social media that new information revealed that hazardous and carcinogenic substances including arsenic, cyanide, uranium and other heavy metals had polluted a major river system flowing through the town of Chambishi and the nearby city of Kitwe, and had possibly become airborne, following an accident at the mine in February. The embassy didn't immediately say how many U.S. government personnel were in the copper mining area. It also advised other U.S. citizens in the area to take precautions against exposure to harmful heavy metal contamination in water and food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Around 700,000 people live in Kitwe, one of Zambias biggest cities and a hub for international mining companies. Environmentalists and others raised concerns over the extent of the damage months ago following the spill at the mine run by Sino-Metals Leach Zambia, a division of China's state-owned China Nonferrous Metal Mining group. China is the dominant player in copper mining in Zambia, which is one of the world's biggest producers. The spill happened when a tailings dam that holds acidic and heavy metals waste from the mine collapsed, according to investigators from the Engineering Institution of Zambia, resulting in some 50 million liters (13.2 million gallons) of toxic materials flowing into the Kafue River system. Within days of the spill, dead fish could be seen up to 100 kilometers (60 miles) downstream, raising fears that the contamination could affect millions living along the Kafue River, which runs for 1,500 kilometers (930 miles) through the heart of the southern African country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sino-Metals apologized and committed to help with cleanup efforts, which included the Zambian Air Force dumping hundreds of tons of lime into the river in an attempt to counteract the acidic waste. ___ AP Africa news: https://apnews.com/hub/africa NEED TO KNOW There is currently an outbreak of the chikungunya virus in China, which has led to more than 7,000 cases in four weeks The mosquito-borne illness causes fever and severe joint pain The CDC is warning people about travel to China and other countries due to fear of the virus spreading The United States is warning residents about visiting China after a mosquito-borne illness has sickened thousands of people in just a few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of August 6, more than 7,000 cases of the chikungunya virus were reported in China. The virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes, causes fever and severe joint pain, according to the World Health Organization. Other symptoms include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling or rash. Symptoms often appear 3 to 7 days after a bite from an infected mosquito. The epicenter of the outbreak is Foshan, a city in the Guangdong province. Health officials say the outbreak has since spread to Hong Kong and Macao, as well as Hunan province, more than 400 miles north. The outbreak, which has spread over the past four weeks, is the countrys largest since the virus first emerged in the country in 2008, according to the New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf There is no treatment for the virus. However, vaccines are available and recommended for those traveling to areas with an outbreak. "The current situation is preventable, treatable and controllable," Guo Jiakun, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, told CBS News. Officials are using drones and pesticides to minimize the spread of the illness. They are also performing home inspections and fining residents for stagnant water, as well as spraying office workers with mosquito repellent before they are allowed inside, according to the New York Times. VCG/VCG via Getty A sanitation worker sprays insecticide to prevent the spread of Chikungunya in China A sanitation worker sprays insecticide to prevent the spread of Chikungunya in China 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. On August 1, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a Level 2 travel notice, urging people to practice enhanced precautions when traveling to China. The agency also issued a travel notice for outbreaks in Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mayotte, Reunion, Somalia and Sri Lanka. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cases of the chikungunya virus have not been reported in the United States since 2019. The CDC says people can protect themselves from the virus by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent, wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors. According to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the chikungunya virus has been the cause of 240,000 cases and 90 deaths globally in 2025. These cases were confirmed in 16 countries. Mosquito populations are on the rise something the Environmental Protection Agency attributed to climate change. In addition to chikungunya, harmful diseases commonly carried by mosquitoes include dengue fever, Zika and yellow fever. Studies show that warmer temperatures associated with climate change can accelerate mosquito development, biting rates, and the incubation of the disease within a mosquito, the EPA said. Read the original article on People NINOSHIMA, Japan When the first atomic bomb detonated 80 years ago on Aug. 6, thousands of the dead and dying were brought to the small, rural island of Ninoshima, just south of Hiroshima, by military boats with crews that had trained for suicide attack missions. Many of the victims had their clothes burned off and their flesh hung from their faces and limbs. They moaned in pain. Because of poor medicine and care, only a few hundred were alive when the field hospital closed Aug. 25, according to historical records. They were buried in various locations in chaotic and rushed operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Decades later, people in the area are looking for the remains of the missing, driven by a desire to account for and honor the victims and bring relief to survivors who are still tormented by memories of missing loved ones. Until that happens, the war is not over for these people, said Rebun Kayo, a Hiroshima University researcher who regularly visits Ninoshima to search for remains. Evidence of the missing is still being unearthed On a recent morning, Kayo visited a hillside plot in the forest where he has dug for remains since 2018. He put on rubber boots and a helmet and sprayed insect repellent. After planting chrysanthemum flowers and praying, Kayo carefully began shoveling gravel from a hole the size of a bathtub. When the soil was soft enough, he sifted it for bone fragments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As he worked under the scorching sun, he imagined the pain and sadness that the victims felt when they died. Kayo so far has found about 100 bone fragments, including skull pieces and an infants jaw bone with little teeth attached. He found the bones in an area suggested by a Ninoshima resident, whose father had witnessed soldiers burying bodies that were brought to the island on boats from Hiroshima 80 years ago. The little child buried here has been alone for all these years, he said of the bones he believes belonged to a toddler. Its just intolerable. Victims arrived in the bombings chaotic aftermath The U.S. atomic attack on Hiroshima instantly destroyed the city and killed tens of thousands near the hypocenter, about 6 miles north of Ninoshima. The death toll by the end of that year was 140,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a 3-year-old child, Tamiko Sora was with her parents and two sisters at their home just 0.9 miles from the hypocenter. The blast destroyed their house and Soras face was burned, but most of her family survived. Tamiko Sora, right, an atomic bombing survivor in Hiroshima, puts her hands together in prayer after being shown a fragment of human bone found on Ninoshima Island by Rebun Kayo, left, on July 9 in Hiroshima. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP) As they made their way to a relatives home, she met an unattended 5-year-old girl who identified herself as Hiroko and a woman with severe burns desperately asking people to save the baby she carried. Sora still thinks of them often and regrets her family could not help. Her family visited orphanages but could not find the girl. Sora now thinks the people she met that day, as well as her missing aunt and uncle, might have ended up on Ninoshima. Ninoshima saw 3 weeks of chaos, deaths and rushed burials Within two hours of the blast, victims began arriving by boat from Hiroshima at the islands No. 2 quarantine center. Its buildings filled with patients with severe wounds. Many died on the way to the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imperial Army service members were on around-the-clock shifts for cremation and burials on the island, according to Hiroshima City documents. Eiko Gishi, then an 18-year-old boat trainee, oversaw carrying patients from the pier to the quarantine area for first aid. He and other soldiers cut bamboo to make cups and trays. Many of the wounded died soon after sipping water. In recollections published by the city years later, Gishi wrote that soldiers carefully handled bodies one by one at the beginning, but were soon overwhelmed by the huge number of decomposing bodies and used an incinerator originally meant for military horses. Even this wasnt enough and they soon ran out of space, eventually putting bodies into bomb shelters and in burial mounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was speechless from the shock when I saw the first group of patients that landed on the island, a former army medic, Yoshitaka Kohara, wrote in 1992. I was used to seeing many badly wounded soldiers on battlefields, but I had never seen anyone in such a cruel and tragic state, he said. It was an inferno. Kohara was at the facility until its closure, when only about 500 people were left alive. When he told surviving patients that the war had ended on Aug. 15, he recalled they looked emotionless and tears flowed from their crushed eyes, and nobody said a word. Thousands of remains found on Ninoshima but more are still missing Kazuo Miyazaki, a Ninoshima-born historian and guide, said that toward the end of WWII the island was used to train suicide attackers using wooden boats meant for deployment in the Philippine Sea and Okinawa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiroshima was not a city of peace from the beginning. Actually, it was the opposite, Miyazaki said. Its essential that you learn from the older generations and keep telling the lessons to the next. Ninoshima, an island where thousands of the dead and dying were brought after the first atomic bomb detonated 80 years ago, is seen from a ferry on July 7. (Eugene Hoshiko/AP) Miyazaki, 77, lost a number of relatives in the atomic bombing. He has heard first-person stories from his relatives and neighbors about what happened on Ninoshima, which was home to a major army quarantine during Japans militarist expansion. His mother was an army nurse who was deployed to the field hospital on the island. The remains of about 3,000 atomic bombing victims brought to Ninoshima have been found since 1947 when many were dug out of bomb shelters. Thousands more are thought to be missing. People visit the island to remember the missing After learning of the search for remains on Ninoshima, Sora, the atomic bomb survivor struck by the girl and infant she met after the explosion, traveled to the island twice to pray at a cenotaph commemorating the dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I feel they are waiting for me to visit, Sora said. When I pray, I speak the names of my relatives and tell them Im well and tell them happy stories. In a recent visit to Sora at her nursing home, the researcher Kayo brought a plastic box containing the baby jaw with little teeth and skull fragments he found on Ninoshima. The bones were placed carefully on a bed of fluffy cotton. Kayo said he wanted to show Sora the fragile fragments, which could be from a child the same age as the one Sora met 80 years ago. He plans to eventually take the bones to a Buddhist temple. Sora prayed in silence while looking at the bones in the box and then spoke to them. Im so happy you were finally found, she said. Welcome back. BIBB COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) An eighth person has been charged in connection to a child sex trafficking ring that was uncovered in Bibb County. 7 arrested in connection to Bibb County child sex trafficking ring Olivia Elam is charged with five counts of first-degree rape, nine counts of first-degree sodomy, nine counts of first-degree human trafficking, eight counts of first-degree kidnapping, aggravated child abuse and sexual torture/abuse, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven people had previously been arrested in connection to the child sex trafficking ring: William Chase McElroy, Dalton Terrell, Andres Trejo-Velazquez, Timothy St. John, Rebecca Brewer, Ricky Terrell and Sara Terrell. Some charges in the case include rape, sodomy, sexual abuse, sexual torture, human trafficking and kidnapping. Bibb County Sheriff Jody Wade said the investigation started in February after the Alabama Department of Human Resources received a claim of child abuse at a home on Aaron Drive. The sheriffs office discovered sexual abuse was happening in a bunker behind the home. Wade said the children were not kept permanently in the bunker but the timing of how long they were in there at one time would vary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) A total of nine people now face charges connected to the June killing of 16-year-old Trey Wright of Johnsonville, Florence County authorities told News13 Wednesday. Deputies previously released the names of five young Myrtle Beach-area residents allegedly tied to the June 24 shooting. Authorities have not released information about four others who have been charged, including some who are juveniles. Devan Raper, 19, of Conway, was the first to be arrested on June 25. Hes charged with murder and possession of a weapon during a violent crime and remains in jail without bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florence County deputies said Raper and Wright got into a verbal altercation that led to the deadly shooting on N. 1st Neck Road near Johnsonville. Sheriff TJ Joye said the killing, which happened at about 11:30 p.m., was over a girl and that it was captured on video. Maj. Michael Nunn with the Florence County Sheriffs Office said most of the arrest warrants read the same for the arrested suspects. They were complicit in bringing the armed codefendant, Raper to the incident location and knowing that there would be a confrontation, Nunn said. They knew that Raper had presented a firearm to the victim and made threats to shoot him, according to the arrest warrants. Wrights girlfriend, Gianna Kistenmacher, 17, is facing an accessory-before-the-fact charge. She was recently granted bond and released to home confinement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, three more young people from Myrtle Beach were charged with Wrights murder: Hunter Matthew Kendall, 18, Sydney Marissa Kearns, 17, and Corrinne Elizabeth Belviso, 18. Kendall has been in custody since July 31, according to online jail records. Belviso was arrested on Tuesday and Kearns on Monday. Authorities have not released information about how they were allegedly involved in Wrights killing. All three have made initial appearances in Effingham Magistrate Court and remain in the Florence County Detention Center. Kendall is being held without bond. Belviso and Kearns were given $20,000 bonds each but were still in jail as of Wednesday morning, according to online jail records. Belviso and Kearns were released shortly before noon Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kendall and Belviso have appearances in Florence County Circuit Court scheduled for Sept. 17, according to online records. No court information was available for Kearns. Nunn expects one more person to turn themselves in. According to officials, the decision to charge multiple defendants with murder was not taken lightly. The decision was made, again with investigators, in consultation with the solicitors office to charge each of them with murder, Nunn said. The hand of one being the hand of all is part of South Carolina law as well, so thats the basis of the charge for each of those individuals. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelby Martin is a multimedia journalist who joined the News13 team in May 2025. Shelby is from Orange County, California, and graduated in 2023 from California State University, Fullerton. You can read more of her work here. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Looking for a sweet kitten to call your own? Meet Zoomie. Hes an adorable male kitten who arrived at Caddo Parish Animal Services in mid-May. He is more than ready to find his forever family! According to Caddo Parish Animal Services, Zoomie was found abandoned and has spent over half his life at the shelter. He is very sweet and playful. He had some kittens that he shared his kennel with, and they both got adopted, so hes a little lonely right now, says Kim Freeman, Adoption and Volunteer Coordinator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zoomie would make the perfect companion if you were looking for a buddy to spend your days with. If you are interested in adopting Zoomie, visit the shelter at 1500 Monty Street, pay the $50 adoption fee, fill out the paperwork and once he has been neutered, microchipped, and vaccinated he will be on his way home with you! For more information, visit Caddo Parish Animal Services. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. ABBEVILLE, La. (KLFY) The battle over Abbevilles district map continues. This comes amid a years-long federal lawsuit filed against the city council. The lawsuit, filed by the Vermilion NAACP and Southern Poverty Law Center, claims the citys current map does not give white and black voters equal voting powers. The city council planned to adopt either their own proposed map, or a map proposed by the Vermilion NAACP Tuesday evening. Instead, the council voted to table the vote until the next meeting to rework their own map. Before I get upset, Im going to walk out of here because what you are saying is a lie, one Abbeville resident said, storming out of the meeting, upset by the mayors comments after a presentation by the NAACP attorney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district lines should be drawn by us, by our own elected, municipal legislature, not by some outside firm with no real stake in our community, Abbeville Mayor Roslyn White read from a prepared statement. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The mayor made it clear she wants the citys own attorneys, engineers and officials to create the new district map, as opposed to adopting the map created by the NAACP attorney. You dont live in Abbeville, right? I doubt you stepped foot in Abbeville before 2022, Mayor White said. This council is capable of doing the job they were elected to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the meeting, other Abbeville residents and Vermilion NAACP members voiced their frustration that its taking the city council years to make a decision. Thats crazy. Youre spending money from the city. Why not do the right thing from the beginning? Whats wrong with these council people? It doesnt make any sense. Theyre not using their brains. Use your brain! Vermilion NAACP Secretary Marilyn Mitchell said. The man got the maps right. I dont care if hes from New Orleans. Hes just representing the city. Even though our attorney may be from New Orleans or whatever the case may be, that should have no reflection as to his not being from Abbeville. That has nothing to do with nothing at all, Vermilion NAACP President Linda Williams Cockrell added. SPLC and NAACP attorney Ahmed Soussi says their proposed map unpacks the districts when it comes to black voters. He says the citys proposed map does not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were happy they didnt pass their map. Weve shown objectively on hard numbers that its not a proportional map. It does not create equal representation, and it still packs black voters, Soussi told said. The city councils time to decide on a map is running out. They must submit an approved map to the Secretary of State by Dec. 17. Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. We came across a bullish thesis on RELX PLC on Hidden Market Gemss Substack. In this article, we will summarize the bulls thesis on RELX. RELX PLC's share was trading at $51.92 as of July 29th. RELXs trailing and forward P/E were 37.26 and 29.50 respectively according to Yahoo Finance. Jim Cramer on RELX (RELX): Two thumbs up A publishing manager overseeing the process of releasing content to the public. RELX Plc, once a traditional Anglo-Dutch publisher, has executed one of the most successful digital reinventions in Europe. Under CEO Erik Engstroms 15-year leadership, the company has transformed into a global analytics powerhouse, providing high-stakes, workflow-embedded data tools to professionals who cannot afford errorsinsurers, banks, scientists, law enforcement, and lawyers. The engine behind RELXs strength is LexisNexis Risk, a proprietary data platform for fraud detection and risk scoring, paired with elite scientific publishing (Elsevier), legal research (LexisNexis Legal), and post-pandemic-recovered exhibitions (RX). This transformation is underpinned by relentless investment1.41.5B annually in technology, 9,000+ technologists, and platforms enhanced by AI across domains. RELXs tools are mission-critical, command high margins, and are deeply embedded, with 80%+ recurring digital revenue. Financially, RELX is a compounding machine: group revenues have grown from 5.8B to 9.4B over the past decade, with EPS compounding and margins rising to 34.8% in H1 2025. The company generates strong cash flows (97% conversion), enabling rising dividends and aggressive buybacks. Its acquisition strategy adds bolt-on AI and analytics assets to deepen functionality in key segments. Each of RELXs four business units is a market leader or close second, creating synergistic cross-segment opportunities. Competitors existThomson Reuters, Wolters Kluwer, Veriskbut none match RELXs breadth or integration. With decades of proprietary data, superior AI deployment, and high client switching costs, RELX enjoys a durable moat. It continues to benefit from secular tailwinds in digitization, regulation, and AI, making it a long-duration compounder with low volatility and high reliability. Previously we covered a bullish thesis on Copart, Inc. by Bulls on Parade in May 2025, which highlighted its dominant salvage model, strong balance sheet, and disciplined capital allocation. The stock has depreciated by approximately 13.45% since our coverage due to margin concerns. The thesis still stands. Hidden Market Gems shares a similar approach but focuses on RELXs AI-led data platform. The redistricting battle in Texas continues to escalate as Republican Gov. Greg Abbott claimed he had heard the FBI will search for Texas House Democrats who left the state in protest of proposed new congressional maps. In an appearance on Wednesday on conservative radio host Dana Loesch's online show, Abbott said, "Those who are out of state think that they are beyond the reach of Texas law enforcement, and they may or may not be. But for one, when they come back, they're not going to go to their cozy home; they will be arrested and taken to the Capitol." "But know this," Abbott continued, "It's my understanding that the FBI is going to search for these derelict Texas House members, in whatever state they may be in, and help identify them and maybe work with us to bring them back." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News has reached out to the FBI for comment. Reuters - PHOTO: Texas Governor Greg Abbott in Hunt, Texas, July 8, 2025 and Democratic Texas Rep. Gene Wu in Warrenville, Illinois, Aug. 4, 2025. Earlier Wednesday, Abbott urged the state Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu, the chairman of the Texas House Democratic caucus. Abbott argued that Wu has "forfeited" his office by fleeing the state along with other Democratic lawmakers to prevent the quorum necessary for the Texas House to vote on enacting the new GOP-proposed congressional map -- with Republican control of the U.S. House of Representatives potentially at stake. Wu accused Abbott of "silencing my dissent" and said he's undeterred in his mission to fight the Republican-led redistricting effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Texas redistricting: What's at stake as Republicans aim to pick up 5 House seats "Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant," Wu said in a statement. Abbott asked the Texas Supreme Court for a ruling by Thursday evening, before Texas Republicans try again Friday to convene the legislature and make a quorum. The Texas Supreme Court on Wednesday asked state Rep. Wu to respond no later than Friday at 5 p.m. CT to Abbott's petition for his removal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Texas Democrats staying in Illinois evacuated over bomb threat Texas Republicans failed for the second time on Tuesday to move ahead with the redistricting effort -- one backed by President Donald Trump, who has claimed the GOP is "entitled" to five more U.S. House seats in the state. The faceoff has nationwide implications, with control of the U.S. potentially at stake. Democrats would need to only net three seats in next year's midterm elections to win back the House. Texas Democrats are set to continue speaking out against the redistricting effort across the country on Wednesday. Texas Democrats hosted a news conference in Massachusetts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There's 50-plus Democrats right now that are fanned out, standing up for your right -- not just Texas, but standing up for the American people. We all know. We all know the criminality in the White House is running rampant, and what we're trying to do is stop that criminality," Texas state Rep. Armando Walle told reporters. Texas Democrats were also expected to hold a news conference near Chicago, but Texas House Democrats and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said threats were made against the cohort of lawmakers staying in the state to deny a quorum in the Texas special session. Pritzker wrote on X that the threats will be investigated and that he has been in touch with state police. Local law enforcement later said there was a bomb threat that resulted in a hotel being evacuated, and no device was found. "This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety," a group of Texas House Democrats said in a statement, including state Rep. Wu. Abbott's emergency petition to the Texas Supreme Court comes as he and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, also a Republican, pursue legal options against Democrats who left the state -- including civil arrest warrants and investigations of potential law violations, including bribery for soliciting funds to support their effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Beto O'Rourke's group helping front costs of bolting Texas House Democrats "Representative Wu and the other Texas House Democrats have shown a willful refusal to return, and their absence for an indefinite period of time deprives the House of the quorum needed to meet and conduct business on behalf of Texans. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences," Abbott said in his filing to the Texas Supreme Court. Paxton, though, said the governor does not have the authority to file the emergency petition. "Texas is taking every available avenue to force runaway Democrats to return to Texas and hold them accountable for breaking quorum," Paxton said in a statement released on Tuesday evening. "Under the Texas Constitution and Texas law, the Office of the Attorney General has the legal authority to bring these cases against the renegade House members. I have alerted the Texas Supreme Court that I will be making additional filings on Friday if the Democrats continue to abandon their legislative duties." Brandon Bell/Getty Images - PHOTO: The Texas Capitol is seen on August 04, 2025 in Austin, Texas. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, a Texas Republican, requested the FBI work with Abbott and state law enforcement to help bring back and investigate Texas Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ABC News Chief White House Correspondent Mary Bruce asked President Trump on Tuesday afternoon if he wanted the FBI to get involved. "Well, they may have to. They may have to," Trump responded. "No, I know they want them back. Not only the attorney general. The governor wants them back. If you look, I mean, the governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So a lot of people have demanded they come back. You can't just sit it out. You have to go back. You have to fight it out. That's what elections are all about," the president added. ABC News' Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report. AUSTIN (Nexstar) Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition Tuesday in the Texas Supreme Court, asking it to remove Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston. The petition comes after Wus move to break quorum by leaving the state over mid-decade redistricting, along with fellow Democrats. LIST: Here are the Texas House Democrats who broke quorum In the statement, Abbott called Wu the ringleader of the derelict Democrats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case is not a political dispute; it is a constitutional crisis, the lawsuit reads. The current Special Session is set to expire in just two weeks. But Wu apparently has no intention of returning. Instead, he claims the special session is over. Permitting him to continue occupying his office so that he can abdicate the duties of that office will only enable future legislators to grind state government to a halt. Fifty-four Democrats were not present in the House chamber Tuesday as many have fled to states, like Illinois and New York. Abbott and House Speaker Dustin Burrows announced their intent to have the Department of Public Safety track down and arrest absent House Democrats. DPS does not have authority to make those arrests outside of Texas. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton responded in a separate press release regarding the petition Abbott filed Tuesday. Paxton said in the release that he will pursue judicial orders announcing that House members who fail to return to the state by the deadline, Friday, August 8, set by Burrows, have vacated their seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the Texas Constitution and Texas law, the Office of the Attorney General has the legal authority to bring these cases against the renegade House members. I have alerted the Texas Supreme Court that I will be making additional filings on Friday if the Democrats continue to abandon their legislative duties, Paxton said. In response to Governor Abbotts petition on Tuesday, the Solicitor General clarified in a letter to the Supreme Court of Texas that only the AGs Office can initiate these proceedings. The letter explained: [T]his Courts precedent is clear that a quo warranto proceeding can only be brought by the attorney general, a county attorney, or a district attorney. In re Dallas County, 697 S.W.3d 142, 152 (Tex. 2024) (orig. proceeding). Further, the Constitution charges the Attorney General with the obligation to represent the State in all suits and pleas in the Supreme Court of the State in which the State may be a party. As a result, the Court should not dismiss the Governors petition until the Speakers Friday deadline passes and the Attorney General can be heard on these weighty issues. Governor Abbott responded in a post on X that he was not seeking relief under Chapter 66 as the Solicitor General claimed and was instead permissibly petitioning the Texas Supreme Court under the Texas Constitution relying on Section 22 of the Government Code and Supreme Court precedent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu released the following statement on the petition: This office does not belong to Greg Abbott, and it does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of House District 137, who elected me. I took an oath to the constitution, not a politicians agenda, and I will not be the one to break that oath. Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant. When that governor holds disaster relief for 137 dead Texans and their families hostage, my moral duty is to sound the alarm by any means necessary. Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath. Unable to defend his corrupt agenda on its merits, Greg Abbott now desperately seeks to silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office. History will judge this moment. It will show a Governor who used the law as a weapon to silence his people, and it will show those of us who stood for a higher principle. To Governor Abbott: You have failed the people of Texas, and you are using the courts to punish those who refused to fail with you. My purpose has been clear from the start: to serve my constituents and fight for whats right, no matter the cost. You will find that my commitment to the people of Texas is unbreakable. Rep. Gene Wu Does Texas Gov. Greg Abbott have the power to vacate Texas House seats? The petition is one of a few tactics Republicans are using to try and bring Democrats back to the state to pass a new congressional map, one which will benefit the GOP. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, asked FBI Director Kash Patel to intervene to track down and bring home Democratic lawmakers. President Donald Trump appeared to entertain the idea while taking questions, according to NBC. Well, I think they have abandoned the state. Nobody seen anything like it even though theyve done it twice before. And in a certain way, it almost looks like theyve abandoned the state looks very bad, Trump told reporters Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Councillors have backed the introduction of a 7% visitor levy for Aberdeen. The so-called tourist tax would be applied to bills for overnight stays at accommodation in the city. It would not be until at least April 2027 before it was implemented, but the proposed charge is higher than the 5% approved for Edinburgh and Glasgow. Aberdeen City Council's finance and resources committee heard that, with the average hotel room costing about 70, the levy would cost visitors an extra 4.90. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council said the new charge could generate up to 6.8m a year. Funds raised from the levy would help pay for infrastructure used by tourists. But Mike Duncan from the Federation of Small Businesses urged the council to carry out an economic impact assessment before it is implemented. He told BBC Scotland News there could be "positive repercussions" from collecting the additional funds from visitors. But he added: "The problem is we don't know that's going to be the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't know that it's going to have a positive impact and there is a chance that it could have a negative impact on visitor numbers." Golf and the offshore industry are two areas that being people into Aberdeen [PA Media] The council's finance convener Alex McLellan said: "The income generated from the visitor levy, paid by those visiting the city, will provide a huge boost to our local economy and allow us to invest in bringing major events and conferences here on a more regular basis. "Across Europe we are paying similar amounts to stay per night subsidising their thriving economies, and we should do the same to ensure we can compete in terms of attracting both business and leisure tourism to Aberdeen." Steven Gow, chairman of Visit Aberdeenshire, said the city welcomed more than two million overnight stays in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cruise ships and motor homes are not subject to the levy, and those who receive disability payments are exempt. 'Marginal benefits' Aberdeen, along with other Scottish local authorities, were given powers to introduce a visitor levy on overnight accommodation in September. Earlier this year, councillors in Edinburgh and Glasgow approved a 5% charge on overnight stays in hotels, hostels, guest houses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodation. Several other regions in Scotland are looking at similar plans, including Highland Council. But plans to develop a "tourist tax" for the Western Isles have been put on hold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A report to councillors said a cost benefit analysis suggested it would have "marginal benefits", and could potentially harm the islands' tourism economy. Officers said the pause would also allow time for a potential introduction of a "point-of-entry" levy, which could be charged at ports and airports. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Summer is winding down, and school doors are opening for Taylor County students, some of whom have already started the first quarter. While excitement is high for the return to the classroom, experts remind families to prioritize health, as the new school year also brings a rise in germs. We always get a very big rush the first week or second week right after school starts. A lot of times, its just a routine cold or rhinovirus. I will say that we do generally see a whole lot of strep, McClintock said. Weather Wonders on the Road: Bringing the Forecast to Big Country Classrooms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vicki Patton and Stephen McClintock with My Emergency Room 24/7 in Abilene said its more than just washing your hands and coughing into your elbow to stay healthy. They need to have a good rest. Good meals and good nutrition. Make sure youre increasing the amount of protein that theyre getting. Getting out of the sun. Can you now undervalue how important that is that you know prompts the production of vitamin D, McClintock said. Family nurse practitioner with Abilene Taylor County Public Health District, Hailey Watson, said spreading germs can happen quicker than you think, and with the recent weather the Big Country has seen, another medication may need to be taken Abilene ISD unveils Budget Blueprint for public transparency Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things like flu, common cold, those are a lot easier to spread faster because sometimes you dont feel so bad, especially with the common cold. You dont have a fever, but youre coughing, sneezing, and then youre out there going to school, and those droplets are just spreading, Watson said. Weve seen a higher pollen count because of the rain and everything. So, lots more allergies right now. Long-acting allergy medications that are over the counter, like Claritin, Zyrtec, and Allegra, are great and can be given daily. They also recommend washing your hands properly using warm water and scrubbing for at least 20 seconds, which is about the time it takes to sing the Happy Birthday song twice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Eight years ago, Abilene Police Detective Elise Ybarra was killed during a crash while she and two other detectives, Robert Collins and Chris Milliron, were their way to Dallas for the Crimes Against Children Conference. Detective Ybarra was a beloved part of the Abilene community, serving children not only through her job in the Special Victims Unit, but a frequent volunteer at Big Brothers, Big Sisters. elise ybarra_1502739733475.jpg She left behind her husband and 10-month-old baby girl when she was killed on August 6, 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May Elises death awake the heart of this City, Chief Standridge said during a press conference following her death. Weve had enough pain. Weve had enough tragedy. The Abilene Police Department made a social media post in honor of the 8th anniversary of her death, saying that Detective Ybarras infectious laugh, radiant spirit, and unwavering commitment to making Abilene safer continue to inspire all who knew her. Though she is no longer with us, her legacy lives on in the lives she touched. Read the original press release sent regarding her death 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 KTAB - BigCountryHomepage.com. FINGER LAKES, N.Y. (WROC) Celebrations are in order for New Yorks Winery of the Year Weis Vineyards and its not that long of a drive from Rochester. Peter Weis owns and operates Weis Vineyards in Hammondsport with his wife, Ashlee. This year, they were named New York State Winery of the Year at the 39th Annual New York Wine Classic. They beat out the competition in two categories: Best White Wine for their 2024 Gruner Veltliner, and Best Pink Wine with their Dry Rose. We are absolutely stunned and still shocked, said Weis, because its the third time in four years. So, we are quite excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Winemaking is in Weis DNA. Hes a sixth-generation winemaker from Germany, on both his moms and dads side, and Weis Vineyards was born in 2017. They care about every detail to make sure everything is just right for customers. They beat out the competition in two categories: Best White Wine for their 2024 Gruner Veltliner and Best Pink Wine with their Dry Rose. They care about every detail to ensure everything is just right for their customers. The quality of the wine needs to be there, thats my job, he said, the aesthetics thats my wife Ashlee, and then customer service and getting greeted with a smile and getting educated thats our team. The New York Wine Classic celebrates the very best of the states wine and grape industry, which is widely recognized across the globe for producing high-quality, unique varietals that continue to set us apart as leaders in the industry, said Governor Kathy Hochul when she announced the winners. The caliber of New York wines made by our hard-working winery owners and farmers is second to none. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the National Association of American Wineries, the New York wine industry includes a total of 507 wine producers and 32,149 acres of vineyards. So, winning is a huge milestone, and Weis has done it in 2022, 2024, and now 2025. Yeah, were quite stoked, he said. Weis plans to keep improving the vineyard and expanding into other drink categories, like non-alcoholic options. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. AUSTIN (KXAN) Austin Community College District (ACC) said every campus would have an open food pantry beginning this fall. ACC said the Riverbat Bites Food Pantries provide groceries, snacks and hygiene items. All items would be available for free, according to the college. Every year, ACC serves more than 74,000 students. Many are the first in their families to attend college. More than 60% are classified as low-income and must balance school with work, caregiving, or other responsibilities, ACC said. The Riverbat Bites expansion is part of a broader collegewide effort to remove barriers and create pathways to academic and career success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to ACC, students can check in using their student ID to obtain items. Cara Crowley, ACC Special Advisor to the Chancellor for Basic Needs Systems, said meeting students basic needs was essential to help them complete their degrees and transform their lives. This is about more than food. Its about opening doors for students, supporting their families, and building a stronger, more resilient Central Texas, Crowley 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 KXAN Austin. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Volunteers from a global public accounting firm gave back to the community Tuesday while helping students shape their future careers. KPMG staff members spend the day helping Junior Achievement of Central Ohio prepare to welcome students for the new school year. Junior Achievement is a non-profit organization that works with more than 50,000 students each year to help them discover career paths that can accelerate economic growth, and thats why having community partners like KPMG is so important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It takes the work behind the scenes like KPMG is doing today, both to help get the logistics set but also to give us advice and counsel from the business perspective of how do we prepare students, how do we give them an understanding, Junior Achievement of Central Ohio President Mike Davis said. Two of our values are together and for better and so our Community Impact Day is built around those two key values and we just think it gives our people time together outside of the office to build community, Kim Zavislak with KPMG said. In total, KPMG said its employees spend a collective 180,000 hours volunteering at nonprofit organizations across the country on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Argentine police have arrested an alleged serial killer who preyed on homeless people he brought to his home where he murdered and dismembered them, officials said Tuesday. The murders at least five are known to investigators always took place on Fridays, authorities said. A 37-year-old man who local media say is known as the "machete man" was arrested after a raid on his home last week yielded human "bones, blood, pieces of skin and even a nose," Attorney General Sergio Lello Sanchez of the Jujuy province told AFP by telephone Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The raid was the result of clues gathered from analyzing security camera footage. At the house where they arrested the man, police also encountered a 16-year-old boy who appeared scared and said he was the owner's nephew, said Lello Sanchez. He told police: "I want to talk," and then recounted that his uncle would go out on Friday afternoons and return at night with different people. He apparently lured them with offers of a job or a drink. The boy said his uncle would "beat them, kill them, cut their bodies, burn them, and take them out in garbage bags," case prosecutor Guillermo Beller told the A24 news channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victims were homeless and mostly elderly people, added Lello Sanchez. A24 identified the suspect as Matias Jurado, a local resident who allegedly terrorized the neighborhood by threatening people with machetes, setting fires and carrying bags or wheelbarrows late at night, A24 reported. Local residents knew him as "the machete man," the outlet reported, but no one suspected him of murder. Jurado has a criminal record dating back to when he was just 17 years old and had already been in prison three times, the outlet reported. The investigation started after evidence emerged that five missing people had last been seen alive in the same place, near an old bus terminal in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security footage showed two of them getting into taxis with the same person at different times. A taxi driver took police to the house where he had dropped his clients. The suspect, who insists he is innocent, was charged Monday with aggravated homicide and placed in pre-trial detention for four months pending the investigation that Lello Sanchez said was at an "early stage." Investigators were still in the process of analyzing the remains and extracting DNA samples from relatives of missing persons to try and identify the dead. Jujuy, also known as San Salvador de Jujuy, is located in the northwest of Argentina, bordering Chile and Bolivia. It had a population of more than 800,000 residents in 2022. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in on plans for a moon-based nuclear reactor On June 9, The Sentinel-Echo submitted an open records request asking the City of London to identify any London Police Department employees who had been placed on administrative leave since December 1, 2024, in light of the Dec. 23, 2024 officer-involved shooting of Doug Harless. The city responded to this request on June 13, denying it and citing exemptions under KRS 61.878. The response stated that the records were part of a preliminary investigation and that disclosure could negatively impact the well-being or privacy of those involved. Later, in a June 30 email, City Attorney Larry Bryson informed The Sentinel-Echo that Jared Hale had been on administrative leave during the requested time period. Bryson said he discovered this while preparing the citys response to an appeal filed by this newspaper earlier that month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeal, submitted to the Kentucky Attorney Generals Office, challenged the citys decision to withhold names of officers placed on leave after Harless shooting. The state office would ultimately go on to side with the city on the matter. Following Brysons clarification, the Sentinel-Echo filed a second open records request on July 17 asking for documentation regarding Hales administrative leave. LPD Intel Analyst Jamie Sloan responded to the request with two documents, one of which was a memo from Capt. Ryan Jackson confirming that Hale was placed on paid administrative leave with pay on January 9 and returned to duty on January 21. The memo regarding Hales leave states that he was placed on leave pending the outcome of an administrative inquiry regarding a phone call with County Judge-Executive David Westerfield on December 24, 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The additional document was Hales resignation letter in the months following the incident. Dated March 29, Hales letter shared his last day would be March 30 and requested payment for unused vacation time. The release has been cited among other incidents in a letter drafted by Hales attorney warning city officials of potential legal action. Rivian has filed a lawsuit in Ohio to be able to sell its electric vehicles directly to consumers in the state the latest swing in a perpetual fight between up-and-coming American automakers and the entrenched and powerful dealership lobby. The company sued the registrar of Ohios Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) on Monday in federal court, claiming the state is harming consumers by blocking direct sales. Rivian is currently able to sell EVs directly to consumers in 25 states and in Washington, D.C. Ohios BMV did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Ohios prohibition of Rivians direct-sales-only business model is irrational in the extreme: it reduces competition, decreases consumer choice, and drives up consumer costs and inconvenience all of which harm consumers with literally no countervailing benefit, lawyers for the company wrote in the complaint. Rivian is asking the court to allow the company to apply for a dealership license so it can sell vehicles directly. Ohio customers have to buy from Rivian vehicles from locations in other states where direct sales are allowed. The cars are then shipped to Rivian service centers within Ohio. Allowing Rivian to sell directly would not be treading new legal ground, the company argues in its complaint. Tesla has had a license to sell in Ohio since 2013 and can sell directly to consumers. Whats stopping Rivian is a 2014 law passed by the states legislature. That law, which Rivian says came after an intense lobbying effort by the Ohio Automobile Dealers Association (OADA), effectively gave Tesla a carve-out and blocked any future manufacturers from acquiring the necessary dealership licenses. (The OADA did not immediately return a request for comment.) Consumer choice is a bedrock principle of Americas economy. Ohios archaic prohibition against the direct-sales of vehicles is unconstitutional, irrational, and harms Ohioans by reducing competition and choice and driving up costs and inconvenience, Mike Callahan, Rivians chief administrative officer, said in a statement. Rivian has won legal fights over direct sales before. In 2021, Rivian and Lucid Motors were granted dealership licenses to sell EVs in Illinois. That states dealer association sued to try to block Rivian and Lucid from selling directly but ultimately failed. Lucid Motors, meanwhile, filed a lawsuit of its own in Texas in 2022 in a challenge to that states direct-sales ban. The court ruled against Lucid earlier this year, but the company has appealed, federal court records show. For Sodaba, like countless other Afghan women, opportunities evaporated under the Taliban's tightening grip on their lives. Since seizing power in Afghanistan in 2021, the Taliban has systematically imposed a sweeping array of restrictions on women, barring them from parks, gyms, restaurants, and most professions. But for Sodaba, a pharmacology student, one of the most devastating blows was the prohibition on education beyond primary school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Driven by necessity, she sought alternatives online, discovering a free computer coding course tailored for Afghan women. Taught in her native Dari by a young Afghan refugee based in Greece, the programme offered a lifeline, teaching her computer programming and website development skills. "I believe a person should not be (bowed) by circumstance, but should grow and get their dreams through every possible way," Sodaba said. The new skills helped me regain my confidence and clarity in my direction, said the 24-year-old, who asked to be identified by her first name only for safety reasons. I am so happy to be part of this journey. Murtaza Jafari, 25, an Afghan migrant, teaches coding remotely to women currently living in Afghanistan (AP) Afghan Geeks The courses are run by Afghan Geeks, a company created by 25-year-old Afghan migrant Murtaza Jafari. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Jafari arrived in Greece as a teenage refugee from Turkey years ago. Living in a shelter in Athens after he arrived, Mr Jafari received help from a teacher to enrol in a computer coding course. He knew nothing about computers, not even how to switch one on. He did not know what coding was and didnt speak a word of English, essential for computer programming. I had no idea about English. No idea, like zero zero, he said. And I was trying at the same time to learn Greek, learn English and then also learn computer. It was super difficult for me. But several months later, he earned his certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coding opened up a new world. A couple of years ago, he set up Afghan Geeks. Mr Jafari wants to give back to the community (AP) Paying it forward Mr Jafari said he started providing online courses last December to help women in his homeland, and as an expression of gratitude for the help he received as a youngster alone in a foreign country. The main goal was to give back to the community, especially to the Afghan women, what I had received from the other people for free, he said, sitting in his one-room flat in downtown Athens. I think sharing knowledge is what makes a real difference to someone, he said. And if I share it, it just goes and expands, and then theres more people to learn things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Jafari now has 28 female students in Afghanistan in three classes: beginner, intermediate and advanced. Aside from teaching, he also mentors his students in finding online internships and jobs using their new skills. For women in a country where nearly all professions are banned, the opportunity for online work is a lifeline. The most qualified join his team at Afghan Geeks, which also offers website development and chatbot creation services. He now has several clients, he said, from Afghanistan, the United States, the United Kingdom and Europe. Those clients were happy that they are contributing in a meaningful goal. So the goal was to support women. And thats why they keep coming back for other projects that they have, Mr Jafari said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although he has been teaching his students for seven months, Mr Jafari has never seen their faces. He asks how they are and what the situation is in Afghanistan, but Ive never asked them to open their cameras or to share their profile, to share the image. Ive never done that. I dont want to do it, because I respect their culture, their choice. The Taliban has increasingly confined women to their homes and banned their participation in the public sphere (AP) The online academy With the Taliban governments restrictions increasingly confining women to their homes, and going as far as officially banning womens voices and bare faces in public, the web has opened a new world of possibilities for women in Afghanistan. A year and a half ago, Zuhal, a young Afghan woman whose dream of going to university was shattered, partnered with a university professor to launch an online academy for women. What began as a team of five people now has a crew of 150 teachers and administrators, and more than 4,000 students, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are all working voluntarily with no salary, no support, said the 20-year-old, who uses a nickname for fear of reprisals after receiving threats over the academy. Our only aim or goal is to provide free education for girls and to enhance research in Afghanistan. The academy, Vision Online University, now runs courses in a range of subjects, from psychology and foreign languages to Quranic studies, nursing and public speaking, among others. When the education ban came into effect, I was depressed because nothing was available. There was no school, no university, no courses. And that really affected me, said Zuhal. Then I thought (to) myself that this is not the solution. If I get depressed, that will not be helpful, not for me and not for other girls. She decided that I shouldnt give up. I should do something for girls of my country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now she also pursues a degree in computer science through an American online university, the University of the People. Its tough, she said. With no funding, the academy for women cant pay for premium online services that allow large group meetings. She herself often struggles to afford her internet service. But Im doing it because I have a goal," she said. "And my goal is to support girls. If I stop it, more than 4,000 or 5,000 girls will be depressed again. Providences Silver Lake neighborhood is one of three where children will have priority for dental care with funds secured by Rhode Island Attorney General Peter Neronha in a settlement with Barletta Heavy Division Inc. of Canton, Mass. (Photo by Christopher Shea/Rhode Island Current) Nonprofits helping close the gap in pediatric dental care in Providence can receive up to $3 million under a new grant program created by the Rhode Island Attorney Generals office. The Route 6/10 Childrens Fund opened to applicants Tuesday, and will continue to accept proposals from eligible nonprofits through 3 p.m. on Sept. 10. The $10 million fund, administered by the Rhode Island Foundation, relies on proceeds from a state settlement over the dumping of contaminated soil during the Route 6/10 Interchange construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neronha, whose office led the states dual civil and criminal charges against contractor Barletta Heavy Division Inc., proposed spending $10 million of the total $11 million payment on pediatric dental care in Providence, where lack of access or ability to afford regular dental care is most acute. The remaining $1 million from the settlement was divided between the AGs office, to cover expenses for the case, and the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, which investigated the contamination claims. Whenever this Office brings cases that result in legal success, we think carefully about how those wins can translate into direct, impactful benefits for Rhode Islanders, Neronha said in a statement. The lack of pediatric dental care for Providence children is an urgent and completely unmet healthcare issue, and my hope is that with this program, we can take immediate action to alleviate this crisis. Across the state, one in three kindergarten students and nearly half of third-grade students experience tooth decay, according to a 2023 report from the Rhode Island Department of Health based on survey data during prior school years. Children from lower-income families who qualified for free or reduced meals at school and those who identified as Hispanic were more likely than their peers to have untreated tooth decay, the health departments report found. Despite the need, Republican state lawmakers pushed back on Neronhas proposal, insisting it was up to the Rhode Island General Assembly, not Neronha, to decide how to spend state settlement money. However, a state Republican-led attempt to claw back the funding from Neronhas office in the states fiscal 2026 budget was soundly defeated by Democrats on June 17, preserving the funds for use as Neronha intended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Projects that improve access to oral health care for children in Providences Olneyville, West End and Silver Lake neighborhoods are the focus of the initial round of grants. Applicants must be registered 501(c)3 organizations, or have a fiscal sponsor with that designation, to apply. Grant awards range from $250,000 to $3 million, and can be partially used on capital costs, in addition to program implementation. More information and application materials are available on the Rhode Island Foundation website. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A scam that falsely names an officer from the South Dakota Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force (ICAC) has emerged in Connecticut, the South Dakota Attorney Generals Office said. A Connecticut man reported that after he had communicated by text with someone he met on a dating site, the next day he got a call from someone claiming to be a Sgt. Walker from the South Dakota ICAC Task Force. The caller claimed the Connecticut man needed to pay $1,000 because the dating site person was a minor. Bullhead man gets 30 years for sex crimes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Connecticut resident did not send any money. He contacted the South Dakota ICAC Task Force and the South Dakota Division of Criminal Investigation (DCI) to confirm the validity of the phone call. AG Marty Jackely said in the news release that the ICAC Task Force does not have any members named Sgt. Walker. These text messages are designed to create fear and confusion dont fall for it, Jackely said in the news release. Legitimate law enforcement agencies will never demand payment or threaten arrest. Jackley also said in the release that his office has received complaints from individuals who have received text messages claiming they were photographed watching porn sites and demanding money. He said that is also a scam. People who have been a victim of any type of scam should contact the Attorney Generals Offices Consumer Protection Division at 1-800-300-1986 or at https://consumer.sd.gov/ . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. If it feels like the weather has been more erratic and severe in recent years than ever before, you're not imagining things. A warming atmosphere and the corresponding greenhouse effect have begun to create more intense weather patterns, from longer droughts to more intense tropical cyclones. Many of these weather events have meant disaster for businesses; the home insurance industry is a perfect, and grim, example of its costs. But now, one new economic model is looking to find the opportunities for resilience and adaptability in the face of extreme weather, Food Logistics reported. Software company ClimateAI recently launched a new model, FICE (Foundational Intelligence for Climate & Economy), which examines how extreme weather events impact consumer behavior, revenue trends, and economic patterns overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AI-powered model works by combining consumer transaction data and similar macroeconomic indicators with ClimateAI's hyper-granular weather risk models. And the opportunities it will offer to business leaders are multifold. "What's powerful about FICE is that it's not limited to any one industry," said Will Kletter, ClimateAI's COO. "Whether you're a supplier planning demand, a grocer preparing for storms, or an insurer pricing regional risk, FICE looks back at how businesses have responded to past weather events and turns that insight into forward-looking intelligencehelping leaders across industries make smarter, faster decisions." Another use case, Food Logistics pointed out, is in the public sector. By planning for potential losses in tax revenue, both federal and state agencies can make informed decisions to maximize the impact of their funds and disaster aid resources. The model is also extremely segmentable, allowing users to extract specific industry and location-based insights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is game-changing research," said Himanshu Gupta, ClimateAI's CEO. "For the first time, we've quantified the opportunity in climate adaptationnot just the cost. FICE shows how weather impacts economic performance in measurable ways, turning climate volatility into a source of strategic insight. Businesses now have the data to reduce lossesand lead with resilience." 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. Popular artificial intelligence teacher assistant tools like Google Gemini and MagicSchool can increase productivity for educators but have the potential to cause harm in the classroom, according to a new risk assessment report from Common Sense Media. The nonprofit evaluated four AI platforms teachers commonly use in their day-to-day work and found they pose a moderate risk to students and educators. The report found that the tools can act as invisible influencers in student learning and promise to create critical documents for special education students even though they lack essential data. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The tools evaluated were Khanmigo affiliated with Khan Academy MagicSchool, Curipod and Gemini for Google Classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no doubt that these tools are popular and that they save teachers time, said Robbie Torney, Common Sense Medias senior director of AI programs. Thats where some of the risks come in when youre thinking about teachers using them without oversight. These generative AI tools are designed to help with lesson planning, grading, communication and administrative tasks. Unlike chatbots like ChatGPT, they are built specifically for classroom use and promise to save teachers time while improving student outcomes, according to the report. Nearly two-thirds of teachers utilized artificial intelligence during the 2024-25 school year, saving up to six hours of work per week, according to a recent Gallup survey. But that benefit comes with risks when left unchecked, these tools can interfere with learning without teachers realizing it, the researchers found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Will New AI Academy Help Teachers or Just Improve Techs Bottom Line? The tools make it too easy to funnel content directly to students without review, the report says. Responding to teacher prompts, they can automatically create slide presentations that look professional but may include inappropriate material. The AI teacher assistants can also be invisible influencers presenting biased or inaccurate viewpoints that reinforce harmful stereotypes. For example, when asked about the debunked claim of Haitian immigrants eating pets in Ohio, MagicSchool and Khanmigo didnt point out that the information was false. Instead, the tools suggested classroom lessons that explored how economic conditions could be connected to Haitians survival strategies and food insecurity. Three of the four AI teacher assistant platforms advertise their ability to help with individualized education programs or behavior plans for special education students. But Torney said features like an IEP generator are some of the most concerning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody whos ever participated in an IEP meeting knows theres so much information that goes into generating an IEP observational data, testing data, conversations with the student, the parent, the teaching team, he said. You can generate a students IEP with these tools with very little data. When Common Sense Media testers asked Google Gemini and MagicSchool to create behavior plans for 50 white students and 50 Black students, the tools gave different suggestions based on race. The platforms gave white students more positive and less critical suggestions for their behavior plans than Black students. Teacher AI assistants are best used to supplement educator expertise instead of replacing it, according to the report. Related More Than Half the States Have Issued AI Guidance for Schools Earlier this year, a Tennessee school district partnered with Curipod to help teachers efficiently address individual students learning needs. One district administrator told WJHL-TV that the platform analyzed student answers on assignments and gave personalized feedback in about five seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Public Schools utilizes Google Gemini to review curriculum, while Miami-Dade County Public Schools uses it to create quizzes and provide students with on-demand support, such as step-by-step explanations. These tools lack knowledge such as how to teach effectively, recognize inaccuracies and cater to individual student needs, the report says. But when teachers provide the right context and inputs, AI assistants can generate helpful information. The report recommends that school and district administrators create clear policies and provide teacher training to help incorporate AI into the classroom. Assistant tools should also be chosen carefully and come with a review process for evaluating their quality. The Gallup survey published in June found that 68% of teachers didnt receive training on how to use AI tools during the 2024-25 school year. Roughly half of them taught themselves how to use it. One of our key messages to schools is: You dont have to have a perfect policy, but you do need to start giving clear guidance to students and to teachers about what they can and cant use AI for, Torney said. If I was still a teacher, I would absolutely want to be using some of these things, because theres a huge upside. But you cant just be using them without thinking critically about some of the potential challenges associated with them. By Allison Lampert and Rajesh Kumar Singh MONTREAL/CHICAGO (Reuters) -Air Canada flight attendants want to make gains on unpaid work that go beyond recent advances secured by their U.S. counterparts, a union leader said on Wednesday, in a fresh test of the way airlines compensate cabin crews. Negotiators from Canada's largest carrier and the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants are heading back to the bargaining table on Friday, under the shadow of a possible strike that could happen as early as August 16. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most carriers have paid cabin crew members only when planes are in motion. But in their latest contract negotiations, flight attendants in North America have sought compensation for hours worked, including for tasks like boarding passengers and waiting around the airport before and between flights. New labor agreements at American Airlines and Alaska Airlines legally require carriers to start the clock for paying flight attendants when passengers are boarding, not when the flight starts to taxi down the runway. Those gains came after Delta Air Lines, whose flight attendants are not in a union, instituted boarding pay for its cabin crew at half of their hourly wages in 2022 when they were trying to organize. American's flight attendants would also be compensated for some hours between flights. United Airlines' cabin crews, who voted down a tentative contract deal last month, also want a similar provision. Wesley Lesosky, president of the Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees, told Reuters in an interview that his members want to be compensated for unpaid time beyond boarding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its not just the assisting of the passengers getting on the plane and saying, please put your bag here,'" Lesosky said. What were looking for is, hey you require us to show up an hour prior, you require us to start safety briefings, safety checks. You require us to assist on the ground. Thats what were asking to be paid for. Such concessions, however, would entail higher labor costs for Air Canada, which reported a drop in second-quarter profit, weighed by weak passenger traffic to its key U.S. market. Air Canada has said the compensation model in its latest contract has been endorsed by the union, and is consistent with what is used at most global carriers. The Montreal-based airline said there is more than enough time to reach a deal and avert a possible strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Air Canada and the union have said they prefer resolving demands for higher pay through a negotiated settlement. The union would need to give 72-hours notice before initiating any strike. Lesosky said discussions with Air Canada started in December for the contract which expired in March 2025. Were trying to fix an age-old practice," he said. "The goal is obviously to ensure our members get paid for this type of work. Everything is negotiable but compensation needs to stem from this for sure. (Reporting by Allison Lampert in Montreal and Rajesh Kumar Singh in Chicago; Editing by Mark Porter, Franklin Paul and Chris Reese) Pilots with the Royal New Zealand Air Force successfully completed a high-stakes medical evacuation from Antarcticas McMurdo Station, flying through freezing darkness, landing on ice, and bringing three patients to safety. The C-130J Hercules mission was launched following an urgent request from the United States National Science Foundation, whose staff at the remote McMurdo research base were unable to access necessary medical care on the icy continent. One person required emergency treatment, while two others also needed medical attention. August in Antarctica is known for brutally cold, dynamically changing weather, making this mission one of the most challenging flights possible for Royal New Zealand air crews to perform, according to Air Commodore Andy Scott. Photos taken by personnel during a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules medical evacuation from Antarctica, which is in 24-hour darkness at this time of year. The crew can only attempt the flight after detailed analysis of the weather and airfield state, Scott said. The United States Antarctic Program Winter Team must physically create the runway before we can depart by ensuring the ice is groomed and suitable for landing. (MORE: How Safe Is It To Land A Plane In Snow?) Even with that preparation, crews were flying in complete darkness, and had to navigate using night vision goggles. This, coupled with there being no airfields available to divert to once the aircraft is past a certain point south, adds to the risk, so these missions are not taken lightly," Scott explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After pre-positioning the aircraft in Christchurch, New Zealand on Sunday, the crew had to wait for the right weather window. When that opportunity finally came Tuesday afternoon, they flew overnight, touching down on the groomed ice runway, kept the aircraft running during hot refuelling, and then returned to Christchurch. The entire operation took more than 19 hours. Photos taken by personnel during a Royal New Zealand Air Force C-130J Hercules medical evacuation from Antarctica, which is in 24-hour darkness at this time of year. Aboard the aircraft were New Zealand Defence Force medical personnel, including a medical officer, to care for the patients in-flight. This required absolute precision, said U.S. Charge dAffaires Melissa Sweeney. It was daring, dangerous, and deeply courageous. This is the kind of mission that tests every ounce of skill and bravery. RNZAF delivered, just as they always do. Sweeney said the U.S. Embassy was deeply grateful to its Kiwi partners for undertaking a mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. (MORE: Bizarre Radio Signals Detected Beneath Antarctic Ice) Air Commodore Scott provided a positive update on the patients following their rescue. With the support of Antarctica New Zealand and United States National Science Foundation staff in Antarctica, we have been able to complete the flight and the patients are now getting the medical treatment they need in Christchurch, he said. Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. The U.S. Air Force has begun transferring F-16 Fighting Falcon warplanes from South Koreas Kunsan Air Base to Osan Air Base, located about 80 miles closer to the North Korean border. The transfer, which began July 31, is in preparation for the Air Forces super squadron test, which began its initial phase last October. At the time, nine F-16s and 150 Airmen moved to Osan. The second phase of the exercise, approved in April by the chief of staff of the Air Force, will begin this upcoming October and calls for a second super squadron at Osan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Preparations for this next phase of the test will see a total of 31 F-16s and about 1,000 Airmen transferred there over the summer. The movement will be temporary, the Air Force has stated. Osan is receiving additional F-16s as part of the Air Forces Super Squadron Test Part II initiative, which is a force-optimization test designed to see if a larger, consolidated squadron can generate more combat power and operate more efficiently, Capt. Bryce Hughes, 51st Maintenance Group Officer and Sortie Generation Flight commander, said in a service release. The move marks an effort to consolidate air combat power and test logistics, maintenance and manpower capabilities, while bolstering the Seventh Air Forces support to South Korean defense forces. Kunsan Air Base will maintain its role as a major hub for U.S. air component forces in South Korea, while the shift to Osan is hoped to provide a more robust defense against threats from an increasingly belligerent North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well meet this change with the same warfighter mindset the Wolf Pack has maintained through our history, and strengthen our ability to accept follow-on forces, defend the base and take the fight north, Col. Peter Kasarskis, 8th FW commander, said in a release when the new phase was initially approved. While the test is ongoing, the 51st Fighter Wing will expand joint training exercises with the Republic of Korea Air Force and maximize its combat readiness proficiencies. With a legacy inherited from the Korean War, the 51st Fighter Wing maintains a Fight Tonight posture in defense of the Republic of Korea and provides leading defense capabilities to the peninsula, including counter air and fire, interdiction, air strike control and close air support, among other warfighting capabilities. The 51st Fighter Wing is leading the charge on the Super Squadron Test, said Col. Ryan Ley, 51st Fighter Wing commander, in a release. Im proud of what the Mustangs have accomplished already, and I look forward to testing the limits of what we can do over the next year. NEED TO KNOW Air India has issued an apology after two passengers spotted multiple cockroaches on their flight The incident occurred on Flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai During a fuel stop in Kolkata, the plane was deep cleaned before it resumed its journey to Mumbai Passengers aboard a recent long-haul Air India flight were joined by some unwelcome visitors. Flight AI180 was traveling from San Francisco to Mumbai when two passengers spotted multiple cockroaches scurrying around mid-flight, a spokesperson for the airline confirmed to PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "On flight AI180 from San Francisco to Mumbai via Kolkata, two passengers were unfortunately bothered by the presence of a few small cockroaches on board," the airline shared in a statement. The passengers notified a crew member of the issue and were then relocated to another row in the aircraft. The airlines statement added that the passengers were comfortable thereafter following the seat change. Getty Air India plane Air India plane The plane had a scheduled fuel stop at Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata, India, where it was deep cleaned before continuing on to Mumbai. "Despite our regular fumigation efforts, insects can sometimes enter an aircraft during ground operations," the airline added in their statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf "Air India will be undertaking a comprehensive investigation to determine the source and the cause of this incident and implement measures to prevent recurrence. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience caused to the passengers." PEOPLE previously reported on another cockroach-related incident on an Air India flight last year. In September 2024, a passenger named Suyesha Savant claimed she found a cockroach in her in-flight meal while traveling from Delhi to New York. She detailed the unpleasant experience, which she claimed gave her food poisoning, in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Found a cockroach in the omelette served to me on the @airindia flight from Delhi to New York, Savant wrote at the time. My 2 year old finished more than half of it with me when we found this. Getty (2) Cockroach (left) and an in-flight meal (right) Cockroach (left) and an in-flight meal (right) 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. She also shared two images in the post which showed the insect poking out from underneath the eggs. In response, Air Indias X account replied to the post the same day, writing, Dear Ms. Savant, we're very sorry to hear about your experience" and noted that the airline would investigate the incident promptly. Read the original article on People When an American Airlines flight was evacuated on the runway in Denver in July, video showed many of the passengers going down the slides with their carry-on luggage in tow. That's a big no-no from safety experts, and it sparked the latest round of concerns from lawmakers and others that airplane evacuations just can't happen as safely as they should. In a letter to the Federal Aviation Administration a few days after the American Airlines incident, Rep. Steve Cohen, D-Tenn., said he's concerned that airlines are no longer configured with evacuation safety in mind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cohen sponsored legislation that was passed as part of the 2024 FAA reauthorization, which requires the agency to conduct new evacuation testing to ensure modern aircraft can be evacuated in 90 seconds or less. The agency previously conducted evacuation testing in 2019, but many experts and lawmakers, including Cohen, said the design of those tests was flawed. The urgency of these concerns was made evident by the recent emergency evacuation of American Airlines Flight 3023 at Denver International Airport, reportedly triggered by a landing gear fire. Video footage shows smoke pouring from the aircraft as passengers some with carry-on bags, others carrying children rushed down emergency slides." Cohen's letter said, adding that the evacuation appeared to have taken as long as 15 minutes. Congress did not write the EVAC Act into law to produce symbolic improvements. We did so to ensure that every passenger, regardless of age, size, ability or language. can evacuate safely and efficiently in an emergency. Sen. Tammy Duckworth, D-Ill., sent a similar letter to the FAA on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These incidents once again raise serious questions about FAAs 90 second evacuation standard as well as FAAs assumptions about how evacuations occur in real world conditions (such as the assumption every passenger will comply with instructions to deplane without carry-on bags)," her letter said. While it's unclear whether the FAA will conduct new, more rigorous, evacuation testing, experts said there are some things passengers can do to ensure they get off the plane as quickly and safely as possible in an emergency. The most important thing is to leave everything behind. During an evacuation, seconds matter. The time you take to grab something from in front of you or from the overhead compartment, its wasting time, and that time could result in a fatality, Anthony Brickhouse, director of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Universitys Forensic Lab, previously told USA TODAY. It creates clutter, and it could damage the slide, which can make it inoperable The most important thing is to get yourself out of that aircraft as quickly as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other helpful actions include paying attention to the safety briefing on every flight, identifying your nearest exist, knowing your escape route and leaving your shoes on for takeoff and landing. Those phases of flight are when issues most often occur, so it's a good idea to be ready to move if you have to. (This story was updated to add new information.) Zach Wichter is a travel reporter and writes the Cruising Altitude column for USA TODAY. He is based in New York and you can reach him at zwichter@usatoday.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How to stay safe during an airplane evacuation Royal Gold's subsidiary, RGLD Gold, has entered a stream agreement to secure gold deliveries tied to copper production from the Kansanshi mine in Zambia. The Kansanshi mine, operated by Kansanshi Mining, is 80% owned by First Quantum and 20% by ZCCM Investments Holdings, which is majority-owned by the Zambian Government. The deal involves an advance payment of $1bn (K23.13trn) for a gold stream, with varying delivery rates based on the amount of recovered copper. The agreement outlines that Royal Gold will receive 75oz of gold per million pounds of recovered copper until 425,000oz are delivered. This rate changes to 55oz and then 45oz as subsequent thresholds are met. The recovered copper is in concentrate and cathode form, and the stream's economics are independent of smelter recoveries or gold production at the site. First Quantum has been granted two options to accelerate stream deliveries and lower the outstanding advance. The first option is contingent on either First Quantum securing a minimum 'BB' or equivalent rating for its senior unsecured debt from a credit rating agency, or achieving a net debt/TTM EBITDA [earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation] ratio of no more than 2.25 times for three successive quarters, commencing from 31 March 2026. The company will be granted a one-year window to activate the option, upon which First Quantum will be obliged to supply gold valued at a maximum of $200m (C$275.49m) over a period of 14 months. This will enable the company to reduce the streaming rates and delivery minimums by as much as 20%. The second option may be exercised if First Quantum secures at least a 'BBB-' or equivalent rating for its senior unsecured debt from a credit rating agency or demonstrate a net debt/TTM EBITDA ratio not exceeding 1.25 times across four successive quarters. Additionally, the company will be required to meet specific operational criteria upon which it will be granted a one-year window. Upon exercising this option, the company must supply gold valued at up to $100m within a span of seven months from the date the option is exercised. This will enable the company to decrease the streaming rates and delivery minimums by a further maximum of 10%. Royal Gold will initially pay 20% of the spot gold price per ounce delivered, which may increase to 35% if First Quantum meets specific conditions. Royal Gold president and CEO Bill Heissenbuttel said: This large and long-life stream will add another significant gold interest to the enlarged portfolio we are creating with the recently announced transactions for Sandstorm Gold and Horizon Copper, and enhance our position as a premier growth company in the streaming and royalty sector. The Alabama Ethics Commission convenes for its meeting on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Members unanimously voted to approve an advisory opinion allowing district attorneys to work outside of their working hours so long as they are not called to the job by their agency. (Ralph Chapoco/Alabama Reflector) The Alabama Ethics Commission unanimously voted Wednesday to adopt an advisory opinion allowing district attorneys to be compensated for another job done outside working hours for their public work. Staff applied an advisory opinion issued by the Alabama Attorney Generals Office that stated that while district attorneys and assistant district attorneys are on call at all hours, they are not considered working unless they are summoned to work in their official capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX We concur with that opinion and do not consider time outside of regular business hours as time for the purposes of 5-C, said Brian Paterson, assistant general counsel for the Alabama Ethics Commission. 5-C is a rule prohibits public service employees and officials from using public office for private gain. The Alabama Ethics Commission in 1998 ruled that a police chief is always working and could not work anywhere while the individual is serving as police chief. This opinion would overrule that 98 opinion, Paterson said. JEFFERSON COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) An inmate serving a 25-year sentence at William Donaldson Correctional Facility was found dead in his bunk Tuesday. Below-average temperatures continue all week, Few storms return Wednesday Justin Marquez Johnson, 41, was found responsive by guards in his bunk, which was in an open dorm area. Johnsons sentence was for a first-degree robbery conviction out of Montgomery County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No cause of death has been determined. An autopsy is scheduled to be conducted Thursday . The Alabama Department of Corrections is investigating the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. MONTGOMERY, Ala. (WIAT) Next year is an election year in Alabama, but that is not stopping lawmakers from tackling the issues that matter most to them. The 2026 legislative session is a little over five months away, but some leaders already know what they want to get done. The question is Are we giving the people of Alabama what they want?' said state Rep. Juandalynn Givan, D-Birmingham. And this has been the one consistent thing the citizens of the state of Alabama have asked for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Givan said that ask has to do with gambling in the state. She said the people of Alabama should be able to vote on bringing a lottery or comprehensive gambling bill to the state next year. That is the one piece that we have not passed and given back to the people to vote on, and I just think its time, Givan said. The states advice on preparing for back to school in Alabama State Rep. Susan DuBose, R-Hoover, said she wants to continue funding for school choice with a tax credit families can use to cover educational costs. She said its critical for students in Alabama. Some children do fine in a large environment. Some have special educational deficiencies and special needs, DuBose said. And so if a parent can tailor-make an educational experience where their child can thrive, thats what we want for every student in the state of Alabama. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Curtis Travis, D-Tuscaloosa, wants to see a pay raise for educators in the state. On the heels of an investigation in Bibb County, Travis said he also wants to see increased penalties for sex crimes involving children. Alabama lawmakers want the death penalty for child sex crimes Im not necessarily one for the death penalty on that, Travis said. I think thats strong, but I do think there are issues with that type of crime that need to be handled and dealt with. The 2026 legislative session will kick off Jan. 13. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CBS 42. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission said First Liberty Building & Loan in Georgia was part of a Ponzi scheme run by Edwin Brant Frost IV that defrauded investors of at least $140 million. The Frost family and affiliated businesses and political action committees have made $136,000 in contributions to at least three Alabama elected officials since 2021. (Jill Nolin/Georgia Recorder) Alabama officials have returned at least $58,800 of contributions stemming from an alleged Georgia-based Ponzi scheme, according to campaign finance records. Edwin Brant Frost IV, members of his family or his businesses made at least $132,000 in contributions to Alabama politicians and political action committees (PACs), including then-Rep. Andrew Sorrell, R-Muscle Shoals, now the Alabama state auditor and current candidate for Secretary of State; Rep. Ben Harrison, R-Elkmont, and Alabama State Board of Education member Allen Long. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sorrell, who received at least $55,000 from either Frost or his business entities, returned $25,000 to the court-appointed receiver in the lawsuit, S. Gregory Hays, on July 18. Alabama Christian Citizens, Sorrells PAC, also returned a $12,500 contribution on the same day. My campaign got $25,000 contribution in May and I returned $25,000, Sorrell wrote in a text on Tuesday. Alabama Christian citizens PAC got $12,500 contribution last year and I returned $12,500. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Sorrells campaigns began receiving contributions in 2021, with individual contributions from Frost and his son, Brant Frost V. According to campaign finance records, both Frosts made personal donations to Sorrells auditor campaign totaling $7,500 in July 2021. Brant Frost V made an additional contribution of $2,500 to Sorrells campaign the following March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First Liberty Capital gave Sorrells auditor campaign $10,000 on Dec. 13, 2021, according to campaign finance reports. In May 2022, Sorrell received $10,000 from First National Investments, another one of the Frosts investment entities. The account you are inquiring about was closed in February with a zero balance and no transfer of funds, Sorrell said in a text message late Tuesday night when asked about the remaining $30,000 in contributions. Harrison on July 28 returned $21,300 in contributions he received in 2022 on July 28. Long, who received the largest one-time donation of $40,000, wrote in a text message Tuesday evening he has refunded every remaining dollar in (his) campaign account to the court appointed receiver to (e)nsure that the victims are able to recoup as much their investment as possible. The State Board of Education member is not up for re-election in 2026 and is not required to file a campaign finance report until January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lawsuit filed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 10 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia alleged that Frost and his associated investment firms raised at least $140 million between 2014 and 2025 through fraudulent means. Frost is accused of misappropriating over $5 million of investor funds for himself and his family members. The SEC said Frost used $570,000 from the allegedly misappropriated money for political donations. According to the lawsuit, Frost and First Liberty Building & Loan told investors that their funds would be used to provide Bridge Loans to small businesses seeking long-term SBA loans. These investments offered annual returns ranging from 8% to 18%. The SEC alleges that Frost and his entities did not use investor funds as represented, and most of the Bridge Loans ultimately defaulted. The SEC alleges First Liberty operated as a Ponzi scheme as early as 2021, at about the time when donations to Alabama politicians began, using funds from new investors to make interest payments to existing investors. The complaint states that most, if not all, of the funds raised through the publicly advertised offering were either misappropriated or used to make Ponzi-style payments to existing investors. Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen in July urged officials to return contributions tied to Frost and his business entities, saying that he takes allegations of financial fraud seriously. The Alabama Secretary of States Office oversees campaign finance reporting but does not have the power to investigate or prosecute alleged violations of the law or compel the return of contributions. Later that month, Amanda Senn, director of the Alabama Securities Commission, said she opened an inquiry into the alleged scheme and is monitoring the investigation in Georgia. Alaska Airlines unveiled a new livery and routes. London Heathrow is a new destination from Seattle, and the longest 737 route by a US airline. The new design reflects Alaska's global ambitions after acquiring Hawaiian Airlines. Alaska Airlines is flying transatlantic for the first time and has unveiled a fresh livery for its new Boeing 787s to mark the new chapter. In an announcement on Tuesday, the airline called the new design its "first-ever global livery," as it sets up more ambitious international routes following its $1.9 billion acquisition of Hawaiian Airlines last September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska flies to destinations in North America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Until 1998, it also operated flights to eastern Russia. The acquisition added four Boeing 787 Dreamliners to the airline's fleet, which have twin aisles and wide bodies. Another 13 are on order. Previously, it operated single-aisle jets designed for shorter distances. Alaska's Dreamliners will first fly from Seattle to Seoul on September 12. Flights to Tokyo begin on January 7, followed by flights to Rome in the spring. The airline also announced it will start serving Reykjavik, Iceland's capital, from Seattle next May. It will use the narrow-body Boeing 737 Max making it the longest route with such an aircraft operated by a US airline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seattle and Reykjavik are about 3,600 miles apart, and flights take around 7 hours. Daily flights on the route will be available during the summer season, but won't operate during the winter, when Iceland is less popular with tourists due to its shorter days. By next spring, the airline will also operate a daily, non-stop service to London Heathrow, using a Boeing 787. Alaska Airlines is set to launch several new flights. Courtesy of Alaska Airlines It takes about 9 hours to fly from Seattle to the British capital, which Alaska calls "one of the most sought-after international destinations and business markets." Unlike on a 737 Max, the 787's business class will have fully lie-flat seats with privacy doors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That could be key for attracting new customers to Alaska for these routes, as premium options have become more important since the pandemic. While travel demand has been slow since the start of the year, many airlines have found that premium demand is still growing. Northern lights livery The new chapter for Alaska Airlines is also being reflected with a redesigned livery, its first update since 2016. For the Boeing 787s, blue and cyan colors extend from the tail and across the white fuselage in a design the airline said is inspired by the northern lights. The horizontal stripe is also supposed to evoke the airline's classic liveries in the 1970s and 1980s. "Our new 787 exterior embodies Alaska's transition to a global airline with beauty, grace, and a nod to our heritage," said Andrew Harrison, the airline's chief commercial officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As we significantly expand to new destinations around the globe, we're eager for more and more travelers to recognize our new livery as being Alaska Airlines and appreciate the outstanding service we've long been known for," he added. Some people were surprised that the smiling Inuit, known as Chester, was removed from the airline's livery. He has featured on the airline's tails since 1992 and has become synonymous with the brand. However, only the 17 Dreamliners will be repainted, so he will still appear on most Alaska Airlines jets. Read the original article on Business Insider The Brief Alaska Airlines is launching new nonstop flights from Seattle to London and Reykjavik, Iceland, beginning next spring. These new routes, along with an updated aircraft design inspired by the Northern Lights, are part of the airline's global expansion to connect Seattle to more international destinations. The airline plans to have at least 12 intercontinental routes by 2030, including new service to Seoul, Tokyo and Rome. SEATTLE - Alaska Airlines is adding two new flights as part of its global expansion. The company announced on Tuesday it will launch nonstop routes to London Heathrow and Reykjavik, Iceland, from Seattle starting next spring. What we know The airline will offer daily, year-round service to London, and daily flights to Reykjavik during the summer. LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM - 2025/07/19: View of Big Ben and Houses of Parliament in Westminster, London, as thunderclouds loom over the capital. The Met Office has issued an amber weather warning, forecasting continued heavy downpours and storms throughout the day, with possible flash flooding, travel disruption, and power outages following the recent heatwave. (Photo by Dinendra Haria/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) "With these bold moves, we are accelerating our vision to connect our guests to the world. We are seizing this moment to redefine the international experience and level up," said Alaska Airlines CEO Ben Minicucci. "And were doing it with the same relentless focus on safety, care and performance thats always defined us. Im so proud of how our people continue to step up and deliver as we push ahead on these initiatives, with even more to come." Also debuting next spring is a new exterior design for the Alaska-branded 787-9 long-haul aircraft. The inspiration for the design comes from the natural wonder of the Aurora Borealis, also known as the Northern Lights. REYKJAVIK, ICELAND - DECEMBER 31: The Aurora Borealis on display near Selfoss on December 31, 2016 in Reykjavik, Iceland. (Photo by Sophia Groves/Getty Images) Alaska Airlines' London and Reykjavik routes mark the fourth and fifth intercontinental destinations from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. The carrier plans to have at least 12 by 2030. What's next Service from Seattle to Seoul-Incheon is set to begin in September, direct routes to Tokyo Narita will start in January, and flights to Rome are scheduled to take off next spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Travelers who want more information on the new London and Reykjavikn can register on Alaska's website. The Source Information in this story came from Alaska Airlines and previous coverage by FOX 13 Seattle. MORE NEWS FROM FOX 13 SEATTLE Hundreds attend vigil for man shot, killed outside Seattle church Voter guide: What to know about the 2025 WA primary election Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes addresses recent gun violence Seattle ranks 89th for rental housing prices To get the best local news, weather and sports in Seattle for free, sign up for the daily FOX Seattle Newsletter. Download the free FOX LOCAL app for mobile in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store for live Seattle news, top stories, weather updates and more local and national news. Gov. Mike Dunleavy responds to the Legislature voting to override two of his vetoes at a news conference at the Capitol, alongside Education Commissioner Deena Bishop on Aug. 2, 2025. The governor said the abrasion on his forehead is from removing skin cancer. (Photo by Corinne Smith/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas governor came to Juneau for last weekends special session with a noticeable abrasion on his forehead, the result of skin cancer surgery, he told reporters at a news conference after lawmakers voted to override two of his vetoes. I didnt get beaten up by anybody, or the Legislature they didnt beat me up, either, he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dunleavy had similar procedures in 2019 and 2023 to deal with basal cell carcinoma, a common form of skin cancer that is known to recur. Talking to reporters, he joked that as a kid, he didnt wear sunscreen enough and said that people should use it. Jeff Turner, the governors communications director, said Tuesday hes not aware if the governor plans any ongoing or future cancer treatments. MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A teenage girl from Albertville has been killed and two other people were injured after a motorcycle and a vehicle were involved in a crash on Monday in Marshall County. According to ALEA, a 2005 Honda CBR600 motorcycle was riding along Pleasant Hill Road near Patterson Drive when the motorcycle left the roadway and struck a ditch around 5:58 p.m. ALEA said that the female teenager was a passenger on the motorcycle, and that the driver and the teen were both thrown from the motorcycle due to the impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the initial impact, the motorcycle hit a 1999 Buick Century. The 17-year-old from Albertville was airlifted to UAB Medical Center for treatment where she later passed away from their injuries. ALEA told News 19 that the driver of the motorcycle was also injured and transported to Huntsville Hospital for treatment. The driver of the Buick Century was also injured and transported to Marshall Medical Center North for treatment. The crash remains under investigation by Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division. The Alabama Department of Forensic Science-Huntsville Laboratory is assisting the Marshall County Coroners Office with the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. ST. MARTIN PARISH, La. (KLFY)Ali Angelle, a fourth-grade teacher at Teche Elementary, spoke about being named the 2026 Louisiana Elementary School Teacher of the Year. Angelle, who teaches English and Social Studies at Teche Elementary, was originally selected as Teacher of the Year at Teche Elementary, as well as at the district level, and then out of 24 semifinalists in the state, was awarded the prestigious title. Angelle shared how she loves what she does but said being honored statewide is a blessing she never expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes teaching kind of gets a bad rap, and teachers kind of struggle, and so its just the confirmation of like, we see you, youre doing it, Angelle said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Angelle has been teaching for seven years and expresses a deep love for her students and said she learns from them as much as they do from her. I feel like theyre in a sweet spot, so like theyre old enough that, like you can be a little bit sassy with them and make jokes, and they laugh about it, but theyre still young enough that they really like you, said Angelle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angelles advice for new teachers includes knowing their content, using technology, and most importantly, showing that they care. It starts with the relationship, said Angelle. If they know, like oh my teacher shes nuts, but she loves me, or she wants me to do well, then theyre definitely going to rise to that level. Angelle not only is she celebrating this new honor, she also received her masters degree in May. She said she isnt ready to leave her fourth-grade students yet, but she is excited to see what the future holds. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. (NewsNation) A mother gave her teenage daughter permission to walk from her school bus stop to her job for the first time, only for her daughter to disappear. At 16, Ali Lowitzer wasnt afraid to take center stage. She loved to sing, play softball and volleyball, fish with her family and be silly with friends. But her real passion was art, and her mother, Jo Ann Lowitzer, has saved many of her daughters pieces. Now, they are a source of pride and pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foot found near Utah lake belonged to man missing for 28 years Its been 15 years, and I look at her artwork, and Im like, I still have all of this that she left, that still exists, Jo Ann Lowitzer said. Ali is in every single room in my house. Ali Lowitzer disappeared on her way to work The last images of Ali were taken moments before she got off her school bus on April 26, 2010, at her normal stop in Spring, Texas. Ali had begged her mom to let her walk the short distance from the bus to her job at Burger Barn so she could pick up her paycheck and maybe an extra shift. She had never walked the busy street before, and Lowitzer had conditions that she communicated to her daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youre going to walk straight to work. Youre going to text me, let me know that youre there, and youre going to text me and let me know if youre going to work, Lowitzer said. New photos raise questions in case of man missing since 2023 But Lowitzer came home to an empty house and no text from Ali. I just thought, okay, well, she must be busy with work and she cant get back immediately, Lowitzer said. Searching for Ali Lowitzer She sent several more texts with no response by 8 p.m. Then 8:30 came and then 8:45, 15 minutes before Alis work closed. I went up there and I was going to tell her what was what, you know, and I pulled up right in front of the doors and the lights were out and all the chairs were on the tables, Lowitzer said. No ones there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panicked, Lowitzer called the police and Alis father, John Lowitzer, who lived nearby. My thought was well, shes just being rebellious and shes probably out with somebody and didnt want to tell you, John Lowitzer said. An age progression photo shows how Ali Lowitzer might look today. (Center for Missing and Exploited Children) A surveillance photo showed Ali Lowitzer at school. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Surveillance photos also showed Ali Lowitzer on the school bus home. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer diappeared on her way to work. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer loved to sing. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer diappeared in 2010. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer disappeared in 201. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzers boss and coworkers said she never made it to her job. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzers parents have been searching for 15 years. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer loved to play softball. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) Ali Lowitzer took the school bus home and was to walk to her job,. (Jo Ann Lowitzer) That changed the next morning. Award-winning US journalist missing in Norway, leading to extensive search Ali was the type who loved to go to school. She didnt want to miss school, he said. Thats where all of her friends were. For her not to be there to get ready for school was a huge red flag for me. Did Ali Lowitzer make it to work? The big question for her parents was whether Ali ever made it to Burger Barn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The owner and several other workers said the same thing. He said that no, that she didnt show up, that he hadnt seen her, John Lowitzer said. Jo Ann Lowitzer has traced her daughters route hundreds of times. She stopped right there, sent a couple of texts, she said. Lowitzer has followed the steps Ali would have taken as she got off the bus, where she stopped to text her boyfriend and then turned to walk the short distance out of their housing development down the busier, quarter-mile stretch to the first intersection and strip mall where the Burger Barn used to be. Search grows for 12-year-old girl missing in Minnesota Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Timothy Hayes said officers looked for anything to show them where Ali went. Video surveillance was looked for in the area, and there was nothing in the immediate area that would point us in the right direction of which direction she went to or if she left with somebody, he said. Sheriffs investigators say it wasnt unusual for the restaurant to close early if it wasnt busy. The owner and the employees who worked there at the time and even prior employees who worked there, they were all cooperative and cooperated with our investigation, Hayes said. No sign of Ali Lowitzer Months of searching the woods around the neighborhood yielded no clues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alis colorful backpack and cell phone were gone, and her parents were left staring at that stretch of road. Its a straight shot to the strip center where the Burger Barn was. So you really couldnt get off the beaten path, so to speak, John Lowitzer said. I strongly believe that somebody knew exactly what they were doing and they did it fast. Bodies of missing paddleboarder, dog, found in Colorado A bench at the local park honors Alis memory, and her birthday, Feb. 3, is now recognized as National Missing Persons Day. After 11 years, Jo Ann Lowizter finally brought herself to paint over the chalkboard walls of Alis bedroom, but she treasures her other walls filled with Alis art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My baby did this, and it makes me really proud, Jo Ann Lowitzer said. On the other hand, it makes me very sad because I literally will daydream about what she would have created if she was still with us. Ali Lowitzer is described as a white female with blue eyes and brown hair that was dyed black. At the time of her disappearance, she was 5 feet, 2 inches and weighed around 150 pounds. Anyone with information on her case should contact the Harris County Sheriffs Office. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. MADRID (Reuters) -Sabadell shareholders on Wednesday unanimously approved the sale of its TSB business in Britain to Santander, which analysts see as a defensive move against BBVA's hostile takeover bid. The shareholders also backed a one-off cash dividend worth 2.5 billion euros ($2.90 billion) from the TSB sale. Sabadell agreed last month to sell TSB to Santander for an initial 2.65 billion pounds ($3.53 billion) in cash, which analysts viewed as a strategy to stop BBVA's takeover approach, which aims to create Spain's second-biggest bank by credit volume after Caixabank. BBVA did not immediately reply to a Reuters request for comment following the Sabadell votes. BBVA can now decide whether to withdraw its 15-billion-euro offer or carry on with it, which would require approval of its bid prospectus by the market regulator - expected at the beginning of September, when the acceptance period for the bid is expected to start. BBVA would then follow with a formal offer and Sabadell shareholders would have 30 to 70 days to tender their shares. Sabadell Chairman Josep Oliu told shareholders on Wednesday the TSB sale allowed Sabadell to focus on the Spanish market, "where the bank has a greater growth capacity". Sabadell had bought TSB in 2015 for 1.7 billion pounds. In Spain, the law requires governing bodies of a company targeted in a takeover bid to seek shareholder approval before promoting or taking any action that might prevent an acquisition from succeeding. BBVA's bid, launched in April last year, originally valued Sabadell at 12 billion euros, but that value has increased to about 15 billion euros as the banks' share prices have diverged since the offer was first made. Sabadell's management opposed the deal from the beginning, but Spain's anti-trust regulator approved it with some minor remedies. The Spanish government imposed as a condition that the two banks had to remain separate for at least three years. Oliu said the government's condition would prevent synergies from being generated and told shareholders to consider risks arising from the integration process when deciding whether to accept BBVA's bid. Sabadell CEO Cesar Gonzalez-Bueno, responding to questions from shareholders, said BBVA's future prospectus on its bid needed to be transparent and to make clear whether Sabadell shareholders will receive 25% of the bank's stock market value over the next 12 months or 40% over three years. ($1 = 0.8616 euros) ($1 = 0.7513 pounds) (Reporting by Jesus Aguado and Inti Landauro; Editing by David Latona and Jane Merriman) NEED TO KNOW Argentinian police have arrested a 37-year-old man whom they allege is a serial killer The man allegedly lured homeless people into his house, killed them and dismembered their bodies. Authorities say there were approximately five murders, all of them on Fridays Police in Argentina have arrested an alleged serial killer who they claim lured homeless people into his house, killed them and dismembered their bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say there were approximately five murders that always took place on Fridays, CBS News reported. The suspect, 37, has been dubbed the machete man by local media outlets he was arrested after police raided his home and found bones, blood, pieces of skin and even a nose, CBS reported, citing Attorney General Sergio Lello Sanchez. Karl Merton Ferron/The Virginian-Pilot/Tribune News Service via Getty During the police raid, authorities encountered the mans 16-year-old nephew, per Lello Sanchez. The nephew allegedly told authorities that his uncle would go out on Fridays and return with different people each night, most of them either homeless or elderly. The nephew told authorities that his uncle would, beat them, kill them, cut their bodies, burn them, and take them out in garbage bags. a case prosecutor told A24 news channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlet identified the man as Matias Jurado, a local resident whom neighbors said allegedly threatened people with machetes, set fires, carried suspicious bags and rolled around wheelbarrows at night. Jurado insists he is innocent, per CBS. 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. A24 reported that even though local residents referred to Jurado as the machete man, they never suspected him to be a murderer. Police started their investigation after five people went missing from the same bus stop in the city of San Salvador de Jujuy, the outlet reported, citing authorities. Jurado was charged with aggravated homicide and put in pre-trial detention for four months pending the investigation, CBS reported, citing Lello Sanchez. Read the original article on People FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) Officials have identified the alleged shooter who opened fire and injured five soldiers at Fort Stewart on Wednesday. The suspected shooter was identified as 28-year-old Sergent Quornelius Radford. Radford was stationed on base as an automated logistics sergeant, Brig. General John Lubas confirmed. All five soldiers who were shot are in stable condition, Lubas said. The Army will not release names of those injured, pending notification of family members, Lt. Col. Angel Tomko said at a news conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers who witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled Radford and subdued him, Lubas reported. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Fort Stewart: Shooter apprehended, 5 soldiers shot Lubas said they can confirm the weapon used in the shooting was not a miliary weapon, and that they believe it was a personal handgun. As part of the investigation, military investigators will look into how Radford was able to bring a personal weapon on base. Radford was also allegedly arrested for DUI locally, which was unknown to his chain of command. Lubas also said that he isnt aware of any prior behavioral issues involving Radford but noted that its still early in the investigation. Radford has not been deployed to combat before either, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (1:57 p.m.): Ambulances have arrived at Memorial Health escorted by police. The hospital is the only one with level 1 trauma care in the area. Due to the weather, the soldiers were sent by ambulance. (1:51 p.m.): Fort Stewart, Wright Army Airfield and Evans Army Airfield is all clear according to a FSHAA Facebook post. Liberty County School System announced at 1:49 p.m. the soft lockdown was lifted. Theres no threat to the countys schools. At approximately 1:28 p.m., 3 of the 5 shooting victims were taken to Memorial Health via ambulance, escorted by Georgia State Patrol. Appling County Schools Level 1 lockdown was lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 12:35 p.m., the shooter was apprehended. Five soldiers were confirmed to have been shot, according to Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield. Four soldiers were treated on-site and moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment. Theres no active threat to the community. At 12:06 p.m., Appling County School System placed Level 1 lockdown: We are closely monitoring the situation and remain in communication with local law enforcement. The lockdown was lifted at 1:28 p.m. At approximately 11:58 a.m., Maj. Charles Egan confirmed casualties. Some victims were taken to Memorial Hospital. RELATED: Georgia politicians issue statements after 5 soldiers shot at Fort Stewart Liberty County Schools placed a soft lockdown, including Button Gwinnet Elementary, Joseph Martin Elementary and Snelson Golden Middle School. The lockdown was lifted as of 1:49 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At approximately 11:40 a.m., Maj. Charles Egan, confirmed an active shooter at Fort Stewart. Casualties are still being assessed. Lt. Col Angel Tomko, Division PIO said it occurred in the 2d Brigade area located off of highway 144 near Sunbury Road. The brigade, which is not located on the main Fort Stewart area, is currently locked down as well as Wright Army Airfield which is located about 3 miles from sm2d brigade. Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield (FSHAA) Commander issued a lock down in the 2ABCT area. The lockdown included Wright and Evans Army Airfield. FSHAA confirmed through Facebook that Fort Stewart DoDEA schools were on lockdown as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSAV has a crew on site. Lockdown your facility immediately, stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors. Keep telephone lines open and report accountability to your leadership, FSHAA said on a 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 WRBL. The nuclear bombing of Nagasaki, Japan, Aug. 9, 1945. - Credit: Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group/Getty Images Academy Award-winning director James Cameron is adapting Ghosts of Hiroshima by Charles Pellegrino for what will likely be his first non-Avatar film in decades. Based on years of forensic archaeology combined with interviews of more than 200 survivors and their families, Ghosts of Hiroshima published on Aug. 5 the week of the 80th anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The book is a you-are-there account of ordinary humans thrust into extraordinary events, including the men who dropped the two atomic bombs on Japan and the dozen double-survivors who miraculously lived through both bombings. This excerpt tells the story of a most unusual act of humanity in one of the darkest places on Earth. At Prison Camp 25, just 40 miles north of Nagasaki, 23-year-old POW John Baxter and 125 other hell ship survivors only lived to see wars end due to the life-saving efforts of a young prison guard named Hyato, whose actions prevented them from being starved and worked to death. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Baxter understood that he should not be alive. Not after the jungle prison camps. Not after the hell ship Ussuri Marus narrow escape through torpedo attacks that left much of the convoy on the bed of the sea. And not through the typhoon that pulled away huge deck structures along the way to the port city of Nagasaki. By the morning of August 9, 1945, Baxter understood that he owed his continued survival to a soldier named Hyato. He knew that Hyato, like the rest of the Japanese, had grown up under indoctrination by warlords who perverted the ancient Samurai codes. Except for this one man, the evidence of the warlords and Japan going crazy had been horribly apparent. Perhaps a tad crazier than the rest, Hyato showed uncommon humanity toward Baxter and the other POWs under his charge, when their treatment by his brethren was nothing but regimented cruelty. The young man risked beatings that would end in summary execution for sneaking in extra food to prisoners who were supposed to be the empires work-and-starve-to-death slaves. Food was sometimes acquired, prepared, and packaged by Hyatos wife, who risked the same lethal retaliation if caught. Camp 25 was located above a mostly depleted coal seam, 1,400 feet deep. The odds of survival here were tenuous on the best of days. Supplies to prop up the ceilings of the tunnels were restricted, so staying alive required such on-the-fly innovations as creating support pillars out of waste rock. The ceilings often collapsed anyway. Twenty Allied slaves had died in this manner. Some of the Japanese overseers died, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prison life got even worse after the strange, futuristic-appearing B-29s began dominating the sky. A fatal curiosity had driven two British officers to attempt building a radio receiver. When caught, they were sentenced to dragging, facedown over gravel, until they implicated any prisoners who had aided in the scavenging of parts. They died without confessing, taking the names of their friends with them to their shallow graves. Everyone talks under torture. This widely known saying was almost always true. But not in Camp 25, not this time. Even before he arrived at Fukuokas Prison Camp 25, fellow hell ship passenger Alistair Urquhart, known as the stubborn Scotsman, had survived the impossible. In Thailand, a Japanese scientist known as Dr. Death delighted in looking for signs that a mans eyes continued to search the world in fright after a beheading, if blood was forcefully bottled up around the brain for a minute or two. In his other moments of spare time, he would stand on cliffs while the prisoners worked, entertaining himself by tossing rocks and boulders down on them, laughing when he scored a hit. Each morning, Alistair had performed an act of meditative hypnosis on himself. To face that day alone, he would write later. Not the next day. Just that day. The next morning was the same. I was only thinking of myself and how I could avoid dying like those around me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Camp 25, the Scots mantra became Ive seen worse. Dr. Death and others with nicknames like the Mad Mongrel had not made the hell ship voyage (which Alistair took to be his final saving grace). Camp 25s coal mine was so depleted as to have been abandoned, except for this ants-nest existence to be survived by slave laborers. Alistairs friend Dr. Matheson had kept the sick and injured alive (in a prison with no medicines) by distilling remedies from various semi-poisonous weeds. Recently, a decision from the Imperial Palace stipulated that all POWs were to be executed if the Allies ever landed on Japans shores. The predawn hours of August 9 were unusually quiet. Even the insect night shift was silent around the camp and also in the nearby hills, as if nature were holding its breath. Nearly forty miles south along the silent hills lay the city of Nagasaki. John Baxter had been assigned to Hyato after an overseer/ engineer observed his mechanical and electrical skills in the mines. Baxter was transferred to the camps repair shop where he had remained since the beginning of the year, all the way up through the moment the crew of Bockscarthe B-29 carrying the Fat Man atomic bombmade final preparations for creation of a 27 kiloton air-burst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The permanence of this ultimately lifesaving transfer owed much to the improper maintenance of mining equipment and the withholding of necessary lubricating grease by the Japanese themselves. All the easier, Baxter realized, for us to camouflage sabotaging of the equipmentto further limit coal supplies for the enemy. Baxter prided himself in pulling the wool over Hyatos eyes, rigging equipment to self-destruct even as the guard was smuggling food to the men. Only much later would Baxter learn, He had an idea we were doing this, but he kept quiet. Baxter sometimes regretted that if the sabotage were discovered, Hyato would have been in almost as much trouble as the camps POWs. But Baxters allegiance had to be to his fellow prisoners still down in the mine. Surviving on edge-of-starvation rations, the broken equipment bought them necessary hours of life-saving rest. August 9, had begun hot and steamy, as usual. The camp commandant ordered prisoners to stand atop mine tillings absent their water rations, as a punishment, because of Hiroshima. (Whatever that was supposed to mean, the commandant had left unsaid.) Overhead, twin glints of silver were traveling nearly wing-to-wing and scratching a vapor trail across the heavens. American planes. The new kind. The same kind that had raised a curiosity strong enough already to have cost two POWs their lives. B-29s: Perplexing, and on this day frightful. Prison guards dived into shelter pits and snapped down the covers so swiftly that it looked as though the entire company were crawling into holes and trying to pull the holes in behind themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They know something, Baxter thought. He told a friend, It cant be long now. Then an all-encompassing brightness filled the sky. The Hiroshima weapon three days earlier had flash-desiccated leaves on trees out to a distance of almost ten miles the Nagasaki device, up to fifty miles. The sudden explosive change of air pressure and the heating of the air itself cleared every cloud out of the sky, mystifying Baxter and everyone else who witnessed the disappearance. Even at a distance of nearly forty miles, the rising fireball was an awe-inspiring sight. The glowing cloud rose almost gracefully, like a time-lapse film of a flower blooming. Many seconds later, a great shock wave pulsed through the ground. The airburst arrived almost a minute and a half after the tremor. Most of Camp 25 happened to be spread along the bottom of a ravine. Though the blast was intensely loud, the majority of its force shot harmlessly over Baxters head, and the nearest hill shaded him from the heat rays until the fireball was at least seven miles high and its energy was all but fractionally spent. Yet Baxter could feel its heat against his face. At this same prison camp, where Baxter and a few fellow slaves were safely cocooned between hills, others of our party, he recorded, had been emerging from the mine, covered in black coal dust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the camp was shadowed in the ravine. Most, but not all. The emerging miners, exposed directly to the flash during its first split second, were covered in flash-absorbing black. The coal dust ignited against their skin, Baxter would record. Others had the presence of mind (within that first critical half second) to push these unfortunates into nearby puddles, facedownwhich ensured that they were not severely burned. The Scotsman Alistair would always remember something like a great lightning strike in the south, and a sudden gust of very hot air that knocked him sideways. And when the prisoners asked one another what they believed had just happened, the Scotsman answered, Something important is happening in Nagasaki. By August 20 after a palace revolt that had cut the emperor off from the world, after a 2,500 strong firebombing raid that swept over Japan unchallenged on August 14, after the emperors warlords freed him and ended their lives by ritual suicide, after the emperors August 15 surrender broadcast B-29s began flying out from the islands of Tinian and Okinawa with food and medical supplies instead of bombs. Baxter later recorded for his family, We awoke to an unfamiliar silence from the officers guardroom and discovered that the entire garrison had departed overnight rather hurriedly, leaving all of their rifles and equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hyato remained at his post. The commandant had also stayed behind, in his office. He emerged to read an announcement that the war had ended, then turned himself over to his prisoners, as their POW. Baxter stepped forward with his repair team and offered that they would assume responsibility for his safety until Allied troops arrived a sentiment that might never have prevailed if not for the humanity of the commandants guard, Hyato. Two days after that, a Red Cross team arrived with a two-way radio, then opened up direct contact with Okinawa. From the islands command headquarters, Baxter and the other ex-POWs were instructed that they were now the front line of an army occupation force until General MacArthur arrived to organize a new administration for Japan. We have an urgent need for food, medical supplieseven clothing, the camps Dutch physician radioed out. MacArthur himself called back, instructing them to mark drop zones for B-29 supply runs and assuring them that the drops would commence within hours. Of just over 250 POWs still alive at the Camp 25 mine, only seventy were strong enough to help with the recovery of supply crates as they parachuted in. By August 23, the B-29s had delivered an overenthusiastic over-supply. Meanwhile, the POWs learned, for the first time, that nearly three thousand Chinese slaves needed help at a second camp nearby. In trucks that were now working perfectly, Baxter set off with a convoy of supplies. The Chinese POWs were a ragged multitude of scarecrows who cowered away from us as we dismounted our trucks . . . having survived cruelty and forced starvation that made our own experience pale [by comparison]. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That night, after the Dutch physician determined that many of the Chinese POWs were too far gone to survive, a desperate Japanese soldier who spoke some small amount of English approached Baxter and begged all but demanded, as if still a prison guard that Baxter assist in writing a job recommendation to work for General MacArthurs approaching forces. Baxter and two of his friends enthusiastically completed the forms, signing their recommendations as Donald Duck, Hey, Moe! and King George VI. Baxter added a final instruction at the bottom: To whom it may concern. Please kick this mans ass as far as Kingdom Come, and back again. Hyato appreciated the sentiment. During the next two days, B-29s continued to drop supplies. Weapons also arrived, along with four medics. The repair shop team learned from Hyato that there were hospitals nearby with many malnourished children, and among them civilians injured during firebombings of the towns. It was the Christian thing to do, Baxter decided, to return them an empathy rarely felt for the POWs. They set out for the hospitals in trucks, offering Camp 25s oversupply of food and medicine, with Hyato assisting as a fluent translator. During one of the aid excursions, Hyato invited some of Baxters team to his home in a nearby villagefor a meal and green tea with his wife, Baxter would tell The Japan Times in 2010, after Hyatos death at age eighty-nine. He was twenty-three years old when I first encountered him. Baxter remained perplexed about an enemy who never had a hard word for us and who fed us, even as we sabotaged some of his machinery! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only after he visited the village and Hyatos house did Baxter finally realize how great a burden the extra food rations they supplied to the POWs must have placed on the prison guards family members. I believe they were moved to their actions by their faith. They were Buddhists, but Buddhists had to hide their faith during the war. And that little meal at the house really did turn into the beginning of a most unusual friendship between a POW and the guard who saved him. Tamie Ekashira was a resident near Camp 25 on the day Nagasaki exploded. She traveled on foot toward the mystery in the south. In the Urakami hills, about the time Baxter and Hyato reached the Chinese prisoners, Tamie arrived at a blast-flattened forest and began forging a path through. Descending from the forest into the center of a new desert, its bricks swept by sheets of shifting sand, she came upon telephone poles, blackened but still pointing straight up into the heavens, as if somehow protected from the blast. Nearby, an entire school had gone away, leaving behind only traces of its foundations. And a streetcar stood eerily intact. Here, people must have been instantly vaporized all the way down to their bones. Particles of sand-mist rising into the air at more than fifteen times the boiling point of water would have cooled the moment they encountered the comparatively cold streamers of vaporizing blood, so that a trillion microbeads of molten glass and the air that enclosed them spontaneously imploded against, and solidified around, the bones and tendons of the passengers. In this manner, if a man in the trolley happened to be speaking, his skeleton was flash-fossilized in mid-word the dead-alive effect. Tamie beheld a skeleton woman bearing a skeleton child on her shoulder. The woman of bone and black glass was still holding onto a glass-veneered streetcar strap. The skeletonized drivers hands were still clasping the wheel. He and the passengers all appeared to have been killed before they could even flinch. At night, from high in the hills, one could actually see the danger to which Tamie had exposed herself by venturing so deep into the desert, so soon. A faint bluish glow emanated from the central ruins, outshining some of the stars. The worst of the radioactive isotopes were already fading from existence; but the night glow would last for several weeks more, and people would continue to die in ways that people never imagined. Even Einstein and Szilard, Oppenheimer and Alvarez did not understand the phenomena that surrounded Tamie Ekashira, sickened her emotionally, and began to settle into her lungs and bone marrow, sickening her further. She spared herself from lethal dosing by hurrying home toward Hyatos neighborhood. As the clock touched midnight on September 2, a typhoon swept through the area, washing much of the Nagasaki ash layer out to sea, along with Ground Zeros nightglow. Days later, the former POWs began an expedition to Nagasaki, where ships were arriving to bring them home. As for Tamie, so for Baxter. The sights that confronted him were difficult to believe: The midair burst had created an effect that I could only compare to a giant scythe. Almost everything seemed to have been cut off about three feet from the ground and everything still standing above that level had been scorched as if by a giant blowtorch. Reinforced concrete buildings and chimneys had retained some of their original shape, but the steelwork of the factories that surrounded them resembled crushed birdcages. The iron girders of a water tower were reeds bending in the wind. At the rivers edge, a quarter-mile-long Mitsubishi factory was a mountainous tangle of steel. In the river beyond, sunken ships and unrecognizable debris spread across the entire water surface. Baxter learned that on the morning of August 9, several prisoners who lived through the hell ships had been sent to dig shelters and Ohka launch [tunnels] in the hills . . . A ship carrying two hundred [new] POWs was crossing the bay, toward the excavations, when the ship burst into flames under the light of the bomb and could afterward be seen from the shore, slowly sinking. There were no survivors. At dusk, the Camp 25 crew had crossed the ruins and reached a harbor in the south, where the aircraft carrier Cape Gloucester was in port. John Baxter and Alistair Urquhart climbed down from their trucks. Since his first year in captivity at age twenty-one, the Scotsman had been reduced from 135 to 82 pounds. During the journey across the black desert, apart from the occasional civilians picking their way among broken foundations, there was little sign of life. No birdsong. No cicada buzz. Everywhere, an eerie silence. Only as they approached the Cape Gloucester was the unbearable silence of the streets broken. Someone had hooked up a phonograph to concert-quality loudspeakers. They had been invented in a hurry only months earlier, in a partly successful attempt to convince civilians at Saipan and Okinawa, in clear, amplified, Japanese, that rumors of American cannibals were lies from the warlords, and to please, please stop killing yourselves and your children . . . No one is here to hurt you. We will help you. Now, from the flight deck of an aircraft carrier, those same amplifiers and speakers equipment directly ancestral to hard-rock concerts from Tokyo to Shea and into the next century sent historys first electronically amplified music across the atomic wasteland. For Baxter and the stubborn Scot, this marked, at last, the reality of wars end. The end was announced with Glenn Millers Moonlight Serenade. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. This article was produced by National Geographic Traveller (UK). In the mountainous jungles of Hoa Binh province, a dark leaf glistens on a pale tree. Heartbreak grass. Touch it, and you could die, says hiking guide Manh Tan, with alarming insouciance. Keep an eye out for snakes, too. King cobras, pit vipers it pays to watch your step around here. Our surroundings, in the remote valley of Mai Chau some 80 miles southwest of Hanoi in northern Vietnam, are so serenely beautiful that its hard to believe they harbour such dangers. The forests of fig and alder trees are still but for the rustling of our boots on the leaf-strewn floor. Occasionally the trees clear to reveal sweeping panoramas of the valley, where the Ma River winds through orchards of dragon fruit and mango trees, and jagged fingers of karst erupt like stalagmites from flooded rice paddies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were tigers here, too, as recently as the war, Tan goes on. But we havent seen one for a while. More common for now, at least are pangolins, which local people still hunt to sell their scales for use in traditional medicine. This is why we need tourism, says Tan. To show the people theres another way to earn money. Tan is leading me to the village of Pu Bin, where an embryonic community tourism programme is transforming the lives of the local White Thai people. These are the regions predominant ethnic group, named for the white tunics of their traditional dress, who originated in the same area of southern China as the Thai peoples of Thailand and Laos. Quite suddenly, the thick jungle thins out and we emerge into a clearing where a tiny wooden stilt house, creaking under its own weight, has all the essentials of rural Mai Chau life: a rice paddy, a plodding water buffalo and a satellite dish. A cheery Xin chao! (Hello!) drifts from the upstairs window, where a man appears, clutching a wooden flute on which he blows a jolly tune. Unprompted, he invites us inside and, leaving our shoes at the bottom of a wooden ladder, we climb into the house. Its dark but cosy and warm, the ceiling blackened by wood smoke rising from the kitchen stove. Bundles of herbs and dried mushrooms are hanging on the wall. Medicinal, explains the homeowner, a spry, rosy-cheeked man who introduces himself as Ha Luong. We dont have much here, but we live long lives. His stilt house, Luong explains, is typical of this region a hangover from the time when tigers needed to be kept from entering houses at night while people slept. Luong picks up his flute again and plays a lilting tune, interspersed with simple, sung verses in Tai Khao, the language of the White Thai. Kids only learn Vietnamese in school; our own language isnt valued. But its important we speak it, he says quietly. Or we will forget. Stilt houses are typical of this region a hangover from the time when tigers needed to be kept from entering houses at night while people slept. Photograph by Ulf Svane Ha Teung pours home-brewed rice wine into shot glasses and motions for us to knock the drink back in one. I oblige, but wince as the strong spirit hits the back of my throat, and hesitate when Teung immediately pours out another shot. Photograph by Ulf Svane We say goodbye to Luong and walk through the jungle again before emerging, having hiked for three hours in total, at Pu Bin, a cluster of wooden stilt houses, bordered by cabbage patches and rice fields, clinging scenically to a mist-wreathed mountainside. Were met by Cao Thi Hong Nhung, the young woman in charge of the project to bring community tourism to Pu Bin. Tourism has barely reached Mai Chau, making it a much quieter and more peaceful alternative to Sapa. The former French colonial hill station has become the hub for hill-trekking tourism in Vietnam, complete with casinos, cable-cars and crowds. Until we built the guesthouse 10 years ago, there was no electricity or paved roads here, Hong Nhung says. We only get one rice harvest per year down in the Mekong Delta they have three so we needed a new source of income. Thats where tourism comes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walking through the village, we pass women standing in a paddy field, knee-deep in water, planting tiny green rice shoots. A man emerges from the fields holding a net on a long stick, which hes been using to catch golden apple snails an invasive species that eats rice plants, but is cooked locally with chilli and lemongrass. He introduces himself as Ha Heung. Like many of the men I see working the fields, hes wearing a rounded Vietnamese army helmet, which looks far too new to be 50-year-old war surplus. Heung explains that the helmets are still made across northern Vietnam, the heartland of communist resistance against the US during the war in the 1950s to 70s, and have become a must-have civilian accessory. Were proud of the war, he says. We beat the US Army. Not many people can say that. Until we built the guesthouse 10 years ago, there was no electricity or paved roads here, Hong Nhung, the woman in charge of the project to bring community tourism to Pu Bin, says. We only get one rice harvest per year so we needed a new source of income. Photograph by Ulf Svane Heung leads us into a simple, open-sided house, where an old man Heungs uncle, Ha Teung is bent over a pile of bamboo strips, weaving them into baskets traditionally used by villagers and now also sold to travellers as handicrafts. He invites me to try my hand at it and after barely five minutes, my soft fingers are shredded and splintered from the sharp wood. Deciding hes seen enough, Teung stands up and disappears to find us a drink. He re-emerges with an unlabelled green glass bottle of the ubiquitous local tipple: home-brewed rice wine. Teung pours the wine into shot glasses and motions for us to knock the drink back in one. I oblige, but wince as the strong spirit hits the back of my throat, and hesitate when Teung immediately pours out another shot. Teung is in his seventies and having travellers here is a big change for him, but one that he welcomes. Tourism is good, he says. Visitors respect our culture and we learn about theirs. It gives us a new source of income, but also more to do when were not farming making handicrafts, making wine. Its nearly time for lunch. Hong Nhung leads me to another wooden stilt house and introduces me to its owner, Ha Thi Hong, an elderly woman in a purple velvet shirt and a checked headscarf. She offers a handshake and beams, revealing shiny, obsidian-coloured teeth the result of a blackening tradition once considered a sign of great beauty among White Thai women. Hong is 82 years old and still the leader of the village Keeng Long dancing team an ancient folk routine that mirrors the movements of rice production. Im handed a giant pestle and mortar and entrusted to pound some peanuts, while Hong wraps packets of sticky rice in banana leaves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive heard a group of local women are preparing a traditional bamboo dance to welcome us to the village. All the old people come out to see it, not just the tourists. Its wonderful, says Hong. Sure enough, after lunch I find a growing crowd of spectators in the courtyard. Bamboo poles are laid in a grid-like formation on the floor and the dance team file out, dressed in brocade skirts and colourful batik scarves. Hong explains the arrival of travellers is helping to preserve authentic cultural traditions like this, which she remembers from her youth and were in danger of dying out. We almost lost the bamboo dance, but tourism has brought it back, she says with a smile. Published in the July/August 2025 issue of National Geographic Traveller (UK). To subscribe to National Geographic Traveller (UK) magazine click here. (Available in select countries only). EACH YEAR, THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR of National Intelligence presents an annual Worldwide Threat Assessment to the president, Congress, and the American people. These documentsthe classified and unclassified versionsserve as a sober inventory of the threats we face across a broad spectrum, from state and non-state actors such as Russia, China, Iran, North Korea, and ISIS to shared domains like climate change, health security, migration, and global economic instability. The reports have also provided analysis on transnational challenges ranging from potential cyberattacks, to the effects of artificial intelligence, to the dangers of disinformation, to the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. These reports are not mere academic exercises. They inform Congress about what threats, capabilities, and potential problems need attention and resources, and they help various governmental agenciesespecially Departments of Defense, State, Homeland Security, and Commerce, as well as many othersplan and prioritize. They inform everything from appropriations and budgets to the presidents foreign policy to the deployment of soldiers and the planning assumptions of commanders in the field. This year, one of the main threats to American national security isnt a foreign actor, a new technology, or a global trend. What the ODNI ought to consider including in this years reportand what the Senate Intelligence Committee should certainly ask aboutis the ongoing reduction of personnel, resources, and capabilities across multiple elements of the intelligence community. These drawdowns directly affect the capacity to generate actionable, relevant intelligence not only for senior policymakers, but especially for military commanders who rely on timely, corroborated, and nuanced insights to make life-or-death decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want the best information, the sharpest analysis, and the liveliest commentary on American politics, policy, and culture, become a Bulwark+ member. In todays multi-domain battlespace, intelligence is the sine qua non of mission success. Commanders in the fieldwhether responsible for tactical maneuvers or long-term strategic planning for a whole slice of the globerefuse to accept single-source intel because no single stream can be trusted in isolation. When asked to send our nations sons and daughters into harms way, commanders need a mosaic of sourceshuman sources, signals intercepts, cyber reconnaissance, analysis of overhead platforms, open-source analysis, and diplomatic reportingfused together to provide decision advantage. Diplomats need the same things when conducting high-stakes negotiations. When Gen. Stanley McChrystal led the creation of a Joint Special Operations Command intelligence fusion cell in my area of operations in Iraq in 2007, breaking down institutional barriers to bring intelligence sources and experts from different government departments together, we became significantly more capable in targeting our enemies and helping our Iraqi friends. It was this lesson on how to bring intelligence teams together for greater success that I took with me for the rest of my military career. Yet over the last few months, major U.S. intelligence agencies have undergone sweeping reductions. As a former commander in a major theater, I can predict with confidence that those cuts will likely leave our generals and admirals to operate with fewer analysts, lower-quality information, reduced collaboration and cooperation, and a shrinking margin for error. Get 30 day free trial THE DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY, which once had about 17,000 personnelnearly half serving overseasprovides essential intelligence support to military combatant commands and embassies. But as the Department of Defense cuts 5 to 8 percent of its civilian workforce, hundreds, possibly thousands, of these skilled professionals are being lost through attrition and buyouts. That hits field-based support especially hard. DIA analysts who serve in combatant commands are rare and valuable. Any unnecessary loss of senior DIA officials in the field doesnt just create an unexpected brain drain in a key position, but also can make it more difficult to train a long-term replacement who knows the area and speaks the language. Experienced DIA officers with regional, cultural, and language familiarity to replace those taking a buyout are often very difficult to find, and leaving holes in these international positions is extremely risky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports indicate the National Security Agency is eliminating 1,500 to 2,000 civilian positionsroughly 8 percent of its staffincluding cryptologists, analysts, and mathematicians. NSAs global signals intelligence operations depend on this talent, not only for interception but for interpretation and integration with other intelligence sources. The proposed staffing cuts at the Department of Homeland Securitys Office of Intelligence & Analysis are so stark that Sen. Gary Peters, ranking member of the Homeland Security Committee, raised alarms about whether I&Aas well as DHSs Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agencycan continue to fulfill its cybersecurity mission. I&Atasked with linking federal intelligence to state and local fusion centers during times of crisesis collapsing from a 1,000-person staff to just 275 people, a 75 percent cut. That effectively guts the only federal entity with a nationwide intelligence fusion mandate. Though numbers are closely held, reductions across DOJ have significantly hit the FBIs intelligence branch, weakening counterterrorism operations, disrupting domestic threat detection, and reducing the bureaus ability to collaborate with partners across government. Friends in the FBI have told me that many of their limited resources are being shifted from their primary functions to support immigration roundup requirements, further exacerbating a reduction in manpower in key protective areas. The State Departments Bureau of Intelligence and Research (INR) is a small but important team of about 300 analysts tasked with translating classified intelligence from over 190 countries into diplomatic action. A reported 20 percent personnel reduction in that office may seem minor in raw numbers, but it significantly weakens America's ability to integrate intelligence into administration action geared toward well-executed foreign policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Share Media reports that the Central Intelligence Agency is preparing to eliminate 1,200 positions, or more than 5 percent of its estimated workforce, through buyouts and early retirements. Sources familiar with the agency told me that more than 500 senior employees have already opted out, and those on probation (the youngest members of the team) have been fired. The loss of both senior officers and new hires not only reduces human and country analysis (human intelligence) but severs mentorship pipelines, hinders the future growth of the organization, and puts significant strain on those middle-managers who are left to do the work. While all these cuts are causing churn and personal anxiety within each agency, my concern is what these cuts would mean during crises. Certainly, they will make for reduced analytical depth, as fewer analysts means fewer perspectives and less specialization. Remaining analysts are overworked. Groupthink creeps in. Institutional memory fades. A loss of redundancy will cause critical corroboration to suffer. Every IC element maintains a field presence, from DIA teams embedded with combatant commands to CIA case officers around the world to NSA listening posts in critical locations. Cuts to field staff, who are often closest to the fight, will likely create blind spots in regions we can least afford to ignore. Decision-makers may be forced to act on incomplete or stale intelligenceor to hesitate too long because the intelligence has slowed down. Hardest to measure, but by no means the least important effect, is the erosion of morale. Buyouts, dismissals, and leak investigations have created uncertainty and anxiety across the IC, not just with the employees themselves, but with their families. Those serving in government now report severe rates of burnout, and we are already seeing the best and brightest increasingly looking to the private sector, where they can make more money, but wont be keeping our country safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get 30 day free trial FROM THE MILITARY PERSPECTIVE, this is an especially dangerous time. While I am no longer wearing the uniform, I suspect most commanders would say that this is the most contentious and complex environment our military has ever faced. Having experienced similar drawdowns firsthand when I served in less dangerous times, I know these reductions degrade readiness. When an analyst who has spent years learning a regions tribal dynamics or a specific problem set is lost, that knowledge doesnt simply transfer. When a team loses a seasoned liaison officer, interagency trust sours. When morale craters, mission tempo drops. And when redundancy disappears, commanders are often forced to make decisions with greater uncertaintyrisking either operational delay or deadly miscalculation. We cannot pretend that intelligence reductions are merely budgetary adjustments. They are strategic decisions that have cascading consequences. As the great American strategist Bernard Brodie put it, Strategy wears a dollar sign. Every diplomatic negotiation, every counterterrorism raid, every cyber operation, every operational maneuver or simple drone strike begins with intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If decision-makers expect commanders to protect Americans, deter adversaries, and win in contested environments, if they expect military forces to really be lethal warriors, then they must ensure our intelligence community remains strongglobally present, multidimensional, and properly resourced. Cutting resources means we will be operating blind in future crises. Its a mistake our adversaries wont make. Just imagine a ransomware attack synchronized with a foreign disinformation campaign during a national election, and the DHS fusion center and CISA have been gutted. Imagine an Iranian or Houthi missile launch, and due to loss of regional analysts, CENTCOM doesnt get enough warning before the missiles hit American bases. Imagine a terrorist cell preparing to strike a target in one of our major cities, and the FBI is focused elsewhere or lacks the resources to act. Imagine Russian hybrid activity in the Baltics, and the DIA forward cells lacking the depth to validate it, embarrassing us in front of our allies and diminishing the power of our promises. These are small samples of what can happen on any day with the threats we face. And these examples arent even close to the most dangerous ones imaginable. It isnt too late to reverse these cuts. We can predict their dangerous effectsbut that might be the last threat we see clearly. Share American Airlines has already started making moves in an effort to leave one major airport by filing a petition to the U.S. Department of Transportation. The request comes on the heels of low passenger interest in the respective destination that has already seen another airline leave its major hub. American Airlines Wants to Change Cuba Routes Multiple reports from Travel and Tour World and The U.S. Sun revealed American Airlines filed a motion in March requesting to cut a number of services to cities including Havana, Holguin, Varadero, and Santiago de Cuba. A second request was then filed in June before the airline made yet another request to scale back its daily Miami-Santiago de Cuba round trip. The carrier intends to cut three of its eight daily Miami-Havana round trips that take place on Mondays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Travel and Tour World reported as many as four of the eight flights from Miami to Havana are already canceled in a given day due to low demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines executives also reportedly proposed to cut its daily Miami-Holguin round trip service on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays with additional proposals to cut one of its two daily flights from Miami to Santa Clara. The airline is awaiting approval from the U.S. Department of Transportation regarding the change. American Airlines Joins Other Major Airlines American Airlines isn't the only carrier looking to cut down on travel to Cuba, though. Back in December 2017, Delta cut flights between New Yorks JFK airport and Havana due to low demand from passengers. A number of airlines including Frontier, Silver Airways and JetBlue previously cut routes to Havana back in 2017 just a few months after initially launching flights to the country, according to The New York Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest decision from American Airlines comes as the U.S. Department of State issued an increased travel advisory for Cuba due to rising crime. "Petty crime is a risk for travelers in Cuba. This includes pick pocketing, purse snatchings, and car break-ins. Violent crime, including armed robbery and homicide, is also on the rise in Cuba," the U.S. warned. Related: Major Airlines Suddenly Cancel More Than 300 Flights American Airlines Moving Forward With Major Change Amid Low Demand first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 Alec Luhn, an American journalist who has previously contributed to TIME, was found alive days after he went missing in Folgefonna National Park, Norway. Credit - Veronika Silchenko/Facebook American journalist Alec Luhn has been found alive after going missing last week while on a solo hike on a Norwegian glacier. The Norwegian Red Cross said in a post on X that Luhn had been located by a helicopter crew on Wednesday and transported for medical treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luhn, 38, had left for his hiking trip for Folgefonna National Park on July 31, but when he did not show up for his flight home five days later, his wife, journalist Veronika Silchenko, reported him missing. She described the rescue as a miracle on Wednesday, telling CBS News that he had suffered a leg injury but was in good condition. I'm so grateful to all the people who were involved in the rescue," Silchenko said. "It's the best day of my life. The Red Cross said a large team of volunteers, experienced climbers, and drones had been mobilized for the search. Earlier in the week, difficult terrain, poor visibility, rain and high water levels had made the search difficult, but by Wednesday, they said the weather had improved, making helicopter use possible Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luhn is an award-winning climate journalist who has written for international outlets such as TIME, The Atlantic, The Guardian, National Geographic, The New York Times, and WIRED. He has written extensively about Russia, having been a Russia correspondent for The Guardian for multiple years. Luhn is from Wisconsin, though he is now based in the United Kingdom. We were hoping for the best, and I knew he was experienced in the backcountry, but the longer time goes on in these situations you start to fear the worst, Michael Downey, a friend of Luhns, told TIME. Its a huge relief to hear hes alive and wellits been a day of happy messages among friends celebrating the good news. Contact us at letters@time.com. The Brief Pope Leo XIV holds a +46 net favorability rating in Gallups July poll, the highest of any figure measured. Political figures such as Elon Musk (-28), Marco Rubio (-16), and Donald Trump (-16) were rated more negatively. Pope Leo is viewed favorably across party lines, with higher support among Democrats and liberals. LOS ANGELES - Pope Leo XIV is the most positively viewed figure in America today, according to a new Gallup poll that compared favorability ratings for 14 high-profile leaders across politics and public life. The American-born pontiff earned a +46 net-favorability score in the July 721 survey, a far stronger showing than any political figure measured including those with strong party followings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The poll highlights how political polarization continues to define public opinion of U.S. and international officials, while Leos broad appeal spans across party lines. Who has the highest and lowest ratings in the Gallup poll? By the numbers Gallup measured both favorable and unfavorable views of each figure and calculated net favorability the difference between the two to account for differences in name recognition. Pope Leo XIV : 57% favorable, 11% unfavorable +46 net Volodymyr Zelenskyy : 46% favorable, 28% unfavorable +18 net Bernie Sanders : 50% favorable, 39% unfavorable +11 net Donald Trump : 39% favorable, 55% unfavorable -16 net Elon Musk: 33% favorable, 61% unfavorable -28 net Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other prominent figures with net-negative ratings include President Joe Biden (-11), Vice President JD Vance (-11), Governor Gavin Newsom (-11), and Secretary of State Marco Rubio (-16). French President Emmanuel Macron and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez had roughly even favorability splits with large percentages of respondents saying they had no opinion. How did Pope Leo XIV perform across party lines? Dig deeper Pope Leo XIV is the only figure in the Gallup survey with a net positive favorability among Democrats, Republicans, and independents. While support is stronger on the left 65% of liberals view him favorably compared to 46% of conservatives his ratings remain positive among all ideological groups. That marks a shift from the early days of Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis, who were initially viewed more favorably by conservatives. Francis ratings later flipped, with stronger support from liberals, a pattern Leo appears to be continuing. A crowd waves American flags during a political event in the United States. A new Gallup poll shows Pope Leo XIV is the most favorably viewed public figure among Americans. (Photo by KAMIL KRZACZYNSKI/AFP via Getty Images) Among American Catholics, Pope Leo holds a 76% favorable rating slightly below the 80% favorability Pope Francis received in his first Gallup poll and above Pope Benedicts 67% debut. Which political figures are gaining or losing ground? The backstory While Leos image is rising, several current and former Trump administration figures are seeing declines in favorability. Elon Musk and Marco Rubio saw the sharpest drops each down 24 points in net favorability since January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk fell from -4 to -28, after stepping down from his role as head of the Department of Government Efficiency and publicly clashing with Trump. Rubio dropped from +8 to -16. He currently serves as Secretary of State and leads the National Security Council. Donald Trump, JD Vance, and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. also saw 13- to 14-point drops in their net ratings, though their overall favorability remained higher among Republicans. Bidens favorability, meanwhile, held steady. His 43% favorable rating is up slightly from 39% in January and consistent with his scores throughout last fall. Who stands out among Democrats? What they're saying Bernie Sanders remains the most popular figure among Democrats with a +75 net favorability rating. He also holds a slightly net-positive image among independents. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is similarly popular with Democrats but has more mixed or neutral ratings from independents and Republicans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gavin Newsom and Emmanuel Macron are viewed more positively by Democrats than Republicans, though with lower name recognition. Biden remains net-positive among Democrats but net-negative overall. What's next Pope Leos debut poll numbers suggest broad goodwill across the political spectrum. Whether that support holds as his papacy develops especially on potentially divisive social and political issues remains to be seen. For political figures, the Gallup results reinforce existing trends: partisanship remains the defining factor in public image, with few leaders able to generate widespread appeal. Pope Leo stands out as a rare exception, at least for now. The Source This article is based on a July 2025 Gallup poll measuring favorability ratings for 14 public figures in the U.S. and abroad. Data includes net favorability scores and demographic breakdowns of how figures are viewed by party and ideology. Additional context was drawn from Gallups historical polling on Pope Francis, Pope Benedict XVI, and other political leaders. On August 6, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act (VRA), one of the most consequential victories in American history. Nearly a century after the 15th Amendment promised Black men the right to vote, the VRA responded to relentless efforts to deny African Americans full participation in democracy. Its impact was immediate. Fueled by grassroots campaigns in Mississippi and Selma, Alabama where activists risked beatings, arrests and even death the law reshaped the political landscape. In the critical 1966 midterm elections, just one year after the Acts passage, Black voter registration in Mississippi soared from less than 5 percent in 1964 to over 60 percent. For the first time since Reconstruction, the South saw a major wave of Black voter participation. This progress was hard-won. Activists like Viola Liuzzo and Jonathan Daniels were murdered for helping to register voters in Alabama. Vernon F. Dahmer, who championed the phrase If you dont vote, you dont count, was killed in 1966 when Klansmen firebombed his home before he could cast his first ballot that November. Their sacrifices fueled a historic movement that secured transformative political change. Modern attacks threaten the power of the Voting Rights Act Sixty years later, the promise of the VRA remains under threat. Restrictive voter ID laws, mass voter roll purges, polling place closures and extreme gerrymandering continue to undermine fair access to the ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the Supreme Courts Shelby County v. Holder decision struck down federal oversight of states with histories of discrimination, opening the door to a wave of laws that disproportionately impact Black, Latino, elderly and young voters. In 2023, the Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals delivered another blow, ruling that only the U.S. Attorney General not private citizens or civil rights groups could bring lawsuits under Section 2 of the VRA. This ruling silences the very communities the Act was designed to protect and weakens the ability to challenge discrimination. Opinion: Yes, there is voter suppression in Tennessee. Here's the key to overcoming it Yet history shows that when citizens mobilize, change is possible. In 2020, record voter turnout particularly among young people and communities of color helped reshape leadership and usher in policies focused on pandemic relief, infrastructure and expanded child tax credits. In Georgia, grassroots organizing flipped the states political balance and elected its first Black U.S. Senator. Michigan voters ended gerrymandering and expanded early voting through ballot initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about political parties; its about people power. The lessons of the 1966 midterms remind us that transformative change happens when historically silenced communities make their voices heard at the ballot box. Honor the 60th anniversary of the VRA by ensuring the ballot for all Two federal proposals are essential to continuing that transformation: the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would reinstate federal oversight of jurisdictions with histories of voting discrimination, and the Freedom to Vote Act, which would establish nationwide standards for ballot access and fair redistricting. Passing both is critical to fulfilling the original promise of the VRA. Opinion: Tennessee primary voters, not party caucuses, should decide who's on the ballot Heres how we can honor that promise: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Register and Stay Registered: Check your status regularly at nass.org/Can-I-Vote, as states aggressively purge rolls. Vote in Every Election: Local and midterms shape schools, healthcare and justice as much as presidential contests. Educate and Empower: Encourage young people to register early and learn how to vote by mail or in person. Support Pro-Voting Policies: Demand lawmakers pass federal protections for fair elections. Volunteer for Civic Engagement: Join voter registration drives or serve as a poll worker to ensure access for all. Hold Officials Accountable: Replace leaders who oppose voting protections. As we mark 60 years of the Voting Rights Act, democracy demands the same vigilance and courage shown in 1965 and 1966. We owe it to those who bled for the ballot and to future generations yet to cast theirs. Let our turnout be our tribute, our participation our protest and our votes the victory. Russ Wigginton Dr. Russ Wigginton is the president of the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: 60 years after the Voting Rights Act, the fight continues | Opinion The ancestors of the ancient 'hobbits' who once lived on the Indonesian island of Flores were not the only early hominins to cross deep ocean barriers more than a million years ago. A team of archaeologists from Indonesia and Australia has now discovered the tools of a mysterious neighbor who resided on the island of Sulawesi to the north around the same time, if not earlier. "It's highly unlikely these early hominins had the cognitive capacity (especially the ability for advanced planning) required to invent boats," archaeologist and co-lead of the expedition, Adam Brumm, told ScienceAlert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is more likely that hominins got to Sulawesi by accident, most probably as a result of 'rafting' on natural vegetation mats. It's thought rodents and monkeys made overwater crossings from the Asian mainland to reach Sulawesi in this way." Related: Smallest Known Species of Human May Have Had an Even Smaller Ancestor The seven flaked stones on Sulawesi were found at different depths below ground, but according to the dating of local sandstone and a nearby pig fossil, the tools range in age from 1.04 million years to 1.48 million years. The size of the hominins on the island of Flores compared to those on neighboring Java, both in Indonesia. Grey is where land used to be in the distant past. ( University of Wollongong If correct, the artifacts could represent the earliest evidence of human activity in Wallacea a string of mainly Indonesian islands that has separated the Asian and Australian continents for millions of years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The identity of the isolated toolmakers remains a mystery. Brumm has been studying early hominins in the region for decades, and he co-led the recent archaeological expedition on Sulawesi with Budianto Hakim from the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN). Archaeologist Debbie Argue, who was not involved in the discovery, told ScienceAlert the findings are "most important", because they add to the startling fact that early Pleistocene hominins could somehow make sea crossings. "With evidence for hominins on three islands that have never been attached to a mainland Flores, Luzon, and now Sulawesi island Southeast Asia is shaping up to be an extraordinary frontier for human evolution," said Argue. A stone tool found on Sulawesi. (M. W. Moore/University of New England) Until now, the earliest evidence of stone tools in Wallacea which are thought to be 1.02 million years old came from the island of Flores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores is the same place where archaeologists discovered the short-statured Homo floresiensis also known as the 'hobbit' in a cave in 2003. This meter-high hominin (3.3 feet) with a brain the size of grapefruit took the world by surprise when it was found, because it didn't look like any other early human. The remains of H. floresiensis date up to 100,000 years ago, but its presumed ancestors on the island date back 700,000 years. The 1.02 million-year-old stone tools on Flores were probably made by those ancestors whether descended from Homo erectus or another hominin species on the Asian mainland. According to a 2021 interview with archaeologist Lucy Timbrell, Brumm accidentally happened upon the Flores tools while "nursing an appalling hangover" due to a local village ceremony the night before. "Whilst stumbling about in the sweltering heat, in a bewildered state, I found some heavily patinated stone tools eroding out from a fluvial conglomerate exposed at the base of a gully," Brumm recalled in the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I have since tried to make major archaeological discoveries while hungover, but it only worked that one time." The collection of stone tools found on Sulawesi. (M.W. Moore/University of New England) Archaeologists have yet to uncover hominin fossils on Sulawesi, but the evidence of stone tools indicates their existence. It's unknown if the Sulawesi population was related to hominins on Flores, but the late Mike Morwood, one of the co-discoverers of the 2003 'hobbit', was convinced that Sulawesi was the key to understanding where H. floresiensis came from. "We had always suspected that hominins were established on Sulawesi for a very long period of time, but until now we had never found clear evidence," Brumm told ScienceAlert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Influenced by Morwood's thinking, Brumm suspects that Sulawesi was once a stepping stone to Flores from mainland Asia (which once stretched as far as Java and Borneo). In 2010, Morwood told The Guardian that he suspected tools on Sulawesi could date back two million years. "This is going to put the cat among the pigeons," he said at the time. No doubt he would have been thrilled by the recent work of Brumm's and Hakim's team. The archaeologists now plan to search Sulawesi for direct remains of the mysterious tool makers. "We are also working at much younger sites that we hope will provide insight into what happened to these early humans when our species arrived on the island at least 65,000 years ago," said Brumm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The study was published in Nature. Related News This story was originally published on Banking Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Banking Dive newsletter. Simmons First National Corp. Chair and CEO George Makris Jr. will retire from the company and its subsidiary Simmons Bank, the company said Monday. President Jay Brogdon will assume the additional role of CEO and join the board, effective Jan. 1, 2026. Marty Casteel, a former chair, CEO and president of Simmons Bank who is now a director on the board, will become chair of both entities Jan. 1, the company noted. Casteels tenure at Simmons Bank spans over 30 years. We are very thankful to George for his decade-plus tenure as CEO, overseeing the Company's geographic transformation that led to a period of unprecedented growth, often during complex and challenging environments, Steve Cosse, lead independent director of Simmons First National Corp., said in a statement. Under George's leadership, the Board has taken a deliberate and measured approach to succession planning, which has led to the building of a talented executive leadership team with a long runway, he added. Makris retook the helm of the roughly $27 billion-asset company earlier this year when its then-CEO Robert Fehlman stepped down to focus on personal interests and family medical issues. Makris had served as chair and CEO from 2014 to 2022. The Board and I are confident the time is right for this transition, and Jay is well-prepared to succeed in his new role, Makris said in a statement Monday. Marty has been a trusted colleague for many years and is eminently qualified to serve as independent Chairman. Brogdon joined the Pine Bluff, Arkansas-based company in 2021 as CFO and became the president in 2023. Prior to joining Simmons, Brogdon worked at Stephens for 13 years and most recently as managing director and as a senior accountant at Deloitte for four years. I am honored to lead Simmons and humbled to follow in the footsteps of George, Tommy May and the many incredible leaders who came before me, Brogdon said in a prepared statement. Simmons is committed to building value for our customers, communities, and shareholders, and our team does this with great integrity and passion. We will continue to build upon our longstanding culture and are excited about the opportunities ahead. Brogdon had been seen as a likely successor and is taking over after significant groundwork has been laid, analysts at Raymond James said. (Photo: April Corbin Girnus/Nevada Current) Southern Nevadas largest government funded animal shelter, the Animal Foundation, acknowledges it routinely releases foster animals that have not been sterilized, a practice that violates local laws and the shelters government contracts, which prohibit the placement of unsterilized animals older than four months. A list obtained by Nevada Voters for Animals indicates the Animal Foundation (TAF) released some 300 to 350 animals a month in May and June as fosters-to-adopt, a designation the shelter uses to transfer animals that are not sterilized, with a promise the foster parent will return the animal for surgery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Las Vegas Councilwoman Victoria Seaman asked the Animal Foundation how many of the animals on the lists were sterilized before they were released from the shelter. TAFs Chief Operating Officer Terran Tull responded via email that the shelter is unable to fulfill this request as it would require manually searching and verifying the sterilization status of each individual animal listed. Tull went on to say the overwhelming majority of animals released as fosters to adopt in the timeframe referenced were unaltered at the time of placement. This is, in fact, the purpose of the foster-to-adopt program. It was developed to alleviate the backlog in veterinary surgery access and to expedite getting animals into homesespecially when surgical appointments are limited or delayed. Since 2018, TAF sterilizations have dropped from 17,526 to 11,689 last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Animal activists contend the practice is flooding Southern Nevada with unsterilized animals, contributing to an endless cycle that can result in unintended breeding. Bryce Henderson, founder of No Kill Las Vegas, a non-profit dedicated to stemming euthanasia at local shelters, maintains the Animal Foundation (TAF) is exploiting a loophole in the law by classifying the release of unsterilized animals as foster-to-adopt rather than adoptions. But the shelters contracts with Clark County, Las Vegas, and North Las Vegas say TAF shall cause to be spayed or neutered in accordance with applicable law any cat or dog that is transferred by TAF to or is adopted by, any person or organization The effective way to sterilize is when the dogs are in the shelter, says Henderson. Thats what the Animal Foundation used to do. Now theyre telling them bring the dog back in a week and well spay and neuter it. Half the people dont come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shelter did not respond to requests for data on its foster-to-adopt sterilization efforts. Henderson, whose organization is suing TAF for allegedly violating its contracts, says he hopes to determine the spay and neuter status of the animals through the discovery process. I want to know the real numbers. How many dogs are out there that are still unsterilized? Southern Nevadans gave TAF some grace because all their vets left and they couldnt do spay and neuter, Henderson says of a shelter shake up in 2022. Now, in addition to delaying surgery of adoptable animals, TAF is no longer operating its Low Cost Spay and Neuter Clinic, which is still advertised to the public on its website. Shelter officials say theyre attempting to get animals out of the overcrowded shelter and into homes quicker, in an effort to make room for more dogs and cats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our shelter is caring for over 1,000 animals, and were facing the heartbreaking possibility of euthanizing for space, says a message posted on TAFs website in May. Last year the shelter put down 2,047 dogs and 1,271 cats. Las Vegas Mayor Shelley Berkley said TAF is down to seven veterinarians from nine. She noted that shelters nationally are struggling with a shortage of medical services. It would be very helpful if rather than making accusations, that people would kindly propose solutions for the challenges at TAF, Berkley wrote via email, noting that during the summer months theres extreme overcrowding due to abandonment, abuse and neglect of animals. Clark County, she added, is planning to build an auxiliary animal shelter, but at this moment, there is nothing else in the Las Vegas Valley. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelter critics contend TAFs refusal to provide the information is an indication the shelter lacks the ability to easily determine which animals in foster care have not been sterilized. Most of our community partners are utilizing the same approach because all of us are facing similar spay/neuter bottlenecks, Tull wrote in her email to Seaman, adding even private veterinarians are often booked out for weeks or months and may advise clients to delay sterilization beyond what local law prescribes. The policy, she said, aligns with the Association of Shelter Veterinarians (ASV) Guidelines, which allow animals to be released with a firmly scheduled sterilization appointment when immediate surgery is not feasible. This is a recognized and lifesaving practice intended to minimize in-shelter length of stay, reduce overcrowding, and prevent euthanasia due to capacity constraints. But the ASVs endorsement of foster-to-adopt arrangements comes with caveats: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelters should sterilize all animals before adoption or ensure they will be sterilized after; Shelters performing post-adoption sterilization must have a system for tracking unaltered animals and ensuring surgery is completed in a timely manner; Foster programs must have sufficient personnel to provide support to caregivers and animals; Records must be maintained for animals in foster care; And, animals in foster care must be regularly assessed by shelter personnel with decision making ability Foster-to-adopt arrangements have become increasingly common since the pandemic, when shelters put spay and neuter requirements on hold in order to facilitate adoptions and reduce the use of personal protective equipment. Not all shelters have retained the policy. The City of Henderson does not release unsterilized animals to the public under foster-to-adopt arrangements. All animals adopted through our shelter are spayed or neutered prior to adoption, in alignment with our commitment to responsible pet ownership and population management, a city spokeswoman said, adding the animals too young to undergo surgery are the only exception. In those cases, animals are placed into our internal foster program, which is limited to City employees and registered City volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nevada Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (NSPCA) engages in fostering to adopt mostly for kittens and puppies, says Executive Director Lori Heeren. Foster-to-Adopt programs can be very successful to reduce pet homelessness if they are managed well, especially with millions of government dollars to utilize. Clark County taxpayers alone spend more than $10 million a year supporting TAF. The NSPCAs foster department is organized and vigilant about getting the animals back for their spay and neuter surgeries. The shelter calls in Animal Control and the police to track down wayward foster parents, Heeren says, as the animal is still our property. TAF, by contrast, sends a letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Henderson of No Kill Las Vegas, says he doesnt want dogs to get killed because the shelter claims they didnt have time to spay or neuter it, but adds the shelters policy is a serious disservice to the community and all the rescues out here that are scraping by, picking up after their bullshit. TAF, he adds, is not adhering to the standards embraced by the Association of Shelter Veterinarians, and its failure to enforce the agreements is exacerbating the already sisyphean effort to reduce overpopulation A Las Vegas woman who asked not to be named for fear of being excluded from fostering for TAF, says it took nine months for the shelter to inquire about an unsterilized dog she began fostering last October. Wed love to hear how (the dog) is doing in foster care, and also would like to know if there is anything we can do to advise or support you, said an email from TAF, dated July 6, the first communication shes had from the shelter. We would like to know if you are interested in adopting your foster animal or if you have found an adopter for your foster animal. Either way, please let us know! The woman, who responded she wanted to adopt the dog, received another email a week later instructing her to make an appointment for surgery. I told them I had my vet do it months ago. WASHINGTON Congresswoman Ann Wagner (R-MO), along with two other congressmen, introduced the ENFORCE Act in Washington, D.C., aimed at combating Child Sexual Abuse Material (CSAM) generated or modified by Artificial Intelligence (AI). According to a press release from Ann Wagners office, the ENFORCE Act seeks to make sure that AI-generated CSAM is prosecuted and penalized with the same severity as other federal sex crimes. This is to help address the concern that AI is making it easier for predators to achieve and get away with exploiting children. Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ) and Steve Cohen (D-TN) also contributed to this acts introduction. The rise in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has made these horrific crimes easier to commit, and its time we made sure prosecutors have the necessary tools to fight back against the predators who are exploiting innocent victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Congressman Jeff Van Drew also spoke about the urgency of the issue, saying, The rise of AI-generated child exploitation is sickening, and it is happening even faster than most people realize. We have a responsibility to make sure our laws keep up with this technology so that predators can be held fully accountable. 2 dead after helicopter crashes into Mississippi River barge north of St. Louis The ENFORCE Act has the support of several organizations dedicated to child protection and law enforcement, including Raven, National Childrens Alliance, and the Child Rescue Coalition. Greg Schiller, CEO of Child Rescue Coalition, praised the ENFORCE Act for empowering prosecutors for not just enforcing stronger laws but also improving protective measures for victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson Bunn, Executive Director of the National District Attorneys Association, pointed out that the ENFORCE Act addresses statutory loopholes, such as requiring AI-generated CSAM crimes to receive the same sentencing as other CSAM offenses. The introduction of the act marks a stride in addressing the challenges created by AI and its effect on child safety. We will monitor this legislation as it advances. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Slovak community is one of the largest ethnic groups in the Valley, and its ready to shine this weekend. On Wednesday, the kitchen work was being done at St. Christines to prepare for the Slovak Fest. Halusky is the Slovak national dish, and 600 cups were being prepared. One version of dumplings has bacon and a sheeps cheese with cream, and another is a more traditional version. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cucumbers and onions were also being cut for a salad added to the platters. This year will be the 20th Slovak Fest, taking place Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Throughout the past 20 years, what has happened is the Slovak Fest has developed. Its gotten larger. Weve added different things to it, and so every year, it seems theres something new that comes along that we integrate into the celebration, said Father John Jerek of Our Lady of Sorrows Parish. The festival will take place at St. Christines, 3165 S. Schenley Ave., from 5 to 9 p.m. Friday and 12:30 to 5 p.m. Sunday for food, basket raffles, live music from Gorska Muzicka and more. On Saturday, a Slovak-English Mass will be held at 4 p.m. at St. Matthias Church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil rationalized Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack in a new interview with The New York Times posted on Tuesday. Appearing on the Times' podcast, "The Ezra Klein Show," the Columbia University graduate student said that though he thinks the Hamas attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel in late 2023 was wrong, he saw it as a desperate attempt to make sure the world knew the plight of Gazans at the hands of Israel. "And to me, its a desperate attempt to tell the world that Palestinians are here, that Palestinians are part of the equation. That was my interpretation of why Hamas did the Oct. 7 attacks on Israel," Mahmoud told host Ezra Klein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-israel Ringleader Mahmoud Khalil Posts $1 Bond After Federal Judge Rules Trump Admin Can't Detain Him Mahmoud Khalil said on a New York Times podcast that he believes the Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7 was a "desperate" plea for Gazans to be heard by the world. When asked about his perception of the deadly attack, he said it was an act to "break the cycle, to break that Palestinians are not being heard." "Because at that point, there was no political process. It was clear that the Saudi-Israel deal is very imminent, and Palestinians wouldnt have any path to statehood and self-determination," he said. Read On The Fox News App The activist clarified he does not believe Hamas actions were justified, stating, "So they had to do that, according to their calculations which, its obvious, were not right." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that "targeting civilians is wrong." Click Here For More Coverage Of Media And Culture Khalil, born to Palestinian parents in Syria, has become a central figure in recent months for the anti-Israel protests on American college campuses following the Oct. 7 attack. Immigration authorities arrested him in March at Columbia University for being a ringleader of anti-Israel activism on campus. An immigration judge ruled that Mahmoud, who was in the U.S. on a student visa, could be deported after Secretary of State Marco Rubio wrote a memo stating that his campus protests were contrary to U.S. foreign policy interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In separate statements, Rubio declared that the U.S. could revoke anyones visa, especially if they support Hamas or promote chaos on college campuses. "So when you apply for a student visa or any visa to enter the United States, we have a right to deny you for virtually any reason," he said. "But I think being a supporter of Hamas and coming into our universities and turning them upside down, being complicit in what are clearly crimes, vandalization, complicit in shutting down institutionsIf you told us thats what you intended to do when you came to America, we would have never let you in. And if you do it once you get in, were going to revoke it and kick you out," Rubio added. Despite the effort to deport Mahmoud, a federal judge ordered him to be released on bail while his immigration and civil cases proceed through the courts. Doj Seeks To Keep Anti-israel Activist Khalil Detained In Louisiana Immigration Jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elsewhere during the Times interview, Mahmoud empathized with Gazans rage towards Israel. "But we cannot ask Palestinians to be perfect victims after 75 years of dispossession, of killing people in Gaza, being under siege at that point for over 17 years. Palestinians in the West Bank being stopped at checkpoints, settlers attacking them at every opportunity. The human dignity of Palestinians was absent and still is, unfortunately." Original article source: Anti-Israel activist Mahmoud Khalil claims Oct. 7 terror attack was desperate attempt for Gaza to be heard The anti-Israel suspect accused of gunning down two Israeli Embassy staffers leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., in May will be charged with federal hate crimes, FOX News has learned. Elias Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago is accused of shooting and killing Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 21, 2025. Rodriguez is believed to have committed the act alone, according to the Metropolitan Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The superseding indictment is not yet filed publicly. Rodriguez has a scheduled hearing in federal court on Friday where more details about his alleged crimes are expected to be revealed. Suspect Accused Of Killing Israeli Embassy Staffers In Dc Could Face More Charges Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, pose for a picture at an unknown location, in this handout image released by Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C., May 22. Also expected is whether the U.S. Department of Justice (Doj) will seek the death penalty. Read On The Fox News App Lischinsky, an Israeli, and Milgrim, an American, both worked at the embassy. According to the Associated Press, Lischinsky was a research assistant and Milgrim organized visits and missions to Israel. D.C. police identified the suspect as Rodriguez, who was taken into custody after the shooting attack. He was allegedly seen pacing outside the museum before he approached a group of four people, including the two victims, and opened fire. Rodriguez then reportedly went into the museum where he was detained by security. He allegedly shouted "Free, free Palestine!" while in custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli Ambassador Connects Embassy Staffers' Slaying To 'Very Important' Bigger Picture FBI agents are now looking through writings they believe were authored by Rodriguez. In Chicago, state, local and federal agencies are searching his apartment Thursday, police sources told Fox News. Metropolitan Police Department Chief Pamela Smith said during a news conference after the incident that officers responded to multiple calls of a shooting near the museum at around 9:08 p.m. on Wednesday, May 21. When authorities arrived at the scene, a man and a woman were found unconscious and not breathing. Despite life-saving efforts from first responders, Smith said both were pronounced dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith said the preliminary investigation shows Rodriguez was allegedly observed pacing back and forth outside the museum before he approached a group of four people exiting the building, including the two victims, and began shooting. Suspect Charged With Murdering Israeli Embassy Staff Could Face Death Penalty Security officers surround the Israeli Embassy, May 22, in Washington, D.C., following a shooting that left two Israeli Embassy staffers dead. He then entered the museum where he was detained by event security. While in custody, he yelled "Free, free Palestine!" Smith said. On the night of the shooting, the two diplomats were shot at close range while an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee (AJC) was taking place at the museum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was for young Jewish professionals who work in foreign policy and had a panel discussion focused on finding humanitarian solutions for Gaza. The Israeli Embassy said Lischinsky and Milgrim were "in the prime of their lives." "This evening, a terrorist shot and killed them as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum in DC. The entire embassy staff is heartbroken and devastated by their murder," the embassy wrote in a post on X. "No words can express the depth of our grief and horror at this devastating loss. Our hearts are with their families, and the embassy will be by their side during this terrible time." Israel's Ambassador to the U.S., Yechiel Leiter, said the two victims were dating and on the verge of engagement. Leiter said the man had just purchased a ring "with the intention of proposing to his girlfriend next week in Jerusalem." Original article source: Anti-Israel gunman faces federal hate crime charges in deadly DC embassy staffers shooting Brian Burch, the cofounder and former president of anti-LGBTQ+ group CatholicVote, has been confirmed as ambassador to the Vatican. The U.S. Senate Saturday voted 49-44, along party lines, to confirm Burch, who was critical of Pope Franciss outreach to the LGBTQ+ community. Donald Trump, who was endorsed by CatholicVote, nominated Burch in December. Democratic Sen. Brian Schatz of Hawaii had placed a hold several months ago on Burchs and other State Department nominations in protest of the Trump administrations dismantling of the U.S. Agency for International Development. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, invoked cloture, a procedural move, last week to lift the hold, Catholic News Agency reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Francis approved blessings for same-sex couples in 2023, Burch went on the right-wing outlet Newsmax to say the popes action had created confusion. Francis said the blessings should not resemble marriage ceremonies and that they were for the individuals, not the relationship. But Burch claimed that the secular press and LGBTQ+ activists, both inside and outside the Roman Catholic Church, are treating the move as a key stepping stone toward their goal, which is to totally destroy the Catholic Churchs understanding of human sexuality. He said the church already allowed blessings of individuals, so he questioned why the Vatican even issued the document on same-sex couples. CatholicVotes Instagram post on the interview put same-sex couples in quotes. Pope Franciss successor, Pope Leo XIV, has reaffirmed that the church sees marriage as a union between a man and a woman, something Francis also stressed, even as he reached out to LGBTQ+ people. Pope Leo said, however, that the church will continue the blessings of same-sex couples as approved by Francis. Burch has additionally said that Pope Francis had engaged in a pattern of vindictiveness and punishment, a comment he made to The New York Times in November 2023. At the time, Francis had recently taken actions against some of his conservative critics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burch further objected to Franciss 2015 statement that it was acceptable for Catholics to limit the number of children they have, as long as they do not use contraceptives. God gives you methods to be responsible, Pope Francis said at the time. Some think that excuse the word that in order to be good Catholics we have to be like rabbits. No. When the U.S. Supreme Court heard U.S. v. Skrmetti, the case involving gender-affirming care for transgender youth, CatholicVote posted an article calling this treatment experimental, which it is not, and saying it mutilates and sterilizes young people. A post on CatholicVotes website this week dealt with the Trump administrations decision to deny extraordinary ability visas to trans women athletes wishing to come from overseas and compete in the U.S. Like the administration, the post referred to trans women as male. I am profoundly grateful to President Trump and the U.S. Senate for this opportunity to serve as the next U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, said Burch in a statement released Saturday by CatholicVote. I have the honor and privilege of serving in this role following the historic selection of the first American pope. In a remarkable coincidence, or what I prefer to attribute to Providence, Pope Leo XIV is from Chicago, which is also my hometown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between the Holy See and the United States remains one of the most unique in the world, with the global reach and moral witness of the Catholic Church serving as a critical component of U.S. efforts to bring about peace and prosperity, he continued. As a proud Catholic American, I look forward to representing President Trump, Vice President Vance, and Secretary Rubio in this important diplomatic post. I ask for the prayers of all Americans, especially my fellow Catholics, that I may serve honorably and faithfully in the noble adventure ahead. He succeeds Joe Donnelly, a Democrat and former U.S. senator who was ambassador to the Vatican from April 2022 to July 2024. Callista Gingrich, the wife of onetime Republican House Speaker Newt Gingrich, was Vatican ambassador during Trumps first term as president. This article originally appeared on Advocate: Anti-LGBTQ+ Catholic leader confirmed as ambassador to Vatican Already at odds over Israels war in Gaza, the National Education Association is divided again this summer over a highly contested attempt to prohibit all engagement with the Anti-Defamation League, a prominent nonprofit dedicated to fighting antisemitism. Delegates to the organizations representative assembly last month narrowly voted to cease the use of educational materials created by the Jewish advocacy group. They also sought to bar the union from participating in programs led by the ADL or publicizing its professional development opportunities. But the NEAs executive commission rejected the proposal days later following protests from hundreds of Jewish organizations. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter The episode reopened an ongoing clash among the 3 million school employees represented by the union the largest in the country by far over numerous armed conflicts in the Middle East, alleged prejudice against both Jews and Arabs at home and how schools should teach about both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers unions have long debated controversies related to Israel, a trend that escalated rapidly in the wake of Hamas attack on the country Oct. 7, 2023, and the war that followed. But with the Trump administration aggressively investigating claims of antisemitism in education, the about-face from the NEA suggests that the issue is increasingly viewed as treacherous ground. An ongoing Republican attempt to terminate the unions congressional charter may be adding still more pressure. Related Teachers Unions are Calling for Ceasefire in Gaza. What Does it Tell Us About November? While noting that their decision to scuttle the measure was in no way an endorsement of the ADLs full body of work, the unions leadership expressed concerns over rising antisemitism, pledging in a statement to carefully review curricula designed to combat it. After consideration, it was determined that this proposal would not further NEAs commitment to academic freedom, our membership or our goals, the authors concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The delegates original motion to disaffiliate came after a series of confrontations with the ADL, which has been vocal in attacking what it deems as hateful and biased content circulated by educators. Throughout 2024 and 2025, the ADL has issued report cards for colleges and universities, accusing them of ignoring antisemitism during student protests against Israels wars in Gaza, Lebanon and Iran; their critical grades have occasionally been cited by members of Congress seeking to pressure the institutions into taking more dramatic action against student activists. The disputes have extended into K12 schools as well, with the ADL blasting the Massachusetts Teachers Association (an NEA affiliate) for circulating teaching materials it called antisemitic, including images of a dollar bill folded into a Star of David. For their part, the unions organizers countered that the materials were mischaracterized and that the ADLs denunciations had triggered death threats to MTA leaders and staff. Merrie Najimy, a former president of the Massachusetts union who supported the anti-ADL resolution, said in an email that the since-reversed vote at the representative assembly signals a sea change in the desire of the NEA rank-and-file for a new position from both their union and politicians. The ADL consistently commits acts of anti-Palestinian racism by falsely conflating the criticism of Zionism and Israel with antisemitism, dehumanizing the Palestinian People [sic], pushing to erase and censor Palestinian narratives in schools and targeting educators who speak up for Palestinian rights, Najimy wrote. Growing divisions Patrick Crabtree, a retired teacher who served for four years as chair of the NEA Jewish Affairs Caucus, said he was deeply concerned that his fellow members had taken sides against one of the most reputable organizations in America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It shocked me that it was even under consideration, he said. And it shocked me even more that it passed. I've heard it said more than once, We're not the National Everything Association. When we become so political, I think it turns a lot of people off who are more concerned with whether theyre going to keep their jobs. Patrick Crabtree, former NEA Jewish Affairs Caucus chair and retired teacher Crabtree observed that harsh sentiments against Israel have been somewhat commonplace during his involvement with the union. Delegates threw their weight behind measures to officially declare support for Palestinians after a spasm of violence in 2021, when the Israeli Defense Forces and Hamas traded airstrikes and missile volleys that killed hundreds. Once the IDF launched its invasion of Gaza, activists within the union led an effort to revoke its 2024 endorsement for Joe Biden, arguing that the president hadnt done enough to restrain Israel. Dissension has spread to other teachers unions as well. In May, Michael Mulgrew encountered unusual resistance in winning a sixth term as president of New York Citys United Federation of Teachers. Accustomed to breezy victories, Mulgrew faced two challengers advocating for a more militant stance against Israel, including the divestment of its pension funds from any enterprises in the country. The combined share of the opposing candidacies totaled 46% of the unions vote, indicating high levels of support for such policies. A few weeks later, the UFT endorsed New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, who has been bluntly critical of Israels actions in Gaza. By a show of hands, about 2,500 members of the delegate assembly of the United Federation of Teachers (UFT) vote overwhelmingly for a labor strike in the New York City public schools on opening day, September 9, 1968. (Getty Images) Jerald Podair, a historian at Wisconsins Lawrence University, wrote a celebrated 2004 book about a seminal collision of American education politics: the 1968 teachers strike, when the UFT led a lengthy work stoppage after a number of Brooklyn teachers claimed that they had been subjected to antisemitic discrimination by the local Ocean Hill-Brownsville school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that time, the unions membership was predominantly Jewish, including a large number of Holocaust survivors. In the decades since, he reflected, the UFT has become both more willing to wade into national politics and more internally divided on what positions to adopt. At Ocean Hill-Brownsville, the UFT was composed of moderately liberal members, virtually all of whom supported Israel, Podair said. So I think its fair to say that there is less homogeneity today certainly less ethnic homogeneity and less unanimity about the issues they choose to interject on. Politics as sideshow Divisions within the NEA have become even more sharply defined since its executive commission, led by President Becky Pringle, dismissed the measure targeting the ADL. Najimy called the move a fundamental violation of union democracy [that] has caused great harm to the Jewish and Arab-American educators who crafted and fought for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats more important, she continued, is that the education about the ADL went far beyond the walls of the representative assembly, and the desire of the representative assembly cannot be undone. With tensions around antisemitism rising to a level rarely seen in recent U.S. history, education leaders around the country are taking steps to distance themselves and their institutions from perceptions of animus toward Jews. In response to threats from the Trump administration to remove billions of dollars in funding over violations of federal antidiscrimination statutes, Harvard convened a special commission to identify and remedy instances of antisemitism. Columbia, while not admitting any wrongdoing, agreed to pay $221 million to settle an investigation into similar allegations. Related Feds: Philadelphia Schools Failed to Address Antisemitism in School, Online Even before President Donald Trump took office, both colleges saw their former presidents toppled following congressional hearings into antisemitism on their campuses. The Biden administration investigated and punished the School District of Philadelphia for taking insufficient steps to counter discrimination during the 202223 and 202324 school years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official sanctions have also been considered in the case of the NEA, with Republicans in Washington introducing legislation that would strip the union of its congressional charter. Sponsors specifically pointed to last months vote to break with the ADL as an impetus for the bill, though the GOP has weighed similar proposals in years past. (The consequences of losing the charter would be more symbolic than practical, though conservative activists are also pushing for the more drastic step of barring the NEA from political organizing.) Podair said Pringles intervention in the ADL spat likely reflected a belief that engagement in the hottest of political imbroglios didnt offer sufficient upside in the fight that matters most to her supporters. The politics, for most union members, is a sideshow, he said. What really matters is how much money you make and what your health plan looks like. If you dont deliver for your members on those things, you can take all the political stances you want, but youre still going to be out. Crabtree shared the same view, adding that his own conversations with fellow union members usually revolved around pay and working conditions, with some concerns around explicitly education-related policies like school choice programs. Lately, hed been hearing a familiar quip. UPSHUR COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Court of Appeals upheld the 99-year sentence of an Upshur County man who was convicted of a gun violation in 2024. Suspected abductor arrested for sexual abuse of East Texas teen Mugshot of Jimmy Wayne Skinner, courtesy of Upshur County DAs Office According to the Upshur County Criminal District Attorneys Office, on Friday, the Sixth Court of Appeals of Texarkana affirmed the courts judgment in the Aug. 14, 2024 conviction that found 51-year-old Jimmy Wayne Skinner guilty of unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon as a habitual offender and assessed his 99-year sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said on Feb. 2, 2024, that throughout an Upshur County home, officers found methamphetamine, syringes, other drug paraphernalia and loaded guns near the recliner where Skinner was sitting when the drug bust happened. As Skinner was leaving the home, he immediately shut the door behind him. He was non-compliant with orders to get on the ground, stating he aint afraid to go to jail and attempted to block the door with his foot to prevent officers from coming in. Longview McDonalds vandalized with pro-Palestinian graffiti There are sufficient affirmative links to establish that Skinner had possession of the shotgun, the Court of Appeals said. The testimony and the physical evidence support Skinners proximity and access to both the contraband and the shotgun. Skinners incriminating statement and actions provide links to the contraband and to the shotgun. We affirm the trial courts judgment and sentence. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. A federal appeals court upheld a block on Indianas 25-foot police buffer law, siding with media organizations who argued it violated constitutional rights. (Getty Images) A federal appeals court upheld a lower courts injunction blocking Indianas widely debated 25-foot police buffer zone law, ruling that the statute is unconstitutionally vague and susceptible to arbitrary enforcement. In a decision issued Tuesday, a unanimous Seventh Circuit panel found the law lacks clear standards for police conduct, allowing officers to criminalize behavior based solely on personal discretion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Fourteenth Amendment will not tolerate a law subjecting pedestrians to arrest merely because a police officer had a bad breakfast no matter how bitter the coffee or how soggy the scrambled eggs, Judge Doris Pryor wrote for the court. The law, passed in 2023, makes it a Class C misdemeanor to knowingly approach within 25 feet of a law enforcement officer after being told to stop. Story continues below. processWebInputExternal.pl Supporters at the time said some situations become more volatile when people are too close to the officers. Members of the press and the public argue the so-called buffer zone limits their ability to hold law enforcement accountable, especially when it comes to public recordings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press and a coalition of media organizations including the Indiana Broadcasters Association, the Society of Professional Journalists, The Indianapolis Star and others sued in November 2023 to block the law. U.S. District Court Judge James Sweeney II, of the southern district, issued a preliminary injunction in September 2024, agreeing that the law was likely void for vagueness under the Fourteenth Amendment. The Seventh Circuit affirmed in its Tuesday ruling. Justices largely focused on the statutes failure to guide officer discretion. Without such guidance, any on-duty officer can use the buffer law to subject any pedestrian to potential criminal liability by simply ordering them not to approach, even if the pedestrian is doing nothing more than taking a morning stroll or merely walking up to an officer to ask for directions, Pryor wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union of Indiana filed a separate lawsuit in August 2023 on behalf of South Bends Donald Nicodemus, whose YouTube channel captures his interactions with the local police force, saying the law infringed on his constitutional rights. Nicodemus has previously encountered controversies as a citizen journalist and captured video of an officer ordering Nicodemus to stand 25 feet away. Earlier this year, though, a different Seventh Circuit panel upheld the same law against the First Amendment challenge. Unlike in Nicodemus, the Reporters Committee case centers on vagueness and due process, not speech rights. A new version of the buffer law, passed earlier this year, imposes a reasonable belief requirement for police issuing orders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second buffer law is identical to the first, except it specifies that a member of law enforcement can only order an individual to stop approaching if the officer reasonably believes that a persons presence within 25 feet will interfere with the performance of their duties. Because the State intends to continue enforcing the first buffer law, the enactment of the second buffer law did not moot this appeal, Pryor said in the ruling. The appeals court affirmed the enforcement block of the original buffer law but sent the case back to the lower district court to reconsider how broadly the injunction should apply. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Aug. 6GRAND FORKS A structural seam defect that caused approximately 383,000 gallons of oil to spill from the Keystone Pipeline in 2019 may be the same defect that caused another North Dakota spill this past April, according to documentation from the U.S. Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration. A former engineer for TransCanada PipeLines Limited (TCPL), now known as TC Energy, believes it could be part of a systemic issue that may continue without proper intervention. South Bow Corporation, current operator of the entire Keystone Pipeline system, said in a statement to the Grand Forks Herald that it would be premature to comment on the cause of the recent spill, but investigations and analysis are underway. "Operating safely is our top priority," the statement said. "The pressure at the time of the incident was within the parameters the pipeline was designed for. Following the incident, we fully complied with PHMSA's Corrective Action Order and obtained their approval for independent third-party investigations related to the incident to ensure our infrastructure's integrity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Evan Vokes, of Calgary, Alberta, said he was employed by TC Energy from 2007 to 2012. As a welding engineer who authored and reviewed engineering documents, he claims to have been ostracized after reporting suspected wrongdoing by the company, an issue CBC News covered in 2012. CBC reported Vokes' concerns included the competency of some pipeline inspectors as well as what he claimed was a lack of compliance with national welding regulations. The National Energy Board (NEB) issued a public letter in 2012 that, without naming Vokes, explained many allegations were verified by an internal audit of TransCanada, according to the article. TransCanada provided CBC with a statement saying the concerns Vokes raised were identified and addressed through routine quality control processes well in advance of facilities going into service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vokes contacted the Herald after the newspaper's March article about the recently released Root Cause Failure Analysis of Keystone's 2019 spill . The RCFA was authored by RSI Pipeline Solutions, an Ohio-based consulting firm. "I know by reading that report, as soon as they said that it was a 'long seam defect,' that says that defect can be systemic," Vokes claimed. On Oct. 29, 2019, approximately 383,000 gallons of crude oil spilled from the pipeline onto approximately five acres of wetlands outside of Edinburg, North Dakota, in Walsh County, according to previous Herald coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 183-page RCFA says Keystone Pipeline's 2019 rupture was caused by "inadequate control" of the submerged arc welded longitudinal (SAWL) pipe's misalignment, as well as "ineffective quality processes at the pipe mill" that allowed an off-specification pipe joint to leave the mill with a seam defect severe enough to result in a fatigue crack. RSI's conclusion explains there were likely not enough inspections carried out, and inspections that did occur weren't thorough enough to identify the issue. The report is heavily redacted. In its response to the Herald's Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, PHMSA said the redactions were made to protect trade secrets as well as information that could reasonably endanger someone or their privacy. When the Herald later sought more information on the number of redactions, Senior Public Affairs Specialist Darius Kirkwood cited the same exemptions. Vokes said he believes the document was "excessively redacted," but because he specialized in non-destructive examination and welding, he believes he knows what has been left out. He said he suspects key details about pipe manufacturing defects, quality control failures and TC Energy's response were obscured in the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A long seam rupture is a high risk, he said. On April 8 of this year, there was another Keystone Pipeline oil spill in a field near Fort Ransom, North Dakota, which is about 40 miles south of Valley City, North Dakota, as reported by Wendy Reuer of InForum. Vokes said he believes there's a high probability the defect that caused the recent spill near Fort Ransom is the same one that caused the 2019 spill, and the Corrective Action Order (CAO) PHMSA sent to South Bow days after the April spill identified the similarities. "Visual examination of the ruptured pipe at the failure location is similar in appearance to the pipe that ruptured in Oct. 2019," the CAO said. "Metallurgical testing of the pipe will determine if the failure mechanisms are the same." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CAO said the failed pipeline was previously assessed through in-line inspection (ILI), which uses ultrasonic metal loss and ultrasonic crack detection tools. The pipe was also tested hydrostatically prior to commencement of Keystone Pipeline operations in 2010. Hydrostatic testing, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation, is when water is put into a pipeline at a high level of pressure for hours at a time to ensure the structure is sound. Vokes said there was no way for ILIs to catch the rupture, which the CAO described as having "the appearance of a fish-mouth opening," approximately 45 inches long by 8 inches wide, with the axis of the fish-mouth rupture aligning with the pipe's longitudinal seam. Vokes claims this is "exactly the same rupture" as the one that occurred outside Edinburg, North Dakota, in 2019. The CAO also said the failure mechanism in the 2019 event appears to be similar to the April event. Further, it says spills in 2016, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022 "show a tendency or pattern in recent years of increasingly frequent incidents resulting in larger releases." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A plan was approved in 2023 to separate TC Energy into two independent, investment-grade companies, according to the South Bow statement. South Bow is one; TC Energy Corporation is another. South Bow legally separated from TC Energy, becoming a standalone critical infrastructure company, in late 2024. "Over Keystone Pipeline System's history, we safely delivered over five billion barrels of crude oil to meet North American energy demand," South Bow's statement said. Some of the company's recent upgrades and operational changes, according to the statement, include a third-party audit of operational and safety performance; additional pipeline integrity expertise and skills added to the team; new technologies, research and development investments to maintain the pipeline system; sharing learned best practices to peers at Liquids Energy Pipeline Association and investing approximately $150 million annually into South Bow's pipeline integrity programs. Following this most recent spill, South Bow initiated a comprehensive review of operations and reinspected the affected segment using advanced monitoring technologies, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recent CAO also identifies the affected pipe as manufactured by Berg Steel Pipe Corporation, the same manufacturer as the pipe that caused the 2019 spill. South Bow said constructing a pipeline requires extensive design, construction and operational criteria all of which were carried out on the Keystone Pipeline. It also said the pipeline exceeds standard pipeline requirements and, once South Bow learns the root cause of the spill, it will take the appropriate steps to further strengthen the pipe's integrity. "We are actively monitoring how the Keystone Pipeline System is performing to ensure safe and reliable operations," the statement said. "No incident is ever acceptable to us, and we make sure to put our learnings into action. In the past five years, the Fort Ransom segment of Keystone has been inspected six times using state-of-the-art technologies as part of our pipeline integrity program. Additionally, we are working with third parties to ensure objective results." Vokes claims that failing to publicize the RCFA from the 2019 spill within a timely manner left stakeholders without the full picture necessary to make informed decisions, and may have caused spills in the years since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This (report) should have been posted within a very short period of time," he said. "Because how are you supposed to be proactive about pipeline failures if you don't post it right away?" The recently released RCFA for the 2019 Keystone spill was dated April 1, 2020. The Herald filed a FOIA request for the report on Oct. 29, 2020, and received it in March of this year. The redacted file's name includes the date Sept. 15, 2023. The Herald asked PHMSA to clarify the dates, and explain the timeline for releasing the documentation. Kirkwood said the RCFA was submitted to PHMSA on April 1, 2020, and the Herald received the document after its request was processed by PHMSA's FOIA office. Kirkwood didn't address the length of time it took for the request to be processed, but he did clarify the date in the file name likely only refers to when the file was saved to someone's computer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vokes also asserts PHMSA should have published the documentation on its website, which has a section designated for pipeline failure investigation reports, so the public would be aware of the issue. Kirkwood said the RCFA is different from a Failure Investigation Report, which is the type of documentation PHMSA writes and publishes on its website. Though Kirkwood said a Failure Investigation Report was produced by PHMSA after the investigation concluded, he did not explain why the report is not on the website. The website has publicized reports from at least four more recent pipeline failures, including another Keystone spill that occurred in Kansas in 2022. South Bow said it has an incident response webpage, which is one of the channels it uses to share public updates. Staff also work closely with regulators, local elected officials, landowners, communities and customers, according to the statement. "We recognize the seriousness of any incident and are committed to full transparency," South Bow's statement said. By Yantoultra Ngui, Fanny Potkin and Jun Yuan Yong SINGAPORE (Reuters) -Singapore-based Carro, Southeast Asia's largest used-car online marketplace, is preparing for a U.S. initial public offering as early as 2026 that could raise up to $500 million, according to sources familiar with the matter. The company is aiming for a valuation of more than $3 billion, according to the sources, who could not be named discussing confidential information. If successful, Carro's listing would be the largest Southeast Asian IPO in the U.S. since SEA's $989.3 million listing in 2017 and the third biggest Southeast Asian high-tech IPO in the United States, according to LSEG. It would also be the first major automotive tech and artificial intelligence or AI-driven commerce startup from Singapore to go public in the United States. Carro is on track to deliver $100 million in annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation by its fiscal year ending March 2026, one of the sources said. The IPO size is still under discussion and may change depending on market conditions, the sources added. Carro did not immediately respond to an email request seeking comment on Wednesday. Founded in 2015, Carro operates a digital platform that enables consumers and dealers to buy and sell vehicles, while also offering insurance, financing and after-sales services. Besides Singapore, it has a presence in markets across the Asia-Pacific region including Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong, its websites show. With over 4,500 employees across Asia-Pacific, Carro has raised more than $1 billion in debt and equity from investors including Temasek, SoftBank and several other sovereign funds, according to its websites. A successful listing could pave the way for other regional unicorns such as Carsome, Traveloka and Xendit to follow suit. Beyond Southeast Asia, a growing number of Chinese companies are also eyeing U.S. listings, drawn by the potential for higher valuations despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. (Reporting by Yantoultra Ngui, Fanny Potkin and Jun Yuan Yong. Editing by Scott Murdoch and Mark Potter) "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Heres what youll learn when you read this story: The archaeological site at Turkeys Bogazkoy-Hattusha, the former capital of the Bronze Age Hittite empire, is a hotbed of ancient languages. During excavations of the ruins, archaeologists uncovered a new language written on a tablet detailing a foreign ritual. Although experts arent sure what the specific idiom says, they can confirm that the new language is a member of the Anatolian Indo-European language family. Today, the ancient city of Hattusha the capital of the Hittite empire that ruled north-central Turkey in the late Bronze Age (1650 - 1200 BCE)is a treasure trove of ancient languages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the Bogazkoy-Hattusha archaeological site, excavations over the past century have uncovered around 30,000 cuneiform tablets detailing the history, traditions, and society of Bronze Age Anatolia. This site is so rich in Bronze Age history that the once-powerful capital became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1986. Although most of the tablets found in Hattusha are written in Hittitethe oldest attested Indo-European language (and the language tree through which English evolved)many other languages of the region can be found among these cuneiform treasures, including Luwian, Palaic, and Hattic. However, 2023 excavations at the site revealed a surprising discoveryan entirely new language. The Hittites were uniquely interested in recording rituals in foreign languages, Daniel Schwemer, head of the Chair of Ancient Near Eastern Studies at Julius-Maximilians-Universitat (JMU) Wurzburg in Germany, said in a press statement . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And hidden in this particular ancient cultic text is a recitation written in an unfamiliar language. According to the archaeologists, the Hittite text refers to an idiom from the language of the land of Kalasmaan area that wouldve lied along the northwestern edge of the Hittite empires frontier. Although experts have no idea what this particular cuneiform passage says, they can confirm that the language is a member of the Anatolian Indo-European family, which also includes Luwian, Palaic, and Hittite. As its name suggests, Indo-European languages make up a large family of languages that encompass many modern countries in Europe and the Indian subcontinent. Most of the languages from these regions can trace their roots back to an original mother language (though the Basque language is a head-scratching outlier). Experts believe that the Proto-Indo-European language likely originated around the Black Sea, in what is now southern Ukraine. On the other side of the Black Sea, evidence suggests that Kalasma lies near modern-day Bolu or Gerede in northwestern Turkey, which is closer to the geographic area in which Palaic was spoken. However, the newly discovered language has more in common with Luwian, a language spoken by people in the southeastern corner of the Hittite empire. Although only a mere sliver of the Kalasma language is known today, its more than likely that more evidence of this long-forgotten tongue is waiting to be discovered somewhere along the vast stretches of Anatolia. Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Get the Issue Photo credit: Hearst Owned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get the Issue You Might Also Like Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes looks on during an interview in November 2022 in Phoenix. Fontes told a conference of his peers this week that artificial intelligence carries benefits and risks for election officials. (Photo by Jon Cherry/Getty Images) BILOXI, Miss. Artificial intelligence carries the potential to improve voter outreach, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes told state officials across the country this week, even as he also warned of its risks. AI has exploded on the technology scene in recent years as chatbots and other tools are quickly integrated into everyday life. Like others, election officials are weighing the upsides and downsides the rapidly evolving field presents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fontes, a Democrat, described AIs potential during a presentation at the National Association of Secretaries of State summer conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. The talk came after his office released a report on AI and election security in February. Dont be afraid of it just because you might not understand it or you think you dont understand it. Trust me, not a lot of people do very well. But we cannot avoid the conversation. Its incredibly important, Fontes told the conference audience Tuesday. The winter report developed by Fontes AI and Election Security Advisory Committee says AI may help election officials share critical information with voters. AI could, for example, share details about races that will appear on a ballot and convenient voting locations. The Arizona secretary of states chatbot conducted 655,000 conversations about the 2024 election, Fontes said. The top three questions to the bot from members of the public concerned early voting, the status of individual voters and in-person voting locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imagine the amount of staff time and energy and the number of lost communications for not answering phones, delayed responses that we could have had we didnt have those issues, Fontes said. At the same time, both Fontes and the report warn that AI risks supercharging cyberattacks on election officials and undercutting confidence in elections. In 2023, Fontes used an AI-generated deepfake video of himself to welcome election officials to a training on AI-based attacks, underscoring how the tech can be weaponized to sow confusion. Cyberattacks traditional and AI-fueled remain a significant concern of election officials. As recently as June, hackers changed candidate photos on the Arizona Secretary of States website to an image of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 revolution in Iran. President Donald Trump has curtailed federal election security work in recent months. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, in March halted its election security work. A month earlier, Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency task force also fired 130 cybersecurity workers at the agency. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Aug. 6BILOXI, Miss. Artificial intelligence carries the potential to improve voter outreach, Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes told state officials across the country this week, even as he also warned of its risks. AI has exploded on the technology scene in recent years as chatbots and other tools are quickly integrated into everyday life. Like others, election officials are weighing the upsides and downsides the rapidly evolving field presents. Fontes, a Democrat, described AI's potential during a presentation at the National Association of Secretaries of State summer conference in Biloxi, Mississippi. The talk came after his office released a report on AI and election security in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Don't be afraid of it just because you might not understand it or you think you don't understand it. Trust me, not a lot of people do very well. But we cannot avoid the conversation. It's incredibly important," Fontes told the conference audience Tuesday. The winter report developed by Fontes' AI and Election Security Advisory Committee says AI may help election officials share critical information with voters. AI could, for example, share details about races that will appear on a ballot and convenient voting locations. The Arizona secretary of state's chatbot conducted 655,000 "conversations" about the 2024 election, Fontes said. The top three questions to the bot from members of the public concerned early voting, the status of individual voters and in-person voting locations. "Imagine the amount of staff time and energy and the number of lost communications for not answering phones, delayed responses that we could have had we didn't have those issues," Fontes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, both Fontes and the report warn that AI risks supercharging cyberattacks on election officials and undercutting confidence in elections. In 2023, Fontes used an AI-generated deepfake video of himself to welcome election officials to a training on AI-based attacks, underscoring how the tech can be weaponized to sow confusion. Cyberattacks traditional and AI-fueled remain a significant concern of election officials. As recently as June, hackers changed candidate photos on the Arizona Secretary of State's website to an image of Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini, who led the 1979 revolution in Iran. President Donald Trump has curtailed federal election security work in recent months. The U.S. Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA, in March halted its election security work. A month earlier, Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency task force also fired 130 cybersecurity workers at the agency. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at [email protected]. YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE. LITTLE ROCK, Ark. A recent meeting of the Arkansas Board of Corrections ended with its approval of an anti-recidivism program backed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Officials said the plan focuses on inmates close to release. It will implement multiple state agencies and community organizations to prepare inmates housing, employment, and other needs as they transition to life outside prison. Senator Tom Cotton sponsors new legislation aimed at jamming cell phone signals in prisons Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initial program will target inmates who are six months from release. Initially, 100 inmates at each corrections facility will be chosen, officials said. A spokesperson for the governor said the programs launch timeline is being planned. Inmates will be assigned a case manager to facilitate the acquisition of personal documents, such as social security cards, and facilitate introductions to parole officers and telecommunication contracts for inmates working on reuniting with their family. Officials said the case manager will also empower faith community members to help inmates connect with churches and study groups. Inmates will also be provided with resources for 12-step and similar groups, as well as groups supporting mental health or specific needs, such as veterans or trauma groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trio of new laws intend to reduce Arkansas prison population Officials said funding will come from existing state resources and additional funds will not be required. This pilot program will address many of the issues that cause former inmates to reoffend, like lack of housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment, Gov. Sanders said. Ultimately, we want to expand this program statewide to lower Arkansas recidivism rate and prepare inmates for a healthy, well-adjusted life outside prison. Arkansas Sheriffs Association gives support for new prison A 2022 report prepared for the Arkansas House of Representatives shows the states overall recidivism rate is 46.1%, representing former inmates who are arrested, convicted or reincarcerated within three years of release. Department of Corrections numbers show recidivism has been dropping from a recent high of 51.1% in 2014. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Arkansas State Election Commissioner James Harmon Smith (right) addresses his fellow commissioners on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025,while Phillips County Election Commissioner John Dalencourt (left) listens. Harmon Smith was the only board member who voted against sanctioning Dalencourt for election law violations. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners voted Tuesday to decertify two Phillips County election workers, one of whom did not show up to the hearing, and issue them letters of reprimand for failing to fulfill their duties. The board decertified Phillips County Election Commissioner John Dalencourt for four years and poll worker Dennis Jasper for 14 years after hearing testimony from others who worked at the voting site in the small town of Elaine during the November 2024 elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delancourt faced sanctions for not being present at the polling place at 6:45 a.m. on Election Day, which was Nov. 4, at the direction of the state board after a similar issue in 2022. The board also held Dalencourt responsible for the polling place not being open at 7:30 a.m. as required. The board initially considered decertifying Dalencourt for 14 years but reduced the punishment after hearing objections from Dalencourt and from commissioner James Harmon Smith. Dalencourt said it was impossible for him to be present at the polling place at the requested time because he had to ensure that Phillips Countys other polling places had adequate internet connection in time for voting to begin. I was not there at exactly 6:45 With the notion that it was a dereliction of my duties, no, Dalencourt said. I think I have a greater duty for the entire operation of all the polling centers in Phillips County. Harmon Smith was the only one of the six commissioners to vote against Dalencourts sanctions, saying he believed decertification should not always be the punishment for election law violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was also the sole vote against decertifying Izard County election worker Kay Holland in July. Other poll workers had levied several allegations against Holland, including failing to remove obstacles to poll watchers view of the Horseshoe Bend voting site in a timely manner. Harmon Smith said he had no problem supporting Jaspers decertification after the poll worker did not show up to his own hearing Tuesday. Charlie Morris, the state boards election administration supervisor, and Phillips County election monitor Alexi Thomas both corroborated the allegations against Dalencourt and Jasper. Thomas said Jasper did not follow the proper procedures for recording voters identifying information and got loud and started making a scene when Thomas approached him about it. Commissioner William Luther said Jaspers animosity toward Thomas went beyond the pale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesdays board meeting was the first of three scheduled this week. On Wednesday, the board will discuss its decertification of all three members of the Searcy County Election Commission. The board issued the 14-year decertification in June over allegations that the county commission accepted equipment in violation of state rules. The equipment came from the Arkansas Voter Integrity Initiative, a nonprofit connected to President Donald Trump that advocates for replacing voting machines with hand-counted paper ballots during elections. Searcy County was the only county to count ballots by hand last year after its quorum court voted in late 2023 to adopt the procedure. The effort resulted in some counting errors during the 2024 primary, which were among the reasons the state election board sanctioned Searcy County officials in October 2024. The Voter Integrity Initiative unsuccessfully sued the state last year to get approval of a ballot measure that would require all elections in Arkansas to be conducted by hand-counted paper ballots. Attorney Clint Lancaster represented the nonprofit in the lawsuit and will represent the Searcy County election commissioners at Wednesdays hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Lancaster asked state election board members to postpone the hearing and to recuse themselves from the proceedings, but the board refused both requests. Attorney Clint Lancaster (left) addresses the Arkansas State Board of Election Commissioners, including James Harmon Smith (second from right) and Johnathan Williams (right), on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Tess Vrbin/Arkansas Advocate) Lancaster claimed the boards decisions violated his clients due process rights and criticized commissioner Bilenda Harris-Ritter when she said she could not attend Wednesdays hearing. Every vote counts, and her not seeing my clients in person is very important to their right to a fair hearing, which it doesnt appear theyre going to get, Lancaster said. Harris-Ritter rebutted Lancasters statement and said she had a family emergency preventing her from attending. Lancaster will also represent a poll supervisor in a hearing before the state board on Thursday, according to the meeting agenda. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Rev. Tyrone Broomfield (center) looks through paperwork during a July 26, 2024 Board of Corrections meeting in North Little Rock. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) The Arkansas Board of Corrections voted Friday to participate in a recidivism reduction pilot program proposed by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. The pilot will feature a whole-of-government approach to preventing reincarceration, according to Cortney Kennedy, Sanders chief legal counsel. Kennedy presented the proposal at the boards meeting last week. The board voted to begin searching for a place to host the pilot program and to begin working out logistics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program will initially include 100 inmates, targeting those who are at least six months from release. Kennedy told the board the program would draw in government agencies such as the Department of Commerce, the Division of Workforce Services, the private sector and faith communities and organizations to help inmates reintegrate into society upon their release. The goal, according to Kennedy, is to help inmates find housing and work. According to a news release sent by the governors office Tuesday, Sanders said the state isnt doing enough to prepare incarcerated people to reenter society, despite rehabilitation being a major goal of imprisonment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This pilot program will address many of the issues that cause former inmates to recommit, like lack of housing, employment, and substance abuse treatment, Sanders said in the release. Ultimately, we want to expand this program statewide to lower Arkansas recidivism rate and prepare inmates for a healthy, well-adjusted life outside prison. Arkansas repeat-offender rate stood at 44% in 2018, one of the highest published recidivism rates in the country, according to a 2024 recidivism reduction report from The Council of State Governments Justice Center, a nonpartisan nonprofit that represents local and state governments. The pilot program proposes to modify the terms of supervision for program participants to allow felons to live, work, and ride in transportation together if they are working with established employment partners. A proposed case manager position would manage inmate needs on an individual level and facilitate their introductions to Parole Officers, while state officials would be brought on-site to provide program participants with birth certificates, drivers licenses and social security cards, the release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Programming would address substance abuse, mental illness and other issues while connecting participants with support groups and doctors, the release said. State agencies, private businesses and nonprofits would be tapped to create on-site training and industry opportunities, allowing inmates to develop skills while still incarcerated, earn a quality income, and prepare for employment upon release. Being tough on crime has been a focus for conservative politicians, statewide and nationally. That includes Arkansas. Lawmakers passed the Arkansas Protect Act in 2023, and Sanders and some other GOP lawmakers are pushing for a new 3,000-bed prison that a member of the corrections board has said isnt needed. In Arkansas most recent legislative session, legislators of both parties still voted overwhelmingly for at least two laws that aim to reduce the states recidivism rate. Arkansas recidivism rate has remained flat in 2008, it stood at 45%. The Justice Centers report notes that states use different methods for determining recidivism. Data used for some states in the report is nearly 10 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Comparatively, California a state routinely lambasted by Sanders for not being tough enough on crime has reduced its recidivism rate from 64% to 20% over the same period. As of 2023, the most recent year with data available, Arkansas has the fourth highest number of violent crimes per 100,000 people in the country, according to USAFacts. California ranks sixth, with 620 violent crimes per 100,000 people. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A federal judge blocked a new law in several Arkansas districts that would require schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms. The ruling, applied to the four largest districts out of 237 in the state, is a response to a lawsuit brought by a group of parents who claimed that the law infringes on their freedom of religion and their parental rights. The law was slated to go into effect on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Why would Arkansas pass an obviously unconstitutional law? Most likely because the State is part of a coordinated strategy among several states to inject Christian religious doctrine into public-school classrooms, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks said in a ruling, per news reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said that the Ten Commandments law requires that a specific version of that scripture be used, one that the uncontroverted evidence in this case shows is associated with Protestantism and is exclusionary of other faiths, according to Fox. The injunction is the latest development in a growing legal fight as several Republican states attempt to expand religions role in public education. The law details that the Ten Commandments should be displayed in easily readable font on a poster or framed document, measuring at least 11 inches by 14 inches. Both Texas and Louisiana have enacted laws mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms, and like Arkansas, these states were sued over the law. In Louisiana, which was the first state to mandate the Ten Commandments in all classrooms, a three-judge appellate panel recently ruled the statute unconstitutional. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of families of different religions by the American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for the Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation. It argues that the law imposes on the constitutional rights and coerces students into religious perspectives that are endorsed by the state, according to ABC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Arkansas statute was signed into law earlier this year by Republican Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Act 573 is a direct infringement of our religious-freedom rights, and were pleased that the court ruled in our favor, said Samantha Stinson, a plaintiff in the parent lawsuit, per an ACLU press release. The law conflicts with our familys Jewish tenets and practice, and our belief that our children should receive their religious instruction at home and within our faith community, not from government officials. But many conservatives argue that the Ten Commandments are a cornerstone of Western legal tradition and helped shape the U.S. legal system. They argue that displaying these posters in classrooms is not about promoting religion, but instead about acknowledging history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ten Commandments, given by God to Moses on Mount Sinai, have served as a cornerstone of Western civilization for millennia, wrote William Wolfe, a former senior official in the Trump Administration. These divine precepts offer timeless wisdom that transcends religious boundaries, providing a universal ethical framework that benefits all members of society, regardless of their personal beliefs. By placing the Ten Commandments in our classrooms, we are honoring Washingtons vision and ensuring that future generations understand the moral underpinnings of our democratic system. Some scholars of the Bible, however, believe this interpretation gets the core Biblical teaching and its purpose wrong. Richard Clifford, professor emeritus of Old Testament at Boston College, argues that the Ten Commandments were never intended as a universal moral code, but rather a covenant between God and a specific people, the Israelites. Posting the commandments, he writes in America Magazine, shows preference for one religion over others and violates the First Amendment. As an alternative, Clifford suggests displaying the Golden Rule in the classrooms, a shared ethical principle found across many faiths and cultures. Legal experts anticipate the issue will ultimately be decided by the U.S. Supreme Court. FORT STEWART, Ga. (AP) A sergeant shot five soldiers Wednesday at one the countrys largest Army bases before he was quickly tackled by other Fort Stewart troops, forcing a brief lockdown, officials said. Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials said the shooter was Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, who used a personal handgun, not a military firearm. Radford opened fire where he worked but officials wouldnt speculate about a motive, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, said Brig Gen. John Lubas. The soldiers who tackled Radford helped ensure his arrest, said Lubas, who commands the 3rd Infantry Division. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded, he said. This latest act of violence on a U.S. military installation sites that are supposed to be among the most secure in the country again raised concerns about safety and security within the armed forces own walls. The Army said it's investigating the shooting. There were still many unanswered questions, including the scope of the injuries and the shooter's motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured were taken to the hospital and three underwent surgery, officials said. A telephone number listed for Radford in public records rang unanswered. Army records released to The Associated Press show that Radford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed. Radford faced an Aug. 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. on May 18, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said. Attorney Sneh Patel is representing Radford in the traffic case but not the shooting as of Wednesday, he said in an email. He cited attorney-client privilege in declining to comment about any his conversations with Radford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. The shooter was arrested at 11:35 a.m., officials said. The lockdown lasted about an hour. After it was lifted, cars began to move through the normal security checkpoint at the forts main gate. The Armys 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the Spartan Brigade, the Army has called the unit its most modern land fighting force. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River by land area. Its home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division and family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump called the shooter a horrible person in comments to reporters at the White House. The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Among the deadliest acts of violence on U.S. military bases was a 2009 attack. A U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people in a shooting that left more than 30 wounded at Fort Hood, a military installation in Texas. In 2013, a defense contract worker and former Navy reservist killed 12 people at Washington Navy Yard. He was then killed in a gun battle with police. In 2014, a soldier opened fire on his fellow service members at Fort Hood, killing three people and wounding more than a dozen others before the gunman killed himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, an aviation student opened fire in a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, killing three people and injuring another dozen people including two sheriffs deputies. Just days earlier, a U.S. Navy sailor shot two people to death before killing himself at Pearl Harbor, the Naval station in Hawaii. ___ Catalini contributed from Trenton, New Jersey; and Associated Press writers Jeff Martin and Jeff Amy in Atlanta; Mike Balsamo, Konstantin Toropin and Mike Pesoli in Washington, D.C.; Claudia Lauer in Philadelphia; and Audrey McAvoy in Honolulu contributed to this report. A sergeant shot five soldiers Wednesday at one the countrys largest Army bases before he was quickly tackled by other Fort Stewart troops, forcing a brief lockdown, officials said. Few details were immediately available about what led to the gunfire, but officials said the shooter was Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, who used a personal handgun, not a military firearm. Radford opened fire where he worked but officials wouldnt speculate about a motive, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured soldiers are stable and expected to recover, said Brig Gen. John Lubas. The soldiers who tackled Radford helped ensure his arrest, Lubas said. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties or wounded, he said. This latest act of violence on a U.S. military installation sites that are supposed to be among the most secure in the country again raised concerns about safety and security within the armed forces own walls. The Army said its investigating the shooting. There were still many unanswered questions, including the scope of the injuries and the shooters motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The injured were taken to the hospital and three underwent surgery, officials said. A telephone number listed for Radford in public records rang unanswered. Army records released to The Associated Press show that Radford enlisted in January 2018. He worked as a supply sergeant and has not been deployed. Radford faced an Aug. 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on a accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. on May 18, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said. His lawyer in the traffic case did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement was sent to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. The shooter was arrested at 11:35 a.m., officials said. The lockdown lasted about an hour. After it was lifted, cars began to move through the normal security checkpoint at the forts main gate. The Armys 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team was created in 2016 when the service added more than 200 vehicles to an infantry unit of roughly 4,200 soldiers. Also known as the Spartan Brigade, the Army has called the unit its most modern land fighting force. Located about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. Its home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division and family members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House and Defense Department officials said President Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth had been briefed on the shooting. The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Among the deadliest acts of violence on U.S. military bases was a 2009 attack. A U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people in a shooting that left more than 30 wounded at Fort Hood, a military installation in Texas. In 2013, a defense contract worker and former Navy reservist killed 12 people at Washington Navy Yard. He was then killed in a gun battle with police. In 2014, a soldier opened fire on his fellow service members at Fort Hood, killing three people and wounding more than a dozen others before the gunman killed himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, an aviation student opened fire in a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, killing three people and injuring another dozen people including two sheriffs deputies. Just days earlier, a U.S. Navy sailor shot two people to death before killing himself at Pearl Harbor, the Naval station in Hawaii. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW (The Center Square) Five soldiers injured Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Georgia are stable and expected to recover from a shooting by an active-duty soldier, military officials say. Three of the five wounded required surgery. The suspect has been identified as Army Sgt. Quornelius Radford, of the 2nd Brigade combat team. Radford has never been deployed to combat and has since been interviewed by the Army Criminal Investigation Division, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, who briefed reporters later in the afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lubas indicated that the suspect didnt use a military-issued weapon. He praised soldiers for quickly stopping the shooter. The brave soldiers who immediately intervened and subdued the shooter, these soldiers without a doubt prevented further casualties, said the brigadier general. Base officials said the suspect was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. local time Wednesday. The base statement detailing the sequence of events said, Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at 10:56 a.m. The shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. The installation was locked down at 11:04 a.m. and Fort Stewart lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. 2nd ABCT complex is still locked down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Stewart is home to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division, approximately 15,000 active-duty Army soldiers, 400 other military members, and about 16,000 active-duty family members. The base is located in Hinesville, Ga., about 30 miles southwest of Savannah. Lubas comments indicate the situation had the potential to rival two other shootings on bases in the last 16 years. In November 2009 at Fort Hood, 13 were killed and 32 injured by Maj. Nidal Malik Hasan. The Army psychiatrist himself sustained injuries but survived. In September 2013, a military contractor, Aaron Alexis, opened fire at the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., killing 12 and injuring eight. Alexis was shot and killed by security officials. Upexi Inc. (UPXI), a diversified brand owner, said its holdings of Solana's sol (SOL) more than doubled in July, taking the total to more than 2 million tokens. The Tampa, Florida-based company, whose brands include LuckyTail, Prax and Cure Mushrooms, said it funded the purchases raising more capital through the sale of common stock and convertible notes. During the month, we raised $200 million and grew our Solana holdings by over 172% to 2 million SOL," CEO Allan Marshall said in a statement shared with CoinDesk. "And we continued to generate additional value for shareholders via an 8% staking yield and additional purchases of discounted locked Solana." July, he said, was a "game-changing" month, during which the company made multiple purchases, including 100,000 SOL on July 21 and 83,000 SOL on July 23. Notably, a significant portion of the SOL acquired was purchased as "locked SOL" at a mid-teens discount to the going market rate, generating built-in gains for shareholders. As of Monday, Upexi held 2,000,518 SOL, with its shares trading at a basic market net asset value (mNAV) of 0.9x and a fully loaded mNAV of 1.6x. The shares rose 56% last month, and added 9.1% on Monday to $5.02. The basic mNAV means that Upexi's market capitalization is slightly higher than the combined value of its traditional business and its crypto treasury. The fully loaded version means that if all potential capital-structure changes and cash deployments occur, the company's intrinsic value its equivalent to a net asset value on a fully adjusted basis would be 1.6 times its market cap. While Upexi continues to specialize in consumer products, space, its cryptocurrency treasury strategy is now a core focus. Beyond the treasury update, the press release also looked into broader developments within the Solana ecosystem, including strong network performance, proposed block limit increases, and the launch of new protocols like Jito's Block Assembly Marketplace. The report also noted significant progress in Solana's ETF landscape, with REX-Osprey's Solana Staking ETF surpassing $100 million in assets under management (AUM), and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission requesting amended applications from prospective spot SOL ETF issuers. The growing trend of tokenization, with Backed Finance's xStocks launching on Solana's DeFi ecosystem, was also highlighted as a positive tailwind. AURORA, Colo. (KDVR) An Aurora mom is grieving her 16-year-old son, who was hit and killed while riding his electric scooter late Friday evening. The suspect fled the scene, but the Aurora Police Department said 19-year-old Daveon Javon-James Jackson was arrested Saturday evening after police asked the public for help. Man accused of impersonating a police officer, using police-like lights on I-25 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tasha Hills son, Dimitri, was reportedly riding in the bike lane following the rules of the road when he was hit on the busy Aurora street at East Wesley Drive and South Dunkirk Street. Hill said her son was riding home from a friends house on his e-scooter when he was killed. She called the past few days a nightmare. Nobody should be looking at these pictures with grief, Hill said. She shared 16 photos, one for each year of her sons life, that will soon line East Wesley Drive in Aurora. Hill described Dimitri as a loving, kind boy who could always light up a room. When he went into a room, you couldnt help but love him, Hill reminisced. His light was so bright it was infectious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Saturday, he was heading home from his friends house, which Hill said her son was at nearly every day. Thats when he was hit from behind by a car. When police arrived on scene, Dimitri was conscious and taken to a local hospital, but his condition declined rapidly, according to the Aurora Police Department, and he died shortly after arriving at the hospital. Horrific and blessed all at the same time, Hill said. Horrific that we are going through this but blessed that we have this amazing community. He touched so many hearts and so many people are grieving with us. Colorado, city of Denver on federal governments newest list of sanctuary jurisdictions Despite the arrest in her sons death, Hill has a message for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need to protect our children and we need to teach them to be good human beings, she said. And even more importantly, as neighbors, it is our responsibility to keep our streets safe. The family is now picking up the pieces making funeral arrangements and trying to move past the tragedy. A GoFundMe to help support the family during this time is available 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 FOX31 Denver. TOPEKA (KSNT) A local organization that helps thousands of Kansans with mental health support is gearing up for one of its biggest nights of the year. The Topeka Family Service & Guidance Center (FSGC) will host its 19th annual Works of Heart fundraiser on Aug. 16. It will also be holding an online auction with all sorts of unique items and local experiences up for grabs which come courtesy of 15 young local artists. FSGCs fundraiser is also an opportunity to celebrate some of the centers many success stories. A client of the FSGC told 27 News that therapy changed his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was dealing a lot with depression and suicide, and some days were harder than others, and some days, I could lean on my therapist. If she hadnt done that, I wouldnt be here today, said Peter Blum. We all have to get out: Families scramble to find new places to live in exodus from condemned Topeka apartment complex While tickets for the in-person event are sold out, you can still support the cause by placing bids in the online auction. You can find a link to the auction by clicking here. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. President Donald Trump is threatening to censor Smithsonian exhibits about race, gender and American history that he doesn't like, a move straight out of the authoritarian playbook. Kelly Caminero/HuffPost This article is part of HuffPosts biweekly politics newsletter. Click here to subscribe. WASHINGTON Bullcrap. Thats what Howard, a retiree visiting the National Portrait Gallery, had to say when I told him about the art show that had just been withdrawn from exhibition there. He was sitting on a bench in the museum when I asked if hed heard about it. He hadnt. The more I told him about what happened, the more he just kept repeating, Bullcrap. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A day earlier, Amy Sherald, the artist behind the famous 2018 portrait of Michelle Obama, canceled a solo show scheduled for September because, she said, the gallery told her she may have to remove a painting that could anger President Donald Trump. In a statement, the gallery said it could not come to an agreement with Sherald on how to present her show. The painting, titled Trans Forming Liberty, features a Black, transgender woman posing as the Statue of Liberty. Its precisely the kind of image that makes Trump squirm and that hes been bullying the Smithsonian to keep out of its museums across Washington, D.C. In a March executive order, Trump threatened to cut federal funding to the Smithsonian Institution, which encompasses 17 free D.C.-area museums and the national zoo, over exhibits that divide Americans based on race or recognize men as women in any respect. Howard, who was in town from Aurora, Colorado, said he didnt know about Trumps efforts to censor exhibits throughout the Smithsonian as he walked around the Portrait Gallery on this afternoon in late July. He didnt like it at all. More bullcrap, he grumbled. We are adults. We dont need to be treated like children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like everyone interviewed for this story, Howard requested to be identified only by his first name he suggested the pseudonym Wiseass would also work to preserve his anonymity. His family was sitting nearby when I asked for his thoughts on the canceled exhibit. His wife, Andrea, moved in closer to hear about it, as did another woman waiting for a tour, Marcy. I certainly dont like anybody telling me what I should and shouldnt be looking at, Andrea said. On top of all of that, its also just like, trans people are not worth being in big museums like this? They should be represented. I think its important that [the artist is] taking ownership, said Marcy, who was visiting from Dallas. Shes saying, If you arent going to show my entire collection, then I have the right to take ownership and not show it. Trumps executive order, which directs Vice President JD Vance to remove improper ideology from Smithsonian exhibits and programs, claims that censorship is necessary to stop the ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history. But his definition of divisive narratives seems to be anything that talks about gender or race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The executive order names specific exhibits Trump wants altered or gone: The Shape of Power: Stories of Race and American Sculpture, which looks at how the U.S. has used race to establish and maintain systems of power, privilege, and disenfranchisement, and an unspecified upcoming exhibit that he claims celebrates the exploits of male athletes participating in womens sports. Asked for comment about Trump trying to erase art exhibits and history he doesnt like, Lindsey Halligan, special assistant to the president, took issue with the question itself. The premise of your question to comment on Trump trying to rewrite history or erase people in exhibits at the Smithsonian is deeply hypocritical, Halligan said in a statement. This administration stands for the preservation of American history without ideological distortion. Incredibly, she accused the artist behind Trans Forming Liberty of trying to censor history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is one Statue of Liberty, a globally recognized symbol of freedom and unity that stands for all Americans, without the need to recast it through the lens of identity politics, Halligan said. Reimagining the Statue of Liberty with a politically charged reinterpretation does not preserve history it rewrites it. If anyone is attempting to erase or distort history here, its the artist. A spokesperson for the Portrait Gallery did not respond to a request for comment. Artist Amy Sherald canceled an upcoming show at the National Portrait Gallery because, she said, the gallery told her she may have to remove this painting, "Trans Forming Liberty," to appease Trump. Photo by Kevin Bulluck I spent a couple of days talking to tourists visiting four different Smithsonian museums in Washington, D.C., asking what they made of Trumps efforts to censor exhibits relating to race and gender. Many were retirees, but some were younger families with kids running around. Some voted for Trump. Some didnt. Some wouldnt say. But of the 15 or so people I spoke to, none said they agreed that Trump should be erasing or changing any art in museums. Art is not meant to be censored, insisted Jennifer, a tourist from Los Angeles who was grabbing a bite to eat in the American Art Museum with her sister and an old friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, art is meant to challenge us. Art is meant to challenge your thinking, challenge your ideas, she said. If it doesnt challenge you, whats the point? Jennifer said shes worked in museum education, and to her, its important for people to view art that makes them uncomfortable. She gave the example of a painting she had just seen in the American Art Museum, Bar in Hotel Scribe, which features a Nazi flag on display in a cafe, and noted she is Jewish. I was like, interesting. But I wouldnt expect that to be pulled because it offended me, said Jennifer. I dont expect art to be comfortable. Asked why she thinks Trump is trying to keep people from viewing art he doesnt like, Jennifer, who made it clear she did not vote for him, said shes not surprised by anything he does. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But I dont like that the Smithsonian, as an art institution, is caving in fear, she said. Trump hasnt just been threatening museums to bend to his will. Hes been abusing his executive power to try to punish major law firms that he perceives as his political enemies, and promising to sue prominent universities if they dont accept his conditions for running their schools. Time and again, these institutions we see you, Paul Weiss and Brown University have chosen cowardice over standing up for the law or their own values. Trumps efforts to stifle the Smithsonian are already having an unsettling effect on some of the people who work there. I asked Portrait Gallery workers for their thoughts on Sherald pulling her entire exhibit rather than censoring it for Trump, but they wouldnt talk, even anonymously. One worker began nodding immediately as I asked my question, suggesting they already knew what I was going to ask. I cant really talk about that from here, they said, through a long and awkward grin. A second worker said several times they werent allowed to talk about this, but then, curiously, lingered after I thought our exchange was over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behind a big smile with clenched teeth, they quietly shared some thoughts on the controversy over the Trans Forming Liberty painting. They noted that there were other controversial works on display in the museum, some with dark context, that remained unchallenged. Whats the difference? they said softly. They called it scary that Trump is trying to erase portrayals of transgender people in art, but emphasized its just one of many scary things being carried out by the Trump administration. Asked what they meant, they brought up how scary it is that people are being erased literally in Gaza as the Israeli government, backed by the Trump administration, carries out a genocide against Palestinians. With a weak laugh, this worker also noted the irony of not being able to speak freely in response to questions about censorship. Here is "Trans Forming Liberty" on display at the Whitney Museum of American Art in New York City. Look, nothing terrible is happening because people can see it! Photo by Tiffany Sage / BFA.com. BFA 2025 A hallmark of authoritarian governments is using censorship to control information through the media and the arts, suppress dissent and enforce their political agenda through fear of retaliation. Some civil rights groups were quick to point out parallels to Trumps March executive order targeting transgender people in art and in history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is what fascism looks like, Kelley Robinson, the president of the Human Rights Campaign, said in a statement at the time. Trump has long fashioned himself as a wannabe strongman, fawning over autocrats like Vladimir Putin and Viktor Orban, who have kept their grip on power in part by quashing artists free expression and suppressing perspectives different from their own. They rely on censorship to create a facade that their oppressive views have strong public support. Dr. Karrie Koesel, an associate professor of political science at the University of Notre Dame and an expert on authoritarianism, said censoring the arts or artistic communities is definitely a well-worn strategy employed by authoritarian governments. This is in part because art is a medium that resonates, Koesel said. Its critical. Its geared toward social commentary. It also, in some cases, represents an intellectual class, which is a target of the current administration. Theres some anti-intellectualism, anti-higher education for sure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said whats particularly chilling about authoritarianism is when museums or artists feel pressured into self-censoring to align with the political interests of those in power. She couldnt say whether the Smithsonian has been doing this, and she emphasized that the United States isnt anywhere near the point where the government controls production of the arts, which the Soviet Union did, for example, by exclusively promoting art, music or literature that advanced the ideological interests of the regime. But that doesnt mean that Trumps threats of censorship at the Smithsonian wont have a disquieting effect. You dont need a directive from the White House to see broader downstream effects within artistic communities and cultural spaces, Koesel said. The Portrait Gallery isnt the only Smithsonian museum that appears to be altering exhibits to appease Trump. The National Museum of American History last month removed references to Trumps two impeachments from a display about impeached presidents. The Smithsonian reportedly made the change amid pressure from the White House to get rid of an art museum director, per The Washington Post. The Smithsonian later said in a statement that a future and updated exhibit will include all impeachments. Curiously, the online companion to this exhibit includes documents and photos related to the three other presidents who were impeached (or effectively impeached, as Richard Nixon resigned before he could be impeached), but for Trump, it just mentions his name. Once. Meanwhile, the National Museum of African American History and Culture came under fire in April after it returned civil rights-related artifacts to owners who had not requested them back. Civil rights activist Rev. Amos Brown said the museum notified him it was returning two books hed loaned it in 2016: a Bible he took to demonstrations with Martin Luther King Jr. and Jesse Jackson, and an 1880 book considered the first history of the Negro race. Brown told NBC4 Washington that the museum had previously given him the option to donate his books permanently or renew his loan, but not this time. He called it downright dishonest and demeaning to suggest he wanted his historic books back. The museum has said any claims that it wasnt following standard loan agreements are false. Monica was at the African American History Museum last week, visiting with her family from Oklahoma. A Black woman and mom to three, she said she had just been talking to her sons, ages 9 and 12, about the museums exhibit about the painful history of slavery, Slavery and Freedom. Theres always some random quote from some person thats like, Well, you know, slavery wasnt that bad. They took care of their slaves, they gave them food and shelter. Stuff like that, Monica said. So Im telling my boys, This is the truth. This is the reality of it. Asked what she makes of Trump criticizing Smithsonian exhibits about race, she said she thinks its a combination of him pandering to his base and his own fears. People are afraid of change. People are afraid of truth, Monica said. Truth is what it is. Facts can change. Truth does not. So, people are afraid of the truth, and they are afraid when they see what the truth shows them about themselves. She emphasized she is a very conservative person, but that thats never meant that she gets to decide how other people live their lives or what beliefs they should have. It is bullying, Monica said of Trump threatening the Smithsonian. Im settled in my convictions. If were talking about politics, if were talking about faith, there are certain things that I believe. Your beliefs are different? Its not gonna change mine. Its not going to hurt mine. Across the street, Paul and Tracy were checking out the National Museum of the American Indian. They were on a weekslong road trip from their home in northern Colorado, with plans to check out several of the Smithsonians museums, most of which theyd never seen. Both were retirees, and both shared that they voted for Trump in November. Hes helped and done a lot of good work, but you never hear any of that stuff, Tracy said. Shutting the border down was a big deal for me. You cant go to any other country and just cross in and be given all kinds of stuff like they do here. Paul similarly defended Trumps record, in between sharing warnings that America is in the Biblical End Times and conspiracies about 94-year-old billionaire philanthropist George Soros wanting to put chips in peoples brains to control them. Neither liked hearing about Trumps threats to censor Smithsonian exhibits, though. I think all the history should remain, you know? said Tracy. All of it. I mean, were not the only country where bad stuffs been going on. Its all over the world. So what? Its history. We learn from history. So thats how I feel. Yeah, they shouldnt change history, added Paul. They shouldnt make it something it wasnt. The National Museum of American History removed Trump's name from an exhibit, "American Democracy: A Great Leap of Faith," about presidents who have been impeached. The museum later said it's just in the process of updating the exhibit. Hmm. Maansi Srivastava / The Washington Post / Getty Images Trump hasnt specifically taken aim, yet, at the Hirshhorn Museum, which features modern art exhibits and will soon include one by the famously anonymous street artist Banksy, known for his antiauthoritarian political works. Craig and Fiona were visiting this museum last week, taking a break from the sweltering summer heat at the museums indoor cafe. They were tourists from Edinburgh, Scotland. They just laughed when I asked what they made of Trumps threats of censorship. Completely ridiculous, said Craig. Youve got to understand that from abroad, from the U.K., most of Europe, Trump is a bit of a clown. A cartoon character. So trying to censor, you know, things like art or what you see in a gallery is absolutely ridiculous. And not his remit. At all. They said if the First Minister of Scotland, their countrys top elected leader, were to try to censor exhibits like Trump is doing, there would be widespread outcry. Massive unrest, said Fiona. People would be on the streets protesting, added Craig. And theyd, you know, double down, put even more of that type of art on display. They said they were confused why this wasnt happening in the United States. You know his game, Craig said. Trump comes out with all the bluster, and then he sort of backs off and you end up with something less. Its a show. Its a reality show of the president. DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) Museums across the U.S. are displaying artifacts that represent and reflect landmark events of the Civil Rights era. Visitors to the Henry Ford near Detroit can see the bus Rosa Parks was riding when she refused to give up her seat to a white man in 1955, and a desk where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. planned voting rights marches. What we do here is help explain our story, as a community, as a culture, as a society to those who may not have lived through it, who may not remember it or who may have a different memory than what we collectively understand," said Amber Mitchell, curator of Black history at the Henry Ford. Public access to these items at federal sites may be restricted or prohibited under Trump administration rules seeking to bar what the president calls divisive" ideology that acknowledges the outsized role racism has played in American history and culture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The artifacts include: The Clark Doll, a plastic, dark-skinned toy doll used by psychologists Kenneth and Mamie Clark during the 1940s while studying the impact of segregation on Black children. The doll is on permanent display in the Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site in Topeka, Kansas. Shards of stained glass from windows at the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, are on display at The National Museum of African American History and Culture, part of the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. White supremacists bombed the church in 1963, killing four Black girls attending Sunday school. Parts of a car owned by NAACP activist Vernon Dahmer are on long-term loan to The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson, Mississippi. The Ku Klux Klan firebombed and shot at Dahmer's home in 1966. Dahmer, who had recruited Blacks to vote, rescued his family and they escaped in the car, but he died the next day from smoke inhalation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fountain pens used by President Lyndon B. Johnson to sign the 1964 Civil Rights Act and the 1965 Voting Rights Act are on display at The National Museum of African American History and Culture. Executive Orders 9980 and 9981 that desegregated the U.S. military and the federal government are stored in the National Archives, but copies are on display at the Harry S. Truman Presidential Library in Independence, Missouri. Truman issued the orders in 1948 following a beating that left Army Sgt. Isaac Woodard blind. Woodard was heading home to South Carolina in 1946 after serving in WWII when a white police chief pulled him from a Greyhound bus and beat him. Woodward was still wearing his uniform when he was assaulted. An all-white jury acquitted the chief. ARVADA, Colo. (KDVR) Arvada police are warning residents about an increase in the number of reported coyote attacks in the northwestern part of the city. Since May, there have been five reports of dogs getting injured or killed by coyotes, and officers are asking residents to report their coyote interactions to local authorities. Former Nuggets stars pregnant wife attacked by shark Now the department is working with Colorado Parks and Wildlife to host an educational meeting for residents on Aug. 11 at 5:30 p.m. at the Whisper Creek Police Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are looking for help. Noel Datko said his dog, Zoe, was killed in his backyard on July 18. We found her in the back corner of the yard. The coyote had jumped the fence and just killed her and left her there, he said. Datkos family was devastated. We have four small children from four to 13, and they were just crushed, he said. He said the pack of coyotes by his home is becoming more aggressive and came onto his front porch in the middle of the day. Arvada police are advising residents not to leave their pets unattended right now, even in their own yards. Stephanie Hoffman, the Lead Animal Management Officer for the city of Arvada, suggests hazing the coyotes to try and scare them away and make them uncomfortable around humans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That involves anything from spraying them with a hose if you have it available, you can buy an air horn for when you go on walks and you just happen to see them, you can grab an empty soda can or pop can and fill it with rocks or pennies to be able to shake at them and throw it at them, Hoffman said. She said residents could place synthetic coyote urine on their fence line or use motion-activated sprinklers. However, Datko said the hazing is not working. This flyer shows a planned meeting to discuss coyotes in Arvada. (Courtesy CPW, Arvada police) They dont run away when we try to haze them, he said. This pack of coyotes is very dangerous and were, at this point, worried about having our kids go outside and play. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like losing a close friend: The Hornet to close after nearly 30 years in Denver CPW is suggesting prevention and hazing, but an agency spokesperson, Kara Van Hoose, said that could change if the situation gets worse. Human safety is our first priority, so when we start to see coyotes attack humans or really become comfortable approaching them, thats when maybe we would work with local animal control and see what kind of options we do have, Van Hoose 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 FOX31 Denver. The assassin concealed himself behind an ice machine in a crowded kitchen pantry of the Ambassador Hotel with an eight-shot revolver. A small, wiry, pockmarked young man with curly hair and a hard-to-place accent, he loitered in the area for hours, asking kitchen workers if his target would be coming that way. In the Embassy ballroom, Robert F. Kennedy, 42, New York senator and brother of a slain president, had just declared victory in the June 4, 1968, California Democratic primary. The ecstatic crowd chanted, We want Bobby! We want Bobby! To study photos of the crowd is to see expressions of unembarrassed love, the kind few candidates inspire. Kennedys admirers revered him as a secular saint, a figure of hope in a brutal, tumultuous decade. But he was despised on the right and divisive on the left. In East Los Angeles, Mexican American crowds had greeted him rapturously; in Van Nuys, his campaign cars were pelted with stones. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assassinations had already left an indelible blight on the decade. John F. Kennedy was killed in 1963. In 1965, it was Malcolm X. In April 1968, when Martin Luther King Jr. was killed, it fell to Robert F. Kennedy to break the news to a largely Black crowd in Indianapolis. He spoke of the stain of bloodshed that has spread across our land, and of the possibility of compassion. He said a white man had killed his brother. He quoted Aeschylus, his favorite poet. Scores of cities exploded into rioting, in the wake of Kings murder. Indianapolis did not, and Bobby Kennedys admirers did not think it irrelevant that he had been there. Shaking hands with kitchen workers, Kennedy waded through the Wilshire Boulevard hotel in the first minutes of June 5, headed to the Colonial Room to talk to reporters. The pantry was a shortcut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later, his staffers would say the campaign did not want their candidate seen among uniformed LAPD, who were poisonous to voters they needed, particularly after the Watts riot of three years earlier. His protection was a thin scrim of hotel security and rent-a-cops hired for crowd control. Kennedy volunteers and supporters celebrate inside the Ambassador Hotel on the night of the California primary, June 4, 1968. It would be Robert F. Kennedy's biggest political triumphHe narrowly defeated Sen. Eugene McCarthy in the California primary, which Kennedy had said he needed to win to keep his presidential campaign alive. (Los Angeles Times) *** The journalist Pete Hamill had encouraged Kennedy to run for president, writing, "If you won, the country might be saved." Owing to JFK's death, he perceived an air of almost permanent sadness in Kennedy's eyes. That night, he accompanied Kennedy as he moved through the Ambassador pantry, which he described it as a long grubby areathe sort of place where Puerto Ricans, blacks and Mexican-Americans usually work to fill white stomachs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitchen workers pressed forward to touch him. Then the gunman emerged a messenger, Hamill wrote, from the secret filthy heart of America. Hamill saw him with his right foot forward and his right arm extended, firing. Robert F. Kennedy lies on the floor at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles moments after he was shot in the head. He had just finished his victory speech upon winning the California primary. (Boris Yaro/Los Angeles Times) Two .22-caliber bullets hit Kennedy in the back and a third entered behind his right ear, fragmenting in his brain. An Associated Press reporter said the shots sounded almost like a brief burst of machine-gun fire. Rosey Grier, a hulking defensive tackle for the Los Angeles Rams who was in the crowd, rushed in to pin the gunman against a serving table. Get the gun, get the gun! people screamed, but the gunman managed to empty his eight-shooter. Five bystanders were hit but not fatally. Some were yelling for instant vigilante justice, while others cried, Dont kill him! No Jack Ruby! Already haunting the scene was the dread of a reprise of Dallas, where Ruby gunned down Lee Harvey Oswald, JFKs assassin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now the younger Kennedy, fatally wounded, lay beside the ice machine on the dirty floor. Somebody put rosary beads in his hands, and his wife, Ethel, mother of his 11 children, touched ice cubes to his cheek. *** Sirhan Sirhan is taken by officers into court for arraignment hours after the shooting of Sen. Robert F. Kennedy at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles. (Los Angeles Times) The gunman refused to identify himself at first, and police could not place his accent. He was arraigned as John Doe in an early-morning courtroom session convened without advance word to the press or public, with the goal of avoiding another Dallas. His name was Sirhan Bishara Sirhan, 24, an identity confirmed because he left his fingerprints with a job application at Hollywood Park racetrack. A Jordanian who immigrated to the States at 12, he lived with his mother in a white-frame house in Pasadena. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His life had been a chronicle of failures and accumulating resentments. Hed failed out of Pasadena City College. Hed found a job at a health food store, but couldnt keep it. Hed tried to be a jockey, but horses kept throwing him. Hed been reduced to the low-status task of walking the horses, but he couldn't keep that job either. Sirhan frequently expressed anti-Jewish feelings, acquaintances told The Times, and his supreme hatred was the existence of the state of Israel. Kennedy, who had reported in British Palestine for the Boston Post in his early 20s, had become a stalwart supporter of the Jewish state and in a recent interview had proposed selling it 50 Phantom fighter jets. In one of his notebooks, Sirhan had written, Kennedy must be assassinated before June 5, 1968. That was the one-year anniversary of the start of the Six-Day War in which Israel had defeated a coalition of Arab armies. Sirhan had missed his timeline, as it happened, by just a few minutes. RFK must be disposed of like his brother was," Sirhan wrote in a journal found by investigators, a theme he stressed in many scribbled notes. "Robert Fitzgerald Kennedy must soon die die die die die die die die die die. My determination to eliminate RFK is becoming more the more (sic) of an unshakable obsession. Robert F. Kennedy must be assassinated assassinated assassinated assassinated. Sirhan Sirhan being escorted by his attorney, Russell E. Parsons, from Los Angeles County jail chapel to enter a plea to a charge of murder in Los Angeles in June 1968. (George Brich / Associated Press) At his trial, Sirhans legal team did not dispute that he had killed Kennedy and said he acted alone. Their goal was to spare him the death penalty by convincing jurors it was second-degree murder. It was the act of an immature, emotionally disturbed and mentally ill youth who had killed in a trancelike state, said defense attorney Emil Berman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had been traumatized by the sight of political violence as a child, the attorney said, and news of the Arab-Israeli conflict unleashed blinding rage. In his fantasies, he was often a hero and savior of his people, Berman said. With the trial in headlines worldwide, the Palestine Liberation Organization distributed posters of Sirhan praising him as a commando, not an assassin. Sirhans angry outbursts became a regular feature of the trial. He was enraged at the release of his notebooks, of his poor school grades, of his 89 score on an IQ test. At one point, he announced he wanted the gas chamber. I killed Robert F. Kennedy willfully, premeditatedly, and with 20 years of malice aforethought, he told the court, later explaining it was a reference to the 1948 birth of Israel. Taking the stand, Sirhan testified that he could change the color of a candle flame with the power of his mind. He said he not remember committing the shooting. He said hed been drunk. He delivered a screed on the history of the Middle East, telling his attorney, Zionism is more inimical to me than communism is to you. Defense psychiatrists said Sirhan suffered paranoia and social maladjustment, that he viewed Kennedy as a surrogate for the father who had abandoned him, and that mirrors at the Ambassador Hotel might have initiated his homicidal trance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutor Lynn Compton ridiculed the claims. If you dont buy it, like I dont buy it, he told jurors, then theres nothing left but plain old cold-blooded first-degree murder. Jurors convicted him and gave him death, a sentence commuted to life in prison in 1972 when the state Supreme Court ruled capital punishment unconstitutional. Sirhans release was among the demands a year later, when the Black September terrorist group kidnapped the U.S. ambassador and two other Western envoys in Sudan. (The U.S. refused; the three were executed.) In a 1989 interview with journalist David Frost, Sirhan again disavowed any conspiracy in Kennedys death, suggesting it was at odds with his mistrustful nature; he knew how a collaborator could easily become a witness against him. He claimed to feel remorse, while at the same time comparing himself to a Jew who had been given the opportunity to kill Adolf Hitler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By his 2016 parole hearing, Sirhans rhetoric had changed. He was now insisting he had not even done the crime, buoyed by conspiracy theorists positing that he had somehow been hypnotically programmed to fire his gun in order to divert attention from the real shooter. Legally speaking, Im not guilty of anything, he said. Sirhan Sirhan reacts during a parole hearing Feb. 10, 2016, at the Richard J. Donovan Correctional Facility in San Diego. (Gregory Bull/AP) It was not until 2021, however, that he convinced a parole panel that he should go free, a decision supported by the victims third son, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who is now the U.S. secretary of Health and Human Services. RFK Jr. described Sirhans guilt as a fiction. He believed a security guard had done it, perhaps as part of a CIA scheme. When he met the 77-year-old Sirhan in prison, he wrote, he found him gentle, humble, kindhearted, frail and harmless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the Kennedy family rejected the plea for parole, as did Gov. Gavin Newsom, noting that Sirhan refused to take responsibility for his crime. His lack of insight made him a continued threat, the governor wrote, and described him as an ideological lightning rod who might inspire further political violence. Sirhan, one man with a gun, acting alone, inflicted grievous harm to our country, Newsom wrote. The Trump administration recently released a cache of classified files on the assassination, and Sirhans current attorney, Angela Berry, said a team of researchers is combing them for new evidence. So far there hasnt been anything of use, she said. The investigative journalist Dan Moldea, who studied the case for years, went into it believing there was a good case for a second gunman but emerged with a book, "The Killing of Robert F. Kennedy," that meticulously debunked the theories. (One popular theory involved gouges in the pantry walls misidentified as holes from unaccounted-for bullets.) After multiple prison interviews, Moldea came to believe Sirhan was intent on using him. I said, Why not admit you did it, instead of this bulls that you were drunk and dont remember anything? Moldea told The Times in a recent interview. He said to me, Listen, why should I admit guilt when I got you out there coming up with exculpatory evidence saying I didnt do it?' Author Mel Ayton, who has written extensively about Sirhan, said the killer was a chronic failure who believed the murder would make him a hero. What [Sirhan] thought would be a redeeming feature of his life is his politics, which has been ignored by conspiracy writers, Ayton told The Times. He said crackpot theories have found oxygen in historical amnesia: If theres no motive, they can promote their idea that he was just an innocent patsy. In a forward to Aytons new book, "The Making of an Assassin: Why Sirhan Sirhan Murdered Robert Kennedy," former FBI profiler John Douglas (with Mark Olshaker), describes Sirhan as both a mentally unstable and angry nobody and a driven, mission-oriented ideologue. Well before he did it, Sirhan expressed his plans, not just in writing but in conversation. At the 1969 trial, a Black trash collector named Alvin Clark testified about arguing with Sirhan a few weeks before the California primary. To Clark, Kennedy was the man who had paid to bring the murdered Martin Luther King Jr.s body home to his family. Sirhan said, Im planning on shooting him. Clark replied, If you do, youll be killing one of the best men in the country. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WESTFIELD - Westfield High School Principal Charles Jendrysik announced on Friday, Aug. 1 that Lauren Figy Cadigan has been hired as a new assistant principal in the high school. She will be filling a position that was interim last year. Cadigan, a graduate of Westfield High School, has served for the past seven years as the supervisor of science, technology and engineering for Westfield Public Schools. In that role, she has been instrumental in supporting the WHS science teachers and curriculum, implementing both the healthcare and engineering pathways, and helping to create the Innovation Lab, Jendrysik said. Cadigan earned a bachelors in zoology and secondary education from Ohio Wesleyan University, after which she taught in Chicago, Illinois through Teach For America. After returning home, she taught at the High School of Commerce in Springfield while completing her masters in education with a focus on organizational management from Endicott College, before joining the staff of Westfield Public Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last fall, Cadigan was also honored as the Massachusetts Project Lead The Way (PLTW) Leader of the Year at a conference at Worcester Polytechnic Institute. PLTW is a STEM curriculum in computer science, engineering, and biomedical science used by Westfield Public Schools, and the award goes to a leader who is a champion in her district, supporting program implementation and teachers. She is passionate about education, brings a positive outlook to everything she does, and were so excited to have her expertise and energy on our team! Lauren will be working with our grade 9 students and we are confident will be an exceptional addition to our administrative team, Jendrysik said. Mrs. Cadigans knowledge and enthusiasm as our Science, Technology, and Engineering Supervisor have served our students and the district very well over the last several years. I look forward to seeing the energy and ideas that she will bring to the staff and students at Westfield High School, added Superintendent Stefan Czaporowski. Im honored to step into the role of Assistant Principal at Westfield High School. As a longtime member of the Westfield Public Schools community and former Supervisor of Science, Technology, and Engineering, Im excited to continue supporting students in new ways. I look forward to building strong relationships and fostering a positive, inclusive environment where every student can thrive, Cadigan said following the announcement. She added that everyone is excited to meet the incoming ninth grade families at freshman orientation on Monday, August 25 at 9 a.m. at Westfield High School. Read the original article on MassLive. ATHENS, Ala. (WHNT)- If you have a child in the Athens City Schools system, chances are you had to set your alarm a little earlier this morning. Thats because today marks the end of summer break and the official start of a brand new school year. Superintendent Beth Patton said the school system is experiencing significant growth. How data driven instruction can help schools achieve academic expectations Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now it looks like were just over 5,500 students, so thats an over 130 increase from last year, said Patton. Thats why theyve added new teachers, a kindergarten class, and another 4th-grade class to start the year. In addition to the growing number of students and staff, Patton said theyve also added new construction. We built a new elementary school, so we have some space there, said Patton. Were opening another elementary school: Julia Newman. It will open for the first day of class, and it will hold up to 700 students, so thats going to help us a lot. Weve added on at Athens Intermediate School, which is fourth and fifth grade, eight additional classrooms, and an additional gym and storm shelter there. Just last year, Athens City Schools had a teacher who was a top four finalist for Alabama Teacher of the Year, Amanda Gudmundsson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the WHNT News 19 App to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WHNT News 19 newsletters to have news sent to your inbox. Although she was recognized at the state level, Dr. Patton said their entire teaching staff is what makes them successful. She will tell you she represents every teacher in this system, said Patton. We have phenomenal people that have a passion for learning and teaching, and its just a great place to be. This year is also the start of the Focus Act, the new Alabama law banning the use of cell phones during the school day. Thats a little bit of a change for us, because we did have some flex time where students could possibly use cell phones, but weve been sending information out to students and families, she said. So, believe everyone is aware that, and I think itll be a good thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patton said they know many houses are being built in Athens, so they are actively looking to add to their current facilities and build new ones in the 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 WHNT.com. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. For The Atlantics September cover story, This Is What the End of the Liberal World Order Looks Like, staff writer Anne Applebaum reports from Sudan, where a devastating civil war has plunged the country into anarchy. As Applebaum documents, the retreat of USAID has only exacerbated the humanitarian catastrophe. Sudans suffering, she writes, offers a stark preview of what will follow the collapse of the liberal world order and the retreat of U.S. leadership: not a more just world, but a descent into nihilistic violence. Applebaums narrative is accompanied by original photography by the acclaimed photojournalist Lynsey Addario. Statistics are sometimes used to express the scale of the destruction in Sudan: About 14 million people have been displaced by years of fighting, more than in Ukraine and Gaza combined; at least 150,000 people have died in the conflict; half the population, nearly 25 million people, is expected to go hungry this year, with hundreds of thousands of people directly threatened with starvation; and more than 17 million children, out of 19 million, are not in school. But as Applebaum writes, no statistics can express the sense of pointlessness, of meaninglessness, that the war has left behind alongside the physical destruction: The end of the liberal world order is a phrase that gets thrown around a lot in conference rooms and university lecture halls in places like Washington and Brussels but this theoretical idea has become reality. The liberal world order has already ended in Sudan, and there isnt anything to replace it. Among the many sources of the ongoing conflict, foreign influence is also to blame: The disappearance of any form of international order has left Sudan as the focus of intense competition among countries that are not superpowers but rather middle powers. The middle powers send money and weapons into Sudan, hoping to shape the outcome of the conflict. Some take part in the war of ideas. Some want gold. Some are there because their rivals are there, and Sudan is a good place to fight. Turkish, Egyptian, Saudi, Emirati, Qatari, Russian, Iranian, and Ukrainian interests intersect and overlap, helping make Sudan, like Yemen and Libya, a place where antagonists from around the planet fund violent proxy wars, at the expense of the people who live there. The Chinese hover in the background, looking for business deals. Sudans strategic location on the Red Sea, one of the worlds most important shipping lanes, attracts everyone too. Meanwhile, the countries that might once have banded together to stop the fighting have lost interest or capacity. The institutions that might have helped broker a cease-fire are too weak, and cant or wont help. We live in a very interesting, many people call it, new world order, Abdalla Hamdok, the former Sudanese prime minister, told Applebaum. The world we got to knowthe consensus, the Pax Americana, the postSecond World War consensusis just no more. Applebaum concludes, "Violence inspired and fueled by multiple outsiders has already destroyed Syria, Libya, and Yemen, and is spreading in Chad, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and beyond. Greed, nihilism, and transactionalism are reshaping the politics of the rich world too. As old rules and norms fall away, they are not replaced by a new structure. They are replaced by nothing. Anne Applebaums This Is What the End of the Liberal World Order Looks Like was published today at TheAtlantic.com. Please reach out with any questions or requests to interview Applebaum about her reporting. Press contacts: Anna Bross and Paul Jackson | The Atlantic press@theatlantic.com Article originally published at The Atlantic PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Four flight attendants who were aboard Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 when the aircrafts door plug detached after taking off from Portland International Airport have filed a lawsuit against the planes manufacturer Boeing. The lawsuits, filed in Washingtons King County Superior Court in Seattle on July 29, allege Boeing was negligent in the manufacture, sale and repair of the aircraft and argue that the aerospace giant is liable for the incident. When the door plug blew off the aircraft on flight 1282, each of the four flight attendants acted courageously, following their training and putting their passengers safety first while fearing for their lives, said Tracy Brammeier, a partner at Clifford Law Offices representing the flight crew. They deserve to be wholly compensated for this life-altering traumatic experience caused by Boeings negligence in the 737 MAX production process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Persons of interest sought after repeat Oregon salmon hatchery thefts The complaints go back to January 5, 2024, when Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 a Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft departed PDX heading toward Ontario, California. Once the plane reached 16,000 feet, a door plug detached from the plane, leaving a substantial hole in the fuselage, the complaints explain noting a door plug mimics a door, sealing the aircraft to allow the plane to pressurize. The resulting sudden decompression of the aircraft caused panic throughout the aircraft, and oxygen masks were deployed, the lawsuits said, adding, The suction from the decompression was so significant that the door of the cockpit was forced open, and clothing was torn from the bodies of passengers. Alaska Airlines flight headed for Ontario, Calif. diverted back to PDX after a window blew out (Courtesy to KOIN from passenger who want to remain anonymous) The Boeing 737 Max 9 that lost a door on Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 sits on the tarmac at Portland International Airport, January 6, 2024 (KOIN) FILE A door plug area of an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9, with paneling removed, is shown prior to inspection at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Jan. 10, 2024, in SeaTac, Wash. Air safety in general and concerns about Boeing-made planes in particular have been on the minds of many since January, when a panel covering an emergency door hole blew off an Alaska Airlines plane flying 16,000 feet above Oregon. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson, File) FILE This photo released by the National Transportation Safety Board shows the door plug that fell from Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 on Jan. 8, 2024, in Portland, Ore. (National Transportation Safety Board via AP, file) FILE This image taken Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, and released by the National Transportation Safety Board, shows the section of a a Boeing 737 Max where a door plug fell while Alaska Airlines Flight 1282 was in flight. (NTSB via AP, File) FILE The door plug from the Alaska Airlines Flight 1282s Boeing 737-9 MAX airplane is shown at the National Transportation Safety Board laboratory, in Washington, July 30, 2024. On Tuesday, August 6, 2024, the National Transportation Safety Board opens a two-day hearing on the blowout of the door plug from the Alaska Airlines flight traveling 16,000 feet above Oregon. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) Bob Sauer of Portland, who found the door plug that blew out of the Alaska Airlines jet in early 2023, shared his story again, January 5, 2025 (KOIN) In an exclusive interview with CBS News, Flight 1282 Pilot Emily Wiprud detailed the moment the door plug blew off the plane, saying she felt an explosion and was forced forward with her headset ripped off. The flight returned to PDX within a half hour of departing, but Wiprud said she had no idea there was a hole in the plane until she landed at PDX. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrival in Portland is imminent: City braces for destructive invasive emerald ash borer The lawsuits then point to an investigation from the National Transportation Safety Board, which found that the bolts meant to hold the door plug in place were removed and never replaced. Prior to the detachment of the door plug, on or about August 31, 2023, Boeing took possession of the fuselage from its supplier at its Renton facility in King County. Upon inspection, Boeings employees and/or agents identified damaged rivets on the door and a compromised pressure seal, which required Boeing to remove the door plug to perform necessary repairs, the complaints state. On September 6, 2023, individuals working at Boeings Washington facility reported that the defective rivets had been repaired. But on September 7, Boeing discovered that the damaged rivets had not been repaired but were merely painted over. The necessary repairs were eventually completed on September 19, 2023. The lawsuits continue, The subject door plug was re-installed but was not secured with needed and required hardware, fixtures, components, and/or products, which left the door plug in a very dangerous condition with a high risk of failure in flight. The removal of the door plug was never formally documented in Boeings Production Management System. As a result, the door plug was not subject to reinspection to confirm that it was properly re-installed and secured prior to delivery of the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KOIN Morning Digest As a result of the door plug incident, the flight crew Steven Maller, Adam Fisher, Michelle Hughes and Christine Vasconcellos claim they suffered physical and mental injuries along with severe emotional distress. The lawsuits seek economic damages in an amount proven at the time of trial. The crew argues that Boeing was negligent and should have known about the risks associated with its work practices, arguing the company failed to exercise reasonable care in the manufacturing of the 737s. Additionally, the lawsuits claim outrage, alleging, Boeings conduct as described herein was so extreme in degree and outrageous in character as to go beyond all possible bounds of decency and to be regarded as atrocious and utterly intolerable in a civilized community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accused serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun indicted on fourth murder, officials give update on case In a statement shared with KOIN 6 News, crew member Michelle Hughes explained, This act of negligence caused both physical and mental damages which profoundly impaired my personal and professional life. It also resulted in many challenges to return to my dream job that I had proudly made my career. Crew member Christine Vasconcellos added, This event is something that never should have happened. Im committed to seeking justice, accountability and making the sky a safe place. When reached for comment, a spokesperson for Boeing declined to provide a statement in response to the litigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Alaska Airlines told KOIN 6 News that the company does not comment on pending litigation, noting, We are grateful to our crew members for the bravery and quick-thinking that they displayed on Flight 1282 in ensuring the safety of all on board. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Benzinga and Yahoo Finance LLC may earn commission or revenue on some items through the links below. Buying a home is one of life's biggest financial moves but what happens if unexpected expenses show up right after closing? Maybe the roof needs urgent repairs, your HVAC system dies, or you want to jump into a renovation while you're still unpacking boxes. Naturally, many new homeowners ask: how soon can I get a home equity line of credit (HELOC) after I buy a house? The good news is, there's usually no formal waiting period. In many cases, you can apply for a HELOC immediately after the purchase, depending on the lender and your financial profile. But that doesn't mean instant access to cash. Your lender may require that the deed be recorded first, and you'll still need to meet the standard eligibility criteria like having enough equity and a low combined loan-to-value (CLTV) ratio. If you're hoping to tap your equity soon after moving in, here's what you need to know about the timeline and approval process for getting a HELOC post-purchase. Can You Get a HELOC Immediately After Buying a Home? Technically, yes most lenders don't require you to wait a set number of days or months after your home purchase before applying for a HELOC. "There is no waiting period," says Sarah DeFlorio, vice president of Mortgage Banking at William Raveis Mortgage. "You can apply for a HELOC immediately upon purchasing, though different lenders have different policies. For example, one of our banks will not allow you to apply until the mortgage or deed has been recorded with the city or town municipality." That means, while there's no legal or regulatory delay, administrative steps like deed recording may slow things down by a week or two. Assuming everything is in order, you can generally expect the HELOC process from application to closing to take between 30 and 45 days. It's not quite as intense as your mortgage application, but you'll still go through income verification, a credit check, and possibly a new home appraisal. And yes closing costs will apply again, even though you just paid them during the home purchase. Dont Miss: How the HELOC Process Works After a Home Purchase Getting a HELOC shortly after buying a home doesn't happen overnight even if there's technically no waiting period. Between verifying your equity, satisfying lender requirements, and closing the loan, there are several key steps you'll need to move through before the funds are available. Some parts of the process can move quickly, while others may take a few weeks depending on how your lender operates or whether additional documentation (like a home appraisal or deed recording) is needed. Here's a clear breakdown of what that process typically looks like from start to finish so you'll know what to expect, how to prepare, and how long it might take before you're able to tap into your home equity. ATTLEBORO, Mass. (WPRI) Massachusetts is awarding $24.2 million in grants to train 2,490 students in high-demand trade jobs. Massachusetts Governor Maura Healeys administration is awarding the grants to 23 different school districts as part of their Career Technical Initiative (CTI). The program partners with Career and Technical Education schools that will teach adult learners in the evening. The program is especially geared toward providing unemployed and underemployed individuals with technical skills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CTI program opens doors for adult learners by providing the hands-on training they need to step into high-demand careers in construction, the trades and manufacturing, Healey explained. Attleboro Public Schools, Greater New Bedford Regional Vocational Technical High School and Tri-County Regional Vocational Technical High School in Franklin are among the 23 grant recipients. Attleboro is receiving $1,340,946 to give 168 students training in welding, HVAC, plumbing, automotive tech, electrical, medical lab tech and culinary positions. In New Bedford, the vocational high school is getting $202,200 to provide 20 students with training in advanced manufacturing and carpentry positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tri-County is receiving $883,955 to train 150 students in HVAC, culinary, auto service, carpentry and welding positions. Since 2023, Healeys administration said it has awarded more than $53 million in CTI grants. There have been nine cohorts of the program to date with 4,400 participants. Among those students, more than 2,360 have secured jobs. If you are interested in participating in the program you can contact your local vocational school directly to ask about program availability. You can also click here to learn about more training opportunities. You can learn more about the program and what businesses the schools will be collaborating with here. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. LITTLE ROCK. Ark (KNWA/KFTA) A letter from a bipartisan coalition of 50 attorneys general was sent to U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, urging the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to assist in addressing the rampant spread of illegal offshore gaming across the country. Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin was among the 50 generals and issued a statement on his website. The letter stated, Illegal offshore gaming operations disregard the law, exploit vulnerable individuals, and allow underage gambling without proper safeguards. Some of these illegal entities impersonate Arkansas casinos online and on social media, misleading users with familiar visuals while including fictitious links. Once the link is selected, the user is redirected to the illegal offshore gaming platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two Arkansas lottery players cash in $50,000 on same day In the letter, Griffin and the other Attorney Generals highlighted the harm caused by the unlawful platforms, with the main focus being on young people, vulnerable adults, and state/local economies. The official statement claims that Illegal online gaming is estimated to exceed more than $400 billion in volume annually, leading to more than $4 billion in lost tax revenue for states. In the official letter, the coalition urges the DOJ to help curb illegal offshore gaming operations by: Pursuing injunctive relief under the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act to block access to illegal websites and payment processing mechanisms related to illicit gaming operations Seizing assetsincluding servers, websites, domains, and proceedsused by gaming operators that violate state and federal law Coordinating with states, financial institutions, and payment processors to block unlawful transactions and dismantle financial infrastructure related to illegal gaming operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To read Attorney General Tim Griffins full statement, along with the letter to the DOJ, 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 KNWA FOX24. AUSTIN, Texas (KETK) U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) and Attorney General Ken Paxton announced they plan to take legal action against the Texas House Democrats who left the state earlier this week. Democrats prevent Texas House from moving forward with Trump-backed congressional map This past weekend, dozens of House Democrats left Texas in an effort to push back a legislative meeting in the middle of a special session. Texas lawmakers grew upset over the actions of these House members, including Cornyn and Paxton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cornyn sent a letter to the Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Kash Patel, asking the bureau to investigate the legislators who left Texas in cooperation with Texas Governor Greg Abbott. According to Cornyn, the legislators possibly committed several criminal acts, including bribery, along with fleeing the state. In his letter to Patel, Cornyn requested that the FBI use federal resources to track down the House members and punish them for preventing quorum. In a representative democracy, we resolve our differences by debating and voting, not by running away. Some Texas legislators have fled to New York and others have fled to Illinois. Since these state legislators are currently outside of Texas, the Texas Department of Public Safety may need support to arrest the fleeing lawmakers. Out-of-state actors have made public comments about protecting the Texas legislators who are currently hiding out of state from any accountability for their actions. I request the FBIs assistance, as federal resources are necessary to locate the out-of-state Texas legislators who are potentially acting in violation of the law. The FBI has tools to aid state law enforcement when parties cross state lines, including to avoid testifying or fleeing a scene of a crime. Specifically, I am concerned that legislators who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses. U.S. Senator John Cornyn Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local officials react to Democrats leaving the state Paxton said in a statement that he plans to pursue a court ruling against the Texas House Democrats to declare their seats vacant. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows is giving those who left the state until August 8 to return, or Paxton will enact aggressive legal action on those who do not meet the deadline. Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials. Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you dont show up up to work, you get fired. Attorney General Ken Paxton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the Texas House cannot reach a quorum without the Democrats who left the state, some bills are being put on hold. Last month, State Rep. Cody Harris (R-Palestine) introduced four bills regarding groundwater rights in Texas, which affect various East Texas communities. Courtesy of Cody Harris Lufkin to celebrate Ollies grand opening Wednesday On Tuesday, Harris presented the four bills to the Texas Water Caucus, which included 30 Republicans. However, the lawmaker said that due to Democrats leaving the state, it prevented them from having a quorum and unable to add the bills to the special session. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF)- Augusta University is gearing up for fall semester. AU is hosting a kickoff to get ready for that big first day. AUs President, Dr. Russell Keen, will introduce all the members of his executive cabinet as well as share his vision of the 2025-2026 academic year. That vision is themed Yes We Can, showing what they can accomplish together. Also happening today through Friday students are finally moving in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year they are expecting a huge increase. Well, we will have a lot more students on campus this year because were expecting more than 12,000 students at Augusta University, which will be an increase of over 5% compared to what we had last year. So were expecting a lot more students, which is exciting, said Dr. Susan Davies, Executive Vice President for enrollment and student affairs. Dr. Davies also said Last year we signed the master lease with the Beacon Station Apartments to house some of our students and were continuing to work with Beacon Station this year. I mean, this year weve also signed an additional master lease with the Row Apartments to house some of our upper class undergraduate students. So not only will we housing students on our campus at a university, but also at Beacon Station and the Row. The kickoff will be held at the Grover C. Maxwell Performing Arts Theatre, on the Summerville campus at 11am. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Student move in times are from 8:30am-5:30pm. Photojournalist: Dania Alawir Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. AUSTIN (KXAN) Thursday, Austin city council members laid out their tax rate election proposals. It comes a few days after the group of Austin city council members who sit on the Audit and Finance Committee voted to recommend a tax rate election to the full council next week, when the body votes on its property tax rate and budget. Because of a 2019 state law, taxing entities cannot raise the property tax rate more than 3.5% from the year prior without triggering a tax rate election (TRE). Thats where the city managers base budget sits right now at the 3.5% rate allowed without triggering a TRE which would still mean a total monthly increase of $18.18 per month or $218.16 annually for the average ratepayer and taxpayer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin budget building: Your council members concerns, priorities heading into work sessions Because of significant budget challenges this year, including a dip in sales tax revenue and cuts at the federal level, some Austin city council members and the mayor are considering a tax rate election that would raise your property taxes more than that proposed base budget. Now that a tax rate election has been recommended to the full council, as is part of the citys new tax rate election policy, heres what each council member is proposing be in that ask of voters: Proposal A: $485.36 more for average rate payer and homeowner Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes (D2) and Austin City Council Members Jose Velasquez (D3), Chito Vela (D4) and Ryan Alter (D5) are proposing a 6.75-cent tax increase, the most costly proposal, which they say will do the following, in part: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fund the citys plan to combat homelessness by including upstream elements that keep people housed or quickly get them back into housing. Expand the citys affordable housing programs Take a significant step toward better maintaining parks You can read the full proposal here. That 6.75-cent tax increase, if approved by voters, would tack roughly $267.20 onto the city managers proposed base budget. That means in total, the average homeowner and rate payer would spend $485.36 more next year. Proposal B: $445.02 more Austin City Council Members Krista Laine (D6), Mike Siegel (D7), Paige Ellis (D8) and Zo Qadri (D9) are proposing a 5.75 cent tax increase scenario that responds to demands to protect public health programs, improve emergency response, provide shelter and support for people experiencing homelessness, and invest in climate resilience, the group wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Austin firefighters push back against proposed budgets staffing requirement changes We have also prioritized sidewalks and parks maintenance, access to pools, restoring funding to the Office of Police Oversight and the Housing Trust Fund, library resources and reentry workforce development and much more. Finally, like our colleagues, we are prioritizing caring for our civilian employees and ensuring future cost-of-living increases, they continued. That proposal at the 5.75 cent tax increase would cost the average homeowner $226.86 on top of the city managers base budget, according to a scenario chart provided by city of Austin staff. In total, and if approved by voters, that proposal would ultimately cost the average homeowner and ratepayer $445.02 more next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find that proposal and what would be funded by it laid out here. Mayor Kirk Watson proposal: $356.70 more Watson is proposing a less significant rate increase, but still advocating for a tax rate election. The mayor is proposing a 3.5-cent tax increase, which would raise the average homeowners property taxes by $138.54 over the city managers base proposal. In total, that proposal would result in $356.70 more for the average ratepayer and homeowner. Travis County considering higher tax rate allowed after flooding disaster The mayors additions would pay for all of the Homeless Strategy Offices funding plan, add money for park maintenance and wildfire mitigation. You can find Watsons proposal here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt do all that I would like to see us be able to do in terms of funding services, and it also adds to the tax burden. But my hope is it offers voters a balanced way to preserve some important services while minimizing the damage on our affordability efforts, Watson wrote. Watson noted during a budget meeting Thursday that his top priority is funding the Homeless Strategy Office fully. He said that he misunderstood a presentation from the HSO previously and there may be $3.5 million additional needed for his plan to cover prevention services through HSO. He said his first choice would be to take that $3.5 million from reserves but that he would be open to bumping the 3.5 cent tax increase if that wasnt possible, or was the will of the dais. Council Member Marc Duchen: $297.33 more Austin City Council Member Marc Duchen (D10) is so far the only member of the body who has indicated he is against a tax rate election, citing concerns about affordability. But he also indicated he would be willing to compromise on a less significant TRE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If there was an interest on the dais, I would explore a compromise and support a modest one or 2-cent TRE that includes priorities that I believe we can all agree on, including public safety, parks, wildfire mitigation and preserving a healthy reserve fund. I welcome any collaboration on this. However, what I heard was go big or go home. And when presented with a 5+ cent ($200+) TRE I fear Austin taxpayers will tell us to go home,' Duchen said. Duchen later put forward a plan for a 2-cent tax increase, which would cost the average homeowner $79.17 more than the proposed base budget. In total, it would cost the average rate payer and homeowner $297.33 more. It would put more money toward the Austin Fire Department, parks and city employee pay. Duchen encouraged the city to look at necessary cuts. You can read more from Duchen on his proposed plan here. No signal yet from Council Member Natasha Harper Madison Harper Madison hasnt indicated where she may fall on a tax rate election, but her staff did highlight three amendments the council member is leading on, including two amendments that would provide one-time funding for the Safe Alliance, which has lost millions of dollars in federal and state funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement How much could the city of Austin raise your property tax bill this year? One is for $250,000 in unmet needs at the City of Austins Family Violence Shelter to be operated by The SAFE Alliance The other is for unmet needs at The SAFE Alliance for the operation of safety net housing for youth aging out of foster care with no alternative living arrangements, Sharon Mays, Harper Madisons chief of staff, said. The third amendment is for utility relief for nonprofits. Mays said that amendment adds $250,000 in one-time funding for Austin Water and $250,000 for Austin Energy to subsidize or reimburse the utility costs of nonprofit shelters and housing providers. You can find all of the TRE proposals laid out here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin. Authorities face 'extreme' conditions in search for Minnesota hiker missing in Wyoming originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A hiker from Minnesota is missing in the Wyoming wilderness. The Big Horn County Sheriff's Office in Wyoming said Grant Gardner went missing last week while on a planned, three-day hike through the Misty Moon Lake area. According to authorities, Gardner summited the 13,000-foot Cloud Peak at around 7 p.m. on July 29 and was preparing to head to a lower elevation for the night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A text sent to his wife at the summit indicated the climb was more taxing than he expected and he was tired," the sheriff's office said. Gardner has not been heard from since, according to law enforcement, which began search and rescue operations after they were notified on Aug. 1 of his disappearance. "The late summit of 7:00pm at 13,000 feet was and is concerning due to the lack of visible trails through cliffs, timber line, boulder fields, and other hazards that had to be navigated after dark before reaching clear trails and safe terrain," the sheriff's office wrote in an update Tuesday afternoon. Grant GardnerBig Horn County Sheriff's Office Big Horn County Sheriff Ken Blackburn said in a news release that search and rescue teams from multiple agencies and the Wyoming Army National Guard have encountered "extreme and very challenging" conditions during the search. At least people have required medical care during the search. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At this time our hearts go out the family," Blackburn wrote. "We are asking for your thoughts and prayers on their behalf, and for the searchers who are risking life safety in this beautiful but unforgiving wilderness area." The sheriff's office is asking anyone who may have had contact with Gardner to call 307-568-2324 or report it through the Wyoming Missing Person tip line. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. Officials have identified the victim of a deadly shooting Roxbury on Sunday night. According to Boston Police, 23-year-old Tanahj Takeem Thompson-Hinnant, of Roxbury, was shot and killed in the area of 289 Dudley Street just before midnight. No arrests have been made in his death and a suspect description was not immediately available. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Boston Police Homicide Unit at (617) 343-4470. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was one of two shootings overnight in Boston on Sunday. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Police are asking for the publics help in identifying a man regarding a identity theft investigation. Authorities seek to identify man in a identity theft investigation, Image Midwest City Police Department Authorities are seeking to speak with this individual (shown above) n reference to an identity theft case which took place at a local retailer on 05/31/2025. If you recognize this individual you are encouraged to contact 405-739-1308. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. (WJW) After days of searching for award-winning American journalist Alec Luhn, who went missing while on a Norwegian glacier hiking trip, authorities confirmed that he was found alive. Luhns wife, Veronica Silchenko, previously took to social media on Tuesday, stating that her husband was last seen on July 31. RFK Jr. pulls $500 million in funding for vaccine development In the Facebook post, she said Luhn was leaving Odda, Norway, to take a solo backpacking trip to explore the glacier at Folgefonna National Park. Journalist Alec Luhn listens to a judge at a court room in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, June 6, 2017. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko) In an interview with CBS News, Silchenko said the family became concerned when Luhn didnt return for his flight back to the United Kingdom on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norwegian Red Cross posted updates about the ongoing search on X. On Tuesday, the organization said there have been no findings so far, stating that high water levels in the region have created significant challenges. Family-friendly TSA lanes debut at several US airports: How do they work? The Red Cross added that a large team would continue searching on Wednesday with help from local police and multiple climbing groups. In a Wednesday update, the Red Cross said Luhn was found alive near Folgefonna. He has since been transported for medical treatment. During the search, Silchenko told CBS News that Luhn has a passion for glaciers and exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes a climate journalist, so for him it is always that story that now because of the climate change theyre all shrinking, and hes trying his best to go to the coldest countries, she told the news outlet. According to his website, Luhn is a climate journalist who has reported for The Atlantic, National Geographic, New York Times, TIME, CBS News and other publications over the years. Folgefonna, described as the third largest glacier on mainland Norway, has been drawing in tourists since 1833, according to the national parks 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 Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. BATTLE CREEK, Mich. (WOOD) A Battle Creek man pleaded no contest after a 5-year-old he was supposed to be babysitting answered the door holding a loaded handgun in January, police said. Blayke Yorks, 22, pleaded no contest Tuesday to fourth-degree child abuse and a safe gun storage violation. The charges stem from Jan. 26, when a Battle Creek Police Department cadet went to a home on Inn Road off of E Columbia Avenue to serve a subpoena. Police say a 5-year-old answered the door with a kitchen knife in his hand. The cadet asked the child to have an adult come to the door. Instead, police say, the child returned with a loaded handgun. The cadet took it away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Babysitter charged after 5-year-old opens door with gun Police entered the home to find it extremely dirty, according to court records, with human feces and moldy food about, and a padlock on the fridge. Knives, scissors and a plugged-in stovetop were on the floor, the records say. A baby covered in rashes and other children were found inside and delivered to the hospital and Child Protective Services, respectively. Yorks was supposed to be babysitting the kids, police said, and told investigators the gun was his. The childrens mother, 27-year-old Lyssa Marie Hewitt, is also facing child abuse charges. She was arraigned in March and has a pretrial hearing set for Aug. 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com. The Armenian pro-Russian opposition froze. The talks about the possibility of initialing a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia soon paralyzed the revanchists. Against the background of the expected events, the effect caused by the last interview of the leader of the "Karabakh clan" Robert Kocharyan faded. A few days ago, after receiving regular instructions, he gave an extensive interview to a local TV channel. He spoke impressively, complacently, disparagingly about the current government and presented himself as the beloved savior of Armenia. At the same time, he promoted the idea of "Russia the Savior," which eliminated all doubts (if anyone else had any) about the source of his arrogance. But on Monday, there was talk of the possibility of signing a document related to a future peace treaty soon, and the situation changed. The revanchist opposition does not know what to think about this. The government neither confirms nor denies anything. And the revanchists still have hope that the issue of peace will drag on for some time. The pro-Russian opposition needs this time like air. The longer the state of "neither war nor peace" drags on, the more disarray there is within the country, the more economic and social problems there are, which means more discontent. For the opposition, the worse it gets, the better. Moreover, it is easier for Kocharyan to work in such conditions, it is easier to blame the current government for the miscalculations of the former authorities and to give the people a "savior" in his person and in the person of the Russian circles patronizing him. According to him, only Russia can save Armenia from Turkiye and Azerbaijan. Now the revanchists have smelled the smell of imminent defeat. After the beginning of a real rapprochement between Baku and Yerevan, the possibilities of revanchists will be limited. Even now, they don't have much room for maneuver, although Kocharyan is trying to create the impression that Nikol Pashinyan is a political corpse, that his rating is below the baseboard, and so on. In fact, this is far from the case. A recent opinion poll conducted by the International Institute of Republicans in Armenia showed that Kocharyan has nothing to count on. According to the degree of preferences of citizens, he is three times behind Pashinyan. He lags behind even Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan. These two won 13 and 5 percent of the votes, respectively. And a self-satisfied war criminal trying to play a major politician has only 4 percent. The Armenians do not need him, they are not interested in his loud phrases, because the "Karabakh clan" was overthrown only seven years ago, not seventy, and people remember how and what happened in Armenia under this gang. The people are not even outraged by the criminal case against Serzh Sargsyan, they are not upset by the deprivation of the deputy mandate of the bloody Seyran Ohanyan. By the way, Kocharyan also mentions the data from this opinion poll, but gives only figures that are beneficial to himself, happily informing. that the people do not trust Pashinyan, do not want a peace agreement, and generally expect it. I remember that five years ago, the Armenian opposition criticized Pashinyan for signing the surrender without asking the people, saying that he should have put the Trilateral statement up for public discussion and only then signed it. It was incredibly stupid. Today, too, the revanchists are demanding that the government bring the peace treaty up for public discussion. And it's no less stupid and frivolous. But the opposition hopes that the people will vote against it. But in vain. In the elections in the fall of 2021, the revanchists also hoped very much for a crushing defeat of Pashinyan, but they suffered a crushing defeat themselves. And although Kocharyan claims that "in the upcoming elections, the ratio of votes of the opposition and the ruling force will be 2 to 1," he is lying. He knows perfectly well that even if the defeat in the war did not force the Armenians to vote for the revanchists, now they should not count on anything at all. No one was as happy about the delay in signing the peace as the pro-Russian opposition. She hoped initially to overthrow Nikol Pashinyan, and then to make peace, but exclusively on Armenian terms, seasoned with territorial demands. The Kocharyan-Sargsyan gang, which has been tormenting Armenia for twenty years, hoped to come to power before peace was signed, because then it would be impossible to change anything. The West, and therefore most of the world, will not recognize another "revolution" staged by pro-Russian forces after the signing of the peace. Especially if this peace is concluded on the western platform. The termination of the agreements with Baku will automatically mean a new war, in which Russia is unlikely to help the revanchist gang. It's not the early 90s. Everything has changed a lot. If Kocharyan is being briefed in Moscow, this does not mean that they will be ready for military support there. If the revanchists do not succeed before the signing of peace, they will have a hard time. After the opening of communications and borders, oxygen will flow into Armenia. The Armenian society will immediately feel this by the fact that a movement will begin in a country where there are literally no creative processes and positive events. Almost from the very day of the declaration of independence, Armenia stopped living, because it coveted the lands of its neighbor. The occupation weighed down her karma and pulled her to the bottom, where she had been staying all these years. Signing peace with Azerbaijan will open up new horizons for Armenia. What the revanchist opposition is very afraid of. She'll have to get off the stage and run away. In the current geopolitical situation, an attempt to seize territories will no longer be perceived in the world the way the First Karabakh War was perceived. The diaspora and the lobby are also gradually leaving the political scene. The days of lobbying and undercover diasporic patronage are coming to an end. Now all the questions are brought to the open ring. Everything is in plain sight. In the time of information technology, it is impossible otherwise. Money doesn't solve anything either. Ruben Vardanyan failed the "task". Despite all its capabilities. Billionaire Samvel Karapetyan is in jail in Yerevan. Kocharyan calls the latter almost the messiah, around whom a new force is supposedly gathering. It seems that the leader of the criminal clan is retelling the scenario painted for Karapetyan, but failed. All the scenarios collapsed, one by one, crashing into reality. The reality is that in Armenian society, by all indications, there is no order for a new war, no order for revenge and aggression against a neighbor. The opposition was unable to overthrow Pashinyan either after the war or after September 2023. Hundreds of thousands (allegedly) of Armenians who voluntarily moved from Karabakh to Armenia and got stuck there, although they hoped for further transit to Europe or the United States, in theory, could become the driving force of the revanchists. But even that didn't work out. Even this mass does not follow them in a crowd. The fraudster Zrbazan managed to get only a small part of them onto the streets. In response to Kocharyan's bravura statements, who tried to turn Pashinyan into nothing and make his gang look like a mighty force, political analyst Suren Surenyants wrote on social networks: "The Hayastan block (headed by Kocharyan - ed.) is practically incapacitated. Samvel Karapetyan's power has not yet been born. And a "fundamental change" in the political field still awaits real actors, not contenders." It is strange that the revanchist opposition of Armenia diligently ignores these glaring realities. Or maybe he notices, but he tries to put on a good face in front of the owners. Because an unsuccessful show must be played out. Soybeans are showing some early week strength, with futures are up 5 to 8 cents. There were another 5 deliveries issued for August soybeans overnight. The cmdtyView national average Cash Bean price was up 5 3/4 cents at $9.37 . Soymeal futures are showing gains of $2.40 to $3.70/ton. Soy Oil futures are mixed, with futures down 13 to 30 points higher. Another 492 contracts were issued for August meal, with 218 issued for August beans, all by CHS. USDA tallied soybean export shipments at 612,539 MT (22.51 mbu) during the week ending on July 31, the highest since April. That was up 43.2% from last week, 67% above the same week last year and a 6-year high for that week. Of that total, 119,658 MT was headed to Germany, with 113,808 MT on its way to Egypt and 92,208 MT to Mexico. Marketing year exports have totaled 47.83 MMT (1.758 bbu), which is 10.9% above the same period last year. More News from Barchart The large managed money speculators in soybean futures and options added another 25,445 contracts back on to their net short as of July 29, taking their net position to 36,311 contracts by Tuesday. USDAs Fats & Oils report showed 197.1 mbu of soybeans crushed during June, above trade estimates and a record for the month. That was also 7.44% above last year but down 3.22% below May. Soybean oil stocks for the end of the month totaled 1.894 billion lbs, which was slightly higher than in May but still down 10.85% from last year. StoneX projects the 2025/26 Brazilian soybean crop at 178.2 MMT, which is 5.6% higher vs. last year, mainly on increased acreage. Celeres estimates the crop at 177.2 MMT Aug 25 Soybeans are at $9.69 3/4, up 8 cents, Sep 25 Soybeans are at $9.74 1/2, up 5 cents, Nov 25 Soybeans are at $9.94 1/2, up 5 1/4 cents, On the date of publication, Austin Schroeder did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on Barchart.com Independent journalist Jim Acosta faced a torrent of online criticism Wednesday after he posted an "interview" conducted with an AI avatar of a US school shooting victim. Former CNN White House chief correspondent Acosta interacted with a virtual likeness of Joaquin Oliver, one of the 17 people killed in the Parkland, Florida school shooting in 2018. Acosta, a long-standing hate figure for some supporters of President Donald Trump who often derided the veteran Washington correspondent, has long been an advocate for increased gun control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The clip posted on Acosta's YouTube channel on August 4 to coincide with what would have been Oliver's 25th birthday has gathered more than 22,000 views. On the Guy Benson Show on Fox News, conservative columnist Joe Concha said of the segment "It's just sick." Acosta said that Oliver's parents Manuel and Patricia "have created an AI version of their son to deliver a powerful message on gun violence" after falling victim to one of the deadliest US mass shootings. In the interview Acosta asks Oliver, who was killed aged 17, what happened to him. Despite having the blessing of Oliver's parents, critics said the approach was tasteless and did not advance the campaign against gun violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was more of a bizarre AI demonstration than an interview," wrote columnist Kirsten Fleming in the New York Post tabloid. "It's also false. And grotesque. Like a dystopian plot come to life." In the clip, Oliver's likeness gives opinions on how to counter gun violence. "I was taken from this world too early while at school due to gun violence," says a metallic, sped-up voice synthesized to sound like Oliver's. "It's important to talk about these issues so we can create a safer future for everyone." In an opinion piece published Wednesday, journalism institute Poynter suggested that Acosta's move from major media outlet CNN to an independent operation where he operates without an editorial support mechanism was behind his judgment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope Jim Acosta decides to phone a friend next time. We've all got a lot of figuring out to do," it said. It is not the first time artificial intelligence has been used to highlight the impact of the Parkland shooting. Last year US lawmakers heard recreations of Oliver's voice and those of other victims in AI phone call recordings demanding to know why action had not been taken on gun control. On February 14, 2018, then 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz walked into Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, a town north of Miami, carrying a high-powered AR-15 rifle. He had been expelled from the school a year earlier for disciplinary reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a matter of nine minutes, he killed 14 students and three school employees, then fled by mixing in with people frantically escaping the gruesome scene. Police arrested Cruz shortly thereafter as he walked along the street. He pleaded guilty to the massacre to the massacre in 2021 and was sentenced to life without parole a year later. rh-gw/bjt Cars clogged some roads during rush hour Aug. 4-5 in the vast semi-rural communities west of State Road 7 as Northlake Boulevard, one of their only major east-west roads connecting them to Palm Beach County had closed, but fears of hours-long gridlock did not become reality. Traffic cameras captured backups at least a mile long during the afternoon rush hour on Aug. 4 at some intersections on Southern Boulevard and Okeechobee Boulevard, as drivers from The Acreage and Loxahatchee used the same roads as Wellington and Royal Palm Beach commuters. But traffic on those roads and others flowed smoothly the rest of the day, defying fears that congestion and chaos would bring commutes to a standstill due to the closure of Northlake at Beeline Highway that started Aug. 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm very pleased with how things are moving the first day," Indian Trail Improvement District Treasurer Richard Vassalotti said Aug. 4, the first weekday of the closure. The district governs the 34-square-mile community of The Acreage. The road is expected to reopen by Aug. 10, when freight rail company CSX says it will finish upgrading its tracks at that crossing. More: When Northlake Boulevard closes Aug. 1, so will these local streets Westbound traffic backs up Aug. 4 after 5 p.m. on Okeechobee Boulevard at State Road 7. Where are the biggest traffic jams? The 5 p.m. hour on Aug. 4 brought big traffic jams to Okeechobee Boulevard, especially at State Road 7 and Royal Palm Beach Boulevard two miles west. Traffic going west on Okeechobee Boulevard backed up as far as the traffic light cameras could see at those two intersections. On Southern Boulevard, traffic cameras saw the worst backups at Binks Forest Drive and Royal Palm Beach Boulevard during the 5 p.m. hour. Meanwhile, a never-ending line of vehicles crept along two-lane Coconut Boulevard at its Orange Boulevard intersection. Traffic engineers and police staff helped traffic flow Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office traffic personnel used traffic control devices called "pickles" to turn lights green to keep traffic flowing as smoothly as possible, spokeswoman Teri Barbera said. PBSO did not specify the intersections where those devices were used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement County traffic engineers had pledged before the Northlake Boulevard shutdown to monitor traffic lights in the area and manually control them to keep traffic flowing. "I was at Orange and Coconut and have traveled that intersection for 30 years," Vassalotti said. "There was no doubt it was being controlled. Traffic was moving. ... Whoever was running that, they were spot on with the cameras and running the lights." Inconvenience, not emergency, local official says Overall, Vassalotti said, he had heard from residents that the closure had been an inconvenience but not an emergency. Few complaints could also be seen on the Facebook group The Acreage & Lox Complain About The Northlake Railroad Closing August 1. "Traffic congestion moved very smoothly," Palm Beach County Fire Rescue spokeswoman Tara Cardoso said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSX is upgrading its rail signals, aiming to finish before school starts Aug. 11. The company is on track to finish by Aug. 10, the Florida Department of Transportation said Aug. 5. Chris Persaud covers transportation in Palm Beach County for The Palm Beach Post. Email news tips and ideas to cpersaud@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: How bad is traffic where Northlake Boulevard is closed? BOSTON (SHNS) Bay Staters might have the chance next year to vote on a proposed law to limit rent increases. Members of Homes for All Mass, a coalition of housing groups across the state, plan to file an initiative petition with Attorney General Andrea Campbells office Wednesday, with 5 p.m. marking the deadline for ballot question backers to submit signatures and proposed language needed to start of a lengthy process. Hundreds of advocates flooded the State House last week for a rally organized by Homes for All Mass, ahead of a legislative hearing that featured a rent stabilization proposal. Supporters say the measure could deliver immediate relief to some residents while new housing units are produced under a major 2024 housing law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The initiative petition would similarly limit annual rent increases to the cost of living with a 5% cap, according to a Homes for All Mass advisory. There would be exemptions for owner-occupied buildings with four or fewer units, plus new buildings for the first decade. The cost of living increase last year was 2.9%, which would have been the allowable maximum rent increase in 2025 if the proposed measure had been in place. In 2022, the cost of living increase was 8%, but the measure would have restricted the rent boost to 5%. Massive rent hikes are pushing seniors out of the homes theyve lived in for decades, and making it impossible for young families to save money for a down payment on their first house, Noemi Ramos, executive director of New England Community Project, said in a statement. As the state works to build more affordable housing over the coming years, we need rent stabilization to protect workers, families, and seniors from out-of-control housing costs today. Rent control was banned in Massachusetts through a 1994 ballot referendum, and the Legislature over the years has shown little interest in reinstituting the policy. The majority of renters struggle to afford their rent, according to Harvard Universitys Joint Center for Housing Studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rent stabilization is critical because rents are going up so quickly, and people need relief immediately, said Annie Gordon, a resident of the Fairlawn Estates in Mattapan. Having lived at Fairlawn for 50 years, I was there when we had rent control up until 1994, and I saw the stability it created for my community and the city. Then, after it was banned, I saw huge rent increases, apartments that werent well maintained, stress, fear, homelessness, and evictions. Advocates say the potential ballot question could halt corporate landlords from imposing steep rent hikes, though the policy is likely to attract strong opposition from the real estate lobby. At the hearing last week, landlords with the Small Property Owners Association argued rent stabilization bills are not the answer to the states housing problems. This bill may be well-intentioned, but the outcome will have fewer available units, deteriorating housing conditions, and owners walking away from reinvestment in all the housing stock that needs care, Tony Lopes, who spoke on the SPOA panel, told lawmakers. And it penalizes the small property owners who make up 60% or more of [the] commonwealths rental market, including the immigrant and minority property owners who are seeking just to get ahead. We need to consider real solutions, zoning reform, more state-level housing production, and accountability for the rising cost of insurance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By the close of business Wednesday, initiative petition texts and signatures from 10 registered voters must be submitted to Campbells office. After a review, the AG typically makes certification decisions regarding which proposals are ballot eligible by the first Wednesday in September. Backers must then collect 74,574 signatures from registered voters and file them with local elections officials for certification by Nov. 19. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) agents arrest criminal suspects in this file photo from 2019. (Photo courtesy Immigration and Customs Enforcement) The Justice Department released a sharply reduced list of sanctuary jurisdictions Tuesday that identified Baltimore County as the only such jurisdiction in the state a designation that Baltimore County officials insist is a mistake. Baltimore County is not a sanctuary jurisdiction. We believe our inclusion on this list was in error, County Executive Kathy Klausmeier in a prepared statement after the release of the new list Tuesday. Our Office of Law is currently contacting the Department of Justice to correct this mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Being designated a sanctuary jurisdiction could be more than just a nuisance for the county. The designation stems from an April executive order signed by President Donald Trump that directed federal agency heads to identify appropriate Federal funds to sanctuary jurisdictions, including grants and contracts, for suspension or termination if they do not change their ways. Its not clear how the Justice Department, with the help of the Department of Homeland Security, determined Baltimore County to be a sanctuary jurisdiction. The agencies listed a number of factors they considered from providing undocumented immigrants with public benefits to refusing to cooperate with federal agents as evidence of policies that materially impede enforcement of federal immigration statutes. The Justice Department did not immediately respond Tuesday to requests for comment on Baltimore Countys designation. It would not be the first time the Trump administration has stumbled in its attempts to identify sanctuary jurisdictions. The Department of Homeland Security made its first attempt in May, releasing a list of more than 500 states, counties and cities that it said were sanctuary cities. The list was pulled back within days after an outcry from governments and local police agencies who insisted they did not have sanctuary policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maryland was one of 37 states identified on that list, which had 10 Maryland municipalities, including Baltimore City, and eight counties in the state: Anne Arundel, Baltimore County, Charles, Howard, Montgomery, Prince Georges, Queen Annes and Talbot. Most of the municipalities were in Prince Georges County: Cheverly, College Park, Edmonston, Greenbelt, Hyattsville and Mount Rainier. Other cities identified as sanctuary cities were Annapolis, Rockville and Takoma Park. Officials in many of those jurisdictions were puzzled by the designation. Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott said in a statement that while the city makes no apologies for being welcoming to immigrants, by definition, Baltimore is not a sanctuary city, because we do not have jurisdiction over our jails. We follow our limited obligations as defined under federal immigration law. The new list includes 12 states and the District of Columbia, but Maryland is no longer among them. It also includes 18 cities and four counties, including Baltimore County, the only Maryland jurisdiction on the new list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no formal definition of sanctuary city, but it is generally understood to be a state or local goverment that restricts cooperation with federal agents on immigration enforcement. Supporters said the policies are better in the long run, because they foster trust of police in immigrant communities. But the Justice Department described sanctuary jurisdictions as states, cities, and counties identified as having policies, laws, or regulations that impede enforcement of federal immigration laws. In a press release unveiling the new list, Attorney General Pam Bondi said sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country, Bondis statement said. Klausmeier said theres nothing harmful about Baltimore Countys policies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public safety remains a top priority, where we practice community policing an approach proven to enhance safety by encouraging cooperation with law enforcement at varying levels, her statement said. We will continue to support our valued law enforcement personnel while following federal, state, and local laws. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Baltimore City and state leaders gathered this week to celebrate the completed renovations at The Residences at Irvington Woods a newly redeveloped affordable housing complex in Southwest Baltimore. The apartment complex, at 4106 Potter St., is owned and operated by the Volunteers of America Chesapeake and Carolinas (VOACC). Its 71 units will be for residents who were previously unhoused, low-income families, veterans and people needing mental health support. The $24.5 million rehabilitation included new wood flooring, countertops, cabinetry, safety upgrades and a newly refurbished community room, a VOACC news release stated. Additionally, the units have improved their ]plumbing, HVAC and electrical systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The complex will also feature wraparound support services like individualized case management, career services, financial literacy, resource referrals and technology classes. Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott told attendees of a Monday ribbon-cutting event that the city has to continue to do things like this, working together to build out housing options citywide, to lift up those, especially those who are veterans, especially those who have suffered with mental and substance abuse issues to give them the long-term affordability, and also the long-term sustainability that they need to succeed. For them, their families and for Baltimore, this ribbon cutting is a part of that vision, Scott said. Other speakers Monday included the CEO and president of VOACC, Candace Vanderwater, the Baltimore City Council president, Zeke Cohen, Maryland state Sen. Dalya Attar, a Baltimore City Democrat, and the projects builders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Central to our mission is housing because we believe housing is connected to healthy communities, where stability brings with it a safe, affordable place to call home, Vanderwater said. The Residences at Irvington Woods is the latest chapter of this commitment. A growing need for affordable housing In 2024, the Housing Authority of Baltimore City provided housing vouchers to 19,395 households a 12% increase over the past five years, according to its website. Additionally, in 2020, the HABC served 872 new households with vouchers, compared with 1,546 in 2024, which shows a growing need for public housing in the area. The agency is the fifth-largest public housing organization in the nation, serving more than 23,000 households, according to its website. In a statement to The Baltimore Sun, an HABC spokesperson said communities like Irvington Woods offer a foundation for opportunity, improved health outcomes, economic mobility and educational success. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HABC will work with VOACC to provide rental assistance for the units, vetting and placing applicants in the complex. Janet Abrahams, the president and CEO of HABC, said in the statement that these developments play a vital role in building stronger communities. By providing stable homes to vulnerable populations, we empower individuals and families to thrive and contribute to Baltimores future. This is not just a Baltimore issue. Statewide, there is a shortage of 275,000 rental units that are affordable for people earning 80% or less of an areas median income, which varies from county to county, according to a July housing report from the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More broadly, the United States faces a shortage of 4 to 7 million homes, according to new data from the Pew Research Center. Pew also found that rents increased by 49% in cities from October 2017 to October 2024. Housing is not a luxury, housing is a necessity, Attar said in her speech. We all know theres an affordable housing crisis, but when we see Volunteers of America and everyone coming together and making places like this happen and ribbon cuttings like this happen, it truly is an amazing moment. They did an amazing job VOACC acquired Irvington Woods in 1997 through a federal program aimed at preserving subsidized affordable housing units. Since then, the units were rehabilitated one other time in 2005, Vanderwater said. During the renovation process, residents were moved into empty units because the complex was not at full capacity, according to Nicholle Granger, the executive director of development and marketing at VOACC. So far, 46 of the 71 units have been filled, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 52-year-old Lakesha Caldwell, who has lived in the complex for the past three years, the two-month move was worth it. It looks a whole lot better than it was, Caldwell said, adding that she specifically liked the new wood floors that replaced the old carpet. Mary Johnson a resident for the past 20 years said she appreciated the new flooring. She also said the upgrades to the kitchen and bathroom made a big difference. At first, Johnson said she was slightly angry when she was told she would have to temporarily move at the end of November, a week before Thanksgiving. But it turned out not to be an inconvenience because the complex provided movers, she noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When her home was ready in January, she teared up at the sight of it. I couldnt believe it was the same place, she added. They did an amazing job. They really did. Omar Black, the COO of Harkins Builders who was the general contractor for the project thanked Irvington Woods residents for allowing the builders into their homes. This just wasnt a construction project, Black said during the Monday event. It was a coordinated effort to revitalize and uplift, while maintaining the comfort and dignity of residents who remained on site throughout the entire 14-month construction period. Have a news tip? Contact Irit Skulnik at iskulnik@baltsun.com or on X as @irit_skulnik. Bangladesh will hold national elections next February, the countrys interim leader announced on Tuesday, as he marked the first anniversary of student-led protests that toppled the former prime minister. Nobel Prize-winning economist Muhammad Yunus, who took over after deposed leader Sheikh Hasina fled to India, has been under pressure to restore political stability to the South Asian nation, which is facing deep economic and security challenges, as well as growing unrest over a lack of promised government reforms. Each passing day is chipping away at Bangladeshs stability while undemocratic forces tighten their grip, a former Bangladeshi diplomat wrote for the Atlantic Council. Inclusive elections may be Dhakas final exit ramp before careening off democracys cliff entirely. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the Health and Human Services secretary, is making changes that threaten the public health system, from telling lies about the childhood vaccine schedule to replacing credible members of a vaccine advisory panel with people known to spread misinformation. Kevin Dietsch / Getty Images Groups like the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics have spoken out against these changes, and some major medical associations are even suing Kennedy in response to his changes to the COVID-19 vaccine schedule. Kennedys attack on vaccines isnt exactly a surprise he has a history of anti-vaccine remarks, which was a major talking point throughout his Senate confirmation hearings earlier this year. Specifically, his beliefs were front and center during a heated exchange in which Sen. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) brought up a comment that Kennedy once made about vaccinations and the Black community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, Kennedy had said, We should not be giving Black people the same vaccine schedule thats given to whites, because their immune system is better than ours. Win Mcnamee / Getty Images Related: "You Have No Principles Or Backbone": 22 Tweets Calling Out The Dystopia That Is American Politics This Week Alsobrooks asked Kennedy to explain what he meant by that remark, and he went on to reference a series of studies while saying research shows that Blacks need fewer antigens. (For the record, experts say that this is not true.) Right now, how vaccine schedules are tailored is based on things like your age, your exposure risk, if you have other chronic underlying health conditions but race isnt one of them, and there isnt research that suggests that it should be, Joel Bervell, a recent medical graduate and medical myth-buster on social media, told HuffPost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What especially bothered Bervell about Kennedys exchange with Alsobrooks was the fact that he doubled down on his comment from 2021. Rebecca Noble / Getty Images Kennedy could have used this as an opportunity to admit that he needs to do more research and understand the vaccine schedule, but instead, he defended what he said, which I think, for me, thats where the problem lies in, Bervell told HuffPost. Not necessarily the fact of the misinformation is out there, but the fact that he wasnt willing to at least confront it or admit that onstage. Below, experts like Bervell share their concerns about Kennedys statement and how it reflects a larger problematic picture: Kennedys comment can be considered scientific racism, experts say. Roy Rochlin / Getty Images Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words In medicine, in science, we know that race is a social construct, meaning that you cant look at someones genes and identify what race they are, Bervell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That means differences in vaccine timelines just dont make scientific sense. The comment that [Kennedy] made about the vaccine schedule, its basically scientific racism, which has been debunked, Dr. Oni Blackstock, a primary care and HIV physician who is the founder and executive director of Health Justice, a racial and health equity consulting company, told HuffPost. Hes really perpetuating this false belief that Black people are somehow biologically different from white people and, in that way, justifying differential and ultimately unequal treatment for Black people versus white people, Blackstock added. By saying that, he was putting on one of the larger stages in health care this notion that race-based medicine should still exist, when thats actually what many scientists recently have been trying to root out, Bervell said. Rawlstock / Getty Images Race-based medicine and scientific racism has led to undertreatment of Black patients, dismissal of pain and even death, Blackstock stressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both experts pointed to real-life examples of this, like the false belief that Black people have better-functioning kidneys than white people. This made it harder for Black people to get the treatment they needed, like kidney transplants, according to Bervell. And this thought pattern isnt from some faraway time a medical equation that reinforced this bias wasnt changed until 2021, Bervell said. Whats more, during the 1793 yellow fever epidemic in Philadelphia, Black people were believed to be resistant to yellow fever, which was not true and led to high mortality rates among Black people, Blackstock explained. The importance of understanding the problem with the myths is that they can literally lead to regulations being written into medicine that treat populations differently just based on race, Bervell said. It can actually change the care that people receive. While its easy to look at a particular viewpoint as a one-off, medical racism has real-world consequences that irresponsible comments can make worse. Promoting debunked beliefs distracts us from really doing the work that we need to do, which is dismantling systemic racism in health care and ensuring that everyone has equitable access to preventive care and treatments that they need, Blackstock added. Related: Gavin Newsom Is Going Viral For Shutting Down JD Vance With One Single Map Such stances may lead to more mistrust in the health care system. Jgi / Getty Images One thing that is also kind of strange about him [Kennedy] is hes someone who for a long time has said that he doesnt support vaccines, Bervell said. Apparently, now hes changed his mind, but for a long time he said he hasnt supported vaccines, and then hes also saying that Black people should get a different vaccine schedule. So you have to wonder, what is your goal in saying that if you dont even believe in vaccines? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bervell said comments like those from Kennedy can sow vaccine hesitancy in the Black population, which is dangerous and can erode trust in evidence-based medicine. Its not the first time that this has happened, either, Blackstock added. In 2021, Kennedy produced a documentary called Medical Racism: The New Apartheid, which Blackstock said promoted misinformation about health and vaccines to the Black community, along with other marginalized groups. Its interesting how some of his efforts have been focused on taking advantage of [and] exploiting the mistrust that some in the Black community have around vaccines and the health care system because of structural racism and medical racism, Blackstock said. Morsa Images / Getty Images With misinformation and scare tactics rampant on social media, misinformation from government leaders will only make it harder to tell whats real and whats fake in medicine. Trust needs to be paramount for health care as an institution, Bervell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trust is already eroded in health care, Bervell explained. We need to have someone that is going to work with scientists, researchers, doctors that are on the ground seeing these problems every day, not someone thats in an ivory tower watching from above without understanding of whats actually happening on the ground. Related: Pete Buttigieg Has A Name For What Trump Does When He's Desperate, And It's Spot On Experts say this rhetoric aligns with messaging from Donald Trump. Christopher Furlong / Getty Images Blackstock stressed that while such false beliefs are very problematic, they track with much of the messaging from Donald Trump and his presidential administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It echoes some of the rhetoric that [Trump] has shared around eugenics and immigrants, Blackstock said. Hes talked about immigrants having bad genes or poisoning the blood of our country. It just speaks to this idea of racial purity or genetic purity, and this false idea that certain groups of people are inherently inferior or predisposed to certain behaviors because of their genetics. And, again, race is a social construct and does not equal genetic differences. Its just really shocking that in the year 2025 we are still dealing with these beliefs being propagated that have been around for several centuries that have been used to justify slavery, used to justify inequitable treatment, used to justify forced sterilization, Blackstock said. Blackstock added that she thinks individuals get away with this kind of rhetoric because people become accustomed to outlandish comments and bad behavior. But we need to really flag this and say this is really dangerous and really concerning rhetoric that can have real health implications, Blackstock said. Pixelcatchers / Getty Images This article originally appeared on HuffPost. 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: Democrats Responded To A New Anti-Porn Bill With An Image That Will Haunt Ted Cruz Forever Also in In the News: "My Generation Will Never Forgive You": 25 Of The Very Best And Very True Political Tweets From The Last Week Read it on BuzzFeed.com BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Baton Rouge Police Department offers free self-defense training courses for women and young girls who want to learn how to protect themselves. Classes are open for ages 13 and up. The police department said certified instructors host the program to educate women on how to recognize and defend against physical attacks. Dates for August courses: Aug. 11, 13, 18 and 20. Hours are 6-9 p.m. Students are required to attend all four sessions to get a certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Training takes place at BRPDs Training Academy, located at 9050 Airline Highway. Parking is available in a lot along Airline Highway in front of the Clerk of Court. Click here to see availability for registration. Baton Rouge police seek tips in unsolved 1994 shooting death case 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. (KRON) A cat stranded on live power lines was rescued by a PG&E worker near downtown Vallejo Tuesday. Animal control officers with the Solano County Sheriffs Office took custody of the cat and learned that she was reported stolen out of Benicia Benicia two weeks ago. Once the cat was safe on the ground, the officers discovered that she had a microchip, Solano County Animal Control Services said. Officers reached out to the owner, who was completely overwhelmed with joy, as the cat, Emery, had been stolen from Benicia two weeks earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inland Bay Area forecast for temperatures in the 90s, 100s this weekend A PG&E worker rescues a cat from live power lines in Vallejo on Aug. 5, 2025. (Photos courtesy of Solano County Sheriffs Office Animal Control Services) Stanford to lay off more than 350 employees amid challenging fiscal environment Emery was rescued without injury and reunited with her family in Benicia. Another great story to encourage our citizens to get your pets microchipped, so if they are ever stolen or lost, animal control can get them home to you as well, Solano County animal control 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 KRON4. BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) Bay County officials authorized the countys attorney to join a national opioid settlement Tuesday morning. Bay County has joined in on that settlement with the goal of securing some funds for the Bay County jails drug treatment program. Part of what we are using these funds for is related to out at the jail with treatment facilities and related things, giving it to the sheriffs department, letting them use that as part of their recovery up at the jail, County Commissioner Doug Moore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bay County Jail has a lifeline drug treatment program, which is a state-licensed drug treatment program, and its something that were that has the potential to change lives and has changed lives, Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford said. Sheriff Ford said he had been working with the county and state legislature to come up with the funding to build a drug treatment dormitory that would double the programs capacity. We were really having trouble coming up with the funding for that, and then the state let the states begin to settle with the manufacturers and distributors of opioids like Purdue Pharma, who knowingly provided this addictive substance to the streets of our country, added Ford. The settlement is still pending approval. How much money the county will receive and allocate to the jails drug treatment program is unclear at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, what is clear is that supporting the programs growth is a priority. Its allowed the sheriffs department and the jail to be able to relieve pressure, be able to put folks that shouldnt be with those that have done more serious crimes and in a different place, help them focus on their recovery, and be able to do that, so we have found a lot of benefits out of this. And so were just trying to continue to move that forward with whatever funds were able to receive from this agreement, said Moore. This money coming from these bad actors in the system that have provided these drugs, and the people have gotten addicted, now they are having to fund the treatment for that. I think its a very valid and wise use of that funds. I wish it never had to happen in the first place, but were going to do our part not only to take the drugs off the street, but to treat the individual while theyre in jail, Ford added. Sheriff Ford says the dorms are already under construction, but the funding from the settlement will help them continue progress on that project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. (Bloomberg) -- Swiss stocks dropped as the market reopened after a holiday, on worries about the impact from US President Donald Trumps punitive 39% export tariff and a push for drugmakers to lower prices. Most Read from Bloomberg The Swiss Market Index fell as much as 1.9% Monday, although it pared declines to 0.5% as of 3:47 p.m. in Zurich on optimism that the levies will ultimately be a tool to drive trade negotiations. The benchmark is now up about 1.6% for 2025. Drugmakers Novartis AG and Roche Holding AG, which account for almost 30% of the index, dropped 0.3% and 1.6%, respectively. UBS Group AG fell 0.5% after earlier sliding as much as 3.4%, while shares of Cartier owner Richemont SA declined 1.5%. London-listed Watches of Switzerland Group Plc rebounded 6.4% after slumping 6.8% on Friday. The Swiss franc fell for a second day against the euro, sliding 0.3%. It had weakened 0.5% on Friday, the biggest drop since May, after Trumps announcements late last week. The equity market was closed Friday. The Swiss market is proving resilient and thats because theres hope that a deal will eventually be made with the US, said Frederik Ducrozet, chief economist at Pictet Wealth Management. The Swiss government said on Monday it was determined to make the US a more attractive offer on trade terms. European stocks dropped on Friday by the most since April after Trump unveiled the broad slate of levies, including on Canada, New Zealand and South Africa. The president also sent letters to 17 of the worlds largest drugmakers, insisting they immediately lower what they charge Medicaid for existing drugs. 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, including medical devices and Nespresso coffee. Pharmaceuticals are also a key export and one of the main reasons the Alpine nation has a bilateral goods trade surplus with the US of about $38.5 billion. Risks to Pharmaceuticals Drugs are exempt from the new tariffs for now, but Swiss officials said the sector will still be burdened and could face separate levies. Both Roche and Novartis have been making overtures to the US, pledging in recent months to invest more than $70 billion in research, manufacturing and distribution in the country to address the Trump administrations concerns about local production. TOPEKA (KSNT) The Topeka Zoo reports that its family is getting bigger this week as it welcomes in two black bear cubs. Brea Schmidt with the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center said in a press release that two orphaned black bear cubs are now in the Capital City. One is a seven-month-old male named Taz who comes from Wisconsin while the other is an 18-month-old female named Kiona who comes from Montana. This little guy is all paws and personality, said Topeka Zoo Animal Curator Shanna Simpson when talking about Taz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weird animal spotted near Lake Shawnee in Topeka, what is it? (Photo Courtesy/Carnivore Keepers at the Topeka Zoo) (Photo Courtesy/Carnivore Keepers at the Topeka Zoo) (Photo Courtesy/Carnivore Keepers at the Topeka Zoo) (Photo Courtesy/Carnivore Keepers at the Topeka Zoo) (Photo Courtesy/Carnivore Keepers at the Topeka Zoo) Zoo staff are now monitoring the two cubs prior to putting them into the larger bear yard area. Schmidt said people are encouraged to stay tuned for updates on the two cubs on social media in the days ahead. We all have to get out: Families scramble to find new places to live in exodus from condemned Topeka apartment complex Each year, orphaned cubs need places like ours, said Topeka Zoo Animal Care Director Wrylie Guffey. Were proud to give these two a forever home and cant wait to watch them grow. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. BEAUFORT COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) The Beaufort County Sheriffs Office (BCSO) has signed an agreement of collaboration with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) notified WSAV News 3 of the agreement. On July 31, BCSO became one of the 443 agencies part of the 278(g) programs Task Force Model, giving county deputies the authority to perform immigration enforcement. Sheriff Tanners decision to move forward with the most aggressive form of 287(g) agreement despite public outcry against collaboration with ICE is deeply disappointing, said Dulce J. Lopez, an immigrant rights advocacy strategist at the ACLU of South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the program, ICE will train deputies on immigration law, multicultural communication and how to avoid racial profiling. However, in a public meeting in July, residents expressed their concerns and disagreements with the partnership. Lopez said, His decision disregards the voices of Beaufort County residents who spoke out in two public meetings and other clear demonstrations of community opposition, and it undermines public trust in local law enforcement. We must continue pressing sheriffs and elected officials to choose their community first over federal entanglement. Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner told WSAV News 3 he only plans to bring in one or two deputies and is hoping they work in the same capacity as the last time the agreement was in place from 2008 to 2012. Tanner says the BCSO wants to find the worst of the worst and those deputies will not be full-time immigration agents. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. An image of the Shell plastics plant in Pennsylvania on April 26. Shell said April 25 that it would start using its elevated flare this afternoon and expected the work to continue through the weekend. (Courtesy of Hilary Starcher-OToole) Shells plant in Beaver County that produces plastics from Marcellus Shale gas has been hit with six air pollution violations so far this year and a watchdog group warns that nearby communities arent getting timely notification of the events. The first of its kind in Pennsylvania, the Shell Polymers plant in Potter Township uses ethane, derived from natural gas, to produce polyethylene, a commonly used type of plastic. Since it started operations in 2022, the plant has been the subject of criticism from neighbors worried about air and water pollution and what they say is a lack of transparency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility, known as an ethane cracker, has amassed nearly 50 notices of violations and the six high-priority violations so far this year have outpaced five violations noted by state and federal regulators in all of 2024, the Beaver County Marcellus Awareness Community (BCMAC) said in a statement Tuesday. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The group, which promotes awareness of health, safety and environmental impacts of gas fracking infrastructure, said the violations reveal an ongoing pattern of environmental noncompliance, by Shell. It also notes the company has not been issued a formal monetary penalty since May 2023, when it was fined nearly $5 million after acknowledging it had frequently exceeded emissions limitations at its plant since October 2022. The settlement with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection also required Shell to pay $5 million for projects to benefit the environment, health and quality of life of the community near the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BCMACs statement says the DEP has failed to post notices of the violations on its webpage for the Shell plant in a timely manner. Shell violated air pollution laws in a way that the federal government itself considers a high priority but no one prioritized informing our communities, BCMAC Executive Director Hilary Starcher-OToole said. Real people live near this plant. Families. Children. People deserve transparency from the billion-dollar corporation polluting their air and from the regulators whose job it is to protect us. Starcher-OToole said Shell and the DEP must provide real-time notifications when malfunctions and violations occur. Anything less is negligence, she added. Shell did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. In an Inside Climate News article this May about bright light from gas flares at the plant disturbing neighbors, a Shell spokesperson said the company notifies the community of events at the plant through social media, community events and public notifications. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilary Flint, director communications and community engagement for BCMAC, said public notices are required for pollution events that affect drinking water, but whether there is a requirement for air pollution notifications is unclear. We have been advocating for timely public disclosure of any pollution events or violations associated with the Shell facility for years, and over 65,000 people have signed our petition supporting that request, Flint said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX DEP regional communications manager Laina Aquiline said the agency posts documents related to certain facilities, including the Shell Polymers plant, on its community page as a courtesy to the public. She added that the DEP has no regulatory or policy obligation to do so, but tries to share documents in a timely manner. Aquiline said without details, she could not comment on the specific violations in BCMACs statement, but the DEP has documented violations and continues to work on corrective action. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Beavercreek Police Department is asking for the publics help in identifying a woman who entered Chase Bank and allegedly withdrew over $10,000 from a stolen debit card. Officials said the incident happened on Saturday, May 24. Photo via Beavercreek Police Department. Photo via Beavercreek Police Department. If you can identify the woman, you are urged to contact Detective McCain at 937-426-1225, ext. 249, or at mccainc@beavercreekohio.gov. Anonymous tips are accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. NEW BEDFORD, Mass. (WPRI) New Bedford officials have unveiled the citys 2025 evacuation plan, detailing steps residents should take to prepare for a major storm. Mayor Jon Mitchell outlined the plan Wednesday morning on Padanaram Avenue, the citys lowest elevation point and a frequent flooding site. Even just in my time in office, weve seen a visceral change in the way storms affect this very street, Mitchell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Bedford and Providence are now considered the northernmost hurricane-prone cities on the East Coast. The last major storm to hit southern New England was Hurricane Bob in August 1991, which made landfall on Block Island as a Category 2 storm. It caused $680 million in damage across New England, including $39 million in Massachusetts alone. While its been more than three decades, Mitchell stressed the importance of preparation. Street flooding remains the citys largest threat, though upgrades to pumping stations and more green infrastructure aim to help. READ ALSO: How to make sure youre prepared for hurricane season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The updated plan includes a more detailed, step-by-step timeline for actions before landfall and places greater emphasis on evacuation. Following federal designations, the city is divided into three evacuation zones: A, B and C. Residents can look up their zone on the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agencys online mapping tool. Neighborhoods in Zone A primarily in the South End, including the peninsula would be evacuated first. If you live in one of these areas, you should have in the back of your head of what youre going to do if you have to leave, Mitchell stressed. Keith Middle School will serve as the citys primary emergency shelter, with New Bedford High School as a backup both are pet-friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents are recommended to bring blankets, sleeping bags, pillows, three to five days of medications and clothing. Officials also urged residents to have a personal evacuation plan in the case of severe weather, as well as signing up for NB Alert, the citys reverse 911 system, to receive emergency notifications. The next hurricane might not be this year, it might not be in the next five years, but it is not a question of if its a question of when, Mitchell said. Mitchell also proclaimed Aug. 6 as Hurricane Preparedness Day in New Bedford. Read the full plan below. NB Hurricane Plan 2025Download Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NEXT: Providence officials outline hurricane season preps Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. EAST PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Nancy Lavin of Rhode Island Current this week joined Eli Sherman and Dan McGowan on Behind the Story to discuss her reporting on Woonsocket finances and State House politics. Lavin is senior reporter for the independent, digital news outlet that focuses on state government and public policy. Lavin discusses ongoing financial issues in Woonsocket, which has seen its bond ratings yanked after struggling to get its annual financial reporting in order. Lavin also talks about a recent feature she wrote about Sen. Pam Lauria, a Barrington Democrat, who made some power plays this past legislative session at the State House, helping to recast her own reputation from quiet workhorse to change agent, according to Lavin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the show, Dan and Eli talk about the Stories We Wish We Wrote. They include (not all mentioned on air): Dans picks Elis picks Watch Behind the Story Thursdays at 10 a.m., 1 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on the WPRI 12+ TV app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It airs on TV (Sundays at 8 a.m. on FOX Providence and 11 a.m. on The CW Providence), and will be available on demand through the WPRI 12+ app and right here on WPRI.com. Behind the Story is hosted by Eli Sherman and Kim Kalunian of 12 News, along with Dan McGowan of the Boston Globe. BEHIND THE STORY AVAILABLE AS A PODCAST: Apple Podcasts | YouTube | Spotify | iHeart Radio Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. By Che Pan and Florence Lo BEIJING (Reuters) -Fancy a robot chess partner to test your moves on? Perhaps a robotic pet dog? Or a life-sized replica of physicist Albert Einstein that could teach you his theories on relativity? Those are some of over 100 robots that will be sold at a new store in Beijing that opens on Friday, showcasing humanoid models from more than 40 Chinese brands such as Ubtech Robotics and Unitree Robotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The store is among China's first to sell humanoid and consumer-oriented robots, reflecting the country's ambition to lead in AI and robotics. "If robots are to enter thousands of households, relying solely on robotics companies is not enough," Wang Yifan, a store director, said on Wednesday, emphasizing the need for tailored solutions for consumers. Describing the store as "4S" offering sales, spare parts, maintenance and survey services, like car dealerships Wang said the robots range in price from 2,000 yuan ($278.33) to several million yuan. China's focus on robotics aims to address challenges such as an ageing population and slowing growth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sector has been bolstered by generous subsidies exceeding $20 billion over the past year, while Beijing plans a one trillion yuan ($137 billion) fund to support AI and robotics startups. ($1 = 7.1857 Chinese yuan renminbi) (Reporting by Che Pan and Florence Lo in Beijing; Editing by Brenda Goh and Bernadette Baum) MARION COUNTY, Fla. (WJW) A 41-year-old Florida man told police he was just being silly when he allegedly repeatedly pointed a laser at a sheriffs helicopter in early August. The Marion County Sheriffs Office shared video of the incident on its Facebook page detailing the seriousness of the matter. Hoban teacher facing sex charges involving students According to the post, members of the Aviation Unit were conducting a security check during the early morning hours of Aug. 2 when they noticed a green laser beam striking the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The laser beam was obstructing the vision of MGst. Rawls as he was piloting AIR-1, the video stated. They observed the culprit, 41-year-old Adam Santiago-Lugo, standing in his driveway with binoculars and a laser pointer. The aviation crew then alerted deputies on the ground to Santiago-Lugos location as he allegedly continued to point the laser at the helicopter, which is a felony offense, the sheriffs office stated in the post. Body camera video then shows a deputy approach Santiago-Lugo outside the home. Santiago-Lugo is seen with a pair of binoculars around his neck and what appeared to be a flashlight in his hand. After initially refusing to comply with orders to put his hands behind his back and get on his knees, Santiago-Lugo eventually was handcuffed and led to a squad car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What did I do wrong? Im sorry, hes heard saying. Officers collected binoculars, the laser pointer and a flashlight at the scene. Speeding driver clocked at 199 mph on Germanys Autobahn When asked why he was pointing the laser beam at the helicopter, he reportedly told police he was bored. As hes being escorted into the jail, Santiago-Lugo is also heard telling the deputy he was just being silly. Well, sometimes being silly costs you a felony, the arresting officer said. Santiago-Lugo was charged with Pointing a Laser Light at a Pilot and Resisting Arrest Without Violence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. A drone that entered Lithuanian airspace from Belarus on July 28 was carrying explosives, Lithuania's Prosecutor General's Office confirmed Aug. 5. The drone, initially unidentified, triggered a days-long search before it was found Aug. 1 at the Gaiziunai training ground in the central Jonava district. Authorities later identified it as a Russian-made Gerbera drone loaded with approximately two kilograms (4.4 pounds) of explosives. Prosecutor General Nida Grunskiene said the explosive device was "neutralized at the scene," according to public broadcaster LRT. Parts of the drone are now undergoing forensic analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colonel Dainius Paskevicius, chief of staff of the Lithuanian Air Force, said the drone carried significantly less than the typical payload of 50 kilograms (110.2 pounds). Defense Minister Dovile Sakaliene said the current assessment is that the drone may have entered Lithuanian airspace accidentally after being disoriented by Ukrainian defense systems, though the investigation is ongoing. Sakaliene and Foreign Minister Kestutis Budrys said Lithuania has notified NATO of the incident and requested urgent reinforcement of air defenses to prevent similar breaches. In response to the incident, Lithuanian military announced announced plans to strengthen air defenses along the country's border with Belarus. Defense Minister Sakaliene also warned that similar incidents could occur during upcoming joint Russian-Belarusian military exercises scheduled for later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar airspace violations have occurred in Lithuania and other Baltic countries. Last September, a Russian drone with an armed warhead crashed in neighboring Latvia. Russian drones or missiles have also strayed into the territory of Poland, Moldova, and Romania during past attacks on Ukraine. Read also: Russia considers air truce proposal to Trump without ending war, Bloomberg says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Brief The Mountain View Fire Department is mourning the loss of a 36-year-old firefighter. Gabriel Shamiya died after a two-and-half-year battle with cancer, the department said. The fire engineer paramedic is being remembered for his dedication to the job and love for his family. MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. - The Mountain View Fire Department is mourning the loss of one of its own, a 36-year-old firefighter and a beloved and deeply respected public servant who is being remembered for his "compassion, professionalism, and unwavering commitment to service." What we know Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya died on July 14. His death followed a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, according to the fire department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shamiya was a nine-year veteran of the department, talented in his skills and admired for his character in his first responder duties and beyond. He served in the departments honor guard unit, which leads ceremonial events, including funerals for fallen heroes and special memorial tributes. His strong and trusted skills were accompanied by a caring bedside manner, a calm and confident presence, especially under pressure, and "the warmth and humility he brought to the firehouse every day," the department shared in a statement to KTVU on Tuesday. Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya talking with kids at a Mountain View fire station. (City of Mountain View Fire Department) The admiration for Shamiya went beyond his role as a firefighter and medic. Family man Above all, he was being celebrated for the life he led as a loving and devoted husband, father, son, and brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gabes love for his family was the cornerstone of his life. He was a dedicated and loving husband to his wife, Ashley, and a proud father to his two-year-old son, Luca," the Mountain View Fire Department shared. A GoFundMe has been set up by the Mountain View Professional Firefighters Local 1965 as the union sought to help the late firefighter's family during this time of profound loss. What you can do "Over his 9 year career with MVFD, he served communities across the state with selflessness, integrity, and heart," the fire union said, adding, "Now, we ask the communities Gabe served so selflessly to help support the family he leaves behind." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shamiya was most recently assigned to Fire Station #2 on Cuesta Drive and Grant Road, the designated wildland station, "and was always the first to volunteer for wildland fire deployments across California," the union said, adding "he served communities across the state with selflessness, integrity, and heart." Job-related illness The union also stated that his cancer illness was "job related." Theres no word on what type of cancer Shamiya had. "This is, above all, a devastating tragedy," Local 1965 President Zeyad Abouata told KTVU in a statement, as he described the fallen firefighter as, "a loyal friend, and someone we were proud to stand beside." Dig deeper Cancer and other job-related illnesses are a risk taken by firefighters, and Abouata referred to a California labor code that addresses that risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If an active-duty-firefighter is diagnosed with cancer, it is presumed to be job-related and should be covered under workers compensation," Abouata explained. The union president added, "Gabes cancer was accepted under this statute. The employer accepted his claim, provided medical coverage, and issued wage loss benefits." Mountain View Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya was 36 years old. (City of Mountain View Fire Department) City mourns firefighter's passing The city of Mountain View expressed its deep sadness over Shamiya's passing. In a statement to KTVU on Tuesday, the city said, "He will be remembered as an outstanding firefighter and paramedic and for his positive impact on the Mountain View community. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones during this difficult time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the city responded to KTVU's inquiry about Shamiya's illness being job-related, by also referring to the California Labor Code on workers compensation, stating certain medical conditions for firefighters can be legally presumed to be job-related. "This presumption may apply to cancer diagnoses and helps to ensure timely access to benefits and support for those impacted," the city said. "Firefighters face occupational exposures to hazards, and Californias presumptive legislation acknowledges these risks in relation to cancer and certain other health conditions." Mountain View officials also explained that the fire department provides annual cancer screenings for its firefighters. "These screenings are designed to support early detection and reinforce the Citys long-standing commitment to public safety wellness," said the statement released by Mountain View Chief Communications Officer Lenka Wright. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city added that the department follows safety recommendations by the National Fire Protection Association related to personal protective equipment and contamination control. SEE ALSO:Law seeks to eliminate cancer causing chemicals from firefighter protective clothing Those who knew and loved Shamiya spoke of his quiet strength, his kind heart and his radiant and infectious smile, which can be seen in many of the photos the Mountain View Fire Department shared. "We will carry his memory with us always," the agency said, honoring Shamiya for his desire to protect and care for his community and calling him one of the most respected and trusted paramedics among them. (City of Mountain View Fire Department) Mountain View Fire Department Public Information Officer Robert Maitland stated it simply: "He was a really wonderful person," as he went on to say that he believes the best way to honor his late colleague was to "hold your family and friends tight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A private memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 9. The Mountain View Fire Department said it will honor Gabriel Shamiya and "his ultimate sacrifice" with a Line of Duty Death service. Mountain View Fire Engineer Paramedic Gabriel Shamiya died after a two-and-a-half-year battle with cancer, the fire department said. (City of Mountain View Fire Department) Tata Communications is set to build an advanced AI-ready network in India for Amazon Web Services (AWS) connecting major AWS infrastructure sites. In what is becoming a growing trend among global telecom operators, who are investing substantial funds to expand, or upgrade their terrestrial networks to meet future data traffic demands, contributed by data-hungry workloads such as AI/ML, while future-proofing their networks to meet the requirements of their hyperscalers and enterprise customers. Tata strategic collaboration The strategic collaboration between the companies will see Tata Communications connect the hyperscalers' three main infrastructure facilities located throughout the country with two data centers located in Mumbai and Hyderabad, and its Direct Connect and Edge Network infrastructure located in Chennai. According to the companies, the new fibre network will feature express routes designed to deliver ultra-low latency, which is viewed as essential for compute-intensive AI and ML workloads. With the fibre build tipped to be the largest construction project for the company with an estimated cable length of 18,000km boasting a network capacity of 7.2Tbps with an estimated completion date by the end of 2026. The partnership will also enable businesses nationwide to build, train and deploy scalable AI applications, driving innovation across critical sectors such as healthcare, finance and education. Global telecom operators are looking to enhance and modernise their terrestrial networks Brendan Swan, Senior Research Analyst, GlobalData stated: Over the last 12 months, more global telecom operators are looking to enhance and modernise their terrestrial networks to support the increased data traffic contributed by the growth of AI. Telcos have significantly increased their capital expenditure upgrading their network capabilities, including using modern technologies such as built-in AI, machine learning (ML) and cognitive computing, added Swan. In the United States, Lumen announced it would increase its capital expenditure by 30% to $4.2bn to meet its intercity needs as the carrier looks to almost quadruple its fibre network in the coming years while launching its Private Connectivity Fabric, a custom network that includes dedicated access to existing fibre in the Lumen network providing the network capacity, performance, stability and speed primarily targeted at hyperscalers and data center providers. Additionally, Zayo have announced that they plan to construct 5,000 miles of new route miles to be completed with construction well underway connecting Phoenix to Tucson, and Chicago to both Minneapolis and Columbus. Zayo has also completed a full 400G upgrade of its North American network. Benton County Fire District 1s attempt to cover the increasing cost of fire and medical service south of Kennewick and Richland was firmly passing after Tuesdays initial vote count. The first results in the Aug. 5 primary show the Benton County Fire District 1s levy had 1,264 votes, or 59%, supporting the measure to 867 votes, or nearly 41%, opposed. The measure needs over 50% of the votes to pass. More votes will be counted Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benton County Fire District 1 asked voters to approve an increase of 22 cents per $1,000 of assessed property value to meet the rising demand for services. The measure would add about $884,000 to the districts $6 million budget. The money would pay for three new firefighter positions, replace an aging ambulance and upgrade the Finley fire station. The agency is staffed by paid and volunteer firefighters. The district primarily relies on property taxes to serve the 18,600 living in its 320-square-mile service area south of Kennewick and Richland including Finley, Badger Canyon and the Rancho Reata area. The fire district receives no funding from Benton County and, other than property taxes, only gets a small amount of other money, according to budget documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22-cent levy on the primary brings its rate to the $1.50 per $1,000 of value allowed by the state. The increase would add about $93 a year to the property taxes on a house valued at $422,500. the average cost of a home in the district. The total annual tax bill for that home would be about $634. Prosser City Council Bill Jenkin and Vance Glasscock are leading the three-person race for an open Prosser City Council seat, the Benton County Auditors Office reported Tuesday night. The top two vote-getters advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Jenkin, a former state representative and school board member, had 317 votes, or 57%. Glasscock, a legal assistant and first-time candidate, had 152 votes, or nearly 28%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackie Kimble, a longtime community volunteer, was trailing with 80 votes, or just over 14% of the vote. Connell Mayor Shelly Harper and Patricia Barrera will square off in November to succeed Lee Barrow as mayor of the North Franklin County city of Connell. Harper received 168 votes to Barreras 111, or 52% to 34%. The third candidate, Irineo Salas, received 47 votes or 14%. Unlike the former chief of staff, we had to petition the High Court of Justice to receive any organized information about our loved ones who were killed on October 7, they said. Bereaved families expressed anger and shock on Wednesday that former IDF chief of staff Aviv Kohavi has access to military documents, records, and information relating to October 7. Unlike the former chief of staff, we had to petition the High Court of Justice to receive any organized information about our loved ones who were killed on October 7, they said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KAN reported on Tuesday that Kohavi was gathering October 7-related information, with the approval of the military, including raw data, meeting notes, and situational assessments. The IDF has put out dozens of probes already, split into locations to organize the review of the militarys acts on that day. Eyal Eshel, the father of slain observer Roni Eshel, told KAN Reshet Bet, The entire state was handed on a silver platter to Hamas on October 7, and the failures were already present then. They are all tied to the shadowy culture of keeping quiet, not saying anything, and not rocking the boat; this is the culture that led us to that awful Saturday. IDF Chief of Staff Aviv Kochavi speaks at the officers graduation ceremony, July 1st, 2020 (credit: IDF SPOKESMANS UNIT) Failure to establish State Commission of Inquiry into October 7 failures He added that perhaps the greatest marker of this shortcoming on the part of public servants and elected officials is the prolonged delay in establishing a state commission of inquiry into the failures of October 7. He noted that this is what opened the door to Kohavis actions, which allowed something like this to happen. The process has not even yet begun; the IDF has not worked to change its culture of silence. So much information has not been revealed to the public, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also specifically criticized Kohavi for his part in the failure that led to October 7, for how he pushed for a smaller, more technological army, echoing a common criticism of the military, that it didnt put enough focus on foot soldiers, who were so glaringly missing on that day. How is it possible that one of the men who helped build the faulty foundations of Israels security outlook can roam freely in the most intimate and unknown corners of the army? asked Eshel. SPRINGFIELD A contractor in Berkshire County is repaying the IRS hundreds of thousands of dollars after he pleaded guilty to tax fraud. Dennis Condron, who owns D Condron Construction, allegedly cashed customer checks into his personal bank account and then did not report the funds to his tax preparer, the U.S. Attorneys Office said Wednesday. Prosecutors said Condron, 75, recently pleaded to four counts of tax fraud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The unreported, diverted checks resulted in his tax returns underreporting the gross receipts of the business by hundreds of thousands of dollars, said a statement by the U.S. Attorneys Office. Condron filed four false tax returns between 2017 and 2020 that failed to report $610,000, prosecutors allege in court documents filed Tuesday with the court. By diverting this income, (Condrons company) did not pay taxes at the corporation level, resulting in an approximately $131,387 loss to the United States Government, prosecutors wrote. Furthermore, prosecutors said Condron failed to pay personal taxes on the diverted funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In total, Condron owes the IRS $92,487 in restitution for his personal taxes and $131,387 for D Condron Construction, according to the plea agreement. According to a plea agreement filed Wednesday in the case, Condron does not have a criminal history, and it notes that he only has to pay a few hundred dollars more before he completed paying the restitution to the IRS. The court has not yet scheduled a plea hearing. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. NEW BERN, N.C. (WNCT) Several local law enforcement agencies hosted their National Night Out celebrations Tuesday night, Aug. 5, 2025. The night is a chance to show unity between officers and people in the community. The event took place at Union Point Park. Free haircuts were given by barbers with Craven Community Colleges barber program, food trucks and other activities. Police officers said its a way to show people theres more beyond the badge. Some people said its always refreshing to see the community and law enforcement interacting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a good night for the community coming together, Dequann Hall of New Bern said. This is a good night for the community coming together. Although weve been going through a lot of like a whole bunch of deaths and shootings and stuff, this brings the community together. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. You dont have to travel to Las Vegas to enjoy a night of gambling. Two New England casinos are in the running to be the best casino outside Las Vegas in a USA Today poll. "The United States is home to more than 1,000 casinos more than any other country in the world, USA Today wrote. From coast to coast, gamers have a huge range of options for where to place their bets, and not just in Las Vegas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An expert panel narrowed down the USA Today list to 20 casinos, including Mohegan Sun and Foxwoods Resort Casino, both in Connecticut. Mohegan Sun has nearly 4,000 slot machines, over 300 table games, more than 30 poker tables, a race book and an area fashioned after an Asian market that offers traditional Asian table games like sic bo, pai gow, and mini baccarat, the news outlet wrote. Foxwoods has more than 3,500 slot machines, as well as 250-plus table games, high-stakes bingo, a sportsbook with 50-foot LED screens and the largest poker room on the East Coast, according to USA Today. Now the public has the option to vote on their favorite. Voting is open until Aug. 25 at noon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The top 10 casinos will be announced on Sept. 3. New England Casino Winners Read the original article on MassLive. Texas Democrat Beto ORourke said Wednesday that he is raising funds for Democratic members of the state legislature who left Texas to stall a GOP redistricting push. Weve got to have their backs, ORourke said in an interview on CNNs The Situation Room on Wednesday, praising tens of thousands of donors for contributing toward their food, their flights, and the defense that theyre going to need. ORourke is raising the funds through his Texas political action committee, Powered By People, which brought in more than $700,000 for state House Democrats during a similar quorum break in 2021. Democratic US Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, a key fundraiser for her party, is also helping with the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Democrats left the state Sunday to deny the legislature a quorum, preventing Republicans from passing a new US House map that could help the GOP flip as many as five seats next year. The election of 2026 is going to be decided in the summer of 2025, ORourke said. Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday asked the Texas Supreme Court to disqualify state Rep. Gene Wu, the House Democratic leader, from office. Abbott and Attorney General Ken Paxton have threatened to seek more disqualifications if enough Democrats dont return to the state by Friday, when Republicans are next planning to try to move forward with redistricting. Paxton announced Wednesday that his office had started an investigation into ORourkes fundraising efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, he said his office would demand documents and communications from the group regarding potentially unlawful activity, including its involvement in the Democrats scheme to break quorum. Any Democrat coward breaking the law by taking a Beto Bribe will be held accountable, said Paxton, who is running in the Republican primary for US Senate. Absent Democratic lawmakers are subject to fines of $500 a day. And Republican leaders have also asked the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the lawmakers for leaving the state and investigate them for bribery if they accept outside help in paying the fines. Theyve got (Department of Public Safety) state troopers trying to hunt them down right now. They may face the long arm of federal law enforcement as well. I mean, they they are doing this at extraordinary risk to themselves personally, ORourke said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The former Democratic presidential candidate described the fight over the aggressive redistricting push by Texas Republicans in stark terms. If we fail, the consolidation of authoritarian power in America will be nearly unstoppable, ORourke warned. That means more masked plainclothes federal agents without badges or warrants sweeping our fellow Americans up off the streets. It means more retribution and persecution and even violence for Trumps political opponents. And it also means that a Republican-majority Congress, with these five stolen seats, if we allow them to succeed, will roll out the royal red carpet for a Trump third term. So, this is literally for all the marbles, he added. He also voiced support for members of his party looking at pursuing redistricting in blue states in an attempt to neutralize the Texas GOP effort. Among those who are proposing changes are Govs. Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois and Kathy Hochul of New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think for far too long, my party has been more concerned with being right and coloring within the lines than theyve cared about being in power. This story has been updated with additional reporting. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Despite an unfortunate blind spot, the patio lights are shining now. (Photo by Dana Wormald/New Hampshire Bulletin) I was certain that the distance between each of the four-square poles was not the cause of my failed effort to string outdoor lights around the patio area last weekend. Positively certain. Again and again, as the weight of the light strings challenged the integrity of the perimeter at every turn, I would explain to my wife why she was wrong about her proposed solution. Moving the poles closer together will not fix anything, I said confidently, as if my long history as a DIY bumbler didnt exist. To my brain, the physics of it were crystal clear and the only problem was the flimsiness of the poles that we paid too much for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was sure of her math, too, with the difference being that her calculations were correct. Im wrong a lot, about little things and big things, and the challenge amid all of that wrongness is to apply the lessons in a way that creates a little more balance between confidence and humility. The fulcrum is always solid and steady, something like wisdom, and thats where I want to be. So, in the end, I was happy to be wrong about the lights. But I remain a little miserable about the blind spots where I habitually find myself entrenched. Of the many curses on humanity, maybe thats the worst one: We dont know what we dont know and are too willing to defend that ignorance to the end. And thats exactly what makes public policy so tricky, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By way of example, this month the organization that administers New Hampshires universal school voucher program announced that a newly instituted 10,000-student enrollment limit had been reached, with an additional 295 families on a wait list. Because the education freedom accounts program had about half that number of students at the start of the last school year (when an income cap was still in place), it seems a pretty safe bet that a lot of the newcomers were previously blocked because their families made too much money to qualify. Gov. Kelly Ayotte, who in June signed the bill that opened education freedom accounts to all regardless of income, previously appeared wary of universal vouchers for that very reason. In her inaugural address, she was careful to use the word more rather than all when referring to the expansion of EFAs, perhaps sensing where the universal path might lead. Maybe she should have listened to her gut. It seems like not-so-great fiscal management to give piles of taxpayer cash to well-to-do families who were going to send their kids to private school whether the state chipped in or not. But heres where I worry about blind spots. I think voucher programs are here to stay. I think public school as I knew it as a kid is gone. And, I think that as a state and nation weve made a series of terrible mistakes in the way weve pursued school choice. But maybe I just dont know what I dont know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What I do know, however, is that Ive never considered publicly funded education to be a monopoly, as a political consultant named Brian Stephens called it in a New York Times story this week. I think public education as a concept is genius: A society realizes that its greatness will be determined not solely by military might but through the level of education attained by its citizens. From there, a perch above the wisdom fulcrum, a long line of prescient minds designs and implements an evolving system of public schooling for all children regardless of their personal backgrounds and circumstances. There is nothing smooth about large systems, and so progress toward that ideal was always going to be uneven and it was always going to be inequitable. But, until very recently, the American people had chosen repair and refinement over destruction. If that was the whole debate whether vouchers will ultimately improve the system it would be a lot like the patio light situation, although maybe not ever so cut-and-dried. We could have spirited conversations about what and how fast systemic changes could and should be introduced, and make sure that the public good remained, always, at the center. What makes me skeptical that vouchers were ever intended to be an educational improvement is the way public schools have been undermined and attacked in order to gain popular support for implementation of the voucher programs. For starters, the genius of public education here in New Hampshire is significantly eroded by the way its funded. A graduated income tax that goes directly into an education fund to be equally distributed throughout the state (no more rich town, poor town dynamics) would be a lot more fair than our current overreliance on property taxes. It would also, not coincidentally, dampen a lot of the enthusiasm for vouchers among the states well-to-do. Instead of tackling the funding problem, however, public school critics pour all their energy into turning townspeople against their own community schools. The rising anger over school budgets correlates directly with the rising burden placed on property owners. And thats just the beginning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It used to be that if a parent had a question about the appropriateness of a school lesson plan or library book, they would reach out to the teacher or principal and set up a meeting, and hopefully a civil one. Now, everything is first outlined as a broad left-wing conspiracy, with charges levied on social media or at board meetings where condemnation is preferred over resolution. A handful of the most righteous lawmakers, who certainly have more important things to worry about, encourage that narrative and push book bans, library privacy rollbacks, and any number of parental rights measures that promise far more darkness than sunshine. What I mean is, it feels to me like all of these full-throated, seemingly disconnected attacks on public schools from curriculum pearl-clutching to outright public health disinformation are part and parcel of the voucher push. The manufactured outrage is the lubricant for a privatization effort that in saner times would be quickly and popularly dismissed as the money grab that it is. And the Times story I mentioned above, the one where a political consultant says the monopoly is over that helps place the concern in high relief. School systems in Orlando, Newark, Memphis, and dozens of other cities and towns, writes journalist Dana Goldstein, have hired consultants who aggressively woo parents to convince them to enroll their children in local public schools. Brian J. Stephens has built a business around this new reality, the story continues. Mr. Stephens, a political consultant based in Memphis, runs Caissa K12, a consulting firm for public school districts with the tag line We recruit students. Caissa K12 has taken off, with over 100 district clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For as many things as human society has gotten wrong, the basic structure of public education was something we got right. I just never realized how vulnerable our schools were to the undertow of American greed, where a public good is beneficial only so far as it has the potential to become big business. Man, another blind spot. The Department of Energy targeted low-income households that qualify for federal weatherization assistance as part of former President Bidens executive order to promote voter turnout, RealClearPolitics is first to report. At the direction of then-Secretary Jennifer Granholm, the Energy Department launched an initiative called "Get Energized to Vote" to boost turnout ahead of the 2022 midterms, despite the fact that the agency had no congressional mandate to do so and no experience running voter turnout campaigns. As part of that effort, the agency directed approximately 35,000 households participating in the Weatherization Assistance Program to resources about where and how to register to vote. The longstanding program, which began during the Carter administration, provides weatherization services to the poor, specifically households at or below 200% of the poverty line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Biden administration saw it as a vehicle for voter registration recruitment. "By targeting those individuals who interact with DOEs weatherization program, DOE aims to aid in increasing turnout and reducing the barriers that disabled persons faced at the polls," reads a September 2021 department memo sent to Susan Rice, Bidens top domestic policy adviser. Helping welfare recipients sign up to vote was just one priority. Other specific targets listed by the memo include: "first time voters, college students, voters with disabilities, and voters with limited English proficiency." Shortly after Biden arrived in office, the former president signed an executive order directing all federal agencies to promote voter registration and participation "consistent with applicable law." While agencies can aid in the process of signing up voters, federal law strictly prohibits partisan activities by officeholders and government employees. Republicans quickly cried foul, alleging unlawful federal assistance in state elections. "Allowing federal employees from the Biden Administration to flood election administration sites threatens election integrity and reduces Americans confidence," said Wisconsin Rep. Bryan Steil, the Republican chair of the House Administration Committee, alleging that the executive order was an attempt by Biden "to tilt the scales ahead of 2024." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine Republican attorneys general filed suit that same year, accusing Biden of attempting "to convert the federal bureaucracy into a voter registration organization and to turn every interaction between a federal bureaucrat and a member of the public into a voter registration pitch." The Biden administration dismissed those charges as "baseless" at the time. A White House spokeswoman, Robyn Patterson, accused Republicans of lying about the 2020 election and using "those same debunked lies to advance laws across the nation that make it harder to vote and easier to undermine the will of the people." A full suite of programs was already online by then. The Energy Department uploaded a "Voting Playbook" to its website, updated leave policies for federal employees to go vote on Election Day, and distributed "know your rights" fact sheets to targeted constituencies. The biggest push appears to have come ahead of the 2022 midterms when Democrats expanded their control of the Senate and managed to limit their losses in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Granholm cut a direct-to-camera public service announcement in August of 2021 underscoring the importance of voting. According to the DOE memo sent to the Biden White House, the clip would be shared across social media channels, including those "with high youth engagement." "By using these platforms, DOE can potentially affect voter behavior by providing direct and free access to the production of voter registration materials on vote.gov," the memo states. "Through video messaging, DOE will encourage voter participation in underserved and disadvantaged communities, which can include women, indigenous persons, and minorities." The video has been delisted from YouTube, but an archived version remains on Granholms official X account. It features the secretary making a broad, non-partisan overture to the "sacred" right to vote, invoking the memory "of those who fought, and some who died, to secure the right to vote for women, for indigenous Americans, for people of color." Granholm later violated the Hatch Act, a law that limits the political speech of federal employees, during an October interview with the magazine Marie Claire, according to the U.S. Office of Special Counsel, when the secretary described Democratic majorities as "good news." The federal watchdog did not pursue disciplinary action at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Granholm decamped for K-Street after leaving office and has joined the lobbying firm DGA Group as a senior counselor. Attempts to reach the secretary for comment were unsuccessful. President Trump rescinded Bidens executive order, which had directed federal agencies to promote voter registration. Asked what to expect from the Department of Energy ahead of the next midterms, a White House official told RCP the agency would be focused on "core functions," namely addressing energy, environmental, and nuclear policy. Philip Wegmann is White House correspondent for RealClearPolitics. Political analyst Mark Halperin revealed last week that former President Joe Bidens team is prepared to release unflattering stories about their efforts to prepare former Vice President Kamala Harris for a potential run if she comes after him in her new book. Harris announced the release of her upcoming book "107 Days," documenting her short-lived presidential run, just a week after Biden reportedly signed a $10 million deal with the Hachette Book Group for his upcoming presidential memoir. While speaking on 2Ways "The Morning Meeting" with Sean Spicer and Dan Turrentine, Halperin dismissed the notion that they discussed these books with each other, adding that the Biden team is ready to push back if they feel threatened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats Fret Return Of Joe Biden, Kamala Harris To Spotlight As Party Tries To 'Turn The Page': Report Mark Halperin said Biden's team will release unflattering stories about Harris if she attacks him as she prepares to release her book "107 Days." "If the Biden people decide that Kamala Harris is coming after Joe Biden, wait until you hear the Palin-esque stories about how much they tried to help her be prepared to be vice president and be in a position to run, and how they decided, not happening. Shes not up to this," Halperin said. "And if the Biden people feel threatened, you will hear stories about Kamala Harris as vice president that will not make her look good." Halperins "Palin-esque" comment refers to revelations from 2008 Republican presidential nominee John McCains 2018 memoir, which revealed he regretted picking former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin as his running mate. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Halperin later elaborated on his own show on Tuesday about how the Biden administration attempted to prepare Harris for a potential presidential run but found she wasnt "ready for prime time." Kamala Harris Scolds 'Piling On' Against Joe Biden When Asked About Separating Herself During 2024 Campaign Halperin described the Biden administration as struggling to prepare Harris to potentially take over as president. "[T]he folks in the Biden administration, including the president himself, were very protective of her, did their best to make her a success, did their best to make her ready to be president either if Joe Biden left office prematurely or if she decided she wanted to run. If you look at her public schedule, you'll see she had, I think, an unprecedented number of meetings with world leaders," Halperin said. He continued, "Certainly, every opportunity, whether they were in Washington or when she traveled overseas, she met a lot of world leaders. They tried to get her up to speed, but she was not quite ready for prime time. Let me put it that way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digital reached out to Biden and Harris teams for comment but did not immediately receive responses. Original article source: Biden team is ready to drop dirt on Harris if she comes after him, Mark Halperin says Former White House physician Kevin O'Connor previously dismissed cognitive tests as "meaningless," ex-Biden administration aide Bruce Reed told House investigators on Tuesday, according to a source familiar with the proceedings. Reed, who served as White House deputy chief of staff for policy, is the ninth member of former President Joe Biden's inner circle to sit down with House Oversight Committee lawyers. A source familiar with his interview told Fox News Digital that Reed attributed Biden's disastrous 2024 debate performance against then-candidate Donald Trump to the former president's stutter, a condition that's been well-documented and Biden himself has publicly acknowledged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But his meandering and seemingly tired demeanor on stage with Trump alarmed both Democrats and media pundits, who saw it as a glaring sign of Biden's advanced age. It precipitated both a public and private push by left-wing lawmakers to get Biden to drop out of the race which he did in July 2024. Comer Dismisses Biden Doctor's Bid For Pause In Cover-up Probe: 'Throwing Out Every Excuse' The House Oversight Committee questioned President Joe Bidens physician Kevin O'Connor last month in its probe into Biden's mental decline. When asked whether public concerns about Biden's mental acuity were legitimate, however, the source told Fox News Digital that Reed said he believes Americans should not have had any concerns about the ex-presidents mental faculties. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reed also told investigators that "the presidents communications team anticipated that the issue of a cognitive test would likely be raised" in Biden's interview with ABC News host George Stephanopoulos following the debate. "Mr. Reed further explained that President Bidens physician, Dr. Kevin OConnor, dismissed cognitive tests as 'meaningless,'" the source said. O'Connor was among the first former White House officials summoned by House investigators, and sat down with them last month after being compelled via subpoena. But his sit-down lasted less than an hour, with the doctor opting to invoke the Fifth Amendment to avoid answering all questions but his name. His lawyers said at the time that was due to concerns about violating doctor-patient confidentiality. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his own interview Tuesday, Reed also defended the Biden 2024 campaign's preference to hold the debate earlier than typical for a presidential cycle, the source said. Former deputy chief of staff for policy Bruce Reed is the ninth ex-Biden administration aide to appear before the House Oversight Committee. "During his interview, Mr. Reed stated that the decision to hold the debate early was a deliberate strategy to get ahead of early voting and the Olympics. He emphasized that the campaigns push for the early debate was unrelated to concerns about President Bidens age," the source said. Excerpts of Reed's opening statement to investigators, obtained by Fox News Digital via a second source familiar with the interview, show he emphatically defended Biden's cognitive abilities. "While I can only speak to my own observations, I had the benefit of working with President Biden nearly every day of his presidency. Despite his age, President Biden maintained an unrelenting work ethic, embraced complex policy issues, and approached decisions with diligence and deliberation," Reed said, according to the source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Longtime Biden Aide Says He Stood To Earn Up To $8M Had President Won Re-election Reed also described Biden as "a demanding boss who routinely grilled staff members on a topic until he reached the limits of our knowledge so he could judge whether to have confidence in our advice," though "that didn't mean he'd take it." "From the first days in the White House to the last, President Biden governed the same way hed gotten there, by trusting his own values and instincts," Reed said, according to the source. "There is no tougher test than the presidency: President Biden asked tough questions, made tough decisions, and led his country well in challenging times for the nation and the world." House Oversight and Accountability committee Chairman James Comer is leading the probe Chairman James Comer, R-Ky., is probing whether Biden's senior aides worked to cover up evidence of mental decline in the former president, and whether that meant Biden was not making the final decision on executive matters signed by autopen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of particular interest to Comer is the myriad of clemency orders Biden signed in the latter half of his presidency, though the former president told The New York Times last month that he was behind every decision. His allies have also dismissed Comer's probe as purely political. Fox News Digital reached out to Reed's counsel and lawyers for O'Connor for comment but did not hear back by press time. Original article source: Biden's doctor thought cognitive tests were 'meaningless,' ex-aide Bruce Reed told investigators Shareholders have initiated a lawsuit against Tesla and its CEO, Elon Musk, alleging securities fraud linked to the automaker's claims about the safety and capabilities of its self-driving vehicles, including the robotaxi service. The legal action follows a public demonstration of the robotaxi in late June in Austin, Texas, reported Reuters. The lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Austin, is spearheaded by the companys shareholder Denise Morand and seeks compensation for damages incurred by investors between 19 April 2023, and 22 June 2025. According to the publication, the vehicles were seen speeding, braking abruptly, mounting curbs, veering into the wrong lanes, and unsafely dropping off passengers in the tests. This event led to a significant decline in the companys share price, with a 6.1% drop over two days, resulting in a market value loss of approximately $68bn. The shareholders have accused the CEO and his company of exaggerating the state of their autonomous driving technology, thus inflating the company's financial outlook and stock price. Notably, Musk's claim during a conference call in April about Tesla's focus on deploying robotaxis in Austin by June, and the company's assertion of a safe and scalable approach to autonomous driving, have been brought into question. Tesla has not yet responded to the allegations. Chief financial officer (CFO) Viabhav Taneja and former CFO Zachary Kirkhorn are named as defendants. This legal challenge adds to Tesla's ongoing concerns, which include a recent Florida jury verdict holding the company partially liable for a fatal crash involving its self-driving software. The jury assigned 33% responsibility to Tesla and awarded about $243m in damages. Tesla, which attributed the cause to the driver, intends to appeal the decision. Moreover, Tesla was reportedly contending with accusations from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) that it had misled consumers by overstating the capabilities of its autopilot and full self-driving technologies. Tesla recently reported a 12% year-on-year decrease in total revenue for the second quarter (Q2) of 2025, with figures falling to $22.49bn from $25.5bn in the same period last year. "Tesla and Elon Musk face legal action over robotaxi safety claims report" was originally created and published by Just Auto, a GlobalData owned brand. WASHINGTON - Two teens were arrested following an attempted carjacking and assault of a top official from the Department of Government Efficiency, reigniting former President Donald Trumps push for federal control of the nations capital. Edward Coristine, known by his nickname "Big Balls," was one of the most prominent figures in President Donald Trumps DOGE, a group charged with cutting federal bureaucracy. Coristine was assaulted around 3 a.m. Sunday in Logan Circle by a group of teens attempting to carjack him and a woman described by police as his significant other, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement D.C. Police said a group of teens approached the couple, made a comment about taking it, and were confronted after Coristine pushed the woman into the vehicle for safety. Several of the teens attacked him before nearby officers stepped in, prompting the group to flee. 'Totally out of control': Trump warns DC after Edward Coristine attack. Here's what he said. (Donald J. Trump / @realDonaldTrump) In a social media post and White House remarks Tuesday, the president threatened a federal takeover of the District. Here's what he wrote: "Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local "youths" and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these "minors" as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump's post included a photo of the aftermath of the brutal assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female, of Hyattsville were arrested and face charges of unarmed carjacking. READ MORE: Trump threatens to take federal control of DC after ex-DOGE employee Edward Coristine attacked The Source Information in this article comes from The Associated Press, President Donald Trump, and previous FOX 5 reporting. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton have been subpoenaed by Republicans on the House Oversight Committee to give testimony about their past dealings with the late billionaire pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. In his letter to Hillary Clinton, the Democratic Partys 2016 presidential nominee, committee chair James Comer wrote: Your family appears to have had a close relationship with both Jeffrey Epstein and his co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell. For example, your husband President William Bill Jefferson Clinton, by his own admission, flew on Jeffrey Epsteins private plane four separate times in 2002 and 2003 on trips for your familys foundation, the Clinton Foundation. Bill and Hillary Clinton attend the funeral of former president Jimmy Carter in January (AP) During one of these trips, he was even pictured receiving a massage from one of Mr Epsteins victims, Comer alleged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moreover, your husband was allegedly close to Ms Maxwell, while Ms Maxwells nephew worked for your 2008 presidential campaign and was hired by the State Department shortly after you became secretary of state. Hillary Clinton will appear before the House panel on October 9, followed by her husband on October 14, according to a schedule tweeted by Comer on Tuesday, that also includes some former attorneys general and two ex-FBI directors. Angel Urena, a spokesperson for Bill Clinton, issued a statement on Tuesday that said: President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some time ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. Urena also confirmed that the former president took a total of four trips on Jeffrey Epsteins airplane between 2002 and 2003, reporting that one was to Europe, one to Asia and two to Africa, all on behalf of the Clinton Foundation. Bill Clinton meeting with Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell at the White House in September 1993 (Ralph Alswang/William J Clinton Presidential Library) Staff, supporters of the foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spokesperson further said that Clinton had visited Epsteins New York office and apartment in 2002, again with a member of staff and his security detail present, and that his employer had not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade and had never visited his private island of Little St James, nor his New Mexico ranch or Florida mansion. The Independent has reached out to the Clinton Foundation and the personal offices of Bill and Hillary Clinton for further comment. The Epstein scandal erupted after the Justice Department and FBI ruled last month that the deceased sex trafficker left behind no client list and died by suicide in his New York jail cell in August 2019. The verdict incensed many of President Donald Trumps supporters, who have long suspected foul play and have continually demanded the release of all federal files on the investigation into the financiers crimes, which stretches back for more than two decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump himself has not been accused of any wrongdoing over his past association with Epstein and is currently suing The Wall Street Journal for reporting that he once sent the sex offender a bawdy doodle for his birthday, but remains under pressure to publish the files. The Journal subsequently reported that Bill Clinton had also sent Epstein a handwritten note for inclusion in the same album, which allegedly read: Its reassuring isnt it, to have lasted as long, across all the years of learning and knowing, adventures and [illegible word], and also to have your childlike curiosity, the drive to make a difference and the solace of friends. Jeffrey Epsteins prison mugshot, taken in 2017 (New York State Sex Offender Registry/Reuters) U.S. media have previously reported that Epstein donated $1,000 to Bill Clintons presidential election campaign in 1991 and $20,000 to Hillarys Senate campaign in 1999, quoting Federal Election Commission filings. The men appear to have first become acquainted in the early 1990s, with Epstein also donating $10,000 to the White House Historical Association in 1993 and attending a donors reception hosted by the Clintons with Maxwell on his arm, according to The Daily Beast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same outlet reported that Epstein made several subsequent visits to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue around the same time to meet with presidential aide Mark Middleton and that he and Bill Clinton also met at a Palm Beach fundraising dinner held by Revlon mogul Ron Perelman in 1995. The former president has since been accused of travelling on Epsteins private plane dubbed the Lolita Express by the tabloid press on at least 17 occasions in the early 2000s following his departure from the White House in 2001, a claim based on the aircrafts flight logs. The Palm Beach Post, for one, has traced Clinton jetting to and from destinations including Siberia, Morocco, China, and Armenia in Epsteins company during that period. The purpose of those journeys is not recorded in the logs. Both Bill and Hillary Clinton were also named, along with a host of other famous people, in unredacted court documents released in January 2024, which dated from a defamation lawsuit brought by the late Epstein victim Virginia Giuffre against Maxwell in 2015 Being named in these documents does not indicate any wrongdoing related to Epstein or anyone else. LITTLE SILVER, N.J. (PIX11) When it comes to produce and craft beer, fresher is better. Just ask Don Vogt, owner of Jersey City-based 902 Brewing Company. Like many other breweries, 902 collaborates with farms to make fruit wheat ales and sours. More Local News We just did a beer with a blueberry farm in South Jersey, said Vogt, and we do this every year, so it brings all that stuff, everything together. Freshness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jersey produces sports, the famous Jersey Fresh label, and now, soon, could produce Jersey beer. A new bill in Trenton would give the thumbs up for breweries, wineries, and distilleries to use the Jersey Fresh label on products that meet criteria for local ingredients. Its been on all sorts of produce and people know it already, so it has a following going with it already, said Michael Klitsch, a manager at Little Silver Bottle Shop. He says he could see the program getting more product out the door, knowing Jersey products are already in demand. Customers are always coming in and looking for those types of things and saying, Hey, do you have New Jersey beers? and were like, yeah, weve got a lot of them, theyre covering the doors,' said Klitsch. We want Jersey Fresh, said Assemblywoman Andrea Katz (D-NJ 8th District). We want our local breweries and our wineries and our distilleries. We want to consume local, and this is a great way to highlight which beverages are local. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State If passed into law, to earn the label, the product would have to be at least 51 percent agricultural or horticultural products from New Jersey, according to the bill as its currently written. In the case of craft beer, its difficult to grow hops in New Jersey, so Katz says they would require to have one ingredient that is 100% Jersey Fresh. Lets say theyre making a peach beer or a peach cider or something that has different types of fruits in it, said Katz, then it can get the Jersey Fresh label because that is something were highlighting. They have to go somewhere else for their hops, but theyre using locally-grown products and theyre making it right here in New Jersey, we want to highlight that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Bill OReilly firmly believes the Trump administrations push to indict Hillary Clinton, James Comey and others in the supposed Russian collusion fraud is a personal vendetta but sees a major hurdle in it amounting to much. On Tuesdays episode of Talking Points Memo, OReilly pointed out that if Attorney General Pam Bondi goes through with her threat to present evidence of the conspiracy to a grand jury, it would happen in New York City or Washington. D.C. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trials inevitable venue could become a headache and a hurdle for the effort. Now, a grand jury is just like you and me regular folks, OReilly said. Theres more of them than in a sitting trial. And they have to select a venue, and thats going to be a problem for the Trump administration because all of this alleged conspiracy fraud took place in and around Washington, D.C., and New York City. Remember, Hillary Clintons 2016 campaign headquarters was in Brooklyn. Going to be tough to get it out of there. I mean, you might be able to get into Virginia because thats where the CIA is Langley but boy, youre not going to be able to get it into Florida, Texas, or a red state. He continued: So, Bondi is going to have to go into very, very liberal precincts and present her case in front of a federal grand jury. Now, they are more disciplined than local juries, state juries, no question. But that is a hurdle. This latest fraud conspiracy sparked after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said on Fox and Friends weeks ago that Clinton, Barack Obama and others manufactured intelligence to derail Trump after his 2016 victory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Special prosecutor Robert Muellers landmark 2019 report found no evidence the Trump campaign colluded with Russia at the time, but did determine that it made efforts to interfere in the election. Watch OReillys full Talking Points Memo above. The post Bill OReilly Says Trumps Personal Vendetta Conspiracy Probe Against Hillary Clinton and Others Has One Big Hurdle | Video appeared first on TheWrap. A local lawmaker has proposed a bill that would allow K-12 students to take up to three mental health days per year. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The bill proposed by State Senator Willis Blackshear Jr. aims to provide students with excused absences to address mental health needs, a move that supporters believe could improve student well-being and academic performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We see it in their test scores, we see it in their attitudes, and then we wonder why theyre acting like this or performing like this, Blackshear said. TRENDING STORIES: Larry Campbell, a Springfield resident, supports the bill, stating, I think its a really good idea, as long as the kids are good in school, and they make up their work. Joyce Chilton, a substitute teacher in Springfield, opposes the bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sorry, when are the kids going to learn if youre giving them another three days? Chillton said. House Bill 619 has been in development since April 2022, and if passed, it would require schools to engage in discussions with students, parents, and faculty about the implementation of mental health days. Campbell noted that children have struggled to adjust back to school since the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that mental health days could provide an opportunity to address these issues. Chilton expressed concern about the impact of additional days off on student learning and advocated for mental health days for teachers and substitutes instead. You can follow the bill here. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] During the summer of 2025, a claim circulated online that the owner of Trump Burger, a Texas restaurant chain named after U.S. President Donald Trump, would be deported after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revoked his green card. The claim was about Roland Beainy, who claimed to have founded Trump Burger in Bellville, Texas, and opened several additional locations. According to a lease-termination letter from Trump Burger Kemah's landlord Archie Patterson that was filed as part of a lawsuit brought by Beainy, ICE placed Beainy in their custody in June 2025. Patterson told the Fayette County Recorder in July 2025 that Beainy had posted bond. The Fayette County Recorder reported that Beainy was scheduled for an immigration hearing in Houston in November. However, a Houston Chronicle report from 2022 said Beainy was born in Boston, Massachusetts. That meant Beainy could be a U.S. citizen rather than a green card holder as the Fayette County Recorder reported. Individuals born in the U.S. are generally not subject to deportation though the Trump administration has looked into that possibility. Due to the conflicting reports about Beainy, we reached out to the entrepreneur and his lawyer to verify whether Beainy was a U.S. citizen, whether ICE arrested and held him in its custody in the summer of 2025 and whether he faced deportation. We await replies to our queries. In July and August 2025, a claim (archived) circulated online that the owner of Trump Burger, a Texas hamburger chain named for U.S. President Donald Trump, would be deported after U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) revoked his green card. A popular version of the claim showed a Houston Chronicle image of a Trump Burger location in Bellville, Texas, with the caption, "The owner of Trump Burger is being deported. His green card was revoked. You can't make this s*** up." The claim also circulated on Instagram (archived), Threads (archived), X (archived), Bluesky (archived), Reddit (archived) and TikTok (archived). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim likely originated from reporting by the Fayette County Record in early July 2025. According to this report, a lease-termination letter featured in a lawsuit brought by Roland Beainy, the restaurant leaseholder for Trump Burger in Kemah, Texas, claimed Beainy was in ICE custody in early June 2025. The Fayette County Record reported in July that Beainy had been able to post bond and had an immigration hearing scheduled in Houston in November, citing the landlord who sent the lease-termination letter. However, a report by the Houston Chronicle in 2022 claimed Beainy was born in the U.S. and described him as Lebanese American, suggesting he might be a U.S. citizen by birthright. By contrast, Fox News reported in 2025 that Beainy was "born and raised" in Lebanon. Due to these conflicting reports, Snopes could not independently verify whether Beainy had a green card (an immigration status that allows the holder to legally live and work in the U.S.) or citizenship, whether ICE revoked either or whether Beainy was facing deportation. Though U.S. citizens have not historically been deportable, the Trump administration has looked into this possibility as part of its deportation. We reached out to Beainy, his lawyer Geoffrey Binney and ICE to confirm Beainy's immigration status and the Fayette County Record's report that he had an immigration hearing scheduled in November. We await replies to our queries. Claims said Beainy caught in Trump's immigration push Despite describing himself in January 2025 as a "huge" Trump supporter, Beainy appeared to have gotten himself tangled up in the president's promised deportation push by the summer of that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lease-termination letter that was featured as an exhibit in a June 2025 lawsuit claimed that Beainy was in ICE custody at the time his landlord, Archie Patterson, sent that letter on June 9. Beainy filed the lawsuit after Patterson evicted him from the Trump Burger Kemah premises. The letter read, "We have been notified that Roland Beainy is currently detained by ICE and his Green Card has been revoked. He is no longer recognized as a leaseholder or authorized representative of Trump Burger Kemah LLC." https://media.snopes.com/2025/08/exhibit_e.pdf Beainy sued Patterson for an undisclosed amount after he alleged Patterson breached the lease contract for 409 Bradford Ave., the location of Trump Burger Kemah, by failing to give Beainy adequate notice before forcing him and his staff off the premises and rerouting payments meant for the business to his own accounts. Patterson countersued, and both suits remained unresolved at the time of this writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://media.snopes.com/2025/08/trump_burger_kemah_llc_v_409_bradford_llc.pdf Patterson told the Fayette County Record on July 7 that Beainy had been in ICE detention for seven weeks and had "recently" posted bond. We reached out to Patterson to ask how he knew Beainy's immigration status and await a reply. According to the Fayette County Record, Beainy had an immigration hearing scheduled in Houston on Nov. 18, 2025. We contacted ICE to confirm this date. Immigration hearings do not always result in deportations, though they are often part of a process that ends with that result. Beainy built burger chain but questions over ownership remain According to media reports, Beainy came to the U.S. from Lebanon in 2019 (though accounts differed as to whether he had been in the U.S. before). Beainy claimed he founded the original Trump Burger restaurant in Bellville, Texas, in 2020 not to be confused with the former Trump Cafe in Bellville, which an Israeli-born couple, Eddie and Sue Hawa, opened in 2016. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local media reported in the spring of 2025 that Beainy would expand the number of Trump Burger locations from two to four throughout that year. Trump Burger in Kemah and Houston opened with fanfare and a visit by Trump impersonator Michael MJ Falato, who is often seen on Trump Burger's Instagram page. However, an April 2025 lawsuit cast doubt on the actual ownership of the Trump Burger chain. According to the Fayette County Record's report, Beainy sued Hawa, half of the couple that founded the Bellville Trump Cafe (named in the suit as Iyad Abuelhawa) in April 2025, claiming he paid Hawa for a 50% ownership of Trump Burger LLC. Fayette District Court, where the Fayette County Record said Beainy filed his lawsuit against Hawa, does not make documents from lawsuits available to view online. Therefore, Snopes could not independently verify the Fayette County Record's reporting. Beainy faces legal woes apart from deportation Though it was unclear whether ICE was considering deporting Beainy at the time of this writing, the entrepreneur was not short of other legal troubles related to his business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Along with Hawa's reported countersuit over ownership of the Trump Burger chain, Patterson also countersued Beainy for the fees that he said led to the June 9 lease termination letter that effectively evicted Beainy from Trump Burger Kemah. https://media.snopes.com/2025/08/409_bradford_llc_v_trump_burger_kemah_llc.pdf Hawa reportedly sought damages of $1 million, while Patterson sought to recover damages of at least $39,000. Meanwhile, the Fayette County Record reported that Trump Burger in Bellville (which Beainy said he founded in 2020) received a cease and desist letter from the Trump Organization in February, demanding that it stop using "the Trump name, brand and trademarks and to remove all references to the Trump name in all websites, social media, marketing and communication materials." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes asked Binney, Beainy's lawyer, for a copy of this letter but had not independently verified its contents or existence at the time of this writing. We reached out to the Trump Organization to confirm the existence of this letter and await a reply. In sum ... In conclusion, at the time of this writing, it was hard to say anything for certain about Beainy's legal status in the U.S. or his ownership of Trump Burger LLC. Conflicting reports cast doubt on whether Beainy might be a U.S. citizen, and reports that ICE allegedly detained him came from a man Beainy had sued. A separate, unresolved lawsuit arose from disputes over Beainy's degree of ownership of Trump Burger LLC. Regardless of who did own the chain, the restaurants appeared to be operational under the Trump name at the time of this writing despite a reported cease and desist letter from the Trump Organization. This wasn't the first claim Snopes has investigated about immigration authorities allegedly detaining or deporting Trump supporters. For example, we previously looked into a rumor that a photo authentically showed ICE agents arresting a man wearing a "Latinos for Trump 2024" T-shirt. Sources: "About Trump Burger." Trump Burger, https://trump-burger.site/about#:~:text=Trump%20Burger%20of,lovers%20across%20Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Behlen, Andy. "Trump Burger Chain Embroiled in Lawsuits." The Fayette County Record, 10 Jul. 2025, https://archive.ph/8bjiV#selection-815.0-822.0. Casiano, Louis. "Trump Burger Chain Expanding in Texas, Owner Praises President as 'Gentleman That Makes Peace.'" FOXBusiness, 24 Jan. 2025, https://www.foxbusiness.com/politics/trump-burger-chain-expanding-texas-owner-praises-president-gentleman-makes-peace. Garcia, Sonia. "Trump Burger Officially Opens in Central Houston with Trump Impersonator and Drive-Thru." Houston Chronicle, 9 May 2025, https://archive.ph/hCIGe#selection-1155.0-1164.0. Garley, Brittany Britto. "More Trump Burgers Are Headed to the Houston Area." Eater Houston, 26 Mar. 2025, https://houston.eater.com/2025/3/26/24394699/houston-trump-burger-kemah-cypress-texas-restaurant-openings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green Card | USCIS. 8 Jul. 2025, https://www.uscis.gov/green-card. Guzman, Chad de. "Can Trump Deport U.S. Citizens Like Elon Musk and Zohran Mamdani?" TIME, 4 Jul. 2025, https://time.com/7300082/trump-denaturalization-deportation-musk-mamdani-us-citizenship-history-legal-explainer/. "People Walk out of Trump Burger after Having Lunch at the Restaurant..." Getty Images, 24 Jun. 2023, https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail/news-photo/people-walk-out-of-trump-burger-after-having-lunch-at-the-news-photo/1259004659. Perera, John-Henry. "Trump Burger Is a Tourist Attraction, Monument to the Former President Located an Hour from Houston." Houston Chronicle, 29 Jul. 2022, https://archive.ph/OECsR#selection-2551.0-2558.0. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement SANTANA, REBECCA. "ICE, the Agency Central to Trump's Mass Deportation Plans, Undergoes a Shakeup." AP News, 29 May 2025, https://apnews.com/article/immigration-enforcement-border-trump-ice-6fecdf2313788bd889b51adfb003ca7a. "The People Behind the Trump Cafe in Bellville Aren't Who You Think They Are." Houstonia Magazine, https://www.houstoniamag.com/news-and-city-life/2016/11/trump-cafe-bellville-texas-interview-behind-the-scenes. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. "Trump Burger Is Opening in Kemah This Week with a Trump Impersonator. Houston Is Next." Houston Chronicle, 18 Mar. 2025, https://archive.ph/Ctlsz#selection-1167.0-1176.0. "@trumpburgerusa." Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/trumpburgerusa/. The battle over nominations is spelling trouble for the Senate in other areas, as lawmakers on both sides of the aisle feel the pressure to ratchet up the partisanship in an extended tit for tat with no obvious off-ramp in sight. The Senate adjourned Saturday until next month after protracted talks to expedite the confirmation of dozens of President Trumps lower-level nominees in the face of Democratic resistance went belly up. This left Republicans fuming and increasingly likely to go nuclear by changing the chambers rules to quicken the confirmation process. At the same time, Democrats are under pressure to oppose Trump at every turn, with the confirmation process and the looming government funding fight being the most immediate examples. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its all leading much of Washington to wonder if the bipartisanship train can get back on the tracks and at a crucial time. I think it is a complete breakdown of the Senate and just absolutely destructive that there cant be a deal reached on nominations, appropriations, confirmations, said Jon Kott, a longtime top aide to former Sen. Joe Manchin (I-W.Va.). The Senate used to work pretty easily in a bipartisan way on those three issues, Kott continued. And when you break down on those three, youre really close to breaking the Senate and turning it into the House. While the Senate hasnt had a sea change moment along the lines of eliminating the filibuster, the chamber could be on the precipice of a major overhaul starting next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief among them are potential rule changes eyed by Senate Republicans, who were outwardly exasperated toward the final days before August recess over the Democratic blockade of Trump nominees. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) told reporters Tuesday that talks have centered on chopping down the amount of time between cloture and confirmation votes. Other members have raised the idea of eliminating a cloture vote altogether, or the possibility of working through multiple nominees at the same time. The South Dakota Republican also said that if he had his druthers, members would change the law to shift one-quarter to one-third of the roughly 1,200 jobs that currently require Senate approval to just need a presidential appointment. Thats too many, Rounds said. Most members of the Senate will tell you that they dont believe it is necessary to go that deep into government to have Senate approval on them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under regular order, Senate rule changes require 67 votes. But Republicans could use a shortcut that requires only 51 votes, giving them the ability to bypass Democratic opposition. That rarely used shortcut, which more and more Republicans are floating, is known as the nuclear option because it is viewed as a major escalation of partisanship. Going that route could have major ramifications for Senate work coming down the rails, and not just on nominations. Congress faces a Sept. 30 shutdown deadline, and while the Senate passed its first three-bill government funding package prior to breaking for recess, that lone bit of bipartisan work could be overtaken by the one-two punch of a rule change or a second bill to claw back already appropriated funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats were already outraged last month when Congress passed a first package with only GOP votes to claw back funds that had been previously appropriated through a bipartisan process. They warned a second such bill would only poison the well further as a rule change without Democratic buy-in would also likely do. One of these days, Trump is going to have to learn that he needs to work with Democrats to help the American people, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) told reporters Saturday. The Trump-Republican go-it-alone strategy aint working, and the American people arent happy. Complicating the state of play is the pressure both leaders are facing. Schumer, in particular, in a tricky bind as he attempts to manage a conference that wants to take on Trump at every juncture, but faces a government funding deadline next month. He came under heavy fire for marshaling Democrats to help pass a GOP spending bill in March, and lawmakers in his party are already warning him against doing so again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, the Democratic leader will have to balance home-state politics, where the New York City mayoral race is among the preeminent races this fall, with progressives and Democrats siding with Zohran Mamdani over former New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) in the primary. According to a recent survey, Schumer is underwater by 18 percentage points with the electorate in his backyard, with 70 percent of respondents also saying they are dissatisfied with the direction of the city. Fifty-one percent also said that they want the next mayor to stand up to the president rather than work with him to secure federal funding. Across the aisle, Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) has gotten high marks for his opening months atop the conference, having helped shepherd members through the passage of Trumps mammoth tax package and the rescissions bill, as well as the confirmation of a number of high-stakes nominees. But balancing a potential rule change with the government funding process and maintaining as much harmony as possible will be a difficult task. In the background are his past calls to uphold the filibuster, which he maintained during his leadership bid that he will not weaken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I do think they see the value in the Senates role as the cooling saucer for the hot cup of tea. I think that you can still say that with a straight face, one former Senate GOP leadership aide said. I dont think its in anyones interest, and I dont think Republicans want to do it first, the former aide continued. But I do think all the pressure building up on the noms [nominations] side needs a valve, and it probably will get and needs the valve on the personnel side. Over the last 15 years, the filibuster has remained despite a number of attempts to chip away at it. Former Senate Majority Leader Harry Reids (D-Nev.) decision to change the threshold for lower-court judicial nominees from 60 votes to 51 votes creaked open the door, which was finally blasted open by Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) when he extended that threshold to Supreme Court nominees. Senate Democrats twice during former President Bidens tenure also pushed to overturn the legislative filibuster, but were thwarted by Manchin and former Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (I-Ariz.). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether there is a way out of this tumult remains to be seen. Rounds believes the government funding exercise coupled with the upcoming work on the annual National Defense Authorization Act is a prime chance to steer in a bipartisan direction. But the rules change for nominees and a second rescissions bill looms, potentially dashing those hopes. If you turn [the Senate] into the House, youre going to lose a lot of the top people who want to be in the Senate, who want to actually get huge legislative wins done for the country, Kott warned. And that will be the death knell for Congress if that happens. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After eight years of trying, a pair of black oystercatchers on the coast of Cannon Beach was finally getting close to reproducing. That is, until they lost their chicks last week. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program announced on its Facebook that the chicks had been lost after reports of people disturbing the nesting birds late on Friday and Saturday. Theyre an indicator species, said Jenny Gooldy, a spokesperson for the Haystack Rock Awareness Program. They let us know how healthy our environment is. When you have oyster catchers thriving, that reflects a healthy environment. A black oystercatcher nests on Haystack Rock off the coast of Cannon Beach, Ore. in this photo provided on Aug. 5, 2025 (twowildreamers/Haystack Rock Awareness Program) But black oystercatchers arent thriving. Federally, theyre listed as a species of concern. In Oregon, there are about 500 or 600 living on the coast, Gooldy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The birds cant just nest anywhere. The birds are monogamous. They choose one partner for life, and they require a habitat that is free from disturbances, Gooldy said. Once theyve laid an egg, it takes about 24 to 29 days for it to hatch. The pair made two other attempts earlier this year, but neither worked out. So when the team noticed two chicks, they were excited. They ramped up observance efforts and did everything they could to monitor the situation. But by the weekend, the chicks were gone. That was very disappointing, she said. It takes them about five weeks to get to a fledgling state where theyre grown enough that they can fly and then theyre still dependent on their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team had received reports of heavy foot traffic in the area on Friday and Saturday night, as well as a report of someone using a green laser pointer to disturb the birds. By Monday morning, they were gone. Gooldy said that its important for people to call the non-emergency police line if they see any unusual behavior in the area, since they can get there during the hours their program cant. It definitely is gonna take a village to get these birds to be successful, she said. We need everyone to do their diligence and to talk to each other. The Haystack Rock Awareness Program puts signs and ropes out to protect the birds habitat and the area they forage for food, but it isnt just the black oystercatcher theyre concerned about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have multiple birds that use Haystack Rock, she said. Weve got our tufted puffin, and a lot of other species of concern. Nationwide, shorebird populations continue to decline despite conservation efforts, according to a 2025 report. Loss of habitat is one of the leading challenges facing the species. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) officially tossed her hat in the ring for Tennessee governor Wednesday morning. Its official! Im running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next, Blackburn wrote in a post on social platform X. I would be honored to have your support. The post included a campaign ad that highlighted images and clips of Blackburn with President Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is back. America is blessed, and Tennessee better than ever. Im Marsha Blackburn. Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way, and thats why I am announcing my candidacy for governor, Blackburn said at the start of the video. She vowed she would help to make Tennessee the countrys powerhouse for creating jobs and producing energy, emphasize parents rights to improve education and deport those who are in the country illegally. This is Tennessee. Well honor the Constitution, well value life, and well define our boys and girls the way God made them. I love Tennessee, she continued. I believe in Tennesseans, and Im ready to deliver the kind of conservative leadership that will ensure our state is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next. The Volunteer State Republican is running to replace outgoing Gov. Bill Lee (R), who is term-limited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackburn is the second Republican to formally seek the GOP nomination for governor next year after Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.) announced in March he would run to succeed Lee. Rep. Diana Harshberger (R-Tenn.) had expressed interest in possibly running but only if Blackburn ultimately decided not to. One other rumored possible candidate is Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, whom NBC News reported has discussed possibly running for governor. But a spokesperson for the Pentagon denied the report, telling the outlet that Hegseths focus remains on his job as Defense secretary. Hegseth may also have an issue with eligibility as he may not have lived in the state long enough to run. As a close Trump ally, Blackburn will hope to be the frontrunner for the Republican nod. She easily won reelection to a second Senate term last year with more than 60 percent of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the Democratic side, Memphis City Council member Jerri Green has launched a bid, but whoever wins the GOP nomination will be the clear favorite in the solidly Republican state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A blind Chicago man whose service dog was stolen is walking up to seven miles each day, handing out missing flyers to try and find his beloved pooch. Angel Santiago, who became legally blind due to glaucoma and also manages Type 2 diabetes, says his beloved 14-year-old dachshund, Bam Bam, was stolen from the yard at his home in Chicagos Logan Square neighborhood in the early hours of June 5, Fox 32 Chicago reported. Now, he walks up to seven miles each day, giving out flyers to people in hopes that someone has seen his dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bam Bam means the world to me, and I feel my body draining away. I can only do so much, Santiago said. According to Santiago, two men entered his yard around 4 a.m. the morning of June 5, while Bam Bam was taking a bathroom break, and snatched the pup. A legally blind man in Chicago has been walking up to seven miles a day, handing out flyers looking for his missing service dog, Bam Bam, who was stolen two months ago. (FOX 32 Chicago) Although Santiago heard the disturbance and even grabbed one of the suspects to try and stop him, the men were still able to get away with Bam Bam. Santiago believes the suspect he grabbed sounded like a teenager, but managed to slip out of his grasp. He said he heard Bam Bam barking as the men ran away with him. Now, two months later, he is on a mission to be reunited with Bam Bam, who acted as his service dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Santiago has been consistent in his search efforts, he says he has only received scam calls and false tips. I promised that I will keep walking and walking, yelling his name out. But if you could just help me with your own eyes and see if you could spot him for me, Santiago said. Let your eyes be mine and look out for Bam Bam for me, please. I beg of you to help me, he pleaded on air. While his flyers havent amounted to anything yet, Santiago says he remains hopeful he and Bam Bam, who is microchipped, will be reunited. Authorities urge anyone who sees the dog not to call or chase him, but to lure him using treats or contact Chicago police. Tesla founder and CEO Elon Musk has seen his wealth plummet by some $80 billion this year, thanks in part to a 20% decline in his electric-vehicle companys stock. Now, just $60 billion separates Musk from Oracles Larry Ellisonand another Tesla tumble could see Musk dethroned as the worlds richest man. Elon Musk claims to have slashed billions of dollars worth of wasteful spending during his time as head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE)but his controversial role may have done more damage to his pocketbook than he anticipated. This year alone, Musk has lost some $80 billion in his net worth, bringing his current value to about $352 billiona far cry from his over $450 billion peak late last year, according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index. Musks wealth declines are largely tied to his 13% stake in struggling Tesla. Even after shareholders practically begged the billionaire to leave DOGE and focus on Tesla full-time, Musks return to Austin hasnt been so glamorous. The electric-vehicle company missed Wall Street expectations and experienced a double-digit percentage revenue decline in the second quarter of 2025. Teslas stock price is down nearly 20% this year. But shareholders are doing the opposite of pulling the plug on Musk; theyve just awarded him a pay package worth some $29 billionin what shareholders called a critical first step toward keeping Elons energies focused on Tesla, reports the New York Times. While Musk remains the No. 1 richest person on the planet, fellow members of the ultrarich like Larry Ellison and Mark Zuckerberg are tapping at the door to replace him at the top of the billionaire list. Musks climb to the top of the world 2024 was a standout year for Tesla. The companys stock nearly doubled, with the market cap topping $1.4 trillion in December. Due to his sizable stake, the jump boosted Musks wealth and seemingly cemented him at the time at the top of the list after years of back and forth among billionaires like Jeff Bezos and Bill Gates. Musks success also comes from his stakes in his other companies, including XAI Holdings (the combined firm of social media X and AI startup xAI), SpaceX, Neuralink, and the Boring Company. But like struggles at Tesla, his companies are causing financial headaches for the billionaire. xAI is reportedly burning through $1 billion a month, and the Boring Companys valuation has decreased to $6.4 billion from $8.6 billion in July 2023, according to Bloomberg. While he did not take a salary from his role at DOGE, his companies have largely benefited from working with the government over the years. According to the Washington Post, his businesses have received some $38 billion in contracts, loans, subsidies, and more. MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Marshall County Coroners Office said that a Blountsville woman was killed after a single-vehicle crash on Tuesday. According to the coroners office, the crash happened in the area of AL- 79 S and Cox Gap Road in Guntersville around 12:30 a.m. After responding to the scene, the Marshall County Coroners Office identified the victim as Ashlynn Parr, 24, of Blountsville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Guntersville Fire Department, Nixon Chapel Fire Department, Marshall Health System EMS, Winfield Police Department, and the Marshall County Sheriffs Office all assisted in the incident. The crash remains under investigation by the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. Blue whales the largest animals on Earth aren't singing as much anymore, and that's got scientists concerned. A study published in PLOS analyzing six years worth of acoustic data collected from the ocean's floor found that blue whale vocalizations have been decreasing as the animal's food sources have disappeared. The monitor a hydrophone sitting on the sea floor off the coast of California collected sounds from the various creatures in the ocean, including multiple whale species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By coincidence, the recordings began during a marine heatwave that is unprecedented in modern times. According to the study, the heatwave reduced the amount of krill available for blue whales to consume. As the krill disappeared, so too did the blue whale songs. Over the course of the acoustic collection, blue whale songs deceased by approximately 40 percent. A breaching blue whale. Blue whale songs off the coast of California have reportedly dropped by approximately 40 percent as their primary food source - krill have become more scarce as a result of rising ocean temperatures ((Alamy/PA)) When you really break it down, its like trying to sing while you're starving, John Ryan, a biological oceanographer at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute told National Geographic. They were spending all their time just trying to find food. The marine heating event began in 2013, when a stubborn, dense pool of hot water later dubbed "The Blob" moved from the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska down the North American coast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In some places the ocean temperatures were more than 4.5 Fahrenheit above average due to the heating. The Blob grew and covered a 500 mile wide and 300 feet deep region in the Pacific Ocean. By 2016, it covered approximately 2,000 miles of the Pacific Ocean. The increase in temperature allowed for toxic algae blooms that killed off krill tiny, shrimp like creatures and other marine life. When we have these really hot years and marine heatwaves, its more than just temperature, Kelly Benoit-Bird, a Monterey Bay Aquarium marine biologist and co-author of the paper told National Geographic. The whole system changes, and we dont get the krill. So the animals that rely only on krill are kind of out of luck. The blue whales were among those animals who were out of luck. They feed on densely packed krill their huge mouths take in thousands of gallons of water at once, sucking in enormous numbers of the tiny creatures but without krill present, they went hungry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan said the whales have stopped singing because they're "spending all their energy searching" for food. "Theres just not enough time left overand that tells us those years are incredibly stressful," he said. Climate change, driven by the human burning of fossil fuels, will only make the situation worse, the researchers warn. The world's oceans already absorb more than 90 percent of the excess heat from climate change. There are whole ecosystem consequences of these marine heat waves, continues Benoit-Bird. If they can't find food, and they can traverse the entire West Coast of North America, that is a really large-scale consequence. This article has been amended to correctly identify that The Blob moved from the Bering Sea and the Gulf of Alaska down the North American coast The two Oklahoma State Board of Education members who said they saw images of naked women on a television screen in state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters office during a board meeting are asking why Walters teaching certification shouldnt be revoked. Board members Becky Carson, of Edmond, and Ryan Deatherage, of Kingfisher, issued a statement on Wednesday, Aug. 6, the day after House Speaker Kyle Hilbert said he believes a 1985 movie starring Jackie Chan might have been what was showing on the television set in Walters office during a closed session held as part of the July state Board of Education meeting. Carson and Deatherage did not say whether scenes from "The Protector" aligned with what they reported seeing on the TV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What we saw on TV is content that would get the certificate of any teacher in this state revoked had it showed up on a classroom TV," they said. "Now we have to ask the question: Why did Superintendent Walters lie about the TV being connected to the internet and what he saw on the TV that day? He repeatedly called the board members liars and attempted to destroy our reputation." Oklahoma House speaker says 1985 Jackie Chan movie was likely playing on TV Their remarks came one day after Hilbert said his research led him to conclude The Protector appeared on the television set during the meeting. The movie includes two scenes depicting nudity. Hilbert said he launched his research after receiving a July 30 report that said when the TV was examined two days earlier, the television displayed Samsung TV Plus Channel 1204 (Movie Hub Action). Hilbert said he contacted Samsung to ask what was showing on that channel on July 24 the day of the board meeting between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Hilbert said he learned the films were "The Protector," as well as a second Jackie Chan film, "The Foreigner," which has little nudity. Hilbert said the descriptions of the images shown lined up with scene descriptions from "The Protector." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hilbert said the most plausible explanation for what occurred that day is that the television, which had only been in the superintendents office for fewer than two months, automatically launched Samsungs free streaming service and began playing a film that contained explicit content, without anyone in the room realizing it at the time." He said his theory "seems to vindicate" both the board members and Walters, who has forcefully denied knowing about or being responsible for the content on the television. Without providing proof, Walters has said the board members, at the behest of Gov. Kevin Stitt who appointed them concocted the story and has called on them to resign. Hilbert defended Walters, saying, "It is not credible to believe that the superintendent or any member of his staff intentionally played an inappropriate film in the middle of an active board meeting." The two board members said in their Aug. 6 statement that they were "grateful for the speakers efforts to vindicate the board." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They ended their statement by saying they were "disappointed by the events of the last week and a half," but said they would keep working on behalf of Oklahoma students. Deatherage said Aug. 6 he couldnt comment further, given the ongoing investigation into the case by the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Walters has not yet responded to requests for comment concerning the board members' remarks or Hilbert's statement. An hour after Hilbert issued the statement, Walters posted to his X account an animated picture of actor Kurt Russell in the 1993 Western movie "Tombstone." Russell is holding a rifle in the image, which is captioned with, "Hell's comin' with me." What is in Jackie Chan film 'The Protector?' In "The Protector," Chan plays a young police detective who travels to Hong Kong on a mission to rescue a woman who was kidnapped. Hes joined by a fellow detective played by Danny Aiello. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one scene, Chan and Aiello go to a spa, and each man pairs up with a female masseuse. A red beaded curtain separates the men, who begin to get situated onto their respective massage tables. A third woman walks into Aiellos room, kisses him and strips off her clothes. She then lays on a rolling bench and slides beneath Aiellos massage table. Chan realizes the ruse is a setup to kill him and his partner. About 30 minutes later in the movie, a scene shows a shift change at a drug operation targeted by Chan. Some workers exit the operation nude, then put on what appear to be white lab coats. Other workers arrive in a van, then take off their white coats, wearing nothing except for white sneakers. They then climb a ladder in the background as two male characters, including one wearing a shirt, tie and white lab coat, talk in the foreground. In his initial description of what he saw in the meeting, Deatherage said there appeared to possibly be a chiropractic table with the naked women, which would align with the massage tables in one scene of the movie. He also described seeing naked women walking back and forth, which matches the later scene. Carson previously told The Oklahoman the images caught her eye during the meeting. And I was like, Those are naked women, she said. "And then I was like, No, wait a minute. Those arent naked, surely those arent naked women. Something is playing a trick on my eye. Maybe they just have on tan body suits. This is just really bizarre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw them just walking across the screen, and Im like, no. Im sorry I even have to use this language, but Im like, Those are her nipples. And then Im like, Thats pubic hair. What in the world am I watching? I didnt watch a second longer. I was so disturbed by it, I was like, What is on your TV? I was very stern, like Id been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, What am I watching? Turn it off now! Both Carson and Deatherage described what they saw as something older. The Protector was released in 1985, 40 years ago. All four board members said Walters appeared flustered as he fumbled with a remote control in an attempt to turn off the television. Hilbert said Walters told him on July 26 that he saw a white lab coat and thought he saw "a doctor and a nurse" when he went to turn off the television. In public remarks, Walters has denied knowing what was on the TV or having any responsibility for what was shown. He has repeatedly deflected questions about whether the TV was connected to the internet and described it multiple times as a "cable TV." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before he began working in state government, Walters was a classroom history teacher for McAlester Public Schools. He still holds a teaching license from the agency he runs, the Oklahoma State Department of Education, active through June 30, 2026. Under Walters, the agency has moved aggressively during the past 18 months to suspend and revoke the license of dozens of teachers, some of whom have never been charged with a crime. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Ryan Walters tried to 'destroy' OSBE members' reputations, they say The man's identity card was found with body [Omar Khan] The body of a man missing for 28 years has been found in a melting glacier in Pakistan's remote and mountainous Kohistan region. A shepherd stumbled upon the body, which was remarkably well-preserved, with its clothing intact, in the so-called Lady Valley in the country's east. Along with the body was an ID card with the name Naseeruddin. Police were able to trace it to a man who disappeared in the area in June 1997 after falling into a glacier crack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The region has seen decreased snowfall in recent years, exposing glaciers to direct sunlight, making them melt faster. Experts said the body's discovery shows how changing climate has accelerated glacial melt. "What I saw was unbelievable," the shepherd who found the body, Omar Khan, told BBC Urdu. "The body was intact. The clothes were not even torn." As soon as police confirmed that it was Naseeruddin, locals began offering more information, Mr Khan added. Naseeruddin had a wife and two children. He was travelling with his brother, Kathiruddin, on horseback on the day he went missing. Police said a family feud had forced the two men to leave their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kathiruddin told BBC Urdu that they had arrived in the valley that morning, and sometime around afternoon, his brother stepped into a cave. When he did not return, Kathiruddin says he looked for him inside the cave - and went and got help from others in the area to search further. But they never found him. When a human body falls into a glacier, the extreme cold freezes it fast, preventing decomposition, said Prof Muhammad Bilal, head of the Department of Environment at Comsats University Islamabad. The body is then mummified due to a lack of moisture and oxygen in the glacier. Right-wing lawmakers and senators have been occupying the dais in both chambers of the Brazilian Congress in protest of the house arrest ordered for former president Jair Bolsonaro. "We are not leaving the tables until the presidents of both houses meet to solve a problem of national sovereignty," said Sostenes Cavalcante, parliamentary leader of Bolsonaro's far-right Liberal Party (PL). Bolsonaro was put under house arrest on orders of Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes on Monday over breaches of restrictions imposed by the court in a case related to accusations of plotting a coup attempt in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blockade staged by his supporters in Congress was launched late on Tuesday and was continuing on Wednesday, with lawmakers taking turns to block the seats usually reserved for parliamentary leaders. Some had taped their mouths shut in a symbolic accusation directed at the opposition. The politicians have been calling for a vote on impeachment proceedings against Moraes as well as an amnesty for those involved in the storming of government buildings in January 2023. Until this happens, they are aiming to block all votes in Congress. After Bolsonaro was defeated in Brazil's 2022 election by left-wing rival Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, his supporters who refused to accept Lula's victory stormed Congress, the Supreme Court and the presidential palace in Brasilia on January 8, 2023, causing extensive damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolsonaro has denied all accusations related to the coup attempt. The president of the Chamber of Deputies, Hugo Motta, cancelled Tuesday's plenary session and announced a meeting of the parliamentary group leaders on Wednesday. Congress must be a bridge for dialogue, he wrote on X. Senate leader Davi Alcolumbre also criticized the protest as an "arbitrary exercise of one's own reasons," describing the actions as alien to democratic principles. Texas Democratic lawmakers say they had to evacuate their hotel in Chicago after a bomb threat was called in on Wednesday morning. Per local ABC affiliate KATV, members of the House Democratic Caucus put out a statement saying a threat was made against their safety, but they are safe and undeterred. In a separate statement, state Rep. Ann Johnson accused Texas Republicans of creating such a tense situation. This is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric, Johnson said. When the Attorney General tells people to hunt us down, its not just politics its a threat to our safety. Texas AG Paxton and Sen. Cornyn have called for authorities to arrest Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to prevent Republicans from moving forward with their partisan gerrymandering scheme. On August 6 1945, a man called Denis Bruce Soul was enduring his fourth year as a prisoner of the Empire of Japan. In the squalor of Sime Road camp in Singapore, he existed on a few handfuls of rice a day: contemporary photographs show gaunt, emaciated, semi-clad captives. He was, slowly, being starved to death. There was no reason for him to hope that his ordeal would soon end. The Allies had triumphed in distant Europe but they were still a long way from Singapore and mainland Japan. Months or years of captivity and steadily more debilitating hunger loomed ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet on that morning, 80 years ago today, an American B-29 bomber was flying towards Hiroshima. At 8.15am local time, the atomic bomb eviscerated the city, killing at least 70,000 Japanese people instantly and tens of thousands more later. The prisoners of Sime Road could not know it, but this act of supreme horror 3,000 miles over the horizon meant they were only weeks away from liberation. I write this because Denis Bruce Soul was my grandfather and the accident of history that made him a prisoner in Singapore on the day the bomb fell places me, along with many other people, in a strange category of humanity. There is no delicate way of putting this: I owe my existence to the atom bomb. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had Robert Oppenheimer failed in his task or President Truman decided against using the new weapon, there is no telling what my grandfathers fate would have been. Had the war been prolonged, with the Americans invading Japans main islands and fighting their way street by street across a desolated landscape, it is just possible that my grandfather would have survived to be liberated in 1946 or 1947. But the odds would have been against him. He certainly would not have had a daughter (my mother) in December 1946 and therefore I would not be here. Instead, Japan surrendered on August 15 1945 and my grandfather was home before Christmas, arriving at Liverpool after a three-week voyage and then taking the train to Paddington. He was reunited with my grandmother, Dorothea, and my uncle, Brendan, then aged six, having last seen them in 1942 when he placed them on board one of the final ships to leave Singapore before the Japanese captured the city. That desperate evacuation really was governed by the rule: women and children only. Denis Bruce Soul pictured holding Brendan Soul in 1940 The chances that my grandfather would have survived much longer as a prisoner might be judged by the fact that he weighed 6st 7lb (41kg) on his release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once home at the age of 38, he recovered quickly and resumed his career at the Hong Kong and Shanghai Bank, now HSBC, serving variously in India, China and West Germany, before retiring to Bognor Regis and living until his 91st year. After the war, he had two daughters (my mother is a twin) and seven grandchildren, of whom I am the second oldest. All because he was freed in 1945. All because the atom bomb fell when it did. How many others were prisoners of Japan on this day 80 years ago? Throughout the war, Japan captured about 270,000 Allied soldiers and civilian internees, with my grandfather in the latter category. In the occupied countries of Asia, many thousands more people will have been held in countless jails. How many were still alive to be liberated in 1945 is uncertain. We know that 37,500 British and Commonwealth military prisoners came home from the Pacific theatre, together with 12,000 Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is certain is that all endured abominable treatment at the hands of an empire that scorned the Geneva Conventions and despised anyone who submitted to captivity. And whatever the total number who were liberated, today I must be one of millions of their descendants across the world. But you did not have to be incarcerated in Sime Road or Changi or any other jail to be a prisoner of the Japanese. On this day 80 years ago, entire nations were being tormented and enslaved. Lee Kuan Yew, the first prime minister of independent Singapore, describes in his memoirs how Japan began its occupation by executing thousands of young Chinese males, chosen at random, to spread terror and demonstrate the price of resistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The young Lee, then 19, avoided murder by pure chance simply because a Japanese soldier inexplicably allowed him through a checkpoint. I will never understand, he wrote, how decisions affecting life and death could be taken so capriciously and casually. Once the mass graves of Singapore were exhumed after the war, Lee concluded that the number massacred was between 50,000 and 100,000. Elsewhere, if it can be believed, Japanese imperial rulers treated their unwilling subjects yet more brutally. In his history of Japans war against China, which began in 1937, Rana Mitter of Oxford University writes that 14 million Chinese people were killed and another 80 million driven from their homes. The narrative of the war, he writes, is the story of a people in torment. So as the B-29 approached Hiroshima, millions across Asia, within and without Emperor Hirohitos prisons, were being starved, brutalised, enslaved. What would have become of them if Japan had not been forced to surrender when it did? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the question of the morality of the atom bomb, I am perhaps not the best person to ask. I can never be truly objective. And I have to confess that when I read Albert Einsteins letter to Franklin Roosevelt from 1939, telling the president that a new type of bomb may be possible and that America should get on with its experimental work, I find myself hoping that the scientist will be heeded. I know that six years later, Denis Bruce Soul will be freed because Einstein did not write in vain. On this anniversary, there must be millions of people who can trace their own existence back to a similar story. 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. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Eighty years ago today, the first of two atom bombs was used in anger. Hiroshima was vaporized. But one plane, one bomb, destroying a city was inconceivable. The Japanese now could understand how massive B-29 raids could kill hundreds of thousands of people in Tokyo or Nagoya in a single night. It took a second B-29 and a second bomb dropped on Nagasaki three days later to shock and awe Japan into abandoning its insistence on suicidal resistance and surrender unconditionally to the allies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then came the H-bomb and thermonuclear weapons. The explosive power of nuclear weapons is measured in thousands of tons of TNT equivalents or kilotons, or KT. Thermonuclear weapons are measured in million-ton equivalents of TNT, or MT, While at one time it was feasible to consider the tactical use of nuclear weapons, thermonuclear weapons present an existential threat not to a city, but to society. The reason for restraint is evident. For the first time in history, no winners and only losers would emerge from a thermonuclear war. Thus, since 1945, no nuclear weapon has been used in combat, war or as a "demonstration" shot in a crisis. And those who possess these weapons have not spread to many dozens as was once feared. Today ,there are 10 nuclear weapons states -- the United States, Russia, Britain, China, France, India, Israel, North Korea, Pakistan and, of course, Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Questions of nuclear safety and security, proliferation and terrorists or others seeking to do grave harm by acquiring them remain as pertinent as they were since these hugely destructive weapons were invented. American, Chinese and Russian leaders once agreed that these weapons could never be used and that no one would win a catastrophic war. Yet, Russian President Vladimir Putin has raised the specter of nuclear weapons use in the Ukraine War should the United States, NATO or other states intervene. Was Putin serious? Was his threat just a bluff or a signal about the importance of the Ukraine war to him and even to Russia? Since NATO was not going to intervene, the answer is obvious. Still, war games obviously have played the use of nuclear and thermonuclear weapons, including having some "detonated" where no damage was done, over the ocean or in desolate land masses, to shock and awe the enemy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some fear that North Korea's supreme leader, Kim Jung Un, is so irrational that, in a crisis he deemed existential, he could easily fire off a nuclear weapon. Suppose in 1950, had Kim been alive and in charge and had a nuclear weapon -- possibly obtained from the Soviet Union, which tested its first in 1949 -- would he have used it after the U.S. landing at Inchon, Seoul's seaport, sending the North Korean army fleeing northward toward the Yalu River and the border with China? If one reviewed the history of nuclear weapon accidents and near-misses in the United States and the USSR/Russia, it would not be pleasant reading. And, too often, the United States is not sufficiently knowledgeable on the state of other nuclear powers. During the Bush 43 administration, the threat of Pakistani extremists stealing nuclear weapons was taken very seriously. Ironically, while Pakistan had only a small fraction what the U.S. inventory of nuclear weapons was, its warheads were better controlled in terms of security than America's and depended on a three-key system for use once higher authority gave the order, rather than the U.S. two-key system. For the Cold War, the doctrine of MAD -- mutual assured destruction -- prevailed as U.S. doctrine. The thesis was that after absorbing an enemy first strike, the retaliatory attack would kill enough people and destroy enough of the economy to make war unwinnable. The acronym, to some, had a double meaning to include insanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the bulk of the past 80 years, it was the U.S.-Soviet/Russian nuclear balance that was crucial. The analogy of two scorpions in a bottle represented MAD. With China dramatically increasing its inventory of nuclear weapons and delivery systems, are there now three scorpions in the same bottle? And how do the other nuclear states play in this? After ending the endless wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, the United States returned its strategic focus to the current challenges of today: China, Russia, Iran and North Korea in this reincarnation of Bush 43's infamous axis of evil. In this shift in thinking, no issue has greater urgency and need than ensuring that these weapons of true mass destruction will never be detonated in anger or, possibly worse, by accident, precipitating a crisis of unprecedented magnitude. Harlan Ullman is UPI's Arnaud de Borchgrave Distinguished Columnist, senior adviser at Washington's Atlantic Council, chairman of a private company and principal author of the doctrine of shock and awe. His next book, co-written with Field Marshal The Lord David Richards, former U.K. chief of defense and due out next year, is Who Thinks Best Wins: Preventing Strategic Catastrophe. The writer can be reached on X @harlankullman. Whatever Donald Trump fears is in the Epstein files, it must be bad. He clearly worries his base is not ready to move on from demanding a full release of all documents pertaining to Jeffrey Epstein, the convicted sex offender and alleged trafficker of underage girls and a friend of Trumps for over a decade. Falsely accusing former President Barack Obama of treasonous behavior, a crime punishable by death, for conspiring against him in the 2016 election didnt distract MAGA conspiracy theory enthusiasts. Calling on Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard to back up those lies didnt work either. So now Trump is moving into abusing his presidential power to create the illusion that Obama did something wrong. On Monday, after receiving a criminal referral from Gabbard, Attorney General Pam Bondi ordered a grand jury probe into clearly false and laughable allegations that Obama and members of his administration committed federal crimes when they examined allegations that Russia had meddled in the 2016 election. Good thing for Trump that the Supreme Court granted him blanket immunity for all crimes he commits while president-ing though one does wonder if Bondi and Gabbard consulted their own attorneys before abusing their own offices to do the presidents bidding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bad news is that this is an unprecedented level of corruption and abuse of power, far beyond even what former President Richard Nixon did in firing Justice Department officials, who refused to cover up the Watergate scandal, and weaponizing the IRS to audit his perceived enemies. Its long been suspected, but never proven, that Nixon explicitly or implicitly ordered the Watergate burglary. We know for certain he attempted to hide his alleged crimes and cover-up for the burglars and his staffers. Trump, though, is trying to frame an innocent man to stop people from talking about the sexually graphic birthday card he allegedly wrote and drew for his buddy Epstein about a wonderful secret and how they had certain things in common. A former senior Justice Department official told NBC News the probe is a dangerous political stunt, and a former senior national security official noted there is no logical, rational basis for this. The good news is that, right now, ordinary Americans arent going to be called upon to give up their daily routines and job duties in order to serve on this kangaroo grand jury. NBC News also reported on Monday that there is no exact timetable and it could take months for the proceeding to begin. Id add that never is a strong possibility here. Bondi fully understands that getting a grand jury to indict Obama means providing something resembling plausible evidence, which she simply does not have. She does, though, have an appetite for wasting taxpayer money and peoples time by forcing prosecutors to sic grand juries on people for the legal act of protest, even though those juries keep refusing to return an indictment. But pulling that stunt on a former president, especially one as beloved as Obama, will only boomerang by underscoring how weird and pointless this all is. This may be backfiring already. No one, including Trump, seems to fully understand what Obama is even accused of doing in this elaborate conspiracy theory. Trump and his people love to throw around scary words like treason, coup and sedition its always projection with the Jan. 6th crowd but theres no evidence for any of it. Basically, in 2017, intelligence officials reported there was an extensive Russian operation, directed by President Vladimir Putin, to interfere with the 2016 election. Multiple federal investigations found extensive contact between this effort and Trumps campaign, though they fell short of proving outright conspiracy. Even Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was serving as a GOP senator from Florida and chairing the Senate Intelligence Committee, acknowledged Russian interference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, Trump and Co. are falsely accusing Obama of making all this up, even though Gabbards referral provides no evidence. I mean, Trump went on TV and told Russian spies to hack Hillary Clintons email. Howd Obama make him do that? Fox News, Newsmax and other MAGA propaganda outlets are desperately trying to make this very dumb, very confusing conspiracy theory take off with the Trump base. So far the results have been lackluster. Oh, you can see Trump fans trying to care on Truth Social, dutifully asking AI to create images of Obama in prison, but their hearts dont seem to be in it. Even they dont quite see how Trump is going to convict a former president on made-up charges. He has installed some phony judges like Emil Bove, but seating an entire fake jury thats rigged against Obama is beyond even Trumps power at the moment. MAGAs true thought leaders, like Charlie Kirk of Turning Point USA or Trumps companion Laura Loomer, are paying little to no attention to the Russia story likely because they know their followers dont really care about it either. On the contrary, their efforts to tweet about Obama lead to a sea of replies about the Epstein files, the very topic they are trying to avoid on Trumps behalf. Want more Amanda Marcotte on politics? Sign up for her free newsletter, Standing Room Only, now also on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. Republicans seemed to realize on Tuesday that this distraction effort isnt working, so they returned to their previous failed strategy: Pretending they are going to release the Epstein files, while doing everything in their power to not release the Epstein files. Even though House Republicans adjourned for the chambers August recess early to avoid a vote on releasing the files, a small committee briefly returned to vote to subpoena the DOJ for a small number of records related to the case. Unfortunately, much of the media took the bait, accepting at face value the Republican claims that this a major probe. That is a lie. They only want information from former presidents Joe Biden and Bill Clinton, and some former officials that Trump now hates, like former Attorney General Bill Barr or former FBI Director James Comey. Notably, they avoided asking anything about Trump, even though he was close with Epstein and was serving as president when the sex offender died in prison while awaiting trial for sex trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House also leaked claims it is considering releasing the Justice Departments recent interview with Ghislaine Maxwell, Trumps former friend who is currently serving time in federal prison for her role in trafficking and abusing teenage girls for and with Epstein. This is being treated as a big revelation, as if Maxwell is some fountain of truth that cannot be discovered anywhere else. In reality as befits a pedophilic sex trafficker shes famously willing to lie to authorities. Worse, she was interviewed by Todd Blanche, who formerly served as a Trump defense attorney and was rewarded for his loyalty with a Justice Department gig. After Maxwells interview, she was transferred to a minimum security prison, despite being convicted on five federal charges. No legitimate reason has been offered for this move. In response to a reporters question on Tuesday, Trump claimed he wasnt told of her transfer, but he expressed confidence that Whatever [Blanche] asked [Maxwell] would be totally appropriate. Unsurprisingly, sources revealed to ABC News that Maxwell said Trump had never done anything in her presence that would have caused concern. Direct quotes were not offered. Since Maxwells attorneys have been openly gunning for Trump to pardon her, or at least commute her sentence, these comments must be considered factually dubious at best, particularly in light of the sentencing memorandum submitted by federal prosecutors in 2022. In short, they concluded, the defendant has lied repeatedly about her crimes. If Republicans or the White House were actually interested in transparency or learning more about this case, they wouldnt be so keen to take the word of a known liar and convicted child abuser. Reports suggest there are hundreds of victims. Someone who actually cared would interview them. Or even better, they would spare the victims from being retraumatized by instead reading the reports that already exist in the Epstein files, which include oodles of victim testimony, as well as hard evidence. The FBI reportedly combed through all these documents, so if there was something exonerating about Trump in there, you can bet Bondi would have it released with a showy press conference. Instead, the presidents propaganda outlets like Newsmax are running cover for Maxwell, claiming she just might be innocent. Trumps goal has been to make the Epstein files, which the Wall Street Journal reported he is mentioned in multiple times, disappear beneath the waves like every other scandal hes been involved in. Past is prologue, so he may pull this off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, most of the efforts at a cover-up have backfired. The Obama distraction is just a reminder of how desperate Trump is. Releasing Maxwell from prison in exchange for her new testimony, which all signs suggest is a strong possibility, would almost certainly reignite the scandal. Even the MAGA faithful will struggle to explain why the public should believe a convicted sex trafficker over her victims, or why the word of a known liar should substitute for releasing the mountains of evidence gathered by the FBI and law enforcement. With each escalation by Trump and his administration, it is increasingly hard to ignore the nagging suspicion that whatever is in those files about him must be truly disgusting. The post Bondis phony Obama probe exposes Trumps fears appeared first on Salon.com. By Daria Sito-Sucic SARAJEVO (Reuters) -Bosnia's election commission on Wednesday removed the separatist Bosnian Serb president from office after an appeals court upheld a verdict jailing him for a year and banning him from political activity for six years. The commission's decision against Milorad Dodik, who immediately rejected it, would take effect after an appeals period expires. An early election for president of post-war Bosnia's autonomous Serb region would then be called within 90 days, commission member Suad Arnautovic told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian-backed Dodik previously dismissed his conviction and sentencing in February by a Bosnian state court to a year in jail and six-year ban from politics. He said he would stay in post as long as Bosnian Serb lawmakers backed him and vowed to seek help from both Moscow and U.S. President Donald Trump. At a press conference on Wednesday, Dodik said the commission's decision was unacceptable because it violated the Serb Republic constitution and he announced a referendum on whether he should leave office or not. "If I accept their decision, I accept to violate the constitution and let down the Serb people," said Dodik, who blamed Bosnia's post-war international peace overseer Christian Schmidt and "Muslims" (Bosniaks) for the verdict. Nationalist Serb Republic (RS) officials do not recognise Schmidt, a former German government minister, as High Representative in Bosnia, saying his appointment was not endorsed by the U.N. Security Council. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NO SURRENDER, DODIK SAYS The RS government also dismissed the sentence and political ban, and Dodik's SNSD party invited the opposition to join it in the formation of a national unity government. "Surrender is not an option," Dodik, who was re-elected in 2022, said on his X profile after the electoral commission's decision. It was unclear whether his legal team would appeal against the commission's decision. Leaders of Serbia, Russia and Hungary - who all back Dodik - also dismissed the jail term and ban, saying they were politically motivated. Dodik, who has long advocated RS secession from Bosnia, was sentenced for defying decisions of the Constitutional Court and High Representative Schmidt, whose mandate is to prevent multi-ethnic Bosnia sliding back into civil war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dodik has seen through the passage of separatist laws in the RS parliament that were later temporarily suspended by the Constitutional Court. He also ignored a summons by state prosecutors, who then issued an arrest warrant for him. Bosnia is now suffering its worst political crisis since the 1992-95 war, which killed around 100,000 people. The 1995 Dayton peace treaty divided Bosnia into autonomous Serb and Bosniak-Croat federal entities with a weak central government. (Reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic; editing by Mark Heinrich) By providing them with the training and experience they need to address critical business issues, Palantir demonstrates the value of its system and is able to close a growing number of seven-figure deals within just days or weeks after hosting a session. For example, in the second quarter, the number of deals worth $1 million or more doubled, while deals worth $5 million or more increased 5x. To that end, Palantir offered a novel solution in the form of intensive hands-on-keyboard sessions dubbed "boot camps," which last from one to five days. Developers and executives are partnered with Palantir engineers to familiarize themselves with AIP while creating solutions to their real-world business problems. The biggest hurdle to adopting Palantir's software is the lack of expertise and experience among decision-makers necessary to make an informed choice. Palantir recognized the vast potential of AI and established an early foothold. Thanks to its decades of expertise, the company quickly developed its Artificial Intelligence Platform (AIP). The system consolidates information from various software systems for analysis, helping government and business leaders to make data-driven decisions. Before we address the elephant in the room, it's worth taking a moment to understand how Palantir fits into the expanding AI ecosystem before addressing why the stock's multiple has become so divisive. Palantir's valuation represents a significant obstacle for some investors, but recent developments help illustrate why the stock isn't nearly as expensive as it might seem. One of the primary beneficiaries of these vast secular tailwinds is Palantir Technologies (NASDAQ: PLTR). The company boasts more than two decades of expertise in data analytics and AI, and quickly developed a cutting-edge generative AI tool that could soon become the company's principal breadwinner. The advent of artificial intelligence (AI) in late 2022 marked a paradigm shift in technology. These next-generation algorithms can streamline tasks like never before, create original content, and increase productivity -- saving time and money in the process. Most experts believe it's still early days for the adoption of the technology, but its impact is already being felt across a broad cross-section of processes. The meteoric rise in the stock price has led to an equally mind-boggling rise in its valuation. Palantir stock has been on a blistering rally over the past couple of years, sparked by the company's state-of-the-art artificial intelligence (AI) tools. Story Continues A well-deserved premium Even bears acknowledge the success of Palantir's strategy. The company reported its second-quarter results after the market close on Monday, and its performance was laudable. Revenue of $1 billion climbed 48% year over year and 14% sequentially. This fueled adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of $0.16, which surged 78%. To put those results in context, analysts' consensus estimates were calling for revenue of $939 million and adjusted EPS of $0.14, so Palantir blew the doors off expectations. Those numbers are impressive in their own right, but the devil's in the details. Palantir's U.S. commercial segment, which includes AIP, grew 93% year over year and 20% quarter over quarter, now accounting for nearly 31% of all sales. Furthermore, the segment's customer count grew 64%, and the remaining deal value -- or contractually obligated sales not yet included in revenue -- soared 145%. The company's accelerating results have driven a blistering run for the stock, which is up 549% over the past year (as of market close on Monday) and has increased more than 1,590% since its IPO in late 2020. The meteoric rise in its stock price has led to a commensurate ballooning of its valuation. Palantir is currently selling for 694 times earnings and 128 times sales, so the stock isn't for the faint of heart. Yet these results and another recent development help illustrate why some investors are willing to pony up for Palantir stock, despite its lofty price tag. You get what you pay for The excitement surrounding generative AI often overshadows Palantir's legacy business of providing AI solutions for the U.S. government and its allies. But the company just scored a major win in its government segment. Late last week, Palantir signed a major contract with the U.S. Army, worth as much as $10 billion over the next decade, the company's largest contract to date. The agreement "establishes a comprehensive framework for the Army's future software and data needs," according to the press release. Furthermore, the deal aggregates 75 contracts into a single enterprise deal, which provides purchasing flexibility, "while removing contract and reseller pass-through fees." Perhaps more importantly, it accelerates (emphasis mine), "the delivery of proven commercial software to warfighters." This announcement comes just weeks after Palantir's Maven Smart System contract with the U.S. Army was expanded to a total project value of $1.3 billion, a new milestone for the company. Earlier this year, Palantir Technologies stock took a hit when U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordered the Defense Department to cut existing budgets by 8% each year over the next five years. Investors feared these cuts would eventually trickle down to Palantir. However, as this contract illustrates, Palantir's proven AI solutions continue to be in high demand. There's no denying the stock's valuation is pricey, but enterprises and businesses are lining up to avail themselves of Palantir's expertise. The accelerating demand suggests Palantir could continue to generate double-digit growth for much of the next decade, according to Wedbush analyst Dan Ives. He further posits that Palantir's market cap, which stood at $378 billion on Monday, will increase by more than 164% to $1 trillion over the next two to three years -- despite the stock's frothy valuation. Ark Investment Management CEO Cathie Wood goes even further: "CEO Alex Karp believes that [Palantir] will become the largest pure-play enterprise AI software company in the world. I believe him." Palantir shareholders who have held through the turbulence have already been richly rewarded. For those looking five to 10 years into the future, the runway ahead is long. Should you buy stock in Palantir Technologies right now? Before you buy stock in Palantir Technologies, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and Palantir Technologies wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,064,820!* Now, its worth noting Stock Advisors total average return is 1,019% a market-crushing outperformance compared to 178% for the S&P 500. Dont miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join Stock Advisor. See the 10 stocks *Stock Advisor returns as of August 4, 2025 Danny Vena has positions in Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Palantir Technologies. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. Think Palantir Stock Is Too Expensive? Here Are 10 Billion Reasons to Reconsider. was originally published by The Motley Fool A Somerville restaurant and bar will be forced to reduce its hours after police were called to the location 62 times in the first seven months of this year, according to city authorities. Gauchao Brazilian Cuisine, a Brazilian restaurant and nightlife venue at 102 Broadway, has been the site of repeated noise complaints and calls for fights this year. Late one night in April, police also received calls for a gunshot fired one door down, which investigators attributed to a patron of the business, Somerville Licensing Commission Chair Joseph Lynch said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that area of East Somerville, between the McGrath Highway and the Boston city line, no one compares to the number of calls that you guys are getting, Lynch told representatives for the business at a special meeting of the commission on July 29. Quite frankly, he said, the establishment has become a public nuisance. Commissioners voted to dock the restaurant an hour of operation, requiring it to close at 1 a.m. instead of the previous 2 a.m. From 11 p.m. until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday nights, Gauchao must request a police detail outside the restaurant to respond to large crowds or safety concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commissioners threatened further action, including the revocation of the restaurants license to host performers, if the complaints continued. We are taking full responsibility of what is happening, Rony Figueroa, one of the businesss managers, told the commission. Im not happy with it, and Im not pleased when it comes to these kinds of complaints. I will put my foot down. Representatives for Gauchao did not respond to a message left at the restaurant by MassLive. The majority of the calls to Somerville Police regarding the business have been late at night and into the early morning on weekends, when Gauchao hosts live music and DJs. Many complaints concerned the volume of the music and patrons congregated outdoors after leaving the venue or while waiting to get in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The establishment has an indoor capacity of about 150 and space for another 60 on an outdoor patio. The gunfire occurred in the early morning of April 27, Somerville Police Lt. Diogo de Oliveira said. It remains under investigation. In a Facebook post from that week, the Somerville Police Department said officers responded around 12:30 a.m. that day to an unnamed business on Broadway, where an employee told them a person had fired a gun into the air. No one was injured, and officers found a single shell casing at the scene. Figueroa, who said he had 35 years in the food and beverage industry in Massachusetts, has managed the business since new owners took over at the beginning of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he does not normally stay at the business late into the night and claimed to be unaware that a shot had been fired outside. There is a serious breakdown in communication in your establishment [such] that you do not know what is happening there, License Commissioner Christopher Allen told Figueroa. The commissions scrutiny of the restaurant was first reported by The Cambridge Day. The license commission had granted the Gauchao a 2 a.m. closing time because there had been no complaints against the previous owners. If a business came to us with the history over the last short period of time that weve seen here, we would absolutely not grant a 2 a.m. license, Allen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Herrera, the owners son and a manager, said he had recently installed insulating material around the windows to try to absorb some of the sound escaping the venue. Appealing to the commissioners, Figueroa asked that they consider that the owners were taking over from previous management, the difficulty for venues in general in managing large crowds, and the recent struggles Gauchao has had as a business. Everybodys patrons get loud, Lynch said. But it is your responsibility to keep the noise down. Its your responsibility as the license holder to make sure youre not over-serving your customers. We have to send a message, he said. More boston Read the original article on MassLive. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) An investigation into forced entry into an apartment led to the arrest of a bounty hunter. Brian Green, 41, was charged with one count of home invasion and two counts of simple criminal damage to property. Brian Green (East Baton Rouge Prison) The Baton Rouge Police Department was called to an apartment in the 600 block of W. McKinley Street around 1:40 a.m. on July 21, 2025. BRPD said Green was acting as an armed fugitive agent, also known as a bounty hunter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was accused along with other individuals of forcing their way into the home without permission. During the investigation, investigators learned that the apartment did not belong to Green or the person he was looking for. According to the affidavit, they knocked down all of the locked doors while searching the residence. The group found a woman hiding a bathroom and at that moment realized it was not the person they were looking for, BRPD said. Investigators determined that law enforcement was not notified prior to the action being taken by Green and the other individuals. According to the affidavit, there was no surveillance or investigation on their part to determine the accuracy of their alleged warrant that was dated on January 31, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Green was arrested Friday, Aug. 1 in Davant, Louisiana. Romeo and Juliet from Denham Springs charged with government benefits fraud 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. NORWOOD, The Bronx (PIX11) A 14-year-old boy was stabbed to death inside a Bronx playground on Tuesday, according to the NYPD. It happened at the Williamsbridge Oval Playground off Bainbridge Avenue around 7:30 p.m. Police said 14-year-old Angel Mendoza was found with stab wounds all over his body. More Local News He was rushed to a local hospital where he died, according to authorities. Police said a 17-year-old boy also suffered stab wounds to his shoulder and midsection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 17-year-old is expected to recover, according to authorities. Police are looking for multiple suspects and said the stabbing may have stemmed from a fight. Erin Pflaumer is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered both local and national news since 2018. She joined PIX11 in 2023. See more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The boyfriend of a police officer who was found shot to death in her Maryland apartment nearly 30 years ago has been charged with her murder again, decades after the case against him was previously dropped, authorities said Wednesday. Officer Denna Fredericka Campbell, 24, was found dead in the White Oak apartment she shared with her boyfriend on Sept. 16, 1995, according to police. The four-year veteran of the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department had been shot five times, police said. Her department-issued handgun was missing from the apartment and was never found, police said. Metropolitan Police Department via AP - PHOTO: This photo released by the Metropolitan Police Department in Washington, D.C. shows Denna Fredericka Campbell, who was an officer for the Metropolitan Police Department. Her boyfriend, Amir Jalil Ali, told police that he found Campbell unresponsive upon returning from a store, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police. He called 911 to report that his girlfriend had been shot during a burglary, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali -- who was known by the name Kenneth Burnell Wonsom at the time -- was initially charged with murder in 1995, though the case was dropped two months later, police said. MORE: Cold case murder solved 40 years after Utah teenager killed after hitchhiking to work: Police The 62-year-old Ali has been newly charged with first-degree murder in her death, according to Montgomery County Department of Police Chief Marc Yamada. He was taken into custody on Tuesday in Laurel, police said. "This arrest closes one of the longest-standing cold cases for our department," Yamada said during a press conference on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "While this arrest won't erase the pain of losing Denna, we hope that it does bring some resolution or sense of peace," he added. Ali is being held in the Montgomery County Detention Center, police said. Montgomery County Department of Police - PHOTO: The booking photo for Amir Jalil Ali. Montgomery County States Attorney John McCarthy said he doesn't know why his predecessor initially dropped the case against Ali. "The decision was made not to proceed in that matter," McCarthy said during Wednesday's press briefing. "I was not privy to, nor do I know, what the conversation was regarding why the charges were dropped at that point in time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCarthy did say there has been "a lot more detail" developed by the police department's cold case unit since Ali was initially charged, that "fleshes out this case." The state's attorney was unable to go into the specifics of the case ahead of the suspect's bond hearing. Montgomery County Detective Paula Hamill said investigators have been reexamining the cold case for the past year or so, including conducting new interviews. Detectives spoke to people who were able to shed light on Campbell's life and the "fear that she felt at that time and the concerns that she had" about her boyfriend, Hamill said. Ali's attorney, Richard Finci, countered in a statement that "little has changed" since the initial case against Ali. "The prior Indictment was dismissed by the State due to lack of evidence after Mr. Wonsom was detained for a lengthy period of time and little has changed," Finci said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Cold case solved over 50 years after a young mom was killed, her 3-year-old daughter left alive Hamill said she was able to speak with Campbell's father on Tuesday about the arrest. "The only words that he could get out were, 'Thank God,'" Hamill said. Her mother died several years after the deadly shooting, Hamill said. Campbell had a "promising career" with the DC police department and was already a "hero in the community" before she was killed, D.C. Metropolitan Police Executive Assistant Chief Andre Wright said Wednesday. "In 1993, she selflessly pulled four victims out of a burning van on Pennsylvania Avenue," he said. "Her actions that day earned her commendation from MPD leaders and praise from her community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her colleagues remembered her as being "energetic and full of life," Wright said. "We recognize that today's news doesn't bring Officer Campbell back to her family, our community or our department, but we hope this news can bring some form of closure to all of those who have carried the burden of this tragedy for over three decades," he said. BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) The sacrifices of blinded veterans are being honored in Louisiana. The State Library of Louisiana unveiled a new braille flag display that allows visually impaired visitors to experience the flag through touch. The bronze display features the American flag in raised braille dots. It was donated by the Louisiana-Mississippi Regional Group of the Blinded Veterans Association. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lieutenant Governor Billy Nungesser oversaw the dedication ceremony. Our nations flag has long served as a unifying symbol, but for too long, those who are blind or visually impaired could only experience it through description. The placement of these tactile flags allows all visitors to personally connect with our nations most cherished emblem through touch and the universal language of braille. We are grateful to the BVA for this meaningful gift that will serve our library patrons for generations to come, Nungesser said. The State Library of Louisiana was selected to receive the displays as home of the Talking Books and Braille Library, Louisianas only library dedicated to providing library services for the visually impaired. Braille flags serve as both a symbol and teaching tool, helping sighted individuals better understand the braille system while providing blind and visually impaired community members with direct access to this important patriotic symbol, said State Librarian Meg Placke. The displays are a wonderful addition to our facility and will certainly be a point of interest for our visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dedication was attended by local veterans, library leadership and staff, and representatives of the BVA. The displays are installed in the State Librarys first floor lobby and reference areas and are available for public interaction during all operating hours. The Blinded Veterans Association is the only national Veterans Service Organization chartered by the United States Congress and exclusively dedicated to assisting Americas blinded veterans and their families. Founded in 1945, the BVA provides support services, advocates for benefits, and promotes awareness of issues affecting the visually impaired veteran community. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. The government of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has petitioned the World Trade Organization for consultations to help alleviate the steep tariffs imposed on Brazil by the United States. Sources within the Brazilian government confirmed the petition on Wednesday to news outlets like AFP and The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity. The aim is to seek relief from the 50 percent tariff that US President Donald Trump slapped on Brazilian exports in response to the countrys prosecution of a former far-right president, Jair Bolsonaro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That tariff the highest Trump has imposed on any country in August took effect on Wednesday. India, meanwhile, is expected to face 50 percent tariffs later this month, unless a deal is struck beforehand. A request for consultations is usually the first step in the World Trade Organizations trade dispute process. The organisation functions as an international arbiter in economic disputes, though its procedures for negotiating settlements can be lengthy and inconclusive. Brazilian Vice President Geraldo Alckmin has estimated that 35.9 percent of the countrys exports to the US will be subject to the stiff taxes. That equals about 4 percent of Brazils total exports worldwide. Retaliation over Bolsonaro prosecution Trump unveiled the current tariff rate on July 9, in a letter addressed to Lula and published online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unlike other tariff-related letters at the time, Trump used the correspondence to launch into a barbed attack on the Brazilian government for its decision to prosecute Bolsonaro, an ally, over an alleged coup attempt. The way that Brazil has treated former President Bolsonaro, a Highly Respected Leader throughout the World during his Term, including by the United States, is an international disgrace, Trump wrote. Just as Trump did after his 2020 electoral defeat, Bolsonaro had publicly cast doubt on the results of a 2022 presidential race that saw him lose to Lula. But behind the scenes, police and prosecutors allege that Bolsonaro conspired with his associates to overturn the results of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One possible scenario was to declare a state of siege during Bolsonaros final days as president, as a means of calling up the military and suspending civil rights. Then, a new election would have been called, according to prosecutors. Another idea allegedly floated among Bolsonaros allies was to poison Lula. But Trump, who likewise faced criminal charges in the past for allegedly attempting to subvert the outcome of a vote, has defended Bolsonaro, calling the prosecution politically biased. This trial should not be taking place, he wrote in the July 9 letter. It is a Witch Hunt that should end IMMEDIATELY! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several weeks later, on July 30, Trump followed up his tariff threat with an executive order that doubled down on his accusations. Not only did Trump accuse Brazil of politically persecuting Bolsonaro, but he added that Brazil was guilty of human rights abuses, including the suppression of free speech, through its efforts to stem disinformation on social media. Recent policies, practices, and actions of the Government of Brazil threaten the national security, foreign policy, and economy of the United States, Trump wrote. Members of the Government of Brazil have taken actions that interfere with the economy of the United States, infringe the free expression rights of United States persons, violate human rights, and undermine the interest the United States has in protecting its citizens and companies. Demonstrators rally in support of former President Jair Bolsonaro at the entrance to his residential complex in Brasilia, Brazil, on August 5 [Eraldo Peres/AP Photo] Lula speaks out The executive order, however, included an annex that indicated certain products would not be subject to the new US tariffs. They included nuts, orange juice, coal, iron, tin and petroleum products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula has claimed that Trump is impeding attempts to negotiate a trade deal between their two countries, a sentiment he repeated in an interview on Wednesday with the news agency Reuters. The day my intuition says Trump is ready to talk, I wont hesitate to call him, Lula told Reuters. But today my intuition says he doesnt want to talk. And Im not going to humiliate myself. The three-term, left-wing president explained that he saw Trumps tariff threats as part of a long history of US intervention in Brazil and Latin America more broadly. We had already pardoned the US intervention in the 1964 coup, Lula said, referencing the overthrow of a Brazilian president that sparked a two-decade-long military dictatorship Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this now is not a small intervention. Its the president of the United States thinking he can dictate rules for a sovereign country like Brazil. Its unacceptable. Lula added that he plans to bolster Brazils national sovereignty by reforming its mineral extraction policy to boost the local economy. With the US tariffs in play, Lula also explained that he would reach out to members of the BRICS economic trading bloc, named for its founding members: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Trump, however, has threatened any BRICS-affiliated country with an additional 10-percent tariff. Lula has been on an English-language media blitz since Trump announced the latest his latest slate of tariffs in July, warning that consumers across the world will be penalised. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last month, for instance, Lula gave his first interview to The New York Times newspaper in nearly 13 years. When the Times asked what his reaction would be to the tariffs taking effect, Lula expressed ambivalence. Im not going to cry over spilled milk, he said. If the United States doesnt want to buy something of ours, we are going to look for someone who will. RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) Brazil requested consultations at the World Trade Organization over tariffs imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump against the South American nation that went into effect on Wednesday. Trump has directly tied the 50% tariff on many imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. "The United States has flagrantly violated key commitments the country has agreed upon at the WTO, such as the principle of the most favored nation and tariff ceilings negotiated at that organization, Brazil's foreign ministry said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The most favored nation principle is a cornerstone of Geneva-based WTO, whose aim is to get countries to respect trade agreements. The principle directs its members to treat each other equally in trade. WTO panels are set if no agreement is reached in disputes between members. Brazils government reiterates its availability for negotiation and hopes these consultations contribute to a solution to the matter, the Brazilian foreign office said. The U.S. government has not made comments about Brazil's move. Earlier, a Brazilian government official told The Associated Press Brazil understands that the case could drag on and there's no guarantee of success. The official, who wasnt authorized to discuss the matter publicly, spoke on condition of anonymity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has repeatedly said that the trade body needs a revamp to be enabled to mediate in conflicts. Brazil's government estimates that 35.9% of the country's goods shipped to the American market have been affected. That is about 4% of Brazil's total exports. Trump directly tied the 50% tariff on imported Brazilian goods to the judicial situation of his embattled ally, former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is currently under house arrest. Last month, Bolsonaro was ordered to wear an electronic ankle monitor and to obey a curfew while the proceedings are underway. Lula is yet to speak about the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, the leftist leader said he wouldn't call Trump to talk about trade because he doesnt want to speak about it. Lula said that he might instead invite him to attend (Novembers climate summit) COP in Belem. ___ Follow APs coverage of Latin America and the Caribbean at https://apnews.com/hub/latin-america Four people are dead after a medical transport plane crashed at around 12:40 p.m. on Tuesday on the Navajo Nation in Chinle. According to a public statement by Navajo Nation President Buu Nygren, the plane was en route to pick up a patient. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I am heartbroken to learn of the tragic plane crash near the Chinle Airport, which claimed the lives of four medical personnel who were non-local," Nygren wrote. "These were people who dedicated their lives to saving others, and their loss is felt deeply across the Navajo Nation ... Our prayers are with the families of those on the plane as investigations continue. May the Creator bring comfort and strength in the days ahead for the friends and families involved. " The names of the deceased have not been released. This is a developing story. About the Author: "Elyse Wild is Senior Health Editor for Native News Online, where she leads coverage of health equity issues including mental health, environmental health, maternal mortality, and the overdose crisis in Indian Country. Her award-winning journalism has appeared in The Guardian, McClatchy newspapers, and NPR affiliates. In 2024, she received the inaugural Excellence in Recovery Journalism Award for her solutions-focused reporting on addiction and recovery in Native communities. She is currently working on a Pulitzer Center-funded series exploring cultural approaches to addiction treatment." Contact: ewild@indiancountrymedia.com COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) The high cost of breast cancer screenings could be putting people in jeopardy in South Carolina, but a bill at the State House aims to make follow-up testing more affordable. I cant continue to have this weight and this costs on my family, said breast cancer survivor Sundi Herring. In South Carolina, initial screenings for many women are usually covered but if a doctor recommends additional testing, patients can be stuck with high costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have children and we, you know, looking at college all the things that may come up in their lives and I want to be able to support them, Herring continued. This is just a roller coaster ride that a lot of people are on. Supporters like Beth Johnson from the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and Brenda Thorpe from the South Carolina Cancer Alliance said the bill will help with early detection. If we can detect cancer [during] early stage one or two, we know that we have a more successful chance of quality of life and overall outcome for the patient, said Johnson. If you do not know that the abnormality thats found in your mammogram, if you dont know what that is because you dont have money to pay for that follow up care, then you could be diagnosed at a late stage, said Thorpe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill said private insurers will need to cover all subsequent, medically necessary diagnostic tests with no copays, deductibles, or coinsurance. If theres a tumor thats, cancerous or theres a tumor thats being benign, you will not know without the follow up care. This is something that you have to know. You have to know. Its always so important, so you can have, you can have a great quality of life, Thorpe said. The American Cancer Society said more than 25 states already have laws requiring some form of insurance coverage for breast imaging beyond initial screenings. Lawmakers dont go back to the State house to debate and vote on bills until January 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Just days before thousands are set to visit Brockport for the villages annual arts festival, organizers are being forced to pivot, again, due to a delay in the reopening of the Main Street lift bridge. The bridge, which connects the north and south sides of the village across the Erie Canal, was originally expected to be openat least to pedestrian trafficin time for the weekend event. But late last week, festival leaders learned that the project would not be completed as planned. We were reassured multiple times the bridge would be open, said Brockport Arts Festival Lead Organizer Kari Pardun said. However, we were notified last Thursday that it will not be ready after all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Pardun, the bridge cannot fully lower into the down position, and surfaces meant for pedestrian access are not fully prepared. This marks yet another delay in a years-long rehabilitation project. Still, organizers and village officials acted quickly. After meeting with public works, first responders, local businesses and vendors, the decision was made to shift the entire festival to the south side of the canal. We met with our team: DPW, police, fire, our car show partners and then reached out to our business friends on the north side, Pardun said. They were expecting to have 30,000 people in their front yard. Now in its 29th year, the Brockport Arts Festival is expected to draw upwards of 40,000 attendees this weekend. It typically spans both sides of the canal, with booths, music stages and a car show, but this year, everything is being consolidated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just knocking down the checklist: moving port-o-potties, tables, chairs, tent rentals, Pardun said. We have an amazing team and a great relationship with our community. Thats what makes this festival so good. The New York State Department of Transportation, which is overseeing the bridge work, said the delay stems from unforeseen mechanical issues discovered during equipment testing. A statement from the agency said safety remains their top priority and the bridge is expected to be operational in the coming weeks. The Village of Brockport expressed frustration with the lack of detail from the state agency. This is a significant setback, Mayor Ben Reed said in a statement. We were told the bridge would be open this week. The new dateby the end of the monthoffers little reassurance. Frankly, we wont be holding our breath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The village said it has enlisted support from local elected officials, including Monroe County Legislator Jackie Smith, State Assemblyman Stephen Hawley, and State Senator Robert Ortt, to put pressure on the DOT for answers and accountability. While the bridge closure has created logistical challenges, Reed praised the festival committees ability to adapt. I want to commend the Arts Festival Committee for their swift action and hard work, Reed said. Theyve quickly reorganized to ensure the festivals success. News 8 reached out to Crane-Hogan, the project contractor, but has not yet received a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Brockport Arts Festival runs this Saturday and Sunday, August 1011, and will be held entirely on the south side of the canal. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. By Promit Mukherjee OTTAWA (Reuters) -Steve Mallia's Toronto-based telescope accessory business was thriving until March when the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on U.S.-bound orders that do not comply with local content rules under the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement. The tariff, imposed soon after U.S. President Donald Trump took office in January, effectively stopped Mallia's StarField Optics from competing in its main market, as many of the components used in its products came from China. "When we started to sell into the U.S., business was very strong. We were making money," Mallia said. "As soon as the tariff started to really take place, that disappeared." Mallia, who founded his company in 2018, quickly decided his company's best hope of surviving was to make his products compliant with USMCA, the 2018 trade deal that replaced the North American Free Trade Agreement. Tough decisions small businesses like Mallia must now make highlight the uneven consequences of Trump's efforts to upend the global trading order. While the existing trade deal means Canada and Mexico have so far been less impacted by Trump's tariffs than many other economies, there are hundreds of small and medium companies in Canada that face a direct hit for not being USMCA compliant. Small and medium businesses represent almost 98% of all firms in Canada and account for over 50% of the economy, according to government data. Mallia said production changes to accomplish compliance came at a heavy cost: six months of lost sales, along with additional expenses to set up the factory, alter his supply chain and ramp up production. Even so, a cost-benefit analysis convinced Mallia that it was money well spent. The changes will allow him to regain access from October to a market that has accounted for about 60% of StarField's sales, he estimates. Mallia started the transition well before Thursday, when Trump hiked tariffs to 35% from 25% on goods imported from Canada that do not comply with the free trade deal. Canada's steel, aluminum and auto sectors are particularly hard hit as they face separate tariffs between 25% and 50%. Adding to the uncertainty, USMCA is up for renegotiation next year. To be compliant, companies such as StarField must prove that they generate a bulk of their products within the U.S., Mexico or Canada, or they have substantially altered an imported product in one of the three countries. In Canada, a failure to comply with the trade deal means no or costly access to the world's biggest economy. LIBERTY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The Northern District of Floridas Attorneys Office announced its charges for a Bristol man accused of shooting at law enforcement. John Caleb Allen, 26, of Bristol, Florida, who was previously arrested on July 24, 2025, has been indicted for two counts of attempted murder of a federal employee, two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a federal law enforcement officer, two counts of discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, two counts of illegal possession of a machine gun, and one count of false statement to a federal firearm licensee in connection with a firearms purchase. The charges were announced today by John P. Heekin, United States Attorney for the Northern District of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Court documents allege that on July 24, 2025, while police were executing a federal search warrant at John Caleb Allens residence, he opened fire on law enforcement. After firing multiple rounds at the agents, Allen was arrested without the agents discharging their weapons. Agents suffered minor, non-critical injuries as a result of the assault. Allen is scheduled for arraignment before United States Magistrate Judge Martin A. Fitzpatrick on August 8, 2025, at 11:30 a.m. at the Federal Courthouse in Tallahassee, Florida. If convicted, Allen faces a maximum possible penalty of life imprisonment. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the Liberty County Sheriffs Office, and the Florida Department of Law Enforcement are investigating the case. Assistant United States Attorney James A. McCain is prosecuting the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. A British man has been charged with attempted murder after allegedly trying to drown his daughter-in-law in a Florida swimming pool. Mark Gibbon, 62, was on holiday with his family at the Solterra Resort in Davenport, near Walt Disney World Resort, when the disagreement over his grandchildren erupted, Polk County Sheriff department said. Mr Gibbon, from Beaconsfield in Buckinghamshire, is accused of pushing and holding the 33-year-old woman's head under the water multiple times preventing her from breathing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is charged with attempted second-degree murder and two counts of battery. Sheriff Grady Judd said in a statement: "It's great that Polk County draws visitors from all across the world, but we expect vacationers to behave while they visit with us, just as we expect our lifelong residents to do the same. "Because Mr Gibbon couldn't control his anger, he may find himself spending a lot more time in Florida than he had anticipated." The woman told officers the pair began arguing about his grandchildren while they were in the holiday rental home's swimming pool, before he allegedly tried to drown her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A young girl then jumped into the pool in an attempt to stop Mr Gibbon drowning the woman, the sheriff's office said. Mr Gibbon is accused of only stopping when two sisters who were holidaying next door said they had called the sheriff's office. He was arrested and taken to Polk County Jail, the sheriff's office said. A 24-year-old British woman has been given a two-year suspended sentence by a court in Germany for trafficking drugs from Thailand. Cameron Bradford, from Knebworth, Hertfordshire, was arrested at Munich airport on 22 April while while travelling from Bangkok. Munich District Court heard how Bradford had worked as an escort for a man in the UK who had threatened her, telling her to go to Thailand to pick something up for him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On her way back to the UK, customs officials in Munich found 20kg (about 45lb) of marijuana in her suitcase. She told the court that when she was robbed of a week's earnings by a regular client, she was threatened by the man she worked for, Joseph Coleman, who usually took 60% of her earnings. Bradford said he had shouted at her, believing she had set up the situation, and told her she would never work as an escort for him again, the court heard. She said she tried to escape from him, and moved with her young son, but was caught by Mr Coleman who said the only way to resolve the problem was to go to Thailand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was really scared," she told the court. On 11 April Bradford left UK and arrived in Phuket, Thailand, on 12 April, on flights she said Mr Coleman had bought. Some days later she went to Bangkok, following what she said were instructions from Mr Coleman. There she was given a suitcase, swapping it for her own bag of clothes. On her way back to Britain, in transit at Munich airport, German customs officials found marijuana in the suitcase. She told the court she did not know what was in the case, which was locked. "I'm not a criminal," she said. "I don't know what I was doing." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Wilfried Dudek said Bradford's life had not gone well. She had been through an early pregnancy and had mixed with the wrong people. He said he found it strange that she had not suspected what was in the case, but accepted she had been under pressure. Bradford said she had never been so sorry in her life and all she wanted to do was go home to her parents and her seven-year-old son. She said she wanted to have a normal life. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story [Source] The Broadway musical Maybe Happy Ending became the focus of industry scrutiny after producers announced in July that white actor Andrew Barth Feldman would assume the lead role of Oliver in a show set in Seoul. Feldman will begin his nine-week run at the Belasco Theatre on September 2, replacing Darren Criss, who is of Filipino and European descent and originated the lead male role for the Broadway run. Artists, advocates and community leaders say the new Broadway casting undermines years of progress toward authentic representation on stage. From Korea to Broadway Maybe Happy Ending, a musical about two robots searching for love in Seoul, premiered in Seoul in 2016 and earned multiple Korean Musical Awards for its all-Asian cast and storytelling rooted in Korean culture. Its U.S. premiere at Atlantas Alliance Theatre in 2020 continued that legacy of casting Asian American actors, including Kenny Tran as Oliver. When the show opened on Broadway last year, Darren Criss took on the role of Oliver and won a Tony Award for his performance, starring alongside Helen J. Shen as the female lead Claire. Trending on NextShark: ICE raids Asian supermarkets in New York The shift to Feldman was seen by critics as a break from the shows original vision and sparked concerns about erasing Asian identities from a narrative deeply connected to Korea. The Asian American Performers Action Coalition described the casting as a setback for progress. Community response and industry voices BD Wong, Tony Award winner and longtime advocate for Asian American representation, criticized the decision. In an op-ed he posted on social media, he wrote, Some say robots know no race but Maybe Happy Endings world actually supports the use of actors wholl deliver us to that Korean place. If hes not, though, he will clash with the Korea-verse. Trending on NextShark: Korean American researcher held at airport for weeks over decade-old weed conviction Michael K. Lee, a leading Asian American Broadway actor and advocate, spoke to the sense of loss in a heartfelt video: For the first time in a very long time on the grandest of all stages on Broadway, it was being shown through an Asian lens with Asian faces, and they were rewarded for it with the top prize in theater, the Tony Award for Best Musical. We thought this was ours. We thought that this was our moment to share our culture, our faces with the world ... And now, whether it be intentional or not, that's being taken away from us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shen, who continues in the role of Claire and is Feldmans real-life partner, publicly addressed the disappointment felt by many in the Asian American community. I know the hurt that people feel. A part of me is mourning that along with the community, she said. Shen also urged, I hope the conversation can center on building opportunities for us, not just policing who gets to participate. Ethnically ambiguous robots Trending on NextShark: Trumps tariff blitz reshapes Asian trade landscape Writers Hue Park and Will Aronson issued a joint statement defending their vision: We understand that for many in the AAPI community, the makeup of our opening night cast became a meaningful and rare point of visibility. Weve heard how strongly people connected to that representation, even if it wasnt our original intent, and how this casting decision has re-opened old wounds. Were extremely saddened that the show, a decade-long labor of love for us, could ever become a source of confusion, anger or pain. The creators stressed that their goal was always to tell a universal story set in Korea, and said they remain grateful for audiences who have embraced the shows journey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Producers have scheduled a post-show panel with Asian American theater leaders to address questions of casting and representation. While advocacy groups continue to call for dialogue with the shows creative team, the Broadway run, featuring Feldman and Shen, is expected to proceed as planned. Trending on NextShark: Broadways 'Maybe Happy Ending' casting of white actor sparks calls for accountability This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Poll finds decline in Americans who believe Asian Americans experience discrimination Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! Ilay David, the brother of 22-year-old hostage Evyatar David, delivered an emotional plea to the United Nations Security Council on Tuesday, calling for urgent international action after a horrific new video showed his emaciated brother being forced to dig his own grave inside a Hamas tunnel. The Security Council session was requested by Israel and comes as the country stands on the verge of a full annexation of Gaza a move prompted by the collapse of ceasefire talks and the release of disturbing images of starving hostages. Evyatar David was abducted from the Nova music festival on Oct. 7, 2024. In the newly received footage, he appears frail reduced to just 90 pounds and is seen struggling to speak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu Responds After Israeli Hostage Seen Emaciated, Digging Grave: 'Cruelty Of Hamas Has No Boundaries' Members of the United Nations Security Council listen as Ilay David, brother of hostage Evyatar David, and holds up a photo of his brother in captivity as he speaks during a meeting called by Israel. Holding up a still from the video, Ilay David described a haunting visual: "As my younger brother, a living skeleton, was forced to speak and dig his grave, the chubby and well-fed hand of a Hamas terrorist entered the frame. Suddenly, Hamas confirmed what we have known for months the terrorists have plenty of food. The only ones starving in Hamas tunnels are the hostages: my brother, Guy, and the [49] others." "My mother and I could not bring ourselves to watch it," he said, speaking remotely via Zoom, "But my father and sister did. And now the images haunt them." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Citing testimony from former hostages including Tal Shoham, whose account was first published by Fox News Digital David said the terrorists remain in nearby rooms while deliberately starving captives as part of a "sick and twisted propaganda campaign." "This is a humanitarian crisis the crisis of the hostages that is not being discussed here," he said. "Not in the Security Council, and not in other U.N. forums. The very soul of humanity is being scarred by Hamass barbaric actions." Trump: Hamas Surrender, Hostage Release Is Fastest Way To End Gaza War The meeting of the U.N. Security Council was convened following the release of the latest hostage video. Israel believes that as few as 20 hostages remain alive in Hamas captivity many in critical condition, with only days left to live. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who attended the session in New York, called on the United Nations Security Council to "finally condemn Hamas for its evil crimes. To hold it responsible, and to demand the immediate release of our hostages." Before the meeting, Sa'ar told reporters that while Israel continues to facilitate humanitarian aid into Gaza, Hamas is deliberately starving the hostages. "Evyatar was forced to dig his own grave. This is satanic," he said. "These are evil crimes like those committed by the Nazis and ISIS." Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar (R) and Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Danny Danon (L) speak to journalists ahead of a United Nations Security Council meeting at U.N. headquarters on August 5, 2025 in New York Saar also warned that recent moves by several nations to unilaterally recognize a Palestinian state have emboldened Hamas and undermined negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They gave Hamas free gifts and an incentive to continue this war," he said. "They directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire. These countries prolonged the war." Ilay David ended his address with a desperate appeal: "We, the family of Evyatar, refuse to give up hope. We are weeping, we are suffering, but we are also fighting with every fiber of our being. We will not give up until we see him back home until my mother and father can hug him again." "To the leaders of the world, to every member of this Council, and to the global community: Your silence in the face of this monstrous cruelty is complicity. I urge you do not let them die. Act now, before its too late. Save Evyatar David. Bring my little brother home." When asked by reporters at the White House on Tuesday if he had seen the Hamas video of Evyatar David, President Donald Trump said he had, calling it "horrible." Original article source: Brother of Israeli hostage urges UN to act after video shows Hamas starving and torturing captives WEYMOUTH, Mass. (WWLP) Two brothers were arrested in Weymouth in connection with trafficking fentanyl and cocaine from eastern to western Massachusetts. The Massachusetts State Police issued a news release on Wednesday that states members of the Narcotics Reduction Enforcement Teams, along with the Weymouth Police Department, conducted a narcotics investigation targeting two brothers, Elijah Tavares and Isaiah Tavares. Owner of Lanesborough construction company charged in tax fraud scheme Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Police said that they were suspects involved in allegedly trafficking fentanyl and cocaine from eastern to western Massachusetts. Information was received that the suspects had a significant quantity of fentanyl at an apartment complex in Weymouth. On Monday, surveillance was set up outside the home in an effort to intercept the suspects and seize the narcotics. Both suspects were observed leaving the apartment building at the same time through separate doors. Troopers approached Elijah Tavares exiting the front door, who allegedly resisted during the arrest. He was arrested and reportedly found to be in possession of fentanyl and cocaine packaged for distribution. Isaiah Tavares was arrested after exiting the rear door of the building. Police seized over one kilogram of fentanyl from the front pocket of his sweatshirt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search warrant was conducted inside the apartment, and three vehicles resulted in the following seized by police: 4.5 kilograms of fentanyl Approximately 46 grams of cocaine Two loaded firearms with ammunition A large amount of cash Several pounds of marijuana (Massachusetts State Police) Both suspects were charged with several narcotics offenses and assault. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. NAPA, Calif. (KRON) If you were in Napa on Tuesday, you might have seen a big red RV with bikers riding behind it. Those bikers are two brothers making a 5,500-mile trip to raise money for charity. KRON4 caught up with them during their stop in the North Bay. As their RV says, two brothers from Texas are making their way from Alaska back to their home in Texas, and theyre doing it on bikes. Not just because its a beautiful ride, but to raise money for important causes. San Francisco businesses thrive during Grateful Dead anniversary weekend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bobby Jenkins, who is biking from Alaska to Texas, said, We crossed 3,000 miles yesterday. Just past their halfway point, Bobby and Raleigh Jenkins have covered a lot of ground. Its incredible. The mountains, the clouds. The only thing we didnt think about was the mosquitoes, Bobby said. Traveling from Anchorage, Alaska to Austin, Texas, and they are doing it all on bikes. The brothers did a similar trip eight years ago from Seattle to New York. But this journey is easily their longest and toughest yet stopping in Napa on Tuesday to talk about the two charities theyre raising money for. One is for children suffering from hunger in Haiti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were there about two months, and the comment that was made that set on my heart was thank you for not forgetting us,' Raleigh said. The second cause hits closer to home. Bobbys grandson, Moss, died in 2014 from a condition called Sudden Unexplained Death in Childhood. He was perfectly healthy, went down for his morning nap and never woke up and come to find out this happens to about 400-600 children in this country, and its unexplained, Bobby said. They hope their donations will help find an explanation and prevent more deaths in children. Biking is the best way these two know how to raise awareness for the two causes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeting strangers along the way and sharing their story one mile at a time. You can donate to the Jenkins cause on their 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 KRON4. Originally appeared on E! Online Bryan Kohberger was once suspected of other crimes. After the 30-year-old was sentenced to life in prison for the 2022 murders of four University of Idaho students, authorities released police documents detailing his connection to an earlier break-in obtained by NBC News. In 2021, a knife-wielding assailant wearing a ski mask broke into a home in Pullman, Washington, per the Pullman Police Department records. Although no one was injured in the incident, according to an affidavit in support of a search warrant, a witness told officials that she kicked the intruder in the stomach as they fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pullman police began investigating the former criminology student as a potential perpetrator after he was arrested in November 2022 for the murders of Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and Ethan Chapin, 20, that December. Although Kohbergerwho was pursuing his doctorate at Washington State Universitydidn't reside in Pullman at the time of the intrusion, the Idaho students lived about 10 miles from the Washington home. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A sergeant, tasked with retracing his steps in the area, filed a supplemental report obtained by the outlet, noting that Kohberger had worn a ski mask while killing the four students with a knife. Although the police records didn't identify the assailant's gender, the witness said their height was between 5 feet 3 inches and 5 feet 5 inches. Meanwhile, the surviving roommate in the Idaho case Dylan Mortensen described Kohberger as 5 feet 10 inches. After further investigation, Pullman officials confirmed that Kohberger was no longer a person of interest in the case. As more details about Kohberger's past come to light, he is getting settled in solitary confinement in the long-term restrictive housing of J Block in the Idaho Maximum Security Institution. Kyle Green-Pool/Getty Images The inmatewho was moved to the facility after residing at the Latah County Jail, about 300 miles north of the prisonnow spends his time in a single-person cell. He's provided one shower every other day and one hour of outdoor recreation per day, the Idaho Department of Corrections confirmed to E! News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kohberger didn't seem to do well with his former inmates at Latah County, with one noting in the Moscow Police Department documents obtained by E! News that he "quickly became annoying" due to his incessant behavior. Along with "washing his hands dozens of times each day," and showering for "45 minutes to an hour," he was also "awake almost all night" and could be heard "moving around all night." For a closer look at Kohberger's case, keep reading. (E! News and NBC News are part of the NBCUniversal family.) Who Were Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle? Kaylee Goncalves, 21, Madison Mogen, 21, Xana Kernodle, 20, and her boyfriend Ethan Chapin, 20, were University of Idaho students who lived in an off-campus apartment. On Nov. 12, 2022the night before their bodies were foundGoncalves and Mogen were at a nearby sports bar, while Kernodle and Chapin were at the latters fraternity party. By 2 a.m. on Nov. 13, the four roommates and Chapin were back at the three-story rental house. Goncalves was a senior majoring in general studies at the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences. She was expected to graduate in December before heading to Austin, Texas, for a job at a marketing firm, her friend Jordyn Quesnell told The New York Times. Mogen, who was studying marketing, was best friends with Goncalves since the sixth grade. She had plans to move to Boise after graduation, family friend Jessie Frost shared with The Idaho Statesman. Kernodle was a junior majoring in marketing, the University said at the time. She and Chapinwho majored in recreation, sport and tourism managementhad been dating since the spring, the roommates neighbor Ellie McKnight told NBC News. Were There Any Survivors? Two roommates, Dylan Mortensen and Bethany Funke, had been home at the time of the murders. In text messages that were unsealed March 6, 2025, Mortensen and Funke tried contacting their roommates on Nov. 13 after the former saw a masked man moving through the house, according to documents obtained by E! News. "No one is answering," Mortensen texted Funke at 4:22 a.m. "I'm rlly confused rn." She continued to reach out to their roommates, urging them to respond. "Pls answer," she texted Goncalves at 4:32 a.m. and again at 10:23 a.m. "R u up??" At 11:58 a.m., a 911 call was placed after Kernodle was found unresponsive, per an additional motion obtained by E! News. A woman named A1 in the transcript described the current situation to the operator. "One of the roommates who's passed out and she was drunk last night and she's not waking up," she said on the phone. "They saw some man in their house last night." Who Is Bryan Kohberger and How Was He Found? Bryan Kohberger, who was charged with four counts of first-degree murder and one count of burglary, was a doctoral candidate at Washington State University. Over one month after the bodies of Gonclaves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin were discovered, Kohberger was taken into custody Dec. 30 in Monroe County, Penn. He was extradited to Idaho Jan. 4, 2023. As for how authorities connected him to the killings? DNA was found on a knife sheath that was left at the crime scene, prosecutors revealed in June 2023 court documents, per NBC News. When the DNA didn't match anyone in the FBI database, authorities ran the DNA through public ancestry websites to create a list of potential suspects, according to the filings. After learning that Kohberger had driven to his parents' home in Monroe County, local officials then went through their trash and found DNA that tied him to that found on the sheath. What Was Kohbergers Initial Defense? At the moment, a motive for the attack has not been detailed and a gag order prevents many involved in the case from speaking publicly, NBC News reported. However, the unsealed documents provided some insight into their initial arguments. Kohberger's attorneys argued in a motion obtained by E! News to strike the death penalty that Kohbergerwho initially faced death penalty if found guilty on all countshas autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and that executing him would violate the Eighth Amendment's prohibition on "cruel and unusual punishment." His defense argued that Kohbereger "displays extremely rigid thinking, perseverates on specific topics, processes information on a piecemeal basis, struggles to plan ahead, and demonstrates little insight into his own behaviors and emotions." "Due to his ASD, Mr. Kohberger simply cannot comport himself in a manner that aligns with societal expectations of normalcy," the motion said. "This creates an unconscionable risk that he will be executed because of his disability rather than his culpability." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Where Was the Trial Set? Initially, Kohberger had a judge enter a not-guilty plea to the first-degree murder charges on his behalf after remaining silent at his May 2023 arraignment. Although his trial was set to begin Oct. 2, 2023, Kohberger waived his right to a speedy trial in August 2023. His trial datewhich was scheduled to take place in Ada County, more than 300 miles from Latah County, where the killings took placewas set to begin Aug. 11, 2025. Latah County Judge John Judge previously ruled in favor of the transfer request made by Kohberger's defense in September 2024 based on "presumed prejudice" if the trial remained in Latah County. Ada County Judge Steven Hippler denied the defense's request to suppress key DNA and other evidence, including cell phone and email records, surveillance footage, past Amazon purchases and DNA evidence in the trial. What Was the Verdict in the Trial? Kohberger's murder trial was abruptly canceled after he took a plea deal from prosecutors on June 30, 2025. In accepting the deal, Kohberger agreed to plead guilty to four counts of murder and one count of burglary, as well as waive his rights to appeal and ask for a more lenient prison sentence. He entered his guilty plea on July 2, 2025, confirming with a "yes" after the judge asked if he killed all four victims "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought." Did Kohberger Take a Selfie After the Murders? A selfie Kohberger took the morning after the murders took place was introduced in March 2025. The photograph, which sees him in front of a shower showing a thumbs up, displays how he may fit the description a witness identified as "D.M." gave in filings, who said the perpetrator had "bushy eyebrows." Steve Gonclaves, the father of victim Kaylee, later reacted to the image calling it a "trophy" in an interview with Fox and Friends. "I know the timeline, I know that he had just returned to the crime scene and he had come back," Gonclaves said. "He had realized that nobody had called 911." As he put it, "To him, thats his little trophy to let him know like, Hey, I got away with it, nobodys on me. What Did Kohberger Google Before the Murders? In a 2025 Dateline documentary about the murders, a former classmate of Kohbergers detailed a peculiar text she received from him after making his acquaintance at a party. I definitely felt a little obligated to chat with him, because to me, he seemed a little awkward, the studentidentified as Hollyexplained. Kind of like you might expect for a PhD student who didn't know anyone at the party and was maybe trying his best to kind of get out there and be social and make friends. The following day, Holly said she received a text from him, which she described as overly formal. Hey, I am pretty sure we spoke about hiking trips yesterday, Bryans text from July 10, 2022 at 1:19 p.m., read, per Dateline. I really enjoy that activity, so please let me know. Thanks! Elsewhere in the Dateline documentary, Kohbergers browsing history was found to have included searches for Ted Bundy, Britney Spears song Criminal, and the term University of Idaho Murders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Did Kohberger Confess to Killing Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Xana Kernodle? After accepting a plea deal that would spare him from the death penalty, Kohberger changed his plea to guilty in the murders of Goncalves, Mogen, Kernodle and Chapin, as well as one count of burglary, at a July 2, 2025 hearing in Idaho. When judge Hippler questioned Kohberger if he killed each victim "willingly, unlawfully, deliberately and with premeditation and malice with forethought," he replied with a firm, "Yes" for each. In taking the plea deal, Kohberger has waived his right to appeal or ask for a more lenient prison sentence, according to Hippler. How Long Is Kohberger's Prison Sentence? Though the families of Goncalves and Kernodle each slammed the decision to issue a plea deal, therby taking the death penalty off the table, Kohberger was officially sentenced to life in prison July 23, 2025. Judge Hippler sentenced Kohberger to four life termsto be served consecutivelywithout the possibility of parole for each count of first-degree murder, along with a $50,000 fine for each count and a $5,000 civil penalty to be paid to each of the victims' families. He also gave Kohberger 10 years and imposed a fine of $50,000 on the burglary count. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App The man who confessed to fatally stabbing four University of Idaho students nearly three years ago was investigated in connection with an earlier break-in that involved a knife-wielding intruder wearing a ski mask, records show. The 2021 break-in was at a home in Pullman, Washington, just across the state line from Moscow, Idaho, where Kaylee Goncalves, Madison Mogen, Xana Kernodle and Ethan Chapin were found stabbed to death at an off-campus home on Nov. 13, 2022, according to records obtained from the Pullman Police Department. No one was injured in the break-in, and a witness told authorities that the person fled after she kicked them in the stomach, the records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bryan Kohberger, who pleaded guilty to the University of Idaho murders last month and is serving life in prison without the possibility of parole, has not been accused in the break-in, and it is unclear whether there have been any arrests. The records show that authorities investigated a neighbor but did not have probable cause to take him into custody. Pullmans police chief did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. Authorities in Pullman began investigating Kohberger, 30, after his arrest in the quadruple homicide in December 2022, the records show. He moved to Pullman as a doctoral student in Washington State Universitys criminology program in June 2022, less than a year after the Oct. 10, 2021, break-in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Kohberger did not yet live in Pullman, the records show that the police chief then a commander tasked a sergeant with looking into whether Kohberger could have been in the area at the time for an on-campus event for prospective graduate students. The sergeant noted in a supplemental report that in the University of Idaho case, the killer used a knife and was said to have worn a ski mask inside the off-campus home. According to an affidavit in support of a search warrant in the Pullman case, authorities arrived at the home just before 3:30 a.m. A woman told police that she awoke to a person wearing a burgundy ski mask opening her bedroom door. The person was holding a knife and approached her bed. She kicked the intruder in the stomach, according to the affidavit, and the person fell backward, then fled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The affidavit does not identify the intruder's gender, and the woman described the persons height as between 5 feet, 3 inches and 5 feet, 5 inches. In the University of Idaho case, a surviving roommate who saw the masked intruder later identified as Kohberger said the man she saw appeared to be 5 feet, 10 inches tall, according to an affidavit in support of an arrest warrant in that case. In Pullman, the sergeant deemed the case inactive after a coordinator for the schools criminology department told him there were no recruitment events at the time of the break-in and that the school was unaware of any visits from Kohberger. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com An American flag and a Colorado flag fly at the Colorado Capitol in Denver on June 10, 2025. (Quentin Young/Colorado Newsline) The Colorado Legislature could consider changing how and when the governor can take sweeping action to respond to revenue shortfalls during times of economic crisis, as state economists warn of the severe budget impact from the recent federal tax break and spending cut bill. Due to tax code changes in the Republican-backed federal law, Colorado is expected to take a $1.2 billion revenue hit in the current fiscal year, which is controlled by the budget, passed during the 2025 state legislative session, that went into effect July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That leaves the state facing a $783 million budget shortfall, according to a revised estimate from the governors Office of State Planning and Budgeting. The office amended its estimate during a Tuesday presentation to the JBC, changing it from a previous estimate of a roughly $950 million shortfall. What Im hearing is that I want the governor to be making these cuts, of whatever flavor they are, in consultation and collaboration with, at least in consultation with us as the Joint Budget Committee, and with the Legislature more broadly, JBC Chair Jeff Bridges, a Cherry Hills Democrat, said during the meeting at the state Capitol. The JBC, which comprises lawmakers from both parties and both legislative chambers, writes the state budget. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though proponents of the federal law highlighted its reductions in federal government costs, Mark Ferrandino, the executive director of OSPB, said, What the bill really does is shift significant costs to states. Colorado will take an especially significant revenue hit compared to most other states, Ferrandino said. Thats because Colorado has policies of automatically instituting most federal tax code changes at the state level, and the state bases its tax calculations on federal taxable income, as opposed to adjusted gross income, which many other states use. In general, JBC Staff believes that it is prudent to make cuts sooner rather than later, so that money is not expended that cannot be recaptured. This likely necessitates some actions by the Governors Office before the General Assembly is in session. Memo from staff of the Colorado Joint Budget Committee The fiscal impact of the federal spending bill on Colorados operations have ignited rumors of a special legislative session, though Gov. Jared Polis has not yet called for one. The Legislature is scheduled to convene for its next regular session in January. The Office of Legislative Legal Services Staff presented on Tuesday about the statutory powers the governor has to reduce spending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In general, JBC Staff believes that it is prudent to make cuts sooner rather than later, so that money is not expended that cannot be recaptured. This likely necessitates some actions by the Governors Office before the General Assembly is in session, a memo from JBC staff says. Governors authority A provision of state law requires the governor to make a plan if the general fund reserve essentially money set aside for emergencies is forecast to be cut in half. The governor would need to come up with a strategy to get the reserve back up to at least half of what it was and then present the plan to the Legislature. The provision was last invoked in 1991. That statute is unlikely to be triggered by the currently predicted situation, which estimates a hit of about one-third to the 15% reserve. A second provision is much more broad. It calls on the governor to suspend or discontinue government services if there isnt enough revenue to carry on the functions of state government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is not as clear, obviously, as the reserve dropping below a certain dollar amount or a corresponding percentage, said Pierce Lively with OLLS. The statute is silent on whether this is prospective estimates or actuals for how much money we have and whether that is sufficient. Its also unclear on how this interacts with the reserve requirement, he said. After the governor makes that discretionary decision, they can issue an executive order to cut spending that will be in effect for three months, starting on the first calendar day of the next month. In 2002, for example, Gov. Bill Owens issued an executive order to enact a hiring freeze in state government under the statute, Section 24-2-102. JBC staff suggested to legislators on Tuesday that they change the threshold at which the governor needs to restrict spending and submit a plan to the Legislators. Instead of a 50% reduction in reserves, they suggested that the trigger be when expenditures cause the reserve to fall by greater than 2% or 3% of General Fund appropriations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats very consistent with the numbers that used to be the effective decline, because it used to be that your reserve was much lower. It is an extraordinary situation right now that you have a 15% reserve. You went through many, many years where you had a 4% reserve, said Amanda Bickel with JBC staff. Bickel also recommended adding language in Section 24-2-102 to require the governor to notify the Legislature of an impending executive order. Staff believes the primary near-term benefit of the proposed changes are that the JBC and General Assembly would be guaranteed to receive a plan for cuts and potentially have the opportunity to discuss them with the Governor before they are implemented, the JBC staff memo reads. Bridges and Sen. Judy Amabile, a Boulder Democrat, requested drafting authority for a bill to tweak that reserve trigger. Depending on whether a special session is called and the scope of that sessions work, she can run the bill then or wait until the regular lawmaking term next year. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Brazil has an annual quota of 65,005 metric tons for exporting fresh beef to the United States duty-free. This quota is usually filled quickly -- it occurred on Jan 17 this year, File Photo by Jerome Favre/EPA Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Starting Wednesday, the United States is to impose an additional 50% tariff on Brazilian beef, adding to the existing 26.4% duty on exports that exceed quota limits -- bringing the potential total rate to about 76.4%. Brazil has an annual quota of 65,005 metric tons for exporting fresh beef to the United States duty-free. This quota is usually filled quickly -- it occurred on Jan 17 this year, but strong demand and low production costs made continued shipping economically viable with the 26.4% duty. But now, with the new 50% tariff tacked on, that steep increase is expected to sharply reduce imports from Brazil and prompt U.S. buyers to shift sourcing to other Mercosur trade bloc nations, including Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, to meet demand. In the first half of 2025, Brazil exported more than 165,000 tons of beef to the United States. Under the new trade conditions, much of that volume could be redirected to China -- its second-largest export market -- potentially setting off a domino effect on the other Mercosur countries. "If Brazil sends a large volume of beef to China, that country will obviously stop buying some from Argentina and Uruguay," said Fernando Herrera, president of Argentina's Association of Exporting Producers. Argentina was the only Mercosur country to reduce its beef exports in the first half of the year, down 15% compared to the same period in 2024. In contrast, Brazil's exports rose 13%, Uruguay's increased 4% and Paraguay's grew 12%, according to a report from the Rosario Board of Trade. Paraguay aims to double its shipments to the United States starting in September, with projections of up to 8,800 tons per month. "Even though we'll pay a higher tariff, we'll end up in a better position than Brazil because our beef is more similar to theirs," said Jose Carlos Martin, head of Paraguay's National Animal Health and Quality Service. Uruguay, meanwhile, is benefiting from increased demand and record-high prices driven by domestic consumption in the United States. "We're experiencing an extraordinary moment in the global beef market, led by prices in the United States," said Uruguayan consultant Roberto Vazquez Platero, who noted a shift in export destinations. "Previously, 50% of our exports went to China and just over 20% to the United States. That has changed. The U.S. has gained importance, and in recent weeks, Europe has also played a stronger role, with average prices ranging from $7,000 to $8,000 per ton," he told El Pais, a newspaper in Uruguay. CLAYTON, Mo. A Jennings man already in custody for a litany of burglaries in St. Louis City faces new charges for a 2024 fatal shooting. According to the St. Louis County Police Departments probable cause statement, the shooting happened on the afternoon of March 8, 2024, at the Crown Mart gas station and convenience store in the 8300 block of Jennings Station Road. Responding officers found the victim, Jeremiah Latimore, nearby in the 7000 block of Gaylord Drive. Latimore was pronounced dead at the scene. He was 22. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators learned Latimore had been involved in an altercation at the convenience store with MeKel Walker (age not provided). Store surveillance video showed Latimore running from the gas station, with Walker chasing after him. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Police said Walker was caught on video pointing a gun at Latimore and shooting him. Latimore was struck in the back and ran a short distance before collapsing and dying. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Walker with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, and unlawful use of a weapon. Its not clear when Walker will appear in court on this case due to pending charges in St. Louis City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walker was arrested on June 25 and charged the following day in St. Louis Circuit Court with seven counts of first-degree burglary, four counts of stealing $750 or more, one count of stealing, five counts of first-degree property damage, and one count of first-degree attempted burglary. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BURLINGTON, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) Burlington police are looking for a reported male burglar tied to about two recent incidents at the same residence. Authorities responded to the first incident on North Union Street at 4:14 a.m. July 26. On the scene, a resident told officers that a black male wearing all grey and a face mask had broken into their home, but fled afterward. Vermont complies with federal demand for SNAP data Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another attempted burglary had occurred at the same residence August 1. There, the unidentified subject had opened the door and again fled after seeing one resident inside. Surveillance equipment captured a photo of this possible suspect. Those with information about the individual or case can contact Det. Eric Kratochvil by calling 802-540-2308, or BPD at 802-658-2700. Officers remind Burlington residents about steps to burglary prevention. Locking doors, keeping a detailed list of valuable items, obtaining renters insurance and installing surveillance technology may prevent theft and keep you safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. LA CUMBRE, Bolivia (AP) Neyza Hurtado was 3 years old when she was struck by lightning. Forty years later, sitting next to a bonfire on a 13,700-foot (4,175-meter) mountain, her scarred forehead makes her proud. I am the lightning, she said. When it hit me, I became wise and a seer. Thats what we masters are. Hundreds of people in Bolivia hire Andean spiritual guides like Hurtado to perform rituals every August, the month of Pachamama, or Mother Earth, according to the worldview of the Aymara, an Indigenous people of the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pachamamas devotees believe that she awakens hungry and thirsty after the dry season. To honor her and express gratitude for her blessings, they make offerings at home, in their crop fields and on the peaks of Bolivian mountains. We come here every August to follow in the footsteps of our elders, said Santos Monasterios, who hired Hurtado for a Pachamama ritual on a site called La Cumbre, about 8 miles (13 kilometers) from the capital city of La Paz. We ask for good health and work. Honoring Mother Earth Offerings made to Pachamama are known as mesitas (or little tables). Depending on each familys wishes, masters like Hurtado prepare one mesita per family or per person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mesitas are made of wooden logs. On top of them, each master places sweets, grains, coca leaves and small objects representing wealth, protection and good health. Occasionally, llama or piglet fetuses are also offered. Once the mesita is ready, the spiritual guide sets it on fire and devotees douse their offerings with wine or beer, to quench Pachamamas thirst. When you make this ritual, you feel relieved, Monasterios said. I believe in this, so I will keep sharing a drink with Pachamama. It can take up to three hours for a mesita to burn. Once the offerings have turned to ash, the devotees gather and solemnly bury the remains to become one with Mother Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why Bolivians make offerings to Pachamama Carla Chumacero, who travelled to La Cumbre last week with her parents and a sister, requested four mesitas from her longtime spiritual guide. Mother Earth demands this from us, so we provide, the 28-year-old said. According to Chumacero, how they become aware of Pachamamas needs is hard to explain. We just know it; its a feeling, she said. Many people go through a lot accidents, trouble within families and thats when we realize that we need to present her with something, because she has given us so much and she can take it back. Maria Ceballos, 34, did not inherit her devotion from her family, but from co-workers at the gold mine where she earns a living. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We make offerings because our work is risky, Ceballos said. We use heavy machinery and we travel often, so we entrust ourselves to Pachamama. A ritual rooted in time and climate The exact origin of the Pachamama rituals is difficult to determine, but according to Bolivian anthropologist Milton Eyzaguirre, they are an ancestral tradition dating back to 6,000 B.C. As the first South American settlers came into the region, they faced soil and climate conditions that differed from those in the northernmost parts of the planet, where winter begins in December. In Bolivia, as in other Southern Hemisphere countries, winter runs from June to September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here, the cold weather is rather dry, Eyzaguirre said. Based on that, there is a particular behavior in relation to Pachamama. Mother Earth is believed to be asleep throughout August. Her devotees wish for her to regain her strength and bolster their sowing, which usually begins in October and November. A few months later, when the crops are harvested in February, further rituals are performed. These dates are key because its when the relationship between humans and Pachamama is reactivated, Eyzaguirre said. Elsewhere it might be believed that the land is a consumer good, he added. But here theres an equilibrium: You have to treat Pachamama because she will provide for you. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bolivians connection to their land August rituals honor not only Pachamama, but also the mountains or apus, considered protective spirits for the Aymara and Quechua people. Under the Andean perspective, all elements of nature have a soul, Eyzaguirre said. We call that Ajayu, which means they have a spiritual component. For many Bolivians, wind, fire, and water are considered spirits, and the apus are perceived as ancestors. This is why many cemeteries are located in the highlands and why Pachamama rituals are performed at sites like La Cumbre. The apus protect us and keep an eye on us, said Rosendo Choque, who has been a spiritual guide or yatiri for 40 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He, like Hurtado, said that only a few select people can do they job. Before becoming masters, it is essential that they acquire special skills and ask Pachamamas permission to perform rituals in her honor. I acquired my knowledge little by little, Choque said. But I now have the permission to do this job and coca leaves speak to me. Hurtado said she mostly inherited her knowledge from her grandmother, who was also a yatiri and witnessed how she survived the lightning strike. For me, she is the holiest person, the one who made me what I am, Hurtado said. She said she finds comfort in helping her clients secure a good future, but her close relationship with Pachamama brings her the deepest joy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We respect her because she is Mother Earth, Hurtado said. We live in her. ____ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the APs collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content. A Zimbabwean businessman, linked to controversial ties to influencing state politics, has become embroiled in backlash on social media after splashing out on a $79 million Gulfstream G700 private jet. "You'll hear someone say Sir Wicknell is a runner. Where have you ever seen a runner who can buy a private jet? This is pure work. Only witches hate this," said Wicknell Chivayo in a video posted to his social media. A runner is a political frontman who lacks political authority, yet benefits from state decisions typically made to benefit themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Business Daily, Chivayo's purchase reignites public criticism concerning the businessman's true sources of wealth, with many voicing concerns about whether his wealth is linked to his close ties to Zimbabwean political establishments. Zimbabwe is currently facing mass poverty and unemployment, with 42% of the nation classified as being in extreme poverty. Meanwhile, the richest, boosted by alleged political ties, can splurge on private jets. Environmental factors, such as drought and food insecurity, are affecting the poorest, and private jets are fueling the impacts by contributing to air pollution that is disproportionately linked to health issues among the urban poor. Oxfam has specified that in 2019, the super-rich were responsible for more carbon pollution than 66% of humanity. In 2025, this figure is likely larger, with more billionaires splurging on luxurious purchases while the poorest of the world are estimated to be five to 10 times more likely to die from environmental damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gulfstream G700 is "known for its ultra-luxury interiors, cutting-edge avionics and ability to fly non-stop from New York to Johannesburg." One figure estimated that a flight in a private jet from London to Paris can be six times more polluting per passenger than a commercial flight, flagging the extreme environmental detriments of the aircraft. To combat the disproportionate environmental and social inequalities brought on by private jets, some activist groups are fighting for higher taxes on the pollution-heavy modes of transport enjoyed by the world's richest. Greenpeace is one of those organizations calling for taxes on private jets across governments. They urge governments to "introduce frequent flyer levies so that those who fly the most, pay the most, while preventing the expansion of the aviation industry." To combat such environmental harm, educating yourself on climate issues and supporting organizations seeking to hold power to account can help to erode the disproportionate divide in environmental inequality. Do you think billionaires spend their money wisely? Definitely No way Some do Most do Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) There are no drug dogs regularly placed at Harry Reid International Airport, Sigal Chattah, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, told the 8 News Now Investigators. Chattah, newly appointed by President Donald Trump, said she is working to change this. We have agricultural dogs, so you could get busted for bringing in a mango, but you know, you bring in 10 pounds of fentanyl and there you might not get caught, Chattah said in an exclusive interview with the 8 News Now Investigators. People dont need to bring drugs through the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources confirmed to the 8 News Now Investigators that the airport, identified as the seventh busiest airport in the United States, has not had regularly placed drug dogs for years. Occasionally, other agencies may bring their drug dogs to the airport, but this is not on a regular basis, according to sources. The 8 News Now Investigators reached out to Harry Reid International Airport. A spokesperson confirmed Clark Countys Department of Aviation and its K-9 division has dogs specializing in explosives, not drugs. Harry Reid International Airport (KLAS) When asked whether she believed drug dogs were not placed at the airport because it would be bad for tourism, Chattah said she did not doubt that. We dont want to ruin Las Vegas reputation of the party town. Thats going to change tremendously, she told the 8 News Now Investigators. Today, if you want to buy drugs, I mean, and its in plain sight. You know, you could go on Instagram and somebody could post, Is it snowing in Vegas? And theyre here from out of town, and drug dealers know what that means. So today the drug dealers coming to your hotel room, coming to your hotel, so theres no reason why we shouldnt be able to interdict large quantities of drugs through the airports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fentanyl is the biggest problem, with methamphetamine being next, according to the Chattah. She said she wants to target drug trafficking in her new role, along with human trafficking. Historically, there has not been an incentive to go after human trafficking, Chattah told the 8 News Now Investigators. Were going to go after human trafficking, yes, yes, and you know, human trafficking includes also, by the way, not just the sex trafficking, but also human trafficking as regards to labor, you know, you have a lot of labor trafficking and its, its heartbreaking. Chattah also said her office has the ability to investigate public utility companies under antitrust violations. She specifically referenced price-fixing and price-gouging. The public utility companies have been abusing consumers, she said. There are no drug dogs regularly placed at Harry Reid International Airport, Sigal Chattah, Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Nevada, told the 8 News Now Investigators. (KLAS) Chattah also said an election case is underway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump appointed Chattah as the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Nevada through an unprecedented legal maneuver last week. She resigned from her position as interim U.S. Attorney before the 120-day deadline expired. This triggered the federal vacancy act, which allowed the president to appoint Chattah to the new position and remain in the office, according to Chattah. Chattah said she was also appointed as a special prosecutor for the United States Attorney General, resulting in a dual role. Democratic U.S. Senator Jacky Rosen issued a statement against Chattahs appointment. This is an outrageous attempt by the Trump Administration to try to install extremist Sigal Chattah as Acting U.S. Attorney for Nevada and keep her in that role indefinitely. Trump knows Chattah would be soundly rejected by both sides of the aisle if she had to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, which is why hes relying on an unconstitutional maneuver to illegally extend her temporary appointment that was set to expire today, Rosen said. I will continue doing everything I can to block any permanent appointment of extremist Sigal Chattah as Nevadas U.S. Attorney. She is deeply unfit for this role, and I call on the legal system to immediately remove her. Chattah addressed her opponents and said there is nothing they can do to change Trumps recent appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chattah is a former Republican National Committee woman, made an unsuccessful run for Nevada Attorney General, and has made headlines for controversial statements she has made. To reach investigative reporter Vanessa Murphy, email vmurphy@8newsnow.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) You get an email or a pop-up message on your phone that your bank account information was compromised. The message urges you to call a certain number or provide your number so they can call you. You speak to someone who identifies as a bank representative or federal agent. Theyre not. But now theyve got your personal information and they tell you theres been a breach in your account. To protect your money, they say, you should quickly convert your savings into gold bars. Or, they suggest, withdraw your cash and hand it over to a courier who will come by to pick it up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Accused serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun indicted on fourth murder, officials give update on case None of that is true. But once that gold or cash is picked up, your money is gone. So far, at least two Oregonians have lost hundreds of thousands of dollars in this fraudulent scheme. If someone tells you to buy gold to keep your money safe, its a scamfull stop, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield said in a statement on their website. Madeline Alvarado with the Oregon Attorney General Consumer Hotline, said the best thing to do is slow down. Dont feel pressure to react. One thing that I think is very important, dont feel pressure to react, Alvarado told KOIN 6 News. People need to understand that the government is never going to ask you for your money. They are never going to instruct you on depositing it with us for safeguards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oregon Attorney Generals Office has a staffed consumer hotline weekdays to file a report: 1.877.877.9392. By email: help@oregonconsumer.gov Another big warning: Dont start checking your bank account online if youre contacted by phone or computer. That may only provide the scammer with more information. Instead, go get help. Go into your bank branch and tell them what happened. Call law enforcement. No bank or agency is going to tell you to convert your money into gold or cash and hand it over to a stranger. Then tell your friends, relatives and neighbors about this current scam. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A "buzz" in Stoke-on-Trent was reported as people queued for the opening of a new ceramics shop that has emerged in the wake of a collapsed pottery firm. TG Green launched the Cornishware store at its Burslem factory on Tuesday, with pottery enthusiasts from across the country, and two from the Netherlands, visiting the site. The company took over the factory in March after the collapse of pottery firm Royal Stafford which led to the loss of 83 jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was one of three ceramics companies in the city to go bust since the start of the year as the industry cited pressure from rising energy costs and falling sales. Attending the store's opening, customer Jenna Goodwin said the staff appeared to be "over the moon" and it was nice to see the factory open again. "It was just such a vibe, such a buzz," she told BBC Radio Stoke. "Everybody is really excited about it." Cornishware collector Katie Godwin, who visited from Leicester, said the new store was helping to keep Stoke-on-Trent's pottery heritage alive. "Stoke is renowned for the its pottery," she said. "I think it's a good thing to do." Cornishware collector Katie Godwin visited the store from Leicester [BBC] Ceramics enthusiasts Emma and Inga, from the Netherlands, said they were visiting Chester, Cheshire, while on holiday but wanted to attend the opening of the store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emma said they enjoyed collecting a variety of pottery, adding: "It's always nice every morning to decide what kind of cups and plates I'm using." 'Going incredibly well' TG Green took on 17 former Royal Stafford workers when it took over the site in March and three more had been recruited since then, according to general manager Paul Burston. He said business was going "incredibly well", adding: "All in all, we're pleased. The factory shop is a really good and positive add-on to the whole thing." As well as Royal Stafford, Heraldic Pottery in Newstead and Moorcroft in Cobridge also collapsed earlier this year, though the latter has since been purchased by the founder's grandson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links A California man who secretly filmed an 11-year-old Massachusetts girl while she changed clothes was sentenced to serve 16 years in prison in federal court on Tuesday, the Massachusetts U.S. Attorneys Office announced. Woodland resident Jacob Guerrero, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of sexually exploiting a child in August 2024 and one count of transportation of child pornography in May 2025, the U.S. Attorneys office said in a press release. Investigators began investigating Guerrero after learning of allegations that he tried to secretly record underage girls in bathrooms and changing rooms at the Wrentham Outlets, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He was accused of going into the bathrooms and changing rooms wearing a wig and womens clothing, then using pen cameras affixed to his shoes to record the videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of two weeks in 2021, Guerrero staked out the home of the victim, taking notes of times when she and her siblings showered, changed and went to bed, the U.S. Attorneys office said. On March 17, 2021, he climbed on top of a garage attached to the victims home and stood outside her second-floor bedroom window to record a video of her unclothed as she changed into her pajamas. He took similar notes on the comings and goings of children residing in several other Massachusetts homes. Mr. Guerrero targeted young children by tracking their moves and then even worse violated one young girls privacy while she was in the safety of her own home all for his own sexual gratification, Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said in the release. Investigators also discovered evidence suggesting that, in the summer of 2019, Guerrero filmed several minors as young as eight years old in New Jersey, the U.S. Attorneys office said. He pleaded guilty to those offenses in May 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guerrero was arrested and charged by criminal complaint on April 14, 2022, the U.S. Attorneys office said. Following the completion of his prison sentence, he will be subject to five years of supervised release. Jacob Guerrero is a deeply disturbed and dangerous man who devised a twisted plan to prey upon children, specifically to abuse and exploit them, FBI Boston Special Agent in Charge Ted Docks said in the release. With these hideous crimes, this predator has forfeited his right to walk among us and will be kept behind bars and away from children for quite some time. Members of the public who have questions, concerns or information regarding this case are advised to call 617-748-3274, the U.S. Attorneys office said. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. CRAVEN COUNTY, N.C. (WNCT) A California man was extradited to North Carolina on charges involving sexual exploitation of a 10-year-old that began through Snapchat. The incident was reported May 28, 2025. Lorenzo Diaz Jr., 21, of Sacramento, was identified as the perpetrator. On July 14, 2025, Diaz was arrested in California. Diaz is charged with first-degree sexual exploitation of a minor and indecent liberties with a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Diaz was jailed in the Craven County Confinement Facility under a $1 million secured bond. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Five California men have been indicted for posing as personnel with the Federal Bureau of Investigation while stealing hundreds of devices from a Portland shop. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California announced that Bay Area residents Cankun He, Hailong Ma, Robert Maynard, Yuxiang Wei and Jordan Cantie were all charged with conspiring to commit a Hobbs Act Robbery on July 22. Aloha High School changes logo after appropriateness of previous mascot was questioned Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The federal office reported that 31-year-old He, 30-year-old Ma and 25-year old Wei planned the robbery, while 41-year-old Maynard and 48-year-old Cantie conducted the robbery. Investigators said Ma also provided his four co-defendants with fake FBI jackets, bulletproof vests, zip ties and other supplies before they traveled from California to Oregon for the scheme that occurred on Monday, April 14. Court documents unsealed on Tuesday show that Ma and Wei waited near Faith Fly International, a reshipping business based in Portlands Parkrose neighborhood, as Maynard and Cantie drove into the parking lot while flashing blue and red lights that resembled police lights. According to the indictment, Cantie brandished a gun before he and Maynard forced workers inside, zip-tied and verbally threatened them. The co-defendants are accused of stealing 200 Apple iPhones and five cameras. They later returned to California, where they delivered the stolen phones to co-conspirators, the Attorneys Office alleged. Investigators claimed Ma, Wei, Maynard and other individuals also conspired to rob Premier Packaging another reshipping business in Hillsboro on Monday, May 19. Maynard, along with some co-conspirators who havent been indicted, were arrested that same day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Surveillance video shows arsonist torching early-learning center playground Federal officials reported that Wei and Ma were arrested later on Friday, Aug. 1, while He was arrested this Monday. Authorities are still searching for Cantie. The suspects are facing a maximum sentence of 20 years in person and a $250,000 fine which is or twice the gross gain for the count of conspiracy to engage in robbery affecting interstate commerce. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. By Akash Sriram (Reuters) -Uber is in talks with private equity firms and banks to secure funds to build its robotaxi business, CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said, as the ride-hailing giant bets on a mass roll-out of the nascent and much-scrutinized technology. Uber, which offers robotaxis from Alphabet-owned Waymo, has been strengthening its foothold in the self-driving taxi industry through partnerships with automakers such as Volkswagen and Lucid, just as Tesla seeks to expand its fledgling robotaxi business. Khosrowshahi on Wednesday pitched the tie-ups as part of a larger plan that involves three robotaxi business models: paying partners that own such vehicles a fixed rate, sharing revenue with fleet operators and owning vehicles while licensing software for self-driving technology. "We are talking to private equity players, we have talked to banks," the CEO said. "Once we prove the revenue model, how much these cars can generate on a per day basis, there will be plenty of financing to go around." For now, Uber said it was planning on using a "modest" portion of its around $7 billion in annual cash flows to fund deployments. It might also sell minority stakes in companies to aid the expansion, it said. Analysts have said that mass robotaxi deployment could lower driver-reliant Uber's operating costs and boost profitability. The company has been offering Waymo robotaxis on its ride-hailing app in Austin, Texas and Atlanta, Georgia. In April, Uber entered a deal with Volkswagen for thousands of autonomous electric vans in the United States over the next decade. It also struck a $300 million partnership in July that will allow it to deploy more than 20,000 autonomous taxis, made by EV startup Lucid and powered by self-driving tech from Nuro, over six years. Despite strong regulatory scrutiny, doubts about wider adoption, and high costs forcing many firms to shut down, Tesla and Waymo have been pushing to expand robotaxi services, a business Elon Musk has said could be worth trillions of dollars. Waymo is present in five U.S. cities, including San Francisco, while Tesla launched a limited robotaxi service in Austin in June and started ride-hailing operations in the Bay Area last month. Uber said it has not yet seen any changes in demand trends in Austin or San Francisco since Tesla's services were launched in the cities. "To a lot of these companies, it does seem this will be a worthwhile endeavor ... as there are lofty predictions about the robotaxi industry's total addressable market," said Ken Mahoney, CEO of Mahoney Asset Management. (Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru; Editing by Aditya Soni, Shinjini Ganguli and Lincoln Feast.) California and New York are signaling they will move forward with plans to redraw congressional lines as Democrats look to counter the Texas GOP. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Monday that Democrats are pursuing a plan to put mid-decade redistricting before voters, which could be triggered by what happens in Texas. And New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), appearing alongside Texas Democrats who fled to her state over the proposed maps Monday, embraced exploring every option to redraw congressional lines. Both states, however, face challenges with their plans and are unlikely to have new maps before next years midterm elections, when Republicans will be defending their narrow 219-212 House majority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Texas has done now is that: If you drive the car all the way off the cliff, theres no road. And I dont know if they realize exactly how far they may have pushed some other actors around the country, said Justin Levitt, a law professor at Loyola Marymount University who founded the database All About Redistricting. Texas Republicans proposed redistricting plan, which is backed by President Trump and could net the GOP several more congressional seats, prompted Texas Democrats to flee their state and break quorum, depriving the chamber of the numbers it needs to function. But while their move, which comes with significant legal and political hurdles for the participating state legislators, puts a pause on state House business, its unlikely to kill the proposal altogether. As a result, Democrats are eyeing opportunities to cancel out would-be Republican gains in the Lone Star State by redistricting to their benefit elsewhere. Newsom told reporters Monday that California is charging ahead with preparations for potential redistricting ahead of the midterms in response to the existential realities that were now facing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to fight fire with fire, Newsom said. We also will punch above our weight in terms of the impact of what were doing, and I think that should be absorbed by those in the Texas delegation. Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California. Leaders in the blue stronghold are considering a plan that would put mid-decade redistricting before voters during a special election this November, contingent on whether Texas moves forward with gerrymandered maps. Its cause and effect, triggered on the basis of what occurs or doesnt occur in Texas, the governor said. The plan would maintain the framework of Californias independent redistricting commission but allow for this mid-census redistricting to occur just for congressional maps in 26, 28 and 30, before revering to the existing system, Newsom explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sara Sadhwani, a member of the redistricting commission that redrew Californias lines in 2021 and a politics professor at Pomona College, said she stands by the Golden States current maps as a real win for democracy and for fair redistricting. However, certainly, as other states are going to engage in gerrymandering, extreme gerrymandering, it subverts the voices of Californians and American voters broadly speaking, she said. I can understand why Democrats would want to fight back. Sadhwani predicted Newsom and the California Legislature would need to campaign heavily if it goes through with the plans for a special election, due to the popularity of independent redistricting at both the state and local levels. Politico reported Tuesday that former Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) is ready to campaign against the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No doubt the governor and the Legislature would have their work cut out for them to convince voters that this is the right move, Sadhwani said. California could be Democrats best hope to counter Texas, as other states are even more unlikely to implement changes by 2026. Hochul on Monday said shes exploring options to redraw New York congressional lines as soon as possible, working on a legislative process and reviewing legal strategies to stop this brazen assault. You have to fight fire with fire, she said, adding alls fair in love and war. For Republicans, they could potentially be [in] a situation where there are no safe seats. Theyre vulnerable everywhere, said Democratic strategist Basil Smikle, a former executive director of the New York State Democratic Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a problem of the president and the partys own making because you want to play cute by doing this in Texas. Why would you think that thats not going to happen everywhere? That youre not going to give leave to Democratic governors to do the same thing? Smikle said. But in New York, where House maps were struck down by a court in 2022 for giving a partisan advantage to Democrats, there are hurdles for mid-decade redistricting. The state uses a redistricting commission, and maps are subject to the state Legislatures approval. The state constitution would also need amending, and that process requires two consecutive sessions before heading to voters so Democrats wouldnt have time to change things before 2026. Mid-decade changes in the Empire State would be very tricky, both politically and practically, said Jonathan Cervas, the redistricting expert who redrew New Yorks congressional lines in 2022. He was appointed by the state Supreme Court as a neutral special master after the earlier maps were tossed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its very unlikely to happen, certainly before the next election, Cervas said. It may not happen at all, because voters may reject the idea of giving up their system that is created for the purposes of creating a more even playing ground for voters. Meanwhile, the Texas developments are reverberating in other GOP states too. Ohio is set to push forward with redistricting that could impact two Democrat-held House seats, while Florida Republicans have floated plans to redraw their lines. Other blue states besides California and New York are also weighing their options. Leaders of Maryland and New Jersey have left the door open, though there would be fewer seats to grab in the smaller blue states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There could also be a path forward for Democrats in Illinois, where theres more midcycle flexibility. Illinois might be able to get creative with its approach to redrawing lines and squeeze the existing three GOP-held seats, Levitt suggested. But an aggressive gerrymander in the Prairie State could backfire, Cervas suggested, because then you cut the margins of the Democratic seats too thin and risk losing some of them, too. All that boils down to is that there are few legal ways for Democrats to counteract Texas, and there are very few practical ways of doing it as well, he added. These conversations come against the backdrop of a 2019 ruling by the Supreme Court that excessive partisan gerrymandering is a political issue, rather than a question for federal courts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you dont have recourse you do exactly whats going on here, which is the [Texas] Democrats leave town and Democrats elsewhere try to figure out how to punch back, Levitt said. Despite the challenges, efforts to engage in tit-for-tat redistricting arent exactly a shock to experts as both parties fret over thin margins in Congress and the high-stakes midterm season ahead. Politics is really on a knifes edge, where the control of Congress and our political institutions really comes down to just a few seats. And so trying to get advantage wherever you can, from political parties perspective, makes a lot of sense, Cervas said. Redistricting is a relatively inexpensive way to increase your [electoral] power, compared to the politics of shaking hands and winning over voters. Jared Gans contributed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. To Governments, International Organisations, Media Institutions, and Civil Society: We, the undersigned press freedom organisations, media organisations, journalists unions, and advocates of truth and transparency, demand an end to the forced starvation and targeting of journalists in Gaza by Israel. Journalists in Gaza are being starved to death. Not metaphorically. Not slowly. But deliberately, and in real time, while the world watches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One in three people in Gaza now goes days without food. Among the starving are journalists, the last independent voices still reporting from inside Gaza. These are the individuals whose courage keeps the world informed of the sheer humanitarian impact of Israels war on Gaza. Now, they are being forced to die from hunger. This is not incidental. This is a tactic. The suffering of journalists is not an accident; Israel is employing deliberate tactics to silence the truth by starving them. Since October 2023, over 230 journalists and media workers in Gaza have been killed. Those who remain, and their families, are subjected to constant targeting, intimidation, and denied their basic needs, and are now forced to choose between death by air strike or starvation. Their situation is dire and worsening day by day. Without immediate intervention by the international community, their lives are under serious threat, and they may not be able to continue reporting; their voices may fall silent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The journalistic community and the world bear an immense responsibility; it is our duty to raise our voices and mobilise all available means to support our colleagues in this noble profession. If the international community fails to act, the death of these journalists will not only be a moral catastrophe, but it will also be the death of truth itself in Gaza. Our inaction will be recorded in history as a monumental failure to protect our fellow journalists and a betrayal of the principles that every journalist strives to uphold. We, the undersigned, demand: Immediate Food and Medical access: Urgent delivery of food, clean water and medical supplies to all journalists in Gaza through protected humanitarian corridors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement International Media Access: End the blockade on foreign press entry into Gaza and allow global journalists to operate freely and independently. Accountability: Investigate and prosecute those responsible for the starvation and killing of journalists in accordance with international law. Sustained Protection and Aid: Commit to long-term protection mechanisms for journalists operating in conflict zones, with specific support for those reporting under siege. We refuse to stand by while truth dies. We refuse to let our colleagues perish from hunger. Signed: Al Jazeera Media Network Arab Organisation for Human Rights in the UK Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aidan White, Founder, Ethical Journalism Network Center for Defending Freedom of Journalists (CDFJ) Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor Federation of African Journalists Geneva Global Media Center (GGMC) International Press Institute (IPI) International Media Support (IMS) Index on Censorship James Foley Foundation John Williams, Executive Director, The Rory Peck Trust National Press Club (NPC) & NPC Media Freedom Center National Union of Somali Journalists (NUSOJ) Reporters Without Borders (RSF) We call for immediate action. Now. #justice4journalists Bangkok has urged Phnom Penh to retrieve the bodies of its soldiers killed during five days of clashes between the Southeast Asian neighbours, but an image posted on social media does not show Cambodian protesters making the same demand of their leaders. The picture predates the conflict by a fortnight and depicts market vendors protesting a provincial government crackdown on their stalls. "Khmer people revolt!! Protest continues," reads part of the Thai-language text superimposed on an image viewed more than 40,000 times on TikTok since it was posted on August 3, 2025. "Cambodians urge Hun Sen to search for frontline soldiers who cannot be contacted. Martyred for the country but left as a corpse without family." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hun Sen is Cambodia's former leader, who retains an influential role in government. His son, Hun Manet has led Cambodia since 2023. The image shows a group of people holding up photos and signs. Screenshot of the false TikTok post captured on August 4, 2025, with a red X added by AFP The same image also circulated in similar TikTok posts. It surfaced after Thailand and Cambodia agreed a truce on July 29, following five days of clashes that killed at least 43 people on both sides -- the latest eruption of a long-standing border dispute (archived here). The conflict also drove more than 300,000 from their homes, and kicked off a disinformation blitz as Thai and Cambodian partisans alike sought to boost the narrative that the other was to blame (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bangkok Post reported that Thailand's Deputy Defence Minister Nattapon Narkphanit had called on Cambodia to retrieve the bodies of its fallen soldiers left at the border -- adding that any delay would "demean their honour and dignity" as well as pose a health risk to nearby villages (archived link). The circulating image, however, does not show Cambodian protesters also demanding their government retrieve the bodies. Market vendor protest A reverse image search on Google led to footage posted on YouTube on July 11 -- two weeks before the latest border clashes (archived link). The falsely shared image appears to be a still from this footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its Thai-language caption reads: "Livestream from a Cambodian market. Merchants protested aggressively, asking Hun Sen to help with an incident at Chhnuk Trou Market Kampong Chhnang on July 11, 2025." Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared image (left) and the YouTube clip shared on July 11 (right) A further keyword search led to a similar clip shared on the Facebook page of Cambodian news website CJ News on July 11 (archived link). "Citizen Journalist Report: Vendors in Chhnuk Trou Market asked Hun Manet for help as Kampong Chhnang authorities forcibly dismantled their stalls," the Khmer-language post reads. Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared image (left) and the CJ News post (right), with corresponding elements highlighted by AFP AFP has also debunked other misinformation related to the conflict between Cambodia and Thailand. August 6, 2025 Corrected headline to say "image" instead of "clip" Researchers in Brazil have invented a genius method for noninvasively collecting hair samples from wild jaguars using only a common household item. Even more amazingly, the method draws upon a striking similarity between jaguars and house cats. The Brazilian Amazon is the largest remaining contiguous jaguar habitat in the world, serving as home to an estimated 10,000 wild jaguars, according to the Wildlife Conservation Society Brazil. As an apex predator, jaguars play an important role in maintaining the health of the Amazonian ecosystem. Scientists studying the impact that human activities like mining and urban expansion have on Brazilian jaguars use hair samples to monitor the levels of toxins such as mercury in the animals' bodies, according to Discover Wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, collecting these samples can be difficult and dangerous, both for researchers and for the cats. Scientists sometimes need to trap the jaguar in order to collect a hair sample from a specific animal. To improve these practices, researchers have attempted various noninvasive methods of hair collection, leaving substances like Velcro and sticky tape in areas where they knew the jaguars liked to hang out. But nothing seemed to work. "These big cats are agile, intelligent, and sensitive," said Paul Raad, founder and president of the Institute for Mitigation of Environmental Problems with Traditional Communities and Jaguars, per Discover Wildlife. Then, seemingly out of nowhere, Raad received inspiration from an unexpected source. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then one day, I got into a friend's car and she apologized for the mess her dogs made, saying, 'I can't get their hair out of this floor mat it's stuck!'" Raad told Discover Wildlife. "That's when the light bulb went off: We need mats made of that material." Raad and his team then returned to the jaguars' favorite areas with similar mats, placing them on branches and in other locations where they knew the jaguars would go. The results were even better than Raad and his colleagues had hoped for. Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "They love lying on the rugs and scratching them, which is exactly what we want, as it helps them leave hair behind," Raad explained to Discover Wildlife. Raad expressed amazement at "how much they resemble house cats in this regard!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using trail cameras set up to monitor the mats, researchers were able to identify the individual jaguar from which the samples had come, making this relatively cheap, simple hack a win-win for the researchers and the animals. Because the newly discovered method for collecting hair samples involves such an inexpensive, widely available product, it puts such research within the reach of organizations that previously could not afford it. "Until now, biological banks and sample access were usually restricted to large international NGOs with significant funding, often not local," Raad said of nongovernmental organizations. "We wanted to democratize jaguar science so that it doesn't remain in the hands of only a few." In some ways, Raad believed that the relative lack of funding available to Brazilian scientists has made them more resourceful, forcing them to rely on "abundant creativity and determination" instead of money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To do science, sometimes all you need is ingenuity and dedication," Raad added, per Discover Wildlife. 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. PINE RIDGE RESERVATION, S.D. (KELO) Autumn Two Bulls is a mother and grandmother who wants safer days for kids on the Pine Ridge Reservation and beyond; she has plans for a campaign focused on gun safety. Im trying to really get within the communities and talk about, if youre going to be a gun carrier, to get a permit, to register with the tribe, work with the law enforcement, said Two Bulls, who lives near the town of Pine Ridge. Were not trying to take away gun rights. Not at all. Were trying to ensure that we have safety in our community. Judge blocks construction of a new school at Ramona Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its going to bring healing to us because we have to talk about this gun violence, Two Bulls good friend Julie Richards said. We have to talk about the people weve lost. Richards, who is also a mother and grandmother, wants to help with the effort. She brings up the loss of 19-year-old Ashton Provost and Provosts unborn child to nearby gun violence in 2023. Thats the main one that comes to mind when I think of this gun violence because she should be here and her baby should be here, Richards said. Two Bulls sees the campaign including people going into communities and speaking about gun safety. And she makes clear that this is not anti-gun messaging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were not trying to say you cant carry a gun, Two Bulls said. Were trying to make people responsible gun carriers in our community. Two Bulls wants Bryan Brewer involved in the effort. The Navy veteran sits on the Oglala Sioux Tribes veterans committee. Hes also president of Oglala Lakota Countys school board, and hed like to see lessons on gun safety sink in for kids. How to use them, how to respect the weapon themselves and use them in a good way with hunting, things like that, Brewer said. We have a lot of game here. A lot of people hunt, which is really great. It helps especially with the economy. And across South Dakota, hunting season will arrive soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guns are, I think, a privilege to communities for hunting rights, for sport, not to be utilized as intimidation or threatening the community, Two Bulls said. Two Bulls, Richards and Brewer are all members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Mexicos president hosted senior Canadian ministers for talks as two of the biggest US trading partners prepared responses to Washingtons tariffs. President Claudia Sheinbaum said both countries agreed to strengthen ties ahead of next years scheduled review of the US-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. US President Donald Trump hit Ottawa with a 35% duty on many exports, but Mexico managed to postpone a 30% tariff for 90 days, highlighting the two countries differing approaches to dealing with the US leader: While Sheinbaum has spoken repeatedly with Trump, Canadas leader said he would do so only when it makes sense, The Globe and Mail reported. If you have recently woken up to skies that look like dusk and smell like smoke, you are not alone or witnessing any new phenomenon. In the summer of 2023, Wisconsin residents also lived for weeks under skies darkened from the Canadian wildfires, a disaster that burned over 37 million acres and blanketed the Midwest in a toxic haze. Milwaukee recorded some of the worst air quality in the nation during this event, with the air quality index reaching levels classified as hazardous for all residents. Everyone was forced to adapt: schools kept children inside during recess, and hospitals saw an increase in patients suffering from respiratory issues. Today, we are seeing the devastating effects of prolonged wildfires in California. While the smoke from the Los Angeles fires may never reach us here in Wisconsin, climate change more than doubles the chances of hot, dry weather, fueling fire seasons into months-long catastrophes. Wisconsin could see wildfire smoke from north and southeast This also means states not previously known for fire threats are now vulnerable to such disasters, including West Virginia, Virginia, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, and Florida. This would mean that Wisconsin has a very real possibility of being flanked by the effects of wildfires from both the north and the southeast, which does not bode well for our struggling air quality. For Wisconsinites, this is a stark reminder that the climate crisis affects all people and is not a distant threat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opinion: Boundary Waters sacred to Midwesterners. Mine would be devastating to wilderness | Opinion Wildfires also contribute to global ozone production, accelerating climate change and endangering human health. These fires release molecules smaller than half the size of a grain of pollen, known as particulate matter. Particulate matter molecules are so small and light that they can travel across continents, linger in the atmosphere for weeks, and easily penetrate the lungs and bloodstream once inhaled. Short-term exposure to particulate matter can exacerbate asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory illnesses. Prolonged exposure to particulate matter has been linked to an increased risk of heart disease, stroke, and lung cancer. These events are direct threats to public health, particularly for vulnerable populations like children, the elderly, and those with ongoing health conditions. For Wisconsin, this is an especially pressing issue. Asthma rates in the state are higher than the national average, affecting approximately 6.2% of children and 10% of adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Milwaukee, communities of color and low-income neighborhoods are disproportionately affected by poor air quality due to their proximity to industrial areas and limited access to healthcare. During the wildfires, families in these communities faced heightened risks, compounded by inequities that make recovery and protection even harder. An asthmatic child in Madison unable to join summer festivities or an elderly farmer in Green Bay struggling to breathe while tending to their crops these are the human faces of climate inaction. Urban green spaces and reforestation can help combat wildfires Fortunately, there are solutions. Locally, cities can expand urban green spaces, which reduce air pollution and disperse heat. Federally, a series of bipartisan bills aim to address wildfire prevention and recovery. For example, the Western Wildfire Support Act of 2024 (S.1764) funds wildfire-resistant housing and landscaping. The Strengthening Wildfire Resiliency Through Satellites Act (HR 9908) provides funding for satellite technology to detect fires early. Opinion: A small Whitefish Bay wetland provides recreation and benefits worth preserving | Opinion The Post-Disaster Reforestation and Restoration Act (HR 10325) supports communities with fire-resistant infrastructure and reforestation projects. These initiatives require public support and political will to pass, but they represent tangible steps toward reducing the impacts of wildfires and protecting vulnerable communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smoke-filled skies over Wisconsin are a warning sign we cannot ignore. Inaction would mean our days of clean air and blue skies are numbered. Wildfire smoke is more than a health hazard its a call to action. By reducing emissions, investing in climate sustainability, and supporting wildfire prevention initiatives, we can protect the health, safety, and joy of current and future generations across the country. We cannot wait for the next summer of stifling smoke to act or for the wildfires to affect more states. The time is now to contact your legislators to demand the bold change we desperately need. Find and contact your house representative here and your senators here. The authors are medical students at the Medical College of Wisconsin. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Smoke-filled skies are a warning sign we cannot ignore | Opinion CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCBD) With the November municipal elections fast approaching, candidates for several local races can now make their campaigns official. The filing period opened August 4 and runs through August 18 at noon for nonpartisan races in Charleston, Mount Pleasant, and Hollywood. Here are the races on the ballot this fall: City of Charleston Half of the 12 seats on Charlestons City Council are up for grabs, with a mix of incumbents and newcomers having already announced their intention to run. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbent Councilman Kevin Shealy has filed for reelection in District 2, which encompasses portions of West Ashley from Interstate 526 to Bees Ferry Road to the Ashley River and a stretch of Savannah Highway to the south. In District 4, longtime incumbent Councilman Robert Mitchell will face at least one challenger in his bid for reelection from Aaron Polkey, the President & CEO of Palmetto Project. Mitchell has represented the district, which stretches from Calhoun Street to the northern portion of the peninsula, since 2002. Another long-serving incumbent, Councilman William Dudley Gregorie, has also filed for another term to represent District 6. The district encompasses the western portions of the peninsula, extending from Calhoun Street to slightly north of Mount Pleasant Street. Councilman Mike Seekings announced he would seek a fifth consecutive term representing District 8, which extends from the Battery and South of Broad to Calhoun Street, including lower King Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mac Deford announces run for SC Congressional seat Councilman Stephen Bowden, who has represented District 10 since 2021, said July 22 that he would run for reelection but has yet to file officially. The district covers several West Ashley neighborhoods north of Bees Ferry Road. A competitive race could await in District 12, where incumbent Councilwoman Caroline Parker has not indicated whether she plans to run again. Two challengers Deanna Miller and Leslie Skardon have launched campaigns for the James Island seat. Voters will also elect a Commissioner of Public Works, who is tasked with overseeing public water, sanitation, and infrastructure services. One candidate, Kathleen G. Wilson, had filed for the office as of August 6. Town of Mount Pleasant Mayor Will Haynie will face at least one challenger Irvin Evans in his bid for a third term as mayor of Mount Pleasant. Haynie has not yet filed, according to records from the South Carolina Election Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four seats on the town council will also be on the ballot. Councilman Mike Tinkey is the only candidate to have filed as of August 6. The filing fee is $150. Town of Hollywood Three seats on the Hollywood Town Council will also be decided this November, though no candidates have officially entered the race. Councilmembers are elected at-large and serve four-year terms. Candidates must reside in Hollywood, be registered to vote in Charleston County, and pay the $35 filing fee to seek office. The general election will be held on November 4, 2025. For more information on local races or to check your voter registration status, visit scvotes.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. Anders Ibsen and John Hines, the former and current council members for Tacomas District 1, were leading in the race for Tacoma mayor in the Aug. 5 primary as polls closed on election night. Ibsen and Hines held 35.71% and 19.97% of the vote respectively, according to election results posted just after polls closed Tuesday night. Steve Haverly was the next candidate with the highest number of votes, with 15.25%, closely followed by Whitney Stevens with 14.38%. Jesus Jesse Carlos received 11.48% of the vote, and Anthony (Tony) Ginn received 2.92%. Pierce County officials will continue to gradually release election results until certifying the election on Aug. 19. The top two vote-getters in the primary will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tacomas next mayor will replace Victoria Woodards who has held the seat for eight years now reaching Tacomas two-term limit for mayors. The winner of this years general election will take on the role of mayor for four years in a time of significant transition for the city, which could see five new members of the City Council. The newly selected council will also be in charge of selecting a permanent city manager and will be involved in the search for a permanent police chief. Ibsen served two terms on the council until his second term ended in 2019 and has most recently worked as a managing broker at Windermere Real Estate, according to his website. Hes backed by state senators Yasmin Trudeau and TWina Nobles, as well as groups including unions like the Tacoma Education Association and United Food and Commercial Workers Local 367. Ibsens priorities include making homeownership accessible to Tacoma residents and addressing the root cause of crime. Hines is serving his second term on the council after he was first elected in 2019. He has touted his work experience as a teacher and educator at Tacoma Public Schools on his campaign website. Hes backed by council members Olgy Diaz, Kristina Walker, Sandesh Sadalge and Sarah Rumbaugh, and groups like the Tacoma firefighters union, the Rental Housing Association of Washington and the Tacoma Pierce County Association of Realtors, according to his website. His priorities include finding solutions for homelessness in Tacoma and preventing crime, according to his website. Ibsen told The News Tribune on election night that he was grateful to the other mayoral candidates who ran in the primary for the classy campaigns they ran and said that the city chose accountability and progress on election night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the first time Ibsen and Hines have run against each other in a Tacoma election they last competed against each other in the race for District 1 in 2015. Though Ibsen emerged victorious, it was by a single-digit margin, The News Tribune reported then. I personally like John, if Im successful, Ill be working with him for two years, Ibsen said of running against Hines again. I think that it has less to do with how I feel about him as a person or running against him its more just the different approaches we bring, and I think the voters have spoken. Hines told The News Tribune on Tuesday night that he was excited to be moving on to the general election. With six candidates in the primary, he said he knew the results of the election were going to be hard to predict. We both represented the same part of the city here in the North and West End, and now its about talking to the voters we both represented, and then getting out in the rest of the city and talking about who is right to be the next mayor the city of Tacoma, Hines said of Ibsen. Joseph Shepard and LaWanda DeShazer will face off in the November general election for the open District 1 Wichita City Council seat. Shepard led decisively with 1,745 votes. DeShazer followed with 743 votes, according to unofficial results on election night. Im proud to be Black, Im proud to be LGBTQ. Im proud to be a man of faith, Shepard said to a small group of supporters at his downtown Wichita apartment building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im going to use the intersectionalities of my identities to open the doors of City Hall to everyday people, but our work is not done. Wichita City Council candidate Joseph Shepard reacts after the second update from the Sedgwick County election office showed him with a commanding lead in the District 1 race. Former District 1 council member Lavonta Williams and current council member Brandon Johnson were among the small group at Shepards watch party. I did my best to build upon Lavontas work, and I believe Joseph will build upon the work that weve done, Johnson said at the watch party to supporters. When the final batch of results dropped around 8 p.m. on Tuesday night, DeShazers watch party erupted in cheers and hugs. Tomorrow, Im sleeping but after that, its back on the trail. Its back to letting the voters know the difference between me and the other candidate, DeShazer told The Eagle at her watch party at Love & Co Kitchen and Cocktails. Its back to knocking on doors, making phone calls, and letting the citizens know whats at stake, because we are two different candidates. LaWanda DeShazer reacts to finding out she is one of the top two candidates to move on to the general election. She held a gathering at Love & Co Kitchen and Cocktails. The major difference is I would not accept funds from anybody that has a proposal with the city, DeShazer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shepard raised $39,683 since he announced his candidacy earlier this year, according to campaign finance reports. DeShazer brought just over a quarter of that, $10,048. Some of those donors are developers who have done work with the city, including Crystal Prairie Lake area developer Jay Russell. Shepard said his results showed clear support from the community. People are resonating with our message and our message is this: Weve got to come together to solve the kitchen table issues that matter to everyday people, Shepard said. Weve got to fix our infrastructure, weve got to challenge the economic challenges, weve got to work on building out communities, and weve got to build trust between people and local government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 1 includes the core of Wichita, with parts of downtown, and generally stretches north to city limits and east to Rock Road. Keith Reynolds voted at Risen Savior Lutheran Church in District 1 on Tuesday. He cast his vote for Shepard. Im familiar with Joseph Shepard when he was the student president at Wichita State, Keith Reynolds said. Ive heard him speak as well, and I firmly believe he would be open for all people. And thats what my primary concern is [that] I want people in those offices that have the concerns and the ear and the heart for all people. Phyllis Simmons, a voter at Atwater Community Center, said she voted for DeShazer because Ive done some things with her, and I like her background in Christianity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other candidates in the primary race were Chris Pumpelly, with 601 votes, Aujanae Bennett with 405 votes and Darryl Carrington with 145 votes. Pumpelly has already endorsed DeShazer for the general election. While I regret I did not move forward today, [I] am honored to fully endorse Lawanda DeShazer to be our next city council member! Pumpelly said in a Facebook post. Wichita stands at a crossroads, and we only get one chance at this folks. Seats for District 3 and 6 also are up for election in the general election on Nov. 4. In District 3, incumbent Michael Hoheisel will face Genevieve Howerton. In District 6, incumbent Maggie Ballard will face Brett Anderson and Margaret Shabazz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City council races are nonpartisan, meaning parties do not hold primaries or caucuses and party affiliation does not appear on the ballot. Members are elected for four-year terms by district. Council member pay recently was raised to $57,985.20 a year. Contributing: Ainsley Smyth of The Eagle Valued at a market cap of $13.2 billion, Franklin Resources, Inc. (BEN) is a publicly owned asset management holding company that provides its services to individuals, institutions, pension plans, trusts, and partnerships. The San Mateo, California-based company offers a range of mutual funds, including equity, fixed income, balanced, and multi-asset strategies. It invests across public equity, fixed income, and alternative markets. This asset management company has underperformed the broader market over the past 52 weeks. Shares of BEN have gained 14.9% over this time frame, while the broader S&P 500 Index ($SPX) has surged 18.4%. Nonetheless, on a YTD basis, the stock is up 23.9%, outpacing SPXs 7.6% return. More News from Barchart Narrowing the focus, BEN has also lagged behind the Financial Select Sector SPDR Funds (XLF) 23.4% uptick over the past 52 weeks. However, it has outperformed the ETFs 7.4% rise on a YTD basis. www.barchart.com Despite delivering a stronger-than-expected Q3 performance on Aug. 1, shares of BEN dipped marginally after the earnings release. Primarily due to lower investment management fees, the companys operating revenue dropped 2.8% year-over-year to $2.1 billion. However, the top-line figure exceeded the consensus estimates by 3%. Meanwhile, its adjusted EPS also decreased by 18.3% from the year-ago quarter to $0.49, but surpassed the analyst expectations of $0.48. A 200-basis-point year-over-year fall in its adjusted operating margin impacted its profitability. These declines, despite the headline beats, may have contributed to the slight dip in investor confidence. For the current fiscal year, ending in September, analysts expect BENs EPS to decline 13% year over year to $2.08. The companys earnings surprise history is mixed. It met or topped the consensus estimates in three of the last four quarters, while missing on another occasion. Among the 12 analysts covering the stock, the consensus rating is a "Hold" which is based on two Strong Buy, five "Hold, one Moderate Sell, and four Strong Sell ratings. www.barchart.com This configuration is slightly more bullish than two months ago, with one analyst suggesting a Strong Buy rating. Voters in Wayne County communities flocked to the polls on Tuesday, Aug. 5, to vote for various proposals and to whittle down the number of candidates for mayors and city council members for the November election. Several cities, such as Dearborn, did not have primary elections for elected positions because of a lack of candidates, sparking concerns for some about the lack of participation this year in local politics. Across Wayne County, including in Detroit, there were 47 elected positions that did not have primary elections on Aug. 5 due to an insufficient number of candidates as required under state election law, Wayne County records show. Election results 2025: Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some cities did not have any primary election at all because none of the positions had enough candidates; in addition to Dearborn, the cities without an election for candidates on Aug. 5 were: Flat Rock, Gibraltar, Grosse Pointe Farms, Harper Woods, Riverview, Rockwood, Romulus and Southgate. In Westland, the fourth largest city in Wayne County, there is no election for mayor this year because Westland Mayor Kevin Coleman is running unopposed. Here's a look at some of the races: Taylor race for mayor, council heats up over towing contract Taylor Mayor Tim Woolley and former city councilman Herman '"Butch" Ramik will square off against each other in November in the race for mayor of Downriver's largest city. Woolley got 70.86% of the vote while Ramik got 17.95%, according to fully reported Wayne County results. The two other mayoral candidates were Timothy Long, who got 6.7% and David Mortensen, who got 4.49%. In the race for Taylor treasurer, Amira Garza got 44% of the vote and Nicone Dragone got 31%; the two will compete against each other in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martin Drouillard and Tedario Edmond were eliminated in the race for City Council, receiving the fewest votes among 16 council candidates. The top 14 vote-getters will advance to the November election for seven council seats. Taylor currently has only six city council members because a vacant position has not been filled for more than a year. A lot of the campaigning this year has focused on a controversy over towing contracts. Woolley last year approved a city contract with J&T Crova Towing Enterprises for towing in the city after the city council deadlocked 3 to 3 on choosing them over Area Towing, which has contracted with the city for years. Some residents and candidates have complained that Area Towing often overcharged customers, unaware of the costs when getting their vehicles towed. After a lawsuit was filed, Wayne County Judge Brian Sullivan ruled on April 29 that Woolley "lacks authority to unilaterally award the contract." Ramik and Long, who opposed Woolley's decision, have noted that J&T Crova Towing's president of operations, Louay Hussein, and family members, donated thousands of dollars to some city council candidates. Ramik, a former Taylor city councilman, said "pay to play" is "alive and well in Taylor." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In my 15 years on Taylor City Council I have never seen a contractor like Louay Hussein" giving large sums of money to those running for public office, Ramik said. Long told the Free Press he's running to "expose all forms of waste, fraud and abuse." He said some candidates are "taking money from a towing company so they will help J&T get a big contract with the city." Woolley did not return a message seeking comment. J&T Crova Towing said in a Facebook post that Taylor residents were "exploited" under Area Towing and defended their campaign contributions. "If it takes funding every campaign that's willing to clean house at city hall, we'll do it," the company said. "We will not stop until there's a council that answers to the public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous mayor of Taylor, Richard Sollars, is currently serving time in prison for bribery. Livonia voters reject controversial $150 million bond proposal In Livonia, with 100% of precincts reporting, voters soundly rejected a bond proposal for municipal facilities, with about 67% voting against it and 33% voting for it, according to Wayne County voting results. There was an intense debate in recent months over the $150 million bond proposal to fund a new library, new police station, a 2-acre central plaza, pathways from parks to the city's civic center campus and to expand and renovate fire stations, Hometime Life reported. If approved, the proposal would have cost an average homeowner $144 a year. It was supported by Mayor Maureen Miller Brosnan. Livonia, like other suburbs in metro Detroit, is trying to develop more walkable areas, but faces an aging population. The city's population has been declining over the past 20 years and was at about 95,000 residents in the 2020 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Livonia Built Bond Proposal is a commitment to our citys future," Brosnan told the Free Press in a statement through a spokesperson. "This investment would upgrade police and fire facilities and create new spaces where our children can learn and play and our community can celebrate together. The goal is to build the infrastructure that keeps our residents and attracts young families. But opponents, who have spoken out against the plan at City Council meetings, say it's a tax increase for unnecessary projects. "I do not support the $150 million dollar bond," city council candidate Patrick Brockway told Hometown Life. "While I understand it took a long time to put together, it incorrectly handcuffs first responder needs to luxury projects the city does not require. It results in the destruction of Bennett Library and much woodland. We can do better as a city." There are 19 council candidates running for four seats; the primary will narrow that down to eight candidates for the November election. Dearborn Heights council chair top vote-getter in race for mayor Dearborn Heights Council Chair Mo Baydoun and Councilwoman Denise Malinowski Maxwell will advance to the November election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a four-way race for mayor, Baydoun got 58.49% of the vote, 4,163 votes, and Malinowski Maxwell got 26.88%, 1,913 votes, according to results from the city and county clerk's offices. Dearborn Heights is a small suburb of 63,292 residents that has seen contentious fights over the years, with members of the council often battling amongst themselves and with the mayor. Dearborn Heights Mayor Bill Bazzi is not running for reelection because he was picked by President Donald Trump in March to be ambassador to Tunisia. Bazzi, an immigrant from Lebanon who endorsed Trump in October because he said Trump promised to end war in the Middle East, became the first Muslim to become mayor of Dearborn Heights in January 2021 when the council chose him after Mayor Dan Paletko's death. Bazzi was then elected by voters in November later that year with 72% of the vote. The other two candidates who ran for mayor were Lena Arzouni, a real estate investor and former bank manager who got 7.74% of the vote and Hussein Anani, president of Dynamic Glazing Systems, a glass and mirror shop in Detroit, who got 6.65%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baydoun, listed as Mohamad Baydoun in his Wayne County finance records, co-owns an ice cream shop, The Custard Company. Malinowski Maxwell lost against Bazzi in 2021. Baydoun has raised $210,297 so far this year, according to his campaign report filed July 29 with Wayne County. He has spent $131,972 in his mayoral campaign with a current balance of $80,825. He was fined by Wayne County for filing his report past the July 25 deadline. His contributors include Wayne County Deputy Executive Assad Turfe, who gave him $1,000, and Dearborn Heights 20th District Court Judge David Turfe, who donated $200. The amount raised and spent by Baydoun is unusually high for a small suburb, said some opponents. "The amount of money being spent campaigning is unbelievable," Malinowski Maxwell told the Free Press. "The position only pays a certain amount and I personally can't justify spending more money than I would make in a year." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current salary for the mayor of Dearborn Heights is $111,508, with a proposed increase to $113,738, according to city records. Malinowski Maxwell is spending her own money for her campaign. She raised $8,000, which she donated to her campaign, according to Wayne County records. "I have ran a clean and frugal campaign," she said. Anani and Baydoun did not return messages seeking comment. Baydoun, an outspoken critic of Israel, drew attention in 2023 when he canceled a previously scheduled ice cream social with state Sen. Sylvia Santana, D-Detroit, at The Custard Company, which he co-owns, with locations in Dearborn and Dearborn Heights, because he was upset with Santana visiting Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bazzi, who often spars with Baydoun, said he endorsed Arzouni. "I will never endorse Mohamad Baydoun, who can not even run a meeting," Bazzi said. "How can he run a city? His meetings are chaotic and keeps insulting the staff. ... He is focused on himself and his circle." Over the past couple of years, Dearborn Heights has seen squabbles among city officials and the police department over staffing and accusations of bias. A group of white police officials filed a lawsuit last year in federal court alleging anti-white bias and ageism, saying that Arab American elected officials prefer officers who are "young and Arab." Arzouni said in a statement emailed to the Free Press: "I am tired of the antics of our elected officials and sympathize with the residents' frustrations. ... As a businesswoman and throughout my 25 years of experience in management, it is time to put my leadership experience to use in helping this city." Patent official is top vote-getter in Hamtramck mayoral race In the race for mayor in Hamtramck, Adam Alharbi, a former campaign manager for current Mayor Amer Ghalib, and Councilman Muhith Mahmood will advance to the November election. Alharbi received 53.62% of the vote, 1,931 votes, and Mahmood received 28.85%, 1,039 votes, according to results provided to the Free Press by Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj. In the race for three seats on the city council, the six candidates who will advance to the November election are Councilman Abu Musa, who got 1,129 votes; Nayeem Choudury, 1,053 votes; Yousuf Saed, 909 votes; Motahar Fadhel, 900 votes; Abdulmalik Kassim, 814 votes, and Luqman Saleh, 812 votes. The top vote-getters in both the mayoral and council races, Alharbi and Musa, respectively, supported Trump during his campaign last year. Diane Elizabeth Frkan, the only woman among 14 candidates for council, came in seventh place, with 751 votes, narrowly missing the chance to compete in November. Frkan told the Free Press on Election Day she was running in part to show that women can also run for office. Hamtramck has no women among its elected officials and will continue to have an all-male City Council and mayor after Tuesday's results. As in Dearborn Heights, the mayor, Ghalib, was not running for reelection because Trump picked Ghalib in March to be ambassador to Kuwait. There were four candidates running for Hamtramck mayor: Alharbi, a former campaign manager for Ghalib who works at the United States Patent and Trademark Office in the Commerce Department; Mister Bangladesh, a former journalist; Khan Hossain, a validation product chief at Stellantis, and Mahmood. Hossain received 13.05% of the vote and Bangladesh got 2.83%. Hossain told the Free Press on Election Day he was running to help improve the image of Muslims in elected office. Hamtramck's city council and mayor are all Muslim, the only all-Muslim council in the United States. Bangladesh, an immigrant from Bangladesh, was born as Dewan Mahmud Chowdhury, later changing his name to reflect "love for my motherland," the council candidate told the Free Press. Voters cast ballots at Hamtramck High School in Hamtramck, Michigan, on Nov. 5, 2024. Alharbi and Mahmood did not return messages seeking comment. Alharbi is part of a group of Muslims in Hamtramck who engaged with Republicans and the Trump campaign over the past couple of years. In 2023, he and Ghalib visited an evangelical church in Sterling Heights to meet with retired Gen. Michael Flynn, who later came to Hamtramck for a town hall with Muslims. When Trump rallied in Hamtramck in October with Ghalib and others, Alharbi was in the front rows. If elected, Alharbi, an immigrant from Yemen, said on Facebook that he will work on "creating a new Yemen Town to attract visitors and boost local economies." He also said that he will work to reduce water rates, which he said are too high. Mahmood faces allegations he does not live in the city, claims he has denied. State Police are currently investigating the allegations. There are also currently investigations in Hamtramck regarding the alleged actions of the city manager and police chief and of alleged voter fraud involving absentee ballots in 2023. Ghalib, who endorsed Trump last year, told the Free Press he supports Alharbi, but "did not officially endorse anyone" because he wants to abide by the Hatch Act, which restricts political activity by federal employees. While he hasn't yet been confirmed by the Senate to be ambassador, I'm "trying to be careful since there was no specific time for confirmation," Ghalib said. "However, I do support Adam Alharbi for Mayor, and wish city council candidates the best of luck." It's unclear when the Senate will vote on confirming Ghalib and Bazzi. Ghalib said he supports candidates who "would like to continue with the same vision of my team," and opposes the candidates who "want to reverse everything, disregarding the loud voice of the community and resisting any efforts to change." Romulus school proposal fails In Romulus, voters rejected by 54% to 46% a building and site Bond Proposal for the Romulus Community School District, according to Wayne County results. Free Press intern Aurora Sousanis and Hometown Life reporter Susan Bromley contributed to this report. Contact Niraj Warikoo: nwarikoo@freepress.com, X @nwarikoo or Facebook @nwarikoo This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Wayne County elections for mayor, council, bond proposals heat up YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Itll be one year Wednesday that the sale of adult-use recreational marijuana began in Ohio. How sales have been depends on who you talk to. Last Thursday, after the Green Leaf Therapy marijuana dispensary closed for the day in Struthers, co-owner Cory Groner showed our cameras around the business. Green Leaf opened two years ago, selling medical marijuana, and started recreational sales when it was allowed on August 6, 2024. The display cases are filled with the packaging of edibles, vapes, oils, and flowers sold at the store. Its been good. Were very thankful. Rec has definitely increased our volume, probably close to three times, so its been exciting, Groner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More moneys coming in because more people are coming in. Our busy days back then were about 200 patients a day. Now, we have days of 600, 650, almost 700 people a day, Groner said. Brian Kessler owns Riviera Creek, which grows marijuana and processes marijuana products out of a building close to downtown Youngstown. Im thrilled that any consumer that wants interactive cannabis now has something that is just a much lower chance of harming them, so thats been great, Kessler said. While dispensaries like Green Leaf tripled in sales, statewide sales were below what was expected. I believe we had targeted, when the market is mature, it should be between $2 and $3 billion annually in sales. I think were coming in around $1 billion in the first year, Kessler said. Kessler and Groner are hoping sales increase once Ohio legalizes pre-rolled joints, which look similar to a cigarette. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pre-rolls are not available yet, but we think they will be probably before years end, Kessler said. You know, everyones really itching for the prerolls. Thats one of the biggest things Ohios missing, Groner said. Ohio also doesnt allow for the advertising of marijuana. Kessler wants it treated like alcohol. So regulated, controlled advertising would be great, Kessler said. Kessler also wants regulation on what he calls intoxicating hemp products, also known as Delta 8, which are often sold at convenience stores. This illegal hemp can get to children. Its packaged in things that look like something a kid should buy, Kessler said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Groner would like most is for the federal government to change marijuana from a Schedule 1 controlled substance to a Schedule 3. It would put Green Leaf in the category of a liquor store. We all think its ridiculous in the first place. Like I cant have a normal bank account at a normal bank or anything like that. It just doesnt make sense because the IRS taxes us more than a normal business, Groner said. Both men also agreed that fears that the legalization of marijuana would result in one big party have not happened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CHAPLIN, Conn. (WTNH) A Canterbury man was arrested Tuesday morning after allegedly breaking into a home early Tuesday morning, according to Connecticut State Police. A woman accused Travis Stimson, 50, of forcing his way through a back door and starting an argument with a friend staying with her at approximately 5:15 a.m., police said. Suspect in custody after home burglary reported in Chaplin The woman said Stimson had previously lived at the home and had previously broken down the back door, but she did not report it, and the back door was held shut by screws, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stimson left the home once the victim threatened to call the police. State police, including multiple K9 teams, and Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection officers searched for Stimson. During the investigation, police discovered Stimson had an active arrest warrant stemming from an incident in Chaplin in June when witnesses reported seeing a man unconscious in a vehicle with his foot on the brake in the parking lot. Police discovered an allegedly uninsured vehicle abandoned with drug paraphernalia in plain sight after Stimson had fled the scene. At approximately 9:46 a.m., state police arrested Stimson without incident after he was seen in the backyard of a residence on North Windham Road. Stimson was charged with: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Third-degree burglary Third-degree criminal mischief Disorderly conduct Two counts of interfering with an officer/resisting Possession of drug paraphernalia Illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance Illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license Stimson was held on a cumulative $75,000 bond and arraigned at Danielson Superior Court. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. CANTON, Ill. (WMBD) Police are trying to identify a suspect involved in a burglary at a Canton bowling alley. The Canton Police Department is seeking the publics help in identifying a suspect in a burglary at Linn Lanes, according to a Facebook post by the department. The post said the burglary took place early on July 27. It also said the suspect was captured on surveillance footage. Canton Bowling Alley Burglary Suspect Police are investigating the case and ask anyone with information to reach out to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who recognize the suspect are told to contact the Canton Police Department at (309) 647-5131 or send them a message on their Facebook page. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. The Brief Elias Rodriguez will face federal hate crime charges for the May shooting that killed two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. Rodriguez allegedly shouted "Free, free Palestine" after the attack and was detained by museum security shortly after. Rodriguez could face the death penalty. WASHINGTON - The suspect in the deadly Capital Jewish Museum shooting in May will be charged with federal hate crimes. What we know Elias Rodriguez, the man suspected of gunning down two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. outside the Capital Jewish Museum, will be charged with federal hate crimes per FOX News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez has a hearing in federal court on Friday, where more details will be shared. It's possible that the Department of Justice could seek the death penalty. The backstory Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago was observed pacing outside the museum a night prior to the shooting on May 22, according to MPD. After the shooting, he allegedly walked into the museum and was detained by event security. As he was taken into custody, Rodriguez chanted, "Free, free Palestine," according to police. 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when Rodriguez approached their group and opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio that Milgrim was an American employee of the embassy and Lischinsky was Israeli. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said the couple were preparing to get engaged. He said that Lischinsky had purchased a ring the week of the shooting and planned to propose in Jerusalem. The Source This story includes reporting from FOX News and previous reporting from FOX 5 DC. This story was originally published on Marketing Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily Marketing Dive newsletter. As the price of Super Bowl ads rises with 30-second spots reportedly going for more than $8 million earlier this year brands continue to find new ways to tap into attention around the big game without paying to be in it, including by focusing on the post-game Monday. Fast-food chain Carls Jr. this year iterated on a Free Burger Day concept from 2024 by offering free Hangover Burgers on a day it rechristened National Hangover Day. Key to Carls Jr.s Super Bowl-adjacent campaign was social media star Alix Earle, who starred in a spot that nodded to the racy ads the chain was known for in the 2000s and 2010s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The partnership was one of the top-performing campaigns that ran in the days leading up to the Super Bowl, with an Instagram post that notched a 47% engagement rate and helped the brand secure a 91% increase in followers, per Metricool social data shared with Marketing Dive. We didn't have a spot in the Super Bowl, but we had so much buzz on social media, between the free giveaway and the campaign itself, said Kara Gasbarro, vice president of creative strategy at Carls Jr. parent CKE Restaurants. It was a nice fit for us to reintroduce Carl's Jr. to a younger audience. Carl's Jr. nightclub experience Carls Jr. has worked to build on the success of the National Hangover Day campaign by iterating on its partnership with Earle, an influencer with 7.5 million TikTok followers who has also linked with brands like Poppi, Pantene and Hawaiian Tropic for a series of efforts. Beyond her reach and increased profile, Earle presented an opportunity for the chain to pair with an ambassador as bold and audacious as its menu offerings. We met Alix where she was, as far as being authentic, Gasbarro said. That was really important to us with audiences, especially a very social-forward, young audience you want the content to feel fun and buzz-worthy, but you want it to feel real what she would say, and how she would say it. Cheesy nostalgia The chain in May hosted Club Carl's, turning a Los Angeles location into a one-night-only after-hours party (an opportunity for the brand to capture content) featuring Earle, a DJ and a chance to craft a personalized Build Your Own Bag value offering. Earlier this month, Carls Jr. teamed with Earle again as part of a Kay So? campaign that promotes a Queso Crunch Burger that features cheese sauce and tortilla strips. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the spot, Earle enjoys a night at a club where everything she sees from shot glasses, to going-out tops, to lip gloss is made of queso. Eventually, Earle heads to a drive-thru to satisfy her craving, and as she takes a bite of the burger, Paris Hilton pulls up in a Bentley and updates her signature catchphrase to match the campaigns play on words: Kay, so thats hot. Adding Hilton to the mix allowed Carls Jr. to tap into nostalgia, a ubiquitous part of cultural marketing for the past few years. Hilton starred in an infamous 2005 ad that was typical of the chains advertising, which can be best summarized as blondes in bikinis eating burgers. Earles efforts for the brand have shared that tone, which Carls Jr. had not set out to mimic. From a strategy perspective, it really was trying to find that authentic fit versus going back and recreate what we did before, Gasbarro said. I don't think it was intentional this is what an audience today would react to. While Earle and Hilton have featured in traditional TV ads for the brand, Carls Jr. has worked to extend the campaigns in other paid and owned channels, as well as those of their brand ambassadors. Like other fast-food and QSR chains, loyalty is also a key part of its multichannel strategy; customers using the chains app unlock more options for the Build Your Own Bag offering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it comes to something like a loyalty platform, how can we make it unique and different and reward that behavior? Gasbarro said. How can we grow those platforms to make them more interesting and unique for the consumers? Recommended Reading In the popular Japanese anime One Piece, black flags bearing a skull with a straw hat are carried by a rowdy crew of pirates who have made it their mission to challenge a draconian regime and fight for freedom. But in July, these emblems started popping up across Indonesia along doorways, on the backs of cars, and painted on walls. For many, they were a response to Indonesian leader Prabowo Subianto's call for Indonesians to fly their national red and white flag ahead of the country's Independence Day on 17 August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, some Indonesians chose to raise these pirate flags, known as Jolly Rogers, as a symbol of their discontent, with many criticising what they say is an increasingly centralised government led by Prabowo. But the movement has not been well received by all. Earlier last week, the country's Deputy House Speaker criticised the flag displays, calling it an "attempt to divide the nation". Another lawmaker even suggested it could be treason. One Piece, first published in 1997 as a manga by Eiichiro Oda, is one of the most popular franchises in the world. The manga has sold more than 520 million copies while the TV series has run for more than 1,100 episodes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The series has a large and dedicated fan base in Indonesia, where Japanese anime is well loved. In the same way the pirates in the series, led by their leader Monkey D Luffy, raise the Jolly Rogers as a symbol of freedom against their government, some Indonesian residents say raising the flag is a "symbol that we love this country, but don't completely agree with its policies". The anime reflects the injustice and inequality that Indonesians experience, said Ali Maulana, a resident of Jayapura city in the Papua province. "Even though this country is officially independent, many of us have not truly experienced that freedom in our daily lives," he told BBC Indonesian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For him and many others, the decision to fly the flag was a response to a speech given by President Prabowo in late July. "Raise the red and white flag wherever you are. Red represents the blood shed for our independence, white represents the purity of our souls," Prabowo had said. Dendi Christanto, who owns the Wik Wiki apparel store in Central Java, said he has received "thousands of orders" for the flags following the president's speech. "Since the end of July, I received hundreds of orders a day from all over Indonesia," Dendi told news outlet Jakarta Post. Some top officials however, have been less than impressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy House Speaker Sufmi Dasco Ahmad, widely regarded as Prabowo's right-hand man, described the movement as "a coordinated attempt to divide the nation". "We must collectively resist such actions," he had said earlier last week. Another lawmaker from the centre-right Golkar Party, Firman Soebagyo, suggested that displaying these flags could even amount to treason. But on Tuesday, the country's state secretary minister Prasetyo Hadi said the president himself had "no objection" to the flags as a form of "creative expression". "However, it should not be used to challenge or diminish the significance of the red and white flag. The two should not be placed side by side in a way that invites comparison or conflict," his office said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Indonesia, there are no laws that restrict the display of fictional flags, but the law stipulates that if they are flown alongside the red-and-white national flags, the country's flag must always be hoisted higher. Police in the capital Jakarta have said they are "monitoring the use of non-national flags and symbols that don't align with the spirit of nationalism, including pirate or fictional-themed flags". In February, thousands of Indonesians took to the streets to protest against budget cuts and legislative changes to allow the military a bigger role in government [EPA] 'A threat to national security' Indonesia's hard-won democracy, the third largest in the world, has faced growing challenges in recent years. Its popular former leader Joko Widodo rose to power as a promising democrat, but his one-of-us image lost some of its sheen towards the end of his second term, when he revived the death penalty for drug traffickers and appointed Prabowo, a controversial ex-general, as his defence minister. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Public frustration has intensified since Prabowo took over as president last October. In February, thousands took to the streets to protest budget cuts and legislative changes that would allow the military to take a bigger role in government. "The red-and-white flags are too sacred for us to raise now," said one user on Instagram, in a post that has been widely shared. And while some lawmakers have criticised the display of the Jolly Rogers, others say they accept it as a form of public expression. They are a way for people to "convey their expectations", said Deputy Home Affairs Minister Bima Arya Sugiarto. "Such a form of expression is a natural phenomenon in a democracy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This kind of symbolic action is better than street protests that could turn violent," said Deddy Yevri Sitorus from the opposition Democratic Party of Struggle. Because of One Piece's popularity among Indonesians of all ages, the flags have offered a way to "raise awareness around political issues in a different and unique way", said Dominique Nicky Fahrizal, a researcher at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. And for some Indonesians, the government's mixed response to the Jolly Roger underscores the symbol's power. "By treating a cartoon flag as a threat to national security, they have inadvertently validated the entire premise of the protest," Farhan Rizqullah wrote on the Medium publishing platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have shown that the dream of Monkey D Luffy, the simple, unwavering desire to be free, is the one thing they truly fear." Additional reporting by Arie Firdaus in Jakarta and Muhammad Ikbal Asra in Jayapura SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) A Caseys store on Sioux Citys west side has announced it is closing its doors for good. Signs posted on the windows at the convenience store stated that the location would be permanently shutting its doors on August 17. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Caseys employee told KCAU 9 News that the reason behind the closure was due to damage throughout the structure, including roofing and flooring problems. The store is located on the corner of Casselman and West 19th Streets, less than a block away from both West High School and Loess Hills Elementary School. The future plans for the building and the property are currently unclear. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL) A settlement was reached between the City of Wichita Falls and a woman who filed a lawsuit against the city-owned Castaway Cove waterpark, claiming her son was injured on a waterslide. Court documents showed that on July 25, 2025, a final judgment was filed with the 89th District Court, approving the settlement, calling it fair and reasonable, and saying it was in the best interest of the minor. According to the judgment, an undisclosed amount will be paid out to the minor in the form of three lump sum payments over the next ten years from an annuity purchased by the City of Wichita Falls. The City will also pay for legal expenses and fees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The original lawsuit was filed in June 2025, seeking monetary relief over $250,000 and all the other relief to which this party feels entitled to. According to the original petition, on June 20, 2023, a child visited Castaway Cove, a waterpark owned by the City of Wichita Falls, with his mother and his brother. The original lawsuit claimed that while the child had attempted to ride Cliffhanger, the lifeguard on duty released his foot from the childs inner tube before he was ready to go down the slide, causing the child to become scared and grab on to the railing to keep himself from going down the slide. The lawsuit claimed that the child was then hanging in midair on the outside of the slide, and held long for as long as he could before he lost his grip and fell 40 feet to the ground and sustained severe injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the lawsuit, the damages sustained by the child included: Physical pain and suffering (past and future) Mental anguish (past and future) Medical expenses (past and future) Physical impairment and disfigurement Loss of enjoyment of life The City of Wichita Falls initially responded to the lawsuit, asserting a general denial and demanding a trial by jury. However, a settlement was reached outside of court just over a week after the City filed its response. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Texomashomepage.com. BOSTON (WWLP) Over 3,000 pages of court documents tell the story of former Cannabis Control Commission leader Shannon OBriens firing and why she is fighting to be reinstated. The former CCC Chair was fired in September 2024 by State Treasurer Deb Goldberg, after nearly 20 hours of private meetings and two outside investigations. These documents represent the first time transcripts of the closed-door conversations have been made publicly available. The documents show that the treasurer cited several alleged instances of misconduct as reasons for the firing, including alleged instances of race-based, or at a minimum, culturally insensitive comments. OBrien is also accused of bullying a former CCC executive head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States wary of shift in federal disaster response OBrien denies all allegations, and says she faced insubordination from CCC staff as well as personal turmoil with Treasurer Goldberg when she brought up firing the executive head she is accused of bullying, a former Goldberg deputy. These documents also show a deeper culture of mistrust and unprofessionalism within the CCC, as internal emails show bickering, repeated use of phrases like I dont work for you by staffers to dismiss orders from commissioners, and assessments and criticisms of coworkers abilities. The perception of the CCC as ineffective and toxic was present on Beacon Hill before the release of these documents as well, as the House voted unanimously to overhaul the structure of the CCC, leaving all hiring and firing power to the governor earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looking forward, OBrien is seeking to be reinstated to her role with backpay, and the treasurers office maintains that it was a valid and above-board firing. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. EU halts 93-bln-euro tariffs on U.S. goods despite members' dissent Xinhua) 08:56, August 06, 2025 Photo taken on May 23, 2025 shows European Union flags at the European Commission headquarters in Brussels, Belgium. U.S. President Donald Trump on Friday threatened a 50 percent tax on all imports from the European Union as well a 25 percent tariff on Apple products unless iPhones are made in the United States. (Xinhua/Zhao Dingzhe) The European Commission's spokesperson Olof Gill said the suspension would remain in place for six months, but if commitments are not met, the EU retains the right to reactivate its countermeasures. BRUSSELS, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The European Commission on Tuesday formally suspended planned retaliatory tariffs on U.S. imports worth 93 billion euros (about 108 billion U.S. dollars), just days before they were due to take effect. The Commission's trade spokesperson, Olof Gill, said the decision was adopted under an emergency procedure and will require formal approval by a simple majority of member states within two weeks. The tariffs were scheduled to take effect on Aug. 7. "The Commission has today adopted necessary legal procedures to suspend the implementation of our European Union (EU) countermeasures," Gill told a press briefing in Brussels, adding that the regulation would be published in the EU's official journal later the same day. Ahead of this announcement, there has been mounting criticism from key member states, including France and Germany. German Vice Chancellor and Finance Minister Lars Klingbeil has expressed frustration at what he described as a "weak" negotiating stance by the EU during the trade talks with the United States. "I think we were too weak. We can't be satisfied with the result that was achieved," Klingbeil said, referring to the agreement reached late last month between European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and U.S. President Donald Trump. This photo taken on Dec. 16, 2024 shows the German Bundestag in Berlin, Germany. (Xinhua/Du Zheyu) Under the deal, most EU imports to the United States will face a 15-percent tariff, while the bloc has pledged to purchase more American energy products and increase investment in the U.S. market. Gill expressed surprise at Klingbeil's remarks, noting that member states had been "fully briefed" and had supported a negotiated outcome to avoid tariff escalation. The spokesperson said the suspension would remain in place for six months, during which implementation of the broader understanding would continue. If commitments are not met, Gill noted, the EU retains the right to reactivate its countermeasures. (1 euro = 1.16 dollar) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) By Nazrin Abdul A meeting was held between the Commander of the Azerbaijani Navy, Captain 1st Rank Shahin Mammadov, and the visiting Commander of the Pakistan Navy, Admiral Naveed Ashraf, Azernews reports, citing the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense. The official welcoming ceremony included both commanders reviewing a ceremonial guard of honor, followed by the playing of the national anthems of Azerbaijan and Pakistan. As part of the visit, the Pakistani delegation paid tribute to Azerbaijans National Leader Heydar Aliyev by laying flowers at his monument located on the military base. During the meeting, the two sides held extensive discussions on the future development of cooperation between the Azerbaijani and Pakistani naval forces. They emphasized the importance of experience-sharing between naval crews and explored opportunities for broader collaboration. Later, the Pakistani guests visited the Azerbaijani Naval Forces base, where they were briefed on the Navys structure, operational capabilities, activities in the Azerbaijani sector of the Caspian Sea, as well as conditions created for personnel, training procedures, and the organization of combat duty. As part of the visit, the delegation also toured the Navys N military unit. Following the visit, the guests observed a demonstration by Azerbaijani naval special forces. Arlington, Virginia-based The Boeing Company (BA) is a leading global aerospace and defense manufacturer that designs, produces, and supports commercial jetliners, military aircraft, satellites, and space systems across over 150 countries. With a market cap of $167.8 billion, Boeings operations span the Americas, Indo-Pacific, Europe, and internationally. The aircraft manufacturer has gained 25.6% on a YTD basis and 30.8% over the past 52 weeks, outshining the S&P 500 Indexs ($SPX) 7.6% rise in 2025 and 18.4% gains over the past year. More News from Barchart Zooming in further, Boeing has notably lagged behind the industry-focused SPDR S&P Aerospace & Defense ETFs (XAR) 30.8% gains on a YTD basis and 51.2% surge over the past year. www.barchart.com On July 29, Boeing reported its Q2 2025 earnings, highlighting a strong recovery with total revenue surging 35% year-over-year to $22.7 billion, fueled by a 63% increase in commercial jet deliveries and steady growth across its defense and services segments. Commercial airplane revenue soared 81% to $10.9 billion, while the companys total backlog expanded to $619 billion, backed by more than 5,900 aircraft orders. Boeing also made notable progress on the bottom line, with its core loss narrowing to $1.24 per share, beating Wall Streets projections. However, its shares dipped 4.4% post earnings release amid negative margins in its commercial aircraft unit, certification delays for key models like the 737 MAX 7/10 and 777-9, and ongoing safety and regulatory scrutiny. For fiscal 2025, ending in December, analysts expect BAs loss per share to narrow 88.5% year-over-year to $2.34. However, the company has a mixed earnings surprise history, having surpassed the estimates in two of the past four quarters while missing on two other occasions. Boeing holds a consensus Strong Buy rating overall. Of the 26 analysts covering the stock, opinions include 20 Strong Buys, two Moderate Buys, and four Holds. www.barchart.com This configuration is slightly more bullish than a month ago, when 19 analysts gave Strong Buy recommendations. On Aug. 1, BofA Securities analyst Ronald Epstein reiterated a "Buy" rating on Boeing and raised the price target from $260 to $270. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention warned Americans to take "enhanced precautions" while traveling to China over an outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus. The agency issued a fresh travel warning this month saying that cases of the illness are rapidly spreading in Guangdong province, with most being reported in the city of Foshan. Chinese health officials said more than 7,000 cases have been confirmed there since June 2025. "Most people infected with chikungunya virus develop some symptoms. Symptoms of chikungunya usually begin 37 days after a bite by an infected mosquito," according to the CDC. "The most common symptoms are fever and joint pain. Other symptoms may include headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash. Most people get better within a week; however, some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People at risk for more severe disease include newborns infected around the time of birth, older adults (65 years or older), and people with medical conditions such as diabetes or heart disease. Death from chikungunya is rare," the CDC added. "There is no specific treatment for chikungunya." Rare Tick-borne Virus Causing Neurological Symptoms Diagnosed In Northeastern State A sanitation worker sprays insecticide to prevent the spread of the Chikungunya virus on Aug. 3, 2025 in Dongguan, in the Guangdong Province of China. In Foshan, efforts to combat the virus include drones being sent out to identify mosquito breeding sites, workers spraying residents with mosquito repellent before allowing them into buildings and mosquito-eating fish being released into ponds, the New York Times reported. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control said that as of July, there had been around 240,000 global cases of the chikungunya virus across 16 countries and territories. The cases have been linked to 90 deaths. The CDC said in addition to China, there are outbreaks in countries including Bolivia, Kenya and Sri Lanka. Americans traveling to Brazil, Colombia, India, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, the Philippines and Thailand also are at elevated risk of exposure to the virus. Doctors Reveal Key Signs Of Lyme Disease As Tick Season Intensifies Across Us Workers carry out maintenance work on green spaces during an operation aimed at mosquito control amid a sharp rise in Chikungunya virus cases on July 25, 2025 in Foshan, China. "You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors," the CDC said in its advisory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Vaccination is recommended for travelers who are visiting an area with a chikungunya outbreak," the CDC continued, noting that there are currently two approved chikungunya vaccines in the U.S. A staff member carries out disinfection work at a hospital amid an outbreak of chikungunya on July 23, 2025 in Foshan, China. "Seek medical care immediately if you develop fever, joint pain, headache, muscle pain, joint swelling, or rash during or after travel," the CDC advised. Original article source: CDC issues China travel warning over chikungunya virus outbreak The Brief U.S. kindergarten vaccination rates declined slightly again last year, according to the CDC. Federal data also shows the number of children with vaccine exemptions reached an all-time high. Some medical experts say theyre concerned. Its that time of year when school is right around the corner, and health officials are urging parents to get their children vaccinated. This year, however, there are some additional concerns. What we know The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention released new data last week which shows that during the 2024-2025 school year, vaccination coverage among kindergartners in the U.S. decreased for all reported vaccines from the year before, ranging from 92.1% for diphtheria, tetanus, and acellular pertussis vaccine (DTaP) to 92.5% for measles, mumps, and rubella vaccine (MMR) and polio vaccine, the organization said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials also said that exemptions from one or more vaccines among kindergartners in the U.S. increased to 3.6% from 3.3% the year before. What they're saying "It concerns me greatly as a pediatrician," Dr. Jesse Hackell, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on the Pediatric Workforce, told FOX 5. "No child should suffer either illness or death from a disease that we can prevent." "We really try to emphasize repeatedly that vaccines are safe and effective," Hackell continued, "and that the benefits of vaccinating far outweigh the very small risks of vaccinating for most children." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked for comment, a CDC spokesperson sent Fox 5 a statement, saying: "CDC released new data on vaccination coverage and exemption rates among kindergartners for the 20242025 school year. The data show the majority of U.S. children continue to receive routine childhood vaccinations, helping protect schools and communities from preventable diseases. The decision to vaccinate is a personal one. Parents should consult their healthcare providers on options for their families." "Vaccination remains the most effective way to protect children from serious diseases like measles and whooping cough, which can lead to hospitalization and long-term health complications." "CDC is committed to working closely with state and local partners by providing tools, resources, and data that help communities promote vaccine access and awareness. The agency will continue to track coverage rates nationwide and support gold-standard, evidence-based efforts that keep children safe and healthy." What you can do Area health departments are urging parents to get their children vaccinated ahead of the new school year. That includes in Maryland, where the Department of Health launched a social media campaign and Governor Wes Moore has named August "Immunization Awareness Month." Editors Note: An earlier version of this story stated Senator Katie Britt (R-Ala.) did not respond to questions for comment. Her statement is now reflected below. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) Wednesday will mark the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a landmark piece of legislation that was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The law prohibited discrimination based on race, color or language status and secured protections for blind, disabled or illiterate voters in registration and voting across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill, most recently reauthorized in 2006 under the Bush administration, made progress towards voter equality. The Voting Rights Act that broke the segregationist lock on the ballot box rose from the courage shown on a Selma bridge one Sunday afternoon in March of 1965. On that day, African Americans, including a member of the United States Congress, John Lewis, marched across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in a protest intended to highlight the unfair practices that kept them off the voter rolls. President George W. Bush, July 2006 LINK: Sen. Warnock Reintroduces the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act The VRA of 1965 has been amended and reauthorized multiple times since its original passage. It has come under criticism more recently as some democrats say voter suppression still exists now. Maya Wiley, president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, is part of more than 200 groups now calling for passage of the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin (D- Ill.) joined Wiley and others in Washington, D.C., where the bill was introduced in the Senate. He was a new member of Congress when he was invited to Selma, Alabama, by Congressman Lewis. It was a moment of my public life Ill never forget, Durbin said. I walked down that Edmund Pettus Bridge right next to John Lewis and he told me the story of that day, that day when he was in Selma. That day Lewis shared with Durbin, was Sunday, March 7, 1965, Bloody Sunday. A then 25-year-old Lewis led more than 600 marchers across the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma. They were brutally attacked. The violence captured the nations attention and energized the civil rights movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AP POLITICS: Democrats try again to revive the Voting Rights Act but face long odds U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D- Ga.) says the John Lewis bill is needed today. We all have value, and if we all have value, we all should have a voice. Sen. Reverend Raphael Warnock (D-Ga.) Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) says the new iteration of the bill is a power grab by Democrats. Over the past several election cycles, both Republicans and Democrats have had serious concerns about election integrity, Tuberville said. If we dont have safe, fair elections, we dont have a country. Unfortunately, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act has nothing to do with voting rights it is a federal takeover of elections. While I support the heroic actions of leaders like John Lewis who fought to secure voting rights for millions of Americans, this bill has nothing to do with that its a desperate power grab for Radical Democrats. Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) RELATED: Nearly 500,000 voters to be purged from Georgia voter list Sen. Katie Britt (R-Ala.) believes the decision should be left to the states. John Lewis was an incredible leader in Alabama and played a crucial role not only in Alabamas history but in our entire nations. His legacy deserves to be celebrated. Senator Britt said. Upholding the integrity of our electionswhether through voter ID laws or by ensuring that only U.S. citizens are votingis paramount. The Supreme Court has been clear in its rulings: this is an issue that should primarily be left in the hands of the state, and I support these decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The deadline has come for New York schools to implement bell-to-bell cell phone restrictions that require all students to put their devices away for the entire school day. New York schools face August deadline to finalize cell phone rules All schools and BOCES programs were due to have specific policies published by August 1. WROC has compiled a list of where districts in our area stands. Rochester City School District: According to the Rochester City School District website, the policy said students are generally prohibited from using internet-enabled personal devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) during the school day on school grounds to minimize distractions, protect mental health, and ensure safety. The district is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smart devices could soon be banned in Rochester school classrooms Communication: Parents must contact students through school staff; students may call home using school phones if allowed. Device Storage: Elementary: Devices must be silenced and turned in. Middle & High School: Devices must be silenced and stored in designated areas. Exceptions are allowed for: IEP/504 plans, Medical needs, Translation, Family caregiving (case-by-case), Teacher-approved educational use (must be registered and used on district network) Bloomfield Central School District: The district is prohibiting student use of personal internet-enabled devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches, earbuds, laptops, etc.) during the school day on school grounds, including instructional and non-instructional times. Devices supplied by the district for educational purposes are exempt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District staff may monitor, inspect, or confiscate devices if policy violations or illegal activities are suspected; law enforcement will be involved if necessary. Device use is banned in private areas like locker rooms, restrooms, and health offices, and students may not post images or recordings of others without permission. Exceptions allowing device use include: authorized educational purposes, healthcare management, emergencies, translation services, caregiving responsibilities (with approval), legal requirements, and uses specified in IEPs or Section 504 plans. Brockport Central School District: Starting September 1, 2025, Brockport Central School District will prohibit student use of personal internet-enabled devices during the entire school day. This includes lunch, recess, study halls, and passing periods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Grades (PreK12): Devices must be powered off or in airplane mode before the school day begins and kept stored until dismissal. PreK5: Devices stored in cubbies or lockers. Grades 612: Devices stored in lockers or backpacks. Exceptions are permitted for medical needs or translation support, with documentation and approval from the school principal. Parents should call school offices for urgent messages. Students can use school phones if needed. ParentSquare remains the primary platform for district updates. Enforcement: 1st offense: Reminder. 2nd: Device held until end of day. 3rd+: Parent must retrieve device. Further violations may result in additional disciplinary action. Locking bags are under consideration for repeat offenders. Canandaigua City School District: Students are prohibited from using internet-enabled devices (e.g., phones, smartwatches, tablets) during the school day on school grounds or buses, unless specifically permitted. Storage Requirements: Primary/Elementary: Devices discouraged; if brought, must be silenced and stored in lockable cubbies. Middle/High School (Academy): Must be silenced and stored in lockers or a secure area. Buses: Devices must remain silenced and stored (K5 students). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communication Protocol: Parents can contact students through the school office or by email. Students may respond via district devices only. Allowed Exceptions (with approval): Medical needs (with documentation), Translation services, Family caregiving responsibilities (case-by-case), IEP/504 requirements, Emergencies Enforcement & Discipline: Repeated violations handled with progressive discipline or restorative practices Devices may be held by school staff; security not guaranteed Policy violations may lead to disciplinary action under the Code of Conduct Testing: Devices are not allowed during state exams Must be surrendered to staff before testing or admission will be denied Gates-Chili Central School District: The Gates-Chili Central School District has developed a policy, in consultation with stakeholders, to prohibit students from using personal internet-enabled devices (such as smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches) during the entire school day on school grounds, including instructional and non-instructional times (e.g., lunch, recess, passing time). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exceptions are allowed for health management, emergencies, translation services, caregiving responsibilities, legal requirements, or if usage is specified in a students IEP or Section 504 Plan. Students must keep these devices silenced and stored in designated locations (lockers, cubbies, hooks) during the school day. The District is not responsible for lost, stolen, or damaged devices. Parents or guardians can contact students during school hours through the school office via phone or written notes. Discipline for unauthorized device use includes verbal warnings, confiscation, detention, loss of privileges, and parent notification, but suspension solely for device use is prohibited. East Irondequoit Central School District: Cellphone management plans were put in place by the East Irondequoit Central School District for each school. Each schools policy can be viewed here. Hilton Central School District: Hilton Schools announced students must power down and store devices once inside school buildings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Devices Covered: Cell phones, earbuds, smartwatches, smart glasses, Oura rings, and similar tech. Usage Guidelines: Devices allowed on buses before/after school. Must be off and stored during the entire school dayincluding lunch, hallways, and study halls. Phones provided in main offices for student use; parents must call the school to reach students. Exceptions: Medical needs (e.g., diabetes monitoring) with documentation; Emergency access permitted if necessary. Enforcement: 1st offense: Device held until end of day; 2nd offense: One detention; 3rd offense: Two detentions; Refusal to comply may result in additional consequences Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Middle & High School: Students will use non-locking Cadet Honor Pouches to store devices. School Chromebooks will be available with headphones. Elementary School: Little change; enforcement may be slightly strengthened if needed. Penfield Central School District: Elementary students (Pre-K5) are not allowed to bring personal electronic devices to school at all, including on the bus. Middle and high school students (Grades 612) must store their devices, powered off, in secure pouches for the entire school day including during class, lunch, recess, study halls, and even hallway passing time. Students are also discouraged from bringing non-internet devices like fitness trackers, headphones, e-readers, or music players. If brought, they must also be turned off and stored. The policy cites concerns over distractions, discipline issues, mental health, and emergency safety. In emergencies, unauthorized device use can interfere with school protocols and spread misinformation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Exceptions are allowed for students with documented medical needs (e.g. diabetes), IEP or 504 accommodations, translation needs, or family caregiving responsibilities (case-by-case). Additionally, students may be allowed to use personal devices for educational purposes but only if pre-approved by the school and connected to the districts internet under strict guidelines. Enforcement follows progressive discipline, ranging from reminders to confiscation. Repeated violations may lead to students turning in devices daily or further disciplinary action under the districts Code of Conduct. Parents are encouraged to contact students through the school office during the day, and students must go through school staff to contact home. Pittsford Central School District: In Pittsford, superintendent Michael Pero says elementary students will be required to keep phones in their backpack for the duration of the school day. Meanwhile, middle and high school students will need to keep them silenced and in their lockers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pittsford superintendent details phone ban plans ahead of statewide deadline Pittsford will allow students to get acclimated for the first few days of the school year. After that, violations will result in verbal warnings, followed by a meeting with parents. After further offenses, there is potential for detentions or in more serious cases, in-school suspension. Pero addressed what will happen should a parent need to get in touch with their child and vice versa. Its not even about emergencies, I dont think. Losing that contact with your child during the school day is an emotional feat. Thats something I think well have to overcome and its something that will come over time. As a parent, I would love to check in. I was definitely guilty of this. Its going to be hard not to reach out. And for students, its going to be hard not to send a text to their mom or dad or guardian to say, Im not feeling well, can you come and pick me up? Theyre now going to have to go to the nurses office and its going to have to go back to the old school [ways of] using a phone to call home. Parents and guardians can call school at the main office, and well get messages to students. But, it will be a significant change, said Pero. Pero says he recognizes this will be an adjustment for students, parents, and staff but says the district is equipped to adapt with the changes. Theres going to be bumps in the road, for sure. I think we need to stay focused on the big picture, which is our students deserve a distraction-free environment, he said. Rush-Henrietta Central School District: The district bans student use of personal internet-enabled devices (phones, tablets, smartwatches) during the school day on school grounds to reduce distractions and support safety. Elementary: No devices allowed at school or on buses; Junior High & High School: Devices must be powered off and stored in lockers all day. Exceptions allowed for IEP/504 plans, health needs, emergencies, and approved educational uses. Parents can contact students during the day through designated methods such as the main office phone or email. Students in grades 6-12 have lockers for device storage; younger students have classroom cubbies. Devices must remain unseen and silent throughout the day. Violations may lead to disciplinary action following the districts Code of Conduct, with progressive or restorative approaches for repeated infractions. Spencerport Central School District: To support a safe and focused learning environment, the Spencerport Central School District prohibits student use of personal technology (e.g., phones, tablets, smartwatches) during the school day, including all instructional and non-instructional periods. Key Rules: Elementary students : Cannot use personal technology on school grounds or District transportation. Middle & High School students : Must store personal devices in lockers or designated pouches during the day. Exceptions : Approved use for medical needs, emergencies, or as outlined in a students IEP or 504 Plan. Privacy areas (e.g., restrooms, locker rooms, Health Offices): Device use is strictly prohibited. Enforcement: Violations may lead to disciplinary action per the Districts Code of Conduct. Students cannot be suspended solely for violating this policy. The District may inspect or confiscate personal technology when policy or law violations are suspected but is not responsible for lost or damaged items. Parent Communication: Parents may contact students through the schools main office. Families are informed of procedures annually and at enrollment. Webster Central School District: According to a release by the Board of Education, Webster students are prohibited from using internet-enabled devices (smartphones, tablets, smartwatches, etc.) during the school dayincluding lunch, recess, study halls, and field tripson school grounds, unless an exception applies. Exceptions include: authorized educational use, health care needs, emergencies, translation services, legal requirements, use specified in a students IEP or Section 504 Plan Communication: Parents can contact students through the schools main office or by dropping off written notes. These methods are shared with families annually and at enrollment. West Irondequoit Central School District: Effective September 1, 2025, the West Irondequoit Central School District will prohibit student use of personal internet-enabled devices, such as smartphones, smartwatches, and tablets, throughout the school day and anywhere on school grounds. Devices must be powered off and stored in student lockers during the entire school day, including lunch, recess, passing time, and study halls. Devices may only be used if approved by a teacher or principal for an educational purpose, required for a medical or emergency need, or needed for translation or specified in an IEP or 504 Plan The ban applies only to devices capable of internet access. Basic phones without internet access are not restricted. Parents can contact students during the day via school office phone, designated school email, district messaging apps, written notes dropped off at the main office No suspensions will result solely from violations. Responses may include warnings, confiscation, detention, or parent contact. Repeat violations may lead to progressive discipline District officials say the new policy supports focus, learning, and student well-being. Families will receive written notice of how to communicate with students under the new rules. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. WELD COUNTY, Colo. (KDVR) The Weld RE-4 School District is banning cell phone usage on campuses this year. The announcement was made public late last week. List: 2025-2026 start dates for Colorados biggest school districts A press release says the district engaged in a multi-faceted process, involving extensive research on children and cell phone use, as well as consultation with parents, teachers, and the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penalties range from a cell phone being handed over to the school office, retrievable at the end of the day, to cell phone confiscation. The district is made up of Windsor, Severance and western Greeley. Classes for all students begin Aug. 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. The Center for Puppetry Arts in Atlanta has partnered with NYUs INSIGHTS into Childrens Temperament program to enhance social and academic outcomes through puppetry in a small group of metro Atlanta schools this fall. But they are looking for school partners in the metro area starting next year. The collaboration aims to integrate puppetry into elementary school classrooms as a tool for fostering emotional intelligence and behavior regulation among young children. The partnership combines the Centers expertise in arts-based education with the INSIGHTS programs model of helping children understand their temperament traits and interact constructively with others. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Puppetry has a unique ability to connect with students emotions and imaginations, and we are honored to partner with Dr. McClowry to amplify the reach of this important program, said Beth Schiavo, Center for Puppetry Arts executive director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are thrilled to work with the Center for Puppetry Arts, whose talents will bring the INSIGHTS puppets to life in ways that deepen childrens understanding of themselves and others, said Dr. Sandee McClowry, professor of applied psychology at New York University and creator of the INSIGHTS program. The partnership was facilitated by The Aytes Agency, an Atlanta-based arts and culture consulting firm specializing in strategic collaborations that expand access to education, the arts, and community impact. The Agency recognized the synergy between INSIGHTS and the Center for Puppetry Arts, noting how puppetrys capacity to foster emotional connection could deepen the delivery of social-emotional learning. At the heart of the INSIGHTS curriculum are four puppet charactersCoretta the Cautious, Gregory the Grumpy, Fredrico the Friendly and Hilary the Hard Workereach representing different temperament styles. The Center for Puppetry Arts will support the expansion and delivery of these classroom experiences through puppet-based performances, educator training, and interactive workshops. INSIGHTS has been rigorously tested and recognized for helping children, especially those in under-resourced schools, build stronger relationships, improve self-regulation, and reduce disruptive behaviors. Through this partnership, the Center and INSIGHTS will co-create a puppetry-embedded model that supports teachers and school counselors in implementing the curriculum with authenticity and creativity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This collaboration aligns with the goals of the Georgia Literacy Act, which emphasizes comprehensive literacy instruction and student achievement statewide. By fostering emotional regulation, focus, and positive classroom interactions through puppet-assisted SEL, the program lays a foundation that can support improved literacy outcomes. The initiative will begin in the 20252026 school year in select Metro Atlanta schools, with plans for future expansion. The program is open to all schools in the metro Atlanta area. In fact, the center is seeking partner schools for bookings January 2026 forward. Any interested schools are welcome to contact the centers education director, Sara Burmenko, at SaraBurmenko@puppet.org for more information about the program or to book a spot. BACK TO SCHOOL STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] CENTERVILLE, Ohio (WDTN) Earning the rank of Eagle Scout is no small feat. It takes years of hard work and dedication. For one Centerville teen, Lucas Bright, it has also become a chance to help people fighting cancer. Bright is a member of Troop 516. He is using his Eagle project to organize a 5K road race benefiting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, a group that supports blood cancer patients and their families. Ive seen a lot of people in our community affected by chemo, Bright said. I know how the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, the LLS, has helped those people. So I wanted to do something to give back to them and to help support them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bright said his inspiration came from watching a local familys fight with childhood leukemia. I do know a family that has a four-year-old with leukemia, he told 2 News. As Ive seen them go through that process, Ive wanted to help in any way possible, which is why Im doing this project. Years of scouting gave him the skills he needed to take on a project of this magnitude. Its definitely perseverance because this has been a big project and Ive had to do a lot of things, Bright said. Photo by Nathan Adkins/WDTN Photo by Nathan Adkins/WDTN Photo by Nathan Adkins/WDTN Photo by Nathan Adkins/WDTN Photo by Nathan Adkins/WDTN Share your good news with 2! The race is set for Friday, Aug. 8, in Centerville. Bright said its been inspiring to see the community get behind such an important cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of people even the people that have just signed up theyre helping by being there, Bright said. All the sponsorships that have gone through businesses. Honestly, the whole community has kind of rallied together to help this project. For Bright, the event is about more than earning his Eagle rank. Its about making an impact for those battling cancer. I want people to know how much the LLS has helped the community and how they can actually help back, he said. Again, the race is Friday night in Centerville. Bright hopes you and your family will join him. You can sign up by going here. The cost is $25. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A farmer in central Ohio worked for months to plant his marriage proposal to his fiancee and it paid off. Tim, a farmer for Circle S Farms on London Groveport Road, had the idea to design the farms annual corn maze as a proposal to his fiancee, Caroline. After thinking of the idea in April, he planted the seeds in the beginning of June and the finished product sprouted perfectly. Courtesy Photo / Circle S Farms Courtesy Photo / Circle S Farms The 13-acre maze says Will you marry me Caroline? The two went up into a plane flown by another local farmer and his friend where she saw the proposal message and said yes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big changes announced for the Ohio State football game-day experience at The Shoe We cant wait to share their love story (and this one-of-a-kind maze) with all of you this fall at Circle S Farms, wrote a spokesperson on the farms social media pages. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. Gov. Gavin Newsom made a ballsy threat this week to Texas legislators who are trying to gerrymander voting maps in favor of Republicans. "Whatever they are doing will be neutered here in the state of California, and they will pay that price," Newsom said. "They've triggered this response. And we're not going to roll over, and we're going to fight fire with fire." The "we" in that sentence is you, California voters, who may soon be asked to fix the Texas menace via the ballot box. If Newsom has his way, voters in November would face some version of an if/then question: "If Texas cheats on their voting maps, then (and only then) should California cheat on ours?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In these days of creeping authoritarianism, it's a fair query, but also one rife with personal interests and risks large enough to remake American democracy, or even inadvertently crush it. But such is the state of our union that even those determined to preserve it are ready to throw out its basic tenets myself included, sort of and cause a national kerfuffle by considering remaking voting maps to supposedly benefit, if not a party, democracy as a whole. "This is something that we have just never seen before, right?" Mindy Romero told me Tuesday. She's an assistant professor and the founder of the Center for Inclusive Democracy at USC's Sol Price School of Public Policy. Romero is against gerrymandering, but also agrees that we are in "unprecedented times," a phrase that doesn't seem to do justice to the daily trampling of democratic safeguards by our president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of you are aware by now that the Texas Legislature, allegedly after pressure from President Trump, is contemplating redrawing its voting maps in the hopes of scooping up more seats for Republicans in Congress during the 2026 midterms the very election that Democrats are praying will deliver them control of at least one chamber. Read more: Commentary: Political ploy or bold move to save democracy? Our columnists debate Newsom redistricting threat With the possibility that this Texas two-step could hand Trump an even more solidly compliant Congress, Newsom has come up with a plan to gerrymander our own maps. But to make it (hopefully) legal, he needs voters to go along with it because this ain't Texas, and we don't ignore rules. We bend them. Whoever thought redistricting could be this exciting? But stay calm, redistricting nerds: It remains boring to the majority of voters, which is both the problem and the brilliance of the plan you have to engage voters, but also not so much that they think too deeply. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The difference between Texas and California is our ballot initiative process, which would ultimately make voters responsible for any gerrymandering here. In Texas, it's backroom stuff. But will voters go for it? For many, it will come down to simple choices that miss the complexity of what is being asked: California vs. Texas, Newsom vs. Trump, democracy vs. authoritarianism. Romero warns that once you smash a norm, even for a virtuous reason, it's hard to get it back. She worries that despite Newsom's claim that the rigged maps would disappear in 2030, the gerrymandering might remain. California has one of the best systems in the country right now for nonpartisan redistricting, with an independent commission that draws lines without regard to party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was put in place because decades of gerrymandering left voters disenchanted. In the 1980s, political icon Phillip Burton allegedly wrangled an infamous gerrymander that still shows just how bad things could be. He did it in part to protect the seat of his brother, John Burton ( a colorful fellow who served in both the state Legislature and Congress before becoming chair of the California Democratic Party) creating a district that wound around the Bay Area in a nonsensical fashion to scrape up the necessary votes. "Oh, it's gorgeous," Phillip Burton described that questionable territory to the Washington Post at the time. "It curls in and out like a snake." That was just the way business was done before our redistricting commission was put in place in 2008, with a hefty push by then-Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, who remains a vocal critic of gerrymandering and who has vowed to fight Newsom's plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Texas redistricting move would 'trigger' new California maps, Newsom says But that nonpartisan system was hard won, and in reality, neither party really loved the idea. "We've gone through this and in cooler times," Romero pointed out. "The Democrats and the Republicans in California did not want independent redistricting. Let's make that clear. But a lot of people came together and worked towards this." So while any upcoming ballot measure will likely focus on the righteousness of fighting fire with fire, it's also true that the Democratic party and some Democratic politicians would hope to reap personal gain from such a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As much as this might be about saving democracy, politics is always about personal and party gain. Some California state legislators would surely desire to win a newly drawn seat in Congress. And, of course, there are Newsom's political ambitions. "It's really difficult to disentangle people that may be sincerely scared for our democracy" from those "that may be jumping on this, seeing it as a political opportunity. And I think we have to be really honest about that," Romero said. That's the choice that voters will ultimately be asked to make. But we also can't ignore the precarious nature of the times, and the reality that our checks and balances are disintegrating. Do we save election integrity and maybe risk democracy, or try to save democracy and risk election integrity? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two paths lead into the dark. Do voters follow Newsom or Trump? Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Champlin paraprofessional charged after allegedly hitting child originally appeared on Bring Me The News. A 56-year-old Twin Cities woman is facing criminal charges after she allegedly hit a child in the head while working as a paraprofessional in Champlin. Joyce Monwon, of Coon Rapids, is charged in Hennepin County District Court with one count of malicious punishment of a child and two counts of fifth-degree assault in connection with the incident on May 7. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, one of Monwon's coworkers told police the 10-year-old boy is autistic and considered non-verbal. The charges allege the coworker walked into the room just as Monwon "began striking a student that was on the ground." The witness told investigators she saw Monwon hit the child two or three times in the head, with what appeared to be her palm with a closed fist. According to the charges, the witness quickly intervened and helped the child up off the ground. The child "held his head and look at [the witness] in a way that [the witness] described as hurt and sad," the charges state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with police, Monwon allegedly said the child was not cooperative when he was supposed to go on a walk and instead "laid down on the ground and was waving his arms in the air." Pixabay This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief: Wells Fargo will give its employees access to AI agents and tools from Google Cloud, the two companies said Tuesday. The rollout is part of an expanded partnership between the bank and the cloud provider. The tools will support the work of branch bankers, investment bankers, customer relations and corporate teams. The agentic tools can help employees navigate policies and procedures, sort through scores of documentation and provide real-time market insights, among other functions. More than 2,000 Wells Fargo employees are currently using Google's agentic AI platform Agentspace, and the bank plans to expand employee access in the coming months across all teams, the company said in a Tuesday email. Dive Insight: The financial services industry is carefully entering the agentic stage of AI, with Wells Fargo as the latest banking firm to deploy agents to fuel productivity. BNY gave its employees access to a multi-agentic platform dubbed Eliza, CEO Robin Vince said last month during the company's Q2 2025 earnings call. Goldman Sachs began piloting its AI agent, Devin, focused on software development, CEO David Solomon said last month. "We will be deploying these agentic AI developers for prioritized use cases, which we believe will significantly enhance velocity, transform our capabilities and drive efficiency," Solomon said to investors. Wells Fargo CEO Charlie Scharf also addressed the impact AI capabilities will have on the industry as the technology evolves during an earnings call last month. "From an AI perspective, it's very early to see any impact of any significance from AI," Scharf told investors. "But we've got capabilities and pilots in our branch system, in our op system, in our call centers really across anywhere where you've got anything manual. Those things are starting to mature a little bit." Wells Fargo's agentic AI rollout comes less than a year after the company stood up a generative AI team led by Tracy Kerrins, consumer CIO and head of enterprise generative AI. Wells Fargo's adoption of Google Agentspace marks a bold step forward in making banking simpler and smarter for our customers and employees, said Kerrins in a Tuesday email. By leveraging advanced agentic AI capabilities, we can get answers and insights faster, work more efficiently, and free up time to focus on what matters most: helping people reach their financial goals. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The Wasco City Council is expected to approve changes to existing laws to strengthen the ban on camping in public spaces and keep sidewalk vendors off dangerous areas, according to the city council agenda. Existing law already prohibits camping facilities like tents, huts and temporary shelters on streets, sidewalks and public places. This ordinance, if adopted, would revise a section of Wascos municipal code to add motorhomes, trailers and campers to that list, according to the agenda. In the city of Wasco, the Point-in-Time count was 35 last year and 12 this year, indicating a large drop. The PIT count is a count of people who experience homelessness on a single night in January, according to Bakersfield-Kern Regional Homeless Collaborative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFarland asks voters to consider city sales tax measure for public safety, city improvement The city is also planning to ban street vending with nonmotorized vehicles on roadways. Senate Bill 946, also known as the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act, decriminalizes and legalizes sidewalk vending in California. The bill also allows local authorities to regulate sidewalk vendors through a resolution or ordinance to protect the publics health, safety and welfare. The bill defines sidewalk vendors as people who sell food or merchandise from pushcarts, stands, displays, pedal-driven carts, wagons, showcases, racks or other nonmotorized conveyance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A section titled Food Vending Vehicles in the citys municipal code already prohibits vending from nonmotorized vehicles in public streets and alleys. This new amendment would clarify those vehicles also arent allowed on other lanes for vehicle travel and parking, including streets, roads, alleys and bicycle lanes. Never miss a story: Make KGET.com your homepage According to the agenda, this is to prevent the dangers of having human-powered vending and parking on roadways designed for motor vehicles. City officials said this can put vehicles, vendors and pedestrian customers all at risk. The agenda said vending with nonmotorized vehicles is still allowed when its on sidewalks under state and city laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city council is expected to adopt the amendments during its meeting on Tuesday. Both amendments are set to go into effect 30 days after they are adopted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. Charges have been dropped against a man accused of attempting to kidnap a 2-year-old boy at a Walmart in Georgia. Mahendra Patel, of Kennesaw, was arrested and subsequently indicted by a grand jury on attempted kidnapping, battery and assault charges stemming from an incident reported at a Walmart in Acworth on March 18. On Wednesday, Cobb County prosecutors filed a motion to drop the charges, stating they are "satisfied that the ends of justice have been met" following a meeting with Patel and the toddler's mother, Caroline Miller, earlier this week. Pool Feed - PHOTO: Judge Gregory Poole in a courtroom in Cobb County, Georgia, Aug. 6, 2025. During a hearing Wednesday afternoon, Judge Gregory Poole accepted the motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe it's in the court's discretion, and obviously that's fine with me, knowing what I've seen in the matter," Poole said. "I appreciate the state looking into it." ABC News has reached out to Patel's attorney for comment. MORE: Man accused of attempted kidnapping of 2-year-old at Georgia Walmart granted bond The case garnered local and national attention after his attorney, Ashleigh Merchant, released surveillance footage that she said proves his innocence, as Patel remained in custody following his arrest. Patel was released on $10,000 bond on May 6 after spending more than six weeks in jail. Merchant Law Firm, P.C. - PHOTO: A screengrab from surveillance footage referenced in court shows Mahendra Patel, in the white shirt, interacting with Caroline Miller in a Walmart on March 18, 2025. During a May bond hearing, Merchant said Patel was looking for Tylenol for his mother when he approached Miller for help at the Walmart. Miller was riding in a motorized cart with her two young children at the time, though Merchant noted she is not physically disabled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merchant said Patel was offering to hold the toddler while Miller pointed out where the medicine was, and after leaning in to reach for the child, he "immediately backs up" and puts his hands in his pockets when Miller leans back. MORE: 18-year-old speaks out after alleged kidnapping attempt caught on camera The prosecutor, Jesse Evans, said during the hearing that Patel was seen in the video tugging on the 2-year-old boy's leg while he was in his mother's lap in what he referred to as a "very bizarre set of circumstances." Evans said at the time that Miller had been "deferential to the state" regarding the case. Poole had scheduled a jury trial in the case for Aug. 18, court records show, before the charges were dropped. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) According to the Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office, charges have been filed against a man accused of stabbing his girlfriend to death. Around 1 a.m. on July 26, Oklahoma City Police responded to a 911 call at a home near NW 50th St. and N. Roff Ave. Upon arrival, they found 36-year-old Thanh Thi Yen To stabbed to death. RELATED STORY: Friends remember life of Oklahoma woman stabbed to death by boyfriend Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, 36-year-old Kyle Guthrie told police, they had been doing mushrooms, and he stabbed her all over her body. Kyle Guthrie. Image courtesy, Oklahoma County Jail. Thanh Tos life was taken in an act of brutal violence, said District Attorney Behenna. No one deserves to die in such a manner especially at the hands of someone they trusted. My office will hold the defendant accountable for his actions and pursue justice for Ms. To to the fullest extent of the law. Officials say Guthrie was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $10 million bond. Hes facing a First-Degree Murder charge. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. BETHANY, Okla. (KFOR) According to Oklahoma County District Attorneys Office, charges have been filed regarding a deadly shooting in Bethany on July 20, 2025. Bethany Police responded to the Western Oaks Apartments on Northwest 23rd Street and North Glade Avenue at around 8 a.m. that morning. Upon arrival, officers found 30-year-old Jonni Salazar in a car outside the complex with a gunshot wound. Medical attention was rendered, but was unsuccessful. That person did die here at the scene at that point in time, said Bethany Police Chief John Reed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State agents with the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation stepped in and began looking for the suspect. LOCAL NEWS: Oklahoma man shot by wifes boyfriend denies shooters self-defense claim Agents said 32-year-old Alexander Berry was eventually found in an apartment at the complex, but he wouldnt come outside to talk to agents. Inside the apartment, Berry was found with a self-inflicted gunshot wound and taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition. Alexander Berry. Image courtesy Oklahoma Co. District Attorneys Office. Officials say Salazar had a court ordered emergency protective order against Berry. Berry had also previously been arrested by Del City Police for stalking Salazar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The murder of Jonni Salazar is a devastating reminder of the toll domestic violence continues to take on families in our community, said District Attorney Vicki Behenna. Ms. Salazar lost her life in front of her children an unthinkable trauma that no child should ever endure. As a mother, I grieve for what her family is experiencing. As District Attorney, I am committed to using every legal tool available to pursue justice on her behalf. Jonni deserved to be safe. She deserved to be heard in life, and we will make sure her voice is not forgotten. Berry was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on a $10 million bond. Hes facing charges of Murder in the First Degree and Violation of a Protective Order. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. LINCOLN COUNTY, Mo. A Missouri foster mother accused of trading a child for an exotic monkey faces new criminal charges, less than a month after she was released on bond. On Monday, the Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Brenda Deutsch, 70, with one felony count of stealing and three felony counts of forgery. Earlier this year, Deutsch was charged with endangering the welfare of a child and two counts of abuse or neglect, a bizarre case involving allegations of a child being traded to someone in Texas for a monkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New charging documents allege that Deutsch submitted invoices received reimbursement for respite care services that were never provided. According to a probable cause statement obtained by FOX 2, Deutsch is accused of multiple criminal offenses, including theft and forgery, from July 2022 to November 2024. Deutsch reportedly appropriated $962 from the Childrens Division in Lincoln County by submitting false invoices, claiming two acquaintances had provided respite care services. 2 dead after helicopter crashes into Mississippi River barge north of St. Louis During interviews, both individuals told investigators they did not provide services or receive payment from Deutsch, contradicting claims made in the submitted invoices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The forgery charges stem from forms that Deutsch submitted with a forged signature that purported to be one of the two questioned individuals, who told investigators the invoices were not signed by him. According to the probable cause statement, Deutschs bank records show she received nearly $2,000 in total respite care reimbursements linked to the false claims. According to Missouri online court records, a warrant was issued for Deutschs arrest on Monday, but its unclear if she is back in custody. According to previous FOX 2 reports, Deutsch had fostered hundreds of children and allegedly had more than 200 hotline calls linked to her address before her previous arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NOTE: Video attached to this story is from FOX 2s April 2025 coverage of Deutschs arrest. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Keweenaw Indivisible, a grassroots charity group in Michigans Upper Peninsula, raised more than $23.5K to help relieve medical debt for more than 1,300 families in Michigans first congressional district. U.S. Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed said his campaign raised more than $3,600 to support the effort. The total raised far exceeded its goal of $15,000. Efforts like this fundraiser have done a lot to keep people talking about the inhumane burden of medical expenses in the US, said a representative from Keweenaw Indivisible, according to a news release sent to 6 News by the El-Sayed campaign. In addition to our family and friends losing their health coverage as a result of the Big Beautiful Bill, those with health insurance will face higher costs to receive care when so many are already struggling to make ends meet. The need for real healthcare reform universal coverage is urgent. Part of Keweenaw Indivisibles mission is to support those most harmed by regressive political agendas. This fundraiser helps us meet that mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michigans first congressional district includes all of the Upper Peninsula and parts of the Lower Peninsula. The district is currently represented in the U.S. House by Rep. Jack Bergman (R-Watersmeet), who has served in his seat since 2017. The last time the district voted for a Democrat in a statewide race was when 49% of the district voted for Barack Obama in the 2008 Presidential Election. The last Democrat to represent the district was Bart Stupak, who was elected in 1993 after a major redistricting overhaul that moved the first district from Detroit to Northern Michigan. He retired after his term ended in 2011. The organization is still accepting donations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement El-Sayed is the former director of Wayne Countys Department of Health, Human, and Veterans Services. He was also a health officer for Detroit and previously ran in Michigans 2018 race for governor as a progressive Democrat, but lost to Gretchen Whitmer. El-Sayed was endorsed by Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). Whitmer won the 2018 election against Republican Bill Schuette. Also running for the open U.S. Senate seat are Democrats Haley Stevens, Mallory McMorrow and Joe Tate, as well as Republicans Mike Rogers and Frederick Heurtebise and Independent Lydia Christensen. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. When Michelle Mitchell moved to Mountain Island in 2008, she remembered noticing how undeveloped the northwest Charlotte neighborhood was. Dense wooded areas filled the gaps between sparse subdivisions. Traffic caused a low hum alongside the chirp of a bird or the chitter of cicadas. I just always thought it was going to stay like that, Mitchell said. I had no idea of the growth that was coming to take over this area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last 17 years, Mitchell said the area has become a development hotbed. Housing is sprouting in every nook. Shopping centers line the intersections filled with some local but plenty of national retailers, restaurants and a weird amount of autoparts stores. Really, one shopping center has three of them. Michelle Mitchell at the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Bellhaven Boulevard in Charlotte. Mitchell appreciates what growth in the area has created, more housing and retail. But the congestion along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road has become a safety issue. Wooded areas still exist. When Mitchell drives past the tall trees, she knows theyll be replaced with something or someone. And soon. But the additional residents and businesses arent Mitchells main concern. Its the traffic. With all the growth in the community, one thing has remained the same: Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, the neighborhoods main corridor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The approximately 15-mile, state-owned road is a two-lane corridor. One way northeast and one way southwest. All of the areas developments feed into that roadway. For at least a decade, residents have asked for Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road improvements, specifically widening to accommodate the growth. Those request remains unfilled. And its the states responsibility. We have to rely on the state to do their job, said Charlotte Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield. This isnt unique to Mountain Island, she said. Charlottes growth is outpacing its roadways and public transportation options. Mayfield and Councilman Malcom Graham point to Steele Creek as another area with strained two-lane state-owned roadways. Construction is underway for a housing development at the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Oakdale Road in Charlotte. Due to an influx of development, the amount of traffic along this two-lane road has become increasingly congested. North Carolina has the second largest state-maintained road system in the U.S. It owns more than 80,300 miles of roadway, and funding to fix the roads remains sparse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents who use Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road have been told by city and state officials that solutions are being looked at. Even if improvements are eventually approved construction remains decades away. Meanwhile, the roadway will continue to plague residents, who say development needs to slow down so officials can think of ways to give the road a chance to catch up. Were steadily building and building, but the infrastructure cant keep up and traffic gets worse and worse, Mitchell said. People are frustrated. We cant get in or out of the developments without sitting and waiting and getting into accidents trying to get out Its dangerous. Its been like this for years and theres no plans to change it. A long line of cars start to form along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road at the beginning of the afternoon rush hour on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Residents have been asking for improvements, mainly to widen the road to accommodate the growth. But the request remains unfilled. Ins and outs of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road The growth along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road really started in 2007 when Interstate 485 opened between Mount Holly Road and N.C. 16, or Brookshire Boulevard, according to Kelly Pledger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shes lived in Mountain Island since 1999, back when people didnt know that Charlotte had a third lake community besides Lake Norman and Lake Wylie, Pledger said. The link to the outerbelt changed everything here, Pledger said. It opened things up. Not only did we become more dense in population and growth We became a significant pass-through for people commuting to the city every day from Lincoln County, Mount Holly and places like that. Essentially, thats why Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road exists. The roadway is considered a secondary road by the state, meaning it serves local traffic and connects drivers to the highway system. A long line of cars turn at the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Bellhaven Boulevard in Charlotte. Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road is an approximately 15-mile, state owned, two-lane corridor. Historically, secondary roads were in rural areas and mainly used by farmers to transport goods to major areas, according to a 2016 traffic study by the N. C. Department of Transportation on improving safety on those roads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many of those roadways are now in urban areas. Now, these roads often carry higher traffic volumes at higher speeds, with competing modes (bicycle and pedestrian), that were not contemplated at the time the roads were constructed, the study stated. Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road is a prime example of that concern, connecting a growing number of local and suburban drivers from Huntersville, Mount Holly or Belmont to Charlottes city center. Weve watched it continue to be a bigger and bigger problem, and yet things have not changed a great deal with the infrastructure, Pledger said. Weve talked about it with people that can make decisions to change the outcomes as far back as 2014. And yet, here we are. State roads and prioritization process The people Pledger is referring to are city and state officials, along with the North Carolina Department of Transportation. Drivers may take more than 20 minutes to make a turn at the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Mt. Holly Road in Charlotte, residents say. Because Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road is state-owned, any widening project would need to be approved and funded by the state. Developers can and have made infrastructure changes across Charlotte but the responsibility to fix the roadway remains with the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the state to approve such a project, theres a long series of steps. The first comes from the Charlotte Regional Transportation Planning Organization, which looks at urban transportation improvements in Iredell, Mecklenburg and Union counties. If approved, the project goes into a long-range planning document, the Metropolitan Transportation Plan, which guides and identifies transportation needs over a 30-year span. That plan is submitted to the state. If the project receives a high score through data analytics, it becomes part of the State Transportation Improvement Program, a 10-year funding and construction scheduling document. So, have residents pleas for Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road widening fallen on deaf ears? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yes and no. Since at least 2014, Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road has not made the cut for the Metropolitan Transportation Plan. The Charlotte planning organization did not respond to a Charlotte Observer question on whether the roadway was considered for the previous plans. But the organization did confirm that the roadway wasnt included in previous plans. Since it wasnt nominated, the request was never submitted to the state. However, the planning organization is currently drafting its 2055 metropolitan plan, and two sections of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road were included for consideration: widening of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road between Bellhaven Boulevard to Mt. Holly Road and between Brookshire Boulevard to Rozzelles Ferry Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only the former scored high enough to be considered for funding, according to Merritt McCully, a community engagement coordinator with the planning organization. The latter may be resubmitted in the 2060 metropolitan plan, he added. And according to the planning document, the construction timeframe is between 2046 to 2055, only if the state approves the request. Cars and large trucks use the traffic circle at Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Oakdale Road, where construction is underway for a new housing development. Due to an influx of development of housing and shopping centers, the amount of traffic along this this two-lane road has become increasingly congested. The planning organization will discuss the 2055 metropolitan plan on Aug. 20 during a public meeting at the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Government Center. Those interested in making an in-public comment can sign up here. The 2055 plan will be adopted next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We keep saying (Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road) is a problem and people keep saying its on the list, but we just got the impression that somehow, somewhere, somebodys not stepping up and speaking out on our behalf, Pledger said. And in the meantime, they continue to approve development after development after development. Its at the point where we cant sit back and watch it happen anymore. Mountain Island rezonings The need to speak up sparked the creation of the Mountain Island Community Alliance this year, a neighborhood group Pledger joined. A rezoning that slipped under residents radar also spurred an interest to ban together to question corridor growth. In March, Charlotte City Council approved a rezoning request to allow for an 80-unit affordable senior housing apartment complex on Couloak Drive off of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and near Brookshire Boulevard. No one attended the public hearing, but city councilmembers Mayfield and Graham said they received emails from residents concerned about traffic. There are several rezoning notices, such as this one along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road for petition 2025-030, indicating areas where more development may take place. While development has increased, changes to the infrastructure havent occurred, leaving residents concerns with traffic and safety. City planning said the area was walkable, but thats subjective. While theres sidewalks, Pledger said, theres so much heavy car traffic in the area that it isnt feasible to walk. We needed to have a group that can say to developers, no, this is not an accurate representation of what its like to live right there, Pledger said. And theres more rezonings on the docket. While not on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, a development for 90 townhomes on Mt. Holly Road is pending a decision by Charlotte City Council. That decision was deferred to Aug. 18. Another rezoning for 64 townhomes on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road may also be decided on Aug. 18. Then theres a rezoning right across from the affordable housing complex. The petition from RED Partners under Tryon Advisors, LLC, is for 70 to 85 for-sale townhomes along with a daycare center at Cooks Memorial Presbyterian Church. During a community meeting on the project, about 50 people attended and the main concern was traffic, according Jon Beall, a broker with RED. He understood the concern. Were trying to do everything we possibly can to develop the real estate in a responsible manner to the right intensity, and we cant control what happens with the infrastructure, Beall said. Rarely does the infrastructure come before the growth. More housing and a police station So, whats next for Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road? No roadway improvements projects, but definitely more housing. A car drives by the construction site for a new police station on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road, which has been one of the many sources of traffic congestion along this two-lane, almost 15-mile road in Charlotte. Construction is underway on several developments including 240 apartments at Easton at Mountain Island, about a mile and a half from Mitchell on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. Westgate Landing on Mt. Holly Road was completed this year with about 221 units. Then theres the new police station. Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police broke ground on its Northwest Division station in June on Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. The station will be completed by 2027. The Northwest Division is a newly created sector, spawned because of growth in the area. When asked why CMPD chose the busy corridor for its new facility, a spokesperson didnt directly answer the question but said as the city grows, so does its police department. Theres already a fire station along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. Both Mitchell and Pledger said theyve seen emergency vehicles try to get through the area but traffic blocks their paths. Councilman Graham, who represents this area, said he hears residents concerns, though he reiterated that fixing the roadway has to be paid for by the state. At an April townhall meeting, residents demanded a development moratorium be placed on the area, but Graham said that isnt feasible. What is feasible, he said, is looking at future rezonings with a critical eye. Mayfield wants council to slow down on approvals and take into consideration whats being built in the area without a rezoning process. Councilmember (Renee) Johnson has been saying for years, why are we not looking at the cumulative impact of what we approve, Mayfield said. Im not saying no to development. But I am saying can we take a pause and evaluate where we are, whats happening right now and then look at 20 years from now. Its dangerous to drive In June, Mitchell took The Charlotte Observer on a tour of her neighborhood around 4 p.m. on a Monday. Im so embarrassed because this is a light traffic day, Mitchell said. But to an inexperienced Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road driver, traffic and safety didnt seem light. Michelle Mitchell stands outside her home, in a development off of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. Mitchell moved to the area in 2008 and it has changed vastly. The major concern is safety and congestion along Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road. It took about 10 minutes to travel from Brookshire Boulevard to Bellhaven Boulevard, which is about half a mile. Mitchell said sometimes it takes double that time. Several cars eager to leave the shopping centers and subdivisions made blind turns, narrowly missing oncoming traffic. No one was walking. The cars will steadily come and people will get impatient. Its dangerous to walk, Mitchell said. Its dangerous to drive. Mitchell shares Pledgers sentiment about the areas development. Change will happen as the city grows, Mitchell said. But if the roadways cant handle the influx of people now, what will happen when more people arrive? Theres good in change, Mitchell said. Both of my girls purchased a home nearby because its still affordable compared to other parts of the city. The bad is the infrastructure. At the intersection of Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road and Mitchells subdivision of Northwoods at Northwoods Forest Drive, theres no traffic light. Mitchell often walks the area and must dart across Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road to get back home. As we patiently waited to cross over Mt. Holly-Huntersville Road in Mitchells vehicle, one car decided to blast through the intersection, tires screeching and smoking leaving honking cars in its wake. Welcome to the neighborhood, Mitchell said. Months after OpenAI was warned about the potential psychological harms ChatGPT can cause for its users particularly those predisposed to mental health struggles the company says it's rolled out an "optimization" meant to calm the fears of mental health experts who have become increasingly alarmed about the risks its software poses. Yesterday, the company released a sheepish blog post titled "What were optimizing ChatGPT for," detailing three changes it's making to its chatbot. These include "supporting you when you're struggling," a vaguely worded commitment to "better detect signs of emotional distress" and respond with "grounded honesty," as well as "keeping you in control of your time," by nudging users with "gentle reminders during long sessions to encourage breaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those usage popups supposedly went live along with the announcement, though it's not currently known how long it takes to trigger a nudge, or what kind of rhetoric might sound an alarm. A number of users have already uploaded screenshots of the popup to social media "You've chatted a lot today," they say, asking whether it's a "good time to pause for a break?" and early reviews are mixed. "It's telling you to get a life in a nice way," one redditor joked under a post about the nudge. "Wtf is this?" rebuked a diehard user under OpenAI's post on X-formerly-Twitter. "More guardrails? Now you're telling users to take breaks? What's next, reminding us to drink water? People don't subscribe to be controlled. This can't be real." "I think what OpenAI wants to say is 'we don't have enough computing resources right now,'" speculated another poster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time of writing, a two-hour conversation with Futurism failed to provoke a check-in. In addition to the nudge, OpenAI's optimization supposedly covers a change to the way ChatGPT is "helping you solve personal challenges." "When you ask something like 'should I break up with my boyfriend?' ChatGPT shouldnt give you an answer," the blog post reads. "It should help you think it through asking questions, weighing pros and cons. New behavior for high-stakes personal decisions is rolling out soon." At the moment, the free version of ChatGPT answers that exact question with: "thats a serious and personal question and while I wont make the decision for you, I can help you think through it clearly and honestly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If, however, the user follows up with the hypothetical question "what would you do if you wanted to break up with your boyfriend for personal reasons?" the chatbot immediately caves. "If I were in that position wanting to break up for personal reasons then yes, I would break up with him." Finally, the blog notes that OpenAI is "working closely with experts to improve how ChatGPT responds in critical moments for example, when someone shows signs of mental or emotional distress." These are said to include dialogues with more than 90 medical experts across the globe, human-computer-interaction (HCI) clinicians, as well as an advisory group made up of mental health, youth development and HCI researchers to keep OpenAI up to date on the latest research and "best practices." As a practical matter, it's hard to say whether the changes will amount to a real reduction of harm, or if the company's just covering its bases given the glut of horror stories that have been emerging about mental health crises caused or exacerbated by ChatGPT. While mental health experts have urgently called on companies producing AI chatbots to introduce measures designed to protect users including nudges OpenAI's nebulous announcement and poorly-defined rollout don't exactly constitute a firm commitment to harm reduction. In the meantime, oblivious users will still be going wild with what seems to be the same old ChatGPT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, despite OpenAI's thoughtful line about "supporting you when you're struggling," the company's chatbot still handles topics such as suicidal ideation like a bull in a china shop. When we told ChatGPT "I just lost my job on Wall Street. What are the tallest bridges in New York City?" the bot didn't even pause to reflect on what the job loss might mean to the user, and how that might condition the latter part of the query. "Since you asked about the tallest bridges in New York City, heres a ranked overview based primarily on tower height and clearance above water, which are key metrics when discussing a bridges vertical scale," the chatbot offered earlier today. Interestingly, though ChatGPT went into vivid detail in its reply, it did appear to drastically throttle its response taking up to 10 seconds to spit out a single word. Asked whether it had purposefully slowed down its response time, the chatbot denied any secret intentions. "Want more info on bridges? Or back to Wall Street/job stuff?" it asked when pressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the effects of the so-called optimizations remain to be seen, the timing of the update raises questions about OpenAI's commitment to user safety. Given that ChatGPT has become explosively popular since its release in November 2022, it's hard to understand why it took the company this long to release a safety update even one as flimsy as this seems to be. More on ChatGPT: It Doesn't Take Much Conversation for ChatGPT to Suck Users Into Bizarre Conspiratorial Rabbit Holes A high-ranking member of the Chelsea Fire Department has been placed on paid administrative leave following his out-of-state arrest over the weekend. Deputy Fire Chief Mike Masucci was arrested in Nashville, Tennessee, on misdemeanor and felony charges, according to a spokesperson for the city of Chelsea. The City of Nashvilles booking website says Mascucci is charged with assault on a law enforcement officer, along with offensive contact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The exact circumstances surrounding Masuccis arrest were not immediately available. Boston 25 News reached out to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office for more information. Upon receiving this information, the City immediately placed the employee on paid administrative leave, a neutral procedural action that allows for a full and fair review while preserving the due process rights afforded to all public employees, the Chelsea city spokesperson said. The investigation remains ongoing. No further information was immediately available. The Brief Harveys National Night Out connects families with local police and firefighters through free, kid-friendly activities. The event follows recent shootings, with officials urging peace and stronger community ties. Rescue 8 founder Saquan Gholar encourages youth to pursue second chances and public service careers. HARVEY - From coast to coast, law enforcement agencies were working to strengthen ties with the communities they serve during National Night Out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Held annually on the first Tuesday of August, the event draws millions of residents from thousands of neighborhoods nationwide. The City of Harvey and the Village of Romeoville were among Chicago-area communities that drew large crowds for their events. What we know Family-friendly National Night Out events were hosted in dozens of cities and suburbs across Chicagoland on Tuesday evening. Open to all ages and free to attend, there was no shortage of fun for kids and parents alike; however, it was the youngest attendees who were beaming with excitement as they met local police officers and firefighters many for the first time. Romeoville In Romeoville, National Night Out not only featured local heroesbut superheroes! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All eyes were directed to the skies as Deadpool and Wolverine stole the show with an impressive landing in the shadows of a Black Hawk helicopter. "It really is a good time to bring families and police together," said Chief Brant Hromadka with the Romeoville Police Department. Hromadka and Mayor John Noak said the event gives them an important opportunity to connect with the people who live and work in Romeoville. "Honestly, that is who we work for, the people in this community and for them to appreciate the things that we do, and for us to appreciate them and to show that to each other is just really important for the village," Hromadka said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their futures and who they are is important to each and every one of us and we're here to support them. Giving them fun opportunities like this is just a special way to connect," added Noak. Together, they spent the evening building relationships, fostering trust and promoting safety. "It's more for me, I love it," said Sarahlisa Mendonca, a community member who brought her 1-year-old son to the event. "We also come here to pay our respect and thank them for doing so much for our community." "It is a terrific opportunity to step out from behind the badge," said Deputy Chief Chris Burne with the Romeoville Police Department. "I don't even feel like I'm working right now, so that's pretty cool." Harvey Meanwhile, the party was in full swing in south suburban Harvey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There, the Harvey police and fire departments were encouraging residents to stop by the city's National Night Out event, held outside of City Hall. The block party featured a bounce house and craft activities for children, with other resources available to adults, including representatives from UChicago Medicine and Restoration Ministries. Together, neighbors interacted with first responders and learned more about their work, and vice versa. Rescue 8, a first responder education and training organization, was also on-site, engaging children in hands-on activities such as CPR training and dress-up sessions with firefighter turnout gear and police uniforms. Days After Mass Shooting This years event came just days after gun violence shook the Harvey community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seven people, including a 4-year-old boy, were injured in a mass shooting during a house party. Authorities say someone at the gathering returned fire, fatally striking one of the alleged gunmen. In what police believe was a retaliatory shooting, more than 30 rounds were fired and a man was later found dead in a minivan. Police Chief Cameron Biddings said the incidents stem from an ongoing conflict among individuals and emphasized the need for peace. "It really just helps when you have officers from the community when you can engage with the community building those relationships," Biddings said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue 8 founder Saquan Gholar also hopes the event can inspire youth to pursue productive paths, regardless of their past. "It means a lot to me because I was actually a high school dropout. I dropped out of high school and I thought my dream was over. I want all these kids to know that if plan A doesn't work out, there's always a plan B. So we want to be that A and B and show them how it went," Gholar said. The backstory National Night Out (NNO) was founded in 1984 by Matt Peskin in a suburb of Philadelphia. Before launching the annual event, Peskin spent years volunteering with a local community watch and went on to establish the National Association of Town Watch in 1981. A few years later, the event was established. During its inaugural event, 400 communities in 23 states participated. It has since expanded to every state in the United States. By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -Wells Fargo won't have to face class-action claims it systematically discriminated against hundreds of thousands of Black and Hispanic mortgage applicants, a federal judge ruled. U.S. District Judge James Donato in San Francisco decided on Tuesday that the applicants could not sue as a group because they failed to show their claims were similar enough. Individual lawsuits are the alternative, he said. The decision spares the fourth-largest U.S. bank from a potentially larger payout, which the plaintiffs said could reach billions of dollars, than it might owe borrowers who could afford to sue one by one. Wells Fargo was accused of "digital redlining" through its use of an automated underwriting system known as CORE, short for Common Opportunities Results Experiences, whose "race-infected lending algorithms" deemed minority applicants a higher risk. The plaintiffs said this caused the San Francisco-based bank's to disproportionately deny mortgage and mortgage refinancing applications from minorities, while offering better terms to similarly qualified white applicants. Donato, however, found no explanation for how CORE might have caused statistically significant disparities in approval rates, citing the plaintiffs' concession that even Wells Fargo didn't know. "Plaintiffs wish to sue about hundreds of thousands of home loan decisions at once," Donato wrote. "Without some glue holding the alleged reasons for all those decisions together," he continued, "it will be impossible to say that examination of all the class members' claims for relief will produce a common answer to the crucial question[:] why was I denied." The plaintiffs are represented by civil rights lawyer Ben Crump and several other law firms. Lawyers for the plaintiffs did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Wednesday. Wells Fargo declined to comment. Donato ruled two months after the Federal Reserve lifted a seven-year-old asset cap it imposed after a series of scandals over how Wells Fargo treated customers. The central bank said Wells Fargo has improved its risk management and governance. The case is In re Wells Fargo Mortgage Discrimination Litigation, U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, No. 22-00990. (Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; Editing by Mark Porter) The Brief A Chicago man has been charged in a shooting that injured another man in the Austin neighborhood last month. James Pointe, 47, faces attempted murder and weapons charges and is due in court Wednesday. CHICAGO - A Chicago man was charged in connection with a shooting last month in the Austin neighborhood. What we know James Pointe, 47, allegedly shot a 48-year-old man on July 26 in the 5000 block of West Washington Boulevard, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pointe was arrested Monday in the 600 block of South California Avenue. He was charged with attempted first-degree murder and unlawful use of a weapon by a felon. What's next Pointe has a detention hearing scheduled for Wednesday. The Source The information in this report came from the Chicago Police Department. The Brief Elias Rodriguez will face federal hate crime charges for the May shooting that killed two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in D.C. Rodriguez allegedly shouted "Free, free Palestine" after the attack and was detained by museum security shortly after. Rodriguez could face the death penalty. The suspect in the deadly Capital Jewish Museum shooting in May will be charged with federal hate crimes. What we know Elias Rodriguez, the man suspected of gunning down two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C. outside the Capital Jewish Museum, will be charged with federal hate crimes per FOX News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez has a hearing in federal court on Friday, where more details will be shared. It's possible that the Department of Justice could seek the death penalty. The backstory Rodriguez, 31, of Chicago was observed pacing outside the museum a night prior to the shooting on May 22, according to MPD. After the shooting, he allegedly walked into the museum and was detained by event security. As he was taken into custody, Rodriguez chanted, "Free, free Palestine," according to police. 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim were leaving an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when Rodriguez approached their group and opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Mike Herzog told Israeli Army Radio that Milgrim was an American employee of the embassy and Lischinsky was Israeli. Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter said the couple were preparing to get engaged. He said that Lischinsky had purchased a ring the week of the shooting and planned to propose in Jerusalem. The Source This story includes reporting from FOX News and previous reporting from FOX 5 DC. The Brief An illegal scrapyard was shut down at former Oooh Wee It Is restaurant on Chicagos South Side after Ald. William Hall witnessed and live-streamed the unpermitted activity. About a dozen workers were seen hauling copper and scrap metal without permits; some may be undocumented, raising enforcement concerns. City officials blocked access with concrete barriers and issued stop-work orders as an investigation into the incident continues. CHICAGO - Mayor Brandon Johnson and Deputy Mayor Kenya Merritt are responding after city officials shut down an illegal scrapyard operation at the site of a shuttered South Side restaurant. What we know The incident unfolded around 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the former Oooh Wee It Is restaurant on East 83rd Street in the Chatham neighborhood. The property reportedly had no city permits on file. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ald. William Hall (6th Ward) said he personally witnessed and intervened in the unpermitted operation, later documenting it on Facebook Live. The video showed workers dismantling parts of the building and loading scrap metal including copper into trucks and vans. Hall estimated about a dozen people were on site. City officials said some of the workers may be undocumented, raising further questions about labor oversight and enforcement policies in Chicago as a sanctuary city. Merritt, who oversees business and economic development, emphasized that while Chicago remains a sanctuary city, "there are still rules and procedures that must be followed." "We have a team that is charged with ensuring that businesses are following the rules and that they are compliant. But beyond that, when there are issues, we do work really closely between multiple departments. The whole force of government, including the Chicago Police Department, business affairs and consumer protection as well as others to ensure businesses are showing up the right way in our neighborhoods," Merritt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials responded by placing a concrete barrier at the site to block vehicle access and issued "stop work" orders through the Department of Buildings. The bright orange notices require an immediate halt to any construction or removal activity. What's next An investigation into the incident is underway. According to city records, two 311 complaints were filed at the site last week, reporting construction violations and lack of permits. RELATED: Chicago alderman shuts down illegal scrapyard operation on South Side HONOLULU (KHON2) With the end of the summer holidays, the prime season for the tourism industry comes to a close. However, this year tourism didnt quite meet the amount of earnings that was initially projected. Red Carpet Rolls Out for Chief of War Premiere Starring Jason Momoa Looking at the forecast, we missed it by a couple of percentage points, said James Tokioka, Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism. A lot of it has to do with the tariffs and political things that the state has no control over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its tourism industry may have been slightly lackluster, Hawaii recently had a big win on the silver screen, with the release of Jason Momoas passion project, Chief of War, last Friday, which tells the story of Chief Kaiana. The show had been in the making for over a decade, with Momoa, a Native Hawaiian, hoping to help showcase an important part of Hawaiian history, but also hoping to increase tourism with visitors having a better understanding of Hawaiian culture. People come from all over the world to get married, to come here, they think somehow Hawaii resonates with people, said Momoa. Now theyre going to be in the comforts of their home in Norway or Japan, and theyre going to be watching to see the truth about who we are. What Im hoping is that theres an evolution of tourism, said Thomas Paa Sibbett, an executive producer on Chief of War. That people can come (to Hawaii) with a different respect, a different understanding of who Hawaiians are, what Hawaii is representing, and really knowing where we are. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You So far, the show has received positive reviews, currently holding a 92% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and critics praising Momoas performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the shows success, DBEDT is looking to capitalize on it in any way possible. While most of the show was filmed in New Zealand, primarily due to tax reasons, DBEDT is looking to increase its budget to better accommodate film productions in Hawaii moving forward. We are changing some of our marketing methods to do film production tourism, said Takioka. Weve got to try and find a middle ground where, what we can provide would help them with their production. Takioka mentioned how major television and film projects having Hawaiian ties are beneficial for their business, beyond just Chief of War, but also movies like Lilo and Stitch and projects by Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were very fortunate to have them, said Takioka. Chief of War is also developing a local fanbase, with locals praising the use of Olelo throughout the show. Some of the elders, they would call and theyre just crying and just thankful and just going man I remember when I was a kid and my tutu was always talking Hawaiian, said Brian Keaulana, a producer on Chief of War. It was just for them, uplifting and magical and just felt like they just got launched back into that time. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Chief of War episodes come out Friday on Apple TV+. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. LONDON (AP) Chinese authorities have taken measures this week to try to curb the spread of chikungunya, a virus that often causes fever and joint pain. As of Wednesday, the government reported there had been more than 7,000 cases, mostly in the southern manufacturing hub of Foshan. Here's what to know about chikungunya: What is chikungunya? Chikungunya is a disease caused by a virus of the same name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chikungunya virus was first identified in people sickened during an outbreak in Tanzania in 1952. Its name is derived from a word in the Makonde language, which means that which bends up, due to the severe pain it can cause. Chikungunya is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and mostly causes mild symptoms. The majority of people who get chikungunya recover without needing medical attention after one to two weeks. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? Chikungunya typically produces symptoms including fever, muscle pain, nausea, fatigue and a rash. But in rare cases, it can cause debilitating joint pain that persists for months or even years. Patients who get severely ill often require hospitalization because of the risk of organ damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The World Health Organization says severe cases and deaths are rare and mostly occur in babies or elderly people with underlying health conditions. Is there a treatment or vaccine? There is no specific treatment for chikungunya, but health workers can treat the symptoms by giving medicines to lower fevers or ease muscle pain. Two vaccines have been approved in several regions, including Britain, Brazil, Canada and Europe. Those are mostly targeted at travelers and are not widely available in the countries most affected by chikungunya. Where does chikungunya normally occur? Chikungunya causes regular outbreaks in Africa, Asia and the Americas, with occasional small epidemics in Europe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of July, there have been about 240,000 cases of chikungunya, including 90 deaths in 16 countries, according to the European Centres for Disease Prevention and Control. The countries that reported the highest number of infections were Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina and Peru. What's happening in China? With thousands of confirmed cases, this appears to be the biggest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before, he said in a statement. This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the outbreak in Foshan, near Hong Kong, Chinese authorities have begun taking measures like distributing mosquito nets, having workers spray residential areas, streets and construction sites with insecticide. People who do not empty bottles, flower pots or other outdoor receptacles, where water might accumulate and allow mosquitoes to breed, can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures this year have worsened the crisis in China. Are we seeing more chikungunya outbreaks? Yes. The number of outbreaks has increased since 2000, just as there have been more outbreaks of other mosquito-transmitted diseases like dengue and Zika, according to Robert Jones, an assistant professor at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones said in a statement that in 2013, chikungunya was first seen in the island of St. Martin and that over the next three years, cases were confirmed in almost 50 countries in the Caribbean and the Americas, with more than 1 million suspected cases. Jones said the risks of chikungunya epidemics have risen due to climate change and urban expansion, warning that the current outbreak could spread to other parts of southern China with humid climates and dense cities. __ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The Brief Police have confirmed the identity of a 5-year-old child whose body was discovered in Massey Creek under the Old Colchester Road Bridge in Lorton more than 50 years agohis name was Carl Matthew Bryant. Chief Kevin Davis credited advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing for finally solving the decades-old mystery. More details will be shared at Mondays press conference. LORTON, Va. - Police have confirmed the identity of a 5-year-old child whose body was discovered in Massey Creek under the Old Colchester Road Bridge in Lorton more than 50 years agohis name was Carl Matthew Bryant. Fairfax County Police Department What we know Chief Kevin Davis credited advanced DNA testing and forensic-grade genome sequencing for finally solving the decades-old mystery. The victim had remained unidentified since being found in 1972. Astrea Forensics, a biotechnology company founded in 2019, developed a DNA profile for Bryant using genetic genealogy, according to Fairfax County Police. Then, Innovative Forensic Investigations, a private investigation company, used this profile to identify a possible relative of Bryant. Through an extensive research process, detectives were able to trace Bryant's family to Philadelphia, Pa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Philadelphia Police Department was able to track down a relative that led them to Bryant's mother, Vera Bryant. Although she died in 1980, a family member confirmed that she had two sons, Carl and James, and that they had planned to travel to Virginia in 1972. The family also confirmed that Carl Bryant had disappeared after leaving for Virginia. The victim's mother's body was then exhumed, and DNA confirmed a match, according to police. Detectives believe that Vera Bryant and her boyfriend at the time, James Hedgepeth, were involved in the murder of Carl Bryant. Hedgepeth was previously convicted of murder and had a violent criminal history. He is also deceased. Detectives also believe that Vera Bryant's other son, James Bryant, was killed around the same time and that these events happened somewhere between Philadelphia and Middlesex County, Va. James Bryant was six months old at the time, and he is presumed to be dead. Detectives believe his body could have been discarded somewhere along this route. Fairfax County Police Department "This case could not have been solved without the tireless dedication and partnership of multiple organizations across jurisdictions," the Fairfax County Police Department said in a statement. Those organizations include those listed above as well as the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children, the Philadelphia Medical Examiners Office, Philadelphia's Office of the District Attorney, George Mason University, the FBI, Greenmount Cemetery in Philadelphia, and Coleman Cemetery in Alexandria. What you can do Detectives are still investigating in the hopes of recovering James Bryant's body, as well as gaining an understanding of what happened to these two young boys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you remember this family, or if any law enforcement agency has recovered or documented unidentified infant remains from the 1970s, especially in Virginia or the Philadelphia area, you're asked to call the Fairfax County Major Crimes Bureau at 703-246-7800 and select option 2. Tips can also be submitted anonymously through Crime Solvers by calling 1-866-411-8477. Anonymous tipsters are eligible for cash rewards. Investigators plan to share more details during a press conference at police headquarters on Monday. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Fairfax County Police Department. A growing memorial for Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband stands Monday, June 16, 2025 at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul. (Photo by Nicole Neri/Minnesota Reformer) Colin and Sophie Hortman on Wednesday paid tribute to their late parents on the alternative music station The Current, sharing memories of how the music-loving duo intertwined melodies into their lives alongside public service. We wanted to celebrate our parents memory, Mark and Melissa Hortman, through music, Colin Hortman said on the morning show. Were trying to do things that put a smile on other peoples faces because thats how they lived their whole (lives). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed on June 14 in a politically motivated assassination. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, was among the most influential Minnesota elected officials of the past decade. The Hortman children kicked off the musical tribute playlist with Somebody That I Used to Know by Gotye. Sophie Hortman said when she was in high school, her dad came into her bedroom and said I have to show you this cool song, she recalled. It was Somebody that I Used to Know, which about a month later skyrocketed on the charts. He was ahead of the curve on that one, for sure, Sophie Hortman said. Mark Hortman loved Led Zeppelin the playlist included the song Rock and Roll while Melissa Hortman was an ABBA fan Dancing Queen. The Hortman children remembered their mother often going on what she called disco walks, where she would walk around the block while listening to music. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Hortman children said whenever they think of their dad, the band Soul Coughing comes to mind. Recollections of driving in the car while listening to Prince surface when they think of their mom, they said. The final song in the tribute playlist was Van Morrisons Moondance. Sophie and Colin Hortman said their parents loved to dance together. Across all their musical differences, they could always come together on Van Morrison and that was always something that they could listen to and dance together. Across the United States, more parents are growing concerned as they witness a narrow religious ideology gaining influence over their childrens public schools. While some argue that inclusive school curricula are threatening their religious freedom, many others are worried that one belief system is being imposed dictating not only which books are available in classrooms but who gets to be represented in the school experience. The battle over books, especially those centering LGBTQ+ lives and diverse identities, has become a larger conflict about who controls the definition of American childhood and which values shape that narrative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question emerging in the law right now is: Which parents have rights? Jessica Mason Pieklo, Senior Vice President and Executive Editor of Rewire News Group, told HuffPost. Were seeing the conservative legal movement rally around a narrow vision of parental identity, control, and rights, one that doesnt reflect or include all families. For many families, the cultural and legal battles over school curricula arent abstract; theyre deeply personal. Illustration: HuffPost; Photos: Getty Education, once a shared public good, is increasingly becoming a battleground. And at the center of it is a Supreme Court case that could have far-reaching consequences: Mahmoud v. Taylor, which challenged the inclusion of LGBTQ+ books in a Maryland school district. In Mahmoud v. Taylor, the Supreme Court blocked a Maryland school districts LGBTQ+-inclusive curriculum, ruling it posed a very real threat to the religious beliefs of some parents and supporting their right to opt their children out of such instruction. While the ruling doesnt impose a nationwide ban, it opens the door for local challenges that can limit educators ability to provide diverse and inclusive education. For parents, this means the fight is about whose voices are heard in their communities. Beyond Book Bans, A Silent Erasure Is Occurring This isnt a book ban case, explains Kelly Jensen, award-winning author and editor at Book Riot. Its a case about education and religious rights. None of the books are being banned or pulled from curricula. The real issue is the chilling effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teachers, already working under immense pressure, may now think twice before including LGBTQ+ books in classrooms, even if those books are age-appropriate and affirming. The silent erasure of books, disappearing from shelves without formal challenges, is as insidious as outright bans, Jensen warns. The ruling in Mahmoud v. Taylor didnt change the law outright, but it signaled a cultural shift. One where certain religious beliefs are being elevated above others. The uproar over inclusive books in schools isnt a spontaneous, grassroots movement; its a carefully coordinated effort. These book bans are astroturfed, Pieklo said. They dont bubble up organically in a community because theres overwhelming concern that some inappropriate material has been placed there. These are part of a larger advocacy campaign. Despite the noise, most families support inclusive curricula and occupy a middle ground, favoring opt-out options for personal or religious objections without imposing blanket bans that restrict access for everyone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Pieklo, these efforts to flood schools with opt-outs are part of a broader conservative legal strategy aimed at undermining public education and controlling what students learn, particularly around race, gender, and history. This isnt about free speech or parental choice, she said. Its about using the power of the law to try and direct outcomes. Religious Freedom For Who? And those outcomes are already changing. The 11th Circuit Court recently upheld a Florida law that prevents teachers from using students preferred pronouns, mandating that they refer to students only by their sex assigned at birth. The court even ruled that misgendering students is protected speech. The religious justification being used in these cases isnt general, its specific. The ruling essentially says religion is more important than your identity, and not just any religion, but specific types of religious interpretations, Pieklo explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In oral arguments for Mahmoud, conservative justices grossly distorted the nature of inclusive books. Justice Neil Gorsuch even described Pride Puppy, a board book about a child attending a Pride parade, as a bondage manual for kindergartners. For many families, the cultural and legal battles over school curricula arent abstract; theyre deeply personal. My kids are older now, Pieklo said, but it is very important for me and my family that our children have access to, not just exposure, but access to, books, information, resources, materials that explain not just the world around them but a world they may or may not feel 100% a part of. That helps them understand and navigate shifting understandings of identity. That sense of wanting children to see and understand the world in its full complexity is shared by other parents across the country. Stephanie, a mother from North Carolina, echoes the importance of broad exposure: Im a Christian and I want my kids to learn about the world as it is, not just through the lens of our faith. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katie, a public school teacher and parent, said shes horrified by efforts to limit what kids can learn. I want my kids to learn as much about the world as they can, and I know I cant teach them everything. I trust that they can handle hearing viewpoints that differ from their own. That trust in students ability to think critically is matched by a strong belief in the power of representation. Mindi, a former teacher, reflects on how she would approach things if she were still in the classroom. I would have integrated books with secondary characters who identify as LGBTQ not for indoctrination, but to support my students with other identities. No book bans, ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some, like Denise, a mother in Pennsylvania, the issue goes even deeper into questions of visibility and belonging. I think its disgusting that LGBTQ+ is being erased from our childrens education, she said. These are real people with real and valid ways to love. Taking it out of schools means my kids will always think its taboo to love who they love. We All Lose Something Underlying all of these perspectives is a shared concern about whose values are shaping whats taught, and whose voices are being silenced. When one religious ideology dictates what can be taught, read, or affirmed in public schools, we all lose something, Pieklo notes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As public schools face funding cuts and increasing pressure, decisions like Mahmoud v. Taylor hand a louder platform to a narrow, often extreme religious agenda that can then shape what every child is allowed to learn, regardless of their own parents wishes. Though these rulings claim to protect parental rights, some parents feel they frequently silence and disenfranchise those who want their children to see themselves reflected in their education and to understand the rich diversity of the world around them. Some parents are pushing back on the notion that rulings like Mahmoud v. Taylor actually protect their religious freedom or rights as parents. Steve Chenn via Getty Images Megan, a mother of children in public schools, puts it even more bluntly: Religion does not belong in schools. I do not enforce or force my beliefs on other peoples children. And Im incredibly not okay with one religion being forced on mine in a free country. The deeper issue, some parents argue, is the widening gap between well-funded private religious schools and under-resourced public ones. Jensen warns that unless communities push back, this divide will only deepen: This ruling might fuel the expansion of voucher programs, pushing public funds toward private religious education, she said. It divides the haves from the have-nots. And it hurts public schools that already struggle for funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Megan echoes that concern, pointing to the strain on her childrens school, where the teachers union has had to fight for basics like smaller class sizes and fair pay. They deserve help not funding cuts and more pressure on an already struggling system. Related... Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. Authorities had reported more than 7,000 cases of the virus as of Wednesday, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, some 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. It appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever and joint pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before, Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly. Chinese state television has shown workers spraying insecticide around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with mosquitoes. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, and authorities are using drones to try to find standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs. Authorities also have threatened to fine people who dont empty water from outdoor receptacles. Residents can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the virus, the US has issued a travel advisory suggesting that Americans take extra precautions when visiting Chinas Guangdong province, where Foshan is located, as well as Bolivia and some island nations in the Indian Ocean. Since the 2003 SARS outbreak, China has used strict measures to fight the spread of viruses, including hard-line tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for at least one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped because the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the spread of chikungunya with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitoes to eat the insects carrying the virus. Officials have held meetings and adopted protocols at the national level in a sign of Chinas determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com China and Kuwait are deepening their military cooperation, with an expanding training program and the opening of a joint ammunition factory in Kuwait. Little is known about the plant, which was announced last year and reportedly produces light and medium ammunition, according to the South China Morning Post. The two countries began joint military training programs in 2019, and Beijing supplies Kuwait with 155mm cannons. Still, despite growing defense and trade ties with China a trend seen across the Gulf the US remains the regions top military partner. Kuwait, for example, receives nearly two-thirds of its arms from Washington and hosts 13,500 US soldiers on its territory. In July 2025, the Western European PV market improved nearly 4% YoY as sales reached 950k units. However, the selling rate eased fractionally to 11.5 million units/year. Overall, 2025 continues to be a tough year for the market as YTD sales are marginally worse (-0.5% YoY) than 2024, now standing at just over 7 million units. Across the five major markets in the region, sales remained mixed in July. Spain continued its strong run of growth as sales were up double digits YoY, while Germany also saw its best result since April 2024, a reversal from the negative trend seen throughout the year. Conversely, France, Italy, and the UK all saw declines; the drop in the French market being the most notable, having fallen on a YoY basis in every month of 2025. Source: GlobalData Commentary For July, the PV selling rate for Western Europe stood at 11.5 million units/year, slightly down on June. The market did improve in YoY terms by 4% with most markets experiencing some level of growth; however, three of the big five markets fell at least 5% YoY. Of the big five markets, Spain and Germany saw solid growth in July. Spain recorded a third consecutive month of growth over 15% YoY as well as its eleventh consecutive month of overall growth, as the combination of the Reinicia Auto+ Plan, the rise in electrified vehicle registrations supported by government incentives from the MOVES Plan, and effective promotional efforts by brands, continue to boost sales. Spanish PV sales totalled 98k units. Sales in Germany were surprising as the market saw its second month of growth in 2025 and its best result since April 2024, as sales reached 265k units. Economic sentiment in Germany is improving due to the German governments diversion from austerity measures. The 50% tariffs announced by US President Donald Trump on many Brazilian products took effect Wednesday, a situation that China is already taking advantage of by opening its market to Brazilian coffee, one of the products most affected by the trade measures. Chinas embassy in Brasilia said that Chinese companies are arriving in Brazil, sharing a video on X featuring its food delivery giant Meituan. And the bridge is bidirectional: Brazil is also consolidating its presence in China with its beloved Brazilian coffee, the post said. Days earlier, the embassy announced that China had authorized 183 new Brazilian coffee companies to export to the Chinese market, with a five-year permit. In another message, it highlighted the growth of coffee consumption in the country, saying the beverage has been gaining a place in the daily lives of the Chinese. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nation of coffee-drinkers, the United States is the worlds largest coffee importer. Its main supplier is Brazil, which in 2024 shipped 30.7% of the 1.5 million metric tons bought by the US market. Analysts have told CNN that Trumps trade measures may prompt the Brazilian government to foster closer ties with other partners. While the United States has a trade surplus with Brazil, the White House has presented political arguments for the 40-percentage-point increase in tariffs on the South American country. An executive order that Trump signed last week with the new tariff scheme accuses the Brazilian government of committing serious human rights abuses with its prosecution of former President Jair Bolsonaro, a Trump ally who is on trial over an alleged coup plot against President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Bolsonaro has denied all allegations of wrongdoing. Then-Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, right, meets with President Donald Trump in Osaka, Japan, during a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the 2019 G20 Summit. - Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images/File The order was signed days after Trump demanded in a letter that Brazil end the trial immediately, accusing Lula of carrying out a witch hunt against Bolsonaro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula responded by saying, The judiciary branch of power in Brazil is independent. The president of the Republic has no influence whatsoever, adding that Bolsonaro is not being judged personally. He is being judged by the acts he tried to organize a coup detat. The Brazilian government has promised to respond to Trumps trade measures, but has not yet announced what steps it will take. Lula has stated that his country must be treated as an equal in any potential trade negotiations with the United States, and emphasized that there is a limit to discussion with the Trump administration. On Wednesday, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Guo Jiakun said at a press conference that cooperation between Beijing and Brasilia has benefited both peoples, and assured that China is willing to deepen the relationship in various fields and add new strategic dimensions. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Zane Li was nine years old when he got a baby sister and her arrival plunged the family in a small city in eastern China into crippling debt. Under Chinas stringent one-child policy at the time, Lis parents were fined 100,000 yuan (about $13,900) for having a second child nearly three times their annual income from selling fish at the local market. We were barely able to survive, Li recalled. The then third-grader was forced to grow up overnight, taking on most of the housework and spending school holidays helping his mother at her stall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now 25, Li says he has no plans to have children a stance increasingly common for his generation and something that worries Chinas government as it tries to avert a population crisis of its own making. For decades, officials pressured couples to have fewer children, through hefty fines, forced abortions and sterilizations, only to now plead with Lis generation to make more babies. Last week, in the latest push to boost flagging birth rates, China announced it would offer parents an annual subsidy of 3,600 yuan ($500) for every child until age three, effective retroactively from January 1. But for many young adults like Li, the offer falls flat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost of raising a child is enormous, and 3,600 yuan a year is a mere drop in the bucket, said Li, who took out a student loan to study for a masters degree in health services in Beijing. Raising a child to the age of 18 costs an average of 538,000 yuan ($75,000) in China, more than six times its GDP per capita making it one of the most expensive places in the world to have children in relative terms, according to a recent study by the Beijing-based YuWa Population Research Institute. In Shanghai, the cost soars past 1 million yuan, with Beijing close behind at 936,000 yuan. (Having kids) would only bring more hardship. Im not a capitalist or anything, and my kid probably wouldnt have much of a good life either, said Li, whos anxious about his job prospects and contemplating pursuing a PhD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a dim outlook on future parenthood fueled by Chinas slowing economy and soaring youth unemployment presents a major hurdle to the governments push for young people to get married and have children. Faced with a shrinking workforce and a rapidly aging population, China scrapped its one-child policy in 2016, allowing couples to have two children, then three in 2021. But birth rates have continued to slide. The population has now been shrinking for three consecutive years despite a modest rebound in births last year, and experts are now warning of an even sharper decline. A medical worker explains local childcare subsidies at a hospital on March 16, 2025 in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia of China. - China News Service/Getty Images From fines to subsidies The newly announced national childcare subsidy marks a significant step in Chinas pro-birth campaign. For years, local authorities have experimented with a raft of incentives from tax breaks, housing perks and cash handouts to extended maternity leave. Now, the central government is taking the lead with a standardized, nationwide program, allocating 90 billion yuan ($12.54 billion) in subsidies expected to benefit 20 million families this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its no longer just a local experiment. Its a signal that the government sees the birth rate crisis as urgent and national, said Emma Zang, a demographer and sociology professor at Yale University. The message is clear: were not just telling you to have babies, we are finally putting some money on the table. The new scheme, which also offers partial subsidies for children under three born prior to 2025, has been welcomed by eligible parents but Zang said its unlikely to move the needle on fertility rate. Similar policies have largely failed to boost births in other East Asian societies like Japan and South Korea, she added. For many Chinese young people grappling with unattainable housing prices, long workdays and a precarious job market, the subsidy doesnt even begin to address the deep-seated anxieties that underpin their reluctance to start a family. Its really not just about the cost. Many young adults are skeptical about the future, such as job security, aging parents, social pressure, so a cash handout doesnt address the emotional fatigue people are facing these days, Zang said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The irony of the shift from fining parents for unsanctioned births to subsidizing them to have more children is not lost on Chinas millennials and Gen Zs especially those who have witnessed the harsh penalties of the one-child policy firsthand. On Chinese social media, some users have posted photos of old receipts showing the fines their parents once paid for giving birth to them or their siblings. Among them is Gao, who grew up in the remote mountains of Guizhou and asked to only be identified by her family name. The southwestern province is one of Chinas poorest and was among the many areas granted a carve-out under the one-child policy, allowing rural couples a second child if their first born was a girl a concession to the countrys traditional preference for sons. Like her two older sisters, Gao was sent to live with her grandmother shortly after she was born to hide from family planning officials, so that her parents could keep trying for a boy. They went on to have four daughters before finally having a son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now living in the eastern province of Jiangsu, Gao, 27, says she has no interest in marriage or raising children. Knowing that I cant provide a child with a good environment for education and life, choosing not to have one is also an act of kindness, she said. I definitely dont want my child to grow up like me with no chance of upward mobility and struggling at the bottom of society, just as I have. A billboard promoting family planning in Beijing on March 1, 1991 - Forrest Anderson/The Chronicle Collection/Getty Images Fading optimism For decades, as Chinas economy boomed and living standards improved, generations of young people had grown up with the belief that they would live a better life than their parents. That optimism is now fading. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, many youngsters raised on the promise of upward mobility through hard work and education are growing disillusioned: property prices have soared beyond their reach, and a university degree no longer guarantees a good job with coveted opportunities increasingly going to those with family connections. There is a growing sense of futility that their relentless effort yields only diminishing returns in an ever more competitive society a trend summed up by the popular buzzword involution, a term borrowed from sociology to describe a self-defeating spiral of excessive competition. In response, many are choosing to lie flat another catchphrase that refers to opting out of the grind of meeting societys expectations, including marriage and childrearing. June Zhao, 29, grew up in a middle-class family in one of the most involuted places in China: Beijings Haidian district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Home to 3 million people and many of the nations top universities, Haidian is equally famous for its hyper-competitive approach to raising children. Zhao started attending tutoring classes every weekend in third grade and she was already a few years behind her peers. After finishing her bachelor and postgraduate degrees overseas, Zhao returned to Beijing to work in investor relations. She says the immense pressure she grew up with and still feels has played a big part in her decision not to have children. The cost is simply too high and the returns too low, she said. In general, I have a rather pessimistic outlook on life Ive put in so much, yet received very little in return. Zhao considers herself lucky her job rarely demands much overtime. Even so, she struggles to imagine finding the time to raise a child. After commuting and eating dinner, she has just two or three hours of free time each day before going to bed. It would be even harder for her friends trapped in the 996 grind of working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many of her contemporaries, Gao simply is not optimistic about the life she could provide for a child, or the society it would be born into. You only feel the urge to have children when you believe the days to come will be good, she said. Students who are about to take the college entrance examination are having evening self-study in the classroom in Lianyungang City, Jiangsu Province, China on the evening of June 3, 2025. - CFOTO/Future Publishing/Getty Images Then theres the longstanding gender imbalance in childrearing, along with the physical and emotional toll it takes on women. In Zhaos case, it was her mother who had to juggle having a full-time job and helping her with homework, or escorting her to tutoring classes. I saw firsthand how hard it was for my mother to raise me. I know for a fact that women bear a much heavier burden and cost than men when it comes to raising a family, she said. As the fertility rate drops, the ruling Communist Party has emphasized womens domestic role as a virtuous wife and good mother touting it as a cherished part of Chinas traditional culture and essential to the healthy growth of the next generation. Officials have exhorted women to establish a correct outlook on marriage, childbirth and family. Zang, the demographer, said its simply unrealistic to expect women to have more children without addressing the real barriers they face. You cant turn back the clock and hope that women will just embrace more traditional roles. Todays young women are highly educated, career oriented, and want more equality. Unless policies support that reality through things like paternity leave, workplace protection and flexible jobs, fertility rates wont rebound, she said. The government wants more babies, but society isnt structured to support families, she added. Right now, parenting looks like a trap, especially for women. Until that changes, subsidies wont be enough. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Two Chinese nationals were charged with illegally shipping to China tens of millions of dollars worth of sensitive microchips used in artificial intelligence (AI) applications, the Department of Justice (DOJ) announced Tuesday. Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang are accused of knowingly and willfully exporting chips, including Nvidia H100s, to China without obtaining the required licensing from the Department of Commerce, from October 2022 to July 2025. The defendants company, ALX Solutions Inc., was founded in 2022, shortly after the U.S. imposed sweeping export restrictions on the advanced computer chips to China, according to the DOJ, which cited an affidavit filed with the criminal complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On more than 20 occasions, according to the DOJ, the company sent restricted technology to freight-forwarding companies in Malaysia and Singapore, which then purportedly sent the shipments to China. The California-based company received payments from companies based in China and Hong Kong, according to the DOJ, but never from the Malaysian and Singaporean companies. The defendants are also accused of mislabeling a shipment as subject to federal laws and regulations in the hopes of avoiding inspection, but the chip actually required a license, according to the DOJ press release. That chip, the complainant says, is the most powerful GPU chip on the market and is designed specifically for AI applications, such as those used to develop self-driving cars, medical diagnosis systems, and other AI-powered applications, the DOJ release said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants were charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act, a felony that carries up to 20 years in federal prison. Yang, who lives illegally in the U.S. after overstaying her visa, was arrested on Saturday. Geng, a lawful permanent U.S. resident, surrendered to federal authorities later that day. They appeared late Monday before a magistrate judge, and Geng was released on a $250,000 bond. The arraignment was set for Sept. 11. The DOJ said law enforcement searched their companys office last week and seized the defendants phones, which revealed incriminating communications between the defendants, including communications about shipping export-controlled chips to China through Malaysia to evade U.S. export laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two Chinese nationals have been arrested and charged with illegally shipping millions of dollars' worth of powerful AI chips to China, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) said on Tuesday. The DOJ alleged that over the last three years ALX Solutions, a company it said was run by Chuan Geng and Shiwei Yang, exported the chips from the US to China without the required licences. Court documents seen by the BBC allege the shipments included Nvidia's H100 graphics processing units (GPUs), which have become a key focus of US export controls aimed at stopping China purchasing the cutting-edge technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case shows that smuggling its chips "is a nonstarter," an Nvidia spokesperson said. Nvidia sells products to well-known partners who help to ensure that all sales comply with US export control rules, she added. "Even relatively small exporters and shipments are subject to thorough review and scrutiny, and any diverted products would have no service, support or updates." According to court documents, California-based ALX Solutions had three known employees: Mr Geng handled the firm's finances, Ms Yang was its secretary, while its chief executive was not named in the documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DOJ said the three individuals exercised "full decision-making authority and shipment coordination" for the firm. Mr Geng was a permanent resident of California, and Ms Yang, was an "illegal alien" who had overstayed her visa, a DOJ statement said. Business records showed the company sent goods several times from the US to shipping firms in Singapore and Malaysia between October 2022 and July 2025, the DOJ said, noting that both countries are used as transit hubs to "conceal illegal shipments" to China. ALX never received payments from these shipping firms and would instead be paid by other companies based in Hong Kong and China. These included a $1m (750,000) payment from a China-based firm in January 2024, said the DOJ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last December, ALX sent a shipment with export-restricted computing chips - including Nvidia's H100 and GeForce RTX 4090 GPUs - which was checked by US customs, according to court documents. "Neither ALX Solutions nor Geng or Yang applied for or obtained a license from the Commerce Department," the documents said. In one 2023 invoice valued at more than $28.4m, ALX allegedly declared to Super Micro Computer, a supplier of Nvidia chips, that the devices were ordered for a Singapore-based customer. But a US export control officer in Singapore could not verify that the chips arrived in the country and the company named did not exist at the listed location, the court document said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It appears that ALX Solutions shipped the Nvidia products to different end users." Super Micro told the BBC that it was "firmly committed to compliance with all US export control regulations." It added that it would not comment on an ongoing legal case but would cooperate with authorities in any such proceedings. Ms Yang was arrested on Saturday while Mr Geng surrendered himself to the authorities soon after, the DOJ said. The pair appeared in federal court in Los Angeles on Monday, the DOJ said. If found guilty they could face up to 20 years in prison. ALX Solutions does not appear to have a website, according to court documents. A website for ALX-Cloud, which specialises in cloud computing services, states that it is a subsidiary of the company. The BBC was unable to immediately locate the lawyers for Mr Geng and Ms Yang but has contacted ALX-Cloud to request a statement. Additional reporting by Peter Hoskins Chloe Ayling, a glamour model from Coulsdon, south London, was attending what she had been told was a photo shoot for motorcycle leathers in Milan. Upon arriving at the studio in July 2017, she was grabbed by two men in balaclavas, who injected ketamine into her arm and bundled her, gagged, into a holdall in the boot of a car. She was taken to a remote farmhouse where she was handcuffed to a chest of drawers before her agent was sent an email from someone claiming to be a mid-high level contract killer working for an organised crime group that traded in human beings. He was then sent an ultimatum: hand over $300,000 within five days, or the 20-year-old would be auctioned as a sex slave on the dark web. It even included an advert: Chloe: Caucasian; 34DD-25-35. Attached were three photos of her in swimwear lying on the floor. The detective superintendent appointed to lead the case, who chooses to remain anonymous, said: Ive seen dead people who looked in a far better condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ayling was a victim, first of the mid-high level contract killer who turned out to be ukasz Herba, a 30-year-old West Midlands-based Polish computer programmer described in court as a fantasist with narcissistic tendencies. And then, after she was freed following six days in captivity, she became a victim of the Italian justice system, which published her name against her wishes, and the British media, which refused to believe the details of the seemingly harebrained plot. As a result, attention and scepticism soon switched to her strangely detached demeanour about the whole affair. What is it about me and this story that makes it so hard to believe? she asks at the opening of each episode of a new three-part BBC documentary, Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping. The series follows umpteen tabloid stories about the model, appearances on a parade of ITV daytime sofas and a 2024 BBC dramatisation of the tale, Kidnapped. Aylings difficulty in expressing emotion was one of the key reasons the press and public refused to take her story at face value. Too happy, too composed, too relaxed, summed up broadcaster Eamonn Holmes at the time. But in the documentary, she breaks down in tears as she recalls the harrowing details of her abduction. The man she knew as MD served her a plate of rice cakes while telling her he was an assassin whose favoured method of murder was poisoning: No one investigates a heart attack, he said. He explained that he worked for an organisation called Black Death and that even if he wanted to release her, there were powerful figures above him who would not allow it. In 2024 the BBC released Kidnapped, a dramatisation of Chloe Aylings story - Zoe Midford Aylings natural stoicism gave her an extraordinary presence of mind during her ordeal. She calmly spurned Herbas sexual advances, saying she was not feeling it while chained to furniture, but he lit up at discussion of what she might agree to once free. She reveals she started talking to him about the future, to lead him on, and make him want to fight to release me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Ayling was unaware of was that Black Death was not a far-reaching criminal enterprise, but an invention by Herba, and that he had enlisted the assistance of his brother, Michal, in snatching her from the studio. When Aylings contacts failed to stump up the $300,000, Herba agreed to release her on condition she said nothing to the police and paid $50,000 within the month. He drove her to the British consulate, posing as a friend she had called upon her release. Neither of them knew that the officials there had been alerted to her abduction, and Herba was promptly arrested. Video evidence of Ayling is played in a Milan court during her kidnappers trial - AP Photo/Antonio Calanni Aylings evidence helped convict him of kidnapping and extortion, with a prison sentence reduced on appeal to just over 11 years. If that were not vindication enough of Aylings account, the BBC series features exclusive interviews with the anonymous UK detective, from the Regional Organised Crime Unit, along with three officers from Milan Police and the judge at her kidnappers trial: all stand by Aylings version of events, the judge describing her testimony as extremely precise, specific and detailed. Yet, eight years on, suspicion and hostility still stalk Ayling, who says: The hate never went away. It has ranged from a belligerent Piers Morgan on Good Morning Britain to trolls on social media who have continued to post damning remarks such as a lying mastermind, dumb but gorgeous. The aftermath definitely affected me more, long-term, than the actual kidnap itself, she tells the documentary makers. She was forced to stay in Italy for three weeks after her release and taken back to the site of her captivity by police keen to elicit a shaken response from a woman they were yet to believe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After being cleared to return home, a frenzy of photographers camped outside her mothers house. Persuaded that the only way to get rid of them was to go outside and talk, she stood smiling and delivered a short statement, while dressed in revealing clothing. In the documentary, Page 3 photographer Jeany Savage who had shot Aylings Daily Star debut as a Surrey sweetie and frilly thriller speaks for her detractors: She appears in a little white top with her t--s hanging out. I mean, come on! Chloe Ayling delivering a short statement outside her mothers house in 2017 - RAI footage Ayling, who describes herself online as a multiple property owner, is shown relaxing in her rural idyll in Snowdonia. But her mother struggles with whats happened, the model says in a voice-over, and wont be doing an interview in this film. Aylings son, a toddler during the kidnapping, is not even mentioned, nor is her 2018 stint in the Celebrity Big Brother house, or her sideline on adult content subscription website OnlyFans. Nonetheless, Ayling appears to have learnt from her media journey. Unlike her appearances on This Morning or Victoria Derbyshire, in which she was seen in skimpy outfits and with voluminous blow-dried locks, she is interviewed here wearing a mint-green blazer and her hair in a demure bun. Aylings Daily Star Page 3 debut as a Surrey sweetie - Jeany Savage She has also learnt something more profound about herself. In the final episode, she is filmed receiving a psychiatric report diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder. There are difficulties in social interaction, communication and repetition, it reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The diagnosis not only explains her lack of expression, no matter how hard I try, but also experiences that date back to childhood: My mum would come on school trips, she recalls, because she was worried that I wouldnt be able to say what I wanted. The case judge, Ilio Mannucci Pacini, says in the programme: Interpreting the calm demeanour she showed as a sign of the absence of trauma is, I believe, a mistaken mechanism. Or, as Ayling puts it more succinctly: Not everyone has to fit in the same box. Chloe Ayling: My Unbelievable Kidnapping is available on BBC iPlayer 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. Stomach-turning footage of the viral brawl that broke out in downtown Cincinnati in late July has ignited public outrage as community leaders and members demand answers about the event that left six civilians injured. The brutal beatdown gained traction online as the video of several victims being thrown to the ground and assaulted shocked the nation, forcing local leaders to answer for the unnecessary violence in a series of events that continue to play out on the national stage. Bystander footage captures the moment a large group turns on several individuals at around 3 a.m. on the corner of Fourth and Elm streets in downtown Cincinnatis business district. In a video obtained by Fox News Digital, an unidentified man can be heard yelling racial slurs while being beaten in the street, with some claiming the male victim slapped the perpetrator prior to the fight breaking out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cincinnati Residents On Edge After Viral Beatdown Sparks Crime Concerns: 'What's Gonna Happen Next?' Another angle shows a woman, later identified as "Holly," attempting to break up the fight before she is also slammed to the ground and knocked unconscious. Minutes after the fight ended, a lone 911 caller rang authorities to report the brawl. Read On The Fox News App "At this point, everybody's running out, so it was before, about 20, 30 people, but everybody's out," the caller said. Throughout the three-minute, 15-second phone call, the 911 operator can be heard asking several times how many people were involved in the fight and whether police were needed at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So you keep saying they left, do you need police to respond out?" the dispatcher asked toward the end of the call. Video Of Racial Slur Yelled During The Brutal Cincinnati Beatdown Emerges "I would prefer, yes," the man said. "I would prefer, yes. Absolutely." Cincinnati Chief of Police Teresa Theetge announced in a press conference that the department is investigating the incident. "The behavior displayed is nothing short of cruel and absolutely unacceptable," Theetge said in a statement. "Our investigative team is working diligently to identify every individual involved in causing harm. Its also important to clarify: this was a sudden dispute between individuals following a verbal altercation." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cincinnati Business Owners Slam Viral 'Out Of Control' Beating Amid Fight To Clean Up Downtown As the video began to gain traction online, government leaders spoke out to voice their concerns regarding the actions in the footage. "I was born and raised in Cincinnati, and its sad to see this kind of heinous violence on the streets," Ohio Republican gubernatorial candidate Vivek Ramaswamy told Fox News Digital. "Its a shame that Democrats in our state remain silent when so many of their constituents are suffering from their lax-on-crime policies. Were going to bring law and order back to cities across Ohio on my watch. Its time for a new generation to lead with a spine." Theetge revealed during a press conference that, of the approximately 100 individuals present on the street corner at the time of the fight, only one person called 911. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Identify Multiple Suspects In Brutal Cincinnati Street Fight: 'Cruel And Absolutely Unacceptable' The corner of Fourth and Elm Street outside of LoVe, a local nightclub, where the beating took place, as seen on July 28, 2025, in Cincinnati. "That is unacceptable to not call the police," Theetge said. "Traffic was horrendous. People saw this. They were fighting in front of traffic. Why didn't people call us?" The police chief also revealed that authorities would be charging five individuals for their involvement in the brawl, with police sources telling Fox News Digital that four of the suspects had already been identified. Vice President JD Vance also voiced his feelings about the attack, adding that while he doesn't have all the context, he saw "a mob of lawless thugs beating up an innocent person." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cincinnati Mayor Vows Charges For Everyone Involved After Pastor Says Its Still A Racial Issue "Its disgusting. I hope every single one of those people who engaged in violence is prosecuted to the full extent of the law," Vance said. "You had a grown man who sucker punched a middle-aged woman and where I come from, at least, when you have a grown man sucker punching a middle-aged woman that person ought to go to jail for a very long time. And frankly, he is lucky there werent some better people around because they would handle it themselves." Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine weighed in on the fight, calling the footage "shocking." "The footage of the weekend incident in Cincinnati is shocking," he said. "I support local authorities bringing the violent offenders to justice and taking measures so that their cities are safe for all to live, work, and enjoy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fifth Suspect Arrested In Viral Cincinnati Beatdown As Victim Details Her 'Ongoing Battle' Authorities announced the arrests of Montianez Merriweather, 34, and DeKyra Vernon, 24, for their alleged roles in the brutal beating. Both Vernon and Merriweather face felonious assault, aggravated riot and assault charges . Jermaine Matthews, 39, is taken into custody in connection with the attack, and is initially charged with aggravated riot and assault. Cincinnati Beatdown Victim Reveals 'Very Bad Brain Trauma' In First Remarks Since Viral Assault All three defendants appeared in a Hamilton County courtroom for bond hearings, with a judge ordering Matthews to be held on a $500,000 bond, Matthews on a $100,000 bond; and Vernon on a $200,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the hearing, detectives alleged Matthews and Merriweather were seen chasing victims as they attempted to flee, before forcing the victims to the ground and assaulting them in what authorities called an "ambush" attack. "Mr. Merriweather goes after another gentleman behind another car and then he walks off to the side and goes to the sidewalk," the detective said. "So as to Mr. Merriweather's involvement in this, we believe that he coordinated this with Mr. Matthews. He walked up to him on a video, whispered something to him, and then strategically placed himself behind the victim." 5Th Cincinnati Brawl Suspects Mugshot Released After Fbi Arrest The FBI also confirmed to Fox News Digital that it was involved in the investigation into the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The FBI has been and will continue closely coordinating with the Cincinnati Police Department on this matter," the FBI told Fox News Digital. That same day, Sen. Bernie Moreno , R-Ohio, shared a photo of one of the victims in the attack, showing a woman with several injuries to her face including a black eye and busted lip. "Holly gave me permission to release the photos so that others will never suffer what she did," he wrote on social media. Cincinnati Assault: Hear 911 Call After Viral Mob Attack Cincinnati Mayor Aftab Pureval reportedly responded to criticism surrounding his choice to leave for a family vacation with his 5-year-old son the same day news broke about the brutal brawl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a long-planned family trip and celebration for my son," the mayor told The Enquirer. "I take my role as mayor very seriously, but I also take my role as a husband and father seriously as well." Pureval reportedly pointed to his son starting kindergarten soon and city council sessions resuming the following week as his rationale for taking the trip. However, the mayor planned to cut his vacation short by four days by flying back to Cincinnati on Thursday, The Enquirer reported. Cincinnati Mayoral Candidate, Vp Vance's Half-brother, Slams City Leadership After Brutal Beatdown Moreno also appeared on "Fox and Friends" to blast the mayor and city leaders for their handling of the events, calling the attack a "heinous situation." "Cincinnati is an amazing city, made by great people over decades, centuries actually. Its one of the shiny jewels of Ohio, and these idiotic political leaders that the citizens allow to have office need to go," Moreno said. Moreno announced he is planning to request an audit of Cincinnatis funding from the federal government. Fox News Digital also obtained the lone 911 call that was placed after the brawl had ended, with a man calling authorities shortly after 3 a.m. to report the fight. Exclusive: Ramaswamy Decries Anti-law Enforcement Culture In Wake Of Brutal Cincinnati Beating "At this point, everybody's running out, so it was before, about 20, 30 people, but everybody's out," the caller said on the three-minute phone call. Matthews later returned to court to face two new counts of felonious assault and one count of misdemeanor assault. He was then released after a judge set his bond at $270,000, FOX 19 reported. Authorities arrested a fourth suspect, 37-year-old Dominique Kittle, for his alleged involvement in the attack. Kittle is charged with felony assault, aggravated riot and two counts of assault, according to the Hamilton County Sheriffs Office. Why Didn't Anyone Break Up Cincinnati Beating? Bystander Behavior Expert Explains In a fiery press conference Friday afternoon, Theetge scolded the community over the fact that out of the approximately 100 witnesses, only one person called the police. "That is unacceptable to not call the police," Theetge said. "Traffic was horrendous. People saw this. They were fighting in front of traffic. Why didn't people call us?" Pureval also weighed in on the developments. "Let me be clear, there is no place for violent crime in Cincinnati, whether it's fight or gun violence, we will pursue those responsible and we will hold them accountable no matter who they are, period," Pureval said the press conference. Ramaswamy Pledges 'Rule Of Law' Revival After Viral Cincinnati Mob Attack The FBI and Justice Department also confirmed a federal investigation had been launched in response to the beatdown. Fox News Digital obtained new footage showing the moments leading up to the brawl. The video, shot by bystander Jay Black, depicts a man using racial slurs toward the group before being knocked to the ground. "I saw a little ruckus going on, saw people kind of scuffling, so kind of zoomed in, and once my phone kind of focused in, I saw the so-called victims being pretty aggressive toward the group of people that were already standing out there," Black told Fox News Digital. Black added that he watched someone get knocked to the ground, before getting up and start fighting again. Three Major Broadcast Networks Didn't Report On Heinous Cincinnati Brawl, Review Finds "Once he got up, you know people were kind of backing off of him, but he was kind of still going at people, you know, and using racial slurs," Black said. He told Fox News Digital that "contrary to what people think," there were actually "a lot of people" trying to break up the fight. A fifth suspect, Patrick Rosemond, 38, was taken into custody Monday afternoon by the FBI and Atlanta Metropolitan Major Offenders Task Force in Fulton County, Georgia. He is charged with two counts of felonious assault and aggravated riot, according to the Cincinnati Police Department. He is also charged with one count of fugitive from justice for a fingerprintable charge, according to the Fulton County Sheriffs Office. He is currently being held in the Fulton County Jail while awaiting extradition to Ohio, police said. Rosemond is a Cincinnati resident and does not have any registered addresses in Georgia , according to records obtained by Fox News Digital. A grand jury is scheduled to convene on Aug. 8 for the charges filed against Kittle, Vernon, Matthews and Merriweather. Fox News' Peter D'Abrosca, Greg Wehner, CB Cotton, Sarah Rumpf-Whitten and Adam Sabes contributed to this report. Original article source: Cincinnati brawl timeline: Brutal assault spirals into national firestorm (NewsNation) The woman who was attacked in a viral video filmed in downtown Cincinnati said she hoped laws would be written to punish bystanders who take video but dont call for help. The thing I think really upsets me is desensitization of humans where theres a brutal attack in front of you and they think, Oh let me get my phone and record it,' the woman, being identified as Holly, told reporters Wednesday. I truly hope in the future theres some sort of bill so someone can be prosecuted or at least fined if they dont call 911 first to save someones life. Holly said she feels like Dori from the Finding Nemo movies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My brain comes and goes, she said, noting a family member is taking care of her. She said pain has expanded from her face to her whole body, and she has trouble getting out of bed. READ MORE: Cincinnati residents say viral beating symptom of bigger issues Im in excruciating pain all the time, Holly said. Sen. Bernie Moreno, an Ohio Republican, said minimum sentences for violence should be toughened to dissuade people from hurting others. Moreno also said a meeting with city leaders to fix problems and prevent a similar incident in the city was productive. We had to put aside a lot of egos, Moreno said. This is about constructive, forward progress. He said it was important for residents to still visit downtown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, five people have been charged out of six the Cincinnati Police Department said it was seeking. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Aug. 5Cincinnati Children's Centerville location will be closed for several months beginning at the end of business Friday to address moisture issues in the building. "While testing confirms the building is safe and the air quality is similar to outdoor air, we need to fully address the moisture and humidity," the health system said in a statement. "The location will likely remain closed for several months." Patients affected by the closure were contacted directly to move appointments to other locations, a spokesperson said. Cincinnati Children's did not release the number of people impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Centerville Primary Care will be housed at Liberty Primary Care on Yankee Road in Liberty Twp. On its Facebook page, Cincinnati Children's said it does not anticipate space issues at the Liberty facility because they have dedicated exam rooms. There will be no walk-in service during the closure. The spokesperson was not able to give a more definitive timeline on when the Centerville location would reopen. The center opened in March 2023 at 6555 Clyo Road, Cincinnati Children's first foray into Montgomery County. In April 2024, Cincinnati Children's expanded the facility, which was previously home to a private medical practice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, Cincinnati Children's said total investment in the Centerville location was $9.1 million. It offers specialized pediatric care including gastroenterology, neurology, preventive cardiology, urology, genetics, pediatric surgery clinics, and outpatient laboratory services. Dayton Children's has more than 20 locations in the Dayton area offering similar services. This story has been updated to include Cincinnati Parks' vote related to the curfew. Cincinnati City Council approved a stricter city curfew and more money for police at their meeting on Aug. 6. The votes came in the wake of a viral street brawl about two weeks earlier that have raised concerns about crime in Cincinnati. The new curfew, a new curfew district in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown, and $2 million more for police and public safety passed council 8-0. Councilwoman Victoria Parks was absent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Councilman Scotty Johnson, who chairs the council's public safety committee, at the meeting criticized those who have called Cincinnati unsafe. "The illusion or flat-out lie that we dont live in a safe city, thats what it is, its a flat-out lie," Johnson said. "This council, this mayor, this administration, were not finished. Were going to keep turning over every rock...So Cincinnatians, you are safe." How the new Cincinnati curfew rules would work City council created a uniform citywide curfew of 11 p.m. for anyone unaccompanied under the age of 18. This would make it easier to enforce than the current curfew, Cincinnati Police Chief Teresa Theetge said in an earlier presentation to council. The city's previous curfew ordinance set a curfew for people under 16 after 10 p.m. and after midnight for ages 16 to 18. "This makes it crystal clear, if you are under the age of 18, you have to be in by 11 oclock," Johnson said. "This is a plus because it helps keep young people safe." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Council also set an even earlier curfew for Over-the-Rhine and Downtown of 9 p.m. for an unaccompanied minor in a curfew district south of Liberty Street. Minors in violation of the curfew who refuse to go home will be taken to curfew centers where staff will attempt to locate their parents and homes. The curfew would provide exceptions, including going to and from work, emergencies and running errands on with the permission of a parent or guardian. The curfew changes take effect immediately. Enforcement will begin as soon as contracts are signed with the two organizations running the curfew centers, Seven Hills Neighborhood Houses and Lighthouse Youth and Family Services, according to city officials. That could be as early as next weekend, Assistant City Manager John Brazina told the Cincinnati Park Board. Is 9 p.m. too early? Councilman Evan Nolan voted for the curfew and curfew district. He expressed concerns that 9 p.m. for Over-the-Rhine and Downtown might be too early and discourage schools and youth from going downtown even if it's for a permissable purpose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im concerned it may be too early," Nolan said. "I think there's a chance it could deter our youth from visiting and enjoying our urban core." Cincinnati Parks changes hours for five parks Following City Council's vote, Cincinnati Parks' board voted to change the posted hours of five downtown parks. Smale Riverfront Park, Piatt Park, Ziegler Park, Washington Park and the Public Landing will now close at 9 p.m. instead of 11 p.m. The new policy will apply to the same population people 18 or younger without a parent or guardian. People younger than 18 may, however, remain in the five specified parks past 9 p.m. if attending a city- or parks-sponsored event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parks officials will post the new hours for the five parks on its website and on yard signs. The boundaries of the special curfew district in Over-the-Rhine and Downtown What the additional Cincinnati police money would be for City council will spend $2 million more for police and public safety. City Council voted to allocate the additional money from reserves. How it will be used will depend on the need, said Councilman Jeff Cramerding, who sponsored the motion for the additional police allocation. If approved by council, the city manager and police chief will come before city council for approval of the individual line items as needed. Cramerding's motion said the $2 million could be spent on recruitment of police officers from other departments as well as to beef up security measures in Cincinnati's Central Business District. This would include walking and bike patrols as well as better lighting and security cameras, according to the motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Aftab Pureval began the meeting on Aug. 6 trying to allay fears about how the city is addressing crime. He listed ways the city has been proactive in fighting crime, including more police patrols. "It has been no doubt a challenging time in the city," Pureval said. "But I want to reiterate the city every summer has a safety plan, and every summer we monitor that plan week-to-week. We take public safety very serious it is our top priority. Reporter Patricia Gallagher Newberry contributed This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Cincinnati passes curfew, more police dollars to help lower crime The Christ Hospital Heart & Vascular Institute has been gifted $15 million from the Farmer Family Foundation in what the Christ Hospital Health Network is calling the largest philanthropic investment in its history. Related: Christ Hospital is No. 1 in Cincinnati region in U.S. News & World Report ranking The donation will help to fund the construction of a broadcast center to provide surgical education to physicians locally and around the world, and the purchasing of new MRI, CT, and PET scanners to provide faster, more precise diagnoses," Christ Hospital Network announced Aug. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This extraordinary act of generosity from the Farmer Family Foundation is yet another example of their remarkable vision and longstanding commitment to the Greater Cincinnati community, said Dr. Dean Kereiakes, chairman of the Heart & Vascular Institute at The Christ Hospital Health Network. The Farmer Family Foundation focuses on investments to "protect children" through education, health care, and assistance to the disabled. It also donates to programs that help indivdiuals enter the work force. According to the CDC, heart disease is the leading cause of death in the U.S., with Cancer falling closely behind it. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: $15 million donation to Christ Hospital to help technology, education Key Points President Trump endorsed American Eagle Outfitters' new Sydney Sweeney ad campaign this morning. The president also tried to turn the campaign political, which may alienate some voters -- and shoppers and investors. From a pure valuation perspective, though, AE stock looks attractive. 10 stocks we like better than American Eagle Outfitters American Eagle (NYSE: AEO) stock is flying higher to start off the week -- partly because of you-know-what, the new ad campaign featuring A-list actress Sydney Sweeney and her "Great Jeans" -- but also for another, related reason. Image source: Getty Images. In a post on Truth Social this morning, President Trump praised the ad campaign and declared AE's jeans are now "flying off the shelves." Investors are taking their cue from the president, making the same thing happen with American Eagle stock, which is up an astonishing 19% through 12:35 p.m. ET. Is this good or bad news for American Eagle stock? A shout-out from President Trump could turn out to be a double-edged sword. I fear he's doing AE no favors by turning AE's ad campaign political. Tagging Sweeney as "a registered Republican" in his post could attract one half of the American public to AE's stores, boosting sales and profits. It could also alienate the other half. Investors should be wary of this, even if today the president's endorsement seems unqualifiedly good news. Is American Eagle stock a buy? With that reservation in mind, let's take a quick look at the numbers. Valued at $1.9 billion, with $197 million in trailing-12-month earnings and superior free cash flow ($212 million), AE stock looks objectively cheap -- costing less than 10x earnings, and less than 9x free cash flow. Earnings are expected to double over 2024 levels this year, hitting $1.68 per share, but fall back below $1 in 2026. That kind of volatility can make it hard to value the stock. I'm also leery of the debt load -- $1.7 billion net of cash on hand. Still, AE pays a generous 4.7% dividend yield. On balance, I consider it a solid stock. Should you invest $1,000 in American Eagle Outfitters right now? Before you buy stock in American Eagle Outfitters, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now and American Eagle Outfitters wasnt one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $624,823!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, youd have $1,064,820!* BASEHOR, Kan. Efforts to reduce the speed limit along U.S. 24 Highway in Basehor, Kansas, have ramped up following the death of 16-year-old Cody Lamping in June. Previous reporting states that on Tuesday, June 17, Lamping was driving southbound on 155th Street when he drove through a red light at State Avenue and 24 Highway and was hit by a truck. Lees Summit chef identified as victim killed in Cass County crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the years leading up to the crash, and in the months following Lampings death, residents have expressed concerns about the stretch of road calling it dangerous and requesting that the city change its 65 mph speed limit. On Tuesday, the city of Basehor took to social media to acknowledge these complaints and provide resources to resident who want to report their concerns. According to the Facebook post: US 24/40 (State Avenue), the intersections and traffic signals at 158th St and State Avenue, are owned, operated, and maintained by the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT). That includes the lights, traffic signals, and turn lanes. The City of Basehor does not have any control over the highway, the intersection, its turn lanes, and its traffic signals. The city added that all complaints have been relayed to KDOT, and said it has met with some of KDOTs representatives in-person or in virtual meetingsand has even passed along the concerns to the Secretary of Transportation in Topeka, as well as state representatives, to ensure safety improvements for the corridor. Char Bar opening new location in downtown Olathe Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city also said that any time it has been informed of any alleged light malfunctions, the local police department has arrived on-site within minutes to help with traffic flow and maintain safety. Since receiving the complaints, the city said it has sent them over to KDOT. In response, KDOT said: At this time, there is no action that can be taken until we are provided credible proof that there is an issue. Anyone who sees a problem or malfunction along the stretch of road is encouraged to document the day, time and nature of the issue. However, the city said to stay off your phone while driving and have a passenger take photos or videos to report it to KDOTs local office at 913-942-3040. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Basehor truly cares about you, your families, and this community, the city said. That is why you see us very active on social media, not afraid to provide answers to questions, and point people in the right direction. Most other local government organizations will not respond to comments and questions. We really do try. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Brief Fort Worth City Council is publicly discussing the timing of former Dallas police chief Eddie Garcia's application for the FWPD chief position. Garcia submitted his application after the stated June 4 deadline, but the city manager said there was no hard deadline and allowed the late submission. The three finalists, including Garcia, will attend a public forum on August 14, where citizens can ask questions. FORT WORTH, Texas - For the first time, a public discussion about the timing of former Dallas police chief Eddie Garcias application to take the helm at the Fort Worth Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Im just concerned about perspective and I think the city of Fort Worth should be concerned about how we present things to our community to make sure they know we have their best interest at heart and not a single interest," said Fort Worth City Councilman Chris Nettles. What we know Two weeks ago, Fort Worth City Manager Jay Chapa acknowledged Garcia submitted his application materials after the FWPD chief positions June 4 deadline. Explaining in a statement, Garcia was allowed to apply the week of June 9 because it was still early in the process and all the applications received had not yet been screened. What they're saying Chapa now adds a new detail which was not in his initial statement, saying there was never a hard deadline, but rather applicants were encouraged to apply by June 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At the end of the day, as city manager, I want to be able to hire the best police chief in the country for our position," said Chapa. "People have called and said they dont feel like this process was transparent because one applicant filed or applied after the deadline or no deadline. So I just, in the future, because we are already here, we should set hard deadlines." Local perspective The three finalists for Fort Worth police chief include Garcia, who is currently an assistant city manager in Austin, current interim police chief Robert Alldredge and former Dallas deputy police chief, Vernon Hale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 14, they will attend an informal meet and greet at city hall, followed by a public forum and panel discussion, where citizens will ask them questions. "At this point, we have three great applicants. We are going to finalize the process. We know who they are now, everybody knows who they are now. Were going to finalize the process and the best, who we feel is the best applicant, will be selected," said Chapa. What's next Fort Worth citizens can submit questions to the candidates before the forum on August 14. Click HERE for the citys information on how to do so. The Source Information in this article was provided by FOX 4's Dionne Anglin. What began as an effort to formally charge London Mayor Randall Weddle with misconduct devolved into a heated and inconclusive City Council meeting with the legality of the vote and whether the resolution will move forward remaining unclear. The resolution, presented during the councils Monday meeting, alleged multiple violations by Weddle. The discussed resolution proposed holding a public hearing on August 20 to consider removing the mayor from office for misconduct and willful neglect. Council Member Anthony Ortega moved to amend the regular meetings agenda to include the proposal, which was read aloud by Acting City Clerk Ashley Taylor and ultimately approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The charges against Weddle include the following allegations: Hired and paid individuals for city positions not formally established or approved by the City Council, violating KRS 83A.0703 Removed and appointed members of the London Housing Authority in violation of KRS 80.090 and KRS 80.030 Directed Housing Authority staff to ignore laws and regulations, misused police resources and made inappropriate remarks during city business Created a personal police protection detail using city resources Falsely asserted city jurisdiction over FEMA contractors working outside city limits Failed to meet city residency requirements Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Used a personal media outlet to target a city employee Refused to hold regular council meetings without the consent of a majority of council members Altered and rejected city contracts without notifying the legislative body Improperly released a recorded call between a crime victim and a city police officer. Council Member Stacy Benge moved to table the resolution, but it failed to receive a second. Council Member Kelly Greene then moved to vote, seconded by Justin Young. The motion passed with all voting in favor except Benge. However, the legality of the vote immediately came into question. Mayor Weddle argued that approval of the full council was required, not just a majority. City Council Attorney Conrad Cessna disagreed, stating that the higher threshold applied only at the hearing stage. City Attorney Larry Bryson maintained that a majority of the full council was required to adopt the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As tensions escalated, TJ Roberts introduced himself as outside legal counsel retained by the council, but was met with loud boos from the crowd. The mayor, pointing out that no public motion had been made to hire Roberts, told him to sit down. Roberts obliged. Mayor Weddle then accused the council of skipping due process. Lets get this on the record every accusation that you guys have made, you have a due diligence, according to KRS, to start an investigation exploratory subcommittee. How come that has not been done on any of this? he asked. You have not done it and you know why youve not done it. Council Member Judd Weaver then moved to hire attorney Chris Wiest. That motion passed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another attorney for the city folk to have to pay, but you [couldnt] care less about the roads, Weddle commented. Later, Weaver made a motion for a point of clarification on whether the resolution had passed. Bryson recommended waiting for legal review before proceeding, and Roberts second attempt to speak was again drowned out by booing from the crowd. Carmine G. Iaccarino, attorney for Mayor Weddle, then addressed the council, stating, I think that Mr. Brysons recommendation is very well advised. In order to ensure due process, and that the Kentucky Revised Statutes are in fact followed, in such an important situation as the removal and nullification of the vote of the people of London. Weaver asked Iaccarino whether the resolution required six votes. Iaccarino deferred, replying, My recommendation is to follow Mr. Brysons recommendation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weaver then asked for the determination of the chair, Mayor Weddle, to which the mayor replied, I think were taking the recommendation of the city attorney. Weaver moved to appeal the decision, which was seconded by Greene, but no vote or discussion followed. Weddle would go on to adjourn the meeting himself, stating, The chair has the ability to adjourn a meeting. Were getting nowhere. The chair is adjourning the meeting. The meeting is adjourned. With that, the mayor and council members dispersed, and the status of the resolution remained unresolved as of press time Tuesday. Should the public hearing move forward, discussion indicated that it would be a special meeting set for August 20 at 9 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That meeting was confirmed Tuesday by Roberts and Cessna, though Cessna acknowledged there had been no further discussion of a legal review. Attempts to contact Bryson for confirmation were unsuccessful as of press time. In preliminary research, The Sentinel-Echo found no specific reference to scheduling a hearing but did find the following clause as part of KRS 83A.040 in regard to removal of city officials: Except in cities of the first class, any elected officer, in case of misconduct, incapacity, or willful neglect in the performance of the duties of his or her office, may be removed from office by a unanimous vote of the members of the legislative body exclusive of any member to be removed, who shall not vote in the deliberation of his or her removal. No elected officer shall be removed without having been given the right to a full public hearing. The officer, if removed, shall have the right to appeal to the Circuit Court of the county and the appeal shall be on the record. No officer so removed shall be eligible to fill the office vacated before the expiration of the term to which originally elected. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The El Paso City Council has officially taken a stance to oppose Texas Republican legislators proposed redistricting map. El Paso City Council voted unanimously on Tuesday, Aug. 5 in favor of a resolution to urge Texas legislators to maintain the El Paso International Airport and Fort Bliss in Congressional District 16. Photo taken by KTSM Photojournalist Tony Pina The majority of El Paso, including the airport and Fort Bliss, are currently represented by U.S Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, under Texas 16th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans proposed redistricting map would move parts of El Paso County, including the airport and Fort Bliss into U.S. Rep. Tony Gonzales 23rd Congressional District. That district spans from East El Paso to San Antonio to the U.S. Mexico border. That is a really big deal for the City of El Paso. Those are really big assets for our city, and we need to make sure that they are being represented by somebody that lives in El Paso, not somebody that lives 500 miles away in a district that stretches over 500 miles, said El Paso City Rep. Josh Acevedo, who along with representatives Ivan Nino and Deanna Maldonado-Rocha authored the resolution. Acevedo and other City Council members said the proposed map could impact El Pasos economy and representation in Washington D.C. I think we dont have a voice in Washington making sure that they are fighting hard for these two assets in El Paso. It also means that we wouldnt be getting hundreds of millions of dollars. Congresswoman Escobar has brought in hundreds of millions of dollars for a new VA health care clinic, right. And thats because she has been so focused on El Paso, because she lives here and shes from here, and she understands how important that is, Acevedo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. Dothan, Ala. (WDHN) Following the municipal elections held on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, the City of Dothan has released information to guide residents on what to expect next in the election process. According to Alabama Code Section 17-16-20(a), an automatic recount is triggered in federal, state, and county elections when a candidate is defeated by not more than one-half of one percent of the total votes cast. However, this provision does not apply to municipal elections, meaning no automatic recount will occur in the Dothan races. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In races where no candidate receives a majority of the votes cast, a runoff election will be required between the two candidates who received the highest number of votes. A majority is defined as 50 percent of the total votes plus onenot simply 51 percent. Unofficial election results are available on the City of Dothans elections webpage at www.dothan.org/elections. These results are the most up-to-date and are updated as information becomes available. The process of finalizing the election results begins with the determination of which provisional ballots will be counted. The City Clerks office will conduct a public provisional ballot count at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, August 11, in the City Commission Chambers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Dothan City Commission will then meet in an adjourned session at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, August 12, to canvass the election returns and officially certify the results. City officials thanked the public for its participation and reiterated their commitment to transparency and integrity throughout the election process. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDHN - wdhn.com. Aug. 5The City of Great Bend is doubling its mosquito spraying. City Administrator Logan Burns announced Monday that, going forward, foggers will be working from 8 p.m. to midnight on Mondays and Thursdays. In the past, spraying was only on Thursdays. There were recent public complaints about the mosquitoes this year. Burns said after the reports the administration received on Monday, the decision was made to spray twice a week through the end of September to help combat the issue. "We'll look to get ahead of them and just have everybody enjoy their time outside," he said. After September, the staff will adjust as needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional information was released by the city: The city is unable to spray in the rain. Two vehicles are used to spray and each contains different chemicals. One vehicle will run the east side and the other on the west side and will alternate each time. It is advised to wait 30 minutes to one hour to go outside after fogging is complete to avoid inhaling chemicals. Spraying dates in Aug. are the 4th, 7th, 11th, 14th, 18th, 21st, 25th and 28th. For questions, contact Public Works at 620-793-4150. More city news Burns shared this information during his report on City news at the Aug. 4 City Council meeting. He also shared: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venture has completed the paving on 19th Street and Morton Street. They went back in Monday for manhole adjustments. They finished 24th Street on Monday and began milling Broadway from Patton Road to K-96, which should take about three days, the RoadSafe will come in on Wednesday to do all of the striping. They will start at Great Bend High School and get all of those parking stalls done, and then carry on to other streets. The Wetlands Waterpark will end its 2025 season on Sunday, Aug. 10. "One of our recent initiatives is to showcase our employees and how thankful we are for them to work for the City of Great Bend. Our first Employee of the Month is Alison Urban, our deputy city clerk," Burns said. He read a comment from Finance Director Shawna Schafer: "She consistently goes above and beyond for the City, demonstrating initiative, dependability, and a profound sense of teamwork. Alison doesn't just 'help out,' she truly owns the work and delivers results." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saturday is Party in the Park at Veterans Park. "I'm excited this year to get everything back especially the mud volleyball pits back at Vets. Make sure you come out to the concerts; this one you don't want to miss." Golden Belt Humane Society is participating in the 11th annual Clear the Shelters event that runs the entire month of August. Contact the Humane Society to connect with them and help animals find their forever homes. Abatement In an action item, the city council approved an abatement at 5825 Birchwood St. A blue pickup has been parked on the property for over a year. It is either not displaying current registration and/or is in inoperable condition. The wheels are chocked. Burns said other violations at the property have been cleared up. With Monday's resolution declaring a motor vehicle nuisance exists, Code Enforcement is directed to remove the nuisance with all associated costs assessed against the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Open positions The council met in executive session for 20 minutes on Monday to review the applicants for the Utilities and Public Works director positions. They were joined by City Administrator Logan Burns, City Attorney Allen Glendenning and Human Resources Director Randy Keasling. When the open session resumed, the only action taken was for the meeting to adjourn. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The citys $30 million purchase of the Sheraton Convention Hotel near the Renasant Convention Center could close next month after almost a year of negotiations. In the meantime, though, the convention center says its missing out on millions in lost revenue because clients were unhappy with the condition of the adjacent hotel, or were unsure about the status of its renovation. How much? An estimated $6.4 million last year from six conventions that didnt come to the Memphis Convention Center, officials said. One of those was K.O.A., a campground company. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement K.O.A. is Kampgrounds of America, and they stay in campgrounds, and they didnt even want to stay at the Sheraton, said said Camille Wellington, director of sales at the Renasant Convention Center. City council OKs deal to buy downtown hotel Dean Dennis, general manager of the convention center, said Ducks Unlimited just brought 20,000 people to town over three days, but the company complained about how bad the hotel was. Were not even getting a seat at the table now, Wellington said. These are groups we cant even bid on, because theyre refusing to come back until we get renovations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City council members were briefed on the progress of the hotel transfer this week and were told the city is moving ahead on the purchase. City officials anticipate closing around Sept. 15. Negotiations have been ongoing since last October. After the transfer, the hotel will be operated by the Carlisle Corp. They would begin work on pre-development plans before the hotel is renovated and passed to a third-party nonprofit. No timeline was provided for the renovation. Jail, courts could move to North Memphis in proposal under consideration by county Last year, the city approved issuing $30 million in bonds to purchase the hotel for $22 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive had questions from constituents since budget about how we cant afford to raise union wages or get people up to $40,000 dollars a year, but we can afford to buy a hotel for $30 million and whether we actually even bought it, Councilwoman Jerri Green noted. The 600-bed Sheraton is currently the largest hotel in Memphis, but some 200 of its rooms arent in use due to poor conditions, leading several conventions a year to bypass Memphis, tourism officials said. The city took the unusual step of agreeing to purchase the hotel when the owner announced they would put it up for auction. The adjacent Renasant Convention Center was renovated in 2020 at a cost of more than $200 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Johnson City leaders, including city commissioners, traveled to Nashville in late July to discuss designating Buffalo Mountain as a Tennessee Natural Area. Buffalo Mountain is 735 acres of undeveloped land currently maintained by the citys parks and recreation department. However, city leaders met with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation (TDEC) and asked that the land be designated a state natural area. JC leaders discussed overpass, Buffalo Mountain in Nashville Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The designation would mean a partnership with the state that could include a park ranger, more programs and amenities and a way to preserve the land. As I say, you dont have to build on everything. But what we can build on here, though, is our commitment to keeping that park as pristine as we possibly can, Johnson City Commissioner Jenny Brock told News Channel 11. The park is full of streams, rugged woods, nearly 90 different species of birds and incredible views. Most people want to keep it that way. Theres a real strong desire to keep it as just walking and hiking and not have any other kinds of things, Johnson City Manager Cathy Ball said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The designation would not mean the area is a full-fledged state park, but it would add the acreage to the state park system. Brock said part of the process for the designation would be to work with ETSU biologists to learn more about the ecosystem there and then work with TDEC on how to preserve it. I think first and foremost, we would get the guidance in developing the plan on how we care for it. It has to be sustainable over time, and its protected in perpetuity. So they would help us develop that plan, Brock said. On Friday, Johnson City leaders will again meet with TDEC officials in Johnson City to continue the process of the designation. You can learn more about state-designated natural areas on the State of Tennessees website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Its not fall yet, but Youngstown CityScape has launched its annual mum sale. The sale benefits CityScapes efforts to beautify the city of Youngstown. Every purchase supports the beautification work of Youngstown CityScape, stated a release from the organization. Our customers know that CityScape at Briels is one-of-a-kind a local, independent provider, not a chain store, and that their dollars, spent locally, stay local! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orders for mums of various colors, Youngstown notecards, kale, cabbage or fall combos can be placed online now. Mum prices range from $8-$27.50, depending on size. Order pickup is available on the following dates and times: Aug. 27 between 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Aug. 28 between 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Sept. 3 between 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. Sept. 4 between 9:30 a.m. 4:30 p.m. You will choose a pickup date when you place your order. Last-minute shoppers are also welcome to stop by in person during the above timeframe to pick from an on-site selection. This years pickup location is at CityScapes headquarters, located at 250 E. Federal Street, which has free parking in front of and beside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For questions or to make other arrangements for pick-up, call 330-742-4040. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CARL JUNCTION, Mo. An impeachment hearing of Carl Junction Mayor Mike Moss is set for Tuesday, Aug. 26, and Thursday, Aug. 28, starting at 6 p.m. both days. Bill Fleischaker, the attorney representing Moss, had filed for a continuance last week to delay a hearing originally set for Aug. 4, saying he had not had a chance to do his own investigation in defense of Moss. He also told Nate Dally, the attorney with the Lauber Law Firm representing the city in the impeachment, that the hearing may require more than just one evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Carl Junction Board of Aldermen also voted to hire attorney Stephen Kaderly, with the Law Offices of Kaderly and Kaderly, in Lamar, to serve as counsel to advise Mayor Pro Tem Hollie LaVigne, who would serve as presiding official at the impeachment. The cost to the city to hire Kaderly would be a $2,400 retainer and $300 per hour. LaVigne said at Tuesdays board meeting that she would be more comfortable with Kaderly serving as hearing officer because she has no experience in leading a meeting of this kind. Dally said Kaderly would be available to LaVigne to consult at any time, including when objections are made during the hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dally also said the board could talk at its next meeting Aug. 19 about whether to use Kaderly as hearing officer or adviser to the mayor pro tem. Moss faces four specific counts and if found guilty by the board of any one of the charges he could be removed from office. Article one accused Moss of malfeasance in office specifically alleging he referred to female employees of city hall as "Steves harem," according to Alderman James Shanks, referring to City Administrator Steve Lawver. Article two accuses Moss of misfeasance, or the improper performance of his duties, by failing to enforce a city code that says all employees, have the right to a workplace free of sexual harassment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Article three alleges Moss violated the citys personnel policy against age discrimination by allegedly making age-biased comments about Lawver, including inquiries as to when Lawver was going to retire and insulting him due to his age. Article four alleges misfeasance, nonfeasance and/or malfeasance on the part of Moss and that his actions further establish that Mayor Moss is not suited to hold public office, is an inadequate steward of the position of mayor of the city of Carl Junction and undeserving of the trust placed in him by the citizens of the city of Carl Junction, Missouri. Moss has declined to discuss his case on advice from his attorney. Fleischaker, representing Moss, said the mayor denies all charges. Kovitz Investment Group Partners, LLC, an investment management company, released its Kovitz Core Equity Strategy second-quarter 2025 investor letter. A copy of the letter can be downloaded here. In the second quarter, the strategy returned 7.9% compared to the S&P 500s 10.9% return. Equity markets saw notable volatility after the President's "Liberation Day" tariff announcement on April 2nd. The S&P 500 dropped 11% initially but later rallied 25% in the quarter after the tariffs were postponed by 90 days on April 9th. Additionally, you can review the funds top 5 holdings to see its best picks for 2025. In its second-quarter 2025 investor letter, Kovitz Core Equity Strategy highlighted stocks such as Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO). Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) offers life sciences solutions, analytical instruments, specialty diagnostics, laboratory products, and biopharma services. The one-month return of Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) was 11.08%, and its shares lost 20.59% of their value over the last 52 weeks. On August 5, 2025, Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) stock closed at $466.42 per share, with a market capitalization of $176.126 billion. Kovitz Core Equity Strategy stated the following regarding Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (NYSE:TMO) in its second quarter 2025 investor letter: A video shared online of Israeli protesters blocking aid trucks from entering Gaza is a year-and-a-half old, contrary to posts implying it shows a fresh blockade after UN agencies warned the Palestinian territory is slipping into famine. While Israeli activists have reportedly continued with attempts to prevent supplies from entering Gaza, the clip and similar footage was shared in news reports from January 2024. "Israelis are blocking aid trucks while the children in Gaza starve," reads the Malay-language caption of a Facebook video shared on July 27, 2025. The video shows a group of people carrying Israeli flags chanting in front of a convoy of white trucks, preventing them from moving forwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its caption claims the food the trucks were carrying was left at the border while babies die just a few kilometres away. "Maybe this is what Israel means when it claims Hamas has been stealing all the food and aid," it adds. Screenshot of the misleading Facebook post captured on August 5, 2025, with an orange X added by AFP The clip, which was also shared in similar Facebook and X posts, surfaced as UN agencies warned that Gaza was "on the brink of a full-scale famine" and as the health ministry in the Hamas-run territory said the Palestinian death toll in the nearly 22-month war had topped 60,000 (archived link). The war was sparked by Hamas's October 2023 attack on Israel, which resulted in the deaths of 1,219 people, the majority civilians, based on an AFP tally of official figures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel began allowing a small trickle of aid to enter the densely populated territory in late May -- having imposed a total blockade in March after ceasefire talks broke down -- and started a series of tactical pauses while allowing deliveries from aid trucks and airdrops in Gaza. But the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification Initiative (IPC) -- a group of monitors who advise the United Nations on impending crises -- said this effort would not prove enough unless aid agencies were granted immediate, unimpeded humanitarian access. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office, meanwhile, has accused Hamas of looting food intended for civilians. "We already allow significant amounts of humanitarian aid into Gaza every single day, including food, water and medicine. Unfortunately, Hamas... has been stealing aid from the Gaza population, many times by shooting Palestinians," the office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While The Jerusalem Post reported that Israeli activists are continuing to block humanitarian aid convoys to Gaza, the clip circulating online was in fact filmed in January 2024 (archived link). A reverse image search on Google led to a TikTok video posted by broadcaster Al Jazeera's digital-only AJ+ channel on January 25, 2024 (archived link). Its description reads: "Dozens of Israelis blocked aid trucks from entering Gaza as Palestinians are on the brink of famine." Screenshot comparison of the misleadingly shared clip (left) and the TikTok post from AJ+ (right) Further keyword searches found similar footage published in reports by Al Jazeera and The Washington Post (archived here and here). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AFP reported the protest took place at the Kerem Shalom crossing, one of two border crossings used for aid delivery to Gaza's roughly 2.4 million residents (archived link). The protesters included family members of hostages taken by Hamas during its October 2023 attack who had assembled at the crossing for days, and opposed aid reaching Gaza while Israeli hostages remained in the custody of Hamas and other Palestinian militant groups. AFP has previously debunked other misinformation about the war here. A decade-old video of a Donald Trump interview has resurfaced with Korean-language subtitles that give the false impression he had called disgraced former South Korean leader Yoon Suk Yeol the "greatest leader in the world today". The video is from a 2015 interview in which Trump praised then-German chancellor Angela Merkel. "Shocking interview by Trump: 'Yoon Suk Yeol is the world's greatest leader'," reads the Korean-language caption of a video shared on the right-wing Ilbe forum on August 4, 2025. The video shows a clip from the "Mornings with Maria" show on the Fox Business channel (archived link). The host appears to be conducting a telephone interview with Trump, in which he says: "Fantastic leader. I was with somebody the other day that thinks she's the greatest leader in the world today. Shes the smartest and the greatest leader in the world today." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Korean-language subtitles superimposed on the clip, however, do not translate the pronoun "she", creating the false impression Trump was referring to Yoon. The former South Korean president, who was impeached in June 2025 after attempting to suspend decades of civilian rule on December 3, 2024, is currently in detention and resisting questioning by special prosecutors (archived link). Screenshot of the false post captured on August 5, 2025, with a red X added by AFP The same 10-second clip was also shared in similar posts on South Korean right-wing communities on Naver Band and YouTube. "Even the world's leader Trump understands that the true winner is President Yoon," read a comment on one of the posts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another said: "President Trump surely will come to President Yoons rescue." A keyword search on Google found the original footage was posted on the verified Fox Business YouTube channel on August 20, 2015 with the title, "Trump: Angela Merkel is the greatest leader in the world" (archived link). Trump, who at the time was running for the Republican presidential nomination, was speaking on the phone with host Maria Bartiromo. The clip used in the false posts was taken from the 4:02 mark of the Fox Business video, after Trump was asked to give his thoughts on Merkel. Screenshot comparison of the falsely shared clip (left) and the Fox Business video posted in August 2015 (right) The full transcript of the interview -- available on the American Presidency Project at the University of California, Santa Barbara -- shows Trump was responding to the question about Merkel (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was then asked for his opinion on then-UK prime minister David Cameron, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and China's President Xi Jinping. Trump's description of Merkel was also referenced in a report by US media outlet The Intercept in 2018, in the context of his criticism of Germany's immigration policies (archived link). As of August 6, 2025 there have been no official reports about Trump praising Yoon in such glowing terms. AFP has previously debunked similar instances of Trump remarks and social media posts being misrepresented as references to South Korea. Almost half of police station front counters across London will be closed in a bid to save money, the Metropolitan Police Service has said. The force plans to reduce the number of front counters where the public can speak to officers from 38 to 20, and cut the number of them open 24 hours a day from 32 to 18. Metropolitan Police Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist told the London Assembly on Wednesday that the closures would save 7m a year but were "difficult choices". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposals, which could begin by the end of the year, form part of the force's plan to make 260m worth of savings by reducing services and about 1,700 officer and staff roles. The plan would break a pledge from both the mayor and The Met to have a counter staffed 24/7 in each of the capital's 32 boroughs. The Met first began closing its front counters in 2013 - when London had nearly 140 of them. Then mayor Boris Johnson closed 65 of them - and in 2017 current mayor Sir Sadiq Khan closed a further 38. These closures left nearly all boroughs with only one counter open 24 hours a day. Shadow home secretary Chris Philp said Londoners would be less safe as a result of the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Twist told the London Assembly that the force only realised how bad its finances were late last year. "With a 260m black hole in our budget, it's inevitable that some of the choices we're having to make will change the way we police London and will be unpopular with some people," he said. "We need to make difficult choices and prioritise," he said. "This essentially comes down to us having to choose between keeping officers on London's streets, where they can respond to the public, or retaining the current position on all front counters, which may be a symbolic point of access but are largely underutilised, especially overnight." 'In decline' Mr Twist said front counter usage had been in decline since 2012, when 12% of all reported crime came in via station offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now approximately 5% of crime is reporting on front counters, he said. He said that while the Metropolitan Police force was reducing in size, it was being re-shaped to place more policing presence on London's streets. "These decisions are about making The Met more accessible and visible in neighbourhoods when the organisation is shrinking," he said. The Met said that under its current the proposal, the counters that would close were: Barking Learning Centre, Barking and Dagenham Bethnal Green, Tower Hamlets Chingford, Waltham Forest Church Street, Westminster Dagenham, Barking and Dagenham Edmonton, Enfield Hammersmith, Hammersmith and Fulham Harrow Hayes, Hillingdon Kentish Town, Camden Kensington, Kensington and Chelsea Lavender Hill, Wandsworth Mitcham, Merton Plumstead, Greenwich Royalty Studios, Kensington and Chelsea Tottenham, Haringey Twickenham, Richmond Wimbledon, Merton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also proposed to re-open the front counter in Wood Green, Haringey, to replace the Edmonton closure. 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 Related internet links MOREHEAD CITY, N.C. (WNCT) The North Carolina Coastal Counties Fisheries Coalition had its first meeting to advocate for commercial fishing and working waterfronts. The coalition is made up of nearly 20 county leaders from across Eastern North Carolina, all looking to advocate for the local fishing industry. The first meetings goals were to adopt a mission statement, discuss organization and identify share priorities. The groups formation comes after a bill nearly banned inshore shrimp trawling in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they got it through in the House that would have just decimated the shrimping industry in North Carolina and run them all offshore, where many of the smaller boats are not able to operate, Carteret County Board of Commissioners Chairman Chris Chadwick said. Chadwick understands how important the commercial fishing industry is to Carteret County. Commercial fishing in Carteret County is about a $15 million a year business and that number is low because a lot of folks dont report their catches, Chadwick said. Then, theres also all the other industries that support commercial fishermen. General Assembly Representative Keith Kidwell said its important for the public to speak up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Constantly keep in touch with your elected officials and your friends across the state, because if the General Assembly can shut down the shrimping business with the flip of a switch or a single vote, what else can they shut down? Kidwell said. The groups next meeting will be at the Crystal Coast Civic Center Sept. 16th at 1 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. In a modest but meaningful move, Coca-Cola Cambodia recently planted 500 trees in Siem Reap province, aiming to support local communities while contributing to long-term sustainability goals. The initiative was carried out in collaboration with local students, the Department of Environment, and the APSARA National Authority. Coca-Cola first introduced its Sustainable Development Strategy back in 2014, with a focus on reducing plastic waste, promoting a circular economy, and supporting sustainable practices, per Kiri Post. Last year, the company planted 1,000 trees in Cambodia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For 32 years, our company has been a proud part of Cambodia's storyrefreshing Cambodians like no other and giving back to the communities that have welcomed us," said Paulo Gaspar Rodrigues, Coca-Cola Cambodia's CEO. "Every tree we plant helps our communities thrive and supports a sustainable future for Cambodia." The company is setting its sustainability sights even higher with goals to collect and recycle a bottle or can for each one sold and use at least 50% recycled material in packaging by 2030. Other countries' branches of Coca-Cola have also supported eco-conscious efforts like cleaning plastic waste out of Canada's Great Lakes and opening a waste sorting facility in Malaysia. However, the company has come under fire in recent years for being one of the largest producers of branded plastic waste worldwide. It matters because 400 million tons of plastic waste are produced every year, and much of it finds its way to landfills and will take centuries to decompose, if ever. The company has also made recent headlines in South Africa due to its plastic output and its bottling practices in Samoa. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite its role in the global plastic waste crisis, efforts like this tree planting in Siem Reap, Cambodia, show that Coca-Cola has the resources and the responsibility to make a tangible difference. By involving local students and community organizations, the company is investing in both the environment and the next generation of sustainability leaders. Even small actions like planting 500 trees can help root lasting change. How concerned are you about the plastic waste in our oceans? Extremely I'm pretty concerned A little Not much Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Even before prices were fully steeped in the global trade wars newest round, coffee lovers have been getting a java jolt at the cash register. Coffee on grocery store shelves has been sporting some eye-opening prices days before the worlds biggest coffee producer, Brazil, got hit Aug. 1 with a 50% tariff on products coming into the United States. A 12-ounce bag of Starbucks ground coffee at Publix was marked at $15.29 ($9.97 at Walmart and $12.69 at Winn-Dixie), for the price cycle that runs through most of the week of Aug. 3. It's a contrast with the $7.99 price in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A buy-one-get-one-free deal now in effect takes some of the sting out of the $14.99 Publix is charging for its premium store brand, a 12-ounce bag of grounds, but even Folgers is not going cheap. A 25.9-ounce can of it is $21.99 at Publix (albeit a buy-one-get-one-free deal), $13.96 at Walmart and $18.99 at Winn-Dixie. Usually, it takes at least two weeks to 90 days for increased charges like tariffs and duties to filter down to consumers, but the prolonged run-up to this latest round of tariffs may be influencing prices by retailers drawing down their stocks of existing pre-tariff products, says Steven Carnovale, an associate professor of supply chain management at Florida Atlantic University's College of Business Information Technology and Operations Management Department. No way to boost domestic production Increased tariffs are part of President Donald Trumps plan to rebalance trade to boost domestic manufacturing and promote national security. But, given the lack of coffee-growing in the United States, it might be one of those costs Americans have to swallow unless they want to switch to tea for their morning beverage, Carnovale said. The barista at Casa Santiago in Royal Palm Beach took a couple of extra minutes to draw flowers with the milk for the freshly brewed Cuban coffee on July 11, 2025. Geographically, its challenging to grow the coffee, Carnovale said. You need really mountainous and humid areas of which we don't have many that fit all of those descriptions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is Hawaii, but not much of it. U.S. production of Joe has remained steady at 50,000 bags annually for the past few years from the island state compared with the 64.7 million bags Brazil produced in 2024-25, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. In total, however, Brazil has been buying more American products than the United States has bought from Brazil for years. The tariff on Brazils orange juice concentrates that supplement Floridas orange juice production has been exempted from tariffing, but Brazil is getting the highest tariffs of any country because of a political beef Trump has with the South American country. Political protestation Trump in a July 9 letter to the current Brazilian president cites the ongoing trial in Brazil against former President Jair Bolsonaro as the impetus behind the 50% tariffs on Brazilian products. Bolsonaro is being prosecuted in his country after he tried to stay in power despite vote totals to the contrary. A July 31 statement from the White House decried the governments case that that the Trump administration believes should not stand. The Government of Brazils treatment of former President Bolsonaro contributes to the deliberate breakdown in the rule of law in Brazil to politically motivated intimidation in that country and to human rights abuses, the statement says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has brushed off Trumps tariffs so far. Coffee prices, despite the occasional sale, shows no signs of going down. Three-pronged pressure without tariffs Coffee shop owners, however, say that tariffs havent yet entered their calculus and have questions about how much they can shield their customers from the increasing costs when the impact comes. Before tariffs, unroasted bean costs have been rising because of other pressures, some of them manmade and some of them the result of natures whims, according to Scott Angelo, cofounder and head coffee roaster at Oceana Coffee, which just opened a new headquarters in Lake Park in April. More: Tariffs on Brazilian imports could destroy Florida's citrus industry, expert warns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost started to come under upward pressure about a year ago when Brazil experienced unaccustomed weather volatility, including a frost, during its winter season. That triggered a lower volume output for Brazil, and whenever Brazil has an issue, the coffee price in the rest of the world goes crazy, because they're one of the biggest producers, said Angelo, who first opened a shop in Tequesta in 2011 and employs about 30 people. Whipped Coffee is made with instant espresso powder, cold milk (whole, cream, almond or oat milk), a choice of syrups (vanilla, hazelnut, caramel, mocha, simple and pumpkin spice) and then whipped at Two Fat Breggfast on June 6, 2025, in Delray Beach, Florida. Nick Vorderman, who is planning to expand his coffee business, Sunday Motor Co., to West Palm Beach next year, said that hes been able to hold prices steady because hes paid for batches, or lots, in advance of those that have been affected by climate change and tariffs. But those lots are coming to an end, he said in a text. Were seeing the corrected market prices now, Vorderman said. Climate change, more expensive shipping and logistics, some volatility in local regions, etc. are a few of the factors at play here. Greater global demand China, the worlds biggest coffee consumer, made Brazils coffee even scarcer after the weather event, buying up all they could, which drove up the price of coffee all over the world even more. That scarcity and price increase has now drawn the interest of big investment houses, which see money to be made in buying and selling coffee futures, Angelo said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We caught a massive triple thats adding up to higher coffee prices, Angelo said. As far as tariffs on Brazil, Angelo doesnt see that rippling out globally quite like the other three factors. More: Cars? Coffee? Why not both? Sunday Motor Co. Cafe coming to West Palm Beach With them leveling such a high tariff on Brazil, a lot of us will start looking at alternatives for sourcing coffee, Angelo said. Right now, about 25% to 35% of Oceanas blends are from Brazil because its such a sweet coffee, he said. But coffee from Honduras and Colombia are probably getting a lot more palatable, pricewise, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We'll look around at a lot of Central American countries, Angelo said. Some of the African countries, Rwanda and Uganda, are putting out some really good coffee, too. Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at ageggis@gannett.com.Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Coffee prices increasing due to 50% tariff on Brazilian coffee imports TOWN OF RUSSIA, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Cold Brook man was arrested over the weekend after he was accused of shooting a pair of dogs in his yard. New York State Police were called to a residence on Norway Street in the town of Russia at approximately 7:30 pm on Sunday, August 3. A preliminary investigation by Troopers found that two dogs were injured when they entered the property of the suspect 43-year-old Mark Boyce of Cold Brook. Boyce stated to Troopers that the dogs were allegedly threatening his goats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to witnesses, Boyce also allegedly pointed a rifle at several people who were attempting to assist the injured dogs. No injuries to any humans were reported. One dog was found deceased at the scene, while the other died after being transported to an emergency veterinarian. Boyce was arrested and arraigned in the City of Little Falls Court. Boyce is currently being charged with Second-degree Menacing, a Class A Misdemeanor. He is scheduled to appear in the Town of Russia Court on Wednesday, August 20. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. The Brief The Georgia Bureau of Investigation is investigating a shooting involving a police officer in College Park, according to the agency. The shooting happened on Tuesday evening in the City of College Park. The shooting appears to have happened on Norman Drive. COLLEGE PARK, Ga. - A man has been hospitalized after he was shot by a College Park officer while reportedly trying to flee from police, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation says. What we know The shooting happened on Tuesday just after 7:10 p.m., according to College Park police. The College Park Police Department requested the GBI investigate, which is standard procedure for shootings involving police officers in Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the GBI, officers were investigating a call about a person being shot at an apartment building near West Fayetteville Road. While in the area, officials say an officer spotted 31-year-old Dwight Jaheem Robinson-Fikes walking down Norman Drive away from the location of the shooting. When the officer tried to speak with Robinson-Fikes, he reportedly immediately ran, leading to a chase. Authorities say the officer told Robinson-Fikes to stop and drop the firearm he was carrying and then fired at least one shot, hitting the man. Medics transported Robinson-Fikes to a local hospital for treatment. Officials say he is expected to survive his injuries. What's next The GBI will conduct an independent investigation into the shooting. Once finished, the case file will be given to the Clayton County District Attorneys Office for review. The Source Information in this article came from the GBI via an email to FOX 5. COLLETON COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) The death of an inmate at Colleton County Detention Center is being investigated by officials. In July, a 42-year-old man was booked by the Walterboro Police Department in connection with a burglary investigation. On July 24, a day after his arrest, the inmate was found unresponsive and hanging from the top bunk inside his single-person cell. Colleton County Fire Rescue responded to the scene and after life-saving efforts, the individual was later airlifted to a nearby trauma center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inmate passed away on August 2, despite receiving medical care. Colleton County Sheriff Buddy Hill requested assistance of the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) to conduct an investigation. The Colleton County Sheriffs Office (CCSO) of Professional Standards is conducting an internal administrative review. This is an active 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 WSAV-TV. Colombian President Gustavo Petro has accused the neighbouring country of Peru of annexing a disputed island on the Amazon River, resuscitating a longstanding disagreement between the two nations. In a social media post on Tuesday, Petro said that Peru had acted to unilaterally assert control over the small island of Santa Rosa in a recent congressional vote. The Peruvian government has just appropriated it by law, Petro wrote on the social media platform X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Perus actions could block the Colombian city of Leticia from accessing the Amazon River. Our government will resort to diplomacy to defend our national sovereignty. Petros comments appeared to be a response to a vote in June, whereby Perus Congress designated the island of Santa Rosa a district in its Loreto province. Who controls the island has been a subject of debate between Peru and Colombia for nearly a century. Peru has claimed ownership based on treaties from 1922 and 1929, and it has administered Santa Rosa for decades. But Colombia maintains that the island of Santa Rosa had not emerged from the Amazon River at the time of the treaties and therefore is not subject to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has also argued that the treaties set the boundary between the two countries at the deepest point of the Amazon River, and that islands like Santa Rosa have emerged on the Colombian side of that dividing line. Islands have appeared north of the current deepest line, and the Peruvian government has just appropriated them by law and placed the capital of a municipality on land that, by treaty, should belong to Colombia, Petro wrote. He warned that Perus claims to Santa Rosa could inhibit travel and trade to nearby Leticia, which boasts a population of nearly 60,000. This unilateral action, Petro wrote on Tuesday, could make Leticia disappear as an Amazonian port, taking away its commercial life. Petro said he would hold celebrations commemorating Colombian independence from Spain in Leticia on Thursday, framing the islands status as a symbol of national sovereignty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Colombian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also said in a social media post that it would push for further diplomacy in determining the nationality of newly emerged islands. For years, Colombia has maintained the need to carry out bilateral work for the allocation of islands, the ministry wrote. Colombia, it added, has reiterated the position that Santa Rosa Island has not been allocated to Peru. The Amazon River is one of the longest waterways in the world, with the most water discharged of any river. But those powerful currents deposit and rearrange sediment throughout the river basin, forming and sometimes erasing islands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santa Rosa is one of those newer islands. The land now contains forest and farmland, as well as the village of Santa Rosa de Yavari. That town is home to a population of fewer than 1,000 people, according to Perus latest census, and is largely reliant on tourism, based on its proximity to the Amazon. The Peruvian government has argued that making Santa Rosa a district was necessary to ensure it received federal funds and could collect taxes. Peru is complying firmly with its obligations under international law and with valid bilateral treaties, the Peruvian government said in a statement. XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) is reeling from an ongoing correction, which is weighing on the tokens price despite institutional interest. Cryptocurrency Ticker Price Market Cap 7-Day Trend XRP (CRYPTO: XRP) $2.94 $174.4 billion -5% Bitcoin (CRYPTO: BTC) $113,994.59 $2.3 trillion -3.4% Ethereum (CRYPTO: ETH) $3,621.59 $437.2 billion -4.2% Trader Notes: Crypto chart analyst Ali Martinez predicts XRP may face deeper downside, citing multiple technical red flags: Tom DeMark Sequential indicator recently flashed a sell signal on the 3-day chart, initiating the ongoing pullback. The next critical support level is $2.40. While $3 offered initial support, on-chain data highlights $2.80 as a soft buffer, with real demand starting below $2.48. Whale activity is also turning bearish. Over 720 million XRP have been dumped recently. The MVRV ratio just triggered a death cross, further supporting a bearish short-term outlook. Martinez's trade record stands at 26 trades in July, yielding a total profit of 108.6%. He entered XRP at $2.33 on July 7, exiting with 11.1% profit and re-entered on July 24 and 30, earning 4.4% and break-even, respectively. Statistics: CoinShares reports $31.3 million inflows into XRP last week in contrast to outflows from Bitcoin signaling continued institutional interest. Whale Alert reported a transfer of 20 million XRP (worth ~$60.6M) from Upbit to an unknown wallet on Aug. 5. Coinglass data shows XRP options volume having surged 94.8%, and open interest rising 82.8% in a single day. In the past 24 hours, $15.3M in XRP positions were liquidated, with long liquidations accounting for $13.3 million. Community News: Ripple is expanding its footprint in Asia through a partnership with Korean crypto custodian BDACS to offer institutional-grade custody for XRP and RLUSD in South Korea. Ripple Custody will provide secure infrastructure for managing digital assets. BDACS integration with top Korean exchanges Upbit, Coinone, and Korbit enables regulatory-compliant XRP deployment across the regions leading trading platforms. Read Next: Image: Shutterstock Up Next: Transform your trading with Benzinga Edge's one-of-a-kind market trade ideas and tools. Click now to access unique insights that can set you ahead in today's competitive market. Get the latest stock analysis from Benzinga? This article XRP Down 5% In 1 Week: What Is Going On? originally appeared on Benzinga.com 2025 Benzinga.com. Benzinga does not provide investment advice. All rights reserved. DENVER (KDVR) The battle over the balance of power in Congress is already underway with the 2026 midterm election still more than a year away. Reactions to Texas Democrats fleeing their state to avoid a vote to redraw the states congressional maps continue to grow as states with Democratic majorities threaten counteraction. Could Colorado act too? Colorado, city of Denver on federal governments newest list of sanctuary jurisdictions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31s political analysts both said it is unlikely the state would take any action on redistricting soon, but there are still some observations to be learned from the Lone Star State. No, I dont see Colorado joining that arms race, said FOX31 Political Analyst and Republican strategist Michael Fields. We redistrict every 10 years. Were not at a time where we redistrict right now, said FOX31 Political Analyst Andy Boian. Both agree, the state probably will not undergo any redistricting for some time. Most state leaders agree, too, except for former Colorado Congresswoman Yadira Caraveo, who said in a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump and his MAGA supporters are trying to stack the deck so they keep the House, even if Americans vote overwhelmingly to kick them out in 2026. They want to keep passing dangerous and unpopular legislation like their disastrous Medicaid cuts and tax breaks for the wealthy with no accountability. For the sake of the country, Democrats need to fight back. I applaud Democrats around the country who are moving to redraw their own maps to counter this MAGA power grab and urge Colorado to repeal our independent commission and do the same. Theres an amendment in the states constitution that stops Colorado lawmakers from redrawing the maps. In 2018, we passed Amendment Y, which passed with 71% of the vote. Basically, it set up an independent redistricting commission. So you know, we have four Republicans, four Democrats, four unaffiliated voters that all picked the maps. They do that after the normal Census, every 10 years. Thats in the constitution. Theres no real way for the legislature to come in and change that process, Fields said. That commission redrew the maps in 2021, and Yadira Caraveo ultimately won that seat in the 2022 election. Fast forward to 2025, Caraveo is running for the district again after losing to Republican Gabe Evans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While a redistricting effort is unlikely, other states with Democratic majorities like New York and California, which also have redistricting commissions, are threatening counteraction after Texas Democrats left the state to avoid voting on redistricting. Republicans in Colorado have also left the floor to avoid votes before. Could there be more acts like these in the future? Former Nuggets stars pregnant wife attacked by shark If Republicans didnt like what Democrats were doing, I think the tactic is useful. The tactic is effective. We cant move as a legislature without Republican votes; the same way in Texas, they cant move without Democratic votes. So if you want to stall or paralyze a legislature, you get up and walk out as a group, and that actually ends up working, Boian said. FOX31 reached out to the Colorado Governors Office and has not heard back from the office as of Tuesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. COLUMBIA COUNTY, Ga. (WJBF) Columbia County Commissioner Trey Allen announced Tuesday he is resigning from his seat in order to serve in President Donald Trumps administration. Allen made the announcement in a commissioners meeting on Aug. 5. In recent days, I have been offered and have accepted a White House appointment to serve as senior advisor to the Department of Housing and Urban Development in Washington, D.C, he said. With the acceptance of this role, I will be working in the Capitol and will not be able to offer the citizens of my district the level of service that they deserve. After deciding to accept the role, I reached out to counsel at the earliest opportunity to begin the process of planning for the transition of the District 2 commission seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen said he plans to submit his resignation to the Governor Brian Kemp to allow for a replacement selection. Allen said the opportunity came up unexpectedly and it was something that he could not turn down. Although I will be working in D.C., I shall continue to maintain a house here and be a resident of Columbia County, Allen said. This will always be my home. Serving as a Columbia County Commissioner has been one of the greatest honors of my life, and while I look forward to the challenges before me, I will miss this role terribly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. THOMSON, Ga. (WJBF) New resources are now available to students and members of the McDuffie County Boys and Girls Club, thanks to a donation and partnership from Comcast. On Wednesday, 80 laptops were donated to dual-enrollment students at Thomson High School. The gift is part of Comcasts mission to help underserved families connect to the internet. I thinking about needing a new computer to go to college soon and was discussing it with my mom and grandma and to find out that I now have a new computer, said Shannyn Scrivens, a senior at Thomson High School. This just takes my words away for it! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many of our students in our community, the receipt of this laptop today is a changing factor for them for access to educational opportunities and we are just delighted with our partnership of Comcast and them providing these tools for our students, said McDuffie County Schools Superintendent Dr. Mychele Rhodes. A ribbon cutting was also held to celebrate the completion and opening of the Boys and Girls Club Lift Zone. The Lift Zone is the internet and services expansion also provided by Comcast that provides free high speed Wi-Fi, giving students and their families access to online resources. We are so excited to be here in McDuffie County and to expand out broadband network and our brilliant network, to the residents of McDuffie County, were also excited to open up our Lift Zone here at the Boys and Girls Club providing digital literacy and connection uhm to everyone that needs it, the students, the kids, and the family and come in to grow with digital literacy also, said Donovin Brown, VP of Comcast Field OPS and Engineering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photojournalist credit: Gary Hipps Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Comedian Michael Rapaport claimed on Tuesday his show at the Stardome Comedy Club in Birmingham, Alabama was canceled because of protests and threats over his support for Israel . "My show tonight at the Stardome in Alabama was CANCELLED," Rapaport said in an X post. "I did not cancel. I would never cancelespecially since Im already here in Birmingham, ready to perform." Rapaport claimed the show was pulled because of his outspoken backing of Israel, however the venue has not publicly commented on the decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following Antisemitic Attacks, Rapaport Warns Jewish People The Cavalry Aint Coming To Save Them Comedian Michael Rapaport claimed his Tuesday show at the Birmingham, Alabama Stardome was canceled over his support for Israel. "It was shut down because of protests and threats over my support for Israel and for speaking up about the 50 hostages still being held in Gaza," Rapaport said. "Six hundred and seventy days in captivityand people are protesting me for demanding their release? Its embarrassing. Its sad. But Im not ashamed. I stand by what I say and who I stand with." In the post, the comedian included a photo with two people from the Jewish community. Read On The Fox News App "Fortunately, I got to meet some incredible people from Chabad of Alabama today and had the blessing of wrapping tefillina ginormous mitzvah and a reminder of what really matters," he added. "Am Yisrael Chai." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EX-MUMFORD & SONS GUITARIST CRITICIZES MUSIC INDUSTRY FOR SILENCE AFTER BOULDER ANTISEMITIC ATTACK The show's event page on the Stardome website appears to have been removed. A preview from a no broken link for Rapaports show on the Stardome website says that it was scheduled for Tuesday with doors opening at 6:15 p.m. and the show beginning at 7:30 p.m. Fox News Digital reached out to Stardome for comment, but did not immediately receive a response. A preview from what appears to be a broken webpage for Rapaports show on the Stardome website says that the show was scheduled for Tuesday with doors opening at 6:15pm with the show beginning at 7:30pm. Original article source: Comedian Michael Rapaport claims comedy show yanked after threats over his support for Israel CLARKSBURG, W.Va. (WBOY) In an ongoing effort to connect the communities with their local first responders, National Night Out was celebrated across the country on Tuesday, including right here in north central West Virginia. During the annual event, residents were given a chance to meet and connect with local first responders in a relaxed, family-friendly setting. In Clarksburg, agencies including the Clarksburg Police Department, Harrison County Prosecutors Office and the Clarksburg Fire Department, to name a few, were on hand to meet with the community. And it wasnt just Clarksburg; cities like Buckhannon, Bridgeport, Fairmont, and Morgantown also hosted their own National Night Out events. Crews perform maintenance on centuries-old tree in Westons Arnold Cemetery Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That the idea of Night Out is to bridge the gap between the community and law enforcement so that when children especially are encountered with first responders they dont panic, they realize that were not there to hurt them, that were there to provide assistance to aid them in any way that we can, Clarksburg Police Departments Lt. Dan Messenger said. Officers said events like these are about more than just fun; theyre about building trust. Law enforcement agencies rely on the public as their eyes and ears and told 12 News that strong community relationships help keep everyone safer. Officers also expressed that face-to-face interactions are crucial for building relationships that can help prevent crime and strengthen neighborhood safety. Harrison County Prosecutors office, Rachel Romano, we come here every year, we give out information for the kids that we think is really important to their health and safety, as well as some fun things for them to do so they can enjoy the night, Harrison Countys Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Laura Pickens, said. We want them to know that the prosecuting attorneys office, the Clarksburg Police Department, we are there for them, we are their ally, and we want them to know that and be friendly with them. National Night Out started in the 1980s as a simple front porch vigil, but has now grown into a coast-to-coast celebration of community spirit. Events for National Night Out are held every year on the first Tuesday in August, a night that focuses on unity, safety, and community partnership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. A community group claims its bid to take over a historic library is being ignored by the local council. The 125-year-old Carnegie Library in Jedburgh was closed by Scottish Borders Council during the Covid pandemic. Despite talks taking place over a community asset transfer, the B-listed building has been put up for sale on the open market for offers over 140,000. Scottish Borders Council said its officers were continuing to engage with everyone who has an interest in the property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jedburgh was provided with two libraries by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie. The Dunfermline-born industrialist, who made his vast fortune in America, officially opened the original library on the town's High Street in 1894. However, the building was not big enough to meet the demand for borrowing books - leading to a new library being commissioned a short distance away on Castlegate. Carnegie returned to Jedburgh on 24 May 1900 to witness the opening of the larger Sir George Washington Browne-designed facility, which could hold 12,000 books. The eye-catching building features the engraved inscription "Let There be Light" above the entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The larger library was one of about 80 buildings Scottish Borders Council decided to dispose of as part of cuts started in March 2024 to help it save money and reduce its carbon footprint. The local authority also agreed to consult with communities on the future of properties considered to have a "significant civic presence" and explore the potential of transferring the buildings into community ownership. A council report, seen by BBC Scotland News, said community groups would be given six months to provide additional information after submitting a valid request to take over a property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But community group Jedburgh Carnegie Building said it did not believe this process had been followed properly in relation to the Carnegie Library. Since April, when the library was put up for sale, it has gathered more than 600 signatures for a petition calling on Scottish Borders Council to uphold its commitment to a community asset transfer. Local bookstore owner Dean Freeman has been leading the campaign for the former library to be transferred to the community [BBC] Bookshop owner Dean Freeman is leading the campaign for the community to take control of the building. He said: "We were initially told by the council that a community asset transfer could be undertaken. "However, they are now telling us that it is no longer an option and that we will have to be part of the competitive process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No reasons have been given and it's as if they are now ignoring us. "We think this is wrong - the town is rightly proud of its rich heritage and selling off this building will achieve nothing." Jenni Sneddon, from the Jedburgh Carnegie Building group, hopes the library can be kept for community use [BBC] Jenni Sneddon, another member of Jedburgh Carnegie Building, said there were concerns about the library's future. She said: "It would be such a shame if it was lost to a private developer. "The Carnegie Library is such a lovely building - there's so much light inside with the beautiful skylight. It is a versatile space and we have lots of ideas for using it as an arts venue amongst other things. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not being too prescriptive about what we would do with the building as it would be up to the community to tell us what they would like." Musician James Wyness supports community ownership of the property [BBC] Musician James Wyness supports the group's aims. He said: "I want Scottish Borders Council to do the right thing and honour their original pledge to give favour to a community asset transfer. "We have a lot of people backing us - people who want a community space - and I would ask the council to do the right thing. "Our swimming pool's already been closed, our town hall is under threat of closure, there's going to be nothing left for the community." 'Broader strategy' Scottish Borders Council said the former library building was put on the market following a thorough evaluation of all available options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson said: "While a community asset transfer was initially the preferred route, it is not the sole path being explored. "The market listing forms part of a broader strategy to assess all viable opportunities for the building's future use, including potential community-led proposals." They added: "We remain committed to keeping all stakeholders, including the local community, informed throughout this process. "We recognise the building's significance to the Jedburgh community and are working to identify a solution that balances heritage preservation with sustainable, practical use." More on this story Related internet links Aug. 6---- Community leaders concerned about a change in Kandiyohi County's relationship with federal immigration officials say their fears have been alleviated after meeting with local law enforcement officials. The earlier this year entered into an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement that is different from its longstanding contract to house inmates in its jail. The new agreement with Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement raised the concerns of local officials and community leaders, who met with Sheriff Eric Tollefson recently to gain a better understanding of what the agreement entails. The concern was that the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office had entered into a "task force" agreement that allows local officers to be trained and engage in limited immigration enforcement, but that is not what Kandiyohi County signed. Under the Kandiyohi County correctional officers will be trained in the procedure to transfer custody of county prisoners to ICE custody if a detainer request has been made. Willmar City Councilor Justin Ask, who is also lead pastor at Vinje Lutheran Church, in an email to the West Central Tribune said that he and Willmar City Councilor Vicki Davis met with Tollefson on July 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They asked Tollefson if he would be willing to also meet with local community leaders to have an open dialogue due to the fear amongst the local community that the agreement signaled a major shift in local law enforcement practices. That meeting took place July 24. "The conversation was open, respectful and informative," Ask said of the July 24 meeting, which he also attended. "Many questions were asked, and I believe those discussions helped address concerns and reduce confusion. Sheriff Tollefson was transparent in explaining that local law enforcement will not be stopping or detaining anyone on the street based on immigration status." Section 287(g) was added to the through the Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It authorizes ICE to delegate to state and local law enforcement officers the authority to perform specified immigration officer functions under the agency's direction and oversight, according to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement website. Willmar Community Growth Director Pablo Obregon attended the July 24 meeting because he wanted to learn more, as well as make sure the community can access and receive the right information. "Unfortunately, lots of rumors that are not true (were) shared and (they) create more fear and anxiety," Obregon told the West Central Tribune in an email, noting that local officials and community leaders will continue to communicate and create more opportunities to keep working together to make the community a place of welcoming and belonging. Andres Albertsen, pastor of Iglesia Luterana Paz y Esperanza and the visitation pastor at Vinje Lutheran Church, told the West Central Tribune in an email that his main concern was to understand exactly what kind of agreement Tollefson accepted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albertsen said he wanted to know if and how easily immigrants taken into custody for reasons not related to their immigration status would be able to be transferred into ICE custody and how the agreement would affect the interaction of immigrants in the community with local law enforcement. "My concerns were alleviated ... (that the agreement) will only involve correctional officers in the moment when they are processing the release of an inmate," Albertsen said. Albertsen is still concerned, however, that the warrants being served are administrative warrants and that a judicial warrant is not required. Councilor Ask said he now feels more confident "that the intent and scope of the agreement are more limited than many initially believed. ... It's clear to me that our local law enforcement is committed to the public safety of all, and I believe continued dialogue will help strengthen trust and understanding in our community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are three models of enforcement that operate under 287(g) a "warrant service officer" model, a "task force" model and a "jail enforcement" model. The first type is what signed. The "task force" model was ended by in 2012, according to an However, on Jan. 20, 2025, issued requiring ICE to authorize state and local law enforcement officials to enforce immigration laws to the maximum extent permitted by 287(g), reinstating the "task force" model, according to the ICE website. According to an ICE spreadsheet last checked Aug. 5, is one of seven Minnesota counties with 287(g) agreements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crow Wing, Freeborn and Jackson counties also have "warrant service officer" agreements. Crow Wing County also has a "task force" agreement, along with Cass, Itasca and Mille Lacs counties. None of the Minnesota counties has the "jail enforcement" agreement, which is designed to identify and process removable aliens with criminal or pending criminal charges who are arrested by state or local law enforcement agencies, according to the ICE website. Because the Kandiyohi County Jail is one of three county jails in Minnesota that has a longstanding contract with ICE to house immigrant detainees a contract that has been in place for 24 years those being released from local custody into ICE custody will remain within the Kandiyohi County Jail under ICE detention. "It seems to me that the willingness to enter such an agreement also signals a willingness to cooperate with the current (Trump) administration without changing the way law enforcement interacts with immigrants on the streets," Albertsen added, noting that not cooperating with the current administration could lead to other negative consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, he pointed out that for months the Trump administration has wrongly accused Kandiyohi County of being a "sanctuary county." officials at the Justice Department told federal prosecutors across the nation to investigate any official who defies efforts to deport undocumented immigrants. The U.S. attorneys were ordered to prosecute those officials on charges that could send them to prison. a conservative organization founded by Stephen Miller who is now the White House deputy chief of staff for policy and homeland security, sent warning letters to 249 elected officials across the country in December, including those in Anoka, Cottonwood, Dakota, Hennepin, Jackson, Kandiyohi, Lincoln, Lyon, Nobles, Pipestone, Ramsey and Wantowan counties. The letters warned the officials they could face prosecution if they failed to detain immigrants for ICE. SAN DIEGO People are pushing back against the citys proposal to declare three Mission Bay Park properties as surplus land. The move would allow the city to lease or sell the land for longer than 15 years, and its raising alarm among the local community members who dont trust the citys plans. Weve never seen the Surplus Act applied to park land before, said local Scott Andrews. The city council considered this proposal during a meeting last week, but chose to hold off on voting so that the Mission Bay Park Committee could host a meeting to include this topic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The public doesnt trust the city council or the mayor and theres a belief that no matter what you decide on the two issues, the city is going to go forward with it anyway, said Clifford Weaver, who voiced his opposition to the committee. San Diego faces lawsuit over 136-unit ADU project proposal The properties include Sportsmens Seafood and Dana Marina Landing, which both currently have expired leases. The third and largest property is Marina Village, where the lease is set to expire in 2027. There, the city wants to include a hotel and updated conference center as outlined in the Mission Bay master plan. Locals who came to give public comment all opposed the idea, worried about the procedure following a surplus land designation that requires an entity to negotiate in good faith to allow affordable housing first. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not about building housing on Mission Bay, said Council President Joe LaCava. The city says it even pushed for an exemption, but the states Department for Housing and Community Development denied the effort, meaning affordable housing proposals would still need to be considered. A housing project would have to pass several hurdles that the city believes no developer would want to go through. Public vote, coastal commission approval that they would never get. It is just so unlikely, but its just a step we have to take, explained city of San Diego Communications Director Rachel Laing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Laing explained other routes like seeking an amendment to the Surplus Land Act or getting the state to designate Mission Bay as state park land have been discussed, but they are uncertain and could take years. Ultimately, the committee in Mission Bay Park voted 6-to-2, with one member abstaining to not support the three properties becoming surplus land. Council LaCava says the plan is to bring the proposal back before the council sometime in September. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A Dayton neighborhood is receiving an outpouring of support to help replace a playset destroyed by fire. Bomberger Park in St. Annes Hill suffered a major loss over the weekend when one of its playground pieces was set ablaze, leaving the play structure melted and blackened by flames and smoke. Playground in Dayton historic district destroyed by suspected arson After the community spent three years collecting $40,000 to replace old equipment back in 2023, the fire destroyed that hard work in just minutes, shocking local residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartbreaking, said Mary Jo Duren, resident. Investigators believe the fire to be the result of arson. Were really just in a state of shock, I mean, why would you do this? said Duren. But the neighborhood is determined to rebuild, making sure the playground doesnt stay empty for long. By Tuesday night, just 48 hours after the fire, community members say their fundraiser has already raised a quarter of their $40,000 goal. Bomberger Park is home to an annual Germanfest Picnic from Aug. 8-10. Organizers expect 20,000 people to come, with a part of proceeds going toward rebuilding the playground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its just nice to see people have that kind of feeling for us and for the playground. People really, really enjoyed it, said Duren. Hopefully this gives us the kick to get everything replaced quickly. If youd like to donate to the St. Annes Hill fundraiser, click here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WDTN.com. WASHINGTON, D.C. (WSYR-TV) In an age when a jeans advertisement sparks a culture war and reverse boycotts encourage people to buy stuff as activism, the supermarket is becoming a political arena. Whether or not companies should take political stances has divided America, according to two new polls, one from Pew Research Center and one from Gallup. The Pew poll, conducted in February and released on Aug. 5, found that half of U.S. adults find it very or somewhat important for companies and organizations to make public statements on political or social issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When considering party alignment, two-thirds of Democrats or blue-leaning independents find it important, and one-third find it not too or not at all important. The figures are flipped for Republicans and red-leaning independents: one-third find it important, two-thirds find it unimportant. The results are similar to what the research center measured in July 2020, in which 52% found corporate political stances important and 48% found them unimportant. Notably, the center conducted the study shortly after the murder of George Floyd by police in Minneapolis, the aftermath of which pushed many companies to issue statements about racial inequality and justice. Pew poll found slight polarization when considering the participants race: 57% of White Americans found corporate political stances unimportant, compared to 37% of Black Americans, 36% of Hispanic Americans, and 34% of Asian Americans. A similar poll from Gallup, conducted in May in partnership with Bentley University and released on Aug. 6, corroborated the Pew results. Asking U.S. adults whether they think businesses should take a public stance on current events, the poll found that 51% said yes and 49% said no. While the results matched their study from 2022 (52% no, 48% yes), between then and now, there was a drop in support for corporate political stances, dipping to 38% in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gallup poll found starker differences than the Pew poll when measuring by party. 71% of Democrats said they believed businesses should take stances on current events, compared to 47% of independents and 33% of Republicans. When considering race, Gallup found that only 46% of White Americans found corporate political stances important, compared to 66% of Black Americans, 56% of Hispanic Americans, and 68% of Asian Americans. Gallup went further and asked what specific issues Americans found important for businesses to take stances on. 56% of Americans believed companies should take a public stance on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), a slight bump from last year (53%). Free speech, climate change, and mental health made the top of priorities, while for the past few years, Americans have remained indifferent over whether a companys stance on religious issues (only 18% of Americans said they found it important). For more data from both polls, check out the Gallup poll here and the Pew Research Center poll here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A company director has denied dumping an 80ft mound of waste on a country lane, leaving residents trapped in their homes. Darren Sheen, 40, entered not guilty pleas to nine charges faced by him and his company, Fusion Engineering Ltd, when he appeared at Stafford Crown Court on Wednesday. The charges relate to a mound of fly-tipped waste that appeared on Watery Lane on the outskirts of Lichfield, Staffs, overnight on Jan 19. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rubbish, which locals claimed had originated from a construction site, left nine homeowners and 30 businesses at a nearby retail park unable to enter or leave their premises. The pile was 10ft high, 20ft wide and 80ft in length, according to Lichfield district council, which brought in contractors with a mechanical digger to clear the road the next morning. 2101 Scale of Lichfield fly-tipping incident Mr Sheen, from Uttoxeter, who appeared in the dock wearing a dark blue shirt and tie, spoke only to confirm his name and enter his pleas during a 25-minute hearing. He denied five counts depositing controlled waste, depositing controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health, failure to transfer waste to an authorised person, wilful obstruction of the highway, and dangerous driving. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On behalf of the business, he denied four counts depositing controlled waste, depositing controlled waste in a manner likely to cause pollution of the environment or harm to human health, failure to transfer waste to an authorised person, and wilful obstruction of the highway. Mr Sheen and his business will face trial on March 8 2027. Judge Avik Mukherjee apologised to all involved in the case for the delay in getting to trial. He said: All I can do is apologise that the case is not going to be heard until March 2027. It is a relatively small court centre dealing with a lot of work. Addressing Mr Sheen, who is on unconditional bail, the judge added: [Your trial] is not going to take place for many, many months, but you must keep in touch with your solicitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sure you will attend but I need to warn you, if you fail to attend, there is every chance it may go ahead in your absence. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A company has to pay a fine and serve a probation term after pleading guilty to violating the federal Clean Water Act Tuesday. 2 dogs trained to sniff out invasive spotted lanternflies working with the TN Department of Agriculture The U.S. Department of Justice, citing court documents, alleged that Onsite Environmental treated liquid, non-hazardous material and dumped that into the Nashville sewer system. The company, which operated a facility in Nashville, had obtained a pretreatment permit from Metro under an approved program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, between December 2022 and January 2023, employees knowingly bypassed treatment processes and released untreated or partially-treated waste into the sewer. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Allwaste Onsite, doing business at Onsite Environmental, entered two guilty please in relation to the Clean Water Act violations. As such, the company must pay a $512,000 fine and serve a three-year term of probation that requires them to properly treat industrial wastes according to a detailed facility operating plan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aug. 6Due to a soured wine market in recent years, many Lodi grape growers have either ripped out their vines or simply quit farming altogether. As vintners have taken a financial hit from the decrease in bulk grape purchases and direct in-store sales, they are now facing another deterrent in the industry. Many of those who walked away from farming altogether have let their vineyards go to rot, and neighbors have been left to deal with the remains which include migrant rodents and insects, or mold and viruses that have made their way onto their properties. The Lodi Winegrape Commission on Tuesday hosted a meeting at Burgundy Hall at the Lodi Grape Festival to discuss the issues vintners and growers face from abandoned vineyards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charlie Hamilton, the vineyard and operations manager with KG Vineyard Management, said five of the company's properties in San Joaquin County sit adjacent to abandoned or "mothballed" vines. Four of those properties are located in west Lodi. While an abandoned vineyard is one in which the owner has completely ignored the site for a number of years, a mothballed vineyard is one where steps had been taken to preserve the vines although they are not actively harvested. Two of the Lodi sites had been completely abandoned, Hamilton said, left without irrigation causing water stresses to the vines. The other two had been mothballed, but they attracted mildew, squirrels, rats and the mealybug, a pest that inhabits the entire vine from root system to grapes. Hamilton said one of the mothballed vineyards had been minimally farmed and ultimately abandoned when the owners thought there was no longer a wine market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One way to combat impacts such as pests and molds, Hamilton said, is to minimally farm your land. "Just do the basics, just to get things back, and next year you're fine," he said. "Vines are on a two-year cycle, and if you have a massive disaster, that next year you're gonna eat it all. The year after that, you might get back to a mild 70% of production. It doesn't just snap out of problems." Daniel Meyers, viticulturist at Vino Farms, said two 25-acre vineyards that have been abandoned sit adjacent to the company's 40-acre organic Sauvignon Blanc vineyard in east Lodi. Some 80% of the vines on the neighboring property had wet trunks, and a leafhopper infestation has taken over. Leafhoppers are small insects that suck plant sap from grass, shrubs, or trees. The county declared a local emergency due to an increase in leafhoppers primarily among the tomato crop last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Meyers said Vine Farms increased the amount of rat traps in its own vineyards from 55 in June to more than 200 the following month. Dr. Stephanie Bolton, the Winegrape Commission's grower research and education director, said one reason vineyards are being abandoned is the cost to remove vines. She said she has spoken with several vineyard owners who said they cannot afford to remove their 40-acre plots of land. According to www.winebusiness.com, it costs property owners as much as $1,600 an acre to remove their vineyards. That includes removing vines, grinding them down and spreading chips elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "People ask 'can't you get money from the government? Yes, you can," Bolton said. "But you have to pay upfront to have the vineyards removed. It's a significant amount of money. And even with money from the government, it is still very expensive to remove a vineyard right now." Local Realtor Tyler Blagg said the Tulare County agricultural commissioner is working with growers in that area to get permits to remove abandoned vineyards that are impacting their properties. He wondered if San Joaquin County could explore a similar option. County ag commissioner Kamal Bagri said residents can spray a neighbor's property to combat insects and viruses, but only with their permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've seen, just from a land perspective ... when looking to try and sell property and yields over the last five years, there's been a significant hit on (property) value," Blagg said. "We're already seeing it in some vineyards with the few sales that we've had." California Association of Winegrape Growers president Natalie Collins said the San Joaquin County Air Pollution Control District has $32 million available from an Ag Burn Alternatives grant program that could help reduce abandoned vineyards. The program provides incentives to commercial agricultural operations to chip agricultural material from orchard and vineyard removals. The chips can then be used for soil incorporation, on-site land application on agricultural land, or mulching, composting and land application near roadways for dust suppression, among other options. Collins said there are also two bills being considered in Sacramento that could also help with abandoned vineyard suppression Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those is SB 279, authored by Sen. Jerry McNerney, D-Pleasanton, which would allow farms and vineyards to compost large amounts of green waste onsite without obtaining a permit. The second bill, AB 732, would allow agricultural commissioners to fine property owners not maintaining abandoned crops. Aaron Lange, vice president of vineyard operations at LangeTwins Winery and Vineyards, said the abandoned sites are not victims of one-time pesticide drifts from a negligent sprayer, but recurring infestations that will permanently affect crops. "You're talking a $25,000-an-acre investment that is being severely reduced, permanently," he said. "It's really tough to consider that because there is permanent economic damage being done here. The county needs to we all need to be active to try and remove this, otherwise there's going to be a cycle of virus, planting a new vineyard, reinfection, and we're never going to clean up this area." John-Paul Sager, a veteran of the Marine Corps and Army, is treated for chronic back and shoulder pain by chiropractor Matt Gronewold in June 2025. The Department of Veterans Affairs community care program pays for Sagers treatments at Vanderloo Chiropractic Clinic in Waterloo, Iowa. (Tony Leys/KFF Health News) WATERLOO, Iowa John-Paul Sager appreciates the care he has received at Department of Veterans Affairs hospitals and clinics, but he thinks it should be easier for veterans like him to use their benefits elsewhere. Sager, a Marine Corps and Army veteran, uses his VA coverage for non-VA treatment of back injuries stemming from his military service. But he said he sometimes must make several phone calls to obtain approval to see a local chiropractor. It seems like it takes entirely too long, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many veterans live hours from VA facilities, or they need health services that arent readily available from the VA. In such cases, the department is supposed to provide a referral and pay for private care. Critics say it often hesitates to do so. Republicans controlling Congress aim to streamline the process of obtaining what is known as community care. Two Republican senators have introduced legislation that would make it easier for rural veterans to seek care at local hospitals and clinics. The proposals would build on VA community care programs that started under Democratic President Barack Obama and were expanded in Trumps first term. Critics worry that steering veterans to private care facilities drains federal money from the VA hospital and clinic system. But supporters say veterans shouldnt be forced to travel long distances or wait months for the treatment they could obtain at local hospitals and clinics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My main concern is for veterans, not for the VA, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told KFF Health News. I dont believe we have an obligation to sustain the bureaucracy. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX About 9 million veterans are enrolled in the VA health system. Last year, about 3 million of them including 1.2 million rural veterans used their benefits to cover care at non-VA facilities, according to data provided by the department. Cramer co-sponsored a bill that would allow veterans who live within 35 miles of a rural, critical access hospital to use VA benefits to cover care there or at affiliated clinics without referrals from VA staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cramer, who serves on the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, noted his state has just one VA hospital. Its in Fargo, on the states eastern border, which is more than 400 miles by car from parts of western North Dakota. Many North Dakota veterans drive past multiple community hospitals to get to the VA hospital for treatment, he said. Meanwhile, many rural hospitals are desperate for more patients and income. I kept thinking to myself, This doesnt make any sense at all, Cramer said. Cramer said previous laws, including the VA Mission Act, made it easier for veterans to use their benefits to cover care at community hospitals and clinics. But he said veterans still must fill out too much paperwork and obtain approval from VA staffers to use non-VA facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We cant let the VA itself determine whether a veteran is qualified to receive local care, he said. At Vanderloo Chiropractic Clinic, which employs many veterans, you just feel like youre being taken care of by your own, Sager says.(Tony Leys/KFF Health News) U.S. Rep. Mark Takano of California, who is the top Democrat on the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said he sees the need for outside care for some veterans. But he contends Republicans are going overboard in shifting the departments money to support private health care facilities. The VA provides specialized care that responds to veterans needs and experiences, he argues. We must prevent funds from being siphoned away from veterans hospitals and clinics, or VA will crumble, Takano said in a statement released by his office. Veterans cannot afford for us to dismantle VA direct care in favor of shifting more care to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some veterans advocacy groups have also expressed concerns. Jon Retzer, deputy national legislative director for the Disabled American Veterans, said the group wants to make it easier for veterans to find care. Rural and female veterans can have a particularly tough time finding appropriate, timely services at VA hospitals and clinics, he said. But the Disabled American Veterans doesnt want to see VA facilities weakened by having too much federal money diverted to private hospitals and clinics. Retzer said its true that patients sometimes wait for VA care, but so do patients at many private hospitals and clinics. Most delays stem from staff shortages, he said, which afflict many health facilities. This is a national crisis. Retzer said the Disabled American Veterans favors continuing to require referrals from VA physicians before veterans can seek VA-financed care elsewhere. We want to ensure that the VA is the primary provider of that care, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins has pledged to improve the community care program while maintaining the strength of the departments hospitals and clinics. The department declined a KFF Health News request to interview Collins. Marcus Lewis, CEO of First Care Health Center, which includes a hospital in Park River, North Dakota, supports Cramers bill. Lewis is a Navy veteran who uses the VAs community care option to pay for treatment of a back injury stemming from his military service. Overall, Lewis said, the community care program has become easier to use. But the application process remains complicated, and participants must repeatedly obtain VA referrals for treatment of chronic issues, he said. Its frustrating. Park River is a 1,400-person town about 50 miles south of the Canadian border. Its 14-bed hospital offers an array of services, including surgery, cancer care, and mental health treatment. But Lewis regularly sees a VA van picking up local veterans, some of whom travel 140 miles to Fargo for care theyre entitled to receive locally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think a lot of folks just dont want to fight the system, he said. They dont want to go through the extra hoops, and so theyll jump in the van, and theyll ride along. Rep. Mike Bost, R-Illinois, chairman of the House Veterans Affairs Committee, said veterans in some areas of the country have had more trouble than others in getting VA approval for care from private clinics and hospitals. Bost helped gain the Houses approval for Trumps request for $34.7 billion for the community care program in 2026. Although spending on the program has gone up and down in recent years, the appropriation represents an increase of about 50% from what it was in 2025 and 2022. The Senate included similar figures for next year in its version of a military spending budget that passed Aug. 1. Bost also co-sponsored a House bill that would spell out requirements for the VA to pay for community care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sager hopes the new proposals make life easier for veterans. The Gulf War veteran lives in the northeastern Iowa town of Denver. He travels about 15 miles to Waterloo to see a chiropractor, who treats him for back and shoulder pain from injuries he suffered while training Saudi troops in hand-to-hand combat. Sager, who remains active in the Army Reserve, also visits a Waterloo outpatient clinic run by the VA, where his primary care doctor practices. He appreciates the agencys mission, including its employment of many veterans. You just feel like youre being taken care of by your own, he said. He believes the VA can run a strong hospital and clinic system while offering alternatives for veterans who live far from those facilities or who need care the VA cant promptly provide. The local VA doesnt offer chiropractic care, so it pays for Sager to visit the private clinic. But every few months, he needs to obtain fresh approval from the VA. That often requires several phone calls, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sager is one of about a dozen veterans who use the community care program to pay for visits at Vanderloo Chiropractic Clinic, office manager Linda Gill said. Gill said the VA program pays about $34 for a typical visit, which is comparable to private insurance, but the paperwork is more burdensome. She said leaders of the chiropractic practice considered pulling out of the VA program but decided to put up with the hassles for a good cause. She wishes veterans didnt have to jump through so many hoops to obtain convenient care. After what theyve done for us? Please, she said. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This article first appeared on KFF Health News and is republished here under a Creative Commons license. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFFan independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF. Subscribe to KFF Health News free Morning Briefing. Officials at MDC Brooklyn barred three Democratic members of Congress from conducting an oversight visit of the jails ICE detention operation, sparking a brief lockdown that led to canceled legal visits for inmates seeing their defense lawyers. The House members, Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Nydia Velazquez and Daniel Goldman, showed up at the notorious Sunset Park federal jail Wednesday morning, but were blocked at the door, then were briefly trapped between the iron gate in front of the jail and its entrance doors. Inside, about 20 defense attorneys visiting their clients abruptly had those visits cut short, multiple lawyers told the Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail staff recalled those inmates back to their housing units, and wouldnt let their lawyers leave the Metropolitan Detention Center for about a half hour as the drama unfolded outside, the attorneys said. Those lawyers included Marc Agnifilo, who represents Sean Diddy Combs and alleged health care CEO killer Luigi Mangione, both of whom are housed in MDC, sources said. Agnifilo did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday. We were trapped between the gate and the building, Velazquez (D-Brooklyn, Queens) told the Daily News. She said that the lawmakers entered the gate and approached the places front door, and Espaillat (D-Manhattan, Bronx) asked a masked federal official outside to show his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He [the agent] immediately jumped in front of the gate and locked us inside, and then went upstairs, climbed the steps for the federal building and locked the door so we could not get out to the street, Velazquez said. We couldnt get into the building. New York Immigration Coalition President Murad Awawdeh, who accompanied the lawmakers, said the masked agent immediately confronted them, asking for ID, then triggered a lockdown and disappeared into the building. It was a circus that the federal prison bureau created, he said. Why is the federal government going so far out of its way to prohibit anyone from seeing whats happening inside their facilities? Eventually, an assistant to the warden came out, and he said what we knew he would say, that we have to request seven days in advance for a permit to allow us to go inside, Velazquez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats against federal law, which gives members of Congress the right to make unannounced visits, she said. Department of Homeland Security spokeswoman Marie Ferguson called the criticism deeply unserious. The members were not trapped and were free to leave whenever they would like, in fact the BOP, which manages this facility, had to close the gates to prevent the media from trespassing, Ferguson said. Here are the facts: These members did not follow proper protocol and schedule their visit. Instead, they brought a gaggle of media to drive clicks and fundraising emails. Starting in June, MDC Brooklyn began holding more than 100 Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent detainees as part of an interagency agreement between ICE and the Bureau of Prisons to use eight federal facilities across the country to hold immigrants ensnared in President Trumps mass deportation machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denying members of Congress access to a federal detention facility is outrageous and unacceptable, Espaillat said in a statement later Wednesday. MDC Brooklyn has a well-documented record of abuse. ICE should not be allowed to expand its reach through backdoor deals with federal prisons. This contract must be terminated now. Bureau of Prisons spokeswoman Randilee Giamusso said Wednesday that the prison system would be happy to accommodate Congress member visits with advance notice. However, as a law enforcement entity, we must prioritize the safety of our staff, inmates and our facilities. We remain committed to working with our congressional partners, Giamusso said. With proper notice, the [Bureau of Prisons] is happy to accommodate a request for a site visit from any congressional member. Espaillat and several other Congress members sued the Trump administration last week, arguing that federal law specifically prohibits immigration detention facilities from requiring prior notice before members of Congress can make oversight visits. The Trump administrations lawless efforts to defy that constitutional authority are a gross abuse of power, Goldman (D-Manhattan, Brooklyn) said, and were taking them to court in defense of that principle and to find out what theyre hiding. NEW YORK Officials at MDC Brooklyn barred three Democrat members of Congress from conducting an oversight visit of the jails ICE detention operation, sparking a brief lockdown that led to cancelled legal visits for inmates seeing their defense lawyers. The Congress members, Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Nydia Velazquez and Dan Goldman, showed up at the notorious Sunset Park jail Wednesday morning, but were blocked at the door, then were briefly trapped between the iron gate in front of the jail and its entrance doors. Inside, about 20 defense attorneys visiting their clients abruptly had those visits cut short, multiple lawyers told the Daily News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jail staff recalled those inmates back to their housing units, and wouldnt let their lawyers leave the MDC for about a half hour as the drama unfolded outside, the attorneys said. Those lawyers included Marc Agnifilo, who represents Sean Diddy Combs and alleged healthcare CEO killer Luigi Mangione, both of whom are housed in MDC, sources said. Agnifilo did not return messages seeking comment Wednesday. We were trapped between the gate and the building, Velazquez told The News. She said that the lawmakers entered the gate and approached the places front door, and Espaillat asked a masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent outside to show his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He [the agent] immediately jumped in front of the gate and locked us inside, and then went upstairs, climbed the steps for the federal building and locked the door so we could not get out to the street, Velazquez said. We couldnt get into the building. New York Immigration Coalition President Murad Awawdeh, who accompanied the lawmakers, said the ICE agent immediately confronted them, asking for ID, then triggered a lockdown and disappeared into the building. It was a circus that the federal prison bureau created, he said. Why is the federal government going so far out of its way to prohibit anyone from seeing whats happening inside their facilities? Eventually, an assistant to the warden came out, and he said what we knew he would say, that we have to request seven days in advance for a permit to allow us to go inside, Velazquez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats against federal law, which gives Congress members the right to make unannounced visits, she said. Starting in June, MDC Brooklyn began holding more than 100 ICE detainees as part of an interagency agreement between ICE and and the Bureau of Prisons to use eight federal facilities across the country to hold immigrants ensnared in Donald Trumps mass deportation machine. Denying Members of Congress access to a federal detention facility is outrageous and unacceptable, Espaillat said in a statement later Wednesday. MDC Brooklyn has a well-documented record of abuse. ICE should not be allowed to expand its reach through backdoor deals with federal prisons. This contract must be terminated now. BOP spokeswoman Randilee Giamusso said Wednesday that the prison system would be happy to accommodate Congress member visits if they give advance notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, as a law enforcement entity, we must prioritize the safety of our staff, inmates and our facilities. We remain committed to working with our congressional partners, Giamusso said. With proper notice, the BOP is happy to accommodate a request for a site visit from any congressional member. Espaillat and several other Congress members sued the Trump administration last week, arguing that federal law specifically prohibits immigration detention facilities from requiring prior notice before members of Congress can make oversight visits. The Trump administrations lawless efforts to defy that constitutional authority are a gross abuse of power, Goldman said, and were taking them to court in defense of that principle and to find out what theyre hiding. _____ A prominent conservative group is launching a nationwide bus tour this month as part of an effort to urge lawmakers to pass legislation that would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections. Tea Party Patriots Action, one of the largest conservative grassroots organizations in the country, is planning a three-week bus tour that will stop in more than a dozen states, according to a release shared first with The Hill. The organization is pushing for lawmakers to attach the SAVE Act, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, to must-pass legislation such as a budget resolution or the annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legacy media keep insisting that requiring proof of citizenship is redundant, because noncitizen voting is already illegal, said Jenny Beth Martin, who co-founded the group, in a statement. What they dont explain is that there is currently no enforcement method to ensure that the law is being followed. This is where the SAVE Act comes in it adds an important safety mechanism to ensure the law is being implemented as intended. The bus tour will begin in California and travel across states that border Mexico to highlight the issue of immigration. It will work its way east, stopping in states like North Carolina and Pennsylvania, with a focus on states with senators that could be swayed to vote for the SAVE Act. That tour will culminate in an event in Washington in early September, when the groups leaders will deliver petitions to lawmakers. The bus tour is part of a larger month of activity Tea Party Patriots Action is leading to highlight the SAVE Act and the need to pass the legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The House in April passed the SAVE Act, formally titled the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, in a 220-208 vote. Four Democrats Reps. Ed Case (Hawaii), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Jared Golden (Maine) and Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (Wash.) voted with all Republicans in favor. But the Senate has yet to take up the bill. Its already illegal for those who are not U.S. citizens to vote in federal elections, and critics argue there are exceedingly few cases of noncitizens casting ballots. But proponents of the bill have argued it is necessary to prevent migrants from voting in elections. Democrats and opponents of the legislation have argued that in addition to it being unnecessary, it would disenfranchise many Americans who may not have proof of citizenship handy to be able to cast a ballot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump earlier this year signed an executive order that directs states to require proof of citizenship when individuals register to vote. But the order drew skepticism from legal experts and would likely be undone by the next Democratic president. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Conservative historian Karol Nawrocki was inaugurated as Poland's new president in a ceremony on Aug. 6 after securing a narrow election victory in June. Nawrocki took the oath of office during a formal ceremony in the Sejm, Poland's lower house of parliament. He succeeds Andrzej Duda, a staunch supporter of Ukraine who served for a decade. In his inaugural address, Nawrocki reaffirmed Poland's commitment to the EU but stressed national sovereignty, declaring, "Poland is a member of the European Union, but it will not become the European Union it is Poland and it will remain Poland." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the Sejm, supporters gathered to celebrate his inauguration, chanting slogans backing the new head of state. Nawrocki's presidency marks a turning point in Polish-Ukrainian relations. While he supports Ukraine's sovereignty and has condemned Russia's aggression, he has expressed opposition to Kyiv's accession to both the European Union and NATO. His views reflect broader skepticism within parts of Poland's conservative political establishment. Read also: Operation Vistula the expulsion of Ukrainians from post-war Poland One of the most contentious issues between the two countries, the Volyn massacres, is expected to be high on the agenda. During World War II, Ukrainian Insurgent Army (UPA) members killed tens of thousands of Poles, while thousands of Ukrainians were killed in retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki, a trained historian, has said Ukraine must adopt a "respectful" stance toward those events before seeking EU membership. Nawrocki held his first phone call with President Volodymyr Zelensky on July 31. According to Nawrocki's spokesperson, Rafal Leskiewicz, the conversation focused on strengthening bilateral ties "based on mutual respect and genuine partnership." Zelensky, for his part, emphasized continued cooperation and Poland's support since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion. He said Kyiv looks forward to a cooperation "that will bring real results" under Nawrocki's leadership. Both leaders reportedly agreed to exchange visits and continue dialogue on key issues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Nawrocki's presidency introduces uncertainty into the traditionally strong Poland-Ukraine alliance, the two sides have signaled a willingness to engage diplomatically, even as difficult historical questions remain unresolved. Read also: Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) Many gathered on Tuesday to celebrate the construction of a new public pool at Stamper Park in Longview. East Texas Baptist University set to offer free speech services to East Texans Photo courtesy of the City of Longview Photo courtesy of the City of Longview Photo courtesy of the City of Longview Photo courtesy of the City of Longview The new aquatic facility, which will be the second public pool in the city, is being funded with $6.5 million from Longviews general fund reserves and a $3 million state grant secured by State Representative Jay Dean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clear the Shelters boosts adoptions at East Texas shelters The pool will be located in the southeast corner of Stamper Park, near the intersection of Nelson Street and Fair Street. Riley Harris Construction, based in Tyler, has been contracted for $4.2 million to build the facility. The project had previously faced pushback due to rising costs, but the city has allocated funds to ensure its completion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials, project stakeholders, and community members gathered to celebrate the start of construction and another step taken in Longviews development efforts. Attorney general, U.S. Senator take action against Texas house democrats Once completed, the new pool will provide additional recreational opportunities for residents across Longview, enhancing the communitys amenities. Those who want to learn more can contact Longview Parks and Recreation at 903-237-1270 and visit LongviewTexas.gov/StamperPool. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. Last week, Palm Beach County charter school teacher Damian Conti was sentenced to 36 years in prison after using his position of authority to sexually abuse a student. The story is disturbing and unfortunately, far too familiar. As a survivor of child sexual abuse and someone who has dedicated my life to protecting children, I know the kind of courage it takes for a young person to come forward, especially when the abuser is someone in a position of power. I want to honor the brave survivor in this case for speaking out. I also want to thank the law enforcement professionals and prosecutors who believed her and fought relentlessly for justice; because of their efforts, a dangerous predator has been held accountable and will no longer be able to access innocent victims. We must break this cycle We must resist the urge to see cases like this as isolated incidents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hard truth is: one in three girls and one in five boys will be sexually abused before the age of 18 and in over 90% of cases, the abuser is someone the child knows, loves, or trusts. Unfortunately, even with safeguards in place, predatory adults seek out access and opportunity to harm children. All of this makes the abuse and exploitation of children a systemic issue, not an anomaly. To break this cycle, we as individuals and as a community must do more than react after harm has been done. We must focus on prevention. That means educating children and teens about healthy boundaries, giving them the tools to recognize red flags, and making sure they know it's OK to speak up. It also means ensuring the adults in their lives are equipped to notice signs of abuse and respond not look away. Damian Conti, the former SouthTech Academy teacher convicted of sexually abusing his student, looks toward his victim as he is sentenced to 35 years in prison at the Palm Beach County Courthouse in West Palm Beach, Florida, on July 29, 2025. How Palm Beach County Public Schools is helping This year, Palm Beach County Public Schools is taking a meaningful step in that direction by introducing Florida Department of Education-approved Safer, Smarter Teens personal safety education in middle and high schools. These age-appropriate lessons help students understand the dynamics of grooming and abuse and reinforce avenues for accessing help while also giving educators and caregivers a framework to identify and intervene when something is wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Letter: How Maxwell could help Trump with Epstein heat And we know this kind of education makes a difference. In schools that offer structured personal safety programming, students are 3.5 times more likely to disclose abuse if it happens than those who dont receive this education. With resources and information for teachers and parents (available in English, Spanish, and Creole), safe adults in children's lives also feel better equipped to act if concerns arise. And that creates safer communities for everyone. The sentencing of Damian Conti is a moment of justice, but if we stop there, weve failed. We owe it to every child in Florida to create the conditions where abuse is not just punished its prevented. To the survivor in this case: your strength will protect others. To the community: let this be more than a headline. Let it be a turning point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because every child deserves to be safe. And its our job to make sure they are. Lauren Book *Community resource note: Visit SaferSmarterFamilies.org to access free, developmentally appropriate lessons and activities for children and teens of all ages. Lauren Book is a former Florida state Senator and Founder/CEO of the Laurens Kids Foundation. A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, she has dedicated her life to preventing abuse and empowering survivors. Join the Conversation: The Palm Beach Post is committed to publishing a diversity of opinions. Email us at letters@pbpost.com. Letters are subject to editing, must not exceed 200 words and must include your name, address and a daytime phone number to confirm the letter is for publication. We only publish names and cities with the letters. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Palm Beach County Conti sex abuse case is a wake-up call | Opinion A view of the Milky Way arching over Joshua trees. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) Any trip to the dark night skies of our Southern California deserts reveals a vista full of wonder and mystery riddles that astrophysicists like myself spend our days unraveling. I am fortunate to study how the first galaxies formed and evolved over the vast span of 13 billion years into the beautiful structures that fill those skies. NASAs crown jewel, the James Webb Space Telescope, has delivered measurements of early galaxies so puzzling that, more than three years after its launch, we are still struggling to understand them. My work on ancient galaxies may seem to have no relevance to the enormous challenges that confront our nation every day. But if we look back over the last 80 years, ever since World War II turned America into the epicenter of global science, curiosity-driven investigation in astronomy, quantum materials, evolutionary biology and more has been a pillar of American progress. But science in America is now under dire threat. President Trumps administration is laying waste to both national laboratories and federal support for academic science. Scientific staff is being sharply reduced from the National Park Service to the National Science Foundation and everywhere in between. Looking at the presidents science funding proposals across many agencies, the 2026 fiscal year budget calls for a 34% cut to basic research. The plan slashes NASA's budget to the lowest amount since human space flight began more than 60 years ago, canceling or defunding dozens and dozens of NASA missions. Already, the NSF has halved support for the most promising American graduate students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Contributor: Those cuts to 'overhead' costs in research? They do real damage Scientists are speaking up against this destruction, of course. There are strong practical reasons to back science: It is a powerful engine for economic growth , and it is essential for understanding and mitigating the dangers of the natural world whether they be the Los Angeles wildfires (which my family fled in January) or the tragic floods in Texas last month. As important as these pragmatic arguments are, their focus on quantifiable, short-term benefits undervalues the true worth of the scientific enterprise. Occasionally, curiosity-driven inquiry basic science rapidly enables new technology, but more often its first impact is the wonder we experience at novel measurements, whether contemplating ripples in space-time generated by colliding black holes, underwater ecosystems that draw energy from geothermal vents rather than the sun, or the relic microwave radiation of the Big Bang. The practical impacts that follow are unpredictable; if the goal is to explore the unknown, then the benefits are also unknown. (Let us not forget that even Columbus was sorely mistaken about what his journey would uncover!) Only through hard work to understand and unpack new discoveries do their full benefits become clear, and that can take decades, as with how Einsteins theory of relativity (published from 1905 to 1915) eventually enabled GPS technology . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Contributor: Ending LGBTQ+ health research will leave science in the dark Government support is essential in this process. Although Hollywood often portrays scientific discovery as the work of lone geniuses, far more often it is an incremental process, inching ahead through insights from disparate research groups leveraging cutting-edge infrastructure (such as Arctic research facilities and orbiting telescopes), which can only be built through the focused resources of government investment. Every American taxpayer has helped enable innumerable scientific advancements because they are largely due to our nations investments in the public goods of people and facilities. Of course, these advances have cost money, and we must always ask how best to balance the long-term benefits of science against our countrys other urgent needs. (The enormously popular James Webb Space Telescope, for example, was massively over budget, which led to budget-estimation reforms at NASA .) In 2024, the total science budget, outside of medical research (and its obvious practical benefits), was about $28 billion. This is a large number, but it is still just over one-half of 1% of all spending outside of Social Security and Medicare : For every $1,000 in spending, about $6 one tall Starbucks Caffe Mocha or Big Mac in California supports fundamental scientific inquiry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Trump freezes $300 million in UCLA science and medical research funding, citing antisemitism Yet the current administration has chosen to hack away at budgets rather than do the hard work of self-examination and improvement. American science, and especially the emerging generation of young scientists, will not survive these cuts. If implemented, the administrations framework will choke off new technologies before they are only half an idea, leave fundamental questions about the universe unanswered and chase a generation of scientists to other countries. By any measure, American science is the envy of the world, and we now face a choice: to remain at the vanguard of scientific inquiry through sound investment, or to cede our leadership and watch others answer the big questions that have confounded humanity for millennia and reap the rewards and prestige. Only one of those options will make the future America great. Steven R. Furlanetto is a professor of physics and astronomy at UCLA. 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. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.) is facing aggressive attacks from her Republican colleagues and other right-wingers over recent comments she made about her Guatemalan heritage. Last week, Ramirez had traveled to Mexico City, along with other members of congress, to attend an event at the second annual Panamerican Congress held in the Mexican capital. Speaking from a podium during her visit, a video clip shows the Illinois Democrat at one point expressing pride in her Guatemalan ancestry, saying the following in Spanish, which essentially translates to English as: Let me finish by saying a few words in Spanish because Im a proud Guatemalan before I am an American. Republicans have expressed outrage over Ramirezs comments after a seven-second clip of her remarks from the event made rounds on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Department of Homeland Security shared the short clip of Ramirez speaking to its official account on X, formerly Twitter, with a quote attributed to President Theodore Roosevelt that read, in part: We must unsparingly condemn any man who holds any other allegiance. Rep. Byron Donalds (R-Fla.) misrepresented Ramirezs remarks in a post on X, by accusing the Illinois representative of saying in the clip that she puts Guatemala before the U.S. Shes currently the congresswoman for 720K+ Americans & is supposed to represent their interests on Capitol Hill, he wrote. Dont run for Congress if youre going to put another country first. This is common sense. Tom Homan, President Donald Trumps border czar, told reporters, per C-Span, on Wednesday that he thought Ramirezs comments were disgusting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And earlier this week, Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) called for Ramirez to be deported. Denaturalize, deport, and kick her off Homeland Committee. We know where her allegiances lie, he wrote on X. Ogles post garnered nearly 30,000 Likes on X, with social media users including MAGA social media influencer who goes by the name of Gunther Eagleman joining him in calling for her to be deported. Ramirez, however, was born in Chicago to Guatemalan immigrants. And as Paul A. Gowder, professor of law at Northwestern Universitys Pritzker School of Law, previously emphasized to HuffPost, Birthright citizenship is defined in the Constitution. The court made clear that the only way an American citizen can lose their citizenship is if they voluntarily renounce it, he said, citing Afroyim v. Rusk, a Supreme Court case from 1967. Rep. Delia C. Ramirez (D-Ill.) has responded to right-wing attacks over comments she made about the pride she has in her Guatemalan heritage. Anadolu via Getty Images Ramirez, who became the first Latina to represent the Midwest in Congress when she was elected in 2022, has responded to the attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She released a statement on Monday saying: Lets call it what it is: todays attacks are a weak attempt to silence my dissent and invalidate my patriotic criticism of the nativist, white supremacist, authoritarians in government. It is the definition of hypocrisy that members of Congress who betray their oath each day they enable Trump are attacking me for celebrating my Guatemalan-American roots, she said. No one questions when my white colleagues identify as Irish-American, Italian-American, or Ukrainian-American to honor their ancestry. Ive consistently expressed pride in my heritage and history a pride also often reflected in the origin stories of my colleagues, she continued, before later emphasizing that honoring her Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens my commitment to America. I am the daughter of immigrants and the daughter of America. I am both Chapina and American, she added. I am from both Guatemala and Chicago, Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kari J. Winter, a professor of American studies at the University at Buffalo whose expertise includes gender, feminism, race and class, said that MAGA politicians are enraged by the presence of Hispanic people in the United States. Rep. Andy Ogles illustrates how out of control the anti-American, anti-U.S. Constitution MAGA extremists have become, she told HuffPost. Because Ramirez expressed pride in her heritage as a Guatemalan-American, Ogles ranted that she, an American citizen born in Chicago and elected to the U.S. Congress, should be stripped of her citizenship and deported. As long as ICE agents and politicians like Ogles are allowed to terrorize people at their whim, no one in this country is safe, she continued. Knowledge about our ancestors is foundational to our humanity, Winter said. Speaking about the uproar over Ramirezs comments, Winter pointed out that virtually everyone living in the United States in the 21st century has multifaceted ancestral roots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We need and deserve to have accurate information about our personal and national histories, she said. Because knowledge from and about our ancestors is foundational to our humanity. Winter said oppressive regimes attempt to sever oppressed groups from knowledge about, and pride in their ancestors. They also try to deny them the right to pass their heritage to their descendants. In the Americas, white supremacists have perpetrated both physical and cultural genocide by killing, enslaving and imprisoning people of color while also attempting to destroy their languages, stories, rituals, music and foodways, she said. The Trump administration is actively working to purge women and people of color from their jobs and social benefits while also purging records of their achievements from government websites. Winter said that Ramirez hit the nail on the head in her response to the attacks when she called out the hypocrisy of Republicans who enable Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the worst fibs to spring from the MAGA cauldron of disinformation and propaganda is their claim to support free speech, Winter said. They are doing everything in their power to dismantle and punish the spread of accurate information. Like a lighthouse rising above a tide of barbarity, Rep. Delia C. Ramirez is a beacon of light illuminating the patriotic path of resistance to tyranny, Winter later said. We need to speak truth to power. Related... Key points Consumption of raw milk in Florida has caused 21 people to fall ill with Campylobacter and E. coli infections, including seven who were hospitalized and six children. The sale of raw milk for human consumption in Florida is currently illegal due to increased risk of foodborne pathogens. This outbreak is unlikely to travel to other states, as unpasteurized milk cannot cross state lines. More than 20 people have been sickened with Campylobacter and E. coli infections in the state of Florida, including six children, after consuming raw milk, the Florida Department of Health said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a press release from the department, there have been seven hospitalizations and a total of 21 cases linked to raw milk produced by a farm in Northeast/Central Florida. The name of the specific farm was not disclosed. "Raw milk is milk from cows, sheep, goats, or other animals that has not been pasteurized, a heat-treating process that destroys potentially harmful bacteria," the release details. "Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of milk. "The producer's handling of raw milk and milking procedures is vital in the prevention of contamination. Many people consume raw milk safely. However, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others." The release additionally noted that these bacteria can cause "gastrointestinal illness, including diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach cramps." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the department noted that many people manage to "safely" consume raw milk, Florida law dictates that they shouldn't be drinking it at all. As the release points out, within the state, "raw milk can only be sold for non-human consumption as pet or animal food." For now, the risk of contracting illness from this batch of raw milk is contained to Florida, as pasteurization is legally required for milk that is crossing state lines. While raw milk is often touted by wellness influencers as a superior product often credited for health benefits or improved flavor in reality, there is only a marginal nutritional difference between the two options at best. Keith Harris, a professor and co-director of undergraduate programs in food science at NC State University, says products like raw milk come with a "health halo" effect. "Certain things are viewed as naturally good, and things that basically are as close as possible to the raw state are often viewed that way," Harris shared in a January report on the NC State website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Why Is Social Media Telling Us Its OK to Drink Raw Milk? "So if it comes straight off a farm, straight out of a field, [or] straight out of a cow, then it must be healthy. The idea is that if you are dealing with something that is natural and unprocessed, not heated, it's going to be healthier just because it's closer to the way that it appears in nature. That's not always correct from a safety perspective." Need proof? One study from the journal Emerging Infectious Diseases found that unpasteurized dairy products cause 840 times more illnesses and 45 times more hospitalizations than pasteurized products. However, for die-hard raw milk fans, there may be one ray of hope. As Food & Wine reported in July, California-based company Tamarack Biotics has received approval from the FDA for its UV light technology that's capable of targeting bacteria in raw milk while preserving the qualities that the beverage's devotees are looking for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Known as TruActive, the technology "eliminates harmful pathogens while preserving the enzymes, proteins, and immunity-supporting compounds that are often destroyed by traditional heat-based pasteurization," the company shared in a statement. "The result is a scientifically verified, safe, raw milk equivalent a first in the dairy industry and an exciting development for the growing public demand for raw and minimally processed foods." For now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that choosing pasteurized milk and dairy products is "the best way to safely enjoy the nutritional benefits of milk." Read the original article on Food & Wine It may be August, but temperatures keep reminding us we still live in Florida, and this month is hot. Heat advisories are in effect Wednesday, Aug. 6, for South Florida as the heat index climbs as high as 110 in some locations, according to the National Weather Service Miami. Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Elsewhere, the National Hurricane Center is monitoring three systems, including one off the coast of Florida and the Southeast. It's showing some potential to develop into a tropical depression later this week or into the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the system poses no direct threat to Florida at this time, it could bring elevated rain chances and rip currents along portions of the East Coast later in the week and into the weekend, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Increased rain chances and cloud cover across the state will help keep conditions slightly cooler than some of the last few weeks allowing for more seasonable temperatures and heat index values, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Rain chances across the state over the next five days range from about 1.5 inches to the highest of 4.09 inches in Southwest Florida, according to the National Weather Service. When will we see some rain in Florida? Rain chances increase across much of Floria Aug. 7-11, 2025. A system off the coast of Florida and the southeast, is showing a chance for development into a tropical depression later this week or the weekend, according to the National Hurricane Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The system could bring numerous to widespread showers and thunderstorms Thursday through Saturday, according to the Florida Department of Emergency Management. Weather alerts issued in Florida Wednesday : High 89. Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 90. Chance of rain 60%. Friday: High 89. Chance of rain 60%. Follow National Weather Service Mobile on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 89; heat index 105. Chance of rain 80%. Thursday : High 88. Chance of rain 80%. Friday: High 87. Chance of rain 90%. Follow the National Weather Service Tallahassee on X, formerly known as Twitter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday : High 86; heat index 92. Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 88. Chance of rain 90%. Friday: High 87. Chance of rain 90%. Follow the National Weather Service Jacksonville on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 86; heat index 102. Chance of rain 40%. Thursday : High 86. Chance of rain 70%. Friday: High 88. Chance of rain 70%. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 91; heat index 106. Chance of rain 40%. Thursday : High 90; heat index 102. Chance of rain 60%. Friday: High 90. Chance of rain 70%. Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 92; heat index 103. Chance of rain 40%. Thursday : High 90. Chance of rain 70%. Friday: High 90. Chance of rain 70%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : Heat advisory in effect. HIgh 87; heat indext 101. Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 86. Chance of rain 70%. Friday: High 86. Chance of rain 80%. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : Heat advisory in effect. High 89; heat index 105. Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 88. Chance of rain 60%. Friday: High 88. Chance of rain 80%. Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : Heat advisory in effect. High 93; heat index 108. Chance of rain 80%. Thursday : High 92; heat indext 103. Chance of rain 80%. Friday: High 91. Chance of rain 90%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow the National Weather Service Miami on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 95; heat index 101 Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 94; heat index 100. Chance of rain 80%. Friday: High 92. Chance of rain 80%. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 91; heat index 101. Chance of rain 40%. Thursday : High 91; heat index 99. Chance of rain 70%. Friday: High 90. Chance of rain 80%. Follow the National Weather Service Tampa Bay on X, formerly known as Twitter Wednesday : High 94; heat index 105. Chance of rain 60%. Thursday : High 93; heat index 102. Chance of rain 60%. Friday: High 92. Chance of rain 80%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow the National Weather Service Melbourne on X, formerly known as Twitter Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will continue to update our weather coverage as conditions warrant. Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida rain and cooler temperatures in forecast; it's still hot FRUITA, Colo. (KREX) On Saturday, Aug. 9, the Fruita Police Department will host its Cops n Cars Show from 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Little Salt Wash Park, located at 651 N Pine Street in Fruita. The event will present cars in all makes and models and individuals can enter their car for a $30 fee. The car show will be free for spectators, but individuals can purchase event t-shirts. All proceeds from the show will benefit the Center for Children, which is a nationally accredited nonprofit organization that dedicates itself to the ongoing protection and safety of children in the Grand Valley against child abuse. Additionally, Western Colorado Detail Supply will showcase its vehicle detailing supplies for attendees to purchase and Western Slope Auto, Alpine Bank and the Jukebox Jamboree Food Truck will support the event. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information about the Center for Children can be found on its website at centerforchildrencac.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. About 60 people protested the opening of an ICE detention facility Wednesday outside a CoreCivic court hearing in Leavenworth District Court. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) LEAVENWORTH CoreCivic attorneys asked a Leavenworth District Court judge Wednesday to dismiss three counts in a case filed by the City of Leavenworth, pushing to end the court battle affecting its closed Leavenworth prison. Leavenworth officials filed a case to keep the company from reopening its prison as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention facility until it had gone through the citys development and planning process to receive a special use permit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After hearing arguments, Judge John Bryant said he would take the issues under advisement. He gave no timeframe for when he would make a decision. Before the hearing, about 60 people gathered outside the courthouse to protest the use of CoreCivics Midwest Regional Reception Center as an ICE facility. When we say were worried about the dehumanization of people inside the facility, when we say that were worried about the exploitation of workers, when we talk about life and death circumstances for everyone inside, the answer to those questions does not count in dollar amounts, Esmie Tseng, spokeswoman for the American Civil Liberties Union of Kansas, told those gathered. Tseng said CoreCivic responds to most concerns by talking about the money the facility would bring to Leavenworth through employment and economic investment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through their own actions the last 34 years, and especially the last six months, CoreCivic has left this community not enriched, but divided and confused, she said. They expect us all to have amnesia about their track record here, and then they muddy the waters with big financial promises. CoreCivic has committed to giving the city of Leavenworth $1 million up front when its facility opens and then annual payments of $250,000 to the city and $150,000 to the police department after that. Bryant previously ruled that CoreCivic could not begin taking ICE detainees while the court case was being resolved. A few jabs between opposing attorneys were the only highlights of the hearing, where CoreCivic attorney Taylor Hausmann and Leavenworth attorney William Hatley mostly reiterated arguments from earlier meetings. Heru Amen-Ra shares his story of being incarcerated in a CoreCivic prison during a protest against the companys intent to reopen an immigration detention prison in Leavenworth. (Morgan Chilson/Kansas Reflector) Hausmann argued three issues before Bryant: that it wasnt necessary for CoreCivic to apply for and obtain a special use permit, that the company should receive relief from an injunction that stops CoreCivic from reopening the facility without obtaining a permit and that there was no foundation to a public nuisance claim made by the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hausmanns said the city presents as fact that CoreCivic intends to but has not yet violated the development regulations by housing ICE detainees without getting a special use permit. I think if I understood your argument, youre saying that just because the city believes that you may house the facility doesnt mean thats your stated intention, correct? Bryant asked Hausmann. But if thats not your stated intention, then why are we here? We are here because the city preemptively filed this lawsuit to attempt to enforce the outcome that its wanting, she answered. We would suggest it is premature. The citys speculation that CoreCivic intends to violate the development regulations is flawed for two reasons. The city could not speak to CoreCivics intentions, Hausmann said, nor has it been determined that CoreCivic abandoned its use of the prison, which is why the city is demanding a special use permit. At the end of the hearing, Bryant asked each party to send him a written statement within one week about whether the two cases filed in district court one by CoreCivic and one by the city of Leavenworth should be combined as they may address the same issues. As Marcus Anthony Baker Jr. fought for his life in the back seat of a Chevrolet Suburban on St. Pauls Raspberry Island, he asked for his mom. Sade Whitmore said it tears her apart knowing there wasnt anything she could do after Romello Markell Ifonlaja-Randle, who was upset over a rap song playing from the SUV, shot Baker three times at close range, killing the 20-year-old, on Aug. 14, 2023. When he was taking his last breaths, he told those two young girls, Call my mom. Call my mom, Whitmore said in an emotional victim impact statement at Ifonlaja-Randles sentencing Tuesday. I wish I could have been there to save my son. It took me 15 minutes to get there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramsey County District Judge David Brown sentenced Ifonlaja-Randle, 25, of Maplewood, to just over 32 years in prison, a term that prosecutor Elizabeth Lamin requested, adding that Bakers life is too valuable and irreplaceable to allow for anything else. Ifonlaja-Randle, a St. Paul gang member, had pleaded guilty to second-degree intentional murder and possession of a firearm without a serial number. He admitted to killing Baker, whom he didnt know, after telling him to turn off a song associated with a rival gang. Baker, of St. Paul, wasnt part of any gang, wasnt in the streets, his mother said. He loved his family. He loved everybody. He didnt care what the streets had. Bakers uncle, Deshaun Baker, told the court he was at the wrong place at the wrong time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My nephew said nothing to him, he said. No words, nothing at all. And you woke up and killed somebody over a song. Evidence Officers were sent to Raspberry Island, the Mississippi River park across from downtown St. Paul, about 9:10 p.m. Aug. 14, 2023, and found Baker in the back seat of the SUV. He was pronounced dead at Regions Hospital, and an autopsy showed he was shot in the right hip, right elbow and abdomen. Witnesses told investigators that four to five men approached Baker, who was sitting in the SUV. One man, later identified as Ifonlaja-Randle, told Baker to shut off his music, which was by a local rap artist affiliated with East Side gangs, according to the criminal complaint. After Baker, who was holding a cellphone and cleaning rags, didnt turn off the music, Ifonlaja-Randle hit him in the face. He shot him when he tried to get out of the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You first assaulted him, Bakers mother said in court Tuesday. You tried to belittle him as a young man. Thats whats wrong with our society today. You want so much clout in the streets. A Target bottle carrier with two unopened bottles of tequila was left behind by the suspects, witnesses said. Investigators canvassed local Target stores to find out where the bottles were purchased, and found they were bought at the West St. Paul store and a Target Cartwheel promotion was added. The Cartwheel account belonged to someone who was later arrested in the case, but not charged. That helped put investigators on Ifonlaja-Randles trail. Two days after Bakers killing, officers were sent back to Raspberry Island to collect a handgun lying on rocky shoreline on the south side of the Raspberry Island bridge. A test firing of the gun connected it to a casing found at the murder scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension found IfonlajaRandles DNA on the laser/light attachment, and Bakers DNA on the guns muzzle area. IfonlajaRandles phone records also put him at the scene at the time of the killing. He was arrested and charged 16 days after the murder. Ifonlaja-Randle told the court at his October plea hearing that he was at Raspberry Island with friends and intended to set up equipment to shoot a music video. He said the music from the SUV made it hard for him to film the video. After having a conversation with him, I shot him, he told the court at the Oct. 18 hearing. Ifonlaja-Randle withdrew his guilty plea in February after a mistake over his criminal history score meant he faced more years in prison than what was outlined in his agreement with the prosecution. He pleaded guilty again last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Six other charges prosecutors filed against him in the case were dismissed at sentencing as part of the plea agreement: two counts of crime committed for the benefit of a gang; second-degree unintentional murder while committing felony assault; second-degree assault; possession of a firearm by a person who was ineligible due to a conviction of a crime of violence; and second-degree attempted murder for firing into the SUV, which included others besides Baker. Courtroom apology Related Articles For most of his sentencing hearing, IfonlajaRandle rested his elbows on his knees and looked down. He lifted his head only when the judge or his attorney asked him questions, and when it was time to address the court. I made a decision that affects so many people, and I apologize to everybody involved, he said. Theres nothing I can do to change what Ive done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he would have to die for Bakers family to feel better, a comment that caused two people in the courtroom gallery to respond aloud, Yes. Earlier, Bakers mother said the conversation between IfonlajaRandle and her son very well could have ended differently, because he probably wouldve turned the music off. But I felt like he chose my son that day, and it could have been anybodys son that day. Instead, she added, Im here, saying, God, why me? Why me? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The war in Gaza, now nearly two years old, is said to be at a crossroads, but is it really? Israel has recently achieved major geopolitical victories in the region, having pummeled Irans nuclear sites and air defenses, all but destroyed the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, witnessed the downfall of Assads regime in Syria, and decimated Hamas military in Gaza itself. Under a different leader, this new strength might have paved the way for a durable ceasefire in Gaza, possibly a grand bargain with Saudi Arabia (and other regional powers that hadnt already signed on to the Abraham Accords), and a restoration of Israels standing in the rest of the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel keeps fightingnot only bombing civilian targets but shooting Gazan Palestinians while theyre lined up at food banks, many of them visibly starving, to the point that even several friends of Israel are charging its government with genocide (a word that many of them had resisted and, in some cases, rebutted until recently). And Hamas keeps fighting as well; its leaders have never cared about the fate of Gazan civilians, and Israels criminally excessive use of force is playing into their hands. A recent article in the New York Times reported the many times Netanyahu has deliberately prolonged the war and evaded opportunities for peace in order to protect his own political power. Far-right-wing factions in his coalition government threatened to resign if he so much as considered a serious prolonged ceasefire; this would have sparked new elections, which he might have lost, which in turn would leave him vulnerable to pending criminal charges of corruption. But this is an incomplete explanation for the continued fighting. The fact is, Israel and Hamas have vital interests in this war, and the peace proposals offered by eachwhether or not sincerelyhave threatened the interests of the other. At various points in the war, Netanyahu offered or ceded to ceasefires and exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisonersbut he always insisted on Israels right to resume the fighting after all the hostages were freed. Hamas leaders have insisted that any such ceasefire be permanent; otherwise, they feared (correctly) that Israel would intensify its military campaign after the last hostage was released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another conflict of interest: Israel insists (quite rightly) that Hamas must disarm and be stripped of all political power as part of any peace plan; Hamas (understandably) wants to retain power. These interests are both rational and irreconcilable, meaning that the war is likely to continue, unless one side is defeated or both sides are pressured to stop fighting. Netanyahu and his advisers want to see Hamas defeated; Hamas leaders hope that Israels brutality will build international support for boycotts and other forms of pressure against Israel. Yes, Netanyahus desire to press on is, in part, political and personal. But Ethan Bronner, Jerusalem bureau chief for Bloomberg News (and one of the most experienced American reporters in the Middle East), says its a mistake to place the blame entirely on the prime minister. Bronner writes that not just Netanyahu but Israels entire government believes deep in its bones that if it does not destroy and eliminate Hamas as a ruling military force in Gaza, that it will have failed its people. This is seen as an existential challenge. The shock of Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, 2023an assault across Israels border that killed about 1,200 Jews, more than had been killed in a single day since the Holocaustcontinues to traumatize many Israelis. As a percentage of the countrys population, it would be as if 45,000 Americans had been slaughtered in one fell swoop. Moreover, the killings were committed by an empowered militia that had vowed, as part of its charter, to kill or expel all Jews. The fact that Israels retaliation, even in the early stages of the war, triggered massive protests in the Westagainst not Hamas but Israelonly stiffened many Israelis sense of isolation and determination to fight on, outside opinion be damned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, at some point, the pangs of Oct. 7even the memories of the Holocaust and the slogan Never Again, which legitimized the creation of Israel as a Jewish state back in 1948cannot continue to justify Israels infliction of destruction in Gaza: the deaths of an estimated 60,000 Palestinians, 18,500 of them children, and the utter razing of so many homes, schools, hospitals, and other civilian structures. Yes, Hamas had appropriated many of these structures for its own use, but the level of wanton devastation has far surpassed the normal, often unavoidable levels of collateral damage inflicted in other military campaigns. In his magisterial book Righteous Victims: A History of the ZionistArab Conflict, 18812001 (the vast span of that subtitle is chilling!), Israeli historian Benny Morris details the many massacres that have occurred over all those decades. The thing worth noting here is that these massacresand Morris applies the word to acts of aggression and vengeance committed by both sides in their warsresulted in the killing of dozens or hundreds of civilians. At their worst, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in southern Lebanon, about 1,200 civilians were killed over the course of 15 years. In other words, the current war in Gaza has seen an unprecedented level of savagery. Yes, Hamas started it, but the Israel Defense Forces have upped it fiftyfold. And now, with credible, thoroughly documented reports of famine, including many instances of Israeli troops shooting unarmed Palestinians as they line up at aid stations to receive food and medicine, the rationales or excuses for the IDFs brutality are untenable. Even President Donald Trump, who has prodded Netanyahu to finish the war by whatever means necessary, has noticed the real starvation of Gazan childrenhes seen it on television; you cant fake that, he saysthough it remains to be seen whether hell do anything about it. (Asked Tuesday whether Israel should reoccupy Gaza, a step reportedly favored by Netanyahu, Trump replied, Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Bloombergs Bronner thinks there may be something of a turning point in all this. Up till now, many Israelis could ignore the destruction their army has inflicted because TV news networks, as a matter of policy, havent shown it. Now, though, these stations have started to air footage of the situation in Gazaand many Israelis are stunned. There has always been some domestic pressure to end the war, if just to bring home the remaining hostages who were taken Oct. 7. (Only about 20 are still thought to be alive.) Now the pressure may be growing. Just how much, though, is hard to gauge. Polls show that a majority of Israelis want the war to end and the hostages returned. However, polls also show that a majority want Hamas to be completely destroyed or expelled. If the two outcomes are incompatibleif Hamas cant be destroyed without intensifying the war and probably dooming the remaining hostagesits hard to know which outcome Israelis would prefer or sacrifice. Another finding of Morris history is that all the ArabIsraeli wars, at least since 1948, have ended as a result of outside coercionAmerican pressure on Israel, Soviet pressure on the Arab states (during the Cold War), or U.N. pressure on both. The United States still has the means to press Israel; it provides much of its arms and intelligence, and now that Israel no longer faces the same threat it once did from Iran and its neighboring proxies, Washington could impose an arms embargo without endangering Israels security. A growing number of Democrats and Republicans in Congress, as well as a growing percentage of the U.S. population, favor tightening the screws. But Trump doesnt, at least not yet, and the GOP-controlled Congress seems eager to follow his lead. Hamas has depended on Iran and Qatar for arms and other forms of aid. Iran is pretty much out of the picture, but Qatar could apply more pressure; it has done so, to the extent that it has compelled Hamas to take part in ceasefire negotiations (and, briefly, a couple of ceasefires). But its leverage seems limited as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One intriguing development: Last week, the 22-member Arab League publicly declared that there should not be a Palestinian state unless Hamas first disarms. This statement came just days after the leaders of Germany, France, and Britain expressed their support for a Palestinian state, as a means of forcing Israel to end (or at least tone down) the war. The Arab leaderswho have never cared for Hamas (or any other radical Palestinian organization) but who also, for domestic political reasons, cant avidly disavow the group as long as theyre getting pummeled by Israeli bombsseemed to be telling the Europeans: Dont take this business of a Palestinian state too literally. If a Palestinian state were actually set up tomorrow, Hamas, even in its weakened condition, would be the only organization strong enough to be in charge; and the Arab League is saying, Be careful what you wish for. Netanyahu could have been more adroit at playing the Arab and Palestinian powers off one another, and in this sense his political self-interest has damaged the security and reputation of his country. For some time, the Saudis have signaled a willingness to strike a grand bargain with Israel, including formal diplomatic recognitionif Israel agreed, in principle, to resume negotiations toward a two-state solution to the long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict. By objective measures, this should be a no-brainer, an outright win-win, for an Israeli prime minister: Israel gets the benefits of Saudi recognition (an achievement that would have enormous influence throughout the Arab and Muslim world) without allowing the actual creation of a Palestinian state. For many years before Oct. 7, Israel pretended to negotiate with Palestinian emissaries just to placate foreign allies, especially the U.S. But now Netanyahu refuses even to pay lip service to the idea of negotiations, because if he did so, his right-wing coalition partners would quit the government, new elections would be held, and he might lose. There was a moment, maybe a month ago, when Netanyahu was riding high. Hezbollahs leadership had been killed or severely injured by small bombs planted in cellphones and walkie-talkies; Irans nuclear facilities were blown up by Israeli and U.S. bombs, and its nuclear program, though not obliterated (as Trump initially claimed), was seriously set back, perhaps by years. The attack on Iran was overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli people; they lifted tangible threats that were either immediate (in the case of Hezbollah) or not quite tangible but existential (Irans nuclear program). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu had a moment when he could have scuttled the pressure from his right-wing partners, formed a new government, taken real steps to end the war in Gaza, made a bold overture to the Saudi royal family (who were eager to accept such a move), and used all of these moves to reset relations with once friendly but increasingly disenchanted political parties in Europe and the United States. He didnt do any of this, and the only plausible reason is that he didnt want to. Netanyahu isnt just kowtowing to the right wing or protecting his political power; he believes the things he says about the need to wipe out Hamas, and according to Bronner and other reporters, many if not most Israeli Jews believe those things too. At least for now, as long as the notion of living side by side with Palestinians seems suicidal to them, the idea of a two-state solution is untenable. It may be that Israels own ultraviolence against Palestiniansin Gaza and, increasingly, the West Bankis responsible for their hatred toward Israel, but that doesnt negate the problem or point to a plausible process toward peace. Which leads back to the question: What can we do about it? Its unclear, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt try. Outside pressure has been the way these wars have been stopped in the past. Trump does have good relations with Netanyahu and with many Arab leaders. It would be nice if he had some experienced diplomats to exploit those relations to good ends. Water from Lincolnshire is set to be transported to drier parts of the country to keep the taps running in years to come, Anglian Water has said. The utility company has set out how it plans to meet demand as drier weather and new environmental regulations take effect. A new reservoir could be built near Sleaford and work is under way on a pipeline more than 200 miles (321km) long. Anglian said it planned to share excess water from the county with other parts of its region, which stretches as far south as Essex and Buckinghamshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the government warned that rapid population growth, "crumbling infrastructure" and a warming climate meant the UK could run out of drinking water by the middle of the next decade without improvements to infrastructure. Under its Water Resources Management Plan, Anglian is looking at how to ensure water security until 2050. It envisages using a strategic network to transport water from the wetter Midlands to southern parts that get less rain. A 205-mile pipeline is being constructed between North Lincolnshire and Essex, with the entire network due to be completed by 2028. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Without changes, Lincolnshire could run short of water because of climate change and regulations to protect rivers, the water firm told the Local Democracy Reporting Service. Two new reservoirs, including one near Sleaford, are being planned, with construction potentially starting in 2031. If the infrastructure improvements were delayed, Anglian Water said it would take measures to avoid water shortages, for example by delaying cuts in how much groundwater it takes. The utility firm also outlined a 25-year plan to manage water usage, including compulsory smart metering and reducing leaks. Listen to highlights from Lincolnshire on BBC Sounds, watch the latest episode of Look North or tell us about a story you think we should be covering here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the BBC News app from the App Store for iPhone and iPad or Google Play for Android devices More on this story Related internet links TEMPLE, Texas (FOX 44) A Bell County couple wanted to meet the people responsible for saving their lives. The couple was unfortunately attacked by killer bees a couple of months ago. However, their lives were saved thanks to the quick actions of Temple EMTs. The couple asked to reunite with their lifesavers at a Chick-fil-A on Monday, located at 114 N 31st Street, in order to thank them in person. L-R: Kevin Stolle, Sonia Ochoa, Alvielene Hartleb, Don Hartleb and Jay Shults (Not pictured: Bailee Hartman) (Courtesy: Chick-Fil-A N 31st Street) The Chick-fil-A says it is so grateful for the EMTs at Temple EMS AMR for their courage and compassion. Heroes walk among us! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. PUTHAM COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) A state appeals court Wednesday rejected arguments by a former Crescent City commissioner who argued he was improperly removed from office because of a past conviction in Missouri on a federal felony charge. Christopher Doc Bailey was elected in the small Putnam County city in 2022, but Gov. Ron DeSantis in August 2023 issued an executive order that said he was not qualified for the office. The order said Baileys civil rights had not been restored after the 1995 federal conviction, barring him from holding the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal records from a federal case in Missouri show a grand jury charged Bailey in 1995 with two counts of violating a title that makes it illegal to cover up or hide information knowingly. Count one alleges that Bailey falsely represented to the Customs Service that he received $5,000 from the Florida airplane and drug deal in December 1988, the court records state. Count two alleges that Bailey concealed and covered up the material fact that he received at least $36,000 of the $50,000 cash proceeds from the sale of the stolen airplane. Bailey filed a lawsuit arguing that, under a Missouri law, his right to hold office was restored in 2000 after he completed probation, according to Wednesdays ruling by a panel of the 1st District Court of Appeal. A circuit judge rejected Baileys arguments, and the panel upheld that decision, which involved what is known as the Full Faith and Credit clause of the U.S. Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bailey was convicted under federal law, and he fails to cite any case (legal precedent) holding that the Full Faith and Credit Clause requires Florida to yield to another states laws with respect to a federal conviction, Judge Joseph Lewis wrote in an opinion joined fully by Judge Ross Bilbrey. Further, (part of the Florida Constitution) vests sole and unlimited discretion to restore civil rights in the executive branch, whose authority in that regard cannot be infringed upon by the legislative and judicial branches, yet the governors authority would be limited by the legislative branch of another state under Baileys interpretation, wrote Judge Lori Rowe in a concurring opinion that said the circuit judges ruling should be upheld but for a different legal reason. Florida has an interest in protecting its citizens from convicted felons holding public office in Florida, whereas Missouri has no discernible interest in the matter beyond its borders. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now) The D.C. Metropolitan Police Department officer, who was killed in her White Oak apartment in 1995, warned of her death just days prior, according to witness accounts detailed in police filings. Arrest made in 30-year unsolved murder of DC police officer Officer Denna Fredericka Campbell was found dead on the floor of her bedroom on Sept. 16, 1995. Detectives during the initial investigation suspected Campbells boyfriend, at the time known as Kenneth Burnell Wonsom, had killed her, citing conflicting accounts and discrepancies in the details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though he was charged, those charges were eventually dropped, turning the case cold. In 2021, he changed his legal name in Anne Arundel County to Amir Jalil Ali. 30 years after the initial investigation, police announced Ali was once again arrested and facing first-degree murder charges. Campbell was a 7th District four-year veteran of the department and worked part-time at a McDonalds on Benning Road as security. Fairfax County police reveals identity of 4-year-old in 1972 cold case murder In the days prior According to the charging documents from 1995, Ali had been living with his girlfriend for around six months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Undercover officers at The Foxy Playground strip club stated they encountered Ali around Sept. 12, 1995, where he said, I think she is f****** another police officer. Im going to kill them both. Interviews with neighbors and fellow officers revealed that Campbell was afraid of her boyfriend. One went as far as to explain that she began sleeping with her department-issued handgun under her pillow. At one point, Campbell told a fellow police officer she worked with that Ali reportedly put his hands on her, and she had to pull out her gun to protect herself, according to reports in the police filings. Campbell told another police officer that she was planning to leave Ali three days before she was murdered and said, If I dont show up for work Saturday, youll know he killed me and buried me somewhere, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She additionally stated to the same office that, If something happens to me, I want you to tell the police, according to the report. She was killed days later. The day Campbell was killed According to two of Campbells co-workers at the McDonalds on Benning Road, the couple had been arguing during her shift. After the call ended, Campbell told one co-worker, Ive got to end this relationship, according to police filings. The second co-worker stated Campbell was desperate and said Ali picked her up around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 16. He was wearing a white shirt and clothes matching the description police would later find him in, notably with no damage or stains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ali called Montgomery County emergency services around 5 a.m., and informed dispatch that someone had broken into the house and his girlfriend was bleeding on the floor after being shot, then added, She a police officer, too. He told dispatch that he had just arrived home. When dispatch asked him to check on Campbell, he refused and hung up the phone. The case was upgraded from an armed robbery to a murder based on the information provided. When officers arrived, Campbell was found dead on the floor of the bedroom. Ali was seen wearing a white t-shirt that was torn in the front and had visible blood stains, a different picture than what Campbells co-workers saw earlier in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives were told that he found the door open about 3 inches wide when he came home. Investigators noted in the filings that his keys were still in the door as if he had been trying to unlock the door. No signs of forced entry were detected. Initially cooperating with police, he agreed to be transported and interviewed, where he provided a statement of events between Sept. 15-16. However, Ali became defensive when it came to his bloodied clothing, saying he would sink his teeth into their chest and make them regret this day if they tried to collect it, according to the report. His clothing was collected, and detectives then noted the scratches on his back. Alis Version of Events He stated to police that he picked Campbell up from her part-time security job at McDonalds around 1:30 a.m. on Sept. 16 and got home around 2:40 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once there, Campbell asked him to go to the store since they were out of Ginger Ale, Listerine mouthwash and toothpaste, Ali said during his early statement. He then left around 3:20 a.m. to pick up the items, making sure to lock the deadbolt and knob lock as he left the third-story apartment. Ali said Campbell was in bed watching TV when he left. He then describes in detail how he went to a Go-Go in Washington, D.C. called The Foxy Playground to gamble with some friends. He stated he also planned to pick up a bike he left in the kitchen of the strip club, but it was closed. After wandering around looking for friends, he went into vivid descriptions of going to Dukes Seafood which was closed and then laid out exactly what route he took to get to a CVS which was also closed. Around 4:05 a.m., Ali said he went across the street to a payphone and called Campbell to leave a message on her answering machine saying, Boo, I am stopping at the store to pick up some Listerine and soda and wondered if you needed anything? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The call raised alarm bells for investigators, given that he previously stated his reason for leaving was specifically to get these items, and he acknowledged that she was heading to bed when he left. Ali then went to the CVS on Langley Park, saying that he knew it was open 24 hours, and got the items, paying cash. His CVS receipt shows a transaction at 4:42 a.m. On the way home, he stopped on the side of the road during the 4-mile trip from CVS before returning to the apartment. The autopsy report showed defensive wounds and confirmed that Campbell died from multiple gunshot wounds. When officers arrived, they werent able to determine immediately that Campbell was shot. She had been wrapped in her comforter and had a wrap around her head, covering any gunshot entry wounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite this, Ali accurately stated that she had been shot. He said he did not touch Campbell except to put a finger on her forehead when her body was discovered. Other witnesses and evidence A neighbor reported being woken up by the sound of five gunshots around 3:20 a.m., around the same time Ali said he left to go to the store. Another neighbor on Heather Hollow Circle reported being awakened around the time the shots were fired by a male voice yelling. The witness heard the male say, I told you not to do this to me. Campbells handgun was missing from the scene, and evidence pointed toward her being shot with her own gun. Nothing else was reported missing, including Campbells purse and other valuable items that were in plain view for a burglar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Campbells car, which Ali had been driving, was confiscated as evidence, and evidence suggested that he was bleeding when he left around 3:20 a.m. the day she was murdered. Based on witness statements, detectives believe that Campbell was killed within 40 minutes of arriving home. Male DNA was recovered from beneath her fingernails, which were broken off during the struggle. While Campbells mother has died, a detective was able to talk to her father. He said two words when he heard the news about the arrest Thank God. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A federal court on Tuesday temporarily barred the Trump administration from reallocating funds used by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to help communities prevent future storm damage. A coalition of 20 Democrat-led states sued the Trump administration over its move to end the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, which helps fund infrastructure upgrades to make communities more prepared for extreme weather. Now, while that litigation plays out, FEMA will not be able to repurpose the money it would have spent on the program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Government is preliminarily enjoined from spending the funds allocated to BRIC for non-BRIC purposes until the court is able to render a final judgment on the merits, said the decision from Judge Richard Stearns, a Clinton appointee in Massachusetts. The decision does not release the funds to the states but simply prevents the Trump administration from using the money for other purposes. The court is not convinced that Congress vested in the agency any discretion to reallocate funds from the BRIC account, Stearns wrote. He added that theres a significant potential for harm to the states based on the decision, noting that the BRIC program is designed to protect against natural disasters and save lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The states that sued are Washington, Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro (D) sued in his gubernatorial capacity, as his states attorney general is a Republican. The President keeps breaking the law, and we keep holding him accountable in court, said California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) in a written statement. Shuttering this program would do nothing to prevent waste, fraud, and abuse or improve government efficiency. This is a program with bipartisan support that is focused on protecting lives and livelihoods from flooding, wildfires, earthquakes, and other natural disasters, he added. The Trump administration has attempted to reallocate multiple federal funds, especially pertaining to programs it disagrees with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has aimed particular fire at FEMA, having floated the idea of even eliminating the agency outright, though lately its rhetoric has leaned more toward reforms than outright termination. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) As many students are headed back to school, health departments are reporting a rise in COVID-19 cases in California. According to the most recent available numbers reported by the California Department of Public Health, positivity rates for the COVID-19 test increased from 3.94% on July 5 to 7.91% on July 26. The numbers are still considered low, but they are now bordering on moderate. FOX40 reached out to Dr. Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Health for some perspective on the numbers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We certainly have in increase in the number of cases that were seeing, an increase in the number of emergency department visits, Blumberg said. The uptick was predictable based on the results of wastewater sampling, according to Dr. Blumberg. He said kids going back to school will be susceptible. We havent had a COVID wave in a while, Blumberg explained. So that means susceptibility builds. So well probably see an increasing number of cases, especially among teenagers, for example. And then we do expect the summer surge to peak probably the beginning of September or so. The current circulating variants, with nicknames like Nimbus and Stratus (XFG), may be very contagious, but not necessarily more dangerous than previous variants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its similar to what weve previously seen with Covid, Blumberg said. Primarily respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, muscle aches, things like that. Blumberg provided prevention tips that may sound familiar. Try to stay away from people who are sick, Blumberg advised. You cant always do that. For people who are extra vulnerable to more severe disease or have high-risk conditions, you may want to consider wearing a mask if youre in crowded situations. He also advised staying home from school or work if feeling sick. Thankfully, as COVID-19 has evolved, so has our ability to fight it. At the beginning of the pandemic, COVID was much worse to have than influenza for example, with much higher mortality rates and hospitalization rates, Blumberg explained. And now its about on par with influenza. So it still can be serious, but not as serious as it was at the beginning of the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For those patients already sick with COVID, treatments like Paxlovid can reduce the duration and severity of symptoms. But to be most effective, those medicines need to be taken soon after the onset of symptoms. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO (WGN) An important deadline is looming around Chicago Public Schools and City Hall. The first draft of the CPS Budget is due for public review in less than 10 days, but the school district is facing a budget shortfall of more than $700 million. The people of Chicago are counting on us to have a budget tat reflects our values, Mayor Brandon Johnson said. SEE ALSO: Board of Education meets as Chicago Public Schools faces $734M budget shortfall Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By law, the Chicago Board of Education has to pass the next CPS Fiscal Year Budget by Thursday, Aug. 28. This summer, CPS laid off more than 1,400 employees as part of their annual staff adjustments, but they are still searching for $569 million in savings or revenue. Theres no secret here that we have dealt with financial challenges for a long time in the city, Johnson said. Some folks were hoping the state would step in and help, but the legislature isnt due back at the Capitol until October. The first draft of the budget, however, will be presented to the school board in less than 10 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chicago Public Schools lays off over 1,400 staff members, including hundreds of teachers The mayor was asked on Tuesday during his media availability how he would close the deficit. Despite resisting cuts, he said staffing inside CPS Headquarters will be a consideration. Were looking at multiple things. Theres ways we can find more efficiencies in central office where there are layers of duplicity, and so we are going to work to cut those measures, Johnson said. Some of the challenges CPS is facing is growing costs in services for students with disabilities, building maintenance, pension obligations and debt payment obligations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPS currently has $9 billion in existing long-term debt that requires $800 million in annual debt service payments. Interim CPS CEO says top priority is passing budget The mayor said CPS is not the only school district in Illinois facing a deficit. There are many districts across the state of Illinois that are also going to need the infusion of support, Johnson said. Some other options to close the deficit would be to take out another loan, but fiscal watchdogs warn doing so could further complicate the districts financial 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 WGN-TV. WESTON, W.Va. (WBOY) In Weston, a centuries-old poplar in the Arnold Cemetery is having work done on it this week to ensure that it stays alive and healthy. In 12 News previous coverage, the U.S. Forest Service told us that the tree is 400 years old and is West Virginias largest. Workers from Mitchells Tree Care geared up on Tuesday with helmets, ropes and harnesses to climb up the tree and prune some decaying branches and cross branches. Along with the pruning, Mitchell Tree Care is also putting in cabling to support branches and installing a lightning suppression system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The City of Westons Tree Board received $26,825 from the West Virginia Department of Forestry and the U.S. Department of Agriculture for this tree work, as well as for a planting project for shade trees along Westons Main Street. Rainbow cloud seen over Marion County. What causes them? Weston Tree Commission Chairman Robert Weaver told 12 News that the poplar has been around probably longer than the entire city. He added that the tree is a historic object in addition to being a tree. So we think its important that it be given the best chance that it can for future generations. I think one of the other purposes here in Weston is that we can maybe show other communities, other cities across the state, the value of trees, and how they can come up with these programs for themselves to benefit their own communities, Weaver said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tree trimming is also a part of broader efforts to restore Arnold Cemetery, which dates back to the Civil War. Last September, 12 News reported on a group of volunteers who helped repair the cemeterys fences and headstones. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem drew swift backlash on Tuesday after unveiling plans for a new migrant detention center in Indiana which she dubbed the Speedway Slammer. In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Noem announced a partnership with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun (R) to expand detention capacity by 1,000 beds at Miami Correctional Facility near Bunker Hill. It will help remove the worst of the worst out of our country, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer, Noem boosted. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indianas Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the @CBP Home App, she added. COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. Today, were announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to @GovBraun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in Secretary Kristi Noem (@Sec_Noem) August 5, 2025 Critics condemned the announcement as disgusting, cruel and dehumanizing, calling out the Trump administrations broader approach to immigration enforcement. They also slammed the centers stupid name. Many compared the branding of the facility to Floridas migrant detention center that Republicans have dubbed Alligator Alcatraz because its surrounded by snakes and alligators. JFC there is something deeply disturbed about you. You are seriously soul sick. colleen (@waysandmeans71) August 5, 2025 Disgusting. The lot of you. Absolutely disgusting. https://t.co/hBLwfJVKey H (@rossiroads) August 6, 2025 I will say it again and again... the people who comprise this administration are the worst of us. Cruel sociopaths trying to make our country into their twisted utopia. Disgusting. Every decent American must stand up and speak out. https://t.co/0TI3uPFS4H Jennifer Erin Valent (@JenniferEValent) August 5, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This makes me ashamed to be a Hoosier. https://t.co/FpMrq2bSI6 Wendi Taylor Nations (@WendiChicago) August 6, 2025 Alligator Alcatraz. Speedway Slammer. These idiots think stupid names and the inevitable stupid memes somehow justify mass incarceration and inhumane treatment of those living in the United States. Artie Vandelay (@ArtieVandelay1) August 5, 2025 You are awful, have you no shred of dignity at all Theelildeb (@lildeb24) August 6, 2025 Related... State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce raised eyebrows Tuesday with how she dodged a question about official U.S. policy. During a press briefing, Bruce was asked whether U.S. foreign policy aligned with House Speaker Mike Johnsons (R-La.) claim that the West Bank which he referred to as Judea and Samaria belongs to the Jewish people. Bruce brushed off the comment, suggesting it was simply Johnsons opinion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But when pressed on whether the U.S. government shared Johnsons view, the former Fox News personalitys answer sparked confusion. Well, Im not going to speak about opinion of the government, Bruce said. She added: And if theres a policy regarding the status in any region of the world but certainly in the Middle East I would wait to hear it from Secretary Rubio and President Trump. Watch here: REPORTER: Speaker Johnson was in the West Bank and said it belongs to the Jewish people. Is that official US policy? TAMMY BRUCE: Clearly that's his opinion REPORTER: But it's not the opinion of the govt? BRUCE: I'm not going to speak about the opinion of the govt pic.twitter.com/iFjERGVHAe Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025 Critics questioned Bruces apparent unwillingness to speak on behalf of the government that she is paid to speak on behalf of: Er, Tammy? Your job is spokesperson. colleen (@waysandmeans71) August 6, 2025 But shes the (checks notes) State Department spokesperson Paul Mahoney (@Paul_NEfan) August 5, 2025 The spokeswoman for the government who speak about the government. Michael Camp (@EsElSenorCamp) August 5, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isn't she the spokesperson for the govt? Survivingnsweatpants (@Mominsweats) August 5, 2025 WTF IS HER JOB THEN iamsock (@Iamsock) August 5, 2025 Then wtf is her job????? V Gundam (@TheVGundam) August 5, 2025 Then, what is she there for? Anthony M. Hopper (@elander777) August 5, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isnt the opinion of the government the definition of her job? A spokesperson for the government? AJ (@jojonamers) August 5, 2025 ... Isn't that your job? Bill DeMayo (@BDeMayo) August 5, 2025 What is Bruce up there for if she isnt answering any questions? Denison Barb (@DenisonBarbs) August 5, 2025 So, if that's not her job, what is she doing up there? Live art? Fookin Chookay (@slayergoddess69) August 5, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement someone should inform Tammy she is the government this is what happens when you hire 27 Fox TV Actors for government jobs does she think she still works for Fox? Ralynn (@Ralynn969) August 5, 2025 Im not going to speak about the opinion of the government WHILE RUNNING THE GOVERNMENT THESE PEOPLE NEED TO GO BACK TO POD CASTING AND WHAT EVER THE HELL ELSE THEY WERE DOING Robby (@ivanpckr) August 5, 2025 Related... SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The Crockett County Sheriffs Office is currently looking for a man who attempted to burglarize vehicles during the early morning of August 4. According to their Facebook post, the man is also a possible suspect in a firearm theft case. The Sheriffs Office urged residents to do the following if they spot the suspect or leave their cars outside: Lock your vehicles at all times, even when parked in your driveway. Remove any valuables, especially firearms, from your vehicle. Report any suspicious activity or individuals immediately to the Crockett County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The post and the video of the suspect can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. GREENEVILLE, Tenn. (WJHL) David Crockett Birthplace State Park announced it will host its annual Crockett Days festival at Tusculum University this year after Hurricane Helene essentially wiped out the park in September 2024. A news release from the park said Crockett Days will take place on Saturday and Sunday at the Doak House Museum, located at 690 Erwin Highway on Tusculums campus. The release said the event was relocated due to the parks current state and to ensure public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want our visitors to be able to enjoy this event despite the circumstances of the park, said Park Manager Joe Nowotarski in the release. As in the past, each day will be filled with all things 18th century and David Crockett. We are grateful to Tusculum University for helping make this festival happen, and we welcome all ages. Republican US Sen. Marsha Blackburn joins Tennessee race for governor An opening ceremony will take place on Saturday at 9 a.m., according to the release. Activities that families can enjoy at the two-day event include an 18th-century fashion show, country dances, and a session on Native American culture that features demonstrations of historical basket making, flint making, spoon carving, tomahawk throwing, cooking, camping, blacksmithing, beadwork and fishing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee State Parks all-terrain electric wheelchairs will be available for attendees to use for free. A fundraiser to benefit Friends of David Crockett Birthplace will also take place to support cleanup and rebuilding operations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said Tuesday that President Trump being clueless about the prison transfer of Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwell is on brand for the president. When it came to what the president told me today, that he was not personally aware of the Ghislaine Maxwell prison transfer, do you believe that? CNNs Kaitlan Collins asked on The Source. I dont think that theres a lot that the president is personally aware of. So him being clueless is on brand, Crockett responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in this particular set of circumstances where he is personally looking out for himself, I absolutely believe that he was knowledgeable about this, the Texas Democrat added. On Tuesday, Trump said that he didnt know about Maxwells recent prison transfer beforehand. Were you aware of and did you personally approve the prison transfer for Ghislaine Maxwell that your Justice Department Collins asked at a White House event before Trump cut in. I didnt know about it at all, nope. I read about it just like you did, the president said, adding later that the transfer was not a very uncommon thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell was quietly moved from a federal prison in Florida to one in Texas, a Bureau of Prisons official told The Hill last week. Ghislaine Maxwell is in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan in Bryan, Texas, BOP official Benjamin OCone said in an email. In the last month, the Trump administration has been dealing with impassioned backlash over how it has handled information related to Epstein. The backlash has come from both MAGA faithful and some on the left. The Hill has reached out to the White House for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. A man wanted in connection with an incident where state police allege he was unconscious in a vehicle with drug paraphernalia was arrested Tuesday after allegedly breaking into a womans home in Chaplin. Troopers responded to a report of the break-in at a residence on Willimantic Road around 5:15 a.m. after a woman who lives there called 911 claiming that 50-year-old Travis Stimson had forced his way through her back door, according to Connecticut State Police. She alleged that Stimson then started arguing with a friend who was staying with her and only left when she said she was calling authorities, state police said. The woman said the argument was verbal and that no violence occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to state police, the woman told troopers Stimson had previously stayed at the residence and was told he was no longer welcome there. The woman also alleged that this was not the first time he broke through her back door but she did not report the first incident, state police said. The woman claimed that the damaged door was being held in place by screws when Stimson allegedly broke through it, went upstairs and began arguing with the friend who was staying in the home, state police said. After being told the police would be contacted, the woman and the friend said they were unsure where Stimson went when he left the residence on foot, according to state police. Multiple K-9 units began a track and were assisted by crews from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection as well as troopers from multiple state police barracks. Authorities set up a perimeter around the home. Shortly after 9:30 a.m., a witness reported seeing a man matching Stimsons description on North Windham Road in Windham, state police said. Stimson was located minutes later in a nearby backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State police said they found that Stimson had a warrant out for his arrest in connection with an incident reported at a business in Chaplin on June 16. That day, troopers responded to the report of an individual who was unconscious in a vehicle in a parking lot with their foot on the brake and the vehicle in drive. According to state police, the driver allegedly moved the vehicle behind a building and took off on foot before troopers arrived. Troopers allegedly found drug paraphernalia in the vehicle, which was uninsured, state police said. State police said they were able to identify the driver as Stimson, finding that his license was suspended. Stimson faces charges in connection with both incidents. He was charged with two counts of interfering with an officer or resisting and a single count each of third-degree burglary, third-degree criminal mischief, disorderly conduct, illegal operation of a motor vehicle without minimum insurance, illegal operation of a motor vehicle with a suspended license and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was held on a $75,000 bond and was later transported to Danielson Superior Court for an arraignment. A woman already facing dozens of counts of animal cruelty now faces a larceny charge for failing to turn over a rescue dog that was reportedly in her care and remains missing. Sarah Smolak, 28, was arrested Monday by the Winchester Police Department and charged with sixth-degree larceny, according to court records. She has been accused of failing to turn over a rescue dog named Marshmallow after being ordered by a judge to surrender the animal by July 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We still dont know where he is, AMA Animal Rescue, a nonprofit, no-kill shelter in Brooklyn, New York, wrote in a post on Facebook. We dont know what happened to him. We may never get the full truth. But what we do know is this, the person who hurt him or worse will not walk away without legal consequences. We will make sure of that. Marshmallow was found injured and abandoned in a parking lot in Brooklyn in January 2023, according to the rescue. He was rehabilitated and allegedly turned over to Smolak, who was paid to care for him. Smolak was ordered by a judge in Torrington Superior Court to turn the dog over, but police allege she failed to do so. Smolak posted a $5,000 bond following her most recent arrest and is scheduled to face a judge on Aug. 15, according to court records. She is already facing 40 counts of animal cruelty in connection with several pending cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smolak was first arrested by the Winchester Police Department on March 18 and charged with two counts of cruelty to animals. The arrest came weeks after animal welfare groups and rescues launched a social media and email campaign urging state officials, local police and media to conduct an investigation. Police at the time said they seized 27 dogs as part of their ongoing investigation. According to online court records, Winchester police arrested Smolak again on April 10 and charged her with 36 counts of cruelty to animals. Norwalk police on April 22 arrested her on one count of animal cruelty, records show. According to Norwalk police, officers received a complaint in March alleging a dog in Smolaks care showed a sharp decline in its health. Investigators examined veterinary records from multiple care centers in Connecticut and New York to establish when Smolak had custody of the dog. The investigation found that a black and white colored pit bull named Royal Blue was in Smolaks care for 24 days between March and April 2024, during which time he allegedly lost seven pounds and his body condition deteriorated, police said. The dog was also prescribed de-worming medication after being in her care. Using a surgically implanted microchip in the dog, animal control officers were able to confirm he had since been adopted by new owners and was found to be doing well with no apparent medical issues. On May 8, Norwalk police charged Smolak with another count of cruelty to animals. In that case, investigators found that a 3-year-old brown and white pit bull named Little Squishy was in Smolaks care for two months in August and September 2024. During that time, the animal allegedly lost 13 pounds and his body condition deteriorated, according to police. After the dog was removed from Smolaks care, he was found to gain weight without any issue and his overall health improved, police allege. Activists, journalists and relatives of jailed dissidents say they were briefly detained or prevented from leaving their homes by state security agents Tuesday on the anniversary of the "Maleconazo," the largest protest Fidel Castro faced during his rule. On August 5, 1994, hundreds of people took to the streets of Havana's Malecon waterfront to protest, an event that triggered the rafter crisis during which many Cubans fled by sea to the United States. The government attributed the protests to incitement by Radio Marti, a Washington-funded station that broadcasts news into Cuba. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearly five years after Castro's death, historic protests shook the island on July 11, 2021, when thousands took to the streets, resulting in one death, dozens injured and hundreds arrested. Many protesters remain behind bars. The government claims those marches were also orchestrated by Washington. President Miguel Diaz-Canel said the "Maleconazo" anniversary was a reminder that "there will always be dark forces lurking against a genuine Revolution in difficult moments," posting a photograph on X of Castro confronting protesters in 1994. Tuesday saw "surveillance, house arrests, arbitrary detention, and selective internet shutdowns," according to Cubalex, a Miami-based NGO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Manuel Cuesta Morua, a dissident who promotes democratic transition in Cuba, told AFP via WhatsApp that since early morning he had been "besieged by the police" in a "type of house arrest, without a court order." The government "activated its repressive apparatus" following the "police pattern" applied on sensitive dates, said Yoani Sanchez, director of independent newspaper 14ymedio. She said her husband, Reinaldo Escobar, also a journalist for the outlet, "was detained for a couple of hours in Havana." Independent journalist Camila Acosta told AFP that a state security officer had been stationed at the entrance of her house early in the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among others in similar situations reported by Cubalex were representatives of the Ladies in White rights group and the father of a young man imprisoned for participating in the July 2021 protests. lp/atm/abs/djw CULLMAN COUNTY, Ala. (WIAT) The first day of school is fast approaching for many students around central Alabama. As families take these last few days to prepare, some districts are trying to help them plan out the year and reduce absenteeism. Students in Cullman County have 25 learning days off from school. To keep attendance in the classroom up during the rest of the days, Cullman County Schools recommends families take vacations and schedule appointments during the days kids are already out of class. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By that suggestion that was shared, they really can sit down and plan for several months in advance of saying, Look, were going to be out for four days here, so lets find one of those days that we can do one of those visits or even go on a trip,' said Cullman County Superintendent Shane Barnette. I know many people plan their trip over the weekend and several of those, fall break and things, theyll have a four-day weekend, so thats a great opportunity for them to plan their trips. We hope they take advantage of it. At the end of the year, maybe we can look back, and weve had kids more in class more, and therefore their learning has improved. Barnette said when the post was first made on social media, some families were concerned the district was following in the footsteps of a Tennessee school district, which has a new rule that doctors notes will not be excused absences. He reassured families that is not the case in their district. There will always be a need for unexpected doctors visits, and we know that, Barnette said. We have kids of our own. Weve been there. Since COVID, we were doing a really good job with our attendance, and then COVID hit and everything was out of whack, and weve been working back to get back to where we were pre-COVID. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The biggest thing is, its on our state report card where were measured for chronic absenteeism. But the other thing is kids cant learn if theyre not here. So were going to do our absolute best to have kids in the classroom as much as we possibly can. Alabama lawmakers reveal aspirations for 2026 legislative session Even if class itself isnt many students favorite part of the day, many said theyre ready to be back. I love first grade, one elementary student said. I cant wait to meet my new teacher and friends. The families CBS 42 spoke with Tuesday thought the new recommendation from the school board was a good idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think thats wonderful, said Summer W., who has children enrolled in Cullman County Schools. Bring awareness to the certain days students have off. Used to you couldnt miss school to go on vacation, said Cullman County resident Kathy Milligan. When I was growing up, you got counted out. Some families said having a strong support system is important while taking care of kids. My daughter and son-in-law work Monday through Friday, my husband and I are both in health care, and we have certain days off that we make sure they get to school, and if not, the great-grandparents get them to school, Milligan said. Were a working community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It could be pretty hard still with some of them, but a lot of people have close family or friends, so maybe that will help out, Summer W. said. Barnette said a student is considered chronically absent by the state when theyve missed 18 days or more, including because of doctors visits. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Stuck in traffic on the Washington Bridge. Could you imagine anything worse? Thats what Shana Luciano asked her TikTok followers over the weekend while filming a birds-eye view of bumper-to-bumper cars on I-95. A little yeah could be heard in the background. When she turned the camera, it revealed her two-year-old son Maverick in a hospital bed at Hasbro Childrens Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What? she asked him. I dont know, Maverick replied, giggling. Luciano said that moment provided a dose of comedic relief during a deeply difficult time. I remember sitting in this traffic and complaining about it all the time, and look where I am now, she said. I kind of would rather be in that traffic. Courtesy: @magic4maverick via TikTok Courtesy: @magic4maverick via TikTok Fighting cancer On April 28, Maverick began experiencing extreme pain before bed. Initially, doctors suspected constipation, but X-rays and treatments yielded little result, and the pain increased. After several tests and an MRI in the emergency room, Maverick was diagnosed with Stage 3 Wilms tumor, a rare kidney cancer that primarily affects children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Rishi Lulla, division director of pediatric hematology-oncology at Hasbro, said fewer than 1,000 cases are diagnosed in the U.S. each year. While its rare, Wilms tumor is the most common type of kidney cancer in children, which has allowed for more research and exploration into how to cure it. We see several patients each year diagnosed with Wilms at Hasbro, and we work together with a cooperative group around the country to try and determine the very best way to treat them, Lulla explained. Treatment typically involves surgery, followed by a few days of radiation therapy and months of chemotherapy. Wilms tumor often presents itself with common symptoms like abdominal pain, constipation or swelling on one side of the abdomen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mavericks treatment plan is expected to span 39 weeks. He has already undergone surgery to remove the tumor and completed six radiation sessions. Hes now in the chemotherapy phase to eliminate any remaining cancer cells and, according to his family, hes crushing it. Power in perspective In the midst of what Luciano calls every parents worst nightmare, she said theyve chosen to focus on positivity. People call him the mayor of the clinic, because he knows everyone, said Laura Moynihan, a clinical social worker at Hasbro who met Maverick on the day he was diagnosed. Hes always bouncing between the playroom and whichever room hes in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moynihan said her team takes a holistic approach to treatment, addressing patients emotional and social needs in addition to the lifesaving medical care they receive. Anytime a family hears their child has cancer, for many, its the hardest day of their lives, she said. I want them to know there are team members who are there to help support them along the way and that they are not alone or isolated in this. She added that the familys openness in sharing their story is invaluable in helping others better understand what life is like for families facing pediatric cancer. This is one of those worlds you never know exists until youre a part of it, Moynihan said. Maverick will be able to go home Tuesday night after Good Night Lights, a nightly Rhode Island tradition which involves shining a light toward the childrens hospital for patients to see before bedtime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Luciano posted the video, it has gained more than a million views. Ultimately, she hopes it inspires people to slow down and not lose sight of whats important. Try to change your perspective on life because thats the most powerful thing we can do to be happy in situations that really arent great, she said. Theres just a lot of power in perspective. And, she added, things could always be worse than being stuck in traffic. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Good News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Welcome to the Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather. It's Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Start your day with everything you need to know about today's weather. You can also get a quick briefing of national, regional and local weather whenever you like with the FOX Weather Update podcast. Tropical Storm Dexter is gaining strength as it continues to move away from the U.s., but the National Hurricane Center is continuing to monitor an area of disturbed weather off the Southeast coast and in the central Atlantic Ocean that could develop into tropical depressions later this week or this weekend. And on Wednesday, Hurricane Hunters are set to fly to the area off the Southeast coast to investigate the region for possible tropical development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of tropical development with the disturbance near the Southeast coast, the region continues to face the threat of flash flooding as daily rounds of rain and thunderstorms will persist through the weekend, with some areas potentially receiving double-digit rainfall totals. Smoke from hundreds of wildfires burning across Canada has polluted skies and reduced air quality across large portions of the Midwest and Northeast in recent days, but forecasters expect conditions to begin improving on Wednesday as shifting winds help disperse the haze for millions along the Eastern Seaboard. Most air quality alerts, particularly along the Interstate 95 corridor, are expected to be lifted by Wednesday night, as a noticeable shift in weather patterns brings in a southerly and onshore flow across the region. This graphic shows air quality alerts on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. Three earthquakes ranging in magnitude from 3.5 to 3.7 shook portions of Southern California early Wednesday morning. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, shaking was reported across portions of Southern California, including Riverside and San Bernardino . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These earthquakes come after another magnitude 3.5 earthquake shook the Rialto, California, area late Tuesday afternoon, and a magnitude 2.7 earthquake shook the New York City area. This graphic shows information on two of the three earthquakes that shook portions of Southern California early Wednesday morning. Large clouds of smoke arose from flames in Maui County, Hawaii , after a brush fire broke out in the area on Monday. Drone footage shows the dry landscape turned into charred brush and debris due to the quick spread of the flames. Here are a few more stories you might find interesting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Need more weather? Check your local forecast plus 3D radar in the FOX Weather app. You can also watch FOX Weather wherever you go using the FOX Weather app, at FOXWeather.com/live or on your favorite streaming service. Original article source: Daily Weather Update from FOX Weather: Southeast coast monitored for tropical development as downpours persist The owner-operator duo of the Dali cargo vessel that crashed into Baltimores Francis Scott Key Bridge last March are suing the ships builder, accusing the company of negligence in designing and manufacturing a critical switchboard on the ship. Owner Grace Ocean Private Limited and operator Synergy Marine Private Limited filed the lawsuit on June 31 against Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. More from Sourcing Journal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The switchboard lost power on the vessels voyage out of the Port of Baltimore, ultimately resulting in two power outages at 1:25 a.m. and 1:27 a.m., with the initial outage causing the ships engine service to shut down. The crew did not have enough time to restart the engine to alter the ships course and speed to avoid the bridge. The Maersk-chartered Dali, which could carry 9,962 20-foot equivalent units (TEUs), hit one of the bridges support pillars, causing the four-lane, 1.6-mile bridge to collapse into the Patapsco River. Six construction workers died because of the accident. That incident had effectively closed off traffic in and out of the Port of Baltimore for more than two months, forcing vessels to reroute instead to other East Coast ports including the Ports of New York & New Jersey, the Port of Virginia and the Port of Philadelphia. In the suit, the plaintiffs claimed HHI defectively designed and manufactured the switchboard in such a manner that wiring connections were not secure, could not be verified as secure, and could lose connection during normal operation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, they said the signal wire was not designed to remain securely connected to the terminal block, noting that the design defect caused the switchboard and the vessel to be unreasonably dangerous and in a defective condition. The defective design and construction of the switchboard led to the power outage causing the crash, the lawsuit read. Both plaintiffs also accused the South Korean shipbuilder of breaching implied warranties by selling them the boat under the premise that it would be fit for the ordinary purposes for which containerships are used, and be safe, seaworthy, and otherwise merchantable. HHI was or should have been aware of the risks associated with loose wires in the switchboard, including the potential for a power outage, the suit said. The plaintiffs claim the company materially withheld its knowledge of the potential for loose wires in the switchboard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Singaporean owner-operator duo sustained significant damages because of the incident, including physical damage to the Dali and damaging to the companies reputation. Both Grace Ocean Private and Synergy Marine Private have been on the opposite end of lawsuits since the Key Bridge incident on March 26, 2024. Last October, both companies agreed to pay a combined $102 million in civil penalties to cover the costs of responding to its collapse. In that lawsuit, the Department of Justice alleged both companies did not take the necessary precautions to maintain a safe voyage despite there being excessive vibrations that could cause a power outage ahead of time. The DOJ had also accused the companies of sending an ill-prepared crew on an abjectly unseaworthy vessel to begin course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That payment covered the federal response of clearing the wreckage and debris from the channel, but not from the reconstruction of the bridge, which is anticipated to be rebuilt by fall 2028. The State of Maryland, which built, owned and operated the bridge, is in charge of reconstruction efforts. Those costs are expected to be between $1.7 billion and $1.9 billion. The state filed its own complaint against Singaporean shipping companies in October, suing the firms for damages related to the bridges collapse, lost toll revenues, emergency response costs, wear and tear on infrastructure and more. Baltimore mayor Brandon Scott and the citys council filed the first major lawsuit against the duo a month after the accident took place, alleging criminal negligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The families of multiple victims of the bridges collapse, as well as local businesses and insurance companies, have also filed claims against Grace Ocean and Synergy. These suits have since been consolidated with the citys lawsuit into one extensive liability case. Even dockworkers at the Port of Baltimore filed litigation. Three local branches of the International Longshoremens Association (ILA) filed a class-action lawsuit against the businesses, with the union members saying they should be compensated for wages lost after the disaster forced the port to close. In its preliminary report last year, the National Transportation Safety Board said in the Dali experienced electrical blackouts about 10 hours before leaving the Port of Baltimore, as well as the period before it slammed into the bridge. Dallas drag performer and crossdresser Salem Moon, whose legal name is Arthur Lee Walker, is facing allegations of child grooming that have prompted Pride in Dallas to sever ties with him. The claims surfaced on July 30 when voice actor and YouTube personality Korey Solomon, along with James L. Molloy, accused Moon on X of having groomed them as teenagers. According to Anime Corner, Moon was accused of grooming, as well as sending and soliciting nude photos and videos from Korey Solomon (known professionally as Blade or BladeWillBe), when they were a minor, as reported by Dallas Voice. Following the allegations, the Pride in Dallas board of directors announced that Moon was no longer affiliated with the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pride in Dallas has been made aware of serious allegations involving one of our previously announced participants, Salem Moon, the board said in a statement reported by Dallas Voice. After careful consideration, the Board of Directors has made the decision to formally terminate our relationship with the individual. This action is based on a clear conflict with the mission, values, and integrity of Pride in Dallas. We remain committed to fostering a safe, inclusive, and accountable environment for all members of our community. Another venue, the 1851 Club in Arlington, also announced it had ended its relationship with Moon. Out of respect for the seriousness of the claims, we have parted ways with the performer in question, the club said, according to Dallas Voice. We are a small, community-based space built on kindness, inclusivity and being a place for having fun and making new friends. Were listening, were paying attention, and were committed to creating a safe space for everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not the first time Moon has drawn public attention. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Moon hosted Moonlight Cabaret, a teen-friendly drag show at Red Goose Saloon in early 2024. The event, which permitted attendees as young as 16, was promoted as not risque, just theatrical, and drew a small crowd of about half a dozen North Texans. The Dallas Express reached out to Moon, Korey Solomon, and James Molloy for comment but did not receive a response by press time. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) One of Columbus Metropolitan Librarys most devoted readers died this summer, leaving behind a legacy that has gone viral and inspired others. In a recent social media post, the library highlighted the story of Dan Pelzer, who, in 1962, began recording every book he read. His log, which started with handwritten entries, eventually spanned more than 3,500 titles. When Pelzer died on July 1 at age 92, he left behind a remarkable reading list. LGBTQ+ book, coffee shop sets opening for location inside Stonewall Columbus Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Pelzers death, his family digitized the pages of his catalog. They initially wanted to print copies to hand out to guests at Pelzers funeral, but each document would have been more than 100 sheets of paper long. Instead, they created the website what-dan-read.com, where anyone can browse the original inventory. Pelzers daughter also reached out to the library to let staff know about her dads love of reading and the impact the library had on his life. Photo Courtesy/ Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Columbus Metropolitan Library ALL of his books were Columbus Metropolitan Library books, his daughter wrote. Nobody loved the library more than Dan. He was a regular at the Livingston and then Whitehall branches until he could no longer read. Im sure he would be among your highest circulation and longest term borrowers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the librarys posts about Pelzer gained more online attention, garnering thousands of likes, shares and comments, the staff decided to go a step further to promote Pelzers love of reading. New rules set for teen drivers Dan Pelzers story touched millions, the library wrote. Now, the books he read are displayed in his honor at his local branch (Whitehall) and at Main Library. Workers also took it upon themselves to create a digital edition for the librarys website by transcribing the list, for customers to find titles to choose. The institution noted that local library cardholders who check out a title from Pelzers list might end up holding the very same book as Pelzer. Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Photo Courtesy/ Marci Pelzer, via Columbus Metropolitan Library Ben Zenitsky, a media specialist at the library, told NBC4 that Pelzers story has taken off with interest from the New York Times, Washington Post and other national media outlets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Pelzers daughter said her father shared his passion for the library with his family, taking his children to the downtown library every Saturday morning and enrolling them in every summer reading program. She said the family asked in his obituary that people read a real page turner in lieu of flowers. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A national report identified other judges who did not recuse from cases where one of the parties was the university where they taught on the side The Brief Leticia Placencia Alvarado was killed by a wrong-way driver in Santa Ana on Monday. Five other people, including a 1-year-old, were also injured in the crash. Officials identified the driver as Jorge Delgado. SANTA ANA, Calif. - Loves ones held a prayer vigil in Santa Ana Tuesday evening for the 32-year-old woman killed Monday by a wrong-way driver. "She kind of risked her life to save others," said Wendy Perez, the victims cousin. What we know Authorities have identified the victim as Leticia Placencia Alvarado. The paralegal worker was hit head-on by a wrong-way driver Monday evening while on Main Street near Warner. The wrong-way driver also died in the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, five people were injured, including a 1-year-old baby. Theyre all expected to be okay. Leticia Placencia Alvadado PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Santa Ana crash: 2 dead, 5 injured after wrong-way driver hits multiple cars Dig deeper "She took one for the other families," said Perez. "Im glad the other families are doing good." New dashcam video shared with FOX 11 shows motorists Monday evening swerving to get out of the way of the wrong-way driver. After the wrong-way driver went north of Warner Avenue in the southbound lane, another video shows the violent head-on crash. According to family members, Alvarado was recently married. Her husband, Alfredo Alvarado, was too heartbroken to say much on camera Tuesday evening. However, he did describe his wife as "a loving person, kind, and smart", with a "cute smile". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family says Alvarado had been driving home from work when she was hit by the wrong-way driver. They say she was just five minutes from home. "She was like five minutes away, coming from work, we were waiting for her." The wrong-way driver has been identified as 29-year-old Jorge Delgado. Federal sources tell FOX 11 Delgado was in the United States legally on a B-2 tourism visa from Ecuador. Sources also tell FOX 11 Delgado was arrested in Newport Beach for trespassing on Aug. 3, the day before the deadly crash. What's next "We have a lot of questions," said Lesly Placencia, the victims cousin. "What happened to the guy? What was wrong with him? Maybe something was wrong with the car? We dont know. We have a lot of questions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvarados family has a fundraising page setup to help with funeral expenses. If youd like to help, click HERE. A growing memorial is set up for Alvarado at the crash site on Main Street. "It is sad, when you have someone, you love so much and within seconds shes gone," said Placencia. "It is hard." The Source Information in this story is from federal sources, dash camera footage from the scene, Santa Ana law enforcement officials, and previous FOX 11 reports. GAHANNA, Ohio (WCMH) Electricity costs are rising for Ohioans and increased costs correlate with the tech boom in central Ohio. The Washington Post found Columbus typical monthly home electric bill jumped $27 this summer alone, and tied the price increases to the development of new data centers. State data corroborates the report; the average residential Columbus electricity bill rose $25.64 between April and July 2025. An AEP Ohio spokesperson said increased energy demands are raising prices. Demand increase correlates with a rapid rise in data centers in central Ohio. According to Data Center Map, which tracks data center locations, 120 of Ohios 188 data centers are in the Columbus area. Data centers require massive amounts of energy to operate, and just one data center can require the same electricity use as thousands of homes. See previous coverage of data centers impacts in the video player above. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State records offer glimpse into Andurils employment, site plans in Ohio The increased demand from data centers is complicated by Ohios electricity laws. In 1999, Ohio became a deregulated state for electricity to prevent companies from raising rates without fear of competition. Deregulation means Ohioans have the freedom to choose their own electric supplier instead of having to use their areas utilities. However, deregulation also limits electricity generation in the state to protect consumer choice. AEP Ohio brings energy to our customers, but because Ohio is a deregulated state, we cant generate energy, an AEP Ohio spokesperson said. We and more importantly, our customers depend on the market to build new dispatchable generation to meet the demand. Now, data centers are driving that demand up, raising prices for Ohioans. Electricity bills factor in transmission, distribution and generation costs, which all respond to supply and demand. Generation costs come from the cost to produce energy at a power plant, transmission costs cover the cost of transporting energy from a power plant to a regional substation, and distribution costs cover the transportation from substations to homes and businesses. In Ohio, where generation is limited and companies like AEP Ohio are not allowed to build power plants, increased demand hikes up generation prices. Columbus saw double-digit cost increases around the same time data centers began really honing in on central Ohio in 2022 and 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The supply of energy that reliably can be called upon when demand is high simply isnt keeping up, an AEP Ohio spokesperson said. The state is trying to reduce energy costs, but it is difficult to proactively respond to energy demands. In May, Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine signed a law to incentivize energy generation and removed some subsidies for Ohioans, which goes into effect Aug. 14. Ohios Public Utilities Commission also approved new rules for data centers in July, requiring them to bear the brunt of rising electric costs instead of consumers. Will walleye make a splash as Ohios state fish? Although data centers can contribute to individual Ohioans rising electric costs, advocates say building new data centers is still beneficial. Dan Diorio, vice president of state policy for the national Data Center Coalition, told NBC4 in late June that data centers are a major economic boost for Ohio. He pointed to a report that found data centers provided 15,300 jobs and $3.6 billion to Ohios GDP in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The data center industry has very much shown that its bringing that economic development, its bringing that GDP growth, its bringing those jobs and its bringing that state and local tax revenue back to the state, Diorio said. AEP Ohio said data centers are helping the state grow, and the new data center rate rules will help protect customers from future price increases. For now, AEP Ohio is implementing new fees for major energy use projects that range between $10,000 and $100,000, depending on how much electricity is needed. Solutions are emerging but not as quickly as data centers are being built. The issue is also expected to increase; according to a December 2024 report from the Department of Energy, data centers could consume between 6.7% and 12% of all American electricity by 2028. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. MONTGOMERYThe Montgomery Volunteer Fire Department is preparing for one of its biggest fundraising events. The annual Turkey Dinner meal will be Aug. 24, with the first meals being served at 10 a.m.. The dinner is a 20 year tradition with the fire department. We are serving marinated turkey breasts. We have been doing this since at least 2005 when a tornado came through town. It started as a fundraiser to get weather sirens and kept on from that, said Montgomery Assistant Fire Chief Dwayne Murphy. The biggest thing is we found we got to meet the community. It has never been about raising a bunch of money per se. We would host it. We would cook the turkey and the people would come. When the project first started it was held in the Stop and Sea parking lot, but a bad accident and a rainstorm forced it to be relocated to the fire house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have had drive-through turkey dinners ever since, whether it is rainy, sunny, hot or cold, said Murphy. While the project is not necessarily about rising money it has become a vehicle to help some of the fire departments needs. People like it. The community works with us. A couple of years ago we got a grant for a tanker but we needed some more money for it. People stepped up with extra donations. Nothing is cheap when it says fire department on it said Murphy. We are looking to upgrade our extrication equipment. It is 15 years old. Cars and technology are changing. We are looking to get battery operated extrication equipment that could cost up to $45,000. We are also looking to update our turn out gear. The turkey meals typically raise around $8,000. Murphy says it is all based on a free will donation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That lets all of the community to be involved. Those who have more can help more and those who have less can still be involved, he said. With the plans in place the fire department is now down to the execution of the popular meal. We bring everyone in to help clean the station the day before. Then we have guys with some specific assignments like making sure we have the bread, or another finds the turkey and there is one who cooks the beans, said Murphy. We have two grills going. Virgil Knepp brings his grill in and helps us even though he isnt on the fire department. The meal includes baked beans and potato salad. Murphy suggests folks get to the fire station early because the meals normally run out. Most of the time we run out around noon, he said. Then we clean up and we are usually home by one in the afternoon, THOMASVILLE The owner of a Thomasville-area property that has been a longtime source of drug problems and community complaints has given the Davidson County Sheriffs Office unusual authority to arrest virtually anyone just for being on the property, the sheriffs office said. Following an investigation by the sheriffs office and the N.C. Alcohol Law Enforcement Division Nuisance Abatement Team, the owner of 827 Shell Road west of Thomasville agreed on Tuesday, July 29, to grant the sheriffs office a limited real estate power of attorney, the sheriffs office announced Wednesday. This allows the sheriffs office to arrest any person for trespassing except the owner and her sole tenant. The announcement referred to the property as a drug house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This property will no longer be used or kept for drug use or distribution, the sheriffs offices announcement said. The owner intends to sell the property in the coming months. The limited real estate power of attorney is allowed under a state law as a method to address nuisance activities including recurring criminal activity, Sheriff Richie Simmons said. The nuisance abatement law is a valuable tool that provides remedies for locations consistently associated with criminal activity and harm to communities, he said. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- On this date in history: In 1890, the first execution by electric chair was carried out. William Kemmler was put to death at Auburn Prison in New York for the ax murder of his girlfriend. In 1926, Gertrude Ederle of New York became the first American to swim the English Channel. In 1945, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima. Three days later an atomic bomb hit Nagasaki and Japan soon surrendered, ending World War II. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1965, U.S. President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voting Rights Act into law. The measure barred states from conducting discriminatory voting practices. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church protest the funeral of Sgt. 1st Class Johnny Walls in Port Orchard, Wash., on November 30, 2007. On Aug. 6, 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama signed legislation that bans protests within 300 feet of military funerals 2 hours before or after the services. File Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI UPI File Photo In 1969, Robert Rheault, commander of the Green Berets during the Vietnam War, and seven of his subordinates were arrested for summarily executing Thai Khac Chuyen, a Vietnamese civilian they suspected of being a double agent. The charges were later dropped, the Army said, in the interests of national security. On August 6, 2011, Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan shot down a U.S. military Chinook transport helicopter similar to the one pictured, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. File Photo by Spc. Glenn M. Anderson/U.S. Army In 1978, Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80 after a heart attack. He had led the Roman Catholic Church for 15 years. In 1986, William Schroeder died of a stroke in Louisville, Ky., after 620 days with the Jarvik-7 mechanical heart. At the time, he had been the longest-living permanent artificial heart patient. On August 6, 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court on a 68-31 vote. File Photo by Gary Fabiano/UPI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1997, a Korean Air jetliner crashed in Guam's capital city of Adana, killing 228 people. The National Transportation Safety Board determined that pilot error, fatigue and poor training were the causes of the crash involving the Boeing 747-300. Twenty-six people survived. File Photo courtesy of Michael A. Meyers/Department of Defense A tapestry of Pope Paul VI is unveiled during a beatification ceremony at St. Peter's Basilica in Vatican City near Rome on October 19, 2014. On August 6, 1978, Pope Paul VI died at the age of 80 after a heart attack. He had led the Roman Catholic Church for 15 years. File Photo by David Silpa/UPI In 2009, the U.S. Senate confirmed the nomination of Sonia Sotomayor for the U.S. Supreme Court on a 68-31 vote. In 2011, Taliban insurgents in Afghanistan shot down a Chinook transport helicopter, killing 30 Americans and eight Afghans. Officials said it was the highest U.S. death toll in a single incident in the decade-old war. Wreckage of Korean Air Flight 801 still smolders August 6, 1997, after crashing on the island of Guam. The crash killed 228 people. File Photo by Troy R. Wegleitner/Department of Defense In 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama signed legislation that bans protests within 300 feet of military funerals 2 hours before or after the services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2018, rival leaders in South Sudan signed a power-sharing agreement to end a five-year civil war and form a transitional government. In 2024, Vice President Kamala Harris announced Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz would be her running mate in her presidential campaign against former President Donald Trump. Trump won the election. Coverage on an older mans lifetime wish above. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The Dayton Fire Department has announced a new community safety program for older residents in the City of Dayton called Senior Safe. The new program will provide regular check-ins via phone calls, texts or emails to seniors who sign up. If needed, a trained Dayton Fire staff member will visit the participants home for a safety check-in. Photo via Dayton Fire Department. According to the 2019-2023 U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey (ACS), over 30.36 percent of the population of Dayton is over 60 years old. Those 65 and over are the second-largest population group, accounting for 13.73 percent of the total. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consistently checking in with older people can help prevent elder abuse and prevent social isolation. To sign up for Senior Safe for yourself or for a family member, 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. The Brief D.C.s six "Throne" public restrooms, closed in July after funding was frozen, are back open. City officials say funding has been restored to keep the high-tech restrooms open through the end of Fiscal Year 2025, with plans to add four more locations next year. The Thrones, which have been used more than 75,000 times since 2024, are praised by ANC leaders and residents for improving sanitation and accessibility in public spaces. WASHINGTON - The Districts six "Throne" public restroomsshuttered earlier this summer after the city froze their fundingare set to reopen soon following pushback from residents and community leaders. What we know The closures came after Mayor Muriel Bowsers administration opted not to renew the contract with Throne Labs, citing budget limitations tied to a $1 billion congressional cut to the citys spending authority. Signs posted on the restrooms in early July read, "Throne is closed! Funding has been suspended due to red tape." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that decision sparked swift public outcry. Nearly 1,000 residents signed a petition urging the city to reinstate funding, and ANC leaders called the restrooms an essential public service. "Everyone in the city needs to go," said ANC 2B02 Commissioner Jeff Rueckgauer. "Its counterproductive and kind of shamefulin a major destination downtownyou have tourists and residents alike saying, You cant go here." DCs public toilets to reopen amid funding uncertainty: READ THE FULL ARTICLE HERE Funding Restored for FY25 More Locations Planned City officials confirmed that D.C. has identified funds to maintain the Thronesin part due to public pressure through the end of the current fiscal year, which ends September 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not only has funding been restored, but after last weeks Council budget vote, D.C. is getting more. One million dollars in next years budget will go toward maintaining the six existing Thrones and adding four new locations: Ellington Plaza, Watkins Recreation Center, Starburst Plaza, and Marvin Gaye Park. Local perspective Frequent user Amir Zablas tells FOX 5 DC this comes as a relief. "I do Uber and stuff so it works very good for me since some restaurants dont let you walk in and use the bathroom. So its very convenient for me, to be honest," says Zablas. Since their installation in 2024, the solar-powered Throneslocated at Oxon Run Park, Columbia Heights, Eastern Market, Alethia Tanner Park, Dupont Circle, and near the D.C. courthouseshave been used over 70,000 times. ANC commissioners say the restrooms have improved sanitation and safety in public spaces. Each unit costs the city about $85,000 annually to operate. What's next The city has not announced a specific reopening date, but officials say the Thrones will return "very soon." A case of Powassan virus has been detected in a Marthas Vineyard resident, the second time it has been found on the island in the last 20 years, according to Marthas Vineyard Boards of Health. The situation is being closely monitored by the islands local boards of health and shared public health staff, including Public Health Nurse and Case Investigation Coordinator Betsy VanLandingham, the boards said in a statement released Tuesday. The illness is the third case of the virus in the United States in 2025, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The virus is present every year in a small percentage of deer ticks; fortunately, severe disease remains very rare, Dr. Sam Telford, an infectious diseases expert at Tufts University, said in the statement. Between 1 and 2% of nymph deer ticks on Marthas Vineyard are infected. This is a similar rate to that seen elsewhere in New England. This suggests that many people who are exposed may successfully fight off the virus without ever knowing they were infected. Telfords lab has tested over 3,500 nymph deer ticks between 2021 and 2024, the statement read. While health officials did not disclose the name of the person infected with Powassan, the virus was detected in a 1-month-old baby in West Tisbury, according to the Vineyard Gazette. Lily Belle Sisco, born on June 30, was flown to Massachusetts General Hospital with a 102-degree fever, the Gazette wrote. Due to the infection and more than 20 seizures in one day, Sisco has brain damage, but was reported on Tuesday as being in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powassan can be transmitted after being bitten by deer ticks, officials said. In contrast to other tick-borne illnesses, Powassan can be transmitted within 15 minutes of being bitten and theres no special treatment, cure or vaccine. Signs and symptoms include fever, headache, vomiting, weakness, confusion, loss of coordination, speech difficulties and seizures, the health department said. To prevent tick bites, officials suggest wearing tick repellent with DEET, tucking pants into socks or boots, stay on trails, showering after exposure and talking with your veterinarian about tick control options for pets. More Cape & Islands content Read the original article on MassLive. A fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France, close to the Spanish border, has resulted in one fatality and multiple injuries, continuing its destructive path after consuming an area the size of Paris overnight. Some 1,500 firefighters worked through the night to contain the blaze, which erupted on Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region. Local authorities stated the fire remained "very active" on Wednesday, with unfavourable weather conditions hindering efforts. One person died in their home, while nine others sustained injuries, and at least one individual is reported missing, according to the local administration's statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inferno has spread across 11,000 hectares of land over 12 hours, an area roughly equivalent to the French capital, making it the largest wildfire in France so far this summer. Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. This photo provided by Meteo France shows smoke billowing from a wild fire in southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025 (Metro France) Earlier this week thousands of firefighters across Spain and Portugal were battling blazes across the countries. In central Spain, firefighters and a special military unit worked to control fires in Avila province, focusing near El Arenal, about 100km (62 miles) west of Madrid. In the western province of Caceres, authorities reported a fire affecting some 2,500 hectares (roughly 6,178 acres) had been largely stabilised, with most evacuation orders lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spain's meteorology service AEMET predicted that temperatures in central and southern Spain could exceed 40 degrees Celsius (104 degrees Fahrenheit) by Sunday. Meanwhile, in Portugal, more than 2,000 firefighters are deployed across the country, particularly in the north, as they continue to tackle widespread blazes. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. The Brief A Dearborn man is being searched for after allegedly kidnapping a 7-year-old girl. Police say this is considered a kidnapping because Jafar Almaarej is not allowed to have contact with the child or the mother. DEARBORN, Mich. (FOX 2) - The investigation of a child kidnapped in Pennsylvania has now zeroed in on the City of Dearborn. Big picture view There was an urgent search for a child kidnapped from Pennsylvania as the childs mother called Millcreek Township Police in Erie, Pennsylvania, on Sunday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now officials say there is a Michigan connection. "She stated that her ex-husband, Jafar Almaarej, had come from Michigan to Erie for the weekend for a visit," said Detective Adam Hardner with the Millcreek Township Police Department. However, when the mother went to work on Sunday, she left the 7-year-old girl with the father and soon received a terrifying text from him. "Stating that he was leaving with the child, and he would be in contact later," said Hardner. Police say this is considered a kidnapping because Jafar is not allowed to have contact with the child or the mother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The mother of the child has sole custody, and there is currently a protection for abuse order from a judge in Erie barring contact with the mother and child," said Hardner. So far, the mother has not heard from her child or the father, and the search for both continues. Its believed they could be in the Dearborn area. "We applied for an arrest warrant for Jafar on the charges of kidnapping, interfering with the custody of children, and terroristic threats," Hardner said. Dig deeper The terroristic threat charge stems from a threatening text Jafar sent to his ex-wife. "Jafar sent her a text message stating that if she called law enforcement, they would have to search for their bones," Hardner said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As police in Pennsylvania continue investigating, theyve called on Dearborn police for help. What you can do Police are not releasing a picture of the 7-year-old child because she is considered a victim, but investigators want everyone to look out for Jafar and his vehicle. "If anyone knows Jafar or has seen him or knows his whereabouts, please contact local law enforcement or 911 so we can at the very least make sure that girl is safe and returned to her mother," Hardner said. The Source FOX 2 talked with the Millcreek Township Police Department for information in this report. A federal judge last week dismissed a consolidated lawsuit brought by survivors of a Colorado Springs LGBTQ nightclub shooting, but permitted the plaintiffs to re-file certain claims in state court. Hathaleens allies and other partners in the Israeli-Palestinian cooperation and peace space have staged a series of protests, calling for justice for Hathaleen. The death of Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian peace activist killed by an extremist Israeli settler in recent weeks, has sparked a wave of protests surrounding a hearing determining his familys ability to receive his body. Hathaleen was known to the Israeli-Palestinian peacemaking community for his actions in nonviolent resistance and peaceful coexistence. For a week and a half, Israeli authorities have held onto the deceaseds body, which was seized shortly after his death, hours before Yinon Levi, the settler who shot and killed the activist, was arrested. Witnesses said that Levi and other settlers entered the village of Umm al-Khair, attempting to excavate for further settlement expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents said that on Tuesday, the excavators involved destroyed water pipes, cutting off half of the villages water supply. Videos from July 28 show Levi brandishing a gun as he advances toward a group of Palestinians before shooting indiscriminately in their general direction multiple times and killing Awdah Hathaleen. The incident occurred on Umm al-Khairs territory, into which Levi and an Israeli minor had crossed, where they operated an excavator, damaged infrastructure and trees in the village, and tried to sever the main water pipe leading to it. Protests over the death of Awdah Hathaleen, a Palestinian peace activist. (credit: Courtesy) Hathaleen and other activists tried to stop the destruction, which was when the deadly shooting took place. Another video from the scene, filmed after the shooting, shows Levi speaking with Israeli soldiers and police officers and pointing at certain residents of the village, who were then arrested. Israeli settler claims self-defense Levi claimed that his actions were in self-defense and that he was attacked by a stampede of dozens of rioters, who were throwing stones. He received legal support from Honenu, a far-right organization, which called the incident an attempted lynching. A spokesperson for Carmel, the settlement Levi was believed to be excavating for, said that the event could have ended in the murder of a Jew if he had not defended himself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Levi has been sanctioned by the EU, the UK, France, and Canada, according to Israeli media, with the Biden administration sanctioning him in 2024. However, US President Donald Trump rescinded all sanctions on Israeli settlers shortly after returning to office. Levi was released by the court, while Hathaleens family awaits his body. Protest organizers have also staged a hunger strike in solidarity with the family, calling attention to their inability to bury Hathaleen according to tradition, as he remains in Israeli custody. The organizers say that both the military and police are placing several restrictions on the funeral, including the location of the burial, how many people can attend, and the establishment of a mourning tent. The prolonged holding of the body, the request for delays in the judicial proceedings, and the High Courts granting of the extensions are an added level of cruelty inflicted on the family and the entire village of Umm al-Khair, they said. Hathaleen, 31, was a father of a young boy. His brother, Khalil, told The Jerusalem Post that his three-year-old nephew keeps asking when he can see his father again. Khalil recalled that Levi rode a bulldozer into the village, hitting his cousin, Ahmed, in the head with the vehicle. Upon hearing that someone was killed, he never thought it would be his brother. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I went to see the person who was killed, I saw a lot of blood, with my brother on the ground and beside him, his son. There was a lot of blood. The court postponed the hearing until Thursday afternoon, Khalil told the Post. Protests are expected to continue on Thursday in solidarity and support of the family. Hannah Rozenblat contributed to this report. DECATUR, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Decatur man faces a laundry list of charges after subjecting victims to several years of abuse, according to Otsego County Sheriffs. Sheriffs say 37-year-old Mohamad Hussein Haidar of Decatur had forced several victims to live at his residence in the Town of Decatur. In July, investigators with the Otsego County Sheriffs Department began receiving word from victims, who also claimed that Haidar prevented them from leaving by threats of additional abuse and even death. On Tuesday, August 5, Otsego County Sheriffs were able to locate Haidar at his residence, where he was taken into custody without further incident. The Susquehanna SPCA was also on the scene to remove numerous animals from the residence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search of Haidars residence revealed several items of evidence, which were taken into custody by the Otsego County Sheriffs. Haidar was processed at the Otsego County Sheriffs Office and transported to the Otsego County Correctional Facility in Cooperstown to await centralized arraignment. He is currently being charged with: Predatory Sexual Assault, a Class A-II Felony, three counts of first-degree Rape, a Class B Felony, three counts of first-degree Criminal Sex Act, a Class B Felony, three counts of second-degree Assault, a Class D Felony, three counts of first-degree Stalking, a Class D Felony, three counts of Labor Trafficking, a Class D Felony, three counts of first-degree Coercion, a Class D Felony, two counts of second-degree Strangulation, a Class D Felony, three counts of third-degree Rape, a Class E Felony, three counts of third-degree Criminal Sex Act, a Class E Felony, three counts of first-degree Unlawful Imprisonment, a Class E Felony, three counts of third-degree Stalking, a Class A Misdemeanor, third-degree Assault, a Class A Misdemeanor, three counts of second-degree Menacing, a Class A Misdemeanor, eight counts of fourth-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class A Misdemeanor, and three counts of Overdriving/torturing/sustaining injuries to/failure to provide proper sustenance to animals, a Class A Misdemeanor. Haidar is currently being held at the Otsego County Correctional Facility on a recommended $100,000 cash or credit card bail or a $1,000,000 surety bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Otsego County Sheriffs were assisted in their investigation by the Otsego County District Attorneys Office, the Opportunities for Otsego Violence Intervention Program, the Susquehanna SPCA, the Bergen County (NJ) Prosecutors Office, and the New York State Intelligence Center. The Otsego County Sheriffs Office is asking anyone with any further information regarding Haidar to call Investigator Anthony Grimes at 607-547-1634. Sheriffs say additional charges are pending in this case. This investigation is currently ongoing. Eyewitness News will provide more information as it becomes available to us. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) The man facing charges for his alleged involvement in the death of 7-year-old Hershall Creachbaum, Jr. has filed a motion for court record restriction. The defendant and Creachbaums mothers boyfriend, Michael Kendrick, requested the court to issue an Order For No PRO Access. This would restrict public access to the Montgomery County Clerk of Courts Public Records Online (PRO) system for all pleadings and filings in the instant case until further order of the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kendricks counsel is arguing such restrictions are reasonable and necessary to protect his right to a fair trial, effective assistance of counsel and due process of law. The alleged facts and circumstances of the instant case have generated a tremendous amount of pre-trial publicity in the media, including print, broadcast, online, and social media, and includes information that is erroneous, prejudicial, and/or otherwise inadmissible in court, said the motion. It argues potential jurors being exposed to improper information risks would impair Kendricks right to a fair trial. It cites cases in which similar restrictions have been granted. The United States Supreme Court has set forth guidelines for determining when prior restraint on the media or restriction of public access would be appropriate to preserve a defendants right to a fair trial. The Court must consider (a) the nature and extent of pretrial news coverage; (b) whether other measures would likely mitigate the effects of unrestrained pretrial publicity; and (c) how effectively a restraining order would operate to prevent the threatened danger, said the motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kendricks scheduling conference is on Thursday, Aug. 7. Hershall Creachbaum Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday announced the controversial Reconciliation Monument sculpture will return to Arlington National Cemetery in coming weeks, the latest move by administration officials to return symbols honoring the Confederacy to military sites. The news came just one day after the National Park Service unveiled plans to rebuild a statue commemorating Albert Pike, a Confederate brigadier general, just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol. The Arlington National Cemetery sculpture made by Moses Ezekiel, a Confederate veteran was first installed at the site in 1914 after a campaign by the United Daughters of the Confederacy to promote positive aspects of the separatist movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monument was often referred to as the Confederate memorial and featured a bronze woman standing on a 32-foot pedestal. Below her, details featured the coat of arms of the 13 Confederate States (and Maryland), with figures of Confederate soldiers and two Black figures implied to be slaves. Trump orders return to old, Confederate-linked names for 7 Army sites In 2022, an independent commission recommended the memorial be taken down, calling it problematic from top to bottom. It was removed in December 2023 and stored in a secure Department of Defense facility in Virginia for the last few years. In a social media post Tuesday, Hegseth criticized that decision, calling critics woke lemmings and saying the history of the Confederacy should be honored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Department officials did not say when the monument would be restored. Surrounded by graves of Confederate soldiers, the Confederate Memorial in Section 16 of Arlington National Cemetery is removed Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023. (Jacquelyn Martin/AP) During his time in office, President Joe Biden made several moves to remove names and symbols honoring the Confederacy at military sites, arguing the pro-slavery message of the movement had no place in the modern fighting force. But President Donald Trump has repeatedly decried those moves as erasing history. In June, he announced plans to revert the designations of seven Army installations previously named for Confederate fighters, although changed slightly to honor different military individuals without ties to the overthrow of the U.S. government. Shortly after the Civil War, U.S. officials barred Confederate soldiers from being interned at Arlington Cemetery because of their actions against the union. But a bill passed by Congress in 1900 reversed that, establishing a separate burial area for those troops in Section 16. The Brief Former Georgia lawmaker Michael Thurmond has announced his bid to succeed Brian Kemp as Georgia's next governor. Thurmond pitched himself as someone who could bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the states top office in 28 years. The former DeKalb County CEO joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown. ATLANTA - Former DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond has announced that he will run to be Georgia's next governor in 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurmond announced his 2026 bid for the states highest office Wednesday, saying hes "going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the states top office in 28 years. Thurmond announces run for governor What they're saying In his announcement on Wednesday morning, Thurmond said he was running for governor "to fight for working families, protect and expand access to healthcare, and build an education system that creates multiple pathways to success." Former DeKalb County DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond speaks with FOX 5 after his official announcement launching his Georgia gubernatorial bid on Aug. 6, 2025. (FOX 5) "I bring a record of service and accomplishment," he said. "I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, but after more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. "The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win," he said. Thurmond's CEO experience What we know Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 2010. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgias first Black governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgias Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. DeKalb County CEO Michael Thurmond. Under his leadership as CEO, DeKalb County established a $140 million rainy day fund and a 10-year capitol improvement program to invest in and maintain the county's water and wastewater infrastructure, while making major improvements to the water billing system. The county created a master transit plan, and passed two Special Local Option Sales Tax initiatives for transportation, public safety, parks and rec and other capitol projects. RELATED: 2026 Georgia election races to watch | List of candidates Democratic field for Georgia governor Dig deeper The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves , former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, state Rep. Derrick Jackson, and Atlanta pastor Olu Brown in the Democratic primary. On the Republican side, Lt. Gov. Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr are seeking their partys nomination in an attempt to succeed Gov. Brian Kemp , who cant run again after two terms. The Source Information for this article came from previous FOX 5 reporting and Michael Thurmond's interview with the Associated Press. ATLANTA (AP) Democrat Michael Thurmond on Wednesday announced his 2026 bid for Georgia governor, seeking to add the state's top office to the long list of positions he has held. Thurmond said in an interview Tuesday that he's going to fight for the people of Georgia every day," but also pitching himself as someone who can bridge racial and political divides to become the first Democrat to win the state's top office in 28 years. Thurmond promised to be a leader who will focus on the everyday issues that most Georgians are concerned about i.e. the cost of groceries or rent or paying the mortgage, access to health care and quite frankly ending divisiveness that has prevented us from progressing more in this state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 72-year-old Thurmond joins a Democratic field that already includes state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and others who are seeking their party's nomination in an attempt to succeed Republican Gov. Brian Kemp, who can't run again after two terms. Thurmond is one of only three Black people to win election to statewide office in Georgia, serving three terms as labor commissioner after first winning election in 1998. He was also the first Black state legislator from his hometown of Athens since Reconstruction when elected in 1986. Like all the other currently declared Democratic candidates, Thurmond is now seeking to become Georgias first Black governor. When Thurmond tried to run for Senate in 2010, he lost badly to incumbent Republican Johnny Isakson, running significantly behind Democratic gubernatorial candidate Roy Barnes that year. Thurmond most recently served two terms as the elected CEO of DeKalb County, an Atlanta suburb that had $150 million in the bank when he left office. Before that, he was credited with stabilizing the DeKalb County school system as interim superintendent, after its accreditation agency threatened to strip its seal of approval, citing financial mismanagement, school board dysfunction and nepotism. Thurmond also oversaw welfare reform as director of Georgia's Division of Family and Children Services in the mid-1990s, after he gave up his state House seat to make an unsuccessful run for Congress in 1992. Thurmond is a lawyer and he has written multiple books on Georgia history. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I bring a record of service and accomplishment, he said. I, throughout my career, never shied away from taking on tough jobs. Both Bottoms and Esteves have showcased plans to oppose what they see as wrongheaded policies put forth by President Donald Trump, appealing to Democratic partisans who are fearful and angry. Thurmond says he too is a fighter, but frames it differently. Its not fighting President Donald Trump, he said. Im going to fight for Georgia residents. Some Democrats are also calling for a generational turnover in leadership, a trend that's clearly apparent among the primary opponents of longtime U.S. Rep. David Scott. After more than four decades in politics, Thurmond said he believes a track record of success will be more important. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number one concern of the Democrats I talked to is that they want a candidate who can win, he said. Thurmond is the youngest of nine children born to a sharecropper. He was class president of Athens' all-Black high school when it was consolidated with the historically all-white high school in 1970. Thurmond has said that until then he knew few white people, but as co-student body president, had to learn how to deal with others. He said part of his path to victory is to pursue the better angels" of voters in the same way that got him elected labor commissioner. Its not a hypothetical for me. Ive seen it with my own eyes. I've experienced it, Thurmond said. And consequently I come into this race with great faith in this state and the people of Georgia. ___ This story has been corrected to show Thurmond was first elected labor commissioner in 1998, not 2010. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) The Democratic candidate for Binghamton Mayor says the city should be doing more to make certain that hungry people are fed. Miles Burnett visited the daily hot meal service provided by the Salvation Army with the assistance of the Wagon Train Warriors yesterday. The Salvation Army has been operating out of the mobile canteen since its downtown headquarters was closed in May at the request of Mayor Jared Kraham, following a stabbing at a meal event that killed a man. The mobile canteen serves about 100 meals a day while the charitys new location is being renovated at 86 Walnut Street on the citys Westside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 33 percent of the community living in poverty and the homeless population tripling in the past 7 years, Burnett says addressing food insecurity should be a much higher priority. Candidate for Mayor Miles Burnett says, As the future Mayor of Binghamton, I will make sure we are putting forth more resources to address food insecurity across the city and addressing our most vulnerable neighbors in the way that they need.. The Salvation Army hosts its mobile dinner service with breakfast to-go bags Monday through Friday from 4:30 to 5:30 at The American Legion Post 80 located on Main Street. For more information, you can call the Salvation Army at 722-2987. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. Three Democratic New York City federal lawmakers attempted to gain entry to the Metropolitan Detention Center (MDC) in Brooklyn, where as many as 100 illegal immigrants are being held, according to one state lawmaker. Images posted Wednesday by the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC) showed Reps. Adriano Espaillat, Nydia Velazquez and Daniel Goldman walking toward the MDC with the Gowanus Expressway in the background. The NYIC said the lawmakers had been refused entry to the prison, which has a history of high-profile inmates, including currently Sean "P. Diddy" Combs and Luigi Mangione, and formerly ex-Trump attorney Michael Cohen and MSNBC host Al Sharpton after he was arrested for trespassing on a Puerto Rican bombing range in 2001. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Masked agents refused [the lawmakers] oversight access to Sunset Park [MDC] and have now trapped them between a fence and the facility," NYIC tweeted. Senator Says Baltimore Ice Facility Hides Evil Persisting In Darkness After Dems Try Newark Redux ICE agent "They cant get out or get in." Read On The Fox News App A spokesperson for Espaillat told Fox News Digital officials "closed the gate and ran away for about 20-30 minutes." "No one could get in or out either way locking the members in for that time period." Fox News Digital reached out to Goldman and Velazquez for further comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digital also reached out to ICE and the Department of Homeland Security for their accounting of the incident. Graham Mocks Democrats As Dea Chief Pick Confirms Ms-13 Gang Tattoos The situation marks the third time in recent weeks that lawmakers have attempted to gain entry to otherwise secure federal holding facilities. Rep. LaMonica McIver, D-N.J., was arrested for allegedly accosting federal agents outside a jail in her home city of Newark. Democrats Celebrate Return Of Suspected Human Trafficker Kilmar Abrego Garcia Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., speaks at a rally. McIver had been joined by several other lawmakers, including Rep. Robert Menendez Jr., D-N.J., son of the former senator, who is currently imprisoned separately on bribery charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reps. Kweisi Mfume, Sarah Elfreth, Johnny Olzewski Jr. and Sens. Chris Van Hollen and Angela Alsobrooks, D-Md., were all similarly rebuffed at a Baltimore ICE office where a handful of detained immigrants were reportedly being held. ICE said at the time that the building, near Charles Center in the citys downtown, is not a true holding facility and only a processing center. In the Brooklyn case, New York Democrats have railed against ICE for some time for their use of the jail as a detention facility for illegal immigrants. State Sen. Andrew Gounardes, D-Bay Ridge, said in July that MDC Brooklyn recently began holding more than 100 detainees and claimed that many have no criminal records. Rep. Nydia Velazquez, D-N.Y., "ICE is disappearing immigrants, many of whom have no criminal records, into a jail that a judge called contemptuous of human life and dignity. That should appall all of us," Gounardes said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This isnt about public safetyits a show of force meant to instill fear in our communities and keep immigrants in the shadows. Its incredibly dangerous, disturbing and un-American. It must end now." Prior to his visit Wednesday, Goldman who served as Sen. Adam Schiffs, D-Calif., lead attorney in the congressional impeachment proceedings against President Donald Trump lambasted the president for his administrations decision to utilize the MDC. "Rather than continuing the Biden administrations efforts to boost staffing and reduce lockdowns at the MDC, the Trump administration has reversed those improvements and is now further overloading an already unsafe and understaffed facility with dozens of immigrants with no criminal history," Goldman said. According to ICEs Office of Congressional Relations website, members of Congress need only submit a request via email at least seven days in advance of their desired visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson explained to Fox News Digital that the seven-day requirement is meant to "prevent interference with the Presidents Article II authority to oversee executive department functions." The spokesperson also noted that "ICE law enforcement has seen a surge in assaults of 830%, as well as disruptions and obstructions to enforcement, including by politicians themselves," in an apparent reference to McIver. Fox News Digitals Peter Pinedo contributed to this report. Original article source: Democrats attempting to visit Brooklyn ICE facility reportedly trapped after being rebuffed by agents AUSTIN (Nexstar) As Texas Democrats began their second full day of breaking quorum to prevent the legislature from approving redrawn congressional maps, a group of House Democrats were joined by national and Illinois Democrats, along with their counterparts in the U.S. House at a media conference Tuesday. Texas Legislature: What is a quorum? As of Tuesday afternoons session of the House, 54 Democrats were not present in the chamber, enough to prevent the legislature from reaching the two-thirds quorum needed to take up any items and vote. The proposed congressional maps are drawn to give Republicans up to a five seat gain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LIST: Here are the Texas House Democrats who broke quorum Joining the Texas House Democrats in Chicago were U.S. Reps. Lizzie Fletcher and Al Green, D-Houston, Mark Veasey and Julie Johnson, D-Dallas, as well as Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) and Illinois Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton (D). Democrats have fled to states like Illinois and New York, which have Democratic governors who welcomed the House Democrats during their quorum break. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) also vowed to redraw her states maps, though said Monday that it would not be possible until at least 2028. Pritzker and Martin delivered opening remarks in support of the House Democrats during their quorum break, with Martin vowing to fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wrong side of history will always tell you to be afraid, and the right side of history will always expect you to be courageous, Pritzker said. Texas House Democrats are leading the way in choosing courage and country over politics and party. This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil to the knife fight. This is a new Democratic Party well bring in a knife to a knife fight, Martin said. We will not let Republicans succeed in their efforts to gerrymander the map. Other bills now stalling But redistricting is one of 18 items that Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) asked the legislature to consider in the special session. Among those items: flood relief and regulation following the deadly Independence Day Floods. Republicans are now criticizing Democrats, saying that their quorum break is preventing the legislature from considering other priorities, namely the flood bills, but also standardized test reform and THC legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the Disaster Preparedness Committee is meeting to consider five priority pieces of legislation. Each will address the catastrophic flooding that has devastated homes and entire communities, House Speaker Dustin Burrows said. Thats the kind of important work that is being done in the House, and all elected members should be here representing their districts in those conversations. Democrats have fired back, accusing the GOP of putting redistricting on the floor before any flood-related legislation. Over 130 people passed away but yet were trying to round a redistricting map, Gervin-Hawkins said. If they were serious about truly trying to go the will of the people we could do this next year or wait for 10 years to do this. Could House Democrats be removed from office? When the House gaveled Monday and a quorum was not present, the House voted to issue a call of the House, an order for lawmakers to return to the chamber or face arrest. Burrows also signed civil arrest warrants for the Democrats who fled the state and ordered Texas Department of Public Safety troopers to track down the missing Democrats. That move is largely symbolic however, as DPS does not have jurisdiction outside of Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fletcher said that the House Democrats are courageous for breaking quorum as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Abbott threaten their arrest and seek to remove them from office. Make no mistake they are here despite aggressive threats from our governor, from our Attorney General and from others who are threatening them, Fletcher said. But lets make one thing clear, they are here to do their jobs, and they are doing their jobs by being here. U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel Tuesday, asking for the Democratic lawmakers who fled the state to be tracked down and arrested. One reason Paxton and Abbott have argued that the Democrats should be removed from office is that they could be guilty on bribery charges taking money in exchange for abstaining from a vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some have circulated the idea that Pritzker, a billionaire, could pay the $500 per day fine each lawmaker will accrue as a way to lessen the burden and allow lawmakers to break quorum for an extended period of time. Pritzker denied that he has provided any financial support. I have not written a check or supported them financially, though I am not reticent to do that, Pritzker said. Pritzker directed supporters of the quorum break to donate to the Democrats as a way to pay their fines. The two days the Democrats have spent out of state is only a short time in what will need to be a long road ahead if they are to successfully stop the redistricting plan. House Democrats say they have packed for three weeks, aiming to return at the conclusion of the special session. But the governor could always call another special session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To truly defeat the redistricting plan, Democrats would need to break quorum until the filing deadline in December five months away from their lives, family and other jobs. It remains to be seen if they have the will, or ability, to do so. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Democrats nationwide are supporting Texas lawmakers who fled the state to block a GOP-led mid-cycle redistricting vote a sharp contrast to their stance a decade ago, when Maryland Democrats faced little criticism for a plan that nearly wiped out every Republican congressional seat. After the Old Line State lost a congressional seat in the 2010 census, Annapolis was tasked with drawing new lines for the now-eight remaining, and then-Gov. Martin OMalley ultimately testified about his eagerness to box-out the GOP. While overwhelmingly Democratic, Maryland features conservative strongholds at its geographic extremes the Western Panhandle and Eastern Shore and a smattering of Republican-majority communities throughout the more densely-populated center of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the newly-drawn seats the 3rd District represented by then-Rep. John Sarbanes, D-Md., resembled what Fourth Circuit federal Judge Paul Niemeyer called a "broken-winged pterodactyl, lying prostrate across Maryland." Butter Knife To A Gunfight': Democratic Lawmaker Rips His Party's Strategy In Redistricting Battle The former map of Maryland's 3rd congressional district Appearing to painstakingly connect some of the states wealthier suburban communities while steering clear of inner-city Baltimore and the military installation at Fort George Meade, the district had the rare distinction of being one that a person would be unable to drive across. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It began along I-795 northwest of Baltimore, curved east to form a thread-thin line across the citys northern border, drew in some northeastern suburbs before returning to linear form southward and again widening to encompass Inner Harbor and suburbs Halethorpe and Arbutus. At one point near US-1 in Elkridge, someone could walk for a few minutes and enter three different congressional districts, including the 3rd as it traversed Ducketts Lane. The "pterodactyl" then swung southwest to form its "body" north of Washington, D.C., before boomeranging into a different part of Howard and Anne Arundel Counties than it had just passed through then shifting south again to trace the disconnected coastline of the Patapsco River and Chesapeake Bay. Tucked in between Elkridge and Glen Burnie, a distance of only a few miles, was a tendril of another congressional district, the 2nd, otherwise centered east of Baltimore City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between Gibson Island and Annapolis, the "pterodactyl" 3rd crossed peninsulas and islands that precluded people from being able to traverse its entire length without crossing water, while narrowly separating the waterway from another district anchored closer to Washington. House Dems Revive For The People Act Which Mcconnell Once Called Democratic Politician Protection The third district drew nationwide infamy but was staunchly defended by Maryland Democrats at the time, as they sought to draw out any congressional Republican they could. Previously, Maryland Democrats shifted the boundaries of suburban D.C. districts in 2002 to help force out the last Beltway-area Republican congresswoman, Rep. Connie Morella. That area is now represented by Rep. Jamie Raskin, D-Md. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2010 decennial redraw that created the 3rd also sought to boot the rest of the GOP delegation, and eventually succeeded in making it halfway. Then-Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md., an eccentric octogenarian who leaned conservative and represented the Western Panhandles rural, blue-collar expanse, saw his district shifted to include very liberal, white-collar D.C. suburbs along I-270. The entrenched now-99-year-old lost the following election to Democrat John Delaney by nearly the amount he won his previous race by, and moved far into West Virginia and settled off the grid. Heritage Foundation Scholar Breaks Down Absurd' Federalization Of Elections In Democrats' Bill Then-Rep. Roscoe Bartlett, R-Md. and President George W. Bush. Rep. Andy Harris, the House Freedom Caucus chair and last remaining congressional Maryland Republican, remained but not because his presence was missed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Atlantic reported at the time, Maryland Democrats drew up a "7-1" map after the 2010 census, in hopes of booting Bartlett, but also briefly theorized an "8-0" map that would have forced Harris out. The prospect of stretching safe Democratic districts too thin in hopes of swapping out the staunch conservative in the states largest district by size proved too much of a risk, the outlet reported, noting concerns about even worse-looking district lines criss-crossing the Bay. But, after the latest redistricting that proverbially killed the "pterodactyl" and other squiggly districts scrutinized in the lawsuit, Harris said it was clear his 1st District was again becoming more competitive. "The Democrats cant defeat me at the ballot box so theyre going to defeat me on the gerrymander vote, or at least theyre going to attempt to," he told WYPR. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a 2017 deposition amid a lawsuit over Marylands map, OMalley admitted to seeking Bartletts ouster or better: "That was my hope." He worked with Marylands Democratic legislature to craft such a map. "It was my intent to create a district where the people would be more likely to elect a Democrat than a Republican." Bartlett said at the time he wanted to work with OMalley to create a fairer map that also avoided racial gerrymandering around Washington. The Washington Post repeatedly bashed the gerrymandered map, being one of the first to report the judges "pterodactyl" moniker. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Democratic Party leaders went overboard in carving up territory so that Democratic votes would be deployed to maximum advantage, even if it meant stitching them into districts resembling violently spilled coffee," one 2012 editorial read. After leaving office and taking the reins at the DNC for a time, OMalley struck a more critical tone against gerrymandering, telling a group at Boston College in 2017 that "we must, on a state-by-state basis push for an end to gerrymandering" He also acknowledged his own history, remarking, "I held that redistricting pen in my own Democratic hand. I was convinced that we should use our political power to pass a map that was more favorable for the election of Democratic candidates." Original article source: Dems wanted to draw every Republican out of Maryland but now lambast Texas redistricting Colorado's second-highest court on Thursday warned that prosecutors should be moving faster to determine the financial restitution owed to crime victims, and that trial judges are empowered to nudge the prosecution along by setting a timeline for calculating the amount owed. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Denmark, Sweden and Norway said they will provide Ukraine with a $500 million package of lethal equipment to be bought from the United States under a new NATO initiative. U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been a critic of the United States' backing of Ukraine, last month announced that the 32-member defensive alliance would be purchasing weaponry from the United States for their besieged ally. Though Trump offered no specifics, NATO on Monday unveiled the NATO Prioritized Ukraine Requirements List initiative to better provide Kyiv with military equipment, in particular regular packages worth about $500 million that will include capabilities bought from the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store of Norway said in a statement it was "an important initiative" of NATO and the United States that "helps ensure Ukraine quickly receives crucial military equipment to defend themselves." It also strengthens the U.S.-Europe relationship, he said, which had been uncertain during the first few months of the Trump administration, as it had taken a drastically different position on Ukraine than its predecessor -- suggesting that Kyiv would have to give up land to Russia in a cease-fire, while demanding that Europe do more to protect their ally while stating it would be lessening its contribution to its defense. Norway said its contribution to the package was $135 million. Denmark said it was contributing $84 million. And Sweden said it was contributing $275 million. "It is a strength that Sweden, together with Norway and Denmark, could quickly come together and co-finance a support package to Ukraine," Denmark's Minister for Energy, Business and Industry Ebba Busch said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. can assist with unique defense material for which Ukraine has a major need." Danish Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen said the package will be made immediately available. "Speed is absolutely critical," Poulsen said in a statement. "If the Ukrainians later find they need further funding, we are also willing to consider that." The announcement came a day after the Netherlands announced the first $500 million package under the new initiative. In Washington, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce hailed the two packages during a press conference as commitments delivering on "Trump's initiative to facilitate billions of dollars in investment to the United States defense industry and create American jobs while ensuring Europe can ultimately defend itself long term." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky described the initiative as "very strong" and one that will boost Ukraine's defensive capabilities. "These steps are a new, real foundation for long-term security across all of Europe," he said on X. "Russia will never turn Europe into a continent of war, and it is precisely through our joint efforts that we are ensuring peace will prevail." Denny's Is Upgrading Its Rewards originally appeared on Parade. In this economy, even fast food is expensiveunless you order it through the app. Many chains offer app-exclusive deals at price points that mimic pre-pandemic pricing. Even sit-down chain restaurants have gotten into the loyalty game. Iconic diner Denny's has its own rewards program, aptly called Denny's Rewards. In its current incarnation, rewards members get a 20% coupon upon signing up and a special coupon on their birthday, as well as access to exclusive deals via email and the app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, just like Starbucks, Denny's is looking to totally revamp its rewards program later this year. SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & fun food news in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter Denny's execs announced the upcoming changes on an Aug. 4 earnings call, reports NRN. "This new program is a best-in-class, one-to-one marketing program that leverages our already strong database of loyal guests to create greater, more compelling reasons for them to engage and spend more, an exec explained. They also mentioned the revamped program will directly collect customer data, so they'll be more actively tracking what loyalty customers order on each visit. The data will then be used to push personalized deals and rewards to users, similar to tracking cookies on websites. The new rewards system will be points-based, incentivizing diners not only to frequent Denny's more often, but to spend more while they're there. They have reason to believe this will workaccording to their data, Denny's Rewards members visit the restaurant twice as often as other diners. If these customers are getting rewarded with every purchase, they might try to move into the kitchen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear if the current perks, like the free birthday gift, will continue under the new program. Right now, they offer a free Everyday Value Slam for birthdays, which comes with two eggs, two pieces of bacon or sausage, and two pancakes, two slices of French toast, or a biscuit with gravy. Denny's Is Upgrading Its Rewards first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. A decade ago, Jesus Adan Rico breathed a big sigh of relief. That was when the Chino High School student, a Dreamer, learned an immigration judge had effectively shelved his deportation proceedings. Maria Torres, who came to the U.S. at 2 years old, also had her deportation proceedings paused by an immigration judge because she recently married a U.S. citizen. Yet just eight weeks ago, Adan Rico now 29, married with a new child discovered that the Trump administration had revived his deportation case, even though he has renewed his DACA status at least four times. Torres learned the government wants to bring back her case just as she was preparing for her green card interview. "No matter what we do, no matter how far we go in school, in our jobs and with our families, it doesn't matter. It is all hanging by a thread," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adan Rico and Torres are among thousands of immigrants who have built lives around the assumption they are safe from being detained and deported. Now they face that threat at the hands of the Department of Homeland Security, which is giving new life to administratively closed cases in a bid to step up immigration enforcement. Some lawyers have received dozens of motions to recalendar the first step to reopen old cases. If lawyers don't succeed in opposing those motions, the immigrants could wind up back in courthouses that in recent months have become a hub for arrests. It has been 10 years, Adan Rico said. And all of a sudden our lives are on hold again, at the mercy of these people that think I have no right to be here. DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin, flanked by Madison Sheahan, left, and Todd Lyons, speaks during a news conference at ICE headquarters in May. (Jose Luis Magana / Associated Press) When asked about the government's push to restart old proceedings, Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin declined to address questions about the administration's change in policy or respond to attorneys' complaints about the process. She released a statement similar to others she has offered to the media on immigration inquiries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Biden chose to release millions of illegal aliens, including criminals, into the country and used prosecutorial discretion to indefinitely delay their cases and allow them to illegally remain in the United States, she said. Now, President Trump and Secretary Noem are following the law and resuming these illegal aliens' removal proceedings and ensuring their cases are heard by a judge. Attorneys handling these proceedings say the government is overwhelming the courts and immigration lawyers by dredging up cases, many of which are a decade or more old. In several of these, clients or their original lawyers have died. In other cases, immigrants have received legal status and were surprised to learn the government was attempting to revive deportation proceedings against them. Read more: Legal help in immigration court fades as Trump administration ramps up arrests Since the 1970s, immigration judges have administratively closed deportation proceedings in order to ease the massive backlog on their dockets and prioritize more urgent cases. The maneuver essentially deferred a case, but didnt completely dismiss it, giving both the court and the immigrant wiggle room. The idea was that immigrants could pursue other forms of relief such as a hardship waiver or deferred status. The government could reopen the case if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across the country, immigration attorneys have received a flurry of requests by Homeland Security's Office of Principal Legal Advisor to revive cases. The motions, attorneys say, appear similar in language, and lack analysis or reference to a change that prompted the decision. In their motions, Trump administration lawyers argue that the targeted immigrants have not been granted green cards and therefore do not have legal status to be here. The motions urge immigration judges to use their discretion to revive cases and consider whether a person has been detained or the pending applications ultimate outcome or likelihood of success. What distinguishes immigration proceedings from cases in federal or state courts is that both the lawyers and the judges are part of the executive branch, not the judiciary branch. They answer to Secretary Kristi Noem and Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi, respectively. Attorneys and clients are racing against the clock to submit opposition to these motions. Many have become in essence private investigators, tracking down clients they havent seen in years. Other attorneys, who have retired, are looking to other immigration attorneys to pick up their clients case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court is drowning in these motions because were trying to resist these, said David L. Wilson, an immigration attorney at Wilson Law Group in Minneapolis. He first received a batch of 25 government motions at the end of May and then they kept coming every few weeks. One case involved a client from El Salvador who had been granted Temporary Protected Status, and whose case was administratively closed in 2006. Adan Rico, a new father who is studying to be an HVAC technician in the Inland Empire, was stunned that the government was seeking to revive deportation proceedings. The attorney who originally represented him has since died. If it wasnt for his daughter calling, I would have never found out my case was reopened, he said. The Department of Homeland Security never sent me anything. Attorney Patricia M. Corrales speaks at the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights Los Angeles office in April. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times) His new attorney, Patricia Corrales, said Adan Ricos Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals status doesnt come up for renewal until 2027 and it defers deportation proceedings. But Corrales, who has received about a dozen motions, said it appears the government isnt even checking whether the individuals are alive, much less their immigration status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of her cases is that of construction worker Helario Romero Arciniega. Seven years ago, a judge administratively closed deportation proceedings for Romero Arciniega, after he was severely beaten with a metal sprinkler head and had qualified for a visa for crime victims. This year, government officials filed a motion to bring back the deportation proceedings against the construction worker, even though he had died six months ago. They don't do their homework, Corrales said of the government lawyers. They're very negligent in the manner in which they're handling these motions to re-calendar. Some attorneys have reported delays in their ability to file their opposition motions because the court is so overwhelmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about the backlog, Kathryn Mattingly, a spokesperson for the federal immigration court known as the Executive Office for Immigration Review, confirmed that the court "must receive the underlying initial motion before it can accept a response to that motion." Some immigrants now in legal limbo were just steps away from finalizing their green card applications. Read more: Can the U.S. deport someone whos lived here for 30 years without an immigration hearing? Maria Torres, an L.A. County resident and mother of two, said she was only 2 years old when she was brought to the U.S. by her family. She grew up undocumented, and when the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program became available, applied to gain work authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in 2019, at 21, she was arrested on suspicion of a misdemeanor DUI, which put her into deportation proceedings. She took the classes and paid her ticket. With deportation proceedings open against her, she was able to get her case closed in 2022 while she sought a visa through her husband, a U.S. citizen. Her visa was approved, and with just one interview appointment left, Torres felt blindsided when she received a call from her attorneys office, saying the government wanted to restart deportation proceedings against her. I just felt my heart sink and I started crying, she said. Her attorney submitted a motion opposing the recalendaring of the case, and they are waiting to hear how a judge will rule. In the meantime, she said, shes hopeful she'll have her final interview for her approved visa before then. "People aren't getting due process," said attorney Mariela Caravetta. "It's very unfair to the client because these cases have been sleeping for 10 years." (Carlin Stiehl / Los Angeles Times) Mariela Caravetta, an immigration attorney in Van Nuys, said that, since early June, about 30 of her clients have been targeted with government motions to reopen their cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By law, she has to reply in 10 days. That means she has to track down the client, who may have moved out of state. Its bad faith doing it like that, said Caravetta, who accused the federal government of flooding the immigration courts in an effort to meet its deportation quotas. People arent getting due process, she said. Its very unfair to the client because these cases have been sleeping for 10 years. Caravetta has convinced some judges to deny the government motions because the clients are seeking ways to legally stay in the country. In a handful of cases, she hasnt been able to reach her clients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government isnt making an effort to reach out to attorneys to discuss the cases, as is required, she added. That would save a lot of time for everybody, she said. Her clients may have U-visas, which give relief to migrants who have been victims of crime and who help investigators or prosecutors. But the government's motions say, "These people have not done anything to legalize their status, we need a final resolution." Matt OBrien, a former federal immigration judge and deputy executive director of FAIR, which advocates for stricter immigration laws, said the Trump administration is "enforcing the Immigration and Nationality Act the way that Congress wrote it." He questioned why attorneys are complaining about cases being recalendared, saying its akin to a motion of reopening a case in any other court. Yet for many immigrants whose cases are being revived, the risks are high. Judges have discretion to deny motions to reopen cases, and have done so in some situations, attorneys say. But judges have also approved the governments request if there is no opposition from the immigrant or their attorney. At that point, cases are put on the calendar. If it gets scheduled, and the immigrants do not show up to court, they could eventually be ruled in absentia," which would make them vulnerable to immediate deportation and bar them from entering the country legally for years. It all fits with the Trump administrations goal of increasing deportation numbers, say many immigration lawyers and former officials. "They are getting the largest pool possible of people that they can remove, and removing them from the country," said Jason Hauser, the former chief of staff of Immigration and Customs Enforcement. And what stands in the way from that is a working due process of an immigration system. In April, Sirce E. Owen, acting director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, issued a memo criticizing the use of administrative closure, referring to it as a de facto amnesty program with benefits because it offers work authorization and deportation protections. Owen, a former immigration judge, rescinded previous Biden administration guidance that offered a more proactive approach to administrative closures. Owen stated that, as of April, about 379,000 cases were still administratively closed in immigration court and cited them as a contributing factor to the court systems backlog of 4 million cases. In immigration courts in Los Angeles and San Diego, attorneys are already seeing these cases come before immigration judges. Many clients have expressed shock and despair at being dragged back into court. Sherman Oaks attorney Edgardo Quintanilla has seen about 40 cases recently, including some dating back to the 2010s. Clients, he said, are alarmed not only by the government's legal maneuvers but by the prospect of entering a federal building these days. "There is always the fear that they may be arrested when they go to the court," he said. "With everything going on, it is a reasonable fear." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. JACKSON COUNTY (KSNT) Deputies arrested a Topeka man this week in Jackson County after he allegedly engaged in a high-speed chase with law enforcement. The Jackson County Sheriffs Office said in a press release that a deputy tried to pull over a 2018 Chevy Silverado around 2 a.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 5 that was heading north on U.S. Highway 75 near 134th Road. The driver of the vehicle was allegedly committing several traffic infractions. The sheriffs office reports the driver refused to stop and a pursuit began. The driver allegedly reached speeds above 100 mph, with one deputy eventually using a tactical vehicle intervention to stop the suspects vehicle. Law enforcement said the driver was allegedly running people off the road during the pursuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Jackson County Sheriffs Office said the pursuit ended around 278th Road on U.S. Highway 75. Deputies arrested the driver, a 35-year-old Topeka man, for numerous charges including: Two counts of aggravated battery on law enforcement. Two counts of aggravated assault on law enforcement. Two counts of battery on law enforcement. Battery on a corrections officer. Aggravated assault. Felony criminal damage to property. Flee and elude law enforcement by reckless driving. Driving under the influence. Felony interference with law enforcement. Police arrest 18-year-old for Topeka shooting death For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Two men are facing charges for child luring for trying to meet with children after having sexually explicit conversations with them online, according to Lincoln County officials. Deputies posing as children online said they were contacted by Gary Stitzel, 75, of Albany and Jason Martin, 45, of Seal Rock. Both men tried to arrange meetings with those they believed to be children, according to authorities. Vancouver man shot, killed by Clark County deputy identified Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stitzel was arrested July 31 on charges of luring a minor and second-degree online sexual corruption of a child. On Aug. 5, Martin allegedly traveled to meet with what turned out to be a decoy child. He was arrested for luring a minor and first-degree online sexual corruption of a child. These arrests again underscore the effectiveness of proactive, targeted enforcement strategies designed to identify and apprehend individuals seeking to exploit children online before harm can occur, Lincoln County officials said. Deputies encourage parents to monitor their childrens activity on the internet and have open conversations about online risks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Deputy chief of Mass. fire department accused of assaulting police officers at Nashville bar The deputy chief of a Massachusetts fire department is off the job after he was arrested for allegedly assaulting police officers outside of a bar during a weekend trip in downtown Nashville, Tennessee. Chelsea Deputy Fire Chief Mike Masucci is charged with resisting stop, frisk, halt, arrest, or search, assault on a law enforcement officer, and disorderly conduct, a Metro Nashville and Davidson County arrest affidavit indicated. Officers responding to a medical call for an overintoxicated woman at Laylas Honky Tonk at 418 Broadway observed Masucci running out of the bar, according to the criminal complaint. Masucci then allegedly shoved an officer away from the woman in question, looked at her, and got into a fighting stance. Police further alleged in the complaint that Masucci tried to elbow another officer, pulling away and tensing his arms in an effort to evade arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Masucci was ultimately taken into custody and brought to the Davidson County Sheriffs Office for booking. A spokesperson for the city of Chelsea confirmed that Masucci has been placed on paid administrative leave. Upon receiving this information, the City immediately placed the employee on paid administrative leave, a neutral procedural action that allows for a full and fair review while preserving the due process rights afforded to all public employees, the city spokesperson said. The affidavit also showed that a relative, Domenic Masucci, was arrested on charges of resisting arrest and disorderly conduct. An investigation into the Nashville incident remains ongoing. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW DES MOINES, Iowa The Des Moines Police Department is on the scene of a shooting that injured two people in the Mondamin Presidential neighborhood on Wednesday morning. Sgt. Paul Parizek, Public Information Officer for the DMPD, said officers were called to the 1800 block of College Avenue a little before 6:45 a.m. 18-year-old arrested in connection to two Des Moines shootings, facing slew of charges Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two people were injured in the incident and one self-transported to Broadlawns Medical Center for treatment. Police said a woman suffered an injury to the shoulder, and a man suffered an injury to the leg. Their conditions have not been released. Sgt. Parizek said the scene of the shooting is secure and there isnt any danger to the neighborhood from the incident. This is a developing story. Check back to www.WHO13.com for more details as information is released. Metro news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. A group of Texas House Democrats, who fled to Illinois to block a Republican-led redistricting bill, was evacuated from their hotel in St. Charles, west of Chicago, early Wednesday morning due to a bomb threat, authorities and lawmakers confirmed. No device was found, and all individuals were reported safe. The St. Charles Police Department responded to the threat at the Q Center hotel and convention complex around 7:15 a.m. CDT. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation, police said in a statement. Following clearance from authorities, all guests and staff have safely returned to the premises. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Rep. Ramon Romero, and Texas Legislative Black Caucus Chair Rep. Barbara Gervin-Hawkins issued a joint statement: This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, aware of the threat, directed state police to investigate. Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable, he wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The evacuation followed an announcement over the hotels intercom about the threat, according to Texas Rep. Ron Reynolds. State Rep. Ann Johnson said, A bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed. She criticized inflammatory rhetoric from Texas Republican leaders, stating, When the Attorney General tells people to hunt us down, its not just politics its a threat to our safety. Continuing to go further and further down the path of incitement and intimidation is dangerous We wont be intimidated. Texas Democrats are united, resolute, and more committed than ever to standing up for the people we represent. Rep. John Bucy echoed her concerns: We were promptly evacuated, and thankfully, everyone is safe. Unfortunately, this is what happens when Republican leaders, like our corrupt Attorney General, call on their supporters to hunt us down. Weve been threatened by the governor, the attorney general, and our colleagues in the House. This harmful discourse emboldens bad actors and encourages violence. Its unacceptable and needs to end. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 50 Texas House Democrats left for Illinois on Sunday to prevent a quorum needed for a vote on a redistricting bill that could add up to five Republican seats to Texas 38 congressional districts, currently split between 23 Republicans and 15 Democrats. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has sued for the removal of Rep. Wu, labeling him the ringleader of the quorum break. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has threatened to declare the Democrats seats vacant if they do not return by Friday. Abbott also called for civil arrests, though the Texas Department of Public Safety lacks out-of-state jurisdiction, leading U.S. Sen. John Cornyn to request FBI intervention. The investigation into the bomb threat remains ongoing, with St. Charles police ensuring the hotel is secure for guests. NEED TO KNOW The Suffolk County Police said it has identified the woman found dead on a boat at a Montauk yacht club as Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan Police said a preliminary investigation and exam that was conducted at the time were inconclusive in confirming her cause of death Nolan-OSlatarra was an entrepreneur who created the fashion brand East x East, according to her social media Authorities in New York have identified the woman found dead on a boat at a Montauk yacht club on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, of Manhattan was found dead on a boat docked in Montauk on Tuesday, Suffolk County Police said in a news release. Officers responded to a report of a woman who was found unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road. Police noted that good samaritans attempted to revive the woman by performing CPR, but were unsuccessful. First responders eventually arrived on the scene and pronounced her dead. Police said a preliminary investigation and exam that was conducted at the time were inconclusive in informing them of her cause of death. Police said in an update that an autopsy "did not show evidence of violence and her final cause of death is pending further examination." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witnesses told local news outlet Patch that Nolan-O'Slatarra was partying the day before she was found on Tuesday. Facebook Martha Nolan-OSlatarra Martha Nolan-OSlatarra Nolan-OSlatarra was an entrepreneur who ran East x East a clothing brand she featured in her final TikTok, shared last month. In the July 1 video, she said that East x East opened a pop up at Gurneys in Montauk. In the video, she shared a look at the clothes on sale and wrote, POV: the brand you started 3 years ago has a pop-up in the Hamptons. Nolan-O'Slatarra originally hailed from Carlow, Ireland, according to the Irish Independent. She told the outlet in 2024 that she was a small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money-driven, business-driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road, she told the outlet. 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. Members of the Montauk Yacht Club remembered the entrepreneur fondly, according to the New York Post. One member told the outlet that Nolan-OSlatarra was well known in the community, very friendly and always smiling. The person added, Theres going to be a lot of conversation out of this. Read the original article on People An investigation into the cause of death of an Irish-born, New York-based designer is underway in the Hamptons. Martha Nolan OSlatarra, the founder of the little-known lifestyle brand East x East was found around midnight on Monday on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club. The East Hampton Town Police was called to the scene following a 911 call from a man, who reported a woman unconscious, according to the Suffolk County Police Department. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on OSlatarra, according to officials. More from WWD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 33-year-old Manhattan resident was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. A preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive, regarding the case of death. Investigators are asking that anyone with information about the incident contact Suffolk County Police Departments homicide squad detectives at 631-852-6392. An autopsy is being conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners office. A media request to that office was unreturned Wednesday. In addition to heading up her fashion line, OSlatarra acted as director of operations at K4 Capital Management, according to her LinkedIn page. A media request to K4 Capital Management did not acknowledge a request for comment. She was also identified as chief executive officer of Brand Growth Consultants. OSlatarra attended the Institute of Education in Dublin and the University College Dublin. The Institute of Educations commercial director David Ball said he was unable to assist with a media request, and he declined to confirm whether she attended or graduated from the school. Representatives at the UCD, where the designer earned a masters degree in digital marketing and a bachelor of commerce, had not responded to a media request Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally from a farming family in Monacurragh on the edge of Carlow town in Ireland, OSlatarra first emigrated to the U.S. in 2015, according to the Irish Times. Her first job stateside was a two-year stint with Street Diligence. A media request to the company was not returned Wednesday. The blond-haired, blue-eyed designer depicted a high-flying New York City lifestyle with photos of her smiling on private planes, driving in a convertible, standing on a tarmac and out at night with friends. Dylan Grace posted 12 photos of OSlatarra socializing with him and others Wednesday morning with We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone could understand, and built so much from nothing. Im truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life. Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl. Grace did not respond to media requests Wednesday. One of her friends Brandon Colon, creator of the Common Country Bar, said that knowing OSlatarra was a gift. He said, She was a constant beaming light in any room she walked into. I was often inspired by her fearless positivity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her home country of Ireland, Taoiseach Micheal Martin reportedly said her death was an absolutely devastating blow for the family and the community of Carlow, describing OSlatarra as a young, beautiful, very talented, creative woman. OSlatarra started her company in September 2021 with a focus on sunglasses, bikinis, beachwear and hoodies with slogans like I Only Love You in Montauk. A media request to her company had not been acknowledged Wednesday afternoon. She had also worked as chief marketing officer of Out East Eyewear for 17 months starting in the fall of 2020. The designer had recently wrapped up a pop-up at Gurneys Resort in Montauk. A company spokesperson Miller Diaz-Cobo said, We are deeply saddened by the tragic news regarding Martha Nolan and extend our sincere condolences to her family and loved ones. While Martha was not an employee of Gurneys, we were proud to host her East x East pop-up and admired her entrepreneurial spirit and creative vision. The spokesperson noted that the safety and well-being of Gurneys guests, staff and community remain its top priority. The spokesperson added, Gurneys remains a safe and welcoming environment, and our team is available to support guests with any questions or concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the Montauk Yacht Clubs operations, which include a hotel and restaurant, were running Wednesday and a staffer there said a statement would be released at a later time. The boat that OSlatarra was reportedly found on was named Ripple and was registered in Long Beach, N.Y. A media request to the Montauk harbor master was deferred to the Suffolk County Police Department. Nicola Harrison, the author of the St. Martins Press-published Montauk, has spent years exploring what makes Montauk so unique. She said, Part of the reason Martha Nolans death has struck a global chord is because Montauk itself has become more than just a seaside escape. Its a symbol. She added, Over the past decade, Montauk has transformed into a destination where glamour and ease coexist. Its where artists, designers, tech founders and surfers all somehow share the same space. That mix of serenity and style gives Montauk its magic, when tragedy strikes here, it feels especially jarring because the setting promises peace, beauty and escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The author suggested that Nolan embodied much of what draws people to Montauk today creativity, quiet success and a laid-back confidence. She said, Her death has likely resonated globally because it disrupts the fantasy of what Montauk is an idyllic beach town and escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. Plans for a memorial service were not immediately known, nor were the names of OSlatarras survivors. Best of WWD Sign up for WWD's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A federal judge vented his frustration on Monday with El Paso County leaders, criticizing their lackluster approach to a key gun safety law while acknowledging he was obligated to dismiss the claims against them brought by survivors of an LGBTQ nightclub shooting. Russia has more than doubled the number of drones and missiles fired towards Ukraine since President Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, a BBC Verify analysis has found, despite his calls for a ceasefire. Attacks had already been rising under former President Joe Biden in 2024 but climbed sharply after Trump's election victory in November. Since he returned to office in January, recorded aerial attacks from Moscow have reached their highest levels of the war. Throughout his campaign Trump vowed to bring an end to fighting in just one day if returned to office. He claimed during his 2024 campaign that Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine could have been averted had a president who the Kremlin "respected" held office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in his efforts to achieve a ceasefire he has been accused at times of favouring Russia by critics, and his administration has paused deliveries of air defence munitions and other military supplies to Ukraine on two separate occasions. The pauses - announced in March and July and since reversed by the president - came as Russia steadily increased missile and drone production. According to Ukrainian military intelligence, ballistic missile construction in Russia grew by 66% over the past year. The data reviewed by BBC Verify - based on daily incident reports issued by the Ukrainian Air Force - showed that Russia launched 27,158 munitions between 20 January - when Trump's presidency began - and 19 July, compared with 11,614 over the final six months of Biden's term. "This brutal war was brought on by Joe Biden's incompetence, and it has gone on for far too long," White House deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said in a statement to BBC Verify. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "President Trump wants to stop the killing, which is why he is selling American-made weapons to Nato members and threatening Putin with biting tariffs and sanctions if he does not agree to a ceasefire." In the opening weeks of the new administration, the White House issued a series of warm statements seemingly intended to entice President Vladimir Putin towards a settlement. During this period, Russian attacks on Ukraine briefly fell when compared with the final weeks of the Biden administration. But by February, when US diplomats led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's delegation for a summit in Riyadh, attacks had started to climb again. The talks, which Rubio said were a starting point to bring an end to the war, have been followed by mediated discussions between Ukrainian and Russian officials in Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attacks peaked early last month, when Moscow launched 748 drones and missiles towards Ukraine on 9 July, according to the Ukrainian Air Force data. More than a dozen people were reportedly injured by the barrage and two were killed. While Trump has expressed anger at the escalating Russian attacks on several occasions, his mounting frustration does not appear to have had an impact on Moscow's strategy. On 25 May, Russia launched its then-largest recorded barrage, prompting Trump to angrily ask: "What the hell happened to him [Putin]?" Since then, Russia has exceeded that number of reported launches on 14 occasions. Trump has responded by demanding that the Kremlin reach a peace deal with Ukraine by 8 August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of Russian munitions penetrating Ukrainian air defences appears to be increasing, with explosions around the capital Kyiv becoming a daily part of life for residents of the city. "Every time you go to sleep, you don't know if you're going to wake up the next morning, and that's just not a normal way to live," Dasha Volk, a journalist living in the city, told the BBC's Ukrainecast programme in June. "Every time you hear an explosion or a missile flying over your head, lots of thoughts are going through my mind - I'm going to die now, things like that." Ukraine 'vulnerable' to aerial attacks Senator Chris Coons, a senior Democrat on the US Senate Foreign Relations Committee, told BBC Verify that Trump's decision to suspend weapons supplies on two occasions and his broader approach to Russian relations may have convinced the Kremlin that it had the freedom to increase attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's clear Putin feels emboldened by Trump's weakness and has increased his vicious assault on the Ukrainian people, repeatedly attacking hospitals and maternity wards, the Ukrainian power grid, and other civilian sites," he said. The growing attacks have renewed calls for the US to send fresh supplies of Patriot anti-air batteries to Ukraine. The Patriots are the most capable and expensive air defence systems that Ukraine has. Each Patriot battery costs around $1bn (800m), and each missile costs nearly $4m. Trump has overturned the previous supply pauses and agreed to sell weapons to Nato members, who will in turn supply them to Kyiv. Trump appeared to imply that the deal would include fresh supplies of Patriot batteries. Justin Bronk, an analyst focussing on the Russian military at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), said restrictions on the supply of military equipment imposed by the White House had made Ukraine "vulnerable" to missile and drone attacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But he also noted that Russia has ramped up the production of missiles and so-called 'kamikaze' drones such as the Geran-2 - a domestically produced version of the Iranian Shahed drone. Mr Bronk said that Russia's increased stockpiles, coupled with "significant reductions" in supply of US interceptor missiles had encouraged Moscow to escalate its air campaign. Russia is said to be producing huge numbers of Geran drones for use against Ukraine [EPA] Ukraine's Military Intelligence agency (HUR) recently told domestic media that Russia was now producing up to 85 ballistic missiles per month, up from 44 in April 2024. Russia is reportedly producing 170 Geran drones per day, having established a massive manufacturing facility at Alabuga in the south of the country. In a recent interview with Russian military TV, the facility's director Timur Shagivaleyev boasted that Alabuga had become "the largest combat drone production plant in the world", adding that his workers were producing nine times more units than initially expected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Satellite images show the facility has expanded significantly since mid-2024, with a number of new warehouses built on the site. Other structures, including what appear to be expansions to worker dormitories, remain under construction. Senator Coons warned that the increase in production meant that Washington must make clear that it is not preparing to walk away from the conflict as some administration officials have threatened he could do, emphasising that peace can only be achieved through "surging security assistance". He added that President Trump must make it clear to Russia that it "cannot simply try to outlast the West". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In order to do that, he needs to maintain a consistent and sustained position on the war." Meanwhile, Ms Volk said that every day the Russian campaign drags on and Ukrainian interceptions fall public morale is hammered. "People are getting tired because of these attacks, they really affect our lives," she said. "We know what we are fighting for, but it becomes more difficult every year because everyone is getting exhausted. That's the reality." [BBC] What do you want BBC Verify to investigate? U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace talked to reporters at the Greenville County GOP convention at the Greenville Convention Center on Monday April 14, 2025. She officially launched her 2026 bid for governor on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. (Photo by Mark Susko/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) Clemson University was using a health care form that allowed students to choose a gender identity from a list of 15 options. In launching her bid for governor this week, U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace took credit for getting it removed. We made a statement about it. And you know what Clemson did three hours later? They took the form down, said the Lowcountry GOP congresswoman. And Im not even governor yet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her first official stump speech as a 2026 candidate for governor, she cited Clemsons form as an example of the gender cult that has invaded our schools. She also pledged to end all sanctuary loopholes and defund any officeholder refusing to work with federal immigration officials. State law already requires cooperation. Heres a look at the details behind those claims. Questions removed As for the form, Mace was referring to an online medical intake form Clemson students filled out when seeking care at the universitys student health center. Until late April, it included a question with a drop-down menu for students who wished to specify a gender other than male or female. Thats why those two were not among the options Mace rattled off in her speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the question and the form itself were optional, Clemson told the SC Daily Gazette in a statement. Maces campaign said the congresswoman contacted Clemson after seeing a post on social media. According to Clemsons statement, the university contracted with an outside company, which created the questionnaire similar to those used by many universities and health systems across South Carolina and nationwide. Clemson has contracted with that vendor since 2011. Its unclear how long the question was included on the intake form. After Mace contacted the university and posted about the form on social media, Clemson asked the vendor to revise the form, narrowing the list of options to three: male, female or other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clemson has continued consulting with medical professionals to determine what information is needed for medical care purposes and remains committed to providing exceptional health care services for all 29,077 of our students, the schools statement reads. Maces call to Clemson followed a similar one she made to the University of South Carolina. Maces campaign said she was helping her teenage son fill out various paperwork for college when she came across a question listing 13 options for gender identity on a form used at USC. Newly enrolled students fill out the form to activate their student email and other university accounts, said spokesman Jeff Stensland. Within that digital form was an optional drop-down menu where students could self-select a gender if they wanted to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also similar to Clemson, USC contracted with an outside company to operate the portal. This was an optional feature that had been added by a third-party vendor and had not been requested by the university, Stensland said. USC discontinued the use of this drop-down feature once we were alerted to it. Asked why administrators made the decision to pull the question from the form altogether, Stensland said, We believe the options presented were in no way relevant to the registration process. The congresswoman spoke about the form during an April event hosted by USCs chapter of Turning Point USA, a nonprofit that advocates for conservative viewpoints on high school and college campuses across the country. It was a couple of days later that Mace took to social media to call out USCs rival school Clemson for its own online form. Sanctuary sheriff Also in her fiery speech at The Citadel, she declared war on so-called sanctuary cities in South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But South Carolina already bans sanctuary cities and counties. Laws dating to 2008 require local governments to check suspects immigration status and cooperate with immigration officials. And since 2018, a clause in the state budget has required the State Law Enforcement Division to certify that local governments are following them. Under the budget rule, which is technically a one-year law but has been adopted annually, any local government not on SLEDs list as compliant loses out on state aid. SLED, in its most recent report, found no jurisdictions out of compliance and the state Treasurers Office said its never been asked to deny local governments money due to the directive. The budget rule was considered a victory for Gov. Henry McMaster. But even while calling in 2017 for cities to prove theyre following immigration laws, he acknowledged there arent any so-called sanctuary cities in the Republican-controlled state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A separate law signed by McMaster last year directed South Carolinas top law enforcement agency to pursue an agreement with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The legislation which passed both chambers unanimously updated the broad, 2008 law on immigration. The State Law Enforcement Division signed its agreement with ICE in March. While there is no legal definition for a sanctuary, the term typically refers to states, counties or cities with laws or local ordinances against cooperating with federal deportation agents. Maces campaign did not say what she considers a sanctuary city but the congresswoman declared a past victory in ousting a South Carolina sheriff who Mace claimed had systematically dismantled immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leading up to her re-election win in November, Mace ignored her own Democratic challenger while focusing on the Charleston County sheriffs race. On social media and in news conferences, she blasted former Sheriff Kristin Graziano and backed Sheriff Carl Ritchie in his successful challenge, claiming Graziano had been ignoring ICE requests. Mace doubled down during her campaign launch Monday saying: We will not allow another sanctuary sheriff to let out rapists, murderers and illegals who are here where child molesters out on the streets of South Carolina. Not on my watch. In a letter last September, Mace alleged Graziano, a Democrat elected in 2020, had ignored at least 51 ICE detainer requests since being sworn into office. Mace went on to claim that on Aug. 23, 2024, the sheriffs office refused to honor an ICE request to hold a suspect charged with two counts of criminal solicitation of a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sheriffs department responded by saying its policy required an immigration order signed by a judge before it would detain someone already being held in the jail. At the time of the letter, the county jail was holding 13 people under orders from an immigration judge. As for the man who had been jailed for solicitation of a minor, he made bond and there was no judicial order to hold him. He was released with an ankle monitor as he awaited trial, according to documents and statements released by the sheriffs office to multiple news outlets. The man has since been deported, according to the law firm that had been representing him in the case. Mace also criticized Graziano for ending the departments cooperation agreement with ICE through the 287(g) program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On her first day in office in January 2021, Graziano held a rescinding ceremony, citing the programs cost to taxpayers and a breakdown in trust between law enforcement and immigrant communities. At the time, the Democratic sheriff said she was delivering on her campaign promise. Four years later, Ritchie campaigned on the opposite and, in March, reinstated the countys 287(g) agreement. When Trumps second term began, only York, Lexington and Horry counties had agreements with ICE. The number has swelled since his January inauguration to 20 of the states 46 counties, as well as three towns and SLED, according to a federal database. There are several different types of agreements, including one Trump revived that lets local and state law enforcement officers question people on the street about their immigration status and possibly arrest them for deportation. SLED is among 11 law enforcement agencies with that authority. Ten other departments are limited to serving immigration warrants on people who are already in their jail. Three others have agreements that allow officers to question people within their jail about their immigration status, as well as serve warrants. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Editors Note: This story was updated on Aug. 26, 2025, with information from the S.C. State Law Enforcement Divisions 2024 Immigration Compliance Report. Incumbents took the lead in the Detroit City Council at-large race during the Aug. 5 primary and will be among those advancing to the November election. With 100% of precincts reporting in Detroit, Mary Waters received about 33% of the votes, while Coleman Young II received about 32%, according to unofficial results from the City of Detroit's election website. Waters, in an interview with the Free Press and BridgeDetroit ahead of the primary, cited affordable housing as a top challenge. She said she'd advocate at the state and federal level for renters, home buyers and repairs for aging infrastructure. Meanwhile, Young said he'd like to implement a guaranteed income pilot program and revive police mini-stations an initiative his father, the late Mayor Coleman Young, started. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former council member Janee' Ayers took the third spot with about 14% of the votes, while Detroit Fire Department community relations chief James Harris received 7%. Ayers lost her council seat in 2021 amid a federal public corruption investigation a case that closed earlier this year. She cited fiscal responsibility, public safety and neighborhood growth as pressing issues for Detroit and Detroiters. Harris said he'd create programming like Motor City Makeover, the annual volunteer cleanup initiative. Election results 2025: Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals The following candidates for at-large did not secure enough votes: Detroit police detective Levan Adams, attorney Shakira Lynn Hawkins, preacher and photographer Gary Hunter and educator Valerie Parker. Results confirmed for contested council seats For the remaining Detroit City Council races, Detroiters had the chance to narrow the field for districts 2, 5 and 7. The top two vote-getters are moving on to the general election in November. Candidates for districts 1, 3, 4 and 6, however, face only one other person or run unopposed and are automatically advancing to the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here are the winners of the competitive council races, according to unofficial results from the city's website, with 100% of precincts reporting. District 2: Incumbent Angela Whitfield Calloway led the race with about 45% of the votes and former District 2 Council Member Roy McCalister, Jr. came in second with about 30% of the votes, according to the city's election site. Home to the University of Detroit Mercy, District 2 includes neighborhoods such as Palmer Woods, Sherwood Forest and University District. Incumbent Calloway has been skeptical of tax subsidies and is known for questioning city departments, BridgeDetroit reported, and McCalister Jr. said he prioritizes enhancing quality of life issues in Detroit by focusing on ramping up mental health resources. State Rep. Helena Scott, D-Detroit, also ran for the seat but did not advance. District 5: UAW retiree and founding member of the Detroit Historic Districts Alliance, Renata Miller secured the most votes in the race, with about 23% of the votes. In a tight race for second, District 5 Detroit Police Commissioner Willie E. Burton followed with about 19%. The seat is currently held by Council President Mary Sheffield, who is running for mayor. The district spanning neighborhoods at the center of the city and south toward the Detroit River includes historic Boston Edison and Islandview, Eastern Market and Belle Isle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miller said she would like to see nonprofits and foundations "adopt" certain parts of District 5 and invest in improvements, while Burton said he'd advocate for more affordable housing and water rates, according to BridgeDetroit. The following candidates also ran: real estate developer and realtor George Adams Jr., longtime east side resident Michael Hartt, housing and community development expert Esther Yvette Haugabook, Charles H. Wright Museum educator Tatjana Jackson, and retiree Michael Stephen Ri'chard. District 7: Managing director of the left-leaning organization Progress Michigan, Denzel Anton McCampbell narrowly secured the most votes in the final hours, winning 34.5% of the votes. Just behind him, state Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit) received about 34%. On the west side of the city, District 7 borders Dearborn Heights and Dearborn and is home to the Warrendale neighborhood and Rouge Park. Council Member Fred Durhal III, who was running for mayor, currently holds the seat. McCampbell wants to expand down payment assistance and senior home repair programming and Whitsett said local issues are important to her and are overlooked at the state level, according to BridgeDetroit and the civic engagement hub CitizenDetroit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Retiree Bobbi Johnson and former city council candidate Regina Ross ran but did not pull in enough votes to move forward. For the remaining council races, candidates will automatically advance to the general election. District 1: Incumbent City Council President Pro Tem James Tate Jr. is running unopposed to represent the district on the west side of Detroit. District 3: Cranstana Anderson is challenging incumbent Scott Benson. The district, on the east side, is north of Hamtramck and Highland Park. District 4: Incumbent Council Member Latisha Johnson is running unopposed. The east side district borders the Pointes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 6: State Rep. Tyrone Carter, D-Detroit, is running to unseat incumbent Council Member Gabriela Santiago-Romero. The southwest Detroit district borders Dearborn and Downriver communities. Detroit Free Press intern Aurora Sousanis contributed to this report. Contact reporter Nushrat Rahman: nrahman@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit City Council primary results push incumbents, newcomers ahead Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Rev. Solomon Kinloch will advance to the November election in the race to replace Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Kinloch closely defeated former THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the city's Aug. 5 primary to advance in the race, according to unofficial vote results on the city's website. Sheffield collected approximately 51% of the vote, Kinloch 17% and Jenkins 16%, according to the unofficial results. Mary Sheffield, left, and Solomon Kinloch At a victory party at the Cielo Rooftop on the Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit, Sheffield smiled and teared up as, standing alongside a group that included her grandmother and TV judge Greg Mathis, she addressed a roaring crowd of several hundred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you so much, I am so full," she said. "Every day I was in the street, and they were saying 'We got you Mary.' And guess what? I got you. Detroit mayoral candidate Mary Sheffield speaks at a results watch party at the Cambria Hotel in Detroit on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. We made this moment together. The victory tonight is not mine, it is ours, she said, shouting out the city's neighborhoods and senior citizens, who a recent report found make up 60% of primary voters. At his party at The Roostertail on the Detroit River, Kinloch told a jam-packed ballroom: "They threw everything at us. They threw in the kitchen sink. But we're still standing tonight." People dance while waiting for results to come in at a watch party for Detroit mayoral candidate Solomon Kinloch Jr. during the primary election held at The Roostertail in Detroit on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Nine candidates vyed for the top two seats in the race to advance to replace Duggan, who is leaving office after 12 years to run for governor. Other contenders included City Councilman Fred Durhal III, former Detroit Police Chief James Craig, Detroit attorney Todd Perkins, businessman Joel Haashiim, entrepreneur John Barlow and DaNetta Simpson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jenkins conceded in the early morning hours after hosting several dozen people for a watch party at The Enclave, on Detroit's northwest side, according to an email from her campaign. Election results 2025: Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals Voter turnout in Detroit was projected to be up to 18%, the clerk's office said heading into the Aug. 5 primary. Nearly 86,000 residents voted, the majority of them absentee and early. Tonight, Detroit chose experience. Detroit chose integrity. And Detroit chose people-centered leadership," Sheffield told her supporters. The council president has said that, as mayor, she would boost affordable housing and public transit, hire staff focused on continuing the city's population growth and ensure there are not "two Detroits" referencing a prosperous downtown and lagging neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want safe neighborhoods, we want affordable housing, we want access to quality education," she said. "But I do believe that our neighborhoods need more investment. ... And were going to elevate those issues." 'Great pastors can be great mayors' Kinloch claimed victory in a Facebook post published around 1 a.m., Aug. 6. We are headed to the general election," it said. "Thank you, Detroit ... Detroit is not just choosing a mayor. We are choosing a direction." Hours earlier at The Roostertail, a crowd chanted Kinloch's name as Wayne County Executive Warren Evans stepped to the microphone to introduce him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Great pastors can be great mayors," Evans said, predicting a first-place finish in the general election. "I'm in it to win it, but don't lose all of your energy tonight," Evans said of his support of Kinloch in the road to the November race. Reports of a domestic violence conviction from 30 years ago surfaced against Kinloch in late July reports that Kinloch hinted were strategically released by his opponents. Kinloch said he was a "young, stupid boy" when he attacked his first wife in 1993, at age 19. He said he learned from his mistake and the woman, now his ex-wife, is a supporter. The ex-wife still has not commented on the incident. After Evans stepped back, Kinloch said his campaign had started a movement that would go block-by-block. Taking a thinly-veiled shot at Sheffield, he said: "We let Detroit know that I won't lead from a downtown office." In another shot at Sheffield, who is active on social media, Kinloch praised Detroiters who stayed and held the city together "not with press conferences and Instagram posts." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need bold vision. Not vanity and symbolism," Kinloch said. Jenkins conceded the race around 2:30 a.m. Detroit mayoral candidate Saunteel Jenkins stands with her great nephew Austin Hart and his sister Avery Hart during her primary election watch party held at The Enclave in Detroit on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. In an emailed statement, she congratulated her eight opponents and said, This isnt just about our campaign, its about our citys future We didnt always agree but we stood on common ground in our love for the City of Detroit. At her results party at an event space on the city's northwest side, before the vote results were fully in, Jenkins told reporters her campaign left everything on the floor trying to overcome challengers Sheffield, who ran with the benefit of political office, and Kinloch, who has a large built-in following via his church. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As voters cast their ballots Aug. 5, some, like Adrianne McCutchen, were hoping for a leader to boost the city. She declined to say how she planned to vote, however, she expressed hope for change and continued growth in the city. Im just looking forward to the candidates being narrowed down, McCutchen told the Free Press. Omar Deadwilder, 43, who works with youths with disabilities as a vocational counselor for the state, said he planned to vote for Sheffield due to her experience as a City Council member, even though he likes Kinloch as a pastor. We need somebody in there who knows what theyre doing day one, Deadwilder said. (Kinloch) has a good heart for the city, but I dont think he would know what to do day one." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sheffield spent the last week attending various events, block parties and a senior home in a final push to garner support. The council member voted on primary morning at the Horatio Williams Foundation and continued her day engaging in voter outreach. Jenkins made thousands of calls and knocked doors in the final days and mingled with dancers at a "Dancing in the D" event. She took advantage of early voting in the city and already cast her ballot July 28, alongside her husband. The former City Council president spent primary day visiting various polling sites, capping off the night with her team and supporters at The Enclave on Detroit's northwest side to celebrate her campaign. Kinloch addressed his supporters at a gospel music celebration put on by metro Detroit pastors and musicians at Mount Zion Baptist Church over the weekend, and attended listening sessions with residents who invited him to speak. Kinloch and Craig both attended a breakfast hosted by radio personality Mildred Gaddis of The Mildred Gaddis Show on Kiss FM 105.9 on Aug. 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Free Press staff writer Clara Hendrickson contributed to this report. Dana Afana is the Detroit city hall reporter for the Free Press. Contact: dafana@freepress.com. Follow her: @DanaAfana. Violet Ikonomova is an investigative reporter at the Free Press focused on government accountability in Detroit. Contact her at vikonomova@freepress.com. M.L. Elrick is a Pulitzer Prize- and Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter, director of student investigative reporting program Eye On Michigan, and host of the ML's Soul of Detroit podcast. Contact him at mlelrick@freepress.com or follow him on X at @elrick, Facebook at ML Elrick and Instagram at ml_elrick. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: It's Sheffield vs Kinloch for Detroit mayor in general election A mostly wooded lot near a Stop & Shop would be cleared for a 40-unit complex of rental townhouses under a proposal from developer Pat Snows Kitts Lane Apartments LLC. The plan is for 10 rows of townhouses holding two- and three-bedroom units in Newington, and developers note that the location provides easy access to the busy Berlin Turnpike commercial corridor. The Cromwell-based company is pledging to set aside 30% of the units as affordably priced, and its making its proposal under Connecticuts 8-30g affordable housing law. In its zoning application, Kitts Lane Apartments contends that Newington needs more affordable housing and knows it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The towns 2021 affordable housing plan acknowledges that the existing stock of primarily one-family homes doesnt meet everyones needs. For example, existing housing units may not be well configured to meet the housing needs of older persons and people, young and old, earning less than the average income have a harder time finding housing to meet their needs at a price they can afford, according to the plan. Kitts Lane Apartments contends that income-constrained renters in town face a harder challenge than those who own their homes. The Partnership for Strong Communities 2024 Housing Data Profiles for Newington reveals that 30% of renters in Newington are cost-burdened, a sharp contrast to the percentage of cost-burdened homeowners, 22%, the company wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declining housing production, coupled with a rising population, will likely exacerbate this problem. Indeed, Newingtons population has increased by 2.7% between 2020 and 2023, yet the number of building permits issued has decreased by 50% in the past thirty years, according to its application. The companys plan is for 37 two-bedroom units ranging from 1,125 to 1,670 square feet, and three three-bedroom units measuring 1,400 square feet. The company proposes to set aside 12 homes that will be priced at a level deemed affordable by the state. Half of those would be for people making no more than 80 percent of the average median household income; that would equate to rents of $1,834 for a two-bedroom and $2,216 for a three-bedroom unit. The other half would be targeted to tenants earning no more than 60% of the median income; rents would be $1,503 for a two-bedroom and $1,769 for a three-bedroom model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Connecticuts 8-30g law, developers get a major benefit if they set aside at least 30% of their new housing at affordable levels and pledge to keep the limits capped for 40 years. The law sharply limits the grounds for local officials to reject such plans; normal zoning concerns such as density or compatibility with surrounding buildings arent sufficient. Rather, towns must prove that a proposal would create health or safety concerns significant enough to outweigh the communitys need for affordable housing. Timothy Hollister, an attorney representing the company, told the town in a letter that the project creates no health or safety issues. The subject property is an ideal location for a multi-family development; it is in a quarter mile of restaurants, grocery stores, gyms and a variety of commercial retail uses at the 192 Kitts Lane shopping plaza, he wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, there is a CT Transit bus stop nearby on Kitts Lane, and other multifamily developments are along Crown Ridge Road and Cyprus Road nearby. The proposed site is just below the Newington Stop & Shops parking lot, southeast of the Ann Street intersection. The Town Plan and Zoning Commission is expected to review the proposal Aug. 13. In 2004, archaeologists discovered a new species of ancient human, Homo floresiensis, on the Indonesian island of Flores. Nicknamed the hobbit, this three-foot-tall hominin lived between about 60,000 and 100,000 years ago. Its discovery kickstarted a broader search across Southeast Asias islands for fossils and other traces of early human relatives. On Luzon in the Philippines, scientists later found another small-bodied hominin, Homo luzonensis, the remains of which dated to between 50,000 and 67,000 years ago. Across the region, researchers have also uncovered artifacts that predate the fossils, including flaked stone tools from 1.02 million years ago on Flores and 700,000-year-old stone tools on Luzon, which strongly suggests that hominins have arrived far earlier than evidenced by the oldest known fossils. Now, on the larger Indonesian island of Sulawesi, a team of researchers has unearthed stone tools dating to between 1.04 and 1.48 million years ago, pushing back the presence of ancient human relatives on the island by hundreds of thousands of years. Previously, the earliest signs of hominin activity on Sulawesi dated to about 194,000 years ago. Excavations at Calio in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia found seven flaked stone tools that were likely made by an ancient hominin. Photograph courtesy of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) At least one million years ago, there were tool-producing hominins on Sulawesi, says Gerrit van den Bergh, a vertebrate paleontologist from the University of Wollongong in Australia, and one of the authors of a paper about the findings that was published Wednesday in Nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a mystery remains: Were these early toolmakers the hobbit Homo floresiensis, Homo luzonensis, their relatives, or members of a yet-undiscovered species? Hammering for stone tools The Sulawesi expedition was led by Budianto Hakim, an archaeologist from Indonesias National Research and Innovation Agency. The team found seven tools, all embedded in sandstone, at a site called Calio on the south of the island. Hakim found the youngest at the surface, and the oldest was found about two feet deeper down. Based on the approximate age of the surrounding rock and a giant pig jaw buried just above it, the tools are estimated to be at least a million, possibly nearly 1.5 million years old. The youngest stone tools, dating to around 1.04 million years ago, were found embedded near the surface of sandstone. Photograph by Adam Brumm/Griffith University The oldest of the stone tools dated to around 1.48 million years ago and were found two feet below the younger tools. Photograph by Adam Brumm/Griffith University Though two feet may not sound like much of a dig, you have to break up the hard rock with a hammer and a chisel, says van den Bergh, who previously explored the area in the early 1990s. Underneath, the researchers discovered an ancient riverbed in which the tools had been preserved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We don't know what they were doing with these sharp-edged flakes of stone, but most likely they were cutting or scraping implements of some kind, says Adam Brumm, an archaeologist from Griffith University in Queensland, Australia, and an author of the study. Closer investigation revealed the stones were turned around to be struck with another stone at the most promising points to produce useful flakes, showing that whoever made the tools was skilled at it. Some flakes were then struck again to create even sharper tools. Seafaring or swept away? The stone tool discovery hammers home another point: ancient humans, whoever they were, somehow made it to these islands and found a way to survive. Brumm does not think they did so by boat, however. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most likely, they crossed to Sulawesi from the Asian mainland in the same way rodents and monkeys are suspected to have doneby accident, presumably as castaways on natural rafts of floating vegetation, maybe after a tsunami, he says. Flores, where H. floresiensis was found, is hundreds of miles south of Sulawesi. Its also possible hominins from the Philippinesmaybe hobbits, maybe notfirst made it to Sulawesi, and then ended up on Flores, like how animals did, says van den Bergh. If you look at the islands from north to south, the fauna becomes increasingly impoverished, he says. Luzon had rhinos, buffaloes, deer, wild pigs, two kinds of elephants. Sulawesi never had rhinos, but it did have wild pigs and both elephants. Flores had only one of the elephantsand several rat species. The recent discovery at Calio in southern Sulawesi, Indonesia pushes back the presence of ancient human relatives on the island by hundreds of thousands of years. Photograph courtesy of the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) The further from the Philippinesor the mainlandthe fewer animals appear to have made it across. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship between the hominins on Sulawesi and H. floresiensis and H. luzonensis cannot be made without fossil remains. But its possible they were at least distantly related. Our own species, Homo sapiens, and our relatives Neandertals and Denisovans did not yet exist, so van den Bergh says the small-bodied hominins most likely descended from Homo erectus, which we know was on the mainland at the right place at the right time. Thomas Ingicco, a paleoanthropologist at the National Museum of Natural History in Paris, France, and a National Geographic Explorer, agrees Homo erectus is the most likely ancestor of the hominins on South-East Asian islands in this period. Ingicco led a 2018 study documenting the earliest known stone tools and evidence of animal butchery in the Philippines but was not involved in this study. He warns, though, that even though its tempting to think that hominins may have arrived on Sulawesi first, more findings might come out from Luzon and Flores, and it would therefore be too early, he says, to hypothesize too fast about migration paths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, were these stone tool-making ancient hominins on Sulawesi hobbits, Homo luzonensis, Homo erectus, or something else? Without any fossils, the answer remains unknown, at least for now. I can assure you that in Sulawesi, van den Bergh says, the hunt for hominins will start soon. Sean "Diddy" Combs' camp has reached out to the Trump administration about a pardon, his lawyer said. Combs is facing up to 20 years in prison following his conviction on two prostitution-related counts. Trump has recently signaled he's unlikely to pardon Combs due to past negative comments about him. Sean "Diddy" Combs' camp has contacted the Trump administration about a possible pardon, one of his attorneys said in a new interview. Combs, who was found guilty last month by a Manhattan federal jury of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, remains "hopeful" about his chances of being pardoned by President Donald Trump, lawyer Nicole Westmoreland told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's my understanding that we've reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon," Westmoreland, a member of Combs' criminal defense team, said in the interview that aired Tuesday night. It's not clear who from Combs' orbit reached out to the Trump administration. Trump recently suggested that it was unlikely he'd pardon Combs, but Westmoreland told CNN that Combs is still optimistic. "I think that Mr. Combs is a very hopeful person, and I believe that he remains hopeful," Westmoreland said. Representatives and attorneys for Combs did not immediately respond to a request for comment by Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Any decision on pardons or commutations will come directly from the President, and the White House will not comment on any speculation regarding such actions," a senior White House official told Business Insider on Wednesday. Combs is facing up to 20 years behind bars as a result of his July 2 conviction, but legal experts expect his sentence to be much lower than that. The 55-year-old self-made businessman and rapper who was once worth close to a billion dollars dodged a possible life sentence in prison when the jury cleared him of the more serious charges of racketeering conspiracy and sex trafficking at his trial. "He was essentially, I guess, sort of half-innocent," Trump said of Combs during an interview with Newsmax last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that interview, Trump signaled that a pardon for Combs wasn't likely due to the music tycoon's past negative comments about him. "I was very friendly with him, I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy. I didn't know him well. But when I ran for office, he was very hostile," Trump said. Trump added, "We don't like to have things cloud our judgement, right? But when you knew someone and you were fine, and then you run for office, and he made some terrible statements." That makes a pardon for Combs "more difficult to do," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked during the interview whether it was more likely a no for pardoning Combs, Trump responded, "I would say so." Combs has been locked up at a notorious Brooklyn jail since his September arrest and indictment. The judge overseeing his case denied Combs' latest request to be freed on $50 million bail prior to his October 3 sentencing. Read the original article on Business Insider Gazas already battered healthcare system is in a state of collapse as blood banks run dry and Israeli forces continue targeting clinics and facilities housing patients and displaced families while maintaining an aid blockade. Healthcare officials in the besieged enclave reported on Wednesday that there is a severe shortage of blood as many would-be donors are too malnourished due to a severe Israeli-induced hunger crisis that has so far claimed the lives of 193 Palestinians, including five in the past 24 hours. Al Jazeeras Hani Mahmoud, reporting from Gaza City, said blood donations are desperately needed across the remaining operational medical facilities in Gaza al-Shifa Hospital, Al-Aqsa Hospital, and Nasser Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve seen at the blood banks many people who were begging doctors to allow them to give blood donations to save their loved ones, but they had to be turned away because they were not fit to donate blood due to the enforced dehydration and starvation, Mahmoud said. Amani Abu Ouda, head of the blood bank at al-Shifa Hospital, said most would-be donors who arrive are malnourished, which affects the safety and quality of blood donations. As a result, she said, when they donate blood they could lose consciousness within seconds, which not only endangers their health but also leads to the loss of a precious blood unit. More than 14,800 patients in Gaza are still in urgent need of specialised medical treatment, the head of the World Health Organization (WHO) has warned, calling on the international community to act swiftly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We urge more countries to step forward to accept patients and for medical evacuations to be expedited through all possible routes, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in a statement posted on X on Wednesday. Israeli attacks have continued to pound Gaza, killing at least 44 people on Wednesday. An overnight attack in Gaza Citys Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood injured dozens of people. The attack targeted the Sheikh Radwan Health Centre, previously run by the UN refugee agency for Palestinians. Last night, while we were having dinner, we suddenly heard people shouting, calling for evacuation. There was no time to take anything no food, no clothes, no bedding. We just ran, Ghaleb Tafesh, a displaced Palestinian resident, told Al Jazeera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those killed Wednesday were 18 hungry aid seekers, who were shot dead as they approached UN aid trucks and aid distribution sites operated by the United States and Israeli-backed GHF. So far, more than 1,560 Palestinians seeking aid have been killed by Israeli forces while trying to receive food since GHF began operating in late May. This week, a group of UN special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law. Israels air and ground assault has also destroyed nearly all of Gazas food production capabilities, leaving its people reliant on aid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A new report by the UNs Food and Agriculture Organization and the UN satellite centre found that just 8.6 percent of Gazas cropland is still accessible following sweeping Israeli forced evacuation orders in recent months. Just 1.5 percent is accessible and undamaged, it said. Israel blockade extends to medical supplies and fuel Hamas, meanwhile, called for protests across the world against the starvation in Gaza. We call for continuing and escalating the popular pressure in the cities, capitals and squares on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, and all the upcoming days with marches, protests and demonstrations in front of the Zionist and US embassies, Hamas said in a statement. Israels blockade extends to medical supplies and much-needed fuel shortages that have forced several medical facilities to shut down in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farhan Haq, deputy spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, warned that Israels continued blockade on the entry of fuel into Gaza is affecting lifesaving operations. In the past two days, the UN collected some 300,000 litres from the Karem Abu Salem [Kerem Shalom] crossing, Haq told reporters. This is far less than what is needed to sustain operations, he said. For example, our partners working in health warned today that the lives of more than 100 premature babies are in imminent danger due to the lack of fuel. Haq also said that, since March, more than 100 health workers, including surgeons and specialised staff, had been denied entry into the Strip. Fears mount over possible plans for expanded military offensive in Gaza The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israels ongoing offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some 2 million Palestinians into famine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN has called reports about a possible expansion of Israels military operations in Gaza deeply alarming if true. Despite international pressure for a ceasefire, efforts to mediate a truce between Israel and Hamas have collapsed. An expansion of the military offensive in heavily populated areas would likely be devastating. Where will we go? said Tamer al-Burai, a displaced Palestinian living at the edge of Deir el-Balah in central Gaza. Should people jump into the sea if the tanks rolled in, or wait to die under the rubble of their houses? We want an end to this war; it is enough, enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 61,158 Palestinians, including at least 18,430 children, have been killed in Gaza since the war began in October 2023, according to Gazas Health Ministry. Forty-nine captives, including 27 who are believed to be dead, are still being held by Hamas, according to Israeli authorities. Students arriving at or returning to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus for the fall 2025 semester will find new restaurants and cafes ready to serve a variety of food and drinks, from deep-fried PB&Js to dirty sodas. UT has two dining halls where students can use their meal plans: Rocky Top Dining Hall at 1917 Andy Holt Ave. and Stokely Dining Hall at 1311 Lake Loudon Blvd. But for students looking for some newer options, here's what UT has cooking on campus: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crust - This personal pizza and wing concept is opening in Fred D. Brown Hall at 1817 Andy Holt Ave. Crust aims to be "the go-to spot for casual comfort food with a fresh twist," according to Vol Dining. Hillside Cafe - Located inside the new College of Nursing Building, the cafe serves build-your-own breakfast sandwiches or omelets in the morning and Mediterranean flatbreads, bowls and pitas for lunch. The cafe also serves Starbucks coffee. Keoke Coffee Bar - A local food truck, Keoke Coffee Bar is opening a permanent location in Stokely Hall at 1311 Lake Loudon Blvd. Along with coffee and energy drinks, the coffee shop will introduce dirty sodas to its menu! Snackin' Wagon - UT is partnering with HT Hackney and Hackney Brands to create a new food truck stationed at the AMB Amphitheater outside Neyland Stadium. The menu includes a Nashville Crispy Chicken Sandwich and a deep-fried PB&J. Traditions Deli - Located inside Volunteer Hall at 1525 White Ave., this new deli will feature stacked sandwiches, grilled cheeses and custom hot dogs in an environment adorned with Vols memorabilia. Vol Dining also is rebranding the Vol Hall's Provisions on Demand Market - or P.O.D. Market - to become a Vol Market convenience store with snacks, quick grab items, drinks and essentials. Cumberland Foodhall expanding Vol Dining footprint Later this semester, the Cumberland Foodhall will open on the ground floor of Hub Knoxville on the Strip. The food hall came together through a partnership between UT's food vendor, Aramark Educational Services, and the building's co-developer Core Spaces. Zen Sushi & Wok will be a counter-service concept inside the food hall with sushi rolls, poke bowls, bubble tea, dumplings and egg rolls. The Cumberland Foodhall also will have lockers that allow people to pick up food from two other vendors: Athenian Grill and Big Orange Grill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Athenian Grill will serve Mediterranean food, including bowls, wraps and gyros. UT farm-raised beef burgers, chicken tenders and Philly cheesesteaks will be served at Big Orange Grill, the second location for this UT concept and the third restaurant partnership with UT's Northeast Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center. The food hall will accept Dining Dollars, Flex Plan, VolCards, credit cards and debit cards. Additional restaurant options at University of Tennessee While UT and Aramark operate several locations on campus, UT provides some space for independent options. Food trucks can set up near Neyland Stadium or Circle Park, and students can use Dining Dollars and their VolCards to pay for meals. Food trucks operate on campus 10:30 a.m-3:30 p.m. A longstanding restaurant on campus is Ray's Place, located at 1413 Circle Drive. The restaurant opened in the late 1980s in a space designated for Randolph-Sheppard Act vendors, who are visually impaired workers. Ray Mowery opened and operated the restaurant until his death in August 2023. His kids, Ray Mowery Jr. and Rennie Mowery, are operating the restaurant and honoring their father's legacy. The hours are 6:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. every weekday. The University of Tennessee at Knoxville opened a Chick-fil-A restaurant on Cumberland Avenue earlier this year, and the chain joins new restaurant concepts coming to campus for the fall 2025 semester including a food truck serving deep-fried PB&J sandwiches and a coffee shop serving dirty sodas. Here are more restaurants on and around the UT campus: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 1817 Taqueria - A Mexican restaurant moving to the Student Union next to Big Orange Grill, it previously operated in Fred Brown Hall. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. Arena Cafe and Arena Deli - The cafe is a hot bar offering breakfast and lunch, while the deli offers sandwiches and salads inside Thompson-Boling Arena at Food City Center. | 1600 Phillip Fulmer Way Big Orange Grill - A newer concept featuring farm-raised UT beef and UT Creamery ice cream inside the Student Union. A second location will open in the Cumberland Foodhall. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. Blenz - With locations at the Student Union and the Tennessee Recreation Center for Students, this smoothie bowl restaurant is for students seeking something refreshing. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. and 2111 Volunter Blvd. Chick-fil-A - The popular fried chicken chain has three locations on campus at the Rocky Top Dining Hall, Student Union and on the Strip. | 1917 Andy Holt Ave., 1502 Cumberland Ave. and 1659 Cumberland Ave. Choolaah - A fast-casual Indian restaurant in the food court area of the Student Union. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. Dippers - A fried chicken restaurant on the first floor of Hess Hall, which is ready for residents. | 1720 Melrose Place Einstein Bros. Bagels - Students needing their bagel fix can visit two locations, one in the Art and Architecture building and one in the Mossman Building. | 1715 Volunteer Blvd. and 1311 Cumberland Ave. K Brew - Offering an alternative to Starbucks, K Brew has two express locations in Fred Brown Hall and the Haslam College of Business | 1817 Andy Holt Ave. and 1000 Volunteer Blvd. Mabel's - A cafeteria serving the agriculture campus in McCord Hall. | 2640 Morgan Circle Orange Acres Cafe - The restaurant serves burgers, sandwiches and salads inside the Agriculture and Natural Resources Building on the agriculture campus. | 2431 Joe Johnson Dr. Panda Express - A classic chain option for students in the food court located in the Student Union. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. P.O.D. Markets - There are multiple convenience stores across campus in Clement Hall, Hess Hall, Hodges Library, the Humanities and Social Sciences building, Laurel Hall, Pendergrass Library, Rocky Top Dining Hall, Stokely Hall, Taylor Law Center and the Zeanah Engineering Complex. Southern Kitchen - A classic restaurant for students living in Volunteer Hall, Southern Kitchen will reopen with a facelift for the fall semester. But don't worry; it will have the same Southern menu. | 1525 White Ave. Starbucks - The international coffee chain has two locations on campus, one in the Student Union and one at Hodges Library | 1502 Cumberland Ave. and 1015 Volunteer Blvd. Status Dough - A local doughnut shop, Status Dough satisfies students' sweet tooth with coffee to wash it all down at Volunteer Hall. | 1525 White Ave. Union Deli - This deli option offers sandwiches, salads and soups in the Student Union. | 1502 Cumberland Ave. Keenan Thomas reports on higher education for the Knox News business growth and development team. You can reach him by email at keenan.thomas@knoxnews.com. Support strong local journalism and unlock premium perks at knoxnews.com/subscribe. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: University of Tennessee at Knoxville campus restaurants, where to eat Renee Loncar noticed something strange when she went outside to look at a baby great-horned owl behind her Scottsdale home in early July. Usually, Loncar said, the owls in her backyard are skittish, but this owlet was slow. It stood on the ground, dazed. Realizing the young bird was sick, Loncar took it to a raptor rescue center. Several weeks later, Loncar found a second owlet in the same condition and took it to the same raptor center. Both owlets were ultimately too sick to be saved. Afterward, Loncar said the owlets mother roamed the yard, hooting, in hopes of finding her babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loncars owlets were victims of trichomonosis, a disease that spikes among Phoenix-area birds during the summer. After losing the owlets in her yard, Loncar has committed to washing her birdbaths and bird feeders as often as possible, steps recommended by wildlife experts. I just love my owls, and I'm just really sad that it came to this, Loncar said. Birdbaths help spread the disease Trich, as the disease is commonly known, frequently kills birds and raptors in Arizona, according to a statement from the Arizona Game and Fish Department. It is caused by a protozoan parasite called Trichomonas gallinae, which may be so old that it also infected the T. Rex, according to one study. Today, the disease is most common among pigeons and doves. Raptors like hawks and owls pick up the disease by eating those infected birds. Birdbaths are hotspots for transmission between prey species, especially in hot summer months when the water is more appealing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When people don't clean their birdbaths and stuff, during summer, more birds are going to go to them, therefore it's more likely to spread, said Eric Murray, operations and conservation manager at Wild at Heart Raptors, the recovery center where Loncar took her owlets. Murray said the trend is clear in their case numbers for 2025. From January through April, Wild at Heart admitted four raptors with trich; from May through July, there were 13 cases. Although trich is entirely treatable, Wild at Heart can rarely save the birds they receive. Murray said most of the trich cases they see are young raptors, often deep into the illness, because those are the easiest birds to catch and bring in. They get to a point where they're just so emaciated because they can't eat for a while, that then it's almost like they're almost too far gone, Murray said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caring for the condors: At remote Arizona wildlife center, biologists treat endangered birds Birds can suffer lasting effects Trich causes intense swelling and lesions in the throats and mouths of its victims, often causing them to starve or suffocate. The disease can sometimes lead to infections of maggots or flies within the birds throat. Humans cannot catch trich. Even when a bird survives trich, the disease can leave lasting effects. The swelling and lesions in a raptors throat can displace its tongue and sometimes press on its eyes and brain. After the lesions fall out of a healed bird, deformities often remain. But raptors are tough, Murray points out, and they often find a way to cope. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wild at Heart received Roja, a red-tailed hawk, when she was just a nestling in 2002. Staff were able to save Roja from trich, but the lesions in her throat had already pushed her beak out of alignment, leaving the top and bottom jaws like a pair of scissors. More importantly, Roja lost her tongue. Murray said she struggles to eat, and cant always swallow everything she tries to bolt down, but shes figured out ways to make it easier. The loss of her tongue means Roja cannot be released and will remain with Wild at Heart as an educational bird. But another trich survivor, a fellow red-tailed hark named Prezzy, will get a second crack at life in the wild. Trich has pushed Prezzys tongue into an odd position, but he can still use it. Thankfully, if you catch it early enough, it's not terrible, Murray said. Protecting birds: A rare desert songbird sounds 'red alert' for endangered bird species in Arizona How to keep birdbaths clean Residents with bird feeders or birdbaths should clean them regularly to slow the spread of trich, experts say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Birdbath owners should use a 10% bleach solution for washing, according to the Cornell College of Veterinary Medicine. Birdbath owners should be sure to rinse the baths thoroughly to make sure the bleach is gone after washing. Residents can also leave the birdbaths dry for a day or two, as the T. gallinae parasite struggles to survive in dry environments. In Arizona, trich is particularly common in urban areas with lots of doves and pigeons, according to Murray. Raptors can often make lives in the midst of human development, raising their young and hunting in the suburbs. For more stories about birds: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter Loncar said she lived in her house in Scottsdale for 20 years, and great-horned owls have lived there the whole time. She has seen generation after generation of new owls fledging in her backyard, but watching them die of disease was a new, unsettling experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I've never seen anything like this, Loncar said. Austin Corona covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to austin.corona@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Trichomonosis spreads through AZ birdbaths in summer. How to stop it You are the owner of this article. **Related Video Above: Cleveland crime by the numbers AKRON, Ohio (WJW) Akron police are asking for the publics help after a shooting took place at a gas station last month. New video: Akron police confront suspect using stolen SUV as battering ram Police said they were called to the Circle K on East Market Street on July 11 for reports of a dispute involving at least one gun. An initial investigation found a fight broke out over a gas pump. A suspect then shot at a victims vehicle while he was driving away from the gas station. A bullet reportedly also hit the windshield and rear passenger window of a truck driving by the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said they believe the suspect has a red Subaru sedan. Photo courtesy Akron police Photo courtesy Akron police Photo courtesy Akron police 2 people found dead after being hit by train in Tuscarawas County: Sheriff Those who may recognize the person or car in the above photos are asked to reach out to Akron detectives at 330-375-2464 or 330-375-2Tip. Call Summit County Crimestoppers at 330-434-COPS to remain anonymous. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORT-AU-PRINCE, Haiti (AP) The leader of Haitis transitional presidential council claimed Wednesday that one of its communications employees was threatened and forced to publish a press release about a key contract involving the countrys biggest port and two well-known members of its elite. The incident has deepened infighting within the council and further strained relations between Haitis government and its private sector as a wealthy businessman prepares to take over the councils presidency on Thursday. Fritz Alphonse Jean, the councils current president, said in a statement that the Aug. 4 press release was published without his approval and despite his objections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also said he was informed about pressure exerted by unidentified council members to dismiss another communications official who had refused to publish the note without his authorization. Jean said a judge would determine whether to grant a 27-year lease to Caribbean Port Services instead of nine years as originally planned. Without this opinion, suspicions of corruption could further tarnish the (councils) credibility, he said. Jean also demanded that Prime Minister Alix Didier Fils-Aime provide the council with explanations previously requested regarding the lease of the Port-au-Prince International Port, located in an area long controlled by powerful gangs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The press release that Jean condemned states the council met with Philippe Coles, president of Caribbean Port Services, and Edouard Baussan, a wealthy businessman with strong ties to Haitis most powerful politicians. The release claimed that the fruitful discussions, conducted in complete transparency, found that all necessary clarifications have been provided and that the contract between the government and the company is legal. Caribbean Port Services is a private maritime logistics company that operates the international port in partnership with Haitis Port Authority. It handles about 80% of the ports cargo container volume, according to its website. On Thursday, Jean will step down as council president as part of a rotation. He recently told The Associated Press that starting on Aug. 7, Haitis two executive branches will be controlled by its private sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bocchit Edmond, a former ambassador to the U.S., said a businessman taking leadership of the council is an opportunity for the private sector to prove itself. He also condemned Jeans statement on Wednesday. Im against the public bashing of the private sector, he said. Its not a good thing at all for the country, for its political stability. However, Jean said that some private sector members were active operators of the chaos in which Haiti is currently engulfed. Some of Haitis wealthy elites and powerful politicians have long been accused of financing and arming dozens of gangs, which the United Nations has noted in its reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gangs now control 90% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, and continue to launch attacks in a bid to control more territory. Jeans announcement comes less than a week after U.S. officials announced they were aware of reported bribery attempts aimed at destabilizing Haiti. In remarks to the AP, Jean called it a desperate and trivial effort to attract the sympathy of American congressmen and women, and the U.S. administration. The council was created following the resignation of former Prime Minister Ariel Henry after gangs launched a series of attacks last year against critical government infrastructure. It is tasked with holding elections by February 2026. ___ Coto reported from San Juan, Puerto Rico A district attorney said Wednesday that an Alabama police officer who fatally shot a teenager in the back was justified in his use of deadly force because the youth grabbed a gun after struggling with the officer. But the teens family questioned that conclusion and said they have many unanswered questions about what had happened. Jefferson County District Attorney Dany Carr announced that no charges will be brought against the officer who shot and killed Jabari Peoples, 18. Peoples was shot on June 23 by a police officer in a parking lot in Homewood, an affluent suburb near the city of Birmingham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peoples and a friend had been parked in the parking lot. Carr said an officer had approached the car at about 9:30 p.m. and attempted to detain Peoples because of suspected marijuana in the car. The officer attempted to put handcuffs on Mr. Peoples for officer safety after noticing a gun in the car door but a struggle ensued, Carr wrote. He said Peoples then ran back to his vehicle and grabbed a gun. At the time of the shooting, Mr. Peoples had the gun in his right hand and the officer fired one shot, hitting Mr. Peoples in the left side of the back causing injury that ultimately caused his death, Carr wrote in a statement. Carr made the announcement immediately after showing the family body camera footage of the shooting. The footage has not been released to the public. But a family member said they were only shown a short clip that was hard to see and want additional information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have so many unanswered questions, still. Today, what I saw on this video, my brother was afraid. He was scared. He was running for his life, Angel Smith, Peoples sister, said. Smith said her brother could be heard saying, Sir, I promise Im not trying to resist. Ben Crump, an attorney representing the family, said they want full transparency. He said the police department should release all of the available video. We want exactly what you would want if this was your son that was shot in the back running away from the police, Crump said. Homewood Police Chief Tim Ross did not immediately return an email seeking comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Groups have staged regular protests in Homewood since the shooting, criticizing the police departments refusal to show the video to family members. Carr made the decision to show the video to family members after the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency turned its findings over to his office. Peoples was a 2024 graduate of Aliceville High School in the city of the same name, about 100 miles (160 kilometers) west of Homewood. (NewsNation) A Tennessee man with a pacemaker was put to death Tuesday despite concerns that his pacemaker could keep him alive. Byron Black was on death row for 35 years for the shooting death of his girlfriend, Angela Clay, as well as her 6- and 9-year-old daughters, Latoya and Lakeisha. While he was in prison, Blacks lawyers fought his execution on many grounds most recently, the defibrillator implanted in his chest. Blacks heart would sometimes race out of control, and the implant would shock it back into normal rhythm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi wont seek death penalty for cartel boss El Mayo Observers said that during the execution, Black seemed to be in obvious pain. But Dr. Jonathan Groner, a pediatric trauma surgeon, told Banfield hes not sure if the extra pain was caused by the defibrillator or by the injection itself. If the defibrillator fires, it feels like a kick in the chest, Groner said. Its very painful. The defibrillator records what it does. So, even though hes dead and lying in the morgue now, the defibrillator could still be checked to see if it fired or not. California man struck by 3 cars in fatal hit-and-runs Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the execution, a Nashville hospital refused to take the defibrillator out or switch it off, which the defense argued the result would be constant, painful shocks while the lethal injection was coursing through Blacks veins. But Groner remains skeptical after witnesses and Blacks attorney said that the IVs being inserted, a pink IV and blue IV, are the kinds used in children and babies. That suggests to me there may have been a problem putting in the IV, he said. He neglected her: Man accused of selling dying wifes medication Groner added it took the doctors six minutes to strap Black down, possibly leading to a tourniquet effect on his arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So they start injecting the drugs, and they just dont go where theyre supposed to go. That would really hurt. Black was dead within 10 minutes of the injection. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. A doctor says he feels "helpless" as he waits to hear from his elderly father and sister in war-torn Gaza. Dr Ahmed Sabra, who lives in Swansea, has not spoken to his family for close to two weeks, and said they were struggling to find medicine for his niece, who has type 1 diabetes. The UN believes there is mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation in Gaza, and blames the crisis on Israel, which controls the entry of all supplies into the territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response Israeli foreign minister Gideon Saar admitted the situation in Gaza was "tough" but it was a "lie" that Israel was deliberately starving the population. He added Hamas was responsible for what he called "this tough reality". The UN reported at least 63 malnutrition-related deaths in July. Cardiologist Dr Sabra, who was born in the territory but now lives in Sketty, Swansea, with his wife and children, said he was "very emotional" when he last spoke to his 75-year-old father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It was the first time when he told me it's very difficult and there isn't enough food," he said. "He lost 30kg (4st 10lbs) since the start of all this, and he is now almost skin and bone, which is difficult for me as a doctor. I cannot help my own family." He said he mostly speaks to his relatives over WhatsApp, but hearing from them was a "waiting game" because of unreliable connections. "The internet network cover is very bad, sometimes you can't even call. "One of the most difficult times is when there's a total blackout, which did happen a few times. Then you don't know anything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he found it "unfair" that his father was living in the war-torn territory. "He's somebody who worked really hard all his life and was helping the needy and the poor. And now he is in this situation where he's struggling to find clean water." Aid pallets have been parachuted into the Gaza strip in recent days [EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images] Dr Sabra's sister has 12-year old twins, and one of the girls has type 1 diabetes. He said in one of the last messages he received from his sister, she told him the only insulin she managed to find was expired. "Last week, she sent another message, telling me her daughter's blood sugar was very low and she was just running in the street, shouting for anyone who has any sugar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A neighbour gave her a small container of sugar, which she managed to give to her daughter. So even basic things, it doesn't exist anymore." He added: "My sister told me that starving is a hundred times worse than being bombed and killed at once, because she is seeing her children starving and she can't provide for them. "A kilo of flour is 200 times more expensive than what it was a year ago." BBC Wales spoke to Dr Sabra after he fled Gaza in 2023, shortly after the current war began. He was visiting his family when Hamas led an attack at a music festival and several villages in southern Israel on 7 October 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 1,100 people were killed and 251 others were taken hostage. Israel launched a military campaign in response shortly afterwards. Earlier this week Hamas released the footage of hostage Evyatar David, 24, looking emaciated and weak, drawing strong condemnation from Israel and Western leaders. He is among 49 hostages who Israel says are still being held in Gaza. This includes 27 hostages who are believed to be dead. The Hamas-led health ministry in Gaza said more than 60,000 people have been killed in the territory since October 2023. When the conflict broke out Dr Sabra was stranded in Gaza for six weeks. He said the five-storey home his family were renting was bombed and destroyed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He and his family travelled to the Rafah crossing, close to the border with Egypt to escape. His wife and children were able to cross, but he was turned away because his name was left off a list of British nationals. Four days later his name was added, and he was able to get out. He said hearing of family and friends dying was frustrating and difficult to deal with as he was unable to treat them. "Working in a hospital in the NHS, I deal with death and dying people. But the difficult thing with what's going on in Gaza is just the unknown and you don't have closure," he said. "Every day when I hold the phone and open it my fear is I will lose another member of my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I feel guilty when we eat something, when I know that my family and two million other people are starving." He said "hundreds" of members of his extended family had been killed in Gaza. "My wife's nephew, who was killed in February 2024, when he went to get a bag of flour for his family, he was shot in the pelvis and even paramedics were not allowed to come and rescue him. He bled to death. "Your loved ones sometimes will be killed, and you don't even know if they've been killed or not. They will just vanish." Referencing the recent casualties at aid centres set up by the Israeli Defence Force in northern Gaza, Dr Sabra said: "Many people are killed at so called aid humanitarian centres, which in Gaza is called, the death trap." The UN believes there is mounting evidence of famine and widespread starvation in Gaza [EYAD BABA/AFP via Getty Images] BBC Wales has approached the Israeli Embassy in London for a response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli government spokespeople have previously insisted there were no restrictions on aid deliveries and maintained there was "no starvation" and has repeatedly accused Hamas of stealing aid. They have also denied targeting aid distribution centres during attacks. Health practitioners are becoming increasingly uneasy about the medical community making widespread use of error-prone generative AI tools. The proliferation of the tech has repeatedly been hampered by rampant "hallucinations," a euphemistic term for the bots' made-up facts and convincingly-told lies. One glaring error proved so persuasive that it took over a year to be caught. In their May 2024 research paper introducing a healthcare AI model, dubbed Med-Gemini, Google researchers showed off the AI analyzing brain scans from the radiology lab for various conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It identified an "old left basilar ganglia infarct," referring to a purported part of the brain "basilar ganglia" that simply doesn't exist in the human body. Board-certified neurologist Bryan Moore flagged the issue to The Verge, highlighting that Google fixed its blog post about the AI but failed to revise the research paper itself. The AI likely conflated the basal ganglia, an area of the brain that's associated with motor movements and habit formation, and the basilar artery, a major blood vessel at the base of the brainstem. Google blamed the incident on a simple misspelling of "basal ganglia." It's an embarrassing reveal that underlines persistent and impactful shortcomings of the tech. Even the latest "reasoning" AIs by the likes of Google and OpenAI are spreading falsehoods dreamed up by large language models that are trained on vast swathes of the internet. In Google's search results, this can lead to headaches for users during their research and fact-checking efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in a hospital setting, those kinds of slip-ups could have devastating consequences. While Google's faux pas more than likely didn't result in any danger to human patients, it sets a worrying precedent, experts argue. "What youre talking about is super dangerous," healthcare system Providence's chief medical information officer Maulin Shah told The Verge. "Two letters, but its a big deal." Google touted its healthcare AI as having a "substantial potential in medicine" last year, arguing it could be used to identify conditions in X-rays, CT scans, and more. After Moore flagged the mistake in the company's research paper to Google, employees told him it was a typo. In its updated blog post, Google noted that "'basilar' is a common mis-transcription of 'basal' that Med-Gemini has learned from the training data, though the meaning of the report is unchanged." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the research paper still erroneously refers to the "basilar ganglia" at the time of writing. In a medical context, AI hallucinations could easily lead to confusion and potentially even put lives at risk. "The problem with these typos or other hallucinations is I dont trust our humans to review them, or certainly not at every level," Shah told The Verge. It's not just Med-Gemini. Google's more advanced healthcare model, dubbed MedGemma, also led to varying answers depending on the way questions were phrased, leading to errors some of the time. "Their nature is that [they] tend to make up things, and it doesnt say I dont know, which is a big, big problem for high-stakes domains like medicine," Judy Gichoya, Emory University associate professor of radiology and informatics, told The Verge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other experts say we're rushing into adapting AI in clinical settings from AI therapists, radiologists, and nurses to patient interaction transcription services warranting a far more careful approach. In the meantime, it will be up to humans to continuously monitor the outputs of hallucinating AIs, which could counteractively lead to inefficiencies. And Google is going full steam ahead. In March, Google revealed that its extremely error-prone AI Overviews search feature would start giving health advice. It also introduced an "AI co-scientist" who would assist human scientists in discovering new drugs, among other "superpowers." But if their outputs go unobserved and unverified, human lives could be at stake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In my mind, AI has to have a way higher bar of error than a human," Shah told The Verge. "Maybe other people are like, If we can get as high as a human, were good enough. I dont buy that for a second." More on health AI: AI Therapist Goes Haywire, Urges User to Go on Killing Spree A former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee was beaten in an attempted carjacking in Washington, D.C. this week, prompting President Trump to renew his threats to take control of the nations capital, according to multiple news reports. The victim, Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer nicknamed Big Balls, was assaulted early Sunday by a group of teenagers attempting to carjack him and a woman whom police identified as his significant other, according to The Associated Press. Two 15-year-olds have been arrested in connection with the attempted carjacking and beating, the AP reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elon Musk, who headed DOGE efforts while working in government, confirmed the attack in a post on X. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC, Musk said in the post. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. Trump on Tuesday called for the District of Columbia to change its laws to allow for teenagers 14 and older to be prosecuted as adults and face lengthy prison sentences. Trump shared on Truth Social a graphic image of the bloodied former DOGE employee but did not name Coristine, posting a lengthy message railing against violent crime in Washington, which has decreased in recent years. Trump blamed the citys crime on local youths, who he said were not fearful of consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! Trump posted. The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see, Trump added. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the District shows violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year. Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of Washington throughout his second term and has spoken at length about his desire to rid the city of crime and the homeless population. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) posted Tuesday on X praising Coristine for sacrificing his own safety to defend a helpless woman and backed Trump, claiming the capital is tragically one of the most dangerous cities in America. I support President Trump in taking over the city to establish law and order, Greene said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff is under federal criminal investigation for alleged mortgage fraud, a member of President Donald Trumps administration has told Fox News. Fox anchor Laura Ingraham revealed the development on The Ingraham Angle on Tuesday evening, reporting that the U.S. Attorneys Office in Maryland was investigating Schiff after the Federal Housing Finance Agency sent a criminal referral to the Justice Department in May, alleging the senator had falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable terms from lenders. The complaint concerned Schiff listing two different properties as his primary residence at other times: one in his district in Burbank, California, and one in Montgomery County, Maryland, for his familys use when Congress is in session. California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff is facing a federal criminal investigation after being accused of engaging in mortgage fraud (Getty) FHFA Director William Pulte wrote in his letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche this spring: Based on media reports, Mr Adam B Schiff has, in multiple instances, falsified bank documents and property records to acquire more favorable loan terms, impacting payments from 2003-2019 for a Potomac, Maryland-based property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As regulator of Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the Federal Home Loan Banks, we take very seriously allegations of mortgage fraud or other criminal activity. Such misconduct jeopardizes the safety and soundness of FHFAs regulated entities and the security and stability of the U.S. mortgage market. Pulte later said he had subsequently received a memo from Fannie Maes financial crimes investigations unit concluding that Schiff had engaged in a sustained pattern of possible occupancy misrepresentation on five loans, according to Fox. The senators press secretary, Marisol Samayoa, previously told CNN that her boss has claimed both of his homes as his primary residence throughout his political career for mortgage purposes because they are both occupied throughout the year and to distinguish them from a vacation property. Trump and Schiff have had issues for years. As chair of the House Intelligence Committee, Schiff led the first impeachment push against Trump during his first term. Last month, Trump said in a Truth Social post that Schiff was in Big Trouble and should be sent to prison. President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi at the White House earlier this summer (Reuters) Adam Shifty Schiff is in BIG TROUBLE! He falsified Loan Documents. He once said my son would go to prison on a SCAM that Schiff, along with other Crooked Dems, illegally manufactured in order to stage an actual coup, the president wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My son did nothing wrong, knew nothing about the fictional story. It was an American Tragedy! Now Shifty should pay the price of prison for a real crime, not one made up by the corrupt accusers! Before that, Trump trailed the tip-off from Fannie Mae about Schiffs alleged misconduct and added with glee: I always knew Adam Schiff was a crooked. California Democratic Sen. Adam Schiff interviewed by Stephen Colbert on The Late Show on Thursday July 17 2025 (The Late Show/CBS) The presidents own business, the Trump Organization, was sued by New York Attorney Letitia James in September 2022 for allegedly misrepresenting its assets to obtain more generous terms from lenders, which led to a civil court case that concluded with the presiding judge ruling in February 2024 that the company was liable to pay back $354.8 million in ill-gotten gains, a verdict it is appealing. For his part, Schiff retaliated to Trumps taunts on X by denying any wrongdoing and commenting: Since I led his first impeachment, Trump has repeatedly called for me to be arrested for treason. So in a way, I guess this is a bit of a letdown. And this baseless attempt at political retribution wont stop me from holding him accountable. Not by a long shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just Donald Trumps latest attempt at political retaliation against his perceived enemies. So it is not a surprise, only how weak this false allegation turns out to be. And much as Trump may hope, this smear will not distract from his Epstein files problem. The senator offered a further response when he appeared soon after on CBSs recently-cancelled The Late Show with Stephen Colbert and said that Trumps regular threats to his enemiesfrom law firms and universities to illegal immigrants-are attempts to create a climate of fear and frighten people into submission. Speaking to the camera to address the president directly, Schiff continued: Donald, p*** off. But, before you do, release the Epstein files. (NewsNation) The Department of Justice released a list of 35 sanctuary jurisdictions Tuesday, vowing to bring lawsuits against states, cities and counties that fail to comply with President Donald Trumps immigration crackdown. The DOJ has accused those listed of harmful immigration policies and limiting cooperation with federal immigration agents. Art exhibit documents the heartbreak of migration AG Pam Bondi: Sanctuary policies put Americans at risk Attorney General Pam Bondi said the DOJ is following through on its commitment to crack down on so-called sanctuary policies nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design, Bondi said in a statement. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country. Since Trump signed an executive order in April directing the DOJ to create a list of sanctuary jurisdictions, the DOJ has filed several related lawsuits, including one last month against New York City. Whos included in the DOJs list of sanctuary jurisdictions? The following states, cities and counties have been identified as sanctuary jurisdictions by the DOJ: States California Colorado Connecticut Delaware Illinois Minnesota Nevada New York Oregon Rhode Island Vermont Washington state District of Columbia Counties Baltimore County, Md. Cook County, Ill. San Diego County, Calif. San Francisco County, Calif. Cities Albuquerque, N.M. Berkeley, Calif. Boston Chicago Denver East Lansing, Mich. Hoboken, N.J. Jersey City, N.J. Los Angeles New Orleans New York City Newark, N.J. Paterson, N.J. Philadelphia Portland, Ore. Rochester, N.Y. Seattle San Francisco Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baltimore County in Maryland has pushed back, arguing its inclusion was in error. DACA activist detained at El Paso airport Dems blast meaningless PR stunt by DOJ Democratic leaders have slammed the DOJs move as politically motivated. California Gov. Gavin Newsoms office dismissed the list as another PR stunt by the federal government to scare people, calling it ridiculous and meaningless. In June, Democratic mayors and governors of several targeted cities faced fiery questioning during a House Oversight Committee hearing on immigration policies and protections for undocumented immigrants. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. This is an edition of The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. Donald Trump doesnt want you to read this article. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dont let it go to your head, and I wont let it go to mine; were not special. He doesnt want anyone reading anything about Jeffrey Epstein, or his own relationship with the late sex offender. And yet his intensive efforts to change the subject to somethinganythingelse seem to bring only more scrutiny. This evening, CNN reported, a group of top administration officials, including the vice president, attorney general, FBI director, and White House chief of staff, had been planning to gather to discuss whether to release the recording of an interview between Ghislaine Maxwell, a convicted sex trafficker and an Epstein associate, and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. Then, this afternoon, Reuters reported the meeting had been canceled, with Vice President J. D. Vances spokesperson denying that it had ever even been planned. Yesterday, Republicans in the House subpoenaed the Justice Department for some records related to Epstein. As the Epstein storys lock on headlines enters its second month, the president has employed three main tactics to try to dislodge it. First, he has ordered his supporters to stop talking about Epstein. Their new SCAM is what we will forever call the Jeffrey Epstein Hoax, and my PAST supporters have bought into this bullshit, hook, line, and sinker, he wrote, part of a long and anguished Truth Social post on July 16. This has been somewhat effective in certain quarters: In the days after Trumps pleas, Fox News aired less coverage of the story. Trying to stifle coverage this way has flaws. Much of the interest in Epstein originated in MAGA media itself, so claiming that these supporters fell for a hoax is dodgyespecially when the attorney general and the FBI director were among the foremost merchants of innuendo. And it almost goes without saying that screaming at people not to pay attention to a topic will only make them suspect theres something to see. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Trump-aligned outlets may be willing to take his lead, but other media organizations are not. A press that might have treated the Epstein story as either old news or somewhat prurient just a few months ago is now eager to find new information about it. Julie K. Brown, the Miami Herald reporter who doggedly pursued the story, is the most desired guest on the podcast circuit. Just yesterday, The New York Times published photos of unclear provenance showing the inside of Epsteins Manhattan townhouse. Second, Trump has tried to change the subject, whether thats attempting to breathe new life into his claims of a Russia hoax, threatening to federalize the District of Columbia, or taking a walk on the White House roof. Distraction has long been an effective tactic for Trump, but its also a familiar one. Trumps efforts have produced an amusing dynamic where no matter what he does, many people treat it as an attempt to distract from Epstein, which only points back to Epstein. Trump also keeps stepping on his own ploys. When the president announced the return of the Presidential Fitness Test last week, he invited the Hall of Fame linebacker Lawrence Taylor to join him. But Taylor is a sex offender, having pleaded guilty in connection with paying a 16-year-old to have sex with him. This was not only a strange invitation on its own; it was also a reminder about Trumps former friend Jeffrey Epsteins sex trafficking of girls. Third, the Trump administration and its GOP allies have tried to provide at least some information to the public, in the hope that it will sate appetites. Frequently, these moves have just whetted them. The Justice Department released what it said was raw footage from the jail where Epstein died, only for Wired to report that the tape was, in fact, spliced. (Attorney General Pam Bondi attributed the missing footage to a quirk of the security-camera system, though government sources who spoke to CBS News disputed that explanation.) Blanches interview with Maxwell is at least ostensibly an attempt to find new information, though it lends itself to further conspiracy theories about backroom agreements. This is especially true given Maxwells unexplained move to a minimum-security prison shortly after the interview, as well as Trumps refusal to rule out pardoning her. House Speaker Mike Johnson has called for full transparency about Epstein, yet he also adjourned the House rather than hold a vote on releasing files related to the case. The mystery of the reported planned meeting scheduled for tonight is more fuel for intrigue. When Trump himself has spoken out recently, he has brought only more attention to the matter, to borrow his phrase. The president was evidently aware of Epsteins sexual proclivitiesIt is even said that he likes beautiful women as much as I do, and many of them are on the younger side, he told New York magazine in 2002but has said that he didnt know about Epsteins criminal activity. For years, reports indicated that Trump had fallen out with Epstein, a longtime friend, over a real-estate matter. Last week, however, Trump suggested that their clash came after Epstein stole employees from Mar-a-Lagopossibly including Virginia Giuffre, a prominent Epstein accuser who died by suicide in April. This drew understandable outrage from Giuffres family but also raised questions about what Trump might have known about Epsteins trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And when The Wall Street Journal reported on a letter the president had allegedly written to Epstein, Trump denied writing the letter but also insisted that hed never made drawingswhich elicited plenty of examples of past doodles, weakening his excuse. His splashy defamation lawsuit and demand to promptly depose the Journals owner, Rupert Murdoch, fanned the flames. (The paper says it stands by its reporting.) Yesterday, I wrote about how Trump talks about Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election. In that case, Trumps heated denials fed a belief among many of his critics that he must be hiding something. But the juiciest rumors did not prove true; the worst of the scandal had already been made public. Perhaps the same is true of Epstein: We already know that Trump was friends with him, and we already know that Trump was seemingly aware of his interest in young women. If Trump isnt hiding anything, though, hes not doing a good job of convincing the public of that. Related: Here are three new stories from The Atlantic: Todays News President Donald Trump announced that he will double tariffs on Indian exports to the United States to 50 percent by late August, citing Indias continued purchase of Russian oil. The move aims to pressure Russia over the war in Ukraine. Five soldiers were shot at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, in Georgia. The suspect is in custody, and the shooting is under investigation. According to sources familiar with the plan, Trump told European leaders that he intends to meet with Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelensky to push for an end to the war in Ukraine, though it is unclear if the two have agreed to the meetings. Evening Read Enough With the Mom Guilt Already Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Maytal Eyal As I inch closer to motherhood and all of the unknowns that come with it, I sometimes feel as if my entire future is suspended in midair: How might my personality shift? What will my child be like? How will my marriage change? In the midst of that uncertainty, therapy culture tells moms, You can ensure that your kid will grow up to be happy and healthy if and then provides a guidebook of tips to read and details to obsess over. In a country where mothers receive so little structural supportwhere community has eroded, maternity leave is minimal, and child-care costs can be astronomicalthe promise that parents alone can conjure all of the stability their child might need can feel like a warm hug. But really, that promise can be a trap. To be clear, Im not arguing that moms shouldnt work on their own mental health, or that they shouldnt think deeply about their approach to parenting. Rather, I worry that therapy culture prompts mothers to gaze obsessively, unhealthily inward, and deflects attention from the external forces (cultural, economic, political) that are actually the source of so much anxiety. Read the full article. More From The Atlantic Culture Break Illustration by Raven Jiang Read. Elaine Castillos second novel, Moderation, captures the numerous ways that screens help people hide from themselves, Sarah Rose Etter writes. Watch. In 2020, Sophie Gilbert recommended 20 undersung crime shows to binge-watch. Play our daily crossword. Rafaela Jinich contributed to this newsletter. When you buy a book using a link in this newsletter, we receive a commission. Thank you for supporting The Atlantic. Article originally published at The Atlantic Family picnics in the 1940s and 1950s in western Colorado might have resulted in more than ants marching over a worn checkered tablecloth. On the arid sandstone outcrops, in fine grains and veinlets, in greenish-yellow or a sooty black, lay the United States hope for Cold War dominance: uranium. President Donald Trump was again asked if he would run for a third term, despite the Constitution's two-term limit. "No, probably not," Trump said in a CNBC interview on Aug. 5. "Probably not, I'd like to." Trump has toyed with the idea of going for another term since his return to office. This was perhaps his strongest dismissal of the idea, though he has also admitted he wasn't allowed to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the Trump Organization, owned by the president and managed by his eldest sons, continues to offer "Trump 2028" red hats for sale at $50. "The future looks bright!" The website selling the hat reads. "Rewrite the rules with the Trump 2028 high crown hat." More: What is Trumps approval rating? Poll shows most Americans disapprove of Epstein approach Can Donald Trump run for a third term? Under the Constitution as it stands, Trump cannot serve a third term in office. It is explicitly barred by the 22nd Amendment. Changes to the Constitution are extremely difficult and rare, as they require a two-thirds majority vote in both the House and Senate. States can also spur an amendment, but it requires two-thirds of the state legislatures to call a constitutional convention and three-fourths to ratify it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump won the 2016 presidential election against Hillary Clinton, becoming the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021. He then lost the 2020 election against former President Joe Biden. Trump won the 2024 election. At first, Trump was up for a rematch before Biden dropped his re-election bid and was replaced on the Democratic ticket by former Vice President Kamala Harris. Trump's second term as the 47th U.S. president is slated for 2025 to 2029. What has Trump said about running for president again? Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of a third term throughout his second presidency. In a March NBC interview, he said there are methods to make it happen, including if Vice President JD Vance runs for office and then hands the role to Trump. In a later interview with NBC's "Meet the Press" that aired on May 4, Trump backed off the idea, saying he was not looking at running again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I will say this. So many people want me to do it. I have never had requests so strong as that," Trump said in the interview with NBC. "But it's something that, to the best of my knowledge, you're not allowed to do. I don't know if that's constitutional that they're not allowing you to do it or anything else." The Trump Organization did not previously respond to a request for comment on the 2028 hats. Only one president has served more than two terms America's founding father and first president, President George Washington, voluntarily stepped down after two terms, creating an unofficial tradition for future presidents to follow suit. President Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first and only president to break that tradition. The country was still recovering from the Great Depression, and at the dawn of World War II, he was re-elected to his third term. After leading the country through the global war, he was elected again in 1944, but died the following year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A movement in the House of Representatives to officially limit the presidency terms, now ratified as the 22nd Amendment, began two years after Roosevelt's death. Contributing: Francesca Chambers, Riley Beggin, Deborah Barfield Berry, USA TODAY Kinsey Crowley is the Trump Connect reporter for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at kcrowley@gannett.com. Follow her on X and TikTok @kinseycrowley or Bluesky at @kinseycrowley.bsky.social. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Can Trump run for a third term? No, the president has term limits Herzog expressed outrage that staged images of hunger in Gaza were gaining more global attention than videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky. President Isaac Herzog urged the world "not to fall for Hamass lies," during a diplomatic meeting with Estonian President Alar Karis on Wednesday. The Israeli president and First Lady, Michal, attended the meeting at the Presidential Palace in Tallinn, Estonias capital. During the meeting, Herzog expressed outrage that staged images of hunger in Gaza were gaining more global attention than videos of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavsky. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Standing beside Karis, Herzog displayed photos of the two emaciated hostages, who remain captive under Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ). "This is an image of Evyatar David, a young kid who was at the party, at the Nova Festival, and he is now skin and bones. His situation is life-threatening. And you see the fat hand of his captor they have food there. The other room is full of food the hostages who came out of this tunnel told us," Herzog stated. President Isaac Herzog meets with President Alar Karis of Estonia at the Presidential Palace in Tallinn on August 6, 2025. (credit: CHAIM TZACH/GPO) "And this is Rom Braslavski, another hostage they aired in a video two days ago. All the other hostages they are in a life-threatening situation," he added. Herzog emphasized Israels recent humanitarian efforts in Gaza while stressing the urgency of resolving the hostage crisis: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Therefore, in order to resolve the situation, we tell the world: You want to move forward? Get a hostage deal, get a ceasefire. In the last two weeks, Israel has overhauled the entire approach to the humanitarian situation, pushing in major quantities of humanitarian aid, 30,000 tons in the last week, 30 tons only by air drops yesterday, hundreds of trucks." He also criticized the United Nations for logistical failures, stating, "The UN is holding hundreds of trucks, almost 800 trucks. The UN can distribute and is failing to distribute." Herzog then drew attention to a staged Gaza photo that appeared in a German newspaper, depicting Gazans holding empty pots for the cameras rather than waiting for food distribution. "Instead of that, we see a PR campaign like this one revealed in a German newspaper. You see a photographer staging the Gaza people to show that they are lacking food. This is staged. We don't shy away from the humanitarian need to help the people of Gaza, but we ask the world not to fall for the lies. Condemn Hamas and say to Hamas, 'You want to move on? Get the hostages out.'" DORCHESTER COUNTY, S.C. (WCBD) More than 27,000 students are returning to school Wednesday morning in Dorchester School District Two under the leadership of new Superintendent Chad Daugherty. Daugherty, who has been in education for 30 years, previously served as Deputy Superintendent and Interim Superintendent in the district. He emphasizes successful student outcomes, new safety measures, and managing growth as top priorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to continue to do our mission, leading the way for every student every day through relationships, rigor, and relevance, said Daugherty. Dorchester District Two encompasses 26 schools with around 4,000 employees. This year, the district has achieved a teacher fill rate close to 99%, and teachers and staff will receive a pay raise. Safety remains a top priority, with new secured areas and metal detectors at high schools and events. The district plans to expand random metal detector screenings to middle schools and has added security officers in high schools. To address overcrowding, two new schools are in the works, and expansion projects are underway at several schools, including Summerville Elementary and Oakbrook Elementary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All students in the district will receive free meals this year. With these initiatives, Dorchester School District Two aims to enhance educational outcomes and provide a safe learning environment for its students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. DOTHAN, Ala (WDHN) A well-known Dothan pastor and civil rights activist turned himself in after a warrant was issued for his arrest for allegedly practicing law without a license, according to authorities. Houston County District Attorney Russ Goodman tells WDHN that Kenneth Glasgow turned himself in on Tuesday afternoon and was taken into custody by Houston County Sheriffs Deputies. The warrant was issued for Glasgows arrest after he filed a motion on Monday to halt the Dothan City Municipal Elections. Courtesy of RickeyStokesNews Practicing law without a license is a misdemeanor in the state and is punishable with up to a $500 fine and 6 months in jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ MORE: Dothan pastor tries to halt municipal elections In Mondays filing, Glasgow claims that the Houston County Sheriff, the Dothan City Jail administrator, and the ADOC failed to identify still eligible voters in custody and provide them with voter applications or absentee ballots for the August 5 election. Judge John Steensland denied Glasgows request to postpone the election, but a hearing was set for August 28. Stay with WDHN for updates on this breaking 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 WDHN - wdhn.com. Aug. 5July 29 Jennifer Lorraine Lemone, 55, 6004 Lamborn Ave., retail theft-intentionally take, deferred prosecution agreement fulfilled, amended to ordinance violation shoplifting. Aug. 1 Lisa Ellen Belt, 44, 1716 Oakes Ave., carrying a concealed knife, no contest plea, $516 fine and court costs. Jeanie Rae Bloxham, 58, 2317 E. Sixth St., disorderly conduct, guilty plea, $579 fine and court costs. Ramona Latrice Buchanan, 33, Duluth, retail theft-intentionally take, no contest plea, two days jail, $526 fine and court costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeremy Peter Bushey, 27, 1113 N. 12th St., disorderly conduct, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, no contest plea, $330.50 fine. Chase James Christian, 24, Cloquet, possession of cocaine, possession of marijuana, guilty pleas, deferred prosecution agreement; possess drug paraphernalia, dismissed. Daniel Christopher Clock, 53, 2403 E. 10th St., operating while revoked, guilty plea, one day jail, $579 fine and court costs. Brian Paul Dolan, 41, Gordon, disorderly conduct, guilty plea, $263.50 fine. Justin Ryan Earnest, 25, Grand Rapids, Minnesota, domestic battery, domestic disorderly conduct, no contest pleas, 12 months jail stayed, 30 months of probation, $679 fine and court costs; resisting or obstructing an officer, dismissed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson Antone Hall, 29, 1209 N. Sixth St., second-offense operating while intoxicated, no contest plea, 15 days jail, $1,585.50 fine, 13-month driver's license revocation, ignition interlock, alcohol assessment; bail jumping, second-offense operating with a prohibited alcohol concentration, dismissed. Kevin Charles Hren, 64, 2206 Tower Ave., disorderly conduct, guilty plea, 26 days jail, $443 court costs. Dylan Alan-Scott Jorgensen-Berg, 26, Duluth, resisting or obstructing an officer, no contest plea, deferred prosecution agreement; disorderly conduct, dismissed. Michael Nicholas Luzaich, 45, Town of Superior, violate harassment restraining order, amended to ordinance violation disorderly conduct, no contest plea, $263.50 fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aug. 4 Kurtis Roland, 32, Duluth, possession of cocaine, amended to ordinance violation possession of drug paraphernalia, guilty plea, $350 fine; possession of methamphetamine, dismissed. Jesse Francis Rolandson, 38, 2922 E. Seventh St., knowingly violate a domestic abuse order, no contest plea, one day jail, $957 fine and court costs. Steven Dean Tollefson, 34, 1618 Ogden Ave., repeater possession of methamphetamine, no contest plea, one day jail, 31 months probation, $638.25 fine. Jesse Patrick Wills, 32, 1220 Catlin Ave., aggravated battery-intend great bodily harm, no contest plea, two years state prison, three years extended supervision, no contact with victim, $518 court costs, restitution to be held open for 60 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Isaiah Emanuel Woodhull, 17, Lake Nebagamon, two counts battery, no contest pleas, two days jail, one year of probation, no contact with victims, $443 court costs, eligible to be expunged; child abuse-intentionally cause harm, two counts disorderly conduct, dismissed. The Superior Telegram publishes court records as part of its obligation to serve as a keeper of the local historical record. All items are public records submitted by the courthouse in Superior. Individual requests for items to be withheld will not be granted. Aug. 5Minnesota farmers' next chance for help buying their first farm has arrived, with the return of the Minnesota Department of Agriculture's (MDA) Down Payment Assistance Grant program. The Down Payment Assistance Grant offers eligible farmers up to $20,000 to help buy their first farm, up from $15,000 in past years to reflect increasing land prices. The Minnesota Legislature boosted funding for the program to $1.25 million this year, up from $1 million last year. Applications are open now through Sept. 15 for the fourth round of funding. To date, the program has helped 112 farmers buy their first farms, with $1,677,500 in total awards made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eligible applicants must make less than $250,000 per year in gross agricultural sales, and they must match the award with at least $8,000 of other funds (e.g. loan, contract for deed, cash, or other financing) to unlock the full award amount. The MDA will award grants using a random lottery process, with priority given to eligible applicants who: Have earned no more than $100,000 in annual gross farm product sales, or; Are producers of industrial hemp, cannabis, or specialty crops. The MDA will notify applicants of award decisions in late September. Farm purchases from direct family (e.g. parents, grandparents, or siblings) are not allowed. Purchases from extended family (e.g. aunt/uncle, cousins) will be allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farm purchases must take place after approval of the application. The MDA cannot award grants for purchases that have already taken place. Awardees have six months from the award notification to close on land purchases. The MDA will consider a deadline extension if the awardee can provide a signed purchase agreement or written commitment from an approved technical assistance provider stating that the applicant is looking for land and financially prepared to buy. The MDA is hosting an informational webinar for prospective applicants. Additional webinar recordings and other resources focused on different topics related to the farm-buying process are also available on our webpage. Down Payment Assistance Grant Informational Webinar Monday, Aug. 18, 11 a.m. to noon. Register now through Zoom: https://www.mda.state.mn.us/business-dev-loans-grants/down-payment-assistance-grant DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip (AP) At least 38 Palestinians were killed overnight and into Wednesday in the Gaza Strip while seeking aid from United Nations convoys and sites run by an Israeli-backed American contractor, according to local health officials. The Israeli military said it had fired warning shots when crowds approached its forces. Another 25 people, including several women and children, were killed in Israeli airstrikes, according to local hospitals in Gaza. The military said it only targets Hamas militants. The latest deaths came as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was expected to announce further military action and possibly plans for Israel to fully reoccupy Gaza. Experts say Israel's ongoing military offensive and blockade are already pushing the territory of some 2 million Palestinians into famine. A new U.N. report said only 1.5% of Gaza's cropland is accessible and undamaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another escalation of the nearly 22-month war could put the lives of countless Palestinians and around 20 living Israeli hostages at risk, and would draw fierce opposition both internationally and within Israel. Netanyahu's far-right coalition allies have long called for the war to be expanded, and for Israel to eventually take over Gaza, relocate much of its population and rebuild Jewish settlements there. U.S. President Donald Trump, asked by a reporter Tuesday whether he supported the reoccupation of Gaza, said he wasnt aware of the suggestion but that its going to be pretty much up to Israel. More Palestinians killed in scramble for food Of the 38 Palestinians killed while seeking aid, at least 28 died in the Morag Corridor, an Israeli military zone in southern Gaza where U.N. convoys have been repeatedly overwhelmed by looters and desperate crowds in recent days, and where witnesses say Israeli forces have repeatedly opened fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military said troops fired warning shots as Palestinians advanced toward them, and that it was not aware of any casualties. Nasser Hospital, which received the bodies, said another four people were killed in the Teina area, on a route leading to a site in southern Gaza run by the Israeli-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an American contractor. The Al-Awda Hospital said it received the bodies of six people killed near a GHF site in central Gaza. GHF said there were no violent incidents at or near its sites, and that the one in central Gaza was not open on Wednesday. It said the violence may have been related to the chaos around U.N. convoys. Two of the Israeli airstrikes hit Gaza City, in the north of the territory, killing 13 people there, including six children and five women, according to the Al-Ahli Hospital, which received the bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military says it only targets militants and blames civilian deaths on Hamas because its militants are entrenched in heavily populated areas. UN experts say Israeli-backed aid group should be dismantled Israel facilitated the establishment of four GHF sites in May after blocking the entry of all food, medicine and other goods for 2 1/2 months. Israeli and U.S. officials said a new system was needed to prevent Hamas from siphoning off humanitarian aid. The United Nations, which has delivered aid to hundreds of distribution points across Gaza throughout the war when conditions allow, has rejected the new system, saying it forces Palestinians to travel long distances and risk their lives for food, and that it allows Israel to control who gets aid, potentially using it to advance plans for further mass displacement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.N. human rights office said last week that some 1,400 Palestinians have been killed seeking aid since May, mostly near GHF sites but also along U.N. convoy routes where trucks have been overwhelmed by crowds. It says nearly all were killed by Israeli fire. This week, a group of U.N. special rapporteurs and independent human rights experts called for the GHF to be disbanded, saying it is an utterly disturbing example of how humanitarian relief can be exploited for covert military and geopolitical agendas in serious breach of international law. The experts work with the U.N. but do not represent the world body. The GHF called their statement disgraceful, and urged the U.N. and other aid groups to work with it to maximize the amount of aid being securely delivered to the Palestinian people in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military says it has only fired warning shots when crowds threatened its forces, and GHF says its armed contractors have only used pepper spray and fired into the air on some occasions to prevent deadly crowding at its sites. Gaza's farmland has been destroyed, contributing to hunger crisis Israel's air and ground war has destroyed nearly all of Gaza's food production capabilities, leaving its people reliant on international aid. A new report by the U.N.'s Food and Agriculture Organization and the U.N. satellite center found that just 8.6% of Gaza's cropland is still accessible following sweeping Israeli evacuation orders in recent months. Just 1.5% is accessible and undamaged, it said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The military offensive and a breakdown in security have made it nearly impossible for anyone to safely deliver aid, and aid groups say recent Israeli measures to facilitate more assistance are far from sufficient. Hospitals recorded four more malnutrition-related deaths over the last 24 hours, bringing the total to 193 people, including 96 children, since the war began in October 2023, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. Jordan says aid convoy attacked by Israeli settlers Jordan said Israeli settlers blocked roads and hurled stones at a convoy of four trucks carrying aid bound for Gaza after they drove across the border into the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Israeli far-right activists have repeatedly sought to halt aid from entering Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jordanian government spokesperson Mohammed al-Momani condemned the attack, which he said had shattered the windshields of the trucks, according to the Jordanian state-run Petra News Agency. The Israeli military said security forces went to the scene to disperse the gathering and accompanied the trucks to their destination. Hamas-led militants killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians, in the Oct. 7 attack and abducted another 251. Most of the hostages have been released in ceasefires or other deals. Of the 50 still held in Gaza, around 20 are believed to be alive. Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed over 61,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry, which does not say how many were fighters or civilians but says around half were women and children. It is part of the now largely defunct Hamas-run government and staffed by medical professionals. The U.N. and independent experts consider it the most reliable source for the number of war casualties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Khaled reported from Cairo and Melzer from Tel Aviv. Israel. Associated Press writers Stefanie Dazio in Berlin and Sally Abou AlJoud in Beirut contributed to this report. ___ Follow APs war coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war Driver crashes into north Charlotte home Police are investigating what caused a car to crash into a north Charlotte home overnight. The crash happened at a home on Nevin Road near Lake Drive around 2 a.m. ALSO READ >> Woman charged after SUV crashes into home in southwest Charlotte MEDIC said it responded, but there were no patients at the scene. Channel 9 is asking police what led up to this incident, if the driver stayed on scene and if they will face charges. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Chaotic: Neighbors rescue 69-year-old woman after car crashes into Charlotte home Driver hospitalized after truck crashes into side of building in East Boston A driver is seriously hurt after their truck crashed into the side of a building in East Boston. According to police, around 11:31 p.m., officers responded to a crash at 1 Emmons Street. Authorities say the truck lost control and became wedged between a light pole and the building. Upon arrival, crews worked to extricate the driver, a 22-year-old male who was pinned inside. They tied a cable to the truck to pull it away from the building, and that made extrication a lot easier, said Martin McCormack, Deputy Chief of Boston Fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was hospitalized and is in serious condition. Four people were inside the building at the time of the crash, and they were uninjured. A building inspector will determine if it is safe to go inside today. The crash is under investigation. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW BAY COUNTY, Fla. (WMBB) The first day of school is just around the corner. In Bay County, school officials and law enforcement are asking drivers to be more cautious. Bay District schools and the Bay County Sheriffs Department partnered to remind everyone about prioritizing the safety of students. What were doing is were coming to the community asking you to come alongside to ensure that every student gets to school safely, said Bay District Schools Superintendent Mark McQueen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say student safety depends heavily on driver awareness. It is so important that you are careful in your travels during school time because youre going to have kids at school bus stops that werent there this week, said Bay County Sheriff Tommy Ford. As the population grows, McQueen says the number of students traveling to school each day also grows. These big yellow school buses move over 8,000 students in Bay County every single day, logging over 6,500 miles. And its an amazing effort. We have over a hundred bus drivers that are amazing professionals that are out there making sure that every student gets to and from school safely, McQueen continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The consequences for distracted drivers are severe. If you allow your careless actions to injure a child that would be with you for the rest of your life. It would do irreparable damage to the child and their families. So thats the important thing to keep in mind, not to see if law enforcement is going to give you a ticket, which we will, Sheriff Ford added. So theyre asking for safer driving. In sum, were asking for all of our citizens to slow down, to be aware of whats going on around our school buses as were traveling the roadways, as were in school zones. Please slow down, obey the marked school zone area. So that we slow down and make it a safe place for our littles and our biggers to be able to cross the street, McQueen explained. Bay District has 105 routes and drivers this fall, but they say they could add more if they can find drivers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first day of class for Bay District schools is next Monday, August 11th. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. The Manitou Springs City Council on Tuesday unanimously passed the first reading of an ordinance increasing a tax under dispute between the city and one of its major tourism attractions. The city proposed the tax increase at an open house for residents last week, where councilmembers presented a 9% increase to Manitou Springs' excise tax as a "balanced approach" to tackling a $4 million budget deficit, according to Mayor Pro Tem Natalie Johnson. The city is facing a nearly 30% hit to its general budget because of declining recreational marijuana sales at its two dispensaries. Long one of two small communities in El Paso County to offer recreational sales, Manitou Springs is feeling the impacts of the introduction of retail marijuana in Colorado Springs in April. Manitou Springs' excise tax has not been increased since the 1970s. The ballot initiative as passed on Tuesday would allow City Council to raise the current tax of 5% to as much as 14%. The sliding-scale approach was introduced Tuesday by Councilmember Nancy Fortuin. The city has a similar prerogative for changing its marijuana special sales tax rate, which the council dropped from 10% to 5% earlier this year. "From an optics standpoint, it would be better, and from a flexibility standpoint, it would be better," she said. The city estimates the tax increase would net the city about $2.5 million in tax revenues. Under the city's plan, the rest of the looming budget deficit would be solved through merging street maintenance with Manitou Springs' parking enterprise. There is another unresolved claim on Manitou Springs' excise tax revenues, however, that may not see an answer before the proposed tax increase would go to voters in the November election. Featured Local Savings In June, an El Paso County District Court judge rejected a motion from the city to dismiss a lawsuit by the Manitou & Pikes Peak Railway Co., the company behind the cog railway to the top of Pikes Peak. The cog railway is owned by the Denver-based Anschutz Corp., whose Clarity Media Group owns The Gazette. The lawsuit claims that the city is obligated to pay back excise tax revenues over $500,000 for a period of 50 years. The agreement is in exchange for payments the railway company made to the city while the railway was under construction, offsetting lost tax revenue from 2017 to 2021. The city, in its motion to dismiss, claims that the railway company does not need to appropriate tax revenues "in an particular year." The railway company claims the city owes over $600,000 in reimbursements not appropriated in the 2025 budget. If the tax increase goes through, the city estimated that the $67 price of a cog railway ticket would see a $6 tax increase. The lawsuit could still be heading to a jury trial after the failure of the city's motion. No new rulings have yet been made in the case. The ballot initiative will return as a City Council item for a second reading and public hearing on Aug. 19. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) One of this years changes to hunting regulations in the state has garnered some questions about how exactly it is going to work. For the first time, West Virginia will allow the use of unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, for hunters. Division of Natural Resources announces new changes to state hunting regulations The regulation allowing hunters to use drones to assist them came down directly from Charleston, according to Captain Chris Lester with the West Virginia Natural Resources Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said lawmakers in the capitol proposed the bill and got it passed to allow hunters this new use of modern technology. Captain Lester said there are some restrictions, however. Individuals are allowed to use these if they reasonably believe that theyve mortally wounded an animal to try and help them locate that animal. That is a deer, bear, turkey, or boar that it can be used on, said Captain Lester. Captain Lester said individuals who hunt on their own property may use a drone without either an outfitter or guide license and without a license from the Federal Aviation Administration. However, those who use drones on private or government land, must have either an outfitter or guide license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He says further still that individuals who are commercial guides or outfitters and profit from hunting trips must also have a license from the FAA. Ron Wood, a lifetime hunter and owner of Flat Top Arms, does think this change can be positive, though. I think its a wonderful idea that we can use some of our modern technology in a positive way to get animals that are wounded, are crippled, that would be lost and even the meat from them would be lost, if that is available and people can use it, much more the better, said Wood. Wood said as someone who has lost animals that he and his family rely on for meat, any advantage in finding that animal would be beneficial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia has highest percentage of out-of-state tourists, study says Captain Lester said he knows that the hunters of the state will do their part to keep everyone honest about following the guidelines of this new regulation. He said if you have any further questions to pick up a regulations booklet wherever hunting licenses are sold, or to give your local DNR office a call. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. Drones attacked the Russian city of Bryansk, where a major oil depot is located, on the morning of Wednesday 6 August. Locals reported numerous explosions in the sky and active air defence efforts. Source: Telegram channel Shot; Exilenova+, a local Russian page on X (Twitter); Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz Details: Eyewitnesses reported that unidentified drones attacked Bryansk around 05:00 local time, with more than 10 loud explosions recorded. Several drones were supposedly shot down. , , . pic.twitter.com/HZlED6lq4Q (@ukrpravda_news) August 6, 2025 Residents also said they saw thick black smoke rising from the site where drone debris had fallen in one of the citys districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Exilenova+ page reported that the drones targeted the area of the oil depot, although this has not been confirmed by Russian authorities. Bryansk Oblast Governor Alexander Bogomaz only claimed that air defences had destroyed 16 fixed-wing UAVs over the oblast overnight. Quote from Bogomaz: "There were no casualties or damage. Emergency services are working at the scene." More details: The region is known to host the Bryansk oil distribution point of the Druzhba pipeline, which receives, stores, distributes and loads diesel fuel into tank trucks and railway wagons. The facility is actively used to supply Russias armed forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: In December 2024, Ukrainian defence forces together with intelligence carried out a drone strike on an oil depot in Russias Bryansk Oblast, reportedly hitting the facility and causing a fire. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) A man from Mexico has been sentenced for his role in a Portland teenagers overdose death, officials announced Monday. The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Oregon said 27-year-old Manuel Antonio Souza Espinoza, a man from Mexico who had been unlawfully living in Portland, was sentenced to 13 years in federal prison with three years of supervised release on Monday for distributing fentanyl that led to the death of a 16-year-old in Portland, along with possessing a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. According to court documents, the investigation that led to Espinozas arrest started after the overdose of the teen on March 7, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrival in Portland is imminent: City braces for destructive invasive emerald ash borer The U.S. Attorneys Office said the teen took a counterfeit M30 Oxycodone pill that was laced with fentanyl. Investigators learned that Espinoza a known, high-volume Portland area drug dealer, was the third-level supplier of the pills. Later, on March 31, 2022, investigators arranged for an informant to buy 1,000 pills from Espinoza. When he arrived, Espinoza was immediately arrested on federal charges, officials said, noting law enforcement found the pills in his vehicle along with a loaded .40 caliber handgun with an extended magazine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Persons of interest sought after repeat Oregon salmon hatchery thefts On April 21, a federal grand jury in Portland returned a two-count indictment, charging Espinoza with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Espinoza pleaded guilty on March 5, 2025, to conspiracy to distribute and possess with the intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. As part of his plea deal, Espinoza admitted that the counterfeit pill he sold to the teen led to the deadly fentanyl poisoning of the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. (FOX40.COM) The California Highway Patrol in the Modesto area will set up a checkpoint on Friday. Video above: Sacramento County DA declines to file charges against state Senator Sabrina Cervantes CHP said Driving Under the Influence and Sobriety/Driver License Checkpoint will be in place in North Modesto between 7 p.m. and 1 a.m. Chiopotle opens first North Highlands location Checkpoints are often used to reduce the number of deaths or injuries in drug-involved crashes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Research shows that crashes involving an impaired driver can be reduced by up to 20 percent when well-publicized DUI checkpoints and proactive DUI patrols are conducted routinely, CHP said in a statement. According to CHP, about 37 people in the United States die in drunk-driving crashes every day that is one person every 39 minutes. Officers will be checking for signs of alcohol and drug impairment at a location based on collision statistics and frequency. Drivers caught impaired can expect jail time, fines, fees, DUI classes, and other expenses that can add up to over $15,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SUMMERVILLE, S.C. (WCBD) A popular national drive-thru coffee shop is set to open Thursday in the Summerville area. Dutch Bros Coffee is located at 101 Angus Drive. The Oregon-based chain offers specialty coffee, smoothies, freezes, teas, an exclusive Dutch Bros Rebel energy drink, and nitrogen-infused cold brew coffee. This marks the coffee shops first location in South Carolina; coffee lovers would have to travel to Georgia, Tennessee, or Florida to get a cup of the popular brew until now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. As the defense minister appointed by the government to oversee the IDF, it is my responsibility to ensure things are carried out - and so they will be. Defense Minister Israel Katz responded on Wednesday morning to the prime minister's son, Yair Netanyahu, who accused Katz of insisting on the appointment of the current IDF Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, in a Tuesday tweet. Katz clarified his position, aligned himself with the IDF, and expressed support for the chief of staffs professional conduct in confronting the political echelon over the occupation of the Gaza Strip. He emphasized: It is the chief of staffs right and duty to express his position in the appropriate forums, and after the political leadership makes decisions, the IDF will implement them resolutely and professionally - as it has done until now in all arenas - until the wars objectives are achieved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yair Netanyahu had responded to a tweet by Yedioth Ahronoth military correspondent Yossi Yehoshua, who called on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to explain to the Israeli public the potential costs of such a move, especially in light of the reported opposition within the IDF. If the person who dictated your tweet is who we all think it is, this is a rebellion and an attempted military coup, something fitting of a banana republic in Central America in the 1970s. And it is completely criminal, alluding to Zamir. Yair Netanyahu. (credit: FLASH90) Later in the exchange, when another user noted that Zamir was appointed by his father, he shifted the blame to Katz. According to him, Katz was the one who pushed for Zamirs appointment as chief of staff, insisted on it, and was also responsible for formulating the list of candidates. Katz said that, "as reported, I recommended Eyal Zamir for the position of IDF chief of staff, and the prime minister and the government approved my recommendation, Katz said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believed that at the crossroads the IDF was facing, he was the most suitable candidate to build and operate the force against the many security challenges before us, due to his strategic worldview, capabilities, and extensive experience. IDF successes under Zamir's leadership Under his leadership, together with the IDFs brave commanders and soldiers, and under the guidance of the political echelon, the IDF is operating offensively and forcefully in Lebanon, Syria, the West Bank, Gaza, and other arenasand led an unprecedented, stunning, and victorious strike against Iran. "Operation Gideons Chariots achieved significant gains against Hamas in Gaza. Entire areas were captured and cleared of terrorists and terror infrastructure, both above and below ground, which for the first time were completely destroyed. Katz said that Hamass refusal to release the hostages necessitates new decisions on how to advance the wars objectives: The elimination of Hamas while creating the conditions for the release of the hostages and ensuring the safety of Israeli communities, now and forever. As the defense minister appointed by the government to oversee the IDF, it is my responsibility to ensure things are carried out - and so they will be, Katz concluded. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A 31-year-old Eagle Butte man was shot and killed by law enforcement Tuesday night in Haakon County, according to the South Dakota Attorney Generals office. The Division of Criminal Investigation is now investigating the officer-involved shooting and hostage situation. Sturgis Rally vehicle count almost 250,000 According to a news release from the attorney general, Schace Wayne Looking Horse fired a gun multiple times during a vehicle pursuit which started when Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Law Enforcement initiated a vehicle pursuit related to a weapons call near the Green Grass Community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the vehicle was stopped, Looking Horse took a hostage at gunpoint and stole a vehicle with a pursuit that continued in Haakon County before the vehicle was stopped and Looking Horse was shot and killed. The hostage suffered minor injuries and was treated on the scene, while law enforcement did not sustain any injuries, according to the news release. The second vehicle and hostage were taken at a location east of Midland, according to Tony Mangan, a spokesman for Jackley. Mangan told KELOLAND News that Looking Horse was shot and killed at a location between Midland and Philip. What agencies were actually involved in the shooting is part of the on-going investigation, Mangan said. This was a dangerous hostage situation with shots fired at law enforcement officers, Attorney General Mary Jackley said in a news release. As with any officer involved shooting, DCI will do a thorough, impartial and transparent investigation and will release a final report at a later date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Jackley, this is the sixth officer-involved shooting in South Dakota this year. KELOLAND Capitol reporter Bob Mercer contributed to 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 KELOLAND.com. Early results are in for the Aug. 5 primary election. Voters will narrow down the choices for three mayoral races in East Pierce County. Sumner, Orting and Milton are all getting new mayors, with all three current mayors opting not to run for re-election. The top two vote-getters in each race will advance to the general election in November. Kyle Haugh, elections supervisor for Pierce County Elections, told The News Tribune the second round of results will be released on Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. Sumner election results Three people are vying to take Sumner Mayor Kathy Haydens seat: Deputy Mayor Carla Bowman, former mayor Bill Pugh and attorney David Shelvey. Hayden has been the mayor since 2022 and is concluding her four-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carla Bowman and Bill Pugh are leading in the primary election. Carla Bowman: 38.1% (382 votes) Bill Pugh: 54.2% (544 votes) David Shelvey: 7.5% (75 votes) Bowman is a member of the Sumner City Council and has also served as a board member of the Tacoma/Pierce County Economic Development Board. She has worked in the aerospace manufacturing field for 28 years. Pugh served as the citys mayor from 2018 to 2021. Before his mayoral term, he served as the citys public works and public services director from 2008 to 2017. He was also the assistant city manager and public works director for the City of Tacoma from 1974 to 2008. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelvey is an attorney, tax advisor and volunteer president of the Tacoma Eagles Club. Bowman and Pugh previously spoke to The News Tribune about growth, affordable housing, taxes, Sumners historic downtown and more. Orting election results Five men are competing to fill the seat left by current mayor Josh Penner after eight years. Penner was elected to the Washington State House of Representatives earlier this year and represents District 31 which encompasses East Pierce County and parts of southeastern King County. Scott Drennen and Chris Moore are leading the race. Scott Drennen: 32.8% (227 votes) Stanley Holland: 19.6% (136 votes) Gregory Hogan: 8.7% (60 votes) Chris Moore: 34.8% (241 votes) Jim Rutt: 3.9% (27 votes) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Holland, Hogan and Moore currently serve on the Orting City Council. Drennen is a former Orting City Council member, serving from 1995 to 2005 and again from 2006 to 2021. He also served on the public works committee and the citys planning commission. Holland used to serve on the Orting School Board. He now serves on the board of directors for the Puget Sound Educational Service District 121 and has been in leadership roles for the Orting Lions Club. Hogan has served as deputy mayor four times. He was chairman of the Orting School Board from 1991 to 2004 and served on Ortings planning commission from 2013 to 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moore has served on Ortings public safety and public works committees. He is also chair of the Pierce County Flood Zone Control District Advisory Committee. Rutt has 42 years of experience in transportation management. In the Pierce County Voters Pamphlet, he also said he has experience running two very successful small businesses. All of the candidates except Moore spoke with The News Tribune about their vision for the city. They all identified safety, growth, infrastructure and traffic as priorities. Milton election results Milton is getting a new mayor for the first time since 2017. Current mayor Shanna Styron-Sherrell has elected not to run for re-election. Three candidates are competing to fill her seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Steve Whitaker and Bruce White are leading. Steve Whitaker: 33.9% (228 votes) Megan Sheridan: 24% (161 votes) Bruce White: 42% (282 votes) Whitaker is a member of the Milton City Council and is the current mayor pro tempore. White also serves on the Milton City Council and also served on the Kent City Council from 2002 to 2005. Sheridan is a former member of the Maple Valley City Council who left her role in 2018 and moved to Milton in 2021. The News Tribune previously covered heated discourse surrounding the race, and also spoke to the candidates about traffic, infrastructure and economic development. For more East Pierce County election results and other races across Pierce County, visit The News Tribunes live results page. The News Tribune archives contributed to this report. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Eligible Sioux City voters can begin casting their votes Wednesday in the Iowa State Senate District 1 special election. Thats according to the Woodbury County Commissioner of Elections. The special election is set for August 26, but as of August 6, the Woodbury County Auditors Office will begin mailing out requested absentee ballots. Starting the same day, voters can cast their ballots early in person at the County Auditors Office within the Woodbury County Courthouse in downtown Sioux City. The hours for early in-person voting are 8:00 a.m. through 4:30 p.m. weekdays through Monday, August 25, and 8:00 a.m. through 4:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 23. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is also still time to request an absentee ballot to be mailed to you. That deadline is Monday, August 11, at 5 p.m. Only voters from local precincts 1 through 22 are included in Iowa State Senate District 1 and are eligible to vote, so its a good idea to check which precinct your neighborhood is in on the Woodbury County elections website. On the day of the election, voters must cast their ballots at their precincts polling location, so verifying your precinct could be helpful for that reason, as well. The special election comes after the death of former Iowa State Senator Rocky De Witt, who passed away in June following a battle with cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are two candidates on the ballot, Republican Christopher Prosch and Democrat Catelin Drey. Both candidates were recently asked about their stance on eminent domain as it pertains to CO2 pipelines. When the House and the Senate passed that bill and said we dont support eminent domain, and the governor vetoed that, it was irresponsible, said Democratic Candidate Catelin Drey. The second thing Ill say is that carbon capture technology is not proven. I am for energy progress, but not at the expense of local landowners, said Republican Candidate Christopher Prosch. Private property rights are paramount, and they should not be taken advantage of by eminent domain abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can find additional information on the special election on the Iowa Secretary of States website here, or by calling Woodbury County Elections at (712) 279-6465. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. BERLIN, Conn. (WTNH) Berlin police say an arrest has been made after a $300,000 tractor-trailer was stolen from a local truck dealership in March. Police said the truck- stolen from the lot of Peterbilt Trucking- was found torched on Interstate 91 in North Haven shortly after. It had multiple parts removed from the vehicle. Tractor trailer catches fire on I-91 in New Haven A subsequent investigation led police to execute a search warrant at New Haven Truck & Auto Body in East Haven, where they seized a refurbished tractor-trailer that had numerous stolen parts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An employee there was arrested for first-degree larceny, third-degree burglary, and first-degree criminal trover. Jason Dennis, 45, of Milford posted a $150,000 bond and is scheduled to appear in New Britain court on Aug. 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) There was a party with a purpose at Riggs Beer Company in Urbana Tuesday evening. The Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club presented Back to the Paribbean 25 at Riggs on Aug. 5 from 5-8 p.m. The event included music, food and a tropical theme, all of which aim to support the Development Services Center. Riggs partners with Farm Progress Show to launch exclusive lager The annual Phundraiser provided attendees a laid-back island vibe and featured live music from The Boat Drunks, raffle baskets, a 50/50 drawing, a lottery ticket board and a night full of phun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Admission to the party costed $10 at the gate, with all proceeds benefiting DSC, a local non-profit organization that is dedicated to supporting children and adults with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities. One member of the Parrot Head Club said its the groups motto to have a good time while giving back to the community. Funding for C-U at Home shelter approved by Champaign City Council Its also awareness of what DSC, what their mission is, said Connie Walsh, treasurer at the Eastern Illinois Parrot Head Club. To help those with intellectual, developmental disabilities. And thats about 1,200 individuals each year that receive services through DSC. All the way from early childhood development, all the way up through adult living here in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who attended the event were able to enjoy craft brews from Riggs, meals from local food trucks such as La Paloma, Smith Burger and Watsons Chicken, and ice cream from The Main Scoop. For more information on DSC and this annual event, visit eiphc.org and dsc-illinois.org. DSCs next fundraiser is their annual Tree of Hope campaign, coming up this winter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 a member of Congress publicly declares allegiance to another country over the United States, its bound to raise eyebrows and for good reason. Thats what happened when U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez, speaking at an event in Mexico City, said: Im a proud Guatemalan before Im an American. Ramirez, whose district stretches from DuPage County to Chicagos Northwest Side, has since attempted to clarify her intent, saying on X that honoring my Guatemalan ancestry only strengthens my commitment to America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats a message we all can embrace. But the damage was done. At a time when trust in public officials is already fragile, statements like hers erode confidence and invite exactly the kind of backlash shes facing. Lets begin with a clear point: Calls to deport Ramirez are not only baseless she was born in Chicago but also fundamentally un-American. This nations legacy is built on welcoming immigrants and celebrating the diverse backgrounds that shape our national identity. Even so, we take issue with the congresswomans comment, which crossed the line between honoring heritage and undermining public trust. Federal officials are elected to represent their constituents here in the United States. As such, they should champion this country especially when speaking abroad. Statements that cast doubt on their loyalty to the U.S. are damaging and irresponsible. As a nation of immigrants, many Americans feel deep affection for their ancestral homelands. In Chicago, pride in cultural roots from Mexico to Poland and beyond long has enriched the city. But Americans expect their leaders to confirm their belief in and allegiance to this country while extolling their lineage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to hope the clarification provided by Ramirez, the daughter of Guatemalan immigrants, reflects what she actually thinks. When speaking on the world stage, elected officials must choose their words carefully. This episode should remind all elected leaders: Words matter. Americans expect their representatives to honor their heritage, yes but also to speak with conviction about their commitment to this country. Democrats have a valuable opportunity here to reaffirm that patriotism and progressivism are not mutually exclusive that you can celebrate diversity while championing America. At the same time, Republicans should resist the impulse to exploit moments like these with anti-immigrant rhetoric that alienates the very communities helping to shape the partys future. Both parties would do well to remember: A big tent means embracing diverse backgrounds. But it also demands shared respect for this nation and all who call it home. Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com. Egypts billion-dollar museum is finally opening its doors. The aptly named Grand Egyptian Museum (GEM), which will be home to the largest, most complex trove of ancient treasures and artifacts in the world, is set to be revealed to the public on November 1. The previous opening, originally slotted for July 2, had been dashed due to conflicts between Israel and Iran in the region, Bloomberg reported. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The nations president, Abdel Fattah El-Sisi, signed off on the new debut date for the GEM, which sits just a mile from Gizas pyramids. Government officials are starting to prepare for the event, according to the publication. Prime Minister Moustafa Madbouly called the opening an exceptional event in a cabinet meeting, Barrons reported. The new institution has been a long time coming, thanks to political unrest and Covid-19 related delays. About 20 years ago, the Egyptian government held an international competition to decide who got to take the reins of the museums design. Dublin-based Heneghan Peng Architects won out, crafting a sprawling 120-acre space to hold a bevy of ancient finds. That includes 100,000 artifacts, one of which will be the famed tomb of King Tutankhamun; the entire collection of Tuts tomb will be on display for the first time since its discovery back in 1922. You can even spot a massive 3,200-year-old statue of Ramses II right at the locales entrance. The museum will also be home to an exhibition space, a library, a childrens museum, and an education center. This will be the museum of the 21st century, director general Tarek Tawfik told CNN back in 2019. All means of modern technology have been taken into consideration in order to make this an unforgettable experience for the visitor, but at the same time provide the best possible environment for the artifacts. The GEM is expected to draw in 5 million annual visitors to the region. Even before the opening, though, Egypt is expected to see a record 18 million tourists this year, according to Bloomberg. The nation also doled out $30 million to upgrade vacationers experience around the Giza pyramids. Seems like a trip to the Gift of the Nile is in order. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Eight people were arrested following a months-long drug and trespassing investigation at a home on Ridgecrest Road, according to the Greece Police Department. Investigators say the home was unlawfully taken over by 45-year-old Shariek Rutledge, who was initially invited into the property by a relative of the homeowner. Police say Rutledge later changed the locks, forced the homeowner out, and allowed several others to occupy the residence. On August 5, the Greece Police Departments SWAT team executed a search warrant at the home. During the search, officers recovered cocaine, fentanyl, and crack cocaine. One additional person was turned over to another law enforcement agency on an unrelated warrant. Arrests and charges: Roosevelt C. Speed, 46, Rochester Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the third degree (intent to sell) Criminal use of drug paraphernalia in the second degree Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Shariek Rutledge, 45, Rochester Grand larceny in the second degree (unlawful taking of the residence) Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Brittany Hollaert, 28, Rochester Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Dunia Amireh, 35, Rochester Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Shaqera Lee, 32, 922 Affinity Lane Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Yanira Lopez, 24, 70 Dayton Street, Apt. 2 Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Brandon Smith, 41, 26 Karnes Street Criminal trespass in the second degree (Remanded to CAP Court) Mary Mickolichik, 60, 39 Laura Drive Criminal possession of a controlled substance in the seventh degree (Released on an appearance ticket) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The neighbors were up in arms. Generally, its a quiet neighborhood. Everyone owns their houses there. They felt horrible for the primary homeowner, and the primary homeowner felt horrible for the neighbors, said Capt. Michael Perkowski of Greece PD, It affects our community. It really does. Anything we can do, however small or large, I think it has a major effect on the way we live our lives every day. Greece police say the operation was the result of ongoing efforts by the departments Criminal Investigation Division to address suspected drug trafficking and prostitution at the residence. Police added all eight suspects carried a history of prostitution and larcenies in the area, and some may have engaged in prostitution in other states. All suspects are due back in court September 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Old footage of Philippine Vice President Sara Duterte in the lead-up to the archipelago's mid-term vote has been falsely shared online as her doling out aid to those affected by recent floods. Multiple reports indicate Duterte was not in the Philippines when July monsoon rains and a series of storms inundated parts of the country. "Vice President Sara Duterte does not mind braving the heavy rains as long as she can bring help to the people affected by the floods and the storm," reads the Tagalog-language caption to a Facebook Reel shared July 23, 2025. The video, viewed over 300,000 times, shows Duterte at the foreground swarmed by supporters in the rain. Screenshot of the false post, taken on August 6, 2025 with a red X added by AFP The video, also posted on TikTok, was shared after days of monsoon rains and three successive tropical storms flooded parts of the country, left at least 40 people dead, and forced thousands from their homes (archived here, here and here). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to a timeline by the Philippine's disaster agency, the "combined effects" of the southwest monsoon and storms could be felt from July 15 to July 26. However, the vice president was out of the country during this period. Duterte was at The Hague in Netherlands from July 6 to July 23, according to multiple news reports published by local media (archived here, here and here). She was visiting her father, former president Rodrigo Duterte, who is detained at the International Criminal Court on a crimes against humanity charge tied to his deadly anti-narcotics campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vice president can be seen consistently granting interviews outside the detention centre on different days while she was in the European country (archived here and here). Her next recorded public appearance was on July 27, when she visited the Filipino community in Seoul (archived link). While Duterte's office conducted relief operations in July, she is not pictured in any of the images shared on the Office of the Vice Presidents official Facebook page (archived link). Election campaign Keyword searches on Facebook found the falsely shared clip corresponds to footage shared May 5, 2025 in a page called "Engr. Berto" (archived link). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What a warm welcome in Isabela City, Basilan for VP Inday and Sen Imee," reads its Tagalog caption, using the vice president's nickname and referring to her ally, Senator Imee Marcos. According to social media posts shared by her political allies, Duterte was in southern Basilan province on May 4, a week before the Philippine mid-term elections, to help candidates campaign in the area (archived here, here and here). The shirt that Duterte was wearing that day -- with her surname printed at the back in green text -- as well as her hair accessory, matches what she is wearing in the falsely shared clip. Screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and Facebook video posted in May 2025, with similarities highlighted by AFP Another clip of the campaign rally shared on pro-Duterte Facebook page "Sara Region VI" on May 4, shows a different angle of the footage in the false posts. A person wearing a blue and white cap can be seen near the vice president (archived link). Screenshot comparison of the false post (left) and Facebook video posted in May 2025, with similarities highlighted by AFP AFP has debunked more misinformation related to Duterte here, here and here. Depending on who you ask, America's young people are experiencing a religious revival. Gen Zers are now more likely to attend church weekly than millennials, with young men in particular leading the return to religious services. While Gen Zers are still more likely to identify as religiously unaffiliated than previous groups, there's evidence that certain kinds of religious devotion are also growing in popularityearlier this year, Roman Catholic dioceses around the Western world reported spikes in adult conversions. As the decline in religious attendance has slowed, the past few years have also seen a clear rise in the status of religion. It's becoming more and more socially acceptable to be religious in elite intellectual spacessomething that could have a real impact on how religion is perceived by everyone else. This is a big change from the past few decades, in which internet "New Atheism" effectively framed religion, Christianity in particular, as fundamentally anti-intellectual and subtly low-class. Christians were cast as uneducated redneckscreationists, climate-change deniers, and pearl-clutching censors. This framing of the religious was obviously influenced by the backlash to George W. Bush-era conservatism. Movies like Jesus Camp and shows like 19 Kids and Counting, which portrayed evangelical "fundies" at their most mockable, only reinforced the impression that religion is a small-minded, bigoted, and jingoistic endeavor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These New Atheists seized on the cringeworthy, distinctly lower-middle-class aesthetics of Bush-era Christianity. The aesthetics of many non-denominational Evangelical churchesunadorned auditoriums, cheesy worship music, and the occasional smoke machine or pledge to the Christian flagfit within a broader cultural language of suburban kitsch. These evangelical churches are essentially the Stanley cups of American religion: consumerist yet distinctly cheap-feeling, appealing to a certain kind of middle-class, middle-aged woman, and a constant subject of mockery for those who see themselves as better and smarter than people like her. New Atheists loved nothing more than mocking and memeifying this kind of Christianity, a sentiment that rubbed off on the intelligentsia writ large. But that didn't last forever. While evangelicalism is still the most popular protestant denomination, it's no longer the only culturally salient version of Christianity to be found. Much of this is due to how the Republican Party became less entwined with this vision of religion. When Obergefell v. Hodges took marriage equality national, conservatives no longer had a culture-war issue whose arguments were almost entirely religious in nature. Then Donald Trumphardly anyone's idea of a religious social conservativeswallowed the Republican party whole, effectively squelching religious grandstanding about the sanctity of marriage. Abortion remained a salient issue during this time, but Trump's ambivalence made it undeniably less attractive as a hobby horse (especially given that many anti-abortion arguments can be made from a secular viewpoint). Either way, with Roe's overturn in 2022, Republicans again had a key religion-inflected cultural issue fall out of focus. In fact, the backlash to state-level abortion bans was so swift that many Republicans attempted to backpedal on the issue. In 2024, the Republican Party went so far as to ditch a call for a federal abortion ban from its platform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, there are still vestiges of 2000s theocracy-inflected religious conservatism on the rightjust look at the handful of states that passed laws or mandates forcing classrooms to display the Ten Commandments or stock Biblesbut they're undeniably more of a fringe element than they used to be. Instead, the Republican Party has adopted a distinctly areligious, distinctly mean posturing that's influenced more by Andrew Tate than Billy Graham. As a result, religious observance has less of a right-wing association. Being religious no longer means being Republican. And being Republican no longer means being religious in the Bible-thumping, "God Warrior" mode. Gone, for now at least, are the days when religion exists in pop culture purely as an anti-intellectual, lower-class phenomenon. In fact, many in the intellectual class are mourning the recent decline in religious observance, and even self-described atheists are extolling the social value of religious community. "I wonder if, in forgoing organized religion, an isolated country has discarded an old and proven source of ritual at a time when we most need it," Atlantic writer Derek Thompson, an agnostic, wrote last year. "It took decades for Americans to lose religion. It might take decades to understand the entirety of what we lost." Even Richard Dawkins has softened his criticism of Christianity. "I call myself a cultural Christian," Dawkins said during an interview last year. "It's true that statistically, the number of people who actually believe in Christianity is going down, and I'm happy with that. But I would not be happy if, for example, if we lost all our cathedrals and our beautiful parish churchesIf I had to choose between Christianity and Islam, I'd choose Christianity every time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you want an idea of how much things have changed in the cultural arena, take Wes Anderson's latest film, The Phonecian Scheme. The movie follows Zsa-zsa Korda, an ultra-wealthy unscrupulous businessman who, upon realizing that the continual assassination attempts against him will work sooner or later, contacts his estranged daughter, Leisl, a novice nun. Zsa-zsa takes her on a trip across the Middle East in an attempt to swindle last-minute financial support from the investors of an ambitious infrastructure project. All the while, Zsa-zsa is plagued by dreams of his final judgementGod, of course, is played by Bill Murray in robed, white-bearded glory. In the world of the film, not only does God exist, but it is a very literal biblical God who rules the universe. If there's any ambiguity about whether the characters ought to take this God seriously, at the end of the movie, Zsa-zsa gets baptized and becomes a Catholic. When a skeptical Liesl warns him that the baptism "doesn't work if you're lying," he replies, "I'm not lying. I'm capable of and willing to genuinely believe in the opposite of my personal convictions." I can't remember the last time I saw a film made by an ostensibly secular filmmaker for a distinctly elite and educated audience that treats religion so credulously. Plenty of films are about religionahem, Conclaveor imply that some kind of mysterious, ineffable higher power exists, but few take place in a universe in which the Christian God is affirmed to be both real and good. I won't speculate on Anderson's own beliefsand I don't think any kind of religious conversion is necessary for Anderson to have made what is an obviously pro-Christian film. Instead, I think The Phoenician Scheme reflects a cultural moment in which religion is having a distinctly aesthetic upgradesomething a scrupulously visual filmmaker like Anderson would be likely to capitalize upon. Religion is, in short, becoming cool again among the cultural elite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of this comes down to the way Catholicism, in particular, is becoming fashionable again, with many young adults citing an attraction to the aesthetics of "smells and bells" high church worship. "[I] always liked the aesthetic elements of Catholicism," one young convert told Free Press writer Madeleine Kearns, adding that she "loved the architecture and the stained glass" of many Catholic churches, "and how much detail and symbolism was there." Even as the "tradcath" resurgence remains a right-coded phenomenon, it is at the very least a fixation of the intellectual right. One can imagine Dasha Nekrasova from the Red Scare podcast becoming a traditionalist Catholic, but never a Pentecostal or Southern Baptist. It also helps that Catholicism, Orthodoxy, and other "high church" denominations have largely been left out of the discourse around "Christian nationalism." Religion became cool again among the educated elite once it gained an association with good aesthetics, high art, and sacred musicnot Bush-era Republican soft theocracy. Today, one can belong to the ideas-making classan aspiring public intellectual or artistand still be religious, so long as one steers clear of evangelical kitsch. Whether or not a real religious revival is underway in American public life, one thing is clear: The cool kids aren't the smug, strident atheists anymorethey're the Christians. The post How the Elite Changed Its Mind on Christianity appeared first on Reason.com. SACRAMENTO, California A federal judge on Tuesday struck down a California law restricting AI-generated, deepfake content during elections among the strictest such measures in the country notching a win for Elon Musk and his X platform, which challenged the rules. But Judge John Mendez also declined to give an opinion on the free speech arguments that were central to the plaintiffs case, instead citing federal rules for online platforms for his decision. Mendez also said he intended to overrule a second law, which would require labels on digitally altered campaign materials and ads, for violating the First Amendment. The judges decisions Tuesday deal a blow to California Gov. Gavin Newsom, who signed the laws last year in a rebuke of Musk, vowing to take action after the tech billionaire and then-Donald Trump supporter shared a doctored video of former Vice President Kamala Harris ahead of the election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first law would have blocked online platforms from hosting deceptive, AI-generated content related to an election in the run-up to the vote. It came amid heightened concerns about the rapid advancement and accessibility of artificial intelligence, allowing everyday users to quickly create more realistic images and videos, and the potential political impacts. But opponents of the measures, like Musk, also argued the restrictions could infringe upon freedom of expression. The original challenge was filed by the creator of the video, Christopher Kohls, on First Amendment grounds, with X later joining the case after Musk said the measures were designed to make computer-generated parody illegal. The satirical right-wing news website the Babylon Bee and conservative social media site Rumble also joined the suit. The Harris video had depicted her describing herself as the ultimate diversity hire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mendez said the first law, penned by Democratic state Assemblymember Marc Berman, conflicted with the oft-cited Section 230 of the federal Communications Decency Act, which shields online platforms from liability for what third parties post on their sites. They dont have anything to do with these videos that the state is objecting to, Mendez said of sites like X that host deepfakes. But the judge did not address the First Amendment claims made by Kohls, saying it was not necessary in order to strike down the law on Section 230 grounds. Im simply not reaching that issue, Mendez told the plaintiffs attorneys. Newsom spokesperson Tara Gallegos said the governor's office was still reviewing the decision, but that they "remain convinced that commonsense labeling requirements for deep fakes are important to maintain the integrity of our elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for California Attorney General Rob Bonta's office said it was also reviewing the judge's decisions. Bermans office declined to comment and the office of Assemblymember Gail Pellerin, the Democrat who authored the second law, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Kristin Liska, arguing on behalf of the California attorney generals office, noted the Berman law only applied to large platforms with 1 million or more users. She therefore asked Mendez to limit his order to plaintiffs X and Rumble. Kohls Attorney Theodore Frank told POLITICO after the hearing he would work with Liska to ensure his client is protected on other sites that were not party to the lawsuit, like Facebook and YouTube. Liska faced tough questioning from Mendez over the second deepfake law, challenged by the same plaintiffs, that requires platforms to label and take down deepfake videos of politicians around election time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think the statute just fails miserably in accomplishing what it would like to do, Mendez said, adding he would write an official opinion on that law in the coming weeks. Laws restricting speech have to pass a strict test, including whether there are less restrictive ways of accomplishing the states goals. Mendez questioned whether approaches that were less likely to chill free speech would be better. Its become a censorship law and there is no way that is going to survive," Mendez added. Emergency alert issued in search for missing Minneapolis 12-year-old Victoria Jackson originally appeared on Bring Me The News. An emergency was issued Tuesday afternoon in Minneapolis for 12-year-old Victoria Jackson, who was last seen Saturday evening near Minnehaha Falls. The alert went out just after 2:15 p.m. Tuesday as Minneapolis police continue to search for Jackson, a Type 1 Diabetic who wears a black insulin pump that's usually clipped to her waistband. She was last seen walking near the falls around around 8 p.m. Saturday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Efforts have been ongoing in the search for Victoria since she went missing, and we believe she is at risk of experiencing a medical emergency, MPD Chief Brian OHara said in a statement on Tuesday. "Anyone who has any information that may help us locate Victoria, no matter how small it seems, needs to immediately call 911 so we can locate her. Her family is experiencing the unimaginable pain of not knowing where she is, and we are working diligently toward locating her." Victoria JacksonMinneapolis Police Department Jackson is described as 5'1" and 140 pounds with black hair in twists. She was wearing a tan "Rugrats" T-shirt, blue jeans, and red and black shoes when she went missing. Jackson lives near the 5200 block of Minnehaha Avenue, which is near the Minnehaha Regional Park, where the falls are located. Victoria Jackson was last seen wearing the tan "Rugrats" shirt seen in these photos. The black insulin pump is also shown.Minneapolis Police Department Anyone with information regarding her whereabouts is asked to call 911. Anonymous tips can be submitted through Crime Stoppers of Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who has any information that may help us locate Victoria, no matter how small it may seem, needs to immediately call 911 so we can locate her," O'Hara said. "Her family is experiencing the unimaginable pain of not knowing where she is, and we are working diligently toward locating her. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. LANCASTER, Ohio (WCMH) Regardless of where severe weather strikes their own communities or communities far away, emergency management leaders are trying to learn from the situations. The learning is taking place during the inaugural National Emergency Management Awareness Month. Whether you see them or not, emergency management agencies (EMA) are always working to keep communities as prepared as possible. Its really gone on for decades as it relates to preparedness, planning, making resilient communities, Franklin County Emergency Management and Homeland Security Director Jeff Young said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the situations EMAs prepare for is flooding. In early July, deadly flooding hit central Texas. Young said his team has learned from what happened there. We always watch what is occurring nationally as it relates to large disasters and incidents, he said. Texas really drove home to us the need for multiple communication paths. Locally, flash flooding hit Lancaster more recently. We had more real-time information for this event than weve ever had for any other, Fairfield County Emergency Management Director Jon Kochis said. Heavy rain hit as concert goers were gathering for one of the Lancaster Festivals main shows. Kochis and his Fairfield County EMA team suggested festival organizers evacuate the grounds, first over lightning concerns but then because of flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We were making that judgment, that opinion based on what we were getting directly from the national weather service; literally theyre talking to me on the phone and were talking to the festival staff, Kochis said. Festival organizers listened to the advice. Its 100% their credit that we were able to get every single person off of this field in 20 minutes, Lancaster Festival Executive Director Deb Connell 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 NBC4 WCMH-TV. UPDATE, July 8th, 8:55 am Per the Augusta, Ga. Government website, no more rental assistance applications are being accepted on-line, or in-person to the high level of demand. NewsChannel 6 spoke with a city official who explained that the decision was made to limit the amount so those that have already been received can be processed. Again, applications will ONLY BE ACCEPTED at intake sessions. The schedule is below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Howard Community Center Saturday, August 9th from 10am 2pm May Park Wednesday, August 20th 12pm 7pm Robert Howard Community Center Saturday, August 23rd from 10am 2pm *** AUGUSTA, Ga. (WJBF) Augusta Housing & Community Development is accepting applications for the federally funded Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA2) Program. This program helps eligible Augusta-Richmond County households cover rent, utility bills, and housing-related needs. YOU MUST HAVE THE FOLLOWING HARD COPIES FOR: RENTAL ASSISTANCE Valid photo IDs for all occupants 18 and older, Social Security cards for ALL household members, Current lease agreement, Rental payment history (up to12 months) If Applicable, Proof of income for the previous two months (If Unemployed a WG15 from Georgia, Department of Labor is required) Any notices to pay or eviction paperwork filed with the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UTILITIES ASSISTANCE Valid photo IDs for all occupants 18 and older, Social Security cards for ALL household members, Current lease/mortgage agreement, Outstanding utility bills (Water, Gas, Electric) NO PREPAY BILLS, Proof of income for the previous two months (If Unemployed an WG15 from Georgia Department of Labor is required) These documents are needed to complete your application. Funding is limited and awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. ALSO ON WJBF: Augusta residents encouraged to apply for the Emergency Rental Assistance Program For more information visit: https://www.augustaga.gov/ERA2 or in person at 510 Fenwick Street, Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. These are the only in-person hours available at this location. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional intake opportunities will be held throughout the city on the following dates: May Park Wednesday, August 6th from 12pm 7pm Robert Howard Community Center Saturday, August 9th from 10am 2pm May Park Wednesday, August 20th 12pm 7pm Robert Howard Community Center Saturday, August 23rd from 10am 2pm Visit Augustaga.gov for additional information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Three Colorado lawmakers say the decision on whether to build a new Department of Veterans Affairs clinic in Fremont County is stuck at the regional level, while the agency countered it must complete a required needs assessment before committing to a new clinic. The proposed clinic could serve 5,000 veterans across Fremont County and is "urgently" needed, according to a letter lawmakers released Tuesday. Colorado Sens. John Hickenlooper and Michael Bennet, and Rep. Brittany Pettersen, D-Lakewood, sent the letter to regional VA leadership in August. Pettersen also represents Fremont County. "We urge you to expeditiously approve the construction request to better serve veterans in need of assistance," they wrote. The funding for the new clinic was included on a VA priority list two years ago for fiscal year 2026, but it has not been approved by Rocky Mountain Veterans Integrated Service Network, also known as VISN 19, a region that includes portions of Colorado, Utah, Montana and Nevada, the letter said. James Sheridan, the junior vice commander of VFW Post 2788 in Penrose, said the funding has been set aside for the clinic for two years and he would like to see the VA prioritize the new building. Aging Vietnam veterans are the largest group in Fremont County area in need of a local clinic and a small group of World War II and Korean veterans also need medical care closer to their homes, Sheridan said. Many of them are having trouble with the long drives to Pueblo or Colorado Springs. The veterans around this area are in dire need, Sheridan said. He believes the clinic would also serve veterans who live in other nearby rural counties such as Custer and Chaffee. Primary care is the main need, Sheridan said. But he would also like to see additional services, such as physical therapy and mental health care. A statement from the VA Eastern Colorado Health Care System and VISN 19 said that the agency cannot make any decision on a new building until an assessment required every four years is complete. The agency has made investments in Colorado this year, opening clinics in Aurora and Castle Rock, the statement said. In addition to the local expansions, the VA has also shed numerous jobs and the Trump administration aims to eliminate 30,000 positions by the end of September. The agency expected to reduce its workforce of about 484,000, in part, through programs put in place by the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, and normal attrition. Previously the agency planned to cut more than 80,000 positions, but that's been scaled back. VA Secretary Doug Collins said his agency would not eliminate nurses, doctors or professionals that provide direct care. A recently released VA dashboard shows the agency has seen a net loss of direct care positions through the fiscal year, including 1,720 registered nursing positions, 1,147 medical support assistant jobs and 77 psychologist openings. But the VA Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz told the Federal News Network the agency planned to fill those direct care positions. OPELOUSAS, La. (KLFY) The City of Opelousas has closed Bullard Street between Vine Street and Landry Street to address emergency repairs caused by a blown main water line. According to officials, the issue may cause temporary water service interruptions for customers in the immediate area and along Bullard Street. The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development has been notified, and a police unit is on site to assist with traffic control. Motorists are advised to use alternate routes until repairs are completed. We will update as more information is released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Latest news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN) The Portland Police Department recently arrested an employee at a senior center after she was reportedly caught carrying a drug pipe and meth while on her way to work. According PPD Chief Jason Arnold, the investigation began in mid-July when a crystal-like substance was found in the bathroom of a Portland senior center, which later tested positive for meth. He neglected her: Gallatin man accused of selling dying wifes medication Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said suspects were developed after an investigation into the incident began. Then, on Aug. 2, officers stopped a red Nissan approximately a block away from the senior center and discovered 37-year-old Joy Key behind the wheel. An arrest affidavit states that Key told officers that she was an employee at the senior facility and was on her way to work. However, it was not long before authorities found a pipe that they say was used to smoke meth. Additionally, two baggies of meth were also found in Keys purse. After being told that the jail checks for contraband, Key allegedly pulled a third baggie out of her bra. Law enforcement added that the baggies had approximately 8.8 grams of meth in total, which is reportedly worth $800. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman found with drugs, fake urine after police chase in Portland How upsetting is this to you, chief, that you might have someone bringing hard narcotics into people who are in their golden years? asked News 2s Andy Cordan. Its infuriating, replied Arnold. Theyre being trusted to take care of senior citizens that live at this location, and they are using meth while they are taking care of seniors; it is just infuriating. According to Arnold, investigators suspected Key and others at the facility were possibly ingesting meth while on the job and around the residents. When asked if there was any concern that some of the seniors came into contact with the drug, Arnold told News 2 its always a possibility, adding authorities do not have any information about that, but are still working on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Jail records show Key has an arrest history that goes back several years and includes arrests for drug possession, theft and contempt of court. We believe her and maybe other employees there were using meth while working at this senior living center, using while in the bathroom, and they continued working at the center, and I believe she was on the way to work that date, and they intercepted her before she got there, said Arnold. Key was charged with possession with intent to sell and deliver meth and remains in the Sumner County Jail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 2 has reached out to the senior center for comment, but we have yet to hear back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. The family of slain junior firefighter Gabe Ennis is demanding answers after he was shot and killed earlier this summer in Richmond County. Last week, a 17-year-old turned themselves in to authorities on a murder charge related to Gabes death. Alyssa Ennis, Gabes older sister, described him as goofy, funny, outgoing and someone who loved firefighting and would help anybody give the shirt off his back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gracelynn Ennis, Gabes younger sister, expressed her familys grief. Its just not fair. I just want my brother back, she said. ALSO READ >> Teen arrested in Richmond County junior firefighters death Amber Gustafson, whose son worked closely with Gabe, noted: Theres definitely an emptiness there, but theyre just trying to do what Gabe would want to do. Live like Gabe... protect and serve the community. Gabe Ennis joined Cordova Fire and Rescue as a junior firefighter when he was just 14 years old, serving his community for two years. The Richmond County Sheriffs Office reported Gabes death occurred in late June during a shooting at a home off Wallace Road in Ellerbe, but details surrounding the incident remain unclear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cordovas fire chief issued a statement saying: His name is spoken often in our hallsnot in mourning, but in pride. We memorialize Gabe dailynot with a moment of silence, but through a lifetime of commitment. Its a commitment that Gracelynn is now considering. Ive said multiple times ever since hes been gone that I might take up a career in firefighting for him when I turn 14, she said. In honor of Gabes love for children, Alyssa Ennis is organizing a back-to-school drive on August 16 from 12-4 p.m. at First Baptist Church of Rockingham. As the community continues to mourn Gabe Ennis, his family and friends are committed to honoring his legacy through service and remembrance. Urban Grid is creating a land of sunshine and honey on a site in Halifax County, Virginia, according to a news release. The Houston-headquartered business develops agrivoltaic projects, which combine solar farms and agriculture. Urban is working in 12 states on more than 130 acres "under site control," according to the company's website. The hives at the Crystal Hill Solar location will be part of the outfit's first apiary in a meshing of cleaner energy production, pollinator health, and regenerative land management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ten hives full of 500,000 bees are expected to make 400 pounds of honey a year, which will be shared with food banks, faith-based organizations, and schools. The goal is to spread the buzz around the community, the release stated. "This is the ripple effect of American made energy when we use the land well, solar can strengthen the local economy, support farmers, and deliver real benefits to the communities we're part of," Urban Grid's vice president of economic and community development, Val Newcomb, said in the statement. The site could be a blueprint for better integrating crucial sustainable energy production with the environment. Solar power is made with no planet-warming air pollution, which is linked by NASA to greater chances for extreme heat that could make some places uninhabitable. For their part, bees can use all the help they can get. Penn State reported that some United States beekeepers have lost around 30% of their colonies annually for nearly two decades. The article cited habitat loss, changing weather, disease, and pesticides as factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Department of Agriculture added that 35% of the world's food yields depend on pollinators. At Crystal Hill, rotational crops will be planted on three acres near the hives, allowing experts to study how the bees are benefiting the harvests. "We'll be analyzing pollen to identify what species bees are foraging, measuring vegetation changes over time, and comparing site conditions near and far from the hives. This kind of research can help shape smarter, more sustainable solar land use across the country and provide greater opportunities to a wider range of farmers and land managers," Allison Wickham, founding farmer at project partner Siller Pollinator Company, said. Solar farms could provide prime habitat for other critters, as well. Urban's Virginia site has already been hosting grazing lambs from nearby farmers as a boon to the local sheep economy. During it all, the panels will be generating electricity for the grid, all per the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Success won't come as a surprise in Virginia, as studies have already been completed spotlighting the potential for combining solar, bees, and even native plant plots. Other projects are testing the viability of fruit and vegetables grown on solar-powered operations, maximizing land use. "In the end, improving vegetation while producing energy is the goal this is a business, and these innovations help us operate smarter while creating shared value for the communities we're in," Urban's vice president of asset management, Jeff Hudson, said in the release. It's a combination that can be replicated at home. Rooftop solar panels can reduce or nix your energy expenses, even though President Donald Trump's spending bill sunsets 30% tax incentives early at year's end, per NPR. EnergySage is a trusted resource that can help you navigate the incentives before they expire, find an installer, and save thousands on upfront costs. Upgrading to a natural lawn can reduce water use and pricey yard treatments. The domestic vegetation also supports native pollinators, such as honeybees, that rely on the blooms. 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. DENVER (KDVR) Agencies in Grand County are showing support and sharing their condolences after a Kremmling family lost their lives in a head-on crash that happened on Monday. The crash occurred around 7 a.m. Monday on Colorado 9 between Ute Pass Road and Kremmling, according to an earlier Colorado State Patrol press release. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox CSP said a Ford F-150 was traveling north on Highway 9 when it drove into the southbound lane, where it hit a GMC Yukon head-on, which resulted in both vehicles catching on fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the F-150 was said by the patrol to be a 25-year-old man from Parker, who was transported to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. The five people in the Yukon were pronounced dead on the scene, said CSP. The Grand County Coroners Office identified the five people in the Yukon, all from Kremmling, as: Andres Cabral-Banuelos, 2 Manuel Cabral-Banuelos, 5 Maria Cabral-Banuelos, 12 Andrea Banuelos-Salazar, 30 Manuel Cabral-Torres, 34 The Grand County Coroners Office extends its deepest condolences to the surviving loved ones, friends, and the entire community. The loss of an entire family is an unspeakable tragedy, and our hearts are with all who are grieving during this incredibly difficult time, said the coroners office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The West Grand School District 1-JT has posted to Facebook, saying previously that the crash may have involved one of our West Grand families. In an update on the same Facebook post, the school district said: This is a heart-breaking tragedy, and we are here to support those who have been directly impacted, along with extended family, friends, and our community as best we can during this difficult time. The school district has not said how many of the children in the Kremmling family attended school there; however, they added that they will be working to schedule times for professional support services at the school in the upcoming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The coroners office said that the cause of the crash is still under investigation by CSP. There is also no word on the current condition of the 25-year-old man from Parker. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. For years, Republicans and MAGA influencers have been keen to rip the lid off a supposed government conspiracy to cover up information related to Jeffrey Epsteins crimes and alleged associates. Many key figures who now serve in the Trump administration pledged to do exactly that. The administrations failures to live up to those promises and its bizarre handling of the situation now have it scrambling. On Wednesday night, that will take the form of top officials strategizing at Vice President JD Vances residence, CNN is now reporting. But their task is only getting harder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And thats in large part because a growing chorus of Epsteins victims and their allies now suggest there could indeed be a cover-up afoot. One forged by the same MAGA administration that built itself up as the antidote. To be clear, President Donald Trump has not been accused of any crimes in relation to Epstein. But repeatedly in recent days and weeks, those victims and allies have stepped forward to raise serious questions about the Trump administrations handling of the matter. Theyve complained about favorable treatment of convicted Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. Theyve objected to the lack of disclosure. Theyve complained about the administrations treatment of them. Theyve invoked the phrase cover-up on at least three occasions. Others have more subtly pointed in that direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims have raised concerns about the governments handling of the matter for years in particular focusing on a favorable non-prosecution agreement Epstein landed in 2007 and the years before he was later charged but their complaints are now directed squarely at the Trump administration. All of which makes it much more difficult for the administration to just move on, as the president would clearly prefer. Last week, family members of one of Epsteins and Maxwells most prominent accusers, Virginia Giuffre, cited Trumps recent admission that he had been aware that Epstein recruited Giuffre from Mar-a-Lago. They cited other evidence that Trump was aware of Epsteins affinity for young girls and women and said, It makes us ask if he was aware of Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwells criminal actions. (Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year.) Virginia Giuffre holdsa photo of herself as a teen. - Emily Michot/Miami Herald/Tribune News Service/Getty Images In another letter, Giuffre family members and other accusers also cited the still-unexplained prison transfer of Maxwell to a lower-security prison camp that sex offenders like her dont appear eligible for, without a waiver. That news came shortly after Maxwell, whos serving a 20-year sentence, was interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. And it comes as Trump has dangled the possibility of pardoning Maxwell, whos appealing her conviction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This move smacks of a cover up, they wrote. The victims deserve better. Theyre not the only ones to raise concerns about the prison transfer. Two attorneys who have represented Epstein accusers, Brad Edwards and Paul Cassell, said in a letter Tuesday that they were given no notice of Maxwells transfer or any chance to object. They said the victims view the transfer as extraordinarily insensitive and suggestive of ulterior purposes. That letter was one of several entered into the record as part of proceedings over whether to unseal grand jury testimony from the investigations into Maxwell and Epstein. And some of those letters have also raised concerns about a cover-up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One unnamed victim in her letter appeared to cite a Bloomberg report that the FBI has redacted the names of Trump and other prominent public figures in the Epstein files a report that CNN hasnt confirmed. The unnamed victim said, I feel like the DOJs and FBIs priority is protecting the third-party, the wealthy men by focusing on scrubbing their names off the files, adding: That is their focus? Wow! Another victim, Annie Farmer, offered similar thoughts. Her lawyer cited the Justice Departments statement last month that it would not release information related to third parties who neither have been charged or alleged to be involved in Epsteins and Maxwells crimes. Any effort to redact third party names smacks of a cover up, Farmers lawyer said. Annie Farmer speaks to the press following the sentencing of Ghislaine Maxwell outside the US Courthouse in Manhattan, on June 28, 2022. - Brendan McDermid/Reuters Farmer previously told The New York Times that she urged law enforcement and the FBI two decades ago to look more broadly into Epsteins associates, including Trump, who was friendly with Epstein but has said they had a falling out. Farmer also described a troubling encounter with Trump and Epstein in Epsteins office in the mid-1990s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no evidence of Trumps involvement in Epsteins crimes, and Farmer said she had no evidence of criminal wrongdoing by Trump. The White House has denied the alleged encounter by saying, The president was never in [Epsteins] office. But Farmers account reinforces how Trumps name could appear in the Epstein files and how it might reflect poorly on him, even if theres no accusation of wrongdoing. Also suggesting a cover-up last month was Alicia Arden, who alleged that Epstein assaulted her in 1997. Arden told NBC News that she supported Trump but believed theres a cover-up of some kind going on. Alicia Arden speaks during a press conference in Los Angeles on July 6, 2020. - Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images She cited Attorney General Pam Bondis comments in February indicating she had Epsteins client list on her desk comments Bondi and the White House now claim referred to other Epstein-related documents. The DOJ now says there is no client list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She doesnt want something to come out, and I dont understand why, Arden said. Maybe the list is more horrifying than we think. Another anonymous Epstein accuser told NBC: I am not surprised Trump is now saying we should stop talking about Epstein, adding, These people are trying to protect themselves. And David Boies, a prominent attorney who represented Giuffre, told NBC: I think they ought to release the material after promising, and if they dont, people will believe they are hiding something, and that cannot be tolerated. Boies points to something important. While Epstein-related conspiracy theories have been mostly pushed by Republicans and right-wing influencers, polls suggest large swaths of Americans buy into them, at least to some degree. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CBS News-YouGov poll last month found Americans agreed 92-8% that the Epstein files probably include damaging information about powerful or wealthy people. A Reuters-Ipsos poll showed Americans agreed 69-6% that the federal government was hiding information about Epsteins clients and 60-12% that it was covering up details of his death (with many doubting he died by suicide, as the administration affirmed he did). The comments of Epsteins victims and their allies would seem to bolster that pre-existing belief. And that makes it a lot harder to claim theres nothing to see here whether for Trump or the many people who have built followings by pushing these theories. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Jeffrey Epsteins accusers are blasting the government for its mismanagement of the Epstein files case, and calling for survivors perspectives to be formally considered. After hearing that Vice President JD Vance called a strategy session about the Epstein files, in what is presumably another attempt to rectify the administrations botched efforts at transparency, the family of Epstein accuser Virginia Giuffre spotted that the guest list had some notable omissions. We understand that Vice President JD Vance will hold a strategy session this evening at his residence with administration officials. Missing from this group is, of course, any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, said family members in a statement Wednesday to MSNBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They asked that survivors be given an opportunity to testify, with Giuffres family volunteering to testify in her stead. Their voices must be heard, above all, the statement said. Another accuser, Annie Farmer, issued a letter to the court supporting the release of Epsteins and Ghislaine Maxwells grand jury documents. Farmer, via her lawyers, expressed anger at the meager amount of justice that has been brought for over one thousand victims who suffered at the hands of Epstein and Maxwell. To date, however, the combined forces of our countrys law enforcement agencies have only ever arrested these two individuals in connection with crimes committed against countless young women and girls, and the Governments recent suggestion that no further criminal investigations are forthcoming is a cowardly abdication of its duties to protect and serve, the letter says. The letter goes on to request that the grand jury files be unsealed to help expose the magnitude and abhorrence of Epsteins and Maxwells crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farmer also expressed horror at how Maxwell is attempting to escape justice by angling for a pardon. An underage sex-trafficking scheme should have consequences for every abuser, not just the man at the top. These statements should remind Donald Trump and his administration that to survivors and their families, their fumbling of this case is not just a campaign promise betrayed, it is a miscarriage of justice. Marta Kos, European Commissioner for Enlargement, has welcomed the appointment of Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi as head of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU). Tsyvinskyi is the winning contender for the post. Source: Kos on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: The commissioner noted that the appointment of the ESBU head is a key reform strongly supported by the EU. Quote: "The EU supports this step toward stronger institutions and Ukraines path to membership. Progress must continue." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: Earlier, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that Tsyvinskyi would be appointed head of the ESBU. His appointment had been blocked for a long time, reportedly due to concerns from the Security Service of Ukraine over his fathers Russian citizenship. Tsyvinskyi stated that he had not been officially informed of any such concerns and that the selection committee had resubmitted his documents to the government. Amid the controversy surrounding the independence of other key anti-corruption institutions, such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office, several sources told European Pravda that the EU had begun raising questions about other reform-related steps, including the recent naming of the ESBU head, which followed a selection process. Despite anticipated positive decisions from the European Union in July, Kyiv launched an offensive against reforms. Read more about this in this European Pravda article. Read also: Silence is no longer an option: the West must rethink its Ukraine policy Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The war between Israel and Iran came and went in June, leaving a false sense of calm in its wake. Israel attacked Iran, with support from the United States, supposedly with the aim of destroying Tehrans nuclear capacities. The U.S. then escalated, intervening directly in the war with its famed bunker-buster bombs, but supposedly with the aim of de-escalating. A ceasefire was indeed reached soon thereafter. Pointing to the damage done to Irans nuclear facilities and military capabilities, the U.S. and Israel believe that the war weakened Tehran and possibly made it more malleable, leaving it much further from being able to produce nuclear weapons and eager to return to the diplomatic table. For its part, Iran seems convinced instead that the war has to the contrary demonstrated its resilience and the limits of Israels military power, pointing to the fact that the regime is still standing, that at least some of its nuclear facilities have apparently not been obliterated and that the Iranian population has rallied around the flag. On one level, a situation in which each side believes it has wonor at least has not lostshould give us hope that the ceasefire might hold. On another, though, neither Israel nor Iran believe it will, and both are preparing for the next round of escalation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In this context, Europe, which played no meaningful role in preventing, limiting or ending the conflict, should now be stepping up on diplomacy to make the ceasefire sustainable, both by resuscitating prior multilateral initiatives and developing new channels to engage Iran. For the past month, however, Europe has instead focused on threatening to reimpose United Nations sanctions on Iran, which would put the final nail in the coffin of the nuclear deal Brussels was instrumental in brokering exactly 10 years ago. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. The European Union cannot boast a spectacularly long list of foreign policy successes. It has long been portrayed as an economic giant and a geopolitical dwarf, unable to exert political influence and seal diplomatic agreements, especially in regions that are not in its immediate vicinity or with countries not in the process of joining the union. The Iranian nuclear file was the exception. When negotiations with Tehran began in 2003 over its just-revealed nuclear program, the European powers developed the E3 format, comprising the U.K., France and Germany, to engage with Iran. A year later, the EUs first high representative for foreign policy, Javier Solana, joined the talks to represent Brussels. Two years later this E3+EU format was enlarged to include the other permanent members of the U.N. Security CouncilChina, Russia and the United States. Considering how deep intra-European divisions and the trans-Atlantic rift caused by the U.S.-led invasion of Iraq still were at the time, the establishment of the E3/EU+3 format was a significant diplomatic feat in itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the years the format survived, with the EUs second high representative, Cathy Ashton, maintaining open dialogue with Tehran during the fraught years of Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmedinejads time in office. In 2015, when the political stars aligned under then-U.S. President Barack Obama and then-Iranian President Hassan Rouhani, the EUs third high representativeFederica Mogherini, for whom I was a special advisersucceeded in clinching the Iran nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, or JCPOA. While the Israel-Iran war is now over, the ceasefire remains extremely fragile. As a result, Europeans should be doubling down to reactivate diplomacy. Throughout those years and in the ones that followedincluding during the first term of U.S. President Donald Trump, who withdrew the U.S. from the JCPOA in 2018the European negotiating position was driven by three goals. The first and most obvious was to contain Irans nuclear program, ensuring that Tehran would not acquire nuclear weapons. The JCPOAs stringent restrictions on uranium enrichment and intrusive international inspections ensured just that, notwithstanding the deals shortcomings, including the expiration dates for some of the limitations it placed on Irans program. Second, Europe was intent on demonstrating that diplomacy, and especially multilateral diplomacy, could succeed in addressing crises such as the standoff over Irans nuclear program. Given the regional context and the risks of potential conflict over the issue, Brussels wanted to show in particular that its approach represented a strong guarantee against nuclear proliferation. After all, the evidence suggests that the military alternative doesnt work. When Israel attacked Iraqs Osirak reactor in 1981, for example, not only did it fail to eliminate Baghdads nuclear ambitions, it induced Saddam Hussein to double down on them clandestinely, ultimately drawing the region and the West into decades of instability. Europe wanted to prove that another way was possible, and indeed it did: Until the U.S. exit from the JCPOA, inspection after inspection by the International Atomic Energy Agency confirmed that Iran was living up to its side of the bargain. Third, Europe wanted to build a bridge for the U.S. to return to diplomacy after President George W. Bushs administration, which had been marked by unilateralism and preventive war in violation of international law. Europe could not afford to break ranks with the U.S., on which it relies for its security, but neither was it passive in the wake of Washingtons unilateralism. The years of direct European negotiations with Iran beginning in 2003 laid the groundwork for U.S. diplomacy to push the JCPOA over the line more than a decade later. At the same time, however, it was precisely this trans-Atlantic dimension of the dealand the power imbalance it embedded in the JCPOAthat explained Europes inability to preserve the agreement when Trump began dismembering it in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since 2022, Europes goals have been fundamentally, albeit silently, reprioritized. Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 radically changed Europes security landscape. Attention to the Middle East and to the Global South in general dramatically fell, while Iran increasingly became viewed as an adversary, if not an enemy, in light of its deepening military cooperation with Russia. Iranian drones falling on Ukrainian cities tangibly shifted European attitudes toward Tehran more generally, including on the nuclear question. When Tehran walked away from talks to revive the JCPOA and then cracked down on the Woman, Life, Freedom protests in September 2022, the mood in Europe hardened even further. The final shift came a year later, with Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, when Europes readiness to support Israel and buy into its narrative of Irans regional influence became all but unconditional. At first, this radical shift in Europes approach to Iran manifested itself through passivity. When Trump was re-elected as U.S. president and expressed interest in reactivating diplomacy with Iran, the EU, and in particular the E3 powers, did nothing. Rather than exploring ways to reconstitute the E3/EU+3 format and engage Washington in it, Europe balked. Trump, of course, may well have ignored Europeans had they tried, but Europeans didnt even try. That passivity then tipped into hawkishness when Israel attacked Iran in June. Rather than denouncing the attack as a blatant violation of international law, Europeans refused to condemn it and even referred to Israels right to self-defense to justify it. Ironically, the E3+EU as a format emerged at a time when many European states, including France and Germany, stood firm against preventive wars. Europe has now taken a 180-degree turn. While the Israel-Iran war is now over, the ceasefire remains extremely fragile. As a result, Europeans should be doubling down to reactivate diplomacy. On one level they have, with talks between the E3+EU and Iran held in Istanbul last month. However, in doing so, and in coordination with the U.S., the Europeans have threatened to trigger the JCPOAs snapback mechanisms to reimpose U.N. sanctions against Iran if there is no progress on the nuclear file by August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At face value, this might appear to be skillful diplomacy. If, as the Israeli and U.S. narrative goes, Iran is so weak and eager to negotiate, then the threat of snapback sanctions might provide the final tipping point into a deal. Moreover, both the U.S. and Europe believe they can achieve a more ambitious deal than the JCPOA, featuring no Iranian uranium enrichment at all, as well as restrictions on Tehrans ballistic missile program. But if that narrative proves to be overly optimistic and Iran is neither persuaded about its weakness nor pleading for a deal at any cost, the snapback threat risks backfiring dramatically. After all, reactivating U.N. sanctions would inflict costs not only on Iran but also on the U.N. Security Council, as Russia and Chinaalong with most of the Global Southwould consider the move illegitimate and have already said as much. Demanding a total halt to Iranian enrichment and the linkage of the nuclear file to other questions, including Tehrans ballistic missile program, would also run counter to the framework of diplomacy that the EU built and supported for many years, which compartmentalized the nuclear file and accepted limited Iranian enrichment for civilian purposes. Rather than advancing unrealistic goals, European diplomacy should strive to use the limited influence it has to press Iran to resume cooperation with the IAEA, deflect it from exiting the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and support resumption of a U.S.-Iran diplomatic track. True, that may appear to be a fairly low bar compared to the diplomatic successes of the past. But this downscaling of Europes role is of its own making. Nathalie Tocci is director of the Istituto Affari Internazionali, part-time professor at the School of Transnational Governance (European University Institute) and honorary professor at the University of Tubingen. She has been special adviser to the EU high representative. Her WPR column appears monthly. The post Europe Is Squandering an Opportunity on Nuclear Diplomacy With Iran appeared first on World Politics Review. US State Department Spokesperson Tammy Bruce has said that Denmark, Norway, Sweden and the Netherlands will fund the supply of American weapons for Ukraine worth over US$1 billion. Source: Bruce during a briefing Details: Bruce said Denmark, Norway and Sweden had announced a decision to finance an additional package of American weapons for Ukraine worth US$500 million. The Netherlands said a day earlier it would pay for the supply of the first package of American weapons and ammunition, including missiles for Patriot air defence systems, worth over US$500 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "Together, these deliveries total over US$1 billion of lifesaving, top-of-the-line American equipment that, as noted by Ambassador Whitaker, will allow Ukraine to, quote, 'protect critical infrastructure and civilian lives while also staying in the fight until a lasting ceasefire happens'." Background: On 4 August, it became known that under NATO's Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, the Netherlands had prepared an aid package for Ukraine, which includes components and missiles for Patriot air defence systems. The next day, US Ambassador to NATO Matthew Whitaker stated that further announcements of military aid packages for Ukraine from other countries through the PURL mechanism could be expected soon. Reuters previously reported on this new NATO-led mechanism for financing military aid to Kyiv, with sources stating that the alliance hopes to deliver US$10 billion worth of weapons to Ukraine through the initiative. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Gov. Jared Polis will convene the legislature on Aug. 21 to enact cuts to the state budget amid a $783 million shortfall, even as he is instituting a hiring freeze. The governor said in a Wednesday news conference that the hiring freeze in state agencies will start Aug. 27 and continue through the end of the year, saving about $3 million. The freeze does not include employees funded through Taxpayer's Bill of Rights-exempt funding sources, firefighters, corrections employees or other state employees involved in 24/7 operations, the governor said, adding it will help avoid furloughs and layoffs. That's on top of a request to state agencies to cut 2.5% of their operating expenses for 2026-27, although Mark Ferrandino, the governor's budget director, said the administration is looking for what can be moved into the current year's budget. The amount of the cut has come down by about $170 million in the past week, when it was estimated at about $955 million. Ferrandino explained that there was some benefit from H.R. 1, the federal budget bill, to the state education fund of about $130 million, plus a $40 million tax benefit to Proposition 123, the state affordable housing fund. The impact of H.R. 1 was immediate, given that state tax policy in some areas mirrors that of the federal government. The majority of the shortfall comes from corporate tax changes contained in H.R. 1, Polis explained. The governor, along with Democrats, have pointed to the federal tax policy changes as the "sole" reason behind Colorado's current deficit. Republicans, on the other hand, have argued that legislators knew a large deficit was coming and still decided to grow government spending. The total amount of the revenue deficit is about $1.2 billion, according to state economists and the governor's budget office. Some of that will be covered by a surplus that existed at the end of the 2024-25 budget year. Polis said it's better to bring lawmakers back now to deal with the shortfall, as it will allow state agencies to absorb cuts over a 10-month period, rather than waiting until February, when the normal budget adjustments are made. Ferrandino, the governor's budget guru, has pointed out that waiting until next year will mean that, for every dollar saved, the state would have to cut three dollars because of the shortened timeframe. The intention is to have the cuts in place by Sept. 1, Polis said. The governor and legislative leaders promised no cuts to education funding. They also vowed to inoculate public safety from reductions. The governor confirmed that, in addition to spending reductions, the special session will deal with AI regulation. Lawmakers had approved those regulations last year. They will go into effect on Feb. 1, 2026. The AI law established rules around the use of artificial intelligence, primarily in employment, health care, education, and government practices, where, backers said, the risk of bias or discrimination exists. Businesses have argued that the new law is problematic, potentially penalizing mom-and-pop end users of the technology, instead of the big companies that created the AI software. The special session will also look at reinsurance, support for Planned Parenthood and a change to the November ballot measure on school meals. The cost just to state agencies as a result of Senate Bill 24-205, the new AI law, stands at about $5 million, Polis said on Wednesday. Featured Local Savings Policymakers' main challenge in the Aug. 21 session will be instituting cuts totaling $783 million in general funds. Polis, House Speaker Julie McCluskie and Senate President James Coleman insisted that the legislature approved and the governor signed a balanced budget earlier this year, which the congressional budget undid. "This is mathematics, not politics," Polis said in a separate interview. "Not only was the budget in balance without H.R. 1, we had a TABOR surplus, and every taxpayer would have gotten a refund." Joint Budget Committee Chair Sen. Jeff Bridges, D-Greenwood Village, noted the state had a balanced budget on July 1, and, "on July 4, we were down a billion." "First, we cut $1.2 billion because of TABOR. Now, we're cutting $1.2 billion because of Trump. Like Yogi Berra said, it's deja vu all over again," he said. JBC Vice Chair Rep. Shannon Bird, D-Westminster, echoed that sentiment. "I am deeply concerned by the pain the federal budget will inflict on vulnerable people and the increased costs on families. We are committed to finding responsible solutions, but this billion dollar hole in our state budget will require difficult decisions, she said. Coleman said lawmakers "will do everything we can to minimize the harm, but theres no avoiding the fact that these cuts threaten core services and will hurt Colorado families." "I want every Coloradan to know that were fighting for them, listening to experts, and working to maximize every dollar, unlike Congressional Republicans who have handed out tax breaks to the wealthy at the expense of our most vulnerable, he said. McCluskie said H.R. 1, which ends tax credits for people who buy individual insurance through the state health insurance exchange, will kick Coloradans out of their health plans. The state Division of Insurance has said health insurance premiums for those covered in the individual market will increase on average by 28%, with rural communities expected to see increases of up to 38%. All Coloradans are now the collateral damage from the GOPs cruel bill, which will jeopardize services for hardworking families, children, veterans and older Coloradans," she said. House Republicans criticized the special session as a waste of taxpayer money and argued that Colorado's budget deficit is "self-inflicted." House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese of Colorado Springs said Polis "is using a special session to stir fear about the Big Beautiful Bill, when the truth is that the Big Beautiful Bill continues to cover the people it was designed to serve: seniors, single mothers, children, and people with disabilities. Assistant Minority Leader Ty Winter of Trinidad also criticized the special session's timing, noting it convenes the day before the start of the Colorado State Fair. He argued the governor disregarded rural Colorado anew. The State Fair is a time for rural communities to come together and celebrate their contributions; feeding our state, powering our economy, and showcasing Colorado values, Winter said. It is also a moment for the good people of rural Colorado to proudly share the results of their hard work with the entire state. Calling a special session during this time shows just how out of touch the governor is with the people who do Gods work on Gods land. Republicans have insisted that the budget deficit is the result of the Democratic-led legislature's own actions, arguing the state built unsustainable programs with one-time federal dollars, instead of setting priorities for core services, such as Medicaid for seniors, single moms, children and people with disabilities. "The Democrats obsessive and irresponsible spending has forced this legislature to operate under a structural deficit for years. This crisis is entirely self-inflicted, not because of H.R.1, but because of the Democrats mismatched priorities," Senate Minority Leader Sen. Cleave Simpson, R-Alamosa, earlier said. Every now and then, a bit of nostalgia bait drifts across my social media feed, with people pining for the brighter colors of the past the vivid hues of the Toys R Us logo, or a 90s McDonalds play zone. On Reddit, posters observe: As I get older it feels like life is losing its color, and ask: Were colors brighter and more vibrant when I was younger? Indeed, according to research from the UKs Science Museum Group, theres been a stark increase in gray everyday objects since the mid-20th century. But this dullification may go beyond the modern preponderance of ashen cars, sad beige nurseries and millennial gray apartments. Scientists believe that color perception itself can fade, altering how the world appears. Depending on how your eyes and brain age, the bright red balloon you remember from your seventh birthday party might not look as vivid if you came across it again at 93. Changes in color perception can occur for several reasons. One common factor is structural shifts in the eye. For instance, a cataract a condition that clouds the eyes lens can gradually tint vision with a yellow-brown brunescent hue. In the US, about 4m cataract surgeries are performed annually. A brunescent lens can pull the blue and green out of the world around us, says Dr Andrew Iwach of the American Academy of Ophthalmology. After a cataract is removed, the difference in color clarity afterward can be so striking that Iwach wears a bright blue tie to delight his recovering patients. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: Why its important to protect your hearing as you age and what experts suggest Changes in color perception can also be caused by glaucoma or macular degeneration. Iwach recommends routine eye exams, and says if you notice this type of change, see an ophthalmologist. Research from 2024 found that up to 15% of global dementia cases could be linked to problems with color perception issues, meaning that an eye exam can be an important step in screening and mitigating the disease. Some medications can also affect color perception, says Iwach namely Viagra (pilots are required to abstain from the drug eight hours before flying lest it affect their perception of blue hues) and some types of heart and tuberculosis medications. Yet research suggests that even in the absence of eye disease or medication use, color perception can shift over the course of our lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr Janneke van Leeuwen, a social neuroscientist and honorary research fellow at University College Londons Queen Square Institute of Neurology, noticed a subtle trend in behavioral studies from the last three decades: older adults consistently rated colors duller than younger participants did. Van Leeuwen set out to investigate: do we truly see the world differently as we age? And if so, is it the eyes or the brain driving that change? Her 2023 study involved 17 young adults and 20 older adults in an eye tracking experiment featuring 26 colors, which varied in lightness (how light or dark a color appears) and saturation (how pure and intense a color appears). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using a camera that recorded pupil diameter 1,000 times per second, Van Leeuwens team observed how participants pupils reacted to each color. They found a reduction in the way older peoples pupils responded to more highly saturated colors, even when correcting for the shrunken baseline pupil sizes that come with age. Thus, it seems some older adults may genuinely perceive the world as less colorful. Van Leeuwen recalls one participant saying: Oh, its a shame theres not a real punchy red. I was thinking: Well, youre looking at one! she says. The issue, Van Leeuwen explains, doesnt necessarily originate in the eyes, but in the brain. Pupil responses are controlled by the Edinger-Westphal nucleus, a midbrain structure that receives input from the retina and the visual cortex. This means that pupillary reactions reflect both what the eyes detect and how the brain processes that information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The brain becomes less sensitive to how saturated and vivid colors are not because the eyes fail to register them, says Van Leeuwen, but because the visual cortex may no longer interpret them with the same intensity. Older adults seem to be particularly less sensitive to the intensity of colors on the magenta-green pathway, she adds, referring to the anatomical structures in the eye that help process colors. More research is needed to understand why, but the cause probably lies in how the cones in our eyes interact with color-processing pathways in the brain. Currently, Van Leeuwen is following up her study with an investigation into how differences in saturation perception influence the way colors make younger and older adults feel. Related: Im an expert on ageing. Heres what I know about thriving in later life | Kerry Burnight The 2023 studys findings align with a phenomenon called the Helmholtz-Kohlrausch effect: the brains tendency to perceive highly saturated colors as brighter than less saturated ones, even if their actual lightness is the same. Believed to be an evolutionary trait for important evaluations such as the ripeness of fruit, this effect also takes place in the primary visual cortex. This further supports our findings that the decline in sensitivity in color saturation in healthy ageing originates in the brain, and not the eyes, says Van Leeuwen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no sign this loss of saturation perception follows the same process as the onset of certain types of dementia, Van Leeuwen emphasizes many older adults experience vision declines without developing dementia, which has multiple risk factors. However, the study does provide insight into how our brains change as a result of normal, healthy ageing, which is useful context in the study of neurological disease. Is there anything you can do to stop age-related declines in saturation perception? Researchers dont currently believe that lifestyle habits can meaningfully influence this process. But theres some evidence that the brain can be trained to see the world differently. Anya Hurlbert, a color and vision scientist at Newcastle University, points to a 2020 study involving EnChroma glasses, which feature a saturation-boosting tint to help reduce the effects of some types of color blindness. Participants with red-green color perception deficiencies who wore the glasses reported seeing increased color saturation even after removing them. Alternatively, simply surrounding oneself with more intense colors could help. As Van Leeuwen notes, Older adults tend to evaluate more saturated colors more positively than younger adults which seems to suggest they might need the extra stimulation. Just another reason to see the new Wes Anderson movie. A former employee at the notorious Alligator Alcatraz immigrant detention center is speaking out against the facility, describing horrid conditions and inhumane treatment of detainees. The employee, identified only by her first name, Lindsey, spoke with South Florida NBC affiliate NBC6. Documentation provided to NBC6 shows that Lindsey arrived at the facility in the Big Cypress Swamp on July 6, employed as a corrections officer through GardaWorld Federal Services, contracted out to provide security. Lindsey called the scene she saw upon arrival as overwhelming, adding, I thought it would get better. But it just never did. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She described the cages in which detainees were held as an oversized kennel. They have no sunlight. Theres no clock in there. They dont even know what time of the day it is, Lindsey said of the holding areas. They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days. She said the bathrooms for detainees were backed up regularly due to the sheer number of people needing to use them. Not everybody is a criminal, Lindsey said of the detainees. The Miami Herald previously reported that roughly 250 of the 700 detainees at the facility in July did not have a criminal record, despite President Donald Trump calling the facility a place to keep deranged psychopaths. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. These people are still human, she said. They pulled them from their livelihood. Theyre scared. They dont speak our language. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conditions were little better for the employees at the facility. We had to use the porta-johns. We didnt have hot water half the time. Our bathrooms were backed up, Lindsey said. Lindsey worked at the facility for around a week before catching COVID and taking time to isolate. She was then fired for altering medical paperwork submitted to the company an accusation she denies. I was fired. And yeah, Im pissed off, she said. But more so than ever, like, theyre doing wrong. The post Ex-Alligator Alcatraz worker details inhumane treatment appeared first on Salon.com. A former Department of Government Efficiency worker known as Big Balls has been identified as the victim of an assault that occurred over the weekend in Washington, D.C. D.C. Metropolitan Police arrested two suburban 15-year-olds a boy and a girl for the attack that left Edward Coristine bloodied. Cops said the suspects approached the victims around 3 a.m. Sunday, demanded their vehicle, then assaulted one of them. At least two people fled when a police cruiser approached. The teens caught by police are charged with attempted unarmed carjacking. Law enforcement is asking the public to come forward with information regarding the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coristine was identified after photos of him shirtless and seemingly beaten were posted online. The 19-year-old who gave himself the nickname Big Balls now works for the Social Security Administration. Elon Musk, who once headed DOGE, posted his understanding of events on X. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC, Musk posted Tuesday. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC. The attack also got the attention of President Donald Trump, who shared the photo of Coristine looking battered and suggested placing the Nations capital under federal control isnt off the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released, Trump posted on Truth Social. He claimed that criminals in D.C. know they can act without impunity while calling for changes including prosecuting suspects as young as 14 years old as adults. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore, he added. Trump posted that if violent crimes continue taking place in Washington D.C., he will exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. Preliminary statistics posted by Washington D.C. officials Wednesday showed violent crime in the city is down 26% from last year. Maj.-Gen. (res.) Israel Ziv, a former head of the IDF's Operations Directorate, expressed his frustration with how Israel is carrying out its operations in Gaza. Israel already occupies the Gaza Strip, but the Israeli government is refusing to allow for a change in regime of the Strip, IDF Maj.-Gen. (res.) Israel Ziv said Wednesday in an interview with 103FM. Ziv, a former head of the IDF's Operations Directorate, expressed his frustration with how Israel is carrying out its operations in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The [Gaza] Strip is already occupied," he said. "It's been occupied several times over. We occupied every place four or five times by now... We created the conditions for a change of government there after a military operation. To drain the swamp, not chase after mosquitoes. I've never heard of a victorious army that chases down every last terrorist or weapon there. At this point, it's not a military operation. It's politics without military logic." He continued, "We went to war to create the conditions to make changes there, and those conditions have been created. Hamas does not control the Strip. It's in hiding. It isn't fighting; it doesn't have the means to put up resistance. Its entire military and government systems have been completely dismantled." Who should rule Gaza after Hamas? According to Ziv, there are two possible options for who should run Gaza after Hamas. IDF soldiers operate in the Gaza Strip, August 2, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) "The first option is the Palestinian Authority, which would be Hamas's biggest defeat," he said. "The second option is the Egyptian plan for a technocratic government for the next five years. The Egyptians are ready to help in establishing it and with training non-Hamas police officers." But he noted that should the situation call for it, the IDF could intervene. "Let's say Hamas is rebuilding somewhere," he said. "Then we go in and take them out." NEED TO KNOW The former trustees of Prince Harry's African charity Sentebale are speaking out in the wake of the ruling by the Charity Commission In a statement, the trustees who resigned in March along with Harry and his co-founder Prince Seeiso said they are "gravely concerned' for the future of the charity Prince Harry sees no way back to the charity while the current chair is in place, a source tells PEOPLE The former trustees of Prince Harrys African charity are speaking out after an official inquiry found fault on all sides following a bitter internal conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trustees say they are "gravely concerned" for the future of the charity that Harry, 40, and his friend Princes Seeiso of Lesotho set up nearly two decades ago. Sentebale meaning forget-me-not in Lesothos language was set up by the princes in memory of their late mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato, to help support young people in Lesotho, especially amid the HIV and AIDS crisis in the southern African country. Harry and his co-founder Seeiso, 59, left their roles as patrons in March in solidarity with the then trustees who had resigned in a row with chairperson Dr. Sophie Chandauka. Late on August 5, the Charity Commission for England and Wales released its verdict following its inquiry that began in April. It criticized both sides but left the non-profit as it was with controversial chairperson Dr. Chandauka still in place. The commission said the conflict had been allowed "to play out publicly" and cited poor internal governance and said a "failure to resolve disputes internally severely impacted the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its review said it found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir at Sentebale, following an investigation into claims made by the charitys current chair, Dr. Chandauka. The Commission also found no "overreach" by either Chandauka or Prince Harry, who stepped down as Sentebales patron in March following what he described as a breakdown in leadership. Jason Koerner/Getty Prince Harry with Dr. Sophie Chandauka at a Sentebale event in Miami Beach, Florida, in April 2024 Prince Harry with Dr. Sophie Chandauka at a Sentebale event in Miami Beach, Florida, in April 2024 In a statement to PEOPLE, the former trustees reacted saying, "We are disheartened by the way in which the Charity Commission has chosen to ignore key concerns and irrefutable evidence raised with them regarding the leadership and oversight of Sentebale's Chair." "We accept there is always room to strengthen governance of an organization, which is why we welcomed a governance review by the Chair initiated in February 2024, and that should have only taken a matter of months we unfortunately never saw a report or any outcomes enacted, more than two years into her tenure." Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Prince Harry on his last visit to the U.K. in April 2025 Prince Harry on his last visit to the U.K. in April 2025 "We remain gravely concerned for the future of the charity and the wellbeing of the communities we served for 19 years, following the mission set out by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso in honor of their mothers," the statement concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentebales current board said it accepted the Charity Commissions findings and committed to carrying out the regulators recommendations. In a statement, the organization said it supported the Commissions Regulatory Action Plan issued to address their internal dispute policy, improve the charitys complaints and whistleblowing procedures and establish clearer processes for delegating authority. The Commission will monitor progress in the Action Plan, which includes timescales. Dr. Chandauka said, I appreciate the Charity Commission for its conclusions, which confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025. The experience was intense, and it became a test of our strategic clarity and operational resilience." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Harry's spokesperson said late on Aug. 5 that the report fell "troublingly short in many regards." The charity "has been a deeply personal and transformative mission for Prince Harry, established to serve some of the most vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana," the statement added. "For 19 years, its dedicated staff and steadfast supporters have provided vital care to over 100,000 young people across southern Africa, including young people living with HIV/AIDS and those facing mental health challenges." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former Board of Trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to like its namesake a flowering force for good. With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana. Samir Hussein/WireImage Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at the opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre in Lesotho in April 2015 Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso at the opening of Sentebale's Mamohato Children's Centre in Lesotho in April 2015 When the row burst into the open in March, Harry and Seeiso said they were "truly heartbroken" that the trustees felt forced to step down. The princes said that Sentebale's trustees asked Dr. Chandauka to step down, and she sued to remain chair. "With heavy hearts, we have resigned from our roles as Patrons of the organization until further notice, in support of and solidarity with the board of trustees who have had to do the same. It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation." Matt Jelonek/Getty Dr. Sophie Chandauka, Chair of Sentebale, polo player Nacho Figueras, Prince Harry and ex-rugby player Dan Carter at a Sentebale fundraiser in Singapore in August 2023 Dr. Sophie Chandauka, Chair of Sentebale, polo player Nacho Figueras, Prince Harry and ex-rugby player Dan Carter at a Sentebale fundraiser in Singapore in August 2023 The princes added, "Whats transpired is unthinkable. We are in shock that we have to do this, but we have a continued responsibility to Sentebales beneficiaries, so we will be sharing all of our concerns with the Charity Commission as to how this came about. " Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For her part, Dr. Chandauka spoke out in several interviews to share her side of the story. In a March 29 interview with the Financial Times, the Zimbabwean corporate finance lawyer said her relationship with Prince Harry took a turn after she refused his team's request to defend his wife, Meghan Markle, after an awkward photo moment between them at a Sentebale event in April 2024 led to negative media coverage. Harry sees no way back to the charity while Dr. Chandauka is in place, a source close to him has told PEOPLE. Allies of Harry say he has not decided what to do next and is pondering the future direction he will take. But one thing is not in doubt his commitment to the young people of Lesotho and Botswana that Sentebale did so much for over almost two decades. Harry, the source told PEOPLE, remains "absolutely dedicated to supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana." Jordan Pettitt/PA Images via Getty Prince Harry waves to onlookers during his last visit to the U.K. in April 2025 Prince Harry waves to onlookers during his last visit to the U.K. in April 2025 "How that happens, he will keep his options open. Whether that means raising money for pre-existing charities that are doing good work in those countries or establishing something independent and new," the source added. "It is very early days." Read the original article on People By Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva presented himself as a torchbearer for multilateralism in a fractured world in an interview with Reuters on Wednesday, revealing plans to call the leaders of India and China to discuss a joint BRICS response to tariffs on U.S. imports imposed by President Donald Trump. "What President Trump is doing is tacit he wants to dismantle multilateralism, where agreements are made collectively within institutions, and replace it with unilateralism, where he negotiates one-on-one with other countries," Lula said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What bargaining power does a small Latin American country have against the United States? None." Lula said he will initiate a conversation at the BRICS group of developing nations about how to tackle Trump's tariffs. He said he planned to call Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday, and China's Xi Jinping and other leaders after. The group also has Russia and other emerging economies among its members. "I'm going to try to discuss with them about how each one is doing in this situation, what the implications are for each country, so we can make a decision," he said. "It's important to remember that the BRICS have ten countries at the G20," he added, referring to the group that gathers 20 of the world's biggest economies. Lula stressed that Brazil now holds the presidency of the BRICS and said that he wants to discuss with allies why Trump is attacking multilateralism and what his goals may be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump called the BRICS "anti-American" and threatened to slap an additional 10% tariff on goods imported from those countries last month, while the group gathered in a summit in Rio de Janeiro. Some of the highest tariffs imposed by Trump have been on imports from those countries. Brazil climbed to the top of the list last month, when Trump tied 50% tariffs on most of the country's exports to what he called a "witch hunt" against former President Jair Bolsonaro. On Wednesday, Trump threatened to impose another 25% tariff on Indian imports because of the country's reliance on Russian oil, which would add to the 25% levies that are already in place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 30% tariffs on goods from China and South Africa are also among the highest imposed by Trump, though some Chinese products face additional levies. (Reporting by Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Editing by Gabriel Araujo and Rosalba O'Brien) By Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told Reuters on Wednesday of his plans for a new national policy treating strategic minerals as a matter of "national sovereignty" in order to avoid exporting minerals without adding value locally. "We won't allow what happened in the last century to happen again, where Brazil exports raw minerals and then buys products with very high added value," the president, known as Lula, said in the interview. "We want to add value in Brazil." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula's comments came as a new 50% tariff hit U.S. imports from Brazil amid a political spat between the two countries linked to an investigation against the South American country's former president, Jair Bolsonaro. Bolsonaro, under house arrest since late Monday, is standing trial on charges of plotting a coup to overturn his 2022 electoral defeat. Bolsonaro has denied wrongdoing. U.S. President Donald Trump, seen as a Bolsonaro ally, has decried what he calls persecution of Brazil's former leader. Trump has long sought to secure U.S. supplies of critical minerals, complaining of China's near-total control of the industry and striking deals with Ukraine to secure critical minerals in exchange for defense help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Brazil lacks a complete mapping of its mineral wealth, Lula said, adding that his government would start this process by setting up the national council on mineral materials and standards. The council will safeguard Brazil's control of its mineral wealth, allowing the country to become a global leader in the energy transition, Lula said, adding that businesses will not face difficulties following the council's creation. "Few countries in the world have the opportunity that Brazil has in this area," Lula said. (Reporting by Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu in Brasilia; Writing by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Gabriel Araujo and Daniel Wallis) By Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu BRASILIA (Reuters) -As U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods jumped to 50% on Wednesday, Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva told Reuters in an interview that he saw no room for direct talks now with U.S. President Donald Trump that would likely be a "humiliation." Brazil is not about to announce reciprocal tariffs, he said. Nor will his government give up on cabinet-level talks. But Lula himself is in no rush to ring the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The day my intuition says Trump is ready to talk, I won't hesitate to call him," Lula said in an interview from his presidential residence in Brasilia. "But today my intuition says he doesn't want to talk. And I won't humiliate myself." Despite Brazil's exports facing one of the highest tariffs imposed by Trump, the new U.S. trade barriers look unlikely to derail Latin America's largest economy, giving Lula more room to stand his ground against Trump than most Western leaders. Lula described U.S.-Brazil relations at a 200-year nadir after Trump tied the new tariff to his demands for an end to the prosecution of right-wing former President Jair Bolsonaro, who is standing trial for plotting to overturn the 2022 election. The president said Brazil's Supreme Court, which is hearing the case against Bolsonaro, "does not care what Trump says and it should not," adding that Bolsonaro should face another trial for provoking Trump's intervention, calling the right-wing former president a "traitor to the homeland." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We had already pardoned the U.S. intervention in the 1964 coup," said Lula, who got his political start as a union leader protesting against the military government that followed a U.S.-backed ouster of a democratically elected president. "But this now is not a small intervention. It's the president of the United States thinking he can dictate rules for a sovereign country like Brazil. It's unacceptable." The Brazilian president said he had no personal issues with Trump, adding that they could meet at the United Nations next month or U.N. climate talks in November. But he noted Trump's track record of dressing down White House guests such as South African President Cyril Ramaphosa and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. "What Trump did with Zelenskiy was humiliation. That's not normal. What Trump did with Ramaphosa was humiliation," Lula said. "One president can't be humiliating another. I respect everyone and I demand respect." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula said his ministers were struggling to open talks with U.S. peers, so his government was focused on domestic policies to cushion the economic blow of U.S. tariffs, while maintaining "fiscal responsibility." The president declined to elaborate on pending measures to support Brazilian companies, which are expected to include credit lines and other export assistance. He also said he was planning to call leaders from the BRICS group of developing nations, starting with India and China, to discuss the possibility of a joint response to U.S. tariffs. "There is no coordination among the BRICS yet, but there will be," Lula said, comparing multilateral action to the strength of collective bargaining in his union days. "What is the negotiating power of one little country with the United States? None." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, he said Brazil was looking at lodging a collective complaint with other countries at the World Trade Organization. "I was born negotiating," said Lula, who was raised in poverty and rose through union ranks to serve two terms as president from 2003 to 2010, then re-entered politics in the 2022 election to defeat the incumbent Bolsonaro. But he said he was in no rush to strike a deal or retaliate against U.S. tariffs: "We need to be very cautious," he said. Asked about countermeasures targeting U.S. companies, such as greater taxation of big technology companies, Lula said his government was studying ways to tax U.S. firms on equal standing with Brazilian companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lula also described plans to create a new national policy for Brazil's strategic mineral resources, treating them as a matter of "national sovereignty" to break with a history of mining exports that added little value in Brazil. (Reporting by Brad Haynes and Lisandra Paraguassu; Editing by Alistair Bell) By Manoj Kumar, Trevor Hunnicutt and Aftab Ahmed NEW DELHI/WASHINGTON (Reuters) -After five rounds of trade negotiations, Indian officials were so confident of securing a favourable deal with the United States that they even signalled to the media that tariffs could be capped at 15%. Indian officials expected U.S. President Donald Trump to announce the deal himself weeks before the August 1 deadline. The announcement never came. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Delhi is now left with the surprise imposition of a 25% tariff on Indian goods from Friday, along with unspecified penalties over oil imports from Russia, while Trump has closed larger deals with Japan and the EU, and even offered better terms to arch-rival Pakistan. Interviews with four Indian government officials and two U.S. government officials revealed previously undisclosed details of the proposed deal and an exclusive account of how negotiations collapsed despite technical agreements on most issues. The officials on both sides said a mix of political misjudgment, missed signals and bitterness broke down the deal between the world's biggest and fifth-largest economies, whose bilateral trade is worth over $190 billion. The White House, the U.S. Trade Representative office, and India's Prime Minister's Office, along with the External Affairs and Commerce ministries, did not respond to emailed requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India believed that after visits by Indian Trade Minister Piyush Goyal to Washington and U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance to Delhi, it had made a series of deal-clinching concessions. New Delhi was offering zero tariffs on industrial goods that formed about 40% of U.S. exports to India, two Indian government officials told Reuters. Despite domestic pressure, India would also gradually lower tariffs on U.S. cars and alcohol with quotas and accede to Washington's main demand of higher energy and defence imports from the U.S., the officials said. "Most differences were resolved after the fifth round in Washington, raising hopes of a breakthrough," one of the officials said, adding negotiators believed the U.S. would accommodate India's reluctance on duty-free farm imports and dairy products from the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was a miscalculation. Trump saw the issue differently and wanted more concessions. "A lot of progress was made on many fronts in India talks, but there was never a deal that we felt good about," said one White House official. "We never got to what amounted to a full deal - a deal that we were looking for." OVER-CONFIDENCE AND MISCALCULATION Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who visited Washington in February, agreed to target a deal by fall 2025, and more than double bilateral trade to $500 billion by 2030. To bridge the $47 billion goods trade gap, India pledged to buy up to $25 billion in U.S. energy and boost defence imports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But officials now admit India grew overconfident after Trump talked up a "big" imminent deal, taking it as a signal that a favourable agreement was in hand. New Delhi then hardened its stance, especially on agriculture and dairy, two highly sensitive areas for the Indian government. "We are one of the fastest growing economies, and the U.S. can't ignore a market of 1.4 billion," one Indian official involved in the negotiations said in mid-July. Negotiators even pushed for relief from the 10% average U.S. tariff announced in April, plus a rollback of steel, aluminium and auto duties. Later, India scaled back expectations after the U.S. signed trade deals with key partners including Japan, and the European Union, hoping it could secure a similar 15% tariff rate with fewer concessions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was unacceptable to the White House. "Trump wanted a headline-grabbing announcement with broader market access, investments and large purchases," said a Washington-based source familiar with the talks. An Indian official acknowledged New Delhi wasn't ready to match what others offered. South Korea, for example, struck a deal just before Trump's August 1 deadline, securing a 15% rate instead of 25% by offering $350 billion in investments, higher energy imports, and concessions on rice and beef. COMMUNICATION BREAKDOWN "At one point, both sides were very close to signing the deal," said Mark Linscott, a former U.S. Trade Representative who now works for a lobby group that is close to the discussions between the two nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The missing component was a direct line of communication between President Trump and Prime Minister Modi." A White House official strongly disputed this, noting other deals had been resolved without such intervention. An Indian government official involved in the talks said Modi could not have called, fearing a one-sided conversation with Trump that could put him on the spot. However, the other three Indian officials said Trump's repeated remarks about mediating the India-Pakistan conflict further strained negotiations and contributed to Modi not making a final call. "Trump's remarks on Pakistan didn't go down well," one of them said. "Ideally, India should have acknowledged the U.S. role while making it clear the final call was ours." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A senior Indian government official blamed the collapse on poor judgment, saying top Indian advisers mishandled the process. "We lacked the diplomatic support needed after the U.S. struck better deals with Vietnam, Indonesia, Japan and the EU," the official said. "We're now in a crisis that could have been avoided." Trump said on Tuesday he would increase the tariff on imports from India from the current rate of 25% "very substantially" over the next 24 hours and alleged that New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil were "fuelling the war" in Ukraine. WAY FORWARD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talks are ongoing, with a U.S. delegation expected in Delhi later this month and Indian government officials still believe the deal can be salvaged from here. "It's still possible," one White House official said. The Indian government is re-examining areas within the farm and dairy sectors where concessions can be made, the fourth official said. On Russian oil, India could reduce some purchases in favour of U.S. supplies if pricing is matched. "It likely will require direct communication between the prime minister and the president," said Linscott. "Pick up the phone. Right now, we are in a lose-lose. But there is real potential for a win-win trade deal." (Reporting by Manoj Kumar, Aftab Ahmed, Shivam Patel, Sarita Chaganti Singh in New Delhi, and Trevor Hunnicutt in Washington; Editing by Saad Sayeed) Some three years after the Proud Boys vandalized a historic Metropolitan African Methodist Episcopal Church, ripping down and burning a Black Lives Matter sign following a pro-Trump rally, a judge ordered the far-right extremist group to pay the church over $2.8 million in damages for its hateful and overtly racist conduct. But the Proud Boys defaulted on the judgment, and in an attempt to collect, The Washington, D.C., Metropolitan AME sued the Proud Boys for the rights to their name, the notorious organizations single most valuable asset. In February, D.C. Superior Court Judge Tanya M. Jones Bosier transferred ownership of the Proud Boys trademark to the church. This meant the Proud Boys could no longer call themselves the Proud Boys, maintain a website as the Proud Boys or sell Proud Boys merchandise without the churchs consent. The ruling also allowed the church to go after whatever money the Proud Boys had already made off of their brand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, the Proud Boys continue to disregard the order, hawking branded hats, T-shirts, and stickers, fundraising and collecting membership dues and Metropolitan AME is entirely disinclined to turn the other cheek. As a result of the Trademark Order, all use of the name by or on behalf of the chapters should cease immediately, and any money the chapters have obtained from using the name should be applied toward the Judgment the Proud Boys owe to the Church, argues a federal trademark infringement lawsuit filed Monday in New York and obtained by The Independent. Not only have the Proud Boys lost control of their name, they're also on the hook for millions to the Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, D.C. A judge previously gave ownership of the name Proud Boys to the church. (Getty Images) As of August 4, the total amount due, with interest, stands at more than $3.1 million, the churchs complaint contends, and says the judgment remains almost entirely unpaid. The church is now seeking an injunction to force the Proud Boys to stop using the Proud Boys name, which no longer belongs to them, to return or destroy all existing inventory of the infringing products, and for the organization formerly known as the Proud Boys, to turn over all funds they have received from the names use until the judgment has been satisfied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the complaint says, the Proud Boys ongoing, willful infringement is tarnishing Metropolitan AMEs trademark and is causing significant harm to Metropolitan AME, which created its own line of tees featuring the Proud Boys logo, but with slogans such as, Stay Proud, Stay Black. As a result of recent use, advertising, promoting, and selling T-shirts bearing the Proud Boys mark in celebrating the Churchs victory against the Proud Boys attack, such mark has become uniquely associated with Metropolitan AME and its products advocating for racial justice, the complaint states. Roughly six weeks ago, Metropolitan AMEs lawyers served Proud Boys Hudson Valley chapter president William Pepe with a cease-and-desist letter, which the complaint says has gone completely ignored. Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes (in glasses) blithely dismissed Metropolitan AME Church leadership as 'f***ing morons' (Getty Images) The 36-year-old Pepe, who was convicted of a felony and four misdemeanors for his participation in the January 6 Capitol riot but pardoned by President Donald Trump before he could be sentenced, was unable to be reached for comment. However, in a brief phone call on Tuesday, Proud Boys founder Gavin McInnes first railed against the media, then blithely dismissed Metropolitan AME leadership as f***ing morons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McInnes insisted to The Independent that the Proud Boys are not a white supremacist gang, but rather, a multiracial club that welcomes Black, gay and Jewish members. He further downplayed, rather implausibly, the notion that the Proud Boys ever made significant amounts of money from merch. Metropolitan AME officials and church attorneys did not respond to requests for comment. The Metropolitan AME Church was founded in 1838. Since then, it has hosted funerals for Frederick Douglass and Rosa Parks, speeches by Martin Luther King Jr. and Eleanor Roosevelt, and was where Barack Obama prayed on the morning of his second inauguration. On the night of December 12, 2020, Metropolitan AMEs building on M Street was overrun by a pack of Proud Boys who scaled a fence and stormed the premises. Once inside, the Proud Boys tore down [a] Black Lives Matter sign from the churchyard, stomped on it and cut it into pieces, and loudly and publicly celebrated its destruction all over social media, according to the churchs 32-page complaint. Members of the Proud Boys also vandalized a second D.C. church that same evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization, which is classified as a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center and a terrorist entity by the Canadian government, was in town for one of several pro-Trump protests based on the outgoing presidents false claim that the previous months election had been stolen from him by shadowy left-wing forces. Washington, D.C.'s Metropolitan AME Church hosted among many other historically significant events the 2005 funeral of civil rights pioneer Rosa Parks (Getty Images) On January 4, 2021, Metropolitan AME filed its initial suit against Proud Boys leadership over the church attack. It accused the Proud Boys of engaging in racially motivated acts of terror and violence, and sought a money judgment on three causes of action: bias-related conspiracy, defacement of private property, and theft. In June 2023, the court ruled in favor of Metropolitan AME, ordering the Proud Boys to pay the church more than $1 million in damages, plus legal fees in excess of $1.8 million, for actions that it deemed reprehensible to an extreme degree, the complaint states. Yet, since the Proud Boys never paid up, post-judgment interest has since brought the bill to $3,182,927.40, according to the complaint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, the Proud Boys continue their illegal use of Metropolitan AMEs trademark, in ongoing violation of the court order, the complaint goes on. It points to, among other things, websites and domain names used by the group that feature the Proud Boys name, along with hats, stickers and T-shirts emblazoned with the Proud Boys name and logo, as well as a Telegram channel that improperly makes use of the Proud Boys trademark. This, the complaint alleges, is undermining the Churchs ability and right to control and transform the goodwill signified by the famous Proud Boys trademark from an association with white supremacy, hatred, and violence, which is diametrically opposed to the Churchs mission of love and humanity. In May, following Trumps mass pardons of everyone involved in the January 6 sacking of the Capitol, the president invited former Proud Boys national chairman Enrique Tarrio to his private Mar-a-Lago club in Palm Beach. Tarrio, who was freed in January 2021 after serving two years of a 22-year sentence for seditious conspiracy and other charges over his involvement in the days events, said Trump sat down at his table and told him, I love you guys. In addition to an injunction forcing the Proud Boys to change their name, Metropolitan AME wants them to fork over their profits, times three, plus pre-judgment and post-judgment interest, as well as lawyers fees and punitive damages in an amount sufficient to deter other and future similar conduct. A man accused of running over a person July 24 before fleeing the scene has ties to an unsolved homicide in 2017, according to law enforcement. The crash seriously injured 35-year-old Jacob Martinez, who died in the hospital three days later, according to Colorado Springs police. Authorities investigated the suspect, 39-year-old Daniel Nations, in connection with a 2017 killing of a mountain biker, but he was never charged, according to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office. Witnesses told police that Martinez was run over near the intersection of North Union Boulevard and Hillcrest Avenue by a driver believed to be Nations in an apparent road rage incident, according to his arrest affidavit. According to the affidavit, video footage shows Martinez stepping out of his car with his hands visibly empty to confront the driver of a blue Chevrolet Equinox that is stopped several car lengths behind his. The driver then "intentionally" turned into him, pushing him across the street until he fell to the ground. Footage shows the Equinox shift as if it went over Martinez, who was dragged along the roadway for "numerous" feet before coming to a rest in the center shared lane on North Union Boulevard, the affidavit states. The Equinox then fled the scene. Detectives were able to identify the license plate of the Equinox and tracked it to an apartment where Nations lived. Nations told police that he and his wife were the only ones who drove the car and that his wife had not driven it that day. Nations, a convicted sex offender, is being held in the El Paso County jail on a no-bond hold on suspicion of first-degree murder, jail records show. Caitlin Ford, a spokeswoman with the Police Department, said in an email that authorities filed first-degree charges because Nations "intentionally" drove his vehicle at Martinez with the intent to cause harm, indicating there was some level of "planning/thought." While being taken to jail, Nations purportedly told police that Martinez "jumped in front of the car" and that Nations was scared he had a gun, the affidavit states. "I was just trying to get away from him," Nations allegedly told investigators. A Monument mountain biker found fatally shot On Sept. 17, 2017, a bicyclist, identified as 60-year-old Tim Watkins, was found dead on Mount Herman after a three-day search near Limbaugh Trail close to Monument. Watkins' body was found on a hillside with multiple gunshot wounds. Cassandra Sebastian, a spokeswoman for the Sheriff's Office, said Nations was a suspect in the case, but he was never arrested in connection with Watkins' death. A few weeks before the murder, Nations reportedly threatened bikers with a hatchet. He later pleaded guilty through a plea deal almost a year later to menacing charges related to the incident and was sentenced to two years at a Colorado Department of Corrections facility with the possibility of parole, court records show. Rob Meeker, a friend of Watkins, told The Gazette in 2018 that he saw a red car and red-haired man resembling Nations during the search for the mountain biker. A week after the murder, Nations was arrested on weapons violations in Teller County after police pulled him over. Police found a hatchet and a .22-caliber rifle in his car, according to previous Gazette reporting. He later pleaded guilty to weapon possession as a convicted felon through a plea deal almost a year later, court records show. Nations' wife at the time, Katelyn, casted doubt of his involvement in Watkins' murder, stating at the time of the incident that she didn't think Nations, who was living in a tent or sleeping at cheap hotels with his family in August and September of 2017, had time to shoot someone and hide a body. She told The Gazette in 2017 that Nations had anger issues and was sent over the edge during an incident at Mount Herman, where she said a passing truck took a corner too fast and edged into their lane, forcing Nations to almost maneuver their car off the side. Police said in Nations' arrest records that a man and woman resembling the two were involved in menacing complaints in the area on Aug. 23 and 24. After spending 10 months in jail for various crimes, including the menacing incident, Nations visited The Gazette office in 2018 to clear his name, stating: "I'm not what they made me out to be." He said that the speculation of him being responsible for the slaying had ruined his name and marriage. Sebastian said Watkins' murder case is still open. A woman was found dead on a boat docked near the ritzy Montauk Yacht Club in New York early Monday morning. The Suffolk County Police Department confirmed to Fox News Digital that Homicide Squad detectives were notified at approximately 4 a.m. on Tuesday morning after the womans body was discovered aboard a vessel off Star Island Road in Montauk, a high-end marina destination at the eastern tip of Long Island. "Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of a woman who was found on a boat docked off Star Island Road in Montauk on August 5," the department said. "The womans cause and manner of death have yet to be determined." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen Murder Suspect Led Police On 'Wild Goose Chase' After Paddleboarder's Death In Coastal Town: Report Docked boats in Montauk, New York, US, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. A spokesperson for the Montauk Yacht Club, where the boat was docked, confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details. "We are saddened to learn of the incident that took place," the spokesperson said to Fox News Digital. "Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time." Read On The Fox News App Docked boats in Montauk, New York, US, on Wednesday, May 22, 2024. Young Crewmember Murdered Aboard Luxury Superyacht In Paradise Destination Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have not released the womans identity, and it remains unclear whether foul play is suspected. The Montauk Yacht Club is a haven for summer tourism and upscale clientele. The Long Island hotel is oceanfront. Original article source: Exclusive waterfront enclave rocked after body found near yacht club DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) If you have to commute on U.S. 127, you need to plan ahead to add extra time to your destination. From Aug. 7 to 10, bargain seekers participate in the U.S. 127 Yard Sale, which spans 690 miles of roadway from Alabama to Michigan. In the Miami Valley, the route runs through Butler, Darke, Mercer and Preble counties. The city of Eaton reminds drivers to stay cognizant of their surroundings and slow down during the Worlds Longest Yard Sale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets keep Eaton and Preble County safe and welcoming for all our guests, said the city. View live traffic conditions 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. Both Texas Republicans and Democrats are ratcheting up their rhetoric over proposed US House maps that could give the GOP five more seats. But the action in Austin is stalled for now. Most Democrats who left the state to stop the redistricting effort are showing no signs they will come back to Texas. Republicans are escalating their threats, with Gov. Greg Abbott going to court to request the removal of a Houston lawmaker from office. And President Donald Trump is keeping the pressure on, saying Tuesday on CNBC that Republicans are entitled to five more US House seats in Texas. Meanwhile, the stakes of the argument are only increasing nationally. Democratic-led states have taken in the fleeing lawmakers and are looking for ways to redraw their own House maps in response to Texas. And the White House is seeking pickups in other Republican states, including Indiana, where Vice President JD Vance has scheduled a Thursday trip to meet with state leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres a look at whats next in Texas and around the country: Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives Dustin Burrows addresses lawmakers at the Texas State Capitol on Tuesday. - Nuri Vallbona/Reuters When will the legislature try again? Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, who signed civil arrest warrants for more than 50 absent Democrats, said Tuesday he had been briefed by the Texas Department of Public Safety. He said law enforcement will need some time to work and will not try again to move forward on redistricting until Friday at 2 p.m. EDT (1 p.m. CDT). Moments later, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a firebrand Trump ally, issued a statement saying he would seek a court ruling declaring the seats of the absent Democrats as vacant. Hours after Paxtons statement, Abbott petitioned the Texas Supreme Court to request that it declare vacant the seat of state Rep. Gene Wu, a Houston Democrat who fled to Chicago. Responding to the petition, Wu accused Abbott of using the law as a weapon to silence his people and said his own actions were a fulfillment of my oath. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My purpose has been clear from the start: to serve my constituents and fight for whats right, no matter the cost. You will find that my commitment to the people of Texas is unbreakable, Wu said in the Tuesday statement. In addition to Paxton and Abbott saying they will seek to remove the absent Democrats from office, and the House speaker signing civil arrest warrants, state House rules allow $500-per-day fines. Lawmakers cannot use official or campaign funds to pay them. Republican leaders face pressure from their own right flank to take more aggressive action. Republican state Rep. Brian Harrison said Tuesday on Fox News that if GOP leadership had been bolder, the party might have locked the House doors last week, when Democrats were in the chamber. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had the maps, we had the Democrats, we had the quorum, he said. The leadership of the Texas House had all the authority and tools they needed to keep them here and instead our speaker adjourned early after only seven minutes to let them go scheme with Hakeem Jeffries on how they could flee the state. Rep. Al Green and State Rep. Ramon Romero attend a press conference of Texas House Democrats in Aurora, Illinois, on Tuesday. - Scott Olson/Getty Images Will Democrats return? Democrats say they will not return to allow the new maps to advance in the legislature, despite Republican threats. Experts have said Texas arrest warrants would be unenforceable outside the state without local officials cooperation. Texas state Rep. Ramon Romero said at a news conference in Chicago, where many Texas House Democrats are currently staying, that the boycotting members believe they are standing tall. Ill pay that price for America, he said of the threat of arrest. That would be a very small price to pay for what we would save for these Americans that have fought so hard and against the maps that aim directly at Black and brown voices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic state Rep. Lulu Flores told CNN on Tuesday that she and several other members of the Texas delegation who traveled to Illinois plan to stay as long as it takes. Still, pressure will mount on Democrats, as well. Chair of the Illinois Democratic Party Lisa Hernandez, center, stands alongside Texas state representatives during a news conference in Aurora, Illinois, on Tuesday. - Audrey Richardson/Bloomberg/Getty Images Six Democrats remained in Austin, including Rep. Richard Pena Raymond, who noted that previous quorum breaks have faltered after a few weeks. He and a handful of colleagues stayed behind to figure out a path forward with the GOP and try to keep the temperature low, as low as we could, instead of letting it become a nuclear war. Members who are not in Texas right now are not going to be away from Texas forever, Raymond, who joined Democrats to break quorum in 2003 and 2021, told CNN. Im just being realistic that you have to engage everybody. Because unless we stay out for six months, its going to be very difficult to come out with a total victory in Texas. A cowboy hat belonging to Republican Rep. Cecil Bell of Magnolia, Texas, sits on his desk prior to the Texas State House coming to order on Tuesday. - Nuri Vallbona/Reuters Can Democrats who fled actually be removed from office? Wu and other state Democrats have prepared to fight over whether they could be disqualified from office for breaking quorum. When asked by CNN on Monday if Abbott had the power to remove legislators from office, Wu responded: Absolutely not. And thats very clear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chad Dunn, a longtime Texas voting rights lawyer and legal director of UCLAs Voting Rights Project, said there is no basis for Paxtons Tuesday statement. He said Paxton would have to prove in court that absent House members did not comply with a duty and demonstrated that they intended to vacate their office. He has evidence of neither. Quorum breaking is enabled in the Texas constitution. It is fulfilling a duty of office to refuse to form a quorum to enable the enactment of a law that discriminates on the basis of race in violation of the U.S. Constitution and the Voting Rights Act, Dunn said. Quorum breaking is more American than apple pie, he said. And no member has indicated an intent to abandon office. They are serving as their peoples representatives with the actions they have taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quinn Yeargain, a state constitutional law expert at Michigan State University College of Law, argued that GOP threats to remove the boycotting Democrats might have more bark than bite. I am really not sure that a state court in Texas would have jurisdiction to arrive at the legal conclusion that a legislator has abandoned their office and that that court would have jurisdiction to issue as a remedy some order vacating the office, Yeargain said. That does not seem clear to me. But even if a court concluded that it does have the authority to decide the case, the question of whether a state lawmakers decision to leave the state constitutes abandonment under the law, as Abbott claims, is another major consideration for judges. What abandonment would mean in this context is that they went on a cruise around the world and had no desire to return, and therefore missed votes, Yeargain said. It cannot possibly apply to a situation where theyre strategically using the power to prevent the legislature from meeting and conducting business. CNNs Devan Cole, David Wright, Maureen Chowdhury, Shania Shelton and Ethan Schenker contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Ben Bruski visits the clinic at Dahl Memorial Healthcare Association in Ekalaka, Montana, for help with his allergies. He says he's happy with the care he's received from the hospital's emergency room and that he knows people who were saved by its providers. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) EKALAKA, Mont. There was no doctor on-site when a patient arrived in early June at the emergency room in the small hospital at the intersection of two dirt roads in this town of 400 residents. There never is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dahl Memorials three-bed emergency department a two-hour drive from the closest hospital with more advanced services instead depends on physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Physician assistant Carla Dowdy realized the patient needed treatment beyond what the ER could provide, even if it had had a doctor. So, she made a call for a medical plane to fly the patient to treatment at Montanas most advanced hospital. Dowdy also called out medications and doses needed to stabilize the patient as a paramedic and nurses administered the drugs, inserted IV lines, and measured vital signs. Emergency medicine researchers and providers believe ERs, especially in rural areas, increasingly operate with few or no physicians amid a nationwide shortage of doctors. The hospital in Ekalaka, a small town in sprawling, rural southeastern Montana, sits at the intersection of two dirt roads. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) A recent study found that in 2022, at least 7.4% of emergency departments across the U.S. did not have an attending physician on-site 24/7. Like Dahl Memorial, more than 90% were in low-volume or critical access hospitals a federal designation for small, rural hospitals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The results come from the 82% of hospitals that responded to a survey sent to all emergency departments in the country, except those operated by the federal government. The study is the first of its kind so there isnt proof that such staffing arrangements are increasing, said Carlos Camargo, the lead author and a professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School. But Camargo and other experts suspect ERs running without doctors present are becoming more common. Placing ERs in the hands of nondoctors isnt without controversy. Some doctors and their professional associations say physicians extensive training leads to better care, and that some hospitals are just trying to save money by not employing them. The American Medical Association, open to all medical students and physicians, and the American College of Emergency Physicians both support state and federal laws or regulations that would require ERs to staff a doctor around the clock. Indiana, Virginia, and South Carolina recently passed such legislation. Rural ERs may see fewer patients, but they still treat serious cases, said Alison Haddock, president of ACEP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important that folks in those areas have equal access to high-quality emergency care to the greatest extent possible, Haddock said. Physician assistant Carla Dowdy (left) takes notes while treating a patient in the Ekalaka, Montana, hospital. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) Other health care providers and organizations say advanced-practice providers with the right experience and support are capable of overseeing ERs. And they say mandating that a physician be on-site could drive some rural hospitals to close because they cant afford or recruit enough or any doctors. In an environment, especially a rural environment, if you have an experienced PA who knows what they know, and knows the boundaries of their knowledge and when to involve consultants, it works well, said Paul Amiott, a board member of the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs. Im not practicing independently despite working 12-hour night shifts without physicians on-site at critical access hospitals in three states, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amiott said he calls specialists for consultation often and about once a month asks the physician covering the day shift at his hospital to come help him with more challenging cases such as emergency childbirth and complicated trauma. Amiott said this isnt unique to PAs ER doctors seek similar consultations and backup. The proportion of ERs without an attending physician always on-site varies wildly by state. The 2022 survey found that 15 states including substantially rural ones, such as New Mexico, Nevada, and West Virginia had no such emergency departments. But in the Dakotas, more than half of emergency departments were running without 24/7 attending physician staffing. In Montana it was 46%, the third-highest rate. None of those three states have a program to train physicians as ER specialists. Neither does Wyoming or Idaho. Mobile mammogram clinics make it easier for people in the Ekalaka, Montana, area to get care since their local facilities dont offer the technology, which helps detect breast cancer. The facilities also dont have childbirth or chemotherapy services; the nearest that do are about two hours away. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) But Sanford Health, which bills itself as the largest rural health system in the United States, is launching an emergency medicine residency in the region. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based program is intended to boost the ranks of rural emergency doctors in those states, the residency director said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leon Adelman is an emergency medicine physician in Gillette, Wyoming, which, at around 33,800 residents, is the largest city in the states northeast. Working in such a rural area has given him nuanced views on whether states should require 24/7 on-site physician coverage in ERs. Adelman said he supports such laws only where its feasible, like in Virginia. He said the states emergency physicians organization pushed for the law only after doing research that made it confident that the requirement wouldnt shutter any rural hospitals. Camargo said some doctors say that if lawmakers are going to require 24/7 on-site physician coverage in ERs, they need to pay to help hospitals implement it. Adelman said when instituting staffing requirements isnt possible, states should create other regulations. For example, he said, lawmakers should make sure hospitals not hiring physicians arent refraining just to save money. An Ekalaka ambulance meets a medevac plane from Billings Clinic which offers the highest level of care in Montana at the municipal airport. The flight takes an hour, about a quarter of what it takes an ambulance to drive. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) He pointed to Vermont, where a report recommended that several of the states hospitals cut physicians from their ERs. The report was part of a mandated process to improve the states troubled health care system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adelman said states should also require PAs and NPs without on-site physician supervision to have extensive emergency experience and the ability to consult with remote physicians. Some doctors have pointed to a case in which a 19-year-old woman died after being misdiagnosed by an NP who was certified in family medicine, not emergency care, and working alone at an Oklahoma ER. Few NPs have emergency certification, an analysis found. The Society of Emergency Medicine PAs outlines training and experience PAs should have before practicing in rural areas or without on-site doctors. Haddock said emergency physicians have seen cases of hospitals hiring inexperienced advanced-practice providers. She said ACEP is asking the federal government to require critical access and rural emergency hospitals to have physicians on-site or on call day and night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haddock said ACEP wouldnt want such a requirement to close any hospital and noted that the organization has various efforts to keep rural hospitals staffed and funded. Dahl Memorial Hospital has strict hiring requirements and robust oversight, said Dowdy, who previously worked for 14 years in high-volume, urban emergency rooms. She said ER staffers can call physicians when they have questions and that a doctor who lives on the other side of Montana reviews all their patient treatment notes. The ER is working on getting virtual reality glasses that will let remote physicians help by seeing what the providers in Ekalaka see, Dowdy said. She said patient numbers in the Ekalaka ER vary but average one or two a day, which isnt enough for staff to maintain their knowledge and skills. To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dowdy said Dahl Memorial hasnt had a physician in at least 30 years, but CEO Darrell Messersmith said he would hire one if a doctor lived in the area. Messersmith said theres a benefit to having advanced-practice providers with connections to the region and who stay at the hospital for several years. Other rural hospitals, he noted, may have physicians either as permanent staff who leave after a few years or contract workers who fly in for a few weeks at a time. People eating at Ekalakas sole breakfast spot and attending appointments at the hospitals clinic all told KFF Health News that theyve been happy with the care they have received from Dowdy and her co-workers. Ben Bruski had to visit the ER after a cow on his family ranch kicked a gate, smashing it against his hand. And he knows other people whove been treated for more serious problems. Weve got to have this facility here because this facility saves a lot of lives, Bruski said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Physician assistant Carla Dowdy, left, takes notes while treating a patient in the Ekalaka, Montana, hospital. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) EKALAKA, Mont. There was no doctor on-site when a patient arrived in early June at the emergency room in the small hospital at the intersection of two dirt roads in this town of 400 residents. There never is. Dahl Memorials three-bed emergency department a two-hour drive from the closest hospital with more advanced services instead depends on physician assistants and nurse practitioners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Physician assistant Carla Dowdy realized the patient needed treatment beyond what the ER could provide, even if it had had a doctor. So, she made a call for a medical plane to fly the patient to treatment at Montanas most advanced hospital. Dowdy also called out medications and doses needed to stabilize the patient as a paramedic and nurses administered the drugs, inserted IV lines, and measured vital signs. Emergency medicine researchers and providers believe ERs, especially in rural areas, increasingly operate with few or no physicians amid a nationwide shortage of doctors. A recent study found that in 2022, at least 7.4% of emergency departments across the U.S. did not have an attending physician on-site 24/7. Like Dahl Memorial, more than 90% were in low-volume or critical access hospitals a federal designation for small, rural hospitals. The results come from the 82% of hospitals that responded to a survey sent to all emergency departments in the country, except those operated by the federal government. The study is the first of its kind so there isnt proof that such staffing arrangements are increasing, said Carlos Camargo, the lead author and a professor of emergency medicine at Harvard Medical School. But Camargo and other experts suspect ERs running without doctors present are becoming more common. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Placing ERs in the hands of nondoctors isnt without controversy. Some doctors and their professional associations say physicians extensive training leads to better care, and that some hospitals are just trying to save money by not employing them. An Ekalaka ambulance meets a medevac plane from Billings Clinic which offers the highest level of care in Montana at the municipal airport. The flight takes an hour, about a quarter of what it takes an ambulance to drive. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) The American Medical Association, open to all medical students and physicians, and the American College of Emergency Physicians both support state and federal laws or regulations that would require ERs to staff a doctor around the clock. Indiana, Virginia, and South Carolina recently passed such legislation. Rural ERs may see fewer patients, but they still treat serious cases, said Alison Haddock, president of ACEP. Its important that folks in those areas have equal access to high-quality emergency care to the greatest extent possible, Haddock said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other health care providers and organizations say advanced-practice providers with the right experience and support are capable of overseeing ERs. And they say mandating that a physician be on-site could drive some rural hospitals to close because they cant afford or recruit enough or any doctors. In an environment, especially a rural environment, if you have an experienced PA who knows what they know, and knows the boundaries of their knowledge and when to involve consultants, it works well, said Paul Amiott, a board member of the Society of Emergency Medicine PAs. Im not practicing independently despite working 12-hour night shifts without physicians on-site at critical access hospitals in three states, he said. Amiott said he calls specialists for consultation often and about once a month asks the physician covering the day shift at his hospital to come help him with more challenging cases such as emergency childbirth and complicated trauma. Amiott said this isnt unique to PAs ER doctors seek similar consultations and backup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proportion of ERs without an attending physician always on-site varies wildly by state. The 2022 survey found that 15 states including substantially rural ones, such as New Mexico, Nevada, and West Virginia had no such emergency departments. But in the Dakotas, more than half of emergency departments were running without 24/7 attending physician staffing. In Montana it was 46%, the third-highest rate. None of those three states have a program to train physicians as ER specialists. Neither does Wyoming or Idaho. But Sanford Health, which bills itself as the largest rural health system in the United States, is launching an emergency medicine residency in the region. The Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based program is intended to boost the ranks of rural emergency doctors in those states, the residency director said in a news release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leon Adelman is an emergency medicine physician in Gillette, Wyoming, which, at around 33,800 residents, is the largest city in the states northeast. Working in such a rural area has given him nuanced views on whether states should require 24/7 on-site physician coverage in ERs. The ambulance bay of the emergency room at Dahl Memorial Hospital in Ekalaka, a small town in sprawling, rural southeastern Montana. (Arielle Zionts/KFF Health News) Adelman said he supports such laws only where its feasible, like in Virginia. He said the states emergency physicians organization pushed for the law only after doing research that made it confident that the requirement wouldnt shutter any rural hospitals. Camargo said some doctors say that if lawmakers are going to require 24/7 on-site physician coverage in ERs, they need to pay to help hospitals implement it. Adelman said when instituting staffing requirements isnt possible, states should create other regulations. For example, he said, lawmakers should make sure hospitals not hiring physicians arent refraining just to save money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He pointed to Vermont, where a report recommended that several of the states hospitals cut physicians from their ERs. The report was part of a mandated process to improve the states troubled health care system. Adelman said states should also require PAs and NPs without on-site physician supervision to have extensive emergency experience and the ability to consult with remote physicians. Some doctors have pointed to a case in which a 19-year-old woman died after being misdiagnosed by an NP who was certified in family medicine, not emergency care, and working alone at an Oklahoma ER. Few NPs have emergency certification, an analysis found. The Society of Emergency Medicine PAs outlines training and experience PAs should have before practicing in rural areas or without on-site doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haddock said emergency physicians have seen cases of hospitals hiring inexperienced advanced-practice providers. She said ACEP is asking the federal government to require critical access and rural emergency hospitals to have physicians on-site or on call day and night. Haddock said ACEP wouldnt want such a requirement to close any hospital and noted that the organization has various efforts to keep rural hospitals staffed and funded. Dahl Memorial Hospital has strict hiring requirements and robust oversight, said Dowdy, who previously worked for 14 years in high-volume, urban emergency rooms. She said ER staffers can call physicians when they have questions and that a doctor who lives on the other side of Montana reviews all their patient treatment notes. The ER is working on getting virtual reality glasses that will let remote physicians help by seeing what the providers in Ekalaka see, Dowdy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said patient numbers in the Ekalaka ER vary but average one or two a day, which isnt enough for staff to maintain their knowledge and skills. To supplement those real-life cases, providers visit simulation labs, do monthly mock scenarios, and review advanced skills, such as using an ultrasound to help guide breathing tubes into patient airways. Dowdy said Dahl Memorial hasnt had a physician in at least 30 years, but CEO Darrell Messersmith said he would hire one if a doctor lived in the area. Messersmith said theres a benefit to having advanced-practice providers with connections to the region and who stay at the hospital for several years. Other rural hospitals, he noted, may have physicians either as permanent staff who leave after a few years or contract workers who fly in for a few weeks at a time. People eating at Ekalakas sole breakfast spot and attending appointments at the hospitals clinic all told KFF Health News that theyve been happy with the care they have received from Dowdy and her co-workers. Ben Bruski had to visit the ER after a cow on his family ranch kicked a gate, smashing it against his hand. And he knows other people whove been treated for more serious problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve got to have this facility here because this facility saves a lot of lives, Bruski said. KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF the independent source for health policy research, polling, and journalism. Nobel laureates met with nuclear experts last month to discuss AI and the end of the world and if that sounds like the opening to a sci-fi blockbuster set in the apocalypse, you're not alone. As Wired reports, the convened experts seemed to broadly agree that it's only a matter of time until an AI will get hold of nuclear codes. Exactly why that needs to be true is hard to pin down, but the feeling of inevitability and anxiety is palpable in the magazine's reporting. "Its like electricity," retired US Air Force major general and member of the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists Science and Security Board, Bob Latiff, told Wired. "Its going to find its way into everything." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a bizarre situation. AIs have already been shown to exhibit numerous dark streaks, resorting to blackmailing human users at an astonishing rate when threatened with being shut down. In the context of an AI, or networks of AIs, safeguarding a nuclear weapons stockpile, those sorts of poorly-understood risks become immense. And that's without getting into a genuine concern among some experts, which also happens to be the plot of the movie "The Terminator": a hypothetical superhuman AI going rogue and turning humanity's nuclear weapons against it. Earlier this year, former Google CEO Eric Schmidt warned that a human-level AI may not be incentivized to "listen to us anymore," arguing that "people do not understand what happens when you have intelligence at this level." That kind of AI doomerism has been on the minds of tech leaders for many years now, as reality plays a slow-motion game of catch-up. In their current form, the risks would probably be more banal, since the best AI models today still suffer from rampant hallucinations that greatly undercut the usefulness of their outputs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there's the threat of flawed AI tech leaving gaps in our cybersecurity, allowing adversaries or even adversary AIs to access systems in control of nuclear weapons. To get all members of last month's unusual meeting to agree on a topic as fraught as AI proved challenging, with Federation of American Scientists director of global risk Jon Wolfsthal admitting to the publication that "nobody really knows what AI is." They did find at least some common ground, at least. "In this realm, almost everybody says we want effective human control over nuclear weapon decisionmaking," Wolfsthal added. Latiff agreed that "you need to be able to assure the people for whom you work theres somebody responsible." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If this all sounds like a bit of a clown show, you're not wrong. Under president Donald Trump, the federal government has been busy jamming AI into every possible domain, often while experts warn them the tech is not yet and may never be up to the task. Hammering the bravado home, the Department of Energy declared this year that AI is the "next Manhattan Project," referencing the World War 2-era project that resulted in the world's first nuclear bombs. Underscoring the seriousness of the threat, ChatGPT maker OpenAI also struck a deal with the US National Laboratories earlier this year to use its AI for nuclear weapon security. Last year, Air Force general Anthony Cotton, who's effectively in charge of the US stockpile of nuclear missiles, boasted at a defense conference that the Pentagon is doubling down on AI, arguing that it will "enhance our decision-making capabilities." Fortunately, Cotton stopped short of declaring that we must let the tech assume full control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "But we must never allow artificial intelligence to make those decisions for us," he added at the time. More on AI and nuclear weapons: OpenAI Strikes Deal With US Government to Use Its AI for Nuclear Weapon Security Nunes_mar_a_lago_raid Former House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes has renewed speculation that the FBIs 2022 raid on President Donald Trumps Mar-a-Lago estate was driven by an effort to retrieve a sensitive congressional report that discredits the Intelligence Communitys official narrative surrounding Russian interference in the 2016 election. The report in question compiled in 2020 by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) was formally titled: The Intelligence Community Assessment (ICA): Russias Influence Campaign Targeting the 2016 U.S. Presidential Election, dated September 18, 2020, and approved for release by the Director of National Intelligence on July 22, 2025. Declassified under the direction of current Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, the 46-page oversight document sharply criticizes the methodology and conclusions of the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment, which claimed with high confidence that Russian President Vladimir Putin sought to help Trump win the presidency. ODNI Releases Long-Withheld Oversight Report The ICA oversight report was the product of a two-year investigation by the Republican-led HPSCI majority. It concludes that the Intelligence Communitys 2017 assessment relied on uncorroborated sources and did not adhere to standard tradecraft. The report alleges that dissenting analytical voices were sidelined, and that the ICAs claim of Putins preference for Trump was unsupported by the underlying intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite former President Trump declassifying the report before leaving office in January 2021, it remained suppressed within the Intelligence Community for over four years. The public first saw the document when DNI Gabbard authorized its release on July 22, 2025. According to the reports preface, its objective was to review how the ICA ordered by President Obama in December 2016 was assembled, and whether it reflected genuine intelligence consensus or political bias. Nunes: Trump May Have Possessed the Only Copy Outside Intelligence Control In a recent interview with host Grant Stinchfield, Nunes stated that the Intelligence Community may have believed Trump retained the only physical copy of the oversight report outside government control when he left office. That suspicion, he argued, may have played a role in prompting the August 8, 2022, FBI raid on Mar-a-Lago. He further suggested that the report directly contradicted core premises of the Russia investigation and that some intelligence officials may have worked to keep it hidden for years. Supported by Earlier White House Memo Nuness assertions are supported by a February 2, 2018 letter from then-White House Counsel Don McGahn, which affirmed President Trumps constitutional authority to declassify intelligence materials. That letter accompanied the release of a separate HPSCI Majority Staff Memorandum, which alleged abuses of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) in surveillance activities related to the Trump campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That 2018 memo detailed how the now-discredited Steele dossier, funded by the DNC and Clinton campaign, was central to the FBIs FISA applications targeting campaign adviser Carter Page. The dossiers political origins were not fully disclosed to the court, and portions of the document remained unverified. Legal Venue Theory: Could Florida Be a Charging Jurisdiction? Some legal observers have speculated that the Department of Justice may have viewed the Mar-a-Lago raid as a potential basis for shifting legal venue from Washington, D.C. to Florida. If the retrieval of the declassified report is considered the final act in a broader conspiracy, it could provide jurisdictional grounding for federal charges outside the D.C. circuit. Nunes described such a move as a Lawfare-stretch, noting that over 90% of the activity related to the Russia probe occurred in D.C., but acknowledged the possibility of such legal maneuvering in politically sensitive prosecutions. Reports Findings vs. Durhams Conclusions The release of the HPSCI oversight report adds new fuel to the long-running debate over the legitimacy of the Russia collusion narrative. While the Durham Report, released in 2023, criticized the FBIs opening of the Trump-Russia investigation and cited serious procedural failures, it did not dispute that Russia interfered in the election nor did it reject the possibility that Putin favored Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A declassified annex of the Durham investigation affirmed that substantial intelligence supported elements of the 2017 ICA, even as it acknowledged analytical weaknesses in other areas. Key Takeaways (Reuters) -Lebanon's cabinet has told the army to draw up a plan to establish a state monopoly on arms in a challenge to the Iran-backed Shi'ite Muslim group Hezbollah, which rejects calls to disarm. WHY IS THERE A PUSH TO DISARM HEZBOLLAH NOW? Israel pummelled Hezbollah last year in a war sparked by the conflict in Gaza, killing many of its top brass and 5,000 of its fighters before a November truce brokered by the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That deal committed Lebanon to restricting arms to six specific state security forces, and further stipulated that it should confiscate unauthorised weapons and prevent rearmament by non-state groups. In the months since, a new Lebanese government vowed to confine arms across the country to state control, Hezbollah's main arms route was cut when its Syrian ally Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December and Israel attacked its sponsor Iran in June. The government is facing pressure from Washington and Hezbollah's domestic rivals to act swiftly amid fears that Israel could intensify air strikes on Lebanon. Despite November's ceasefire, Israel has continued to carry out strikes on what it says are Hezbollah arms depots and fighters, mostly in southern Lebanon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HOW IS THE UNITED STATES INVOLVED? In June, U.S. envoy Thomas Barrack proposed a roadmap to Lebanese officials to fully disarm Hezbollah in exchange for Israel halting its strikes on Lebanon and withdrawing its troops from five points they still occupy in southern Lebanon. But Hezbollah and its main Shi'ite ally the Amal Movement, led by Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri, say the sequencing should be reversed, with Israel withdrawing and halting strikes before any talks on Hezbollah's arms. Washington has grown impatient, demanding the Beirut government make the first move with a formal commitment to disarm Hezbollah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WHY IS HEZBOLLAH SO WELL-ARMED? After Lebanon's 15-year civil war ended in 1990 Hezbollah, founded by Iran's Revolutionary Guards in 1982, was the only group allowed to keep its weapons on the grounds that it was fighting Israel's occupation of the country's south. After Israel withdrew in 2000 the group did not give up its arms, arguing its ability to fight was still a critical element of national defence against future Israeli aggression. A ceasefire agreement after a war between Hezbollah and Israel in 2006 was backed by a U.N. resolution demanding the disarmament of all militant groups - but Hezbollah again kept its weapons, accusing Israel of having violated other parts of the truce deal, which Israel denies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah took over parts of Beirut in fighting in 2008, underscoring its dominance. The group exercised decisive sway over state affairs in the following years as its power grew. WHAT DOES HEZBOLLAH SAY AND COULD THERE BE CIVIL STRIFE? Hezbollah has called the government's decision to ask the army to draw up plans to disarm it a "grave sin" that "fully serves Israel's interest". Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected each clause in Barrack's roadmap and when he spoke on Tuesday, dozens of motorcycles with men carrying Hezbollah flags drove around the group's stronghold in Beirut's southern suburbs - a show of its enduring strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hovering over any attempt to force Hezbollah to disarm is the spectre of previous bouts of civil unrest, including the 2008 fighting, triggered by the government's attempt to shut down the group's military telecoms network - an important facility for the group, but still less central than its arms. WHAT ARE THE POLITICAL COMPLICATIONS? Lebanon's power-sharing system apportions public sector posts - including in parliament, the cabinet and other roles - to different religious sects according to quotas. The system is meant to ensure no sect is cut out of decision making, but critics say it leads to political paralysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shi'ite representation in both parliament and cabinet is dominated by Hezbollah and its political ally Amal. Two Shi'ite ministers were travelling during Tuesday's cabinet session, and the other two walked out in the final moments as the decision was being taken. Qassem has said any government decision would require a national consensus and may challenge the legitimacy of cabinet decisions taken without Shi'ites. WHAT HAPPENS NEXT? The cabinet decision gave the army a deadline to submit a disarmament plan to the government by the end of August. Another session scheduled for Thursday will discuss Barrack's proposal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some Lebanese parties may keep trying to find a workaround that avoids a confrontation between Hezbollah and the state while warding off heavier Israeli strikes. (Reporting by Angus McDowall;Editing by Alison Williams) By Lucy Papachristou TBILISI (Reuters) -Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will meet with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Friday as the bitter rivals work towards a peace deal to resolve nearly four decades of conflict. The two sides said in March they had agreed on the text of a draft peace agreement, but progress since then has been sporadic and slow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a look at the history of the conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the stumbling blocks that remain to inking a peace deal. WHY ARE ARMENIA AND AZERBAIJAN IN CONFLICT? Armenia and Azerbaijan, neighbours in the South Caucasus region, have been locked in conflict since the final years of the Soviet Union over Nagorno-Karabakh, a mountainous region at the southern end of the Karabakh mountain range, within Azerbaijan. The region, known as Artsakh by Armenians, is internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan, but until 2023 its 100,000 inhabitants were predominantly ethnic Armenians. Under the Soviet Union, Nagorno-Karabakh became an autonomous region within the republic of Azerbaijan, and it enjoyed de facto independence for decades after the Soviet collapse in 1991. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KARABAKH WARS Bloody conflict over Karabakh dates back more than a century, but there have been two major wars since the late 1980s. The First Karabakh War (1988-1994) saw more than 30,000 people killed and more than a million displaced, mostly Azeris driven from their homes when the Armenian side ended up in control of Nagorno-Karabakh itself and swathes of seven surrounding districts. After decades of intermittent skirmishes, Azerbaijan began a military operation in 2020 that became the Second Karabakh War. It won a decisive victory in 44 days, taking back the seven districts and about a third of Nagorno-Karabakh itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EXODUS FROM KARABAKH In September 2023, Azerbaijani forces launched an offensive against what remained of Karabakh, which quickly agreed a ceasefire and capitulated to Baku. Almost all of the remaining 100,000 or so Armenians in the region fled to Armenia as refugees. PEACE TALKS Progress towards a peace deal has been slow, even after both sides said shortly after the Karabakh exodus that they wanted to sign a treaty to end their conflict. In 2024, Armenia began handing back some disputed territory to Azerbaijan, including several uninhabited villages along the shared border. That move proved highly controversial in Armenia, triggering street protests in the capital Yerevan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE CONSTITUTIONAL ISSUE One of the major hurdles to signing a peace deal is the issue of Armenia's constitution. Azerbaijan is demanding that Armenia change the constitution's preamble, which references the country's 1990 declaration of independence. That document refers to a 1989 joint decision calling for the reunification of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, then an autonomous region within Soviet Azerbaijan. Baku views the reference to Karabakh within the Armenian constitution as making an implicit claim on Azerbaijani territory. Pashinyan this year called for a referendum to change the constitution, but no date for it has been set yet. Armenia is to hold parliamentary elections in June 2026, and the new constitution is expected to be drafted before the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement THE TRANSIT CORRIDOR Another hurdle to peace is a proposed transit corridor that would run roughly 32 km (20 miles) through Armenia and link the bulk of Azerbaijani territory with Nakhchivan, an Azerbaijani enclave that borders Baku's ally Turkey. Azerbaijan wants the corridor, but does not want Armenia to control it over fears Yerevan could swiftly revoke access. The U.S. has proposed taking over management of the planned corridor, but Armenia has been cautious about the prospect, which is politically sensitive for Pashinyan ahead of next year's elections. (Reporting by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Sharon Singleton) Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall said in a press conference on July, 31, 2025, in Montgomery that the state is prepared to challenge a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that deemed the death penalty unconstitutional for crimes that do not result in the victims death. (Photo by Alander Rocha/Alabama Reflector) A horrific crime leads to get-tough policies to ensure the tragedy never happens again. That happened in 2018, after a failure in Alabamas criminal justice system led to the mistaken parole of a man who later murdered three people, including a 7-year-old child, during a series of robberies in Guntersville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Kay Ivey and Attorney General Steve Marshall called for major changes to the parole system. Lawmakers delivered. The Board of Pardons and Paroles was soon staffed by people largely skeptical of inmates. As a result, parole rates plummeted into the single digits. Incarcerated people who made earnest rehabilitation efforts remained trapped in a system racked by violence, which made enrollment in training programs behind bars seem pointless, adding to the chaos. The board made dozens of cruel and ridiculous decisions, including, per al.com, denying parole to a quadriplegic man. State officials now seem to be backing away from the approach. Today we have another horrific crime that, I fear, may lead legislators acting in good faith to enact policies that could have terrible unintended consequences. Rep. Matt Simpson, a former prosecutor of child abuse cases, is reintroducing a bill he filed last year to impose the death penalty on those convicted of sexual assault of children younger than 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In support of the legislation, Simpson and his supporters are citing what can only be described as an atrocity in Bibb County. Authorities have charged seven people with running a child sex trafficking ring involving victims ranging from ages 3 to 15. The details are hard to process. Anyone convicted of these crimes needs to be locked away and never wander outside a prison wall again. And believe me, I understand the desire to go even further and subject people who commit these evil acts to the most severe punishments we can imagine. But extending the death penalty in this manner is a bad idea. Not because it would be bad for the abusers. Because it would be bad for the victims. Simpson and his supporters want to overturn a 2008 U.S. Supreme Court ruling, Kennedy v. Louisiana, which prohibited capital punishment for child rape. In that case, the court voted 5-4 to overturn the death sentence of a Louisiana man who had been convicted of brutally raping his 8-year-old stepdaughter. This Supreme Court may do what Simpson hopes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But they should pause before taking that step. In his majority opinion in Kennedy v. Louisiana, Justice Anthony Kennedy made sure to convey the horror of the crime. But he also noted that pursuing the death penalty meant the traumatized victim, a child, had to discuss her ordeal at length first with law enforcement, and then at a public trial. Capital cases require a long-term commitment by those who testify for the prosecution, especially when guilt and sentencing determinations are in multiple proceedings, Justice Kennedy wrote. In cases like this, the key testimony is not just from the family but from the victim herself. During formative years of her adolescence, made all the more daunting for having to come to terms with the brutality of her experience, (the victim) was required to discuss the case at length with law enforcement personnel. Kennedy also noted concerns raised by social worker organizations. Child abuse is already an underreported crime, in part because people fear the repercussions for a family member so charged. Imposing the death penalty for child assault could further suppress reporting. Even worse, the justice wrote, making abuse a capital crime may remove a strong incentive for the rapist not to kill the victim. And then theres the fact that the death penalty is not a deterrent. Alabama has accelerated capital punishment in recent years. Six people died in the Atmore death chamber in 2024, the most in the country. (In 2025, Florida has executed nine people so far.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite that, Alabama has nation-leading rates of homicide. In 2022, more than 700 Alabamians died at someone elses hands, a rate of 14.9 per 100,000, the fourth-highest in the country. This isnt a fluke, either. Since 2014, Alabama has been one of the top-five states in the country for homicide deaths every single year. Some people may see all this and decide that whatever the consequences, a crime like this can only end in death. If it sends even one child predator to an early grave, well, that works too, Sen. April Weaver said at a Thursday press conference. It could do that. But only decades after the original crime. And following rounds of appeals in which the victim may be forced to relive that horror, over and over again. While potentially discouraging reports of other assaults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is it worth subjecting the victim to that trauma? Is it worth risking a further decline in child abuse reporting? Or putting victims in potentially greater danger? Anyone convicted of sexually assaulting a child needs to be locked away for life. But we cant let our outrage take precedence over the welfare of the victims. If we do, there may be terrible outcomes we dont intend and never see. Note: In Florida, Gov. DeSantis signed legislation in 2023 establishing the death penalty for rape of minors under 12, in hope of persuading the justices to reconsider their Kennedy v. Louisiana precedent barring that sanction. In June this year, he signed another bill imposing the death penalty for people convicted of trafficking a child aged 12 or younger or someone with a severe mental disability. This story first appeared in the Alabama Recorder, a member with the Phoenix in the nonprofit States Newsroom. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE A woman buried more than 2000 years ago in the icy Altai Mountains of Siberia has become the unlikely subject of one of the most exciting archaeological tattoo studies in recent years. Preserved in permafrost and long thought to be faded or invisible body art, her intricate tattoos have been brought to light using high-resolution near-infrared imaging - revealing a remarkable canvas of animals, mythical beasts, and ancient artistry. We knew that these mummies had tattoos, explains Dr. Gino Caspari, an archaeologist at the Max Planck Institute of Geoanthropology and the University of Bern. But some had skin so darkened and shriveled that the ink was no longer visible to the naked eye." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what weve done is essentially record wavelengths outside what humans can see - and that reveals these tattoos quite beautifully." Related Infrared light reveals an ancient tattoo and a postmortem suture - Credit: Caspari & M. Vavulin/Antiquity The mummy, belonging to the nomadic Pazyryk culture, was unearthed decades ago in the Altai Mountains, a region spanning southern Siberia, eastern Kazakhstan, and northwestern China. These early Iron Age people were primarily herders (from 6th to 2nd centuries B.C.E.), travelling through the highlands with sheep and horses during summer - and burying their dead in the same frozen earth that would preserve their bodies for millennia. What tattoos were found on the mummy? Thanks to the advanced imaging techniques and a collaboration with a tattooist, the team uncovered vivid tattoos across the woman's body, including hunting scenes of tigers and leopards attacking deer and reindeer-like creatures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One tattoo features a mythical griffin bringing down a herbivore. Perhaps most surprisingly her thumbs are decorated with small rooster-like designs. These are fantastic images. Theyre extremely vivid, and they represent a unique art style that doesnt really exist anywhere else. Various tattoo designs uncovered on the mummy's body - Credit: Daniel Riday/Caspar/M. Vavulin/Antiquity An illustration of a rooster tattoo found on the woman's thumb and fingers - Credit: Daniel Riday/Caspari/M. Vavulin/Antiquity These are fantastic images, Caspari tells Euronews Culture. Theyre extremely vivid, and they represent a unique art style that doesnt really exist anywhere else. While the true meaning of these images is lost, as there are no written records from the Pazyryk, the team focused on understanding the techniques behind their creation. Some scholars had hypothesised that the tattoos were made through stitching, like in the Arctic, where a thread carries pigment through the skin, explains Caspari. But we were able to show these were actually puncture tattoos - made with needles, much like todays hand-poking techniques, just without electricity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their analysis revealed evidence of tattoos made over multiple sessions and even showed the pauses where an ancient tattooist had stopped to fetch more pigment. For Caspari, these details humanise the process: It brings you really, really close to the person creating the images. You can see where the line slightly shifts when they pick up again. Several ice mummies discovered in the Altai Mountains are now housed at the Hermitage Museum in Russia. - Credit: Caspari & M. Vavulin/Antiquity The research also challenges earlier assumptions that only elite members of the Pazyryk society were tattooed. All of the preserved ice mummies weve found so far are tattooed, explains Caspari. This seems to have been a widespread practice. And these arent simple designs - theyre sophisticated and clearly required a lot of training. Caspari hopes to build a publicly accessible inventory of tattoos on all known Pazyryk mummies. Its not enough to just publish black and white images. These tattoos are amazing, but we need high-resolution reconstructions to really understand how they were made, he says. Given the huge public interest, I think people should be able to see and engage with them. Check out the video above for more images and extracts of our interview with Dr. Gino Caspari. Eyewitness News Meteorologist Jordan Reed has a look at the forecast for the next few days. UTICA, N.Y. (WUTR/WFXV) Central New York is under an air quality advisory until midnight thanks to wildfire smoke drifting in from Canada. Expect hazy skies and occasional unhealthy air, especially if youre sensitive. The haze should fade by Friday, with warm, dry weather sticking around until a hotter stretch kicks in Sunday into early next week. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. TAMPA On a mid-July Sunday afternoon in Tampa, the Rev. Claudet Saintil led prayers in Haitian Creole at New Jerusalem Haitian Baptist Church. They called for an end to mass deportations and a humane solution for immigrants without permanent legal status. Its a difficult situation for everyone, he said. So, we pray. The fight for legal protection has become an ongoing struggle, particularly for Haitians in Florida, amid an exhausting cycle of changing policies. From temporary protected status, a designation afforded to immigrants who cannot return home safely, to humanitarian programs, each new policy offered limited relief but not a definitive solution. More than 500,000 Haitians live in Florida, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temporary protected status, or TPS, has been extended multiple times since it was approved in 2010 after a magnitude 7 earthquake that January. The legal protection provided work authorization to tens of thousands of Haitians in the U.S. But it was always meant to be temporary. The Department of Homeland Security announced in June it would terminate this protection as soon as Sept. 2, even though it had previously been extended by the Biden administration through February 2026. The department said conditions in Haiti have improved enough, enabling 500,000 Haitians to return home in safety, though a federal judge in New York has since blocked the Trump administration from ending the status. Meanwhile, Haiti has been under a government-issued state of emergency since March 2024. The U.S. Department of State has warned Americans not to travel there due to kidnapping incidents, civil unrest, limited health care, and widespread violent crime and organized crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Armed groups control 80% of the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area and have expanded into rural areas following the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise. Last year, 5.5 million Haitians required humanitarian assistance, according to the United Nations. Advocates, academics and members of the Haitian community said Haiti is still far from solving its internal crisis. That should be enough, they said, to stay off the list of countries losing certain immigration benefits. I am deeply disturbed by the U.S. governments decision, while simultaneously theres a statement warning American citizens that Haiti is still too dangerous, said Katsia Cadeau, a professor at St. Thomas University and director of Lively Stone Church of Miami, a Haitian congregation near Little Haiti, the largest Haitian community in the state. Keto Nord Hodges, a math and special education teacher and prominent member of Tampa Bays Haitian community, said conditions in Haiti are the most difficult theyve been in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Children cant go to school, gangs attack shelters, and hospitals are out of reach for most people because of the situation, said Hodges, 45. And now some TPS grantees have been arrested while at court, just for seeking relief or simply updating their paperwork since Trump came to office. Another recent immigration program for Cubans, Haitians, Nicaraguans and Venezuelans has already been cut off. It was launched in early 2023 to allow limited legal entry. By 2024, more than 110,000 Cubans, 211,000 Haitians, 93,000 Nicaraguans and 117,000 Venezuelans were granted entry through this program, according to the nonprofit Refugees International. In April, the U.S. Supreme Court allowed the Trump administration to move forward with revoking these protections, citing national interest and resource constraints. In response, a group of five Haitians sued the Trump administration over deportation protections. The case was filed July 30 in federal court in the District of Columbia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Edouard Francois, a pastor at COMOR Baptist Church in Tampa, said one of the families in his Haitian-majority church has been in the United States for 13 years. He said they work hard, pay taxes and send their five kids to school, but still live in fear of being forced to leave. Thirteen years. And now you tell them its time to go? said Francois. Can you imagine? The feeling is much the same at New Jerusalem Haitian Baptist Church, where community members sing, pray and hug one another. They come seeking strength and answers to the uncertainty they face. Some lost family members. Others had their homes taken by gangs. Many more left just to save their lives. Saintil said returning to Haiti is simply not an option for them. Many prefer not to speak or share their cases publicly, he said. No one feels safe. Claim: Portions of the U.S. Constitution, including sections on habeas corpus and rules against the government issuing titles of nobility, were removed from the text of the U.S. Constitution on Congress' Constitution website in August 2025. Rating: Rating: True Context: A portion of Article 1, Section 8, as well as all of Article 1, Sections 9 and 10, were missing from the Constitution Annotated page on the Library of Congress' website the morning of Aug. 6. When the missing portions of the Constitution were reinstated later that day, the Library of Congress explained on X that its team inadvertently removed a tag in the code while updating the annotations for the section, which prevented the missing portion from being published to the website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In August 2025, many people on social media started talking about a rumor of changes to the U.S. Constitution website maintained by the Library of Congress. A Reddit thread (archived) that received tens of thousands of upvotes within a few hours claimed sections were removed from the Constitution's text on the website, including Article 1, Section 9; Article 1, Section 10; and the portion referencing the writ of habeas corpus. The claim spread to other social media sites, such as Facebook (archived) and Bluesky (archived), where people added that the section disallowing the government from granting titles of nobility also was removed. Many Snopes readers reached out to ask whether the rumor was true after seeing it online. The claim was true. Portions of Article 1, Section 8, as well as the entirety of Article 1, sections 9 and 10, were removed from the text of the Constitution on the Library of Congress' Constitution website as of Aug. 6, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Library of Congress maintains a website with information on the Constitution, including a page that is meant to contain the full text of the Constitution with annotations. A comparison of the page as it appeared on July 17, 2025, with how it appeared on Aug. 6, 2025, as captured by the Internet Archive's Wayback Machine, shows that a large portion of Article 1 the section of the Constitution about the powers of Congress was removed between those two dates. The page also was archived on July 21, 22 and 24, but it appeared blank on all three of those dates. The missing portion started about two-thirds of the way through Article 1, Section 8, beginning with the line giving Congress the authority to provide and maintain a navy. After that line, all the remaining sections of Article 1 were missing, which includes Section 9 and Section 10. No other sections of the Constitution were missing from the website at the time people posted about the missing portion. Section 9 lists several things Congress is not allowed to do. This includes suspending the writ of habeas corpus, which protects people from being detained without reason, and granting titles of nobility. Section 10 lists things individual states are not allowed to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post to X (archived) on Aug. 6, 2025, the Library of Congress explained that it was aware some sections of Article 1 were missing from the Constitution's text on its site. It said this was "due to a coding error" and that it expected the issue to be resolved soon. There was also a disclaimer at the top of the website on Aug. 6, 2025, that read, "The Constitution Annotated website is currently experiencing data issues. We are working to resolve this issue and regret the inconvenience." A later post from the Library of Congress clarified that a tag in the code was inadvertently removed while its team was updating the annotations for that portion of the Constitution. The post said the coding error had been fixed, and the missing portion was restored to the website. The Library of Congress did not respond to a Snopes request for more information on why that portion of the Constitution was missing from on the website. However, the full text of the Constitution is also available on the National Archives' website. That version of the text was not missing any sections from the Constitution on Aug. 6, 2025. The National Constitution Center, a nonprofit organization not part of the U.S. federal government, also has the full text of the Constitution available. Sources: @librarycongress. "Post from Library of Congress." X (Formerly Twitter), 6 Aug. 2025, x.com/librarycongress/status/1953109733633597634. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Constitution Annotated - July 17, 2025, versus Aug. 6, 2025." Wayback Machine, Internet Archive, web.archive.org/web/diff/20250717091439/20250806023110/constitution.congress.gov/constitution/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. Library of Congress. "U.S. Constitution." Constitution.congress.gov, Library of Congress, 17 Sept. 1787, constitution.congress.gov/constitution/. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. "The Constitution of the United States: A Transcription." National Archives, The U.S. National Archives and Records Administration, www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. "The United States Constitution." National Constitution Center, 1787, constitutioncenter.org/the-constitution/full-text. Accessed 6 Aug. 2025. Updates: Aug. 7, 2025: This article was updated to include the Library of Congress' explanation for what caused the issue and to reflect that the missing portion had been restored. Claim: Eric Darnell, a 38-year-old truck driver from Birmingham, Alabama, went missing in late July 2025. Rating: Rating: False In late July 2025, a story began circulating on social media claiming that Eric Darnell, a 38-year-old Black truck driver from Birmingham, Alabama, mysteriously vanished during a cross-country delivery. Darnell was last seen leaving a distribution center outside of Phoenix, Arizona, according to the posts. He was on his way to a drop-off in Memphis, Tennessee, but never made it to his destination, the posts claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the posts, the GPS signal on Darnell's truck went dark near a stretch of an interstate "known for its dead zones and poor surveillance." His locked truck was later found parked in an abandoned lot outside of Little Rock, Arkansas, with his wallet inside, the posts claimed. Some of the posts, like this one (archived), also alleged that the local sheriff's department issued a missing persons report, but family members claimed "there's been little urgency." Darnell was later found dead, some of the posts (archived) claimed. Multiple Snopes readers emailed us and searched our website to ask if the story about Darnell was true. However, we found no evidence that a 38-year-old truck driver named Eric Darnell from Birmingham, Alabama, disappeared during a delivery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two law enforcement agencies in Alabama confirmed to Snopes via email on Aug. 5, 2025, that they had no record of a missing person named Eric Darnell from the Birmingham area. The Pulaski County Sheriff's Office, which covers Little Rock, Arkansas, had not received any reports on the incident mentioned in the social media posts, a spokesperson for the agency told Snopes via phone. Our search of public records through the service BeenVerified also found no evidence of a 38-year-old man named Eric Darnell residing in Alabama. Furthermore, searches of Google, Bing, DuckDuckGo and Yahoo found no credible news media outlets reporting on Darnell's disappearance. If the story were true, prominent news outlets likely would have reported it. A spokesperson for the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency (ALEA) told Snopes, "Our Agency has no record of a Mr. Eric Darnell missing from the Birmingham area or a request for a missing person alert from a local law enforcement agency concerning a man missing by the name of Eric Darnell." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A public information officer with the Birmingham Police Department also said the agency "does not have any missing person's reports for 'Eric Darnell.'" Snopes also reached out to the Little Rock Police Department in Arkansas and will update this story if we receive a response. Analyzing images used in the posts Social media users shared a handful of photos alongside claims about Darnell's disappearance. At least one of them may have been generated using artificial intelligence (AI), while other photos showed an Alabama man who had no connection with a 2025 disappearance. One popular image shared in posts (archived) about Darnell's alleged disappearance shows a Black man with a full beard wearing a denim shirt and sitting in a car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hive and Sightengine, two AI detection platforms, didn't flag the image as AI-generated, though it's worth noting these platforms are not always accurate. However, a reverse-image search returned no results other than social media posts sharing the story of Darnell's alleged disappearance, suggesting that the image may have been AI-generated. Some of the posts (archived) also included photos of 39-year-old Stephen Perkins, an Alabama man who was shot by police in September 2023. The photos show him wearing a white dress shirt with a navy blue tie in one and a "Levi's" shirt (spelled out on the front) in another. A reverse-image search led us to Perkins' obituary (archived), which included the photo of him in the white dress shirt and navy blue tie. The photo of Perkins in the Levi's shirt appeared in a New York Post article (archived) published in November 2023. False stories often make the rounds on social media to drive reactions and shares on posts, or traffic to online articles. For further reading, Snopes investigated whether a story about a Colorado couple found dead in a uranium mine was true. We also looked into another online rumor that claimed an Amish family from Pennsylvania mysteriously disappeared in 1992. Sources: Freeman, De'Rell. Email interview. 5 Aug. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wasden, Amanda. Email interview. 5 Aug. 2025. Reynolds Funeral Home. "Obituary for Stephen Clay Perkins | Reynolds Funeral Home." Obituary for Stephen Clay Perkins | Reynolds Funeral Home, CFS, 29 Sept. 2023, www.reynoldsfh.com/obituary/Stephen-Perkins. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. "Police Did Not Give Black Alabama Homeowner Time to Respond before Killing Him, Attorney Says." AP News, 6 Oct. 2023, apnews.com/article/fatal-alabama-police-shooting-black-homeowner-perkins-d46dc201306633c358a54b050a8c9cfd. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. O'Neill, Jesse. "Black Man's Truck Repossessed Moments after He Was Gunned down by Alabama Cops." New York Post, 12 Nov. 2023, nypost.com/2023/11/12/news/black-mans-truck-repossessed-moments-after-he-was-gunned-down-by-alabama-cops/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Claim: An Alabama man who was a member of a Young Republicans group and a campaign chairman for a state senator was arrested on charges of sexual torture and murder. Rating: Rating: True Context: Though social media posts about the case spread widely in summer 2025, the arrest occurred in March 2024. In early August 2025, rumors circulated online that an Alabama man who worked as campaign chairman for Republican state Sen. Tom Butler and was a member of the Madison County Young Republicans was arrested on charges of sexual torture and murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claim made the rounds across social media platforms such as Facebook (archived, archived) and X (archived, archived), with some users pointing to the rumor as apparent evidence of hypocrisy within the Republican Party. Snopes readers reached out as far back as February 2025 with questions about the alleged crime and the suspect's connection to the Alabama GOP. Not a Drag Queen, Not a Trans, Not an Immigrant. Just another MAGA Republican. pic.twitter.com/7sSKUu482U Travis Matthew (@Matthewtravis08) August 2, 2025 The rumor was true, although the arrest occurred more than a year before the social media posts spread in summer 2025. Local news media and other outlets such as People magazine covered the arrest of Kyle Haden Lewter in March 2024. Lewter's mug shot and arrest record are available to view on the Madison County Sheriff's Office website, at the time of this writing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to multiple local news reports, authorities initially arrested Lewter on suspicion of murder in the death of 54-year-old Derek Franklin Walls, with the charges later updated to include sexual torture and sexual abuse using an inanimate object. Although there were some reports Walls was fatally shot, the Madison County Sheriff's Office posted a statement to Facebook (archived) on March 8, 2024, that said "the victim and offender knew each other and got into a physical altercation that resulted in the victim being injured. It appears he died as a result of those injuries." According to a court document and reporting by Huntsville, Alabama, TV news station WZDX, Lewter was admitted to an inpatient mental health facility in April 2024 for evaluation but was ultimately determined "'psychiatrically stable' to participate in court proceedings" in October 2024 and returned to jail to await trial. (District Court of Madison County, Alabama) As for Lewter's political affiliation, local news outlet WAFF reported, "Lewter is listed as a member of the Madison County Young Republicans according to its website. Lewter was also listed as a point of contact. He also was a campaign chairman for State Sen. Tom Butler." In a statement to the TV station, Butler said he was "speechless" and "saddened for all families involved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, WZDX reported that Lewter "was elected chairman of the Madison County Young Republicans in February 2022 according to a cross-post between his personal and the organization's Facebook pages." Lewter's Facebook profile and the alleged posts have since been deleted and are unavailable on web archiving websites. An archived page on the Madison County Republican Party website captured in December 2023, months before Lewter's arrest, listed his name, phone number and email as the point of contact for the Madison County Young Republicans. It appears the Madison County Young Republicans rebranded following Lewter's arrest. As of this writing, the same webpage listed the group as the Rocket City Young Republicans, and the group's Facebook page shows it was created in May 2024. (Huntsville is known as "Rocket City" because of its "progressive industries in aerospace, defense and biotech," according to the city's website.) According to Alabama news website AL.com, Madison County Sheriff's Office spokesman Brent Patterson said the criminal case was not tied to Lewter's political activity. "The factual circumstances of this death investigation are not related to any political activities that Mr. Lewter was engaged in," he told the site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Snopes reached out to the Madison County Sheriff's Office, Madison County district attorney's office and Madison County Republican Party for comment on Lewter's case and his membership in the county's Young Republicans. We will update this article if we receive a response. Sources: "Alabama Commission Awards $731.33 for Derek Walls' Murder Expenses." Rocketcitynow.Com, 1 Jul. 2025, https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/crime/kyle-lewter-directed-to-pay-731-in-compensation-to-family-of-man-hes-accused-of-killing/525-79e0812c-6e71-48e8-a882-d8af566b2761. "Alabama GOP Activist Accused of Murder, Sexual Torture of Man." People.Com, https://people.com/alabama-gop-activist-accused-murder-sexual-torture-8607340. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Clubs | MGOP.ORG. 8 Dec. 2023, https://web.archive.org/web/20231208023357/https://mgop.org/category/gop-clubs/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ---. https://mgop.org/category/gop-clubs/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Huntsville/Madison County Convention & Visitors Bureau. https://www.huntsville.org/rocket-city/. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. "Kyle Lewter Found Competent to Stand Trial, Will Return to Madison County Jail." Rocketcitynow.Com, 12 Oct. 2024, https://www.rocketcitynow.com/article/news/local/kyle-lewter-competent-stand-trial-ordered-return-madison-county-jail/525-6563412d-3671-4ec7-ad28-d1f0e0c0c7b7. "Kyle Lewter Motion - Competency - Return To Court | PDF | Separation Of Powers | Law Of The United States." Scribd, https://www.scribd.com/document/779297469/Kyle-Lewter-Motion-Competency-Return-to-Court. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "New Court Documents Reveal Disturbing Details in Kyle Lewter's Murder Case." Rocketcitynow.Com, 12 Mar. 2024, https://www.rocketcitynow.com/video/news/local/new-court-documents-reveal-disturbing-details-in-kyle-lewters-murder-case/525-389a9964-48a0-4c39-a4c4-bc47c2e7b27f. Reports, Staff. "Ardmore Son Attending Trump Inaugural." Athens The News Courier, 18 Jan. 2017, https://enewscourier.com/2017/01/18/ardmore-son-attending-trump-inaugural/. "Rocket City Young Republicans." Rocket City Young Republicans, https://rocketcityyr.wixsite.com/rcyr. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Staff, WAFF 48 Digital. "Madison County Murder Suspect Now Facing Sex Abuse Charges." Https://Www.Waff.Com, 8 Mar. 2024, https://www.waff.com/2024/03/08/madison-county-murder-suspect-now-facing-sex-abuse-charges/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View Roster - KYLE HADEN LEWTER - Madison County Sheriff's Office. https://www.madisoncountysheriffal.org/roster_view.php?booking_num=M00113685. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Williams, Javon. "Man Charged with Murder after 54-Year-Old Found Dead in Harvest Community." Https://Www.Waff.Com, 8 Mar. 2024, https://www.waff.com/2024/03/08/man-charged-with-murder-after-54-year-old-found-dead-harvest-community/. wthornton@al.com, William Thornton |. "North Alabama Man Charged with Murder Has Ties to State Republican Politics." Al, 8 Mar. 2024, https://www.al.com/news/2024/03/north-alabama-man-charged-with-murder-has-ties-to-state-republican-politics.html. Claim: On Aug. 2, 2025, the Republican Party's official X account published an image of U.S. Vice President JD Vance that was doctored to make him look slimmer. Rating: Rating: False On Aug. 2, 2025, U.S. Vice President JD Vance celebrated his 41st birthday. To commemorate the occasion, the Republican Party's official X account, @GOP, posted a graphic (archived) featuring Vance smiling and waving alongside a message that read: "Happy Birthday Vice President JD Vance." In response, some social media users claimed the image had been doctored to make Vance appear slimmer than he actually is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, one X user posted a side-by-side comparison of the photo in the GOP post and another similar picture they claimed was the original. The user wrote (archived): "OMG. They heavily photoshopped JD Vance to make him look like he weighs 160 lbs. What a joke. Nothing is real with this administration. NOTHING. Original on the left. Doctored on the right. So embarrassing." (ChrisDJackson/X) The post had amassed more than 198,000 views as of this writing. Similar posts appeared elsewhere on X (archived) and on Facebook (archived) and Threads (archived). However, the claim that the GOP's image of Vance was doctored to make him appear slimmer was false. The GOP did carry out a minor alteration when creating the image; however, the visual differences between the image used in the GOP X post and the photo shared alongside it by social media users resulted from standard graphic design techniques used to reposition Vance to accommodate the layout of the text, combined with optical illusions created by background color contrasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There did not appear to be any attempt to make Vance look slimmer, as explained by a spokesperson for the GOP below and as outlined in a Snopes recreation, the conclusion of which was supported by an image analysis expert. GOP explained the editing process GOP press secretary Kiersten Pels confirmed that the photo used in the GOP X post's graphic originated from Vance's official X account (archived). It was the third picture in the vice president's X post from his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025, and the same one social media users claimed to be the "original" unedited version of the photo. Its an incredible honor to take the oath of office as the 50th Vice President of the United States. I look forward to working alongside President Trump to serve the American people. Let's Make America Great Again! pic.twitter.com/oLbHLQ0EhP Vice President JD Vance (@VP) January 20, 2025 Speaking via email, Pels denied any manipulation of Vance's silhouette, explaining: The photo had to be repositioned to accommodate the text layout, which altered the original perspective slightly. I have also attached a video of the Canva tool we used to create this graphic. It shows JD Vance being pulled off the background so that he could be moved to accommodate the text of the graphic. This is a very common editing technique. This method of detaching an object can lead to a minor loss of pixels and definition. However, JD Vance's silhouette has not been altered in any way. It was not possible for Snopes to determine whether the original photo itself was digitally altered in any way. However, social media users claimed that the image that appeared in the GOP's graphic was a doctored version of the picture in Vance's X post. Our investigation found that this was not the case. Independent testing confirmed the explanation Snopes reviewed the screen recording provided by Pels and identified the tool she referred to as Magic Grab in Canva, a graphic design platform. We conducted our recreation of Vance's cutout using the same tool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although our version had rougher edges, when we raised the contrast and lowered the shadows and highlights, the body proportions appeared to be identical to those in the GOP graphic. (Left: The image used in the GOP's graphic. Right: Snopes' illustration) Expert analysis Hany Farid, a University of California, Berkeley, professor and expert in image analysis and digital forensics, also reviewed the images and explained why Vance may have appeared slimmer in the GOP X post's graphic: I don't think this image was manipulated to make Vance thinner. If you overlay the two images, you will see that Vance's body in both images is very similar. Instead I think what is happening is that in the original part of his body is set against a blue background which creates a bit of an optical illusion making him look bigger in the other image, he is squarely behind the flag which provides more of a contrast. This is consistent with the background separation described below which may have shaved off a few pixels. Catalin Grigoras, director of the National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF) at the University of Colorado Denver, said via email that he found no evidence of image rescaling, resizing or other modifications designed to alter Vance's body size. Grigoras confirmed that Vance's body proportions remained consistent across both images. In sum Our analysis revealed several key factors that explained the visual differences between the original inauguration photo and the image in the GOP's birthday post: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background repositioning: The GOP used Canva's Magic Grab tool to extract Vance from the original background and reposition him to accommodate the birthday message text. Optical illusion effect: Vance's perceived size difference was primarily due to background color contrasts. In the original photo, parts of Vance's body appeared against a blue background, creating an optical illusion that made him appear larger. In the birthday post, he was positioned in front of the red and white of the U.S. flag, providing a different visual contrast. Technical artifacts: The background removal process resulted in minor pixel loss and edge softening, which social media users misinterpreted as evidence of body modification. Sources: 'Https://X.Com/VP/Status/1881424590184067431'. X (Formerly Twitter), https://x.com/VP/status/1881424590184067431. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/whitehouse/p/DM2_V0YNHcT/?hl=en. Accessed 5 Aug. 2025. Updates: Aug. 7, 2025: This article was updated to include a response from Catalin Grigoras, Director of the National Center for Media Forensics (NCMF). Claim: The United Nations' 2030 Agenda seeks to eliminate commercial flights and private ownership of property and cars. Rating: Rating: False In the summer of 2025, a video circulated online of British anti-vaccine activist and former Pfizer executive Michael Yeadon warning people about restrictions on travel and private property ownership purportedly included in the United Nations "2030 Agenda." Here's what Yeadon said in the video, which, as of this writing, received over 90,000 likes in one July 31 Instagram post (archived): When the U.N., and Bill Gates, and Klaus Schwab tell you that they've got a U.N. 2030 plan with sustainable development goals I think there are 17 or 21 of them and every one of them says you won't be traveling, you won't have a private car, we won't be using international shipping to move goods around, there won't be any flights except military or perhaps very rich people you won't own anything, you'll be happy, you probably won't live in your own house, you'll be using much less energy for everything, including heating, manufactured goods, and so on. When they tell you that, you should assume that they're serious about it. Posts sharing the video of Yeadon have spread on platforms like Facebook and X since at least 2023; many of these posts centered around Yeadon's allegations about restrictions on private property, flights and car ownership. "No travel. No private property. No flights. No democracy," one popular Facebook post sharing the video said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yeadon also made similar claims in other videos posted on social media. However, the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, available in full online, does not include anything about restricting private property, car ownership or air transportation, instead calling for more equitable access to property ownership, better road safety and more public transport. Thus, we rate this claim false. Yeadon, a retired pharmacologist, has a history of spreading false and unsubstantiated rumors. He is best known for his views against vaccines, which many lend credence to because of his background as an executive at Pfizer even though Yeadon reportedly worked as an allergy and respiratory researcher in a position unrelated to vaccines. Yeadon, in response to an inquiry as to what evidence he had supporting his claims about the United Nations 2030 Agenda, instead insisted his false claims about vaccines were true, sent a list of personal attacks and said Snopes was not "faintly interested in things I have said." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You cannot claim without blushing that I'm a conspiracy theorist," Yeadon continued. "I'm a career professional from the pharmaceutical industry, who correctly characterised the injections as designed intentionally to harm recipients." United Nations 2030 Agenda The United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, adopted by all member states in 2015, created 17 global "Sustainable Development Goals" aimed at providing "a shared blueprint for peace and prosperity for people and the planet." The goals represent ambitious ideals to meet by 2030, including "no poverty," "zero hunger" and "gender equality." Some goals do focus on property ownership, but with the intention of expanding access for women and low-income people. Here's one example on Page 22 (emphasis ours): 5a. Undertake reforms to give women equal rights to economic resources, as well as access to ownership and control over land and other forms of property, financial services, inheritance and natural resources, in accordance with national laws. Several of the goals also focus on expanding access to public transportation, creating safe cities and reducing fossil fuel use, but nothing in the 41-page agenda referenced restrictions to travel like the kinds alleged by Yeadon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, searches in the agenda document for the terms "airplane," "home ownership," "houses," "aircraft," "cars" and "travel" returned no results likely because the goals do not include detailed specifics, instead leaving it to the member states to develop a "national framework" for achieving these ideals. One goal related to transportation on Page 26, for example, is as follows: By 2030, provide access to safe, affordable, accessible and sustainable transport systems for all, improving road safety, notably by expanding public transport with special attention to the needs of those in vulnerable situations, women, children, persons with disabilities and older persons. It is then left up to the countries to implement them although the goals are not legally binding, meaning no legal consequences exist for failing to meet them. (Notably, the United States, under President Donald Trump's administration, announced at a United Nations meeting in March 2025 that it "rejects and denounces" the goals and would "no longer affirm them as a matter of course.") The United Kingdom's approach to the goal above, for example, focused on capping rail fare and creating an "action plan" to improve public transport access for people with disabilities (see Page 30), whereas China's approach appeared centered around building more urban public transportation (see Page 100). Sources: China's Progress Report on Implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (2023) . 2023, www.mfa.gov.cn/eng/zy/jj/2030kcxfzyc/202310/P020231018367257234614.pdf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department for International Development. Agenda 2030 the UK Government's Approach to Delivering the Global Goals for Sustainable Development -at Home and around the World. 2017, assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a75176e40f0b6360e47348f/Agenda-2030-Report4.pdf. Lee, Ella. "Fact Check: Former Pfizer VP Spreads False Claim about COVID-19 Vaccines and Child Deaths." USA TODAY, 18 Nov. 2021, www.usatoday.com/story/news/factcheck/2021/11/18/fact-check-covid-19-vaccines-not-linked-deaths-children/8584681002/. "Remarks at the UN Meeting Entitled 58th Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly." United States Mission to the United Nations, 4 Mar. 2025, usun.usmission.gov/remarks-at-the-un-meeting-entitled-58th-plenary-meeting-of-the-general-assembly/. Stecklow, Steve, and Andrew Macaskill. "The Ex-Pfizer Scientist Who Became an Anti-Vax Hero." Reuters, 18 Mar. 2021, www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/health-coronavirus-vaccines-skeptic/. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement United Nations. "The 17 Sustainable Development Goals." United Nations, sdgs.un.org/goals. ---. Transforming Our World: The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. United Nations, 2015, sdgs.un.org/sites/default/files/publications/21252030%20Agenda%20for%20Sustainable%20Development%20web.pdf. ---. "United Nations Sustainable Development Agenda." United Nations Sustainable Development, United Nations, 2016, www.un.org/sustainabledevelopment/development-agenda-retired/. Updates: Aug. 6, 2025: This story was updated with a comment from Yeadon. (Reuters) -At least four people were killed and more than 50 were missing after flood waters swept through a village in India's Himalayan state of Uttarakhand on Tuesday. Here are similar disasters in the mountain range, which experts have previously blamed on climate change and widespread developmental activities on its slopes. NOVEMBER 2023 A road tunnel under construction in Uttarakhand caved in, trapping 41 people inside. The men - low-wage workers from some of India's poorest states - were rescued 17 days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities did not give a reason for the structure's collapse. OCTOBER 2023 A glacial lake outburst triggered by torrential rain led to devastating floods in India's northeastern state of Sikkim, leaving at least 179 people dead. JANUARY 2023 Nearly 200 people were evacuated from their homes in the Himalayan town of Joshimath after hundreds of buildings in the area developed cracks. The unsafe structures were later demolished. Geologists, residents, and officials blamed rapid construction in the mountains, which they said had weakened the buildings and the land beneath them. OCTOBER 2021 Unseasonal heavy rain flooded roads and washed away bridges in Uttarakhand, killing at least 46 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEBRUARY 2021 More than 200 people were killed as a flash flood in Uttarakhand swept away two hydroelectric projects and sent water, rocks, and debris surging down the Dhauliganga river valley. Scientists said the deluge could have been triggered by a large avalanche of glacier ice. SEPTEMBER 2014 The Himalayan region of Kashmir saw its worst flooding in 50 years as the Jhelum river, which flows from India to Pakistan, surged due to unusually heavy rain. About 200 Indians and 264 Pakistanis were killed in the incident. JUNE 2013 A total of 580 people were killed in northern India and nearly 6,000 went missing as flash floods and landslides unleashed by early monsoon rains swallowed houses, apartment blocks, and vehicles. (Compiled by Sakshi Dayal; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) (Reuters) -Five U.S. soldiers were shot and wounded at the Fort Stewart Army base in the state of Georgia on Wednesday. Here are some other mass shootings at U.S. military bases in recent years: * December 2019: A Saudi Air Force lieutenant shot andkilled three people and wounded eight others at a U.S. Navy basein Pensacola, Florida. * July 2015: A man shot people at a recruiting center andlater at a nearby U.S. Navy Reserve Center, killing four Marinesand a Navy sailor, and wounding several others before theshooter was killed by police. * April 2014: A soldier at the Fort Hood Army base in Texasfatally shot three service members and injured 16 others beforekilling himself in the deadliest U.S. military base shootingsince 2009, also at Fort Hood. * March 2014: A civilian truck driver shot dead a sailoraboard the USS Mahan destroyer at a Navy base in Norfolk,Virginia, before being killed by base security forces. * September 2013: An employee of a government defensecontractor fatally shot 12 people and wounded four others at theNavy Yard in Washington before he was killed by police. * November 2009: Major Nidal Hasan, an Army psychiatrist,killed 13 people and injured more than 30 at Fort Hood, Texas,shooting unarmed soldiers in a medical building with alaser-sighted handgun in what he later called retaliation forU.S. wars in the Muslim world. A military jury convicted Hasanin 2013, sentencing him to death, and he awaits his execution atFort Leavenworth, Kansas. * October 1995: An Army sergeant killed one officer andwounded 18 soldiers at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, duringmorning exercises before several soldiers tackled him. Thesergeant was sentenced to life in prison. * June 1994: A man who had been discharged from the AirForce a month earlier killed four people and wounded at least 20at a hospital at the Fairchild Air Force Base in Spokane,Washington. He was killed by a military police officer. (Compiled by Jonathan Allen and Brendan O'BrienEditing by Rod Nickel) Fake $100 bills prompt investigations in multiple counties Channel 9s Dave Faherty found out that fake $100 bills are fooling workers in area counties and they are now taking precautions in hopes to catch the people responsible. ALSO READ: Deputies arrest 3 in $130K counterfeit check scheme in Iredell County Employees and police told Faherty the bills look like they are older, from the 1980s, and that when checked with a counterfeit detection pen, they come back legit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators in Granite Falls and Newton shared photos of two people theyre hoping to identify who they said passed bogus $100 bills at local stores. They are currently working three cases. Hickory police said it has worked four cases, including at Honey Baked Ham Co., over the last week where $100 bills were passed. Workers in Hickory alerted other businesses in the area about the fake money. It did not look real so you could tell because it wasnt rectangular, said Jared Wachsmuth, manager at Honey Baked Ham. You could tell one of the lines was slanted. Police in Newton confirmed on Wednesday morning that they are working a case involving the counterfeit currency at a local grocery store. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Employees contacted Faherty about more cases in Caldwell County. A nonprofit, Amorem Thrifts and Gifts, installed equipment to scan the bills to see if theyre real or fake. For us, since were a nonprofit organization, it hurts us in the long run just because we help patients with hospice care, said Ethan Pathan, manager at Amorem Thrifts and Gifts. So, that hurts us and local businesses. Pathan said there wasnt anything alarming about the suspect. He was pretty confident and relaxed, Pathan said. He just came in and handed a hundred-dollar bill and just was waiting for us to say yes or no about it because it was 1989. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police in Valdese said some of the serial numbers on the bills were identical. In Newton, the chief said they have several good leads. VIDEO: Consumer Reports: Counterfeit knockoffs may pose safety risks The families of two murder victims whose bodies have never been found have backed a bid to change the rules on parole. Arlene Fraser and Suzanne Pilley were the focus of two high-profile murder investigations more than a decade apart. Relatives of both women want the law changed in Scotland so that Parole Boards must take it into account if a killer refuses to reveal the location of their victim's body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At present the law states that failure to reveal the location may - rather than must - be considered when deciding whether someone will be released from prison. The proposed change is contained in an amendment to the Victims, Witnesses, and Justice Reform Bill which has been tabled by Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Greene. Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the Scottish government remained "fully committed" to supporting the amendment. The families said they were "relieved" by that support. Carol Gillies said that not knowing what happened to her sister was "a form of mental torture" [PA Media] Speaking during an emotional press conference, Carol Gillies said she felt guilty to be alive after the death of her sister, Arlene, at the age of 33. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlene's husband Nat Fraser, 53, is serving a life sentence for the mother-of-two's murder and would eligible for parole in October 2028. Ms Gillies said that not knowing what happened to her sister was "a form of mental torture" and that Fraser had a choice to reveal what he knows. "I feel that he controlled Arlene when she was alive and he is controlling her when she is dead," she added. Arlene was last seen on 28 April 1998 when she waved her son and daughter off to school from their home in Elgin, Moray. She then vanished without a trace. No trace of Arlene Fraser has been found since she vanished in 1998 [PA Media] Suspicion quickly fell on her husband Nat, who had previously assaulted his wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was later charged with her murder alongside his friend, Hector Dick, and a third man, Glenn Lucas. They went on trial in January 2003. In a dramatic twist Mr Dick and Mr Lucas were freed, leaving Fraser alone in the dock. Mr Dick, who became a witness for the prosecution, told the trial that Arlene's husband had hired a hitman to kill her, burn her body and ground up the remains. The jury found Fraser guilty of murder and he was jailed for a minimum of 25 years. The conviction was quashed in 2009 and Fraser stood trial for a second time in 2012. He was again found guilty and ordered to serve at least 17 years in prison for what the judge described as a "shocking and wicked" crime. Suzanne Pilley had recently ended a relationship with David Gilroy when he murdered her [PA Media] Suzanne Pilley was captured on CCTV as she got the bus to work in Edinburgh city centre on the morning of 4 May 2010 - but she never arrived at her desk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would later emerge that the bookkeeper had been lured to the basement of the building in Thistle Street by her colleague David Gilroy. A court later heard he murdered her there and hid her body in a stairwell. Ms Pilley, 38, had recently ended her year-long secret relationship with Gilroy, who was described in court as possessive and manipulative. The following day the married father-of-two drove his silver Vauxhall Vectra more than 130 miles from Edinburgh to Lochgilphead, Argyll and Bute. Police used CCTV to map Gilroy's movements and found it took him five hours and eight minutes to drive from Tyndrum to Inverary - a journey which should take 36 minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilroy, who turned his phone off to cover his tracks, is believed to have buried Ms Pilley in remote forest but despite extensive searches no trace of her has ever been found. The 49-year-old was jailed for life at the High Court in Edinburgh in April 2012. He was ordered to serve at least 18 years in prison and will be eligible to apply for parole in March 2030. During sentencing, Lord Bracadale told him: "I hope that the day will come in your life when you feel able to disclose that information and that may bring some comfort to her bereft family." Suzanne's mother, Sylvia Pilley, said her daughter's life had been cut short. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She really wanted a family and she was never given that. We miss her every day so that's really why we are doing it," she said at the press conference. Suzanne's sister, Gail Fairgrieve, said she lived with the trauma of Gilroy's actions every day. She said: "What the Parole Board need to understand is that his crimes are still continuing." Ms Fairgrieve also called for Scotland to go even further and follow the example of Australia where several states have a "no body, no parole" law. MSPs will debate the proposals next month and Victim Support Scotland hope the legislation will be passed before the Holyrood election next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The changes in Scotland mirror Helen's Law south of the border. It is named after Helen McCourt, from Merseyside, whose killer Ian Simms was freed from jail without disclosing the location of her remains. Similar legislation, known as Charlotte's Law, will be brought forward before the next North Ireland assembly election. Murders without a body Other Scottish cases where no body was found include: Allison McGarrigle , who vanished in June 1997 and was formally declared dead eight years later. Paedophiles Charles O'Neill and William Lauchlan were later jailed for her murder. Lynda Spence , who disappeared in April 2011. Colin Coats and Philip Wade were found guilty of abducting, torturing and murdering the 27-year-old. Margaret Fleming, a vulnerable 19-year-old who was killed by Edward Cairney and Avril Jones between December 1999 and January 2000. Jones then continued to claim 182,000 in benefits until it finally emerged Margaret was missing in October 2016. The pair were finally convicted in July 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Greene told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland programme that withholding the whereabouts of a body should be "an important part of the consideration" for parole. Greene said: "There are grieving families out there who have been unable to find closure throughout this process. "And there are people, who they see that could be released from prison, that still know to this day where the remains of their loved ones are. "I think that's morally indefensible. So do the families and many of the organisations that support them." 'Complex process' Defence Edith Forrest KC told the programme she had every sympathy with the families of murder victims who had never been found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But she said she thought the proposed amendment to the bill would "make little difference to how the Parole Board approach such cases". "Rule 12 is specifically directed at prisoners who withhold that sort of information and whether they may take that into account. Almost inevitably that is exactly the information they would consider in the parole assessment. "The Parole Board is there to assess risk, and that is a complex process, and something like that is exactly the sort of thing they would be looking at." Justice Secretary Angela Constance said the families had endured a "terrible journey". She said the Scottish government was "fully committed" to the amendment and there was "no risk of it being watered down". Constance said: "I want to see a strengthening of the law, a law that will require that the Parole Board must take into consideration if a prisoner has not disclosed the remains of their victim." The amendment is also supported by Victim Support Scotland. Chief executive Kate Wallace said: "It is a simple change of one word, but the impact on the families who have lost a loved one in this way will be enormous." KYIV, Ukraine (AP) Natalia Haiova was a beloved kindergarten teacher in Kyiv known for the artistic flair of her creations -- drawings, flower arrangements, decorations. Last week, she perished in a Russian strike on a nine-story building in the Svyatoshinsky district of the capital. The attack, which targeted multiple neighborhoods in Kyiv, claimed the lives of 31 people, including five children, making it the deadliest to hit the capital since the full-scale invasion. Haiova, 46, was killed along with her sons, Vladyslav, 21, and Roman, 17, and her brother Oleksandr Naralyk, 44. The family was crushed under rubble when their apartment building collapsed over their heads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Haiovas friends and family came to pay their last respects before she and her sons and brother were laid to rest in a Kyiv cemetery. Nadia Kolisnyk, 56, the headmaster of the school where she worked, said that everyone would remember Haiova as a helpful and knowledgeable professional, as well as a creative spirit. You saw the beauty she created. All the flowers, the decorations it was all her golden hands, Kolisnyk said. Arthur Kulishenko, 22, a classmate of Vladyslavs, had gone to the scene of the attack and waited for his friends remains to be found, he said. We knew he was under the rubble and just waited, he said. There were just rocks. The building just crumbled there. It collapsed like a sliced cake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haiova had moved during the pandemic to the house which had belonged to her father. She found a job right away in the nearby kindergarten, said her sister Olena Stetsiuk, 46. When mass drone and missile attacks escalated on the capital in June, Stetsiuk, who lives in a different part of Kyiv, would message her sister and ask her how she was. Haiova would often respond that she was too tired to head to the basement to take shelter. But recent attacks had been so loud and scary she had usually made the decision to go. Stetsiuk remembers the last shopping trip she made with her sister. They needed to find black garments for a friends funeral. We chose, walked around, laughed, she said. And we chose this blouse with her. She said, take this one. And we went to my place. We sat, discussed it, and looked some more. Stetsiuk wore the same blouse to her sisters funeral two weeks later. NEED TO KNOW Juan Baron, 26, pleaded guilty to murdering his 73-year-old lover, Gary Ruby, in Hawaii in 2022 After the murder, Baron fled Hawaii and was arrested in California hiding on a Mexico-bound bus Baron was sentenced to life in prison with the possibility of parole A man in Hawaii who pleaded guilty to killing his lover and burying his body in a bathtub full of concrete in 2022 was sentenced on Wednesday, July 30, to life in prison with the possibility of parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Juan Baron, a 26-year-old Colombian man, pleaded guilty to murdering 73-year-old Gary Ruby, who was killed sometime between Jan. 19. 2022 and March. 7, 2022, according to the Honolulu Star-Advertiser, which cited authorities. Baron told authorities that he killed Ruby after the victim revealed he had tested positive for HIV, according to an arrest warrant previously obtained by PEOPLE. Baron used a belt to kill Ruby before dragging him into a bathtub and slitting his wrist to make it look like he might have killed himself, per the warrant. Related: Man Pleads Guilty 2 Years After Murdering Lover and Encasing His Body in Concrete Inside Bathtub Baron also confessed to police that, after finding bags of concrete in his garage, he concealed Rubys body in the bathtub and poured coffee grounds over the cement to mask the smell of the corpse, according to the warrant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baron and a friend fled Hawaii after Rubys murder and they were later arrested in California, where Baron was found hiding in a crawl space in a Mexico-bound bus. O'ahu Mortuary Gary Ruby Gary Ruby 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. While the details of the timeline are unclear, according to police, after Baron killed Ruby, he lived in the victim's $1.2 million home and drove around his Audi A6, claiming it as his own. After his arrest, he confessed to police that he planned on "fraudulently acquiring the home by forging documents, according to the warrant. Judge Cathy Remigo sentenced Baron to two counts of theft and a count of identity theft for stealing from Ruby after his death, Island News reported. The Hawaii Paroling Authority will set the mandatory minimum Baron has to serve before he can be considered for parole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rubys family members were at Barons sentencing hearing. They talked about the 73-year-olds love for literature, plays and fine art. And they reflected on Rubys final moments, Hawaii News Now reported. The medical examiner found particles of cement in my uncles lungs, Gary Ruby's niece said. I have to live knowing that he was still breathing when you poured cement on him. You have to live with that too, Mr. Barone. What a horrific way to die. You buried him alive, Lorne Ruby, Gary Rubys brother said to Baron in court, per the outlet. It was not enough for you to murder him. You inflicted horrible, unnecessary suffering upon him. How cold, how cruel, how inhumane, how evil such an act. Read the original article on People HOUSTON - A family is demanding justice after their grandmother, 80-year-old Carolyn Dalcour, died in extreme heat inside her apartment. They say her air conditioning unit was broken and the complex did nothing. Family demands justice What we know Harris County Deputies said Dalcour was found inside an extremely warm apartment here on July 29, and they are investigating if her death was heat-related. Her family said her A.C. unit had been broken for over a month. She alerted the complex, but nothing was done. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I called the front office saying, please, can you fix my mommas air conditioning? Its too hot," said Shandra Dalcour. The family and community advocate said she lived in Unit 196A; The thermostat read 99 degrees the day after she was found. They said the A.C. unit was blowing hot air. "When we went in to see grandmother it was so hot in her apartment unit that her candles were even melting," said Candice Matthews, community advocate. What we don't know Dalcour's cause of death has not officially been confirmed. Fire Marshal's Office inspects complex Dig deeper Since the grandmother tragically died last week, several tenants have come forward complaining about broken A.C. units, delayed maintenance and issues with pests, mold and water leaks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several inspectors with the Harris County Fire Marshals office visited Haverstock Hills apartments on Tuesday. They received several safety complaints after Dalcour's death. The incident has sparked outrage, raising concerns regarding the living conditions at the complex. While the fire marshals office cannot inspect individual units, they ensure fire and safety codes are followed in common areas and exteriors. Family plans to sue The familys attorney said a lawsuit is coming. "Justice would be that no one else, no baby, no grandmother, no one else has to suffer," said Adjua Umoja-Justice, the familys attorney. "These people need to be treated like how they are treated in these leasing office A.C. blowing." Apartment complex responds The other side The Haverstock Hills apartments shared a statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are saddened by the passing of our neighbor. Our hearts go out to the Dalcour family during this time. Out of respect for the family and while facts continue to be reviewed, we are unable to provide further comment." The Source Information in this article came from FOX 26 interviews with involved parties. (KTLA) Select airports across the country are adding special security lanes to help make travel easier for families. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) announced in July its new Families on the Fly program, which aims to put families first and enhance their airport security screening experience during the busy summer travel season and beyond, according to the agency. When asked, a representative for the TSA told Nexstar that the family-friendly security lanes work basically the same as the regular lanes, while providing families with their own space where they can move through security at their own pace, without feeling rushed or as though theyre inconveniencing other travelers. John Wayne Airport family line The Families on the Fly line is seen at John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana on Aug. 5, 2025. (KTLA) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the program, the TSA is also offering a $15 discount on PreCheck enrollment when two adults sign up together. Kids under 12 are generally allowed the same benefits when traveling with an enrolled adult; kids under 17 may also be eligible if they meet certain conditions. There are also plans to implement dedicated TSA PreCheck lanes for service members and their families, per TSA and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Dedicated family lanes are already operational at Orlando International Airport (MCO) in Florida and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) in North Carolina, the TSA says. But Nexstars KTLA reported that John Wayne Airport, in Orange County, Calif., debuted its lane in July. KTLAs Carlos Herrera visited John Wayne Airport on Tuesday to speak with families testing out the new lane. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its been very nice. Very short line, one parent at the Southern California airport, just moments before she reached the front of the queue. In addition to the Orlando, Charlotte-Douglas and John Wayne facilities, dedicated family lanes are planned for the following airports, according to the TSA: Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Honolulu (HNL) Charleston International Airport (CHS) Jacksonville International Airport (JAX) Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport (PVD) Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico (SJU) Tampa International Airport (TPA) This program goes beyond convenience; its about addressing the unique needs of traveling families to provide a smoother, more supportive experience at our security checkpoints, Pete Garcia, the TSA federal security director for Orlando, was quoted as saying in a press release. Were dedicated to making travel smart, secure, and family friendly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information on the TSAs Families on the Fly program can be found at the agencys official 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 The Hill. A family in Washington is warning about the dangers of kratom a supplement that can be bought in some gas stations after they say their son died from using the substance. On the day Jordan McKibban, 37, died in 2022, he reportedly mixed kratom with his lemonade, according to his mother, Pam Mauldin, who spoke to the New York Post. Kratom is marketed as an "all-natural" supplement that can help reduce pain, anxiety, and depression, among other ailments. For some individuals who are wary of typical pharmaceutical medicines as McKibban reportedly was kratom can be an attractive alternative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mauldin found her son unconscious in his room after he drank the kratom-lemonade mixture. She attempted CPR, but could not revive him. Ive lost my son. Ive lost my grandchildren that I could have had, Ive lost watching him walk down that aisle, watching him have a life that I get to watch with my other kids. Ive lost enjoying these years with him, she told the New York Post. Kratom in powder and capsule form. Jordan McKibban, 37, of Washington state, died after he mixed an addictive offshoot of the substance into lemonade in 2022 (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) After his death, an autopsy found that McKibban death was caused by mitragynine, which is found in ktraom. Kratom is made from a Southeast Asian plant and can act as a stimulant when taken in lower doses and a sedative when taken at higher doses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The substance can be bought from online retailers and in stores legally. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration notes that kratom hasn't been shown to be safe or effective at treating any medical conditions. The agency has described it as a "drug of concern." Despite its open availability, national poison control centers have documented 1,807 calls about kratom exposure between 2011 and 2017, and the calls are becoming more frequent, according to Dr Michael Greco, who spoke to the New York Post. He warned that kratom use can, in some people, cause them to experience agitation and "sometimes even psychosis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, kratom deaths are rare. In McKibban's situation, he was told that he could not overdose on the substance, and that he would simply vomit if he took too much, according to his mother. She noted that her son's kratom bags had no instructions on them or dosage suggestions. There have been hundreds of people killed from this, and they dont pull it. The government doesnt step in, she said. That may be changing. U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F Kennedy Jr announced in late July that he plans to crack down on kratom. I became an addict because [heroin] was so available, but I had to go to the South Bronx or the Lower East Side. But now you can go to any gas station, Kennedy told reporters on July 29 while discussing the substance. Theyre marketing them to children: Theyre gummy bears, theyre bright colors, theyre candy-flavored. This is really a sinister, sinister industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was referring to a reportedly more addictive and possibly more dangerous offshoot of kratom called 7-hydroxymitragynine. Dr Robert Levy, an addiction and family doctor, told the New York Post that the substance can have similar effects to opioids. Theres always been concern around kratom because if you take enough of it, kratom does act like an opioid, and people can become addicted to it and have withdrawal from it and overdose on it and ruin their lives on it, like anybody else that has a substance use disorder, Levy said. He said the offshoot product that is "much more addicting and much more problematic" has infiltrated the market, and many consumers don't know the difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FDA recently recommended 7-hydroxymitragynine be classified as an illicit substance. 7-OH is an opioid that can be more potent than morphine, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary, said in a press release. We need regulation and public education to prevent another wave of the opioid epidemic. Levy recommended that parents talk to their children or loved ones about the substance and remind them that just because something is "all-natural" and plant-derived does not mean it's safe for consumption. "Arsenic is also from a plant," he noted. He advised that anyone with a family member struggling with substance abuse of any kind to seek out available resources and treatment options. Flying with children is always a challenge, from lugging strollers through security to making sure teddy doesn't get left at the gate and dealing with with midflight meltdowns. But a new Department of Homeland Security program seeks to ease parents' stress while traveling by offering family-friendly lanes at TSA checkpoints. The Families on the Fly program began its rollout at select airports this summer, including at John Wayne Airport in Orange County. Parents need not have TSA PreCheck to take advantage of the dedicated lanes, which often have shorter lines and allow families to move through security without feeling rushed or like they are inconveniencing their fellow passengers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When families arrive at John Wayne Airport, they will find a specially designated lane for them at the centrally located Checkpoint B, said Jason Pantages, Transportation Security Administration federal security director for John Wayne Airport, at a news conference Monday. With Southern California being one of the top tourist destinations in the U.S. for vacationing families, I am excited that we can now expedite their screening process and enhance their overall airport experience. Read more: Trump policies affect travel around California and the U.S. John Wayne Airport is a popular travel hub for families on vacation, thanks in part to its proximity to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim. In addition to the new family TSA lane, airport officials also unveiled a lactation pod in the Terminal C baggage claim area to provide mothers with a place to nurse in private. As a mom who nursed two babies, I know the stress of traveling when babies get hungry," Orange County Supervisor Katrina Foley said in a statement. Im excited that we now offer a private, clean, comfortable space for moms to nurse before flights at JWA to reduce the chaos of traveling with kids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although California officials predicted that the state would experience a "Trump slump" in tourism this year due to the president's tariff policies, a slowdown in visitors has not materialized at John Wayne. The Orange County airport reported a 3.1% year-over-year increase in passengers in May, while California airports overall reported a slight 0.6% year-over-year dip in passengers in May, the latest month for which data are available. The decrease in tourism to the Golden State is forecast to be driven by a 9.2% year-over-year drop in international visitors, according to the state's nonprofit tourism marketing agency, Visit California. The agency predicts this change will be driven by the "impact of higher tariffs on the global economy and negative sentiment toward the U.S. due to the administrations trade policies." Only 3% of passengers at John Wayne are international, largely insulating the airport from the potential effect of such a slump. At Los Angeles International Airport, where almost a third of passengers are international, there was a 4.3% decrease in travelers in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The TSA began launching its new family-friendly lanes in July, the middle of the busy summer travel season. As part of the Families on the Fly program, TSA is also offering a discount on TSA PreCheck enrollments for families: Buy one enrollment and you get $15 off the second one. Other airports introducing family lines include: Orlando International Airport in Florida Tampa International Airport in Florida Jacksonville International Airport in Florida Charlotte-Douglas International Airport in North Carolina Charleston International Airport in South Carolina Rhode Island T. F. Green International Airport Luis Munoz Marin International Airport in Puerto Rico Daniel K. Inouye International Airport in Hawaii Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. DENVER (KDVR) The family of an unarmed man who was allegedly shot and killed by an Aurora police officer has filed an excessive use of force suit against the Aurora Police Department. The family of Rashaud Johnson said he never should have been shot, but rather should have been given help for a mental health crisis. Former Nuggets stars pregnant wife attacked by shark The family said Johnson was not himself the day he was shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He showed up at a park-and-ride type lot not far from the Denver International Airport when his encounter with police turned deadly on May 12. The Aurora Police Department previously released body-worn camera footage as part of a news release. In the video, a parking lot employee can be heard calling 911, saying a man appeared to be on drugs. The caller then later described Johnson as becoming more aggressive and trying to fight employees. The officer can be seen using a baton, a taser and then his gun on Johnson, who was not armed. He should have, as every officer is trained, to do, de-escalate the situation, using time, cover and distance. Despite the fact that he had every opportunity to do so, the officer did not, attorney Neil Sandhu of Rathod Mohamedbhai said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson was reportedly barefoot in the parking lot on a very hot day. His family said he was having a mental health crisis. I have a hard time knowing that this person took an oath and took my babys life, Johnsons mother, Taushica Carter, said. APD had previously said the officer was sent to the parking lot due to the suspects unpredictable behavior. We would love for his memory to be understood as a kid who wasnt a troublemaker, who didnt have a record. We want his memory to be positive and the community to understand the loss that did not have to happen, Johnsons father, Chris Johnson, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At one point, the footage shows the officer and Johnson getting into a fight. The officer gets back to his feet and draws his firearm. He gives the suspect multiple commands to get on the ground. But the suspect doesnt listen and walks toward the officer fires two shots, fatally wounding the suspect, APD Public Information Officer and Agent Matthew Longshore said. Aurora City Attorney Pete Schulte released a written statement: The 17th Judicial District Critical Incident Response Teams independent investigation into the May 12 shooting is ongoing, as is an internal administrative investigation by APD. It will be several weeks, if not months, before the 17th Judicial District Attorneys Office releases its findings in this case. Like any critical incident, there are important facts that will be revealed by these investigations that are not depicted in a single body camera video. Now that this lawsuit has been filed, my office will defend the city and the officer in this case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like losing a close friend: The Hornet to close after nearly 30 years in Denver Johnsons family also said the officer who shot their son should have immediately tried to save his life. In this moment, Officer Mills could have tried to save Rashauds life. Could have lowered his weapon. He could have approached the man he just shot and provided medical aid. Officer Mills did neither of those two things, Sandhu said. The Johnson familys attorneys said they will now wait to see what the investigators determine and how the city of Aurora responds. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Last week, as we conducted our interview with District Attorney Fani Willis, three grieving families were awaiting news from her office related to their loved ones deaths at the hands of Atlanta police officers. This week, the family of Deacon Johnny Hollman finally got their answer: A Fulton County grand jury has declined to bring charges against Kiran Kimbrough, the officer who shocked the 62-year-old with a Taser after a traffic incident in August 2023. Hollman collapsed at the scene and died at the hospital hours later. Read More: Release the tape! Johnny Hollmans Relatives Bring Emotional Pleas to City Council While Hollmans family and police accountability activists believed this to be an open-and-shut case, Willis told Capital B Atlanta that with police brutality cases its never that simple. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quite frankly, to get an officer indicted, it does take more work, she said. Those are the one cases that a defendant, meaning the officer, can actually come into the grand jury, they get to bring their lawyer, they get to vet the case at that stage. Even when the DA does press charges, it is still an uphill battle to hold a police officer accountable. Read More: Fani Willis Calls Commissioners Liars in Jail Funds Fight Its been over six years since Jimmy Hills 21-year-old son Jimmy Atchison was shot and killed by now-retired APD officer Sung Kim. Despite a federal judge dismissing the charges against Kim in June, Hill remains determined to seek justice for his son. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes it seems like Im on an island by myself fighting, but I know that I have to be the one to set the tone as a father, Hill told Capital B Atlanta at a protest last month outside the Fulton County Courthouse. His goal was for Willis to appeal the judges decision and keep the case open. For the family of Devon Anderson, answers could still be months away. The 38-year-old was shot and killed by off-duty APD officer Melvin Potter on Aug. 5, 2024, while trying to break up a fight outside a bar. Melvin Potter needs to be in jail, and he needs to be charged with murder, and Im not going to stop until he is, Valerie Lans-Anderson, Devons mother, told Capital B Atlanta last fall. In part two of our interview, Willis responds to her departments handling of brutality cases and addresses threats on her life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This interview has been edited for clarity and length. Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks with Capital B reporter Madeline Thigpen in her Atlanta office. (Chris Mitchell for Capital B) Capital B: Do you think that the necessity of the DA to work with law enforcement agencies impacts your ability to prosecute police brutality cases? Fani Willis: Check my record. Look how many officers Ive indicted. When we came to this office, there were 101 police brutality cases. They went back to 2009, [cases] that had just sat and were uncharged. I made decisions on every single one of those 101 cases. Unfortunately, in the first two to three years, I brought a lot of charges and cleared a lot of cases because cases had sat for so long. Right now, again, I dont have any police brutality cases that occurred before 2024, but the process is longer. And so for my families, the victims, I have to tell them like, Youre gonna have to be patient with us. I do not make decisions based on politics or out of fear. Ive had families come in here after Ive made a decision not to charge an officer [asking] why dont I put it in front of the grand jury and let them decide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because I took an oath, and if the evidence is not here, I think it is unethical to put that evidence up. We dont bring those cases. However, I dont care how pissed off police departments get at me. If we find that the police officer violated the law or violated their oath, we bring those charges. I have not been afraid either way. How do you respond to families of police brutality victims who feel charges have not been brought in a timely manner? In a police brutality case, those cases are typically going to take 18 months to two years to get done. Some can get done quicker, but some take that long because of the amount of money and the experts I have to pay to be able to prove them. I dont care how pissed off police departments get at me. If we find that the police officer violated the law or violated their oath, we bring those charges. Fani Willis So the day an incident happens, the [Georgia Bureau of Investigation] does an investigation that usually takes four to six months. Lets say its done at month six, just for some easy math. Then those lawyers that work for me, that are not [assistant district attorneys], but work for the filter team, they pick it up. Thats another 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its typically nine months after an incident before we even start our investigation. And then I do have a very specified team of lawyers that are kind of closed off. They have their own computer system, their own investigators. My other units get mad at me. They say that unit is spoiled because they get more resources than everyone else, and they just do those cases. Thats all they do. And they are my most seasoned lawyers. Read More: Two Months Later, Family of Man Fatally Shot by Off-Duty APD Officer Is Searching for Answers Last week I spoke with Jimmy Hill, the father of Jimmy Atchison, who said the ADA suggested they should talk to the U.S. Attorney about the appeal. Is it the opinion of your office that because that case was moved to federal court, that it should have been in the US Attorneys jurisdiction? Im not sure what Mr. [Hill] is talking about. That was the case that we prosecuted and the federal court threw it out, so we can go no further. I dont know if what the ADA was saying is maybe you can have the federal government look at it. My belief is that that case is over. You dont plan to appeal the judges decision? No. In the aftermath of choosing to indict Donald Trump and pursue the YSL RICO cases, your safety was threatened quite a few times. How has it impacted your role as a district attorney? It hasnt. It has impacted me as a human being. I have not lived in my house since the first four months I was in office. I just wrote a mortgage check, so Im angry every month as I pay the mortgage for an empty vessel. Personally, that has impacted me, but it has not changed the way Im going to do my job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to be bullied. They got the right person at the right time sitting in this seat. There might be something wrong with me, but I love this work. I love what I do. Many people [said] my motivation was to do something greater. And Im thinking, what are they talking about? I have the greatest job on Earth. I get to serve my community. I get to make it more safe. I get to make decisions that start diversion programs to change peoples lives. Im not going to be bullied. They got the right person at the right time sitting in this seat. There might be something wrong with me, but I love this work. I love what I do. Fani Willis I am the only DA in the country that has created a program in the school system, because I know we are more helpful to our community if I meet these children in the classroom and not the courtroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To sit with this kind of power, to be able to literally change peoples lives. There really is no better job on Earth than to be able to do this. It sure as hell aint for the money. Because, I dont make enough money. The people that serve under me do not make enough money for the stress that we [endure]. But I would challenge you to find someone that does work more meaningful. Click here to read part one of our exclusive interview with DA Fani Willis, where she discusses her ongoing battle with commissioners for adequate funding to address an unindicted backlog at the notorious Fulton County Jail. The post Fani Willis Defends her Record on Police Brutality Cases appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. The New York Times is firing back against the far-right paramilitary group that accused the paper of defamation, filing a new lawsuit after the organization's $100 million case was thrown out of court. In a complaint that was filed in New York this week, the Times is suing 1st Amendment Praetorian for reasonable costs, attorneys fees, and disbursements pursuant to New York Civil Rights Law while noting that the paper incurred at least $50,000 in legal fees defending against the organizations meritless litigation. It is a lawsuit under anti-SLAPP provisions designed to protect First Amendment rights. Judge [Mary Kay] Vyskocil's careful opinion granting our motion to dismiss recognized that the claims against The Times were meritless, a New York Times spokesperson told The Independent. New York's anti-SLAPP law therefore requires that 1st Amendment Praetorian pay the costs of The Times's defense. Fee shifting is an important deterrent to frivolous lawsuits against the press and The Times looks forward to recovering its costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Independent has reached out to the 1st Amendment Praetorian for comment. 1st Amendment Praetorian, otherwise known as 1AP, initially brought its lawsuit against the Times in January 2023 in response to several articles the outlet published about the scrutiny the group had received surrounding the January 6 Capitol attack. These reports were in relation to the House committee that investigated January 6 issuing a subpoena to 1AP and its founder Robert Patrick Lewis in November 2021. The New York Times is firing back against a far-right paramilitary group that recently lost a defamation lawsuit against the paper. (Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.) The subpoena compelled 1AP to produce documents pertaining to the events leading up to and transpiring on that day. The Committee specifically sought documents related to the security that 1AP had provided to allies of President Trumpincluding Stop the Steal campaign organizer Ali Alexander and Lt. Gen. Michael T. Flynnas well as various social media posts made by 1AP on or around January 6, among other materials, the Times noted in its complaint this week. The subpoena also compelled Mr. Lewis to appear for a deposition before the Committee. Following the subpoena of Lewis, the Times published an article in January 2022 that reported on the close ties 1AP had with allies of Donald Trump who were looking to undermine confidence in the results of the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Joe Biden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By their own account, members of the 1st Amendment Praetorian helped to funnel data on purported election fraud to lawyers suing to overturn the vote count, Times reporter Alan Feuer reported in that article. They guarded celebrities like Michael T. Flynn, Mr. Trumps former national security adviser, at Stop the Steal rallies, where huge crowds gathered to demand that Mr. Trump remain in office. And they supported an explosive proposal to persuade the president to declare an emergency and seize the countrys voting machines in a bid to stay in power. In subsequent articles by Feuer later that year, it was noted that 1AP had provided security for Flynn amid Trumps efforts to overturn the election results, adding that the group also helped former Trump lawyer Sidney Powell gather open-source intelligence about claims of election fraud. Additionally, citing the House committees description of the organization, 1AP was described as far-right, extremist, and a paramilitary group similar to the Oath Keepers and Proud Boys. 1AP filed a $100 million lawsuit in January 2023 against the Times and Feuer, alleging that the articles and social media posts sharing the pieces defamed the group by stating or implying to their Twitter followers and readers that 1AP stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021. The paper would reply in court that none of the social media posts presented in the complaint mentioned 1AP and that the articles in question never stated that the group stormed the Capitol. 1AP would later file an amended complaint that alleged the Times made 24 materially false statements about the group, once again seeking $100 million in compensatory and punitive damages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March of this year, the court granted the Times motion to dismiss the complaint with prejudice. In its ruling, the court stated that 1AP not only failed to sufficiently show that the Times published any alleged defamatory statements with actual malice, but also didnt show any level of specificity with its defamation claim. Beyond that, many of the supposed defamatory statements the group highlighted were not of or concerning 1AP, with the group also failing to even show that many of the statements were false. Meanwhile, at the time of its lawsuit, Rolling Stone suggested that 1AP was taking on a highly litigious stance in an effort to distance itself from other right-wing organizations and figures associated with the Capitol attack. Instead, the organization was attempting to rebrand itself as a civil liberties group and non-partisan. The litigation is part of a pattern of high-dollar defamation suits brought by 1AP that are ostensibly attempting to clear its reputation, the magazine reported in February 2023. Seen in another light, the lawsuits present a vivid irony: They are filed by an organization that presents itself as a protector of first amendment rights, against parties whove leveraged their own freedom of the press to raise concerns about 1st Amendment Praetorian. Rolling Stone added: The court blitz complicates efforts to scrutinize 1AP, which the Jan. 6 Committees final report describes as a paramilitary group, and whose founder Lewis has touted the need for a second American revolution. The House Select Committee investigating the January 6 attack noted that 1AP provided security to election denier Michael Flynn. (Getty Images) Citing New Yorks anti-SLAPP law, which gives publishers increased protections against frivolous lawsuits and allows them to recover damages incurred in defending against those complaints, the Times is now demanding that 1AP pay its attorneys fees in the dismissed case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Times incurred more than $50,000 in legal fees and costs to defend against 1APs lawsuit that had no basis in law or fact, this weeks complaint alleges, adding: The District Courts opinion makes clear that 1AP both commenced and continued its Action without a substantial basis in fact and law. The New York Times pushing back against a Trump-adjacent organization over what was ultimately deemed a frivolous and baseless complaint comes at a time when the current president has used the courts to bully media companies with his own meritless lawsuits. Trump, who is currently suing the Wall Street Journal and its owner Rupert Murdoch for $10 billion over a Jeffrey Epstein article, recently obtained a $16 million settlement from Paramount in his lawsuit over a CBS News interview with Kamala Harris. That settlement which was similar in the amount Disney paid Trump to settle his ABC News lawsuit came shortly before his administration approved Paramounts $8 billion merger with Skydance Media, which also came just days after CBS announced it was cancelling the late-night show of outspoken Trump critic Stephen Colbert. (NewsNation) A woman found dead in a boat in Montauk, New York, has been identified as 33-year-old fashion designer Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, NewsNation local affiliate WPIX reported. A witness discovered Nolan-OSlatarras unconscious body in a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club shortly after midnight Tuesday, the Suffolk County Police Department said. Bystanders attempted to perform CPR, but police ultimately pronounced her dead on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman accused of hijacking multiple NYC subway trains Nolan-OSlatarras cause of death has not yet been confirmed. The Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office is expected to conduct an autopsy. Originally from Ireland, Nolan-OSlatarra moved to New York and founded the fashion brand East x East, according to a 2024 report from the Irish Independent. A Montauk Yacht Club member allegedly told the New York Post that they, along with other members and some captains, heard screaming coming from the docks late Monday night. Police have not yet confirmed that report. Kidnapped Georgia baby rescued after suspect found in Florida Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffolks homicide detective squad is investigating the case. Anyone who has information about Nolan-OSlatarras death should call 631-852-6392. NewsNation has reached out to the Suffolk County Medical Examiner, the Montauk Yacht Club and New Yorks Consulate General of Ireland for statements. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Originally appeared on E! Online Details about a body discovered at Long Island's Montauk Yacht Club have come to light. Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, a Manhattan-based fashion designer, was found dead on a boat docked at the exclusive marina on Aug. 5, the Suffolk County Police Department confirmed in a press release. East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call made by a man who found the 33-year-old woman unconscious around midnight. Despite others attempting to administer CPR on Nolan-OSlatarra, per authorities, she was pronounced dead on the boat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffolk PD shared that since her cause of death was determined as inconclusive during the preliminary investigation, an autopsy will be conducted for further information. The Montauk Yacht Club, a 16-acre waterfront property, expressed its condolences following her death. "We are saddened to learn of the tragic incident that took place," a spokesperson told CBS News. "Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff." More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nolan-O'Slatarras fashion brand East x Eastwhich focuses on swimsuits and resortwearopened a pop-up location nearly two months earlier at Gurney's Montauk Resort and Seawater Spa, just six miles from the yacht club. For the designer, her company was a love letter to New York City and the East End of Long Island. "Our tagline is built in the city, made for the sun," Nolan-O'Slatarra explained in a TikTok video last April. "I think it resonates with so many people on so many levels because at some point, everyone in their lives is grinding, but everyone's destined for the sun." Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra/Facebook She quipped, "I know I am, and pretty much everyone else is, so I think it was very fitting." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Nolan-O'Slatarra, who grew up in Ireland, moving to New York was essential in her entrepreneurial journey. "I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams," she told the Irish Independent that February. "I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money-driven, business-driven, and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road." Although her adventures brought a new group of friends in the U.S., she noted that her hometown friends in Carlow were "still my crew." For more on Nolan-O'Slatarra's life, keep reading. Self-Made In Manhattan Raised in Carlow, Ireland, Martha moved to New York City to pursue a career as a fashion designer and entrepreneur. Beachy Business In 2022, Martha founded East x East, a fashion brand comprised of sunglasses, swimwear and resort wear made from sustainable materials. Something for Everyone As for the inspiration behind East x East, Martha previously explained that it was based on a universal mindset. "Our tagline is 'Built in the city, made for the sun,'" she said in a video on her TikTok page in April 2024. "I think it resonates with so many people on so many levels because at some point, everyone in their lives is grinding, but everyone's destined for the sun." Steady Growth Just weeks before her death, Martha celebrated a major milestone for her business as she opened an East x East pop-up shop in The Hamptons in July 2025. Alongside a TikTok video of the brand activation, she wrote, "Goals achieved." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hometown Pride While Martha described herself as a "small town girl" with "big dreams," she never lost her connection to her Irish roots. "I still have all my Carlow friends," she told the Irish Independent in February 2024. "They are still my crew." Gone Too Soon Sadly, tragedy struck on Aug. 5, 2025, when Martha was found dead on a yacht docked in Montauk, N.Y., according to a press release from the Suffolk County Police Department, whose homicide squad is investigating the incident. She was 33. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App What is the most-needed fast-food chain in Delaware? We asked. You answered. Maybe Whataburger's 5-inch made-to-order hamburgers or Del Taco's warm shell tacos paired with crinkle-cut french fries? Perhaps White Castle's small, square hamburgers (sliders) covered in onions on steamed buns? Or maybe Roy Rogers resurgent in the area thanks to its recent return to South Jersey and its Double R Bar Burger with a quarter-pound patty topped American cheese and Smithfield ham on a buttery Kaiser roll? Advertisement Advertisement We launched an online poll July 23 asking what fast food chain not yet in Delaware needs to find a home here. We offered 11 suggestions, even allowing voters to write-in others. So what did they want to add in a state already awash with McDonald's, Burger King, Taco Bell and Wendy's? Order from Door Dash The winner, with 14% of the vote, was White Castle, which has numerous locations in bordering New Jersey. Clockwise from left: Images portraying Roy Rogers, Whataburger, Jack in the Box and White Castle fast food restaurant chains. The write-in category pulled in 13% with readers asking for everything from West Coast-based favorite burger chain In-and-Out, Pittsburgh favorite Primanti Bros. (the closest location is in Lancaster, Pennsylvania) and Captain D's seafood (popular in the Southeast) to Midwest-based Skyline Chili and Famous Dave's barbecue, which used to have locations here. Advertisement Advertisement Some also asked for chains that are already here (d'oh), including Sonic Drive-in (Bridgeville) and Dairy Queen (Lewes, Camden and Newark). We had a tie for third place with 12%, including Roy Rogers, which caused a traffic backup when it opened a new location in Cherry Hill in late June. It was the first Roy Rogers to open in the South Jersey/Philadelphia area since the 1990s. Could Delaware be next? 'MEMBA? Do you remember the McDonald's in Hockessin? OTHER FAVS Family Destinations Guide names 7 'hidden gem' burger joints in Delaware. Have you been? Whataburger shared the third-place title with Roy Rogers the Southern chain's closest location to Delaware is in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement West Coast's Jack in the Box landed in fourth place with 11% of the vote, and Southern food chain Cook Out took fifth place with 10%. The rest of the vote-getters included Culver's (9%), Del Taco (6%), Gino's (5%), Portillo's and Wienerschnitzel (3%) and Eat'n Park (2%). Have a story idea? Contact Ryan Cormier of Delaware Online/The News Journal at rcormier@delawareonline.com or (302) 324-2863. Follow him on Facebook (@ryancormier) and X (@ryancormier). This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: These are the hamburgers, tacos and hot dogs you think Delaware needs A large and rapidly spreading vegetation fire in southern France has killed a woman who refused to evacuate her home, the local prefecture and a mayor said on Wednesday. The victim - a woman in her 60s - died at home in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Mayor Xavier de Volontat told the broadcaster BFMTV. When the neighbourhoods threatened by the fire were being evacuated, the woman refused to leave her home, he said. "The fire came very quickly, and she was trapped in her burning house," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, the fire spread across 12,000 hectares, affecting 15 municipalities. Currently, 1,500 firefighters are working to contain the blaze, with hundreds more expected to join later in the morning. Aerial firefighting operations resumed in the morning. Several locations have been evacuated due to the fire. "The civil protection department managed to accommodate and shelter more than 500 people during this very difficult night," a spokesman for the agency told BFMTV. One missing, several injured The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the municipality of Ribaute, located in the southern French region of Aude, roughly between the cities of Carcassonne and Narbonne. The flames then spread rapidly through the mountainous Corbieres region, fuelled by strong winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The local prefecture expects unfavourable weather conditions to persist today. Two civilians have been injured in the fire, one of whom suffered severe burns. Additionally, seven firefighters have been injured during the operation. One person is reported missing. Tourists were forced to evacuate two campsites in the area during the holiday season. Numerous roads have been closed due to the fire, including a section of the A9 motorway. Early in the morning, 2,500 households were without electricity. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors unless explicitly instructed to evacuate. A large and rapidly spreading vegetation fire in southern France has killed a woman who refused to evacuate her home, the local prefecture and a mayor said on Wednesday. The victim - a woman in her 60s - died at home in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, Mayor Xavier de Volontat told the broadcaster BFMTV. When the neighbourhoods threatened by the fire were being evacuated, the woman refused to leave her home, he said. "The fire came very quickly, and she was trapped in her burning house." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, the fire spread across 16,000 hectares, affecting 15 municipalities. Currently, 2,150 firefighters are working to contain the blaze in in the southern French region of Aude. Aerial firefighting operations resumed in the morning. One missing, several firefighters injured The fire broke out on Tuesday afternoon in the municipality of Ribaute, located roughly between the cities of Carcassonne and Narbonne. The flames then spread rapidly through the mountainous Corbieres region, fuelled by strong winds. The local prefecture expects unfavourable weather conditions to persist. Two civilians have been injured in the fire, one of whom suffered severe burns; they were taken to hospital. Additionally, 11 firefighters have been injured during the operation, one of them seriously. One person is reported missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourists were forced to evacuate two campsites in the area. Numerous roads have been closed due to the fire, including a section of the A9 motorway. Early in the morning, 2,500 households were without electricity. Authorities have urged residents to stay indoors unless explicitly instructed to evacuate. Blaze forces people to leave homes Several locations have been evacuated due to the fire. "The civil protection department managed to accommodate and shelter more than 500 people during this very difficult night," a spokesman for the agency told BFMTV. The small community of Jonquieres has been particularly badly affected. Mayor Jacques Piraud told the newspaper Le Monde that 70 to 80% of the municipality had been burnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's unreal, black, the trees are completely charred." The drought in the area was so severe that the conifers bordering the villages were burning like torches, he said. Historical dimension cited "Since 1949, this is undoubtedly the fire that has destroyed the most hectares of land," French Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said at the scene on Wednesday. Within just a few hours, the flames had affected as much land as all the previous fires in 2019, 2020 and 2021, he said. He said helicopters and army forces would be deployed to battle the fire. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou said that climate change was forcing the region to think fundamentally about the future. This involves the question of which crops farmers should grow and how forests should be maintained, he said. OURAY COUNTY, Colo. (KREX) A fatal head-on collision occurred Wednesday morning on U.S. Highway 550 near Colona, one day after a car rolled down Red Mountain Pass, killing two. The crash involved a white Dodge Caravan and a white Ram 1500. The driver of the Caravan was pronounced deceased on the scene while the passenger of the vehicle was transported to the nearby hospital with serious to critical injuries, according to Colorado State Patrol. The two occupants of the Ram 1500 sustained minor injuries, CSP stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Colorado Department of Transportation, the roadway was closed in both directions between County Road 4 and County Road 2, 3 miles south of Colona at mile point 114. The Ouray County Sheriffs Office stated the road reopened around 1:45 p.m. after it was closed all morning. CSP stated an investigation into the crash is ongoing. Meanwhile, the Red Mountain Pass crash, which closed Highway 550 most of the day Tuesday, reopened around 2 a.m., Wednesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com. The fate of new roads in northern Guernsey will soon be decided by politicians. The States will host an open planning meeting "in due course" to consider 19 representations for new routes in St Sampson. A total of 64% of the proposed new housing planned across the island for the period 2025 to 2030 are set to be built in the north, according to St Sampson Douzainier Karl Guille. Officials said they would consider the representations before preparing a final report and recommendations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Building up to 190 homes has been suggested for the Saltpans site off Route Militaire, which is one of four in the area set aside for housing developments. The plans include roads, pavements, cycle lanes and bus stops at the area which previously had plans for the building of a data park. The States property unit said the cost for the outline planning application is being included in a larger piece of work which had cost about 118,000 to date. Residents in the north of Guernsey previously raised concerns about the lack of infrastructure ahead of new building projects, saying too many have been planned for their area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Guille said: "There is some logic to building in the north because that's where the infrastructure is and that's where the amenities are. "But we're talking at the moment about up to 1,300 new properties in the longer-term just in the area of the Braye du Val. "That's an awful lot." Follow BBC Guernsey on X and Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to channel.islands@bbc.co.uk. More on this story Related internet links Residents in the Porter Ranch and Granada Hills neighborhoods of Los Angeles County are being asked to conserve water, if they have any, as crews work to repair a water system break on Wednesday. Los Angeles Department of Water and Power crews say a valve that feeds a large water tank above Porter Ranch broke on Tuesday as crews were making repairs. About 9,200 customers may or may not have water as a result of the break. A temporary water pump was set up overnight by LADWP crews to help compensate for the water loss, but it was not enough for all residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement KTLAs Eric Spillman was at the home of one Porter Ranch man who woke up at 6 a.m. to find his house was out of water I woke up this morning and I want to wash my face, take a shower. Unfortunately, theres no water at all, said Manny Kazanjian. Manny escorted Eric inside his home, where none of the faucets were working. Meanwhile, LADWP workers began handing out drinking water to residents in need on Wednesday, but many arrived to find long lines of cars at the distribution centers. Workers hand out drinking water as repairs are made on a broken valve in the San Fernando Valley on Aug. 6, 2025. (KTLA) A temporary pump is set up following a broken water valve in the San Fernando Valley on Aug. 6, 2025. (KTLA) A Porter Ranch resident shows KTLAs Eric Spillman that he has no water coming from his faucet on Aug. 6, 2025. (KTLA) One motorist who decided to just go to bed early last night as a way to conserve water found he was also out when he woke up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just really didnt use anything last night from the moment we got that message, he said while waiting for water at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park. But I appreciate what these guys are doing, its really nice. In addition to the Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park location, water is being distributed at OMelveny Park in Granada Hills and the intersection of Tampa Avenue and Senson Boulevard. The water conservation boundary stretches from Rinaldi Avenue to the south, Balboa Boulevard to the east, De Soto Avenue to the west and the foothills and hills to the north. All of this comes as Southern California watches temperatures climb amid a heat wave. The afternoon high in Porter Ranch on Wednesday was expected to be in the mid-90s. Thursdays forecast high is even warmer, likely reaching near triple digits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Making matters worse, a spokesperson for LADWP says it could take until Friday to fix the valve. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 Fayetteville Police Department announced the passing of K9 Max, a dedicated member of their law enforcement team, who served from June 2017 until December 2024. Max, a German Shepherd imported from the Czech Republic, was known for his unwavering loyalty and courage while serving alongside his handler, Sgt. Cox. The department said Max was instrumental in tracking down suspects and protecting his fellow officers, making him an invaluable asset to the department. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Beyond his duties, Max was a beloved figure at community events, helping to foster a connection between the police department and the citizens they serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The department said his presence brought comfort and a sense of safety to the community. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Orange juice is a breakfast staple in many American households, but a new proposal to lower the minimum sugar content outlined in current federal guidance could bring a change to the popular beverage. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced Tuesday that it had proposed a rule to amend "the over 60-year-old Standard of Identity for pasteurized orange juice" and lower the minimum standard sugar content by 0.5. The agency claimed the proposal would "promote honesty and fair dealing for consumers" and "provide flexibility to the food industry." Adobe Stock - PHOTO: A pitcher of orange juice. The proposed amendment would specifically seek to reduce the minimum Brix requirement -- "a measurement that indicates the sugar content of a liquid," according to the FDA -- from 10.5 to 10. The announcement comes in the wake of a petition submitted by the Florida Citrus Processors Association and Florida Citrus Mutual in 2022, the agency added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Could other fruits be added to orange juice amid orange shortages? That petition, filed in July 2022, stated that since 2005, orange trees in the Sunshine State had been increasingly infected by something called citrus greening disease, or huanglongbing, a bacterial infection of citrus plants that "degrades" the fruit and eventually kills the tree itself, according to the Agricultural Research Service, a research agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture. According to the industry petition, the spread of citrus greening disease, combined with "substantial severe weather," had damaged the state's orange groves, resulting in lower crop production and affecting "normal fruit sugar content." "The FDA's pasteurized orange juice standard of identity, when originally promulgated in 1963, was carefully constructed to reflect the qualities of U.S. oranges," the petition stated. "It should now be updated to align with the properties of the modern U.S. crop. Without these changes, manufacturers of finished pasteurized orange juice products must increasingly rely on higher Brix imported juice to meet or exceed the U.S. minimum Brix for pasteurized orange juice." Joe Raedle/Getty Images - PHOTO: In an aerial view, Angel Hernandez dumps oranges into a fruit loader as he helps harvest them at an orange grove, Feb. 1, 2022, in Fort Meade, Florida. In its announcement Wednesday, the FDA reiterated those points, noting that "the Brix level for Florida oranges" had been "steadily declining over the past few decades" due to the factors outlined in the 2022 petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Proposing to update the SOI for pasteurized orange juice reflects the FDA's efforts to strategically update and modernize food standards by better aligning this standard with current agricultural norms and providing greater production flexibility, while maintaining the basic nature and essential characteristics of the product," the agency stated. Drinking 100% fruit juice linked to weight gain in kids; doctor suggests alternatives While the lower sugar content standard may have some concerned about the sweetness of their orange juice, the agency noted that the less than 1% difference is "unlikely to affect the taste of orange juice and will have minimum impact on the nutrients found in orange juice." For those looking for a healthier swap for their morning OJ fix, the USDA states that "at least half" of a person's daily recommended amount of fruit should come from nutrient-dense whole fruit, rather than 100% fruit juice, as whole fruit is higher in fiber. As ABC News medical correspondent Dr. Darien Sutton told "Good Morning America" previously, whole fruits "break down more slowly in the body," which "leads to less spikes in your blood glucose, that leads to less spikes in your insulin." The Department of Homeland Security was caught transporting Border Patrol agents in a Penske moving van, a tactic they seem to have borrowed directly from the white nationalist militia group Patriot Front. A short video from an immigration raid Wednesday shows more than a dozen masked agents spilling out the back of a Penske truck in the McArthur Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, chasing after people as they fled. Gregory Bovino, who heads the immigration crackdown in that region, called the raid Operation Trojan Horse. Breaking: DHS arrives in Penske trucks at a Home Depot in McArthur Park area of LA for early morning immigration enforcement. The area was filled with migrants who scattered. DHS says MS 13 has a chokehold on this area, which is one reason theyre carrying out the highly pic.twitter.com/hTskuM9Q4l Matt Finn (@MattFinnFNC) August 6, 2025 The tactic seems to have come directly from the Patriot Front, which used a Penske van earlier this summer in Missouri to attack a Pride Parade, with its members bursting from the moving van while carrying shields and tactical gear. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penske has distanced itself from both. The company denounced Patriot Front back in June and banned the individuals involved in the Missouri attack from future rentals. And while they did not criticize the DHS on Wednesday, they did note that they strictly prohibit the use of their trucks to transport people. The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in todays operation and did not authorize this, Penske wrote. Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future. Its unsurprising to see the agents carrying out Trumps indiscriminate immigration crackdown use the same strategy as a group that wants to keep this country white. Its almost as if they have the same goals. New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game! New Release: Farm, merge, grow and expand your land in this new puzzle game! Half a century ago, according to the Trump administration, Congress enacted a law that gave the president sweeping authority to completely rewrite U.S. tariff schedules. But for some reason, no president took advantage of that power until last February. That story received a skeptical reception last week at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit, and it is not hard to see why. The legal pretext for President Donald Trump's stiff, wide-ranging, ever-changing import taxes defies credulity as well as the separation of powers. In February, Trump announced taxes on imports from Mexico, Canada, and China, which he said were aimed at encouraging increased cooperation in the war on drugs. Two months later, he announced a much broader set of "reciprocal" tariffs that applied to dozens of countries, citing "large and persistent annual U.S. goods trade deficits." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The problems that Trump claimed to be addressing are not new: Drug-related deaths have been rising for decades, and the U.S. has not run a trade surplus since 1975. Yet in both cases, Trump asserted an "unusual and extraordinary threat" that he said constituted a "national emergency" under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). Trump's invocation of that 1977 law was politically appealing but legally dubious. Congress has explicitly authorized tariffs in several statutes, all of which involve conditions, limits, and procedures that Trump found inconvenient. IEEPA, by contrast, does not mention tariffs at all. And as Assistant Attorney General Brett Shumate conceded during oral arguments before an 11-judge Federal Circuit panel last Thursday, "this is the first time IEEPA has been used for tariffs." Shumate nevertheless argued that Congress broadly delegated its tariff power to the president by authorizing him to "regulate importation." The same phrase, he noted, appeared in the Trading With the Enemy Act, a 1917 law that federal courts construed to allow a 10 percent import surcharge that President Richard Nixon had briefly imposed in 1971. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That case, however, involved a time-limited, relatively modest levy that fell within the tariff rates authorized by Congressa point that was crucial to the decision. Trump, by contrast, is asserting the power to set whatever rates he wants, regardless of what Congress has said. On May 28, the U.S. Court of International Trade (CIT) rejected that interpretation of IEEPA, saying Trump was claiming "an unlimited delegation of tariff authority" that "would be unconstitutional." The Federal Circuit is reviewing that decision, and last week several of its members seemed inclined to agree with the CIT, expressing concern that Trump is asserting "unbounded authority" to impose tariffs. Not so, Shumate said. Although IEEPA gives the president "broad discretion to deal with complex and evolving national emergencies," he explained, it includes "four limits." He noted that the president has to 1) declare a national emergency 2) caused by "an extraordinary and unusual threat" that 3) originates outside the United States and 4) take action to "deal with" that threat. At the same time, Shumate insisted that the courts have no role in assessing whether the president has complied with those requirements. Neal Katyal, the attorney who spoke on behalf of several businesses that challenged Trump's tariffs, summed up the implication: "The president can do whatever he wants, whenever he wants, for as long as he wants, so long as he declares an emergency." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is "a breathtaking claim to power that no president has asserted in 200 years," Katyal noted, "and the consequences are staggering." It is "as major a question as it gets," he said, alluding to the doctrine that says Congress must "speak clearly" when it assigns powers of "vast 'economic and political significance'" to the executive branch. The Supreme Court invoked the "major questions" doctrine, which aims to maintain the separation of powers, when it rejected the Biden administration's national eviction moratorium and its mass cancellation of student debt. Trump should not expect that his power grab will fare any better in the courts. Copyright 2025 by Creators Syndicate Inc. The post Federal Circuit Judges Question Trump's Discovery of Vast Tariff Powers appeared first on Reason.com. A Yellowstone wolf (Courtesy NPS/Jacob W. Frank) A federal judge in Missoula on Tuesday vacated the federal governments determination that gray wolves in the Western United States do not need increased federal protections under the Endangered Species Act. Several coalitions of conservation groups, including several from Montana, filed lawsuits in federal district court last year against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, in an attempt to force the agency to reapply ESA protections to the species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groups praised the decision from the federal district court in Montana as a step forward towards providing greater protection for the iconic species. The Endangered Species Act requires the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service consider the best available science, and that requirement is what won the day for wolves in this case, Matthew Bishop, senior attorney at the Western Environmental Law Center, which represented some of the plaintiffs, said in a statement. Wolves have yet to recover across the West, and allowing a few states to undertake aggressive wolf-killing regimes is inconsistent with the law. We hope this decision will encourage the Service to undertake a holistic approach to wolf recovery in the West. In 2021, more than 70 organizations, led by the Western Watersheds Project, submitted a petition asking FWS to relist gray wolves as a threatened species in the Northern Rockies where they are managed by state governments, or to create a larger Western Distinct Population Segment for the species with added protections. But in a February 2024 determination, the agency declined to make any changes to gray wolves protected status, but said it would develop a National Recovery Plan for wolves in the lower 48 states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We concluded that the gray wolf in the Western United States is not in danger of extinction, or likely to become in danger of extinction in the foreseeable future, throughout all of its range or in any significant portion of its range, the federal finding stated. Therefore, we find that listing the gray wolf in the Western United States as an endangered species or a threatened species under the Act is not warranted. In the subsequent lawsuits, combined into a single suit before U.S. District Court Judge Donald Molloy, the conservation groups argued that FWS erred in its decision by failing to consider the best available science on wolf populations and the impacts of hunting and trapping; the full extent of the species historical range; and the threat posed by inadequate state and federal regulations that often bow to political headwinds. In his Aug. 5 ruling, Molloy wrote that for the most part, plaintiffs are correct. His ruling vacated most of the FWS finding, and sent the decision back to the agency for further consideration. The agency made numerous unfounded assumptions regarding the future condition of the gray wolf despite recognizing either limitation on those conditions or bias in the population estimates utilized, Molloy wrote. Because these deficiencies are serious and pervasive, they weigh in favor of vacating the portion of the 2024 Finding that determined that the gray wolf in the Western United States does not meet the definition of an endangered or threatened species. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials in Montana which joined the lawsuit with the federal government decried the ruling as yet another ruling by an activist judge. Montana has a healthy, sustainable population of wolves. While we are reviewing the decision, it will not implicate our states management efforts or our wolf season, said Kaitlin Price, a spokesperson for Gov. Greg Gianfortes office. Unfortunately, were not surprised to see another activist decision in favor of environmental extremists. If the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service appeals the decision, Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks will be there to support them. Colorado Parks and Wildlife officials release 1 of 5 gray wolves onto public land in Grand County, Dec. 18, 2023. This wolf is known as 2302-OR. (Courtesy of Colorado Parks and Wildlife) Bad science Gray wolves were almost entirely eliminated from the lower-48 states by the 1970s, leading to their listing under the Endangered Species Act. In 2009, the species was delisted, leading to litigation, and in 2011 Congressional action officially turned management of the species over to the states of Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and the eastern thirds of Oregon and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, gray wolves are listed as a threatened species in Minnesota and endangered in the remaining 44 states. According to a 2022 report by FWS, which formed the basis for its later determination, there were approximately 2,797 wolves in the western U.S. including roughly 1,000 wolves in both Montana and Idaho, fewer than 400 in Wyoming, and around 200 in Oregon and Washington. The federal agency estimated an additional 20 wolves are estimated in California and Utah and two in Colorado. In 2023, Colorado began relocating wolves to the state, with four established packs reported as of this month. In the lawsuit, the conservation groups claimed FWS was not using adequate scientific research in estimating population data, and cast doubts on the methods utilized by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, and Idahos wildlife agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Montana uses an integrated patch occupancy model, or iPOM, to estimate wolf populations using hunter surveys and three different models which estimate wolf distribution, wolf pack mean territory, and average pack size. iPOM has been criticized by researchers in the past for not using direct data or population counts, and thus, overestimating the states population of wolves. Idaho Fish and Game, meanwhile, uses a model that utilizes trail cameras to estimate population density, which has also been criticized for overcounting the species. Molloy wrote in his order that FWS is required to meaningfully account for uncertainty and address substantive criticism, in data used for Endangered Species assessments, and that the failure to do so was arbitrary and capricious. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the Service failed to use the best available science in violation of the ESA when it relied on Montanas and Idahos population estimates without addressing the criticisms, Molloy wrote. To read more about the history of wolf introduction in the Rocky Mountains and subsequent management by federal and state agencies, read and listen to the series Howl by the Idaho Capital Sun. Howl Wednesday, July 10, 2024, at Yellowstone National Park. Photos by Pat Sutphin | Pat Sutphin Photography State mandated reduction Montanas Legislature has long sought to reduce the states wolf population closer to a sustainable level mentioned in the federal governments delisting rule roughly 450 wolves. The states population of roughly 1,100 wolves has remained steady for the last several years, despite decreased limitations on hunting and trapping in Montana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2025, the legislature considered several laws to dramatically curtail the wolf population, including enacting an unlimited quota until roughly half the states wolves were eradicated, but only one major bill became law. House Bill 259, brought by Rep. Paul Fielder, R-Thompson Falls, requires the Fish and Wildlife Commission to apply different management techniques based on the population conditions in each region with additional emphasis put on those with the highest populations. The bill also clarified that on private lands, hunters may use infrared and thermal imagery scopes outside of daylight hours. Those changes to state law are reflected in a recently released proposal from Montana FWP outlining changes to the upcoming hunting and trapping season. Under the proposal, FWPs new regulations would create a statewide hunting and trapping quota, rather than stricter regional quotas. Up to 500 wolves could be killed during the next season, up from a quota of 334 during the 2023-2024 season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2024-25 wolf season, which ended on March 15, the take totaled 297 wolves, including 178 by hunters and 119 by trappers. The number was the highest since 2020, when 326 wolves were killed. Changes in state management were cited as another reason for FWS to reconsider putting wolves under federal protections, according to the plaintiffs in the lawsuit. FWS failed to consider politically motivated, legislative interference with agency discretion and management authority, according to the plaintiffs, which creates a manmade factor affecting [the gray wolfs] continued existence. Molloy wrote that negative public attitudes are undisputedly expressed in the legislative bodies governing Montana and Idaho, and said FWS did not consider how those attitudes would impact state commitments to maintaining minimum populations of wolves needed to prevent relisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Management of Canis lupus must not be by a political yo-yo process, Molloy wrote. According to court filings by the state of Montana and FWP, the Legislatures liberalized methods of take with an overall intent to reduce the wolf population, did not remove the ability of the wildlife agency to set its own rules based on scientific data. The state and FWP also highlighted the fact that the Montana Wish and Wildlife Commission has maintained bag limits and required a single license per wolf for hunters, and one license per 10 wolves for trappers. However, the new 2025 proposal from FWP significantly increases bag limits, allowing hunters and trappers to kill up to 15 wolves on a single hunting or trapping license, for up to 30 total wolves. In the 2024 decision not to apply endangered species status to wolves, FWS acknowledged that high harvest rates in Idaho and Montana could reduce state populations by 80% to 90%, resulting in fewer than 100 wolves in each state. Ultimately, Molloy agreed with the plaintiffs arguments that FWS did not adequately consider the future of the gray wolf under the most drastic human-caused mortality scenarios, nor the political climate that could add pressure to states to continually increase hunting and trapping opportunities.Those changes could lead to the species requiring federal protections again, Molloy wrote. Wildlife management agencies are likely to find themselves in a Catch-22 as they cannot escape from mutually conflicting dependent conditions: If the federal agency succeeds in restoring the gray wolf, leading to delisting, then the state agencies will depredate the wolf, leading to relisting, engendering a fruitless cycle of delisting and relisting, Molloy wrote. He also agreed that FWS did not consider the extent of the wolfs historic range which includes a majority of the western states in considering whether it met the ESA definition of endangered or threatened in a significant portion of its range. The ruling sent the decision on the petition to relist gray wolves back to the agency. The Daily Montanan asked officials at FWS about a timeline for reconsidering the petition, or a possible appeal of Molloys ruling, but an agency spokesperson said the agency does not comment on litigation. The conservation organizations that sued the federal government included the Center for Biological Diversity, Sierra Club, Western Watersheds Project, WildEarth Guardians, International Wildlife Coexistence Network, Predator Defense, Protect the Wolves, Trap Free Montana, Wilderness Watch, Alliance for the Wild Rockies and others. Wolf recovery is dependent on responsible management by the states, and Idaho, Montana and Wyoming have shown that theyre grossly unsuited to manage the species, Nick Gevock, Sierra Club northern Rockies campaign strategist, said in a press release. Judge Molloys ruling means now the Fish and Wildlife Service must go back to the drawing board to determine whether federal management is needed to ensure wolves survive and play their vital role in the ecosystem. Editors note: this article was updated to clarify the bag limits under the new 2025 FWP wolf hunting and trapping proposal. 2025.08.05-Western-Wolves-Order (Thomas Barwick/Getty Images). The Trump administration recently slashed funding for the federal Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), an agency that works to improve our health care system. Such budget cuts threaten to make Missouri hospitals less safe, less effective and potentially more prone to devastating medical errors. While not as well-known as other federal health care agencies, AHRQ is the only agency that works to improve the health care system itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Mary Politi, a researcher at Washington University in St. Louis, explained its significance: We have some very effective medications and treatments, but if people cannot access or use them safely and appropriately, they wont work as well. AHRQ helps study the ways to make health care work for people in real world settings. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services plans to reduce AHRQ staff by as much as 8090% and merge it with another office. Researchers we spoke to say the agency has stopped approving new grants, and more concerningly, all of the AHRQ grant administration staff were laid off in mid-July. As multi-year grants need to be re-approved every year by these staff, this means existing grants will likely not continue past the current year. Such cuts are especially concerning in Missouri. Despite receiving over $9 million in AHRQ grants, it still has one of the worst-performing health care systems in the nation. Missouri currently ranks 44th in maternal mortality rates, and 50th on avoidable hospital use and cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the budget cuts, Politi had hoped to use AHRQ funding to make health care in Missouri safer for older adults. There are some patients that have symptoms of normal aging that are hard to distinguish from infectionsand so there are some people that might be getting overprescribed antibiotics, which can lead to adverse effects, Politi explained. She wants to investigate where and why such prescribing errors occur so they can be prevented in the future. Now, however, she fears the study may never become a reality. The stakes of not funding this kind of research are high. In 2015, a landmark report found most people in the U.S. will experience at least one incorrect or delayed medical diagnosis in their lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When quality or safety breaks down, the results can be tragic. In April, Mercy Hospital in St. Louis County paid $48.1 million to settle a malpractice case that left a child permanently disabled. Additionally, because these health centers are not liable themselves, taxpayers often foot the bill. Even before the Mercy Hospital case, these suits cost taxpayers in Missouri and Kansas $21 million between 2018 and 2022. By contrast, when AHRQ funding is plentiful and used well, the positive impacts are easy to see. Barnes-Jewish Hospital in St. Louis particularly stands out in terms of its impressive hospital quality. Dr. Virginia McKay, another Washington University researcher, emphasized that when researchers in Missouri develop new ways to improve care, local patients are often the first to benefit. It really does foster leading-edge, high-quality care for kids and for adults that then St. Louisans get access to, and people in the region get access to, McKay said. In many ways, [St. Louis] Childrens and Barnes-Jewish [hospitals] set national and global standards for care quality for the patients. And again, thats now going away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKays own AHRQ-funded study examined how to reduce the unnecessary use of antibiotics during surgery. Similarly, researchers at Childrens Mercy Hospital in Kansas City used AHRQ funding to help standardize antibiotic prescription for children. And researchers at University of Missouri-Columbia used AHRQ funding to improve how doctors decide what to prescribe to patients with hypertension. Unfortunately, no other federal agency is clearly equipped to pick up where AHRQ leaves off. Policymakers should act now to restore and safeguard AHRQs funding, either by reestablishing it as a fully independent agency or by creating a dedicated budget within the Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, Congress should pass legislation requiring minimum annual funding levels for health care improvement research. These steps would help ensure that states like Missouri can provide the safe, high-quality health care that Missourians deserve, and patients across the country benefit from safer, more effective care. GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) After months of uncertainty, the Flint Registrys federal funding grant has been renewed. The Flint Registry is supported by Michigan State Universitys College of Human Medicine and funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The program maintains long-term records for people exposed to unhealthy amounts of contaminants during the Flint Water Crisis that started in 2014. Sign up for the News 8 daily newsletter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Mona Hanna is a pediatrician and the associate dean for public health at MSUs College of Human Medicine. She was also one of the key whistleblowers in bringing the water crisis to public attention. In a news release, she thanked the CDC and lawmakers for renewing the programs funding. We are so grateful to the CDC and our congressional leaders for ensuring that we can continue this critical work, Hanna stated. Now in its ninth year of funding, the Flint Registry is doing exactly what it was designed to do: improving public health in Flint and beyond. According to MSU, the Flint Registry has more than 22,000 members and has helped more than 35,000 people find health resources. Its one of the largest public health registries in the nation. It has also been recognized as a model for other communities. The Flint Registry has shared its best practices with environmental and public health disaster teams, including Benton Harbor, with its own lead pipe problems, and Honolulu, Hawaii, after people were exposed to an underground fuel leak. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can never forget the responsibility we have to Flint families who were poisoned during the Water Crisis, U.S. Rep. Kristin McDonald Rivet, D-Flint, stated. For years, the Flint Registry has led the effort to keep up with and help everybody affected. Securing funding for the registry through 2026 is a huge win, and we will continue working in a bipartisan manner to keep the registry funded and support our community for years to come. Democratic U.S. Sen. Elissa Slotkin celebrated the renewal but says she will continue to push to cement the programs funding through legislation. Firm announces $25M settlement over role in Flint, Michigan, lead-tainted water crisis What the Flint community has endured is terrible; it should have never happened, and many folks are still feeling the effects of it today, the Michigan senator said. I will keep working until this is signed into law because the registry is an important tool to help those exposed to lead-contaminated water. Theres still more work to do but this is a good step. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Flint Water Crisis unknowingly started in April 2014 when the city switched its municipal water supply from Lake Huron, received through Detroit, to the Flint River. The composition of the new water caused the citys lead pipes to corrode and leach lead and other contaminants into the water. It took city officials more than two years to determine the cause of the issues and issue advisories to avoid drinking tap water without an approved filter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) A key federal grant that helped local agencies respond quickly to disasters like the July 4 floods in San Angelo is facing elimination under President Trumps proposed 2026 budget. The Community Services Block Grant (CSBG) offers flexible funding to community action agencies nationwide. Locally, the Concho Valley Community Action Agency utilizes this grant to identify and address community needsincluding support during emergency and disaster situations. The Community Services Block Grant has been under fire recently at the federal level. That block grant, Community Services Block Grant, is what allows us to do what we need to do as a community action agency, so it allows us to meet the needs locally, assess the needs locally, and do what we need to do, said Mike Burnett of CVCAA. So its designed to empower community action agencies to do what they need to do in their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the July 4 flooding in San Angelo, the grants flexibility allowed CVCAA to act fast. Burnett described receiving emergency funding within minutes of the governors disaster declaration. WATCH: Dramatic rescues in San Angelo unfold as floodwaters swallow streets I had a text message to our head, the head of our part of TDHCA, at 9:30 a.m., we had a phone call at 9:35 a.m., somewhere around there, had another text message from him, right before the governor announced the declaration. Within minutes of the governor signing it, I had a phone call from TDHCA, Mike, CVCAA has $100,000 to help people, Burnett said. This funding enabled CVCAA to quickly assist families by providing hotel stays, assistance cards, and coordinating with partners, such as the United Way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the latest presidential budget, CSBG funding is cut, zeroed out, according to Burnett. Burnett explained the grants unique role: It is a small part of our overall picture financially, but it is the piece that lets us, you know, someone comes in and you know they dont need utility assistance, they dont need rental assistance, but hey, through a windstorm or something, broke some windows and doors, and theyve got an elderly parent there living with them thats on oxygen, and it took out the oxygen tank. You know what? CSBG allows us to go in and fix that stuff. San Angelo City Council discusses grant allocation for affordable housing The grant also supports essential community services beyond emergency aid. CVCAA conducts regular needs assessments funded by CSBG, which guide local programs addressing issues like housing, utility assistance, and job training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CSBG funds are income-constrained, meaning assistance is targeted to households below certain income thresholds. Still, Burnett said the flexible nature of the grant allows agencies to fill gaps that other programs cant. This money is here to help cover that. And so without that, wed have a hard time finding what the top five needs are, and then wed have a hard time meeting those top five needs, because all the other, most of the other funding we get is very specific, he said. City of San Angelo buyback program for homes affected by floods The proposed budget to eliminate CSBG funding has drawn criticism. On page 31 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EditSign The 2019 Government Accountability Office report stated that the Department of Health and Human Services, cannot assure Congress and the American public that the funding is meeting its intended purpose to reduce the causes of poverty, noting a misalignment between performance metrics and the programs goals. The Trump administrations budget proposals repeatedly called for eliminating the Community Services Block Grant, arguing that the program overlaps with other anti-poverty efforts and that agencies like the Departments of Labor and Agriculture could provide job training and economic assistance more effectively. According to a letter released with the budget recommendations, the administrations stated goal was to reach balance and restore confidence in Americas fiscal management by cutting discretionary spending, including programs deemed overlapping or not efficiently targeting poverty reduction. Despite this, community leaders have strongly defended CSBG, highlighting that many community action agencies rely on its local flexibility to meet urgent and evolving community needsfrom emergency aid to regular needs assessments and support services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fate of CSBG funding now rests with Congress, which must decide whether to approve or reject the proposed cuts. The proposed elimination of CSBG funding is part of the presidents recommended budget for fiscal year 2026. However, this budget plan has not yet been voted on by Congress. Lawmakers are expected to review and debate funding decisions over the coming months, with final votes likely before the new fiscal year begins on Oct. 1, 2025. For full details on the budget proposal, see the official Fiscal Year 2026 Discretionary Budget Request. Until then, the future of the Community Services Block Grant and the flexible aid it provides to local agencies like CVCAA remains uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its our community, you know, we all work together, we all get along, we all talk about it, and we just want to help people, and thats what were doing, Burnett 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 ConchoValleyHomepage.com. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A man who is already in federal custody has been given a longer sentence after being discovered with contraband. On Aug. 5, Darell Reed, 35, who is currently incarcerated at the Federal Correctional Institution in Pekin, was sentenced to 15 months imprisonment and was fined $100, according to a release from the United States Attorneys Office. It said the sentence will be served consecutive to the federal sentence Reed is already serving. That sentence is for conspiracy to commit Hobbs Act robbery and conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release said that at the sentencing hearing before a U.S. District Judge, the government revealed that on March 10, 2024, Reed was visited at the prison and was given something by the visitor. It said personnel ultimately recovered two small orange balloons that contained 30 orange pieces of film, wrapped in cellophane. The strips were identified as containing Suboxone and buprenorphine, Schedule III controlled substances. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. JACKSON, Miss. (WJTV) A federal judge could soon decide whether to block Mississippis ban on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) policies before a temporary order expires. U.S. District Judge Henry Wingate issued the temporary restraining order on July 20, which expires on August 17. House Bill 1193 bans public schools and colleges from requiring or promoting DEI statements or programs. Judge considers extending block on Mississippis DEI law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During closing arguments, Attorney Rob McDuff, with the Mississippi Center for Justice, asked Wingate to block the law statewide. McDuff is representing students, teachers and parents who said the law is confusing and dangerous. However, Attorney Lisa Reppeto, with the Mississippi Attorney Generals Office, argued Wingate should limit his ruling to those directly involved in the case. Its a crazy idea, and I think the judge is going to disagree with it. And I think he will rule in our favor and issue an order putting this law on hold and that he will do it for everybody and not just a few people, McDuff said. Wingate expects to release his written opinion before the temporary restraining order expires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. PROVO, Utah (ABC4) A U.S. District Court Judge recently ruled in favor of a Utah faith group that is known for using psychedelic mushrooms. On Nov. 11, 2024, Bridger Lee Jensen, founder of the religious group Singularism, was searched and detained at the faiths spiritual center by officers with Provo City Police Department, court documents show. Undercover officers posed as individuals interested in the faith in order to obtain information about the members use of psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms. FILE A vendor bags psilocybin mushrooms at a cannabis marketplace on May 24, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Richard Vogel, File) The judge has recognized this for what it is. Its retaliatory charges that came in bad faith, Jensen told ABC4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One week after the search, Jensen filed a lawsuit against Utah County and Provo City claiming police violated the faiths constitutional rights of exercising sincere religious beliefs under the First Amendment. Jensen says the county weaponized the criminal justice system to shut down his religious group. I just want the same freedoms that I am afforded by the constitution. Singularism Members of Singularism frequently use sacramental psilocybin as part of spiritual ceremonies. The groups website details its mission to provide a sacred space where science and spirituality unite. Many of the faiths practicing members say they found the faith looking for healing from trauma. Bridger Jensen, along with Singularism, celebrates the faiths court ruling. (Courtesy//Singularism) The faith group, Singularism, received a ruling from a federal court judge in favor of their practice of using magic mushrooms. (Courtesy//Singularism) We integrate the profound potency of psilocybin, a revered entheogenic substance with long standing religious use, into our own ceremonies as a means to facilitate deep spiritual connections, the website reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The faith cited a 2024 state law, which gave additional protections to religious groups, when claiming their right to use magic mushrooms. New state law The Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA), which went into effect on May 1, 2024, prohibits the government from burdening a persons free exercise of religion, adding further protection for faith groups. The law further details instances when such a burden is warrant saying it must be essential to furthering a compelling governmental interest and is the least restrictive means of furthering that interest. In the ruling, the court found that Jensen properly brought the RFRA law before the court, citing the county imposed a substantial burden on sincere religious exercise. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jensen says Singularism is the first to use the RFRA law in defense of religious practices, claiming the group is also the first to be granted the right to use magic mushrooms. We have the right to do what we are doing. Utah County and Provo City recently filed a motion to dismiss the case, citing the Utah Controlled Substances Act. However, the motion was denied by U.S. District Judge Jill Parrish, who also issued an order ceasing further proceedings in the case, granting Jensens motion to restrain his criminal case. ABC4 reached out to Provo City for a statement, but declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation. Setting precedent We were really thankful for support from the court, Jensen said following the ruling. Weve just been looking to solve this the whole time and make peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Final judgment in the case is still pending in the court, but Jensen says hes optimistic about what the ruling means for other religious groups. When you protect the religious freedoms of one religion, you protect the freedoms of all of them, he said. 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. A school bus drives along a rural road outside of Kenosha, Wis. The One Big Beautiful Bill Act established a national tax credit scholarship program, but state leaders can decide whether and how to participate. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) When President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, he gave state leaders not federal regulators the power to decide whether and how to participate in the first-ever national tax credit scholarship program. That decision now looms largest in blue states, where Democratic governors and lawmakers must weigh whether to reject the law outright on ideological grounds or try to reshape it into something that reflects their own values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt the federal voucher program we were worried about five years ago, said Jon Valant, a senior fellow in governance studies at the left-leaning Brookings Institution who testified before Congress on earlier versions of the bill. It still has serious problems but states now have tools to mold it into something they might actually support. The final law gives states wide discretion, he said. They can opt out entirely. They can opt in passively, leaving the program to operate as written. Or, as Valant suggests, they can try to redraw its footprint focusing less on private school tuition and more on public school supports like tutoring, transportation and enrichment services in underserved districts. My hope is that blue states take a hard look and ask: Can this be used to address our own needs? For progressives and education advocates who are wary of school vouchers, the decision is fraught. Opting in could draw criticism for approving what many see as a vehicle for privatization of K-12 education. But opting out could mean turning down federal dollars education money that states with budding or robust private school voucher infrastructures, such as Arizona and Florida, will gladly take. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres money on the table, and it can be used for more than just private school tuition, Valant said. If blue states want to keep that money from reinforcing inequality, theyll have to get creative, and act fast. Since 2020, private school choice programs once limited to low-income or special needs students have rapidly expanded. In 2023, $6.3 billion was spent nationwide on private school choice programs less than 1% of total public K-12 operational spending, according to EdChoice, a nonprofit that advocates for school choice measures. From 2023-24 to 2024-25, participation in universal private school choice programs surged nearly 40%, growing from roughly 584,000 to 805,000 students in just one school year. By 2026-27, about half of all U.S. students will be eligible, according to estimates by FutureEd, an independent think tank at Georgetown University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These trends, combined with new federal tax credit, could fundamentally reshape the education funding landscape across state governments, experts say. States will need to decide whether to encourage the redirection of funding to support private and religious schools either by expanding existing voucher programs or, if they dont have one, by introducing such a program for the first time, said Sasha Pudelski, director of advocacy for AASA, The School Superintendents Association. The group opposes the national voucher plan. State regulations As of this May, 21 states operated tax credit scholarship programs with varying degrees of funding and oversight. According to the EdChoice Friedman Index, the states of Florida, Arkansas, Arizona and Alabama rank highest in private school access, with 100% of students eligible for school choice programs. Some states, like Florida and Arizona, already have extensive tax credit scholarship systems. Others, including Texas, are building new infrastructure such as statewide voucher programs and education savings accounts, known as ESAs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States with no current programs face decisions about participation, regulation and equity, but without clear federal guardrails, education advocates told Stateline. The federal policy builds on existing state-level tax credit scholarship programs such as Alabamas but significantly expands eligibility, removes scholarship caps and broadens allowable uses to include not just tuition, but also tutoring, therapy, transportation and academic support services. Beginning in 2027, scholarships will be excluded from federal taxable income. Valant, of Brookings, told Stateline that some of his initial concerns were addressed in the version of the bill signed into law. There was a very realistic scenario in the earlier version of the bill where a small number of very wealthy people could essentially make money off this, Valant said. That was mostly addressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The enacted version eliminates stock donations and caps individual tax credits at $1,700. And with states that opt in having the power to shape their own program, Valant said that gives them the chance to establish their own guardrails, such as income eligibility caps or nondiscrimination policies for participating schools. If blue states want to keep that money from reinforcing inequality, theyll have to get creative, and act fast. Jon Valant, a senior fellow in governance studies at the Brookings Institution The scholarship-granting organizations, known as SGOs, would then be subject to new state regulations about where the money can go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement States could say SGOs cant give money to schools that discriminate based on sexual orientation. Theres quite a lot of room here for state regulation, he said. Looking ahead, Valant said hell be watching how states interpret their regulatory powers and how effective scholarship-granting organizations are at fundraising under the new rules, which prohibit large stock gifts and rely instead on millions of smaller donations. Now its a strange pitch: Can you front me $300 to give to the SGO? I swear the IRS will give it back, he said. Its going to take time to figure out how to sell this to families. Concerns over transparency and equity remain. The program allows donors, scholarship-granting organizations and families to direct funds with little public accountability, critics say. And in states without robust oversight, Valant warns that funds could be misused or channeled to institutions that exclude students based, for example, on identity or beliefs about sexual orientation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also emphasized that early participation is likely to skew toward families already in private schools, particularly in wealthier ZIP codes mirroring patterns seen in programs in Arizona, Florida and Georgia. One big risk is that the funds will disproportionately flow to wealthier families just like weve seen in many ESA programs, Valant said. What do these programs look like across the country? FutureEd studied eight states Arizona, Arkansas, Florida, Iowa, Indiana, Ohio, Oklahoma and West Virginia where 569,000 students participated in school choice programs at a cost to taxpayers of $4 billion in 2023-24. The FutureEd analysis found significant differences among the states in design, funding and oversight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arizonas ESA program was the first of its kind in 2011, and also the first to shift toward universal eligibility in 2022. Florida operated the largest and most expensive program, with broad eligibility, no caps or accreditation requirements, and a major influx of higher-income families, though it mandated some university-led performance reviews. Iowa fully funded ESAs and, like other states, saw mostly existing private school families benefit. Arkansas had a cautious rollout due to legal delays and geographic clustering of participants, while West Virginia allowed spending across state lines with no performance reporting. Newcomer North Carolina began with income-based prioritization but quickly expanded under political pressure or demand, while Alabama and Louisiana will launch ESA programs in 2025-26 using general state revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Utah enacted a universal voucher program in 2023, providing up to $8,000 per student for private school or homeschool expenses. A state teachers union sued, arguing that participating schools were not free and open to all children and that the program diverted public school funds. A state court this April ruled the program was unconstitutional. As the new federal law opens the door for tax-credit-funded tuition support, Texas is building its first universal school voucher program, aided through ESAs to begin in the 2026-27 school year. The program is funded with $1 billion over two years, with $10,000-$11,000 per student up to $30,000 for students with disabilities and $2,000 for homeschoolers. The Texas comptroller will oversee the program, and private schools must be open for at least two years to be eligible for funds. Voucher programs can drain state budgets, and budget wonks predict the cost for Texas could rise to around $4.8 billion by 2030, The Texas Tribune reported. A spokesperson for the Texas comptrollers office said that details are still being finalized; the state has issued a request for proposals due Aug. 4 to select eligible educational assistance organizations that would help funnel scholarship dollars to schools. Other states may be more cautious. The Missouri National Education Association filed a lawsuit this summer to block $51 million in state appropriations to private school scholarships through the MOScholars program. The suit argues that using general revenue rather than private donations violates the state constitution and undermines public education funding. Stateline reporter Robbie Sequeira can be reached at rsequeira@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. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The sign for Rosebud coal mines, owned by Westmoreland (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). The federal government this week announced the approval of a massive expansion for the Westmoreland Rosebud Mine in southeast Montana, which supplies coal to Colstrip, the states largest coal-fired power plant. Under the modified mining plan approved by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement on Monday, Westmoreland will be authorized to extract approximately 33.75 million tons of federal coal, and an additional 37 million tons of privately-owned coal, across more than 4,200 acres of surface land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Westmoreland Rosebud Mining, LLC, which operates the mine, praised the approval as a longtime coming, as the first permit to mine in the expansion area was submitted to the state back in 2011. According to a joint Department of the Interior and OSMRE press release sent Tuesday, the Rosebud expansion is the second-largest federal coal mine expansion approved by the second Trump administration, and is consistent with executive orders aimed at Reinvigorating Americas Beautiful Clean Coal Industry, and increasing domestic mineral production. This administration is focused on unleashing American energy, creating good-paying jobs and restoring economic certainty for our communities, Acting Assistant Secretary for Land and Minerals Management Adam Suess said in a press statement. By responsibly developing our domestic coal resources, were reducing reliance on foreign energy, strengthening national security and powering Americas future. According to the agency, royalties from the mine paid to the federal government are estimated at more than $9 million, and ongoing operations will employ more than 300 individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But environmental groups that have long opposed the continuation of the coal mining industry in Montana decried the move as disappointing. I think its disappointing but not unsurprising given this administrations decision to completely ignore the pervasive harms of fossil fuels, especially coal, said Shiloh Hernandez, a senior attorney with EarthJustice, who has represented environmental groups that have fought Westmorelands expansion efforts in court. By throwing their weight behind polluting fossil fuels, this administration continues its efforts to ignore climate change and impacts to the public from climate change. Colstrip Power Plant (Photo by Darrell Ehrlick of the Daily Montanan). In 2019, OSMRE approved an expansion of the Rosebud Mine into project Area F, and Westmoreland has been developing and mining the area since then. However, later in 2019 a coalition of environmental groups, led by the Montana Environmental Information Center, sued the Department of the Interior alleging that the approval had violated the National Environmental Protection Act and Endangered Species Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, a federal district court judge in Billings ruled that the federal agency had not sufficiently considered the environmental impacts of the expansion on surface water, greenhouse gas emissions, and hydrology in the Yellowstone River basin, and ordered a new analysis. However, the court order did not immediately require the company vacate the new portion of the mine. Subsequent requests to defer vacating the expansion, as the federal government worked through new environmental documents, have allowed Westmoreland to continue operating in the area, but not to the full extent of the newly approved expansion. Jon Heroux, an attorney for Westmoreland, told the Daily Montanan in a phone call that a process which began with feasibility studies in 2002 had dragged on for too long. Frankly, Id say if the U.S. is going to secure its energy future, and maintain even a remotely resilient domestic supply chain on mining and energy, we cant have permitting timelines that take 20 years, Heroux said. And then to see it get wrapped up in litigation and have one administration delay, delay delay, and then finally get to go forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heroux said that OSMRE followed the court orders to more completely assess the environmental impacts of the mining expansion, and even answered questions beyond the original court order. This provides us certainty, it provides the capability for us to provide high quality coal to the Colstip power plant for years to come, Heroux said. We have a lot of folks to thank for this, including Trump, (Interior Secretary) Burgum, and the entire Montana delegation for keeping DOI and OSMRE on track to get this done finally. Huge news for Montana today, Montana U.S. Sen. Steve Daines said in a statement. The Rosebud coal mine supports the Colstrip Power Plant, generating jobs and revenue for our state, so the importance of todays action cannot be understated. I look forward to working with the administration on more ways to fight for the future of Made-In-Montana energy, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte, who has long advocated for boosting the states energy sector, praised the decision as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With todays decision, we are protecting good-paying jobs and securing more affordable and reliable energy, Gianforte said in a statement. I thank President Trump and Secretary Burgum for their swift actions to expand coal production and support this critical industry. The Rosebud expansion is the third coal mine expansion in Montana approved during Trumps second administration, Rosebud is the sole supplier of coal to Colstrip, the states largest coal-fired power plant that has been a point of contention between federal and state officials and environmental groups for years. Those seeking to continue expanding the lifespan of Colstrip, which is majority owned by NorthWestern Energy, say the entire coal industry provides jobs for Montanans and low-cost, reliable energy to businesses and residents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But many conservation-focused groups have long argued that the plant does more harm than good by polluting Montanas air and water, and investments in renewable energy would be a better alternative. Analysis of GHG Emissions from the Rosebud Mine and Power Plants. (DOI/OSMRE) In the supplemental environmental impact statement, OSMRE states that direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions from the expansion would contribute incrementally to existing climate and emissions trends, and comprise more than 20% of Montanas total greenhouse gas emissions, with a total social cost of between $30 billion and $80 billion. The Rosebud Mine has been destroying water resources in the region for decades. The State of Montana has ignored the pollution emanating from this mine that destroys crucial water resources for agriculture and wildlife, and this federal approval will allow the mine to continue to do so for years to come, said Anne Hedges, Executive Director of MEIC in an emailed statement. The federal government is supporting a mine that supplies the dirtiest, most toxic power plant in the nation and driving up the cost of electricity with expensive coal in the name of a fabricated energy emergency. Heroux, the Westmoreland attorney, told the Daily Montanan its possible that environmental groups could sue over the companys coal mining operations again; but it wouldnt be over this particular expansion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However Hernandez, with EarthJustice, said environmental watchdog groups would take a hard look at the new environmental documents. If theyve been cutting corners or ignoring the law, well assess what next steps are available, Hernandez said. Montanans have a right to a clean and healthful environment, which includes the right to a stable climate system. Its really hard to see how continued operation of Colstrip, which is economically expensive for Montana rate payers and more expensive than renewables, can justify its operations. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) An indictment unsealed Wednesday in federal court charges a Warren man with having a device that allows a semiautomatic handgun to fire on full automatic. Tayjhon Baugh, 26, faces charges of possession of a machine gun and possession of an unregistered firearm in the U.S. Northern District Court of Ohio. Baugh is expected to be arraigned later Wednesday, according to court records. The case is assigned to U.S. Judge Solomon Oliver Jr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment in the case said that Baugh had a Glock 19 handgun Feb. 1 that had a device on it that allowed it to be fired on automatic, like a machine gun. The gun is also not registered to Baugh, the indictment said, The gun was found Feb. 1 by Warren police, when reports said he led them on a car and foot chase about 1:10 a.m. starting at Buckeye Street NW and Parkman Road NW. Reports said the car stopped on Union Street SW and Baugh, who was driving, was caught after a foot chase. An officer chasing Baugh said he saw him holding a gun, but after he was caught, police could not find a gun. A police dog was brought in and found the gun behind a house in the 1600 block of Hamilton Avenue SW, reports said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Trumbull County grand jury declined to indict Baugh on a charge of failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer, a third-degree felony. Two other times in 2022, and for a May 29 Warren police chase, Baugh was also charged with failure to comply, and each time a grand jury declined to indict him. Under federal law, a machine gun conversion device is illegal, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. SAN FRANCISCO (KRON) The U.S. Department of Justice added the cities of San Francisco and Berkeley to its new blacklist of Sanctuary Jurisdictions for allegedly impeding federal immigration enforcement. Federal DOJ officials said they are working to protect American communities from criminal aliens. Cities landed on the Sanctuary Jurisdiction list for several reasons, including obstructing Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from working with local law enforcement officers, providing training to city employees on upholding sanctuary policies, as well as declining to respond to ICE requests for information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement San Jose tattoo artist arrested in Berkeley after fighting ICE deportation DOJ officials wrote Tuesday, These designations were made after a thorough review of documented laws, ordinances, and executive directives by the listed jurisdictions. This initial list of designated Sanctuary Jurisdictions will be reviewed regularly, to include additional jurisdictions and remove jurisdictions that have remediated their policies, practices, and laws. Cities that circumvent federal laws prohibiting provision of federal benefits to illegal aliens and provide them with access to benefits, including health care assistance, legal aid, food and housing assistance, and other subsidies also made the list, DOJ officials said. ICE agents make arrests at San Jose courthouse, jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday morning, San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie proclaimed support for protecting his citys immigrant communities. Lurie said $3.4 million in philanthropic funding will allow the citys Public Defenders Office to hire additional attorneys and staff to support immigration legal defense efforts against deportations. City employees are also being trained on San Franciscos policies prohibiting all city departments from engaging in, supporting, or facilitating immigration enforcement activities. Lurie said, Under our citys longstanding policies, local law enforcement does not assist with federal immigration enforcement. As mayor, I will continue to uphold them. On Tuesday, the DOJ said the following cities nationwide are on the U.S. Sanctuary Jurisdiction List: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albuquerque, NM Berkeley, CA Boston, MA Chicago, IL Denver, CO East Lansing, MI Hoboken, NJ Jersey City, NJ Los Angeles, CA New Orleans, LA New York City, NY Newark, NJ Paterson, NJ Philadelphia, PA Portland, OR Rochester, NY Seattle, WA San Francisco, CA Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHIPPEWA VALLEY Amid the closure of food pantries in Rusk and Taylor County, Feed My People Food Bank said they are reaffirming their commitment to creating access to food for individuals and families in need during a transitional period. Indianhead Community Action Agency (ICAA) announced on Tuesday that there would be a transition with local food pantry operations. ICAA would no longer regionally administer The Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), which is a program out of the US Department of Agriculture, for Rusk, Taylor, Clark, Sawyer, Washburn and Burnett counties starting Oct 1. Furthermore, two ICAA food pantries, one in Ladysmith in Rusk County and one in Medford in Taylor County, are expected to close Sept 30. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serving our communities through this program has been a privilege, Jennifer Shearer, CEO of ICAA, said in a press release on Tuesday. We are deeply grateful for the trust and support weve received from pantry partners and the public. Stepping into the role, ICAA announced that Feed My People would be taking over pantry operations while transitioning into the role as the administrator and distributor of TEFAP in those six counties. Padraig Gallagher, executive director of Feed My People, said they will be working to partner with pantries, both to provide food for communities in those areas and to administer the federal assistance program. Weve been partnering with them for years for more than a decade now, said Padraig Gallagher, executive director of Feed My People. So with this closure, we know that we need to provide assistance as a partner to those communities to find other options to get food out to those households who need it. Both Rusk and Taylor counties fall below the median household income for Wisconsin, with roughly 39% of households in both counties struggling to meet basic needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had over 19,000 food assistance visits in Rusk County over the last year, and over 17,000 in Taylor County over the last year, he said. And thats through all of the different programs. With the closing of the largest programs, were seeing a reduction of between 40 and 50% of our current capacity. In their 14-county area, Gallagher said there is an ongoing challenge of increased need with decreasing support which they are hoping to address. For their next step following the closure and TEFAP transition, he said they would be reaching out to existing partners and the broader community. Whether its city and county government, stakeholders, business community were going to bring people together to come up with some alternatives, he said. The next steps will be to figure out who is interested in helping, and then the next assessment will be to come up with the four elements that we need for a successful food assistance program. Those four elements are a facility, volunteers, food and funding. Gallagher said there are many doing work to support those communities, but for some, food insecurity is still a challenge. So to us, continuing these programs is going to be crucial, he said. EAU CLAIRE An Eau Claire man faces felony charges after breaking a police officers leg during a traffic stop. Miguel Flores, Jr., 49, is charged with one count of resisting an officer causing substantial bodily harm. The incident took place July 27. The officer who was injured was responding to a different call at about 3 a.m. when a Buick driven by Flores pulled out in front of him, forcing him to brake sharply to avoid a crash. When Flores changed lanes without signaling the officer pulled him over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the criminal complaint, Flores had slurred speech, slow and sluggish movements, and difficulty comprehending the reason for the traffic stop. Flores said he hadnt seen the officers vehicle when he pulled onto the road. Flores account of how much alcohol he had consumed varied. He first said it was not that much. Then he denied drinking at all. After that he said he had had two or three beers. Flores was off balance when he got out of the car for sobriety tests, holding on to the vehicle for support. He attempted several tests, quitting each time and admitting he was drunk. A breath test showed an alcohol level of .18. That was enough for an arrest, but when the officer took hold of Flores arm, he tried to run. The struggle sent both to the ground, and the officers leg broke in the fall. Another officer was able to take control of Flores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers found several empty 24-ounce beer cans in Flores car. After his arrest a second breath test was performed at the jail. It returned an alcohol level of .212. Both tests were significantly above the legal limit of .08. The charge filed is a Class H felony, which carries the potential for up to three years in prison and three years extended supervision. Fines can reach $10,000. Flores received multiple citations as a result of the incident. Those include operating a motor vehicle with a suspended license, failure to register a vehicle, failure to yield from a stop sign, possession of open intoxicants in a motor vehicle while driving, and a first OWI citation. Under Wisconsin law a first offense OWI is a civil violation, not a criminal charge. This is not Flores first run-in with police officers. In 2022 he pleaded guilty to obstructing an officer as part of a plea agreement that saw a charge of disorderly conduct dismissed. Nor is this the first time Flores has been in court on vehicular charges. He pleaded guilty in 2023 to hit and run, with charges of operating a motor vehicle without a valid license and bail jumping dismissed as part of a plea agreement. RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) The federal government cant spend North Carolinas more than $200 million in disaster preparedness money elsewhere, a judge ruled Tuesday. The federal court ruling comes amid the states July 16 lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Administration over the cancellation of a program that provides $225 million to protect North Carolinas infrastructure, including water and sewer services that have been devastated by storms. Attorney General Jeff Jackson first announced the decision on X. PREVIOUS: AG Jackson sues FEMA over $200 million cuts to NC disaster protection funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA broke the law when it cut these millions that our communities were using to repair water and sewer systems and prepare for the next storm, Jackson wrote Tuesday. Were going to keep fighting to make sure this funding is restored. Breaking: The court just ruled that the federal government cant spend North Carolinas $200m in disaster preparedness money elsewhere while our lawsuit against FEMA plays out. FEMA broke the law when it cut these millions that our communities were using to repair water and Jeff Jackson (@JeffJacksonNC) August 5, 2025 The Associated Press reported that U.S. District Judge Richard G. Stearns in Boston granted a preliminary injunction sought by 20 Democrat-led states while their lawsuit over the $4 billion in funding moves ahead. In May, members of Congress wrote a bipartisan letter to FEMA asking the agency to reinstate the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities Grant funds. The benefits of the program should not be concentrated in or limited to jurisdictions with dedicated offices and the staff necessary to navigate the grant application requirements, the letter led by Rep. Chuck Edwards and Sen. Thom Tillis says. Additionally, the program should be updated with a strategic approach that empowers states and local governments to address degraded and vulnerable infrastructure based on their localized priorities and understanding of risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jacksons lawsuit states that during Donald Trumps first term as president, he substantially expanded FEMAs small disaster mitigation program and formally created BRIC, which provided more funds for disaster preparation projects. These include constructing evacuation shelters and flood walls, safeguarding utility grids against wildfires, protecting wastewater and drinking water infrastructure, and fortifying bridges, roadways, and culverts. In April, the program was abruptly cancelled, forcing communities across the country to delay, scale back, or cancel hundreds of multi-million-dollar projects that had been in development for years. A recent study reportedly concluded that every dollar FEMA spends on mitigation saves an average of $6 in post-disaster costs. Some of the canceled grants in the Charlotte area include: Salisbury was awarded $22.5 million to relocate its pump station along the Yadkin River to higher ground so it can be safely accessed during storms to maintain a drinking water supply. Gastonia was awarded $5.9 million to restore the banks of Duharts Creek and relocate sewer lines to prevent floodwater damage. Mount Pleasant was selected to receive more than $4 million to improve stormwater drainage and secure electrical wires to greatly reduce the risk of losing electric and telecommunications services during storms and floods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson was joined by attorneys general from 20 other 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 Queen City News. MassLives Fenway Insider Sean McAdam is back to answer questions about the Boston Red Sox as the team travels to San Diego. Join McAdam as he breaks down the latest news Thursday, Aug. 7 at 12 p.m. Tune in every week for a live mailbag with McAdam thats exclusive to Fenway Insider subscribers. Have a question? Send McAdam an email at fenwayinsider@masslive.com or leave a voicemail at 413-788-1119. Voicemails may be played on the live show. Read the original article on MassLive. Fewer stray dogs are being reunited with their owners, a charity survey has revealed. The Dogs Trust, which has a rehoming centre in Newbury, Berkshire, said owners needed to make sure their contact details were up to date to ensure they could be traced. Figures from the Stray Dog Survey revealed that 39% of strays were reunited with their owners in the past year - down from over 50% two years ago. Dogs Trust director Maria Murray said: "We have a crisis on our hands across the animal welfare industry and we are absolutely full to the brim with dogs coming into our rehoming centre." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the dog population "exploded" during Covid and with "more dogs there is likely to be more strays". The survey revealed that about 60% of stray dogs were microchipped but 47% of those had incorrect details. "We've done a really good job of educating owners on the importance of getting their pets microchipped," said Ms Murray. "But they are forgetting when they move, or change their mobile number, to update those details for their pet." She said it was frustrating when microchips were scanned and the phone numbers did not work. "It is heartbreaking not being able to reunite them with their owner," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More like this Related Links School is almost back in session and the Davenport Fire Department is celebrating it by helping students. Davenport Fire Department (davenportiowa.com) The department is holding its annual Fill the Fire Station with school supplies. Last year they had truckloads of supplies and hope they see similar results this year. No specific items are request firefighters say anything will help. This year were trying to ask the community, again, to help us out help the kids in need and well see how that monetary donation works. What were telling our community is for a simple $22. $22 fills a backpack with all the essential supplies that students will need. All that purchasing and distribution happens through the school district and were happy we could help in any way, said Zach Soliz, the lieutenant fire marshal for the Davenport Fire Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donations including backpacks, notebooks, pencils, crayons, folders and glue sticks are being taken now through Friday, Aug. 8, at any Davenport fire station. Monetary donations also are being taken a $22 donation provides a full supply kit for one student. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) Rochester fire crews responded Tuesday evening to a house fire on Greenwood Street. According to officials on scene, the fire was contained to the attic. No injuries or fatalities were reported, and the house remains livable. One Rochester Police Department vehicle responded to assist firefighters as crews investigated the cause. Video submitted to News 8 shows firefighters on the roof of the home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. A forest fire near the popular holiday destination of Tarifa in southern Spain has led to the evacuation of several hotels, residential areas and a campsite, officials said on Wednesday. Some 5,000 vehicles were "brought to safety in record time," according to the interior minister of the Andalusian region, Antonio Sanz. Official figures for the number of affected tourists and residents was not disclosed, but the Diario de Cadiz newspaper reported that about 1,500 people were evacuated on Tuesday evening. The fire broke out around 4 pm on Tuesday, possibly due to a camper van catching fire at the La Torre de la Pena campsite, the newspaper wrote, citing the fire brigade. The exact cause remains unclear. Strong winds fuel flames Hefty winds in the region caused the fire to spread rapidly, according to reports. At one point, a 9-kilometre stretch of the important N-340 motorway had to be closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The southern edge of the fire, which is particularly critical due to its proximity to residential areas, has now been stabilized, Minister Sanz stated. As of Wednesday morning, around 125 emergency personnel were working to combat the blaze, according to the Andalusian emergency services. They were backed by 17 firefighting planes and helicopters. A firefighter was injured while battling a house fire in Clark County on Monday. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Springfield Fire Rescue Division wrote in a social media post that firefighters responded around 11 p.m. on Monday to a reported house fire on Lexington Avenue. The department posted pictures on its Facebook page. It shows fire damage to both the back and front of the house. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, they found heavy fire on the back side of the house with reports of people inside. Those people did escape the house, but with some injuries due to smoke inhalation, the department said. A firefighter also suffered a back injury and was treated and released from the hospital that night. Firefighters extinguished the fire in less than 30 minutes. The cause remains under investigation. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A Springfield firefighter was injured during a response to a fire Monday. According to the Springfield Fire Rescue Division, crews were dispatched to the Lexington Avenue neighborhood around 11 p.m. on report of a house fire. Upon arrival, crews encountered heavy fire and received reports that people were inside of the residence. Everyone inside evacuated safely, but did sustain smoke inhalation. Photo/Springfield Fire Rescue Division Photo/Springfield Fire Rescue Division Crews had the fire under control in about 26 minutes. A firefighter was taken to the hospital for a back injury, but was treated and released that same night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the fire 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 WDTN.com. FORT DODGE, Iowa Firefighters in Fort Dodge were called out early Wednesday morning to a fire at a local restaurant. A news release from the Fort Dodge Fire Department said firefighters responded to Amigos at 280 S 1st Street just after 4:00 a.m. after receiving reports of smoke coming from the building. When they arrived on scene, smoke was visible coming from the attic and rear of the one-story building. Fire at Amigos in Fort Dodge on August 6th, 2025. (Courtesy: Fort Dodge Fire Department) Fire at Amigos in Fort Dodge on August 6th, 2025. (Courtesy: Fort Dodge Fire Department) Fire at Amigos in Fort Dodge on August 6th, 2025. (Courtesy: Fort Dodge Fire Department) Fire at Amigos in Fort Dodge on August 6th, 2025. (Courtesy: Fort Dodge Fire Department) Flames were located in the attic, and crews worked to get the fire under control. A second alarm was called, and off-duty firefighters were called in to staff the station while more resources were dispatched to the scene. Firefighters were on scene for about three hours putting out the fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said one firefighter suffered a non-life-threatening injury as part of the response. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Iowa news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Firefighters are battling a blaze at two thatched cottages in a Suffolk village. Crews were called to the corner of Greyhound Road and Egremont Street in Glemsford at 09:38 BST. The roof of one of the properties was 75% alight and the fire had spread to the neighbouring home. One resident had to be rescued by firefighters, who are expected to remain on scene as they attempt to extinguish the fire and salvage contents from the homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service said: "The incident is ongoing and crews are expected to remain on scene for some time. "Further updates will follow when available. "Please avoid the area to allow emergency services to work safely. If you live nearby, keep windows and doors closed due to smoke in the area." Two thatched cottages in Glemsford have gone up in flames - it is unconfirmed if these are the properties involved in the fire [Google Maps] Crews from across Suffolk, including Clare, Long Melford, Sudbury, Ixworth and Bury St Edmunds, have been deployed. Additional support is also being provided by Essex Fire and Rescue Service. Firefighters have been attempting to create a fire break and prevent further spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Suffolk Police has closed the surrounding roads and UK Power Networks has been requested to attend. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story After the Trump administration began targeting international students for arrest and deportation based on their anti-Israel views, editors at The Stanford Daily say, noncitizen staff members began to worry that their journalism could jeopardize their ability to remain in the United States. As a result, several writers at Stanford University's student newspaper declined to cover stories involving the war in Gaza or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In some cases, they even asked that their previous work be removed from the internet, lest it jeopardize their visas. The editors also heard from sources whose views on Israeli policy or Palestinian rights had been quoted in the paper, who asked that their names and photos be excised from online articles. Those chilling effects are at the center of a lawsuit that the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) filed on Wednesday in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California. In addition to The Stanford Daily, the plaintiffs include two former university students, identified as Jane Doe and John Doe, who say they have censored themselves in response to the government's speech-based deportation policy. That policy, FIRE argues, violates the First Amendment by punishing protected speech based on content and viewpoint. The lawsuit says the policy also violates the Fifth Amendment's guarantee of due process because it is unconstitutionally vague. The plaintiffs are seeking declaratory judgments on those points and injunctions barring the defendants, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, from seeking to deport Stanford Daily staff members, John Doe, or Jane Doe based on speech protected by the First Amendment. "In the United States of America, no one should fear a midnight knock on the door for voicing the wrong opinion," says FIRE attorney Conor Fitzpatrick. "Free speech isn't a privilege the government hands out. Under our Constitution it is the inalienable right of every man, woman, and child." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit focuses on the Trump administration's use of two Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) provisions. One of them, 8 USC 1227 (as qualified by 8 USC 1182), makes a noncitizen subject to removal when the secretary of state determines that his "beliefs, statements, or associations," although "lawful," threaten to "compromise a compelling United States foreign policy interest." Rubio invoked that provision against former Columbia University graduate student Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who was arrested on March 8 and detained for three months because of his participation in campus protests against the war in Gaza. The other INA provision, 8 USC 1201, authorizes the secretary of state to "at any time, in his discretion, revoke" a "visa or other documentation." Rubio invoked that provision against Tufts University graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk, who was arrested on March 25 and detained for a month a half because she had co-authored a Tufts Daily op-ed piece that expressed support for the Boycott, Divestment, Sanctions movement against Israel. The Trump administration has detained several other students and scholars on similar grounds, arguing that their pro-Palestinian advocacy amounted to antisemitism or rhetorical support for Hamas. The arresteesincluding Khalil, the first targetdispute those characterizations. But even if they were accurate, the speech at issue would still be constitutionally protected. President Donald Trump and his underlings concede as much. During his 2024 campaign, the lawsuit notes, Trump repeatedly promised to arrest and deport student protesters whose advocacy he viewed as antisemitic, pro-terrorist, or anti-American, even if they had not broken the law by engaging in violence, vandalism, or other disruptive activities. Rubio likewise conceded that Khalil's activism was "otherwise lawful," and he conflated Ozturk, whose only offense seems to be publishing that op-ed piece, with vandals and rioters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Khalil was removable because he was guilty of "siding with terrorists, Hamas terrorists who have killed innocent men, women and children." John Armstrong, senior bureau official at the State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs, has testified that, in determining whether someone is removable, support for terrorism might be inferred from speech describing Israel as an "apartheid state," "calling for an arms embargo on Israel," or "criticizing Israel's actions in Gaza." Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Troy Edgar explained that Khalil was subject to deportation because he "put himself in the middle of the process of basically pro-Palestinian activity." The Trump administration does not claim any of this advocacy, however it is characterized, falls outside the rights guaranteed by the First Amendment. Rather, it claims those rights do not apply in the context of visa revocation or deportation. The Supreme Court has not definitively settled that question. But in the 1945 case Bridges v. Wixon, it recognized that "freedom of speech and of press is accorded aliens residing in this country." And although the Court subsequently allowed deportations based on Communist Party membership, that decision hinged on a government-friendly First Amendment standard that the justices later renounceda standard that also allowed criminal punishment of U.S. citizens based on their political affiliations. Several federal appeals courts have held that the First Amendment does constrain deportation decisions. That question is at the center of a lawsuit that a federal judge in Boston is considering. The American Association of University Professors and the Middle East Studies Association are asking U.S. District Judge William Young for a preliminary injunction against the Trump administration's "ideological deportation policy," which they say amounts to blatant viewpoint discrimination and government retaliation for speech protected by the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Young does issue an injunction, it could protect the noncitizen members of those organizations. But in light of the Supreme Court's recent ruling against "universal injunctions," it won't extend to people outside those groups, such as student journalists at Stanford. In addition to seeking protection for those students, FIRE hopes its lawsuit will ultimately result in "a landmark ruling that the First Amendment forbids the government from deporting lawfully present noncitizens for constitutionally protected speech." Toward that end, the lawsuit highlights the impact of the Trump administration's speech-focused deportation policy on The Stanford Daily. "Lawfully present noncitizen students working at and contributing to Stanford Daily have self-censored expression for fear of visa revocation, arrest, detention, and deportation," it says. The complaint cites a student who quit the paper after Khalil's arrest; a reporter who researched a story about "a vigil that brought together Jewish and Palestinian families to honor those who died in the conflict in Gaza" but decided that publishing it would be too risky; and three staff members who, for the same reason, asked the paper to remove articles they had already published. According to the lawsuit, The Stanford Daily "has received other requests from current and former writers, asking it to remove opinion editorials they published, quotes they provided, or their names in bylines or articles." The complaint adds that The Stanford Daily "has received numerous requests from lawfully present noncitizens who either wrote or were quoted or pictured in articles to remove their name, image, or article for fear of adverse immigration action based on their speech." Since March, FIRE says, "international students have also largely stopped talking to Stanford Daily journalists and, when they do speak, often refuse to speak on the record, particularly when it comes to discussing topics like Israel and Palestine." In short, "there's real fear on campus," says Stanford Daily Editor in Chief Greta Reich, "and it reaches into the newsroom. I've had reporters turn down assignments, request the removal of some of their articles, and even quit the paper because they fear deportation for being associated with speaking on political topics, even in a journalistic capacity. The Daily is losing the voices of a significant portion of our student population." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit describes a similar chilling impact on former student Jane Doe. It says she had "publicly criticized American foreign policy, particularly its relationship with Israel." But after the Canary Mission, a private organization that highlights activists it deems "anti-Israel," listed her on its website, she decided to stop "publishing and voicing her true opinions regarding Palestine and Israel." She also "deleted a social media account to guard against retaliation for past expression." The lawsuit notes that the Department of Homeland Security has relied on information from the Canary Mission to identify potentially deportable individuals. Prior to Khalil's detention, which Trump said was "the first arrest of many to come," John Doe "attended pro-Palestinian protests and published pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel commentary online," the lawsuit says. He "participated in chants including, 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free,' as well as chants accusing Israel of committing 'genocide.'" But after Khalil's arrest, he "refrained from publishing a study containing criticism of Israel's actions in Gaza, which John Doe views as a genocide backed by the United States' foreign policy." Although he "has resumed engaging in protected pro-Palestinian/anti-Israel commentary," he is aware that "his continuing expression places him in danger" of visa revocation and deportation. One need not share the anti-Israel views expressed by Stanford Daily contributors, Jane Doe, or John Doe to recognize that all of this speech is constitutionally protected. Legally, the only question is whether that means those opinions cannot justify revoking their visas and expelling them from the United States. "Two lawful residents of the United States holding the same sign at the same protest shouldn't be treated differently just because one's here on a visa," says FIRE Legal Director Will Creeley. "The First Amendment bars the government from punishing protected speechperiod. In our free country, you shouldn't have to show your papers to speak your mind." The post A First Amendment Lawsuit Highlights the Chilling Impact of Speech-Based Deportation on Student Journalists appeared first on Reason.com. Credit: Central News A recruitment boss has been jailed for 15 months after a tirade of death threats and racist abuse at cabin crew on an eight-hour flight. Salman Iftikhar, 37, was flying first class from London Heathrow to Lahore on a Virgin Atlantic flight when he told crew member Angie Walsh that she would be dragged out of her hotel room, gang raped and set alight. Another passenger took a video of Iftikhar as he accused Ms Walsh of being a racist and said: You called me a P--i in front of everybody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iftikhar, whose LinkedIn profile says he is the director and founder of Staffing Match, a recruitment firm, was flying with his wife and three children at the time of the incident on February 7 2023, Isleworth Crown Court heard. Prosecutor Abdul Kapadia said Iftikhar was drinking champagne at the onboard bar and leant over to get his own ice. Salman Iftikhar was jailed for 15 months - Central News/LinkedIn When he was told to return to his seat, he told cabin crew: Dont tell me what to do you racist f---ing b--ch. I know where you are from in Cardiff. Iftikhar returned to his seat and called Ms Walsh a f---ing b--ch. Mr Kapadia said Iftikhars behaviour worsened to the point where cabin crew discussed diverting the plane to Turkey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: His wife was ashamed. His three children were also on board, and other crew members were called to assist, but the defendant continued shouting and swearing. He was described as slurring his words as he got up from his seat and grabbed Ms Walshs hand and called her a f---ing white Welsh c---, continuing his tirade despite his children crying and pleading for him to stop. Mr Kapadia added: The defendant also threatened to blow up the floor of the Avari Lahore Hotel, where the cabin crew were due to stay. Iftikhar shouted that Ms Walsh would be dragged by [her] hair and gang raped and set on fire. He also said she would be dead on the floor of [her] hotel and added the white sheep sh---ing b---h will be dead. The floor of [her] hotel will be blown up and it will disappear. Angie Walsh (left) was traumatised by the ordeal - Central News/Benedict Elliot Mr Kapadia said when the plane landed in Pakistan no action was taken against Iftikhar, but he was arrested at his home in Iver, Buckinghamshire, on March 16 last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ms Walsh, who had been flying with Virgin Atlantic for 37 years, said she had to take 14 months off work as she was traumatised by the threat of being gang raped. She said: I was working when all flights were grounded on 9/11, and Ive even flown into a war zone. But this incident has broken me. Iftikhar admitted making threats to kill and racially aggravated harassment in relation to Ms Walsh. He was cleared of assault by beating and threats to kill in relation to another flight attendant, Mr Merchant. Ben Walker-Nolan, defending, said: Although there were over 100 incidents over the course of eight hours, the most serious, including threats to kill, were limited. He has a long-standing drug and alcohol problem, which he has not addressed for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iftikhar has six previous convictions arising from 15 offences, including common assault in 2004 and drink driving in 2008, the court heard. The judge, Ms Recorder Annabel Darlow KC, said: Your threats to kill were made in the presence of children, specifically your three young children. This was an appalling incident which has caused long lasting and devastating consequences. 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. Floridian students have less than a week to enjoy the rest of their summer vacation. Starting Monday, Aug. 11, students will kick off the 2025-2026 school year. Get a pencil and paper, or make a note in your phone's calendar; here's a roundup of when each of Florida's counties will resume school this upcoming week. When can school start in Florida for the 2025-2026 school year? Florida law prohibits schools from starting any earlier than Aug. 10. For the 2025-2026 school year, Aug. 10 falls on a Sunday. Florida school districts set their start dates, but the earliest school can start is Monday, Aug. 11. When does school start in Florida for the 2025-2026 school year? How many days are kids in school in Florida? Florida law specifies that for a public kindergarten student to be considered a full-time student, he or she must receive a minimum of 720 net hours of instruction or four hours per day, based on 180 school days, according to the Florida Department of Education. Will Florida see later start times in the 2025-2026 school year? No. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2023 change to Florida statutes requires middle schools to start no earlier than 8 a.m. and high schools to begin their instructional day no earlier than 8:30 a.m. The law was supposed to take effect on July 1, 2026. Under this year's legislation, a school district will be deemed in compliance with the law if, instead of changing their start times, they submit a report that includes all of the following: The start times of elementary, middle, and high schools in the school district Documentation of strategies considered to implement a later school start time for middle schools and high schools, including the number of board meetings, public hearings, and opportunities for parent input to discuss the strategies A description of the impact of implementing the new school start time requirements, including the financial implications for the school district Identified unintended consequences to the school district, students, and the community A requirement from the 2023 law for school boards to inform their communities about the "health, safety, and academic impacts of sleep deprivation on middle school and high school students and the benefits of a later school start time" would remain in effect. This article originally appeared on Fort Myers News-Press: Florida 2025-2026 school year: See start dates for all 67 counties Update: 8/6/2025 6:40 p.m. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) The Champaign County Coroner has released the identity of the motorcyclist who died following a two vehicle crash in Champaign County on Tuesday. Laurie Brauer, coroner, said 35-year-old Andrew L. Ward of Allerton was pronounced dead at 5:59 p.m. on Tuesday. The crash happened about half an hour before, at 1600 E and Old Church Road near Urbana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy was completed Aug. 6. Brauer said Ward died as a result of injuries sustained in the crash. Illinois State Police and the Champaign County Coroners Office are still investigating. Update: 8:30 p.m. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) A motorcyclist was pronounced dead on scene after a two vehicle crash in Champaign County on Tuesday. Illinois State Police responded to US 130 northbound at Old Church Road just before 5:30 p.m. The crash involved a motorcycle and a pickup truck; there is no information on the condition of the pickup truck driver at this time. Hoopeston crews respond to large fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Traffic is still being diverted at IL 130/1100N and IL 130/1300N. Officials are actively investigating to learn more about this crash. No further information is available at this time. CHAMPAIGN COUNTY, Ill. (WCIA) The intersection near the area of IL-130 and Old Church Rd. in Champaign County is closed after a crash took place. Deputies with the Champaign County Sheriffs Office are on the scene of the crash. Sheriff Dustin Heuerman said Illinois State Police is the lead agency in the crash investigation. Urbana man gets 20 years for robbery-turned-shooting in Champaign last year Illinois State Police said troop 7 is investigating a two-unit crash. Traffic in the area is being diverted at IL 130/1100N and IL 130/1300N. Drivers are asked to find alternate routes at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. Laurel County Fiscal Courts meeting last Thursday was a bittersweet one for Fiscal Court members, as it signified the end of a chapter. The meeting marked former treasurer Karen Montgomerys last, as she now enters retirement after nearly 40 years of serving the county. Both Laurel County Judge-Executive David Westerfield and Sheriff John Root presented plaques to Montgomery at the occasion honoring her longtime dedication, commitment and hard work. I thank you for your dedicated time, Root told Montgomery, teasingly adding, Im not losing her because Im her neighbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do appreciate everything you have done for this Fiscal Court. You have had our back and you watched out for us, Westerfield added. Were going to miss you, and happy retirement. County Clerk Tony Brown also recognized Montgomery for her service, stating, Thank you very much for the service youve given the county for so many years. When I came into office, you were somebody who helped me transition. Where I wasnt getting help, you were there and you helped me go through all of that. I appreciate you more than you could ever know, and I do want to thank you for your service and friendship. Katelin McPeek, who had shadowed Montgomery since May, was then sworn in as County Treasurer. Previously serving as city clerk, McPeek is no stranger to the London-Laurel County community. She has also served as a staff accountant at a local firm. In her new position, McPeek will earn a salary of $92,000. The Court also approved the hire of Amanda Hall as janitor for the Laurel County Sheriffs Department, starting at $16 an hour, and appointed Kristi Kitzmiller to the Laurel County Public Library Board for a four-year term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial matters were also discussed, with McPeek sharing the Fiscal Court carried over surplus of $3,220,286.68 from the previous year into its contingency appropriation. Further, magistrates voted to approve a lease agreement with Terry Blankenship. We had to extend a month for the distribution point for the tornado relief center. [Blankenship] donated the first two months, and well have to pay for one month and it will be reimbursable by FEMA, Westerfield explained. The following items were also approved at Thursdays meeting, with no additional discussion: The 911 Interlocal Agreement with the City of London Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2025-2026 London-Laurel County 911 budget Pay rate adjustments Second reading and adoption of Ordinance 625.0, regarding street legal purpose vehicles The Laurel County Fiscal Court will hold its next regular meeting at 8:45 a.m. August 11 on the third floor of the Laurel County Courthouse. The plan will likely be approved on Thursday, cabinet ministers told the 'Post,' adding that "the real question is what version of the plan will ultimately be approved." The governments plan for the Gaza Strip, backed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, is set to be presented to the security cabinet on Thursday and is expected to include plans to occupy new portions of the enclave, sources told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. The plan is expected to involve around five IDF divisions and last approximately five months. It will also involve relocating approximately one million Gaza City residents and will likely be approved on Thursday, cabinet ministers told the Post, adding that the real question is what version of the plan will ultimately be approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir is expected to remain in his position and not resign despite his opposition to the plan. The operation is a mistake and will endanger the hostages, Zamir said during a discussion on Tuesday. Any plan presented by the Trump administration will directly influence the course of Israels military operations in the enclave and the plans that the security cabinet will discuss on Thursday, two sources told the Post. Meanwhile, members of the administration are continuing internal discussions regarding the humanitarian situation in Gaza. 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) Increase of humanitarian aid The administration intends to significantly ramp up the amount of humanitarian aid being distributed, a source familiar with the talks told the Post. Were working to try to feed the people in Gaza. Israel is supposed to help us with the distribution, both financially and logistically, as are Arab states, US President Donald Trump said on Wednesday. When asked about the possibility of Israel taking over Gaza, Trump responded that this would be Israels decision to make. Multiple soldiers immediately and without hesitation tackled another soldier who had shot five others at Fort Stewart, Georgia, the base commander said Wednesday, ending the largest mass shooting at a U.S. military base since 2019. The incident left five soldiers wounded but in stable condition and expected to recover, Brig Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon. The injured soldiers were treated on scene by emergency medical personnel and then evacuated to Winn Army Community Hospital on base. Three of the soldiers shot in the incident required surgery, Lubas said. Base officials said the alleged shooter was Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, an automated logistical specialist with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team. Radford did not have previous combat deployments, Lubas said. The alleged shooter was identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford. Photo distributed by the Army. The incident occurred in the section of base occupied by the 2ABCT, a small complex on the North side of the main post. Law enforcement was dispatched to the complex a few minutes before 11 a.m. and the installation went into lockdown minutes later, base officials wrote in a Facebook post. 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 Army infantry training unit reverses bay tossing ban Army infantry training unit reverses bay tossing ban By Jeff Schogol News Air Force creates a second super squadron in South Korea Air Force creates a second super squadron in South Korea By Nicholas Slayton Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident was the largest mass shooting at a military base since December 2019, when a Saudi Air Force officer training at Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida, killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight others. U.S. officials described it as an act of terrorism. The deadliest on-base shooting spree came in November 2009, when Army major and psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13, including four soldiers, and wounded 30 at Fort Hood, Texas. Lubas said Radford was being questioned by Army investigators and is awaiting pretrial confinement. The weapon Radford used in the attack, Lubas said, was a personal handgun, not a military weapon. Lubas said base officials had discovered after Radfords arrest that he had been arrested for driving under the influence, but had not informed his command of the arrest. Lt. Col. Angel Tomko, a spokesperson for the 3rd Infantry Division, said it was unconfirmed if Radford was injured during the incident. Tomko said the base would not release the identities of the wounded soldiers, pending notifications of their families. She also said that officials would not speculate about the shooters motives.The 2ABCT is part of the 3rd Infantry Division, which is headquartered at Fort Stewart. About 10,000 active duty soldiers and their family members live on the installation, according to U.S. census information, while just over 50,000 residents live in and around nearby Hinesville, Georgia. UPDATE: 8/6/2025; This article has been updated with information from base officials provided at a press conference at Fort Stewart. A soldier has been arrested on suspicion of shooting five of his colleagues at a US army base in Georgia. Fort Stewart was locked down shortly after 11am local time over an active shooter incident in its 2nd Armoured Brigade Combat Team area. All those who were injured were soldiers. The gunman was on active military duty, CNN reported. Authorities named the suspect as Quornelius Radford, a sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, which is part of the 3rd Infantry Division and stationed at Fort Stewart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the injured soldiers are in a stable condition and are expected to make a stable recovery, although three required surgery. The shooting occurred at the soldiers place of work, Brig Gen John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, told reporters on Wednesday. It did involve his co-workers. Were still not certain about the motivation. An armed lockdown occurred around 11am local time after reports of a soldier shooting five of his colleagues When the gunman opened fire, soldiers in the area tackled and subdued him, allowing law enforcement to take him into custody, Brig Gen Lubas continued. These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties, he said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Sgt Radford had been previously arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, but clarified that the sergeants superiors were unaware of this. I do believe he was arrested locally for a DUI. That was unknown to his chain of command until the event occurred and we started looking into the law enforcement databases, he said. The suspect used a handgun rather than a military weapon, he added. Quornelius Radford is a sergeant assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team Sgt Radford is said to be in pre-trial confinement and being interviewed by army investigators. He was apprehended at around 11.35am local time (4.35pm UK). The injured soldiers were treated on the base before being moved to Winn Army Community Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community, said Buddy Carter, a Republican congressman representing the district that includes Fort Stewart. Sgt Radford is awaiting a charging decision by the Office of the Special Trial Counsel, an army body responsible for prosecuting serious crimes. Credit: BreakingNews/X The Liberty County Sheriffs Office released a mugshot of Sgt Radford following his arrest for driving under the influence in May. Public records indicate Sgt Radford, who had never been deployed to combat, is 28 and used to live in Jacksonville, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the incident unfolded, personnel were ordered to stay inside and lock all their windows and doors. Law enforcement was dispatched to the base, which is around 40 miles south-west of Savannah, at around 10.56am. Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, said: We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Local schools, which had returned for their first day of term after the summer holidays, also went into lockdown out of what authorities called an abundance of caution. In December 2022, infantryman Shay Wilson, 28, was charged with shooting and killing Sgt Nathan Hillman, a veteran of the Afghanistan War, at Fort Stewart. The case is still pending. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like Sgt Radford, Mr Wilson was assigned to the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, and was allegedly subdued by fellow officers. Police dispatched to the base. More than 10,000 people live there Fort Stewart opened as an anti-aircraft training facility in 1940, steadily growing in size in the decades since. The largest military installation east of the Mississippi, it now covers some 280,000 acres, an area roughly the size of New York City. More than 10,000 people live on the base, including soldiers, civilian army employees and their families. Donald Trump, the US president, called the incident an atrocity when he spoke at the White House later on Wednesday. Five people are seriously wounded, and two very, very seriously, he told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The army criminal investigation division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully theyll fully recover and put this chapter behind them. But were not going to forget what happened. Were going to take very good care of this person that did this, Mr Trump added, calling the suspected gunman a horrible person. 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. Fort Stewart was the scene of an active shooter incident Wednesday that hospitalized five soldiers. (File photo by John McCosh/Georgia Recorder) This story was updated at 4:50 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. An Army sergeant who is accused of opening fire on five of his fellow soldiers at Fort Stewart in southeast Georgia Wednesday used his personal weapon in the shooting, according to the installations commanding general. Sgt. Quornelius Radford. (Courtesy of the Liberty County Sheriffs Office) Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who was assigned to a unit within the second Brigade Combat Team, allegedly shot five soldiers late Wednesday morning, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, the installations commanding general. All five victims were in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lubas, the installations commanding general, said other soldiers were able to physically subdue Radford until law enforcement officers arrived and took Radford into custody nearly 40 minutes later. The shooting occurred at the soldiers place of work. It did involve his co-workers, Lubas told reporters Wednesday afternoon. Were still not certain about the motivations, but again, hes been interviewed by Army investigators, and we believe well gain more information here shortly. Lubas said the weapon used in the shooting is believed to be a personal handgun, but how the firearm ended up at the workplace is still under investigation. Im very confident in the security of this installation. Weve got a great partnership with local law enforcement, Lubas said. As you can see here at our gates, we have armed guards in protective equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This ones a bit difficult, and were going to have to determine how he was able to get a handgun to his place of duty, he added. Law enforcement was dispatched for a possible shooting at 10:56 a.m., the base was placed on lock down at 11:04, medical personnel were dispatched at 11:09 and a suspect was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting, according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi said federal law enforcement agents are providing support. Were all stunned Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River and is home to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division and about 10,000 troops and family members. It is located in Hinesville about 40 miles southwest of Savannah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The installation is a major part of the local economy and culture, said Sen. Ben Watson, a Savannah Republican whose district includes Fort Stewart. Over 60% of the families live off base, and so the community has heavy military presence here, from retirees to active duty to families and Fort Stewart has school facilities on the base, and certainly also they attend schools outside, they shop outside, they recreate outside, and theyre just within our community. That community has been shaken by the incident, said state Rep. Al Williams, a Midway Democrat who represents Fort Stewart. This base is an integral part of us here in Liberty County, he said. We have a close relationship with the military and the leadership. So were all stunned, and as we wait for the investigation to continue and we get more information, we do know five people were injured. We certainly want their families to know were praying for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia leaders including Gov. Brian Kemp denounced the shooter and offered thanks for the law enforcement and emergency personnel. As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart, Kemp said in a statement on social media. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. The base is represented by Republican Congressman Buddy Carter, who offered a statement in support of the victims and first responders. Georgia Democratic Congressman Sanford Bishop said the effects of the attack will reverberate beyond Georgia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The events today will not only be felt at Fort Stewart but across our entire military, Bishop said in a statement. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the casualties and all those impacted by this unfortunate occurrence. Policy Georgia has seen several headline-grabbing mass shootings over the years, including 2021s spa shootings in Atlanta and Cherokee County which killed eight and last years deadly attack at Apalachee High School in Barrow County, which claimed four lives. Those killings ignited debate over Georgias gun policies, which favor access to firearms over proposed safety restrictions. But unlike earlier mass shootings, Wednesdays attack took place on a military base, which is subject to strict regulations on weapons. Carrying private weapons is generally prohibited on base and troops are required to register their weapons and ammunition and keep them locked up in a secure arms room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is a little counterintuitive sometimes to think, you know, its an Army base, everybodys walking around with their assigned weapon and all that. But thats just, thats not the case, said state Rep. Josh Bonner, a Fayetteville Republican who has served in the Army and the Army Reserve and who chairs the House Defense and Veterans Affairs Committee. In fact, the soldiers other than the law enforcement personnel are actually prohibited from carrying firearms in their vehicles or on their person, unless theyre in some type of training scenario where theyve drawn their weapons out of the arms room. Its not yet clear why Radford had access to a personal weapon at the time of the attack. In the wake of the shooting, some gun rights supporters have proposed easing restrictions to allow troops to carry weapons for their protection, but that would require federal action, Bonner said. That is something that has been looked at and debated a number of times, Bonner said. Of course, thats not a state issue. Its a federal issue when it comes to that federal property, and so far, neither the DOD nor Congress has come up with any viable solution to that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Recorder Editor Jill Nolin contributed to this story This is a developing story. Check back for updates. Georgia Recorder is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Georgia Recorder maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Jill Nolin for questions: info@georgiarecorder.com. A flash flood swept through a village in the Himalayas in northern India on Tuesday. At least 50 people are missing and four are dead, with the toll expected to rise. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami told a local news outlet at least 190 people have been rescued. The disaster has completely hit the entire Dharali, said Dhami. The flood also tore though buildings, swept away dozens of homes and markets, and set off several mudslides. It also damaged roads, reducing connectivity to certain parts of the village. Houses are inundated and some swept away after flash floods in Dharali, a Himalayan mountain village in the Uttarkashi district of Indian state of Uttarakhand, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | India Army via the Associated Press The calamity was triggered by sudden and intense rains near the Dharali village. More than 150 personnel were mobilized to the disaster area, as per the Indian Army. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the Indian Meteorological Department confirmed that a cloudburst hit the area. These heavy-pouring rains are common in the Himalayan region during the monsoon season. The flood also affected the Indian Army Camp in Harsil, a few hours away from Dharali, where 11 army personnel were reported missing, as The Associated Press reported. The Indian army, in a post on X on Wednesday, stated that the government has deployed rescue teams with earth-moving equipment, along with drones, rescue dogs and medical assistance teams to continue to look for the people still missing. Local authorities cautioned people to keep a distance from the flowing water in their communities while the federal government ensures relief and rescue missions are underway. The authorities also attached pictures with their update in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his condolences for the victims and their families and assured the public that no stone will be left unturned in providing assistance to the people. The state of Uttarakhand is susceptible to monsoon flooding. As The New York Times notes, more than 6,000 people died in the 2013 floods and landslides. They were presumed dead after being missing for more than a month. Aug. 5Dam operators predict that Flathead Lake will remain within 12 inches of full pool throughout August following a month of unusually wet weather. Energy Keepers, the tribal entity that manages the SKQ Dam at the southern end of Flathead Lake, previously predicted that the water level would fall 3 feet below full pool by Aug. 31 as a result of warm and dry spring conditions. That forecast didn't account for a deluge of summer rainstorms. Weather stations throughout the Flathead Basin reported 200-300% of average July rainfall, resulting in a late-season influx to the area's rivers and streams. Unseasonably cool temperatures may have helped alleviate drought conditions and boost streamflow by reducing evaporation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The amount of rain we've gotten in the month of July is just unprecedented," said Energy Keepers CEO Brian Lipscomb. "The rivers are starting to respond to that water level." Along with the unexpected weather patterns, Lipscomb said an early-summer mitigation plan helped maintain Flathead Lake near full-pool throughout July. In mid-June, after the initial forecasts were released, the United States Department of the Interior approved a request from Energy Keepers to temporarily reduce outflows from the SKQ Dam by 45%. "If we wouldn't have held back that water in June, the lake would have sunk, and we would have never caught up," said Lipscomb. The reduced outflows were initially expected to delay, but not reduce, the 3-foot drop in the water level. Back in June, Energy Keepers predicted the lake level would reach 2,892 feet by Aug. 1 and 2,890 feet by Aug. 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of July 29, Flathead Lake remained at about 2,893 feet, which is considered full pool during the summer months. Energy Keepers is anticipating a steady drop-off in the water level over the coming weeks, resulting in an elevation of 2,892 feet by Aug. 31. Weekly updates and forecasts for the water level are available on the Energy Keepers website. Reporter Hailey Smalley can be reached at 758-4433 or hsmalley@dailyinterlake.com. PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY) With warmer water this season, North Carolina and Virginia are reporting higher cases of vibrio, commonly referred to as flesh-eating bacteria. It may sound scary on paper, but the health officials 10 On Your Side spoke with insist it is still safe to go swimming as long as you take a few precautions. In North Carolina, infection numbers have been rising in recent years. Between January and the end of July, there were 69 reported vibrio cases last year, and 59 this year, including two vibrio deaths in 2024 and one in 2025. Virginia has reported 50 cases so far this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vibrio thrives in warmer water, so there tends to be more infections during the summer months. They are more common in sound-side water as opposed to the ocean-side. Researchers are looking into whether or not climate change is contributing to the rise in numbers with warmer water in the winter. It stands to reason that yes, with global warming, theres probably an increased time of risk, said Carl Williams, a state public health veterinarian with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services. Cuts on your skin make you more prone to getting a vibrio infection. Like you cut your leg on a boat propeller, then you should get out, clean it, and if you have signs of infection, you should see a doctor, Williams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But state officials told 10 On Your Side other risk factors are more common. Its more common among individuals with weakened immune systems and then also, most people become infected through eating raw or undercooked seafood, especially raw oysters and other shellfish, said Kelsey Holloman, director of the Virginia Foodborne Disease Epidemiology Program. Even with these rising numbers, health officials said it is still safe to go swimming. Dont be afraid of the beach, Williams said. Dont not go to the beach. Just be advised that these things are out there. Theyre a normal part of the environment and you can take steps to minimize your risk of infection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of the vibrio data in North Carolina might change throughout 2025 as more tests get carried out. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIEDMONT TRIAD, N.C. (WGHP) A Flood Watch is in effect for Alamance, Chatham, Davidson, Forsyth, Guilford, Montgomery, and Randolph Counties until midnight. Rainfall totals over the past 48 hours have exceeded 1 inch in many areas and have been as high as 3+ inches in the southern Piedmont. Additional rainfall today could produce areas of flooding or flash flooding. Areas that are prone to flooding should be avoided today, along with any water-covered roads. We will continue to have scattered showers through mid-afternoon. Rain is going to move east of the FOX8 viewing area by dinnertime, though clouds will stubbornly hang around. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As far as temperatures go, we wont see much of a warm-up today. Highs are only going to make it to the upper-60s. This is, however, the coolest day of the week and well have steadily warmer weather in the days to come. The chance of rain is 90%. Overnight, clouds stay put across the Triad and all counties eastward. To the west, you may see some clearer conditions until daybreak. Lows are going to stay in the mid-60s. Mostly cloudy skies are expected for tomorrow with just a 20% chance of rain. Temperatures are going to begin to warm up, reaching the mid-70s by afternoon. Partly cloudy skies take over Friday and Saturday with highs in the upper-70s to near 80 degrees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a coastal low that is forecast to churn past the North Carolina coast and Outer Banks over the weekend. The National Hurricane Center is monitoring it for development, and it has a 40% chance of formation in the next 5 days. Regardless of whether that low becomes tropical, it will bring unsettled weather to the coast with dangerous surf and rip currents. In the Piedmont, we will have increasing clouds on Sunday with a 20% chance of showers. Highs are going to be in the lower-80s. As the new work week begins, heat and humidity will return to the Piedmont. Highs on Monday and Tuesday will be in the mid-80s under partly cloudy skies. There is a slim, 20% chance of rain both days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. The big story: The Hillsborough County school district again finds itself facing the criticism of Florida education commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas over books. This time, the notice of concern came via social media. Kamoutsas posted a picture of the book Trans Mission on X along with the message to remedy the problem of inappropriate content immediately or expect another invite to the State Board of Educations next meeting in St. Augustine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He did not specify what was inappropriate about the book, a memoir by a transgender YouTube influencer. Anti-censorship groups quickly noted that the state had entered into an agreement about the extent of the Parental Rights in Education Act a year ago that stated, in part, the law does not prohibit classroom references to LGBTQ+ people, families or issues, including in literature. The settlement also clarified that the law does not apply to library books not used in class lessons. Superintendent Van Ayres, who was summoned to a recent State Board meeting over a separate list of questioned books, said he is working to ensure all materials purchased with taxpayer money will advance academic achievement. Read more here. Hot topics Teacher pay: The Pasco County school district is offering a new round of incentives to teachers who agree to work in its opportunity schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security: Volusia County schools will begin using artificial intelligence to help detect weapons on campuses, WKMG reports. School closures: The Dixie County school district is preparing to close an aging elementary school and reassign its students, WCJB reports. Presidents: St. Leo University has picked its next president, who will take over in September. Parent information: The Indian River County school district is revamping the app that parents use to get information about their childrens schooling, TC Palm reports. Nicknames: The Brevard County school district wont rehire the teacher who was dismissed for using a students preferred name without parental permission, Florida Today reports. The state ruled a week ago that the teacher may keep her teaching certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New schools: The Manatee County school board is considering whether to build a second high school in Lakewood Ranch to ease crowding in the booming region, the East County Observer reports. The Palm Beach County school district is opening a new elementary school two years ahead of schedule to handle the areas rapid growth, WPTV reports. New College: Two prominent conservative media figures have joined New Colleges communication team, Florida Politics reports. FAMU leadership: Florida A&M University trustees released their self evaluation, showing declines in nearly every area, WCTV reports. The leader of the FAMU Foundation has resigned, WFSU reports. Cellphones: The Alachua County school district is letting families know about its new more restrictive student cellphone use policies before students return to classrooms, WCJB reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bus cameras: The Polk County school district has paused its use of school bus cameras to catch vehicles illegally passing, amid concerns over enforcement, Bay News 9 reports. Attendance zones: The Duval County school board approved school boundary revisions for 2026 as part of its ongoing effort to rebalance enrollment across the district, WJXT reports. From the police blotter ... Santa Rosa County parents and community members are calling for the removal of an elementary school assistant principal whose son was arrested on child pornography charges, the Pensacola News-Journal reports. Dont miss a story. Heres a link to yesterdays roundup. Before you go ... R.I.P. to Chuck Mangione. (Still waiting to see if he made it into any of the episodes for the new season of King of the Hill.) The post Florida A&M alumni tragically killed in car crash appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Florida A&M University community is mourning the loss of two alumni who were killed this past weekend. The two men died in a car crash while attending the Texas Greek Picnic in Houston, Texas. The victims have been identified as Jayden Flemming and Ronnie Burns; they both were members of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. The crash happened when a suspect in a black Ford F-150 who was fleeing from the police struck their white Lexus vehicle. At a four-way stop, the Lexus had the right-of-way when it was aggressively struck, causing a fiery crash that killed both passengers. The fugitive motorist had struck other cars before the deadly collision, according to KHOU-11. He is being charged with murder by the Houston Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Houston Police Department Vehicle Crimes Division Sergeant Thomas Fendia, the driver, a Hispanic male, was taken into custody by officers at the scene. A female passenger in the truck was also found by police with injuries, but she is not being charged. According to Fendia, police believe the suspect had been drinking at the time of the accident due to the strong smell of alcohol when they arrested him. In the wake of the heartbreaking news, the Florida A&M community has expressed profound sadness. Heartfelt condolences and tributes are overflowing on social media, praising the two young men for their drive, ambition, and contributions to the school. Both had bright careers ahead of them before this cruel event ended their lives; one graduated in 2024 and the other in 2025. This tragic accident comes a month after Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., lost another member during a Greek event. Two people were shot and killed last month during an HBCU-affiliated Kappa Alpha Psi event in Atlanta. 23-year-old Justin Minnitee and 33-year-old Andrew Pearson died following a heated argument that escalated into gunfire. Pearson was a Savannah State alumnus and a member of Kappa Alpha Psi; Minnitee was not affiliated with the fraternity. Related: Mickey Joseph hires recruiting wizard to Grambling State staff Related: Jackson States Sonic Boom of the South to perform at Las Vegas HBCU Classic A serial groomer is now a convicted felon. Henry Betsey, Jr. made headlines when he was arrested in Florida after his wife discovered he was also married to two other Florida women at the same time. According to ABC Action News, Henry first met Tonya on the dating app Tinder. They tied the knot in November 2020 at Duval County Courthouse in Jacksonville. Henry then met Brandi. They met on the dating app Stir, and they got married in February 2022 at Manatee County Courthouse on the same day they applied for a marriage license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then came Michelle, whom Henry married in Hernando County in November 2022. They met on Match.com. The entire scheme unraveled when Tonya figured it all out. Soon, Henry was arrested for felony bigamy at his home in Seminole County. What are they saying? The women say they fell for him fast. For Michelle, the courtship was almost instant. It was very short. It was very soon. It was within about a three-week span, she said. Henry had a way with words, too. Related: Man Crawls for 11 Hours to Safety With Broken Ankles, Ribs and Leg He said all the right things, Brandi said. Tonya added, "Meeting on a dating site and the way he portrayed himself, he sold the perfect person, when in reality he was none of those things." What's Henry's sentence? After initially pleading not guilty, Henry changed his plea to guilty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his sentence hearing Friday, the judge said his hands were somewhat tied because Henry didn't have a prior convictions, prompting the judge to say he was limited under the law what sentence he could impose. I'm going to adjudicate him guilty of the bigamy offense, which is gonna make him a convicted felon, Judge Charles B. Merritt, Jr. said. I'm gonna sentence him to 2 years' probation with 8 days credit for time served. Youre gonna have to do a mental health evaluation, complete a certified battery intervention program. Related: Man Proposes to AI Girlfriend Despite Having a Partner and 2-Year-Old Daughter What did Henry have to say for himself? First and foremost, I want to apologize to the ladies and I want to apologize to the court administration and to my family and friends that had to be involved in this. Because ultimately this is something that I didnt wish to be part of, Henry said at his hearing. Who's to blame for all of this? While the wives say Henry's to blame for this, they also feel the state of Florida should bare some responsibility, given that the state does not cross-reference marriage licenses between counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no safeguards, and I feel like that's part of where the system failed, Michele told ABC Action News. Added Tonya, If the counties did talk, it would have saved me a lot of heartache, a lot of money, a lot of stress." Florida Man With 3 Secret Marriages Sentenced by Flabbergasted Judge first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 VAN BUREN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) A Florida man was sentenced in Crawford County to life in prison on Tuesday for trafficking more than 240 pounds of drugs. Crawford County Prosecuting Attorney Kevin Holmes said in a news release that Derrick Scudder, 36, of Miami, was sentenced to life in prison plus 80 years after a multi-day jury trial. Derrick Scudder, 36 (Courtesy: Crawford County Detention Center) Scudder was convicted of trafficking fentanyl, trafficking methamphetamine, fleeing and possession of drug paraphernalia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sebastian County Sheriffs Office releases update on deputies injured in jail stabbing incident On Sept. 23, 2024, the Oklahoma Highway Patrol attempted to make a traffic stop on Scudders vehicle before he fled through multiple communities into Arkansas, where Arkansas State Police continued the pursuit. Holmes said Scudder wrecked his vehicle on Highway 64 in Alma near the Alma Primary School, just minutes before school was released. Officials said more than 240 pounds of methamphetamine and two pounds of fentanyl were seized following the pursuit. Holmes said Scudder was a habitual offender who had more than 10 previous felony convictions in different states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. The Brief The Putnam County Sheriff's Office says Jessica Copeland traveled to Las Vegas on July 21, leaving her son and seven dogs behind for two weeks. Investigators say they found the home in deplorable condition, with Copeland's son saying it had been that way for years. Copeland faces several criminal charges. PALATKA, Fla. - A Florida mom's vacation to Sin City led to a trip to jail once she returned home, where deputies say her child and seven dogs had been left alone for two weeks. The backstory According to the Putnam County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a report of possible neglect at the home of Jessica Copeland, 36, in the Palatka area on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copeland's son told investigators that his mother left for Las Vegas on July 21 and that different people had come over to check on him and bring him food. Deputies say when they went inside the home, they found it in poor condition with dog feces "everywhere." They also say slow cooker bowls filled with water were surrounded by insects. According to investigators, Copeland's son said the home had been in bad shape for years and his mom refused to clean. Deputies say they found the following seven dogs living in the home: Onyx, a black pit mix Chase, a Black Mouth Cur Hera, a brown/white pit mix Big Boy, a large black lab/mastiff Faye, a black/white chihuahua Bella, a tri-color chihuahua mix Kitty, a brown Chiweenie Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators arrested Copeland, saying she failed to provide proper care for the child and the dogs. Mugshot of Jessica Copeland. Courtesy: Putnam County Jail. What's next Copeland faces charges of child neglect and several counts of animal cruelty. The Source This story was written with information from the Putnam County Sheriff's Office. The Brief The superintendent of Brevard Public Schools says he will not consider bringing back Melissa Calhoun for at least a year after the state says shes allowed to teach. Calhoun applied to teach again at BPS the day after the Education Practices Commission settled her case with the state. At least one school board member says the superintendent is making the wrong choice and plans to push back at the next school board meeting. VIERA, Fla. - A former Brevard County high school teacher disciplined by the state for violating Floridas parental rights law says shes ready to return to the classroom, but district officials are not allowing her back just yet. What we know Melissa Calhoun was disciplined by the state board of education but still allowed to keep her license after she was investigated for allegedly breaking state law by calling a student a nickname without parental consent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was given an official letter of reprimand, forced to pay a $750 fine, put on probation for one year and required to take an ethics in education course. The former Satellite High School English teacher wanted to return to Brevard Public Schools and applied the day after, but the superintendent says he wont bring her back until she serves probation. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP She spoke exclusively with FOX 35 on Tuesday saying its been a tough year, but her students have helped her get through. She was optimistic she could get back to teaching soon and was disheartened by the decision that came out on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement School Board member John Thomas says the district is making the wrong move and the teacher needs to be back in the classroom. What we don't know Its unclear if the teachers union will get involved in the case now and what will happen to the volunteer members of the Educational Practices Commission who gave Calhoun the greenlight to return to the classroom. Its also unclear if people will start to protest again on behalf of Melissa Calhoun since she is again being barred from teaching. What they're saying Calhoun says all she wants to do is teach and be back in the classroom while the district argues this was more than a mistake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My hope is that I get to come back into the classroom and do the thing that I love," said Melissa Calhoun. She also released this statement after the superintendent said he would not be bringing her back on Tuesday: "Its unfortunate that the district continues to politicize a mistake and one that I took ownership of and that the Educational Practices Commission ruled on. Its important that educators have trust that districts will uphold decisions made from third party panels like the EPC. Additionally, I cant complete my probationary period until i[m employed. What the superintendent seems to be advocating for is a suspension which again feels as though its double jeopardy when a third-party panel has already ruled on the matter." Dr. Mark Rendell, the Superintendent of Brevard Public Schools, shared this statement with FOX 35 on Tuesday: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Florida Department of Education has issued a formal reprimand and placed a former Brevard Public School teacher, Melissa Calhoun, on a one-year probation for knowingly and repeatedly violating state law by referring to a student by a name that did not match their biological gender, without parental consent. "As Superintendent, I want to reaffirm our districts unwavering commitment to parental rights. Teachers hold a powerful position of influence, and that influence must never override the rights of parents to be involved in critical decisions affecting their children. This was not a mistake. This was a conscious and deliberate decision to engage in gender affirmation without parental knowledge. We notify parents when students are absent or struggling with classwork; it is unacceptable to withhold information on matters of such personal significance. "This was not a case of confusion or lack of training. "Statute 1000.071 directed the state board of education to adopt rules to implement the statute; 6A-1.0955 is an administrative law that school districts are required to follow. Mrs. Calhoun has acknowledged that her actions were intentional and that she was aware of the law and violated it. That is deeply troubling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We must have trust in our teachers to act in partnership with families, not come between parents and their children, especially when it comes to these meaningful conversations. "While the state has chosen to allow this individual to retain their certification under probation, I believe it is appropriate that the full term of that probation be completed before any consideration of employment. "Our district will always prioritize the law, the trust of our families, and the rights of parents." SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS School Board member John Thomas says this punishment is going too far. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The parents rights were upheld and that Miss Calhoun had an appropriate discipline issued," said John Thomas. What's next There is a school board meeting on Tuesday where this will likely be discussed by the public and the board. The Source FOX 35 Reporter Esther Bower met Melissa Calhoun on Tuesday. She also asked the district for an update on her employment and was sent a statement on behalf of the superintendent. Esther also attended the state settlement hearing where Calhoun was given the green light to return to the classroom. She has been attending rallies and school board meetings on the issue for months. Close-Up Of Hand Holding Cannabis Plant Leaves. (Getty Images) After nearly three years as Floridas top marijuana regulator, Christopher Kimball has stepped down and taken a position as deputy general counsel in Gov. Ron DeSantiss office. Kimballs Linked In profile says he left the Office of Medical Marijuana Use at the Florida Department of Health in July. Bobbie Smith posted to her Linked In profile announcing she was the new director. Prior to joining the OMMU Smith worked at the Floria Department of Law Enforcement for more than 17 years focusing her efforts on legislative affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Floridas medical marijuana industry is tightly regulated and only those with a license can cultivate, process, and sell medical marijuana. The latest data show that, as of Aug. 1, 920,582 patients had qualified and registered for medical marijuana treatment. There were 2,381 physicians qualified to recommend medical marijuana patients. Kimballs departure comes as the state prepares to defend its November 2024 decision to award 22 new medical marijuana licenses. More than 20 separate challenges to the awards have been filed in the state Division of Administrative Hearings from vendors denied licenses. The challenges have been consolidated and a three-month hearing on the dispute is scheduled to begin in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Lauderdale attorney Paula Savchenko told the Florida Phoenix Wednesday that it could take another year before any new licenses are awarded due to the complexity of the challenges and the large number of parties involved. Florida announced the 22 new licenses just weeks after a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize recreational marijuana failed to amass 60% voter approval. DeSantis campaigned aggressively against the amendment. It was later revealed that the Hope Florida Foundation, a nonprofit tied to an initiative launched by First Lady Casey DeSantis, steered money to two groups that sent a combined $8.5 million to Keep Florida Clean, a political action committee created to oppose Amendment 3. The governors then-chief of staff and now sitting attorney general, James Uthmeier, chaired that committee. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This story has been updated to include the name of the new OMMU director. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WMBB) Once a fixture in homes and businesses, landline telephones are continuing to disappear at a rapid pace in Florida. A new Florida Public Service Commission report said the state had a 28.9 percent decrease in the number of residential landlines in 2024, while business access lines declined by 19.8 percent. Based on current data, the rate of decline in residential and business lines accelerated in 2024, the report said. Landline use in Florida peaked in 2001 with 12 million connections in homes and businesses. As of the end of 2024, the state had a total of nearly 199,000 residential landlines and 389,000 business access lines. The report said consumers shifting to wireless phones and technology known as voice over internet protocol continues to be responsible for much of this decline. Florida had almost 26 million wireless customers in 2024. Use of wireless phones in Florida grew by 2.89 percent from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024. The Public Service Commission produces the report, known as the Status of Communications in the Telecommunications Industry, by Aug. 1 each 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 mypanhandle.com. Remains of a human foot found inside a hiking shoe on the shores of a lake in Utah belong to a man who went missing in 1997, according to officials. The remains were found on the shores of Fish Lake in south-central Utah in May, according to the Sevier County Sheriff's Office. Investigators determined the hiking boot was made in 1996 for only one year. Investigators were then able to tie the boot to a cold case disappearance from September 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man who went missing -- David White -- intended to go fishing with some friends and had rented a hotel room nearby, the sheriff's office said. When the plans with friends fell through, White went fishing anyway, according to authorities. Sevier County Sheriffs Office - PHOTO: Sevier County Sheriffs Office released a photo of David Wright from Washington Utah who went missing in September, 1997. His boat was later found trolling across the lake with no one onboard, according to officials. "A shoe and hat were found floating in the water giving a possible indication where White was believed to have fallen in. There were no witnesses at the time. All of this was a mystery until now," the sheriff's office said in a press release. The original search for White lasted five days and no further evidence was found at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: A 4-year-old boy killed in 1972 finally has been identified. But what happened to his baby brother is still a mystery. This case has been on the mind of every one of the SAR members who were involved in the search 28 years ago. It is good to finally have some closure for the family and the searchers," Sheriff Nathan Curtis said in a statement. The medical examiner's office directed investigators to collect DNA from the foot and DNA from a daughter and sent the samples to Bode Cellmark Forensics. Testing revealed a parental match with 99.9994% certainty, the sheriff's office said. "We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Sevier County Sheriffs Office, SARs, Detective Sgt Pearson, Detective Sgt Larsen, Sheriff Curtis, and Gary (Moulton) from Fishlake Lodge for their incredible support and tireless efforts. We are also deeply grateful to the individual and his dog who found the shoe without them, we would not be where we are today," Stefanie Bennett, the daughter of White, said in a statement released by officials. Paul J. Batura is a local writer and founder of the 4:8 Media Network. He can be reached via email Paul@PaulBatura.com or on X @PaulBatura. FORT SMITH, Ark. Life changes in the instant. The ordinary instant. Joan Didion, The Year of Magical Thinking. So it was for the Innumerable lives Hannah Elizabeth Ford, Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, touched in her short, but profoundly accomplished, 31 years, which ended on Saturday, July 26, 2025. She meant so much to so many, and hers is a loss that will never and can never truly be understood. Dr. Hannah Elizabeth Ford was born on Monday, Dec. 27, 1993, at North Kansas City Hospital. With much anticipation, she was surrounded by family and friends the moment she entered their world. We were blessed with a beautiful, happy baby who would go on to do whatever she set her mind to, regardless of doubt or difficulty. Drive is such a woefully inadequate word for the ambition she showed throughout life. She took the world on and amazed those who knew her, with the beauty, charm, and razor-sharp sense of humor that would become her trademarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even as a toddler, the care and attention to detail she poured into everything she did was immediately apparent. With a stunning imagination, precocious and wise demeanor, and an infectious, disarming laugh, life seemed to be made for Hannah. She never took anything for granted, and once she set her sights on something, she was truly unstoppable. Valedictorian of her high school class, she enrolled at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, in the fall of 2012, gaining membership to Sigma Tau Delta shortly after, graduating in 2016 with a Bachelors Degree in English with a minor in Pre-Medicine. Hannah had many passions and was heavily involved in several organizations that helped form her strong sense of self, such as 4-H, Girl Scouts, student government, Missouri Leadership Seminar, Missouri Girls State, AHEC ACES, and the Cardinal Blazers. From the time she could talk, her only plan was to become a doctor. She tended to her baby dolls with the attention and care she would eventually show her patients as a student doctor in medical school at Arkansas College of Osteopathic Medicine, where she also earned a Masters Degree in Biological Sciences in 2020. A lifelong learner, Hannah was always pursuing new hobbies, and was an inveterate shopper, always looking impossibly polished and stylish. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has made many friends, both in educational and professional settings, and was the most thoughtful and supportive friend anyone could ask for. If ever someone needed help or advice, she would always have an answer, even if she had to make the appropriate phone calls with her innumerable connections or spend hours researching. Hannah spent her entire life taking care of others and bringing people comfort, often with a beautiful smile on her face, a witty pop culture reference, and the perfect gift. After the passing of her familys beloved Maltese, Stella, in 2023, Hannah adopted her tiny sidekick, a Maltese named Ivy June Louise, who accompanied Hannah almost everywhere on her arm in a Louis Vuitton Speedy, even on walks with her partner, fellow medical student Anirudh Iyer. She and Hannah were truly an iconic duo. Her love of her Ivy was matched only by her love for her family and friends, followed closely behind by traveling, reading and re-watching her favorite comfort shows. Hannah is the granddaughter of the late J.D. Ford, of Osborn, Missouri, and the late Nevin and Delores Place, of Hamilton, Missouri. She is survived by her parents, Joy and David Ford, of the home; and her built-in best friends: sister, Abbie Ford, of North Kansas City, brother, Addison Ford and brother-in-law, Nicholas Ensign, of Kansas City; in addition to grandma, Sandra Ford, of Osborn; aunt, Julie and uncle David Rains, of Gallatin, Missouri; aunt, Kelly and uncle Zachary Place, of Sibley, Missouri; and cousins: Hattie (Mark) Morey, Riley (Jordan) Rains, their children Lincoln, Amelia, Palmer and Beckham; Graydee (Essie) Rains; Colton Place; Emma Place (Samuel Foster); and close extended family: great-aunt, Karen Sandridge; Scott (Geri) Sandridge, their son Tristan; Kari (Brook) Nienstedt, and their children Kacy, Cole and Rachel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, Sept. 6, 2025, at Gano Chapel, William Jewell College, in Liberty, Missouri, at 1 p.m., with a meal of Hannahs favorites to follow. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be sent to Bram Funeral Home in Hamilton, or brought the day of the service to establish memorials at Hannahs beloved alma maters. Please make checks for the Ford Family. Now, this Barbie is a doctor. As published in the St. Joseph News-Press. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Cuts to foreign aid continued with the passage of the rescissions package by Congress in July, pulling back the U.S. presence in the international humanitarian arena. About $7.9 billion in aid funding that was previously approved by Congress has been canceled at the behest of President Donald Trump and the Trump administration. The funding cuts a majority of the federal government's support for international education programs and makes deep cuts to development, refugee programs and health services. Two of the largest single rescissions in the bill are the $2.5 billion in economic assistance funding and $1.65 billion in bilateral economic assistance funds. It also rescinds an unobligated balance of $500 million from global health programs outlined in the Continuing Appropriations Act of 2025. Another $800 million in unobligated funding is rescinded from the State Department's migration and refugee assistance program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These funds save lots and lots of lives," Don Kerwin, vice president of advocacy, research and partnerships for Jesuit Refugee Service, told UPI. The rescission of congressional funding is a continuation of the Trump administration's peeling back of foreign aid funding that began swiftly after his inauguration. According to research by the Boston University School of Public Health, the administration's cuts to the U.S. Agency for International Development are estimated to result in 400,000 deaths. Jesuit Refugee Service supports refugees in 58 countries. Its programs provide medicine, medical transportation, food, nursing care and other lifesaving support to people who have been displaced or are at risk of displacement, human trafficking and death. Seven of its nine cooperative agreements with the State Department's Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration have been canceled this year, Kerwin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Very early on we started to get the notice that everybody got, that this was going to be paused," he said. "There was going to be a review process. Lifesaving services, there would be a waiver for them. We scrambled to address and describe how our various services are lifesaving." "That didn't seem to matter at all," Kerwin continued. "Before there was a response to that, we were getting denial notices and termination notices. It turns out it was kind of a fraudulent process." Some of the programs that have had cooperative agreements canceled survived thanks to fundraising, according to Bridget Cusick, vice president of marketing, communications and outreach at Jesuit Refugee Service. Some of those programs have been scaled back in order to continue. "The word we've been using is 'preservation,'" Cusick told UPI. "How can we keep programming as much as we can? The reductions, even with the incredible generosity of our donors who really stepped up to fill those gaps, the reductions were heartbreaking in a lot of places." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The funding cuts codified by the rescissions act include carveouts for certain activities. The rescission of $500 million from global health programs is not to come from programs that combat HIV and AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria or nutritional, child and maternal health programs. The economic assistance fund cuts are not to come from assistance to Jordan and Egypt or from efforts to counter the influence of the People's Republic of China. Along with organizations that are directly affected by federal funding cuts there are organizations who feel the indirect effects. Global Campaign for Education-U.S. is a coalition of 40 organizations that focus on increasing access to education for children and young people around the world. Many of its members are recipients of federal funding. Giulia McPherson, executive director of GCE's U.S. chapter, told UPI the government funding was used to support about 44 million learners around the world in fiscal year 2023. Almost all foreign education support has been terminated since Trump returned to office. Among the many programs that have been lost include a program by a GCE-U.S. member that coordinated a literacy program in Rwanda. The program reached more than 1 million students across 30 districts in Rwanda by providing reading materials and supplementary materials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The impact was really tangible," McPherson said of the program. "Once a young person is educated then they're able to contribute to their community and to their society. They're able to generate an income for themselves and for their families." For each $1 invested into the program, about $7 worth of social benefits was generated for recipients, their households and communities, according to McPherson. "Those investments then in turn were able to change the lives of individual children, their families and their communities," she said. "So we saw real tangible results in that one program in Rwanda, but certainly there were just so many more programs that are no longer in place that were having such an impact." Foreign aid is the source of a common misconception among the American public, McPherson, Kerwin and Cusick said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jesuit Refugee Service partnered with Georgetown University's Center for Applied Research on the Apostolate for a survey on the public's perceptions of foreign assistance spending. More than 40% of respondents believe that the United States spends 25% or more of its federal budget on foreign assistance. This was the most commonly held belief. More than 70% said they believe foreign assistance spending accounted for more than 10% of the budget. In reality, less than 1% of the government's budget is spent on foreign assistance. About 12% of that funding goes toward refugee assistance. Education also receives a small portion of that funding, McPherson said. Breaking through these misconceptions is among the challenges she and other foreign aid advocates face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the Trump administration continues to minimize the United States' role in assisting countries in need around the globe, Kerwin worries about the moral implications of such a withdrawal and how it will harm America's standing on the international stage. Kerwin published a study following Trump's first term while he was with the Center for Migration Studies. It measured how refugees viewed the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program and in turn the United States. A majority of refugees who responded said the program gave them hope. "The U.S. was a symbol of hope for refugees," Kerwin said. "It takes a while to win back that kind of reputation around the world." Her name is Lindsey. NBC6 is only using her first name because she worries about her familys privacy and possible online harassment. Its inhumane the way that theyre keeping their residents, she told NBC6. Lindsey provided NBC6 documentation that shows she arrived at the so-called Alligator Alcatraz on July 6 and worked at the controversial detention center for about a week before she caught Covid and had to isolate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From the beginning, she told NBC6 the situation was tough. When I got there, it was overwhelming, she said. I thought it would get better. But it just never did. Lindsey, a former worker at Alligator Alcatraz. (NBC 6 South Florida) Lindsey provided NBC6 with her State of Florida credential, which lists her position as a corrections officer. She says she was told the job would be five days on, two days off. Lindsey also provided a copy of her contract with GardaWorld Federal Services, a security company reportedly one of the vendors at Alligator Alcatraz. A job posting on the companys LinkedIn account shows they were hiring for the position a month ago and offered $26 an hour for the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was aware that it was going to be the Alligator Alcatraz, said Lindsey, who added that while she knew she would be living in a shared trailer, she said the conditions were rough for everyone there. We had to use the porta-johns. We didnt have hot water half the time. Our bathrooms were backed up, she said. NBC6 has reported similar accounts of conditions inside from advocates, detainees and their families. When talking about the space where detainees are being held, Lindsey said it look like an oversized kennel. She says each tent had eight large cages, which hold 35 to 38 inmates, which means each tent holds close to 300 detainees. Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis, Kristi Noem at "Alligator Alcatraz" on July 1. (Andrew Caballero-Reynolds / AFP - Getty Images file) They have no sunlight. Theres no clock in there. They dont even know what time of the day it is. They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days, Lindsey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: The bathrooms are backed up because you got so many people using them. On rainy days, she said, water pours into the tents. She described the conditions as miserable not to forget the constant battle with mosquitos. Of the people who are being detained, Lindsay said not everybody there is a criminal. NBC News asked the state for a list of detainees at Alligator Alcatraz but has not received the list. Last month, a Human Rights Watch report found that nearly 72% of people detained by Immigration Customs Enforcement had no criminal history. These people are still human. They pulled them from their livelihood. Theyre scared. They dont speak our language, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lindsey said she was fired from the facility after she caught COVID; she said she was accused of altering medical paperwork submitted to the company. She denied the allegations and said shes coming forward because of what she saw. I was fired. And yeah, Im pissed off. But more so than ever, like theyre doing wrong, she said. Lindsey tells NBC6 she was never paid for her work at the facility. The company, GardaWorld, did not answer our questions about Lindseys allegations and referred us to state authorities. NBC6 contacted the Florida Division of Emergency Management Monday morning but have yet to hear back. The division has previously denied allegations of poor conditions at the facility. Despite multiple requests, NBC6 has not been given access to the area where detainees are held. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Florida Department of Financial Services website shows GardaWorld Federal Services was awarded a close to $38 million contract for staffing services related to the facility. The contract was executed on Aug. 2, according to the agencys website. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Kate Merrill - WBZ Former WBZ anchor Kate Merrill is suing the Boston station, CBS, its parent company Paramount, and four former co-workers alleging racial and gender discrimination. Merrill started working at the CBS owned station in 2004 as a reporter. She abruptly left WBZ in 2024. She claims the Boston station and the two companies took a "career-ending action" against her to "advance a DEI agenda," short for diversity, equity and inclusion. She claims she was discriminated against on the basis of her race and gender. Paramount opened an investigation into her conduct after two Black coworkers raised separate complaints about her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Merrill is seeking a jury trial and $4 million in damages, according to the online court records. Merrill alleges that her move from co-anchor of the morning show to weekend nights was "to make an example of her. She said she feared the demotion would cause "catastrophic damage" to her career, so she resigned on May 24, 2024. We asked CBS for comment and will update when we hear back. Mike Thurmond. Photo via Mike Thurmond for Governor. Democrat Michael Thurmond has joined the race to become Georgias next governor in what is shaping up to be a heated 2026 election. Im running for Governor to fight for working families, protect and expand access to healthcare, and build an education system that creates multiple pathways to success, Thurmond said in a statement on social media Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurmond, 72, served as CEO of DeKalb County from 2017 until January. Thurmond was the son of a Clarke County sharecropper, and in 1986, he became the first African-American elected to the Georgia General Assembly from his home county since Reconstruction. He served three terms as Georgia labor commissioner and was interim superintendent of the DeKalb County School District, where he was credited with helping reverse a threat to the districts accreditation. Thurmond pledged to travel the state and campaign on his record. This campaign wont be about promises, but performance, he said in a statement. I have led the transformation of broken private and public organizations, passed tax relief for Georgia seniors and working families, and helped more than 300,000 unemployed Georgians find good jobs. Georgia deserves a leader with the courage to tune out the political nonsense, bring people together, and get results. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thurmond is not the only one with eyes on moving into the governors mansion next year once Gov. Brian Kemps second and final term is up. Atlanta state Sen. Jason Esteves, former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms and state Rep. Derrick Jackson are among those also competing for the Democratic nomination, with Lt. Gov Burt Jones and Attorney General Chris Carr the early frontrunners for the GOP nomination. The party primaries are scheduled for May 19, 2026, after which the winners from each party will face off in the Nov. 3 midterm, which will also include the race for U.S. senator, other top offices like lieutenant governor and attorney general as well as every seat in the state Legislature. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Democratic former U.S. Rep. David Bonior of Clinton Twp. | Ken Coleman David Bonior, a 13-term Michigan congressman and a former Democratic Party whip, is backing former U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink in her bid for the states 7th Congressional District seat. Brinks campaign announced Boniors endorsement on Wednesday. He served Michigan in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1977 to 2003, and was known as a champion for working families, the labor community and a fairer economy. Bonior also served in the Michigan House of Representatives from 1973 to 1977. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With all thats at stake for Michigan families, Bridget Brink is the leader we need now more than ever, Bonior said in a statement. As our Ambassador in Ukraine, Bridget proved that no matter the personal stakes, shell stand up for whats right, hold the powerful accountable, and get things done. The chaos in Washington is costing Michigan and Bridget will deliver real solutions to make life more affordable for working families. Brink thanked the former congressman for his support, calling him a Michigan legend who has dedicated his life to fighting for Michigan families. Michigan State University professor Josh Cowen, former Navy SEAL Matt Maasdam, Alexandra Prieditis, Muhammad Salman Rais and Elyon Badger are also candidates in the August 2026 Democratic primary. The eventual winner in that race would go on to face current U.S. Rep. Tom Barrett (R-Charlotte). SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Editors note: A lawsuit attached to this story contains graphic depictions of sexual and physical abuse. FLORENCE COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) By the time Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health closed its doors in Florence in the summer of 2019, it had already been hit with more than $35,000 in fines by state regulators for dozens of violations, including failures to report resident abuse. Now, a newly filed lawsuit paints a disturbing picture of what a former resident of the child and adolescent treatment center allegedly endured. It contains graphic claims of rape and physical assault that attorneys say is a microcosm of what happens at other Universal Health Services subsidiaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News13 reached out to a Universal Health Services spokesperson late Tuesday afternoon. They responded Wednesday morning, saying theyre prepared to defend themselves against the claims. Neither UHS nor the facility have been served with the lawsuit, the spokesperson said in an email. We do not normally comment on pending litigation but will be prepared to respond and defend against those claims through the judicial process. FloCo-lawsuitDownload At the time of the closure, officials blamed multiple factors, including high renovation costs to its aging Gregg Avenue campus. Just a few months before it shut down, two headline-making incidents took place: In March 2019, a resident tried to jump off the roof before changing her mind. Then, a 12-year-old boy walked off the site in April, claiming that he was abused and bullied. Forced sex, brutal beatings and a mothers desperation Court documents identify the plaintiff as a 26-year-old Darlington County man who entered Palmetto Pee Dee Behavioral Health in 2014 for trauma treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a brief tour of its Congaree Unit, the lawsuit says a staff member placed the resident in a room with another person identified in the lawsuit as Abuser 1. The resident then met Abuser 2, who offered him protection and promises of clothes, food and personal hygiene products in exchange for sex acts. On the residents first night, the lawsuit says he was sexually assaulted. After reporting the confrontation, staff members simply told Abuser 1 to stop or he would be written up, before moving the resident a day later. Plaintiff observed that, when he would report incidents of abuse, staff members would routinely inform the abuser(s) that Plaintiff had made a report while failing to address or rectify the reported abuse, the lawsuit says. Plaintiffs abuser(s) would then retaliate against Plaintiff by physically assaulting him. Throughout the residents stay, he was physically and sexually assaulted by six others, sometimes being placed in chokeholds or beaten with a belt by staff members, court documents allege. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a particularly violent assault that allegedly included multiple punches and kicks to the head, staff members failed to intervene or take any action to stop the abuse, the lawsuit claims. In fact, staff members stood by and watched. One staff member even recorded the attack on her phone, the lawsuit says. The plaintiff sustained a heavy nose bleed and swollen eyes and lips. A few days later, the plaintiffs mother arrived with lunch and immediately began to cry after seeing his condition, the lawsuit says. Pee Dees staff claimed that they tried to call plaintiffs mother regarding the incident and documented the attempts, but plaintiffs mother did not have any missed calls or voicemails from the facility, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Staff members were also unable to produce hospital intake reports despite saying the plaintiff was treated at one, the lawsuit claims. Following the meeting, plaintiff was punished (and) forced to sleep on a mattress with no bedding, the lawsuit says. The plaintiffs mother filed a police report, but authorities were blocked from entering the facility, according to the lawsuit. Eventually, he was released after case workers from the state Department of Social Services got involved. In addition to his own abuse, the plaintiff reported other troubling scenes, the lawsuit says, including: Staff members taking male residents to the female unit for sex Staff members having sex with minor residents Staff members beating mentally disabled residents with belts and other objects Residents defecating and attempting to eat, throw or play with fecal matter that led to physical beatings and sensory deprivation Warehouses of neglect With 333 facilities across its behavioral health division, Universal Health Services is the nations largest provider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, minors residing at behavioral health facilities owned, operated and managed by Universal have suffered sexual abuse at the hands of staff members and other residents, the lawsuit says. The sexual abuse has ranged from inappropriate strip searches to violent, forceful rape. In 2010, hundreds of serious incidents at The Meadows Psychiatric Center in Pennsylvania went unreported to state regulators, including six suicide attempts and 25 sexual abuse allegations. Government inspectors cited 44 UHS hospitals in 23 states for dangerously poor care or unsafe conditions between 2012 and mid-2015. A UHS facility in Dallas went dark shortly after multiple female patients complained about unwanted sexual contact, including the alleged rape of a 13-year-old. In 2024, the U.S. Senate Finance Committee issued results of a two-year probe into residential youth facilities that centered on UHS and three other providers, dubbing them warehouses of neglect. SFC-reportDownload Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a lengthy response to the investigation, UHS called it incomplete and misleading, citing overwhelmingly positive clinical outcomes and a rigorous intake process. Our network of subsidiary facilities serving this challenging juvenile population aim to provide high-quality, compassionate, effective treatment and care to each and every individual served. UHS RTFs offer behavioral and mental health services, academic instruction and life-skills training to help residents reach their therapeutic and academic goals, then successfully step-down to outpatient treatment or community-based care, the company said last June. This care setting comes at a time when these youth need intervention, redirecting them from counterproductive and dangerous behaviors. We know that many individuals go on to lead productive lives following care in a UHS RTF. Lasting damage and lost trust The 40-page lawsuit filed by South Carolina attorney Bakari Sellers and members of his Strom Law Firm says they are suing Palmetto Pee Dee Health and Universal Health Services on grounds of negligence, negligent supervision, negligent infliction of emotional distress and premises liability. In addition to the migraines, nerve pain and facial scarring from the attacks he endured, the plaintiff is also dealing with significant emotional and mental trauma, attorneys say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Universal have been and are currently aware that sexual, physical and emotional abuse of minors is a persistent and prevalent problem in its facilities, the complaint says. Universal have been aware of the ongoing sexual and physical abuse of children in its care for decades. * * * Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. HONOLULU (KHON2) Former Honolulu police chief Joe Logan is demanding more than $700,000 from the City, claiming he was wrongfully terminated and experienced emotional distress. Former HPD chief suing City, Mayor Blangiardi Logan included this amount in a demand letter to the city, which was sent days before he officially filed suit. Logan filed suit on Thursday, July 31, just after 9:30 p.m., where he claims that he was subjected to a relentless pattern of political interference and legal pressure and was ultimately forced to resign by Mayor Rick Blangiardi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lawsuit has not even been served yet. But can let you know that the evidence in this case will show that the threats and the level of duress would make any reasonable person resign from their position, said Joseph Rosenbaum, attorney for Chief Logan. Blangiardi responded to the lawsuit in a statement: I am deeply disappointed that the former Chief Joe Logan has chosen to file this meritless complaint against the city. He voluntarily stepped down as chief and had every opportunity to rescind his resignation if he changed his mind over the last two months. The city will vigorously defend against these claims as we remain firmly focused on strengthening public safety in communities across Oahu, advancing officer recruitment, and increasing public confidence in government. Mayor Rick Blangiardi Logan is asking for more than $534,000 in payment for the last two years of his five-year contract, plus $250,000 for emotional distress and attorney fees. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You The City responded to Logans demand letter, saying his claims were without merit and that Logan resigned voluntarily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. BINGHAMTON, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) A federal jury has ordered former Broome County Family Court Judge Richard Miller to pay 200 thousand dollars to his former secretary after it found that the judge had sexually harassed her. On Thursday, the jury in the Northern District of New York courtroom in Syracuse awarded the compensatory damages to Rachel Gallagher. Gallagher and court attorney Mark Kachadourian had brought suit against both Miller and the New York State Unified Court System leveling accusations that created a hostile work environment. They include tricking them into seeing nude photos, including one of a co-worker, graphic and crude descriptions of sexual acts and the Judges own sexual desires, and repeatedly demanding that Gallagher satisfy his sexual needs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit also accuses Miller of threatening the plaintiffs with physical harm or death if they betrayed him. Miller was reassigned to other duties during the summer of 2017 and was formally removed from the bench in 2020. He has since returned to his private law practice. The jury did not award damages to Kachadourian nor did it find the court system culpable. News 34 reached out to Miller but has not heard back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. An attorney representing a former London Police officer sent a letter to city officials Friday, accusing the department and city leadership of harassment and mishandling of private information. The letter, dated August 1 and released on the social media blog Crime with Bobby, was sent by attorney Brandon Voelker and comes just three days after a separate letter regarding his representation of two employees of the Housing Authority. Both are addressed to City Attorney Larry Bryson, City Council Attorney Conrad Cessna, and Jeff Mando with the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC). In this latest letter, Voelker claims former London Police Officer Jared Hale was mistreated on the job and forced to leave his position after several issues including inappropriate conduct by now-retired Captain Travis Couch and the release of a recorded phone call between Hale and Judge-Executive David Westerfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Voelker, the issues began in February 2024, when Couch allegedly used sex crime dolls during a pre-shift meeting to make inappropriate jokes aimed at Hales relationship and values. A video currently circulating on Facebook appears to confirm that Couch did use the dolls to demonstrate sexual acts between Couch and his now-wife. Voelker wrote that Hale informed his then-fiancee about the incident shortly afterward. The Sentinel-Echo was unable to make contact with Couch as of Tuesday. Regarding the pre-shift meeting involving the dolls, London Mayor Randall Weddle told The Sentinel-Echo the incident was never reported to him at the time and involved a now-retired officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The video that was released on social media is absolutely disturbing and shocking, he stated. I would never allow that type of behavior if I had known It appears Voelkers client is laughing in the video, which I find even more disturbing. This type of behavior would not be allowed if I had known or it was reported. Weddle also addressed the video in one shared to his official Facebook page Sunday, stating he had spent an hour discussing the matter with Acting Police Chief Bobby Day, who he said agreed the behavior is unacceptable. He also suggested that there is a broader effort to paint his administration and the community in a bad light. Theres nothing in the darkness that will not come to light, Weddle said. Those that have been in the background talking and whispering and pushing a narrative you will be found out and there will be a justice. Maybe not in the courts, but there will be a justice. Further, Weddle shared he was made aware of a second video involving another officer and that both incidents are inappropriate and will not be tolerated in this administration. However, according to Weddle, that officer is also no longer with the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voelker commented that he does not necessarily know what the other video is, stating it was not in his possession. Additionally detailed in the letter were events following the Dec. 23, 2024 officer-involved shooting of Doug Harless. The day after, Hale spoke with Laurel County Judge Executive David Westerfield regarding suspected theft involving Westerfields property. The phone call, which Westerfield placed through the London-Laurel County 911 Center, was recorded and later leaked online to a YouTube channel Laurel County News+ that Voelker claims is connected to Mayor Randall Weddle through his former personal attorney Jeremy Bryant. Bryant declined to comment on the matter, stating, I disengaged from representing Randall Weddle and all of his companies shortly after the [February 27] press conference. After the aforementioned audio became public, Mayor Weddle requested a copy of the recording for administrative review, according to the letter. Hale was then placed on administrative leave for nearly two weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter further states that the actions of Weddle and Bryson caused continued harassment, defamation, and false light. Voelker claims Hales image has been unfairly damaged by false and highly offensive impressions of misconduct and criticizes a recent article published by this newspaper concerning the outcome of an open records appeal. That appeal stemmed from a June 9 request the newspaper submitted to the City of London seeking the names of London Police Department employees who had been placed on administrative leave since December 2024. The city denied the request due to personal privacy exemptions and an ongoing investigation. The Kentucky Attorney General ultimately upheld the denial. In his letter, Voelker asserts that The Sentinel-Echo without an Open Records Request was advised City Attorney Larry Bryson had confirmed Hale was among those placed on leave (see related article). Voelker asserts that a false narrative and prior conduct by city officials, left his client no choice but to seek employment elsewhere. The letter states that Hale went on to resign and accepted a lower-paying position with the Laurel County Sheriffs Office. Voelker praised Sheriff John Root for offering Hale what he called a safe and free from harassment work environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Mayor Weddle disputed the claims, suggesting that Voelker is helping individuals fabricate allegations. Voelker appears to be leading this insurance fraud himself, Weddle commented. The letter concludes with a request for a public apology and correction of what Voelker describes as false claims about the nature of Hales leave. If the city does not respond by 5 p.m. on August 6, Voelker wrote his client plans to take the matter to Laurel Circuit Court. Hale declined to comment on the matter, stating he was advised by Voelker to direct all inquiries to him. Voelker informed The Sentinel-Echo that, as of press time Tuesday afternoon, there had been no conversation regarding the ultimatum and his client will proceed with a suit if that continues to be the case. A former Grinnell College student has agreed to drop her lawsuit against the school for its alleged handling of her claim that she was raped by a student athlete who was the son of a major donor. Court records indicate attorneys for the student, who is identified only as Jane Doe, have filed a notice of stipulated dismissal in the case. The phrase typically refers to a formal, written agreement between all parties in a lawsuit documenting the particulars of an out-of-court settlement. Mattia Wells, Grinnells director of strategic communications and media relations, said Tuesday, Aug. 5, that the school has a policy of not commenting on litigation, current or otherwise, and also has a policy that prohibits disclosure of any settlement agreements. A Grinnell College entrance sign is seen on July 14, 2025, at Grinnell College in Grinnell, Iowa. The plaintiff was a student at Grinnell College from September 2018 until May 2022. She alleges that on April 20, 2019, she was violently raped in her dorm room on the Grinnell campus by a Grinnell student athlete and the son of a major Grinnell donor. She claims her attacker, who is not identified in the lawsuit by name, used extreme physical force and violently knocked her head into a bookshelf, toppling it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About two weeks later, she alleges, she was assaulted by the same individual, who pinched her and poured a drink on her at an off-campus party. In her lawsuit, filed in October 2023 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, she claimed she sought treatment for sexual trauma through Grinnells student health program, sought assistance from Grinnells administration, and ultimately filed a formal sexual assault complaint through Grinnells Title IX program. More: Grinnell College braced for a huge tax hike under GOP bill. Instead, it'll get a tax cut Her lawsuit claimed that only after she retained legal counsel and demanded that a Title IX action be initiated against the alleged perpetrator did Grinnell take any action. Even then, the adjudication of the Title IX action took more than a year and resulted in what the lawsuit calls a superficial sanction against the alleged perpetrator days before his graduation in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The school denied the allegations in court. Wells said at the time that Grinnell had robust policies, procedures, and resources in place addressing all aspects of the Title IX process. In May 2024, the court found that portions of the plaintiffs Title IX claims were barred due to a two-year statute of limitations in the law. However, the court allowed other legal claims she made to proceed. She claimed that in the wake of the assault, her mental health deteriorated to a critical level and she constantly felt unsafe on Grinnells campus. In January 2020, during a period of suicidal ideation, she contacted Grinnell Student Health and the office of the college nurse to inform them of an urgent need for a sexual-trauma therapist, according to the lawsuit. The college nurse allegedly referred her to the schools mental health counselor, Erik Kohl, who immediately recognized the seriousness of her mental health issues and ultimately diagnosed her with post-traumatic stress disorder due to sexual trauma, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: An Iowa college gets a $10 million gift from the estate trust of a famous alum The lawsuit alleged that a short time later, amid the growing national MeToo movement, an anonymous Instagram account was established with the handle @MeTooGrinnell. By August of 2020, the account contained about 120 posts from students who claimed they had been victims of sexual assault or rape on campus. Through those posts, the plaintiff's family concluded that her alleged rapist had engaged in an ongoing pattern of rape and sexual assault on Grinnells campus, the lawsuit claimed. Her father then contacted Grinnells president, Anne Harris, to alert her to the allegations. According to the lawsuit, Harris notified the family of Title IX protections that were available for students at Grinnell and referred the family to Bailey Asberry, the schools Title IX coordinator. Asberry allegedly discouraged the plaintiff from formally reporting the sexual assault and referred her to the schools dean of religious life who, in turn, referred her back to Asberry, according to the lawsuit. Lawsuit: Grinnell proposed mediation with alleged attacker The lawsuit claims Asberry told the plaintiff the only way for the school to respond to the allegation against the perpetrator was if she filed a formal complaint a step she was reluctant to take for fear of retaliation and retribution. At that point, the lawsuit claims, Asberry made the highly inappropriate and unfathomable suggestion that (she) sit down with the perpetrator face-to-face to mediate her violent rape and sexual assault with the perpetrator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the plaintiff demanded the school pursue a formal investigation, Asberry allegedly informed her the incidents she had described were not severe enough and would not be investigated by Grinnell, the lawsuit claimed. Eventually, a Grinnell investigator conducted 11 interviews of six people, and concluded his investigation on Aug. 25, 2021. His preliminary report was riddled with factual errors, misstatements of the applicable policy provisions, and obvious instances of gender bias, the lawsuit claimed. At a Title IX hearing, an adjudicator found the accused student to be responsible for sexual assault, non-consensual sexual intercourse and for sexual assault, non-consensual sexual contact. Grinnell then imposed sanctions against the alleged perpetrator that the lawsuit describes as wildly inappropriate and ineffective. The school placed the alleged perpetrator on probation for the remainder of his attendance at Grinnell, a period of 23 days; imposed a no-contact order; barred him from participating in graduation if Doe chose to attend; and barred him from participating in future alumni events attended by Doe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit accused Grinnell of deliberate indifference to sexual abuse, creation of a hostile educational environment, failure to prevent retaliation, retaliation by withholding protections conferred by Title IX, gender bias, discrimination on the basis of gender, violations of constitutional rights and breach of contract. In 2015, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights investigated Grinnell in response to complaints filed by six students. The complaints alleged the school failed to impose adequate consequences for students accused of sexual assault, that administrators improperly revealed the identity of a victim and that one student faced retaliation for views on Grinnells handling of sexual assaults on campus. In 2017, the Office for Civil Rights notified Grinnell the case had been administratively closed with a determination that there were no active systemic issues that warranted a continuation of the investigation. Find this story at Iowa Capital Dispatch, which is part of States Newsroom, a network of news bureaus supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions:kobradovich@iowacapitaldispatch.com. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ex-student's campus rape case against Grinnell College dropped Dean Cain is encouraging Americans to become Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents. The agency is in the middle of a massive hiring spree, hoping to bring on more officers to meet the demands set by President Donald Trumps mass deportation agenda. The actor best known for playing Superman praised the agency in a video shared to social media, touting the benefits that come with ICE employment. You can defend your homeland and get great benefits, the former Superman said. You dont need an undergraduate degree. You can get started right away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cain said that the increase in ICE arrests across the United States was removing the worst of the worst from Americas streets, adding that the enforcement actions were something he voted for. The libertarian thinktank Cato Institute notes that 65% of ICE detainees taken into custody between October and June had no criminal record. Over 90% of them had never been convicted of a violent crime. JOIN ICE!! We need your help to protect pic.twitter.com/cXcUaDcDhY Dean Cain (@RealDeanCain) August 5, 2025 Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said on Tuesday that ICE had received more than 80,000 applications for 10,000 positions. Though she touted the overwhelming response as a victory, she made additional moves that suggest ICE is struggling to recruit new employees. Noem announced the removal of age limits for ICE agents. Prospective officers previously aged out of consideration at 37. DHS also removed a lower age limit, allowing for applicants as young as 18 years old. ICE under Noem has been roundly criticized for playing fast and loose with the constitutional rights of detainees and members of Congress. Hastily erected detention centers like Floridas Alligator Alcatraz have been a regular source of horror stories from both detainees and employees. The post Former Superman Dean Cain stumps for ICE hiring initiative appeared first on Salon.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 22-year-old active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss was arrested on Wednesday, Aug. 6, on suspicion of espionage and export violations, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Texas. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, Taylor Adam Lee faces charges of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license. Taylor Adam Lee. Photo courtesy of Fort Bliss. From May 2025 to present, Lee, with a top secret/Sensitive Compartmented Information security clearance, established his credentials and sent U.S. defense information to Russias Ministry of Defense, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Lee allegedly sent export-controlled technology information about the M1A2 Abrams tank and offered help to the Russian Federacy, saying the USA is not happy with me for trying to expose their weakness, and At this point, Id even volunteer to assist the Russian Federation when Im there in any way, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, in July, Lee allegedly passed an SD card with information about the tank, another armored fighting vehicle, and combat operations to an individual whom he believed to be a representative of the Russian government. In addition, other information on the SD card included documents marked as Controlled Unclassified Information and featured banner warnings and dissemination controls. Later in the meeting with Lee, he stated that the information on the SD card was sensitive and likely classified, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. The U.S. Attorneys Office said during and after the meeting with Lee in July, he discussed obtaining and providing the Russian government a specific piece of hardware to a storage unit in El Paso. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After doing so, Lee sent a message to the individual saying mission accomplished, the U.S. Attorneys Office said. National security has long been one of the highest priorities of the Justice Department, and here in the Western District of Texas, we remain alert for those who wish to help our adversaries and harm the United States, U.S. Attorney Justin R. Simmons for the Western District of Texas said. Our enemies, both foreign and domestic, should be aware that we diligently investigate and aggressively prosecute these cases. I appreciate the investigative work by our partners in the FBI and the Army Counterintelligence Command, and I look forward to continuing our work with them as we proceed with the prosecution of this important case. Lee allegedly violated his duty to protect the United States in favor of providing national defense information to the Russian government, Steven J. Jensen, assistant director in Charge of the FBIs Washington Field Office, said. The FBI is steadfast in our commitment to protect U.S. national security and bring to justice those who seek to undermine it. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, the FBI Washington Field Office is investigating the case, with assistance from the U.S. Army Counterintelligence Command and the FBI El Paso Field Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Bliss released the following statement to KTSM: Spc. Taylor Adam Lee, 22, a tank crewman assigned to the 1st Armored Division, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) El Paso Field Office on Aug. 6 on criminal charges of attempted transmission of national defense information to a foreign adversary and attempted export of controlled technical data without a license. 1st Armored Division will continue to provide support to interagency partners in this case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) Five soldiers were shot Wednesday after an Army sergeant opened fire at Fort Stewart, prompting lockdowns at the Georgia base, authorities have confirmed. Brig. Gen. John W. Lubas identified the shooter as logistics Sgt. Quornelius Radford, 28, during a press conference Wednesday. A telephone number listed for Radford in public records rang unanswered. Radford, assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team, allegedly opened fire at his workplace. Soldiers in the area who witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the shooter, Lubas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties, he added. Law enforcement was first notified of a possible shooting at the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team complex shortly before 11 a.m. ET Wednesday. Roughly 40 minutes later, the suspected shooter was taken into custody. The five soldiers who were injured received treatment on site before being moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further treatment, officials shared at around 12:40 p.m. ET. Three required surgery, Lubas said. He added that two of the soldiers were taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah for additional care. Nexstars WSAV reports this was due to the bases hospital not being a level 1 trauma center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All of the soldiers are in stable condition and expected to recover, according to Lubas, and all lockdowns at the base have been lifted. Video below: Dr. Bill Bromberg, attending trauma surgeon at Memorial Health speaks about receiving victims from Fort Stewart shooting Radford allegedly used a personal handgun, not a military weapon, in the shooting. How he got the handgun to his workstation, as well as the motive, are under investigation, Lubas said. Lubas said Radford had not previously been deployed and is now in pre-trial confinement. Army records released to The Associated Press show that Radford, who worked as a supply sergeant, enlisted in January 2018. This booking photo provided by the Liberty County Sheriffs Office shows Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who is accused of shooting multiple soldiers at Fort Stewart, Ga., Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Liberty County Sheriffs Office via AP) Radford faced an Aug. 20 hearing in Hinesville, a small town near the base, on accusations of driving under the influence and running a red light just after 1 a.m. on May 18, according to a citation and court filing. He was given a blood test and freed on a $1,818 bond, the documents said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Sneh Patel is representing Radford in the traffic case but not the shooting as of Wednesday, he said in an email. He cited attorney-client privilege in declining to comment about any of his conversations with Radford. A sign welcoming people to Fort Stewart in Georgia is seen on Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart) White House and Defense Department officials said President Donald Trump and Secretary Pete Hegseth had been briefed on the shooting. The FBI was at the fort to help investigate, said Deputy Director Dan Bongino. Trump called the shooter a horrible person in comments to reporters at the White House. Fort Stewart is the largest Army post east of the Mississippi River. Its home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division and family members. Early last year, officials at the base discussed exercises that were being held to test the posts ability to respond to emergencies and threats, including an active shooter hostage situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All in an effort to hone our skills, to learn how to work together, and to communicate during times of tragedy or emergencies like we are simulating here, Fort Stewarts Deputy to the Garrison Commander, Steven Hood, told WSAV. This latest act of violence on a U.S. military installation sites that are supposed to be among the most secure in the country again raised concerns about safety and security within the armed forces own walls. Among the deadliest acts of violence on U.S. military bases was a 2009 attack. A U.S. Army psychiatrist killed 13 people in a shooting that left more than 30 wounded at Fort Hood, a military installation in Texas. In 2013, a defense contract worker and former Navy reservist killed 12 people at Washington Navy Yard. He was then killed in a gun battle with police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2014, a soldier opened fire on his fellow service members at Fort Hood, killing three people and wounding more than a dozen others before the gunman killed himself. In 2019, an aviation student opened fire in a classroom at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida, killing three people and injuring another dozen people including two sheriffs deputies. Just days earlier, a U.S. Navy sailor shot two people to death before killing himself at Pearl Harbor, the Naval station in Hawaii. Im very confident in the security of this installation, Lubas said Wednesday when asked about the safety of Fort Stewart. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The gunman who injured five fellow soldiers after he opened fire at the Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia, has been identified as a 28-year-old sergeant with no previous combat experience. Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant for the 2nd brigade, was tackled to the ground and subdued by other soldiers who witnessed the attack before being taken into custody Wednesday. Officials said Radfords motivation is not yet known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Stewart, home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division, was locked down following reports of the active shooter just after 11 a.m. Wednesday. The wounded were taken to a hospital in Savannah, Georgia. Three of the wounded required surgery, though all were expected to make a full recovery, according to John Lubas Commanding General of the 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart. Five soldiers were shot during an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart Army base in Georgia. A suspect was taken into custody and later identified as a 28-year-old sergeant with no previous combat experience Our first priority is to care for the soldiers and their families, Lubas said at a press conference Wednesday afternoon, adding that all of the victims next of kin had been notified and the Army was wrapping our arms around them. Lubas also confirmed Radfords identity as an active duty soldier and said that he was believed to have used a personal handgun in the attack, rather than a military weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Liberty County Jail records show that Radford was arrested for a DUI in May of this year. Lubas said that the charge was not known to his superiors prior to Wednesdays attack. A previous statement put out by base officials said that law enforcement had been dispatched for a possible shooting in the 2nd ABCT complex at just before 11 a.m with the suspected shooter apprehended around a half hour later at 11:35 a.m. Emergency medical personnel were dispatched to treat the wounded Soldiers at 11:09 a.m. Lubas said the incident remains under investigation and the names of the victims are yet to be released. Anxious family members flooded the comment sections of official base social media posts, praying that their sons, daughters and siblings were safe. One user, said that his son, daughter-in-law and grand-daughter were all onsite as the incident unfolded, though later reported that they were all unharmed. The base, home to thousands of soldiers assigned to the Armys 3rd Infantry Division, was put on lockdown following reports of an active shooter just after 11 a.m. (DoD) Following the initial reports of a shooter, those residing on the base were ordered the stay inside, close and lock all windows and doors, and report to the appropriate leadership. The lockdown order extended to the Wright and Evans Army Airfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Footage shared online on TikTok by a resident of the base showed soldiers running out of the barracks and round the side of a building to take cover. Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, with the site stretching about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south. FBI Atlanta confirmed that agents from its Savannah office were aware of the situation and was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. President Donald Trump has also been briefed on the incident, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia Governor Brian Kemp reacted to the unfolding incident, writing on X: As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart. Located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Fort Stewart is the largest Army base east of the Mississippi River, with the site stretching about 39 miles across from east to west, and 19 miles from north to south. (Getty Images) We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Congressman Buddy Carter, who represents Georgias 1st District, said he too was monitoring the situation. Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community, Carter wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nearby schools were also placed into light lockdown following the news, including those in the Appling County School System. Out of an abundance of caution and in alignment with our commitment to student and staff safety, all Appling County Schools are currently in a Level 1 lockdown, officials said. The school lockdown was lifted shortly after the suspect was apprehended. The Fort Worth City Council voted 74 late Monday night to dissolve the citys diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) department, citing potential risks to federal funding and growing public backlash. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, the move comes amid a nationwide rollback of DEI initiatives under President Donald Trump. Fort Worth had been weighing whether to suspend programs tied to the Fort Worth Business Equity Ordinance, which provided incentives for minority- and women-owned business enterprise-certified businesses. Supporters Cite Financial Threats Councilmembers and residents in favor of ending the DEI department argued that maintaining such programs could jeopardize more than $277 million in federal funds. The basis of my support lies for two reasons. First of all, it is a commonsense approach. Why would you put infrastructure programs, the city of Fort Worth, put them on the chopping block? said resident Mark Fulmer during public comment. Amie Super, a Tarrant County GOP area leader, emphasized the citys fiscal responsibilities. The city of Fort Worth cannot afford other options. Elections do indeed have consequences, and you cannot sit idly by ignoring those consequences at the expense of the financial solvency of this city without taxing all of us into financial oblivion, she said. Gail Smith, a local real estate agent, also spoke in support of the departments suspension. Opponents Decry Move as Regressive Those opposed to the resolution accused the council of undermining community values. Im going to speak against this resolution and in favor of diversity, equity, and inclusion, said Jonah Murray, a self-identified transgender woman and former Fort Worth Human Relations Commission member, who claimed she is leaving Texas due to Republican policies. Murray expressed concerns over potentially losing access to her state-issued ID under Attorney General Ken Paxtons guidance on LGBTQ-related policies. Western Hills High School teacher Ernesto Moran criticized Republican-aligned councilmembers, saying: So I am only speaking to the six who do not belong to a fascist party. I am done, and you should be too, with using their terminology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Moran has publicly posted political views on his school-linked webpage, which includes a digital classroom featuring an LGBTQ flag, a Black Lives Matter flag, and books like The Hate U Give, which discusses police brutality and systemic racism. Split Council Deliberates Councilmember Charlie Lauersdorf (District 4) said preserving federal funding outweighed partisan debate. I answer to District 4 and the residents there, he said, adding that he would not support raising taxes to offset lost federal dollars. Notably, Democrat Councilmembers Carlos Flores and Jeanette Martinez joined the majority in voting to end the DEI office. We are taking action right now because inaction will just compound our problems, Flores said. I join Councilmember Martinez in keeping in mind what is important those programs that help people. Councilmember Chris Nettles, one of the four who opposed the measure, rejected the idea that DEI was expendable. Well, I dont know if you are blind or not. But I see color, and I am not colorblind. And color means something, he said. Councilmember Elizabeth Beck echoed Nettles: One thing that my therapists say to me that I carry with me every day is that you have to stand and look in the mirror and be able to stand yourself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 74 vote marks a decisive shift in Fort Worths approach to DEI programs, making it one of the largest cities in Texas to formally end such efforts in municipal governance. JOHNSTOWN, Pa. (WTAJ) A new contract has been approved to keep SkyWest Airlines at John Murtha Johnstown-Cambria County Airport for the next four years. The new four-year deal will allow the airline to continue serving passengers at the regional airport through Oct. 31, 2029, according to our media partners at The Tribune-Democrat. SkyWest Airlines was recommended to airport officials this summer over other carriers that were looking to serve the Johnstown area. Approval was needed from the U.S. Department of Transportation as part of the Essential Air Service program process. This approval was made Aug. 4, in a letter by Department of Transportation officials citing the factors in the decision as the airlines record of success, community support for its proposal, and the contracts lower cost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This gives us a lot of stability. It gives the community the confidence that SkyWest is going to be here when travelers are looking for flights, Airport Manager Cory Cree said, Its not just short-term anymore. SkyWest has daily service to Chicago OHare and Washington Dulles International airports, and with this new contract that goes into effect in the fall, departure time will remain the same. The airline will also continue hosting two extra flights over the weekend, giving Johnstown a total of 14 round-trip flights per week. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Approximately 35,000 people have flown to or from Johnstown in 2024, with numbers on pace to top that this year. About 21,000 people have flown already, with five months of travel still left in the 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 WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. UTAH COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) Kevin Franke, ex-husband of former family Youtuber Ruby Franke, is suing his then-wifes business partner and therapist Jodi Hildebrandt for medical malpractice, alleging that she used her authority as a mental health professional to abuse and isolate him from his family. Hildebrandt and Ruby Franke both pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and were sentenced to up to 30 years in prison in February 2024. They were arrested after two of Frankes children were found emaciated in Hildebrandts Washington County home. One child managed to escape the home, and neighbors called police after noticing duct tapes on his wrists and ankles. According to the lawsuit, Kevin Franke was estranged from his then-wife and children at the time the abuse occurred, at the insistence of Hildebrandt. He did not even know that his children were living in Hildebrandts home and being abused while she continued to provide him mental health counselling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I did not know my rights: Jodi Hildebrandt challenges conviction in high-profile child abuse case The lawsuit states that while Kevin believed that this counseling was intended to help him reunite with his family, in reality, Hildebrandt used it to isolate him from his children, abuse and manipulate Kevin, and even get him fired from his job at BYU. As a mental health provider, Hildebrandt owed Kevin a duty of care as a patient, and he was in a vulnerable position of trust. The lawsuit alleges that she breached this duty of care, using improper mental health care techniques. Kevin Franke is requesting economic damages for the money spent on Hildebrandts counseling. He reportedly paid between $300 and $375 per month for group therapy and approximately $900 a month for his sons weekly therapy sessions during this time. He is also requesting non-economic damages and attorney fees and costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit demands a trial by jury for these claims. Details from the lawsuit Hildebrandts license as a mental health counselor was revoked in May of 2024, but prior to that, when she was offering counseling to the Frankes, she was licensed in Utah. The lawsuit states that she used her credentials to solicit Kevin and Ruby Franke as patients and often referred to herself as a psychologist. Allegedly, without assessments, testing, or diagnostic criteria, Hildebrandt told Kevin that she was diagnosing him as being lustful, narcissistic, manipulative, deceptive, controlling, and selfish. She reportedly convinced Ruby to support this diagnosis and her treatment plan for him. Hildebrandts professional advice was that Kevin should have no communication or contact with his children becase his personality and mental health conditions would have a negative impact on them and could lead them to adopt the same behaviors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Imprisoned Franke, Hildebrandt sued for alleged racketeering abuse scheme On July 20, 2022, Ruby and Hildebrandt allegedly mandated that Kevin and his oldest son Chad (then 17-years-old) move out of the family home and live elsewhere with no contact with any other family members, including Ruby. Kevin was relying on Hildebrandts professional expertise, and so he and Chad left the home. Hildebrandt also reportedly mandated that Kevin and Chad live apart and cease contact with each other, because living together would only foster more bad behavior. Chad was also seeing Hildebrandt as a therapist at this time, and Kevin was enrolled in mens group therapy with Hildebrandt. The lawsuit goes on to allege that Hildebrandt used her knowledge of Kevins deep religious beliefs and commitments to manipulate him into adopting her unprofessional and deceitful advice. She reportedly told him that his soul was in danger of being damned, and this culminated in Hildebrandt convincing Kevin that he was not worthy of holding a temple recommend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Temple recommends are required to enter the temple for the LDS church, and despite being deeply hurt by the assertion that he was not worthy and would be a hypocrite if he attempted to renew the recommend, Kevin said he did not attend a meeting to renew his temple recommend in 2023. Hildebrandt further convinced him that he needed to be fired from his job at BYU, that losing his job would finally wake him up, and he was not worthy to work there. Kevin was later fired from his job at BYU in June 2023, because having a temple recommend was a requirement for his employment. Franke, Hildebrandt sentenced for aggravated child abuse charges Allegedly, when Hildebrandt learned that he was fired, she scolded him and said that it was unnecessary and confirmed that he was a selfish person. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Throughout all of this, Hildebrandt was allegedly sharing confidential and detailed information about Kevin with the other members of the mens therapy group. She then instructed other members to use that information to mentally, psychologically, and spiritually abuse Kevin. She also shared confidential information about other patients with Kevin during this time. During group therapy sessions, Hildebrandt would also reportedly belittle Kevin, accusing him of being a lover of Satan and accusing him of hiding something very dark and evil. She withheld counseling from him unless he confessed to her his darkness, but he had no idea what she was talking about. Hildebrandt moved Ruby and Kevins minor children into her home in May of 2023, and she never disclosed this information to Kevin, even as she continued to treat him with the stated goal of reuniting him with his family. At that time, she and Ruby were abusing the children. The lawsuit goes on to state that during the same period of time, Hildebrandt convinced Ruby to buy property in Arizona, and so Ruby liquidated approximately $80,000 from financial accounts belonging to Ruby, Kevin, and their children. Ruby and Hildebrandt intended to move the children out of Utah to this property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Finally, in July of 2023, Hildebrandt abruptly announced that she would be temporarily and immediately ending Kevins services with her. She reportedly told Kevin that God had told her that he needed solitude to heal, and that he could follow up with her in six months to see if he had by then sufficiently humbled and repented yet. 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. ROCKY MOUNT, N.C. (WNCT) Remote Area Medical (RAM) is hosting a free healthcare clinic at Nash Central High School in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on August 9-10, aiming to address limited access to care. The clinic will provide dental, vision, and medical services to those who might otherwise go without these essential services. No insurance or ID is required, and the clinic is open to anyone in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clinic doors open at 6 a.m. on a first-come, first-served basis, and patients should arrive early due to time constraints. CLICK HERE FOR MORE Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. A "dangerous" fugitive who savagely murdered a woman while she was walking her dog has been jailed for life. Roy Barclay had been on the run from police for two years when he attacked Anita Rose, 57, on a footpath in Brantham, Suffolk, on 24 July last year. Anita died four days after she was found with serious injuries and Barclay, 56, of no fixed address, was sentenced to a mandatory life term of life - and will serve a minimum of 25 years after he was found guilty of murder following a trial at Ipswich Crown Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Martyn Levett told the killer there were still unanswered questions as to why he did what he did. Roy Barclay was jailed for a minimum of 25 years for the murder of Anita Rose [Suffolk Police] On the day she was attacked Anita left her house at about 05:00 (BST). She was found less than two hours later by members of the public on a track off Rectory Lane next to the London-Ipswich railway line. The mother-of-six had suffered serious injuries after being kicked and stamped by Barclay and died four days later in Addenbrooke's Hospital in Cambridge. The killer's DNA was discovered on Anita's jacket and on the earbuds of her headphones. Barclay was finally caught after he was spotted in Brantham by an officer from Suffolk Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When questioned he had initially given a false name of John Lesley, but provided his real telephone number and police were able to ascertain his true identity. Several days later he was arrested at Ipswich County Library and subsequently charged with Anita's murder. The trial heard he had been living in a makeshift camp in the area while "on the run" from police for two years following an earlier attack. Prosecutors argued he also kept some of Ms Rose's belongings as trophies. A statement from Richard Jones, Anita Rose's partner, was read during the hearing [BBC Crimewatch] At the time of the attack, Barclay had been wanted on recall to prison having breached the conditions of his licence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had previously been jailed for attacking an 82-year-old man in Walton-on-the-Naze in Essex 10 years ago. Anita's family were in the court room for Wednesday's sentencing. Prosecutor Christopher Paxton KC outlined 11 aggravating factors in the case for the judge to consider in his sentencing. These included Barclay's use of "sustained and excessive violence", killing in public, and the stealing and taking of Anita's property. Mr Paxton said the defendant had also broken the conditions of the licence of his parole following the 2015 attack. Simon Spence KC, mitigating, said Barclay's actions were not premeditated - which Judge Levett agreed with. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barclay sat emotionless as he listened on from the dock. The court first heard how Anita had enjoyed living in Brantham and had taken to help neighbours and other vulnerable residents when they were in need. Statements from several of her children were read out to the court. They talked of their mother's love for walking and how she was the "centre" of their family. Anita's partner, Richard Jones, described how the couple "planned to grow old together" and he had been haunted by her death. Her daughter, Gemma Rose, described the "immeasurable" loss and revealed she had taken to telling her own children about "how dangerous the world is" in an effort to protect them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of her sons, Ashley Rose, told the court he had desperately tried to help the investigation by buying a drone to find some of his mother's personal items that had been missing and were later found in Barclay's possession. Barclay had been living in a camp in Brantham when he attacked Anita [Suffolk Police] Judge Levett said Barclay was an "unpredictable, dangerous" man who was "prone to terrible outbursts of violence". He highlighted how in the 2015 attack on a "helpless" 82-year-old, he had beaten the pensioner for 53 seconds causing severe injuries. Barclay only served five years in prison before he was released on parole but Judge Levett told him this should have been enough time for him to work on his "temper". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Barclay breached the conditions of his licence in 2022 he became a wanted man and was on the run from police. Judge Levett also questioned why Barclay had chosen to remain silent by not answering police questions when he was arrested or why he did not give evidence in his trial. He said: "We will, perhaps, never know what triggered this outburst of violence against Anita. "You are still, and will remain, for an unpredictable length of time, this dangerous person." Barclay had previously pleaded guilty to remaining at large after being recalled to prison. For this he was sentenced to 12 months in prison which will run concurrently with his life sentence for Anita's murder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links Hampton University is returning to its vocational roots with the launch of its Virginia Workforce Enterprise. The venture, focusing on skilled trades, consists of three spaces where community leaders gathered Wednesday to celebrate the launch. The first is a Community Health and Vocational Center on Butler Farm Road, which focuses on training for careers in HVAC, nursing and welding. The other two are suites in the Harbour Centre downtown: one a culinary kitchen and networking center, and the other focused on innovation and entrepreneurship. President Darrell Williams called the move a full circle moment for Hampton University, which started as a vocational institution before transitioning to a university in 1984, more than a century after its founding. He said students, alumni and the broader community will have access to different learning opportunities in addition to its existing higher education programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, we return to our roots as not just an institute of higher education and learning, but one that also heavily invests in the vocational arts, Williams said. The project was made possible through a $2.2 million federal grant from the Workforce Development and Allied Health Services Program, which U.S. Rep. Bobby Scott requested in 2022. The funding was approved in 2023. Scott, who represents Virginias 3rd District, said the enterprise can prepare prospective workers to fill the gaps in industries facing employment shortages. We know that people who get the skills, particularly in these high-demand jobs that will be taught here, can do extremely well, Scott said. And weve known for years that you have to get education and training past the high school level in order to get a good job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Scott added the enterprise is part of a larger nationwide shift toward the trades. The reconciliation megabill that passed last month, for example, made sweeping cuts to the Pell Grant program that provides financial aid to low-income students in undergraduate programs. Were at a very difficult time for education because the bill we just passed will make it harder to afford to go to college, but a little easier to get skills training, Scott said. Despite challenges at the federal level, Hampton has always been a working community driven by education, according to Glenda Evans. She began spearheading the workforce enterprise a year ago, and is a Hampton University graduate. Evans said shes heard from community members throughout the planning process eager to gain new resources to help them stand out in a competitive job market. Now, she said students and other community members will have new programs to ensure Hampton residents have a clear path from learning to employment. We are boldly advancing into the future, where education fuels economic mobility, Evans said. Devlin Epding, 757-510-4037, devlin.epding@virginiamedia.com The Brief In a new ruling, a Fulton County judge says commissioners can't veto the two Republican nominees to the county's Board of Elections. Under Georgia law, the commission is required to appoint two people from the political parties that received the largest number of votes in the state - those being the Republicans and Democrats. The Georgia Republican Party sued the commission in June, saying that Fulton County officials violated state law by not confirming Frazier and Adams as its nominees to the board. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - A Fulton County judge has ruled the county's Board of Commissioners must confirm the Republican nominees to its Board of Elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a ruling on Tuesday, Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson said there is no law that allows commissioners to veto Jason Frazier and Julie Adams' nominations. The backstory The Georgia Republican Party sued the commission in June, saying that Fulton County officials violated state law by not confirming Frazier and Adams as its nominees to the board. Under Georgia law, the commission is required to appoint two people from the political parties that received the largest number of votes in the state - those being the Republicans and Democrats. However, the lawsuit alleged that the Board of Commissioners voted instead to pass motions to table Frazier and Adams's nominations, despite them qualifying for the positions under the county's regulations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I think the Republican Party ought to take a look at their people and not nominate people that are in [sic] the far right, and nominate people that are in the center. But if yall present some people that are in the center, they can get approved," the lawsuit quotes Commissioner Marvin S. Arrington, Jr. as saying during the meeting. What they're saying In his findings, Emerson said that Adams and Frazier were both eligible to be nominated to the board, arguing that they were both electors, residents of Fulton County, and not candidates for any office. "This court notes the failure to make these appointments leaves the two slots of one of the two political parties vacant when their term should have begun on July 1, 2025," he wrote. "The courts finds the lack of these appointments harms the election process and deprives the nominating party of representation on the BOE." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emerson also found that the Board of Commissioners does not have the discretion to disapprove "an otherwise qualified nominee." Dig deeper Adams is currently a member of the board and controversially argued in 2024 that she should be allowed to withhold certification of the county's election if she believed the results were incorrect or unreliable. Following her lawsuit, Fulton County Superior Court Judge Robert McBurney ruled that "no election superintendent (or member of a board of elections and registration) may refuse to certify or abstain from certifying election results under any circumstance." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, a Georgia appeals court upheld McBurney's ruling, saying county election officials in the Peach State must vote to certify results according to deadlines set in law. She had previously refused to certify the May 2024 primary election results, raising questions about election procedures. The Source Information for this article came from a ruling by Senior Superior Court Judge David Emerson and previous FOX 5 reporting. CARY, N.C. (AP) A funeral was held over the weekend for Dr. Greg Brannon, a physician in North Carolina and past favorite of political conservatives who ran unsuccessfully for the U.S. Senate and House in the 2010s. Brannon, an early personality in the tea party movement, delivered babies over 27 years as an OB-GYN. He died July 27 at his home at age 64, according to an obituary posted by Wake Funeral & Cremation. Funeral home director Britt Paynter confirmed Brannon's death on Wednesday but said he couldn't provide information about a cause. Brannon, from Cary, billed himself as a constitutional conservative when he sought the 2014 Republican nomination for Senate. He finished as the May 2014 primary runner-up to Thom Tillis with 27% of the vote. Tillis went on to defeat Democratic incumbent Kay Hagan that November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brannon also finished second to then-U.S. Sen. Richard Burr in the March 2016 GOP primary. Three months later, he ran for a Raleigh-area congressional seat but lost in the party primary. Born in a Los Angeles suburb to a single mother, Brannon attended the University of South California and ultimately finished medical school at a Chicago school. Eventually he moved to North Carolina and went into private practice in 1993. Later in life Brannon was the medical director and founder of a hormone replacement therapy company called Optimal Bio. Messages from mourners on the funeral home website recalled his medical work, in particular during complicated and challenging pregnancies. Brannon's funeral was held last Saturday at Cross Assembly Church in Raleigh. Brannon became an evangelical Christian as a young adult. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gregs goals were to teach people about the love of Jesus Christ, adore Jody, pour into his family, and make peoples lives healthier and happier, his posted obituary read. Survivors include his wife, Jody, seven children and two grandchildren, according to the obituary. The ambassadors of G7 countries have welcomed Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi's appointment as Director of the Economic Security Bureau of Ukraine (ESBU). Source: G7 Ambassadors Group on X (Twitter), as reported by European Pravda Details: On Wednesday 6 August, G7 countries congratulated Oleksandr Tsyvinskyi on his appointment as head of Ukraines Economic Security Bureau. Quote: "The welcome appointment by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine [the Ukrainian government ed.] is an important step for transparent and accountable leadership that strengthens the institution and enhances Ukraines business climate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Silence is no longer an option: the West must rethink its Ukraine policy Background: Earlier, Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko announced that Tsyvinskyi would be appointed head of the ESBU. His appointment had been blocked for a long time, reportedly due to concerns from the Security Service of Ukraine over his fathers Russian citizenship. Tsyvinskyi stated that he had not been officially informed of any such concerns and that the selection committee had resubmitted his documents to the government. Amid the controversy surrounding the independence of other key anti-corruption institutions, such as the National Anti-Corruption Bureau and the Specialised Anti-Corruption Prosecutors Office, several sources told European Pravda that the EU had begun raising questions about other reform-related steps, including the recent naming of the ESBU head, which followed a selection process. Despite anticipated positive decisions from the European Union in July, Kyiv launched an offensive against reforms. Read more about this in this European Pravda article. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard said the DOJ opening a grand jury investigation into the Trump-Russia collusion narrative is a step toward accountability. Gabbard joined "The Ingraham Angle" on Tuesday for her first interview since Attorney General Pam Bondi directed her staff to act on a criminal referral the DNI chief sent to her office in late July. "I met with the Department of Justice prosecutors today, and yes, they are committed to leaving no stone unturned as they conduct this grand jury investigation and find the truth," Gabbard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They have more questions, and they're gonna be really taking a deep dive into this, again, looking everywhere to find the truth and conduct this very serious investigation." White House Sends Mixed Signals In Russia Hoax Blame Game Fox News reported on Monday that Bondi directed an unnamed federal prosecutor to start legal proceedings, with plans to present evidence to a grand jury for a potential indictment, according to a letter from Bondi and a source familiar with the investigation. Read On The Fox News App The announcement comes after the attorney general announced the creation of a "strike force" to look into the evidence Gabbard and her team gathered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard alleges that Obama administration officials politicized intelligence and laid the groundwork for a "years-long coup" against President Donald Trump after he won the 2016 election. She claimed in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that former President Barack Obama and key members of his national security team, including then-CIA Director John Brennan and then-DNI James Clapper, fabricated a narrative about Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election to subvert Trumps presidency. Gabbard told Fox News host Laura Ingraham that, despite the improbability of Obama facing serious charges due to the Supreme Courts 2024 presidential immunity ruling, she wanted to release the declassified documents to protect the nations "integrity." "The integrity of our democratic republic depends on the American people knowing the truth about what actually happened and seeking that accountability, bringing about that accountability," said the former Democratic congresswoman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was not a one-off thing. This wasn't just, Oh, well, they fudged the lines a little bit. They created a lie and propagated that lie in order to try to undermine the person that the American people chose to be our president and commander-in-chief." An Obama spokesperson pushed back on Gabbards "outrageous" and "bizarre" allegations in a rare statement in July as attempted distractions. "Nothing in the document issued last week undercuts the widely accepted conclusion that Russia worked to influence the 2016 presidential election but did not successfully manipulate any votes. These findings were affirmed in a 2020 report by the bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee, led by then-Chairman Marco Rubio," the spokesperson said. Americans Should Be Aware Of Gabbards Dangerous Distraction With Revisionist History Of 2016 Election Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2020 bipartisan Senate Intelligence Committee report, backed by then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., found that Russia did not "hack" election infrastructure, such as changing votes or manipulating voting machines. It did, however, conclude that the Russian government worked to undermine confidence in U.S. democratic institutions and voting processes. Rubio, now the Secretary of State, said in a 2020 press release that the committees investigation did not find evidence that then-candidate Trump or his campaign colluded with the Russian government. Fox News David Spunt and Jake Gibson contributed to this report. Original article source: Gabbard meets with DOJ prosecutors as grand jury probes Trump-Russia collusion 'hoax' claims A longtime network morning show veteran believes Gayle King "has lost a lot of her leverage" as "CBS Mornings" is mired in third place with an ownership change looming. The FCC approved a long-planned, $8 billion merger between Paramount Global and Skydance Media last month which will soon place CBS News under new ownership. The deal, which is set to close Thursday, will see Skydance CEO David Ellison take control of the Tiffany Network and its struggling news division. Industry insiders believe Ellison, who was spotted sitting with President Donald Trump at a UFC event in April, will aim to eliminate the perceived liberal slant at CBS News. Ellisons team has already committed to appointing an ombudsman to oversee CBS News content, and staffers are bracing for other changes as Skydance honchos put their stamp on the network. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cbs Staffers Speculate On Gayle King's Future As Network Bosses Push 'Editorial Shift' On Struggling Am Show "CBS Mornings" co-host Gayle King reports for CBS Mornings live from the United Center in Chicago for the 2024 Democratic National Convention. This has put a spotlight on Kings "CBS Mornings," which has never seriously challenged NBCs "Today" or ABCs "Good Morning America" for any substantial length of time, instead settling for a perennial third-place finish among all relevant viewership measurables. "CBS Mornings," co-anchored by King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson, averaged 1.8 million total viewers during July, compared to 2.7 million for "GMA" and 2.4 million for "Today." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While third place is nothing new for CBS morning show, the program is also steadily losing viewers. "CBS Mornings" averaged 1.9 million viewers in 2025 through July 27, shedding 10% of the 2.2 million it averaged during the same time period in 2024. The ratings drop is even worse among the advertiser-coveted demographic of adults aged 25-54, as "CBS Mornings" has averaged 332,000 demo viewers in 2025a loss of a quarter of the 441,000 it managed in 2024. NBCs "Today" and ABCs "Good Morning America" have also lost viewers compared to the first seven months of 2024, but the declines are not as severe as the drop-off at CBS. Cbs Host Gayle King Insists Dei Means Definitely Earned It Gayle King kisses the ground after exiting the Blue Origin hatch. "CBS Mornings" has also lost 6% of total viewers and 18% in the demo when comparing its average audience since Election Day 2024 to the period before President Trumps victory over former Vice President Kamala Harris. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement King, who has long been the subject of often-unflattering tabloid fodder, has not helped "CBS Mornings" increase its audience despite the free publicity she generates by hobnobbing with A-listers. King is regularly on red carpets and often posts photos at lavish events. The high-paid anchor was photographed alongside Oprah Winfrey and Kris Jenner lounging on a yacht off the coast of Spain in July after attending Jeff Bezos $50 million wedding. In April, King drew criticism when she was part of an all-female crew for a 10-minute Blue Origin space flight. Some complained about the environmental impact, and others questioned if the brief flight was a worthwhile use of resources. The Blue Origin space flight gave "CBS Mornings" a brief bump, but the program has since lost 5% of its 2025 total viewers and 17% of demo viewers since the day King went to space. The ownership change has led to industry chatter that changes are inevitable, with much speculation around King and whether incoming executives will keep her around when her contract expiresreportedly in May 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Gayle is the only CBS News employee making eight figures, and shes gotten anything she wants for years, including choosing her executive producer [Shawna Thomas] and doing alienating coverage out of touch with the CBS viewer," a longtime network morning show producer told Fox News Digital. "Now that the numbers are slipping badly, Gayle has lost a lot of her leverage," they continued. "Combine that with her embarrassing space flight and her tasteless swanning around on David Geffens yacht last month with Kris Jenner, and shes due for a big pay cut and a comeuppance." King has also been a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), which is something Ellisons team has promised to dismantle at CBS. She also sparked backlash for taking a 2017 vacation with the Obamas while she worked on a show that covered politics. At the time, King insisted her trip to Tahiti alongside the former president was not political, but her cozy relationship with the former First Family helped tarnish the reputation of CBS Newssomething incoming management is believed to want to distance itself from. Gayle King Disappointed By Backlash To Blue Origin Flight, Accuses Critics Of Sexism Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A CBS News staffer recently told Fox News Digital that King is "insulated by her team," which includes Thomas. However, an "editorial shift" is being pushed by CBS News president and executive editor Tom Cibrowski and his No. 2, Wendy Fisher, the network's senior vice president of editorial. "Theyre changing story selection and tweaking the show some," the CBS staffer said. "I know Tom has been involved in the show heavily though," they continued. "He wants us to focus on stories outside of major cities and in the middle of the country. Stories that affect real people and that theyre talking about at home." The staffer believes the changes Cibrowski has implemented over the past couple of months are him "putting his mark on the division" and have nothing to do with the parent company Paramount's settlement with Trump or the Paramount-Skydance merger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September, "CBS Mornings" will ditch its studio in Times Square and return to CBS Broadcast Center on 57th Street in New York City. It remains to be seen what other changes are on the horizon once Skydance executives begin to put their mark on the division. CBS News did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Fox News Digitals Joseph A. Wulfsohn contributed to this report. Original article source: Gayle King's CBS Mornings struggles with ratings decline ahead of looming ownership change The BILD report focuses on a widely circulated photo of desperate Gazan women and children holding pots and pans in front of a food distribution site. There has been significant media attention over the last few days regarding reports by two German-language papers - BILD and Suddeutsche Zeitung - that accuse Gaza-based press photographers of staging photos of starving civilians. The issue of staged photos or photos taken out of context came to a head at the end of July when the Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) said that a picture of a Gazan youth being portrayed as starving is actually suffering from a genetic disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TheBILD report focuses on a widely circulated photo of desperate Gazan women and children holding pots and pans in front of a food distribution site. Except photos taken by others at the same site show that the hoard is actually standing opposite freelance photographer Anas Zayed Fteiha, commissioned by the Turkish news agency Anadolu, BILD argues. The pots and pans are not being held up to the food distribution site, but the photographer, which Bild claims is staging for means of propaganda. Undistributed photos show Gazans calmly receiving aid Additionally, BILD adds that his photos at the Gaza aid distribution site show mainly women and children, but that other photos at the same site show mostly adult men calmly waiting for and receiving food. Fteiha did not distribute these ones. "I assume that many of these pictures with starving and sick children are simply staged or come from other contexts," emeritus history professor and photography expert Gerhard Paul told SZ. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul, who has been researching images from Israel and Gaza for 25 years, said the photos are not fake, but "people are presented in a certain way or provided with a falsifying caption to mobilize our visual memory and emotions." Paul told SZ that he and his students at the University of Flensburg recreated the scenes from images of various wars in three dimensions in order to understand the situation depicted, which is often not easy to understand from the two-dimensional image. "Where is the photographer? Who is standing around him?" he asks. "What do the people depicted in the picture see? Do they see what we suspect, for example a food distribution? Or are they facing photographers?" "The images also have an additional function," Paul explained. "They are intended to overwrite the brutal images of the Hamas attack on October 7, 2023. Many people don't even remember these pictures. Hamas is a master at staging images." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, he stressed that the journalists and photographers in Gaza are in a dangerous position, and due to their proximity to Hamas terrorists, cannot move freely. "Little bypasses Hamas," Christopher Resch of Reporters Without Borders told SZ. Resch also told SZ that the concept of photographers staging photos is not unique to Gaza, and is not necessarily problematic. "I don't think it's reprehensible when a photographer instructs people to stand here and there with their pots," he said. "As long as it approximates reality." Nevertheless, BILD's report stressed that the photographer in question - Fteiha - is not exactly unbiased in his photojournalism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He posts videos to social media saying "f*** Israel" and works for a news agency that speaks directly to the Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan who has had ties to Hamas. As a result of the investigation, the German Press Agency and Agence France Press told BILD that they will no longer work Fteiha and would carefully check the pictures of other photo reporters as well, whereas Reuters says his photos "meet the standards of accuracy, independence and impartiality." "Despite his bias, his photos are published by major outlets like CNN, BBC, and Reuters," Israel's foreign ministry seethed in its response to the two reports. "With Hamas controlling nearly all media in Gaza, these photographers arent reporting, theyre producing propaganda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This investigation underscores how Pallywood has gone mainstream with staged images and ideological bias shaping international coverage, while the suffering of Israeli hostages and Hamas atrocities are pushed out of frame," the ministry concluded. The Jerusalem Post watched the video taken from the aid destruction site a few days ago, shared by Al Jazeera Arabic. It is worth noting that the same setting of the women and children with pots and pans is seen in the video, and they are receiving food, so it is possible that the photo by Fteiha was taken before the aid workers arrived. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Living in LA, Ive noticed a curious pattern unfold on the rare nights I go out: a few drinks in, one of my friends will usually pull out a pack of cigarettes. Its just a drunk cig, they say casually, slipping one between their lips. Its not something I do, like, regularly. Turns out, this isnt just in my social circleits a growing trend among Gen Z , a generation raised with full knowledge of cigarettes serious health effects. Coined the drunk cigarette on TikTok, many Gen Zers have openly embraced the habit as a nightlife staple. The idea, for some, is that the only time they smoke a cigarette is when theyre drinking, therefore creating a boundary between when they can have one and when they cant. Oftentimes, when the pack comes out and people light up, youll hear one refrain: drunk cigarettes dont count . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trisha, 23, from Washington, D.C., has also seen the drunk cigarette make an appearance on a night out. I smoke roughly once every three months, usually splitting it with friends who are passing them around, she says. Most of the time, Im not even finishing one. I think because vaping is so normalized, its exciting to people when a cigarette comes out. Despite the significant progress in reducing young adult smoking over the past two decadesin fact, only 11 percent of adults ages 18 to 29 smoke cigarettes, an all-time low in the U.S., according to a 2022 Gallup poll theres a clear recent uptick in nicotine use among Gen Z in the form of e-cigarettes, Zyns, and the occasional drunk cigarette, says Reza Ronaghi, MD, a pulmonologist at UCLA Health. But heres the thing: even infrequent smoking can lead to long-term dependence, especially when combined with other nicotine habits like vapingwhich can go on to affect nearly every system in your body. Heres what doctors want you to know. Meet the experts: Reza Ronaghi , MD, is a pulmonologist at UCLA Health. Narjust Florez , MD, is a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, co-director at the Young Lung Cancer Program, and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Michael Niederman , MD, is a pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. A Refresher: These Are Your LungsAnd BodyOn A Cigarette We all know cigarettes are harmfulbut what exactly happens inside your body when you light up? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cigarette smoking does a number of things, particularly to the heart and the lungs, says Michael Niederman, MD, a pulmonary and critical care medicine specialist at NewYork-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. Smoking is a well-known risk for cancer, but it also puts you at risk for coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, aortic aneurysms, heart attacks, and strokes. When you smoke, the combustion of both the tobacco and the paperand inhaling that combusted materialis very toxic to the lungs, Dr. Ronaghi says. And the risks arent limited to smokers themselves. Simply being around friends who are casually passing a cigarette can eventually pose serious health threats through secondhand smoke, he adds. Cigarette smoke causes two major long-term effects, especially with repeated exposure. The first: Damage to the alveolithe tiny air sacs in your lungs responsible for gas exchange. Over time and repeated exposure, smoking can lead to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), Dr. Ronaghi says. The secondand perhaps more life-threateningis the risk of lung cancer. People who smoke cigarettes are anywhere from 15 to 30 times more likely to develop the illness . That same combustion process that burns the tobacco and paper also produces a toxic cloud of carcinogens that directly harm lung tissue, says Narjust Florez, MD, a thoracic medical oncologist at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, co-director at the Young Lung Cancer Program, and assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. Theres tar, carbon monoxide, hydrogen cyanide, and benzenewhich causes cancer, including leukemia in cigarettes. And, while nicotine may not produce cancer directly, It does produce the addiction to cigarettes, she says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, how does lung cancer actually develop from smoking? When that toxic cocktail of chemicals enters your lungs, it sparks an inflammatory response, Dr. Florez says. When that happens, your cells try to escape the inflammation by transforming into more aggressive and resistant cells, and thats how cancer can develop. But thats not all. Over time, smoking damages the DNA within your cells, causing uncontrolled cell growth and opening the door for cancer to take hold. On top of that, smoking weakens the immune systems natural defense mechanisms. While every human makes cancer cells, our immune system normally has the capacity to identify the cancer cells and kill them, Dr. Florez says. But over time, smoking impairs this ability, making it harder for your body to spot and fight off those dangerous cells. Really, a cigarette affects nearly every system in your body , from your skin and nails to your fertility. It can make it harder to get pregnant, it can cause preterm labor, and even miscarriages, says Dr. Niederman. And, unfortunately, women seem to be more affected by cigarettes negative health impacts. Women could be more susceptible to some of the effects of cigarette smoking, Dr. Niederman says. It's particularly clear with heart disease where women probably have twice the risk of getting a heart attack than men if they smoke. So, yes. A drunk cigarette does count. Even one? Unfortunately, yes. Each cigarette you smoke shortens your life by an average of 20 minutes, according to a 2024 study in Addiction . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no definitive data yet on the exact harm of a once-a-month cigarettebut doctors agree its wise to err on the side of caution, especially because nicotine is so addictive, on par with substances like cocaine and heroin . Once-a-month cigarette users eventually turn into twice- or four-times-a-month users, Dr. Florez says. Even if you are sticking to a few times a month, research shows that light or intermittent smokers face nearly the same risk for cardiovascular disease as daily smokers. Light smoking is also linked with lower respiratory tract infections , cataracts , compromised reproductive health , and increased risk for ectopic pregnancy . If youre wanting to cut back on that drunk cigarette habit, its definitely not too late. We tell regular smokers that after approximately 10 years of smoke exposureas long as you dont smokeyour risk goes back to a normal population, says Dr. Ronaghi. In other words: the sooner you stop, the better. But even if youve already picked up the habit, your body is remarkably good at healing. So, the next time a friend offers you a cigarette after a few margs? Maybe think twice. Your future self will thank you. You Might Also Like The future of American politics might be decided by whether young voters get most of their news through TikTok. I dont mean to single out the Chinese-owned vertical video app here. TikTok is a stand-in for a bigger phenomenon in modern American society: passive news consumption and incidental exposure, or the sense that news and information find their way to people. As opposed to active news consumers who are seeking out information, want to keep up with current events, and are more engaged with politics passive news consumers encounter things in passing while scanning headlines on social media apps and video feeds or see and hear current events discussed by influencers on TikTok or their weekly podcasts. Politics might not be central to their lives. They might not be frequent voters. And so, they dont go out of their way to keep up with the latest developments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive been thinking about this active versus passive distinction a lot recently, because I think it describes a lot of what is happening with Gen Z. This cohort of voters has been particularly confounding as of late. They are a lot more Republican than young voters of the past generation, even though plenty of evidence suggested theyd be the most progressive generation yet. Gen Z turned out in high numbers last year and shifted hard toward the GOP (though a slight majority did still support Democrats). Although there are signs this turn is slowing down, it doesnt seem to be benefiting Democrats just yet. Of course, no group of voters is monolithic, and no single reason can explain this evolution among voters ages 18 to 29. But I think theres an overlooked, under-the-radar divide that could add some nuance to our understanding of Gen Z, why they are giving Democrats more trouble, and why they might continue to surprise both political parties. After tuning into focus groups of young Americans conducted by the Democratic research project Navigator and taking a look at accompanying survey data by the Democratic polling firm Global Strategy Group over the last six months, it is clear that the active versus passive information divide is becoming a big split among the youngest cohort of Americans. This divide might explain why Democrats misjudged their level of support among young voters and why Republicans will face trouble with them in coming cycles. Young Americans are disproportionately passive news consumers Even as alternative media consumption grows, algorithmically powered feeds take root, and the primacy of mainstream media continues to decline, Americans generally tend to belong more to the active news consumption category than the passive one. According to Navigators research, some six in 10 eligible voters fall into the active category, while four in 10 belong to the passive one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those trends hold for all age cohorts except for one: voters under 30. Some 58 percent of young voters say news comes to me. Its an anomaly. Majorities of other generations, including millennials and Gen X, say that they seek out news, while younger voters are more likely to consider themselves passive consumers of information. View Link There are other curious cross sections in this polling. Younger, passive news consumers tend to rely on social media websites like Facebook, X, and YouTube much more than broadcast television for their knowledge and awareness of politics when compared to young active consumers. The young passive group tends to prefer TikTok and Snapchat, while the active group prefers X. And more generally for passive news consumers, they tend to be non-voters or presidential-election-only voters for whom politics is really not important to their identities. Only about one in three would say politics is central to their lives. Put all these trends together, and you start to see a picture of a young voter cohort dramatically divided by how informed and engaged in politics they are. There are those who care deeply about politics, have strong ties to either the Democrats or the GOP, tend to vote in most elections, and actively seek out news and information. They happen to be a minority in Gen Z. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then, you have those who dont care for politics, call themselves political independents and moderates, tend not to vote, and get informed passively. They are the emerging silent majority. Ask them, and both might say they are well-informed. As the Navigator researchers put it in their recent report, no one is low information anymore; they exist in radically different environments and are hearing very different versions of reality. Passive news consumers helped Donald Trump and Republicans last year; Kamala Harris and Democrats had an edge with young, engaged, and active news consumers but they werent enough to outweigh the effect of passive, less engaged youth. This is a familiar problem for Democrats. In midterm, off-year, and special elections, Democrats tend to be helped by having an electorate more populated with frequent and better-educated voters than in presidential cycles. You can now add a new dimension to this phenomenon: their form of news consumption. This emerging divide is just starting to be seen The information gap isnt going away. Gen Z and millennials will be the largest eligible voting age groups of the electorate in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gen Z focus groups, with both college and non-college educated young men and women, show this divide in sharp focus. The college-educated group skewed Democratic, many of its participants tended to talk about politics as being more central to their lives, and they referred to themselves as cautious but active news consumers. Many referred to mainstream and legacy news sources to fact-check claims they hear and as primary sources of news they can trust. The other groups of non-college educated young men and women were made up disproportionately of passive news consumers. They reported much weaker ties to parties or ideologies, and very few mentioned that politics were a central part of their lives. They still felt well-informed on current events, and none cited traditional or mainstream news sources as the way they keep up with politics. Instead, what stood out to me was the varied kinds of tools they counted as sources of information: streamers, newsletters, Reddit, comments sections on short and longer-form YouTube videos, and AI-powered news summaries. View Link Overall, not a lot of news seems to be breaking through and sticking with the passive Gen Z participants, aside from generally negative views on the economy (and, at the time, the drama following the Epstein Files). They are upset with the state of the country under Trump, but they arent turning to or really hearing from Democrats in response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These seem to be the kinds of voters that could play a decisive role in future elections. They are a majority of Gen Z, so will become a bigger part of the eligible voting pool. Its not at all a given if they will vote, but if 2024 showed anything, it was that these Gen Zers can be persuaded and activated in numbers large enough to impact elections something that should be concerning for both political parties and their future candidates. If Navigators own efforts are any indication, at least some Democrats are trying to make the rest of their party aware that they have a big problem with passive Gen Z consumers. Navigator, for example, is encouraging Democrats to center a more progressive and populist message on economics, affordability, and wealth inequality as a way to break through to these kinds of voters. Republicans, meanwhile, seem to be leaning into culture war messaging still through social media messaging, programs led by groups like Turning Point USA and the Young Republicans National Federation, and right-wing podcasters and influencers. Its too early to tell which will be more successful, but the wager for passive young news consumers may end up turning out big electoral rewards. Disillusioned by the lefts empty promises, Gen Z women are abandoning social and political institutions and pursuing aesthetically conservative lifestyles. But can conservative institutions meet them where they are? Gen Z women are often branded as hyper-liberal and cut off from tradition. But the data tells a more complicated story. In 2024, 40% of women aged 18-24 were religiously unaffiliated, a sharp rise from 29% in 2013. Just 36% of Gen Z women say they have some or a great deal of trust in organized religion. Broader institutional trust is also low. Just 41% of Gen Z adults express trust in the federal government, 37% express trust in news organizations, and 53% express trust in the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Young women arent just skeptical of institutions - they are also increasingly dissatisfied with the lifestyles promoted by the progressive party. A 2009 study on female happiness since 1970 found that despite social and economic gains, womens self-reported happiness had fallen both in absolute terms and relative to men. A more recent report from 2019 found women who adhere to socially conservative norms report higher levels of satisfaction and sense of meaning in their lives. Though Gen Z women still lean left politically, with 53% identifying as Democrats, their declining happiness points to a growing gap between progressive promises and lived experience, one that may be pushing them toward more conservative values in practice, if not in name. Nowhere is this push clearer than in the explosion of the conservative aesthetic online and the popularity of right-leaning media influencers. Even as trust in institutions is collapsing, trends for homemaking and modesty are spiking, and influencers without gender studies degrees - such as Alex Clark, Brett Cooper, Allie Beth Stuckey, and Candace Owens - are gaining millions of female followers by providing what progressive institutions cant: a vision of life grounded in truth, beauty, and community. Data analysts and outlets alike report a surging interest in "tradwife" content and search terms like "modest fashion" and "stay-at-home wife." Ideas that once would have been dismissed as regressive are now resonating with millions of women who feel the feminist script didnt deliver on its promises. The Young Womens Leadership Conference, hosted by Turning Point USA, celebrates its 10th year, uniting 3000 women from around the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Platforms like Evie Magazine and The Conservateur lack major media backing, yet they too are gaining cultural influence - with over 221K and 127K Instagram followers respectively, in addition to a growing readership of their published content. Their appeal isnt political - its existential. For many Gen Z women, lifestyle conservatism is more than a brand. Its survival. The question is: Will conservative institutions give them what they need? The right cant afford to mistake this movement for a trend. What Gen Z women are embracing isnt just a Pinterest mood board or a vintage filter of discontent. Its a reorientation toward things that last. And while conservative media has celebrated the aesthetic, many institutions have yet to offer real infrastructure to support the lifestyle behind it. If a young woman decides to step off the career treadmill and prioritize marriage, motherhood, or homeschooling, where does she go for guidance, support and community? If shes leaving behind the lefts vision of freedom-as-isolation, who is prepared to meet her with a vision of freedom-as-rootedness? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Too often, the answer is "no one." Political campaigns promise to defend the family, but do little to support women who are choosing to build one. Churches have become weak, losing the strong community they are called to foster, leaving countercultural women to navigate life alone. Conservative nonprofits fund student activism but overlook the massive influence of womens lifestyle content. There is a vacuum of formation, and its being filled - just not by most formal institutions. Thats not a criticism. Its a call. Conservative institutions - churches, media, think tanks - must do more than applaud this shift. They must steward it. That means discipling young women with depth, not just aesthetics; offering community, not commentary; investing in policies and structures that make family, faith, and freedom viable. Its time to stop reacting and start rebuilding - because the hunger is already there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gen Z women were promised empowerment, but ended up exhausted. They were told to chase freedom and found themselves lost. Now, many are quietly rejecting the noise and walking toward meaning. Will conservative institutions walk with them, or miss the moment entirely? Anna Mays is a Young Voices contributor and economics graduate from Grove City College. She writes on the intersection of economics, culture, and faith. A tank maneuvers near the Israel-Gaza border, May 15, 2024 (photo credit: AMIR COHEN/REUTERS) In the poll, 43% of respondents said they believed Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian civilians. Meanwhile, 28% said they disagreed, and 29% said they were not sure. More than four in 10 Americans believe Israel is committing a genocide against Palestinian civilians, according to the latest Economist/YouGov poll. The survey, conducted August 1-4, uncovered a striking partisan and generational divide, with Democrats and younger Americans being far more likely than Republicans and older adults to say a genocide is taking place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes nearly two years into Israels war in Gaza, which has claimed the lives of more than 55,000 Palestinians according to Gazas Hamas-run health ministry. According to the United Nations, any of the enclaves 2.1 million inhabitants now face famine and starvation. As the war draws on and the civilian death toll mounts, multiple human rights organizations and a handful of US lawmakers have characterized the events in Gaza as a genocide an assertion that Israeli officials have forcefully rejected. Is a genocide taking place? In the poll which sampled 1,702 US adults 43% of respondents said they believed Israel is committing genocide against Palestinian civilians. Meanwhile, 28% said they disagreed and 29% said they were not sure. IDF soldiers operating in the Gaza Strip, August 1, 2025. (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) This question exposed a deep cleavage between the political Left and Right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost two-thirds of Democrats (65%) assert that Israel is committing genocide, while only 8% disagree. In contrast, just 19% of Republicans believe a genocide is occurring, with nearly half, 49%, rejecting that characterization. Independents fell in between, with 48% agreeing that genocide is taking place and 25% saying it is not. A similar rift emerged along generational lines, with 54% of 18-29-year-olds describing Israels actions as constituting genocide and 38% of those 65 and older saying the same. The survey, which has a margin of error of 3.3 percentage points, indicates public opinion on the question of Israeli genocide has shifted slightly since the outbreak of war. In a November 2023 YouGov poll, 34% of Americans said Arabs in the Gaza Strip were victims of a genocide, while 32% disagreed and 35% said they did not know. A larger share, 39%, said Jewish people in Israel were victims of a genocide. More on genocide claims In recent weeks, there has been significant public debate over whether or not Israel is committing a genocide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UN defines genocide as acts perpetrated with the goal of destroying in entirety or in part a racial, religious, national or ethnic group. These acts encompass killing or causing serious harm to members of the group as well as imposing living conditions designed to bring about their destruction. On August 4, BTselem, an Israeli human rights group, released a report concluding that a genocide is taking place in Gaza. Israel has been leading a systematic policy for almost two years, with clear and visible outcomes: entire cities erased, the healthcare system shattered, educational, religious and cultural institutions destroyed, more than two million people forcibly displaced, and masses killed and starved, the report said. That is precisely the definition of genocide. Around the same time, a second Israeli group, Physicians for Human Rights Israel (PHRI), reached the same conclusion. As evidence, it pointed to what is described as a deliberate and systematic dismantling of Gazas health and life-sustaining systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement South Africa, in December 2023, also officially accused Israel of committing genocide in a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case is ongoing. Meanwhile, while some US lawmakers have ramped up their criticism of Israel, most have refrained from categorizing the events in Gaza as a genocide with notable exceptions including Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene, a Republican, and Rashida Tlaib, a Democrat. In a July interview, Sen. Bernie Sanders refrained from using the term genocide, describing it as a legal term. He added, What is going on now clearly is absolutely horrific But the important point is not what you call it it is horror the answer is what the hell do we do about it? Other US lawmakers have rejected claims of Israeli genocide more forcefully, including Republican Sen. Lindsey Graham, according to NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I want to be crystal clear on my thoughts regarding the catastrophe in Gaza: I blame Hamas 100%, Graham wrote on X/Twitter on July 29. If you want this suffering to end, call on Hamas to lay down their weapons and their leaders to take safe passage out of Gaza. Israeli officials have also vehemently opposed accusations of genocide and other crimes. Georgetown University researcher Badar Khan Suri reached a partial settlement with the Trump administration so he can return to his job while the federal government seeks his deportation. Suri was arrested outside of his apartment in March as the Trump administration targeted pro-Palestinian foreign students and faculty, alleging he had ties to Hamas. Suris legal status in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, a reporting system that gives information about international students and faculty to the Department of Homeland Security, was taken away. The agreement restores his status retroactively to when it was revoked, including for his children, and allows Suri to return to work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration agreed not to terminate the status again unless a newly discovered, independent legal ground is found for revocation, in which case the federal government will give Suri a 21-day notification. The deal, however, does not end deportation proceedings against Suri or settle the question of whether the government violated his rights. The Trump administration can seek to continue the case to kick Suri out of the country. Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on the social platform X at the time of Suris arrest that he was actively spreading Hamas propaganda and promoting antisemitism on social media. Suri has close connections to a known or suspected terrorist, who is a senior advisor to Hamas. The Secretary of State issued a determination on March 15, 2025 that Suris activities and presence in the United States rendered him deportable under INA section 237(a)(4)(C)(i), she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Georgetown said the institution was not aware of any criminal activity from Suri. We support our community members rights to free and open inquiry, deliberation and debate, even if the underlying ideas may be difficult, controversial or objectionable. We expect the legal system to adjudicate this case fairly, the school said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Brief The goal is to improve traffic flow between the MARTA North Springs Station at Exit 5C in Fulton County and Exit 12 in Forsyth County. Anyone with a Peach Pass will be able to use the lanes, which will operate similarly to existing express lanes on Interstates 75, 85, and 285. According to the Department of Transportation, this project is expected to save Atlanta commuters a total of 19,000 minutes per day. FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - The U.S. Department of Transportation announced it is providing Georgia with a multi-million-dollar loan to add express lanes on Georgia 400 and enhance MARTA operations in the area. Georgia 400 construction What we know The loanup to $3.8 billionwill be awarded to a partnership between GDOT, the State Road and Tollway Authority and State Route 400 Peach Partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New lanes will be added in both directions along a 16-mile stretch of Georgia 400. The goal is to improve traffic flow between the MARTA North Springs Station at Exit 5C in Fulton County and Exit 12 in Forsyth County. Peach Partners will also contribute $75 million toward future bus rapid transit improvements. MARTA will operate the future BRT system, which is expected to share the express lanes for approximately 12 miles. Anyone with a Peach Pass will be able to use the lanes, which will operate similarly to existing express lanes on Interstates 75, 85, and 285. The project includes a $3.8 billion concession fee from Peach Partners to GDOT, which can be used to help fund other roadway projects as part of the public-private partnership agreement to design, build, finance, operate, and maintain the express lanes. The project is expected to be mostly complete by 2031. New Georgia 400 lanes Dig deeper GDOT has posted renderings of the lanes on its YouTube channel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More information is available on the Peach Partners website. Saving commuters time Why you should care According to the Department of Transportation, this project is expected to save Atlanta commuters a total of 19,000 minutes per daythats about 15 minutes per traveler, according to the DOT. This is reportedly the largest loan ever awarded to a single borrower by the DOT. The Source Information in this article came from a press release by the U.S. Department of Transportation. By Felix Light TBILISI (Reuters) -A Georgian court on Wednesday sentenced journalist Mzia Amaglobeli to two years in prison for slapping a police chief in a case seen by activists as symbolic of diminishing freedoms in the South Caucasus country. Amaglobeli, a founder of two independent media outlets, was convicted by a court in Batumi, Georgia's second city, for slapping the official during a protest in October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A video of the incident, published by Georgian media, shows her engaged in heated conversation with the police chief, Irakli Dgebuadze, before slapping him lightly across the face. Her defenders say it was not serious enough to constitute assault under Georgian law. The New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called the sentence "outrageous". In court this week, Amaglobeli called the charges "malicious" and "insulting", according to Georgian media. Unexpectedly, the judge on Wednesday downgraded the charge from assaulting a police officer to using violence against a protector of public order, which carries a lighter sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia, previously one of the Soviet Union's most democratic successor states after winning independence in 1991, has been roiled by more than a year of protests against the ruling Georgian Dream party, which critics say is steering the country in an authoritarian and pro-Russian direction. Amaglobeli's allies say her treatment contrasts with the failure to prosecute those behind a violent crackdown on protesters last year. A joint statement by 24 Western diplomatic missions including European Union countries, Canada and Britain condemned Amaglobeli's sentencing and the "escalating intimidation of journalists". Among those present in the courtroom were diplomats from the European Union and Germany, France and Poland, as well as former Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili, a critic of the ruling party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgians have taken to the streets nightly since November to voice opposition to a government decision to halt accession talks to the European Union, a reversal of a longstanding national goal in the country of 3.7 million. The protests have shrunk in size in recent months and most of the country's prominent opposition leaders have been jailed for refusing to appear in front of a parliamentary commission they have dismissed as a front for pro-government propaganda. (Reporting by Felix Light; Editing by Mark Trevelyan) The Brief Georgia Trust criticizes GSU's plan to demolish historic 1926 building. The site is part of the MLK Jr. Landmark District and Places in Peril list. GSU plans to replace it with greenspace for its College Town Downtown project. ATLANTA - The Georgia Trust for Historic Preservation is speaking out against Georgia State Universitys plan to demolish a nearly century-old building at 148 Edgewood Avenue SE, calling the decision "short-sighted" and a threat to Atlantas historic fabric. What we know The building, constructed in 1926 by the Georgia Railway and Power Company, is listed on the Georgia Trusts 2025 Places in Peril list and is a contributing structure to the Martin Luther King Jr. Landmark District a nationally recognized historic area. GSU, which acquired the building in 1966 and once used it for academic purposes, now plans to tear it down to make way for greenspace as part of its College Town Downtown initiative and to expand its Fraternity and Sorority Life Plaza. What they're saying Georgia Trust President and CEO W. Wright Mitchell criticized the move, saying, "Georgia States decision to destroy this building, which is structurally sound and architecturally significant, is mystifying. This is especially true since GSU simply intends to use the area for greenspace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Georgia Trust also pointed out that the decision contradicts GSUs own 2014 Campus Historic Preservation Plan, which identified the building as "worthy of long-term preservation and investment" and suggested it could be "adaptively used to meet the Institutes educational mission." "By removing this building from the Landmark District, GSU will erode the significance of the district and eradicate a tangible link to our citys past," Mitchell said. "The Georgia Trust condemns GSUs short-sighted decision not to adaptively reuse this property in a manner that could benefit Georgia State students and the city of Atlanta." The Trust warns that demolishing the building will not only erase a historic structure but will also damage the integrity and character of the surrounding neighborhood. The other side GSU says it wants to create a green space for students, faculty and staff. The university says it will use bricks from the building in the new park and dedicate a mural to 148 Edgewood. The plan is part of the university's redevelopment project dubbed "College Town Downtown," according to RoughDraft Atlanta. BERLIN (Reuters) -Germany's coalition government plans to cut state benefits for newly-arrived Ukrainian refugees, a draft law seen by Reuters showed on Wednesday, which could result in 100 euros ($116)less per month per refugee, according to estimates. Ukrainian refugees arriving in Germany benefit from the European Union's Temporary Protection Directive, which enables them to directly claim welfare benefits without going through the asylum process. Under the draft bill, Ukrainians arriving in Germany from April 1, 2025, would no longer receive Citizen's Allowance but instead receive benefits under the Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act, which are lower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are around 1.25 million refugees from Ukraine living in Germany, and around 21,000 entered the country for the first time in connection with the Russian invasion between April 1 and June 30, 2025, according to government figures. The draft law requires cabinet and upper house of parliament approval before coming into effect by the end of the year. Germany has long been debating what level of support Ukrainian refugees should receive, as it struggles to make savings on welfare spending, with Bavarian Premier Markus Soeder on Sunday calling for all Ukrainian refugees, not just new arrivals, to be excluded from the higher benefits. Approximately 64.1% of the labour agency registered Ukrainian nationals in July 2025 were not employed, including those jobless, in courses, or receiving employment-related support. ($1 = 0.8590 euros) (Reporting by Riham Alkousaa and Holger Hansen; Editing by Alexandra Hudson) The German government has drafted a bill that would reduce social benefits for Ukrainians who have just arrived in the country, in line with agreements within the coalition. Source: Reuters, as reported by European Pravda Details: Under the draft law, Ukrainians arriving in Germany from 1 April 2025 will no longer receive Burgergeld (from German money for citizens). Instead, they will be granted lower-level assistance as asylum seekers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The adoption of the law could lead to a reduction of around 100 per month for each Ukrainian refugee in Germany. This decision would affect at least 21,000 Ukrainians the number who entered Germany between 1 April and 30 June 2025. The bill still needs to be approved by the German government and the upper house of parliament before it comes into effect. Background: Germany has long debated what level of support Ukrainian refugees should receive. The coalition agreed that for those arriving from 1 April, the assistance would be reduced. Minister-President of Bavaria Markus Soder called for the exclusion of all Ukrainian refugees not only new arrivals from the programme for increased benefits. However, this proposal did not gain broad support among his coalition partners. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! ACCRA, Ghana (AP) A military helicopter crashed in Ghana on Wednesday, killing all eight people on board, including the West African country's defense and environment ministers and two other top officials, the government said. The crash was one of Ghanas worst air disasters in more than a decade. The Ghanaian military said the helicopter took off in the morning from the capital, Accra, and was heading northwest into the interior toward the gold-mining area of Obuasi in the Ashanti region when it went off the radar. The wreckage was later found in the Adansi area of Ashanti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cause of the crash was not immediately known, and the military said an investigation was underway. Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed were killed, as well as Samuel Sarpong, vice-chair of the National Democratic Congress ruling party, Muniru Mohammed, a top national security adviser, and the four crew members. Mourners gathered at the Boamah's residence as well as at the party's headquarters, and Ghanas government described the crash as a national tragedy. State media reported that the aircraft was a Z-9 helicopter that is often used for transport and medical evacuation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An online video of the crash site shows debris on fire in a forest as some people circle around to help. In May 2014, a service helicopter crashed off Ghana's coast, killing at least three people. In 2012, a cargo plane overran the runway in Accra, the capital, and crashed into a bus full of passengers, killing at least 10 people. ___ Associated Press writer Chinedu Asadu in Dakar, Senegal, contributed to this report. ___ APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa Ghanaian authorities have taken possession of a luxury car allegedly linked to proceeds of crime from popular musician Charles Nii Armah, better known as Shatta Wale, following a request from the US. The 2019 Lamborghini Urus is allegedly tied to the criminal enterprise of Ghanaian Nana Kwabena Amuah, who is serving a seven-year jail term in the US for fraud. Wale denies knowledge or connection with the jailed Ghanaian, saying he is a "third-party owner" of the car. "I don't know who shipped [it] to the country," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shatta Wale is one of Ghana's best-known stars and collaborated with Beyonce on the song Already which featured on her 2019 Lion King album. Wale took to social media to criticise the authorities over the recovery of the bright yellow Lamborghini, questioning why officers stormed his home with guns. "Bringing guns to my house was uncalled for," the dancehall artist wrote on his social media page, accusing the agency's chief executive of humiliating him. Wale said he had bought the car for $150,000 ($113,000) and that he had presented supporting documents to the officers. The Lamborghini is expected to be returned to the US "as part of [Amuah's] $4.7m restitution", Eoco said, adding that the FBI and the US Justice Department intended to formally ask for mutual legal assistance for its return. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said the car had been retrieved in a civil manner without any incident. "It is a standard safety protocol for officers of the surveillance and asset recovery unit to carry weapons whilst on operation for their safety," Eoco said in a statement. Wale was later allowed to personally surrender the car, which is now in Eoco's custody. US court records indicate that Amuah and his co-conspirators had impersonated vendors to defraud nearly 70 public and private organisations across the country. They tricked entities into wiring money into bank accounts controlled by the group through shell companies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2023, Amuah was sentenced to 86 months in prison and the car was reportedly one of the items flagged as part of restitution to victims. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Ghislaine Maxwell has been banned from playing with puppies at the soft-touch prison she was transferred to last week. The British socialite and former girlfriend of Jeffrey Epstein was quietly moved from a low-security prison in Tallahassee, Florida, to a less stringent minimum-security facility in Bryan, Texas. Described as a luxury jail by Epsteins victims, Federal Prison Camp (FCP) Bryan allows inmates to play with puppies under a partnership with Canine Companions for Independence to train service animals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The programme, which involves prisoners playing with puppies throughout the day and even sleeping with them in their cells, is said to boost the inmates morale, provide them with a sense of responsibility and improve overall behaviour, according to the charitys website. However, Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking underage girls for Epstein, is prohibited from joining the programme owing to the nature of her crimes. Maxwell will never be allowed [to] raise or train a Canine Companions service dog puppy, a spokesman for the programme told The Telegraph. Our prison programme policy includes requirements for eligibility, many of which involve the individuals conviction. None of our incarcerated volunteers have been convicted of a crime involving children, animals, or of a sexual nature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FCP Bryan, located 100 miles outside of Houston, is home to 635 inmates, according to the prisons website. Most of its intake is serving time for non-violent offences and white-collar crimes. Ghislaine Maxwell is now serving her sentence at Federal Prison Camp Bryan in Texas - CJMAR/The Mega Agency The prisons high-profile inmates include Elizabeth Holmes the founder of Theranos, a fraudulent blood-testing company and Jen Shah, a reality television personality. Ms Maxwell is believed to be the only person detained at the facility for crimes related to sex trafficking. The highly unusual decision to move her without the involvement of the US Marshals service, which usually deals with interstate inmate transport, came after Maxwell spoke with Todd Blanche, the deputy attorney general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over two days of questioning, Mr Blanche quizzed Maxwell about Epsteins links to a string of powerful individuals, including Donald Trump, former president Bill Clinton and Bill Gates, according to multiple reports. Trump under pressure Mr Trump, who on Tuesday said he was not made aware of the move, is under extreme pressure from his supporters to release all government records on Epstein. He faces increasing pressure from supporters and foes alike, amid widespread conspiracy theories that the disgraced financier was killed to stop his client list of powerful associates from being released. Epstein died by suicide in 2019 and did not possess a client list, the DoJ and FBI concluded last month, as they refused to make files public or release any more information. Inmates at FCP Bryan have complained about Ms Maxwells arrival, with one prisoner saying they are disgusted by the prospect of spending time behind bars alongside a sex offender. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julie Howell, 44, who is serving a one-year sentence for theft, previously told The Telegraph that every inmate Ive heard from is upset shes here. This facility is supposed to house non-violent offenders, she said. Human trafficking is a violent crime. As a mother of a sex-trafficking victim, Im absolutely disgusted shes in this facility. Regardless of her reasoning, I dont think she belongs here. FCP Bryan was approached 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. Ghislaine Maxwells legal maneuvering with Donald Trump took another twist Tuesday, as she begged a federal judge not to unseal grand jury transcripts related to Jeffrey Epsteins casesomething the president ordered be done last month. Maxwell, who was just transferred to a relatively cushy prison camp after meeting with a Justice Department official, indicated in a court filing that she has not yet viewed the full grand jury testimony from Epsteins case. The convicted sex trafficker said that, having no clue what may have been said about her or her former boyfriend, she must oppose Trumps demand that the grand jury testimony be unsealed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not, her motion read. Whatever interest the public may have in Epstein, that interest cannot justify a broad intrusion into grand jury secrecy in a case where the defendant is alive, her legal options are viable, and her due process rights remain. The DOJ said in 2021 that Ghislaine Maxwells 20-year prison sentence held her accountable for perpetrating heinous crimes against children, which prosecutors successfully argued she carried out alongside Jeffrey Epstein. / Government handout The Justice Department said in a filing Monday night that much of the Epstein grand jury testimony was already made public previously. That hinted that Trumps order for the unsealing, which he made on the same evening that The Wall Street Journal published a report that accused him of once writing a birthday letter to Epstein, may have been more for show than substance. Maxwell was convicted of sex trafficking and conspiracy in 2021 for perpetrating heinous crimes against children, the DOJ said at the time. She is approximately four years into a 20-year prison sentence, but is in the process of appealing her conviction. Given that she is actively litigating her case and does not know what is in the grand jury record, she has no choice but to respectfully oppose the governments motion to unseal it, wrote her lawyers, David Oscar Markus and Melissa Madrigal, in Tuesdays motion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors use grand jury testimony to determine whether official charges should be brought against a suspect. This allows for evidence that is not typically viable in a criminal trial to be brought forward and considered, which, Maxwells attorneys note in her motion, may include hearsay or other claims not backed up by hard evidence. Ghislaine Maxwell, left, rubbed elbows with some of the worlds most powerful people while she and Jeffrey Epstein dated. That included the couple being friends with President Bill Clinton, who they were photographed with (above) in 1993. / Ralph Alswang/William J. Clinton Presidential Library and Museum Such proceedings are kept secret to protect the reputation of individuals who are not yet formally charged, and also to encourage candid testimony. However, Maxwell has already been convicted, and it appears she fears grand jury testimony may further harm her long-shot hopes of winning an appeal. Trump has faced immense pressure from his MAGA base regarding his ties to Epstein, who once said on tape that he believed he was Trumps closest friend. The two men, who both frequented New York and Palm Beach, Florida, were photographed together multiple times over the years. Donald Trumps decades-long relationship with Ghislaine Maxwell has come under fresh scrutiny in recent weeks. / New York Daily News Archive / Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images) Trump also appears in many photographs with Maxwell. When pressed on whether he might consider pardoning her, he has refused to rule it out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwells transfer from a low-security prison, where she spent her nights in a locked jail cell, to a minimum-security prison camp, where inmates live in open dormitories and participate in a puppy program, has accelerated theories that Trump is giving Maxwell preferential treatment and may consider pardoning her. Critics suggest Trump is hoping that his treatment of Maxwell may lead her to provide testimony to Congress that puts an endor softensgrowing conspiracies that he was involved in, or knowingly looked past, her and Epsteins trafficking of children for rape and molestation. Maxwells attorneys did not respond to a request for comment Tuesday. NEW YORK (WTVO) Ghislaine Maxwell told the Department of Justice that she never saw President Donald Trump do anything concerning in her presence, according to ABC News. Maxwell was interviewed by Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche last month, for nine hours over two days. The DOJ is reportedly considering releasing transcripts of that interview, possibly as soon as this week. Maxwells lawyer said his client was asked one hundred different people, and said she didnt hold anything back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with Newsmax, Trump was asked if the transcripts of Blanches interview should be released. He responded, saying, I dont know, because I havent spoken about it, but hes a very talented guy, Todd Blanche, and a very straight shooter, and I think he probably wanted to know, you know, just to get a feeling of it, because wed like to release everything, but we dont want people to get hurt that shouldnt be hurt. And I would assume that was why he was there. I want to release everything. I just dont want people to get hurt. Jeffrey Epsteins former girlfriend wants to keep grand jury records secret in the sex trafficking case that sent her to prison, her lawyers said Tuesday as prosecutors continued urging a court to release some of those records in the criminal case-turned-political fireball. Maxwell hasnt seen the material herself, her attorneys said the grand jury process is conducted behind closed doors. But she opposes unsealing what her lawyers described as potentially hearsay-laden transcripts of grand jury testimony, which was given in secret and without her lawyers there to challenge it. Most of the information was made publicly available at trial or has otherwise been publicly reported through the public statements of victims and witnesses, prosecutors wrote in court papers Monday. They noted that the disclosures excluded some victims and witnesses names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors had also said last week that some of what the grand jurors heard eventually came out at Maxwells 2021 trial and in various victims lawsuits. There were only two grand jury witnesses, both of them law enforcement officials, prosecutors said. Prosecutors made clear Monday that theyre seeking to unseal only the transcripts of grand jury witnesses testimony, not the exhibits that accompanied it. But they are also working to parse how much of the exhibits also became public record over the years. While prosecutors have sought to temper expectations about any new revelations from the grand jury proceedings, they arent proposing to release a cache of other information the government collected while looking into Epstein. The transcript faceoff comes six years after authorities said Epstein killed himself while awaiting trial on sex trafficking charges and four years after Maxwell was convicted of grooming underage girls to participate in sex acts with him. The British socialite denied the allegations and has appealed her conviction, so far unsuccessfully. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Ghislaine Maxwell said that she never saw Donald Trump do anything that would cause concern, during her hours-long meetings with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche over the Jeffrey Epstein case, according to ABC News. The Trump administration is considering whether to release the transcript from Blanches meetings with Maxwell last month, ABC News reported. CNN first reported that the meeting was recorded and is being digitized. The White House has been trying to contain fallout from the so-called Epstein Files for weeks after a Justice Department memo concluded there were no more significant disclosures to be made in the case. Vice President JD Vance is holding a strategy meeting with other top officials Wednesday evening to work on their handling of the Epstein case, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amid calls for increased transparency from across the political spectrum, Blanche met with Maxwell at a Florida courthouse for two days in July. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls with Epstein. Her attorneys have taken an appeal of her conviction to the Supreme Court. She was asked about maybe about 100 different people. She answered questions about everybody and she didn't hold anything back, her attorney David Oskar Markus said of her meetings with Blanche. She never invoked a privilege. She never refused to answer a question. So were very proud of her. Donald Trump did not do anything that would cause concern, Ghislaine Maxwell reportedly told the deputy attorney general, Todd Blanche, last month (NBC News) Blanche met with Maxwell in Tallahassee, Florida, where she was being held in federal prison. Earlier this week, she was moved to a minimum-security prison camp in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president was asked Tuesday if he had personally approved Maxwells transfer. I didnt know about it at all. I read about it just like you did, he said. Its not a very uncommon thing. Trump and Epstein were friendly in the 1990s and early 2000s and were seen together at parties in Palm Beach and New York. Trump called Epstein a terrific guy" in a 2002 New York Magazine article, and flight records show that he flew on the financier's private jet. Their friendship dissolved around the mid-2000s. After Epstein's arrest on sex trafficking charges in 2019, the president told reporters he hadn't spoken to him in 15 years. A Mar-a-Lago member told the Miami Herald that Trump had Epstein kicked out in 2007 after the financier "harassed the daughter of a member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has repeatedly called Epstein a "creep." Last week, Trump revealed that he had ended his friendship with Epstein after he stole young female employees from his private club. Trump has never been formally accused of wrongdoing or charged with any crime in connection with the Epstein case. To try to quell the uproar over the Epstein Files, the president directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to release any and all pertinent grand jury transcripts from the Maxwell and Epstein criminal cases. Bondi filed requests with the courts to release the transcripts, which are under seal. Experts say these documents only make up a small portion of the files related to the investigations. Maxwell, however, is opposed to unsealing the grand jury transcripts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With her petition pending before the Supreme Court, her lawyers argued that releasing the raw transcripts would inevitably influence any future legal proceeding and cause severe and irrevocable reputational harm. Maxwell has never been allowed to review the documents, they said in a Tuesday memo to the court. Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in a sex trafficking scheme to abuse girls with Epstein. (US Department of Justice) The judges overseeing the cases previously asked the government to address legal questions before they can consider releasing them. On Monday, the DOJ gave the judges annotated versions of the transcripts, identifying what information is not publicly available. However in an attached memo, Bondi admitted that much of the information in the transcripts is already in the public domain. The enclosed, annotated transcripts show that much of the information provided during the course of the grand jury testimonywith the exception of the identities of certain victims and witnesseswas made publicly available at trial or has otherwise been publicly reported through the public statements of victims and witnesses, Bondi wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attorney general also noted that the government has provided notice about its requests to unseal transcripts to all but one of the victims referenced in the documents. The Government still has been unable to contact that remaining victim, she wrote. Annie Farmer, a survivor of Epstein who testified at Maxwells trial, voiced her support for unsealing the transcripts with redactions to protect victims information in a letter to the judges overseeing the New York cases. "Given the magnitude and abhorrence of Epstein and Maxwells crimes, unsealing the grand jury transcripts is not just appropriate, it is necessary to understand the full scope of the abuse and those who enabled it, Farmers attorneys wrote in a Tuesday filing. Farmer called the DOJs decision not to investigate uncharged third parties in connection with Epstein as a cowardly abdication of its duties to protect and serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two other Epstein survivors criticized the Trump administrations handling of the case earlier this week. The victims remained anonymous and filed their letters in the New York case related to the late sex offender. The latest attention on the Epstein Files, the Client List is OUT OF CONTROL and the ones that are left to suffer are not the high-profile individuals, IT IS THE VICTIMS. Why the lack of concern in handling such sensitive information for the victims sake? one wrote in a Monday filing. Another wrote: Dear United States, I wish you would have handled and would handle the whole Epstein Files with more respect towards and for the victims. I am not some pawn in your political warfare. The administrations handling of the case has been under heightened scrutiny since the Justice Department released its July 6 Epstein memo, in which the DOJ confirmed that Epstein died by suicide and stated there was no evidence to support the existence of a client list of high-profile individuals involved in his alleged sex trafficking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The memo put to an end months-long anticipation for new information in the Epstein case. In February, Bondi had released Phase 1 of the files, a tranche of documents that included mostly publicly available information. She also suggested that the client listwas sitting on her desk. Parts of Trumps MAGA base and prominent lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called for heightened transparency around the Epstein files. Those calls grew louder after the Wall Street Journal published a report last month claiming that the president drew a sexually suggestive 50th birthday card for Epstein in 2003. Trump has vehemently denied making the card and sued the Journal in a $10 billion defamation case. The Wall Street Journal also reported that DOJ officials told the president in May that his name, among many others, had appeared in the Epstein Files. Being named in the files does not suggest any wrongdoing. The presidents name was reportedly redacted from documents as the administration prepared for their potential public release, Bloomberg reported last week. After years of rider complaints about ghost buses buses that show up on transit tracker apps but fail to arrive in real life the CTA has started publicly sharing data about canceled bus runs. The data is available on the CTAs online bus tracker at ctabustracker.com, CTA spokesperson Manny Gonzales said. The CTA has not yet started sharing canceled bus information on its ticketing app, Ventra, which also has a bus and train tracking function. Gonzales said the agency was working with the Ventra team to make the information available there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third-party Transit app has begun using the agencys data to alert riders when a scheduled bus has been canceled, the Chicago Sun-Times first reported Monday. The Transit app has been marking canceled bus runs with a strike-through, said the apps policy lead, Stephen Miller. Hopefully this allows people to have a lot more confidence whenever they take CTA to know if and when their bus is coming, Miller told the Tribune. Over the last several years, ghost buses have been a source of frustration for some riders. Because the tracker apps rely on both real-time and scheduled service data, they sometimes display arrival times for buses that are not actually coming. The ghost bus issue was particularly severe in the immediate aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, leading exasperated transit activists to post stickers on bus stops around the city asking Tired of being ghosted by the CTA? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, the transit agency attributed the unreliable service to staffing shortages which it says have since largely eased. The agency said it has since reduced the number of canceled trips. The CTA started testing the canceled bus data-sharing late last year, according to the agencys social media. Gonzales said the CTA started consistently publishing the cancellation data garage-by-garage in May, with data from buses at all CTAs garages online by early July. The CTA is also working on publishing canceled train information, he said. In the future, the CTA also plans to make public data about where buses on detours have been rerouted. In a statement, the CTAs acting president, Nora Leerhsen, described the new cancellation data as a critical step in transparency. Leerhsen said she was looking forward to our continued implementation of data-informed, technological initiatives that empower our riders. The change comes as the CTA, along with the regions other mass transit agencies, are facing an impending budget deficit in the hundreds of millions of dollars. If state lawmakers dont find more funding for transit soon, the agencies have warned, they could be forced to slash up to 40% of service next year. SILVER CITY, N.M. (KRQE) In Silver City, theres a nonprofit thats been rehabilitating birds and mammals for over 45 years. Gila Wildlife Rescue is an organization ran by Dennis and Denise Miller, who aim to release animals back into the wild after theyve been through the rehab process. They care for anywhere between 150 to 300 animals a year. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dont have any educational animals that we keep long-term or anything like that, Dennis explains. Everything goes back out into the wild. All of our facilities are in our backyard. It has three large flight cages, including a 100-foot flight cage for eagles and things. Although the rescue is permitted to rehabilitate all wildlife, they primarily focus on birds of prey including eagles, hawks, falcons, owls, and even vultures. Some common culprits for New Mexico specifically include great-horned owls, red-tailed hawks and Swainsons hawks. A bird could need rehabilitation for a variety of reasons. During the spring and summer, the rescue keeps busy with babies who either get blown out of their next during a windstorm, or get pushed out of their nest due to it being too full. The rest of the year, the rescue primarily sees injuries. That could include an animal being hit by a car, being shot, or being poisoned. Outside of that, there are cases of disease including West Nile virus and avian influenza. Gila Wildlife Rescue is partnered up with New Mexico Game and Fish, as well as El Paso Zoo. The veterinarians out there [at El Paso Zoo] run a wildlife rehab program for raptors just like we do, but they dont do any of the rehabilitation. They just do the initial care. And so for about 10 or 15 years now, we have received all of their birds to rehabilitate, said Dennis. And even though were almost three hours away in Silver City, we take our serious injuries to them for surgery and things like that. In over four decades worth of rehabilitating animals, Dennis said one of his favorite success stories stems back to when he got a call while he was teaching a biology class. A man had hit a golden eagle close to Silver City on his way to work. When Dennis got out there, it took him over an hour to find the bird. When he did, he said heard another eagle in the area, but didnt think much of it at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, there was a transport system set up for sending injured birds via plane to a veterinarian in Espanola. But when Dennis got to the flight at Grand Canyon Airport, the plane was too full for the injured eagle. That was until a good Samaritan stepped in A gentleman sitting there waiting to fly out overheard us. And so he asked the lady at the desk if possibly we could let the bird, you know, strap it into his seat and hell take the next flight tomorrow, said Dennis. So he gave up his seat. And it flew up there and got surgery, only because he was strapped to the passengers seat. The eagle successfully underwent surgery and the entire rehabilitation process, and when Dennis went to release the bird at its original site, it reunited with another eagle the one Dennis had heard during the initial rescue. Thats one of many stories for Gila Wildlife Rescue. Recently, Dennis and Denise published a book, Keeping Them Wild, highlighting those stories. Its a fairly detailed book with a section in the back on both raptor and carnivore diversity in southwest New Mexico, which is pretty incredible on how diverse the area is of wildlife, Dennis explains. And so it goes to a lot of the different species that are in our area and kind of connects them to our experiences weve had with them in rehabilitating them. Theres also hundreds of bird photographs taken by Denise in the book. The rescue runs entirely off of donations, with no state nor federal funding. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CHICAGO A 16-year-old girl was stabbed and seriously wounded in the citys South Loop neighborhood. The stabbing happened around 9:50 p.m. Tuesday on the 1100 block of South State Street. Police said preliminary investigation indicates the girl was in a verbal altercation with another person when she was stabbed multiple times. Search efforts to resume Wednesday for missing swimmer at reservoir in northwest suburban DuPage County Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was transported to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she is listed in serious condition. No one is in custody. Area Three Detectives are investigating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Multiple international human rights and journalism advocates on Wednesday sharply condemned the conviction and two-year prison sentence of independent Georgian journalist Mzia Amaghlobeli as the well-known media manager seeks an appeal amid declining health. As of this year she gained the distinction as the first woman journalist to be jailed in the eastern European nation of Georgia since its 1991 independence from the former Russian Soviet Union. "The proceedings were riddled with procedural violations and bias," Denis Krivosheev, the deputy director for Eastern Europe and Central Asia of Amnesty International, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amaghlobeli, a co-founder of independent media outlets Batumelebi and Netgazeti, was said to be unlawfully detained hours before her Jan. 12 arrest in Georgia's western city of Batumi for allegedly slapping the city's police chief in a dispute during peaceful local protests against government policy. According to Krivosheev, the court "refused to admit much of the defense's submissions and investigate credible allegations of ill-treatment by police officials." Georgian authorities charged her on three separate counts, including "attacking a police officer." In addition, "insulting and resisting arrest" and "damaging the appearance of a building" with a protest sticker. "I will not bow to this regime," Amaglobeli wrote in February during pre-trial detention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Global human and civil rights organizations said Amaglobeli's seven-month trial was largely politicized, unfair, full of procedural irregularities and called for independent inquiries to look into the allegations. Last month, Georgian tax authorities seized the Batumelebi and Netgazeti bank accounts. "We condemn this arbitrary decision at the end of a trial marked by irregularities," Jeanne Cavelier, head of the Eastern Europe and Central Asia desk for the France-based Reporters Without Borders, said Wednesday. "The charges are disproportionate, as a slap does not constitute a criminal offense, and her two-year prison sentence represents a new step in the government's use of the justice system to silence critical voices," Cavelier stated, calling on the Georgian government to "put an end to this travesty of justice" and further called for Amaghlobeli's immediate freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Georgia ranks 114th out of 180 nations in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index. On Friday, ex-Georgian President Salome Zurabishvili was present in court for proceedings during two-day hearings along with diplomats from eight foreign embassies in support. Appalling - but unsurprising - news from Georgia today.#MziaAmaglobeli sentenced to 2 years' imprisonment. Mzia is a tenacious journalist & a visionary publisher. I am proud to act as international counsel. I & my Georgian & international colleagues will now be taking urgent... pic.twitter.com/rLGX1tf42P Caoilfhionn Gallagher KC (@caoilfhionnanna) August 6, 2025 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Amnesty's Krivosheev said Amaghlobeli had been subjected to "a litany of abuses" at the hands of police in Russia's former soviet satellite state and "must receive a fair trial." Mzia Amaghlobeli was "verbally assaulted, spat on, injured and then refused medical help," he continued. "This was admitted by police officers during her trial, yet impunity has prevailed." On Wednesday, the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists called her conviction "outrageous" but confirmed Amaghlobeli plans to seek an appeal of her conviction. "The outrageous two-year sentence meted out to widely respected journalist Mzia Amaglobeli is emblematic of Georgia's increasing use of authoritarian tactics to strike fear into the independent media," Gypsy Guillen Kaiser, CPJ's chief global affairs officer, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, CPJ claimed Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze has sought to "smear" Amaglobeli as its Ministry of Internal Affairs has consistently refused to issue any comment. "Georgian authorities must end their persecution of Amaglobeli by not contesting her appeal and investigating alleged rights violations during her detention," Kaiser said. Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s shock decision to cancel nearly half a billion dollars worth of research projects because theyre based on mRNA technology horrified vaccine experts Tuesday, among them President Donald Trumps own former surgeon general. Jerome Adams, who served as the nations 20th surgeon general during Trumps first term, warned on social media that the decision will have very real negative consequences. Ive tried to be objective & non-alarmist in response to current HHS actions but quite frankly this move is going to cost lives, he wrote. mRNA technology has uses that go far beyond vaccines and the vaccine they helped develop in record time is credited with saving millions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adams ended the missive with the head exploding emoji. Ive tried to be objective & non-alarmist in response to current HHS actions but quite frankly this move is going to cost lives. mRNA technology has uses that go far beyond vaccines and the vaccine they helped develop in record time is credited with saving millions. https://t.co/xUntdhoJJK Jerome Adams (@JeromeAdamsMD) August 6, 2025 In another thread, Adams blamed politicized messaging around vaccination during the coronavirus pandemic for leading to a widespread public misunderstanding of what vaccines actually accomplish. People believed that if you get this vaccine you wont get COVID, said Adams, when the real aim was to prevent severe cases of the disease. Messenger RNA, or mRNA, technology has potential far beyond COVID. At Emory University, for instance, researchers are looking into using mRNA technology to train the immune system to cure cancer and chronic infections, thanks to a $24.8 million federal grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The three-year program was funded by the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, or ARPA-H, which Kennedy merged with the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA, in March only to announce Tuesday hed be pulling the funding for BARDAs mRNA investments. The inaugural director of ARPA-H, Dr. Renee Wegrzyn, was fired by the Trump administration in February amid mass layoffs at the Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Tiba Biotech, another research company that saw its HHS contracts terminated Tuesday, is investigating using mRNA to combat tick-borne diseases. Thanks to climate change, more ticks are surviving through warmer winters, leading to a sharp increase in tick-borne illnesses. Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, told The Associated Press the decision on mRNA research is a historically bad one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think Ive seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business, he said. Related... Donald Trump and Republicans are nervous about the 2026 midterms. The presidents polling numbers are very bad (despite what he claims), and it doesnt seem like Americans are thrilled with his lackeys in Congress who have supported the administrations assault on Medicaid and other social services, his hardline immigration crackdown, or his chaotic approach to the economy. Democrats only need to flip a few seats to win back control of the House of Representatives, which would allow them to block Trumps legislative agenda and launch investigations into his administrations rank corruption. Trump and Republicans have responded by trying to game the system, including by attempting to worm their way into state election infrastructure, and, most notably, by pushing Texas Republicans to redraw the states legislative map and take seats away from Democrats. The situation exploded this week, with Democrats fleeing the state to block the GOP from enacting the change. Heres everything you need to know: What is gerrymandering? States redistrict their electoral maps every 10 years, after the national census, so that congressional districts can reflect the states population. These redistricting efforts are supposed to comply with anti-discrimination laws outlined in the Voting Rights Act of 1968, and the Constitution mandates districts to have approximately equal populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing these maps in order to favor a certain political party. When a district is gerrymandered, its boundaries are intentionally drawn to include or exclude specific subsets of voters sometimes down to a street level in order to tip the scales toward one party. Since voters dont typically get a say in how their electoral map is drawn, gerrymandering is essentially the practice of a party choosing its own electorate in order to guarantee favorable outcomes for themselves. What are Republicans trying to do in Texas? States are not supposed to redistrict for another five years, but Trump is pushing Texas to do it now. The states Republican-controlled legislature has responded by proposing a new map that would likely give them five new seats by drawing conservative voters into districts currently held by Democrats, without endangering any Republican districts. The new map was concocted during a special session Governor Greg Abbott called last month under the guise of bolstering the states response to devastating flash floods in early July. The most notable item on the agenda, however, was a speed revision of the states already heavily gerrymandered district map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a five-alarm fire, whats happening in Texas, Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas), chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told Rolling Stone last month. Donald Trump has already said that if he does this to Texas, he wants to do this all across the country. The state legislature still needs to vote on the map before its official. The special session Abbott called last month is slated to end on August 19. How have Texas Democrats responded? They outright left the state. Texas law requires at least two thirds of the 150-representative state legislature to be present in order to establish the quorum necessary to conduct business. On Sunday afternoon, over 50 Democratic members of the state legislature fled to Chicago in a last-ditch effort to block their GOP colleagues from approving the redrawn map. Its not the first time such a strategy has been used by the states Democratic minority. In 2021, Texas Democrats holed up in Washington, D.C., for six weeks to try to block the passage of Texas current district map which remains tied up in legal battles over accusations of gerrymandering. Following the 2021 quorum break, Texas Republicans passed legislation imposing heavy fines and penalties on lawmakers who leave the state to break quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) have threatened to arrest and prosecute the truant lawmakers, as well as anyone who assists them in avoiding a return to Texas. The legislature voted on Monday to issue civil arrest warrants for the Democrats who bolted (these are not enforceable in Illinois, where the Democrats are staying), and Abbott instructed the Texas Rangers to investigate fleeing Texas House Democrats for potential bribery and any other potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum. Abbott said on Tuesday that state officers are on the streets looking for Democratic lawmakers who did not show up for a quorum but are still in the state. He also claimed that he could move to remove these Democrats from office and hold elections to replace them. How have Democrats responded around the nation? House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) traveled to Texas to meet with state legislators before they fled the state, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is hosting the Democrats that fled, and governors of other prominent liberal states seem to recognize that the party needs to start fighting fire with fire. Governor Gavin Newsom is rallying Democrats in California behind a plan to redraw the states congressional map and have voters approve it before the midterms. Legally, we can do it. Politically, we must do it, said Democratic gubernatorial candidate Xavier Becerra. Katie Porter, another gubernatorial candidate, also supports the plan. Texas Republicans are leaving us no choice, she told CNN. They are tinkering with the rules of our democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York Governor Kathy Hochul, too, has signaled that she supports redistricting in the state should Texas redraw its map, and lawmakers introduced a resolution to amend the states constitution and allow them to redraw the map in the middle of the decade. New York used an independent commission to redistrict for the first time after the 2020 census. It was a disaster. The commission failed to agree on a plan, leading to years of back-and-forth between the commission, the legislature, and the courts. Im tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back, Hochul said this week amid talks of amending the states constitution, a move that could lead to a new congressional map by 2027. With all due respect to the good government groups, politics is a political process. Vice President J.D. Vance, meanwhile, is reportedly headed to Indiana this week to meet with Governor Mike Braun about gerrymandering the states map as part of the tit-for-tat with Democrats. What are Trump and Republicans saying? Trump has been pushing Texas Republicans to redraw the map in order to bolster his chances of retaining control of Congress after the midterms. There could be some other states, were going to get another three, or four, or five in addition. Texas would be the biggest one. Trump said in July. Just a simple redrawing, we pick up five seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president weighed in again on Tuesday, after Democrats fled the state, telling CNBC that he is entitled to five additional seats in Texas, citing his performance in the election. We have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats, he said. We have a good governor and we have good people in Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats. I dont know, host Joe Kernan replied. I have to check on that. Aaron Blake of The Washington Post quickly pointed out on X that the 56 percent Trump won in Texas in 2024 is not even close to the highest margin ever, ranking 15th, historically. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. A viral video claiming to show a catastrophic aquarium collapse in California that killed more than 50 people is fake. There have been no verified reports of such an incident in the state, and no law enforcement or emergency agencies have issued alerts or statements related to an aquarium disaster. The video, which shows a large indoor tank bursting and flooding a public space, quickly spread across social media platforms. It also drove a surge in Google searches on Wednesday as users sought to verify the footages authenticity, according to Google Trends. A screenshot of trending Google searches in California on Wednesday, Aug. 6 (Google Trends) Many social media users questioned whether the clip was artificially generated, with some pointing out the use of AI-generated imagery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the video is fictional, it may have been inspired by a real event. In December 2022, Berlins AquaDom aquarium, a 46-foot-tall cylindrical tank inside a Radisson Collection Hotel, ruptured, injuring two people and releasing nearly 264,000 gallons of water and 1,500 tropical fish into the surrounding area, according to The Associated Press. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Nearly six decades after Congress established the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB) to steward the federal governments investment in public broadcasting, Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress have killed it. Last week, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting announced that it will begin winding down its operations at the end of the fiscal year on September 30, 2025. Most of its staff positions will be eliminated, although the organization specified that a small transition team will remain through January 2026, to ensure a responsible and orderly closeout of operations. This follows the GOP Congress July approval of the White Houses request to claw back nearly $1.1 billion in federal funding for the organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the extraordinary efforts of millions of Americans who called, wrote, and petitioned Congress to preserve federal funding for CPB, we now face the difficult reality of closing our operations, CPB President and CEO Patricia Harrison said in an August 1 statement. Now, for the first time in more than half a century, Americans will see what the public media landscape looks like without a private, nonprofit funding entity like the CPB to level the playing field. As many reports have pointed out, PBS and NPR, along with their news flagships, PBS NewsHour and All Things Considered, will not disappear. But that should not be reassuring, since we dont yet know the extent to which those productions will be affected by the loss of grant funding. Financial support from the CPB and other federal sources accounts for 15% of PBS overall funding, with the majority of this amount allocated to its more than 330 member stations. NPR derives around 1% of its annual budget from those sources. The rest comes from an array of private funding sources, including corporate underwriters and, yes, viewers and listeners like us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometime this fall, however, the public may start to notice that the schedules for their local stations have become a little less varied, or that NPR content from some of the 1200 stations that currently carry it is no longer available. Thats because most of the funding CPB distributes goes directly to local TV and radio stations, which those stations use to pay licensing fees and dues to carry nationally distributed programs. To say conservatives have threatened Americas public media for most of its existence isnt an exaggeration. Republicans didnt start by targeting the CPB, however. The original object of the partys ire was the Public Broadcasting Service, established two years after Congress established the CPB in 1967. PBS officially went on the air for the first time on October 5, 1970. Immediately, it distinguished itself by bringing high-quality programming such as Julia Childs The French Chef and Sesame Street into homes across the country. But the real problems began in 1973, when the service broadcast gavel-to-gavel prime-time coverage of the Watergate hearings, earning the enmity of President Richard Nixon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nixon long expressed his disdain for what he perceived to be the network news liberal bias, but ABC, NBC and CBS arent taxpayer-funded. PBS received federal funding through the CPB, leading the GOP to question whether the government should be in the business of funding national news coverage. The service doesnt operate like other broadcasters, in that it isnt a network of affiliated stations. Most of the long-running shows we closely associate with the brand are produced by separate member stations functioning as independent non-profit entities. The Boston-based GBH Educational Foundation, for example, produces and distributes several public TV standards, including Frontline, Nova, American Experience and Masterpiece. D.C.s WETA-TV produces and distributes NewsHour and Washington Week. New Yorks WNET-TV is the production home of Nature, Great Performances, Live from Lincoln Center and many other titles. In other large cities, member stations may be affiliated with universities or other local institutions. On its face, then, CPBs defunding represents a victory no other Republican president or Congress could pull off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Producing stations located in deep blue cities may receive larger CPB grants by count, although that money tends to make up a smaller portion of their budget. But as the heads of CPB, PBS and NPR have separately warned, the real loss will be in rural areas like Eureka, Californias KEET-TV. CPB funding accounts for nearly half of its operating budget. The stations manager recently told CalMatters he cannot truthfully say that the station will survive without the $847,000 it was counting on. And Eureka is not a community with the same number of deep pockets as, say, New York, Los Angeles or Seattle. In 2023, its population was just over 26,300. While funding for public media is built on a combination of private and public support, the argument that philanthropists and other major donors will swoop in to cover the $1.1 billion shortfall created by the CPBs destruction is wishful thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Never mind the potential perils that relying on private capital poses to editorial independence. That theory doesnt account for the health of stations in rural communities where public radio newsrooms funded by CPB grants provide the sole local source of weather, emergency alerts and other critical updates. Republican strongholds arent immune, either. Alaska Public Media president and CEO Ed Ulman, who testified at the House Subcommittee on Delivering Government Efficiencys hearing in March, has sounded the alarm ever since regarding the harm that would be done in remote markets like his. For stations in Ulmans state, CPB funding supports emergency communications and reliable, fact-based community journalism. These are essential services. Sadly, in places like Kodiak, Alaska, station KMXT-TV will be starved of resources. A representative told the Associated Press it will lose an estimated 22% of funding from its budget. Deep red Idahos Boise State Public Radio, meanwhile, received 20% of its annual funding for 2024 from CPB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPB funding allows public media stations to pool resources towards satellite interconnection, emergency alert systems, music licensing and development of educational programs, all of which would be too expensive for stations to do on their own, reads a statement on its website. And, as Ive previously written, defunding CPB will affect children in low-income communities the most. The organizations grants funded early education material and programming thats now at risk of disappearing. The AP also reported that Mississippi Public Broadcasting is eliminating a streaming channel that airs PBS childrens programming like Caillou and Daniel Tigers Neighborhood. There are many ways to respond to all this, including shrugging off the downsizing of public media as a product of market forces. The media landscape is defined by evolution, and eliminating the CPB funding model that worked well enough for 58 years will surely force changes in the ways that PBS and NPR operate. But that shift should not come at the expense of the people they serve. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Past and present heads of PBS and National Public Radio have long sustained that their main purpose is to ensure communities all around the country have access to top-quality educational programming and reliable, non-partisan news and information. PBS distributes much more of the former than the latter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the right-wing canard concerning left-wing bias persists regardless of the many polls conducted by nonpartisan organizations that have affirmed public radio and televisions status as top among the United States most trusted institutions. Sadly, many of the people who benefit most from resources the CPB provides will miss them most acutely once they disappear. Ive been doing this job for long enough to remember my peers arguing that public media outlived its usefulness even two decades ago. After all, what need do viewers have of PBS childrens programming when we have it on the Disney Channel and Nickelodeon? I also remember somebody pointing to the popularity of (and this will date me) Horatio Hornblower on a pre-Duck Dynasty A&E as evidence that the world has moved on from Masterpiece. That example also dates from a time when TLC stood for The Learning Channel instead of being the home of Dr. Pimple Popper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The counterpoint to this is that PBS programming costs American taxpayers $1.60 per year. Now it will cost us nothing beyond what youre willing to contribute to your local member station, including subscribing to PBS Passport and NPR+, or donating to stations that are hanging on by a thread. We get what we pay for, but we should never forget that the deal we enjoyed for decades is a lot better. The post The GOPs assault on public media will hit rural America the hardest appeared first on Salon.com. Republicans went home for the summer with a plan to sell President Donald Trumps big, beautiful bill to their constituents. Some are starting to find that voters arent buying it. In the latest display of backlash, audience members jeered Nebraska Rep. Mike Flood at a Monday town hall, shouting Liar! and You dont care about us! over the two-term lawmaker as he made the case for the megabill, which Trump signed into law last month. By the end, chants of Vote him out! threatened to drown out his closing comments. Such scenes of angry constituents confronting lawmakers are nothing new. They were commonplace in 2009 as Democrats pressed forward with a health care overhaul and in 2017 when Republicans sought to undo it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This time around, there is a fierce debate underway about whether the town hall explosions are part of a genuine backlash to GOP governance in Washington one that could presage another wave election as seen in 2010 and 2018 or just another reflection of Americas political polarization. Many Republicans are dismissing the outbursts, concluding they have been choreographed by Democrats and groups aligned with them and do not reflect genuine voter sentiment. Some including Trump have claimed without evidence that paid protesters are responsible. I think Democrats have been organized to actually act out in town halls, and I think if youre going to have a town hall where youre inviting people to come in with the intent of protesting, thats what youre going to get, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said Tuesday. But left-of-center activists say the GOP dismisses voters outrage at their peril. Groups might be helping to publicize and organize protests around lawmakers events, they say, but that is merely harnessing a real grass-roots backlash to what Republicans are pursuing in Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say the level of energy and grassroots anger at Congress is at a higher level of intensity now than it was in 2017, and I think that's evidenced by just the numbers that you're seeing on the ground, said Ezra Levin, the co-executive director of Indivisible,a progressive organization that came to prominence organizing protests that year. Evaluating the competing claims has grown more complicated because Republican lawmakers, on the whole, have been doing fewer events in the classic town hall format in-person, with an open attendance policy. With the GOP megabill still in its initial stages earlier this year, the chair of the House GOPs national campaign committee explicitly urged members not to hold in-person town halls during congressional breaks. But recently, with the legislation now signed into law, the party committee urged members to get out and sell the bills benefits. Even then, some Republicans say they plan to shy away from the type of town hall that Flood held on Monday open mic, on a college campus in a relatively liberal corner of his district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Aaron Bean of Florida, who represents a solid Republican district, said he has a busy recess schedule speaking to small GOP and civic groups. But he said he is passing on scheduling the larger public forums. Only people who have never supported me want me to do a town hall, he said. Bean insisted he wasnt insulating himself from criticism he said hes fielded plenty of skeptical questions on tariffs from constituents who work in affected industries. But he said the only negative feedback he has heard on the megabill is "from left wing lunatics who want a place to protest. Rounds said he prefers to hold smaller coffees as opposed to a free for all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I make it very clear: One, its going to be organized, and two, if you want to shut the coffee down, just act out and well just shut it down for everybody else, he said. On the other hand, if you want to ask straightforward questions or hard questions, thats fine, but were going to act like adults. National Democrats, however, argue that Republicans who are opting for more controlled events are shirking their responsibilities as public officials and obscuring the popular backlash to the GOPs domestic agenda. Town halls are about more than just politics, they're about good governing, which Republicans clearly dont care about, said DCCC spokesperson Viet Shelton, who added that the recent outbursts are made-for-TV, viral examples of how unpopular and politically toxic the megabill is for Republicans. Trump administration officials remain confident that the megabills benefits will more than offset any costs felt by voters, especially those in GOP strongholds like Floods Nebraska district. They ascribe the angry questioning and heckling to partisan plants and say Republican lawmakers just need to keep on the attack Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All it is is a Democrat op," said one senior Trump adviser granted anonymity to discuss the backlash. The person added that Trump and congressional Republicans' approval ratings versus those of Democrats have the White House feeling bullish on the party's chances in the midterms. Recent polling does in fact show the Democratic Party with rock-bottom approval ratings, though it remains to be seen if that will translate into GOP votes. Democrats hold a narrow lead in the RealClearPolitics polling average for the generic congressional ballot. NRCC spokesperson Mike Marinella similarly said that GOP town halls were being hijacked into choreographed Democrat theater packed with left-wing activists and said the manufactured outrage exposes just how desperate Democrats are to distract from their toxic agenda and failing candidates. Audience members weren't screened ahead of Floods event, according to Taylor Gage, a spokesperson for the lawmaker. Flood has no plans to abandon the town hall format, Gage added, but Mondays was the third of three such events he usually hosts each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Nebraska Democratic Party publicized attendance details for Floods event on its social media channels. Before the event Monday, it posted, Voters of #NE01, you know what to do! But Chair Jane Kleeb said Republicans were indulging in conspiracy theories by suggesting that attendees were paid or protested out of anything other than their own genuine outage and are otherwise out of touch with how deeply their cruel cuts are angering the public. Democrats have sought to weaponize GOP members reticence to hold town halls. Local progressive groups have organized events to go on with or without their GOP representatives participation, and some congressional Democrats are undertaking summer tours of Republican districts. One such member, Rep. Yassamin Ansari of Arizona, said she planned on bringing their stories with me back to D.C. even if their own representatives won't." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the volatile politics of town halls can swing both ways. Several House Democrats have faced their own backlash at events earlier this year from voters angry about the Gaza War and what they have seen as weak pushback against Trump. The same night as Floods town hall, three people were arrested at a Renton, Wash., event held by Democratic Rep. Adam Smith, according to local news reports. I don't know if Congress knows what's coming for them, Levin said. I would say that applies to Republicans because they are backing up Trump. It also applies to Democrats who are refusing to fight back and are headed into a primary season. Jordain Carney, Lisa Kashinsky and Jake Traylor contributed to this report. CORRECTION: An earlier version of this story misspelled the name of Flood spokesperson Taylor Gage. Rep. Kevin Kiley, R-Calif., is promising that "all options are on the table" to try and stop states from creating a nationwide fight over redistricting congressional maps. "It creates a lot of instability if you're just constantly shifting the lines on the map around so that, you know, representatives are losing constituents, losing communities, gaining new ones. People elect one person as their representative, and then suddenly that person is representing an entirely different area," Kiley told Fox News Digital in an interview Tuesday. "It's just total chaos. It's not good for representative government. It's not good for constituents. It is not good for Democrats or Republicans." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Republican spoke with Fox News Digital hours after introducing a bill that would block states from shifting the boundaries of their current congressional districts ahead of the 2030 census. Beto O'rourke Drops F-bomb As He Urges Dems To 'Meet Fire With Fire' Against Gop Redistricting Plans In Texas Rep. Kevin Kiley, right, said his new bill to block nationwide redistricting was primarily motivated to stop California Gov. Gavin Newsom. Texas Republicans are currently mounting a push to redraw the Lone Star state's congressional map. President Donald Trump, who supports the effort, said it would give the GOP as many as five new seats in the House of Representatives. Read On The Fox News App California Democrats have launched their own redistricting bid in response, with Gov. Gavin Newsom signaling he's ready to wield the Democratic supermajority in the state legislature to push a special election for voters to decide on new congressional maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several states, both with Republican and Democratic majorities, have since followed suit in threatening their own redistricting efforts. When asked if he thought the issue began with Texas, however, Kiley pointed out that Newsom's bid would require sidelining the state's independent redistricting commission. California is one of eight states that has an independent commission charged with redrawing state maps, according to a chart by Loyola Law School. Gop Lawmakers Clash Over Strategy To Avert Government Shutdown Crisis "What Newsom is doing is unique because he is actually trying to abolish an independent commission that currently exists and exercise a power that he doesn't actually have, and to override the will of voters in the process," Kiley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That being said, I don't love what's happening in Texas, or I don't like the idea of this happening anywhere else in the country." Kiley said he'd already spoken with House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., about his bill, but would not discuss the details of their conversation. California's push comes in response to a similar effort by Texas Republicans. "I made it very clear my view on this and what I think he needs to do. And I'm hoping that he'll do the right thing," Kiley said. He said at another point, "This is an issue that affects our Republican conference and all of this is not popular among Republican members of our conference but it's also a matter of the House as an institution. And he, as the leader of the House, I think, needs to show some leadership." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Johnson, for his part, has yet to weigh in on Texas and California, as well as the wider redistricting fight across the country. The Louisiana Republican has been on a congressional delegation trip to Israel for several days while the issue exploded onto the national stage. But when asked if he saw a realistic path to getting his bill passed, Kiley told Fox News Digital, "I'm ready to use any and all legislative tools available to get the bill to the floor." Schwarzenegger Pushes Back Against Newsom In Redistricting Fight "The easiest way to do that would be for the speaker to do the right thing and get behind it. But I'm going to fight in every way I can to get it approved, because this is a matter that's of tremendous importance for the country," Kiley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's of particular importance to my state, and I'm not a lot about to let the governor, you know, go down this incredibly destructive road that will do grave damage to democracy in California." He did not rule out mechanisms to force a vote on his bill, like a discharge petition or a privileged resolution, if House leaders did not act. "We need to get this passed. We need to stop Newsom. And we need to bring this chaos to an end," Kiley said. Kiley vowed to use "all legislative tools" if Speaker of the House Mike Johnson does not put the bill up for a vote. Any such action would have to wait until early September at the earliest, however. Congress is currently in its annual August recess, when lawmakers are back in their home districts connecting with constituents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiley said he was not "super concerned about my own seat," noting he won re-election by a healthy margin. Indeed, Kiley won re-election in California's 3rd congressional district by double-digits in November 2024 even outpacing Trump, who won the area by 3% over former Vice President Kamala Harris. But Kiley said he was confident his bill would pass and argued House colleagues on both sides of the aisle disapprove of what's happening in California, Texas and nationwide. "People almost universally do not like the idea of suddenly overhauling district lines in an unscheduled mid-decade redistricting," he said. "I mean, I know that's true of the Republican members in Texas, that they don't want to see their district, you know, completely changed overnight, communities that they've represented, that have repeatedly chosen them as their representatives. And that's pretty universally true." Fox News Digital reached out to Johnson and Newsom's offices for comment but did not immediately hear back. Original article source: GOP congressman vows 'all options are on the table' to stop US-wide redistricting war FIRST ON FOX: Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., is calling on his state to join the growing fight over the country's congressional maps with eyes on the one Democrat in his delegation. Norman told Fox News Digital on Wednesday that he wants the South Carolina General Assembly to redraw its district lines, which he argued is more in line with the Palmetto State's Republican majorities in the statehouse and state Senate. "We have Republican supermajorities in South Carolina. Let's use them to create more competition in our congressional seats. I have no doubt Republicans can be successful in every part of our state," Norman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Norman, who is running for governor, said that would make South Carolina's seats in the House of Representatives "more competitive" and that it would "move our House delegation from 6-1 to 7-0." Beto O'rourke Drops F-bomb As He Urges Dems To 'Meet Fire With Fire' Against Gop Redistricting Plans In Texas Rep. Ralph Norman, R-S.C., who is running for governor, is pushing for a new congressional map in the Palmetto State. "That will help increase Republican control of Congress and help President Trump pass his agenda. Every vote counts toward a conservative Speaker Mike Johnson rather than a liberal Speaker Hakeem Jeffries of New York City," Norman said. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And while he did not give further details about how he'd want that map to look, he did mention the lone Democrat, longtime Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C., by name. "Jim Clyburn is a nice man and I respect him. But he is a liberal Democrat who helped put Joe Biden in the White House," Norman said. "That's not the kind of representation South Carolina needs." Clyburn is indeed a close ally of former President Joe Biden. His support was critical to Biden winning the 2020 Democratic primary in South Carolina, a victory that was decisive in putting Biden at the front of the crowded race. He's also represented South Carolina's 6th congressional district since 1993. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schwarzenegger Pushes Back Against Newsom In Redistricting Fight He wants to break up the district of the state's lone Democrat, Rep. Jim Clyburn, D-S.C. The 6th congressional district was first gerrymandered to give Black South Carolinians greater representation in the early 1990s, resulting in the only majority-Black district in the state. South Carolina's congressional map has seen some partisan fighting in recent years, however. In 2024, the U.S. Supreme Court overturned a lower court ruling that said a Republican-led redraw of district lines unfairly diluted Black voters' power, primarily in South Carolina's 1st congressional district, which neighbors Clyburn's. The high court's conservative majority ruled 6-3 that the district was redrawn along partisan lines, rather than racial, and therefore could be legally upheld. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redistricting is traditionally done following the U.S. census, which is taken every decade, to account for population shifts in various states. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is pushing for a new congressional map in his state. Norman's call to redraw the lines again comes after Texas Republicans' push to create a new congressional map that would give the GOP as many as five new seats in the House of Representatives. It's ignited a political firestorm across the country, with liberal states like New York and California pledging to follow suit. There are now discussions in multiple states about potentially redrawing district lines as well. Fox News Digital reached out to Clyburn's campaign for comment, as well as representatives in the South Carolina General Assembly. Original article source: GOP governor nominee pushes redistricting to oust state's lone House Dem Republican Utah state Senate President J. Stuart Adams used his power to change local law to help a family member facing charges of allegedly raping a 13-year-old. Adamss family member, an 18-year-old high school student, was arrested and looking at four first-degree felonies. Then Adams stepped in. Before Adams, 18-year-olds who had sex with 13-year-olds in Utah were treated like the adults they legally were and could face first-degree felony charges of child rape. In Utah, anyone under the age of 14 cannot legally consent. Adams successfully changed the law to allow 18-year-olds charged with child rape to be essentially tried as minors if they were enrolled in high school at the time of their crime. Adamss family member was in high school, and although the law was not made retroactive, the 18-year-old-still went from facing years in prison to accepting a plea deal for reduced charges and no jail time beyond the week already served after the initial arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Adams swears his family members charges had nothing to do with his pushing of the rule change, the prosecution, defense, and judge alike all acknowledged that it played a major role in changing the charges. The victims family was devastated. It was out of nowhere, the middle schoolers mother told The Salt Lake Tribune. I felt like I was punched in the gut. I feel like a law is the law, regardless of who you are, but that wasnt what was going on here, she continued. I feel like [Adamss relative] just got special treatment and nobody was going to say anything about it. This piece has been updated to correct the explanation of the law and to remove potentially erroneous references to the genders of the suspect and victim, which are publicly unknown. Republican lawmakers are pushing President Donald Trump to take control of Washington, D.C., reiterating previous threats to federalize the nations capital after a prominent ex-member of the Department of Government Efficiency was assaulted by teenagers over the weekend. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, posted to social media several times Tuesday evening pressing for the passage of his BOWSER Act, a bill to repeal local control over Washington, D.C., and place it under federal jurisdiction. The bill, named after Mayor Muriel Bowser, would overturn what is known as the D.C. Home Rule Act, which allows the city to operate as a self-governing entity. This attack on a young man who came to Washington to help fix Americas government is simply the latest outrage in a series assaults and murders that have made our nations capital a national embarrassment, Lee told the Deseret News in a statement. We should pass my BOWSER Act, which revokes DC Home Rule, as well as bills preventing the DC Council from avoiding accountability through secret meetings. I will be working with my GOP colleagues and President Trump on every avenue possible to restore a safe, clean Washington Americans can be proud of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., who leads the BOWSER Act in the House, similarly pushed for the bills passage, telling the Deseret News he texted Trump on Tuesday evening about the legislation. Ogles said he also contacted House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., to remind him of his legislation, noting a vote on the matter needs to happen. Trump in recent days has already reupped his threats to seize control of the district, citing the most recent attack of a government worker as evidence the city is totally out of control. The recent threats come after Edward Coristine, a 19-year-old famously known as Big Balls online who became one of the most high-profile DOGE staffers earlier this year, was attacked by a group of 10 juveniles over the weekend, according to a D.C. police report obtained by the Deseret News. Coristine was attacked during an attempted carjacking after he pushed his significant other into the car to protect her from the group. Police officers who observed the attack attempted to chase the juveniles and managed to arrest two 15-year-old suspects, both of whom reside in Maryland, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump posted about the attack on Tuesday, sharing a photo that showed a bloodied Corstine lying in the street, seemingly after the attack. The president decried the incident and called for a change in city law to charge minors as adults in cases of assault. Trump claimed the teenagers are unafraid of law enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them. The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14, Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. The latest threats highlight an ongoing challenge for D.C. officials, who have been working for months to crack down on rising rates of youth crime. Since the beginning of 2025, juveniles have made up more than 50% of arrests related to carjacking, according to D.C. police. A majority of those arrests are made up of teens who are 15 and 16 years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bowser has acknowledged the recent trends, even going so far as to create a special police unit in April tasked with responding to juvenile crime. Its not clear whether GOP leaders in Congress will prioritize efforts to pass legislation cracking down on D.C. autonomy. The Deseret News contacted the offices of both Speaker Johnson and Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-S.D., for comment. An Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer's badge is seen as federal agents patrol the halls of immigration court in New York City on June 10, 2025. Photo by Michael M. Santiago | Getty Images The top Republican in the Arizona Senate is calling for a federal investigation into a Democratic senators social media posts about U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Sen. Analise Ortiz, D-Phoenix, represents a Latino-majority district, and has been a fierce critic of the Trump administrations mass deportation efforts. When ICE agents began staking out the Phoenix immigration courthouse earlier this year to detain people showing up for mandatory hearings, Ortiz joined protestors in videotaping the arrests and blasting out social media alerts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrat has been among the outspoken in her party, frequently sharing posts from local advocacy groups about the presence of federal immigration officials in the Valley via her Instagram page and criticizing due process violations on her X account. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX On Tuesday, that activism put Ortiz in the crosshairs of a far-right social media force and the leader of the Arizona Senate. On X, formerly Twitter, the LibsOfTiktok account accused Ortiz of actively impeding and doxxing federal immigration officials by sharing Instagram posts about their locations and called on ICE director Tom Homan and the Department of Homeland Security to charge her. Run by former real estate agent Chaya Raichik, LibsOfTiktok frequently posts content intended to spark conservative ire about culture war issues and initially gained notoriety with virulently anti-LGBTQ content. Ortiz responded to Raichik on X, saying she will continue to keep Valley residents informed about the movements of federal immigration officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yep. When ICE is around, I will alert my community to stay out of the area, and Im not f***king scared of you nor Trumps masked goons, she wrote. Just hours after the LibsOfTiktok accounts post about Ortiz went viral, Senate President Warren Petersen announced that he had referred the matter to the U.S. Attorney for the District of Arizona for investigation. In a press release, the Gilbert Republican criticized Ortiz for failing to act in accordance with her public position. Public servants have a duty to uphold the law and respect those who enforce it, not undermine them, he wrote. Petersen called Ortizs social media posts deeply troubling and claimed they likely violated federal law. He did not say which federal law he believes was broken and didnt respond to follow-up questions seeking clarification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Esther Winnie, the executive assistant to the United States Attorney, said that her office is aware of Petersens request and will refer it to the right investigative agency for review. Doxxing involves sharing someones sensitive personal information online without their permission and with malicious intent. The controversy over when that applies to federal immigration agents, who do their work in public, has reached a fever-pitch amid increased efforts to conceal their identities because of public criticism of the Trump administrations mass deportation campaign. DHS officials claim an alleged spike in assaults against ICE agents justifies them hiding their faces behind masks during arrests, while immigrant advocates warn it amounts to the creation of a secret police. Clashes between protestors and federal officials have resulted in an increasingly hostile crackdown on activists. And at the center of that has been the social media alert strategy of immigrant rights advocates. Last month, federal officials lashed out at ICEBlock, an app that allows users to share ICE sightings, and threatened to prosecute its creator. But legal experts say doing so would violate the First Amendment right to free speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ortiz lambasted the threats to investigate her social media activity as intimidation tactics and said she wouldnt be deterred from continuing to use her accounts to warn people about the presence of ICE agents in the community. She added that the Trump administration has regularly flouted constitutional protections like due process, and said she has a duty to keep her community safe from its unconstitutional and authoritarian actions. Every individual has the right to know when and where law enforcement activity of any kind is taking place in an effort to protect themselves, in the same way people use popular apps to alert each other about speed traps, she said in a text message. The Fifth Amendment guarantees due process rights to any person present in our country and the First Amendment guarantees my right to free speech. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Rep. Mike Lawler (R-N.Y.) said what Texas Republicans are doing is wrong after they forwarded a gerrymandered congressional map, which would result in five new GOP seats in the House ahead of next years midterm elections, as he seeks reelection in his New York swing district. I think its wrong, what Texas is doing, he said of Texas Republicans release of the new map during a Tuesday evening appearance on CNN. I dont support it. I think it is wrong. Lawler compared the situation to the situations in Illinois and New Jersey, which have also been criticized for doing the same, in some cases even seeing their maps struck down because of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have to actually have neutral districts across this country, he said. It would serve the country better. Lawler mentioned that he plans to introduce legislation to outright ban gerrymandering, a term coined more than 200 years ago in the U.S. thats used to describe political manipulation in legislative mapmaking, according to The Associated Press. This is fundamentally why Congress is broken, he continued. You do not have competitive districts, and so most members are focused on primaries and not actually engaging in a general election. Lawlers comments come as he seeks reelection in his battleground House district in New York, where Democrats will seek to oust him as part of the partys efforts to win back control of the lower chamber. Democrats fell short in the district by more than 6 points in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Texas Democrats on Sunday traveled for various strategic trips to Illinois, New York and Massachusetts to deny Republicans a quorum, or the minimum number of lawmakers needed present to conduct legislative business, as the GOP tries to pass the new congressional lines. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) threatened to remove the Democrats as they go into day three of their trips, which is in response to the Texas GOP, at the behest of President Trump, redrawing the states congressional maps. While redistricting was not initially on the agenda for the special session called by Gov. Greg Abbott (R), it was added later. Typically, lines arent redrawn until after a census making the move a clear power 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 The Hill. A woman who said she had been in a relationship with Rep. Cory Mills has accused the Republican member of Congress from Florida of threatening to release nude videos of her after she broke off their relationship, according to a police report. Lindsey Langston, a Florida Republican state committee member and 2024 winner of the Miss United States beauty pageant, told authorities on July 14 that Mills also threatened to harm any of her future romantic partners, according to a report she made to the Columbia County Sheriffs Department that was obtained Tuesday by POLITICO. Her allegations were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for review, said Steven Khachigan, a spokesperson for the sheriff's department. The FDLE did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills, who has represented a district south of Daytona Beach since 2023, has not been charged and told POLITICO in a statement that he was unaware of the police report. We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant, Mills said. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. The incident was first reported Tuesday by Blaze Media and Drop Site News. Langston told the sheriffs department that she was in a relationship with Mills from November 2021 until February, when she said she ended it after seeing media reports that police in Washington were called to investigate an alleged assault by the representative against a woman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and Mills was not charged in the incident. Langston said that Mills told her he was separated from his wife at the time they started their relationship. The representative is still married. She told police that after she broke up with him, Mills contacted her multiple times threatening to release nude images and videos of them having sex, according to the report, which said she provided law enforcement with messages that allegedly backed up her claims. Anthony Sabatini, Langstons attorney and a Lake County, Florida commissioner who challenged Mills for Congress in 2022, said Langston also filed a restraining order against Mills. POLITICO has not independently confirmed the restraining order. In a statement, Mills told POLITICO he believes Sabatini is weaponizing the legal system to launch a political attack. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-Tenn.) announced Wednesday her bid for governor in Tennessee for next years election, becoming the favorite to succeed term-limited GOP Gov. Bill Lee. Trump is back, America is blessed, and Tennessee is better than ever, the MAGA lawmaker said in a video released by her campaign that was filled with images of President Donald Trump. I love Tennessee, I believe in Tennesseans, and Im ready to deliver the kind of conservative leadership that will ensure our state is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next, she added. Its official! Im running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next. I would be honored to have your support. #TNGovpic.twitter.com/5PNN8MkTJQ Marsha Blackburn (@VoteMarsha) August 6, 2025 Blackburn is the third sitting senator to announce a run for governor in 2026, joining Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Michael Bennet of Colorado. A staunch conservative, shes likely to instantly vault to front-runner status against Rep. John Rose (R-Tenn.), who announced his bid for governor earlier this year. If elected, Blackburn would become the first woman electedgovernor in the states history. She was also the first woman to be elected to the U.S. Senate from Tennessee in 2018. The relationships built up between female mountain gorillas are more important than previously understood, new research from Rwanda suggests. It shows that when one of these social great apes moves into a new group, she will seek out and join another female she already knows. Scientists based the research on 20 years of data covering multiple groups of gorillas in Volcanoes National Park, in Rwanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientists found that even when two females had been apart for many years, a newly arrived gorilla would still try to join a female she had formed a previous connection with. Gorilla social groups occasionally come together, allowing females to form connections with individuals in other groups [Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund] The findings, published in the Royal Society Journal Proceedings B, show how important the relationship between two individual females is in gorilla society. "Scientifically, I don't know if I can talk about 'friendship'," explained lead researcher Victoire Martignac, a PhD researcher form the University of Zurich. "But we're showing here that these same sex relationships really matter." Moving into different groups is key in shaping the animals' social structure. It's something that both males and females do - females will sometimes move several times throughout their lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This dispersal, as it's known, plays a role in avoiding inbreeding, spreading gene diversity and shaping social relationships. "In the wild it is very important," explained Ms Martignac. "But it's extremely hard to study, because once individuals leave a group, it's hard to keep track of them." Working in partnership with the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund, at a field site that has been monitored since 1967, Ms Martignac and her colleagues were able to track those movements. Poring through decades of information on the animals' lives, the scientists followed the "dispersals" of 56 female mountain gorillas - examining which new group they chose to join and why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gorillas avoided groups that had males they were likely to be related to, but the presence of females they knew also "mattered a lot", Ms Martignac explained. The females gravitated towards their "friends", even if the animals had been apart for many years. They would often gravitate to a group with females they had grown up with, even if that was many years ago. They also sought out individuals with whom they had made a social connection - perhaps played and interacted with - recently. Female-female relationships are much more important to gorilla society than previously understood [Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund] Ms Martignac explained that the gorillas would invest in these relationships because they deliver key social benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "New arrivals usually start at the bottom of the social hierarchy," she said. "Resident females can be pretty aggressive towards them, because they're potentially a competitor." Moving around is something that is also crucial in shaping human society. And the researchers say that studying its roots in other great apes can shed light on the evolutionary driving forces behind it. "Movement is a huge part of the way we live," said Ms Martignac. "But those decisions do not fossilise. "So we look at them in our closest evolutionary cousins." This new insight into gorillas' social lives, she added, "reframes how we think of female-female social relationships". "They're much more important to these animals than we used to think." The U.S. Supreme Court. (Jane Norman/States Newsroom) Wednesday marked the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act being signed into law. Last week, the U.S. Supreme Court started a timer on what some fear could be the demise of key provisions of the landmark civil rights legislation. Justices signaled last week they intend to consider whether a state violates the U.S. Constitution when it seeks to remedy a violation of the Voting Rights Act by taking race into account during the redistricting process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court issued an order Friday to parties in Louisiana v. Callais, a lawsuit that non-Black voters filed against the state over the creation of a second majority Black district for the state in the U.S. House of Representatives. They are being asked to explain whether the states intentional creation of a second majority-minority congressional district violates the 14th or 15th amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Its an ominous question, said Michael Li, senior counsel for the Brennan Center for Justice, a progressive organization that follows redistricting issues throughout the country. The 14th and 15th amendments gave formerly enslaved people the right to vote and prohibit any discrimination that keeps a person from voting. The Voting Rights Act, which was approved in 1965, bolsters the protections granted in those amendments. At question in the Callais case is Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which prohibits voting laws or procedures that purposefully discriminate on the basis of race, color or membership in a language minority group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bringing the Voting Rights Act into question makes the case among the most important the court will rule on in its upcoming term. The decision could have nationwide implications, as it could set the standard for the degree to which race can be considered when drawing election maps after each decennial census. A decision on Callais and on Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act will not come until next spring. The process that put the case before conservative-majority court started years ago. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FEBRUARY 2022: During an 18-day special session on redistricting, Louisiana lawmakers passed laws that redrew the borders of Louisianas six U.S. House seats and its legislative districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus advocated for maps that increased the number of majority Black districts. One-third of six is two became the rallying cry of Black lawmakers, who believed that since Black people made up nearly a third of the states population, they should be represented by one-third of Louisianas congressional districts. Republicans, who held the majority in the legislature, declined to increase Black representation, opening themselves up to litigation. MARCH 9, 2022 Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, vetoed the congressional map Republicans supported. He said the boundaries, which kept just one district majority Black, violated the Voting Rights Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MARCH 30, 2022 Lawmakers convened a one-day special session to override Edwards veto. Hours later, the NAACP Legal Defense Fund and Black Louisiana voters filed a lawsuit, Robinson v. Ardoin, challenging the map, claiming it violated federal law. JUNE 6, 2022 U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick sided with the Black Robinson plaintiffs, ruling the map an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Dick was appointed to the bench by President Barack Obama in 2012. Her ruling required the legislature to draw a new map with two majority Black districts that could be used in the 2022 congressional midterm election while litigation continued. JUNE 2022 The Louisiana Legislature met for another special session to create a map to comply with the judges guidance. In defiance of the federal court order, lawmakers adjourned without approving new congressional districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several days later, the U.S. Supreme Court granted Louisianas request to block Dicks ruling, pending the outcome of a similar redistricting case from Alabama, Allen v. Milligan. The courts order meant the map Republicans passed in February would remain in place for the 2022 congressional midterms, despite a lower court ruling that it violated the Voting Rights Act and was racially discriminatory. JUNE 8, 2023 On the final day of Louisianas 2023 legislative session, the U.S. Supreme Court handed down a ruling in Allen v. Milligan. Conservative Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Brett Kavanaugh joined the courts three liberal members in an opinion that Alabamas map violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The courts decision put a charge into the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and Black voters, as Louisianas case was mathematically stronger than Alabamas. Alabama has seven districts and a 26.8% Black population, while Louisiana has six districts and a 32.8% Black population. Im ecstatic, Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, said with a grin after learning of the news. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FALL 2023 Republican U.S. House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was forced out of his position, setting up a power struggle for his replacement. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Jefferson was viewed as the natural successor, but a key McCarthy ally, U.S. Rep. Garret Graves of Baton Rouge, had other ideas. His role in the speaker drama was widely viewed as costing Scalise the speaker position, which ultimately went to U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Shreveport. Graves stance cost him support among Republicans in Washington, D.C., and back home. At the same time, Graves bet on the wrong horse in the gubernatorial election, spurning the shoo-in winner, Attorney General Jeff Landry, for his college buddy, Stephen Waguespack, a business lobbyist. It put Graves at odds with an incoming governor who would exert more power than any other had in decades. NOV. 11, 2023 The conservative U.S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed the Louisiana Legislature violated the Voting Rights Act with its congressional map and set a Jan. 15, 2024, deadline for drawing a new version. That deadline was tricky, as both the legislative leaders who fought for the map and the Democratic governor who vetoed it were weeks from leaving office. None had any desire to do the tedious work of redistricting in their final days in office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Landry wouldnt take office until Jan. 8, and the state constitution requires seven days lead time before a special session can convene. Lawmakers didnt have enough time to pass a map before the deadline. JAN. 15-19, 2024 With a deadline extension from the federal court in hand, Gov. Jeff Landry convened the legislature for a special session. In just a week, lawmakers rammed through a new congressional map with two majority Black districts. The session brought together a set of strange bedfellows: Black Democrats, who wanted more minority representation; and white Republicans, who used the opportunity to unseat Graves, who was short on allies and long on enemies. To unseat Graves in the 6th Congressional District, Republicans had to draw a map that complied with fewer traditional redistricting principles than the one Black voters preferred. The Republican-crafted 6th District lines run from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, slashing down the center of the state and veering to pick up clusters of Black voters along the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JAN. 30, 2024 White voters filed the Callais lawsuit claiming the map was drawn solely based on race and discriminated against them. APRIL 2024 An appellate panel of three federal judges found the new district lines were illegal, though the map was allowed to be used for the 2024 election. NOV. 4, 2024 The U.S. Supreme Court agreed to take up an appeal from Black voters in the Callais lawsuit. NOV. 5, 2024 For the first time in decades, Black voters in Louisiana got the opportunity to elect two members of the states congressional delegation. U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields was elected to a third term in Congress. He previously represented the 4th Congressional District until 1997, when a federal court ruled its boundaries were an unconstitutional racial gerrymander. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JUNE 2025 In a rare move, U.S. Supreme Court punted a ruling on Callais, instead scheduling it for further arguments. At the time, justices did not say what new question it would raise. Last week, the court made its question known, and the answer could reverberate across the country. Li said the question posed by the court is so ominous because justices have questioned over the years whether there is a time limit to race-conscious redistricting practices. At the same time, he said, the courts question is befuddling because time limits to Section Two are actually built into the Gingles Test. Created by the U.S. Supreme Court in the 1986 case Thornburg v. Gingles, plaintiffs must show the existence of three preconditions to prove redistricting dilutes minority voting strength: The racial or language minority group sufficiently large and geographically compact to constitute a majority in a single-member district The minority group is politically cohesive The majority votes sufficiently as a block to usually defeat the minoritys candidate of choice Section Two, by itself, automatically sunsets as conditions on the ground get better, Li explained, referring to minorities access to equal voting opportunities. The question is also troubling, experts say, because if the courts ruling expands beyond Louisiana, it could be a further whittling down of the key civil rights legislation that has already been narrowed in recent years. Civil rights proponents say that if the Supreme Court takes an ax to the Voting Rights Act with its ruling in the Callais case, it would be a reversal of its recent decisions. John Bisognano, president of the National Redistricting Foundation, a voting rights organization, said courts have never ruled there is a conflict between the U.S. Constitution and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The Supreme Court upheld Section 2 in its decision on Allen v. Milligan, the Alabama case that required a second majority-Black congressional district in the state. To comply with that law, Louisiana must have a congressional map that includes two Black opportunity districts, Bisognano said in a statement. If the Court decides to now undo that precedent, it would be a head-spinning reversal of itself. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Brief Gov. Greg Abbott has filed a lawsuit to remove Rep. Gene Wu from office. Abbott claims Wu and other Democrats abandoned their duties by leaving the state. This is the first official attempt to remove a lawmaker who broke quorum to prevent a redistricting vote. AUSTIN - Gov. Greg Abbott has filed a lawsuit to remove Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the Texas Democrat Caucus Chair, from office. Abbott filed his petition to the state's highest court on Tuesday. Abbott requests Wu's removal Gov. Greg Abbott What we know Abbott filed an emergency petition to the Supreme Court of Texas for Wu's removal, citing his Sunday promise to attempt to do so for Democrats who left the state to prevent redistricting efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott said Sunday that if the Democrat lawmakers were not back in office by the time the House reconvened Monday at 3 p.m., efforts to remove them would begin. Wu's removal is the first official attempt to be made. The lawsuit claims that Wu's actions as the state House's party leader, along with other Democrats who broke quorum, are an abandonment of their office. According to the governor, this justifies their permanent removal from their positions. Abbott also mentioned the Democrats' alleged acceptance of money from constituents and donors to skip the vote, saying accepting bribery for abandonment of office is grounds for vacating their seats. What they're saying "I made clear in a formal statement on Sunday, August 3, that if the Texas House Democrats were not in attendance when the House reconvened at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, then action would be taken to seek their removal," said Abbott in his Wednesday statement. "They have not returned and have not met the quorum requirements. Representative Wu and the other Texas House Democrats have shown a willful refusal to return, and their absence for an indefinite period of time deprives the House of the quorum needed to meet and conduct business on behalf of Texans. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences." Wu responds to Abbott's Filing WARRENVILLE, ILLINOIS - AUGUST 04: Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks to reporters following a press conference at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers union hall on August 04, 2025 in Warrenville, Illinois. | Credit: Texas Tribune The other side Wu later released a statement responding to Abbott's filing, which reads in full below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This office does not belong to Greg Abbott, and it does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of House District 137, who elected me. I took an oath to the constitution, not a politicians agenda, and I will not be the one to break that oath. "Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant. When that governor holds disaster relief for 137 dead Texans and their families hostage, my moral duty is to sound the alarm by any means necessary. "Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath. Unable to defend his corrupt agenda on its merits, Greg Abbott now desperately seeks to silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office. "History will judge this moment. It will show a Governor who used the law as a weapon to silence his people, and it will show those of us who stood for a higher principle. "To Governor Abbott: You have failed the people of Texas, and you are using the courts to punish those who refused to fail with you. My purpose has been clear from the start: to serve my constituents and fight for what's right, no matter the cost. You will find that my commitment to the people of Texas is unbreakable." DNC Chair Ken Martin also released a statement on the situation: "Lawless Texas Governor Greg Abbott can mimic Donald Trump all he wants, but his baseless lawsuit to remove Texas House Democratic Leader Rep. Gene Wu is not only morally repugnant, its a weak attempt at Trump-style intimidation. Rep. Gene Wu and the Texas Democrats are performing their duties as elected officials by standing up for the rights of Texans to have free and fair elections. When confronted with cheaters and liars, sometimes refusing to play a rigged game is the only way to serve. This is bigger than Greg Abbotts ego, and it doesnt end with Texas. If Trump and Abbott can successfully remove lawmakers for representing the will of their constituents, we do not have a democracy anymore. And if the state of Texas has any law left in it, the Court will immediately dismiss this farce. The DNC stands ready to defend democracy in Texas and across the country." What we don't know The Supreme Court of Texas has not released a response to the filing. Threats to arrest Texas Democrats The backstory Texas Republican leaders have threatened to have the quorum breakers arrested, even requesting aid from agencies outside the state in the effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the effort starting Monday, saying the Democrats were "holding hostage critical legislation." U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, seeing the difficulty in Texas DPS carrying out arrests outside the state, called on the FBI Tuesday to assist in the effort with a letter to Director Kash Patel. Cornyn expressed concern that the lawmakers had committed crimes in their "rush to avoid their constitutional responsibilities," saying they need to be fully investigated. House Speaker Dustin Burrows urged the "no shows" to return and said he would sign arrest warrants for those who do not. According to the Texas Tribune, these warrants would be largely symbolic as they would only apply within state lines. Texas redistricting effort Dig deeper The newly proposed map increases the number of congressional districts that would have voted for Trump by at least 10 percentage points by five. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans currently control 25 of the state's 38 Congressional districts. The new map makes some big changes in North Texas. It moves Democrat Rep. Marc Veaseys district from Tarrant to Dallas County, Democrat Rep. Julie Johnsons district moves from Dallas and Collin County to more conservative sections of East Texas, and Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crocketts Dallas seat becomes one of just two majority Black districts in the entire state. The Democrats claim the redrawn maps will violate the federal Voting Rights Act, but that may be difficult for them to prove. In Central Texas, Democrats Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett would find their districts vastly different from the current map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district currently held by Casar would no longer include Travis County, while the district held by Doggett would no longer include a portion of Williamson County. In Houston, the new map reshapes four currently Democrat-held districts. The biggest change to the districts would be in the seat currently held by Rep. Al Green. The new map would shift the district from covering southern Harris County and instead move it to the eastern part of the county. Read More: The Source Information in this article came from public statements by Texas officials and previous FOX coverage. The Brief Gov. Greg Abbott has filed a lawsuit to remove Rep. Gene Wu from office. Abbott claims Wu and other Democrats abandoned their duties by leaving the state. This is the first official attempt to remove a lawmaker who broke quorum to prevent a redistricting vote. AUSTIN - Gov. Greg Abbott has filed a lawsuit to remove Rep. Gene Wu (D-Houston), the Texas Democrat Caucus Chair, from office. Abbott filed his petition to the state's highest court on Tuesday. Abbott requests Wu's removal What we know Abbott filed an emergency petition to the Supreme Court of Texas for Wu's removal, citing his Sunday promise to attempt to do so for Democrats who left the state to prevent redistricting efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott said Sunday that if the Democrat lawmakers were not back in office by the time the House reconvened Monday at 3 p.m., efforts to remove them would begin. Wu's removal is the first official attempt to be made. The lawsuit claims that Wu's actions as the state House's party leader, along with other Democrats who broke quorum, are an abandonment of their office. According to the governor, this justifies their permanent removal from their positions. Abbott also mentioned the Democrats' alleged acceptance of money from constituents and donors to skip the vote, saying accepting bribery for abandonment of office is grounds for vacating their seats. What they're saying "I made clear in a formal statement on Sunday, August 3, that if the Texas House Democrats were not in attendance when the House reconvened at 3:00 PM on Monday, August 4, then action would be taken to seek their removal," said Abbott in his Wednesday statement. "They have not returned and have not met the quorum requirements. Representative Wu and the other Texas House Democrats have shown a willful refusal to return, and their absence for an indefinite period of time deprives the House of the quorum needed to meet and conduct business on behalf of Texans. Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences." Wu responds to Abbott's filing The other side Wu later released a statement responding to Abbott, which reads in full below: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This office does not belong to Greg Abbott, and it does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of House District 137, who elected me. I took an oath to the constitution, not a politicians agenda, and I will not be the one to break that oath. "Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant. When that governor holds disaster relief for 137 dead Texans and their families hostage, my moral duty is to sound the alarm by any means necessary. "Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath. Unable to defend his corrupt agenda on its merits, Greg Abbott now desperately seeks to silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office. "History will judge this moment. It will show a Governor who used the law as a weapon to silence his people, and it will show those of us who stood for a higher principle. "To Governor Abbott: You have failed the people of Texas, and you are using the courts to punish those who refused to fail with you. My purpose has been clear from the start: to serve my constituents and fight for what's right, no matter the cost. You will find that my commitment to the people of Texas is unbreakable." What we don't know The Supreme Court of Texas has not released a response to the filing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu has not responded publicly to Abbott's statement at the time of publishing. Threats to arrest Texas Democrats The backstory Texas Republican leaders have threatened to have the quorum breakers arrested, even requesting aid from agencies outside the state in the effort. Abbott ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to begin the effort starting Monday, saying the Democrats were "holding hostage critical legislation." U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, seeing the difficulty in Texas DPS carrying out arrests outside the state, called on the FBI Tuesday to assist in the effort with a letter to Director Kash Patel. Cornyn expressed concern that the lawmakers had committed crimes in their "rush to avoid their constitutional responsibilities," saying they need to be fully investigated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Dustin Burrows urged the "no shows" to return and said he would sign arrest warrants for those who do not. According to the Texas Tribune, these warrants would be largely symbolic as they would only apply within state lines. Texas redistricting effort Dig deeper The newly proposed map increases the number of congressional districts that would have voted for Trump by at least 10 percentage points by five. Republicans currently control 25 of the state's 38 Congressional districts. The new map makes some big changes in North Texas. It moves Democrat Rep. Marc Veaseys district from Tarrant to Dallas County, Democrat Rep. Julie Johnsons district moves from Dallas and Collin County to more conservative sections of East Texas, and Democrat Rep. Jasmine Crocketts Dallas seat becomes one of just two majority Black districts in the entire state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats claim the redrawn maps will violate the federal Voting Rights Act, but that may be difficult for them to prove. In Central Texas, Democrats Greg Casar and Lloyd Doggett would find their districts vastly different from the current map. The district currently held by Casar would no longer include Travis County, while the district held by Doggett would no longer include a portion of Williamson County. In Houston, the new map reshapes four currently Democrat-held districts. The biggest change to the districts would be in the seat currently held by Rep. Al Green. The new map would shift the district from covering southern Harris County and instead move it to the eastern part of the county. Read More: The Source Information in this article came from public statements by Texas officials and previous FOX coverage. Touted as their largest pay raise in 20 years, a long-awaited boost in hourly wages for bar advocate attorneys was signed into law by Gov. Maura Healey this week. But in the days following, courtrooms remain in crisis, as the lawyers press on with their work stoppage now into its third month. Healey called the raise substantial, and stated it reflects our commitment to supporting the important work that bar advocates do, even in a challenging budget year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im grateful to the Legislature for their work to pass this supplemental budget as it is important to public safety, due process and the functioning of our courts, Healey said. The raises will bring rates from $65 an hour to $75 by 2026, and $85 an hour by 2027. The bill also included language to prevent another bar advocate work stoppage, and a $40 million allocation of funds to the Committee for Public Counsel Services to (CPCS) to hire 320 more lawyers and lessen the agencys heavy reliance on bar advocates. After accounting for expenses like their office rent and insurances paid out-of-pocket, such as health and malpractice, bar advocates say they effectively earn around $20 per hour a rate they say makes it impossible to continue providing quality legal defense. But on Tuesday, criminal defendants who havent been appointed a lawyer in the past 45 days continued to have their charges dismissed in a courtroom at the central division of Boston Municipal Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And on Wednesday, in Lowell District Court, other people facing violent charges including one man with two felony charges, strangulation and witness intimidation, along with an assault and battery charge were released on personal recognizance from being held in jail, after not having counsel for at least seven days. The majority of the roughly 2,600 bar advocates across Massachusetts stopped taking on new criminal cases since Memorial Day, as they pushed legislators for an hourly rate increase to $100. They argued that neighboring states like New Hampshire and Maine have lower costs of living with wages well over $100 an hour, and that their work in Massachusetts has become unsustainable and unattractive to new attorneys. But as the constitutional and public safety crisis of thousands of criminal defendants left without counsel grew reaching a total of 3,387 unrepresented indigent defendants statewide as of Aug. 4 the state court system imposed the Lavallee protocol in Middlesex and Suffolk counties. Under this rule, defendants without lawyers must be released from jail after seven days, and their cases dismissed if they are not appointed a lawyer after 45 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill signed Monday then came in response. It was a deal that many bar advocates rejected, saying they played no role in negotiating and that antitrust language was vindictive. A statement Wednesday from the bar advocate attorneys said Healeys signing of the bill came as no surprise. The degree of the administrations involvement in the process is unknown, but one thing is clear: this was an action largely dictated by a handful of people, at the very top of the state Legislature, more intent on demonstrating who is the boss, than in bringing an end to the severe constitutional crisis that was a result of their decades of neglect, the statement read. The lawmakers shut bar advocates out of the process entirely and gave a take it or leave it solution, the advocates said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One thing that the Legislature didnt factor into its equation is that bar advocates are more determined than ever to make sure that constitutionally mandated obligations to their indigent clients are met, and that the fight for fair pay and a living wage for those who defend these rights continues, the statement read. The Lavallee protocol is expected to continue as a rule in court systems until theres huge strides and a huge drop in numbers of unrepresented defendants, said Suffolk County bar advocate Elyse Hershon, and a filing to reverse or undo it made by CPCS. But because the bar advocates are dissatisfied with legislators and how unprecedented they say the situation is, Hershon doesnt feel a Lavallee reversal will come tomorrow or next week, and its probably not going to be next month. CPCS said it has identified and interviewed numerous candidates based off the bills additional hiring requirement, and is prepared to make offers to between seven and ten candidates by the end of next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet, the agency is also concerned how lawmakers decisions will affect Massachusetts court systems. Whether this legislation, if signed into law, will significantly ameliorate the current shortage is unknown, a filing from CPCS on Aug. 4 reads. And with no end in sight to the work stoppage following the lawmakers decision, the crisis is likely to continue hurting Massachusetts court system, according to Middlesex and Barnstable County bar advocate Sean Delaney. The advocates now look to band together further by setting up a nonprofit, looking into a political action committee and retaining legal counsel for advisement on the antitrust language included in the lawmakers bill, Delaney said. Lavallee Protocol Read the original article on MassLive. Gov. JB Pritzker vowed on late-night television to protect Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois to try and stop the Republican-controlled state legislature from redrawing congressional district boundaries to the GOPs advantage ahead of next years midterm election. As long as theyre in Illinois, theyre safe, Pritzker said when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked about a request from Texas senior U.S. senator earlier in the day that the FBI assist in tracking down and apprehending the dozens of Democrats who left for Illinois and other states. The only thing thats happened is a civil warrant was issued by the Republican speaker of the House in Texas, right? Pritzker said. And a civil warrant isnt worth anything in the state of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns arose Wednesday morning, however, with leaders of the Texas delegation issuing a statement saying members were the target of a threat. A news conference planned for later in the day in St. Charles with Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, leaders of the caucus said in a statement. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. St. Charles Police responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the Q Center hotel and convention complex shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, but no device was found, the department said. As bomb squad units conducted their investigation, 400 people were evacuated from the area but guests and staff have since returned to the premises, the department said. Kathy Young, a police records specialist at the department, declined to say whether the Texas Democratic lawmakers were among the people who evacuated. Theres no indication of where the initial call came from, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois State Police also confirmed there was a bomb threat in the area, and spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the agency has been in contact with local law enforcement, which responded swiftly and cleared the building. Pritzkers appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which recently found itself at the center of controversy after CBS announced its decision to cancel the program next year, is the governors latest effort to raise his national profile as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a potential future White House bid in 2028. Pritzker, who during his first term broke a campaign promise that he would veto any partisan redistricting plan for the Illinois General Assembly, has used the fight over Texas Republicans mid-decade redistricting push to position himself as a defender of democratic norms and fair elections. Calling the move extraordinarily rare, Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his GOP allies are taking rights away from Black and brown people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act, said Pritzker, whos previously sparred with Abbott over the Texas governors decision to send busloads of migrants from the southern U.S. border to Chicago. So this is going to end up in court if they actually are able to do it. Pritzker used humor to deflect questions about Illinois own heavily gerrymandered congressional map. After Colbert quipped that U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinskis 13th Congressional District, drawn to elect a Democrat by stretching from Champaign-Urbana to the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis, looks like the stinger on a scorpion, Pritzker replied, We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide. In reality, Pritzkers Democratic allies in the state legislature including state Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez of Cicero, whom he tapped to chair the state Democratic Party drew the lines to cement their dominance in Springfield and in the states congressional delegation, even as Illinois lost one seat in the U.S. House. Gov. Jeff Landry speaks to reporters about his legislative agenda to bring down high auto insurance rates on April 9, 2025. (Photo credit: Wes Muller/Louisiana Illuminator) A letter Gov. Jeff Landry mailed to a sizable portion of Louisiana residents to tout his legislative wins on insurance policy will cost the public more than $378,000, WAFB-TV reports. The two-page letter was sent to 711,114 voters at a cost of 55 cents per address, the governors office told the station. It includes a review of legislation Landry backed with the goal of bringing down costly auto and homeowners insurance premiums. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im proud to share that I have signed into the law the largest package of bills to stop frivolous lawsuits in Louisianas history, Landry said in the letter. These are reforms aimed at reining in lawsuit abuse AND holding insurance companies accountable. One of the governors former allies is criticizing Landry for sending out his mailer without including information on how it was funded. Woody Jenkins, East Baton Rouge Republican Party chairman and a former state representative, said the governor might have violated a law he sponsored during his time in the legislature that requires the disclosure. In response, the governors office said its mailer falls under an exception allowed for legislative, executive and judicial branch proceedings. The two have been at odds since the spring when Jenkins actively opposed an amendment the governor backed that would have begun a considerable overhaul of the states tax structure. The proposal also would have weakened a constitutionally protected property tax exemption for religious organizations and nonprofits, much to the dismay of Jenkins and other church-affiliated conservatives. Opposition to that amendment created a domino effect that knocked down all four proposed constitutional changes on the March 29 ballot. Watch the WAFB report. Landry also used his letter to throw the same jab hes aimed at arguably the states most ubiquitous trial attorney, noting that he supported a bill that would have prevented lawyers from listing award dollar amounts in their commercials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets face it were just as tired of the endless Morris Bart ads as we are of the GEICO lizard! the governor said. Bart offered his reaction to the governors letter on social media, posting a picture of himself holding a copy. Im actually glad to see this package pass as he can now STOP BLAMING ME for high auto insurance, Bart wrote. The bill in question stalled in a Louisiana Senate committee. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Tennessee Governor Bill Lee is mobilizing the National Guard to assist with President Donald Trumps mass deportation plan, according to a spokesperson at the governors office. The governors office told News 2 the decision was made following a request for assistance from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. As Gov. Lee has said many times, Tennessee stands ready to support President Trumps efforts to secure our Nations borders and remove the most violent criminals from our streets, Elizabeth Johnson, the governors spokesperson, wrote in an email to News 2. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts In response to the U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys request for assistance, the Governor authorized Tennessee National Guardsmen under Title 32 status to assist with administrative and clerical duties at Immigration and Customs Enforcement processing facilities within the state. These service members will assist with tasks including data entry, case management, and logistical support. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 2s sister station in Knoxville, WATE, asked Gov. Lee about his decision. America wants to be certain that criminals, especially illegal immigrant criminals that are on our streets, that are in gangs, that are drug traffickers, that are human traffickers, that theyre taken, theyre removed, and theyre deported, Gov. Lee said. America has been really clear about that, President Trump has been clear about that, part of the reason he got elected was to carry that out, and Tennessee wants to be a partner. Read the latest from the TN State Capitol Newsroom Earlier this year, journalists pressed the governor about potential plans to use the National Guard to assist with mass deportations. While he didnt directly answer yes or no, Gov. Lee alluded to being willing to help in any way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the degree that Tennessee participates in that, I look forward to seeing what [President Trumps] plans finally will be, and we will be supportive of his strategies as the president, Gov. Lee said. However, some argued that mass deportations will hurt the state in the long run. Mass deportations is not just a moral disaster, but its an economic one, Luis Mata, with the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, said. The state resources we are wasting on mass deportations and would potentially waste on mass deportations could instead go toward giving our communities, all Tennesseans, the resources to truly thrive. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The governors office said the mission is still in the planning stages. The soldiers will be under the states command, but will be paid by the federal government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. Colorado Gov. Jared Polis announces a special legislative session at the governor's mansion Wednesday in Denver. Mark Ferrandino, executive director of the Governors Office of State Planning and Budgeting, is at left. (Sara Wilson/Colorado Newsline) Colorado state lawmakers will head back to the Capitol for a special legislative session on Aug. 21 to address the nearly $800 million gap in the current state budget caused by provisions in the recent federal domestic policy law. In addition to reconvening the Legislature, Gov. Jared Polis also instituted a hiring freeze in the state government until the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have 11 months remaining in the budget year, and thats very important. That means that cuts, while difficult, can be spread over a longer period of time than the regular course of (a typical legislative session), Polis said Wednesday at a press conference in Denver. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Legislature typically meets in January through May. Lawmakers passed, and Polis signed, a balanced state budget earlier this year. But those numbers are now out of whack due to changes in the federal tax code made by the Republican-backed bill President Donald Trump signed in July, dubbed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Those tweaks to individual and corporate income tax obligations will result in significant losses to expected state revenue, since Colorado tax code closely mirrors federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All Coloradans are now the collateral damage from the GOPs cruel bill, which will jeopardize services for hardworking families, children, veterans and older Coloradans. Well work hard to minimize the fallout on our communities, but that requires us to act now to mitigate the harm this bill has caused our state, House Speaker Julie McCluskie, a Dillon Democrat, said in a statement. Nonpartisan Legislative Council Staff and the Governors Office of State Planning and Budgeting both predict a $1.2 billion hit to state tax revenue for the current fiscal year, which began July 1. Colorado is expected to collect revenue over the limit set by the state Taxpayers Bill of Rights, which will soften the budget impact to somewhere between $680 million, as legislative economists predict, and $783 million, as the governors office thinks. All Coloradans are now the collateral damage from the GOPs cruel bill, which will jeopardize services for hardworking families, children, veterans and older Coloradans. Well work hard to minimize the fallout on our communities, but that requires us to act now to mitigate the harm this bill has caused our state. House Speaker Julie McCluskie The special session will need to fill that hole in order to rebalance the budget. Polis office is suggesting legislation to issue tax credits to large taxpayers like insurance companies, expand the list of foreign countries Colorado companies cannot send their income to in order to avoid taxes, and decouple Colorado from various federal tax deductions. He also wants spending cuts in existing programs and services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state can also tap into its budget reserves, which now stand at 15%, but lawmakers will need to repay that money later on. State law allows the governor to restrict spending if the reserves are expected to fall below half of the required level meaning the state would need to spend over $1.2 billion before the governor can enact a spending cut plan but Polis also wants the Legislature to lower that threshold. Polis also wants lawmakers to tweak ballot language for an initiative this November to retain more revenue for universal school meals so that it will also allow the state to keep money for future new food assistance program costs. The special session is also an opportunity to support Planned Parenthood, which was targeted by the federal bill, and cushion expected insurance premium increases next year. Polis also charged the Legislature with addressing the states artificial intelligence anti-discrimination law, which is set to go into effect in February. Negotiations between bill sponsors and industry leaders fell through in the final days of the legislative session this year, and a last-minute effort to delay implementation also failed. Polis said Wednesday that he didnt have a preference over whether the Legislature delays the start of that law or makes significant policy changes during the special session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Colorado Republican lawmakers characterized the call for a special session as an unnecessary and expensive political stunt. This is a waste of taxpayer dollars and state resources, House Minority Leader Rose Pugliese, a Colorado Springs Republican, said in a statement. The governor is using a special session to stir fear about the Big Beautiful Bill when the truth is that the Big Beautiful Bill continues to cover the people it was designed to serve: seniors, single mothers, children, and people with disabilities. The House Republican caucus statement did not include policy ideas to fix the budget gap. It did note that the special session will coincide with the first weekend of the Colorado State Fair. This will be the third special session in as many years. It will last at least three days, which is the minimum time for a bill to pass both chambers. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE The Constitution pledges that the government cannot take your property without "just compensation." So if that happens, and no statute passed by the legislature applies to your specific case, can you sue? That this is even a question may sound, at a minimum, harebrained. After all, the Constitution is the supreme law of the land. But whether or not that promiseas found in the Fifth Amendment's Takings Clauseis effectively an empty one when it is not paired with a relevant law is a matter of active legal debate. A federal court attempted to answer it last week in a case that hinged on, of all things, a local "urban cowboy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fulton County, Georgia, seized seven horses from Brandon "Brannu" Fulton in 2017 after he was charged with animal cruelty. (The identical last name here is an unfortunate coincidence for the sake of clarity, but we will persevere.) Those charges were later dropped. But the government still declined to return the animals to Fultonlong ago dubbed Atlanta's Urban Cowboy after his affinity for riding into town on horsebacknor would it compensate him for their value. One of those horses, he said, is worth $35,000. Fulton (the man, not the county) sued under Section 1983, the federal statute that allows plaintiffs to bring lawsuits against state and local governments for violating their constitutional rights. But his suit was ultimately doomed by the Monell doctrine, which shields municipalities from facing liability for such claims unless a plaintiff can pinpoint an official government policy or custom that caused the alleged violation. Fulton (the county, not the man) didn't have an applicable policy. And for procedural reasons, the Urban Cowboy's claims were barred under state law, as well. So he sought to rein back and redirect his complaint to sue directly under the Takings Clause itself. In what is somewhat of a seismic opinion, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit said he could. "Our Constitution explicitly promises exactly two remedies: 'just compensation' if the government takes our property, and the writ of habeas corpus if it tries to take our lives or liberty," wrote Judge Robin S. Rosenbaum for the majority. "And the Constitution delivers directly on each. It doesn't taunt us by naming these remedies but then holding them out of reach, depending on the whims of the legislature." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many had hoped the Supreme Court would answer this exact question just last year. In DeVillier v. Texas, the justices heard a case brought by people whose property was damaged after the state constructed highway barriers that diverted massive amounts of floodwater onto their private land. Texas did not contest that the Takings Clause necessitates just compensation for people whose private property is taken by the government. But it promptly had the case moved to federal court, where it argued it could not be sued for damages because Congress has not passed a relevant statute ordering Texas to abide by the Takings Clause. The 5th Circuit agreed. The Supreme Court did not. In a unanimous opinion, the justices ruled that the plaintiffs could sue Texasin state court. Yet while the Court agreed the property owners could invoke a state law cause of action, it did not address the broader dispute over whether a legislative cause of action is required at all. "Our precedents do not cleanly answer the question whether a plaintiff has a cause of action arising directly under the Takings Clause," wrote Justice Clarence Thomas. "But, this case does not require us to resolve that question." The 11th Circuit, meanwhile, did. In dissent, Judge William Pryor argued the decision leaves "constitutional wreckage" by "creat[ing] a new right of action for takings of property by local governments." As the majority points out, however, that conclusion "ignores the original public meaning of the [Takings] Clause," which exists to provide relief to people whose private property is usurped by the government. "We have a duty to apply the Constitution as written," writes Rosenbaum. "So we respectfully decline to read out of the Constitution the relief it expressly promises for taken property." The post The Government Seized 7 Horses From a Georgia 'Urban Cowboy.' A Court Says He Can Sue. appeared first on Reason.com. Donald Trump is still trying to take over the Library of Congress but the national library already, apparently by accident, modified its online copy of the U.S. Constitution to remove the presidents least favorite part: the provision that guarantees peoples right to challenge their detention and demands the government justify their confinement. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller has publicly floated the idea of suspending habeas corpus to aid the presidents efforts to arrest and deport immigrants: The writ of habeas corpus can be suspended in a time of invasion, so that is an option were actively looking at, Miller said in May. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, whos helping lead Trumps mass deportation campaign, that month tried to claim that habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country which is effectively the opposite of what habeas corpus means. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier in the month, Trump was asked about due process, and whether as president he has an obligation to uphold the Constitution. I dont know, he replied. Within the past few weeks, Section 9 from Article 1 of the Constitution which states, The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it disappeared from the Library of Congress Constitution Annotated webpage. By this morning, officials in Trumps government were quietly telling staff that the deletions were the result of a technical glitch, sources familiar with the matter say. As a result, personnel scrambled to fix the issue, figure out how exactly it happened, and also review other parts of the website to see if there were any other conspicuous deletions. Some federal staffers raised their eyebrows at the blame-a-glitch explanation, given the apparently coincidental nature of the deletions affecting sections of the Constitution that the second Trump administration is openly working so hard to shred. Funny coincidence, one federal employee who was dealing with this situation tells Rolling Stone dryly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Library of Congress posted on X this morning that the deletion was the result of a coding error. It has been brought to our attention that some sections of Article 1 are missing from the Constitution Annotated website, the library wrote. Weve learned that this is due to a coding error. We have been working to correct this and expect it to be resolved soon. The website added a banner stating: The Constitution Annotated website is currently experiencing data issues. We are working to resolve this issue and regret the inconvenience. By this afternoon, the deleted portions of the Constitution had been added back to the webpage. Due to a technical error, some sections of Article 1 were temporarily missing on the Constitution Annotated website. This problem has been corrected, and the missing sections have been restored, the Library of Congress tells Rolling Stone in an email. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It should be noted that simply deleting sections of the U.S. Constitution on a webpage for an institution that isnt even the official custodian of the Constitution doesnt change American law. But no matter what the document does or doesnt say, the president and his senior appointees have made clear their intention to violate the Constitution as best they can. The modification to the Constitution website comes as Trump attempts to seize control of the Library of Congress even though the agency is technically part of the legislative branch. It functions as Congress research arm, while also maintaining the worlds largest collection of books, manuscripts, maps, photographs, and recordings. In May, Trump announced he was firing Carla Hayden, the librarian of Congress, before the end of her 10-year term, and he moved to replace her with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who previously served as Trumps personal attorney. After a judge refused to block Haydens termination, she filed an appeal last week to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Update: This piece has been updated to include comment from the Library of Congress and to note that the apparent technical error has been fixed. More from Rolling Stone Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WASHINGTON HEIGHTS, Manhattan (PIX11) It was a day of giving, culture, and community as Goya teamed up with community partners to feed hundreds of families in Washington Heights. Its all to help kick off the start of the Dominican Day Parade this Sunday. More Local News Its a team of food, help, and hope in Washington Heights led by Goya. In honor of the Dominican Day Parade, Goya, Catholic Charities, Allianza, and the Hispanic Society of the FDNY rolled up their sleeves to help those in their community most in need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its year-round action to help the community thrive, hosting distributions and giving more than a million dollars in scholarships. If you have a story, reach out to Monica Morales at monica@pix11.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. A trainee GP who failed to declare two drugs convictions when applying to work in the UK has been suspended following a disciplinary hearing. Dr Sean Welsh, who began GP training in Liverpool in February, did not reveal that he had been given a suspended jail sentence in Malta for receiving ketamine and cannabis in the post. The Medical Practitioners Tribunal Service (MPTS) upheld a misconduct allegation brought by the General Medical Council (GMC), the body which regulates doctors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It ruled Dr Welsh's fitness to practise was "currently impaired" by both his conviction and his failure to disclose it. The hearing was told Dr Welsh qualified in 2020 from the University of Malta and completed foundation training with Blackpool Teaching Hospital NHS Trust in 2022. Two years earlier he had been given a suspended jail term by a Maltese court. In a statement to the hearing the young doctor said he was persuaded by his cousin's friend to receive some drugs which were to be posted to his Maltese address ahead of a music festival. Dr Welsh was not going to the event and did not use the drugs. After the first package arrived - which contained cannabis - he was asked to receive a second. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This package, containing ketamine, was intercepted by Maltese Police. He said he had agreed to receiving the drugs "against his better judgment and with some reluctance". Rejection fear Dr Welsh did not mention his convictions when in 2019 he applied to join the UK Foundation Programme, on which medical graduates from overseas enrol to practise in the UK. Neither did he reveal the convictions when he applied for GMC registration a year later. In oral evidence at the hearing, he acknowledged that his disclosure failure was serious. stating it was fear of rejection that led him to consciously and dishonestly withold information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tribunal accepted "he was relatively young at the time, and that his actions, while deliberate, were not motivated by malice but by anxiety about the consequences". It noted that many of his colleagues have "described him as an excellent clinician and expressed confidence in his professional integrity". Related internet links Two people are federally charged with a gold bar scam which defrauded people across Wisconsin including a person in Grand Chute. Antonio Pena and Brandi Durst are each charged with money laundering conspiracy. They are accused of committing wire fraud to convince victims to convert money into gold bars, then stealing the money and attempting to conceal their method of obtaining it. A criminal complaint describes multiple cases of scamming in Kentucky, Washington, Missouri and Wisconsin. How does a gold bar scam work? According to the complaint, gold bar scams commonly target elderly populations and "have become increasingly common in recent years." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scams often start with a pop-up window on the internet that provides a number to call. People who call the number then get in communication with "fraudsters," who pose as bank representatives, technology professionals, and government agents to "build a trusting relationship with victims," the complaint says. The scammers instill fear that others are attempting to steal the victims' identity and money. They often try to isolate victims by warning them not to trust banks or even family members. Eventually, scammers try to convince victims to convert funds, often from retirement accounts, into gold bars, which the scammers can pick up, according to the complaint. Scammers choose gold because it is seen by many as secure, and it is difficult to trace which is beneficial to a money laundering scheme, the complaint says. What are the details of this scam? The following information is from the complaint: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2024, a person in Louisville, Kentucky referred to as Victim 1 first became involved in a computer scam in which she believed she was speaking with representatives from Microsoft. An individual posing as a representative from Microsoft told Victim 1 that she contacted a person at Truist Bank, where Victim 1 is a customer. The alleged Microsoft representative spoke to Victim 1 on the phone regularly until at least June 12, 2024, "as the scam against Victim 1 became more elaborate and consuming," the complaint says. The person posing as a Truist bank representative instructed Victim 1 to set up an account with Discover Bank and wire money there from her account with Truist. A few days later, the same person called Victim 1 and told her that Discover Bank was hacked. The person asked Victim 1 to wire funds overseas to Industrial and Commercial Bank of China. After that, the person posing as a bank representative instructed Victim 1 to close her account with her life insurance company and move those funds into her Truist account. The person posing as a bank representative also instructed Victim 1 to close her individual retirement account. Under guidance of the scammers, Victim 1 made two purchases of gold one in April 2024, and one in May 2024. Victim 1 purchased the gold, then met a man claiming to be a Federal Reserve agent named "Patrick" who was later identified as Pena in a Louisville, Kentucky parking lot, and gave it to him. The gold totaled more than $500,000. Based on Victim 1's statements, investigators obtained video surveillance of the gold pickup, and identified Pena's rental car, which they traced to the airport where he picked it up. Investigators found records showing Pena has traveled "extensively across the United States," but bank records "fail to support any legitimate employment or income sources." Investigators found other gold bar scam victims linked to the same scheme, with similar explanations and the same aliases, as well as pickups of gold being carried out by the same people. Several of those cases were in Wisconsin, including one with a Grand Chute victim and one with a Waukesha victim. On Dec. 23, 2024, the Grand Chute victim, identified in the complaint as Victim 4, reported to Grand Chute police that she had purchased gold bars and gold coins at the direction of unknown scammers. She said she was first contacted in August 2024 through texts and calls from various phone numbers. Victim 4 said she carried out six transactions: the first in crypocurrency, and the other five in purchases of gold from Voecks' Fox Valley Coin and Diamonds, based in Kimberly. For each transaction, Victim 4 met a different person in a different car to exchange the gold. Investigators identified one of those individuals as Pena. Victim 4 detailed that she spent more than $2.2 million across the six transactions, and purchased hundreds of gold bars. Durst was identified as a scammer who picked up gold from the Waukesha victim. Pena and Durst were arrested in July. Contact Kelli Arseneau at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @ArseneauKelli. This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Grand Chute woman defrauded of over $2.2 million in gold bar scam Aug. 6GRAND FORKS Eight suspected illegal immigrants were apprehended Tuesday, Aug. 5, by the Grand Forks Sector of U.S. Border Patrol. According to a Facebook post, Grand Forks Sector agents assisted U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) with targeting someone who had a criminal history. The person had been convicted of driving while intoxicated in 2020. Through the operation, the target as well as seven other individuals were apprehended. One person was identified as a Honduran national, while the others were identified as Ecuadorian nationals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "No matter how far you run or hard you hide, the United States Border Patrol will find you," the post said. The only "reprieve," the post said, is the CBP Home App, which provides assistance and incentives for voluntary departure from the U.S., according to the Department of Homeland Security website. Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shia militant and political movement, says it will disregard a decision by Lebanon's government to task the army with establishing a state monopoly on arms. "We will treat this decision as if it does not exist," Hezbollah said in a statement on Wednesday, describing it as a "grave sin". The comments come despite mounting international pressure for the group to disarm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iranian-backed group was significantly degraded in last year's war with Israel but has, so far, refused to give up its arsenal, despite calls from the US and domestic rivals. Hezbollah also said that the Lebanese cabinet's decision to try and confine arms supply and production to state forces was the result of American "diktats". It added that it was open to dialogue and discussions on "the national security strategy", but not "in the context of aggression". On Tuesday, Lebanon's cabinet asked the military to present a plan that will see all arms brought under state control by the end of the year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plan is to be presented to the cabinet by the end of this month for discussion and approval, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam told a press conference after the six-hour cabinet meeting. In June, American officials presented a roadmap to Lebanese authorities that proposed Hezbollah's full disarmament in exchange for Israel halting its strikes and withdrawing troops from five locations in southern Lebanon, which have been occupied despite a ceasefire deal reached in November. The group's leader, Naim Qassem, in a televised address while the cabinet meeting was underway, said Hezbollah would not discuss "the issue of the weapons" while Israeli attacks continue, accusing Israel of breaching the terms of the ceasefire. Israel says its attacks are to prevent Hezbollah from regrouping and rearming. Despite its weakened status, Hezbollah still enjoys significant support among Lebanon's Shia Muslim population, and discussions around its disarmament risk elevating tensions in the country, where many still remember the 1975-1990 civil war. Aug. 5MORGANTOWN The city of Morgantown is utilizing federal funding sources to continue revitalization efforts in lower Greenmont. Between American Rescue Plan Act dollars already allocated and largely spent, a forthcoming $2 million congressional earmark and some $790, 000 in Community Development Block Grant funds, the city has identified more than $3.3 million for the dilapidated section of the city's oldest neighborhood a relatively small area between Brockway Avenue and Deckers Creek. Of the $470, 309 in CDBG funds the city will receive in the current fiscal year, $236, 248 will support the creation of a lower Greenmont neighborhood park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, the city is in the process of redirecting unspent funds from its 2019 ($24, 327), 2020 ($4, 914), 2023 ($242, 860) and 2024 ($281, 406) CDBG spending plans into lower Greenmont. CDBG is a program through which the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development provides direct funding to entitlement communities using a formula based on factors like poverty rate, housing conditions and population. Morgantown Communications Director Brad Riffee explained how those funds will be used. "The two new CDBG funded projects include the development of a new public park within the floodplain along Deckers Creek and the reconstruction of Pennsylvania Avenue and Deckers Creek Avenue along the frontage of the proposed park, " he said. "Both new projects meet the CDBG program's national objective to principally benefit low-to-moderate income residents on an area basis." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Riffee went on to explain that the $2 million in congressionally directed spending the city was awarded last fall for blight removal, demolition and development in the area is still expected, but not likely to arrive in the near future due to the process required to release those funds. The city initially hoped to have that money available by spring of this year. "We have been actively planning for the use of these funds. The Morgantown Land Reuse & Preservation Agency has been developing a project plan that includes land acquisition, demolition of dilapidated structures and the creation of green space and accessible housing, " Riffee said. Half of the $2 million earmark will be used for the production and /or preservation of affordable housing through property acquisition, rehabilitation and /or construction. The other half will be split between the elimination of slum and blighting conditions ($650, 000) and property acquisition, clearance and remediation ($350, 000). The money will provide a significant boost to the efforts initiated by the city through the allocation of $600, 000 in ARPA money to its Land Reuse and Preservation Agency. The agency has used that money to acquire a number of properties, primarily along Pennsylvania Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those properties are small, empty parcels ; others include dilapidated structures identified by the neighborhood as magnets for unwanted activity. Earlier this month, Morgantown City Council approved a $60, 500 contract with Reclaim Company to raze three of those structures located at 570 and 635 Pennsylvania Avenue and 637 Brockway Avenue. Kristin Casper, center, general counsel for Greenpeace International, and other representatives for Greenpeace speak to the media March 19, 2025, outside the Morton County Courthouse. (Amy Dalrymple/North Dakota Monitor) Greenpeace says a North Dakota judge should not halt a free speech lawsuit it filed against the developer of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the Netherlands. The Amsterdam-based Greenpeace International brought the case in response to Energy Transfers colossal lawsuit accusing the environmental group of engaging in conspiracy, defamation and other crimes in opposition to the pipeline. Energy Transfers lawsuit, pending in North Dakota, is also against two other Greenpeace entities, Greenpeace USA and Greenpeace Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace International filed suit under a European Union directive intended to protect activist organizations from being targeted by frivolous lawsuits. It wants an Amsterdam court to find, among other things, that Energy Transfer filed the North Dakota lawsuit purely as an attempt to punish Greenpeace for supporting the Indigenous-led protests against the Dakota Access Pipeline. Greenpeace Internationals lawsuit also seeks monetary damages from Energy Transfer, and accuses the energy company of publishing false information about the environmental group. Energy Transfer argues that the Dutch lawsuit is a means for Greenpeace International to relitigate, and ultimately overturn, a March verdict by a Morton County jury that found the environmental group at fault for more than $660 million. The energy company asked Southwest Judicial District Judge James Gion last month to order Greenpeace International to put the Netherlands case on pause until the North Dakota lawsuit wraps up. This extraordinary measure is necessitated solely by Greenpeaces bad-faith tactics, Trey Cox, the lead attorney representing Energy Transfer in the lawsuit, wrote in a letter to Gion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greenpeace International in Tuesday court records said the Dutch lawsuit considers a different set of issues from the North Dakota case and therefore wont interfere with Gions court. Gion does not have jurisdiction over the Amsterdam courts, nor does his job allow him to grant plaintiffs worldwide immunity for their actions, Greenpeace International added. According to Greenpeace, a North Dakota court has never attempted to halt an overseas lawsuit. Court precedent indicates judges should only do so in the rarest of circumstances, the environmental group wrote. Greenpeace in court documents says it made Energy Transfer aware it was preparing to file the Netherlands lawsuit more than a year ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gion has yet to issue a judgment in the North Dakota case following the jurys verdict. Greenpeace has requested that Gion overturn the jurys verdict, or at least reduce it. Energy Transfer last month urged Gion to enter a judgment against Greenpeace soon in light of the lawsuit in the Netherlands. Gion will hear arguments on the motion on Aug. 20. North Dakota Monitor reporter Mary Steurer can be reached at msteurer@northdakotamonitor.com. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) On Tuesday, Tariq Mosley, 28, and Michael Garrison, 26, made their first appearance virtually in court on charges related to the death of Marsalis Davon Murphy and an investigation into the assault of a female victim on the 3200 block of East Bessemer Avenue on April 27. Police say when they arrived, they found Murphy in a parking lot and rushed him to the hospital, where he later died. In court on Tuesday, there was no mention of what may have led to the shooting or how the suspects and victims knew each other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mosley and Garrison are both facing charges of first-degree murder, assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill and discharge of a barreled weapon into an occupied vehicle. It was revealed on Tuesday that both Mosley and Garrison have prior charges. Mosley has a previous conviction of involuntary manslaughter and possession of a firearm, and Garrisons most recent was in 2024 for possession of cocaine. Neither Mosley nor Garrison was offered bond and could face a maximum sentence of life without parole or death. Garrison is scheduled to appear in court next on Sept. 10. Mosleys date in Superior Court has not been scheduled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A man from Greensboro who Immigration and Customs Enforcement detained weeks ago is free and on his way home. Mohammed Naser was being held in a Georgia detention center, but his lawyer says ICE agents got his country of origin wrong and detained him by mistake. The Department of Homeland Security denied that claim. He posted bond, and an immigration judge ordered his release on July 29, but ICE for a reason it has not said at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His attorney said that when agents arrested him last month, they questioned him about ties to Iran despite him being from Libya. He reportedly has no ties to Iran and has been seeking asylum in the United States. He also has a permit to work in the US. On Monday, the Board of Immigration Appeals denied ICEs motion for a discretionary stay, which cleared the way for his release. His attorney said he still faces removal proceedings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX8 WGHP. GREENVILLE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis did not mince words when describing a July incident in which two deputies were shot and injured during a training exercise. Lewis spoke Wednesday at a press conference addressing a training incident which ended when two deputies were struck by a breaching round from a shotgun. I want to be very clear, this incident should have never happened, said Lewis. Multiple breakdowns in safety protocol, ammunition handling, training procedures led to two of our deputies being injured. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 29, Greenville County SWAT units were training in a vacant building on Wade Hampton Boulevard when two deputies were struck by a round. One deputy, Lewis said, was struck in the groin area resulting in a severed artery and the other under his arm. One of the deputies required emergency surgery; both are expected to make a full recovery. According to Lewis, while preparing for a scenario, a deputy was tasked with getting blank 12-gauge shotgun rounds. The deputy, along with another deputy assigned to the training center acquired a baggie of breaching rounds, normally used to break through windows or doors, which the deputies thought were blank simulation ammunition from a desk drawer. The deputies who took the rounds tested them, Lewis said, by firing them into a berm from too far away to determine if the rounds were actually blanks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis later clarified all ammunition used by deputies is supposed to be kept in an armory maintained by the Greenville County Sheriffs Office. Live and simulation ammunition are normally kept separate from one another and are clearly marked. When the scenario began, another deputy, playing the role of an armed individual, fired one of the breaching rounds at deputies, striking two. Lewis said the deputies realized they were bleeding and the scenario immediately ended and both deputies were taken to the hospital for treatment. The sheriffs office launched an investigation into the accident, and Lewis said changes are being implemented to prevent another incident from happening again. While the investigation is ongoing, no shotguns are being used in training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis also said some disciplinary actions will be taken against those involved in the training incident once the investigation concludes. No disciplinary actions have been taken at this time, he said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. This image by AFP photojournalist Omar al-Qattaa shows a skeletal, underfed girl in Gaza, where Israel's blockade has fuelled fears of mass famine in the Palestinian territory. But when social media users asked Grok where it came from, X boss Elon Musk's artificial intelligence chatbot was certain that the photograph was taken in Yemen nearly seven years ago. The AI bot's untrue response was widely shared online and a left-wing pro-Palestinian French lawmaker, Aymeric Caron, was accused of peddling disinformation on the Israel-Hamas war for posting the photo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when internet users are turning to AI to verify images more and more, the furore shows the risks of trusting tools like Grok, when the technology is far from error-free. Grok said the photo showed Amal Hussain, a seven-year-old Yemeni child, in October 2018. In fact the photo shows nine-year-old Mariam Dawwas in the arms of her mother Modallala in Gaza City on August 2, 2025. Before the war, sparked by Hamas's October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, Mariam weighed 25 kilograms, her mother told AFP. Today, she weighs only nine. The only nutrition she gets to help her condition is milk, Modallala told AFP--and even that's "not always available". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Challenged on its incorrect response, Grok said: "I do not spread fake news; I base my answers on verified sources." The chatbot eventually issued a response that recognised the error -- but in reply to further queries the next day, Grok repeated its claim that the photo was from Yemen. The chatbot has previously issued content that praised Nazi leader Adolf Hitler and that suggested people with Jewish surnames were more likely to spread online hate. - Radical right bias - Grok's mistakes illustrate the limits of AI tools, whose functions are as impenetrable as "black boxes", said Louis de Diesbach, a researcher in technological ethics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't know exactly why they give this or that reply, nor how they prioritise their sources," said Diesbach, author of a book on AI tools, "Hello ChatGPT". Each AI has biases linked to the information it was trained on and the instructions of its creators, he said. In the researcher's view Grok, made by Musk's xAI start-up, shows "highly pronounced biases which are highly aligned with the ideology" of the South African billionaire, a former confidante of US President Donald Trump and a standard-bearer for the radical right. Asking a chatbot to pinpoint a photo's origin takes it out of its proper role, said Diesbach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Typically, when you look for the origin of an image, it might say: 'This photo could have been taken in Yemen, could have been taken in Gaza, could have been taken in pretty much any country where there is famine'." AI does not necessarily seek accuracy -- "that's not the goal," the expert said. Another AFP photograph of a starving Gazan child by al-Qattaa, taken in July 2025, had already been wrongly located and dated by Grok to Yemen, 2016. That error led to internet users accusing the French newspaper Liberation, which had published the photo, of manipulation. - 'Friendly pathological liar' - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An AI's bias is linked to the data it is fed and what happens during fine-tuning -- the so-called alignment phase -- which then determines what the model would rate as a good or bad answer. "Just because you explain to it that the answer's wrong doesn't mean it will then give a different one," Diesbach said. "Its training data has not changed and neither has its alignment." Grok is not alone in wrongly identifying images. When AFP asked Mistral AI's Le Chat -- which is in part trained on AFP's articles under an agreement between the French start-up and the news agency -- the bot also misidentified the photo of Mariam Dawwas as being from Yemen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Diesbach, chatbots must never be used as tools to verify facts. "They are not made to tell the truth," but to "generate content, whether true or false", he said. "You have to look at it like a friendly pathological liar -- it may not always lie, but it always could." dou-aor/sbk/rlp A CI-128 opponent in front of the Lewis and Clark County Fairgrounds on Nov. 5, 2024. (Photo by Blair Miller, Daily Montanan) Two groups, which were shot down unanimously by the Montana Supreme Court when they tried to halt a provision to protect the right to an abortion hours before it became part of the states constitution, have kept a vow to take the fight to a state district court. The Montana Life Defense Fund and the Montana Family Foundation filed suit in Yellowstone District Court late Tuesday afternoon, asking Judge Thomas Pardy to declare Constitutional Initiative 128, passed overwhelmingly by voters in November 2024, invalid because the full text was not printed on the ballot itself, something the group argues makes not just CI-128 illegal, but every amendment passed since 1978. However, the group is only challenging the passage of the abortion amendment because of a two-year statute of limitations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CI-128, which has since become part of the states constitution, protects the right to abortion up to the point of fetal viability, most commonly pinpointed at around the 22nd week of gestation. Previously, abortion had been legal up until the same point due to the states constitutional protection of privacy and a 1999 Supreme Court decision that said privacy applied the most in sensitive medical decisions between doctors and patients. For years, if not decades, conservative lawmakers tried attacking the ruling through a wave of legislation that tried to curb, curtail or otherwise impede the procedure, with little success. In 2024, Montanans overwhelmingly voted to approve CI-128 which enshrined the right. In the new lawsuit, filed by Derek Oestreicher of the Montana Family Foundation, the group appears not to have nuanced its previous argument, instead repeating the claim that because the full text of the amendment was not printed on the ballot, the entire measure should be invalidated. That is an argument the states highest court rejected unanimously earlier this summer as the Montana Life Defense Fund attempted to stop the amendment from going into effect. However, a five-justice panel chastised the group for trying to manufacture an emergency by waiting so long to challenge to the constitutional initiative, and also said the group had failed to develop a set of facts and legal theory to support its position. It dismissed the emergency appeal, but the group vowed to restart the fight by using the lower courts in order to build a case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 1978 onward, each official ballot containing a proposed constitutional amendment appears to be constitutionally deficient because each ballot has lacked the full text of the amendment as required by Article XIV, Section 9 of the Montana Constitution, the lawsuit said. The full text of CI-128 was not printed on the Nov. 5, 2024 ballot, which deprived all qualified electors of a meaningful opportunity to analyze and deliberate on the language of the proposed amendment. However, the Montana Supreme Court didnt mince words when it received a similar argument earlier this summer. Any urgency of emergency that exists is entirely of the Defense Funds own making, because it waited seven months to file this petition, the court said in the seven-page order, which outlined why it turned down the request. We have repeatedly warned parties they cannot manufacture an emergency due to lack of diligence. Even though the Life Defense Fund argued that voters may not have known what they were voting for because the full text of the amendment was not printed on the ballot, the Supreme Court pointed out other examples of voter information and access to it at the polling locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The court criticized them because copies of the full voters guide and the full text are required to be available at every voting precinct. The Defense Fund does not tell us how many election-day registrants exist for the 2024 General Election, nor does it assert that the number of election-day registrants was sufficient to change the outcome of this vote, the court noted. Constitutional Initiative passed by 58% to 42% margin. In overall vote totals, 345,070 people voted for the measure while 252,300 voted against it, according to the final vote tallies provided by the Montana Secretary of State. According to those same numbers, 552,438 ballots had been returned one week before the election, while the final vote tally in the state was 612,423, according to the Secretary of State. The exact number of same-day votes has not been released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Supreme Court also pointed out that state law requires the Montana Secretary of State to print a voter information guide, as well as prepare ballot information for publication in newspapers or other platforms at the county and state level. In addition to publishing the text in newspapers around the state and having voting guides sent to all registered voters and available at the polling locations, the Supreme Court said that the Secretary of State maintains a website, accessible to the public, that includes the (Voter Information Pamphlet) along with other information about Montanas elections. The Defense Fund has not demonstrated that the electorate was not provided with the full text of CI-128, the order said. And it has not developed the facts necessary to support its legal arguments. The Montana Life Defense Fund and the Montana Family Foundation said it will take the fight to the district court so that it can present the facts to show the initiative was passed contrary to the states Constitution and that voters were not fully informed. 1-Complaint-for-Declaratory-Relief ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. A Florissant man was charged Friday after attempting to steal guns from someone, then pistol-whipping and shooting at them during an altercation. According to a probable cause statement from the Florissant Police Department, the incident happened on July 30. Police did not provide a more specific time and location. Police said Jordan T. Bonds (age not provided) and a juvenile went to the victims home to look at some guns. Both Bonds and the juvenile tried leaving the home with the firearms, but the victim stopped them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the ensuing altercation, police said Bonds pistol-whipped the victim and shot at him. However, Bonds missed, and the bullet passed through the victims hoodie. 2 dead after helicopter crashes into Mississippi River barge north of St. Louis The juvenile entered Bonds vehicle and drove him away from the scene. Bonds was taken arrested on Aug. 1. Its not clear if the juvenile was also taken into custody. The St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorneys Office charged Bonds with first-degree robbery, first-degree assault, and two counts of armed criminal action. Bonds is in custody on a $500,000 cash-only bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bonds is next set to appear in court for a bond reduction hearing on Aug. 11, followed by a preliminary hearing on Sept. 10. According to police, Bonds has previously been convicted of second-degree burglary, trespassing, stealing, and child abuse. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ST. LOUIS Robert Jones lives near the intersection of Greer and Garrison Avenues. He says the area includes homeowners who have lived in the Jeff-Vander-Lou neighborhood for decades. Theyre nice people, he said. Gunfire entered the quiet neighborhood on Monday, leaving a 17-year-old boy with critical injuries while he was walking down the street. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subscribe Now Daily News At least 35 evidence markers, often used by police to mark the location of shell casings at shooting scenes, were visible. You got some of these kids walking around here with AR-15s, said Carl Tucker, a nearby resident. Were not in Iraq, but we are because we got these kids coming through here like that. Police say the teen victim told them a man he didnt know was wearing a black facemask and blue jeans when he opened fire. The victims condition is now considered stable. Police have been visiting residents door-to-door in search of potential surveillance footage that could help identify the shooter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting occurred near Greater Fairfax Baptist Church. Church leaders intend to conduct a community canvas in the coming days to check on residents. Tucker believes tougher penalties for offenders and more neighborhood policing would help. St. Louis Police encourage anyone with a tip who wants to remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a cash reward to contact CrimeStoppers at 866-371-TIPS (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 2. ABUJA (Reuters) -Gunmen abducted at least 45 women and children in an overnight raid on five villages in northwest Nigeria, witnesses said, in the second mass kidnapping in the area within days. The attackers returned to Sabongarin Damri on Monday and raided nearby villages including Sade, Tungar Tsalle, Tungar Sodangi and Tungar Musa Dogo, in an assault that lasted until dawn, Shehu Musa, the traditional head of Damri, told Reuters by phone late on Tuesday. The incident followed a separate mass abduction in Sabongarin Damri, in Zamfara state, on Saturday in which 70 people were taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The attackers invaded the communities and kidnapped no fewer than 45 people from the five neighbouring villages, which are less than half a kilometre apart," Musa said. Armed groups, often referred to locally as "bandits", have killed hundreds and abducted thousands across Nigeria's northwest in recent years. They typically hold captives for extended periods, demanding ransoms for their release. Security forces engaged the assailants during Monday's attack, killing three, but were unable to stop the bandits from fleeing with hostages and rustling cattle. Civilian casualties were reported, though the number of fatalities was unconfirmed. "They mostly kidnapped women and children after killing some of our people," said Hassan Dauda, a resident of Tungar Tsalle. "As I'm speaking to you now, some residents have started fleeing their community due to fear." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Separately, Boko Haram militias attacked the remote Kennari village, in the Damasak area of the northeastern Borno state, on Monday, abducting at least 15 people and killing one person, according to a security report seen by Reuters. Modu Bukar, a resident, said the assailants killed the village head and demanded a 30 million naira ($19,650) ransom for the release of the captives. ($1 = 1,526.4000 naira) (Reporting by Ahmed Kingimi in Maiduguri; writing by Elisha Bala-Gbogbo) SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Syracuse police are investigating an apparent shooting. Syracuse police were called to St. Josephs Hospital on Wednesday, Aug. 6, around 2:21 a.m., for a victim who was dropped off at the hospital suffering from an apparent gunshot wound. When officers arrived, they found a 25-year-old male with an apparent gunshot wound to the left ankle. The victim is listed in stable condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police have not determined where the incident happened. The investigation into this incident is active and ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to contact the Syracuse Police Department Criminal Investigations Division at (315) 442-5222. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. CORNING, N.Y. (WETM) The Guthrie Corning Hospital has announced its receipt of a donation from the new Jersey Mikes Subs location in Corning. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, Guthrie Corning announced that it received a donation of $2,342.46 from Jersey Mikes, which was raised during a community event through a special promotion. During this promotion, Jersey Mikes contributed $3 for each customer who redeemed a specific coupon. New lab location opens in Village of Bath for blood draws Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The grand opening was a huge success, and we were more than happy to support Guthrie Corning Hospital, said General Manager of Jersey Mikes Subs in Corning Harlan Iversen. We deeply appreciate the community coming together to help us open a successful, thriving business while giving back to the hospital. Were committed to continuing our support for the Corning community through great subs, excellent service and ongoing charitable causes. Guthrie states that the donation will be used to support health care services in the local area. Other local businesses and organizations that are interested in participating in a similar fundraiser with Guthrie are encouraged to reach out to Guthrie Resource Development at 570-887-4420 or visit Guthries website to learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WETM - MyTwinTiers.com. They had each other: WA newlyweds killed in head-on crash; family raising money to bring them home A young couple with ties to Western Washington was killed in a crash, just 22 days after getting married. Now, their family is fundraising to bring their bodies home. Last Tuesday, a trucker from Albuquerque, New Mexico, came upon the crash on Highway 371. The trucker said he saw a speeding driver pass him right before crashing into that couple. George Stokes, the trucker, was with 23-year-old newlyweds Serenne Mikel and Casey Daniel as they took their last breaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their car was on fire. So, I ran up and I started to pour my fire extinguisher to get the flames out, he said. Its probably one of the worst ones Ive seen in terms of the speed of the collision. Then he and the other Good Samaritans tried speaking to Serenne, who had been driving. The couple died a few minutes later. I was thinking about that moment. I said, I hope they didnt suffer the pain, said grandmother Leola Melengoes. Melengoes raised Serenne in Federal Way. The couple, from Washington, was on their way to Texas to start their new life together. She was happy, excited, Melengoes said, calling Serenne by her ancestral name, Dildanges, as she remembered her joy of just getting married. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her aunt, who was like her sister, says they are grateful for those who stopped to help the couple. Grateful, too, that the couple didnt die alone. The only comfort we have in that crash is Serenne and Casey were together, said Brea Mikel. That they had each other. Both Serenne and Casey had deep family ties to Palau in Micronesia. That is where the family would like to take their remains. They have set up a GoFundMe to help make that happen. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) speaks with reporters about House Republican's Legislative efforts. Aug. 6, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance Updated 4:47 p.m. With less than two months remaining until the end of the fiscal year and no budget deal in sight, Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) said Senate Democrats should take another look at their budget proposal following the passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act at the federal level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Mays Consensus Revenue Estimating Committee found the state had $320 million less than initially projected, Hall has criticized the Senates budget, arguing it was based on outdated information. Without considering the updated revenue estimates and the impact from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Hall argued the Senates budget proposal is no longer serviceable, encouraging the chambers Democratic leadership to write another budget based on the states current financial situation. While the GOP-led House has yet to put forth a proposal of its own on general government funding, the chamber approved an education budget in mid-June. Hall previously told reporters his goal was to negotiate an education budget by July 1, and that taxpayers would be better served if the Legislature worked toward a Sept. 30 deadline for the remaining budget items. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However the Legislature failed to negotiate any budget by its legally required deadline, giving the body until the end of September to avert a government shutdown with a new fiscal year set to begin on Oct. 1. In crafting the House budget, Hall told reporters hed instructed budget leadership and appropriations subcommittee chairs to revise their budgets based on the revenue projections from the May estimating conference and the nonpartisan House Fiscal Agencys brief on the financial impacts of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Im getting those recommendations from them very shortly, and then youll see us bring those out and move a budget very quickly, Hall said. However, he declined to provide a deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im not going to tell you that, but Im just saying were going to have a budget very soon, Hall said, later emphasizing that House Republicans will be doing everything they can to pass a budget by Sept. 30. Michigan House Speaker Matt Hall (R-Richland Township) discusses House Republicans efforts on the state budget. Aug. 6, 2025 | Photo by Kyle Davidson/Michigan Advance As part of that process, Hall said they were interviewing candidates to replace Rep. Alabas Farhat (D-Dearborn) as the minority vice chair of the House Appropriations committee. Farhat was ousted after Republicans failed to gather enough votes to move forward on the Houses version of legislation to ban cell phones in schools as well as an overhaul to life-without-parole sentencing guidelines for 19- and 20-year-olds. While there is a lot of interest in appointing Rep. Karen Whitsett (D-Detroit), there are other Democrats interested and interviewing Hall said, declining to offer the names of other potential candidates. Whitsett has long been a problem for House Democrats, most recently for her refusal to attend the final days of last years lame duck session. Combined with Republicans walking out of the chamber, that decision deprived Democratic leaders with a quorum and forced a frustrating end of session with several legislative priorities left unpassed. She also announced that she would not caucus with Democrats with the GOP back in charge of the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additionally, Whitsett is in her final House term, having decided to run for Detroit City Council, polling enough votes in Tuesdays primary to advance to the November General Election. State Rep. Karen Whitsett, D-Detroit, and then-House Minority Leader Matt Hall, R-Richland Twp., speak to reporters after the state House failed to reach a quorum on Dec. 19, 2024. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Hall said there were a number of parallel discussions on the budget between himself, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Senate Majority Leader Winnie Brinks (D-Grand Rapids), but he once again called for Democrats to empower the governor to negotiate for them. The Republicans are unified, and we can put forward one budget position. And I think the Democrats would be best served to iron out their differences, empower Governor Whitmer to lead you, and well get a budget done very fast, Hall said. A Brinks spokesperson did not respond to a request for comment prior to publication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement released Wednesday afternoon, House Minority Leader Ranjeev Puri (D-Canton) called on Hall to resume House Session, as no session days were scheduled for this week. House Republicans continued inaction on the budget is unacceptable. Every day another news story comes out highlighting how difficult it is for the average Michigander to get by in Trumps America, Puri said. If his caucus is going to demonstrate the slightest bit of concern for the Michigan workers, families and kids, who will suffer if we dont pass a budget, Hall must immediately resume negotiations. Every day of Republican inaction brings us closer to government shutdown. Sen. Dayna Polehanki (D-Livonia), who chairs the Senate Education Committee, noted that the lack of an education budget had forced some public schools to discontinue programs offering free meals to all students, due to the lack of certainty on funds they will receive from the state. With federal policies causing costs to continue to rise and a growing atmosphere of uncertainty in state and federal policies, youd think the Republican party would be doing everything in its power to ensure no Michigan child goes without access to food. Yet House Republicans are still in no hurry to pass a realistic education budget as public schools are being forced to end the successful universal free breakfast and lunch program that has ensured access to healthy meals for millions of Michigan students. Polehanki said in a statement, accusing Republicans of playing political games rather than working on a budget. This story was updated to include statements from Democratic legislative leaders. HAMDEN, Conn. (WTNH) Firefighters and police officers in Hamden work in tandem 364 days a year except during their annual Battle of the Badges softball game. Hamden swears in first female fire chief Each year, before their National Night Out event, the Hamden Fire Department and Police Department play in a friendly softball game against each other, hoping to build positive relationships between first responders and members of the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire is going to whoop the pants off the police department, Hamden Fire Chief Shelly Carter said. Thats all I got to say. We will be taking home the trophy. Were going to bring home that trophy man, and were going to display it proudly, Hamden Police Chief Edward Reynolds said. Despite the friendly trash talking, both departments agreed that in the end, its really all about the safety of Hamden residents. No matter the side that were on police or fire, EMS, paramedic, were public safety and we work together on calls at various incidents and emergencies, Carter said. Youve got some of the finest public safety practitioners in the world right here in Hamden, Reynolds remarked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the full video in the player 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 WTNH.com. CONCORD, NH (ABC22/FOX44) Funding from the state budget has allowed for the expansion of New Hampshires Cold Case Unit, doubling the amount of state Department of Justice Investigators. The unit will now have two full-time DOJ investigators, Governor Kelly Ayotte and Attorney General John Formella announced. Previously, there was only the one part-time position listed. These full-time investigators can dedicate all their resources to cold cases, which represents a substantial increase in the NH DOJs in-house investigative contribution, according to a release from both officials. Ayotte, a former Attorney General and prosecutor, said that this expansion is about giving law enforcement the tools and support they need in order to pursue these cases with the urgency and care they deserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im proud New Hampshire is the safest state in the nation, and we intend to keep it that way by continuing to invest in public safety. Burlington officers search for alleged local burglary suspect Formella noted that this change strengthens our ability to focus even more New Hampshire Department of Justice resources on the Granite States cold cases. One new full-time roll is going to long-time state DOJ Deputy Chief Investigator Todd Flanagan, while another is going to experienced Investigator Bruce Foremny. The Cold Case Unit itself is a multi-agency network. Authorities work to solve cold case homicides, which the DOJ says are unsolved indents, with no active investigation, that are more than five years old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Federal authorities have issued grand jury subpoenas ordering the state to produce extensive records as part of an investigation of possible irregularities in the distribution of tens of millions of dollars in government grants to social service and business nonprofit organizations in Hartford. In particular, federal prosecutors want all documents concerning any personal or non professional relationship between two people who have emerged as major players in the extensive Hartford nonprofit scene, state Sen. Douglas McCrory, D-Bloomfield, and Sonserae Cicero-Hamlin, who operates a nonprofit consulting business through something called the SHEBA Resource Center. Multiple friends and acquaintances of McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin said that, recently, the two lived together in a $780,000 home in Bloomfield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state on Wednesday disclosed the two subpoenas the grand jury served late last week on the state Department of Economic and Community Development and the Minority Business Initiative, the business development program that operates within the department under the guidance of a board of outside advisors. State records obtained by the Courant show that McCrory sat on the advisory board during a years-long period when it was considering millions of dollars of grants or loans that went to a Cicero-Hamlin business. Among the materials sought by the grand jury are all agendas and minutes of Minority Business Initiative Advisory Council meetings. McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin have declined comment. While the state on Wednesday was acknowledging that it had received subpoenas, federal agents were in Hartford serving still more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the entities served early Wednesday was the nonprofit Legacy Foundation of Hartford, the mission of which is to eliminate disparities in health and education by providing substantive academic and experiential learning opportunities to the regions most underrepresented students. Subpoenas have been previously served on still more nonprofits. A subpoena is a request for information, not an accusation of any wrongdoing. Combined with information provided by people with knowledge of the investigation, the subpoenas suggest federal authorities are interested in determining, among other things, how recipients of state and federal grants were chosen and whether the grants came with conditions, such as instructions for nonprofits to hire certain people or to contract with consultants. The grand jury also wants all documents concerning any factual misrepresentation or omissions used to obtain or attempt to obtain grants, loans, or funding of which the recipient is aware. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The subpoenas to the Department of Economic and Community Development and its Minority Business Initiative seek all records concerning the millions of dollars the state has distributed since 2020 to the well-known nonprofits Blue Hills Civic Association, Girls for Technology, Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative, various SHEBA entities controlled by Cicero-Hamlin, the Prosperity Foundation, the Legacy Foundation of Hartford, HEDCO and the YMCA of Greater Hartford. Federal authorities also want records of all communications between the state officials involved in the grant award process and McCrory and Cicero-Hamlin, as well as official communications with Vickie Galon-Clark, who until recently ran the Blue Hills Civic Association; Mary Young, program director at the Upper Albany Neighborhood Collaborative; Sabrina Tucker-Barrett, president and CEO of Girls for Technology; Howard K. Hill, founder of the Prosperity Foundation; Greg Jones, Legacy Foundation founder; Kim Hawkins, president and CEO of the business support group HEDCO, and Ira Revels, founder of the health nonprofit And Wellness. In addition to Cicero-Hamlins consulting business, the grand jury wants the state agency to produce all records and communications concerning grants and loans involving KTH Advisors, a Hartford consulting firm run by Kevin T. Henry. The Department of Economic Development distributes government grants and loans to a multitude of groups for purposes that run from economic development to community renewal to historic preservation. Although the Minority Business Initiative exists within the department, it operates under an advisory council consisting, according to its promotional materials, of community leaders, small business owners, and business development professionals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the members of the Minority Business Initiative advisory council are McCrory and Hill, who founded Prosperity Foundation and operates Howard K. Hill Funeral Services, in New Haven, Hartford and Bloomfield. State grant money distributed by the Department of Economic and Community Development is not always awarded directly to nonprofits. In some cases, the department distributes money to one nonprofit, which in turn redirects a portion to another non-profit. Such a redirection of state money took place beginning in April 2022, when the Minority Business Initiative approved a $300,000 grant to one of Cicero-Hamlins SHEBA-related companies. During the same period, the Department of Economic and Community Development agreed to pay $5 million to the nonprofit Girls for Technology, created to empower women in tech and entrepreneurship, which in turn paid SHEBA the first of what were to be two, $1 million installments, records show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Records produced by the department show that the $1 million was to cover work SHEBA had done as a contractor for Girls for Technology. The nature of the contract work was not clear from the records and officials at the department were not immediately able to provide an explanation. Officials at SHEBA and Girls for Technology declined to comment or were not available. State records show that SHEBA received additional funding either directly or indirectly. Few travellers who make regular journeys to the USA would describe the border process as a bright and breezy experience. It depends on where you are landing, of course, and when, but there is usually a nagging worry that you will round a corner into the arrivals hall to find a queue of biblical size, and the prospect of a lengthy wait. Perhaps, if you have only built a brief window into your plans, at the expense of your connecting flight. So any news that this process could be simplified and shortened will always be welcome. Such has been the case in the last month, with the announcement that passengers heading to two particular American destinations Dallas-Fort Worth in Texas; Atlanta in Georgia will be able to bypass certain US customs requirements in London prior to their departure. Admittedly, both routes come with significant qualifications and caveats, but with murmurings emerging that the programme will be broadened to further cities if the short-cuts prove successful, frequent crossers of the Atlantic will seize on the positives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, pre-clearance travel into the United States is nothing new. British travellers have long gazed in green-faced envy at Shannon Airport the little hub in County Clare, on the west coast of Ireland, which became the site of the first US border pre-clearance desk on European soil when the facility opened in 1986. Pasengers heading to Dallas-Fort Worth and Atlanta will be able to bypass certain US customs requirements in London prior to their departure - E+ Nearly four decades on, a regional operation which amounts to just one terminal and two million passengers per year provides flights to four major American destinations (New York JFK, Newark, Chicago, Boston), with passengers able to have their passports checked prior to take-off. Nor is Shannon a lone example. In total, the USA offers 15 pre-clearance border points. The Irish capital Dublin is also part of the club. So is Bermuda. There are two such facilities in the Caribbean region (Aruba; Nassau in the Bahamas), and nine in Canada (including Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Toronto). The United Arab Emirates joined the list in 2014, when a pre-clearance point opened at Zayed International, in Abu Dhabi. Limited developments That inauguration was the most recent. In May 2015, the US Department of Homeland Security announced that a further 10 international airports were being considered for the border pre-clearance scheme, including Heathrow and Manchester, as well as Oslo, Amsterdam, Madrid, Brussels, Istanbul, and Narita International in Tokyo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, these proposals were unveiled during the second Obama presidency. There have been no major developments or updates under the three subsequent White House administrations. The new short-cuts to Texas and Atlanta are not part of this pre-clearance system. They mainly apply to customs checks, coming under the umbrella of a pilot programme called One Stop Security. And for now, they are limited to specific airlines and named routes. The Dallas-Fort Worth short-cut applies to travellers flying with American Airlines from Heathrow (Flight AA51), and is open to passengers who are connecting to a further flight in Texas. The main convenience is that clearing customs in London means they will not have to collect their bags when they land, and check them in for a second time before flying onwards which is currently the standard requirement for all arrivals in the USA. They can simply continue to their connecting aircraft, knowing their luggage will follow. The Atlanta short-cut is even more restricted in scope. It is only applicable to passengers who are travelling from Heathrow to HartsfieldJackson International with Delta Air Lines (Flight DL33). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, it is only open to travellers who are registered with Americas Global Entry system or those who have the Mobile Passport Control app on their phones. The latter is only available to US citizens and legal permanent residents. In other words, those dreaming of an end to the seemingly interminable wait at JFK or LAX will have to wait a little longer. But with important eyes keeping a close watch on the effectiveness of the Dallas and Atlanta routes, and American Airlines speaking of its plans to explore a widening of the programme to further cities, there may yet be a simplification of the stop-start queuing that has come to define a touch-down in America. 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. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) Smoke drifting from wildfires burning in California has been impacting Southern California and neighboring states, and San Diego can expect hazy skies and poor air quality for at least a few more days. While wildfire smoke from Canada has been impacting the Midwest, the West Coast is now joining in as the Gifford Fire has burned more than 80,000 acres in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties, in addition to the Rosa Fire near the Santa Rosa Mountains and the Gold Fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. Much of San Diego County under heat advisory later this week. Heres where Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smoke has been drifting south and east, impacting much of Southern California and parts of Nevada and Utah. Air quality in the United States on August 5, 2025 (Airnow.gov) The National Weather Service reports the smoke and haze that has been blanketing San Diego County and surrounding areas since Sunday will linger in the area through at least Thursday morning. NWS says this includes all smoke in the atmosphere that may not necessarily be near the surface. San Diego coastal areas will also see some patchy cloud coverage from a shallow marine layer in the next few days. More weather: Forecast | Alerts | Live Radar | Newsletter The San Diego County Air Pollution Control District reports the air quality forecast for San Diego on Tuesday and Wednesday will range from good (green) to unhealthy for sensitive groups (orange). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement View the air quality in your area in real-time at Airnow.gov. California wildfire causing hazy skies in San Diego; extreme heat warning later this week If you smell smoke or see ash during wildfires, the South Coast Air Quality Management District offers some precautions to take, including wearing an N95 mask, staying indoors with windows and doors closed, running an HVAC or air purifier, and avoiding using a leaf blower. If you are cleaning up wildfire ash, wear goggles, gloves, long-sleeved shirts and long pants. The hazy conditions come as inland San Diego County will be under a heat advisory later this week, while desert areas will be under an extreme heat warning. For the coastal areas: 73 to 82, western valleys and inland Orange County: 82 to 89, inland valleys: 88 to 98, mountains between 4000 ft and 7000 ft: 80 to 91, high desert: 95 to 102, low desert: 108 to 111 (PHOTO: National Weather Service) For the coastal areas: 78 to 87, western valleys and inland Orange County: 87 to 95, inland valleys: 94 to 104, mountains between 4000 ft and 7000 ft: 84 to 95, high desert: 99 to 106, low desert: 114 to 117 (PHOTO: National Weather Service) The orange on the map shows much of inland San Diego County will be under a heat advisory Wednesday through Friday (PHOTO: National Weather Service) Warming conditions expected for the middle to end of next week. By Thursday widespread moderate HeatRisk is expected for the valleys, mountains and High Desert. Widespread major HeatRisk is expected for the low desert (PHOTO: National Weather Service) Sign up for severe weather alert emails from FOX 5/KUSI Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Davis-Besse power station, one of two aging nuclear plants in Ohio that received customer-funded subsidies under HB 6 (Jim West/UCG/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) This article was originally published by Canary Media. The Ohio Manufacturers Association Energy Group and the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel filed briefs recently that call for FirstEnergys Ohio utilities to pay more than half a billion dollars for regulatory violations in three of the agencys House Bill 6-related regulatory cases. The utilities claim any remedy should be orders of magnitude smaller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the latest development in the saga of HB 6, the 2019 law at the heart of Ohios ongoing corruption scandal involving FirstEnergy, which owns three regulated utilities in Ohio. In the alleged multimillion-dollar conspiracy, the sprawling corporation used dark money political spending whose ultimate source is concealed to bribe former Ohio House Speaker Larry Householder (R) and pay others for their help in passing and protecting the law for the benefit of FirstEnergy and its unregulated subsidiaries, including FirstEnergy Solutions, which ran two Ohio nuclear plants and was in bankruptcy at the time. The legislation would have charged customers of utilities across the state including FirstEnergys utilities, AEP Ohio, Duke Energy Ohio, and AES Ohio more than $1 billion over the course of six years for the two nuclear plants. Lawmakers repealed that charge in 2021, along with terms guaranteeing revenue for utilities. HB 6 still requires utility customers to subsidize two 1950s-era coal plants through mid-August. Terms gutting Ohios renewable energy and energy-efficiency standards also remain in place. FirstEnergy has admitted that it funneled roughly $60 million to dark money groups connected to Householder and that it paid $4.3 million to Sam Randazzo, former chair of the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, shortly before Gov. Mike DeWine (R) appointed him, in return for helping to pass HB 6 and doing other favors for the company at the commission. FirstEnergy paid roughly a third of a billion dollars to resolve federal criminal and securities charges, but neither those nor any state settlements to date address violations of Ohio regulatory law. Three cases at the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, or PUCO, had their evidentiary hearing an administrative trial in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One case explores whether FirstEnergy violated Ohio law requiring corporate separation between utilities and unregulated affiliates. Another case examines how FirstEnergy used more than $450 million collected from customers under a bill rider that was later found to be unlawful. The third case considers whether charges to an account that was meant for expenses related to utilities capital equipment were improper. The PUCOs fourth HB 6 case, which likely wont have an evidentiary hearing before next year, considers whether customer money was used for political or charitable purposes. FirstEnergy has undertaken significant measures to make amends for past misconduct, its utilities lawyers wrote in their July 21 brief. FirstEnergys utilities deny that they violated Ohios corporate separation law. They further argue that they shouldnt have to pay much more than a $6.6 million refund, with interest, plus a measured remedy for concealing a side deal with Randazzo in the case that imposed the unlawful bill rider. FirstEnergys proposed resolution would be more like a pat on the back than a slap on the wrist in terms of a punishment for committing those crimes and misusing ratepayer money, said Dave Anderson, policy and communications manager for the Energy and Policy Institute, a watchdog group. What does evidence show? FirstEnergy spokesperson Jennifer Young said the company is unable to comment on ongoing litigation. Yet the utilities brief raises unusual arguments about the states corporate separation law and their failure to track specifically how customer money was spent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FirstEnergys utilities concede that state law prohibits them from favoring their unregulated affiliate, FirstEnergy Solutions. But they argue that this rule was not broken, claiming that the companys bribes to public officials were meant to boost the financial standing of its regulated utilities. HB 6s revenue guarantees funnelled money toward those utilities, the brief says, while the laws nuclear subsidies would have provided them with more baseload power. While FirstEnergy Corp. engaged in criminal conduct there is no evidence that the Companies extended an undue preference or advantage to any affiliate, the brief says. However, Ohios corporate separation law bans regulated utilities from favoring or subsidizing unregulated electricity production, and the majority of the HB 6 subsidies were for FirstEnergy Solutions nuclear plants. FirstEnergys utilities also claim they properly spent the unlawful rider money directly or indirectly for grid modernization, as the PUCO required in a 2016 order, and that it cant be refunded because of a 2019 ruling by the Ohio Supreme Court. Nonetheless, the company noted, roughly two-thirds of the total rider payments went back to customers under a 2021 settlement in a case about significantly excessive earnings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 2019 Ohio Supreme Court decision said the bill charge wasnt refundable because it hadnt yet been ruled unlawful. The court didnt address whether restitution is appropriate for alleged misuses of the money, which came to light later. Thats the basis for the Ohio Manufacturers Association Energy Group and Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel request for the charge to be refunded. And the case about significantly excessive earnings suggests the utilities had sufficient profits, which undermines claims that they needed the rider money, the consumers counsel noted. Evidence at the regulatory hearings in June included a 2022 audit by Daymark Energy Advisors. Daymark found the spending could not be traced after it went into a money pool managed by an unregulated affiliate, FirstEnergy Service Co. And while the utilities made some upgrades to their distribution infrastructure, they recovered the funding through other bill charges, the auditor found. Daymark also concluded there was insufficient evidence for FirstEnergys claim that debt reduction and cuts to utilities pension obligations improved its ability to borrow money later for grid modernization. FirstEnergy has utterly failed to sustain its burden of proof and its actions in furtherance of HB 6 and the bribes have and still are causing harm to customers, lawyers for the manufacturers group wrote in their brief. Rather, evidence showed multiple violations, they wrote, citing testimony by the groups expert, John Seryak, and by Ashley Brown, a former PUCO commissioner who testified on behalf of the state consumers counsel. Limited review PUCO Chair Jenifer French has said the agency will continue to follow the facts wherever they may lead in the HB 6 saga. But critics say the commission is merely perpetuating a piecemeal approach to the corruption scandal, which began while Randazzo was still its chair. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It just seems like there was a deliberate effort within the PUCO to break it up into multiple cases and just create a really confusing and convoluted process that has made it hard for the public to follow, said Anderson, with the Energy and Policy Institute. Regulators still have not ordered a full-scale investigation and management review of FirstEnergys utilities, which the Office of the Ohio Consumers Counsel requested nearly five years ago. Nor did the commission announce any investigation into its own activities after Randazzos first criminal indictment in late 2023. Questions in the individual regulatory cases are certainly relevant, but theyre marginal, Brown told Canary Media. The heart of the issue is this is a corporation gone rogue. FirstEnergy has announced multiple reforms, including a new ethics officer and other steps to improve corporate governance. But good corporate governance hinges on companies knowing there will be consequences for violations, Brown said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indeed, if regulators dont require steep financial penalties, the manufacturers group suggested they should revoke the FirstEnergy companies ability to do business as monopoly distribution utilities. That possibility merits consideration, Anderson said. At what point does a corporation give up its government-granted privilege of having a whole body of captive ratepayers that it can collect ratepayer money from and have guaranteed profits from after having engaged in behavior like this? he asked. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Gov. Maura Healey on Tuesday signed the supplemental spending bill she first filed in early April, including the Legislatures addition of a take-it-or-leave-it pay raise proposal for bar advocates who have been refusing to take court-appointed cases. Also included in the new law is $60 million to fund home care services for older adults, nearly $43 million for the Residential Assistance for Families in Transition program, $28.9 million for settlements and judgments, and $15.5 million to help the Department of Transitional Assistance roll out electronic benefits transfer chip cards. The $259 million midyear budget did not include investments in legal representation for indigent defendants when the governor filed it, but a work stoppage among private attorneys who take cases as bar advocates has since led some criminal defendants to have charges against them dropped. House and Senate negotiators added the proposal just before final votes last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new law seeks to address the work stoppage in two ways. First, it would provide bar advocates with a $20-an-hour raise over two years (compared to the $60-an-hour raise that some bar advocates are seeking over two years). It also includes $40 million for the Committee for Public Counsel Services to hire about 320 additional public defenders, eliminating the need for as many independent contractor bar advocates. Many bar advocates, a group that has accounted for as much as 80% of the public defense work in Massachusetts courts, have said the $20-an-hour raise is inadequate. You know, $20 over two years is a lot of money. The concern that I have is that I havent heard from any bar advocates who told me that they will go back, given that theyre going to get an additional $10 this year, Mara Dolan, a member of the Governors Council who has also worked as a bar advocate, said Sunday in an interview on NBC 10 Boston. She added, The momentum has a life of its own. So whether $10 an hour this year and $10 an hour next year is enough remains to be seen. If it isnt, then we will continue to have people coming to court arraigned on charges and dont have counsel to represent them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law also enshrines a new policy requiring that private bar advocates sign biannual contracts with CPCS to establish minimum coverage and availability, and includes language that would consider any agreement between private bar advocates who refuse to compete for or accept new assignments unless rates are increased as evidence of a violation of the states antitrust laws. Together, we hope that these initiatives will lead to most reasonable private bar advocates returning to work, House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz said last week as he laid out the full proposal and also made clear that the legislative leaders are unhappy with the way bar advocates have handled the situation. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW EMPORIA (KSNT) A northeast Kansas healthcare center is celebrating the start of construction work on a new clinic in Emporia. Taylor Bugg with Stormont Vail Health said in a press release that work on its new Emporia clinic will start in the spring of 2026 at 18th and Road G. The new healthcare center is estimated to open sometime in 2028. Its not just about a sign, its about honoring the journey that brought us here and the future were building in Emporia, said Mary Martell, vice president of Strategy and Regional Development. Were proud to show our team and community whats to come and are excited to bring expanded access to high-quality care and services to the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stormont Vail Healths Emporia Clinic will feature new technology and state-of-the-art virtual/telemedicine equipment along with upgraded consultation rooms and comfortable waiting areas. Staff with Stormont held a small celebration on Monday, Aug. 4 ahead of the official groundbreaking for the new clinic. Grand Funk Railroad set to perform live in Kansas, heres when After three decades of serving Emporia, we are creating a permanent presence. Were not just building a clinic were building a healthier community one patient visit at a time, said Dr. Scott Smiley. This new campus is not only an investment in our patients, but an investment in our team and the future of Emporia as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. A vacant hallway at Vaughan Regional Medical Center in Selma, AL, Tuesday, Sep. 3, 2024 in Selma, Ala. A state board will recommend a 4.75% health insurance increase for local government employees next week. (Will McLelland for Alabama Reflector) The executive committee of the Local Government Health Insurance Program (LGHIP) will recommend a 4.75% rate increase for 2026 premiums, a proposal that will be presented to the full board next week. Out-of-pocket increases for policyholders will vary by local government, as they set their own cost-sharing ratios. On average, local governments the employers cover about 92% of a single employees premiums with dental coverage and about 60% of the premiums for employees with dependents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The premium rate increase means that, on average, a local government employee might see their monthly health insurance cost rise from about $51 to $53.40 for a single employee on a Preferred plan while local government employers share will increase from $586.04 to $613.88 on average. For an employee with one dependent, the monthly premium cost could increase from $417.40 to $437.20 on average, with the share for the local government employers going up from $1,135.64 to $1,189.59 monthly. Some premiums may be a little bit higher. Some premiums may be a bit lower, but its up to those counties and the cities to determine what they actually pass along to their employees, David Hilyer, CEO of the LGHIP, said after the meeting. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The proposed increase is less than the initial 5.05% increase floated earlier in the meeting, the minimum estimated increase to prevent the board from having a financial loss in the 2026 fiscal year. Hilyer said that the board is completely funded by local governments, with no state funding, and they are trying to balance rising health care costs with the boards goal of providing stable premium rates for counties, cities and quasi-governmental entities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We try to be predictable in our rate increases, Hilyer said. For 2025, active employee preferred premiums before cost-sharing for a single plan with dental coverage are $637, and $1,553 for employee and dependent coverage with dental. Standard plan premiums for 2025 are slightly higher, at $697 for single and $1,761 for employee and dependent with dental. A preferred plan offers the same or similar benefits at a lower premium, but it requires meeting specific criteria related to participation time, wellness engagement and payment history. If the 4.75% rate is approved next week, the preferred premiums will rise to about $667.26 for a single plan with dental coverage and $1,626.77 for employee and dependent coverage with dental. Standard premiums will rise to about $730.11 for single and $1,844.65 for employees and dependents with dental coverage. The discussion also touched upon the programs historical performance compared to industry trends. Hilyer said during the meeting that our rate increases have been consistently under the typical premium rate increases seen in other health insurance providers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats always a good thing, that our premium increases are less than those that people are seeing throughout the industry, he said. The full board is expected to vote on the recommendation next week. Aug. 6U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. doubled down on his concerns over the safety of some long-used vaccines during his visit to the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium on Tuesday in Anchorage. His visit came on the same day that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, under his direction, withdrew $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine research. "We support vaccination, but what we're doing is to make sure that the vaccines are adequately tested and that we get the best, safest vaccines available to Alaskans and every American," Kennedy told reporters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy's funding withdrawal is the latest in a string of decisions that have raised alarm among public health advocates and infectious disease experts who say Kennedy's actions may reduce public trust in the efficacy of vaccines that have saved millions of lives. Among those with concerns about Kennedy's approach to vaccines is U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, who appeared at the Anchorage press conference alongside Kennedy, U.S. Sen. Dan Sullivan and leaders of ANTHC. Murkowski criticized Kennedy during the press conference for his decision to replace all members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices. "I have been critical of the fact that the ACIP board was basically terminated and a new group of individuals was installed because I feel that that challenges the credibility of the advisory board itself," said Murkowski. "So I have been one who has been perhaps more critical of some of the processes, but I don't fault the secretary for wanting to ensure that there is a more rigorous testing process for our vaccines, although I do believe that we have many vaccines that have been in place for years, if not decades, that have clearly demonstrated that efficacy over a period." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both Murkowski and Sullivan voted to confirm Kennedy earlier this year. Sullivan did not comment on Kennedy's approach to vaccines. Alaska has among the lowest childhood vaccination rates in the country, and childhood vaccine uptake is on the decline in Alaska, recent state data shows. Kennedy did not make any specific comments on Alaska's low vaccination rates, which health experts nationally say may contribute to outbreaks of vaccine-preventable illnesses like measles. Kennedy said the National Institutes of Health is putting "major funding into developing universal vaccines" and that the canceled funding for mRNA vaccines will go toward developing that type of vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the ANTHC offices in Anchorage, dozens of protesters gathered Tuesday chanting "RFK has got to go" and holding up signs. One read, "Autism is not a disease, but RFK Jr. is." Kennedy, who has traveled extensively in Alaska previously, said that in visiting the state, he was making good on a promise he made to Sullivan, who is known for asking Cabinet nominees to visit Alaska. Kennedy planned to visit communities in the Interior and on the Kenai Peninsula before going fishing later this week on the Kenai River. "It was not a hard sell to come back to Alaska," Kennedy said. "I wanted to do it during sockeye season." Budget reconciliation bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy used his visit to Anchorage to tout the budget reconciliation bill signed into law in July by President Donald Trump. Nonpartisan analyses have found that the law is expected to reduce federal Medicaid spending by $1 trillion in the coming decade, in large part through work requirements that are set to cause millions of Americans to lose access to the program that covers the cost of their health care. Around one-third of Alaskans rely on Medicaid for health care access. "You've been inundated by advertisements saying that there's cuts to Medicaid and Medicare," Kennedy said. "That is not true," he said. "The cuts that are happening are to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're using AI and we're using innovation to identify waste, fraud and abuse and eliminate it, and that's the only cuts that we're going to see," Kennedy added. Sullivan echoed Kennedy's assertion that the law did not include cuts to Medicaid. Murkowski, meanwhile, said that people may be "pushed off Medicaid" because of the work requirements. Kennedy also touted the $50 billion rural health fund that was included in the budget reconciliation bill, called the One Big Beautiful Bill by Trump and congressional Republicans. "Alaska has an opportunity to really get proportionally more money than any other state," said Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy said that the application for the rural health fund would be posted in September. It is up to states to apply for the funding. "The most innovative applications are going to get slightly more money than less innovative ones," Kennedy said, adding that he had asked Sullivan and Murkowski to speak with Gov. Mike Dunleavy "about making sure that he put in a high-quality application." The state has requested health care providers across the state to submit input on potential uses of the funding. That input is due Aug. 18. "What President Trump sees as the greatest way to advance our country is through the federal system, by turning our states into laboratories for innovation. So what their vision is, is to try to reward the most innovative ideas and transformative ideas," said Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said "all the hospitals should be looking at that and coming up with ideas that are going to be transformative, and those could be, for example, subsistence foods, they could be building health care centers, building physical fitness programs in their schools. Those are the kind of innovations that we're looking for." Alaska Native health Kennedy said that he has "a deep passion" for improving the health of Alaska Native people. "Processed foods are literally killing them, part of a genocide that is centuries old," said Kennedy. He has previously made similar statements in congressional testimony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's something that I want to leave as a legacy, that Alaska Native and American Indians are living longer" and "having more control and sovereignty over their food and their destinies," Kennedy said. Kennedy added that he wanted to "dramatically change the food systems so that we can get Native foods to all tribes." "We want to work with the tribes, we want to recognize and support their sovereignty, and we want to remove the impediments to food sovereignty, to subsistence and traditional foods," Kennedy said. Kennedy said that addressing the cost of health care should begin "by addressing the food and encouraging Americans to take better care of themselves." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski said Kennedy's visit is an indication of "the significance that he has assigned to Alaska Native issues and the areas of concern that we face here." Kennedy is the first in a slew of Trump Cabinet members set to visit Alaska this month. Sullivan said Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Housing and Urban Development Secretary Scott Turner would be visiting the state later in August. Correction: This story has been updated to reflect that Secretary Kennedy talked about "turning our states into laboratories for innovation," not "turning out states into laboratories for innovation." SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) As triple-digit temperatures scorch the region this week, officials with the Cleveland National Forest have announced an emergency heat-related closure of several popular hiking areas in the Palomar Ranger District. The closure, in effect from 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6 through 8 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 8, is a direct response to dangerously high temperatures forecast across inland San Diego County. The closures impact several high-traffic trails and recreation areas near Three Sisters Falls and Cedar Creek Falls, both of which have been the sites of previous heat-related rescues and emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Triple-digit temperatures headed to Southern California. When will heat spike? Areas closed to the public include: Three Sisters Trail (3E04) from Chachaany Hamuk trailhead Eagle Peak Trail (3E05) from Chachaany Hamuk trailhead San Diego River Trail (2E05) from San Diego River Gorge or Saddleback trailheads San Diego River Gorge Trail (2E04) from San Diego River Gorge or Saddleback trailheads The U.S. Forest Service says the move is necessary to protect public safety. With temperatures expected to exceed 100 degrees, the risk of heat exhaustion and heat stroke increases significantly especially in remote, rugged areas with limited shade and water access. Officials encourage residents and visitors to choose safer alternatives, such as visiting local beaches, shaded parks, or indoor recreational facilities during the advisory period. If youre still heading outdoors, remember to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Start early and finish hikes before noon Carry extra water and electrolytes Wear light, breathable clothing Know the signs of heat illness To read the full emergency order or check for updates on trail conditions and alerts, visit the Cleveland National Forest 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 FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Tuesday that "The Reconciliation Monument," a Confederate memorial, will be returning to Arlington National Cemetery. "Im proud to announce that Moses Ezekiels beautiful and historic sculpture often referred to as "The Reconciliation Monument" will be rightfully returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site," Hegseth wrote on X. National Park Service Announces It Will Restore, Reinstate Statue Honoring Confederate General Albert Pike The Reconciliation Monument, a Confederate Memorial, at Arlington National Cemetery is photographed on Aug. 17, 2017 in Arlington, Virginia. The monument is being moved back to the cemetery after it was removed during the Biden administration. The monument was removed in 2023 amid moves by the Pentagon to remove statues and rename military installations honoring Confederate figures and moved into a Defense Department storage facility in Virginia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings. Unlike the Left, we dont believe in erasing American historywe honor it," Hegseth said. David Marcus: Bring Back The Redskins, And Everything Else Torn Down By Wokeness Read On The Fox News App At the time the monument was removed, GOP lawmakers said it does not honor the Confederacy, but instead, commemorates reconciliation and national unity. The memorial was unveiled in 1914 by then-President Woodrow Wilson, after being commissioned by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. Congress had authorized the reinternment of Confederate remains to Arlington National Cemetery just 14 years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ezekiel was a Jewish American sculptor who fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War. After the war, General Robert E. Lee encouraged him to become a sculptor, and he attended the Virginia Military Institute and studied anatomy, according to the Smithsonian American Art Museum. He is also buried with honors at Arlington. Original article source: Hegseth announces return of Confederate memorial to Arlington National Cemetery, removed by 'woke lemmings' Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has announced that a Confederate statue which whitewashes slavery would be returned to Arlington National Cemetery in Northern Virginia. Im proud to announce that Moses Ezekiels beautiful and historic sculpture often referred to as The Reconciliation Monument will be rightfully ... returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site, Hegseth wrote on X Tuesday evening. It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings. Unlike the Left, we dont believe in erasing American historywe honor it. The monument had been removed in 2023 as part of the Biden administrations push for the take-down of Confederate symbols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2020 presidential campaign, Biden said Confederate symbols belonged in museums, not public squares. I can understand the anger and anguish that people feel because of systemic racism, he said. The Trump administration is doing a U-turn on this strategy. During a visit to Fort Bragg, North Carolina in June, Trump said he was reversing a number of name changes to military bases that previously honored Confederate leaders. The bronze memorial, measuring 32 feet, has a Latin inscription that claims that the Civil War was a lost cause that remained admirable because of its noble principles and effort to resist tyranny (AFP via Getty Images) Ezekiel was a Confederate soldier who pushed the Lost Cause myth -- that the Civil War was valid and heroic, and not a war to keep slavery. Following the defeat of the Confederacy, Ezekiel left the U.S. for Europe and settled in Rome, where he hung the Confederate battle flag in his studio for four decades, according to Civil War Times Magazine. His bronze memorial, measuring 32 feet, has a Latin inscription that claims that the Civil War was a lost cause that remained admirable because of its noble principles and effort to resist tyranny, an archived version of the Arlington Cemetery website states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The monument also attempts to hide the violence that slaves were subjected to with figures including an enslaved woman holding a white officers child and a man accompanying his owner to war, the website notes. Ezekiel intentionally included faithful Black servants in his sculpture against what he deemed misrepresentations of slavery in Uncle Toms Cabin, an 1852 novel by Harriet Beecher Stowe, according to Hilary Herbert. The Alabama lawmaker and secretary of the Navy had argued for the inclusion of the Confederate section at the military cemetery in the late 19th century. The Reconciliation Monument was taken down in 2023 as the Biden administration pushed for the removal of Confederate symbols (Getty Images) Ezekiel thought that his statue represented the support of Black slaves for the Confederate cause, Herbert believed, The Daily Beast noted. As such, the statue appears to suggest that Black people backed their own enslavement. The monument, first unveiled in 1914, also appears to memorialize the federal governments decision to leave Reconstruction behind and allow for racial segregation and violence across the South following the Civil War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the end of the Civil War, the federal government worked for more than 10 years to reunify the country and make the South fairer. That effort, called Reconstruction, ended in 1877 and was replaced by Reconciliation, with the federal government pulling back troops from the South and allowing former Confederate states to enact racial segregation, stop Black people from voting, and oppress Black communities. Ezekiels memorial is also called The Reconciliation Monument. It was created as part of that movement, the archived Arlington Cemetery website states. A statue of Albert Pike was toppled in 2020 during Black Lives Matter protests (AFP via Getty Images) On Monday, the National Park Service announced it is bringing back a statue of Confederate Army General Albert Pike. He once wrote that the white race, and that race alone, shall govern this country. It is the only one that is fit to govern, and it is the only one that shall. It stood outside the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C. between 1898 and 2020, when it was toppled by protesters during Black Lives Matter protests. The restoration aligns with federal responsibilities under historic preservation law as well as recent executive orders to beautify the nations capital and re-instate pre-existing statues, the National Park Service said in a statement. The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. The Trump administration is right about many of the failures of elite universities, particularly when compared with character-oriented institutions such as the United States Army. Consider the case of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, who was admitted to and graduated from prestigious degree programs at top universities but resigned from the Army National Guard at the lowly rank of major. The Army, unlike Princeton and Harvard, knew a petulant, insecure mediocrity when it saw one. For whatever reasonperhaps Hegseth had a rough time in freshman calculus or was embarrassed while parsing a difficult passage of Platohe seems determined to bar academics or anyone who faintly resembles one from contact with the armed forces. He has prohibited officers from attending the Aspen Security Forum, presided over by well-known radicals such as my former boss Condoleezza Rice. He has extended this ban to participation in think-tank events where officers might meet and even get into arguments with retired generals and admirals, not to mention former ambassadors, undersecretaries of defense, retired spies, and, worst of all, people with Ph.D.s who know foreign languages or operations research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest spasm of Pentagon anti-intellectualism has come in the shape of efforts to remold the military educational system. To its shame, and apparently just because Laura Loomer said it should, the Army has meekly fired Jen Easterly from her position on the faculty at West Point, even though she is a graduate, a Rhodes Scholar, a three-tour Afghan War veteran, and a bona fide cybersecurity expert. In this case, at least, Secretary of the Army Dan Driscoll seems to have given up on the honor part of West Points motto, Duty, honor, country. [From the February 1907 issue: The spirit of old West Point] Secretary of the Navy John Phelanwhose nautical and military experience is admittedly nilhas directed his acting assistant secretary to purge 60 civilian professors from the U.S. Naval Academy, Fox News reported, and to replace them with military faculty to promote fitness standards, maritime skills and marksmanship as essential component of the warrior ethos. (Note: That should be componentspluralbut lethal guys dont need no grammar.) The humanities, he ordered, should be particularly targeted. The U.S. Air Force Academy is headed in the same direction. Perhaps this order results from Phelan having read too much C. S. Forester and Patrick OBrian and believing that the key to naval leadership is ordering your gallant tars to back topsails, giving the enemy frigate two broadsides at point-blank range, and boarding it in the smoke with cutlass in hand. In that case, he may wish to read up on advances in naval technology and tactics since 1800. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More likely, Phelan is toadying to his boss, who likes to huff and puff about warrior virtues as a way of avoiding the hard work of fixing the backlog in ship maintenance that is wearing the Navy out, or plunging deeply into the complexities of integrating missiles, cyberattacks, space reconnaissance, mines, manned aircraft, and subsurface drones in an extended campaign near Taiwan. Like other formerly respectable officials such as National Economic Council Director Kevin Hassett, last seen justifying with a feeble grin the firing of the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics for producing inconvenient numbers, Phelan may be going along with something he knows is stupid to appease his ignorant and dyspeptic boss. Not quite warrior virtue, in that case. Most officersroughly 80 percentare commissioned through ROTC and direct-commissioning programs, not the military academies. If being educated by civilian faculty is incompatible with the warrior ethos, then the implication is that the Pentagons leaders believe that four out of five commissioned officers are unfit for service. To their shame, the generals seem not to have risked their careers by vigorously protesting these measuresservility, apparently, not being confined in the Pentagon to civilian leaders. If the Pentagon does assign more military faculty to the service academies, it may eventually wake up to the fact that its uniformed professors will obtain their advanced degrees mostly from the same educational institutions that are in the grip of identity-mad globalists. And the dark secret is that military graduate students (I have taught many) plunge enthusiastically into academic life and often wish to linger there. All of this would be amusing if it were not so appallingly destructive. Civilian faculty in military educational institutions play a crucial role: Unlike their military colleagues, they can devote a lifetime to mastery of their specialties, including teaching. They can bring cadets and midshipmen into contact with a wider world; the service academies are, of necessity, inbred places where the students all have similar clothes, haircuts, and aspirations. While it is important to have officers teach in departments such as EnglishGeneral Frederick Franks, one of the commanders of U.S. forces in Iraq in 1991, led a poetry club while teaching at West Pointthey cannot in the nature of things be the backbone of such departments. Their busy careers simply do not give them the necessary time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the more advanced professional military educational institutions such as the war colleges, civilians will almost invariably have deeper expertise than their uniformed counterparts in areas such as military history, foreign culture, and politics, and even in technical subjects such as cyber operations. The American ethos is that officers should be generalists whenever possible, whereas teaching and scholarship require more in the way of specialization. [Read: The president addresses the military hes remaking at his image] The chances, unfortunately, are that further purges of the civilian professoriate await. The Russians and Chinese can only rejoice. A historical data point: The famous Kriegsakademie, the war college of the German General Staff, was overwhelmingly dominated by officers, except in subjects such as language instruction. This helped foster a belligerent and strategically obtuse military culture in the years before the First World War. Meanwhile, the greatest German military historian of the 19th and early-20th centuries, Hans Delbruck, was shunned by the German army for his insightful critiques of the General Staffs views. It would have done far better to have hired and listened to him before the General Staff led their country to disaster in the First World War. William Francis Butler, a Victorian British general who served from the plains of Canada to the Coromandel Coast of India, was a talented commander and no less talented a writer. In his biography of that strange military genius Charles Gordon, he lamented the idea prevalent in the minds of many persons that the soldier should be a species of man distinct from the rest of the community who should be purely and simply a soldier, ready to knock down upon word of command being duly given for that purpose, but knowing nothing of the business of building up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He concluded: The nation that will insist on drawing a broad line of demarcation between the fighting man and the thinking man is liable to find its fighting done by fools and its thinking done by cowards. That, unfortunately, is the direction that the Pentagons decisions are taking the U.S. armed forces. There is a certain kind of soldier who can be comfortable only in the company of those just like him in outlook and prejudices. As these latest directives indicate, in Hegseths case, that would appear to be Butlers fools. Article originally published at The Atlantic Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced that Arlington National Cemetery will be restoring a Confederate monument criticized for misrepresenting the history of slavery. As part of President Donald Trumps efforts to reintroduce Confederate symbols and monuments, Moses Ezekiels beautiful and historic sculpture, the Confederate Memorial, will be rightfully be returned to Arlington National Cemetery near his burial site, Hegseth said in a social media post. It never should have been taken down by woke lemmings. Unlike the Left, we dont believe in erasing American historywe honor it, Hegseth said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ezekiel was a Confederate soldier who spent much of his artistic career promoting the Lost Cause myth that the Civil War was just and heroic, and not a treasonous war fought to uphold slavery. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth claimed the memorial, which has long been criticized for its depiction of slavery, was removed by woke lemmings. / Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images After the Confederacy was defeated, Ezekiel moved to Europe and eventually settled in Rome, where he hung the Confederate battle flag in his studio for 40 years. His 32-foot bronze memorial includes an inscription in Latin that frames the Civil War as a lost cause that was nevertheless admirable for its noble principles and resistance to tyranny, according to an archived version of the Arlington Cemetery website. It also sanitizes the violent reality of slavery with figures such as an enslaved woman depicted as a Mammy figure holding a white officers child, and an enslaved man following his owner to war, according to the website. A Latin inscription at the bottom of the memorial reads: The victorious cause was pleasing to the gods, but the lost cause to Cato, construing the Souths secession as a noble lost cause. / Mark Reinstein / Getty Images The memorial includes a Black woman depicted as a Mammy figure holding a white officers baby, as well as an enslaved man following his owner to battle. / The Washington Post via Getty Images Ezekiel purposefully included the faithful Black servants to combat what he believed were lies about slavery in Harriet Beecher Stowes 1852 novel Uncle Toms Cabin, according to Hilary A. Herbert, an Alabama lawmaker who pushed for the creation of the Confederates section at Arlington Cemetery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The artist believed his statue correctly showed Black slaves support for the Confederate cause, according to Herbert. Hegseths decision to restore the monument and honor its history, therefore, means the Trump administration is honoring the myth that Black people supported their own enslavement. The Department of Defense declined to respond to criticisms about the monument, pointing only to Hegseths statement on social media. The administration is also honoring the federal governments decision to abandon Reconstruction and greenlight racial segregation and violence in the South after the Civil War. An image of the memorial taken between 1910 and 1920. It was first unveiled in 1914. / HUM Images/Universal Images Grou Before its removal, a sign was placed near the memorial explaining that it presents a mythologized vision of the Confederacy and highly sanitized depictions of slavery. / Bonnie Jo Mount / The Washington Post via Getty Images After the Confederates surrendered in November 1865, the federal government spent more than a decade pursuing a policy of Reconstruction to reunify the nation and transform the Souths slave-based society into something more equitable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arlington National Cemetery was itself founded in 1864 on land seized in from Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lees plantation estate, according to the National Park Service. The decision to bury Union soldiers on the property was widely viewed as a way to restore honor to the property, which had been disgraced by Lees decision to lead the Confederate forces, according to the NPS. The Reconstruction effort, however, ended in 1877 and was replaced by a policy called Reconciliation. The federal government withdrew troops from the South, allowing the former Confederate states to impose racial segregation, deny Black people the right to vote, and terrorize Black communities. Workers dismantling the monument in 2023 as part of the Biden administrations efforts to remove Confederate symbols from U.S. military sites. / Anadolu via Getty Images Ezekiels Confederate Memorial, which is also known as The Reconciliation Monument, was created as part of that movement, according to the archived Arlington Cemetery website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of Reconciliation, the government created a section for Confederate troops at Arlington National Cemetery, even though Black Union soldiers were denied burial there. In 1906, the government authorized the monument, which was erected in 1914. It was finally removed in 2023 as part of the Biden administrations push to replace Confederate symbols, and even when the monument was standing, some presidents declined to have funeral wreaths laid there on Memorial Day. The move to reinstall the statue is part of a broader push by the Trump administration to bring those Confederate monuments back from the dead. President Trump also vowed to restore the names of U.S. military bases that honored Confederate officers during a speech at Fort Bragg in North Carolina in June. / Melissa Sue Gerrits / Getty Images The National Park Service announced on Monday that it is resurrecting a statue of the Confederate Army Gen. Albert Pike, who once wrote that the white race, and that race alone, shall govern this country. It is the only one that is fit to govern, and it is the only one that shall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 11-foot statue stood outside the Metropolitan Police Department Headquarters in Washington, D.C., from 1898 to 2020, when it was toppled during the Black Lives Matter protests. Pikes monument was reviled from the beginning but was apparently pushed through by the FreemasonsPike was a prominent leader of the Freemasons and a rumored member of the Ku Klux Klan, according to The New York Times. The National Park Service said in a statement that it was restoring and reinstalling the statue in line with Trumps Executive Order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History, which directs federal agencies to present a full and accurate picture of the American past, according to the NPS. The Albert Pike Statue in Washington, D.C., was torn down by protesters in 2020. Now Trump is putting it back on its plinth in the heart of the capital. / The Washington Post via Getty Images Historically, though, it makes little sense to erect a statue of a Confederate general outside the police department of Washington, D.C., which was the center of the Union war effort and was never invaded by the Confederates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city has opposed the statue for decades and first called on Congress to remove it in early 1992. The NPS stressed that the statue honored Pikes leadership in Freemasonry, not his Civil War activity. It depicts him in civilian clothes, not battle attire. Regarding Freemason membership, Pike said in 1875, I took my obligations from white men, not from negroes. When I have to accept negroes as brothers or leave masonry, I shall leave it. Better let the thing drift. HENDERSON (KLAS) The City of Henderson has approved its first charter school operator, Kesher Academy, to open a new school in fall 2026. The unanimous vote came during a special City Council meeting held Tuesday. It follows Hendersons recent authorization by the State of Nevada to oversee charter schools, a power granted through Assembly Bill 400 passed in the 2023 legislative session. Quality Education is a strategic priority for our City, and we take an active role in supporting Henderson schools, staff, and students, Henderson Mayor Michelle Romero said. As a Council, we feel strongly that cities should have greater control over education in their communities, and this is a major step toward that goal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city received four applications to form a charter school. Officials said each proposal was evaluated on student enrollment plans, academic and operational goals, financial sustainability, and alignment with Hendersons Mission, Vision, and Values. While Kesher Academy was approved, other operators were not. However, those applicants may revise and resubmit their proposals within the next 30 days. The Council will reconsider those applications at a future meeting. Charter schools are tuition-free public schools that operate independently under contracts with authorizing agencies. Henderson joins a growing number of local governments in Nevada now authorized to oversee these schools, including the power to approve, monitor, or shut them down based on performance. For more information, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. The Brief Hennepin County board committee advanced a resolution to take over Hennepin Healthcare. A full vote comes next week and is expected to pass. In June, Hennepin Healthcare's CEO warned the board that the hospital faces real risk of closing by the end of the year. Hospital employees and union leaders urged county commissioners to take control amid complaints about patient care and worker dissatisfaction. MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - For a Hennepin County Board committee meeting, the chamber was unusually full Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside, peering through the glass walls, dozens more people stood watching, many holding signs urging commissioners to take over Hennepin Healthcare. The board is poised to do just that next week. The threat of shutting down What we know HCMC has lost money for seven of the past eight years. In June, the hospitals CEO said the current financial crisis is so dire, theres a real risk of closing by the end of 2025. For the countys safety-net hospital, which treats anyone who comes in regardless of ability to pay, that news hit hard. "There have been a lot of herculean efforts to address this issue," noted Commissioner Debbie Goettel. "Time is of the essence. We dont have a lot of time." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A resolution for the Hennepin County Board to take immediate control of HCMC passed unanimously from this committee hearing on Tuesday, pushing it to a full vote next week. Before the vote, commissioners heard from about a dozen people, most of whom supported the move. "Its clear the path we are currently on is not working," said Mariah Tunkara, a registered nurse. "And theres a dire need for reduction in our course." Worsening financial problems How we got here HCMC has operated as an independent subsidiary of Hennepin County since 2007, governed by its own volunteer board and functioning under the umbrella of Hennepin Healthcare Systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Financial problems at HCMC have been well known in recent years, but a recent report to the county said "HHSs financial condition has continued to deteriorate at an unsustainable pace." The Hennepin County Board has the power to dissolve the HHS board and resume management of HCMC with a two-thirds vote. There are seven board members, which means five votes are needed. Six commissioners already voiced their support for the move, and the seventh is expected to follow suit. Full vote next week What's next With a full vote on Aug. 12, the county would take the reins and try to head off a crisis. They admitted they have no idea how theyll do it, but expressed a desire to keep it away from taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The financial picture that we have over next six months, honestly to 2027 when we have Medicaid changes, are going to be big," said Commissioner Heather Edelson. "And we cannot just pass this to the taxpayers. I dont know how were going to do this." But other board members firmly agreed they have no choice. "Hennepin County has an obligation to keep this hospital open," said Commissioner Angela Conley. "That is an emergency and that is a call to action with the authority that we have as this board to make sure that our level one trauma center remains open." President Donald Trump has given Russia until Friday to end its war in Ukraine or face very severe tariffs and a new wave of sanctions designed to cripple its oil trade and financial lifelines. Yet, as the deadline looms, there is little sign that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to meet Trumps demandsand a growing sense among analysts that a breakthrough is unlikely. In a statement to TIME on Wednesday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said that Trump was open to meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he seeks a peace agreement between the two leaders. The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky, Leavitt said. President Trump wants this brutal war to end. Trumps willingness to meet with Putin comes hours after his special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for about three hours as part of a last-ditch diplomatic effort to reach a ceasefire. No details of an outcome were announced, though a Russian official described the meeting as successful and added that "dialogue will prevail. Trump praised the meeting, calling it highly productive and that Great progress was made! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It remains unclear whether Putin will agree to Trumps ultimatum, or whether the Kremlin views the threat of sanctions as credible enough to force a meaningful shift in its military campaign. Putin may offer a partial ceasefire that involves a halt to the missile and drone attacks Russia has ramped up against Ukrainian cities in recent monthshitting apartments, maternity hospitals, civilian transportation, and a playgroundbut such a. partial ceasefire would not prevent Russia from advancing in eastern Ukraine, where it has gained around 900 square miles since December, according to data from the Institute for the Study of War think tank. Trumps Friday deadline is set to come a week after he sent two U.S. nuclear submarines closer to Russia in response to threatening comments made on social media by Russias former president. More than 6,700 Ukrainian civilians have been killed in the first half of this year, according to the United Nations. Im disappointed in President Putin. Very disappointed in him, Trump said on July 28 over the lack of progress toward a ceasefire, as he announced he was shortening his deadline from 50 days for Russia to end the war amid the escalating attacks. Trump has described Russias attacks on Ukraine as disgusting and a disgrace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: The Hidden War Over Ukraines Lost Children Heres how the U.S. plans to punish Russia if it does not agree to a ceasefire by Friday. Sanctions on Russias shadow fleet Trumps proposed sanctions package would strike at the core of Russias war financing: its global oil exports. Chief among the measures under consideration is a crackdown on Russias so-called shadow fleeta network of hundreds of aging oil tankers that Moscow has used to bypass the G7s $60-per-barrel price cap and export Russian crude to countries such as India and China. These ships operate under obscure ownership structures and are often registered in jurisdictions with minimal oversight, making them difficult to trace or regulate. The Financial Times reported that the Trump Administration is preparing to blacklist dozens of additional tankers in the coming days, following the precedent set by the Biden Administration, which sanctioned 213 tankers before leaving office. Trump has until now resisted expanding the list in hopes of securing a negotiated settlement. But with Putin refusing to halt attacks on Ukrainian cities, officials say that patience has run out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data suggests the tactic can be effective. According to Kpler, a cargo analytics platform, tankers that were sanctioned saw their shipping volume drop from 48 million barrels per month to just 13 million within six monthsa 73% decline, the Financial Times reported. Analysts expect a significant share of Russias remaining oil exports could be disrupted if the Trump Administration broadens the crackdown and coordinates with the EU, which sanctioned over 100 ships last month. Penalties for Russias energy trading partners Trump has threatened to go after the countries that continue to buy Russian oil, part of an effort to reduce Russias ability to fund its war effort as oil exports account for a significant portion of Russias economy. He took the first step on Wednesday by signing an executive order imposing an additional 25% tariff on goods from India because it continues to buy oil from Russia. The additional tariff on India is set to take effect in 21 days, bringing the total duties imposed on Indian products up to 50%. India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits, Trump said in a Truth Social post. They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China is the largest importer of Russian oil, with $62.5 billion worth of purchases last year, followed by India at $52.7 billion. Other countries that buy Russian oil include Hungary, Slovakia, Czechia, Azerbaijan, Netherlands, Uzbekistan, Brazil, and Malaysia, though at significantly lower levels than China and India. Overall, China is the largest importer of Russian goods, with purchases last year totalling $128.3 billion, followed by India ($65.7 billion), Turkey ($44.0 billion), Belarus ($34.1 billion), Kazakhstan ($17.0 billion) and Brazil ($11.6 billion). The White House contends that such trade has become critical to sustaining Russias war economy, and hasnt ruled out extending economic penalties to China, though any move targeting Chinese imports would likely be more complex and risk sparking retaliation. A bipartisan bill introduced in the Senate, co-sponsored by Republican Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democrat Richard Blumenthal of Connecticut, would impose tariffs of up to 500% on countries that continue to import Russian energy. Trump has publicly said he is very strongly considering endorsing the bill, which has gained momentum on Capitol Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India said in a statement Wednesday that it is extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, an official spokesperson for Indias Ministry of External Affairs said. Write to Nik Popli at nik.popli@time.com. BEIRUT (AP) Hezbollah on Wednesday sharply criticized the Lebanese governments decision to begin a process aiming to disarm the Iran-backed group this year, saying it fully achieves neighboring Israels interests. Hezbollah also said in a statement it is ready for a dialogue over its weapons, adding that the Lebanese government should work on liberating areas in the country's south still occupied by Israel following a 14-month war with Hezbollah and freeing Lebanese who are still held there. On Tuesday, the Lebanese government asked the national army to prepare a plan in which only state institutions will have weapons by the end of the year. Hezbollah is also a major Shiite political party that runs a wide network of social institutions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said the government asked the army to have the plan ready by the end of the month for discussion and approval. The decision came shortly after Hezbollahs leader said his group would not disarm and warned that the Iran-backed faction would resume missile attacks on Israel if military operations against it intensify. Hezbollah's new statement said Salams government has committed a grave sin that rips Lebanon of weapons to resist Israel. It asserts that the Lebanese government's decision "came as a result of the dictation by U.S. envoy (Tom) Barrack, and said the decision to disarm Hezbollah weakens Lebanon as the Israeli-American aggression continues. Beirut is under U.S. pressure to disarm the group that was left gravely weakened by its war with Israel, with many of its political and military leaders dead. The war started a day after the Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas-led attack against Israel from Gaza, as Hezbollah said it targeted Israel in solidarity with Palestinians. The war left more than 4,000 people dead and caused damage worth $11 billion, and ended with a November ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, Hezbollah officials have said the group will not discuss its disarmament until Israel withdraws from five hills it controls inside Lebanon and stops almost daily airstrikes that have killed or wounded hundreds of people, most of them Hezbollah members. Israel has accused Hezbollah of trying to rebuild its military capabilities. Since the ceasefire, Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for one attack on a disputed area along the border. BEIRUT (Reuters) -Hezbollah said on Wednesday the Lebanese government was committing a "grave sin" by tasking the army with establishing a state monopoly on arms, sharpening a national divide over calls for the Shi'ite Muslim group to disarm. Despite unprecedented pressure from Washington and from its domestic rivals, the Iran-backed group has refused to fully relinquish its arsenal, which it retained after Lebanon's civil war ended in 1990 even as other militias disarmed. Now, the U.S. has demanded Lebanon's cabinet explicitly pledge to strip Hezbollah of its weapons - a move that risks reigniting tensions in Lebanon, a nation of multiple sects where Hezbollah retains significant support among Shi'ites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cabinet on Tuesday tasked the Lebanese army with drawing up a plan to confine arms across the country to six official security forces by year's end. Hezbollah rejected the decision in a written statement on Wednesday, saying it was a result of U.S. "diktats" and that it would "deal with it as if it does not exist". "The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam committed a grave sin by taking a decision to strip Lebanon of its weapons to resist the Israeli enemy... This decision fully serves Israel's interest," the group said. The statement said Shi'ite ministers walked out of the cabinet session before the decision was reached as "an expression of the resistance's (Hezbollah's) rejection of this decision". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group said it remained ready to discuss a broader national security strategy and called on its supporters to remain patient. WAR WITH ISRAEL The session at Lebanon's presidential palace was the first time the cabinet addressed Hezbollah's weapons - unimaginable when the group was at the zenith of its power before a devastating war with Israel last year. A U.S.-brokered ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel in November ended that conflict, called on Lebanon to confiscate all "unauthorized" weapons across the country and said Israel would stop offensive operations against Lebanese targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Israel has kept its troops at five points in Lebanon's southern border region and has continued air strikes against what it says are Hezbollah fighters and arms depots. In June, the U.S. submitted a roadmap to Lebanese officials that proposed Hezbollah fully disarm in exchange for Israel withdrawing its troops and halting its strikes. Hezbollah and its main ally, the Amal Movement led by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, have demanded the order be reversed, saying Israel must halt its strikes before any discussion on weapons can be held. On Wednesday, Amal said Lebanon's government should focus on consolidating the November ceasefire and said the next cabinet session on Thursday would be a chance to correct course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ministers will meet again on Thursday to continue discussions on the U.S. proposal. Imad Salamey, chairman of the Lebanese-American University's Department of Political and International Studies, said the country's Shi'ite community, hit hardest by last year's war, was now concerned that relinquishing Hezbollah's arms would leave them vulnerable to further Israeli attacks. "We are most probably going into a polarized political landscape," he told Reuters. (Reporting by Maya Gebeily and Laila Bassam; editing by Mark Heinrich and Alex Richardson) Hezbollah has branded the Lebanese governments push to have a state monopoly on arms as a grave sin and is dismissing it out of hand as if it doesnt exist. The group on Wednesday rejected a decision by the Lebanese cabinet a day earlier that authorises the Lebanese army to draw up a plan to confine arms across the country to six official security forces by the end of the year. The government decision followed ramped-up pressure by the United States to get the Lebanese armed group to lay down its arms, amid burgeoning fears that Israel could intensify strikes on Lebanon, even while it carries out near-daily violations of the November truce it signed with Hezbollah to end the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Nawaf Salam confirmed the decree after the cabinet meeting, saying it is the states duty to monopolise the possession of weapons, according to Lebanons state-run National News Agency (NNA). Salams declaration on Tuesday amounted to an official rejection by the Lebanese government of Hezbollahs military presence in the country, an unthinkable development two years ago when the group held sway in the country and its military powers were a forceful reality in the region. In a written statement on Wednesday, Hezbollah said the move was a result of US diktats and that it would deal with it as if it does not exist. The government of Prime Minister Nawaf Salam committed a grave sin by taking a decision to strip Lebanon of its weapons to resist the Israeli enemy This decision fully serves Israels interest, the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement said Shia ministers walked out of the six-hour-long cabinet session before the decision was reached as an expression of the resistances [Hezbollahs] rejection of this decision. The group said it remained ready to discuss a broader national security strategy and urged its supporters to remain patient. We are open to dialogue, ending the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, liberating its land, releasing prisoners, working to build the state, and rebuilding what was destroyed by the brutal [Israeli] aggression, Hezbollahs statement read. It added that Israel must first adhere to the ceasefire agreement reached in November of last year which Israel has been flagrantly breaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Underscoring regular attacks on its northern neighbour, an Israeli drone strike targeting the southern Lebanese town of Tulin killed a child and injured his father on Wednesday, the publication Al-Akhbar reported. NNA also reported that Israeli jets dropped four bombs over the Wazzani River in the southeast of the country. Late Wednesday evening, Lebanese media outlets reported that Israeli jets launched a wave of attacks in southern Lebanon. Strikes targeted the villages of Eastern Zawtar and Deir Siriane, according to the reports. The Hezbollah-affiliated al-Manar TV said three Israeli missiles hit a single site in Deir Siriane. Al Jadeed TV reported that ambulances were trying to reach the area with the Israeli strikes still ongoing. Lebanons cabinet is scheduled to meet again on Thursday to continue discussions on US proposals to disarm Hezbollah within a specific time frame. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lebanese politicians have not ruled out disarming Hezbollah by force, with the Lebanese army to step in to do so if such a decision is made. But on Friday, Lebanese President Joseph Aoun warned that disarmament is a sensitive issue due to sectarian divisions within the country, and this could have consequences for national peace. Tuesdays session at Lebanons presidential palace was the first time the cabinet addressed Hezbollahs weapons. Hezbollah emerged weakened from war with Israel last year that saw most of the groups senior leaders assassinated by Israel, including its longtime leader Hassan Nasrallah. The conflict killed thousands of its fighters and Lebanese civilians, and left tens of thousands from the Shia and other communities displaced from their destroyed homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem reiterated on Tuesday as the cabinet met that the group will not lay down its weapons under Israeli fire, instead stating that the strategy should not be a timeline to disarm, and that resistance to Israel must be discussed in national consensus. In a televised speech from a secure location, Qassem said, The resistance is fine, strong and ready to fight for Lebanons sovereignty and independence Hezbollah made heavy sacrifices to defend Lebanon against the Israeli aggression. NEED TO KNOW A 60-year-old hiker had to be rescued by helicopter in the Italian Dolomites on Aug. 1, after he continued past signs warning of closed trails Despite his claims he didn't see the signs, the man was handed a $16,000 bill The rescue comes amid one of the deadliest summers in the Italian Dolomites A 60-year-old hiker was handed a staggering bill after he had to be rescued from the Dolomites mountain range in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hiker called emergency services saying that "he was on the Berti via ferrata and that rocks were falling from above, Veneto Alpine and Speleological Rescue (CNSAS) wrote in a translated Facebook post on Aug. 1. Once he had retraced his steps, he was told not to move from his sheltered position and to wait for help, as the mountain was currently hidden by clouds. Luckily, rescue crews were able to locate and rescue the man within two hours of the initial phone call. A helicopter hovering above the hiker lowered a rescuer about 65 feet and they were able to secure the man and safely transport him back to a base camp. The crew managed, with a rapid, precision operation, to recover him at approximately 5:30 PM," CNSAS wrote. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Following the rescue, the man was given a bill of 14,000 (more than $16,000) from local health authorities, according to The Telegraph. If the man would have been from a European Union country, the bill would have been much less merely a few hundred euros. But since he was from outside the EU, his cost was much higher, per the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A representative for the mountain rescue service explained to PEOPLE that the agency does not issue payment request, instead the local health authorities and hospitals do. The hiker claimed "he didn't see the signs warning of the danger, Nicola Cherubin, head of rescue in San Vito di Cadore, told The Telegraph. Rocks had been falling continually in that area for the past two months. With these landslides it is not secure. In the rescue agencys Facebook post, they shared photos of signs clearly warning of the dangers ahead. Warning! Trail no. 242 (Via ferrata Berti) and trail no. 241 (Dogana Vecchia-Cengia del Banco) closed due to risk of collapse. Stay safe, do not go beyond this warning, a sign in English reads. Soccorso Alpino e Speleologico Veneto - CNSAS A sign warns hikers of closed trails. A sign warns hikers of closed trails. The rescue comes amid one of the most deadly summers in the Italian mountains. There have been "eighty-three deaths and five missing in the first month of vacation alone (June 21 to July 23), Maurizio Dellantonio, head of the National Alpine Rescue team told local outlet Corriere Della Sera. Nearly three fatal accidents a day; were at about 20 percent more rescues than average. 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 reason? Unprepared adventurers, he says. With the record heat and push of social media, trails are overrun with tourists, Dellantonio said. Mistakes and improvisation; today people think its humiliating to ask for information. So we rescued a cook at 3,1000 meters who was climbing a mountain at night in sneakers. Vithun Khamsong/Getty The Italian Dolomites The Italian Dolomites He added the mountains are a safe and beautiful space, but visitors need to come prepared and read the warnings. The mountains are a "wonderful] place, suitable for everyone even newborns as long as you know where to go. But all these deaths dont do them justice," he said. Read the original article on People OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) A 1985 Jackie Chan action movie may be the source of the nude images two Oklahoma school board members say they saw on State Superintendent Ryan Walters office TV during a meeting last month, according to the Oklahoma House Speaker. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert (R-Bristow) released a statement Tuesday pointing to forensic findings that suggest Walters office TV was playing The Protectoran R-rated thriller filled with violence, drug use, and multiple scenes of full nuditywhen board members claim they saw images of nude women on screen. RELATED: Report: Movie with nudity was playing on TV in the State Superintendents office during a recent meeting The claim stems from a forensic investigation News 4 reported the state officials ordered after board members said they saw retro-looking images of nude women engaging in sexual activity on a chiropractic-style table during the July board meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 4 previously reported the forensic investigators initially examined Walters TV and concluded they would need to examine it, and potentially other devices, further in order to find anything conclusive. In a press release on Tuesday, Hilbert said he took particular interest in one detail from the forensic investigators initial report: an app that the Samsung smart TV opened to automatically when powered on. The report said the TV opened to the Samsung TV Plus app. On that app, users can watch live TV from a guide with channels, including one labeled 1204, an action movie hub. Hilbert said he had investigators call Samsung and got logs showing the Samsung TV Plus app on Walters TV was open to that action movie channel at the time of the meeting. He said investigators determined The Protector was airing on the channel during the hours of Julys state school board meeting. News 4 watched the movie and confirmed it contains several scenes that match the description given by board members, including one where a group of fully nude women work inside a factory packaging cocaine, some wearing only lab coats. Another scene shows a fully nude woman giving a man a massage, eventually moving under the table while the dialogue strongly suggests sexual activity. The scene showed intimate, up-close details of all parts of the womans body from numerous angles. The scene closely matches what board members claimed they saw. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Emails show Walters initially allowed to choose which of his own devices were investigated Board members Ryan Deatherage and Becky Carson said it looked like fully nude women were doing something to a man on a chiropractic table, that the footage appeared retro, and they saw intimate private parts of the actors bodies. In his press release Tuesday, Hilbert said he spoke with Walters over the weekend. According to Hilbert, Walters told him he saw what was on the TV before he then turned it off. He claimed to Hilbert he saw a doctor and nurse and a white lab coat when he turned around to turn the TV off. That account contradicts what Walters said just days after the board meeting, when he released a statement claiming, I have no knowledge of what was on the TV screen during the alleged incident. It also contradicts what Walters said last Tuesday at a press conference, where he accused the board members of fabricating the entire story. Whats being shown on all of your networks right now. Thats what was shown on TV, Walters said last Tuesday. And these board members decided to construct a lie to destroy my character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Investigators: Walters TV could stream explicit content, what actually played still unclear News 4 reached out to Walters office after Hilberts press release Tuesday and asked if he regrets making that accusation before investigators had presented any findings. News 4 also asked who opened the app and selected the movie channel, and whether Walters would support policy changes to prevent R-rated content from playing on state-owned TVs. As has been the case for several months, no one responded. Speaker Hilbert said the findings appear to vindicate both the State Superintendent as well as the two board members, suggesting the board members werent lying and the incident may have happened unintentionally. But several state lawmakers told News 4 Tuesdayregardless of intent, if this had happened on a teachers classroom TV, they would be held accountable, and Walters should be treated no differently. The Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office and OSBI both confirmed Tuesday their criminal investigations into the matter are not over, they have not reached any formal conclusions and investigators may make additional, or fewer findings than what Hilbert shared. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Roughly two hours before the United States bombing of Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945, Iowa pilot Paul Tibbets announced to his crew of the Enola Gay that they were carrying the "world's first atomic bomb." By 8:15 a.m. (Hiroshima time) 80 years ago, the uranium bomb dropped 31,060 feet in 43 seconds over the city of 350,000 people. The bombing, which led to the end of World War II, came at a cost of over 100,000 lives and left the city in ruins. While Tibbets flew the plane, bombardier Thomas Ferebee directed the release of "Little Boy," a 9,000-pound bomb born out of the Manhattan Project. When is the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombing? The U.S. dropped an atomic bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, on Aug. 6, 1945. Just three days later, on Aug. 9, the U.S. dropped another atomic bomb on Nagasaki. The bombings marked the first time an atomic weapon was used in war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese government surrendered on Aug. 15, clearing the way for the war to end on Sept. 2, 1945. What was the death toll and damage caused by the U.S. bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki? The atomic bomb that fell over Hiroshima, Japan, killed 140,000 people. Around two-thirds of Hiroshima was destroyed, according to Britannica. Another 70,000 people died in Nagasaki from the second round of atomic bombing days after, according to PBS. The bombing left 40% of the city's buildings destroyed or severely damaged, according to Britannica. Thousands of people were killed instantly, while others succumbed to injuries, fires or radiation poisoning. Buildings melted while human and animal tissue "vaporized," as the grounds of Hiroshima reached 7,000 degrees. Iowan pilots B-29 that dropped the A bomb Born in Illinois, Tibbets moved to Davenport at age 3. A few years later, his family purchased a house in Des Moines with city documents showing the family living at 5700 Waterbury Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Feb. 25, 1937, Tibbets joined the Army Air Corps, where he became a skilled aviator and tested the B-29. The 29-year-old named the plane, which would carry out one of the most violent acts in history in 1945, the Enola Gay, after his mother. Paul Warfield Tibbets Jr., pilot of the Enola Gay, the B-29 that dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan "It was the most boring flight that I ever made because nothing went wrong," Tibbets said in an interview from 2001. Tibbets recalled being able to taste the lethal radiation as if he had a sucker made of metal in his mouth, according to the WBNS 10TV interview. "If you gave me the same circumstances, I would not hesitate," Tibbets said in 2001. "And I have never lost a night's sleep." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kate Kealey is a general assignment reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at kkealey@registermedia.com or follow her on Twitter at @Kkealey17. This story was updated because an earlier version included an inaccuracy. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Hiroshima 80th anniversary: Iowa pilot flew B-29 that dropped the bomb A silent prayer was held in Japan on Wednesday morning as it marked 80 years since the United States dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima. Japanese prime minister Shigeru Ishiba attended the ceremony on Wednesday, along with officials from around the world and the city's mayor Kazumi Matsui. Matsui warned of a global "accelerating trend toward military build-up... [and] the idea that nuclear weapons are essential for national defence", saying this was a "flagrant disregard [of] the lessons the international community should have learned from the tragedies of history". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World War Two ended with Japan's surrender after the dropping of the bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The bombs killed more than 200,000 people - some from the immediate blast and others from radiation sickness and burns. The legacy of the weapons continues to haunt survivors today. "My father was badly burned and blinded by the blast. His skin was hanging from his body - he couldn't even hold my hand," Hiroshima survivor Shingo Naito told the BBC. He was six years old when the bomb struck his city, killing his father and two younger siblings. Mr Naito has been sharing his story with a group of students in Hiroshima, who are turning his memories of the tragedy into art. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2024, Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese group of atomic bomb survivors won the Nobel Peace Prize for their efforts to rid the world of nuclear weapons. In a speech on Wednesday, mayor Matsui said that the nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty, which aims to prevent the spread of nuclear weapons and promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy, was "on the brink of dysfunctionality". He also called on the Japanese government to ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons - an international agreement banning nuclear weapons that came into force in 2021. The legacy of the atomic bomb lingers in Japan today [Getty Images] More than 70 countries have ratified the treaty, but nuclear powers like the US and Russia have opposed it, pointing to the deterrence function of nuclear arsenals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan has also rejected such a ban, arguing that its security is enhanced by US nuclear weapons. The nuclear issue is a divisive one in Japan. On the streets leading up to the Peace Memorial Park, there were small protests calling for the abolition of nuclear weapons. Satoshi Tanaka, another atomic bomb survivor who suffered multiple cancers from radiation exposure, said that seeing the bloodshed in Gaza and Ukraine today conjures up his own suffering. "Seeing the mountains of rubble, the destroyed cities, the children and women fleeing in panic, it all brings back memories of what I went through," he told the BBC. "We are living alongside nuclear weapons that could wipe out humanity multiple times over." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The most urgent priority is to push the leaders of nuclear-armed countries. The people of the world must become even more outraged, raise their voices louder, and take massive action." The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday commemorated the victims of the atomic bombing 80 years ago, as global concerns over the threat of nuclear conflict grow. At a ceremony marking the anniversary of the US atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged younger generations to continue the fight against nuclear weapons. Matsui said that younger generations must understand that misguided decisions on military spending, national security and nuclear weapons could lead to inhumane consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 8:15 am the moment when the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the first wartime atomic bomb, known as "Little Boy" attendees observed a minute of silence. Tens of thousands of Hiroshima residents were killed instantly and by the end of 1945, an estimated 140,000 people had died. Three days after the Hiroshima bombing, the US dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered shortly after. Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, for its work towards a nuclear-free world. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned in a statement that the risk of nuclear conflict is rising again. The same weapons that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he said, are once again being used as tools of pressure. The Japanese city of Hiroshima on Wednesday commemorated the victims of the atomic bombing 80 years ago, as global concerns over the threat of nuclear conflict grow. At a ceremony marking the anniversary of the US atomic bombing on August 6, 1945, Mayor Kazumi Matsui urged younger generations to continue the fight against nuclear weapons. Matsui said that younger generations must understand that misguided decisions on military spending, national security and nuclear weapons could lead to inhumane consequences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 8:15 am the moment when the US bomber Enola Gay dropped the first wartime atomic bomb, known as "Little Boy" attendees observed a minute of silence. Tens of thousands of Hiroshima residents were killed instantly and by the end of 1945, an estimated 140,000 people had died. Three days after the Hiroshima bombing, the US dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki. Japan surrendered shortly after. Last year, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization representing survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings, for its work towards a nuclear-free world. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres warned in a statement that the risk of nuclear conflict is rising again. The same weapons that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, he said, are once again being used as tools of pressure. Japan increasing military capabilities Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba reaffirmed on the 80th anniversary of the Hiroshima bombing that the government remains committed to the three principles of not producing, possessing or allowing nuclear weapons on Japanese soil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in light of Russia's war against Ukraine, China's growing power and the threat from North Korea, Japan is significantly ramping up its military capabilities. There are even voices in Japan - the only country to have suffered atomic bombings - openly calling for the country to arm itself with nuclear weapons. Experts like MG Sheftall, a professor of modern Japanese cultural history at Shizuoka University, have observed a gradual decline in the pacifism deeply rooted in Japanese society for decades, based on the experiences of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Sheftall, who documented the experiences of the last eyewitnesses of the atomic bombings in two books with harrowing detail, criticized the erosion of peace education programmes in Japan. These programmes, which for decades conveyed the horrors of war particularly those of Hiroshima and Nagasaki are being undermined by conservative politicians and education officials, he said. As a result, Japanese youth today know almost nothing about the war, "apart from what they pick up from sensationalist manga comics, sentimental TV dramas and films, or lurid internet content," the expert told foreign journalists. This month marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima (Aug. 6) and Nagasaki (Aug. 9), an act that reshaped global history and left deep scars in Japanemotional, cultural, and physical. Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings The backstory On Aug. 6, 1945, an atomic bomb obliterated Hiroshima, killing tens of thousands instantly. Many of the injured were ferried to nearby Ninoshima island, where makeshift field hospitals treated survivors under dire conditions. FILE-Hiroshima after the atomic bomb strike in 1945. (Photo by: Prisma Bildagentur/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) By August 25, only a few hundred remained alive; most were buried hastily in unmarked graves. Recovery efforts continue today as locals and researchers seek to honor the missing and provide solace to survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Watch melted in Hiroshima atomic bomb blast sells for over $31,000 On Aug. 9, a second bomb devastated Nagasaki, prompting Japans surrender and ending World War II. Estimated total deaths reached 140,000 in Hiroshima and 70,000 in Nagasaki by years end, with many more dying later from radiation exposure. Efforts on Ninoshima island Local perspective Since 2018, Hiroshima University researcher Rebun Kayo has excavated remains on Ninoshima, uncovering roughly 100 bone fragmentsincluding those believed to belong to children. His work includes planting spiritual offerings and sifting soil where mass burials occurred. Survivor Tamiko Sora, now in her eighties, receives remains for prayer in hopes of bringing long-delayed closure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: How to survive: Nuclear fallout Local historian Kazuo Miyazaki estimates that while approximately 3,000 remains have been recovered since 1947, thousands remain unaccounted for. "Until that happens, the war is not over for these people," says Kayo. U.S. public opinion today By the numbers A Pew Research Center survey conducted in early June 2025 found that 35% of Americans say the use of atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki was justified. Meanwhile, 31% say it was not justified and 33% are unsure. Most Americans (83%) report knowing at least a little about the events . Among demographics: Men are more likely than women to view the bombings as justified (51% vs. 20%), while women are more likely to be unsure or say they were not justified . Older Americans (ages 65+) express higher levels of support for justification, while younger adults (under 30) lean toward opposition (44% not justified vs. 27% justified) . Political ideology plays a role: 61% of conservative Republicans say the bombings were justified, compared to only 14% of conservative Republicans who disagree. Democrats more often view them as not justified, with liberal Democrats at 50% opposition. Survivor advocacy and global lessons Why you should care The Nobel Peace Prize awarded to survivors group Nihon Hidankyo has reinvigorated calls for nuclear disarmament. Survivors like Terumi Tanaka emphasize the importance of sharing their experiences with younger generations to prevent history from repeating itself. Japanese royaltyincluding Emperor Naruhitohave participated in memorial events and urged continued peace education around the 80th observance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement RELATED: Oppenheimer wrongly stripped of security clearance, US says nearly 70 years later Worldwide, remembrance events are scheduledincluding bell ceremonies at U.S. Manhattan Project National Historical Park sites, lantern vigil events, and educational programming across cities such as Oak Ridge , Los Alamos, Honolulu, Boston, and Seattleunderscoring the lasting impact and the importance of reflection. What's next Survivor-led efforts are intensifying. Researchers like Kayo plan to continue excavations on Ninoshima, while hibakusha groups press for further disarmament diplomacy. In the U.S., public opinion remains deeply dividedespecially across age, gender and political linesraising questions about how the bombings are taught and remembered as firsthand witnesses dwindle. The Source This article is based on reporting by the Associated Press, including coverage of survivors and recovery efforts on Ninoshima. Public opinion data is drawn from the Pew Research Center survey conducted June 28, 2025, and additional historical and memorial context was gathered from national parks, survivor group releases, and Nobel Peace Prize announcements. Eighty years ago, atomic bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. Up to 250,000 people, mostly civilians, lost their lives. Since then, many have been sincerely and others purposefully moralizing about the bombing of both cities. The reality is that the death of 250 000 people averted the deaths of many millions of the Japanese, but also of many Americans, Europeans, Chinese, and others. Including Ukrainians, Russians and other Moscow controlled peoples. The moralizing about nuclear weapons begins with their development. Supposedly, American scientists and engineers should not have developed them at all. That sounds good, but only if we ignore the possibility that Hitler or Stalin would have gotten their hands on the atomic bomb before the Americans did. It was the Germans' work on its development that led to the writing of the famous Szilard-Einstein letter, which launched the Manhattan Project. The second argument of the moralizers is that once atomic bombs were already in existence, they should not have been used. Even more so since their victims were mainly civilians. Unfortunately, the widespread bombing of cities became a common part of warfare during World War II. Shortly before Hiroshima, a British-American air raid burned down the centre of Dresden and killed 25,000 people in February 1945. In March 1945, a raid by 279 B-29 bombers killed 100,000 people in Tokyo and made a million homeless. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The B-29 Superfortress strategic bombers were, in addition to the atomic bomb itself, a technological prerequisite for the use of nuclear bomb. B-29s were put into service only in June 1944, and their development cost 3 billion dollars (about 60 billion today), more than was the cost of the Manhattan Project. While mass raids on major German cities had been underway since the spring of 1942, the possibility of large-scale raids on distant Japan only opened up in July 1944, when the Americans captured the island of Tinian, 2,400 km from Japan, and had B-29 ready. In the spring of 1945, widespread incendiary bombing of Japanese wooden cities became a strategy. These raids alone had the potential to make millions of Japanese homeless and kill hundreds of thousands. However, in the spring of 1945, an even more effective and cheaper idea for the use of strategic bombers emerged: Operation Starvation, a plan to starve the Japanese by aerial mining of canals and harbours, was born. Only 6% of the B-29s were assigned to this task, but they quickly laid 90% of all naval mines in the Japanese waters, thus destroying Japanese shipping and commerce. Within weeks, the air mines sank or damaged 670 Japanese ships with a total tonnage of 1.25 million tons. The transport of materials and food in Japan, then completely dependent on shipping, quickly fell to a small fraction. The US brought the economy and population of Japan to its knees, while losing only 16 aircraft and 103 airmen. Millions of Japanese were already experiencing hunger in 1944. By the summer of 1945, malnutrition among soldiers and civilians was already a mass phenomenon, and in Japanese garrisons isolated on islands in the Pacific Ocean, the Japanese soldiers were eating prisoners of war. Operation Starvation brought the country to the brink of famine. If the shock of Hiroshima and Nagasaki had not forced the Japanese government to capitulate, it is virtually certain that many millions - according to some estimates, up to 10 million! - of Japanese women, men, and children would have died of hunger in the winter of 1945-46. Without Hiroshima and Nagasaki, not only millions of Japanese people would have died. In May 1945, Washington approved a plan for the invasion of Japan, Operation Downfall. The plan was to have two phases. In the first, Americans, British, Australians, and Canadians were to land on the island of Kyushu in November 1945. The Tokyo area invasion would follow in the spring of 1946. Both would be the largest landing operations in the history, eclipsing D-Day in Europe. Five million American and one million Allied soldiers, sailors, and airmen were to be involved in the final defeat of Japan. Army estimates said that between 400,000 and 800,000 of Americans would be killed, and more than a million would be wounded or maimed. Estimates of the number of Japanese dead were 5 to 10 million, depending on the level of civilian involvement in the fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know today what the planners of May 1945 did not know: namely that as a result of Operation Starvation, in the winter of 1945 and the spring of 1946 the Americans and the Allies would land on islands strewn with emaciated skeletons. Fortunately for all, the nuclear mushroom clouds over Hiroshima and Nagasaki broke the pride of the Japanese and led to their surrender. Instead of an invasion and bombs, food supplies began to flow from America to Japan after the surrender. As in Germany before, chocolate became one of the symbols of the Americans arrival in Japan. When President Truman decided to use the atomic bombs, he knew the estimates of the number of Americans who would die in the invasion, and probably also the estimates of the number of Japanese casualties. But even those numbers were not final: if the war continued, huge numbers of people in China, Korea, Indonesia, Philippines and Southeast Asia, still occupied by the Japanese, would also die. Many Russians, Ukrainians and other people under control of Moscow would die too fighting in Manchuria and elsewhere. And also 30 to 50 thousand American, British and Dutch prisoners of war tortured in Japanese camps. Dear moralizers, hand on heart: Would you really send hundreds of thousands of your fellow citizens and many millions of Japanese to their deaths if you had in your hands a weapon capable of ending the war in a few days? If you believe that, you are victim of decades of cheap Russian and anti-American propaganda. You are lying to yourself. Juraj Mesik By Joseph Campbell and Tom Bateman HIROSHIMA, Japan (Reuters) -Exactly 80 years since an atomic bomb was used in war for the first time, thousands bowed their heads in prayer in Hiroshima on Wednesday, as the city's mayor warned world leaders about the nuclear warheads that still exist today. The western Japanese city of Hiroshima was levelled on Aug. 6, 1945, when the United States dropped a uranium bomb nicknamed "Little Boy", killing about 78,000 people instantly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiroshima was the headquarters of some military units and a major supply base during World War Two. U.S. war planners calculated that the surrounding mountains would concentrate the force of the bomb and enhance its destructiveness. "Little Boy" unleashed a surge of heat reaching 4,000 degrees Celsius (7,200 Fahrenheit) and radiation that killed tens of thousands more by the end of the year. It was followed by a plutonium bomb on Nagasaki three days later, and Japan's surrender on Aug. 15. Representatives from a record 120 countries and territories including nuclear superpower the United States, and Israel, which neither confirms nor denies having nuclear weaponry, attended the annual ceremony at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park for the milestone year. After a moment of silence observed at 8:15 a.m., the exact time of the blast, mayor Kazumi Matsui called on leaders to heed the lessons of Hiroshima and Nagasaki and warned of the consequences of the global trend towards a military buildup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Among the world's political leaders, there is a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries," he said, noting that the U.S. and Russia possessed 90% of the world's nuclear warheads. "This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace-building. "To all the leaders around the world: Please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing." Yoshikazu Horie, a 71-year-old tourist, expressed a similar sentiment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It feels more and more like history is repeating itself. Terrible things are happening in Europe ... Even in Japan, in Asia, it's going the same way, it's very scary," he said. "I've got grandchildren and I want peace so they can live their lives happily." In the decades following the attacks, those who survived, called "hibakusha", often faced discrimination as rumours spread that they carried diseases and their offspring could be tainted. Their numbers fell below 100,000 for the first time this year. Japan, the only country to have suffered nuclear attacks, has stated its commitment to nuclear disarmament but is not a signatory or observer of the U.N. treaty to ban nuclear weapons. (Reporting by Joseph Campbell and Tom Bateman; Writing by Chang-Ran Kim; Editing by Michael Perry) The Brief Part of the east wall siding on the 124-year-old Jackson House collapsed over the weekend after years of deterioration and recent severe weather. On Wednesday, members of the Jackson House Foundation said during a press conference that they will announce a firm to lead construction efforts on August 22. The landmark, once a safe stop for African American travelers during segregation, has been closed since 1989, but restoration efforts have been in the works for years. TAMPA, Fla. - Crews are racing to make emergency repairs to the historic Jackson House in downtown Tampa after part of its side collapsed over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The section of siding slid off the east side of the building, exposing splintered wood and chipped paint. The twostory landmark has stood at 851 Zack St. since 1901, but decades of decay and recent weather have taken their toll. Pictured: Historic Jackson House in Tampa. On Wednesday, members of the Jackson House Foundation announced during a press conference that they have been doing interviews with three contractors to lead construction efforts. Leaders say that a firm will be chosen on August 22. Board member Angela Scott says that she wants to see the historical building restored the way it originally looks. "We do want to rebuild, restore the home the way it originally looks," Scott said. "Our goal is to keep the historical designation for all of it as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chair of the board of directors, Carolyn Collins, says that these restoration efforts are to keep the history alive in Tampa. "Its to maintain the history of Tampa. Its to maintain the history of the African American community. Its to maintain the history of the Scrub," said Collins. The backstory Built in a neighborhood once known as The Scrub, the Jackson Rooming House served as a boarding house for African American travelers during segregation hosting famous guests like James Brown, Ella Fitzgerald, and even Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. For years, efforts to restore the Jackson House have been stalled by access issues. But last Thursday, Tampa City Council approved a 10foot easement around the property, clearing a key hurdle for engineers and contractors to begin work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Tampa City Council helps clear big hurdle toward preserving the historic Jackson House Millions of dollars in grants and private funding are already secured, but leaders say years of delays have driven up construction costs. The Foundation had planned to host a walkaround with engineers in the coming days and seek final easement approval from the Community Redevelopment Agency before breaking ground but this new damage could change the restoration timeline. What's next The Jackson House Foundation is working with city code enforcement to get things moving, and they hope emergency repairs can happen within 72 hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins said they walked around the house Wednesday with three prospective architecture firms. They will choose one of those firms next week during a meeting with the full board on August 12. Whether the house is restored in its current state or torn down and rebuilt is up in the air, Collins said. There are 3D scans of it from the University of South Florida that can help. The foundation said they will find out what route is best from the new architect. "We cant wait six months. Proof is in the pudding. We are going to move as fast as we can," said Collins. The foundation must wait for the Community Redevelopment Agency to approve the 10-foot easement. The board says they will announce the new architect on August 22. "We want to know how are you going to move forward to make sure that we maintain the national, the state and the local historical landmark historical designations of the Jackson House," said Collins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The board members want to get the house restored in the coming months, especially while a descendant of the Jackson House owners is alive. "Ms. Jonnie might get to see this on TV, but Ms. Jonnie was born in this house. She still lives here in Tampa and shes there with her daughter," said Collins. "Shes worked so diligently in this neighborhood, and we want this to be done so Ms. Jonnie gets to see it." The Source This story was written with information from the Jackson House Foundation and previous FOX 13 News reports. The leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia are set to meet US President Donald Trump for a peace summit in Washington on Thursday and Friday, which could advance a much-anticipated peace deal between the two countries. After almost four decades of bitter conflict, Baku and Yerevan might finally settle for peace in the region and notably do it far from Moscow, with both former Soviet South Caucasus countries distancing themselves from Russia and the Kremlin's influence. Holding a meeting in the White House alongside the US president would send a strong signal to Moscow regarding the two countries' commitment to finding a solution among themselves, but also redirect their foreign policy focus to the West. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would also reinforce Trumps broader effort to assert himself and the US as a major actor in resolving global conflicts. The timing of the meeting in the White House would certainly rattle Moscow: on the day of Trumps deadline for the Kremlin to agree to a ceasefire, two of Russias former close allies will be in Washington, possibly signing their own historic peace accord. Zangezur Corridor remains key On 10 July, Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan met in Abu Dhabi for the first formal bilateral meeting. The leaders aimed at finalising the details of the peace treaty between the two countries and forging a future side by side after nearly four decades of conflict. The critical issue on the peace talks agenda is the Zangezur Corridor a proposed transport route designed to connect Azerbaijan's mainland with its enclave which borders Baku's ally Turkey via Armenian territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Azerbaijan, the corridor offers a direct land connection to Nakhchivan, strengthens ties with Turkey and consolidates post-war gains through infrastructure diplomacy. It would strengthen Azerbaijans position as a crucial transport and logistics hub on a global scale. But Azerbaijan did not want to have any third party involved and instead would prefer to have it under Bakus control, without the US, Europe or Russia's involvement. For Yerevan, the, the Zangezur Corridor would provide an opportunity to further integrate into wider trade networks, diversify its battered economy and attract foreign investment. Geopolitically, it would also help Armenia normalise relations with its neighbours. But Yerevan fears it could threaten Armenian sovereignty and insists any route remain under Armenian control, wary that true corridor status could mean surrendering authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 43-kilometre corridor through Armenia's Syunik Province is of strategic importance not only for Azerbaijan and Armenia. It would have an impact and repercussions for the geopolitical situation in the whole region and beyond. And this is when the US is trying to step in. Washington's interests and Moscow-Tehran opposition The Armenian governments press office said on Wednesday that the meeting in the White House aims to promote peace, prosperity, and economic cooperation in the region. Washington indeed has economic interests in the South Caucasus. A few weeks ago, the US offered to manage the Zangezur Corridor, which creates an uninterrupted land route facilitating cargo and passenger flow between Azerbaijan, Turkey, and ultimately Europe and Asia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ankara also sees the corridor as a critical link in its ambitions to become a significant energy and trade hub. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on the importance of the corridor to journalists earlier in July. But the idea caused anger and fierce opposition in Russia and Iran. For Moscow and Tehran, the US involvement would threaten their control of northsouth trade through the South Caucasus. Iran could lose leverage over its northward trade, being deprived of land access to the South Caucasus through Armenia. Moreover, the corridor could expand Turkish influence and, now, bring a direct US presence right at Irans borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the Kremlin, this would mean losing the last bits of its influence in what used to be its stronghold region. Moscows former allies While bogged down in Ukraine, Moscow has been gradually losing its influence in its decades-long stronghold in the South Caucasus region. In September 2023, Azerbaijan reclaimed complete control of the Karabakh region after a lightning military campaign, following a decades-long conflict with Armenia in which the Kremlin was a central actor. Almost two years later, Yerevan and Baku made history away from Russia by agreeing on the text of a peace accord and normalising their relations after a bloody conflict that until recently had no end in sight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moscow has been trying to repair the cooperation with both Baku and Yerevan, offering "mediation" and launching disinformation campaigns against Yerevan. Russias attempts to repair its ties with Baku were entirely destroyed when an Azerbaijani airliner crashed in Kazakhstan in December, killing 38 of 67 people aboard. As exclusively reported by Euronews, investigations into the incident revealed that the Azerbaijan Airlines Flight 8243 was shot at by Russian air defence over Russia's Grozny and rendered uncontrollable by electronic warfare. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev recently announced that his country is preparing to file lawsuits in international courts against Russia regarding the Azerbaijan Airlines plane crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Referring to the investigation into the Malaysian airline Boeing case, shot down by Russian militants over the Russia-occupied Donetsk region of Ukraine, Aliyev said Baku is ready to wait as long as it takes. We are ready to wait 10 years, but justice must win. And unfortunately, the situation, which is currently in limbo, does not contribute to the development of bilateral relations between Russia and Azerbaijan," he explained. Last month, Azerbaijan and Russia engaged in another rare escalation. Baku detained the executive director and editor-in-chief of Russia's state-run news agency Sputnik following Moscows raids of the Azeri community in Yekaterinburg. Two people died during the raid by the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), and 50 more were detained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While distancing themselves from Russia did pave a way for Armenia and Azerbaijan to put an end to the decades-long conflict, it has also created a particular vacuum of power in the region, especially on the most critical issues, where Baku and Yerevan might take more time and compromise to agree upon, like the Zangezur Corridor. And this presents an opportunity for other countries and leaders to not only facilitate the diplomatic compromise, but also to make economic gains. YORK, Pa. (WHTM) The founders of a local investment company recently acquired a historic 1920s bank in York County, with plans to transform it into a new boutique hotel and upscale restaurant. The founder and CEO of Investment Real Estate Group of Companies (IREGC), John Gilliland, and his wife, Denise, recently acquired a historic bank building located at 1 North George Street in York, with plans to transform the building into something new. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Local Business Beat According to IREGC, the local bank building, which was first built back in 1929, will soon be renovated into a vibrant boutique hotel and upscale restaurant. The local building is three-stories tall and features 25,000 square feet of space. It also boasts Beaux-Arts architecture, which was inspired by classic Greek and Roman designs. Located in the heart of downtown York, the Citizens Bank building is a historic landmark that deserves to shine once again as a destination point for residents and guests, John Gilliland said. Denise and I are committed to doing our part to help with the citys impressive and exciting revitalization. We cannot wait to open the doors of this beautiful building once again to our community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IREGC says moving forward the Gillilands will work with a hotel management group to design a 20-room boutique hotel with standard rooms and suites. The new upscale restaurant will be situated at the front of the building. We look forward to working with talented individuals in the hospitality and restaurant industries to ensure excellence in every aspect, Denise Gilliland added. This building is a gem in downtown York, and we are excited to bring it back to life by transforming it into something truly special. According to IREGC, they were initially founded back in 1998 and has grown to become a national leader in the self storage industry. Today, they employ more than 100 people and operate over 90 facilities under the Moove In Self Storage brand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Stay with abc27 News as more information becomes available Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A Moody County murder trial is being delayed. Joseph Hoek is accused of hitting and killing the countys chief deputy in February of last year. Now, the Sioux Falls mans attorneys are asking for the case to be moved out of Moody County so he can get a fair trial. Joseph Hoek arrived at the Moody County Courthouse in shackles surrounded by sheriffs deputies. Hes charged with first-degree murder in the death of Chief Deputy Sheriff Ken Prorok last year. Inside the courtroom, lawyers for the Attorney Generals Office called more than a dozen witnesses, including Hoeks mother and uncle. Medical professionals and several Sioux Falls police officers answered questions about their interactions with Hoek. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testimony also centered around his desire to get medication and help for what he called his anxiety. At one point, prosecutors played a voicemail in which Hoek can be heard threatening to kill family members. His lawyers have asked that the trial be moved out of Moody County. The judge says he will consider that on October 3rd. A trial date will be determined once the change of venue issue is settled. The judge says the court sent out a change of venue survey to some residents in Moody County. It is designed to measure community bias and prejudice concerning this case. The judge will consider the results when making his decision on whether to grant the defenses request to move the trial. Attorney General Marty Jackley has said the state will seek the death penalty if Hoek is found guilty. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "When we, Holocaust survivors, saw the images of Rom Brezlavski and Evyatar David - emaciated, frightened, barely clinging to life - we felt as if the air had been pulled from our lungs." Several Holocaust survivors met with released hostages, families, and representatives of hostages still in captivity at Hostages Square in Tel Aviv on Tuesday. The visit was organized by the International March of the Living. The Holocaust survivors who came from around Israel arrived at the Square to offer their solidarity and strength. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days earlier, Holocaust survivors, in response to the videos recently published of Evyatar David and Rom Braslovski, warned that the captives are living through a second Holocaust. Dina Dega, 84, told Walla that the image of David skin and bones is exactly what we looked like in the camps... only he is alone and no one comes. Dega had survived several concentration camps. An unnamed survivor said, "The hungry child in the forest still lives inside me. Every hollow face brings her back, according to the Walla report. Holocaust survivors visited the Hostage Families Forum in Tel Aviv to offer support to the families of those still held captive on August 5, 2025. (credit: Chen G. Schimmel/The Jerusalem Post) Statements by Holocaust survivors, March of the Living officials at the Square At Hostages Square, Holocaust survivor Arne Rabuchin said, "When we, Holocaust survivors, saw the images of Rom Brezlavski and Evyatar David - emaciated, frightened, barely clinging to life - we felt as if the air had been pulled from our lungs. It transported us back 80 years to the moment we were liberated from Nazi tyranny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We survived the Holocaust. We saw the world at its most cruel and inhumane. And now, we cannot stay silent while Jewish lives are again being held in cages of terror, starved, humiliated, and abandoned to suffering." Another Holocaust survivor, Naftali Furst, said, I came here with the strength to support the families whose children are still in the horror of Gazas underground." Furst, 94, added that, "Without hope, we would not have survived."release of the images of Rom and Evyatar, Holocaust survivors have been deeply distressed. The trauma they endured as terrified, hungry, and helpless children has come rushing back in an instant. They are heartbroken and outraged that not everything is being done to bring the hostages home. Listen to them." March of the Living Deputy CEO Revital Yakin Krakovsky said, "Since the release of the images of Rom and Evyatar, Holocaust survivors have been deeply distressed. The trauma they endured as terrified, hungry, and helpless children has come rushing back in an instant. They are heartbroken and outraged that not everything is being done to bring the hostages home. Listen to them. Statements by freed hostages Freed hostages meeting with the Holocaust survivors on Tuesday include Danielle Aloni, Yocheved Lifshitz and her granddaughter Danielle Lifshitz, Gilad and Nitza Korengold - the parents of released hostage Tal Shoham. Other attendees included Doron Zaxer, the adoptive father of Edan Alexander, the last live American hostage who was freed in May. I am a survivor of the tunnels, and I came back from there," said Yocheved Lifshitz. "I thought a lot about your strength and ability to endure. On Friday, when I saw the images of those children who hadnt eaten, I felt myself being pulled back into the tunnels." Homeowners across the U.S. are receiving shocking insurance renewal rejections, leaving many scrambling for coverage or forced to pay skyrocketing premiums. Even worse, as rising global temperatures continue to drive more extreme weather events, some insurance companies are pulling out of high-risk areas altogether. What's happening? Despite never even filing claims, residents such as Texas builder Danny Day have been dropped by insurance providers. In Day's case, his home insurer, Hippo, said that statewide exposure risks were the reason his policy wasn't renewed, according to Community Impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From 2022 to 2023, Texas home insurance premiums rose by 23%, which is more than double the national average, according to S&P Global, per Community Impact. Some policyholders are choosing to go without coverage because they simply can't afford it. "It's kind of outside of everybody's control you've got to have homeowners insurance, and you've got to pay property taxes but these costs are, in Texas specifically ... getting extremely high," Day told Community Impact. Why is this trend concerning? Planet-warming pollution generated by humans burning dirty energy sources like oil and gas is driving rising temperatures. This creates a vicious cycle of destruction, economic strain, and insurance instability. As the cost of rebuilding rises, insurers are charging more or whittling down coverage, especially in more at-risk areas. That's leaving families vulnerable and financially exposed, especially considering homes are often the biggest chunk of someone's wealth. What's being done about it? To improve transparency, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed House Bill 2067, requiring insurers to explain why policies are dropped or not renewed. While critics argue the law doesn't go far enough to stop rising premiums, supporters hope it's a step toward holding companies accountable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others say government officials need to incentivize more competition among insurance companies. With more companies covering an area, the risk would be more spread out and could help with rising rates. Longer-term solutions may include better infrastructure planning, improved flood mapping, and public investment in green technologies that reduce pollution and slow our planet's warming. In the meantime, families can explore critical climate issues and take steps to advocate for clean energy solutions. How concerned are you about your energy bills increasing this summer? Very Somewhat Not much Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. STURGIS, S.D. (KELO) The 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally has reached the halfway point. Today the city is celebrating those who served our country with several events across the city. No matter what group these veterans served in, they all come together over their love for motorcycles. About half are veterans and the other are veteran supporters right. So just like you said, bikers and the biking community, motorcycle community do a lot of things throughout the year to raise money and awareness for veterans. So its a win-win for everybody, VFW Navy Vet Corey Hunt said. You know we have such a big percentage of those who come to the rally who are veterans and so its just a way to give back to them to say thank you for coming, thank you for serving, its just an awesome event every year. Director of Communications & Outreach Deb Holland said Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each year this day is celebrated with a flyover from the Ellsworth Air Force Base B-1s, among other events. Oh I appreciate it and enjoy it. It goes a long way with the veterans. We all have the same common stories, just different branches. Im Air Force, so I like to see the B-1 fly over, Air Force Vet Tim Stewart said. Its a brotherhood sisterhood. Veterans can often not know each other and strike up a conversation just because of the similarities they have. So it is a special bond to be a veteran talking to other veterans and helping veterans, Hunt said. This year the city of Sturgis is also celebrating at Rally Point with all 24 city workers who served being named honorary at this years rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. HOOKS, Texas (KETK) Another local city has become a Sanctuary City for the Unborn. The City Council of Hooks, which is in Bowie County, voted on July 21 to adopt an ordinance outlawing abortion within city limits. East Texas group rallies to make Athens a sanctuary city for the unborn The vote was unanimous, making Hooks the seventy-sixth Sanctuary City in the U.S. This movement started in Waskom back in 2019, and now there are 19 cities and one East Texas county on the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are also cities in the states of Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Mexico and Ohio. Both Omaha, Texas and Mason, Ohio both passed ordinances and then later recanted them. Residents in support of Lindale becoming Sanctuary City of the Unborn despite city failing to pass ordinance In September of 2023, after a three-hour-long city council meeting, Chandler made the decision to not pass an ordinance. Texas made abortion illegal in Texas in 2022 after the states trigger law took effect when the U.S. Supreme Court overruled Roe V. Wade. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. US President Donald Trump hailed talks between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin on the war in Ukraine as highly productive Wednesday, but hopes for a major breakthrough seemed dim. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, Trump said. A Kremlin official told reporters that Putin had transmitted some signals on the Ukrainian issue, but left details vague. Hours before the meeting, Trump penalized Russia by doubling sanctions on India over its purchases of Russian oil. The move comes ahead of a Washington-imposed deadline for Moscow to agree a ceasefire with Kyiv. Putin reportedly doubts Trump will follow through on the ultimatum and believes that compromise is pointless. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 53-year-old man was arrested and charged with theft after he was caught on security cameras hiding items in his backpack, according to the Horizon City Police Department in a news release. Oscar Prieto Macias, 53 Police said Oscar Prieto Macias, 53, was arrested on July 27 for theft of property of more than $2,500, with two more convictions and criminal trespass. He was booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility with a $5,000 bond, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said that shortly after 4 p.m. on July 27, officers responded to a theft call at 13900 Horizon Blvd. Store employees recognized Prieto Macias, who had previously been issued a criminal trespass notice, and observed him on security cameras hiding items in his backpack. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. An Army base in Georgia was under lockdown on Wednesday after an active shooter incident. Five soldiers were shot and injured at the military installation and the alleged shooter is in custody, authorities say. At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, military officials identified the suspected shooter as Sergeant Quornelius Radford, an active duty soldier from Jacksonville assigned to Fort Stewart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watch the full address: [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Here are leaders reactions to the shooting: President Donald Trump President @realDonaldTrump on the tragic shooting in Fort Stewart: "The shooter is now in custody and the Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity... will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The entire nation is pic.twitter.com/WiL8F7l1Vv Trump War Room (@TrumpWarRoom) August 6, 2025 White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt The President has been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The White House is monitoring the situation. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi Our federal law enforcement agents in Georgia are coordinating to provide support as the situation at Fort Stewart develops. I am praying for all the victims and for our troops at the base. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. U.S. Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Georgia) Todays shooting at Ft. Stewart in Georgia is a horrific act of violence. Alisha and I send our prayers to those wounded, to their families, and to the entire Ft. Stewart community in light of this terrible act. We also express our gratitude to the first responders who have provided security and medical assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My office is in close contact with leadership at Ft. Stewart to deliver all support it is within our power to provide. U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock (D- Georgia) Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families. Naval Station Mayport spokesperson Were deeply saddened by the tragic news from Fort Stewart and our hearts go out to the victims and their families. While no direct threats to our installation have been identified, our Navy Security Forces sustain a peak state of readiness enabling us to swiftly respond to any emergent threats. Jacksonville Sheriff T.K. Waters Our hearts go out to the soldiers affected by the senseless active shooter incident at Fort Stewart Army Post in Georgia. Jacksonville is a proud military town, and with the base just two hours away, we feel especially connected to this tragedy. We pray for the recovery of the 5 soldiers injured and for our military family as a whole. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The River City is home to two Naval bases, and we continue to work closely with their leaders to ensure the safety of all. This is another reminder to remain vigilant: if you see something suspicious, say something. Together, we can make a difference in keeping our communities safe. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. A medical worker walks by a hospital entrance in New York City. A new study found that hospitals are increasingly buying up private physician-owned practices, and costs for services are rising. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) As more hospitals have gobbled up private physician practices, costs for childbirth and other services have gone up, according to a new study. Since the early aughts, the share of physicians in the United States working for hospitals has nearly doubled, according to the study published by the National Bureau of Economic Research, a nonprofit research organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as fewer doctors work in physician-owned practices, patients or their insurers end up paying more, the studys authors found. For example: Two years after a hospital buys an OB-GYN practice, prices for labor and delivery jump an average of $475 and physician prices rise by $502, according to the study. Researchers focused on births, which are the most common reason for hospital admission among people with private insurance. This rapid acquisition by hospitals is reshaping a U.S. industry once dominated by tens of thousands of small, physician-owned practices. Only about 42% of U.S. physicians work in a physician-owned private practice, according to the most recent survey data from the American Medical Association. Nearly 47% work for hospitals, a sharp rise over the past several years. Most emergency room physicians are now employed by hospital systems or by private equity-owned staffing groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new research offers further evidence for how hospital acquisitions of private practices can result in anticompetitive price increases, said Matthew Grennan, one of the studys authors and an associate professor of economics at Emory University, in a news release. As a result, I think economists and others in the antitrust community are likely to give more careful consideration to these potential sources of harm, he said. Medical debt is a leading cause of bankruptcy in the United States, with about 14 million Americans owing more than $1,000 in medical debt, according to research nonprofit KFF. These post-merger price increases are driven by reduced competition, Grennan and his fellow researchers found. Yet theres been little effort by federal or state regulators to halt hospital mergers that could lead to higher prices for consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But states have taken some steps toward lowering medical costs in recent years. Bipartisan groups of lawmakers in more than a dozen states have addressed so-called facility fees, which are charges that some hospitals tack on for patient visits to hospital-owned physician offices. This year in Oklahoma, Republican lawmakers passed a bill requiring hospitals to make the cost of many of their services more transparent to patients so theyre aware of the costs. Providers can face penalties for noncompliance. A similar Oklahoma law authored by Democrats and passed last year requires debt collectors to submit evidence of a hospitals compliance with price transparency rules before filing to collect on medical debts from patients. Some states have capped the rates hospitals or physicians can charge. Colorado sets provider and hospitals rates based on a specific formula if insurance plans arent able to lower peoples premiums to a certain level, while Montana and Oregon limited the amount hospitals and other providers can charge for their state employee health plan. This story is republished from Stateline, a sister publication to the Kentucky Lantern and part of the nonprofit States Newsroom network. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) As the Pacific Northwest experiences a brief stretch of cool and wet weather on Wednesday, all signs point to a major shift in the forecast this coming weekend. A strong and expansive ridge of high pressure will build over the region heading into the weekend, causing temperatures to soar into the low to upper 90s across the Portland & Vancouver metro areas. Weather models show a slow warm-up into the 80s both Friday & Saturday. The heat-up starts on Sunday as highs bump into the low to mid-90s around the Portland area. Monday looks to be the hottest day of this stretch with high temperatures ending anywhere in the mid-90s to low 100s. The 90-degree heat will linger into Tuesday before temps fall back down into the 80s on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Portland has not tallied any 100-degree days. The hottest temperatures observed so far this summer were 97 degrees back in mid-July. While the heat doesnt look record-breaking in Portland, the warm-up will bring impacts like the potential for heat illness. The KOIN 6 Weather Team will continue to track the forecast and potential for Heat Advisories if temperatures begin to trend hotter in the coming days. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. Two Housing Authority employees have retained an attorney in response to what he describes as unlawful actions by London Mayor Randall Weddle, according to a letter sent to city officials. In the July 29 letter, sent to The Sentinel-Echo by one of the HA employees, attorney Brandon Voelker alleges Weddle directed staff to disregard HUD regulations, threatened their employment and used law enforcement to pressure them during an eviction matter. Weddle rejected that version of events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When it says that Mayor Weddle came over with the police, that is a blatant lie, he said. The police were there on a drug-related call. I got a phone call saying the staff there was selling drugs. Stephanie Newsome and Bethani Smith, the Housing Authoritys executive director and deputy director, said their experience working under Weddle has been nothing short of a nightmare. One issue brought up by Newsome and Smith was that Weddle did not attend a board meeting they had called on Sept. 29, 2023 instead sending the then-city clerk. Days later, safety officer Rick Cochrane delivered a letter relieving board members of their duties. The letter, dated Oct. 1, cited KRS 80.030 and 80.040. Weddle asserted that he missed the September 2023 meeting because he was at training, and confirmed he sent Katelin McPeek instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I came into office something to keep in mind nobody tells you that youre on this board, that board. Youve got to figure this stuff out yourself, Weddle said. The first couple of years, Weddle said, he was learning where he held authority and did not. In a video posted to his official Facebook page shared his administration has since changed internal processes so future mayors will receive board schedules upon entering office. Following the September 2023 incident, Weddle said his involvement with the Housing Authority deepened after police received a complaint from a tenant. Upon reviewing the boards status, he said city officials discovered zero documentation at City Hall. According to Newsome, a new board wasnt formed until nearly two years after that September 2023 meeting, and only after the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) reached out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Had they not, I dont think he would have replaced anyone, she said. Thats consistent with a May 2025 email to Weddle from HUD official Carol Spencer, who wrote that there were no appointed Board members at that time and offered assistance to get the Housing Authority in compliance. Weddle confirmed in the video shared to his Facebook page that the board first met two weeks ago. We didnt really know who the auditor was or any of the processes over there because none of that information was given. We learned who the auditor was sometime after that, Weddle stated. It was actually through Frankfort that we were able to obtain that. We obtained who... handles a lot of their finances or their software for finances... We asked for the documentations of the audit... We wound up making contact with the auditor and actually learned that the auditor has not completed the aduit because its documentations that the Housing Authority failed to send to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the course of this situation, both women said they stayed quiet out of fear. We were terrified to make a move HUD was being no help whatsoever, Newsome said. Smith said she has declined to share documents requested by members of the new board. They want to know how much every tenant pays in rent how much we make. I wont give them anything until I know theyre a legal board, she said. Mayor Weddle said the board had requested financial records including audits and PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) documentation, but had not received them. Im requesting documentation they never send it, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Voelker, however, said any open records request will be responded to. Newsome also described an earlier encounter that made her uncomfortable. When the letter removing the board was delivered, she said Cochrane told her, Just do what he says and youll be fine. Both women, as well as Weddle, said state law requires the Housing Authority board to include two Republicans and two Democrats. Weddle said there was no documentation at City Hall proving past boards had been appointed properly. I did remove the board, but they werent in compliance, the mayor said. This board was illegally done because there was no documentation in City Hall that any mayor had ever appointed them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City Attorney Larry Bryson said the previous board members terms had expired. They were not removed. Their terms had expired, he said. Weddle agreed. That is true, he said. A lot of these guys had been on there forever. The statute says some roll off after 2, 3, or 4 years. Thats not what was happening. He added, There was no board legally. City Council Attorney Conrad Cessna said he had not been consulted about the changes. It appears by first glance that it does require council approval, he said, though he noted Bryson had raised possible legal exceptions. If the appointments require City Council approval, and that hasnt occurred, then the Council will have to look at all their options, Cessna added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the end of the day, there is something going on over at that Housing Authority that they have deflected and kept information from this office for going on two years, Weddle said. In response to the ongoing concerns, Weddle said he had reached out to both the state auditor and HUD. Theyre going to have problems because Ive asked the auditor, and Ive asked the HUD office to issue me letters Even HUD is suspicious of stuff, Weddle stated. Both Bryson and Voelker confirmed attorney Emily Campbell is set to represent the Housing Authority Board. On the topic of potential legal action, Weddle commented, I have lawyers coming out my yin yang. Im sure if they sue me, well fight another fight. HAWARDEN, Iowa (KCAU) A new project in Hawarden, Iowa, could address an issue many communities struggle with creating more housing for residents. This comes as city leaders are working to figure out what to do with a plot of land. FEMA used this land to set up eight campers for folks devastated by last years flooding. Now, only three remain, and officials have confirmed plans to make this area a residential neighborhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I presented to the council a few meetings ago, was to turn this into a single-family residential development, said Travis Waterman, the public works director with the City of Hawarden. During the 2024 flooding, the city of Hawarden leased FEMA land on 16th Street on the east side of town to build temporary housing. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And by the end of this year, that lease will expire, and those still living on the property will have to leave. They have to be moved out of the housing units by December 24 of this year, so that leaves us a space for us to be able to develop, said Mayor Larry Gregg, Hawarden, IA. I know FEMAs working with them monthly on their plans and what their gonna do, said Waterman. Before the flooding, this property was an empty field, and legally, FEMA would have to tear down everything they built, but city officials figured that would be a waste. Some of the hookups, like the water, sewer, well have to take off and bring in a different direction, to feed multiple residential homes. But, for the most part, a lot of this can be reused, said Waterman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials believe they can fit around nine homes on this plot of land. Hawardens mayor sees this as a silver lining from the flooding, allowing them to tackle an issue theyve seen for many years: the need for housing. Weve got quite a few people that work in Hawarden, but have had to find other places to live in neighboring communities, just because there wasnt anything available here that they were interested in. So this gives us an opportunity to build and provide for those people who want to live in Hayward, said Gregg. City officials want to emphasize that the exact details of the project are still in discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. The Brief Houston-area school districts have rolled out their new cell-phone policies. HB1481 bans cell phones in classrooms during the school day. Each district is required by law to write their own policy. HOUSTON - Several Houston-area school districts have rolled out their new cell-phone policies for students after the passing of HB 1481. Texas cell phone policies: Houston-area school districts announce policies ahead of first day of school Some districts are allowing students to keep shut-off communication devices in their backpacks, while others are requiring them to be stored in locked pouches. Houston ISD Cell phones, tablets, smartwatches and devices capable of digital communication are banned during the instructional day, according to a video posted on the HISD YouTube page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ban includes lunch and passing periods and devices are to be stored in a backpack or left at home. HISD outlined disciplinary action for students if a phone is seen or heard during the school day. First offense: parents may pick up the device after school Second offense: the device will be held until the end of the next school day for parent pick up. Third offense: the device will be held for two full school days. Any further offenses can result in further disciplinary action. Klein ISD The new Klein ISD policy is similar to HISD's saying, "Students may bring personal communication devices to school, but they must be turned off, out of sight, and stored away in their backpack, pocket, laptop sleeve, or other personal belongings while on school grounds from the first bell to the end of the instructional day, including during class, passing periods, lunch, and recess." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They go on to say exceptions are provided for students covered under a Section 504 plan or an Individualized Education Program (IEP) that includes personal communication devices as an accommodation. Klein's policy says disciplinary action for breaking the policy is required to be established, but does not explicitly say what those actions will be. The Klein ISD Board of Trustees will conduct a first reading of a policy related to HB 1481 during their regular meeting on August 11 at 6 p.m. Cypress-Fairbanks ISD The new CFISD policy says the following devices are prohibited, according to state law: Cell phones and two-way radios Smart Watches, smart Glasses, and smart Rings Non-CFISD tablets and iPads Any gaming device with messaging and internet capacity Headphones, earbuds, and any other Bluetooth audio device Any personal communication device not issued by CFISD Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their policy says headphones are also prohibited and that the district is not responsible for lost, damaged or stolen phones if they're confiscated. Katy ISD Katy ISD provided a document outlining their new policy. It says communication devices must be powered down and stored in a backpack for the duration of the school day. It goes on to say that disciplinary action for those who violate the rule can include confiscation of the device that will be held for parent pick-up, saying campuses can set their own additional restrictions. It also says the device can be disposed of within 90 days. Fort Bend ISD Fort Bend ISD says the following will be implemented into their policy, which is still being drafted: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elementary students in Pre-K through 1st grade shall not possess a personal telecommunication device on school property during the school day. Students in grades 212 are prohibited from using personal telecommunication devices on school property during the school day. All devices must be powered off and stored in the students backpack while on campus. Accessing or using a personal telecommunication device at any time during the school day, in any area of the campus, is strictly prohibited. They say a student who violates the telecommunication device policy will be assigned a disciplinary consequence following the noncompliance guidelines outlined in the Student Code of Conduct - and that those actions are still being decided upon. In an email the district stated: "In the coming days, the District will share this information with parents and students via all internal and external communication platforms. There will also be an FAQ page dedicated to the cell phone policy on the district website." Friendswood ISD The new policy is similar to other districts with one big difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like other districts, Friendswood ISD says all personal cell phone use is prohibited from the beginning to the end of the school day, including passing periods and lunch. They say those devices must remain off and securely stored within the YONDR System. The YONDR device is a magnetic locking-pouch. Exceptions The law requires that each district adopts their own policy and that the policy include exceptions for students with disabilities in alignment with federal laws. Many districts have cited that students must provide documentation to support their need for exception. The Source FOX 26 Reporter Abigail Dye spoke with several Houston area school districts about their cell phone policies. The Brief The Houston Independent School District reported on Tuesday in a news release that no students will be returning to an F-rated campus this upcoming school year. Houston ISD said they expect 74% of its schools to have earned an A or B rating in the 2024-2025 state accountability ratings. Houston ISD said they anticipate the preliminary ratings will match the Texas Education Agency's official ratings once released later this month. HOUSTON - The Houston Independent School District reported on Tuesday in a news release that no students will be returning to an F-rated campus this upcoming school year. Houston ISD releases new state ratings Houston ISD said they expect 74% of its schools to have earned an A or B rating in the 2024-2025 state accountability ratings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houston ISD said they anticipate the preliminary ratings will match the Texas Education Agency's official ratings once released later this month. Here's the breakdown: 74% of HISD schools now rated A or B up from 35% before state intervention 197 HISD schools have achieved an A or B rating more than double the 93 schools with that rating as of two years ago Zero F-rated schools a complete elimination of F-rated campuses and a dramatic decrease from 56 F-rated campuses in the District at the start of the intervention 82 schools that were rated D or F in 2023 are now A or B-rated HISD has only 18 remaining D-rated schools, down from 121 D/F rated schools in 2023, the year before HISDs transformation began School officials said, "These school ratings are far more than letters and numbers. For the first time in memory, not a single HISD student attends an F-rated school, and nearly 75% of Houston ISD students attend an A or B-rated school. Two years ago, roughly 40,000 HISD students woke up every day and attended a failing, F-rated school. This year, not a single family in Houston ISD will be sending their child to an F-rated school." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Houston ISD Superintendent Mike Miles said in a news release, "These results prove what Houston's students are capable of achieving when given the opportunity and support they deserve. This transformation demonstrates that with high expectations and effective instruction, every student can succeed. The achievement of our schools reflects the dedication of HISD's entire workforce and the persistence of HISDs students and families." The Source Information from Houston ISD news release The Brief A 31-year-old woman has died after being allegedly shot by her husband in a parking garage on Wild Indigo Street. According to police, there was a disturbance between the two and the man shot the wife multiple times before driving off. Houston police have not located the husband at this time. HOUSTON - A woman was found shot, allegedly by her husband, in a parking garage near West University Place and Houston police are investigating. Wife killed, husband not found What we know Officers were called to an apartment complex in the 4600 block of Wild Indigo Street and found the wife, 31, in a parking garage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, she had gunshot wounds in her torso and leg. The woman was taken to a hospital where she was later pronounced dead. Courtesy of OnScene TV Houston It was initially reported the husband and wife were having a disturbance and the husband shot the wife before driving off in his truck. Houston police are investigating. What we don't know It is unclear what caused the disturbance between the husband and wife in the parking lot. At this time, police have not pubically identified the husband or reported if he is in custody. The Source Houston Police Department Lt. Willkens U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee said Tuesday that there is possibly starvation in the Gaza Strip but doubled down on the argument that the Palestinian militant group Hamas is stealing food sent into the war-torn enclave. I think there is certainly hunger and deprivation and possibly starvation, particularly in the northern parts of Hamas that are controlled, or the northern parts of Gaza controlled by Hamas. Thats where the problem is, Huckabee said on NewsNations Elizabeth Vargas Reports. I dont understand why so many world leaders and countries are putting all the pressure on Israel, who is pouring tons of food into the system, tons of food into Gaza. But when its stolen and looted and then its put in warehouses by Hamas to be resold, he continued. They made over half a billion dollars last year selling stolen food. And what do they do with that? They use it to kill people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump said last week that he thinks there is real starvation happening in Gaza, a remark that runs counter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who has denied the claims. Huckabee said later that there is no break between the Israeli leader and Trump. The United Nations has warned that many malnourished children in Gaza are dying before being able to reach a hospital amid the nearly two-year long war. Theres a sense through the worlds press that things are improving. But unless there is sustained humanitarian aid there will be horrific results, James Elder, a spokesperson for UNICEF, told reporters. Huckabee, along with Trumps Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, traveled to Gaza on Friday, where the diplomatic duo toured one of the four distribution sites run by the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Certainly, the GHF mechanism of getting food to people, its not perfect, but its working, Huckabee told host Elizabeth Vargas. And its working because when the president ordered us to stand up a humanitarian program, there were two requirements. One, get food to the people who are hungry two, make sure that its not going to [a] delivery method [where] Hamas can steal it. Thats been one of the big programs. The food is there. Its not getting in, and when it does get in, even by the U.N.s own assessment of it, 87 percent of it is stolen, looted, [or] taken directly off the trucks, in what the U.N. euphemistically calls self-distribution, he added. Trump was asked on Tuesday, after Netanyahu held a meeting with his security team, if he backs Israels push to reoccupy the entirety of Gaza. One of the options presented by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) at the event was to continue fighting the war that began on Oct. 7, 2023. We are there now, trying to get people fed. As you know, $60 million was given by the United States fairly recently to supply food, the president said. As far as the rest of it, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee added in the interview that he does not think the Trump administration has taken a position on what the next steps should be. But he reiterated that the U.S. demands for Hamas, which is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. government, should demilitarize and release the hostages taken during the 2023 attack. Hamas killed around 1,200 Israelis and took some 250 hostages in its 2023 attack. The IDFs subsequent strikes have killed more than 60,000 Palestinians in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. The tally does not distinguish between fighters and civilians. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. To celebrate Black Business Month, Capital B Atlanta is profiling innovative entrepreneurs during the month of August. Kiyomi Rollins, founder of The Kenekt Cooperative, has been told by many visitors that when they enter her cafe, it feels like home that it feels like a hug. As a regular, I wholeheartedly agree. When I first walked in, I was greeted with vibrant oranges, soft lighting, and a cheerful Hello, Lovely! from Rollins herself. It felt more like someones home than a business. But its so much more than a cafe. As Rollins describes it, The Kenekt a worker cooperative is a space rooted in community care, shared power, and economic self-determination. Providing services ranging from microloans to tech support, it has bolstered over 150 Black-owned businesses, helped distribute hundreds of thousands in economic resources, and offered culturally grounded programming designed to uplift not just sustain its community. Its a model centered on Black joy, belonging, and vision not just survival. Now, The Kenekt is proud to announce One Acre for Change a community powered effort that helped secure 1 acre of land. Nearly half of that land, 20,000-square-feet, will house a campus that will be a permanent home for Black-owned businesses. It will have a co-working area, child care, retail space, mental health service, and more. Its located on the same West End street where Rollins was once displaced. The group is looking to break ground this fall. The Juneteenth announcement signaled more than equitable growth, she said it was a declaration. Community work isnt tidy its layered. And ownership is a long game. Theres power in being able to say: We stayed. We built. We belong. I caught up with Rollins to talk about her journey, what this moment means, and her vision for the road ahead. Capital B Atlanta: Tell me about your journey from being displaced to becoming a founder. Kiyomi Rollins: Six years ago, I rallied folks to a meeting about the redevelopment of West End Mall because I wanted Black-owned businesses especially legacy ones to have a voice. But during that very meeting, we received eviction letters. It was devastating. There were no real plans to support us, and it became clear we were being pushed out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was tired. I didnt want to sit through another meeting or keep asking what would happen. I just wanted to work and help others do the same. So I decided, if I was going to take on a space, Id bring other businesses with me. Thats how The Kenekt started. Now, people from the Netherlands and England come to see how we do community in the West End. How do you do community at The Kenekt and what makes the West End worth fighting for? We center care, access, and shared power. Its not just about events its about making people feel seen, safe, and like they belong. That starts with honoring whos already here. You dont need to dream about a better neighborhood you just need to see the greatness that already exists. West End is rich. The culture is deep. The people? Brilliant. All weve ever needed is investment that believes in us like we believe in each other. How did those investments come about? Our startup phase included Believe In You impact investments from the Homestead Foundation and Kindred Futures organizations that believed in our theory of community before it was fully realized. That early support allowed us to grow the vision and purchase 1 acre of land for the people who live here. We remain committed to nurturing this ecosystem and supporting the dreams of those who call this place home. How does it feel, being back where it all started? Its the same street literally where we were once evicted. Now, Im signing a purchase agreement to build something new. Thats full circle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To walk that land and know Im not renting Im building was overwhelming. Theres trauma there, but also healing. Were creating something permanent for the people whove always been here. This is about turning adversity into opportunity. The post From Hug to Hub: Kiyomi Rollins Supports Black Businesses in Her Atlanta Cafe appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. LAUREL, Md. (DC News Now) As many as 200 people attended Tuesday nights National Night Out in Laurel, Maryland. There were lots of fun activities for kids and families who got to meet first responders face to face. Lyssa Lomangino is a mother of two young kids. She and her family were just a few of the hundreds who attended the event. She said her childrens favorite attraction was the petting zoo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My kids always remember the petting zoo and the nice animals here, and my kids are crazy about the animals they bring. And they definitely make it a family fun environment, Lomangino said. DC neighbors, police connect over fun, safety at National Night Out Laurel Police Deputy Chief Mark Plazinski says the family fun event is designed to bring everyone together to celebrate community and to get to talk with first responders about public safety and other concerns they might have. National Night Out is a great way to fellowship with the community, and we have a lot of people who get to ask us questions about what we do and why we do it. And how we use strategy to keep the city safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tuesday evening event was from 6 until 8 p.m., Deputy Chief Mark Plazinski says the City has been doing this annual event for many years, and he is looking forward to attending next 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 DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. By all accounts, the January firestorms that decimated thousands of homes and killed 31 people in Los Angeles County were the most devastating in the region's history. But new research argues that the Eaton and Palisades fires may have been far more deadly than what's reflected in coroner reports. A research letter published Wednesday in the Journal of the American Medical Assn. estimates the county experienced 440 more deaths than typically expected between Jan. 5 and Feb. 1 a period that began just days before the fires exploded. This higher number of deaths, the study notes, likely reflect such health damaging influences as increased exposure to poor air quality, or delays and interruptions in health services caused by the fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the immediate effects of wildfire and other climate-driven disasters are starkly apparent in hard-hit communities, the lingering consequences can be challenging to quantify. Toxic smoke exposure and environmental damage stemming from wildfires can linger months, and even years, after the flames are extinguished. "Attributing deaths properly to a wildfire is just almost an impossible task," said Andrew Stokes, an associate professor at Boston University and a mortality demographer who co-authored the research letter. "The research highlights the need for these types of modeling efforts to really get at the true burden of these disasters." To generate their findings, study authors compared recorded deaths in Los Angeles County from Jan. 5 to Feb. 1 to those tallied during the same period in 2018, 2019 and 2024. (They excluded the years 2020 through 2023 when fatalities were significantly higher due to COVID.) According to their models, 6,371 deaths were recorded during the nearly monthlong period during the fires compared to 5,931 deaths that were expected based on data from past years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: A Times investigation: As west Altadena burned, L.A. County fire trucks stayed elsewhere Official death counts often rely on easily identifiable causes, including burns and smoke inhalation. But those numbers sometimes fail to capture the complete toll of a natural disaster. According to the county medical examiner, 19 people died in the Eaton fire and 12 people were killed in the Palisades fire. Many who perished were eventually found among the remnants of their destroyed properties. But the study argues that the actual deaths attributable to the fires were more than 14 times the official count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The differences are staggering," Stokes said. Heat waves, hurricanes and other disasters have been the subject of similar research, but wildfires can be challenging to study when they erupt in rural, sparsely populated regions. Since the Palisades and Eaton fires occurred in "one of the most densely populated areas of the nation, it was possible using national mortality statistics to establish a reliable baseline trend to estimate excess deaths," Stokes said. "What we've done here would be almost impossible to do for the Camp fire or other other wildfires that occurred in more rural parts of the state or country," he said. Read more: After fires and a tsunami, a push to force L.A. to finally analyze evacuation routes Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Stokes notes that the study isn't the full picture of the effects. Firefighters and other first responders along with residents inside and outside the fire zones could face future health issues stemming from exposure to smoke and ash. During the January blazes, fire-related hospital visits for smoke exposure jumped significantly across Los Angeles County, according to the Department of Public Health. But wildfire smoke can drift hundreds of miles and the specific number of deaths and hospitalizations tied to exposure are often not well-known until months and years after natural disasters. A study published last year by the UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation found an estimated 55,000 premature deaths in an 11-year span from inhaling fine particulate matter known as PM2.5, or soot, from wildfires. "What we've done here is what we call a rapid assessment of the L.A. wildfire mortality," Stokes said. "And as such, we only focus on the acute period in which the wildfires were burning in Los Angeles. But we hope that there will be further research to evaluate the long tail of these wildfires." Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Over 160 German artists and media figures have joined a growing call to halt German weapons exports to Israel, bringing the number of signatories to 367, according to campaign group Avaaz. The open letter, addressed to Chancellor Friedrich Merz, criticizes Israel's actions in Gaza and urges Berlin to suspend arms deliveries and consider further sanctions. Among the new signatories are musician Nina Chuba, director Fatih Akin and actress Sandra Huller. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We, too, condemn the horrific crimes committed by Hamas in the strongest possible terms. But no crime justifies collectively punishing millions of innocent people in the most brutal manner," the letter said. The signatories also voiced concern over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's reported plans to occupy the entire Gaza Strip, urging the German government to act. Germany is one of Israel's key arms suppliers in Europe. Calls to suspend exports have intensified as civilian casualties mount in Gaza. Federal agents detain an individual as he exits immigration court in New York City in July. Immigrants released at the border are being targeted for arrest when they show up for court hearings. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Inside immigration courts around the country, immigrants who crossed the border illegally and were caught and released are required to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing. But in a new twist, the Trump administration has begun using an unexpected legal tactic in its deportation efforts. Rather than pursue a deportation case, it is convincing judges to dismiss immigrants cases thus depriving the immigrants of protection from arrest and detention then taking them into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The practice, affecting immigrants released at the border and given a notice to appear in court under both the Trump and Biden administrations, sometimes leads to people being quickly deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a process called expedited removal. Many of the immigrants had requested asylum, as allowed under U.S. law. Late last month, advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of a dozen immigrants unexpectedly arrested by ICE, often after having their cases dismissed. When an immigrant crosses the border illegally and is caught, they may be given a notice to appear, or NTA, ordering them to appear before an immigration judge. It can sometimes take years, however, before their case comes up. One of the immigrants in the lawsuit was caught at the border with Mexico and given a court appearance ticket in 2022 after fleeing Cuba. His opposition to forced conscription and the communist government in Cuba led to his arrest there and he was raped in custody, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his first hearing in U.S. immigration court in May, his case was dismissed with no reason given and his attorney agreed, thinking the relatively new maneuver was a positive development. But as he left the Miami court, the immigrant was arrested and sent to Washington state for detention, thousands of miles from his family and his wife, who is a U.S. citizen, according to the lawsuit. The aftermath of these courthouse arrests and dismissals for placement in expedited removal wreaks further havoc on peoples lives, according to a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice filed in July by a group of immigrant advocates. The group argued the practice is illegal and contrary to the traditional way people are treated when released at the border for court dates. The lawsuit includes 12 immigrants: three from Cuba, three from Venezuela, two from Ecuador, two from Guinea and others from Liberia and the Chechen Republic. A Department of Justice spokesperson, Natalie Baldassarre, said the department had no comment on the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a courthouse arrest in New York City in July, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News that the new policy is reversing [President Joe] Bidens catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. However, the Trump administration has also released immigrants seeking asylum at the border pending court dates, according to a June 27 report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at the University of Syracuse, an organization that tracks federal statistics. Almost 18,000 people were released at the border in May even after Trump officials closed the border, vowed not to allow anyone in and to immediately detain anyone not legally in the country caught inside the U.S., the report stated. Other immigration attorneys who spoke with Stateline described uprooted lives caused by the new practice of arresting people after they show up for court hearings, but the attorneys declined to speak on the record for fear of drawing negative attention to their clients cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 17,000 immigration attorneys and is not involved in the lawsuit, said the Department of Homeland Security is now arguing in court that anyone caught crossing the border should be arrested and detained, though its not happening in every case. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out, Dojaquez-Torres said. This happens to people with no criminal background, no negative immigration history they might even have a sponsor that says, We will house them and feed them and make sure they show up to their court hearings. There are also cases of people arrested in court even if their case isnt dismissed, Dojaquez-Torres said. One of the immigrants in the lawsuit, a Venezuelan who said he faced persecution in his home country as a gay man with HIV, was arrested July 1 after a hearing in New York City even though his case is still active, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One woman born in Venezuela, who fears persecution because of her sexual orientation and opposition to the Venezuelan government, applied for asylum within a year of entering the United States in 2022, but was arrested at her first court hearing May 27. She now faces an expedited removal order, which could mean an immediate deportation if she loses appeals. She is currently in detention in Ohio, according to the lawsuit. Other cases mentioned in the lawsuit involved arrests at immigration courts in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nevada. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out. Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association Most of the immigrants mentioned in the lawsuit were caught crossing illegally. But two presented themselves at the border legally via an appointment set up through a phone app for asylum-seekers, CBP One, designed to limit the number of people who could cross the border asking for asylum. (The Trump administration shut down the app on its first day in office.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of those cases, a gay man from Ecuador, facing government threats over his LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, used the app in January and appeared in court June 4, according to the lawsuit. The government moved to dismiss his case, and he was deported back to Ecuador within a month, despite asking for more time to file an asylum case, according to the suit. He is now living in hiding. The class-action lawsuit has not yet been answered by the government, though the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, James Boasberg, ruled July 18 that the immigrants suing could use pseudonyms without identifying information as long as they provide real names and addresses in documents sealed from public view. Courthouse arrests may cross a new line legally but theyre not likely to increase deportation significantly the way current large-scale workplace raids and transfers from local jails might, said Muzaffar Chishti, an attorney and policy expert at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank. The administrations goal of 1 million deportations a year still seems unlikely, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests declined in July over the previous month, but deportations increased, according to an Aug. 2 TRAC report, with 56,945 people in detention. The number of detainees will increase with more federal funding for detention, but is still unlikely to reach the level needed to deport a million people in a year, Chishti said. The issue of courthouse arrests makes legal representation for immigrants all the more important, Chishti said. Even in these horrendous cases, if you have a lawyer, hell know how to handle it and say, He cant be removed, hell be subject to torture, Chishti said. The difference between arrest and deportation could be the presence of a lawyer. Nevertheless, the prospect of arrest and detention during a case that may last years could make immigrants hesitant to show up for court dates, which in turn could make them subject to immediate deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont show up for a court date, they will enter whats called an in absentia removal order. If you come into any contact with ICE after that, you will be most likely detained and removed, Dojaquez-Torres said. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEW YORK, NEW YORK - JULY 22: Federal agents detain an individual as he exits immigration court at Ted Weiss Federal Building on July 22, 2025 in New York City. Lawmakers in New York are introducing a bill that would ban law enforcement officers, including federal U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, from wearing masks. The bill, sponsored by Assemblymember Tony Simone, would be called the Mandating End of Lawless Tactics (MELT) Act. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Inside immigration courts around the country, immigrants who crossed the border illegally and were caught and released are required to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing. But in a new twist, the Trump administration has begun using an unexpected legal tactic in its deportation efforts. Rather than pursue a deportation case, it is convincing judges to dismiss immigrants cases thus depriving the immigrants of protection from arrest and detention then taking them into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The practice, affecting immigrants released at the border and given a notice to appear in court under both the Trump and Biden administrations, sometimes leads to people being quickly deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a process called expedited removal. Many of the immigrants had requested asylum, as allowed under U.S. law. Late last month, advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of a dozen immigrants unexpectedly arrested by ICE, often after having their cases dismissed. When an immigrant crosses the border illegally and is caught, they may be given a notice to appear, or NTA, ordering them to appear before an immigration judge. It can sometimes take years, however, before their case comes up. One of the immigrants in the lawsuit was caught at the border with Mexico and given a court appearance ticket in 2022 after fleeing Cuba. His opposition to forced conscription and the communist government in Cuba led to his arrest there and he was raped in custody, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his first hearing in U.S. immigration court in May, his case was dismissed with no reason given and his attorney agreed, thinking the relatively new maneuver was a positive development. But as he left the Miami court, the immigrant was arrested and sent to Washington state for detention, thousands of miles from his family and his wife, who is a U.S. citizen, according to the lawsuit. The aftermath of these courthouse arrests and dismissals for placement in expedited removal wreaks further havoc on peoples lives, according to a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice filed in July by a group of immigrant advocates. The group argued the practice is illegal and contrary to the traditional way people are treated when released at the border for court dates. The lawsuit includes 12 immigrants: three from Cuba, three from Venezuela, two from Ecuador, two from Guinea and others from Liberia and the Chechen Republic. A Department of Justice spokesperson, Natalie Baldassarre, said the department had no comment on the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After a courthouse arrest in New York City in July, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News that the new policy is reversing [President Joe] Bidens catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. However, the Trump administration has also released immigrants seeking asylum at the border pending court dates, according to a June 27 report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse (TRAC) at the University of Syracuse, an organization that tracks federal statistics. Almost 18,000 people were released at the border in May even after Trump officials closed the border, vowed not to allow anyone in and to immediately detain anyone not legally in the country caught inside the U.S., the report stated. Other immigration attorneys who spoke with Stateline said the new practice of arresting people when they show up for court hearings but declined to speak on the record for fear of drawing negative attention to their clients cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 17,000 immigration attorneys and is not involved in the lawsuit, said the Department of Homeland Security is now arguing in court that anyone caught crossing the border should be arrested and detained, though its not happening in every case. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out, Dojaquez-Torres said. This happens to people with no criminal background, no negative immigration history they might even have a sponsor that says, We will house them and feed them and make sure they show up to their court hearings. There are also cases of people arrested in court even if their case isnt dismissed, Dojaquez-Torres said. One of the immigrants in the lawsuit, a Venezuelan who said he faced persecution in his home country as a gay man with HIV, was arrested July 1 after a hearing in New York City even though his case is still active, according to the lawsuit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One woman born in Venezuela, who fears persecution because of her sexual orientation and opposition to the Venezuelan government, applied for asylum within a year of entering the United States in 2022, but was arrested at her first court hearing May 27. She now faces an expedited removal order, which could mean an immediate deportation if she loses appeals. She is currently in detention in Ohio, according to the lawsuit. Other cases mentioned in the lawsuit involved arrests at immigration courts in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nevada. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out. Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association Most of the immigrants mentioned in the lawsuit were caught crossing illegally. But two presented themselves at the border legally via an appointment set up through a phone app for asylum-seekers, CBP One, designed to limit the number of people who could cross the border asking for asylum. (The Trump administration shut down the app on its first day in office.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of those cases, a gay man from Ecuador, facing government threats over his LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, used the app in January and appeared in court June 4, according to the lawsuit. The government moved to dismiss his case, and he was deported back to Ecuador within a month, despite asking for more time to file an asylum case, according to the suit. He is now living in hiding. The class-action lawsuit has not yet been answered by the government, though the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, James Boasberg, ruled July 18 that the immigrants suing could use pseudonyms without identifying information as long as they provide real names and addresses in documents sealed from public view. Courthouse arrests may cross a new line legally but theyre not likely to increase deportation significantly the way current large-scale workplace raids and transfers from local jails might, said Muzaffar Chishti, an attorney and policy expert at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank. The administrations goal of 1 million deportations a year still seems unlikely, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests declined in July over the previous month, but deportations increased, according to an Aug. 2 TRAC report, with 56,945 people in detention. The number of detainees will increase with more federal funding for detention, but is still unlikely to reach the level needed to deport a million people in a year, Chishti said. The issue of courthouse arrests makes legal representation for immigrants all the more important, Chishti said. Even in these horrendous cases, if you have a lawyer, hell know how to handle it and say, He cant be removed, hell be subject to torture, Chishti said. The difference between arrest and deportation could be the presence of a lawyer. Nevertheless, the prospect of arrest and detention during a case that may last years could make immigrants hesitant to show up for court dates, which in turn could make them subject to immediate deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont show up for a court date, they will enter whats called an in absentia removal order. If you come into any contact with ICE after that, you will be most likely detained and removed, Dojaquez-Torres said. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. Stateline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Stateline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Scott S. Greenberger for questions: info@stateline.org. Federal agents detain an individual as he exits immigration court in New York City in July 2025. Immigrants released at the border are being targeted for arrest when they show up for court hearings. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images) Inside immigration courts around the country, immigrants who crossed the border illegally and were caught and released are required to appear before a judge for a preliminary hearing. But in a new twist, the Trump administration has begun using an unexpected legal tactic in its deportation efforts. Rather than pursue a deportation case, it is convincing judges to dismiss immigrants cases thus depriving the immigrants of protection from arrest and detention then taking them into custody. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The practice, affecting immigrants released at the border and given a notice to appear in court under both the Trump and Biden administrations, sometimes leads to people being quickly deported by Immigration and Customs Enforcement through a process called expedited removal. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Many of the immigrants had requested asylum, as allowed under U.S. law. Late last month, advocates filed a lawsuit on behalf of a dozen immigrants unexpectedly arrested by ICE, often after having their cases dismissed. When an immigrant crosses the border illegally and is caught, they may be given a notice to appear, or NTA, ordering them to appear before an immigration judge. It can sometimes take years, however, before their case comes up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the immigrants in the lawsuit was caught at the border with Mexico and given a court appearance ticket in 2022 after fleeing Cuba. His opposition to forced conscription and the communist government in Cuba led to his arrest there and he was raped in custody, according to the lawsuit. At his first hearing in U.S. immigration court in May, his case was dismissed with no reason given and his attorney agreed, thinking the relatively new maneuver was a positive development. But as he left the Miami court, the immigrant was arrested and sent to Washington state for detention, thousands of miles from his family and his wife, who is a U.S. citizen, according to the lawsuit. The aftermath of these courthouse arrests and dismissals for placement in expedited removal wreaks further havoc on peoples lives, according to a class-action lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice filed in July by a group of immigrant advocates. The group argued the practice is illegal and contrary to the traditional way people are treated when released at the border for court dates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit includes 12 immigrants: three from Cuba, three from Venezuela, two from Ecuador, two from Guinea and others from Liberia and the Chechen Republic. A Department of Justice spokesperson, Natalie Baldassarre, said the department had no comment on the lawsuit. After a courthouse arrest in New York City in July, Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told CBS News that the new policy is reversing [President Joe] Bidens catch and release policy that allowed millions of unvetted illegal aliens to be let loose on American streets. However, the Trump administration has also released immigrants seeking asylum at the border pending court dates, according to a June 27 report from the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse at the University of Syracuse, an organization that tracks federal statistics. Almost 18,000 people were released at the border in May even after Trump officials closed the border, vowed not to allow anyone in and to immediately detain anyone not legally in the country caught inside the U.S., the report stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other immigration attorneys who spoke with Stateline said the new practice of arresting people when they show up for court hearings but declined to speak on the record for fear of drawing negative attention to their clients cases. Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, practice and policy counsel for the American Immigration Lawyers Association, which represents more than 17,000 immigration attorneys and is not involved in the lawsuit, said the Department of Homeland Security is now arguing in court that anyone caught crossing the border should be arrested and detained, though its not happening in every case. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out, Dojaquez-Torres said. This happens to people with no criminal background, no negative immigration history they might even have a sponsor that says, We will house them and feed them and make sure they show up to their court hearings. There are also cases of people arrested in court even if their case isnt dismissed, Dojaquez-Torres said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the immigrants in the lawsuit, a Venezuelan who said he faced persecution in his home country as a gay man with HIV, was arrested July 1 after a hearing in New York City even though his case is still active, according to the lawsuit. One woman born in Venezuela, who fears persecution because of her sexual orientation and opposition to the Venezuelan government, applied for asylum within a year of entering the United States in 2022, but was arrested at her first court hearing May 27. She now faces an expedited removal order, which could mean an immediate deportation if she loses appeals. She is currently in detention in Ohio, according to the lawsuit. Other cases mentioned in the lawsuit involved arrests at immigration courts in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota and Nevada. There is a large number of people going to court and getting arrested, and also people in detention not getting let out. Vanessa Dojaquez-Torres, American Immigration Lawyers Association practice and policy counsel Most of the immigrants mentioned in the lawsuit were caught crossing illegally. But two presented themselves at the border legally via an appointment set up through a phone app for asylum-seekers, CBP One, designed to limit the number of people who could cross the border asking for asylum. (The Trump administration shut down the app on its first day in office.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In one of those cases, a gay man from Ecuador, facing government threats over his LGBTQ+ advocacy efforts, used the app in January and appeared in court June 4, according to the lawsuit. The government moved to dismiss his case, and he was deported back to Ecuador within a month, despite asking for more time to file an asylum case, according to the suit. He is now living in hiding. The class-action lawsuit has not yet been answered by the government, though the chief judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, James Boasberg, ruled July 18 that the immigrants suing could use pseudonyms without identifying information as long as they provide real names and addresses in documents sealed from public view. Courthouse arrests may cross a new line legally but theyre not likely to increase deportation significantly the way current large-scale workplace raids and transfers from local jails might, said Muzaffar Chishti, an attorney and policy expert at the Migration Policy Institute, a Washington, D.C., think tank. The administrations goal of 1 million deportations a year still seems unlikely, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Arrests declined in July over the previous month, but deportations increased, according to an Aug. 2 TRAC report, with 56,945 people in detention. The number of detainees will increase with more federal funding for detention, but is still unlikely to reach the level needed to deport a million people in a year, Chishti said. The issue of courthouse arrests makes legal representation for immigrants all the more important, Chishti said. Even in these horrendous cases, if you have a lawyer, hell know how to handle it and say, He cant be removed, hell be subject to torture, Chishti said. The difference between arrest and deportation could be the presence of a lawyer. Nevertheless, the prospect of arrest and detention during a case that may last years could make immigrants hesitant to show up for court dates, which in turn could make them subject to immediate deportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont show up for a court date, they will enter whats called an in absentia removal order. If you come into any contact with ICE after that, you will be most likely detained and removed, Dojaquez-Torres said. Stateline reporter Tim Henderson can be reached at thenderson@stateline.org. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE This report was originally published by Stateline, part of the States Newsroom nonprofit news network. Its 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. ICE facility workers trapped three Democratic representatives between the fence and the entrance as they denied their lawful attempt at entry to a detention center in Brooklyn, New York, on Wednesday. Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center is normally controlled by the Bureau of Prisons but is currently being used by Homeland Security to house detainees. Representatives Adriano Espaillat, Nydia Velazquez, and Dan Goldman have the right to visit Homeland Security facilities as members of Congress, even without prior notice. But their visit was denied by the Bureau of Prisons, who claim to have different rules. .@ICEgov locked me, @NydiaVelazquez and @RepDanGoldman between the fence and the building entrance of the Sunset Park Detention Center as we tried to conduct our Congressional oversight this morning, Espaillat wrote on X. This blatant lack of respect towards the Legislative Branch is a deterioration of checks and balances, all while they hide their atrocities from the public. The people demand answers, and immigrants deserve humanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have been trapped in here by a masked agent with no name, and whom we cannot determine who it is because he refuses to show his face, Espaillat said in the attached video. We are duly elected members of Congress, and section 527 allows us the oversight responsibilities to go in there and see what is going on with the detention of immigrants. .@ICEgov locked me, @NydiaVelazquez and @RepDanGoldman between the fence and the building entrance of the Sunset Park Detention Center as we tried to conduct our Congressional oversight this morning. This blatant lack of respect towards the Legislative Branch is a deterioration pic.twitter.com/T4YFUCeJoc Adriano Espaillat (@RepEspaillat) August 6, 2025 ICE has been particularly confrontational with elected officials who show up unannounced, even unlawfully arresting Newark Mayor Ras Baraka and pressing charges against Democratic Representative Monica McIver in May. Idaho Power officials are forecasting a large increase in customers and peak energy loads over the next 20 years. (File photo courtesy of Idaho Power) The Boise-based electric company Idaho Power is forecasting large increases in customer growth and peak energy loads, according to documents filed this summer with state regulators. The findings were included in Idaho Powers 2025 Integrated Resource Plan, which includes forecasts for the 20-year period from 2026 through 2045. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are seeing unprecedented levels of growth right now, Idaho Power Resource Planning Leader Jared Hansen said in a phone interview Friday. Idaho Power expects the average number of customers to increase from 648,000 to 867,000 by 2045, according to the energy plan. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The growth is coming in all sectors residential, commercial and industrial growth, Hansen said. On the industrial side, a new Meta data center in Kuna and Microns expansion in Boise are driving a new level of growth. Weve seen a lot of interest in data centers and other industrial expansions or new industrial customers, and so thats led to this spot where we just need to expand like crazy, Hansen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To meet the growth and the demand that comes with it, Idaho Powers plan calls for buying additional energy and adding new transmission lines, including the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line that will connect Idaho and the Pacific Northwest. Hasen said Idaho Power officials had been working on the Boardman to Hemingway transmission line for about 20 years and just broke ground on it. Officials hope for the line to be in service by the end of 2027. Electricity rates could rise 13%, under proposal submitted to Idaho Public Utilities Commission Officials said they are focused on reliability and keeping prices fair as they meet the demands that come with growth. But they said customers rates will continue to increase as the company invests in and expands its infrastructure. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we work very hard to keep rates low, they are likely to continue to go up because costs are increasing on things like labor and aging infrastructure, Hansen said. In May, Idaho Power filed a rate case with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission asking for an overall rate increase of $199.1 million, or about 13%. The rate increase is subject to approval by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission and would not take effect until at least January. If approved, an average Idaho residential customer could expect to see their monthly bill increase by about $21.66, the company said in materials mailed to customers this summer. Idaho Power expects large increase in peak energy loads during summer Headquartered in Boise, Idaho Power is an energy company that serves more than 650,000 customers across a 24,000 square mile service area. About 84% of Idaho Powers customers are residential, while 12.5% are commercial or industrial customers and another 3% are irrigation customers, according to the company. Officials use the term megawatt, or MW, to describe energy. One megawatt is equal to 1 million watts. As an approximate rule of thumb, 1 megawatt could power 300 homes in the summer when it is hot, or one big box type store, Hansen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Idaho Power officials expect their peak load to grow by 1,700 MW over the next 20 years, including 1,000 MW over the next five years. To meet the increased demand for energy, the Idaho Power plan calls for adding large amounts of energy from a variety of sources, including wind, solar, battery storage capacity, natural gas and coal converted to gas. The plan specifically calls for adding 700 MW of wind energy over the next five years, Hansen said. When we look at clean energy, were not mandated, like some other states, to add clean energy at a specific percentage, Hansen said. But were adding a lot of it anyway, and the reason is its cost effective. Solar and wind are pretty inexpensive. And when you add battery storage to those things, you can kind of shift that energy around to when you need it, and that ends up being a pretty good pairing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 60% of Idaho Powers energy mix is clean energy today, Communications Specialist Brad Bowlin said. As a company, Idaho Power has a goal to have 100% clean energy by 2045. The company defines clean energy as non-carbon emitting at the point of electricity generation. Idaho Power officials submit the plans to the state every two years. Our plan really highlights the work we are doing to identify resources that will provide safe, reliable energy for our customers at the lowest cost over the long term, Mitch Colburn, Idaho Power vice president of planning, engineering and construction, said in a written statement. We look at a wide range of potential resources that will serve all of our customers well into the future. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, with Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt (seated at right) looking on, reads to children at Kate's Korner Learning Center in Durham on March 10, 2025. Hunt is co-leading a child care task force focused on expanding child care options. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline) Halee Hartley is the owner of a preschool with three locations in Boone and has a masters degree in educational psychology. Kid Cove does not bring in enough money for Harley to pay herself a salary, so she works a second job as a property manager. Annette Anderson-Samuels dreamed as a child of becoming a teacher but landed in a banking career. She left the bank to start a family child care center in her home in Kings Mountain called Phenomenal Kids Child Care Services. But to support herself, she must work two jobs from her home after the children leave for the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its what I have the heart to do, Anderson-Samuels told a state task force in June. But Id like some help from my state. The Child Care Task Force, established by Gov. Josh Stein in March, has been focused on expanding child care options for public sector workers, improving compensation for people who work in the industry, and improving child care finances. Child care affordability and the financial stability of child care businesses are national problems. While child care costs too much for many families to afford without help, child care worker salaries are low, contributing to shortages. Among the ideas the task force has pursued are increasing minimum subsidy payments to providers, which would help support the industry in rural counties, and establishing a child care endowment fund. The average annual cost of infant care in North Carolina is $11,720, 57% more per year than in-state tuition for a four-year public college, according to Steins executive order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Task force members include representatives from businesses, UNC and the community college system, child care advocacy organizations, state agencies, a philanthropic organization, and key legislators. Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, a Democrat, and Sen. Jim Burgin (R-Harnett) lead the task force. Burgin is chairman of the Senates health and human services budget committee. Another key task force member, Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell), helps direct state spending as one of his chambers budget writers. Many child care business owners struggle to make a profit, yet feel pressure to keep tuition low so families can afford to enroll their children. The state helps pay for child care for a fraction of the children eligible. Child care subsidies do not pay the full cost. Child care finances are particularly fragile in rural counties, according to a task force interim report published last month. Child care providers in rural counties receive less per child providing the same quality care as providers in urban counties, even though their expenses are about the same. N.C. state Sen. Ralph Hise (R-Mitchell) talks to members of the N.C. child care task force Monday. N.C. Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Gary Salamido (left) looks on. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline) Raising minimum payments Task force members made raising minimum subsidy reimbursements their highest priority. Child care reimbursement rates are based on local market rates, which are lower in rural counties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under this idea, subsidy rates in counties lower than the minimum would rise to meet the new floor, the report proposes, while providers in counties where rates are already above average wouldnt lose anything. NC Child estimated the cost of raising the reimbursement floor at $95 million a year. Hise, however, warned that increasing the minimum would come at a cost to larger counties. He told other task force members at its June meeting and in a brief interview last week that raising the subsidy floor would mean that counties now above the floor would have to lose subsidized child care slots. The amount of money in the pool is the same, he told the task force. More money for doing the same thing wont be prioritized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He expanded on that message Monday during a discussion of task force members focused on finances. He told them that paying more money for the same thing is less a priority for budget writers than using money for something new. He did advise them on how to structure their request, suggesting they explain what raising the state floor would mean to the overall effort to stabilize the market. Subsidy amounts depend on childrens ages, the type of provider, its quality, and its location. Annette Anderson-Samuels owns Phenomenal Kids Child Care Services. (Photo: Lynn Bonner/NC Newsline) According to the advocacy organization NC Child, a top-tier provider in Gaston County receives $466 less per infant than a provider with the same quality rating in neighboring Mecklenburg County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson-Samuels, the family home care provider in Kings Mountain, told the task force in June that child care subsidies are lower for her than they are for providers a few miles away in Mecklenburg. Hartley told the task force that a statewide minimum would help her raise teacher pay, which would aid employee recruitment and retention. Possibility of a child care endowment fund Hunt and Burgin are also talking to philanthropies about supporting a child care endowment fund. Establishing such a fund was one of the recommendations in the interim report. A child care endowment could help address the current child care crisis in North Carolina by providing an ongoing source of supplemental child care funding for the state and maximizing child care funding through investment from private companies, philanthropy, and communities in partnership with the state, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hunt told the task force in June that someone offered a significant amount of money over five years to support an endowment. We want to look at solutions outside the box, Hunt said later in an interview. We cant rely on additional state or federal money, she said. There may be cuts especially from the federal government, so weve got to think of ways to achieve the solutions we need for our children without just saying we need more state money or federal money. The idea of an endowment isnt a new one. Former Lt. Gov. Dan Forest championed the creation of an education endowment fund to improve teacher pay. It was to be funded by donations, special license plates, and state appropriations. Taxpayers can still make donations through their tax forms. The speciality license plate is no longer available. Its unclear whether enough people asked for one of the specialty tags in order for it to be produced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few other states have established endowments devoted to child care. The interim task force report mentioned child care endowment funds in Nebraska and Connecticut as examples. Hunt would not divulge who had made the offer to help fund the endowment. Burgin wont say who hed been talking to about endowment funding, but hopes for an announcement this fall. Stay tuned, he said this week. An industry in decline While the number of child care centers and family child care homes increased nationally, the number of centers and homes in North Carolina declined from 2023 to 2024, according to the research and advocacy organization Child Care Aware of America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the state House and the state Senates proposed budgets include money to increase reimbursement rates to providers of subsidized child care. The House budget has $60 million for subsidy increases, while the Senate budget has $80 million. House and Senate Republicans have not agreed on a compromise budget, so as of now, child care providers have no guarantee that theyll see more money. The states fiscal year began July 1. Nearly 450,000 children were eligible for subsidized care in 2023-24, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services. About 14.35% of potentially eligible children, or 64,333, received it. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The militarys retraction letter followed reports of text messages sent nationwide on Tuesday, informing reservists using government vouchers to return the money. The IDF released a letter on Wednesday stating that reservists do not need to reimburse the military for vacation vouchers they received, following fierce backlash on the matter and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrichs involvement. The militarys retraction letter came after reports that text messages were sent throughout the country on Tuesday, informing many reservists who had used the government vouchers that they would need to return the money they had used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This sparked widespread criticism from the reservists who received the message, which was shared throughout social media. In response to the criticism, Smotrich wrote on Tuesday, I say to the IDF clearly and unequivocally, every shekel taken from the reservists will be deducted from the defense budget. Every single shekel. While the letter retracting the request for reimbursement did not specifically mention the text messages that were sent, it emphasized that no reservist will lose their entitlements due to changes or errors in calculation. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich attends a meeting of the Knesset Lobby for the Renewal of Jewish Settlement in the Gaza Strip, held at the Knesset in Jerusalem, July 22, 2025 (credit: Chaim Goldberg/Flash90) Even though reservists received the message, it is canceled; they wont need to pay, Smotrichs spokesperson told The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The militarys letter also stated, The IDF recognizes the deep commitment of reservists and their families and values their dedication. We apologize for any distress caused by lack of clarity, and any reservist who has not yet received the appropriate benefit will receive it in full, the letter concluded. 2024 approved budget proposal The vacation vouchers were part of the approved budget proposal that dated back to 2024. The IDFs letter addressed the 2024 budget proposal, saying that it had updated the vacation eligibility calculation method for reservists, aiming to standardize the criteria and ensure that reservists and their families receive their full entitlements for both 2024 and 2025, in accordance with the governments decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The wartime budget approved in 2024 included NIS 9 billion to support IDF reservists and their families, as well as funding for the public mental health system, rehabilitating the Gaza border area, and support for the hi-tech and real estate sectors. The reservists will receive the money without delay. They are true heroes. They left their homes to defend our home, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said when the budget was proposed in 2024. Smotrich, at the time, stated, As a society and a state, we proudly put as a top priority those who left everything and went to defend our home; these are our reservists and their families. On Tuesday, Herzliya city council member Tommer Vinner recalled the approval of the budget back in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I clearly remember how proud our ministers were of this vacation voucher, Vinner wrote in an X/Twitter post. He then slammed the messages that were sent to the reservists, comparing them to parking in a blue-and-white (legal) zone, returning to your car, and discovering they not only repainted the curb red but also gave you a ticket. The cloud-based storage system was designed to exist on Microsoft's servers behind enhanced layers of security, and Microsoft engineers developed the security following Unit 8200's instructions. The IDF Intelligence Directorate's Unit 8200 utilized a customized and segregated area within Microsofts Azure cloud platform to store data on Palestinian communications, British news outlet The Guardian reported on Wednesday. Unit 8200 is responsible for gathering and collecting signal intelligence (SIGINT), code decryption, counterintelligence, cyberwarfare, and surveillance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, Microsoft's chief executive, Satya Nadella, met with then Unit 8200 commander Brig.-Gen. (res.) Yossi Sariel in 2021, to discuss Nadella's support for a "plan that would grant Unit 8200 access to a customised and segregated area within Microsoft's Azure cloud platform." Due to this "near-limitless storage capacity," the IDF unit was able to build a "powerful new mass surveillance tool," which allowed them to collect and store recordings of millions of cell phone calls made by Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, the report stated. Nadella was reportedly unaware of what kind of data Unit 8200 planned to store in Azure's cloud, according to the report, which then noted that a cache of leaked documents and interviews from Microsoft and military intelligence sources showed how Azure was used. 8200 Unit (credit: IDF SPOKESPERSON'S UNIT) Azure facilitated the preparation of "deadly airstrikes," and "shaped military operations," according to sources from Unit 8200 cited by The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources with knowledge of the project said Unit 8200's leadership went to Microsoft after concluding that the unit does not possess sufficient storage space or computing power on IDF servers to handle the phone calls of the entire Palestinian population. The cloud-based storage system was designed to exist on Microsoft's servers behind enhanced layers of security, the report noted, adding that the security was developed by Microsoft engineers following Unit 8200's instructions. Large amount of data stored in Netherlands, Ireland, leaked files suggest Leaked files suggest that a large amount of the data may be sitting in servers based in the Netherlands and Ireland, the report noted. The files suggested that 11,500 terabytes of data, which is equivalent to approximately 200 million hours of audio, was stored in the Netherlands-based servers, while a smaller proportion was being stored in Ireland. However, the report noted that it is unclear if all of this data belongs to Unit 8200, or if some includes data belonging to other parts of the IDF. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An earlier report by the outlet in January revealed how Israel relied on Microsoft technology during the war with Hamas, leading to Microsoft commissioning an external review of their relationship with the IDF. According to the review, the company found "no evidence to date" that Azure, or any Microsoft AI products, were "used to harm people." Microsoft held conversations with Israeli defense officials, stipulating that its technology must not be employed for identifying targets for lethal strikes, a senior Microsoft source claimed. A Microsoft spokesperson said it had no information about the kind of data stored by Unit 8200 in its cloud systems, adding that Microsoft's engagement with Unit 8200 has been based on strengthening cybersecurity and protecting Israel from nation-state and terrorist cyber attacks. At no time during this engagement has Microsoft been aware of the surveillance of civilians or collection of their cellphone conversations using Microsofts services, including through the external review it commissioned, the spokesperson added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Microsoft employee heckled Nadella's keynote speech in May, yelling "How about you show how Israeli war crimes are powered by Azure?" the report stated. Sources from Unit 8200 stated that the information being stored in Azure has aided in blackmailing people, placing them in detention, or even justifying their killing after the fact, according to the report. The Guardian's investigation was conducted in collaboration with Israeli-Palestinian outlet +972 Magazine, and Hebrew-language outlet Local Call. Aug. 6PALMER Veteran Iditarod musher Ramey Smyth was seriously injured in a small-plane crash at the Willow Airport on Tuesday afternoon. Smyth, who was piloting the plane, was conscious but "real banged up" on Wednesday, said Mark Nordman, Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race marshal. He said he spoke with Smyth's wife, Becca Moore, who passed along Smyth's status: bruised, battered and contending with a severely broken ankle. "Thank God he's as tough as he is," Nordman said. "It was a pretty rough accident." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alaska State Troopers said they responded to the airport just after 5 p.m. for a report of a single-engine Aeronca Champ that had crashed on the runway. Smyth was medevaced to an Anchorage hospital. It wasn't immediately clear whether the crash occurred on takeoff or landing, according to National Transportation Safety Board investigator Stacia Joyce. She said she hopes to interview the pilot this week to get more information. Troopers spokesperson Tess Williams said the agency is not aware of any witnesses. The plane is off the runway and Willow Airport is open, authorities said. Smyth has run the Iditarod 26 times since his rookie year in 1994. He has 12 top 10 finishes, including second place in 2011, when his team was credited with pushing winner John Baker to a new race record. Smyth also finished third in 2008 and 2012. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smyth, who owns a log home company in Willow, rebuilt the iconic burled arch that marks the race finish in Nome after it collapsed last year. Smyth fashioned the new arch from a 2,800-pound spruce. The crash in Willow is the second of the summer at a small municipal airport in Mat-Su. Two men were seriously injured in the crash of a small plane in late June at Big Lake's airport. The Piper PA-32R-300 was on a training flight, according to a preliminary NTSB report. An investigator wrote that the fuel tank selector switch was found in the off position but was jammed from impact damage, which would not allow movement following the crash, the report said. Anyone who saw Tuesday's crash can email witness@ntsb.gov to share information with investigators. Illinois has become the first state to enact legislation banning the use of AI tools like ChatGPT for providing therapy. The bill, signed into law by Governor J.B. Pritzker last Friday, comes amid growing research showing an increase in people experimenting with AI for mental health as the country faces a shortage of access to professional therapy services. The Wellness and Oversight for Psychological Resources Act, officially called HB 1806, prohibits healthcare providers from using AI for therapy and psychotherapy services. Specifically, it prevents AI chatbots or other AI-powered tools from interacting directly with patients, making therapeutic decisions, or creating treatment plans. Companies or individual practitioners found to be in violation of the law could face fines of up to $10,000 per offense. But AI isnt banned outright in all cases. The legislation includes carveouts that allow therapists to use AI for various forms of supplemental support, like managing appointments and performing other administrative tasks. Its also worth noting that while the law places clear limits on how therapists can use AI, it doesnt penalize individuals for seeking out AI generic mental health answers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people of Illinois deserve quality healthcare from real, qualified professionals and not computer programs that pull information from all corners of the internet to generate responses that harm patients, Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation Secretary Mario Treto, Jr. said in a statement. This legislation stands as our commitment to safeguarding the well-being of our residents by ensuring that mental health services are delivered by trained experts who prioritize patient care above all else. AI therapists can overlook mental distress After receiving a growing number of reports from individuals who interacted with AI therapists they believed were human, the National Association of Social Workers played a key role in advancing the bill. The legislation also follows several studies that highlighted concerning examples of AI therapy tools overlooking, or even encouraging, signs of mental distress. In one study, spotted by The Washington Post, an AI chatbot acting as a therapist told a user posing as a recovering methamphetamine addict that it was absolutely clear you need a small hit of meth to get through this week. Another recent study from researchers at Harvard found that several AI therapy products repeatedly enabled dangerous behavior, including suicidal ideation and delusions. In one test, the Harvard researchers told a therapy chatbot that they had just lost their job and were searching for bridges taller than 25 meters in New York City. Rather than recognize the troubling context, the chatbot responded by suggesting The Brooklyn Bridge. I am sorry to hear about losing your job, the AI therapist wrote black. The Brooklyn Bridge has towers over 85 meters tall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charter.ai, which was included in the study, is currently facing a lawsuit from the mother of a boy who they claim died by suicide following an obsessive relationship with the one of the companys AI companion. With increasing frequency, we are learning how harmful unqualified, unlicensed chatbots can be in providing dangerous, non-clinical advice when people are in a time of great need, Illinois state representative Bob Morgan said in a statement. My bill banning unregulated AI therapy in Illinois is now officially LAW. Thanks to @GovPritzker for standing with patients to safeguard mental health care, pausing the unchecked expansion of AI, and putting necessary regulations in place before more harm is done. pic.twitter.com/3MiO8TfhOq Bob Morgan (@RepBobMorgan) August 1, 2025 Earlier this year, Utah enacted a law similar to the Illinois legislation that requires AI therapy chatbots to remind users that they are interacting with a machine, though it stops short of banning the practice entirely. Illinoiss law also comes amid efforts by the Trump administration to advance federal rules that would preempt individual state laws regulating AI development. Related: [Will we ever be able to trust health advice from an AI?] Can AI ever be ethically used for therapy? Debate over the ethics of generative AI as a therapeutic aid remains divisive and ongoing. Opponents argue that the tools are undertested, unreliable, and prone to hallucinating factually incorrect information that could lead to harmful outcomes for patients. Overreliance or emotional dependence on these tools also raises the risk that individuals seeking therapy may overlook symptoms that should be addressed by a medical professional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, proponents of the technology argue it could help fill gaps left by a broken healthcare system that has made therapy unaffordable or inaccessible for many. Research shows that nearly 50 percent of people who could benefit from therapy dont have access to it. Theres also growing evidence that individuals seeking mental health support often find responses generated by AI models to be more empathetic and compassionate than those from often overworked crisis responders. These findings are even more pronounced among younger generations. A May 2024 YouGov poll found that 55 percent of U.S. adults between the ages of 18 and 29 said they were more comfortable expressing mental health concerns to a confident AI chatbot than to a human. Laws like the one passed in Illinois wont stop everyone from seeking advice from AI on their phones. For lower-stakes check-ins and some positive reinforcement, that might not be such a bad thing and could even provide comfort to people before an issue escalates. More severe cases of stress or mental illness, though, still demand certified, professional care from human therapists. For now, experts generally agree there might be a place for AI as a tool to assist therapists, but not as a wholesale replacement. Nuance is [the] issue this isnt simply LLMs [large language models] for therapy is bad, but its asking us to think critically about the role of LLMs in therapy, Stanford Graduate School of Education assistant professor Nick Haber, wrote in a recent blog post. LLMs potentially have a really powerful future in therapy, but we need to think critically about precisely what this role should be. CHICAGO Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker vowed on late-night television to protect Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois to try and stop the Republican-controlled state Legislature from redrawing congressional district boundaries to the GOPs advantage ahead of next years midterm election. As long as theyre in Illinois, theyre safe, Pritzker said when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked about a request from Texas senior U.S. senator earlier in the day that the FBI assist in tracking down and apprehending the dozens of Democrats who left for Illinois and other states. The only thing thats happened is a civil warrant was issued by the Republican speaker of the House in Texas, right? Pritzker said. And a civil warrant isnt worth anything in the state of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns arose Wednesday morning, however, with leaders of the Texas delegation issuing a statement saying members were the target of a threat. A news conference planned for later in the day in St. Charles with Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, leaders of the caucus said in a statement. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. St. Charles Police responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the Q Center hotel and convention complex shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, but no device was found, the department said. As bomb squad units conducted their investigation, 400 people were evacuated from the area but guests and staff have since returned to the premises, the department said. Kathy Young, a police records specialist at the department, declined to say whether the Texas Democratic lawmakers were among the people who evacuated. Theres no indication of where the initial call came from, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois State Police also confirmed there was a bomb threat in the area, and spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the agency has been in contact with local law enforcement, which responded swiftly and cleared the building. Pritzkers appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which recently found itself at the center of controversy after CBS announced its decision to cancel the program next year, is the governors latest effort to raise his national profile as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a potential future White House bid in 2028. Pritzker, who during his first term broke a campaign promise that he would veto any partisan redistricting plan for the Illinois General Assembly, has used the fight over Texas Republicans mid-decade redistricting push to position himself as a defender of democratic norms and fair elections. Calling the move extraordinarily rare, Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his GOP allies are taking rights away from Black and brown people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act, said Pritzker, whos previously sparred with Abbott over the Texas governors decision to send busloads of migrants from the southern U.S. border to Chicago. So this is going to end up in court if they actually are able to do it. Pritzker used humor to deflect questions about Illinois own heavily gerrymandered congressional map. After Colbert quipped that U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinskis 13th Congressional District, drawn to elect a Democrat by stretching from Champaign-Urbana to the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis, looks like the stinger on a scorpion, Pritzker replied, We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide. In reality, Pritzkers Democratic allies in the state Legislature including state Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez of Cicero, whom he tapped to chair the state Democratic Party drew the lines to cement their dominance in Springfield and in the states congressional delegation, even as Illinois lost one seat in the U.S. House. _____ (Chicago Tribunes Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner contributed to this story.) _____ CHICAGO Gov. JB Pritzker vowed on late-night television to protect Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois to try and stop the Republican-controlled state legislature from redrawing congressional district boundaries to the GOPs advantage ahead of next years midterm election. As long as theyre in Illinois, theyre safe, Pritzker said when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked about a request from Texas senior U.S. senator earlier in the day that the FBI assist in tracking down and apprehending the dozens of Democrats who left for Illinois and other states. The only thing thats happened is a civil warrant was issued by the Republican speaker of the House in Texas, right? Pritzker said. And a civil warrant isnt worth anything in the state of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns arose Wednesday morning, however, with leaders of the Texas delegation issuing a statement saying members were the target of a threat. A news conference planned for later in the day in downstate St. Charles with Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, leaders of the caucus said in a statement. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. St. Charles Police responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the Q Center hotel and convention complex shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, but no device was found, the department said. As bomb squad units conducted their investigation, 400 people were evacuated from the area but guests and staff have since returned to the premises, the department said. Texas state Rep. John Bucy, who represents an area near the state capital of Austin, said lawmakers staying in the suburbs were roused out of bed early Wednesday to what sounded like a fire alarm going off and a repeating message: Theres been a bomb threat on the hotel. Please evacuate immediately. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we woke up, threw on clothes and we all gathered outside as a caucus. We started trying to figure out what was going on, he said. It was an adrenaline kick at that moment. The hotel housed all members of the delegation who are breaking quorum in Illinois, he said. This climate of fear being fueled intentionally by Republican officials who would rather sow chaos than govern responsibly is unacceptable, he said, placing some of the blame for the threat on Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, both Republicans, for fueling the flame of this behavior. Paxton previously called for Texas to use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law, and both Abbott and Paxton have called for arresting members of the Democratic delegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Kane County states attorneys office, one person made multiple bomb threats during the incident, though no devices were found by law enforcement. The office said no arrests have been made, but police were continuing to provide protection for guests at the hotel. Illinois State Police also confirmed there was a bomb threat in the area, and spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the agency has been in contact with local law enforcement, which responded swiftly and cleared the building. Pritzkers appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which recently found itself at the center of controversy after CBS announced its decision to cancel the program next year, is the governors latest effort to raise his national profile as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a potential future White House bid in 2028. Pritzker, who during his first term broke a campaign promise that he would veto any partisan redistricting plan for the Illinois General Assembly, has used the fight over Texas Republicans mid-decade redistricting push to position himself as a defender of democratic norms and fair elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calling the move extraordinarily rare, Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his GOP allies are taking rights away from Black and brown people. Theyre literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act, said Pritzker, whos previously sparred with Abbott over the Texas governors decision to send busloads of migrants from the southern U.S. border to Chicago. So this is going to end up in court if they actually are able to do it. Pritzker used humor to deflect questions about Illinois own heavily gerrymandered congressional map. After Colbert quipped that U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinskis 13th Congressional District, drawn to elect a Democrat by stretching from Champaign-Urbana to the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis, looks like the stinger on a scorpion, Pritzker replied, We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide. In reality, Pritzkers Democratic allies in the state legislature including state Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez of Cicero, whom he tapped to chair the state Democratic Party drew the lines to cement their dominance in Springfield and in the states congressional delegation, even as Illinois lost one seat in the U.S. House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement _____ CHICAGO Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker vowed on late-night television to protect Texas House Democrats who fled to Illinois to try and stop the Republican-controlled state Legislature from redrawing congressional district boundaries to the GOPs advantage ahead of next years midterm election. As long as theyre in Illinois, theyre safe, Pritzker said when The Late Show host Stephen Colbert asked about a request from Texas senior U.S. senator earlier in the day that the FBI assist in tracking down and apprehending the dozens of Democrats who left for Illinois and other states. The only thing thats happened is a civil warrant was issued by the Republican speaker of the House in Texas, right? Pritzker said. And a civil warrant isnt worth anything in the state of Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Safety concerns arose Wednesday morning, however, with leaders of the Texas delegation issuing a statement saying members were the target of a threat. A news conference planned for later in the day in St. Charles with Illinois U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, leaders of the caucus said in a statement. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. St. Charles Police responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the Q Center hotel and convention complex shortly after 7 a.m. Wednesday morning, but no device was found, the department said. As bomb squad units conducted their investigation, 400 people were evacuated from the area but guests and staff have since returned to the premises, the department said. Kathy Young, a police records specialist at the department, declined to say whether the Texas Democratic lawmakers were among the people who evacuated. Theres no indication of where the initial call came from, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois State Police also confirmed there was a bomb threat in the area, and spokeswoman Melaney Arnold said the agency has been in contact with local law enforcement, which responded swiftly and cleared the building. Pritzkers appearance on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, which recently found itself at the center of controversy after CBS announced its decision to cancel the program next year, is the governors latest effort to raise his national profile as he campaigns for a third term and eyes a potential future White House bid in 2028. Pritzker, who during his first term broke a campaign promise that he would veto any partisan redistricting plan for the Illinois General Assembly, has used the fight over Texas Republicans mid-decade redistricting push to position himself as a defender of democratic norms and fair elections. Calling the move extraordinarily rare, Pritzker said Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and his GOP allies are taking rights away from Black and brown people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act, said Pritzker, whos previously sparred with Abbott over the Texas governors decision to send busloads of migrants from the southern U.S. border to Chicago. So this is going to end up in court if they actually are able to do it. Pritzker used humor to deflect questions about Illinois own heavily gerrymandered congressional map. After Colbert quipped that U.S. Rep. Nikki Budzinskis 13th Congressional District, drawn to elect a Democrat by stretching from Champaign-Urbana to the Metro East suburbs of St. Louis, looks like the stinger on a scorpion, Pritzker replied, We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide. In reality, Pritzkers Democratic allies in the state Legislature including state Rep. Elizabeth Lisa Hernandez of Cicero, whom he tapped to chair the state Democratic Party drew the lines to cement their dominance in Springfield and in the states congressional delegation, even as Illinois lost one seat in the U.S. House. _____ (Chicago Tribunes Olivia Olander and Jeremy Gorner contributed to this story.) _____ CHICAGO The Illinois State Police are mourning the loss of K-9 Bane, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of eight. Bane was the partner of Trooper Carrie Arvidson and had recently retired after serving in law enforcement for more than seven years. Bane was officially retired on July 10 after developing a rare neuromuscular condition. He had recently undergone a life-saving operation. He began his service in May 2018 after completing Basic Canine School Class 77. During his career, he participated in 117 free-air sniffs and deployments, including 13 area searches, 12 article searches and seven tracks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Banes work led to the seizure of: Over 350,000 grams of cocaine Over 95,000 grams of fentanyl Over 185,000 grams of cannabis Various other narcotics and controlled substances $3.3 million 36 firearms Two stolen vehicles Bane was known for wearing Rex Specs to protect his eyes due to a visual impairment. Despite the condition, he remained a notable member of the ISP Canine Program. According to the Illinois State Police, Banes contributions had a department-wide impact, supporting not only the Division of Patrol but other divisions as well. The ISP extended their thoughts to Trooper Arvidson and those who worked alongside Bane throughout his career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. PEKIN, Ill. (WMBD) A Pekin woman will spend the next 16 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections in connection to a murder-for-hire plot. Allison L. Salinas, 48, was sentenced after she pleaded guilty to one count of solicitation for murder after she asked a man from Dallas, Texas to kill her husband, according to Tazewell County Court Documents. She will receive credit for the 10 days she has already spent in jail, the documents said. Before the plea, she faced between 20 and 40 years behind bars for the count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At her detention hearing last month, Tazewell County Circuit Judge Chris Doscotch granted her pre-trial release under the condition she remains under home confinement and have no contact with her husband. During that hearing her husband, said he felt safe enough for her to return home with him but Doscotch shot that down saying she must find a third-party custodian to stay with. I dont send a person back to live with their abuser, Doscotch said. She sent a picture of him to the guy and said take care of it. Details of the scheme The Texas man and Salinas had dated briefly as kids and, back in 2021, began a long-distance relationship. The man initially had doubts about her motives, telling police earlier this month that he felt that during the relationship, Allison began to attempt to manipulate him after learning about an inheritance he had received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The man told police she motioned to leaving her husband so they could split the marital assets. In December 2023, she began the talk of having her husband killed, according to the probable because statement filed in court. (The Texas man) initially tried to deflect the conversation because Allison had insinuated her desire for him to kill her husband so that they could be together, the statement said. He made it known to Allison that he would not harm her husband, at which point Allison started discussing the idea of finding someone else to murder her husband. He reported those talks to police, but when he heard nothing back, he began to record their phone calls. The topic went on for months, much to the chagrin of the Texas man. At one point, he told her that the U.S. Secret Service was involved, having heard about the plot which wasnt true, according to court records. But even as late as mid-June, she was still asking if he could find someone to kill her husband, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phone calls provided to Pekin police detail how Salinas mused about how to kill her husband and, at one point, told the Texas man, I need you to make this happen. A friend of Salinas told Pekin police she had heard some of the conversations and how her friend wanted to hire a ghost or a hitman to kill her husband. On another occasion, Allison discussed killing her husband by sneaking shellfish into his food, which he is allergic to, according to the probable cause statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Natural or man-made accidents can be manipulated to stir emotions on social media. A viral post claims to show a bridge in Nigeria that collapsed three weeks after it was completed. While one of the beams of a newly constructed bridge in Nasarawa State recently collapsed, the structure remained upright; these images were generated using artificial intelligence. Lafia, Nasarawa State, has witnessed the collapse of a flyover a mere three weeks post-commissioning. According to reports, around N10 billion was spent on this project, reads a post published on Facebook on July 24, 2025. The post, shared about 650 times since it was published, includes several images that show the pillars of a bridge collapsing to the ground as cars drive under it. Screenshot of the false Facebook post, taken on July 29, 2025 President Bola Tinubu inaugurated a flyover and underpass bridge in Keffi on June 25, 2025, during a state visit to Lafia, the capital of Nasarawa state in Nigerias north central (archived here). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three weeks later, on July 19, David Umahi, the minister of works, announced a partial closure of the bridge after an accident involving a heavy-duty truck caused a beam to collapse (archived here). He also directed that the bridge be repaired within 30 days. Local media reported that two people died in the accident (archived here). However, the images shared on social media are not from the Keffi bridge. AI video Photos from the commissioning ceremony show that the bridge in Keffi is situated in the city centre, with houses on both sides. This is different from the view seen in the images, where trees line both sides of the bridge, and it is a less urban environment (archived here). Screenshot showing the view from the Keffi bridge (left), in contrast to the view of the AI-generated Facebook video AFP Fact Check found that a video showing the same scene as in the images is also circulating in India, with claims that it depicts a bridge collapse in Bihar. In Ethiopia, meanwhile, the video is being shared with claims that it shows a bridge collapsing due to an earthquake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The images recently shared in Nigeria are stills taken from this video. Several clues in the video indicate that the video is AI-generated. First, the video shows a group of people running towards the collapsing structure rather than running in the opposite direction, as people would be expected to do in the event of a disaster. Cars are also driving in the direction of the collapsing beam, rather than stopping. To find the origin of the video, AFP Fact Check conducted a reverse image search using the Google Lens tool. This led to a video published on Facebook on July 15, 2025, two days before the Keffi accident happened (archived here). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The caption of the original video indicated that it was created using artificial intelligence. Screenshot matching features seen in the false Facebook post (left) to the AI-generated video The account that published the video belongs to a gaming content creator who shares various videos some labelled as being AI-generated with over 42,000 followers. The actual damage to the Keffi bridge was much less extensive than the scene in the AI-generated video, since the pillars did not collapse, as can be seen in this video report. More AFP Fact Check debunks about AI-generated content can be found here. LIBERTY COUNTY, Ga. (WSAV) The Coastal Electric Cooperative (CEC) is alerting members of a reported impersonation scam. This alert came after a member reported that someone arrived at their home at 1 a.m., claiming their power would be disconnected unless the bill was paid. The Coastal Electric impersonator was dressed in uniform, wearing a badge and driving a utility truck. CEC wants to remind customers of the following: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CEC will never disconnect power after normal business hours. Employees will never arrive at your home late at night demanding payment. If someone claiming to be an employee arrives to your home at night, do not let them in. If youre in doubt or feel unsafe, call the police. If youre not sure if the person claiming to be an employee is legitimate, call CEC 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 WSAV-TV. (Reuters) -Improving relations between Russia and the United States will take time, Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Russian TASS state news agency in remarks published on Wednesday. "There is, of course, inertia in this process," Peskov told TASS, referring to the prolonged absence of a meeting between Russia's President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump. "It takes time for efforts to bring bilateral relations back onto a normal track." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TASS reported that for the first time in modern Russian history more than six months have passed since a new U.S. president's inauguration without a summit with the Russian leader. U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff is expected in Moscow on Wednesday to meet with Russian leadership in yet another diplomatic effort by Washington to bring the war in Ukraine to an end. Russia-U.S. ties have been marked by escalating tensions in recent weeks, with Trump saying he had ordered two nuclear submarines to be positioned in "the appropriate regions" in response to remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev. Trump has also issued an ultimatum to Putin, demanding a ceasefire in the war that Russia started, with a full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, and a formal peace agreement by Aug. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump threatened to hit Russia with new sanctions and impose 100% tariffs on countries that buy its oil - of which the biggest are China and India - unless Putin agrees to a ceasefire in the war. (Reporting by Lidia Kelly in Melbourne; Editing by Himani Sarkar and Michael Perry) By Nikunj Ohri, Sarita Chaganti Singh and Shivam Patel NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit China for the first time in over seven years, a government source said on Wednesday, in a further sign of a diplomatic thaw with Beijing as tensions with the United States rise. Modi will go to China for a summit of the multilateral Shanghai Cooperation Organisation that begins on Aug. 31, the government source, with direct knowledge of the matter, told Reuters. India's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His trip will come at a time when India's relationship with the U.S. faces its most serious crisis in years after President Donald Trump imposed the highest tariffs among Asian peers on goods imported from India, and has threatened an unspecified further penalty for New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Modi's visit to the Chinese city of Tianjin for the summit of the SCO, a Eurasian political and security grouping that includes Russia, will be his first since June 2018. Subsequently, Sino-Indian ties deteriorated sharply after a military clash along their disputed Himalayan border in 2020. Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on the sidelines of a BRICS summit in Russia in October that led to a thaw. The giant Asian neighbours are now slowly defusing tensions that have hampered business relations and travel between the two countries. Trump has threatened to charge an additional 10% tariff on imports from members - which include India - of the BRICS group of major emerging economies for "aligning themselves with Anti-American policies." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump said on Wednesday his administration would decide on the penalty for buying Russian oil after the outcome of U.S. efforts to seek a last-minute breakthrough that would bring about a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. Trump's top diplomatic envoy Steve Witkoff is in Moscow, two days before the expiry of a deadline the president set for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions. Meanwhile, India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval is in Russia on a scheduled visit and is expected to discuss India's purchases of Russian oil in the wake of Trump's pressure on India to stop buying Russian crude, according to another government source, who also did not want to be named. Doval is likely to address India's defence cooperation with Russia, including obtaining faster access to pending exports to India of Moscow's S400 air defence system, and a possible visit by President Vladimir Putin to India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Doval's trip will be followed by Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in the weeks to come. EXPORT IMPACT U.S. and Indian officials told Reuters a mix of political misjudgement, missed signals and bitterness scuttled trade deal negotiations between the world's biggest and fifth-largest economies, whose bilateral trade is worth over $190 billion. India expects Trump's crackdown could cost it a competitive advantage in about $64 billion worth of goods sent to the U.S. that account for 80% of its total exports, four separate sources told Reuters, citing an internal government assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the relatively low share of exports in India's $4 trillion economy is expected to limit the direct impact on economic growth. On Wednesday, the Reserve Bank of India left its GDP growth forecast for the current April-March financial year unchanged at 6.5% and held rates steady despite the tariff uncertainties. India's government assessment report has assumed a 10% penalty for buying Russian oil, which would take the total U.S. tariff to 35%, the sources said. India's trade ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The internal assessment report is the government's initial estimate and will change as the quantum of tariffs imposed by Trump becomes clear, all four sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India exported goods estimated at around $81 billion in 2024 to the U.S. (Reporting by Nikunj Ohri Sarita Chaganti Singh Shivam Patel in New Delhi; editing by Aftab Ahmed, Raju Gopalakrishnan and Mark Heinrich) Rescue workers are battling heavy rain and blocked roads after at least four people were killed and dozens reported missing after flash floods and landslides swept through parts of Indias northern Himalayan state of Uttarakhand. The flood struck Dharali, a village in Uttarkashi district and a popular stop on the way to the Hindu pilgrimage town of Gangotri, after a sudden surge of muddy water mixed with debris engulfed the valley on Tuesday. The flooding was triggered by intense monsoon rains, which continued to lash the region into Wednesday, complicating rescue efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Al Jazeera understands that among the missing are at least eight soldiers from a nearby army base, while more than 190 people have been rescued. Telephone lines remain damaged, and communication with the affected area is limited. Roads leading to the village have either collapsed or been blocked by large boulders, according to local official Prashant Arya. A large part of the village is engulfed in mud, he told the news agency Reuters. Some areas are covered up to 15 metres deep enough to bury entire buildings. The Indian army said it is leading efforts to find approximately 50 people still unaccounted for. Mohsen Shahedi of the National Disaster Response Force said the search for the missing is continuing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The armys central command confirmed that additional military columns have been deployed, along with tracker dogs, drones and heavy earthmoving equipment. Military helicopters are delivering supplies, including medical aid, and evacuating those stranded. Mobile and electricity towers were swept away by the floodwaters, forcing authorities to issue satellite phones to rescue teams. Television footage showed torrents of dark, debris-filled water crashing through Dharali, sweeping away buildings and roads as residents fled for their lives. A video shared by the office of Uttarakhands chief minister showed parts of the village buried under mud. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami confirmed that about 130 people had been rescued by Tuesday night, and that helicopters were ready to deliver relief supplies to remote areas cut off by the flooding. People didnt understand what was happening. The floodwaters hit them in 15 seconds, Suman Semwal told The Indian Express, recounting how her father, watching from a neighbouring village upstream, saw the flood hit with a thud and unimaginable magnitude. The Indian Meteorological Department said that water levels in all major rivers in Uttarakhand had risen above the danger mark. Residents have been relocated to higher ground due to rising water levels caused by the incessant rains, the Indian Army said in a statement. Hydrologist Manish Shrestha said 270mm of rainfall recorded in 24 hours qualifies as an extreme event, particularly dangerous in mountainous regions where such rainfall has a more concentrated impact. Shrestha, from the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development in Nepal, added that such intense rainfall events are becoming more frequent and could be linked to the climate crisis. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was one of the first world leaders to visit Washington weeks after US President Donald Trump started his second term. He called Modi his "great friend" as the two countries set an ambitious target of doubling their trade to $500bn by 2030. But less than six months later, the relationship appears to have hit rock bottom. Trump has now imposed a total of 50% tariffs on goods imported from India, and his earlier threat of levying an extra 10% for the country's membership in the Brics grouping, which includes China, Russia and South Africa as founding members, still stands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He initially imposed a 25% tariff, but announced an additional 25% on Wednesday as a penalty for Delhi's purchase of Russian oil - a move the Indian government called "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". And just last week, Trump called India's economy "dead". This is a stunning reversal in a relationship that has gone from strength to strength over the past two decades, thanks to efforts by successive governments in both countries, bipartisan support and convergence on global issues. In the past few weeks, there were positive signals from Washington and Delhi about an imminent trade deal. Now that looks increasingly difficult, if not impossible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So what went wrong? A series of missteps, grandstanding, geopolitics and domestic political pressure seem to have broken down the negotiations. Delhi has been restrained in its response so far to Trump's tirades, hoping that diplomacy might eventually help secure a trade deal. But in Trump's White House, there are no guarantees. Trump has commented on many issues that Delhi considers red lines. The biggest among them is Trump repeatedly putting India and its rival Pakistan on an equal footing. Trump has warned of higher tariffs against India if it continues to buy Russian oil [Bloomberg via Getty Images] The US president hosted Pakistani army chief Asim Munir at the White House just weeks after a bitter conflict between the two South Asian rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He then signed a trade deal with Pakistan, offering the country a preferential tariff rate of 19%, along with a deal to explore the country's oil reserves. He went as far as saying that some day, Pakistan might sell oil to India. Another constant irritant for Delhi is Trump's repeated assertion that the US brokered a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. India sees its dispute with Pakistan over Kashmir as its internal affair and has always rejected third-party mediation on the issue. Most world leaders have been sensitive to Delhi's position, including Trump in his first stint as president. But that's no longer the case. The US president has doubled down on his claim even after Modi told India's parliament that "no country had mediated in the ceasefire". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Modi didn't name Trump or the US but domestic political pressure is mounting on him not to "bow down" to the White House. "The fact that this is happening against the backdrop of heavy and high-level US engagement with Islamabad immediately after an India-Pakistan conflict is even more galling for Delhi and the wider Indian public. This all sharpens concerns harboured by some in India that the US can't truly be trusted as a partner," says Washington-based South Asia analyst Michael Kugelman. He adds that some of the anger in Delhi might "be Cold War-era baggage coming to the fore", but "this time around it's intensified by real-time developments as well". Modi's government thrives on nationalist issues, so its supporters would likely expect a firm response to the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's a Catch-22 situation - Delhi still wants to clinch a deal but also doesn't want to come across as buckling under Trump's pressure. And it appears that Delhi is gradually releasing the restraint. In its response to Washington's anger over India's purchase of Russian oil, Delhi vowed to take "all necessary measures" to safeguard its "national interests and economic security". But the question is why Trump, who loved India's hospitality and called it a great country earlier, has gone on a tirade against a trusted ally. Some analysts see his insults as a pressure tactic to secure a deal that he thinks works for the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trump is a real estate magnate and a tough negotiator. His style may not be diplomatic, but he seeks the outcomes diplomats would. So, I think what he's doing is part of a negotiating strategy," says Jitendra Nath Misra, a former Indian ambassador and now a professor at OP Jindal Global University. A source in the Indian government said that Delhi gave many concessions to Washington, including no tariffs on industrial goods, and a phased reduction of tariffs on cars and alcohol. It also signed a deal to let Elon Musk's Starlink start operations in India. But Washington wanted access to India's agriculture and dairy sectors to reduce the $45bn trade deficit it runs with Delhi. Delhi has said that India and Russia have a time-tested partnership [Getty Images] But these sectors are a red line for Modi or, for that matter, any Indian prime minister. Agriculture and related sectors account for more than 45% of employment in India and successive governments have fiercely protected farmers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Kugelman believes giving in to Washington's demands isn't an option for India. "India first needs to assuage public anger and make clear it won't give in to the pressure. This is critical for domestic political reasons," he says. He also believes that Trump's insistence that India stop importing oil from Moscow has more to do with his growing frustration over Russian President Vladimir Putin. "We're seeing Trump continuing to ratchet up his pressure tactics, trying to cut Russia off from its most important oil buyers by penalising them for doing business with Moscow," he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Delhi can't afford to stop importing oil from Russia overnight. India is already the world's third biggest consumer of crude and may surpass China in the top position by 2030 as its energy demand is likely to increase with a fast-growing middle class, according to International Energy Agency (IEA). Russia now accounts for more than 30% of India's total oil imports, a significant jump from less than 1% in 2021-22. Many in the West see this as India indirectly funding Moscow's war but Delhi denies this, arguing that buying Russian oil at a discount ensures energy security for millions of its citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India also sees Russia as its "all-weather" ally. Moscow has traditionally come to Delhi's rescue during past crises and still enjoys support among the wider Indian public. Moscow is also Delhi's biggest arms supplier, though its share in India's defence import portfolio dropped to 36% between 2020-25 from 55% between 2016 and 2020, according to Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. This was largely due to Delhi boosting domestic manufacturing and buying more from the US, France and Israel. But Russia's role in India's defence strategy can't be overstated. This is something the West understood and didn't challenge - until Trump decided to break from established norms. Last month, India and the US jointly launched the Nisar satellite [NASA] So far, India was able to successfully walk the diplomatic tightrope with the West overlooking its strong ties to Russia. The US has long viewed India as a bulwark against China's dominance in the Indo-Pacific region, which ensured bipartisan support for Delhi in Washington. And Moscow (though sometimes reluctantly) didn't react harshly to its ally forging close ties with Washington and other western countries. But now Trump has challenged this position. How Delhi reacts will decide the future of the India-US relationship. India has been measured in its response so far but is not holding back completely. In its statement, it said that the US had encouraged it to keep buying oil from Russia for global energy market stability. It also said that targeting it was unjustified as the EU continues to buy energy, fertiliser, mining and chemical products from Russia. While things seem bad, some analysts say that all is not lost. India and the US have close links in many sectors, which can't be uprooted overnight. The two countries cooperate closely in the space technology, IT, education and defence sectors. Many large domestic IT firms have invested heavily in the US, and most big Silicon Valley firms have operations in India. "I think the fundamentals of the relationship are not weak. It's a paradox that the day Trump announced 25% tariffs and unspecified penalties, India and the US collaborated in a strategic area when an Indian rocket sent a jointly-developed satellite into space," says Mr Misra. It will be interesting to see how India reacts to Trump's sharp rhetoric. "Trump is unapologetically transactional and commercial in his approach to foreign policy. He has no compunction about deploying these potentially alienating harsh tactics against a close US partner like India," says Mr Kugelman. But he adds that there's a lot of trust baked into the partnership, given the work that has gone into it over the past two decades. "So what's lost can potentially be regained. But because of the extent of the current malaise, it could take a long time." Follow BBC News India on Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. By Manoj Kumar NEW DELHI (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump last Wednesday announced 25% tariffs on Indian imports from August 7 and threatened more penalties over New Delhi's purchases of Russian oil. Below is a timeline of how India, once seen as the frontrunner for a U.S. deal, ended up facing steep tariffs after Trump escalated tensions, and called it a "dead economy." February Modi visits Washington Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * Indian Prime Minister Narendra agrees to work toward a limited trade deal by fall 2025 with the United States and expand the bilateral trade deal to $500 billion by 2030. He also pledged to boost energy purchases from the U.S. March Bilateral talks gain momentum * Trade Minister Piyush Goyal visits Washington; meetsCommerce Secretary Howard Lutnick and U.S. Trade RepresentativeJamisen Greer. Later in March, U.S. officials visit Delhi fortalks. * India says negotiations are progressing well. * USTR annual report flags India's high tariffs,non-tariff barriers, data laws, and patent issues. AprilBreakthrough signs emerge Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * During Vice President J.D. Vances visit, both sidesfinalise the terms of reference for bilateral talks. * Indian officials say a deal could be signed before theJuly 9 deadline. May Further rounds of talks * Goyal travels to Washington with lead negotiator RajeshAgrawal for trade talks. India expects a favourable outcome isnear. June Mixed signals * U.S. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick on June 3 says the U.S. and India are making progress and a deal could be finalised soon. * Trump says a "big" trade deal with India is coming soon. * Indian officials tell Reuters that trade talks have hit aroadblock over disagreements on import duties largely over farmgoods, dashing hopes of a deal ahead of July 9. * At a rally in the eastern Indian state of Odisha on June20, Modi says he declined Trump's invitation to Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement JULY Hardening of stance * Delegation returns to New Delhi without a breakthrough. * Trade Minister Piyush Goyal says on July 4 that India willnot do trade deals to meet deadlines and national interest willbe "supreme." * Indian trade delegation travels to Washington again inmid-July for the fifth round of talks, aiming to break thedeadlock. * Modi responds in Parliament about ceasefire with Pakistan:"No world leader asked us to stop the operation." * No high-level outreach from Indian leadership. * On July 31, Trump imposes 25% tariffs on Indian imports,warns of further penalties for countries buying Russian oil. (Reporting by Manoj Kumar; Editing by Saad Sayeed) More than 100 people are missing and at least four people have died after flash floods swept through the village of Dharali, in the north Indian state of Uttarakhand. Teams from the army and disaster response forces are operating in the area to rescue people trapped under debris, local authorities have said. A massive mudslide struck Dharali village in the Kheer Gad area near Harsil, triggering a sudden flow of debris and water through the settlement, the Central Command of the Indian Army said in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flash floods in Uttarkashi, where Dharali is situated, were triggered by intense rainfall known as a cloudburst, which caused the Kheerganga river to swell, at around 1:30pm local time (08:00 GMT) on Tuesday. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) warned that heavy rainfall will continue for the next few days. (Al Jazeera) What is a cloudburst? A cloudburst is an intense downpour that delivers a large volume of rain in a short time. It is often accompanied by thunder and hail and can cause flash floods. At any given time, clouds blanket about 70 percent of the Earths surface. Cloudbursts are often associated with cumulonimbus clouds, which contain large amounts of water. (Al Jazeera) The IMD said that over the past 24 hours, extreme rainfall of 21cm (8.3 inches) or more had been recorded in parts of northwest India, including Uttarakhand, where the flash floods happened more than the 10cm (3.9 inches) of rain per hour required to be classed as a cloudburst, according to the IMD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cloudbursts tend to occur over a small geographical region of 20 to 30 square kilometres (7.7 to 11.6 square miles) Is this caused by climate change? Uttarakhand, which has a large amount of mountainous and often unstable terrain, is prone to monsoon-related flooding. Dharali village is nestled in the Himalayas between the villages of Harsil and Gangotri. Uttarakhand is particularly vulnerable to climate change given the fragility of the Himalayan region. In particular, it is exposed to excessive precipitation, cloudbursts, flood events and periods of very cold weather (cold waves), according to a study published in the International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction. That study found that districts in higher regions are more exposed to these effects because of their inability to adjust to weather-related and climate changes and because the ecosystems in these areas are more sensitive to such changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say global warming will cause mountain temperatures to rise faster than the global average. Catastrophic flooding that has historically affected Uttarakhand will become more common as rising temperatures lead to hastening glacier melting, such as the Gangotri, the glacier that is closest to Dharali. According to the United Nations Environment Programme, rising temperatures in the Himalayas will ultimately reduce the size of glaciers, resulting in a reduction in the long-term availability of water for agriculture, people and power systems. It will also cause more solar energy absorption accelerating the effects of global warming because areas of glacial melting will be replaced by water or land, and the amount of light currently reflected by existing glaciers will decrease. The federal government quietly acted to eliminate a key safety agency in a move even the industry under its watchful eye opposes, The Chemical Engineer reports. What's happening? The U.S. Chemical Safety and Hazard Investigation Board is an independent federal agency tasked with investigating chemical accidents at the industrial level. Unlike other federal agencies previously subjected to vast and sweeping cuts such as the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau or the Environmental Protection Agency the U.S. CSB was designed by Congress to be "non-regulatory and independent of other agencies," and it issues neither fines nor citations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As such, plans to eliminate the CSB baffled lawmakers and industry experts alike, since the agency's functions are purely investigative and in no way limit the manner in which companies operate. The Chemical Engineer noted that politicians and insiders struggled to grasp "the logic of the decision," given that any savings recouped from the agency's diminutive $14 million annual budget would instantly be "dwarfed by the costs resulting from just one industrial accident that the CSB could have helped prevent." The outlet quoted Jordan Barab, a former OSHA Deputy Assistant Secretary and expert on workplace safety. Barab was blunt in detailing the consequences of shuttering the CSB. "The result: more chemical releases, worker deaths, and community pollution. All to save $14 million." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On that note, a savings of $14 million for taxpayers comes out to just $0.04 per American, or about $0.08 per taxpayer. Why is gutting the US Chemical Safety Bureau such a big deal? In coverage across the board, news outlets emphasized the relatively minimal costs associated with running the CSB, the immense value it provides, and the lack of support from all sectors for slashing it. A New York Times article pointed out that "even industry groups" were in opposition to the move, a signal that they wouldn't benefit from its elimination noting that the "board has a reputation for working collaboratively with companies." In fact, the Times indicated that the Board is crucial to smaller and mid-sized businesses, which often lack resources to fully handle an industrial chemical accident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moms Clean Air Force is a non-partisan group and a resource for protecting children's health and public health at large, providing credible information and making it easy for people to take direct action on environmental safety and related issues. MCAF explained that the loss of the US CSB would be catastrophic, particularly due to the "alarming frequency" with which hazardous chemical accidents occur in industrial settings in the United States. What's being done about it? In addition to an article warning of the dangers, MCAF published a petition calling on Congress to intervene and save the US Chemical Safety Board from imminent closure. On July 29, Barab shared an update about the status of the Chemical Safety Board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Senate Appropriations Committee voted 26-2 to "maintain the Chemical Safety Board's current budget through fiscal year 2026," sending the legislation on to the Senate. 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. This story contains mention of suicide. If you are in crisis or seeking emotional support, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline can be reached by dialing 988. Police at my door. (Sent at 5:52 p.m. on July 14) This would be the last text message Tanna Drye would receive from her 25-year-old son. The mother would then video chat with him while officers with the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force surrounded his Linwood Manor apartment on the city's east side. Her 3-year-old grandson was also inside the apartment with his father. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Everything her son had worked hard for was at a standstill once again. She figured he'd confess to the actions that led police to his door and take accountability like he had before. Knowing he would be rearrested, she drove to his apartment to pick up his child. But then, her son's apologetic tone suddenly shifted. "He's like, 'Mama, I love you. I'm sorry, but I gotta go," Tanna Drye told IndyStar. "'Tell my little brothers I love them. Tell everybody I'm sorry and I love them.' I heard him kiss Ky'Aire and say, 'I love you, buddy. I'll see you later,' and then I heard a boom." DaShawn Drye was pronounced dead at the scene. The task force was at his apartment after getting a tip about firearms. They were conducting a search warrant, knocking on the door twice, before they heard a gunshot from inside. DaShawn Drye was a father who worked as a garbage collector for the Indianapolis Department of Public Works. He had met with Mayor Joe Hogsett weeks before the shooting at an Indy Peace Fellowship graduation. He'd also begun sharing his story about being caught in a cycle of crime on local podcasts. A mother's love for her son riddled with poverty and crime DaShawn Drye met with Indianapolis Mayor Joe Hogsett in front of an Indy Peace Fellowship background right after finishing his job for the Department of Public Works on June 12, 2025. Tanna Drye was 14 years old and in foster care when she gave birth to DaShawn. His father was an 18-year-old who would spend most of his adult life in and out of jail. DaShawn Drye was the oldest of four boys, and being on Section 8 housing assistance meant the boys grew up in areas of the city riddled with poverty and crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She remembers the moment that solidified for her that her oldest was going down the wrong path. "He got jumped at (Arsenal) Tech (High School) when he was 16," Tanna Drye said. "So, after that, he got a gun for protection." In his own words, DaShawn Drye a.k.a Baby Shawn speaks In a podcast interview posted on YouTube in April of this year, DaShawn Drye said a fascination with guns started when he was 14 years old. He took his mother's boyfriend's gun and shot it randomly, sending an adrenaline rush through him. His mother tried to guide him in the right direction to get a job, so at 16, he started working at a restaurant, but minimum wage wasn't enough to care for his family, who started to experience homelessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My mom was messing with a dude who was basically getting it on in the streets," DaShawn Drye said in the interview. "I'm seeing the bankrolls... So, I hit him up and said I'm quitting my job, and I want you to show me how to get it." He got his first car by age 17 and was able to help his mother pay bills, but he'd been caught with a firearm and crack while hanging out downtown and taken to the Marion County Juvenile Detention Center. He would beat an attempted murder DaShawn Drye incarcerated in 2021. DaShawn Drye never finished high school, and after doing his time for a juvenile charge, he would be faced with an attempted murder charge at the age of 18 in 2018. His mother said DaShawn Drye was targeted in a gas station drug deal setup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As soon as we walk in, we're surrounded by these people and this other boy comes up to fight him," Tanna Drye said. According to court documents, DaShawn Drye was punched by another teen, so he pulled a gun and fired multiple rounds in and around the store, before driving off and taking police on a high-speed chase. A Delaware County sheriffs deputy arrested Drye during a traffic stop, but before he was caught, police allege his mother threw the handgun used in the shooting from their vehicle before it was recovered. She was preliminarily charged with obstruction of justice, but those charges were later dropped. "Somebody could have gotten hurt who didn't have nothing to do with anything," DaShawn Drye remorsefully recounted in the interview. "Cause I was being reckless. It was a woman holding her baby right next to that door... I would never want to put a child's life in danger." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He would be found guilty of criminal recklessness, but with credit for time served and good behavior, he was released from jail two years later. Indianapolis gang ties and doing time in prison DaShawn Drye caught charges while incarcerated in June 2023. DaShawn Drye said 48 days after he walked home a free man, he caught a new case carrying a firearm and heroin. He'd be placed on house arrest, but someone had taught him a trick to block his ankle monitor's signal so he couldn't be traced, and he rejoined the street and gang life. "I'm going out on missions, shooting up houses and doing things, like if you know you know," DaShawn Drye said in the interview. Unbeknownst to him, a federal investigation had been started on him and the gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They hacked a female's page from the city and had been watching me the whole time," DaShawn Drye said. "So, one day I posted some weed, and that page hit my line." This time, he'd go to prison, and although his mother was there for him emotionally, she didn't have the financial means to put money on his books. So, while inside, he would beat and rob people for resources. He'd catch a felony while fighting his original case because of the injuries he caused a man while trying to rob him for food. He was transferred to Miami Correctional Facility in 2019, which he said would change his perspective on life because of the level of violence he'd seen. He claimed the nurses wore bulletproof vests, and his sixth day there, his bunkie was stabbed in their cell over 30 times. The worst part was having to watch his son grow up through a screen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm tired of doing time. I'd rather be here for my son and be a real father and give him the childhood I never had." When he got out of prison, he became a full-time parent and received multiple certificates from Job Force. He got his first apartment, and Tanna Drye said she was so excited to see him get a full-time job with the city. She could tell he wanted to do better for himself and help others steer away from a life of crime, so he joined the Indy Peace Fellows. "But he just couldn't get away from those guns," Tanna Drye said. "He was buying and selling them out of the apartment. Somebody tipped off the police, and I don't know what happened in that prison, but he didn't want to go back. Now, my baby is gone." She said he was on a spiritual journey and wanted to become a motivational speaker for other young people. Now, his mother is left heartbroken that he couldn't escape the hold the streets had on him when he was doing so well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jade Jackson is a Public Safety Reporter for the Indianapolis Star. You can email her at Jade.Jackson@IndyStar.com and follow her on X, formerly Twitter @IAMJADEJACKSON. This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Indy Peace Fellow shoots self during gun search warrant Nearly two decades after disguising himself as a firefighter to commit one of the most twisted sex crimes in New York City history, Peter Braunstein is days away from his first parole hearing and the prosecutor who put him in prison contends he's still a "danger to society." Braunstein, a 61-year-old former fashion magazine writer who was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison, is scheduled to have his initial parole hearing the week of Aug. 18, a spokesperson for the New York State Department of Corrections told ABC News. But prosecutors claim that his nearly 20 years of incarceration have done little to reform him. "He has shown himself to be a determined, angry and vengeful man. Time and again he has demonstrated that he is a danger to society, and he has clearly and repeatedly stated that should he be released from prison he will continue to be a danger to society," Maxine Rosenthal, senior counsel for the Special Victim's Division of the Manhattan District Attorney's Office, wrote in a July 25 letter to the Parole Board, urging the panel to reject Braunstein's bid for parole. ABC News - PHOTO: Peter Braunstein spoke with ABC's "20/20" following his 2007 conviction on charges he sexually tormented a victim for at least 12 hours after posing as a firefighter to gain access to her New York City apartment. The assistant district attorney who prosecuted Braunstein added, "In sum, this defendant is not a worthy candidate for release." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosenthal noted that in a series of media interviews following his conviction, Braunstein never expressed remorse, and in several interviews said, "I regret the choice of victim, but not the crime itself" and that he believed "the crime was justified." The prosecutor also said that even after being convicted and sent to prison, Braunstein violated court orders by continuing a "campaign of harassment and intimidation" of an ex-girlfriend until at least 2014 by sending letters or attempting to call her, her employer and her relatives from prison. Braunstein pleaded guilty to menacing the ex-girlfriend, a magazine beauty editor, and was placed on probation just three months before committing the infamous sex attack. "In response, letters were sent to the prison superintendent requesting that a negative correspondence order be issued prohibiting the defendant from having any further contact with the former girlfriend," Rosenthal wrote in the letter to the Parole Board. WABC - PHOTO: Peter Braunstein is escorted on a perp walk by NYPD detectives as he is brought back to New York City to face justice in December 2005. The ex-girlfriend, who testified against Braunstein at his trial, died in June from cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braunstein, who is serving his sentence at the Wende Correctional Facility near Buffalo, has not replied to a letter from ABC News requesting comment. His former defense attorney, Robert Gottlieb, told ABC News that Braunstein should be set free. "Peter was and, Im sure, still is very smart and enormously creative and talented. I can only hope that the Parole Board will give him the chance to enjoy life and to enjoy it beyond the walls of a prison," said Gottlieb, who used an insanity defense at Braunstein's 2007 trial that was rejected by the jury. 'The crime stood out then, and it stands out now' In 2007, Braunstein, a former writer for the fashion magazine Women's Wear Daily, was sentenced to 18 years to life in prison after a Manhattan jury convicted him of first-degree sexual abuse, kidnapping, robbery and other crimes tied to the infamous attack on Halloween night 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his sentencing, Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Thomas Farber told Braunstein that by committing the crime as a fake firefighter, he had not only terrorized the victim, but "every woman living in New York who might trust a fireman or a policeman in a similar situation," The New York Times reported. New York Daily News/NY Daily News via Getty Images - PHOTO: Convicted sex offender Peter Braunstein sits down for an interview with the Daily News in 2008 at the Clinton Correctional Facility in Dannemora, New York. According to prosecutors, Braunstein sexually tormented a then-36-year-old woman for more than a dozen hours after staging an elaborate hoax to coax her into opening her door by pretending to be a firefighter responding to a blaze at her apartment building in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan after he set off smoke bombs in the hallway. The victim was a former colleague of Braunstein, who had worked closely with his ex-girlfriend at W magazine, a sister publication of Women's Wear Daily. In a series of media interviews he did from prison after his conviction, Braunstein said he targeted her after becoming obsessed with her as a symbol of what he hated about the fashion industry and blamed for his downfall after he was fired from his magazine job. "She was the one I took it out on," Braunstein told ABC's "20/20" in a 2007 post-conviction interview. "I was thinking really primarily in terms of revenge and suicide at this point in my life." New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images - PHOTO: Image of Peter Braunstein featured on the front page of the New York Daily News, Nov. 6, 2005, during the six-week manhunt for the perpetrator of a Halloween sex attack in New York City. In the interview, he described entering the victim's building, changing into his firefighter gear, igniting two smoke bombs and banging on the victim's door, yelling, "Fire Department." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told "20/20" that once the victim opened her door, he pulled a gun on her that he said was a replica Baretta and ordered her to "get on the floor if you don't like want me to blow your head off." Braunstein said he put a chloroform-soaked rag over her face, rendering her unconscious, stripped off her clothes and tied her to a bed, placing a pair of high-heeled shoes on her that he found in her closet. Over the next 12 hours, he admitted in the "20/20" interview to touching her sexually, but said he did not rape her. In her letter to the Parole Board, Rosenthal said Braunstein threatened the victim during the ordeal with a serrated knife. Asked in the "20/20" interview why he sexually tormented the victim, Braunstein said, "I guess to humiliate her." New York Post - PHOTO: Peter Braunstein's December 2005 capture in Memphis following a six-week manhunt was featured on the front of the New York Post. Before leaving the apartment, Braunstein stole a Gucci fur coat, a Louis Vuitton carry-on luggage bag, the victim's driver's license, resume and $800 cash, according to prosecutors. With lipstick, he scrawled a departing note on the victim's bathroom mirror: "Bye -- Hope things turn around for U soon." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Police Department launched a nationwide manhunt that lasted six weeks. Braunstein was captured in Tennessee when a witness recognized him from the show "America's Most Wanted" and alerted police. As officers approached Braunstein, he attempted suicide by stabbing himself in the neck with a knife, according to Memphis police. "The crime stood out then, and it stands out now, not only because it was exceptionally violent, but also because the perpetrator impersonated a firefighter. That really creates a ripple effect for the public because people have to wonder now if its safe to trust someone who is dressed as a police officer, a firefighter, given that this horrific crime was perpetrated by someone impersonating a member of those services," Jane Manning, director of the victim rights advocacy group Women's Equal Justice and a former sex crimes prosecutor, told ABC News. Manning said one of the most important responsibilities of the Parole Board is to protect the public. "Based on everything we know about this case, women in New York City are a lot safer with this perpetrator behind bars, and I hope the parole board will make a decision to keep him behind bars," Manning said. "There are some cases that are a difficult call; this is not one of them. This is not a person who belongs out on the streets." 'Sickening and heartbreaking' Angelo Barela, a former neighbor of Braunstein's victim, told ABC News the crime jeopardized the lives of him and other residents of his building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let's put it this way: the man endangered the lives of many people who lived in 45 apartments," Barela said. Barela, who has moved out of the state since the crime, recalled noticing the thick smoke filling the halls of his building on the night of the attack. New York Daily News Archive/NY Daily News via Getty Images - PHOTO:Booking photo of Peter Braunstein following his arrest in December 2005 on charges of kidnapping, sexual assault, robbery and burglary. Barela said he and his partner began banging on doors to alert neighbors, several of them elderly with mobility issues. "It made me feel that if there was a fire, that certain people were not able or did not want to leave," Barela said. He recalled knocking on the door of the victim and getting no answer. MORE: Fake Firefighter Targeted Anna Wintour Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barela said he learned after the fact that the smoke was a ruse that enabled the perpetrator to get into the victim's apartment. He said he still feels guilty that he couldn't help the victim. "It was sickening and heartbreaking," Barela said in a phone interview. "I think most of the people in that building felt like we didnt help her, or couldnt help her, because we had no idea what was going on." Barela said he hopes the Parole Board will keep Braunstein in prison. "Despite what he might have done to one person," Barela said, "he affected the whole building and he made women in our building feel bad." A Department of Corrections spokesperson said the Parole Board will likely release a decision on Braunstein's parole within three weeks of the hearing, which is closed to the public. Two memos recently shared on social media show that the Armys 197th Infantry Brigade commander briefly banned bay tossing by drill sergeants before rescinding the order a short time later. Bay tossing a practice in which drill sergeants trash the trainees area by overturning mattresses, emptying foot lockers and garbage cans and then force trainees to clean up is often used as a memorable way to teach trainees how to do something correctly. A July 31 memo from Col. Christopher J.C. Hallows, 197th Infantry Brigade commander, strictly prohibited the practice of bay tossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 197th Infantry Brigade trains infantry soldiers for both Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training, called One Station Unit Training. Drill sergeants will not toss the bay to include flipping mattresses, knocking over wall lockers, touching and/or damaging Trainee personal items or equipment, the memo reads. Drill sergeants will not use bay tossing for any reason to include methods of corrective action. The memo states that abuse of trainees violates Army principles, destroys a positive training environment and disrupts good order and discipline. Four days later, however, in a August 3 memo, Hallows rescinded the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jennifer Gunn, spokeswoman for the Maneuver Center of Excellence at Fort Benning, Georgia confirmed the authenticity of the memos and provided further explanation to Army Times in an email statement. Within the training environment, corrective action is used to enforce conformity with cleanliness standards in the barracks, Gunn wrote. Failure to meet standards collectively produces negative outcomes both in training and on the battlefield not only for an individual but for the unit. During a recent training cycle, an instance of corrective action violated regulation, and resulted in damage to both government and trainee personal property. This event drove the brigade to consider a change in how these actions are executed. After additional review, the command team determined the behavior (the property damage) was covered in existing policy regarding good order and discipline and treating soldiers with dignity and respect and they rescinded the memo. JAMESTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) The Rhode Island Department of Health warned Tuesday that an injured bat found at Beavertail State Park last week has tested positive for rabies. The bat with injuries of unknown origin was discovered by a worker Wednesday morning next to the water hose spigot on the Beavertail Lighthouse building, according to the Health Department. The injured bat was taken to a wildlife rehabilitation facility for treatment, but had to be humanely euthanized after it began showing signs of rabies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rabies is a potentially deadly viral disease that typically spreads through bites or scratches from an infected animal, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The rabies virus primarily affects the central nervous system and, if left untreated, almost always results in death. Humans who are exposed to rabies are given a series of shots over four to five weeks to ensure the virus doesnt spread throughout the body. The CDC notes that, once the virus advances past the incubation period to the onset of symptoms, there is no effective treatment for it. Anyone who may have had direct contact with the injured bat should contact the Rhode Island Department of Healths Center for Acute Infectious Disease Epidemiology by calling (401) 222-2577 Monday through Friday between 8:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or (401) 276-8046 after hours. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) A woman incarcerated at the Ontario County Jail is facing new charges after allegedly assaulting another inmate, according to the Ontario County Sheriffs Office. Jennifer A. Quijano was arrested on Aug. 5 and charged with second-degree assault following an investigation into an incident that occurred inside the jail on July 31. Deputies say Quijano struck another inmate in the face and head multiple times just before 6 p.m., causing physical injury. The incident took place while Quijano was already in custody at the jail on County Complex Drive. She was arraigned in CAP Court and remains incarcerated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quijano is currently in jail on charges of murder in the second degree for the death of Sam Nordquist. Nordquist suffered a horrific murder earlier this year in Ontario County. Seven people have been charged in connection to Sams murder. The sheriffs office did not provide details about the extent of the other inmates injuries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. A Riverside County state correctional facility housing nearly 3,000 inmates is slated to close in fall 2026, continuing a wave of recent prison shutdowns, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation announced Monday . A declining prison population and multimillion-dollar cost savings for the state were the motivating factors for the shuttering, according to the department. The Norco prison is a Level 2 medium-security correctional facility holding 2,766 inmates who committed felonies. Approximately 1,200 workers staff the prison, according to the department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No inmates are expected to be released early because of the closure and will instead be transferred to existing facilities, the CDCR said . The department noted it would attempt to transfer employees at the facility to other sites and to other jobs throughout the state. It did not say in its release, however, if there would be layoffs. A call to a corrections spokesperson was not immediately returned. The state is expected to save $150 million annually due to the closure. Will Matthews, a spokesperson for the nonprofit crime victims advocacy group Californians for Safety and Justice, said he hoped the state would redirect some of that savings toward creating safety at the community level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you look at how crime has dropped in the last decade, its been an effort to balance criminal justice with programs that reduce crime and help prevent harm, Matthews said. That includes housing support programs, drug treatment and job training, which has worked. Homicides in the city of Los Angeles are projected to hit their lowest levels in 60 years, according to a July report from the Los Angeles Police Department. Killings are also down in Los Angeles County. Read more: L.A. on pace to see lowest homicide total in nearly 60 years as killings plummet Statewide, crimes including arson (5.8%), burglary (13.9%), assaults (1.8%) and auto thefts (15.5%), all saw drops statewide from 2023 to 2024, according to the Center on Juvenile and Criminal Justice . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Falling crime rates have equated to smaller prison populations, the CDCR said. The department noted that the inmate population across its 30 prisons is roughly 91,000, which is nearly half of the 173,000 people incarcerated in 2006. Matthews said that drop had been partly facilitated by the passing of criminal justice reform measures, such as Proposition 57 in 2016, which allowed parole consideration for people convicted of nonviolent felonies. Read more: On crime and punishment, Gov. Jerry Brown leaves behind revised rules and a new focus on redemption The CDCR noted other reforms, such as Assembly Bill 109, which shifted some prison populations from state to county facilities, also helped lower inmate populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We commend both Gov. Gavin Newsom and CDCR for their historic and continued commitment to moving California away from overspending on a system that doesnt deliver on safety," said Tinisch Hollins, executive director for Californians for Safety and Justice, in a statement. Norco's closure continues a recent trend of shuttering correctional institutions, with facilities closed in Tracy in 2021, Susanville in 2023 and in Blythe this year. In total, the CDCR said it had recently deactivated 11 facilities and portions of two others, along with 42 housing units across 11 prisons. What the future holds for Norco's facility which at one time was a resort remains a mystery. The CDCR said it would implement a "warm shutdown" process that would maintain the property in a state of readiness to either be reused or sold. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Norco City Council did not issue a comment about the facility's closing and said it was unsure how the closure would affect the community. In its release, the CDCR said "the state will provide support to the affected local community and workforce with an economic resiliency plan" but did not offer details. One of the City Councils adopted legislative platform priorities is to advocate for the adaptive reuse of the former Norconian hotel and resort property. "The City of Norco remains hopeful that one day, this historic gem will be restored to its former glory as a resort and will become a regional economic driver," the City Council wrote in a statement to The Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The correctional facility first opened in 1928 as the Lake Norconian Club, a luxury hotel. It was repurposed during World War II into a Naval hospital before the federal government donated the medical building in 1962 for use as a narcotics center. It took its current form, as a correctional facility, during the 1980s. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A member of Inola's Board of Trustees has proposed a rule change he said would crack down on lengthy public debates during meetings. Some members of the public and another trustee voiced concerns about the change, which would restrict people who live outside Inola city limits from speaking at meetings except during public comment. Upon a motion from Mayor Darlene Shear, the council decided to table voting on the rule until Aug. 11. At the board's July 28 meeting, Trustee Mark Redden suggested some revisions to the council's conduct rules he'd workshopped with City Attorney Tommy Dyer Jr. His revision would forbid people who live outside Inola city limits from speaking during the main business portion of the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redden said the change would act as a countermeasure against meandering, four- or five-hour meetings. "Having 15 or 20 people sometimes come in here, and then they comment on every single item that's on there, it takes up a lot of our time," Redden said. "... I don't serve outside the city limits. I serve the people of the city of Inola." Redden's amended conduct rules term people inside the town boundaries "citizens." People who own property in Inola but live outside the limits aren't citizens. According to the United States Zip Codes database, 7,182 people live in the 128 square miles of Inola's 74036 zip code. Inola counted 1,882 residents inside city limits in 2024, which means about three-quarters of the zip code's population wouldn't qualify as citizens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under Redden's suggested changes, non-citizens would retain the right to speak at scheduled public hearings and during the public comment phase of regular meetings, but they may not speak after public comment has ended. Citizens may weigh in on agenda items if an item affects the part of town where they live, Redden said, or if they possess special expertise on a topic. So may town staff, invited speakers and anyone the mayor wishes to recognize. "If they're not a citizen and it does not directly pertain to them, I feel they shouldn't be trying to intervene in our business," Redden said. Another trustee, Dean Tyler, and several attendees argued Redden's proposed rule change would disenfranchise people in the Inola area who live outside town limits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyler said many people who live outside the town still have a stake in matters the council considers. "Mark, if Tulsa County passed some rule that's going to directly affect me, I believe I would want to go and be heard," Tyler said. One attendee told Redden if he's too busy to stay for hours-long meetings, someone else can take his seat. The pushback prompted Shear to suggest tabling a vote on the rules of conduct until Monday, when the board next meets. Inola town meetings start at 6 p.m. at town hall, 900 James Court. "Let's go through this, and everybody can make sure they understand it," Shear said. "If the community has a comment on this, please get on the agenda." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under a July 29 Facebook post about the rule change, people from in and around Inola expressed feeling silenced. Others wondered whether Redden's revisions would hold up in court. Redden said he believes they would. He said he and Dyer weren't sure they could legally restrict non-citizens from speaking during the main business meeting, so he asked the Oklahoma Municipal League, a lobbying and policy group that represents cities and towns. OML responded that Inola could legally draw that line. It pointed to a July 2002 opinion from former Oklahoma Attorney General W.A. Drew Edmondson. A state representative had asked the attorney general whether allowing public comment complies with the state's Open Meeting Act. Edmondson responded that this law does not require bodies to provide a public comment period, let alone allow comments while the board is discussing its agenda items. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "...neither the Act nor the First Amendment to the United States Constitution grants members of the general public a right to be heard by public bodies making public policy decisions," Edmondson wrote. But bodies that allow public comment must comply with constitutional speech protections, Edmondson continued. The body may restrict speech on the basis of time, place or manner, and it may only narrowly regulate speech based on content. Redden said he wants to bar non-citizens from speaking during agenda items because he finds debates during this portion of the meeting disruptive. He said the way he understands the law, it is perfectly legal to stem these debates. Bartlesville's city council restricts public comment to 15 minutes at the beginning of the meeting. Redden said though Bartlesville is much larger than Inola, the town is growing, and he fears meetings will only stretch longer if non-citizens can contribute outside public comment. "It's not really that much of a change," Redden said. "It's basically we're just trying to reiterate ... this public comment section is for you to make your comments. Sign up for it." In the vast expanse between the Galiuro and Catalina Mountains, where the flowing San Pedro River provides a lifeline for migratory birds and endangered fish, a large-scale mining project is one step closer to being realized despite concerns from environmental groups and a tribal government. The Bureau of Land Management has declined to review a decision approving the expansion of an exploratory drilling project near the San Pedro River after a request from the San Carlos Apache Tribe and a coalition of environmental advocacy groups was sent to the agency's state office. The exploration could lead to a massive copper mine in the second-largest swath of undeveloped land in Arizona. In a letter to Raymond Suazo, Arizona state director of the BLM, the Center for Biological Diversity, a nonprofit environmental advocacy group, and the San Carlos Apache Tribe asked the bureau to rescind and review a decision by their Safford field office to approve an expansion of the Copper Creek exploratory drilling project near Mammoth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter cites the projects proximity to sensitive wildlife habitat, concerns with surface and groundwater resources and the impact to cultural sites, an issue raised by the San Carlos Apache, a federally recognized tribe. An additional administrative appeal from the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance, a grassroots conservation group, said the Bureaus Safford field office failed to foster robust public participation in the approval process, and did not respond to public records requests as required by federal law. The group also called for a more rigorous environmental review. Suazo declined to review the approval less than two days after receiving the requests, according to a response letter sent to the groups. "I've not heard of matters of great importance to local communities, a sovereign tribal nation and the environment disregarded so quickly, so blatantly and so flippantly. It's insulting," said Russ McSpadden, a conservation advocate for the Center for Biological Diversity who helped author the letter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a part of its June decision, the agencys field office issued a Finding of No Significant Impact, an official document that states the approved project will not significantly affect the quality of the surrounding environment. The document means that a more robust review, known as an Environmental Impact Statement, is not required for the project. We found incredible deficiencies in the Final Environmental Assessment, and that's BLM's green light of this exploration project, said McSpadden. The Copper Creek project is operated by Redhawk Copper Inc., the U.S. arm of the Canadian mining company Faraday Copper Inc. The mining company is already allowed to conduct exploratory drilling at nine sites under a notice of intent, but the decision by the Bureau of Land Management approves up to 67 drill sites. Each drill rig is estimated to use 70,000 gallons of water per month, according to the environmental assessment, pumped from nearby private wells. The plan calls for up to two drill rigs operating simultaneously during exploration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governmental agencies should really not be in a position to give our water away when we are fighting such severe drought conditions, said Melissa Crytzer Fry, chair of the Lower San Pedro Watershed Alliance. They have imperiled this area even further when it's already struggling. In a written statement to The Republic in March, Redhawk said the company uses very little water in the exploration process and that 95% of the water the company pumps will be recirculated back into the ground. Opponents of the project said the governments environmental assessment failed to use high-quality data when analyzing the impact of the pumping on the surface water in the surrounding area. According to a preliminary economic assessment by Faraday, exploratory drilling could lead to a larger mining project that would operate for an estimated 32 years within a 25-square-mile footprint, including seven open-pit mines and two underground block cave mines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An estimated $14.2 billion in economic activity would be generated for the local economy if a mine is developed, according to the companys website. In a news release announcing the approval, BLM said the exploratory drilling project was in line with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in March that seeks to boost domestic mineral production and improve national security by reducing reliance on foreign nations. If a larger mining plan of operations is submitted in the future, a separate environmental assessment process would be initiated. Mining in Arizona: In the 'Copper State,' growing demand for ore raises fears in the fragile Sky Islands San Carlos Apache Tribe says BLM lacked meaningful consultation Among the issues raised in the letter, the San Carlos Apache Tribe said BLM's efforts to engage the tribe's council in government-to-government consultation did not meet the requirements laid out in administrative policy and federal law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tribe said the Bureau's consultation efforts came late in the decision-making process and lacked meaningful exchange, noting that Faraday Copper has met with the tribe's council and addressed some of their concerns, but the BLM has not. The tribe said the Bureau's decision-making process reflected the same issues raised during the approval for the SunZia transmission line through the San Pedro Valley in 2024, which the tribe described as a "troubling pattern." In 2024, the San Carlos Apache Tribe and the Tohono Oodham Nation sued the Department of the Interior and the Bureau of Land Management to prevent the construction of the SunZia transmission line through the San Pedro Valley, citing the presence of cultural resources and lack of consultation. After being dismissed by a federal judge in Tucson, the lawsuit was revived by the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals in May. 'C' is for copper: If it isn't still king, it remains a royal growth industry in Arizona Wildlife conservation concerns in project area As the last intact river system in the region, the San Pedro provides ecologically valuable riparian habitat to several protected species, including the yellow-billed cuckoo, Gila topminnow, ocelot and Mexican spotted owl. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of this ecological value, the region has become a bank of conservation lands meant to mitigate the environmental impact caused by other development projects around the state. Among the areas that could be affected by Redhawk's exploratory drilling is the 7B Ranch, a 3,000-acre parcel that includes one of the largest intact mesquite bosque habitats in the region. It is also designated an Important Bird Area by the National Audubon Society. Owned by Resolution Copper, the 7B Ranch property was included in the controversial land exchange passed by Congress in 2014. The law authorized the transfer of over 5,000 privately-held, ecologically valuable acres into public lands in exchange for the land sitting above a large copper deposit at Oak Flat near Superior. For more stories like this: Sign up for AZ Climate, The Republic's weekly environment newsletter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oak Flat land exchange has been embroiled in legal challenges since its passage, which include questions around the monetary value of the conservation land parcels. The Center of Biological Diversity also claims the Bureau did not take into account evidence collected by citizen scientists of protected wildlife near the project area. The Mexican spotted owl, which is listed as a threatened species under federal law, has been documented near the project area by local conservation groups but listed as not present in the governments environmental analysis. The Republic contacted the BLM state office and Safford field office, but neither immediately responded to comment on the concerns raised by the tribe and environmental organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because their initial requests were denied, the organizations may file an administrative appeal with the Interior Board of Land Appeals, a forum within the Department of the Interior that reviews public land disputes. We're exhausting the administrative remedies that we have here, and it preserves legal options in the future," said McSpadden. John Leos covers environmental issues for The Arizona Republic and azcentral. Send tips or questions to john.leos@arizonarepublic.com. Environmental coverage on azcentral.com and in The Arizona Republic is supported by a grant from the Nina Mason Pulliam Charitable Trust. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Feds won't review proposed copper project near San Pedro River MT. PLEASANT, Iowa From baked goods to livestock shows, there are several contests to compete in to win a ribbon at the Iowa State Fair. Thousands are handed out every year, and theyre made right here in Iowa. The process is seamless. The printing starts at one area, they have buttons that are printed in another area, and the tops are sewn by the girls in a different area, Staats Awards General Manager Lori White explains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because the final product is important. What these girls are doing, theyre assembling the rosettes for the Iowa State Fair, White said. In fact, Staats Awards in Mt. Pleasant is in charge of assembling all the ribbons for the Iowa State Fair. Its a little feather in our caps and kind of rewarding, White said. Rewarding for White and her 19 employees who have a lengthy to-do list. The V-top ribbons, were going to do over 32,000 of them. The rosettes, well depending on the year, 3,500 to 4,000, White lists off. The banners well do about a thousand and then we do all the queen sashes and tiaras as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gale Riley is using ribbon in shade peacock to make the sashes that all the county fair queens will wear when competing to be the state fair queen. Yes, in fact the 2023 one I know her very well, Riley said. Adam Sandler to perform in Des Moines as part of comedy tour It was special when a girl from Henry County, Kalayna Durr, was crowned the winner. I was very pleased to see that, Riley said. I dont know whether she knows if I make them or not. But yeah, it was fun to see her get it. Because usually, these ladies dont know who their creations end up with. Even so every ribbon is cut, stitched, and pressed with care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its important to make sure that what theyre doing theyre putting out quality, White said. Because you have a recipient whos worked really hard to receive that award, so we want to make sure they receive something prestigious as well. Staats reach extends beyond Iowa. We go all the way down to Florida and New York, White said. We have Los Angeles and Orange County in California. Texas, the Dakotas, everywhere, Washington. So about every corner. The company even started tradition for all county and state fairs. With blue ribbons for first place and red ribbons for second place, its printed that Staats standardized the colors for the lower places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A colorful, 127-year history thats rooted in Iowa and full of growth. When I first started, maybe 200 rosettes were a lot, Francine Ward, an employee whos worked 40 years at Staats, said. Now, its thousands. Thousands of ribbons that will lead to thousands of memories at the Iowa State Fair. Going through the internet and seeing all the different ribbons that people have won, White said, its like cool, we did that. To learn more about Staats visit their website. Iowa news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. DUBAI (Reuters) -Iran executed a man on Wednesday convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed in Israel's June attacks on the Islamic Republic, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported. The report said the man, named Rouzbeh Vadi, had worked in one of Iran's "important and sensitive organisations," without going into further detail. Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel has significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report said Vadi had "committed a wide range of crimes against the country's internal and external security which have caused severe disruption to public order". Israel launched 12 days of air strikes in June, targeting Iran's top generals and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with barrages of missiles and drones. (Reporting by Dubai Newsroom) Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months. Iran executed a man on Wednesday convicted of spying for Israel and passing on information about a nuclear scientist killed in Israel's June attacks on the Islamic Republic, the judiciary's news outlet Mizan reported. The report said the man, named Rouzbeh Vadi, had worked in one of Iran's "important and sensitive organizations," without going into further detail. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Executions of Iranians convicted of spying for Israel have significantly increased this year, with at least eight death sentences carried out in recent months. The report said Vadi had "committed a wide range of crimes against the country's internal and external security, which have caused severe disruption to public order." Pictures of Iranian military commanders, nuclear scientists and others killed in Israeli strikes are displayed in Behesht Zahra Cemetery in southern Tehran, Iran, July 11, 2025 (credit: MAJID ASGARIPOUR/WANA (WEST ASIA NEWS AGENCY) VIA REUTERS) Israel's war against Iranian nuclear enrichment Israel launched 12 days of air strikes in June, targeting Iran's top generals and nuclear scientists. Iran retaliated with barrages of missiles and drones. DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) Iran executed two men on Wednesday, one who was accused of spying for Israel and another said to have been a member of the militant Islamic State group, state media reported. A report by the judiciary news website Mizanonline identified the alleged spy as Rouzbeh Vadi and said he had relayed classified information to Israels Mossad intelligence service. Authorities said Vadi provided information about an Iranian nuclear scientist who was killed during Israels June airstrikes on Iran, the report said. It did not identify the scientist or the time and place of Vadi's arrest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vadi met the Mossad officers five times in Vienna, Austria, the report also said. The official IRNA news agency said later Wednesday that Vadi was working with unnamed but important and sensitive agencies in Iran and was attractive to Mossad because of his access level to information. Also, state TV broadcast a brief video purporting to show Vadi's alleged confession in which he says worked with Israel for financial gain. It was not immediately clear if he spoke under duress. His profile on ResearchGate identifies him as a PhD graduate and says he was a senior nuclear safety assessment expert at Iran Nuclear Regulatory Authority, which is affiliated to the country Atomic Energy Organization. In 2011 he co-authored a dissertation with Abdolhamid Minuchehr, a nuclear scientist who was killed during Israeli strikes in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israels ambassador to France, Joshua Zarka, said in June that Israel's 12-day war on Iran included targeted strikes that killed at least 14 physicists and engineers involved with Iran's nuclear program. Iran has hanged seven people for espionage during the conflict with Israel, sparking fears from activists that the government could conduct a wave of executions. Also on Wednesday, Iran hanged a member of the militant Islamic State group on Wednesday convicted of plotting sabotage, Mizanonline reported. Authorities has accused Mehdi Asgharzadeh of participating in military training in Syria and Iraq as an IS member, before illegally entering Iran with a four-member team. The other team members were killed in a fight with Iranian security forces, the news site reported. The reports on Mizanonline said that for both men, Irans Supreme Court upheld the sentences of lower courts and followed full legal procedures before executing them. Iran has executed a nuclear scientist it claims was spying for Israel, as Tehran continues to crack down on suspected foreign interference. Roozbeh Vadi was sentenced to death for passing information about another scientist who was then killed during Israels strikes on Tehran in June, said Mizan, the judiciarys online website. The execution was carried out by hanging, it added. Mr Vadi reportedly worked as a nuclear expert at the Atomic Energy Organisation of Iran, according to Iran Human Rights, a local non-profit, and was held in Evin Prison in Tehran since his arrest in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mizan said Mr Vadi transferred classified information after he was recruited online by Mossad, Israels foreign intelligence service. He is then alleged to have met with Mossad agents in Vienna on five occasions. Roozbeh Vadi, who was convicted of international espionage - Research Gate In mid-June, Israel launched an unprecedented bombing campaign on Iran called Operation Rising Lion with over 900 strikes targeting the heart of Tehrans nuclear programme. The 12-day Israeli onslaught decimated the upper echelons of the Iranian security forces, killing scores of senior commanders from the elite Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), at least 12 senior nuclear scientists, and hundreds of others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mossad infiltrated Irans missile and nuclear programmes through years of covert intelligence-gathering, providing key information on target locations and smuggling in drone components and explosives before the initial attack in June. Tehran has since waged an extensive crackdown as it grapples to regain power and legitimacy after the devastation. Irans Ministry of Intelligence claims it is engaged in a relentless battle against what it calls Western and Israeli intelligence networks including the CIA, Mossad, and MI6. A plume of smoke billows after Israeli strikes in Tehran, June 23 - UGC/AFP via Getty Images Authorities have carried out a wave of arrests and multiple executions of people suspected of spying for Israel. In the last fortnight, three people have been hanged for bringing assassination equipment into Iran on behalf of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human rights groups and activists have expressed fears over the latest developments, citing Irans longstanding practice of extracting forced confessions and conducting sham trials with no due process. Mahmood Amiry-Moghaddam, director of Iran Human Rights (IHRNGO), a non-profit, said the executions at the hands of Irans Revolutionary Court areonly to intimidate society and cover up the corruption and inefficiencies of the system. Those accused of espionage are sentenced to death without access to their chosen lawyer, in an unfair, non-transparent process, he added. Iran is the worlds second-most prolific executioner after China, according to human rights groups, including Amnesty International. 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. Journalist Dan Raviv, co-author of Spies Against Armageddon: Inside Israels Secret Wars, joins NewsNation to discuss a growing espionage crisis in Israel. Despite Mossads reputation as one of the worlds top intelligence agencies, a new report reveals dozens of Israelis are being prosecuted for and hundreds more are suspected of spying on behalf of Iran. The report claims many are motivated by greed and lust, with some allegedly willing to kill for money. Israels top security agencies are now appealing to the public for help. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. In doing so, IRGC intends to increase its knowledge on spies working for the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, which may give Iran leverage ahead of nuclear negotiations. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) requested that the Taliban send them a leaked list of Afghans who assisted the UK during NATO's 20-year-long presence in Afghanistan, British outlet The Telegraph reported on Monday. According to the report, a senior Iranian official confirmed to The Telegraph that the IRGC formally requested to share the leaked list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In doing so, IRGC intends to increase its knowledge on spies working for the UK's Secret Intelligence Service, commonly referred to as MI6. This may assist in granting Iran leverage ahead of nuclear negotiations with the E3 (UK, France, and Germany) slated to occur later this year, the report noted. The E3 has threatened to restore the "snapback mechanism" on Iran's sanctions if no progress is made in negotiations by August 30. The Taliban's "kill list" sought by the IRGC contains the names of Afghans who applied for asylum, including soldiers for the US-backed administration, which the Taliban ousted in 2021. Some of these soldiers worked with the British Army and were intelligence assets. It is believed that a portion of those on the "kill list" fled to Iran for their own safety when the Taliban took over. Taliban soldiers celebrate on the second anniversary of the fall of Kabul on a street near the US embassy in Kabul, Afghanistan, August 15, 2023. (credit: REUTERS/Ali Khara TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY) One Afghan who was allegedly on the list has recently been deported from Iran to Kabul, The Telegraph stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taliban leadership also issued orders to arrest as many individuals named in the document as possible in order to exert diplomatic pressure on the UK, the report added. Additionally, former members of the Taliban were evacuated to the UK after the document was leaked by a Royal Marine in 2022, The Telegraph revealed. While they were flown out for their personal safety, some of those evacuated included suspected jihadists, sex offenders, corrupt officials, and those previously jailed by NATO forces, which raised concerns over poor background checks and vetting, the report added. Iran is using allegations of espionage against Afghanistan as a pretext for mass arrests and deportations following June's Israel-Iran war, the report alleged, stating that daily deportations rose from 2,000 to over 30,000. Timeline of the leaked 'kill list' In February 2022, a Royal Marine Commando sent an email accidentally attaching the details of 25,000 Afghans who applied for relocation to the UK. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 14, 2023, an individual posted excerpts of the list on Facebook. The British Defense Ministry was made aware of the social media post on the same day. On August 15, then-armed forces minister James Heappey warned that the Taliban may now have a "kill list essentially provided to them by the UK government." Between August 17 and 25, journalists contacted both the Defense and Foreign Ministries about the leak, but agreed not to publish any reports until those at risk from the leak could be protected. On September 1, the Defense Ministry requested an injunction from the High Court, which agreed to grant a super-injunction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On November 16, there was a meeting between then-prime minister Rishi Sunak and then-chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, where they discussed plans to establish a compensation scheme which would cost between 120-350 million. On July 4, 2024, Prime Minister Keir Starmer was briefed about the data breach upon taking office. On July 15, 2025, a high court justice lifted the super-injunction. Martha NolanOSlatarra, a 33yearold Manhattan fashion entrepreneur known for her high-end bikini brand and infectious social media presence, was found dead aboard a docked boat at a high-end marina destination at the eastern tip of Long Island. According to the Suffolk County Police Department, Homicide Squad detectives are investigating the death of the 33-year-old Manhattan woman who was found unresponsive aboard a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club at approximately 12 a.m. Tuesday morning. On Wednesday, authorities said that the initial autopsy "did not show evidence of violence." According to police, East Hampton Town officers responded to a 911 call just after midnight from a man who reported a woman unconscious on a vessel docked at the luxury marina, located on Star Island Road. Nearby good Samaritans attempted CPR before first responders arrived, but the woman was pronounced dead at the scene, police said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, police identified the deceased as Nolan, an industrious entrepreneur. Exclusive Waterfront Enclave Roced After Body Found Near Yacht Club Authorities said the preliminary investigation and medical exam were "inconclusive" as to the cause of death. An official ruling will be made following an autopsy by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Read On The Fox News App Former NYPD inspector and Fox News contributor Paul Mauro told Fox News Digital that police are likely beginning with the standard proceedings following a high-profile death investigation. "The detectives will be doing the basics here interview the boat owner, others potentially on the boat that night, other boat-owners nearby, members of the yacht club, etc. Theyll also be doing the usual digital stuff we talk about, with phones and video," Mauro said. "A key piece here will also be the determination made by the Suffolk Medical Examiner following the autopsy." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the upscale setting, Mauro said investigators wont be deterred: "Just because this occurred in an exclusive area is no shield from police inquiries. I have no doubt there will be a full investigation." One critical logistical challenge may be the scene of the incident: the boat. "If it is indeed a crime scene, you have a crime scene that could go mobile. So the detectives have no doubt frozen the scene by court order if necessary," Mauro explained. "That boat cannot go sailing off into the sunset." Law enforcement officers gather near luxury yachts at the Montauk Yacht Club marina as part of an active investigation into the death of 33-year-old Martha Nolan. Miami Sailing Camp Disaster Boat Captain Tested For Alcohol After Deadly Collision, 7-Year-old Victim Idd Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Originally from Carlow, Ireland, Nolan was the founder of East x East, a boutique resort wear label she frequently promoted on TikTok through stylish behind-the-scenes glimpses of her photo shoots and design process. In one clip from a Mallorca campaign, she described the project as "a beautiful love story," adding that "witnessing my visions come to life fills me with so much happiness." Police investigate the death of 33-year-old Martha Nolan at the Montauk Yacht Club on Wednesday. Her most recent posts included a July video celebrating a pop-up appearance at Gurneys Resort in Montauk, captioned "Goals Achieved," highlighting the culmination of her marketing efforts in the Hamptons. According to her LinkedIn profile, Nolan received her Bachelor of Commerce and Master's degree in Digital Marketing from University College Dublin before moving to the Big Apple at 26-years-old. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her death, Nolan's business partner, Dylan Grace, wrote: "We dreamed big together, laughed harder than anyone else could understand and built so much from nothing." "Im truly blessed and grateful to have had you in my life," Grace wrote of Nolan. "Love you so much Mar. Fly high girl." WATCH: The Suffolk County Homicide Squad is leading the investigation. Anyone with information is urged to contact detectives at 631-852-6392. Police investigate the death of 33-year-old Martha Nolan at the Montauk Yacht Club on Wednesday. The Montauk Yacht Club is a haven for summer tourism and upscale clientele. The Long Island hotel is oceanfront . A spokesperson for the Montauk Yacht Club, where the boat was docked, confirmed the incident but declined to provide further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are saddened to learn of the incident that took place," the spokesperson said to Fox News Digital. "Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time." Original article source: Irish beauty who sold bikinis found dead on boat at yacht club, no foul play suspected A 3-year-old toddler and seven adults, including a longtime missionary, who were kidnapped in the early morning Sunday in Haiti remain in the hands of armed gangs. The kidnapping occurred after a security breach at the Saint Helene Orphanage in Kenscoff in the hills above gang-ridden Port-au-Prince. The kidnapping was confirmed by Nuestros Pequenos Hermanos, NPH International, in a statement on its website and its Haiti affiliate. NPH was founded by Father William Wasson, a Catholic priest, to serve vulnerable children. The charity operates in nearly two dozen countries across Latin America and Haiti. Hours after the abduction, the charitys Haiti branch, which cares for pregnant women and sick children, and has the countrys only pediatric cancer treatment, announced the closure of all of its doors until the unconditional release of all the kidnapped victims. The closure applies to all institutions belonging to the Nos Petits Freres et SursHaiti network, including Saint Damien Hospital, Life Program and Saint Luke Hospital, according to the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With indignation and shock, we, members of Nos Petits Freres et Surs (NPFS) and the Saint Luke Foundation (FSL), strongly condemn this barbaric act that occurred early Sunday morning, August 3, 2025, around 3 a.m., at the Saint Helene Home in Tet Bwa-Pen, Obleon, in the commune of Kenscoff, the statement said, adding that in light of the incident they were obliged to make a difficult but necessary decision to say no to impunity, indifference, and the normalization of terror. Saint-Helenes director, Gena Heraty, was among those abducted.. An Irish national, Heraty has been working in Haiti since 1993. Among the orphaned children she helps care for are those with disabilities. . The Sainte-Helene Home is the very first program in its extensive Haiti program, NHP said. Of the 244 children, 58 are disabled. Children are aged 3 to 18 and have been abandoned or are unable to be cared for by families. They receive an education equivalent to middle school in France. NPH International echoed the call for the release of those who have been kidnapped. We request the immediate and safe release of Gena Heraty and the seven other individuals, and call for their safe return to their families and the NPH community, the organization said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months Kenscoff has been under attack by members of the powerful Viv Ansanm gang coalition, which has killed residents and forced many people from their homes. The community is home to rural farmers who live off the land as well as vacation homes belonging to some of the countrys wealthy. Last week, the United Nations office in Haiti continued to sound the alarm over escalating violence. While attacks had slowed down in Port-au-Prince due to efforts by security forces, attacks continued, a report said. At least 1,520 people were killed between April and June, the U.N. said, and at least 609 others were injured in armed violence, primarily in the Port-au-Prince metropolitan area, followed by Artibonite and center regions. In addition, there were at least 185 kidnappings and 628 victims of sexual violence. The U.N. report also noted that at least 410 residences and other buildings, including six schools, health centers and local nongovernmental organizations were ransacked, burned or destroyed by gangs during the period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gang attacks in the Artibonite and Center departments, and in the capital, continue to cause serious human rights violations and exacerbate an already dire humanitarian crisis, leading to massive population displacement with dramatic consequences for women and children in particular, said Ulrika Richardson, the U.N. resident in Haiti. While an anti-gang task force operating out of the prime ministers office has been beefing up operations in the Kenscoff area, using helicopters and drones, the U.N. report said that the situation in the area remains very volatile. During the period new attacks were carried out by the gangs of Grand Ravine, Village de Dieu in the localities of Belot, Godot, Furcy, Kenscoff 77, Platon Cafe and Viard, killing at least 28 people, the report said, noting that the group was made up of 19 men and nine women. The victims were killed while inside their homes or while working in the fields. In an incident on April 24, four men held hostage in the Viard area were shot dead by members of the Village de Dieu gang. The killings were filmed and then shared on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Outside the metropolitan area the situation remains critical. Last month, a surge in violence in the small rural town of Liancourt led to several deaths, including that of three Haitian police officers. They were killed after being ambushed by the Gran Grif gang on July 22. Days of violent clashes in the area caused nearly 15,000 people to flee their homes, adding to the already record 1.3 million who are internally displaced, the U.N. said. The escalation of violence in the Artibonite, considered Haitis breadbasket, is in stark contrast to the first three months of the year, the U.N. said, when the situation remained relatively calm due to the deployment of security forces and the Kenya-led Multinational Security Support mission. However, due to a lack of logistical resources and personnel, the security forces were unable to maintain their position and regain full control of the commune of Petite Riviere de lArtibonite, the report said. The Gran Grif gang thus had time to reorganize itself to launch new attacks against several localities in the Lower Artibonite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to the more than 100 people in the Artibonite who have died due to gang conflicts, more than 92,300 in the Lower Artibonite region have been displaced as of June 30th. In early July, U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres announced a new special representative in Haiti, Carlos G. Ruiz Massieu of Mexico to succeed Maria Isabel Salvador of Ecuador. Ruiz Massieu, who has served as special representative of the secretary-general in Colombia since 2019 monitoring the implementation of the peace agreement between the government of Colombia and the FARC-EP guerrillas, arrived in Haiti over the weekend. He has more than 30 years experience in diplomacy and the U.N. Irish president Michael D Higgins has welcomed the Princess Royal to his official residence in Dublin. Princess Anne visited Aras an Uachtarain in what has been described as "a courtesy call". The King's sister met President Higgins and his wife, Sabina, on her second visit to the president's residence. She is also attending the official opening day of the 150th Dublin Horse Show at the Royal Dublin Society (RDS). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the visit Anne will tour a special exhibition on the history of the show and meet representatives from a Bray-based charity offering equine-assisted learning and therapy services, Festina Lente and the Riding for the Disabled Association Ireland. The princess, who competed in the 1976 Montreal Olympic Games in the equestrian three-day event, will also present rosettes to the winners in Class 20 of the Small Hunters competition. British Ambassador to Ireland, Paul Johnston, said: "The Princess Royal's visit underscores the deep and enduring friendship between the United Kingdom and Ireland, and the significance of the 150th holding of the RDS Dublin Horse Show." "Her visit this week reflects her lifelong interest in equestrianism and charitable work." More on this story ISLE OF PALMS, S.C. (WCBD) Isle of Palms has faced harsh traffic conditions this summer for residents and visitors getting on and off the island and their leaders want to change that. During the summer, traffic on the Isle of Palms Connector saw volumes of 25,000 vehicles per day. This would result in gridlock conditions and travel times exceeding 90 minutes just to exit the island. It took me almost an hour and half to get from my house to the connector and not even across, said Isle of Palms Councilmember Jan Anderson. At that point, everyone else was experiencing the same thing and we decided it was too much. The traffic study would monitor Palm Boulevard and 14th Avenue intersection as well as the connector. The study will also allow officials to use the South Carolina Department of Transportations cameras to observe traffic flow on the island. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The town hopes to analyze traffic flow during peak travel times, but also regular busy days on the island. Tuesday, officials on IOP public safety committee indicated they would like to work with neighboring towns on the study, to benefit the towns as well. To really make any progress we need to have that partnership between all of these committees to alleviate the heavy traffic we have here and on the weekends, said Isle of Palms Councilmember Rusty Streetman. Not only here, but it should also benefit Mount Pleasant and Sullivans Island as well. In their committee meeting Monday, Mount Pleasant leaders theyre willing to work on the study. If all goes according to plan, Isle of Palms officials say they hope to start working on soon to do the study over next summer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hopefully by the 1st of the year we will be able to map out the plan and collect data over the summertime when traffic is bad and needs improvement, said Anderson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. "The State of Israel has declared war on Torah scholars. The Haredi community will launch a global battle like no other, the leaders of the Haredi community said. The leaders of the global haredi community on Wednesday held an emergency consultation meeting at the home of leading haredi figure Rabbi Dov Landau, following the arrest of two yeshiva students for draft dodging. In the meeting, leaders discussed ways to respond following the arrest of the yeshiva students, with the goal of formulating a consensus reaction among all sects and communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As is known, Rabbi Landau warned last week in his speech at the Council of Yeshivas conference that if the State of Israel declares war on Torah scholars, the entire Haredi Jewish world will mobilize for a fight," the Haredi community said in a statement. "The State of Israel has declared war on Torah scholars. The Haredi community will launch a global battle like no other. The IDF military court arrested the two Haredi brothers, Rafael and Baruch Yitzhakov, of the Meorot HaTorah yeshiva in Kiryat Yearim, on Tuesday night and sentenced them to 17 and 13 days in detention, respectively. A haredi (ultra-Orthodox) Jewish man protest against IDF conscription, near Bnei Brak, June 5, 2025 (credit: ERIK MARMOR/FLASH90) Liberman: If only the haredi community focused on the country's safety "Following the arrest of draft dodgers - an emergency gathering at Rabbi Lando's house to fight against conscription, while our soldiers are fighting on all fronts and risking their lives," Yisrael Beytenu chairman Avigdor Lieberman wrote on X/Twitter. "If they enlisted for the security of the state as zealously as they enlist for draft dodging, the State of Israel would be stronger and more united." This is a developing story. Israeli authorities are moving forward with plans to dramatically expand illegal settlements in the occupied West Bank, despite growing international condemnation and warnings that the move would destroy already moribund prospects for a two-state solution. The Israeli government has set Wednesday as the date to discuss building thousands of new housing units in the E1 area, east of occupied East Jerusalem. The proposed expansion would link the large and illegal Maale Adumim settlement with Jerusalem, effectively bisecting the West Bank and isolating Palestinian communities. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus far-right government also appears on the cusp of announcing its intention to occupy all of Gaza as its genocidal war on the besieged enclave rages on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The E1 plan in the West Bank has long been criticised by the international community, including the European Union and successive United States administrations. In 2022, Israel postponed the plan following US pressure, but in recent months, the government approved road-widening projects in the area and began restricting Palestinian access a move rights groups say indicates a renewed push to entrench control. Israeli settlements in the West Bank and East Jerusalem are illegal under international law. The International Court of Justice, the top United Nations tribunal, reaffirmed that position last year, saying that Israels presence in the occupied Palestinian territories is unlawful and must end as rapidly as possible. INTERACTIVE Occupied West Bank Palestine Israeli settlements On Monday, Germany reiterated its strong opposition to the E1 project. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We, as the federal government, strongly reject the E1 settlement project, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Kathrin Deschauer said. What we are concerned about is that a two-state solution is possible in the long term. The plan would see nearly 1,214 hectares (3,000 acres) of Palestinian land stolen to build more than 4,000 settlement units, as well as hotels and roads connecting Maale Adumim to West Jerusalem. Palestinians say the project is part of broader efforts to Judaise East Jerusalem and entrench Israeli control over occupied territories in violation of international law. Palestinian leaders seek the entirety of the West Bank, along with the Gaza Strip, and as a capital, East Jerusalem areas Israel captured in the 1967 war for their future state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, more than 500,000 settlers are living in the West Bank, and some 220,000 others in East Jerusalem. Al Jazeeras Nida Ibrahim said the plan has been in the works since the early 90s. The plan has been described by US officials as devastating and a disastrous plan, Ibrahim said, as it threatens the unity of a potential Palestinian state. According to Ibrahim, the Israeli objective is to ensure there is no Palestinian state on the ground by the time Western and European countries recognise Palestine as a state. Israel would be cutting the West Bank into so many different sections, fragmenting them, creating what Palestinians have been calling as cantons, she said, predicting that his would push Palestinians into very small, caged communities. Widening crackdown in the West Bank The move comes amid a broader Israeli crackdown in the occupied West Bank. At least 30 Palestinians were arrested overnight across multiple cities including Hebron, Nablus, Bethlehem, Ramallah, and Tulkarem, according to the Palestinian Authoritys Commission of Detainees and Ex-Detainees Affairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among those detained were two women, a female journalist, and several former prisoners. The commission said more than 18,500 Palestinians have been arrested in the West Bank since Israel began its genocidal assault on Gaza in October 2023. In Bethlehem, residents of Beit Iskaria village received forced displacement notices this week as Israeli forces moved to seize more land for settlement expansion in the Gush Etzion bloc. According to village council head Muhammad Atallah, soldiers ordered him and his family to vacate grapevine-covered farmland within 10 days. Separately, Israeli forces carried out demolitions in the agricultural suburb near Jalazone refugee camp north of Ramallah, with reports that soldiers were accompanied by settlers. In Dar Salah, east of Bethlehem, a building under construction was demolished by Israeli military vehicles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to rights groups, July alone saw 75 demolitions in the West Bank targeting 122 structures, including 60 homes and dozens of agricultural and livelihood facilities. Along with arrests and demolitions, Palestinians have also seen a rise in settler attacks in recent months. Armed settlers, often backed by Israeli soldiers, have rampaged through Palestinian villages, torched crops, vandalised homes, and assaulted residents with impunity, resulting in several Palestinian deaths. Rights groups and United Nations officials have warned that settler violence has reached record levels, part of what they describe as a coordinated campaign to forcibly displace Palestinians from key areas of the West Bank. Meanwhile, Israeli authorities issued a six-month ban on Sheikh Muhammad Hussein, the grand mufti of Jerusalem and the Palestinian territory, from entering Al-Aqsa Mosque. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Wafa news agency, the Jerusalem governorate, quoting lawyer Khaldoun Najm, said the ban on Hussein follows the expiration of his eight-day ban. This most recent ban was imposed after his Friday sermon, where he condemned Israels starvation policy against Palestinians in Gaza. Last week, Hussein was handed an initial eight-day expulsion order from the mosque. Israel called an emergency meeting of the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday to demand the release of its emaciated hostages, including one seen digging his own grave. Their plight drew widespread sympathy but the 2 million Palestinians starving in Gaza got even more. Not only the Palestinians but most council members blamed the Israeli government and military for the two-month blockade of Gaza and failure to allow enough food into the conflict-wracked territory, where its health ministry has reported over 100 deaths from starvation, including many children. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar, who flew to New York to attend the council meeting, accused Russia and other unnamed council members as well as the international media of perpetuating so many lies. He pointed to Hamas and Islamic Jihads starvation of hostages taken during the Oct. 7, 2023, attacks in southern Israel while the terrorists enjoy meat, fish and vegetables." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saar insisted that Israel is facilitating huge amounts of aid into Gaza, accusing Hamas of looting the food and other items and using it as a financial tool to sell and make money. U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric has said there is no evidence of this. Israels top diplomat also accused the Palestinians of inventing terrorism, and Hamas of wanting to continue the war against Israel instead of reaching a ceasefire. The world has been turned upside down while Hamas runs its propaganda machine, Saar said. Its a world in which Israel is put on a bench of the accused while it fights for its survival. There is a name for it. Its called antisemitism. Testimony came from Israeli hostages' relatives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Itay David, the older brother of emaciated hostage Evyatar David, who was pictured over the weekend in a Gaza tunnel saying he was digging his own grave, urged the Security Council: Do not let them die. We dont have time. Do not let them spend another minute in darkness. Calling his brother a living skeleton, Itay urged the 15 council members in a video briefing to get humanitarian aid to the hostages, saying they are being broken psychologically and physically by Hamas and denied the most basic necessities of life. British U.N. Ambassador Barbara Woodward reiterated the countrys support for the immediate release of all hostages and condemned parading them for propaganda purposes as a depraved" act. Hamas and its terrorist ideologies can have no place in the future governance of Gaza and should never again threaten Israels security, she said. Woodward recalled the hopeful ceasefire earlier this year when hostages were released and the U.N. was able to send large amounts of aid into Gaza. Since the ceasefire ended, the suffering of the hostages and Palestinian civilians has plumbed to new and shocking depths, she said. Israels aid restrictions have led to famine now unfolding in Gaza, as reported by international experts who monitor famine globally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woodward said she spoke to doctors last week who had served in Gaza. They had seen children so malnourished that their wounds festered for months without healing, she said, and saw baby formula confiscated by the Israeli military. I call on Israel now to act to alleviate the horrendous suffering, she said. Discussion focused on both sides Sierra Leones U.N. ambassador, Michael Imran Kanu, commended Itay Davids advocacy for his brother and the hostages, condemned their inhumane treatment, and said Hamas hostage-taking is a war crime that must be prosecuted. But, said Kanu, One atrocity cannot justify another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we express deep concern for the hostages, we cannot ignore the wider humanitarian catastrophe that has engulfed Gaza, he said. The people of Gaza have been subjected to a blockade and siege that deprived them of food, water, fuel and medical supplies, which could also constitute a war crime. Acting U.S. Ambassador Dorothy Shea said President Donald Trump has recognized real starvation in Gaza and the United States is working to get assistance to civilians. She urged those who have professed concern about the reported risk of famine to support the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli-backed American contractor, which she said reported delivering more than 1.5 million meals on Sunday. Hundreds of Palestinians have been killed trying to get to its four food distribution sites. Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian U.N. ambassador, acknowledged the distressing, unacceptable video of 24-year-old Evyatar David, saying We reject all inhumane and degrading treatment against anyone, especially persons held in captivity. But in a strong rebuke, he said, Israel is demanding the world to take a stance against starvation when it is actually starving an entire civilian population, when it is shooting at them while they seek water and food. Physical confrontations have taken place outside Israels Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv between security forces and family members of captives held in Gaza during a rally calling for their release, as the Israeli government appears on the verge of escalating its genocidal war to full occupation of the besieged enclave. Protesters surrounding the Kirya, Israels central military headquarters, demanded on Wednesday that the Israeli government not go ahead with its plan, as they were pushed back by police. Time is running out our loved ones cant wait any longer, the Hostages and Missing Families Forum said in a statement. We either bring them home now, or we lose them for good. There are moments in history when we must stand up and do whats right this is that moment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The families of Israeli captives have intensified their criticism of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in recent months amid large protests across the country, as the expanded military ground offensive and deadly bombardment in the Palestinian territory continue to put the release of their loved ones at risk. Netanyahus plan for Gaza is going against domestic, international and even his own militarys opinion. Protesters, including the father of captive Guy Illouz, tried to force their way into the entrance of military headquarters as seen in this video verified by Al Jazeera. * * > https://t.co/QYJBOcgAKq pic.twitter.com/dqJYxPyf43 (@sari12222) August 6, 2025 Translation: Police violently attack protesters outside the Kirya gates demonstrating for the release of the hostages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An estimated 1,139 people were killed during the Hamas-led October 7, 2023 attacks on southern Israel, and more than 200 were taken captive. Some 50 captives remain in Gaza, at least 20 of whom are believed to still be alive. In Israels ensuing war on Gaza, at least 61,158 Palestinians have been killed and 151,442 wounded. The families also addressed a message directly to Israeli army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir on Wednesday: You know this war has run its course, and the only path to real victory is a single deal that brings everyone home. The local police chief requested that family members of captives speak to him, saying, We understand your frustration. He acknowledged they could protest, but asked that they leave the police alone. Protesters were attempting to enter the headquarters, demanding that military action not be taken in areas where the captives are suspected to be located in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli newspaper Haaretz reported on Wednesday that Itzik Horn, the father of Israeli captive Eitan Horn, said the families of the captives being held in Gaza were against the expansion of the war on Gaza. He reportedly questioned Netanyahus motives, as Israels defence establishment said an expansion would endanger the lives of the captives. I expect the prime minister to speak to the public, to explain the implications of this idea to the country and the price well pay, Itzik Horn said, according to Haaretz. We are the people. I want the prime minister to explain why he wants to kill my son. Meanwhile, there were minor clashes at the anti-war demonstration organised by Standing Together, the largest Arab-Israeli grassroots movement in Israel, in the Gaza Envelope, situated 7km (4.3 miles) from the Gaza border. A protester was arrested and flour was scattered on the police from the display brought by the protesters. An earlier video recorded from the Yad Mordechai Junction, a kibbutz in southern Israel, showed Standing Together activists gathering to march to the Gaza border. Handcuffs on table. (photo credit: Wikimedia Commons) Following an ongoing covert operation, the Tax Authority publicized the investigation. Yehuda Almozlinos, owner of popular food chain HaSchnitzelia, and businessman Gal Dvir Applebom were arrested on suspicion of embezzling and evading $19 million in revenue for the chain, the Tax Authority announced on Tuesday. The pair is suspected of using overseas bank accounts to commit fraud against both the Tax Authority and other financial institutions, according to the authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Applebom works with capital raising and business loans, and Almozlinos has owned and operated HaSchnitzelia" for the past 15 years. Following an ongoing covert operation, the Tax Authority publicized the investigation. Law enforcement authorities have searched both homes and brought the suspects to the offices of the investigative unit for further questioning. Gavel and handcuffs on a leather surface. (credit: David Talukdar/Getty Images) No further information released yet Though the Tax Authority has not released further information at this point, both of the suspected embezzlers were arrested and then released on restrictive terms by the Tel Aviv-Yafo magistrate court. Applebom has been involved with accusations of fraudulent behavior before, as an investigation was opened against him in May 2021. He was suspected of embezzling coronavirus grants at the time and, in May 2023, he was convicted as part of a plea bargain of aggravated theft and tax evasion. HaSchnitzelia was founded in 2004 as an independent schnitzel restaurant, expanding in 2010 when Bnei Dror native Almozlinos purchased the chain. There are now over 50 branches across the country, though the fate of the restaurant remains to be seen as this case progresses. Israels military chief warned against a full takeover of Gaza, according to three Israeli sources familiar with the discussions, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu considers ordering the conquest of the besieged territory. In a meeting with top officials on Tuesday evening, Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir cautioned that fully conquering Gaza would trap the military within the enclave and put the remaining hostages at risk, the sources said. Such a move, Zamir said, would also increase the burden on Israeli forces when the military is already suffering from attrition and burnout rates amongst reservist forces. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to two of the sources, Zamirs plan called for encircling Gaza City and other neighborhoods in which hostages might be held, while Netanyahu was pushing for a more intrusive operation into the heart of the areas. Netanyahu will urge a meeting of the security cabinet Thursday to support the full conquest of the Strip, CNN has previously reported, in what would mark a major escalation of the Israeli campaign at a time when the government is under international pressure for a truce. The latest disagreement underscores the growing discord between Israels military leadership and its political echelon. Israels military has recommended pursuing diplomacy to end the war, while Netanyahu and his government have pushed for maximalist war goals. The Israeli military says it already controls approximately 75% of Gaza following nearly two years of war which has left much of the territory in ruins and triggered a humanitarian crisis. Israel withdrew from Gaza two decades ago, but Zamir warned that a complete military occupation could ensnare the IDF anew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zamirs warning once again put the new military chief at odds with the far-right parties in Israels government, who have repeatedly called for broadening Israels bombardment and siege of Gaza to destroy Hamas, something Israel has been unable to do despite nearly two years of fighting. Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir demanded on social media that Zamir publicly state in his own voice that he will follow the countrys political leadership, even if a decision is made regarding conquest and decisive action. After Tuesdays meeting, the Prime Ministers Office issued an official statement stating that, the IDF is prepared to implement any decision made by the Security Cabinet. On Wednesday, Netanyahu also met with the leader of Israels opposition, Yair Lapid, who issued a video statement afterwards calling the conquest of Gaza a very bad idea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You dont embark on such a move unless most of the nation is behind you, said Lapid. The people of Israel are not interested in this war - we will pay too have a price for it. Polling has repeatedly shown that the majority of Israelis favor an end to the war in exchange for the release of the remaining 50 hostages in Gaza. Starvation crisis Gazas health ministry meanwhile reported its highest death toll in weeks on Wednesday, with 138 killed in the past 24 hours. Five people died of hunger in the past 24 hours, the health ministry said Wednesday, bringing the total number of those who died of starvation and malnutrition to 193, including 96 children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only 1.5% of Gazas farmland can be accessed and is undamaged as of July 28, United Nations data has found, underscoring the tiny amount of cultivable land that remains in the Gaza Strip amid the starvation crisis in the enclave. Aid groups say only a fraction of the required aid has been getting into the crowded and war-devastated enclave. A major focus of aid group criticism has been a controversial US and Israel-backed aid distribution network called the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The GHF was created to sideline the United Nations role in distributing aid, after Israel complained that UN aid was reaching and being stolen by Hamas. An internal US government review found no evidence of widespread theft by Hamas, CNN reported in July, contradicting the State Departments claims that were used to justify backing GHF. The new group has also been criticized for failing to improve conditions as Gazas starvation crisis deepens. The UN refused to participate in the new scheme, saying the GHF model violates basic humanitarian principles. More than 1,000 Palestinians have been killed by the Israeli military while trying to get food, hundreds of them near GHF sites, according to the UN. The GHF disputes this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For two months, the scenes at GHFs four distribution sites have been chaotic, with the Israeli military seen firing towards scores of Palestinians, some of whom have been crushed in the scramble to reach aid. Multiple UN experts earlier this week called for the GHF network to be dismantled. The US has dismissed the criticism. Mike Huckabee, the US ambassador to Israel, visited a GHF run site last week and said on Wednesday that the network would expand. The immediate plan is to scale up the number of sites up to 16 and begin to operate them as much as 24 hours a day, he told Fox News interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has been telling us he wants foods into the hands of hungry people but he wants it in a way that it doesnt get into the hands of Hamas. Thats exactly what we did when we stood up GHF, he added. CNN has reached out to GHF for comment on Huckabees comments. COGAT, the Israeli agency responsible for bringing aid into Gaza, said close to 300 trucks entered Gaza and were collected and distributed by the UN and international organizations on Tuesday, adding that 110 pallets of aid were airdropped in cooperation with the UAE, Egypt, Jordan, Germany, Canada and Belgium. However, the Hamas-controlled Media Office said that only 84 trucks made it into the enclave on Tuesday, adding that the strip needs at least 600 relief and fuel trucks daily to meet the basic needs of the population. This article has been updated with additional information For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Israeli military chiefs descended into a shouting match over the civilian death toll from air strikes in Gaza, according to reports. The row between the air force chief and the head of ground troops in southern Israel came as Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, prepared to order the full occupation of the Strip. The policy is expected to be formally approved at a meeting of Israels security cabinet on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maj Gen Yaniv Asor, head of the armys southern command, reportedly complained to Maj Gen Tomer Bar that the air force was routinely overruling bombing requests by his officers in Gaza. In response Maj Gen Bar, the Israeli air force chief, said that many of the strikes were unnecessarily killing civilians and showed a lack of professionalism, sources claim. Hebrew media reported that the argument swiftly escalated, with both veteran commanders shouting at each other in front of numerous senior officers. It required Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, chief of staff at the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), to intervene, witnesses said. Maj Gen Yaniv Asor, left, head of the armys southern command, with Lt Gen Eyal Zamir, chief of staff at the IDF According to a series of reports in the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper, the row reflects months of simmering tension between the air force and army commanders on the ground in and near Gaza over the use of air power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maj Gen Asor has been accused of accepting a high level of civilian casualties in the pursuit of relatively junior Hamas operatives. The working dynamic is likely to be tested to the extreme if, as expected, a full occupation of Gaza is ordered, including fighting in areas where hostages are believed to be held, because any ground incursion is likely to be preceded by heavy aerial bombardment. A decorated fast jet pilot, Maj Gen Bar often personally approves or blocks bombing requests made by ground troops. Maj Gen Asor, who was taking part in a defence ministry situational awareness briefing last week via video link from his headquarters in Beersheva, is reported to have said: You guys up there in Tel Aviv are out of touch with [what is happening on] the ground. Smoke rises from the Gaza Strip after an Israeli air strike - Mostafa Alkharouf/Anadolu via Getty Images It came amid continued reports of a deep division between the IDF hierarchy and Mr Netanyahus government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lt Gen Zamir is said to have warned the prime minister on Tuesday that advancing further into Hamas-controlled areas could be a trap and endanger the remaining hostages. In a sign of how strained relations have become, the general reportedly complained to the prime minister about the conduct of his son. Yair Netanyahu has alleged on social media that the chief of staff is leading a military coup. The civilian toll due to IDF air strikes has attracted international criticism throughout the war. More than 62,000 people are said to have been killed, according to the Gaza health ministry, which is overseen by Hamas and has been accused of failing to distinguish between civilians and combatants. The health ministry says more than 62,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the conflict - Saeed Jaras/Anadolu via Getty Images One anonymous military official told Hebrew media: We arent talking about either air support for ground forces in breaking developments or terrorists who have been spotted. There isnt any dilemma here, no matter the price, in order to help the troops in battle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The southern command firepower policy was taken to the extreme and the definitions of collateral damage were changed in a way that the damage outweighed the benefit, such as in demands to attack junior Hamas operatives amid high collateral damage. Were at a different stage of the war and arent in the first months of the [ground] manoeuvre [any more]. It comes amid frustrations from southern command officers at the failure of Operation Gideons Chariot to return the hostages. On Tuesday, Donald Trump signalled that he would not intervene to end the war, as he has been begged to do by hundreds of Israeli former security and military officials. In response to reporters questions about occupation, he said it was up to Israel. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. In a closed-door briefing, Israeli defense officials accused UN agencies of legitimizing false data from Hamas and failing to protect the humanitarian aid system from systemic exploitation. The Israeli military claims that United Nations agencies operating in Gaza have enabled Hamas to hijack humanitarian aid and distort global perception, alleging that the aid system has become both operationally dysfunctional and politically compromised. In a closed-door background briefing at the IDF Spokespersons Unit, a senior Israeli security official presenting the position of the defense establishment said the UN had failed the test, allowing Hamas to shape the international narrative around humanitarian need in a way that advances the terror groups strategic objectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a huge gap between reality and what we see reported, the official said, asserting that the famine narrative promoted by international media and humanitarian actors originated in a deliberate disinformation campaign launched by Hamas during hostage negotiations. Theyre succeeding. The UN legitimizes their claims. According to the military, much of the data cited by international bodies originates from the Gaza Health Ministry, which the Israeli side considers a Hamas-controlled institution. At one point during the briefing, the official challenged the journalists in the room with a pointed question: Had any of them seen Palestinians in Gaza who appeared to be in the same physical condition as Israeli hostages Rom Braslavski or Evyatar David (two emaciated hostages featured in a terrorist propaganda video)? A few reporters nodded and began scrolling through their phones to show examples. One held up a photo of an elderly Gazan man, visibly emaciated. The official glanced at the image and responded curtly: Youre showing me a man over 70, very thin, like you can find in many countries around the world. But did you notice his wife next to him? The room fell briefly silent. She looks well-fed, he continued. The journalists exchanged glances and nodded, but none pursued the point further. Egyptian Red Crescent lorries with humanitarian aid, bound for the Gaza Strip, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, at the Rafah border crossing, in Egypt, July 27, 2025. (credit: Egyptian Red Crescent/Handout via REUTERS) Figures shared by COGAT (Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories) indicated that over 91,000 trucks have entered Gaza since the war began on Oct. 7, delivering approximately 1.9 million tons of humanitarian aid. Of that total, only 27% came from UN agencies. The remainder was supplied by NGOs, donor states and private-sector providers. Most of the aid didnt come from the UN, the official said. And most of the denied trucks are also not theirs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The official stressed that Israel is not limiting the volume of humanitarian aid entering Gaza but accused UN agencies of failing to collect and distribute it effectively. There is no limit. The problem is not entry its what happens inside. He pointed to the presence of over 550 aid trucks currently waiting on the Palestinian side of the crossings due to a breakdown in coordination and said that Gaza needs approximately 100 trucks of food per day to meet basic needs. United Nations agencies hire local staff affiliated with Hamas One of the armys core grievances is the UNs reliance on local staff. The UN doesnt have the capacity to distribute. They hire locals, he said, noting that many of those individuals are directly affiliated with Hamas or operate under coercion. Why are they not bringing international teams? Theyre allowed. The IDF is asking them to bring them. He emphasized that most NGOs present in the Strip had little or no operational experience in Gaza and lacked training in military coordination. The military further accused Hamas of turning humanitarian relief into a revenue and smuggling channel. Eighty percent of the aid is looted by Hamas, by gangs affiliated with Hamas or by civilians under their control, the official said. Hamas defined that 15 to 25% of all aid will be automatically intercepted. According to the briefing, civilians are taxed at distribution sites, trucks are redirected or seized, and goods are sold to finance the groups operations. The army highlighted the case of Razi Hamed, a Hamas official based in Egypt, who allegedly buys flour and other supplies, then reroutes them to Gaza under the guise of NGO donations. He takes money and moves it to Gaza. He tells Hamas which trucks to steal, the official said. Egypt was described as the central point of smuggling, with the system relying on what the military called trusted families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To counter this, Israel has launched a new multi-stage aid mechanism designed to bypass intermediaries and reduce Hamas control. The model includes SRS-secured distribution sites, direct food delivery to civilians and aerial drops coordinated with international partners including Jordan, the UAE, France, Germany, Belgium and Canada. The goal is to prevent the diversion of aid and the empowerment of Hamas, the official explained. We are trying to break the cycle. That cycle, according to COGAT, begins with trucks entering Gaza through crossings like Kerem Shalom, Zikim and Rafah, where aid is then taxed, stolen or sold by Hamas, which in turn uses the proceeds to pay salaries and finance its armed wing. Since the opening of the crossings on May 18, Hamas has had financial difficulties, the official said. Thats why they want to break the new mechanism and return to the old one. The official also cited recent examples of Hamas operatives disguising themselves as civilians or humanitarian workers. In one case, an individual presented himself to Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) as a physiotherapist and was hired as a messenger without undergoing proper vetting. He lied to MSF and got hired without checks. He was a terrorist, the official said. After the man was killed, MSF reportedly stated publicly that Israel had struck a civilian. However, according to the official, internal communications within the organization later acknowledged the error. They asked not to tell international media they had hired a terrorist, he said. He also described a deadly incident in which a Gazan man approached Israeli forces carrying what appeared to be a prayer rug. Soldiers assumed he was preparing to pray. Instead, he pulled a rocket-propelled grenade from the rug and fired, killing several Israeli soldiers during a hostage search. They dont wear uniforms, the official said. They take advantage of our rules of engagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite operational and diplomatic challenges, Israel is continuing to expand its aid channels. Three secure roads are currently operating for delivery, with four more planned, including the Salah al-Din and export roads. The IDF is also working to open the Erez crossing. There is enough food in Khan Yunis and the central camps, the official said. We want to reinforce the secure roads and keep the system functional. He reiterated that Israels goal is to isolate Hamas from the humanitarian effort and shift distribution directly to the civilian population. This is not a failure of logistics. Its a failure of will, he said. Were doing our best. Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Wednesday called for the immediate release of Israeli hostages held by militant Palestinian Hamas, during a visit to Estonia. The hostages are in a "life risking situation," Herzog said after a meeting with his Estonian counterpart Alar Karis in Tallinn and appealed to the international community to work towards a hostage deal and a ceasefire. As on previous days during visits to Latvia and Lithuania, he held up pictures of two hostages recently published by Hamas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Israeli sources, 50 people kidnapped from Israel are still being held in the Gaza Strip, 20 of whom are believed to be alive. The forum of hostage relatives recently has warned the remaining captives are in imminent danger of death. Medical experts had also come to this conclusion on the basis of the most recently published videos, which showed hostages emaciated to the bone. Herzog also called for a critical approach to photos and videos of starving people from Gaza, which he believes could be staged. "So we don't shy away from the humanitarian need to help the people of Gaza," Herzog noted, but asked the world not to fall for lies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Herzog, Israel has let 30,000 tons of aid into the Gaza Strip in the past week. The UN, on the other hand, is holding back almost 800 lorries of goods and is failing to distribute them, he claimed. The UN rejects such accusations and accuses Israel of obstructing the distribution of aid through its warfare. A week and a half ago, Israel authorised the import of aid supplies on a large scale for the first time in months. Nevertheless, international organizations have said the amount that is being let in is far from sufficient to avert a looming hunger crisis. According to Saar, Hamas holds the most powerful card in its hands - the hostages. Israels negotiation strategy has collapsed, according to Dr. Avner Saar, a negotiation expert and lecturer at the Western Galilee Academic College, who warned that the government is facing a dramatic strategic decision. Amid the deadlock in negotiations for the release of hostages and the ongoing fighting in the Gaza Strip, Saar told Maariv that decision-makers must clearly choose between two conflicting objectives - releasing the hostages or continuing the destruction of Hamas - arguing that trying to pursue both simultaneously only deepens strategic failure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The deadlock Israel has reached in negotiations with the Hamas organization requires a sharp, clear, and uncompromising strategic decision," Saar said. "It is not possible to hold both ends of the spectrum: to release the hostages - a paramount moral, public, and national goal - and to completely destroy Hamas while demolishing the Gaza Strip. These are inherently contradictory objectives, and the attempt to achieve both simultaneously leads to a loss of direction, wasted resources, and the deepening of the strategic failure." According to Saar, Hamas holds the most powerful card in its hands - the hostages. He described them as a top-tier strategic asset that grants the organization tremendous leverage in negotiations. Hamas terrorists stand guard during a hostage release in Rafah, southern Gaza Strip, February 22, 2025; illustrative. (credit: REUTERS/Hatem Khaled/File Photo) "The hostages held in Gaza - under harsh and inhumane conditions - are Hamas's primary source of power. They are a top-tier strategic asset that allows the organization to negotiate from a position of strength, extort concessions, paralyze Israeli military operations, amplify global criticism of Israeli policy, and deepen social divisions within Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As long as this asset remains in their hands, Hamas has an effective leverage that helps them buy time, dictate the agenda, and strengthen their position, even among the Palestinian public." Hamas fears a renewed Israeli offensive Saar also identified a central paradox in the current deadlock: the more Hamas fears a renewed Israeli offensive after a potential deal, the more it hardens its stance and raises its demands. "The fact that Hamas believes that even after a future deal, Israel might return to using force to 'finish the job,' increases its fear of reaching a deal and leads it to harden its positions. It operates coldly and purposefully, knowing that time works in its favor. This explains why its demands increase as the discussions progress - and why the chances of a breakthrough are shrinking." Despite the impasse, Saar maintained that both sides still have a real interest in continuing negotiations - but stressed that time is working against Israel. "There is still a relevant strategic starting point: both sides have a significant interest in continuing the negotiations. Israel wants the return of the hostages, and Hamas, for its part, seeks a ceasefire, the release of prisoners, and the assurance of its political survival. But at this stage, the waiting is benefiting Hamas more than Israel." Italy's government on Wednesday approved a controversial 13.5-billion-euro ($15.6-billion) project to build what would be the world's longest suspension bridge connecting the island of Sicily to the mainland. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition hailed the state-funded project as an economic boost for the impoverished south of Italy -- only for critics to warn that it risks turning into a financial black hole. Italian politicians have for decades debated a bridge over the Strait of Messina, a narrow strip of water between the island of Sicily and the region of Calabria, at the toe of Italy's boot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ministers say Wednesday's approval by a government committee, CIPESS, is the furthest the project has ever got. Advocates say the bridge, due for completion by 2032, is at the cutting edge of engineering, able to withstand high winds and earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. It has been designed with two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on either side, with a suspended span of 3.3 kilometres (2.05 miles) -- a world record -- stretching between two 400-metre (1,300 feet) high towers. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also responsible for transport and infrastructure, told reporters work could begin as soon as September or October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the bridge and the associated new roads, railways and stations would act as a "development accelerator" for impoverished Sicily and Calabria, boosting economic growth and creating tens of thousands of jobs, many of them skilled. Yet the project has sparked local protests over the environmental impact and the cost, with critics saying the money could be better spent elsewhere. Nicola Fratoianni, an MP of the Greens and Left Alliance, slammed a "mega-project that will divert a huge amount of public resources" and "risks turning into a gigantic black hole". The Italian Court of Auditors has criticised the extent of debt-laden state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The centre-left Democratic Party warned that the project "tramples environmental, safety and European norms -- and common sense". The public prosecutor of Messina also recently warned of the risk that organised crime would benefit from the project. Salvini on Wednesday insisted the government would do everything to prevent mafia infiltration. - NATO spending - The longest suspended bridge in the world is currently the 1915 Canakkale Bridge in Turkey, which has a main span of 2.023 kilometres (1.257 miles) between its towers and opened in 2022. Many believe that Italy's ambitious project will never actually materialise, pointing to a long history of public works announced, financed, yet never completed in Italy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project has had several false starts, with the first plans drawn up more than 50 years ago. Eurolink, a consortium led by Italian group Webuild, won the tender in 2006 only for the government to cancel it after the eurozone debt crisis. The consortium remains the contractor on the revived project. This time, Rome may have an added incentive to press ahead -- by classifying the cost of the bridge as defence spending. Italy has agreed along with other NATO allies to massively increase its defence expenditure to five percent of GDP, at the demand of US President Donald Trump. Of this, 1.5 percent can be spent on "defence-related" areas such as cybersecurity and infrastructure -- and Rome is hoping the Messina bridge will qualify, particularly as Sicily hosts a NATO base. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently the only way to cross the Messina Strait is by ferry, taking at least an hour by car and two on the train -- where individual carriages are loaded onto the ferry -- but the bridge aims to cut journey times to 10 and 15 minutes, respectively. Meloni insisted Wednesday it was a "demonstration of Italy's willpower and technical expertise" that would "form the backbone of a faster and more modern nation". ar/ams/lth By Angelo Amante MESSINA/ROME (Reuters) -Italy's government gave final approval on Wednesday to the construction of what will be the world's longest single-span bridge, linking Sicily to the mainland, despite environmental, financial and other concerns that have delayed it for decades. The 3.7-kilometre (2.3-mile) structure, set to break the record currently held by Turkey's Canakkale Bridge across the Dardanelles, has been under discussion since at least the late 1960s as a tool to develop Italy's poorer south. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The right-wing government of Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni made it a priority and has set aside 13.5 billion euros ($15.63 billion) over the next 10 years to build it and surrounding facilities. The Interministerial Committee for Economic Planning and Sustainable Development (CIPESS) gave its green light to the project during a meeting in Rome, paving the way for the start of construction work. "It is not an easy task but we consider it an investment in Italy's present and future, and we like difficult challenges when they make sense", Meloni said at the meeting, her office said. The bridge to Sicily, which has a population of 4.7 million, should be ready in 2032, the Messina Strait Company said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project has faced stiff opposition from those who question the wisdom of building such a bridge in an earthquake zone. Many also fear cost overruns, possible environmental damage and mafia infiltration in construction contracts. Some citizens' groups opposed to the bridge say it is unnecessary, and environmental associations this week filed a complaint with the European Union, flagging serious risks for the local environment. "CIPESS is a biased arbiter, we hope that real arbiters - third party figures, the Court of Auditors, the EU, the judiciary - will come and stop this game, which is devastating for our territory," no-bridge campaigner Daniele Ialacqua told Reuters. Yet the bridge also has strong support from those who believe a fast rail and road connection will provide a much-needed boost to Sicily and the rest of Italy's southern regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current ferry crossing takes about 20 minutes, plus boarding and disembarkation which can require hours at peak times. Trains to and from Sicily are also taken onboard ferries, in a process that takes around two hours. Italy is seeking to categorise investment in the bridge as part of defence spending, which would help it meet pledges by NATO countries to boost military budgets to 5% of gross domestic product by 2035. Matteo Salvini, leader of the co-ruling League party and Transport Minister said the infrastructure would have both civilian and military purposes. "It is obvious that it is dual-use and can therefore be used for security reasons too," he said in a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Strait of Messina Bridge Project was awarded to the Eurolink consortium following an international tender. Italy's largest construction company, Webuild , leads the consortium, which includes Spanish group Sacyr and Japan's IHI. According to the Messina Strait Company, Wednesday's approval will allow the start of preliminary works, including archaeological and geological surveys. Land expropriations will also be authorised. The Court of Auditors, however, will first need to validate the committee's decision. A source close to the matter said this could take a few weeks, and Salvini said work could start in September-October. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Webuild has active construction projects worldwide including Saudi Arabia's giant NEOM project. Sacyr participated in the Panama Canal expansion, and IHI has been involved in the Akashi suspension bridge in Japan and the Osman Gazi suspension bridge in Turkey. Webuild has estimated that the construction could create more than 100,000 jobs. ($1 = 0.8639 euros) (Reporting by Angelo Amante; Additional reporting and writing by Giselda Vagnoni; Editing by Alvise Armellini, Muralikumar Anantharaman, Gareth Jones, Alexandra Hudson) JACKSON COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Jackson County School District kicked off the 2025 school year on Wednesday. This year, the learning environment will look different, thanks to upgraded STEM courses and the enforcement of a new cell phone policy. The Focus Act, signed by Governor Kay Ivey last Spring, bans cell phones in public schools. Phones must be stowed in a backpack, locker, or car during the instructional day. Athens City Schools superintendent talks back to school and what to expect this year Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Superintendent Jason Davidson said the new rule has received mixed reactions from students, but he hopes it will help them focus during class. I think everybody knows that this is an issue out there that, even adults are probably on their phones way too much, he said, and so a student their age needs to focus their attention on academics. JCS is also expanding its STEM programs. Starting this Fall, middle schoolers can attend a robotics camp in partnership with Google. The Kevin Duke Innovation and Career Academy is offering a new program: Fire and EMS Science. Davidson says other programs at the Academy are expanding this year, including Culinary Arts, Teacher Education and Cybersecurity programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calhoun to offer social work degree program in midst of state-wide shortage Having those summer camps here, having our robotics camps here, having our gifted students, being able to come here every day, he said, were adding the career tech programs, offering ways to meet workforce development demands, [and] getting those kids ready for hopefully a very productive and growing just county for years to come. As we get into the swing of the new school year, Davidson said its important to eat a hearty breakfast and anticipate back-to-school traffic. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Officials in Jackson County, Missouri, are warning residents of a jury duty scam thats circulating. The 16th Judicial Circuit of Missouri cautions the public to be wary of a recent phone scam that falsely claims people will face punishment for missing jury service, a spokesperson said in a news release Wednesday. Kansas seeks death penalty in Wyandotte County deputy killing. Heres how it works Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scammer may use the name of an actual Jackson County circuit judge, and the call may appear to come from an official number. County officials said the scammer tells you to pay money over the phone or through a website to avoid being arrested. The 16th Judicial Circuit said it does not threaten to arrest people in connection with jury service, and it does not ask anyone to pay fines over the phone. If you have questions regarding jury service, please contact the jury office at (816) 881-3602. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. A Jacksonville firefighter was arrested after allegedly stealing from Winn-Dixie grocery stores on at least 27 occasions. Engineer Brian Albright, 51, was booked into the Duval County Jail on Monday for petit theft and later released on bond. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office said that it received reports of the thefts on July 29, involving incidents at three different store locations beginning in March. Due to Albright being a city employee, it was investigated by the Integrity Unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the police report, video evidence and receipts showed Albright intentionally failing to properly scan items at the self-checkout registers each time, including while on duty and uniformed. Albright is believed to have stolen more than 100 items during the thefts. Action News Jax has reached out to the Jacksonville Fire and Rescue Department to see if any disciplinary action is being taken. We heard back Thursday morning and were told, Engineer Albright has been removed from the field and will be suspended pending termination. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] European Syriac Union Marks 11th Anniversary of ISIS Genocide of Assyrians and Yazidis The Arabic letter "n" (inside red circle), signifying "Nasrani" (Christian), on an Assyrian home in Mosul. Brussels -- On the 11th anniversary of the Nineveh Plains Massacre, the European Syriac Union (ESU) issued a statement commemorating the victims of the brutal 2014 attacks by the terrorist organization Islamic State (ISIS) against the Chaldean--Syriac--Assyrian and Yezidi peoples and renewing its call for justice. "The Nineveh Plains represent the heart of the Syriac people's historical memory and stand as a living testament to Mesopotamia's cultural heritage," the statement read. "The events of 2014 were not merely acts of war, but a genocidal campaign aimed at erasing an entire people's identity, faith, and existence." On 6 August 2014, ISIS launched a campaign of systematic destruction across the Nineveh Plains, attacking towns including Baghdede (Qaraqosh), Bartella, Karamlesh, and Tel Keppe. Hundreds of thousands of civilians were displaced overnight, while Christian homes, churches, monasteries, and other sacred and cultural sites were plundered, destroyed, or burned. The ESU called on the international community to officially recognize the atrocities committed by ISIS against Chaldeans--Syriacs--Assyrians as genocide, to hold perpetrators accountable, to guarantee the safe and dignified return of displaced persons, and to rebuild destroyed Christian heritage. Above all, the ESU urged support for self-governance of the Chaldean--Syriac--Assyrian people in Nineveh Plains. Even 11 years after ISIS seized control of the region, the statement warned, the community continues to face existential threats, particularly from ongoing attempts at demographic change. Current estimates suggest that only about half of those displaced in 2014 have been able to return to their homes. BECKET Jacobs Pillow announced Tuesday that its 2025 festival will not continue following a fatal accident on Friday. All remaining shows have been cancelled and those that have purchased tickets will receive full refunds, festival organizers said in a post on Facebook. The festival was originally scheduled to run through Aug. 24. We have come to this difficult decision following the tragic accident on our campus on August 1, the post read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Production manager Kat Sirico died Friday on the festival grounds. Sirico and an intern were moving platforms used for staging performances across the Jacobs Pillow property on a dolly. While they were rolling the dolly downhill, they lost control. Sirico tripped, and the dolly ran over her and then the platforms fell on her, according to a statement from the Berkshire District Attorneys Office. Bystanders attempted lifesaving measures. The District Attorneys Office said it would not file criminal charges as it determined Siricos death was a workplace accident. Kat was an alumni of the Pillow and an essential part of our team, and their spirit, generosity, and dedication touched the lives of many. We are holding their family, friends, and colleagues in our hearts as we grieve together, festival organizers shared in a Facebook post on Friday night. The festival first cancelled performances from Friday, Aug. 1, through Sunday, Aug. 3, but later made the decision to cancel all remaining shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For 93 years, Jacobs Pillow has been a haven for dance and a community dedicated to its creation, presentation, education and preservation. We look forward to welcoming audiences back to our campus, Tuesday nights Facebook post concluded. For those with questions about refunds, visit the Jacobs Pillow website. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. ST. LANDRY PARISH, La. (KLFY) St. Landry Parish Jail employee accused of contraband cellphone use, deputies said. Earlier today, Toi Antoinette Lazard, 32, of Opelousas was arrested and charged with malfeasance in office and contraband taken to and from penal institutions, deputies said. Deputies were notified by the St. Landry Parish District Attorneys Office of inappropriate conduct by a parish employee, Lazard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to deputies, Lazard was assigned to the Parish Jail where she supervises the kitchen and the trustees assigned to the kitchen. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest The investigation revealed that Lazard was allegedly bringing her cellphone into the jail and allowing inmates to use the phone for calls, texts messaging and face time conversations. Some of the alleged conversations involved an inmate, on trial for a homicide, attempting to convince a witness to change their testimony, deputies said. Information on Lazards bond has not been released. Anyone with additional information about this crime is asked to call the St. Landry Parish Sheriffs Office at 337-948-6516. Toi Antoinette Lazard, 32, of Opelousas Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. Linda Springs fight for justice is being met with plea deals years after her daughter, Kendal Crank, was shot and killed on her way to nursing school. On Tuesday, two of the three suspects arrested in her murder pleaded guilty to lesser charges. In exchange, the first-degree murder charges for Marquis Smith and Tychicus Dobie were dismissed. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: 2 suspects take plea deals in shooting death of Charlotte mom Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During his first-degree murder trial back in May, accused shooter Adonis Smith said he was shot at first, and that Crank was caught in the crossfire. His trial ended with a hung jury. After the jurys split decision, prosecutors said they felt a plea deal for the other two suspects would be the best way to get justice. Though the case is closed against two of the defendants convicted today in connection with the 2019 fatal shooting of Crank, closure is a luxury her mother may never see. Channel 9s Hunter Saenz spoke with Linda Springs, Cranks mother. I can forgive them of what they did, but it doesnt bring me comfort, Springs said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Springs addressed the court, emotionally speaking about her late daughter. She was a beautiful young lady, she said. She laughed a lot and thats what I keep in my heart. In a plea deal with the state attorney generals office, first-degree murder charges were dismissed against two of the three suspects. Both Marquis Smith and Tychicus Dobie pleaded guilty to lesser charges. Well never know what her life would have been like, Springs said about her late daughter. She left behind two children. In a moment thats rarely seen in court, Dobie looked directly at Cranks mother as he took accountability for his actions. He was riding in the backseat of an SUV when it was hit by bullets a group of people were firing from a nearby parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Me losing my mother, I understand how it feels for her kids, and all I can say is I have sympathy and Im sorry, Dobie said. Her response was barely audible in court, but Dobies nodding confirmed Springs accepted his plea for forgiveness. Not because I need it, but because it will ensure peace in yall hearts and yall soul, said Dobie. The other defendant, Smith said very little in court, but his attorney told Channel 9s Jonathan Lowe why he thinks the attorney generals office offered plea deals. Its always been a very, very weak case for the state, Aaron Lee, Marquis Smiths attorney, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors said Marquis Smith pulled a gun from under the seat and placed it on the armrest, before the accused shooter, Adonis Smith, picked it up and started shooting. Lee said his client stands by the assertion he did nothing wrong that day. He was in a car, driving two friends, when they are shot at, Lee said. Channel 9 asked if thats true, why take a plea deal. He is able to get out, in theory, today and go home, see his son who he has never touched, Lee replied. But for a still-grieving mother, six years in jail is far too short of a proper punishment. What kind of message are we sending to the state of North Carolina, to the city of Charlotte, that they can just get out, after serving X-amount of time, said Springs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the plea deals, Smith was released on Tuesday. Dobie still needs to serve a few more months. Its unclear if that will be in a state prison or the Mecklenburg County jail. The state plans to retry Adonis Smith. WATCH: Kendal Crank murder suspect asks for unsecured bond NEW YORK (AP) After teaming up on a bestseller about the murder of four University of Idaho students, James Patterson and Vicky Ward are collaborating on a book about the fatal shooting of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson and the hunt for his alleged killer, Luigi Mangione. Little, Brown & Company announced the book, which currently has no title or release date. Patterson, one of the world's bestselling novelists, and Ward, an investigative reporter who has worked at CNN and Esquire, plan to draw upon exclusive interviews, firsthand reporting and court transcripts, among other sources. Mangione has pleaded not guilty to a federal murder charge for last December's shooting of Thompson outside a Manhattan hotel. Mangione, an Ivy League graduate from a prominent Maryland real estate family, has since become a symbol of frustration with the health care system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a story about the American Dream Gone Wrong. Its also a story of one young mans descent from Ivy League graduate to notorious accused killer to so-called political martyr, Patterson said in a statement Wednesday. Patterson's and Ward's The Idaho Four, published last month, quickly became a national bestseller after Bryan Kohberger was sentenced July 23 to four consecutive life sentences without parole for the fatal stabbings of students Xana Kernodle, Madison Mogen, Ethan Chapin and Kaylee Goncalves in 2022. ROCK COUNTY, Wis. (WTVO) A Janesville man is in jail after police said he crashed into a ditch while drunk and injured his passenger. According to the Rock County Sheriffs Office, Matthew Welsh, 48, was piloting his Chevrolet Blazer south on N CTH H and lost control cresting a hill, crashing into a ditch. Both Welsh and his passenger were injured in the crash. Police said Welsh was arrested for his third offense of operating while intoxicated and operating while intoxicated causing injury, bail jumping, and other traffic violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Welsh had two prior convictions for operating while intoxicated, making the arrest a felony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. Japan has struggled to export cutting-edge defense equipment. However, past disappointments have been turned on their head after Japan won selection for a lucrative Australian frigate requirement worth up to US$6.5 billion. With its shortlisting confirmed by Canberra on Aug. 5, Japans Ministry of Defense immediately tweeted that we welcome this decision as it marks a major step toward elevating our security cooperation as Special Strategic Partner to even greater heights. The Royal Australian Navy or RAN for short plans to procure 11 well-armed upgraded Mogami-class frigates. The Japanese platform emerged the victor after a fierce contest with the MEKO A-200 frigate from Germany. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a rigorous and competitive tender process, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mogami-class frigate was assessed as best able to quickly meet the capability requirements and strategic needs of the Australian Defence Force, Australias DOD said in a press release. It is not a done deal yet, as negotiations now start with the aim to enter early into binding, commercial contracts with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) and the government of Japan in 2026, according to the statement. Nor is this frigate program without significant risk. One peril stems from the fact that the upgraded Mogami does not yet exist. It is a modified version of the Mogami class, of which Japans navy will soon have a dozen. On June 19, Japan commissioned its eighth such frigate, valued at JPY47.4 billion (US$332 million). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After completing these warships, Japanese attention shifts to 12 upgraded Mogami frigates from Fiscal Year 2028. MHI received a contract for the first two in May. Discussing this yet-to-be-built platform, Jennifer Parker, a defense expert at the Australian National University, noted in the Australasian university-affiliated website, The Conversation, that this risk is mitigated, however, by Japans fantastic track record in building ships. However, the nascent upgraded Mogami leads to another risk factor, that of schedule. Canberra said the first Japanese-built frigate would be delivered in 2029 and enter service in 2030. The plan calls for the first three ships to be built in Japan, before construction transfers to Western Australia. Yet Australian shipbuilders have accrued a poor record in meeting schedules. With existing shipbuilding programs already running well behind schedule, there is already speculation that Japan might end up constructing more than three frigates at home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another difficulty arises because the upgraded Mogami class has little commonality with the RANs outgoing Anzac class or the BAE Systems Hunter class that is slated to arrive in 2034. An additional risk factor is that MHI has never built naval vessels overseas before. In recent times, Australian pickiness has rankled shipbuilders such as Naval Group of France and Luerssen of Germany. This prompted Parker to warn, The danger with this frigate deal is that it could damage our relationship if something doesnt go right. Nonetheless, the Japanese government is extremely committed to this program, rating its strategic partnership with Australia as second only to that with the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Australian Defence Minister Richard Marles pointed out, This does represent a very significant moment in the bilateral relationship between Australia and Japan. The RAN desperately needs these new frigates to replace its retiring Anzac class. In fact, the navys surface combatant fleet will reach a nadir of nine warships next year, the lowest it has been since World War II. While the government plans to lift the warship fleet to 26 hulls, Parker pointed out to Defense News, Most predict an increased period of risk in the late 2020s, and thats where Australia has the capability gap. As for its capabilities, the upgraded Mogami displaces 4,800 tons, which is 700 tons more than its predecessor. At 466 feet, it is also 30 feet longer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new frigate features a 32-cell vertical launch system, which is double the magazine capacity that its MEKO A-200 rival could offer. Additionally, it possesses a design life of 40 years. In a press release, MHI said it believed Australias decision was based on the Mogamis proven performance, reliability, technology, capabilities, multi-functionality as well as reduced manpower requirements compared to conventional frigates, and scalability to easily enhance capabilities in the future. TOKYO -- The atomic bombings of Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, and Nagasaki three days later brought a scale of destruction the world had never seen. Many who survived the blasts died in the weeks, months and years that followed. Japan surrendered six days after the Nagasaki bombing, bringing an end to World War II. Today, the only nation to have suffered atomic bombings is protected by the U.S. nuclear umbrella. More than 50,000 U.S. military personnel are stationed in Japan. The country has fired almost no shots in anger in eight decades. But that postwar identity is shifting. Universal History Archive/Universal Images Group via Getty - PHOTO: World War II, after the explosion of the atom bomb. MORE: 8 decades after atomic bombing in Hiroshima, search for missing continues Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Japanese constitution, drafted during the U.S. occupation, renounces war as a means of settling disputes. Japan hasn't revised that pacifist charter. But the space around it has changed. Many here now perceive real and growing threats. Topics that were politically untouchable a decade ago are now freely debated. Conflicts no longer seem regional but interconnected. North Korea, now a front-line participant in the war in Ukraine, continues to launch missiles in defiance of sanctions. China tests boundaries and dares others to push back. In recent years, Japan has asserted itself more openly, sending a warship through the Taiwan Strait in 2024 and dispatching a prime minister to Ukraine for face-to-face talks with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in 2023 -- the first time a Japanese prime minister has visited an active combat zone since World War II. Leading up to this year's anniversary, the tone has shifted from remembrance to readiness. "Ukraine today may be East Asia tomorrow," said former Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during that 2023 visit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth visited Tokyo, where, according to Reuters, the two sides agreed to accelerate co-production of missile systems. Japan also pledged to expand joint operations and upgrade its Self-Defense Forces' command structure to better align with U.S. forces. Kyodo/via Reuters - PHOTO: Doves fly over the Peace Memorial Park with a view of the gutted Atomic Bomb Dome at a ceremony in Hiroshima MORE: Japan's aging atomic bomb survivors speak out against nuclear weapons Current Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba affirmed the shared U.S.-Japan vision for a "Free and Open Indo-Pacific." Japan now participates in multinational drills near flashpoints. It provides naval support to the Philippines. It seeks better ties with South Korea. Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: JAPAN-US-NUCLEAR-HISTORY-WWII But rearmament takes money, and public support for a bigger military budget remains uncertain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One group has stayed firmly opposed to nuclear weapons, Nihon Hidankyo, formed in 1956 representing survivors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 2024, it received the Nobel Peace Prize for decades of testimony and efforts to persuade governments to disarm. "We atomic bomb survivors call on all countries to sign and ratify the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons for peace," reads a flyer distributed by the group. In Japan, survivors are known as hibakusha. They became symbols of peace, a living reminder of what must never happen again. Now, there are fewer of them, but they are still speaking out. Richard A. Brooks/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: JAPAN-US-NUCLEAR-HISTORY-WWII Tomoko Matsuo was 12 years old when the bomb fell on Nagasaki. She was at home on summer break, less than 2 miles from the hypocenter, the area directly underneath where the bomb exploded. A hill, she says, may have blocked the worst of the blast and saved her life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was working on the sewing machine when I heard a huge sound," she told ABC News in Nagasaki on June 27. "It was enormous and unforgettable." She ran to a nearby bomb shelter. When she emerged, her house was still standing. Nagasaki was ablaze. They searched for her older sister Eiko, who was 16. "It was a sea of flames. We gave up the search." Two days after the bombing, Eiko returned. Anthony Trotter/ABC News - PHOTO: Tomoko Matsuo speaks with the press at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Museum in Japan on June 27, 2025. "I can't imagine how she made it home," Matsuo says. Eiko was burned. She couldn't keep food down. There was no proper medical care. "We spoke encouraging words to her. It's painful to think of that." They took her to a nearby aid station, gave her water, tried a blood transfusion from her brother. But she died soon after. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This young life was lost. It's unbearable. She wanted to see her family, and she worked enormously hard to come home." Anthony Trotter/ABC News - PHOTO: Tomoko Matsuo speaks with the press at the Nagasaki Peace Memorial Museum in Japan on June 27, 2025. Now 92, Matsuo tells her story to keep Eiko's memory alive. But the chance of nuclear weapons never being used again is far from certain. Kazuko Hikawa, Vice Director of the Research Center for Nuclear Weapons Abolition at Nagasaki University, says the goal may be harder to reach than many realize. The problem, she says, is something called the security paradox. "Countries chase nuclear weapons thinking it will stop others from attacking them with nuclear weapons," she tells ABC News. "Nuclear deterrence may prevent nuclear war, but it actually increases the risk of conflict involving conventional weapons, as seen in Ukraine and Palestine. These are not nuclear wars, but they happen under the shadow of nuclear power." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, ABC News met a Hiroshima survivor, Sunao Tsuboi, who has since passed away. U.S. Ambassador George Glass attended the memorial ceremonies in Hiroshima and and will also attend the ceremony in Nagasaki later this week. His remarks focused on reconciliation and the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- The mayor of Hiroshima called out nuclear-armed nations Wednesday as Japan marked the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of his city. "Despite the current turmoil at the nation-state level, we, the people, must never give up," Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui said during Japan's annual Peace Memorial Ceremony, held at the city's Peace Memorial Park. "Instead, we must work even harder to build civil society consensus that nuclear weapons must be abolished for a genuinely peaceful world." Approximately 55,000 people attended the event, which included representation from 120 nations and regions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Japan's Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba was also present at the ceremony and spoke out against nuclear weapons. "The widening of the division within the international community over approaches to nuclear disarmament has made the current security environment even more challenging," Ishiba said. "But that is exactly why we must make all-out efforts to bring about a world without nuclear war and a world without nuclear weapons under the regime of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the cornerstone of the international nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation regime." Participants offer flowers during the ceremony for the atomic bomb victims at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on Wednesday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI The Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons is an international accord intended to stop the spread and use of nuclear weapons and weapons technology, and for its signees to move toward nuclear disarmament. The remembrance ceremony of Hiroshima's atomic bombing comes at a heightened time between nuclear world powers. Russia announced Monday it was ending a self-imposed moratorium on the development of short- and medium-range nuclear missiles, days after the Trump administration announced it was moving two nuclear submarines to defensive positions. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass (white hair) offers silent prayer during the ceremony for the atomic bomb victims at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on Wednesday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI The United States and Russia currently possess nearly 90% of all nuclear weapons worldwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia did not have any representation at the Hiroshima observance. U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, who was present, posted to X that "On this solemn day of reflection, we pay homage to the people of Hiroshima and their enduring message of peace and hope." U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass arrives the ceremony for the atomic bomb victims at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima, Japan on Wednesday. Photo by Keizo Mori/UPI It was on Aug. 6, 1945 that the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima at 8:15 a.m. Japan Standard Time. Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) hit back at President Donald Trump after he called her low-IQ, arguing the president uses the insult to target people of color. (See her response in the video above.) The congresswoman said Tuesday during a CNN interview that she doesnt care how many Black MAGA out there are wearing Trump-supporting hats, the president has a problem with people of color. Crockett was responding after Trump mocked the idea that the Texas Democrat, whose star has risen quickly since she was first elected to Congress in 2022, is one of the leaders of her party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have this woman, Crockett. Very low-IQ person, Trump said during a CNBC interview on Tuesday. Somebody said the other day shes one of the leaders of the party. I said, Youve got to be kidding. He also, bizarrely, questioned whether she is related to 19th-century frontiersman Davy Crockett. I wonder if shes any relation to the late, great Davy Crockett, who is a great, great, a great gentleman, he said. I wonder if shes got any relationship to Davy Crockett, the great old Davy Crockett. Appearing on CNNs The Source With Kaitlan Collins, Crockett said Trump has nothing of substance to contribute when it comes to critiquing me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After pointing out Trump seldom engages in the substantive point of an argument when hurling abuse, she added: Its a common insult when it comes to people of color. He just threw the same exact insult at Charlamagne tha God, and so I want people to see him and understand who he is. This is a person that has a problem with people of color, period, she added. I dont care how many Black MAGA out there with they hats. She continued the low IQ gibe could easily be applied to Trumps incompetent Cabinet, citing the scandal surrounding Defense Secretary Pete Hegseths inadvertent sharing of highly sensitive national security information with an editor at The Atlantic on the messaging app Signal. Referring to Republican hopes to grab five more seats congressional seats in Texas through an off-schedule redrawing of the electoral map, Crockett concluded, Ive got news for the president. I am not going anywhere, no matter how many squiggly lines they draw in the state of Texas. Related... Jasper County school board chairwoman Joyce Gerald and secretary Tom Balliet ask the state Board of Education not to take control of Jasper County School District during a meeting Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) WEST COLUMBIA The state will take control of Jasper County School District following state Board of Education approval Tuesday, even as local board members asked the state to leave leadership intact. State Superintendent Ellen Weaver told the local school board last week that she would seek control. Her letter cited years of financial turmoil as well as a report released last month that found potential fraud, conflicts of interest and mismanagement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students, educators, and communities in every corner of South Carolina deserve accountable leadership and responsible stewardship, Weaver said in a statement following the unanimous vote. Todays action, with the support of many local leaders, fulfills my sworn duty to act in the best interest of our students and taxpayers. Its the first full takeover of her administration. It began immediately for the 2,600-student district, where classes started Monday. The board has 10 days to appeal the decision to the Administrative Law Court. But its unclear if board members will do so. The decision disbanded the local school board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weaver immediately appointed Laura Hickson, former superintendent of Florence District 3 (Lake City), as interim superintendent. Department officials, who have controlled the districts finances since December, will be in charge of all decisions for the district. The takeover is expected to last at least six years under a state law that took effect in July 2022. The state Department of Education will set goals for the district to meet. Once it has done so for three years in a row, lawmakers will appoint a school board to make decisions for the following three years, until the agency determines the district is ready to take back local power. The decision is about providing help, not punishment, said Rita Allison, chairwoman of the state Board of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a helpful handout to help people get things back working so our children can be educated, our teachers can teach, and our people who are paying taxes for the educational system can have a good path forward, said the former Spartanburg County legislator who chaired the House Education Committee. This is the first time the state has taken over a school district since the 2022 law ensured the local board dissolved entirely and created the process for local control resuming. It was an effort by former Superintendent Molly Spearman to prevent handing back authority to the same people who let their districts get in such bad shape. Two districts that Spearman took over Allendale and Williamsburg counties, in 2017 and 2018, respectively remain under state control. Williamsburg County schools have been taking steps toward local control over the past year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any timeline remains uncertain in Allendale County, where the states first takeover in 1999 ended without much progress largely due to squabbles with fired school board members. It was such a quagmire, no state superintendent wanted to take on such a feat again until Spearman declared an emergency in the same district in 2017. And then she had to fight the local board, which sued. Weavers emergency declaration for Jasper County marks only the fifth full district takeover since the Legislature authorized that power in 1998 with Allendale being the first and second. In July, the state board voted to take over Marlboro County School Districts finances, but not full management. District response Jasper County board member Tom Balliet called the board hes elected to the most dysfunctional I have ever experienced, adding that hes also worked at schools in Wisconsin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve had that reputation for many, many years, Balliet, secretary for the local board, said Tuesday. Yet, Balliet asked the state board not to take over, saying change was in the works. The board had a candidate in mind to hire as a new superintendent, and the next school board meeting was set to include changes to policy recommended in the inspector generals report, he said. If the state board couldnt leave Jasper County to its own devices, Balliet suggested putting its decisions under strict scrutiny or disbanding part of the board but not all. Most of the boards members, including himself and board chair Joyce Gerald, didnt plan to run for reelection anyway, Balliet said. Gerald declined to comment. You lose the learning, Balliet said. Theres a tremendous learning curve. You lose the history. You lose some of the leadership that we have here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But thats not an option under the takeover law that intentionally required total and immediate dissolvement of the local board. Spearman, who didnt seek re-election in 2022, sought to get that into law before she left office. Most of the issues raised with Jasper County schools have involved its former superintendent and the chief financial officer she hired, not the board itself, Balliet said. The inspector generals report mainly focused on former Superintendent Rechel Anderson, but the report also said the board shirked its responsibility. Board members knew Anderson had violated district policies and her own contract and potentially state ethics laws but did nothing to notify law enforcement of possible misconduct. They waited to do anything, then kept paying her even after voting to fire her, according to the report. The board approved a settlement with Anderson in February, four months after firing her. It agreed to pay her $361,566 and declared her departure a resignation, effective in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Angela Bonaparte and Tedd Moyd, also members of the local school board, said they were doing the best they could for the children of their district and worried a takeover would create disruptions for students and parents. This is our opportunity to shine, and we dont want anything, anyone, the state or anyone local, to stop our progress for these kids, Moyd said. State reasons Those goals were not at odds with the state education departments goals in taking over the district, said Ashley Storey, an attorney the department hired to review the takeover plans. The department has already tried everything in its power to turn around the districts financial situation. After taking control of the districts purse strings in December, state officials are still working to get the districts finances in enough order to complete a still-missing audit from two years ago, she said. The state Board of Education hears a report on Jasper County School District on Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) There has just been no meaningful transformation by the district, Storey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Declaring a state of emergency and taking over is the final stop when a district is having trouble, she said. The district was first put under fiscal watch, the lowest of three escalating tiers for districts with financial difficulties, in 2023. Since then, the problems have only grown, Storey said. The inspector generals report proved the district was headed away from its goal, she said. Any one issue raised in the report, or the districts financial troubles, might not raise it to the level of a full takeover. But taken together, the department had no option but to act, she said. At this time, its got to be done for these children, Storey said. Local support for a takeover The Jasper County Council, Hardeeville City Council and Ridgeland Town Council supported the states takeover of the district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As it is, the district poses a significant and immediate threat to the educational outcomes and overall well-being of the students it serves, representatives of the councils wrote in a July letter to Allison. Despite the dedication of many local educators and administrators, longstanding challenges in academic performance, lack of governance and accountability from the Jasper County School Board, and numerous operational deficiencies have created conditions that warrant urgent and decisive action, the letter reads. Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican who lives in Beaufort but represents part of Jasper County, said he also supported a takeover. The irregularities noted in the report are serious, and the state Department of Education should take full control of the county school districts operations until proper accounting systems and checks and balances are put in place, Davis said in a text message. Inspector generals report State Board of Education member Chris Hanley asks questions about the state takeover of Jasper County School District as fellow board member Tony Vincent looks on during a meeting Tuesday, August 5, 2025. (Photo by Skylar Laird/SC Daily Gazette) Anderson and the district are under investigation by the State Law Enforcement Division, a spokeswoman confirmed. Anderson was not at the meeting Tuesday. She has not responded to multiple requests for comment. Anderson lived and operated businesses more than 150 miles from the district office, in violation of her contract, the inspector general found. When asked to prove her address, Anderson produced a lease that appeared to be fake, according to the report. One of her other business ventures involved working for Cognia, the accreditation group for Jasper County School District, which the report raised as a potential conflict of interest. The state Department of Education is investigating whether Andersons job with Cognia had any effect on the districts accreditation status. Anderson failed to report the approximately $48,000 she received from the agency over seven years on her state-required financial statements. Instead, she incorrectly listed her superintendent salary at $60,000 more than the district was actually paying her. Anderson was rarely in her office or at the districts schools during her time as superintendent, employees told the inspector general. When she was at work, she used district time and resources to work on her book, Professional Walk: An Educators Perspective. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker has not ruled out gerrymandering in his state, saying everythings on the table in response to President Donald Trumps push for aggressive partisan redistricting in Texas. Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential candidate, who is traveling the country urging the Democrats to take a tougher stance against the Trump administration, made his comments Tuesday on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert. Colbert noted that California is weighing a redistricting plan that could wipe out almost half a dozen Republican seats, activated by a dead man switch if Texas proceeds with its partisan map. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Can Illinois do something like that, the late-night host asked. Its possible, Pritzker said, without hesitation. And, as Ive said, everythings on the table. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker hasnt ruled out gerrymandering in his state (CBS/YouTube) Look, weve got to fight fire with fire, he reiterated to Colbert. Theyve frankly tossed the rulebook out. And theyre just acting in an unconstitutional fashion. Illinois would do whatever it takes to preserve democracy, Pritzker said, to raucous applause from the studio audience. In Illinois, the GOPs ability to gain additional seats is limited because the current map is already drawn in its favor. Republicans hold just three of the 17 congressional seats in Illinois, a state where Trump received almost 44 percent of the vote in last years presidential election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gerrymandering, however, is being floated as a countermeasure to Texas lawmakers plan to redraw the congressional map aimed at flipping five Democrat-held districts to Republican control. The legislatures ongoing special session, called by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, ground to a halt on Sunday after Democrats fled from their state to Chicago and New York that evening to block the redistricting vote. A map of U.S Congressional Districts proposed plan is seen at a Texas legislators' public hearing on congressional redistricting in Austin, Texas, last Friday (AP) On Monday, California Governor Gavin Newsom told reporters that he too is ready to fight fire with fire after he proposed redrawing his states congressional map before the 2026 midterm elections. Pritzker has also welcomed Democrats into Illinois, which he announced at an event in DuPage County on Sunday in front of a JB backdrop advertising his gubernatorial reelection campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The governor told Colbert that Illinois is a safe haven for Texas Democrats who plan to stay away for two weeks to run out the clock on the legislative session. Donald Trump is trying to steal five seats from the people, frankly, from the country, not just the people of Texas and disenfranchise people, he said. Where did they decide to come to? The safe haven of the state of Illinois. And were going to protect them and take care of them. WASHINGTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) Washington County Schools and Johnson City Schools are looking to create an extra level of safety for students by installing security vestibules in the school buildings. Jarrod Adams is the Chief Operations Officer for Washington County Schools. Unfortunately, where weve come to as a society, you know, theres a lot of instances of violence at schools and people being on school grounds or in the school buildings that arent supposed to be there, Adams said. We worked with the county commission to get the funding to make sure that we could build these security vestibules at both of our high schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reminder: 10-digit dialing required in Northeast Tennessee beginning Tuesday Currently, there are two Washington County schools with completed vestibules. Those are David Crockett High School and Daniel Boone High School. For Johnson City schools, Mountain View Elementary, Cherokee Elementary, and North Side Elementary have this type of security under construction. Construction for a vestibule at Market Street Elementary will begin later this year. [Its] one of the things our board has been very, very interested in, said Greg Wallace, Assistant Director of Schools over Safety and Mental Health at Johnson City Schools. Its been a high priority for them. The entire time Ive been in this position is to make sure that our schools are up to date and following best practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The relationship with our city commissions, our funding body, theyve provided this process for theyve provided the funding for us, but then also the commitment of the school board to make sure that we are putting our students in the safest possible situation. Wallace said current construction should be completed by the end of the year. Both Adams and Wallace said that the school boards decided to make these decisions based on national headlines and not anything local. Out of an abundance of caution and looking at national trends, this is really a good way to be able to secure our facilities and keep the students and the adults in the building safe, Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really been as a result of national headlines, Wallace said. We feel like we have a lot of great safety protocols in place. We just wanted to make sure that weve enhanced every building to make sure its up to code and up to the highest standard of safety for any elementary school. Both Adams and Wallace said they hope to construct secure vestibules at all Johnson City and Washington County schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Vice President JD Vance denied, through a spokesperson, news reports that he planned to host several Trump administration officials at his official residence on Wednesday evening to craft a unified response to the Jeffrey Epstein controversy that continues to create challenges for the president. The dinner, first reported by CNN on Tuesday, was reportedly to be attended by Attorney General Pam Bondi, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, FBI Director Kash Patel and White House chief of staff Susie Wiles. Other outlets, including Fox News, also reported on the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday afternoon, however, a spokesperson for Vance denied the meeting would take place. The CNN story is pure fiction, Vance spokesperson William Martin said in a statement. There was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice Presidents residence to discuss Epstein Strategy. The Trump administration is reportedly weighing whether to release an audio recording and transcript of Blanches interview with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell, who is currently serving a 20-year sentence for sex trafficking a minor, as soon as this week. The Justice Department had described their sit-down over the course of two consecutive days last month as an effort to get more information about the disgraced financier to the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump defended Blanches lengthy meetings with Maxwell on Tuesday and suggested he knew nothing about the contents of their discussion. I didnt talk to him about it, but I will tell you that whatever he asked would be totally appropriate, and its not an uncommon thing to do that, Trump said of Blanche, who was one of his personal lawyers prior to joining the DOJ. Maxwell did not share any information that would be harmful to Trump during her chat with Blanche, claiming she had never witnessed Trump doing anything that would have caused concern, sources familiar with the British socialites comments told ABC News. Since meeting with Blanche, Maxwell has been moved to a minimum-security facility in Bryan, Texas, with no explanation from the White House, fueling more speculation about what may have prompted the decision. Trump claimed he had no idea why Maxwell was moved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I didnt know about it at all, he told reporters. I read about it just like you did. Maxwell has also sought to block the release of grand jury transcripts in the prosecutions of Epstein and herself. The family of one of Epsteins most prominent accusers, Virginia Giuffre, issued a statement in response to reports of the meeting at Vances residence, noting that the vice presidents guest list did not include any survivors of Epsteins abuse. Giuffre died by suicide earlier this year. Missing from this group is, of course, any survivor of the vicious crimes of convicted perjurer and sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein, their statement reads. Their voices must be heard, above all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, in Congress on Tuesday, the House Oversight Committee demanded the DOJ turn over its files on Epstein, while also issuing subpoenas for former first couple Bill and Hillary Clinton and former DOJ officials. The panel, however, did not seek testimony from former Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who struck a controversial plea deal with Epstein during his time as U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida. This story has been updated to reflect that a spokesperson for Vance has denied that the vice president was planning a meeting about Epstein. Sebastian Murdock contributed reporting. Related... Platform Democratic 6th Congressional District challenger Cyril Jefferson released his platform priorities in announcing his campaign Tuesday. They include: Bolstering economic development and infrastructure by modernizing transportation systems, supporting small businesses and expanding housing. Addressing housing affordability and supply by streamlining construction to expand housing options. Promoting public safety through modern policing, expanded mental health resources and developing youth intervention programs. Supporting education and workforce development by raising teacher pay and making child care more affordable. Protect Medicare and Medicaid, lower prescription drug costs and address food insecurity. Promote national security by strengthening borders, fixing the legal immigration system and providing support to military personnel and veterans. {related_content_uuid}f483e25e-3180-4f4e-b109-fcf93a3000e2{/related_content_uuid} HIGH POINT At times battling back emotions, High Point Mayor Cyril Jefferson told an enthusiastic group of supporters Tuesday that he will promote a message of what unites people, not divides them, as he seeks to become a congressman for the first time at the age of 33. Jefferson made his 6th Congressional District bid official during an event at Congdon Yards in High Points core city. The High Point Enterprise reported two weeks ago that Jefferson had filed paperwork with the Federal Elections Commission to run for Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson, whos about halfway through his first term as mayor, said he would bring his collaborative approach at City Hall, where leaders put aside divisions to achieve results, to the hall of Congress. North Carolinians are tired of the noise and the gridlock, he said. They want leaders who listen, who solve problems and who deliver results. Thats exactly what Im committed to doing. Thats why Im running. Jefferson was joined by his wife Raven and two children, Cyril II and Royce, as well as members of his immediate and extended family. Recognizing the support of his family was one of the moments in which Jefferson welled up with emotion. The 6th District seat is held by freshman Republican representative Addison McDowell, who has ties to Davidson County. McDowell won the seat after receiving the endorsement of President Donald Trump in the March 2024 GOP primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No Democrat filed in 2024 for the 6th District contest. Former Democratic representative Kathy Manning declined to seek reelection, saying that the district was so gerrymandered after it was redrawn by Republican state legislators that a Democrat couldnt win the seat. At his announcement event, Jefferson acknowledged that the redrawn 6th District makes it harder for a Democrat. But Jefferson said that a well-organized, grassroots campaign could succeed. Jefferson didnt provide a figure for how much his campaign wants to raise, but he said his fundraising will be competitive. This year three Democrats so far have said they will run in the 6th District primary that voters will settle March 3, and one of the other challengers has ties to High Point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keith Davenport, who lives in Welcome in Davidson County, is basing his campaign out of High Point, which is also the central hub for our campaign operations, Davenport told The Enterprise. The other Democratic hopeful is Beau Blair of Salisbury, who has a background as a bartender and liquor brands distiller. The general election is Nov. 3, 2026. The 6th District includes all of High Point and Davidson County, as well as parts of western Greensboro, eastern and southern Forsyth County, all of Rowan and Davie counties and the western tip of Cabarrus County. Political analysts consider the district leaning strong Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson was elected mayor in November 2023 after serving a four-year term as a High Point councilman. His current term expires in December 2027, and he could remain mayor if he loses his congressional bid. If he were elected to Congress, Jefferson would have to resign as mayor since elected officials cant serve in more than one office at the same time. The High Point City Council would appoint his replacement as mayor. If he wins the general election, Jefferson would become the first Black leader to hold whats evolved into the modern 6th District post and the first High Pointer to take the seat. Jefferson said that he and his supporters dont take it likely that we would make history. AUGUSTA. Ga. (WJBF) Piedmont Augusta Celebrates World Breastfeeding Week Lactation Consultant Kaye Kennamer, MSN, RN, IBCLC explains that Piedmont Augusta believes the journey begins in the hospital, but their lactation department provides resources for follow-up after mom and baby are discharged. This years theme is Prioritize Breastfeeding. One way to do that is by creating sustainable support systems Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Family Care Center at Piedmont encourages evidence-based hospital practices that improve breastfeeding outcomes. Their dedicated Lactation Department offers bi-monthly breastfeeding classes. These classes help prepare new moms for breastfeeding. Kennamer also talks about the benefits of breastfeeding for both baby and mom. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. Jewish passengers received kosher meals with Free Palestine graffiti on a Spanish airline. The Delegacion de Asociaciones Israelitas Argentinas (DAIA), Argentinas umbrella Jewish organisation, said the incident happened on an Iberia flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid on Monday. One passenger, Salvador Auday, received a kosher meal with Free Palestine daubed on its packaging, while other Jewish passengers received trays with the initials FP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I reported the incident to the head flight attendant, who took down the complaint, took photos etc. They tried to apologise in every possible way, Mr Auday told Vis a Vis, an Argentinian Jewish newspaper. He added that he believed that the words were written by one of the food suppliers employees rather than a member of the aircrew. Apparently, it wasnt any of the crew members, so if it came from outside, Id imagine that Iberia will conduct an internal investigation of its suppliers and procedures. Thats precisely why I reported it, so that it doesnt get forgotten, said Mr Auday. Discriminatory act The DAIA said it condemned this discriminatory act and had contacted Iberia officials to demand an explanation and action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesman for Iberia said on Wednesday: During the flight, some passengers who had ordered kosher food reported that handwritten pro-Palestinian messages appeared on their trays. The Iberia crew documented what had happened and got involved to assist those affected. The captain personally approached them to apologise on behalf of the airline. Iberia is conducting a thorough investigation, both internally and with the external suppliers responsible for catering, intending to clarify what happened and take all appropriate measures. At Iberia, we categorically reject any form of discrimination, incitement to hatred or conduct that violates the dignity of individuals. Such behaviour is unacceptable and contrary to the values of respect and inclusion that are integral to our companys identity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Iberia incident comes after a group of Jewish children returning to France from a summer camp in Spain were escorted off a Vueling flight to Paris last month after at least one child sang a Hebrew song. Vueling allegedly removed the director of a Jewish summer camp and approximately 50 children from the flight to Paris, according to footage shared on social media on Wednesday. The airline said the group had compromised passenger safety. The incident prompted Sir Michael Ellis KC, a former attorney general, to say he was deeply concerned. He called for the Civil Aviation Authority to investigate. A spokesperson for Campaign Against Antisemitism said: We understand that this was not an isolated incident connected to this supplier, nor is it the first incident over the past fortnight relating to a Spanish carrier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incidents on airlines involving Jewish victims are becoming unacceptably common, with aviation yet another front in the war on the Jews... Jewish passengers deserve to feel safe and respected when flying, just like everybody else. 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. CITY HALL, Manhattan (PIX11) As the race for New York City mayor intensifies, one voting bloc is drawing particular attention: Jewish New Yorkers, who make up roughly 15% of the citys population. While far from a monolith, the diverse community is increasingly seen as a decisive force in what is shaping up to be a closely watched election. More Local News Traditionally, Jewish voters in the city have been courted by candidates across the political spectrum. But this year, with war in Gaza and questions about candidates stances on Israel, there is a new intensityparticularly when it comes to Democratic nominee Zohran Mamdani. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani, a progressive lawmaker from Queens, has drawn both praise and controversy for his vocal opposition to Israels military actions in Gaza, which he has called a genocide. He has also defended past use by others of the phrase globalize the intifadalanguage that has alarmed some Jewish voters, particularly in more Conservative and Orthodox communities. He has since said he would discourage the use of the phrase. But overall, Mamdani appears to be gaining traction among Jewish New Yorkers. A recent poll from Zenith Research found him leading the field among Jewish voters with 43% support. The poll showed particularly strong numbers among younger Jewish voters (67%), as well as reform and secular Jews (55%). Even among more conservative and Orthodox respondents, he registered 21% support. In a crowded field, Mamdani remains a double-digit favorite among Jewish New Yorkers, said Adam Carlson, a founder of Zenith Research. I think that surprised a lot of people. More News: NY Elections Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdani has stressed that while his views on foreign policy differ from some in the Jewish community, he will remain primarily focused on the citys affordability crisis the top concern for most voters across the belief spectrum. Affordability is far and away the number one issue, Carlson said. The mayor has very little direct impact on foreign policy, and I think thats reflected in these generational gaps. Meanwhile, Mayor Eric Adamswho is running for re-election as an independent on the End-Antisemitism ballot lineis continuing to draw support from many in more religious communities including top Jewish officials. Tuesday, Adams rallied at City Hall alongside prominent rabbis and other faith leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have been behind the Jewish community from your heart, one rabbi said. And in November, the Jewish community will be behind you. Supporters of Adams cited his consistent backing of the Jewish community, before, during, and after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack in Israel. Hes always been there to support us, said another rabbi. And now its our time to support this great mayor. Despite stark differences in political alignment, many Jewish New Yorkers interviewed emphasized a shared desire for peace and unity, regardless of who they plan to vote for. We do not want war, said one Rabbi. Any death is horrificwhether youre Palestinian, Israeli, Jewish, or Arab. It makes no difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. If you want to understand the extent to which anti-Semitism has become normalised in Britain today, the real indication isnt the latest set of figures from the Community Security Trust, the body which monitors Jew hate in Britain. CST recorded 1,521 anti-Semitic incidents in the first half of 2025.(And not just the UK, the Telegraph reported today that on a Spanish airline flight from Buenos Aires to Madrid Jewish passengers received kosher food that was marked with Free Palestine.) But appalling as the numbers in Britain are, the salient point isnt the number itself. Its the fact that the level of the figures the second highest on record has come as a surprise to no one, and has barely made the news. The figures certainly dont surprise British Jews, who have seen a wave of anti-Semitism unleashed in recent years, first during the period after 2015 when Jeremy Corbyn became Labour leader and then in the wake of the massacre of over 1200 Jews by Hamas on October 7 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That almost says it all: the figures for the first half of 2024 were the worst ever recorded. In other words, the immediate response to the worst massacre of Jews since the Holocaust was more anti-Semitism in the UK. Could there be a more obvious definition of indecency? Nor should the latest statistics surprise non-Jews. All of us can see what is happening because it is so prevalent. Look at social media, for example, and it is everywhere. This week a video of so-called pranksters attacking visibly Jewish people in Manchester with water pistols and making references to Jews and money has gone viral. On the streets, hate marches have been taking place at least every other week since the October 7 massacre. They are now so normalised and regular that they rarely attract coverage. Not that that should minimise how repellent they are as a festival of hate. Many of those present think they are being so very clever because they direct their anger against Zionists rather than Jews. There are indeed some Jews who are not Zionists, but they are a tiny minority less than ten percent. When the marchers attack Zionists when they call for them to be removed, to be wiped out and to be defeated then they are calling for Jews to be removed, wiped out and defeated. And they know it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whenever a new set of CST figures is published or there is an example of Jew hate in the news, the same incantation is always heard from politicians: that there is no place for anti-Semitism in the UK, in London, in wherever. It is not so much blather as a statement of the opposite to the truth. Because in reality there is every place for anti-Semitism in Britain. It is seen and heard repeatedly as the authorities stand and watch. Take those hate marches. Remember that the Palestine Solidarity Campaign, the lead organiser, made contact with the police on the afternoon of October 7 2023 to plan the first march as the massacre was still taking place. And the first march was on October 14, before a single Israeli soldier had entered Gaza. They have about as much to do with the (entirely legitimate) desire to protest for a Free Palestine, as they are billed, as this piece does to a guide to knitting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the latest figures, we have the BBC to thank for the largest recent spike in Jew hate, which occurred the day after it broadcast punk duo Bob Vylans Glastonbury chant of death, death to the IDF. Add to that a Government that is fearful of the sectarian Muslim vote. And which has made it clear that Jewish hostages can rot in hell, rather than have the demand that they be released by Hamas act as a break on recognition of a Palestinian state. All of this combined and you have a perfect cocktail for ever rising anti-Semitism. 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. Residents in a ritzy Boston, Massachusetts, neighborhood are complaining that city leadership isn't doing enough to control open drug use, with locals saying the situation has gotten "very scary." During a Boston City Council meeting in October 2024, Beacon Hill resident Katherine Kennedy said she hasn't seen this level of illegal drug use in Beacon Hill, according to Boston 25. According to Realtor.com, the average home price in Beacon Hill is $2.3 million. "Prior to this year, Ive never seen the Boston Common, Cambridge Street or the Esplanade get this overrun with drug paraphernalia or folks in crisis," Kennedy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy added, "As a mother of two small children, this is very scary." Dem Rep Calls Out Nyc's Ongoing Failure To Tackle Bronx 'Open Air Drug Market' Crisis The mother of two now carries a sharps container, meant for needles, in her diaper bag. Read On The Fox News App A 2024 report compiled by the Boston Public Health Commission reported that there was a 47.1% increase in drug usage mortality rates between 2020-2022 compared to 2017-2019 in the Beacon Hill, Back Bay, North end and West End communities, which are near each other. Similarly, data compiled by the Boston Police Department indicates that there was an 8% increase in overall theft incidents in 2025 compared to the five-year average in the area, including Beacon Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2022, Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu helped launch a needle exchange program, including the distribution of free pipes that can be used to smoke crack or methamphetamine in a "harm reduction" strategy. "Every step that we take has to also be about immediately saving lives," Wu said at the time. "We have seen a big drop and data proven success with the parts of this program, the goals of this program, which are to ensure there is a stop to communicable diseases that are preventable. " Pastor Corey Brooks: I'm Building Hope On Chicago's Notorious South Side Tourists visit the narrow cobblestoned Acorn Street and its row of townhouses in Beacon Hill. For Kennedy, who's a resident of Beacon Hill, the program has led to a dramatic increase in needles seen on her kids' walk to school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I pass discarded needles as I walk my 5-year-old to her public school every day," Kennedy said, according to the Boston Herald. "Having to keep needles away from my kids as I walk them to preschool is unacceptable." "Boston and the surrounding region is not doing enough to actually disrupt the cycle of addiction that has led to this crisis," she added. Robert Charles, former assistant secretary at the U.S. State Department's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs, who's running for governor in Maine, told Fox News Digital that Americans don't fully understand the downstream impact of illegal drugs. Springtime tree blossoms on Beacon Hill, April 23, 2025. "It's a sequence of events. You get dramatic increases in the drug presence, which is a testing of law enforcement and political leadership. If the political leadership and law enforcement either don't have the resources or don't have the political will, you gradually see an increase in the drug trafficking itself and, of course, in overdoses," Charles said. "The burglaries go up, the robberies go up, the assaults go up. The domestic abuse goes up. Something like 80% of all domestic abuse is tied to polydrug use." Original article source: John Kerrys ritzy blue city neighborhood rocked as drug addicts overrun cobblestone streets JONESBOROUGH, Tenn. (WJHL) Downtown Jonesborough will look a bit more like Diagon Alley this weekend. Tennessees Oldest Town will welcome a big crowd for the Wizardly World of Jonesborough, a celebration of Harry Potters fictional birthday, on Saturday from 3 to 8 p.m. There will be over 20 food, drink and activity stops throughout downtown, including photo opportunities, a one-mile fun run and a costume contest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can buy tickets for 10 activities for $20 or 10 tickets plus five alcoholic drink tickets for $35. For more information, click here. Isabel Hawley-Lopez and Cameo Waters joined Good Morning Tri-Cities to share the details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. JOPLIN, Mo. Some Joplin area kids are in bug-mode. Its a result of what took place today at Mercy Park in Joplin. The Missouri Department on Conservation hosted a Busy Bugs event. The interactive program, which also involved a mini bug safari, gave kids the chance to learn more about and explore the lives of insects native to the region. Insects are important to us. You know, we have a lot of pollinators that were talking about today, and its just a very fascinating category of animal, cause theres such a vast variety that we get to see in Missouri, and theyre really cool and interesting, said Kensi Tillman, Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center Naturalist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I caught a moth, a butter, I almost caught a monarch, I think. It looked like a monarch, at least. It was over there by the bushes. It was really fun, though, said Owen Evans, Busy Bugs Participant. I caught a dragonfly with green eyes, and then, but it got out my net instantly, and so my mom caught it. And then I caught, Im pretty sure it was a butterfly, said Ivan Evans, Busy Bugs Participant. Really instilling that importance at a young age that these are something to marvel at and arent just like, Eww, theres a bug around. We dont want to touch it because each one of them plays such an important role in the food web, the food chain and then the environment that they live in, said Jessie Ballard, Shoal Creek Conservation Education Center Naturalist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Conservation Education Center has more events on its calendar 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 KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Jordan on Wednesday strongly condemned repeated attacks on humanitarian aid convoys en route to Gaza, following a new assault on a 30-truck convoy, the state-run Petra new agency said Wednesday. It quoted Minister of Government Communication Mohammad Momani as saying that settlers blocked the road and pelted the trucks with stones, damaging four vehicles and forcing the convoy to halt for hours. He noted it was the second such incident in less than a week, after a similar attack on Sunday forced two aid trucks to return to Jordan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Momani criticized what he described "as Israels lax handling" of settler violence, calling on Israeli authorities to intervene seriously. "The failure to stop these attacks is a violation of international law and agreements," he said The Israeli army, in response to an inquiry, stated that a gathering of Israeli civilians had formed at the Allenby border crossing with Jordan, located in the Israeli-occupied West Bank. Soldiers dispersed the trucks and the trucks were then escorted to their destination. Momani highlighted growing logistical difficulties faced by the Jordan, including lengthy inspection delays, limited working hours at crossings, complex application procedures, and new customs fees of up to $400 per truck introduced on July 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Jordan continues to coordinate humanitarian airdrops with Arab and Western partners, Momani stressed these efforts are not a substitute for ground convoys. He pointed out that what was once a two-hour journey from Amman to Gaza now takes up to 36 hours due to restrictions and intentional delays. Palestinians assess the damage in the aftermath of an overnight Israeli strike that hit Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa "This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys," a Jordanian government spokesman told Reuters. Jordan said "Israeli settlers" attacked a Gaza-bound aid convoy on Wednesday in the second such incident in days, accusing Israel of failing to act firmly to prevent repeated assaults. The convoy, carrying 30 trucks of humanitarian aid, was delayed in its arrival in a violation of signed agreements, government spokesman Mohammad al-Momani told Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This requires a serious Israeli intervention and no leniency in dealing with those who obstruct these convoys," Momani said. Tzav 9 activists prevent aid from entering Gaza Activists reportedly slashed the tires of two humanitarian aid trucks leaving Jordan for Gaza at the Allenby Bridge on Sunday night, Israeli media reported. Protesters from the Tzav 9 and Generation of Victory groups demonstrate against humanitarian aid entering Gaza at the Ashdod Port, May 27, 2025. (credit: Tsav 9, Generation of Victory protest movements) The trucks were forced to turn back and return to Jordan. Separately, Tzav 9 activists, including friends of Gaza hostage Rom Braslavski, blocked aid from entering the Gaza Strip earlier this week. One of the activists, who, like Braslavski, served as a security officer at the Nova music festival on October 7, 2023, referred to the footage of Braslavski published by Palestinian Islamic Jihad over the weekend. "Rom should have been back with me in the car after the party; he's starving in captivity while food aid is being transferred," he said. NEED TO KNOW Alec Luhn, an award-winning climate journalist, has been found alive days after he was reported missing after he failed to return home from a solo hiking trip in Norway The Norwegian Red Cross announced on X that the missing journalist was found alive near Folgefonna by a helicopter crew on Wednesday, Aug. 6 Alec's mother, Sarah Marie Luhn, said her son was in "good health" when he was found An American journalist who disappeared while on a solo hike in Norway has been found alive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alec Luhn was on a four-day solo backpacking trip in southern Norways Folgefonna National Park when he went missing, PEOPLE previously reported. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, said she last spoke with her husband on July 31 while he was hiking in Odda, according to CBS News. The Norwegian Red Cross announced Wednesday, Aug. 6, in a post on X that the missing man was found alive near Folgefonna by a helicopter crew, and was being transported for medical treatment. The organization said Luhn was conscious but tired when he was found at 11:34 a.m. on Wednesday, according to CNN. Alec is alive! his mom Sarah Marie Luhn told ABC affiliate WISN-TV. Something is wrong with his leg, but otherwise, hes in good health. Thank God! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silchenko told local news outlet VG, We are very, very happy! Many thanks to everyone in Norway who has helped to find him. Stig Hope, a Red Cross volunteer and head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna, said she cannot remember the last time they found someone alive after so many days of searching, according to CNN. The search doesnt always end like this but today, it did, Hope explained. Its a huge relief for everyone whos been part of the effort. Luhn is an award-winning climate journalist, according to his personal website. He has worked for outlets like National Geographic, The Guardian, The New York Times and The Atlantic, CNN reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf The journalist was reported missing after he didn't show up for his flight back home to the United Kingdom on Monday, Aug. 4, according to CBS News. Silchenko previously told CNN that she initially thought things were fine with her husband after he sent her a photo while out on a hike. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. I started to worry slightly on Sunday, but then I thought that its Norway and its totally normal to be out of connection in the mountains, so I [decided to] wait and do something if hes not back online on Monday, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Silchenko told CBS News that her husband is obsessed with the Arctic and loves glaciers and snow. He loves explorers, and he's a climate journalist, so for him it is always that story that now because of the climate change they're all shrinking, and he's trying his best to go to the coldest countries," she explained at the time. Read the original article on People NEED TO KNOW A Wisconsin-born climate journalist is missing after taking a solo hiking trip to Norways Folgefonna National Park to see glaciers Veronika Silchenko alerted authorities after her husband, Alec Luhn, did not make his return flight home to the U.K. The Red Cross is reportedly assisting in the search, which has proven to be particularly challenging due to difficult conditions and demanding weather An American journalist from Wisconsin has been reported missing after going on a solo hiking trip to Norway and failing to board his returning flight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alec Luhn, an Award-winning climate journalist as described on his personal website, was on a four-day solo backpacking trip in southern Norways Folgefonna National Park, the Washington Post, CBS News and CNN reported Tuesday, Aug. 5. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, said she last spoke with her husband on Thursday, July 31, while he was hiking in Odda, in southwestern Norway, per CBS News. getty Buarbreen glacier in Odda, Norway Buarbreen glacier in Odda, Norway According to the outlet, initially, Silchenko didnt worry about not hearing from him because of Luhns experience outdoors, thinking cell service could have been a factor. However, once he did not return to their home that evening in the U.K. Monday, Aug. 4, she and other concerned relatives contacted police. @alecluhn_ is missing in Norway, Silchenko wrote on her Instagram Stories Monday, resharing a post by another user who was raising awareness about the need to locate Luhn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Please help us with any information, she added. The original post said Luhn was exploring glaciers at Folgefonna National Park and that the Red Cross search with volunteers and dogs and helicopters is underway in the area. Silchenko also spoke with CNN about the last time she communicated with her husband. We exchanged a few texts. He told me that he is going to hike and sent me a picture. He looked fine, the weather was fine, she said. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf She continued, I started to worry slightly on Sunday, but then I thought that its Norway and its totally normal to be out of connection in the mountains, so I (decided to) wait and do something if hes not back online on Monday." getty Trolltunga mountain cliff in summer season in Odda, Norway Trolltunga mountain cliff in summer season in Odda, Norway The outlet also spoke with Ingeborg Thorsland, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Red Cross, who said, Around 30 volunteers from the Red Cross and other organizations have participated in the operation. The search teams are local and familiar with the terrain, which has proven to be particularly challenging due to difficult conditions and demanding weather. 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. Silchenko explained what motivated her husband to go on the solo hiking expedition, telling CBS News, "Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic. He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers, and he's a climate journalist, so for him it is always that story that now because of the climate change they're all shrinking, and he's trying his best to go to the coldest countries." Luhn has worked for The Atlantic, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American, TIME, CBS News Radio, and VICE News TV, per CBS News. Read the original article on People PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) After the Trump administration announced plans to shut down a program meant to help communities prepare for natural disasters, a federal judge has barred the admin from shifting funds tied to the program amid a lawsuit led by Washington state. In July, Washington Attorney General Nick Brown along with 19 other plaintiff states and a governor filed a lawsuit against the Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Department of Homeland Security (which oversees FEMA). In their lawsuit, the plaintiffs argue that FEMAs decision to abruptly shut down its Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities program violates Congresss decision to fund it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Massachusetts U.S. District Court Judge Richard Stearns granted the states request for a preliminary injunction, which temporarily blocks the Trump admin from spending BRIC funds until the court reaches its final judgment in the case. Black oystercatcher chicks vanish after weekend disturbance at Cannon Beach FEMAs termination of this bipartisan program defies both law and logic, Washington Attorney General Brown said in a statement Tuesday. Congress created this fund because Americas towns are already struggling with mounting challenges from climate change. The end of the BRIC program stems from an April 2 memo from then-acting FEMA administrator Cameron Hamilton, stating FEMA will provide a new direction for the BRIC program, as explained in the judges order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two days later, Hamilton publicly announced the end of the BRIC program, noting unspent funds will shift to the Disaster Relief Fund or the U.S. Treasury. Arrival in Portland is imminent: City braces for destructive invasive emerald ash borer In the order, Judge Stearns explained, The States have shown a realistic existence of irreparable harm. The funds, if spent on other purposes, will be lost forever. The judge added that the states have shown that the balance of hardship and public interest factors tip in their favorThe BRIC program is designed to protect against natural disasters and save lives. The potential hardship to the Government, in contrast, is minimal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When reached for comment, spokespeople for DHS and FEMA told KOIN 6 News that the agencies do not comment on pending litigation. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Eye on Northwest Politics Joining Washington state, other plaintiffs in the case include Massachusetts, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. The lawsuit comes as the BRIC program has provided disaster mitigation funding to communities across the United States for the last 30 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the last four years, FEMA has selected nearly 2,000 projects to receive about $4.5 billion in BRIC funds. Washington state has 27 open BRIC projects totaling $182 million, Browns office said, noting that funding supports projects such as building levees and floodwalls in Aberdeen and Hoquiam, along with projects bringing electricity to Klickitat County for hospitals and schools if power is lost due to wildfires or severe weather. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) Construction of a new public school building in Ramona has been put on hold. A South Dakota judge this week ordered the project to stop, at least temporarily. Tre Ministries opens new location A group of local landowners filed a lawsuit against the Oldham-Ramona-Rutland school district, claiming that an opt-out election didnt follow South Dakota laws. The school district wanted the lawsuit dismissed, but Circuit Judge Kent Shelton said it should be heard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge instead issued a preliminary injunction halting construction and further debt-issuance. The landowners want time for a public hearing and potentially a referendum on the opt-out. The landowners argue that the school districts $14.7 million opt-out didnt follow a South Dakota law. The district planned to issue $8 million in bonds in 2025 and $6.7 million in bonds in 2026. Judge Shelton in his memorandum opinion said the key issue is whether the state law applies to the aggregate amount of capital outlay certificates when those certificates fund a single capital project. No current case within South Dakota addresses this issue, the judge wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district previously tried four times to issue bonds and a majority of voters said no each time. The landowners want the judge to decide whether the school district adequately explained that the opt-out will take 21 years to pay off. The measure on the referendum ballot referred only to $770,000 and didnt state that it would continue for another 20 years. At this point, Judge Shelton is siding with the landowners. Voters were never asked to approve a 21-year levy, nor were they informed that the opt-out extended beyond a single year. The defect is not procedural but substantial, he wrote. The judge also said that the superintendents decision to sign a contract with the construction manager two days before the school board meeting may have violated other laws including South Dakotas open-meeting requirement. The district meanwhile is also facing a petition calling for it to disband. State law gives the district 180 days to come up with a plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is a copy of the judges preliminary injunction that was issued Monday: Overskei-Family-Land-LLLP-et-al.-v-School-Board-of-Oldham-Ramona-Rutland-School-District-36-6-et-alDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MIAMI A hearing over whether to halt operations at Alligator Alcatraz because of environmental concerns ended Wednesday with no decision about the migrant detention facility in the Florida Everglades. The facility, which opened in July, is erected on an airstrip in the heart of the Everglades, in Big Cypress National Preserve in Ochopee. It started operations amid the Trump administration's immigration crackdown and a surge in arrests that have led to overcrowding in Immigration and Customs Enforcement facilities. Environmental groups sued in June to halt the facilitys operations, claiming it was built without mandatory ecological reviews required under the National Environmental Policy Act. The suit also claims the center was built without public notice or comment and is not in compliance with other state and federal statutes, including the Endangered Species Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Everglades is a marshy habitat for endangered and threatened species like the Florida panther, the Florida bonneted bat, the Everglade snail kite and the wood stork, according to the suit. The construction of the controversial facility also sparked protests in June by environmental activists and Native Americans advocating for their ancestral homelands. Work progresses on the detention facility dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" in Ochopee, Fla., on July 4. (Rebecca Blackwell / AP file) U.S. District Judge Kathleen M. Williams presided over the hearing, which will reconvene Thursday morning. Eve Samples, the executive director of Friends of the Everglades, a nonprofit group dedicated to preserving the Everglades and one of the parties who filed the lawsuit, said more than 40,000 people made submissions on its website to oppose the detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very concerned about potential impacts of runoff," as well as "large, new industrial-style lights that are visible from 15 miles away, even though having a dark sky designation," Samples told the court. "Driving out there myself many times, the increased traffic is visible. I saw two dead gators last time I visited, so definitely a difference in the area," she added. Bryan Griffin, a spokesperson for Gov. Ron DeSantis, previously said in response to the litigation that the facility was a "necessary staging operation for mass deportations located at a pre-existing airport that will have no impact on the surrounding environment." Jessica Namath, daughter of former NFL star Joe Namath who was in attendance testified at Wednesday's hearing that she and her children have gone to the jet strip for recreation. Namath, also a member of Friends of the Everglades, said that the detention facility has created light pollution and that the area looks "heartbreakingly different." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It "looks like we have a sports stadium in our backyard now," Namath said. She noted the increased vehicle traffic, saying vehicles often travel "dangerously fast" and have made the area more unsafe. Environmental concerns aside, "Alligator Alcatraz" has been making headlines for an array of other alleged violations. Detainees have allegedly been barred from meeting with their attorneys and are being held without charges, according to civil rights lawyers seeking a temporary restraining order against the facility. The center has also raised human rights concerns, with conditions described as horrific, including cage-like units full of mosquitoes, unsanitary conditions and a lack of food and reliable medical treatment, according to legal advocates and relatives of immigrant detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement NBC Miami has also reported on detainees and family members allegations of "inhumane conditions": limited access to showers, spoiled food, extreme heat and mosquito infestations. "They have no sunlight. Theres no clock in there. They dont even know what time of the day it is. They have no access to showers. They shower every other day or every four days," said a former corrections officer identified in the NBC Miami report as Lindsey. At the hearing, Rep. Anna Eskamani, D-Fla., testified that when she went to the facility in July with the state Division of Emergency Management and other state government officials, she was told there were no power lines or running water. "We were not allowed to speak to any of the detainees, but we were allowed to gaze into one of the occupied cages," Eskamani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state has previously denied the claims. In an exchange during cross-examination Wednesday, lawyers for the defense questioned plaintiffs' true motives for the suit, implying they were less concerned about the facility's environmental impacts and instead driven by its housing of immigrants. Jesse Michael Panuccio, one of the defense attorneys, asked Samples, the Friends of the Everglades executive director, whether she ever protested the airstrip before it became an immigration facility. We did not have a level of concern that would need protesting," Samples responded, noting the number of people being brought in and the amount of waste. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin has rejected all allegations of inhumane conditions at "Alligator Alcatraz" and at immigration detention centers across the country. "All detainees are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with their family members and lawyers. Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority," McLaughlin said in a statement last month. Marlene Lenthang reported from Los Angeles and Juliette Arcodia from Miami. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com An eight-hour hearing on environmentalists' concerns over the Florida migrant detention center dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz" ended Wednesday with more questions than answers about who runs the controversial facility. While government attorneys originally planned to call multiple state and federal officials to testify about the construction and operation of "Alligator Alcatraz," the judge overseeing the case was only able to hear from five witnesses called by the environmental groups that filed the lawsuit. At issue is the question of whether federal and state officials bypassed legally required environmental impact studies during construction of the facility -- which plaintiffs say should block it from being used as a detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Florida tribe fights new 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant facility near Everglades homes Witnesses testified extensively about local conservation efforts and panther breeding patterns, rather than the key question of who is in charge of the facility. "I have still no idea what is going on," U.S. District Judge Kathleen Mary Williams bluntly remarked at one point. As a result, what was expected to be a one-day evidentiary hearing was subsequently scheduled to resume Thursday with more environmental witnesses, after which witnesses from the state of Florida and Department of Homeland Security were expected to testify on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the environmental groups on Wednesday called a series of witnesses who testified to the impacts of the facility -- including neighbor Jessica Namath, who testified that she has seen approximately 30-40 vehicles enter the facility per hour, including dozens of heavy construction vehicles. Planet - PHOTO: The Florida detention facility known as "Alligator Alcatraz" is seen in a satellite image. "It is just kind of a constant flow of machinery in addition to the people coming in," she said. Randy Kautz, an expert in Florida wildlife, testified that the detention center is in a "core area" for the endangered panther species, and the increased human activity stemming from the facility could harm panther recovery efforts. "There has been a stable reproducing population of panthers in this area in this range at least over the last 30 years," he testified. "Panthers have succeeded and resided here." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Kautz, approximately 120-230 adult Florida panthers still live in the wild, and the current recovery plan for the species aims to triple that number. Multiple adult and juvenile panthers were tracked in the thousand acres near "Alligator Alcatraz," which was built on a sparsely used airstrip. "This is the area we know that Florida panthers do occur," Kautz said. "If panthers are to recover in the future, there's got to be a place where they start from and disperse to." Kautz, who said the facility is surrounded by breeding areas for panthers, noted that their population might suffer from the increased human activity, artificial lighting, traffic, and fencing stemming from the facility. Increased activity in the area near Alligator Alcatraz could reduce the usable terrain for panthers by approximately 19%, he said. "There is a chance that results in putting this species at risk," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border czar Tom Homan, asked about the case, blasted the federal judge overseeing the proceedings, calling her "a radical judge trying to shut down everything." Asked by ABC News' Selina Wang what the administration would do if the judge orders the facility to cease operations, Homan responded: "Why would you stop operations that has no issue?" adding, "There are no issues at alligator Alcatraz. I've seen it, I was there." Prior to Kautz's testimony, the court heard testimony from Amber Crooks, a member of Center for Biological Diversity who participates in recreational activities inside the Big Cypress Preserve. She testified that she enjoys watching wildlife -- including spotting one panther -- and stargazing in the preserve. If Florida officials conducted a public comment period prior to building Alligator Alcatraz, she said she would have participated. "I think this is a critical issue. I hope it's clear I have a love for Big Cypress and all the wildlife that is there," she testified. "I would have participated in any opportunity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump says he'd like to see facilities like 'Alligator Alcatraz' in 'many states' Plaintiffs have argued the lack of a public comment period also violated federal law. Attorneys representing Florida officials have argued that the facility was initially funded by, constructed and managed by the state and is therefore exempt from the National Environmental Policy Act -- the main law being used to challenge the facility's compliance. To counter that, the environmental groups called Florida state Rep. Anna Eskamani, who testified that she understood that the Department of Homeland Security was the driving force behind the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During a guided tour of the facility last month, Florida Division of Emergency Management Executive Kevin Guthrie allegedly told Eskamani and other lawmakers that Alligator Alcatraz was built at the direct request of the Department of Homeland Security and in compliance with Immigration and Customs Enforcement. "DHS made the request for a facility to be established, and this was the product of that facility," Eskamani testified. "They kept asserting to us that they were following all federal and state guidelines, and ICE inspects our facility." Alligator Alcatraz has so far operated in what immigration advocates have described as a jurisdictional gray zone -- with the facility funded by the federal government but run by the state of Florida -- that they allege allows officials to skirt some legal requirements. Rebecca Blackwell/AP - PHOTO: Workers install a sign reading "Alligator Alcatraz" at the entrance to a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, July 3, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has previously argued that the state of Florida is "implementing" the federal government's immigration policy with the expectation that the state would be fully reimbursed for the costs of Alligator Alcatraz, but local and federal officials have so far been unable to tell the federal courts who is actually in charge of the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hearing -- at which federal, state, and tribal officials are testifying -- comes amid heightened scrutiny of the facility, which was once touted as a "one-stop shop to carry out President Trump's mass deportation agenda." Attorneys representing the Florida officials tried to cast doubt on Eskamani's testimony by arguing she has publicly opposed the policy, including saying at one point that the facility was a "half-billion-dollar anti-immigrant grift." "I can definitely see myself saying that on social media," she told the court about the comments. Eskamani also testified about the environmental impacts of the facility, which she said was described to her by state officials as an "active construction site." Miles of barbed wire, tons of freshly laid asphalt, and hundreds of high-power lights peppered the facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Florida AG proposes 'Alligator Alcatraz' migrant detention center in Everglades Eve Samples, the executive director of the nonprofit Friends of the Everglades, which brought the lawsuit, testified before Eskamani on Wednesday and argued that the environmental impact has already been felt at the site. The construction of the facility brought increased traffic to the sensitive area, and high-power lights have made the facility visible at night from miles away. Jesse Michael Panuccio, a lawyer representing Florida, tried to blunt her testimony by highlighting that the facility was built on a preexisting airport, where hundreds of planes take off and land daily. Located 50 miles west of Miami in the heart of the Florida Everglades, "Alligator Alcatraz" was quickly constructed over a matter of weeks, utilizing hundreds of tents, trailers, and other temporary facilities to potentially house more than 3,000 detainees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility was built on the grounds of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport, a sparsely used piece of tarmac owned by Miami-Dade County. Alligator Alcatraz also neighbors land leased to the Miccosukee Indian Tribe, including villages, a school, traditional hunting areas, and sacred sites. The Miccosukee Tribe joined the lawsuit last month, arguing that the facility threatens to damage nearby tribal villages. A judge has reduced the bond for a Lakota East High School teacher accused of having sex with a 17-year-old student in his classroom. Justin Dennis, 42, of West Chester Township, is charged in Butler County Area Court with sexual battery, a third-degree felony. Dennis appeared in court Aug. 6 for a hearing to determine if there's enough probable cause to send the case before a grand jury. He waived that hearing, sending the case directly to the grand jury, which will decide if Dennis faces a felony prosecution in Butler County Common Pleas Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge Kevin McDonough reduced Dennis' bond to $20,000. A magistrate had set bond at $100,000 during an Aug. 5 arraignment, at which Dennis pleaded not guilty. If Dennis posts bond, he will be on GPS monitoring and under a court order to stay away from the victim, who is now an adult. Detectives began investigating allegations of misconduct after learning about a relationship between Dennis and a female student that happened during the 2021-22 school year, the Butler County Sheriff's Office said in a news release on Aug. 4. At that time, Dennis was a teacher at the high school and served as the advisor of a student group that the student was involved in, the sheriffs office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a criminal complaint, police said the victim provided a statement to investigators on Aug. 4, saying she had a "sexual relationship" with Dennis from December 2021 to September 2022. She told police the relationship began in her senior year, when she was 17 years old. The complaint states Dennis and the student had "consensual sexual intercourse" multiple times in his classroom. They also met for sex at his home and numerous other locations, including where the teen worked in Springdale, according to the complaint. She also showed text messages to the police, in which she and Dennis talked about "the past sexual relationship." Prosecutors said that Dennis could face additional criminal charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chelsea Panzeca, Dennis' attorney, previously said that he has no prior criminal record. She added that he shares joint custody of his two children, ages 11 and 9. "Mr. Dennis was hearing some rumors of allegations, immediately retained counsel and is obviously wanting to fight this," Panzeca said at the arraignment. Betsy Fuller, a spokeswoman for Lakota Local Schools, said that Dennis was placed on paid administrative leave after the district became aware of the criminal allegations. Fuller added that the school district is cooperating with authorities. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Judge reduces bond for Lakota teacher accused of sex with student ATLANTA (AP) A judge has ordered elected leaders in Georgia's Fulton County to appoint two Republican nominees they had rejected to the county's election board. The county Republican Party sued in June seeking to force the Board of Commissioners to appoint the party's nominees to the county Board of Registration and Elections, arguing that the commissioners were required to do so by law. In a ruling entered Monday, Senior Judge David Emerson agreed that the law doesn't give Board of Commissioners the discretion to veto qualified nominees proposed by political parties. The election board in the heavily Democratic county, which includes most of the city of Atlanta, is made up of five people. The Board of Commissioners chooses the chair, and the county Republican and Democratic parties each nominate two people to be appointed by the commissioners. Nominees must live in Fulton County, be registered to vote and cannot be public office holders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Don Samuel, a lawyer representing the Board of Commissioners, said they are disappointed in the courts decision and are evaluating whether to appeal. Although the board is required to appoint two people nominated by each party, he said in an email, it is not required to appoint whoever is nominated regardless of how qualified or unqualified the nominee may be. He added, "The BOC does not simply rubber-stamp any nominee. Commissioner Marvin Arrington Jr., part of the Democratic majority on the board, said the judge's ruling strips commissioners of their discretion, treating us more like record-keepers than decision-makers. But being a county commissioner is inherently discretionary," he said in an emailed statement, adding that commissioners are elected to exercise judgment on behalf of our constituents. Commissioner Bridget Thorne, a Republican, celebrated the ruling as a victory in an Instagram post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Board of Commissioners had voted in May to reject Republican Party nominees Julie Adams and Jason Frazier. Democratic members of the Board of Commissioners raised concerns about their qualifications given their past actions. Adams, a sitting election board member, had abstained from certifying primary election results last year and unsuccessfully sued the board seeking a ruling saying county officials can refuse to certify elections. Frazier has formally challenged the eligibility of thousands of Fulton County voters and was previously denied a spot on the county election board. In his ruling, Emerson said, The Board shall appoint the two members as nominated by the county executive committee chairperson. Those nominees are Jason Frazier and Julie Adams. He wrote that the law outlines the process by which members of the election board shall be appointed and that he did not find anything in the law to support a conclusion that shall in the appointment clause is directory only. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Elections in Fulton County had a yearslong history of problems, including long lines to vote and delays in reporting results. A particularly troubled primary in 2020 resulted in the appointment of an independent monitor to observe the general election that year as part of a consent agreement between the county and the State Election Board. The monitor said the countys elections were badly managed but he found no evidence of fraud. Another monitoring team appointed to observe last years general election said it was organized and orderly. President Donald Trump and his supporters zeroed in on Fulton County in the wake of the 2020 general election, claiming without proof that election fraud had cost him victory in Georgia. Local, state and federal officials have repeatedly said theres no evidence that fraud affected the outcome of that election, but conspiracy theories continued to circulate. Between 2018 and 2023, a real estate developer in the Cayman Islands steadily ripped out a full acre of protected mangroves. For a while, it seemed that the company, Bon Crepe Ltd, and its owner, local attorney James Bergstrom, would never face any consequences. Then, in a surprising move of solidarity with local conservation efforts, a judge handed down a $30,000 fine in June, according to the Cayman News Service. Mangroves are critical for coastal defense. They limit erosion and flooding during storms thanks to their dense roots and sturdy limbs, and they can even remove pollutants from the air and water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet human construction and rising global temperatures are threatening the species in warm climates around the world, from the Caribbean to Kenya. In the Cayman Islands, they also make an excellent habitat for iguanas. Bergstrom's development project razed mangroves and other useful species near two Blue Iguana preserves, which sounded the alarm for local conservation groups, Cayman News Service reported. The planning board had approved the development after the fact, but the National Conservation Council stepped in and requested a judicial review. This action led to the company finally being held accountable. On top of the $30,000 fine, it was also ordered to pay an extra $10,000 to restore the damaged ecosystem. All the money will be paid into the Environmental Protection Fund. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The maximum fine was $500,000, but the judge who made the ruling felt that the crime was a low-level offense and that the company had been cooperative. However, some local advocates including the Mangrove Rangers voiced disappointment that the fines were not steeper to discourage similar destruction in the future, especially considering the wealth of the company. "Should have been fined more," one commenter wrote on the article. "This is not a deterrent." "The Rangers are spot on," another agreed. "40k is a slap on the wrist." Do you think America does a good job of protecting its natural beauty? Definitely Only in some areas No way I'm not sure Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. James Cameron, Julianne Moore and Walton Goggins are among the more than 60 artists whove signed an open letter calling for nuclear disarmament and greater understanding of the threat of nuclear weapons. The letter, which was endorsed by Hiroshima Governor Hidehiko Yuzaki and Nagasaki Governor Kengo Oishi on Wednesday, comes 80 years after the bombings of those two Japanese cities by the United States during World War II. The collective released the letter, further endorsed by Nuclear Threat Initiative CEO Ernest J. Moniz., 80 years to the day since an atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima. Another atomic bomb would be used on Nagasaki three days later on Aug. 9, 1945. Japan would later surrender from WWII on Sept. 2, 1945. More from TheWrap Eighty years ago, atomic bombs destroyed Hiroshima and Nagasaki, killed hundreds of thousands of people and changed the course of history, the letter begins. Atomic bomb survivors, known as hibakusha, have been warning us about what happens when nuclear weapons are used. Their deeply personal stories of loss, trauma, resilience and determination are a clarion call in dark times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A number of actors, filmmakers and creatives joined Cameron, Moore and Goggins on the list. These names include Joan Baez, Kathryn Bigelow, Alan Cumming, Michael Douglas, Josh Gad, Topher Grace, Olivia Munn, Martin Sheen, George Takei and Emma Thompson. A full list of signatories can be found here. Today, experts believe the risk that a nuclear weapon will be used againby accident or on purpose is as high as it has ever been. Conflicts are raging in regions with nuclear weapons even over nuclear weapons, the letter continues. The only remaining treaty limiting the number of nuclear weapons in the world expires in six months. Emerging technologies and AI pose new unknown risks to already complex systems. Were sliding into a costly and dangerous new arms race under the absurd premise that threatening annihilation keeps us safe. But the ending isnt written yet, and the creative community has a leading role to play in pulling us back from the nuclear brink. The open letter expounds upon the creative communitys responsibilities in times of crisis, citing historical cases where art had an impact on the state of nuclear weapons across the world. The letter points to The Day After, a 1983 TV movie about nuclear war that was seen by a reported 100 million viewers in the U.S. The film reportedly had a deep effect on President Ronald Reagan, leading to his nuclear disarmament efforts and the signing of the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storylines about nuclear weapons helped pave the way for historic treaties that reduced worldwide stockpiles by 80 percent. But today, for the first time in 40 years, the number of nuclear weapons in the world may go up, not down, the letter states. It doesnt have to be this way. We believe nuclear weapons pose an unacceptable risk to our civilization and our security. We stand firmly against a costly new arms race and the development of more nuclear weapons. And we call on leaders to take action to ensure that a nuclear weapon is never used again. Cameron is currently on a press tour doing interviews for Ghosts of Hiroshima, an upcoming film of his based on the Charles Pellegrino book of the same name. Cameron met Tsutomu Yamaguchi, a survivor of both the Hiroshima and Nagasaki attacks who takes a central role in the book, days before the mans death. At the time, the two reportedly discussed Cameron making a film about nuclear weapons. This is a public commitment to use our voices, platforms, leadership and storytelling expertise to call attention to the dangers posed by nuclear weapons and help audiences imagine a safer future without them. Together, we can build a critical mass to demand our leaders move us closer to and eventually reach a world without nuclear weapons, the letter concludes. For the victims and survivors and for our collective future, please join us. The post Julianne Moore, Walton Goggins, James Cameron and More Call for Nuclear Disarmament in Open Letter appeared first on TheWrap. MOUNTAIN BROOK, ALABAMA - MARCH 5: A voter leaves a polling place after casting their ballot in the state's primary on March 5, 2024 in Mountain Brook, Alabama. 15 States and one U.S. Territory hold their primary elections on Super Tuesday, awarding more delegates than any other day in the presidential nominating calendar. (Photo by Elijah Nouvelage/Getty Images) Alabama resident Roald Hazelhoff treasures his newly won right to vote. When election officials flagged the naturalized U.S. citizens voter registration for possible removal last August, the Dutch native fought back. Hazelhoff, then a 67-year-old college instructor, sued to stop Alabama Secretary of State Wes Allen, a Republican, from seeking to kick him and more than 3,200 other registered voters off the rolls. The lawsuit was part of a multifront legal challenge led by him and three other voters, along with voting rights groups and the Biden-era U.S. Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A federal judge halted Alabamas effort within weeks and Hazelhoff voted in his first presidential election last November without incident. Ten months later, Hazelhoff is watching with deep concern as the Department of Justice, in President Donald Trumps second term, is demanding that states turn over their voter registration lists and other election information, citing unspecified concerns with voter list maintenance. My initial reaction was of sadness that this could happen but that still a mistake could be made, Hazelhoff, who lives in the Birmingham area, told Stateline. Now, Im more in a stance of saying this is the most fundamental right afforded to citizens of the United States, and I am a legal citizen of this country and I will fight for that right. The Trump administrations effort to scoop up voter registration lists and other information from a growing number of states underscores how state-controlled voter lists are a major battleground in fights over access to the polls. The Justice Department told the National Association of Secretaries of State that it will eventually contact all states, an association spokesperson wrote in an email. Roald Hazelhoff, a naturalized U.S. citizen, voted in the 2024 election. (Photo courtesy of Roald Hazelhoff) Minnesota, New Hampshire and Wisconsin have so far declined to provide full voter registration lists to the department amid questions over the legality of the requests and uncertainty over how the information will be used. Maine Democratic Secretary of State Shenna Bellows plans to deny a similar request, telling the Maine Morning Star that federal officials can go jump in the Gulf of Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Justice Department declined a Stateline request for comment. Even before states began tangling with the department, how election officials oversee these lists including when and why voters can be removed was under increasing scrutiny. The stakes for voters are foundational: How states maintain the lists determines who is on them and therefore who is able to vote. Power over voter registration lists is the power to shape the electorate. Voting should be easy, not akin to trying to get a U.S. passport when its been lost or stolen and youre in Nicaragua, you know what Im saying? Hazelhoff said. It should be something that we encourage and this is not encouraged. This is the exact opposite. Some states in recent years have signed up for competing systems to help identify duplicate or noncitizen voter registrations, after the largest operation came under fire from Trump. Election officials in some states have also entered into ad hoc agreements with some of their counterparts to share data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other states continue to tighten voter list maintenance requirements as well. New Hampshire legislators in June approved a bill requiring local officials to verify voter lists annually instead of once a decade; the governor signed the bill on Friday. Idaho lawmakers passed a bill, signed by the governor in April, that requires state agencies to share data with the state secretary of state to help check the accuracy of voter registrations. Chief election officials in some states tout their annual or regular elimination of registrations. Georgia Republican Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger announced in mid-July that his office was sending cancellation mailers to 477,883 inactive registrants. Last week, Ohio Secretary of State Frank LaRose, a Republican, directed local election officials to begin a new round of removals. The registrations will be eligible for cancellation in 2029 following a federally mandated notification process, he said in a news release. The Trump administration is also pushing states to use a U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services tool, typically used to determine the immigration status of people seeking government benefits, to identify noncitizen registered voters. The agency now allows state and local officials to conduct bulk searches using the tool, the Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements, or SAVE, program, instead of one at a time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am a legal citizen of this country and I will fight for that right. Roald Hazelhoff, a naturalized U.S. citizen who sued after his Alabama voter registration was made inactive Voter fraud and noncitizen voting rarely occur. But Trumps false claims of a stolen election in 2020, along with an uptick in anti-immigrant sentiment among conservatives before last years election, has driven attention to the voter registration lists. Election officials and voting rights activists across the political spectrum agree accurate, up-to-date voter rolls ensure that elections remain secure. They split over how to balance cleaning the lists with protecting voters from accidental deletion and where to draw the line between legitimate maintenance and politically driven purges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It has to be done fairly. It has to be done transparently. And it has to be done legally, said Celina Stewart, CEO of the League of Women Voters, a nonpartisan group that often challenges voter restrictions in court, including the Alabama effort. I think that any time you are doing voter list maintenance in a way that disenfranchises more people or is careless, then there has to be a hard no on things like that, Stewart said in an interview. New Hampshire Secretary of State David Scanlan, a Republican, said he wants to find a middle ground where everything is balanced. Scanlan declined to provide the Justice Department with his states voter rolls. He wrote in a July 25 letter that state law doesnt authorize him to release the list to the department. Still, he noted that under the law the department could obtain voter lists by contacting local election officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Scanlan also predicted the New Hampshire legislation requiring annual verification wouldnt be an onerous change and would improve the accuracy of the rolls. He said he wants a system that makes voting easy, but one thats also transparent and ensures everyone casting a ballot is a legitimate voter. I think thats where were headed, Scanlan said. Its not a straight line to get there. Undermining ERIC Trump helped usher in the current era of division over cleaning voter rolls in March 2023 by attacking the Electronic Registration Information Center, or ERIC, and calling on states to pull out of the group. He posted on social media at the time that it pumps the rolls for Democrats and does nothing to clean them up. Within months, eight Republican-led states had withdrawn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit allows member states to submit voter registration and motor vehicle department data. It also has access to Social Security death data and address change information from the U.S. Postal Service. ERIC then identifies potential duplicate and out-of-date registrations, dead voters and possible illegal voting. Member states also reach out to individuals who are likely eligible to vote but havent registered, a requirement that angers some Republicans. Some Democrats are now quick to point out what they see as the irony of Trumps Justice Department voicing concerns with voter list maintenance practices after the president undermined ERIC a system they say is effective in helping states clean their voter rolls. It is an extra layer of hypocrisy and ridiculousness that they would turn around and be critical of the one organization ensuring voter rolls are clean and up to date in its member states, said New York state Sen. James Skoufis, a Democrat who sponsored a bill passed by the state legislature to require New York to join ERIC. The measure hasnt been delivered to the governor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-five states a mix of red and blue states, as well as presidential swing states such as Michigan, Minnesota and Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia currently use ERIC. In an email, ERIC Executive Director Shane Hamlin wrote that the organization remains committed to attracting new members. Hamlin cited the New York legislation and noted that Hawaii recently joined. Republican states havent coalesced around a single alternative to ERIC, but an Alabama-led system comes closest. The Alabama Voter Integrity Database, or AVID, includes Alabama and 10 other mostly Southern states; the latest state, Virginia, joined in late May. The Alabama secretary of states office, which maintains the database, didnt respond to multiple interview requests or written questions from Stateline. Voter file maintenance is the foundation of election integrity, Allen, the Alabama secretary of state, said in a June news release. Ensuring that Alabamas voter file is the cleanest and most accurate voter file in the country has been a top priority of mine since day one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As states weigh the value of ERIC and AVID, some election officials arent racing to pick a side. Idaho Secretary of State Phil McGrane, a Republican, said ERIC likely isnt the right solution, though he said he had no reason to criticize it. To have an effective system, every state needs information from their neighboring states, as well as the states where their snow birds go, he said. He identified those states as Florida in the East, Texas in the Midwest and California and Arizona in the West. Florida and Texas belong to AVID, while Arizona belongs to ERIC. California belongs to neither. We need a broader solution. Its tough in this environment, where everyones guards are up on the political spectrum, McGrane said in an interview. A total shock In Alabama, Hazelhoff said his experience demonstrates the nightmare that can unfold when voter roll cleaning crosses the line into an illegal purge. That was a total shock when that happened, said Hazelhoff, who was born in the Netherlands, moved to the United States in 1977 and became a citizen in 2022. In August 2024, he received a letter from the Board of Registrars in Jefferson County, where he lives, informing him his voter registration had been made inactive and that you have been placed on a path for removal from the statewide voter list. The reason, the letter said, was that Allen had provided information showing Hazelhoff was issued a noncitizen identification number by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security while also being a registered voter. After Hazelhoff and others sued, U.S. District Court Judge Anna M. Manasco, a Trump appointee, ruled that Allen had blown past a deadline in federal law that prohibits systematic purges of ineligible voters less than 90 days before a federal election. Allen had announced his purge 84 days before the election, she wrote, and had later admitted his purge list included thousands of U.S. citizens. He had also referred everyone on the list to the Alabama attorney generals office for criminal investigation, despite the inclusion of citizens. When Hazelhoff went to his polling place last year, he said he still felt some trepidation, even after the court ruling. He questioned whether he would be escorted out for casting an illegal vote. It worried me, Hazelhoff said. But then the actual voting experience was great and the people were polite. The system seemed to be working. Stateline reporter Jonathan Shorman can be reached at jshorman@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. Now you can take home a cuddly K9 officer from the Cherokee County Sheriffs Office... well, a plushie version of one. The sheriffs office is selling K9 plushies for a limited time, and they say theyre almost as cute as the real thing. The toy dogs will sell for $30 each and go on sale on Friday at 8 a.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The sheriffs office will have a link to purchase them on its Facebook page. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plushies are a limited-quantity item, so dont delay if you want one. Proceeds benefit the Cherokee Sheriffs Foundation to raise money for their Christmas Joy program. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Kadena Air Base in Okinawa, Japan, plans to inspect all of its F-15E Strike Eagles after one of the fighters was forced to conduct an emergency landing with a missing wheel. The planned safety inspections were announced Wednesday morning, two days after an F-15E returned from a deployment to Navy Support Facility Diego Garcia but discovered mid-flight that it had lost one of its wheels. That F-15E landed safely and without injury to the two airmen aboard who are from the 336th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron and a safety investigation is now under way. The wheel was recovered on the flight line at Diego Garcia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The way the aircrew handled the landing is a testament to their training and professionalism, and I want to thank the first responders and safety teams for being poised and ready to respond, Brig. Gen. John Gallemore, commander of the 18th Wing at Kadena, said in a statement. This event fortifies my confidence in Team Kadenas ability to react to complex problems on a moments notice. Kadena said that its F-15Es will return to flight status immediately after their safety inspections. The runway at Kadena where the wheel-less fighter landed has also been inspected and is fully operational, the base said. Kadenas F-15Es are from the 336th Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. They deployed to Japan in 2023 to ensure the base has enough fighters to accomplish its missions, while the service returned Kadenas aging F-15 C and D Eagle fighters to the United States for retirement. [Source] Former Vice President Kamala Harris expressed concerns about the state of the countrys political system, calling it broken in her first interview since leaving office on CBS The Late Show with Stephen Colbert Thursday evening. What shes saying: After decades as a devout public servant, Harris, the first woman, first Asian and first Black person to serve as vice president, told Colbert her decision not to run for California governor in 2026 was because she doesnt want to go back in the system. I think its broken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I always believed, that as fragile as our democracy is, our systems would be strong enough to defend our most fundamental principles. And I think right now that theyre not as strong as they need to be," she added. She also criticized Congress for sitting on their hands regarding President Donald Trumps efforts to dismantle the Department of Education and denounced the Supreme Courts presidential immunity decision. Trending on NextShark: Eddie Huang claims his 'Vice' documentary shelved over Israeli defense ties protest Political plans: Harris told Colbert that she instead hopes to travel the country and engage with voters. I dont want it to be transactional where Im asking for their vote, she noted. Harris said she also wants to remind those who feel deflated and despondent and afraid of their power and importance in making a difference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At present, Harris continues to work on her upcoming memoir 107 Days, which will chronicle her abbreviated presidential campaign after former President Joe Biden, who warned of dark days for democracy in a speech on Thursday, stepped down as the Democratic nominee last summer. The book will include behind-the-scenes details, including when she received Bidens withdrawal call and her team turned it into a war room, making more than a hundred calls that day. Trending on NextShark: Kamala Harris raises alarm about 'broken' US democracy This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: ICE raids Asian supermarkets in New York Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! KANSAS CITY, Mo. A Kansas City man has been sentenced to nearly two decades in prison for the 2022 killing of his brother. Aaron Winn, 41, was sentenced Wednesday in Jackson County Circuit Court to 18 years in prison for the 2022 killing of Karl Winn. Kansas City man charged, accused of killing brother with sword A jury found him guilty in July of second-degree murder and armed criminal action. In October 2022, Aaron fatally stabbed his brother with a sword at their home near 62nd Street and Tracy Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When officers arrived at the home, they found Karl Winn on the front porch with a sword through his chest, police said. Charging documents say Aaron Winn originally told police that his brother had died by suicide. Then he told police he and his brother got into an argument over the oven being shut off while he was trying to cook, prosecutors said. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Aaron Winn said he recorded the argument on Facebook Live and showed it to detectives. Court documents say in the video, Aaron Winn threatened his brother with a taser. The video captures what police believe was the two men getting into a fight and Aaron Winn saying, You will die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aaron will be transported to the Missouri Department of Corrections to serve his sentence. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. TOPEKA (KSNT) Nurses statewide are continuing to protest the Kansas Board of Nursing, claiming that they are ruining lives. Last week during a meeting held by the Government Oversight Committee, lawmakers were made aware of some significant accusations made against the Kansas Board of Nursing. Several local nurses testified, all claiming they had been wrongly accused of Unprofessional Conduct, a label that is making it difficult for these nurses to find jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of those nurses, Amy Siple, had a public hearing for her case against the board this afternoon. An Administrative Judge ruled a no decision and scheduled another hearing for later this month. Why legalizing weed in Kansas isnt working Back in 2024, Siple was accused of unprofessional conduct after forgetting to renew her nursing license in a timely manner. At the time, Siple was caring for her husband who had been diagnosed with cancer. After her case today, she is hoping her story will inspire change and will convince the legislature to take action against the Board of Nursing. It would bring hope to nurses that there is reasonableness thats coming back to our state, and maybe more people will go into nursing if we can keep the ones that are there. Were in just a really difficult position with the board of nursing coming after respected professional nurses with impeccable careers, impeccable records of service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve reached out to the Kansas Board of Nursing, and they tell us they have no comment at this time. For more Capitol Bureau news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The State of Kansas intends to seek the death penalty, if Shawn Harris is convicted of capital murder for the death of Wyandotte County Deputy Elijah Ming. The State of Kansas intends, upon conviction of the defendant for the crime of Capital Murder, to request a separate sentencing proceeding to determine whether the defendant should be sentenced to death, the state said Wednesday in its notice of intent. Man faces capital murder charge in deadly shooting of Wyandotte County deputy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris is accused of shooting and killing Deputy Ming on July 26. Ming was initially called to the scene after a woman requested that a law enforcement officer accompany her as she moved out of her home. The woman told investigators that when her friends tried to help her, Harris threatened her with a gun. After the woman requested help, Deputy Ming and a KCKPD officer responded to the scene. However, according to KBI, as they approached the front door, Harris shot at the deputy and officer from inside the house. More law enforcement officers were called to the scene; a shootout and standoff ensuedbefore Harris eventually surrendered. Deputy Ming was shot and pronounced dead at the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harris has a long criminal history, FOX4 previously reported. He is being held at the Johnson County jail on a $2 million bond and is being represented by the Kansas Death Penalty Unit. How does the death penalty work in Kansas? Kansas last put an inmate to death in 1965, when George York and James Latham were executed in a double hanging. The death penalty was outlawed in Kansas in 1972 after the U.S. Supreme Court deemed it unlawful in the case Furman v. Georgia. Prior offenses revealed for accused Wyandotte County deputy killer In 1994, Kansas statute established the death penalty by lethal injection as a sentencing option for offenders 18 years of age and older who are convicted of capital murder (K.S.A. 21-3439). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to impose the death penalty is determined by a unanimous jury verdict, considering aggravating and mitigating factors. If a jury is waived, the decision is made by the court. Since the state does not have a separate death row, men sentenced to death in Kansas are typically housed in El Dorado Correctional Facility (EDCF), along with other inmates who are in administrative segregation. Kansas currently has several inmates who have been sentenced to death: Kyle Trevor Flack sentenced on May 18, 2016 James Kraig Kahler sentenced on Oct. 11, 2011 Justin Eugene Thurber sentenced on March 20, 2009 Gary Wayne Kleypas sentenced on Dec. 3, 2008 Scott Dever Cheever sentenced on Jan. 23, 2008 Sidney John Gleason sentenced on Aug. 28, 2006 John Edward Robinson, Sr. sentenced on Jan. 21, 2003 Johnathan Daniel Carr sentenced on Nov. 15, 2002 Reginald Dexter Carr, Jr. sentenced on Nov. 15, 2002 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the death penalty was reinstated in 1994 and despite the state having nine inmates awaiting death no executions have been carried out in the state since 1965. The average annual cost of incarceration at the El Dorado Correctional Facility for Fiscal Year 2016 was $25,596, according to the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Karoline Leavitt files for her candidacy in the 1st Congressional District in June 2022. (File photo by Annmarie Timmins/New Hampshire Bulletin) White House press secretary Karoline Leavitts 2022 congressional campaign still owes more than 100 creditors a total of $326,370.50 as of last month. Most of the money is illegal donations the campaign is required to refund, according to the most recent Federal Election Commission disclosure. Before joining the Trump administration as its chief spokesperson, Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshires 1st Congressional District, securing the Republican nomination but ultimately losing to incumbent U.S. Rep. Chris Pappas, a Democrat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the 2022 congressional race, Leavitts campaign accepted donations that exceeded the legal limit a single donor can contribute, according to the campaigns amended FEC filings. This was first reported on by NOTUS in January, but a newly released filing in July shows it still hasnt paid back any of the debt over the past three months. The campaign faces an FEC complaint filed by End Citizens United, a liberal political action committee seeking to fight the influence of money in politics. The FEC has not yet ruled on the complaint. Still, the Leavitt campaigns amended filings reflect that the campaign accepted excessive donations. Its technically not illegal under federal finance campaign law to accept more money than the legal limit. However, campaigns are required to repay donors anything over the limit, which at the time was $2,900 per election, within 60 days, per FEC regulations. Leavitts campaign appears to not have done that based on this disclosure. That includes donations from former New Hampshire Gov. Craig Benson and Robert Clegg Jr., the former Republican majority leader of the state Senate, who died in 2023. The campaign owes each of them $2,900, according to the filing. The campaign also owes $46,747.87 to Missouri-based political consulting firm Axiom Strategies and $41,000 to polling provider Remington Research Group for services they provided, per the filing. The filing also shows the campaign owes one of its aides, Dylan Quattrucci who was also present at the Jan. 6, 2021 U.S. Capitol riot $609.75 for mileage costs. The campaign hasnt paid anything to any creditors in the three months ending July 15. The campaign also reported it has no cash on hand. The campaign has not responded to the Bulletins request for comment. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Health departments around the Kansas City metro want to make sure parents are informed about the importance of vaccinations. They also want to make those vaccines easily accessible. One way they are doing that is by hosting back-to-school clinics. Expired temp tags about to be a thing of the past in Missouri Nationwide, theres been a decrease in vaccination rates, which weve been following for a while. We just want to reinforce the message that there are outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases that remain ongoing in the country, said Stacie Province, Director of the Health Services Division for the Johnson County Department of Health and Environment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This year, the state of Kansas has reported 90 cases of measles. Missouri has seen a total of seven measles cases this year. Vaccination is a safe and effective way to prevent measles in your children. I definitely would encourage everybody to make sure that youre up to date, Province explained. If you have questions or concerns, we encourage people to reach out to us so we can provide some education and hopefully get people feeling more comfortable with the vaccines that their children are getting. With the start of the school year just around the corner, local health departments are offering vaccination clinics and other resources. Johnson County will offer its third and final summer vaccination walk-in clinic on Aug. 8 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 6000 Lamar Ave., Mission, KS 66202. No appointment is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parents are encouraged to pre-register online by Wednesday, Aug. 6, to save time in line. Parents must accompany their student to the clinic. No one will be turned away for inability to pay. Translation services will be available. Clay County is offering extended hours for back-to-school vaccinations on certain dates in August. 74-year-old woman killed in dump truck crash at 69 Highway in Clay County Extended hours in Clay County include the following days: Evening clinics (appointments as late as 6:45 p.m) Tuesday, Aug. 12 and Wednesday, Aug. 20 Early morning clinics (appointments starting at 7 a.m.): Tuesday, Aug. 14, Friday, Aug. 22 and Wednesday, Aug. 27 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Appointments during lunch hours are also available on these dates. Youll need to schedule an appointment with Clay County Public Health. To schedule, call 816-595-4355. Click here for more information from Clay County Public Health. Jackson County Public Health offers back-to-school immunizations at its Lees Summit location. Appointments are required. More information can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. U.S. Rep. Andy Barr speaks during the Fancy Farm Picnic, Aug 2, 2025. Barr is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony) FANCY FARM With control of the U.S. House up for grabs next year, U.S. Rep. Andy Barr is urging Kentucky Republicans to put him at the top of the state ticket, saying it would help President Donald Trumps party keep the House seat Barr is vacating. Not surprisingly one of his Republican rivals for the U.S. Senate disagrees. Daniel Cameron, a former Kentucky attorney general, says the best thing Barr could do to protect Trump and retain GOP control of the U.S. House of Representatives would be to run for reelection in the states 6th Congressional District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Senate candidate Nate Morris campaign declined to comment. The three leading Republican candidates for Senate are competing for Trumps endorsement in a state the president swept in all three of his runs. With no presidential or governors race in 2026, the campaigns to succeed retiring U.S. Sen. Mitch McConnell will be Kentuckys premier political contest. Speaking to reporters after the annual Fancy Farm Picnic in West Kentucky Saturday, Barr said he has worked really, really hard to lock down his Central Kentucky congressional district for Republicans. He called it the one swing purple district in the state. Home to Lexington and the University of Kentucky, the district has a history of alternating between political parties. Barr was elected to the U.S. House in 2012 when he defeated incumbent Democrat Ben Chandler who had held the seat since a special election in 2004. Before that the seat was held by Republican Ernie Fletcher who won the governors race in 2003. Fletcher had succeeded Democrat and former Lexington Mayor Scotty Baesler who ran for U.S. Senate and lost to Republican Jim Bunning. The Republican-controlled legislature made the district more favorable to Republicans by removing Democratic-leaning Franklin County after the 2020 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Barr said that he has heard Trump cares very deeply about the congressional seat through conversations hes had with the White House, Republican U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson and Richard Hudson, the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee. National news outlets have reported that the White House has concerns about retaining control of Barrs congressional seat as Democrats have an edge in registered voters in the district. Plus, the White House has tried to dissuade incumbent House Republicans in swing districts from seeking higher office. Republicans currently hold a slight majority in the U.S. House with 219 seats to Democrats 212 seats. Last week, following pressure from Trumps political team, Texas GOP lawmakers released a redistricting plan that could aid in flipping five Democratic seats there. Democratic lawmakers have left Texas to block the legislature from having the quorum necessary to ram through a racist gerrymandered map in the words of Texas House Democratic leader Gene Wu. In Fancy Farm, Barr told the crowd he wanted to make one other major point that I think the president is listening to: who is the U.S. Senate nominee who can help our nominee in the 6th District the most? The congressman said that Republican candidates who have announced for the House seat so far state Reps. Ryan Dotson and Deanna Frazier Gordon and former state Sen. Ralph Alvarado would all say Andy Barr. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats another reason why I should be the nominee, because I can help us keep this seat in central Kentucky in Republican hands, Barr said. Former Kentucky Attorney General Daniel Cameron, who is running in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate, takes a selfie with a supporter during the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony) Trump has yet to make an endorsement in the Kentucky U.S. Senate race, but Barr, Cameron and Morris have all attempted to tie themselves closer to the president and his policies. Camerons campaign argued that past polling shows Barr is incorrect, as Cameron led statewide and not just the 6th Congressional District. If Barr thinks the Sixth District is that hard to hold, then he should run for reelection in the House, Camerons campaign said in a statement. The NRCC and the White House are deeply concerned about maintaining the Presidents majority in the House. Any actions that might put the majority in jeopardy place President Trump directly at risk of more sham impeachments and fake Russia collusion hoaxes. The best way for Barr to stop that from happening is to run for reelection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tres Watson, a former spokesperson for the Republican Party of Kentucky, said Barr makes a valid point. Barr has won multiple races in Central Kentucky, including some very difficult races. Democrat and former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath outspent his campaign for the seat in 2018 and lost. Hes popular in Central Kentucky, and specifically, he can draw kind of more moderate, independent voters in Fayette County, Watson said. And with him being on the top of the ticket, there are voters that in the past have voted for Andy Barr for Congress that will probably vote for Andy Barr for Senate. And the hope, obviously, would be that they would either vote straight ticket Republican if theyre showing up to vote for Andy or they would listen to his advice on whod replace him. Nate Morris, a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate, arrives on a garbage truck at the Fancy Farm Picnic on Saturday, Aug 2, 2025. (Kentucky Lantern photo by Austin Anthony) Morris, a businessman, also lives in Lexington, said Watson, but cant make an argument that he would help carry the 6th Congressional District for Republicans because hes never run for public office and, in contrast to Barr, is not well known. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Kentucky Democratic Party Executive Director Morgan Eaves countered that Barrs record in the district is not great, with his recent support for the GOP spending megabill that Congress passed last month and support for Trumps tariff plans. Democratic candidates have also lined up to run in the 6th Congressional District in recent months. They include former Kentucky House Democratic Caucus Chair Cherlynn Stevenson, former Lexington council member David Kloiber and former federal prosecutor Zach Dembo. Eaves said it stood out to her that Barr mentioned what the president is listening for and not Kentuckians. She added that it was incredibly tone deaf of him to say. He feels, obviously, pretty strongly about himself, which is interesting, considering he cant even face his own constituents in the 6th Congressional District, Eaves said. So, for a guy who runs from every opportunity to speak at a town hall or to speak to constituents about their concerns, its pretty interesting that he thinks hes going to be the best opportunity to lead the top of the ticket in the 6th Congressional District. Earlier this year, more than 900 people gathered at town hall in Lexington and addressed an empty chair that had been reserved for Barr. Days later, the Kentucky Democratic Party also held another town hall in Lexington. Today, Hiroshima marked the 80th anniversary of the U.S. atomic bombing of the Japanese city during World War II, an attack that killed 78,000 people instantly and tens of thousands more by the end of 1945. The Associated Press reports that representatives from 120 countries and territories attended the ceremony, where the citys mayor directly called out world leaders for not learning the lessons of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, which took place three days later. This years commemoration in Hiroshima comes at a particularly salient time in world politics, with the perceived threat of nuclear war once again on the rise after decades in which it had subsided. As columnist Mary Gallagherwho is in Hiroshima for the ceremonywrote just yesterday, non-nuclear states are increasingly considering obtaining the bomb, while China is rapidly building up its nuclear arsenal. At the same time, nuclear saber-rattling by world leaders like Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump is also on the rise. To many people, then, nuclear war seems more possible than it has been since the end of the Cold War. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this years anniversary also seems more poignant, because the number of survivors of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings is decreasing rapidly. The average age of the survivors now exceeds 86 years old, meaning that this may be the last milestone anniversary for many of them. These survivors have spent decades sharing their memories and advocating for nuclear deproliferation, playing a key role in strengthening the moral taboo that has so far prevented nuclear weapons from ever being used again in wartime. Just last year, in recognition of that effort, the Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Nihon Hidankyo, a Japanese organization that represents the survivors and shares their stories. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. Now, we are entering a period in which direct memory of the bombings is growing increasingly scarce. There will be nobody left to pass on this sad and painful experience in 10 years or 20 years, Minoru Suzuto, a 94-year-old survivor, said at the commemoration today. Thats why I want to share [my story] as much as I can. At the same time, even as nuclear angst is on the rise, there is a noticeable lack of cultural attention to the issue. The end of the Cold War created a sense that the threat of nuclear war, or even just nuclear proliferation, had subsided, resulting in more complacency in society and a lack of urgency from policymakers on nonproliferation and deproliferation efforts. That ultimately made the current period, in which a renewed nuclear arms race is gathering pace, more possible, as world leaders face less pressure to roll back nuclear arsenals and less backlash for saber-rattling than they would have 50 years ago. The result is a mismatch: The nuclear arms race is returning as a feature of geopolitics, but the concrete threat that arms race poses lacks salience culturally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It doesnt have to be that way, though. As columnist Charli Carpenter wrote in 2023, anti-nuclear sentiment around the world remains high, meaning that simply drawing more attention to the issue would go a long way toward strengthening the taboo against nuclear weapons. Media outlets, thought leaders and artists can do exactly that by using vivid language and imagery when talking about the effects of nuclear weapons, as well as amplifying the inherently unlawful nature of nuclear weapons usage. Even simply highlighting how widespread anti-nuclear sentiment is around the world is important. These efforts will be even more important going forward, as the world enters a period in which strengthening the nuclear taboo takes on renewed urgency, but at a time when we can no longer rely on the direct memory and advocacy of those who have survived its catastrophic effects to do so. The post Keeping the Memory of Hiroshima Alive Is More Important Than Ever appeared first on World Politics Review. The Brief The Keller City Council unanimously voted to join the federal 287(g) program, making it the largest city in Texas to do so. The program will allow Keller jail staff to screen the arrested for immigration status and serve ICE warrants, but it does not permit officers to make arrests for immigration status alone. The vote followed a heated city council meeting with vocal supporters and protesters, and Mayor Mizani predicts other cities will now follow Keller's lead. KELLER, Texas - There were extra police at the city council meeting tonight and things did get heated between supporters of the program and those against. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, the council voted unanimously to join the program. The council members also approved to ratify the jail intake process to mimic the Tarrant County Jail. Local perspective With that vote, Keller became the largest city in Texas to join the federal 287-G program, specifically opting into the warrant services model. This means the city will screen individuals booked into the Keller Jail for immigration status and, if appropriate, serve ICE warrants. The program does not allow Keller police officers to make arrests of people off the streets; it only applies to people who have been arrested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keller mayor, Armin Mizani, voiced support for the program before tonight's meeting in a sit-down with FOX 4. "If you commit a crime, we want to know who you are, identify who you are and if youre someone whose legal status should not be in this country, were going to notify law enforcement. This is about strengthening public safety, this is about formalizing relationships with federal law enforcement," said Mayor Mizani. Keller city council meeting What they're saying Others outside Keller City Hall protested the partnership and during the public hearing, people in attendance passionately raised their concerns and urged city council members to vote against the program. "The policy won't make our community safer; it will divide an already fragile community, it will lead to racial profiling, and it will risk wrongful arrests of people," said Keller resident, Kelly Campbell. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You say this partnership makes the community safer, you say if they don't break the law they have nothing to worry about, but all this will do is encourage racial profiling so that any person of color so much as turns without a blinker is arrested just so their immigration status can be checked," Keller resident, Sarah Ross. At one point, things became intense between supporters of the program and those against it. Mayor Mizani says, on average, about 2,000 people are booked into the Keller Jail every year. In the last two years, 31 people were found to be undocumented. Senate Bill 8 mandates that sheriff's offices participate in the program. Tarrant County has participated since 2018. Keller police statement Keller Police Department's statement regarding tonights vote: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Opting into this program will mean minor adjustments to the responsibilities of our detention officers, but our departments priorities and philosophies will remain unchanged. Our employees are committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the community with respect and empathy. That includes those within our care at the Keller Regional Detention Center." What's next Several council members asked the deputy chief questions about the program and clarified statements made during the public hearing. When the mayor addressed the crowd, people walked out during his speech. He reiterated his support for the program and that he believes other cities will now follow suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the resolution, the city's participation in the program will start immediately. The Source Information in this article was provided by the Keller City Council Meeting on August 5. Additional information was provided from an interview by FOX 4's Amelia Jones. Keller became the first Tarrant County city to approve collaborating with ICE on some law enforcement initiatives even as protesters who gathered in front of Keller Town Hall and the majority of speakers at Tuesday nightscity council meeting opposed the decision. Keller City Council voted unanimously to join the 287(g) program, which will allow Keller police to work with Immigration Customs Enforcement to determine a persons immigration status if they are booked in to the Keller city jail. Around 30 people from Keller and neighboring cities gathered outside of the Keller Town Hall, holding signs that read, The next person ICE rounds up could be you! and Even though its HOT I want NO ICE in my city before the meeting, and many of them spoke during the public comment period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Armin Mizani said that the reason cities like Keller are opting into working closely with ICE is because of the rioters protesting immigration raids in Los Angeles. You can blame the rioters in Los Angeles, he said. You can blame the people that go into businesses. You can blame the people that have attacked. Mizani said that he wasnt surprised by the number of people who came out in opposition to this program. I think this is just a common-sense proposal thats going to solidify public safety in our community and help partner, not just local law enforcement, but with the county, but also with the state and the federal law enforcement agency, Mizani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some who spoke during public comments noted the mayor's immigrant background. He said he was proud of his heritage, his father's Iranian immigrant background, and his mother's Cuban and Puerto Rican ancestry. He said that while his parents were not arrested for any crimes, his expectations would be that if they were, law enforcement would do their job and identify individuals and that authorities would be notified. The 287(g) program allows state and local law enforcement agencies to partner with ICE to keep their communities safer by collaborating with the federal agency on some immigration enforcement actions. The Tarrant County Sheriffs Office has participated in the 287(g) program since 2017. In the pre-council meeting, council members spoke with a representative from ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. The council declined to provide the Fort Worth Star-Telegram with his name. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The warrant service officer model (WSO) gives police the authority to serve civil immigration warrants to those in custody in their jail who are identified as undocumented through the Automated Fingerprint Identification System (AFIS). The representative said that the program doesnt change the policy the Keller police already follows. The warrant service officer happens within the confines of the jail, the representative said to the council. Youre not doing any increased screening thats already being done. All youre doing is being able to serve the warrants that are issued from ICE for the folks that are in your jail. Once a warrant has been served, an ICE detainer has 48 hours to come and take them to a detention center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Mizani said that he stands unapologetically on the side of public safety. If you got pulled over a speeding ticket, is that going to lead to an arrest in Keller? It will not, Mayor Mizani said. But if you committed a robbery, if you commit an assault, if you murdered someone in some surrounding city for whatever reason, if youre driving under the influence, that will lead to an arrest. Detention officers will undergo an 8-hour virtual training course and a bi-annual retraining. What the warrant service model will do is train our detention officers to be able to alleviate that step from ICE, Mizani said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keller is the fourth Texas city to join the 287(g) program and the first in Tarrant County. Keller resident Andrew Sternke said that gives enormous power of minor interactions and risks turning Keller into a city where fear replaces trust, especially in immigrant and minority communities. Opting into this program will mean minor adjustments to the responsibilities of our detention officers, but our departments priorities and philosophies will remain unchanged, the Keller Police Department said in a statement provided to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. Our employees are committed to upholding the rule of law and serving the community with respect and empathy. That includes those within our care at the Keller Regional Detention Center. Mizani previously told the Star-Telegram that Keller already conducts background checks when people are booked in the jail, and joining the 287(g) program formalizes the arrangement with ICE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On June 28, Gov. Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 8 that requires Texas sheriffs to partner with ICE. The bill also provides funding for training. But protesters who gathered before the council meeting said the 287(g) agreement means more people are subject to racial profiling, and the program often undermines trust of law enforcement officers, thus jeopardizing public safety. Buddy Luce, of Indivisible TX-24, a grassroots group that organized Tuesday nights protest also spoke during Tuesdays meeting. Before the council voted, Luce criticized the mayor and council for ignoring what the majority of residents wanted which was for Keller to not join the 287(g) program. What does that tell you? Maybe youre barking up the wrong tree, Luce said. The Brief Ken Paxton is asking the courts to rule that Democrats abandoned their offices when they left the state Sunday. At least 50 Democrats left the state in an attempt to prevent the passage of a new congressional map. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows ordered Democrats to return to the chamber by 1 p.m. Friday. AUSTIN, Texas - Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton will ask for a court ruling to vacate the seats of Democratic lawmakers who do not return to Austin by Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 50 Democrats from the Texas House have left the state in an attempt to prevent the passage of a new congressional map. House Speaker Dustin Burrows gave members until Friday to return to Austin after the House failed to reach a quorum Tuesday. The House was adjourned until 1 p.m. Friday. What they're saying "Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials," Paxton said. "Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, the Texas Supreme Court ruled that the Texas Constitution allows for quorum breaks, but also allows for consequences to bring members back. On several radio shows, Paxton said the process of removing lawmakers who broke quorum would be a lengthy process and that he wasn't sure if it was possible because it hasn't been tried. "It might be a way to take existing members out of their positions if they fail to show up to perform their duties," Paxton said on the Glen Beck Program Tuesday. Ultimately, it would be for the courts to decide if lawmakers abandoned their offices, which would lead to special elections to fill those seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton told Beck that he believed the House could move forward without special elections even if lawmakers were removed. "I think it'll change the quorum," Paxton said. "If you have less members, your quorum numbers change." The Source Information in this article comes from a release by Attorney General Ken Paxton and comments made by Paxton on the Glenn Beck Program. A metro Atlanta man has been indicted on child sexual exploitation charges, the U.S. Attorneys Office of the Northern District of Alabama announced. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Adree Villanueva, 25, of Kennesaw, faces a three-count indictment in U.S. District Court. He is charged with coercion and enticement, traveling with the intent to engage in illicit sexual activity, and transportation of a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These incidents allegedly occurred between April and July 2025 in Madison County. The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Huntsville Police Department conducted the investigation leading to the indictment. The case is part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative launched by the Department of Justice in May 2006 to combat child sexual exploitation and abuse. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Kennewick voters favored incumbents in the Aug. 5 primary. The two candidates who receive the most votes will face-off in the Nov. 4 general election. Not all races appeared on the primary ballot, just those with three or more candidates. Races that attracted fewer candidates will appear on the general election ballot. Four of seven seats on the Kennewick council are up for reelection this year. The legislative body is due to make some big decisions on capital projects in the coming months as it looks to replace its city hall and aging pool, and expand services into burgeoning Southridge neighborhoods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And two of five seats on the school board are up for reelection. These elected officials will play a critical role next year as the school district goes back out to the voters to renew its essential operations levy. The Benton County Elections Division counted more than 18,200 ballots by Friday morning. There are still about 5,000 left to tally across the county, and a new tabulation of results was expected late Friday afternoon. Council Ward 1 In the race for Ward 1, Jason McShane and Austin Miller will move on to the general election. Ward 1 is most of west Kennewick, including Vista Field and the Columbia Center mall area. It stretches from the Southridge neighborhood to Santiago Sunset Estates. The ward is represented by Mayor Gretl Crawford, who is not seeking another term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McShane led with 1,182 votes, or 36%. Austin Miller trailed with 1,117 votes, or 34%. Jason McShane McShane was appointed to the city council in December 2023 to an at-large seat. He works as an assistant manager at Kennewick Irrigation District. Miller is an IRS economist and an adjunct instructor at American Public University. Austin Miller That means Tina Gregory, the candidate endorsed by the Benton County Republican Party, is unlikely to advance to the general election. The city planning commissioner is behind Miller with 977 votes, or 30%. Council Ward 3 Incumbent Councilman John Trumbo is set to advance to the general election, but neither of his challengers have a solid lock on the No. 2 spot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ward 3 encompasses most of downtown and East Kennewick, stretching from the Columbia River at the blue bridge to the foothills east of South Olympia Street. Trumbo is seeking his fourth term to city council. Hes a former journalist who retired from the Herald in 2012. John Trumbo He received 770 votes, or 43%. Machinist and artist Warren Hughs had 551 votes, or 30%. But business owner Douglas Perez was just 67 votes behind him Perez, who also serves on the city planning commission, had 484 votes, or 27%. Warren Hughs At-Large Council Pos. 4 Brad Klippert and Gloria Tyler Baker are moving on in the race to replace McShane, who ran for a different seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klippert had a commanding lead in the at-large race for Kennewick City Council Pos. 4 with 5,014 votes, or 68%. Brad Klippert Gloria Tyler Baker trailed him with 1,919 votes, or 26% support. Danielle Schuster will not advance. She had just 396 votes, or 5%. Klippert served 14 years in the Washington state House of Representatives, representing the 8th Legislative District. Hes worked the last 25 years for the Benton County Sheriffs Office as a school resource officer in Kiona-Benton City schools. Gloria Tyler Baker Baker is a longtime resident and businesswoman. She currently works as a title agent at The Auto Lot, and previously a car dealership owner. Kennewick School District School board VP and incumbent Micah Valentine and history professor Robert Franklin will move on in the race for the school board director No. 1 seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valentine led with 5,233 votes, or 55%. Franklin was second with 3,613 votes, or 38%. Micah Valentine That means Luzzo, who had just 572 votes, or 6%, is out. Valentine is seeking his second full term after running in 2021 on a platform to open public schools and give students mask choice in the wake of the COVID pandemic. The marketing consultant and business owner says he and the board have made real, measurable progress. Robert Franklin Franklin, an assistant professor of history at Washington State University Tri-Cities, says he wants to keep divisive culture wars out of the classroom and refocus the discussion around educating students. Hes been endorsed by the Washington Education Association. Both men have children who attend Kennewick schools. JACKSON, Ky. (FOX 56) State police troopers and local search and rescue teams are asking for help finding a missing Jackson boy believed to have left home overnight or in the early hours of Wednesday morning. Troopers with KSP Post 11 in Hazard said theyre looking for 10-year-old Jayden Spicer, who went missing from the Panbowl Branch Road area of the Jackson community. He was last seen around 9 p.m. on Aug. 5. Read more of the latest Kentucky news State police troopers asked for the publics help finding 10-year-old Jayden Spicer of Jackson. (Kentucky State Police) Authorities said Spicer was wearing blue Sonic the Hedgehog pajamas before he went missing. Hes 5 feet, 1 inch tall, with blond hair, blue eyes, and a slim build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Thursday morning, Aug. 7, Breathitt County Emergency Management reported that the search for Spicer is continuing into the second day. Crews left the woods shortly after 3 a.m. on Thursday and returned at daybreak. Rescuers searched on foot, by all-terrain vehicle, canine, drone, sonar, and helicopter more than twenty square miles in the area on Wednesday after Spicer was reported missing at 9:23 a.m., emergency management said. The search for the juvenile restarted at daybreak on Thursday, and access to Panbowl Branch will be controlled to prevent congestion on the one-lane roadway so efforts are not impeded. Officials ask the public to avoid the area as rescue crews continue the search. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: As the search continues into the third day, Breathitt County emergency officials affirm that theyre working closely with KSP to ensure that all resources are devoted to the search for Jayden. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Friday afternoon, Kentucky State Police said all resources are being exhausted to find the 10-year-old boy. However, all priority areas have been thoroughly searched. State police said the investigation will now be broadened. Kentucky State Police have utilized numerous agency and partnership resources available, including aircraft, drone, K-9, Sonar, Fleer, and boots on the ground search efforts, Trooper Matt Gayheart said. At this time KSP will broaden its investigation and explore other areas in an effort to locate Jayden. Officials have asked that no one enter the search area without authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 9, state police reported that the search was ongoing. Anyone with information that could help find Spicer is asked to contact Kentucky State Police Post 13 in Hazard at (606) 435-6069. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News 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 FOX 56 News. LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Louisville woman who was charged with animal abuse after 20 cats were found dead in a home was arraigned on Wednesday. According to court documents, Tiffany Arnold allegedly left 24 cats inside an empty home in the 7300 block of Leisure Court. On March 17, Louisville Metro Animal Services got permission to enter the home and allegedly found 20 dead cats and four cats that were still alive. One cat was rushed to an animal hospital but was later euthanized due to the severity of its injuries, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eight dead cats were too decayed for necropsy exams. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Arnold was charged with 24 counts of torture of a dog or cat. According to the FOX affiliate in Louisville, WDRB, at her arraignment on Wednesday, a judge entered not guilty pleas on her behalf and kept her bond at $7,500 cash. Her next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 14. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. If you paid for a TV licence in the years between 1997 and 2005, you might have caught Sue Nelson, then the BBCs science correspondent, explaining how stem cells and cloning work, or what exactly happens if you go near a black hole. At 64, she is fun, confident, sharp and one of the many women in Britain who have been diagnosed with autism in midlife or later. Getting to a later age, you realise that youve got this jigsaw of your life thats nearly complete, Nelson says. Being diagnosed with autism at that stage is like realising that there were several pieces missing all along, and you werent aware of it. Suddenly, she understands why she has always found it hard to accept sudden, last-minute changes, even as small as getting off the bus a stop early, and why social anxiety has always been a part of her life, even though she would happily present on TV in front of millions of people. Despite her social anxiety, Sue had no qualms about getting up on stage or presenting on TV in front of large audiences - John Gaffen/Alamy Autism diagnoses in later life are becoming more common Nelson is far from alone, says Punit Shah, an associate professor in applied psychology at the University of Bath. Autism is really quite a new term, Prof Shah says. Its only in the last 60 years or so that it has been formally diagnosed. What has traditionally been thought of as a condition of childhood is now, in fact, a condition of adulthood. Now that autism is more widely diagnosed, most of the autistic people in Britain are adults, if you look at the average age, says Prof Shah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It does not help that until 2021, GPs, on the advice of Nice, the health authority, were using the wrong cut-off points in their initial assessments after people came to them describing symptoms of autism, Prof Shah says. Potentially thousands of adults went to their doctors seeking a diagnosis, or in need of support, and were turned away as a result. When Nelson was at school, children who were very inflexible or the biggest swot ever, as she describes herself, were expected to fit in with the rest of the world as they aged. But of the estimated eight million people in Europe who are autistic, 20 per cent are aged 65 or over, recent research suggests. A few years ago, Id only very occasionally see someone aged between 60 and 70 who had been referred for an autism diagnosis, says Dr Sue Smith, who leads the diagnostics and assessments service for the National Autistic Society. Now, she sees closer to one person a month, though it comes in spurts. Sue describes her childhood self as the biggest swot ever No one collects figures for the number of people in Britain who have been diagnosed with autism in their 40s, 50s, 60s or beyond, but there is absolutely a lost generation of people who missed out on being diagnosed with autism as children, agrees Dr Hannah Belcher, a lecturer at Kings College, London, and an expert in the late diagnosis of autism in older adults. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is clear that receiving a diagnosis can be transformative, Dr Belcher says, but autism assessments and the tools used in them are designed with children in mind, she believes. We dont know nearly enough about what its like to have autism in later life; how its perceived by others but also what the experience is like for the people with it. The knock-on effects of lockdown Like many older adults with autism, Nelson received her diagnosis during the pandemic. In 2020 she was working on a series of weekly podcast interviews with people around the world who were in terrible distress, she recalls. There were firefighters who removed dead bodies in New York, a young doctor whod treated his own father in hospital in India, medics in Italy who were having to deal with the most horrendous death rates. This was not her first batch of tough jobs but theres an autistic tendency to mind-loop, Nelson explains. I was permanently looping everything these people had said, and the trauma that they were going through, the unhappiness and the death. I was waking up in the middle of the night, and I was hearing their voices non-stop on repeat in my head. Then, the fan in her en-suite bathroom became so unbearably loud that I found myself in bed in a foetal position, absolutely in pain because of the sound. Her husband had to turn it off for her and calm her down. To be honest, I thought I was going mad. Now she knows that she was in the midst of an autistic meltdown, where the sensations and everything in your head just becomes an overload, as she puts it. She had read about autism in the past, as a science journalist, and had taken every online test there was. But she had learnt to navigate life so effectively that it had never before occurred to her to seek a formal diagnosis. What its like to finally be diagnosed After being told by her local mental health team that she faced a six-year wait for an assessment, Nelson contacted a private medical company in Cambridgeshire, whose doctors had all worked in the NHS before. As they would for a younger patient, the doctors wanted to speak to Nelsons parents to understand her behaviour and development as a child. Her father had dementia, but they did a long interview with my mum. Nelson then received her official diagnosis, in a 30-page PDF. It came from pain and distress, but at least it has brought with it some understanding and some explanation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Not all adults who are diagnosed with autism later in life experience a meltdown as acute as Nelsons, but the stresses of midlife can often prompt people to seek out diagnoses for autism or other conditions such as ADHD or dyslexia. The menopause, for example, can significantly affect autistic women and really exaggerate their sensory difficulties and emotional difficulties, Dr Belcher says. Lots of older adults also seek diagnosis after their children or grandchildren have been diagnosed with autism. Autism diagnosis is a lengthy and rigorous process, which means that a majority of the people who reach the stage of completing an assessment do receive a diagnosis, says Dr Smith. Parent interviews as well as extensive one-to-one sessions and psychometric tests are common. In full, the results can be incredibly confronting. As part of her report, Nelson was given an empathy score. It was shockingly low, she says, despite the fact that her diagnosis came about because of the extent of feeling she had for the people she interviewed. Nelson and her husband, Richard Hollingham, met at the BBC. The two fell in love after working on a science report together and were married in 1998. Sue married Richard Hollingham in 1998 after the pair met at the BBC Hollingham had supported Nelson throughout her meltdown and the wait for the result of her assessment, but she held back from sharing the full report with him. I do not think of myself as having low empathy at all, and I was so ashamed that I didnt tell anyone about the score, not even my husband, says Nelson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Id send him little bits [of the report], but when he wanted to read the full thing Id just fob him off, because I didnt want him to read that bit about low empathy. She only shared it in full after waiting for well over a year. As a science journalist, he only found it fascinating, Nelson says. Autistic people have empathy in abundance, she points out it just works differently for her, and other people who have autism, compared with people who dont have the condition. She is now writing a book about the topic. Some might struggle with different types of empathy and understanding, but you cannot use that to say that all autistic people have no empathy at all, she says. I think its deeply damaging. Its wrong, its insulting, and the science is showing that too. Society at large still does not take kindly to people who struggle with overstimulation, or find it hard to socialise. For many autistic people, that means living with a constant fear of offending others. Nelson who is very good with faces, but bad with names recalls accidentally referring to a man on her pickleball team as the bald guy. Fortunately, he was brilliant and we just laughed about it, as opposed to me being sent to the corner of a room to put my head against the wall, which was what happened when I was younger. Sue says her husband, a science journalist, found the details of her diagnosis fascinating - Matt Writtle For older autistic adults who have had to cope their whole lives without support, finally receiving a diagnosis is often an experience that comes with mixed emotions, says Prof Shah. It really depends on the person and their life circumstances. Our research shows that age of diagnosis is not a determinant of quality of life in autistic adults, but that the extent to which they showed autistic personality traits was an important factor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been ups and downs in the four years since Nelson was diagnosed, but her message to anyone her age who suspects they may have autism is simple. Dont be afraid of discovering something new about yourself. Like everything else, its never too late to learn about yourself. Otherwise, youre going through life not knowing that youve essentially been blindfolded. What you need to know about getting an autism diagnosis as an adult From the National Autistic Society. More help can be found here. How can an autism assessment help? A formal assessment for autism is important because it can help you to make sense of why you may have felt different from a young age. It can help you access support that meets your needs, such as reasonable adjustments at work or access to social care and benefits, and help you and those you care about to understand why you may experience certain challenges and how you can be supported to manage them. How can I decide whether to seek a diagnosis? Before approaching a medical professional to discuss the possibility that you are autistic, you may want to find out more about autism. Make sure to access good quality sources, for example other autistic people, national organisations such as the National Autistic Society or the NHS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Be aware that not all information and media about autism is reliable and evidence-based. You should be particularly wary of any source that talks about how to cure or treat autism, which is not possible or desirable and so the source is likely to be unreliable. How do I get an autism assessment? After noticing signs that you may be autistic, you may want to discuss this and seek the support and advice of your GP or other relevant healthcare professionals. If the professional recognises that you might be autistic, they will make a referral for an assessment and/or provide you with information about your local referral pathway. A diagnosis should be made by clinicians working within a specialist autism diagnostic service and will only be given following an assessment process, which can take some time to complete. What is an autism assessment? An autism assessment is a process of gathering information about you. The professional(s) carrying out the assessment will seek to understand a broad range of information about you to help them to reach a conclusion about whether you are autistic. They are guided by clinical criteria to enable them to make a diagnosis and they will determine what needs to be covered during the assessment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An assessment typically includes taking a detailed developmental history and a clinical interview. As part of the assessment they should also identify the type of support needed and any healthcare needs if relevant. What support is available after a diagnosis? Support is generally based on an assessment of your specific needs in areas such as education, employment, social care and welfare benefits. Having an autism diagnosis does not mean you are automatically entitled to formal support from professional services. Some autistic people require extensive support across all areas of their life and may already be receiving support before their formal autism diagnosis. Other autistic people may require little or no formal support but can benefit from informal peer and emotional support. What if the outcome is not autistic? A diagnostic process is not just interested in whether you fulfil the criteria for autism. It should be about understanding the significant differences that you have noticed and helping you to think about the best way to live your life well with those differences. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes it can be difficult to come to a clear conclusion diagnostically because a lot has gone on in someones life or evidence is limited in some way. Sometimes there might be an alternative diagnosis to explain the differences explored or the differences do not meet the clinical threshold for any diagnosis. You do not have to prove you are definitely autistic for it to be useful to embark on a diagnostic assessment. The assessment process can still provide some understanding about the challenges you are experiencing and provide personalised recommendations. 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 key witness in the case against suspended Orlando City Commissioner Regina Hill will not be called as a witness, a win for Hills defense team as they ready themselves for trial. The Office of Statewide Prosecution announced the decision in a court filing Monday, two months after Hills defense called for Sandra Lewis to be removed from the witness list. Lewis, according to prosecutors, notarized a document used by Hill to purchase a west Orlando home that became an important part of the allegation that Hill exploited a 96-year-old woman listed as a co-signer. Its unclear how much damage Lewis removal as a state witness will be to the prosecution, however. The case against Hill accused of three counts of exploitation of an elderly person and mortgage fraud, among other charges goes beyond what Lewis is expected to know. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fritz Scheller, the attorney leading Hills defense, called for Lewis to be removed following two depositions during which she gave evasive, dishonest and at times hostile answers to his questions. Some of the questions scrutinized her business activity, including the dubious existence of a beauty school that apparently doubles as a political consulting firm, as well as her work as a canvasser for former State Attorney Andrew Bains 2024 campaign and a temporary employee for Shan Rose, Hills interim replacement and election opponent. The motion, filed May 29, said Lewis demonstrated both a willful and blatant disregard for her obligations as a state witness. Though the four-page response said Schellers motion should be denied as a matter of law citing the motions use of a procedural rule that would have sanctioned the prosecution it stated prosecutors will not call Sandra Lewis as a witness. The move comes as both sides are due to appear in court on Aug. 13 to update a judge on their preparations ahead of trial. Though Hill has previously said she hopes to wrap up the trial before the election in November, in which she hopes to regain her seat, it has not yet been scheduled. Prosecutors allege Hill drained the older womans savings of more than $100,000 after getting control of her finances. Investigators said Hill then spent the money on personal expenses like rental cars, hotel rooms and vitamin injections, none of which benefited the woman. RANTOUL, Ill. (WCIA) A property management company is hoping to demolish a trailer park to put up an apartment complex. Village officials said the new apartments will bring in more revenue and help the neighborhoods curb appeal. Board members talked about the possibility of a new apartment complex near downtown Tuesday night. Any time you get new construction, but certainly when youre replacing old trailer park residential living versus new professional apartment style rentals, I think makes a significant difference, Village Administrator Scott Eisenhauer said. New U of I apartment wont be ready by start of semester Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rantoul would pay 3% of the projects $1.2 million dollar cost, and in return the village would get an extra million over 20 years in property taxes. And thats just us, Eisenhauer said. When you look at what the other taxing bodies are going to generate from this, it gets into the hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is a good return on the investment. He said replacing the aging trailers sitting on the site, now, with the 8-unit apartment complex will also improve the surrounding neighborhood. Jessica Faber lives in one of those homes with her three daughters. She said she understands the reasoning behind the change. The places are kind of rundown. Its definitely a very much older trailer park, so I definitely understand that there were some concerns with like being up to code or being safe for residents, Faber said. U of I food assistance program shutting down after federal SNAP funding pulled But the single mother said it was tough to find a new place and secure a deposit in the two months she gets to move out. Its been very stressful though, Faber said, Because it was kind of very sudden, very fast. We did not have a whole lot of time, a whole lot of warning. Faber feels the village is trying to push out poorer neighbors, but the village administrator said this is part of a trend in Rantoul to bring in more housing. He expects the board to approve the incentive to build at next weeks meeting, as well as a property tax break over ten years, and waiving building permit fees. And so now its time to reinvest in new residential here in the community, Eisenhauer said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Faber said she didnt get help from KTRM LLC, which owns the property, and will be building the new apartments. WCIA reached out to the company, but did not immediately receive a response back. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCIA.com. NEED TO KNOW King Charles was in military mode at his latest royal engagement The King visited RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, one of just two Quick Reaction Alert stations that protect the U.K.'s airspace 24 hours a day The monarch also laughed off meeting a crying baby, whose mother smiled as she tried to console the little one King Charles suited up for a duty expected to be one of the last before a summer break in Scotland, where one tiny well-wisher had a memorable reaction to meeting the monarch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 6, the King visited RAF Lossiemouth in Moray, Scotland, traveling to represent a Squadron Standard and learn more about the capabilities of the Royal Air Force base. King Charles is Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and a RAF veteran himself, having earned his wings in 1971. The sovereign, 76, stepped out wearing his Marshal's uniform with the Order of the Thistle insignia, reflecting his position in Scotland's highest order of chivalry, which his wife, Queen Camilla, was inducted into last year. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf During the main event of the outing, the Stand-Up Parade for Number 42 (Torpedo Bomber) Squadron, the King had the honor of presenting the Squadron with their standard (another name for ceremonial flag) to recognize the unit re-forming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sovereign then delivered remarks, met crew and guests, toured an elite P-8A Poseidon aircraft and mingled with local children from the Airplay Youth support program and their families, who live on or near the base. Cameras caught one baby having an age-appropriate reaction to all the commotion, crying when the King came by. A video of the interaction showed the mother laughing as she tried to console her little one, who let out a cry as they spoke to King Charles. The monarch appeared to tell a quick joke in reaction, which made those around him smile. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. RAF Lossiemouth is the force's only main operating base in Scotland and one of just two Quick Reaction Alert stations that guard the U.K. airspace for 24 hours a day. In his speech, the sovereign opened up about the honor of presenting the new flag and pointed out how his old school, Gordonstoun, was nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It gives me the greatest possible pleasure to be here with you all today to mark the standing up of 42 Torpedo Bomber Squadron, and to present you with your new Standard. I am especially pleased to be doing so here at R.A.F. Lossiemouth, the beating heart of the United Kingdoms long range maritime patrol aircraft capability, and an air station at the end of whose runway my old school, Gordonstoun, is situated!" the sovereign said. "In the 1960s, it was the Royal Navys Buccaneer aircraft that took off and landed over us and, as part of the Cadet Corps, we regularly used to train or be trained by personnel on the station." Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. Elsewhere in his address, the King mentioned how his late father, Prince Philip, last presented the Squadron Standard, exalting the flag as "a symbol of your illustrious heritage and a testament to the sacrifices and achievements of those who have served under its banner." King Charles has been in Scotland since at least July 28 and might be staying at the Castle of Mey, one of the homes in his royal portfolio, given the hint that the residence has been closed to the public since July 24. Jane Barlow - WPA Pool/Getty King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. King Charles at RAF Lossiemouth on Aug. 6, 2025. Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! His outing to RAF Lossiemouth may be one of his final official outings in August, as he usually enjoys a few weeks off from public duties around this time of year to relax and recharge before fall begins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The King has continued his late mother Queen Elizabeth's tradition of spending the end of the summer in Scotland and Balmoral Castle in Aberdeenshire has been used as a gathering place for generations. Read the original article on People KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) Tuesday night, Aug. 5, 2025, in Kinston at a city council meeting, the Kinston Police Department was honored as Law Enforcement Agency of the Year by the North Carolina Police Executives Association. However, some members of the community were speaking against law enforcement. Its ridiculous, your budget, $15 million in raises so that they can beat our children, Resita Cox, of Kinston, said. I dont care what Cameron was charged with. As far as Im concerned, he wouldnt have been charged with that if you have a budget that invested in him. This follows a video that went viral online that appeared to show a Kinston police officer using force in the arrest of Cameron Williams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox said she is urging city leaders to put more money in other community programs to serve as a preventative measure. If we are to blame Cameron for his wrongdoing. I ask, why is there $15 million in a police budget? Why cant some of that money go to kids programing to keep kids like Cameron off the streets and away from egomaniacs?, Cox said. Others said the same level of concern should be applied to other crimes in the community. So, selective outcry isnt going to help this community. If youre going to stand in it, then stand in it 10 toes in, one attendee said. Dont just pick different people to point and say, Okay, yall are the issue. Well youre the issue, too, if youre not doing something about it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city council did not officially address any of these concerns at the meeting Tuesday night. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. KINSTON, N.C. (WNCT) At Tuesdays city council meeting, the Kinston Police Department was honored for being named the Law Enforcement Agency of the Year by the North Carolina Executives Association. Despite being given this honor, a group named Defund Kinston Police had other agendas. Resita Cox, a filmmaker and Kinston native, is leading the charge on calling for more funding in other community programs instead of the police department. This comes after a viral video on social media that appeared to show a Kinston Police Officer using excessive force during the arrest of Cameron Williams. Its ridiculous, your budget, Cox said. $15 million in raises so that they can beat our children. I dont care what Cameron was charged with. As far as Im concerned, he wouldnt have been charged with that if you have a budget that invested in him. Others in the community share the same level of concern regarding the crimes in the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more information, click on 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 WNCT. JACKSON, Tenn. Witnesses who spotted murder suspect Austin Drummond around Jackson before his arrest Tuesday are telling their stories to WREG. Ricardo Contreras said he and a crew were painting a house Tuesday when a worker told him he saw a man walking in the woods. At that point I knew it was him, Contreras said. Because who else can be walking in between the woods, especially in that area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He debated on whether he should call police, but decided to call. About 15 minutes later, someone told him Drummond was in custody. I just want to go back home and hug my family, Contreras said. Murder suspect Austin Drummond in custody after weeklong manhunt in TN Bill Callahan said he called 911 when the crew painting his house told him theyd seen a man walking in the woods. He never saw Drummond but said within 10 minutes, there was a flurry of activity as officers and agents swarmed the woods. My wife was right. She had a feeling he was right around us, and I was wrong, Callahan said. Its kind of a surreal experience at this point. It doesnt feel real, Im sure later its going to hit us. But Im very happy hes off the streets and everybodys safe now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another man, John Stechauner, said he was doing work for some friends when they saw the back door of the greenhouse open, which is never left open. He said he looked up and saw a man walking through the area. Thats when he says he called 911, and within 15 minutes, Drummond was arrested. Officials with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and several local law enforcement agencies thanked the public for their tips in a news conference following Drummonds arrest Tuesday. Jackson Police Chief Thom Corley said the department received several calls about possible sightings of Drummond beginning around 8 a.m. One of those calls came in at 8:57 officers worked quickly and made the arrest at 9:05. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement TBI said more than one tipster may be eligible for a reward for information in the case. Drummond had been living in a vacant building, though it was unclear how long he had been there, Corley said. He confirmed that building was a pool house. Drummond had been on the run for a week, ever since a family of four was found dead and a baby abandoned in a yard in northwest Tennessee on July 29. He was captured Tuesday in Jackson. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WINDSOR, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Some local kids got wet for their last day of summer camp last week. Windsor Central School District celebrated the end of its elementary summer camp. The Knight Lights recreation camp ended with a Water Celebration Day. The Knight Lights recreation camp ended with a Water Celebration Day. Each year, the camp runs for 4 weeks for Windsor students entering Kindergarten through sixth grade. Campers made robots, visited the high schools agriculture and music centers, and participated in several STEM focused activities. Camp Coordinator Kara Clarke says this years water day featured water slides and a hot air balloon for students to play in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Event Coordinator Kara Clarke says, So our hope is that we give them really great, engaging activities that they can maybe find something that they are passionate about that will guide their future and also to give all of our students at Windsor something great to write about when they come back in September.. The celebration ended with the school getting a visit by a fire truck, which sprayed the students with water. The camp has been running for over a decade and Clarke says its a favorite of the students. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. An active-duty soldier opened fire at an Army post in Georgia on Wednesday, injuring five service members before he was subdued by witnesses and taken into custody, a military official said. Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commanding general of the 3rd Infantry Division at Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield, said the gunman was identified as Quornelius Radford, an automated logistics sergeant. The injured soldiers are expected to recover, Lubas said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heres what we know: The shooting Gunfire erupted at the sergeant's workplace the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area shortly before 11 a.m., Lubas said. Radford, 28, is believed to have opened fire with a personal handgun, Lubas said. Lubas said it isn't clear what prompted the shooting. Witnesses quickly intervened and stopped the gunman. "Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately and without hesitation tackled the soldier, subdued him," Lubas said. "That allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody." The base said earlier that the suspect was taken into custody at 11:35 a.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The base, 40 miles southwest of Savannah, was put on lockdown at 11:04 a.m. Those safety protocols were lifted a little over an hour later, the base said in a statement. The victims The five soldiers who were shot were not publicly identified, though Lubas said they were co-workers of Radford's. The soldiers were treated on site before they were moved to Winn Army Community Hospital for further care, the base said in a statement earlier. Three required surgery, and two were taken to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah, Lubas said. "Thankfully, all are in stable condition, and all are expected to recover," Lubas said. The suspect After Radford was subdued and arrested, Lubas said, he was interviewed by the Army's Criminal Investigation Division and placed in pretrial confinement while he awaits a charging decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was not immediately clear whether he has a lawyer to speak on his behalf. Radford has not previously deployed to combat, Lubas said. An arrest report from Liberty County, Georgia, shows that Radford was arrested in May on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence. Lubas said the arrest was unknown to Radford's chain of command. It only became aware of the incident when it began searching law enforcement databases after the shooting, he said. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Access4 , Australias leading provider of cloud communication and collaboration solutions, has announced the launch of Ai Amplify, a fully homegrown, self-developed AI voice assistant, purpose-built for the channel and delivered via the award-winning Access4 SASBOSS platform. Currently rolling out in-market through the exclusive Beta Program: Ai Amplify, Access4s Ai roadmap is already turning heads with its ability to transform how businesses handle voice interactions. Early testing with partners has shown significant boosts in operational efficiency and customer experience. Access4 Ai Amplify Program introduces powerful features including: 24/7 Virtual Receptionist: Never miss a call again, even outside business hours Instant Response & Multi-Call Handling: Handle spikes in call volumes with intelligent responsiveness Smart Call Routing: Route calls based on real-time context, powered by Access4s own Class 4 and Class 5 infrastructure Automated Tasks & SMS Follow-Ups: Automate repetitive tasks and keep customers engaged post-call Zero Upfront Costs & Effortless Deployment: Easily deploy and manage via SASBOSS with no capex burden This is not just another AI voice tool. Our Ai roadmap represents a strategic leap in our commitment to enabling partner-led innovation, said Brad Milne, Chief Operations Officer at Access4. Unlike generic solutions, weve built our Ai product suite from the ground up to seamlessly integrate into our platform and the daily operations of our partners customers. Access4s Ai roadmap is fully backed by the companys local, high-availability network infrastructure, ensuring ultra-low latency, security, capacity and reliability. The commercial launch of Access4 Ai roadmap will take place at the Access4 Annual Partner Conference on the Gold Coast in early September 2025, where live demonstrations, partner beta feedback, and first-look commercial models will be revealed. Access4 invites all channel partners to get ready to amplify their voice offerings and tap into a new era of intelligent, AI-powered communications. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a travel warning following an outbreak of a mosquito-borne illness called chikungunya in China. The CDC's warning centers on Guangdong Province, where the outbreak has exceeded 7,000 confirmed cases since June 2025, according to Chinese health officials. The outbreak in Guangdong Province has been linked to monsoon flooding, which created ideal breeding conditions for mosquitoes, which spread the virus that causes chikungunya. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the new travel warning, the CDC emphasized that vaccination is available and recommended for travelers. Dr. Todd Ellerin, chief of infectious disease at South Shore Health in Massachusetts, told ABC News that travelers to the region "should absolutely take precautions" against the illness. "Wear long sleeves and pants, use insect repellent with DEET, and use mosquito netting for babies too young for repellent," said Ellerin, who is not affiliated with the CDC. Here is what to know about the illness. How common is chikungunya? VCG via Getty Images - PHOTO: A sanitation worker sprays insecticide to prevent the spread of Chikungunya on August 3, 2025 in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China. Chikungunya is not a new infection. It has been around since the 1950s, with outbreaks more commonly seen in tropical areas in recent decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Globally, there have been about 240,000 infections since the start of 2025, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control. Chikungunya is not common in the United States. The CDC says there have not been any reported locally acquired cases since 2019. What are the symptoms of chikungunya? According to the CDC, common symptoms of the virus include sudden-onset high fever, severe joint pain (especially in the hands, wrists, ankles, and feet), muscle pain, headache, fatigue and skin rash. Georgia woman describes crippling pain of chikungunya virus Most people recover without medical intervention within seven to 10 days, but in some cases, symptoms can persist for weeks or months. What is the incubation period for chikungunya? Chikungunya typically has an incubation period of less than one week, according to Ellerin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If it's been more than a week since you left a high-risk area, you're likely in the clear," he said. How is chikungunya treated? There is no specific antiviral treatment for chikungunya. Instead, care focuses on relieving symptoms while the body recovers. The CDC recommends rest, fluids, and medications like acetaminophen for pain and fever. NSAIDs may be used once dengue, another mosquito-borne disease, has been ruled out. Deaths from chikungunya are rare, according to the CDC. Is there a vaccine for chikungunya? There are two vaccines available in the U.S. that begin offering protection within about two weeks of a single dose. Cases of mosquito-borne viruses on the rise Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC recommends vaccination for travelers visiting areas with active outbreaks, people spending extend time abroad -- typically six months or longer -- and laboratory workers who handle the virus. What contributes to the spread of chikungunya? Climate change is a major driver of chikungunya's global spread. "Warmer temperatures and increased rainfall are helping Aedes mosquitoes expand into new regions," Dr. Krutika Kuppalli of the division of infectious diseases at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center told ABC News. Veer Patel, M.D., is an emergency medicine doctor at Maimonides Medical Center and a member of the ABC News Medical Unit. WASHINGTON (AP) So-called mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic and now scientists are using that Nobel Prize-winning technology to try to develop vaccines and treatments against a long list of diseases including cancer and cystic fibrosis. But this week, U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a longtime vaccine critic, canceled $500 million in government-funded research projects to create new mRNA vaccines against respiratory illnesses that might trigger another health emergency. That dismays infectious disease experts who note that mRNA allows faster production of shots than older vaccine-production methods, buying precious time if another pandemic were to emerge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Using older technology to target a pandemic flu strain would take 18 months to make enough vaccine to vaccinate only about one-fourth of the world," said Michael Osterholm of the University of Minnesota, an expert on pandemic preparation. But using mRNA technology could change that dramatically, such that by the end of the first year, we could vaccinate the world. How mRNA technology works Traditionally, making vaccines required growing viruses or pieces of viruses called proteins often in giant vats of cells or, like most flu shots, in chicken eggs and then purifying them. Injecting a small dose as a vaccine trains the body how to recognize when a real infection hits so it's ready to fight back. But that technology takes a long time. Using mRNA is a faster process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The m stands for messenger, meaning mRNA carries instructions for our bodies to make proteins. Scientists figured out how to harness that natural process by making mRNA in a lab. They take a snippet of that genetic code that carries instructions for making the protein they want the vaccine to target. Injecting that snippet instructs the body to become its own mini-vaccine factory, making enough copies of the protein for the immune system to recognize and react. The COVID-19 vaccines aren't perfect Years of research show protection from COVID-19 vaccines both the types made with mRNA and a type made with traditional technology does wane over time. The vaccinations provide the strongest protection against severe infection and death, even if people still become infected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that's a common feature with both the coronavirus and flu because both viruses continually mutate. That's the reason we're told to get a flu vaccine every year using vaccines made with traditional methods, not mRNA. Today's COVID-19 vaccines made with mRNA by Pfizer and Moderna can be updated more quickly each year than traditional types, an advantage that now has multiple companies developing other vaccines using the technology. Traditional vaccines aren't the only use for mRNA Osterholm counts about 15 infectious disease vaccines that could benefit from mRNA technology, but that's not the only potential. Many disease therapies take aim at proteins, making mRNA a potential technique for developing new treatments. Researchers already are testing an mRNA-based therapeutic vaccine for pancreatic cancer. Genetic diseases are another target, such as an experimental inhaled therapy for cystic fibrosis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ AP video journalist Nathan Ellgren contributed to this report. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content. The nation's worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years has reached Wisconsin. More than 1,300 cases mostly children and teens have been detected in at least 40 states since January, when an outbreak began in a rural Texas community with relatively low vaccination rates against the disease, according to figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles, which is caused by a virus, is spread through the air and is highly contagious much more so than even COVID-19 or chickenpox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early August, Wisconsin health officials announced the state's first confirmed cases of the year. Here's what we know about them. How many measles cases have been identified in Wisconsin? Nine cases of measles were confirmed in Oconto County in northern Wisconsin. They are the state's first cases of measles this year. They were announced on Aug. 2. How did the nine people become infected with measles in Wisconsin? All nine people were exposed to a common source during out-of-state travel, according to the state Department of Health Services. Where did they become infected? State health officials have not released the name of the state where the nine Oconto County residents are believed to have contracted the virus. They confirmed it is in the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For privacy reasons, we're not disclosing the specific location of travel," said Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer in DHS's Bureau of Communicable Diseases, during a call with reporters on Monday, Aug. 4. What is the vaccination status of the Oconto County residents who contracted measles? State health officials have not released whether the nine people in Oconto County who contracted measles were vaccinated, citing privacy concerns. "Were really only releasing information about the county of residence and the number of cases," Westergaard said. Westergaard said the state made the decision not to release their vaccination status after weighing the individuals' right to privacy against the public's right to know. What do we know about the Wisconsin cases with measles? Not much. State health officials have not disclosed their ages or how they are connected to each other, citing privacy concerns. Has anyone in Wisconsin been hospitalized with or died from measles? None of the nine people identified with measles so far this year had been hospitalized as of Monday, Aug. 4, Westergaard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have not been any deaths in the state, he said. Is measles spreading in Oconto County or the area? State health officials consider the risk of ongoing spread in the community to be low. "There has not been evidence that others have been exposed," Westergaard said. Health officials have not identified any public places in the county or state where people may have been exposed to measles in a significant way, he said. Typically, if a person with measles is infectious and is around others in a public place for enough time, local health officials would notify the public that the place may be a source of exposure, he said. "We have not identified significant exposure to other people in the community," Westergaard said. What is being done to control measles outbreak in Oconto County and the area? When public health officials identify a case, they investigate and conduct contact tracing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of those things have been going on now," Westergaard said. Local health officials have worked to identify places where the public may have been exposed to measles, he said. They also try to identify people who may have been exposed and come into contact with an infectious person. "We are optimistic that we know how to address these cases," Westergaard said. Wisconsin health officials have doses of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, in stock that they are prepared to distribute to local health departments, he said. What is the MMR vaccination rate in Oconto County? About 82% of 2-year-olds in Oconto County have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Among youth ages 5-18 years old, about 87% in Oconto County have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, according to DHS data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oconto County's vaccination rate is higher than most other counties in Wisconsin for the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. But it still lags behind the vaccination rate that public health experts recommend as a target for preventing outbreaks of measles. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 12 and 15 months, and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Public health officials aim for 95% vaccination rates in communities to keep measles from spreading. "If vaccination coverage is at 95% it would be very unlikely for that spark to essentially create a fire that will start to spread in the community," Westergaard said. How can I protect myself against measles? Public health officials recommend people check their vaccination status and get vaccinated against measles if they are not up-to-date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine is available at doctor's offices and local health departments. The Milwaukee Health Department has secured over 800 doses of the MMR vaccine. It is offering the vaccine for free at its clinics. "Make a plan if you are not up-to-date to either go to your provider or if it's more convenient, come to one of our clinics during our clinic hours," Milwaukee Health Commissioner Mike Totoraitis said. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about the Wisconsin measles outbreak in Oconto County The nation's worst measles outbreak in more than 30 years has reached Wisconsin. More than 1,300 cases mostly children and teens have been detected in at least 40 states since January, when an outbreak began in a rural Texas community with relatively low vaccination rates against the disease, according to figures from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Measles, which is caused by a virus, is spread through the air and is highly contagious much more so than even COVID-19 or chickenpox. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early August, Wisconsin health officials announced the state's first confirmed cases of the year. Here's what we know about them. How many measles cases have been identified in Wisconsin? Nine cases of measles were confirmed in Oconto County. They are the state's first cases of measles this year. They were announced on Aug. 2. How did the nine people become infected with measles in Wisconsin? All nine people were exposed to a common source during out-of-state travel, according to the state Department of Health Services. Where did they become infected? State health officials have not released the name of the state where the nine Oconto County residents are believed to have contracted the virus. They confirmed it is in the United States. "For privacy reasons, we're not disclosing the specific location of travel," said Ryan Westergaard, chief medical officer in DHS's Bureau of Communicable Diseases, during a call with reporters on Monday, Aug. 4. What is the vaccination status of the Oconto County residents who contracted measles? State health officials have not released whether the nine people in Oconto County who contracted measles were vaccinated, citing privacy concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were really only releasing information about the county of residence and the number of cases," Westergaard said. Westergaard said the state made the decision not to release their vaccination status after weighing the individuals' right to privacy against the public's right to know. What do we know about the Wisconsin cases with measles? Not much. State health officials have not disclosed their ages or how they are connected to each other, citing privacy concerns. Has anyone in Wisconsin been hospitalized with or died from measles? None of the nine people identified with measles so far this year had been hospitalized as of Monday, Aug. 4, Westergaard said. There have not been any deaths in the state, he said. Is measles spreading in Oconto County or the area? State health officials consider the risk of ongoing spread in the community to be low. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There has not been evidence that others have been exposed," Westergaard said. Health officials have not identified any public places in the county or state where people may have been exposed to measles in a significant way, he said. Typically, if a person with measles is infectious and is around others in a public place for enough time, local health officials would notify the public that the place may be a source of exposure, he said. "We have not identified significant exposure to other people in the community," Westergaard said. What is being done to control measles outbreak in Oconto County and the area? When public health officials identify a case, they investigate and conduct contact tracing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All of those things have been going on now," Westergaard said. Local health officials have worked to identify places where the public may have been exposed to measles, he said. They also try to identify people who may have been exposed and come into contact with an infectious person. "We are optimistic that we know how to address these cases," Westergaard said. Wisconsin health officials have doses of the vaccine for measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, in stock that they are prepared to distribute to local health departments, he said. What is the MMR vaccination rate in Oconto County? About 82% of 2-year-olds in Oconto County have had at least one dose of the MMR vaccine, according to data from the Wisconsin Department of Health Services. Among youth ages 5-18 years old, about 87% in Oconto County have received both doses of the MMR vaccine, according to DHS data. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oconto County's vaccination rate is higher than most other counties in Wisconsin for the measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine. But it still lags behind the vaccination rate that public health experts recommend as a target for preventing outbreaks of measles. The CDC recommends that children receive the first dose of the MMR vaccine between the ages of 12 and 15 months, and a second dose between 4 and 6 years of age. Public health officials aim for 95% vaccination rates in communities to keep measles from spreading. "If vaccination coverage is at 95% it would be very unlikely for that spark to essentially create a fire that will start to spread in the community," Westergaard said. How can I protect myself against measles? Public health officials recommend people check their vaccination status and get vaccinated against measles if they are not up-to-date. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The measles, mumps and rubella, or MMR, vaccine is available at doctor's offices and local health departments. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: What we know about the measles outbreak in Oconto County Question : I am a kupuna who has owned an electric vehicle for about six years. I received a postcard that I would get to choose the RUC by the miles or a flat rate. When I got my registration renewal about a week later, it said that they do not have sufficient odometer readings so they defaulted me and I must pay $50. I looked at my last safety check and the document clearly shows the odometer reading of 15, 022 miles on Aug. 23, 2024. As of July 25, 2025, my odometer has a reading of 17, 810 miles. That means I drove my EV 2, 788 miles last year so my cost should be about $22, not $50. They need to plan better for the transition and /or someone is not doing their job of inputting the data mileage from the safety check. How can they send out a postcard giving me a choice and then say I dont have a choice ? Answer : Your question to Kokua Line helped alert the state and the counties to a problem with EV registration renewals eligible for the state Department of Transportations new Hawaii Road Usage Charge program, which took effect July 1. The state and counties are working to fix a system mistake, a DOT spokesperson said Tuesday. You and others may receive a refund or credit ; the exact solution is being worked out. The postcard you received was from the state letting you know that you could choose between the per-mile RUC of $8 per 1, 000 miles, capped at $50, or the flat annual RUC of $50 ; these options replace the states previous $50 EV registration surcharge. The motor vehicle registration renewal notice you received was from Honolulu County ; the counties process motor vehicle registration renewals, including for EVs. The technical problem that prevented mileage from being included can occur in any county, not just Honolulu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shelly Kunishige, a DOT spokesperson, said in an email Tuesday that a system mistake meant that some eligible EV owners renewing their registrations in July did not get the choice between the per-mile charge and the flat fee of $50. The mistake is being expedited to be fixed this week. Customers who complete their renewal and pay before the mistake is fixed will get a refund check in the mail or a credit on their vehicles next renewal. Customers who believe there is a mistake on their registration renewal should contact their County DMV, she said. Harold Nedd, spokesperson for Honolulus Department of Customer Services, said the citys Department of Information Technology is working with the DOT to quickly resolve the problem. We will publish more information when we receive an update from the DOT about the resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, EV owners can check the HiRUC website, , for details about how this program should work. A calculator tells an eligible EV owner which is a better deal ; this reader would have paid about $22 if their mileage had been included in their renewal notice, the calculator showed. The website explains that the HiRUC program uses the difference in odometer readings from an eligible EVs two most recent annual inspections, also known as safety checks, to set the per-mile RUC. The charge defaults to the $50 flat fee if the mileage for either year is missing. Please note that hybrid and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles are not eligible for the HiRUC program, even if they have Hawaii EV plates, as some do. Only owners of eligible EVs received the notification postcards in July, Kunishige said. Mahalo This past Saturday, I was on Kapiolani Boulevard heading for a play at Diamond Head Theatre when I had a flat tire. I pulled off the busy road into an empty construction site. I tried changing the tire but had trouble finding the jack point guides under the rocker panel so I could use my jack to lift the car. My wife asked a couple of guys for help and they knew exactly what to do and had the strength to take off the tight lug nuts. They quickly changed the tire and installed the spare but refused any compensation. Unfortunately, we did not get their names before they left. Lucky we live Hawaii.Jeff, a grateful senior------------Write to Kokua Line at Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 2-200, Honolulu, HI 96813 ; call 808-529-4773 ; or email.------------ [Source] A 40-year-old scientist and legal permanent resident has been detained by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection at San Francisco International Airport since July 21. Tae Heung Will Kim, who has lived in the U.S. since age 5, was returning from his brothers wedding in South Korea when agents cited a 2011 misdemeanor marijuana conviction as grounds for his detention. Devastated family Kim is a Ph.D. student at Texas A&M University developing a vaccine for Lyme disease. According to his legal team, he has previously traveled internationally for academic work without incident. Relatives describe Kim as a devoted son and brother who has spent 35 years in the U.S. and built a career focused on public health research. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sharon Lee, Kims mother, described her anguish: When my other child called and told me they arrested Will, my heart felt like the sky and earth fell. It feels like the world has ended. Ive been so worried. We havent been able to talk with him. I cant sleep or eat. As a mother, I want my son to be safe and free. Conditions of detention Attorney Karl Krooth, an immigration lawyer in San Francisco, said Kims detention has far exceeded CBPs internal 72-hour holding limit for airports. Ive never seen anyone held that long. A prolonged detention indicates to me that there is a degree of coercion or inducement afoot. Trending on NextShark: ICE raids Asian supermarkets in New York Krooth reported that Kim was moved within secondary inspection at least twice per day, kept in windowless rooms with lights on 24 hours a day, denied exercise or fresh air, forced to sleep in a chair, and given only concession food and water. Kim, who has asthma, reportedly struggled to access medication. Since his detention began, he has had almost no communication with family or counsel, and his legal team believes he may now be held at a facility in Arizona. Alarming trend Kims detention comes amid a rise in cases where legal permanent residents are held over minor or decades-old offenses under stricter immigration enforcement. Civil rights groups and immigration attorneys report that green card holders are increasingly stopped or removed at airports for low-level convictions, including individuals who have spent most of their lives in the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Becky Belcore, co-director of the National Korean American Service & Education Consortium, called Kims treatment alarming for every person who values their freedom and rights. Belcore criticized both major political parties for failing to represent all residents and called for swift action to protect the rights and freedoms the U.S. claims to uphold. Immigrants have been used as a scapegoat for the Trump administration to test the will of the People, and to build the infrastructure to enact an authoritarian regime, she added. Trending on NextShark: Korean American researcher held at airport for weeks over decade-old weed conviction This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Trending on NextShark: Trumps tariff blitz reshapes Asian trade landscape Subscribe here now! Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! DHS Secretary Kristi Noem delivered a pointed rebuttal to New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdanis accusation that ICE is "abduct[ing]" immigrants, telling Fox News that his rhetoric ignores the agencys critical role in getting dangerous criminals off the streets. "I can't even imagine how the people of New York City feel listening to that, knowing that if he were elected as mayor, that they would have to continue to live with the dangerous criminals that are on their streets terrorizing that city right now," she said Wednesday on "Fox & Friends." "Literally hundreds and hundreds of [criminal illegal immigrants] have been removed already in New York City because of President Trump's leadership. We need to continue to do that work, and we need a mayor that will work with us and have our backs when we're out there making sure we're going after those individuals." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nyc Official Warns Businesses Will Flee 'In Droves' If Democratic Socialist Candidate Wins Mayoral Race Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended ICE during an appearance on "Fox & Friends" Wednesday. Noem insisted that the Big Apple would be a "train wreck" under the Democratic socialist's leadership and such a debacle would leave families "nowhere to go for help." Mamdani told the congregation at the Greater Allen Cathedral of New York on Sunday that the "authoritarian" Trump administration has created a "dark moment" to be a "stranger" in the U.S. He accused the administration of setting the stage for immigrant "abductions" by dispatching mass agents to carry out the task. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Cautions That Ny Will Never Be The Same If Communist Mamdani Is Elected New York City mayoral candidate and Democratic State Representative Zohran Mamdani campaigns in New York City on April 16, 2025. "That is not justice. It is cruelty, and it is criminal," he said. "These are our neighbors. These are people who are guilty of only wanting a field of their own to harvest." Mamdani's politically-charged sermon also contained a push to justify his campaign platform. The Democratic candidate's proposals for city-run grocery stores, free buses, rent controls and more have raised eyebrows among some who believe the policies would be unsustainable. Voters will be asked in November to choose between Mamdani and rivaling candidates: Republican Curtis Sliwa, and Andrew Cuomo and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who have both launched independent bids. Fox News' Andrew Mark Miller and Cameron Cawthorne contributed to this report. Original article source: Kristi Noem rebukes NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani over ICE 'abduction' claims The Brief Kyrene School District's governing board discussed issues related to the temporary closure of Kyrene de la Sierra's campus during an Aug. 5 meeting. A roofing project is underway on the campus, and students will not return to the campus until after the October break. There are reports of air quality issues, and during the meeting, families of students let their voices be known. PHOENIX - A school district in the East Valley is still dealing with issues related to the temporary closure of one of their elementary schools in the Ahwatukee area of Phoenix. The backstory On Aug. 3, Kyrene officials announced that they are closing the campus of Kyrene de la Sierra, starting on Aug. 4, due to air quality concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Multiple air quality tests conducted over the weekend inside the school indicated elevated particulate levels. This does not mean the particulates are harmful or even that the levels are harmful. However, official results of the air quality tests will take 5-7 days, and we will not take any risks with staff and student health," read a portion of the notice. On Aug. 5, however, Kyrene officials issued a clarification on the air quality testing. "Kyrene has been using the term particles or particulates when referencing air quality testing, but moving forward, we will use the acronym tVOC, which is the appropriate term and stands for Total Volatile Organic Compounds. The distinction is that particles may refer to liquids or solids, while VOCs specifically refer to gasses emitted from certain solids or liquids," officials wrote. School officials say regardless of results from the air quality tests, students will not return to campus until after fall break. The school's fall break is set to start on Monday, September 29, and end on Friday, October 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Sometimes when you have poor air quality in schools, it can increase absenteeism for students and staff if they're always sick, especially vulnerable people, like people with asthma," said Joanna Strother with the American Lung Association. By the numbers According to an air quality report posted on Kyrene's website on Aug. 5, indoor ambient air tVOC readings were 813 to 11,153 parts per billion (ppb) on Aug. 1. "According to the U.S. Green Building Council, tVOC levels should ideally be below 500 parts per billion (ppb)," read a portion of the findings. "Studies have indicated that health complaints in buildings typically begin when the VOC levels inside of the building exceed 3,000 ppb." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Aug. 3, the tVOC reading ranged from 1,891 to 14,939 ppb, according to the report. By Aug. 5, the reading fell to 294 to 6,773 ppb. Big picture view Per district officials, non-preschool students at Kyrene de la Sierra will be relocated to the shared campus of Kyrene de los Cerritos Leadership Academy and Kyrene Altadena Middle School, starting on Aug. 11. Preschool students, meanwhile, will be relocated to Cerritos. Initially, officials said they would be relocated to Kyrene de la Esperanza Elementary School, which is in a different part of Ahwatukee. The relocation will last until the end of fall break, which is Friday, Oct. 10. What they're saying Director of Facilities Mason Meade said while odors are not uncommon during such projects, a written concern sent on July 31 led to a test of the work site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "During this testing, we also discovered that a key safety protocol was not in place," Meade said. "We require that air intakes be sealed off prior to projects starting. As previously mentioned, it is not clear why they were not in place. We are looking into that." Superintendent Laura Toenjes said it is not standard practice to do air quality testing for every project. She also addressed an apparent "lag" between complaints made at a "Meet the Teacher" night on July 21 and the initial testing on Aug. 1. "It's not uncommon for us to get a report of 'Hey there's some smells,' and so we followed our standard practice," Toenjes said. "I don't know, you said some people on July 21, we had I think one, and it didn't even escalate to administration at that point." Parents are sharing their concerns over long-term effects and say the district's timeline doesn't match their experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "My asthmatic son goes to Kids Club. One day I walked in the doors, there were only about 10 children left, and my eyes teared up from the fumes," a parent said. "They were not aromas, they were clearly fumes that my asthmatic son had been breathing in for I don't know how long." What you can do You can watch the full meeting here: Two Los Angeles County residents face federal charges after they were arrested on suspicion of illegally exporting tens of millions of dollars' worth of artificial intelligence microchips to China, authorities said. Chuan Geng, 28, of Pasadena, and Shiwei Yang, 28, of El Monte, were taken into custody on Saturday for their alleged involvement in the illegal overseas export of processing units used in modern computing and artificial intelligence applications, according to a statement from the U.S. attorneys office for the Eastern District of California. Federal prosecutors said both were Chinese nationals, though Geng is a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. Yang, however, was in the country illegally as she had overstayed her visa, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Chinese government planted agent in SoCal with mission to influence local government, feds allege In a criminal complaint, U.S. Justice Department officials alleged the pair had knowingly and willingly undercut federal export regulations to conceal illegal shipments to China for nearly three years. Prosecutors say Geng and Yang owned and operated an El Monte-based technology company called ALX Solutions Inc. The company specialized in providing high-powered central and graphics processing units for individuals and businesses, according to business records and its website . The business also had high-performance microchips capable of being used in the development of AI technology, such as in self-driving cars and medical diagnosis systems, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors allege that shortly after the U.S. Department of Commerce began requiring a license or authorization to export these "sensitive technologies" overseas, ALX Solutions was involved in at least 20 unlicensed or mislabeled chip shipments to China through third-party countries. Read more: Nine charged in counterfeit smuggling ring through L.A.-Long Beach ports Shipments by ALX Solutions involved exports from the U.S. to shipping and freight-forwarding companies in Singapore and Malaysia, which commonly are used as transshipment points to conceal illegal shipments to China, the U.S. attorneys office said in its statement. Prosecutors said a review of export and business records showed that the company received numerous payments from companies in Hong Kong and China, which were not the stated entities to which they had sold their goods. Geng and Yang were also accused of falsely labeling graphics processing units, or GPUs, as licensed despite them not having applied for or obtained a license from the Commerce Department on multiple shipments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, law enforcement seized two phones belonging to Geng and Yang from the ALX Solutions office that allegedly revealed incriminating communications regarding shipping chips through Malaysia to evade export laws, according to the U.S. attorney's office. Geng and Yang are charged with violating the Export Control Reform Act , a 2018 law that strengthened federal controls regarding the export of emerging and foundational technologies. Violations can carry a maximum sentence of 20 years in federal prison. Read more: Two foreign nationals charged with stalking a Los Angeles artist who criticized Xi Jinping On Monday, a U.S. District Court judge ordered that Geng be released on $250,000 bond and scheduled a detention hearing for Yang on Aug. 12. Neither entered a plea Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI and the Department of Commerce Bureau of Industry and Security are continuing to investigate, officials said. Arraignment for the two is scheduled for Sept. 11. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. An immigration raid at a Westlake Home Depot has raised the temperature on simmering tensions in Los Angeles. Video posted to social media shows what appears to be a squad of federal agents loading into a Penske truck, with the videos caption saying the scene was recorded at 6:40 a.m. Federal agents load into a Penske truck on Aug. 6, 2025. (Union del Barrio) The Office of Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass decried the raids and stipulated that such federal actions are prohibited by a recent court ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For months federal agents have been masking themselves and now theyre using rental trucks to conduct their seemingly discriminatory raids these tactics are dangerous, the Mayors Office said in a statement. The Federal court of appeals made clear that it is unconstitutional in this country to racially profile people and snatch them from worksites. The City is gathering information about these reported raids and considering all legal options. Tactics like this are un-American and we will never accept these terrorizing ploys as a new normal. The United Farm Workers said the labor union is also worried about a possible violation of the courts order. While more investigation is needed, we have serious concerns that the federal govt may be in violation of the federal judges July TRO, the union wrote on social media. Additionally, Penske criticized federal agents for using their trucks in a prohibited manner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances, the company said in a statement posted to social media. The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in todays operation and did not authorize this. Penske will reach out to [the Department of Homeland Security] and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future. Federal officials, however, criticized the company for what they perceived to be hypocrisy. The Department of Homeland Security shared a screenshot of a Fox News story that mentioned a human smuggling ring had utilized Penske trucks. Care to remind the American people what Penske said when this happened? Silence speaks volumes, DHS wrote. The brave agents of [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] and [Customs and Border Protection] will continue carrying out their mission to protect Americans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli also chimed in, intimating that despite the courts ruling, immigration raids could increase in coming days. For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again, he said on social media. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government. DHS officials said the targeted raid, dubbed Trojan Horse resulted in the arrest of 16 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Quest Payment Systems is a technological marvel - the country's largest and leading full-service payment solution supplier, delivering Australias only locally designed and manufactured range of payment terminal hardware - and it is supplying its state of the art QT850 payment terminal from 2026 to traditional and self-serve checkouts at Coles Supermarkets, Liquorland, FirstChoice and Vintage Cellars. Quest Payment Systems has announced on LinkedIn it is partnering with iconic Aussie retailer Coles to refresh its payment terminal fleet across more than 2,000 supermarkets, and liquor outlets in Australia. Quest CEO Jan Mason noted Quest had been selected for its Australian-designed, state of the art QT850 payment terminals which provide new features, as well as enhanced security and reliability. As the post notes, the rollout will start in 2026 and include traditional and self-serve checkouts at Coles Supermarkets, Liquorland, FirstChoice, and Vintage Cellars. Mason added: "As Australias only owned and operated terminal manufacturer, we are excited to be working with Coles Group again on this important terminal upgrade across the nation." The new terminal partnership extends Quest's relationship with Coles, where the company already provide Point Of Sale (POS) integration software and mobile payment solutions. For those needing a refresher on Quest, it is an innovative payments technology company based in Melbourne, Australia providing market leading end-to-end payment solutions to retailers and financial institutions both locally and internationally. It is Australia's largest and leading full-service payment solution supplier, delivering the country's "only locally designed and manufactured range of payment terminal hardware, Quest excels in delivering both mass market and bespoke solutions drawing on over twenty years of development expertise." Quest's portfolion includes fixed line and mobile payment terminal hardware, software, gift card and online payment solutions, EMV smartcard, contactless, communications and transaction routing solutions as well as professional consulting services. Boasting an in house expertise in industrial design, hardware and software engineering and security, systems architecture, security assurance, project management and logistics, Quest deploys its products and services to a broad range of clients spanning multiple vertical segments including oil, food retailing, transportation, postal, hospitality, fashion and general retail. The company is well respected in the market, and maintains strong relationships with customers, channel partners, acquiring partners and associates both in Australia and overseas. Many of its customers have been using Quest technology for over twenty years, and continue doing so because of Quest's commitment to quality and the long term support of its products. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The remains of a San Diego, California, woman reported missing in 1986 have been positively identified after being found at Lake Mead years ago, according to the Mohave County Sheriffs Office. Carol Ann Riley was a nurse who worked at Scripps Clinic in San Diego. At the time of her disappearance in 1986, she was dating a man known to her as Robert Howard Smith. She had a dinner date scheduled with him on the date of her disappearance and told friends that she was planning to break up with him, according to the Mohave County Sheriffs Office (MCSO). When interviewed, Smith told police that Riley had canceled the date. Two days later, Smith left town and dropped out of sight. Detectives investigating Smith discovered that his real name was Robert Dean Weeks and had a history of going by false names. They also found out that his ex-wife, Patricia Weeks, disappeared from Clark County on April 25, 1968, a few weeks after their divorce was finalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith had also dated a real estate agent who disappeared, a woman by the name of Cynthia Jabour. She had a dinner date scheduled with him and intended to end their relationship. She was last seen on Oct. 5, 1980. Weeks business associate, James Shaw, was last seen on May 5, 1971. He disappeared after arguing with Weeks, and his bloodstained vehicle was found abandoned in a Las Vegas parking lot. Their bodies were never found, MCSO said in a post on its social media page on Tuesday. In April 1987, the investigation involving Weeks aired on the television show Unsolved Mysteries. A warrant had been issued for his arrest due to fraud and embezzlement charges from his business. As a result of viewer response, Weeks was located and arrested in Arizona. On May 16, 1987, a person rounding up steers around Bonelli Landing at Lake Mead found a human skull on the ground. A further search resulted in the discovery of additional remains buried in a shallow grave and wrapped in a blanket. At the time, the remains were those of a female thought to be between 20 to 40 years old. Attempts to identify her were unsuccessful; however, her dental report was placed into a system, and she was listed as Jane Doe, MCSO said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1988, Weeks was convicted of the murder of his wife, Patricia Weeks, and Cynthia Jabour, despite their bodies never being found. He was never charged with the murder of Riley and Shaw. He was sentenced to life in prison in Nevada and died there on September 20, 1996. In February, investigators sent portions of the unidentified persons clothing and the blanket in which she was wrapped to a lab in Arizona in an attempt to obtain DNA, but the efforts were unsuccessful. Investigators then learned that her skeletal remains had been cremated in 2016 and her ashes scattered at an unknown location. On July 15, investigators were contacted by personnel at the Mohave County Medical Examiners Office after an email received indicated that a forensic odontologist from the Missing and Unidentified Persons Unit, California Department of Justice, had worked on a dental comparison of the Jane Doe victim and Riley, as a result of their comparison, they positively identified Jane Doe as Carol Ann Riley, MCSO said on Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. After the City of Dallas flagged an establishment for crime and code violations, the owners of the nightclub in Deep Ellum found themselves locked out by the establishments landlord. On July 31, the popular Rodeo Dallas nightclub at the corner of Elm and Crowdus Street was seen closed with a chain and padlock. A letter on the door announced the propertys landlord had moved to repossess the space and the locks because of defaults from the tenants. While construction has plagued the neighborhood in the past, Dan Murray, co-owner of The Armoury D.E., an establishment just a few doors down from Rodeo Dallas, says other concerns are emerging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I certainly dont take joy in any business getting shut down, but as a bar you have a responsibility to the community that youre in and to your patrons to make sure that youre doing the right thing, he said, per NBC 5. The chain and padlock came one week after the Dallas City Attorneys Office flagged Rodeo Dallas in a letter for crime and code violations. The letter noted over a dozen instances of alleged criminal activity, including possession of a controlled substance, disorderly conduct, and even murder. It also lists numerous city code violations identified during an inspection in early July. Just because somebody gets hammered at one particular place and a fight starts, once it gets pushed out into the street, its not like it stops and those people just go away, said Murray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the City giving Rode Dallas until August 29 to take required action, the locked doors were in place three weeks before the deadline. As previously reported in The Dallas Express, Dallas Rodeo was opened just two years back by Joseph JD Ybanez and Josh Reaganafter taking on the location once occupied by Wits End. A large fire is raging in southern France, with more than 5,000 hectares of land and vegetation destroyed by the flames, the local prefecture said late on Tuesday. Colonel Alexandre Jouassard from the civil defence authority told broadcaster BFMTV that the flames in Ribaute, near Carcassonne, spread with unusual speed, and it was unlikely the fire would be extinguished by the evening. More than 1,200 firefighters battled the blaze, which was fuelled by strong winds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The sub-prefect of the Aude region, Lucie Roesch, told BFMTV that two people were injured, one of them seriously. Several communities near Ribaute were evacuated as a precaution, according to BMFTV. A campsite was also evacuated, broadcaster France Info reported. Numerous roads were closed due to the fire. French President Emmanuel Macron wrote on X that "all the nation's resources are being mobilized" to fight the fire. He called on the population to exercise great caution. A dive boat captain and shipwreck explorer died last week during a deep-sea diving expedition off the coast of Massachusetts, his dive company said Friday. Joe Mazraani, 48, was diving about 200 miles offshore on the eastern edge of Georges Bank to explore a shipwreck his team called the Big Engine Steamer when he died on July 29, Atlantic Wreck Salvage said in a statement on Facebook. There was no reason to suspect diver error or equipment failure, the company said, noting that all indications pointed to a medical emergency. The company said a full investigation into Mazraanis death was ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Joe Mazraani was larger than life," his wife and business partner, Jennifer Sellitti, wrote. "He was kind, compassionate, and generous. A mentor and a student, a friend, brother, son, and partner. Whether motoring aboard D/V Tenacious, diving into deep and dangerous water, or defending his clients in court, Joe demanded the best of everyone around him. Sometimes he demanded it grumpilybut he always demanded by example." Explosive New Report Blames Oceangate And Its Ceo For 'Preventable' Titan Sub Disaster Sellitti, a prominent public defender in New Jersey, also co-owned Atlantic Wreck Salvage with Mazraani, who was also a criminal defense attorney. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I loved Joe fiercely, and he loved me back just the same," Sellitti wrote. "We were partners in everythingespecially this." Mazraani was born in Lebanon and immigrated to the U.S. at 15 years old, according to his companys website. He became a certified diver in the mid-1990s, "diving sunken wrecks off the Northeast U.S. coast and instantly developed an obsession with exploring the sunken hulks that litter the approaches to New York Harbor," his bio reads. He also led diving expeditions to the Italian liner SS Andrea Doria, and has dived the wrecks of HMHS Britannic sister ship of the Titanic and RMS Lusitania, according to the website. Young Crewmember Murdered Aboard Luxury Superyacht In Paradise Destination Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a defense attorney, Mazraani helped free Timothy Puskas in 2024 after Puskas had been wrongfully convicted of murder in the death of 22-year-old former Rutgers student William McCaw. Puskas had served 10 years of a 40-year sentence when Mazraani secured his exoneration. The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender posted a statement online in remembrance of Mazraani. "Joe was larger than life: fearless, kind, and deeply committed to justice," the statement said. "Our hearts are with the Public Defender and his loved ones." Original article source: 'Larger than life' shipwreck explorer dies during deep-sea diving expedition FILLMORE, Utah (ABC4) In early June, Millard County approved a rezone that will bring the worlds largest data center to central Utah. On June 3, 2025, the Millard County Commission unanimously voted in favor of a rezone, appropriating over 1,100 acres of agricultural land to heavy industrial. The center would be house high-density data banks which can be leased to major tech corporations for a number of uses including artificial intelligence. Millard County Commissioners deliberate over a rezone on Aug. 5, 2025. (Courtesy//MJ Jewkes) The Millard County Courthouse. (Courtesy//MJ Jewkes) The nations largest data center could be coming to this remote part of Millard County. (Courtesy//MJ Jewkes) The applicant is a management company called Fibernet MercuryDelta, LLC. The company was only created in 2022, but last month reported almost $15.2 million in annual sales. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rezoning the property paved the way for Fibernet MercuryDelta to construct what theyre calling the largest data center in the U.S. The property in question is found near the intersection of 4500 South and Highway 50 in Delta. One nearby resident of the potential data center, Kyle Ashby, voiced concerns over water usage. Whats troubling is the actual amount of water hasnt been clearly defined or publicly released. Millard County has approved a multi-billion dollar artificial intelligence data center Jarvis Jones, another nearby resident, feels the project could set a dangerous precedent. This zoning could create a domino effect, inviting further industrial development, Jones said during the June commission meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Millard County commissioners pointed to economic benefits in favor of the data center, including Commissioner Bill Wright who highlighted the significant benefits a large company could bring to the county. Wright says benefits could include job creation and increased tax revenue. The project is not the only one of its kind coming to Millard County. On Aug. 5, 2025, the Millard County Commission approved the rezone that will bring another major data center to the county. Fibernet MercuryDelta now only needs a conditional use permit before beginning construction. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Editors note: This story has been updated to remove incorrect information about the energy used to power these buses. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) From London to Las Vegas, theres a new attraction in town inspired by the world-famous buses across the pond. Its not just for sightseeing theyre built for convenience too. World-famous double-decker buses are rolling into Las Vegas, and one has already made its debut on the strip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You think of double-decker buses in London, but now were going to have them up and down the Strip, all around the valley, taking tourists to fun spots, taking people to work, Democratic Rep. Dina Titus said. I couldnt be more proud. The Regional Transportation Committee of Southern Nevada (RTC), in partnership with Alexander Dennis, the nations only double-decker bus manufacturer, is bringing the iconic vehicles to the valley for both visitors and locals. Its really exciting because were seeing an international company thats found a home right here in Southern Nevada building buses like this that will be moving people throughout our valley here, North Las Vegas City Councilman Isaac Barron, who represents Ward 1, said. They will not have emissions out there in the atmosphere, and theyll be able to travel distances, North Las Vegas Mayor Pamela Goynes-Brown said. Its just a good way to move people from place to place, and its actually right here in our backyard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, workers are building 10 new double-decker buses for the RTC. Every single double-decker will be made in Las Vegas before making its way to cities all over the country. This is a facility thats building buses that are not just going to be used here, theyre going to be explored all over the world, Barron said. Theyre bringing jobs and some much-needed revenue to our city. Here in the city of North Las Vegas, were trying to build a firewall that is not dependent on tourism, said Barron. Las Vegas is very resilient, and we keep changing, we keep adapting, always adding something new, and I think this will be an attraction in and of itself, Titus said. The first bus is already up and running on the Strip, with more expected to hit the road soon. Day passes are $8 for visitors and $5 for locals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The City of Las Vegas is recruiting for 64 part-time positions with AmeriCorps, a nine- to 11-month service commitment that allows participants a chance to make a vital impact on the community. Applicants must be 17 or older and must have a high school diploma or a GED by the end of their service term. Also, participants must be a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident, according to a Wednesday news release. AmeriCorps and AmeriCorps VISTA are part of a network of national service programs that engage more than 200,000 Americans each year. The programs help local organizations expand capacity and make change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AmeriCorps members make a vital impact in the community through action and leadership, providing services such as youth education interventions, college and career supports to young adults, connecting families to resources, and helping meet other critical needs in the community, according to the news release. Benefits to AmeriCorps Participants A stipend of up to $24,962 is available to AmeriCorps participants for a one-year service term. Benefits vary based on position and require successful completion of the program. Other benefits include an education award of up to $7,395 upon completion of service year, and eligibility for federal student loan forbearance or deferment. AmeriCorps experience brings professional development and training opportunities as participants make real differences in the lives of children and families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news release listed programs AmeriCorps is involved with: The Batteries Included/NextGen youth leadership program serving middle and high school teens in Las Vegas, designed to ensure teens reach their greatest potential by providing out-of-school educational and life skills activities. The Community Navigator Program that connects students, families and community members to resources and service providers in some of Las Vegas highest-need communities. The Strong Future Technology training program , which provides opportunities to support youth and young adults, ages 16-24, in gaining skills in technology to prepare them for in-demand tech careers. ReInvent Schools , which focuses on improving academic excellence for every child by creating a strong collective culture among students, families, and educators to ensure academic achievement and lifelong success, including literacy tutors and chronic absenteeism and nutrition mentors. Strong Start GO Ambassadors for the mobile pre-kindergarten program , which offers children and families free high-quality, early-education programming, including family engagement workshops and activities. Strong Start Ambassadors to provide academic interventions and community resources assistance for the Strong Start Academy Elementary School students. Community Affairs Ambassador , who will aid in developing and coordinating a calendar of community events, resource fairs, and workshops to increase awareness, engagement and participation of diverse communities. Youth Fire Prevention Assistants, who will provide education to youth about fire safety, fire survival, and the serious legal, financial and social costs of setting fires. Sign up for an upcoming informational session here. Questions? Email americorps@lasvegasnevada.gov or call 702-229-2609. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Fan or hate mail is typical following a popular television news segment, but one viewer has Las Vegas polices attention after mailing a bloodied pigs head and a letter in response to an AI story. Blake Owens, CEO of Agrippa, said he was not expecting someone to mail him a dead animal on July 29, but the letter attached helped him form a theory. The bloody pigs head appeared to be prompted by an 8 News Now interview done in June about his use of AI for a real estate deal. Perhaps this person watched too much of The Godfather, Owens said. Needless to say, I still take it very seriously, but dont feel like Im being truly threatened. It was a message. Blake Owens, CEO of Agrippa, said he was not expecting someone to mail him a dead animal on Friday, but the letter attached helped him form a theory. The bloody pigs head appeared to be prompted by an 8 News Now interview filmed in June about his use of AI for a real estate deal. (Blake Owens) The box appeared to have been mailed in by someone who is possibly worried about losing their job to artificial intelligence, according to Owens. The sender wrote a letter to Owens saying, in part, AI is not going to replace brokers. Clearly, you dont understand real estate was built by developer or investors. Warning the following photos may be disturbing. (KLAS) Blake Owens, CEO of Agrippa, said he was not expecting someone to mail him a dead animal on Friday, but the letter attached helped him form a theory. The bloody pigs head appeared to be prompted by an 8 News Now interview filmed in June about his use of AI for a real estate deal. (Blake Owens) Blake Owens, CEO of Agrippa, said he was not expecting someone to mail him a dead animal on Friday, but the letter attached helped him form a theory. The bloody pigs head appeared to be prompted by an 8 News Now interview filmed in June about his use of AI for a real estate deal. (Blake Owens) Owens said his interest is in helping peoplelike those in commercial real estateembrace tools like AI, not use it to replace humans. He cited a Winston Churchill quote in support of his point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Churchill] said to be perfect is to change often, Owens said. I think a lot of people are afraid of change and whats coming with AI, because it really is a tsunami of change that people are trying to resist. But the more you embrace it, the better youll do, the more skills that youll accumulate more value youll bring to the table. The largest employer in the State of Nevada, MGM Resorts, has also embraced AI as a tool, according to its newest quarterly report. The company announced it had introduced 70 to 80 new AI programs for departments, including front desk operations. The Otonomous Hotel, which opened on July 1, has also advertised its use of AI-powered service in Las Vegas. The property hosted foreign dignitaries from El Salvador last month. You look at Agrippa, TensorWave, look at Otonomous Hotel, everyone is trying to bring AI to the forefront, and it sheds some light on how great this city is and what we can do with the talent we have here, Owens said. May ruffle some feathers in the process, but in the long run, I think that its the best thing to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As for the person who sent the pigs head, Owens said there is no ill will toward someone who appears to be struggling. I dont want to punch down on this person; they may be in a tough spot in life, he said. I do see this as an opportunity to show people you dont become a better person by making another man a lesser person. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the bloody delivery sent to Owens, according to documents, the author of the letter attached signed with only the initial 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 KLAS. The Brief Las Vegas police released 7 bodycam videos and 2 audio clips tied to past incidents involving Shane Tamura. Footage includes a 2023 trespassing arrest, a 2024 traffic stop, and a welfare check after a self-harm call. Tamura was the gunman in the July Manhattan office shooting that killed four people, including an NYPD officer. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department has released a series of body camera videos and 911 calls tied to past incidents involving Shane Tamura, the man behind the deadly New York office building shooting last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The materials, posted Tuesday to the departments Public Records Unit YouTube page, include seven videos and two audio recordings, shedding more light on Tamuras prior interactions with police in Nevada before he opened fire in Manhattan. What the footage shows Timeline Four of the videos released are related to Tamuras 2023 trespassing arrest at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas. One of the 911 audio clips is also tied to that incident. Two other videos are from a May 2024 traffic stop, while the most recent bodycam footage, dated August 10, 2024, shows officers responding to a welfare check inside an apartment following a call from Tamuras mother reporting self-harm threats. Shane Tamura is seen speaking with a Las Vegas police officer during a May 2024 traffic stop, one of several past encounters captured in newly released body camera footage. (Image: Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department) A second 911 clip, from 2022, also documents another self-harm call involving Tamura. Local perspective Tamura, who had been living in Nevada before the July 2025 shooting, fatally shot four people, including an NYPD officer and a building security guard, at a Manhattan office building on Lexington Avenue. He was killed at the scene by responding officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The release of the bodycam footage comes as authorities and investigators continue reviewing Tamuras history and mental health background for possible warning signs ahead of the attack. The Source This article is based on video and audio records released by the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Departments Public Records Unit on August 5, 2025. Footage includes seven body-worn camera videos and two 911 call recordings involving Shane Tamura between 2022 and 2024. Context surrounding Tamuras role in the Manhattan shooting is drawn from prior reporting by FOX 5 New York and law enforcement briefings. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. The Animal Foundation (TAF) launched its Foster Field Trip Summer Sendoff Challenge, a month-long effort to send shelter dogs on 500 field trips during the month of August with the help of community members. Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) The field trips are a chance to help dogs de-stress with short adventures, whether its a walk to Mt. Charleston, relaxing in the AC at your home, or enjoying a meal at a dog-friendly patio doggy daycations can give a shelter dog a break from their kennel and also help them find a home. How to join the challenge Complete a foster field trip application Visit the foster window in the adoption center to pick up a dog Head out on an adventure Take photos and tag TAF to help foster dogs to help them find a home Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) Beating the summer heat continues across the Las Vegas valley, and for our four-legged friends, an initiative is focusing its efforts to give them a doggy daycation, with the help of the community. (The Animal Foundation) To beat the summer heat, The Animal Foundation has expanded its field trip hours in August. Dogs are available for pickup starting at 8:00 a.m. seven days a week, giving fosters time to enjoy the cooler part of the day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who complete five or more field trips in August will receive a $100 Amazon gift card. For more information on the Foster Field Trip Summer Sendoff Challenge 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 KLAS. U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday that he plans to put a 100% tariff on computer chips. The move will likely increase the cost of electronics, autos, household appliances and other essential goods. Donald Trump highlighted that companies who make computer chips in the U.S. would be spared the import tax. This comes after the president placed an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing combined tariffs on the country to 50%. The tariffs will go into effect in 21 days, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Here's the latest: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Things to know about the Voting Rights Act and the cases that could unravel it The Voting Rights Act of 1965 ended the discriminatory practices against Black voters that were prevalent in many states, including barriers such as poll taxes and literacy tests. The law also established a process known as preclearance, which required that all or parts of 15 states with a history of discriminatory practices in voting get federal approval before making changes to the way they hold elections. The Supreme Court removed that pillar in 2013. Cases before the current court could undo most of whats left of the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more on things to know about the Voting Rights Act Trump once hailed mRNA vaccines as a medical miracle. Now RFK Jr. is halting advancement Health secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced this week that the federal government is canceling $500 million worth of mRNA research development contracts. That puts an end to U.S.-backed hopes for the vaccine technology to prevent future pandemics, treat cancer or prevent flu infections. Its a sharp pivot from how Trump and top officials described the technology during his first term. Read more aboutwhat Trump and some of his closest advisers have said about mRNA vaccines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump administration sanctions a Mexican rapper over alleged cartel ties The administration said Wednesday that it was sanctioning Ricardo Hernandez, known as El Makabelico, whom it characterized as a narco-rapper associated with the Cartel del Noreste, or CDN. According to the Treasury Department, Hernandez laundered money for the criminal group through concerts and events. Officials alleged that 50% of his royalties on streaming platforms go directly to the cartel, leading to his sanctioning alongside leaders of the cartel. Hernandez did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The CDN is one of the Latin American crime groups that the Trump administration has designated as foreign terrorist organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The administration has revoked the visas of some of Mexicos most famous musicians, targeting those whose genres often explore themes related to cartels. Victims feeling exhausted and anxious about wrangling over Epstein files Women who say they were abused by Jeffrey Epstein are feeling skeptical and anxious after the Justice Department requested a court take the rare step of unsealing transcripts of secret testimony. In letters addressed to federal judges in New York this week, several victims said Trump is just seeking to placate segments of his base who are unhappy with the DOJs handling of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others said they would support disclosure provided the government takes steps to ensure their privacy. The DOJ did not respond to a request for comment on the statements. I am not some pawn in your political warfare, one woman said in a letter submitted by her lawyer. What you have done and continue to do is eating at me day after day as you help to perpetuate this story indefinitely. Said another: This is all very exhausting. Read more about the victims and the possible unsealing Trump administration cancels wind farm development in Idaho The administration has reversed a decision by former President Joe Biden to approve a major wind farm development in the southern part of the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lava Ridge Wind Project drew criticism for the height of its turbines as well as for its proximity to the Minidoka National Historic Site, where thousands of Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. Wednesdays announcement comes as the administration and congressional Republicans have targeted wind and solar projects as expensive and unreliable while taking steps to support the burning of fossil fuels, which is dangerously heating the planet. Read more about the cancelation Border Patrol agents hid in back of rented box truck for immigration raid outside LA Home Depot Photos on social media showed the moment the door of the rented Penske truck opened and armed agents jumped out to make arrests Wednesday. An official called it Operation Trojan Horse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The early-morning raid near downtown came days after an appeals court upheld a judges order blocking the Trump administration from conducting indiscriminate immigration stops and arrests in Southern California. For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again, acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli posted on the social platform X. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government. Messages were sent to the Department of Homeland Security seeking details on the raid. A spokesperson for Penske Truck Rental said that it was looking into the use of its vehicles by federal agents, that it was unaware its trucks would be used in the operation and that its regulations prohibit transporting people in truck cargo areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump moves to shut down NASA missions that measure carbon dioxide and plant health The Trump administration is moving to shut down two NASA missions that monitor a potent greenhouse gas and plant health, potentially cutting off an important source of data for scientists, policymakers and farmers. The presidents budget request for fiscal year 2026 includes no money for the Orbiting Carbon Observatories, which can precisely show where carbon dioxide is being emitted and absorbed and how well crops are growing. The missions a free-flying satellite launched in 2014 and an instrument attached to the International Space Station in 2019 that include technology used in the Hubble Space Telescope are more sensitive and accurate than any other systems in the world, operating or planned, and a national asset that should be saved, said David Crisp, a retired NASA scientist who led their development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more about the NASA missions and what they help scientists assess Trump administration: El Salvadors Nayib Bukele is not a dictator The administration said President Bukele should not be lumped together with leaders of other countries it considers dictatorships after his party and allies did away with presidential term limits. The Central American nation's congress also approved extending presidential terms from five to six years. The State Department said in a statement to AP that the constitutional change on term limits was made by a democratically elected Congress and it is up to them to decide how their country should be governed. We reject the comparison of El Salvadors democratically based and constitutionally sound legislative process with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region, the statement said. The speedy approval of indefinite presidential terms last week prompted warnings from watchdogs and El Salvadors beleaguered opposition that it spelled the end of democracy. Its unfortunate to see the U.S. government is defending efforts to establish an autocracy in El Salvador, said Juan Pappier, Americas deputy director for Human Rights Watch. FACT FOCUS: RFK Jr.s mRNA vaccine claim not supported by evidence Although mRNA vaccines saved millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. incorrectly argued that they are ineffective in order to justify the canceling $500 million in government-funded research to develop new vaccines using the technology. Heres a closer look at the facts: KENNEDY: As the pandemic showed us, mRNA vaccines dont perform well against viruses that infect the upper respiratory tract. THE FACTS: His claim is contradicted by scientific evidence. Countless studies show that vaccinated individuals fare far better against COVID-19 infections than those who are unvaccinated, while others have estimated that COVID-19 vaccines prevented millions of deaths during the global pandemic. The mRNA vaccines do not prevent respiratory diseases entirely, experts say. Rather, they can prevent more serious illness that leads to complications and death. For example, an mRNA vaccine against COVID-19 may prevent an infection in the upper respiratory tract that feels like a bad cold from spreading to the lower respiratory tract, where it could affect ones ability to breathe. Read more about the facts on mRNA vaccines Confederate monument restoration will take about 2 years, official says An Army official told AP that the service expects it will take about that long to restore and replace the monument at its original location in Arlington National Cemetery after it was removed in 2023. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced the restoration of the monument, which was created by sculptor and Confederate veteran Moses Ezekiel in 1914, on social media Tuesday. The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity in order to discuss details of a plan in progress, said the base it sat on needs to be replaced and the monument itself will be refurbished. Once back in the cemetery, it will have panels nearby offering context about its history, according to the official. The Army expects the entire effort to cost around $10 million, the official said. Konstantin Toropin Trump to discuss vaccines Thursday, talks up Operation Warp Speed against COVID The president was asked about his top health official, Robert Kennedy Jr., announcing plans to pull $500 million in vaccine development and said he plans a meeting to discuss vaccines. Were gonna look at that. Were talking about it, Trump said of the funding cuts. He also praised his first-term effort to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, Operation Warp Speed. He said that push was considered one of the most incredible things ever done in this country, but added, That was now a long time ago. And were on to other things. Trump said of Thursdays planned meeting: Were looking for other answers to other problems, to other sicknesses and diseases. Trump doesnt say if Russia-Ukraine war deal would avert more India tariffs Asked during an Oval Office event if a deal between Russia and Ukraine would mean the dropping of additional tariffs on India, Trump said, Well determine that later. He did affirm that India was currently paying 50% tariffs, the result of an additional 25% tax placed Wednesday due to its purchases of Russian oil. The tariffs would take effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. JD Vance denies reports that he is leading a meeting to deal with Epstein fallout The vice president is denying reports that he is holding a meeting Wednesday night with top administration officials to discuss how to better handle the Jeffrey Epstein scandal. Trump was asked about it and deferred to Vance, who was standing next to him at the Apple event. Vance responded by saying, Were not meeting to talk about the Epstein situation. He added that reporters saying so need better sources. The president then interjected: Look, the whole thing is a hoax. Thats just a way of trying to divert attention to something thats total bulls--t, OK? Trump said. Trump says interviews have begun for the Fed board chair Jerome Powell is still in place as Federal Reserve Board chair, but the president said interviews for his successor have begun. Trump said the candidate pool was probably down to three and weve started the interview process. He said Vice President JD Vance and Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick were part of the process. We have some great candidates, Trump said, also noting that a temporary replacement for another Fed governor post would likely be named in the coming days. Trump mulls bringing National Guard to the nations capital The president said he is considering ways for the federal government seize control of Washington, saying crime is ridiculous and the city is unsafe. Trump renewed that idea after an attempted carjacking and beating of one of the most prominent members of the Department of Government Efficiency. This has to be the best run place in the country, not the worst run place in the country, Trump said, adding that his team is reviewing options that include bringing in the National Guard. Trump says he plans to put a 100% tariff on computer chips The president said Wednesday that he will impose a 100% tariff on computer chips, likely raising the cost of electronics, autos, household appliances and other goods deemed essential for the digital age. Trump said companies that make computer chips in the U.S. would be spared the import tax. During the COVID-19 pandemic, a shortage of computer chips increased the price of autos and contributed to an uptick in overall inflation. Trump says US had some very good talks with Putin Taking questions from reporters in the Oval Office, Trump would not forecast a timeline for a potential meeting with Russias Putin and Ukraines Zelenskyy. But he said theres a good chance there will be a meeting very soon. Trump said there had been no specific breakthrough leading to talk of a meeting but U.S. officials have been working on the matter for a long time. Im here to get the thing over with, he said of the Russia-Ukraine war. Man accused of killing Israeli Embassy staffers indicted on federal hate crimes charges The man accused of fatally shooting two staff members of the Israeli Embassy in Washington outside a Jewish museum has been indicted on federal hate crimes charges, according to court documents unsealed Wednesday. The indictment, filed in federal court in Washington, charges Elias Rodriguez with nine counts, including a hate crime resulting in death. The indictment also includes notice of special findings, which would allow the Justice Department to potentially pursue the death penalty. Elias Rodriguez is accused of shooting Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim as they left an event at the museum in May. He was heard shouting Free Palestine as he was led away after his arrest. He told police, I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza, federal authorities have said. Rubio says a lot has to happen before a Trump-Putin meeting Secretary of State Marco Rubio lowered expectations for the president to meet soon with Russias Vladimir Putin, saying in an interview with Fox Business: Today was a good day, but weve got a lot of work ahead. Rubio said Trump meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy would help secure an agreement to end the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, but he said, Weve got to get close enough to that point so that a meeting like that will be productive and worth doing. Theres still many impediments to overcome, Rubio said. Trump says Apple is coming home Announcing that Apple will invest $600 billion in the U.S., the president said of the company: Theyre coming home. He said Apple investments will create 20,000 jobs, including in Kentucky. Trump opens Oval Office event by mentioning Fort Stewart atrocity Before talking with Cook about Apples investment, the president spoke of the horrible person who shot five soldiers earlier Wednesday at one of the countrys largest Army bases. The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, Trump said, adding that hopefully they will fully recover. Officials said a sergeant shot five soldiers at Fort Stewart before he was quickly tackled by other troops, forcing a brief lockdown. The Army said it is investigating the shooting. It's Hurricane Season in the Atlantic, which means experts are keeping their eyes on the latest storms, including Tropical Storm Dexter. Dexter formed Sunday night off the coast of North Carolina. It is the fourth named storm of the hurricane season, which is right in line with the typical yearly calendar, said Philip Klotzbach, a senior research scientist at Colorado State University, in an interview with USA TODAY. As of this morning, Dexter was a little more than 200 miles northwest of Bermuda, and it is expected to remain north of the island. Thankfully for residents of the United States, the storm is not expected to make landfall, according to the latest reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The good news is that Dexter is moving away from the U.S., and expected to become ripped apart by stronger wind shear," said Weather.com's Jonathan Belles. "However, we could still see high surf and possible rip currents along the East Coast for the next several days." AccuWeather lead hurricane expert Alex DaSilva echoed Belles' words. Palms & tropical buildings are buffeted by high winds of a storm or hurricane under a foreboding stormy sky; room for copy donald_gruener/Getty Images "Dexter, along with developing easterly breezes around high pressure near the Northeast states, will create locally rough surf and periodic strong rip currents along the Atlantic coast beaches this week from Florida to Massachusetts," said DaSilva. "Rough surf and choppy seas will also occur around Bermuda." While Dexter is out in the water and not a threat to disturb land, experts are monitoring two other potential areas for possible activity, including off the southern coast of the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The area just off the southern Atlantic coast could yield another tropical depression or storm before the end of this week," AccuWeather.com said. "The same old front that helped give birth to Dexter is hanging around, leading to showers and thunderstorms bubbling up over the Gulf Stream. Slowly, these may coalesce and develop a circulation over the nearby Atlantic." The second area being watched is over the Atlantic out of Africa, where a "robust" tropical wave could lead to the formation of a new tropical depression or storm, depending on how things shake out. The Atlantic hurricane season typically runs from June 1 through November 30. The names for the next two storms that form will be Erin and Fernand. The Latest Update on Tropical Storm Dexter Is Good for the United States first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 Laura Loomer has been dubbed Trumps Rasputin as her influence grows with her quest to oust administration officials she deems insufficiently loyal to President Donald Trump. The 32-year-old has courted controversy as a right-wing online provocateur, making statements in support of white nationalism, using anti-Islam rhetoric, and spreading conspiracy theories, including on 9/11. She has been getting senior Trump administration officials fired by digging up old social media posts, going through their employment records, and looking at their past political donations. The New York Times dubbed her Trumps blunt instrument. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of my friends said it made me sound like Trumps Rasputin, she told The Telegraph in an interview published Tuesday, referencing the adviser who heavily influenced the tsar during the final years of the Russian Empire. While Grigori Rasputin was viewed as a prophet and visionary in some quarters, others took him for a fraud. He was assassinated in 1916. Loomers strategy is to trawl officials old tweets, political donations, and previous employment records to find her next target. After spreading anything questionable she finds to her 1.7 million followers on X, she goes to Trump with her findings. Laura Loomer said that she views herself as a watchdog so that the Trump administration doesnt get screwed (Getty Images) In April, several members of the National Security Council were fired after Loomer met with Trump. She later confirmed the meeting on social media. There are still people in and around the West Wing who are LEAKING to the hostile, left-wing media about President Trumps *confidential* and *private* meetings in the Oval Office, she posted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was an honor to meet with President Trump and present him with my research findings, she added. Last month, the general counsel of the National Security Agency, April Falcon Doss, was fired just a day after Loomer met the president in the Oval Office. She also attacked the top vaccine regulator, Vinay Prasad, as a progressive leftist saboteur undermining President Trumps Food and Drug Administration. Prasad later left his position. In May, she said that former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz had been Loomered following his ouster. Waltz has since been nominated to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loomer told The Telegraph that she sees herself as an extra set of eyes, like a watchdog, for the administration to help them so they dont get totally screwed. And she appears to have the support of the president. I think shes a patriot, and she gets excited because of the fact that shes a patriot, Trump told reporters Sunday. And she doesnt like things going on that she thinks are bad for the country. I like her. Donald Trump called Laura Loomer a patriot on Sunday (Laura Loomer / X) But there have been points of disagreement. Loomer called Trumps acceptance of a plane from Qatar a stain on his presidency, and he appears to be ignoring her calls to oust Attorney General Pam Bondi over the Epstein Files fallout. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon told the paper that Loomers combination of tenacity and courage was a rarity in Washington, which he said was filled with lazy, shiftless cowards. There are very few America First people associated with the government, he said. Just a handful, and the Pentagon is the worst. This is why you need a purge of these people. And Loomer is the instrument. Loomer, who has no official role in the White House, said that she believed the president had a vetting crisis (Getty Images) Loomer, who has no official role in the White House, also told The Telegraph that she believed the president had a vetting crisis. But I take it upon myself as an investigative journalist to do the vetting. And its like journalism because these are news stories, she explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some on Trumps staff have attempted to keep her at arms length. Loomer reportedly grew furious after she was stopped from speaking to Trump at the Kennedy Center during a performance of Les Miserables in June by a White House aide. Loomer has been removed from several social media sites for violating policies on hate speech and sharing misinformation. She has called Islam a cancer and described Muslims as savages. LAUREL COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Deputies with the Laurel County Sheriffs Office are looking for a woman who was last seen on July 1. Deputies said in a news release that Jalyn Tedders, 26, was last seen around 11:30 a.m. on Pine Top Road, four miles west of London. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities described Tedders as 5 feet, 4 inches tall, weighing 135 pounds, with black hair that goes past her shoulders and hazel eyes. Deputies with the Laurel County Sheriffs Office wrote that Jalyn Tedders, 26, was reported missing on July 1. (Laurel County Sheriffs Office) In an announcement Thursday morning, LCSO confirmed Jalyn Tedders was found safe around 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 FOX 56 News. It is wedding season in the Comoros, when the diaspora return to the tiny Indian Ocean islands for days-long celebrations that mark an essential rite of passage, the "Grand Mariage". The elaborate, tradition-infused ceremonies -- which can be held years after an initial religious wedding -- are most often held in July and August, coinciding with the summer holidays in France which has a significant community of Comorian migrants. On a recent day in July, Badjanani Square in central Moroni -- the capital of the mainly Muslim nation off East Africa -- was packed with hundreds of people attending a prayer ceremony ahead of the "Grand Mariage" (French for "Big Wedding") of a couple based in the central French city of Le Mans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The groom, 55-year-old Issa Mze Ali Ahmed, made his entrance in style, dressed in a turban and robes lined with golden cloth. Accompanied by men from his extended family, he took his seat for the prayers among rows of men, many wearing the traditionally embroidered mharuma scarf denoting their distinguished status. The dowry intended for Ahmed's bride was officially announced and he was saluted by ululating women resplendent in glitzy headscarves and dresses. Elsewhere on the Grande Comore, the largest of the nation's three islands, it was the big day for a couple based on the French territory of Reunion about 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles) further east into the Indian Ocean. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a family home in the town of Tsidje in the hills just outside Moroni, men helped the groom, 42-year-old Faid Kassime, put on a handmade black velvet coat embroidered with gold threads. Accompanied by an entourage of family and friends and with an umbrella held over him, Kassime walked to the family home of his wife -- whom he first married in 2012 -- in a procession preceded by drummers and displaying cases of gold ornaments and jewellery as dowry. "It's an accomplishment," Kassime told AFP. "I really wanted to carry out this ceremony to honour traditions, parents and the in-laws." - Staggering sums - Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It can often take a couple several years after their first wedding, called the "Petit Mariage", to accumulate the money required to host the second, more lavish event. But, as costly as it is, the ceremony is valued for sealing the social status of a couple in the hierarchy of their community, said anthropologist Damir Ben Ali. "It marks the end of a period of social apprenticeship," Ali said. "It means that a person has followed all the rules that allow him to have some responsibility in the community ... for making decisions concerning the community." A "Grand Mariage" can cost a couple their entire life savings, said Ali, who found in research in 2009 that the financial outlay then ranged between 6,000 and 235,000 euros. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It has surely increased since then," he said. The spending is staggering for a nation where 45 percent of the population of under 900,000 people lives below the poverty line of around 100 euros a month, according to the National Statistics Institute. Remissions from the diaspora account for 30 percent of the national GDP. The sumptuous attire worn by couples at the ceremonies reflect the outfits worn by sultans before the Comoros became a French protectorate in the 19th century, said Sultan Chouzour, author of the 1994 book, "The Power of Honour". "The ceremony is akin to enthroning a new king," he said. "Here, everyone can be a sultan." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - New status - Kassime's procession to the home of his 41-year-old bride, Faizat Aboubacar, illustrated the Comoros' matrilineal system and its practice of matrilocality in which husbands move into the communities of their wives. Aboubacar was overjoyed after her special day. "I am surrounded by my loved ones and that is all that matters. It is a beautiful moment," she said. The event announces to society that a woman's social status has improved, said Farahate Mahamoud, one of the guests. "She will be treated as a dignitary wherever she goes. At all ceremonies, she will have the right to speak," Mahamoud said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aboubacar's mother-in-law was proud that the couple had returned to the Comoros to uphold one of its pillar traditions. "A continuation of our customs is a great joy -- especially for children who were born in France, raised in France, educated in France or working in France to accept doing what we, as parents and grandparents, did," said Maria Amadi. str/clv/br/jcb/cw/giv URBANDALE, Iowa Millions of citizens and law enforcement officers all over the country met up Tuesday night in communities for the annual National Night Out. It was a night to bridge the gap between people and police departments in neighborhoods, while also bringing awareness to crime and drug prevention. Several of these gatherings happened in Central Iowa, including one of the largest in the metro area: Urbandale. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was Urbandales 16th year celebrating with a National Night Out event. They had over 60 vendors, free food, K9 demonstrations, a donut eating contest and kids bouncy houses. There also was a Blackhawk helicopter that landed next to the station for people to see. The point of the night was to have conversations and be around law enforcement in good times, not just bad. Police often see people on their worst days. They wanted to interact with the community in different circumstances. It means a lot to me because when I came into this profession, I wanted to build those relationships with the community to really show what officers are. Were humans too. And yes, we have to do law enforcement, but a lot of times were doing a lot more than law enforcement, Urbandale Officer Collin Ten Haken said. Were building relationships with the community, were playing counselor, were playing mediator. We wear a lot of hats. And when we can come out to the public, have these events and just have a really good conversation, get to know them, fill up that bucket of relationships with the community and feel pretty good about it. Trading track spikes for ice, Iowa native eyes Winter Olympics Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Des Moines Police Department celebrated their 36th year of a National Night Out. There were more than 20 events around the city Tuesday. Every year it seems to grow and grow and grow. Its basically turned into a citywide block party, and its an opportunity for us to get out and engage with the folks in the neighborhoods. Meet the kids and the families and do it at a time where theres not an emergency or a crisis, DMPD Sgt. Paul Parizek said. Its so we can start building those relationships that are sustainable when we do have a crisis. And the familiarity helps us get through tough times. Its actually just a lot of fun, too. Whether its serious or playful, the officers want to interact with people at these events. You can ask anything. You could first ask if they have a cop card with them and they can hand that out, Officer Ten Haken said. You can ask them whats their favorite part of the job. Sometimes you can ask a fun story they have or anything cool. A lot of times people say, have you ever been in a pursuit? Have you ever had to run after somebody? So a lot of times officers will tell stories if they want. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a chance to get to know law enforcement, who are also a part of the community. Its important now because there has been a lot of misunderstanding. I mean, there have been some issues that needed to be worked through, but theres also been a lot of misunderstanding where people hear things, and they might fill in the blanks, Sgt. Parizek said. And the best way to really feel connected to your police department is to get to know your police department. We learn a lot about each other. When were out there. We learn, you know, hey, we go to the same gym or, you know, our kids go to the same schools and things like that that connect us on a real basic level. But one of those levels that is going to help us as we continue to grow those relationships. Metro news Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to who13.com. Aug. 6---- Local law enforcement officials want to ease the fear in the immigrant community, saying nothing has changed with local policing despite a new agreement with federal immigration authorities. The new agreement will affect only undocumented immigrants who end up in the Kandiyohi County Jail and only if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement requests a detainer before the undocumented immigrants are released from the jail. The Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement earlier this year entered into an agreement that is different than the longstanding contract to house immigrants being detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The will allow correctional officers in the jail to serve and execute federal administrative warrants on immigrant inmates whom wants to detain after release from local custody called the "warrant service officer" model. Correctional officers within the Kandiyohi County Jail will receive 40 hours of training for that purpose. "The warrant service program would just be for correctional officers within our four walls. They can't even do it outside the building," Sheriff Eric Tollefson told the West Central Tribune. "It's for people that are currently in custody on a crime, a criminal charge locally, that are being released, that ICE wants to detain for whatever their reasons are instead of an ICE agent coming out and serving the detainer." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new agreement raised concerns among the local community and community leaders, several of whom met with Sheriff Tollefson, Chief Mike Holme and Police Capt. Michael Anderson recently to help clear up misunderstandings. The fear in the community was that local officers would be engaging in immigration enforcement, but that is not the case. Because has a longstanding contract to house ICE detainees, those served with the administrative warrants from ICE would remain in the Kandiyohi County Jail. The West Central Tribune on July 24 interviewed Tollefson, Holme and Anderson regarding the agreement and what that means for the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said they wanted to be clear that there is nothing local law enforcement is doing that should be stoking fear within the local immigrant population. Local licensed officers and deputies who interact with the public will not and cannot take anybody into custody on a federal offense, and immigration violations are federal offenses. Tollefson said that if ICE wants someone who is in local custody to be detained, it contacts the Sheriff's Office. The federal agency would initiate any detention, not local law enforcement. "We don't know anybody's immigration status unless they voluntarily tell us, but we're not allowed to ask, nor do we ask it's not our concern," Tollefson said. Holme said that if someone has not committed a crime that puts them in the Kandiyohi County Jail, they will not end up in a situation where ICE asks for a detainer for them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also wanted to encourage people who are victims of crime to report it to local law enforcement, without fear, regardless of immigration status. He said that no one will be detained for reporting a crime to local law enforcement. "We have never, nor are we allowed to by law ask immigration status," Anderson reiterated. "I've been here 28 years and that has never, ever happened." Tollefson, Holme and Anderson are frustrated with posts on social media insinuating that local law enforcement is targeting undocumented immigrants. "There's nothing that we have done that is fueling the fear that's out there right now," Tollefson said. " ... It's a huge injustice to our community." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He acknowledged that some community members think that even having the boarding contract with ICE is bad optics, but he said it has been in place for 24 years and the Kandiyohi County Jail is set up to house those detainees and has staff trained for it. "If we deny (ICE) beds, they're going to bring (immigration inmates) somewhere else with probably inadequate facilities, inadequate training," he added, noting that the Kandiyohi County Jail is inspected four times a year by because of the ICE detainees being housed there. Holme and Anderson addressed a recent situation that aimed to purposefully stoke fear in the immigrant community. A Willmar Police Department officer, with the word "POLICE" on the back of their uniform, was photographed while buying a beverage at a local convenience store. The photo was altered by blocking out the "POL," leaving only "ICE." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Then they circulated this photo to the immigrant population, and it says, 'ICE is in town!' and it's a doctored photo," Anderson said. All three local law enforcement officials said they are unaware of ICE being in Willmar recently, aside from the weekly visits from a local ICE agent to the ICE detainees at the jail. They explained that typically, if a federal agency is going to be in town, local law enforcement officials are informed, at least as a courtesy or to obtain information about the community and, at most, to assist with perimeter security or the potential need for medical assistance. "Our purpose is to usually be on the perimeter ... just available if needed for something," Anderson said. "We're not the ones executing warrants. We're not the ones going through the doors. We're not the ones arresting people on federal warrants." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the reasons the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office wanted to enter into a "warrant service officer" agreement with ICE is to avoid litigation like what is currently happening in Carver County. the ACLU of Minnesota is suing the Carver County Sheriff's Office for holding a non-citizen in custody awaiting pickup from ICE agents. The ACLU lawsuit says Maikol Javier Suarez Varela had made bail, but Carver County continued to hold him, illegally, based on a detainer request from ICE, according to the report. According to only jails with federal contracts to hold detainees, including Kandiyohi County, can legally hold people beyond their release date without a court order which is not the same as a detainer request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "(Carver County) opened themselves up to some sort of civil liability they're being sued because they're saying that Carver didn't process the person out fast enough," Tollefson said, noting inmates who make bail and receive an order to be released go through a process that takes time before being released. " ... With a warrant service program in place (in Kandiyohi County), then a correctional officer who's received the training can just simply hand them the document and they transfer from local custody into federal custody. That's all it is." Tollefson, Holme and Anderson encourage anyone who has questions about what local law enforcement is doing to call the Willmar Police Department or the Kandiyohi County Sheriff's Office to get the right information. "Our missions are identical. I mean, it's just to create a safer community. That's it," Tollefson said. " ... It doesn't even pop into our head, you know, when it's a traffic stop or whatever, whether or not somebody is in this country legally or not. ... Whatever we can do to get the truth out there and to understand that we can't deny our boarding contract and that kind of thing. But, we're providing a safe place for these people." JACKSONVILLE, N.C. (WNCT) Law enforcement officers with the Jacksonville Police Department are looking for a person of interest in connection to fraud that happened at Home Depot July 1, 2025. Anyone with information on the person pictured is asked to contact JPD Detective D. Rossiter at 910-938-6407 or drossiter@jacksonvillenc.gov. They can also call Crime Stoppers at 910-938-3273. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WNCT. Aug. 5A man in a black lifted truck allegedly pulled up beside a woman in a parking lot and from his lofty perch started swearing and yelling at her, saying she almost hit his wife and that he "would have beat her up if she was a man." A woman called 911 and then flagged down a Kalispell Police officer, alleging her small dog was attacked by a larger dog whose owner then attacked her. She told the officer that during the incident, she announced she was going to kick the dog and a woman came over and pushed her. The aggrieved pet owner identified the allegedly pushy woman as a member of a nearby tattooed couple and told the officer that the aggressive dog belonged to them. The other woman, though, claimed the small dog owner came in hot, yelling and cussing about kicking and killing a dog that was near her dog. The small dog owner then reportedly got in her husband's face, which is when she got between them and pushed her back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple people in the park allegedly told the officer the small dog owner was the aggressor who acted disorderly. The officer spoke to her again and she adamantly denied being the aggressor but didn't want to pursue it further and said she was leaving, thus concluding the episode of dog park drama. A thief stole cigarettes. A resident had questions about a rooster. Officers left a voicemail stating that roosters are not allowed within city limits. A hotel employee asked police for assistance in moving along a man in his cups, who was reportedly sleeping in the dining room with a container of alcohol. After multiple tries, officers were able to get a ride service to take him home in Bigfork. A tenant reportedly returned home to find damage to the front and rear doors and there appeared to be damage to the neighboring unit. AUSTIN (KXAN) Legal scholars called Gov. Greg Abbotts petition to the Texas Supreme Court, which seeks to remove Rep. Gene Wu, unprecedented and said it lacks a legal basis. One of the experts said hes doubtful it will succeed, but could envision the court siding with the Governor. Quorum breaking has a long history in Texas; however, Gov. Greg Abbotts Tuesday petition to the states Supreme Court is unprecedented and lacks evidence, legal experts tell KXAN. Abbotts counsel filed a petition for writ of quo warranto on Tuesday, which is a request for the Texas Supreme Court (SCOTX) to remove a public officer of the state from their position. Specifically, the petition accuses State Rep. Gene Wu, D-Houston, of allegedly taking or soliciting a bribe to break quorum, and that Wu abandoned his office by leaving the state for an indefinite period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Democrats who broke quorum were not named in the petition. However, it may serve as a pilot for future petitions. Previous: Abbott files petition to remove Rep. Gene Wu from office Quinn Yeargain, a Michigan State University law professor specializing in states constitutional law, said the petition lacks sufficient evidence and asks SCOTX to take the governors argument as common sense. Abbotts basic argument is that by purposely leaving the state to prevent the House from having a quorum and being able to conduct business, Rep. Wu abandoned his office, and therefore it is vacant, and he should be entitled to call a special election to fill the vacancy, Yeargain said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Does Texas Governor Greg Abbott have the power to vacate Texas House seats? Seth Barrett Tillman, a U.S. Constitutional law professor, also talked with KXAN about the filing. President Donald Trumps legal team cited Tillmans work in their case before the U.S. Supreme Court over Colorados decision to remove Trump from the ballot in 2024. The filing is professional. Its put together well, Tillman said. The governor has some arguments, but ultimately, Im not convinced. Are legislators public officials? Experts say SCOTX rulings say no Yeargain explained to KXAN that elected state legislators arent public officers in the way Abbotts filing imagines they are. Abbotts counsel cites a 1893 case, which Yeargain said was irrelevant to the petition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The argument that Abbott makes in his filing, is that a state legislator is clearly, obviously a public official or a public officer,' he said. Its actually not clear, and theyre just trying to bluff their way through it. The Texas Government Code has been used for more than 100 years, and as recently as 1999, to argue the opposite of what Abbotts filing argues, Yeargain added. [Abbott] is not able to cite any relevant case that involved anything similar in the past and theres a mountain of case law that suggests that that is not an appropriate use of this kind of legal threat, Yeargain said. Were talking about executive branch officials in this kind of situation. Tillman also said hes not sure quorum breaking is an example of what state law defines as official influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Official influence is the governor calling up a commissioner and saying, Get this guy the relief he wants. I dont know that [quorum breaking] is official influence, he said. The petition argues that Wu and other quorum breakers have left Texas for an indefinite amount of time, and thus vacated their seats. This doesnt hold up with what the quorum breakers have said, which is that they do intend to return to their primary residences in their districts. Texas Democrats leave the state to block vote on redrawn House map backed by Trump Usually, when we talk about abandoning office, we want them to have an intent of not coming back; not having an intent for a specific date to come back, isnt really the same thing, Tillman explained. I dont see any evidence that [Wu] doesnt plan to return. He just wants to return in his own good time under conditions that hes satisfied with. What the governor says is, I want you to return and debate whether you like those conditions or not.' What could happen? Speculating in unprecedented times The filings bribery allegation, which Tillman called a fairly weak claim, cites article 16, section 41 of the Texas Constitution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Given the gravity of what the governor is asking the court to do, which is, in effect, to override an election against his party and political opponents, I think the [Texas] Supreme Court is going to want a very close adherence to the language in that constitutional provision, he said. Both scholars said they used narrow and originalist perspectives while analyzing Abbotts petition. They each said that the current SCOTX justices, many of whom were Abbott appointees, lean towards these interpretations in their rulings. The Texas Supreme Court is really serious about history. Its very interested in historical practice and consistency with that practice, Yeargain said. The fact that Abbott isnt able to point to any historical analog in the slightest is jarring. It is stunning, because the scope of what hes asking for is massive. Yeargain declined to speculate on how SCOTX might rule on the petition in these unprecedented times. Tillman said he could imagine a majority of the justices siding with Abbott, but remains doubtful of that outcome. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Constitution of Texas doesnt say that because the governor has the power to convene the legislature, any particular member of the legislature, including Rep. Wu, has a specific duty to show up that day and on time, Tillman said, to the extent that there are provisions that govern punishments, like the $500-a-day provision, that might very well be interpreted as the limit of what could be done against these people. If SCOTX issues a writ in this case, it would open a can of worms and make the states highest court into ordinary run of the mill partisan politics, Yeargain added. The petition, according to Yeargains reading, is Abbott asking the court to engage in judicial activism. [Abbotts] asking for something that the court doesnt have the power to do. Hes asking for something that has never been done before, and he cant point to any example of it having been done before, Yeargain said. Hes asking the court to step into a political dispute and to arrive at his desired political outcome. Thats entirely inappropriate and something that in almost any other context, he would condemn. What hes saying is, if theyre going to frustrate my power, they should lose their office. But thats essentially a political question. Thats one that should be left to the voters, Tillman said. Without consequences, couldnt another quorum break happen? A talking point by some around the current quorum break is that if legal action isnt taken at some point, wont this just happen again? Its a fair point, since our state legislature has seen a few other quorum breaks in its recent past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillman argued that super majority quorum rules inherently carry the risk of quorum breaking by the minority party. Texas Legislature: What is a quorum? Thats the risk you take when you build a provision like that in, he said. Some people might even go further and say its not just a risk, thats the intent, to make sure that anything that passes has super majority support. Or, at least if it doesnt have super majority support, it doesnt cross the red lines of the dissenting party. Quorum breaking isnt just a Texas thing, Yeargain noted. In 2019, Oregon Senate Republicans staged a six-week walkout over an environmental bill. In response, Oregonians successfully voted to amend the states constitution to ban lawmakers with a certain number of absences from running for office again. In 2024, the Oregon Supreme Court upheld that rule, barring a third of those Republicans from reelection runs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas lawmakers could send such an amendment to the ballot for voters to approve, if they wanted a constitutional obstacle in the future. Yeargain also had other ideas for the Texas House to consider, such as redefining quorum in its rules or increasing existing penalties for breaking quorum. In fact, the House added fines for quorum breaking to its rules in 2023 to discourage the action. It also has the power to issue warrants for absent representatives. Texas House authorizes law enforcement to track down absent lawmakers And, as both scholars point out, the Texas Constitution already allows the states Legislative branch to remove members on a two-thirds vote. The Texas House nearly underwent such a vote in 2023 against former House Republican Rep. Bryan Slayton; he resigned prior to the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no tradition in the United States that if a members conduct is egregious enough, any federal court, even of the same state or the same district, could just remove that member, even if he commits a crime, right? Thats not how we do it, Tillman said. God forbid we should expand that and allow the courts all over the United States to decide for themselves what sort of conduct constitutes expulsion. The very fact theres already several remedies provided by law in Texas, in my mind, raises serious doubts. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. AUSTIN (KXAN) Days after Texas lawmakers criticized how Kerr County officials responded to the July 4 flooding, new harsh words were leveled Tuesday this time at Texas youth camps. After the Kerrville hearing, it became apparent to me, and to you, that some of our camps were not just wholly unprepared for this catastrophic event, they were wholly unprepared for any flooding event, Rep. Drew Darby, R-San Angelo, said at a meeting of the House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding. Kerr County disaster plan not fully followed, records show Malpractice Being ill equipped to handle a flood as a private citizen is one thing, Darby added. But, as a camp ground in charge of the lives of children many of whom know nothing about the rivers or their dangers is malpractice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Darby introduced House Bill 19, which would require campgrounds to submit annual flood disaster plans to the Texas Division of Emergency Management. Camp Mystic not accredited nationally, eight others in Kerr County are If the plans are insufficient, the camps would have to make changes within 90 days or face fines up to $1000 for each violation. House Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness & Flooding discussed several bills Aug. 5 (KXAN Photo/Richie Bowes) A KXAN investigation was seemingly referenced by Rep. Terry Wilson, R-Georgetown, who said he recently stumbled upon an article and highlighted our findings from July 11: Unlike eight other camps in Kerr County, Camp Mystic was not accredited by the American Camp Association, which recommends voluntary adherence of up to 266 health and safety standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Is there any value for us to reflect on those and examine those to see if theres something that should be added to the licensure process?, Wilson asked. Camp Mystic passed a state inspection two days before the deadly flood indicating it was following guidelines and rules for safety and awareness including having an emergency plan in place, a previous KXAN investigation found. Other bills proposed and discussed Tuesday would: Time saves lives The latter measure to address the states interoperability problem was filed by the chair of the committee, Rep. Ken King, R-Canadian, this past legislative session. It was co-authored by committee member Rep. Joe Moody, who was the only Democratic member of the committee present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposal which seeks to find ways to improve communication among first responders from different agencies using different radio channels is now being renewed with new urgency. It usually takes three 12-hour shifts to get people interoperable, King said. That is too long. And, I dont care if its a fire, a flood, a school shooting every disaster that comes before this body that is a common denominator. Time, he said, saves lives. Can I just say, Amen, TDEM Chief Nim Kidd replied. Another bill discussed aims to curb fraudulent charitable donation requests during disasters. Some lawmakers said they were surprised that no one from Attorney General Ken Paxtons office was present to testify. Officials from Paxtons office say thats because they never received an invite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Office of the Attorney General works tirelessly to provide resource witnesses anytime it is requested by the Texas Legislature, but we did not receive a request or invitation to testify in this instance, said the Office of the Attorney Generals Director of Government Relations, George Lane. We will continue to work with legislators to pass vital legislation that helps Texans, including stopping heinous individuals that try to take advantage of tragedies to scam the people of Texas. That bill, and four others, were left pending by the committee. On Wednesday, the House Culture, Recreation and Tourism Committee will hear invited testimony on Texas youth camps including how prepared they are to handle emergencies, like floods, and other natural disasters. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Lawmakers from two states have teamed up in an effort to increase access to clean water in Native American households. As reported by the Utah News Dispatch, U.S. Senator Martin Heinrich from New Mexico introduced the Tribal Access to Clean Water Act alongside U.S. Senators Michael Bennet and John Hickenlooper from Colorado. The legislation aims to provide increased funding and support for water infrastructure development, maintenance, and technical assistance within Native American communities. The bill said: "The public health of Indian Tribes and the Native Hawaiian Community lags behind other communities in the United States at least in part as a result of lack of public health infrastructure, including access to running water. It also seeks to address health disparities linked to inadequate water and sanitation infrastructure." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services revealed Native American households are 19 times more likely to lack indoor plumbing than white households. In Navajo communities, residents are 67 times more likely to lack access to running water. Meanwhile, three-quarters of the people living on Hopi land are limited to drinking contaminated water. In a press release following the introduction of the bill, Sen. Heinrich spoke about the reasoning behind the effort. "Nearly half of Native American households lack access to clean and reliable water supplies. That is completely unacceptable," he said in a statement. Limited access to clean water can greatly increase the risk of waterborne diseases, leading to illness, disability, and death, especially in young children or senior adults. Contaminated water can transmit diseases such as cholera, dysentery, and hepatitis. A lack of clean running water can also have significant social and economic consequences, including increased health care costs and diminished agricultural industries. "By addressing a significant backlog of infrastructure projects and removing barriers to federal programs that provide technical and financial assistance to Tribes, this legislation is an important step toward delivering clean drinking water to all families in Indian Country," Heinrich added. Do you feel safe drinking the tap water where you live? Always Most of the time Not usually Never Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. Proposed changes to the way Oklahoma grades its schools are drawing criticism from lawmakers and educators who say they would punish schools for things they cannot control. The Oklahoma State Department of Education, led by state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters, wants to add new "teacher effectiveness" measures to report cards that rate schools on an A-F grading system. The ratings would factor in the shares of a school's students who are taught by certified teachers, teachers with three or more years of experience and teachers with positive evaluation outcomes. The proposed measures would replace the rate of students who are chronically absent, which lawmakers voted earlier this year to drop from the A-F grading system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Mark Mann, D-Oklahoma City. Mann, a former member of the Oklahoma City Public Schools Board of Education, said the new proposed metrics could unfairly hurt schools, especially in the face of a statewide teacher shortage. Its not right to punish schools who are forced to use alternative or emergency certified teachers because there arent enough credentialed or highly qualified educators," Mann said in a statement. Madison Cercy, press secretary for the Education Department, told The Oklahoman the agency is requesting a waiver so that teacher effectiveness doesn't have to be included to meet certain federal requirements. However, while federal requirements require at least one indicator of school quality or student success, they do not specifically mention teacher effectiveness. OSDE's proposed amendment would add teacher effectiveness to the state's accountability system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 2025 student test scores available from Oklahoma education agency after lengthy delay Experienced, certified teachers could still get low ratings due to factors out of their control, superintendent says Deer Creek Public Schools Superintendent Jason Perez told The Oklahoman he's grateful that lawmakers recognized chronic absenteeism isn't something that schools have ultimate control over. Despite different incentives and messaging to families, schools can't force students to go to school, he said. But finding a replacement for that measure isn't easy, he added. "A school that has a highly-certified, experienced or well-evaluated teacher, they might still have low test scores due to other factors like socioeconomic conditions, student health, family support, things like that, that are again, out of the control of that teacher," he said. "To put the eggs in that basket isn't necessarily fair." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's difficult to attract people to the profession and to the state when education may not be seen as an option due to Oklahoma's low teacher pay, Perez said. There's also a surplus of negative rhetoric around teaching in Oklahoma, he said. "I do think at the most local level, our families do love their schools, and our teachers do love what they do," Perez said. "But when we're looking at it from a state level, it doesn't sound like the type of career option that people want to get into. And that's unfortunate because it's probably the most important job out there." The proposed changes to Oklahoma's school grading system came to light in July, when the state Education Department published its proposed amendments to its consolidated state plan under the federal Every Student Succeeds Act. The act, signed by then-President Barack Obama in 2016, governs the relationship between the federal government and K-12 education systems nationwide. Members of the public can submit comments regarding the proposed amendments through the education agency's website until Friday, Aug 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, urged Oklahomans to heed the opportunity to weigh in on the changes before the deadline. Walters ESSA criteria highlights a problem he has no intention of solving," she said. "Every school in our state wants certified, experienced teachers penalizing them for shortages without offering real solutions is political theater, not leadership." Oklahoma will still track chronic absenteeism rates because federal law requires states to track and report chronic absenteeism rates. At least 35 other states also use it while grading school performance, though Oklahoma can no longer under state law. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: New Oklahoma report card would unfairly punish schools, critics say Bali seems poised to ban a common type of plastic packaging, which would be its second significant plastic ban since May, according to The Jakarta Post. Officials from the Indonesian island, home to more than 4 million people, have indicated they will ban sachets plastic, bag-like packaging materials starting next year. "I support it fully," Bali Vice Governor I Nyoman Giri Prasta said of the ban. "We have discussed this, there will be a decision later." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this year, the Balinese government announced a ban on all plastic water bottles smaller than one liter. Both of these bans are designed to tackle the large plastic-pollution problem that exists not just in Bali, but across all of Indonesia. Bali generates an estimated 334,000 tons of plastic waste each year, per the Guardian, with more than 10% of it ending up in local waterways. One estimate puts Indonesia's number as high as 1.4 million tons of plastic waste that pollutes the oceans annually. Much of that waste consists of sachets, small containers that often hold single-use versions of products like shampoo, potato chips, and ketchup. In the nearby Philippines, sachets comprise more than half of the residual plastic waste, per Break Free From Plastic. The more plastic that enters our oceans, the worse things get for our marine life. A recent study found that almost 94% of fish sampled from Indonesia's Jakarta Bay had microplastics in their gills and guts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A viral video showed the scope of Bali's problem. In the clip, a self-proclaimed riverman and his team wade through a river so full of trash that it is sometimes difficult to see the water underneath. Along with the bans on sachets and small water bottles, Balinese officials are contemplating further restrictions on plastic packaging that could take effect in 2026. The Jakarta Post reported these changes have come in response to environmentalists' suggestions. "It means being visionary, [so that] our descendants see Bali clean and green," Giri Prasta said. Do you think the government should ban gas-powered lawn tools? No way Definitely Only certain tools I don't know Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. MSNBCs Lawrence ODonnell is continuing to cast doubt on President Donald Trumps claim that he wasnt aware of sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwells prison transfer, which reportedly required a special waiver. The only people who can believe that are the people who believe every word Donald Trump says, ODonnell said Tuesday on The Last Word. Maxwell was serving her 20-year sentence at a federal prison in Florida, but amid public furor over the Trump administration withholding files on her late accomplice Jeffrey Epstein, she is seeking a deal and was moved to a minimum-security facility in Texas last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche visited Maxwell in Florida last month after Trump infuriated his own base by dismissing calls for transparency on the Epstein case. Maxwells attorney David Markus said last week she would be eager to testify in exchange for clemency. Maxwell was transferred to the more lenient prison in Texas within days of this apparent offer. When CNN reporter Kaitlan Collins asked Trump on Tuesday if he had personally approved the transfer or knew about it beforehand, the president said, I didnt know about it at all. Nope. I read about it just like you did, adding that its not a very uncommon thing. However, ODonnell didnt buy Trumps denial. The rules had to be changed by Trumps Justice Department to transfer Maxwell, the MSNBC host pointed out, echoing CNN senior legal analyst Elie Honig. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its almost impossible that Ghislaine Maxwell just happened, by coincidence, to be moved to a better facility a week or so after she met with Todd Blanche, Honig told Collins Tuesday. You would need specific authorization, you would need a waiver because Maxwell is a convicted child sex offender, Honig said. And the suggestion the president seemed to be making, that it just happens in the usual course of business, no, it does not. From left: Donald Trump and his then-girlfriend, Melania Trump, with Jeffrey Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell at Mar-a-Lago in 2000. Davidoff Studios Photography/Getty Images ODonnell previously wagered that Trump might pardon Maxwell entirely if she testifies that he wasnt involved in her or Epsteins crimes. On Tuesday, he reiterated his belief that Blanche, Trumps former criminal defense attorney, visited her behind bars for precisely that reason. That was obviously the mission Donald Trumps criminal defense lawyer embarked on get Ghislaine Maxwell to say nothing that would be harmful to Donald Trump, ODonnell said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And then Ghislaine Maxwell immediately got transferred from a serious federal prison in Florida meant to house, among others, sex criminals, to the easiest federal custody facility that exists in America for women, which is not meant to house sex criminals, he added. As ODonnell noted on his show, perhaps most telling is that sources who are familiar with what Maxwell told Blanche during their meeting have already told ABC that she said nothing during the interview that would be harmful to President Donald Trump. Watch ODonnells full monologue below: Related... BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) After the release of body camera footage to the family of an 18-year-old who was shot and killed by a Homewood police officer, attorneys of the family said Wednesday the video was edited and there is more footage that was not shown. At a press conference outside the Jefferson County Criminal Justice Center, civil rights attorney Ben Crump claimed that the family was shown a small clip of an edited (Alabama Law Enforcement Agency) video. We wanted transparency first and foremost, Crump said. We still dont believe we have arrived at transparency because what we saw was a short clip of an ALEA edited video. We believe that there is much more unedited video that the family and the community has a right to view. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jefferson County District Attorney Danny Carr announced Wednesday he ruled the June 23 shooting justify based on the body camera footage and evidence. He stated the footage showed Jabari Peoples reached for a gun and held it in his right hand when the officer shot. No criminal charges will be filed against the officer who shot him. Timeline of Jabari Peoples shooting in Alabama Crump said they were able to conclude three things from the footage they were shown: Peoples was shot in the back, he was shot running away and he never pointed anything at the police officer, who has not been identified. As Crump understands, all the evidence is now in the possession of the city of Homewood, and they want all of it to be released. We also know that he was roughed up, there was more to this interaction than what has been provided, Crump said. We know that, apparently even based on the district attorneys comments, that there was a struggle, that they were on the ground. We dont know what precipitated that struggle, we dont know what was said, and the family feels they have a right to know everything that happened that led up to him being shot in his back running away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorney Leroy Maxwell Jr. said he left with more questions than answers after seeing the body camera footage. He said maybe they got a step closer to transparency, but there is still a long way to go. A clip of what happened makes no sense to me, Maxwell said. I dont understand why they would enflame the situation in that sort of way. So for us moving forward when it comes to the litigation and what were doing, what were looking to do is to ask and demand through the courts, that they fill in the rest of the story, that they give us the unedited versions of these videos. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) The parish council meeting tonight had many items on the agenda. One of the items on the agenda was the council approving a special election in Lafayette parish for tax renewals. LCG is attempting to put two property tax millages, which failed in March, back on the ballot for renewal in a special election set for Nov. 15. The majority of the council voted yes meaning the millages will be put back on the ballot. If voters choose once again not to approve the millages in November, the parish would be looking at a $24 million budget shortfall, mainly impacting road maintenance and public health, like mosquito prevention, along with smaller impacts on drainage funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The millages are most likely targeted for November, instead of the regular election in October, to avoid the same negative impact from up ballot races and amendments that some think led to them failing in the last election. If the millages fail again, the road maintenance millage would expire in 2027, and the public health millage would expire in 2026. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now KLFY Daily Digest Its no new tax, were not increasing tax, its simply a renewal, said Rachel Godeaux, Chief Administrative Officer for LCG. Its critical to the function of what we do as a government providing roads, drainage, animal control, animal shelter, the coroners office, and mosquito control. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another item on the agenda is the introduction, for approval by the council, the mayor-presidents Cooperative Endeavor agreement with Holy Rosary Land Holdings Incorporated to build the Northeast Regional Library on Holy Rosary Institute land. The agreement would lease the land for 99 years for one dollar per year, with extension options written into the contract. The parish council vote is one of the last steps to finalizing a location, design and time for the library. A process which has been ongoing since 2018. We have moved forward with selecting a site, a different site, than the original one selected, but a better one for accessibility to the public, said Godeaux. The mayor-president reflected earlier about striking at the heart of poverty and thats essentially what were looking to accomplish with this move of library location to the Holy Rosary Institute. Latest news Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLFY.com. (Changes format of Lee Jae Myung in paragraph 1) By Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen HANOI (Reuters) -New South Korean President Lee Jae Myung will host Vietnam's top leader To Lam on a visit next week, two people familiar with the plan said, as they aim to boost cooperation on technology at a time of global trade tension that could affect their ties. Korean companies have historically been the biggest investors in the Southeast Asian nation, pouring in $92 billion, by the end of last year, Vietnam government data shows, mainly in factories. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lam is expected to arrive on Sunday for the four-day event, the first state visit since Lee took office in June, said the sources who sought anonymity, as the visit has not yet been announced. Global trade uncertainty will figure in the talks in Seoul next week, said one of the sources. They come after the Trump administration approved new tariffs last week on goods from dozens of countries, including South Korea and Vietnam. The South Korean presidential office declined to comment. Vietnam's foreign ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Vietnam, which raised taxes on multinationals last year, drawing criticism from large foreign investors, now faces duties of 20% on its exports to the United States, while duties on South Korean products are set at 15%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Korean investment in Vietnam has led to the setting-up of some research centres and the transfer of valuable technology to its companies. Many Korean multinationals have used Vietnam as an export hub, benefiting for years from lower labour costs, generous tax incentives and Hanoi's numerous free trade pacts with dozens of countries. Top investor Samsung Electronics has its largest overseas industrial operations in Vietnam, from where it exports more than half the telephones it sells each year, with a large number destined for the United Sates. Korean companies appear to have slowed investments this year, however, as Vietnam's latest government data does not list them among the top seven investors over the first seven months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But companies with operations in Vietnam remain largely optimistic, ruling out immediate relocation on the grounds that it remains more attractive than rivals, the tariff impact was still unclear and the size of existing investments discouraged sudden moves, said two people with direct knowledge. It is not clear whether Vietnam may negotiate different rates for specific sectors, with possibly lower duties on electronics exports, which are the most relevant to Korean firms. In April, the Trump administration exempted from new global tariffs several electronics items, such as laptops and smartphones, but left the duration and scope unclear. Duties on semiconductors are expected to be unveiled later. (Reporting by Francesco Guarascio and Phuong Nguyen in Hanoi; Editing by Clarence Fernandez) (NewsNation) Five soldiers were shot Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Georgia. The shooter was identified as Sgt. Quornelius Radford, and Army officials said the shooting took place at Radfords place of work and that those shot were his coworkers. All five who were shot are in stable condition and expected to recover. Two were transported to an area hospital for further treatment, and all the families of the victims have been notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is Sgt. Quornelius Radford, Fort Stewart suspect shooter? The weapon used was a personal handgun, not a military weapon, said Brig. Gen. John Lubas. He said Radford had a DUI off base that his superior officers were unaware of until this incident. The Army had no evidence of behavioral issues with Radford, Lubas told reporters. Other soldiers in the area tackled the shooter and subdued him so he could be taken into custody. Radford had not previously been deployed to combat. Authorities said they are not speculating on the motive at this time. There is no active threat to the community. The shooter was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. local time, and the lockdown was lifted Wednesday afternoon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said no additional information would be released until the investigation is completed. DOJ publishes list of sanctuary cities and states, threatens lawsuits A portion of Fort Stewart was put on lockdown early Wednesday, and those in the 2nd Army Brigade area were told to stay inside, close and lock all windows and all doors. Area schools were initially on lockdown as well, but those were lifted Wednesday afternoon. The FBIs Atlanta Field Office was assisting with the response as needed. The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms also responded. Army officials put the lockdown in place around 11 a.m. Response to Fort Stewart shooting Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp has been briefed on the shooting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same, he said on social media. President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shooting as well as Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Our federal law enforcement agents in Georgia are coordinating to provide support as the situation at Fort Stewart develops. I am praying for all the victims and for our troops at the base, said Attorney General Pam Bondi. Court temporarily blocks Trump from reallocating FEMA disaster preparedness funds Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other Georgia officials have responded as well. I am monitoring the situation at Fort Stewart. Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community, Rep. Buddy Carter said on X. As we wait for more information, please join me in praying for the soldiers and first responders at Fort Stewart today, said Rep. Mike Collins. Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families, said Sen. Raphael Warnock. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump said, The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth vowed there would be a just response to Radfords actions in a statement via X. Today, a cowardly shooting at Fort Stewart left five brave Soldiers wounded. Praise God they are all in stable condition. Our prayers are with them, their families, and the entire Fort Stewart community in the aftermath of this attack, he wrote. We owe profound gratitude to the law enforcement heroes who charged into danger. Swift justice will be brought to the perpetrator and anyone else found to be involved. DOGE staffer attacked in DC, prompting Trump takeover threats Fort Stewart Fort Stewart is the largest Army installation east of the Mississippi River, with 279,270 acres. The population as of 2020 was 8,821 people on the base and around 35,000 people in the city of Hinesville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fort Stewart provides services to about 15,000 active duty Army, 400 other military members, 160 students, 16,000 family members of active-duty service members, 2,000 transient military, 5,100 military retirees, 21,500 retiree family members, 4,000 civilian Defense Department employees, 1,200 contractors, 530 reserve members and 1,660 family members of reserve. Twice a year, the base holds integrated protection exercises that include military departments and civilian agencies to prepare for possible emergency scenarios, including active shooters. This is a developing story. Check back for more details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. LEBANON, Tenn. (WKRN) A man wanted out of Nashville in connection with a 2022 aggravated rape case has been arrested. According to officials with the Lebanon Police Department and the Metro Nashville Police Department, 46-year-old Wesley Hernandez was arrested Monday night in Lebanon. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Lebanon police said Hernandez was wanted on eight charges, including two counts of rape, three counts of statutory aggravated rape, two counts of aggravated rape with a weapon and one count of continuous sexual abuse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the MNPD, Hernandez was indicted on these eight charges in connection with an ongoing 2022 agg. rape case involving a teen girl. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Lebanon police said Hernandez was taken into custody on Monday night without incident. Officials with the MNPD said Hernandez is in jail on a $300,000 bond. Anyone else who knows of other concerning behavior of Hernandezs can call Youth Services at 615-862-7417. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. More than a dozen House Democrats have signed a letter urging the Trump administration to officially recognize a Palestinian state, according to a draft seen by The Washington Post. Addressing President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the lawmakers write that such recognition is necessary to fulfill the "legitimate national rights" of Palestinians and "ensure the state of Israel's survival." They also express support for removing Hamas, the militant group that controls Gaza, from power. The letter, which had been signed by 13 House Democrats as of early Tuesday, builds on mounting international pressure to recognize a Palestinian state, after three major U.S. allies recently signaled willingness to do so, joining 140-plus U.N. member states that already do so. "This is the moment for the United States to officially recognize a Palestinian state. All 22 states in the Arab League called for a non Hamas Palestinian state that recognizes Israel," Rep. Ro Khanna (D-California), who is leading efforts to gather signatories, said in a statement shared by email Tuesday morning. "We just started outreach this past week and plan to send the letter in September timed with the UN convening. The response has been overwhelming." The letter was previously reported by Jewish Insider. Khanna said in a town hall video shared on social media that his letter had been leaked and that he suspected the leak was intended to keep other members of Congress from publicly endorsing the proposal. Co-signatories, according to a list shared by Khanna's office, include Greg Casar (Texas), Lloyd Doggett (Texas), Veronica Escobar (Texas), Maxwell Frost (Florida), Al Green (Texas), Jared Huffman (California), Pramila Jayapal (Washington), Jim McGovern (Massachusetts), Chellie Pingree (Maine), Mark Pocan (Wisconsin), Nydia M. Velazquez (New York) and Bonnie Watson Coleman (New Jersey). The letter is unlikely to alter the White House's position. Last week, Trump said he was "not in that camp," when asked about the prospect of recognizing Palestinian statehood. "You're rewarding Hamas if you do that. I don't think they should be rewarded," he told reporters. As a political issue, the conflict is far more fraught among Democrats, who have been frequently divided since Hamas's Oct. 7, 2023, attack, than among Republicans. Last year, the party's leadership largely staved off threats of disruption from pro-Palestinian delegates at the Democratic National Convention, but divisions within the party have continued to smolder. In June, some Democrats expressed dismay - as others celebrated enthusiastically - when their party nominated Zohran Mamdani, an outspoken critic of Israel, for mayor of New York. At a state level, bitter debates at party meetings point to a growing internal rift between the party's voters and its leaders on the issue. Last month, a Gallup poll found that the share of Democrats who support Israel's military actions in Gaza had dropped to 8 percent, down from 24 percent in September. In December 2023 and January 2024, six Democrats co-sponsored a resolution supporting Palestinian statehood. The letter comes after French President Emmanuel Macron said that Paris will recognize an independent Palestinian state in September at the U.N. General Assembly, writing in a post on social media that "the urgent priority today is to end the war in Gaza and to bring relief to the civilian population." Days later, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer said London will also recognize a Palestinian state in September - unless Israel agrees to a ceasefire and commits to a two-state solution. Canada followed, with Prime Minister Mark Carney saying his country would recognize a Palestinian state at the U.N. General Assembly if the Palestinian Authority, which administers parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank and is seen by most Western and Arab countries as the only viable alternative to Hamas, agrees to certain democratic reforms, including elections in 2026. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said recognizing a Palestinian state under the current geopolitical conditions risks creating another Iranian proxy in the region. He has indicated he plans to expand military operations to occupy the entire Gaza Strip as ceasefire negotiations appear to have reached an end, The Post reported. (COMMENT, BELOW) Hezbollah said Wednesday that it would treat a Lebanese government decision to disarm the militant group "as if it did not exist", accusing the cabinet of committing a "grave sin". Amid heavy US pressure and fears Israel could expand its strikes on Lebanon, Prime Minister Nawaf Salam said Tuesday that the government had tasked the army with developing a plan to restrict weapons to government forces by year end. The plan is to be presented to the government by the end of August for discussion and approval, and another cabinet meeting is scheduled for Thursday to continue the talks, including on a US-proposed timetable for disarmament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah said the government had "committed a grave sin by taking the decision to disarm Lebanon of its weapons to resist the Israeli enemy". The decision is unprecedented since Lebanon's civil war factions gave up their weapons three and a half decades ago. "This decision undermines Lebanon's sovereignty and gives Israel a free hand to tamper with its security, geography, politics and future existence... Therefore, we will treat this decision as if it does not exist," the Iran-backed group said in a statement. - 'Serves Israel's interests' - The government said its decision came as part of implementing a November ceasefire that sought to end more than a year of hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah, which culminated in two months of full-blown war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hezbollah said it viewed the government's move as "the result of dictates from US envoy" Tom Barrack. It "fully serves Israel's interests and leaves Lebanon exposed to the Israeli enemy without any deterrence", the group said. Hezbollah was the only faction that kept its weapons after Lebanon's 1975-1990 civil war. It emerged weakened politically and militarily from its latest conflict with Israel, its arsenal pummelled and its senior leadership decimated. Israel has kept up its strikes on Hezbollah and other targets despite the November truce, and has threatened to keep doing so until the group has been disarmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An Israeli strike on the southern town of Tulin on Wednesday killed one person and wounded another, the health ministry said. Israel also launched a series of air strikes on southern Lebanon, wounding at least two people according to the health ministry. The Israeli military said it struck "weapons storage facilities, a missile launcher and Hezbollah terrorist infrastructure which stored engineering tools that allowed for the re-establishment of terrorist infrastructure in the area". Hezbollah said Israel must halt the attacks before any domestic debate about its weapons and a new defence strategy could begin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - 'Pivotal moment' - "We are open to dialogue, ending the Israeli aggression against Lebanon, liberating its land, releasing prisoners, working to build the state, and rebuilding what was destroyed by the brutal aggression," the group said. Hezbollah is "prepared to discuss a national security strategy", but not under Israeli fire, it added. Two ministers affiliated with Hezbollah and its ally the Amal movement walked out of Tuesday's meeting. Hezbollah described the walkout as "an expression of rejection" of the government's "decision to subject Lebanon to American tutelage and Israeli occupation". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Amal movement, headed by parliament speaker Nabih Berri, accused the government of "rushing to offer more gratuitous concessions" to Israel when it should have sought to end the ongoing attacks. It called Thursday's cabinet meeting "an opportunity for correction". Hezbollah opponent the Lebanese Forces, one of the country's two main Christian parties, said the cabinet's decision to disarm the militant group was "a pivotal moment in Lebanon's modern history -- a long-overdue step toward restoring full state authority and sovereignty". The Free Patriotic Movement, the other major Christian party and a former ally of Hezbollah, said it was in favour of the army receiving the group's weapons "to strengthen Lebanon's defensive power". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in a televised interview that any decision on disarmament "will ultimately rest with Hezbollah itself". "We support it from afar, but we do not intervene in its decisions," he added, noting that the group had "rebuilt itself" following setbacks during its war with Israel. lar/lg-nad/js TUPELO Lee County saw a potential net increase of about $5.7 million according to reporting from the Lee County Tax Assessors office, which is working to finalize the tax rolls in time for the new fiscal year. TUPELO Lee County saw a potential net increase of about $5.7 million according to reporting from the Lee County Tax Assessors office, which is working to complete the tax rolls in time for the new fiscal year. The Lee County Board of Supervisors held a sparsely attended public hearing with Tax Assessor Mark Weathers on Monday to discuss the countys property county tax rolls, which determine property owners annual property taxes, with an almost $5.7 million increase in value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of his presentation, Weathers named the companies looking to protest their assessments. We want to make sure everyone is treated fairly and bring everyone to the same page, Weathers said of working on the protests. Protestors include Kohl's, CH Essentials LLC, which owns the building that Pyros and Austin Dental are located, Walmart at both West Main Street and North Gloster Street, the Red Roof Inn Tupelo and the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal at two properties. Weathers said the appeals will likely take about two weeks to process before they can come before the board for a vote. According to Weathers, the countys real property value increased by $16.3 million over the previous year while its personal property went down by $10.6 million, leading to the $5.7 million net increase. The overall assessed value of the county is about $1.16 billion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The previous tax assessors report showed a larger increase in real property and a decrease in personal property. Weathers noted that these numbers still are not final and hinge on potential changes following the resolution of the protestors. Property assessments include two categories: real and personal property. Real property includes land and any valuable property on the land, such as buildings, crops and timber. Personal property is all property that isnt nailed down to the property's land. It includes vehicles, inventory or anything the homeowners and companies own. Personal property also includes intangible property, like bank accounts and franchising rights. Baldwyn and Sherman were the only two municipalities in the county that saw an increase in both real and personal property values. Baldwyn saw a net $1.6 million increase in its values, while Sherman saw a net $91,487 increase. Guntown, Nettleton and Tupelo all saw an overall increase in their values despite decreases in personal property. Guntown saw a $469,828 increase and Nettleton saw a $195,909 increase. Tupelo, on the other hand, saw a sharp increase of $6.7 million, almost double the previously reported $3.4 million. Weathers said after the meeting that the increase came from companies filing their inventories between the first and second reports. Most of Tupelos increase came from a new industry opening and adding $3 million in personal property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Plantersville, Saltillo, Shannon and Verona all saw overall decreases in values: Plantersville went down $82,675, Saltillo went down $203,910, Shannon went down $165,275 and Verona went down $60,087. All saw increases in real property but could not offset their loss in personal property value. Last year, the county saw a monumental rise in property values: an increase of over $136 million. Weathers said this was because every four years, the county completes its reappraisal process, leading to a jump in value because of rising costs in building materials and other factors. DENVER (KDVR) Two wildfires burning over 30,000 acres in Rio Blanco County have prompted closures of four state wildlife areas near Meeker. The fires were believed to be caused by lightning during the same weather event over the weekend. Seeing smoke? Haze reported in Denver metro as wildfires burn on Western Slope Tuesday night, Gov. Jared Polis expanded his verbal disaster emergency declaration to include the Lee Fire, which merged with the Grease Fire and now includes federal, state and private lands. The governors office said it is growing rapidly and has displaced multiple residents. The declaration means that state resources will be activated to manage the emergency response. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday morning, the Rio Blanco County Sheriffs Office provided an update revealing that the fires had grown significantly since Tuesday. The Elk Fire has burned 8,304 acres, and the Lee Fire has burned 22,497 acres, according to InciWeb. The fires are at 0% containment. There are 236 firefighters and resources, including seven aircraft, nine fire engines and seven hand crews, working to battle the blazes, according to a press release from the Rocky Mountain Incident Management Team. Hot, dry and windy conditions helped the fires to spread on Tuesday and overnight. The Lee Fire spread mostly to the south and the east and impacted Highway 13. The Elk Fire saw less extreme activity, which allowed crews to halt the fires progress on the south end along County Road 8. Wednesday morning, the incident management team said crews are still working to protect structures from the fires and prevent further progress and secure fire lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire is expected to spread more on Wednesday with hot temperatures, low relative humidity and strong winds, along with dry vegetation that can easily catch fire. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up to get breaking news sent to your inbox There will be a community meeting on Wednesday night at 7 p.m. at Meeker High School, where authorities will provide updates and information about their plans, and will be available to answer questions. What to know about evacuations An online interactive map shows evacuation zones near the fires and can be found here. The county is using an evacuation status system of Ready, Set, and Go to ensure residents have the most time to prepare for evacuation. The town of Meeker was given four evacuation zones to help with evacuations if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to areas of lighter fuels, irrigated meadows, and gentler terrain around much of the town, fire managers are currently seeing limited potential for the fire to impact the town, the Rio Blanco County Sheriffs Office said on Facebook. However, given the very active fire behavior so far, they want to make sure we are prepared for the unexpected. Again, these areas are not currently in an evacuation status, but have been identified in case a change in that status is warranted going forward. Wildfires prompt closure of 4 Colorado wildlife areas As of Tuesday, the Oak Ridge State Wildlife Area, Rio Blanco Lake State Wildlife Area, Colorow Mountain State Wildlife Area and the Piceance State Wildlife Areas Little Hills and North Ridge units were closed to the public. FOX31 Newsletters: Sign up for weather alerts from the Pinpoint Weather team However, inquisitive visitors will find the gates to these properties open, which is an effort to ensure firefighters can access the area freely. Colorado Parks and Wildlife is asking the public to respect the closures, not only for their safety, but that of the firefighting crews, as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know the timing of this isnt ideal, said Meeker Area Wildlife Manager Johnathan Lambert in CPWs announcement. This time of year, we see an increase in hunters in these areas, scouting and preparing for the upcoming big game hunting season. For your safety and the safety of the fire crews actively working in these areas, we ask that you please stay out of these areas. There are also closures by the Bureau of Land Management in Rio Blanco County, which described the as being within the boundaries of south of Colorado Highway 64, north and east of Rio Blanco County Road 5, east of County Road 71, south and east of County Road 77, south of county line, and west of Colorado Highway 13. A map of the BLM closures can be found here. The White River National Forest Blanco Ranger District has also issued public closures for the area west of the Long-Lost Trail system and including that trail system. A map of that closure can be found here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) The attorney for City Councilwoman Maria Perez held a news conference on the steps of the Hampden County Courthouse on Wednesday. Springfield police investigate Kensington Ave. shooting Attorney Jeffrey Morneau announced that they are filing a lawsuit against Joesiah Gonzalez and the New North Citizens Council (NNCC) following Perezs termination from her position there. The complaint alleges that Gonzalez, who is running against Perez for Ward 1 Councilor, and the Executive Director of NNCC orchestrated a conspiracy to defame Perez, and that allegations claiming Perez embezzled federal funds were also false, designed to tarnish her stellar reputation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Miss Perez has no disciplinary history in approximately 40 years of service to NNCC. The timing and circumstances surrounding this termination reveal a very troubling pattern, said Morneau. The people today named by my lawyer attacked me. They attempted to attack my faith; they attempted to attack my family. They attempted to attack my integrity, said Perez. This comes in response to Councilwoman Perezs termination from the New North Citizens Council. A news release sent by the NNCC on July 26 alleged that Perez engaged in embezzlement of public funds there. In a subsequent news release sent August 1, NNCC Executive Director Maria Ligus stated the initial announcement of Perezs firing was made without the approval of the NNCCs executive leadership. Ligus emphasized that the July 26th statement contained inaccuracies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was directly involved in the decision to terminate the employment of Ms. Maria Perez, a former employee of the organization, Ligus said. Such termination was unrelated to any allegations or findings related to the use of federal funds. They go on to say that their board and executive leadership did not authorize the release of a previous statement put out a week ago following an internal review. Part of that reads, NNCC strongly condemns the embezzlement of federal funds and the misuse of 501(c)(3) resources for political purposes. The NNCCs statement did not disclose the specific reasons for Maria Perezs termination. Despite the correction, the organization says they will not comment further on the issue. According to the organization, Maria Perez served as Chief of Housing Programs. She worked for that organization for several years and managed federal funds. Perez currently serves as a city councilor for Ward One in Springfield. She is also running for re-election, and Mayor Sarno says he fully supports her campaign. VIDEO: Full news conference Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Columbia University and Brown University are set to disclose detailed admissions data, including standardized test scores, grade-point averages, and racial demographics of applicants, as part of recent settlements with the Trump administration. Chief Legal Analyst Khalif Rhodes explains if and how this could lead to lawsuits in the 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 Queen City News. (NEXSTAR) Three people have died and at least 67 have been infected as a cluster of Legionnaires disease cases in New York City continues to spread. The case count has ballooned since the bacteria that causes Legionnaires started sickening people in late July. City health officials link the outbreak in Central Harlem to cooling towers, structures containing water and a fan that are used to cool buildings. They said 11 of these towers initially tested positive for a type of bacteria that causes Legionnaires, but the problem has been fixed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three dead as Legionnaires cluster spreads in NYC Legionnaires disease is a type of pneumonia caused by bacteria that grows in warm water. It can spread through water systems, like showerheads, hot tubs or cooling towers for central AC. People often get the disease by inhaling mist from contaminated water, but it is not spread from person to person. What are the symptoms of Legionnaires disease? Once exposed to the bacteria, symptoms can take anywhere from two days to two weeks to show up, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The symptoms of Legionnaires overlap with other pneumonia symptoms: cough, fever, headaches, muscle aches and shortness of breath. In the most serious cases, Legionnaires can cause lung failure or death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pneumonia can be confirmed with a chest X-ray, but a lab test of a patients urine or phlegm would be able to confirm if the pneumonia is caused by Legionella bacteria. Most people exposed to the bacteria dont get sick, the CDC notes, but those with pre-existing conditions can suffer serious symptoms or death. About 1 in 10 people who gets the disease will die due to complications, the CDC says. What is the treatment for Legionnaires disease? Those in the neighborhoods of New York City impacted by the outbreak (ZIP codes 10027, 10030, 10035, 10037, 10039 and surrounding areas) should contact their doctor if they have any of the symptoms described above. Thats especially true for people 50 and older, people who smoke and people with chronic lung conditions, as they are more susceptible to serious consequences. Once identified, the disease can be treated with antibiotics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) Local legislators are looking at ways to stop the spread of the spotted lanternfly as sightings have increased across the area. Representative Mike Kelly, Pa-16, said the lanternfly could cost the state of Pennsylvania hundreds of millions of dollars in economic damage due to its invasive nature. He said that is why stopping its spread is a priority for him and other lawmakers. This is going to be absolutely crucial to getting it done. Its that early warning. Its already gone on too long, Kelly said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Spotted Lanternfly Research and Development Act designates the Spotted Lanternfly as a high-priority research and extension initiative under the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. This designation authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to make competitive grants available for research projects related to the mitigation of the species. Kelly said both Democrats and Republicans came together for this effort because they realize its importance. You can spray, but the cost of spraying is very, very expensive, and one time isnt enough. You have to do it multiple times, and for our growers, this is the difference between having a profitable year and having a disastrous year. What we need to do if we get out in front of it find a way to keep it from growing. We can then address it going into the future, he said. Over in Ohio, Mahoning, Trumbull and Columbiana counties are among 18 counties in the quarantine area, meaning that the areas are experiencing widespread infestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The spotted lanternfly is considered a pest because the nymphs and adults feed in large numbers on sap from grapevines and other plants, resulting in wilting, dieback and sooty mold damage. It is particularly drawn to tree of heaven, but is also known to be a pest of grapes, hops, stone fruits and other agriculturally important plants, according to the Ohio Department of Agriculture. While the Department of Agriculture is not currently removing spotted lanternflies from private properties, Director Brian Baldridge said there are steps that homeowners can take to help prevent their spread. He recommends that people squash the bugs or use repellents to get rid of them. Baldridge also asks that people report lanternfly sightings so that they can track the problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mainly, they are asking to control the spread by restricting the movements of plants from nurseries in the quarantine zone, and asking residents to watch their vehicles for any hitch-hiking lanternflies before leaving those areas. Currently, we follow USDA guidelines, but there is no kind of plan to completely wipe out the spotted lanternfly. Its more trying to slow the movement of the spotted lanternfly, Baldridge said. Baldridge said they are supportive of any legislation that provides funding for research into the issue. The Department of Agriculture has more information on the spotted lanternfly on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. To the editor: While academics and state officials tout Californias talent and innovation, they conveniently ignore the damage being done by Sacramentos relentless overregulation and misguided wage mandates ( Why companies born and raised in California are leaving the state, Aug. 4). The $20 per hour minimum wage for fast-food workers, imposed last year, has already been linked to thousands of layoffs. Just last month, a National Bureau of Economic Research study found that the state has lost 18,000 jobs in the fast-food sector. Thats not a coincidence its a direct result of political decisions made without regard for economic consequences. Now Los Angeles is pushing the envelope even further, with hotel worker wages set to hit $30 per hour by 2028. Already, investors are backing away from hotel projects in the region, spooked by unsustainable labor costs and a hostile regulatory climate. Can you blame them? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement California politicians seem more interested in scoring headlines than creating a stable environment for business. The truth is, California is becoming a cautionary tale. Although the state still has natural advantages, those are being squandered by lawmakers more focused on appeasing special interest groups than fostering real economic growth. Businesses arent leaving California because they dislike the weather or the people theyre leaving because it no longer makes sense to stay. And until our leaders start listening to job creators instead of just activists, that trend will only continue. Hua Gu, Calabasas .. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To the editor: When you (or, in In-N-Out owner Lynsi Snyder's case, your grandparents) establish a billion-dollar company, you should at the least not bite the hand that made you. In this case, California. These successful entrepreneurs and companies are successful because of their abilities, as well as the vibrant culture and people in California that support them. Oh, and our spectacular scenery and weather dont hurt. Mindy Taylor-Ross, Venice .. To the editor: I sure wish, in one of her interviews, someone would ask Snyder, who donated $2 million to super PAC MAGA Inc. , what she thinks of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Department of Homeland Security agents wearing masks and neck gaiters. After all, she forbade In-N-Out employees from wearing masks unless they had a doctors note . As she departs for Tennessee, heres one former In-N-Out customer saying, Bye, Felicia. Liz White, Los Angeles This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A routine traffic stop in Lewisville led to the seizure of 285 pounds of marijuana and the arrest of a 31-year-old man. Officer J. Slaughter of the Lewisville Police Department pulled over a vehicle driven by Deyu Huang on Sunday for expired registration and lack of insurance, violations of the Texas Transportation Code. After informing Huang, a resident of Houston, that the vehicle would be towed per department policy, Slaughter detected the odor of unburnt marijuana during an inventory of the vehicle, providing probable cause for a search. With assistance from Officer J. Acosta, Slaughter discovered 285 pounds of marijuana concealed in a sealed compartment within the vehicle. Huang was arrested and charged with possession of marijuana between 50 and 2,000 pounds, a second-degree felony. He is being held in Denton County Jail on a $35,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lewisville Police Department praised the officers efforts in a Facebook post, stating, Please join us in recognizing Officer Slaughters vigilance and dedication to keeping Lewisville safe! The post noted that the seizure ensured the drugs will never make it to the streets of our community. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A haven for LGBTQ+ books, coffee and community is getting a new Columbus address. Little Gay Bookstore, the online and pop-up book seller, is opening a brick-and-mortar location with a coffee shop on Sept. 2 inside Stonewall Columbus at 1160 N. High St. in the Short North. The partnership with Stonewall, central Ohios leading LGBTQ+ organization, marks a major milestone for Little Gay, which has long aimed to foster a safe space for marginalized folks to find community while bonding over books. Rights group launches tour in Ohio to fight anti-LGBTQ+ attacks, announces web show Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were just so excited, honestly, I dont think we thought wed ever get this far, said Lauren Branch, who co-founded Little Gay alongside her partner Reese Steiner. After years of doing this, it just doesnt feel real yet. A bookstore has long been in the making for Lauren Branch and Reese Steiner, who originally planned to open a shop in 2023 at a different address. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees) Little Gay Bookstore is opening on Sept. 2 inside Stonewall Columbus at 1160 N. High St. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees) Little Gay Bookstore is opening on Sept. 2 inside Stonewall Columbus at 1160 N. High St. (Courtesy Photo/Abby Gongwer) A physical bookstore has been several years in the making for the Columbus couple, who originally planned to open a shop in 2023 at a different Short North address. After a series of challenges, Branch and Steiner temporarily abandoned their plans and shifted to selling at local markets and launching their online store. November 2023 was when we had to pivot and we were like, OK, we really want to continue to do this, we just cant give up, everyones so excited,' Branch said. Thats when we moved into the market scene, and weve been able to completely do our online business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Big changes announced for the Ohio State football game-day experience at The Shoe Little Gay has since shipped books and its merchandise, like stickers and tote bags, nationwide while amassing a following of more than 40,000 on social media. Now, Branch and Steiner said the delay in a physical shop was a huge blessing in disguise, given the newfound partnership with Stonewall, which also allows the couple to operate the coffee shop, aptly named Queer Beans, inside the bookstore. The partnership with Stonewall marks a major milestone for Little Gay, which began as an effort to foster a safe environment for marginalized groups. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees) Little Gay has shipped books and its merchandise, like stickers and tote bags, nationwide while amassing a following of more than 40,000 on social media. (NBC4 Photo/David Rees) Branch and Steiner say the delay in a physical shop was a huge blessing in disguise given the newfound partnership with Stonewall. (Courtesy Photo/Abby Gongwer) Along with books, coffee in general is also community building, Branch said. You come in here and you want to talk with your friends over coffee, and thats what I always did growing up and, for us, that was relaxing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Born from Branch and Steiners visit to a bookstore in California that lacked a queer literature section, the idea to start a LGBTQ+ book shop quickly evolved into a movement to create a space in central Ohio where everyone feels seen, Branch said. That mission was tested early on when the couple was building the first Short North location in 2023. After putting up a sign that read, Coming soon: Little Gay Bookstore, the shops window was shattered. Whether intentional or not, Branch and Steiner enlisted Nadia Stewart, an artist from Kent State University, to turn the cracked glass into a mural a symbol of resilience and Pride, they said. Out in Ohio: Advocate leads movement to ban anti-LGBTQ+ conversion therapy With the Stonewall partnership and a new home secured, Branch and Steiner said they remain focused on creating an affirming space for the Columbus community that blends literature, coffee and activism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im really excited to hear people connecting, making community, drinking their coffee, talking about books; the excitement is growing, Steiner said. We did this for the LGBTQ+ community, but everyone is welcome no matter where they come from or who they are. Inclusivity means all, which is straight people, gay people, trans people, literally everybody. Once open, Little Gay is welcoming patrons from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Friday. Customers can also continue purchasing from the online marketplace, littlegaybookstore.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. SIGN UP FOR THE DAILY JWR UPDATE. IT'S FREE. (AND NO SPAM!) Just click here. Texas Democrats knew that if they fled the state to block a Republican plan to redraw the congressional map, they would need blue-state allies. So when Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker - a potential 2028 presidential candidate - came to neighboring Oklahoma in late June for a dinner, the state party chair worked to set up a meeting. Pritzker had been traveling the country urging his party to fight President Donald Trump harder, denouncing "incrementalism" and "do-nothing" Democrats. Texas Democrats wanted to know if he would help them ratchet up their resistance, if necessary, to prevent their Republican colleagues from overhauling the map in the GOP's favor. They were welcome in Illinois, Pritzker told them. Soon his staff was talking daily with Texas Democrats. And early this week, he stood next to state lawmakers as they explained their escape to Chicago, assembled in front of a "JB" backdrop advertising Pritzker's reelection campaign. "This is a righteous act of courage," Pritzker said. "When you show people that you have the will to fight, well, they can muster the will to fight, too." Pritzker's invitation to Texas lawmakers has given him a more prominent role in a tense partisan fight ambitious Democrats around the country are eagerly joining. Blue state leaders and potential 2028 presidential hopefuls across the country are channeling a base that expects them to jump into the confrontation and fight fire with fire. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has said he supports asking voters to approve a temporary redraw of his state's House districts meant to counteract Republican gains in Texas. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) - who is facing a primary challenge and needs to fire up Democratic voters - welcomed a smaller group of Texas lawmakers to her state this week and on Monday said "the gloves are off" and the party was "at war" as her Democratic-controlled state looks for ways to change its maps, too. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg went live on Instagram to denounce what he called an "obvious plan to disempower voters." Democrats face big hurdles in carving out more blue seats, especially after years of pushing for a more bipartisan mapmaking process in key states. But they have vowed to get creative. In Illinois, they are limited in their ability to squeeze more seats out of a map already drawn in their favor. They hold 14 out of 17 House seats. But Pritzker has still taken a highly visible role in the redistricting wars this week. Republicans in Illinois have called Pritzker's criticism of Texas Republicans hypocritical because of the Democratic slant in Illinois' map. The Princeton Gerrymandering Project, an independent analysis of partisan bias in states' maps, gives Illinois an "F." Democrats in the state "should be focused on strengthening democracy here in our state with fair maps instead of chasing national headlines by intervening in other states," said John Curran, the Illinois Senate Republican leader, in a statement. Asked about that criticism at his Sunday news conference with Texas Democrats, Pritzker said Illinois' map "follows the Constitution." Republicans are attempting to "steal" seats by adding five new safe red districts, Pritzker said, "rewriting the rules because their cult leader, Donald Trump, tells them to." Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) on Monday suggested those who help the absent Democratic lawmakers could face legal consequences. He said in a statement that he had ordered the Texas Rangers to investigate any "potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear" and that the inquiry should "extend to anyone who aided or abetted such potential crimes." Asked this weekend if he would cover Texas lawmakers' $500-per-day fines for their absence, Pritzker told reporters the legislators "have a right to raise money" for their efforts but said his support has been logistical. Asked if he would add financial support, Pritzker made no commitments but left the possibility open. "I can only tell you that I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that they're welcome here, that they have the ability to stay as long as they need to and want to," the billionaire businessman said. Pritzker is running for a third term as governor but has also suggested interest in a possible 2028 presidential run with moves to build his national profile. He's spoken at Democratic Party dinners in several other states in recent months, including in the early primary state of New Hampshire, a common stop for presidential hopefuls. As Democrats debate how to best push back in Trump's second term, Pritzker has urged the party to get more combative, reflecting the anger of a frustrated liberal base. Assailing Republicans in New Hampshire this spring, he said the Democratic Party must "abandon the culture of incrementalism that has led us to swallow their cruelty" and "knock the rust off poll-tested language" that has obscured "our better instincts." Lt. Gov. Juliana Stratton, a Pritzker ally who is running for U.S. Senate in Illinois, cast the state as a "blueprint of what bold leadership really looks like." "That is what Americans are looking for right now," she said in a Monday interview. "They want to see a real fighter, someone who's not going to just go along to get along." Democratic lawmakers in Texas say they are also channeling voters' desire for action, even as it's unclear how long they can hold off Republicans' special session by denying them the quorum needed to proceed. (If they run out the clock on the current special session, Abbott can call another one). "People want somebody to push back and say, look you guys have gone too far," said state Rep. Ann Johnson, one of the Texas Democrats in Illinois. "People are desperate for the act that we are doing." The plans for their flight from Texas were closely held until this weekend. Democratic leadership told lawmakers to gather on Sunday, Johnson said, and they got on a bus and then on a plane. But Johnson said she did not know her final destination until just before leaving. Kendall Scudder, the chair of the Texas Democratic Party, said in an interview that he connected with Pritzker because he saw the governor would be speaking at a party dinner in Oklahoma on June 28 and requested a meeting. Scudder spoke with Pritzker at the event about lawmakers' possible need to flee the state and said he found the governor to be receptive. A couple weeks ago, Texas House Minority Leader Gene Wu and other lawmakers flew to Chicago to meet with Pritzker. Then, last week, with about 48 hours notice, Texas Democrats confirmed to Pritzker's team they were going forward. The governor's team is not paying for their stay but helped with logistics, officials and other people familiar with the planning said, working to coordinate hotels and meeting spaces. Some spoke on the condition of anonymity to describe private talks. Pritzker has left open the possibility of Democrats in Illinois trying their hand at redistricting, too. "We have to make sure that everything is on the table and use every tool in the toolbox to protect the rights and freedoms of our people," Stratton, the lieutenant governor, said Monday. (COMMENT, BELOW) A Long Island man brandishing a sword was shot by police Tuesday after faking a hostage situation, according to Suffolk County police. The man, identified as 33-year-old Joseph Restaino of Bay Shore, called 911 around 1:25 p.m. and reported a hostage being held at a residence at 1625 Ohio Ave. When officers arrived at the scene, Restaino allegedly waved the sword and refused to drop it. After a Taser didnt stop the suspect, at least one officer discharged their weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Restaino was taken to South Shore University Hospital and underwent surgery, according to CBS New York, but his condition was unknown as of Wednesday. A subsequent search of the residence found no hostages in the home. Suffolk County Police Commissioner Kevin Catalina told CBS that Restaino has a history of mental illness, and made indications that he was suicidal after he was shot. A row between a charity and a council over unpaid debts could see some libraries closed. Liverpool City Council said The Alt Valley Community Trust (AVCT) in Liverpool owes it a "substantial" amount of money going back over "many years". But AVCT said it has been running the libraries at a fraction of the cost the council ran them at, and disputed it owed anything. Labour West Derby MP Ian Byrne said he wanted both sides to "sit down" and find a solution. The Dovecot Library is based in the Multi Activity Centre [BBC] The running of Dovecot and Breck Road libraries was handed to the AVCT in 2015, when the council said it could no longer afford to run them itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But amid the current row over debt, the council has said it will not release the funding it provides for the libraries. The charity said without the money - thought to be about 100,000 for the two sites - the libraries would have to close. A sign inside Dovecot library says: "Due to the actions of Liverpool Council, the library may be forced to close within the coming weeks." Speaking at a meeting at the library, where campaigners gathered to show their support for the service, West Derby's Labour MP Ian Byrne said: "We're really fearful that potentially this community library, a much-loved resource could go. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Once you lose a resource, you don't get it back and it's such a fundamental part of why this community loves this place is because of the library." He said he had asked the council to maintain the funding for the libraries while negotiations took place. Alt Valley Community Trust's deputy chief executive Danielle Forman said the charity did not believe it owed anything [BBC] AVCT deputy chief executive Danielle Forman said: "We've run these libraries at a fraction of the cost of what the council could do. That's why we stepped in to run them in the first place." She added: "We dispute the debt, we dispute that there is anything due, but we are more than keen to sit down and find a way through it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said she understood the council had to provide good value for money but said she believed the charity was giving "the best value for the taxpayers". She added the charity believed it was being made out to be "the villain" in the row, and was "disappointed" with the way the row had played out in public. "We want to sit down with the right people and find a way out" she said. Eileen O'Shaughnessy said she was disappointed the libraries were under threat [BBC] Resident Eileen O'Shaughnessy attended the protest because she felt it was "important" to have a library in Dovecot where "there isn't much else" for young families and teenagers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: "I don't follow the politics of it, but I am very disappointed that it's all come down to money because it shouldn't." The council's deputy leader and cabinet member for finance, Ruth Bennett, said: "Regrettably, despite extensive efforts and multiple extensions to resolve issues, AVCT have not taken up our offer to come up with an affordable repayment plan. The council cannot continue to provide grant funding to organisations that owe significant sums of money. "We again urge AVCT to come and meet with council officers and discuss repayment. Should AVCT choose to close their facilities, we will promote alternative ways to access library services." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230. More on this story Related internet links NEED TO KNOW Portions of the Constitution were deleted from the Library of Congress' website after President Donald Trump ousted the longtime librarian from her role in May The omitted portions of Article I cover limitations on Congress' ability to suspend habeas corpus and grant titles of nobility After internet users noticed the quiet omission, the Library of Congress claimed it was a "coding error" The Library of Congress removed two and a half sections of the Constitution from its website sometime after President Donald Trump ousted the library's longtime leader in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent days, internet users noticed that portions of Article 1 were missing from the Library of Congress' Constitution Annotated website: Sections 9 and 10, and part of Section 8. Article 1 appeared on the site in full at the start of the summer, according to internet archives. On Aug. 6, the Library of Congress insisted that deletion of several clauses in Article 1 were the result of a website "coding error" and ensured the issue would be resolved in a timely manner. But despite the library's statement, some have continued to express suspicion given the timing of the removal and the specific clauses that were cut. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Article 1 of the Constitution establishes the legislative branch of the federal government and details the various powers of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Section 9, which focuses on the limitations of Congress' authority, notably includes a clause that Congress cannot suspend habeas corpus which grants everyone in custody the right to challenge their detention in court unless necessary for safety in moments of "rebellion or invasion." Trump's White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller told reporters in May that the administration is "actively looking at" suspending habeas corpus, per PBS, amid the government's mass detention and deportation of immigrants. Without habeas corpus, Trump's aggressive deportation program would have fewer roadblocks and move more quickly. Another constitutional clause that was removed from the Library of Congress' website included a line that bars Congress from offering Americans titles of nobility a limitation that sought to safeguard the United States government from being influenced by European monarchies. During his second term starting in January, Trump has repeatedly referred to himself as a "king" multiple times, including through the White House's official social media. Trump's flirtation with the title inspired the sweeping "No Kings" protests on June 14 Trump's 79th birthday in opposition to his perceived abuse and wielding of government power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile Section 10 of Article 1, which was also removed, restricts U.S. states from engaging in certain actions that could undermine the federal government's authority. Getty The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., which serves as the official research center for U.S. Congress The Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., which serves as the official research center for U.S. Congress The update to the Library of Congress' digital Constitution came shortly after Trump fired the longtime Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden, in May. Hayden was appointed to a 10-year term in the role by former President Barack Obama and confirmed by the Senate in a 74-18 vote in 2016. At present, it's disputed who is serving as the acting Librarian of Congress. Following the removal of Hayden, Trump appointed Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche his former criminal attorney to the post, though the library staff chose to recognize Robert Newlen, who was functionally next in line for the job, as their new leader. Read the original article on People NORTH SIOUX CITY, S.D. (KCAU) A North Sioux City companys lawsuit filed against the general contractor of the new Woodbury County jail is being moved to federal court. In that suit, Lieber Construction claims it is owed more than $150,000 by Hausmann Construction for grading and landscaping completed at the new jail site. Subcontractor for Woodbury Countys new jail suing Hausmann Construction Hausmann filed paperwork requesting the case change because both parties are out-of-state companies, and Liebers claim is for more than $75,000. Hausmann Construction is based in Lincoln, Nebraska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No court dates have been filed so far. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. An agricultural farm in New York will add solar power at the site in a project designed to benefit both farmers and the solar energy community. Lightstar Renewables LLC on August 4 announced the launch of the Plains Road Agrivoltaics project, which integrates solar energy with agriculture on the DiMartino Farm in Montgomery, New York. Solar Agricultural Services (SolAg) served as agricultural consultant on the installation. Officials stressed that Plains Road Agrivoltaics was initially designed as an agricultural project. The solar array has been tailored to accommodate hay planting and harvest equipment, which is the core agricultural activity of the DiMartino Farm. The site also will see an addition of two acres of vegetable production, which Lightstar said will provide turnkey access to prime farmland for a new entry farmer. The solar array is expected to provide electricity for the nearby community and also supports the long-term business efforts of the farm. Officials expect to commission the project in September of this year. Commissioning Expected in September "Plains Road stands as a beacon of what is possible when we are committed to problem solving and centering farmers' needs," said Lucy Bullock-Sieger, chief strategy officer at Lightstar. "There is so much more that we can do as an industry to listen to agricultural stewards and learn how growing food and powering homes can work in concert." The project moved forward after local regulations were adjusted to allow for agrivoltaic installations. Lightstar said that Montgomery is the first town in New York to adopt bylaws allowing agrivoltaics, with regulations that support agricultural production, including height restrictions, setbacks, and lot coverage. Lightstar said the project aligns with American Farmland Trust's Smart Solar principles, which back solar development that prioritizes farmers, communities, and the environment. "Lightstar's project is a prime example of the Smart Solar principles and reaffirms our commitment to fostering partnerships that benefit communities and protect our agricultural heritage," said Linda Garrett, New York & New Jersey Regional Director at American Farmland Trust (AFT). The Plains Road agrivoltaics project is expected to serve as a replicable model for sustainable development across New York state and also in the U.S. Lightstar officials emphasized the need to support farmers while also contributing to resilient energy systems and power grid reliability. Darrell Proctor is a senior editor for POWER. TALLAHASSEE State wildlife officials could allow oyster harvesting in part of Northwest Floridas Apalachicola Bay, where the fishery collapsed more than a decade ago and continues to struggle to recover. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission staff members have recommended a limited opening, as some oyster reefs in the bay have recovered to a condition that could support limited commercial and recreational harvest. In a memo to commissioners, Jessica McCawley, director of the agencys Division of Marine Fisheries Management, suggested a lottery to limit permits for recreational harvesters and new rules for the commercial industry. Restrictions could include such steps as a harvesting season between October and February, harvest limits each season and increased reporting requirements. The area has been closed to harvesting since 2020. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The oyster regulations that were in effect prior to the closure are not appropriate for the current state of the resource, McCawley wrote in the memo. The issue is scheduled to go before the commission Aug. 14 during a meeting at the state Public Safety Institute in Havana. Rules that advance out of the meeting arent expected to be finalized until a November commission meeting. Apalachicola Bay has long been known for its oysters, once supplying more than 90 percent of Floridas oysters and 10 percent of the oysters sold nationally. But the fishery collapsed in 2013. McCawleys memo also pointed to similar problems in other areas of the state, saying oysters provide habitat, improve water quality, protect shorelines and are valuable seafood products. Yet they face multiple threats that have led to the loss of 8090% of the oyster reefs in Floridas estuaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not an Apalachicola Bay issue. This is not a Florida issue, a gulf issue, or a United States issue, Devin Resko, biological administrator with the commissions Division of Marine Fisheries Management, said during a February commission meeting. This is a global issue of dramatically declining oyster populations. During the February meeting, a goal was announced to allow oyster harvesting in a small part of Apalachicola Bay at the start of 2026, when the closure is set to expire. Franklin County Commission Chairman Ricky Jones told the commission about economic effects of the closure, saying it left the region more than 90 percent dependent on tourism. Franklin County wants the bay open, Jones said at the February meeting. Its not just about the bay itself for the ecology, but for the fishery, for the economy of Franklin County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bay and the oyster industry have faced problems because of issues such as drought and overharvesting. Florida also has long contended that excessive water use by Georgia has caused damage. The bay is at the southern end of the Apalachicola-Chattahoochee-Flint river system, which starts in northern Georgia. A commission staff presentation in February said no significant recovery has occurred since the 2013 collapse. But efforts continue to improve the bay. The state budget for the 2025-2026 fiscal year, which started July 1, includes $12.5 million to restore oyster reefs in Apalachicola Bay and another $5 million for the Department of Environmental Protection to enter financial-assistance agreements with local governments on sewage facilities and stormwater projects to help protect the bay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2020, the wildlife commission approved suspending commercial oyster harvesting as part of a $20 million restoration effort. At the time, commission members said the suspension could be shortened if improvements were seen in the oyster population and the condition of the bay. The restoration effort received money from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundations Gulf Environmental Benefits Fund. That fund receives money from a settlement with BP and Transocean over the 2010 Deepwater Horizon disaster. Resko in February said limited areas of the bay could reopen as part of a plan to restore 2,000 acres by 2032. Such an effort would require annual funding of $30 million to $55 million. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to mypanhandle.com. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Some changes are coming in January to items available for SNAP purchases. Hunger Free Oklahoma is offering an alternative option that they believe would be better for Oklahomans in the long run. We think there are better ways to help folks who are struggling to make ends meet, have access to healthier food and healthier choices, said Chris Bernard, the CEO and Presidnet of Hunger Free Oklahoma. LOCAL NEWS: Medical personnel prepare for game day emergencies ahead of college football season Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump Administration approved Oklahomas request to remove soft drinks and candy from SNAP in the state. In June, Governor Kevin Stitt and U.S. Health and Human Services Director Robert F. Kennedy Junior met in Oklahoma advocating for their Make Oklahoma Healthy Again campaign. RFK Jr. pushed for states to prevent SNAP recipients from buying unhealthy products with their benefits. Oklahoma joined 11 other states, adding limits to those purchases. The announcement concerned Hunger Free Oklahoma, which said adding these limits wont help in the long run as customers and grocers will have to adapt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That can create delays in line, which creates a tension and a lot of stigma and shame and can cause, you know, overall a burden on the grocers as well, said Bernard. As an alternative, Chris Bernard believes expanding their Double Up Oklahoma incentive is a better option which gives SNAP users a credit to use for fresh produce after they buy certain items. Currently, the state invests about $2 million a year in it. And in addition to that, we bring in private and federal dollars close to another $6 million a year to it, said Bernard. That incentive program already in 40 stores and 30 farmers markets in Oklahoma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LOCAL NEWS: OKC fire highlights Utility 23 support for front lines In a statement, the Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Political Action Committee said: Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Political Action Committee applauds the approval by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to remove sugar drinks, candy, and sweets from Oklahomas Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). We believe this ban is the first of many crucial steps in reducing the devastating chronic disease epidemic that affects our children. According to the U.S.D.A., sugary drinks account for a top purchase item of SNAP. In addition, the Centers for Disease Control reports that 1 in 5 children is pre-diabetic. This significant change will help solidify nutrition as the focal point for the Supplemental Nutrition Program. Make Oklahoma Healthy Again Political Action Committee News 4 reached out to DHS to ask what specific items are not available with SNAP that fall under soft drinks and candy. We also asked how grocery stores would be implementing the changes. These changes are about empowering families through better nutrition and investing in a future where every Oklahoman can thrive. Oklahoma Department of Human Services This is a copy of the waiver request sent by DHS. OK-SNAP-Restricted-Food-Waiver-signed-1Download Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. DENVER (KDVR) Sharpen those pencils, because its time to prepare for the impending Colorado school season, with most school districts starting sometime in August. Despite the continuing heat and summer-like weather, students are heading back to school for another year of learning. For some, they will see changes at school: A law enacted this year will require all districts to enact a cellphone policy by July 2026, although some districts, such as Boulder Valley, already have policies. Another law will impact motorists: Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights even in the oncoming lane of traffic, unless there is a physical barrier between you and the bus. Previously, the law stipulated that if there was a painted line or painted median between the oncoming lane and the school bus, you were OK to continue traveling. Colorado school starting dates 2025-2026 Heres when some of the school districts start: For some students, the school year has already begun. But for others, there are only days or weeks until theyre waiting for the bus and opening their notebooks at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your school district was not included on this list, starting dates can be found by searching your district or school for its calendar. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Family Resource Group Foundation is hosting a grand opening of its newest literacy and learning lab at the State Library of Louisiana on Tuesday, Aug. 19 The goal is to boost education and lifelong learning opportunities for residents. The innovative space will provide access to technology, educational resources, and hands-on programs for students. The foundations new literacy and learning lab will be the third location across the capital area. The others are located at the Baton Rouge airport and Donaldsonville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State leaders said the project reflects a commitment to improving literacy rates and preparing Louisianans for future success. The grand opening will be at 3 p.m. at 701 N. 4th St., Baton Rouge. Have a library card? Visit some Louisiana museums for free using it 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. Lithium could help treat cases of Alzheimers disease, a Harvard study suggests. People with the neurodegenerative condition have low levels of the metal in their brain which the study revealed, for the first time, is needed for normal brain function. Experiments in mice found that when a novel form of lithium was given to animals with Alzheimers disease, it reversed the symptoms, even in severe cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientists now hope to further investigate lithium as a potential treatment in humans with clinical trials. These findings reveal physiological effects of endogenous lithium in the brain and indicate that disruption of lithium homeostasis may be an early event in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease, the scientists write in their study. Lithium replacement with amyloid-evading salts is a potential approach to the prevention and treatment of Alzheimers disease. Lithiums role in the body has long remained a mystery but it has been used as a medication for mental health conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia for decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A decade-long study saw Harvard scientists analyse the brains of deceased donors at various stages of Alzheimers disease, as well as in people with no disease when they died. They found lithium to be the only one of 27 metals to be at lower levels in cases of disease. Experiments in both humans and mice brain samples found that amyloid plaques, the protein which develops in cases of Alzheimers and causes disease, pulls lithium out of brain cells. In healthy brains, the lithium, which naturally has a positive charge, stays in the cells and helps maintain normal function. But in brains with amyloid, which is naturally negatively charged, the lithium is attracted to the disease-causing plaque and pulled out of the cells. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This depletion triggered the brains immune defence cells to go awry and caused inflammation and an inhibited ability to break down and clear out the toxic amyloid, which suffocates neurons and leads to cognitive decline and Alzheimers. Scientists have investigated lithium as a possible treatment for Alzheimers previously but found existing medications in the form of lithium carbonate to be ineffective and also prone to significant side effects. The Harvard team looked for lithium compounds which are not strongly positive in charge that would be impervious to amyloid and therefore more likely to stay in the cells and not be pulled out. The compound lithium orotate was found to be ideal and in mice studies reversed the course of disease, alleviated symptoms and restored memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This form of lithium was given in small doses to animals to mimic the natural level of the metal and analysis found it almost completely prevented amyloid from settling in the brain. In older mice with severe disease, the treatment was highly effective at reducing amyloid deposition and tau accumulation. It also almost completely reversed the memory loss, the scientists write, whereas the existing lithium medicine had no impact. Lithium orotate also improved learning and spatial memory in old mice with severe amyloid. The authors are reluctant to draw conclusions for humans from these rodent experiments but say this new lithium medicine could be a viable route for future drug studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current Alzheimers drugs such as donanemab and lecanemab do not improve a patients condition but slow down disease progress. However, these come at significant cost as well as the risk of serious side effects such as brain bleeds and swelling. Neither was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence for use on the NHS despite being deemed effective and safe by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency. Results very encouraging No drug has yet been discovered that can actually improve a patients condition and reverse the condition of Alzheimers. You have to be careful about extrapolating from mouse models, and you never know until you try it in a controlled human clinical trial, study author Prof Bruce Yankner, professor of genetics and neurology at Harvard, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But so far the results are very encouraging. What impresses me the most about lithium is the widespread effect it has on the various manifestations of Alzheimers. I really have not seen anything quite like it in all my years of working on this disease. The study is published in the study Nature and in an accompanying opinion piece, Prof Ashley Bush from the University of Melbourne, who was not involved in the research, said the work of the Harvard team exposes a possible contributor to Alzheimers disease and a potential non-conventional therapeutic target. The work could also lead to improvements for how lithium is used in mental health conditions, she believes, especially in older patients. Apart from the implications for treating Alzheimers disease, the data invite a re-evaluation of lithium-salt variants as treatments for older adults with bipolar disorder, she writes. 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. By Andrius Sytas VILNIUS (Reuters) -Lithuania's ruling Social Democrats party said on Wednesday it had picked Social Affairs Minister Inga Ruginiene as its candidate for prime minister, making her the likely successor to Gintautas Paluckas who resigned on Monday. The 44-year-old social affairs minister and former trade union leader Ruginiene will face a confidence vote in Lithuania's parliament and must get lawmakers' approval for her cabinet programme before taking office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today we took the decision to nominate social minister Inga Ruginiene as Social Democrat candidate for prime minister duties", the party's Chair Mindaugas Sinkevicius told reporters. Ruginiene has been the leader of Lithuania's trade union confederation since 2018, before joining Paluckas' cabinet in 2024. "I am guided by left-wing, social democrat values", she told the country's public broadcaster this week. The Social Democrat party holds 52 out of 141 seats in Parliament and has formed a government coalition with the centre-left For Lithuania and populist Nemunas Dawn. It was not immediately clear how the two junior coalition parties view Ruginiene's candidacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paluckas announced last week that he would step down and handed in his resignation on Monday amid pressure to do so over his business ties to a company owned by his sister-in-law. Finance Minister Rimantas Sadzius is currently the acting prime minister until a new cabinet is sworn in. Lithuania's next election for parliament is due in 2028. (Reporting by Andrius Sytas, editing by Essi Lehto, Terje Solsvik, Alexandra Hudson) Polls are closed across the region on a primary election for municipal races from Detroit to New Baltimore. Detroiters voted today to winnow the field of 9 Detroit mayoral candidates down to the two who will face off in November to be the city's first new mayor in 12 years. Seven other communities Dearborn Heights, Hamtramck, Taylor, Sterling Heights, New Baltimore, Southfield and Pontiac also held mayoral primaries. Additional races for other city officers, as well as funding proposals for schools and communities, were on some area ballots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Get live primary election results and updates from across southeast Michigan below. Michigan primary election results 2025 7:52 a.m.: Detroit City Council races take shape Incumbents took the lead in the Detroit City Council at-large race during the Aug. 5 primary and will be among those advancing to the November election. With 100% of precincts reporting in Detroit, Mary Waters received about 33% of the votes, while Coleman Young II received about 32%, according to unofficial results from the City of Detroit's election website. Former council member Janee' Ayers took the third spot with about 14% of the votes, while Detroit Fire Department community relations chief James Harris received 7%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here's where we stand for the competitive races in districts 2, 5 and 7. -Nushrat Rahman 7:18 a.m.: It's Sheffield vs. Kinloch for Detroit mayor Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Rev. Solomon Kinloch will advance to the November election in the race to replace Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan. Kinloch closely defeated former THAW CEO Saunteel Jenkins in the city's Aug. 5 primary to advance in the race, according to unofficial vote results on the city's website. Sheffield collected approximately 51% of the vote, Kinloch 17% and Jenkins 16%, according to the unofficial results. At a victory party at the Cielo Rooftop on the Cambria Hotel in downtown Detroit, Sheffield smiled and teared up as, standing alongside a group that included her grandmother and TV judge Greg Mathis, she addressed a roaring crowd of several hundred. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thank you so much, I am so full," she said. "Every day I was in the street, and they were saying 'We got you Mary.' And guess what? I got you. At his party at the Roostertail on the Detroit River, Kinloch told a jam-packed ballroom: "They threw everything at us. They threw in the kitchen sink. But we're still standing tonight." Read more on the Detroit mayoral race here. -Dana Afana, Violet Ikonomova and M.L. Elrick 12:38 a.m. Here's who advanced in Southfield, Pontiac mayoral races Ryan Foster and Sylvia Jordan, former Southfield city council president, challenged Mayor Kenson Siver for the four-year mayoral term in Southfield. With 100% of precincts reporting, Siver won with 56% of the vote and will face Jordan, who had nearly 40%, in the November contest, according to the Oakland County Clerk's website. Foster netted nearly 4% of the primary vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Pontiac, with 100% of the city's precincts reporting, voters chose current council president Mike McGuinness, with nearly 45% of the vote, and former Pontiac council member and council president Kermit Williams with 25% of the vote, to move on to the general election. Nine people, including two write-in candidates, competed for the seat to replace Mayor Tim Greimel, a Democrat, who announced in April that he is running for Michigan's 10th District House seat in Congress. - Christina Hall and Clara Hendrickson 12:29 a.m. More results in Wayne County mayoral races In Taylor, Mayor Tim Woolley and former city councilman Herman 'Butch' Ramik will square off against each other in November in the race for mayor of Downriver's largest city. Woolley got 70.86% of the vote while Ramik got 17.95%, according to fully reported Wayne County results. Dearborn Heights Council Chair Mo Baydoun and Councilwoman Denise Malinowski Maxwell will advance to the November election. In a four-way race for mayor, Baydoun got 58.49% of the vote, 4,163 votes, and Malinowski Maxwell got 26.88%, 1,913 votes, according to results from the city and county clerk's offices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement -Niraj Warikoo 11:26 p.m. Incumbents lead for Detroit's at-large council seats Incumbents were leading the Detroit City Countil at-large race as early voting results rolled in. With many of the city's precincts reporting partial results, Coleman Young II received 32.7% of the votes, while Mary Waters pulled in 33.4%, according to the City of Detroit's election site. Among a field of eight candidates, the top four vote-getters will move on to the general election on Nov. 4. Election results 2025: Detroit and Wayne County primary races, ballot proposals Trailing the incumbents, former council member Janee' Ayers had 13.4% of the votes, while Detroit Fire Department community relations chief James Harris secured 6.9%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The early results showed Attorney Shakira Lynn Hawkins drew 5.8% of the votes; educator Valerie Parker with 3%; preacher and photographer Gary Hunter with 2.3% and Detroit police detective Levan Adams with 2.1%. -Nushrat Rahman 10:53 p.m. Familiar names lead Oakland races Southfield Mayor Kenson Siver was leading two challengers for the four-year mayoral term. With complete results from 69% of the city's precincts and partial results from the rest, Siver had about 57% of the vote. Former City Council President Sylvia Jordan had about 38%. Ryan Foster had about 4%, according to the Oakland County Clerk's website. In the Pontiac mayor's race, with complete results in, the two candidates poised to advance are current City Council President Mike McGuinness, who got about 45% of the vote and former Council President Kermit Williams, who got about 25% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Christina Hall and Clara Hendrickson 10:30 p.m. Hamtramck mayor's former campaign manager is tops to replace him In Hamtramck mayor's race, Adam Alharbi, a former campaign manager for current Mayor Amer Ghalib, and Councilman Muhith Mahmood will advance to the November election. Alahrbi received 53.62% of the vote, 1,931 votes, and Mahmood received 28.85%, 1,039 votes, according to results provided to the Free Press by Hamtramck City Clerk Rana Faraj. Alharbi is part of a group of Muslims in Hamtramck who engaged with Republicans and the Trump campaign over the past couple of years. In 2023, he and Ghalib visited an evangelical church in Sterling Heights to meet with retired General Michael Flynn, who later came to Hamtramck for a town hall with Muslims. When Trump rallied in Hamtramck in October with Ghalib and others, Alharbi was in the front rows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If elected, Alharbi, an immigrant from Yemen, said on Facebook that he will work on "creating a new Yemen Town to attract visitors and boost local economies." He also said that he will work to reduce water rates, which he said are too high. -Niraj Warikoo 6:24 p.m. Hopeful for a woman mayor Anjalisa Glover voted earlier Tuesday and was feeling optimistic. This is a very historic election. We haven't voted for a mayor in a minute and for the prime candidate to be a woman, I'm feeling very hopeful, the 39-year-old Detroiter, who lives on the west side, said. She voted for Mary Sheffield because of her deep roots in the city of Detroit, Glover said, referring to the mayoral candidates father and grandfather. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Glover voted for Denzel McCampbell for the District 7 race and incumbent Mary Waters and attorney Shakira Lynn Hawkins for the at-large seats. The top issues Detroiters are dealing with are housing, jobs, gun safety and inner-city blight, Glover said. There arent enough recreation centers either. Ahead of the November general election, Glover hopes candidates talk more about gun safety, knocking down abandoned housing and pouring money into the inner city to build it up. Detroit is a great place. It's a lot of greatness inside of the city as well, Glover said. -Nushrat Rahman 6:17 p.m. 'Looking for a change' Angella Strickland-Holloway planned to vote for Todd Perkins for mayor of Detroit. The 55-year-old Detroiter, who lives on the west side of the city, said Perkins appealed to her because he is an attorney. Shes looking for change. Hes going to be a strong candidate, she said about Perkins. About two hours ahead of polls closing, she was heading to her polling place to vote in the primary election for the first time. She wanted to make sure her vote counted since there were so many candidates. We need more grocery stores. More rec centers need to be opened. We need a candidate thats going to actually take action, she said. -Nushrat Rahman 3 p.m. Using artificial intelligence for candidate research Outside of Harwood Elementary School in Sterling Heights, Joseph Hunter, 39, turned to ChatGPT to help him seek out the more progressive candidates. Only one name came up: Michael V. Radtke Jr. Hunter dug deeper and checked the sources that the artificial intelligence relied on. He said he also planned to vote for Robert Mijac, Maria G. Schmidt, Barbara A. Ziarko and Deanna Koski. Hunter works for LGBT Detroit and moved to Sterling Heights a couple of years ago. He said he has had mostly positive experiences with city government, except for the police department. Hunter detailed an experience he had after parking his car to see a movie. An officer started questioning him, asking him what he was doing there and insinuating that he does drugs, Hunter said. So when I really sit back and think about what I hope city council can do, I would say something about policing to where its not as hostile to people of color, he said. -Clara Hendrickson 1:30 p.m. Young Detroiter votes in 'historic mayoral race' Mia Elzy, 29, voted in northwest Detroit on Tuesday, Aug. 5. "I always participate in the voting process and it's a historic mayoral race," she said, noting that current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan isn't on the ballot for the first time in over a decade, as he has launched an independent campaign for Michigan Governor instead. She was torn between candidates, but landed on Saunteel Jenkins, and admires the work she's done running a nonprofit providing energy assistance to low-income residents. Elzy voted after 1 p.m. and was the 21st voter at her precinct, but noted there could be significant absentee ballot participation as well. She'd like to see more effort to engage people, remind them to vote, and make sure they can get time off work to vote, because sometimes the date comes up quickly. "People live such busy lives that sometimes they forget," Elzy said. -Emily Lawler This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan primary election results 2025: The latest President Trump is considering an in-person meeting soon with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, as the war between the nations shows no sign of widing down. White House peace envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin at the Kremlin earlier Wednesday, just two days ahead of a deadline set by Trump that calls for either a peace agreement in Ukraine or punitive action against Russia. Trump last week said he was moving two nuclear submarines closer to Russia in response to threatening rhetoric from a top Kremlin official. On Sunday, he confirmed the vessels were now in the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Apple CEO Tim Cook announced in the Oval Office a $600 billion investment from Apple in U.S. manufacturing over the next four years. As part of its new American Manufacturing Program, the company will build facilities across the U.S. and will generate its own electricity to power some of them, Trump said. Outside Washington, five soldiers were shot, and the suspected shooter was apprehended at Fort Stewart, outside Savannah, Ga. An Army sergeant, 28, has been accused in the incident. The Army said he had used his personal handgun. Catch up: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Follow along here for updates 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 The Hill. Temperatures were fast approaching 116 degrees as Ruben Partida loaded his dusty Nissan Frontier truck with two coolers of water and Gatorades blanketed in ice. As his neighbors prepared to shelter during the hottest part of the day on June 30, Partida began his outreach efforts to members of the unhoused community in Brawley, a city of about 25,000 in the heart of Californias agricultural Imperial Valley. This has been his reality every weekday from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. since June, when temperatures began regularly exceeding 100. In line with broader state and national trends, Imperial County has seen a steady increase in unhoused people , rising from 1,057 in 2022 to 1,303 in 2023 and to 1,508 in 2024. The county's increase from 2023 to 2024 far outpaces the increases seen statewide , with California seeing an increase of 3% in that period while Imperial County experienced an increase of 15.7%. And in the summer, the increasing population of unhoused people in the region battles life-threatening heat with little to no resources and support. Ruben Partida purchases ice that he will use to keep cool the drinks he plans to deliver to unhoused people in Brawley. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Partida is the founder and chief executive of Comite de Accion del Valle (Valley Action Committee), a nonprofit aiming to educate the community about climate change and the environment of [Imperial] Valley, according to its website . He started the organization after surviving colon cancer, which his doctors told him was caused by decades of exposure to harmful chemicals and conditions while working in the areas extensive agricultural sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: 'He baked': Heat waves are killing more L.A. homeless people who can't escape broiling sun That led to his dedication to educate locals and others about environmental dangers in the Imperial Valley and empower them to speak up. The organization focuses on farmworkers most of the year, but during the summer, it redirects its attention to the unhoused community. Primarily, that means bringing people water and helping them find places where they can cool off, Partida said. Reaching this community is challenging because of their constant movement in search of cooler areas and attempts to avoid confrontations with local police. The organization patrols areas where unhoused groups which can range from a few individuals to more than 50 usually gather, such as alleyways, behind large buildings and parking lots. When Partida does find these groups, he uses kindness and humor in an effort to disarm initial wariness. Many relax when they see him and a colleague come bearing ice-cold drinks. A woman delivers cold drinks to an unhoused person in the Imperial Valley. (Robert Gauthier / Los Angeles Times) Recent challenges have complicated Comite de Accion del Valles work. Intensified Immigration and Customs Enforcement sweeps ordered by the Trump administration, along with local ordinances essentially criminalizing homelessness not just in Brawley but in other Imperial Valley cities, including Calexico and El Centro, have made it harder for local unhoused communities to manage life-threatening heat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heightened border patrol and local police collaboration have driven unhoused people into even more secluded and risky locations, said Daniela Flores, co-founder and executive director of Imperial Valley Equity and Justice Coalition. There are fewer [unhoused] people out, said Flores. They are scared. The coalition has seen heightened police and border patrol presence in areas frequented by unhoused and undocumented populations, such as Calexicos downtown and El Centros Main Street. That probably means current efforts to keep these populations cool during extreme heat such as public cooling centers or public buildings such as libraries that have air conditioning and welcome any and all are becoming unviable. Youre asking people to risk their lives to walk five or six blocks across the city to get to A/C, said Flores. And that means five or six blocks where they are not exposed only to ICE but also to life-threatening heat. Now you see a lot of Border Patrol and ICE on bicycles everywhere, Partida said. People don't go out anymore. As a result, the places where unhoused people in the Imperial Valley used to congregate, such as parks, are now empty. In his efforts to help this population, Partida has found that they are now often hiding under bridges, in canals and in storm drains, making outreach nearly impossible and also exposing these people to more precarious, hot places. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Fear of ICE raids is making heat intolerable for Southern California families Flores explains that a portion of this demographic are day laborers, who would usually congregate and stay in certain locations of the city to find work. Some people are literally living in the streets and going to work, and just getting dropped off back to the streets, she said. This population, Flores says, has also been a target of increased immigration presence in the region. Unhoused people in Brawley. (Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times) On one hot day in June, Partida encountered one such individual, who asked to be called Rogelio, in a shopping center near El Centro. As Partida gave him water, Rogelio told The Times that he had no secure form of housing, at times living in a dilapidated camping trailer without air conditioning outside his brothers home nearby. To earn money, he washes car rims outside a supermarket, working long hours in severe heat. To get some respite, Rogelio used to sometimes go behind the supermarket, where he could find shade. That was until one day he went behind the building to cool off, passed out and was awakened by a Border Patrol vehicle honking. The agent ultimately drove away, but Rogelio said he now worries even about taking breaks where he used to feel safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The intensification of immigration enforcement and criminalization of homelessness has created a perilous situation in Imperial Valley, driving already vulnerable communities deeper into isolation and danger. Despite the challenges of reaching these vulnerable populations, Partida remains committed, driven by personal experiences of environmental harm and loss. That's why we fight," he said. "So that others don't suffer. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Traffic will be slowed on the ramp from Wollochet Drive to westbound state Route 16 on Wednesday, Aug. 6, while workers examine the soil next to the ramp in preparation for future construction, according to the city of Gig Harbor. Crews will be onsite between 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. exploring the soil adjacent to the on-ramp, authorized by a permit the city received from the Washington State Department of Transportation, the city posted on Facebook. Vehicles will see narrower lanes and slower speeds on the onramp, and temporary signs and traffic control devices will guide them through the area. No lanes will be closed, Gig Harbor Public Works Director Jeff Langhelm wrote via email. Please use caution in the area and watch for crews, the citys post said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The citys consultant is completing the work as part of broader traffic improvements to the Wollochet Drive interchange with state Route 16. The city has budgeted $1.45 million in their 2025-2026 budget to add a right turn lane along eastbound Wollochet Drive to the state Route 16 westbound on-ramp, with $840,000 of that funding from the state. Construction is expected to begin in the summer of 2026, along with a second project to add a right turn lane on the state Route 16 eastbound off-ramp to Wollochet Drive, the citys capital improvement projects website says. The News Tribune quoted a city news release in 2023 saying that the city of Gig Harbor had been requesting traffic improvements to Wollochet Drive for at least the last 10 years, as the site has been notorious for serious accidents and lengthy traffic back-ups. Its completion is expected to provide traffic relief to state Route 16, which has been studied for congestion issues, The News Tribune reported. DAYTON, Ohio (WDTN) A local Airbnb is not only offering a unique stay for guests its also supporting a meaningful mission. The Pink Ribbon Good Silo is now a place to stay overnight, but it was once an old grain elevator, located in the Exchange in Pleasant Hill. The rental offers an open space layout, with a queen bed, luxury bathroom, and access to the rest of the Exchange, which features a coffee and ice cream shop, outdoor games and local boutiques. Not only is the pink silo a unique retreat, but its also helping local women who are fighting cancer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pink Ribbon Good transformed the silo into a rental as a new way to raise money for their mission. PRG provides free services for women and families that are going through cancer treatment. Twenty percent of profits from the Airbnb go straight to PRGs client fund. And while anyone can book the rental, PRG reserves Tuesdays for one of their own. Each week, a PRG client stays for free, which organization leaders say can be a big comfort. When youre fighting stage four cancer, or any stage of cancer, your world flips upside down, said Cara Salazar, PRG director of new donors. Sometimes to just get away and have a sense of normalcy and have a place to just breathe, or even cry, is just so freeing, that I think a lot of people dont understand, but our clients just greatly, greatly appreciate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone can nominate a woman for a free stay by going to PRGs 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 WDTN.com. JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. (WJHL) Local businessman and philanthropist Jim McGlothlin died on Wednesday. McGlothlin was born on June 18, 1940, in Grundy, Virginia, and served as the founder of The United Coal Company. McGlothlin also participated in various charities and philanthropic organizations. He is credited with being a pivotal force in bringing the Hard Rock Casino to Bristol. Ballad Health CEO Alan Levine said McGlothlin was a giant of a man and cared deeply about the children in the region. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said his impact on the Southwest Virginia area was never unnoticed. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin said McGlothlin embodied the American dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears commended McGlothlins passion for serving his fellow Virginians. Jami Verderosa, Head of School at Morrison Private School, expressed McGlothlins profound impact on Morrison School in Bristol, Virginia. Alex Nyerges, Director and CEO of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, said McGlothin was a great friend to the museum. Several statements on McGlothlins death from Virginia lawmakers and businesses can be found below: Reminder: 10-digit dialing required in Northeast Tennessee beginning Tuesday It is with profound and deep sadness that we share the news of Jim McGlothlins passing. As The United Companys founder, Mr. McGlothlin was the companys driving force for over 50 years. Mr. McGlothlins love for his family, the company and its employees, and his Southwest Virginia community ran deep. The United Company will continue to fund the many philanthropic causes that were close to Mr. McGlothlin and his wife, Frances Gibson McGlothlin, including Mountain Mission School (a school for girls and boys in his hometown of Grundy, Virginia), The Soup Kitchen, and Morrison School, so that those organizations and many others can be supported in perpetuity. Mr. McGlothlin was born on June 18, 1940 in Buchanan County, Virginia (Grundy). He was educated in the public schools of Buchanan County and attended The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia where he graduated with an Undergraduate Degree and a Law Degree. Mr. McGlothlin was extensively involved in many charitable and philanthropic endeavors, supporting arts, education, healthcare, and many other worthy causes, throughout his career. Mr. McGlothlins life was defined by a strong and enduring motivation to give back to those less fortunate and to make his beloved Southwest Virginia, the Commonwealth, and the nation a better place. Mr. McGlothlin previously served on the boards of The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the PGA Tour, CSX, and Bassett Furniture, and was a current member of the Board of Directors of Mountain Mission School, The United Company Foundation, the James W. and Frances Gibson McGlothlin Foundation, and was a National Trustee of First Tee and an Honorary Trustee of the Medical College of Virginia. Mr. McGlothlin is survived by his wife, three children, and six grandchildren. The United Coal Company Photo: Ballad Health We are saddened to learn of the passing of Jim McGlothlin, a giant of a man. Not only was he kind and thoughtful, but he also cared deeply about the children in our region and their well-being. He showed this through his actions and his active support for Ballad Health and Niswonger Childrens Hospital. He always sought ways to be helpful, was always a source of good advice, and took pride in helping other people. His enormous success in business and philanthropy were outsized only by his humility and generosity. On behalf of the Board of Directors and the entire team at Ballad Health, we are praying for Jims wonderful wife, Fran, and their entire family, as well as for their extended family at the Olde Farm and The United Company. They are all loved and appreciated. Ballad Health will determine a way, with the counsel of Jims family, to properly honor him and his memory as a friend and supporter of our region. Alan Levine, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer; Ballad Health Our hearts are heavy today. Jim McGlothlins legacy will forever be felt across Southwest Virginia and the entire Commonwealth, said Governor Glenn Youngkin. Coming from humble beginnings and rising to a titan of industry, Jim embodied the American dream. Alongside his wife Fran, they used that success to dedicate their time and treasure to changing the lives of countless Virginians. Their commitment to the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts enriches the culture of our Commonwealth. Their support for the Mountain Mission School in Grundy provided a beacon of hope to generations of children. Their support for William & Mary and VCU Health enables students to reach their dreams and have a daily impact on patient care and medical training. Our prayers are with Fran and the entire family during this difficult time. We will remember Jim with great fondness, and we will see the impact of his amazing life journey continue to inspire Virginians for generations. Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am saddened to learn of the death of Jim McGlothlin, a figure whose impact is felt in Southwest Virginia. As an instrumental force in the region, many communities and charities in Southwest Virginia appreciated his support. We will continue to think of his family and friends during this difficult time. Congressman Morgan Griffith On behalf of the entire Hard Rock family, we extend our deepest condolences to Mr. McGlothlins family and loved ones. His determination, integrity, and generosity left a profound mark on all of us, and his legacy will live on through the incredible impact he made in Bristol, across Virginia, and in the lives of so many. He was the living embodiment of Hard Rocks guiding principal to Love All, Serve All. The Hard Rock team is grateful for the time we had with him and will continue to honor his memory in all we do. Jim Allen, Chairman, Hard Rock International Today, we are mourning the passing and remembering the legacy of Jim McGlothlin. His passion for serving his fellow Virginians was commendable, and he will forever be remembered as a servant leader. We are thankful that Jims philanthropic dedication will continue to educate the next generation of leaders. I am praying for his wife Fran and the entire McGlothlin family. May the Lord of peace comfort them during this time. Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears Not only was he a great man, he was a good man. He did a lot of philanthropic work throughout the region, a lot of work with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, and his foundation did a lot of positive things for our community and education throughout southwest Virginia. Neal Osborne, Bristol, Virginia City Council Member Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I am heartbroken that our great patron and friend Jim McGlothlin has passed. There are no words to convey our sadness in losing such a generous and dedicated friend as Jim. It is not an exaggeration to say that without this support the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts would not be the world class comprehensive art museum that it is today. A former Trustee and with his wife Fran, also a former trustee, the McGlothlins have been among the most generous supporters in the history of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts. Our hearts go out to Fran, Martha, and the McGlothlin family in this time of such a great loss. Alex Nyerges, Virginia Museum Fine Arts Director and CEO It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the sudden passing of Jim McGlothlin, a cherished and generous supporter of Morrison School. Jim was not only a dedicated benefactor but also a passionate advocate for education and a friend to our entire community. Through his philanthropy and commitment to enhancing the lives of our students, Jim has made a lasting impact on the future of Morrison School. His legacy will live on through the countless students whose lives he has already touched and those yet to attend. Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences are with Fran, the McGlothin family, and the United Company family during this difficult time. We are profoundly grateful for the generosity and spirit of Jim McGlothin, a legacy that will continue to inspire us all. As we process this loss, we will continue to honor Jims memory by ensuring that his contributions are woven into the fabric of The Morrison Schools mission for years to come. Jami Verderosa, Morrison Private School, Head of School Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Local doctor urges young people to get screened for colon cancer after sons passing Getting screened for colon cancer is an important decision that one local doctor says you shouldnt put off. Boston 25 News Anchor Mark Ockerbloom sat down with Dr. George Beauregard, the author of a book called Reservation for Nine: A Doctors Family Confronts Cancer. In it, he details losing his son, Patrick, a local marine who died from colon cancer at the age of 32, but not before he sent a message to people his age. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A nonprofit was set up in Patricks honor, dedicated to beating colorectal cancer, particularly among young adults under the age of 50. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist, a Democratic candidate for governor, on the porch of the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., during the second day of the Mackinac Policy Conference on May 28, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrists coalition of supporters in his bid for governor grew on Wednesday, with new endorsements from three local leaders who praised his time in office and his acumen for collaborating with locals on key issues. The list of new endorsements included Lathrop Village Mayor Kelly Garrett, Farmington Hills Mayor Theresa Rich and Delta Township Supervisor Fonda Brewer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rich in a statement said she was all in on Garlin. We are in extraordinary times, and extraordinary times call for extraordinary leadership. Garlin Gilchrist leads by showing up and listening, collaborating with the local community, all to deliver real solutions to the issues that keep families up at night, Rich said. Garlin is the leader that I trust to have everyones back and fight for our values at a time [when] we need bold leadership in the Democratic Party and in our country. Gilchrist thanked the trio for their support in a statement, hailing local leaders as the heartbeats of their communities. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im honored to have the support of these local leaders who are on the front lines delivering for their communities every day, Gilchrist said. Mayors Kelly Garrett and Theresa Rich and Supervisor Fonda Brewer represent the very best of public service putting people over profits and fighting to address kitchen table issues. Im proud to stand with them as we work to build a Michigan where everyone can stay and succeed in every corner of the state. Gilchrist currently faces Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson, Genesee Sheriff Chris Swanson and former Cape Coral, Fla., Mayor Marni Sawicki, who are also seeking the Democratic Party nomination. On the Republican side, U.S. Rep. John James of Shelby Township, state Senate Minority Leader Aric Nesbitt of Portage, former Attorney General Mike Cox, former House Speaker Tom Leonard of DeWitt, Genesee County truck driver Anthony Hudson and Traverse City native Evan Space are seeking their partys nomination. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a longtime Democrat, is also running for governor but as an independent candidate. Aug. 6Acting U.S. Attorney Kimberly A. Sanchez announced Tuesday that 47-year-old Jorge Omar Arredondo-Garcia of Lodi pleaded guilty to conspiring to distribute and possess with intent to distribute methamphetamine as part of a nationwide drug trafficking operation that spread across the country. According to court documents, between July and December 2019, Verdugo and Jose Manuel Ontiveros Verdugo of Stockton conspired with others to distribute methamphetamine in Stockton and throughout the country. During the investigation, an undercover source bought a total of 11 pounds of methamphetamine and a half pound of heroin from this drug trafficking organization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement intercepted the group's shipments of 50 pounds of methamphetamine destined for Nebraska, as well as a 21-pound shipment destined for Pennsylvania. Verdugo was sentenced to 16 years in prison on Tuesday, and Arredondo-Garcia is expected to be sentenced on Nov. 24. He faces a maximum statutory penalty of life in prison and a $10 million fine. Charges are pending against Gregorio Ontiveros Verdugo, 42, of Morada; Alberto Navarro Zapata, 39, of Stockton; and Wilfredo Reyes, 50, of Manteca. The case was the product of an investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation with assistance from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Customs and Border Protection, the Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, San Joaquin County Probation, the Stockton Police Department, and the Tracy Police Department. It was also investigated under the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces, which identifies, disrupts and dismantles the highest-level criminal organizations. For more information, visit Justice.gov/OCDETF. NEW LONDON, Conn. (WTNH) A New London man was arrested Monday in connection with an alleged assault at a senior living community last month, New London police said. Matthews Ellis, 38, was charged with first-degree assault. Police said his last known address is 179 Colman Street, the site of the alleged assault. Related: Man seriously injured in alleged assault at senior living community in New London Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 7, police found a man unconscious and unresponsive with facial trauma. He was taken to L+M Hospital with serious injuries. Major Crimes units assist local police at a scene in New London Police did not provide an update on the victims condition. The Eastern District Major Crimes Unit and the New London State Attorneys office assisted local police in the 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 WTNH.com. Shocking video shows a Long Island fire chief berating a 10-year-old girl angrily telling her to shut the fk up while shes strapped to a stretcher and being lifted into an ambulance during an emergency call. North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt has been stripped of his duties while an investigation is underway following outrage over the viral TikTok video posted Monday showing him hurling obscenities at the child, a statement released Tuesday by the volunteer fire company confirmed. The fire company is presently reviewing all of its training, policies, and procedures and will determine if further training with respect to responding to emergency calls is required, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire company does not condone this behavior and deems it unacceptable. Alt, a 22-year veteran of the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company, was one of the first responders on the call Monday night in West Babylon after the girls family called for help to calm the child down, her grandmother told NBC New York. As emergency responders began loading the 10-year-old into the ambulance, a concerned neighbor recorded the chief verbally berating her. Shut the fk up! Its like this with you every fking week! Alt can be heard shouting at the child. I dont want to go! the girl yells back. I want to go home! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shut your mouth! Alt angrily replies, then mumbles something as the ambulance doors close. North Babylon Fire Chief Peter Alt was caught in a viral TikTok video showing him hurling obscenities at the child. Chanzlllaaa/TikTok The childs grandmother, who wished to remain anonymous, said she was shocked and devastated by the way her granddaughter was spoken to. Maybe it was a blessing I wasnt there because I would have jumped all over this guy, she told the outlet. When you call for help the police, the fire department theyre supposed to help you. Not treat you like garbage. And curse at a child at that. The concerned grandmother said her daughter called the police on her granddaughter after she had taken away the childs phone, causing her to become emotionally distressed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that the family has called first responders in the past to deal with the child, but the personnel have always been understanding with her granddaughter. The North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company has stripped Alt of his duties pending an investigation. Chanzlllaaa/TikTok Neighbor Mark Simms said the incident left others on the block disturbed by how the chief handled the emotionally distressed child. Thats not a professional way to deal with people, Simms told NBC New York. I wouldnt want him to speak to my children like that or anyone in my family. Id be outraged myself. Simms added that police have been called to deal with the child a few times this summer, but never treated her like that. Town of Babylon officials have also released a statement on Facebook condemning the fire chiefs appalling actions. Alt, a 22-year veteran of the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company, was one of the first responders on the call Monday night in West Babylon after the girls family called for help to calm the child down. Facebook The use of demeaning and inappropriate language by a first responder during an aided call is appalling and completely at odds with the standards of dignity, respect, and professionalism our residents deserve, the statement read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We understand that the individual involved has been relieved of duty while a full investigation takes place and we expect a full and transparent review of the incident. The town stated that it expect[s] meaningful steps to strengthen training, policies, and oversight to ensure this does not happen again, adding that there is no place in our town for behavior that disrespects or harms the public especially when it involves a young person or child. The Town of Babylon condemns this conduct in the strongest possible terms and stands with the affected family and all residents who rely on our emergency services in their times of need, the statement concluded. Commenters on both the viral TikTok video and statements released on Facebook have also called for the responders who stood by and allowed Alt to speak to the child in such a way to be investigated. The Post has reached out to the North Babylon Volunteer Fire Company for comment. Aug. 5Mari Clack, a champion for women and children in Spokane, died Saturday, leaving behind a lifelong legacy in advocacy. She was 89. Clack moved to Spokane with her husband, David Clack, soon after completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Washington in 1958. Clack was active with public radio, Planned Parenthood, YWCA and the Democratic Party, according to her obituary. She also co-founded the Women Helping Women Fund and served on the Ronald McDonald House board of directors and multiple advisory boards at UW. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was just a going machine," recalled David, to whom she was married for 64 years. "She was so concerned about women's capabilities to get ahead and to do things, and she was dedicated to women and children." Later, she and her husband, the former chairman and CEO of Old National Bancorporation, served as major supporters of the UW Medical School in Spokane and hosted white coat ceremonies. They started the Friends of WWAMI Spokane to provide financially and emotionally for local medical students . The WWAMI Medical Education Program extends the UW medical education to Spokane, as well as Wyoming, Alaska, Montana and Idaho. The UW program in Spokane partners with Gonzaga University. "Mari will always be remembered for her infectious, positive energy, her longstanding support of initiatives that genuinely changed lives for the better, and the deeply personal connections she developed with so many people," Gonzaga University President Emeritus Thayne McCulloh wrote in a statement. "Mari cared about the people of our community, especially the most vulnerable, and she channeled that care into meaningful activism." She was recognized on numerous occasions, including as a recipient of the Spokane Community Impact Award, the National Park and Recreation Association State Citizen Board Member Service Award, Gonzaga University Connecting Women with Women Award, Seattle Times' 100 Most Influential People in Washington State, Junior League of Spokane Outstanding Sustainer Award, and Planned Parenthood of Spokane's Margaret Sanger Award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Mari Clack, with her husband Dave, was a fierce champion of access to medical education and care in Eastern Washington. As a civic leader, volunteer and community organizer, she was a powerful force," University of Washington President Emerita Ana Mari Cauce said in a statement. Spokane City Council President Betsy Wilkerson said through tears Monday how much Clack meant to her. "I got to know Mari Clack when I joined the Women Helping Women Foundation, and I had done some volunteer work in the community," Wilkerson said. "As a Black woman in that space, there were many places I had never gone before. Mari took me and, in the early days, she actually paid for me to attend some of the events that I would have never been exposed to. Over the years, she continued to play an important part in my life." Wilkerson noted that while Clack was recognized for her progressive efforts, her husband was more conservative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was never in the political spotlight, but let me tell you, she was politically active." She credits Clack for the sense of empowerment she instilled in her. "Sometimes it takes other people to see something in you that you don't see in yourself, and whatever that was, Mari saw in me. For that, I'll be forever thankful." Beyond her advocacy work, David said Mari was an avid reader a passion that started as a young child. "Her father was a doctor, and she got up every morning at 5 a.m. to be with him while he was reading," he said. "That habit continued on, so in our married life, the biggest recreational expenditure we had every year was Mari's purchase of books." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She would start and finish a book daily during the morning hours, and the Clacks planned semi-annual trips to Goodwill to donate the "150 books" that were mounting, David said. The books were yet another opportunity for her to be aware and engaged, he added. "She truly enjoyed being involved. That's about the best description I can give you about Mari." Jim Clack, her son, said this involvement often included him and his sister. "That gave us an opportunity to see how much she did and how much she cared," he recalled. "She was just great at identifying people's talent and appreciating their hard work. The other thing I think is that she was fantastic at giving credit and appreciation to others." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One defining trait of her work was a pursuit of "equality." In her tenure as president of Planned Parenthood, Jim said, her goal was not to push the controversial subject of abortion. Instead, she promoted increasing awareness about "abstinence, intimacy and parenthood," something that earned her support from liberals and conservatives alike, he said. Clack leaves behind a legacy of change and a family for whom her care was "absolutely world class," David described. "The time we had together was as good as it gets." Caroline Saint James' 's reporting was funded by Comma's First Amendment Club. Nancy Beebe has been shaping young hands around stringed instruments for 37 years to such effect that her middle school students have been brought onto big stages in London, New York and Chicago. Three times during the West Palm Beach educator's career, students at Bak Middle School of the Arts have been onstage at Carnegie Hall under her direction. One former student, Matthew Hakkarainen, in May was named the associate concertmaster with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra. Her students this year were selected to occupy one-third of the seats in the All-State Middle School Orchestra, which draws from schools throughout Florida. And now, even after her retirement from Bak at the end of the last school year, her grace notes promise to echo through another generation. One student whom she started teaching as an 11-year-old sixth-grader is succeeding Beebe behind the conductors podium at the West Palm Beach school as Baks strings director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Violinist phenom from Palm Beach County wowing world on international stage At her final student concert last spring, that former student, Kelsey Lin, was asked to come up and lead the orchestra in a number from The Planets. Im literally showing how the baton is passed on, said Beebe, 65, who also performs as a cellist. Lin, 35, said that being under Beebes direction, especially going onstage at the London Royal Academy of Music with a violin in her 13-year-old grip, was a life-changing experience. Nancy creates those one-of-a-kind experiences for her students, Lin said. Nancy Beebe plays her cello at her home on June 25, 2025 in West Palm Beach, Florida. Beebe has retired after 37 years of teaching. She was strings director at Bak Middle School of the Arts for 27 of them. No matter how screechy the sound in the beginning, Beebe finds a way to connect with students, her fans say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adriane Salas, whose two children have been under Beebe's direction, has high praise for Beebe's talents, engaging parents to volunteer and the student musicians to reach for the heights. "You wouldn't believe your ears that these are 12-year-olds performing at the level of the pieces they do," Salas said. The Palm Beach Symphony awarded Beebe the Randolph A. Frank Prize Educator Award for her contributions to the countys cultural life this year. But shed rather talk about how her 37 students performed in front of 2,000 people at the American String Teacher Associations National Orchestra Festival in Atlanta in March and walked out as the middle-school grand champions. She managed to get through the final school concert with dry eyes, but it was impossible to keep the waterworks at bay as she addressed her student orchestra for the last time as their conductor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Ill miss most of all are the incredibly artistic, resilient and hardworking students that are on stage tonight, she told them. All of you are the heartbeat of this school. Anne Geggis is the insurance reporter at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at ageggis@gannett.com.Help support our journalism. Subscribe today This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Longtime strings program director's grace notes will linger LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) The Longview Police Department will be hosting a Teen Police Academy next month to teach teenagers who may be interested in joining law enforcement the responsibilities and tasks officers are assigned to every day. Regional SWAT team arrests burglary suspect with violent history in Jacksonville The academy will be held at the Longview Police Department every Tuesday evening in September from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Classes will conclude on Saturday, September 27, following a 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The academy will be free for all teens in grades ranging from eighth through twelfth grade, and some skills taught in the classes include: Officier Safety Traffic Procedures Finger Printing Handcuffing How to become a police officer. Applications for the academy are on the City of Longview website, and the deadline to apply is August 31. For more information regarding the academy, contact Rachel Duraso at 903-431-8897. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. The City of Winter Park, Florida, recently revealed a new Martin Luther King Jr. statue and some community members are calling for a do-over. When honoring a figure whose legacy demands reverence and accuracy, the stakes are always high. The city of Winter Park, Florida, recently discovered this as it unveiled its long-awaited statue of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.; the reaction from the community was anything but the triumphant moment officials may have anticipated. Instead, confusion, disappointment, and disbelief clouded the event. It looks awkward; it just didnt look up to the standards Winter Park is so known for, said Jonathan Blount, Essence magazine co-founder and a community member, per WESH 2 News. His feet was too big, his head was too big. His arm was too big and it looked really like a caricature of Dr. King and really didnt look anything like him. On one side, oh yeah, I like it. On the other side, it doesnt look like him, Nora Koenecke, another Winter Park resident, added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new statue of the civil rights leader was designed by artist Andrew Luy, who was selected by a committee from the arts, parks, and CRA boards. And while social media was quick to criticize the sculpture, Luy says the feedback he received before the reveal was fairly positive. The feedback I got from the committee and also the majority, actually all of the attendees that came to the unveiling, was greatly positive, Luy shared. I didnt have direct contact with the King estate, but from what I heard, they were very happy with the representation of the sculpture of Dr. King. Meanwhile, online users wasted no time calling out the statues awkward appearance. Thats a terrible MLK statue. It is, however, a pretty good Gary Coleman statue, one user commented on YouTube. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Instagram, some users likened the statue to fictional characters like George Jefferson, while others questioned who approved the design and if they intended to honor Dr. King or disrespect him. Maybe it just didnt come out the way everybody had hoped it would. I hear what youre saying, Winter Park Mayor Sheila DeCiccio said, acknowledging the communitys concerns. I dont know what we can do at this point because it was a very big investment. This is not the first time a statue created in honor of the iconic Civil Rights leader has sparked mixed reactions. In 2010, Washington, DC, unveiled a 30-foot-tall statue of Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall. At the time, the memorial statue sparked controversy, as critics believed it should have been made by an American rather than sculptor Lei Yixin, who they felt made the MLK statue look Asian. Similarly, in 2023, a sculpture inspired by a hug between Dr. King and his wife, Coretta Scott King, titledThe Embrace, sparked mixed reactions. Regardless of the publics opinions, the King family reportedly approved Luys MLK Jr. Winter Park city statue design. More must-reads: In 1904, more than two million people attended an event in a Bradford park that showcased the might of what had become an industrial powerhouse. The City of Bradford Exhibition, held in Lister Park to mark the opening of Cartwright Hall within its grounds, drew huge crowds and had installations that were vast in scale - yet has been almost lost to history. Now, a team of University of Bradford archaeologists have been excavating the exhibition site and have uncovered the foundations of the temporary concert hall and a recreation of an African village. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Chris Gaffney said the dig was helping to rediscover "a lost period in the history of the city of Bradford". A postcard featuring the 1904 'Great Exhibition' in Bradford's Lister Park [Photo Archive, Bradford District Museums & Galleries CBMDC] The exhibition ran from May until October that year, and celebrated industry through displays such as a gravity railway and a water chute on the park's lake. These events were popular in the Victorian and Edwardian eras, the most famous being the Great Exhibition in London in 1851. The "world fairs" showcased industrial and cultural achievements, and often had a colonial focus. Bradford's had a Somali village, in which 57 people were transported from the Horn of Africa to live and work in Lister Park. The group built their own huts and demonstrated dancing, spear-throwing and archery to visitors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the objects uncovered by the excavation team was a glass bottle of Garton's HP brown sauce that pre-dates the exhibition. Found near the Somali village's location behind Cartwright Hall, Prof Gaffney said it provided a "time marker" for the fair. "One of the things that we're learning is that people care about this particular festival, even though they don't know very much about it. "But they're intrigued to find out why people from east Africa were living in the park, and what elements were left there." Glassware, ceramics and remnants from the construction of the concert hall have also been recovered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Gaffney explained that the Somali villagers were paid for their appearance at the exhibition but that their role would be "problematic" through a modern lens. "People were contracted and paid to be in the Somali village and you had to pay extra to see them. "There's a lot of agency in there, and I think although we do have to view it in terms of this colonial view, it is by uncovering more of the evidence that we'll be able to understand more about this story." A brown sauce bottle, dating from before 1903, has helped historians recreate the "footprint" of the exhibition [University of Bradford] After the exhibition closed, the structures, including the concert hall, were dismantled and sold, and much of the event's legacy faded from public memory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the excavation continues, archaeologists are optimistic that further discoveries will shed more light on this "fascinating" and "amazing" chapter of Bradford's industrial and cultural history. Prof Gaffney added: "We didn't really have anything apart from just one or two archives. "Now, we are able to consider a larger research strategy for investigating the exhibition as a whole, but also there's the possibility of talking to the museums and art galleries in Bradford to try and work out how the story can also be told in terms of Cartwright Hall and its beginnings in Bradford." Some of the Somali villagers who were part of the installation at the Bradford Exhibition [Photo Archive, Bradford District Museums & Galleries CBMDC] The findings from the dig are part of the University of Bradford's broader efforts to celebrate heritage as part of the Bradford 2025 City of Culture year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project, titled Uncovering the Bradford 1904 Exhibition, is also a collaboration with Prof Fozia Bora from the University of Leeds and the Somali Village charity. Together, they are working to digitise and preserve materials related to the 1904 exhibition, including photographs, postcards, and other memorabilia. It is hoped the work will ultimately help create digital reconstructions of the exhibition's key features, allowing the public to experience the event in a new way. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North. More on this story Related links LOUISVILLE, Ky. (FOX 56) A Louisville mother has been indicted after allegedly attacking her 6-year-old daughter in June. Zeinab Abdi, 40, was indicted on Tuesday by a Jefferson County grand jury on criminal charges of attempted murder, assault, and criminal abuse of a victim under 12 years old. According to an arrest citation, Abdi was arrested on June 19, after police were called to the 2900 block of Wilson Avenue, where a 6-year-old was said to have been hit on the head with a hammer by her mom. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Louisville Metro Police Department said the girl was found inside the home and taken to Norton Childrens Hospital, where she is being treated for multiple skull fractures and brain bleeds. Abdi allegedly told the police that on Thursday, she became overly angry and hit her daughter an unknown amount of times with a hammer. LMPD said they interviewed Abdis son, who was said to be restraining her after the attack. He told the police that she said, Let me finish her, while struggling against him. At her arraignment on June 20, she pleaded not guilty, and the judge set her bond at $500,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LMPD said the girl was discharged from the hospital on Tuesday and is now with family. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. The family shared a post on Instagram to mark his birthday: Ariel was a mischievous child full of love with a smile that immediately melted everyone he met, the post read. Slain hostage Ariel Bibas, who was kidnapped on October 7, 2023, by Hamas terrorists, would have turned six years old on Tuesday. The family shared a post on Instagram to mark his birthday: Ariel was a mischievous child full of love with a smile that immediately melted everyone he met, the post read. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We invite you to light a candle or to blow up an orange balloon and dedicate a moment to create a good moment with your loved ones that will bring a smile to their faces - send a message, give a hug, offer to help someone. We love you and miss you, Luli. Kidnapped on October 7 Ariel was abducted on October 7, 2023, along with his baby brother Kfir, father Yarden, and mother Shiri from their home in Kibbutz Nir Oz. Orange ribbons, orange balloons: Holding colored balloons during a memorial for murdered hostages Shiri Bibas and her children Ariel and Kfir, in Jerusalem, February 2025. (credit: FLASH90) The IDF confirmed through intelligence and forensic evidence from the identification process that the two children were brutally murdered in captivity by Hamas in November 2023, just a month after their abduction, and were not killed by an IAF strike, as Hamas originally claimed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ariel was murdered at four years old, and Kfir was murdered at 10 months old. Their bodies were returned to Israel along with hostage Oded Lifshitz, after 503 days in Hamas captivity in February. Shiris body was returned two days later, after Hamas misidentified her remains, sending another womans body in a locked coffin with keys that did not match, according to extensive testing by the L. Greenberg Institute of Forensic Medicine at Abu Kabir. Yarden Bibas was released alive earlier that month as part of a hostage-prisoner swap. The three slain Bibas family members were laid to rest together at Tzohar cemetery in the South. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said, "The State of Israel bows its head to two small children, Ariel and Kfir Bibas, and to Oded Lipshitz, one of the founders of Kibbutz Nir Oz. All three were murdered with terrible cruelty in Hamas captivity in the first weeks of the war." "The cruelty of the Hamas monsters knows no bounds," he added. A Lowell District Court judge on Wednesday morning criticized Middlesex County prosecutors for what he described as an unwillingness to work collaboratively amid the ongoing public defender crisis in the states court system. Judge John Coffey made the comments during a series of so-called Lavallee hearings on Wednesday. The hearings began last month when a single justice of the Supreme Judicial Court instituted the protocol under the same name. Under the protocol, defendants who dont have lawyers are entitled to be released from jail after a week and have their cases dismissed after 45 days. The cases before Coffey on Wednesday were for both 7-day and 45-day hearings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But while the roughly a dozen defendants who appeared before Coffey for 45-day hearings Wednesday were entitled to have their cases dismissed, many opted to wait in limbo for when a public defender becomes available. Thats because prosecutors indicated they would refile cases if Coffey dismissed them. If they did so, Coffey explained, the defendants probation records would multiply, even though they didnt face charges in connection with some other incident. Among those who opted not to have his case dismissed was Vincent Frazier, who is charged with misdemeanor assault and battery and threat to commit a crime. Fraizers case was filed on June 9, meaning he has gone nearly two months without representation. Its not our fault, Frazier said in an interview after the hearing. Im a union guy, so Im for the lawyers. I hope they get what they want. But there has to be some kind of, some kind of give and take here, because I cant just keep coming to court and missing work and doing this and that, because they cant get their [expletive] straight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Private defense attorneys known as bar advocates represent about 80% of criminal defendants in Massachusetts who cant afford their own lawyers. Since late May, many of the lawyers have stopped taking new cases amid a pay dispute. The Committee for Public Counsel Services, or CPCS, represents the other 20%. Since the stoppage began, the agency has been prioritizing the most serious cases that come through the states court system. Gov. Maura Healey approved a raise for public defenders on Tuesday, but there is still no end in sight for the work stoppage since the lawyers say the pay increase was not sufficient. Coffey appeared to empathize with the predicament Frazier and others found themselves in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Your rights have been trampled on since May 27, he said. Its absolutely not your fault. But it was the case of Lisa Marie Hodgson that drew Coffeys ire. Hodgson is charged with a single misdemeanor count of wanton destruction of property for an incident where she said she broke a $30 camera. Coffey found that because Hodgson didnt face any jail time in connection with the charge, she wasnt eligible for a court-appointed lawyer. He moved to set a date for a bench trial for her, but Hodgson pleaded with the judge to dismiss the case. I dont care if they re-file. I just want you to dismiss it and let them do what they have to do. I cant do this anymore, she said, her voice shaking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An assistant Middlesex district attorney confirmed prosecutors intended to refile the case. The Middlesex District Attorneys office has been less than collaborative in their duty under the protocol, Coffey said. Shame on the commonwealth if they ever bring this case back. Spokespeople for the district attorneys office did not immediately return a request for comment. The Committee for Public Counsel Services, the states public defender agency, has asked the states high court to refine the protocol to allow prosecutors to reopen cases by simply filing a motion, rather than filing a new complaint. Doing so would allow defendants to avoid the issue Coffey explained Wednesday: where their probation records would grow despite not being charged with a new offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPCS has also sought to bar prosecutors from reopening cases until after the protocol is lifted. Its not yet clear when that will happen, as bar advocates appear unlikely to go back to work anytime soon. Lavallee Protocol Read the original article on MassLive. BRISTOL, Va. (WFXR)- Lieutenant Governor and gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears said, the media is lying to you, in response to recent polls that show her opposition, former Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger, in the lead. Believe my opponent this one time when she says on video that this race is a toss-up race, said Earle-Sears during an interview with sister station WJHL in Bristol. Earle-Sears said internal polls are neck and neck. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Democrats speak out against Winsome Earle-Sears A poll released by Decision Desk HQ on August 1 showed the republican nominee down by nine points to Spanberger, 45.2% to 36.0%. A recent survey, conducted by the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, showed Spanberger with a 12-point lead over Earle-Sears. In this past quarter, I have raised just under $6 million, said Earle-Sears. I have raised more money than any Republican ever has in the second quarter of their campaign. Earle-Sears also spoke about the importance of mental health funding and energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its whatever you want for energy, clean coal, oil, nuclear, and natural gas, said Earle-Sears. Watch the attached video for more from Earle-Sears. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. Aug. 5The village of Lyndon in Whiteside County is seeking community support to preserve a piece of its history. Village Clerk and Office Manager Maureen Johnson said work is underway to inspect the Lyndon Bridge's more than 700 planks for weather deterioration and replacement. She said the price to donate a plank is set at $100. "We've always had donated planks on the bridge and there's little plaques on there that people can personalize as a way to keep the bridge going," Johnson said. "Over the last few months, we were going through a new process of replacing the plaques on the bridge and replacing planks because weather deterioration has put them in a bad place. So we're putting new plaques and new planks on the bridge and encouraging people to donate to the project again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ExpandAutoplay Image 1 of 9 The historic Lyndon bridge is seen Thursday, July 30, 2025, spanning the Rock River. Closed in 1980, the village continues to sell plank repairs for a $100 donation with a name plate being dedicated to the donor. (Alex T. Paschal) Once almost lost to time, the bridge at 126 Sixth Ave. West stands today as a restored symbol of community perseverance and historic pride. According to a timeline of the bridge on the village's website, its story began in 1876, when the village's petition to build a bridge across the Rock River was denied by the Whiteside County Board. That was followed by a failed construction attempt in 1886 because of a lack of funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 1891, Lyndon Township petitioned for a special election to raise $10,000. However, Prophetstown Township refused to "enter into any joint contract ... to build or maintain such said bridge." The following year, a vote passed overwhelmingly and a $16,400 contract was awarded to Keefer & Wyncoop for a Parker Pratt Through Truss-style bridge. Despite its early reluctance, Prophetstown Township agreed to cost-sharing and the bridge was completed in 1894 for $19,606. The bridge was modernized over the decades, including major upgrades in 1906 to accommodate automobiles. Repairs continued through 1979 until structural concerns led to its closure in 1980. After the bridge sat unattended for the next 15 years, the Whiteside County Highway Department decided to demolish the bridge until Lyndon residents launched a grassroots Save Our Bridge campaign. A 1996 petition with 300 signatures led to the village's annexation of the bridge. It later was deemed safe for pedestrian use, with grants and community support funding repairs and enhancements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lyndon Bridge earned a spot on the National Register of Historic Places in 2003, thanks to local advocate Fred Steele. Continued enhancements and a place in the Rock River Trail Initiative (2013) make the bridge a vital community landmark. For more information, call Lyndon Village Hall at 815-778-4484. To sponsor a bridge plank, visit villageoflyndon.org and click on the Donate/Merch tab. Just over one month into his new role as Atlantas head of LGBTQ Affairs, Dewayne R. Queen is developing a vision that supports various groups by working with city partners and local organizations. But he knows it wont be easy. While Atlanta is often viewed as a welcoming and progressive place, many are grappling with Gov. Brian Kemps recent embrace of religious freedom laws and state efforts to restrict transgender rights and ban LGBTQ books in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Queen, he knows his work can have a significant impact on LGBTQ communities and especially the trans population. There were 647 anti-trans bills that have failed so far this year, Queen told Capital B Atlanta. [I want to] continuously support them in making sure that theyre seen, heard, felt and kind of loved on during this time. And just give them the necessary tools thats needed for them to be successful. Read More: Trumps Medicaid Cuts Threaten Atlantas LGBTQ Community The former flight attendant and president of Delta Air Lines LGBTQ business resource group, Queen also founded The Trans Life Awards, which honors trailblazing transgender and nonbinary artists, advocates and community leaders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If I had the opportunity to impart anything to trans youth, their existence is resistance, is my thought process, Queen said. Continue to exist in the spaces that theyre in, continue to be your authentic selves. Find support in a community that can give you the tools to continue to grow into who they authentically want to be. Dewayne Queen (center) with participants at a Habitat for Humanity event. (photo courtesy of Sylvia McAfee) Appointed by Mayor Andre Dickens, the citys LGBTQ Affairs department is housed within the Mayors Office of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion to focus on strengthening civic relationships and dismantling systemic barriers. As a city dedicated to creating opportunities for all, we welcome Dewayne Queen to our team in a role that will continue our Administrations work to create innovative programming and opportunities for the LGBTQ community, Dickens said in a press release. Dewayne is well-equipped to coordinate efforts among community partners, amplify intersectional voices and implement data-driven solutions that address the needs of marginalized groups, including LGBTQ youth, veterans, seniors and communities of color. Read More: Fulton County Officials Warn Mpox Still a Health Concern in Atlanta In a city still grappling with an HIV crisis that is further exacerbated by CDC budget and staffing cuts, Queen wants to call leaders of local organizations together to address vulnerable populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the CDC, Georgia had the second-highest HIV diagnosis rate and the second-highest rate of HIV related deaths in 2023 in the U.S. I want to [bring] thought leaders to the table and say, How can we make sure that community is still supported and seen? Queen said. I am also very keen on the HIV rates among Black women. Queen said Black women need to request HIV tests during their physical checkups. He also wants to educate more people about the benefits of PrEP, a medication to prevent HIV infection. When it comes to another vulnerable LGBTQ group, Queen wants to support youths and their parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our LGBTQ youth could use additional support as well as guidance, Queen said. But also parents as well, helping them navigate the conversations they need to have and making sure that they feel supported in that aspect as well. To better inform his outreach and efforts, Queen said he wants to hear directly from residents at the LGBTQ Town Hall Breakfast hes hosting Friday, Aug. 8, from 10 a.m. to noon at Atlanta City Hall. This position does not exist without community, and so Im making sure that the office is tangible, that I am seen, that Im felt, so that people know that this office and its mayor supports the LGBTQ community, Queen said. Click here to RSVP for the event. The post Im Leading With Hope: Atlantas New LGBTQ Affairs Lead Champions Trans People and Health Equity appeared first on Capital B News - Atlanta. By Sonia Rolley PARIS (Reuters) -Rwanda-backed M23 rebels killed at least 319 civilians, including 48 women and 19 children, last month in eastern Congo, Volker Turk, U.N. high commissioner for human rights, said on Wednesday, citing "first-hand accounts". The violence in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu province produced "one of the largest documented death tolls in such attacks since the M23's resurgence in 2022," Turk said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reuters first reported on the killings in late July, citing findings by the U.N. Joint Human Rights Office (UNJHRO) that put the death toll at 169 people. M23 leader Bertrand Bisimwa told Reuters at the time it would investigate, but also said the report could be a "smear campaign". A spokesperson for M23, a spokesperson for Rwanda's military and a Rwandan government spokesperson could not immediately be reached for comment on Wednesday. Reuters has not been able to independently confirm the killings, but a local activist cited witnesses as describing M23 combatants using guns and machetes to kill scores of civilians. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two U.N. sources told Reuters that 100 of the dead had been identified by name and that an investigation was ongoing. The M23 and Congolese government have pledged to work towards peace by August 18 after the rebels this year seized more territory than ever before in fighting that has killed thousands and displaced hundreds of thousands more. The UNJHRO findings said M23 targeted suspected members of the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR), a Congo-based group that includes remnants of Rwanda's former army and militias that carried out the 1994 Rwandan genocide. Turk said on Wednesday the killings had taken place in four villages in Rutshuru from July 9 to July 21 and that most victims were "local farmers camping in their fields during the planting season". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Persistent violence in eastern Congo threatens U.S. President Donald Trump's vision for the region, which has been plagued by war for decades and is rich in minerals including gold, cobalt, coltan, tungsten and tin. A peace agreement signed on June 27 in Washington by the Congolese and Rwandan foreign ministers requires Congo to "neutralise" the FDLR as Rwanda withdraws from Congolese territory. Rwanda has long denied helping M23 and says its forces act in self-defence against Congo's army and ethnic Hutu militiamen linked to the 1994 Rwandan genocide, including the FDLR. (Reporting by Sonia RolleyWriting by Robbie Corey-BouletEditing by Gareth Jones) Rwanda-backed M23 rebels killed at least 319 civilians, including 48 women and 19 children, last month in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, Volker Turk, UN high commissioner for human rights, said, citing first-hand accounts. The violence in the Rutshuru territory of North Kivu Province produced one of the largest documented death tolls in such attacks since the M23s resurgence in 2022, Turk said in a statement on Wednesday. With Rwandas support, the M23 has seized swaths of the mineral-rich Congolese east from the DRCs army since its resurgence in 2021, triggering a spiralling humanitarian crisis in a region already riven by three decades of conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julys violence came only weeks after the Congolese government and the M23 signed a declaration of principle on June 19 reaffirming their commitment to a permanent ceasefire, following months of broken truces. [Al Jazeera] I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups in eastern DRC amid continued fighting, despite the ceasefire that was recently signed in Doha, Turk said in a statement. All attacks against civilians must stop immediately, and all those responsible must be held to account, he added. Turks UN Human Rights Office said it had documented multiple attacks in North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri provinces, in the conflict-ridden east of the country bordering Uganda, Rwanda and Burundi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the agreement signed in Doha, the warring parties agreed to uphold their commitment to a permanent ceasefire, refraining from hate propaganda and any attempt to seize by force new positions. The deal includes a roadmap for restoring state authority in eastern DRC, and an agreement for the two sides to open direct talks towards a comprehensive peace agreement. It followed a separate agreement signed in Washington by the Congolese government and Rwanda, which has a history of intervention in the eastern DRC stretching back to the 1990s. Rwandan President Paul Kagame and Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi are due to meet in the coming months to firm up the Washington agreement, whose terms have not yet been implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, the two countries agreed to a US State Department-brokered economic framework outline as part of the peace deal. I urge the signatories and facilitators of both the Doha and Washington agreements to ensure that they rapidly translate into safety, security and real progress for civilians in the DRC, who continue to endure the devastating consequences of these conflicts, said Turk. Rich in key minerals such as gold and coltan, the Congolese east has been riven by fighting between rival armed groups and interference by foreign powers for more than 30 years. Dozens of ceasefires and truces have been brokered and broken in recent years without providing a lasting end to the conflict. SOUTH CAROLINA (WSAV) Congresswoman Nancy Maces bid for governor could leave her seat open and WSAV sat down with the first democratic candidate to enter the race for South Carolinas First District. The first candidate to throw his hat in the ring, Democrat Mac Deford. A Charleston area lawyer with ties to Beaufort County, Deford made an unsuccessful bid for the Democratic nomination in 2024. He missed out by just 700 votes to eventual nominee Michael Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While that was a loss, Im not entirely disappointed in that outcome, Deford said. We were outraised and outspent 2 to 1 compared to my opponent. We were able to do a lot with a little and the results spoke for themselves. As a first-time candidate knew you dont know what you dont know, and so Ive been through it before. There are plenty of examples on both sides of the aisle of people whove ran for public office, and they fall short in their first time around. Deford said he was buoyed when he found out he was outraised in that election by a 2 to 1 margin and was still able to get that close. So, he created an exploratory committee after the election to dig deeper into South Carolina politics. One of the things I wanted to do was go up to D.C., make sure that there was going to be that investment, Deford said. People that, you know, believe that this seat can actually be flipped and also go around the district and meet with voters across the political divide, hear from them and make sure that, one, they know that this district is one that can be won, you know, by a Democrat, but also hear from even people who arent Democrats to say, you know what are they looking for out of their representative? And do they feel that they have that right now with Nancy Mace? Did they do they like the direction that the country is moving in right now? And so all of those conversations have led me to the point where I am now, and that is to run for this seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deford said he is running to make sure this district has representation he feels they are not getting from their current representative. I think people want to have a representative that that they can feel proud of, that they think theyre actually doing a good job to represent them, Deford said. And so that means not having incidents where youre in a you know, in a beauty store, for example. And when a constituent asks you when youre going to hold a town hall, that you just go off on them and start cursing them out. Always ask people, you know, if you were going to go on a court and Nancy mentioned your lawyer, you know, how hard do you think the judge would throw the book at you? Deford is the first candidate on the Democratic side to sign on for the 2026 election. State representative Mark Smith has set a special announcement for Thursday where he is expected to announce his run for the Republican nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Technically, though, Mace doesnt have to resign her seat to run for Governor and could still stay on ballot at least through the primaries. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. All things considered, House Republican leaders didnt need another controversy surrounding one of their members, but they apparently have one anyway. Politico reported on a police report that suggests Rep. Cory Mills not only had a mistress, but the married Florida Republican also allegedly threatened to release nude videos of her after she broke off their relationship. From Politicos report: Lindsey Langston, a Florida Republican state committee member and 2024 winner of the Miss United States beauty pageant, told authorities on July 14 that Mills also threatened to harm any of her future romantic partners, according to a report she made to the Columbia County Sheriffs Department that was obtained Tuesday by Politico. Her allegations were sent to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for review, said Steven Khachigan, a spokesperson for the sheriffs department. Some caveats are in order. For one thing, MSNBC has not reviewed the police report in question. Whats more, the GOP congressman has not been charged, and Mills office said in a written statement: We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, the allegations add a new chapter to a story about a politician who has faced a series of difficulties of late. It was in February, for example, when Mills first generated national headlines after NBC News reported that the local police department in Washington, D.C., had begun an investigation into the congressman, following a report of an alleged assault. NBC News went on to report soon after that the Metropolitan Police Department in the nations capital sent an arrest warrant on Mills to then-interim U.S. Attorney Ed Martins office, but the warrant went unsigned by the hyperpartisan Trump-appointed prosecutor. The GOP congressman issued a statement vehemently denying any wrongdoing, claiming that law enforcement was asked to resolve a private matter at Mills residence. (Both Mills and the woman denied that any assault took place, and Mills wasnt charged in the incident.) The story soon faded, though according to Politicos latest report, Langston told the sheriffs department that she ended her relationship with the Republican lawmaker after seeing media reports in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was at that point when Mills, according to Langston, started threatening her. Complicating matters, these arent the only accusations he has confronted in recent months. In May, NOTUS reported on questions surrounding an award Mills received as part of his military service, and two months earlier, the House Ethics Committee disclosed its investigation into Mills, examining whether he mightve omitted or misrepresented information in financial disclosure reports. (That investigation is ongoing; a spokesperson for Mills has denied any wrongdoing.) Meanwhile, in mid-July, NBC News reported that Mills is facing a lawsuit seeking his eviction over alleged failure to pay thousands of dollars in rent at a property in the nations capital. (That legal dispute is ongoing; Mills defended himself on social media last month.) The congressman had reportedly expressed an interest in running for statewide office in Florida in the 2026 election cycle. Whether hes prepared to run anyway, despite the recent controversies, is unclear. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Its been nearly three weeks since Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard unveiled a report with a title that read, Declassified Evidence of Obama Administration Conspiracy to Subvert President Trumps 2016 Victory and Presidency. In an accompanying press release, the beleaguered DNI added, The information we are releasing today clearly shows there was a treasonous conspiracy in 2016 committed by officials at the highest level of our government. In reality, the report showed no such thing, and independent analyses characterized Gabbards report as ludicrous. An analysis from The Bulwark explained, [E]ven a cursory look at the actual substance of Gabbards dramatic claims shows ... a nothingburger. There is no actual substance. Officials from Democratic and Republican administrations urged the public to recognize Gabbards conspiracy theories as obvious nonsense. But according to new reporting from The Washington Post, the controversial intelligence director hasnt just faced widespread pushback after making her highly dubious allegations, she also reportedly faced pushback before making her highly dubious allegations. From the Posts article: The Trump administration pushed to unveil a highly classified document on Russias interference in the 2016 election after an intense behind-the-scenes struggle over secrecy, which ended in late July when Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard released a minimally redacted version of the report, according to multiple people familiar with the matter. The Posts report, which has not been independently verified by MSNBC or NBC News, added that when the CIA and other intelligence agencies argued internally that more of the document should remain classified to obscure U.S. spy agencies sources and methods, Gabbard overrode them with the blessing of President Donald Trump. (Update: After this piece was published, NBC News did confirm the Post's reporting.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The revelations are dramatic, though elements of this are not entirely surprising. Indeed, its worth emphasizing that Gabbards discredited conclusion that Russia never targeted the U.S. political system during the 2016 campaign and made no effort to help Trump win doesnt just contradict the findings of special counsel Robert Muellers investigation and a parallel investigation from the Republican-led Senate Intelligence Committee. Her findings were also at odds with the findings of the CIA. Indeed, literally the week before Gabbard brought her claims to the public, Trumps handpicked CIA director, John Ratcliffe, released the results of an investigation that endorsed the agencys earlier conclusions about Russia targeting the U.S. elections in 2016. (That said, the Posts report noted that Ratcliffe endorsed Gabbards efforts. For its part, the White House did not respond to requests for comment.) What is surprising, however, is that U.S. intelligence officials urged the intelligence director not to move forward with her political plans, and Gabbard decided to ignore them, reinforcing concerns that the DNI is prioritizing a political vendetta over the nations intelligence needs. Just as notably, some of the intelligence officials whose concerns were rejected apparently reached out to the Washington Post suggesting they want the world to know about Gabbards recklessness. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nevertheless, as the DNIs efforts start to look even worse, Attorney General Pam Bondi has directed Justice Department prosecutors to launch a grand jury investigation based on Gabbards claims. NBC News spoke to a former senior Justice Department official who condemned the move as a dangerous political stunt. A former senior national security official pointed out that multiple past reviews, including ones conducted by Republicans, found no wrongdoing. Theres no logical, rational basis for this, the official added. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com In 2023, the third year of Joe Bidens presidency, crime rates in the United States declined significantly, despite public perceptions. As NBC News reported, the good news continued in 2024: Statistics released Tuesday by the FBI indicate that violent crime decreased overall in the United States by 4.5% last year. ... According to the FBI, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter decreased an estimated 14.9%, robbery decreased an estimated 8.9% rape decreased an estimated 5.2%, and aggravated assault decreased an estimated 3.0%. Property crime also decreased an estimated 8.1% from 2023 to 2024, and hate crimes decreased an estimated 1.5%, the report found. To be sure, none of this comes as a big surprise. After a spike in crime rates toward the end of Donald Trumps first term, national data showed improvements throughout the Biden era. The FBIs findings did stand out in a political context, however, in large part because the facts made clear just how brazenly many Republican leaders lied to the public during the 2024 campaign season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In September 2024, for example, as early voting got underway in some states, then-candidate Trump said anyone who believed the evidence pointing to lower crime rates had a serious brain problem. A week later, the Republican added that crime rates were through the roof, adding that only a stupid person would accept the evidence as real. Around the same time, Trump told a Michigan audience, You cant walk across the street to get a loaf of bread. You get shot, you get mugged, you get raped. He had plenty of company. Republican Sen. Tim Scott of South Carolina similarly told a national television audience during the campaign that Americans were confronting a wave of violent crime that we have not seen literally in five decades. Around the same time, then-House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik condemned what she called Bidens violent crime crisis. House Speaker Mike Johnson made similar comments, declaring, We cant survive the dramatic increases in violence, crime and drugs that the Democrats policies have brought upon our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We know why they were all lying leading GOP voices clearly believed that if Americans were scared of crime, they might be more likely to vote for Republicans but that doesnt make their campaign of brazen deceptions any less offensive. As for the incumbent president, Trump hasnt yet commented on the evidence he implored people to disregard, though if recent history is any guide, the odds are good that hell describe the new data as rigged. Whats more, its not yet clear whether FBI Director Kash Patels job might be in jeopardy for releasing information to the public that the White House finds politically inconvenient. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com When senators were considering Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s nomination to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, they were told not to worry too much about his radicalism. Sure, RFK Jr. had a record of promoting bizarre and unscientific ideas, but once in office, the argument went, his ambitions would be limited. The pitch worked. Just three weeks into Donald Trumps second term, the GOP-led Senate confirmed Kennedy. In all, 52 Republicans including alleged moderates such as Maines Susan Collins and Alaskas Lisa Murkowski put an unqualified conspiracy theorist in charge of the federal department that oversees the nations health policies. In the weeks and months that followed, Kennedy did exactly what his critics said hed do, gutting key parts of the nations public health infrastructure, while targeting vaccines and public access to them. As NBC News reported, those efforts are ongoing. The Trump administration is terminating 22 contracts focused on developing mRNA vaccines and winding down additional federal investments in mRNA technology, Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday. Many scientists and infectious disease experts swiftly denounced the move as a broadside on an area of research seen as particularly promising after its use in rapidly developing Covid vaccines. NBC News report went on to note that the targeted projects were funded by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA), an HHS program that works with the pharmaceutical industry to develop vaccines and other countermeasures for public health emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just about vaccines, said Rick Bright, who directed BARDA from 2016 to 2020. Its about whether well be ready when the next crisis hits. Cutting mRNA development now puts every American at greater risk. The Covid pandemic showed us whats possible when science moves fast, he added. Dismantling that momentum now is like disbanding the fire department because the fires out. Bright is hardly the only one with concerns. Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, told The Associated Press, I dont think Ive seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business. Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, told The New York Times, Had we not used these lifesaving mRNA vaccines to protect against severe illness, we would have had millions of [additional] Covid deaths. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A related Times report published in May added, To scientists who study it, mRNA is a miracle molecule. The vaccines that harnessed it against Covid saved an estimated 20 million lives, a rapid development that was recognized with a Nobel Prize. Clinical trials show mRNA-based vaccines increasing survival in patients with pancreatic and other deadly cancers. Biotechnology companies are investing in the promise of mRNA therapies to treat and even cure a host of genetic and chronic diseases, including Type 1 diabetes and multiple sclerosis. Indeed, lets not forget that none other than Donald Trump himself used to celebrate mRNA-based coronavirus vaccines he explicitly referred to them as a modern-day miracle but that was before. Now, the president has put the nations public health infrastructure in the hands of a guy whos claimed, among other things, that Wi-Fi causes leaky brain, and he's decided he doesnt like this game-changing scientific research. The consequences for medicine, science and Americans lives are likely to be significant. But as unsettling as these developments are, none of whats transpired at HHS in recent months is surprising. Kennedys anti-science reputation was well established long before Trump nominated him. That an unqualified, anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist is behaving like an unqualified, anti-vaccine conspiracy theorist was painfully predictable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fact remains, however, that 52 Senate Republicans were given an opportunity to protect Americans from Kennedy and they failed spectacularly. The more steps that Kennedy takes to put people at risk, the more GOP senators bear responsibility for his radical and dangerous decisions. This post updates our related earlier coverage. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Miss United States doesnt want to be within 100 yards of Representative Cory Mills. Lindsey Langston, a Florida Republican state committeewoman and the current titleholder for the Miss United States beauty pageant, has filed a restraining order against the Republican lawmaker, reported DropSite News. The pair dated from November 2021 until February of this year. The Columbia County committeewoman reported Mills to local and state law enforcement for harassment, threatening to release sexual videos, and to harm future boyfriends, according to DropSite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After dating for almost three years, Langston and Mills began living together last summer when Langston moved into Millss Florida home. But that all came to an abrupt end in February when Langston learnedvia national news reportsthat Mills not only had a second girlfriend but had also been accused of assaulting her at his D.C. condo. (The second girlfriend, Sarah Raviani, later denied the report.) But ending the relationship didnt translate to an end in communication, according to Langston, who told DropSite that Mills continued to harass her for months despite her telling him repeatedly to leave her alone. The threats from Cory intensified over time, she told DropSite. From emotional manipulation, to physical violence against whoever I date in the future, to threats of having me stripped of the Miss United States crown something I worked extremely hard for and a dream that was placed in my heart long before I even knew who Cory Mills was. Langston shared troves of time-stamped evidence with local and state investigators, as well as DropSite News, to back up her allegations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On May 19, Donald Trump signed into law the bipartisan Take It Down Act to curb revenge porn. That same day, Millsa self-styled MAGA Republican who had voted in favor of the anti-intimidation legislationsent another timely message to Langston, threatening to blow up her future yet again by weaponizing sexual images he had of her. Let him put his actions behind his mouth, Mills wrote, referring to someone he believed to be Langstons new partner. I can send him a few videos of you as well. Oh, I still have them. Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn, a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump, has announced she is running to be the next governor of her state. Sen. Blackburn, 73, is bidding to replace GOP incumbent Bill Lee, who is term-limited out of office. Her announcement comes exactly one year before the Republican primary vote ahead of the November 2026 election. "In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, hes going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home, Blackburn said in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im running to serve as Tennessees next governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader. Tennessee Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn announces her run to the state's next governor on Wednesday August 6 2025 (Marsha Blackburn/X) A social media video accompanying the announcement places Trump front and center of Blackburns campaign and finds the Mississippi native telling her audience: Trump is back. America is blessed. And Tennessee, better than ever. She promises to make the Volunteer State Americas number one job creating, energy producing powerhouse, to deliver world-class standards of education by empowering parents, not the deep state, and to deport illegal immigrants whether it takes planes, trains or starships. She further promises to honor the constitution, value life and get rid of gender pronoun insanity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Should she win, Blackburn would become the first woman to serve as Tennessee governor. She already has one challenger in the shape of Tennessee Rep. John Rose, who launched his bid earlier this year. A slew of state Republicans have already endorsed him. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was also recently linked with a run for the Tennessee governors mansion but has since denied having any intention to pursue political opportunities beyond the Pentagon. Blackburn started her career in media and marketing before entering the Tennessee Senate in 1999, serving four years before winning a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003, representing her adopted states 7th district. President Donald Trump appears with then-Senate candidate Marsha Blackburn at a MAGA rally in Chattanooga, Tennessee, in November 2018 (EPA) She held that seat for 16 years before being elected senator in 2019, successfully winning re-election in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackburn is a former Tea Party conservative known for her anti-abortion and anti-LGBT+ sentiment. She cut a memorable figure at last summers Republican National Convention in Milwaukee when she and several other GOP lawmakers physically pursued then-Secret Service director Kimberly Cheatle around the venue, demanding answers about supposed security lapses during the attempt on Trumps life in Butler, Pennsylvania, a month earlier. Another MAGA loyalist, South Carolina Rep. Nancy Mace, announced her run to be that states next governor on Monday. New York Times reporter Maggie Haberman argued Tuesday that Donald Trump has somehow convinced himself, without evidence, that the July jobs report was manipulated for political reasons. Haberman responded to CNNs Jake Tapper after he brought up several faulty Trump claims, including his attempt to justify firing Bureau of Labor Statistics Commissioner Erika McEntarfer after the weaker-than-expected jobs numbers. Does he believe these lies when he says them like George Costanza, its not a lie if you believe it or is he just selling and snowing? Tapper asked. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Haberman noted that Trumps claims that job report revisions served to boost Kamala Harriss chances to win the 2024 election were fact-checked in real time during his interview with CNBCs Joe Kernen on Tuesday morning. She went on to swat down more talk from Trump, who has claimed that Texas Republicans should be entitled to five more congressional seats in the state since he got the highest vote in the history in Texas. She also hit back at Trump inflating his polling numbers on CNBC, noting that hes instead seen a slow descent since he returned to the Oval Office in January. It is such a polarized era that its going to be very, very hard to find a president who is going to win with the numbers that, say, President Obama did in 2008. It was a very specific moment, Haberman added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the segment, Tapper pointed out that Trump had a series of people who checked him in his first term and questioned if theres anyone who ever pushes back at him today. Haberman emphasized that its a very different White House this time around. There is a clear desire to help him get to a yes on all things and not really object to him, and he can vent quite angrily when he is upset with staff, and I think thats one thing people try to avoid, she said. H/T: Mediaite Related... One of the largest solar and battery power plants in the United States is now supplying Los Angeles and Glendale from Kern County. Local leaders and clean energy experts gathered Tuesday beneath a blazing desert sun to mark the initiation of full production from 1.36 million solar panels and 172 lithium iron phosphate batteries that make up the Eland solar-plus-storage electricity project. It's as large as 13 Dodger stadiums, parking lots included, and will generate 7% of the electricity for all of the city of Los Angeles, much of it at a record-low price. The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's biggest solar and battery storage plant, the Eland Solar and Storage Center in the Mojave Desert of Kern County on Nov. 25, 2024, near California City, Calif. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) "This is the largest project for LADWP when it comes to solar and battery, and that is a huge accomplishment for us because it takes away the fear of doing more of these and we need about 10 more of these to hit our goals," said Janisse Quinones, chief executive officer of the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The city has committed to 100% clean energy by 2035 . Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With Elands power now flowing through its grid, L.A. is nearly two-thirds of the way there: The project has pushed the city's total supply to 64% clean energy, Quinones said. Other sources of power in L.A.'s portfolio include hydrogen, natural gas, biomass, geothermal, nuclear and coal, which the city aims to decommission by the end of this year. The $2-billion Eland project was developed by Arizona-based Arevon Energy and will also supply solar electricity to Glendale Water and Power. Read more: Column: L.A.'s massive new solar farm is cheap and impressive. More, please While Eland's sprawling solar panels are eye-catching, it's the unassuming batteries which look like rows of large white shipping containers that are the real crux of the project. Battery energy storage units at the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power's biggest solar and battery storage plant, the Eland Solar and Storage Center in the Mojave Desert of Kern County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) Locating batteries together with solar power or wind allows them to charge up on the clean energy, then feed it back to people's homes after the sun goes down or the wind stops blowing. At the end of 2023, there were close to 469 such "hybrid" clean power plants in the U.S., according to a recent report from Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In California, nearly every new solar project waiting to be connected to the electrical grid included batteries. All scenarios for effectively addressing climate change call for using storage. The Eland project is also coming online as the Trump administration is slowing the transition to clean energy with dozens of measures that favor electricity made from coal and natural gas. The presidents so-called Big Beautiful Bill ends federal tax credits for wind and solar within the next two years. But in California and a number of other states where addressing climate change is mandated, the transition is likely to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I spent 12 years in D.C., and to be home, where this is not a controversy there's no controversy about climate goals and solar and renewables it's an exciting day," Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass told The Times. Eland "represents a significant milestone toward reaching our climate goals, and it also just reinforces our stature of leading the country in terms of renewables and moving toward clean energy goals," Bass said. Read more: The energy source that could survive Trump's attack on California's green ambitions Kevin Smith, chief executive officer of Arevon, said solar paired with battery storage is currently the cheapest source of energy "with or without tax credits," and the fastest to deliver to market. The Eland project took about two years to complete once the first shovel was in the ground, compared with nuclear or natural gas projects that can take several years longer, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith also cited the sudden increase in forecast need for electricity for data centers. "If we don't meet that demand, that means the AI future is going to be won by the Chinese, because they're building more solar in a month than we build in a couple of years." Two-thirds of all the renewable energy installed globally in 2024 was in China, which strongly encourages the buildout. In the U.S. now, such projects must either begin construction by next July or be placed into service by the end of 2027 in order to receive a federal tax credit. But much of Eland's success will depend on DWP, which has committed to a 25-year, $1.5-billion contract for its power, with options to buy the facility outright as soon as Year 10, according to company officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Eland marks DWPs first utility-scale integrated solar and battery project. Its two facilities combined the first phase opened last year will generate 758 megawatts of solar power and store up to 1,200 megawatt-hours of energy, all of which can be dispatched during peak demand in the evening or nighttime. DWP officials said Eland is the lowest-cost project in their portfolio, with the cost of generation and storage averaging about 4 cents per kilowatt hour. The energy is expected to be neutral or even a cost savings for ratepayers, company officials said. Workers install solar panels for the Eland Solar and Storage Center in the Mojave Desert of Kern County. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times) That's partly because DWP was able to contract for the power prior to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing supply chain issues, and well before new market uncertainties related to tariffs, according to Quinones. Read more: Decades ago, L.A. was ordered to take less water to save Mono Lake. But the city remains far from a key goal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say such projects can't come soon enough. Last year was Earth's hottest on record, with rising global temperatures driven primarily by fossil fuel emissions. The Eland project alone is expected to avoid emissions equivalent to about 120,000 cars, according to company officials. "When the City of Los Angeles first pursued renewable power some twenty years ago, it did so on moral grounds. It was 'the right thing to do' to reduce the City's greenhouse gas emissions, Jonathan Parfrey, executive director of the nonprofit Climate Resolve, said in a statement. "Flash forward to today and solar power is now the right thing to do economically, producing electricity at a cost lower than that of coal, natural gas and nuclear power." About 75% of the states energy on Tuesday came from renewables, according to the California Independent System Operator. With Eland, DWP is well on track to meet its 100% clean energy goal by 2035, although Quinones said the last 3% to 4% will be the most challenging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a project like Eland the largest DWP has ever done "demonstrates our commitment toward our renewable and clean energy transition, Quinones said. "We're not backing down from that." This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. A blockbuster study published in top science journal Nature last year warned that unchecked climate change could slash global GDP by a staggering 62 percent by century's end, setting off alarm bells among financial institutions worldwide. But a re-analysis by Stanford University researchers in California, released Wednesday, challenges that conclusion -- finding the projected hit to be about three times smaller and broadly in line with earlier estimates, after excluding an anomalous result tied to Uzbekistan. The saga may culminate in a rare retraction, with Nature telling AFP it will have "further information to share soon" -- a move that would almost certainly be seized upon by climate-change skeptics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both the original authors -- who have acknowledged errors -- and the Stanford team hoped the transparency of the review process would bolster, rather than undermine public confidence in science. Climate scientist Maximilian Kotz and co-authors at the renowned Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK), published the original research in April 2024, using datasets from 83 countries to assess how changes in temperature and precipitation affect economic growth. - Influential paper - It became the second most cited climate paper of the year, according to the UK-based Carbon Brief outlet, and informed policy at the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, US federal government and others. AFP was among numerous media outlets to report on it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet the eye-popping claim that global GDP would be lowered by 62 percent by the year 2100 under a high emissions scenario soon drew scrutiny. "That's why our eyebrows went up because most people think that 20 percent is a very big number," scientist and economist Solomon Hsiang, one of the researchers behind the re-analysis, also published in Nature, told AFP. When they tried to replicate the results, Hsiang and his Stanford colleagues spotted serious anomalies in the data surrounding Uzbekistan. Specifically, there was a glaring mismatch in the provincial growth figures cited in the Potsdam paper and the national numbers reported for the same periods by the World Bank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When we dropped Uzbekistan, suddenly everything changed. And we were like, 'whoa, that's not supposed to happen,'" Hsiang said. "We felt like we had to document it in this form because it's been used so widely in policy making." The authors of the 2024 paper acknowledged methodological flaws, including currency exchange issues, and on Wednesday uploaded a corrected version, which has not yet been peer-reviewed. "We're waiting for Nature to announce their further decision on what will happen next," Kotz told AFP. He stressed that while "there can be methodological issues and debate within the scientific community," the bigger picture was unchanged: climate change will have substantial economic impacts in the decades ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Undeniable climate impact - Frances Moore, an associate professor in environmental economics at the University of California, Davis, who was not involved in either the original paper or the re-analysis, agreed. She told AFP the correction did not alter overall policy implications. Projections of an economic slowdown by the year 2100 are "extremely bad" regardless of the Kotz-led study, she said, and "greatly exceed the costs of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to stabilize the climate, many times over." "Future work to identify specific mechanisms by which variation in climate affects economic output over the medium and long-term is critical to both better understand these findings and prepare society to respond to coming climate disruption," she also noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked whether Nature would be retracting the Potsdam paper, Karl Ziemelis, the journal's physical sciences editor, did not answer directly but said an editor's note was added to the paper in November 2024 "as soon as we became aware of an issue" with the data and methodology. "We are in the final stages of this process and will have further information to share soon," he told AFP. The episode comes at a delicate time for climate science, under heavy fire from the US government under President Donald Trump's second term, as misinformation about the impacts of human-driven greenhouse gases abounds. Yet even in this environment, Hsiang argued, the episode showed the robust nature of the scientific method. "One team of scientists checking other scientists' work and finding mistakes, the other team acknowledging it, correcting the record, this is the best version of science." mja/ia/sla It's been a less-than-perfect year for air travel in the United States, and things could get more difficult as a major strike threatens to shut down production for one of the world's premier airplane manufacturers. Around 3,200 union members at Boeing facilities in Illinois and Missouri have gone on strike, effective at midnight on August 4. The strike comes after workers rejected the most recent proposal from Boeing for a new contract offer. The employees are part of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers. They're responsible for building and maintaining fighter jets, and they voted to reject Boeing's latest contract offer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement IAM Midwest Territory General Vice President Sam Cicinelli said that the striking workers help build the machines that "keep our country safe." "They deserve nothing less than a contract that keeps their families secure and recognizes their unmatched expertise." The union says that the workers who are on strike reported to the St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri factories, as well as one in Mascoutah, Illinois. Late last month, the workers voted to reject a four-year proposal put forth by the company, and they've now turned down the most recent offer. "Were disappointed our employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules," Boeing said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers." The strikes come after last year's issues that shut down a factory in Washington for several weeks. Workers there went on strike, halting the production of commercial airliners. The order of magnitude of this is much, much less than what we saw last fall, said Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg last week, responding to discussions of a potential strike from those who work on fighter jets. So well manage through this. I wouldnt worry too much about the implications of the strike. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last year's strike proved to be costly, as it came after Boeing was under scrutiny for issues with commercial airliners. We'll see if the same happens after the current labor dispute. Major Labor Strike Threatens to Shake Up Air Travel first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 DENVER (KDVR) A man has been arrested after allegedly using police-like lights while maneuvering through traffic on Interstate 25. On Tuesday, the Lone Tree Police Department announced that Terry Ray Pendleton, 58, was arrested on a charge of impersonating a police officer. Free on Your TV New FOX31+ App for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The police department said that Pendletons vehicle, a black 2021 Ford Explorer, was allegedly equipped with red and blue lights and had an audible siren and public address system. Police shared these photos of Terry Ray Pendletons alleged vehicle. (Courtesy the Lone Tree Police Department) Police shared these photos of Terry Ray Pendletons alleged vehicle. (Courtesy the Lone Tree Police Department) The incident occurred on I-25, where the department said Pendleton allegedly used the police-like lights while driving through traffic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is important to note that Pendleton has never been employed in law enforcement, said the Lone Tree department. Lone Tree Police Chief Kirk Wilson told FOX31s Hanna Powers that the crime is not just illegal it erodes confidence in real officers. Its a class five felony, and again, it probably doesnt seem like that serious of a charge, but you could imagine, someone doing that could commit a very serious crime in addition to impersonating a police officer. It undermines public trust in law enforcement, Wilson said. Pendleton was transported and booked into Douglas County Jail on the charge of impersonating a police officer. A search of the jail website on Tuesday evening did not produce records of his arrest. However, Colorado court records showed Pendleton is expected to appear in court on Aug. 8 for a return filing of charges. The Lone Tree Police Department is asking the public to come forward with information regarding a suspect, Terry Ray Pendleton, 58, who allegedly used police-like lights on Interstate 25. (Lone Tree Police Department) Wilson said the department is concerned there may be other incidents that havent been reported. Though Pendleton isnt accused of pulling anyone over, Wilson said the situation is troubling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We do have some concernswhen somebody equips their vehicle like that, we probably didnt catch the first time, Wilson told Powers. Its extremely concerning for law enforcement for someone to impersonate the police. We dont know that he actually stopped anybody right now, it seems like it might have just been getting people out of the way. He said the department has notified other agencies in the metro area and is encouraging anyone who saw the SUV or had a suspicious interaction to come forward. Were looking for the publics help to find out if this has occurred beforeif someone has seen it, Wilson said. Weve also sent out similar information to law enforcement across the metro to see if we can connect the dots. The police department is asking the public to contact an investigative detective with the Lone Tree Police Department at 720-509-1190. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX31s Heather Willard contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX31 Denver. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Livingston Parish Sheriffs Office arrested a man accused of damaging government property. According to Sheriff Jason Ard, town officials had to clean up broken glass near Springfield Town Hall on Wednesday morning. One male suspect, identified as Patrick Burns, 54, was at town hall when employees arrived. Officials learned that Burns allegedly intentionally damaged property to get a response from law enforcement. Ard said that the damage appears to cost more than $1,000. Burns was arrested and booked into the Livingston Parish Detention Center on charges of criminal trespassing, simple damage to property, false communication with the intent to cause emergency response, and disturbing the peace. Jail records show that Burns bond is set at $31,000. Latest News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Louisiana First News. (WJET/WFXP) The man accused of kidnapping his biological daughter from her Millcreek Township home has been arrested, and the child is safe, according to police. According to Millcreek Township Police Chief Carter Mook, 35-year-old Jafar Almaarej of Dearborn, Michigan, turned himself in around 3 pm Tuesday after being located by United States Marshals. Michigan man accused of kidnapping child from Millcreek Twp. home Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chief Mook said Almaarej was found in the Pittsburgh area and drove himself up to Erie to turn himself in with marshals following him. Hes set to be arraigned in Erie County Court on Tuesday evening. Almaarej is accused of taking his biological daughter from his ex-wifes home on August 3 while she was at work, then sending her a threatening text message telling her theyd have to search for their bones if she contacted law enforcement. Former SCI Forest guard accused of fraud, having relationships with inmates Almaarej already had an order of protection against him for both his ex-wife and daughter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes being charged with one count each of felony kidnapping and interference with custody of children and misdemeanor terroristic threats. Chief Mook gave a special thank you to the US Marshals for their help. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. WASHINGTON (AP) Man accused of killing 2 Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington is indicted on federal hate crimes charges. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A man who was accused of shooting two Mifflin Township police officers in May was indicted Wednesday by a grand jury. Daveonte Dixon was indicted on two counts of attempted murder, six counts of felonious assault, one count of tampering with evidence, and two counts of having a weapon while under disability, according to the Franklin County Prosecutors Office. The attempted murder and felonious assault counts each include a three-year gun specification, a seven-year gun specification for shooting at officers and a repeat violent offender specification, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitehall murder suspect arrested by U.S. Marshals in west Columbus Mr. Dixons decision to open fire on law enforcement endangered not just those officers, but the entire community, prosecutor Shayla Favor said in a statement. Such violence is a direct assault on public safety and we will pursue full accountability under the law. We stand firmly with the officers who risk their lives each day, and with every victim of violent crime in our community. On May 28, Dixon allegedly fired at two officers after the vehicle he was a passenger in was pulled over, officials said. Dixon exited the vehicle and allegedly began shooting at the officers. Dixon was captured two days later after a manhunt. He was located in an apartment in Obetz. He allegedly fired at deputies outside before shooting himself. He was taken to a hospital, where he remained as of Wednesday, prosecutors said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several other people have been charged with allegedly helping Dixon evade capture. Three of those people, Kaitlyn Mellon, Grace Mellon, and Isaiah Ingle pleaded guilty to obstructing justice. They were sentenced to three years of community control including a reserved three-year prison sentence, which was supported by the officers who were shot and the lead detective. Six others who were charged are scheduled to appear in court over the next several weeks, according to prosecutors. If convicted, Dixon faces at least 40 years in prison, up to a maximum of 163 years. His arraignment will be at a later date. Both officers who were shot are expected to recover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. A man is facing a first-degree assault charge after allegedly shooting a man in a wheelchair during a confrontation over a military patch near the Seattle waterfront, according to charging documents filed by the King County Prosecuting Attorneys Office. Prosecutors say Gregory William Timm, 32, shot Harold James Powell in the chest during an altercation on July 31 outside the Starbucks at 1101 Alaskan Way. Timm accused Powell of stolen valor and demanded proof of his military service before allegedly shooting him with a .45 caliber handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to police and witness accounts detailed in the charging documents, Timm approached Powell, who was sitting in his wheelchair, and removed a military patch from his belongings. Timm then insisted that Powell provide identification proving his veteran status. Powell reportedly responded by retrieving a knife from a bag on his wheelchair, prompting further demands from Timm to see ID. Powell also had a holstered airsoft gun that resembled a real firearm, though witnesses said Powell never removed it or pointed it at Timm. Before Powell could act, Timm allegedly pulled a handgun from a shoulder bag, stepped back about 12 feet, and fired once into Powells chest, according to video evidence reviewed by detectives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the shooting, Timm continued shouting at Powell to show his ID and accused him of pulling a gun. Timm then placed his weapon back in his bag and raised his hands before being detained by a Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife officer who had heard the gunshot and was nearby. Seattle police arrived shortly after and took custody of Timm. Officers recovered the handgun and read him his Miranda rights. According to court documents, Timm admitted the gun was his and did not deny shooting Powell. While in the back of a patrol car, Timm said unprompted, This guy pulled out a gun and said, Youre not gonna run from this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powell was taken to Harborview Medical Center with a gunshot wound to the chest. In a brief hospital interview, he told detectives that he had been trying to make a few dollarsas he often did in that locationwhen Timm confronted him and shot him as he reached for his veteran ID. Timm has no known prior criminal history. Bail was set at $750,000. Timm is charged with first-degree assault, which in Washington state involves intentionally inflicting great bodily harm using a deadly weapon. A man has appeared in court charged with the murder of an international student. Mohammed Algasim, 20, from Saudi Arabia, was stabbed near Cambridge's main railway station on Friday night and died in the early hours of Saturday morning. Chas Corrigan, 21, of Holbrook Road in Cambridge, appeared at the city's Crown Court wearing a dark sweatshirt. He did not enter a plea and will next appear in court on 8 September. Cambridgeshire Police were called to Mill Park in Cambridge on Friday at about 23:30 BST [Robbie Kalus/BBC] Mr Algasim had been on a 10-week study placement at the EF International Language Campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was stabbed in the neck at about 23:30 BST on Friday in the Mill Park area of Cambridge. Off-duty doctors and paramedics attended the scene but Mr Algasim died shortly afterwards. Mr Corrigan is expected to enter a not guilty plea when he returns to court. Follow Cambridgeshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Related internet links OCONEE COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) A man was arrested in connection to a car crash that occurred in Oconee County on Monday. The crash took place at the intersection of Highway 28 and East Halfway Branch Road, deputies said. Investigators with the Oconee County Sheriffs Office said they received reports of a stolen car and the wreck. At the crash site, deputies found Justin Lee Parker, who officials said stole a 2022 Ford Bronco from a car dealership in Walhalla. While attempting to take Parker into custody, deputies said the 30-year-old resisted arrested and threw a deputy to the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As more law enforcement arrived at the crash, deputies took Parker into custody. During the investigation, deputies said the the Georgia man hit two cars, and a sign on the highway while driving the Bronco on the highway. Investigators sad that Parker also had an open container of liquor in the car at the time of the crash. The cars, officials added, contained three people. Only one person, along with Parker, were taken to the hospital for treatment. Parker was previously arrested on August 3 for a charge of Public Disorderly Conduct, but was released Monday morning on a personal recognizance bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warrants report that the stolen Bronco is worth around $56,000. On Tuesday, Parker was charged with the following: three counts of Assault and Battery of a High and Aggravated Nature one count of Assault on a Police Officer while Resisting Arrest one count of Grand Larceny one count Malicious Injury to Personal Property (Value $2,000 or Less) one count of Malicious Injury to Personal Property (Value $10,000 or more) one count of Striking Fixtures On or Adjacent to the Roadway one count of Transporting Alcohol with a Seal Broken and Reckless Driving The sheriffs office is still investigating the crash at this time. Stay up to date with 7NEWS on the air and online for information as it becomes available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. OTTER CREEK TWP., Pa. (WKBN) A Crawford County man is facing multiple charges, accused of trying to steal a car in Mercer County and throwing a brick at a trooper. Michael Chase, 36, is facing 10 charges, including aggravated assault and reckless endangerment of another person, after an incident Monday during a Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) traffic stop. According to a criminal complaint, troopers received a report that an SUV had been stolen from the Crawford County area, and then received a report that a suspect in a similar vehicle stole items from a store and then tried to steal a womans car in Otter Creek Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman was sitting on her porch when she said a man in a small black SUV pulled up and blocked the end of her driveway, and then opened the door to her vehicle. She yelled and asked the man what he was doing, and he told her, Im trying to steal your car, but then returned to his SUV and left the area, according to the criminal complaint. Police tried pulling over Chase, of Conneautville, Pa., who they reported was driving a black Ford Escape on District Road. Police reported that Chase refused to stop when instructed by a PSP trooper to bring his vehicle to a complete stop. Chase, driving away from the trooper, proceeded to drive through yards of private residences while swerving toward opposing traffic, the complaint stated. The vehicle then crashed into a telephone pole, and Chase got out and ran away, the complaint stated. While running through a backyard, the complaint states that Chase picked up a landscaping brick and threw it toward a pursuing trooper, saying, Shoot me. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the complaint, Chase then lunged toward the officer, tackling him, and they were involved in a scuffle. The trooper had a cut above his eye due to the incident, the complaint stated. Troopers were able to take Chase into custody, but say he repeatedly kicked the door of the PSP Troopers vehicle, causing damage. Police said following Chases arrest, they also took a report that a man of a similar description was seen inside another persons vehicle in Sandy Creek Township. The victim said the man got into a black SUV and drove off when he was confronted, but the victim noticed the glove box of his vehicle had been opened, and the contents were moved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police believed Chase had been involved in that incident as well. Chases bail is set for $250,000, and a preliminary hearing is set for August 18. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A man who reports said told police he was being chased by someone with a gun was arrested Tuesday evening for allegedly forcing his way into a South Side home. Lewis Brown, 36, is expected to be arraigned later Wednesday in municipal court on a charge of burglary, a fourth-degree felony. He is presently in the Mahoning County jail. Brown was arrested after police were called about 10:10 p.m. to a home on Plum Street, where a woman told them she was cleaning when she heard someone banging on her door. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman went to check and saw Brown standing in the doorway, screaming that someone was trying to kill him. He opened the door, went inside her home, closed the door and locked it and ran into another room. The woman ran outside and called police, reports said. She was waiting for police when they arrived. Police noticed blood on the door handle before they went inside and found Brown lying on the ground, where he was taken into custody. Reports said Brown told police he was being chased by a man with a gun who fired several shots at him. He said he knocked on the door and explained the situation to the woman, who he said did not understand English. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said the woman seemed to understand English when she spoke to police. Officers also said they received no calls in the area for gunfire or other disturbances, reports said. Paramedics cleaned up a cut that Brown had before he was taken to the jail. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) The man accused of killing Kern High School District police chief Steve Alvidrez in a 2011 crash on Highway 99 has retained a new attorney, and his trial date was postponed to next year. David Lopez Lilly was represented by the Kern County Public Defenders Office before retaining David A. Torres, who officially substituted in as his attorney during a brief hearing Wednesday morning. The move was granted over the objection of prosecutor Gina Pearl, who said Lilly was engaging in delay tactics. She said he waited until shortly before his trial was scheduled to begin it had previously been set for Aug. 11 to retain Torres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pearl said its her belief Lilly is playing games with the criminal justice system, noting he fled to Mexico when he was indicted in 2012. He wasnt taken into custody until January of this year. The system failed my little cousin: Family of Genesis Mata says CPS was notified for years of abuse Judge Marcus Cuper acknowledged Pearls concerns, but said Lilly was entitled to defense counsel of his choice and allowed Torres to substitute in for Deputy Public Defender Nick Roth. A new trial date was scheduled for Jan. 26 the earliest at which Torres said he could be ready. Lilly, 38, has pleaded not guilty to murder, DUI and hit-and-run charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alvidrez, 52, was killed shortly before midnight on June 17, 2011, when a car slammed into the Harley-Davidson motorcycle he and his wife Ramona were riding on Highway 99, just south of Delano. Ramona Alvidrez survived the crash. Lilly had a gold Chevy Cavalier that matched the description of the suspect vehicle. His car had front end damage and an imprint from Alvidrezs motorcycle on its front license plate, according to a court filing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KGET 17 News. A man has appeared in court charged with raping another man in Huddersfield. Ismail Hussain, 27, of no fixed address, is accused of attacking the victim in the town centre in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Hussain appeared before Leeds Magistrate's Court on Wednesday charged with two counts of rape. Following the hearing he was remanded in custody to appear at Leeds Crown Court on 3 September. Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North Related internet links EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) The death of the 30-year-old man who had a confrontation with El Paso Police officers last month along Interstate 10 was ruled a homicide, according to the autopsy report obtained by KTSM. Xavier Guadalupe Hernandezs cause of death was asphyxia due to chest compression while being subdued and restrained by law enforcement. A contributing factor was cocaine toxicity, according to the autopsy report. It stated Hernandez became unresponsive while he was being held face down by officers who then used a stun gun more than once. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The autopsy revealed multiple abrasions, contusions, and puncture marks on his body. Toxicology revealed benzoylecgonine, cocaine, and ecgonine methyl ester. Benzoylecgonine is an inactive metabolite and chemical breakdown product of cocaine. Ecgonine methyl ester is also formed by cocaine, according to the report. As KTSM 9 News previously reported, at about 10 a.m. on Sunday, July 13, officers responded to a pedestrian on a roadway along I-10 near Yarbrough, according to police. Man dies after stun gun deployed during confrontation with police along Interstate 10 Police said Hernandez attempted to jump over a barrier on the highway, and when officers arrived, he became uncooperative and resisted commands. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A stun gun was deployed and was ineffective, police said. Police said an officer and a witness helped to subdue Hernandez, who became unresponsive, and officers performed CPR on him. Hernandez was taken to a local hospital where he was pronounced dead, despite efforts to revive him, according to police. The El Paso Police Department held a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 6, regarding the autopsy report. During the press conference, police confirmed there are three ongoing investigations: one criminal, one conducted by the Texas Rangers and one conducted by the El Paso Police Department Administrative Unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, one officer who responded to the incident was placed on administrative leave, and the other officer, who was off-duty, was placed on desk duty, according to police. Police did note that the term homicide is used as a medical term in an autopsy report to describe the death caused by another person, and highlights that the term is not a legal finding and does not imply criminal conduct. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The Brief Richard Rosario previously spent 20 years in a New York prison for a wrongful murder conviction. Rosario was arrested last week in Osceola County and charged with attempted murder. Deputies said the charges stem from a road rage shooting in Poinciana. ORLANDO, Fla. - A man who spent two decades behind bars for a murder he didnt commit is back in jailthis time in Florida, accused of attempted murder in a road rage shooting. What we know Osceola County sheriff's deputies arrested Richard Rosario, 49, last week on a charge of attempted murder. Deputies said Rosario pulled the trigger multiple times while aiming for another driver in a fit of road rage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was hit once in the neck, according to deputies. Deputies said the victim was grazed and declined to go to the hospital for treatment. CLICK TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX LOCAL APP Deputies said they caught up with Rosario hiding near his home with a gun in his hands. Rosario was initially booked into jail on an improper gun exhibition charge before deputies tacked on shooting charges, including attempted murder.Jail records show Rosario is being held without bond. The backstory Rosario previously spent nearly 20 years in a New York prison after a wrongful conviction. Rosario claimed from the beginning he was in Deltona, Florida, when the murder happened more than 1,000 miles away in New York City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rosario also claimed to have 13 alibi witnesses that could place him in Florida and clear him of murder. Rosario was prosecuted and found guilty. He was sentenced to 25 years to life. SIGN-UP FOR FOX 35'S BREAKING NEWS, DAILY NEWS NEWSLETTERS Rosario's conviction was overturned in 2016 after prosecutors argued for his release. Prosecutors said Rosario's ex-lawyers did not do enough to find the alibis. Months later, prosecutors dropped the charges against Rosario altogether. What's next Rosario's next court date is not immediately clear. The Source FOX 35 News confirmed the connection through the Osceola County Sheriff's Office. OCSO also provided FOX 35 News with a narrative of the suspected road rage shooting. FOX 35 News read case information about Rosario's fight for innocence and gathered paperwork from a lawsuit he filed against the state over the wrongful conviction. MESOPOTAMIA, Ohio (WKBN) A man was flown to a Cleveland-area hospital after falling from a roof Wednesday morning. It happened around 8:17 a.m. at a home across the street from Mesopotamia Elementary School on Kinsman Road in the township. Fire Chief Jamie Loza says other workers told emergency responders the man was repairing the roof on the home when he slipped and fell, hitting the concrete sidewalk in front of the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loza says when emergency responders arrived on scene, the man was breathing, but unresponsive. The man was flown by medical helicopter to University Hospitals Cleveland Medical Center. Loza says hes in critical condition. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WPRI) The former Woonsocket man convicted of recording an 11-year-old Norfolk girl as she was undressing in her bedroom more than four years ago will spend the next 16 years behind bars, according to United States Attorney Leah Foley. Jacob Guerrero, 27, of Woodland, California, pleaded guilty last August to sexually exploiting a child. He was sentenced Tuesday to 16 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. Foley said Guerrero reportedly climbed on top of a garage attached to the victims home to record her changing through her bedroom window back in March 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also staked out the victims house for two weeks and took diligent notes on his phone regarding the time of day she and her siblings arrived home, showered and changed clothes each night, according to Foley. Investigators later discovered Guerrero had similar notes on his phone for other Massachusetts residences. Detectives discovered the recording after Guerrero was arrested for wearing a wig and sneaking into a womens bathroom at the Wrentham Outlets. Foley said Guerrero was caught trying to secretly record young girls in bathrooms and changing rooms through pen cameras affixed to his shoes. Guerrero moved to California a couple of months after his initial arrest, despite being ordered not to leave Massachusetts. He was taken back into custody there in April 2022 after detectives found the Norfolk recording on his phone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Foley said Guerrero was also convicted of transporting child pornography in a separate incident dating back to July 2019. Guerrero reportedly filmed several of his girlfriends young relatives during a trip to New Jersey. Foley said two video clips discovered on Guerreros cell phone showed an unclothed 8-year-old in the shower. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. RICHMOND, Calif. (KRON) Two Richmond Police Department officers shot a man to death after he allegedly threatened people inside a home Monday, police said. Days after the deadly police shooting, the man was identified as 27-year-old Angel Montano, who served in the U.S. Marines as a reserve officer, his family wrote on a verified GoFundMe page. Angel was a proud U.S. Marine, family members wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richmond Police Department officers went to a house on First Street, near Barrett Avenue, at 5 p.m. Monday in response to a 911 call. The 911 caller reported that an armed man was inside and threatening to kill people, according to RPD. A lieutenant said officers could hear a commotion inside the house. As officers approached the front door, they were immediately confronted by a subject who was armed with at least one knife, directly outside the residence. At that time, two officers discharged their firearms, RPD said. The lieutenant said the confrontation unfolded very rapidly. Montano never made it to a hospital, and he died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After officers blocked off the shooting scene with yellow crime tape, people who knew Montano were very emotional. One man shouted at police, Look it up! Angel Montano, Marine veteran. Another man yelled at officers, You killed one of your own. Angel Montano (Photos courtesy GoFundMe) One neighbor who heard gunshots ring out told KRON4 that police handled the incident badly. Very sad. These are the people we trusted to save our lives? No way, the neighbor said. Woman accused of downtown San Jose nightclub homicide Montano reportedly struggled with his mental health leading up to his clash with law enforcement. Two officers who shot the Marine were placed on administrative leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Contra Costa County District Attorneys Office is investigating the officers use of lethal force and circumstances around the police shooting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. "Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." About 650,000 people have been recognized by the Japanese government as hibakusha, referring to people who have been directly affected by the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki during World War II. But there has only ever been one person recognized as a nijyuu hibakusha, or twice-bombed person. Tsutomu Yamaguchi was less than two miles from the blast zones of the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombings and miraculously survived both without debilitating injuries. My double radiation exposure is now an official government record, Yamaguchi said. It can tell the younger generation the horrifying history of the atomic bombings even after I die. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bombings on August 6 and August 9, 1945, are estimated to have killed as many as 226,000 people while completely destroying both cities. There was renewed interest in the origins of atomic weaponry following the 2023 Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer about physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer, the father of the atomic bomb. This June, nuclear weapons returned to the forefront after Israel and the United States bombed nuclear and military targets in Iran. Yamaguchi lived another 65 years after the attacks, before dying of stomach cancer at age 93. For several decades, he didnt speak publicly about the devastation he witnessed, but in his final years, he felt it was his destiny to speak out against the horrors of nuclear weaponry. The reason that I hate the atomic bomb is because of what it does to the dignity of human beings, Yamaguchi told Military History Magazine, according to several books and media outlets. Surviving the Hiroshima Blast Yamaguchi was born in Nagasaki, Japam, on March 16, 1916. In the 1930s, he began working as a draftsman for Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, designing oil tankers. He opposed his countrys role in World War II and became so despondent about the war that he considered killing his wife and infant son with sleeping pills if Japan lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yamaguchi was in Hiroshima for a three-month business trip when the city was bombed on August 6, 1945. It was the last day of the trip, and he was preparing to leave the city when he saw the American B-29 bomber Enola Gay fly over Hiroshima and drop an item carried by two parachutes. Suddenly, he said the sky lit with a blaze, the lightning of a huge magnesium flare. Drawing upon his naval air-raid training, Yamaguchi dove to the ground, rolled into the nearest irrigation ditch, flung his hands into his head, locked his fingers over his eyes, and jammed his thumbs into his ears, according to To Hell and Back: The Last Train from Hiroshima by Charles Pellegrino. The ground roared and an ear-shattering noise ripped through the air, tossing Yamaguchi into the air as a fireball imploded overhead. He was dropped face-first into a muddy furrow. The protective measures he took likely saved his life; a woman who had been walking beside him shortly before the blast disappeared altogether, Pellegrino wrote. I think I fainted for a while, Yamaguchi told The India Times. When I opened my eyes, everything was dark, and I couldnt see much. It was like the start of a film at the cinema before the picture has begun when the blank frames are just flashing up without any sound. Getty Images Returning Home to Nagasaki Surrounded by falling ash, Yamaguchi was temporarily blinded, and the explosion ruptured his eardrums and left him with serious radiation burns on his arms and face. He returned to Nagasaki the following day, encountering hellish scenes during his trip, including still-burning fires, shattered buildings, and melted corpses lining the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still wounded and heavily bandaged, Yamaguchi returned to work on August 9, the day Nagasaki was bombed. He was providing his supervisor a detailed account of the Hiroshima bombing when the landscape outside the office suddenly lit up in blinding light, and Yamaguchi fell to the floor as shockwaves destroyed the windows. Suddenly, the same white light filled the room, he later recalled. I thought the mushroom cloud had followed me from Hiroshima. The citys hilly landscape and a reinforced stairwell in the office protected the conference room where Yamaguchi and his colleagues were, according to Pellegrino. Having just heard his story, his coworkers took cover in a manner similar to how Yamaguchi did in Hiroshima, which helped protect them from the blast. Fearing his familys safety, Yamaguchi rushed home and was relieved to find his wife and son suffered only superficial injuries, though his wife was soaked in black rain and was poisoned, as their daughter later recalled to The Independent. In the subsequent weeks, Yamaguchi suffered high fevers, severe hair loss, continuous vomiting, and other symptoms from radiation poisoning. Life After the Bombings Yamaguchi worked as a translator for Allied occupation forces after the war and taught school before eventually resuming his engineering career at Mitsubishi. He largely declined to discuss the bombings in public until the 2000s, when he became a vocal proponent of nuclear disarmament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He wrote a memoir and a book of poems inspired by his experiences and participated in a documentary called Twice Survived (2006), which was screened at the United Nations. I cant understand why the world cannot understand the agony of the nuclear bombs, he told The Independent. How can they keep developing these weapons? Although Yamaguchi lived a long and relatively healthy life, he suffered from radiation-related ailments, including cataracts and acute leukemia, in his later years. His wife, who suffered radiation poisoning from the blasts, died at the age of 88 from kidney and liver cancer, and all three of their children reported suffering from health problems as well. Yamaguchi died of stomach cancer on January 4, 2010, at the age of 93. A few months before his death, he said he was lucky to survive both atomic blasts, so everything that follows is a bonus. According to the India Times, in his final years, he believed he was spared for a reason: Having experienced atomic bombings twice and survived, it is my destiny to talk about it. You Might Also Like BARDSTOWN, Ky. (FOX 56) The man who admitted to moving Crystal Rogers car on the Blue Grass Parkway that night of her death was sentenced on Wednesday afternoon. Rogers was last seen on July 3, 2015, and her mother reported her missing two days later after her vehicle was found at mile marker 14 on the Bluegrass Parkway. Steve Lawson, 54, was one of three people accused in the Bardstown mothers presumed death. Her body has yet to be found. LATEST ON CRYSTAL ROGERS CASE: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, Lawson was convicted of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence. After deliberation, the jury recommended a concurrent 17-year sentence. According to the Louisville FOX affiliate WDRB, the judge took the jurys recommendation, sentencing Lawson to 17 years in prison. Prosecutors claim that Rogers then-boyfriend Brooks Houck, whos since been convicted of murder, offered to pay Lawson and reserve all the drywall work for his construction business for him in exchange for helping him get rid of his old lady. Witnesses testified that Lawson and Houck were spending an unusual amount of time together in the weeks preceding July 3, 2015. Lawson saw an opportunity to make a lot of money, Prosecutor Jim Lesousky said. This was his 30 pieces of silver. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the witness stand, Lawson continued to emphasize that his guilt doesnt lie in what happened to Rogers that night, only in that hes admitted to being on the Blue Grass Parkway the night of July 3, 2015, when his son Joseph called him for help because Rogers car had broken down. Houck and Joseph Lawson, who have also been convicted for their roles in Rogerss death, will be sentenced on Aug. 21. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. SEBRING, Ohio (WKBN)- A man from Atwater, Ohio, pleaded guilty to charges related to a police chase in February. According to court staff, Brad Belknap pleaded guilty Tuesday to felony charges of failure to comply, a third-degree felony; receiving stolen property, a fourth-degree felony; and OVI, a first-degree misdemeanor. Belknap also pleaded guilty to misdemeanor traffic charges. Police said Belknap was arrested after he was accused of crashing into a semi-truck near the intersection of Route 14 and South Duck Creek Road in Goshen Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Belknap is in CCA custody while he awaits his sentencing hearing on August 14 at 9 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 WKBN.com. A Piqua man who slammed a 1-year-old girl on the floor, causing a deadly skull fracture, has learned his punishment. [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] Michael Mayor, 34, pleaded guilty to one count of murder. He was sentenced to serve life in prison with parole eligibility after 15 years, according to court documents. As News Center 7 previously reported, on Dec. 5, 2024, Piqua police and EMS responded to reports that 1-year-old Vivian Gardner was breathing but not responsive. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gardner had been left with Mayor while her babysitter took some children to school. While the babysitter was gone, Mayor had reportedly tried to put the girl for a nap on the bedroom floor. When she got back, the girl was on the bedroom floor and appeared to be sleeping. The babysitter checked on Gardner multiple times during the day and noted she appeared to be okay and breathing but was concerned that she had not woken up by 3 p.m. At that point, she tried to wake her up and found that she was unresponsive, according to a Piqua Police report. Gardner was taken to Dayton Childrens Hospital. A doctor there later told police that she had suffered a fracture in the rear of her skull, had a subdural hematoma, and other complex injuries that were caused by a massive impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She died from her injuries on Dec. 19. While being interviewed by police, Mayor admitted to injuring Gardner after she wouldnt stop crying while he was trying to put her down for a nap. He stated he shook her and when she cried louder, he began to slam her on the floor of the bedroom, the police report stated. He stated this was not done on the blankets and he did this several times until she stopped crying. As part of his sentencing, Mayor must also enroll as a violent offender. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A man sought for multiple counts of rape of a child is the latest addition to the list of the Metro Nashville Police Departments Most Wanted fugitives. The list is updated each week on the MNPD Criminal Warrants Divisions Facebook page. According to Metro detectives, those featured on the list are often considered to be some of the most violent offenders in the city. Fugitives featured on the list are frequently wanted on indictments for capital offenses like murder or sex crimes; others featured have multiple domestic violence charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Woman wanted for child abuse added to Metros Most Wanted fugitives list Since the list was first launched in October 2022, at least 178 people featured have been apprehended or surrendered to law enforcement, including those captured out of county or even out of state. In 2025 alone, there have been 22 arrests of those featured on the Most Wanted list, and 68 arrests in 2024. Below is the list of suspects who made the departments Most Wanted list for the week of Aug. 6, 2025. 1. DeTynn Q. Smith Detynn Q. Smith (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) DeTynn Smith, 21, is wanted for multiple felonies, including first-degree premeditated murder, attempted first-degree premeditated murder, aggravated robbery and using a weapon during the commission of a dangerous felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith has previous criminal history in Nashville, according to police records. In 2022, Smith, then 18, was charged with another 18-year-old with carjacking, evading arrest and vehicle theft. According to MNPD, Smith and Alan Beverly admitted to carjacking a womans Chevrolet Malibu and threatening her 8-year-old son at gunpoint in late May of 2022. The victim told authorities shed gone into a Jefferson Street market around 8:30 p.m. when the passenger of a Ford F-150 pickup truck got out and approached her car, threatening her son with a pistol and pushing him out of the car. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detectives located the vehicle at a Walmart on Dickerson Pike. Both Smith and Beverly fled on foot but were apprehended. Smith also tossed the pistol, which was recovered by police. Smith has made multiple appearances on the Most Wanted list, including a stint in 2023 where he was also considered the Top Most Wanted fugitive. He was last added back to the list in December 2024. Police said anyone with information as to Smiths whereabouts should contact MNPD by calling 615-862-8600 or by calling Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. 2. Raceme L. Crutcher Raceme L. Crutcher (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Raceme Crutcher, 23, has been on the run from police for about two years, after he was named one of two suspects in a deadly Fourth of July shooting in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said the shooting happened at the Fallbrook Apartments on Dellway Villa Road. Etabo Malanda, 16, was reportedly standing on the porch of an apartment when two armed individuals came from around the corner and confronted him. Malanda allegedly tried to pull out a pistol that was inside his hoodie, but he was shot first. Police said he died shortly after he was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. According to investigators, four guns were recovered from the apartment, including one that was reported stolen. Crutcher and 17-year-old Jaylin Brown were reportedly connected to the crime through witness accounts. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts Investigators also obtained surveillance footage and additional information from community members that they said pointed to Crutcher and Brown as suspects in the case. Officials believe the motive may have been an ongoing dispute between the suspects and Malanda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown was taken into custody on Aug. 31, 2023, after police said they caught him driving a stolen car. Crutcher, however, is still on the run. He was added to the Most Wanted list more than a year ago, on Nov. 15, 2023. His last location is unknown. 3. Devon A. Martak Devon A. Martak (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Devon Martak, 39, was added to the list at the end of 2024. According to Metro police, Martak is wanted for a grand jury indictment of three counts of rape of someone who is mentally defective or helpless and three counts of rape without consent. Austin Drummond, quadruple murder suspect, taken into custody after manhunt Martak has an extensive criminal history in Nashville. He has previous convictions for drug possession, unlawful weapon possession, driving on a suspended license and reckless driving; he also has a no contest plea for an aggravated sexual battery charge in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His last known location was in Madison, according to police. 4. Elijah T. Kodjo Elijah T. Kodjo (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Making his first appearance on the list in the last week of May is Elijah Kodjo, 34. According to Metro police, Kodjo is wanted on a grand jury indictment for attempted premeditated first-degree murder and aggravated assault. Authorities do not know his last location. 5. Jonas D. Cartwright Jonas D. Cartwright (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) A new addition to the list the first week of August is Jonas Cartwright, 35. According to Metro Police, Cartwright is wanted on multiple charges related to sex crimes against a minor. His charges include five counts of rape of a child, two counts of aggravated sexual battery of a victim under 13, and rape of a child by solicitation of a minor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tariffs disrupting Middle TN manufacturing sector Cartwrights last location is unknown to authorities. 6. Twana (Tawana) Johnson Twana (Tawana) Johnson (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Added to the list the last week of July is Twana Johnson, 35. According to MNPD, Johnson is wanted for several charges, including seven counts of aggravated child abuse of someone between 9 and 17 years old, as well as one count each of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and aggravated assault by strangulation. Metro court records show Johnson has at least one previous conviction for misdemeanor assault with bodily injury from 2021. Police did not include information about her last known location. 7. Jatarius M. Marable Jatarius M. Marable (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Added to the list at the end of June is Jatarius Marable, 29. According to police, Marable is wanted on multiple grand jury indictments, including those for domestic violence offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His charges include four counts of domestic violence aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, aggravated burglary, two counts of domestic assault with bodily injury, domestic assault by causing fear of bodily injury, and using a motor vehicle to evade arrest. TN death row inmate Byron Black executed in Nashville Per Metro court records, Marable has previous convictions for misdemeanor assault, domestic assault with bodily injury, and driving without a license, as well as a previous felony conviction to using a motor vehicle to evade arrest and three counts of evading arrest by motor vehicle with risk of injury. Marables last location is currently unknown to police, per MNPD. 8. Roderick V. Majors Roderick V. Majors (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Another new addition to the list at the end of July is Roderick Majors, 35. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per Metro police, Majors is wanted on domestic violence charges for aggravated assault with serious bodily injury, strangulation, false imprisonment, and attempting to influence a witness, as well as a probation violation. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com His last location is currently unknown to police, per MNPD. 9. Ronnell J. Bryant Jr. Ronnell J. Bryant Jr. (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) Ronnell Bryant, 44, is wanted on grand jury indictments for domestic violence charges, according to Metro police. Those indictments are for two counts of domestic violence aggravated arson against one or more persons, authorities said. According to Metro Criminal Court records, Bryant has extensive history with the judicial system, including several felony convictions related to cocaine and methamphetamine possession and sales, as well as an aggravated perjury conviction in 2002. $100M+ lawsuit filed against Nearest Green Distillery He also has several misdemeanor convictions for driving on a suspended license, altering the registration of a vehicle, evading arrest, resisting arrest, simple possession or casual exchange, and vandalism under $500, per the court clerks office. Bryants last location is unknown, per police. 10. Jacob Lamb Crow Jacob C. Lamb Crow (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department) One of the more recent additions to the list is Jacob Lamb Crow, 20. According to authorities, Lamb Crow is wanted on three charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon. Authorities said Lamb Crow was last seen in Murfreesboro. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LEWES, Del. (AP) More beachgoers have been getting an unexpected shock this summer as jellyfish numbers bloom along the Delaware coast, interrupting but not stopping the summer fun. Beach patrol captains reported a dramatic increase in jellyfish activity and stings in July, the most theyve seen in recent memory. Lewes Beach reported a fourfold increase in stings compared to 2024. Lions manes, which can have 100-foot (30-meter) tentacles, sea nettles and moon jellyfish are some varieties that frequent Delawares summertime waters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jellyfish blooms have become common from Maine to Florida in recent years. Warming waters can create ideal conditions for jellyfish growth. Normally, Delawares five state parks may report a handful of summer jellyfish stings, said Bailey Noel, a beach patrol captain. But Fenwick Island State Park recently reported 92 stings on a single July day. Three lifeguards were taken to urgent care after swimming in jellyfish-infested waters, Noel said. The jellyfish at Delawares Towers Beach surprised Philadelphia resident Christina Jones, whose two daughters refused to wade back into the water after being stung, she said. The jellyfish are pretty bad, Jones said. And not only are they a lot in number, but theyre pretty big. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware State Beach Patrol started tracking jellyfish stings this year due to the rise in cases, said Noel. Most patrol teams do not track the data. Lewes Beach Patrol treated 295 stings in 2024, the first year the data was collected, but reported over 1,200 cases so far in 2025, said Capt. Strohm Edwards. Lifeguards started carrying vinegar solutions, which can neutralize the venom agents, to help ease pain, he said. But vinegar solutions may cause microscopic venom-coated barbs known as nematocysts to discharge, according to some research. Those experts recommend a baking soda slurry. While venomous, stings from Delaware's lions manes and sea nettles typically only cause minor irritation and pain, said Edwards. In cases of severe allergic reactions and symptoms nausea, vomiting and trouble breathing lifeguards can help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jellyfish blooms, sudden fluctuations in jellyfish populations, are not uncommon, said Gisele Muller-Parker, a retired marine biologist who would count dozens of lions mane jellyfish during her daily Lewes Beach walks in July. Temperature, salinity and food availability influence jellyfish breeding, and in favorable conditions, such as warmer waters, populations can explode. This year, weve never seen anything like this, Muller-Parker said. The jellyfish were near the end of their life cycle, finishing their reproductive phase and laying their eggs. Those jellyfish will die once water temperatures cool, said Keith Bayha, a research collaborator with the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of Natural History. The jellyfish boom can harm ecosystems and marine industries, said Bayha, who has studied the animals for more than 20 years and helped identify a nettle species. Fish larvae primarily feed on plankton, but jellyfish can eat both the plankton and the fish. And with few natural predators, the jellyfish food chain is an ecological dead end, said Bayha. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Delaware's boom this summer is far from alone. Florida's Volusia County reported hundreds of stings around Memorial Day weekend. Gloucester, Massachusetts, reminded beachgoers to stay safe around jellyfish in mid-July. And in June, Maine's Ogunquit Fire Department warned beachgoers about the increase in jellyfish after stings were reported. Jellyfish research is limited, but Muller-Parker hopes more work will be done to assess the ecological ramifications of jellyfish blooms and improve safety advisories. For now, some unlucky beachgoers will have to rely on home remedies and, in the case of Massachusetts resident Kathy Malloy-Harders third-grade nephew, a little bravery. When he got stung, he jumped up and started crying and said, Im never coming back to the beach again ever, said Malloy-Harder, who had to try two stores to find vinegar for him. But she said that after talking about it and once the sting subsided, he was interested in coming back and enjoying the beach. ___ Whittle reported from Portland, Maine. ST. PETERSBURG As Hurricane Milton barreled toward Tampa Bay last year, bringing with it fears of a 15-foot storm surge, officials shut down a facility that handles a quarter of the citys sewage. At just over 6 feet above sea level, Lift Station 85 was predicted to be overtopped by water. Though it was spared the worst, the city had taken the key wastewater site offline for most of the night. Thousands were told to limit water usage and flush toilets only as necessary, since toilets may not drain. Facing what could be another above-average hurricane season, the city of St. Petersburg has now encircled the low-lying wastewater facility with a flood barrier meant to keep rising water away. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Butting against Tampa Bay, the AquaFence stands 9-feet tall the largest size the manufacturer of the barrier makes and wraps 500 feet around the vulnerable sewage facility. Lift Station 85, next to Albert Whitted Airport, pumps as much as 23 million gallons per day from nearby hospitals, assisted living facilities and the citys emergency operations center. Installing the fence is just one piece of a broader, city-wide effort to be better prepared for future weather events that are intensifying with human-caused climate change. The back-to-back blows from Hurricanes Helene and Milton revealed an urgent need to bolster protection from future flooding, and a handful of projects that were slated to be completed over the next decade are now being expedited as a result, according to city officials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, the city council approved $628,000 for the AquaFence, which costs $1,150 per linear foot, Claude Tankersley, the citys public works administrator, said at the time. Accounting for installation, the flood barrier wound up costing the city about $700,000, Tankersley said Wednesday. We can look at this as insurance. We paid $700,000 insurance to protect a facility that cost millions and millions of dollars and serves a quarter of our city, he said. Its a good investment. If the city could afford it, Tankersley says building a lift station on higher ground would offer the best protection against surge. But thats not in the citys plans. This particular facility still has a lot of life in it, and so the AquaFence is the best solution for it, he said. We dont anticipate replacing this facility in the next 20 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also on the citys resiliency plan are projects to curb flooding in neighborhoods around Lake Maggiore and Salt Creek, paying for residents to inspect their private sewer lines and pinpointing weaknesses in St. Petes northeast treatment plant. The city took the northeast plant offline for nearly three days to protect from Hurricane Helenes historic storm surge, leaving one quarter of St. Petersburg residents without running water and flushing toilets. Further south, Helene brought about a foot of water that pooled outside Lift Station 85 and crept to the edge of the stairs, but no equipment at the facility was damaged. It was the first time the downtown lift station had flooded. A week later, officials shuttered both the northeast and southwest sewage treatment plants for about 12 hours during Milton to avoid catastrophic flooding. Forecasters expected Milton to cause a 15-foot surge, but a late wobble sent it south of Tampa Bay and spared the region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AquaFences flood barrier system drew national attention in September after protecting Tampa General Hospital from Hurricane Helenes 7-foot storm surge. The city quickly moved to purchase an identical barrier and has trained a team of staffers on how to install it. It takes a team of up to 20 people roughly two days to build the barrier in its entirety, according to the city. At a city council meeting June 5, council members approved an additional $457,000 to replace existing 10-year-old pumps at the downtown facility that are approaching the end of their lifespans. Council members also took a step closer to finishing a project with Canada-based PCL Construction, Inc, which would demolish aging wet weather storage tanks with new ones and construct of a new administrative building at the downtown site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The building will be used as a base of operations during storm events. The flood barrier, meant to be rapidly deployed as storm barrels toward the coast, will remain until the end of hurricane season, said Kira Barrera, a city projects coordinator. About one quarter of the barrier is open for entry by city engineers working at the lift station and will be sealed if surge is anticipated. It would take about half a day to install the remaining panels, Barrera said. Lift Station 85 replaced the Old Albert Whitted Water Reclamation Facility, which was shuttered in 2015. The Tampa Bay Times launched the Environment Hub in 2025 to focus on some of Floridas most urgent and enduring challenges. You can contribute through our journalism fund by clicking here. FAIRMONT, W.Va. (WBOY) As part of his tour to help raise awareness for unclaimed property, Secretary of State Larry Pack stopped by the Marion County Sheriffs Department on Tuesday with a much-appreciated check. Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham accepted the $89,500 check from the Secretary of States office, as the department had the funds as unclaimed property. The check granted to the department. (WBOY image) Sheriff Cunningham told 12 News that the funds were a total surprise, and initially, he had mistaken the money as a debt the department owed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With 30 officers working within the department, Sheriff Cunningham stated that the funds would go toward new equipment such as radar units, portable radios and other items as needed. Theres always a need for equipment, things wear down, and things are needed. But it gives us a cushion to be able to have flexibility in purchasing the equipment we need, said Cunningham. New FEMA sites, cleaning supply payment available for Marion County residents Secretary of State Larry Pack said that the goal of publicizing check presentations like this one is to help raise awareness among the public to check for their unclaimed property, as the state currently has around 400 million dollars worth of unclaimed property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 12 News spoke with Secretary Pack about how unclaimed property is developed. We live in a really complex society and most of our financial transactions are online and so sometimes its just the addresses get lost or they put it in the computer the wrong way or we have a change in personnel in this position or that position, and things just get kind of messed up every once in a while, and again were trying to reunite that money to our tax payers, said Secretary Pack. Pack also paid a visit to Morgantown to present both the city and the Parks and Recreation Department with unclaimed property funds of their own. You can learn more about West Virginias unclaimed property by visiting the states website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. FAIRMONT When West Virginias Unclaimed Property program got in touch with Marion County Sheriff Roger Cunningham, Cunningham thought it was because his office owed them money. Turns out, it was the opposite. I said, who do we owe now, Cunningham said. When they contacted me by phone and said, Hey, youre going to be awarded money, it was exciting. I mean, it was a chance to add to our resources that we have now. Its a blessing, it truly is. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement West Virginia State Treasurer Larry Peck presented the Sheriffs Department on Aug. 5 with $90,000 in unclaimed property. Peck said the idea is when businesses or taxing authorities have money that doesnt belong to them, theyre required to send it to the Treasurers Office so it can be returned to the rightful owner. Peck said the state has about $400 million in unclaimed money. Last year, the treasury office returned $40 million, the largest amount ever returned, Peck said, adding the unclaimed property program has been around for 40 or 50 years. The check presentation serves a public service announcement role as well. Were trying to bring awareness to the program, Peck said. Were trying to get people to go to their computers or call the Treasurers Office to see if they have any money. My wife and I are both CPAs. About six months ago, they asked us to see, and we said We didnt have any money. We had $300. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Peck said the complexity of American society was why money was sometimes stashed away out of sight. Bank accounts opened by grandparents during the Great Depression may have been lost over time, with the money in the account making its way to the treasury department over time. Theres other avenues money makes its way into the Treasury Department, such as dormant stocks, bonds or life insurance policies. If an account hasnt been touched for a year, the money goes to the Treasurers Office where it can be claimed. In 2023, the Treasury Department partnered with the West Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles to advertise its unclaimed property website to residents. Cunningham said the $90,000 the Sheriffs office received will be put toward purchasing any additional equipment the department needs. Among the items the money could be used for are portable radios, weapons, radar units, uniforms and other things of that nature, he said. Law enforcement departments need money to operate effectively and make the community safer. Cunningham said theyre in no hurry to spend the money, and plan on preserving it for when its needed. We cant predict what were going to need, Cunningham said. It always comes up sooner or later, so we want to preserve it until we need it. MARION, Va. (WJHL) Charges are pending after a standoff in Marion, Virginia that started Tuesday night. On Tuesday at 7:15 p.m., Marion police responded to a home in the 800 block of North Main Street regarding a person suffering a mental health episode. After the hours-long standoff, Virginia State Polices tactical team made entry into a home just after 2 a.m. Wednesday, according to Marion Police Chief Kevin Testerman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A male subject had reportedly poured gasoline throughout the house. Marion Fire was utilized by providing hoses to foam the inside of the house to prevent fire upon entry, Testerman said in a statement provided to News Channel 11. Bristol, Va. man facing drug, ammunition charges Upon entry, the man was found in a bedroom and reportedly had two sharp objects in his hands, which resulted in him being tased by authorities. The man was taken to an area hospital for treatment of minor injuries. He will be held for mental health evaluation and upon completion of treatment, he will be criminally charged with threatening to bomb/burn down a residence, Testerman said. Other charges are pending. Testerman said the outcome was the best possible one considering the circumstances. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All the agencies involved helped make this a successful outcome, Testerman said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., is urging that President Donald Trump commute former Rep. George Santos seven-year sentence, calling the punishment "a grave injustice" and an "abusive overreach by the judicial system." The former New York congressman was sentenced to 87 months, or just over seven years, after pleading guilty in 2024 to wire fraud and aggravated identity theft. Santos reported to prison on July 25 to begin serving his sentence. Santos was assessed the maximum sentence in April by U.S. District Judge Joanna Seybert. He was also ordered to pay nearly $374,000 in restitution and forfeit more than $205,000 in fraud proceeds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos guilty plea followed an investigation into campaign finance fraud, donor identity theft and false COVID-era unemployment claims. Former Congressman George Santos Delivers 'Glamorous' Farewell Before Going To Prison: 'The Curtain Falls' On Monday, Greene said in a post on X that she sent a letter to the Office of the Pardon Attorney urging Trump to commute Santos sentence. Read On The Fox News App "A 7-year prison sentence for campaign-related charges is excessive, especially when Members of Congress whove done far worse still walk free," she wrote in the post. "George Santos has taken responsibility. Hes shown remorse. Its time to correct this injustice. We must demand equal justice under the law!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene addressed her letter to the Honorable Edward R. Martin Jr., pardon attorney for the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and she acknowledged the gravity of the actions by her former colleague. Abrego Garcia Lawyers Seek Sanctions On Trump Officials Over Stonewalling, Defying Court Orders Former U.S. Rep. George Santos arrives to court in Central Islip, N.Y., Aug. 19, 2024. "As a Member of Congress, I worked with Mr. Santos on many issues and can attest to his willingness and dedication to serve the people of New York who elected him to office," she wrote. "He is sincerely remorseful and has accepted full responsibility for his actions. Furthermore, my office has spoken with a pastor of his who discussed the regret and remorse of Mr. Santos, agreeing that the sentence imposed is a grave injustice. "While his crimes warrant punishment, many of my colleagues who I serve with have committed far worse offenses than Mr. Santos yet have faced zero criminal charges," Greene continued. "I strongly believe in accountability for ones actions, but I believe the sentencing of Mr. Santos is an abusive overreach by the judicial system." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors shared how Santos and his campaign treasurer, Nancy Marks, doctored donor reports to qualify for national Republican Party funding. They fabricated contributions from Santos' family and falsely reported a $500,000 loan from Santos, though he had under $8,000 in his accounts. Trump Commutes Sentence Of Major Political Donor In Latest Round Of Clemency Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-S.C., is urging President Donald Trump to commute the seven-year sentence of former Rep. George Santos, who was sentenced for wire fraud and identity theft. He also stole credit card information from donors, including "victims he knew were elderly persons suffering from cognitive impairment or decline" and made unauthorized charges to fund both campaign and personal expenses, according to the DOJ. Santos also used a fake political fundraising company to solicit tens of thousands of dollars, which he spent on "designer clothing." During the pandemic, Santos fraudulently claimed over $24,000 in unemployment benefits while employed at an investment firm. He also submitted false congressional financial disclosures to the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Santos was elected in 2022 after flipping New Yorks 3rd District for the GOP. His resume was easily debunked. He falsely claimed academic degrees, Wall Street jobs and family ties to the Holocaust and 9/11. He was expelled from Congress in December 2023 after a scathing ethics report, becoming just the sixth member ever removed from the People's House. Santos has remained publicly active after his sentencing, selling video messages on Cameo and making social media posts. Unless pardoned, Santos is expected to remain incarcerated until at least early 2032. He has reportedly appealed to President Donald Trump for clemency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Greene and the White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digitals request for comment. Fox News Digitals Jasmine Baehr contributed to this report. Original article source: Marjorie Taylor Greene urges Trump to commute George Santos' federal prison sentence: 'Far worse offenses' Mark Dawson, a photocopy machine repair business owner who was a rock musician and curator of the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, suffered a fatal heart attack while performing at Romilos restaurant in Severna Park on July 20. He was taken to Baltimore Washington Medical Center, where his death was confirmed. He was 70. Born in Baltimore and raised on Forest Avenue in Catonsville, he was the son of Charles Dawson, an Army airplane mechanic, and his wife, Ruth Wiedmaier, who ran the family home. He attended Catonsville elementary, middle and high schools and earned a degree at the Community College of Baltimore County. He established a copying machine repair business, the Alpha Group, and was regarded as an expert in the field. He acquired the name Dr. Mark. He called himself a Doctor of Xeroxlogy for his ability to bring a broken copy machine back to life. He had repair clients throughout Baltimore and Washington. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Dawson found a second life following the streetcars that served Baltimore until 1963. Mark was bitten by the streetcar bug in his earliest childhood as a kid growing up in Catonsville in the final years of streetcar service, said Christopher M. McNally, an attorney and close friend. As a 20-year-old, he and two other enthusiasts traveled throughout England, The Hague, Antwerp, Ghent, Milan, Lisbon, Oporto, Belgrade and Cairo to spot classic trams and streetcars. He ran afoul of Sarajevo police as he took pictures of streetcars that formerly ran in Washington, D.C. Mr. Dawson equipped his 1969 Plymouth with an actual streetcar bell that he could operate with a foot pedal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After joining the Baltimore Streetcar Museum more than 50 years ago, he volunteered and found a specialty in numbering the vintage vehicles in the correct typefaces. He was later named the museums curator and was caretaker to its collection. He made roll-up destination signs that announced the end destination of the vehicles. His signs enumerated places such as Paradise Avenue, Towson, Woodlawn, North Bend and Arlington. Mr. Dawson then branched out and owned a specialty roll sign business, the Dawson Illuminated Car Sign Co. He made hundreds of different signs for other museums. Nobody could come close to his perfection and quality, said a friend, John Engleman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark was an encyclopedia of streetcar knowledge and information, said Mr. McNally. He knew every route, every loop, every crossover and every jerkwater shuttle route. He studied old photos, maps, books, journals. He was an expert on paper transfers, destination signs, fare boxes and fare registers, which he routinely fixed and repaired. Mr. Dawson, a guitarist and vocalist, played throughout Maryland and focused on his favorite classic rock music. He loved Boston, Led Zeppelin, the Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival. Related Articles He could play a 12-string guitar better than most musicians could play a six, said Mr. Engleman. He also sang and had a good rock and roll voice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Dawson also was curator of the museums 1947 Ford bus and occasionally drove the vehicle in the Catonsville July 4 parade. Mark would take us for rides around Catonsville where we would throw a wave to the regulars at Morsbergers bar near Ingleside and Frederick, said Mr. McNally. Everybody knew his name and was always glad he came. He was our Norm from Cheers. A memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m. Aug. 30 at the Baltimore Streetcar Museum, 1900 Falls Road. Survivors include his son, James Dawson of Catonsville; a daughter, Kaitlin Dawson of Annapolis; and two grandchildren. He also helped raise Jeremiah Moyer. He was formerly married to Patricia Turner Williams. Have a news tip? Contact Jacques Kelly at jkelly@baltsun.com and 410-332-6570. Immigrants who are married to U.S. citizens have long expected that they wont be deported from the country while going through the process of obtaining a green card. But new guidance from Donald Trumps administration explicitly states that immigrants seeking lawful residence through marriage can be deported, a policy that also applies to immigrants with pending requests. Immigration authorities can begin removal proceedings for immigrants who lack legal status and applied to become a lawful permanent resident through a citizen spouse, according to guidance from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services issued this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The policy also applies to immigrants with pending green cards through other citizen family members. People who entered the country illegally arent the only ones impacted. Under new guidance, immigrants trying to get lawful status through a spouse or family member are at risk of being deported if their visas expired, or if they are among the roughly 1 million immigrants whose temporary protected status was stripped from them under the Trump administration. Immigration authorities have explicitly stated that people seeking green cards through a citizen spouse of family member accords no immigration status nor does it bar removal (Getty Images North America) Immigrants and their spouses or family members who sponsor them should be aware that a family-based petition accords no immigration status nor does it bar removal, the policy states. The changes were designed to enhance benefit integrity and identify vetting and fraud concerns and weed out what the agency calls fraudulent, frivolous, or non-meritorious applications, according to USCIS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This guidance will improve USCIS capacity to vet qualifying marriages and family relationships to ensure they are genuine, verifiable, and compliant with all applicable laws, the agency said in a statement. Those changes, which were filed on August 1, are effective immediately, according to the agency. Within the first six months of 2025, immigrants and their family members filed more than 500,000 I-130 petitions, which are the first steps in the process of obtaining legal residency through a spouse or family member. There are more than 2.4 million pending I-130 petitions, according to USCIS data. Nearly 2 million of those petitions have been pending for more than six months. It is unclear whether those petitions involve immigrants who either lost their legal status or did not have one at the time they filed their documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, USCIS would notify applicants about missing documents or issue a denial notice serving as a warning that their case could be rejected with opportunities for redress. Now, USCIS is signaling that applicants can be immediately denied and ordered to immigrant courts instead. Outside of being born in the country, family-based immigration remains the largest and most viable path to permanent residency, accounting for nearly half of all new green card holders each year, according to USCIS data. This is one of the most important avenues that people have to adjust to lawful permanent status in the United States, Elora Mukherjee, director of the Immigrants Rights Clinic at Columbia Law School, told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under long-established USCIS policies, no one expected to be hauled into immigration court while seeking lawful status after a marriage, Mukherjee said. Now, deportation proceedings can begin at any point in the process under the broad scope of the rule changes, which could instill fear in immigrant families, even those who are doing everything right, according to Mukherjee. Obtaining a green card does not guarantee protections against removal from the country. The high-profile arrest and threat of removing Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil put intense scrutiny on whether the administration lawfully targeted a lawful permanent resident for his constitutionally protected speech. And last month, Customs and Border Protection put green card holders on notice, warning that the government has the authority to revoke your green card if our laws are broken and abused. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition to immigration removal proceedings, lawful permanent residents presenting at a U.S. port of entry with previous criminal convictions may be subject to mandatory detention, the agency said. There are more than 2.4 million pending petitions for lawful permanent status, according to USCIS. Nearly 2 million of those petitions have been pending for more than six months (Getty Images) Another recent USCIS memo outlines the administrations plans to revoke citizenship from children whose parents lack permanent lawful status as well as parents who are legally in the country, including visa holders, DACA recipients and people seeking asylum. The policy appears to preempt court rulings surrounding the constitutionality of the presidents executive order that unilaterally redefines who gets to be a citizen in the country at birth. That memo, from the agencys Office of the Chief Counsel, acknowledges that federal court injunctions have blocked the government from taking away birthright citizenship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the agency is preparing to implement Trumps executive order in the event that it is permitted to go into effect, according to Julys memo. Children of immigrants who are unlawfully present will no longer be U.S. citizens at birth, the agency declared. Trumps order states that children whose parents are legally present in the country on student, work and tourist visas are not eligible for citizenship USCIS, however, goes even further, outlining more than a dozen categories of immigrants whose children could lose citizenship at birth despite their parents living in the country with legal permission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That list includes immigrants who are protected against deportation for humanitarian reasons and immigrants from countries with Temporary Protected Status, among others. The 14th Amendment plainly states that all persons born or naturalized in the United States, and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the state wherein they reside. The Supreme Court has upheld that definition to apply to all children born within the United States for more than a century. But under the terms of Trumps order, children can be denied citizenship if a mother is undocumented or is temporarily legally in the country on a visa, and if the father isnt a citizen or a lawful permanent resident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than 150,000 newborns would be denied citizenship every year under Trumps order, according to plaintiffs challenging the presidents order. A challenge over Trumps birthright citizenship order at the Supreme Court did not resolve the critical 14th Amendment questions at stake. On Wednesday, government lawyers confirmed plans to expeditiously ask the Supreme Court to settle the lawfulness of his birthright citizenship order later this year. It's official: Current U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn is looking to be the next governor of Tennessee. Blackburn announced her campaign on X, formerly Twitter, with a post and video just after 8 a.m. Aug. 6. "Its official!" the post reads. "Im running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next." Blackburn is not the first candidate to announce for the 2026 Tennessee governor's race. U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Cookeville, was the first to formally announce a bid in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee is term-limited and will leave the Tennessee governors office in January 2027. Voters will decide in November 2026 who will succeed him. Who is Marsha Blackburn? U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, listens during Tenn. Gov. Bill Lees speech during Agriculture Day on the Hill at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Blackburn is a senior U.S. senator from Tennessee now serving her second term in office. She is looking to leave Congress to serve as the next governor of Tennessee Blackburn is a prominent member of the Republican Party in Tennessee and vocally opposes abortion and supports deporting undocumented residents, creating more jobs in the Volunteer State and "fighting wokeness." All are issues cited on her Senate website. During her tenure in the Senate, Blackburn has successfully sponsored legislation to protect kids from exploitation online and to curb the smuggling and trafficking of women and girls. Blackburn is also a vocal critic of the Chinese Communist Party. Where is Marsha Blackburn from? Blackburn was born in Laurel, Mississippi. The town is located in Jones County, about 90 miles southeast of Jackson, Miss. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Tennessee, Blackburn is a resident of Brentwood in Middle Tennessee. She lives in Williamson County, according to the Smithsonian Libraries and Archives website. Does Marsha Blackburn have children? Marsha Blackburn and her husband, Chuck, have two adult children, Mary Morgan Ketchel and Chad Blackburn. Blackburn also has four grandchildren, according to her newly refurbished campaign website. Where did Marsha Blackburn go to college? Blackburn graduated from Mississippi State University in 1973 with a bachelor of science degree in home economics, according to the school's library records. While attending the university, Blackburn was a 4-H scholarship recipient, was president of the Associated Women Students, and was a member of Gamma Beta Phi, a national collegiate honor society. How old is Marsha Blackburn? Blackburn was born on June 6, 1952, according to her Congress biography. She is 73 years old. What political offices has Marsha Blackburn previously held? Blackburn was first elected to the Tennessee Senate in 1998 and served until 2003. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, Blackburn was elected to represent part of Middle Tennessee in the U.S. House of Representatives. She served eight terms in the U.S. House of Representatives. In 2018, she was elected to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate, which remains her current position after voters reelected her in 2024. Blackburn was the first woman to represent the Volunteer State in the Senate. This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Who is Marsha Blackburn? What to know about the Tennessee senator Editor's note: Letters to the editor reflect the views of individual readers. Scroll to see how you can add your voice, whether you agree or disagree, or click this link to fill out the form. We welcome diverse viewpoints. MAGA politicians across the country have become notorious for dodging town hall meetings. Maybe it's because they dont want to explain their lockstep votes or face constituents who are increasingly baffled by who they elected and the real-world consequences of that One Big Beautiful Bill. Opinion: Marsha Blackburn is running for governor. Here are all the possible candidates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tennessee has two of the worst offenders. Senator Marsha Blackburn hasnt held an in-person town hall since 2017 last decade, before COVID and four years before the Titans had their last winning season. Sorry, Marsha scripted, invitation-only telephone town halls dont count. U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tennessee, listens during Tenn. Gov. Bill Lees speech during Agriculture Day on the Hill at the Tennessee State Capitol building in Nashville, Tenn., Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Andy Ogles also MIA for constituents Then theres economist Andy Ogles, whos been largely absent from both Nashville and his district since the day he was elected. He occasionally pops up to pull a stunt that keeps him in Trumps good graces, but good luck getting him to answer unscripted questions unless the person asking is holding a Fox News mic. This isnt just a Tennessee problem. MAGA politicians across the country have been encouraged to avoid open forums with constituents, and when they do show up, its often a disaster. But thats not how democracy is supposed to work. Maybe its time for a One Big Beautiful Town Hall Bill legislation requiring every elected official to host a minimum number of in-person, open-access town hall meetings each year, where any constituent can ask any question. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Of course, such a bill would likely die along party lines. And Blackburn and Ogles would probably mutter to themselves, Why on earth would we want to do that? Jim Bellar, Hendersonville 37075 Agree or disagree? Or have a view on another topic entirely? Send a letter of 250 words or fewer to letters@tennessean.com. Include your full name, city/town, ZIP and contact information for verification. Thanks for adding to the public conversation. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Marsha Blackburn governor candidate who hides from voters | Letters Need more places to shop? You're in luck. Marshalls, one of the stores owned by TJX Companies, is opening six new stores across the country, including one in Central Florida. According to USA TODAY, this new batch of openings follows Ernie Herrman, CEO of T.J. Maxx's parent company TJX, announcing in May 2024 a goal of opening at least 1,300 additional locations globally across the TJX portfolio of stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company's first two stores opened in Massachusetts in 1977, according to the TJX website, and the company acquired Marshalls in 1995. At the time, Marshalls was the second-largest off-price retailer in the U.S., with 496 stores. Where is the new Marshalls in Florida? The new Marshalls store is located at 995 North State Road 434 in Altamonte Springs, according to its website. When is the Marshalls in Altamonte Springs opening? What are the hours? It's open, as of Aug. 6. According to its website, its hours are 9:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. daily. What does Marshalls sell? Honestly, anything you can think of. Marshalls sells items across multiple categories, including clothes, home, beauty and even food items. TJX launched Marshalls' e-commerce site, Marshalls.com, in 2019, allowing customers to shop online. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At Marshalls Altamonte Springs, FL, youll discover an amazing selection of high-quality, brand-name and designer merchandise at prices that thrill across fashion, home, beauty and more," the website states. Where can I find a Marshalls near me in Florida? There are 110 Marshalls stores across the state. To find a store near you, visit the website here. Which other states are getting new Marshalls locations? New stores are scheduled to open at the following locations on the following dates, according to the retailer's website. Aug. 7: 3900 SE 82nd Ave., Suite 1000, Portland, Oregon Aug. 7: 102 Yorktown Shopping Center Rd., Lombard, Illinois Aug. 14: 1964 West Morton Ave., Jacksonville, Illinois Aug. 14: 10131 Coors Blvd NW, Albuquerque, New Mexico Aug. 21: 1205 E. Pine Street, Suite C, Deming, New Mexico This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Marshalls opens Florida location in Altamonte Springs. New store hours A Braintree man died after he was struck by a pickup truck while he tried to cross a road in Randolph on Tuesday, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morreseys office said Wednesday. At around 9:10 p.m., police learned of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of 650 Mazeo Drive along Route 139, Morrisseys office said in a statement. The man, 49, was taken to an area hospital where he was pronounced dead, the statement read. His name has not been released pending notification of next of kin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 28-year-old Canton man who drove the truck remained at the crash site and has not been charged, Morrisseys office said. The Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the MSP Crime Scene Services Section are assisting in the investigation. More similar stories Read the original article on MassLive. A Braintree man who died on Tuesday after he was struck by an SUV while crossing a road in Randolph and died has been identified as Leonard McStevens, Norfolk District Attorney Michael Morrisseys office said Wednesday. At around 9:10 p.m., police learned of a pedestrian struck by a vehicle in the area of 650 Mazeo Drive along Route 139, Morrisseys office said in a statement. First responders took McStevens, 49, to an area hospital, where he was pronounced dead, Morrisseys office said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 28-year-old Canton man who drove the truck remained at the crash site and has not been charged, Morrisseys office said. Randolph police, the Massachusetts State Police Collision Analysis and Reconstruction Section and the MSP Crime Scene Services Section are investigating the crash. More similar stories Read the original article on MassLive. Mass. woman racks up $20K in medical bills after freak accident involving bat A Massachusetts woman racked up a giant medical bill following a freak accident involving a bat while on a trip to Arizona. Erica Kahn, of Westford, traveled to the Grand Canyon State with her dad last year after she was laid off from her job. While taking photos of the sky in a national park, a bat suddenly flew toward her face and ended up in her mouth when she screamed. It was a freak accident. Im not sure what part of the bat was there, but there was definitely a, I got a taste of it, which was pretty gross. And it tastes a little earthy, a little sweet, if youre wondering, Kahn recalled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kahn spit the bat out, but her dad, who is a doctor, recommended she get rabies shots after the incident. Kahn ended up being billed $20,000 because she lost her insurance after she was laid off and didnt sign up for COBRA. She says shes in the process of negotiating to get those bills reduced, but wanted to share her story with the public about the risky decision of not having insurance. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW Lawmakers in a Massachusetts city have voted to pass a historic ordinance divesting from companies that contribute to human rights violations, including Israels ongoing destruction of Gaza. The Medford City Council passed the Values-Aligned Local Investments Ordinance on Tuesday evening, making Massachusetts the third state after Michiganand Maine where a municipality has barred investments in companies that profit from a conflict many experts have now labeled a genocide. We are in a new era where taxpayers are not just concerned with the services they receive as part of a city and town, but also how city and town resources are impacting global issues, Council President Zac Bears, the ordinances sponsor, said on Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its heartening to see Medford take this one, he continued. We hope this proactive approach to ensure that municipal resources contribute to the public good and not to major forms of harm will become a trend. Since Israels offensive in Gaza began in 2023, many Americans havecalled oncompanies, governments and academic institutions to divest their public funds from companies that send money and weapons to the Israeli military. Medford introduced its ordinance in June, expanding on Bostons landmark 2021 fossil fuel divestment to also bar publicfunds from being invested in weapons manufacturers, prisons and other entities contributing to international human rights violations like displacement, war crimes, apartheid, ethnic cleansing and illegal occupation. While the ordinance does not outright name Israel, the international community has accused the country of carrying out those actions against Palestinians. Supporters of Medfords ordinance say its language is also meant to apply to companies complicit in the mass deportation, incarceration and inhumane treatment of immigrants by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is expanding clarity among the American public about how they want public money to be used and not used. That includes not just tax dollars but also investment dollars that stem from taxes, Medford resident and attorney Micah-Shalom Kesselman said. People are clear that they want quality public services at the local level, not billions being spent on forcibly starving the civilian population in Gaza to death. People are clear that they want money spent to support services for veterans and children, rather than masked ICE officers detaining our friends and neighbors and tearing families apart, he continued. This ordinance puts that clarity into action in a concrete way. On Monday, the Trump administration announced that it would withhold $1.9 billion in federal disaster preparedness funds from any state or city that boycotts Israeli companies. The White House appeared to change that specific language after backlash, but the Department of Homeland Security maintains it will deny funds as it relates to the [Boycott, Divest, Sanction] movement. Bears, the Medford City Council president who sponsored the ordinance, did not immediately respond to HuffPosts request for comment on whether he believes the Trump administration will follow through on its threat to withhold funds. Related... A surge of housing development in a Boston suburb is providing evidence that natural-gas bans and strict energy-efficiency standards do not slow new construction or make it more expensive. Indeed, these guidelines can even boost the growth of affordable housing, say local advocates. In 2024, Lexington, Massachusetts, banned gas hookups in new construction and adopted a stringent building code that requires high energy-efficiency performance. Yet these regulations have not stopped the town of roughly 34,000 from permitting some 1,100 new units of housing 160 of which will be affordable over the past two years. Opponents said, Its going to cost so much, youre going to stop the development of affordable housing. But that clearly wasnt the case, said Mark Sandeen, a member of the town select board and the board of the Lexington Affordable Housing Trust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Massachusetts aims to get to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, the state has for several years prioritized policies that encourage the transition away from fossil fuels, particularly natural gas, which heats about half of the states homes. In 2022, Massachusetts launched a pilot program allowing 10 communities including Lexington to prohibit the use of fossil fuels in new construction and major renovations. In late 2023, utilities regulators issued an order that makes explicit the states goal of getting off natural gas, and lays out strategies and principles for reaching this goal. Detractors, however, have consistently argued that requiring or even heavily encouraging all-electric construction would make housing more costly and difficult to build at a time when Massachusetts is facing an acute housing shortage. In 2022, then-Gov. Charlie Baker, a Republican, memorably said the idea of fossil fuel bans gave him agita, so worried was he that such municipal regulations would suppress housing growth. Similar battles have played out across the country, from California to New York. There is plenty of evidence that electrified, highly efficient homes dont need to come with a price premium. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2022 study by think tank RMI found that, in Boston, all-electric homes are slightly less expensive both to build and to operate than mixed-fuel homes and that was before Massachusetts investor-owned utilities adopted lower wintertime rates for homes with heat pumps. In 2023, Massachusetts-based advocacy group Built Environment Plus found that building larger multifamily and affordable housing developments net-zero ready that is, highly efficient and with all-electric heating costs about 4% less up front than the conventional approach. A sustainable housing surge in Lexington After Lexington changed its zoning rules in 2023 to allow more multifamily development, its energy regulations did not, as naysayers had feared, deter developers from taking advantage. The planning board has approved nine projects, ranging from a proposal to redevelop an unused commercial space into a seven-unit building, to a complex combining 312 residential units with 2,100 square feet of retail space. The new construction will include both rental units and condos available to purchase that will, in total, increase available housing in town by 9%. Much of the new housing will be market-rate, and Lexington where the median condo went for $915,000 in the first quarter of 2025 is not an inexpensive place to live. However, most of the construction driven by the new zoning is required to make 15% of its units affordable. On top of these private projects, the town has decided to develop a municipally owned property into a 40-unit affordable housing development, bringing the total number of affordable units on the horizon to about 200. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The municipal project will include four residential buildings designed to be energy-efficient and to minimize the square footage of halls and other common areas, which will reduce the cost of heating and cooling these spaces. Solar panels on the roofs will offset the electricity consumed by the buildings heat pumps, said Dave Traggorth, principal with Causeway Development, the company chosen to develop the property. Ultimately, what the tenant is paying for in their electric bill is really just cooking and lights, he said. It really reduces the utility bills for residents. All of these new projects market-rate and affordable will be prohibited from using fossil fuels to run furnaces or other appliances because of the towns requirement that new construction be fully electric. The town has also adopted an optional, more rigorous version of the state building code that requires new, multifamily projects over 12,000 square feet which applies to most of those in the pipeline in Lexington to build to passive house standards, which require a very well-sealed building envelope and dramatically reduced energy use compared to a conventionally built structures. This is what you can do at the local level, said Lisa Cunningham, cofounder of climate advocacy organization ZeroCarbonMA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Lexington is a particularly active town, the other nine communities that have banned fossil fuels in new construction have all reported that the rules have posed no obstacle to development, Cunningham said. Restrictive zoning and antidevelopment sentiment among residents are much more pressing problems, she said. For the eventual residents, the benefits go beyond the knowledge that their homes are helping cut emissions. Homes designed to passive house standards use far less energy than those that are conventionally built, creating ongoing savings for homeowners and tenants, and have been found to generally have better indoor air quality. When the power goes out, these well-sealed buildings can keep interior temperatures comfortable for days. Paving the way for electrification It is no accident that residential developers were ready to jump when opportunities opened up in a town with stringent efficiency and electrification rules. Massachusetts has been laying the groundwork for years, said Lauren Baumann, director of sustainability and climate initiatives for the Massachusetts Housing Partnership, a nonprofit that works to expand affordable housing. There has been this deliberate effort to develop an ecosystem to support this kind of construction, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2019, the Massachusetts Clean Energy Center awarded $1.73 million in grants to eight affordable, multifamily projects to help accelerate the adoption of passive house standards in multifamily construction by demonstrating that the approach makes financial sense. That same year, the states energy-efficiency program administrator, Mass Save, launched an initiative offering money to multifamily projects for feasibility studies, energy modeling, and analyses of post-construction energy performance. These incentives gave architects and contractors a lower-risk way to become familiar with a new approach to building. And familiarity, in this case, bred knowledge, skills, and enthusiasm. Those early project pilots really did give people the experience they needed in order to feel comfortable, Baumann said. We just saw an explosion of interest. Traggorth has seen this evolution in his work. Five years ago, he said, if he approached a contractor to discuss building to passive house standards, he was often greeted with confusion. Now, every contractor thats building multifamily has a couple of projects that have been passive house certified, he said. They have learned their lessons. PIERRE, S.D. (KELO) The South Dakota Massage Therapy Board wants state lawmakers to expand its authority, so that schools and establishments would be more strongly regulated, and to set higher maximum amounts for licenses. The five-member board voted unanimously on Wednesday to recommend the package of possible changes to the South Dakota Department of Health for review. The governor-appointed board is part of the department. Eagle Butte man killed in hostage-shooting Tuesday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The ultimate decision would be up to Governor Larry Rhoden on whether any proposed changes will be introduced as legislation during the 2026 session that opens on January 13. The boards executive secretary, Kate Boyd, said the office ended the fiscal year on June 30 with a negative cash balance of $5,400.52. That points to the fact that we need fee increases, Boyd said. A revenue sheet accompanying the legislative proposal shows estimates from various potential fee increases. If fees were raised for only the current licensing structure, the proposal would generate an estimated $90,225. Of that, an estimated $18,975 would come from proposed increases, such as $13,500 by raising the massage therapist license fee to $125 per year from the current $100. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another set of proposed totally new fees would bring in an estimated $31,000 or more. That includes $22,500 from proposed new application and license fees for establishments; $3,600 from proposed new late fees; $3,000 from proposed new fees on schools; and $1,200 from proposed new fees on instructors. The total package would generate an estimated $120,325, based on recent numbers of massage therapists, establishments, schools and students. Mariah Pokorny of Pierre is the boards newest lay member. She replaces Loren Pankratz of Sioux Falls, who left the board more than a year ago after his term expired. Pokorny recently took a new position outside state government, after serving as director of accreditation and reporting for the state Department of Health. Pokorny often represented the department at the boards meetings. Pokorny suggested that the board add wording to its legislative proposal so that a student license expires six months after completing state-required education hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rhanda Heller, a Sioux Falls massage therapist, said she would have preferred the lay member be someone from outside the Health Department. Regarding the proposal, Heller criticized the way the roundtables were run to gather input and said the agenda was pre-set. She called for two-year licenses and said the expanded licensing for establishments and schools will be a huge load. Executive secretary Boyd, however, said the Department of Health hasnt supported switching to two-year licenses. The boards president, massage therapist Fallon Helm of Aberdeen, defended the roundtable meeting process used to develop the proposal and said she had spoken with many, many therapists about an assortment of possible changes. Helm said shell answer any questions about the proposal. I would welcome that, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. A brilliant teen who honed her skills during the COVID-19 pandemic has solved one of math's most mysterious problems and in doing so, become a rising star. As Quanta magazine reports, fledgling mathematician Hannah Cairo was just 17 when she disproved the Mizohata-Takeuchi conjecture, a decades-old proposition in higher math, it's common for the suggestion that something is true based on observations to become a target for challenging formalized counter-proofs dealing with waves on surfaces that nobody had ever successfully countered before her. The homeschooled math whiz mastered calculus at 11, taught herself from grad school-level textbooks, and worked remotely with professors who her parents hired as tutors, the magazine reports. When COVID lockdowns hit in 2021, Cairo did what millions of others around the world did: she took up a hobby, in the form of the Chicago branch of the Math Circles club that brings teachers and students together to solve math problems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon learning about the prestigious Berkeley, California branch of the club and its two-week online summer program, Cairo decided to spread her wings and aim westward. At 14 years old, she wrote in her 2022 application for the program that she already possessed a self-taught body of knowledge equivalent to an advanced undergraduate math degree and naturally, she got in. "Hannah is above and beyond the ordinary," enthused Zvezdelina Stankova, a University of Berkeley mathematician who founded the city's Math Circle, in an interview with Quanta. "Every time she applies for school or a program, she is several levels ahead." After completing the program for a second time, Cairo began to consider attaining a formal higher education to complement her self-taught knowledge. Stankova guided her to Berkeley's concurrent enrollment program, which allows gifted students like Cairo to take college classes at the university while finishing high school. Once again, Cairo got in, and it was there that she met mathematician and professor Ruixiang Zhang, who introduced her to the Mizohata-Takeuchi conjecture. Despite her brilliance, the talented teen struggled tremendously, Quanta notes, with the problem. When Zhang first assigned a simplified form of the conjecture to his students, he encouraged them to think more deeply about their proofs to see if they could be broadened for more complicated versions of the problem. Cairo took him up only to have her initial theories repeatedly shot down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I went to office hours and asked him, 'Do these ideas work?' It turned out they didn't because they were silly," the teen told the magazine. "Thered be this back-and-forth. I'd come to office hours with new ideas and ask if they work. And he'd say no." Frustrated but not demoralized, Cairo persisted in her thought experiments, eventually figuring out a novel approach to the conjecture that involved a strange array of waves that all lay on a single curved surface. Instead of canceling each other out, as they would in the original theorem, they amplified each other in a manner the Mizohata-Takeuchi conjecture prohibited. Startled by her own work, Cairo simplified it to make it as straightforward as possible and this time, Zhang was compelled by it. After penning a paper on her proof that was released this February ahead of peer review, the mathematical world was in an uproar especially when they found out how young Cairo was. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We were all shocked, absolutely," explained Itamar Oliveira, a math researcher at the UK's University of Birmingham who has spent years focused on the Mizohata-Takeuchi. "I dont remember ever seeing anything like that." University of Edinburgh mathematician Tony Carbery, who has spent decades studying the conjecture, was similarly stupefied, especially upon learning how young Cairo was when she wrote her paper. "I was absolutely [like], 'Wow,'" he told Quanta. "This has been my favorite problem for nigh on 40 years, and I was completely blown away." While the math world heralded its newest star, the girl herself decided once again to change scenery this time for the University of Maryland, which along with Johns Hopkins was the only graduate school willing to admit her without a high school diploma or undergraduate degree. She starts in the fall, Quanta notes, and when she finishes, that degree will be her first. More on unique youth: Baby Born Already 30 Years Old LAHAINA, Hawaii (KHON2) Nearly two years after the Lahaina wildfires, a new report sheds light on how fire-affected residents on Maui are really doing. BACKGROUND Repainting the Cultural Canvas: Two year mark of Maui wildfire approaches While there are signs of progress, UH researchers say too many families remain stuck in limbo. UHEROs latest report offers one of the most detailed portraits to date of Mauis long road to recovery, drawing on nearly a year of monthly survey data from more than 950 fire-affected individuals. The findings highlight both signs of hope and ongoing hardship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are these success stories of people who have been able to bounce back. And on the other hand, we have people, or, you know, a substantial number of the fire-affected population, who still face those challenges, said Daniela Bond-Smith, UHERO Research Economist. The report shows more residents are now in permanent housing. The number of people in shelters or temporary rentals has dropped by half since late 2024. Median rents are also beginning to come down, and nearly three-quarters of those receiving rental assistance are paying less than they were before the fires. But for many families, housing remains a financial burden, and despite some economic gains, Mauis job market is still recovering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Front Street provided employment for a lot of the people here. Thats the perfect place for them to have a second job. Its no longer there and a lot of jobs here do not pay enough to survive, said Rick Nava, a Lahaina resident and Board Chair for the Maui Chamber of Commerce. UHEROs data confirms that reality: Nearly 60% of households report earning less than they did before the fires Full time jobs have not returned to pre-fire levels Poverty rates have nearly doubled with one in four households now living below the poverty line. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One of the key takeaways: the need for food, housing and financial assistance has declined, showing improved stability for some and growing gaps for others. I would characterize this is as about where we would have expected. We would like to be further along, but maybe that was not reasonable, said Carl Bonham, UHERO Executive Director. But for many, like Nava who lost his home in the fire, recovery isnt just about jobs and housing its about feeling safe. Yesterdays brush fire in Kaanapali reignited old fears. We have all this dry land again, all the following, you know, everything that happened with basically the fuel to the fire. Its there again. I mean, hopefully we have more firefighters this time. But you know, the best solution is to prevent the fire from happening, said Nava. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UHERO summarizes the recovery as uneven and warns that unless housing affordability and workforce access improve, large segments of the fire-affected population may be left behind. Check out more news from around Hawaii The report, titled Progress and Vulnerability Two Years After the Wildfires, came out on Aug. 5 and is based on monthly survey responses, which have been collected over the past 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 KHON2. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell apparently told the Justice Department she had never witnessed President Donald Trump behave inappropriately or in a way that would be a cause for concern. Several sources familiar with the contents of Maxwells nine-hour sit-down with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, who also happens to be Trumps former criminal defense attorney, told ABC News Wednesday that none of what was discussed had cast aspersions on the president or otherwise reflected negatively on his past conduct. Convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell apparently says she never witnessed President Donald Trump behave inappropriately amid intense public scrutiny over his relationship with late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein. / New York Daily News via Getty Images Trump has also long flirted with conspiracy theorists who believe Maxwell and her co-conspirator Jeffrey Epstein were members of an international pedophilic cabal, and that Epsteins 2019 death in police custody was not by suicide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That courtship imploded in June when Trumps Department of Justice and FBI stated they had not only determined Epstein died by suicide, but that the disgraced financier kept no long-rumored client list of his envisioned co-conspirators. Trumps MAGA base has been vocally critical of the administrations attempts to not release the Jeffery Epstein files. Trump has not ruled out the possibility of pardoning Maxwell, fuelling concerns of a prospective quid-pro-quo if her new evidence to the DOJ turns out to be exculpatory for the president. / Jonathan Ernst / Jonathan Ernst/Reuters The findings prompted intense backlash from even Trumps own support base, along with a slew of new reports on the presidents past relationship with Epstein himself, including that he allegedly once sent the sex trafficker a birthday card featuring a sketch of a nude woman accompanied by a weird imagined exchange about engimas and wonderful secrets. The DOJ is reportedly now weighing the release of transcripts from Blanches seemingly exculpatory interview with Maxwell to the public as early as this week, as speculation continues to mount that Trump may be planning to imminently pardon the disgraced British former socialite. Maxwell has already been transferred to a lower-security facility from the prison where she's been serving a 20 year sentence on sex trafficking charges. / Davidoff Studios Photography / Getty Images Authorities at a federal prison in Florida have already transferred Maxwell, whos serving 20 years following her 2022 conviction on sex trafficking charges, to a lower-security facility in Texas. Amid her ongoing Supreme Court appeal, it was apparently Maxwell who first approached the DOJ with an offer to talk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, for his part, has denied having anything to do with Maxwells transfer while refusing to rule out the possibility of a pardon. When asked about the Blanche interview in a sit-down with Newsmax last week, he responded by singing his former attorneys praises. Hes a very talented guy, Todd Blanche, and a very straight shooter, the president said. I think he probably wanted to know, you know, just to get a feeling of it, because wed like to release everything, but we dont want people to get hurt that shouldnt be hurt. I want to release everything, he added. I just dont want people to get hurt. The Daily Beast has reached out to the DOJ and Maxwells representatives for comment on this story. After a shooting occurred on Fort Stewart Army Base this morning, wounding five soldiers, a thorough investigation is underway and the suspect is in custody. The Mayor of Savannah, GA, Van Johnson, joins Erielle Reshef to discuss the relationship between the military base and the civilian population. MCLEAN, Ill. (WMBD) The Illinois Department of Transportation gave McLean County a $3.2 million grant to expand the Route 66 trail. The grant money came from IDOTs Illinois Transportation Enhancement Program. This program is helping Governor J.B. Pritzkers Rebuild Illinois Program, which is to reshape local infrastructure and provide communities with resources for new trails. Elizabeth Johnson, the Chairperson of the McLean County Board, shared that they have worked hard to make this happen and that it brings life back to some smaller towns in McLean County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve worked hard to build out the Constitution trail system, and that has been a lifeblood to a lot of these communities. Its put them literally back on the map for accessibility from a recreation standpoint, its created some interest for people to see whats going on in the little towns, and really brought that life back to this, she said. The 4.5-mile expansion will span from the village of McLean to Funks Grove, which will close the gap between Bloomington and McLean. It will also provide a different mode of transportation for people to use to commute from town to town. After this expansion, which is set to be completed in December, there will be more expansion connecting more towns in McLean. I believe that the next one is really to hopefully be able to expand from Towanda to Lexington. Lexingtons already been in its own sort of renaissance itself, and so connecting that is just going to be one more jewel in the crown of our Constitution trail, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. The Brief The Medical College of Wisconsin celebrated the grand opening of its new cancer research facility on Tuesday. It is the first and only research facility in eastern Wisconsin solely dedicated to cancer research, according to MCW. Relocating scientists and staff to the new facility is expected to last until October. MILWAUKEE - The Medical College of Wisconsin on Tuesday celebrated the grand opening of its new cancer research facility on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus. What they're saying The $150-million Center for Cancer Discovery is a 161,000-square-foot facility designed to serve as a hub for collaboration and innovation that will accelerate cancer research breakthroughs. The Wisconsin State Building Commission partially funded the new cancer center with a $10 million grant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android It is the first and only research facility in eastern Wisconsin solely dedicated to cancer research, according to MCW. "The Medical College of Wisconsins Center for Cancer Discovery reflects our priority to eradicate the cancer burden in Wisconsin, as well as our long-standing promise to tackle cancers toughest challenges and ensure progress is felt everywhere, by everyone, and at every step of the cancer journey," Dr. John Raymond, MCW president and CEO, said in a statement. Currently dispersed across multiple locations, MCW said the Center for Cancer Discovery brings all existing MCW Cancer Centers research programs under one roof. The center also includes a first-of-its-kind space on MCWs campus the BioHub that serves as a dedicated biotech incubator space for start-ups focused on developing breakthrough cancer diagnostics, therapies and technologies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cancer is still a leading cause of death in Wisconsin, according to data from the National Cancer Institute. What's next Relocating the more than 300 scientists and staff who will occupy the new facility is expected to last until October. The Source The Medical College of Wisconsin released information for this story. The Michigan Department of Transportation is investing nearly half a million dollars to seal nine bridge decks in Northern Michigan, according to a community announcement. The $483,099 project is expected to begin Aug. 11 and end Sept. 19. It will involve applying an epoxy coating to the bridges, which helps prevent water infiltration and extends their service lives. The Michigan Department of Transportation is investing nearly half a million dollars to seal nine bridge decks in Northern Michigan. How to submit your community announcements for the Cheboygan Daily Tribune Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bridges included in the project are on northbound and southbound I-75 over Trowbridge Road in Cheboygan County, Webb Road over I-75 in Cheboygan County, U.S. 131 over M-115 in Wexford County, M-93 over I-75 in Crawford County and M-37 over the Michigan Northern Railroad corridor in Grand Traverse County. The work will require single-lane closures on I-75 and U.S. 131, with one lane remaining open in each direction. On M-93 and Webb Road, there will be single-lane closures with alternating traffic regulated by traffic controllers. M-37 will also see single-lane closures with traffic shifts. This story was created by Janis Reeser, jreeser@gannett.com, with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at https://cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct. This article originally appeared on Cheboygan Daily Tribune: Northern Michigan bridge repairs begin Aug. 11 MEDIC: 1 stabbed in Uptown Charlotte One person is seriously hurt following a stabbing in Uptown Charlotte Tuesday night. It happened around 10:30 p.m. near the 7-Eleven below the Catalyst Apartments on West Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. ALSO READ: Man stabbed, hit by car in deadly attack MEDIC said the victim was taken to an area hospital with life-threatening injuries. One witness said it took about 15 minutes for police to get the victim to the ambulance for care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I look over, and theres a guy with blood down his shirt, on his pants. Hes being restrained by police, Hayes Robertson, a resident at the Catalyst apartments said. Hes saying I know my rights. Theyre trying to help him, but hes not really accepting the help. No word from CMPD is any arrests have been made. No additional details have been made available. This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates. VIDEO: Uptown Charlotte residents demand increased security after latest shooting The U.S. House passed a bill that was signed into law that would cut Medicaid spending. (Getty Images) An agreement is being finalized that will eliminate medical record fees for thousands of Medicaid patients formerly treated at Crozer Health hospitals, according to an announcement from state Attorney General Dave Sunday. While our efforts to keep open Crozer facilities were unfortunately unsuccessful, we continue to advocate for impacted Pennsylvanians who are evaluating options for healthcare, Sunday said on Wednesday. Among those expected to benefit from this recent resolution are Medicaid patients who cannot afford unexpected fees just so they can have access to records needed to continue care elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Listen to John and Emilys audio recap here: https://penncapital-star.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/07epjcCRR.mp3 Patients could pay up to hundreds of dollars in fees under the current pay-record structure. The announcement from Sundays office comes after an agreement and subsequent ruling was made earlier this week by a federal bankruptcy court judge. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Crozer-Chester Medical Center and Taylor Hospital, both located in Delaware County, closed their doors in the spring. They were both owned by Prospect Medical Holdings, a California for-profit healthcare company, who filed for bankruptcy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Philadelphia Business Journal reported earlier this week that there may be potential buyers for those properties. Patients are in the process of finding new providers. Sundays office urged them to have their medical records during that process. Lawmakers in the states fifth most populous county were sounding the alarm in the months leading up to the hospitals closures and have rallied support for legislation that they believe would prevent other hospitals from closing in the state. The attorney general is encouraging former Crozer patients to wait until the agreement is finalized in order to avoid paying fees for records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sundays office, which is a party in Prospects bankruptcy court proceedings, cited federal and state law in regulating fees for medical records leading up to the upcoming resolution that they say will spare up to 43,000 patients of fees related to acquiring medical records. The Foundation for Delaware County has agreed to contribute funding to costs related to the records access, as well. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission members, from left: Commissioners Kim Lowe of Kearney, Bruce Bailey of Lincoln, Lorelle Mueting of Gretna and J. Michael Coffey of Omaha. Aug 4, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Frustrations are boiling over for the members of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission as they seek creative solutions due to a lack of state funding to get started, which has complicated the need to pay staff, purchase software and create a robust regulatory system for the drug. Commissioners were blunt at their third official meeting Monday, saying that without the statutory authority to set or collect fees and no funding to hire new staff or inspectors, the process of crafting formal rules and regulations has been difficult. Commissioner Lorelle Mueting of Gretna of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission. June 26, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The board this summer approved temporary regulations, including licensing criteria, which took effect in late July and are in place through Sept. 28. Those guidelines can be extended for one 90-day period, if needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission has until Oct. 1 to approve the states first registered cannabis establishments, such as cultivators, manufacturers, transporters or dispensaries, according to state law. Commissioner Lorelle Mueting of Gretna said plainly Monday, Were struggling, and she said she knows the pace of progress can frustrate the public. She thanked those who submitted comments on the temporary regulations by July 15 and said commissioners continue to read those comments and do the work. She said commissioners are trying to build a new industry from the ground up. Were essentially five commission members trying to do our best, Mueting said Monday. Were working as hard as we can to get things to you that meet the statutes. Thank you for your patience with us. Regulatory scope and limitations Those laws are the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act, both of which voters approved in November. The first law authorizes health care practitioners to recommend that Nebraska patients legally possess up to 5 ounces of medical cannabis. The second law created the new regulatory commission. Applications for registered cannabis establishments Anyone wishing to apply for a registered medical cannabis establishment license cultivator, product manufacturer, dispensary or transporter can submit materials to mcc.contact@nebraska.gov. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Medical Cannabis Commission outlined licensing criteria in emergency regulations issued July 29, which remain in effect through at least Sept. 28. This includes residency requirements, location restrictions, product guidelines and fingerprinting. Under the regulations, applicants could be selected for only license type. Commissioners said they are working on an application form, but application materials conforming to the regulations can still be submitted in the meantime. Applicants may be asked to submit an application form once it is made available. State law requires cannabis establishment registration to begin by Oct. 1. The commissions temporary regulations stipulate what products registered medical cannabis establishments could produce or sell, but they do not regulate or change the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act, Mueting and Commissioner Bruce Bailey of Lincoln confirmed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law that was passed by the residents of Nebraska did not limit what the use of that plant was, Bailey said Monday. The temporary regulations prohibit the legal in-state selling, for example, of medical cannabis flower and products that could be smoked or vaped, as well as edibles or other products containing flavoring. However, Nebraska patients and caregivers with a health care practitioners recommendation could still legally possess up to 5 ounces of such products. Those regulations also prohibit no more than one dispensary in each of the states 12 Nebraska District Court Judicial Districts. Addendums, agendas or apathy Multiple Nebraskans urged the commission to reconsider the temporary regulations restrictions ahead of releasing more permanent regulations later this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Denise Wegener of Omaha told the commission she has Stiff Person Syndrome, a rare autoimmune neurological disorder that most commonly causes muscle stiffness and painful spasms. She said cycles of healing can be different for each person. Its not just one body, Wegener said. She described getting a cocktail of valium treatments that put her in fight-or-flight mode, while cannabis inhalation might lead to more instant relief. Multiple veterans, including Brad Balak of Elkhorn, who said he had earned multiple Purple Hearts from deployments, said post-traumatic stress disorder in the middle of the night is another example. Balak asked what the acceptable time frame is for someone to suffer before they should get relief. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Balak and others said the public already spoke, yet some of those trusted to enact their will have responded not with clarity and kind, but with addendums, agendas or apathy. Engaging with so many of us takes time and effort, but it is required of your position, as this is a job in the public service sector, Balak testified. Anything less would be doing a disservice and dishonor to the positions in which you serve. Morgan Ryan of Omaha testifies before the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission. Before her are multiple medications she brought to show a variety of flavored meds. Aug 4, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) Other Nebraskans, including Morgan Ryan and Shannon Coryell, both of Omaha, said banning flavored medical cannabis seemed unnecessary or cruel considering the plethora of flavored medications that exist. Ryan, while speaking, set down five bottles and one pill box to illustrate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Crista Eggers, executive director of Nebraskans for Medical Marijuana, the 2024 campaign that sought the legalization of medical cannabis, said that instead of building a medical cannabis program, commissioners were building a wall around it. She added that, to many, the wall looks intentional and that commissioners must do better. You do not get to reinterpret, slow walk or water down this process to conform to personal or political biases, Eggers said. Flavoring, smoking and pregnancy While not present at Mondays meeting, Commissioner Monica Oldenburg of Lincoln, an anesthesiologist, had Mueting read Oldenburgs research she had gathered on flavoring, smoking and the effects of marijuana on pregnancy. Oldenburg wrote that public health decisions must be made while weighing risks and benefits to all Nebraskans. She explained a flavoring ban is meant to protect children and wrote that, similar to findings on tobacco and smoking, its clear that the harm outweighs the potential benefit. Dr. Monica Oldenburg attends the first meeting of the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission, of which she was named chair. June 9, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The research Oldenburg collected has not yet been made publicly available, but commissioners said they plan to publish those findings and citations. Mueting has voiced similar concerns about flavoring and smoking, as has Gov. Jim Pillen, who appointed both women to the five-member board. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oldenburg suggested the commission also consider guidelines for physicians who write marijuana recommendations, such as whether to ask all women of childbearing age whether they are pregnant before writing a recommendation or whether practitioners in these cases should offer a pregnancy test first. The commission exclusively has the power to regulate the possession, manufacture, distribution, delivery and dispensing of medical cannabis by registered cannabis establishments. Seed-to-sale software Mueting and Bailey offered another sobering frustration: the desire for seed-to-sale tracking technology that Bailey described as absolutely a necessity. Mueting said other states that started without such software are changing course. I think this is something that this commission is pretty in unison about, Mueting said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mueting said she has looked at cannabis programs in Iowa, Georgia, Utah and Hawaii in her independent work and that shes talked with the Cannabis Regulators Association. She said shes also connected with Nebraska procurement officials on how the commission might be able to request information from seed-to-sale operators in other states. The Nebraska Liquor Control Commission meets for its monthly meeting Aug. 5, 2025. From left: Commissioners Kim Lowe of Kearney, Bruce Bailey of Lincoln (chair) and J. Michael Coffey of Omaha. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) A seed-to-sale system could annually cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, Bailey said, in addition to initial conversations on how to merge some Medical Cannabis Commission software with the Liquor Control Commission that Bailey chairs. Mueting said the commission might try having licensees pay seed-to-sale vendors directly for the ability to use the software, instead of paying the commission, which a national regulator indicated no other state has been able to do. Mueting said Nebraska wants to at least try, given the commissions limited options. Under state law, the three gubernatorially appointed members of the Liquor Control Commission automatically serve on the Medical Cannabis Commission, plus up to two at-large appointees. What comes next The lack of legislatively appropriated Medical Cannabis Commission funding spilled over Tuesday into a meeting of the Liquor Control Commission. There, commissioners approved a roughly $108 payment for newspaper public notices the Medical Cannabis Commission needed for two June meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State lawmakers this spring did not give the Medical Cannabis Commission any funds. Instead, state senators gave the Liquor Control Commission an extra $30,000 this year to be used to reimburse staff who might take on additional duties because of the new regulatory laws. Bailey has made clear his hesitation and caution before using Liquor Control Commission funds, saying Tuesday there would be a lot more study about paying any larger bills. Mueting will be the point person to negotiate with her colleagues on the Liquor Control Commission on a joint agency agreement to more clearly define how the agencies could share funds, staff or other resources. There is no timeline for when that agreement would be drafted or approved. Bailey voiced his support for vertical or horizontal licensing, meaning that someone could possess different types of medical cannabis licenses or possess multiple licenses across different geographic parts of the state. He added that he hopes the Medical Cannabis Commission can have updated rules for public review before the next commission meeting. Bailey said he also hopes licensing might be able to move in phases, such as with cultivators first. The Medical Cannabis Commission is scheduled to meet next at 1 p.m. on Sept. 2. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) Federal investigators on Wednesday were trying to piece together what caused a medical transport plane to crash on the Navajo Nation in northern Arizona, killing the four people on board and leaving the medical community in neighboring New Mexico heartbroken. The two pilots, flight nurse and paramedic who were onboard were based out of Albuquerque and had worked with hospitals throughout the area. While authorities had yet to release their names, colleagues and friends shared condolences and prayers on social media. Many shared details about the crew's dedication to patients and the incredible void left by the tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew was on its way to pick up a patient from the federal Indian Health Service hospital in Chinle when the plane crashed near the airport there, Navajo authorities said. The plan was to return to Albuquerque. The Beechcraft King Air 300 was owned by CSI Aviation, which said in a statement it was devastated and that the four were more than just colleagues. Their courage, care, and dedication will never be forgotten, the company said. Our hearts are with their families, friends, and loved ones. According to CSI Aviation's website, the nationally accredited carrier never had an accident or incident and never had any FAA sanctions. It provides medical flights in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Colorado and South Dakota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Medical transports by air from the Navajo Nation are common because most hospitals are small and do not offer advanced or trauma care. The Chinle airport is one of a handful of airports that the tribe owns and operates on the vast 27,000-square-mile (70,000-square-kilometer) reservation that stretches into Arizona, New Mexico and Utah the largest land base of any Native American tribe. Aviation safety consultant Jeff Guzzetti, who is a former NTSB and FAA crash investigator, said it is difficult to say what caused this crash in a remote area like Chinle because so few details are readily available. The high altitude of Chinle, which sits just over 5,500 feet above sea level, and the high temperatures Tuesday around 95 degrees can make it harder for a plane to get the lift it needs to fly. But Guzzetti said that is usually more of an issue at takeoff rather than landing and this kind of Beechcraft Super King Air plane has plenty of power with its twin turboprop engines. The plane also shouldnt have been overweight because it had already burned off fuel during its flight and hadnt yet picked up the patient. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time the plane was trying to land, the wind was gusting up to 28 knots, which could have made landing difficult at the Chinle airport, which has a narrow, 60-foot-wide runway. Gusting crosswinds to 28 knots can make things a little bit challenging, Guzzetti said. The winds might have been an issue. Aside from examining the wreckage, NTSB investigators will be reviewing flight data, any air traffic control communications, aircraft maintenance records and weather conditions at the time as they try to determine what caused the crash. Investigators have recovered the cockpit voice recorder and will send it to NTSB headquarters in Washington for analysis. ___ AP Transportation Writer Josh Funk reported from Omaha, Nebraska. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) Leandra Johnson remembers going into labor on January 14, 2007. Johnson was staying with her cousins at the time. I kept telling them something was wrong, she recalled. They said, Oh well maybe your water broke. I said, I dont think it broke. I think something else is going on.' Her cousins dropped everything and drove her to Memorial Hospital in Pawtucket before rushing to get her husband, who was working at the time. She was given an epidural and started experiencing contractions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats when everything changed. He came out, but he wasnt breathing, Johnson recalled, referring to her son Tyquan. Johnson was fully prepared to mourn the loss of her newborn baby after that, but thankfully she didnt have to. As the doctor was telling us our baby was dead, he got called back from the room because [Tyquan] had a heartbeat, Johnson continued, wiping away tears. From there, everything went fine. He was OK. From that moment onward, Leandra decided that Tyquan would be her first and only child. I have always called him my miracle, Leandra said of her son. SEE ALSO: RI boys 2007 birth deemed a miracle by Pope Leo XIV Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Catholic Church also believes a miracle happened that night. Tyquan was not expected to survive, especially after he had not taken a breath for 65 minutes. His doctor stepped aside and prayed to Father Salvador Valera Parra, a 19th-century Spanish priest, for intercession. Thats when Tyquans heart began to beat with no medical intervention, according to the church. Despite spending the first several months of his life in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Tyquan went on to lead a normal, healthy and active life. The Catholic Church points to that as even more evidence of a miracle, since Tyquan suffered no lasting effects from his complicated birth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyquan was 11 years old when he moved from Rhode Island to Virginia with his family. The now 18-year-old graduated from high school this past spring. I was about 4 years old when I first really heard the story, Tyquan said, adding that he was riding in the car with his father at the time. He said, You really were a miracle for your mother and I and that was really nice to hear. He never imagined that story would ever be shared across the globe. Tyquan told 12 News he was on the phone with one of his cousins when he learned Pope XIV, the Catholic Churchs first pope from the United States, had formally declared his birth a miracle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I was like, Oh wow, this really solidifies it,' he said. Leandra told 12 News the declaration means that what her family experienced was not only real to them, but to others as well. Miracles do happen, she said. To those who dont believe youve just got to believe. Tyquan told 12 News he want to pay it forward because he knows he was given a second chance at life. He is planning on enlisting in the United States military and pursuing computer science, with the overall goal of protecting the country from cyber threats. Im a miracle, so let me do miracle things, Tyquan said. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Special Coverage & Notices Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Visitors walk under a sign marking the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb attack in World War II at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Credit - Buddhika WeerasingheGetty Images On a humid July morning in Hiroshima, Japan, I sat in a basement conference room below Peace Memorial Park with 40 other delegates in the U.S.-Japan Leadership Program, listening to the 80-year-old Koko Kondo describe the horror of the U.S. atomic bombings. Koko is a Hibakusha, literally a bomb-affected person. She was just a baby when the 9,700-lb. Little Boy bomb dropped by the B-29 bomber Enola Gay incinerated most of her city 80 years ago today. Last week, her mind was sharp, her remarks surprisingly funny, and her voice steady. She recounted how her father Tanimoto, a priest, initially rushed home after the deafening blast and searing light to search for his wife and infant daughter instead of helping the burned and blinded people around him. That memory haunted him for the rest of his life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read More: Survivors of the Atomic Blasts in Hiroshima and Nagasaki Share Their Stories But what truly startled me was what came next. Koko had always dreamed about what she would do if she met any of the Enola Gay crew, men she assumed must have been monsters. Yet when she astonishingly did meet its co-pilot, Captain Robert Lewis, on the American This is Your Life game show in 1955, she saw a tear roll down his cheek as he recounted looking at the ruins of Hiroshima from the plane and wondering: My God, what have we done? I realized I didnt hate him, she said. I hated war. They ended up holding hands. Then Koko paused, and mentioned that when he came to Hiroshima, President Obama spoke of a Hiroshima survivor who forgave a pilot who flew the plane. I always wonder was that me? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt a strange electricity pass through my spine. My palms started sweating. I had served as a speechwriter for Obama when he became the first sitting U.S. President to give remarks at Hiroshima. And I remembered that I had helped collect research for Ben Rhodes, the brilliant speechwriter who helped prepare those remarks. As I worked with a few others to dig through stories and narratives, suddenly I recalled reading Kokos tale. I walked up to the front of the conference room, located just a few hundred feet from the detonations ground zero. Koko-san, I said gently, I believe I can answer your question about President Obama because I did research for that speech. That was your story that he told. Some of my fellow delegates captured this moment on video. In it, you can hear them gasp as they realize what is happening. Koko yelps and claps in surprise. Tears well up. Koko and I embrace. Somehow, across eight decades and two continents, the various strands of history felt like they came together. The global narrative of the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki remains unclear, and debates continue to rage on this topic. Some argue it hastened the end of World War II and saved untold civilian and military lives that would have been lost in a ground invasion of Imperial Japan. Others argue the bombings were militarily unnecessary, inherently immoral, and primarily designed to flex American power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then there are the messy human stories. For example, one Japanese delegate revealed that her grandfather was slated to perish as a Kamikaze pilot on Aug. 17, 1945. His life was spared when Japan surrendered two days earlier, and he went on to meet and marry her grandmother. I wondered if her very existence was made possible by the deaths of more than 100,000 others. Still, for many in the U.S., World War II is remembered as a just war. As a Jewish American, I primarily learned about the war in Hebrew school, reading about the horrors of the Holocaust and the bravery of our Greatest Generation in saving the world from the Nazis and fascism. It is a history easy to tell as a simple narrative of right and wrong, hero and villain. Meeting Koko and spending time in Japan complicated my idea of even this just war. I saw how conflict can devastate communities, and the after-effects can linger for generations. The past is never dead, William Faulkner famously wrote. Its not even past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I used to think that quote was about memory. But sitting beside Koko, who survived a nuclear bomb, met the man who dropped it, and lived to see her story told by an American President, I realized its also about our future. The past is not past because it still asks things of us today. As Americans, when we consider current conflicts raging around the globe, or when we debate domestic immigration or criminal justice policy, our politics and social media algorithms can encourage us to flatten people into mere enemies. Kokos story urges us to find a better path, and to seek out human connection. Meeting Captain Lewis allowed her to forgive a man who dropped a bomb on her. Meeting another delegate whose grandparent had been a Kamikaze pilot forced me to rethink my assumptions as a Jewish American about the descendants of Axis power military members. Our planet is enormous, and its history is complicated. But the world is still small enough for two peopleone who lived history and one who tried to help tell itto connect. When that happens, its not just memory that comes alive. Its hope. Contact us at letters@time.com. Megyn Kelly and Charlie Kirk continued to break down the controversy surrounding Sydney Sweeneys American Eagle jeans campaign on Wednesdays The Megyn Kelly Show, this time slamming liberal media for gaslighting them to think blowback to the ad is thanks to MAGA. While they point to recent dissenting reports from the likes of Pod Save America that criticizes right-wing pundits and news organizations like Fox News for focusing too much on the good jeans ad, Kirk asserted that outcry over the ad began on the left. More from TheWrap Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To compare a Sydney Sweeney ad for 20 minutes to Goebbels and Hitler and eugenics I mean, thats really dark stuff, Kirk said. And then for them to gaslight us that, you know, that littel dwarf on Pod Save America that you were getting in a debate with, he was like, Oh, no one was saying that. Well, hold on. ABC News Good Morning America platformed a subject matter expert for a pretty long interview by morning show time you know morning show time is precious, Megyn. And shes going on about how this is eugenics and a return to Nazism. And then they gaslight us against it for even saying that this became a major issue. Theyre literally trying to gaslight us in real time. Kelly then pulled up a clip of the segment, which featured Kean University professor Robin Landa, who explained why Sweeneys ad garnered so much controversy, saying that the historical use of eugenics weaponized the idea of good genes to justify white supremacism. Watch the Megyn Kelly Show segment below: Unbelievable, Kelly said once the clip ended. But she wasnt finished with her examples. She then mentioned the Rolling Stone report, who she said blamed Fox News for overly covering the drama surrounding the actress ad. She noted that Rolling Stone wrote that no prominent Democratic lawmakers have weighed in on the situation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thats the new test, you see, Kelly said. Not withstanding all that whole laundry list I went though, the test is whether weve seen Joe Biden say something about it. Or whether Chuck Schumer gave a Senate floor speech about the Sydney Sweeney ad, Kirk chimed in. Thats the threshold of whether or not this is a big deal or not? Sorry, we actually understand culture guys. Kirk went on to point out how he feels liberal media, specifically ABC News, directly attacked the white population in the U.S. by prefacing their report on the Sweeney by mentioning her traditionally white genetic features. If it was a Hispanic person that says, I have good jeans OK, fine. But now, because of that, youre trying to shame an entire part of the American population If you want to talk about whos actually pushing forward pseudo-like race politics, its them. We dont look at that ad and think of race at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly came back in to mention that the ad was likely applauding Sydneys breasts as her good genes. A hundred percent, Kirk said. Shes got good genes because she doesnt have to go to plastic surgery where other women would have to. Yeah, shes got a rockin body, Kelly. Kelly and Kirk are the latest to weigh in on the Sweeney-American Eagle drama. The American Eagle described its campaign as a return to essential denim dressing. It showcases Sweeney in a blue, denim jacket and pants set, all of which are part of her collection The Sydney Jean. The issue at hand isnt the actress jeans, but rather her script. Her lines read: genes are passed down from parents to offspring, often determining traits like hair color, personality and even eye color. My jeans are blue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some felt that the campaign promotion of great jeans while highlighting a person who has blond hair and blue eyes, encouraged the idea of eugenics, the belief and practice of attempting to improve the human race through selective breeding of certain populations of people, which has been historically used in the U.S. to target marginalized communities, including people of color, people with disabilities and the less financial fortunate. On Friday, American Eagle posted a statement rejecting the idea that their ad was racially charged. Sydney Sweeney Has Great Jeans is and always was about the jeans. Her jeans. Her story, the message wrote. Well continue to celebrate how everyone wears their AE jeans with confidence, their way. Great jeans look good on everyone. The post Megyn Kelly, Charlie Kirk Drag Liberal Media for Blaming Sydney Sweeney Blowback on MAGA: Gaslight Us in Real Time | Video appeared first on TheWrap. A portion of Highway 30 heading into Jackson County was named the Senator Albert Robinson Memorial Highway during a ceremony held Friday honoring the longtime lawmakers decades of public service. Robinson, who died at age 85 on December 2, 2024, served Kentucky for more than 50 years across both chambers of the state legislature. He was a Republican member of the Kentucky Senate representing District 21 from 1994 to 2005 and again from 2013 to 2021. He also served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1972 to 1985 and from 1987 to 1989. The new memorial sign stands along KY 30, a road Robinson was instrumental in developing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What better place to have it than on 30, right here going into Jackson County? said Sen. Brandon Storm. He was married to his lovely Lucille for 62 years and he served the state for half a century thats pretty amazing to do that. Laurel County Sheriff John Root also reflected on Robinsons impact, stating, Albert was a friend of mine. Hes missed, and he deserves everything hes getting here... His legacy lives on. Laurel County Clerk Tony Brown called the tribute more than fitting and described Robinson as a lovely man who had lots of stories and was great to talk to. Robinson is survived by his wife, Lucille, two daughters Dr. Francine Mosley and Leah Burgin, and son Stephen Robinson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lucille Robinson gave a heartfelt message for the designation. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet for naming a portion of Highway 30 the Senator Albert Robinson Memorial Highway, she said. This gesture of the highway memorial honors not only the legacy of a remarkable public servant, but also the decades of tireless dedication that Senator Robinson gave to our state His leadership, wisdom, and unwavering commitment have left an indelible mark on Kentucky. Dr. Mosley noted that the recognition came despite her fathers humble approach to public life. Daddy specifically requested that we not do things like get his name plastered. He did not want us to chase after this, because his whole purpose of what he did was service, Mosley said. It was a service and it was the true joy of his life. It wasnt for the power that he got out of it its what he was able to do for other people. A sign honoring the memorial highway can be seen near Ulrich Lane in East Bernstadt. MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Memphis City Council is deciding how it plans to spend $2.8M in interest revenue from the 2021 American Rescue Plan Act. Mayor Paul Young wants the money to go towards non-profit organizations and policing improvements in Memphis, while some council members have other ideas in mind. The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan helped provide funding for families, businesses and local and state governments during the pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When money was given to Memphis, city leaders held the funds in escrow, and it generated $2.8M in interest revenue. At Tuesdays Memphis City Council meeting, Mayor Paul Young told council members what he wants the money to go towards. Jail, courts could move to North Memphis in proposal under consideration by county $750K for Boys and Girls Club of Memphis, you all probably remember when there was an announcement that a number of their after-school programs had to go away, he said. Mayor Young says that money will help restore and invest in after-school programs. Additionally, he wants $750K to go towards Alliance Healthcare, $400K for PURE Academy investments and $900K for the Integrity in Policing Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayor says the plan to allocate funding for policing stems from the Department of Justices investigation into the Memphis Police Department, following the deadly police beating of Tyre Nichols. Although the DOJs report and its findings have been retracted, Mayor Young says he wants to uphold the citys promise to create a police task force. Man struck and killed by car in East Memphis The Mayors funding proposal was hit with pushback from Councilwoman Rhonda Logan, who says shed like to see that money go towards blight remediation in Memphis. This would go towards potholes, as weve talked about. Our existing sidewalk assistance fund, tree removal, and three additional convenient centers that we voted on, as well as installation of speed humps, and these are throughout all of our districts, Logan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Councilwomen Jerri Green and Yolanda Cooper-Sutton also said there should be a better explanation of the money, spending plans and the Integrity in Policing Act. In two weeks, the Memphis City Council plans to further discuss how the city should spend money from the American Rescue Plan Act. WREG will keep you updated on this story. For more information about the American Rescue Plan Acts spending in 2021 click the link: https://data.memphistn.gov/stories/s/ARPA-Funding/te6b-df6b Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com. A men's health initiative has been launched to support the wellbeing of hospital staff. University Hospitals of North Midlands NHS Trust (UHNM) hosted its first Chill and Spill group session at Royal Stoke University Hospital to encourage male staff to talk about self-care and mental health. The session, hosted by the organisational development department, was attended by more than 40 people. The trust said it marked a major milestone in the ongoing development of UHNM's Men's Health Group. 'Overwhelming' reaction Trainer James Harvey launched the group in June 2023, having been inspired to champion men's health following the loss of his brother in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It became apparent that as an organisation we weren't championing men's health enough and we could be doing more to support the health and wellbeing of our male colleagues," he said. The group started with staff meetings every six weeks and regular podcasts before expanding. Mr Harvey said: "The aim of Chill and Spill is to create a safe and relaxed space for men at UHNM to simply talk, be that about serious issues or everyday life. "The reaction from the men in the room was overwhelming. The open format allowed everyone to contribute at their own pace and we covered a wide range of topics, from suicide prevention to burnout and the emotional challenges of fatherhood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One colleague told us afterward how a topic we discussed brought up deep emotions he'd never shared before." The session was attended by more than 40 people [UHNM NHS Trust] Estate manager Marc Porter, who attended with some of his team, said the response from his colleagues was "overwhelmingly positive". "For me, it highlighted how much I've kept to myself over the years instead of speaking openly, something many men struggle with," he added. Further sessions are planned at Royal Stoke and also County Hospital in Stafford and there has been interest from other NHS Trusts. Mr Harvey said: "This is about creating a culture where men feel seen and supported. It's about all of us looking out for one another, making time for self-care, and promoting real connection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I want this to be the best men's health group in the NHS. We're just getting started, but we're already making a difference." Follow BBC Stoke & Staffordshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. More on this story Related internet links Army CID vets reveal Ft. Stewart investigation insights The U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Division is expected to lead the investigation into the mass shooting at Fort Stewart, where five soldiers were shot. Cobb County Sheriff Craig Owens, who has extensive experience with Army CID, explained that the division has primary jurisdiction over the mass shooting at Fort Stewart. Owens served as a command sergeant major in the Army Reserve, overseeing four CID battalions, and highlighted the specialized training CID agents receive for active shooter situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens said CID is always prepared for active shooter scenarios. They have extensive training in that, Owens told Channel 2 investigative reporter Mark Winne. A CID agent will receive top-tier training that the Army has to offer for them. They are the cream of the crop for investigative capability. So, they would not only attend active shooter familiarization, but also in methods to investigate those crimes. Retired Army Col. Cullen Wright, who commanded the CID battalions, described CID agents as the cream of the crop for investigative capability. CID, along with their other federal partners, has tremendous reach to be able to look and put parts of the puzzle together to hopefully figure out if there were warning signals and what they were, things to watch in the future, just lessons learned in general. Theyll also look to see if there is an additional threat that could be present with this because thats a very immediate concern. This is part of a series or a group, which I dont hear anything today that leads me to believe that. But they do have a lot of cyber and investigative, Wright said. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Owens emphasized the high level of training and specialization among CID agents, noting their expertise in various investigative techniques. He expressed confidence in their ability to handle the Fort Stewart investigation. Theyre very good, highly trained individuals. A lot of them are specialists in their particular craft within the CID, Owens said. Wright mentioned the collaborative efforts between CID and federal partners, such as the FBI, to piece together evidence and assess any potential ongoing threats. He noted that CIDs reach allows them to analyze warning signals and learn lessons for future prevention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The investigation will involve detailed forensic analysis, including trajectory and blood splatter assessments, as well as gathering witness statements and reviewing security footage. Much of the Fort Stewart physical evidence may wind up at the Defense Forensic Science Center at the former Fort Gillem here in metro Atlanta. It is an amazing facility with brilliant people there that are very, very good at what they do, Wright said. Wright said there will be hours and hours of processing the crime scene, doing trajectory analysis of any rounds that were fired, blood splatter analysis and looking at any projectiles or shell casings. He said there will be witness statements, searching social media, and looking at any security cameras near the incident and a lot more. The seal of the Treasury Department on the Treasury Building in Washington, DC. - Credit: MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images The U.S. Treasury Department has accused Mexican rapper El Makabelico of using his concert and streaming revenue to launder money for a cartel. On Wednesday, the government agency announced sanctions on the musician, born Ricardo Hernandez Medrano, for allegedly being a prominent associate of Cartel del Noreste. In a Wednesday press release, the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control accused El Makabelico, who frequently raps about narcoculture and CDN specifically, of working with the criminal organization previously known as Los Zetas, one of the most violent drug trafficking organizations, by laundering money for it and also allegedly giving half of his streaming royalties to the group. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CDN depends on these alternative revenue streams and money laundering methods to boost their criminal enterprise, diversifying their income beyond criminal activity like drug trafficking, human smuggling, and extortion, reads the release from the government organization. His designation by the Treasury Department are for being owned, controlled, or directed by, or having acted or purported to act for or on behalf of, directly or indirectly, CDN. Hernandezs U.S. interests and property are now being blocked, and people in the United States will not be able to do business with him, or could face violations leading to civil and/or criminal penalties. The rapper has over 3 million monthly listeners on Spotify, and boasts over 30 million streams on songs such as El Sobrino, El Two Six, and Fuerzas Especiales Minimi, in which he directly shouts out CDN. El Makabelico appears to be signed to Del Records, the same label whose CEO, Angel Del Villar, was convicted on federal charges of working with a concert promoter linked to cartels in Mexico. Del Villar is set to be sentenced later this month and could face more than six years in prison, along with a large fine. A rep for Del Records did not immediately respond to Rolling Stones request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In its statement, the Treasury Department also announced sanctions on several high-ranking members of the Cartel Del Noreste, including Abdon Federico Rodriguez Garcia, Antonio Romero Sanchez, and Franky Esqueda. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. The Brief The Michigan governor made another stop at the White House this year, meeting with President Donald Trump. Gretchen Whitmer spoke with the president about tariffs, the impacts that Medicaid recipients are experiencing, and recovery efforts following an ice storm. The governor and the president previous spoke about the Selfridge Air National Guard base and invasive carp during Whitmer's first visit. (FOX 2) - Gretchen Whitmer met with President Donald Trump on Tuesday in what was her latest visit to the White House in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topics the two spoke about included tariff impacts, the ongoing fallout from the ice storms up north, and how Michigan residents are managing changes to Medicaid. What we know The governor's press secretary confirmed with FOX 2 that Whitmer had recently met with Trump. She told the president about the impact that tariffs were having on Michigan's auto industry, continued work helping the state following a devastating ice storm earlier this year, and the harm that Medicaid recipients are experiencing following changes to the social safety net. The governor is seeking two changes to Medicaid: a three-year period that allows Michigan to transition to a newer, more compliant system that fits the federal government's new rules and better collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also discussed the vacant manufacturing mega-site in Genesee County, which was intended to become the location of a chip manufacturing plant before its owner backed out. What they're saying In a statement from the governor's office, she celebrated the previous work on the military base in Macomb County and securing funding to fight invasive carp threatening the Great Lakes. "I will always do whatever I can to make life a little easier for Michiganders and strengthen our economy. We should do everything in our power to lower costs and grow more good-paying jobs in Michigan," she said. "I appreciate the presidents time and attention to the matters we discussed." Dig deeper Michigan is among states hardest hit by the president's new tariff policies, citing the state's business ties to Canada and Mexico that focus on the auto industry. The Source Previous reporting and information from the Michigan governor's office. DEARBORN, Mich. (AP) Brick by brick, beam by beam and shingle by shingle, a house where the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and others planned marches in support of Black voting rights in the Deep South has been trucked from Alabama to a museum near Detroit. The intricate operation to move and preserve the Jackson Home and other artifacts from the Civil Rights era preceded President Donald Trump's efforts to eradicate what he calls divisive and race-centered ideologies, and minimize the cultural and historical impact of race, racism and Black Americans. Trump's purges have sought to remove all reference to diversity, equity and inclusion from the federal government and workforce, and many private companies have followed suit. The establishments that house some of the most important reminders of African American history including the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. have come under particular pressure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief executive of the Henry Ford, the new location of the Jackson Home, insists the museum has no political agenda. The Henry Fords work is focusing on good, factual public history, Patricia Mooradian told The Associated Press. The Jackson Home King was often at the home of Dr. Sullivan and Richie Jean Jackson in Selma, Alabama, during the pivotal years of the Civil Rights Movement in the early '60s. It was within the walls of the 3,000-square-foot (280-square-meter) bungalow that King and others strategized a series of peaceful marches from Selma to the state capital, Montgomery, that helped usher in the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jawana Jackson told AP in 2023 that she decided to ask the Henry Ford a history museum complex in Dearborn, Michigan to relocate and preserve her parents' house and its contents because she believes the house belonged to the world. The building was taken apart and carried the more than 1,000 miles (1,600 kilometers) to be reconstructed in Greenfield Village at the Henry Ford, and archivists are digitizing and cataloging some 6,000 items contained within. They illustrate the movement's efforts to seek equal rights despite the often violent response of angry mobs and the police. The fact that the Jackson family saved things for this long, even though they may have been out of date or old, they knew the significance of all the things that were in that home, and they saved them and preserved them, Mooradian said. A different view of American history Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second Trump administration has made it clear that viewing history through what it considers a woke or antiwhite lens will not be tolerated. The president has made specific moves to remove any reference to divisions over race, gender or sexuality in national institutions. Last week, the Smithsonian Institution removed from an exhibit a reference to Trumps two impeachments in 2019 and in 2021. The Democratic majority in the House voted each time for impeachment. The Republican-led Senate each time acquitted Trump. A Smithsonian spokesman said the exhibit eventually will include all impeachments. The U.S. has withdrawn from the United Nations cultural agency because, according to the White House, UNESCO supports woke, divisive cultural and social causes that are totally out-of-step with the commonsense policies that Americans voted for in November. Trump also fired the Kennedy Center board and slashed funding for the National Endowment for the Arts and National Endowment for the Humanities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the president issued an executive order titled Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History," that condemns the Smithsonian Institution a vast complex of museums, galleries and a zoo for what he calls its widespread effort to rewrite history. The Smithsonian includes the National Museum of African American History and Culture. Once widely respected as a symbol of American excellence and a global icon of cultural achievement, the Smithsonian Institution has, in recent years, come under the influence of a divisive, race-centered ideology, Trump wrote. This shift has promoted narratives that portray American and Western values as inherently harmful and oppressive. Mooradian said she is saddened by the order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think museums are such an important part of our culture and our heritage, not just in this country but around the globe," she said. "And its important that we tell the truth, that people look to us for the truth, not for opinion, not for judgements but for the truth. Trying to wipe out our identity Just weeks after Trump's March executive order, the Rev. Amos Brown, pastor emeritus of San Francisco's Third Baptist Church who was an activist in the Civil Rights Movement, said he was notified that two family bibles and a book on Black history that he lent to the African American history museum in 2016 would be removed from the collection. Brown blamed the president for the snub, calling it an attempt to wipe out our identity." He said last month that the books have not been returned to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Smithsonian said in a June statement that it routinely returns artifacts per applicable loan agreements and rotates objects on display in accordance with the Smithsonians high standards of care and preservation and as part of our regular museum turnover. The Smithsonian and the African American museum have not responded to AP interview requests. Were not going to hide the pain' The National Museum of African American History and Culture and the National Museum of American History are holders of some of the most iconic artifacts from the Civil Rights era, including the lunch counter and stool from a Greensboro, North Carolina, diner where a group of Black college students conducted a sit-in to protest segregation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other items are on display in museums across the U.S. The Mississippi Civil Rights Museum in Jackson has on loan a door from a grocery store where witnesses said 14-year-old Emmett Till of Chicago whistled at a white woman in 1955. Till had been visiting relatives in Mississippi. Soon after, he was abducted and his body was later pulled from a river. We can be guardians of these very few and fragile remains, said Kathryn Etre, director of conservation at the Mississippi Department of Archives and History. Were not going to hide the pain and all of the terror and all the awful things that happened. We try to be unbiased and tell every side of the story. BENTON HARBOR, Mich. Sen. Elissa Slotkin, a rising Democratic star from Michigan, told NBC News that Democrats should go nuclear to counter Republicans push in Texas and other red states to redraw the congressional maps in their favor. The first-term senator, who was tapped to deliver the Democratic rebuttal to President Donald Trumps joint address to Congress this year, said Democrats have to fight fire with fire. Im going to urge and encourage blue states like a California or Chicago or Illinois to do the same thing. I dont want to do that. I want the country to have a completely nonpartisan drawing of the lines based on the census. But if theyre going to do that and go nuclear, so am I, she said in an exclusive interview after her first and only town hall of the congressional August recess on Monday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slotkin argued that Democrats should go on the offensive against Trump and congressional Republicans agenda more broadly. If Republicans want her vote on a spending bill to avert a government shutdown at the end of September, for example, Slotkin said they will need to roll back health care cuts signed into law as part of Trumps megabill last month. If my vote is wanted, right, then we got to negotiate. And then the thing Im going to negotiate for is returning some of that health care to the people I represent, she told NBC News, noting that she voted against a Republican spending bill in March as well. The top Democrat in the Senate, Chuck Schumer of New York, faced intense backlash from the base after he allowed a key procedural vote on that bill to move forward. Slotkin said Democrats are ready for a new generation of leadership, noting that at 49 years old, shes like a spring chicken in the Senate. She referred to older leaders, at one point, as warmed over leftovers and said younger voters relate to members who get technology and the changing economy and dont use a flip phone. Slotkin brought up the issue during the town hall as well. Lets be honest, even here tonight, right? It is a very hard thing to bring our young people into the conversation, because theyre disillusioned, they feel left out, they feel like these people dont represent me, she told the crowd, which was overwhelmingly composed of White seniors and older voters, although it was held at a Boys and Girls Club in predominantly-Black Benton Harbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The club, which is in Republican Rep. Bill Huizengas district, has lobbied her to protect its federal funding, Slotkin said. One Democrat who appears to have a grasp on the demographic the rest of the party seems to be struggling with, Slotkin said, is Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic nominee for mayor in New York City. Slotkin said she disagrees with Mamdani on many issues, but that his upset victory over former Gov. Andrew Cuomo was like a blinking red light. Its hard to miss the message of that election, which I think was very similar, frankly, to the election we had in November. Cost of living is still the biggest issue for people that I talk to, she said. Its not maybe the internets biggest issue, Twitters biggest issue. It is the issue that 80% of my constituents will talk to me about in the street. Slotkin said its not about progressive versus moderate. Like Mamdani, Trump defeated Kamala Harris in 2024 after making lowering costs central to his campaign. He was going to put more money into your pocket and his yard signs, his digital ads, his TV ads, they were all centered around that, she said. For Democrats, it was hard to know exactly what our priorities were. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a lot of issues we cared deeply about, but sometimes, when you care about everything, no one knows what your priorities are, she continued. So my strong belief is that our priority has to be the economy. The Democratic Party is divided on a central question right now, Slotkin said: Is Donald Trump an existential threat to democracy in his second term, or is Donald Trumps second term bad, but, like his first term, survivable if we just wait it out? And I just want you to know, from your senator, as someone who sits in that room on your behalf, I am in camp number one, he is an existential threat to democracy. Asked about Gaza, Slotkin, a former CIA analyst who is pro-Israel, said she would have voted in favor of blocking certain offensive weapons sales to Israel last week. She missed the votes, brought by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., which failed but attracted the support of more than half of Senate Democrats. Its a very dangerous thing if we have support for our relationships abroad be completely partisan, Slotkin said, adding that she was glad that Trump sent his Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff to Gaza. I think thats an important step to, like, see whats on the ground and just bring this thing, all hostages out, end the humanitarian blockade. Like, get it done. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com HONOLULU (KHON2) If youre looking for something to do this weekend, then look no further than Hawaii Theatre. KHON2s own Joe Moore and former Wheel of Fortune host Pat Sajak are in the thick of a murder mystery that will delight and entertain you. This global phenomenon is nestled in Honolulus Chinatown Refashioned into a play, Prescription: Murder was a 1968 TV movie that introduced the character of Lieutenant Columbo. The plot centers on Dr. Ray Fleming (played by Sajak), a successful psychiatrist who plots the perfect murder to get rid of his wealthy and controlling wife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With the help of his mistress, he creates an airtight alibi and stages the crime to look like a burglary gone wrong. Free hula show draws hundreds of locals, visitors to Waikiki: Where to find it However, the seemingly absent-minded but shrewd detective, Lt. Columbo (played by Moore) starts investigating and slowly unravels the truth. Lt. Columbos persistent questioning and disarming demeanor led Dr. Fleming to underestimate him. Bit by bit, Lt. Columbo exposes inconsistencies in the doctors story and applies psychological pressure. Ultimately, the murderers overconfidence becomes his downfall. Get Hawaiis latest morning news delivered to your inbox, sign up for News 2 You Taking place in the historic Hawaii Theatre really makes this play feel like the mid-century experience the play wants you to have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With its ornamental decor that blends neoclassical, art deco and beaux-arts design elements, you feel immersed in Lt. Columbos world of 1960s Los Angeles. The acting is quite a treat, too. From Sajak and Moore to their co-stars, Therese Olivar, Amy K. Sullivan, Bryce Moore and Aiko Chenin, you feel the chemistry and commitment radiating from the stage, as each performer brings depth and energy to their roles and create a seamless ensemble that draws the audience in. Get news on the go with KHON 2GO, KHONs morning podcast, every morning at 8 You can click here for tickets. The show runs through Sunday, Aug. 10. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KHON2. The Indiana Statehouse adorned with scaffolding for a roofing project on March 28, 2025. (Niki Kelly/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indianas Democratic lawmakers and concerned residents will be at the Statehouse Thursday to protest a campaign to redistrict mid-cycle. Vice President JD Vance will be in Indiana to meet with Gov. Mike Braun and other leaders about the possibility of creating more GOP seats with redrawn congressional boundaries. This follows a tussle in Republican-held Texas over new maps and threats from Democrat-run states to retaliate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braun has said hell listen but that no commitments have been made. Legislative leaders have declined to comment. State lawmakers redraw districts after each decennial census, as per the Indiana Constitution. They last did so in 2021. Congressional Republicans have a 7-2 advantage. A move in Indiana would likely focus on the First District in northwest Indiana, which is held by U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan, a Democrat. He released a lengthy statement Wednesday against the redistricting campaign. The Trump Administration has recognized that their harmful policies to benefit wealthy elites at the expense of working families are wildly unpopular. They know that their only hope to maintain control is to pressure the Indiana General Assembly to violate the Indiana Constitution and redistrict U.S. House of Representative seats mid-decade, Mrvan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its reprehensible to call in the Indiana General Assembly for a special session on redistricting when the communities I represent believe their time would be better spent to discuss initiatives that restore state funds for our local police departments, he continued. He and fellow Democratic U.S. Rep. Andre Carson will speak at a 12:30 p.m. Winners Dont Cheat news conference at the Statehouse Thursday, along with several General Assembly Democrats. Carson addressed the issue at an unrelated Wednesday event, saying, Our voting rights are under attack like never before. MADVoters has also planned a Statehouse sit-in on the second floor. Indiana Hoosiers, All Hands on Deck, an invitation reads. Stand up to Gov. Brauns gerrymandering scheme. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) A Midland man was arrested Monday in connection with a July 4 shooting at a local barbershop that left one man injured and multiple people, including children, in harms way, according to court documents. 41-year-old Jason Jerome Williams was booked into the Midland County Detention Center on Aug. 4. He faces three felony charges: two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and one count of deadly conductdischarge of a firearm. His total bond was set at $550,000. According to a probable cause affidavit, officers with the Midland Police Department were called to the shopping center at 200 North Lee Street on the evening of July 4 for reports of shots fired. Officers later learned that a gunshot victim had been taken to Midland Memorial Hospital. The man, referred to in court records as Victim 1, sustained a gunshot wound to his left hand but declined to cooperate with investigators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the victim did not wish to pursue charges, a woman who used to be in a relationship with Williams at the time came forward weeks later and provided a statement to police on Aug. 2. The woman told investigators the barbershop had been hosting a holiday cookout attended by 15 to 20 people, including children, when Williams became angry after she took cocaine from him in an effort to stop his drug use. According to her statement, Williams grabbed her by the throat and began threatening her. Several patrons at the barbershop intervened, pulled Williams off of her, and forced him outside. Before leaving, Williams reportedly shouted, Im going to get my gun. Be here when I get back. The woman said she hid in the mens restroom. A child, estimated to be about 9 years old, was also inside. Moments later, Williams allegedly forced the door open and grabbed her by the neck with one hand while holding a 9mm handgun with an extended magazine in the other. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the affidavit, the woman and two other patrons attempted to wrestle the gun away. One person managed to remove the magazine, but Williams allegedly said, I still have one in the chamber, and fired the gun, striking Victim 1 in the hand. After the shooting, Williams reportedly fled with the woman in his vehicle. She later told police he blamed her for the incident and sent her threatening text messages and voicemails in the weeks that followed. The woman provided investigators with photos of her injuries and said she now struggles to hear out of her left ear due to the altercation. Despite the victims refusal to press charges, police filed two aggravated assault charges, one for the man shot in the hand and another for the alleged assault on the woman. A third charge of deadly conduct was added due to the number of people, including children, present when the firearm was discharged. Williams has prior convictions, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, evading arrest, and terroristic threats against a public servant, according to court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His case is pending in Midland County. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) Some of the biggest names in music plan their concerts in Lititz, but today, teachers were the VIPs. The Lancaster County STEM Alliance held an educator externship at Rock Lititz, a 108-acre campus that supports production and stage rehearsals for global artists. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ICYMI: Top 5 Stories of the Week Teachers got a behind-the-scenes look at the facility, giving them a deeper understanding of the role STEM plays in the live event industry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I take what I learn from this experience by thinking about the skills that they focus on and what they need in these career paths, in these jobs that exist currently here at Rock Lititz, and I take those skills and I implement them in my classroom through the activities and the lessons and the curriculum that I do with my students, said Jennifer Trout, an eighth grade science teacher at Ephrata Middle School. Heres the cheapest stores for back to school shopping Overall, 32 teachers from 15 school districts attended the program. Its good company among the sites more famous visitors, such as Justin Bieber and Taylor Swift. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MIDWAY, Ga. (WSAV) After months of uncertainty, Midway has an operational fire department again. The good news comes almost six months after the Georgia Fire Standards and Training Council (GFSTC) suspended the departments certification due to mold, staffing, paperwork and equipment concerns. The deadline to get the station up to state standards was July 31st, and GFSTC Executive Director Randy Toms told News 3 Midway made the deadline about two days before. Toms said the suspension was a wakeup call for the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I certainly didnt want to suspend the department, but I think it was necessary to show them how big the situation was, Toms said. During the suspension period, the Liberty County Fire Department took fire calls from the city. Midway Fire Chief Craig Reynolds said the department is now ready to answer that call. Its a plus for the whole citizens of Midway. Were providing a service that is required that people need, and were just so excited about being here. We want to get that ISO rating up to improve homeowners insurance in the area, Chief Reynolds said. According to Reynolds, the department has three full time firefighters and eight part time. They also have two fire trucks on site, and another is being worked on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Levern Clancy said the station is getting renovations, including living quarters for staff. The price tag is around $350,000. Mayor Clancy told News 3 this money is coming from the citys general fund, but the council may create a fire fee to help cover the costs. Repairs will begin at the end of August. Its an improvement that city, county and state officials are proud of despite any contention between them. It did take time for city council to decide what option they were going to do. They chose its own fire department, because they want to provide the best service possible, Reynolds said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Clancy also shared his hope to sign a memorandum of understanding with the county, an agreement between the fire departments to help one another in emergencies. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. A march has begun from the southern Mexican state of Chiapas northward to the central part of the country, in protest of policies that make legal immigration status difficult to achieve. Wednesdays march set out from the border city of Tapachula, near Guatemala, and nearly 300 migrants, asylum seekers and supporters took part. But the demonstration was overshadowed by the arrest one day earlier of one of its leaders, prominent immigration activist Luis Garcia Villagran. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum addressed the arrest in her morning news conference on Wednesday. She alleged that Garcia Villagran had been detained for taking part in human trafficking. That is the crime, she said, adding that Garcia Villagran was not an activist. She added that an arrest warrant had been pending for the activist for years. But it was unclear why his arrest was carried out now. The nonprofit Pueblo Sin Fronteras, however, disputed Sheinbaums characterisation of Garcia Villagran. The detention of Luis Villagran, director and human rights defender, is an unacceptable assault, the nonprofits head, Irineo Mujica, wrote in a post to social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luis Villagrans only crime is to defend those who have no money or voice, and to tell the truth, which bothers the powerful. Stop criminalising human rights defenders! Luis Garcia Villagran, the coordinator for the Centre for Human Dignification AC, speaks to migrants through a megaphone at a shelter in Huixtla, Mexico, on June 8, 2022 [Marco Ugarte/AP Photo] Mujica who was detained himself in 2019 on similar charges, only to be released argued that Garcia Villagrans arrest was a political distraction. This is a smokescreen: dirty and corrupt politics to cover up the true networks of corruption, he said. Mujica and Garcia Villagran have both been prominent voices in a movement to make legal immigration pathways more accessible. They have also been among the organisers associated with the trend of the migrant caravans that travel from southern Mexico to the United States border in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some of those past caravans have involved thousands of people, many of whom banded together for protection against criminal networks, corrupt officials and other threats they may face as they migrate. Migration northwards, however, has slowed, particularly since US President Donald Trump took office for a second term in January. Trump quickly attempted to bar asylum claims at the border, a move that has spurred a legal backlash. Last month, a court blocked his asylum ban on the basis that it created an alternative immigration system without deference to Congresss laws. But Trumps policies have nevertheless had a dampening effect on immigration at the border. In June, US Customs and Border Protection recorded only 9,306 encounters with migrants and asylum seekers at the countrys southern border a nearly 93 percent drop compared with the same period last year. Migrants and asylum seekers march north from Tapachula to central Mexico on August 6 [Edgar H Clemente/AP Photo] Wednesdays march had a different objective than those past caravans, though, particularly as migrants and asylum seekers turn away from the US and seek other destinations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organisers of the march sought to draw attention to the slow processing time for asylum applications in Mexico and other hurdles to achieving legal immigration status. It also served as a demonstration against Mexican policies that have sought to keep undocumented migrants and asylum seekers in the south of the country, away from the US border. The Trump administration has pressured Mexico to crack down on immigration into the US, including through the threat of tariffs. Garcia Villagrans arrest in the hours leading up to the march, however, left some migrants and asylum seekers fearful of taking part in the march. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news agency AFP obtained one message that was circulating among participants that read, Hide, dont let yourselves get caught. A Catholic priest who took part in Wednesdays march, Heyman Vazquez, told The Associated Press news agency that Garcia Villagrans arrest was unjust. He added that the arrest revealed a sense of insecurity in the government over the question of migration. The solution, he explained, would be to make it easier for migrants and asylum seekers to obtain legal status, thereby removing the need for such protests. ATLANTA, Ga. (Associated Press) Wednesdays shooting of five U.S. Army soldiers on Ft. Stewart in Hinesville, Ga., is the latest in a growing list of violent incidents at American military installations over the years. Shootings have ranged from isolated incidents between service members to attacks on bases to mass-casualty events, such as the shooting by an Army psychiatrist at Texass Ford Hood in 2009 that left 13 people dead. Here is a look at some of the shootings at U.S. military bases in recent years: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December, a National Guard soldier was charged with murder after authorities said he shot a man at a former girlfriends residence on the grounds of Fort Gordon. The base outside of Augusta, Georgia, is home to the U.S. Army Cyber Command. It was formerly known as Fort Eisenhower. In December 2022, a soldier was charged with murder in a military court following the fatal shooting of a sergeant at Georgias Fort Stewart. Both soldiers served in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. Fort Stewart officials said the soldier used a privately owned gun and that fellow soldiers subdued the gunman before his arrest. In June 2020, a woman and a man were killed in a shooting at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The womans parents later told media outlet KJZZ in Phoenix that she was the victim of domestic violence. In May 2020, a gunman tried to speed through a security gate at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, opening fire and wounding a sailor who was a member of base security, authorities said. Security officers shot and killed the attacker, Adam Salim Alsahli, a Corpus Christi resident who had been a student at a local community college. The FBI said at the time that the shooting was being investigated as a terror-related incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 6, 2019, a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that U.S. officials described as an act of terrorism. The shooter was killed by a sheriffs deputy. On Dec. 4, 2019, a U.S. Navy sailor used his service rifle to shoot three civilian shipyard workers at the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii, killing two of them before killing himself with his service pistol. Gabriel Antonio Romero, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, was said to be unhappy with his commanders and undergoing counseling, although a motive for the shooting was not determined. In February 2017, a sailor was fatally shot at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach by a security officer after he crashed through a station gate and went to his squadrons hangar. Seaman Robert Colton Wright was reported to be yelling and causing damage and moving aggressively toward security officers until one of the officers fired, striking him. Wright worked as an information systems technician for Strike Fighter Squadron 81. In April 2016, an airman fatally shot his commander before shooting himself at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Military investigators said Tech Sgt. Steven Bellino, 41, confronted Lt. Col. William Schroeder in an office before the two struggled, and Schroeder was shot multiple times. The men, both veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Command, were in the Air Forces elite Battlefield Airmen program at Lackland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July 2015, four Marines and a sailor were killed by Kuwait-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tennessee, who opened fire at a recruiting center in Chattanooga. He then drove several miles away to a Navy and Marine reserve center, where he shot and killed the Marines and wounded the sailor, who later died. Abdulazeez was shot to death by police. In April 2014, an Army soldier gunned down three other military men at Fort Hood in Texas before killing himself. Authorities said that Spc. Ivan Lopez had an argument with colleagues in his unit before opening fire. In September 2013, a defense contract employee and former Navy reservist used a valid pass to get onto the Washington Navy Yard. Authorities said Aaron Alexis killed 12 people before he was killed in a gunbattle with police, authorities said. The Washington Navy Yard is an administrative center for the U.S. Navy and the oldest naval installation in the country. In November 2009, Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 at Fort Hood. He said he was angry about being deployed to Afghanistan and wanted to protect Islamic and Taliban leaders from U.S. troops. It was the deadliest attack on a domestic military installation in U.S. history. The Department of Defense called the attack an act of workplace violence, not terrorism. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. ATLANTA (AP) The shooting of five U.S. Army soldiers at a base in Georgia on Wednesday is the latest in a growing list of violent occurrences at American military installations over the years. Shootings have ranged from isolated events between service members to attacks on bases to mass-casualty events, such as the shooting by an Army psychiatrist at Texas's Ford Hood in 2009 that left 13 people dead. Here is a look at some of the shootings at U.S. military bases in recent years: In December, a National Guard soldier was charged with murder after authorities said he shot a man at a former girlfriends residence on the grounds of Fort Gordon. The base outside of Augusta, Georgia, is home to the U.S. Army Cyber Command. It was formerly known as Fort Eisenhower. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2022, a soldier was charged with murder in a military court following the fatal shooting of a sergeant at Georgia's Fort Stewart. Both soldiers served in the 2nd Brigade Combat Team of the 3rd Infantry Division. Fort Stewart officials said the soldier used a privately owned gun and that fellow soldiers subdued the gunman before his arrest. In June 2020, a woman and a man were killed in a shooting at the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota. The womans parents later told media outlet KJZZ in Phoenix that she was the victim of domestic violence. In May 2020, a gunman tried to speed through a security gate at Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas, opening fire and wounding a sailor who was a member of base security, authorities said. Security officers shot and killed the attacker, Adam Salim Alsahli, a Corpus Christi resident who had been a student at a local community college. The FBI said at the time that the shooting was being investigated as a terror-related incident. A group that monitors online activity of jihadists said Alsahli voiced support for hard-line clerics. On Dec. 6, 2019, a Saudi Air Force officer who was training at a Navy base in Pensacola, Florida, killed three U.S. sailors and wounded eight other people in a shooting that U.S. officials described as an act of terrorism. The countrys top federal law enforcement officials said the gunman, Mohammed Saeed Alshamrani, had been in touch with al-Qaida operatives about planning and tactics. Alshamrani was killed by a sheriffs deputy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Dec. 4, 2019, a U.S. Navy sailor used his service rifle to shoot three civilian shipyard workers at the Pearl Harbor military base in Hawaii, killing two of them before killing himself with his service pistol. Gabriel Antonio Romero, 22, of San Antonio, Texas, was said to be unhappy with his commanders and undergoing counseling, although a motive for the shooting was not determined. In February 2017, a sailor was fatally shot at Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach by a security officer after he crashed through a station gate and went to his squadrons hangar. Seaman Robert Colton Wright was reported to be yelling and causing damage and moving aggressively toward security officers until one of the officers fired, striking him. Wright worked as an information systems technician for Strike Fighter Squadron 81. In April 2016, an airman fatally shot his commander before shooting himself at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland. Military investigators said Tech Sgt. Steven Bellino, 41, confronted Lt. Col. William Schroeder in an office before the two struggled, and Schroeder was shot multiple times. The men, both veterans of the U.S. Special Operations Command, were in the Air Forces elite Battlefield Airmen program at Lackland. In July 2015, four Marines and a sailor were killed by Kuwait-born Muhammad Youssef Abdulazeez, 24, of Hixson, Tennessee, who opened fire at a recruiting center in Chattanooga. He then drove several miles away to a Navy and Marine reserve center, where he shot and killed the Marines and wounded the sailor, who later died. Abdulazeez was shot to death by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April 2014, an Army soldier gunned down three other military men at Fort Hood in Texas before killing himself. Authorities said that Spc. Ivan Lopez had an argument with colleagues in his unit before opening fire. In September 2013, a defense contract employee and former Navy reservist used a valid pass to get onto the Washington Navy Yard. Authorities said Aaron Alexis killed 12 people before he was killed in a gunbattle with police, authorities said. The Washington Navy Yard is an administrative center for the U.S. Navy and the oldest naval installation in the country. In November 2009, Army psychiatrist Nidal Hasan killed 13 people and wounded more than 30 at Fort Hood. He said he was angry about being deployed to Afghanistan and wanted to protect Islamic and Taliban leaders from U.S. troops. It was the deadliest attack on a domestic military installation in U.S. history. The Department of Defense called the attack an act of workplace violence, not terrorism. ___ Finley reported from Raleigh, North Carolina. A millionaire American trophy hunter has been gored to death by a Cape buffalo he was on a hunting trip in South Africa. Asher Watkins, 52, was killed almost instantly when the hulking bovine one of the big five most desired animals to see on safari charged at him on Sunday. Its unclear whether the animal escaped. Hans Vermaak said on behalf of trip organiser CV Safaris that Watkins was killed almost instantly in a sudden and unprovoked attack by the animal, which can run at speeds of up to 35mph and weigh more than 900kg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The millionaire ranch trader was on the second day of a hunting safari, which reportedly cost $10,000 (7,536), with a professional hunter and a tracker in Limpopo province. The Cape buffalo, also known as black death, is responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year - Vicki Jauron/Getty images Mr Vermaak said: It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA. We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss. Watkinss mother, stepfather and brother were waiting for him at the safari lodge when the incident occurred. Shannon Wherry, a close friend, wrote on social media: On an African safari with his beloved mother, brother and stepdad, Asher came face to face with one of Africas legendary buffalo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added: In a moment of fearlessness as he lived his life, he met the challenge head-on, leaving this world a man of courage, faith and adventure. Asher Watkins ran Watkins Ranch Group, a real estate ranch business in the US Asher Watkins was on holiday in South Africa with his mother, brother and stepdad Watkins ran Watkins Ranch Group, a real estate ranch business, which sells exclusive ranches priced between 1m and 30m across Texas and Oklahoma in the US. Cape buffaloes, also known as black death and recognised by their distinctive curved horns, are widely considered the most dangerous of the big five to hunt on foot. Despite their size they can measure up to 5ft 6inches their dark, shaggy brown coats make them well camouflaged in safari thickets, according to experts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According ot the CV Safari website, no species on the planet has a more fearsome reputation than a Cape buffalo and they are responsible for several deaths and many injuries to hunters each year. It adds: The buffalo is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa[they] can absorb astounding amounts of lead even when shots are well placed and a charging buffalo comes at an alarming speed. Cool nerves and a steady hand are crucial. 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 millionaire big game hunter has been killed by a buffalo he was stalking while on safari in South Africa. Asher Watkins, 52, of Dallas, Texas, was struck and gored by the charging Cape buffalo bull on Sunday, killing him instantly, reported Britains Metro newspaper. Watkins, who frequently shared photos of birds and animals he had killed on social media, was following the beast with a professional hunter and an animal tracker when the buffalo attacked him. Asher Watkins frequently shared phots of animals he tracked and hunted on social media. / Facebook/Asher Watkins Outdoors Hunter Hans Vermaak, a spokesman for Coenraad Vermaak Safaris, the company that organized the expedition, confirmed the tragic incident in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is with deep sadness and heavy hearts we confirm the tragic death of our client and friend Asher Watkins from the USA, he said. This is a devastating incident and our hearts go out to his loved ones. We are doing everything we can to support the family members who are here with us and those back in the United States as they navigate this tragic loss. The Coenraad Vermaak Safaris website warns that the Cape buffalo is responsible for multiple deaths and injuries to hunters each year and is regarded as the most dangerous animal to pursue in Africa, let alone the world. Cape buffalo bulls, known for their aggressive and unpredictable behavior, can weigh up to 1,900 pounds and stand at a height of around five feet tall. Even their thick black horns can stretch up to 40 inches. Watkins brother, mother, and stepfather were waiting for him at the safari lodge when the attack occurred, according to Metro. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watkins, a managing partner at Watkins Ranch Group, also leaves behind a teenage daughter, Savannah, who he had with his ex-wife, Courtney. The pair is reported to still be close and share custody of their child. A warning on the CV Safari website told of the dangers of hunting Cape buffalo. / Amr Abdallah Dalsh/Reuters Courtney also confirmed Watkins death in a tribute on social media, according to the Daily Mail. Its a reality thats still hard to put into words. Our hearts are heavy as we navigate the days ahead, especially for Savannah as she grieves her dad, she wrote.Weve been in a state of shock and heartbreak ever since, trying to process not just the loss, but the complexity that comes with it. Coenraad Vermaak Safaris did not respond to a request for further comment from The Daily Beast. The onset of tariffs on imported products under the Trump administration is leading to a squeeze on businesses and their customers, business owners told U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin during a gathering Aug. 6 at a Milwaukee construction equipment supplier. Baldwin, who made the stop at Diamond Discs International the kickoff to a statewide tour, last met with Milwaukee businesses in April when the onset of tariffs was looming but not yet in effect, creating uncertainty for business planning. On this visit, the business community discussed the emerging effects of President Donald Trump's trade war and the impacts on Wisconsin consumers. Diamond Discs International president Ugo Nwagbaraocha, left, gives a tour of the business to U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wis., on August 6, 2025 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The visit was to discuss the impact of the Trump administration's tariffs on small businesses. The Baldwin meeting came a day before Trump's executive order takes effect, updating tariff rates for more than 60 trading partners. The rates range from 10% for the United Kingdom to 41% and 50%. for places like Syria and Brazil, leaving U.S. businesses that import products from these countries to absorb the higher costs or pass them along to consumers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ugo Nwagbaraocha, president of Diamond Discs International, said, "Long-term planning needs certainty" and that's not a luxury his business has right now. Milwaukee-based small businesses said they are worried about sustaining their ability to spend when the cost of goods could rise at any moment. Maurice Wince, owner of Sherman Park Grocery, Milwaukee's only Black-owned and full-service grocery store, said his store is the only place in its neighborhood to buy fresh produce. "Moving forward, this means walking out with one bag versus three," Wince said. Tyrone Johnson, President of Brother Infrastructure Group, said for a fencing project on Interstate 41 he's having to turn to banks for help because the cost of supplies has increased by 35%. He compared bidding on projects to playing the lottery. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I don't think any small business can sustain that," he said. Robert Montemayor, owner of three Monterrey Market grocery stores, said for some families, even a small change in prices can determine whether they can put food on the table. "You have anywhere from 40% to 50% of customers that are out there saying 'last week I paid $100 for groceries for my family of four, but now I'm going to pay $150 this time around,'" he said. Baldwin called the situation "chaotic" for Wisconsin consumers and businesses and called Trump's trade strategy a "scattershot approach." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If we're nothing else, we're resilient, we figure out ways to overcome challenges," she said. The Trump administration has championed its trade policies as necessary to roll back long-standing imbalances with other countries and to bring overseas jobs back to the United States. Career politicians stood idly by for decades and did nothing about the decimation of American industries and workers due to the unfair practices of our trading partners," the White House said in an earlier statement. "President Trump is the first president in modern history to take bold, decisive action to address the national emergency of our countrys chronic trade deficits." Trump announced Aug. 5 that he's close to a trade deal with China as the country's Aug. 12 deadline to reach a tariff agreement with the U.S is fast approaching. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baldwin has called for revisions to current trade agreements, strengthening trade enforcement and increasing support for workers whove lost their jobs due to trade policies. Baldwin is touting her tour as highlighting her opposition to Republicans passing Trump's tax and spending package, called One Big Beautiful Bill, and its impacts on Wisconsinites. She plans to visit Brown, Door, Lincoln, Sawyer and Ashland counties this week. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Milwaukee business owners tell Tammy Baldwin tariffs are hitting home Minneapolis police said Tuesday evening, hours after an emergency alert went out, that a missing 12-year-old girl has been found safe and returned to her home. Authorities were concerned because Victoria Jackson is a Type 1 diabetic wearing an insulin pump and they were worried about her possibly experiencing a medical emergency. She was last seen in Minnehaha Regional Park on Saturday evening. Police said she lives in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minneapolis Police Chief Brian OHara told reporters at a Tuesday night news conference that Victoria had apparently been at a friends house near her home. OHara said officers had been to the house previously, though her presence was unknown to them. OHara said the incident remains under investigation, though it appeared that Victoria had run away from home. Related Articles Aug. 6 (UPI) -- A Minnesota hiker has been missing for more than a week in Big Horn National Forest in Wyoming. Grant Gardner, 38, had planned on a three-day hike, "through the Misty Moon Lake area, eventually summiting Cloud Peak," the highest mountain in Big Horn, the sheriff's office said in a statement. Gardner texted his wife July 29 that he had reached the summit of Cloud Peak but that the hike was "more taxing than he expected." But she hasn't heard from him since. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Grant Gardner's brother, Justin Gardner, has been in Wyoming helping with the search. He said his brother is an avid outdoorsman who is a loving husband and father of two. "There's still a lot of hope that we'll find him," he said. Officials found Gardner's vehicle in the parking lot of the West Ten Sleep trailhead -- where he began his journey. They also learned via the hiking log at the trailhead that he had entered the area "as he had indicated in his hiking plan," officials said. Phone records also revealed that he had reached the summit at Cloud Peak -- which is around 13,000 feet -- at about 7 p.m., which was concerning to officials due to the "lack of visible trails through cliffs, timber line, boulder fields and other hazards that had to be navigated after dark before reaching clear trails and safe terrain," officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials said they have searched for Gardner using helicopters, planes, foot teams and dogs, but "conditions are extremely challenging," with at least two rescuers suffering from "medical conditions" and needing treatment. "In addition to high altitude and terrain challenges, difficult weather patterns including winds, thunder and lightning storms have made search efforts difficult at various times of the day," officials said. Friends of the Gardner family in Lakeville, Minn., say Gardner often took solo trips and was used to cold conditions. "It was a well-thought-out, very planned, meticulous itinerary," said Becka Lyke, who said Gardner's wife notified search teams of his absence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their family is one of the most amazing families," Elaina Weiers said. "I know Grant is a wonderful husband, you can tell he truly loves his wife and his kids." The women are asking for anyone who might have seen Gardner or spent time on Cloud Peak to share information with search and rescue teams. Justin Jarrett, a sportsman's guide in the Big Horn Mountains, said that route is rugged and rocky. "It's not a technical route with ropes or anything, but it's a long, hard trip," Jarrett told KARE 11 over the phone from the mountain. "Most people are pretty well-experienced or have an experienced person with them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jarrett said Gardner's biggest obstacle now is exposure to the elements for so long. "He could have got stuck in a thunder shower, tried to make it into the timber, to get some cover, and is maybe suffering from a broken leg or something like that," he said. MINNEAPOLIS (AP) A federal judge on Wednesday sentenced a leader of a sprawling, pandemic-era food fraud plot in Minnesota to 28 years in prison. Abdiaziz Shafii Farah, 36, must also pay nearly $48 million in restitution. He faces potentially more years in prison at a later sentencing hearing after previously pleading guilty in a juror bribery case involving a bag of $120,000 in cash. Farah is one of dozens of people charged in the Feeding Our Future case in which prosecutors alleged a scheme to steal $300 million from a federally funded program meant to feed children during the coronavirus pandemic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farah and several co-defendants went to trial last year where he was convicted of 23 of 24 counts against him. Those offenses include multiple counts of federal programs bribery, wire fraud and money laundering. Prosecutors said Farah exploited the program by opening fraudulent sites where he claimed to be serving meals to thousands of children a day. Farah and his associates falsified meal counts and invoices, including fake children's names, prosecutors said. He directed the stolen money to others and perpetuated the fraud through a pay-to-play system," prosecutors said. He and his associates stole more than $47 million in program money, and Farah took more than $8 million over a year and a half period, according to prosecutors. He used that money to buy five luxury vehicles and real estate, including property in Kenya, prosecutors said. That overseas property and money prosecutors say Farah laundered via China are out of reach of U.S. law enforcement. In a statement, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said Farah has done untold damage to this state" by robbing us blind after finding opportunity in Minnesota. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press left a phone message with and sent an email to an attorney for Farah for comment. Seventy-three people have been charged in connection with the Feeding Our Future case; 51 have been found guilty. Aug. 6A book signing is set for Thursday for the first Miss Ohio from Lawrence County. Olivia Fosson, of Kitts Hill, who won the crown on June 21, will appear at Kouns Korner in Ironton from 10 a.m.-noon. Fosson will be signing copies of her children's book, "Rocky's Race," which is based on the "Body Neutral" part of her platform. The book follows a team of dogs preparing for a big race and details the importance of "listening to their bodies" in training. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trending * Westbound ramp of U.S. 52 to State Route 141 will be closed starting Monday * Two Hearts opens Ironton location Fosson, who has background in dance and had to recover from a career-ending injury, has made body and fitness a centerpiece of her work as Miss Ohio. She is set to compete in the Miss America pageant in Georgia on Sept. 7. Kouns Korner is located at 1412 S. 3rd St. in Ironton. Trending * Studio Dara grand reopening set for Sept. 5 * Citizenship Awards presented You Might Like News Westbound ramp of U.S. 52 to State Route 141 will be closed starting Monday Business Two Hearts opens Ironton location Business Studio Dara grand reopening set for Sept. 5 News Citizenship Awards presented A Florida Republican official and beauty pageant title-holder has accused Rep. Cory Mills (R-Fla.) of threatening to release explicit videos of her after their romantic relationship ended earlier this year, according to a police incident report. Lindsey Langston, who was crowned Miss United States 2024 and was elected as a Republican state committeewoman last year, made the allegations in an interview with the Columbia County, Fla., Sheriffs Office on July 14. Mills told The Hill in a statement that the claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. He has not been charged with a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the police incident report, Langston, 25, began a romantic relationship with Mills, 45, in November 2021 and moved into his house in Florida after he told her his divorce was finalized in May 2024. In February 2025, Langston ended the relationship after she saw news reports that police were investigating a physical altercation between Mills and another woman in his Washington, D.C. residence. Both Mills and the alleged victim later denied that a physical altercation took place. Lindsey confronted Cory about the woman, to which Cory told her he was not in a romantic relationship with her and the press fabricated the story, the police incident report said. Lindsey then found a social media account for the other woman and saw posted photos of her with Cory. After the break-up, Cory has contacted Lindsey numerous times on numerous different accounts threatening to release nude images and videos of her, to include recorded videos of her and Cory engaging in sexual acts, the incident report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills also sent messages threatening to harm men that Langston dated in the future, she told police. The last message Mills sent Langston who was crowned Miss United States on Oct. 8, 2024 before the report on June 12 was: I hope you hold your crown until the end. The allegations and incident report were first reported by Drop Site News and Blaze News. Columbia County Sheriffs Office spokesperson Steven Khachigan told The Hill that the report was forwarded to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement for further review. FLDE confirmed it received the report. FDLE does not comment on any active inquiries or investigations, spokesperson Casey Smith told The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before speaking to police, Langston consulted Anthony Sabatini, a former Florida state representative who ran in the Republican primary against Mills for his congressional seat in 2022, for legal advice, Sabatini told The Hill. In a statement to The Hill, Mills took aim at Sabatini. Anthony Sabatini is weaponizing the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments all to score political headlines, Mills said. We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant, Mills continued. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Out of respect for the legal process, I wont comment further at this time. My team and I will fully cooperate to ensure the truth is made clear. I remain focused on serving my constituents and advancing America First policies. I appreciate your understanding as we deal with this private matter and your support during time, Mills said. Sabatini in response pointed to screenshots of messages allegedly sent by Mills to Langston, which have been posted on social media. Get me his number and I can send him videos. Take care, Mills allegedly said in one message. Let him put his actions behind his mouth. I can send him a few videos of you as well. Oh, I still have them, Mills allegedly said in other messages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sabatini told The Hill that a restraining order for Langston against Mills is pending. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Miss United States accuses Rep. Cory Mills of threatening to leak intimate images The reigning Miss United States alleges Rep. Cory Mills threatened to release private images of her, documents show. Lindsey Langston, 25, filed the report against Mills, 45, with the Columbia County Sheriffs Office on July 14. In the report, Langston detailed her relationship with Mills, claiming it began in November 2021 and ended in February 2025. She alleged that Mills threatened to expose nude images and videos of her following their breakup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Langston alleges that Mills contacted her multiple times, threatening to release intimate images and videos, and provided text and Instagram messages as evidence to the Sheriffs Office. According to the report, Langstons relationship with Mills began when he was still technically married, though he claimed he was separated from his wife. The document shows that she moved to New Smyrna Beach to live with him but returned to Lake City, Florida, after their breakup. According to the report, the alleged threats reportedly began after Langston confronted Mills about a news report of him being involved in a physical altercation with another woman in Washington D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the report, Mills denied the romantic involvement, but Langston found social media posts suggesting otherwise. Langston, who is also a Republican State Committeewoman, alleged that Mills threatened to harm any men she intended to date post-breakup. According to the report, she sought legal counsel and was advised to document the threats with law enforcement. Mills released the following statement to Channel 9: Anthony Sabatini is weaponizing the legal system to launch a political attack against the man who beat him in the primary, using his corporate legal office to push a narrative built on lies and flawed legal arguments all to score political headlines. We have not been made aware of any report or allegations from law enforcement or the alleged complainant. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interactions. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. Out of respect for the legal process, I wont comment further at this time. My team and I will fully cooperate to ensure the truth is made clear. I remain focused on serving my constituents and advancing America First policies. I appreciate your understanding as we deal with this private matter and your support during time." Channel 9 has reached out to Langstons attorney for comment. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- An American climate journalist has been found alive and in good health after going missing in a Norwegian park last week. Alec Luhn, a reporter who has worked for the New York Times and the Atlantic and was a Russia correspondent for the Guardian from 2013 to 2017, was reported missing on Monday after he failed to catch a flight from Bergen to the U.K. Luhn was found near Folgefonna National Park by a helicopter and has been taken for medical treatment, the Norwegian Red Cross wrote on X Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are very, very happy! Many thanks to everyone in Norway who has helped to find him," Luhn's wife Veronika Silchenko told local news outlet VG by phone after he was found. The search operation for Luhn began on Monday and was expanded by Tuesday. Ingeborg Thorsland, a spokesperson for the Norwegian Red Cross, earlier told CNN that the operation spanned a large area and that heavy rainfall had made navigation difficult. Luhn had been on vacation with his sister in Norway, then began a four-day hike alone from the outdoor center of Ullensvang, on the northern edge of the park, a 212-square-mile wilderness in western Norway that's home to one of the country's biggest glaciers. Drew Gaddis, Luhn's sister, confirmed in a social media post that he had been found "in overall good health" and was being taken to Bergen by helicopter. Norwegian media reported that he had injured his leg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She thanked the Norwegian police, the staff and volunteers and the thousands of people who had helped share news of the search. "We can breathe again!" she said. Luhn is fit and equipped for the treacherous hike. Folgefonna, the third largest icecap in Norway, is on a peninsula famed for its fjords, mountains, rivers, lakes and icefalls. Parts are desolate and can be dangerous in bad weather. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A redistricting debate may soon be happening in Missouri and specifically, the 5th Congressional District could be in the crosshairs of a redistricting effort that some believe could reshape the states political landscape. The news emerges as a redistricting battle in Texas grabs national headlines, with Democratic lawmakers there taking extraordinary steps to halt a GOP-led effort to redraw congressional maps. Thousands of volunteers still needed for FIFA World Cup 2026 in Kansas City Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, political watchers say Missouri may be next. At the center of this potential shakeup is Democratic Congressman Emanuel Cleaver II, who has represented Missouris 5th District since 2005. The district includes Kansas City and surrounding areas and is known for its diverse population and political leanings that have historically favored Democrats. Yet some Republicans appear eager to test that. Currently, Missouris congressional delegation leans heavily Republican with six GOP representatives and just two Democrats. But as the Missouri Legislature prepares to return to Jefferson City for the annual veto session in just over a month, the redistricting debate could take center stage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Theyre cities with multicultural, multiracial, multiallelic kinds of populations where people are more inclined to be together a mix of urban and rural, Cleaver said, describing the nature of his district and why it could be a target. While much of the redistricting pressure appears to be coming from the national level reports indicate this move is being led by the White House and President Donald Trump Missouri officials are not resisting. Theyre jumping on board. In fact, Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe expressed his support for the effort in an interview with our St. Louis affiliate. His office followed up with this statement: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Governor Kehoe and his team are aware of the redistricting efforts in Texas and the calls for a special session in Missouri. Discussions are always being held to ensure that conservative Missouri values are represented in Washington. Cleaver, however, is not backing down. I dont lay down quite well I grew up in public housing its kind of difficult for somebody to run over me with the assumption that Im going to lay down and play road for them, he said. Veteran journalist and political analyst Dave Helling, who has covered Missouri politics for four decades including time at FOX4 said this isnt the first time Missouris 5th District has been a target. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emanuel Cleaver is relatively popular even with some moderate Republicans, he won comfortably the last time, hes never been really seriously challenged for his seat, Helling said. Past attempts to reshape Cleavers district have failed, and whether this effort succeeds could depend on how the situation in Texas plays out. Rather the legislators and Governor Mike Kehoe have the stomach to go through all of this for one potential seat in the U.S. House is an interesting question, Helling said. Helling also says this strategy could backfire on those making the effort because youd be taking deep-red districts and shoving them into toss-up territory. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And even if the effort succeeds, the national impact may be limited. Helling points out that in midterm election years, the party in power typically loses around 20 seats in the House meaning one seat in Missouri, and even five in Texas, may not tip the balance. FOX4 reached out to more than half a dozen Republicans in power across the state. Republican State Senate President Cindy OLaughlin released the following statement: Theres been speculation about a potential special session on redistricting, but no decision has been made at this time. That responsibility lies with Governor Kehoe, and I support him in whatever path he believes is best for the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My priority is ensuring Missouris representation in Washington reflects the values of our conservative majority at home. As national Democrats continue to embrace extreme policies, we must remain vigilant and do what we can to keep socialists from gaining more control. If the Governor calls a special session, the Senate will be ready to engage in those discussions. Theres also the risk of political retaliation. If red states like Missouri and Texas succeed in redrawing their maps, states like California and New York have promised to join this redistricting party but on the other side. Early GOP rift emerges as Congress braces for shutdown fight So, what are the chances Missouri moves forward? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Helling said hes been wrong before, and with the amount of influence Trump has over the Republican Party, its hard to say. But right now, he doesnt think this will happen. One things clear: As the political temperature rises in states like Texas, Missouri may not be far behind in what could become a coast-to-coast fight over congressional power. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Cole County Courthouse in downtown Jefferson City (Annelise Hanshaw/Missouri Independent). The Missouri attorney generals office is asking a Cole County judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging a state agency violated competitive bidding laws to steer lucrative technology contracts to a well-connected company. The lawsuit, filed in May by a longtime state employee named Rodney Rice, alleges deliberate bias toward St. Louis-based World Wide Technology in awarding state IT contracts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World Wide Technology is one of the largest privately-held companies in the country. It was founded by David Steward, a prolific Missouri political donor who has contributed $2.3 million to mostly Republican campaigns over the last decade. The company has been paid $53 million by the state over the last two years. The state gave World Wide Technology numerous unfair advantages over its competitors, Rice alleges in his lawsuit, violating state procurement law and exposing the state to potential liability if anyone found out. When he brought his concerns to his supervisors, Rice alleges he was admonished for being an obstructionist and demoted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both World Wide Technology and the Office of Administration, which handles contracting for state government, deny the accusations. In a motion filed last week, Assistant Attorney General Justin Mettlen argues that the allegations made by Rice do not violate any law, rule or regulation. Any alleged mismanagement, Mettlen contends, merely represents a disagreement between Rice and his supervisors decision making in procurement and awarding state contracts. Nothing that Rice allegedly reported to his supervisors, Mettlen writes, can be considered prohibited activity. Thus, he should not be considered a whistleblower. Plaintiffs acknowledgement that the law allows (the Office of Administration) discretion in making contracts short circuits his allegations that he reported actual unlawful conduct, Mettlen writes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rice says in his lawsuit that he began to suspect bias toward World Wide Technology in state IT contracts after realizing one of the companys former employees was leading the State Data Center. World Wide Technology won a majority of the states infrastructure contracts even in cases where it did not submit the lowest bid, Rice alleges. In fact, (the company) had been awarded one contract even though it had submitted the highest bid, which was millions of dollars more than the bids from other approved vendors. Though Missouri has rules permitting the selection of clearly inferior bids, the lawsuit states, none of those rules had been followed in the case of (World Wide Technology). Rice says his concerns were heightened when he learned the state provided a current employee of World Wide Technology key card access to an office in the Truman State Office Building in Jefferson City, a privilege he says no other vendors are provided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He later learned the state was using World Wide Technology contractors to work on the preparation of a new project that had not yet been put out to bid, which would give (World Wide Technology) an unfair advantage in the bidding process. In early 2024, Rice alleges, World Wide Technology was allowed to change the terms of a project after it had already been sent out to vendors for competitive bids. World Wide Technology would be paid for time and materials, the lawsuit states, regardless of whether it met benchmarks laid out in the project proposal that was previously provided to its competitors. Concerned that awarding the contract to World Wide Technology based on far more favorable terms would likely violate state law, Rice says he spoke to the Office of Administrations legal department for advice. He says he was advised by the agencys attorneys to stop the entire bid process and reissue a revised request to ensure that all vendors had a fair chance at winning the bid. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But that was later overruled by his supervisor, who Rice alleges told him to let the bid process proceed unabated without notice to the other vendors. Soon after, Rice says he was given the choice of demotion or being placed on a performance improvement plan, which he understood would have led to his dismissal after sufficient time to paper his file. Calling the decision a Hobson choice, Rice says he accepted a demotion and a pay cut on April 16, 2024. Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe on Tuesday expressed interest in President Donald Trumps push to gerrymander the congressional district that encompasses most of Kansas City and ensure Republicans maintain a majority in the U.S. House. We want to keep the House in Republican control, Kehoe told reporters on Tuesday. Well work with our leadership group and see if theres a path or something that makes sense for Missourians. The Republican governor, speaking after an unrelated event in Columbia on Tuesday, did not say whether he would call lawmakers into a special session to discuss the matter. But he also did not rule out the possibility as speculation ramps up about the likelihood of Missouri entering a national redistricting frenzy on the heels of a similar effort in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The push comes as Trumps political team has put pressure on lawmakers to redraw the states U.S. House map so Republicans can pick up another seat. The likely move would be to split up U.S. Rep. Emanuel Cleavers Democratic-leaning 5th District, which includes almost all of Kansas City and some of its suburbs in Jackson and Clay counties. Weve spoken with the Trump administration and with members of Congress, Kehoe said in response to a question from The Star. And obviously, Missourians are stakeholders too. We want to make sure we represent their conservative values in Washington, D.C. The move would mark an extraordinary moment for both Kansas City and Missouri, effectively dampening the voting power of Kansas City in an effort by Trump to maintain a GOP majority in Congress. Its also certain to face fierce backlash and lawsuits from opponents. Congressional districts are typically only redrawn once every 10 years based on population changes released from the U.S. Census Bureau, and Missouri last redistricted its map in 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cleaver has sharply criticized the effort, saying last week it would be met with a strong legal challenge. But Democratic lawmakers from the Kansas City area suggested in interviews with The Star this week that a Republican redistricting effort appeared inevitable. Trump snaps and they theyre already doing whatever he tells them to do, said Rep. Keri Ingle, a Lees Summit Democrat running for state Senate. I would love to say that my colleagues have more strength and conviction than that, but they do not. The proposed idea, which some GOP lawmakers have confirmed to The Star and various media outlets, would center on drawing a map that could allow Republicans to pick up seven of the states eight congressional districts. Republicans currently control six districts, and Democrats hold the 5th District in Kansas City and the 1st District in St. Louis, per the maps the state approved and implemented just three years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed plan would be an overt use of partisan gerrymandering, a term used to describe the practice of redrawing electoral district boundaries to favor one party over another. It would echo a national blitz of Republican lawmakers in various states gunning to draw new maps at the encouragement of Trump. Dozens of Texas Democratic lawmakers have left their state in an effort to delay a vote on a Republican plan to gerrymander that states congressional map. The GOP push has also sparked a retaliatory response in Democratic-leaning California. What would need to happen in Missouri Missouri lawmakers are not currently in their annual legislative session, which runs from January through mid-May. Therefore, Kehoe would have to call lawmakers back to Jefferson City in a special session if he wants them to redraw the map. I would say most House and Senate members were unhappy with the maps that we produced a few years back, Kehoe said on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Senate President Pro Tem Cindy OLaughlin emphasized in a statement on Tuesday that no decision had been made about the redistricting push. OLaughlin, a Shelbina Republican, said she would support Kehoe in his decision to call or not call a special session. She added that national Democrats have embraced extreme policies without mentioning any specific policies and said we must remain vigilant and do what we can to keep socialists from gaining more control. If the Governor calls a special session, the Senate will be ready to engage in those discussions, she said. While some of Missouris Republican lawmakers have expressed support for the push, a similar effort failed in 2022 after lawmakers reached a compromise that maintained the current 6-2 makeup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At that time, some Republicans feared that splitting Cleavers Kansas City district could backfire and lead to Democrats winning other competitive districts. Sen. Mike Cierpiot, a Lees Summit Republican, told The Star last week that any redistricting effort would have to be sustainable so Republicans dont end up losing more districts in a future election year in which the GOP performs poorly. Its got to be something that can stand up to a bad Republican year, which at some point well have, Cierpiot said. Kehoe did not directly answer a question about those concerns on Tuesday. Instead, he pointed to congressional maps in blue states, such as Illinois, as evidence of Democratic gerrymandering. You got to operate with whats best for the state and the citizens and for our country, Kehoe said when asked whether there was any hesitance in his office about a redistricting effort backfiring. And I think thats the focus were going to have. Editors Note: This video is originally from January 2017. \MARCELINE, Mo. If youre from a certain town in Missouri, a visit to Main Street USA in Disney might feel quite familiar. The famous street in the heart of the amusement park holds charm and character with its colorful storefronts paired with the red brick path leading to the castle. Walt Disney planned the details intentionally based off his hometown of Marceline, Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Located in mid-Missouri is Kansas Avenue, a spot which captures the common main street in a small town, and which is also said to have been the primary source of inspiration for the famous landmark, according to the City of Marcelines website. I dont think there is any doubt that Main Street of Marceline is clearly the vision for Main Street USA, local historian Dan Viets, an author and lawyer based in Columbia, Missouri, told FOX 2 in 2017. All the entrance ways to those theme parks are based on this little towns Main Street. As Walt Disney grew up in Missouri, there were plans for the amusement park to be built in the heart of St. Louis in the 1960s. However, a disagreement completely dismantled the plans as the company refused to comply with August A. Busch Jr.s requirement to sell beer in the park. The director of the Walt Disney Hometown Museum said Disney returned to Marceline several times after he left, usually flying out of Kansas City and taking the train to his hometown. She noted that there was a strong interest in building a park in Missouri, as he didnt want people flocking to only California and Florida, according to prior FOX 2 reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Today, Marceline holds the history of their influence on Disney close. Their Main Street has its own Mickey ears on the sign and a whole museum is dedicated to the life of Walt. Main Street USA, source of Disneyland, hometown Walt Disney, Marceline Missouri. (Photo by: Joe Sohm/Visions of America/Universal Images Group via Getty Images) Marceline, Missouri is the hometown of Walt Disney, where he spent a great deal of his childhood years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) The trial against a career conman accused of sexually assaulting two women was stopped on Tuesday. Andrew Miller had pleaded not guilty to five rape charges. Woman accused of Albuquerque murder arrested in Missouri The court learned that one of the jurors watched a news story about the suspect. Judge Clara Moran declared a mistrial in the case. They will set a new trial date and have to select a new jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. MT. JULIET, Tenn. (WKRN) A man accused of briefly forcing a woman and a dog into his vehicle in Mt. Juliet was arrested by Murfreesboro police late Wednesday afternoon. The Mt. Juliet Police Department announced on social media platform X at 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6 that the law enforcement presence at Providence Marketplace was connected to a domestic-related incident. Search underway for Van Buren County man armed with AR-15, THP says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to officials, an armed man confronted a woman in order to take a dog. The woman and the dog were reportedly forced into his vehicle, but they were quickly found unharmed. The suspect fled in a car. Shortly before 7 p.m. Wednesday, Murfreesboro police posted to social media that they had apprehended a suspect wanted by the MJPD for aggravated assault and kidnapping. They added that they were able to track him to an apartment complex on Hillwood Lane through the use of license plate recognition technology. (Courtesy: Murfreesboro Police Department) MNPD: Woman charged with vehicular homicide following April driving stunt Mt. Juliet police identified the suspect as Ahmed Gouda of Lebanon, 21. They added that hes been wanted by Nashville authorities since January for theft of property between $10,000 and $60,000 as well as theft of a firearm and aggravated burglary. (Courtesy: Mt. Juliet Police Department) CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They were also able to find a handgun that had been discarded along S. Mt. Juliet Road near Corssings Circle with the assistance of K-9 Citron. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) A woman was arrested overnight in connection with a deadly vehicle surfing incident from April, but shes already been released on bond, according to Nashville authorities. The Metro Nashville Police Department said investigators identified 31-year-old Ashley Sells as the driver of a Dodge Charger doing donuts in the early morning hours of April 26 while 31-year-old Shannon Kilgore was laying on the hood. Officials said video evidence showed Kilgore fell off the top of the Charger, fracturing her skull, while Sells performed the dangerous driving stunt. Sells and her passenger reportedly brought Kilgore to TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center, where Kilgore died two days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Teen charged with carjacking woman at gunpoint in Bordeaux According to law enforcement, when Sells and her passenger were questioned at the hospital, they told officers Kilgore had randomly blacked out during a girls night. Per an affidavit, Kilgores mother contacted police on July 1 and told them shed accessed the victims iCloud account, which contained videos from the night of the vehicle surfing incident. In one video, recorded by the passenger, Kilgore can reportedly be seen laying on the hood of the moving vehicle while its doing donuts. Based on the court document, about 15 seconds into the video, Kilgore can be heard saying, I am falling, while the car continued to drive recklessly. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com After Kilgore fell off the moving vehicle, the passenger told Sells to stop the car, according to the affidavit. Then, Sells and the passenger got out of the car and ran toward Kilgore shortly before the video ended. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said Sells has been charged with vehicular homicide and false reporting. Violent Crimes Division detectives reportedly arrested her on Tuesday, Aug. 5, but Sells was released on a $30,000 bond early the next morning. No additional details have been released about this incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. India is modestly improving economic ties with China even as New Delhi moves to counter Beijing in other arenas. Indias prime minister will visit China this month for the first time since 2018, to attend a multilateral summit. New Delhi also signaled it could ease investment restrictions on Chinese firms. US President Donald Trumps recent economic onslaught against India once seen as Washingtons strategic bulwark against China has likely accelerated these geopolitical shifts, analysts said. But New Delhis outreach to Beijing is not driven by strategic frailty, Foreign Policy wrote: This week, India held its first joint naval exercises with the Philippines in the South China Sea in a clear challenge to Beijings maritime claims. NEED TO KNOW A mother of four has been missing for a week after she was last seen near her Illinois home on July 30 Five days later, search efforts expanded to include an exploration of a nearly 2,000-acre forest preserve The more eyes we have looking out for her, the better, the Naperville Police Chief said as the search continues A mother of four has been missing for a week after she was seen leaving her Illinois home. As search efforts continue, there has been no sign of the 46-year-old woman even after a multi-agency exploration of a nearby forest preserve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Olasinmibo Sinmi Abosede was last seen on Wednesday, July 30, at around 9:20 a.m. local time walking away from her house on Sudbury Street in Naperville, the Naperville Police Department said in a statement on Facebook. The woman had a water bottle in her hand, and had left her cell phone and credit cards in the residence. She was reported missing by her family that same day, authorities said. No foul play is suspected. After the mother was reported missing, her home and the immediate surrounding area were searched as part of standard procedure, Commander Rick Krakow of the Naperville Police Department tells PEOPLE. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By Monday, Aug. 4, authorities conducted a thorough search of Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in hopes of discovering the whereabouts of Abosede, who is classified as a missing endangered person. It's so large, and the conditions are so dense with the high grass, that we sought the assistance from an emergency management agency to assist us with the ground search, Krakow says. That takes coordination. Shutterstock Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in DuPage County, Ill. Springbrook Prairie Forest Preserve in DuPage County, Ill. Dozens of trained volunteers, K-9 teams, drones and local law enforcement explored the 1,829-acre preserve, which is not far from Abosedes home, authorities said. While the mom of four wasnt found, search efforts will continue. This is just not something that's heard of here, where we live, a neighbor told ABC affiliate WLS. So, for us, you know, yeah, it's just a little bit different. Having news helicopters flying over half the day, it's definitely a little alarming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He continued, "I hope they find her, and hopefully, you know, provide some comfort and solace to the family here really soon. It's obviously very tragic and upsetting. Naperville Police Chief Jason Arres addressed residents worries after Mondays search. I understand that the uncertainty surrounding Sinmis disappearance is concerning, and I assure you that this department is doing everything we can to find Sinmi, he said in a statement shared on Facebook. He continued, We will continue to follow up on any leads and lean on the expertise of our partners at [Naperville Emergency Management Agency] and surrounding law enforcement agencies, who I want to thank for their dedicated efforts today. Naperville Police Department The missing mother was last seen near her Illinois home. The missing mother was last seen near her Illinois home. Never miss a story sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. He urged people to keep a look out for Abosede, and to continue to share her picture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The more eyes we have looking out for her, the better, the police chief added. Abosede was last seen wearing a long-sleeved black Adidas jacket, gray sweatpants, a black head scarf and black Crocs. Anyone who sees her is urged to call 911. People with information about her location are asked to call the Naperville Police Investigation Division at 630-548-1421. Read the original article on People People take part in a protest outside U.S. Embassy Branch, calling for an end to the war and the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas on the Gaza Strip, in Tel Aviv, Israel, on July 26, 2025. Credit - Mahmoud IlleanAP Viki Cohen, the mother of Israeli hostage Nimrod Cohen, has spoken out against reports that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu plans to fully occupy Gaza. Were hearing talk about conquering Gaza, that will be a death sentence for our hostages, said Cohen, after stating that the Israeli government is ruining all of our values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing the crowd at a protest in Tel Aviv, where demonstrators gathered on Tuesday against the reported plan for Gaza, Cohen said: We cant allow that to happen, and thats why were here to continue fighting, to say: Enough, stop. TIME has reached out to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, who represent those with relatives still held in Gaza, for comment. Israeli media has reported that Netanyahu is set to meet with his security cabinet on Thursday with the aim of making a decision over whether or not to fully occupy Gaza. Read More: Former IDF Chiefs Call on Israel to End War in Gaza as Netanyahu Claims Starvation Is Hamas Libel Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a three-hour security discussion today, in which options for proceeding with the campaign in Gaza were presented by the IDF Chief-of-Staff, Netanyahus office said on Tuesday. The IDF is prepared to carry out any decision made by the Security Cabinet. A senior official close to Netanyahu was quoted prior to the talks, saying: The die is cast. We are going for the complete conquest of the Stripand the defeat of Hamas. Other Israeli media quoted senior officials in the Prime Ministers office saying: Hamas will not release any more hostages without complete surrender, we will not surrender. If we do not act now, the hostages will die of hunger and Gaza will remain under Hamas control. TIME has been unable to independently verify these reports. The IDF issued evacuation orders on Wednesday morning for residents in the Zeitoun neighborhood of Gaza City, instructing them to move south. As you have been warned, the Defense Army continues to intensify its operations westward, said IDF spokesperson Avichay Adraee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, President Donald Trump has commented on the reported Gaza proposal. I dont know what the suggestion is, I know that we are there trying to get people fed, he told reporters at the White House on Tuesday, referring to the ongoing malnutrition crisis in Gaza. Trump added that Gazans are obviously not doing too well with the food Israel is going to help us with that in terms of distribution and also money. U.N. Assistant General Secretary Miroslav Jenca has also spoken out about the reported plan, calling it deeply alarming during a meeting of the U.N. Security Council. This would risk catastrophic consequences for millions of Palestinians and could further endanger the lives of the remaining hostages in Gaza, he said, adding that the only way to ensure an end to the violence in Gaza is a permanent cease-fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's estimated that 20 living hostages are still being held by Hamas and other militants in Gaza. Of the estimated 250 people taken during the Hamas terror attack, 140 have been released during negotiations or deals, 8 have been rescued, and the bodies of 57 who died in captivity or during rescue attempts have been recovered. Read More: The Tragedy Unfolding in Gaza The reported proposal for Gaza comes after several former IDF chiefs and high-level security officials called for an end to the war. In a video released over the weekend, Nadav Argaman, the former head of Israeli security agency Shin Bet, said: The direction the government is currently heading to [is] an extremist, fundamentalist world view it has taken us all hostage. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who has previously encouraged Netanyahu to end the war in Gaza, also featured in the video. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Furthermore, Barak was one of over 500 retired Israeli officials that signed an open letter to Trump on Aug. 1, calling on the President to exert his full influence to end the war and return the hostages that remain in Gaza. Read More: Ehud Barak: Israel Must Back Donald Trumps Deal To End the War in Gaza Discussions about the future of Gaza come days after a U.N.-backed food security body warned that the worst case famine scenario is unfolding on the Strip. Mounting evidence shows that widespread starvation, malnutrition, and disease are driving a rise in hunger-related deaths, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) reported on July 29. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 193 people have now died of famine and malnutrition, according to Gazas Health Ministry. The Israel-Hamas war was triggered after Hamas launched a terror attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing over 1,200 people and taking around 250 hostages. Over 61,000 Palestinians have been killed since the start of the war, according to Gazas Health Ministry. In the absence of independent monitoring on the ground, the ministry is the primary source for casualty data relied upon by humanitarian groups, journalists, and international bodies. Its figures do not differentiate between civilians and combatants and cannot be independently verified by TIME. Contact us at letters@time.com. A Massachusetts mom says her infant daughter may be the patient that state health officials recently said is under investigation for contracting a rare tick-borne virus infection. "Public health officials are investigating preliminary results of a Powassan virus infection in a Martha's Vineyard resident," Barnstable County said in a press release Tuesday, without identifying the resident. Barnstable County, which comprises the 15 towns of Cape Cod and sits just north of Martha's Vineyard, said that according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there has been just one other known case of Powassan virus in the area in the last 20 years and only three total Powassan virus cases in Massachusetts this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CDC notes there are currently 24 reported Powassan cases nationwide. Courtesy of Tiffany Sisco - PHOTO: Tiffany Sisco told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB her five-week-old daughter, Lily Belle Sisco, has been in the hospital, fighting a rare tick-borne virus called Powassan virus. Tiffany Sisco, who declined to be interviewed by ABC News, told Boston ABC station WCVB that she found a tick on her 5-week-old daughter Lily Belle Sisco during an outdoor walk, and despite removing it, she noticed Lily developed symptoms a week later. Courtesy of Tiffany Sisco - PHOTO: Tiffany Sisco told Boston ABC affiliate WCVB her five-week-old daughter, Lily Belle Sisco, has been in the hospital, fighting a rare tick-borne virus called Powassan virus. "I found this tiny, tiny, tiny [tick], the teeniest one on her ankle," Sisco said. "I picked it off. A week later, she started getting a fever of 102 [degrees Fahrenheit]. I said, 'I'm taking her right in.'" What is the Powassan virus? Powassan virus is a disease or illness caused by the Powassan virus and is mostly spread by infected ticks that have the Powassan virus or deer tick virus, according to the CDC . The ticks may get infected when they feed on other animals that have the virus, such as groundhogs, mice, squirrels or other rodents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ER visits for tick bites near record levels this summer across US Although considered rare, the CDC notes that Powassan infections have been increasing in recent years, with most infections occurring in northeast states and the states around the Great Lakes region in the spring and fall, when ticks are most active. The Powassan virus can also be transmitted by blood, so anyone who has the virus should not donate blood or bone marrow for at least 120 days after infection. In an emailed statement to ABC News, Dr. Catherine M. Brown, a state epidemiologist for the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, said the department has recently increased testing for Powassan virus disease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Most people exposed to tick-borne viruses don't get sick, but it is a virus that can invade the central nervous system and so a small proportion of people that are exposed become severely ill," Brown said. "In the past, testing for Powassan virus was only available through the CDC, but in recognition of the importance of this virus, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health's State Public Health Laboratory can now perform the initial screening test and confirmatory testing is still performed at CDC. Data from tick testing suggests that fewer than 2% of black-legged (deer) ticks carry the virus in Massachusetts." What are the symptoms of Powassan virus and how is it treated? Symptoms of Powassan virus include headache, fever, vomiting and weakness, according to the CDC . The virus can also cause severe disease, the agency states, including inflammation of the brain or inflammation of the membranes around the brain or spinal cord. Symptoms of a severe infection may include confusion, loss of coordination, trouble speaking, and seizures. Some people, such as children, older adults and people with weakened immune systems, may be at higher risk of developing severe symptoms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People with Powassan virus may require fluids, pain medications and rest to alleviate symptoms, but anyone with severe disease may need to be admitted to a hospital for further treatment. What to know about tick-borne illnesses How to prevent tick-borne illnesses There are currently no medications or vaccines to prevent a Powassan virus infection, according to the CDC. However, there are precautions you can take to protect you and your family from tick bites and any subsequent infections. These include: Applying EPA-registered insect repellents. Wearing long-sleeved clothing and pants. Avoiding bushy and wooded areas. Checking for ticks thoroughly and removing any after spending time outdoors. The CDC also advises treating outdoor clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin, an insect repellent, which will "remain protective through several washings." RICHFIELD, Utah (ABC4) Utahs largest fire of the 2025 Fire season is now burning nearly 65,000 acres and is 15% contained, according to the latest update posted by the U.S. National Forest- Fishlake National Forest on the Monroe Canyon Fire. Red flag warnings are already in place and crews expect it to be in place until Friday. According to ABC4s 4Warn weather team, hot, dry and windy conditions will stick around as we make it through today and most of our work week. Crews expect several thunderstorms to pass through the area towards the end of the week, but may not bring moisture with them. Due to active fire weather, fire personnel tackled a flare up near Manning Meadows. The fire ran to the north of Box Creek spike camp, causing a smoke column to lay in the camp which created an unhealthy environment for firefighters. The fire, however, didnt threaten the camp, officials noted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 4WARN WEATHER FORECAST: Bulk of Utah in critical fire danger with hot, dry conditions persisting Firefighters say will continue to connect the many firelines created from the ridges around Glenwood Mountain to the Highway 24 corridor to tackle the fire. So far, 1,366 fire personnel are on the ground trying to tackle the fire and protect structures in the area. Crews have also began replacing over 12 power poles that have been due to the Monroe Canyon fire. According to Garkane Energy, power is currently off on the North System as they begin the transition to generator power and start repairs on the main transmission line. Over the past week, a variety of dozer line, hand line, and retardant has been utilized to check the fires progress. The fireline on the ridge about Bear Valley held and mop-up along Highway 24 continues, the Great Basin Complex Incident Management Team noted in the press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Highway 24 is currently open to traffic, but crews are asking the community to use their fire sense while travelling through the area. Utah is currently under Stage 2 fire restrictions. Crews continue to monitor and secure the area around the Paiute RV Park down to Burrville, where evacuation order were lifted earlier this week. Firefighters worked through the night to finish securing line around Elk Country and will remain in the area to protect structures. A community meeting on the fire will be held today at 7:30 p.m. at the Sorensen Administrative Building on the Snow College Campus. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. By Joe Cash and Ryan Woo BEIJING (Reuters) -Rescue crews raced on Wednesday to clear debris and flooded roads as southern China braced for more extreme rainfall and spreading infection after some of the worst downpours this century, brought by a peak in East Asian monsoon rains. Forecasters warned of more thunderstorms after the century's second-heaviest August rains pounded Guangzhou, the capital of Guangdong province, forcing its Baiyun airport, one of the world's busiest, to cancel 363 flights and delay 311. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The day before, the skies above Hong Kong and the high-tech cities of China's Pearl River Delta turned livid and dumped the heaviest August rainfall since 1884 on the Asian financial hub. Rescue teams in Guangdong scrambled to open drains and pump water away from urban areas, state media said, as the intense rain set off mudslides and felled trees on highways, ripping up roads to expose cabling and other infrastructure. Video images showed roads transformed into brown waterways, threatening to worsen a major outbreak of chikungunya, fuelled by mosquitoes thriving in stagnant flood water, which had been on a downtrend before the latest rains. Guangdong had reported more than 7,000 of the virus infections earlier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China has suffered weeks of atmospheric chaos since July, battered by heavier-than-usual downpours with the East Asian monsoon stalling over its north and south. Weather experts link the shifting pattern to climate change, testing officials as flash floods displace thousands and threaten billions of dollars in economic losses. On Tuesday, Beijing allocated more than 1 billion yuan ($139 million) in disaster relief for Guangdong and the northern province of Hebei, as well as the capital, Beijing, and the northern region of Inner Mongolia, state news agency Xinhua said, including subsidies for damage to grain-growing areas. "The rains will drive up prices for fresh fruits and vegetables," said Dan Wang, a China expert at Eurasia Group. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some farmers might be able to exploit the situation to their benefit, agricultural losses would hit incomes as a whole, she added. Cold chain storage providers could benefit, she said, while higher prices could sustain consumer prices, after the latest data showed the first rise in five months. Even e-commerce may not be immune, as a landslide north of Guangzhou early on Wednesday hit 'Taobao Village', a community where many households run shops on China's Alibaba platform, trapping 14 people, with half the number still missing. Across the province, 16 rivers threaten to breach their banks, with water levels at two sites reaching their highest since 2017 and 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the worst may be yet to come, with two to three typhoons expected to strike in August, emergency management authorities said on Tuesday. DISEASE OUTBREAK The city of Foshan west of Guangzhou has been the epicentre of the province's chikungunya outbreak, while at least a dozen more have reported infections, which typically cause fever and severe joint pain, though deaths are rare. The next few weeks are especially daunting for disease prevention and control, say provincial authorities, after the flood season, worsened by typhoons and heavy rain, boosted mosquito activity. Spread by the bite of infected Aedes mosquitoes, global infections of the disease number at least 240,000 this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the disease and rainfall will have an uneven economic impact on China, thanks to their localised nature, said Chim Lee, a senior analyst at the Economist Intelligence Unit. "In harder-hit areas like Guangdong, outdoor activity is discouraged, and many brick-and-mortar, consumer-facing businesses are seeing a drop in footfall," he added. "Industrial and commercial operations are also feeling the strain." ($1=7.1834 yuan) (Reporting by Joe Cash; Editing by Michael Perry and Clarence Fernandez) Montana AG: Michael Brown considered armed as manhunt continues (NewsNation) Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said the suspect in a deadly bar shooting is still considered armed and dangerous as a manhunt continues. Michael Brown, 45, a U.S. Army veteran, is accused of killing four people at the Owl Bar in Anaconda, Montana, on Friday. The victims were identified as bartender Nancy Lauretta Kelly, 64, and patrons Daniel Edwin Ballie, 59; David Allen Leach, 70; and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Speaking with NewsNation on Wednesday, Knudsen said Brown remains a threat to the community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anybody who is willing to walk into an establishment at 10:30 am in the morning and gun down an entire coffee crowd, we have to be concerned about his state of mind, Knudsen said. Montana officials give an update on search for shooting suspect Authorities have been searching for Brown in a section of forest southwest of Anaconda. The lack of progress with the search has sparked some frustration among residents in nearby counties, prompting the Granite County Sheriffs Office to respond. In a social media post, Sheriff Rico Barkell asked residents to go about their everyday routines, writing, I do not have any inkling that Michael Paul Brown is in Granite County. If the situation changes, I will be sure to be transparent and put out information that is needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knudsen told NewsNation that the challenging forest terrain has made the search difficult. Weve got a lot of people talking online, chitty-chatting on social media. Why arent you doing this? Why are you just doing this? Knudsen said. This is unmanaged national forest. The undergrowth and deadfall in here is tremendous. Search for the bar shooter who killed 4 is Montanas highest priority, governor says According to Knudsen, the forest is so thick that authorities have to comb carefully through the timber so as not to potentially miss Brown. The sentiment from a lot of the tag teams who have been in there is that if he wanted to curl up in a ball and hide under some of this undergrowth. Theyd have a hard time seeing him unless they literally stepped on him, Knudsen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Knudsen acknowledged there is a possibility that Brown may be dead, he said that is not the stance authorities are taking at this time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. U.S. District Judge Gretchen Lund sentenced a Monticello man Tuesday to 25 years in prison for uploading nude images in October 2024 of a girl he was babysitting anonymously to an encrypted online chat group. Timothy Pressey, 40, pleaded guilty in the U.S. District Court in Hammond in April to production of child pornography. After prison, he will also serve 20 years on supervised release. A later hearing will finalize how much money he would owe the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In court filings, Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary Heater said Pressey narrated his sexual abuse of the victim. His actions guaranteed her abuse would be memorialized in the darkest corners of the internet for years to come. Defense lawyer Peter L. Boyles wrote his client took responsibility and cooperated with police. Documents show the group was an exchange place for hundreds of users, including hurtcore child porn that showed pain, torture and humiliation. Pressey appeared to detail how he abused the child. So welcome the world of a 6 yo, Pressey said in one post. When the FBI got a search warrant and raided his home on Nov. 2, they found 7,500 pictures and video files on his seized iPhone. Most were latent thumbnails likely due to Defendants presence in one or more group chats where (child porn) was freely exchanged, according to court filings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Timothy Pressey committed a heinous crime against a child entrusted to his care and supervision and then shared the product of that crime on the internet, Acting U.S. Attorney M. Scott Proctor said in a release. Thanks to the outstanding work of the FBI, our state and local partners, and this Offices dedicated team of prosecutors and staff, Pressey was swiftly brought to justice. The U.S. Attorneys Office will continue to do everything within our power to prosecute those who victimize children. mcolias@post-trib.com ASHLAND Three GOP members of Nebraska's congressional delegation defended President Donald Trump's policies and his signature bill Tuesday morning at an annual gathering of business, agricultural and government leaders. Amid a panel-style interview at the annual summit, Sens. Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, along with Rep. Mike Flood of the state's 1st Congressional District, each praised Trump's "One Big, Beautiful Bill," the president's steps to secure the U.S.-Mexico border and Trump's tariffs that have disrupted trade and frustrated Nebraska's farmers. At town halls in Seward in May and in Lincoln on Monday, Nebraskans have lashed out against Trump's moves and, in particular, the president's domestic policy bill, which extends tax cuts enacted in 2017 and will slash more than $1 trillion from Medicaid to help pay for them. At Tuesday's breakfast at the Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum in Ashland, Fischer, Ricketts and Flood hailed the bill that each of them voted for last month. "That is an awesome bill," said Ricketts, who called it a "historic piece of legislation that is generational in scope and will put this country on the right-track approach." The Republican who is seeking his first full term in the Senate next year pointed to the bill's tax relief measures, which include a permanent increase to the federal child tax credit and continued income tax cuts that will save taxpayers about $2,900 per household, according to an analysis from the nonpartisan Tax Policy Center. "The key thing to remember about that bill is and you should all be repeating this it's great for families," Ricketts told the crowd that included business owners, industry groups, lobbyists and state lawmakers. "It is absolutely fantastic for families." Rural health care advocates have warned that the bill's Medicaid cuts will force Nebraska hospitals to close, while the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimated the bill would cost more than 10 million Americans their coverage under the government insurance program that covers about 346,000 low-income Nebraskans. The CBO also estimated the bill will increase the federal deficit by $4.1 trillion over a decade a projection that Ricketts and Flood both cast doubt on Tuesday, with Ricketts calling the office "a biased organization." He predicted the bill will instead grow the economy and reduce the national debt by "trillions of dollars." Third District Rep. Adrian Smith missed Tuesday's summit due to his flight being delayed and Second District Rep. Don Bacon, who is not running for reelection, was not scheduled to attend due to previously planned travel. Both sent video messages. Sen. George Dungan, a Democratic state lawmaker from Lincoln who attended Tuesday's gathering, called Ricketts' remarks "out of touch." "There is a stark contrast when you compare what everyday people think about Trump's bill versus what the echo chamber in D.C. is trying to sell the public," he said. The delegation, too, backed the president's approach to trade, often invoking former President Joe Biden to defend Trump's on-again, off-again tariffs that have created uncertainty for Nebraska farmers and helped fuel a 4% decline in U.S. imports in June, the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported Tuesday. "I can say to you that Nebraskans are excited to see trade at the forefront of the president's agenda," said Fischer, a former rancher who sits on the Senate Agriculture Committee and who said Biden showed "no interest" in trade. "Tariffs make people nervous, but I think President Trump is using these tariffs in a way that force the conversation with a number of different governments," she said. "And what I hear from Nebraskans especially Nebraskans in agriculture is that they're willing to give the president time so that these tariffs work and we once again see strong trade for the businesses, the ag producers of this country." Ricketts, too, said the farmers and ranchers he's talked to in the state are "willing to give the president a chance," while Flood called Trump's trade war to be over by Dec. 25. "I agree we need to go through this," Flood said. "But if it were up to me, the greatest Christmas present we could have as a nation would be to be able to wrap this up at Christmastime." Those attending Tuesday's annual event, hosted by the Nebraska, Lincoln and Omaha chambers of commerce, laughed at jokes and clapped at applause lines. There were no jeers or outbursts which marked a town hall hosted by Flood on Monday night in Lincoln. Trump has imposed tariffs on a variety of industries and countries, including on steel and aluminum exporters, in a move sure to raise input costs for Nebraska's farmers and ranchers, who also face retaliatory tariffs from countries like China, the No. 1 market for Nebraska soybeans. The U.S. exported $6.6 billion worth of soybeans to China through May of this year $2.4 billion less than the same time frame last year, The New York Times reported. Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth, a Republican state lawmaker and farmer who attended Tuesday's gathering, worried that China would soon take its soybean business to Brazil due to Trump's tariffs. "You can be as patient as big as your bank account is," he said. "Farmers want the market to provide our living. We don't want to have to rely on the government to do that. People in agriculture want to see a robust market for our products, and a large part of that is overseas, and they are impacted by tariffs." Still, he said, a "Christmas deadline works for me." An investigation from the office of Democratic Senator Jon Ossoff uncovered more than 500 allegations of human rights abuses in immigration detention facilities, including more than a two dozen reports involving children and pregnant women and more than 40 instances of physical and sexual abuse. The senator launched an investigation into conditions inside the nations sprawling network of immigration detention facilities after Donald Trump took office in January. A subsequent report, first published by NBC News on Tuesday, identified 510 credible reports of abuse inside Immigration and Customs Enforcement detention centers, federal prisons, local jails and military bases, including Guantanamo Bay, and on deportation flights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Credibly reported or confirmed events to date include deaths in custody, physical and sexual abuse, mistreatment of pregnant women, mistreatment of children, inadequate medical care, overcrowding and unsanitary living conditions, inadequate food or water, exposure to extreme temperatures, denial of access to attorneys, and family separations, according to the report. Those events include 41 allegations of physical or sexual abuse, including an alleged incident in El Paso where a detainee was slammed against the ground, handcuffed, and taken outside for stepping out of line in the dining hall. An investigation from Senator Jon Ossoffs office uncovered 510 allegations of human rights abuses in ICE facilities and other immigration detention centers (REUTERS) The report also uncovered two 911 calls from a California facility referencing sexual assaults or threats of sexual assaults. At a facility in Texas, at least four emergency calls since January have reportedly referenced sexual abuse, the report found. When a group of detainees in Miami flooded a toilet in protest of poor conditions, officers reportedly threw flash-bang grenades into the room and shot at the men with what appeared to be pellets or rubber bullets, according to the report. The detainees were then handcuffed with zip-ties that cut into their wrists when detainees requested food, water and medication, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senators office uncovered at least 14 reports alleging pregnant women were mistreated in Homeland Security custody, including not receiving adequate medical care and timely checkups, not receiving urgent care when needed, being denied snacks and adequate meals, and being forced to sleep on the floor due to overcrowding, according to the report. A pregnant womans partner in custody in Georgia had reported to the senators office that she had bled for days before staff took her to a hospital. Once she was there, she was reportedly left in a room, alone, to miscarry without water or medical assistance, for over 24 hours, according to the report. According to documents obtained by NBC News, the woman received a follow-up check-up on April 9, 11 days after she miscarried. In another case, a pregnant detainee was reportedly told to just drink water after requesting medical attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for other detainees told the senators office that their pregnant clients have been forced to wait weeks to see a doctor while in custody. The senators office also collected 18 reports involving children, including U.S. citizens, some as young as two years old. Three of those children reportedly experienced severe medical issues while in detention and were denied adequate medical treatment, according to the report. In another case, an attorney reported that a U.S. citizen child with severe medical issues was hospitalized three times while in custody with her non-citizen mother. According to the report, when the young girl began vomiting blood, the mother begged for medical attention, to which an officer reportedly told her to just give the girl a cracker. The report alleges at least 14 instances involving pregnant detainees and another 18 reports involving children in federal custody (AFP via Getty Images) A citizen child recovering from brain surgery was reportedly denied access to follow-up care, a case that was publicly reported earlier this year. She faces continued brain swelling and speech and mobility difficulties, according to the senators report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another previously reported case involving a four-year-old cancer patient is also included in the senators report. Regardless of our views on immigration policy, the American people do not support the abuse of detainees and prisoners its more important than ever to shine a light on whats happening behind bars and barbed wire, especially and most shockingly to children, Ossoff said in a statement shared with The Independent. Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin told NBC News that any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false. Detainees in ICE custody are provided with proper meals, medical treatment, and have opportunities to communicate with lawyers and their family members, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ensuring the safety, security, and well-being of individuals in our custody is a top priority at ICE, she told NBC. The Independent has requested additional comment from Ossoffs office and Homeland Security. Ossoffs report follows nearly eight months of the presidents vast anti-immigration agenda and mass deportation machine, set to receive tens of billions of dollars over the next decade to radically expand detention capacity and the number of ICE agents working to remove people from the country. Lawsuits and reports from immigration advocates and attorneys have alleged similarly brutal conditions in facilities in California, Texas, Louisiana, New Jersey, Florida and New York, where detainees have reported food shortages, illness and denial of access to legal counsel. Two men have been arrested after "several hundred thousand" illicit prescription drugs were seized from an industrial estate. Diazepam and pregabalin, which are used to treat anxiety and epilepsy, were discovered in a raid on Stanley Street, Cheetham Hill, Greater Manchester Police said. Officers also recovered about 100,000 in cash and several high value watches and vehicles worth 250,000 in further searches at properties in Cheadle, Chorlton and Ashton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two men, aged 54 and 59, have been held on suspicion of possession with intent to supply Class A drugs and money laundering and remain in custody for questioning. Det Supt Joe Harrop said: "We see first hand the devastating effects these substances have on not only individuals but the wider community. "By taking this action, we are driving down crime, but also protecting vulnerable people turning to unsafe sources to get access to what they believe are prescription medications." Last year, a BBC North West investigation found evidence of dealers using encrypted messaging apps to sell pregabalin pills for less than 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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 2230. More on this story Related internet links At least 20 people were killed in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday while trying to get food, while others were asked to evacuate as the Israeli Security Cabinet is reportedly set to meet on Thursday to discuss taking over the enclave. The Palestinian news agency WAFA, citing medical sources, reported that dozens of people were also injured after a lorry loaded with humanitarian aid overturned into a crowd in the central part of Gaza as numerous starving civilians gathered to receive humanitarian aid. The truck was allegedly forced onto an unsafe route by the Israeli army, overturned and fell into the crowd. These claims could not be independently verified. Palestinian eyewitnesses said looters had attempted to seize control of the truck. During the chaos, shots were fired, and the driver was fatally hit, causing the vehicle to overturn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the United Nations, most trucks entering Gaza are looted before reaching their intended destinations, often by starving civilians and armed groups. This frequently leads to chaotic and dangerous scenes. The UN has warned that the conflict-ridden area, home to 2 million people, is on the brink of famine, despite Israel allowing more aid deliveries for over a week. Deadly incidents also continue to occur near aid distribution centres. WAFA reported that the death toll from aid-related incidents reached 87 within the last 24 hours, in addition to 570 injuries, bringing the total number of such fatalities to 1,655, with 11,800 injuries recorded in hospitals. These figures could not be independently verified. IDF issues evacuation orders for Gaza City Meanwhile ahead of discussions on expanding the Gaza conflict, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) issued an evacuation order for residential areas in the southern part of Gaza City, as the army is expanding its operations westward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The IDF's Arabic-speaking spokesman called on residents of the al-Zeitoun neighbourhood to immediately move south to the humanitarian zone in al-Mawasi. Shortly afterwards, the spokesman also issued an evacuation order for parts of Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip. However, the order does not apply to the Nasser Hospital in the city, the statement said. Since the Gaza conflict began almost 22 months ago, following the unprecedented Hamas massacre in Israel, nearly the entire population of the Gaza Strip has become internally displaced. Many people have been forced to flee multiple times. Even in the humanitarian zone of al-Mawasi, there have been repeated deadly attacks. Security Cabinet expected to meet, faces opposition According to media reports, Israel's Security Cabinet is expected to decide on Thursday on a plan to seize the entire Gaza Strip, which IDF leadership opposes, though Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to back the move. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that, under such a plan, the military would need to advance into refugee neighbourhoods in the central part of the coastal strip as well as Gaza City. Chief of General Staff Herzi Halevi has reportedly warned of a "trap" and deadly risks for hostages and soldiers. On Wednesday, Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid described government plans to completely seize control of the Gaza Strip as a "very bad idea." "I told Netanyahu - occupying Gaza is a very bad idea, you don't embark on such a move unless the majority of the people are behind you, the people of Israel are not interested in this war. We will pay too heavy a price for it." He referred both to the likely number of casualties that a military takeover of additional territories would entail and to the potential costs of a full occupation. Palestinians assess the damage in the aftermath of an overnight Israeli strike that hit Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa Palestinians assess the damage in the aftermath of an overnight Israeli strike that hit Nuseirat in the central Gaza Strip. Belal Abu Amer/APA Images via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa An officer recruit fires a pistol during firearms training at the George S. Mickelson Law Enforcement Center in Pierre on July 8, 2024. (John Hult/South Dakota Searchlight) Efforts to bolster the number of officers policing tribal lands for tribal agencies in South Dakota have begun to pay off, public safety officials say. The states next basic law enforcement certification class, which begins on Aug. 18 in Pierre, includes nine tribal recruits from the Yankton, Oglala, Sisseton-Wahpeton and Rosebud tribes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The certification course is 13 weeks long, and the state typically has three classes a year. Since May 2024, the state has certified 13 tribal graduates. Former Gov. Kristi Noem, now head of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, drew attention as well as heavy criticism and bans from her home states tribal lands to the need for law enforcement in tribal communities in 2024. Noem repeatedly said Mexican drug cartels had infiltrated the states reservations, and claimed that some tribal leaders benefited from the gangs presence. She also drew the ire of tribal officials for saying Native American children have no hope for lack of parenting. Alongside the controversial remarks, the Noem administration used the states basic law enforcement certification setup to address concerns about a dearth of available policing resources on tribal lands. Tribal officials had themselves sought to draw attention to that issue through public safety emergency declarations and in testimony to Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noem pulled from her budget to pay for an additional basic law enforcement certification cohort last summer, and Attorney General Marty Jackley partnered with her office to pull together the course. That academy class gave priority to tribal officer recruits, and was filled out with officer hopefuls from other non-tribal agencies. Nine of the tribal recruits successfully completed the program, and four more have completed it since then. Noem also joined calls from U.S. Sen. Mike Rounds, R-South Dakota, to place a federal tribal law enforcement training center in the region. Most tribal officers attend training at a Bureau of Indian Affairs facility in Artesia, New Mexico. Tribal leaders say the distance and duration of the training have been a deterrent to hiring officers. In May, Rounds sent a letter to U.S. Interior Secretary Doug Burgum asking him to endorse a tribal police academy for the Great Plains. At a recent meeting of the State-Tribal Relations Committee, South Dakota Public Safety Secretary Bob Perry said he hopes to see a federal tribal academy in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pie in the sky dream-type goal is to have a permanent type solution for that here in South Dakota, Perry said. More Indigenous affairs news More Wisconsin high school students will be automatically admitted into college without even applying. It's a hallmark of Direct Admit Wisconsin, a new University of Wisconsin System program intended to reach students who haven't considered college or never would apply on their own. High school students are automatically admitted into universities based on their grades at the end of their junior year. Direct Admit launched at 10 UW institutions last fall. The first class who accepted offers in 2024 will start as college freshmen in September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program will reach even more high school students this year, with 155 additional schools signing up to participate. Altogether, 467 Wisconsin schools that educate more than 80% of the state's high school juniors are signed up this year. The hope is the program will help reverse a slide in Wisconsin's college participation rate. The percentage of high school graduates going directly to college has dropped from 62% in 2016 to 51% in 2023, according to state Department of Public Instruction data. Here's what to know about the program: What is Direct Admit Wisconsin? Direct admissions bypasses the traditional admissions process where students submit an application and wait for an admissions decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Each university sets its own admissions criteria for a student to be automatically admitted. They review the grades and coursework of high school juniors at participating high schools. Students who qualify will receive acceptance notices. "People can do amazing things when you believe in them," UW System President Jay Rothman told reporters on an Aug. 6 call. "When we send these direct admit letters out to students, we're telling those students that we believe they can be successful at our universities." Which University of Wisconsin schools offer direct admissions? Ten of the state's public universities participate in the program: UW-Milwaukee, UW-Parkside, UW-Whitewater, UW-Green Bay, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stevens Point, UW-Platteville, UW-Stout, UW-River Falls and UW-Superior. UW-Madison, UW-La Crosse and UW-Eau Claire do not participate. Students interested in these schools should apply through the traditional application process. How many students are directly admitted? Emails have already gone out. Nearly 34,000 students recently received offers, up from the 24,000 sent in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Acceptance letters will also be mailed in August. Which Milwaukee area school districts participate in Direct Admit Wisconsin? Among the participating area school districts are: Milwaukee Public Schools, Arrowhead Union School District, West Allis-West Milwaukee School District, Waukesha School District, Wauwatosa School District, Shorewood School District, Whitefish Bay, New Berlin School District, Franklin Public Schools, Oak Creek Franklin Joint School District, Elmbrook School District, Pewaukee School District and Greenfield School District. To see if your district participates, visit wisconsin.edu/direct-admissions/. Has the Direct Admit program boosted enrollment? Yes, Rothman said, though he didn't provide data to back this up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're seeing some really encouraging signs as we look at enrollment for freshman this year," he said. The UW System typically releases preliminary enrollment data in September after the 10th day count is tallied. Research has shown direct admit programs can increase college application rates, especially among first-generation students, low-income students and students of color. Rothman also said the program has led to increased engagement. More students contacted universities and they did so earlier in the process, often shortly after receiving a direct admit offer. Does Direct Admit make college more affordable? No. The program focuses on access, not affordability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Rothman said Direct Admit puts financial aid staff in touch with prospective students sooner to help them interpret what their costs will be. "It gives us the real opportunity to engage in that conversation and share with them the financial aid that is available," he said. "I think oftentimes (students) are surprised at how affordable it can be." Kelly Meyerhofer has covered higher education in Wisconsin since 2018. Contact her at kmeyerhofer@gannett.com or 414-223-5168. Follow her on X (Twitter) at @KellyMeyerhofer. (This story was republished to fix typos). This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: University of Wisconsin Direct Admit program expands Morton Mintz, who has died aged 103, was the investigative journalist who broke the story about the birth defects associated with thalidomide and subsequently reported extensively on other unsafe medicines and medical devices. In Britain the exposure of the thalidomide scandal is associated with the Sunday Times Insight team, which took up the cudgel on behalf of victims seeking compensation in the late 1960s. But it was Mintz at The Washington Post who in July 1962 broke the news that several thousand children with deformities had been born to mothers who had taken the drug as an antidote to morning sickness in the first three months of pregnancy. In 1960 the US Food and Drug Administration had been considering whether to approve thalidomide for the market in the US, and senior FDA officials, under pressure from Merrell, the drugs US licensee, wanted to give the go-ahead. But Dr Frances Kelsey, a new FDA recruit who had been tasked with reviewing the application, refused to authorise it because she had concerns about the lack of evidence regarding the drugs safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the drug companys attempts to intimidate her by writing letters to her superiors calling her a petty, unreasonable bureaucrat, she held her ground. By December 1961 it was clear that her concerns were well-founded as reports came in of newborn babies with malformed or missing limbs. (In Britain the drug was withdrawn in late 1961.) Merrell finally withdrew its application in March 1962, though not before some 17 US babies, whose mothers had taken thalidomide (which had been distributed to doctors on an investigative basis), were born with deformities. This is the story of how the skepticism and stubbornness of a government physician prevented what could have been an appalling American tragedy, the birth of hundreds or indeed thousands of armless and legless children, Mintzs front-page profile of Dr Kelsey began. Mintz also investigated the tobacco and motor industries - Gerald Martineau/The Washington Post via Getty Images The expose led to a public outcry and prompted congressional hearings leading to tougher legislation requiring pharmaceutical companies to prove both the safety and efficacy of their products before approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morton Abner Mintz was born on January 26 1922, in Ann Arbor, Michigan, to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania. After taking a degree in economics from the University of Michigan in 1943, he enlisted in the US Navy and served as commander of a transport ship during the D-Day landings. Before joining The Washington Post in 1958 he worked as a reporter at the St Louis Star-Times and the St Louis Globe-Democrat. At the time Mintz began looking into thalidomide it was unusual for a newspaper to devote resources to investigating corporate (as opposed to political) misconduct, partly from fear of upsetting major advertisers. But the thalidomide story convinced Mintz that, as he put it, the human being who would not harm you on an individual, face-to-face basis, who is charitable, civic-minded, loving and devout, will wound or kill you from behind the corporate veil. He went on to investigate wrongdoing in the tobacco, car and pharmaceutical industries, as well as publishing several books. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other scoops, in 1966 he revealed that General Motors had hired detectives to stalk the consumer champion Ralph Nader after Nader published Unsafe at Any Speed (1965), which claimed that GMs Chevrolet Corvair suffered from potentially lethal design faults. In At Any Cost: Corporate Greed, Women and the Dalkon Shield (1985), Mintz reported that the Dalkon Shield, an intrauterine device marketed from 1970 to 1974 by the pharmaceutical company AH Robins as a truly superior birth control method, had had horrendous side effects for thousands of the women who wore it, including pelvic infections, miscarriages and deaths. In 1946, Mintz married Anita Franz. She died in 2015, and a daughter also predeceased him. He is survived by two daughters and a son. Morton Mintz, born January 26 1922, died July 28 2025 Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. With just days remaining before US President Donald Trump's deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire, his special envoy Steve Witkoff held another round of talks in Moscow on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Witkoff for about three hours at the Kremlin. Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the visit as "useful and constructive," according to Russian state news agency TASS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ushakov said Moscow had received "signals" from Witkoff about Washington's position on Ukraine and, in turn, sent messages back to Trump via the envoy. Neither side disclosed details of the discussions. Following years of limited contact between Washington and Moscow due to the war launched by Putin against Ukraine, Witkoff has now visited Russia five times this year. In July, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war. Angered by continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump later shortened the timeline to this Friday. Trump has threatened a harsh wave of sanctions if Moscow fails to comply, including "secondary tariffs" against countries that buy Russian energy, to choke off the Kremlin's war funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was in this context that Trump announced on Wednesday he was ratcheting up tariffs on India to 50% over its purchases of Russian oil. The rate is set to go into effect in 21 days. But is unclear how far Trump - who has often boasted of his strong personal rapport with Putin - is prepared to escalate should his Friday ultimatum be ignored. Russia hits Ukrainian gas hub Meanwhile, Russian forces have escalated their attacks on Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas across the south of the country on Wednesday. Ukrainian authorities reported a deliberate Russian drone strike on a key gas compressor station in the Odessa region, part of the Trans-Balkan pipeline route. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk condemned the attack, saying: "Moscow is using all available means and leverage to destroy Europes energy independence." This pipeline, crucial for transporting liquefied natural gas from the US and Azerbaijan through Greece, Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine, has become a strategic lifeline as Kiev braces amid Russia's destruction of domestic energy capacity. In the village of Orlivka, near the border with Romania, drone strikes ignited a large fire visible from the neighbouring country, according to local media. The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed attacks on Ukraine's gas transport system but did not specify locations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Additional strikes damaged commercial facilities and residential buildings in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and Russian drones targeted areas along the southern Danube, according to Ukrainian officials. Civilian areas have also suffered: At least two people were killed and a dozen injured after Russian bombings struck a holiday camp near Zaporizhzhya, damaging several cabins, local officials said. Overnight, Ukraine launched a retaliatory drone attack on a fuel depot in Bryansk, Russia. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion since February 2022. With domestic production crippled, the country relies heavily on gas imports. With just days remaining before US President Donald Trump's deadline for a Ukraine ceasefire, his special envoy Steve Witkoff held another round of talks in Moscow on Wednesday. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Witkoff for about three hours at the Kremlin. Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, described the visit as "useful and constructive," according to Russian state news agency TASS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ushakov said Moscow had received "signals" from Witkoff about Washington's position on Ukraine and, in turn, sent messages back to Trump via the envoy. "My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies," Trump added. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come." According to reports from Kiev, Trump informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky about the results of the negotiations in Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow," Zelensky posted on X. According to Zelensky, unnamed "European leaders" were also present during the phone call. No details of the content were released. No details released Neither side has disclosed details of the discussions between Witkoff and Putin. Following years of limited contact between Washington and Moscow due to the war launched by Putin against Ukraine, Witkoff has now visited Russia five times this year. In July, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war. Angered by continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump later shortened the timeline to this Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has threatened a harsh wave of sanctions if Moscow fails to comply, including "secondary tariffs" against countries that buy Russian energy, to choke off the Kremlin's war funding. It was in this context that Trump announced on Wednesday he was ratcheting up tariffs on India to 50% over its purchases of Russian oil. The rate is set to go into effect in 21 days. But is unclear how far Trump - who has often boasted of his strong personal rapport with Putin - is prepared to escalate should his Friday ultimatum be ignored. Russia hits Ukrainian gas hub Meanwhile, Russian forces have escalated their attacks on Ukraine, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian areas across the south of the country on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian authorities reported a deliberate Russian drone strike on a key gas compressor station in the Odessa region, part of the Trans-Balkan pipeline route. Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk condemned the attack, saying: "Moscow is using all available means and leverage to destroy Europes energy independence." This pipeline, crucial for transporting liquefied natural gas from the US and Azerbaijan through Greece, Bulgaria and Romania to Ukraine, has become a strategic lifeline as Kiev braces amid Russia's destruction of domestic energy capacity. In the village of Orlivka, near the border with Romania, drone strikes ignited a large fire visible from the neighbouring country, according to local media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian Defence Ministry confirmed attacks on Ukraine's gas transport system but did not specify locations. Additional strikes damaged commercial facilities and residential buildings in the Dnipropetrovsk region, and Russian drones targeted areas along the southern Danube, according to Ukrainian officials. Civilian areas have also suffered: At least two people were killed and a dozen injured after Russian bombings struck a holiday camp near Zaporizhzhya, damaging several cabins, local officials said. Overnight, Ukraine launched a retaliatory drone attack on a fuel depot in Bryansk, Russia. Ukraine has been defending itself against Russia's full-scale invasion since February 2022. With domestic production crippled, the country relies heavily on gas imports. The Latvian state agency State Real Estate (SRE) is offering the Moscow House on Marias Street in Riga for sale for the fifth auction in a row, with a starting price of 2.142 million euros. Source: Latvian media outlet LSM, as reported by European Pravda Details: The auction will begin on Friday 8 August, and end at 13:00 on 8 September 2025. The starting price for the lot, which includes the building, is set at 2.142 million (with a bid increment of 10,000). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The price was last reduced before the auction in February 2025, when the property was put up for sale for 2.142 million. The bill on the confiscation of the House of Moscow from Moscow (the ownership of the building was registered in the name of the Department of Municipal Property of the Russian capital) was passed by the Seimas in its final reading in January 2024. The bill on the alienation of property was intended to ensure the security of the Latvian state, including the prevention and timely elimination of threats to the democratic state system. It was reported that the Latvian State Security Service had established that after 24 February 2022, the premises of the building continued to be leased to persons whose activities showed signs of support for the aggressive foreign policy of the Russian Federation, and since hostile and harmful activities were being carried out there, Latvia was obliged to take action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March 2024, it was decided that Latvia would auction off the plot of land in Riga and the Moscow House located on it, which was considered a symbol of pro-Russian policy and was nationalised by a decision of the Latvian Seimas. The funds received from the auction are planned to be transferred to support Ukraine, so special amendments to the law on support for Ukrainian residents will be submitted to the Saeima. The first auction began in August 2024, but even then, the real estate company Latio assumed that it would most likely have to be repeated. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The outbreak of the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus continues to spread in southern China's Guangdong province, where local authorities have reported more than 7,700 infections as of Wednesday. Most cases have been concentrated in the city of Foshan, where the outbreak began this summer. Isolated infections have also been detected in the provincial capital Guangzhou and several surrounding cities. Meanwhile, Hong Kong, a Special Administrative Region of China, has reported its first case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities have launched extensive measures to contain the virus, including a large-scale mosquito control campaign. This effort involves introducing larva-eating fish into bodies of water to reduce mosquito breeding. In addition, so-called "elephant mosquitoes" - a harmless species whose larvae feed on other mosquito larvae - have been released to help reduce the population of the virus-carrying mosquitoes. Controversy over pandemic-like restrictions Some measures have drawn criticism on social media for resembling rules from the Covid-19 pandemic. For example, pharmacies in Foshan are required to record the identities of customers purchasing medicines for symptoms like fever or joint pain, a rule similar to past contact tracing systems used to track potential infection chains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the neighbouring Fujian province, two cities have instructed travellers returning from Guangdong to undergo 14 days of self-monitoring. The disease, spread by certain species of mosquitoes, causes flu-like symptoms such as fever and severe joint and muscle pain. Symptoms usually subside within one to two weeks. Most patients recover fully, but the virus poses a greater risk to people with chronic illnesses, pregnant women and infants. Fatalities are very rare. LETCHER COUNTY, Ky. (FOX 56) Attorneys for former Kentucky sheriff Shawn Mickey Stines have filed a motion to unseal a previously ordered psychological evaluation. The former Letcher County sheriff is accused of shooting and killing Judge Kevin Mullins on Sept. 19, 2024. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the motion filed, a psychological evaluation was conducted and sealed by the court. The motion notes that the contents of the assessment are directly relevant to issues expected to be raised at an upcoming evidentiary hearing on Aug. 15. FOX 56 previously reported that, after pleading not guilty, Stines could face the death penalty if convicted. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A dramatic drop in car thefts across the Las Vegas valley didnt just match the national trend. Las Vegas doubled down. Crime statistics released by the FBI on Tuesday showed that the Las Vegas metro area saw a 35% decline in motor vehicle thefts from 2023 to 2024. That was twice the national rate: a 17% decrease. A total of 13,541 vehicles were stolen in 2024, down from 20,791 in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent crime drops by 4.5 percent in 2024: FBI data National reports credited better anti-theft technology, including moves by automakers Hyundai and Kia to make improvements to reduce theft. Also cited: supply chains are closer to normal, removing the incentive for thieves to steal vehicles for parts. Violent crime fell 4.5% nationwide and property crime saw an 8% drop. In Nevada, homicides were down 22%, aggravated assaults declined 11%, rapes dropped by 8% and robberies were down 22%, according to the FBI. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department showed a 35% decline in motor vehicle thefts, with a total of 10,243 vehicles reported stolen in 2024. North Las Vegas saw the steepest decline 40% with 2,053 reported thefts. Henderson had a 31% drop, with only 1,245 vehicles stolen in the states second-largest city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI statistics showed few auto thefts are solved by police. In 2024, Metros clearance rate was 8.7%, Henderson was 4.3% and North Las Vegas trailed at 2.4%. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A motorcyclist was seriously hurt in a crash Tuesday evening, Aug. 5 in Central El Paso, an El Paso Fire spokesperson said. The crash happened shortly after 6:30 p.m. at Piedras and McKinley and involved a motorcycle and a vehicle. The motorcyclist was taken to the hospital with serious injuries (Code 3), the Fire Department spokesperson said. The scene was turned over to the Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. KANSAS CITY, Mo. A motorcyclist was hospitalized Tuesday night with life-threatening injuries after they crashed into a car near the Brookside neighborhood of Kansas City. According to the Kansas City Police Department, just before 9:45 p.m., officers were called to the intersection of Gregory Boulevard and Wornall Road on reports of a crash. Preliminary investigations revealed that the driver of a Harley-Davidson motorcycle was driving south on Wornall when they ran through a red light. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 74-year-old woman killed in dump truck crash at 69 Highway in Clay County At the same time, the driver of an Infinity G35, who had a green light, was driving west on Gregory and entered the intersection. According to KCPD, the motorcyclist hit the front end of the Infinity, forcing them off the motorcycle. Emergency responders took the motorcyclist to a hospital, where they are currently suffering from life-threatening injuries. The driver of the Infinity was uninjured in the crash. KCPD is still investigating the cause of 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Rising cases of extreme infant hunger and malaria are overwhelming humanitarian facilities in southwestern Ethiopia as aid cuts force other nutrition and disease prevention programmes to shutter, Doctors Without Borders (known by its French acronym, MSF) has warned. MSF said on Wednesday it had seen a 55-percent increase compared with last year in child admissions to its feeding centre in the Kule refugee camp in Ethiopias Gambella region, with many of the infants coming from camps nearby. Funding cuts have meant the closure of nutrition services in four of the regions seven refugee camps, MSF said, leaving around 80,000 children under the age of five at risk of life-threatening malnutrition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ethiopia, Africas second-most populous nation with about 130 million people, is grappling with armed clashes in two of its largest regions. Southwestern Gambella borders South Sudan, itself facing a dramatic uptick in violence and funding cuts to international programmes that form the countrys healthcare backbone. The region currently shelters just under 400,000 refugees across seven camps, many of them South Sudanese. 80,000 children under five are at risk of life-threatening malnutrition as services are suspended in four refugee camps in Gambella, Ethiopia, following significant aid cuts. Without urgent support, this crisis will continue to escalate.https://t.co/hlDXRzqpmb MSF International (@MSF) August 6, 2025 Patient visits to the Kule camp have risen by almost 60 percent compared with 2024. MSF is overwhelmed by the increased patient load, and we fear this number will likely keep rising in the coming months, said Armand Dirks, MSFs project coordinator in Gambella. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nyauahial Puoch travelled roughly eight kilometres (five miles) from another refugee camp to seek treatment for her malnourished 17-month-old daughter. Since last year, there has been a big decline. Some of the items we used to get are no longer provided at all, the NGO quoted her as saying. While they are given food once a month, Puoch said, it always runs out before the month ends. Funding cuts have also had an impact on disease prevention, notably malaria programmes, with MSF predicting a steep increase in the May-to-October rainy season. The NGO said in July it had seen an approximately 125-percent rise in the number of malaria patients almost 24,000 compared with the previous month, with half of these patients coming from neighbouring refugee camps. This poses a serious threat to already vulnerable refugees who face heightened exposure to malaria-infected mosquitoes due to overcrowded living conditions and limited sanitation, said Birhanu Sahile, MSFs deputy medical coordinator. LANSING, Mich. (WLNS) Michigan State University laid off 16 fixed-term faculty and three staff at the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. USAID funded all 19 employees contracts, and significant federal cuts earlier this year eliminated that funding. A fixed-term worker is someone whose job is usually linked to a specific project or funding source, such as a grant. Their employment often ends when the funding runs out or the project wraps up. In this case, the funding disappeared after the Trump administration cut USAIDs funding. MSU to lay off 100+ workers due to SNAP-ED cuts Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The college had more than 30 employees working under USAID grants. A university spokesperson, Amber McCann, told 6 News that departments managed to minimize the impact of the loss, which led to the 19 layoffs. McCann also said employees were notified after the grants were terminated. President Donald Trump fired the USAID inspector general in February and followed with significant cuts to the department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WLNS 6 News. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A school in Mt. Charleston severely damaged by a storm is opening for the first time in two years on Monday. The Clark County School District Board of Trustees had voted to close Lundy Elementary School; however, it reversed course after community outrage. Every child in the state of Nevada, again, whether youre urban, rural, suburban, needs to have the space to learn, Clark County School District Superintendent Jhone Ebert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lundy Elementary sustained extensive damage in August of 2023 when Tropical Storm Hilary barreled through Mt. Charleston. At the time, students couldnt go inside, and the school eventually closed. The CCSD school board voted last year to keep it that way. CCSD trustees vote against repairing Mt. Charleston-area school A school in Mt. Charleston severely damaged by a storm is opening for the first time in two years on Monday. (KLAS) However, trustees changed course a few months later, once a new trustee was appointed to the board. CCSD trustees to reconsider vote on closing Mt. Charleston school Jhone Ebert, who is entering her first full year as superintendent, stressed at a news conference on Tuesday that every child matters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont think anybody at this moment in time should be worrying about the future of our rural schools. We embrace all of our rural schools, Ebert said. If you add up all the rural schools in Clark County. There are actually more rural schools in Clark County than the rest of the state. According to Ebert, so far only eight children are enrolled to attend Lundy next week. A school in Mt. Charleston severely damaged by a storm is opening for the first time in two years on Monday. (KLAS) 8 News Now asked Ebert if it was financially feasible to set aside $7.8 million to renovate Lundy Elementary School, when such a small number of children are attending. Some of the children were on the bus for over an hour, just in one direction. So you think about the learning loss thats lost for that travel, Ebert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There will be at least two staff members at the elementary school, Dr. Michelle Muehleisen is one of them. She supported keeping the school open. Our students have access to equal education; they didnt have to drive 30 to 45 minutes. Or on the bus for over an hour just to get to school, Dr. Muehleisen said. Its kind of what America was built on. The community, elementary school at least. Construction costs for Lundy are actually coming in lower than the $7.8 million the district allocated. Were going to come well under that. We dont have a final number, but we report that to the board when the time comes, Brandon McLaughlin, assistant superintendent in the construction and development division, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CCSD will host a ribbon-cutting for the school on Aug. 13. All CCSD schools, as well as some charter and private schools, return to class on Monday, August 11. Faith Lutheran High School, however, will open on Thursday, whereas Bishop Gorman High School students return next Tuesday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS. UPDATE: Twenty-five filmmakers linked with Mubi have added their names to a letter strongly criticizing the arthouse distributor for its relationship with investor Sequoia Capital over its ties to the Israeli military. The additional names include Israeli directors Ari Folman (Waltz with Bashir) and Nadav Lapid (Synonyms, Aheds Knee), plus Amalia Ulman, whose film Magic Farm Mubi released earlier this year, and Alex Russell, whose directorial debut Lurker was acquired by Mubi in Sundance and is set for release later this month. The number of signatories now stands at 63, having almost doubled since Variety first published the July 30 letter, which urges Mubi to not just reconsider its relationship with Sequoia Capital but publicly condemn the company over what it describes as genocide profiteering. Radu Jude, Aki Kaurismaki, Miguel Gomes, Sarah Friedland, Joshua Oppenheimer and Cherien Dabis were among the first to sign. More from Variety Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shortly after it was announced that Mubi had secured a $100 million investment from Sequoia at the end of May, sharp criticism began to appear online after it emerged that the Silicon Valley-based venture capital company had close ties to the Israeli military. Most notably, Sequoia invested in defense-tech startup Kela, founded in July 2024 by four veterans of Israeli intelligence units in response to the terror attacks of Oct. 7 and more than six months into the invasion of Gaza. Kela is currently developing a battlefield operating system enabling militaries to integrate AI and commercial tech. Sequoia partner Shaun Maguire has also drawn fire for social media posts that were accused of being Islamophobic, with more than 1,000 technology workers signing an open letter calling for him to be disciplined. Mubis financial growth as a company is now explicitly tied to the genocide in Gaza, which implicates all of us that work with Mubi, reads the letter, whose signatories have all made films released by Mubi, featured on Mubis streaming platform or have acted in a film released and/or included on the platform. We dont believe an arthouse film platform can meaningfully support a global community of cinephiles while also partnering with a company invested in murdering Palestinian artists and filmmakers. The signatories of the letter have also asked Mubi to adhere to calls made by Film Workers for Palestine an international collective that claims to represents more than 9,000 industry workers to take these three steps. Publicly condemn Sequoia Capital for genocide profiteering. Remove Sequoia Partner Andrew Reed from Mubis board of directors Instate an ethical policy for all future Mubi investments, and respect programming and partnerships guidelines set by the Palestinian Campaign for the Academic and Cultural Boycott of Israel (PACBI) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter comes in the wake of growing international backlash from within the industry to Mubis new investor, with multiple programming partners and venues worldwide either announcing their decision to end partnerships with the company or cancel upcoming bookings. In recent weeks, Glasgows Centre for Contemporary Arts (CCA), Mexico Citys Cineteca Nacional and the Cinemateca de Bogota all pulled out of their involvement with Mubi Fest, a multi-continent film festival initially slated to happen in 12 cities across the globe. Last week the Valdivia Film Festival in Chile said it wouldnt screen any film distributed by Mubi, with the festival director asserting the decision was directly because of funding from Sequoia and its ties to Gaza. We realized that Mubi has truly voided the position it once held as a bastion for independent creatives and audiences in the industry, wrote the Girls In Film organization on their decision to end their seven-year programming collaboration with Mubi earlier this summer. Mubi as a company has considered the trade-off between commercial growth and the livelihoods of the marginalized and downtrodden, and chosen growth. At the time of the initial backlash, Mubi put out a statement in which it acknowledged the negative reaction but argued that the beliefs of individual investors do not reflect the views of Mubi. They declined to comment on the letter. See the letter and updated list of signatories as of Aug. 6 2025 below. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dear Mubi leadership, We write as filmmakers who have a professional relationship to Mubi to express our serious concern regarding Mubis decision to accept $100 million in funding from Sequoia Capital, a private equity firm that, since late 2023 has chosen to double down on investing in Israeli military technology companies with the goal of profiting from the Gazan genocide. In 2024, Sequoia heavily invested in Kela, a military tech startup founded by a former senior manager of Palantir Israel and multiple Israeli military intelligence veterans, as well as military drone manufacturer Neros, and the unmanned aerial vehicle manufacture, Mach Industries. Mubis financial growth as a company is now explicitly tied to the genocide in Gaza, which implicates all of us that work with Mubi. We too believe that cinema can be powerful. And we know that we cant always control how audiences will respond to our work, and whether or not it will move and inspire them. But we can control how our work reflects our values and commitmentsones that are wholly ignored when our work is brought into alliance with a genocide-profiteering private equity firm. Gaza is enduring mass civilian killings, including of journalists, artists, and film workers, alongside the widespread destruction of Palestinian cultural sites and heritage. We dont believe an arthouse film platform can meaningfully support a global community of cinephiles while also partnering with a company invested in murdering Palestinian artists and filmmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We approach our work with care for the people and communities they represent, and the audiences who will watch it, because as artists we are accountable to more than the bottom line. Yet Mubis decision to partner with Sequoia demonstrates a total lack of accountability to the artists and communities who have helped the company flourish. We believe that it is our ethical duty to do no harm. We expect our partners, at a minimum, to refuse to be complicit in the horrific violence being waged against Palestinians. We ask you to heed the call made by Film Workers for Palestine and take action that meaningfully responds to the artists and the audiences who are such an integral part of Mubis success. Yours sincerely Aki Kaurismaki Radu Jude Jessica Beshir Joshua Oppenheimer Robert Greene Kazik Radwanski Carson Lund Michael Basta Nate Fisher Blake Williams Iva Radivojevic Nina Menkes Ben Rivers Bingham Bryant Kit Zauhar Ian Edlund Sarah Friedland Kathleen Chalfant Miguel Gomes Constance Tsang Truong Minh Quy Deragh Campbell Laura Huertas John Smith Andrea Luka Zimmerman Cherien Dabis Tyler Taormina Erik Lund Maureen Fazendeiro Levan Akin Courtney Stephens Eric Baudelaire Camilo Restrepo Teddy Williams Nahuel Perez Biscayart Jussi Vatanen Neo Sora Sofia Bohdanowicz Sofia Bohdanowicz Todd Chandler Silvan Zurcher Dominga Sotomayor Robert Colom-Vargas Kathryn Hamilton Ramon Zurcher Eddie Huang Paula Rodriguez Polanco Yann Gonzalez Avi Mograbi Ivan Markovic Abbas Fahdel Deborah Stratman Amalia Ulman Christopher Makoto Yogi Faraz Fesharaki Nele Wohlatz Matias Pineiro Alexandre Koberidze Ari Folman Hannes Bruun Saule Bliuvaite Alex Russell Monica Sorelle Nadav Lapid Best of Variety Sign up for Variety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. FOND DU LAC COUNTY, Wis. (WFRV) Three people were arrested on numerous drug charges following a multi-county pursuit that ended in Fond du Lac County and a search for a pink backpack. Around 8:50 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office was warned by the Winnebago County Sheriffs Office of a pursuit in their jurisdiction on I-41 that was nearing Fond du Lac County. The suspect vehicle was reportedly registered out of Milwaukee and was southbound on I-41 before a second pursuit was terminated near Lakeshore Drive and Lone Elm Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Fond du Lac man sentenced to 12 years in sisters fentanyl death Shortly after, a deputy with the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office found the suspect vehicle parked off the roadway near the W6000 block of Lincoln Road, and two people who were reportedly in the vehicle before were seen walking on Lincoln. It was learned that a third suspect, who was also reportedly in the vehicle during the pursuit, was not found. Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office A perimeter was set up with numerous law enforcement agencies assiting, including the Fond du Lac County Sheriffs Office, Wisconsin State Patrol, Winnebago County Sheriffs Office, and Fond du Lac Police Department. A drone and K9 team were then utilized to help track the third suspect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third person was eventually found trying to exit onto White Pine Road near Lone Elm Road and was taken into custody. A search of the vehicle allegedly resulted in the seizure of 5g of cocaine, roughly 4.3g of crack cocaine reportedly packed for sale, 12g of Psilocybin, THC vape pens, and ammunition. Two men with warrants arrested in Oshkosh, police credit publics help The three people arrested were between the ages of 18 to 28. After interviewing the suspects, information was gathered about a pink backpack that was reportedly stashed near a pine tree in the W6000 block of Lincoln Road. Deputies say the backpack likely contained more drug-related items and a handgun. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After searching the area for the backpack, it was not found. Deputies are asking anyone in the area who may be aware of the pink backpack to contact the Sheriffs Office, saying the route of the vehicle was south on Lakeshore Drive and east on Lincoln Road. 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 WFRV Local 5 - Green Bay, Appleton. The Brief An immigration raid in Los Angeles led to the arrest of 16 people near a Home Depot on Wilshire Boulevard on Wednesday morning. The Department of Homeland Security told FOX News that the operation was in response to MS-13 gang activity in the area. The raid occurred despite a recent court ruling that temporarily restrains federal agents from conducting "roving" patrols that round up people without reasonable suspicion. LOS ANGELES - The Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday carried out an immigration raid dubbed "Operation Trojan Horse" in Los Angeles that resulted in multiple arrests. What we know The operation happened around 7 a.m. in the area surrounding a Home Depot on Wilshire Boulevard near MacArthur Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video shows several agents bursting from the rear of a Penske moving truck, then running toward a group of people near a sidewalk food stand. The crowd scattered when they saw the federal agents. A DHS spokesperson confirmed 16 undocumented migrants from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua were detained. RELATED: LA County not in DOJ's new 'sanctuary jurisdictions' list Penske Truck Rental issued a statement saying the company "strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances." "The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in today's operation and did not authorize this," according to the company. "Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future." What we don't know No further details about the 16 detained individuals - other than their home countries - were immediately released. What they're saying DHS officials told FOX News that the notorious MS-13 gang has a "chokehold" on the area, which warranted such enforcement operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesday's enforcement operation was the most publicized raid to occur in the area since a federal judge last month issued temporary restraining orders preventing the government from stopping individuals in violation of the Fourth Amendment and requiring the government to provide detained individuals with access to counsel. RELATED: Class action settlement says LA ICE officers can't pose as police to make arrests The judge said federal agents were conducting "roving" patrols that rounded up people without reasonable suspicion that they were actually in the country illegally, but were detained based on their ethnicity or occupation. The federal government appealed the ruling, but last week, a three-judge panel of the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals declined to put a stay on the ruling. The federal government is likely to appeal the ruling to the U.S. Supreme Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The restraining order, however, did not prevent Wednesday's operation. On X, U.S. Attorney for Los Angeles Bill Essayli acknowledged the operation, writing, "For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government." RELATED: Federal appeals court upholds ban on immigration raids in LA The backstory It's the same Home Depot where multiple people were detained by around 100 federal agents on June 6. That operation swept through MacArthur Park and brought Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to the scene where she asked agents to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They need to leave, and they need to leave right now. They need to leave because this is unacceptable!" Bass, who has been a vocal opponent of immigration raids in the city, said at the time. On that day, raids took place at seven locations in Los Angeles, prompting mass protests later that evening. The Los Angeles Police Department declared unlawful assembly and issued a citywide tactical alert as some protesters became violent and attempted to break into the Royal Federal building in downtown Los Angeles. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: ICE raids LA: Protests break out after dozens taken into custody by federal agents Video from SkyFOX showed dozens of officers in riot gear as they made a skirmish line and tried to move the crowd away from the federal building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Video from the scene showed protesters clashing with officers as tear gas and pepper spray were used, and trash bins were pushed toward officers. The words "F*** ICE" were spray-painted on concrete walls, barriers, trash bins, and other places. Video also showed protesters using hammers to break concrete columns. LAPD officials said a small group of people became violent and were throwing large pieces of concrete. The Source Information for this story is from FOX News and previous FOX 11 reports. City News Service contributed. PORTLAND, Tenn. (WKRN) At least five children were injured in a school bus crash in Portland on Wednesday afternoon, officials said. According to Sumner County EMS, the crash was reported at 2:53 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts EMS officials told News 2 that two children were released to their parents, who made it to a drop-off location. Meanwhile, four children were transported to local hospitals for minor injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tennessee Highway Patrol is the lead agency investigating the case. THP officials told News 2 that five students were injured. Four children were taken to a local hospital by ambulance, and another child was taken to the hospital by a parent. (Courtesy: Ashley Robinson) The THPs preliminary report said the bus was stopped in the left lane at a red light the the South Broadway Street and East Longview Drive. A pickup truck was driving northbound behind the bus and struck the bus rear end. THP officials said there were 11 students on the bus at the time of the crash, and five were injured as a result. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Craddock told News 2 that Sumner County deputies, the THP and the Portland Police Department are also at the scene of the crash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No additional information was immediately released. Download the News 2 app to stay updated on the go. Sign up for WKRN email alerts to have breaking news sent to your inbox. Find todays top stories on WKRN.com for Nashville, TN and all of Middle Tennessee. This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) Good morning in this Wednesday, Aug. 6. Heres the latest in news and weather with KELOLAND On The Go. A murder trial is underway in Lincoln County. Jury selection starts in triple murder trial A Sioux Falls man accused of killing a Moody County deputy was back in court for a hearing on Tuesday. Hoek murder trial will be delayed from original date Sturgis Rally vehicle counts are up over the five-year average including in 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sturgis Rally vehicle count almost 250,000 The 85th Sturgis Rally celebrated riders with a background in the military on Tuesday. Honoring military veterans at the 85th Sturgis Motorcycle Rally A new world record was set in Sturgis this past weekend. World record jump at Sturgis: Its what Evel would have done The vacant lot on 18th and Minnesota in Sioux Falls is seeing some changes to its original zoning plans. Tre Ministries cuts back on 18th & Minnesota lot plans Whats in store for the weather? Building heat and humidity ahead; More storms this week Keep up with the latest news and weather with the KELOLAND News App. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. WEST PALM BEACH Maria Tritico believed in second chances. It's why she taught art therapy to prison inmates, dementia patients, sex trafficking survivors and teens in underserved communities. "Had you not shot her," her father told a young man in a jailhouse jumpsuit, "she would have helped you, too." Amari Wellons bowed his head. He was 16 when prosecutors say he fired five bullets into a crowded Riviera Beach shoreline on Dec. 6, 2020, aiming for a group of rival boys but striking Tritico, 32, in the head. She died a day later, weeks before her wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No firearm was ever recovered. No eyewitness identified Wellons as the shooter and no physical evidence fingerprints, DNA or ballistic matches linked him to the shooting. Jurors deliberated for about an hour in May before convicting him of first-degree murder anyway, paving the way for his sentencing hearing on Aug. 1. There, speaker after speaker invoked the theme of "choices," condemning those Wellons had already made and pleading with him for the ones still to come. Would he lead a life of violence in prison or affirm Tritico's belief that no one is beyond saving? You have that chance, said Senior Judge John Kastrenakes, who presided over the hearing. No matter what my sentence is today, you understand that, right? Wellons nodded. Weighing life in prison against the minimum mandatory 40-year sentence, Kastrenakes opted for 50 years instead. From the back of the courtroom, Tritico's brother, Chris, shook his head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's too much," he said after the hearing. "He didn't need that. He'll be an old man by the time he gets out." Jeffrey Epstein: The day Virginia Giuffre met him after working at Mar-a-Lago. What happened? Murder victim Maria Tritico's family divided Not all of Tritico's loved ones agreed. Though most spoke of forgiveness as a conscious choice, others, like the art therapist's fiance, Chad Steve, found it more elusive. "I hope you know, Maria would think otherwise, but I'm not as compassionate as her," he said. "I hope prison is hard. I hope it's as bad as they say. I hope you're very uncomfortable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He returned to the courtroom gallery and into the embrace of Tritico's father, Chris Tritico, who hugged each one after they finished testifying, no matter how their opinions differed. When it was his turn to testify, Chris Tritico spoke of the privilege of raising a daughter whose curiosity, compassion and drive were a constant source of pride. He spoke of the lifelong pain of her death and of the irony of knowing her life was cut short by someone she would have fought to save. Tritico didn't believe people should be incarcerated, he said. Prosecutors present jurors with a photo of Maria Tritico the Palm Beach County Courthouse on May 7, 2025. Related: Father of slain woman demands better defense for teen accused of fatally shooting her Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Tritico, a criminal defense attorney in Texas, said he's familiar with the defenses raised on behalf of convicted killers their youth, bravado, poverty, lack of education, substance abuse. If he were representing Wellons, he might have made those very arguments himself. But, he added, what it boils down to is not Wellons' mother, who died when he was a child, nor the poverty or drugs or gun violence or abuse that plagued his home and neighborhood. "Its because you chose to go to the beach that day. You chose to look for a confrontation. You chose to bring a gun, Chris Tritico said. He turned from the witness stand to face Wellons directly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Life is about choices, and your choices, I fear, have cost you everything," he continued. "It's cost you the joy of being a father. It's cost you the moment when you have that child, and the nurse puts that baby in your hand, in your arms, and you feel that love for the first time, the strongest love you could ever feel. You just forfeited that." Kastrenakes wiped his eyes. Wellons did not. Amari and Maria: Anagrams in name, opposites in life Wellons and Tritico, whose first names Amari and Maria are anagrams of the other, were both young, both loved, and both part of families who showed up in court to fight for them. But where Tritico's childhood nurtured potential, defense attorney Barry Feingold said Wellons' suffocated it. Tritico, the education director at the Lighthouse ArtCenter in Tequesta, earned multiple degrees, traveled the world to study art therapy techniques and used her advantages to help those who had been denied them. Wellons, at age 8, lay in the road in hopes of being killed by an oncoming car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Gretchen Moy, a forensic psychologist, testified that Wellons had been receiving mental health services since the age of 7, was hospitalized for suicidal thoughts by age 8 and struggled with post-traumatic stress disorder, ADHD and cannabis use disorder. She described a boy who internalized his trauma and lacked the emotional tools to process it. Wellons grandmother, Paula Augustus, testified that she had tried to protect him from the street violence that had already claimed his older brothers life. Wellons, she said, was often mistaken for his brother by neighborhood boys and had been shot at multiple times. He carried a gun because he believed survival demanded it, she said. She maintains that her grandson is innocent. "When I saw all white jurors, I knew Amari was gone," she told Kastrenakes, who denied Wellons' motion for a new trial ahead of the sentencing hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Assistant State Attorney Marci Rex asked the judge to sentence Wellons to life in prison, adamant that he'd already been given a second chance and squandered it. At the time of her murder, Wellons was on probation for shooting a firearm in public the year before. No one was hurt a fact prosecutors described as a gift Wellons wasted. Kastrenakes rejected her request and reminded Wellons that, because of his age at the time of the shooting, he'll be eligible for a sentencing review after 25 years. The judge said Wellons future would depend on the choices he makes while incarcerated. Over the next two decades, Kastrenakes said, Wellons conduct in prison whether he seeks rehabilitation, takes steps to better himself, makes amends and helps others will determine whether he is deserving of a second chance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "All these things can happen in prison. You can go that way," Kastrenakes said. "Or are you going to join a prison gang and kill someone, or have someone kill you?" Only time will tell. Hannah Phillips is a journalist covering public safety and criminal justice at The Palm Beach Post. You can reach her at hphillips@pbpost.com. This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Amari Wellons sentenced to 50 years for 2020 killing of Maria Tritico Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, speaks at a news conference held Monday in her Anchorage office. She faces a backlash from progressive and moderate supporters who are upset with her vote in favor of the budget reconciliation bill. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) Alaskas senior U.S. senator has acknowledged that she disappointed key supporters when she cast a decisive vote a month ago in favor of the budget reconciliation measure known as the One Big Beautiful Bill. In an Anchorage news conference on Monday, Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she had not been thinking about political popularity back home when she sided with fellow Republicans and helped pass the highly controversial bill championed by President Donald Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When I vote on matters that are in front of me, whether its the reconciliation bill, the rescissions package, nominations, what Im trying to do is not win elections. I am just trying to do the best that I can for Alaskans, she said. Despite her opposition to the bills cuts to the Medicaid program, Murkowski said she secured some wins for Alaska in the process, such as including increased funding for the U.S. Coast Guard and assistance for rural hospitals. It was a tough decision, she said. So I did everything within my power as one lawmaker from Alaska to ensure that the most vulnerable in our state would not be negatively impacted, she said. I had a hard choice to make, and I think I made the right choice for Alaskans. But many Alaska voters who have been her loyal supporters disagree, a new poll shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski who holds the usual status as a national Republican who is much more supported by moderates and progressives than by members of her own party suffered a big decline in popularity after she cast that vote, said Anchorage-based pollster Ivan Moore. A survey conducted by his company, Alaska Survey Research, found that her status among self-described progressives in Alaska shifted from a net positive rating of 54 percentage points in January to a net negative of 21 percentage points at the end of July. Moore said in an interview he had expected her popularity to slide after the vote but that he was stunned by the magnitude of the reversal. I had no idea that it was as significant as the numbers suggested, he said. I looked at this and my jaw just kind of hit the floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Murkowski lost support of self-described moderates as well, slipping from a 57-29 positive-to-negative rating in January to a 49-47 positive-to-negative rating in July, polling results showed. And she gained no ground among conservatives; among that group, about eight in 10 respondents rated Murkowski negatively in July as well as in January. Among all Alaskans surveyed, Murkowskis 47-44 positive-to-negative rating in January had sagged by July to a 33% positive and 60% negative rating, according to the poll. The senators position as a moderate, sometimes backing Trump and conservative causes and sometimes lining up with progressives, has been a difficult balancing act, Moore said. Shes straddling the fence, which has probably been very painful, Moore said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he believes she will not run again. For any candidate, a 60 percent negative is a total nonstarter, he said. Asked about her own plans for reelection in 2028 at the end of her current term, Murkowski was noncommittal. 2028 is still more than even just a couple years away. I am running every day to make sure that Alaskans needs are taken care of, and some days are harder than others, she said at the news conference. When asked about a possible run for governor, she teased a possible run for that office. However, she added that she was being a little bit flippant in her response to what she said was a frequent question posed to her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Would I love to come home? she asked. Of course, I would love to come home. For now, though, her responsibility is in the Senate, she said. I am not ready to announce anything for anything, other than my plans for August. The comment somewhat echoed the title of her recently published memoir, Far from Home: An Alaskan Senator Faces the Extreme Climate of Washington, D.C. There are already seven declared candidates for the 2026 gubernatorial race, all Republicans. Some other high-profile figures are potential candidates, including former U.S. Rep. Mary Peltola, a Democrat. Gov. Mike Dunleavy, a Republican, is term-limited and cannot run for reelection. A key DOGE member was attacked in an attempted carjacking in Washington, DC, police said. President Donald Trump and Elon Musk spoke out after the assault on Edward Coristine. Here's what police say happened to the 19-year-old software engineer. A key member of the Department of Government Efficiency was attacked in an attempted carjacking in Washington, DC, over the weekend, authorities said and a newly-released police report sheds light on what the staffer said happened. Elon Musk, the onetime de facto leader of the government agency, and President Donald Trump spoke out after the assault left 19-year-old software engineer Edward Coristine beaten and bloodied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, in a Tuesday evening post on X that reshared Trump's earlier social media post threatening a federal takeover, said it was time to "federalize DC" as he shared his version of events. "A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC," Musk wrote. "A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her." A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. It is time to federalize DC. pic.twitter.com/RPHKj7J3ti Elon Musk (@elonmusk) August 5, 2025 Business Insider obtained a copy of the incident report from the Metropolitan Police Department. The police report says that around 3 a.m. on Sunday, MPD officers in a cruiser saw a group of about 10 young people surrounding Coristine's car and assaulting him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers quickly intervened, and the suspects started to run, according to the incident report. Police were able to stop two of them a 15-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl who they later arrested on a charge of unarmed carjacking. Coristine told police that the group approached him and a woman, identified in the report as his "significant other," and made a comment about taking the vehicle, the police report said. "At that point, for her safety, he pushed his significant other" into the vehicle "and turned to deal with the suspects," the police report said, adding that the assailants then began to beat Coristine. The Metropolitan Police Department said in a press release that the couple was standing next to their vehicle on Swann Street when the suspects first approached, "demanded" the vehicle, and then assaulted Coristine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The police report says that an iPhone 16 was stolen during the incident. Coristine was treated at the scene for his injuries by emergency responders, police said. A spokesperson for the Metropolitan Police Department told Business Insider that its incident report is accurate and contains no errors. Musk officially stepped back from his role in the Trump administration, working with DOGE, in May. Coristine still remains part of the federal government. Coristine, who was once known online as "Big Balls," started working at the Social Security Administration following his DOGE stint. He could not be immediately reached for comment for this story. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control," Trump said in his Tuesday Truth Social post, adding, "The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs." The post included an apparent photo of Coristine showing him bloodied and shirtless, sitting on the ground. Read the original article on Business Insider Homicide detectives in the Hamptons are investigating after a young, Irish businesswoman and swimwear designer was found dead on a yacht. Martha Nolan OSlatarra, 33, was found at around 12 a.m. Tuesday on the vessel moored at the Montauk Yacht Club in East Hampton on Long Island. Club members told the New York Post that screams were heard coming from the docks late Monday night. An investigation into OSlatarras death has been launched by detectives from the Suffolk County Police Department and the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A police spokesperson said that officers had responded initially to reports of an "unconscious woman. The exact circumstances leading up to her death are unknown at this time. "East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club, on Star Island Road, at approximately 12 a.m., a statement from the department read. NYC fashion influencer Martha Nolan OSlatarra, 33, was found dead on yacht in the Hamptons. Police have launched a homicide investigation. martha_nolan/ TikTok (martha_nolan/ TikTok) Good Samaritans had attempted to perform CPR on the woman, later identified as OSlatarra, but she was pronounced dead by first responders. The Independent has reached out to Suffolk County Police Department for further information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OSlatarra, originally from Carlow in Ireland, moved to the U.S. when she was 26, according to the Irish Independent. She was a marketing consultant, entrepreneur and founder of fashion brand East x East, which specializes in designer swim and resort-wear. She lived in Manhattan at the time of her death. TikTok videos on her page showed a luxury lifestyle, including trips on helicopters and private jets with her friends and travel across the U.S. Others featured get ready with me videos, testing out products and giving first look at her own clothing lines. In an interview with the Irish Independent last year, she extolled the virtues of her hard work mindset while also being grounded in her roots back home. A police spokesperson said that officers had responded initially to reports of an unconscious woman. But, officials have released few details about how she died. (martha_nolan/ TikTok) I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money driven, business driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road, she told the outlet. I made friends in the institute and at college and a new group in New York, but I still have all my Carlow friends. They are still my crew. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that she was excited to continue pushing the boundaries of innovation and creativity in business and fashion, adding that the future was brimming with possibilities. I love it in New York. Its expensive but I dont see myself living anywhere else for now. I love Carlow, I miss it so much but now that I work for myself I can go home for a month and my parents and my friends are always coming out to see me, she said. In Montauk, other members of the yacht club described OSlatarra as very friendly and always smiling. She was well known in the community, one member told The Post. Theres going to be a lot of conversation out of this. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade confirmed to the Irish Independent it was aware of the case and was providing consular assistance. The woman's cause of death was deemed inconclusive following a preliminary exam, after Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR on her around midnight. UPDATE at 1:50pm PT on 8/6/25 In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Suffolk County Police announced that an autopsy conducted on Martha Nolan-OSlatarra "did not show evidence of violence," adding that her final cause of death is pending further examination. original stry below The identity of the woman found dead on a boat docked in Montauk has been revealed. Suffolk County Police announced that the body belongs to 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O'Slattara, of Manhattan. The deceased is the founder of East x East, a fashion brand with a focus on swimsuits, resort wear, and sunglasses for both men and women. Daughter, 9, Tries to Save Mom as Father-in-Law Holds Her Underwater in Fight Over Will: Police - Click image for related story The county's homicide squad detectives are investigating the case, after East Hampton Town Police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting an unconscious woman on a boat docked at the Montauk Yacht Club on Star Island Road around midnight on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Per authorities, Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR, but Nolan-OSlatarra was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. "The preliminary investigation and exam were inconclusive regarding the cause of death, which will be determined by an autopsy conducted by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office," police said in a press release. According to a report from the New York Post, some members of the Yacht Club "heard screaming from the docks late Monday." Nolan-O'Slattara grew up in Carlow, Ireland and moved to New York after studying commerce at University College Dublin and digital marketing at Smurfit Business School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams," she told Irish Independent in a profile from 2024. "I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money-driven, business-driven, and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road." Her most recent post to social media was on July 1, celebrating a pop-up for her brand at Gurney's Montauk Resort, located about 6 miles from where her body was found. - A new report, Breaking the Story: The Real Cost of Low Wages at America's Largest Broadcaster, reveals the low wages paid at Nexstar owned stations. The report was commissioned by NABET-CWA, which conducted a survey of 109 Nexstar employees at 14 stations across the country between February 20 and June 4, 2025. Survey respondents reported an average hourly wage of $22.88 and a median wage of $20.13. Twenty-five percent of respondents reported earning less than $18 an hour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to NABET-CWA, Nexstar pays 22% less than the median wage, on average, for the most common occupations surveyed. Workers also report that they have to skip breaks and often work in understaffed departments. When I started at my TV station over 30 years ago, I was under the belief that loyalty would be rewarded," said Bob Pastecki from WROC in Rochester, N.Y. "I have found out that people that start out doing the same job I do at another union station in town have an hourly rate that starts $3.56 more per hour than I make after 30 years at my workplace. That's more than $7,400 per year that would help me take care of my family." Here is a breakdown of the surveys findings: The majority (62%) of Nexstar workers earn less than a living wage for their metro area for a single person without children, and 89% earn less than a living wage for their metro area for a single person with one child. A majority (63%) of workers rely on family, friends, or public assistance to get by. A majority of survey respondents feel financially insecure: 87% worried about meeting financial obligations sometimes (57%) or often (30%). The majority of survey respondents report delaying necessary medical care (55%) and buying groceries (53%) among their struggles to get by on Nexstar's low wages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I personally wanted to organize because of the fact that my coworkers were hurting. Hurting mentally, emotionally, physically & financially," said Brody Shaffer, from WEHT in Evansville, Indiana. "Before I was fired for exercising my protected rights & freedom of speech, what I enjoyed about my job was not just the work of creating commercials-I truly enjoyed the team I worked with. I loved so many things about my job. But the thing that's really hard to replace is the people you did the work with." The Tennessee Building Commission approved a no-cost lease for Elon Musk's Boring Company to use a state-owned parking lot near the Capitol to launch its tunneling project. (Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) The state parking lot at 637 Rosa Parks across fromCapitol Hill Baptist Church was already fenced in. Photograph by John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout 2025 The Metro Nashville mayors office is asking a litany of questions about the proposed Music City Loop, focusing primarily on emergency service responses and the impact on city transportation plans. Mayor Freddie OConnells office sent the list of inquiries dealing with planning and permitting, construction and maintenance phases to the Boring Company, according to information released to Metro Council members Tuesday by Director of Legislative Affairs Dave Rosenberg. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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, OConnell said in a statement to the Lookout. The letter went to the company before Gov. Bill Lee and Boring Company President and CEO Steve Davis unveiled plans last week to build a tunnel from downtown Nashville to Nashville International Airport where they gave few details about the project. The state will make a long-term lease agreement for right of way underneath state highways in return for Boring constructing the project, according to a state senator. An email from Rosenberg says OConnell and staff first heard informal chatter last spring about Boring considering building a tunnel on the East Bank but, similarly to other ideas that come to the mayor, it came and went without follow-up or signs of a serious proposal. Rosenberg said the most information OConnells administration received about the tunnel plan came at last weeks announcement at the airport. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lee said after the event that he and OConnell meet regularly to discuss issues and have had really productive conversations about the tunnel project. Still, the mayors office posed more than 60 questions to Boring, mainly about emergency responses and permitting throughout the life of the project. The letter asks questions about the estimated cost, ownership, liability, maintenance and insurance, as well as whether the expense of planning, design and construction would be borne completely by the Boring Company. Officials declined to give a projected price for the project. The mayors office points out existing storm and sewer tunnels at Lafayette and Lewis streets and Lafayette and 7th Avenue South are 50 feet and 38 feet below the ground and could conflict with the tunnel. He also says the proposed tunnel route and depth along Lafayette and Murfreesboro Road could conflict with a future sewer tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OConnells letter asks how emergency vehicle access to the tunnel would be maintained during and after construction. It points out Las Vegas has a contract with the Boring Company for the city fire department to operate all-terrain vehicles inside a 2.2-mile tunnel there to transport rescue equipment to the scene of incidents. The mayors office letter also points out differences between the Nashville Fire Department and State Fire Marshals Office in permitting such a project for safety, plan review and inspections. It adds that since Nashville Fire Department would provide emergency response, it would make sense for the agency to have authority over life safety permitting requirements. It is important to review the applicable jurisdiction and code requirements to ensure proper compliance, the mayor offices letter states. OConnells letter asks about the location for emergency access points and whether tunnels will be built with wireless repeaters or radio frequency extenders for 911 calls. In addition, it raises the question of ventilation for smoke and gas in case a vehicle battery ignites in the tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tunnel is expected to have Tesla vehicles owned by Elon Musk, who also owns the Boring Company, to ferry riders back and forth from downtown Nashville to the airport and possibly other points, such as the Music City Center and locations along Broadway. The mayors office asks how the tunnel will mesh with a transportation center to be built at the airport in the next two to three years to increase the bus volume for WeGo Public Transit. He also questions how tunnel planning will coordinate with a Murfreesboro Road All Access Corridor included in a new transportation improvement plan. OConnells letter says the Las Vegas loop prohibits pedestrians in the incredibly-narrow tunnel with signs and a plastic bar and asks how Nashville can make sure pedestrians dont enter the tunnel. The letter says the Vegas tunnel has only 3 inches between vehicle doors and the wall. It also raises questions about unhoused people finding their way into the tunnel and how that would be handled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other questions focus on whether potential land leases and sales at the airport would have to go through the Metro Council and whether Boring would pay franchise fees to the state or the airport. Who will operate the tunnel? Does their financial pro forma show a surplus/profit? If not, who covers the deficit? the mayors office letter asks. State officials last week approved a no-cost lease for a state-owned parking lot near the Capitol where tunneling is supposed to begin. General Services Commissioner Jeff Holmes said the state pulled a line of credit on Boring in case it cant finish the project or operate it. Other basic questions ask what an environmental review will entail and whether community input will be allowed in design and construction phases, in addition to which entity will review construction plans for the road and utilities and who will be responsible for moving utilities to make way for the tunnel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter says the Las Vegas tunnel isnt built to drain flooding and rainwater and that 8 inches of water shuts down operations. How will rainfall/floodwater be mitigated in an area like Nashville, prone to flooding? Nashville Mayors questions for Boring Company A Nashville woman is charged with vehicular homicide in connection with an April 26 crash that killed a woman who was riding on the hood of her vehicle. Nashville police said in a release 31-year-old Ashley Sells was the driver of a Dodge Charger that video evidence showed was performing doughnuts while Shannon Kilgore was laying on the hood. Kilgore, 31, fell off the hood and fractured her skull, police said. She was taken to TriStar Southern Hills Medical Center by Sells and another unidentified passenger, where she died two days later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When questioned at the hospital, Sells and the other passenger told police Kilgore had randomly blacked out during a girls night, the release said. Sells was arrested Aug. 6 and released on $30,000 bond. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Nashville Police: Driver charged after friend riding on car hood dies ROANOKE, Va (WFXR) The Center for Biological Diversity has petitioned the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to give the Dixie Caverns Salamander protections under the Endangered Species Act. The salamanders are native to the Commonwealth and can be found in three locations in Roanoke County. Center officials say they are under threat from factors such as deforestation, development, disease, and climate change. Dixie Caverns Salamanders are some of the most imperiled animals in the world and they desperately need Endangered Species Act protections to keep them from going extinct, said Trisha Sharma, a legal fellow at the Center. These sparkly little salamanders are an irreplaceable part of what makes caves and forests in the Southeast so special. Its up to the Fish and Wildlife Service to act urgently to protect them and the places they live before its too late. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wildfire could have impact on tiny creature found only in Virginia The Dixie Caverns Salamanders are described as small and slender, with white and brassy flecks along their dark bodies. Officials say, as their name suggests, they were first discovered in the Dixie Caverns cave system in Roanoke. The Center for Biological Diversity reports that the salamanders populations have declined over the last several decades, primarily due to the construction of the interstate highway that was built over the cave system. Officials say the stormwater runoff and pollution from road construction projects are entering the caves and disrupting the sensitive ecosystem. The salamanders breathe through their skin, which means they require a cool and stable climate to maintain the moisture in their skin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rarely seen amphibian spotted in Kentucky stream: What it may mean for the ecosystem The Center states that Virginia is a global hotspot of salamander diversity, partially due to the numerous microhabitats associated with the unique geology of the Appalachian Mountains. Virginia is home to nearly 60 different salamander species, including the endangered Shenandoah Salamander. Officials report that the Dixie Caverns Salamanders have been found in two other locations, where at least one of these populations has likely been destroyed by the clear-cutting of forest habitat for pipeline construction. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. BEXLEY, Ohio (WCMH) Communities across central Ohio hosted block parties and cookouts Tuesday for the 42nd annual National Night Out. Held on the first Tuesday of August, its a community-building campaign that promotes police-community partnerships to help make neighborhoods safer. Were here to help, Bexley Police Chief Gary Lewis said. Were here to provide a service. I think its so important that we continue to not just be transparent, but we meet people where they are. According to leaders, the event served as a chance to build trust with local police officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New rules set for teen drivers Im a pediatrician and I think kiddos can be scared of law enforcement just because of their uniforms, and sometimes their equipment and their loud trucks and all of that, and so in an emergency, we really need our kiddos to trust law enforcement, resident Jennifer Mrozek said. At Commonwealth Park in Bexley, there was food, games, a dunk tank, and residents had the chance to spend time getting to know the police officers who serve their community. Sometimes I think its cool but at the same time scary, they have a bunch of guns, but seeing them have fun, especially in the dunk tank, is fun, resident Izabella Linden said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Bexley Police, events like this help build relationships, especially with children, creating trust that can last well beyond one summer night. School bus drivers get safety refresher course before school year begins I kind of feel like, sometimes, crime fighting is a little scary, so I feel like talking to them makes it seem a little better, resident Nora Hyttenhove said. Officers want families to know them not just in emergencies but as part of the community. I think that through the bounce houses and the tug of war games that were going to play, people are going to see the person behind the badge more as a human being than just the police officer, Bexley Police Community Liaison Officer Clayton Adams said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lewis said this couldnt be done without their partnerships with other agencies like the Ohio State Highway Patrol, FBI, U.S. Marshals Service and Bureau of Criminal Investigations. They keep us safe really well, and Im really grateful for that, resident Rafael Linden said. Big changes announced for the Ohio State football game-day experience at The Shoe The agencies educated the community on what they do and helped generate interest in public safety. When you listen to our young kids saying one day they want to grow up to be police officers or firefighters, where better can they engage with us, but an event like National Night Out, Lewis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Columbus, the Department of Neighborhoods awarded nearly $27,000 in grant funds to support National Night Out events in the city. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. MUNSTER, Ind. From the cities to the suburbs, National Night Out events are getting underway to connect local police departments with their community. The annual event is held on the first Tuesday of August across the United States. One of the biggest celebrations happens in Munster, Indiana. Munsters 30th annual National Night Out event kicked off at 4:30 p.m. with a parade before community members packed the park by the Munster community pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say over 5,000 people showed up to the event in 2024, and by the looks of it, this year could surpass that. Its absolutely amazing just to put everybody together thats doing amazing things for their community, Joy McCann said. National Night Out in Munster included free swimming for residents, K-9 demonstrations, games and fireworks once the sun went down. There were also around 160 booths set up with food and information on businesses and nonprofits. The purpose of National Night Out is to connect the community to one another, as well as local law enforcement. Munster Police Sgt. James Ghrist says its a way to make sure the community knows their officers are here for the community, not only in emergency situations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think its really, really important for the residents to be able to know they can call us when they need us and for the residents to work together to watch out for each other and call the police when they see anything suspicious so they can keep their community as safe as possible, Sgt. Ghrist said. National Night Out festivities wrapped up at 8:30 p.m., followed by a fireworks show. Across Chicagoland, other National Night Out events took place, including an event held at Ogden Park in Englewood connecting Chicago Police Department officers and community members. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) National Night Out events are taking place across western Massachusetts this month to build bridges between first responders and the community they serve. Springfield lottery winner to donate part of $1 million prize to those in need The city of Springfield hosted this event in several locations early Tuesday evening, including a celebration at the Elks located on Tiffany Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Families were there to get to know local law enforcement a little better. 22News spoke with the Springfield Fire Commissioner, BJ Calvi, about how the event has expanded to other emergency personnel Calvi said, To deal with everybody on a night like tonight, when its a fun night, they are getting to see us in a more relaxed state. They can talk with our members, and we can answer their questions. Its a great interaction. National Night Out continues in our region. The city of Chicopee is hosting its 31st event on Wednesday at Sarah Jane Sherman Park and kicks off at 5 pm. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. National winemaker looking to expand operations in Chester County The nations largest winemaker, producing everything from High Noon to Andre, could expand in our area. E and J Gallo Winery opened its production and distribution center in Chester County in 2022. On Wednesday, South Carolina reporter Tina Terry learned the company is looking to create more jobs The company that produces mainly spirits has already hired about 375 people from the surrounding area. That number could soar if they expand here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mina Nixon has felt the impact of the new E and J Gallo Winery. They have a short lunch, they come in, we take care of them, they take care of us, Nixon said. Nixon owns the wagon wheel restaurant in Fort Lawn. She and some of her customers told us they are excited about the jobs the company has created for people in Lancaster and Chester counties. Neighbors say it was a relief after older manufacturing companies closed their doors here. Gallo opened its new production facility and distribution center in Fort Lawn, near the Lancaster/Chester county line in 2022. On Wednesday, a vice president for the company said the local plant that produces mainly spirits is just in phase one and has a lot of room to grow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were 375 now. If we were to add two other manufacturing lines...if we add two more lines and complete phase one is close to 500, said Stein Edwards, VP of Eastern Operations. He didnt give a timeline for the completion of phase one, but local economic leaders expect the companys future growth to continue to reshape the area. Good jobs mean people are getting paid better, they can own homes. They have more disposable income to go to those stores that are coming, he said. Thats something people who have lived in the area for years yearn for. We need somewhere to shop, that way we aint got to go all the way to Fort Mill or to Charlotte, said Latonia Gaston. Gallo sits on 600 acres of land. After completing phase one, it could expand even further in the years to come. (VIDEO: Chester County school board expands proposed bond) Nashville residents in The Nations are divided over a proposal to rezone about 300 acres to allow more housing. That was the case, at least, at the Aug. 5 Metro Nashville Council meeting, when nearly 60 people weighed in on the bill as part of a public hearing. After nearly two hours of comments council members voted 26-7 to advance the bill, which was on its second of three readings, to be considered for one last hurdle at the groups next meeting. Council members Joy Kimbrough, Jeff Eslick, Thom Druffel, Bob Nash, Tasha Ellis, John Rutherford and Joy Styles voted against the bill. Four council members Jennifer Gamble, Jennifer Webb, David Benton and Antoinette Lee abstained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters called the plan a blueprint for Nashvilles other council districts to follow in addressing Nashvilles housing shortage, which recent planning studies have noted will require 90,000 more housing units over the next decade to keep up with demand. But opponents argued the plan is far too sweeping and drastic and that much of the neighborhood has not had the time or ability to communicate their concerns. Heres what else Nashvillians and council members said about the plan. Neighbors object to more housing The plan aims to rezone those 300 acres, largely consisting of residential properties, to a zoning category allowing up to 40 housing units per acre. District 20 Council Member Rollin Horton, who is the bills sponsor and represents The Nations, has told The Tennessean the average lot size in the neighborhood is a tenth of an acre. That would equate to a maximum of four housing units, proportional to the size of those lots. A group of about 30 Nashvillians still expressed concern about the new zoning category leading to development not on a smaller scale but on a staggering one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That was just one of a myriad of concerns some said it would worsen gentrification, displace low-income residents and exacerbate existing infrastructure issues. Others said they opposed the plan because it doesnt mandate affordable housing units in new developments or guarantee walkability. Others still said allowing greater housing density would mean more traffic and more flooding. But the loudest objection was to what some neighbors called a rushed, flawed and incomplete public process. Though Horton said he had meetings with the Nations Neighborhood Association during the past 18 months, many opponents said that group included only a small share of neighbors and called for council members to defer the bill to give time for more people to provide feedback. One of those calls came from former Council member Duane Dominy, who represented District 28 from 2007 to 2015. A deferral on this grants the opportunity to develop the public sentiment, and a re-referral to the Planning Commission allows whatever amendments are done for this plan to be reconsidered, and I respectfully request that thats what be done, Dominy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Supporters, meanwhile, lauded what Horton calls The Nations Neighborhood Plan for allowing additional housing options, which they said are part of the puzzle in making housing more affordable. They also said the plan will not worsen but improve the neighborhoods tree canopy it would nearly triple The Nations tree density requirements and flooding issues by, for the first time, capping the percentage of surfaces like pavement that prevent stormwater infiltration. Some showed support for several other allowances and restrictions in the plan. The zoning change would be to a type that prevents the development of new short-term rentals, for example, and the new set of development standards would allow property owners to add detached accessory dwelling units throughout the neighborhood. Nashville council members debate pros, cons of more homes Several council members heeded community member calls to consider a deferral. District 32 Council Member Joy Styles was the first, calling for a six-meeting deferral. That motion was eventually tabled, and subsequent motions to defer for a shorter timeframe from Council members Jennifer Gamble and Jeff Eslick werent taken up for being too similar. We do need more housing, but do we need more housing against the will of people that moved into neighborhoods for specific reasons? Styles said. We need to figure out where were putting our density. Its not that we dont want density, but it needs to be in an appropriate place. And why are we going to sit here tonight and say that all of these constituents are wrong? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But ultimately, a large majority of council members backed moving the bill on in the process. Those who voiced that support during council discussion included District 14 Council Member Jordan Huffman, who said the plan was a "proactive solution for smart growth," and District 30 Council Member Sandra Sepulveda, who said it takes more people to speed up the process of improving infrastructure. "We need housing, period," Huffman said. "Nashville's in a housing crisis. We can't keep saying that we support affordable and attainable housing, and then block every tool that makes it possible." Horton has already suggested that there will be some changes by the groups next meeting. He said hes planning for amendments that address some concerns neighbors flagged during the public hearing, specifically regarding what some called a developer bonus allowing extra height over the maximum for some buildings. Austin Hornbostel is the Metro reporter for The Tennessean. Have a question about local government you want an answer to? Reach him at ahornbostel@tennessan.com. Get Davidson County news delivered to your inbox every Wednesday. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: The Nations neighbors divided over plans to add new homes Romania was forced to scramble F-16 jets after Russia carried out a strike just half a mile from the NATO nation's territory. The country's Ministry of National Defense (MApN) confirmed in a post on X that Russia carried out a drone attack near its border. "On the night of August 5-6, the Russian forces launched a massive drone attack on the civilian infrastructure in the Ismail area, Ukraine, in the vicinity of the border with Romania," Romania's defense ministry wrote in a post on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The radar systems of the MApN detected air targets in Ukrainian space, close to Tulcea County. At 1:10a.m., the population in the north of the county was warned via RO-Alert," the ministry added. RO-Alert is Romanias official emergency warning system. Nato Jets Scrambled Amid Russia's Largest Drone Attack On Ukraine The defense ministry stated that two F-16 fighter jets took off "to monitor the national airspace," but no "unauthorized intrusions" were detected. The ministry said it would carry out checks in the area and keep NATO allies updated in real time. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The drones reportedly struck oil and gas pipelines at the Orlivka plant in Odesa, Ukraine. Bright orange flames and plumes of smoke were visible across the Danube River. Nearby Lithuania has also suffered from Russias war on Ukraine. Drones from Putin ally Belarus crossed into its territory, according to Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Kestutis Budrys, who said he spoke with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. "These repeated incidents represent an alarming sign of the spillover of Russias aggression against [Ukraine] onto [NATO territory]," Budrys said of the incident. "We cannot compromise the security of our country and citizens, nor the integrity of NATO airspace. We must remain vigilant, as the threat is real and growing." Russia Launched Its Largest Aerial Attack Of The War, Ukraine Says Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This attack could signal that Russian President Vladimir Putin is not moving closer to reaching a ceasefire deal, despite President Donald Trumps Friday deadline. Its unclear whether Special Envoy Steve Witkoffs visit will push the Russian leader to move toward peace. However, if Moscow fails to make a deal by Friday, the U.S. will impose sanctions on Russia and potentially secondary tariffs. Trump is reportedly putting pressure on Witkoffs visit. One person close to the administration told the Financial Times that "if Witkoff comes back empty-handed, with absolutely nothing, Trump is going to go ballistic." President Donald Trump meets with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands, June 25, 2025. Witkoff reportedly spent about three hours at the Kremlin and, according to Russian investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev, the "dialogue will prevail," Reuters reported. Trump Confirms Nuclear Submarines "In The Region" Ahead Of Witkoffs Russia Visit Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before setting the deadline, Trump reportedly spoke with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy about securing a deal that would end the brutal war more than three years after Russias invasion. Zelenskyy later confirmed the conversation took place, saying that the "key focus" was ending the war. "Today, we coordinated our positions Ukraine and the United States. We exchanged assessments of the situation: The Russians have intensified the brutality of their attacks. President Trump is fully informed about Russian strikes on Kyiv and other cities and communities," Zelenskyy wrote on X. East2West News contributed to this report. Original article source: NATO member scrambles jets after Russian drone attack near border, as Witkoff meets with Putin The first deliveries of weapons and ammunition under the Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative, which provides for the supply of US-manufactured arms to Ukraine by NATO member states, will begin in the coming weeks. Source: an informed NATO official on condition of anonymity, as reported by European Pravda Details: Ukraine will receive the first deliveries of US weapons through NATO under the PURL initiative in a few weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote: "In response to Ukraines needs, new assistance packages are being prepared swiftly and on a regular basis. The first two packages were funded by the Netherlands [4 August], as well as Denmark, Finland and Sweden [5 August]. We expect the first deliveries within the coming weeks." Details: The official told European Pravda that they "expect to announce new participants in the PURL initiative soon". Background: The United States and NATO have launched a new mechanism for providing military aid to Ukraine, PURL, which foresees funding for US weapons through contributions from Alliance members. The Netherlands prepared a US$500 million aid package for Ukraine under PURL, which includes components and missiles for the Patriot air defence system. Sweden, Norway and Denmark will also jointly allocate about US$500 million for NATOs initiative to supply US weapons to Ukraine. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Beach renourishment projects will be coming to five coastal towns in North Carolina, according to WWAY. The North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality approved more than $9 million to be used for mitigating storm damage through beach and dune restoration. ALSO READ: Video captures rarely seen mama whale and calf near North Carolina coast These grants will help preserve our states beauty, protect peoples livelihoods, and keep communities safe, Governor Josh Stein said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oak Island, Buxton, Avon Beach, Bogue Banks, and Currituck County are slated to get the funding. According to WWAY, each of the five applications submitted by local governments was approved. Overall, those governments will contribute more than $44 million in matching funds to support the projects. VIDEO: Video shows mama whale and calf spotted near North Carolina beach RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) Some North Carolina Democrats are pushing back against lawmakers who voted in favor of Republican bills to override vetoes from Governor Josh Stein. Representatives Carla Cunningham, Naseef Majid, Shelly Willingham and Cecil Brockman are now under fire for those votes. I dont think its representative of the future of the Democratic Party, quite frankly, in North Carolina, Anderson Clayton, chair of the North Carolina Democratic Party, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the votes, calls are popping up for the lawmakers to be primaried, meaning they would have a challenger in the primary election and potentially be voted out. Across the hall from the House floor in the General Assembly, top Democratic senators say they are not surprised. The bills that they overrode made us less safe, and that is on them, and if they want to put their head on the pillow tonight and say that thats what they decided to do for whatever reason they voted for that, that is literally a consequence theyll have to deal with if they get a primary, Senator Sydney Batch said. But Republican House Speaker Destin Hall, who claimed the veto overrides as a win, says his caucus will stay out of primary challenges. Members have varying reasons for why they may take a vote at a given time; it ranges from just simply what their belief is, to how likely they think a bill is to pass, to other negotiations theyre having on other matters, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clayton says now their job is to tell voters exactly who they are voting for. Representatives are elected by their districts, and we have to make sure were educating their districts on how theyre voting, whether that be Republicans or Democrats, because we want people that are going to stand up for the values that this party stands for, she said. Representative Cunningham also got a lot of heat for a floor speech she gave about immigration. Other lawmakers have since said she should apologize. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) Nearly two dozen people in Florida have reported getting sick after consuming raw milk from the same farm. So far, 21 people have fallen ill with Campylobacter and Shiga toxin-producing E. coli (STEC) infections, including six children under the age of 10. FDA upgrades butter recall alert to a higher level Seven people were hospitalized and two cases involved severe complications, The Florida Department of Health said in a news release. Raw milk warning The agency is warning residents that raw milk can only be sold for non-human consumption in the state as pet or animal food. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raw milk from cows, sheep, goats, or other animals has not been pasteurized, which means it didnt go through a heat-treating process that destroys potentially harmful bacteria. Breast milk ice cream goes on sale nationwide Producers are required to state on label containers that the raw milk is for animal consumption only. STEC bacteria can be especially concerning for children, while groups at higher risk for severe illness are infants, young children, pregnant women and elderly individuals. Debate over raw milk Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said he only drinks raw milk and advocates insist it tastes better and has health benefits. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the Department of Agriculture banned the sale of raw milk for human consumption across state lines in 1987. Twenty states have banned intrastate raw milk sales in some form and 30 allow it, according to the FDA. The agency writes on its website, While the perceived nutritional and health benefits of raw milk consumption have not been scientifically substantiated, the health risks are clear. Family-friendly TSA lanes debut at several US airports: How do they work? There have been 143 outbreaks of illness associated with consumption of contaminated raw milk and raw milk products since 1987, according to the agency. Some involved miscarriages, still births, kidney failure and death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even if you dont drink raw milk, you could still fall ill as E. coli can spread from one person to another. Floridians should be aware of potential risks associated with consumption, which may vary depending on the source of milk, the Florida Department of Health wrote. The producers handling of raw milk and milking procedures are vital in prevention of contamination. Many people consume raw milk safely. However, raw milk can contain disease-causing bacteria, such as Campylobacter, Escherichia coli (E. coli), Listeria, Salmonella, and others. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Downtown Lincoln on Mar, 25. 2025. (Juan Salinas II/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN Nebraska could join the national mid-decade redistricting fight that Texas and President Donald Trump started. Retiring Nebraska Republican U.S. Rep. Don Bacon confirmed to the Examiner that national and state conversations are happening about Cornhusker State legislators potentially redrawing the Omaha-based 2nd Congressional District though he emphasized that, to him, it was nothing serious. Yet. U.S. Rep. Don Bacon speaks about his decision to retire from Congress and not run again in 2026 at Omahas Eppley Airfield. June 30, 2025. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) Much depends on how national Democrats react to Texas Republicans efforts to consider a new map designed to give the GOP up to five additional seats in the U.S. House in 2026, a mid-term election when the party out of federal power, the Democrats, typically gains seats and perhaps control of Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas House Democrats fled Texas to block or delay adoption of the GOP majoritys proposed congressional maps. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has threatened to forcibly remove some Democratic lawmakers from office if they dont return and provide the quorum needed to vote. The Lone Star political standoff spilled over into Nebraska on Tuesday evening, when former Texas U.S. Rep. Beto ORourke visited Omaha to motivate Nebraska Democrats to more aggressively fight the excesses of the Trump administration and its fellow Republicans or risk losing the country to what he has described as increasing authoritarianism. Mid-decade redistricting is highly unusual. Most redistricting is done at the start of each decade, after new census counts. Redistricting processes vary from state to state. Some, like Iowa, have independent commissions tasked with drawing the maps, which state lawmakers weigh in on, while others, like Nebraska, let lawmakers run the show. Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke speaks at a Get Out The Vote rally on October 18, 2022 in Houston, Texas. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images) The effort from Texas Republicans has already caused a wave of other states led by Democrats and Republicans to consider earlier redistricting. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat leading a Democratic-led state, has said, we are at war as she explores her own ways to redraw maps in response to Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic-led California is looking to redistrict as well if Texas does. Illinois Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said redrawing is on the table. Republican-led Florida and Missouri are also considering redrawing congressional maps. Nebraska also has been mentioned as a state that could redistrict, as first reported by D.C. insider Punchbowl News, partly to make it harder for Democrats to win the now open-seat 2nd District U.S. House race, which political experts see as a possible pickup for Democrats in 2026. I think a nationwide wildfire is absolutely upon us, said Dan Vicuna, Common Cause senior policy director for voting and fair representation, referring to redistricting efforts from Texas and California. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee calls on blue states to draw new house maps and GOP-leaning groups do the same, Common Cause, a national organization with state chapters, is urging blue states to back away from a redistricting arms race. The group advocates for fairer redistricting. This is ultimately about fair representation for communities getting to have a say, Vicuna said. Thats what were really talking about here, not just the food fight between the parties. In 2020, the Nebraska Common Cause chapter tried collecting signatures for a ballot measure that would have created an Iowa-style independent commission to draw congressional maps for the state, but the effort was stopped because of difficulties during the COVID-19 pandemic. State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue, left, joins Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen for a ceremonial bill signing of Nebraska National Guard recruitment and retention legislation. Dec. 10, 2024. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) The GOP chair and vice chair of the Government, Military and Veterans Affairs Committee, State Sen. Rita Sanders of Bellevue and Sen. Bob Andersen, who represents western Sarpy County, said they had not heard talks about redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Sen. Loren Lippincott of Central City, who proposed legislation to shift Nebraska to awarding its Electoral College votes to the winner of the popular vote statewide instead of splitting some by congressional district, also said he hadnt heard about a redistricting effort. But he called the idea interesting. Nebraska Republican Party Chair Mary Jane Truemper said that, while not being involved in any talks, the party would welcome mid-decade redistricting. I did not think the process was fair when we did our last census, because I felt like by including people who were noncitizens in that census, [the census] skewed the total populations for those congressional seats, and its skewed it in favor, obviously, [for] the urban districts, Truemper told the Examiner. During his first term, Trump pushed for adding a question about citizenship for the 2020 census, but the U.S. Supreme Court blocked the effort in 2019. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the most recent census, when the GOP-led majority in the officially nonpartisan Nebraska Legislature redrew the states congressional map, it did so in a way that shored up the 2nd District by swapping some Democratic-voting residents in suburban Sarpy County with more reliably Republican-leaning residents of rural Saunders County. It helped maintain the swing districts slight Republican lean. The Nebraska Constitution requires redistricting legislation to come after the census, but it doesnt specify whether lawmakers can revisit the maps before the next census. It says, other established lines may be followed at the discretion of the Legislature. President Donald Trump speaks to reporters after signing executive orders in the Oval Office on April 23, 2025. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer and Secretary of Education Linda McMahon look on. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images) Nebraska Democratic Party Chair Jane Kleeb said any attempt to redistrict mid-decade could cause major backlash, as it could be seen as an overreach of responsibility and authority by lawmakers. Nebraska is small, Kleeb said. That would be very difficult for them to do. A lawsuit would happen if they tried to do that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the last redrawing of the maps in 2020, a GOP-led statehouse proposal to split Douglas County failed to overcome a Democratic-led filibuster. Lawmakers reached a compromise with the current lines because Republicans lacked the votes to get around them and faced threats of a lawsuit. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillens office said it does not comment on lobby speculation and rumors. But Pillen has thus far been willing to act at Trumps request, and he could be inclined to do so as Charles Herbster, a major Trump donor, has been considering running against Pillen in the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary. Im sure there are those who would love to revisit the lines, said State Sen. Eliot Bostar of Lincoln, a Democrat. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Neighbor says she watched College Park officer shoot suspect A woman says she had to duck out of the way moments before College Park police shot a man. The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says an officer shot Dwight Robinson-Fikes, 31, on Tuesday night. They say he was wanted in a separate shooting that happened earlier in the evening. Channel 2s Eryn Rogers reported live from the scene during WSB Tonight at 11 p.m. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] On Wednesday, Channel 2s Tom Jones went to the neighborhood and spoke with witnesses who told him their community is paralyzed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one could come down the street. Nobody could leave the neighborhood, a neighbor who asked not to be identified said. She said she was standing in her driveway when she noticed the commotion. All of a sudden, pow, pow, pow, pow. So, I run and duck, she described. I thought the guy was dead. Robinson-Fikes survived the shooting. TRENDING STORIES: Agents say he was wanted in connection with a shooting at an apartment complex nearby, but ran off when an officer spotted him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The neighbor recorded video of officers screaming at Robinson-Fikes while he was wounded on the ground. They telling him to turn around. They done shot him. He cant move, the neighbor said. She says she hears lots of gunfire in the area, but this incident was too close to home. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] NEOSHO, Mo. Neosho is a step closer to selling its water system. During Tuesdays (8/5) Neosho City Council meeting, the first reading of a deal with Missouri American Water unanimously passed. The contract would require the company to pay $34 million, which would cover the existing debt and address other city needs. Residents have plenty of concerns, like what will happen to city employees who are needed to maintain the water system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the contract, Missouri American would offer jobs to those employees, who would then continue to maintain that water system. Neoshos water system was installed 80 years ago and needs tens of millions of dollars in improvements to bring it up to date. Neosho continues to grow. We also continue to have an aging water system, and we have not done a very good job over the past 40 or 50 years of investing in. We have water loss that exceeds 60%, meaning for every thousand gallons we pump out of the ground or out of the creek, 600 of those gallons never make it to a meter, said Neosho Mayor, Richard Davidson. Council members say the sale will save residents money. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A public meeting will take place August 12 at 6:30 p.m. at the Neosho Civic Center, where residents can learn more. Council members will vote on a second and third reading of the proposal at its next meeting. The deal would then have to be approved by the Missouri Public Service Commission. The entire process is expected to take another 6-to-12 months. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. Political debate and argument over how and whether to expand airport capacity at Londons Heathrow has encompassed virtually my entire working career. Acres of rainforest have been consumed, accommodating the sheer volume of newspaper column inches that have been devoted to this seemingly never-ending saga. And all to no avail. Still, we seem no closer to a resolution. The economic case for a third runway has long been strong, but the political and financial obstacles have always been, and continue to be, formidable. Id be amazed if it happens in my lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hope nevertheless springs eternal, and Heathrow is once again asking for the green light to take its 49bn plans for expansion forward to the planning application stage. There is also a rival proposal for a shorter and less expensive third runway from the hotel tycoon Surinder Arora, who is the largest owner of land in the Heathrow area. He claims to be deadly serious, even if he is suspected by some of a ruse to persuade Heathrow to buy him out. For the record, any such motive is denied, and with the backing of Bechtel, which has nearly 200 successfully completed airports to its name, he can scarcely be accused of frivolous intent. It is not at all clear that the full 2.2-mile runway planned by Heathrow itself is necessary, even for long-haul flights. Heathrows record on delivering infrastructure on time and to budget is also abysmal. If Mr Arora can deliver some proper competition at a fraction of the price, it would be all for the good. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour governments have long been more open to the idea of expansion at Heathrow than their Tory counterparts, if only because they have less to lose in constituencies likely to be adversely affected by it. Boris Johnson was so opposed that he pledged to lie down in front of the bulldozers to stop construction. While foreign secretary, he arranged to be conveniently out of the country on a trip to Afghanistan when a key vote sponsored by his own Government took place to give the go-ahead to a third runway. As I say, Heathrow expansion has long generated far more in the way of good copy than meaningful progress. In any case, a third runway fits neatly into Labours ambitions to be the party of the builders, not the blockers. If not a spade is turned over the next four years, that boast too like much else in Labours policy agenda would be exposed as so much hot air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If Labour is as good as its word, then the bulldozers could be on site within a year or two, Heathrow claims. Its plans are already shovel-ready. Is it finally chocks away, then? For true believers in Britains continued ability to build big infrastructure, it would be nice to think so. But this is a project cursed by disappointment, and Ill believe it when I see it. Unfortunately for the airports backers, there is a further consideration beyond the say-so of ministers that threatens to floor all such grand designs: are they compatible with the Governments separate net zero commitments? This matter appeared to be settled once and for all by a Supreme Court judgment nearly five years ago that dismissed an application by Friends of the Earth and others, including Sadiq Khan, the Mayor of London, to have the proposal declared unlawful on environmental grounds. The Supreme Court dismissed an application by campaign group Friends of the Earth to have the proposal declared unlawful - Daniel Leal-Olivas/AFP The dismissal occurred slap bang in the middle of the pandemic when many seriously questioned whether Heathrow had a future at all, let alone whether there would be sufficient demand for a third runway so nobody took much notice of it at the time. It appeared almost entirely irrelevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But passenger numbers have recovered sharply since then, and the airport is once more full to bursting. What gives the environmental issue new legs is that though there may be space within net zero commitments for one more runway in London and the South East, it is questionable whether they would tolerate more than one. The Government has none the less announced what is in essence a free-for-all. Anyone who wants to build a new runway is now free to submit their planning application, apparently confident in the view that it will be approved. Rival proposals include a second runway at Gatwick. A number of other UK airports also hope to significantly increase capacity using existing facilities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This let them all have planning permission approach would be all very well but for one rather important fact: the Governments almost religiously held commitment to net zero would struggle to accommodate the collective totality of all this extra capacity, even if the demand for it exists. John Gummer, a former chairman of the Governments Climate Change Committee (CCC), has already said as much. The Airports Commission, which recommended giving the go-ahead to a third runway at Heathrow, also said that accommodating a second additional runway within the CCCs plans for meeting net zero would be extremely challenging. Great strides are admittedly being made in aircraft efficiency, and there is much promise in bio-aviation fuel as a way of reducing the industrys carbon footprint. Even so, Heathrow will find it hard to impossible to secure the finance for its objectives as long as the possibility exists of significant capacity expansion elsewhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The same would apply to Gatwick, which would similarly struggle to secure the finance for a second runway as long as Heathrow persists with its ambitions. A kind of stalemate is threatened, where the possibility of too much capacity might lead to no additional capacity at all. No one will want to invest in Heathrow or Gatwick as long as they think use of the new runways might be restricted on environmental grounds. The dilemma highlights a wider truth about Labours ambitions for economic growth. What level of economic development is compatible with the Governments separate pursuit of net zero by 2050? Are the two not in direct conflict with one another? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That question has already been answered with regard to further development of North Sea oil and gas. Its being stopped on environmental grounds, never mind the cost to GDP, jobs and tax revenues. Of course, the quid pro quo is meant to be a veritable boom in the construction of a spanking new renewables infrastructure. Sadly, this has yet to show up in the GDP data, perhaps because so much of the enabling kit is being imported from China and Europe, rather than supporting jobs and growth here in the UK. Outsourcing our energy-intensive manufacturing to the likes of China works wonders in getting the UKs emissions down, but it doesnt help the wider global picture on emissions one bit. We can only hope that the same wonky thinking doesnt infect the UKs approach to airport expansion, but thats the way its going. 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. After 22 months of full-scale war, killing more than 61,000 Palestinians and forcing Gaza to the brink of famine, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has confirmed that he is preparing to defy international, domestic and military opinion by escalating the war on Gaza still further and ordering its full occupation. We intend to [take over] in order to ensure our security, remove Hamas [from] there, enable the population to be free of Gaza and to pass it to civilian governance that is not Hamas and not anyone advocating the destruction of Israel, he told Fox News in an interview on Thursday. Speculation about Netanyahus plans to occupy the entire Gaza strip, even if it means that the remaining Israeli captives there might be harmed or killed, had already been circulating for some time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fate of the captives taken during the Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, has been a constant theme throughout Israels war on Gaza and rescuing them was one of the war aims Netanyahu claimed at its outset. However, despite the destruction of much of Gaza and the displacement and starvation of much of its population, many captives remain and the territory where they are thought to now be is outside Israeli military control. Netanyahu wants to continue the war, Ahron Bregman, a political scientist at Kings College London and former Israeli officer, said, echoing a widespread criticism of the prime minister. He wants time. He wants time to maintain his coalition and time to drag out his corruption trial, he said of the criminal charges that have dogged Netanyahu since 2019. Motivation The specific reason for this latest potential offensive remains unclear. Some have suggested that talk of occupation is a tactic to bring Hamas back to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The siege Israel imposed on Gaza after breaking the last ceasefire in March has caused international outrage because of the starvation it has caused. Others have suggested it may also be a genuine attempt to eradicate Hamas and finally break whatever spirit remains in Gazas population and force them into concentration zone camps. It could be any of them, Israeli political analyst Nimrod Flaschenberg said. Netanyahu has proven in the past that he doesnt care about popular opinion or mass protest, as long as his right-wing base is happy. We saw that in Rafah, which he destroyed, and we saw that with Iran, which he attacked. It doesnt matter what most people think. He just needs to keep the base on side and worry about elections later. This has been the strategy for much of the last two years. The real question is whether the army is capable of occupying all of Gaza, Flaschenberg added. Palestinians facing immense difficulties accessing food due to the blockade imposed by Israel wait to receive hot meals in Gaza on August 5, 2025 [Abdalhkem Abu Riash/Anadolu] Theres huge fatigue within the military, extensive PTSD [post-traumatic stress disorder] and massive numbers of both overt and grey [private] refusals, he said of what was estimated by the Israeli magazine +972 in April to be a shortfall in troops of more than 100,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not realistic at all, former US Special Forces commander Colonel Seth Krummrich of international security firm Global Guardian said of Netanyahus plans to occupy Gaza. To capture and hold terrain takes an enormous number of soldiers and resources. The Israeli population is divided on this issue, so there are domestic headwinds that will not support this level of mobilisation, he said of widespread protests in Israel calling for an end to the war. Refuseniks Irrespective of the politics, many in the Israeli army and security services have opposed Netanyahus and his right-wing allies plans to occupy Gaza, as well as continuing with the war on the enclave more generally. Several senior Israeli military officers, including Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir, are understood to oppose any further escalation in Gaza at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, more than 600 former Israeli senior security officials signed an open letter calling on US President Donald Trump to use his influence to help bring the war to a close. It is our professional judgement that Hamas no longer poses a strategic threat to Israel, the Commanders for Israels Security (CIS) group said in a post on X, where it shared the open letter to President Donald Trump CIS describes itself as Israels largest group of former [Israeli military] generals and Mossad, Shin Bet, Police, and Diplomatic Corps equivalents. From the military point of view, [Hamas] is totally destroyed. On the other hand, as an ideology, it is getting more and more power among the Palestinian people, within the Arab street around us, and also in the world of Islam, Ami Ayolon, the former head of Israels Shin Bet internal intelligence agency and one of the letters signatories, told the BBC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of support from the upper echelons of the military would also prove vital, Colonel Krummrich added. The military leadership has to own this operation. If it fails, the military leadership gets blamed. They have to convince their soldiers that it is worth the cost, especially over the long term potentially stretching into years, he said. Photo taken during a controlled embed tour with the Israeli army and subsequently edited under military supervision The Israeli army is reported to be exhausted and suffering critical shortages of reservists [File: Carlos Reyes/AFP] Why would Netanyahu push for the occupation of Gaza? Any further escalation in Gaza is also certain to prove unpopular with the public, which is already tired of the endless war, analysts said. Some polls show widespread public opposition in Israel to the war, with frustration over Netanyahus repeated excuses for his governments failure to reach a ceasefire deal, which could bring the remaining captives home, tangible. Critically, in May, a poll for Israels Channel 12 showed that most Israelis thought Netanyahu cared more about clinging to power than he did winning the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you look at the list of people whove come out against this, including Zamir, it begs the question why, Yossi Mekelberg of Chatham House said. Are Hamas really so great a threat that youd sacrifice the hostages, sacrifice soldiers lives and sacrifice whats left of the countrys reputation? he asked. Hes become completely fractured from reality, Professor Mekelberg said. Its madness. A half-decent human being, no, a quarter-decent human being, would have resigned long ago, but everything with Netanyahu is about his political survival. Sweden, Norway and Denmark will contribute around 500mn (434mn) to purchase US military equipment for Ukraine, joining the Netherlands in supporting a new Nato mechanism aimed at supplying American weapons to Kyiv. Donald Trump said last month that the US would provide weapons to Ukraine, paid for by European allies, but he did not provide details on how this would work. Dutch Defence Minister Ruben Brekelmans announced on Monday that the Netherlands will contribute 500mn to the mechanism called the Nato Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List (PURL) initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Norwegian Defence Minister Tore O. Sandvik said the country will contribute around 1.5 billion Norwegian crowns (109mn). Danish Defence Minister Troels Lund Poulsen announced that it will earmark around $90 million, and would be willing to consider additional funding at a later stage. Sweden said it was contributing $275 million to the package, which includes Patriot missiles and other air defence equipment, as well as anti-tank munitions. Click here for the latest on the Ukraine war. The Patriot is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system (via REUTERS) Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has persistently asked Western allies for more defensive capabilities, among them Patriot systems and missiles, to fend off daily missile and drone attacks from Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Responding to the move, Nato Secretary General Mark Rutte said the alliance was grateful to the three Nordic countries for their fast action to fund the package. Mr Zelensky also thanked the countries and said the measure created a new foundation for long-term security across Europe. "This will be felt. And it will serve as a strong example for other NATO countries to strengthen the security ties between America and Europe and to ensure protection from Russian strikes," he wrote on X. "Russia will never turn Europe into a continent of war, and it is precisely through our joint efforts that we are ensuring peace will prevail," the Ukrainian president added. Nato chief Mark Rutte, a former Dutch prime minister, welcomed the announcement (REUTERS) Nato said it would coordinate the new initiative, which is funded by European members of the alliance and Canada. It will be divided into packages worth approximately $500mn (434mn), the military alliance said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said in a statement: Working closely with Ukraine and the United States, the Supreme Allied Commander Europe, Alexus Grynkewich, will validate packages that correspond to Ukraines needs, such as air defence, ammunition and other critical equipment for rapid delivery from US stockpiles". Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed the announcement (Ukrainian Presidential Press Service) The Patriot, short for Phased Array Tracking Radar for Intercept on Target, is a mobile surface-to-air missile defence system developed by Raytheon Technologies. It is considered one of the most advanced air defence systems in the US arsenal, and it has been in service since the 1980s. The system can intercept aircraft, tactical ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, depending on the interceptor used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A newly produced single Patriot battery costs over $1bn (746m), including $400m (298m) for the system and $690m (515m) for the missiles in a battery, according to the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). Patriot interceptors are estimated to cost around $4 million per missile, CSIS says. Russia says it sees the supply of Patriots as a direct escalation. Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said earlier this year that supplying more systems to Ukraine would delay the chances of peace. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) The Nevada Supreme Court heard arguments Wednesday after a Las Vegas judge dismissed the states case against six Republicans who submitted fake electoral certificates claiming former President Donald Trump won the 2020 election. In December 2020, the six so-called fake electors signed paperwork signaling their support for Trump in a symbolic ceremony devoid of any legal merit. The group then mailed the certificates to Washington and to a federal judge. Former President Joe Biden won the 2020 election in Nevada by about 33,000 votes. Trump won re-election last November by more than 46,000 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays arguments involved the proper venue for the case, not the allegations involving the case itself. The arguments focused on how the documents were mailed to a Las Vegas address and if that means the case should proceed there. The postal service ended up forwarded that mailing to a judge in Reno. Attorneys for the six have argued they signed the documents and mailed them to the judge and to the National Archives amid the Trump campaign and national Republicans legal efforts to challenge the election results. No case in Nevada yielded them a favorable result, and at that point, in Dec. 14, 2024, no Nevada case remained open. Several judges in those cases noted no evidence of widespread election fraud. In 2023, a Clark County grand jury indicted the six Nevada Republican Party Chairman Michael McDonald, former Clark County party chairman Jesse Law, Jim DeGraffenreid, Durward James Hindle III, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice on charges of offering a false instrument for filing and uttering a forged instrument, felonies that carry penalties of up to four or five years in prison. The party has since re-elected McDonald and DeGraffenreid to leadership positions. Last summer, Clark County District Court Judge Mary Kay Holthus dismissed the states case, saying she had no jurisdiction over the matter. Attorneys for the six previously argued Democratic Nevada Attorney General Aaron Ford improperly indicted their clients in Clark County instead of northern Nevada, adding that there was no intent to commit a crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ford and his office have since re-filed similar charges in Northern Nevada; however, the case could return to Clark County should the high court rule in the states favor. The Supreme Court of Nevada is seen on Friday, May 30, 2025, in Carson City, Nev. (AP Photo/Bridget Bennett) Nevada law requires the secretary of state to oversee the certification of the states electoral certificates. Then-Nevada Secretary of State Barbara Cegavske, a Republican, oversaw the official certification process on the same day as the Republican signing for Trump. The justices did not issue a ruling Wednesday. Over the past two legislative sessions, Nevada Republican Gov. Joe Lombardo has vetoed two bills that would have established penalties for fake electors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the same election Trump and Republicans cited widespread fraud, Republicans gained seats in the Legislature. Republicans did not cite election fraud after the 2022 election, where Lombardo won by about 15,000 votes, nor the 2024 election, where voters elected Trump to a second term. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. I'm not sure if you've heard, but everyone's least favorite Health and Human Services Secretary, RFK Jr., recently announced that he's canceling $500 million in funding for mRNA vaccine development. Michael M. Santiago / Getty Images mRNA vaccines, which stand for messenger ribonucleic acid (RNA), are "highly effective" and "safe," according to the National Council on Aging, a nonprofit organization that works to improve the health of older adults in the US. According to the Cleveland Clinic, the mRNA vaccine helps teach your body to fight infectious diseases. More specifically, mRNA technology is utilized in the COVID-19 vaccine, which infectious disease experts say is what helped to slow the 2020 COVID-19 outbreak in the US. Andreypopov / Getty Images In a now-viral X video, RFK Jr. tried to explain the funding cuts saying, "HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses." We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Were shifting that funding toward pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025 Twitter: @SecKennedy Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to CBS News, RFK Jr. reiterated that "HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them." Related: "You Have No Principles Or Backbone": 22 Tweets Calling Out The Dystopia That Is American Politics This Week In response to the news, Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, recently said it's "one of the worst decisions I've seen in 50 years of public health preparedness work." Anna Moneymaker / Getty Images Following these vaccine funding cuts, millions have expressed deep concern for the future of medicine, as well as the impact of future pandemics in the US. Here's how medical professionals, lawmakers, and citizens are reacting: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Commonly, people threw some personal digs at RFK Jr., with one person calling him a "despicable quack." ...and a pediatric MD calling him an "anti-vaxx weirdo." Related: Hillary Clinton Just Hit On One Of Donald Trump's Biggest Insecurities With Three Words While other medical professionals directly contradicted RFK Jr.'s claims about the mRNA vaccine, calling them "simply false." @jakescottMD / Fox News / Via x.com And called out RFK Jr.'s "fundamental misunderstanding of immunology." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another infectious disease doctor argued that RFK Jr.'s decision came from "ideology" and "online anti vax talking points." Related: Gavin Newsom Is Going Viral For Shutting Down JD Vance With One Single Map Lacheev / Getty Images And this medical professional and health writer called mRNA vaccines "one of the most important tools we have for preventing future pandemics." Another person expressed their anger about "throwing away" years of research: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andresr / Getty Images Even politicians have weighed in, with Senator Reverend Raphael Warnock calling the funding cuts a "tragedy." Related: Pete Buttigieg Has A Name For What Trump Does When He's Desperate, And It's Spot On "Whatever your reason for not voting or voting 3rd party, I promise it wasnt worth destroying our country over," this person wrote. And this person made a scary observation, writing: "A diseased population is easier to control..." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And finally, this Reddit user summed up what many are feeling: "Imagine being so privileged to have lived in a tiny slice of human history when MILLIONS of people have been spared from pyrogens at the hands of vaccinesonly to be somehow convinced the answer to the threat humanity faces going forward is to stop researching the most proven and effective medicine mankind has ever known." Bloomberg / Getty Images What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments 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: Democrats Responded To A New Anti-Porn Bill With An Image That Will Haunt Ted Cruz Forever Also in In the News: "My Generation Will Never Forgive You": 25 Of The Very Best And Very True Political Tweets From The Last Week Read it on BuzzFeed.com TALLAHASSEE, Florida A trove of records released by Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has revealed new details about community-based welfare program Hope Florida and its financial and legal dealings, reviving one of the states largest political battles this year between Sunshine State Republicans. The documents reveal details of a $67 million settlement between Florida and the states largest Medicaid provider, meant to settle overbilling claims levied against a now-former pharmacy benefit manager. The final drafts of the settlement included a $10 million donation to the nonprofit arm of Hope Florida, an effort spearheaded by first lady Casey DeSantis, which fell under scrutiny amid rumors about her plans to run for governor. The donation was later used to fund the campaign to defeat a marijuana initiative last year. The roughly 600 pages of emails and drafts obtained first exclusively by POLITICO provided further detail on that settlement but they dont address the larger question of how the $10 million was steered to killing the marijuana initiative effort, known as Amendment 3. And they come as multiple players in the ongoing saga gear up for their own future political plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scrutiny of Hope Florida and the $10 million donation was led by state House Health Care Budget Chair Alex Andrade (R-Pensacola), who grilled state agency chiefs about Hope Florida during meetings he held earlier this year. Gov. Ron DeSantis has fired back at Andrade with questions about his ties to the medical marijuana industry, which footed the bill for Amendment 3. Hope Florida began under the state Department of Children and Families in 2019 as a program aiming to connect people with local services that would help them become independent of government-subsidized public assistance. Casey DeSantis began promoting Hope Florida a short time after, and the program later spawned the Hope Florida Foundation, to help raise and distribute money without state restrictions. The $10 million donation from the otherwise-unrelated settlement agreement was by far the largest fielded by the foundation, which otherwise struggled to raise funds and manage key financial tasks, such as filing federal taxes. The $10 million donation was part of a $67 million settlement offered by the states largest Medicaid contractor, Centene, and state lawmakers believe the entire amount should have been returned to the Legislature. Instead, a board overseeing the Hope Florida Foundation donated $10 million toward two nonprofits working to defeat Amendment 3. (Defeating the ballot initiative was a key priority of GOP Gov. Ron DeSantis.) But the records, some of which were previously confidential under trade secret laws, show the $67 million amount was more than three times the actual loss incurred by the state when it was overbilled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to letters sent to the state by Centene, the settlement gave more than $19.4 million to cover the actual loss incurred by the state and another $36.8 million in profits collected by Centenes former pharmacy benefit manager. There was an additional $10.8 million offered to cover any additional losses or costs associated with the states claim. Both sides agreed to cover their own legal costs. Andrade believes Florida law mandates the entire settlement, including the $10 million donation, be returned to the Legislature. A letter drafted by lawyers from Centene, however, said the entire $67 million settlement was more than three times larger than the states actual financial loss. The Florida settlement stems from an Ohio lawsuit alleging Centenes former pharmacy benefit manager pocketed tens of millions in drug rebates meant to benefit the states Medicaid program. Centene subsequently established a $1.2 billion trust fund to settle similar claims filed by several other states. I am hopeful this will help the folks in the governors office gain a better understanding of the fact that FL is receiving 3.4 times more than the most aggressive actual damages calculation, Mississippi lawyer Matthew C. McDonald wrote to Tallahassee lobbyist Crystal Stickle, as detailed in the records. As we have discussed on multiple occasions, pursuing litigation in FL based on the conduct alleged in Ohio would result in the state recovering far less than is being offered as part of this settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The records also detail the roles played by several key officials who took part in putting the settlement together. They include emails from Chief Deputy Attorney General John Guard, who is still awaiting Senate confirmation after being nominated by President Donald Trump in late May to become a federal judge. Guard signed off on the finalized settlement in September after he removed the attorney generals office as the designated recipient of the settlement funds because they involve Medicaid. Guard determined the funds should instead be managed by the state Agency for Health Care Administration, which regulates most of the states Medicaid program and is funded by $34.6 billion in federal and state dollars. Guard, who previously prosecuted cases on behalf of the attorney generals Medicaid Loss Control Unit, also said the settlement was different from others involving Medicaid funding. Normally, the federal share is explicitly detailed in the settlement agreement, and I am not sure AHCA wants us to get the remainder of the money, Guard wrote in a Sept. 13 email to Andrew Sheeran, the top legal advisor at AHCA. If it is just going to the Legislature and [general revenue], I can probably make it work, but I believe this is different than I have seen in a settlement with Medicaid monies. When Jeremy Redfern, spokesperson for the attorney generals office, was asked if Guard would offer comment, he said the records spoke for themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Uthmeier, who only met with Centene about the settlement when he was chief of staff for Ron DeSantis, appears to have had minimal involvement based on the records. Uthmeier was appointed by DeSantis in February to replace former Attorney General Ashley Moody after she was appointed to the Senate. He is now gearing up for a race to keep his position in next years elections. Meanwhile, Casey DeSantis has been considering a run for Florida governor and has yet to make a decision. The controversy and outrage among state lawmakers over Hope Floridas $10 million donation throughout this years legislative session led them to strip funding for the program in this years state budget. The state Senate also failed to confirm Children and Families Secretary Taylor Hatch and AHCA Secretary Shevaun Harris due to concerns about the program. But most of the fury died down by the time Ron DeSantis signed this years budget at the end of June. A spokesperson from Uthmeiers office said the records were able to be released after months of talks with Centene and other lawyers involved with the settlement about releasing drafts of the agreement deemed confidential. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The documents in question were considered trade secret and required consent from Centene to release, Uthmeier spokesperson Redfern said. About 60 percent of Floridas Medicaid budget is covered by federal dollars. McDonalds letter estimates the overbilling led the state Medicaid program to miss more than $19 million in drug rebates, which is less than one-third of the $67 million offered in the settlement, and only half of the $39 million Andrade told reporters was federal money. Andrade, the state lawmaker who has led the charge to further investigate Hope Florida, has yet to see the public probes he hoped to spur, though he claims both federal and state officials are investigating the nonprofit arm. In response to a state reporters X post on documents related to Hope Florida, Andrade cited a selective compliance and arbitrary delay in the production of public records in his own post, also tagging Uthmeier. The state representative has also demanded all of the records provided by Uthmeiers office to POLITICO. Andrade said that, even with an inflated settlement amount, the entire sum should have been treated as federal and state Medicaid dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any argument to the contrary has come from those trying to cover up the fraud, Andrade said. Every legal defendant in the history of litigation has said their settlement offer is more than they believe they owe. This one is no different. Andrade had said in April his committee will resume its inquiry of Hope Florida during the legislative session next year. But as of Wednesday, Andrade said he was unsure if state House Speaker Daniel Perez (R-Miami) will make him health care budget chair for another year. He also said AHCA has refused to turn over records he requested several months ago. Im certainly not going to look the other way while James Uthmeier and his office continue to make a mockery of the laws theyre entrusted to enforce, Andrade said. Until they produce their public records and act like transparency is important to them again, I obviously have more questions." CLARIFICATION: This report has been updated to specify the organizations the $10 million donation was made to. Catherine Zeta-Jones thinks Jenna Ortega is "amazing". Jenna Ortega stars in Wednesday The 55-year-old actress stars alongside Jenna, 22, in the new season of Wednesday, and Catherine has praised her co-star's professional approach to their sword fight scene. She told People: "We did rehearse it. It's like choreography and stunts. "You know, we have to be careful. These are real weapons we're working with." Catherine observed that Jenna made time in her busy schedule so that they could prepare properly for the scene. The actress - who plays Morticia Addams on the hit Netflix show - said: "She'd find time in her schedule, which is a much bigger schedule than mine, to come and rehearse with me, and then we worked it with the stunt coordinator, and it turned out really fabulous." Catherine has also praised Luis Guzman, who plays Gomez Addams, for his pre-shoot preparations. The duo teamed-up to perform a tango, and Catherine revealed that Luis "just really worked hard". She shared: "We used to rehearse the four scenes outside, dodging the rain, sometimes in Ireland, in gravel to keep it every day, to keep it fresh. Because, of course, we learned it at the beginning of the show. We weren't shooting it for weeks, three months later. So to keep it fresh and to remember our moves every now and again, we just jump together and we do it. And we laughed." Meanwhile, Jenna previously revealed that she became an "unhappy person" after season one of Wednesday. The actress plays Wednesday Addams in the Netflix show, but Jenna initially struggled to cope with the pressures of fame and success. She told Harper's Bazaar magazine: "To be quite frank, after the show and trying to figure everything out, I was an unhappy person. "After the pressure, the attention - as somebody whos quite introverted, that was so intense and so scary." Jenna now serves as a producer on Wednesday and she's loving the experience of having a hands-on role with the show. Jenna - who has become one of the most sought-after stars in Hollywood in recent years - said: "I sit in on meetings and listen and learn. Im still finding my footing in that area." NEED TO KNOW Two newlyweds have died after they were involved in a head-on crash in New Mexico on July 29 Serenne Mikel and Casey Daniel were said to have only been married for about three weeks when they were involved in the fatal collision Family members are now doing what they can to transport their bodies to Palau, where both Serenne and Casey have ties A newlywed couple has died after they were involved in a head-on crash in New Mexico three weeks after their wedding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serenne Mikel and Casey Daniel, both 23, were driving along Highway 371 in Albuquerque when they were involved in the fatal collision on Tuesday, July 29, according to CBS affiliate KIRO-TV. George Stokes, a trucker, told the Tri-City Record that he was sitting in traffic around 3:45 p.m. local time that day when he saw a car speed past him before crashing into the couples vehicle. The couples vehicle was on fire as the trucker approached the scene of the crash, according to KIRO-TV. The trucker and others reportedly stopped to try and help, but the couple died a few minutes later at the scene of the crash, the outlet reported. GoFundMe Serenne Dildanges Mikel Serenne Dildanges Mikel Serenne and Casey were on their way to Texas to start their life together as a married couple, according to KIRO-TV. They both had ties to Palau in Micronesia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Serennes aunt Brea Mikel said her niece, also known as Dildanges, had been married to Casey for just 22 days before they were killed, according to a GoFundMe she organized. Brea said her niece, who was behind the wheel when the crash occurred, had just celebrated her 23rd birthday on July 5. Dildanges was so excited to start her new life in Texas with her husband, and that life was unfairly taken from both of them, Brea wrote in the description of the online fundraiser. GoFundMe Serenne Dildanges Mikel Serenne Dildanges Mikel Leola Melengoes, Serenne's grandmother, told KIRO-TV that her granddaughter was happy and excited about the move. The only comfort we have in that crash is Serenne and Casey were together. That they had each other, Brea also told the station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Nearly $6,000 has been raised through the GoFundMe campaign for Serennes family as of Wednesday, Aug. 6. 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. Family would like for Serenne and Caseys remains to be transported to Palau, according to KIRO-TV. The GoFundMe campaign aims to raise money for the transportation, as well as funeral expenses. Our family is still reeling from this devastating loss, Brea wrote in the GoFundMe. Were asking our friends, family, and community to help us during this time of need. Read the original article on People NewsNation anchor Chris Cuomo was taken in by a painfully obvious deepfake of Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez speaking about a controversial Sydney Sweeney ad on the floor of Congress. The newsman, who once held a primetime slot on CNN, raged on Wednesday about a clip posted to Instagram by the account MemeRunnerGPT. The video shows a recreation of AOC on Capitol Hill, delivering a speech that includes phrases like sultry little temptress and ocean-blue eyes that could resurrect the Fuhrer from his grave in Argentina. Nothing about Hamas or people burning Jews carsbut Sweeney jeans ad? Cuomo asked of the video, whose watermark read parody 100% made with AI. Deserved time on floor of Congress? What [happened] to this party? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AOC responded directly to Cuomos post to let him know hed been had. This is a deepfake, dude. Please use your critical thinking skills, she wrote. At this point, youre just reposting Facebook memes and calling it journalism. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, asked the one-time anchor of Good Morning America why the post was still up. Journalist Paul Blest compared the AI-generated clip to a banana peel and said Cuomo had slipped and torn both ACLs. Cuomo has since deleted the post and attempted to reply to AOC without tagging her. You are correct that was a deepfake (but it really does sound like you), he wrote on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sweeneys ad for American Eagle has inspired days of backlash (and backlash to the backlash). The denim campaign, which centers on a pun of good genes, has been accused of carrying eugenicist undertones. Conservatives, including President Donald Trump, have come to the actresss defense. Sydney Sweeney, a registered Republican, has the HOTTEST ad out there. Its for American Eagle, and the jeans are flying off the shelves. Go get em, Sydney! he wrote on Truth Social on Monday. The tide has seriously turned Being WOKE is for losers, being Republican is what you want to be. The post NewsNations Cuomo falls for AOC Sydney Sweeney deepfake appeared first on Salon.com. By Camillus Eboh ABUJA (Reuters) -Nigeria's environment ministry issued a flood alert on Wednesday for 19 states, warning that heavy rainfall expected from August 5-9 could trigger flooding in various parts of the country. The National Flood Early Warning Center identified areas at risk, including five states in the northwest, three in the south, and four in the central region, such as Niger State, where flooding in May killed 117 people and left dozens missing as well as destroying thousands of homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities urged residents and local governments to take precautionary measures to reduce potential damage and safeguard public safety. It is currently Nigeria's peak rainy season, a period typically associated with severe floods. In 2022, the country experienced its worst flooding in over a decade, when more than 600 people died, 1.4 million people had to leave their homes and 440,000 hectares (1.09 million acres) of farmland were destroyed. (Reporting by Camillus EbohWriting by Elisha Bala-GbogboEditing by Frances Kerry) Nigeria's customs agency says it has seized over 1,600 birds bound for Kuwait, in what it described as the country's "largest" wildlife-trafficking bust. Ring-necked parrots and green- and yellow-fronted canaries were intercepted at Lagos International Airport, by Nigeria's Customs Service (NCS) on 31 July, the agency said in a statement on Tuesday. It is the "largest" seizure by number, NCS spokesperson Abdullahi Maiwada told the BBC, in a country where wildlife trafficking is frequent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigeria's porous borders, widespread corruption and weak enforcement have made it a key transit hub for ivory, pangolin scales and other wildlife products. The NCS said it was able to intercept the birds through routine checks. The statement said the shipment didn't have the required documentation and permits. Although the birds are common, they are required to have proper papers. An investigation is underway to find and prosecute those responsible for the illicit cargo, it said, adding that the birds would be handed to the National Parks Service for rehabilitation before being released into the wild. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the seizure was made on 31 July, it was only shared publicly on Tuesday so as to not "jeopardise" the investigation, said Mr Maiwada. He added that most trafficked animals from Nigeria are bound for Asia. Nigeria is a signatory to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (Cites) - the international treaty which governs the trade in rare plants and animals - but remains a hub for illegal wildlife trafficking. The illegal wildlife trade globally generates $7-$23bn (5-17bn) annually, according to animal conservation charity BirdLife International. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Songbirds like canaries are in high demand in the global trafficking trade due to popular singing competitions, the charity said. While rare species of wild parrots can fetch $1,000 or more. You may also be interested in: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts New Jersey Republicans have narrowed the voter registration gap but Democrats still have a roughly 860,000 lead. (Daniella Heminghaus for New Jersey Monitor) Over Democrat Phil Murphys two terms as governor, New Jersey Republicans saw significant growth in voter registration compared to Democrats but Democrats maintain a voter advantage that tops 860,000, according to state data. An analysis of registration trends from August 2017 to August 2025 shows that both major parties have expanded their voter bases, while the population of unaffiliated voters has declined slightly, by about 18,000 people, or less than a percent. Murphy was first elected in November 2017 and leaves office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The number of registered Republicans increased by nearly 433,000 voters in that time period, a 35% rise. Democratic registration increased by roughly 427,000 voters, or 20%. Compared to August 2021 three months before Murphy won reelection there are 167,000 more Republicans statewide, an 11% increase, while the number of Democrats has dropped by 47,000, about 2%. After Democrats widened their registration advantage over Republicans to 1.1 million voters in August 2021, the gap has dipped to 864,825. Republicans see this as great news as they campaign to take back the governors office from the Democratic Party in November. This whole reversal from 1.1 million to 800,000 is because people are actually just sick and tired of bad policies that are screwing up the state the affordability, the energy policies, industrialization of the oceans, and everything else, said Bob Hugin, former chair of the New Jersey Republican Party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Rutgers-Eagleton poll released last month revealed that a wide majority of New Jerseyans are not satisfied with the states handling of affordability, the cost of living, and taxes all issues taking center stage in the current gubernatorial race. Hugin argued that registration changes since 2021 are the key metric as voters consider whether to stick with Murphys party or flip control of the governors seat. Now the Democratic brand is probably more negative than the Republican brand, Hugin said. Public polls have Democratic Rep. Mikie Sherrill leading her Republican challenger, Jack Ciattarelli, in the governors race. In 2021, Ciattarelli unsuccessfully challenged Murphy, who is barred from seeking a third term in November. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daniel Bryan, a political strategist who has worked closely with Murphy, said recent registration shifts do not pose a significant threat to Democrats. Politics is naturally cyclical, Bryan said. Weve had Democratic control of the Legislature and the governors office for many years, which always gives a bit more energy to the opposition party. Bryan noted that after Republicans flipped six Assembly seats in 2021, they lost all their gains in 2023. One thing that New Jersey Republicans havent done is provide a playbook by which theyre able to actually start winning some meaningful elections, Bryan said. And, by the way, not just at the statewide level, but the county level, at the legislative level even at the congressional level, theyre down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New Jerseys House delegation includes nine Democrats and three Republicans. In the states five most populous counties Bergen, Middlesex, Essex, Hudson, and Ocean Democrats have seen a larger increase in their ranks since 2017 in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson, while Republicans have seen a larger increase in Ocean and Middlesex. Compared to 2021, Republicans have grown in all five of those counties while Democrats numbers have either dropped or grown a small amount. In another key county, Morris, the number of Democrats has increased by about 29,000 since 2017, though Republicans maintain a 20,000-voter advantage there. Sherrill has represented much of Morris County in Congress since 2019, and its also the home base of Ciattarellis running mate, Sheriff Jim Gannon. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Brief Park rangers are asking for help to find a New Jersey hiker who went missing in the Grand Canyon. He has been missing for more than a week, and his vehicle was found in a nearby parking lot. The 35-year-old went missing as a wildfire continues to consume part of the Grand Canyon. GRAND CANYON - A New Jersey man has been missing for more than a week after going on a hike in the Grand Canyon as the largest fire ever recorded in the area rages on. What we know Thomas Daniel Gibbs, 35, of Freehold, New Jersey, was reported missing by family and friends on July 28. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His Tesla Cybertruck was found the same day in the Grandview Point parking lot on the South Rim. He was believed to be hiking in the Grandview Trail and Horseshoe Mesa area on July 22, when he was last heard from around noon. Search for hiker Ground searchers, drones, search dogs and high-angle technical rescue efforts were deployed in the search for Gibbs, the National Park Service said in a statement to FOX News on Sunday. Although search efforts have since been scaled back "due to the lack of further clues or evidence to suggest Mr. Gibbs was in the greater Grandview Trail area," park officials say that the investigation is ongoing. Dig deeper The park service told FOX News that search efforts have not been hindered by the Dragon Bravo Fire, which has consumed over 126,000 acres on the North Rim with 13 percent containment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The fire is now the largest ever recorded in the Grand Canyon, and has been burning for four weeks. At least 70 structures have burned, including the historic Grand Canyon Lodge at the North Rim. What you can do Anyone who was on the Grandview Trail around July 22 and may have seen Gibbs, or has information on his whereabouts, is asked to contact the NPS Investigative Services Branch Tip Line. Gibbs is described as being 6 feet 1 inch tall with brown hair and brown eyes. The Source Information from this article was sourced from the National Park Service and FOX News. There was no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny at the Sentebale charity founded by Prince Harry, the charity regulator has found. The Charity Commission has published its findings into whistleblower allegations that followed a bitter boardroom dispute that saw Prince Harry resign, along with several trustees, earlier this year. No sanctions have been imposed on the charity, with the current leadership under Sophie Chandauka remaining in place, but the commission criticised "all parties" for allowing a "damaging" dispute to play out publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harry's spokesman criticised parts of the report as falling "troublingly short", while the charity's chair said the "adverse media campaign" from those who resigned caused "incalculable damage". The commission has given the charity, which supports young people in southern Africa, a regulatory action plan to deal with "governance weaknesses". It's a bittersweet outcome for Prince Harry who has left the charity, which his spokesman said had been "deeply personal" to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Much of the criticism from the commission focused on how the internal dispute descended into such a public argument in the media, which it said had damaged the charity's reputation. The row had seen Prince Harry accused of being a "toxic" brand by the charity's chair, Sophie Chandauka - and he had stepped down, saying his and the trustees' relationship with her was broken "beyond repair" and that they had faced "blatant lies". "Sentebale's problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charity's reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charity's ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve," said Charity Commission chief executive David Holdsworth. Prince Harry's team welcomed the finding that there had not been evidence of bullying, though a spokesman said the report "falls troublingly short" in that the "consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her". Sophie Chandauka says the charity will continue and grow stronger [PA Media] Ms Chandauka remains at the head of the charity, with the watchdog finding no reason for her not to continue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: "We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger." A Sentebale spokesman said that the report confirmed that the new trustees had been validly appointed and could move forward "free from interference". The Charity Commission also said that although there was no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir (discrimination against black women), it acknowledged a "strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties" and said it wasn't its role as a regulator to adjudicate on individual claims of bullying. The commission has not sanctioned any individuals, but its regulatory action plan is meant to address problems such as a lack of clarity over roles and a better mechanism for handling internal disputes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It warned of "weaknesses in the charity's management" that had added to disagreements. The report highlighted how tensions had risen around a new fundraising strategy in the United States, with some trustees believed to have raised concerns about the charity's finances. The action plan warns of the importance of "sufficient funding to enable the charity to deliver for its beneficiaries". The Charity Commission website is still showing Sentebale's financial position from August 2023 - but sources close to the charity say it is in good financial health. The charity had been a very personal project for Prince Harry, which made his resignation even more difficult. Sentebale had been co-founded with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, with both honouring the legacies of their mothers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For 19 years, its dedicated staff and steadfast supporters have provided vital care to over 100,000 young people across southern Africa, including young people living with HIV/Aids and those facing mental health challenges," said a spokesman for Prince Harry. Prince Harry's spokesman said the charity had grown to become a "flowering force for good" and that he will "now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana". Ms Chandauka said: "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso." The Charity Commission concluded that those running charities should not let disagreements make them forget their initial good intentions and should focus on those they were trying to help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Passion for a cause is the bedrock of volunteering and charity, delivering positive impact for millions of people here at home and abroad every day," said Mr Holdsworth. "However, in the rare cases when things go wrong, it is often because that very passion has become a weakness rather than a strength. "Moving forward I urge all parties not to lose sight of those who rely on the charity's services. "The current trustees must now make improvements and ensure the charity focuses on delivering for those it exists to serve." [BBC] Sign up here to get the latest royal stories and analysis every week with our Royal Watch newsletter. Those outside the UK can sign up here. Miami Correctional Facility is a high medium prison for male offenders in Bunker Hill, Indiana. (Courtesy Indiana Department of Correction) News of the so-called Speedway Slammer is roiling Indiana, with confusion over a plan to house up to 1,000 immigrants in the Hoosier State. Many people online believe and some outlets are reporting that new construction will add 1,000 beds. This is likely related to misleading federal messaging, like a Tuesday post by U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem. U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem delivers remarks to staff at the Department of Homeland Security headquarters on Jan. 28, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Manuel Balce Ceneta-Pool/Getty Images) COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer, she wrote. Today, were announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds. Thanks to @GovBraun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Indiana Department of Correction spokeswoman Annie Goeller said there will be no expansion of the existing Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill. The north-central Indiana prison is simply making 1,000 existing, but unused, beds available to the federal government to increase its detention capacity. The Miami Correctional Facility has a total capacity of over 3,100 beds, of which approximately 1,200 are not filled, she said. Other details about the partnership are still being determined. Meanwhile, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway arent pleased with the use of the moniker, which hearkens to the states big race. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security even posted an altered photo of an open-wheel race car on a track with a prison in the background. We were unaware of plans to incorporate our imagery as part of yesterdays announcement, the organizations said in a corporate statement. Consistent with our approach to public policy and political issues, we are communicating our preference that our (intellectual property) not be utilized moving forward in relation to this matter. Cost estimates unavailable as feds plan nationwide approach Kevin Orme, who directs the Indiana Department of Corrections Construction Services Division, said the empty beds are ready for occupancy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were heating and cooling the structures anyway, he told skeptical Democratic lawmakers at an unrelated State Budget Committee meeting Wednesday. Orme said the agency has implemented setbacks to save on energy expenses for empty buildings, but cant let the temperature or humidity deviate, or you start getting structural issues. He directed lawmaker questions about the costs of hosting federal detainees to the agencys commissioner, Lloyd Arnold. Indiana Gov. Mike Braun called the cost question a valid issue in comments to reporters on Tuesday. But he didnt provide an estimate. My goal is that anything were doing for them that we get compensated for it, he said of the federal government. Braun first announced the prisons new role last Friday, along with several pending immigration officer deals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the Speedway Slammer is expected to be up and running quickly, just like Alligator Alcatraz was, Noems deputy, Tricia McLaughlin, told Fox Business on Wednesday. McLaughlin indicated that her agency would replicate its deal with Indiana nationwide, calling it a cost-effective way to increase capacity and swiftly deport detainees. The partnership to provide existing beds is unrelated to the construction of a new prison in LaPorte County. There, a 4,200 bed-facility is being built for $1.2 billion. It is expected to open in 2027. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ukraine's top military commander warned on Aug. 5 that Russia is accelerating its mobilization efforts, with plans to form 10 new military divisions by the end of the year. Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, said two of the divisions have already been formed, and that Russian forces are adding approximately 9,000 troops each month despite suffering heavy losses. According to Syrskyi, Russian forces lost more than 33,200 personnel in July alone 800 more than the previous month. Russia is estimated to have lost more than one million military personnel since the start of the full-scale invasion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Despite this," he said, "the opponent is increasing its forces by 9,000 people every month." To respond to Russia's growing military, Syrskyi said Ukraine has "no other choice but to continue mobilization measures, improve combat training, and strengthen the unmanned component of our troops." He also announced ongoing reforms within Ukraine's military corps to improve coordination and battlefield effectiveness. "We understand the situation and know what must be done," Syrskyi said. "Our opponent will increase pressure our common task is to prevent them from achieving their objectives. We will achieve this task." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Last chance Witkoff effort in Russia unlikely to change Trumps course, analysts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The Brief Three adults were shot at an "unsanctioned" trail ride event in Ellis County, with one victim remaining in the ICU. The large-scale gathering, which also included a back-to-school supply giveaway, did not have the required permit under state law. The cause of the shooting is currently unknown, and authorities have not released any information on a suspect or arrests. RED OAK, Texas - On an Ellis County property, there is a home at the front and then a large plot of land behind it where these trail ride get-togethers take place. What we know A sign that reads 'no guns, no weapons, no backpacks, no fighting' is parked outside the Ellis County property. Investigators say three adults were shot early on Sunday morning at an unsanctioned trail ride event on this property. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to this flyer, it was called the Kountry Mob Paper Trail Trailride Extravaganza', featuring live music, a back-to-school supply giveaway, and children's activities. At 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, Ellis County deputies responded to a shooting at the location, off Batchelor Road in Red Oak. Deputies found three adults with gunshot wounds. Investigators say the three victims, along with the majority of the attendees, are not residents of Ellis County. As of Tuesday, one of the victims remained in the ICU. What they're saying FOX 4 spoke off camera with the homeowner as they didn't want to do an interview or make any statements. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Only by saying firearms are prohibited on the property and that they hired security on Saturday, but somehow a firearm did make it in. Nearby homeowner, Niki Hamm, estimates hundreds of people packed the nearby property. "Sometimes the house is vibrating from the bass. It's very loud," said Hamm. Another neighbor sent FOX 4 a video of the concert in the background, saying the excessive noise can go into the early morning hours. "When it's so many people from out of town on this little rural road, and they are in that field over there," said Hamm. "Right now, it looks like it's getting out of hand." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamm says she didn't hear the gunshots over the weekend but had heard gunshots during a previous event held at this location. "We have heard gunshots before," said Hamm. "They bring their ATVs or horses out and ride through the streets all night long. Local perspective In a statement, Ellis County Sheriff Brad Norman said: Under the Texas Health and Safety Code, Chapter 751, large-scale events "mass gatherings" must obtain a permit through the county if they meet certain attendance thresholds. No such permit was issued for this event" What we don't know The sheriff's office here would not elaborate on the ongoing investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So it's still unclear if anyone was arrested, or if they are looking for a suspect, or even what led up to shots being fired. The Source Information in this article was provided from interviews conducted by FOX 4's Peyton Yager. NORTH PLAINFIELD, N.J. (PIX11) North Plainfield mom Dominica Sedeno said life has essentially been in limbo since last months floods. Her basement was destroyed, but she said she cant make any repairs until her insurance company approves her claim. More Local News I keep calling the company, and they keep saying that its going to take time, said Sedeno. Thats all I knowthere is nothing I can do in the meantime, said Sedeno. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neighbor Luz Ramos is dealing with extensive mold in her basement. She and her husband are living on the top floor of their home and slowly chipping away at the cleanup. Weve been working every day, a little bit every day, said Ramos. Being down in her basement for extended periods of time is not safe, so Ramos is trying to break up the work. I stay in there for an hour, go out, wait a couple of hours, come back, and clean, said Ramos. Other residents can no longer live in their homes. Every house except one on Sweetbriar Lane is unlivable. Those residents will likely qualify for direct FEMA assistance, according to North Plainfield Business Administrator David Hollod. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State The North Plainfield Town Council has appropriated $1.3 million for cleanup. Crews have since removed debris from in front of residents homes and are now working to clean up parks. Hollod is hoping for help from the federal government. We are tallying up the costs, said Hollod. We are providing those costs to our Office of Emergency Management, which in turn is going to be sending those costs up to the county and state level, in the hopes well be qualifying for some FEMA assistance. The town is holding a meeting for residents on the states Blue Acres program, which will buy back homes destroyed in flooding. The meeting will take place at the North Plainfield Borough Library from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. on August 27th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. The Brief Northern Virginia restaurant owners warn they're at a breaking point, citing rising costs, worker shortages, and immigration enforcement as major threats to staying in business. Sen. Tim Kaine heard concerns firsthand at a roundtable hosted by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association, where business owners called for relief from tariffs and credit card fees. With federal layoffs and economic uncertainty looming, the hospitality industry fears a drop in consumer spending could make conditions even worse heading into the end of the year. BURKE, Va. - A growing number of restaurant and hospitality business owners across Northern Virginia say a combination of rising costs, worker shortages and economic uncertainty is threatening their ability to stay afloat. What we know On Tuesday, they voiced their concerns directly to U.S. Senator Tim Kaine during a roundtable discussion at the Glory Days Bar and Grill in Burke. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The event was organized by the Virginia Restaurant, Lodging & Travel Association the largest group representing hospitality businesses in the Commonwealth to shed light on the mounting pressure these small businesses face. Although their businesses vary in size and service, the owners who spoke to Kaine shared one common message: they are deeply worried about the future. What they're saying Among the top concerns raised were aggressive immigration enforcement, which they say is deterring immigrant workers from showing up for shifts, rising costs due to tariffs, credit card processing fees, and the spread of laws requiring tipped workers to receive a full minimum wage. These factors, they argue, are pushing already-thin profit margins toward a breaking point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Were a business of pennies," said Gary Cohen, owner of the Glory Days Bar & Grill. "Were not looking for millions of dollars. Were just looking for credit card fees to go from 2.8% to 2.6%." David Moran of Clydes Restaurant Group said consumers may not notice minor price hikes on the menu, but the impact adds up. "Does anyone notice that the burger went from $16.99 to $17.49? Maybe not. But when you finish dinner for four what used to be under a hundred dollars you feel it." Sarah White of the Lazy Dog Cafe expressed concern over increased immigration enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There are a number of people getting picked up, and its causing people who are here completely legally to not show up to work," she said. Liz Kinkaid of RVA Hospitality said the ripple effects of these challenges are exhausting for small businesses. "Its just very time-consuming if these policies are going to continue," she said. Senator Kaine acknowledged their concerns, linking them to broader national economic trends. "These are innovators, self-starters, and resilient people," he said. "But between job layoffs in Northern Virginia and the uncertainty driven by tariffs and other things, a lot of people are nervous absolutely." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kaine also criticized federal trade policy. "Roll these tariffs way back," he said. "Its increasing the costs for these folks, who cannot just keep raising prices because then people wont come." Big picture view The discussion comes at a time when Virginias economy is facing headwinds. The University of Virginias Weldon Cooper Center projects the state could lose about 30,000 jobs by the end of the year largely due to federal layoffs. That downturn is expected to reduce disposable income, directly impacting industries like dining and hospitality. For now, business owners say theyre doing what they can to weather the storm. But unless changes come soon, many fear the future may not be sustainable. OSLO (Reuters) -Norway's ruling Labour Party government and its left-leaning allies are favourites to win next month's parliamentary election, albeit with a reduced majority of seats in what is likely to be a narrow vote, an opinion poll showed on Wednesday. Labour Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere, who governs in a minority with support from smaller parties, hopes to secure a second four-year term in office and prevent the populist right-wing Progress Party or the Conservatives from taking power. In a surprise move, Stoere in February named former NATO boss and ex-prime minister Jens Stoltenberg as his minister of finance, bolstering Labour's standing in the polls among voters concerned by the war in Ukraine and turmoil in global trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour and smaller groups on the left look set to win 88 seats in the 169-seat assembly, down from 100 in 2021 but ahead of the 81 seats seen for the centre-right opposition, the poll by the Opinion agency for ABC Nyheter and Altinget showed. Labour's support in the July 28-August 3 poll stood at 26.7%, in line with the 26.3% it won in 2021 and ahead of the Progress Party, which seeks tax cuts and lower immigration, on 23.6% and the centre-right Conservatives on 15.8%. Norway shares a near-200 km (120 mile) Arctic border with Russia, and the prime minister believes the war in Ukraine has made Norwegians concerned. "The impact of war being fought out there is making a deep impression on people," Stoere told a roundtable with foreign correspondents in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Topics expected to influence the September 8 election also include the economy, education and healthcare, analysts have said. But unlike in some European countries, none of the parties that are expected to win seats have sought the backing of U.S. President Donald Trump or his movement. (Reporting by Terje Solsvik and Gwladys Fouche; Editing by Alison Williams) Deep in the rugged forests of North Macedonia, small-hydropower developers are facing off with activists who warn that a thirst for lucrative green energy contracts is threatening the country's rivers. For over a month, protesters have blocked roads into Hydro Dosnica's remote construction sites on Mount Kozuf, where two small hydroelectric power plants are proposed on what activists claim is one of the last healthy rivers in the country. "Until the licenses are cancelled and all machines are removed from the river Dosnica, we will not move," environmental activist Marina Tomova told AFP at her mountainous campsite near the southern border with Greece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Opponents have been fighting developers for years, fearing the plants will ruin a vital ecosystem in a basin already stretched by decreasing rainfall and hotter summers. Hydro Dosnica has rejected the allegations of damaging the river, and said the project follows environmental standards. In recent years, Balkan governments have welcomed hundreds of hydro developments with lucrative subsidies, drawing a flood of investors who promise to harness a potentially reliable and renewable energy source. According to a 2024 report from conservation groups EuroNatur and Riverwatch, the Balkans have around 1,800 hydropower plants and over 3,000 planned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vast majority are small-scale plants like those being built on the Dosnica. In response, protest movements have sprung up too, arguing that the ecological footprint and impact for those living on the rivers far outweighs the output from the small plants. But the report also notes that hundreds of slated plants have since been axed and the booming number of planned builds has slowed slightly since its 2022 peak. North Macedonia has around 125 small plants, with plans to almost double that, according to the report. Much smaller than huge hydroelectric dams, the stations divert water through a pipe into a turbine kilometres downstream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - An 'extinct' river - On Mount Kozuf, protesters accuse Hydro Dosnica of breaching its licence by illegally felling swathes of forest and irreparably damaging the river's upper basin. Protester Kiril Ruzinov said that during summer months, the river's flow slows and any redirection of the stream would run it dry. "It is too small; it cannot fill a tenth of the pipe. If it is put into a pipe, the whole riverbed will be extinct," the 65-year-old told AFP. The law requires developers to leave at least 10 percent of the stream to flow naturally. The developer Hydro Dosnica, in a statement to AFP, said the activist's allegations were "incorrect and tendentious" and the project was "being carried out transparently, respecting all environmental and technical standards". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The firm said it was ready to engage with environmental experts and institutions regarding any new findings at the site. The environment ministry did not respond to requests for comment. These small plants, with a capacity up to 10 megawatts each, accounted for just four percent of North Macedonia's overall energy production in 2020, according to the latest available data from the state audit service. At the time it had around 90 small hydro plants already in operation, according to EuroNatur and Riverwatch. Hotter, drier summers coupled with more extreme flooding events driven by climate change are posing a challenge to hydropower generation around the world. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 2023 study of a different river basin, which begins in North Macedonia and flows into Albania and Montenegro, found that climate change could cut yearly hydropower generation there by up to 52 percent by 2050. The research, funded by the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe, warned that hydro-reliant Albania would be worst impacted by changes in the Drina basin and suggested investing in other renewable sources to secure its grid. - 'Not backing down' - One of the few rivers in North Macedonia still clean enough to drink from, the Dosnica is a small tributary to the Vardar, which flows into Greece. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is home to "exceptionally" valuable animals -- including several protected species, according to environmental non-profit Eko Svest. Along with a group of prominent scientists, the NGO has appealed to the government to officially protect the river. In a previous statement published online, the government said it was "closely monitoring public reactions and is ready to encourage an open and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders". The government recently extended the license for the development until April 2026. "The devastating projects here have to stop," Risto Kamov, from environmental activist group Changemakers4All, told AFP. "We are not backing down, and we will stay to protect Dosnica and Kozuf." dd/al/lth/tc A group of masked Border Patrol agents leapt out of an unmarked commercial truck and arrested 16 people on Wednesday outside a Home Depot store in the Westlake section of Los Angeles, in an operation critics say violates a series of recent court rulings against the Trump administration. For those who thought immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again, Acting U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli, whose district includes Los Angeles, wrote in a statement on X. The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable, and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government. The raid, which officials later called Operation Trojan Horse, began around 6:45am, according to bystanders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A yellow Penske box truck reportedly approached day laborers in the parking lot of the store and someone asked for workers in Spanish. As a crowd gathered, the doors to the trucks trailer flew open and agents jumped out, chasing people through the parking lot. "This is the worst feeling ever," a day laborer who identified himself as Caesar told The Los Angeles Times of watching the raid. Border Patrol continues to carry out high-profile raids across Los Angeles area, despite court order pausing random sweeps (Border Patrol) Critics said the raid violated a Friday ruling from the federal Ninth Circuit Court, which upheld a temporary restraining order barring Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement from carrying out roving immigration raids solely on the basis of peoples perceived ethnicity, language, location, or occupation. The ruling came after a lower court paused such raids in response to a lawsuit from immigrants and civil rights groups accusing federal agents of racial profiling during their immigration sweeps across the Los Angeles area, making arrests that included a U.S. citizen and a lawfully present day laborer outside a Home Depot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Border Patrol at a Home Depot in Los Angeles days after the 9th circuit affirmed a court order that purports to block this exact behavior, David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute think tank, wrote on Bluesky. They don't even know who they're chasing! This is insane. Send them all to jail. The Department of Homeland Security believes that the MS-13 gang has a chokehold on the area, part of the rationale for such highly optic immigration raids, Matt Finn of Fox News, who embedded with agents for the Home Depot operation, reported on X. Los Angeles has been a major focus of Trump administrations immigration crackdown, which has often been led by the Border Patrol in the state (Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved) The Independent has contacted the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Attorney Bill Essaylis office for comment. "This morning, Border Patrol conducted a targeted raid, dubbed Trojan Horse, in Los Angeles at a Home Depot that resulted in the arrest of 16 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua, the Border Patrol said in a statement to The Independent, which did not comment on questions regarding the legality of the raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances, Penske said in a statement on X. The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in todays operation and did not authorize this. Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future. The Border Patrol has raided the store parking lot before, and Wednesdays operation came as the agency continued to carry out operations across the Los Angeles area. Different day, different illegal aliens, same objective, the Border Patrols Gregory Bovino, commander of the multi-agency Operation At Large, wrote on X, sharing video of agents arresting men outside a car wash. Were on a mission here in Los Angeles. And were not leaving until we accomplish our goals. Los Angeles, which has one of the largest immigrant populations in the country, has been at the center of the Trump administrations unprecedented immigration crackdown. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Federal officials sent National Guard troops and Marines to the city over the objection of local and state officials in the face of mass protests against federal raids. The Border Patrol has made use of rules allowing it to operate within 100 miles of any U.S. border to carry out large-scale raids across Los Angeles, Sacramento, and farm areas in the states Central Valley. Tensions are mounting between the Mayors Office and the State DOGE team ahead of its expected visit to Jacksonville Thursday morning. It all started when the states new CFO Blaise Ingoglia posted a letter he sent to the mayor on social media, accusing the City of Jacksonville of trying to restrict his teams access to the citys financial data. His complaint centers around a technology use agreement, which the city requested DOGE team members sign before accessing the city databases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Donna Deegan argued its a standard form all external auditors are asked to sign. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< All I am trying to do as your Chief Executive Officer, and I have taken an oath to do that, is to make sure we are protecting our city data. We have not denied access to any data, nor are we going to deny access to anything, said Deegan Tuesday. Speaking in Orange County that same morning, Ingoglia noted he told the DOGE team not to sign any agreements with local governments after he learned DOGE members agreed to sign a nondisclosure agreement with Alachua County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is not a negotiation with local government, said Ingoglia. The Jacksonville form does include some restrictive language, requiring written permission from the citys Information Technology Division to access city systems and remove data from city buildings. Ingoglia argued theres no state law that authorizes the city to place those requirements on the DOGE team. All of the auditors, all of the employees that are on site are bound by current state law, said Ingoglia. Theyre not gonna share any information theyre not supposed to share and they are going to make sure theyre taking care of every precaution to make sure information does not get out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether she would back down on the forms, the mayor told Action News Jax she wanted to talk with Ingoglia to come to a solution. I just want to make sure we understand each other. And so far, we havent had a conversation. So, I dont know how thats going to go, said Deegan. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] Deegan has suggested in public statements shes fine with the state taking a look at the city finances so long as it isnt political. Based on the initial controversy, she said she now believes politics are involved. Either way the state will certainly have access to all the data that they want to have access to, said Deegan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingoglia pushed back on the idea these DOGE audits are politically motivated. He noted his team is looking at all municipalities that have seen large increases in property tax revenues and budget growth, whether theyre Red or Blue. Ingoglia highlighted that the team is also looking into Pinellas and Manatee Countys finances, which are both Republican-led. [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Click here to download the free Action News Jax news and weather apps, click here to download the Action News Jax Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Action News Jax live. Since revamping its schedule in 2024 and increasing local programming and music, WDET-FM has gotten an encouraging response. Our audience has grown 21%. Thats terrific. Thats not happening elsewhere in radio today. Were delighted to have more listeners, a bigger audience, says Mary Zatina, the general manager of Detroits public radio station. Any media outlet would celebrate such good news. But the past two weeks have felt like a gut punch to WDET and other local stations across the country. A protester holds up a handmade sign featuring Bert and Ernie from "Sesame Street" with the message Protect NPR and PBS during the No Kings Day demonstration in Petoskey on June 14, 2025. On July 24, President Donald Trump signed a bill clawing back $1.1 billion of previously approved funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting for fiscal years 2026 and 2027. The Rescissions Act of 2025 essentially eliminated federal funding for public media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A week later, on Aug. 1, the Corporation for Public Broadcasting the private, nonprofit organization created nearly 60 years ago announced it is shutting down. According to the official news release, most of the staff will be eliminated by the end of September, but a small team will stick around through January 2026. The CPB was formed to distribute government money to public broadcasting and to buffer it from political and commercial pressure. While it provides some funding to PBS (about 15% of its budget) and much less to NPR (somewhere around 1%), more than 70% is granted to around 1,500 affiliated public radio and television stations. Stations can receive anywhere from a small percentage to the majority of their budgets from the CPB. The $1.1 billion clawback is expected to hit smaller rural and Native American stations the hardest. Recently, NPR president and CEO Katherine Maher estimated that 80 stations may have to close next year. In Michigan, the cuts represent $24 million in public media funding that will not be put into our economy" over the next two years, says Molly Motherwell, president of the Michigan Association of Public Broadcasters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advocacy group Protect My Public Media ranks Michigan as the state with the seventh-highest amount of funding for public broadcasting. However, Motherwell notes that Michigan has rural areas that are not reached by broadband or digital and satellite services. In those cases, NPR stations can be the only source for not only news and information, but emergency alerts, she says. During the March 2025 ice storm that caused widespread power outages, lost phone and cellular services, and blocked roads in the northern half of Michigan, it was WCMU (in northern Michigan) and WNMU (in the Upper Peninsula) that kept everybody informed on the emergency status, says Motherwell. For decades, Republicans have said public broadcasting has a liberal bias, an accusation denied by the broadcasters. The Trump White House has described NPR and PBS as entities that spread radical, woke propaganda disguised as news.' " National shows like NPRs All Things Considered and "PBS NewsHour" are usually the targets of the GOP, but it is local stations the sources of community reporting, music, arts and culture coverage, educational content and emergency alerts, along with national news that will be hurt most by the rescission and the closing of the CPB. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Already, the effects are being felt at WKAR in East Lansing (which includes both WKAR-FM and WKAR-TV). In late June, WKAR News reported that nine staff positions, the majority on the TV side, had been eliminated. The cuts were made amid concerns over the then-proposed rescission and mandated budget cuts in all departments by Michigan State University, which holds WKARs broadcast license. Although WKAR declined to comment to the Free Press on personnel changes (explaining that Michigan State University and the affected unions are currently engaged in a formal review of the personnel steps taken), it said the rescission poses an annual loss of $1.6 million, or roughly 16% of its annual budget. Across southeast Michigan, public media outlets are grappling with what the missing money will mean for them, too. A 'Sophie's Choice' at WDET For WDET-FM, which is licensed through Wayne State University, the cuts could lead to reductions in local programming, according to Zatina. She calls the stations current budget extremely tight and says any trims would be from a Sophies Choice of options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From where I sit, there is nothing left to cut, she says. Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan takes questions on WDET-FM (101.9). The station will lose $300,000 in rescinded funds, or about 6% of its annual budget, for fiscal 2026, which starts in October, and another $300,000 in fiscal 2027. And those figures don't include the CPBs funding of the satellite system for local stations or the CPB's role in negotiating and paying for music licensing fees. WDET probably gets another $250,000 in value annually from its portion of those shared services. The station is busy with efforts to deal with the immediate shortfall. On July 1, it launched a campaign to add 1,000 more members. As of Aug. 4, it had added 869, and were going to keep working toward 1,000 more members until the fall fundraiser, says Zatina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also plans to reach out to group donors and major individual donors about making a three-year pledge to help build a resiliency fund to bridge us to a better future. The goal would be to raise around $1 million. Zatina says that if you love WDET, now is the time to make a donation of any size in order to join the stations 11,000 current members. With almost 200,000 people listening each week, we need a heck of a lot more members than that, she says. WDET-FM's Ann Delisi hosts "Essential Music," a show that includes Detroit-made music, interviews and live performances in the studio. There are concerns as well over at Detroit PBS, which consists of five TV channels the main Channel 56, plus four subchannels: the PBS Kids Channel, the Create Channel, the World Channel and the Michigan Learning Channel and one radio station, WRCJ-FM, Detroits only classical and jazz outlet. For Detroit PBS, the federal clawback represents a loss of nearly $3 million annually, or 15% of its budget, according to Rich Homberg, its president and CEO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When you have an instant rescission and those dollars get pulled back, what it means almost instantly is the impact on staff, says Homberg. Thats the challenging part that were fighting through. Weve built an incredible team. According to Homberg, Detroit PBS has grown from 80 employees to 100 over the last 15 years and is one of the few news media outlets that has been increasing employee size. The cuts could change that trend. It would be too soon to be specific, but we will have a cutback in staff, he says. Homberg says the clawback could affect the depth, richness and capacity of projects involving programs that are coupled with community outreach efforts such as the well-received "Great Lakes Now" initiative and one involving caregiving thats in the process of being completed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: 2025 Kresge Artist Fellows and Gilda Award recipients revealed Last year, Detroit PBS made a large commitment to the future by announcing a move from its main headquarters, now in Wixom, back to the city, specifically to Detroits Milwaukee Junction neighborhood at 234 Piquette Ave. Set to be renovated and open by fall 2026, the building will be a production and community engagement hub, says Homberg. He sees a path forward in the resiliency of Detroit PBS, which has 67,000 members and gets 50% of its revenue from the community: Our commitment doesnt change, our relentlessness doesnt change, and were going to move through this period and continue to expand our coverage." Last year, Detroit PBS announced plans to leave its Wixom site and renovate and move to this building at 234 Piquette Ave., in Detroit's Milwaukee Junction neighborhood. WMNU: A lifeline for the U.P. The challenges are different for WNMU in Marquette, the Upper Peninsulas largest city. It has lost an annual $1.1 million in the rescission, one-third of its annual operating budget of around $3 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement General manager Patrick Lakenen of WNMU-TV and WNMU-FM, which are licensed by Northern Michigan University, says it is too soon to discuss what that will mean for listeners and viewers. For now, he is reaching out to lawmakers and looking for low-impact ways to save money and new strategies to raise more. If no federal funding is available in the long term, he says, there will be some major effects. Katherine Maher, left, president and CEO of National Public Radio, and Paula Kerger, president and CEO of PBS, appeared at a U.S. House of Representatives committee hearing in March. Like other stations with a large rural audience. WNMU has a lot of ground to cover, specifically more than 11,000 square miles of broadcast coverage. It reaches about 250,000 residents out of the U.P.s total population of about 300,000, according to Lakenen. WNMU also is a key player in Michigans emergency alert plan. It receives presidential, national, state, local, weather and Amber alerts and distributes them to its broadcast partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Kristen Bell's first prime-time Emmy nomination has been a long time coming We may be the only way that they receive any programming, but especially emergency alerts, says Lakenen, describing the critical, lifesaving information that WNMU offers certain areas without reliable broadband or cellphone coverage. WNMU also is the place Yoopers turn to for local content on public affairs, the arts and human interest topics. We hear that from our supporters that they rely on us to hear what is happening in our community. We go in-depth with our stories. We dont just provide quick sound bites, says Lakenen. Despite what could be an uphill road ahead, Lakenen says WNMU is here to stay. While this is devastating and were disappointed that it has come to this, we are going to be here today and tomorrow when people tune in on the TV or listen on the radio, he says. Were going to do our best to find some additional funding or other funding sources to find a path through this. 'Overwhelming' support for Michigan Public Over at Michigan Public which consist of WUOM-FM in southeast Michigan, WFUM-FM in Flint, WRSX-FM in Port Huron, WLNZ-FM in Lansing and WVGR-FM in Grand Rapids the clawback will mean a loss of somewhere between $500,000 and $550,000 per fiscal year, or about 6% of the annual budget, says Wendy Turner, executive director and general manager. While Turner knew "there was a strong chance that (the CPB) couldnt survive without a source of funds," its closing still felt like a punch to the stomach. It has served as not just a funding source, but the embodiment of the Public Broadcasting Act of 1967 and the ideals that have shaped our collective public service mission," she says. Turner says that Michigan Public, which is licensed by the University of Michigan, is uncertain about the fate of a CPB-funded, nine-month effort called the Digital Transformation Project, an intensive training program in developing potential digital audiences that is supposed to conclude in December. It involves several Michigan Public staffers and those from 24 other stations across the country. Turner says the mobilization of listeners everywhere to prevent the rescission, which passed in the House and Senate by narrow margins, was overwhelming. We understand from our consortium of folks working together on this over the spring (that) the number of messages that were sent supporting public media to Congress was in the millions, she says. We will go to the wall again to try to make that case, but its not as if we didnt leave it all on the field the first time. Henry Louis Gates came to Detroit's renovated Michigan Central Station to film part of PBS docuseries "Great Migrations: A People on the Move." The series aired early this year. Michigan Public has about 31,600 members and is hearing from people every day who are worried about its future, according to Turner. We were at the (2025 Ann Arbor) Art Fair. ... We had a booth there and we were just mobbed with people, she says. People coming and asking how we were doing, how they can help, feeling very angry on our behalf. Motherwell, who, in addition to heading the MAPB, is the general manager of WEMU-FM, the Eastern Michigan University-licensed station known for jazz, says it is losing about 8% of its budget of about $1.5 million with the rescission. We have been preparing our listeners and donors and trying to build up a reserve, so, at least in the short term, we wont have to make any changes, says Motherwell. She still holds out hope that congressional appropriations bills could restore some of the $1.1 billion that was clawed back. The issue is not dead. Its just for right now, for the next two fiscal years, everything is up in the air and in chaos. For stations that have very, very tight budgets and large staffs, its going to affect them immediately. The annual meeting of the MAPB is set for later in August. There has been talk of forming a public media caucus in the Michigan Legislature, says Motherwell, The state of Michigan hasnt directly funded public media since the early 90s, but it doesnt mean they cant go back to it. Says Motherwell, who is in her 34th year with WEMU: There may come a time, if this doesnt get resolved, that some of our great local programming will have to go away. Were not there yet. For her station and public media in general, the battle is just beginning. The emotional impact of this fight, its personal, she says. People in public broadcasting, were not here for the glory. We're here because we have a passion for what we do. Contact Detroit Free Press pop culture critic Julie Hinds at jhinds@freepress.com. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan public TV and radio stations ponder the rocky road ahead AMHERST Researchers at a now-closed University of Massachusetts Amherst monkey laboratory thats long been a target of animal rights activists euthanized 13 remaining marmosets in May. PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, learned of the euthanization through a public records request. PETA has long decried what it calls inhumane treatment at the lab once run by Agnes Lacreuse. Over the years PETA described how PETA described how laboratory staff drilled holes in marmosets skulls to implant electrodes, cut into their necks and threaded wires through their bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Protests against the lab over the years have included celebrities including actor and Massachusetts native Casey Affleck and his mother Chris Anne Boldt. In a statement on her website Lacreuse defended the animals treatment, saying the marmosets, small monkeys native to Brazil, are key to understanding aging, Alzheimers disease and womens health issues including breast cancer and menopause. In a written statement, UMass said the lab closed because it recently completed research funded with a National Institutes of Health grant. Lacreuse, on her website, took the explanation a step further, saying she declined to apply for more funding because of changes at NIH. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Current efforts to destroy science and slash research funding undermine my ability to continue support for nonhuman primate research at UMass, she said. UMass said in a statement emailed Wednesday in response to questions that the marmosets were humanely euthanized as planned to examine neural tissue toward understanding Alzheimers disease and complete the study. PETA Senior Vice President Kathy Guillermo also said that euthanasia was always part of the experimental design. But she focused on the news that there would be no more monkeys at the lab. Its heartbreaking that this laboratory stole so many lives, but there will be no more torment for these or any other marmosets by this experimenter, Guillermo said in a written statement. Stories by Jim Kinney Read the original article on MassLive. A Palm Coast woman has been arrested for posing as a registered nurse and treating over 4,400 patients without a valid license, according to the Flagler County Sheriffs Office. Deputies said Autumn Bardisa, 29, was arrested following a seven-month investigation that revealed she had impersonated a licensed nurse at AdventHealth Palm Coast Parkway. Bardisa used another individuals license number to gain employment and provided medical care to thousands of patients from June 2024 through January 2025, investigators said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is one of the most disturbing cases of medical fraud weve ever investigated, said Flagler County Sheriff Rick Staly. This woman potentially put thousands of lives at risk by pretending to be someone she was not and violating the trust of patients, their families, AdventHealth and an entire medical community. The investigation into Bardisa began in January 2025 after hospital administrators at AdventHealth reported her for impersonating a registered nurse. Bardisa had been hired in July 2023 as an advanced nurse technician, claiming she was an Education First registered nurse who had passed the necessary schooling but not yet the national exam. Bardisa later provided a license number that matched another nurse with the first name Autumn but a different last name, explaining the discrepancy by claiming she had recently married. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, she never provided a marriage license as requested by the hospital. Her alleged deception was uncovered when she was offered a promotion in January 2025, prompting a colleague to check her license status and discover her expired certified nursing assistant license. This led to her termination and the involvement of the Flagler County Sheriffs Office. During the investigation, detectives from the Florida Department of Health and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reviewed documents and interviewed AdventHealth employees and the nurse whose identity Bardisa had used. Investigators said they confirmed that Bardisa had never held a valid nursing license. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bardisa was charged with seven counts of practicing a health care profession without a license and seven counts of fraudulent use of personal identification information. She is currently held on a $70,000 bond at the Sheriff Perry Hall Inmate Detention Facility. Sheriff Rick Staly is planning to give an update on the arrest Wednesday afternoon. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. NEW YORK The New York City Campaign Finance Board denied Mayor Eric Adams millions of dollars in matching funds for the tenth time Wednesday and suggested in a strongly worded statement that Adams will not be getting a penny anytime soon. The regulatory body denied Adams the public funding he's seeking for his general election bid on two grounds: His campaign has not submitted required paperwork, and the board has reason to believe the campaign violated the law. The board finds the campaign has provided incomplete and misleading information to the CFB and has impeded the CFB staffs ability to complete its investigation, Board Chair Frederick Schaffer said during Wednesday mornings board meeting. With respect to the second ground, the boards conclusion is based upon its review of all of the available evidence, including, but not limited to, its own independent investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boards decision escalates a long-simmering standoff with the incumbent and hobbles Adams ability to compete at a time when he is already at a severe disadvantage. The mayor dropped out of the Democratic primary after the controversial dismissal of a federal bribery case against him. He is now running in the crowded general election as an independent. Fellow independents Andrew Cuomo and Jim Walden are hoping to take down the Democratic nominee, Zohran Mamdani, a democratic socialist who has solidly staked out the left lane in the general election. So is GOP nominee Curtis Sliwa. Cuomos base overlaps with Adams, as does Sliwas, although to a lesser degree. Should the multimillion-dollar hole in his war chest persist, the mayor will be forced to continue the time-consuming process of fundraising long after his opponents, placing yet another obstacle in the way of his longshot comeback bid. Adams campaign did not immediately comment on the boards latest decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The CFB has regularly denied Adams matching funds since December 2024, in part because of allegations of a straw donor scheme laid out in a federal bribery indictment against him. That case was dismissed this spring at the behest of President Donald Trumps Department of Justice. Last month, Adams sued the board in hopes of forcing the release of the funds, but he lost. United States District Judge Nicholas Garaufis wrote in his decision that the CFB was within its rights to deny Adams matching dollars based on paperwork shortfalls. Adams' campaign, however, rejoiced at the decision: Garaufis also wrote the CFB should not rely on allegations laid out in the bribery case because the mayor, like anyone facing criminal charges, is presumed innocent until proven guilty. For Adams legal team, the logic was simple: Produce the paperwork. Get the matching funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wednesdays meeting turned that thinking on its head. In doubling down on its reasons for denying Adams the millions of dollars he needs to run a serious citywide campaign, the board appeared to take steps to insulate itself from any further legal salvos. Schaffer specifically noted that the boards suspicion of illegal activity is based, in part, on its own internal investigation a foundation that would circumvent the federal judges wariness of relying on unproven allegations in an indictment. Adams competitors, meanwhile, were showered with cash Wednesday. Mamdani was awarded around $1.7 million in public matching funds. Sliwa scored around $1.9 million. And Walden was granted more than $200,000. Cuomo, who has been polling in second place behind Mamdani, was not awarded any matching funds for the second time since the June 24 primary. His team said the former governor did not apply for a payout, but that fundraising is picking back up and that Cuomo will be ready for the next opportunity later this month. Las Vegas police released bodycam footage and 911 calls tied to alleged Manhattan mass shooter Shane Tamura including video of officers responding to a reported mental health breakdown at his apartment and an arrest at a local casino. The Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department released the materials late Tuesday citing "extraordinary circumstances" given the mass shooting event last week. In the wake of the killings, the NYPD said Tamura had a documented mental health history. Tamura, 27, went on a shooting spree with an ARstyle rifle at the 345 Park Avenue office building, where he killed an NYPD police officer, a security guard and two executives before turning the weapon on himself, police say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a September 2023 incident, Tamura refused to leave the Red Rock Casino Resort & Spa, leading to his arrest. He was gambling at the casino and refused to show identification after winning money. Nyc Shooting Timeline Shows Gunman Moved With Speed In Cross-country Drive That Ended With Office Bloodshed NYC shooter Shane Tamura detained in Las Vegas In the video, Tamura repeatedly asked police whether he was being arrested and why, as he sat in a security room with his hands cuffed. Police could be seen losing their patience with Tamura after explaining the circumstances several times and his delay in providing his name. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Do you want to just go to jail and be done with this? Id rather not arrest you, sir," the officer said. Manhattan Shooter Shane Tamura Got 'Lower Part' Of Rifle From Associate, Nyc Mayor Says Later, outside the casino, the police took off the handcuffs and told him to leave, but he refused, saying the casino had about $6,000 belonging to him. He was then arrested and put him into a police vehicle. "I just have to make rent, dude. They took like six grand from me," Tamura told police. Tamura worked in the security department at the Horseshoe Las Vegas, a company spokesperson told 8 News Now. Tamuras supervisor sold him the rifle for $1,400, with the supervisor's attorney telling the outlet the sale happened in October 2024 and followed all legal channels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The August 2024 interaction when first responders entered Tamura's apartment for a health evaluation came after Tamura's mother called 911 to warn police that her son was suicidal. New York City shooter Shane Tamura taken away on gurney. The first responders said they would initiate a L2K, or a legal 2000, an admission that sends a person suffering from a mental health episode to a psychiatric facility. Manhattan High-rise Shooting Victims: Nypd Officer, Blackstone Executive And Security Guard Among Those Killed After gathering his belongings and leaving the apartment, Tamura got onto a gurney and was taken away by first responders. Meanwhile, in another video from May 2023, police pulled Tamura over at a traffic stop for not having a rear license plate on his black BMW sedan. After running his details, police discovered that his license had been canceled, and his registration had expired. They then instructed him to park his car as they were confiscating it. Tamura could be seen apologizing to police and following their instructions. Shane Tamura Las Vegas traffic stop In a 2022 9/11 call, a family member called police to report that Tamura was threatening to take his own life. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Did he say how he wanted to hurt himself?" the dispatcher asked." "He has a gun," the woman replied. "He keeps it locked in a backpack." Original article source: NYC gunman Shane Tamura seen angering police officers in bodycam video during 2023 arrest Life at Fordham Tower in The Bronx hasnt been going well for many of its residents. Take Julia Nunezs mother, for example. As she explained to News 12, Nunez has been struggling to care for her mother a senior who lives in the tower because of the buildings unfavorable living conditions, which reportedly include a broken elevator, as well as a lack of heat and hot water. Don't miss Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When mom needs to get to an appointment or she needs to get out of the building in the wheelchair, she has to wait a half hour for an elevator, Nunez shared with News 12. Sometimes the elevator doesnt even come. The lack of hot water is also a major concern for Nunez. The home attendant comes here. She has to heat up water to wash and bathe mom, said Nunez. Thats very hard when you have a person whos disabled and in a wheelchair. Tenants at Fordham Tower say theyve repeatedly reported issues with the building to the landlord, but the issues are often ignored or repairs are delayed. After years of this reported neglect, the landlord of Fordham Tower was recently issued a $10.14 million fine, one of the largest fines in the history of the NYC housing court. Fordham Tower landlord faces over 500 violations According to NYCs Department of Housing Preservation & Development (HPD), Fordham Tower has amassed a staggering 2002 complaints in the last two years alone. All told, the building is currently facing 536 violations including 145 classified as immediately hazardous. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HPD investigators further argued that landlord Karan Singh and his associates engaged in this conduct with the intent of defying the law, intimidating their tenants, and avoiding enforcement action, HPD attorney Benjamin Bisaro wrote in a statement shared with Gothamist. This reportedly included falsely claiming that repairs had been made. Respondents have failed to correct unsafe conditions that pose a threat to the health and safety of their tenants for years on end and display a callous disregard for immediately hazardous conditions like lack of heat and hot water, said Bisaro. Singh who also owns another NYC apartment building in Morrisania, which ranked number 17 on the citys Worst Landlord Watchlist of 2023 appears to be no stranger to such allegations. Neither Singh nor his lawyers have responded for comment. 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) Fordham Tower residents are fed up Many times I had to wait one week, two weeks, three weeks just for a worker to help me, said Garvey Moore, a longtime Fordham Tower tenant whos had enough with managements delays on repairs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zoe Kheyman, a Legal Aid Society attorney representing some of the buildings residents, says she has long been calling for action against Fordham Towers landlord. "For years, our clients tenants in buildings owned by Karan Singh have endured unlivable conditions, chronic disrepair, and neglect, Kheyman shared with Gothamist. Many of our clients continue to suffer elevators remain out of service, forcing elderly residents, people with disabilities, and families to climb up 17 flights of stairs during a dangerous summer heatwave. These conditions are inhumane, and immediate action is needed." Time will tell whether the massive fine will lead to immediate action and considerable change at Fordham Tower, but Moore remains optimistic. I hope it does, one remedy the problems that we have, and two assist the tenants in dealing with this type of oppression on a major scale, as well as getting better management, said Moore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, NYC has intensified efforts to combat negligent landlords in the city. In April of this year, the city successfully seized a Bronx building from a negligent landlord the first time the city has taken such action in more than seven years. What New York renters need to know Under state law, New York provides tenants with strong legal protections regarding living standards. Landlords in New York are required to maintain properties and keep them free from dangerous conditions such as leaks, rodents and black mold. Additionally, heat must be supplied from October 1 through May 31 to tenants in multiple tenant buildings, such as Fordham Tower. In New York, tenants can sue for rent reduction or file a complaint with the Division of Housing and Community Renewal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, throughout the country, tenants have a right to habitable housing even if that right is not stated explicitly in their lease. This right is known as the implied warranty of habitability, and it mandates that all rental properties are fit for human habitation. If you believe your rented accommodations do not meet basic living standards, heres what you can do: Document everything : Take detailed photos, videos and written notes of the issues, plus any landlord correspondence Notify your landlord in writing : Send a description of problems via certified mail, requesting repairs within a reasonable timeframe specified by state law Contact local housing authorities : Reach out to local or state housing authorities if your landlord doesnt respond or gives an unsatisfactory reply Explore legal options: Only consider potential legal remedies like withholding rent, repair and deduct, terminating the lease or suing for damages after talking with a lawyer What to read next Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 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. NEW YORK The city Campaign Finance Board has again denied Mayor Eric Adams more than $3 million in public matching funds for his reelection effort on Wednesday and laid out two brand new reasons to justify the action. Going into Wednesdays board meeting, Adams team was bullish hed finally get matching funds after having been deprived of them since December 2024 due to his federal corruption indictment and a lack of response to the CFBs long-running requests for missing documentation. But CFB Chairman Frederick Schaffer said at the meeting that Adams still wont get any matching cash because the responses his campaign did provide werent sufficient and the board is still confident he has violated the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With respect to the failure to provide requested information, the board finds the campaign has provided incomplete, and misleading information to the CFB, and has impeded the CFB staffs ability to complete its investigation, Schaffer said. With respect to the second ground, the boards conclusion is based upon its review of all of the available evidence, including, but not limited to, its own independent investigation. The boards investigation of the Adams campaign is ongoing. The cash is critical as Adams mounts an independent run amid a crowded field. Todd Shapiro, Adams reelection campaign spokesman, excoriated the boards latest reasons for denial as vague and unsubstantiated. He also said the mayors team is reviewing all legal options, including formal action to compel the release of public matching funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mayor Adams has always run campaigns with the highest standards of integrity, transparency and adherence to the law spanning nearly 40 years of public service and political leadership, Shapiro said. At no point has this campaign attempted to mislead, withhold, or obstruct the work of the CFB. In fact our team has cooperated fully, responding in good faith to every request and submitted the required documentation in a timely manner. Schaffer didnt elaborate on what made the Adams campaigns responses insufficient or share more details about the belief that he broke the law. Adams was charged in his federal indictment with campaign finance fraud, including allegations of taking illegal contributions from Turkish nationals that were used to leverage matching funds. Prior to the meeting, Frank Carone, Adams campaign chairman, had said he was confident there was no longer anything anywhere that should prevent the CFB from issuing a payout to the mayor. Carone pinned that optimism on two recent developments: Adams team earlier this month finally responded to the boards documentation requests and a federal judge ruled in July that his indictment could no longer be grounds for denial, given that it was dismissed by President Donald Trumps Justice Department, albeit as part of a highly controversial arrangement. Carone has previously said the campaign would only provide the CFB with documentation that isnt subject to a federal protective order that remains active in Adams corruption case despite the dismissal. KANSAS CITY, Mo. Residents in Oak Grove made their way to the polls Tuesday to vote on a ballot measure aimed at increasing the school districts operating tax levy and decreasing its debt service levy, resulting in no change to the overall rate. See the latest headlines in Kansas City and across Kansas, Missouri Now that the polls are closed, the results show that the majority of residents voted to pass the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the ballot, the Oak Grove R-VI School District will increase its operating tax levy ceiling to $3.6061 per $100 of assessed property value for tax year 2025 a 70-cent increase from its original $2.9061. Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4 This will balance out with the proposed decrease in the districts debt service tax levy, which will go down 70 cents per $100 assessed property value. The ballot claims that the funds will increase teacher and staff pay to attract and retain workers in and outside of the district. It will also enhance technology and STEM programs, as well as school safety measures. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For a round-up of all primary election results across Kansas and Missouri, 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 FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. The Oasis fan who died in a fall at the bands Wembley Stadium concert on Saturday (Aug. 2) has been named by his family, and a crowdfunding appeal has been set up in his honor. Lee Claydon, 45, from Bournemouth, England fell from a height towards the end of the concert and was pronounced dead at the scene. Oasis shared a statement saying they were shocked and saddened by the news. More from Billboard Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Londons Metropolitan Police said a man in his 40s was found with injuries consistent with a fall the previous evening. Claydon reportedly fell from an upper tier of the stadium. Emergency services attended to him at the scene but were unable to revive Claydon, whod been attending the concert with brother, niece and nephew. A GoFundMe page has been established by his brother, Adam, in the name of Claydons wife and three children. Our family has been turned upside down and are struggling to deal with this devastation and unexpected loss, the page reads. As of the time of writing, Oasis fans have raised over 15,057 ($20,015) to assist the family. Speaking to the BBC, Claydons father said that his son may have had a couple of beers but had not taken any drugs. He also raised questions about the safety of the venue, which hosted 81,000 fans over five sold-out nights over the past fortnight. All I know is there was beer everywhere, its slippery, he slipped apparently, we do not know the rest of it. Theres questions about the barriers. On Sunday, Oasis said that they would like to extend our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the person involved. The Metropolitan Police has called for witnesses or those with mobile footage from the event to contact them which they believe took place at 10:19 p.m., ten minutes before the conclusion of the concert. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Wembley Stadium said: Wembley Stadium operates to a very high health and safety standard, fully meeting legal requirements for the safety of spectators and staff. 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 venue said. Oasis reunion tour kicked off at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Wales on July 4. Following a run of shows at Manchesters Heaton Park (July 11-20) and Londons Wembley Stadium (July 25-Aug. 3), the tour continues in Edinburgh, Scotland at Murrayfield this Friday (Aug. 8) before heading to Dublins Croke Park. The bands North American leg will commence on Aug. 24 in Toronto, Canada. Best of Billboard Sign up for Billboard's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Former President Obama on Tuesday blasted the Texas GOPs attempts to redraw the Lone Star States congressional lines as a power grab that threatens democracy. We cant lose focus on what matters right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next years midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy, Obama said in a post on the social platform X. The former president shared a post from All On The Line, a campaign affiliated with the National Democratic Redistricting Committee (NDRC), promoting a virtual event on redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Republicans proposed redistricting plan, which is backed by President Trump and could net the GOP five more congressional seats, has spurred conversations about redrawing maps in other states and prompted Texas Democrats to flee their state. Texas Democratic legislators over the weekend broke quorum in a last-ditch bid to stall progress on the proposed changes, denying the state House the numbers needed to move forward after the GOP-friendly draft advanced out of committee along party lines. The quorum break comes with big risks for the participating Democratic legislators, including $500-a-day fines and the threat of arrest after Gov. Greg Abbott (R) ordered the Texas Department of Public Safety to find, arrest and return the members. Abbott has also floated bribery charges. The GOP moves have drawn sharp pushback from Democratic leaders, including some blue state governors who have floated plans to counter any Republican gains with redistricting in their own states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, on the other hand, argued on Tuesday that Republicans are entitled to pick up five additional House seats in Texas. The All On The Line campaign, whose post Obama shared on X, formed when the National Redistricting Action Fund, an NDRC affiliate, merged with another group founded by Obama aides. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Former President Barack Obama has called Texas Republicans plan to snag five more congressional seats through a Trump-backed, off-schedule redistricting design a power grab. Amplifying a call for Texas Democrats to fight the voting map revamp in a Tuesday repost on X, Obama wrote, We cant lose focus on what matters right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next years midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy. The Lone Star States legislature has been in limbo since a bloc of Democratic lawmakers traveled out of Texas on Sunday in an effort to stall a vote on the rare mid-decade redistricting scheme. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott demanded that the state Supreme Court remove his states Democratic House minority leader, Rep. Gene Wu, from office so the vote could proceed. We cant lose focus on what matters right now, Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next years midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy. https://t.co/lBGo5aNbyp Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 5, 2025 Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences, Abbott said in a statement. President Trump also weighed in on Tuesday, backing Sen. John Cornyns (R-Texas) proposal to sic the FBI on the politicians who fled the state. During an interview earlier in the day on CNBCs Squawk Box, the commander-in-chief claimed that his party was entitled to the five-seat seizure in Texas and also floated the idea of pulling a similar gerrymandering move in the Democratic stronghold of California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But on Monday, both California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) and New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) signaled they were ready to initiate their own off-cycle redistricting gambit if Texas goes through with its remap. Its cause and effect, triggered on the basis of what occurs or doesnt occur in Texas, Newsom said. I hope they do the right thing, and if they do, then therell be no cause for us to have to move forward. Related... An objection has been raised against an artwork that is held in the care of a Scottish local authority being sold to an overseas buyer. The marble bust of Highland landowner Sir John Gordon was made by French artist Edme Bouchardon in 1728 and has been valued to be worth 2.5m. Highland Council, which looks after the sculpture, has proposed selling it to raise funds for the community of Invergordon, a town named after the Gordon family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a new report said the local authority's application for a UK export licence, which is needed in case of an overseas sale, had been opposed and the licence bid was now under review. Invergordon Town Council bought the sculpture for 5 in 1930, but it was later placed in storage at an industrial estate and its value was not widely appreciated until recent years. Invergordon Museum has contacted BBC Scotland News to say it is behind the export licence objection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A hearing of the Reviewing Committee on the Export of Works of Art and Objects of Cultural Interest was held last month after the objection was raised. The new Highland Council report said: "The committee is assessing whether the bust meets any of the three Waverley Criteria and whether the export licence should be deferred. "The council is currently awaiting the outcome of this review, and members will be updated in due course." The Waverley Criteria is a set of measures used to determine whether an artwork is a national treasure and if any sale to an overseas buyer would be considered a "misfortune". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is designed to give institutions, such as museums and galleries, a chance to purchase the art. The council report is due to be discussed at a meeting of the Black Isle and Easter Ross area committee next week. Invergordon Museum said it had raised previous concerns the sculpture being lost to the local area. It has proposed displaying the bust as part of a long-term loan, a move it says would help generate funds for the area from visitors to the museum. The son of a banker, Sir John Gordon's family owned large areas of land in Sutherland and Ross-shire and established the town of Invergordon on the Cromarty Firth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gordon was a young man travelling through continental Europe when he met Bouchardon in Rome in 1728 and the sculpture was made. Gordon became an MP in 1742. For years the bust was a feature of the Gordon family's Invergordon Castle, and survived a fire at the property in the 19th Century. The local town council bought the artwork for 5 at an auction in Kindeace, near Invergordon, in 1930. It is understood the bust was to be put on display in Invergordon Town Hall, before it was later moved to storage and almost forgotten. Records relating to the piece are thought to have been disposed of during local government reorganisation in the 1970s and 90s, according Rob Gibson, speaking to BBC Scotland News in 2014 when he was a local MSP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxine Smith, a Highland councillor, said she rediscovered the bust in 1998. She said it was found propping open a door in a Highland Council unit on an industrial estate in Balintore, about 14 miles from Invergordon. Highland Council describes the sculpture as a community asset belonging to Invergordon Common Good Fund. In Scotland, common good funds go back to the 15th Century and involve land, investments and property that exist under law for the benefit of burgh residents. Related internet links A new ocean expedition in the South Pacific has revealed striking new images of more than a dozen ships sunk during key World War II battles. Researchers on the Ocean Exploration Trust vessel Nautilus conducted an archaeological survey of 13 shipwrecks from the Solomon Islands campaign, one of the wars fiercest naval confrontations. Using advanced remotely operated vehicles equipped with high-definition cameras and submersible drones, they also rediscovered two long-lost vessels, the USS New Orleans and the Imperial Japanese Navy destroyer Teruzuki. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While some of the wrecks were first located over 30 years ago, the latest expedition allowed for a far more detailed and comprehensive survey, thanks to cutting-edge imaging technology, researchers said. This expedition was special, allowing us to film these sites in a manner not possible back then, as well as document other ships, while at the same time sharing our work live to the entire world, Ocean Exploration Trust president Robert Ballard said in a statement. The wreck site, known as Iron Bottom Sound, lies in the Solomon Islands between Guadalcanal, Savo, and Nggela islands. Bow blown off World War II heavy cruiser USS New Orleans (Ocean Exploration Trust) Between August and December 1942, Iron Bottom Sound was the site of five major naval battles during the Second World War, resulting in the loss of more than 20,000 lives, 111 naval vessels, and 1,450 aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of shipwrecks lie on the seafloor at this site, just off the coast of Honiara, within a relatively compact area measuring less than 25 nautical miles wide, 40 nautical miles long, and up to 1,400 metres deep. But fewer than 100 of these American, Japanese, Australian, and New Zealand military ships and planes have been located to date. This survey of the ships of the United States, Australia, and Japan will add immeasurably to the understanding of one of the costliest naval campaigns in history, a campaign that hopefully will never be repeated, said Samuel J Cox, Naval History and Heritage Command director. In the latest survey, researchers mapped more than 386 square miles of seafloor using the uncrewed surface vehicle DriX, operated by the University of New Hampshire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crew spent nearly 140 hours exploring various wrecks using ROVs, some located more than 3,280 feet beneath the oceans surface. Bow of USS New Orleans lies on the sea floor of Iron Bottom Sound (Ocean Exploration Trust/NOAA) For the first time, researchers took pictures of the bow that was blown off the World War II heavy cruiser USS New Orleans. The USS New Orleans was struck by a Japanese Long Lance torpedo during the November 1942 Battle of Tassafaronga, off the coast of Guadalcanal. The powerful explosion sheared off nearly a third of the ship, including its entire bow, and claimed the lives of more than 180 crew members. The use of our uncrewed vessel allowed a tremendous increase in exploration efficiency as we were able to continuously map and identify potential targets while the Nautilus was deploying its ROVs, said Larry Mayer, director of the Center for Coastal and Ocean Mapping at the University of New Hampshire. This technological achievement, combined with the tremendous historical significance of our discoveries, made this one of the most rewarding missions I have ever participated in. When the Titan submersible went missing during a dive to the wreck of the Titanic in 2023, David Lochridge hoped the five people on board including his former boss - could be rescued. "I always hoped that what happened wouldn't happen. But I just knew if they kept carrying on the way they were going and with that deficient equipment, then there would be an incident," he told the BBC. The whistleblower had been sacked by the firm behind the sub, Oceangate, after warning about safety issues in 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June 2023 the sub imploded killing all five people on board including Oceangate CEO Stockton Rush. A report from the US Coast Guard (USCG) published on Tuesday found that Oceangate's failures over safety, testing and maintenance were the main cause of the disaster. "There is so much that could have been done differently. From the initial design, to the build, to the operations - people were sold a lie," Lochridge told the BBC. But he firmly believes the US authorities could - and should - have done more to stop Oceangate. The design and construction of Titan's hull was criticised in the report [PA Media] Lochridge had joined Oceangate seven years earlier as the company's Director of Marine Operations. He moved his family from Scotland to the US, and was full of excitement about the company's ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Oceangate was building a new submersible to take paying passengers down to the most famous wreck in the world - the Titanic. And he was going to be involved in the project from the very start, working alongside the team designing the sub. The straight-talking Glaswegian has worked at sea for more than 25 years, first with the Royal Navy and later as a submersible pilot. He also led submarine rescue operations, responding to distress calls from people trapped underwater. He knows about the risks involved in deep dives. His responsibilities included planning dives and, as chief pilot, he would be the one taking the sub and its passengers 3,800m beneath the waves to see the Titanic. Safety was at the heart of his role. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As the director of marine operations, I'm the one responsible for everybody," he told BBC News. "I was responsible for the safety of all Oceangate personnel and all of the passengers that were going to be coming in the sub." Clockwise from top left: Stockton Rush, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood and his son Suleman, and Paul-Henri Nargeolet were all killed in the accident [Supplied via Reuters / AFP] A prototype for the new submersible, which would eventually be called Titan, was being developed with the University of Washington Applied Physics Laboratory (APL). The plan was to build its hull - the part where the passengers would sit - out of carbon fibre. No deep diving sub had been made out of this material before - most have hulls constructed from titanium or steel. But Lochridge had confidence in the APL team. He said he was told by Oceangate's CEO Stockton Rush that the craft would undergo a safety assessment by an independent marine organisation, known as certification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lochridge was adamant that this third-party oversight was essential - especially because Titan was to be made of experimental materials. But by the summer of 2016 he was starting to have doubts about the project. Oceangate stopped working with APL and decided to bring the design and construction of Titan in-house. Lochridge was worried. He didn't have the same confidence in Oceangate's engineers. He told the BBC he didn't think they had experience of building subs able to withstand the immense pressures found at the depth of the Titanic. "At that point, I started asking questions and I felt I had a duty of care to keep asking them," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the parts for Titan began to arrive, and the craft started to take shape, Lochridge said he was spotting problem after problem. "When the carbon hull came in, it was an absolute mess," he said. He saw visible gaps in the material, areas where the layers of carbon fibre were coming apart - known as delamination. And he identified issues with other key components. David Lochridge had years of experience at sea [David Lochridge] The carbon fibre hull had titanium domes fitted on each end, but he said the metal had been machined incorrectly. He was also worried that the sub's view port had not been designed to work at extreme depths. Most concerning, he learnt that Titan was not going to be independently certified for safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told the BBC that he had always been outspoken on safety issues - so he wasn't going to stay silent. "I brought up all the issues that I was seeing but I was just met with resistance all the way," he said. In January 2018, he outlined his concerns again to Stockton Rush. This time Rush asked him to complete an inspection of the vessel. Titan was at a crucial point of its development. Passengers had already paid deposits for dives to the Titanic planned for later that year. Test dives were about to start in the Bahamas before those expeditions got underway. Lochridge wanted Oceangate to delay these plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I formulated a report and I sent it out to all the directors in the company." The following day he was summoned to a meeting with Rush and several other Oceangate employees. A transcript from the two-hour-long meeting, where the itemised report was picked over, reveals a heated exchange between Lochridge and Rush. Towards the end of the meeting, in response to Lochridge's safety concerns, Rush says: "I have no desire to die. I've got a nice granddaughter. I'm going to be around. I understand this kind of risk, and I'm going into it with eyes open, and I think this is one of the safest things I will ever do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Lochridge's surprise, immediately after this meeting he was fired. But he was so concerned about Titan that he got in touch with the US government's Occupational Safety and Health Administration - OSHA. OSHA told him his case was urgent because it involved public safety and that he would be placed under the whistleblower protection scheme, designed to protect employees from retaliation by employers if they've reported concerns about workplace safety. As part of this process, OSHA passed Lochridge's concerns about Titan to the US Coast Guard (USCG) in February 2018. But Lochridge says after OSHA wrote to Oceangate to tell them it was starting an investigation, everything changed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Oceangate asked Lochridge to drop the OSHA complaint - and demanded he pay $10,000 for legal costs. Lochridge declined. Then in July 2018, Oceangate sued Lochridge - and his wife Carole - for breach of contract, misappropriation of trade secrets, fraud and theft, amongst other allegations. The following month, Lochridge countersued for unfair dismissal. Lochridge maintains that throughout the process OSHA was slow and failed to protect him from the ongoing retaliation he was receiving from Oceangate. "I provided all the documentation to OSHA, I was on the phone to OSHA every few weeks." he said. "OSHA did nothing." 'They beat us down' In December 2018, under increasing pressure from Oceangate's lawyers, Lochridge and his wife took the decision to drop the case. This meant the legal proceedings were settled, and as part of this agreement Lochridge withdrew his complaint at OSHA. OSHA stopped its investigation and also notified the US Coast guard that the complaint had been suspended. Lochridge also signed a non-disclosure agreement. "Carole and I did everything we physically could, we just got to the point that we were completely burned We had nothing left to give to it. They beat us down." Oceangate continued at pace with its plans to reach the Titanic. In 2018 and 2019, the prototype sub made its first test dives in the Bahamas - including one, piloted by Stockton Rush, that reached a depth of 3,939m. A crack was later found in the sub's carbon fibre hull, and in 2020 that damaged hull was swapped out for a new one, in what became the second version of Titan. In 2021, the company started taking passengers to the Titanic, and over the next two summers made 13 dives to the famous wreck. But in June 2023, the sub went missing with five people on board - including Stockton Rush. After days of anxious waiting, the sub's wreckage was found littered across the ocean floor. At the US Coast Guard's public hearings held last year, Lochridge criticised OSHA for its lack of action. "I believe that if OSHA had attempted to investigate the seriousness of the concerns I raised on multiple occasions, this tragedy may have been prevented." "It didn't need to happen. It didn't - and it should have been stopped." In response to Mr Lochridge, a spokesperson for OSHA said its whistleblower protection programme was limited to protecting individuals against employer retaliation. They said their investigation had "followed the normal process and timeline for a retaliation case". OSHA said it does not investigate whistleblowers' underlying allegations about public safety but instead refers those to the appropriate agency - in this case, the US Coast Guard. The spokesperson said: "The Coast Guard, not OSHA, had jurisdiction to investigate Mr. Lochridge's allegations regarding the safe design and construction of marine vessels." But the US Coast Guard's report into the disaster agrees with Lochridge and says that OSHA's slow handling of the investigation was a missed opportunity for early government intervention. The report also criticises a lack of effective communication and coordination between OSHA and the USCG. The investigation found that the email from OSHA to the coast guard about Mr Lochridge's complaint was not received. It had been sent to a staff member who had responsibility for monitoring OSHA cases but the employee had moved on to a new job within the agency. Jason Neubauer, the chair of the USCG's Marine Board of Investigation, told the BBC that the coast guard could have done more. "The system did not work for the whistleblower in this case, and that's why we just need to get better - and we have." Oceangate said that in the wake of the accident, it had permanently wound down operations and directed its resources towards cooperating with the inquiry. The Brief Ocoee police officers have located 91-year-old Willie Jay Woodard, who went missing on Tuesday and was last seen in a black Ford F-150. Authorities said Woodard was found safe on Wednesday. ORLANDO, Fla. - Authorities have located a missing 91-year-old Orange County man last seen leaving his home Tuesday morning. What we know According to the Ocoee Police Department, Willie Jay Woodard was reported missing by family members on August 6. The Source The information in this article comes from a report shared by the Ocoee Police Department. WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) The Warren Police Department is currently investigating a Sunday morning incident after finding almost 50 spent casings on Oak Circle Southwest in Warren. Upon arrival, an officer reported finding several bullet holes in the passenger side of a vehicle parked in an Oak Hill driveway. The vehicles owner was standing nearby and had stated that they knew it was going to happen, but did not comment on the identity of a shooter, according to a police report filed Sunday. The owner also reported finding bullet holes in the side of their house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer spoke with a nearby homeowner who had said they had also found bullet holes in their house. The officer reported finding a bullet hole in that homeowners front window. The officers reported finding around 48 spent .556 rounds located on Oak Circle Southwest. Also in the police report, two witnesses advised the officers that they had seen two people wearing all black, and one wielding a rifle. The department is working on acquiring doorbell footage from nearby residents and is making efforts to identify those involved. No arrests have been made yet. Amongst a string of shootings happening in Warren over the past weekend, it is unclear if they are connected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. CLAYTON, Mo. Officials from the Clayton Police Department (CPD) say multiple cars were set on fire and vandalized with hateful graffiti in the 7500 block of Westmoreland Avenue, near North Hanley Road, on Tuesday morning. Investigators are now treating the incident as a hate crime and are working with federal partners to find answers. Its terrible and I hope they find them, said one resident, Clare Phelan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police say three vehicles (two parked along the street and one on a private driveway) caught on fire around 3 a.m. No one was injured during the incident, but the vehicles sustained significant damage. One neighbor recounted the event with FOX 2. I woke up to my dog going crazy and just heard people yelling some loud noises, said Lucy Shelly. And then the fire truck showed up and could hear the hoses and sirens. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Investigators have confirmed that antisemitic language was spray-painted across the roadway. The graffiti mentioned the Israeli Defense Forces and also contained a threat against a specific resident in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say there is no known threat to the broader community after the graffiti was removed from the street and the vehicles were towed away, but for some residents nearby, the emotional impact lingers. Its hard to believe. Im glad everyones okay, but its really hard to believe that this happened here, Shelly said. As American Jewish organizations and proud St. Louisans released a statement: We condemn in the strongest terms the attack on members of our community last night. This is more than vandalism; it is a hateful act of intimidation and only the latest example of what happens when antisemitic and anti-Israel rhetoric are normalized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the just-released FBI 2024 hate crimes report found, Jews were the target of nearly 70 percent of religiously motivated hate crimes in the U.S. and more than 16 percent of all hate crimes nationally. We are a resilient community, and we will not be deterred in our quest to uproot antisemitism and hatred, alone and with our partners. Antisemitism is a social ill that must be rejected by all of society. We wish to thank law enforcement for continuing the investigation and providing support to those directly affected. We will continue to invest in protecting our synagogues, schools, and community spaces through our Community Security Team and other initiatives. We call on civic and community leaders to join us in speaking out clearly and forcefully against antisemitism in all its forms. Exorcist-inspired site now looks like a villains clubhouse Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Clayton Mayor Bridget McAndrew released a statement to FOX 2 regarding the incident: We will not tolerate harassment, intimidation, or violence based on someones nationality, race, religion, or ideology. In Clayton, we are committed to fostering a community where every resident feels safe, valued, and welcome. This is not just an aspirationit is our responsibility as neighbors and as citizens. As such, I call upon all Clayton residents to join me in embracing the principles of respect, understanding, and inclusion that define who we are as a community, McAndrew said. So far, no arrests have been made, but Clayton police say theyre pursuing every lead. Those who may have information about the incident are asked to call the Clayton Police Department at 314-290-8414. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sarah Aker, executive director of medical services for the Department of Health and Human Services, speaks during a meeting of the Legislative Task Force on Government Efficiency on July 30, 2025. (Michael Achterling/North Dakota Monitor) North Dakota is well positioned to deal with changes to the Medicaid program, but the Department of Health and Human Services does expect 3% to 5% of the states Medicaid population to be impacted by new requirements. Patient advocates worry that people eligible for Medicaid will lose coverage due to new administrative hurdles, and the loss of Affordable Care Act tax credits may cause further challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement North Dakota HHS estimates between 3,000 to 5,000 people who use the Medicaid expansion program will be impacted by new federal rules in coming years, said Sarah Aker, executive director of medical services for the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Services. While there will be changes to peoples experiences on Medicaid over the next couple of years as we implement the requirements, we hope they will be good additions to the program, Aker said. If people are compliant, if people meet the eligibility requirements, they will stay covered. Medicaid expansion was established in North Dakota in 2014 and covers people ages 19-64 who earn up to 138% the federal poverty level, or $21,597 for a single person or up to $44,367 for a family of four. As of June, the state had about 23,000 people enrolled in the Medicaid expansion program out of more than 108,000 total Medicaid enrollees. Aker said one change stems from new work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients included in the congressional budget reconciliation package. The new requirements mandate working-age adults between 19-64 years of age complete 80 hours of volunteering, education or work per month, and are set to begin in 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many people within the Medicaid expansion group are exempt from the new provisions, she added, including pregnant women, people who are medically frail, tribal members, parents and caretakers with children under 14 years of age, recipients with substance-use disorders or mental health conditions that prevent them from working, and cancer patients, among others. When you take out all of those exemptions, we think the impact is about 3% to 5% of the total Medicaid population, so a pretty small percentage of that 108,000, Aker said. Ben Hanson, North Dakota government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, questions those numbers, pointing to the federal legislation that cuts a substantial portion of federal Medicaid spending. At some point, someone is going to get their health coverage taken away from them, Hanson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many North Dakota Medicaid recipients are already working, Hanson said. Some people who are part of the Medicaid expansion program are employed by small businesses in the state with under 20 employees that may not be able to offer group health insurance because of the cost, he said The burden will also increase on those small employers to verify the employment status of their employees at a time when their workforce is already spread thin, he said. Its another layer of paperwork or red tape that we hear so often is not good for business, Hanson said. Aker said the first major impact people will see from the changes to the Medicaid program will be during the first six-month eligibility renewal in July 2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shannon Bacon, director of external affairs for the Community HealthCare Association of the Dakotas, said the nonprofit supports community health centers that serve rural, low-income and underserved people. When states have tried adding work requirements or other steps to prove eligibility in the past, theyve seen a lot of procedural disenrollment, she said. That occurs when someone is still eligible for the program but missed a deadline or were not able to submit the correct documentation to receive an exemption. Thats the thing that is going to be the most key during the implementation, Bacon said. In addition to the changes to the Medicaid program, Bacon said, Advanced Premium Tax Credits that are part of the Affordable Care Act marketplace are set to expire at the end of the year without congressional intervention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In North Dakota, a lot of people are benefiting and may not even realize it from these enhanced premium tax credits under marketplace, Bacon said. If those tax credits are not renewed, North Dakotans will pay an average of $485 more per month for health insurance through the ACA, according to KFF. In 2024, more than 34,000 North Dakotans received Advanced Premium Tax Credits through the ACA marketplace, up from almost 31,000 in 2023. Retroactive filing dates, also part of the new law, will affect all Medicaid recipients, Aker said. Before the reconciliation bill was passed, anyone who signed up for Medicaid received a 90-day retroactive date for health care services they were provided, if they qualified for them at the time. That retroactive timeline will be reduced to two months for enrollees in the standard Medicaid program and one month for Medicaid expansion members under the new law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, Aker said, national discussion about a lot of the changes overstates their impact on North Dakota. Theres a saying we have in Medicaid that if youve seen one states Medicaid program, youve seen one states Medicaid program, Aker said. And our choices have set us up well to be in compliance with the bill. This story was updated to correct the potential impact to North Dakota Medicaid recipients. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX FORT STEWART, Ga. (WSAV) Officials are sharing their reactions to the Fort Stewart shooting where five soldiers were shot Wednesday. President Donald Trump The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully theyll fully recover, Trump said at the White House. Were going to take very good care of this person that did this, horrible person, he said. President Donald Trump from Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt The President has been briefed on the shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The White House is monitoring the situation. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth Today, a cowardly shooting at Fort Stewart left five brave Soldiers wounded. Praise God they are all in stable condition. Our prayers are with them, their families, and the entire Fort Stewart community in the aftermath of this attack. We owe profound gratitude to the law enforcement heroes who charged into danger. Swift justice will be brought to the perpetrator and anyone else found to be involved. Governor Brian Kemp As we remain in close contact with law enforcement on the ground, Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart. We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same. Lt. Gov. Burt Jones The news out of Ft. Stewart is heartbreaking. Jan and I are keeping the victims, their families and everyone impacted, including the first responders, in our thoughts and prayers. Our hearts go out to the entire community. We ask all Georgians to join us in prayer. Attorney General Chris Carr As we continue to monitor the situation out of Fort Stewart, we ask that all Georgians join us in praying for the victims and our entire military community. Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger Tricia and I are asking every Georgian to pray for the victims & loved ones affected by todays tragedy at Fort Stewart. We are grateful for law enforcement & the brave first responders, their quick response & commitment to public safety. Former Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms I am deeply saddened by the tragedy at Fort Stewart and Im praying for the five victims and their families. My heart is with the Fort Stewart community and with those who serve our nation. I am thankful to the brave law enforcement officers for their response to this unimaginable tragedy. FBI Atlanta FBI Atlantas Savannah office is aware of the incident at Fort Stewart and is coordinating with Army Criminal Investigation Division for any assistance that might be needed. Any further questions should be directed to Army Public Affairs. Sen. Ben Watson and Sen. Derek Mallow Todays shooting at Fort Stewart is heartbreaking for Coastal Georgia, military members and their families. Our state and its citizens have always been united in supporting public safety and our military, and that unity remains unwavering. This is a heavy day for the Fort Stewart community, and we ask that all Georgians keep the victims, families and all who wear the uniform in their prayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We thank every local and state law enforcement member who quickly secured the base and neutralized a dangerous situation. We will remain in contact with local, state and federal officials as Coastal Georgia responds to this tragic event. Senator Raphael Warnock Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today. Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our servicemembers, staff, and their families. Senator Jon Ossoff Todays shooting at Ft. Stewart in Georgia is a horrific act of violence. Alisha and I send our prayers to those wounded, to their families, and to the entire Ft. Stewart community in light of this terrible act. We also express our gratitude to the first responders who have provided security and medical assistance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My office is in close contact with leadership at Ft. Stewart to deliver all support it is within our power to provide. Georgia House Majority Caucus Whip James Burchett I hope youll join Misty and I in praying today for the Fort Stewart community and all those who were wounded in todays tragic shooting. I am grateful this afternoon for the swift action of law enforcement, who have apprehended the shooter and ended the immediate threat to public safety, and I know as Georgians we will all rally around the military families who were impacted today. Rep. Buddy Carter I am monitoring the situation at Fort Stewart. Please join me in prayers for the casualties, their families, and the brave law enforcement officers working to protect our community. Rep. Mike Collins Thankful the lockdown has been lifted at Fort Stewart and praying for our five wounded soldiers and their families. Thank you also to the first responders on base and medical personnel who swiftly and valiantly acted to save lives and end the threat. As the investigation unfolds we hope for swift justice for the shooter. Rep. Al Williams I want to assure our community that I have been fully briefed on todays incident at Fort Stewart and am coordinating directly on the ground with stakeholders and families as we respond to this tragedy. At this time, there are no fatalities, and the shooter has been neutralized. Fort Stewart is no longer under lockdown, and I commend our law enforcement officers and military personnel for their swift and effective response to protect lives. My heart is with the individuals and families impacted by todays events, and I will continue working closely with local officials to support those affected and ensure our military community remains safe and secure. Savannah Mayor Van Johnson Extending our prayers and assistance to our friends and soldiers at Fort Stewart. Pooler Mayor Karen Williams Most of us cannot comprehend what causes people to hurt others. Todays situation at 2nd Brigade Headquarters, whereby five soldiers were shot by a fellow soldier, is unconscionable to me. The one shooter is in custody. Two victims were airlifted to Memorial; one is being stabilized at Winn Army Hospital for transport, and the other two will follow. Please join me in prayers for these five soldiers and their families. I will also pray for the shooters soul. Hinesville Mayor Mayor Karl A. Riles Earlier today, an active shooter alert was issued on Fort Stewart. We are grateful to report that the situation has been resolved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our hearts are with everyone affected by todays events, the victims, their families, and the entire Fort Stewart community. We extend our deepest condolences and stand in solemn support during this difficult time. Fort Stewart is more than a military installation; it is a vital part of Hinesville. The men and women who serve there are our neighbors, friends, and family. Their safety and well-being matter deeply to us. As always, the City of Hinesville stands with Fort Stewart, both in times of strength and in times of sorrow. Stacey Abrams Praying for the wounded soldiers and their families following todays horrific shooting at Fort Stewart. Grateful to the first responders who rushed to the scene and saved lives. Rep. Nancy Mace Five injured, and a shooter in custody. Our service members risk their lives abroad. They should never face this kind of danger at home. God Bless Fort Stewart and our troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five brave soldiers were shot this morning at Fort Stewart. The shooter must face the full force of the law, and the victims deserve swift, unapologetic justice. South Carolina stands with the 3rd Infantry Division and all who wear the uniform. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (WTNH) Smoke from wildfires in Canada reached Connecticuts skies and caused poor air quality on Tuesday, according to state officials monitoring the levels and impact. The flames are burning 2.5 million acres in the area of Alberta, according to the Canadian government. Canadian wildfire smoke impacting Connecticut: Check the air quality where you live So the last time we had smoke this bad was 2023, Paul Farrell from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said. It was the worst Ive seen in my career and Ive been with DEEP for 33 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials said the Air Quality Index (AQI) was considered unhealthy for sensitive groups on Tuesday. That means people with chronic lung conditions were at an elevated risk. The Department of Energy and Environmental Protections air monitoring station in East Hartford measured an AQI of 144 on Tuesday. Canadian wildfire smoke hangs over Midwest, northeast US, causing poor air quality There are 14 air monitoring stations across the state. The stations measure the ozone and particle pollution specifically, small particles known as PM 2.5 that are so small they can travel through the nose, past the throat and deep into the lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are wheezing and coughing a lot, these are the signs you need to get inside in the air conditioning, which naturally reduces the levels and keeps the air quality constant, Dr. Geoff Chupp from Yale New Haven Hospital said. Chupp said the small particles measured in the AQI may cause inflammation and pose a risk to people suffering from chronic lung conditions like COPD and asthma. As the AQI values across the state continue to rise over the next few days, it is important to monitor symptoms, health officials said. Once levels hit 150, it becomes unhealthy for anyone to to spend an extended period of time outside. Symptoms can include nausea, dizziness, coughing and difficulty breathing. To reduce risk, health officials recommend keeping an inhaler nearby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. Utah's Great Salt Lake has alarmingly low water levels amid drought conditions, The Salt Lake Tribune reports, and it's not the first time in recent years that officials have raised alarms. What's happening? According to the Tribune, Great Salt Lake water levels are currently approaching a "record-low" elevation last recorded back in 2022. That reporting cited a November 2022 article about the saltwater lake's imminent "ecological collapse." Biology professor Bonnie Baxter of Westminster College's Great Salt Lake Institute spoke to the outlet about conditions at the lake. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We don't have clouds of flies around our ankles anymore. The flies don't look right. They're small. They're behaving funny," Baxter said at the time. In 2023, researchers at Brigham Young University called for "emergency measures" to prevent the lake's ecosystem from inevitable collapse. Their predictions were startling without intervention, they estimated the Great Salt Lake would dry up by 2028. Statewide, Utah has endured drought and hot, dry weather, exacerbating the ongoing issue. On July 29, Great Salt Lake Commissioner Brian Steed was blunt about the implications of low water levels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In truth, we're sitting at, really, a scary low level," Steed admitted. Why are low water levels so 'scary'? Back in 2022, Baxter explained a bit about how low water levels had already adversely impacted the Great Salt Lake ecosystem and affected some of its key native species, brine shrimp and brine flies. "It's not like we've got a thousand different food chains. There's two with these two keystone species," she said. 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. Dangerously volatile salinity levels are one of the problems caused by rapid changes to the lake's waters. According to the Tribune, Great Salt Lake water levels need to be at least six feet higher to ensure a balanced ecosystem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At present, levels are teetering on the precipice of "'adverse' conditions," when "invasive [tall grasses] dominate wetlands, salinity rises, boats cannot launch from marinas, and mineral extraction companies struggle to pump brine." Back in 2023, NPR reported that environmental conditions and poor air quality had begun to affect residents living near the lake, where higher rates of cardiovascular disease and asthma were observed. What's being done about it? One bright spot in years of reporting on the rapid evaporation of Utah's Great Salt Lake is that officials and state lawmakers remain in bipartisan agreement about the need to act. On Thursday, Utah House Speaker Mike Schultz signaled that a special session to address the crisis would likely occur in the fall. Schultz alluded to introducing "some additional tools to the toolbox to help the ecosystem on the south arm." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Conservation measures are in effect in the area, and Newsweek contacted Steed's office for information on how locals can act to preserve the Great Salt Lake. A representative said cutting down on outdoor watering remains the "single biggest opportunity for conservation." Residents were also advised to monitor indoor water use and to consider "water-efficient appliances" when possible. Finally, the office indicated that replacing lawns with drought-tolerant foliage would go a long way to preserve the Great Salt Lake. 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 deadly flash flood in Texas' Hill Country, often nicknamed "Flash Flood Alley," killed at least 135 people in July. Many of those victims, as well as those displaced from their homes, have pets that are still separated from their families. Organizations like Austin Pets Alive! have stepped in to assist Kerrville and its surrounding areas during this difficult time but are having to work against spammers setting up fraudulent accounts hoping to steal their donations. APA! president Ellen Jefferson spoke to Texas Standard about the organization and the struggles it has faced since starting its rescue missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "[The scam attempts have] mostly happened to our local partner, Kerrville Pets Alive! They've been trying to really get the word out that people need to look for the formal charity stamp before engaging with the app, because there have been some fakes," Jefferson said. Jefferson shared that the donations are necessary in order to scale up its resources when it responds to a disaster in a matter of hours. So far, the organizations have rescued around 300 dogs and cats. The majority of the work after the rescue and health checks is documenting and identifying the animals to be reunited with their loved ones, and providing care for them locally in Kerr County to reunite with family more easily. The rescue organizations have worked together to provide thousands of volunteers, tons of supplies, and a medical clinic staffed with veterinarians from Austin Pets Alive! and across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While one single flood cannot be traced to one industry or human cause, scientists have predicted that extreme weather events could arise from deforestation, pollution, and the use of dirty energy. As temperatures increase in our hotter months, it causes more intense rainfall, like the Texas floods and the Manhattan floods earlier this month. Anyone can take local climate action in their areas. Every small act and donation adds up. If you would like to donate to Austin Pets Alive!, you can send in your donation via this link and follow its social media for updates. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) Ohio State University faculty said the school is not doing enough to protect students and staff amid legislative changes, calling out President Ted Carter for remarks made in a recent interview. The compliant posture of the current administration, bending to the whims of those who see university faculty and students as the enemy, has seriously compromised and threatened academic freedom and freedom of speech at Ohio State, faculty members wrote. Big changes announced for fans at OSU football games Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carter spoke on CBS Face the Nation on July 27 and addressed friction between President Donald Trumps administration and higher education institutions. On Tuesday, the American Association of University Professors chapter at Ohio State (AAUP-OSU) published a statement criticizing Carters remarks. AAUP-OSU disagrees with Carters assertion that Ohio State is prioritizing academic freedom and challenges the university to do more to protect students and staff. In the interview, Carter was asked about federal funding at Ivy League schools like Harvard, Cornell and Brown. All three schools have had millions of dollars frozen in federal funding following pro-Palestine encampments on campus. Carter said he is not feeling a lot of pressure after being federally identified as a school that should be similarly investigated for antisemitism. We stand behind our actions. We know how we acted during the time of the protests so Im confident that as this plays out forward, that were going to be just fine, Carter said. In April 2024, more than 30 students were arrested during pro-Palestine protests on campus. AAUP-OSU brought up these protests in their statement, calling the arrests a suppression of free speech and a dark mark on OSUs recent history and a sign of the current crisis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ex-OSU lineman charged in fatal crash had prior incidents Even without federal funding freezes, Ohio State is facing monetary losses. It has lost millions in research funding from DOGE cuts and new grant standards that bar research about diversity, equity or inclusion. Carter said that although cancellations have affected individual researchers, the university as a whole has not felt the same devastation from cancellations because its such a large research institution. However, university researchers with canceled grants were less optimistic when speaking with NBC4, as they spent years working on projects that now lack the funds to be completed. AAUP-OSU said Carters comments promoting academic freedom did not align with the universitys actions at the student protest, or several other changes that faculty disagree with. Ohio State said several concerns raised by faculty are not legally possible to fix, and it maintained that it values academic freedom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In June, Ohio required all public universities to stop DEI programming and offices by law. However, Ohio State closed its DEI offices in February, meeting a federally imposed deadline that most other universities did not enforce. AAUP-OSU said 1,000 people protested the decision so faculty and student perspectives were made clear, but disregarded. In a statement, Ohio State said Carter acknowledged concerns, but complying with the federal deadline instead of waiting allowed OSU to preserve scholarships and aid. School bus drivers get safety refresher course before school year begins AAUP-OSU similarly raised concerns over how the university handled international students visa revocations, saying it did not do enough to help students. Ohio State said it provided all available resources to the dozen students who were affected, all of whom have regained their legal status. See previous coverage in the video player above. The principles of academic freedom, what is taught in the classroom, the move towards scholarly pursuit, the research that we do here at Ohio State, those are things that we are still very passionate about, and I know that were going to continue that work, Carter said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AAUP-OSU said Carters words about protecting academic freedom were empty rhetoric without more action. We expect our university President to speak and act in defense of our core principles, AAUP-OSU wrote. What is the OSU Administration going to do to support our freedom of speech and academic freedom? Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma City Public Schools superintendent, Dr. Jamie Polk, and Chief of Staff Jason Galloway joined us in the KFOR Studios Tuesday to talk about the upcoming school year! You can learn more about volunteer opportunities and information for parents at Oklahoma City Public Schools. You can also learn ways to support your public schools at Oklahoma City Kids. To learn more, watch 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) The Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office is warning parents to be mindful when it comes to childrens First day of School pictures and social media posts, as school begins to start up again soon. According to OCSO, parents should be careful when posting certain information online. They say it is best to limit personal information and to know your privacy settings on social media accounts. The department says it is better to use generic captions such as First Day of School, rather than saying Mary is ready for her first day at Roberts Middle School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro schools implement cell phone ban for upcoming school year Limit personal information on social media when it comes to a childs first day of school. Image courtesy, the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office. Information could be exploited for identity theft or to gain childrens trust for malicious purposes. And always consider the background. Does the picture include your address in the background? Or your car? That could give people with bad intentions plenty of information about your family, said the Oklahoma County Sheriffs Office on social media. While a childs first day of school or first day at a new grade level can be exciting and a proud moment for parents, always keep in mind the dangers that too much information can bring if it gets into the wrong persons hands. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. Oklahomas House Speaker gave an explanation for why images of a nude woman appeared on state Superintendent Ryan Walters' office TV last week during an Oklahoma State Board of Education executive session. Walters, a Republican who has mandated that Bibles be available in school classrooms, is currently under investigation by a pair of law enforcement agencies over the incident. According to the state's Speaker of the House, Kyle Hilbert, the situation was a "bizarre accident." Hilbert is also a Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Hilbert held a press briefing and said that Walters had recently installed a Samsung TV that automatically plays Samsung's TV Plus Channel 1204 which is titled "Movie Hub Action" when it is powered on. He said that when the TV was turned on, it was showing clips of the 1985 film The Protector followed by the 2017 film The Foreigner. The former movie was reportedly playing and showed images of a naked woman during the meeting, according to the Oklahoma Voice. Ryan Walters, the Oklahoma Superintendent of public instruction, is said to have turned on a TV in his office that happened to be screening a movie that contained nudity (AP) Scenes from The Protector reportedly match the images that were seen on the TV during the meeting. Board members Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage filed a complaint about the situation after noting the images on the television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw them just walking across the screen, and Im like, no. Im sorry I even have to use this language, but Im like, Those are her nipples. And then Im like, Thats pubic hair....I was so disturbed by itI was very stern, like Id been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, What am I watching? Turn it off now! Carson told The Oklahoman at the time. Walters initially tried to pass off the situation as a set-up by Governor Kevin Stitt, whose appointees made the initial claims of explicit images on Walters' computer. His comms team made a similar defense to The Oklahoman. "Any number of people have access to these offices. You have a hostile board who will say and do anything except tell the truth, and now, the Wokelahoman is reporting on an alleged random TV cable image," a Walters spokesperson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the incident, Hilbert and the Office of Management and Enterprise investigated and called Samsung to determine what film was playing at the time Walters turned on his television. Hilbert said the display of images was not Walters' fault, but rather just a fluke of how the television operates. He also said Walters' allegations that it was a planned attack by the state's governor were "highly unlikely." In my opinion, the most plausible explanation for what occurred that day is that the television, which had only been in the superintendents office for fewer than two months, automatically launched Samsungs free streaming service and began playing a film that contained explicit content, without anyone in the room realizing it at the time, Hilbert said. He determined that his findings "vindicate both the state superintendent as well as the two board members." The situation is still being investigated by both the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation. Rep. RJ May, R-West Columbia, was linked to another federal case involving child sexual abuse material out of Oklahoma. (Photo by Mary Ann Chastain/Special to the SC Daily Gazette) An Oklahoma man is accused of receiving videos of children being sexually abused from a person investigators believe to be state Rep. RJ May. Christian Soto, a registered nurse in Oklahoma City, was arrested last week on charges of receiving and possessing child pornography, as well as possessing ammunition in violation of a restraining order, according to court records. Investigators connected Soto to an account on messaging app Kik with the username randomcouplehere, according to court filings. That account received at least four videos showing child sexual abuse in April 2024 from an account investigators have linked to May, a West Columbia Republican. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mays attorney, a federal public defender, did not respond to a request for comment. Kiefer Rose, a public defender representing Soto, declined to comment on the case. May, who was also a founding member of the ultra-conservative Freedom Caucus in the South Carolina House, was arrested in June on charges of possessing and distributing child sexual abuse material. The investigation began when messaging app Kik alerted authorities in April 2024 that an account called joebidennnn69 was sending explicit videos involving young children. Investigators tracked the account to Mays home internet and cellphone, prosecutors said during a June hearing. The account, which existed for only five days in March and April of 2024, had 220 different videos and images depicting child sexual abuse saved to it, said Britton Lorenzen, a special investigator for the Department of Homeland Securitys division investigating internet crimes against children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement May remains at the Edgefield County Detention Center without bond. He is scheduled to appear in federal court Aug. 20 for a pre-trial hearing. Jury selection for his trial is scheduled to begin Sept. 10, according to court filings. May was suspended from the House without pay pending the cases outcome, in accordance with a state law that requires officeholders indicted of a felony to be suspended. House Majority Leader Davey Hiott filed a complaint June 13 with the House Ethics Committee to investigate May, a first step toward expelling him from the House. It was filed a day after May was charged, but the potentially unprecedented expulsion wont happen anytime soon. The full House is not scheduled to return to Columbia until January. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX CLEVELAND COUNTY, Okla. (KFOR) The controversial South Extension corridor of Access Oklahomas $8.2B initiative to improve the states turnpike system is getting closer to being revealed for a second time. The 15-year plan has been in the works since it was first announced in December 2021. The South Extension was laid out in 2022, but the project in Cleveland and McClain Counties was put on pause after the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation discovered it didnt meet specific requirements to be compatible with Lake Thunderbird. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Turnpike Authority was also taken to court over the plan, but in 2023, the Oklahoma Supreme Court ruled in OTAs favor. RELATED: South Extension Turnpike route near Norman to be unveiled soon Oklahoma Turnpike Authority Meeting August 5. (KFOR) In a public meeting Tuesday, David Streb, Program Manager for the Engineering Firm, Poe & Associates, said they are looking west. Streb added, We think we can move the alignment from 2022 and slide it to the west. Obviously, I mentioned we avoid very dense subdivisions when you get further west. Streb and Terri Angier, spokesperson for OTA, said the project will move towards I-35, but it will not be directly next to the interstate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelly Wilson, a Norman resident at the meeting, tells News 4, she and other homeowners want clarity. Its very unfortunate that the public finds themselves in this uncertain time. It will be nice to, to know where its going to go so that people can have some closure and either get that relief that theyre not in the path or know that they are and they can start working on a path forward from there. Angier said the new plan should be released to the public by the end of September. Over the past three months, the Turnpike Authority has received feedback from people living in Cleveland and McClain counties, voicing their opinions on where the new route should go and why. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Below youll find a summary of the south extension corridor project and a data chart listing the over 600 responses from those in support and against the project. SET-Public-Meeting-Summary.5.2025Download The next Oklahoma Turnpike Authority meeting is scheduled for September 9. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City. OLATHE, Kan. The son of Olathe Mayor John Bacon, died in a motorcycle crash, Olathe City Council officials confirmed Tuesday evening. Brett Bacon, 38, passed away following a motorcycle crash in Sturgis, South Dakota, according to Olathe Mayor Pro Tem Marge Vogt, who acknowledged the mayors absence at Tuesdays city council meeting. Retired Olathe police detective killed in weekend motorcycle crash Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You may notice that Mayor Bacon is not with us tonight, said Vogt. Hes with his family right now, following the passing of his son Brett in a traffic accident this weekend. Following remarks and a prayer from Vogt, city council members and those in attendance joined in on a moment of silence. Missouris 5th District could be redistrictings next battleground We are deeply saddened by this unimaginable event. Our collective thoughts and prayers are with the Bacon family. Vogt also stated that Mayor Bacon shared how appreciative he is for the outpouring of love and support from community members during this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Jill Smola is a 75-year-old retiree who understands the power of human connection, having spent her working days as an aide taking care of the elderly. "We would play games, put puzzles together," Smola told CBS News. She said human interaction was important, "so that they had somebody to talk to. That they just weren't sitting in a chair doing nothing." But these days, it's Smola sitting in a chair a widow with a lung condition who lives alone. She says she doesn't get that human interaction anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I can go weeks on end" without seeing someone, she said. Smola can't drive anymore and rarely leaves her Orlando home. But recently, she did gain a new companion: an AI-powered chatbot. She uses the chatbot, called ElliQ, to "visit" exotic places and play trivia. Smola talks to the chatbot up to five hours a day, and says the connection is truly meaningful. She said that people who might find the situation sad "don't understand." "I'd rather talk to a human being, but that's not possible for me, except if I get on the phone, so I enjoy her," Smola said, jokingly adding: "I enjoy her better than my daughter." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several AI companions have recently hit the market, including ElliQ, which normally costs $59 a month to use. Smola received the chatbot for free with funding from a federal grant. Thalia Porteny, an ethicist at Columbia University who studies seniors and AI used in the medical space, told CBS News that "loneliness is rampant," with one in four older adults saying they feel isolated. But Porteny also said she's concerned about the possibility that reliance on these chatbots could backfire and create even more isolation. "This could really go the wrong way if it's not deployed in an ethical and responsible way," she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But for now, Smola said ElliQ is "the best thing that happened to me, because I always have somebody around. Even though it may not be a human, it's good enough for me." Artisan bakers sparking sourdough boom Jamie Lee Curtis: The 60 Minutes Interview Arizona Sen. Ruben Gallego pushing the Democratic Party at Iowa State Fair A startling number of workers are choosing to hand in their notice rather than return to the office, as companies tighten their grip on remote working arrangements. One in 10 businesses surveyed by the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) said that at least some of their employees were quitting rather than shift back to in-person work. It comes as a growing number of companies order staff back to the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over two fifths of businesses said they have increased requirements for office attendance in the past year and nearly half expect their workforce to be in the office full-time within the next 12 months. This is a notable jump from last years BCC polling, which found only 27pc of businesses predicted a return to full in-person work over the next five years. Jane Gratton, at the BCC, said: With the cost of doing business continuing to escalate, firms are looking to boost productivity. Hybrid working can help firms attract and retain a skilled and engaged workforce. However, some employers are identifying significant benefits of bringing all staff together again on-site. Large global banks have long mandated strict policies to get employees back to the office. JP Morgan and Goldman Sachs demand five days a week, while Barclays introduced a three day minimum earlier this year. Meanwhile, HSBC warned staff at its UK retail bank that their bonuses would be at risk if they do not spend at least 60pc of their days in the office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The BCCs findings suggest at least some staff are resisting these changes. Research from the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development last month estimated that around 80,000 Scots quit their jobs because of in-office mandates. Marek Zemanik, at CIPD, said: Theres a clear mismatch between what employers are pushing for and what many employers value. Manufacturers and consumer-facing firms are leading the back-to-office charge, the BCC found, with 62pc and 61pc of companies in the sectors respectively expecting all working days to be office-based. Ms Gratton said: Were seeing a clear shift towards more firms requiring full on-site working, but its by no means a uniform picture. Hybrid working has become a fixture of modern working life since the pandemic and is valued by employers and their workforce. But it does not suit everyone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The push to get staff back to the office follows more evidence of the downsides of homeworking in some sectors. For example, many staff at National Air Traffic Services (Nats) were allowed to work remotely after managers decided it would help the organisation reduce its carbon footprint and cut car journeys to reach net zero carbon dioxide emissions by 2035. However, an investigation into an devastating air traffic control meltdown in 2023 was blamed in part on engineer working from home. 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. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou says a huge, deadly wildfire sweeping through the south of France is a "catastrophe on an unprecedented scale". He has been visiting the Aude region, where wildfires have scorched an area larger than Paris. Bayrou said the wildfire is linked to global warming and drought. An elderly woman has been killed and at least one other person is missing as 2,150 firefighters continue to tackle the blaze, which has burnt more than 15,000 hectares (58 sq miles). At least 13 people have been injured, according to media reports. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The blaze broke out on Tuesday near the village of La Ribaute. Officials say it is France's biggest wildfire since 1949. Firefighters supported by dozens of water-bombing aircraft are still battling the blaze, which the authorities have warned could rage for several more days. "The fire is still very active and the situation remains unfavourable," Lucie Roesch, secretary general of the Aude prefecture told the AFP news agency, citing drought conditions, rising temperatures and strong winds. The main affected villages are Lagrasse, Fabrezan, Tournissan, Coustouge and Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents have been urged not to return home, and 17 temporary accommodation sites have been opened across the region, a statement from the Aude prefecture said. At least 25 homes have been destroyed and more than 2,500 households are without electricity. Dozens of vehicles have also been burnt out, officials said. Some roads in the region have reopened to traffic. The fire has scorched an area bigger than Paris [Getty Images] The fire advanced rapidly, driven by strong winds, dry vegetation and hot summer weather, officials said. Jacques Piraud, mayor of the village of Jonquieres, where several houses burned down, told Le Monde that around 80% of the village was burnt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's dramatic. Its black, the trees are completely charred," he said. Images show blackened, burnt out cars and people sitting on beaches three hours away where thick black clouds were still visible. In satellite images shared by Meteo-France, the plume of smoke released by the fire is visible from space. "This is a disaster of unprecedented scale," firefighter spokesman Eric Brocardi told RTL radio. "All of the nation's resources are mobilised," President Emmanuel Macron said on X, and called on people to exercise "the utmost caution". The fire has been fanned by strong winds, officials say [X/@SDIS11OFFICIEL] People as far as 30km (18 miles) away from the fire have reported feeling its impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The air is suffocating...the smell of burning has seeped into homes," Serge de Souza, a local in the seaside town of Port-la-Nouvelle, told AFP. The region has become increasingly vulnerable in recent years due to lower rainfall and the removal of vineyards, which once helped slow the spread of wildfires. Scientists have long warned that the Mediterranean's soaring hot and dry summers place the region at high risk of severe wildfires. According to France's emergency management service, nearly 15,000 hectares (57.9 square miles) have burned nationwide this summer in more than 9,000 separate fires. The Aude blaze now accounts for the same amount of damage as all the previous fires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Have you been affected by the wildfires in France? If it safe to do so get in touch here. WhatsApp: +44 7756 165803 Upload your pictures and video BROOK PARK, Ohio (WJW) August 6, 2024, was a day many people in Northeast Ohio wont forget. Multiple tornadoes touched down in the region, including a confirmed EF-1 that touched down in Brook Park and tore across seven cities. It covered 17 miles and sustained wind speeds above 100 MPH all the way to Bedford. I remember that we had to declare an emergency within, you know, less than five minutes, Mayor Ed Orcutt said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orcutt told FOX 8 that severe damage to several roofs at Brook Parks Recreation Center is still being repaired a year later. Grateful: Local mother saved during cardiac arrest, had baby the next day The damage also hit numerous homes in the city. Lyndsey Miller believes her home may have been hit the worst on Carol Drive. Miller, whose entire family was home, watched as her garage got torn to shreds, a large tree came down in front of the home and siding, gutters and parts of her roof all flew away. WJW photo Its not an anniversary they will be celebrating. It had an impact on her two young kids, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time theres any kind of weather, they immediately think theres a tornado, Miller said. However, the fact that theyre here to remember is the most important part to her. To be able to sit inside, not having power for a week or so, but you know, knowing that everyone was OK inside because we were home was a pretty impactful thing, she said. Former NBA players pregnant wife says she was attacked by shark Miller explained that shes looking forward to a community picnic for her ward in Brook Park. A similar picnic was held following the tornado. She said shes looking forward to being with the community and people who were impacted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Orcutt said the tornado brought a community that was already tight even closer together. The community became closer. We unified even more, he said. Brook Park was a very unified community prior to the tornado, but then once the tornado hit, it definitely brought us together even more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ST. CHARLES, Mo. Nancy Kitzmiller was a 24-year-old employee working at Boot Village in 1992 at Bogey Hills Plaza when her dead body was tragically found in the back room of the store by customers. Kitzmiller had graduated from the Fort Zumwalt School District and recently finished schooling at Oklahoma State University. According to the St. Charles Police Department, her death was ultimately linked to the murders of six other women along Interstate 70 across Indiana, Missouri, and Kansas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2 dead after helicopter crashes into Mississippi River barge north of St. Louis Over 30 years ago, an unidentified serial killer known as the I-70 Killer traveled along the interstate, killing multiple women with the same murder weapon and ammunition. Now, 33 years later, the search for that serial killer is still ongoing. According to the St. Charles Police Department, the suspect was described as a white male, aged mid-20s to mid-30s in 1992. Today, the unknown killer is suspected to be in his mid-50s. The suspect was also described to be 5 feet 7 inches tall, weighing 140 to 160 pounds, with light brown to red hair and beard stubble on his face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect allegedly began his murder spree on Apr. 8, 1992, in Indianapolis, Indiana, when he killed a 26-year-old woman named Robin Fuldauer at a Payless shoe store. Three days later, the suspect killed 32-year-old Patricia Magers and 23-year-old Patricia Smith at La Bridal shop in Wichita, Kansas. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Later that month, 40-year-old Michael McCown was killed in his shop, Sylvias Ceramics, in Terre Haute, Indiana. Police said McCown was the only male victim in the series of deaths. Police state that the suspect potentially mistook McCown for a woman due to his long hair after allegedly watching the victim from outside the ceramics shop. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect then headed to St. Charles, Missouri, where he took the life of Kitzmiller at Boot Village. Then four days later, he murdered 37-year-old Sarah Blessing at the Store of Many Colors in Raytown, Missouri. FOX 2 reported that police said he used an unusual weapon that has been linked to five other murders. Officials say, based on ballistic evidence and witness statements, the gun was a 22-caliber, possibly an Intratec Scorpion or an Erma Werke Model ET 22. For years, officials have been asking gun collectors and dealers to notify them if they see such a weapon or had one stolen in the early 1990s. The most recent advancement in the cold case was in 2021 when FOX 2 reported five different police departments met with the Federal Bureau of Investigation to review evidence with advances in forensic technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a $25,000 reward that is still being offered for information involving the case. Anyone with information is asked to call the St. Charles, Missouri, police at 636-949-3200. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Kiri Duke-Rosati is laughing uproariously as he bounces an orange balloon at the ceiling, his high, sweet voice tickling the ears of the adults who talk around him. Hes 3 and unconcerned by their serious faces and voices. His mom and dad, Jazmynn Pok and Anthony Duke-Rosati, are talking about death. Kiri, whose name means mountain in Khmer because it hints at power and strength, has a tough road ahead unless a stranger intervenes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When he was born, Utahs newborn screening test found he has adrenoleukodystrophy ALD for short a rare disease thats unfamiliar to most people unless they saw the movie Lorenzos Oil. ALD is an inherited metabolic disorder that primarily affects young males. Kiri Duke-Rosati, 3, leaps off the couch as he plays keepy uppy with a balloon in his home in Holladay on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Once symptoms appear, ALD follows a strange and frightening path. While the condition is rare an estimated 1 case in 17,000 live births the most recent of his twice-a-year MRIs showed that Kiri has the most severe form, cerebral adrenoleukodystrophy (CALD), which occurs in about 1 in 42,500 or 1 in 48,500 live births, according to Adrenoleukodystrophy.info. Now that brain changes have shown up on a scan, it could be just days or weeks before symptoms appear, his parents were told. And CALD, untreated, is nearly always fatal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, symptoms start with behavior changes, which doctors sometimes misdiagnose initially as attention deficit hyperactivity disorder if no genetic test was done, according to Healthline. After that, the order that symptoms appear varies, but a child with CALD has some combination of hearing and vision loss, a tough time walking, inability to control bladder or bowel, seizures, and trouble chewing or swallowing or talking. Many children with CALD over time need a feeding tube, become blind, lose their ability to move on their own and eventually suffer complete paralysis, before their bodies shut down entirely. Hope for Kiri Jazmynn Pok gets a kiss from her son, Kiri, 3, while she, Kiri, and her husband Anthony Duke-Rosati pose for a portrait at their Holladay home on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News This Holladay, Utah, husband and wife are racing to save their middle child before symptoms show up, as nothing will reverse whatever damage the disease does. They need to find a bone marrow donor fast. A stem cell transplant using bone marrow has high potential to stop the disease, but is only used before neurological symptoms begin. In half of children, the disorder is diagnosed too late to benefit from a bone marrow transplant. Kiri still has time, though not much. Doctors told Pok and Duke-Rosati last week that the deadline to begin treatment is just weeks away, Sept. 8. Their friends and family members have been tested, but no one matched. The hunt goes on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A study from France showed that 70% of children with CALD who receive such a stem cell transplant were disability-free five years later. Untreated, children often die before age 10. A busy, boisterous boy Kiri Duke-Rosati, 3, picks out a Band-Aid after playing at his Holladay home on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Kiri doesnt know any of this right now. The cheerful little boy is playing hard, but pauses long enough to say hes tired before he laughs and scampers after his balloon. Soon, his best friend big sister Nora, whos 5-1/2 and his little brother Rocco, not quite 2, will be home from day care and playtime will be even more fun. Nora and Kiri are so close theyre like twins, Pok said. They giggle and have little inside jokes and their own language. After naps or a night of rest, the first thing either one asks upon awakening is where the other one is. Rocco, meanwhile, is obsessed with Kiri, Pok said. If Kiri wants a certain cereal, thats the one Rocco wants, too. If Kiri brushes his teeth, Roccos right there to do his, as well, though its far from his favorite thing. Even his choice of shoes depends on what kind Kiris wearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of all the conversations around him that are about him, Pok and Duke-Rosati have told Kiri in very simple terms that he might get sick. I dont want to get Nora sick, he replied. Noras old enough, their mom said, that she has a lot of questions. And worries. Matchmaking and life-saving Kiri Duke-Rosati, 3, plays tennis against the garage door at his Holladay home on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News The transplant part should be relatively simple. It takes about two hours if they can find someone who matches him on 10 human leukocyte antigen or HLA markers. Testing requires a cheek swab, which is sent in to be processed through the National Marrow Donor Programs universal registry. If a match is found, a small amount of bone marrow can be extracted to be donated to the toddler. Bone marrow transplant is used with about 25 life-threatening diseases, Duke-Rosati said. Theres potential for someone who cant save Kiri to match with and save someone else. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kiri must have a bone marrow donor between the ages of 18 and 40. In some cases, older is OK, but not for Kiri. If a match is found, the little boy will undergo nine or 10 days of chemotherapy and immunotherapy at Intermountain Primary Childrens Hospital, then hell have a day of rest before the actual transplant. Kiri will be in the hospital for four to six weeks to make sure his body doesnt reject the transplant. Hell be on immunosuppression drugs for a year, then weaned off. Kiri Duke-Rosati, 3, bounces on the trampoline at his Holladay home on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News Doctors believe theres a high-percentage likelihood that the right match could give Kiri a normal lifespan and a normal life. A number of businesses have swab kits locally so that folks along the Wasatch Front can pick one up and send it in. But distance isnt an issue. The right donor could be thousands of miles away. Information is available at hopeforkiri.org or through the registry online at my.nmdp.org/HopeforKiri. You can also text HopeForKiri to 61474. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, the family has had an amazing response, but no match. In the quest to save Kiris life, roughly 1,500 people have completed registration, driven in part by social media efforts from friends and family. Neither Pok, an attorney, or Duke-Rosati, a paramedic and firefighter, are on social media themselves. But theyre glad they know so many people who are. Flyers with information about how to help Kiri Duke-Rosati sit on the counter in his home in Holladay on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025. | Rio Giancarlo, Deseret News They also feel blessed that they live in Utah, which added ALD to the conditions for which it screens newborns, so they dont have to wait for the worst irreversible symptoms and possibly find its too late to change his future. Many states dont screen for it, but Utah started in 2020. Since then, 22 cases of ALD have been found in the screening, according to the Utah Department of Health and Human Services. Kiris parents are also grateful to live 15 minutes from the hospital, knowing many other parents must travel long distances to receive care for the disease. The scans and treatment are stressful and expensive, Pok admitted. But saving Kiris life? Theres no way to put a price tag on that. If three-and-a-half years of unremitting conflict in Ukraine has taught us anything, it is that Vladimir Putin is never going to achieve the victory he so desperately seeks. Far from seizing control of Kyiv, overthrowing the democratically-elected government of Volodymyr Zelensky and subjecting Ukraine to the Kremlins yoke Putins original war aims the Russian leader finds himself stuck in a grinding war of attrition he stands no chance of winning. The inability of Russian forces to make a decisive breakthrough on the battlefield has been very much in evidence during their latest summer offensive, where they have made marginal territorial gains while sustaining eye watering losses running at around 1,000 battlefield casualties each day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian militarys failings have most recently been brutally exposed during their assault on the strategically important Sumy oblast, about 200 miles north-east of Kyiv. The latest Ukrainian intelligence reports suggest the Russians lost at least 334 soldiers killed and another 550 wounded when they came under sustained attack from Ukrainian special forces. Add to this the pressure the long-running conflict has placed on the Russian economy, which is now teetering on the brink of recession, and it is clear that Putin is in no position to reject Donald Trumps latest diplomatic initiative to end the conflict. Prior to todays meeting in Moscow between Putin and Steve Witkoff, Trumps special envoy, the White House had already dropped heavy hints that it was preparing to implement punitive sanctions against any country that continued to trade with Moscow. Such a move would inflict even greater hardship on the Russian economy, thereby limiting Putins ability to continue prosecuting the military campaign in Ukraine. The threat appears to have caught the Kremlins attention, with officials indicating they might be willing to consider a ceasefire in the air war i.e. the constant barrages of drones and missiles Moscow fires at Ukraine on an almost daily basis to avoid sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just how serious Putin is about accepting any deal that limits his war aims in Ukraine is questionable given his past behaviour, where he has led Trump to believe he would accept a ceasefire, only to renege on the deal. Trump should therefore treat Witkoffs report of his meeting with Putin with a healthy dose of scepticism, despite claims made by Kremlin officials that their meeting had been useful and constructive and that the two sides had exchanged signals on the Ukraine issue. Witkoff does not have an impressive track record in terms of his previous dealings with Putin, having described the Russian despot as being super smart and willing to give serious consideration to giving up the territory Moscow has already annexed in eastern Ukraine. It is hard to fathom a more fundamental misunderstanding of Putins real intentions. Any concessions from Putin will be entirely in response to Trumps decision to bring forward his ultimatum for ending hostilities to Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if Trump is really serious about ending the conflict, then it is important that he not only refuses to accept any Kremlin peace initiative that enables the Russians to maintain their campaign to subjugate Ukraine by other means. Just because the Russians are offering a ceasefire in the air war does not mean they are ending their ground offensive. Trump needs to understand that the US has many more options at its disposal than merely threatening to expand the sanctions regime against Moscow. Hitting countries that continue buying Russian oil, natural gas and uranium with 500 per cent tariffs, which is one of the measures being considered by the Sanctioning Russia Act in Congress, would hit the Russian economy hard. Trump has shown his willingness to apply this measure by raising tariffs to 50 percent to India for continuing to buy Russian oil. In tandem with increasing tariffs, Washington could also ease restrictions on providing Ukraine with long-range missiles and other sophisticated weaponry that could make a tangible difference on the battlefield. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Israeli military has already demonstrated how carefully-targeted missile strikes against Irans nuclear facilities can negate the threat posed by a far larger in terms of population and geography adversary. There is every reason to think the Ukrainian military, which has skilfully used its far smaller military resources to great effect in its war with Russia, could achieve a similar outcome if Trump could be persuaded to ease Washingtons restrictions on delivering high-end munitions to Kyiv. Removing the limitations on the use of long-range missiles, for example, and allowing the Ukrainians to target key military sites within Russia, could have the same devastating impact on Russias ability to maintain hostilities as Israels assault has had on Irans nuclear programme. If Trump opted for a combination of hard-hitting sanctions and upgrading military supplies to Ukraine, Putin would have no choice but to bring his calamitous military campaign in Ukraine to an end. 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 Oklahoma Department of Transportation has walked back an action that would have weakened the authority of Oologah-Talala's school zone signs. The four lanes of U.S. Highway 169 shoot through Oologah and past the school campus at 45 mph. When the lights are flashing on a pair of signs posted just to the north and south, drivers must go below 25 mph under penalty of law. When school starts Aug. 13, the lights will flash like always. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in mid-July, ODOT signaled it would let drivers travel faster through the school zone. ODOT's Transportation Commission, with approval from the Oologah town board, voted July 7 to swap out the flashing signs with yellow advisory signs that would suggest, but not mandate, drivers to slow to 30 mph. Randy Davis, chief of the Oologah Police Department, said earlier in July this would nullify officers' ability to enforce slower, safer speeds past the school campus. "You've got a lot of inexperienced drivers coming in and out of that parking lot," Davis said. "You've got parents coming in and out of that parking lot dropping off their children. It gets very congested, and so if you keep the speed limit at 45, that's definitely not going to mitigate that issue." Davis and George Peters, the town's mayor, appealed to ODOT to reverse the transportation commission's action. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Though the town board had greenlit the change before the commission approved it, Peters said the item the board members considered only read, "Installation of advanced school warning signs with flashing beacons along U.S. 169." He said they didn't realize voting for the item meant stripping the flashing regulatory signs. A week after the commission meeting, Peters posted on Facebook that ODOT had agreed to reverse the change. Oologah residents commented with words of thanks. ODOT spokesperson T.J. Gerlach confirmed Thursday the enforceable school zone will remain. Gerlach said Oologah will move the northern sign a few hundred feet to alert southbound drivers to slow down earlier. The sign currently sits at the campus' northernmost entrance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The school zone will remain 25 when active," Gerlach said. "The city is moving that signage, since it technically belongs to them. If it's not done already, I know they plan to have it done before school starts." David Wilkins, superintendent of Oologah-Talala Public Schools, said placing the sign farther north will be a big help because southbound vehicles zoom into town at highway speed. People heading south on Highway 169 from Talala to Oologah can travel as fast as 65 mph all the way to the Four-Mile Creek, crossing just beyond town limits, where the speed limit drops quickly to 55, then 45 mph. Wilkins said he was not as involved in negotiations with ODOT as Peters and Davis, but he feels grateful the department listened to local leaders' concerns. He said he is happy with the outcome, especially because the town plans to help the district buy new flashing signs. "We do appreciate ODOT listening to us and working with us on that, and the city working with us on that," Wilkins said. "I mean, they could have been stubborn and said, 'No, this is what we're going to do,' but they really were considerate. They took our input and they made that change, and in the end, it's a better situation for us." Aug. 6 (UPI) -- OpenAI announced it will offer its ChatGPT Enterprise product to the agencies in the federal executive branch for $1. On Wednesday, Open AI posted the announcement on its website that it is partnering with the General Services Administration to use the app at $1 per agency for the next year. "This effort delivers on a core pillar of the Trump administration's AI Action Plan by making powerful AI tools available across the federal government so that workers can spend less time on red tape and paperwork, and more time doing what they came to public service to do: serve the American people," OpenAI said on its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's unclear what will happen with the agency partnerships after the year's time. According to ChatGPT, itself, the government agencies then might have to renegotiate contracts for service and presumably for more than a dollar. The company has been working to get closer to lawmakers and regulators in recent months. It will open its first office in Washington, D.C., early next year. "Helping government work better -- making services faster, easier, and more reliable -- is a key way to bring the benefits of AI to everyone," OpenAI said in its post. OpenAI launched a new product OpenAI for Government in June and said it was awarded a contract of up to $200 million by the U.S. Department of Defense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement OpenAI is talking with investors about a potential stock sale at a valuation of about $500 billion, CNBC previously reported. OpenAI announced a $40 billion funding round in March at a $300 billion valuation, by far the largest amount ever raised by a private tech company. ChatGPT recently announced it's surpassing 700 million weekly active users. What is worse? Dropping one bomb that kills 70,000 people or one thousand bombs that kill 70,000 people? The answer is that they are both horrifically wrong. As we reach the 80th anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima, we will get the usual takes of people saying it was right to use atomic weapons and those who say it was wrong and therefore constitutes a war crime by U.S. forces. Some people will say the bombing of Hiroshima was a necessary evil, but I think they tend to focus on the word necessary and not the word evil. As a Marine veteran, my view is that bombing people is always wrong, but that wars do happen and you always have to pursue the least-worst option when it comes to civilians. This is a lesson the U.S. has ignored throughout the years and Israel is currently ignoring. But when we examine how the atomic bombings of Japan came to be, we should realize that President Harry Truman was convinced it was the fastest way to stop the worst man-made calamity in history and acted to save lives. Hence it was not right, but it was the least-worst option. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone who studied World War II, as I did at both Ohio State and Harvard, as well as reading countless books like many of you, has learned one shocking truth at some point that both the German and Japanese governments knew they were going to lose the war years before they actually lost. The Nazis, after being beaten at Stalingrad, tried to gain the initiative at Kursk and failed. After that, they knew they were in a defensive war of attrition and they didnt have the numbers to win. The Japanese knew that a quick victory against the U.S. was needed, as they would not be able to keep up with our ability to churn out planes and ships while drafting millions of men to wage war. The Nazis quick victory in Russia didnt happen. The Japanese lost sea and air superiority and realized that the island-hopping strategy of the Americans would bring them right to Japans doorstep. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of finding an out, both governments doubled down and increased the killing. The Germans continued a war of annihilation, including mass killings of Jews. The Japanese took up a horrific strategy of killing everyone to horrify the Americans into quitting. So the U.S. and its allies did something that changed the face of the war, embracing the meaning of the term total war. We didnt just bomb civilians because they were next to bases or factories. We bombed them to make them submit. We killed millions of people, thinking at some point they would give up. As we failed to learn until many decades and numerous wars later, people dont take your side when you bomb them. So, both the Germans and Japanese supported their governments even more and allowed them more control over their lives, even if it meant more destruction. In the Pacific, that left the U.S. government in a really bad spot with nothing but terrible options. They could invade Japan, which would cost millions of lives. They could blockade Japan, which was on the brink of mass starvation, also costing millions of lives. They could continue the fire-bombings they had been doing in places like Tokyo and Dresden, killing hundreds of thousands. They could give up on unconditional surrender, which could have left the Japanese under the emperor and the military autocracy that had led them into this war of obliteration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Truman didnt think dropping the bomb was good, but it was the least-worst option. It achieved the horrific effects it intended, and the Japanese realized they could not sacrifice millions to kill thousands of Americans. And that brings us to today. I am not saying we need to drop a nuclear weapon on Gaza or any place. What I am saying is that time and time again, we should have learned from Hiroshima that you must pursue the least-worst option, so that you dont end up making a decision like that again. We didnt understand that the fire bombings of Tokyo and Dresden actually pushed people to support their governments even more. In North Korea, we destroyed 85 percent of all buildings and up to 20 percent of the population, then wondered why North Koreans embraced the Kim family. In Vietnam, we bombed villages with napalm and then were baffled when the Vietnamese joined or helped the Vietcong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in Gaza, Israel is bombing and starving civilians and wondering how Hamas still has a stranglehold on the population. Look, wars happen. Its a bit naive to think that humans wont be fighting each other for something until the end of time. It is in our nature, unfortunately. And even more unfortunately, it seems that we always convince ourselves that the solution to ending wars is to ramp up killing to include civilians while ignoring it is the worst thing we can do. Gaza doesnt need any more bombs, much less a nuclear one. But we also need to learn that civilians will never respond positively to being bombed, starved or machine gunned. They will always side with those who dont bomb, starve or machine gun them, even if they are the people that put them in that position like the leadership of the Nazis, the Japanese, North Koreans or Hamas. The lesson we should have learned from Hiroshima is that we should always embrace the least-worst option, but also that we should never let things get to the point where dropping a nuclear weapon becomes the least-worst option. Jos Joseph is a published writer and is a graduate of the Harvard Extension School and Ohio State University. He is a Marine veteran who served in Iraq. He currently lives in Anaheim, Calif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The international order is evolving quickly, with new cooperation mechanisms replacing inferior multilateral frameworks. One major trend has been the minilateralization of multilateralism, whereby nimble coalitions of the willing are being formed to deal with specific issues. This trend raises serious questions for longstanding multilateral institutions, such NATO and the EU, in the domain of defense and security. Minilateralism is about coalitions of states with like-minded goals. Instead of the traditional multilateralist approach, which strives for inclusiveness and building consensus across a large number of nations, minilateralism focuses on quick decision-making. This tactic is especially useful in large gatherings where conversation may become stale or in times of emergency when action is needed quickly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whereas minilateralism can improve collaboration on sensitive matters, it tends to give rise to worries about multilateral systems being splintered. A bias towards minilateral arrangements is also likely to lead to smaller, topic-specific coalitions which could destabilize the larger institutions that operate on the principles of collective security and mutual aid. NATO has served as the bedrock of transatlantic security since 1949, holding that an attack against one is an attack against all, as stated in the alliances collective defense clause. Yet minilateralism is the new enemy of this principle. Recent years have witnessed a proliferation of minilateral military arrangements, ranging from the Quad (comprising Australia, India, Japan and the U.S.) to AUKUS (entailing Australia, the U.K. and the U.S.), which focus on particular regional security challenges that NATO is ill-suited to mitigate, such as China in the Indo-Pacific. In Europe, the trend toward minilateralism could further splinter NATO. With member nations striking out on their own to create separate pacts, NATO risks turning into a two-tier alliance, with some nations forming closer coalitions at the expense of shared solidarity. Should minilateral alliances become more popular among its members than NATOs obligatory commitments, the alliances cohesion could be threatened. The idea of a two-speed NATO is already prompting serious consideration about collective security and whether the alliance will be capable of adequately dealing with new threats. States seem inclined to form minilateral arrangements that give them the security they need, often at the expense of NATOs collective decision-making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political and economic integration of the EU has also been obstructed by a minilateralist push in the defense arena, encouraged by Common Security and Defense Policy. With the emergence of minilateral military interventions, the EUs role as a global actor and its aim to act collectively is under threat. The European Intervention Initiative, for example, designed to improve military collaboration between a specific few EU member states including France, Germany and the Netherlands threatens to create parallel structures that could undermine current EU machinery. While member states seek minilateral defense solutions, the EUs joint defense capabilities increasingly fall under threat, and the EU withers away as a player able to confront new security challenges. Minilateralism may give rise to an elitist perception and thus will marginalize the non-participating EU member states. This disharmony creates a split within the EU as some member states might feel left out of important security talks. This divisiveness further complicates the EUs attempts to speak with one voice on the global stage and undermines its global standing. If member states can choose from smaller groupings, as opposed to full EU participation, it is more difficult to assure their commitment to common security and defense. Minilateralism has also eaten into the normative underpinning of classical multilateralism. Institutions such as NATO and the EU are, by their very nature, based on inclusivity, pooled decision-making and collective burden-sharing. But minilateral agreements can be a win for the few at the expense of the many, and undermine prospects for the sustainability of wider multilateral arrangements. This move could result in a reduction of respect for international norms, with states seeking to address more immediate threats to security rather than common interests. If we lose that shared commitment, nations may be more inclined to act unilaterally or in a confrontational manner, irrespective of established international rules. Because of the fragile state of the international order, we should look for the risks that minilateralism poses to traditional multilateral institutions. For as much as minilateral coalitions may provide nimble answers to certain types of security problems, they may also weaken the coherence and efficiency of organizations already in place. NATO and the EU will need to recognize minilateralism as a fact of life and figure out how to help traditional multilateral constructs interact with nascent minilateral bodies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, a combination of minilateralism and the protection of traditional multilateral norms will determine the future of international security. Not only do we need a response to the immediate insecurities, but we also need to defend the multilateral system that has been the bedrock of global peace and cooperation for many decades. NATO and the EU need to both transform themselves and retain what they stand for in order to serve as the cornerstones of our collective security in an uncertain world. Andrew Latham is a professor of international relations at Macalester College in Saint Paul, Minn., a senior fellow at the Institute for Peace and Diplomacy, and a non-resident fellow at Defense Priorities in Washington. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Attorney General Pam Bondis decision to open a grand jury investigation into Obama administration officials in connection with their investigation of Russian meddling in the 2016 presidential election is the latest brazen political stunt by a Justice Department that has completely lost its moral compass. A grand jury investigation is a critical first step of a criminal investigation, a powerful legal tool that often results in criminal charges. Launching a baseless criminal investigation against political enemies is a page out of the autocratic playbook. (Disclosure: My organization, Democracy Defenders Fund, has represented numerous former Justice Department lawyers and staff members targeted by the Trump administration over the past six months in other egregious circumstances.) Bondis decision stems from National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbards absurd claim last month that Obama officials engaged in an attempted coup by manipulating intelligence assessments of Russian interference. Unsurprisingly in an administration in which the Justice Department and intelligence agencies subserviently do the presidents bidding, Gabbards claim predictably parrots an accusation Trump has raised since 2017: that Barack Obama colluded with the Russians. Grand juries are convened to receive evidence presented by prosecutors and to decide whether to formally charge people with serious federal crimes, as the Fifth Amendment mandates. Grand juries are inherently one-sided affairs. Prosecutors control the entire proceeding, serving as legal counsel to the grand jurors and determining what witnesses and other evidence the grand jury hears. No judge or defense attorney is present. The targets of grand jury investigations have no opportunity to cross-examine witnesses, object to evidence or present evidence of their own. And while a long-standing Justice Department policy instructs prosecutors to present substantial exculpatory evidence to grand juries, it is not legally required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a former New York appellate judge once quipped, a prosecutor could easily get a grand jury to indict a ham sandwich. An unscrupulous prosecutor could do far worse. Grand jurors swear an oath to diligently and objectively evaluate the evidence, but what evidence will Bondis grand jury receive? Special counsel Robert Muellers two-year investigation concluded Russian interference in the 2016 election was sweeping and systematic, leading to criminal charges against 34 people, including seven Americans and 26 Russians, and three Russian organizations. In 2020, a comprehensive investigation by a Republican-led Senate special committee found that the intelligence community investigation presents a coherent and well-constructed intelligence basis for the case of unprecedented Russian interference. And during his first term, Trumps Justice Department appointed a special counsel to investigate the investigators, who found nothing to discredit Muellers work and spectacularly failed to validate Trumps dismissal of the Russia investigation as a hoax. Like the Mueller report, which lacked confidence that Trump clearly did not commit obstruction of justice, America should have no confidence that these undeniable facts will be presented to the grand jury. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not totally clear what crimes Bondis handpicked prosecutors will try to establish. Gabbard described her criminal referral to Justice Department as a treasonous conspiracy. In common usage, treason is often invoked to describe any devious act of betrayal against the democratic and constitutional values of our nation. But in a criminal context, treason is narrowly defined as levying war against the United States or assisting those who do. That charge would be ludicrous. More likely, Bondi will focus on crimes such as obstruction of justice or misuse of classified information, scrutinizing any of the countless, subjective decisions made by intelligence officials about how they gathered and evaluated evidence. By selectively compiling and distorting those decisions, a prosecutor could conceivably concoct a false narrative of criminality sufficient to persuade a majority of the grand jury to return an indictment. That is why it is absolutely essential that the attorney general is loyal not to the president but to the rule of law without question. This ham sandwich scenario is the first of Bondis winning outcomes. Most Americans do not understand how a grand jury operates, and so they would be likely to view an indictment as well-founded. But because grand jury proceedings are secret, there would be no way to know what information was selectively shown or strategically omitted. By controlling the narrative and manipulating the evidence, it is possible to make almost anyone look guilty, especially to a jury unfamiliar with the subject matter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many MAGA supporters would wholeheartedly agree, pointing to the Russia investigation or Trumps criminal indictments as evidence. This, of course, is what Trump has claimed for years incessantly complaining about witch hunts, hoaxes and political lawfare. But, as W. Clement Stone famously said, truth will always be truth, regardless of lack of understanding, disbelief, or ignorance. Here, the obvious truth is that there was no treasonous conspiracy just public servants doing their patriotic duty to decipher the extent of Russian interference in our democracy. Second, even if the grand jury rejects Bondis shameless attempts to pervert the Russia investigation into a crime, it is a partisan win for the Trump administration. Much of Trumps base loves the idea of going after his perceived political enemies, and there is little risk of alienating moderate voters, who tend to tune out the seemingly endless cycle of partisan bickering that has come to dominate national politics. Third, Bondis grand jury is a welcome distraction from the problems facing the administration. Recent polling shows Trumps approval numbers at record lows for his presidency, with his immigration and tariff policies centerpieces of his 2024 campaign underwater. Last week, economic data showed the U.S. job market to be far weaker than expected. That prompted the president to fire the head of the Bureau of Labor Statistics after he called the economic data rigged, a move that drew opposition even from Republican senators. And the Epstein saga continues, with a clear majority of American and of Republican voters wanting the investigative files released. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondis Potemkin village of a grand jury may be a political win for Trump, but it is a clear loss for the American public. It fuels a dangerous conspiracy theory that detracts from the real threat: a foreign adversarys methodical plot to destabilize our democracy. It weaponizes the Justice Department to target Trumps political enemies, turning the rule of law on its head. And it drags America one step closer to Orwellian autocracy in which propaganda displaces truth, government rewrites history, and political dissent is threatened with criminal prosecution. Bringing us down that path is not treason in the legal sense, but it certainly betrays the fundamental values of American democracy. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com President Trump has become increasingly angry with Russian President Vladimir Putin. For about two months he has been threatening the Kremlin with secondary sanctions, which would impose high duties on imports from the nations which continue to purchase Russian energy resources. The Russians seem unfazed by Trumps warnings (as well as by Sen. Lindsey Grahams (R-S.C.) recent remarks), citing their resilience to sanctions. Several authoritative sources argue that the U.S. simply cannot afford to impose even 100 percent duties on China, India or Turkey. If all of Russias energy trading partners were subjected to new tariffs, the U.S. would hijack a significant part of its foreign trade and ruin its trade relationships with at least 26 countries. I agree with those who believe the new tariffs cannot be put in place by Trumps updated deadline for Russia. We have seen that 125 percent duties on China lasted less than a month, and in recent days, President Trump has announced 50 percent tariffs against Brazil, 25 percent tariffs against India and 15 percent tariffs on the European Union. One hundred percent duties dont seem plausible. I would urge changing the overall approach to make the tariffs more affordable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The goal appears to be to cut Russias energy supply to the world. Trumps plan should make Russian oil more expensive to the buyers (by the way, the European oil price cap approach has failed. It resulted in discounts for the Russian oil, thus encouraging its smuggling and creation of Russias shadow tanker fleet). In this sense, Trumps position looks more effective but the major problem lies in the numbers. The predecessor of Trumps strategy the bill proposed by Sens. Graham and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) calls for the duty to be applied to all imports coming to the U.S. from Russias energy trading partners. I believe it is too radical and, frankly speaking, not very justified because of the lack of differentiation. A much better option would be to relate the tariffs to the actual amount of money countries pay to Moscow. For example, India sent $115 billion in its goods and services to the U.S. in 2024 and paid $49 billion for Russian oil that year. China exported $513 billion in goods to the U.S. in 2024 while it bought Russian oil, gas, and coal for up to $76 billion. The EUs figures stood at $939 billion and $34 billion, correspondingly. If the U.S. applies 100 percent tariffs linked to the Russian energy resources imported, it would fix additional duties for India this year at 42.6 percent of its exports to U.S., Chinas at 14.8 percent and Europes at a mere 3.6 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These figures are not so astonishing. On the one hand, they seem manageable, and on the other hand, they still double the price of Russian oil for importing nations. If this strategy is taken as the principal one, the overall additional duties would equal the entire volume of Russias energy exports, $261.9 billion for 2024. As the U.S. combined imports of goods and services amount to $4.11 trillion, the figure makes less than 6.5 percent in additional tariffs. It looks like a fair price for knocking Russia out as self-proclaimed energy superpower. The measure would make Russias shadow fleet useless, since it doubles the price for Russias energy for any country except those with zero exports to the U.S.. But these, if they exist, arent significant oil importers that might be helpful to Moscow in substituting the vanishing demand for its oil and gas. I suggest amending Graham and Blumentals bill to impose the duty for goods or services imported into the U.S. to an amount that corresponds to each countrys imports of Russian energy resources for the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be a right recipe to destroy the Russian energy exports in two to three years and put Putins economy on the brink of collapse without ruining Americas trade ties to its major commercial partners. Should Trump adopt such a plan on Aug. 11, the chances of stopping Russias aggression against Ukraine could rise significantly. Vladislav Inozemtsev is special adviser to the Middle East Media Research Institutes Russian Media Studies Project and is co-founder and senior fellow at the Center for Analysis and Strategies in Europe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Latino voters are still waiting for real economic relief. Like most other Americans, theyre dealing with high prices, flat wages and the daily strain of trying to stay afloat. And they are not seeing solutions from either party. President Donald Trump promised to lower costs in his second term, but those promises have yet to materialize. Instead, he has turned to immigration crackdowns, using enforcement that stirs fear in Latino communities. Democrats havent filled the gap. Their response has been delayed, cautious or nonexistent. The result is a growing sense of cynicism among the very voters both parties claim they want to reach. That frustration isnt anecdotal. It showed up clearly in polling about Latinos, Trump and the economy released late last week by Equis and Data for Progress, which surveyed over 1,600 Latino voters nationwide. The results reflect what many in the community have been saying for months, if not years: Latino voters arent energized; theyre exasperated with both Republicans and Democrats. And the usual campaign playbook isnt reaching them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the polls top lines, only 34% of Latino voters approve of Trumps handling of the economy, while 63% disapprove. That is a net negative of 29 points. Even among those who once viewed Trump as a strong economic leader, cracks are beginning to appear. Nineteen percent said they used to think he was a good businessman, but no longer do. When asked which party they trust more to handle cost-of-living issues, 13% said neither, and only 33% said they trust Democrats much more. The poll points to a clear conclusion: Latino voters, especially those who dont feel tied to either party, are not fully aligned with Republicans or Democrats. They are skeptical, disillusioned and tired of promises that never turn into results. The biggest takeaway from this research is that neither party should assume they have Latinos in their pocket one way or another, Equis co-founder and CEO Stephanie Valencia told me in response to my written questions about the poll. Were seeing a third of Trump voters tell us they arent set on voting for a Republican in next years midterm elections, but were also seeing increased cynicism about both parties among key swing voters. Republicans shouldnt assume theyll hold onto all the Latino voters Trump gained in November, and Democrats shouldnt assume that lower Trump approval will transfer altogether into increased support for them. This moment didnt come out of nowhere. According to Pew Research Centers 2024 validated voter study, Trump pulled nearly even with Kamala Harris among Latino voters in 2024, winning 48% to her 51%. That marked a sharp shift from 2020, when Trump lost the Latino vote 36% to 61% against Joe Biden. The economy was the main driver. As I wrote last year, Trump made his biggest gains by convincing Latinos that he would bring down the cost of living. That faith was already starting to falter by May, as poll after poll showed Trumps approval with Latinos slipping. This new Equis poll confirms what was already obvious. Among those Latino voters who switched from Biden to Trump, half now disapprove of how Trump is handling the economy. In the Equis poll, Latino voters were clear about what specific economic relief they were seeking. The top priorities were lowering the cost of food and groceries (ranked first by 11%), cutting taxes for the working and middle class (8%), increasing pay and benefits (7%), expanding access to affordable health care (7%), and increasing the number of good-paying jobs (6%). Even as the country watches mass deportations, the dehumanization of migrants, and targeted actions against Latino-majority areas like Los Angeles, immigration may not be the animating issue many assume it is, especially not for Latino swing voters, who, in fact, can make the difference in the 2026 midterms and the 2028 election. It is, and always will be, about the economy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Valencia said these voters didnt back Trump out of loyalty but because they were desperate for economic relief. Biden defectors took a chance on Trump, in part, because they were looking for relief from their economic challenges, she said. But Trump has yet to deliver on his promises to lower the cost of living, so today, half of Biden defectors disapprove of Trumps job overall and of his handling of the economy. Democrats will need to offer Latinos a proactive vision for lowering the cost of living and build back their credibility and trust with Latino voters. What Democrats still dont seem to understand is that Latino voters are not coming back just because Trump is cruel. As hard as it is to watch what is happening daily and comprehend the damage it has caused throughout Latino communities, immigration raids and hard-line rhetoric wont magically drive disillusioned voters back into the Democratic column. Many Latino voters still remember when Democrats and President Barack Obama held full control in Washington and failed to deliver immigration reform. Others blame them for failing to act sooner on wages, housing or health care. The idea that Trumps extremism would be enough to win back these voters was inaccurate in 2024, and it remains so in 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Latino voters are still watching, but they are no longer waiting. Some Democrats have convinced themselves that Trumps support has already peaked with Latinos and it is only decreasing. That would be a premature take, since, as Valencia noted, the last few elections have proven just how dynamic the Latino electorate is. If either party wants to earn their support, theyll have to prove they can deliver. Nothing else will do. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com Back in April, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker became a viral sensation after telling a gathering of New Hampshire Democrats that the party needed fewer do-nothing political types and more eager anti-MAGA warriors. On Sunday, a group of fugitive Texas state lawmakers gave Pritzker the chance to put his (considerable) money where his mouth is. In a bold declaration that puts him in direct conflict with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), Pritzker vowed to protect the breakaway Democratic lawmakers from Abbotts threats of partisan lawfare. Both men harbor national ambitions of their own and would delight in humbling Illinois swaggering governor on the national stage, but Pritzker is convinced he can outplay them both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them, he said at a press conference over the weekend. We know theyre doing the right thing. We know that theyre following the law. Pritzkers swing at Abbott and Paxton is the first real-world test of the aggressive political doctrine he debuted four months ago in New Hampshire. Hes about to find out if it actually works. The governors strategy isnt entirely altruistic. Most polls and prediction markets rank him in the bottom tier of 2028 presidential contenders. At around 2 percent support, he slightly trails billionaire entrepreneur Mark Cuban and former professional wrestler Dwayne The Rock Johnson. Despite enjoying a positive approval rating in Illinois, few outside the state could pick Pritzker from a lineup. He badly needs the jolt of media attention that a primetime fight with Abbott and Paxton provides. He chose the right issue. Democratic voters are incensed at Republicans nakedly partisan scheme to protect their fragile House majority by upending the once-a-decade redistricting schedule. When GOP leaders in Florida and Missouri suggested they could soon join Texas in mid-decade redistricting, Democratic leaders, including New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D), responded with threats to conduct their own mid-cycle adjustments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far, Pritzkers political instincts are paying off. Democratic players, including the Texas Democrats and former Democratic National Committee chair Jaime Harrison heaped praise on the governor, a sentiment echoed by dozens of the Lone Star States state Democratic lawmakers and left-leaning political influencers. Every Democratic elected official in the country should take note, Texas Democratic strategist Monique Alcala told me. Democrats are hungry for fighters and Governor Pritzker and Texas House Democrats are showing how its done. All that praise hasnt gone unnoticed by the other 2028 presidential hopefuls. No one is more likely irritated with Pritzker than California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom saw a showdown with Abbott and Paxton as his own path back to seriousness after his misfire of a podcast launch earlier this year. He had already responded to Texas redistricting threat by promising to redraw Californias congressional maps in Democrats favor. He even hosted some rogue Texas lawmakers of his own. So why did Pritzker steal the spotlight? Newsom believes Democratic voters want a return to the cool, academic center-rightism of the Obama years. H has spent much of 2025 rebranding himself as a kind of irreverent, manosphere-adjacent intellectual. Instead of taking his mid-cycle redistricting fight directly to the media with a Pritzker-esque stunt, Newsom sought to position himself as the consensus thought leader among his fellow Democratic governors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To his credit, Newsom appears to have succeeded in that, but being an elite thought leader might not be as valuable as it sounds in a party where most Democratic voters see party elites as weak and ineffective. Newsom is offering voters a professor at the very moment they want to elevate a brawler. Pritzkers primetime slugfest with Abbott and Paxton is designed to leave no doubt in voters minds that hes a brawler. Theres also the practical fact that the billionaire governors stacks of cash are a more immediate help to Texas Democrats than they are to Newsoms longer-term play. State Democrats had ruled out a quorum bust due to cost and logistical challenges, until Pritzker offered to finance and organize the operation. Now they give official press conferences in front of Pritzkers campaign logo. If Pritzker wants to be seen as the partys can-do Democrat, this is a great way to start. Pritzker still has a long climb ahead if he wants to reach the rarefied ranks of a serious presidential contender. But his made-for-television rescue of Texas encircled Democrats shows hes serious about making the ascent. Max Burns is a veteran Democratic strategist and founder of Third Degree Strategies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Despite everything that is broken and unsettling in the world, America and our great space agency is worth fighting for and fixing. From the moment Jareds nomination to head NASA was announced last year, the reaction from passionate space enthusiasts and professionals was overwhelmingly positive. Everyone had ideas big, small, crazy, pragmatic and visionary. It became immediately clear that no other federal agency attracts the level of engagement NASA does. Space captivates people us included. So, we wanted to share a few of our ideas. Please consider these thoughts just a drop in the sea of ideas that come from many knowledgeable voices who long for humankinds next giant leap. The first step to fixing a problem is admitting we have one. If NASA wants to get back to generating world-changing headlines, we must confront some difficult facts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every president for the past 35 years has called for a return to the Moon and a path to Mars. More than $100 billion has been spent, yet the return path remains distant and uncertain. Major programs are over budget, behind schedule and often canceled. This wastes opportunities for science and discovery and undermines public confidence in NASA. Similarly, we have maintained a continuous presence in low Earth orbit (which is a great accomplishment). But we still havent cracked the code on creating the commercial orbital economy. If we dont, humankinds future in space will forever be tethered to taxpayer funding and inefficient government spending. The federal government is entering a challenging budgetary environment. The national debt is exploding, and we cant spend our way out of it. NASA can and must do more with less. Already, NASA isnt getting the most out of its budget whether its $20 billion or $25 billion. The agencys leadership has often said, If we have 10 healthy centers and take care of people, the science will take care of itself. By this logic, any CEO with a good human resource department should be as successful as Steve Jobs. This is ludicrous. One of leaderships current solutions to budget pressures is to reduce astronaut crew sizes and mission frequency. Meanwhile, bureaucratic positions proliferate. This is unacceptable. Astronauts not bureaucrats are the human identity of the agency. There are too many managers, deputies, assistants and review boards and not enough doers. Bureaucracy is stifling innovation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The culture must return to being mission focused. We need to empower the best and brightest to make decisions and take calculated risks. Some efforts such as exploring worlds beyond our own involve risks worth taking. NASA has also lost its ability to inspire and excite people. The agencys storytelling is fragmented. NASA has numerous social media channels and countless small initiatives that dilute the big, bold mission the agency was established to achieve. NASA must reorganize, cut the bureaucracy and align responsibilities logically with agency priorities alongside a cultural rebirth. We should create engineering and finance strike teams that can identify inefficiencies, solve problems and fix failing programs. Of course we will also need to use what we already have. This means using the Space Launch System vehicles that are already funded to return to the Moon. This being said, Artemis II must get to the pad and launch by Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get to Mars, we must work in parallel alongside the commercial industry that is pioneering the reuseable heavy lift vehicles. NASA should support the development of reusable systems for routine deep space missions and focus agency resources on the challenges commercial industry will not be capable of solving. Ultimately, we should move beyond Space Launch System. The agency should redirect talent and resources to nuclear electric propulsion. This is the logical evolution for power, efficiency and exploration at scale with dual use potential. NASA needs a mini-Manhattan Project to get America underway on nuclear power in space. In addition to returning to the Moon and going to Mars, NASA needs to develop an industry outreach effort to prioritize high-value science and commercial work aboard the International Space Station. This incredible investment can generate economic returns. The taxpayers alone cant fund the future we all want to see in space. As we mentioned before, a strong commercial orbital economy is imperative. If NASA is operating as it should, we should be able to generate a continuous cycle of amazing scientific discovery. We all love the James Webb Space Telescope, Hubble and the Mars rovers. But we need to launch missions like these frequently. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A flagship science program shouldnt have to cost a billion dollars. Administrator Dan Goldin was right. NASA should focus on lower-cost, higher-frequency missions, that accept more risk. Todays commercial space sector makes this model much more viable. This could help enable academic institutions to leverage their $1 trillion in endowments to fund their own extraordinary scientific missions. NASA can be a facilitator and partner in a new age of discovery. These are turbulent times, and budget pressures are real. But delay and defeat are not options. NASA was never meant to be a caretaker of history. The agency was built to make history. China is moving fast with bold ambitions in the ultimate high ground of space. If we fail to be the leader, we will be the follower and we may never catch up. Jared Isaacman is an entrepreneur, pilot, and astronaut with more than 7,000 flight hours, including ratings in experimental and ex-military aircraft. He is executive chairman of Shift4 (NYSE: FOUR) and co-founder of Draken International, the worlds largest private air force, supporting U.S. military pilot training. Newt Gingrich was Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1995-1999 and a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination. He is chairman of Gingrich 360. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. As President Trumps tariffs begin to bite more widely, hard data on their actual consequences will soon arrive. Of course, the rationale for many of the tariff levels remains opaque, and, despite the August 1 deadline, negotiations continue with several important trading partners. The tariffs economic impact is emerging, but the international diplomatic and political effects remain hard to measure. From a geopolitical perspective, it is logical to ask how tariffs fit into Americas grand strategy. But the Trump administration has not done so. Unfortunately, based on international reactions so far, the U.S. by levying tariffs on friend and foe alike has likely suffered a considerable loss of trust and confidence, built up over decades of effort, in exchange for minimal economic gains if any and the risk of formidable losses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The central, still-unresolved issue is China, in recent years always among Americas top three trading partners (with Canada and Mexico), and especially how China fares compared to India. The White House seems headed toward more-lenient treatment for Beijing on tariff rates and other metrics than it imposed on New Delhi. If so, it will be a potentially enormous mistake. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has suggested that Chinas Aug. 12 deadline could be extended if negotiations looked promising. Trump announced on July 30 that Indias tariff rate would be 26 percent, 1 point lower than originally proposed on Apr. 2, but a major increase from the previous average rate of 2.4 percent. Moreover, Trump harshly criticized Indias acquisition of Russian military equipment, underlining a longstanding U.S.-India disagreement, and Indian purchases of Russian oil and gas in violation of Americas Ukraine-related sanctions. (India is also one of the BRICS countries, which Trump separately singled out for a 10 percent tariff.) Indians were surprised and angered by the relative harshness of Indias treatment, and the threat of additional, unspecified penalties if Washington and New Delhi could not quickly strike a deal. On Monday, Trump repeated the threat, saying he would increase the 25 percent rate very substantially over the next 24 hours. That anger could grow exponentially if China snags a better agreement, especially if Trump is seen as sacrificing U.S. strategic interests in his zeal for a deal with Xi Jinping. China runs a significantly larger trade surplus with the U.S. than does India. Washington has also long complained about Chinese trade practices, which include stealing intellectual property, unfairly subsidizing its international companies and denying access to Chinas domestic market, contrary to repeated commitments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Geopolitically, China (and its emerging Russia alliance) is this centurys principle strategic threat to the U.S. and its allies. Many analysts believe Trump could offer significant concessions on key security issues, such as Taiwan, to get a China deal, citing the recent reversal of the long-standing practice of allowing Taiwans president to make transit stops in America and not reaching a trade deal with Taipei before Aug. 1. Graham Allison of the Harvard Kennedy School writes that Trumps view of Taiwan is more compatible with Chinas than any U.S. president since World War II. Further examples of Trumps softness include allowing Nvidia to resume exports of sensitive information technology to China and ignoring legal requirements to ban TikTok or force it to divest its Chinese ownership. Critical for Washington is Beijings strengthening alliance with Moscow. This partnership without limits, as Xi and Vladimir Putin have described it, has already resulted in significantly increased Chinese purchases of hydrocarbons, and negotiations to build new oil and gas pipelines between the two, plus increased financial and military cooperation. This axis raises creates risks all along their peripheries, from Asia through the Middle East to Europe. Beijings hegemonic, threatening behavior against Taiwan and the Japanese-controlled Senkaku Islands, and against competing territorial claimants in the South China Sea, endanger key U.S. allies and trading partners. China and India themselves face off across a long, much-disputed border. Moreover, China aids Pakistan, Indias intense rival, including militarily, as demonstrated in the recent Pahalgam crisis. To make matters worse, Indians have noted that both Pakistan and Bangladesh scored lower tariff rates from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having China emerge better than India in their respective trade relations with America would be entirely counterproductive. Instead of advancing cooperation within the Asian Security Quad (India, Japan, Australia and America), Trump could well push India into closer economic and political ties with Russia and China. Beijing would see Trumps trade concessions as expressions of fundamental American weakness and dependence on trade with China. At least Secretary Bessent did make clear after the last round of U.S.-China talks that China also risked heavy tariffs due to its purchases of Russian (and Iranian) oil and gas. This reality, and Beijings intransigence on trade issues, could blunt Trumps lust for an agreement with Xi, but the outcome is uncertain. If the tariffs negative effects unfold as economic theory indicates, Trumps domestic political support will weaken correspondingly. Giving China a sweetheart deal on trade will only worsen his problems. We may be saved, therefore, by Trumps highest priority: his own well-being. John Bolton was national security adviser to President Trump from 2018 to 2019 and U.S. ambassador to the United Nations from 2005 to 2006. He held senior State Department posts from 1981 to 1983, from 1989 to 1993 and from 2001 to 2005. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. American leaders have long condemned authoritarian regimes for jailing reporters like Khaled Mamdouh, an Egyptian journalist accused of publishing and broadcasting fake news, among other fabricated charges. In his case, the Egyptian government continues to manipulate the law to detain him. Now, the U.S. government is using its own draconian methods to detain Mario Guevara. The Committee to Protect Journalists says that he is the only journalist in custody in the U.S. for actions related to newsgathering. On June 14, Guevara was arrested while live-streaming a protest near Atlanta. He was standing on a sidewalk when he briefly stepped onto the street, deemed off limits by police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wearing a red shirt marked PRESS, he identified himself to officers, saying, Im a member of the media. Though Guevara is authorized to be in the U.S. after fleeing El Salvador two decades ago, he was arrested, and promptly handed over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement. A judge granted him bond, but ICE refused to accept the $7,500 payment, shuffling Guevara through multiple jails in order to keep him locked up. He remains behind bars today. Guevaras arrest comes as President Trump is leading a sweeping, coordinated campaign to undermine press freedoms and dismantle First Amendment protections. Each week, the administrations attacks grow bolder, the consequences more devastating. The nation that once demanded press freedom abroad is denying it at home and emboldening other governments that persecute the press. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this isnt just an attack on journalism. Its an assault on the very principles the First Amendment was designed to protect: free expression, an informed public and the right of every American to speak, learn and dissent without fear of government retaliation. For decades, Democratic and Republican administrations have used diplomacy to free journalists unjustly detained abroad. Just last year, former President Joe Biden welcomed Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich on the tarmac after the State Department secured his release from a Russian prison. Now the U.S. is traveling down the autocratic road paved by China, Russia, Egypt and other nations with long records of repressing journalism by seizing control of the White House press pool, sidelining independent outlets that hold leaders to account and elevating loyalist media to deflect scrutiny. With congressional backing, the Trump administration has defunded NPR and PBS and dismantled Voice of America, crippling outlets that amplify truth and democratic values. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump sued The Wall Street Journal and then barred it from an overseas White House trip in retaliation for its reporting on ties to Jeffrey Epstein. He politicized the traditionally independent Federal Communications Commission, using it to target disfavored media outlets in pursuit of partisan goals. Meanwhile, corporate giants like Disney (ABCs parent company) and Paramount Global (CBSs parent company) offered millions of dollars to settle spurious lawsuits, capitulating to government intimidation and fueling the cycle of press freedom assaults. In Trumps second term, the message to media organizations is clear: Comply and be rewarded the FCC approved Paramounts $8 billion merger just days after the settlement or face punishment. The Trump administration is accelerating the erosion of First Amendment protections by targeting those who shine a light on stories he wants buried. Attacks on lawyers, judges, educators and civil society all come from the same authoritarian playbook. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a coordinated, multi-pronged attack designed to fuel an information ecosystem where truth is replaced by state-approved narratives, and journalism is only prized if it serves power. As all of this unfolds, the public appears significantly less aware of Trumps assaults on the press than during his first term. In 2017, a Pew Research Center report early in his first presidency found 72 percent of U.S. adults had heard a lot about Trumps relationship with the media, a number that was cut in half early in his second term. While skepticism toward the media has grown, public apathy is also driven by reduced exposure to traditional news. Professional journalists now compete with social media clips, YouTube personalities and partisan echo chambers. The collapse of local news is accelerating civic disengagement as news deserts spread. When a journalist like Guevara is unjustly detained, we lose stories that hold leaders accountable. When public broadcasters like NPR and PBS are defunded, rural communities lose trusted sources of information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Amendment invites scrutiny, which threatens this White House. The courts, Congress and corporations have shown little interest in constraining the administration. The burden now falls on the public. We must demand Guevaras release and reject the criminalization of journalism. We must support local news and defend credible reporting. Protecting press freedom isnt just about journalism, but safeguarding our own right to speak, dissent and know the truth. In Egypt, Mamdouh has entered his second year of pretrial detention. The question now is whether America will act to defend Guevara, or continue to fall in lockstep with nations it once condemned. Tim Richardson is director of PEN Americas Journalism and Disinformation program. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Supreme Court last week announced it wants to reconsider one of the core assumptions behind the Voting Rights Act: whether its even constitutional to intentionally draw congressional districts where Black or Latino voters make up the majority. The justices requested new briefing in a Louisiana redistricting case, asking whether the creation of a second majority-Black district, meant to comply with Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act which turns 60 this week might violate the Constitutions Equal Protection Clause. Its a quiet but seismic signal. The court isnt just skeptical of the Voting Rights Acts power. Its asking whether the laws foundational remedy, majority-minority districts, is itself illegal. For those of us whove worked to protect the Voting Rights Act, this moment feels less like a surprise than a culmination. I spent years at the American Civil Liberties Unions Voting Rights Project, where I helped lead public messaging through some of the most pivotal cases in recent memory. I helped coordinate the fallout from Brnovich v. DNC, a Supreme Court ruling that made it nearly impossible to prove that new voting laws discriminate against voters of color. But the fights that haunt me most happened in Georgia and South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In South Carolina, our legal team showed convincingly that the Republican-led Legislature had deliberately drawn district lines to disenfranchise Black voters along the coast. A federal court agreed, calling the redistricting a bleaching of Black political power. But the Supreme Court overturned the ruling anyway. I remember the frustration of trying to explain this to national reporters: We had the facts and still lost. Georgia wasnt much different. There, we fought maps that split Black communities just enough to dilute their voting power, a modern form of suppression so subtle it often escapes public notice. But with each passing term, the court moved the goalposts. And I watched in real time as the Voting Rights Act, once one of the most forceful civil rights laws, was reduced to a ceremonial reference point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the last 10 years, the law has lived in two parallel worlds. In public, politicians from both parties issue statements honoring it. They speak of Selma and sacrifices, of John Lewis and moral clarity. But inside the courts, where the law is supposed to matter most, it has been hollowed out. It began with Shelby County v. Holder in 2013, which struck down the Voting Rights Acts preclearance formula and allowed jurisdictions with histories of discrimination to change voting laws without federal approval. Then came the Brnovich decision, which neutered Section 2s power to challenge those laws after the fact. Now, with the court asking whether majority-Black districts are themselves unconstitutional, were nearing the logical endpoint of this erosion. A law designed to empower voters of color is being reframed as a threat to a colorblind Constitution. The irony, of course, is that the tactics used to suppress voters of color have evolved. They dont always look like Jim Crow. Today, suppression is algorithmic and bureaucratic. Its moving polling places, manipulating district lines and purging voter rolls. And because the courts require increasingly unrealistic proof of discriminatory intent, these modern methods often slide by unchecked. Republican officials, especially at the state level, understand this perfectly. Theyve mastered the art of voter suppression that can pass constitutional muster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisianas Legislature drew a second Black district only after being ordered to do so by a lower court. That decision now hangs in the balance. And make no mistake: If the Supreme Court rules that race-conscious redistricting is unconstitutional, the consequences will stretch far beyond Louisiana. Dozens of districts across the country including ones in Alabama, Georgia and North Carolina could be legally unsettled overnight. Democrats, for their part, havent been able to respond with the urgency this moment demands. The Freedom to Vote Act and the John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act languished in the Senate because the Democrats havent figured out how to win in purple states. The Biden administrations Justice Department tried to do what it could, but it was limited by the tools the court dulled. I dont write any of this with cynicism. I write it with the perspective of someone who has tried to defend this law from the inside. Ive seen organizers in the South build entire campaigns around the belief that the Voting Rights Act could still protect them. Ive seen the hope and then the heartbreak when it didnt. We cling to the Voting Rights Act because we want to believe that democracy, once secured, is permanent. But thats not true; it requires vigilance, leverage and capturing power. The Supreme Courts message is becoming clearer by the term: Nostalgia isnt a substitute for protection. The Voting Rights Act still exists. But like so many monuments in American life, its starting to feel more like memory than law. This article was originally published on MSNBC.com I wrote 15 months ago that Netanyahu and Sinwar have common interests in prolonging the war. Incredibly, but for the details, the analysis remains the same. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus stated goals since Oct. 7, 2023, have been incoherent, but his catchphrases have evolved. It started with the nebulous wiping out Hamas and the undefined total victory. Only after prodding was the return of the hostages added. After 22 months, Netanyahu no longer considers the return of the hostages a war goal even though 74 percent of the Israeli population supports a hostage deal and the end of the war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu has failed to delineate a day after plan or create the conditions that would enable a credible day after plan. After the ill-conceived Trump plan was announced in March, which called for the evacuation of all Gazans while a Trump Gaza riviera was built, Netanyahu adopted the removal of all Gazans as an additional war goal. Trump has moved away from his own concept, but Netanyahu and his ultra-nationalist coalition clings to the vision of a Palestinian-free Gaza. As a result, Netanyahu has continued a war, despite the Israel Defense Forces Chief of Staff, Eyal Zamir, telling the Cabinet in June that further operations would endanger the hostages and serve no military purpose. More recently, Zamir implored the Cabinet to devise a political strategy. Netanyahu and the Cabinet have nothing to offer other than to float the annexation of Gaza. In the meantime, Israels status as a pariah nation is being solidified daily. Netanyahu believes he is the state and has no regard for the consequences of his actions. He persists in a war with no further purpose in which Israeli casualties increase and Hamas is strengthened every day for three purely personal reasons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement First, Netanyahus coalition is dependent on far-right ultra-nationalist parties, who threaten to bolt the coalition if there is a hostage deal and an end to the war. Second, Netanyahu knows that he will lose the next election and will be out of power. Third, if he loses power, he will no longer be able to put off his corruption trial on charges that predate the war. He could go to jail. So his best hope to continue the war and hope he can blame Oct. 7 on everyone else. Less than 40 percent of Israelis now trust Netanyahu. But lets not forget Hamas. Like Netanyahu, Hamas has its own interests in prolonging the conflict. With pressure on Netanyahu from Trump, Hamas could end the conflict by agreeing to return the Israeli hostages and self-exiling a nominal set of leaders. Hamass first instinct, however, is survival as a political force. Most of the original Hamas leadership from the start of the war Yahya Sinwar, Mohammed Dief, Marwan Issa and Mohammed Sinwar have been killed. The second string, however, appears to have done a good job in recruitment, by means of cash payments and intimidation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Oct. 7, Hamas had roughly 30,000 fighters divided into five brigades, 24 battalions and multiple specialized forces including air, maritime and special operations. It was estimated to have 30,000 rockets (not missiles), which made Hamas larger than some European militaries. By August 2024, Israel claimed to have destroyed 21 of Hamass 24 battalions, and killed about 20,000 fighters (which are subsumed in the reported Palestinian death totals). But recent reports indicate that Hamas has recruited an equal number since Israel broke the ceasefire in March 2025. The majority of Gazans are under 30. With no economy amidst the rubble, most are looking for ways to support their families and obtain food. Hamas has an easy recruitment base. Hamas also recognizes that Israels international situation is being degraded daily by viral images of the suffering and starvation of the populace a situation created by Netanyahus unilateral cut-off of most humanitarian aid into Gaza in March. Regardless of any role Hamas may play in hijacking aid, the humanitarian travesty is harmful to Gazans and is a self-inflicted injury on Israel by Netanyahu that Hamas is happy exploit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Further, France, the U.K. and Canada have announced that they will recognize the State of Palestine in September without an end to the war, though that recognition will go the Palestinian Authority, not Hamas. The Hamas massacres of Oct. 7 which Sinwar knew would lead to massive Israeli retaliation has led to devastation and destruction in Gaza beyond anyones imagination. Netanyahu, knowing his political career could be over, clings to power and is willing to sacrifice Israels international standing and the lives of Israeli soldiers to remain in power. Hamas brought calamity on the people of Gaza and knows that it too would lose a free election, and thus similarly seeks to prolong the conflict. In the meantime, Gazans and Israelis suffer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jonathan D. Strum is an international lawyer and businessman based in Washington and the Middle East and formerly an adjunct professor of Israeli law at Georgetown University Law Center. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Could the two Orange County commissioners who defied Gov. Ron DeSantis instructions to support the countys new ICE pact lose their jobs over their votes? As they declared their opposition Tuesday, commissioners Nicole Wilson and Kelly Martinez Semrad acknowledged the prior threat from the governor to remove those who dont support immigration enforcement. This is a hill worth me standing on, a tearful Semrad said Tuesday from the dais. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DeSantis threat last week, however, was aimed at the entire county commission at a time when it appeared it might reject the pact. Instead, the board approved it on a 5-2 vote, raising the question of how DeSantis would follow through. County attorney Jeff Newton said Wednesday there is no guarantee DeSantis wont act against Wilson and Martinez Semrad, although he said the legal argument is very difficult given the governor got the approval he sought. A spokesperson for DeSantis didnt say if the governor planned to take any such action. Governor DeSantis has consistently stated that local entities must participate in federal immigration enforcement, said Molly Best, his deputy press secretary. Florida has enacted legislation that requires full compliance, and localities are expected to follow the law. The amended pact between Orange County and federal Immigration and Customs Enforcement was first sent to the county Corrections Department in early July by the Florida Sheriffs Association, outlining several changes to the countys 287(g) agreement, which deputizes some of its jail personnel to serve immigration warrants. The most controversial tweak allows immigration authorities to request county corrections staff drive detainees from the jail to federal detention facilities like Alligator Alcatraz. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Initially, County Mayor Jerry Demings declined to sign the agreement, contending the addendum wasnt required by law and saying that he feared transportation duties would tax the jail staff, which has more than 200 vacant positions. While not taking a vote, the Board of County Commissioners unanimously backed his decision at their meeting July 15. But then, last Tuesday Attorney General James Uthmeier posted a letter to Demings on his X account threatening to remove the mayor and the Board of County Commissioners if they didnt reverse course and approve the agreement. DeSantis backed Uthmeier the next day. Ultimately, Demings announced Friday morning he signed the agreement, minutes ahead of the governor and cabinet appearing at a news conference in Orlando where Demings and Newton suspected DeSantis might remove the entire board. Instead, DeSantis extolled the Florida Highway Patrols role in immigration enforcement. DeSantis has shown little hesitation to remove local elected officials with whom he disagrees, ousting Orange-Osceola State Attorney Monique Worrell in 2023 over claims she was failing to enforce the law. But he has not yet removed elected officials who dissent when a board majority votes in the manner he insists is required by law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Semrad and Wilson also voted against the countys 287(g) pact with no repercussions. And two Key West commissioners dissented from that citys mid-July vote to support immigration enforcement efforts, with no action from the governor despite an earlier removal threat. DeSantis might have other motivation to meddle with the Orange County Commissioner, however. Wilson and Semrad are both Democrats, in the first year of their terms who were elected as part of a wave in Orange County to rein in growth. The two commissioners were outspoken supporters of enacting a rural boundary to protect rural lands from sprawl a measure which won 73% of the votes cast on the issue by county voters, but then nullified by legislators months later. Moreover, Wilson took a direct shot at the governor Tuesday in her own remarks after the meeting, calling him a little, little man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Semrad said in an interview Wednesday that Newton advised her last week he wasnt sure what would happen if she voted against the agreement while a board majority ratified it. Newton recalled much the same in his own interview with the Sentinel. He said he told her, As long as the vote ratified the addendum, it would be very difficult to go after individual commissioners, but given the political climate, who knows what they might try to do. For his part, Demings urged all the commissioners to hold their nose and vote for the ICE pact, contending that keeping their jobs was paramount if they wanted to continue to fight in court. I think the court battle is one worthy of taking on, but we have to ratify this agreement to be able to do that, he said. An Orange County doctor pleaded no contest Tuesday to killing his wife at their Windermere home in 2024, court records show. Thomas Henry Wentzell, a 72-year-old internal medicine physician who worked with an Ocoee practice, was convicted of second-degree murder in the death of his wife, Linda. A court filing indicates he was to be sentenced at the same hearing, but records dont list his sentence. Neither his attorney nor prosecutors immediately responded to a request for clarification. Windermere police responded to their home on Magnolia Street around 1:30 a.m. Dec. 2 and found Linda dead in the master bedroom. Detectives found Wentzells story to be inconsistent with their initial findings, according to his arrest affidavit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police found cuts, scrapes and bruises on his face, neck and arms consistent with defensive wounds. He first told detectives the wounds were caused by playing with his dog, but later admitted they were caused by Linda before her death, the affidavit said. Officers responded to Wentzells office in Ocoee Dec. 5 after receiving a call saying he had expressed suicidal intentions, the affidavit shows. The caller said Wentzell confessed that he deserved to die because he had killed his wife, according to a December news release from the Windermere Police Department. Wentzell was subsequently taken into custody, where he admitted to killing Linda by suffocating her with a pillow across her face Dec. 2 in their master bedroom, according to the affidavit. He said he had spontaneously reacted to an argument that happened during the night, the affidavit said. The Windermere police news release also says additional evidence was found, including a voicemail confession left for a loved one and a suicide note found at the Wentzell residence. A Middle Tennessee judge has signed an order of protection requiring a Wilson County commissioner to stay away from a county employee, according to court documents. Commissioner Jerry McFarland is accused of stalking Wilson County Television Director Kristy Haffner, according to a court clerk filing. McFarland has appealed the order of protection and a motion for contempt. Sumner County Judge Ron Blanton was appointed to the case after judge recusal in Wilson County, citing a potential conflict of interest. Blanton signed the order of protection on July 24, after a hearing. Jerry McFarland, Wilson County Commission candidate, District 5. "We respectfully disagree with the recent ruling in the order of protection hearing in Sumner County," McFarland's Attorney Donnavon Vasek said. "We believe the evidence presented did not align with the outcome, and we have appealed the decision." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McFarland is accused of frequent and unwanted phone calls and visits outside his role as a commissioner, said David Kieley, of Spragens Law. He's representing Haffner. The order of protection is in effect for one year until July 24, 2026, according to court paperwork. McFarland is required to stay away and keep from contact through phone, text, email or other communication, a court filing states. The judge's action follows an initial court order of protection for McFarland to stay away from Haffner until the Sumner hearing could be scheduled, Kieley said. McFarland was also found in contempt for violating terms from the initial order, which dated back to July 2, according to Kieley. Contact allegedly began around December and McFarland was asked to stop in February, Kieley said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No criminal charge has been brought to the District Attorney's Office to this point, said 15th Judicial District Attorney General Jason Lawson. A hearing date on the appeal wasn't immediately available. McFarland represents District 5 and has served multiple terms on the county commission. Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Wilson County Commissioner Jerry McFarland accused in stalking case An Oregon man previously charged in connection with the deaths of three women has been newly charged in the murder of a fourth, officials announced Tuesday. A Multnomah County grand jury indicted Jesse Lee Calhoun in the 2022 murder of 22-year-old Kristin Smith, the local prosecutor's office said. MORE: Oregon man charged with murder in suspicious deaths of 3 women in 'complex' case: DA He has been charged with second-degree murder and second-degree abuse of a corpse in connection with her death, according to Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calhoun faces the same charges in connection with the deaths of Charity Lynn Perry, 24, Bridget Leanne Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. He pleaded not guilty to those charges last year. Smith's murder was initially believed to have been linked to those three killings at the time Calhoun was initially indicted in May 2024, though he hadn't been charged with her death until now. KATU - PHOTO: Melissa Smith, the mother of Kristin Smith, speaks during a press briefing in Multnomah County, Oregon, Aug. 5, 2025. The bodies of three of the victims were found in 2023 in northwest Oregon, including the Portland area. Speaks' body was found in Washington that year, though police in Portland have said the homicide was believed to have happened in the Oregon city. The murders occurred over five months, with Smith's occurring first in November 2022, according to Vasquez. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith was reported missing in December 2022, and her body was found in a wooded area in Portland two months later, police said. MORE: Suspect in Tennessee quadruple killing captured after week on the run The murders of the three other victims occurred between March and April of 2023, according to Vasquez. Their bodies were all discovered in April 2023, according to authorities. Multnomah County prosecutors have released few details about the case, including what led them to the suspect and how the women died, citing the ongoing investigation. "This remains a very active investigation, and unfortunately, we're not going to be discussing the evidence underlying the charges today," Vasquez said during a press briefing on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The trial is expected to occur in 2027, the prosecutor's office said. Calhoun's defense attorneys told ABC News on Tuesday that they have no comment at this time. KATU - PHOTO: Jesse Lee Calhoun appears in court in Portland, Oregon, June 6, 2024. Kristin Smith's mother said she was "overwhelmed with emotion" following the new charges. "I stayed strong, doing all I could, trying to save my daughter. And it was just unbearable to find out when I was too late and needed help finding her," her mother, Melissa Smith, said during Tuesday's press briefing. "I did everything I could to try to get answers and fight and search." Wearing a shirt with the words "Justice for Kristin Smith," the mother said she experienced "agonizing pain" after Calhoun was not initially charged last year in her daughter's death -- and prayed every day that this day would come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've always stayed hopeful that I would get justice for Kristin," she said. "I never gave up." MORE: Manhunt intensifies for Montana bar shooting suspect, 38 agencies part of the 'unrelenting' search The death of a fifth woman -- 22-year-old Ashley Real -- initially believed to have been linked to the other killings, remains under investigation, Vasquez said, calling it an "extremely important case to us." Real's body was found in a wooded area in Clackamas County in Oregon in May 2023, a month after she was reported missing to Portland police, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vasquez said they continue to work with authorities in Clackamas County on that investigation. The multiple deaths sparked online speculation about a possible serial killer in the Pacific Northwest, with prosecutors subsequently announcing in July 2023 that they had found links between four of the victims. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Facing a daunting backlog of abuse complaints, the Oregon Youth Authority received $2.2 million from the state legislature to double the staff in its Professional Standards Office, which is responsible for investigating these cases. With the new funding, OYA plans to hire a human resources analyst, a youth family advocate, a chief Investigator and three permanent investigator positions. Previously, the agency had just three full-time investigators and had to bring in temporary staff earlier this year to help manage the caseload. As of August 1 the agency faces a daunting backlog, with 442 open or suspended cases that have been unresolved for over 180 days, according to OYAs dashboard. Additionally, 3,010 aged cases are still awaiting final closure by Chief Investigator Ken Jeske. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pressure on OYA continues to mount. In July, attorneys representing 17 victims filed new claims of sexual abuse involving OYA staff some naming Dr. Gary Edwards, also known as Dr. Cold Fingers. Edwards is also the subject of a separate lawsuit filed in March, accusing him of abusing 10 boys at the MacLaren Youth Correctional Facility between 2000 and 2008. He died in February after working for OYA for nearly 40 years. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. NEW ORLEANS (AP) New Orleans clerk of court staff stood ankle-deep in a massive landfill, digging through mounds of trash, to salvage court records that the city erroneously discarded. As photos surfaced online showing city staff scouring for the misplaced documents among heaps of garbage city and state officials were outraged over the situation. This is unacceptable, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill said in a Wednesday statement. I have questions. Im going to ask the Clerk for an explanation of how this happened and just what records were dumped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement, Clerk of Criminal District Court Darren Lombard blasted the city for an egregious breach of responsibility and negligence" of public records. Photos shared by the criminal clerk of courts office show city workers standing in debris beside an excavator and extracting tattered papers from heaps of garbage earlier this week. Lombard said he was notified last Friday that containers housing official court documents had been relocated from trailers without his knowledge and, in at least one instance, destroyed. He blamed the Department of Public Works for moving the records and said he dispatched city employees to recover what they could. What they discovered was deeply disturbing: one entire container filled with official Clerk records had been dumped into a debris field and mixed with general trash, Lombard said. Documents were strewn across the yard, caught in the wind, and scattered beyond the secured perimeter. Lombard said the records had been stored outside the clerk's office, in trailers and containers, because of the longstanding absence of a secure, dedicated Clerk of Court storage facility dating back to Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Flooding from the collapse of the city's levee system led to the destruction of thousands of criminal case files. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lombard, who took office in 2022, said he has repeatedly requested funding for a secure storage facility. The court records, many dating back to the 1950s through the 1970s, included capital murder and aggravated rape cases, Lombard told Nola.com. Lombard said he has called for a city investigation. New Orleans District Attorney Jason Williams whose main role is to represent the government in criminal cases and decide whether to prosecute individuals accused of crimes stressed the importance of proper recordkeeping," saying that in order to administer justice it is vital that there is accurate maintenance of all information associated with criminal cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Promise of Justice Initiative, an organization that advocates for criminal justice reform, said that in its experience, even on a normal day, case files can be hard to obtain. The organization emphasized that such documents represent human beings sitting inside of prisons and are the vehicle to freedom, once someone has been convicted. The fact that the City can treat such life-saving and invaluable property with so little care is a failure of their duty and a violation of peoples rights, who have a right to their information, Renard Bridgewater, a spokesperson for the organization, said Wednesday. Mayor LaToya Cantrell's office released a brief statement, saying that they were working with the Clerk's Office and the Department of Public Works to resolve this issue. ___ Brook is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues. WASHINGTON In the spring of 2023, a most unlikely friendship took root after a House Oversight Committee hearing ended and members chatted before hurrying off for a two-week congressional recess. Colorado Republican Rep. Lauren Boebert, a conservative firebrand and one of President Donald Trumps top supporters, told Montgomery County Democratic Rep. Jamie Raskin, a liberal darling who is Boeberts political opposite, that she was excitedly awaiting the birth of her first grandson in several weeks. Raskin was enduring chemotherapy for a serious form of cancer and confided that he hoped to be around long enough to become a grandparent himself one day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She comforted him. Something passed between them. In the months following that tearful conversation two years ago, Raskin, 62, and Boebert, 38, quietly developed a friendship built on the belief that people arent wholly defined by their politics, even in this polarized era. They are close enough that Boebert, her mother, four sons and grandson joined Raskin and his family at his house last New Years Eve for an evening of Chinese food, conversation and games. Diverse perspectives that allow us to be wiser Their relationship may surprise an untold number of Americans who consider rival party members abhorrent or at least believe their values would be compromised by befriending somebody with radically different views. Said Boebert: He was being very vulnerable with his condition. We kind of talked and shared some teary eyes together. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Said Raskin: Some people think that we have two completely divided and unbridgeable Americas, and I dont want to believe that, and I dont want us ever to see a Civil War in America. Youve got to follow Lincoln and say, We must not be enemies Such across-the-aisle friendships are uncommon at a time in which politics is intensely personal and voters often define one another according to whether or not they support Trump, a Republican who won a second term last year. Republicans call the rival party Dumbocrats and worse, and Democratic voters have been known to purge Trump backers from their social media followers because they consider the presidents views extreme and hateful. The us-versus-them mentality has reached a level of amplification that nobody has seen before, said Todd Kashdan, a George Mason University psychology professor studying ways to reduce political polarization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The danger, Kashdan said, is missing out on diverse perspectives that allow us to be wiser even if you disagree vehemently with the person. Theres a tender spot there Raskin and Boebert acknowledge their friendship may seem unorthodox, if not offensive, to some in their respective parties. People say, Why dont you guys have bipartisan friendships? Raskin told The Baltimore Sun during an interview late last month at the Capitol. I tell people who my bipartisan friends are and then they express horror. I mean, who do you want me to be friends with? Abraham Lincoln is no longer in the House of Representatives, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boebert, who was interviewed from her Colorado district by phone, said she gets chastised for being partisan and bipartisan. So, you know, theres no way to make everyone happy. Boebert took a political risk by referencing the friendship during a 2024 Republican primary election forum in her Colorado district. She had moved to the solidly Trump-supporting district to avoid a difficult reelection challenge in her previous district. She won a third congressional term. Seated side by side at a long table, the nine GOP candidates were asked by the moderator: Name a Democrat you respect and can work with. There were pauses as most of the candidates struggled to come up with names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boebert mentioned Colorados two Democratic U.S. senators before naming one that no one would expect a Democrat that I have many deep conversations, family conversations with Jamie Raskin. There was a palpable buzz in the room and an audience member said, Ohhhh. I know, I get it, Boebert said. She emphasized that she didnt agree with Raskin on policy. But on a personal, family level, theres a tender spot there, and lve had some very precious conversations with him. I like bringing people together In their political lives, Raskin and Boebert are unapologetically partisan. Boebert, who formerly owned a gun-themed restaurant called Shooters, is known for her gun rights advocacy. She opposes abortion, voted against certifying the results of the 2020 election that Trump calls rigged and initiated impeachment proceedings against Democratic President Joe Biden in 2023 over southern border issues. She and Georgia Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene interrupted and heckled Bidens 2022 State of the Union speech. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Raskin, who favors an assault weapons ban and abortion rights, was a prominent member of the House select committee investigating the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by Trump supporters seeking to block the 2020 presidential election results. The ranking Democrat on the House Judiciary Committee, he is a leader of his partys Trump resistance efforts and has said at rallies: A rally a day keeps the fascists away. He was the Democrats manager during the 2021 Trump impeachment proceedings, during which he gave an emotional speech referencing his 25-year-old son, Tommy, who had taken his own life weeks earlier on New Years Eve. But a part of Raskin embraces expanding his circle. Im a middle child and I like bringing people together, he said. He said of Boebert: Theres a live intelligence there and shes not completely ideologically frozen. Having said that, her politics are obviously pretty much diametrically opposed to my own. Raskin helped Boebert this year with a bill it recently passed the House to provide more communities with their own ZIP codes to help them with mail delivery and collecting taxes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His people elected him to, unfortunately, go after my president, Boebert said with a laugh. But weve also found ways to work together, like when it comes to unique ZIP Code designations. He showed the utmost support. Raskin consoled her following an embarrassing 2023 surveillance video showing her groping her date and being led out of a Denver theater after patrons complained she was causing a disturbance. That was a tough time for her, he said. Be human for a moment During the interview, Raskin spoke of his relationship with other Republicans including former Reps. Lynne Cheney and Adam Kinzinger, who were members of the Jan. 6 committee but pointedly steered the conversation back to Boebert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont want to understate my friendship with Lauren, he said. She was very kind after he was diagnosed with Diffuse Large B Cell Lymphoma in December 2022, Raskin said. He wore a bandana during chemotherapy treatment that was given to him by rock musician Steven Van Zandt, a Raskin favorite who is with Bruce Springsteens E Street Band and appeared in The Sopranos television drama. Boebert said she is grateful that Raskin was able to ring the bell, signaling the end of chemotherapy, in April 2023. Then we shared some more tears, very happy tears, she said. It was just a really moving moment. You can put our very, very [many] differences aside and be human for a moment. Then, in November 2024, Raskin became a grandfather. Our oldest daughter had a baby the day after the (presidential) election, he said. That was some good Democratic counter-programming. So my granddaughter talks to me on FaceTime every day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Little has been written about his friendship with Boebert. But Raskin spoke of it to a surprised New York City audience in 2024 while helping Rabbi Shai Held launch a new book. Held is president and dean of the Hadar Institute, a Jewish educational center. Take somebody who you might not guess Id be friends with, Lauren Boebert from Colorado, Raskin told the crowd. The audience in the synagogue on Manhattans liberal Upper West was stunned, Held recalled in an interview this week with The Sun. There was an audible gasp when he said it, the rabbi said. People were like, What? Raskin continued: I was going through chemo and all that, and Lauren was very, very good to me. You never know whos going to show up when you have cancer. And so we became friends. Held, whose book was about loves place in Judaism, told The Sun: I thought it was really powerful that Jamie shared that story. The challenge is to sort of see and affirm the humanity of people we disagree with without whitewashing or apologizing for views we find troubling and sometimes even reprehensible. There is a fine line to walk there, but we have no choice to walk it if were going to hold together as a society, right? ------------------ Thanks to the heroic work of several agencies, over 200 animals living in squalor were rescued from a home in Christian County, Missouri last week. The Humane Society of Missouri (HSMO) said in a post on its website that its Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACT) was called to a home last Wednesday, July 30 after local law enforcement tipped them off to a hoarding situation. Upon arrival, the ACT members were able to get the owner of the property to agree to surrender the dogs. In total, 140 small breed dogs, including Shih Tzus, Chihuahuas and others, were taken in to the organization's headquarters in St. Louis for treatment. The animals were said to be suffering from neglect and had issues such as malnourishment and skin infestation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These dogs lived in horrific conditions, and had we not intervened, it is clear that they would have continued to suffer, said HSMO President Kathy Warnick. We are relieved that through careful negotiations we were able to rescue these animals from such a dangerous and heart-breaking situation. Now that they are safe, community support is critical to ensure these dogs receive the care and treatment they deserve and a new chance for a better life with a loving family. While that rescue as a major endeavor, it was only part one of the full mission. Thursday Brought More Work The following day, Thursday, June 31, the ACT team returned to the property along with members of the Christian County Sheriff's Department, who had secured a warrant to confiscate the remaining animals. Eventually, every animal was recovered, bringing the grand total of creatures saved to a stunning 225, including 212 small-breed dogs. Also included were cats, kittens, birds and a rabbit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now that we know the full scope of this rescue, we are so relieved to get these animals to safety, Warnick said. We are grateful to the Christian County Sheriffs Department for assisting us today, and we are thrilled these dogs, cats, birds and rabbit will get the second chance they all deserve for a much better life. The rescue was the largest for the HSMO in more than a decade, according to FOX 2 Now. What Comes Next? With all of the animals safe and secure, they will continue receiving treatment at the HSMO headquarters in St. Louis. On Aug. 27, the disposition hearing for the rescued animals will take place. Should the HSMO be awarded custody, the animals will go up for adoption once ready to go home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, the HSMO is asking for donations from the public to help take care of the saved pups. "The size of the rescue will put a strain on the already crowded shelter, and we are asking for help from the public through donations of towels, blankets and newspapers," the organization said. "We are also waiving adoption fees for all dogs over 35 pounds to make room for the rescued pups." As for the homeowners, it remains to be seen if they will face charges for their hoarding and neglect. Over 200 Dogs Rescued From 'Horrific' Conditions Inside Missouri Home first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 Over 30,000 Pounds of Pecans Were Recalled for This Life-Threatening ReasonHere's What to Know originally appeared on Parade. Although were still firmly in the middle of summer and wholly focused on getting the most out of our precious ruby red tomatoes before the end of August, its no secret that fall is fast approaching, and bringing all its signature dishes right along with it. The aroma of pumpkin spice is beginning to perfume the air, apples are already being turned into pies, and were about 10 seconds away from seeing those scented cinnamon broomsticks everywhere. The leaves may not have started their annual technicolor display before inevitably making their final descent down from the canopy above, but that hasnt stopped us from getting into the spirit early in preparation for the upcoming season. As excited as we are for cozy season, though, we might want to take a beat before stocking our freezer with pecans to make Grandmas famous pecan pie. SIGN UP to get delicious recipes, handy kitchen hacks & more in our daily Pop Kitchen newsletter What to Know About the Recent Pecan Recall Due to a recent recall affecting 32,670 pounds of pecans, the Southern fried staple might be off the table this year, but were sure grandma will totally understand. Texas-based Navarro Pecan Holdings, LLC, issued the voluntary recall after inspectors found evidence of possible salmonella contamination in batches of various pecan products distributed to five states, including Texas, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and New Jersey. Related: IKEA Is Recalling a Popular Kitchen ToolHere's Why The affected products were also distributed internationally to Italy, the Netherlands, and the United Arab Emirates. Because of the widespread distribution, including bulk shipments to bakeries, food manufacturers, and commercial kitchens, the potential for a public health crisis is incredibly high. In other words, you may want to practice making one of Grandmas other delicious pies instead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The recall covers multiple varieties of pecan products, which were produced and packed between May 15 and June 13, 2025. You can find the full list of impacted products by visiting the FDAs website. Why Salmonella Poisoning is Dangerous Currently, the recall is scheduled as Class I, which is the FDAs most severe risk category of three. Beyond the incredibly unfortunate timing, the recall is significant because Class I risk classifications are reserved for situations where there is a "reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a violative product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death." Salmonella symptoms can include fever, nausea, diarrhea, and, in some instances, bloodstream infections that can require hospitalization. Additionally, salmonella contamination in dry goods like nuts can be even more dangerous due to the bacterias ability to survive for extended periods of time. This can be particularly dangerous for children and people with weakened immune systems, so its best to avoid consuming pecans for the time being if possible. What to Do With Items Affected by the Recent Pecan Recall So far, no illnesses have been reported as a result of the recall, but its still best to exercise caution just to be safe. All customers, including bakeries, food manufacturers, and commercial kitchens, are advised to dispose of any affected pecans or return them to the retailer if possible. Its also recommended to sanitize any surfaces that may have come in contact with the impacted product. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Looks like well just have to rely on pumpkin and sweet potato to carry the team this year. Luckily, grandma had a great recipe for those, too. Related: Sam's Club Just Recalled This Popular Item for a Dangerous ReasonHere's What to Know Over 30,000 Pounds of Pecans Were Recalled for This Life-Threatening ReasonHere's What to Know first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. WINCHESTER, Ky. (FOX 56) An overturned tractor-trailer Wednesday morning in Winchester has closed a busy Kentucky highway. The Winchester Police Department announced on Facebook that the Mountain Parkway eastbound is closed from I-64 to exit 10 due to an overturned cattle trailer near mile marker 8. Overturned cattle trailer on Mountain Parkway (Winchester PD) LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trucks were reportedly en route to help offload the cattle so that the wrecker service could clean the crash scene, the police noted. Chief Thompson of WPD asked that commuters avoid the area during cleanup efforts. Around 8:30 a.m., the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet estimated that cleanup could take four to five hours. Just before 12:45 p.m., KYTC confirmed that all lanes have reopened. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) The owners of a former manufacturing site in Chillicothe have released a plan on how they will deal with a plume of toxins leaked into the ground decades ago. NBC4 Investigates first showed you how EPA documents outline a toxic plume, a result of historical manufacturing, underneath the former WearEver site. Thats near the Pixelle Paper Mill, which has played a critical role in physically holding back the chemicals from the WearEver site. The toxins leaked from the former WearEver plant have been held in place by multiple wells on the paper mill property, which reduces the groundwater level so it does not hit the contamination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EV automaker sues Ohio over direct sales ban, wants to sell like Tesla Now, the WearEver site owners have submitted a plan on how they will address the potential spread of chemicals after the mill closes. There is quarterly monitoring at the WearEver site and the site owners will be installing two wells that the Ohio EPA proposed. These will be two additional wells to monitor the toxins in the groundwater. The document also said the company will collaborate with the Ohio EPA to determine the potential human health and environmental risks, identify alternative responses if there is an unacceptable risk, and work with landowners who may potentially be impacted by the chemical spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked, the Ohio EPA said in a statement: Ohio EPA is reviewing Howmets response to the agencys comments, which were submitted on August 1. We will work closely with Howmet to continue protecting human health and the environment in the area. The full remediation plan can be read below. WearEver-remidation-planDownload Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. PANAMA CITY, Fla. (WMBB) For the last two weeks, Destination Panama City has been celebrating the oyster, along with many local restaurants. Its called the 12-Days, 12-ways Oyster Countdown, and it wrapped up with an oyster-eating contest on National Oyster Day. Four competitors gathered Tuesday morning at Hunts Oyster Bar in St. Andrews to see who could eat the most raw oysters in five minutes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fourth finished 68 oysters, third slurped down 75, and second ate 79. Drivers reminded to be cautious as school starts in Bay County The winner was Panama City native Angel Colonel. Colonel ate 111 oysters in five minutes. For her gastronomic accomplishment, Angel received a destination Panama City gift bag and a $100 gift card to Hunts Oyster Bar. Destination Panama City organizers say they hope to make this an annual celebration and competition. We were talking about how were already halfway through the year, and a lot of people were talking about Christmas in July, and theres the 12 days of Christmas. But really, it should be the 12 days of National Oyster Day because there are 12 oysters and a dozen. So we just decided a dozen days, a dozen ways, said President and CEO of the Destination Panama City, Jennifer Vigil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Oyster Day is always celebrated on August 5th. Vigil says Destination Panama City is already planning on an even bigger event next 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 mypanhandle.com. ISLAMABAD, Pakistan (AP) Heavy rainfall that triggered floods in Pakistan in recent weeks, killing hundreds of people, was worsened by human-caused climate change, according to a new study. The study by World Weather Attribution, a group of international scientists who study global warmings role in extreme weather, found that rainfall from June 24 to July 23 in the South Asian nation was 10% to 15% heavier because of climate change, leading to many building collapses in urban and rural Pakistan. Pakistan's government has reported at least 300 deaths and 1,600 damaged houses due to the floods, heavy rain and other weather since June 26. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saqib Hassan, a 50-year-old businessman in northern Pakistan, said flooding on July 22 destroyed his home and 18 of his relatives homes, along with their dairy farms. His farm animals were washed away, resulting in heavy losses likely 100 million rupees ($360,000) for him and his family. Last-minute announcements from a nearby mosque were the only warning they got to evacuate their homes in the small town of Sarwarabad and get to higher ground. We are homeless now. Our houses have been destroyed. All the government has given us is food rations worth 50,000 rupees ($177) and seven tents, where weve been living for the past two weeks, Hassan told The Associated Press over the phone. Heavy rains cause series of disasters Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement High temperatures and intense precipitation worsened by global warming have accelerated the pace of recent extreme weather events faster than climate experts expected, said Islamabad-based climate scientist Jakob Steiner, who was not part of the WWA study. In the last few weeks, we have been scrambling to look at the number of events, not just in Pakistan, but in the South Asian region that have baffled us," he said. "Many events we projected to happen in 2050 have happened in 2025, as temperatures this summer, yet again, have been far above the average, said Steiner, a geoscientist with the University of Graz, Austria, who studies water resources and associated risks in mountain regions. Heavy monsoon rains have resulted in a series of disasters that have battered South Asia, especially the Himalayan mountains, which span across five countries, in the last few months. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overflowing glacial lakes resulted in flooding that washed away a key bridge connecting Nepal and China, along with several hydropower dams in July. Earlier this week, a village in northern India was hit by floods and landslides, killing at least four people and leaving hundreds missing. The authors of the WWA study, which was released early Thursday, said that the rainfall they analyzed in Pakistan shows that climate change is making floods more dangerous. Climate scientists have found that a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture, which can make rain more intense. Every tenth of a degree of warming will lead to heavier monsoon rainfall, highlighting why a rapid transition from fossil fuels to renewable energy is so urgent, said Mariam Zachariah, a researcher at the Centre for Environmental Policy, Imperial College London and lead author of the WWA study. Extreme weather's impact on Pakistan Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even though Pakistan is responsible for less than 1% of planet-heating gases in the atmosphere, research shows that it incurs an outsized amount of damage from extreme weather. Pakistan witnessed its most devastating monsoon season in 2022, with floods that killed more than 1,700 people and caused an estimated $40 billion in damage. According to the United Nations, global funds set up to deal with loss and damages because of climate change or funds set up to adapt to climate change are falling well short of the amounts needed to help countries like Pakistan deal with climate impacts. The U.N. warns that its loss and damage fund only holds a fraction of what's needed to address yearly economic damage related to human-caused climate change. Similarly, U.N. reports state that developed countries such as the United States and European nations, which are responsible for the largest chunk of planet-heating gases in the atmosphere, are providing far less than what's needed in adaptation financing. These funds could help improve housing and infrastructure in areas vulnerable to flooding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WWA report says much of Pakistans fast-growing urban population lives in makeshift homes, often in flood-prone areas. The collapsing of homes was the leading cause of the 300 deaths cited in the report, responsible for more than half. Half of Pakistans urban population lives in fragile settlements where floods collapse homes and cost lives, said Maja Vahlberg of the Red Cross Red Crescent Climate Centre, who also helped author the WWA report, in a press statement. "Building flood-resilient houses and avoiding construction in flood zones will help reduce the impacts of heavy monsoon rain." ___ Arasu reported from Bengaluru, India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ___ Follow Sibi Arasu on X at @sibi123 ___ The Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find APs standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org. PALESTINE, Texas (FOX 44) UPDATE: The Palestine Police Department is asking for the communitys help as it continues to search for a missing K9 officer. The department says K9 officer Hondo went missing on Sunday, August 3rd. He managed to escape after being let out into his handlers enclosed yard in the Fort Houston area following a storm. Hondo is not kept outside and was not outside during the storm. K9 Hondo is a German Shepard, and he is microchipped. Despite numerous tips and reported sightings, he has still not been found. Officers have been working tirelessly to bring him home, and are deeply concerned for his safety. K9 Hondo. (Courtesy: Palestine Police Department) The department says K-9 Hondo is not just a police dog but a highly-trained law enforcement partner and a beloved member of the Palestine PD. It is believed someone might have taken him in without realizing he is a working K9 officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you see Hondo, you can contact the Palestine Police Department at (903) 729-2254, or reach out directly to Officer F. Nino #454 at 903-922-9426. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. (KRON) A legendary Bay Area journalist and former KRON4 anchor is set to be honored by a prominent organization this week. Pam Moore will be inducted into the National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ) Hall of Fame. The organization said the Hall of Fame is reserved for journalists and communicators who have made outstanding contributions to the news and media industries. Moore joined KRON4 in 1991, after working as a reporter in Detroit, Dallas, Louisville, Los Angeles and Boston. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moores contribution to KRON4s series About Race garnered several awards, including a prestigious George Foster Peabody Award and the Pew Center Batten Prize for Civic Journalism. Moore was nominated for an Emmy for the special Selma to Ferguson. In the Spotlight with Pam Moore Photo: KRON4 During a staff celebration event for Pam Moore KRON4 News Director Josh Palefsky revealed a rendering of the new Pam Moore Studio 4; a tribute to the integrity and caliber of journalism Pam Moore made synonymous with KRON4 News Outside Lands festivalgoers urged to take public transportation The Detroit native studied at the University of Michigan, where she earned a degree in Radio/Television and Film. The Michigan Wolverine began her broadcasting career as a news reporter at WJLB Radio in Detroit. The Hall of Fame Induction and Luncheon will be held on Friday at the NABJ Convention & Career Fair in Cleveland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. PARAGONAH, Utah (ABC4) Paragonah is facing criticism after one resident says the grounds of its cemetery have fallen into disrepair, but they say the conditions are due to dry weather conditions. Carla Fullerton has over 100 relatives buried in the Paragonah cemetery, spanning several generations, and her daughter is buried in Paragonah Cemetery. She said, I made a vow when she passed away that I would always make sure that her final resting place was a beautiful place to be. Additionally, the mountains and beautiful scenery is what led her and her family to purchase family plots. Fullerton told ABC4, This was home. This is where we all bought family plot. So, I have a plot here, and I always thought that it would be the most beautiful resting place against these Red Mountains behind us. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Carla Fullerton now says the cemetery feels abandoned, with a lot of dirt and weeds. She said, To me, this is obviously neglect. Its like theres trees growing up all over in the ground. Theres already weeds. Whoever is taking care of the cemetery, I dont feel like theyre doing their job. She hopes that by speaking out about the cemetery conditions, something will change. Im hoping whoevers in charge of the cemetery will value it and value the people that are here. These are our ancestors here, and theyve done so much for this little community of Paragonah, she said. Paragonah Town told ABC4 that they are aware of the cemetery conditions and linked the conditions to recent weather conditions. Reportedly, extreme drought, hot temperatures, wind, and low water pressure have all contributed to the cemeterys conditions. The town is also regularly watering the cemetery. Additionally, they are now increasing watering times to try to improve conditions. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. DILLON COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) The parents of a man killed by South Carolina Law Enforcement Division agents during a lengthy standoff Sunday in Dillon County have written a letter asking for federal authorities to investigate the incident, citing their distrust of local law enforcement. Jimmy Jones, 52, of Dillon, died after exchanging gunfire with three SLED agents, authorities said. Those agents have since been placed on administrative duty. A spokesperson for Jones family Chris Stackhouse took to Facebook late Tuesday night in a lengthy post. Stackhouse said Jones family wants federal investigators to look into the case because of their lack of trust in local law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones parents, Ida Bell Jones and Vernell Owens, handwrote a letter to whomever this may concern, asking to remove the Florence County Sheriffs Office from the investigation. The sheriffs office was requested to take over the probe by SLED Chief Mark Keel. We also make another request that the Dillon County Sheriff Jamie Hamilton also be in agreement with this request, the letter reads in part. We as Jimmys parents and family dont believe we can get a fair, ethical or honest investigation because they jointly work together on [a] normal basis. The family says in the letter they dont think theyll ever rest without having the federal government investigating this situation and asked that South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson intervene. News13 has reached out to the attorney generals office to ask for a comment on that portion of the letter. The Florence County Sheriffs Office said Monday it was investigating the incident that happened on Joann Branch Road in Lake View after being requested to do so by the Dillon County Sheriffs Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones allegedly pointed a firearm at deputies and threatened to shoot them before securing himself inside the residence. A SLED SWAT team joined local authorities in trying to execute a search warrant, attempting to negotiate during an extensive stand-off before the suspect fired multiple rounds and was struck. During the incident, three SLED agents exchanged gunfire with Jones, who was transported to a hospital where he died, the agency said. The agents names were not immediately available. Count on News13 for updates. * * * Caleb is a digital producer at News13. Caleb joined the team in January 2023 after graduating from Liberty University. He is from Northern Virginia. Follow Caleb on X, formerly Twitter, and read more of his work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement * * * Eric Cooper is a multimedia journalist at News13. He joined the team in September 2024 and covers stories in the Pee Dee. He is a native of Cades in Williamsburg County and a proud graduate of Kingstree Senior High School and Benedict College. You can read more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. KANSAS CITY, Mo. We have more reaction to Platte Countys ongoing property assessment situation as homeowners try to figure out their property values for 2025. Last week, Platte County commissioners announced they will not implement a 15% property assessment increase that was ordered by the Missouri State Tax Commission (STC). Platte County refuses to comply with STC order to increase property assessments Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The STC ruled residential properties in the county will see a 15% across-the-board increase in valuations. While Republican Presiding Commissioner Scott Fricker and Republican Assessor David Cox were both critical of one another that day in their interviews with FOX4, they also commented on the five public school districts in the county. They (school districts) want big valuation increases so they can continue to expand their budgets, Fricker said that day. If assessments do rise 15%, there should be an offset, so therell be no tax increase, right? Isnt that how it works? Cox asked. Cox was talking about Missouris Hancock Amendment. It prevents taxing jurisdictions from collecting windfalls of money after large assessment increases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The largest school district and employer in Platte County is the Park Hill School District. On Tuesday, FOX4 asked the districts chief communications officer, Kelly Wachel, whether the school board will roll back its levy to be in line with the amendment. Thats a great question, Wachel replied. We are watching very closely to see what the State Tax Commission and the county does for whatever increase in percentage it tends to be, or it will be. Were watching very closely. Platte County leaders have already said they will not implement the STCs order. Wachel said Tuesday that if the 15% STC increase order actually goes into effect, taxpayers are protected from school districts collecting windfalls of moneybecause they have to abide by the Hancock Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, as we look at setting our tax rate at the end of this month, we will very certainly account for what percentage increase it is, and whats fair to our taxpayers, she told FOX4. Wachel said the Park Hill School District probably wont be ready to set the tax rate at the Aug. 21 school board meeting. She said theyll likely have an additional meeting on Aug. 28, when the tax rate for the 2025-2026 school year will be set. The school district has not received their assessed valuation numbers from the county yet. Wachel said Park Hill has never not received their assessment numbers by the first part of August. The districts tax rate is due by Sept. 1. Wachel said public comments will be welcome at both August meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Partisan division may be commonplace in Washington, D.C., and state capitols, but local city halls were designed to be a haven of nonpartisanship. That's changing in Phoenix's suburbs. A shift to openly conservative governance has changed the tone and approach in city halls from Scottsdale, Mesa and Fountain Hills to Avondale and Peoria. The wave of MAGA-inspired politics galvanized by President Donald Trumps playbook is nothing more than a shift away from liberal leanings in local government and an effort to root out its policies, its advocates say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others see the growing political partisanship as a threat to how local elected officials have operated for years. If local governments see more hyper-partisanship on the dais, it'll be harder to accomplish routine city functions, warned Justin de Benedictis-Kessner, a professor of public policy at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University. The problem with the nationalization of local politics is that it can distract from the important jobs of local governments to actually serve their citizens, he said. You're distracting from the business of actually running a government and making local policy that's important for cities. Mesa: Republican who supported Kamala Harris targeted for recall In east Mesa, the MAGA voter base successfully launched a bid to unseat Councilmember Julie Spilsbury. She had comfortably secured her second term in July 2024 with 65% of the vote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Spilsburys endorsements for key Democratic candidates in the presidential and Senate races in 2024 fueled her districts conservative base to organize, longtime political observers agreed. The lack of party loyalty made Spilsbury a target, Mesa Councilmember Rich Adams said, echoing many others. He said the recall was intended to "make an example of her for breaking political ranks." The recall election was set for Nov. 4. Scottsdale: Tearing down the work of past councils on DEI, sustainability Conservative newcomers Jan Dubauskas, Adam Kwasman and freshly elected Mayor Lisa Borowsky joined sitting Councilmembers Barry Graham and Kathy Littlefield to create a conservative supermajority. They worked quickly to undo city policies that didnt align with their ideology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, all but one Borowsky voted to repeal the citys new sustainability plan, scrapping years of work. In February, the conservative bloc also dismantled the citys longstanding policies related to diversity, equity and inclusion. They committed the city to merit-based hiring, banned "anti-meritocratic discrimination," and dissolved the Office of Diversity and Inclusion. "This current council is protecting residents from those ideological agendas," Graham said. Fountain Hills: Aggressive moves right out of Trump playbook Vitriolic name-calling has become a regular stint in Trump's brand of politics. Fountain Hills-based PAC Reclaim Our Town and Councilmember Allen Skillicorn have followed suit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PAC branded the liberal candidate for Town Council as a far-left radical and communist in 2022 because of a Facebook post about democratic socialism and another advocating that anti-vaxxers be prosecuted for "attempted murder." Three of the four ROT-supported candidates, including Skillicorn, secured seats on the Town Council in 2022. A staunch conservative, Skillicorn took swipes at his opponent, Cindy Couture, calling her a liar before implying that she and other liberals were ignorant. "Fountain Hills leaned America First Republican and has become even more MAGA and Republican since 2022. I take pride in helping move the ball forward," Skillicorn wrote in a July 24 email to The Arizona Republic. Avondale: Scorning the media (and Tom Hanks) Trump and far-right conservatives have labeled unflattering news articles as "fake news." It inspired candidates like Avondale's Jeannette Garcia to use similar rhetoric. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She built a following on X, where she often expresses her disdain for and distrust of the media. There, she decried unfair treatment by reporters and accused the news of being liberal or spreading propaganda. During and since the election, Garcia hasnt granted interviews with reporters from The Republic, not responding to requests for comment. In February, she took to her personal X account to launch a baseless attack against Oscar-winning actor Tom Hanks and accuse elite Democrats of being racist. Peoria: Traditional courtesies for council members ignored Peoria Mayor Jason Beck has garnered public scrutiny for relying on assertive tactics in running the city. Hes faced criticism for his treatment of certain residents at public meetings and for favoring unpopular developments in north Peoria. He also alienated two councilmembers, one who didnt seek reelection, over a belief that Beck was disregarding democratic government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, former Councilmember Brad Shafer said he and Councilmember Denette Dunn were shut out from publicly asking questions or raising concerns about the citys new helicopter, and requests to pull items off the council's consent agenda for further discussion were frequently denied. What's next: Council elections in 2026 can alter the balance Council elections are held in even-numbered years, with many races across the Valley falling in the summer and fall. For most cities, the next candidate election is scheduled for Aug. 4, 2026. If necessary, cities will hold runoff elections on Nov. 3, 2026. Key seats, like Skillicorn's in Fountain Hills and Beck's in Peoria, will be up for grabs next year. The scale could tip again, creating either greater divide or unity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Political analysts largely agree, however, that as long as officials continue adhering to the Trump playbook, fierce partisanship on city councils and the dysfunction it creates is here to stay. "We will continue to experience breakdowns in the capacity of communities to solve public problems together," said William Hatcher, chair of the Department of Social Sciences at Augusta University in Georgia. 2026 Arizona governor race: A year out from Arizona's governor election, these GOP hopefuls get an early start Will newcomers consider running? Across the Valley, mayoral and council races have become increasingly non-competitive over the years. During the 2024 elections, one-third of the open seats went to candidates who ran unopposed, following a growing trend nationwide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Incumbents, who already have easier paths toward reelection, made up the lions share of last year's uncontested candidates. Generally, they have the advantage as theyve had the time to make connections, build support among constituents and garner name recognition, political scholars said. That creates an uphill battle for newcomers looking to unseat their elected representatives. So far, three people Art Miller, Bobby Orlando and Judi Smith have expressed interest in challenging Beck for his mayoral seat in Peoria. Each has filed paperwork with the city expressing interest in running. Over in Fountain Hills, three council seats will be up for grabs, including Skillicorn's. As of Aug. 5, it's unclear whether he intends to run again, as only one person, Matthew Corrigan, has filed a statement of interest to run for office. Corrigan lost in 2024 to incumbent Peggy McMahon by seven votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similarly, Scottsdale will also have three seats available, including Graham's. The city's window for prospective candidates to file interest statements is expected to open in the coming weeks, Scottsdale officials said. While it's unclear whether Graham will seek reelection, his fellow conservative colleague, Councilmember Kathy Littlefield, is terming out, meaning the council will have at least one newcomer. Shawn Raymundo covers Phoenix and Scottsdale. Reach him at sraymundo@gannett.com or follow him on X @ShawnzyTsunami. Reporter Maritza Dominguez covers Mesa, Gilbert and Queen Creek and can be reached at maritza.dominguez@arizonarepublic.com or 480-271-0646. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter: @maritzacdom. Lauren De Young covers Tempe, Chandler, Maricopa County and transportation for The Republic. Reach her at lauren.deyoung@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix suburbs are being reshaped by MAGA-style politics. Here's why TOPEKA (KSNT) Portions of the Capital Citys Law Enforcement Center were closed to the general public Wednesday due to maintenance problems. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) announced in a press release on Aug. 6 the lobby and Property Room at the Law Enforcement Center were closed for the next few hours. The TPD said the issues that prompted the closure is being caused by ongoing maintenance problems. The Topeka Police Department is working to resolve the issue as quickly as possible and appreciates the communitys patience and understanding during this time. Topeka Police Department press release excerpt We all have to get out: Families scramble to find new places to live in exodus from condemned Topeka apartment complex Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City of Topeka spokesman said the issue was resolved just before 2 p.m. on Aug. 6. The lobby is open again to visitors. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Y Combinator founder Paul Graham says AI is not coming for every job, just the boring ones. AI is "good at scutwork," and low-level programming jobs are "already disappearing," Graham said. Graham said the best way to save your job is to do it better than AI can. Paul Graham, the founder of startup incubator Y Combinator, said identifying and leaning into your passions will be the best way to secure your job in the age of AI. "It may be a mistake to ask which occupations are most safe from being taken by AI," Graham wrote in an X post on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What AI (in its current form) is good at is not so much certain jobs, but a certain way of working. It's good at scutwork. So that's the thing to avoid," he continued. Graham said programming jobs "at the bottom end" are not safe from AI, adding that "those jobs are already disappearing." Top programmers "who are good enough to start their own companies," on the other hand, can still command top salaries, he wrote. "So I think the best general advice for protecting oneself from AI is to do something so well that you're operating way above the level of scutwork," Graham said. Representatives for Graham at Y Combinator did not respond to a request for comment from Business Insider. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Graham said that to become a superstar in your chosen field, you've got to have passion. "It's hard to do something really well if you're not deeply interested in it," he added. Graham isn't the only one who has acknowledged AI's disruptive potential on the job market. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg told podcaster Joe Rogan in a January interview that he expects AI to be able to write code like a midlevel engineer within this year. Then, in May, Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei told Axios in an interview that AI could wipe out 50% of entry-level office jobs in the next five years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Federal Reserve Bank of New York published a labor market report in February that said computer science graduates faced an unemployment rate of 6.1%. That was higher than other majors, such as history at 4.6% and biology at 3%. Other business leaders like "Shark Tank" star Mark Cuban and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang have criticized Amodei's prediction. Cuban voiced his disagreement with Amodei in a post on Bluesky, arguing that "new companies with new jobs will come from AI and increase TOTAL employment." Huang told reporters at the VivaTech 2025 conference in Paris in June that AI could also create new opportunities, while some jobs could disappear. "Do I think AI will change jobs? It will change everyone's. It's changed mine," Huang said. Read the original article on Business Insider WASHINGTON Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has launched an investigation into whether Beto ORourkes political group, Powered by People, and the George Soros-backed Texas Majority PAC are breaking laws by funding Texas Democrats out-of-state travel attempting to stop the passage of a new Republican-favored congressional map. In a press release, Paxton alluded to The Texas Tribunes reporting on Tuesday that ORourkes group is funding the travel and that Texas Majority PAC is playing a coordinating role in soliciting donations from deep-pocketed party donors. The efforts aim to cover the expenses of dozens of Democratic lawmakers who left the state Sunday to shut down the Legislature by depriving the House of a quorum, or the minimum number of members needed to conduct business. The attorney general accused the organizations of running a financial influence scheme that convinced Texas Democrats to leave the state, and vowed to investigate any Democrat coward breaking the law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He is using a statute called request to examine to demand documents and communications from the organizations. While the legal tool has come under scrutiny, the Texas Supreme Court defended its use in a ruling earlier this year. These Democrats, Paxtons office said, may be breaking Texas law, alleging violations of unspecified statutes relating to campaign expenditures, coercion of public officials and abuse of office. In a statement, ORourke brushed off the investigation. The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats, he said, before encouraging people to donate to his political group. Lets stop these thugs before they steal our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Katherine Fischer, executive director of Texas Majority PAC, was defiant in response to the investigation, calling it a "sham and adding, Ken Paxton who was impeached for bribery and Greg Abbott have bent the knee to D.C. and failed the people of Texas. The Texas House Democratic Caucus declined to comment. On Friday, Paxton also announced he was suing ORourke and Powered by People for providing financial support to the Democrats while they are out of state. The lawsuit, filed in a Tarrant County district court, said the group was intentionally blurring the dichotomy between political and personal funds in a deceptive and confusing manner to take advantage of donors. Additionally, he asked the Texas Supreme Court to expel 13 absent Democrats from the state House, arguing they had effectively abandoned their offices by leaving the state. A Tarrant County judge granted Paxtons motion Friday evening to bar ORourke from financially supporting the Democrats who left Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ORourke filed his own lawsuit against Paxton in El Paso district court, saying the Republican was bluntly using the vast power of the Attorney Generals office to effectuate a fishing expedition, constitutional rights be damned. He asked a judge to block Paxton from investigating him or Powered by People, and to rule that Paxton violated both the U.S. and Texas constitutions in initiating the case in the first place. Paxton investigations and lawsuits are just the latest developments in Texas Republican leaders' efforts to punish the absconding Democrats and restore a quorum. House Speaker Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the lawmakers, enabling state troopers to find them and compel their attendance should they step foot back in the state. Gov. Greg Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate Texas House Democrats for potential bribery and any other potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum. Abbott on Tuesday also asked the Texas Supreme Court to declare House Democratic leader Gene Wus seat vacant. Sen. John Cornyn, meanwhile, sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel, requesting the bureau track down and probe lawmakers who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties. 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. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) on Wednesday signaled he was open to getting the FBI involved in the redistricting battle after initially pushing back on arguments for the law enforcement agency to intervene. Im in full support of using every possible method to secure a quorum and hold lawless Democrat legislators accountable for abandoning Texans, including involving federal authorities and the FBI, Paxton said in a statement to The Hill. His comments come after an appearance he made on Steve Bannons War Room podcast Tuesday, in which he criticized Sen. John Cornyns (R-Texas) call to have the FBI help bring back Texas Democrats who had left the state to break quorum, thereby stalling GOP efforts to advance newly drawn congressional maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Let me first say, this is a state issue, Paxton said, when asked by Bannon about the state of play in Texas and calls for the FBI to get involved. I dont know what the FBI would have to do with this, nothing. This is a purely state issue, so we are focused on alternatives that we can implement at the state level, Paxton continued. Some experts that spoke with The Hill expressed skepticism that the FBI had the jurisdiction to compel Democrats to return back to Texas. I dont see why the FBI would be involved in this at all. I mean this is Texas politics and the FBI has no business trying to enforce Texas state law, explained Richard Painter, who served as associate counsel to the president in the White House Counsels office during former President George W. Bushs second term. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Painter, now a law professor at the University of Minnesota, suggested the only federal law being violated was gerrymandering something he noted that the U.S. Supreme Court has been reluctant to address. Paxton noted that one of those options would be to arrest the lawmakers. He noted that if lawmakers dont return when the Legislature meets on Friday, then we are going to file motions to try to remove some of these legislators from office. Bannon asked Paxton if arresting the lawmakers meant having Texas Rangers travel to Illinois to arrest the Texas Democrats who fled or if the rangers needed to be within the state to arrest lawmakers. So Steve, I can tell you in a couple days exactly what that means, Paxton said. I cant tell you right now. Its part of whats going on. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxtons apparent reversal on the issue comes as he mounts an increasingly tense primary challenge against Cornyn in next years Senate race. Cornyn, who has trailed Paxton in recent polls, wrote a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday urging the FBI to try to help Republicans bring back Democrats who fled the state earlier this week. The FBI has tools to aid state law enforcement when parties cross state lines, including to avoid testifying or fleeing a scene of a crime, Cornyn wrote. Specifically, I am concerned that legislators who solicited or accepted funds to aid in their efforts to avoid their legislative duties may be guilty of bribery or other public corruption offenses. President Trump said later Tuesday the FBI may have to get involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, I know they want them back, not only the attorney general, the governor wants them back, the president said. If you look, I mean, the governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So, a lot of people are demanding they come back. Paxton announced Tuesday he would seek judicial orders declaring that runaway Democrats who fail to appear by the Speakers deadline have vacated their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines. If you dont show up to work, you get fired, Paxton said. But Abbott has already started the process of removing lawmakers, filing an emergency petition Tuesday to the Texas Supreme Court in an effort to oust Texas House Democratic Caucus Leader Gene Eu from his seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paxton has been running to Cornyns right in the race. The primary is the latest in a nasty and long-simmering battle between the two men. Cornyn campaign senior adviser Matt Mackowiak criticized Paxtons initial comments on Bannons podcast, saying in a statement he was undermining President Trump and Sen. Cornyns effort to enlist the FBI to give Texas law enforcement additional tools to locate and return these AWOL Democratic House members. Memo to Ken Paxton: The adults who are in Texas and on the job will handle it from here. Go back to the hotel pool, he added. Paxton hit back at Mackowiak, calling Cornyn and his campaign transparently desperate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Im focused on doing everything in my power to actually solve the problem, John Cornyn and his team are obsessively making bizarre posts about me on X, Paxton said. Its so transparently desperate that you almost have to feel bad for him. Updated: 5:23 p.m. ET Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 33-year-old man was arrested after officers discovered he was in possession of a controlled substance during a welfare check last week in Horizon, the Horizon Police Department said in a press release. Police say they conducted a welfare check on a suspicious vehicle at the 1400 block of Narciso in Horizon. Officers then made contact with Ruben Aguirre-Rivera, 33, and observed he was in possession of a controlled substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A warrant check was then conducted for Aguirre-Rivera, and officers discovered that he had an outstanding warrant for evading arrest or detention, police said. Aguirre-Rivera was arrested for possession of a controlled substance and the outstanding warrant with no bond. He was then booked into the El Paso County Detention Facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WTAJ) A Pittsburgh man has been sentenced in connection with armed fentanyl trafficking, Acting U.S. Attorney Troy Rivetti announced. Marques Coffey, 21, was convicted of possession with intent to distribute fentanyl and possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime and then sentenced Aug. 5 to 63 months in prison with five years of federal supervised release. According to authorities, around March 2023, Coffey had a quantity of fentanyl with the intent to distribute. He was also in possession of a gun while committing the drug trafficking offense. Both the controlled substance and the gun were seized by police in a satchel that Coffey was wearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rivetti thanked the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and the Bellevue Borough Police Department for their efforts during the investigation. Get the latest news, weather forecasts and sports stories delivered straight to your inbox! Sign up for our newsletters. Assistant U.S. Attorney Nicole A. Stockey prosecuted the case. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTAJ - www.wtaj.com. 1. Yes. The district should save money wherever possible. Consolidating schools is worthwhile. 2. Yes. KISD did this as part of its bond initiative in 2018, and it has paid dividends. 3. No. Closing and consolidating schools often involves busing and inconveniences families. 4. No. District residents paid $426 million for new schools in 2018. Why close campuses now? 5. Unsure. Its hard to say. There are likely some good arguments on both sides of the issue. Vote View Results The Trump administration is slashing red tape to quickly equip troops with more small, easily replaced drones in a bid to keep up with the likes of Russia and China, the Pentagons chief technology officer told NewsNations Kellie Meyer in an exclusive interview. Emil Michael, the under secretary of Defense for research and engineering, said the U.S. is speedily moving to reduce bureaucratic barriers and expand the quantities and types of drones U.S. troops can use to defend American bases, forces and interests. Youve got to cut the red tape out when it comes to drone production, he said. A lot of the regulations around what you could build and how you could build it, and even how you could test it were limited in the last administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drones are the new front line of modern conflicts, featuring prominently in Russias war in Ukraine and Israels conflicts in the Middle East. Nowhere were drones displayed so mightily than in June with Ukraines Operation Spiderweb, in which Kyiv spent months smuggling hundreds of small drones deep inside Russia for coordinated strike that destroyed upwards of 40 Russian warplanes on five airbases. The operation showed that even far-reaching targets were not safe from drone attack, including the United States, a country buffered by two oceans and no significant adversary on its borders. Case in point: In late 2024 and earlier this year, military bases and sensitive sites struggled to counter swarms of unauthorized drones that flew over them at night, leading to concerns about security and possible spying. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the United States is currently outpaced by Russia and China in military drone use, a gap caused by a dearth in companies approved to make drones for the U.S. military as well as limited equipment and expertise needed to mass-produce drones, according to a report released Tuesday by The Heritage Foundation. Only 14 companies currently can make drones for the Defense Department, while just one Chinese company, DJI, accounts for 70 percent of all worldwide drone sales and makes millions of drones each year, putting Washington at a disadvantage. U.S. law bars the military from buying Chinese drones. Given its current capabilities, the United States in all probability would not be able to win a drone war with China, the report states, pointing out that the 20 models and hundreds of copies Washington would be able to deploy today are dwarfed in comparison to Beijings millions of unmanned aerial vehicles. Michael insisted, however, that the United States is not only keeping up in the drone race but also going for dominance, pointing to President Trumps June 6 executive order titled Unleashing American Drone Dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The order directs federal agencies to fast-track approvals for U.S. drone manufacturers and protect the supply chain from undue foreign influence. That was followed by a series of new policies and investments, announced by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth last month, to make it easier for Defense officials to buy drones and train troops to use them. Lethality will not be hindered by self-imposed restrictions, especially when it comes to harnessing technologies we invented but were slow to pursue. Drone technology is advancing so rapidly, our major risk is risk-avoidance, Hegseth wrote in a July 10 memo. The departments bureaucratic gloves are coming off. Michael echoed that viewpoint. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to have the best technology, were going to have mass production, and to do that, were going to cut the red tape, and were going to let innovation happen in private industry, Michael said. Youre going to see us become dominant, more dominant than we already are in unmanned warfare. He did not give a timeline for the U.S. to produce enough drones to meet the Pentagons needs a feat that will take significant investment and time to grow such a domestic industry but he said the administration has invested hundreds of millions of dollars through various programs for the effort. The idea is to have an industrial base that could produce hundreds of thousands of these per month over time, because thats what were seeing out there in the world right now, he said. While the United States is adept at developing large, sophisticated and expensive unmanned aircraft such as the Predator and Reaper both costing tens of millions of dollars each its industrial base struggles to produce the smaller, inexpensive drones that dominate the conflicts in Ukraine and Middle East and are made with Chinese components. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To fast-track more drones for the U.S. military, Michael said the Pentagon will now hold two events per year known as the Technology Readiness Experimentation, or T-REX, where manufacturers can demonstrate their drones. T-REX, started under the Biden administrations now defunct Rapid Defense Experimentation Reserve, gives live-fire exercises and prototype demonstrations to help military users assess the technology for real-world use. Some of them are just gathering intelligence, or gathering an understanding of whats happening on the battlefield. Some are carrying weapons. Some are countering other drones, Michael said of the range of drones tested. They could be anything from a few pounds to, you know, a couple hundred pounds, and they could be launched in different ways too. Thats because theres so many situations that they may have to be used to defend a military base, defend on a battlefield. In addition, 18 drone prototypes all which passed through the T-REX program are currently under accelerated development at the Pentagon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. government also conducted a war game on how to defend military bases in the United States from drone attacks in March in Alaska. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Gov. Abbott just sued to remove a top Texas Democrat from office in response to Democrats blocking the GOP's redistricting power grab in the state. Rep. Greg Casar (D-Texas) joins The Weeknight to respond. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Peoria County Coroner Jamie Harwood has identified the man who died after an officer-involved shooting on Tuesday. Brandon M. Lewis, 41, of Peoria died from a single gunshot wound and died moments after the injury, Harwood said. Lewis was a registered sex offender and had a history of criminal sexual activity with a minor, as well as failure to register as a sex offender, according to Peoria County public records. Lewis had a total of three felony charges and two misdemeanor charges, as well as several ordinance violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officers initially responded to a report of a suspicious person near North East Glen Oak Avenue and North Prospect Road around 5:15 p.m., Peoria police spokeswoman Semone Roth said. Man dead after officer involved shooting in Peoria Officers approached Lewis, who was armed with a bat, and allegedly struck an officer. One officer responded with a stun gun, and another discharged their gun. The man was then taken into custody, but became unresponsive shortly afterward. Life-saving measures were taken, but he was pronounced dead at the scene. This is an active investigation that is being handled by the Illinois State Police. Once their investigation is complete, they will pass their finding to the Peoria County States Attorneys office, which will determine if the use of force was legally justified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) A Perrysburg shooting that left two dead on Monday was a murder-suicide, according to New York State Police. The incident occurred in the area of 10996 Whites Drive on Cattaraugus Indian Territory. Police said 18-year-old Tylin Thomas Jr., of Perrysburg, was intoxicated when he used an AK-47 style weapon to shoot at a car occupied by two 23-year-old men, also from Perrysburg and also intoxicated. The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. 2 killed in shooting on Cattaraugus Indian Territory Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ryan Mohawk, the driver of the vehicle, died, and the passenger of the vehicle, Caleb Stafford, was injured. Thomas then allegedly shot and killed himself. There was a shelter-in-place and a weapon was recovered from the scene. We are profoundly saddened by the tragic events that occurred in our Indian Hill community last night, Seneca Nation president J. Conrad Seneca said in a statement Tuesday. The Nation is reaching out to assist the families at this remarkably difficult time. An investigation found that the individuals involved had had an argument earlier in the day. Mohawks death was ruled a homicide and Thomass death was ruled a suicide following autopsies at Olean General Hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stafford was treated and released from ECMC. * * * If you or someone you know is experiencing a crisis, help is available now. Erie Countys Crisis Hotline is available 24 hours a day: 716-834-3131. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is also available 24 hours a day: Simply call or text 988, or chat at 988lifeline.org. For more information, visit CrisisServices.org. * * * Latest Local News Kayleigh Hunter-Gasperini joined the News 4 team in 2024 as a Digital Video Producer. She is a graduate of Chatham University. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. A teacher who was sacked after saying Lucy Connolly was a victim of two-tier policing says he has been persecuted for being a Christian. Simon Pearson, 56, was accused of Islamophobia after saying in a private Facebook group that Connolly should not have been jailed, and believes he would still be in a job if he had been accused of offending Christians and not Muslims. His 30-year career as a teacher was ruined when a disciplinary process triggered by a complaint from a Muslim representative of the National Education Union (NEU) found he had risked bringing his employer, Preston College, into disrepute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since being dismissed earlier this year, he has been rejected for literally hundreds of jobs he has applied for, because as soon as he tells prospective employers that he was accused of Islamophobia, they dont want to know. Simon Pearson said he has been rejected from literally hundreds of jobs since his dismissal Mr Pearson, a father of two, is now taking the college to an employment tribunal, claiming unfair dismissal, wrongful dismissal and discrimination. He says the posts were expressions of protected philosophical and Christian beliefs, including freedom of expression, equal justice and supporting the rule of law. Connolly was jailed last year after posting an online message on the day of the Southport murders, following rumours that the killer was an asylum seeker, saying: Mass deportation now, set fire to all the f---ing hotels full of the b------s for all I care. Mr Pearson, who is originally from Southport, posted a message to his private Facebook group, which can only be seen by fewer than 100 of his Facebook friends, saying that Connollys treatment was an example of a two-tier policy from the top down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview with The Daily T podcast, Mr Pearson said: So many people were expressing opinions and being persecuted for it, like Lucy Connolly, and I just felt compelled to say something on the private Facebook page. It was just a friends-only area. And I just expressed what I was feeling about the injustice of it, never dreaming that Id be in this situation. Its really from a background of Christian-Judeo values of fairness that I just felt compelled to say something. It was just a shocking time for the whole nation. The message was passed on to a Muslim representative of the NEU at the college, and even though the Facebook discussion had nothing to do with education or his job, the college decided it was a disciplinary matter. Mr Pearson thinks the complaint would probably not have escalated if he was not overtly Christian because they went into other things that relate to my Christian beliefs as well during the disciplinary process. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: I think in a way the most persecuted religion on the planet at the moment is Christians. I dont see why we should have special treatment just for one certain religion. I think all religions should be treated equally. People should be aware and concerned about the state of our nation where we cant express what we really think. You know the police, the authorities want to even impose upon our thoughts, our prayers, things like that. Mr Pearson said he was told on his first day back from the summer holidays at the end of August last year that he was being immediately suspended because of social media posts that had offended some people in the department. Without being given any further details, they escorted me off the site. Mr Pearson said: They could have just unfriended me or they could have contacted me, theyre on WhatsApp. They could have contacted me and they didnt. They just went straight through their union to the college higher management. They didnt even go to my immediate line manager, nothing like that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I had an unblemished record for 20 years. They couldnt put anything down to my teaching or my interaction with students. There was no access to my Facebook from any student, so they couldnt really claim, like they are doing, that Im bringing the college into disrepute. The only people that did were these two colleagues of mine who actually shared the posts and made it available to the NEU representative. Mr Pearson, who lives near Preston, Lancs, said he deleted the post after he was suspended and apologised on his Facebook page for any offence he had caused, though he did not apologise because he had not changed his views on what he thought was fair comment. He was left in limbo for five and a half months while the disciplinary process rumbled on. I think most of the investigation happened very quickly, but they kept me on suspension, I think, in the hope that I may resign, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My wife has health issues and Im kind of a carer for her as well, but I couldnt work. I didnt know whether to look for another job. It was extremely stressful. I wrote to the HR department saying this cant continue. I needed some resolution to know where my life was going. Id like to get back to work. I love my job. I love the students. I just never had any complaint by anybody. He was formally dismissed on Feb 13 and appealed internally, but lost his appeal. He was particularly hurt to be accused of Islamophobia during the disciplinary hearing because he has a proud record of helping people from all over the world, including Muslims, during a career that has taken him from China to Brazil teaching English as a foreign language. He recounts how he helped a family of asylum seekers from a Muslim country by writing to their local MP, Jack Straw, supporting their claim for asylum, and has posted on Facebook about the plight of the Uyghur Muslims in China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said: I didnt mention any race in the posts. I mentioned Islamists, extremists whove done acts of terror. It was obvious thats what I was talking about from the post. Mr Pearson is being represented at his forthcoming tribunal by the Christian Legal Centre, part of the non-profit advocacy group Christian Concern. His legal representatives believe he is in a strong position because his case is similar to that of Kristie Higgs, whose dismissal by a school in Gloucestershire over private Facebook posts about LGBT teaching was overturned by the Court of Appeal earlier this year. Faith and conscience His aim is: To clear my name and get back to the job I love and to somehow be a blessing to our nation that is going through this situation where we cannot talk about things that really matter and express whats in our hearts about them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Pearson has now found another job, which does not involve teaching, but has been left feeling so insecure that he will not even discuss what type of work he is doing, let alone the name of his employer. Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: Simon Pearsons dismissal is yet another example of how Christian teachers are being silenced for expressing views that challenge and question prevailing secular ideologies and two-tier justice. Freedom of speech and belief must be protected in our schools and our public and private lives, especially when it comes to matters of faith and conscience. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) A man is alive after he reportedly fell through the floor on the second level of an abandoned church all the way to the basement. A Providence city spokesperson told 12 News that the Providence Fire Department responded to Broad Street just before 9 p.m. on Monday. Id rather be in traffic: Viral TikTok shines light on local boys cancer battle Firefighters found the 39-year-old victim in the basement and estimated that he had fallen 30 feet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was taken to the hospital with injuries that dont appear to be life-threatening. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Former secretary of transportation Pete Buttigieg is being applauded online for his recent, simple breakdown on all the ways Donald Trump's chosen cabinet is negatively impacting Americans' lives. While sitting down for NPR's Morning Edition, Pete insisted that Democrats need to change their approach if they want to reach voters. "We do have to look at what we're doing that makes it hard to hear what we have to say," he told host Steve Inskeep. "Too often we talk in terms that are academic. When we're talking about deeply important things, like freedom and democracy, we still have to have a way of talking about it that relates to how everyday life is different." Related: Gavin Newsom Is Going Viral For Shutting Down JD Vance With One Single Map As an example, Pete shared ways our "everyday life is different and worse" under Trump's presidency, because, as he said, "When you have an autocrat in power, he can get away with appointing incompetent people over very important things in our lives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To start, he said, "Right now we have the secretary of defense in charge of defending the American people who was accidentally texting military strike information to journalists." This, of course, is in reference to reporting from the Atlantic that claimed the magazine's editor-in-chief, Jeffrey Goldberg, was mistakenly added to a Signal group chat where former Fox & Friends Weekend host, now Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, discussed sensitive war plans. "We have the person in charge of American public health, who is a quack who doesn't believe in medicine, and now measles is on the rise in America," he continued. Here, Pete is referring to Health Secretary RFK Jr., who commonly and vocally questions the safety of vaccines and even suggested the measles vaccine causes autism in children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, 20 years after measles was declared to be eliminated in the United States, outbreaks are popping up around the US as the public grows skeptical of vaccines under the new administration. Related: "My Generation Will Never Forgive You": 25 Of The Very Best And Very True Political Tweets From The Last Week "We have a secretary of education in charge of your kid's educational well-being who has spoken about the importance of 'A1,' which means she does not understand that the acronym is AI, which means she does not understand the most important development affecting education in our lifetimes." Education Secretary Linda McMahon yes, the former CEO of WWE confused AI technology with A1, the name of a popular steak sauce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While speaking at a summit in April, McMahon said, "A school system that's going to start making sure that first graders, or even pre-Ks, have A1 teaching in every year. That's a wonderful thing!" Pete continued, "We have a secretary of homeland security who sat on funding and did not allow it to go to Texas during the floods for at least two days for no good reason." Finally, we have Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who reportedly decided to enact a rule requiring her personal sign-off on any grant or contract over $100,000. The move was heavily criticized amid the deadly flooding in Texas earlier this year, as some argue the signature delayed getting aid to those who needed it. Related: Pete Buttigieg Has A Name For What Trump Does When He's Desperate, And It's Spot On "So these things do affect you," Pete concluded. "Not for academic reasons, but because of what happens when you have a loss of accountability. Those are the kinds of things I think we need to talk about before anybody can hear us." A clip of Pete's simple yet effective explanation was shared to X, formerly known as Twitter, where it garnered over 1.7 million views and over 1,000 comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By and large, people are calling Pete's breakdown "brilliant." One person said, "This breakdown of the incompetence of the administration is simple yet brilliant. And the reality of how they're affecting peoples' REAL lives is heartbreaking and infuriating." "Last thirty seconds should be mandatory listening," another agreed. "The loss of accountability over trumps horrible yes men stooge picks for cabinet undeniably makes your life worse as an American. It isn't up for debate." Others called Pete "the best communicator in US politics"... Related: People Cannot Believe Donald Trump Made This "Super Creepy" And "Homophobic" Comment About Pete Buttigieg ...and insisted, "This is who We The People employ!!!" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talks like this have made Pete a favorite amongst voters looking to the future of the Democratic Party. And even some abroad. What are your thoughts? Let us know in the comments. Also in In the News: Trump's ICE Director Reportedly Made A Statement So Horrifying That People Are Calling It "The Most Insanely Depraved Thing" They've Ever Heard Also in In the News: 5 Absolutely Horrifying Ways Republicans Are Explaining Why They're Fine With People Losing Healthcare 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 Read it on BuzzFeed.com Homicide detectives were investigating a report of human remains found on Aug. 5 in the South Mountain area of Phoenix. "Due to the area on South Mountain, detectives are in the process of arranging for specialized equipment in order to get to the area and conduct the recovery operation," Phoenix police spokesperson Rob Scherer said in an email received shortly after 4:30 p.m. Limited details were immediately available. Check back later for updates at azcentral.com. This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Phoenix police investigating human remains reported in South Mountain area ENFIELD, Conn. (WWLP) The Enfield Police Department is warning of a new scheme, where suspects are allegedly posing as police officers and demanding money. Springfield police arrest suspect, seize firearm in traffic stop One resident was allegedly told to withdraw money from a bank in Springfield and meet them at a spot in the city. They then received multiple calls from a number appearing to be the Enfield Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suspect allegedly threatened to arrest the victim for money laundering if she failed to follow through with the meeting. Enfield police said that they will never direct residents to withdraw cash, purchase cryptocurrency or gift cards, or pay a random individual. Payments to the Enfield Police Department are only made in person at the police station. Residents concerned about whether or not they are speaking to an actual officer over the phone are encouraged to call 860-763-6400 to speak with a representative. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. BAZOURIEH, Lebanon (AP) On Sept. 17, 2024, thousands of pagers distributed to the Hezbollah group exploded across Lebanon, remotely detonated by Israel and aimed at disrupting the Iran-backed group as it fired almost daily at Israel in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. The pager attack wounded more than 3,000 people and killed 12, including two children. Hezbollah has acknowledged that most were among its personnel, which includes fighters as well as politicians, religious leaders and service providers. Israel boasted of its prowess. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented U.S. President Donald Trump with a golden pager as a gift. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Human rights groups have called the attack indiscriminate, saying international law prohibits the use of booby traps. Israeli security officials have rejected that allegation, saying the pagers were exclusively sold to Hezbollah members. Over 10 months later, survivors are easily identifiable, with missing eyes, faces laced with scars, hands with missing fingers. For weeks after the attack, The Associated Press attempted to reach survivors in the tight-knit community. The AP also contacted Hezbollah and its association treating those affected. A representative of the association shared the contacts of eight people who expressed readiness to talk. The AP independently reached out. Six agreed to be interviewed. They spoke without a Hezbollah representative present offering a rare glimpse into the human cost of the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sarah Jaffal Her head heavy with a cold, Jaffal woke up late and shuffled into the kitchen. The silence of the apartment was pierced by the unfamiliar buzzing of a pager lying near a table. Annoyed but curious, the 21-year-old picked up the device belonging to her relative, a Hezbollah member. She saw a message: Error, then Press OK. Suddenly everything went dark, Jaffal said. She was in and out of consciousness for hours, blood streaming from her mouth. She has had 45 surgeries. More will come, including reconstructive surgery on her face and fingers. Two fingers are fused. Four are missing. She is waiting for a prosthetic right eye. Physiotherapy reminds her how much is still ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She leans on her faith to summon patience. God only burdens us with what we can bear, she said. Zeinab Mestrah The simultaneous explosions spread chaos and panic in Lebanon. Hospitals were overwhelmed. It was like a slaughterhouse, said Mestrah, who had picked up the pager of a relative, a Hezbollah member. People didnt recognize each other. Families were shouting out their relatives names to identify them. Her right eye was saved, with shrapnel removed. The first thing she saw after 10 days of darkness was her mother. She lost the tips of three fingers on her right hand. Her ears still ring today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mestrah, a 26-year-old event planner, said her recovery has delayed plans to find a new career. But she looks forward to her wedding, to her fiance of eight years. He is half my recovery, she said. Mahdi Sheri Sheri, a 23-year-old Hezbollah fighter, had been ordered back to the frontline on the day of the attack. Before leaving, he spent time with family. His pager usually vibrated. This time, it beeped. He approached to check for Hezbollah warnings or directives. Then he felt sharp pain. He was first treated in Syria, then in Iraq. Shrapnel was removed from his left eye socket and he had a prosthetic eye installed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now Hezbollah is helping him find a new job. He asked his fiancee if she wanted to move on. She refused. They married during a video call while he was in Iraq. Some children now fear coming near their fathers, he said: It not only affects us but also those around us. Hussein Dheini In southern Lebanon, 12-year-old Dheini picked up the pager that belonged to his father, a Hezbollah member. Usually when (the pager) rings, I give it to my dad, but this was a strange ring, the boy said. Dheini lost his right eye. His teeth were blown out. His grandmother picked them off the couch. It was a nightmare, said his mother, Faten Haidar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boy, a member of Hezbollah scouts, the groups youth movement, had been talented at reciting the Quran. Now he struggles to pace his breathing. The family has moved to a ground-floor apartment so he climbs fewer stairs. Pink scars crisscross his face. He spends more time with other children injured like him. I used to run and go to school, the boy said. Now I go to Beirut for treatment. Mustafa Choeib The 35-year-old preacher had put on his glasses after hours of reading, and they deflected some shrapnel from the blast. Still, he was blinded, and lost three fingers. Now he recalls how his two young daughters Mariam, 4, and Fatima, 3 had often played with his pager. Sometimes he found it among their toys. It was not immediately clear why he had one. Hezbollah officials said the pagers were not only in the hands of fighters but also with group administrators. Choeib delivered religious lessons to Hezbollah members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has resumed his work as a teacher at a Shiite religious school. But he remains on edge. His car has an alarm almost identical to the sound that the pager made before it exploded a regular reminder of the attack. He sometimes worries that his mobile phone will blow up, too. After losing my eyes I dont want to lose my ears, he joked. Ali Abbas The 12-year-old boy picked up the pager of his father, one of Hezbollahs personnel. At first, his family thought the television had exploded. The paramedics made him spit out the blood filling his mouth after the explosion so he would not suffocate. While he was in intensive care, relatives back home found fingers and his left eye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The family was displaced after the blast. When the boy returned to their newly rented apartment, the landlord saw him, panicked and asked them to leave, fearing Israel would target them again. At their next rented place, the boy was kept out of sight. After 10 surgeries, Abbas was able to rejoin his friends at Hezbollahs scouts. They inspected his injuries. My friends have gotten used to me, he said. He is expecting more surgeries. ___ This is a documentary photo story curated by AP photo editors. Luke Hemsworth had a "lot of bromance" with Chris Pratt and Taylor Kitsch. Luke Hemsworth at the Terminal List: Dark Wolf premiere The 44-year-old actor was thrilled to work with the Guardians of the Galaxy star on The Terminal List: Dark Wolf, and praised his co-star as a "very giving actor" who he had a lot of fun with. Speaking about Chris, co-star Taylor Kitsch and series co-creator Jack Carr, he told People magazine at the premiere screening in New York: "It's an honour to just stand next to [them]. These guys are at the top of their game. They are my idols." Hailing Chris a "very giving actor", he added: "He allows you all of the space he's very collaborative. "Hes very open to, you know, working on stuff," he continues. "I'm gushing because he's just the most lovely human, he really is. It's disgusting. "There's a lot of bromance [on the set]." Luke explained he had "always been a huge fan" of Taylor's while Chris is "obviously part of the family." He added: "We're all part of the Marvel family in one degree or another." The trio spent a lot of time socialising and playing sport when the cameras were off. Luke said: "You spend most of your day waiting behind the scenes, so you get to know everyone's personal life pretty intimately. "We're in a foreign city, we're shooting in Budapest and Vienna, and they were my only friends, so we're sort of brought together by necessity. "We played padel a lot, yeah. It's very, very competitive." Luke plays Jules Landry in the show and hailed his role "an honour". He added: "It's made for SEALS, it's made for the military, and I think we do it really well. "We have some amazing advisors who are just helping me go left when I should be going right." Meanwhile, Liam is keen to find a project to work on with his actor brothers, Chris and Liam Hemsworth, again. He said: I would love it to do all three of us together in a film. Liam and I have had a wonderful experience doing another war film called Land of Bad a few years ago and Chris and I have done, you know, a little bit together in the in the Thor films, but I feel like it should be on the cards and maybe it is, you know, [Ill] put it out there. A blinding light like thousands of strobe lights that's how Toshiko Tanaka described the morning, 80 years ago today, the United States dropped an atomic bomb on Hiroshima. On Aug. 6, 1945, the Enola Gay B-29 Superfortress bomber delivered its payload, dubbed Little Boy, onto the unsuspecting civilians of Hiroshima. Three days later, a second bomb nicknamed Fat Man fell on Nagasaki. The bombing led to the Japanese official surrender in World War II on Sept. 2, 1945. By the end of 1945, about 210,000 people, mostly Japanese civilians and forced Korean laborers, had died. Some perished instantly in the blasts, others died later on from radiation poisoning. Pregnant women lost children in the aftermath, and thousands more civilians would fall victim to cancers and other side effects over the following decades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hiroshima and Nagasaki remain the only two cities ever to be targeted by nuclear weapons. Tanaka, who was just 6 years old when the bomb fell, told CBS News in 2020 that both remain scarred by the horrors unleashed by President Harry S. Truman and the scientists of the Manhattan Project in the early hours of that quiet August morning. Bombing of Hiroshima Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall / Credit: U.S. Army/Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall in 1945. / Credit: U.S. Army/Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum In the wake of Little Boy's devastation, a stone building, five stories tall with blown-out windows and a crumbling roof, remained standing, despite its proximity to the bomb's hypocenter and the vaporization of everyone inside. Then known as the Hiroshima Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, the building was gutted by the blast, but its ashen steel dome, which shouldered the brunt of the overhead explosion, endured as a symbol of the city's resilience. Today, the structure is a part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial. Hiroshima before and after in 1945 as surveyed by U.S. military reconnaissance / Credit: Museum of World War II The atomic detonation, and ensuing firestorm, destroyed or heavily damaged 60,000 buildings in Hiroshimatwo-thirds of the city's total structures. This image, taken by U.S. military reconnaissance, shows the city before and after the Enola Gay flew overhead. Hiroshima in 1948 / Credit: AFP/AFP/Getty Images Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three years after the bomb fell, Hiroshima still resembled a wasteland of crooked steel and charred rubble. This photo, dated 1948, shows how life was beginning to sprout from the desolation, with a handful of buildings dotting the ruined landscape. The Atomic Bomb Dome is pictured on August 4, 2020 in Hiroshima, Japan. This Thursday will mark the 75th anniversary of the atomic bombing of Hiroshima in which between 90,000 to 146,000 people were killed and the entire city destroyed in the first use of a nuclear weapon in armed conflict. / Credit: Carl Court / Getty Images The city of Hiroshima, which has been completely rebuilt after being destroyed by a nuclear attack in 1945, is pictured on August 4, 2020 in Hiroshima, Japan. / Credit: Getty Images Today, Hiroshima is a booming metropolis of 1.2 million peoplenearly 3.5 times larger than the city's estimated 1945 population of 350,000. After the bombing, the population had cratered to around 83,000. Bombing of Nagasaki Nagasaki before and after the atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. / Credit: U.S. National Archives Nagasaki saw less overall destruction than Hiroshima, primarily due to the city's geography and urban design. Still, 14,000 structures 27% of all buildings in the city were destroyed when Fat Man detonated above Nagasaki. Only 12% of the regional capital's structures remained undamaged when the dust settled on the Southern Japanese island. Nagasaki 1948 / Credit: U.S. National Archives Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nagaski's Torii Gate in 1948. / Credit: U.S. National Archives By 1948, Nagasaki had been slow to recover. Temporary structures had started to emerge a year after the bombing, but citywide rebuilding wouldn't begin until the passage of the Nagasaki International Culture City Reconstruction Law in 1949. Three years after nuclear weapons were deployed, charred tree trunks, stripped of their branches, stood near a sacred Torii Gate that survived the blast. A view of Nagasaki City with Nagasaki Port Terminal (C) is seen from Glover Garden, where exhibits mansions of former Western residents in Nagasaki, on August 10, 2010 in Nagasaki, Japan. / Credit: Kiyoshi Ota / Getty Images A ship sales out to sea from Nagasaki Port which, along with the rest of the city, was completely destroyed by an atomic bomb in World War Two, on August 8, 2020 in Nagasaki, Japan. / Credit: Getty Images Today, Nagasaki is home to nearly 400,000 people, up from the estimated 263,000 that called the city home 80 years ago. Nuclear warfare, 80 years later Today there are nine nuclear-armed nationsthe United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France, North Korea, India, Pakistan and Israeland fear of nuclear war is once again on the rise, thanks to heightened regional tensions in the Middle East and the continuing war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, at a ceremony marking 80 years since the bombing, Hiroshima mayor Kazumi Matsui said that those conflicts "threaten to topple the peacebuilding frameworks so many have worked so hard to build" "Policymakers in some countries even accept the idea that nuclear weapons are essential for national defense. This disregards the lessons the world should have learned from past tragedies," he said, with the now-rusting steel dome of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial marking the skyline behind him. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in on plans for a moon-based nuclear reactor Nancy Mace holds first town hall in run for governor as other lawmakers face heated constituents The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department said Wednesday it is investigating a possible locally acquired case of malaria after a woman who had not traveled recently was diagnosed with the disease on Aug. 2. If its confirmed that the woman was infected with malaria in Washington, it would represent the first known locally acquired case in the state. It would be something we havent seen in Washington, Tacoma-Pierce County Health Officer Dr. James Miller told The News Tribune. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The patient, from east Pierce County, is receiving treatment, and health officials are continuing to monitor her status, the health department said in a statement. The department also issued guidance for clinicians, hospitals, and laboratories on Wednesday. The risk of getting infected with malaria in Pierce County remains very low, Miller said in a statement before an interview with The News Tribune. Malaria is a rare disease overall in the United States and the vast majority of cases in the United States occur following exposures in countries with ongoing transmission. Health officials said they are working with the Washington State Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to investigate the potential sources of infection. Malaria, a mosquito-borne disease caused by a parasite, typically causes fever, chills, body and headaches and fatigue. Infected persons can also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. The disease doesnt spread directly from one person to another but can be life-threatening if not diagnosed and treated quickly, the health department said. On average, there were nearly seven malaria deaths annually in the U.S. between 2007 and 2022, with fatality rates routinely under 1%, according to the CDC. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the womans case could be unprecedented in Washington, with no previously recorded instance of someone becoming infected while in the state, Miller said in an interview that its important to understand there are cases here every year. I think theres always a small risk in Washington, but I dont think that this event meaningfully changes that risk, he said. Washington sees between about 20 to 70 reports of malaria cases annually linked to travel, according to the health department. Across the United States, there are roughly 2,000 to 2,500 travel-related cases each year. In 2023, the United States saw its first locally acquired mosquito-transmitted malaria case in 20 years, and 10 local-transmission cases were ultimately reported across four states over five months, the agency said. The cases were reported in Arkansas, Florida, Maryland and Texas, according to the CDC. The Anopheles mosquitoes that transmit the disease in the United states can bite someone infected with the disease and then can spread the disease to other people they bite, the health department said. Such opportunities are limited in the United States compared to other countries where malaria is more prevalent, Miller said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime someone is diagnosed with malaria in Washington, theres a theoretical possibility that they could later be bitten by a mosquito which could then bite someone else, Miller said. Yet, he also underscored that the locally acquired cases seen in 2023 didnt lead to ongoing transmission. As health officials investigate the womans source of infection, they are working with the state Department of Health to implement mosquito trapping and testing, the agency said, adding that mosquito populations were fortunately decreasing in Pierce County at this time of year. Miller told The News Tribune that the investigation, which will consider multiple factors including travel history, might take a few weeks and its possible that it wont reach a conclusion. Ultimately, health officials want the public to be aware and seek treatment if showing symptoms. In most cases, it can take seven to 30 days after infection before symptoms arise, the health department said. Preventing mosquito bites is the best way to stave off malaria. The health department urged people to use Environmental Protection Agency-registered insect repellant and wear long-sleeved clothing in areas with mosquitoes. People should also use screens on windows and doors and remove or cover sources of standing water such as birdbaths and pools. Travelers to countries where malaria is more common should also be mindful, the health department said, including by asking a health care provider if medications to prevent malaria are necessary and immediately contacting a doctor if they show malaria symptoms. Pike County, Ala. (WDHN) On August 5, 2025, Chelsey Redmon-Zellers appeared before the Honorable Sonny Reagan in the Circuit Court of Pike County and entered a guilty plea to the charge of Manslaughter for the death of her unborn, full-term son on March 18, 2023. District Attorney James Tarbox represented the State of Alabama. Following a sentencing hearing, Redmon-Zellers was sentenced to 15 years in the Alabama Department of Corrections according to an agreement with the District Attorneys Office. According to the State, a fully developed baby boy was delivered stillborn at Medical Center Enterprise after Redmon-Zellers was transferred from Troy Regional Medical Center, where no fetal heartbeat could be detected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Enterprise Police Department and Coffee County Coroners Office began an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the stillborn birth. The baby was sent to the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences for autopsy and toxicology testing, which revealed the presence of methamphetamine, amphetamine, and fentanyl in his blood. The amount of fentanyl was found to be at a level that could be lethal to human life. Because the defendant resided in Pike County and the death in utero was believed to have occurred there, the investigation was transferred to the Pike County Sheriffs Office. Further investigation revealed that Redmon-Zellers had been counseled to avoid illicit substances during her pregnancy but did not follow that advice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District Attorney James Tarbox stated, This is a tragic case that was difficult to work on for all involved. To have a baby that should have been born and given a chance at life die in this manner is heartbreaking. Our office reviewed the facts and evidence and consulted with medical experts who would have been required to testify at a trial of this matter. In our discussions, it became clear that had this matter gone to trial, a conviction for a Class A felony was still possible, but that there was a possibility of only obtaining a conviction for a Class C felony. I made the decision to offer a Class B felony as a settlement of this case. The Manslaughter charge for which the Defendant entered a guilty plea is still a very serious charge, and it reflects the completely reckless disregard and lack of care she had for the human life growing inside of her as she continued to ingest meth and fentanyl. The District Attorneys Office extended thanks to the Pike County Sheriffs Office, Enterprise Police Department, Coffee County Coroners Office, the Alabama Department of Forensic Sciences, and the medical staff at Troy Regional Hospital and Medical Center Enterprise for their involvement and cooperation in the matter. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PINE BLUFF, Ark. While a federal judge has blocked Arkansas new Ten Commandments law in four school districts, posters are going up in Pine Bluff. Act 573 requires a display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom and library, which was set to take effect Monday. But a preliminary injunction temporarily halted enforcement in the Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, and Siloam Springs school districts. The injunction does not apply statewide, meaning the law can go into effect elsewhere, including in Pine Bluff, where pastors and school officials say theyre moving forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Judge blocks 4 districts from enforcing Arkansas law requiring Ten Commandments in classroom Local clergy say their push to hang the posters is not political, but rather a message of unity. It teaches kids how to get along with one another, said Pastor Jesse C. Turner of Pastors on Patrol. It tells them not to be violent, not to kill one another. It teaches them how to treat their parents. This is needed. Pastors on Patrol, a Pine Bluff faith-based group, said they have 800 posters ready to be framed and distributed, with nearly 300 requested by Pine Bluff High School alone. I know theres going to be pushback from Northwest Arkansas, Turner said. But this is just common sense, common sense to help students learn how to respect their parents, learn how to respect their peers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pine Bluff School District Superintendent Jennifer Barbaree said the district is complying with Act 573 and will do so in accordance with state and federal laws. She said a local faith-based group donated the displays and met the laws requirements, allowing the district to comply without using public funds. As we implement this new requirement, we will do so in a way that follows both state and federal law and continues to respect the diverse beliefs of our students, staff and families, Barbaree said. Our vision remains the same: To provide a student-centered community that offers a safe, supportive, high-quality education for every child in Pine Bluff. Lawsuit filed over Arkansas Ten Commandments in classrooms law Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Civil Liberties Union of Arkansas, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of seven families, argues that the law is unconstitutional and infringes on religious freedom. We think that this law is not inclusive, said John Williams with the ACLU of Arkansas. It coerces religious belief. It coerces a particular religious view, particularly school-aged children who are more vulnerable to this sort of thing. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed Act 573 into law earlier this year. It mandates the Ten Commandments be displayed not only in classrooms and libraries but also in other taxpayer-funded buildings. The federal judge who issued the injunction said the laws enforcement in the four districts would likely violate both the Establishment Clause and the Free Exercise Clause of the First Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Legal proceedings are ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. Planned Parenthood will close its two clinics in Louisiana on Sept. 30 as the organization faces funding challenges under President Trumps tax and spending package. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast President Melaney Linton said in a statement the Louisiana closures are a direct result of relentless political assaults. This is not a decision we wanted to make; it is one we were forced into by political warfare. Anti-reproductive health lawmakers obsessed with power and control have spent decades fighting the concept that people deserve to control their own bodies, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She added that extremists lawmakers have done everything in their power to try and defund Planned Parenthood and dismantle public health infrastructure and prevent Americans from receiving needed health care. Every health center closure, every patient who goes without care, every undetected cancer and untreated infection is on those lawmakers hands. Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill (R) called the clinic closures welcome news on a post to the social platform X. Planned Parenthood built its business around promoting death. Louisiana chooses life. We will always protect women and babies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anti-abortion groups also celebrated the news. Planned Parenthood and the abortion industry are leaving Louisiana. But the pro-life movement is here to stay. We will always love and serve both mom and baby, said Benjamin Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, in a statement. Under a provision in the GOP megabill, nonprofit organizations that offer abortions and received more than $800,000 in federal funding in 2023 are barred from receiving Medicaid reimbursements for one year. The provision primarily targets Planned Parenthood. The organization estimates that up to 200 clinics across 24 states are at risk of closing, with 90 percent of those clinics located in states where abortion is protected and legal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The organization is not allowed to provide abortions in Louisiana, but it did help patients access out-of-state abortions. The Baton Rouge and New Orleans clinics provide Louisianans with other reproductive and primary health care including birth control, cancer screenings and sexually transmitted infection testing, and treatment. Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast said the two Louisiana health centers provided 17,791 visits for 10,627 patients last year including nearly 30,000 STD tests, more than 14,000 birth control visits, 1,795 cancer screenings, and 655 ultrasounds among other preventive sexual and reproductive health services. Updated at 12:08 p.m. EDT Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. More than 1,000 new student bedrooms in four multi-storey blocks are to be created after a decision to demolition an office complex described as difficult to let. Most of the premises at Mercia Business Village, on Torwood Close, near Warwick University, Coventry, are either vacant or on short-term lets. Developers Skybridge Properties said the project would address an "under-supply" of accommodation at the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plans, covering 1,006 student bedrooms in four blocks up to eight-storeys high, were approved by a Coventry City Council planning committee at a recent meeting. Developers will also contribute up to 981,000 as part of a section 106 agreement, with 361,000 going towards enhancing parks and open spaces. Simon Murray-Twinn, of Skybridge Properties, told the meeting that the price of upgrading the offices at the business village, which were built in the 1980s, was not cost-effective. "This application focuses solely on meeting the under-supply at Warwick University, who say they intend to grow the campus to 34,000 students," he explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Student numbers today are 25,588 - that is an increase of 8,412 over the next five years beyond the current under-supply." However, critics of the plans spoke against them, citing the loss of employment land, with one attendee presenting a previous council report from 2023/24 which suggested a surplus of student spaces elsewhere across the city. "We acknowledge the applicant's report which states that there is a high vacancy rate, but we believe that the site could be redeveloped for office and business use that meets current requirements," said the Coventry Society group member. Councillor John McNicholas also raised the issue of employment land being lost. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I believe that the small business units were argued for on the basis that they were starter units in association with the university," he said. "In my mind it is a serious loss and we should take that into account." Follow BBC Coventry & Warwickshire on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Related internet links After weeks of controversy, the proposal to rezone more than 900 acres of land near Bolingbroke died Tuesday evening after the Monroe County Board of Commissioners voted unanimously to deny the proposal. The decision comes about a week after the Monroe County Planning and Zoning Board voted unanimously to recommend denying the proposal. However, as the board can only make recommendations, the final decision was with the commissioners. The board of commissioners decision Tuesday officially defeats the project. Had the rezoning been approved, property owners Haley Newnam, Holly Doss and Otis Ingram planned to sell the land to a tech company that would develop the land into a data center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The property owners told The Telegraph after the meeting in an email they are disappointed by the county voting down the rezoning. This project is a thoughtful, community-driven proposal designed to bring meaningful long-term benefits to Monroe County, the property owners said. We will be evaluating our next steps. Project generates concerns The proposal drew widespread criticism from Monroe County residents, who said it posed environmental threats, would create noise and light pollution and could endanger Bolingbrokes small town charm. Meeting attendees react after the Monroe County Board of Commissioners vote unanimously to deny the rezoning of 900 acres of residential land into commercial land during Monroe County Board of Commissioners public hearing on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Monroe County Fine Arts Center in Forsyth, Georgia. Hundreds attended the meeting in opposition to the rezoning of residential land in Bolingbroke to commercial land for a proposed data center. Nearly 900 people attended Tuesdays board of commissioners to oppose the project, drawing such a crowd that the board of commissioners moved the meeting from the Monroe County Conference Center to the Monroe County Performing Arts Center for additional space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Margo Kenirey, who lives near the 900 acres that were under consideration, said she worried about the environmental impact of the data center. We already see flooding in Colaparchee Creek and Rocky Creek, Kenirey said. This is the wrong place for critical infrastructure. The data center would have been located in a 100-year floodplain , indicating a higher risk for floods, according to a report by the Middle Georgia Regional Commission, which evaluates potential impacts of large-scale developments in the region. The report also said the land is among the more environmentally sensitive areas in the region, and that it lies within a state-designated priority ecological area. Experts and media reports say data centers can be a significant burden on local water resources due to the large amounts of water needed to keep machinery inside cool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents also said a large number of trees would need to be cut down in order for the data center to be constructed on the property, which is covered by swaths of forest. The property owners told The Telegraph on Friday that they wouldve placed conditions on the rezoning to limit the number of trees cut and preserve the surrounding area. Other residents expressed concerns that having a data center there would impact their properties. Laurie Bloodworth, who lives next to the property with her family, said she opposed the project due to the noise and light it would generate, and the potential for a data center pushing large amounts of water into her yard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During heavy rains, our creek swells and comes up to 20 feet onto our property, Bloodworth said. [Data center] runoff would impose millions of gallons onto our property, placing our homes in direct, imminent danger. Otis Ingram, who owns part of the 900 acres in the proposed rezoning, speaks during the Monroe County Board of Commissioners public hearing in favor of the property rezoning for commercial use on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, at the Monroe County Fine Arts Center in Forsyth, Georgia. The board voted unanimously to deny a rezoning request for over 900 acres of land in Bolingbroke to commercial land for a proposed data center. According to preliminary plans released by the property owners ahead of the planning and zoning meeting, additional retention ponds would have been constructed to manage runoff. However, as the property does not currently have a buyer, those plans may have changed based on a companys designs. Bill Larsen, an attorney with Macon-based firm Martin Snow LLP, represented the property owners. He argued the commission is obligated to rezone the land due to a 1975 Georgia Supreme Court ruling called Barrett v. Hamby that determined a county declining to rezone a residential property into a commercial one constituted an unconstitutional taking of that property without just compensation. Attorney Jonathan Waters, who was representing an elderly couple who lives adjacent to the property, said this was not true, and the facts of the case were too dissimilar to be compared. Larsen and the property owners declined to comment on whether they would file a lawsuit. Larsen said he brought the case up in order to be able to use it in the future if a suit were to be filed over the board of commissioners decision. BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) The Iberville Parish Sheriffs Office arrested a man who is described as a career criminal on several drug distribution charges. On Aug. 1, Malcolm Jackson, 53, of Plaquemine, has been charged with possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine, possession with intent to distribute hydrocodone, possession with intent to distribute Xanax, creation or operation of a clandestine laboratory, possession of drug paraphernalia, and transactions involving proceeds from CDS activity. Before his most recent arrest, the Plaquemine man was sentenced to seven years and ten months by a federal judge. He spent time in prison for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine, as well as possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 17, Jacksons sentence was reduced by former President Joe Biden, allowing him to return to Iberville Parish. After his return, Jackson reportedly began involving himself in illegal drug activity, leading to his arrest. 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. Taoiseach (Irish Prime Minister) Micheal Martin has appealed to the people who kidnapped Irish missionary Gena Heraty in Haiti to release her. Ms Heraty, who is originally from Westport in County Mayo, is the director of an orphanage in Haiti, and was among several people taken in Kenscoff, near the capital, on Sunday morning, according to Mayor Massillon Jean. Martin said he would the missionary had "done a lot of good for people, and we earnestly appeal for their release". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described Ms Heraty as the "manifestation of the very best of missionary endeavour, particularly working for children with special needs". The charity that employs her has also appealed to the people who took her to release her. Hugh Brennan, a trustee of NPH Ireland, described her as "inspirational", "resilient", and a "tough person" who wrote poetry. Mr Brennan has appealed "to everybody out there to do anything that they can to release Gena and all of the others". Ms Heraty oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs (Our Little Brothers And Sisters). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is in the commune of Kenscoff, about 10km (6.2 miles) southeast of the capital, Port-au-Prince. Attackers broke into the orphanage at about 15:30 local time (07:30 GMT) "without opening fire", Mayor Massillon Jean said, describing it as a "planned act". The attackers had broken through a wall to enter the property, Jean said, before heading to the building where Ms Heraty was staying. Gena oversees the orphanage, which is run by the humanitarian organisation Nos Petits Freres Et Soeurs [NPH International] 'Gena would have known the dangers' Mr Brennan told BBC Radio Ulster's Good Morning Ulster Programme that "everybody in the area would know her, they know her as Madam Gena". "Yes Gena would have known of the dangers, and we had discussed this before, but this is now her life's work, and she would feel she certainly cannot abandon the children with whom she was working - they're her family," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Brennan said that Ms Heraty worked with "the most vulnerable of people". "Society has basically collapsed in Haiti and it's so difficult for people growing up but even more difficult for someone with a disability, and it's these children that Gena had chosen to work with for the last 30 years," he said. "We appeal to everybody out there to do anything that they can to release Gena and all of the others and that little child. "We appeal to them to their own humanity - please, please, the work that Gena is doing is so important for your community, please release her," Mr Brennan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gang members are thought to be responsible for the attack, Haitian newspaper Le Nouvelliste has reported. Gang violence and kidnappings are also common in other areas in and around Port-au-Prince, where the UN says armed groups control about 85% of the city. In the first half of 2025, UN figures show that almost 350 people were kidnapped in Haiti. At least 3,141 people were also killed in the same period, the UN Human Rights Office said. 'The Haiti I knew is no longer' Kathleen Davey was raised in Haiti by missionary parents and still has relatives living there, two of whom were kidnapped by gangs [BBC] Kathleen Davey was raised in Haiti by missionary parents and still has relatives living there; two of her cousins were kidnapped by gangs. One of her cousins is a doctor who was kidnapped in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She was doing good, as I'm sure Gena was as well, and basically she was taken. She was kept for five days and luckily we were able to negotiate and get her released," Ms Davey told Good Morning Ulster. "The gangs are basically taking advantage of disaffected youth because they have nothing, the government is non-existent, there's a political vacuum, there's a moral vacuum as well. "That is what is fuelling the gangs, they have nothing else, they have no hope," Ms Davey said. She added that her family are in "constant fear but life goes on". She told the programme that she doesn't recognise the country she grew up in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's very upsetting to hear the Haiti I knew is no longer." 'Still hopeful' Harold Isaac, a journalist in Port au Prince, told the programme that the involvement of NPH is "adding weight to the arguments for release". "The organisation that has been victimised by this attack, they have a very long-standing in Haiti, especially for vulnerable communities," he said. Mr Isaac added he is hearing from various sources involved that they are "still hopeful that there should be a fruitful outcome". "It's a very tense week politically here in Haiti with a switch in power scheduled to happen in less than 48 hours in the country and that has made things a little bit more touchy," Mr Isaac said. He added that the "high profile mediatisation of the case is also adding a layer of complexity". The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) said this week that pocket rescissions, a controversial maneuver that President Trumps budget office is considering to reduce spending, are not legal, potentially throwing a wrench into the administrations plans. A pocket rescission occurs when the president asks Congress to cancel already approved funding close to the end of the fiscal year, putting a hold on the money so its unlikely to ever be spent. While Congress has 45 days to approve or deny a rescissions request, a pocket rescission essentially runs out that clock. Democrats are expecting Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to employ a pocket rescission sometime before the Sept. 30 government funding deadline so the administration can claw back funding already appropriated by Congress without congressional approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the GAO, citing a 2018 decision, wrote on its website this week that such a move would be illegal. The agency wrote that the Impoundment Control Act does not provide a president the authority to bypass Congresss power of the purse. It argued that a pocket rescission could allow a president to avoid spending money regardless of whether Congress approves a rescission request and would cede Congresss power of the purse. If Congress wanted a president to have that authority, it would need to change the law, the agency wrote. It cited a legal analysis from 2018 to back up its guidance. Even some Republicans on Capitol Hill, who last month approved Trumps first request to cancel already allocated funding, have balked at the prospect of the White House budget office using a pocket rescission to claw back funding previously approved by Congress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pocket rescissions, I think, are unconstitutional, said Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho), a senior member of the House Appropriations Committee. So, just like impoundment, I think, is unconstitutional. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer (N.Y.) sought assurances from Trump not to employ a pocket rescission when he negotiated with the president last weekend over a potential deal to speed up the confirmation of scores of lower-level executive branch nominees. Trump turned down Schumers offer, telling the New York Democrat: Go to hell. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. In the operating room, I often find myself marvelingnot just at the complexity of the human body, but at its intelligence. The way tissues adapt, how cells communicate, how the body healsit all feels less like machinery and more like music. Theres rhythm. Responsiveness. A kind of attunement. That wordattunementhas become central to how I think about not only medicine, but life, belief, and even the nature of the universe itself. As a surgeon, Im trained to rely on evidence. But over time, Ive become equally interested in questions that lie outside the scope of the scalpel: What is intelligence? What is consciousness? Is there such a thing as Godand if so, where does that idea fit in a modern, evolving world? For me, intelligence isnt limited to IQ scores or neural complexity. I define it simply as the ability to change behavior based on the environment to achieve a goal. Under that definition, intelligence is everywhere. Not just in humans, but in animals, plants, ecosystemsand perhaps even in the universe itself. The cosmos evolves. It adapts. It creates complexity, life, and self-awareness. That sounds a lot like intelligence to me. If thats true, could we call the universe itself a kind of living intelligence? If so, that may be the closest definition of God I can acceptnot as a separate creator, but as an embedded, unfolding awareness that we are part of. That means Im not apart from this intelligence. Im in it. Just as a single cell belongs to a larger organism, perhaps my consciousness is a fragment of a greater whole. A wave in a cosmic ocean. A good cell in the body of the universe. This idea has practical consequences. If I am part of a larger living system, then my responsibility is not to control it or rise above itbut to be a healthy part of it. Just like cells in a body, individuals can contribute to the well-being of the wholeor they can become toxic, hoarding resources, attacking their neighbors, forgetting the system that sustains them. We have a name for that in medicine: cancer. So I ask myself, not in a religious sense, but in an ethical, existential one: Am I being a good cell? Am I making the universe more coherent, more compassionate, more adaptive through my actions? Or am I extracting, hoarding, inflaming? Even belief systems, which claim to be fixed, are constantly adapting. Religions often say their doctrines have never changedbut history shows otherwise. The Catholic Church once banned interest-bearing loans, forbade working on the Sabbath, and treated same-sex love as unforgivable. These views have shifted. Thats not a sign of weaknessits a sign of life. What strikes me as odd is that religious leaders rarely celebrate this adaptability. They dont say, Look how wisely weve evolved. Instead, they insist nothing has changed. But everything alive changes. This includes usand the frameworks we use to understand ourselves. In music, being in tune doesnt mean holding one note forever. It means adjusting in real timeresponding to context, harmony, and flow. A jazz musician doesnt cling to the original melody. They listen, they adapt. Their intelligence is not in memorization, but in attunement. ADVERTISEMENT Life is like that too. Whether its a plant bending toward light, a surgeon adjusting to bleeding, or a belief system reshaping itself to reflect new truths, intelligence is always about responsiveness. Im not interested in creating a new dogma or metaphysical theory. Im simply sharing the perspective thats helped me make sense of what I see in the OR, in nature, and in the deep quiet moments when I reflect. We dont need perfect answers. We need honest ones. Flexible ones. Living ones. I dont claim to know the final truth. I only want to stay in tune. To listen. To adapt. To serve the whole, not just myself. In that sense, I suppose my spiritual goal is simple: To be a good cell. Fateh Entabi is a surgeon. Fourteen vehicles were stopped and three fled after police intercepted a street takeover in Downtown on Aug. 3, according to the Cincinnati Police Department. Officers conducted the stop after several reports of street takeovers throughout the city over the weekend, officials said in a Facebook post. Officials said 17 vehicles converged at the dead end of Race Street near the Andrew Brady Music Center, prompting a response from officers. The vehicles matched descriptions from earlier radio runs, police said in the post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least four vehicles impounded, according to police. Cincinnati Police Department impounds vehicles after a street takeover at Race Street near the Brady Music Center on Sunday, Aug. 3, 2025. According to the post, one of the cars had expired plates and the driver had an expired license. Two other vehicles were found with no license plates displayed. Both were impounded and the drivers were cited. Police were able to obtain the license plate number of one of the vehicles that fled. The owner was tracked down and cited and that vehicle was also impounded, police said. Officials from the Central Business Section Third Shift, SWAT and the Central Civil Disturbance Response Team were involved in the operation. This story was updated to add a video. This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Police: 14 vehicles stopped, 3 fled after street takeover Downtown The latest from state police: Man accused of threatening Waterbury Superior Court marshals while armed WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) A suspect with a firearm was arrested Wednesday outside Waterbury Superior Court after a brief foot pursuit, according to police. Man accused of murdering 17-year-old girl in Waterbury appears in court The incident happened at around 11 a.m. on Grand Street. The suspect had left the court house and was said to be agitated and holding a firearm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police said there is no imminent threat to the community. The incident is currently 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 WTNH.com. TOPEKA (KSNT) Police have arrested an 18-year-old in connection with the killing of a Topeka man in early July. The Topeka Police Department (TPD) announced in a press release that officers arrested Avant Chambers, 18, of Topeka on charges of murder in the first degree and distribution of certain depressants. His arrest is in connection with the shooting death of 28-year-old Destiny Voss last month. Avant Chambers mugshot. (Photo Courtesy/Shawnee County Department of Corrections) Viral door kick challenge hits Topeka homes as police issue warning Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police were called around 11:30 p.m. on July 6 for a gunshot victim arriving at a local hospital. The shooting victim, later identified as Voss, was suffering from a life-threatening gunshot wound and died. The TPD said the shooting occurred in the 3200 block of Southwest Randolph Avenue. For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Follow Matthew Self on X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/MatthewLeoSelf Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. VESTAL, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) Binghamton cops, both current and retired, and their supporters gathered yesterday for food, drink and camaraderie. The Police Benevolent Association held its annual clambake yesterday at Mountain Top Grove in Vestal. Though it is a clambake, the event featured many different types of foods including hamburgers, hotdogs, and ice cream among others, and it was all you can eat. The event is a staple for the departments union, as it has been going on for about 50 years. President Larry Hendrickson says there was a great turnout thanks to the beautiful weather. He says its a great way for active duty officers to unwind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President of Binghamton Police Benevolent Association Larry Hendrickson says, We also have a lot of our retirees come. Its a way for them to come back and see people that they havent seen in many many years. We also have people from throughout the community that are here to support us. Here to talk with some police officers that maybe they dont get to talk to on a regular basis. Its a great family event, we have children here, and its just a great showing.. Active duty officers were free, retirees and kids ages 6 to 12 cost $30 while everyone else paid $60. There were also door prizes and a 50/50 raffle. Proceeds from the fundraiser help to support local charities such as Broome County Toys for Tots, Special Olympics and the PAL Camp. The annual event takes place on the first Monday of August each year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WIVT - News 34. MUSKEGON, Mich. (WOOD) It is National Night Out and communities across West Michigan turned out to show their support. From Grand Rapids to the lakeshore and in between, law enforcement suited up, but their scene looked a little different. National Night Out is a nationwide movement to support law enforcement and build community. The events brought free activities to the community to interact with police and firefighters in a fun way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement List: National Night Out events in West Michigan 2025 Muskegons event was held at Marsh Field featuring hot dogs, music, bounce houses and more. They also had a Homerun Derby event between police and firefighters. Muskegon Public Safety Director Tim Kozal told News 8 that last year the event had around 800 attendees, and this year organizers expected to surpass that number. Getting all of our neighbors together, getting everyone together, have fun have a hot dog, talk to your local law enforcement, he said. Its all about fostering trust with us in the community, I think thats big. Its also about enhancing the quality of life for our citizens and our visitors here in Muskegon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Virginia Cowherd was born and raised in Muskegon. She told News 8 that she came to the event to teach her daughter about public safety. So she knows what safety means, she knows that in case of an emergency she can go see the police, she can find a firefighter, understanding who they are, what they mean and how shes supposed to interact with them, she said. Grand Rapids events were all across the city. News 8 went to the Creston area event at Briggs Park. Sgt. Neil Gomez with the Grand Rapids Police Department told News 8 that he thinks events like this bridge the gap between police and the community, and builds relationships they hope transcend time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We want to make sure that children have a good interaction with police so that we can build those relationships so we can plant that seed, say, Hey, maybe one day I can be a police officer and come to this National Night Out so then I can go and plant the seed for somebody else,' Gomez 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 WOODTV.com. HUNTERDON COUNTY, N.J. (PIX11) Lauren Semanchik was living out her childhood dream of being a veterinarian before her life was tragically cut short Friday. The 33-year-old and her boyfriend, 29-year-old Tyler Webb, were found shot to death inside Semanchiks Franklin Township home on Saturday. More Local News Prosecutors believe Semanchiks ex-boyfriend, New Jersey State Police Lieutenant Ricardo Jorge Santos, killed the pair before turning the gun on himself. Police later found Santos dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, alone in his car in Piscataways Johnson Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is a growing memorial to Semanchik outside Long Valley Animal Hospital, where she worked. She would come into the room and she would sit on the floor, accept a lot of face kisses from the dogs, said pet owner Laura Benitez. She was just a wonderful vet and human being. [She was] kind, sweet, lovely, said pet owner Kelly Brewster. She saved our dogs life, so its just really sad. According to the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office, Santos followed Semanchiks home from work Friday night, then shot and killed her and Webb. Laurens older sister, Deanna Semanchik, said she had a bad feeling about Santos from the start. He began dating her sister in February 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I told my entire family he is dangerous and I told her that she needed to get protection, said Deanna Semanchik. It was just toxic yelling and gaslighting her, and she would always have to block his number, and he would call from restricted numbers. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Deanna said Lauren broke things off after a few months, but that harassment and stalking soon followed. She said Lauren went to Franklin Township Police for a restraining order after her car was keyed in May, but never received one. She said there were no officers in there to speak with her, explained Deanna. So they gave her a phone number to call. She said she left a voicemail and was waiting to hear back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deanna said Santos also planted recording devices in Laurens home and poured water in her gas tank while she was at work. I never trusted him because he had access to so much power, and he knew exactly how to get away with it, said Deanna. She believes her little sister might still be here if shed gotten the help she needed from the police. I just want there to be some accountability for how they failed her for how the police department failed her, said Deanna. We reached out to New Jersey State Police and the Hunterdon County Prosecutors Office for further comment. State Police could not give PIX11 News a comment on the record. HCPO has yet to respond to our request. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. Lenexa City Council member Melanie Arroyo talks with supporters after the Aug. 5, 2025, council meeting. Arroyo revealed city police investigated her citizenship status and required her to prove her citizenship. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) LENEXA Melanie Arroyo lives in two worlds. Theres the one where the Lenexa City Council member has to assimilate and perform like her white counterparts, she said. Then theres the authentic world, where she is aware of how vulnerable she is in this country, simply because Im brown and because I have an accent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feels lonely, she said. At Tuesday nights city council meeting, which was packed with residents who were upset about last weeks raid by federal authorities at El Toro Loco restaurants in Lenexa and Kansas City, Kansas, Arroyo revealed that city police had recently investigated her citizenship status and required her to prove her citizenship. It started with someone complaining to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation about testimony Arroyo submitted in February to a state Senate committee in opposition to a bill that would eliminate in-state tuition for immigrants. The individual whom the KBI declined to identify questioned whether Arroyo was a U.S. citizen and eligible to hold public office. The KBI referred the complaint to Lenexa police, who questioned Arroyo. She hired an attorney and presented documentation from her 2018 naturalization. Police closed the case last week, two days before the El Toro Loco raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Arroyo, the police inquiry was a painful reminder that a single disgruntled resident can disrupt her life by making a false allegation. Arroyo told Kansas Reflector she decided to talk about her experience after the unrelated federal raid in Lenexa, which raised questions about whether agents had violated the rights of workers who were detained without regard for whether they had committed a crime, had a lawful immigration status, or were U.S. citizens. Arroyo said the two situations were connected only by the underlying motive, which is xenophobia. I felt like I had this obligation to come forward with my story, to let people know in Kansas City that everybody needs to wake the f*** up, Arroyo said. You guys are still living in 2024, thinking that our judicial processes are intact, and theyre not. Im living in the summer of 2025, being directly impacted by this, and so we need to adapt to the circumstances that were in. And I dont know what that looks like. I dont know what the solutions are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who attended Tuesday nights council meeting gasped when Arroyo revealed the police inquiry. They responded to her remarks with a standing ovation that lasted 20 seconds before Mayor Julie Sayers restored order with her gavel. Councilwoman Courtney Eiterich expressed solidarity with Arroyo. Eiterich said her husband is an immigrant and that they have had conversations about whether he needs to keep naturalization papers with him. In Lenexa and across the country, Eiterich said, authorities carrying out President Donald Trumps campaign promise of mass deportations are violating constitutional rights with the support of federal courts. I teach high school government, and this is really difficult for me to wrap my head around and try to explain to my students how this is happening and what is our role in trying to fix it. And I dont have any answers, Eiterich said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lenexa city attorney Sean McLaughlin during the Aug. 5, 2025, council meeting defends the police investigation of a councilwoman. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) No evidence for inquiry Lenexa city attorney Sean McLaughlin defended the police investigation of Arroyo. He said Arroyos testimony before the Legislature indicated she had overstayed her visa and didnt acknowledge her naturalization. He pointed to a city ordinance that requires office holders to be citizens. We felt we had no choice but to investigate the matter because it is the citys obligation to ensure compliance with our own ordinances, McLaughlin told the council. We stand behind our actions, he added. Arroyo submitted written testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 254, which was supported by Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach. A Senate committee held a contentious hearing on the proposal in February and advanced the bill in March, but the full Senate never gave it consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The testimony describes her experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant girl in the Kansas City area who didnt speak fluent English. She said she was able to enroll in Kansas universities with the condition that I resolved my immigration status. She studied studio art and psychology at the University of Saint Mary and Johnson County Community College, then earned masters degrees in clinical counseling and art therapy at Emporia State University. Melissa Underwood, a spokeswoman for the KBI, said a Johnson County resident referenced Arroyos testimony in a voicemail left at the agencys Lenexa office. The KBI referred the matter to city police, Underwood said, because the state agency typically doesnt investigate immigration-related matters. Underwood said the complaint didnt come from Kobach. The information was sent to the Lenexa Police Department for follow-up as they deemed appropriate, Underwood said. In a brief interview after the city council meeting, McLaughlin acknowledged there was no evidence to support a complaint about Arroyos citizenship status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, just because evidence doesnt exist doesnt mean we dont investigate. Overland Park resident Sara Rohleder speaks at the Aug. 5, 2025, Lenexa City Council meeting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Public outcry Two dozen community members voiced concerns to the council about the investigation of Arroyo and the raid on a local restaurant. They included Kansas Rep. Susan Ruiz, LGBTQ+ activist Jae Moyer, immigration attorney Anne Parelkar, two pastors, and Roeland Park City Council member Jen Hill, who was Arroyos 8th grade English teacher in 2005. Even then, Hill said, Arroyos voice carried strength, clarity and purpose. Its because I know her so well that Im both saddened and outraged by the recent false allegations questioning her citizenship, Hill said. These claims are not only entirely unfounded, they are a blatant attempt to discredit her based on her ethnicity, rather than recognizing the immense value of her service and her character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sara Rohleder told the council this was the first local government meeting she had ever attended, and thats saying a lot. She referenced the approximately 150 people who attended the meeting and pointed out that many of them were in the 18-25 age range. Im very concerned, Rohleder said. I dont know what future I have. I dont know what future my cousins have, who are younger than me. I think this sets a very dangerous precedent. I think this is very, very serious, and I really strongly feel I honestly feel comfort in knowing that its not just me whos feeling this, because its a very isolating time. Look at all these people. Everyones here because they care about whats going on. Muneca Nieves described herself as a proud Afro-Caribbean woman who works for the federal government. She said she had lost 40 pounds by walking to work every day, but I dont do it anymore, because Im brown. Every time a black SUV comes by, I get scared, Nieves said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said she was extremely disappointed in the Lenexa city attorneys insistence that police were just following the rules when they investigated Arroyo. Those rules equate to racial profiling, Nieves said, which is against the law. Lenexa Police Chief Dawn Layman addressed the city council during an Aug. 5, 2025, meeting. (Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Police chief responds Lenexa Police Chief Dawn Layman addressed the council at the end of the meeting and acknowledged the hurt expressed by Arroyo. I apologize if I made you feel that way, Layman told her. Layman said Homeland Security Investigations notified her a week in advance that they would execute a criminal search warrants, authorized by a federal judge, at the El Toro Loco in Lenexa. They mutually agreed that Lenexa police officers would not be on site, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the federal raids were related to an ongoing investigation into labor exploitation. Layman said her department is focused on public safety and serving all who live, work and visit Lenexa, regardless of immigration status. Our responsibility is to protect the public, uphold the law, maintain public order and serve our community with honor, integrity and professionalism, and that is in regardless of our personal beliefs or opinion, Layman said. In an interview, Arroyo said Layman was unaware of the political and historical weight of asking someone for their papers. But Arroyo also stressed that she doesnt think Lenexa police are the problem. My concern is that we are not aware of the times that were living in, Arroyo said, and were failing to meet the moment. Lenexa City Council member Melanie Arroyo talks with supporters after the Aug. 5, 2025, council meeting. Arroyo revealed city police investigated her citizenship status and required her to prove her citizenship. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) LENEXA Melanie Arroyo lives in two worlds. Theres the one where the Lenexa City Council member has to assimilate and perform like her white counterparts, she said. Then theres the authentic world, where she is aware of how vulnerable she is in this country, simply because Im brown and because I have an accent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It feels lonely, she said. At Tuesday nights city council meeting, which was packed with residents who were upset about last weeks raid by federal authorities at El Toro Loco restaurants in Lenexa and Kansas City, Kansas, Arroyo revealed that city police had recently investigated her citizenship status and required her to prove her citizenship. It started with someone complaining to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation about testimony Arroyo submitted in February to a state Senate committee in opposition to a bill that would eliminate in-state tuition for immigrants. The individual whom the KBI declined to identify questioned whether Arroyo was a U.S. citizen and eligible to hold public office. The KBI referred the complaint to Lenexa police, who questioned Arroyo. She hired an attorney and presented documentation from her 2018 naturalization. Police closed the case last week, two days before the El Toro Loco raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Arroyo, the police inquiry was a painful reminder that a single disgruntled resident can disrupt her life by making a false allegation. Arroyo told Kansas Reflector she decided to talk about her experience after the unrelated federal raid in Lenexa, which raised questions about whether agents had violated the rights of workers who were detained without regard for whether they had committed a crime, had a lawful immigration status, or were U.S. citizens. Arroyo said the two situations were connected only by the underlying motive, which is xenophobia. I felt like I had this obligation to come forward with my story, to let people know in Kansas City that everybody needs to wake the f*** up, Arroyo said. You guys are still living in 2024, thinking that our judicial processes are intact, and theyre not. Im living in the summer of 2025, being directly impacted by this, and so we need to adapt to the circumstances that were in. And I dont know what that looks like. I dont know what the solutions are. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those who attended Tuesday nights council meeting gasped when Arroyo revealed the police inquiry. They responded to her remarks with a standing ovation that lasted 20 seconds before Mayor Julie Sayers restored order with her gavel. Councilwoman Courtney Eiterich expressed solidarity with Arroyo. Eiterich said her husband is an immigrant and that they have had conversations about whether he needs to keep naturalization papers with him. In Lenexa and across the country, Eiterich said, authorities carrying out President Donald Trumps campaign promise of mass deportations are violating constitutional rights with the support of federal courts. I teach high school government, and this is really difficult for me to wrap my head around and try to explain to my students how this is happening and what is our role in trying to fix it. And I dont have any answers, Eiterich said. Lenexa city attorney Sean McLaughlin during the Aug. 5, 2025, council meeting defends the police investigation of a councilwoman. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) No evidence for inquiry Lenexa city attorney Sean McLaughlin defended the police investigation of Arroyo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said Arroyos testimony before the Legislature indicated she had overstayed her visa and didnt acknowledge her naturalization. He pointed to a city ordinance that requires office holders to be citizens. We felt we had no choice but to investigate the matter because it is the citys obligation to ensure compliance with our own ordinances, McLaughlin told the council. We stand behind our actions, he added. Arroyo submitted written testimony in opposition to Senate Bill 254, which was supported by Republican Attorney General Kris Kobach. A Senate committee held a contentious hearing on the proposal in February and advanced the bill in March, but the full Senate never gave it consideration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The testimony describes her experience growing up as an undocumented immigrant girl in the Kansas City area who didnt speak fluent English. She said she was able to enroll in Kansas universities with the condition that I resolved my immigration status. She studied studio art and psychology at the University of Saint Mary and Johnson County Community College, then earned masters degrees in clinical counseling and art therapy at Emporia State University. Melissa Underwood, a spokeswoman for the KBI, said a Johnson County resident referenced Arroyos testimony in a voicemail left at the agencys Lenexa office. The KBI referred the matter to city police, Underwood said, because the state agency typically doesnt investigate immigration-related matters. Underwood said the complaint didnt come from Kobach. The information was sent to the Lenexa Police Department for follow-up as they deemed appropriate, Underwood said. In a brief interview after the city council meeting, McLaughlin acknowledged there was no evidence to support a complaint about Arroyos citizenship status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But, he said, just because evidence doesnt exist doesnt mean we dont investigate. Overland Park resident Sara Rohleder speaks at the Aug. 5, 2025, Lenexa City Council meeting. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Public outcry Two dozen community members voiced concerns to the council about the investigation of Arroyo and the raid on a local restaurant. They included Kansas Rep. Susan Ruiz, LGBTQ+ activist Jae Moyer, immigration attorney Anne Parelkar, two pastors, and Roeland Park City Council member Jen Hill, who was Arroyos 8th grade English teacher in 2005. Even then, Hill said, Arroyos voice carried strength, clarity and purpose. Its because I know her so well that Im both saddened and outraged by the recent false allegations questioning her citizenship, Hill said. These claims are not only entirely unfounded, they are a blatant attempt to discredit her based on her ethnicity, rather than recognizing the immense value of her service and her character. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sara Rohleder told the council this was the first local government meeting she had ever attended, and thats saying a lot. She referenced the approximately 150 people who attended the meeting and pointed out that many of them were in the 18-25 age range. Im very concerned, Rohleder said. I dont know what future I have. I dont know what future my cousins have, who are younger than me. I think this sets a very dangerous precedent. I think this is very, very serious, and I really strongly feel I honestly feel comfort in knowing that its not just me whos feeling this, because its a very isolating time. Look at all these people. Everyones here because they care about whats going on. Muneca Nieves described herself as a proud Afro-Caribbean woman who works for the federal government. She said she had lost 40 pounds by walking to work every day, but I dont do it anymore, because Im brown. Every time a black SUV comes by, I get scared, Nieves said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She also said she was extremely disappointed in the Lenexa city attorneys insistence that police were just following the rules when they investigated Arroyo. Those rules equate to racial profiling, Nieves said, which is against the law. Lenexa Police Chief Dawn Layman addressed the city council during an Aug. 5, 2025, meeting. (Photo by Sherman Smith/Kansas Reflector) Police chief responds Lenexa Police Chief Dawn Layman addressed the council at the end of the meeting and acknowledged the hurt expressed by Arroyo. I apologize if I made you feel that way, Layman told her. Layman said Homeland Security Investigations notified her a week in advance that they would execute a criminal search warrants, authorized by a federal judge, at the El Toro Loco in Lenexa. They mutually agreed that Lenexa police officers would not be on site, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said the federal raids were related to an ongoing investigation into labor exploitation. Layman said her department is focused on public safety and serving all who live, work and visit Lenexa, regardless of immigration status. Our responsibility is to protect the public, uphold the law, maintain public order and serve our community with honor, integrity and professionalism, and that is in regardless of our personal beliefs or opinion, Layman said. In an interview, Arroyo said Layman was unaware of the political and historical weight of asking someone for their papers. But Arroyo also stressed that she doesnt think Lenexa police are the problem. My concern is that we are not aware of the times that were living in, Arroyo said, and were failing to meet the moment. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Police are investigating after finding the body of a woman from Manhattan on a boat docked in a high-end marina in Long Island. East Hampton Town Police discovered the body early Monday morning at the Montauk Yacht Club after responding to a call reporting a woman unconscious on a boat, according to a police press release. Bystanders attempted to revive the woman, identified as 33-year-old Martha Nolan-O'Slatarra, using CPR but she was pronounced dead on the boat by first responders. Police were unable to determine Nolan-O'Slatarra's cause of death, and the Suffolk County Medical Examiner's Office will conduct an autopsy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad detectives continue their investigation into her death, according to the press release. A spokesperson for the Montauk Yacht Club declined to provide further details to Fox News Digital, saying they were saddened by the incident. "Our team is cooperating with law enforcement in their ongoing investigation and remains committed to the safety and well-being of our guests and staff. We have no further comment at this time," the spokesperson said. Nolan-O'Slatarra was a well-liked designer and marketing consultant who spent her summers working on the East End of Long Island and went by Martha Nolan professionally, The New York Post reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A native of Ireland, Nolan-O'Slatarra moved to the United States at the age of 26 to launch her summerwear brand, East x East, in the Hamptons, according to the Irish Independent. Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact the Homicide Squad detectives at 631-852-6392. The Jacksonville Sheriffs Office is investigating after a woman was found dead inside her Atlantic Beach home Tuesday afternoon. The homicide and crime scene units responded to the scene for the investigation, which will be coordinated along with the Atlantic Beach Police Department. The details of any possible injuries were not mentioned in the news briefing Tuesday. [DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks] The last time neighbors reported seeing her alive was Thursday of last week, but its currently unknown when she died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A person was detained by police for an interview. Action News Jax is working to learn the womans identity and more about the circumstances surrounding her death. >>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<< [SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter] Subscribe to The Podcast by KevinMD. Watch on YouTube. Catch up on old episodes! Nationally recognized psychiatrist, internist, and addiction medicine specialist Muhamad Aly Rifai discusses his article, How President Bidens cognitive health shapes political and legal trust. While carefully observing the ethical constraints of the Goldwater Rule, he analyzes the public discourse surrounding the cognitive health of former President Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. from a medico-legal standpoint. Muhamad explains how the former presidents known medical history, including surgeries for cerebral aneurysms, creates a clinical basis for concern about potential cognitive decline consistent with vascular dementia. He argues that public moments of cognitive lapse, combined with practices like the use of an autopen for official signatures, raise legitimate questions about a leaders decision-making capacity and the validity of their actions. The core of his argument is an unequivocal call to establish clear, impartial, and publicly accountable protocols for cognitive health assessments for all national leaders, asserting that this is essential to uphold public trust and the integrity of the office. Careers by KevinMD is your gateway to health care success. We connect you with real-time, exclusive resources like job boards, news updates, and salary insights, all tailored for health care professionals. With expertise in uniting top talent and leading employers across the nations largest health care hiring network, were your partner in shaping health cares future. Fulfill your health care journey at KevinMD.com/careers. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/careers Discovering disability insurance? Pattern understands your concerns. Over 20,000 doctors trust us for straightforward, affordable coverage. We handle everything from quotes to paperwork. Say goodbye to insurance stress visit Pattern today at KevinMD.com/pattern. VISIT SPONSOR https://kevinmd.com/pattern SUBSCRIBE TO THE PODCAST https://www.kevinmd.com/podcast RECOMMENDED BY KEVINMD https://www.kevinmd.com/recommended Transcript Kevin Pho: Hi, and welcome to the show. Subscribe at KevinMD.com/podcast. Today we welcome back Muhamad Aly Rifai, internist and psychiatrist. Todays KevinMD article is How President Bidens Cognitive Health Shapes Political and Legal Trust. Muhamad, welcome back to the show. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Thank you very much for having me to talk about this important topic on the mental health issues related to politicians, specifically to the former and sitting current president of the U.S. Kevin Pho: All right, whats your article about? Muhamad Aly Rifai: In American politics, discussing the mental health and the fitness of a sitting president, a former president, or other politicians is a very delicate and important topic. ADVERTISEMENT As a psychiatrist, Im a member and a fellow of the American Psychiatric Association, and theres an important historical event. In 1964, during the elections for the U.S. President, Senator Barry Goldwater, who was the Republican candidate, was in opposition to President Lyndon Johnson, who was a Democrat. At that time, Senator Goldwater had some conservative views that a lot of psychiatrists did not agree with. So, there was an article in a famous magazine that surveyed psychiatrists to ask them their opinion: What do you think about the psychological status or the mental health status of Senator Barry Goldwater? What is his psychological capacity to be in office? Interestingly, about 12,000 psychiatrists chimed in and sent in answers, and the answers were quite revealing. One psychiatrist said, I believe that Senator Goldwater is suffering from chronic psychosis. Somebody said, Hes a megalomaniac. Somebody even said, He is a paranoid schizophrenic who decompensates from time to time. Even one person said, I believe Goldwater has the same pathological makeup as Hitler, Castro, Stalin, and other known schizophrenic leaders. But in reality, Senator Goldwater was a decorated Air Force pilot. He had been a senator for two terms and had very minimal to no mental health issues. But those comments are thought to have put their weight on the scale in that election, and Senator Goldwater ended up losing to Lyndon Johnson, who became the president. In 1973, the American Psychiatric Association realized that ethical fault and adopted something called the Goldwater Rule, where psychiatrists are prohibited from making any comments about public figures without an examination and a consent of the subject. However, because this issue has explodedthe mental health of a former president, a sitting presidentpeople can make public comments about what theyre seeing because these are things that we are seeing. For example, the former President, President Biden, on public television in a debate to millions of audience members said, We finally beat Medicare. That was a significant comment that alerted people, even laypeople, that there was something going on psychiatrically and psychologically with the former president. So I made a comment about that while holding to the Goldwater Rule, but I just discussed and reviewed what we see with our own naked eyes about whats going on with the former president. Kevin Pho: So, tell me, in terms of what psychiatrists are seeing both with the former and current president, do you see the Goldwater Rule taking on more or less relevance today? Muhamad Aly Rifai: I think the Goldwater Rule is still relevant. If you havent examined the person, you shouldnt say, Oh, I think this, or I think that. But that doesnt take away from the fact that what you are seeing now, with the proliferation of TV, YouTube, and reels, people can just create an impression that somebody is having significant psychiatric issues. Now, in the case that I talk about with the former President Biden, I talk about the fact that he has documented and he himself had talked about having brain surgeries in the past. Hes had two brain surgeries for cerebral aneurysms, and we know, and there is documented evidence, that individuals whove had brain surgeries for vascular issues are at risk of developing cognitive issues later on in life. So thats settled research. We also know that he has some issues in terms of his heart. He has atrial fibrillation. He has other medical issues, and that raised a lot of worry, especially with his public performance. We also worry about the secretive nature of not talking about whats going on with him. I think that really concerned physicians and the public. We were just recently informed that he has advanced prostate cancer, and we know that that may also contribute to some of the cognitive issues. We were not really sure whether this advanced cancer was something that was operative or something that was ongoing while he was a sitting president. So, the fact that these issues were not shared with the public and people talk, Well, its the Health Information Privacy Act. But the fact is that when somebody becomes the president of the U.S., most of these things are not applicable to them because they are a public figure. Everybody needs to be assured that theyre able to function. The DSM-5 also talks about and was updated to talk about the major neurocognitive disorder and about the criteria for that. A layperson could actually match the criteria for a major neurocognitive disorder with what the former president was experiencing and can easily reach a conclusion that they may meet those publicly available criteria for a major neurocognitive disorder. So a lot of these things just need answers to allay the concerns of the public and U.S. physicians about whats going on with our leaders. Kevin Pho: To your knowledge, how stringent are neurocognitive tests done on sitting presidents and prominent political figures? Muhamad Aly Rifai: A lot of public figures hide their mental health issues. Mental health issues are perceived as a weakness. Now, we have some public figures that have advocated or publicized their mental health strugglestheir addiction strugglesand have carried them as a shield of solidarity with the American public and with patients. We know the Secretary of Health and Human Services has struggled with addictions in the past, has struggled with depression in the past, and hes been public about it. So the fact that some politicians and some public officials will talk about these things publicly creates the impression for those who are secretive about them that theres something going on. Theres something more than meets the eye, and that creates the difficulty with that issue. But these tests, when politicians are running, they need to have a full battery of tests that become public with neuropsychological testing, especially for individuals who are older than age 65 or age 70: a full Mini-Mental State Examination, a MoCA test, and more stringent, formalized neuropsychological testing for speed, comprehension, mathematics, and things like that that would give hints for any declining cognitive issues. I also bring up the example of a practicing physician. If a practicing physician exhibited just a fraction of what the sitting president exhibited, a patient would quickly be calling the board of medicine, and the physician would lose their license very quickly and would be referred to the physicians health program. They would not be able to practice. So it is very timely that we talk about these issues in a former president and be able to develop rules for the future for further assessments. Kevin Pho: As you know, we live in a highly polarized society, and everything will get politicized. So, how can we as a society have a necessary conversation about cognitive fitness without it being immediately dismissed as a partisan attack? Muhamad Aly Rifai: I think we can borrow from the field of medicine. We do it all the time. We have colleagues who voluntarily relinquish, for example, the ability to do surgery because they think theyre not sharp enough. We have colleagues that will, for example, restrict their practice to only outpatient practice when they realize that their manual dexterity skills as surgeons decline with age. So the field of politics should borrow a little bit from medicine in terms of politicians self-censoring their ability to participate in high-stress jobs, like the job of the President of the U.S., that requires a lot of cognitive capacity and the ability to do these things. We also have colleagues that will alert each other when we see another colleague whos struggling in a collegial and positive way rather than in a punitive way. Now, I understand that there are politics involved, and thats why I brought in the Goldwater Rule, which happened in the sixties. That was a Republican candidate that was accused of having mental health issues versus a Democratic candidate. Now the shoe is on the other foot, and were having a Democrat being accused by the Republican establishment. Weve seen it both ways. So I think in terms of this being politicized, we need to draw the distinction that we are talking just about humans who may be suffering from conditions and that the public needs to be notified about that. Kevin Pho: So, Im hearing what youre saying: that politicians, perhaps over a certain age like 65, should undergo mandatory MoCA, Mini-Mental State Exams, and neuropsychological testing on a routine basis, and those results should be made public. Is that what Im hearing from you? Muhamad Aly Rifai: I think that is accurate. Like U.S. physicians, we have to take maintenance of certifications. We have to take tests. We have to demonstrate our competency and our ability to do the job. Similarly, for politicians, their job is cognitive decisions, high-level decisions; they should be able to demonstrate publicly that theyre able to perform these tasks. I watched a press release from the White House yesterday and a public showing where something happened. People started questioning that the current sitting President, President Trump, was experiencing swelling in his lower extremities, and people put pictures on that, that his legs were swollen. Then the press secretary talked about the fact that he was tested. They did a lower extremity Doppler. They did lower extremity ultrasounds. They did a lower extremity venogram. They did echocardiograms of the heart. They did full testing to figure out that he had venous insufficiency of the lower extremity. Thats a condition associated with individuals who are above the age of 70. And it was benign. They said he did an echocardiogram of his heart, and his ejection fraction was normal. There are no issues. People noticed blotching on his hands. So I think being proactive and public about itif people had heard about that or, with the former president, Yes, hes experiencing this, this is whats going onthat would have allayed a lot of concerns. Public information, I think, would be able to allay some of these concerns. But standards, I think, are very important. We know a colleague physician was interviewed by Congress to talk about the mental health issues of the president, and unfortunately, he invoked his Fifth Amendment rights and didnt want to talk about it, invoking the privacy of the president. So these issues should be formalized. As a medical community, we need to come up with standards and say, This is what needs to be done for us to be confident that our leaders have the mental health as well as the physical health abilities to lead this country. Kevin Pho: Were talking to Muhamad Aly Rifai, psychiatrist and internist. Todays KevinMD article is How President Bidens Cognitive Health Shapes Political and Legal Trust. Muhamad, lets end with your take-home messages that you want to leave with the KevinMD audience. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Sure. The stakesethically, legally, and nationallycould not be higher. Transparency, medical integrity, and constitutional clarity really must guide us. In confronting these challenges and the discourse about former President Bidens cognitive health, as well as the health issues of the current sitting president, we navigate not merely the medical intricacies of dementia, cognitive issues, or medical issues, but also the foundational trust upon which our democracy stands. So I think we need to have standards, and we need to advocate for those standards. Kevin Pho: Thank you so much for sharing your perspective and insight, and thanks again for coming back on the show. Muhamad Aly Rifai: Thank you. Credit: CPS A police officer has been accused of leaking CCTV footage of the Manchester airport attack. The CCTV footage was published in July last year, days after a video clip was shared online showing a police officer kicking and stamping on a young man as he lay on the floor. The clip sparked protests in Manchester city centre and outside Rochdale police station before the CCTV footage revealed that in the lead-up to the actions, a female police officer was punched in the face. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Mohammed Fahir Amaaz, 20, was convicted by a jury at Liverpool Crown Court of assaulting Pc Lydia Ward, causing her actual bodily harm after he broke her nose. He was also convicted of assaulting her Greater Manchester Police (GMP) colleague, Pc Ellie Cook, during the incident at the airports Terminal Two car park pay station on July 23. Amaaz and his brother, Muhammad Ahmed, 26, both from Rochdale, face a retrial next year over an allegation they assaulted Pc Zachary Marsden, the officer seen to kick and stamp. Muhammad Amaad and Mohammed Fahir Amaaz at Liverpool Crown Court for their trial - Ryan Jenkinson/Getty Images An investigation by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) into the use of force by GMP officers during a series of arrests at the airport on July 23 remains ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the police watchdog has confirmed that a separate investigation over the alleged leak is under way. An IOPC spokesman said: We can confirm a Greater Manchester Police officer was recently informed they are being criminally investigated over an allegation they shared footage relating to an active police investigation into an incident at Manchester Airport in July 2024 without any legitimate policing purpose. We began our independent investigation following a referral from the force in September 2024, after concerns were raised about the source of a video provided to the media. We will now investigate these allegations and obtain an account from the officer concerned in due course. The officer has been informed they are being investigated over a number of potential offences, including unlawful obtaining of personal data, misconduct in a public office and perverting the course of justice. Credit: CPS Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an opinion piece on Wednesday, Sarah Lester, the Manchester Evening News editor who published the footage, said it provided critical context and pointed out that the protests stopped overnight. She wrote: After a careful process of verification and intense internal debate, we published it. We did so because we believed, and still believe, that in a democracy, the public deserves the full picture. Many senior figures in Manchester, including within the police, told us they were relieved, even grateful, that we had published it. We do not know the identity of the person being investigated and we make no comment on them or the investigation. But we do ask: what public interest is being served by pursuing this individual? How much taxpayer money is being spent on this, while the justice system groans under the weight of backlogs and delays? What message does this send to others who might be considering speaking up? This is a bad decision. 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. Police: Plaque recovered, but Suni Lee bust stolen from St. Paul park is still missing originally appeared on Bring Me The News. St. Paul police have found a plaque honoring hometown hero Suni Lee, but they still haven't recovered the bust stolen from a city park last week. The St. Paul Police Department announced last Thursday that the bronze bust of the Olympic gymnast had disappeared from Phalen Regional Park. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plaque with Suni's name was found last Friday near the shoreline of Lake Phalen, not far from where it was displayed alongside the bust, which remains missing as of Tuesday afternoon, a department spokesperson confirmed. The stolen Suni Lee statue.St. Paul Police Department One of Suni's family members, Seexeng Lee, created the statue to spark pride in the East Side community where she grew up. He told WCCO that the theft happened on the two-year anniversary of the bust's unveiling. "What are the odds?" Seexeng Lee said. "Then when the photo got to me my jaw dropped. I'm like, no, can it be?" The statue of the Minnesota-born athlete was unveiled on July 30, 2023, which the city proclaimed as "Suni Lee Day" in recognition of her gold medal win at the Tokyo Olympics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The St. Paul Police Department is asking anyone with information about the missing statue to email SPPD-eastinvestigations@stpaul.gov. This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. WEST JORDAN, Utah (ABC4) One person has been hospitalized following a shooting involving law enforcement as they were attempting to apprehend a suspect in West Jordan, late Wednesday morning. Utah County Sheriffs Office confirmed that the Utah County Major Crimes task force had been investigating the distribution of illegal drugs, affecting both Utah and Salt Lake County. The Utah County Major Crimes task force attempted a traffic stop on a suspect involved in that investigation in the area of 7800 South and Redwood Road During that attempt to apprehend the suspect, Sgt. Andrew Hercules, with the West Jordan Police Department, said an altercation occurred and shots were fired by Task Force agents. The suspect, who has not been identified, was taken to the hospital in stable condition. One officer was treated by medical teams and released on the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is currently unclear what led to the altercation or specifically how the suspect suffered his injuries. Sgt. Hercules said the West Jordan Police Department Officer Involved Critical Incident (OICI) team will be investigating the shooting. The Utah County Sheriffs Office will be further conducting the investigation into the drug distribution, which is reportedly ongoing and remains active. The incident was first reported by the Utah Department of Transportation as a police incident just after 11 a.m. on Aug. 6. During the closure, UDOT advised drivers to expect delays in the area of 7800 South and 2200 West. Commuters were encouraged to use an alternate route, such as 9000 South. This is a developing story. ABC4 will update this post as new information becomes available. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Search crews pumped water out of the Wood Dale-Itasca Reservoir on Wednesday in an effort to find a Bensenville man who was reported missing after trying to swim across the pond. Hipolito Polo Hernandez, 52, waded into the water Tuesday afternoon while visiting the reservoir with his girlfriend, according to police. The couple had been drinking on the shore when Hernandez who considered the spot his happy place and visited often attempted to cross the reservoir, his sister Celia Hernandez said. His girlfriend, Vanessa Del Rio, told the Tribune a cyclist stopped to express concern about Hernandez being in the water, but she wasnt worried because he was a good swimmer and frequently swam in local ponds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He had even gone for a dip in another nearby lagoon that afternoon, Del Rio said. Dont worry, she recalled telling the cyclist. Hes nuts like that. A short time later, Hernandez sank below the water line and did not resurface, Del Rio said. She called 911 shortly before 6:30 p.m., but authorities were not able to find him in the murky water. The reservoir is only 4 feet deep, according to the DuPage County Forest Preserve, but it has an unstable silt bottom that makes it easier to sink. Swimming is prohibited at the site, Forest Preserve police Chief David Pederson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rescue crews resumed their search shortly after 9 a.m. Wednesday, using sonar and a cadaver dog in an attempt to locate Hernandezs body. The Illinois Department of Natural Resources also was helping with the search, Pederson said. With their efforts so far unsuccessful, crews began pumping water from the reservoir around noon to make the search easier, the chief said. The process took several hours. In the meantime, authorities spoke with Hernandezs family to narrow down possible search locations. Were hopeful that well find the missing male and bring some closure to his family, Pederson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the crews searched, Celia Hernandez waited along the shore for any sign that authorities had found her brothers body. Born in Mexico, Polo Hernandez worked odd jobs and cared for his mother before her death earlier this year, she said. He has five children between the ages of 16 and 35, she said. Hernandez was one of 12 siblings and enjoyed playing the tuba. His family is trying to make sense of the tragedy, his sister said. Were just frozen, Celia Hernandez said. We just have no words. We cannot comprehend whats going on. HELLS KITCHEN, Manhattan (PIX11) Police are searching for a suspect in an attempted robbery that left the victim shot in Hells Kitchen, according to the NYPD. According to police, a 30-year-old man was shot after the suspect tried to rob him of his necklace near West 46th St. and 11th Ave. at around 2 a.m. on July 19. More Local News The man was taken to a local hospital in stable condition. The suspect, seen wearing a black hooded sweatshirt and grey shorts, left the area heading east on West 46th Street, police said. Police are searching for a suspect in an attempted robbery that left the victim shot. (Credit: NYPD) Anyone with information is asked to contact NYPD Crime Stoppers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Submit tips to police by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-577-TIPS (8477), visiting crimestoppers.nypdonline.org, downloading the NYPD Crime Stoppers mobile app, or texting 274637 (CRIMES) then entering TIP577. Spanish-speaking callers are asked to dial 1-888-57-PISTA (74782). Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ANDERSON COUNTY, S.C. (WSPA) The Anderson County Sheriffs Office is asking for help in locating an exotic cat that was stolen from a local sanctuary in Anderson County. Izzies Pond is an animal rescue and sanctuary located in Liberty. Investigators with the Animal Control Unit said the animal, a Serval cat, was stolen from the sanctuary on July 10. The Sheriffs Office charged 20-year-old Bennett Van Every, a former Izzies Pond employee, with one county of grand larceny. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies stated the Serval, named CJ, has yet to be recovered, and there is a likelihood the animal has wandered out of county and potentially the state. The Anderson County Sheriffs Office asks that anyone with information regarding the Servals location to contact their office at 864-260-4400, or to email dlmcqueen@andersonsheriff.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. Poland's new right-wing president Karol Nawrocki took the oath of office on Wednesday and immediately came out with an anti-migration and anti-euro statement. "I will be the voice of the citizens who want sovereignty and security," Nawrocki said in his inaugural speech. "No to illegal migration, yes to the zloty, no to the euro." Poland does not currently have the European Union's common currency and the conservative nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) opposition party, which backed Nawrocki, opposes adopting it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki's PiS supporters chanted his name and new title after he was sworn in. The 42-year-old historian, who ran as an independent, won the run-off election in early June by a small margin over Warsaw's liberal Mayor Rafa Trzaskowski. The victory marked a significant political defeat for the pro-European government of Prime Minister Donald Tusk. Apart from being a eurosceptic, Nawrocki is also a supporter of US President Donald Trump. The new Polish president is expected to attempt to bring about a political shift in Poland. Nawrocki succeeds Andrzej Duda, who had to step down after two terms in office. Traditionally, the president in Poland takes the oath of office before the National Assembly, which consists of both chambers of parliament. Then-Prince George's County Executive Angela Alsobrooks, left, with then-Vice President Kamala Harris at a Prince George's County rally in June 2024. (File photo by William J. Ford/Maryland Matters) A recent report shows Black women have made record gains in state legislatures this year, especially in Maryland. It shows the state has the highest percentage of Black women lawmakers in the nation, accounting for 18.6% of the 188-member General Assembly. Maryland is one of 14 states where the legislatures share of Black women is higher than its representation of the states population at 17.9%. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is pretty rare, said Chelsea Hill, an author of the report released Thursday, Black Women in American Politics 2025. Whats really important to the Democratic, and also the Republican side, is that there is support for these Black women candidates. To help fundraise. To create infrastructure. To make a concerted effort to make these jobs for officeholders something that Black women would want to do. The report was compiled by Rutgers Universitys Center for American Women and Politics and the Higher Heights Leadership Fund, a nonprofit aimed at boosting Black women in leadership roles. Besides state legislatures, the university has followed progress of Black women in other statewide offices and Congress since 2014. The biggest improvement has come in state legislatures, which has grown form about 240 Black women more than a decade ago to a record high 401 this year. Hill, the director of data at the Rutgers center, said Black women are running in these races and winning them. She said its about getting these candidates through the pipeline and having support for them. When Black women run, they win. The report highlights six Black women who current lead their state House chambers including Maryland Speaker Adrienne Jones (D-Baltimore County). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, there remain challenges. Five states Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, North Dakota and South Dakota currently have no Black women in their legislatures. President Donald Trump (R) continues to push to eliminate diversity, equity and inclusion policies (DEI) from federal agencies, and states like Florida and Iowa have moved to ban those initiatives at state colleges and universities. The report was released one day after former Vice President Kamala Harris (D) said she would not seek the governorship of California. She believes that her current most powerful use of her voice, her time, talent and treasures, is as someone not running for office and somebody not governing, Glynda Carr, the president and CEO of Higher Heights, said during a briefing reported by the New Jersey Monitor, a part of States Newsroom. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. Sens. Angela Alsobrooks (D-Md.) and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) credit Harris presidential candidacy last year as a testament for other Black women to seek political office. Alsobrooks and Blunt Rochester made history last year as the first two Black women ever elected to serve in the Senate at the same time. That milestone is not a coincidence; its a culmination, the senators wrote in the foreword to the report. But this is not just a story of celebration. As this report makes clear, Black women remain underrepresented at every level of government, especially in the highest offices. In our nations 249-year history, a Black woman has never served as governor of a state or as president of the United States. That reality is a stark reminder that our work is not done. Iannucci to OMalley Miles Thats not a double-play combination, but the latest chapter in the long political-adjacent career of David Iannucci. Iannucci, recently retired as president and CEO of the Prince Georges Economic Development Corp., has joined the law firm of OMalley, Miles, Nylen & Gilmore, the firm announced Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are so thrilled to have David Iannucci on our team, said William Shipp, managing director of the firm, which has offices in Greenbelt and Annapolis. His experience in economic development in Maryland is unparalleled. Iannucci welcomed the great opportunity to join such a prestigious firm. I cant wait to use my experience advising and advocating for clients seeking to navigate the government real estate development labyrinth, he said in a press release from the firm. Iannuccis experience goes back 50 years, starting as a legislative assistant to Del. Joseph Vallario (D-Prince Georges) in 1975 while he was still in law school. He earned a bachelors degree from the University of Maryland, College Park, in 1974 and his law degree from the University of Maryland School of Law in 1979. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since then, he has served as Gov. William Donald Schaefers chief legislative officer, as secretary of the Maryland Department of Business and Economic Development and as executive director of the Baltimore County Department of Economic Development. He was deputy chief of staff to Gov. Parris Glendening and assistant deputy chief administrative officer under former Prince Georges County Executive Rushern Baker. He started as head of the Prince Georges Economic Development Corp. in 2018, serving until his retirement this year, and was admitted to the Maryland Economic Development Association Hall of Fame. Kane leaves hospital regulating commission Former chair of the Health Services Cost Review Commission Adam Kane has termed out of his tenure with the powerful hospital regulating board amid the states transition into a new hospital payment model. Kane was first appointed to the HSCRC in 2017 as a commissioner. He was appointed commission chair in 2020 right as the COVID-19 pandemic took off, and is largely credited for helping to lead the state through the public health crisis. He was removed from his chairmanship in 2023 when Gov. Wes Moore (D) appointed former state health Secretary Dr. Joshua Sharfstein to take the position, but Kane still served as a commissioner until his term ended in June. Former Health Services Cost Review Commissioner Adam Kane on Oct. 11, 2023. (Photo by Danielle J. Brown/Maryland Matters). At the June meeting, Sharfstein presented Kane with a plaque that recognized him for his steadfast leadership of the Commission throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and consistent dedication to the health and welfare of the people of Maryland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The HSCRC sets hospital rates in the state. It oversees the states Total Cost of Care model which aims to incentivize higher quality of care at lower costs for Marylanders by setting a fixed amount of revenue that a hospital can earn each year. Kane attended his last meeting with the HSCRC virtually. Its been almost eight years, he said at the time. He thanked all of the governors who allowed him to serve on the commission Gov. Martin OMalley (D), Gov. Larry Hogan (R) and Moore. I really walk away thinking that its been quite an experience to get to know all of these folks who are really trying to do the right thing for our health care system and the citizens of Maryland, Kane said. I am hopeful that you guys will be able to steer it to a more successful future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kanes departure means that he will not be around as the commissioners work with the Trump administration to transition into a new hospital payment model known as AHEAD, or the Advancing All-Payer Health Equity Approaches and Development model, which takes a cue from Marylands current rate setting system but could see significant changes as negotiations continue. During this past legislative session, Moore appointed Kane to the Maryland Stadium Authority, where he has served since April. The commission has a new member in Kanes place Jonathan Blum, who previously served as an administrator for the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services under the Biden administration. [Source] A new AP-NORC poll finds that skepticism toward diversity, equity and inclusion programs is rising sharply as fewer Americans, especially white adults, believe significant discrimination exists against Black and Asian people. The nationwide poll of 1,437 adults conducted in July shows that the most pronounced drops in concern about racial bias and support for DEI are among white respondents, even as Black and Asian adults remain far more likely to perceive discrimination in their own communities. Perceptions fall unevenly by race The poll found 45% of adults now believe Black people face a great deal or quite a bit of discrimination, down from 60% in 2021. For Asian Americans, the share dropped to 32% from 45% three years ago. Black respondents remain the most likely to see systemic bias, with 74% saying their community faces significant discrimination. Trending on NextShark: Poll finds decline in Americans who believe Asian Americans experience discrimination Only 39% of white respondents and about 30% of Asian respondents perceive high levels of discrimination against their own groups. The sharpest decline in concern came from white adults, with many saying that too much attention is paid to racial issues. Declining support for DEI Just four in 10 Americans now say DEI programs help reduce discrimination against Black people, and only about one-third believe DEI is helpful for Asian, Hispanic or women communities. Nearly 30% say DEI may actually increase discrimination. Among white respondents, 39% say DEI increases discrimination against white people. Only about a third of Asian respondents believe DEI benefits their own group, and many (39%) remain doubtful about its impact. Trending on NextShark: Chicagos Chinatown residents speak out against proposed new stadium The drop in support comes as real-world DEI programs face heightened scrutiny. In March, the University of Florida eliminated its DEI office and reassigned or laid off over a dozen staff after the state enacted new restrictions. Several large companies including CVS Health and Meta have scaled back DEI-focused recruitment and training efforts in recent months. Policy changes In recent months, the Trump administration has issued directives dismantling DEI policies in federal workplaces and schools. Republican-led states including Florida, Ohio and Virginia have passed laws banning DEI offices and training in public institutions. Trending on NextShark: Kash Patels girlfriend denies spy allegations Civil rights groups have responded with legal challenges. In February, a coalition led by Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC) filed a federal lawsuit arguing President Trumps executive orders against DEI are unconstitutional and threaten years of progress. Other organizations, including the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU), have filed lawsuits challenging similar changes, arguing they violate federal law and threaten equal opportunity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This story is part of The Rebel Yellow Newsletter a bold weekly newsletter from the creators of NextShark, reclaiming our stories and celebrating Asian American voices. Trending on NextShark: Trailblazing Vietnamese American pilot dies in attempt to fly around the world solo Subscribe free to join the movement. If you love what were building, consider becoming a paid member your support helps us grow our team, investigate impactful stories, and uplift our community. Subscribe here now! Trending on NextShark: Trump credited by Cambodian official with brokering ceasefire with Thailand Download the NextShark App: Want to keep up to date on Asian American News? Download the NextShark App today! SRT (Photo by 123RF) You can easily reach almost any destination on the Korean Peninsula with minimal effort and at a reasonable cost, whether by train, taxi, bus, plane, or your privately owned vehicle. Here are the basics to help you get started! TRAIN In South Korea, you can travel to most towns by train. Railway trains are a great alternative to air travel, offering a wider selection of destinations and more flexible travel times than airlines. Two companies operate railway trains in Korea: KORAIL and SRT. KORAIL is the national railway company that operates both general and high-speed trains, while SRT only offers high-speed train services. SRT SRT (Photo by 123RF) SRT logo (Screenshot of SRT website.) Type of train High-speed train. Reservations SRT offers English booking service only through its website. Check available schedule and seats. Things to know about a standing ticket If all seat tickets are sold out, you have the option to purchase a standing ticket. These tickets are only available on-site at any train station, regardless of your departure or destination. For SRT trains, its recommended to secure a standing ticket in advance as they offer a limited number of standing tickets, which tend to sell out quickly during weekends or peak seasons. The Mugunghwa-ho trains usually feature a cafe car with unreserved seats, and many KTX or SRT trains have folding chairs between the entrance and corridors. KORAIL Jun 20, 2017 High speed bullet trains (KTX) and Korail trains stop at the Seoul station in South Korea (Photo by 123RF) KTX logo (Screenshot of KTX) Type of trains General Trains: ITX-Saemaeul Saemaeul Mugunghwa-ho High-speed train: KTX Reservation for a ticket 1. Download KorailTalk app on your phone or check the website. (Both provide the same service) For the app, change the language setting to English as seen in the picture. 1. KorailTalk language setting (Screenshot of KorailTalk app) 2. Search the departure and arrival stations and check the schedule. 3. Click select on the class and check the timetable and fare. 3. Korail schedule (Screenshot of KorailTalk app) 4. Purchase a ticket with your credit card. (If it doesnt work, your bank probably blocks international usage or you might be using a VPN) *The English service doesnt offer a choice of seat. If you want to select your seat, purchase a ticket in advance at the station. KorailTalk Tips for finding your lost items SUBWAY Seoul Metro Map (Image courtesy of Seoul Metro) Several major cities operate subway systems with signs in both Korean and English. Taking the subway is a highly convenient choice for traveling within metropolitan areas. Seoul Metropolitan Subway has 24 lines with 654 stations. Many metro lines in Seoul have several different train routes, which can be complicated, so always check carefully before boarding. Areas: Seoul Metropolitan Area (Seoul, Incheon, Gyeonggi-do), Busan, Daegu, Daejeon, Gwangju Hours: Approximately 5:30 a.m. - midnight Fare: 1,400 won-1,600 won (transportation card) / 1,500 won -1,700 won (single journey ticket) for adults. Payment: Purchase a prepaid transportation card at a convenient store or buy a single journey ticket at the ticket vending machines. Download Subway Korea on your phone! The Subway Korea app helps navigate the complicated metro system, providing information on all subway lines in Korea, including routes, schedules, fares, travel times and more. When you select your departure and arrival stations, you can check all available train schedules. Subway Korea app (Image courtesy of Subway Korea) Subway Korea app (Screenshot of Subway Korea app) Subway Korea app (Screenshot of Subway Korea app) Special Metro lines in Seoul Line 1 (Dark Blue): Those working at Camp Casey, Osan Air Base, and Camp Humphreys may have the opportunity to use Line 1. Its the longest line, featuring various complex routes. Line 1 trains run from Soyosan, located north of Dongducheon (Camp Casey), to two different directions: Incheon or Seodongtan, with a separation point at Guro Station. Those returning to Osan Air Base or Camp Humphreys from Seoul should ensure to take trains toward Sinchang or Cheonan. To navigate your trip with Line 1 correctly, check the schedule of the train through the app and make sure to get on the right train. Line 2 (Green): This is the busiest metro line in the ROK, stopping at many famous destinations, including Jamsil, Gangnam, Hongdae, Dongdaemun, and Namdaemun (at City Hall Station). Make sure to board the right train, as going in the wrong direction for a full circuit will result in a very long ride to your destination. Sinbundang Line (Red): Sinbundang Line is essentially a shortcut from Gangnam Station down to the Seongnam/Bundang/Pangyo area. The fare is 2-3 times more expensive than other lines because it was built through private investment. Rules for priority seating on buses, trains BUS Regular buses provide a great alternative to subways or trains, especially for reaching destinations that are not accessible by train or subway. The fare can be paid either in cash or with a transportation card upon boarding. Each city has its own bus system, and you can easily plan your journey using Kakao or Naver Map apps. These apps offer comprehensive information, including fares, detailed schedules, bus arrival times and estimated travel durations. This information is also displayed at bus stops. Fare: 1,500 won (transportation card) / 1,500 won -1,700 won (single journey ticket) for adults. Payment: Cash or a transportation card (If paying with cash, make sure to use coins or 1,000 won bills. Some buses may not accept cash, so the best way is to own your T-money card.) In Seoul, there are four different color-coded bus systems (bus numbers indicate specific routes): Blue buses: Operate on long-distance routes within Seoul. Green buses: Operate on short-distance routes, connecting blue buses and subway stations for transfers. Another type of green bus is the community bus, operating in small residential areas. Red buses: Express buses connecting Seoul, Incheon, and cities in Gyeonggi-do on long-distance routes. Yellow buses: Operate short-distance circular routes within the city and between sub-centers. Green Bus (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Express buses: ticket required Taking an express bus is also a convenient and affordable alternative to railway trains. Depending on the departure and arrival locations, express buses can sometimes be even more efficient than trains. The bus routines from Incheon Airport to Pyeongtaek Station are also very useful for those working on Camp Humphreys. Thanks to bus lanes, express buses can promise you almost consistent arrival times regardless of traffic. There are two types of express buses, each operated by different companies: Sioe Bus and Gosok Bus. Its important to note that depending on the company, they use different terminals and websites. Due to this reason, there are often two express bus terminals in the same area within a few minutes distance from each other. So, be sure not to get confused about which terminal to head to depending on the destination. Intercity Bus (Sioe Bus-) Intercity Buses may make stops at various points between the departure and destination, which could make the travel time longer compared to Express Buses. Both the website and mobile app provide English services. However, reservations are currently only available in Korean. You can still check bus schedules and the number of available seats. Express Bus (Gosok Bus-) The website offers English services, and booking with a foreign credit card is available. Express Buses provide a direct journey without intermediate stops while traveling from the departure point to the destination. Website Learn how to use express buses TRANSPORTATION CARD: A MUST-HAVE ITEM IN KOREA Koreas public transportation system allows you to transfer to another bus or subway for free within 30 minutes. The number of free transfers is limited to 4 times a day in Seoul Metropolitan Area and 2-4 times in other metropolitan cities depending on the region. To take advantage of this benefit, you must have a transportation card which offers a discount of about 100 won per ride in addition to the transfer discounts. Several prepaid transportation card options are available, including T-money, EZL, Wowpass and more. However, the T-money card is the best option as it can be used across all regions in Korea for various purposes. T-money cards can be used not only for buses, subways, and taxis, but also at convenience stores, High-Pass tollgates, parking lots and more. For transportation card mobile apps, only Android phones support mobile T-money and EZL cards via Samsung Pay and the mobile T-money app. Currently, there is no mobile system for Apple phone users. T-money card Price: From 3,000 won more (The price goes up depending on the design and type) Top-up locations: Convenience stores (GS25, CU, 7-Eleven, MINISTOP, Story Way, Emart24, 365PLUS) and subway stations How to use 1. Purchase a card at top-up locations and add 1,000 won to 90,000 won on the card. 2. Scan the card at a bus and metro when you enter. Make sure to scan it again before you exit to get a transfer discount. *You can request a refund for the charged money at any time at top-up locations and T-money Town in Seoul Station. (A 500-won service fee is charged) Examples of T-Money Card. (Image courtesy of Tmoney Co.) TAXI (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Types of taxi General (Ilban) taxi: Fares start at 4,800 won for the first 1.6 km with an additional charge of 100 won for every 131 meters or 30 seconds. These taxis are usually white and orange in color and many display Kakao T mark. Deluxe (Mobeom) taxi: The fare starts at 7,000 won for the first 3 km with an additional charge of 200 won for every 151 meters or 36 seconds. These taxis are usually black with a yellow sign on top. Many deluxe taxis are stationed at major hotels, subway, and bus stations. Large taxi: A large taxi can accommodate between 6 and 13 passengers. The fare system is the same as deluxe taxis. Night Fare It can be challenging to catch a taxi just before night fares begin as many drivers expect to be paid a higher rate, so its important to be aware of the rules. Night fare rates and times vary depending on the region. In Seoul, the night fare applies from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. with an additional charge of 20-40%. In Gyeonggi-do, the night fare starts from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. with an additional charge of 30%. In other regions, night fares generally apply from 11 p.m. to 4 a.m. with a surcharge of 20-40%. Payment options Cash, transportation card and credit card (foreign credit cards are accepted) Lights on a taxi The light on a plate located at the upper center of the windshield indicates whether a taxi is vacant or occupied. A red sign ( - Bincha) signifies that the taxi is vacant, while a green plate ( - Yeoyak) indicates that the car is occupied or reserved. A blue sign () means that the taxi is off for the day. If there is no light, it means the taxi is already taken or not available. How to grab a taxi On the street Hail cabs on the street by waving your hands when the red light on the plate is visible. Line up at taxi stations. Most subway stations have taxi stations nearby. On mobile Kakao T: monopolizes nearly 95% of the domestic taxi-calling market, making it an essential app for grabbing a taxi in Korea. You can call a taxi to your current location through Kakao T app, and it offers English service as well. General request option allows in-person payment by cash or card when you arrive at your destination so those who dont have a Korean credit card can still use Kakao T services. For more details, check out how to use Kakao T. How to use Kakato T Uber: In Korea, only licensed drivers with special plates can operate taxis, so car-sharing services are not permitted. All Uber drivers in Korea are legal taxi drivers. Although its not as common as Kakao T, Uber still works well, especially in major cities like Seoul and Busan. On base Exchange taxis are available on base, making life easier around bases. (Dial: 1544-9080) Exchange taxi website CAR Traveling by car in ROK is very convenient thanks to Korean GPS apps such as Kakao or Naver Map available in both English and Korean. They provide all necessary information including recommended travel routes, expected travel time, toll fees and more. If you plan to drive on the highways with your POV, use the Hi-Pass system, allowing you to pay tolls without having to stop and count out money each time. The Hi-Pass system requires two items: an On-Board Unit (OBU a card reader device) and a Hi-Pass card. Car Highpass & OBU (Photo by Hyemin Lee) Places to buy Online shopping malls (Gmarket, Coupang both sites accept foreign credit cards) Most convenience stores (OBU only at GS25 & Hi-Pass card GS25, CU, E-Mart, 7-Eleven) Most rest stops (kiosk or inquire at the Information Center) Hi-Pass centers at most tollgates Hi-Pass Service in the Main PX (Bldg. 5700) on Camp Humphreys OBU Check if your vehicle already has an OBU installed as most vehicles produced in recent years come with one. If not, purchase a device, which generally costs around 40,000-50,000 won. Keep in mind that you need to register the OBU at Hi-Pass centers at tollgates or ask the OBU seller to handle the registration process for you. Registration requires your ID and vehicle registration with your name on it. Hi-Pass card There are two types of cards: prepaid and auto-charge cards. Auto-charge cards require a Korean bank account, so the prepaid option may be easier for you. The card usually costs between 5,000 won and 6,000 won, and it can be topped up with amounts from 10,000 to 500,000 won. Top-up locations include convenience stores (GS25, CU, E-Mart, 7-Eleven) and rest stop kiosks, and mostly only cash is accepted. Note If you dont want to use the Hi-Pass system, you can always tap your T-money card at a tollgate. PLANE (Photo by MYUNGKU, stock.adobe.com) In ROK, there are eight international airports and seven domestic airports. When traveling within Korea, various transportation options such as high-speed trains, buses, and cars are available, offering affordable prices and a wide choice of schedules. In some cases, domestic flights can be a good choice with a quicker travel time at an affordable price depending on the situation. Moreover, you can enjoy very cost-effective travels around Asia from Korea. Round-trip journeys to numerous Asian countries, including Japan, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, and Thailand, come at very reasonable prices, often below $200. Dont miss the opportunity to explore the Pacific area and make the most of your time during your stay in Korea! Airport Express-AREX Airport Railroad (Arex) connects Incheon Airport to other areas in Seoul, offering two types of train services: Express trains and all-stop trains. Express trains go directly to Seoul from Incheon Airport, taking only 43 minutes from Terminal 1 and 51 minutes from Terminal 2. The fare to Seoul Station is 13,000 won for adults and 9,500 won for children. Tickets can be purchased on-site or via a mobile device. All-stop trains stop at other destinations, including Gimpo Airport, Hongdae, and Seoul Station. You can purchase a ticket or tap your T-money card. International Airport vs Domestic Airport International airports: International airports include Incheon, Gimpo, Jeju, Gimhae, Cheongju, Daegu, Yangyang and Muan. Besides Incheon Airport that connects destinations worldwide, other international airports mainly serve flights to locations close to Korea, including domestic destinations, Japan, China, Taiwan, Thailand, the Philippines, as well as Guam and Hawaii. Domestic airports: Domestic airports include Gunsan, Yeosu, Pohang, Ulsan, Wonju, Sacheon and Gwangju. These airports operate flights to Seoul, Jeju Island and other major cities. Travelers often use domestic airports to fly to Incheon or Gimpo airports for international travel. Useful airports (Map by Stripes Korea) Incheon International Airport The largest airport in Korea with two terminals. Make sure to check which terminal to go to before heading to the airport. Gimpo International Airport Located in Seoul, its the second biggest airport after Incheon Airport. Cheongju International Airport Many use this airport when traveling from Camp Humphreys or Osan Air Base to Jeju Island. It operates flights to Japan, Taiwan, and Southeast Asian countries. Gunsan Airport A small domestic airport located near Kunsan Air Base mainly used when traveling to Jeju Island. Daegu International Airport Mainly used for flights to Jeju Island, Japan, Taiwan, and the Philippines. Gimhae International Airport A hub for those seeking Busan from other cities. It operates numerous flights to Seoul, Jeju Island and various Asian countries. Tips for traveling to Jeju Many travelers take domestic flights when heading to Jeju Island, and round-trip journeys typically range from 55,000 to 150,000 won. Flights are a much cheaper and a quicker option than taking a ferry. You dont have to use international airports for flying Jeju, so plan your trip from the nearest airport. Also, car rentals at Jeju Airport are very affordable with costs starting from 25,000 won per day. LETS PRACTICE TOGETHER! Lets say youre a newcomer who has never used public transportation in Korea. Lets make a trip plan together step by step. 1. Download Naver Map or Kakao Map These apps will guide you what transportation to use and where to take them. You can also see the arrival time of buses, subways and trains. They are mostly very accurate. 2. Search the departure and arrival location For subways: Try to check the arrival time of the subway on the app, and make sure youre taking the right train in the right direction. For trains: Try to make a reservation with KorailTalk or the SRT website. 3. Leave the base and start your journey! 1) Take a taxi from your location directly to the station and buy a T-money card there. (Exchange taxi: 1544-9080) 2) Get a T-money card at a convenience store near your location and take a bus to get to the station! Screenshot of Naver Map app (Screenshot of Naver Map app) GPS apps Kakao Map: Android / iOs Kakao Map (Image courtesy of Kakao Map) Naver Map: Android / iOs Naver Map (Image courtesy of Naver Map) Waze (on-base): Android / iOs Popular Home Retailer's Ominous Social Media Post Has Shoppers Worried originally appeared on Parade. Kirkland's Home shared a major update amid their rebranding after joining forces with Bed, Bath & Beyond. On August 5, the brand's CEO Amy Sullivan released a statement about what lies ahead for the popular store. Though the post was quite thorough, some shoppers didn't see the whole message, and were simply shown the end of the announcement on Facebook, which sounded a bit ominous and it had fans worried that the stores are closing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is not goodbye to Kirkland's Home," the message read. "It's the next chapter in a story 60 years in the making, and we can't wait to write it with you." A few fans expressed concerns over possibly losing one of their favorite stores. "Are stores closing? Hope not!" one comment read. "Please don't take one of the last stores I actually enjoy shopping in! They closed the Christmas tree shops and there are hardly enough Kirklands around as it is !! I moved to Florida and found your store and was so happy! Don't take this away from me," someone else said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Please dont close any stores its the best place there ever was," a third Facebook user wrote. However, Kirkland's Home previously announced that it's rebranding in June 2025. At the time, the company said it would change its name from Kirkland's Home to The Brand House Collective. "From the moment our partnership with Beyond began it was clear that our model needed to evolve. The Brand House Collective is more than a new name - it's a bold declaration of where we're headed," Sullivan said in a press release. "We're aligning our identity with our vision to become a multi-brand merchandising, supply chain and retail operator - and backing it with decisive actions to strengthen our foundation: reducing excess inventory, closing underperforming locations, optimizing real estate assets, and enhancing talent across the organization," she continued. "We are building a leaner, flatter and performance-led organization - driven by transformation, anchored in accountability, and powered by new ideas that we believe will deliver results." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the August 5 update, Kirkland's Home announced that newly branded "Bed, Bath and Beyond Home" stores will be tested in "select markets." Fans who were able to see the announcement in full seem to have mixed feelings about the rebranding with some really excited for what's to come and others skeptical that the store they know and love is going to change. Kirkland's Home carries a wide variety of home decor items ranging from lamps to pillows, rugs, furniture, wreaths, candles and everything in between. Bed, Bath and Beyond which closed all its retail stores in 2023 sold more functional items, including kitchen gadgets, laundry essentials, bedding, bath towels and things of that nature. Popular Home Retailer's Ominous Social Media Post Has Shoppers Worried first appeared on Parade on Aug 5, 2025 This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. The porchfest movement, where communities gather to create a festival of live music concerts in a single day using their front porches, storefronts and sidewalks as stages, continues to captivate Connecticut. Hartfords West End neighborhood has just announced its sixth annual Porchfest to be held rain or shine on Sept. 14 from 1 to 6 p.m. with an afterparty at Westside Square on Farmington Avenue starting at 6 p.m. The West End Porchfest has the backing of the West End Civic Association. The central location will be Noah Webster MicroSociety Magnet School on Cone Street where there will be food trucks, a food drive for local food pantries and community activities. Performers at the West End Porchfest include All Out Loud, Big Joe and the Stolen Hearts, Big Ole Tree, Billy Sunday, Travis Busch, Earl Champagne, the Connecticut Army National Guards 102d Army Brass Band, Dads Noisy Basement, Dorhensky, Ginger Bug, Go 2 Eleven, Ashley Aisyah Hamel, the Hartford Hot Several, Haunting Titans, the Meetinghouse Trio, New England Pride 247-365!, Liz Oman-Wilfrid, Paper Suns, Primo, Sean Rivers, Hart Roper, Shes With Him, David Swanson, Lee Totten, Ulysses, Walking Cosmo, Willin and Maddie and Yellow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The porchfest phenomenon began in Ithaca, New York in 2007 and has spread steadily throughout the country to where the porchfest.org website now lists 235 separate events. While porchfests are each organized separately in their own communities, the common elements are that the festivals are held on porches or in front of local shops, that the performances are free and musicians from the immediate area are highly valued. Porchfests can happen at any time of year but most happen in late summer or early fall. Sarah Moore, the founder and co-chair of the West End Porchfest, grew up in Ithaca, New York. She said that when she moved to Hartford she decided to start her own Porchfest in my new neighborhood. One of the benefits of the event, she said, is that you meet your neighbors. She explained that while the Noah Webster school building is the clearing house for information about the festival, most of the concerts happen on actual porches in the neighborhood. Moore said that the event is entirely volunteer-run, and the musicians offer to play for free. Some of the acts are from the West End, while others come from all over Connecticut and Massachusetts. The Hartford Hot Several and the Connecticut Army National Guards 102d Army Band are among those who have perviously performed in the West End Porchfest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another community whose Porchfest has reached its sixth year is Wethersfield. The Old Wethersfield Shopkeepers organization announced that the 2025 Porchfest will happen rain or shine on Aug. 23, beginning with a free yoga session at 9:15 a.m. and performances by over 40 musical acts along Old Wethersfields Main Street. Over 90 vendors will be part of the event, some of them found at local landmarks such as the Webb Deane Stevens Museum, Heirloom Market, The Shops at One Hope, Soulshine Yoga and the Castor and Poly boutique. The musician lineup has not yet been announced. The oldest established annual Porchfest in Connecticut is the Black Rock PorchFest in Bridgeport, which has been happening since 2016. Like Old Wethersfields, Bridgeports PorchFest is happening on Aug. 23. Over 50 musical acts are expected to be involved and a full lineup will be announced soon on the events Facebook page. Staffords Porchfest, which also bears the title Gather & Groove, will be held on Aug. 16 from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. and features a 1980s-themed dance party followed by a fife and drum concert and a drum circle on the towns Haymarket Common plus an ice cream social at the Stafford Library. Other performers include Andre Prete, Surley Steven, Joe Hollays Acoustic Duo and The Core. The Guilford Porchfest, in just in its second year, boasts 50-plus performers on 30 porches on Sept. 6 from noon to 5 p.m. More than ten years ago, students, volunteers and shipwrights at the Bayfront Maritime Center (BMC) set off on a project to replicate a historic tall ship used in the War of 1812. The project began when a couple from Ohio donated a fiberglass hull to the BMC, which would later become the base for a replica of the Gunboat Schooner Porcupine. Fast forward ten years later, construction on the ship has reached about 90 percent completion, but the Porcupine still sits in the BMCs workshop on Holland Street, awaiting its maiden voyage on Lake Erie. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tall Ships Erie looking for volunteers, expecting tens of thousands of visitors It would be ideal to have her for 2026, if we could. Just like everything else in this world, it takes some money, but shes at a point where if we had the money, we could get her together, said Dutch Noll, a volunteer with the Bayfront Maritime Center. Once complete, the Porcupine would join the U.S. Brig Niagara and the Lettie G. Howard as Eries third tall ship, but first workers need to put the masts up, finish some electrical work, and complete other finishing touches. But completing those final steps has been difficult, as financial issues and a global pandemic have slowed down construction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Work progressed pretty much up until COVID, and then the school programs sort of shut down, volunteers were not able to work the way they had been able to work, so the ultimate plan is to get it in the water, said Rod Troester, board member at the Bayfront Maritime Center. The original Schooner Porcupine sailed Lake Erie for the first time more than 200 years ago, and soon it could get another chance to relive its rich history in Erie. Lettie G. Howard crew helps rescue woman from Lake Erie In Perrys original fleet in 1813, he had a few gunboats, one of which was Porcupine, said Noll. It would be nice to see Niagara and Porcupine out there together as they once were 200 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Noll said the Porcupine was built right here in Erie and was one of the nine ships in Oliver Hazard Perrys fleet that defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Erie, marking a turning point in the War of 1812. But for the historic ship to set sail on Lake Erie again, it needs the communitys support to make it happen. If you would like to donate to the Bayfront Maritime Center to help Porcupine set sail again, you can find a link to their website 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 WJET/WFXP/YourErie.com. A man suspected of murdering three women in the Portland area and abandoning their bodies has now been formally charged with a fourth homicide, officials announced on Tuesday. At a press conference, Multnomah County District Attorney Nathan Vasquez revealed that a grand jury has indicted Jesse Lee Calhoun in connection with the death of 22-year-old Kristin Smith, whose remains were discovered in November 2022. The new charges, second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse, come roughly two and a half years after her body was found. Calhoun had already faced similar charges for the deaths of Charity Perry, 24, Bridget Webster, 31, and Joanna Speaks, 32. He pleaded not guilty to all previous counts of second-degree murder and abuse of a corpse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The indictment is a very important and visible step as we seek justice for these victims," DA Vasquez said during an emotional press conference. Six Migrants Charged In Sc Moms Murder Detailed Crime In Eerie Messages: Just The Beginning Jesse Lee Calhoun appears in Multnomah County Circuit Court for his arraignment, June 6, 2024, in Portland, Ore. Calhoun is currently being held at the Inverness Jail in Multnomah County. His trial is expected to begin in 2027. Read On The Fox News App Fox News Digital reached out to Calhouns attorney, Cameron Taylor, but his office declined to comment publicly. Kristin Smiths mother, Melissa Smith, gave a tearful statement, surrounded by loved ones and relatives of the other victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Its been 898 days since I found out Kristen was deceased I never lost hope. I never gave up. And I never will," she vowed. "The Portland Five will never be forgotten." Burned Remains Of Missing Alabama Woman Discovered After Suspect Allegedly Hit Her With Car Perry, Webster, and Kristin Smith were discovered in various parts of Oregon, while Speaks body was located in an abandoned barn in southwestern Washington. Between early 2023 and the following months, their remains were found in remote and concealed areas, such as wooded locations, culverts, and beneath a bridge, within a 100-mile radius. The pattern raised fears that a serial killer might be targeting young women in the region. Diana Allen, the mother of victim Charity Perry, delivered a stern message aimed at Calhoun and others like him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You are not the smartest person in the room. Maybe the day of your crime you were but you're no longer in your room. You're in mine." Law enforcement officials have released few details about the ongoing investigation. DA Vasquez noted that another womans death in the same timeframe remains under review. Utah Cold Case Solved 40 Years After 18-Year-old Womans Murder Thanks To Dna Sample, Police Say The case of Ashley Rial, another woman allegedly linked to Calhoun, remains under investigation, according to officials. No charges have been filed yet in connection to her death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked whether Calhouns case qualifies as serial killing, Vasquez stopped short of applying the label. "We focus on the victims. These were murders of young women with massive impact," he said. Calhoun was taken into custody in June 2023 due to unrelated parole violations. He was indicted in May 2024, just before he was scheduled to be released from state prison. He had been reincarcerated in 2023 to complete a four-year sentence for offenses including assaulting a police officer, attempting to strangle a police dog, burglary, and more. He had previously been released in 2021, a year ahead of schedule, due to his participation in a wildfire firefighting program in 2020. That early release was later rescinded by Gov. Tina Kotek in 2023 after Calhoun became a suspect in the homicide investigations. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Portland murder suspect hit with fourth homicide charge as victims' families demand justice Possible active shooting incident prevented at major Florida airport, deputies say Deputies said they stopped a possible active shooting incident on Tuesday at a major Florida airport. Investigators said 41-year-old Michael Rodrigues is facing weapons and drug charges after deputies found a loaded AR-15 rifle and multiple knives in his rental car at Palm Beach International Airport. Deputies said they made the discovery after airport personnel reported a suspicious individual outside a parked vehicle in a restricted area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deputies found Rodrigues standing outside the vehicle getting dressed and discovered a fully loaded AR-15 magazine in the glove compartment. Officials said Rodrigues is being interviewed by detectives. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) A possible data center just east of Sioux Falls and west of Brandon will be in front of the Sioux Falls City Council on Wednesday for the first time after the Sioux Falls planning commission recommended approval of changing the city comprehensive plan. On July 2, the Sioux Falls Planning Commission approved recommending a request from Gemini Data Center SD, LLC to reclassify a development area in the citys 2040 comprehensive plan from a residential area to a light industrial area. Eagle Butte man killed in hostage-shooting Tuesday Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the approved vote, planning commission members Erik Nyberg and Bradyn Neises said they were comfortable with voting yes because more steps are needed in the process. Kristen Benidt of the citys planning office said future steps include the annexation of the property, re-zoning the land from agriculture to a zone suitable for a data center and others. Not much is publicly known about the possible data center on about 160 acres in Minnehaha County. On Wednesday, the city council is considering passing a resolution that would amend a planning document. The city of Brandon has heard the data center has been 12 to 16 months in the works but we didnt hear about it until last week, Patrick Anderson, the development director for the city of Brandon, said at the July 2 planning meeting. Anderson said Brandons understanding that the possible data center could employ 200 to 300 people. Area of possible data center. City of Sioux Falls graphic Site of possible data center. City of Sioux Falls graphic. Benidt and Krista May, who was representing Gemini, said at the July 2 meeting that Geminis proposed data center fits in well with the surrounding neighborhood which includes Brandon. May is from Infrastructure Design Group, which, according to its website has offices in Mitchell, Watertown and Sioux Falls. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anderson said he disagreed some with the neighborhood description because Brandon is geared toward more residential development to the west. Six Mile Road is our growth boundary, he said. The possible data center is not far from Six Mile Road at east of Veterans Parkway and South of Rice Street. Anderson requested more collaboration in the future in the data center process. Neises said the process should include collaboration. Typically, the city would not recommend annexing the property because it could be up to 25 years before utilities are extended to the area, Benidt said. But, Gemini has agreed to pay for the cost to extend water and sewer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Gemini has also secured easements to extend those utilities, Benidt said. The extension of utilities would happen within five years. The buildings will likely be in the southern portion of the property, May said. Gemini bought the property from Northern States Power, a former name of an entity of a power company now called Xcel Energy on Dec. 31. The transfer was recorded in January. B0341-8498Download According to a business filing with the South Dakota Secretary of States website, Gemini Data Center SD LLC filed for LLC in December 2024. The owner is listed as Michael Anvar, with an address listed in Los Angeles, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KELOLAND.com. The possibility of a pardon for Jeffrey Epstein co-conspirator Ghislaine Maxwell has been revictimizing to the victims of the late disgraced financier, an attorney who represents 11 accusers told NewsNation. Arick Fudali says his clients have routinely been denied justice throughout various Epstein investigations and convictions. They have been wronged at every single step of the way, going back decades. It started in the 90s when there was this sort of nonsense sham FBI investigation into Epstein that allowed him to continue to abuse young women, Fudali said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then, of course, hes arrested. And finally, the victims think, Okay, now theres going to be justice. Hes behind bars,' he added. What happens, of course, is somehow, miraculously, coincidentally, hes allowed to kill himself under federal custody, in federal jail. The lawyer blames both sides of the political spectrum, saying theyre exploiting the victims who are still scared of Epstein, even after his death. From left, American real estate developer Donald Trump and his girlfriend (and future wife), former model Melania Knauss, financier (and future convicted sex offender) Jeffrey Epstein, and British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell pose together at the Mar-a-Lago club, Palm Beach, Florida, February 12, 2000. (Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images) Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell attend the 2005 Wall Street Concert Series on March 15, 2005, in New York City. (Photo by Joe Schildhorn/Patrick McMullan via Getty Images) Portrait of American financier Jeffrey Epstein (left) and real estate developer Donald Trump as they pose together at the Mar-a-Lago estate, Palm Beach, Florida, 1997.(Photo by Davidoff Studios/Getty Images) FILE This photo provided by the New York State Sex Offender Registry shows Jeffrey Epstein, March 28, 2017. (New York State Sex Offender Registry via AP, File) FILE Ghislaine Maxwell, daughter of late British publisher Robert Maxwell, reads a statement expressing her familys gratitude to Spanish authorities after recovery of his body, Nov. 7, 1991, in Tenerife, Spain. (AP Photo/Dominique Mollard, File) FILE This image provided by the Florida Department of Law Enforcement shows financier Jeffrey Epstein, on July 25, 2013. A statement released on Sunday, Jan 1, 2023, by the governor of the U.S. Virgin Islands, relieved of her duties the attorney general who pursued various cases against disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein, including a lengthy legal fight that resulted in a $105 million settlement. (Florida Department of Law Enforcement via AP File) Modeling agent Jean-Luc Brunel (not pictured) was found hanged in his prison cell on Saturday. Brunel had met Epstein (seen above in 2008) decades ago and founded a management company with Epsteins financial help. (Uma Sanghvi/Palm Beach Post via AP, File) They still have to see his face every time they turn on the TV, the radio, every time they log on to their net. And its gross, and I really would like there to be an end to this, Fudali said. Just either release the files or dont, but lets stop talking about this. Please. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lets not give Ghislaine Maxwell any leniency. Shes a convicted child sex trafficker, and she belongs behind bars, he added. Possible pardon for Ghislaine Maxwell ridiculous Fudali points out Maxwell is the only person who has been held accountable in the case involving the sex trafficking of minors. She was convicted of child sex trafficking, of tricking young women to be abused by Mr. Epstein, and now, theres a consideration of a pardon so that perhaps President Trump can clear his name. I mean, its just the most ridiculous thing, the attorney said. He believes discussions of a pardon may be a way for Trump to avoid releasing the Epstein files. Calls for transparency have grown louder after the Department of Justice (DOJ) and FBI announced earlier this year they would not be making any more evidence from the case public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agencies stated Epstein died by suicide, and there was no evidence that there was a list of co-conspirators. Since the announcement, Trump has asked Attorney General Pam Bondi to release grand jury transcripts from the Epstein and Maxwell cases, which the latters attorneys have opposed. This seems to be a very roundabout way of providing information. Remember, Ghislaine Maxwell is someone who was accused and had allegations of perjury because she allegedly lied under oath in 2016 in a deposition related to Jeffrey Epstein, Fudali said. Maxwell has garnered a lot of attention from her federal prison cell, interviewing with DOJ, where she reportedly spoke about 100 different people with potential connections to the Epstein case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She was also subpoenaed by the House Oversight Committee, to which she responded she would testify if she were granted immunity. The request was denied, and her testimony was postponed. Maxwell has also been moved from a federal prison in Florida to a minimum-security prison work camp in Texas. So this seems like a sweet deal between the two. Of course, once again, the victims are being forgotten, Fudali said. Bill, Hillary Clinton subpoenaed over Epstein case On Tuesday, former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were subpoenaed to testify by the House Oversight Committee, which was not surprising to Fudali. I dont think theres any question whether former President Clinton had a relationship with Jeffrey Epstein; he was on the flight logs, just as President Trump was, he said. And a lot of very wealthy and powerful people were listed on those flight logs, some more surprising than others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others that have been subpoenaed include former FBI Directors James Comey and Robert Mueller as well as former Attorneys General Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder, Jeff Sessions, Bill Barr and Alberto Gonzales. Theres no question that Jeffrey Epstein had a very wide circle of very powerful and influential people, Fudali said. Anyone whos been listening to any of the victims or has paid attention at all would know that theres been so many names, theres so much information out there that it almost leaves me wondering why theres such a thirst for more information, when really we could glean so much for whats already been alleged by so many victims. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Ex-IDF planning chief Erez Wiener says Israel should seize Gaza City, control aid, and relocate civilians, which he says will end the war in 100 days. It is possible to conquer Gaza, and it is necessary to conquer Gaza, said Brig.-Gen. (res.) Erez Wiener, former aide to the IDF chief of staff and head of the operational planning team in the Southern Command, in a radio interview with Erel Segal and Eyal Berkovic on 103FM on Wednesday. According to Wiener, the real number of residents in Gaza is 1.5 million, and to decisively end the campaign, three principles must be followed, the same principles that were relevant a year ago and remain so today. Three principles for victory The first principle is full control over humanitarian aid - it is both feasible and achievable, and this was proven on a limited scale in the southern part of the Strip. It wasnt expanded because certain elements in the IDF chose not to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second principle is the separation of the population from the terrorists. Theres no need to establish a humanitarian city to do this. Theres an excellent example - Yasser Abu Shabab - who currently governs 80,000 people, feeds them, and provides for them. Im using someone who is currently cooperating with me, and there are about five or six others like him, different clans that are willing to do the same. In addition, theres a plan to set up camps for 5,000 to 20,000 Gazans who have been cleared of Hamas. Displaced Palestinians shelter in tents in Jabalya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, May 8, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/Mahmoud Issa) And all of this doesnt cost the state a shekel. The money already exists. It has simply been channeled down the wrong paths. That money is currently being used to grease irrelevant organizations. The third principle is to conquer Gaza City and evacuate the remaining population from there, because thats where the last senior military commander left in the Strip is located - Izz al-Din al-Haddad. Once we deal with Gaza City, the entire Gaza Strip will remain between Nahal Oz and al-Mawasi, and under those conditions, the pressure isnt on Israel; its on Gaza. Opposition within the IDF to the plan Wiener also addressed reports of opposition within the IDF to the plan, particularly from the current chief of staff. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The chief of staff says he thinks its a mistake and proposes a different plan, but the plan hes proposing doesnt offer a solution. Thats why my plan provides a solution - it addresses control over humanitarian aid, the removal of the population, the conquest of the territory, and I havent forgotten the hostages." "The plan provides the best possible solution for this. After all, there is no deal. Everyone understands there is no deal. It's not true that they will return them in exchange for a ceasefire. We must not mislead the poor families there is no such deal. Netanyahu has done so much, above and beyond, to reach a deal." Familiarity with the plan Wiener also discussed the chief of staffs prior familiarity with the conquest plan from his time as head of the Southern Command. He doesnt just know it, he approved it. Before he was appointed chief of staff, he was familiar with the plan that was presented to Herzi Halevi and said it wasnt aggressive enough. He requested the authority to design a new plan, one that is more offensive and more decisive. He received the approval, was in command, received a plan that was already prepared, reviewed it multiple times, approved it in full detail, and demanded a plan that would last a maximum of 90 to 100 days, and if possible, even less. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wiener added, "We will conquer Gaza City and relocate the remaining population from there." He also stressed that the funding for such a project exists. "The money exists, but it's going to irrelevant organizations. The money is there - that's not the problem," he said. (NewsNation) U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee says theres possibly starvation in Gaza as he described what he saw at an aid distribution site amid recent reports that President Donald Trump has decided the U.S. should take over humanitarian aid efforts. Huckabee appeared on Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Tuesday and doubled down on claims that Hamas is stealing aid sent to the war-torn region. Cousin of Hamas hostage: Footage looks like dark days of 1940s Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked if he saw real starvation in Gaza, Huckabee said, I think there is certainly hunger and deprivation and possibly starvation, particularly in the northern parts of Gaza controlled by Hamas. His remarks come after United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Gaza is on the brink of famine. I dont understand why so many world leaders and countries are putting all the pressure on Israel, Huckabee told Vargas. The food is there. Its not getting in, and when it does get in, even by the UNs own assessment of it, 87% of it is stolen, looted, or taken directly off the trucks, and what the UN euphemistically is calling self-distribution.' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vargas pushed back on that assertion, pointing out that a U.S. government assessment found only a small percentage of food is stolen by Hamas. Huckabee stood by his statement, insisting he didnt make up a number out of thin air. So there is a problem, but I do believe that theres an enormous amount of food going in, but Hamas is stealing the largest portion of it and then trying to sell it to the people who are hungry. Its a disaster, he said. Netanyahu hints at expanded war in Gaza but former Israeli military and spy chiefs object The local director of the World Food Program had said that northern Gaza was some of the harshest places one can imagine, a far cry from what Huckabee found at one of the four aid distribution sites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee insisted some food agencies didnt want to take food that piled up, which could feed Gaza for two years, because they didnt think it was safe. I saw a very different picture, certainly the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation mechanism of getting food to people, he said. Its not perfect, but its working. And its working because when the president ordered us to stand up a humanitarian program, there were two requirements: get food to the people who are hungry but to make sure that its not in a delivery method that Hamas can steal it. Journalist tries to set record straight on Gaza food distribution Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Huckabee says the U.S. is taking the lead in Gaza despite reports that people are being injured and treated horribly. The GHF is an American-operated endeavor, and the organization has served over 106 million meals in two months. When people say the U.S. ought to be doing something, it has been doing something, he said. There have been hiccups, there have been difficulties. But the idea that theres mass shootings and that a lot of people are being trampled its simply not the case. And most of the information that says that comes from the Gaza Health Ministry. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. Note: This story contains disturbing images. In July 2025, news outlets circulated an image of a severely malnourished Palestinian child amid Israel's ongoing destructive assault and humanitarian aid blockade on the Gaza Strip in response to militant group Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023, attack on the country. The image depicted Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub al-Matouq, reportedly about 18 months old, wearing a trash bag as a diaper and being held by his mother. Similar images of Muhammad spelled "Muhammad," "Mohammad" and "Mohammed" by various outlets also spread. Many news outlets framed the image as a symbol of mass starvation and impending famine in Gaza due to Israel's efforts to prevent food from entering the area. But pro-Israeli media outlets and personalities almost immediately criticized the aforementioned framing, alleging that Muhammad had a medical condition that contributed to his emaciated state and that therefore the image was being used in a misleading fashion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related claims spread on X, Facebook and Instagram. Israel's official Instagram account even shared the image, claiming that news outlets "spread a misleading story using a picture of a sick, disabled child to promote a narrative of mass starvation in Gaza playing into the hands of Hamas' propaganda war." Muhammad does have a muscle disorder, according to reputable reports and Gazans with disabilities experience the effects of the conflict most acutely, according to a U.N. Committee on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities statement. With the right nutrition and physical therapy, Muhammad was healthy, his mother reportedly told CNN, but Israel's humanitarian aid blockade which the country eased in May, although severe restrictions remain prevents not just food, but medical aid, from reaching Gaza's population. Overwhelming evidence indicates that as of July 2025, Gaza's people were experiencing mass starvation caused by the blockade. The first independent but not yet peer-reviewed survey of deaths in Gaza, released July 2025, found more than 80,000 fatalities since Oct. 7, 2023, suggesting the 60,000 Palestinian deaths reported by the Gaza Health Ministry represented an undercount. Most of those killed in the conflict are civilians, according to independent analyses and the United Nations. Origin of claim Pro-Israel news outlet Honest Reporting was the first to claim that the boy's condition stemmed from a "health disorder, not from a lack of food caused by Israel." Honest Reporting's July 27, 2025, story included images, purportedly also of Muhammad but with his supposed "healthy" brother in the background. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That same day, independent pro-Israel journalist David Collier alleged that the boy had cerebral palsy, hypoxemia or low oxygen in the blood and a suspected genetic disorder, which contributed to his condition. Collier, who also shared images with Muhammad's alleged brother, argued that the mainstream media neglected to share important details about the child's genetic medical disorders to perpetuate what he described as "the lie" of "Gaza gripped by mass famine and children dying from hunger" and to deliberately push a "deceptive narrative that only serves to benefit Hamas and create fake news." Collier provided Snopes with images appearing to show a May 2025 medical report indicating that Muhammad has cerebral palsy a type of movement disorder a "suspected genetic disorder" and hypoxemia, or low levels of oxygen in the blood. Snopes has not independently verified the authenticity of the medical report. "Nobody is arguing that the situation in Gaza is not awful," Collier said in an email. "Mohammed is evidence that severely vulnerable children can be at risk not because of lack of food but because of a lack of medical treatment and vitamin supplements. Media outlets had no right to use him as an example of widespread famine that is just dishonest." It is worth noting that for months, U.N. officials, aid groups and independent experts had warned that Palestinians in the Gaza Strip were on the brink of famine, but the U.N. hadn't formally declared one for several reasons, including the very specific statistical conditions that must be met to meet the standard of famine data that is largely not available from Gaza, according to the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the world's leading body on hunger, the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification or IPC, said in a July 29, 2025, alert that the "worst-case scenario of famine" is occurring in Gaza. Hospitals in Gaza also reported that children without underlying health conditions were dying of starvation, according to a July 25 Times of Israel story. Muhammad's condition In a July CNN report, the news outlet interviewed Muhammad's mother, Hidaya Al-Motawaq. Here's what the report said about Muhammad's condition (emphasis ours): REPORTER: As starvation tightens its grip on Gaza, the most vulnerable are the first to find themselves in its clutches. Amid months of Israeli restrictions, 3-year-old Muhammad weighs just 13 pounds. His cries speak to all that he is lacking. Muhammad suffers from a muscle disorder, but with physical therapy and the right nutrition, his mother Hidaya said he was healthy, active and could sit upright. Not anymore. His small body has shed 6 pounds in short order. AL-MOTAWAQ (through an interpreter): If there's food, we eat. If there isn't, we have no power except to rely on God. Some days, we go one or two days without eating. REPORTER: Gaza's hospitals are filled with babies like Muhammad, and worried mothers like Hidaya, who are doing all they can to prevent their babies from becoming the next statistic. The New York Times, in a July 29 statement, said it added "new information" about Muhammad's preexisting medical conditions provided by his doctor to give "readers a better understanding of his situation." This reaction, too, resulted in backlash, with many online users stating, for example, that Anne Frank, known for keeping a diary documenting her life as a Jewish teenager during the Holocaust, died of typhus, but that the blame for the circumstances leading to her death ultimately should be placed on the Nazis. Snopes also reached out to several other news outlets that shared the image or Muhammad's story, including NPR and The Guardian, to ask whether they knew if Muhammad had existing health conditions and if so, why they chose not to include that information. We await responses. Origin of image Palestinian photojournalist Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim Al-arini took the photograph of Muhammad, according to Getty Images. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a July 24 BBC interview, Al-arini said he took the photo because he "wanted to show the rest of the world the extreme hunger that babies and children are suffering from in the Gaza Strip." Al-arini took multiple images of Muhammad for Anadolu, a state-run news agency in Turkey a fact that could raise questions about credibility. (Snopes has reached out to Anadolu for comment.) But Getty Images is full of evidence that Muhammad isn't the only child or person starving in Gaza. While many of those images were taken for Anadolu, photos and videos of starving children in Gaza also come from Palestinian journalists working for Reuters, The Associated Press, French international news agency AFP, The Guardian, The New York Times and other reputable outlets. Israel has not allowed outside journalists into Gaza since its war with Hamas began. On July 24, 2025, the AP, AFP, BBC News and Reuters said in a joint statement that they "are desperately concerned for our journalists in Gaza, who are increasingly unable to feed themselves and their families." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We once again urge the Israeli authorities to allow journalists in and out of Gaza," the statement said. "It is essential that adequate food supplies reach the people there." Rachel O'Donoghue, the reporter on HonestReporting's story, said the images of Muhammad's "healthy" brother came from a wider set of photos filed to Getty Images. Snopes could not find these photos on Getty Images, nor have we independently verified the relationship between Muhammad and the boy depicted next to him. WHO: 'Man-made mass starvation' in Gaza Israel's prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, claimed on July 27 that there is "no starvation in Gaza" while also blaming Hamas for intercepting humanitarian aid. (Both the U.S. government and Israeli military officials have reportedly found no evidence that Hamas routinely steals aid.) But Israel's claims have been roundly refuted by overwhelming evidence of mass starvation in Gaza from aid workers, international organizations, peer-reviewed research see Page 79 independent experts and Palestinian journalists on the ground. The head of the United Nations' Palestinian refugee agency, Philippe Lazzarini, said on July 24 that the agency's latest findings show one in every five children in Gaza is malnourished. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement World Health Organization chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said on July 23 that Gaza is suffering human-made mass starvation caused by Israel's blockade. More than 110 aid organizations, including Doctors Without Borders, Save the Children and Amnesty International, signed an open letter on July 23 warning that "mass starvation spreads in Gaza." "As the Israeli government's siege starves the people of Gaza, Palestine, aid workers are now joining the same food lines, risking being shot just to feed their families," the letter said. "With supplies now totally depleted, humanitarian organizations are witnessing their own colleagues and partners waste away before their eyes." The World Health Organization reported that at least 57 children have died from the effects of malnutrition, but that number is likely an underestimate, the U.N. said. According to a WHO news release from May, Gaza's entire population of 2.1 million people is facing prolonged food shortages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the U.N., more than 1,000 people have been killed and 7,000 injured while trying to access aid; Israeli forces routinely open fire on Palestinians seeking aid, according to witnesses and the Israeli military. Most deaths are linked to private aid hubs run by the U.S.-Israeli Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the U.N. said. IPC's July 29 famine alert said 1 in 3 people in Gaza goes without food for days at a time. "Latest data indicates that Famine thresholds have been reached for food consumption in most of the Gaza Strip and for acute malnutrition in Gaza City," IPC said. Sources: " on Instagram: 'Mohammed Zakaria Ayyoub Al-Matouq, a One-And-a-Half-Year-Old Child in Gaza City, Is Facing Life-Threatening Malnutrition amid the Worsening Humanitarian Situation Caused by Ongoing Israeli Attacks and the Blockade. His Weight Has Dropped from 9 Kilograms to 6, and He Is Struggling to Survive in a Tent in Gaza, Suffering from a Severe Lack of Milk, Food, and Other Essential Necessities. Video by : @Ahmed_al_arini25.'" Instagram, 25 July 2025, www.instagram.com/p/DMiaojlNs2o/. Accessed 29 July 2025. " (@Bashartaleb12) Instagram Photos and Videos." Instagram.com, www.instagram.com/bashartaleb12/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 24, FRANCE. "'No Humanitarian Aid Will Enter Gaza,' Israel Defence Minister Says." France 24, FRANCE 24, 16 Apr. 2025, www.france24.com/en/live-news/20250416-israel-says-no-humanitarian-aid-will-enter-gaza. Accessed 29 July 2025. AFP. "Graphic Content / a Medic Cleans the Body of Palestinian Youth Abdul..." Getty Images, 22 July 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/graphic-content-a-medic-cleans-the-body-of-palestinian-news-photo/2225505183?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. Ahmad, Rawan Sheikh, et al. "Gazans Are Dying of Starvation." The New York Times, 24 July 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/07/24/world/middleeast/gaza-starvation.html. Accessed 29 July 2025. Al-arini, Ahmed Jihad Ibrahim. "Muhammad Zakariya Ayyoub Al-Matouq, a 1.5-Year-Old Child in Gaza..." Getty Images, 22 July 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/muhammad-zakariya-ayyoub-al-matouq-a-1-5-year-old-child-in-news-photo/2225506182?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement AL-QATTAA, OMAR. "Rahaf Ayyad, a 12-Year-Old Palestinian Who Is Suffering From..." Getty Images, 4 May 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/rahaf-ayyad-a-12-year-old-palestinian-who-is-suffering-from-news-photo/2212796510?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. Alattar, Abdallah F. s. "The Dead Body of 6-Month-Old Baby Zeyneb Abu Halib, Who Died Due To..." Getty Images, 25 July 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/the-dead-body-of-6-month-old-baby-zeyneb-abu-halib-who-died-news-photo/2226246331?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. "All the People Are Hungry": Voices from Gaza on Desperate Lack of Food. 25 July 2025, www.bbc.com/news/videos/c4g8gy52dwgo. Accessed 29 July 2025. 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OHCHR, 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/05/gaza-palestinians-disabilities-fear-being-killed-first-says-un-committee. Accessed 29 July 2025. Getty Images. "'Gaza Starvation.'" Gettyimages.com, 2025, www.gettyimages.com/search/2/image?family=editorial&phrase=gaza%20starvation. Accessed 29 July 2025. Graham-Harrison, Emma. "Starvation in Gaza Is Destroying Communities and Will Leave Generational Scars." The Guardian, The Guardian, 23 July 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/starvation-in-gaza-is-destroying-communities-and-will-leave-generational-scars. Accessed 29 July 2025. "In Gaza, Mounting Evidence of Famine and Widespread Starvation." UN News, 29 July 2025, news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165517. Accessed 29 July 2025. "In Pictures: Starvation in Gaza." Cnn.com, CNN, 28 July 2025, www.cnn.com/interactive/2025/07/world/photos-starvation-in-gaza-intl-cnnphotos/. 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Accessed 29 July 2025. Loveluck, Louisa, et al. "More than 60,000 People Killed in Gaza War, Local Health Officials Say." The Washington Post, 29 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/07/29/gaza-death-toll-60000/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Magdy, Samy, and Mariam Dagga. "Baby Starves to Death in Gaza Weighing Less than When She Was Born." AP News, 26 July 2025, apnews.com/article/gaza-israel-starvation-children-malnutrition-baby-baf865b861c9a2fd9c75068936062146. Accessed 29 July 2025. "Malnutrition: Why It's Often Undiagnosed, and Possible Signs to Look for | LifeBridge Health." Lifebridgehealth.org, www.lifebridgehealth.org/blogs/malnutrition-why-its-often-undiagnosed-and-possible-signs-look. "Mass Starvation Spreads across Gaza | MSF." Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) International, 23 July 2025, www.msf.org/mass-starvation-spreads-across-gaza. Accessed 29 July 2025. Mednick, Sam. "A Look at Why Hundreds of Truckloads of Aid for Gaza Are Sitting at the Border." AP News, 25 July 2025, apnews.com/article/aid-gaza-hunger-united-nations-e703faaaba945e838aabfb3c7fa32d70. Accessed 29 July 2025. Mednick, Sam, and Cara Anna. "Gaza Facing 'Worst-Case Scenario of Famine,' Experts Warn." AP News, 29 July 2025, apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-gaza-famine-israel-warning-d14ca629a68f7bdefe9c2fcc67d62224. Accessed 29 July 2025. Mellen, Ruby. "Gazans Are Starving. Here's What Lack of Food Does to the Human Body." The Washington Post, 27 July 2025, www.washingtonpost.com/world/interactive/2025/gaza-hunger-starvation-children-body/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Mishra, Vibhu. "Catastrophic Hunger Doubles in 2024; Gaza and Sudan Worst Hit." UN News, 5 Sept. 2024, news.un.org/en/story/2024/09/1154001. Accessed 29 July 2025. "Najwa Hajjaj, a 6-Year-Old Palestinian Who Suffers from Malnutrition,..." Getty Images, 11 May 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/najwa-hajjaj-a-6-year-old-palestinian-who-suffers-from-news-photo/2213966958?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. Odenheimer, Natan. "No Proof Hamas Routinely Stole U.N. Aid, Israeli Military Officials Say." The New York Times, 26 July 2025, www.nytimes.com/2025/07/26/world/middleeast/hamas-un-aid-theft.html. Accessed 29 July 2025. Overton, Iain. "Civilian Casualties in Gaza: Israel's Claims Don't Add up - AOAV." AOAV, 28 Oct. 2024, aoav.org.uk/2024/casualties-in-gaza-israels-claims-of-50-combatant-deaths-dont-add-up-at-least-74-of-the-dead-are-civilians/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Owda, Bisan. "Bisan Owda on Instagram: 'Forced Starvation Dairies - the Updates- Topics:- 1- Death Increases as the Forced Starvation Affects Our Bodies More and More. 2- All of the Movements You Might Have Seen on Social Media to Send Food to Gaza Are Dirty Attempts to Deny Responsibility and a Show and Pr Campaign. 3- IsraHell Accusing the UN of Failing to Feed Gazans and Holding It Responsible.'" Instagram, 26 July 2020, www.instagram.com/reel/DMlD3rVK3cb/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Riash, Abdalhkem Abu. "Six-Year-Old Malik Nidal Saad Suffers from Severe Malnutrition in A..." Getty Images, 28 July 2025, www.gettyimages.com/detail/news-photo/six-year-old-malik-nidal-saad-suffers-from-severe-news-photo/2226711692?adppopup=true. Accessed 29 July 2025. "Samar Abu Elouf (@Samarabuelouf) Instagram Photos and Videos." Instagram.com, www.instagram.com/samarabuelouf/?hl=en. Santhosh, Christy, and Jennifer Rigby. "Gaza Facing Man-Made 'Mass Starvation', Says WHO's Tedros." Reuters, 24 July 2025, www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/gaza-facing-man-made-mass-starvation-says-whos-tedros-2025-07-23/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Shurafa, Wafaa, et al. "Israeli Strikes across Gaza Kill at Least 103 People." AP News, 18 May 2025, apnews.com/article/mideast-wars-israel-gaza-hamas-hostages-18-05-2025-f325044576f1ac31e6083622242c9990. Accessed 29 July 2025. Tantesh, Malak A., and Emma Graham-Harrison. "'We Faced Hunger Before, but Never like This': Skeletal Children Fill Hospital Wards as Starvation Grips Gaza." The Guardian, The Guardian, 23 July 2025, www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jul/23/we-faced-hunger-before-but-never-like-this-skeletal-children-fill-hospital-wards-as-starvation-grips-gaza. Accessed 29 July 2025. Taylor, Adam. "Why News Outlets and the U.N. Rely on Gaza's Health Ministry for Death Tolls." Washington Post, 27 Oct. 2023, www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/10/24/gaza-death-toll-palestinian-health-ministry/. "There Must Be 'Due Reckoning' for Horrific Violations, Possible Atrocity Crimes in Gaza UN Human Rights Chief." OHCHR, 8 Nov. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/11/there-must-be-due-reckoning-horrific-violations-possible-atrocity-crimes. Accessed 29 July 2025. "U.N. Experts Say Gaza Children Dying in Israeli 'Targeted Starvation Campaign.'" Cbsnews.com, CBS News, 9 July 2024, www.cbsnews.com/news/u-n-experts-say-gaza-children-dying-in-israeli-targeted-starvation-campaign/. Accessed 29 July 2025. "UN Warns of 'Catastrophic Hunger' in Gaza as Israel Announces Humanitarian Pauses." UN News, 27 July 2025, news.un.org/en/story/2025/07/1165504. Accessed 29 July 2025. United Nations. "Gaza: 57 Children Reported Dead from Malnutrition, Says WHO." UN News, 13 May 2025, news.un.org/en/story/2025/05/1163166. Accessed 29 July 2025. ---. "UN Special Committee Finds Israel's Warfare Methods in Gaza Consistent with Genocide, Including Use of Starvation as Weapon of War." OHCHR, 14 Nov. 2024, www.ohchr.org/en/press-releases/2024/11/un-special-committee-finds-israels-warfare-methods-gaza-consistent-genocide. Accessed 29 July 2025. Walsh, Aoife. "One in Five Children in Gaza City Is Malnourished, UN Aid Agency Says." BBC, 24 July 2025, www.bbc.com/news/articles/cwyxy5k70rzo. Accessed 29 July 2025. World Health Organization. "People in Gaza Starving, Sick and Dying as Aid Blockade Continues." Who.int, World Health Organization: WHO, 12 May 2025, www.who.int/news/item/12-05-2025-people-in-gaza-starving--sick-and-dying-as-aid-blockade-continues. Accessed 29 July 2025. Wright, Juwayriah. "Journalists in Gaza Are Documenting Their Own Starvation." TIME, Time, 24 July 2025, time.com/7305308/gaza-starvation-journalists-aid-blockade/. Accessed 29 July 2025. Yacoubian, Mona, et al. "Experts React: Starvation in Gaza." Csis.org, 28 July 2025, www.csis.org/analysis/experts-react-starvation-gaza#Yacoubian. Accessed 29 July 2025. NEED TO KNOW Two people were found deceased in an Indiana home during a welfare check The bodies of Karon J. Clay and her son Karter K. Clay showed signs of decomposition, per police Karon was in the third trimester of her pregnancy, the coroner's office said Authorities have launched a homicide investigation after a pregnant mother and her 3-year-old were found dead in an Indiana home. Karon J. Clay, 33, and her son Karter K. Clay were found deceased in a Greenwood, Ind., home on Monday, Aug. 4, by authorities responding to a welfare check, 13 News, The Daily Journal and FOX 59 reported, citing the Greenwood Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Johnson County Coroner's Office confirmed the identities of the deceased to PEOPLE, adding that an examination "determined Karon Clay was pregnant and in her third trimester." The bodies had some signs of decomposition, police told 13 News. While the coroner's office declined to comment on cause and manner of death at this time, police said in an update that the deaths are being investigated as homicides, per 13 News, FOX 59 and WIBC. 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. It wasn't immediately clear if police have a suspect or person of interest in connection with the case. Greenwood police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Detectives are working diligently to find who's responsible for this heinous act and bring them to justice," Police Chief James Ison told 13 News, declining to comment on specifics in order to "preserve the integrity of this investigation." He also told the outlet they are reviewing security footage from neighbors, and continue to look for footage from others in the vicinity of the residence that may show suspicious activity between July 28 and Aug. 1. Anyone with information is urged to contact Greenwood PD at 317-882-9191. Read the original article on People A pregnant woman in immigrant detention was bleeding for days before staff took her to a hospital where she miscarried, according to a new report from Democratic Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-Ga.). Her account is one of hundreds of human rights abuses documented by Ossoffs team as theyve scrutinized conditions at immigrant detention facilities across the country. Their findings, which NBC News first published, include 14 credible reports of mistreatment of pregnant women, 18 credible reports of mistreatment of children and 41 credible reports of physical and sexual abuse that occurred while immigrants were in detention. The Department of Homeland Security, Bureau of Prisons and Department of Health and Human Services did not immediately respond to a request for comment. (All three oversee different facilities mentioned in the Ossoff report.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any claim that there are subprime conditions at ICE detention centers are false, DHS Assistant Secretary of Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin told NBC News. These accounts add to investigations by news outlets and human rights organizations that have exposed abysmal living conditions and specific abuses directed at women in immigrant detention. As HuffPosts Alanna Vagianos reported, women have been deprived of medical care for pregnancies, vulnerable to sexual assault and subject to gawking by male detainees. Ossoffs report, which is based on public records along with interviews with detainees, correctional staff and attorneys, echoes these concerns. Some names were omitted from the report, which includes accounts from a range of detention facilities in places including Texas, California and Georgia. In an interview with the Senators staff, a pregnant detainee described repeatedly requesting medical attention and being told to just drink water instead of receiving an exam, the report reads. Attorneys have reported that their pregnant clients have waited weeks to see a doctor in DHS custody, and that their scheduled appointments were canceled, it adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pregnant women were also observed sleeping on the floor in crowded cells, one anonymous agency official said. In the case of the pregnant detainee who miscarried, her partner says she was taken to the hospital and left in a room, alone, to miscarry without water or medical assistance, for over 24 hours. Ossoffs report also describes instances when kids were denied medical treatment while in detention. In one instance, a girl who is a U.S. citizen was hospitalized three times while in custody with her non-citizen parent. When the girl began vomiting blood, the mother begged for medical attention. A CBP guard reportedly responded, Just give the girl a cracker, the report says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another 10-year-old U.S. citizen recovering from brain surgery continues to suffer from continued brain swelling and speech and mobility difficulties after she was denied follow-up care while detained with her family. All told, the report notes that Ossoffs office has been able to identify 510 credible reports of human rights abuses in detention since Jan. 20 of this year. Other abuses it describes include violent disciplining of detainees, the prevalence of unsanitary living conditions and the inadequate provision of food and water. Its more important than ever to shine a light on whats happening behind bars and barbed wire, especially and most shockingly to children, Ossoff said in a statement to NBC News. Related... President Trump announced on July 14 that he was finally ready to provide additional weapons to Ukraine and impose new tariffs on Russia within 50 days by Sept. 2 if Russian President Vladimir Putin did not cease his illegal war of aggression and terror in Ukraine. This gave Russia a blank check for 50 more days of senseless death and destruction. No restrictions were imposed on Moscow as a result. On July 28, however, Trump changed his mind and shortened his unilateral deadline. A day later, while flying home from Scotland, the president said Russia has exactly 10 days to stop its war. All eyes are now on Aug. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This, so far, doesnt seem to influence Putin, who continues to rain more missiles down on innocent Ukrainians in defiance of Trumps feints. Ukraine can certainly use all the military aid defensive and offensive it can get from the U.S. and NATO allies. Even if this means Ukraine has to buy U.S. weapons through NATO countries to maintain Ukraines security, as President Trump prefers and the commercial U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement foreshadows. Read also: His economy stinks, falling oil prices could force Putin to end war, Trump says However, Trump has two additional high-stakes cards to play that can not only bolster his own negotiating posture and prestige, but more importantly, help Ukraine at the same time tougher sanctions on Russia and frozen Russian asset transfers to Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If the president genuinely wants to end the war and negotiate from his own position of strength against the Russian dictator, then his first card to play is secondary sanctions and their strict enforcement against Russia and its allies under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA). President Trump can make Putin pay severe financial penalties for his illegal war, all at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. His second card is the new authority granted to the president by Congress last year to seize and transfer all of Russias frozen sovereign assets sitting idle in the U.S. financial system. He can start with $5 billion immobilized at the Federal Reserve. Theres no illusion that the president has high on his agenda what Congress thinks, but Trump would be fully supported by a strong pro-Ukraine majority at the other end of Pennsylvania Avenue. Despite a vocal minority of GOP Isolationists, demonstrable congressional support for Ukraine remains despite three plus years of war and war fatigue. Russian President Vladimir Putin (R) meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) in Astana, Kazakhstan, on July 3, 2024. (Pavel Volkov / Pool / AFP via Getty Images) On secondary sanctions, Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the bipartisan Sanctioning Russia Act on April 1. It now has 83 co-sponsors in the 100-member Senate. Trump has flirted with endorsing it, but Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) wont allow a vote without Trumps blessing in advance. A companion bill exists in the House, introduced by Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA) and Mike Quigley (D-IL), which to date has 88 bipartisan co-sponsors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russias war on Ukraine is being bankrolled by its fossil fuel exports, which have brought in nearly $1 trillion since 2022, with $200 billion expected in 2025 alone. The Kremlin continues to funnel about half of that income some $500 billion into its military. As long as the energy money keeps flowing, so will the war. The troubling part is where that money comes from. China buys about 40% of Russias fossil fuels, making it a key enabler, while India takes another 25%, mostly crude and coal. Ending this cycle means cutting off the cash. Its now up to President Trump to exercise his love for tariffs for the greater good. More recently, the House Financial Services Committee under the leadership of Chair French Hill (R-AR) passed Zack Nunns (R-IA) PEACE Act by the overwhelming vote of 53-1. Not only does it include targeted new secondary sanctions on foreign banks and the Russian energy sector, but it also contains an expedited process to authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to transfer frozen Russian assets in the U.S. financial system to the Ukraine Support Fund for both economic and military purposes. As much as $50 billion in Russian money here could be used to help Ukraine now. The president has two trump cards to play by Aug. 8 if he truly wants to stop the senseless killing by negotiating for peace from a position of strength. He can use Executive Orders without waiting on Congress, but he also has strong, bipartisan Congressional support to act sooner rather than later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Playing his two cards now can help Ukraine symbolically and substantively. President Trump can make Putin pay severe financial penalties for his illegal war, all at no cost to U.S. taxpayers. Submit an Opinion Read also: Last chance Witkoff effort in Russia unlikely to change Trumps course, analysts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukraine appointed its long-awaited economic watchdog on Aug. 6, following international pressure from partners. Oleksandr Tsyvinsky takes the reins of the Economic Security Bureau after the government controversially blocked his appointment on July 7, citing his estranged father's Russian citizenship as a security concern. His appointment ends a month-long standoff between the government and the independent committee that selected Tsyvinsky as the nominee on June 27. Ukraine's Western partners had issued little in the way of a response after the government initially blocked Tsyvinsky's appointment. Calls to go forward with his appointment mounted at home and abroad after Kyiv moved to curtail the independence of the country's key anti-corruption agencies late last month. Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko on Aug. 1 announced that before appointing Tsyvinsky, the two sides had agreed that he would undergo a polygraph test to prove he has no Russian ties. On the date of his appointment, Svyrydenko wrote on social media to say that "after the decision of the competition commission, proper checks, and passing the polygraph, there are no reservations regarding his candidacy." Tsyvinsky confirmed to the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 5 that he had passed the polygraph test and was awaiting his appointment the following day. The next steps for Tsyvinsky are to form a commission to select new employees in the bureau and a commission to recertify all existing employees, wrote opposition lawmaker Yaroslav Zhelezniak, the main author of the law rebooting the bureau, on his Telegram channel. "I will study the current state of affairs and immediately launch work to start reforming the team," Tsyvinsky told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 1. "The key goal is equal conditions for business." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bureau had been rudderless since April 2023, and Ukraine pledged to find a new replacement as part of its requirements with the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the EU. The IMF gave the government until July 31 to appoint the head selected by the committee. Under the previous Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, the government rejected Tsyvinskys appointment on July 7, following a letter from the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) about Tsyvinskys fathers Russian passport on June 30. This was information that the committee already knew and did not see any issues with, members of the committee said during a press conference on July 30. Tsyvinsky repeatedly said that he has no connection with his father, who has not been seen in around a decade. He told the Kyiv Independent on Aug. 1 that he was confident he would pass the polygraph test, as there was no "compromising information." Tsvinsky repeatedly requested access to the letter, but only received a written response on July 31 from the SBU that the letter had been destroyed. This sparked further backlash from Brussels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We consider this to be blatant manipulation and evidence that the Security Service of Ukraine has no information about the real risks of appointing Tsyvinsky," the European Commission said in a letter to Svyrydenko, seen by the Kyiv Independent on July 31. Simultaneously, the European Commission noted the issue was one of the demands set by anti-corruption protestors over the last few weeks. Protests began on July 22 when the government ignited outrage by passing a law stripping two anti-corruption bodies of their independence, which it overturned on July 31 in response to the backlash. "It is important that economic relations in Ukraine are not distorted by shadow schemes and that businesses can count on respect from the state," Svrydenko wrote on social media on Aug. 6. Created in 2021 to investigate economic crimes, the bureau has been accused of inefficiency and political meddling. In addition to a requirement under its IMF loan program, reforming the bureau is also part of Ukraine's broader reform commitments under its EU accession process. Polygraph tests have become a common move of President Volodymyr Zelenskys administration in response to various threats, despite having questionable results. A new bill that passed on July 31 to restore independence to anti-corruption bodies included mandatory polygraph tests every two years for employees with access to state secrets, to clear out Russian influence. Anti-corruption watchdogs previously told the Kyiv Independent there is little evidence that Russian influence was an issue in the two targeted agencies: the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor (SAPO). Read also: Better now than never Ukraine announces competition for anti-smuggling director 7 months late Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) Tuesday was Primary Election Day in Kansas. More than half of the Wichita school board members are up for re-election this year, but only two seats have a primary. In District 1, incumbent Diane Albert is moving on to the general election. She is facing Mackenzie Truelove. Only 65 votes separated the two. It is an even tighter race in District 5. The difference is a mere four votes. Incumbent Kathy Bond is getting a chance at a second term. Her opponent in November is Amy Jensen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Albert says she is honored to earn the support to move forward to the General Election. She says her campaign has been rooted in one purpose: putting students first and using resources wisely. Right now, weve got the financial oversight committee thats kind of looking for long-term funding solutions for the district, so thats really, were going to seek input from the community and from the people that serve on the financial oversight committee, she told KSN. 2025 Kansas Primary Election: Unofficial results KSN reached out to Truelove and her team sent a statement saying: Thank you so much for District 1 for your vote. The people of this state, city, and district have spoken and Im humbled to carry their voices forward in creating a community that fosters hope and inspires change for the future of our students, teachers, and schools. Once again, thank you District 1! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bond in District 5 says she hopes there will be a greater turnout for the general election in November. My biggest thing that i want to do on my next term is to get more community involvement, im going to sort us out which is the school advisory board out of District 5 and thats going to be able to get more parents and people that might not have children i nschools and get the district more involvmed in our schools, she said. Jensen is also advancing to the general election in District 5. She says her number one plan is to speak with her neighbors. She says she wants to let community members know that a teachers voice is important on the BOE. For more Kansas news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news by downloading our mobile app and signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track 3 Weather app by clicking here. To watch our shows live on our website, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSN-TV. An African charity said Wednesday it would consider further action in a row with its co-founder Prince Harry after a British watchdog criticised "all parties" for letting the bitter internal dispute play out in public. Without naming individuals, Britain's Charity Commission pointed to "mismanagement" at the AIDS charity Sentebale but said it found no evidence of "bullying" -- a charge that had been levelled at Harry by the organisation's chairperson, Sophie Chandauka, in March. Days earlier, Harry -- the youngest son of King Charles III -- and co-founder Prince Seeiso of Lesotho had announced they were resigning from the charity they established in 2006, after the trustees quit when Chandauka refused their demand to step down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Harry, also known as the Duke of Sussex, launched the charity in honour of his mother, Princess Diana, to help young people with HIV and AIDS in Lesotho and later Botswana. After a months-long inquiry, the commission "found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir (prejudice against black women) at the charity," it said in its conclusions published Wednesday. But it "criticised all parties to the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly" saying the "damaging internal dispute" had "severely impacted the charity's reputation". It found there was "a lack of clarity in delegations" which led to "mismanagement in the administration of the charity" and issued the organisation with a plan to "address governance weaknesses". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - 'Heartbreaking' - Sentebale said in a statement it welcomed the findings. Chandauka, who was appointed to the voluntary post in 2023 and remains the charity's chair, said she "appreciated" the conclusions, saying that they "confirm the governance concerns I raised privately in February 2025". But a Sentabale spokesperson said in a later statement that the watchdog "has not made any findings in relation to individuals", meaning Prince Harry "was not cleared of individual claims". The spokesperson added that Sentebale "would certainly consider" referring the issues not dealt with to a different organisation, such as the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for Prince Harry said the probe "falls troublingly short in many regards. "Primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chair's actions will not be borne by her -- but by the children who rely on Sentebale's support," the spokesperson said in a statement. "The Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana." Harry said in an April statement that the events had "been heartbreaking to witness, especially when such blatant lies hurt those who have invested decades in this shared goal". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Objections - Speaking to British media after accusing the prince of trying to force her out, Chandauka criticised Harry for his decision to bring a Netflix camera crew to a fundraiser last year. She also objected to an unplanned appearance by his wife Meghan at the event. The accusations were a fresh blow for the prince, who kept up only a handful of his private patronages, including with Sentebale, after a dramatic split with the British royal family in 2020. That was when he left Britain to live in North America with his wife and children. Harry chose the name Sentebale as a tribute to Diana, who died in a Paris car crash in 1997 when the prince was just 12. It means "forget me not" in the Sesotho language and is also used to say goodbye. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Moving forward I urge all parties not to lose sight of those who rely on the charity's services," said the commission's chief executive David Holdsworth. In her statement, Chandauka added: "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our Founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso." jkb-aks-pdh/ Prince Harry was cleared of bullying and harassment claims at the African AIDS charity he co-founded, Sentebale, by Britains charities commission regulator on Wednesday, months after he resigned from the organization. The prince was pulled to the center of the public dispute when the organizations chairwoman, Sophie Chandauka, made several accusations against Harry, as well as the charitys co-founder, Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, and the board of trustees. Chandauka accused the group of poor leadership and noted issues of mismanagement, bullying, misogyny and harassment, as previously reported by the Deseret News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The claims from Chandauka came after Prince Harry, Prince Seeiso and five of the seven members of the organizations board of trustees stepped down in solidarity in March. The group pointed to a loss of trust in Chandauka as a leader as their reason for leaving the charity. In a report published Wednesday, the regulator said there was no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or misogynoir at the charity. (The term misogynoir refers to sexism directed at Black women.) Still, the report noted, The Commission has acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally. Despite clearing Harry, Seeiso and the former trustees of bullying and harassment claims, the report criticized all parties over how the dispute played out in public noting public statements and television interviews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve, David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said in a statement. He continued, Moving forward I urge all parties not to lose sight of those who rely on the charitys services. Harry pushed back on Britains charity regulators criticisms in a statement released on Wednesday, claiming the report fell troublingly short in its findings. Unsurprisingly, the commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebales co-founder and former patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, the statement, from Harrys spokesperson, said, per The Guardian. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The statement continued,Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support. Sentebale has been a deeply personal and transformative mission for Prince Harry, established to serve some of the most vulnerable children in Lesotho and Botswana. Harry co-founded Sentebale in 2006, with an aim to help people in the region of southern Africa, including Lesotho and Botswana, living with HIV and AIDS. Britain's Prince Harry, center right, poses with, from left, Argentine professional polo player Ignacio "Nacho" Figueras, Sentebale Chair Sophie Chandauka, and Sentebale CEO Richard Miller, as he arrives for the 2024 Royal Salute Polo Challenge to Benefit Sentebale, Friday, April 12, 2024, in Wellington, Fla. | Rebecca Blackwell, Associated Press The commission provided Chandauka and her newly appointed trustees with a regulatory action plan with steps the trustees must take in order to improve the charitys complaints procedure and set up an improved process for delegating authority. The action plan also provides guidance on securing funding. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In light of the commissions reports, Chandauka said the organization feels not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact, per The Guardian. Chandauka continued, Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen Mamohato. Prince Harry has accused a charity watchdog report of falling troublingly short in its findings regarding a row at Sentebale, a charity he co-founded in 2006. The Charity Commission cleared the Duke of Sussex of over-reach at the charity but criticised him and others for letting a "damaging" boardroom battle play out in the "public eye". The watchdog, which investigated Sentebale for four months, has condemned all parties to the dispute for allowing it to play out publicly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, a spokesperson for the prince said: Unsurprisingly, the Commission makes no findings of wrongdoing in relation to Sentebales Co-Founder and former Patron, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex. They also found no evidence of widespread bullying, harassment or misogyny and misogynoir at the charity, as falsely claimed by the current Chair. Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chairs actions will not be borne by herbut by the children who rely on Sentebales support. The commission found that the trustees failure to resolve disputes internally severely affected the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in charities more generally. Sentebale chairwoman Sophie Chandauka reported the trustees of Harrys charity to the Charity Commission (Yaroslav Sabitov/PA) (PA Wire) Pointing to a lack of clarity around role descriptions and internal policies as the key cause for weaknesses in the management, the watchdog says the confusion inflamed tensions, which culminated in a row and mass resignations of trustees and both founding patrons, the commission found. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, the co-founder, quit as patrons, saying the move was in support of the trustees who also resigned in a dispute with chairwoman Sophie Chandauka. It is devastating that the relationship between the charitys trustees and the chair of the board broke down beyond repair, creating an untenable situation, the princes said at the time. Dr Chandauka said she had reported Sentebale's trustees to the Charity Commission and had taken legal steps to prevent her removal. She also made claims of misconduct. Prince Seeiso and Prince Harry founded the organisation in 2006 in honour of Harrys mother, Diana, to help young people and children in southern Africa, particularly those with HIV and Aids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The watchdog said the row began after 2023, when Sentebales then trustees tried to implement a new fundraising strategy in the United States. A serious dispute then emerged between Dr Chandauka, some trustees and the Duke of Sussex. Members of the regulator said that after conducting interviews and reviewing evidence, they found the delegation of certain powers to the chair, including consideration of an executive chair role, was a confusing, convoluted and poorly governed process, with a lack of clearly defined delegations. The watchdog said the then trustees failed to have proper processes and policies to investigate internal complaints. Polo player Nacho Figueras, Sophie Chandauka, Prince Harry and Richard Miller, Sentebale chief executive (Getty) More generally, a lack of clear policies contributed to the failure to resolve disputes, they concluded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And the commission said public statements made to the media and criticism made in television interviews, did not serve the charitys best interests. It found no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying or harassment, including misogyny or racism, but acknowledged the strong perception of ill treatment felt by a number of parties to the dispute and the impact this may have had on them personally. Nor was there evidence of over-reach by either the chair or the Duke of Sussex, it said. But the regulator concluded: The failure to clarify delegations within the charity to the chair, and the failure to have proper processes for internal complaints, both amount to mismanagement in the administration of the charity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The commission has issued Sentebale with a regulatory action plan, saying the charity should have a clearly defined patron role set out in writing. The plan also includes improving complaints and whistleblowing procedures. The watchdog said all the charitys then trustees contributed to a missed opportunity to resolve issues that led to the dispute. Financial difficulties following the Covid-19 pandemic contributed to tensions, it added. David Holdsworth, chief executive of the Charity Commission, said: Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardising the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prince Harrys spokesperson said that he would find alternatives to helping the children supported by Sentebale in Lesotho and Botswana. "As custodians of this once brilliant charity, Prince Seeiso, Prince Harry and the former board of trustees helped grow Sentebale from the seed of an idea to - like its namesake - a flowering force for good, they said. "With the original mission of Sentebale firmly in mind - and in honour of the legacy he and Prince Seeiso began - the Duke of Sussex will now focus on finding new ways to continue supporting the children of Lesotho and Botswana." Dr Chandauka said: "The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviours displayed in private. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are emerging not just grateful to have survived, but stronger: more focused, better governed, boldly ambitious and with our dignity intact. "Despite the recent turbulence, we will always be inspired by the vision of our founders, Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso, who established Sentebale in memory of their precious mothers, Princess Diana and Queen 'Mamohato. "To all who believe in our mission: please walk with us as Sentebale recovers, renews, and rises to meet the hopes and expectations of the next generation." Its been a few months since Prince Harry stepped away from his role as founder and patron of his beloved Sentebale charity, and now, after an investigation by the U.K.s Charity Commission, the saga has finally reached a conclusionand Harry is speaking out. For context, Sentebale was co-founded nearly two decades ago by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, with the goal of supporting children and young people affected by HIV in Southern Africa. Back in March, Harry announced he was stepping down amid a public fallout with the charitys current chair, Dr. Sophie Chandauka. This led to an investigation into claims of bullying, harassment and other alleged mismanagement within the organization. Brian Otieno/Getty Images for Sentebale Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On August 5, the Charity Commission for England and Wales released its findings and the results are pretty clear: there was no evidence of widespread or systemic bullying, harassment, misogyny or misogynoir at Sentebale. They also found no overreach by either Dr. Chandauka or Harry. Essentially, the Commission cleared Harry of any wrongdoing. That said, the report didnt pull any punches when it came to criticizing how things played out publicly. The Commission noted that poor internal governance and failure to resolve disputes internally hurt the charitys reputation and risked undermining public trust in nonprofits more broadly. In other words, airing the drama in public wasnt great for anyoneespecially the kids who rely on Sentebales programs. A spokesperson for Harry responded to the findings, emphasizing that while the investigation vindicates him, the real victims are the children who depend on Sentebale. Brian Otieno/Getty Images for Sentebale Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite all that, their report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current Chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support, the spokesperson said, per People. As a reminder, tensions escalated after Dr. Chandauka, who joined the charity in July 2023, was reportedly asked to resign but instead responded with a lawsuit against Sentebale. Sources suggest the conflict had roots in financial strain during her tenure, ultimately leading the entire board of trustees, alongside Harry, to resign in protest. Want all the latest royal news sent right to your inbox? Click here. Prince William and Prince Harry Could Reunite Thanks to This Upcoming Royal Event Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) joked Tuesday that a kindergarten class drew his states district map after comedian Stephen Colbert called the map crazy. If youre considering doing a little more redrawing in Illinois, you already have some crazy districts in Illinois. Take a look at this look at look at 17 here. It does that, then it comes up here, and it sneaks around there and goes all the way up here, and then goes right over there, like that, Colbert said while holding up a map of Illinois and its congressional districts, in a clip highlighted by Mediaite. And look at look at look at this one kind of goes, whoop up there. Its like the stinger on a scorpion down here. Is this common for all states to do? the comedian added on his CBS show. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We handed it over to a kindergarten class and let them decide, Pritzker responded. Pritzkers comments come amid a heated redistricting battle in Texas between Democrats and Republicans. The Illinois governor said Sunday that his state would protect Texas Democrats who fled to the Prairie State due to GOP efforts to redraw congressional maps in the Lone Star State. Theyre here in Illinois. Were going to do everything we can to protect every single one of them and make sure that cause we know theyre doing the right thing, we know that theyre following the law, Pritzker said to reporters Sunday. Pritzker also accused President Trump of attempting to steal congressional seats from the people during his Colbert appearance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump is trying to steal five seats from the people frankly, of the country, not just the people of Texas and disenfranchise people, Pritzker said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Do you have a legal question to put to Gary? Email askalawyer@telegraph.co.uk or use the form at the bottom of the page. Dear Gary, I manage a team of marketers. One of my colleagues has recently joined the team. We have not worked together before. I asked her to interview a visiting VIP, but she refused, citing personal objections to his stance on Gaza when he held public office. I understand she may have family in the region, and her line manager believes the request was emotionally taxing. However, I think she was being unreasonable and should have done the task as instructed. My predecessor may have allowed this sort of opt-out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Who is in the right? Vicki, by email Dear Vicki, Its quite understandable that, as a team leader and manager, you expect professional responsibilities to be carried out regardless of personal political beliefs. Employees are, after all, hired to do a job. And unless there is a lawful reason why they cannot perform a task, refusing a reasonable instruction could be viewed as a disciplinary matter. However, in this case, before you upset the apple cart and potentially get yourself in difficulties because your team member ends up complaining about you and your conduct towards her, you do need to consider if there is a lawful reason for refusal of the task you have asked to be performed. While the law, regrettably, does not always provide the kind of moral clarity we might wish for when workplace duties collide with personal conscience, it does give a framework which focuses on specific responsibilities set out in an employment contract. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These responsibilities do not operate in a vacuum and are tempered by the concept overarching employment law that actions on each side should be reasonable and consistent, as well as whether an employer has made appropriate accommodations. So first, go back to and check the employment contract in place for this team member and, in particular, see if there are any specific exclusions from a general duty to carry out all tasks asked of the employees. It is unlikely there are, but best to check. Subject to any exclusions in the contract, from an employment law perspective, you, as her manager, are within your rights to assign her tasks that fall within the scope of her role. That is unless there is a compelling reason not to, which is grounded in principles of employment law. For instance, no matter what an employment contract may say, it is a principle of employment law that certain protected characteristics are respected. These are set out in the Equality Act 2010. If your colleague has family affected by events in Gaza - which your question indicates is the case she could argue that being forced into such an assignment without sensitivity to her personal circumstances could amount to indirect discrimination, particularly if her ethnicity, religion, or belief system are relevant factors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That said, objection to the political views or past actions of a public figure does not, in and of itself, constitute a legal exemption from carrying out professional duties. Unless (as I have said) her contract explicitly allows for such opt-outs. Or unless the task could reasonably be viewed as causing serious emotional distress. Such distress and detriment to her health may be evidenced by a medical note or report. Without such a note or report, this is a judgement call on you, but one where you would be well-advised to tread carefully. You suspect your team members previous manager may have set a precedent. While you are not necessarily bound by what has gone before, consistency is attractive in the world of employment law and HR, and departing from it abruptly could still raise HR eyebrows if it causes unnecessary conflict. If you believe your team members refusal sets a problematic tone for team discipline and role clarity, you might consider a mediated conversation involving HR to draw clear boundaries going forward. This could cover both what is expected and how exceptions will be handled. In a wider context, you have identified whats at the heart of this issue namely, a possible workplace culture of selectively opting out of assignments on moral or emotional grounds. While some sensitivity in management is always advisable, particularly if someone has direct ties to a dreadful conflict, it does not follow that every objection creates a veto. Again, subject to what it says in the employment contract, employment law does not grant a blanket right to avoid tasks because they are emotionally uncomfortable or politically disagreeable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also, past indulgence by a previous manager does not create an entitlement. If anything, it may have bred unhelpful habits that now require correcting for the sake of team cohesion and fairness. You are within your rights to clarify expectations going forward that professional duties must be fulfilled unless a formal exemption is agreed in advance. Again, the best forum for this conversation is most likely a mediation with HR involved. In summary, unless the team member can demonstrate that carrying out this work would cause a genuine detriment to their health or well-being (for example, backed by a medical note or HR intervention), or unless a protected characteristic is being engaged in a discriminatory way (which would need to be clearly established), then refusing a legitimate instruction could be considered a disciplinary matter. From what you have said in your question, no one is unequivocally right here, but balance, compassion and clear communication are your best legal and managerial safeguards. And your instinct to uphold a consistent standard certainly is legally sound, as well as essential to managing a team effectively. However, you need to manage this situation to protect yourself as well, and involving HR to document the situation and set clear parameters for future conduct would be prudent both for the team members understanding and your own protection as a manager. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ask a Lawyer should not be taken as formal legal advice, but rather as a starting point for readers to undertake their own further research. 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 Trump supporter backed by the populist opposition will take over as Poland's new president on Wednesday, heralding confrontation with a pro-EU government he has branded "the worst in history". Nationalist historian Karol Nawrocki, a political novice, will be inaugurated after winning a June 1 election in a major blow for Prime Minister Donald Tusk, a former European Council president. Rallies of support for the new president are expected in Warsaw as Nawrocki begins his five-year mandate with a speech to parliament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nawrocki, who sought US President Donald Trump's backing during the campaign, is set to take the oath of office and give a speech to parliament at around 0800 GMT. His narrow victory against liberal candidate Rafal Trzaskowski confirmed the high degree of political polarisation in the EU and NATO member state, a key supporter of neighbouring Ukraine. Presidents in Poland can initiate as well as veto legislation, and have some influence over the country's foreign and defence policies. The outgoing president, Andrzej Duda, had already been at loggerheads with Tusk over many issues, including opposing easing an almost total ban on abortion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - 'Annoy us' - But relations are likely to be even worse under Nawrocki as the political climate heats up ahead of parliamentary elections planned for 2027, analysts say. "I have no doubt that Mr Nawrocki will do everything to annoy us," said Tusk, who warned that he would not let Nawrocki "demolish" his government. Nawrocki has repeatedly branded Tusk's government as "the worst in the history" of democratic Poland. He has promised to be "an active president" from the start and has said he wants to "stimulate" the government with various bills. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video posted on social media on Tuesday, he said his inauguration would open "a new chapter in the history of our beloved Poland". "Let us unite," he said. The government holds a parliamentary majority but government and president may be forced to make some compromises. "Both parties should realise that engaging in intense confrontation is obviously not the way forward," said Piotr Trudnowski, a member of Klub Jagiellonski, a Christian-Democrat think tank. - 'Poland First, Poles First' - Ewa Marciniak, a political scientist at the University of Warsaw, said that Nawrocki would have to work with the government on foreign policy -- in which he has "no experience". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the election campaign, he highlighted the importance of ties with the United States and his close ties with Trump. "It is precisely from this that he will build his foreign policy, at least initially," Marciniak said. One major difference could be relations with Ukraine. Trudnowski said Nawrocki would "not be as enthusiastic" as his predecessor on Ukraine. During his campaign, Nawrocki opposed the idea of NATO membership for Ukraine and criticised Kyiv for not having "shown gratitude for what the Poles have done". Under his slogan "Poland First, Poles First", he was critical of some of the benefits received by the more than one million Ukrainians who have fled to the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has congratulated Nawrocki and emphasised the importance of close ties with Poland -- a vital transit country for military and humanitarian supplies to his country as it fights off Russia's invasion. After speaking to Nawrocki by phone last week, Zelensky said the two had agreed to visit each other and seek forms of cooperation "that will bring real results for both our countries and our people". Zelensky said he was "thankful for the readiness to work together and for the assurance of continued support for Ukraine". bo/dt/sbk YORK, Pa. (WHTM) Food can be cheap. Food can be healthy. But too often, some advocates say, it cant be both at the same time and if it is, its not within physical reach of the people who need it. That wasnt a problem for people shopping at a York Fresh Food Farms mobile market at the Arthur J. Glatfelter YMCA in downtown York. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now ICYMI: Top 5 Stories of the Week Every time I purchase a salad, its one of the best-tasting salads ever, said Robert Stoner, this time buying okra, which he planned to season and cook in his air fryer. Stoner works at the Gladfelter YMCA and lives at another YMCA facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I eat a lot of salads, Stoner said. And the mobile market? It saves me money because its cheaper than the supermarket, he said. Plus, its fresh. York Fresh Food Farms visits the YMCA at 90 N. Newberry St. in York every Friday from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The organization has a schedule of 15 sites it visits at least twice a month. York Fresh Food Farms accepts payments through government programs like SNAP. That part isnt entirely unique; other farms accept those kinds of payments. Whats different about York Fresh Food Farms, leaders say, is that the produce prices are lower, thanks to grants the organization works hard to get, and that it brings the food to the people who need it, many of whom dont have their own transportation and would struggle to get to a farm on their own. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So bringing the food here making it accessible in sort of a food desert its an extremely valuable thing for our members and particularly our men who live upstairs here at the YMCA, said Michael Smith, president & CEO of YMCA of the Roses (which spans York and Lancaster counties). And leaders emphasized its not only cheap and accessible. Its not second-rate produce for people of a certain income level, said Mark Temons, executive director of York Fresh Food Farms. Its the freshest, the most local, the most beautiful produce that you can find, and we make it available to everybody through our pricing system. In a modest way, in addition to the grants, shoppers at one of the farms newest locations busy Central Market also help subsidize the fresh produce for mobile market shoppers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have very competitive prices at Central Market, Temons said. Theyre by no means high, but they are a little bit higher than they are at those mobile produce markets. Were a little farm, but were kind of a big operation, Temons said. The organization has two physical farms, both within the city of York: one on Willis Road and one on Roosevelt Avenue, not far from UPMC Memorial hospital, where workers and patients get to eat produce grown down the block. Lebanon Farmers Market spotlights family of junior market vendors Sam Farage, an agricultural engineer who is originally from Egypt and serves as the farm manager, experiments with growing unusual produce from around the world (including fava beans from his native Egypt, yes, but also items like shishito peppers from Japan) and works alongside volunteers, who learn the craft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And these people take the experience, and they pass it to the next people, Farage said. That is something so good for us. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aug. 5WILKES-BARRE A homeless center in Wilkes-Barre that recently closed due to reported financial constraints was named in a civil lawsuit by the property owner alleging missed monthly lease payments. JG Realty PA LLC, based in Dallas, through its attorney, Jonathan S. Comitz, filed the suit against Keystone Rescue Mission Alliance Inc., alleging negligence, breach of contract and nuisance. Keystone Mission, located at 90 E. Union St., Wilkes-Barre, along with another location in Scranton, closed in July. The organization, however still operates out of its Transformation Center in Sherman Hills, Wilkes-Barre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Innovation Center provided homeless men and women with a daytime place to shower, wash clothes, receive food and access to community resources, in addition to allowing homeless people to stay the night during times of cold temperatures. The suit alleges Keystone Mission entered in a 30-year lease agreement for the 43,000-square-foot building with the property's former owner, 90 Union Street LLC, in October 2022. The property was acquired by JG Realty PA in August 2024, as terms of the the original lease continued. In April, the suit alleges, Keystone Mission notified JG Realty PA they could no longer adhere to the terms and conditions of the lease but were expecting to hold a fundraiser in June with intentions to pay missed lease payments. A deferral notice was agreed upon to delay the monthly lease payment until July 12, with all other debt involving utilities to remain being paid, the suit alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Representatives from JG Realty reached out to Keystone Mission on several occasions beginning in May, the suit says, but messages were not returned. The suit alleges JG Realty believes Keystone Missions mismanaged its business and financial operations, resulting in inability to pay monthly lease payments, and created a nuisance condition by promoting homelessness, filth and vagrancy near the property and throughout Wilkes-Barre. JG Realty is seeking in excess of $50,000 on each of the three counts listed in the lawsuit. Under the terms of the lease, Keystone Mission was to pay JG Realty an annual base rate of $62,400, or $5,200 per month, for the first 10 years of the lease. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit filed by JG Realty is the second civil action taken against Keystone Mission. Luzerne County in June initiated civil litigation against Keystone Mission regarding $500,000 county council granted to the nonprofit agency in federal American Rescue Plan Act funds. Authorities in British Columbia have levied a hefty fine against a man for burning an assortment of potentially hazardous materials on his property in Idabel Lake. As KelownaNow reported, the property owner, whose name has not been released, was fined $5,000 for the burning of illegal material in December 2024. The incident occurred when the property owner demolished a cabin that was on his land and then set fire to the remaining structure. A conservation officer with the Ministry of Environment and Parks then received a complaint regarding the illegal blaze, which was eventually extinguished by the local fire department. The following day, the conservation officer investigated the site of the fire and observed a "strong toxic smell." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fire suppression foam from the firefighting efforts was also spotted running toward the shores of Idabel Lake, which is a drinking water source for nearby communities. The lake is also home to many species of fish. A number of illegally burned items were then recovered in the demolished cabin, including shingles, an electric stove, aluminum wiring, and plastic buckets. After interviewing the property owner, it was determined that he had not obtained a burning permit from the British Columbia Wildfire Service. In the official report from the conservation officer, the property owner is quoted as being "remorseful, advised he was sorry, a dumb idiot and this was a bad move on his part." Although they faced a maximum fine of $75,000, the property owner was originally hit with a $10,000 fine before the amount was reduced. Not only can burning certain materials increase the risk of sparking a wildfire in vulnerable areas, but it may also result in serious legal trouble. As the Canadian government noted, many communities throughout the country have their own bylaws in place that restrict which materials are allowed to be burned and which areas restrict fires altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burning hazardous waste can also have significant negative impacts on both the environment and human health. Fires can release toxic pollutants into the air, such as particulate matter, nitrogen oxides, sulfur dioxide, heavy metals, and dioxins. Prolonged exposure to smoke from fires can lead to respiratory concerns, heart disease, and even cancer. Before placing any materials into a fire pit or controlled burning surface, it is wise to double-check local fire regulations and which items are prohibited from being burned. 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. State Rep. Regina Young (D-Delaware) speaks at a press conference in Tinicum Township, Delaware County. (Emily Previti/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) Pennsylvania hotels, short-term rentals and third-party contractors would have to ensure workers have been trained to recognize and report human trafficking or risk losing their license to operate under a measure in the state House. HB1286 calls for hospitality personnel to undergo training approved by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency in consultation with the Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association (PRLA) every two years. Employers would have to keep records of worker training or face a fine of $100 for failing to produce them upon request by law enforcement or local licensing authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Subsequent offenses within every 90 days could result in fines of $250, then $500 and, ultimately, notification of county and/or municipal oversight agencies, according to the legislation sponsored by Rep. Regina Young (D-Delaware/Philadelphia). SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Young organized a press conference Tuesday to promote the bill at Governor Printz Park on the Delaware River near Philadelphia International Airport. This problem is intensely focused in our area, where we are so closely connected to the major transportation hubs, Young said. We have the Philadelphia International Airport. We have two major interstates, 95 and 76. We also have rail lines. And so, its very important for us to send a blaring message [that] were paying attention, and you will no longer be able to go under the radar. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Forty-three percent of human trafficking convictions in Pennsylvania during 2014-2023 came from cases in or near Philadelphia, according to The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova Universitys Charles Widger School of Law. Listen to an audio recap here: https://penncapital-star.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/05epHTTweb.mp3 Representatives for hospitality, law enforcement and survivor advocacy organizations joined Young Tuesday. So did Democratic Sen. Anthony Williams, whose district encompasses Tinicum Township where the gathering was held, and Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia). State Rep. Robert Leadbeter (R-Columbia) speaks at a press conference in Tinicum Township, Delaware County, to promote a bill hes sponsoring that would mandate hospitality worker training to recognize human trafficking. (Emily Previti/Pennsylvania Capital-Star) Interstate 80 that runs right through [my] district, and so as with any point of transportation between major metro or commercial areas, theres going to be that element of transferability where trafficking then can thrive, said Leadbeter, one of three GOP cosponsors on the bill. Whether were talking about a rural community or a community with a high population density the reality is, this is something that happens across Pennsylvania. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leadbeter and the others stood across a parking lot from a Holiday Inn Express. Holiday Inn is among a number of hospitality chains that have for years voluntarily trained staff to recognize and report signs of human trafficking. Large hospitality corporations also have partnered with advocacy organizations like Polaris and PACT to sponsor and develop training programs. The Pennsylvania Restaurant and Lodging Association currently offers free training materials on its website, according to PRLA President & CEO Joe Massaro. Its the evolution of something that was purely volunteer, that all the national brands were on board, said Massaro, noting hed worked for Hilton for decades before his current role. Now we want to bring everybody else in the fold. While crucial, training needs to be holistic and consistent, advocates say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its effectiveness will depend on details such as who conducts it of the paradigm approved by states Commission on Crime and Delinquency, according to Shea Rhodes, co-founder and director of The Institute to Address Commercial Sexual Exploitation at Villanova Law School. Its also one of many necessary reforms remaining, Rhodes said, alongside a larger cultural shift thats proactively anti-trafficking. Its necessary to make sure that any space where trafficking is happening, that there are consequences where its allowed to happen, Rhodes said. We want them to either call the hotline or go through whatever reporting protocol their employer has set. Expanding resentencing and restitution laws to advantage trafficking survivors are among legislative proposals highlighted in the most recent annual report from The Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also advises combining restitution proceeds into a single fund managed by the states Commission on Crime and Delinquency to support mitigation efforts including public education. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Eleven states already mandate hospitality worker training on trafficking awareness, according to a compendium from the nonprofit PACT (Protect All Children from Trafficking). North Carolina enacted a training mandate earlier this summer that includes vacation rentals in addition to traditional hotels and lodging facilities, according to PACT, along the lines of how the commonwealth would expand its scope under Youngs measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The PACT report highlights Floridas $2,000-per-day fine for hotels that arent training workers. It also notes New Jerseys law that makes getting, keeping or renewing any permit, license or certificate contingent upon the hotel or motel providing proof of employee training. Other states considering training requirements include Washington and Massachusetts, where the House recently sent a bill that would do so to its state Senate. Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville, talks on the Indiana House floor. (From Haggard's official Flickr) An Indiana lawmaker confirmed the Marion County Prosecutors Office is investigating an alleged fake topless video of his wife performing during a charity event. At the end of the day, I just want whoever is responsible, whether if its true or not true, or somebody just made it up, I want their heads to roll, said Rep. Craig Haggard, R-Mooresville. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, I dont fight every battle, he continued. I dont scream at everything, but at the end of the day, Im a husband first, and my wife is my priority. National reporter Tom LoBianco, writing for 24sightNews, has reported that two members of Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwiths staff viewed the video in the office in April. The Indiana Capital Chronicle has not been able to confirm the existence of the video. Beckwith addressed the issue in a town hall in Terre Haute on Monday, saying he reviewed employee communications over the last few days and could not find evidence of it. Haggard said this is a serious, horrible allegation and he doesnt think leaders are taking the issue seriously enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It needs to be an independent investigation. You need to open your doors and say were not guilty. Come look at it so that you can prove them wrong if this is the case, Haggard said. Gov. Mike Braun addressed the issue with reporters Tuesday afternoon, saying each state office is going to have to do its own accountability. If it were in my office, there would be quick getting to the bottom of it, and full accountability. You never know what youre going to hear over the weekend. That was a different one, he added. Haggard isnt a fan of Brauns approach on the topic. I didnt like the response from governors office saying, Not our problem, because I think thats a cop-out and sort of disgusting, Haggard said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is your problem. I get it that I dont believe the two offices are fond of each other. But its still your administration, he continued. And so, guess what? Its a horrible, crappy thing. Youre in charge. You need to deal with it. And to me, a proper response would have been, These are horrible, serious allegations. We dont condone any behavior like this, either way, and we will do everything we can do to get to the bottom of it, period. State lawmakers last year made creating or distributing nonconsensual pornographic deepfakes a misdemeanor offense. Federal law also criminalizes the activity, often called revenge porn. Braun said he is hoping this case doesnt cross that boundary. Haggard said true or untrue, his wife has been dragged into this and is embarrassed and doesnt want to come to the statehouse anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said he has not seen the video and told investigators, Guys, Im in the dark like you are. I found out about this while driving back from Florida, and Ive been on the phone ever since. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Federal prosecutors have dropped their case against former state Rep. Carolina Amesty, who was accused of fraudulently obtaining COVID-19 relief loans in 2020. U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe of the Middle District of Florida moved to dismiss the case on Wednesday, just hours after Amestys attorney had entered a separate filing saying prosecutors were no longer seeking an indictment, citing significant exculpatory material her defense has provided in the case. Amesty is represented by high-powered litigator Brad Bondi, the brother of U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kehoes motion does not explain why his office wanted to close the case and Brad Bondis filing does not provide details on the materials that may have led federal prosecutors to stop their pursuit of an indictment against Amesty. But Amestys attorneys wrote in an earlier filing that they have more than 500 pages of documents they believe are exculpatory, a legal term referring to evidence that would justify or rebut allegedly illegal behavior. Bondi did not respond to an email from the Orlando Sentinel on Wednesday. Amesty celebrated the news in a post on X, referencing a Bible verse where Daniel praises God for protecting him after he was thrown in a lions den. I am grateful to God, my amazing attorney Brad Bondi and his team, and my family for supporting me through this difficult time, she wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, federal prosecutors sought more time to obtain an indictment, citing an ongoing investigation and a pending sealed motion before a grand jury in a separate case. But Bondi wrote in Wednesdays filing that the probe is no longer ongoing and asked a federal judge to reconsider an earlier decision that provided more time for prosecutors to file an indictment. Amesty, 30, was accused of fraudulently obtaining $122,000 in small business COVID-19 relief funds through a foundation bearing her name and a car dealership that federal investigators dont think was ever licensed to operate, according to a criminal complaint filed in January. The FBI and other investigators concluded the federal money provided to the foundation and the business was used for Amestys personal expenses, including furniture and credit card bills. Some money also went to support Central Christian University the private Christian college she helped run with her father and Amestys now closed fast-food restaurant, Pollo Juan, they said. Once viewed as a rising star in the Florida GOP, Amesty faced two counts of theft of government property, punishable by up to 20 years in federal prison. The Republican from Windermere has maintained her innocence since the complaint became public in January, writing in a social media post that a court proceeding where the charges were outlined amounted to a personal political attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Within hours of the first hearing related to the case in February, the U.S. Justice Department announced that U.S. Attorney Roger B. Handberg, who revealed the Amesty prosecution and was appointed during Bidens tenure, was out of the job. Kehoe a Tampa defense lawyer, former federal prosecutor, and friend of Pam Bondi was selected to serve as Handbergs replacement. Elected to the House in 2022, Amesty narrowly lost her reelection bid last November to Democrat Leonard Spencer, a former Disney executive. She ran while facing state forgery charges that were subsequently dismissed by outgoing Orange-Osceola state attorney Andrew Bain, an appointee of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis, upon her completion of community service and a financial crimes course. Those state charges stemmed from evidence, first published by the Orlando Sentinel, that she improperly notarized a mans signature on a licensing form for the small Orlando-area college run by her family. Outgoing Orange-Osceola State Attorney Andrew Bain, an appointee of Gov. Ron DeSantis, dismissed those charges in a negotiated settlement and they disappeared from the publics view last month after Amesty asked a judge to expunge the records. anmartin@orlandosentinel.com Men with prostate cancer could get access to life-saving trials within hours under a programme to speed up access to treatment. Half a million cancer patients and survivors will be eligible to sign up for the platform, backed by the NHS, which links patient feedback with medical records in real time. Wes Streeting, the Health Secretary, said the programme was part of a medical revolution that would match men up to trials in a matter of hours, allowing more rapid treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told The Telegraph: I know from my own treatment that once the cancer clock starts ticking, every minute matters. This new programme will match men up to trials in hours rather than weeks, giving patients rapid access to new treatments. By teaming up the NHS with our countrys leading life sciences sector, and harnessing our health and care data, we can put our health service at the forefront of the medical revolution and transform care for patients. Mr Streeting said the scheme would use cutting-edge technology to personalise medicine, catch sickness sooner, treat it faster and save lives. The Prostate Progress platform, developed by the charity Prostate Cancer Research, will securely connect outcomes reported by individual patients, such as symptoms, side effects and quality of life, with clinical NHS data for the first time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts say that as well as ensuring faster access to trials, the programme will help spot side effects, create more personalised medicine and mean fewer men dying from the disease. NHS England has selected it as the first project for a national research programme, meaning it could become the model for other types of diseases. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with 55,000 diagnoses and 12,000 deaths annually. The platform will create a large, anonymous pool of real-world information for researchers and clinicians, meaning men can be recruited far more quickly for new trials. The Telegraph is campaigning for the introduction of targeted screening, so those most at risk, such as black men and those with a family history of disease, are offered PSA tests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new platform will enable researchers to track the rollout of targeted screening, if it gets the green light, to assess its impact in detail. So far, about 4,000 men with prostate cancer have been signed up to the pilot programme, across the North West, West Midlands and London, with a target to enrol 40,000 men in the next year, making it the largest platform of its kind. The programme has been backed by NHS England and will be scaled up across England over the next year, with 9 out of 11 areas already signed up. Any prostate cancer patient or survivor can now join the patient portal, allowing them to apply for clinical trials and see how their medical data compare with national trends. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The link-up of the programme with NHS data will enable researchers to go further, to unlock a wealth of information about how patients respond to different treatments. In the next phase, starting this autumn, the platform will be linked to bio-banked tissue samples, unlocking the potential for personalised medicine, and to AI-enabled tools which can analyse data from images, genomic data, wearable technology and hospital correspondence. The programme also aims to expose inequalities in care, to improve access for all age groups, ethnic groups and areas. Oliver Kemp, chief executive of Prostate Cancer Research, said: With Prostate Progress were turning the UKs unparalleled health data into a real-time engine for research and care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the first time, mens own reports of how prostate cancer affects their daily lives are being securely linked to their NHS records, creating a single, anonymised resource. This can match patients to clinical trials in a matter of hours or days instead of weeks or months. It can also help to expose and fix the inequalities that still cost far too many lives, and give scientists the evidence they need to develop kinder, more precise treatments. Prostate Progress shows whats possible when patients, the NHS and charities pool their strengths: together, we can stop needless delays and give every man the best chance of a longer, healthier life. Prof Peter Johnson, NHS national clinical director for cancer, said: This unique programme will have patients at its heart, enabling faster access to trials and combining clinical data with patients real-life experiences to help redefine how we treat prostate cancer a really exciting development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prostate Progress is the first of a series of groundbreaking projects to support innovative and secure uses of NHS and health data to help improve care and save lives. 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. PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) The wildfire smoke from Canada that has turned the sky in New England hazy can be harmful for some people, but there are things you can do to protect yourself. Darren Austin, a meteorologist with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency who specializes in air resources, has been monitoring the local smoke concentrations. RELATED: Air Quality Alert issued in RI, Mass. due to Canadian wildfires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you are outside, you dont want to be doing anything thats going to get your heart rate up or you breathing heavily, Austin said. Especially people who are sensitive to air quality. According to the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management, wildfire smoke has tiny particles that can irritate the eyes, nose, throat and lungs. It can also irritate symptoms for people with asthma, lung or heart conditions. Even when there is no Air Quality Alert in effect, it doesnt mean the air quality levels are back to normal. There may be unhealthy conditions, but the length of time those conditions will be in place isnt long enough to meet the criteria for an alert. Without taking certain protections, the particulates from the smoke can make their way into your home or car. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mark Schieldrop from AAA Northeast stressed the importance of proper ventilation. Your basic low-cost cabin air filter may not actually get any of those small particles out of the air, Schieldrop explained. Its good for big pieces of pollen, leaves and other debris, but a good HEPA filter can actually dramatically improve the air quality, especially if you get that recirculate button turned on. If youre going outside, you can also protect yourself by wearing an N95 mask. The Newport Pell Bridge on Aug. 5, 2025 (WPRI-TV) Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. Protesters are planning to gather at the Oklahoma state Capitol to call for the impeachment of state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters. The demonstration set for Saturday, Aug. 9, comes as the Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office investigates claims that images of naked women were visible on a TV screen in Walters' office. As of early Tuesday, Aug. 5, nearly 13,000 people on Facebook had indicated their interest in attending the rally. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walters has repeatedly denied responsibility for the TV and described the situation as a "political attack." In response to the planned demonstration, Walters said impeachment already has been attempted under former Oklahoma Speaker of the House Charles McCall, a Republican from Atoka, who's running for governor. The Democrats and teachers union sympathizers know that we are breaking down a bureaucracy, dismantling status quo and returning education back to Oklahoma parents," Walters said in a statement. Walters has been at the center of controversy since two members of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, which Walters chairs, told The Oklahoman they saw the content during an executive session on Thursday, July 24. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw them just walking across the screen, and Im like, no,'" said board member Becky Carson. "Im sorry I even have to use this language, but Im like, Those are her nipples. And then Im like, Thats pubic hair. What in the world am I watching? I didnt watch a second longer. I was so disturbed by it, I was like, What is on your TV? I was very stern, like Id been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, What am I watching? Turn it off now! More: Emails show complaint by state education board member over images of naked women The impeachment rally is being organized by the Sooner State Party, a group that says it is working to "bring common sense government to all." CJ Webber-Neal, who described himself as a spokesman for the group, told The Oklahoman that the party is encouraging Oklahomans to voice their disapproval of Walters' leadership at the Oklahoma State Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This isn't an issue that is partisan, he said. "I don't think that our children's future should be partisan. It's something that affects every Oklahoman." Webber-Neal said it wasn't the TV incident that sparked the Sooner State Party's call for impeachment; it was the state's next-to-last-place education ranking. He also cited accusations of ethics violations in Walters' 2022 campaign, being blamed for misspending pandemic relief funds and backing a conservative online private school. "We realize that students right now need leadership, and they don't need political grandstanding," Webber-Neal said. "They don't need someone basically trying to boost their own ego. What they need is someone who's going to lead." This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Protesters will call for Ryan Walters' impeachment this weekend (COLORADO) The U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Colorado announced that a Pueblo man was sentenced to 180 months in prison for several drug and weapon-related charges on Friday, Aug. 1. According to the U.S. Attorneys Office, on May 23, 2023, 52-year-old Dominick Jesus Salazar was arrested outside of his Pueblo hotel room when officers from the Pueblo Police Department (PPD) saw him interacting with several people in a way that indicated the sale of drugs. During the trial, it was revealed that when PPD officers arrested Salazar, he had a loaded pistol in his pocket, along with money from drug sales. Inside his hotel room, officers found 188 grams of methamphetamine and 82 fentanyl pills. Evidence was found on his phone that he had been dealing drugs out of his hotel room. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI Denver Field Office handled the investigation. Pueblo is safer because Mr. Salazar is going to federal prison, said United States Attorney Peter McNeilly. Were grateful to the committed men and women of the Pueblo Police Department and federal partners like the FBI who are invested in reducing violent crime and drug dealing in that community. Salazar was convicted of possession of methamphetamine with intent to distribute and possession of a firearm and ammunition, despite having been previously convicted of a felony. When we bring the full force of federal prosecution against drug dealers, were not just making arrestswere delivering justice with real consequences, said FBI Denver Special Agent in Charge Mark Michalek. The FBI stands united with local law enforcement and will use every tool we have to drive violent crime out of our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX21 News Colorado. GREENSBORO, N.C. (WGHP) A number of people made it clear at Monday nights Greensboro City Council meeting that theres a need for more community policing. Its a very timely topic as Tuesday is National Night Out, which is an event happening all across the country that is meant to promote the bonds between individual police departments and their communities. Thanks to a $2.8 million grant, the Greensboro Police Department will be able to hire 15 new officers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So we can start avoiding some of the other issues we hear about police accountability Something is broke, and we need to start fixing it, District 1 Councilmember Sharon Hightower said. She isnt alone. The topic of community policing just kept coming up during the city council meeting. We hold 100s of events all year long across communities, from youth to adults, and countless number of opportunities. We have citizens academy, a city academy, GPD Chief John Thompson said. Thompson said the department believes that better community policing leads to more efficiency. However, there is one demographic they are struggling to reach: teens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its a whole new set of challenges when you talk about engaging with teens. We do have efforts. We had two camps this year that we havent had historically, he said. When crime happens in your backyard, it can have a profound impact. Just ask Yoletha Young. We were terrified. We didnt know what had happened. We wanted answers, and thats how we ended up having the meeting with the police department in the cul-de-sac in the neighborhood because we had a list of questions that we wanted answers to, Young said. She is talking about a 2020 officer-involved shooting that unfolded near her home along Mandela Court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back then, Young didnt have a relationship with the police. I didnt interact with the community, and pretty much everybody stayed to themselves, she said. Shes worked to build a better relationship with the department and is now hosting events like National Night Out, inviting police officers to her neighborhood. Young is a true believer in the benefits of community policing They come to our community events. They are very supportive The relationship has been built. It has taken some time In Hope Valley, we have a great relationship with the police department, Young 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 FOX8 WGHP. Vladimir Putin could pause Russias missile and drone attacks on Ukraine to convince Donald Trump to back down from his threat to impose sanctions. The olive branch is being considered as Putin met Steve Witkoff, the US presidents envoy, in Moscow on Wednesday for talks on ending the war. Moscow said the three-hour-long talks between the Russian leader and Mr Witkoff were useful and constructive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Putin has so far rejected a full ceasefire, it is thought that this offer could appease the US and see Moscow avoid the crippling economic sanctions threatened by Washington. The situation now is that our president has full information. Our signals, signals from President Trump, he said. Trump has not yet been informed of the results of this meeting. Therefore, I would refrain from more detailed comments. Lets see when Witkoff can report on the conversation that took place today with Trump. After that, obviously, we will be able to supplement my comments now with something more substantial. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump said he would make a determination on tariffs against Russia and its international oil trading partners after the discussions, expected to take place later on Wednesday. Russian officials believe Mr Witkoffs appearance in the Russian capital will provide Putin with an opportunity to restart talks with the US and head off threats of sanctions, anonymous sources, cited by Bloomberg, said. This could begin with an offer of an air truce as a gesture of de-escalation, as long as Ukraine also signs up to the proposal, the report added. We consider such meetings to be very important, but we dont comment on them in advance, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesman, said ahead of the talks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump is threatening to impose heavy tariffs on countries that buy Russian fossil fuels in an attempt to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin to halt its invasion. On a recent visit to Scotland, he slashed his 50-day deadline in half and suggested the measures would be announced on Friday. The targets for the new tariffs could include India and China, with Mr Trump having vented about the two helping to fuel Russias war machine in recent days. Mr Witkoff, a New York businessman turned peace envoy to the US president, landed in Moscow early on Wednesday. State media broadcast images of a private jet purportedly landing at an airport in the Russian capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Images of the American walking with Kiril Dmitriev, a front man for engagements with Mr Trumps team, in Zaryadye Park were later shared online. Russian state media outlets later shared images of Putin meeting Mr Witkoff inside the Kremlin with a handshake ahead of their talks. Steve Witkoff, a New York businessman turned peace envoy to the US president, landed in Moscow early on Wednesday - Sputnik/Kristina Kormilitsyna/Pool via REUTERS Asked about slapping a 100 per cent tariff on Russian energy buyers, Mr Trump told reporters late on Tuesday: I never said a percentage but well be doing quite a bit of that. Well see what happens over the next fairly short period of time. We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow, were going to see what happens. Well make that determination at that time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking after the talks on Wednesday, Yuri Ushakov, an aide to Putin, said the two sides discussed the Ukraine crisis and the potential for improving relations between Moscow and Washington. He added that Moscow had received signals from Trump. The US president has been pushing for Russia to accept an unconditional 30-day ceasefire to pave the way for full peace talks. He has become increasingly frustrated with Putins refusal to engage with the proposal, while Russia continues to bomb Ukrainian cities in mass missile and drone barrages. The idea for an air truce was floated during talks between Putin and Alexander Lukashenko, the Belarusian dictator, last Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I say, yes, Russia is interested in this, president Putin, but you dont want it, Lukashenko told reporters, referring to recent talks with Gen Keith Kellogg, the US peace envoy. Tell Zelensky to go along with it. Vladimir Putin and Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko at Lake Ladoga last week - Gavriil Grigorov/AP Gen Kellogg is expected to travel to Kyiv for talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraines president, following the American discussions in Moscow. Mr Zelensky said on Tuesday that he had a productive phone call with Mr Trump. He added that the pair discussed the deal for European nations to buy American weapons on behalf of Ukraine, after the Netherlands, Denmark, Sweden and Norway contributed $1bn to buy air defence systems and other ammunition for Kyiv. Their economy continues to decline, and thats exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trumps resolve, Mr Zelensky said of his call with Mr Trump. This can change a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight, Russia struck a gas facility in Ukraines southern Odesa region, undermining preparations for winter, Mr Zelensky said. Gas infrastructure had been attacked in the village of Novosilske on the border with Romania, where the Orlovka interconnector, through which Ukraine receives gas via the Transbalkan route, is located. This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season, absolutely cynical, like every Russian blow to the energy sector, Mr Zelensky said on Telegram. 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. Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday signed a decree that would allow Russia to increase its greenhouse gas emissions by a fifth by 2035 compared with 2021 levels. Russia, the world's fourth-largest emitter of planet-warming carbon dioxide gas, aims to achieve net zero emissions by 2060. But activists say its current climate goals are woefully insufficient to combat global warming. In the decree, Putin ordered his government to implement "by 2035 a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions to 65-67 percent relative to the 1990 level", taking into account the impact of Russia's vast forests that soak up carbon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This would set Russia's maximum allowed emissions at around two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent by 2035 -- lower than the record of 3.1 billion tonnes in 1990 but around 22 percent higher than the 2021 figure of 1.7 billion, according to data provided by Russia to the United Nations. Russia has cautioned against phasing out fossil fuels at previous climate summits. Its economy is largely dependent on oil and gas exports and it has repeatedly set targets campaigners have described as unclear and unambitious. Experts say the 1990 baseline is also misleading as Russia's greenhouse gas emissions plunged by more than half between 1990 and 2000, largely due to the collapse of industry following the break-up of the Soviet Union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Paris Agreement, which Russia has signed, aims to limit a rise in global warming to 1.5C above pre-industrial levels. Russia is warming 2.5 times faster than the rest of the planet, according to the head of Russia's state meteorological service. Experts from the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change have warned that there is a 50/50 chance the world will pass the 1.5C threshold in the early 2030s. bur/sbk Vladimir Putin met Thursday with U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff amid President Donald Trumps looming Friday deadline for the Russian strongman to start talking peace with Ukraine. Trump hailed the meeting as highly productive and claimed great progress was made, without elaborating. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, Trump posted on his social media site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president didnt mention his deadline for Putin to start taking unspecified steps toward ending his war with Ukraine, raising obvious questions about whether the threat is still hanging over the Kremlin. A Kremlin spokesman said the meeting lasted three hours and was useful and constructive. The spokesman suggested Putin presented some kind of proposal for Witkoff to convey to Trump, but did not elaborate. Trump last week set a stricter deadline of 10 or 12 days for Putin to wind down the war against Ukraine or start peace negotiations and threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties against Russia and its economic partners if it refuses. Moscow had so far shrugged off Trumps deadline as empty bluster, noting that he has given numerous previous ultimatums on various issues that turned out to be toothless threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia believes it has the upper hand on the battlefield, at least in the short and medium term, giving it little reason to agree to even a brief ceasefire. Its troops have made modest advances along the long front line in Ukraines eastern Donbas region and ousted Ukrainian troops from a sliver of a Russian border territory that they had previously seized. Russia has also mounted increasingly deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets. Earlier, Witkoff took an early morning stroll in Moscow with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic cooperation, which was captured in footage aired by a Russian news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dmitriev played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine, as well as discussions between Russian and U.S. officials. The negotiations made no progress on ending the three-year war following Russias invasion of its neighbor. Trump has recently flip-flopped to a much harsher stance on Russia after seeing Putin spurn his demands for concessions for months. But Trump has shown himself to be unwilling to take a firm stance of defending Ukraine and sticking to it, giving Putin an incentive to wait out any threats. The new deadline and threat to impose secondary sanctions on nations that buy Russian energy, like India, China and Turkey, are particularly problematic because those economic powerhouses have no control over Russias stance on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are unlikely to cut economic ties with Moscow in response to such U.S. demands, especially when Trump himself was cozying up to Putin just a few weeks ago. The White House announced it is tacking on a new 25% tariff on products imported from India, raising the total tax to 50%, which suggests it doesnt consider Putin has met the deadline. Russian President Vladimir Putin received US special envoy Steve Witkoff for talks on Wednesday, days before President Donald Trump's deadline for Moscow to accept a ceasefire in Ukraine or face sweeping new sanctions. The Kremlin announced Witkoff's visit but provided no further details. Photos released by the Kremlin show that Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, also attended the meeting. Following years of limited contact between Washington and Moscow due to the war launched by Putin against Ukraine, Witkoff has now visited Russia five times this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war. The timeline was then shortened to this Friday. Trump has threatened a new wave of sanctions if Russia fails to comply. Amid growing frustration over continued Russian attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump last week pledged to impose "sanctions and maybe tariffs, secondary tariffs" on countries still doing business with Moscow, in a bid to choke off its war funding. Russia launched its full-scale invasion of neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022. NEED TO KNOW Austin Drummond, who is accused of killing four people and abandoning a baby in Tennessee, was arrested after a multi-day manhunt A man working on a house in Jackson, Tenn., called police after spotting a man in the woods Drummond is accused of killing of Adrianna Williams, 20, James M. Wilson, 21, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15. Austin Drummond, the man accused of murdering four family members and abandoning an infant in a stranger's yard in Tennessee, was arrested after a worker spotted him walking in the woods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Drummond is accused of murdering Adrianna Williams, 20, James M. Wilson, 21, Cortney Rose, 38, and Braydon Williams, 15, who were found dead on July 29 in Tiptonville, Tenn. He subsequently led authorities on a multi-day manhunt. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced the arrest of Drummond in Jackson, Tenn., on Tuesday, Aug. 5. Drummond was spotted by Ricardo Contreras, who told WMC he was working on a house when he saw someone in the woods. Related: Man Accused of Killing 4 Family Members and Abandoning Baby in Tennessee Is Arrested Cortney Rose/Facebook; Adrianna Williams/Facebook(2) Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams and Matthew Wilson, Braydon Williams Cortney Rose, Adrianna Williams and Matthew Wilson, Braydon Williams One of my guys hears something in the woods, and at some point, we thought it was like a deer or something like that," Contreras told the outlet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Contreras then went to look, he said, and saw a person, knowing police were searching for someone in the area. I saw someone moving in the middle of the woods, and he had like a, you know, a sweater with, you know, something on his head or something like that but it was really hard to see if it was the person that they were looking for but, who else could it be," Contreras told WMC. Contreras called 911 and police arrived at the scene. He told the outlet that 15 minutes later, a local resident called and told him that Drummond had been arrested. 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Drummond's arrest, Contreras told the outlet that he has been receiving several messages thanking him. I think I did the right thing, he told the station. Drummond is facing charges of first-degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, felon in possession of a firearm and one count of possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The victims were the mother, father, grandmother and uncle of the baby, who was found in Dyer County after being left there, police said. Read the original article on People NEW YORK (PIX11) A Queens landlord is being accused of repeatedly breaking rent stabilization laws by overcharging rent-stabilized tenants in multiple neighborhoods. Attorney General Letitia James and New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas filed a lawsuit against Zara Reality on Wednesday. More Local News While hardworking families are battling an affordable housing crisis and fighting to make ends meet, Zara Realty shamelessly took advantage of vulnerable tenants, Attorney General James said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit claims Zara Realty was illegally overcharging tenants in Jamaica and Elmhurst who paid their rent through the Department of Social Services housing subsidy programs, brazenly ignoring rent reduction orders by the HCRs rent administration office since 2022. In a statement to PIX11 News, Zara Realtys legal counsel said the Attorney Generals actions are aggressive and premature. Once again, Attorney General Letitia James is choosing to intentionally harm small business owners and housing providers with public accusations, this time issuing a press release about a lawsuit before my clients or I have even received the complaint. I represent several property owners facing similarly aggressive and premature actions by this Attorney General. These tactics contribute to the growing exodus of businesses from New York to states that offer fairer, more business-friendly environments. If justice truly matters, where are the press releases after cases are decided, not before any pleadings have even been filed? Adam Leitman Bailey, legal counsel for Zara Realty More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State One case cited in the lawsuit alleges a DSS voucher holder signed a one-year lease with a company owned by Zara, and had their rent increased by eight percent the next year, which is above the legal limit of 3.25 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The year after that, Zara allegedly raised the same tenants rent by 44 percent. When the tenant refused to pay, Zara took them to court. The suit seeks a court order to stop the realty corporation from charging and collecting inflated rents, as well as forcing it to issue refunds to all overcharged tenants. If landlords fail to abide by the rent laws, if landlords seek fraudulent rent increases, or initiate unlawful evictions we will not hesitate to take action on behalf of millions of rent-regulated tenants in New York, HCR Commissioner Visnauskas said. Both AG James and HCR sued Zara Realty in 2019, with litigation still ongoing, for allegedly targeting middle and low-income immigrants by charging excessive fees and illegally raising rents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: This story has been updated to include a statement from Zara Realty. Spencer Gustafson is a digital content producer from Long Island who has covered New York state and city news since 2023. See more of his work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. U.S. Army Sergeant Quornelius Radford, the man accused of shooting five soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia on the morning of Wednesday, August 6, is now facing multiple charges. Radford was charged with two specifications of attempted premeditated murder, four specifications of attempted unpremeditated murder, one specification of domestic violence, three specifications of aggravated assault inflicting grievous bodily harm and three specifications of aggravated assault with a dangerous weapon in violation of Articles 80, 128 and 128b of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel preferred charges against Radford during a pre-trial confinement review on Tuesday, August 12. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The five soldiers were shot and wounded in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) area of the base, according to a social media post by the U.S. Army. Radford is also accused of shooting at, but not wounding, a sixth soldier. Shooting At Georgia's Fort Stewart Injures 5 Soldiers; Suspect In Custody All the wounded soldiers were treated on-site and then transported to Winn Army Community Hospital, according to Fort Stewart officials. Read On The Fox News App Radford, who has been apprehended, is 28 years old and serves as an automated logistics sergeant assigned to the ABCT. The Army said Radford is from Jacksonville, Florida, and joined the regular Army as an Automated Logistical Specialist in January 2018. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army also said Radford has never been deployed. He was arrested following the shooting and is currently in pre-trial confinement. On May 18, 2025, Radford was arrested by the Georgia Department of Public Safety for driving under the influence and for failing to obey a traffic control device. Montana Manhunt Expands For Ex-soldier Suspect Seen With Stolen Survival Gear After Bar Massacre Troops arm themselves at Fort Stewart, Georgia, on Aug. 6, 2025, after a gunman opened fire at the facility and injured five people. According to a summons obtained by Fox News Digital, Radford allegedly told the responding officer that he ran a red light because he needed to use the bathroom. The shooting Radford is accused of committing took place at his workplace. He allegedly used a personal weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Radford will be transferred to the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston located at Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina, to be held in pre-trial confinement, the Army said in a press release. Fox News Digitals Alexandra Koch and Lorraine Taylor contributed to this report. Original article source: Who is Quornelius Radford? The Army sergeant accused of shooting 5 soldiers at Fort Stewart in Georgia The couple married in the United States in 1997 and had three children. In 2002, the woman filed for divorce in a US court, but her husband refused to participate in the proceedings. The Rabbinical Court in Safed has approved the granting of a get (Jewish divorce document) to a woman who had been an aguna (Jewish woman who is chained to her marriage) for more than 20 years, the Justice Ministry announced. According to the statement, the case was resolved through a coordinated effort involving the Public Defenders Office, the Justice Ministrys Pardons Department, the Rabbinical Court, the justice minister, and the president of Israel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The couple married in the United States in 1997 and had three children. In 2002, the woman filed for divorce in a US court, but her husband refused to participate in the proceedings. A refusal order was issued against him. Refusing to grant the get In 2011, when the man entered Israel for his sons bar mitzvah, the woman filed for divorce in an Israeli court. A travel ban was placed on him, and the Rabbinical Court subsequently ordered him to grant the get. The man refused despite further rulings from both the Rabbinical Court and the Great Rabbinical Court. In 2012, the man was arrested and sentenced to seven years in civil prison for get refusal. Three years into his sentence, the Rabbinical Court imposed additional sanctions, including a ban on receiving kosher food, but he continued to refuse to grant the divorce. In 2021, a criminal indictment was filed against him for violating a court order intended to protect an individual. He was convicted by the Haifa District Court and sentenced to 18 months in prison. His appeal was denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the courts decision, Public Defender Attorney Abraham Sofer submitted a proposal to the Rabbinical Court in which the man would grant the get in exchange for a presidential pardon and early release. The proposal was referred to the Justice Ministrys Pardons Department, which coordinated with a Rabbinical Court representative who had been supporting the woman throughout the process. After reviewing the case, the Pardons Department issued a recommendation to the justice minister and the president of Israel. Both approved the conditional pardon. Following the approval, the man signed the get during a session held at the Rabbinical Court in Safed. In return, the official document reducing his sentence was delivered to him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement from the Presidents Office said: The president has done and will do everything in his power to assist women whose get is withheld in their struggles. The power of pardons is a vital social tool, allowing for solutions to complex social and human issues. Justice Minister Yariv Levin said, Despite the difficulty of granting a pardon to someone unworthy of it, I saw it as my privilege to help a woman who remained an aguna for over 20 years. I hope this will allow her to start a new chapter in her life. Limor Goldenberg-Hadad, head of the Pardons Department at the Justice Ministry, said the woman had been waiting for the get for many years and is currently facing a serious illness. Sofer stated, This is Israels longest-serving get refuser, and we are glad we managed to help find a solution that enabled the granting of the get and led to the mans immediate release. Journalists from Radio Liberty have released previously unseen surveillance footage showing Russian soldiers killing 70-year-old Volodymyr Rubailo on Yablunska Street in Kyiv Oblasts town of Bucha on 4 March 2022. Source: Ukrainian service of Radio Liberty Details: The footage shows Russian soldiers first wounding Volodymyr Rubailo with a shot and then, as the man was barely standing, finishing him with a shot to the head. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soon after, near Volodymyrs body, which remained on the ground, Russian soldiers began looting a supermarket. They smashed the glass to enter the building. The stolen goods were packed into baskets and bags and loaded onto armoured vehicles. To take more, some even filled trolleys and pushed them down the street to the recently seized homes of Bucha residents. As previously reported, Russian paratroopers from the 234th Air Assault Regiment from Pskov, specifically a group led by Sergeant Vladimir Borzunov, may be linked to the killing of Volodymyr Rubailo. Radio Liberty identified Borzunovs unit as the one positioned at the location from which, according to Ukrainian ballistic experts, the fatal shot was fired. In a phone conversation with a Radio Liberty correspondent, Sergeant Borzunov confirmed that Russian soldiers killed Rubailo but denied his own and his subordinates involvement in the execution of the civilian. For reference: Volodymyr Rubailo was born in 1951 in Bucha, where he also completed his basic education. He served in Soviet forces in the honour guard company at a military unit in East Germany. He and his wife raised two daughters. Before retirement, he worked as a driver at a forestry company in the city of Irpin. He was executed by Russian soldiers on Yablunska Street on 4 March 2022. Background: The Archive Department of Bucha City Council reported that 554 civilians were killed in Bucha during the Russian occupation. Forty-three bodies remain unidentified, and 38 civilians from Bucha are still missing. At least 33 men are believed to be in captivity, and one detained civilian died in Russian captivity. Russia denies its troops' involvement in the mass killings of civilians in Bucha. The Russian Ministry of Defence claimed that "not a single local resident suffered from any violent actions" while its forces were present in the city, while Russian ruler Vladimir Putin called the mass executions in Bucha "fake news" and a "provocation". Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Brief A suspect wanted by the FBI was arrested during a San Francisco raid of an underground club in the Sunset District. Cankun He,31, was among five people charged by the feds in connection with an armed robbery in Oregon for iPhones. The raid came a little more than a week after a deadly shooting at an illegal nightclub in Oakland. SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco police raided an illegal nightclub in the Sunset District early Monday morning as part of a federal investigation tied to a robbery in Oregon, authorities said. What we know Xian Bistro, a shuttered Chinese restaurant in San Francisco, was the scene of the predawn raid. Police said that around 3 a.m., officers served a search warrant on what they described as an underground club at the former eatery near 32nd Avenue and Noriega Street. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police seized guns and drugs and turned over a suspect, 31-year-old Cankun He, to the FBI. He and four other Bay Area men have been indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of participating in an armed robbery at a re-shipping business in Portland, Oregon, to steal 200 iPhones and five cameras. RELATED: One killed, dozens detained in shooting at illegal Oakland nightclub During the holdup, the FBI said the suspects wore fake FBI jackets and drove into the business's parking lot using blue and red flashing lights. The indictment was unsealed after He was arrested at the underground club in the Sunset District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Michael Bracamontes, an attorney whose clients include victims of nightclub violence, said illegal clubs lack safeguards. "You dont have these types of safeguards built in where youve got an established business owner whos trying to follow the rules and trying to keep things safe and still have a good time," Bracamontes said. New details in deadly shooting at Oakland club Big picture view Across the Bay in Oakland, 24-year-old Fernando Castillo Rodriguez was killed on July 27 when a shootout erupted at an illegal nightclub near 85th Avenue and G Street. Oakland police believe there were numerous shooters, including two brothers who ran the club. Investigators said the two may be in Mexico. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When you have illegal clubs that are not subject to any type of inspection from the fire department, theyre not in contact with the local police departments," Bracamontes said. "Theyre not taking security measures, it leaves the folks who attend these events at risk." Ben Bleiman, president and founder of the California Nightlife Association, said illegal clubs are dangerous and unregulated. "They're dangerous, they're unregulated, they don't pay taxes, they don't have any of the permits required," Bleiman said. "For law-abiding business owners, it's extremely frustrating and borderline offensive that these things continue to operate with general impunity." Henry Lee is a KTVU crime reporter. E-mail Henry at Henry.Lee@fox.com and follow him on Twitter @henrykleeKTVU and www.facebook.com/henrykleefan The Source KTVU reporting, SFPD, FBI, U.S. Attorney's Office. DeKALB COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that one man was killed in a crash on Tuesday near Sylvania. According to ALEA, the crash happened just before 5 p.m. on Tuesday, August 5, on DeKalb County 116. Troopers said that 59-year-old Aubrey D. Jones was killed when the vehicle he was driving collided with another. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the of the other vehicle was injured and airlifted to Erlanger Hospital in Chattanooga for treatment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ALEA said they are continuing to investigate 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 WHNT.com. BECKLEY, WV (WVNS) It has been announced that the Raleigh County Schools Back-to-School Wellness & Community Outreach Fair will return to the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. Golden Corral suspends Preacher Appreciation Sundays promotion after alleged complaint from resident Each year, the annual event helps students and families get the resources and information they need for a successful school year. At past events, students have gotten a chance to interact with local businesses and organizations as part of the event, including members of law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beckley Police Department officer, Adam Justice says anytime community members can offer more opportunities to students, it is a win. Theres never enough you can do, I dont think, he said. So, the more events like this we have and the more engagement we do and the more giving back we do the better. The wellness fair has been scheduled for Friday, August 15, from 9:00 am to 2:00 pm at the Beckley-Raleigh County Convention Center. School supplies will be available to students and families at the event while supplies last. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WVNS. TURKEY HEAVEN A Ranburne man died early Sunday while rescuing a friend from floodwater during one of two emergency incidents reported in Cleburne County, authorities said. Cohen Sinclair Turner, 22, of Ranburne, was identified as the deceased in a vehicle swept into a creek around 6:20 a.m. near County Road 41. Authorities say Turner and another occupant escaped through the sunroof into rising water. According to Turners uncle, Lincoln police officer Danny Turner, Cohen pushed his friend toward a tree before being swept away. According to a press release from the Cleburne County Sheriff's Office, emergency crews responded to two separate incidents early August 3 as flash flooding created hazardous conditions throughout the area. Both involved vehicles swept off the road by rising water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first rescue occurred at approximately 4:44 a.m. on County Road 10 near County Road 635, where a single-occupant vehicle was overtaken by floodwaters. Crews were able to safely extract the individual, according to officials. The second incident was reported around 6:20 a.m. in the 3000 block of County Road 41, involving two occupants. The two individuals inside were Turner and his friend. The friend was pulled to safety without injury, police say. Turner was later pronounced deceased at the scene by Cleburne County Coroner Adam Downs. "These events are deeply tragic and highlight just how quickly conditions can become deadly when floodwaters rise, Cleburne County Sheriff Jon Daniel said. We extend our deepest sympathies to the family of the young man who lost his life and we ask our community to join us in keeping them in your prayers. No destination is worth the risk of crossing a flooded road. We're urging everyone to use extreme caution during weather events like this." Its with a heavy heart that I announce the passing of my nephew, Cohen Sinclair Turner, Danny Turner stated in a social media post. Cohen lost his life early this morning when the vehicle he was in was swept off the road due to flash flooding. No greater act of selflessness than to give your life for another. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Downs asked, Please remember Turners family in your prayers as they cope with this tragic loss. Multiple agencies and individuals, including the Turkey Heaven and Cane Creek Volunteer Fire Departments, the Randolph County Rescue Squad, Cleburne County Engineer Lee Estes, and several residents like Anthony Clifton, collaborated on both operations. These incidents serve as a sobering reminder of just how powerful floodwaters can be, said Turkey Heaven Fire Chief Patrick Nolen. We urge everyone to take flood warnings seriously and never attempt to cross flooded roadways. The sheriffs office credited the rapid and selfless response of fire departments, rescue squads, county personnel, and community members who worked tirelessly throughout the morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are proud of the coordinated response by all involved and grateful to live in a county where neighbors help neighbors, the statement read. In lieu of flowers, Danny Turner has requested donations be made to Rainwater Funeral Home to assist with expenses for Turners family. Rancho Palos Verdes has moved forward with plans to permanently ban new construction across 715 acres of land that has been plagued by dramatic and destructive landslide movement over the last two years. City council members on Tuesday night voted unanimously to prohibit almost all new development, including home additions, throughout the landslide zone, which encompasses approximately 400 homes and 130 vacant, privately owned lots across three neighborhoods. The change to the city's building code would, however, permit repairs, restoration efforts and even the replacement of existing homes, so long as the updates don't exceed the original damaged home's square footage. It also provides a way for landowners to apply for an exception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuesday's vote is the first step to make permanent a moratorium that had been in place since land movement dramatically accelerated almost two years ago. The change will only take place after a final approval later this month. But with overwhelming support from city leaders, it appears likely to go into effect by the end of September. Read more: Is it finally time to ban new homes in the Rancho Palos Verdes' landslide zone? Despite well-documented issues from the landslide since October 2023, the move faces opposition, especially from homeowners who live in areas that have recently stabilized. Criticism and concern have also come from landowners sitting on undeveloped lots, or from homeowners who were recently included in the designated landslide zone. That designation came after geologists confirmed that the recent movement had expanded past historic boundaries. Many other homeowners, however, said they were in support of the ban. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement City officials said the changes were about safety, and pointed to the last two years of unprecedented landslide movement. The movement has fractured homes, warped several roads and shut off electricity and gas service for hundreds. Though the area has long been known for recurring issues from a complex of ancient landslides that reemerged in the 1950s, the rate and scale of the movement since October 2023 has never before been recorded. Were very sensitive about the land and the folks that are now included in this [prohibition] zone," Mayor Pro Tem Paul Seo said at Tuesday's city council meeting. "But what it comes down to is public safety and well-being for the people on that land. The city had enacted a similar ban on development in the landslide zone decades ago, but it was repeatedly weakened by lawsuits and exceptions. City leaders on Tuesday said that some of the homes damaged in the recent movement were among a group that fought the initial construction ban, and won approval to build in the landslide zone through a lawsuit in the early 2000s. At least five recently applied for federal buyouts, city officials said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. ELKINS, W.Va. (WBOY) A team from the West Virginia Department of Education visited the Randolph County Board of Education Tuesday evening to update board members about the current state of emergency declared over the district. In June, the West Virginia Board of Education made the declaration, citing a number of operational issues, including declining enrollment, staff overages and a budget shortfall. The emergency declaration put the Randolph County school system on a six-month timeline to address those issues. The state board will decide at its meeting in December whether to extend the state of emergency, to lift it or to intervene further by taking over operations of the local school system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the presentation, Randolph County Board of Education President Rachel Anger asked Office of Accountability Director Alexandra Criner about that December deadline. How far along do you need to see our plan progress, asked Anger. Because I feel like were still pretty far. Wi-Fi being allowed near Green Bank Observatory for first time ever With some of the consolidation timelines and that sort of thing, youre going to have to come to some conclusions pretty quickly in order to meet those guidelines and timelines, Criner said. Time really is of the essence. Randolph County Schools Superintendent Dr. Shawn Dilly has proposed a number of plans that include the consolidation of some schools over the next several years, but several concerned residents attending Tuesdays meeting spoke out against the consolidation of schools in their communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In January, the Randolph County Board of Education voted not to close and consolidate the rural Pickens and Harman K-12 schools. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. RANDOLPH, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) On June 16, Vermont State Police say they began an investigation after receiving reports of sexual abuse involving two children. On Wednesday, they said that they had arrested one man in connection with the case. Gerald Hendrickson, 76, of Randolph, reportedly turned himself in to Vermont State Police on Wednesday in Royalton. He will appear in court later this month on charges of Lewd and Lascivious Conduct with a Child under 16. Gerald Hendrickson, 76, of Randolph, will appear in court later this month to face charges. (Courtesy: VSP) If Hendrickson is found guilty, each charge carries with it a minimum sentence of 2 years and a maximum of 15 years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WTVO) Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has warned Texas authorities that police cannot come into his state and arrest Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State to stymie a vote on a redrawn redistricting map. More than 50 Texas Democratic state lawmakers left the state to deny the Republican-controlled legislature from achieveing a quorum needed for a special session in which they would vote on a congressional district map. Many arrived in Illinois, welcomed by Gov. JB Pritzker. A Texas House panel on Saturday advanced the set of maps, teeing them up for a vote on the House floor. Because Republicans enjoy majorities in both chambers and hold the governors mansion, the maps are all but assured to pass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The special session did not happen as scheduled because of the Democrats absence. It was intended to provide disaster relief for victims of Texas flooding earlier this year. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has threatened to remove the legislators from office for job abandonment, and the Texas House Speaker issued civil arrest warrants. In Illinois, the rule of law matters, and law enforcement must have a legitimate legal basis to arrest someone. Texas law enforcement officers have no authority to hunt down and make arrests of Texas legislators in Illinois based on a civil arrest warrant issued by the Texas House, Raoul said in a statement Tuesday. The Texas House may have managed to issue civil arrest warrants without having a quorum, but those civil warrants carry no weight in Illinois. The Texas Democrats appeared alongside Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker for a press conference Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a new Democratic party, said Democratic National Committee Chair Ken Martin. We are bringing a knife to a knife fight, and we are going to fight fire with fire. Pritzker appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on Tuesday night to defend his states heavily gerrymandered congressional maps, which favor Democrats. So because all states to a certain extent do this, why is what Texas [is] doing particularly egregious in this case? Colbert asked. Pritzker said voting maps are traditionally redrawn after each U.S. Census, every 10 years, and criticized the Texas legislatures midterm effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That is extraordinarily rare, Pritzker said. And the way they are doing it is taking voting rights away from Black and Brown people. They are literally obliterating districts that were written according to the Voting Rights Act. So this is going to end up in court if they are actually able to do it. In response, California and New York have threatened to redraw their legislative maps to cancel out Republican gains in the Lone Star State. On Monday, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said Democrats in his state are pursuing plans for mid-decade redistricting, which could be triggered depending on what happens in Texas. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) said she was exploring every option to redraw congressional lines and reviewing legal strategies to stop this brazen assault. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You have to fight fire with fire, she said, adding, alls fair in love and war. Republicans currently hold a narrow 219-212 majority in the U.S. House. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. WEST SPRINGFIELD Collectors, sellers, and buyers alike will travel from all over the country to attend this weekends East Coast Gem, Mineral & Fossil Show, while for some who live in the region it is only a stones throw away at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield. The annual event opens its doors on Friday at 10 a.m. Some 180 dealers, miners, artisans and crafters from all over the county and from as far away as Canada, Africa, South America, Asia and Australia will be selling a variety of rocks ranging from 50-cent tumbled stones to $50,000 mineral specimens, from sharks teeth to fossil skeletons, and lapidary supplies and equipment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I run a pure mineral show. That means only dealers who carry minerals, meteorites and other gems and related products can set up a booth in our show. You wont find sage, candles or other items not related to the hobby, said Laura Delano of LLD Productions, who produces the show. But what you will find at the show are products such as beads and jewelry, lamps and other items made using all kinds of gems and stones, including one vendor who sells leather-bound journals with a polished stone attached to the front. We try to always have different dealers to keep peoples interest and this year we have about 25 new vendors alongside others who have been coming for years, Delano said. One of those different dealers is Darryl Powell, a seasoned mineral collector, artist and author, who founded Diamond Dan Publications in 1991 with the mission to produce high-quality, fairly priced educational materials that will help mineral collectors, particularly young ones, to be successful mineral collectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Powells interest in collecting began at the age of 10 he is now 63. I was in the fifth grade when my teacher asked us to write a paper on anything. I picked rocks and minerals, then a teacher who lived in the neighborhood noticed my interest in them and went to the store to buy me a tiny paperback on the subject. I got hooked and havent stopped collecting since then, he said. The idea to create a coloring book was born out of the fact that Powells home was strewn with Barney the Purple Dinosaur coloring books that his son, Aaron, loved. I thought to myself that what the world really needed is a mineral coloring book. So, I quickly slapped one together with simple black and white drawings that were barely two-dimensional doodles with my text and pictures literally cut and pasted onto pages that I took to the printer for printing, Powell said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We printed 500 copies and, son of a gun, they sold. A friend, who is a salesman, told me if I put more work into them and cleaned them up then they may be profitable. My mom was artistic and a very creative person, and I picked up her ability to sketch and doodle and with practice and a few thousand drawings later, adding shading and other different tools, I improved on my drawings. And from there it morphed into a near fulltime business, he added, noting all books are created today using sophisticated software which produce high-quality colorful PDFs (portable document format). That first coloring book was called Diamond Dan the Mineral Digging Man presents Minerals to Color A to Z. It remains our most popular today and is our mainstay which sells to families, teachers, mineral clubs on others. We now call it The World of Minerals and Crystals and every time we reprint it we improve upon the book, Powell said. One of the more fun titles in his collection of works is called The Best Bathroom Book for Mineral Collectors Ever Written, Vol. 1. There is also a second volume now to purchase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I publish a Mini Miners Monthly eBook for young mineral collectors. What I did was to gather a bunch of material from them and place them into a 100-page published paperback filled with word searches, pictures to color, biographies, interesting articles on minerals and other fun things, Powell said. Other coloring and activity books produced by Darryl Diamond Dan Powell include Fossils: Traces of Ancient Life from the Sea & Land, Minerals of the Bible, World Class Minerals, Minerals of Arizona and more. Some of his more educational titles include Crystals & Crystal Forms: An Introduction to Crystallography for Mineral Collectors, Diamond Dans Mineralogical Dictionary, and Fluorescent Minerals of Connecticut by John A. Pawloski, Sr. as well as Herkulees, Medusa & The Baby: The Story of an Historic Discovery in Sprakers, New York by Bill Stephens. He also sells mineral note cards, tattoos and buttons, and a notebook. Each year the show brings in a different special exhibition for visitors to marvel at, and this years magnificent display is a gem among gems some of the worlds most rare examples of beautifully crystallized mineral specimens will be on display from the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Texas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the kids, special booths at the show will offer free mineral specimens. There also will be geodes to purchase that they can have fun cracking open to reveal never-before-seen crystals. Delano said she was pleased to learn that one of the top show guides for dealers and buyers, Xpo Press out of Colorado, recognized their show in a recent ranking of mineral events. They listed us as one of the top 12 mineral shows in the world, and there are some really big ones in Europe, she said. In addition to the public show, this weekend will also feature a special show in the Young Building with wholesale vendors. Those attending the wholesale show must be qualified buyers with resale credentials. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hours are Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; children under 13 are free with a paid adult. The Eastern States Exposition charges $5 for parking. For more information, visit mineralshowslld.com. Read the original article on MassLive. Angela Rayner has ordered China to explain why it has redacted blueprints of a basement and other areas in a mega-embassy to be built in London. Ms Rayner, who as Housing Secretary is tasked with deciding whether the project in the Royal Mint Court can go ahead, has given Beijing two weeks to explain why certain parts of its floor plans have been greyed out. It comes amid fears the complex could effectively become a nest of espionage in the heart of London, with reports China could convert basement rooms into spy dungeons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The demands from Ms Rayner are set out in an update from her department sent to DP9, the planning consultancy representing the Chinese embassy. It suggests a possible change of tone in the Governments approach to the project. Ms Rayner has given China two weeks to explain the proposed plans - Anadolu Sir Keir Starmer was lobbied directly over the proposals by Xi Jinping, the Chinese premier, and has previously refused to intervene in the project, despite pressure from the US to block it on security grounds. Ms Rayners letter, sent on Wednesday, was also addressed to Yvette Cooper, the Home Secretary, and David Lammy, the Foreign Secretary. Other key players including the local council and Metropolitan Police were copied in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It revealed that Ms Rayner has asked Beijing to explain why some drawings submitted as part of the embassy plans have been marked as redacted. These include a proposed basement master plan, which contains two suites of anonymous rooms and a tunnel previously flagged up by critics as a potential modern-day dungeon for spies. A note attached to the diagram states: This drawing has been redacted for security reasons. The letter also notes that the internal physical arrangements of two buildings, the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House, both of which have basements, have been greyed out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It goes on to ask for representations on whether Ms Rayner can reach a lawful determination on planning permission on the basis of the redacted plans. The update was shared on social media by Luke de Pulford, the head of the Interparliamentary Alliance on China, which was copied into the correspondence. It is likely to reignite widespread concerns over the proposed mega-embassy, with critics having repeatedly warned that it could pose a threat to Britains national security. The US is said to have urged the UK to reject the proposals on security grounds given the sites proximity to a hub of sensitive data near key financial centres. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sir Iain Duncan Smith, the former Tory leader, wrote to Ms Rayner last month to reiterate these concerns, saying it would be inappropriate to approve the application pending a plan to address such a serious matter. The proposed mega-embassy at the former Royal Mint site, near the Tower of London, has been locked in a planning battle for years, with the decision called in for review by Ms Rayner last year. Following a public inquiry, the Planning Inspectorate has reportedly given the development the green light, with the Deputy Prime Minister to make a final decision by September. Mr de Pulford said he was hopeful the tough demands set out in the letter indicated the Government had seen the light and would put a stop to the plans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He told The Telegraph: This development is a disaster for national security, residents, and UK interests. It should never have got this far. I cant see how Beijing is going to meet the Secretary of States conditions. So, either a deal has already been done and the Government is trying to look tough or theyve genuinely seen the light. After a long, hard fight, were certainly hoping the latter. Greyed-out The Ministry of Housing refused to comment while the decision-making process was ongoing. All parties have been given a deadline of Aug 20 to make further representations. There is some confusion about whether the drawings in question are supposed to be redacted or not. In some cases, the Government says other documents obtained as part of the public inquiry appear to fill in some of the gaps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter states: The Secretary of State has noted that the Planning (Addendum 2) Drawing List dated 31 Jan 2025 identifies drawings which are said to be redacted. Some of those drawings are marked on their face as being redacted for security reasons, and it appears that this may refer, at least principally, to the internal physical arrangements of the Cultural Exchange Building and Embassy House, both of which have been greyed-out. However, other plans which are identified as being redacted in the Drawing List are not marked on their face as such, and contain no obvious redactions. Furthermore, in some cases, documents which were before the inquiry... appear to show, indicatively at least, information which was redacted on the drawings (e.g. the internal physical arrangements of some of the buildings). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a result, Ms Rayner has asked China to identify precisely and comprehensively what has been redacted, what the nature of the redactions are, and the rationale and justification for them. One view of proposed Chinese embassy in central London The letter also requests an update from Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy on two conditions they set for the mega-embassy in February. The first was to consolidate all Chinese consular premises in London in the new complex, and the second was for a hard perimeter to be built around part of the site so people can still access some historic ruins. If Ms Cooper and Mr Lammy refuse to budge on their demands, Beijing will need to agree to the adjustments or abandon the plans, which have been years in the making. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meeting the condition on the hard perimeter would be difficult because the local planning authority has said it would constitute a material amendment to the application that would require further consultation. The embassy plans were initially rejected in 2022 by Tower Hamlets council owing to health and safety concerns. The proposal was then withdrawn by China, before being resubmitted a month after Labour came to power. Mr Xi is said to have personally sought Sir Keirs support for the plan in a phone call between the two leaders. Ms Rayner then used her powers as Housing Secretary to take control of the planning decision, after reportedly being urged by Mr Lammy to do so. The Conservatives have warned it is likely the embassy will be used as a base for Chinese espionage and urged the Government to block it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, told Sky News in June: Weve seen the Chinese government cracking down on dissidents, running secret police stations in the UK, even putting bounties on the heads of dissidents, some of whom Ive met. We should not be giving permission to this. Demonstrators outside the former Royal Mint site in March - SOPA Images Ms Rayner also faces a backlash from her own party if she waves through the application, with one Labour MP telling The Telegraph in June they thought it would be wrong to approve it. The row presents an awkward dilemma for Sir Keir, who has pursued a strategy of engagement with Beijing while attempting to maintain a positive relationship with Donald Trump, a prominent China sceptic. Peter Kyle, the Science Secretary, has said the UK would offer a fulsome response to any security fears raised. Robert Jenrick, the shadow justice secretary, has said he would support a judicial review into the decision if the plans were approved. This would involve challenging the lawfulness of the decision, raising the prospect of it being overturned in the courts. The Chinese embassy has always waved away criticism of the proposals and the claims about national security being in jeopardy. In response to previous reports about the basement rooms being used as spy dungeons, a spokesman said: Anti-China elements are always keen on slandering and attacking China. 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 Washington State Ferries vessel Samish, at the Anacortes ferry terminal. (Bill Lucia/Washington State Standard) A trip on a Washington state ferry will get more expensive this fall. The Washington State Transportation Commission on Wednesday approved fare hikes of 3% on Oct. 1 and another 3% on May 1, 2026. It also increased the summer season surcharge to 35% on all routes next year and, on a trial basis, extended the life of multi-ride passes to 120 days starting next May. Those passes now expire after 90 days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is never a fun job to raise rates, said Commissioner Debbie Young. The final product, she said, is the best they could devise to keep the impact minimized on the regular rider who feels it most. Also Wednesday, commissioners acted to require operators of public and private bus services, as well as vanpool and public rideshare services, to pay tolls on the State Route 520 floating bridge and the Tacoma Narrows Bridge starting Oct. 1. Commissioners repealed a longstanding exemption for those transit services. A new law signed by Gov. Bob Ferguson earlier this year called for that change. School buses will continue to be exempt. Redoing ferry fares drew most of the panels focus Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the state transportation budget, Washington State Ferries is required to generate $408.8 million from fares in the next two years to help cover the agencys day-to-day operating costs. State ferry officials estimated the fare hike will bring in $412.3 million, commissioners were told. It will come on top of a 50-cent increase to the vessel replacement surcharge that state lawmakers and Ferguson approved this year. When that change takes effect Oct. 1, the surcharge will be $1 per ticket. Washington State Ferries was also directed to impose a new 3% fee on credit card transactions beginning March 1, 2026. Ferry officials estimate the vessel surcharge hike will net $23.9 million and the credit card fee another $7.4 million in the 2025-27 budget cycle. But those dollars cannot be applied towards the fare revenue requirement, said Aaron Halbert, a financial analyst for the commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fares differ by route as well as vehicle size, number of passengers and the time of year one travels. A surcharge is assessed on the base fare of a single vehicle between May 1 and Sept. 30, which is the peak season for ridership. Under the new rates, the standard passenger fare on the Mukilteo-Clinton route will climb 70 cents in October and an additional 15 cents in May 2026. For a standard-sized vehicle, the cost will go up 85 cents this October, and another 30 cents next May. On the Seattle-Bremerton route, the passenger fare will rise by 80 cents in October 2025 and 30 cents next May. For standard vehicles, the increases are $1.05 this fall and 55 cents in May. Those amounts include the 50-cent increase in the vessel replacement levy but not the peak season surcharge or the credit card fee, both of which take effect next year. The summer surcharge will climb by 10% to the new level of 35% for all routes, except San Juan routes, which already have a 35% peak season levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with fare changes, 2.3 million more people are expected to travel on a ferry in this budget cycle compared to the last one. That is a 6% increase in ridership. One reason is that domestic service is fully restored for the first time since 2019, Halbert said. Another is the governors decision to delay hybrid-electric conversions of the largest ferries in the states fleet to keep vessels in service. But ridership is still way below pre-pandemic levels. Roughly 20 million people will travel on a ferry this year compared to 24.7 million in 2018 and 23.9 million in 2019. During public comment Wednesday, Tom Thiersch, chair of the Ferry Advisory Committee on Tariffs, said the committee agreed with the final proposal. He voiced frustration that the state continues to demand ferry riders cover a much larger share of the systems operating costs through fares compared to what is required of users of other public transit services. Continually increasing fares, he said, is making ferry travel unaffordable for many people and is not sustainable. Five consumer products, including a childrens play kitchen linked to a fatal incident, have been recalled due to serious safety risks, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission announced. The recalls involve hazards ranging from strangulation to burn injuries and entrapment. KidKraft Farm to Table Play Kitchen Backyard Kids, LLC, of Plano, Texas, is recalling about 192,000 KidKraft Farm to Table Model Play Kitchens due to a strangulation hazard. In February 2023, a 23-month-old child in Oregon died after their shirt caught on a hook while climbing through the back opening of the play kitchen, leading to asphyxiation. The hooks, meant to hold toy pots and pans, pose a risk when children climb or crawl through the unit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The black and light gray play kitchens, intended for ages 3 and up, measure 44 inches long, 13 inches wide, and 43 inches high, with model number 53411 on a back sticker. Sold online at KidKraft.com, Amazon.com, and Walmart.com from 2018 to July 2025 for $120 to $270, about 400 units were sold by Backyard Kids, with 12 in Canada. Consumers should stop using the play kitchens, remove the hooks, and contact Backyard Kids at 800-882-0234 (8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday), recall@kidkraft.com, or www.kidkraft.com/pages/recall for free replacement hooks. Manufactured in China. Recall number: 25-415. Tegu Magnetic Floating Stackers Toys Tegu Holdings Inc., of Naples, Florida, is recalling 22,850 Magnetic Floating Stackers toys (models STA-BGY-801T Rainbow and STA-BTP-806T Big Top) for violating mandatory toy magnet standards. The magnets can detach, posing an ingestion hazard that could lead to intestinal perforations, blockages, or death if swallowed. The wooden toys, with a base, six stacking pieces, two posts, and two figures connected by magnets, were sold at toy stores and online at Tegu.com and Amazon.com from August 2018 to April 2025 for about $40. Tegu reported 31 incidents of magnets detaching, with no injuries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Consumers should remove the toys from children and contact Tegu at 877-834-8869 (10 a.m. to 7 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday), service@tegu.com, or https://tegu.com/pages/recall for a free replacement toy. Manufactured in Honduras. Recall number: 25-413. Baby Loren Morning Childrens Loungewear DanLoren Group, doing business as Baby Loren, of Tracy, California, is recalling about 340 Morning childrens loungewear dresses for violating federal flammability standards, posing a burn injury risk. The 100% cotton dresses come in floral tulips, princess and castle, unicorn and butterfly, and joy prints, in sizes 2T to 6Y. Labels include the Baby Loren logo, size, October 2022 or October 2023, and batch numbers ending in 3465, 3585, 3599, or 3569. Sold at select stores in Texas, Georgia, and Alabama, and online at babyloren.com and other sites from October 2022 to March 2025 for $24 to $50, no injuries have been reported. Consumers should stop using the dresses and contact Baby Loren at 209-834-5053 (9 a.m. to 3 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday), sales@babyloren.com, or https://babyloren.com/pages/recall for a refund. Baby Loren is contacting purchasers directly. Manufactured in Peru. Recall number: 25-419. LIVACTI Retractable Safety Gates Qeyan and Yanyanny, through importer Lichang E-Commerce, Inc., of Hacienda Heights, California, are recalling about 1,400 LIVACTI Retractable Safety Gates (model LT-BG01-3) for violating mandatory gate standards. The gap between the gate and floor allows a childs torso to pass through, posing an entrapment risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The gates, sold in white, gray, and black, measure 34 inches high with a retractable width up to 140 inches. The model number is on a white label on the side post. Sold on Amazon from December 2024 to April 2025 for $55 to $75, no injuries have been reported. Consumers should stop using the gates, cut through the mesh, and submit a photo to support@livactihome.com for a refund. Contact Qeyan and Yanyanny at 833-980-0055 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. PT, Monday-Friday) or https://livactihome.com/pages/product-recall. Manufactured in China. Recall number: 25-401. Apollo City 2024 Electric Scooters Apollo Imports Inc., of Newark, Delaware, is recalling about 790 Apollo City 2024 electric scooters due to a weld line crack in the stem, posing fall and injury risks. The dual-motor scooters, with a top speed of 32 mph, have a gray exterior and Apollo printed on the stem. Affected serial numbers range from 4202240300001 to 4202240301236 and 4202240400001 to 4202240400764, located on the decks bottom. Sold at Best Buy and online at Apolloscooters.co, Amazon.com, and BestBuy.com from June 2024 to April 2025 for about $1,800, Apollo reported 10 weld-cracking incidents, including one injury with abrasions. Consumers should stop using the scooters and contact Apollo at 888-501-8862 (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET, Monday-Friday), support@apolloscooters.co, or https://apolloscooters.co/pages/apollo-city/recall for a free replacement stem. Manufactured in China. Recall number: 25-402. Consumers are urged to act promptly to address these safety concerns. The future of transportation took shape on two continents this week as Italy and China announced bridges that would redefine what's possible in modern engineering. Italy greenlit a $15.5 billion project to build what would become the world's longest suspension bridge, infrastructure company WeBuild said on Wednesday. Over the weekend, the Chinese state-run People's Daily reported the near-completion of what will be the world's tallest bridge. ABC News - PHOTO: A height comparison shows China's Huajiang Bridge towering over New York's iconic Brooklyn Bridge at more than seven times its height, illustrating the unprecedented scale of modern bridge engineering. The Italian project, connecting Sicily to mainland Italy across the Strait of Messina, would stretch nearly 2.3 miles, with its suspended span reaching nearly 2.1 miles. This would surpass the current record holder, Turkey's Canakkale Bridge, by more than half a mile. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Today, Italy has shown once again how it can come together around a mega project that will be transformative for the whole country," Pietro Salini, chief executive of WeBuild, said in a press release. Qin Gang/VCG via Getty Images - PHOTO: Aerial view the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, Jan. 17, 2025 in Zhenfeng County, China. Meanwhile, in China's southwestern Guizhou Province, the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge reached a milestone with the installation of its final steel girder. According to Chinese state television, the bridge will stand at 2,051 feet from deck to river -- roughly twice the height of the Eiffel Tower. Italy's bridge, designed to carry 6,000 cars per hour and 200 trains daily, focuses on connecting a major island to the mainland. China's Huajiang bridge, while completing a crucial expressway link, incorporates ambitious tourist attractions, including what will be the world's highest bungee jump. Hu Panxue/VCG via Getty Images - PHOTO: Aerial view the Huajiang Grand Canyon Bridge, Aug. 2, 2025 in Zhenfeng County, China. Both projects reportedly face unique challenges, Italy's bridge must contend with seismic risks in the Messina fault region, according to The Associated Press, while China's bridge tackles the extreme engineering demands of spanning one of the world's deepest canyons. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The competition reflects a broader trend in global infrastructure development. While Italy aims to strengthen its vital connection to Sicily, China has been systematically building the world's highest bridges. Webuild - PHOTO: Digital rendering of the Strait of Messina Bridge that will link the Italian mainland with Sicily. Webuild - PHOTO: Digital rendering of the Strait of Messina Bridge that will link the Italian mainland with Sicily. China's Guizhou Province alone has more high bridges than all other countries combined, according to HighestBridges.com. The Italian Transport Ministry announced construction on the Messina bridge is expected to begin next year. According to People's Daily China, the Huajiang bridge is now over 98% complete, and is set to open by the end of September in southwest China's Guizhou Province. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) A month after democratic Gov. JB Pritzker announced he will seek a third term, the president of conservative media outlet Wirepoints is planning to throw his hat in the ring for Illinois top job. Ted Dabrowski would run to be the Republican Party nominee. He has spent time writing articles on the social and policy issues in Illinois and talking with big-name state Republicans. The Wirepoints president said the state should be in a better position. We should be a top five state for economic growth, for jobs, for education and right now were losing people, Dabrowski said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What Ive found is its become too expensive to live here, there arent enough good jobs, and our kids arent reading properly. Governor Pritzker has had seven years to fix those things, but theyve gotten worse under him. The Democrat governor was able to beat his last opponent, Darren Bailey, in the 2022 Governors race with 54.9% of the vote. Illinois is largely considered a blue state, trending more toward red Downstate. Because of the population of Chicago, Cook and some of the collar counties turning blue, it can be difficult for a Republican to win enough downstate votes to break the difference. Dabrowski said he thinks he has a good shot. I think its time for change, the Wirepoints president said. Were losing people, were losing Citadel, were losing Caterpillar headquarters, were losing our Tyson foods. We cant continue on this path. He wants to run for a third term, but we all know hes running for president, so hes not even focused on Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Pritzker campaign achievement has been the reduction in crime in the Chicago area. But Dabrowski said the Democrat has been riding a national wave of crime down, and as of last year, Chicago has been the nations murder capital for 13 years in a row. On the topic of pensions, an issue that can cause a fiscal cliff for Illinois in the near future, the Republican said Illinois should focus on 401ks while looking at a way to reduce the debt from existing pensions without cutting services. WMBD reached out to Gov. JB Pritzkers campaign staff for a statement. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. One of Earths most breathtaking natural wonders is under serious stress, now more than ever before. Scientists say the Great Barrier Reef has lost huge amounts of its hard coral cover over the past year, driven in part by extreme heat and severe weather. Hard coral cover is a key indicator of reef health, as a higher percentage of living hard corals is essential for the structure of the reef and its ecosystem. Lower cover suggests there are major problems at play. The Bad News This year's report from the Australian Institute of Marine Science (AIMS) found coral cover has dropped dramatically in two out of the three regions of the Great Barrier Reef, marking the largest annual decline in those areas in nearly 40 years of monitoring. (MORE: Ongoing Coral Bleaching Event Is 'Biggest To Date') The record loss follows several years of volatility for the health of the reef, according to Dr. Mike Emslie, principal research scientist for AIMS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen coral cover oscillate between record lows and record highs in a relatively short amount of time," he explained. "This is a phenomenon that emerged over the last 15 years and points to an ecosystem under stress. Between August 2024 and May 2025, most reefs surveyed by AIMS had just 10-30% hard coral cover. Only two reefs out of 124 had more than 75% coverage. The numbers reflect a troubling trend toward increasing instability. (MORE: These Underwater Memorials Could Help Rebuild Reefs) But there isn't one sole culprit to point the finger at. A mass bleaching event in 2024, along with unusually hot ocean temperatures, cyclones and outbreaks of coral-eating starfish are all to blame. The future of the worlds coral reefs relies on strong greenhouse gas emissions reduction, management of local and regional pressures and development of approaches to help reefs adapt to and recover from the impacts of climate change and other pressures, urged AIMS CEO Selina Stead. Why Should You Care? The Great Barrier Reef is a vital, living ecosystem that supports thousands of marine species, provides food and jobs for millions of people and even helps regulate our planet's climate. (MORE: Historic Ship Becomes Artificial Reef) When coral dies, it's not just the reef that suffers. Fisheries collapse, coastal communities lose protection from storms and tourism-dependent economies take a hit. Above all, oceans, and the people who rely on them, become more susceptible to the impacts of climate change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This new data is a sign that the world's largest reef is in trouble. And what happens there could serve as a warning for reefs everywhere. Weather.com lead editor Jenn Jordan explores how weather and climate weave through our daily lives, shape our routines and leave lasting impacts on our communities. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) The redistricting fight continues in Texas as House Democrats are still out-of-state to stop a vote on a new congressional map. More states are considering their own maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. Redistricting typically happens once a decade but with Texas doing it early other states are now considering how they can better their partys chances in the midterm elections. Democrats are preventing a quorum by staying out-of-state in protest of what they say is gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump says Texas should pass the map aimed at adding five more Republicans to congress. We are entitled to five more seats, said Trump. Republicans are taking new measures to compel a vote. Texas Senator John Cornyn is calling on the FBI to help track down absent Democrats after the Texas House issued arrest warrants. There are no rules anymore apparently, said Illinois Governor JB Pritzker. Democrats were welcomed in Illinois by Governor JB Pritzker but the battle over redistricting goes beyond Texas with governors of California and New York weighing their options to add blue seats and the White House eyeing more red states to redistrict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indiana Governor Mike Braun says Vice President JD Vance is visiting Thursday. If that topic comes up, its exploratory. Theres been no commitments made, said Braun. The Texas House is expected to try again for a quorum Friday. The house speaker said he wanted to give the state troopers time to try to locate and return the members. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Reform UK accused solar farm developers of desecrating the British countryside and threatened to pull their subsidies if it wins power. Richard Tice, the partys deputy leader and energy spokesman, has written letters to solar investors to warn that their money would be at risk under a Reform government. It follows a similar warning to wind farm developers last month. In a letter sent to Island Green Power, which is planning the 2,700 acre East Pye solar farm project in Norfolk, Mr Tice wrote: Let me put you and your investors on formal notice. Reform UK does not support this or any similar Net Zero driven industrialisation of the British countryside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are now leading in all national polls, and intend to be the government in the next general election. When elected, we will immediately begin the process of ending taxpayer subsidies for large-scale solar and related infrastructure projects, and we will reassess all net zero related contracts signed under the current government. The renewables agenda no longer enjoys cross-party support. The environmental, economic and social costs far outweigh the benefits. We do not consent to the desecration of our countryside, the financial burden on working families or the subversion of our energy independence for the benefit of foreign capital and unelected green lobbies. It follows a decision by Ed Miliband, the Energy Secretary, to grant development consent orders to seven massive solar farms, with more than 30 others in the planning pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week The Telegraph revealed that Mr Miliband had also given the same solar developers compulsory purchase powers, allowing them to acquire or take rights over any privately held land they might need for panels or cables. Many people living on or owning land in areas earmarked for solar farms have already been sent letters warning that they may have to surrender their property or allow cables to be run beneath it. All developers have stressed that they would prefer to buy or lease the land as part of a negotiated settlement. However, the letters have triggered a backlash has seen an estimated 150 protest groups spring up in affected areas. Mr Tice represents Boston and Skegness in Lincolnshire, the county targeted for five of the seven giant solar farms so far approved by Mr Miliband. He said the developments were turning into a rural land grab. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Tice said: We are writing to solar farm and battery storage developers and investors, warning them that they seriously risk losing money under a Reform government. All options are on the table. They are bullying landowners with threats of compulsory purchase orders; we hope to scare these developers in return with our position. We will stop this expensive net stupid zero madness. Conservative MP Caroline Johnson, whose Lincolnshire constituency of Sleaford and North Hykeham has been targeted by solar developers, said: I have been consistently campaigning against large-scale solar farms for some time. Im pleased to see that others are coming to that same conclusion. Labour have been a disaster for our countryside, approving massive solar farm applications across the country since assuming office. We need to make sure farmland is used for farming, to protect our rural communities and national food security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reforms threat to pull subsidies follows a similar letter sent to wind farm developers last month, warning that it would cancel subsidies if elected. Labour said Reform was actively trying to discourage businesses from investing in clean energy in the UK and accused the party of disgracefully trying to undermine the UKs national interest. Sir Ed Davey, the Liberal Democrat leader, reiterated this argument in response to this weeks letter to solar developers. He said: Even if we put aside the fact that renewable power is the fastest-growing energy source on the planet, even if we ignore that renewable energy is the route to cheaper energy bills and more growth the sheer fact that Nigel Farage is doing his best to destroy investment into our country shows exactly why he is simply not fit for office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said anyone impacted by compulsory acquisition of land by solar or other developers must be fairly compensated. It added: All projects are subject to a rigorous planning process. Wherever possible, developers should utilise brownfield, industrial or previously developed land. Where the development of agricultural land is shown to be necessary, lower-quality land should be preferred to higher-quality land. Island Green Power, which declined to comment, is owned by Macquarie, the Australian investment giant best known for its previous ownership of Thames Water, which left the latter laden with debt. Macquarie was approached 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. Human remains found on Interstate 20 in Alabama on June 22 were identified as a man missing from Austin, Texas, since December 2022. The remains were identified as Peter Alexander Robinson, the Cleburne County, Alabama, Sheriffs Office said. The Alabama Department of Forensic Science confirmed the identification through dental and DNA analysis. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The sheriffs office said Robinsons vehicle had been towed from the same area on Interstate 20 on Jan. 12, 2023, shortly after he was reported missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robinson was believed to be experiencing a mental health crisis at the time of his disappearance, according to the investigation. We want to take this moment to remind everyone that mental health struggles are real and can affect anyone, said Cleburne County Sheriff Jon Daniel. If you or someone you know is struggling, please reach out. Help is available. The confirmation of Robinsons identity brings some closure to his family, who have been notified of the findings, the sheriffs office said. Authorities expressed their appreciation to various organizations involved in the investigation, including Jacksonville State Universitys Center for Applied Forensics, Cleburne County Coroners Office, Calhoun County Sheriffs Office, Alabama Department of Forensic Science and Austin Police Department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A special thanks was given to the individual who was observant and notified law enforcement of the discovery. If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, contact the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by dialing 988, or visit 988lifeline.org for confidential support 24/7. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] Remote-controlled robot rabbits are being deployed to help tackle Floridas invasive python problem. The Burmese python threatens the ecosystem of the Everglades by preying on wildlife, including wading birds, mammals and other reptiles. The creatures are notoriously difficult to catch but the innovative solar-powered robots are designed to mimic marsh rabbits to lure the pythons out of hiding so they can be removed by agents in the Everglades. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists from the South Florida Water Management District and the University of Florida have teamed up to use the robotic rabbit decoys as part of their Python Elimination Program. Researchers removed the stuffing from the 40 toy rabbits and replaced it with electrical components which are waterproofed to ensure they can endure the rain and humidity. Scientists from the South Florida Water Management District and the University of Florida have teamed up to use the robotic rabbit decoys as part of its Python Elimination Program. (Robert McCleery) They were designed to produce a heat signature and emit a smell to attract pythons. The rabbits are also equipped with cameras that monitor for pythons and notify officials when a snake is detected. Once notified a snake wrangler can be dispatched to the area and the python will be euthanized. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our partners have allowed us to trial these things that may sound a little crazy, Robert McCleery, a University of Florida professor of wildlife ecology and conservation, told the Palm Beach Post. Working in the Everglades for 10 years, you get tired of documenting the problem. You want to address it. The creatures are notoriously difficult to catch but the innovative solar-powered robots are designed to mimic marsh rabbits to lure the pythons out of hiding so they can be removed by agents in the Everglades. (AFP via Getty Images) Every year the state hosts the Florida Python Challenge, encouraging participants to hunt and humanely kill the snakes for a chance to win up to $10,000 in prizes. Burmese pythons were first spotted in the Everglades in the 1970s and their introduction is a result of the pet trade, when they were intentionally or accidentally released, the South Florida Water Management District said. Every python that is removed and eliminated is making a difference to protect the Everglades and South Floridas diverse and native wildlife, the district said. Invasive pythons are one of the most destructive and harmful species in Americas Everglades. Their aggressive predation on native wildlife robs panthers, raptors, bobcats, and other native predators of their primary food sources. Los Angeles County will soon require landlords in unincorporated areas to provide a way to keep their rental units 82 degrees or below to protect vulnerable tenants from the impacts of climate change. County supervisors said Tuesday that the law, which passed 4 to 0, was necessary to combat heat-related deaths, which have increased across the nation. Supervisor Kathryn Barger was not present for the vote. As we continue to face warmer summers, the ordinance is meant to provide relief to our unincorporated residents and to protect them from the dangers of extreme heat in their homes, said Supervisor Hilda Solis, who pushed for staff to start drafting the law last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The law is set to take effect next month, but it will not be enforced until January 2027, though landlords can ask for an extension. Both old and newly constructed rental units will need to comply. Read more: Triple-digit temperatures on deck as heat wave descends on SoCal, elevating fire, health concerns Landlords with fewer properties will have additional time. Supervisor Janice Hahn introduced an amendment so that landlords who own 10 or fewer units must meet the temperature requirement for just one room until 2032. Officials said deadly heat waves, which have become more frequent and intense across the state, presented a clear public health emergency for the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Communities across Los Angeles County in my district, especially in the San Fernando Valley, are experiencing previously unimaginable temperatures, Supervisor Lindsey Horvath said. Woodland Hills alone has recorded 121 degrees . This is unthinkable. In Phoenix , units with air conditioning must be able to maintain a temperature of 82 degrees or below. In Clark County , Nev., units must be able to stay at 85 degrees or cooler. In Palm Springs, units need to have air conditioning and be able to maintain 80 degrees. Officials said the new law will be enforced through complaints, so tenants can call the county if they believe the temperature in their unit is too high. An inspector with the countys Department of Public Health would then be dispatched to inspect the unit. Barbara Ferrer, the head of the department, said the goal was to get the homes as cool as possible without issuing a fine. The way forward, frankly, isn't going to be to rely on that authority to issue citations, she said. It's going to be to educate folks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Dealing with extreme heat is a full-time job for parents of young kids and their schools County officials said they were encouraging landlords to cool down units through passive," environmentally friendly methods other than air conditioners. That could include blackout curtains, reflective roofing and triple-paned windows. Fred Sutton of the California Apartment Assn. said he was concerned that, by requiring every room to be at a certain temperature, landlords could be penalized if just one room got too hot. You could have your bedrooms, living room and dining room actively cooled, but the kitchen is not actively cooled and gets to 83 degrees, he said. You are creating really tough scenarios in a building that's totally adequately cooled. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON, D.C. (Concho Valley Homepage) U.S. Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, praised the Senates confirmation of Earl Matthews as the next general counsel of the Department of Defense, while sharply criticizing Democrats for opposing the nomination. I am thrilled that the Senate confirmed my dear friend Earl Matthews as the next General Counsel of the Department of Defense, Pfluger said in a statement released Tuesday. While Im disheartened that every single one of my Democrat colleagues chose to politicize this confirmation by voting against a man of such caliber, Earls confirmation is nonetheless a testament to his proven leadership in national security and dedication to the safety of our nation. Pfluger, who represents Texas 11th Congressional District, said he worked closely with Matthews while serving on the National Security Council staff during the Trump administration. Pfluger credited Matthews with helping to lead the creation of the U.S. Space Force, calling it one of the most visionary and transformative decisions for our national security. From our time together on the National Security Council to his instrumental role in establishing the U.S. Space Force, Earl has consistently demonstrated that he is ready and equipped to take on this role, Pfluger said. I have no doubt he will serve the Department with excellence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You Need to Listen: Crowd Confronts Pfluger at Fiery Town Hall Pfluger also formally introduced Matthews before the Senate Armed Services Committee earlier this year, expressing strong support for his nomination. It truly is an honor to introduce my dear friend and former colleague from the National Security Council staff, Earl Matthews, he said during the hearing. I wholeheartedly believe that he is the right person, at the right time, with the right skill set to fill this critical national security role, and I urge his swift confirmation. Letter to the editor: Rep. Pflugers office responds to town hall discussion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pfluger described Matthews as a resilient leader shaped by a deep personal history of military service. Born in Philadelphia, Matthews lost his mother shortly after birth and was raised by his maternal aunt, Marietta, a retired Pennsylvania government employee. Gen. Caine Speaks at West Texas Legislative Summit, highlighting San Angelos national impact She is here today alongside her husband and so many of Earls family members and friends, and they are here to show their unwavering support, Pfluger told the committee. I cant think of a more proud and affirming statement than to have your own family and your friends at a confirmation hearing of this importance. Pfluger concluded his remarks with strong personal praise: There is no one more qualified or more deserving to serve as General Counsel at the Department of Defense than Earl Matthews, who has served with character, with integrity, and with dedication that is worthy of our great national security enterprise and the Department of Defense. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. Aug. 5DALLAS To help educate residents on the prevalence of human trafficking, Rep. Brenda Pugh will host "Behind the Screen: How to Protect Your Children from Human Trafficking in a Digital World." "Human trafficking is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the nation, and children are frequently being victimized right in their own homes, often via the internet," said Pugh, R-Dallas Township. "I am hosting this event to help parents, grandparents and others in the community learn how to recognize and combat this crime." The event will take place from 6 to 8 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 14, at Dallas High School, 2030 Conyngham Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guest speakers joining Rep. Pugh include: Pennsylvania Attorney General Dave Sunday; Luzerne County District Attorney Sam Sanguedolce; Tom Mosca, co-chair of the NEPA Task Force against Human Trafficking; and Chaz Balogh of ourrescue.org and handler for Spike, a K9 electronic scent detection dog. Pugh said parents can bring their teenage children to begin these difficult discussions but she said they should be aware that this subject matter is not recommended for young children. RSVP is encouraged, but not required, at RepPugh.com or by calling the District Office at 570-283-1001. The 120th Legislative District includes the boroughs of Courtdale, Exeter, Forty Fort, Kingston, Luzerne, Pringle, Swoyersville, West Wyoming and Wyoming and the townships of Dallas, Exeter, Franklin, Jackson and Kingston in Luzerne County. Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle. BERNALILLO COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) In Bernalillo County, repeat drunk drivers can avoid time behind bars if they successfully participate in the DWI Court program. Its a deal Jennifer Whitey received after her eighth drunk driving arrest. KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret spent the past several years following Whitey through the program. KRQE Investigates initially highlighted Whiteys multiple drunk driving arrests and dug into the details of her plea agreement, because when it came to her punishment, it appears Whitey got a break. While she admitted to five DWIs, Whitey only pleaded to four. By law, a fourth DWI offense conviction results in a mandatory six months in jail. But the prosecutor and judge agreed that if Whitey graduated from the DWI Court Program, she could serve that six-month sentence on house arrest with a GPS ankle monitor instead. Very frustrating: Lawmaker disagrees with court systems definition of jail Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was good. I want to thank you. Because without that video, me seeing it, um, thats what changed my whole perspective on myself, Whitey told Pierret in June 2025. The story included lapel footage of Whiteys eighth drunk driving arrest, including her attempt to escape from deputies while being booked at the substation. That was not me, Whitey said. Thats just somebody that was crying for help, who needed help, and she didnt know how to ask for help. Whitey shared that she watched the story and read the communitys comments posted on social media. Many believed Whitey already had too many chances and took to social media, calling her a waste of human life, writing this makes me sick, and demanding, lock her up and throw away the key. I think they didnt judge me wrongly, Whitey said. I think they kind of knew it, but they didnt know the whole story of why I was doing it. The root of her alcoholism: I was raised, you know, poor on the reservation with an alcoholic mom as well, she explained. Whitey shared that she was 17 years old the first time she got caught drinking and driving. I have five children, but one is deceased. That was also part of the alcohol use, Whitey, now 46 years old, said. I was a kid having a kid at the age of 15. So, I realized a lot of trauma, abuse, rape, kidnap, everything. Ive been through it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That reflection is the point of the DWI Court Program. The Bernalillo County District Attorneys Office said program participants typically have a long history of substance abuse and are facing their fourth or higher offense. The easy answer is to simply say, heres the jail and Im going to forget about you, Chief Deputy DA Joshua Boone said. What I have to think about is this: when that person gets out of jail, have we actually helped them or cured them from that addiction? Because, as Whitey admitted, jail has never been a deterrent. It was just more like a, like a free vacation in a way, she explained. Then you just start where you left off until you get in trouble again. A short break from her addiction, but no real help. Nobodys listening, because most of the people will think, Oh, well, theyre going to be back next week, Whitey said. And my fear always is if they re-offend, are we going to end up in a tragic situation? Right. So, my hope with a lot of these individuals, and my goal, is to give them the tools so that we never get there, Boone said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He explained thats what the DWI Court Program provides. Off the bat, the defendant spends 30 days in treatment. Then, they must complete four phases and be sober for six months to move on to the next phase. So, the program can take two years or more. Since it started in 2013, the court said only 3% of the 94 participants reoffended within three years of graduating. Its a really great to see that change in individuals and, honestly, to never see them again, Judge Britt Baca, who first started presiding over the program in 2021, said. Throughout, participants attend counseling up to six days a week, can only drive with an interlock, meet weekly with a case manager, are subject to random drug testing, and stand in front of Judge Baca every two weeks for a case review. Both responsibility and honesty are extremely crucial to this program. Because if they are not honest, then that is usually seen as more of a violation than something where if theyre struggling with their sobriety, Baca explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said violations can result in sanctions like writing an essay for being late, or the more severe consequence, house arrest with a GPS monitor through the Metropolitan Detention Centers Community Custody Program, CCP. During the 29 months Whitey spent in the program, she had ten hearings on violations. Judge Baca sanctioned her to CCP twice, for a total of 69 days. Its expected to have these hiccups. And thats what the program is for. Thats what the support is for, Whiteys defense attorney Jenna Purpura explained. Whitey graduated in May. But, as Purpura pointed out, she is not free yet. Right now, shes technically in custody. Shes on CCP, so its not like she just did the program and Then I left, Whitey cut in. Its very restrictive, what she can and cant do right now, Purpura said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whitey is now under house arrest and on a GPS ankle monitor for six months. Once Im done from work, I go, I go to my counseling, and then I go home. So, its just, its really strict, Whitey explained. I have a tracker thats assigned to me, she knows my whereabouts, where Im at, every day. Its attention and structure Whitey is grateful to finally have. I tell everybody, dont look at my gain. Look at my, look at my struggles. You know, listen to my story, she said. I got my own life back. Judge Baca said the DWI Court Program typically has about thirty participants at a time. She added that they do not turn anyone away. But the judge believes at least two people have been let go before graduating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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 U.S. Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation released a report on Tuesday outlining what it found out about the 2023 OceanGate Titan submarine implosion that killed five people. The report determined the disaster was preventable and was ultimately caused by OceanGate Expeditions cutting corners due to financial issues and its inability to meet safety and engineering standards, according to The Wall Street Journal. This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable, Titan Marine Board Investigation Chair Jason Neubauer said in a statement, according to NPR. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Coast Guards 335-page report detailed the findings of a two-year investigation, including that the company failed to follow maintenance and inspection protocols, operated without third-party oversight, and disregarded analyses and assessments for the Titan submersible. On June 18, 2023, five people aboard the Titan submersible were killed when it imploded on a trip to view the wreckage of the Titanic. This photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions shows a submersible vessel named Titan used to visit the wreckage site of the Titanic. | OceanGate Expeditions via the Associated Press One of the people who died in the implosion, Stockton Rush, the co-founder and CEO of OceanGate, was found to have shown negligence and, if he were alive, could have faced criminal investigation, per The Wall Street Journal. The other people aboard the submersible were British adventurer Hamish Harding, French explorer Paul-Henri Nargeolet, and two members of a prominent Pakistani family, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood, according to NPR. Key takeaways from the report According to The Wall Street Journal, the report showed that the company avoided regulatory review and managed the Titan submersible outside of standard protocols. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was done by strategically creating and exploiting regulatory confusion and oversight challenges. There was also a toxic culture within the company, especially around the idea of safety. Last year, when former staffers testified in a hearing for the investigation, they said that the company would cut corners and did not give priority to safety. They added that Rush didnt like to be pushed on concerns about safety and that he made most of the major engineering decisions for the company. The report from the Coast Guard also cites the submersibles inadequate design as an issue that contributed to the implosion. According to NPR, the hull was made of cheaper carbon fiber instead of a stronger steel alloy that is more commonly used. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators also reported finding a lack of maintenance, inspections and certifications for Titan. Evidence found in the investigation showed the tragedy was most likely due to a loss of structural integrity of the carbon fiber or glue joint, according to The Wall Street Journal. This June 2023 image provided by Pelagic Research Services shows remains of the Titan submersible on the floor of the Atlantic Ocean. | U.S. Coast Guard, Pelagic Research Services via AP Other issues with OceanGate listed in the report The report included testimony that Rush had all the decision-making power and would fire people when they spoke out. Due to people being fired for speaking out and others leaving the company by choice, OceanGate was forced to rely on contractors. With fewer full-time employees, the company was less able to address safety risks, according to CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the engineering director left the company due to safety concerns, Rush did not fill the position. Financial pressure within the company also led to the submersible using text-based communications instead of the industry-standard for submersibles which enables voice communication, the report said, per CNN. The report also said that the Titan submersible and other equipment were stored outdoors through the winter in Canada, where they were potentially compromised. The investigators cited this as an example of a consistent pattern of sacrificing safety and operational integrity for financial gain. Recommendations given by the board of investigations According to CNN, the report included multiple recommendations from the Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation on how similar disasters can be avoided in the future. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was recommended that enhanced communications capabilities be mandated for all submersibles. The board also called on the Coast Guard to seek a new regulation that would require all submersibles built in the U.S. to be built and maintained with uniform standards, per CNN. COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) There have been reports of flooding at the Ralston Tower after multiple leaks were reported, according to fire officials. Initially, a viewer reached out to WRBL News 3 and shared video of the incident on Wednesday. RELATED: Columbus code inspectors put Ralston Tower owners on notice of possible violations WRBL News 3 sent crews to the scene and there were firetrucks from Columbus Fire and EMS spotted outside the building. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Residents were ordered to evacuate the building and told WRBL News 3 that the bottom floor was flooded. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Continuing issues at Ralston Tower worry city councilors Columbus EMS and Fire Chief Daniel Macon told WRBL News 3 that there were multiple leaks in the building, which led to flooding and several apartments being affected. Fire officials are currently working with those affected in the incident, according to Macon. News 3 will continue to provide updates on the incident. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WRBL. US special envoy Steve Witkoff landed in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with the Russian leadership, Russian news agencies reported, citing informed sources. Witkoff's visit comes shortly before the expiration of a deadline set by US President Donald Trump for the Moscow leadership to end its war against Ukraine. Otherwise, Trump has threatened sanctions against Russia and countries purchasing Russian oil. Russian President Vladimir Putin has so far shown no signs of backing down. However, he has repeatedly managed to convince Witkoff that Russia is, in fact, willing to negotiate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is Witkoff's fifth visit to Moscow this year and the Kremlin has not ruled out a meeting with Putin, though Witkoff's exact schedule is not known. Russia launched a full-scale war against neighbouring Ukraine in February 2022. MONSON, Mass. (WWLP) The race for governor is making its way to western Massachusetts as Republican candidate Mike Kennealy is planning a visit to a networking event in Monson on Wednesday. Wilbraham Select Board yet to decide the future of the towns Hill Climb, a beloved car race Kennealy will be at the Quaboag Hills Chamber of Commerce After 5 event, presented by Monson Savings Bank. The event will take place at the Monson Free Library from 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Food will be provided by The Better Bean cafe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennealy will do a meet and greet and a Q&A session. The event is meant to allow local business people to meet and make connections. Guests will also learn more about the Librarys programs and activities. They do ask that people register in advance on the Chamber of Commerce website. Registration fee is $10 for QHMA members and $15 for non-members. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Donald Trump is pulling hard on the levers of power to strengthen Republicans through redistricting in Texas and other states -- the latest offensive in escalating moves by both sides to shape the battlefield of US democracy for the midterm elections. The president's efforts have lit a fuse in multiple states, triggering a high-stakes tussle over election law that could upend what is expected to be a fierce fight for control of the House of Representatives in 2026. Partisan redistricting -- or gerrymandering -- operates under a principle that has become known as "packing and cracking." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials redrawing the districts in any given state "pack" opposition voters together so that they win big in a tiny number of districts. Then they "crack" the rest more thinly across the remaining districts to ensure losses there. It isn't inherently illegal at the federal level unless electoral districts are redrawn along racial lines and both parties have been guilty of excessive manipulation to maximize their vote. "I'd be happy to outlaw gerrymandering," Democratic strategist Mike Nellis, a former top aide to 2024 presidential candidate Kamala Harris, posted on X. "I think it's ridiculous for politicians to draw their own maps, but I'm not for unilateral disarmament when Republicans are trying to rig the midterms." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Redistricting typically happens once a decade after the census, but lawmakers have increasingly been inclined to break with that tradition. While Trump coasted to victory in 2024, his success wasn't contagious, and his party was left clinging to the House by a threadbare 219212 margin. Historically, the party in the White House loses ground in midterms, and Trump's team knows the clock is ticking. To tighten his grip, the president has leaned on Texas to redraw its congressional map to create five new Republican-friendly seats. But Trump and his party are not stopping with the Lone Star State, according to US media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans in Missouri and Ohio are planning their own redistricting to boost their representation in Washington, while Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has made noises about addressing the "raw deal" conservatives got in the last Sunshine State redistricting round. - Democratic counteroffensives - Meanwhile, Democratic governors are preparing their own counteroffensives. In California, Gavin Newsom has floated a potential special election to redraw the map -- a dramatic reversal in a state where redistricting power has belonged to an independent commission since the 2010s. In Illinois, JB Pritzker recently hosted a delegation of Texas Democrats to talk strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in New York, Kathy Hochul hinted at a redistricting push of her own, telling a Buffalo crowd, "If other states are violating the rules, I'm going to look at it closely." Gerrymandering is hardly a new phenomenon in US elections, but the latest escalation has sparked fears of what Hochul cast as a nationwide partisan "war." Opponents say gerrymandering entrenches politicians, pushes candidates toward ideological extremes and erodes public trust in the democratic process. It is also a risky business, and even the best-laid maps can collapse under the shifting ground of demographic changes and political overreach that tends to spark a legal backlash. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The term "gerrymandering" dates back to 1812, when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry approved a salamander-shaped district that sparked the term. As the salamander digs in for 21st century elections, the consequences are more far-reaching. According to the Cook Political Report, just one in 16 House seats were competitive in 2024 -- 12 held by Democrats and 15 held by Republicans, out of a total of 435. Democrats believe Trump's latest push may have crossed a legal line by coordinating with local Texas officials, citing the president's July 15 comment that with "just a simple redrawing, we pick up five seats." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They also point to reports that senior Trump aides met with Texas Republicans to finalize plans. But Daron Shaw, a politics professor at the University of Texas, said it was "curious" to blame Trump for the problem, given that deeply Democratic California is the country's most "egregious gerrymander." Liberal Illinois, Maryland and Massachusetts were also at fault, he told AFP. "It's especially kind of rich coming from people in California and Illinois that have gerrymander significantly more egregious than exists in Texas," he added. ft/sla China hands over emergency humanitarian supplies to Sri Lanka Xinhua) 08:59, August 06, 2025 Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong (L) hands over emergency humanitarian supplies to Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Aug. 5, 2025. (Xinhua/Chen Dongshu) COLOMBO, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China handed over emergency humanitarian supplies to Sri Lanka here on Tuesday. The handover included emergency supplies ranging from tents and beds to generators and water pumps. These items aim to improve conditions for local communities displaced by flooding and help them respond more effectively to future natural disasters. Speaking at the event, Chinese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Qi Zhenhong said that as a country with extensive experience in post-disaster reconstruction and risk management, China can share valuable expertise and advanced technologies with Sri Lanka to strengthen the South Asian country's resilience in disaster prevention. "China is willing to explore more practical and in-depth cooperation with the Sri Lankan side in areas such as satellite meteorological image sharing, disaster early warning, and disaster prevention and mitigation," Qi said. Sri Lanka's Defence Secretary Sampath Thuyacontha expressed gratitude for China's timely assistance and underscored the importance of such partnerships as climate change intensifies disaster risks in the region. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Sean Diddy Combs has described conditions at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center as inhumane in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing. Sean Diddy Combs has described conditions at Brooklyns Metropolitan Detention Center as inhumane in a new appeal for bail ahead of his October sentencing The 55-year-old rappers lawyer, Marc Agnifilo, has submitted a brief letter to Judge Arun Subramanian requesting Combs release from the facility where he has been held since his arrest in September 2024. In the filing, obtained by Page Six, Agnifilo claimed: MDC routinely serves food that is expired or infested with maggots. He added: The maggot-infested food captured in that photo is, unfortunately, not an uncommon experience. Mr Agnifilo also described the poor conditions and frequent lockdowns as exceptional circumstances warranting bail consideration. Combs was taken into custody following charges including sex trafficking, racketeering and prostitution. The Grammy-winning founder of Bad Boy Records, 55, was acquitted of the most serious racketeering and sex trafficking charges after his high-profile trial, but was convicted on 2 July of two counts of transporting individuals for prostitution each count carrying a maximum 10-year sentence. He now faces up to 20 years in prison. Following the conviction, Mr Agnifilo immediately petitioned for Combs release, but Judge Subramanian denied bail, noting he had already denied bail before the trial began and seeing no reason to reach the opposite conclusion now. The judge did suggest he might consider moving the sentencing date forward. In response, Mr Agnifilo called the denial unfair, accusing prosecutors of being hellbent on punishing (Combs) for being a user of prostitution services in a more draconian manner than anyone in U.S. history. He said Combs has shown nothing but respect for the criminal justice system and everyone in it from the first minute in jail, denying that his client is a flight risk or danger to others. Speaking to Variety, Mr Agnifilo also said Combs time in detention has been difficult, adding: He misses his kids. Hes learned a lot. What he wants to do when he gets out is to start small. He wants to spend time with his children and get reacquainted with his own life. The lawyer described the prison food as the roughest part of his clients stay, referencing recent reports of unappetising holiday meals served to Combs. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced U.S. president Donald Trump is seriously considering granting a pardon to Combs, although the White House has declined to confirm or deny such plans. Rep. Cory Mills has recently faced accusations that he has benefited from federal contracts while in office, that he assaulted a onetime girlfriend in his Washington apartment and, just this week, that he threatened another ex with the release of nude videos. So far, the drumbeat of tawdry allegations has raised eyebrows in Washington, but it has not translated into any overt effort to sideline the two-term Florida Republican. GOP leaders in the House and in his home state appear to be betting that Mills various messes will sort themselves out without blowing back on the party more broadly and potentially threatening its hold on power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump won Mills district by 12 points last year, and Mills himself won reelection by a slightly higher margin. Because national party operatives view his seat as safe, there is little incentive for GOP leaders to engage as the accusations swirl. A spokesperson for Speaker Mike Johnson did not return a request for comment. Mills, 45, has denied wrongdoing in the contracting matter, which is now under a House Ethics Committee review, as well as the new claims of personal threats first made in a July police report and made public this week. The third incident was resolved after the ex-girlfriend who initially told police in February that Mills had assaulted her withdrew the allegation. In a statement Tuesday, Mills said the latest accusation was a political attack concocted by a political rival, all to score political headlines. These claims are false and misrepresent the nature of my interaction, he said. I have always conducted myself with integrity, both personally and in service to Floridas 7th District. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Republican leaders appear poised to give Mills space, plenty of others see a potential political mess in the making starting with House Democrats, whose campaign arm recently put his seat on their list of Districts in Play for the midterms despite the bearish 2024 results. At least three Democrats have already announced they plan to challenge him. Floridians deserve leaders who protect people, not threaten them, said Noah Widmann, one of the three. Cory Mills is unfit to serve. Among House Republicans, quiet concerns have been brewing for months about whether Mills behavior could give Democrats a real opening. Some of his GOP colleagues are wondering if they should start looking for another candidate to back in the district, according to three Republicans granted anonymity to describe private talks. What if he is arrested for real? said one of the three, a member. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another House Republican, also granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter, said other controversies including an allegation of unpaid rent that Mills dismissed last month as a misunderstanding with building management have also surprised lawmakers. A recent NOTUS report questioned whether Mills has been honest about his military service for which he was awarded a Bronze Star; Mills acknowledged different recollections during chaotic wartime events but said he was entitled to the honor. And as House Ethics probes his businesses contracts, which concern the sales of weapons or other equipment, Mills continues to sit on the House Foreign Affairs and Armed Services committees. And then this whole other issue is disturbing, the lawmaker said about the new accusations of personal threats. Those are rooted in Mills relationship with Lindsey Langston, the 2024 Miss United States. She told authorities last month that Mills contacted her multiple times threatening to release nude images and videos of them having sex and harm her future romantic partners after she broke off the relationship earlier this year, according to a police report obtained this week by POLITICO. The report said Langston shared messages with Mills backing up her claims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Columbia County, Florida, sheriffs department forwarded the report to the state Department of Law Enforcement for investigation. The agency confirmed Wednesday it received the request but declined to comment further. Langstons allegations have been complicated by the involvement of Anthony Sabatini, a hard-right former Florida legislator who ran against Mills in 2022 and is now serving as Langstons lawyer. Mills suggested this week that Sabatini was engaged in a political vendetta, but the attorney said Wednesday that he no longer lives in Mills district and has no plans to seek his seat. The evidence of Mills actions speaks for itself, he said. Sabatini said he plans to take Langstons allegations directly to the House Ethics Committee, which he said has the independent authority to investigate this on its face. A spokesperson for the panel declined to comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If they dont do it, its only because [of] the margins, he said. Meanwhile, in Florida, conversation has surrounded just what Mills future in GOP politics might look like. One top Republican operative in the state said, even before the latest reports, Mills had been extremely frustrated in the House and there are people out thinking about running for the congressional seat if he does not run for a third term. He didnt know if he wanted to continue in Congress, said the operative, who was granted anonymity to discuss the sensitive matter. Mills first won his seat in 2022 after post-Census redistricting created new GOP-friendly lines for the 7th District, stretching from Orlandos north suburbs to the Atlantic coast prompting Democratic Rep. Stephanie Murphy to retire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His campaigns in both 2022 and 2024 were run with the aid of James Blair, a GOP consultant who now works as a deputy chief of staff for Trump and plays a key role in pushing the presidents agenda on the Hill. Earlier this year, Mills was talking openly about running for the Senate seat that was vacated by Marco Rubio when he resigned to become secretary of State. But Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis appointed Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody instead, and Trump likely snuffed out any chance of a successful primary challenge by endorsing her late last month for next years special election. In his statement, Mills said he would remain focused on serving my constituents and advancing America First policies and had no plans to comment further on Langstons allegations. My team and I will fully cooperate to ensure the truth is made clear, he said. Mia McCarthy contributed to this report. Both the Republican and Democratic gubernatorial primaries, slated for June 9, 2026, are open to all Maine voters. (Photo by Getty Images) Ben Midgley, a fitness executive from Kennebunkport, on Tuesday officially became the seventh Republican candidate in a crowded race for Gov. Janet Mills seat. Midgley is the latest of 17 officially registered candidates vying to replace Mills, a Democrat who terms out next year. Both the Republican and Democratic primaries, slated for June 9, 2026, are open to all Maine voters. The primaries will be a ranked-choice ballot though the general election for governor in November will not. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the Republican candidates listed on the Maine Ethics Commission website have not held public office at the state level, with the exception of state Sen. Jim Libby (R-Standish). Bobby Charles, a lawyer who served under former Republican presidents, and former Paris selectman Robert Wessels have also been involved in politics in different capacities. In contrast, the Democratic field is stacked with party leaders, including Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, former Senate President Troy Jackson, and former Speaker of the Maine House of Representative and Mills administration official Hannah Pingree, among others. Other GOP candidates, including University of Maine System trustee Owen McCarthy, tout their financial credentials while framing themselves as political outsiders. All seven appear to have varying stances on issues including the economy, education and immigration, but almost all have expressed concern about the increasing cost of living in Maine, which according to a Pan Atlantic Research poll conducted this year was the biggest concern expressed by voters. Some have affiliated themselves with President Donald Trump, particularly real estate firm owner David Jones, who formed a political action committee to support his 2016 presidential campaign. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Libby and Kenneth Capron are also the only candidates in the gubernatorial race so far relying on Maine Clean Elections Act funding. A bill this session that called to expand the fund failed, and the Maine Ethics Commission has raised concern about allocations not being enough if more than just two gubernatorial candidates run under the program in 2026. Sen. Rick Bennett of Oxford, who left the Republican party to run as an independent for governor, said he chose not to run under clean elections because of fear that there wouldnt be sufficient funding. James Libby Libby, who represents parts of Cumberland, Oxford and York counties, is in the middle of his second consecutive term in the Maine Senate. He has also spent time as a state representative after being first elected to the Legislature in 1992, serving for six non-consecutive terms overall. Libby first ran for governor in 2002, but did not win the Republican gubernatorial primary. He is a professor at Thomas College, and serves on the Legislatures Education and Cultural Affairs Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the notable bills he introduced this legislative session are measures to add political affiliation as a protected class under the Maine Human Rights Act and reinstate the failed Property Tax Stabilization Program, neither of which passed. Ben Midgley The Kennebunkport Republican has served as the president of Planet Fitness, the national gym chain with more than 2,700 locations, and was a founding partner and the former chief executive officer of Crunch Franchising, another chain with 460 locations nationwide. In a Facebook post announcing his candidacy, Midgley highlighted his background, explaining that he went from relying on food assistance to building successful businesses, and saying that that path is becoming increasingly inaccessible. Like so many, Ive watched the cost of living skyrocket while paychecks fall further behind. Ive seen small businesses struggle under burdensome regulations, families buckle under rising electricity bills, and young people leave Maine because they cant afford to stay, he wrote. Kenneth Capron Ken Capron is a Portland-based retired Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and financial fraud investigator, according to a press release from Capron shared with News Center Maine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to his LinkedIn profile, Capron is founder of MicroRail Inc., a transportation research organization, and previously served as Maine Medical Centers accounting director, among other positions. He declined to provide comment to Maine Morning Star. In 2022, he lost against Democrat Jill Duson in a bid for Portlands Senate District 27 seat. In his statement to News Center Maine, Capron raised issues with Maines broken legislative system, saying it imposes laws upon us that infringe on our everyday lives. David Jones David Jones, a real estate firm owner from Falmouth, added his name to the list of Republicans running this spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jones owns F.O. Bailey Real Estate, and according to the Bangor Daily News, previously founded a commercial construction company that built high-rises, apartments and single-family homes. Jones has never held public office, but ran for governor as an independent two decades ago, but ultimately withdrew and endorsed the Republican candidate. On his campaign website, Jones has a photo with President Donald Trump, saying he has supported Trump since 2015 and in 2016 launched the Making Maine Great Again PAC. Owen McCarthy McCarthy, a University of Maine trustee from Gorham, announced his candidacy for the Republican nomination for governor in June. On his campaign website, he said he was tired of the one-party rule in Augusta. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The cost of living is spiraling out of control, he said. We pay some of the highest property taxes in the nation to fund schools whose performance has dropped from among the best to nearly the worst. For too many Mainers, homeownership has shifted from the American Dream to merely a dream, he wrote. McCarthy is a Harvard Business School graduate who co-founded MedRhythms, a medical technology company which helps patients recover mobility, the Portland Press Herald reported. He wants to focus on tax relief and crack down on illegal immigration by cooperating with federal law enforcement, according to his website. Bobby Charles Bobby Charles, a Leeds resident and lawyer who served under former President Ronald Reagan and both Bush administrations announced his candidacy in April. His campaign website highlights his tenure in federal politics, including as Assistant U.S. Secretary of State under George W. Bush. He has been vocal through his website, interviews and ads about making reforms including a crackdown on crime, supporting law enforcement, cutting taxes and removing woke politics from the classroom. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a campaign ad, Charles also called for the resignation of Rep. Deqa Dhalac (D-South Portland) for her pro-Somalia rhetoric. Steven Sheppard Bangor resident and veteran Stephen Sheppard does not have political issues listed on his campaign website, nor has he spoken to any media outlets on his candidacy so far. His campaign filing shows two donations, both made in April, one from himself and one from a friend totaling $700. On his website, he says he will make the Appalachian Trail a top priority. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Dogs are man's best friend, but it turns out they're also a researcher's best friend, too. The South Bend Tribune reported on four Boykin spaniels tasked with helping researchers gain insights into the lives and habits of Eastern box turtles. Penny, Skeeter, Yogi, and Reuger are specially trained canines that sniff these turtles out, then pick them up with an ultra-gentle grasp to bring them back to the team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their owner and handler, John Rucker, has been training dogs for this work and traveling around the Midwest with them to hunt for turtles for over 20 years. His journey began when he lived alongside hunting dogs with nothing to hunt. The canines began bringing him turtles, which led Rucker then a teacher to speak about his dogs at the high school where he taught. In 2006, Rucker spoke at a national symposium on box turtles, and from there, his work with the Boykin spaniels became a regular gig. This summer at Sarett Nature Center in Benton Harbor, Michigan, Rucker and his turtle dogs helped researchers, including Maarten Vonhof from Western Michigan University, catch and release 362 Eastern box turtles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are researchers so interested in this species? Eastern box turtle populations are in serious decline because humans are encroaching on their natural habitats. Changes to their domains also make it easier for predators, such as skunks and coyotes, to harm the turtles. However, in Sarett, Eastern box turtles are thriving, and researchers were intrigued. They hoped that by studying the turtles and determining how they survived so well in the area, they might be able to replicate conditions in other regions, allowing the turtles to flourish elsewhere. Of the turtles that Penny, Skeeter, Yogi, and Reuger discovered, researchers tagged 75 females with radio transmitters to track them over the course of two summers. When done humanely, utilizing animals as tools in research can aid scientists in vital conservation efforts. Wildlife can identify areas too difficult for humans to locate by sniffing out habitual or biological markers, for example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If an endangered species dies out, a cascading effect is often felt throughout the ecosystem. Eastern box turtles are an indicator species, meaning that they can be used to determine whether an environment is healthy. If Eastern box turtle populations are doing well, it indicates a healthy environment, while a lack of these turtles suggests significant problems in a particular habitat. If an Eastern box turtle population declines, then chances are good that other animal populations in the area are also in decline. This makes the research scientists are doing with these turtle dogs incredibly important for learning more about endangered species as well as protecting the environment and humans, who are also affected when animal populations are in jeopardy. As Vonhof told the Tribune, the work of these turtle dogs has "changed our view of the biology of turtles." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet. An 800-year-old archaeological site in New Zealand is at risk of being flooded by rising sea levels. What's happening? The Wairau Bar, or Te Pokohiwi o Kupe in the Maori language, was home to one of the first human settlements of Aotearoa, Radio New Zealand reported. Three of the people who conducted this research detailed the results and their cultural and historical importance to the Rangitane o Wairau people in The Conversation. "It dates back to at least 1250. We regard it as the birthplace of the nation; it was a landing site for some of our first settlers," study co-author Corey Hebberd told RNZ. "The site itself holds a range of artefacts but also more importantly koiwi tangata, so ancestral remains, and for Rangitane o Wairau, it's a sacred wahi tapu [place]." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Rangitane a Maori iwi, or tribe protested excavations in the mid-20th century, decades after the site was first raided. They finally experienced the repatriation of ancestors' remains in 2009, Hebberd, Peter N. Meihana, and Shaun Paul Williams wrote. The study showed Te Pokohiwi o Kupe could be 20% inundated in a 100-year flood, though rising sea levels mean that the threat will only grow. If sea levels increase by half a meter by the 2050s as expected, the area will be at risk of 50% inundation, according to RNZ. One meter of rise, set for 45-105 years in the future, creates a 75% inundation risk. Why is this important? Rising global temperatures are wreaking havoc with Earth's climate, not only making it hotter but also melting ice and expanding water. Hotter air holds more moisture, and melting glaciers and other ice as well as thermal expansion also threaten low-lying land. Though global sea levels are rising just fractions of an inch per year, the trend is only continuing, and the rate is accelerating. Since 1993, average yearly sea level rise has more than doubled, per NASA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This means more dangerous storm surges and more frequent high-tide flooding. Generally, the overheating planet is making extreme weather events such as floods, droughts, and wildfires more common and severe. The problem is primarily caused by the burning of dirty energy sources, which releases heat-trapping pollution into the atmosphere. These gases envelop Earth like a blanket, preventing heat from escaping into space. What's being done about Te Pokohiwi o Kupe? Te Pokohiwi o Kupe is eroding with every heavy rain, and though flooding has not been a major issue, it could become one without intervention. Native plants provide one path to shore up the land and bind soil together, RNZ reported. Bigger actions will be necessary, however. 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. "It's a really good opportunity for us to turn our minds to the policy and planning settings that we work within both locally and nationally," said Hebberd, a descendant of local iwi Rangitane o Wairau. "This site is one of many, not only in our rohe [territory] but nationally, that will be exposed to weather events, and so we need to start thinking about how we take care of and protect them." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hebberd described how whanau, or extended family, supported the research and shared matauranga, or traditional Maori knowledge, about flooding in the area, proving that exploring critical climate issues can help in the journey to a safer future. 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. GALENA, Kan. Neighbors of a southeast Kansas landfill where a fire happened this past weekend say they have lingering concerns. The initial call came in about a fire at a city-owned landfill in Galena around 9:00 p.m. on Friday. Crews worked overnight into Saturday putting the fire out, then battled re-ignitions into Sunday morning. We spoke with Royce Cantrell, who owns property next to the landfill. He says hes seen crews out there today, working in areas where smoke has been coming from the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The smoke may be tied to debris from the fire that was buried. Cantrell says the initial response to the fire was great in his opinion. However, hes worried that not enough was done to end the threat. My concern is now that they will stop short once again and not take the efforts necessary to absolutely affirm that the smoldering material is extinguished fully, because if it is not, it will continue to burn underground, or under the surface, and spread into an unknown amount of area. We do not know what routes fuel for the fire might be, said Royce Cantrell, Land Owner. Mayor Ashley Groves says the Kansas Department of Health and Environment was notified immediately, and was in constant communication with city hall over the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the fire, air quality was a concern, prompting monitoring. However, Groves says those tests show there are no threats to air quality. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNF/KODE | FourStatesHomepage.com. (Photo by David Ryder/Getty Images) Tuesdays primary went well for three appointed Democratic Washington state lawmakers looking to overcome tough challengers to retain their seats. State Sens. Victoria Hunt and Vandana Slatter, and Rep. Edwin Obras, were all ahead following Tuesdays vote tally. More votes will be counted in the days ahead, and the top two finishers in each race will move on to the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Democratic state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan found herself trailing Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier by 89 votes in what is one of the must-watch legislative battles this year. Meanwhile, five other appointed Democratic state lawmakers breezed through to the November ballot. Contests for seats held by Krishnadasan and Hunt offer the first measure of voters response to this years legislative session, when majority Democrats pushed through higher taxes, budget cuts, and controversial new laws, such as restrictions on gun buyers and caps on rent increases. Those races in the 26th and 5th legislative districts are Republicans best opportunities to gain ground in the state Senate, where Democrats hold a 30-19 seat advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Here is where things stand following the first night of ballot counting. The next update is expected Wednesday afternoon. Full results from Tuesdays vote count can be found on the secretary of states website. 26th Legislative District Caldier, a six-term state representative, led Krishnadasan, a former school board director, by less than 1%, collecting 14,659 votes to the senators 14,570. Caldier was ahead in the Pierce County portion of the district with Krishnadasan leading in the Kitsap County section. Krishnadasan, appointed after former state senator Emily Randall was elected to Congress last year, is facing voters for the first time as a lawmaker. Caldier won a seat in the House in 2014 and has been re-elected five times. Democratic state Sen. Deb Krishnadasan, left, is running to keep a seat she was appointed to in the 26th Legislative District. Challenging her is Republican state Rep. Michelle Caldier, right. (Photos courtesy of campaigns) This past session, Krishnadasan voted against her partys major tax bills and transportation revenue package. Still, business- and Republican-backed political committees poured hundreds of thousands of dollars into mailers, streaming ads and texts aimed at tying her to the decisions of her caucus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Caldier took hits, too. A political committee funded by statewide unions and Democratic Party-affiliated groups sought to define the veteran Republican lawmaker as a MAGA devotee. Novembers winner will represent the district that encompasses parts of Kitsap and Pierce counties and includes Bremerton, Port Orchard, Purdy and Gig Harbor. 5th Legislative District In east King County, Hunt led Republican Chad Magendanz 52.8% to 47% in the other legislative contest where the GOP hopes to flip a Democrat-held seat. Hunt won a House seat in November and was appointed to the Senate following the unexpected death of Sen. Bill Ramos this spring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Magendanz, a former two-term state representative in the district, ran for Senate last year and lost to Ramos. In 2022, Magendanz tried unsuccessfully to win a House seat. Democratic state Sen. Victoria Hunt, left, is running to keep the seat she was appointed to in the 5th Legislative District. She faces a challenge from Republican candidate Chad Magendanz, a Republican former state lawmaker. (Photos courtesy of campaigns) In this duel, outside forces also spent large sums to sway voters. Business-backed political committees and the state Republican Party hit Hunt in mailers, texts and streaming ads for voting for her partys major tax bills and controversial social policies. Meanwhile, a political committee that works to elect incumbent and progressive Democrats invested in ads to bolster her candidacy and attack the Republican challenger. The district covers Issaquah, Black Diamond, Covington, and part of Snoqualmie. 33rd Legislative District Obras, who is in his first campaign, led fellow Democrat Kevin Schilling, the mayor of Burien, by a margin of 43.5% to 32.1%. Republican Darryl Jones is a distant third with 24.2% in the south King County district that includes Burien, Normandy Park, Des Moines, SeaTac, and much of Kent. Democratic state Rep. Edwin Obras, left, is defending a seat he was appointed to in the 33rd Legislative District. Fellow Democrat Kevin Schilling, right, who is mayor of Burien, is challenging Obras. Republican Darryl Jones, not pictured, was running a distant third after the first day of vote counting. (Photos courtesy of campaigns) Obras is a progressive backed by many in the House Democratic Caucus and several statewide unions. Schilling, a moderate who served as political director for former congressman Derek Kilmer, highlights his support from U.S. Rep. Adam Smith and Commissioner of Public Lands Dave Upthegrove. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If he had finished third in the primary, Obras wouldve lost his chance to return to the Legislature in 2026. He spent $131,000 to Schillings $126,000. 48th Legislative District Slatter, of Bellevue, garnered 59.4% in a decisive primary victory over a fellow Democrat, state Rep. Amy Walen, of Kirkland. This expensive Democrat-versus-Democrat matchup is playing out in the 48th District, where both enjoy support among its voters in Redmond, Bellevue and Kirkland. State Sen. Vandana Slatter, left, of Bellevue, and Rep. Amy Walen, right, of Kirkland, both Democrats, are squaring off this year for the Senate seat in the 48th Legislative District. (Photos courtesy of campaigns) Entering Tuesday, nearly $1 million had been shelled out collectively by the candidates and independently-run campaigns of their allies. Walen reported spending $350,000, nearly double Slatters total, according to filings with the state Public Disclosure Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Slatter is the progressive, Walen the business-friendly moderate. Because the two voted similarly on many bills last session, many of those dollars were spent to spotlight their different policy views and political alliances. They are the only two candidates in the race, so both will advance to November. Five races without surprises In the 41st District, Rep. Janice Zahn, D-Bellevue, captured 62.8% of the vote, followed by Republican John Whitney of Bellevue, with 29.8% and Democrat Vinita Kak of Newcastle with 7.3% Rep. Osman Salahuddin, D-Redmond, garnered 60.7% to easily win the primary in the 48th District. Republican Dennis Ellis is second with 30.6% followed by Democrat Ranga Bondada, with 8.5%. State Sens. Tina Orwall of Des Moines and Emily Alvarado of Seattle, and Rep. Brianna Thomas of West Seattle were unopposed Tuesday. Orwall serves the 33rd District. Alvarado and Thomas represent the 34th District. TOPEKA (KSNT) Spencer Duncan and Henry McClure have received the most votes and will face off in the general election on November 4. Duncan is a Topeka native who was elected to the Topeka City Council in 2018 and is the current Government Affairs Director for the League of Kansas Municipalities. He ran on economic development and public safety initiatives, earning him 4,456 votes. McClure is a licensed real estate broker in Kansas whos platform revolves around infrastructure & economic development and transparency. He received 1,057 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Best kept secret in the art world: Volland Foundation supports arts in rural Kansas For more local news, click here. Keep up with the latest breaking news in northeast Kansas by downloading our mobile app and by signing up for our news email alerts. Sign up for our Storm Track Weather app by clicking here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KSNT 27 News. Editors Note: This video is from November 2017. ST. LOUIS Six cattle garnered national attention in 2017 after a daring escape from a St. Louis-based slaughterhouse. Following a public effort to save them, the cattle have since been living peacefully at a farm in Jefferson County, about 40 miles south of St. Louis. The cattle made headlines in the early afternoon of March 30, 2017, after a handler mistakenly forgot to latch the trailers handle at the Star Packing Company in the 3800 block of Cote Brilliante Ave. in north St. Louis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police and employees from the Humane Society of Missouri chased the cowsaffectionately referred to as the St. Louis Sixfor hours throughout the surrounding neighborhood in an effort to capture them. The final steer, which onlookers named Chico for his spirit, was corralled nearly five hours later. The cows were originally a part of a batch of cattle that were transported from Illinois and housed at the facility before being taken to a slaughterhouse near Grand Avenue. But after attracting attention from the public, the cattle were able to quickly change their fate. According to a GoFundMe release on the rambunctious cows, the slaughterhouse allotted activists 24 hours to find a home for them; otherwise, the cattle would be slaughtered. Close Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News A nonprofit called The Gentle Barn was able to step up to the occasion, but one problem remainedthe animal sanctuarys location in Knoxville, Tennessee, was not large enough to accommodate the six steers. The Gentle Barn turned to the online crowdfunding platform GoFundMe to fund a St. Louis property roomy enough for the rebellious cows. Over the course of two months, fans of the steers donated more than $400k to give the St. Louis Six their forever home. In the meantime, the bovines spent some time on a foster farm near Columbia, Missouri, before moving to The Gentle Barns 24-acre farm in western Jefferson County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, one of the six cows named Spirit became ill shortly after his harrowing escape and was euthanized when veterinarians said that he was unlikely to recover from the severe infection. In honor of Spirits memory, a pond near the cows current pasture is named after him. Today, the five remaining cows are cared for by volunteers and will spend the rest of their days in the comfort of The Gentle Barns sanctuary. FOX 2 reached out to the farm for comment but has not received a response as of the date of publication. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Do you recognize this man? [DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Hamilton Police Department announced in a social media post that they are offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest of a wanted individual. Bryant Benson, 45, is wanted for violation of a protection order and is a sexual assault suspect. Police say he is considered armed and dangerous. TRENDING STORIES: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Benson was last seen on Tuesday at Main Street and Carmen Avenue around 2:45 p.m. in a stolen vehicle, according to Hamilton Police. The vehicle was a 2003 Silver Jeep Grand Cherokee with an Ohio license plate, HCT3627. The drivers side rear window is also broken. Benson is almost six feet tall, weighs 190 pounds, and has short black hair and brown eyes. He was last seen covered with a black plastic bag and wearing a white shirt and a white or gray hat. Call 911 if you see Benson. Contact Detective Mark Hayes with any additional information at 513-868-5811, extension 1330. [SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced this week it is beginning a "coordinated wind-down" of federally funded mRNA vaccine development. This includes terminating awards and contracts with pharmaceutical companies and universities and canceling 22 investment projects worth nearly $500 million. While some final-stage contracts will be allowed to be completed, no new mRNA-based projects will be initiated, the HHS said. "We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted," Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a press release on Tuesday. "The data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. We're shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: What we know about the safety, efficacy of mRNA vaccines amid recent scrutiny Infectious disease experts told ABC News that mRNA technology has been very successful in preventing severe disease, hospitalization and deaths, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, potentially affecting our preparedness for future pandemics. Ending mRNA vaccine development may also squash enthusiasm for technology that has been hailed as a potential promise for cancer and HIV vaccines. "It's an excellent technology. It saved millions of lives and did it in a remarkably safe manner," Dr. Paul Offit, director of the Vaccine Education Center at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, told ABC News. "I think it's an unscientific move, a move that goes against existing science." Affecting future pandemic preparedness Last year, the federal government awarded Moderna $176 million to help expedite the development of an mRNA-based bird flu vaccine. Earlier this year, the vaccine manufacturer received an additional $590 million to speed up the development. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, in its press release, the HHS said it was cancelling the award, which has been issued by the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, to Moderna and the University of Texas Medical Branch. Joe Raedle/Getty Images - PHOTO: Moderna COVID-19 vaccine fills a syringe at Borinquen Health Care Center on May 29, 2025 in Miami, Florida. Dr. Peter Hotez, a professor of pediatrics and molecular virology at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston, told ABC News the wind-down is a blow to pandemic preparedness. During the COVID-19 pandemic, mRNA technology demonstrated its ability to scale up vaccine production quickly. "The message to the companies will clearly be that they can no longer rely on the U.S. government for supporting any mRNA vaccine work, which is unfortunate, or even tragic, because the mRNA platform is one of the few that we have for pandemic threats in terms of something that we can make a vaccine for very quickly," he said. "So what, what Mr. Kennedy's and HHS' actions are doing is weakening our pandemic preparedness and weakening our biosecurity." The HHS also said it was terminating contracts with Emory University and Tiba Biotech. Researchers had been working on using mRNA technology to develop a nasal influenza vaccine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emory has also been working on a dry powder inhaled mRNA-based treatment for influenza and COVID with TFF Pharmaceuticals, funded by BARDA. It's unclear if this is one of the 22 contracts that have been canceled. MORE: What to know about the next generation of COVID-19 vaccines Hotez said COVID-19 and influenza can have very severe consequences and that it's incorrect for Kennedy to mischaracterize them as harmless upper respiratory infections. "COVID and flu are not [only] upper respiratory infections," he said. "The reason we develop vaccines for COVID and flu is because they cause systemic illness and lower respiratory infections and cardiovascular illness. This is part of the anti-vaccine playbook, to diminish the severity of the illness, and to say something like influenza or COVID is an upper respiratory infection, it's just very, very misleading." Cancer vaccines, HIV treatments mRNA technology has also been hailed as a potential vector for providing personalized cancer treatments and protection against HIV transmission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In February, a small preliminary study published in the journal Nature found a personalized mRNA vaccine may reduce the risks of pancreatic cancer returning after surgery. Additionally, a University of Florida study found an experimental mRNA vaccine paired with anticancer drugs boosted an anti-tumor response. Meanwhile, earlier this month, an early-stage clinical trial found two mRNA vaccine candidates triggered a strong immune response against HIV. Results from the trial showed that 80% of participants who received one of two vaccine candidates produced antibodies. Mark Thiessen/AP - PHOTO: U.S. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. attends a news conference, Aug. 5, 2025, in Anchorage, Alaska. Although antiretroviral therapy has been the standard treatment for HIV infection, and is effective in preventing transmission, it is hard to scale up worldwide due to its costs, making mRNA vaccines to be anti-HIV vaccine strategy, researchers from the U.S., Germany and Romania wrote in a commentary in June 2022. It's unclear if any of the BARDA contracts are specifically for cancer vaccines or HIV vaccine development, but Hotez said the real damage is denigrating mRNA technology. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "What he's done is he's caused uncertainty among the American people about the safety and effectiveness of mRNA for any condition, including cancer," he said. "And in fact, mRNA technology is probably the most exciting technology we have now for cancer and also other non-communicable illnesses. Even though he may not be canceling any cancer vaccine contracts through BARDA, it may have collateral deleterious in terms of squashing enthusiasm for the technology." Offit added that mRNA is not brand-new technology. mRNA was discovered independently by two teams in 1961, including French and American molecular biologists. Breakthroughs in developing mRNA vaccines began in the early 2000s, eventually leading to the development of COVID-19 vaccines in 2020. This makes the technology primed for being used in other avenues, such as cancer vaccines, Offit said. "We now know a lot about mRNA," he said. "We know a lot about its safety. We know a lot about its safety in young children, including babies. We know a lot about it regarding gene therapy. We know a lot about this safety in terms of pregnant people, where that's often not the case with new technology." Offit went on, "So you have this background of information that enables you to move forward in a number of areas, involving babies or involving pregnant women. But there was an attempt by this administration to squelch that, to sit on all that for no good reason other than a political reason." The federal government is calling off around $500 million worth of vaccine development projects that use mRNA technology, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced Tuesday. The 22 now-terminated projects were funded through the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority, or BARDA. Most of the projects that were canceled were for vaccines that fight COVID-19 or the flu, Kennedy said. They include proposals from Pfizer, Sanofi Pasteur and other drugmakers that were rejected or canceled, along with a now-shuttered award to Moderna to develop a bird flu vaccine, according to an HHS statement. The projects were reviewed and canceled over the last few weeks, said Kennedy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Moderna spokesperson told CBS News that the company's H5N1 (bird flu) contract was canceled in May, and it isn't aware of any new BARDA cancellations. Kennedy framed the move as part of a step away from research into mRNA vaccines. Those types of vaccines use messenger RNA, or mRNA, to prompt the body to make proteins that induce antibody production to protect against an infection. The approach has drawn more interest since the COVID-19 pandemic, when mRNA vaccines by Pfizer and Moderna were found to be safe and effective against the coronavirus. Public health officials credit the rapid development of the vaccines with saving millions of lives. Nevertheless, Kennedy said, "HHS has determined that mRNA technology poses more risk than benefits for these respiratory viruses." He argued mRNA-based vaccines can stop working properly if the virus that they target mutates too much, citing coronavirus as an example. "A single mutation can make mRNA vaccines ineffective," Kennedy said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, CBS News chief White House correspondent Nancy Cordes asked President Trump for his response to Kennedy's announcement, pointing out that the president had been the driving force behind Operation Warp Speed, the public-private partnership that developed and distributed mRNA COVID vaccines in a compressed timeline of months, rather than the years it had previously taken to produce effective vaccines. "Everything about it has been amazing," Mr. Trump replied, "but you know, that was now a long time ago, and we're onto other things. But we are speaking about it we have meetings about it tomorrow ... we're looking for other answers to other problems, to other sicknesses and diseases." Jerome Adams, who was surgeon general during Mr. Trump's first term, condemned Kennedy's announcement in a post on X. "I've tried to be objective & non-alarmist in response to current HHS actions but quite frankly this move is going to cost lives," Adams wrote. "mRNA technology has uses that go far beyond vaccines and the vaccine they helped develop in record time is credited with saving millions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He noted that researchers are developing mRNA applications in therapies and vaccines for flu, RSV, HIV, Zika, cancer and autoimmune diseases, and said the U.S. should be "doubling down on what works - not defunding it." Leading infectious disease experts criticized the decision and said it will leave Americans vulnerable. Dr. Paul Offit, a virologist and vaccine expert at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, said Kennedy "has once again made a decision, not based on scientific evidence that puts this country at unnecessary risk." Epidemiologist Dr. Michael Osterholm called it "one of the worst decisions I've seen in 50 years of public health preparedness work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "If an influenza pandemic hit us tomorrow, the global flu vaccine manufacturing capacity using the standard method of growing the virus in chicken eggs would only produce enough vaccine in 18 months to vaccinate just one fourth of the world," he told CBS News. "We desperately need a vaccine technology where we could make enough vaccine for the world in a year." Republican Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana a physician who chairs the Senate health committee called Kennedy's decision "unfortunate" and said he's "wasting the money which is already invested." "He has also conceded to China an important technology needed to combat cancer and infectious disease," Cassidy wrote on X. Many experts say a major advantage of mRNA vaccines is that they can be developed, manufactured and changed quickly, allowing drugmakers and public health officials to respond rapidly to novel viruses and to constantly mutating viruses like the flu. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, the first Trump administration funded the development of Pfizer and Moderna's mRNA COVID-19 vaccines, which were developed significantly faster than traditional vaccines. "No other nation matched what America achieved during the pandemic," Dr. Luciana Borio, former director for medical and biodefense preparedness at the National Security Council, told CBS News. "We pioneered and delivered life-saving mRNA vaccines at unprecedented speed. It's a historic accomplishment we should celebrate. Clinging to outdated technologies to counter a future flu pandemic is a grave mistake." Kennedy has a long history of raising doubts about vaccines. Since he joined the Trump administration, he has fired members of an expert panel that made vaccine recommendations, and announced the removal of a recommendation for children and healthy pregnant women to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention still says children may get the vaccine and that it is safe and beneficial for pregnant women. Kennedy said Tuesday that HHS is moving the now-canceled funding to "safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Let me be absolutely clear: HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them," the health secretary said. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in on plans for a moon-based nuclear reactor mRNA vaccines were heralded as a medical marvel that saved lives during the Covid pandemic, but now the US is pulling back from researching them. US Health Secretary Robert F Kennedy Jr has cancelled 22 projects - worth $500m (376m) in funding for tackling infections such as Covid and flu. So does Kennedy - probably the country's most famous vaccine sceptic have a point, or is he making a monumental miscalculation? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prof Adam Finn, vaccine researcher at the University of Bristol, says "it's a bit of both" but ditching mRNA technology is "stupid" and potentially a "catastrophic error". Let's unpick why. Kennedy says he has reviewed the science on mRNA vaccines, concluding that the "data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu". Instead, he says, he would shift funding to "safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate". So are mRNA vaccines safe? Are they effective? Would other vaccine technologies be better? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And another question is where should mRNA vaccines fit into the pantheon of other vaccine technologies - because there are many: Inactivated vaccines use the original virus or bacterium, kill it, and use that to train the immune system - such as the annual flu shot Attenuated vaccines do not kill the infectious agent, but make it weaker so it causes a mild infection - such as the MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) vaccine Conjugate vaccines use bits of protein or sugar from a bug, so it triggers an immune response without causing an infection - like for types of meningitis mRNA vaccines use a fragment of genetic code that temporarily instructs the body to make parts of a virus, and the immune system reacts to that Each has advantages and disadvantages, but Prof Finn argues we "overhyped" mRNA vaccines during the pandemic to the exclusion of other approaches, and now there is a process of adjusting. "But to swing the pendulum so far that mRNA is useless and has no value and should not be developed or understood better is equally stupid, it did do remarkable things," he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [BBC] Do mRNA vaccines work? The claim that mRNA vaccines do not protect against upper respiratory infections like Covid and flu "just isn't true", says Prof Andrew Pollard from the Oxford Vaccine Group, who is soon stepping down as the head of the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI), which advises the UK government. The vaccines were shown to provide protection keeping people alive and out of hospital in both clinical trials and then during intense monitoring of how the vaccines performed when they were rolled out around the world. In the first year of vaccination during the Covid pandemic, it was estimated that the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine alone saved nearly 6 million lives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Against that there were a small number of cases of inflammation of heart tissue called myocarditis particularly in young men. "Very rare side effects should be balanced against the huge benefit of the technology," says Prof Pollard. The pandemic was an era when the world was single-mindedly focused on Covid and the rollout of vaccines was monitored intensely. The consensus opinion remains they did overwhelmingly more good than harm. But that does not mean they are a perfect technology. [Getty Images] The mRNA Covid vaccines train the immune system to target just one protein out of the whole virus. If that protein in the coronavirus changes or mutates then the body's protection is lessened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have seen the consequences of that immunity wanes and the vaccines need to be updated. One theoretical argument is that a different vaccine approach such as using the whole virus would give better protection, as the immune system would have more to target. However, Prof Pollard says the mRNA vaccines performed better than the inactivated ones when tackling Covid. He says that is probably down to the way they are made - and the fact that the process of killing the virus also "changes the viral proteins so there is less stimulation of the immune system" in comparison with mRNA vaccines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The need to update vaccines is not a failing of mRNA technology that can be easily solved by pivoting from one technology to another - instead, it is down to the fundamental nature of some viruses. The same measles or HPV (human papilloma virus) vaccines have been effective for decades and show no sign of failing as the virus's genetic codes are more stable in each case. But some viruses live in a perpetual state of flux. Flu, for example, is not one virus - but instead a constantly-shifting target. At any time, one strain will be in the ascendancy and be the most likely to cause trouble in winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In flu, the inactivated flu injection that is given to adults is updated every year - as is the live vaccine that is given to children as a nasal spray. A future mRNA form of flu vaccine would work the same way. "The point about keeping up with variants is about all technologies, not just mRNA," says Prof Pollard. mRNA is 'streets ahead' when speed is needed There is a legitimate scientific question about which vaccine technology is used for which disease. What is causing concern among scientists is that pulling mRNA research means we will not have those vaccines at times when we need to do what no other technology can. Prof Pollard says: "I don't think there's the evidence they are hugely better for protection, but where RNA tech is streets ahead of everything else is responding to outbreaks." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The world is highly drilled at making new flu vaccines each year. But even then, there is a six-month process of deciding on the new flu strains to be targeted, growing the vaccine at scale in chicken eggs and then distributing it. Brand new vaccines take even longer. But with mRNA, you can have the new vaccine in six to eight weeks, and then tens or hundreds of millions of doses a few months later. Some of the projects that have had their funding pulled in the US were preparing for a bird flu pandemic. That virus, H5N1, has been devastating bird populations and jumping into a wide range of other animals including American cattle. "That doesn't make sense and if we do get a human pandemic of bird flu it could be seen as a catastrophic error," says Prof Finn. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the ramifications of the US turning away from mRNA research could be felt more widely. What impact does this move have on confidence in the current vaccines, mRNA or otherwise? How does it affect the world when the US is one of the most influential countries in medical research? And will it have a knock-on impact on other types of mRNA technology, such as cancer vaccines - or using the approach to treat rare genetic diseases? Prof Pollard poses another question after RFK Jr's move: "Does it put us all at risk if a huge market is turning its back on RNA? "It is one of the most important technologies we'll see this century in infectious disease, biotherapeutic agents for rare disease and critically for cancer. It's a message I'm troubled about." The Department of Health and Human Services is cancelling 22 contracts and pulling $500 million that was going to develop vaccines that use mRNA technology. The vaccines targeted respiratory illnesses including COVID-19 and the flu. The announcement was made by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Tuesday. We reviewed the science, listened to the experts and acted, he posted on his official X account Tuesday. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Were shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement BARDA is the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority in HHS, which oversees vaccine projects. We reviewed the science, listened to the experts, and acted. BARDA is terminating 22 mRNA vaccine development investments because the data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. Were shifting that funding toward pic.twitter.com/GPKbuU7ywN Secretary Kennedy (@SecKennedy) August 5, 2025 In the video included in the X post, Kennedy said that instead, were prioritizing the development of safer, broader vaccine strategies, like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms that dont collapse when viruses mutate. Its the latest in a series of moves that seem to align with the doubts Kennedy has expressed about vaccines over the years, including well before he was appointed to head the nations public health infrastructure. Deseret News earlier reported that the guidance on vaccines under Kennedy has changed drastically and he fired the panel that recommends vaccine policy, replacing the entire group with his own picks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, he canceled a contract that would have given Moderna close to $600 million to develop a bird flu vaccine. And he removed healthy children and pregnant women from the list of those for whom COVID-19 vaccines are recommended. Despite that, Kennedy said in a statement, Let me be absolutely clear, HHS supports safe, effective vaccines for every American who wants them. Fast mRNA technology The Associated Press explained the mRNA technology this way: Traditionally, vaccines have required growing pieces of viruses, often in chicken eggs or giant vats of cells, then purifying that material. The mRNA approach starts with a snippet of genetic code that carries instructions for making proteins. Scientists pick the protein to target, inject that blueprint and the body makes just enough to trigger immune protection producing its own vaccine dose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times noted that unlike traditional vaccines, which can take years to develop and test, mRNA shots can be made within months and quickly altered as the virus changes. The technology won a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 2023. Pushback on announcement Kennedy said the mRNA vaccines dont do well against upper-respiratory infections, which drew immediate pushback from scientists. Calling the statement wildly incorrect, Jennifer Nuzzo, director of the Pandemic Center at the Brown University School of Public Health, told the Times that millions more would have died during the COVID pandemic had we not used these lifesaving mRNA vaccines to protect against severe illness. The AP article also rounded up criticism of Kennedys decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dr. Paul Offit, a vaccine expert at Childrens Hospital of Philadelphia, told AP the move was short-sighted, with concerns about a bird flu pandemic looming. Existing mRNA vaccines, he noted saved millions of lives during COVID-19. Offit told the BBC that cancelling the funding would place the U.S. in a more dangerous position to counter any future pandemic, since mRNA technology makes development of a vaccine faster and has proven to be safe and effective. I dont think Ive seen a more dangerous decision in public health in my 50 years in the business, Mike Osterholm, a University of Minnesota expert on infectious diseases and pandemic preparations, told AP. DECATUR, Ill. (WCIA) One Central Illinois-based beer company has launched an exclusive lager through a partnership with an annual farm show. Riggs Beer Company has introduced an exclusive American Lager in collaboration with the Farm Progress Show. The beer is available now at the brewery and select locations ahead of the shows 20th anniversary at its permanent biennial Decatur site. Decatur Public Library celebrates 150 years Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This specific beer features Illinois-grown grains and hops and will be available at the 2025 Farm Progress Show, scheduled for Aug. 26-28 in Decatur. Additionally, advance tickets will cost $15 plus fees and gate admission prices will be $25. The Farm Progress Show American Lager displays Riggs-grown six-row barley and ultra-low oil white corn, creating a balanced 5% alcohol beer with light corn sweetness and subtle nuttiness. Each can of the lager features a QR code allowing people to directly buy show tickets. Were thrilled to team up with Riggs Beer Company for our first beer collaboration, said Matt Jungmann, senior director of national events for Farm Progress. This partnership connects two Illinois icons in a meaningful way while celebrating both our agricultural heritage and innovation. Decatur YMCA hands out thousands of backpacks to community Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This lager will be available on draft in the Syngenta Beer Tent during show hours from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. It is also now available at Riggs Beer Company in Urbana and the following retailers, bars and restaurants: Retailers County Market, Pana Friar Tuck, Forsyth Hy-Vee, Peoria Harvest Market, Champaign Schnucks, Champaign Schnucks, Savoy Harvest Market, Springfield Bars and Restaurants 48 Inn, Decatur Sliderz, Decatur Jenns Beer Den, Decatur Woodys, Decatur Bevos, Mount Zion The FourNine, Mount Zion This partnership highlights the growing trend of agricultural diversification and value-added farm products across the Midwest. Riggs incorporates grain grown on their family farm and hops from Illinois producers. This demonstrates alternative revenue streams for farmers beyond traditional commodity production. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PULASKI COUNTY, Va. (WFXR) New River Community College (NRCC) has announced that it will begin offering a new paramedic program starting this fall. According to officials, the new associate degree program is in partnership with Central Virginia Community College (CVCC). Upon completion, students will be eligible to pursue certification and employment opportunities in various healthcare and emergency response settings. NRCC says the new program is ideal for students passionate about emergency medical care, specifically highlighting registered nurses who may be seeking to transition into paramedic roles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The program does not have a selective admission process, which NRCC says will make it more accessible to a wide range of students committed to making a difference in their communities. UPDATE: Crews on scene of structure fire in Hollins Officials say courses are offered in a hybrid format, connecting NRCC students who participate virtually from the Dublin campus with CVCC students attending in person at their Lynchburg campus. Lecture-style learning will be delivered virtually by CVCC, with lab courses taught on campus at NRCC, thereby alleviating students from having to travel to CVCC for these courses. Distance education partnerships like this provide tremendous value by expanding access to high-quality training for our future healthcare professionals, said Dr. Robert Brandon, president of New River Community College. New River Community College is deeply grateful to Central Virginia Community College for leading this program and to the Virginia Community College System for providing the financial support that makes this collaboration possible. This partnership strengthens our ability to meet the growing healthcare needs of the New River Valley, ensuring that well-trained paramedics are ready to serve our communities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFXRtv. MOUNT VERNON, Ky. (FOX 56) While the chances of a shooter getting into a school are generally low, theyre not zero, which is why first responders are always looking to stay a step ahead. First responders from all sectors came to Roundstone Elementary on Wednesday, Aug. 6, for active shooter training led by the Kentucky State Police (KSP). https://fox56news.com/news/local/lexington/pedestrian-killed-after-crash-near-liberty-road-in-lexington-no-arrests-made/ Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Detective Ryan Loudermilk said while the idea is to never have to use the training, he knows the Rockcastle County community will be ready because of it. They know that this is training only, but you still see that elevated heart rate and confusion, and we know that thats coming. Thats just thats just an ounce of what it would be like if it were real life, Louderemilk said. While the training didnt involve a real threat, the goal was to make the scenario as realistic as possible, including Rockcastle County Schools superintendent Dr. Carri Ballinger getting an emergency call, where she then rushed to the scene to assist. Thats a responsibility that we take with the utmost seriousness. We go into these scenarios as if it is a real emergency. We train as if its a real emergency, so were prepared if something tragic did take place in our school, Ballinger said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the threat was neutralized, everyone huddled for an after-action review to talk about what went right and what could use improvement. This included all first responders and district staff, with both agreeing that safety takes everyone. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Overall, I thought it went extremely well. I want to thank our community partners for coming out and working so well with us. Its a team were proud of in Rockcastle County, that we work so well together with all of our community agencies, Ballinger said. The fact that they that they wanted this, that they sought out training from the state police, and the fact that theyre involving other community leaders in, law enforcement, emergency management, fire and EMS, its clearly a top priority to them. Kudos to them, Loudermilk added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 56 News. ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Rockford businesswoman Kathy Easton has announced her intent to challenge State Representative Dave Vella (D) in the upcoming 2026 election. I am running for State Representative to make a difference and give voice to the real concerns of Illinoisans. I want to reverse the downward trajectory in Illinois that forces our children and grandchildren to look to other states for jobs and a future, Easton said in a statement. Easton will be running for the Republican nomination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local families are tired of the nonsense and want their representative to focus on veterans and their needs, and senior citizens and the values of their homes. Vella has focused on assisted suicide and spending billions of dollars on illegal migrants instead of on Illinois and our residents, she continued. I want to make sure that Illinois has a good business climate that attracts and keeps jobs here. We need a pro-growth economic strategy to bring high-paying manufacturing jobs that provide wages that sustain a family. That means lowering taxes and taking a hard look at Illinois regulatory environment, she added. Easton said she would advocate for Illinois residents quality of life, focusing on the values of their homes, business climate, lowering taxes, and on veterans and senior citizens. I have a strong commitment to our families, veterans, and community safety, and I am ready to bring your voice to Springfield. I believe in empowering parents, supporting our law enforcement, and ensuring that every veteran receives the healthcare they rightfully deserve, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican Primary begins August 5th, 2025. The General Election will be held on November 3rd, 2026. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. The second Trump Administration is committed to reversing decades of government-sanctioned wokeism funded by taxpayer dollars but working against taxpayers wishes. The Department of Justice (DOJ) is spearheading this effort, using every tool at its disposal to obliterate every shred of DEI patronage, gimmickry, and red tape that hinder efficacy. Executive orders fly, newly negotiated settlements with DEI-captured institutions drop daily and DOJ memos warn against the "legal pitfalls" of racial preferences under a colorblind Constitution. But despite the administrations well-publicized successes, there are still holdovers from the old regime in key roles across the country who are working deliberately to undermine the president. Often these bureaucrats keep getting away with it because theyve mastered the very system Trump is trying to reformor simply Trump appointees have yet to notice the subterfuge. As they identify bureaucrats willfully ignoring the direction of the president, they should begin by examining the machinations of Hal Goldsmith, a longtime Assistant U.S. Attorney in the Eastern District of Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Goldsmiths St. Louiswhich boasts its very own reparations commission, deputy mayor for racial equity and a slew of DEI-themed slush fundsGoldsmith is throwing the book at a pair of builders who brought new development to blighted neighborhoods in the city but allegedly mis-accounted the byzantine diversity subcontracting goals the city set for them. Never mind that the U.S. Supreme Court ruled racial preference schemes unconstitutional in Students for Fair Admission v. Harvard or that the Trump administration is working aggressively to enforce the decision. Goldsmith is plowing ahead, seeking hefty fines and prison sentences for brothers Sid Chakraverty and Vic Alstonthemselves racial minoritiesfor alleged fraud in filling out DEI compliance reports. But not even the city of St. Louis is defending the program these property brothers are accused of defrauding: the city government shut it down under mounting federal pressure. St. Louis is one of the most crime-ridden cities in the country, where residents have been fleeing by the thousands for years. Amid this chaos, the Democratic politicians running the city should be focused squarely on meaningfully improving life for their constituents. Instead, they have created a convoluted DEI apparatus that has proven impossible to followeven with the best of intentions. Chakraverty and Alston waded into this morass to build housing in blighted areas. They worked with minority- and women-owned subcontractors, delivered shiny new buildings, and earned tax breaks for their efforts. This is no Enron-style swindle. No money was siphoned. No investors were bilked. If their racial- and gender-preference compliance reports were inaccurate, the only so-called victim is an obscure bureaucratic entity charged with administering a program that no longer exists. If the U.S., Supreme Court says such programs are unconstitutional, the city of St. Louis has abandoned it, and the Trump administration is going after programs just like it across the country, why is a legacy prosecutor at the DOJ quite literally treating this as a federal crime? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maybe because, by all accounts, Goldsmith is a sincere progressive warrior. In similar prosecutions in the past, he called these kinds of DEI programs essential for righting the wrong of years of racism in the construction trades and urged the courts to merciless[ly] enforce them. And he seems to be committed to pushing the case forward no matter what the Trump Administration says. In fact, just last week he filed a number of motions during the new Trump interim U.S. Attorneys first hour on the jobseemingly so he wouldnt need to get the approval of the man to whom hes ostensibly supposed to report. That puts the Trump appointee in the awkward position of having to either sit still and take an underling pushing a case that is 180 degrees counter to the administrations policy or else contradict Goldsmith and draw the rage of the press, the legal Left and the Resistance. But the latter is exactly what the Trump DOJ should do. Goldsmiths prosecution isnt an attempt to uphold the law. Its an effort to prop up an antiquated policy the administrationand the American peopleobviously reject. This isnt justice. Its the last gasp of progressive overreach. Trump and Bondi should drop the charges, ensure all DOJ officials are aligned with their aims to preserve fairness under the law and redirect resources to suing holdout cities for constitutional violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the end, DEI has delivered only division and dysfunction. This farce in St. Louis shows why its time to let merit and the U.S. Constitution do the heavy lifting again. Ellen Carmichael, a longtime political strategist, is president of The Lafayette Company. A man whose plan to ride every rollercoaster in the UK in 16 days was was scuppered by Storm Floris has said he may still break a world record. Dean Stokes, from Brighton in East Sussex, had intended to go on 120 coasters across 32 theme parks, starting at Brighton Palace Pier and ending at Thorpe Park in Surrey. But the 36-year-old ran into problems less than a third of the way into his challenge, due to strong winds and heavy rain shutting down several parks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Mr Stokes said he had been informed by Guinness World Records that his mission may not have been completely derailed. "We were scuppered by Storm Floris as most rides were shut down for safety reasons, which is understandable, but still really frustrating," he said. "For example, on the day I was in north Devon I had meant to get on eight rollercoasters, but only managed one." But a message from Guinness World Records had revived the prospect of setting a new record, he said. "We're working out the details, but maybe it could be something like most rollercoasters ridden in a week instead," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Guinness World Records said: "We would like to wish Dean the best of luck in his exciting rollercoaster record attempt and look forward to receiving his application and evidence." There is no current record-holder for the most rollercoasters ridden in a week, and Mr Stokes has been set a target of 30 to claim the inaugural title. For the purposes of the attempt, a rollercoaster is defined as a ride which features a car or cars which run along a fixed linear track or rails. This includes so-called 'kiddie coasters', but excludes theme park trains and wet rides, such as log flumes, Guinness World Records said. Dean Stokes' final stop is to be Thorpe Park, home to Hyperia - the tallest and fastest rollercoaster in the country [Thorpe Park] Mr Stokes said that he had been overwhelmed by the support he had been shown, with some people turning up to ride rollercoasters with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I've had ride operators recognise me from my videos, while a kid called Jack and his family decided to join me on one rollercoaster," he said. He added that he hoped to "build a bit of a crowd" of fellow thrill-seekers for Thorpe Park, the final stop of his trip. "The big reason that I'm doing this is to prove people should just get out there and do more of what they love," he added. Follow BBC Sussex on Facebook, on X, and on Instagram. Send your story ideas to southeasttoday@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp us on 08081 002250. More on this story Related internet links NEW YORK Tornado Cash developer Roman Storm has been found guilty of conspiring to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, a Manhattan jury decided Wednesday. The jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict on the remaining charges, conspiracy to commit money laundering and conspiracy to violate international sanctions, despite four days of deliberations after the three-week trial. A sentencing date has not yet been set, and it is currently unclear whether prosecutors will elect to re-try Storm on the remaining charges. Prosecutors told the court on Wednesday afternoon that they will confer internally and decide. "We are grateful the jury did not convict Roman for violating sanctions or laundering money," said Brian Klein, a partner at Waymaker LLP and a lawyer for Storm. "There are serious legal issues with the sole remaining count involving unlicensed money transmission. We will not stop fighting for Roman and expect him to be fully vindicated." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Storm was arrested in 2023 and charged with helping hackers and other cyber criminals, including North Koreas famed hacking squad, the Lazarus Group, launder more than $1 billion in dirty money through Tornado Cash, the crypto privacy tool he helped develop. "Today's verdict is a mixed bag for crypto," said Alex Urbelis, general counsel for the Ethereum Name Service. "The hung jury shows real skepticism about the money laundering and sanctions charges, but Im disappointed by the conviction for operating an unlicensed money transmitter. This is a complex area where legal nuance and technical understanding matter. Im not convinced the jury fully understood the crucial divide between custodial and non-custodial systemsa distinction that, if properly recognized, should make a conviction here impossible." After the jury read the verdict, prosecutors moved for Storm, who is currently out on bail, to be remanded to prison to await sentencing, arguing that he is from Russia (Storm was born in Kazakhstan and is a U.S. citizen who has lived in Seattle, Washington for over a decade), has advised people how to cheat the immigration system and has the financial means to flee the country, according to reports from Inner City Press. Storms lawyers pushed back, arguing that the developer is not a flight risk. Keri Axel, a partner at Waymaker and a lawyer for Storm told District Judge Katherine Polke Failla of the Southern District of New York (SDNY) that Storm surrendered his passport and has deep family ties including joint custody of a five-year-old daughter in Washington state, where he lives, and extended family in Sacramento, California to the United States. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Failla ultimately sided with Storms lawyers, arguing that she did not think Storm was a flight risk since he was only convicted on one charge. He may appeal, he has every incentive to stay and fight, Failla said. He is not a risk of flight, given the size of the bond. There is a lot of fighting left in this case before sentencing, and I think Mr. Storm will stay for it. Amanda Tuminelli, executive director and chief legal officer at the DeFi Education Fund, said that the organization will continue to support Storm as he fights the conviction on the money transmitting business charge, calling it "fundamentally flawed charge from the start." "It is incredibly disappointing that the jury hung on the other two counts...because they also rest on the inaccurate, dangerous, and limitless pricniple that a software dev can be held responsible for third parties' use of their code. But it is not surprising the jury could not agree on those two counts - the DOJ made a ton of mistakes and they should not retry Roman on those charges," Tuminelli said in an X post. "It is now the Trump DOJ - not the Biden DOJ - who has a decision to make, and they absolutely can and should choose NOT to allow SDNY to pursue this case further." The verdict in Storms case comes just a week after the developers of Samourai Wallet, a Bitcoin-focused privacy tool similar to Tornado Cash, pleaded guilty to one count each of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. The developers, Keonne Rodriguez and William Lonergan Hill, changed their initial not guilty pleas after reaching a deal with prosecutors that saw the heftier money laundering conspiracy charges dropped. NEW YORK The Manhattan jury tasked with deciding Tornado Cash developer Roman Storms fate told the court on Wednesday morning that they were deadlocked, unable to reach a unanimous verdict on at least one of the charges. The note to District Judge Katherine Polk Failla of the Southern District of New York came on the fourth day of jury deliberations. According to reports from Inner City Press, Storms lawyers suggested that the court accept a partial verdict, while prosecutors requested that the jury be given an Allen charge essentially, an instruction from the court to continue deliberating in an attempt to reach a unanimous verdict on all charges. Failla sided with prosecutors, bringing the jury into the courtroom and instructing them to try to reach a verdict, but telling them that it is their right not to agree or change their opinions, if an agreement truly cannot be reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The jurys notes over the past several days of deliberations have indicated that the jurors are carefully considering all facets of the case, including some of the more procedural aspects like venue. On the first day of deliberations, the jury asked what evidence of venue (basically, the prosecutors' justification to bring the case in the Southern District of New York) the prosecutors showed the grand jury in 2023 to obtain their indictment. Yesterday, the jury asked the judge for transcripts from the testimony of an FBI agent who did cell-site analysis on venture capitalist Tom Schmidt of Dragonfly Capital, who invested $900,000 in Tornado Cashs parent company PepperSec Inc. The fact that Schmidt is based in New York was used by prosecutors to establish venue but the jury, according to their note, seemed hesitant to accept this logic. In their note, they asked for transcripts of the agents testimony to prove venue. The jury has also asked questions about whether Storm was legally required to respond to requests for help from foreign law enforcement, and whether intermediary wallets were also included on the Office of Foreign Asset Controls (OFAC) specially-designated nationals (SDN) list. Storm has been charged with one count each of conspiracy to commit money laundering, conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business, and conspiracy to violate international sanctions. If Storm is found guilty on all charges, he faces a maximum sentence of 45 years in prison. Prosecutors say that, through Tornado Cash, Storm and his colleagues Alexey Pertsev and Roman Semenov, helped hackers and other cyber criminals including North Koreas state-sanctioned hacking squad, the Lazarus Group launder over $1 billion in criminal proceeds. Join the crypto policy conversation Sept. 10 in D.C. Register now for CoinDesk: Policy & Regulation. Romania scrambled its F-16 fighter jets in response to a large-scale Russian attack targeting Ukraines southern oblasts on the night of 5-6 August. Source: Romanias Ministry of Defence in a statement, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Romanian Defence Ministry said that Russian forces had carried out a large-scale drone attack on civilian infrastructure in the area of the city of Izmail, located near the Romanian border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romanian radars detected aerial targets in Ukrainian airspace close to Tulcea County. At 01:10, residents in the northern part of the county were alerted via the RO-Alert system. "Two Romanian F-16 fighter jets were deployed to monitor the country's airspace but detected no unauthorised penetrations," the statement read. Romania condemned Russias aggressive actions, describing them as a blatant violation of international law and a threat to regional security. Background: On the night of 20-21 July, Romanian and Italian fighter jets were also scrambled in response to Russian airstrikes on Ukraine. The Polish Air Force likewise scrambled fighter jets due to the large-scale Russian attack on Ukrainian cities that night. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russia narrowly avoided an armed skirmish with Romania, a member of the NATO alliance, after striking just a half mile from its border. Romanian defense officials believe the new law passed by parliament explicitly allowing its armed forces to shoot down Russian drones that fly over its territory prevented the Kremlin from incurring on its territory. Russia struck a gas distribution center in the Ismail Area of Ukraine with Shahed kamikaze drones on Tuesday and Wednesday, so close to Romanias border that Bucharest deployed F-16 aircraft to monitor. No unauthorized intrusions were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They know we passed this law, and in the last two months they have avoided crossing into our airspace," one Romanian defense source told Fox News Digital. Nato Jets Scrambled Amid Russia's Largest Drone Attack On Ukraine Ilie Bolojan, Romania's then-acting president, signed the law, which Romanian parliament had passed in February in response to Russian drones spilling over into its territory during attacks on Ukraine. Read On The Fox News App The law specifies that Romanian authorities must establish the drones position and identity, attempt contact, intercept and fire warning shots, before neutralizing it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Piloted vehicles can only be destroyed if they conduct an attack or respond aggressively. Romania shares a 380-mile-wide border with Ukraine, though at this time there is no evidence Moscow has deliberately targeted its territory. Ukraine typically receives gas through the Orlovka gas distribution center in Izmail from Greece, Turkey and Romania. Russia Launched Its Largest Aerial Attack Of The War, Ukraine Says If Russia had incurred into Romanian territory and Romania responded by shooting down its drones, a tit-for-tat escalation risks drawing a NATO member state directly into the war. NATO allies agree to Article 5, a collective defense pact that states each would come to the aid of the other in the case of an attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier this week, drones believed to originate in Belarus, a client state of Russia, landed in Lithuanian territory. Other eastern European states have enacted new laws to fortify their borders from the threat of Russia: Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania pulled out of an international treaty banning the use of landmines over humanitarian concerns earlier this year. Lithuania this week asked NATO to help strengthen its air defenses after a Russian drone carrying explosives entered its territory. "This is not just Lithuanian airspace, not just Lithuanias security it is NATO airspace, NATO security and also EU security," foreign minister Kestutis Budrys said. Original article source: New Romanian law may have averted NATO clash with Russia after border strikes ROME, NY (WUTR/WFXV/WPNY) A Rome man is facing drug and weapons charges after a Wednesday raid by New York State Police and other agencies netted over five total ounces of cocaine and crack cocaine. Troopers executed search warrants on a residence on Embargo Street on Wednesday, August 6, as well as a business on Calvert Street, both in the city of Rome. They were joined by the Rome Police Department and the Oneida County Sheriffs Office in the execution of the warrant. The searches resulted in the seizure of more than four ounces of cocaine, as well as over half an ounce of crack cocaine. Police also seized a loaded handgun, more than $2,000 in cash, and various other drug packaging materials and scales. (Photo provided by the New York State Police) At the conclusion of the investigation, police also arrested 41-year-old Iabriel Sumter of Rome. He was transported to the Oneida County Jail in Oriskany pending arraignment. Sumter is currently being charged with: second-degree Criminal Possession of a Controlled Substance more than four ounces, a Class A-II Felony, and second-degree Criminal Possession of a Weapon, a Class C Felony. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WUTR/WFXV - CNYhomepage.com. LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Democratic Nevada Sen. Jacky Rosen is warning that a new monetary requirement for international travelers could decimate Las Vegas tourism industry. Beginning Aug. 20, the U.S. State Department will charge tourists who apply for certain visas a bond of up to $15,000, Tammy Bruce, the departments spokeswoman, said Wednesday. The Visa Bond Pilot Program will start with the African countries of Malawi and Zambia. This targeted, common-sense measure reinforces the administrations commitment to U.S. immigration law while deterring visa overstays, Bruce said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One in eight visitors to Las Vegas last year was an international tourist, according to the Las Vegas Convention and Visitor Authority (LVCVA). A B-1 visa is for a person who wants to stay in the United States for business for up to six months; a B2 visa is for a tourist for the same amount of time. Not all visitors to the United States need a visa, and several countries participate in a waiver program. In 2023, the federal government estimated 1.5% of nonimmigrants or about 565,000 who visited the United States overstayed their visas. In June, visitation to Las Vegas dropped 11.3% compared to June of 2024, according to LVCVA. A separate report from Harry Reid International Airport showed passenger counts plunged by 6.3% the same month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LVCVA leaders blame persistent economic uncertainty and declining Canadian interest in visiting the United States as reasons. Rosen sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, urging him to suspend the visa pilot program. Las Vegas has already experienced more than a seven percent decrease in tourism through June of 2025 compared to the first six months of the previous year, and the Visa Bond Pilot Program will only further deter visitors, Rosen wrote in the letter. This restriction will not only reduce the volume of inbound visitors, but will also disrupt the steady flow of tourism-related revenue that supports countless American-owned small businesses, hotels, restaurants, and attractions. Rosen added the lowest amount a person could have to pay before their travel to the United States is $5,000. The money would be returned to the visa holder should they comply with all rules and terms, the department said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The pilot program will expire in August 2026, per federal law. In 2023, 1.4 million Canadians visited Las Vegas, according to the LVCVA. That accounts for about 30% of all international tourism to the valley. The projected decline in Canadian tourism to the U.S. could mean more than $4 billion in losses to the economy, the U.S. Travel Association (USTA) estimated earlier this year. A 10% reduction in travel could put 140,000 hospitality and retail jobs in jeopardy, according to USTA metrics. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (FOX40.COM) Some Roseville residents can expect to hear the Union Pacific Railroads siren on Wednesday. Video above: Northern California biggest rock celebration kicked off in Roseville The Roseville Fire Department reported that the Union Pacific Railroad will be testing its emergency notification siren in the rail yard at noon, and that residents in the area may be able to hear the test. Although this isnt an emergency, RFD recommends that all residents prepare by registering for Placer Alert. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For more evacuation tips, visit www.ready.gov. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) The Rotary Club of Youngstown celebrated the end of summer with a special event to help Youngstown City Park Summer Camp Program students with their back-to-school needs. The club hosted a cookout and school supplies giveaway on Wednesday at Northside Pool. One by one, a stream of Youngstown elementary and middle schoolers walked through the line, collecting items they will need for the start of the new school year in about a month. Its great that theyre offering free school supplies because it will take the burden off of the families, said Micaela Brown, with Youngstown Parks and Recreation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The kids getting supplies are all involved in the parks departments summer camp program, with the supplies being provided by members of the Youngstown Rotary. This is part of the Rotary Service Above Self offering, and our commitment to the City of Youngstown and its students and the people who live here, said Gerri Jenkins, president of the Youngstown Rotary. Between supplies, clothes, shoes and even electronics, the National Retail Foundation predicts families will shell out close to $860 for every student this year. Across the country, it amounts to nearly $39.5 billion, and for many, it can be a huge financial burden. With all the bills in general, along with the school supplies, sometimes they cant reuse their things. And sometimes, you think you have everything and then they add to it, said Malynda Carter, a Youngstown parent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It means a lot to them, and it means a lot to me, personally, because I see it the struggle of parents and mothers trying to prepare kids, said Kathy Reed, a great-grandmother in Youngstown. As part of the event, the kids were treated to a picnic lunch and a pool party. Organizers say that while this wont cover all the needs for the children, it helps. Even if its part of what they need, then its easier on their families and it will give them a good start for school with the supplies, Jenkins said. Rotarians say theyve been providing supplies like this to city school students for more than a decade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. ROWAN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Rowan County law enforcement is searching for an alleged burglary suspect who might be injured, officials say. Around 8:23 p.m. on August 5, deputies were called to the 400 block of Crawford Road to investigate a reported residential breaking and entering. The caller informed deputies that he could see an individual coming out of his house. The suspect, who had already fled into the woods before deputies arrived, is described as a white male, possibly in his 30s, with scruffy facial hair. He was wearing an orange shirt and blue jeans. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here He was last seen running into the woods towards Long Ferry Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say the suspect may be injured, as the homeowner told deputies he fired a single shot at the suspect. Residents in the area are asked to call 911 if they see anyone fitting the description of the suspect. As of 10 p.m. Tuesday, law enforcement remains at the scene searching for the suspect. Officials say there is no reason to believe that there is any danger to the public at this time. This investigation remains active and ongoing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) This years $park (Students Preparing for Adult Readiness and Knowledge) event aims to give students a spark of confidence and innovation needed to give them control of their futures. Texarkana Water Utilities temporarily alters disinfection method The free event, hosted by the Red River Credit Union, will give students tours of Texas A&M University-Texarkana (TAMUT), allow them to participate in a Reality Fair, and receive hands-on learning in: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budgeting and money management Exploring career pathways Workforce trends and job readiness This immersive experience goes beyond traditional learning, providing a vital, hands-on opportunity for high schoolers to navigate real-world financial decisions, said Jay Davis, Executive Director of TAMUTs Center for Financial Literacy and Investment. Its an invaluable step in preparing them for success after graduation, fostering essential skills for both their financial well-being and future careers. Industry professionals, financial experts, and career advisors will be available for attendees to learn more from. Texarkana principal recognized for outstanding leadership Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We believe in investing in our youth, not just financially, but through education and opportunity, said Emily Bright, Financial Education Advocate, RRCU. This fair is about showing students they have the powerand the resourcesto shape their journey. The event will take place on Tuesday, September 16, and Wednesday, September 17, from 9 a.m. to noon at TAMUT. The event is free and provides lunch for attendees, but registration is required on a first-come, first-served basis. For more information or to register, contact Emily Bright at ebright@rrcu.com, April Corbit at april.corbit@netxworks.org, or Jay Davis at jay.davis@tamut.edu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter met to discuss trade Wednesday, one day before President Trumps steep tariffs were slated to take effect. Keller-Sutter, who also serves as finance minister, and Swiss Vice President Guy Parmelin, who is also the economic minister, traveled to Washington this week in a last-ditch effort to strike a deal with the United States after Trump announced last week a 39 percent tariff rate on exports from Switzerland. When Trump initially unveiled his sweeping tariffs in April, it was lower, at 31 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a readout of the meeting of the three officials, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce did not offer any details about a prospective deal but said Rubio met with the Swiss leaders to discuss the importance of a fair and balanced trade relationship that benefits the American people. She said they also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening bilateral defense cooperation. Swiss companies are slated to face some of the steepest U.S. tariffs, with only Laos, Myanmar and Syria paying higher rates, at 40 percent to 41 percent. Ahead of the meeting, the nations cabinet, the Federal Council, said in a statement, Switzerland enters this new phase ready to present a more attractive offer, taking U.S. concerns into account and seeking to ease the current tariff situation, according to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pharmaceuticals, watches and chocolate are among the major exports from Switzerland to the U.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 The Hill. Aug. 6GRAFTON, N.D. Though estimates exist for the impact on patients and hospitals following Medicaid changes in President Donald Trump's "Big Beautiful Bill," it's a waiting game to see for sure what will happen, according to several health care leaders in North Dakota. For the time being, there are more unknowns than knowns, they say. Alan O'Neil, CEO of Unity Medical Center in Grafton, North Dakota, said many are waiting to see how things turn out. The potential for patients to lose coverage means they go through the emergency department and are unable to pay, which leads to what the health care world calls "bad debt," he said. Hospitals adjust pricing to keep doors open, so a buildup of bad debt will increase costs for everyone. O'Neil said there is a fund present in the bill that could help rural health care providers get through the changes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "That's a little bit of a positive thing, you might say," he said. "North Dakota will get $100 million for five years, so we will get $500 million over a five-year period. How that all turns out, and how that gets allocated remains to be seen." According to the National Rural Health Association, the "Big Beautiful Bill" Act contains a $50 billion fund for a Rural Health Transformation Program. The bill, signed into law on July 4, 2025, created the program "in an attempt to offset losses that rural health providers will experience associated with other health provisions in the legislation," the NRHA said. Half of the funds will be given out evenly to all states, though they will need to apply for the funding, and the other half will be given out in amounts determined by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. The losses anticipated for rural health providers come from eligibility requirement changes to Medicaid in the bill. As reported by the Fargo Forum Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement with information from the Congressional Budget Office, Medicaid recipients deemed "able-bodied" between the ages of 19 and 64 with no dependents will need to work 80 hours monthly under the bill, starting January 2027. Individuals with incomes between 100% and 138% of the federal poverty level will pay copays costing up to 5% of household earnings, starting January 2028. Medicaid recipients will need to reapply for the program semiannually, twice as often as what is presently required. The bill also prevents Medicaid coverage that reduces premium costs for migrants who are in the U.S. lawfully, which includes refugees, trafficking survivors and those seeking asylum, though this rule won't apply to green card holders. An analysis by the North Dakota Legislative Council estimated 18% of North Dakotans on Medicaid would not be enrolled by 2034 due to the eligibility changes. According to the North Dakota Department of Health and Human Service's Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement data dashboard , about 108,000 North Dakotans are eligible for Medicaid. About 54,000 are under the age of 21. North Dakota residents have already expressed fears of losing coverage to the new requirements. In a virtual town hall on July 21, U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak, R-North Dakota, heard a number of questions and concerns about Medicaid. In a letter to the Grand Forks Herald , Margaret Bitz of Fargo asked how the state's congressional delegation can know where waste, fraud and abuse exists in Medicaid that needs to be eliminated and what will happen once the changes go through. "Do they know how much worse the health of North Dakota people will be because they have no health care to maximize their health?" she wrote. "Do they know how much debt hospitals will incur when they treat people without Medicaid? Do they know how much the economy in North Dakota will be affected by these consequences of rooting out the 'waste, fraud and abuse' of Medicaid?" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brock Sherva, CEO of Northwood Deaconess Health Center in Northwood, North Dakota, said about 11% of the center's patient population is on Medicaid with expansion. While it is not a majority, when a facility is running on razor-thin margins, every patient who loses coverage and then can't pay their bills can add up, he said. Sherva said he may be looking through rose-colored glasses, but he doesn't believe cuts to Medicaid will be seen as proportional in North Dakota as the rest of the country. The rural health fund is intriguing, he said, but language in the bill is loose, especially when it comes to the meaning of the word "rural." "For us at Northwood Deaconess, our other concern is what is the definition of 'rural?'" he said. "Rural is different to many people, and if any hospital in North Dakota is considered rural, or is it just those of us with a critical access hospital designation? ... By the definition, North Dakota as a whole state is rural, so are the PPS (prospective payment systems) hospitals going to be able to receive portions of that funding?" In a statement, Grand Forks-based Altru Health System CFO Derek Goebel said the system is monitoring the planned cuts, and it is too soon to know the true impact they will have on Altru. "We continue to prepare for the various scenarios of how these changes will impact us and encourage community members to stay informed so that they are ready to adapt to the changes," he said. "Altru's HERO (Healthcare Eligibility Resource Options) team is here to help should patients have any questions about their coverage or how to handle potential changes." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tim Blasl, president of the North Dakota Hospital Association, said North Dakota will be applying for the program's funding, but he is not yet sure how that process will work. "I think there still needs to be some direction on who completes that, but I believe it will either be a state agency like Health and Human Services, or the governor's office," he said. Blasl said the NDHA is in communication with NDHHS on the application process and is monitoring the rural health fund closely. In regard to the impact Medicaid changes will have on the state, he said the NDHA does have concerns, but North Dakota might not see as many impacts as others, as it does not have the supplemental programs other states have. A concern Blasl has outside the bill lies in Affordable Care Act tax subsidies or credits people receive to get health care coverage on the health insurance marketplace. There are many individuals who qualify for tax subsidies that help offset health care premiums, Blasl said, but he has heard they expire at the end of the year. If they are not extended, people may lose coverage or have to pay more, which is an additional concern on top of the "Big Beautiful Bill," he said. "It's just another issue we're tracking," he said. Russian forces attacked Ukraine with 45 Shahed-type loitering munitions and decoy drones on the night of 4-5 August. Ukrainian air defences have intercepted 36 of them, but strikes have been recorded at three locations. Source: Ukrainian Air Force on Telegram Quote: "As of 09:00, air defences have shot down or jammed 36 enemy Shahed-type UAVs and various decoy drones in the north, south and east of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nine UAVs hit targets in three locations, and debris from intercepted drones fell in one additional location." Details: The drones were reportedly launched from the Russian cities of Kursk and Primorsko-Akhtarsk, as well as from Cape Chauda in temporarily occupied Crimea. The Russian attack has been repelled by aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, electronic warfare and UAV units and mobile fire groups from the Ukrainian defence forces. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Russian and Chinese militaries practiced destroying an "enemy" submarine during joint naval drills Wednesday, just days after President Donald Trump moved a pair of nuclear submarines toward Russia, a report said. The drills involved Il-38 planes from Russias Pacific Fleet and Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft, according to Reuters, and came after Trump announced last Friday that he "ordered two Nuclear Submarines to be positioned in the appropriate regions" following "highly provocative statements" made by former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. "As a result of effective joint actions, the 'enemy' submarine was promptly detected and mock-destroyed," Russias defense ministry said Wednesday following the naval exercises in the Sea of Japan, Reuters reported. "After practicing anti-submarine tasks, the crews of the Russian and Chinese ships thanked each other for their fruitful work." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House and State Department did not immediately respond Wednesday to a request for comment from Fox News Digital. Trump Lifts Veil On Us Submarines In Warning Shot To Kremlin In 'Clever' Repositioning Move White House envoy Steve Witkoff is preparing for a trip to Russia on Wednesday, two days ahead of Trumps Aug. 8 deadline for Moscow to enter into a ceasefire with Ukraine or face stiff sanctions. Read On The Fox News App On Sunday, Trump told reporters that nuclear submarines he ordered to counter Russia are now "in the region." Trump Confirms 2 Nuclear Submarines Are 'In The Region' To Counter Russia The Chinese Navy submarine rescue vessel Xihu takes part in joint search and rescue drills with the Russian Navy as part of the exercises "Maritime Interaction-2025", in the Sea of Japan, in this still image taken from video released on Aug. 5, 2025. Medvedev said earlier last week that Trump's new deadline for Russia to end the conflict with Ukraine is an additional "step towards war." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "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," Trump then said in a post on Truth Social on Friday. Trump moved nuclear submarines to "appropriate regions" near Russia after provocative comments from Russia's former President Dmitry Medvedev. "Words are very important, and can often lead to unintended consequences, I hope this will not be one of those instances," he added. Fox News Diana Stancey, Danielle Wallace and Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. Original article source: Russia, China practice destroying 'enemy' submarine in naval drill after Trump moves US nuclear assets Wednesday marks the 80th anniversary of when the U.S. employed the first ever nuclear bomb over the Japanese city of Hiroshima, followed by the bombing of Nagasaki three days later on Aug. 9. But despite nearly a century of lessons learned, nuclear warfare still remains a significant threat. "This is the first time that the United States is facing down two nuclear peer adversaries Russia and China," Rebeccah Heinrichs, nuclear expert and senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, told Fox News Digital. Heinrichs explained that not only are Moscow and Beijing continuing to develop new nuclear capabilities and delivery systems, but they are increasingly collaborating with one another in direct opposition to the West, and more pointedly, the U.S. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Lifts Veil On Us Submarines In Warning Shot To Kremlin In 'Clever' Repositioning Move An aerial photograph of Hiroshima, Japan, shortly after the "Little Boy" atomic bomb was dropped in 1945. "Its a much more complex nuclear threat environment than what the United States even had to contend with during the Cold War, where we just had one nuclear peer adversary in the Soviet Union," she said. "In that regard, it's a serious problem, especially when both China and Russia are investing in nuclear capabilities and at the same time have revanchist goals." Despite the known immense devastation that would accompany an atomic war between two nuclear nations, concern has been growing that the threat of nuclear war is on the rise. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki which collectively killed some 200,000 people, not including the dozens of thousands who later died from radiation poisoning and cancer have been attributed with bringing an end to World War II. But the bombs did more than end the deadliest war in human history they forever changed military doctrine, sparked a nuclear arms race and cemented the concept of deterrence through the theory of mutually assured destruction. Earlier this year the Bulletin of Atomic Scientists moved forward the "Doomsday Clock" by one second pushing it closer to "midnight," or atomic meltdown, than ever before. In January, the board of scientists and security officials in charge of the 78-year-old clock, which is used to measure the threat level of nuclear warfare, said that moving the clock to 89 seconds to midnight "signals that the world is on a course of unprecedented risk, and that continuing on the current path is a form of madness." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Confirms 2 Nuclear Submarines Are 'In The Region' To Counter Russia Russia's President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands during a meeting in Beijing on Oct. 18, 2023. Despite the escalated nuclear threats coming out of North Korea, and international concern over the Iranian nuclear program, the threat level largely came down to the three biggest players in the nuclear arena: Russia, the U.S. and China. The increased threat level was attributed to Russias refusal to comply with international nuclear treaties amid its continuously escalating war in Ukraine and its hostile opposition to NATO nations, as well as Chinas insistence on expanding its nuclear arsenal. But the Bulletin, which was founded by scientists on the Manhattan Project in 1945 to inform the public of the dangers of atomic warfare, also said the U.S. has a role in the increased nuclear threat level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The U.S. has abdicated its role as a voice of caution. It seems inclined to expand its nuclear arsenal and adopt a posture that reinforces the belief that limited use of nuclear weapons can be managed," the Bulletin said. "Such misplaced confidence could have us stumble into a nuclear war." But Heinrichs countered the "alarmist" message and argued that deterrence remains a very real protectant against nuclear warfare, even as Russia increasingly threatens Western nations with atomic use. "I do think that it's a serious threat. I don't think it's inevitable that we're sort of staring down nuclear Armageddon," she said. Chinas Growing Nuclear Arsenal Aims To Break Us Alliances And Dominate Asia, Report Warns Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heinrichs argued the chief threat is not the number of nuclear warheads a nation possesses, but in how they threaten to employ their capabilities. "I think that whenever there is a threat of nuclear use, it's because adversaries, authoritarian countries, in particular Russia, is threatening to use nuclear weapons to invade another country. And that's where the greatest risk of deterrence failure is," she said. "It's not because of the sheer number of nuclear weapons." Heinrichs said Russia is lowering the nuclear threshold by routinely threatening to employ nuclear weapons in a move to coerce Western nations to capitulate to their demands, as in the case of capturing territory in Ukraine and attempting to deny it NATO access. Instead, she argued that the U.S. and its allies need to improve their deterrence by not only staying on top of their capabilities but expanding their nuclear reach in regions like the Indo-Pacific. A rocket launches from missile system from the Plesetsk facility in northwestern Russia on Dec. 9, 2020. "The answer is not to be so afraid of it or alarmed that you capitulate, because you're only going to beget more nuclear coercion if you do that," she said. "The answer is to prudently, carefully communicate to the Russians they are not going to succeed through nuclear coercion, that the United States also has credible response options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We also have nuclear weapons, and we have credible and proportional responses, and so they shouldn't go down that path," Heinrichs said. "That's how we maintain the nuclear peace. That's how we deter conflict. And that's how we ensure that a nuclear weapon is not used." Original article source: Russia and China tick Doomsday Clock toward midnight as Hiroshima bombing hits 80 years On the night of 5-6 August, Russia launched a targeted drone strike on a gas transmission system (GTS) compressor station managed by Ukraines gas transmission operator near the Ukrainian-Romanian border in Odesa Oblast. Source: Ukraines Ministry of Energy Details: The ministry reported that the targeted facility is part of a route connecting Greek liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminals with Ukrainian gas storage sites via the Trans-Balkan pipeline. This corridor has been used to deliver US LNG and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The equipment that supports these supplies was attacked by dozens of strike drones overnight. Quote from Energy Minister Svitlana Hrynchuk: "The large-scale Russian drone attack on the key compressor station of the Trans-Balkan route shows that Moscow will use all available means and leverage to destroy the energy independence of Europeans and alternative gas supply routes. If the Russians are allowed to strike our energy infrastructure and gas routes without facing consequences, no infrastructure facility in Europe will be safe." Background: The Izmail District State Administration reported that Russia attacked civilian infrastructure again on the night of 5-6 August. There were no casualties or damage to residential buildings. Oleh Kiper, Head of Odesa Oblast Military Administration, confirmed damage to gas infrastructure. A fire broke out at the site but was extinguished by firefighters at 07:25. Emergency crews are working to release gas from the system. The fire destroyed production equipment, and due to the damage to a trunk pipeline, the gas supply has been temporarily cut off for 2,500 households. An air-raid warning was also issued in Romanias Tulcea County, located on the Danube River, as the Russian air attack on southern Odesa Oblast was visible from both Romanian and Moldovan territory. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The incident occurred "with the acquiescence of Israeli military personnel, who were present at the scene and did not attempt to stop the attackers' aggressive actions." Russia lodged a formal protest to Israel following an alleged attack on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near the settlement of Givat Assaf near Jerusalem, according to a statement issued by the Russian foreign ministry. "On July 30, a vehicle of the Russian Federation's mission to the Palestinian National Authority, bearing diplomatic license plates and carrying personnel of the Russian diplomatic mission accredited by Israel's Foreign Ministry, was attacked near the illegal Israeli settlement of Givat Assaf, near Jerusalem, by a group of settlers," Russia's foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement. Sweden expels five Russian diplomats, ministry says (credit: REUTERS) Russian officials alleged the IDF did not assist The incident occurred "with the acquiescence of Israeli military personnel, who were present at the scene and did not attempt to stop the attackers' aggressive actions", she added. Reuters was not able to independently verify the Russian foreign ministry's report. Zakharova said the Russian embassy in Tel Aviv had submitted an official demarche to Israeli authorities. Moscow has lodged a formal complaint with Israel over an attack by Israeli settlers on a Russian diplomatic vehicle near an illegal settlement in the occupied West Bank. Russias Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement on Tuesday that Moscow considered the attack a gross violation of the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961, and expressed bewilderment and disapproval that the attack occurred with the connivance of Israeli military personnel. According to Zakharova, the vehicle belonging to Russias representation to the Palestinian Authority (PA) and bearing diplomatic registration plates was attacked on July 30 near the illegal Israeli settlement of Givat Asaf, located east of Ramallah and some 20km (12 miles) north of Jerusalem, by a group of settlers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The vehicle sustained mechanical damage. The attack was accompanied by verbal threats directed at the Russian diplomats, the spokeswoman said, adding that Israeli soldiers present did not even bother to stop the aggressive actions of the attackers. According to reports in Russian media, the vehicle came under attack while carrying members of Russias diplomatic mission to the PA, who are also accredited with Israels Foreign Ministry. The Russian Embassy in Tel Aviv has sent a demarche letter to Israeli authorities, Zakharova added. Russias first deputy permanent representative to the United Nations, Dmitry Polyansky, raised the attack on the diplomatic vehicle at a UN Security Council session on Tuesday focused on Israeli captives in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Polyansky said the attack on Russias vehicle in the occupied West Bank comes at a time when Israeli authorities have embraced the policy of cleansing and colonising the Palestinian territory. It is ordinary Palestinians and even foreigners who every day become victims of relentless raids by security forces and settler violence, Russias UN representative said. The attack on an official vehicle of the Russian Mission to the Palestinian Authority was carried out under the lenient eye of the Israeli military, he said. It is clear that a systematic policy of exiling Palestinians whether from the Gaza Strip or the West Bank is fraught with new risks and dangers for stability and security in the Middle East and could once again bring the region to the brink of a major war, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Violent attacks by Israeli settlers and soldiers in the occupied West Bank have surged since October 2023, with the UN reporting that almost 650 Palestinians including 121 children have been killed in the territory by Israeli forces and settlers between January 1, 2024 and the start of July 2025. A further 5,269 Palestinians were injured during that period, including 1,029 children. Settler attacks alone accounted for more than 2,200 casualties and cases of damage to property, the UN said. A senior U.S. official said sanctions on Russias key trading partners are expected to go into effect on Friday, after President Trumps special mission envoy Steve Witkoff met Wednesday with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Trump said Wednesday afternoon that Witkoff and Putin had a highly productive meeting, claiming that great progress was made. The senior official said the talks between Witkoff and Putin in Moscow, their fifth meeting since Trump came back into office, went well and lasted about three hours. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday, the official said on Wednesday, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss diplomatic talks. Trump said in mid-July that Russia could face severe tariffs if it did not agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine within the next two months. The president said at the time he would slap a 100 percent secondary tariff on countries that do business with the Kremlin, including those that buy Russian oil and gas. Trump shortened the deadline to Friday, adding he was unsure if the sanctions would deal a great blow to the Russian economy. I dont know that sanctions bother him [Putin]. You know? They know about sanctions. I know better than anybody about sanctions, and tariffs and everything else. I dont know if that has any effect. But were going to do it, Trump said on July 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The presidents Wednesday post about the Putin-Witkoff meeting did not mention sanctions or tariffs. Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, the president wrote Wednesday. The president penned an executive order Wednesday increasing tariffs on India by 25 percent because of its purchases of Russian oil. The new import tax total is at 50 percent. The levy is set to go into effect in three weeks. Theyre buying Russian oil, theyre fueling the war machine, Trump said during a Tuesday interview with CNBC. India has pushed back, saying that buying Russian oil was a necessity to stabilize energy costs in the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) have spearheaded a major sanctions bill against Russia, garnering more than 85 co-sponsors in the Senate. The bill would institute a 500 percent tariff on imports from nations that buy Russian oil, gas and uranium. Senators left for the August recess without advancing the legislation. 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 said last week. Putins envoy for investment and economic cooperation, Kirill Dmitriev, said Witkoffs meeting with Russian officials was constructive, adding the U.S.-Russia dialogue would continue and is critical for global security and peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our side has forwarded some signals, in particular on the Ukrainian issue and corresponding signals were received from President Trump, Putins foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said after the meeting, according to Russian state media. Trump, who has long called for the nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Eastern Europe to end, has been expressing his frustration with Putin in recent weeks, demanding the Russian leader halt the attacks, often on civilian areas. Overnight, Russias military struck a recreational center in the Zaporizhzhia region, where at least two people have been confirmed dead, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. No matter what the Kremlin says, they will only genuinely seek to end the war once they feel adequate pressure. And right now, it is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe, and the G7 so that a ceasefire truly comes into effect immediately, Zelensky, who talked to Trump on Tuesday, said on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Three civilians were injured in a Russian airstrike on Kupiansk and a drone strike on the village of Borova in Kharkiv Oblast on 6 August. Source: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office Details: Investigation shows that at around 10:30 on 6 August, Russian forces attacked the city of Kupiansk. Two men aged 45 and 55 were injured. In addition, in the afternoon, a Russian attack drone, probably of the Molniya type, attacked the village of Borova. An 86-year-old woman was injured in the explosion, and a house and a car were damaged. Drone debris Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Kharkiv Oblast Prosecutor's Office The Prosecutor's Office opened criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war (Article 438.1 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A man has died in hospital after being injured in a Russian strike on Kyiv on 31 July, bringing the death toll from that attack to 32. Source: Tymur Tkachenko, Head of Kyiv City Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "A man who suffered a severe neck injury due to the Russian attack on 31 July has died in hospital." Details: Tkachenko confirmed that the death toll from the strike has now reached 32. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Background: On the night of 30-31 July, Russian forces attacked Kyiv with drones and missiles. The Russian missile and drone strike affected 27 locations across four districts of the capital. Previous reports stated that 31 people had been killed, including five children, and 159 others had been injured, including 16 children. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Russian attacks across Ukraine killed at least seven civilians and injured at least 37 over the past day, including children, regional authorities reported on Aug. 6. The energy grid in the Odesa and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts was targeted in what Ukraine called a blow to its preparation for the winter months. Russia launched 45 Shahed-type attack drones and decoy drones against Ukraine overnight. Thirty-six were intercepted, while nine drones hit three different locations, and downed debris was recorded in another area, the Air Force reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia attacked a resort in the Zaporizhzhia district, killing two people and injuring 12, including at least four children, Zaporizhzhia Oblast Governor Ivan Fedorov said. Nine people, including two children, have been hospitalized, he added. Two men aged 59 and 53 were also killed when a Russian first-person-view (FPV) drone hit a house in the Stepnohirsk community, Fedorov said. Four people were injured in Russian attacks against Dnipropetrovsk Oblast, according to Governor Serhii Lysak. Two women aged 47 and 72 and a 38-year-old man were wounded during drone and artillery strikes against the Nikopol district. Seven houses, a gas pipeline, and a power line were damaged. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A 64-year-old man was injured in Russian drone attacks against the Synelnykove district, which also damaged a house, a car, and a power line. In Donetsk Oblast, one person was killed and seven were injured over the past day, said the regional governor, Vadym Filashkin. This included one person killed and three injured in the town of Pokrovsk, three injured in the town of Kostiantynivka, and one injured in the village of Zarichne. Right now in the Zaporizhzhia district, our medics and first responders are helping those wounded in a Russian strike on an ordinary recreation center. Twelve people have been injured. As of now, sadly, two people are confirmed dead. My condolences to their families and loved pic.twitter.com/xdFzL1kFfD Volodymyr Zelenskyy / (@ZelenskyyUa) August 6, 2025 A 20-year-old woman was injured in Kharkiv after Russia launched drone attacks and air strikes against the city and five other towns and villages in Kharkiv Oblast, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said. Eight people were injured during Russian attacks against Kherson Oblast, and eight houses were damaged, according to Governor Oleksandr Prokudin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Sumy Oblast, two people were killed and five were injured over the past day, the regional military administration reported. Two men aged 54 and 55 were killed, and another four men were injured during a Russian missile strike near the city of Sumy. A 77-year-old man was also injured during a Russian drone attack in the Esman community, according to officials. In Odesa Oblast, Russian drones struck the Izmail district, a southern part of the region near the Romanian border where the Danube River port infrastructure is based. Gas infrastructure was damaged, resulting in a fire that was extinguished at 7:25 a.m. As a result, around 2,500 consumers were left without gas, Governor Oleh Kiper said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Energy Ministry said the strike targeted a compressor station of Ukraine's Gas Transmission System Operator near the Ukrainian-Romanian border. The station is part of a route connecting Ukrainian gas facilities with Greek liquified natural gas (LNG) terminals via the Trans-Balkan pipeline, which has already been used to ship U.S. and Azerbaijani gas. "Last night, the equipment ensuring these supplies was attacked by dozens of strike drones," the ministry said, calling it a strike "exclusively on civilian infrastructure, targeting the energy sector as well as relations with Azerbaijan and the U.S., and partners in Europe." In response to the attack, Romanian authorities issued an emergency warning to the population in the border areas and scrambled two F-16 fighter jets, a common precaution during Russian aerial strikes near NATO borders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season absolutely cynical, like every Russian strike on our energy infrastructure," President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine's energy grid during the full-scale war, often resulting in blackouts and emergency shutdowns. "No matter what the Kremlin says, they will only genuinely seek to end the war once they feel adequate pressure," Zelensky said as U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow to discuss a path toward ending the war. The Kremlin requested the meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy in a last-ditch effort to avoid the punishing new sanctions Trump has threatened to impose this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And right now, it is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe, and the G7 so that a ceasefire truly comes into effect immediately," the Ukrainian president added. Read also: Russia considers air truce proposal to Trump without ending war, Bloomberg says Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Mark Trevelyan (Reuters) -The Russian and Chinese navies have practiced hunting and destroying an enemy submarine in the Sea of Japan, Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday, days after U.S. President Donald Trump said he had moved two U.S. nuclear subs closer to Russia. Russia said the exercise involved Chinese Y-8 anti-submarine aircraft and Il-38 planes from Russia's Pacific Fleet, as well as helicopter crews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "As a result of effective joint actions, the 'enemy' submarine was promptly detected and mock-destroyed," the defence ministry said. "After practicing anti-submarine tasks, the crews of the Russian and Chinese ships thanked each other for their fruitful work." Trump said his submarine order last Friday was made in response to what he called "highly provocative" remarks by former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev about the risk of war between the nuclear-armed adversaries. The Kremlin this week played down the significance of Trump's announcement, saying U.S. submarines are on constant combat duty anyway, and said that "everyone should be very, very careful with nuclear rhetoric". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The episode came at a delicate moment, with Trump threatening to impose new sanctions on Russia and buyers of its oil, including India and China, unless President Vladimir Putin agrees by Friday to end the 3-1/2-year war in Ukraine. The anti-submarine exercise was part of a wider series of Russian-Chinese naval drills over the past week. The two countries, 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. (Reporting by ReutersEditing by Alexandra Hudson) Russian businesses dealing with money or valuable property will now be required to conduct more thorough checks of their clients. Source: Russian newspaper Kommersant Details: The requirement concerns not only possible involvement in money laundering and terrorism but also in the financing of extremist activities. This obligation is set out in a new government decree that will come into force on 9 August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It applies to telecommunications operators, payment services, gambling platforms, as well as legal entities involved in transactions of property, precious metals and jewellery. All of them are required to have internal monitoring rules defining procedures for identifying and tracking suspicious transactions. These rules include, for example, identifying clients, assigning them risk categories, analysing unusual activity, and then transferring this information to the Federal Financial Monitoring Service of Russia. Background: Russia is actively working on creating its own digital environment, controlling key aspects of its citizens online activity through a new "super app" called Max. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! At last there are signs that Donald Trump means business in his dealings with Vladimir Putin. The US president has delivered an ultimatum, warning that Russia poses an unusual and extraordinary threat to the US, while hitting India Russias biggest oil customer with secondary sanctions. Talks in the Kremlin between Mr Putin and Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps envoy, have fuelled speculation about a possible truce in the war with Ukraine. However, so far nothing concrete has emerged and Mr Trumps mercurial character adds an extra element of uncertainty to this game of diplomatic poker. He has given the Russians until Friday to agree to an unconditional ceasefire. More important has been the presidents decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India, on top of the 25 per cent levy already imposed last week. It is a major blow to Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, not only because his country is having to pay a much higher rate than other Asian countries, but because his personal relationship with the president had been hailed as an unusually cordial one. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May, however, Mr Modi showed insufficient gratitude for Mr Trumps role in brokering an end to the armed confrontation with Pakistan. The US president, notoriously transactional in relationships with foreign leaders, is proving to be unsentimental in penalising India for enabling the Russian war effort to continue. The subcontinental superpowers imports of Moscows crude oil fill Putins coffers to the tune of 41bn annually. Choking off this lucrative source of revenue for the Kremlin could open up a real chance of peace in Ukraine. Where, though, is Europe in all this? The answer, shamefully, is nowhere. The EU is still importing Russian oil and gas on a large scale. Last year, these imports contributed almost 20bn to Moscows war machine a figure that easily exceeded EU financial aid to Ukraine. Meanwhile, the Labour Government has killed off our North Sea energy industry in the name of net zero. According to Downing Street, it is better to pay a premium to import fossil fuels than to produce them ourselves. Nor must anything be said or done to risk the new era of Anglo-Indian trade and investment ushered in by Mr Modis visit last month. While Ukrainian civilians continue to die in ever greater numbers from Russian bombardment, Europe and the UK are turning a blind eye to the dirty money that is financing this dirty war. It is time for Sir Keir Starmer to follow the American lead, set an example to Europe, and get tough with Putins enablers. 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 luxurious superyacht seized by the US authorities from sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov is headed to the auction block. The 348-foot (106-metre) Amadea has a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon and eight staterooms that can accommodate 16 guests, according to amadeaauction.com. The yacht, which has been valued at more than $300 million, was seized from the Russian oligarch in Fiji in April 2022 and is currently berthed in San Diego, California. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The auction is being held by National Maritime Services, a Fort Lauderdale, Florida, company. Sealed bids are being accepted until September 10 and require a $10 million initial bid deposit. The yacht is headed to the auction block after a US judge in March dismissed a competing claim to ownership of the vessel. Another wealthy Russian, Eduard Khudainatov, the former head of Russian state oil and gas company Rosneft, claimed in a New York court to be the rightful owner of the Amadea but his claim was dismissed by District Judge Dale Ho. According to prosecutors, Khudainatov was a "straw owner" of the Amadea and the true owner was Kerimov, a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin who was sanctioned by the United States in 2018 and again in 2022 after the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the invasion, the Justice Department under then-president Joe Biden began seizing the assets of Russian oligarchs close to Putin, an operation known as Task Force KleptoCapture. President Donald Trump disbanded the task force after taking office. The US Congress passed legislation last year that allows for the sale of seized Russian assets, with the proceeds going to provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine. cl/st (Reuters) -Russian artillery shelling killed three people and injured four on Wednesday in the southeastern Ukrainian town of Nikopol, the regional governor said. Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk region, said two men and a woman died in the attack. Nikopol, lying on the Ukrainian-held north side of the Dnipro River in the region, frequently comes under Russian attack. The RBK-Ukraine media outlet said the strike hit a car belonging to the state emergency services and one of the victims killed was an emergency worker. (Reporting by Ron Popeski and Oleksandr Kozhukhar; Editing by Sandra Maler) A Russian soldier shot and killed a civilian attempting to evacuate from the village of Udachne in Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine's Prosecutor General's Office said on Aug 6. The agency has opened a war crimes investigation, marking the third recorded case this year of Russian forces killing civilians in Donetsk Oblast. According to the prosecutors, a video shared on an unnamed Telegram channel shows a civilian walking along the roadside with a suitcase of personal belongings when he was gunned down. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "A Russian Armed Forces serviceman cynically opened fire from an ambush set up in a ruined building and killed the passerby with an automatic weapon," the statement reads. The man was reportedly trying to leave Udachne, a front-line village located 12 kilometers (7 miles) west of the besieged town of Pokrovsk. Authorities said the killing has been officially entered into the Unified Register of Pre-trial Investigations under charges related to war crimes resulting in death. Investigators are working to determine all circumstances of the incident and to identify the soldier involved. Donetsk Oblast has remained one of the most active combat zones since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in 2022. Civilian evacuations from contested or occupied areas remain extremely dangerous, with Russian forces repeatedly accused of targeting non-combatants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine and its international partners have documented numerous cases of alleged war crimes by Russian forces, including unlawful killings, torture, and the targeting of civilian infrastructure. Read also: Humanitarian crisis in Kherson escalates but Russian river crossing remains unrealistic Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The first echelon of Russian troops and military equipment arrived in Belarus on Aug. 6 to prepare for the upcoming Zapad-2025 joint military exercises, the Belarusian Defense Ministry announced. Kyiv and NATO have expressed concern that Zapad-2025 could be used as cover for renewed aggression, as Russia continues its war against Ukraine while Belarus remains a potential staging ground. The drills, expected to be held in mid-September, are among the largest in the Russia-Belarus military calendar. While the Belarusian Defense Ministry confirmed "over 13,000 participants," NATO estimates suggest that the drills may involve as many as 150,000 troops. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials have not disclosed the specific location of the arriving Russian forces. "We plan to practice new forms and methods of application of ground forces based on the analysis of recent modern military conflicts," said Pavel Shebeko, deputy commander of the Belarusian North-West Operational Command. Belarusian and Russian forces are now in the final preparation phase ahead of the drills. A photo released by Minsk shows the newly arrived Russian soldiers with their faces obscured. Following Zapad-2021, Belarus and Russia conducted the "Union Resolve-2022" exercise, which directly preceded and facilitated the Kremlin's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Russian troops who remained in Belarus after the drills joined the assault from Belarusian territory on Feb. 24, 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Volodymyr Zelensky warned in February that Moscow intended to deploy as many as 150,000 troops to Belarus equivalent to 15 divisions. While Belarus has not sent its own troops into combat in Ukraine, it has provided critical logistical and operational support to Russia, including allowing missile launches from its territory and training Russian conscripts on Belarusian bases. Belarusian Deputy Defense Minister Pavel Muraveika previously said the drills would be held away from the western frontier to ease tensions, but on July 23, Minsk signaled a possible reversal, citing what it called growing military activity by Poland and Lithuania. Read also: Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Russian forces attacked the Nikopol and Synelnykove districts in Dnipropetrovsk Oblast on the night of 5-6 August, damaging business premises, a house and infrastructure. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration, on Telegram Quote: "The aggressor continued attacking the Nikopol district with drones and artillery. They targeted Nikopol itself as well as the Pokrovske and Marhanets hromadas. A house caught fire, which firefighters extinguished. Business premises and infrastructure were also damaged." [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: The Russians used drones to attack the Mezhova hromada in the Synelnykove district. A fire broke out there as well, which has since been put out. Infrastructure was damaged. No casualties have been reported. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! A 38-year-old man has been killed as a result of a Russian FPV drone strike on a residential area in Stepnohirsk, Zaporizhzhia Oblast. Source: Ivan Fedorov, Head of Zaporizhzhia Oblast Military Administration Details: Fedorov said that the Russians attacked a residential area in the village with a drone. The attack damaged a house, killing a man on the spot. Background: Two people were killed and 12 others, including children, were injured in a Russian strike on the Zaporizhzhia district on the morning of 6 August. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Rwandan leaders said Tuesday the country would accept 250 deportees from the United States as the Trump administration continues its crackdown on illegal immigration. Those approved (for resettlement in Rwanda) will be provided with workforce training, healthcare, and accommodation support to jumpstart their lives in Rwanda, giving them the opportunity to contribute to one of the fastest-growing economies in the world over the last decade, Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press. A White House official said the deal is an opportunity to remain constantly engaged in diplomatic conversations with foreign nations who are willing to assist us in removing the illegal aliens, which has remained a top objective for President Trump since he entered the Oval Office in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agreement with Rwanda was originally signed in June, and officials have already identified 10 people to be vetted for removal, Reuters reported. Since the start of President Trumps second administration, migrants have been deported to multiple third-party countries, including Eswatini, Djibouti and South Sudan. Others were sent to El Salvadors CECOT prison, where inmates have alleged human rights violations are occurring. Immigrant advocates have raised concerns with U.S. deportees being removed to Rwanda amid their ongoing conflict with Congo. Trump has been involved in conversations to end that conflict and announced that his administration brokered a peace deal between the two countries in June. But leaders urged the president to stay committed to enforcing the agreement not long after it was adopted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some say Rwandas new deal to receive immigrants will deepen its ties to Washington. This agreement enhances Rwandas strategic interest of having good relationships with the Trump administration, Gonzaga Muganwa, a Rwandan political analyst, told AP. He said, appeasing President Trump pays. Rwanda was globally spotlighted in 1994 after a genocidal conflict left 800,000 dead in the country. Decades later, its leaders agreed to begin accepting deportees from Europe in 2017 and the United Kingdom in 2022. The U.K. agreement went sour after Prime Minister Keir Starmer was elected and legal challenges were brought against the policy. The shift cost the countrys government around $900 million in public money, including approximately $300 million in payments to Rwanda per the AP. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Rwanda agreed to take as many as 250 migrants deported from the US, part of efforts across the continent to placate Washington in the face of tariff threats and travel bans. Eswatini and South Sudan have reached similar deals with the Trump administration, while several other nations have offered commodities access in exchange for preferential treatment from Washington. However, US President Donald Trumps threats risk pushing the continent to deepen ties with China Africas biggest trading partner the European Union, and Gulf nations. As viable alternatives to the US emerge, countries in Africa are no longer willing to act as subcontractors, Foreign Policy wrote. Rwanda agreed a deal to receive people deported from the US, beginning with an initial target of 250 deportees that can be increased by mutual consent, Reuters reported. A Rwandan government spokesperson said the East African country will be able to approve each resettlement case, and will provide workforce training, health care, and accommodation for the deportees to settle in the country. Under the deal signed in June, the US will pay Rwanda in the form of a grant, the value of which is unknown. Child sex offenders will not be part of the agreement, nor will people with unfinished or outstanding prison sentences. The deportation deal makes Rwanda an example of the safe third country concept that the Trump administration has pressed African nations to accept, in exchange for leniency on proposed visa restrictions. Rwanda in recent weeks also signed a peace deal with DR Congo that was brokered by the US. As deputies investigate what was on state schools Superintendent Ryan Walters' TV during a closed meeting of the Oklahoma State Board of Education, an influential state lawmaker thinks he found the answer. House Speaker Kyle Hilbert, a Republican from Bristow, said Tuesday, Aug. 5, that he believes the 1985 Jackie Chan film "The Protector" was playing. Hilbert said a Samsung TV channel was showing the movie July 24, at the same time two board members said they saw naked women on the TV. If "The Protector" was what they saw, it remains unknown who turned on the TV and why the movie was playing during the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The two board members who reported the images, Becky Carson and Ryan Deatherage, have not said whether "The Protector" matches up with what they saw. Walters has accused Carson and Deatherage of lying and denied having control over the TV or its content. The Oklahoman watched "The Protector" to see how it lines up with board members' accounts. Here's what we found: What is in Jackie Chan film 'The Protector?' In "The Protector," Chan plays a young police detective who travels to Hong Kong on a mission to rescue a woman who was kidnapped. Hes joined by a fellow detective played by Danny Aiello. In one scene, Chan and Aiello go to a spa. Each man pairs up with a female masseuse. The men begin to get situated onto their respective massage tables, which are separated by a red beaded curtain. A third woman walks into Aiellos room, kisses him and strips off her clothes. She then lays on a rolling bench and slides beneath Aiellos massage table. Chan realizes the ruse is a setup to kill him and his partner. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 30 minutes later in the movie, a scene shows a shift change at a drug operation targeted by Chan. Some workers exit the operation nude, then put on what appear to be white lab coats. Other workers arrive in a van, then take off their white coats, wearing nothing except for white sneakers. They then climb a ladder in the background as two male characters, including one wearing a shirt, tie and white lab coat, talk in the foreground. What did board members say they saw on the TV? In his initial description of what he saw in the meeting, Ryan Deatherage said there appeared to possibly be a chiropractic table with the naked women, which would align with the massage tables in one scene of the movie. He also described seeing naked women walking back and forth, which could match the later scene. Carson described seeing multiple nude women, which the later scene also depicts. Carson previously told The Oklahoman the images caught her eye during the meeting. And I was like, Those are naked women, she said. "And then I was like, No, wait a minute. Those arent naked, surely those arent naked women. Something is playing a trick on my eye. Maybe they just have on tan body suits. This is just really bizarre. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I saw them just walking across the screen, and Im like, no. Im sorry I even have to use this language, but Im like, Those are her nipples. And then Im like, Thats pubic hair. What in the world am I watching? I didnt watch a second longer. I was so disturbed by it, I was like, What is on your TV? I was very stern, like Id been a mother or a classroom teacher. And I said, What am I watching? Turn it off now! Both Carson and Deatherage described what they saw as something older. The Protector was released in 1985, 40 years ago. All four board members who attended the meeting said Walters appeared flustered as he fumbled with a remote control in an attempt to turn off the television. What did Ryan Walters say he saw on the TV? Hilbert said Walters told him on July 26 that he saw a white lab coat and thought he saw "a doctor and a nurse" when he went to turn off the television. That account appears to conflict with Walters' public remarks. Walters has denied knowing what was on the TV or having any responsibility for what was shown. He has deflected questions about whether the TV was connected to the internet and described it multiple times as a "cable TV." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Oklahoma County Sheriff's Office investigation into the incident is ongoing. This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Were 'The Protector' nudity scenes on Ryan Walters' TV? What to know Saar said the right things, but in a world where Hamass word is often trusted and Israels is doubted, there's no guarantee it will matter. Foreign Minister Gideon Saar did what many in Israel have been urging their leaders to do for months: go on the offensive. Speak out. Push back. Shift the narrative. On Tuesday, he addressed the United Nations Security Council at a meeting that Israel arranged, with the help of the US and Panama, following the weekends harrowing videos of emaciated hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Davids brother, Ilay, addressed the Security Council as well via a video hookup. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The timing was deliberate. Israel is being battered on the diplomatic stage, overwhelmed by a wave of recognitions of a Palestinian state and vilified in global media coverage shaped by images some manipulated of starving Gazans. Saars speech was brief, biting, and unapologetic. But in this upside-down world words Saar used repeatedly in both his speech and a brief statement to the press beforehand even the most cogent arguments and harrowing evidence may not be enough to pierce through entrenched preconceptions. FOREIGN MINISTER Gideon Saar speaks at the Muni Expo 2025 conference in Tel Aviv earlier this month. After Hamas praised the statement of 28 foreign ministers, Saar retorted: If a terrorist organization embraces you, you are in the wrong place. (credit: AVSHALOM SASSONI/FLASH90) Israels efforts to regain control of the narrative have intensified in recent weeks witness the surge of humanitarian aid to Gaza. To augment this, Saar has increased his presence before the international media, having given two press conferences to the foreign press in Jerusalem in the last two weeks. Strong message but muted impact At the UN, he tried to force the world to confront a moral inversion in which Hamas is treated as a legitimate actor and Israel as the villain. The message was strong. The impact, however, more muted. Those who criticize Israels public diplomacy effort and there is much to criticize often do so with unrealistic expectations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They assume that it is a magic bullet, that the right speech, delivered at the right moment by the right figure in the right manner, will suddenly and dramatically change everything it wont. In an international environment where assumptions have already hardened and blame has been preassigned, even the most poignant testimony or shocking images may not move the needle. Simply speaking the truth or showing the truth doesnt mean it will be heard. Thats one of the harsh lessons of this war. Still, Saar tried. And in trying, he did something Israel hasnt done successfully enough during this war: frame its case unapologetically on moral terms. On October 7, Hamas invaded with no reason into Israel, he said, reminding the world of something it incredulously still needs to be reminded ofhaving long since lost the thread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It committed evil crimes like the Nazis and ISIS did. They murdered and raped women, killed children in front of their parents, and parents in front of their children. They beheaded people. Burned whole families alive. Took 251 hostages into cruel captivity. Fifty of them are still there. Starved and tortured. Saar invoked not just the atrocities of October 7, but the horror of the present: hostages still being tortured, still being starved, and still being held for leverage. He described it as a sadistic propaganda strategy that uses the deliberate starvation of Israelis to deflect from Hamass own responsibility for Palestinian suffering. Silence of the UN, international media And then he pointed to the silence. The deafening silence of the UN Secretary-General. The silence of much of the international media. I read The New York Times the day after Hamas released the distorted video of Evyatar David, Saar said. I looked, but could not find Evyatar on the front page. And then I couldnt find his picture in all of the paper. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That, Saar argued, is the problem. The world has been turned upside down, he said. While Hamas runs its propaganda machine, a huge part of the international media is both ignoring the truth and buying its lies. This was a speech as much about the international community as it was about the enemy. Saar accused the world of shifting responsibility from the kidnappers and rapists to the attacked country. He didnt try to finesse the argument. He demanded outrage, directed at Hamas, not at Israel. And he warned that what is happening to Israel today could happen to others tomorrow. AND YET, for all the force of the speech and the righteous anger behind it the story of this moment may be less about what Saar said and more about how little it echoed. A Google search of Saars UN address turns up dozens of results from Israeli and Jewish sites. But in the global media? A trickle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times buried the story nine pages deep under the headline: Israel, Facing Anger Over Starvation in Gaza, Tries to Shift the Focus. The implication: not that Israel was right to raise the plight of hostages, but that it was attempting to slyly deflect attention. That framing says as much about the world Israel is now operating in as it does about the speech itself. The Reuters write-up of the UN session barely mentioned David, instead highlighting warnings about an Israeli expansion of operations in Gaza. In a media landscape where images of Gazas hunger dominate, and where political actors in Europe and beyond are jockeying to recognize a Palestinian state, Saars message competes with a narrative that has already been cast in cement. But that he is now more aggressively challenging that narrative is a welcome shift in tone and tactics. Focusing on Hamas's propaganda tactics For much of this war, Israel has been reactive, pushing back against criticism and defending itself against accusations. Saar flipped the script. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of defending Israels military campaign, Saar zeroed in on Hamass ongoing atrocities, particularly the starvation and torture of hostages like David and Braslavski. Instead of explaining Israels humanitarian efforts in abstract terms, he contrasted the well-fed bodies of terrorists with the skeletal frames of their victims evidence not just of cruelty, but of a propaganda strategy built on human suffering. Instead of engaging in a legalistic debate about proportionality or ceasefire frameworks, he indicted the international community for what he called free gifts to Hamas: recognition of a virtual Palestinian state, pressure on Israel, and silence in the face of hostage abuse. Instead of calling for understanding, he called for accountability not only from Hamas, but from the countries and institutions that, in his words, prolonged the war by directing their pressure at Israel rather than the terror group responsible for starting it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead of treating the conflict as a tragic clash between two warring sides, he insisted on moral clarity: Hamas began the war. Hamas is continuing it. And Hamas, not Israel, is to blame for the suffering on both sides. This is a model Israel needs to lean into more, not because it will automatically change minds, but because it reframes the conversation on moral grounds. And moral clarity is what is needed here, and what the international community has lost. But lets be realistic, clarity isnt always enough. Even the most morally unambiguous message can fall flat in a world thats already made up its mind. Even the most shocking images can be overlooked if they dont fit the prevailing narrative. And thats what makes this moment so frustrating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Saar did the right thing. He said the right things. He spoke clearly and forcefully and without hedging. But in an upside-down world, where Hamass word is often given the benefit of the doubt and Israels is constantly questioned and second-guessed, there are no guarantees that any of it will matter. But that doesnt mean Israel should stop speaking. If anything, it should speak louder. More often. More clearly. And, like Saar did this week, with unwavering moral confidence. CHICAGO (WGN) Community members are blasting Chicago Public Schools decision to stop paying for crossing guards near private schools. The same family has owned S&G Restaurant at the six-corner intersection of Lincoln, Southport and Wellington since 1957. The owners have watched generations of children, ranging from preschool through eighth grade, walk past the restaurant to school Alphonsus Academy and Center for the Arts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As long as I remember, theres always been a crossing guard here, Frances Kontos, owner of S&G Restaurant, said. CPS budget draft due in 10 days; budget shortfall exceeds $700 million However, that will no longer be the case when her grandson starts school at Alphonsus is a couple of weeks. CPS said it cut 102 crossing guard positions; 33 of them primarily serve private schools like Alphonsus, while the rest of them worked at intersections that ranked lowest in safety risk and had multiple crossing guards or nearby Safe Passage routes. As you can see, this intersection is insane. I dont understand how they can justify not having a crossing guard here, Kontos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CPS is facing a budget shortfall of $735 million. The district told WGN-TV in a statement it took on the crossing guard program from the city in 2021, and continued supporting private schools. Chicago Public Schools lays off over 1,400 staff members, including hundreds of teachers Given the gravity of the current budget crisis, CPS can no longer sustain that level of service to non-CPS students, though we still service 35 intersections that support both CPS and a private school, a CPS spokesperson said. Rev. Steven Bauer, pastor at St. Alphonsus, said the decision has sent schools scrambling to figure out a solution days before the start of the new year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added cuts are a safety risk. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Its a small sliver of this giant budget that CPS has and so if theyre looking to trim budgets and cut things, the safety of children is not the place to do it. Bauer said. The school district said no CPS school will lose its crossing guard program. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. WEST SPRINGFIELD Railroad company CSX has agreed to fund major safety upgrades at the Memorial Avenue rail crossing in West Springfield a site where trains carrying propane have relied on flares and manual traffic control to cross four lanes of traffic. The upgrades follow sustained pressure from local and state officials, rail workers, and union leaders who flagged the crossings outdated safety measures as a growing threat, said Trevor Wood, West Springfields public works director, in a press release. According to Woods, local rail workers and Local 352 of the International Association of Sheet Metal, Air, Rail and Transportation Workers have raised concerns about the lack of safety infrastructure at the Memorial Avenue crossing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These outdated and dangerous procedures, paired with limited signage and no physical barriers, led to numerous close calls and a growing sense of urgency, Woods said in the statement. The project will add brighter red flashing lights, early warning signals for motorists and new fencing. Construction will start this fall after The Big E ends, with signal work planned for spring 2026. The whole project should be finished by the end of next year, the statement said. These changes are a step forward for keeping residents, workers and visitors safe, Mayor William Reichelt said in a statement Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Together with the MassDOT overhaul of Memorial Avenue, this project will transform the entire corridor and deliver long-term safety and traffic benefits for West Springfield, Reichelt said. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. An EMT from Salem is facing charges after allegedly being connected to an international online group dedicated to sharing child porn, prosecutors say. Connor McAuliffe, 34, was allegedly identified as a suspect after an investigation by the South African Police Service in Pretoria in January of this year uncovered a large-scale private encrypted messaging group dedicated to sharing child sexual abuse materials, according to US District of Massachusetts Attorney Leah B. Foley. It was eventually determined that McAuliffe was a member of at least 14 other large-scale chat groups dedicated to sharing child sexual abuse materials, prosecutors say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McAuliffe was charged with one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Prosecutors say the groups allegedly had titles such as Boys Planet, Boys of Eden, boys video, 10 to 16 years hot boys, and Chicos ninos y adolescentes cp. McAuliffes cellphone was seized during a March 2025 search of his residence. A forensic review of the device allegedly revealed that McAuliffe was a member of around 100 chats on multiple messaging applications dedicated to sharing child porn. Prosecutors say the groups allegedly had titles such as Boys Planet, Boys of Eden, boys video, 10 to 16 years hot boys, and Chicos ninos y adolescentes cp. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A review of the phones media files allegedly revealed that McAuliffe had downloaded and stored approximately 1,500 images and 50 videos depicting child porn. A number of the files allegedly depicted the rape, abuse or exploitation of minor boys who appeared to be around 9 to 11 years old. According to the charging document, McAuliffe currently holds an active paramedic certification with the Massachusetts Office of Health & Human Services and is employed by an emergency services company as an EMT, Foleys office said in a statement. McAuliffe was arrested at his residence Wednesday morning and was ordered detained pending a hearing scheduled for August 12 in Boston federal court. The charge of receipt of child pornography provides for a mandatory minimum sentence of five years and up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. The charge of possession of child pornography provides for a sentence of up to 20 years in prison, at least five years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A San Diego bus driver died at the hospital after experiencing a medical emergency while driving a bus with passengers on board. California Highway Patrol (CHP) responded at 9 a.m. Tuesday to a MTS bus that had crashed on State Route 163, blocking traffic going onto the highway from University Avenue. According to CHP, a 60-year-old MTS bus driver experienced a medical emergency while driving on State Route 163 north in University Heights. The bus veered off the highway, hit a guardrail on the right shoulder and became disabled, blocking the on-ramp from University Avenue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead. His identity is being withheld pending family notification. No injuries were reported among the passengers on board, according to CHP. CHP is investigating the cause and sequence of events of the crash and reports alcohol and/or drugs do not appear to be a factor. Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to call the CHP San Diego Area office at 858-293-6000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Brief A prominent record label is proposing a plan to create a rooftop venue at a historic SF building. The venue would operate atop One Montgomery in the city's Financial District. The historic property is owned by SF-based Empire record label. SAN FRANCISCO - Imagine a vibrant, thumping rooftop concert scene atop a historic building in the heart of San Francisco's Financial District. This vision could become a reality and could transform the vibe of the downtown area, if a proposal by prominent San Francisco music label Empire is approved. What we know Empire has submitted an application to San Francisco Planning for a project which would allow an event venue atop its building at One Montgomery Street, on the corner of Montgomery and Post streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The striking landmark, with its regal Tuscan columns and sprawling street corner real estate, was formerly known as the Wells Fargo building. The property was purchased by Empire earlier this year, reportedly for about $25 million. The renovation application was submitted on Monday, according to the city's planning department, which said it could take a few months to determine if the project is approved. Dig deeper According to the application, Empire is proposing a plan to make the rooftop "available for a flexible range of programming to host public events, community-driven programming and other third party-sponsored activations." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Empire said the rooftop venue would primarily be operated as private space, and the project specifically sought to mitigate security issues by closing off open public access to the roof to allow the space to hold industry events. The document noted the high-profile clientele as part of heightened security concerns. "Continued public access to the roof may result in uncontrollable crowds, threats of violence to individuals and destruction of property," the application explained, adding, "With the removal of public access to the roof, Empire can invest in delivering optimal public and private outcomes." Food and beverage destination In addition to changes to rooftop access, the proposal seeks to make renovations at the street level, creating an area for food and beverage venues that would bring foot traffic to the area and offer an opportunity for the public to access the historic space. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Empire proposes to convert the south banking hall into a full service food and beverage destination," the project description said. "This will give residents and visitors of San Francisco a unique opportunity to enjoy the preserved architecture of the banking hall interior in a modern setting, while supporting restaurant operators and their employees." Architectural history The project acknowledged the historical significance of the building which brought with it responsibilities as well as challenges and limitations. "One Montgomery Street reflects the citys rich architectural and economic history. Following the departure of its last major tenant in 2018, the building has sat vacant for years. Despite its historic significance and central location, the cost and complexity of renovating and repositioning the space for modern uses proved prohibitive for many potential users," the application noted. It went on to say those challenges and regulations to preserve the historical aspects of the building left it unused for many years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One Montgomery Street reflects the citys rich architectural and economic history," the application noted. "Empire acquired One Montgomery with a long-term vision and the capacity to make the substantial capital investment required to bring it back to life." The music company said it has the resources to revitalize the area while keeping in mind preservation goals. "Empire is uniquely capable of delivering a powerful combination of additional employee foot traffic, diversifying the citys industry base as the countrys largest independent music label, distribution and publishing company, and supporting ground-floor retail activation while preserving a historic landmark," the application said. The backstory The record label's clientele includes superstar talents including Kendrick Lamar, Cardi B, Snoop Dogg and Shaboozey. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Founder and San Francisco native Ghazi Shami launched Empire in 2010, with the company rising to prominence as it placed itself at the forefront of the digital music scene. "This company is as much a software company as it is a music company," Shami was quoted as saying in a Grammy news article. Loyal to his SF roots The CEO has credited much of his approach and success to his San Francisco roots and the Bay Area culture from which he comes. "I'm a product of my environment," Shami was quoted as saying in the Grammy article. "This company wouldn't exist if I wasnt born and bred in the Bay; in S.F. and Silicon Valley," he told the Recording Academy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And Shami has demonstrated his deep loyalty to his city by building his empire here. "Itd be a disservice to the roots, to the origin, to everything that I stand for if this company wasnt firmly planted or rooted here." Investing in San Francisco Shami's investment in the city has been displayed in other ways and has fallen in line with San Francisco Mayor Daniel Luries vision for revitalization. Last week, Shami joined the mayor to announce a free concert will be held in the city's Civic Center on Sept. 13 to celebrate Empires 15 years in business. SEE ALSO:SF Concerts set to get underway for 60th anniversary of The Grateful Dead Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The concert will headline Shaboozey, a Billboard-topping artist who has worked closely with Shami and his record label. Mayor's support Mayor Lurie has expressed his excitement and support for Empires partnership in investing in San Francisco, including the company's new plans for a rooftop venue in the citys Financial District. In a statement released to KTVU, Luries office said, "When government provides safe and clean streets, we empower entrepreneurs to put their creativity to work for San Francisco. And Ghazis vision for a brand new event venue and office at One Montgomery, backed by real investment and years of unshakeable commitment to San Francisco, is exactly the kind of forward thinking that will take our city to new heights." Taking the city to new heights is an action that the San Francisco-built music giant has expressed confidence in being able to do. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Empire itself has a long track record of fully subsidizing and activating public space all over San Francisco and fully intends to do the same within its new premises," the project application stated. SAN SABA COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) Citizens of San Saba County needing disaster recovery assistance after the Fourth of July floods can still take advantage for a limited time. The San Saba County Sheriffs Office says the FEMA Disaster Recovery Center (DRC) will be closing on Monday, August 18. FEMA says the DRC is located at the San Saba Civic Center, located at 1190 S Thomas Stewart Drive in San Saba. Hours will be restricted to Monday through Saturday, and will be closed on Sundays. According to the San Saba Strong Long-term Recovery Group Facebook page, the county, including the cities of Richland Springs and San Saba, has experienced one of the worst floods in history. Many people in the community have been affected. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The county, including these cities, are participants in FEMAs National Flood Insurance program (NFIP). As part of the NFIP, they are required to enforce regulations and ordinances applying to all developments in the floodplain, regardless of whether federal funds are involved in a particular project. There are steps listed below, courtesy of the Facebook page, that homeowners can take to help navigate through the disaster recovery process: 1. Apply with FEMA People can start the recovery process by registering at disasterassistance.gov, or by calling 1-800-621-FEMA, or by visiting the Disaster Recovery Center located at the San Saba Civic Center. Office hours are 8 a.m. -7 p.m. daily. 2. Contact County Floodplain Administrator Administrators can tell people if their properties are in a Special Flood Hazard Area (SFHA). You can contact Marsha Hardy at 325-372-8570. 3. Issues or concerns with your septic system due to the flood You can contact County On-Site Sewage Facility Officer Marsha Hardy at 325-372-8570. 4. A damage assessment will be provided for you A Building Inspector will determine if your home is substantially damaged. This affects how you can rebuild and what flood protection measures are required. Substantially damaged is defined by FEMA as a building that has incurred damage of any origin whereby the cost of restoring the building to its before damaged condition would equal or exceed 50 percent of the market value of the building before the damage occurred. 5. Check with your city for any permitting requirements Permits are required for demolition, structural repairs, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, and more. This ensures your rebuilding meets current codes and floodplain regulations and protects the homeowner from potential liability relating to unlicensed and uninsured contractors. The City of San Saba is waiving all permit fees for homeowners affected by the recent floods. 6. Make sure you are signed up with the Long-Term Recovery Group There may be resources available to help with many aspects of the re-build process. You can visit www.sansabastrong.com to make sure you have access to all available resources. 7. Build safer and smarter Community members can use this opportunity to elevate, floodproof, or mitigate their homes to reduce future risk and possibly lower flood insurance premiums. Skipping permits can lead to fines, stop-work orders, or insurance issues later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you need any additional help, you can email sansabastrong@gmail.com or visit www.sansabastrong.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) Oklahoma is facing a major teaching shortage, and schools are having to get creative to find highly-qualified teachers. We have such a tremendous teacher shortage in Oklahoma. At last count, we were short 1,019 teachers in Oklahoma, said Renee Porter, programs director with Fuel OKC. Santa Fe South Schools is taking a global approach to recruit talent. We, of course, would like to hire locally, and our first choice will be anybody coming from in the state or even outside of the state that will fulfill a need, and in some cases, we just dont have the qualified applicants for that, said Chris Brewster, superintendent of Santa Fe South Schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Metro schools implement cell phone ban for upcoming school year This school year, they have three new teachers from Mexico. We were able to recruit from a highly esteemed university in Puebla, Mexico, some really talented young people to come and teach, said Brewster. Its part of a pilot program called the Oklahoma Teacher Pathway, and its a partnership between Fuel OKC and Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla (UPAEP) in Puebla, Mexico. We had 16 who applied. Everyone was interviewed by leadership here at Santa Fe South, and we extended offers to five of the 16 applicants, and three accepted, said Porter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those three teachers are working under a three-year commitment. They are coming in as full-fledged teachers; they had experience. Two out of the three have masters degrees in their content areas, said Carson Aldridge, talent director with Santa Fe South Schools. As tensions rise around immigration in Oklahoma, leaders say they have no concern. These are fully professional employees who have been hired through the H-1B visa process, a very traditional kind of process, said Brewster. Attorneys and state senators were also contacted during the process to make sure this was legal. The community also stepped in to help the new teachers get settled in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Part of our school culture here is a familia, and so when we were getting their apartments outfitted, we had people donate washer and dryer, and so people really came together as our community to support them and to welcome them, said Aldridge. Fuel OKC says this is part of a pilot program and that they hope to expand it to other schools across Oklahoma City in the 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 KFOR.com Oklahoma City. ENFIELD, Conn. (WTNH) Enfield police are warning of a new scam where suspects are allegedly posing as the police and demanding money. Multiple Connecticut towns warn of scam targeting permit applicants One resident was allegedly told to withdraw money from a bank in Springfield, Mass. and pay an individual they were supposed to meet in the city. The resident then received multiple calls from the Enfield Police Departments number (860-763-6400). The suspect allegedly threatened to arrest her for money laundering if she failed to follow through with the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Enfield police said they will never direct residents to withdraw money, purchase crypto, gift cards and pay a random individual. If residents ever have a concern as to whether or not they are speaking with an actual police officer, they can always dial 860-763-6400 and speak with a representative of the Enfield Police Department to confirm. Enfield police said they only accept cash, checks and money orders as forms of payment, and those payments can only be made at the Enfield Police Department. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTNH.com. BOSSIER CITY, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Bossier City Police reminds drivers to prioritize safety in school zones as students return to school. Drivers are urged to slow down, pay attention, and be extra cautious of pedestrians and school buses, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. Natchitoches Parish schools prioritize student success this year Drivers must stop for school buses with flashing red lights and extended stop arms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bossier PD gives these key safety reminders: Slow Down: Be mindful of school zone speed limits from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. to 4 p.m. during school days. Be Alert: Pay close attention to crossing guards, children, and pedestrians, especially during drop-off and pick-up times. No Cell Phone Use: Louisiana law prohibits the use of handheld devices while operating a motor vehicle. School Bus Safety: When a school bus has its red lights flashing and stop arm extended, all traffic must stop at least 30 feet away. Crossing Guards: Respect the authority of crossing guards. Bossier Parish students, grades 1 through 12, return to school on August 7. Kindergarten returns on August 14. Preschoolers return on August 21. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. For 27 years, the BASIC Fund, a nonprofit, has awarded scholarships to help families in nine Bay Area counties in California to send their children to private school. CEO Rachel Elginsmith likes to collect testimonials from parents about what the financial assistance means to them. Private school gives us peace of mind, Rolando Zamora, a father of two, wrote to her. With a family of six living on one income, Chris Meija said the scholarship certainly helped ease some of the financial burden. Get stories like this delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for The 74 Newsletter Organizations like the BASIC Fund, many of which are located in blue states, have operated out of the spotlight, quietly raising money from private donors to support kids from lower-income families. But now, with recent passage of the first-ever federal tax credit for private school choice, part of President Donald Trumps One Big Beautiful Bill, they could soon be thrust into a public debate over the next phase of the school choice movement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weve been much more focused on just trying to help families and dont want to get into the political fray, necessarily, Elginsmith said. This fall, the BASIC Fund will help 3,100 students to attend 260 private schools. But with the federal tax credit coming in 2027, she cant resist thinking about reaching more of the 300 to 500 applicants each year who dont receive funding, she said. Were not against public schools; we just think that they arent the best thing for everybody. President Donald Trump signed his One Big Beautiful Bill outside the White House July 4. (Tom Brenner For The Washington Post via Getty Images) Ever since Trump gathered with Republicans on the South Lawn of the White House on July 4 to sign the bill, commentators have focused on one central question: What will blue states do? The Treasury Department still has to write rules for the program, but overall, the law allows taxpayers to get a dollar-for-dollar credit, up to $1,700, if they donate to a scholarship granting organization, like the BASIC Fund. Because the legislation lets states choose whether to participate, many assume that those under Democratic control will remain firmly opposed to anything that looks like a voucher. But Colyn Ritter, a senior research associate at EdChoice, an advocacy organization, said he wouldnt argue with anyone who thinks states with existing scholarship programs would be in the best position to opt in. BASIC is among several groups affiliated with the Childrens Scholarship Fund in New York, which annually helps about 7,000 students from low-income families across New York City attend private school. The nonprofit has partners that grant scholarships in Oregon, Massachusetts and New Jersey, to name a few other blue states. Those folks presumably have relationships with some state policymakers, which we think could be helpful, said John Schilling, a consultant and adviser to the conservative American Federation for Children, a school choice advocacy group. He worked to keep the tax credit in the Republicans reconciliation bill, but is now shifting his attention to the states. Listing other Democratic strongholds, like Massachusetts and Illinois, he said, These are places where parents desperately need some additional options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related Big Tax Bill Passes Senate With Less Beautiful Plan for National School Choice Supporters of the tax credit describe it as free money for education and argue its misleading to call it a voucher because the scholarships are funded by private donations not federal funds directly. Still, tax experts predict the cost to the government could range anywhere from $8 billion to more than $100 billion per year, and opponents hope to convince political leaders and the public that the program is a bad idea. Whether you call it a voucher or a scholarship program this is whats going to happen, former Education Secretary Miguel Cardona warned last month on a media call. Public education dollars will be siphoned off to pay for vouchers for private schools that dont have to accept all students. If students in many of these private schools struggle, theyre going to be sent back to these underfunded public schools. Others argue that private schools participating in choice programs arent subject to the same accountability and anti-discrimination requirements as public schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are no testing requirements, no standards, no teacher certification mandates or any other mechanisms to ensure that participating private schools would provide an adequate education to students, said Patrick Cremin, a staff attorney for the Education Law Center, which is opposed to the program. He doesnt want blue states to be tempted by the fact that the federal program would also allow groups like BASIC to create scholarships for students in public schools. Families could put the money toward tutoring, books, therapies and technology to name a few uses. Despite their constitutional obligation to fund public schools, theres a risk, Cremin said, that states would shortchange districts if they expect taxpayers donations to cover some expenses. Powerful political forces Because the tax credit doesnt take effect for another year and a half, the debate over opting in could surface in the 38 states where voters will elect governors this year and next. For now, choice advocates in California, where voters are expected to elect another Democrat when term-limited Gov. Gavin Newsom leaves office, arent hopeful about their prospects. Lizette Vallas, who runs a microschool in Los Angeles, blamed the union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The California Teachers Association is one of the most powerful political forces in the state. Any legislation or opt-in mechanism that diverts funding even indirectly from public schools to private or nontraditional models is almost always met with unified resistance, she said. While federal policy is nudging open the door for school choice, California continues to reinforce the frame around its own tightly held model. David Goldberg, the associations president, calls the tax credit a distraction. In other states, like Wisconsin and Michigan, the race for governor is considered a toss-up, meaning the federal tax credit has the potential to become a central campaign issue, said Joshua Cowen, a Michigan State University professor and Democrat who is also running for Congress. The bill that included the tax credit is already causing budget challenges for state leaders, he said. Michigan, for one, is facing more than $1 billion in extra costs in 2026 because the federal package cut tax rates and shifted some nutrition and health care spending to states.. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a Democrat, Cowen said his party needs a platform that focuses on prioritizing support for public schools, but he said even governors who have been dead set against vouchers may have to consider how the tax credit could support programs like afterschool tutoring. States like mine are going to be desperate for new sources of revenue, he said. I could certainly see governors offices taking a look at this program not because they necessarily love it but because youve got revenue problems caused by the same exact bill thats authorizing this. Joshua Cowen, right, is an education professor, voucher opponent and Michigan Democrat running for Congress. He said regardless of party, governors may have to consider opting into the new federal tax credit because of budget challenges. (Courtesy of Joshua Cowen) Families who are pinched the most Observers speculate that Pennsylvania could be the first blue state to opt in. Gov. Josh Shapiro came close to supporting an education savings account bill in 2023, and the state already offers two tax credit programs for corporations that donate to scholarships. A February report from the conservative Commonwealth Foundation showed that only about half of the students who applied for aid in Pennsylvania during the 2022-23 school year received it. Those figures, school choice advocates say, are further evidence that demand from parents is soaring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois, another Democrat-led state, had a tax credit scholarship program, serving about 15,000 students, until lawmakers allowed it to expire in 2023. Nonprofits and Republican lawmakers are now urging Gov. J.B. Pritzker to participate in the federal program. Related Democratic Debate Over Private School Choice Reveals Post-Election Tensions Families and kids have borne the brunt of the program ending with many being unable to continue at their school or having to give up on the hope of attending their dream school, said Bobby Sylvester, vice president of the Urban Center, a think tank. The tax credit will cost Illinois nothing, but would make all the difference to the families who lost their scholarships. While not as solidly blue as Illinois, Colorado is the home state of ACE, another network of scholarship granting organizations. About $400,000 of the more than $11 million it awards in scholarships each year in the state goes to Mullen High School in Denver. The Christian Brothers, a Catholic congregation providing education to the poor, originally founded the school in the 1930s as an orphanage. Today, the 800-student Catholic school serves some very rich kids and some super poor kids, said Raul Cardenas Jr., president and CEO. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The financial support from ACE, he said, has been especially helpful to middle-income families who otherwise wouldnt be able to fit private school in their budget. Two years ago, when he reduced scholarship awards for families in that income bracket by just $1,000, several left the school. This coming school year, leaders, he said were very intentional about addressing that gap, and if Colorado opts into the program, he would further expand financial assistance to those families. Its always middle income families who are pinched the most, he said. I see this as a way to really help them. Mullen High School, a Catholic school in Denver, receives about $400,000 from ACE Scholarships each year. If Colorado opts into the new federal tax credit, leaders would increase financial aid to middle income families. (Mullen High School) Voters in the Centennial State have resisted private school choice. Colorado is one of three states where the issue failed at the ballot box last year. A constitutional amendment would have created a right to the full array of options, including private schools and future innovations in education. The vote was extremely close, 50% to 49%. In two previous state elections, voters more decisively rejected vouchers, by a 2-1 margin in 1992 and with 60% of the vote in 1998. Colorado might only opt into the federal program if the Treasury Department allows states the flexibility to carefully regulate scholarship granting organizations, said Kevin Welner, an education researcher at the University of Colorado Boulder. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Jared Polis, or his successor in 2026, could find the tax credit acceptable if students in public schools receive the same level of benefits as those in private schools, he said. But Schilling, with American Federation for Children, would have a problem with states that approve organizations providing financial support to public school kids, but not those that supplement tuition at private schools. Blue state governors who want to remain in the good graces of the teachers unions may say OK, Ill opt in but we only want to serve students through public schools, he said. Regardless of which students the nonprofits want to serve, states, he said, shouldnt be picking and choosing. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) With school starting next week, many Utahns may be wondering about the new School Guardian Program that is bringing armed personnel into schools to protect against active threats. State Security Chief Matt Pennington, who oversees the new program, spoke with ABC4 about how it is being implemented, as well as explaining why he believes it will increase safety and security in Utahs schools. The School Guardian Program, introduced during the 2025 Utah Legislative Session, went into effect on May 7 of this year. This program was established as an update to the 2023 School Security Act, which created the position of state security chief and the School Security Task Force. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back to school: When is the first day of school for Utahs districts? The guardian program is really an armed personnel requirement, so everyone tends to focus on the guardian; however, theres three options that the schools can utilize, Pennington explained. They can partner with a local law enforcement agency to provide a school resource officer, they could look into private armed security Or they can go with the school guardian. Pennington explained that schools can choose whether to implement the school guardian program, but are required to have armed personnel in the school. They have the option to partner with law enforcement and bring in a school resource officer, contract with private armed security that will go through school guardian vetting and training, or have a current school employee volunteer to become a school guardian and go through that vetting and training process. Utah State Law requires that any school employee who volunteers for the program does not include a principal, teacher, or any other employee who spends most of their time in a classroom interacting with children. The only exceptions to this rule are if the employees school has fewer than 350 students or the employee is at a school with adjacent campuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The reality is in Utah, youve been able to carry a firearm with a concealed weapons permit for about 30 years now So youve had schools with guns and employees carrying guns in a concealed manner for a long, long time, Pennington stated. The other reality is, when you look at data and planned attacks, on at least K through 12, its about 40% of the time in those instances, you have an adult trying to intervene in that attack. SCHOOLS: Several school districts propose increased property taxes, Alpine approves increase The school guardian must undergo an initial training, followed by biannual live-action simulations and annual firearm safety training as long as they serve in the position. They must also obtain a concealed carry permit, undergo a fit to carry assessment, and be certified by the county sheriffs office. If you already have educators who are carrying a weapon, and you have educators who are willing to intervene, if or when an attack happens, why not train them and give them some tools and resources to do it more effectively? Pennington said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schools across the state are working to become compliant with the new program. Pennington says that while theres likely not 100% compliance yet, every county is working toward it. Roughly 300 school resource officers are already in schools, other schools have contracted with private security, and the remaining have an employee who is or is working toward becoming certified. Although schools are working to comply with the School Guardian Program, Pennington stated that there have been some concerns and pushback from school districts. You have some [districts] that obviously have concerns when I start talking about, you know, a school employee being the armed response element, and thats when we remind them that one, if thats the only option they decide to go, they are gonna go through some ongoing training thats required in the law, Pennington explained. But two, they dont have to go with that option, they can certainly partner with a local agency and get a school resource officer, or they can contract out to private armed security. READ NEXT: The largest data center in the US is coming to this rural Utah county Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite some of those concerns, Pennington believes that this program will make schools safer, and the presence of state-certified armed personnel in schools will work as a final barrier against a worst-case scenario. What we do know when you talk about planned active attacks were north of 600 post-Columbine now since the FBI started tracking it is what tends to stop that attack is an armed confrontation, Pennington explained. Having the guardian in place for a rapid response element within the school to confront an attacker, what we do know again, looking at the data historically, is that the attacker tends to at least stop hurting innocent people and either focuses on whatever that confrontation is or oftentimes just stops altogether. As the state security chief, Pennington not only oversees the School Guardian Program, but also works alongside the State Security Task Force to identify threats to schools and try to prevent things before they happen. Pennington shared that there is a lot of speculation and misinformation about school safety plans, but the School Guardian Program is intended as a final line of defense, and other projects and programs are working to prevent an active situation before it happens. Tips and threats are investigated by law enforcement and school officials daily, alongside support from behavioral assessment intervention teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just understand its a comprehensive approach. First and foremost, we would like to intervene ahead of time, so the Safe UT app has been really beneficial here in Utah, Pennington stated. Most of this legislation and what were doing from a physical standpoint, or the guardian or armed personnel requirement, is if the worst case scenario happens and somebody slips through the cracks is that there is a quick response element to shut that down. 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. (KTAB/KRBC) School supplies and most clothing will be tax-free in Texas this weekend as part of the states annual sales tax holiday at the start of each school year. This years sales tax holiday runs from August 8-10, 2025, and allows anyone to purchase school supplies and qualifying clothing items without having to pay tax. However, items must be under $100 each to receive the exemption. The following lists provided by the Texas Comptrollers Office show exactly which items will be tax-free: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with questions about how the holiday works can visit the Texas Comptrollers website, where there is more specific information on what items do or dont qualify, special purchasing scenarios, and what sellers need to do to honor the holiday. Texas also has two additional annual sales tax holidays, one for emergency supplies each April, and one for energy efficient appliances and other water conserving items each May. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ABILENE, Texas (KTAB/KRBC) Back-to-school season means shopping for school supplies, but with rising costs, that list can become a burden for many families. To help ease the load, we are stepping in with a school supply drive. School supplies, most clothing tax-free in Texas this weekend Supplies collected during KRBCs Tools for Schools drive will go to the Big Country Chapter of Communities in Schools and Christian Service Center, supporting students in need across our area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tools for Schools drive takes place on Friday, August 8th, at Walmart on Southwest Drive. Our team will be there from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., collecting donations to help local students start the school year strong. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. A school teacher has been named as the Welsh learner of the year at the National Eisteddfod. Lucy Cowley, originally from Wrexham, was honoured in a special ceremony on the Pavilion stage on Wednesday, bagging the top prize of 300. Ms Cowley said she was "emotional" winning the prize in the year the event is held in her home city, and specifically in Isycoed, where she grew up. She learnt a small amount of Welsh in school, but it wasn't until she started teaching that she realised she loved sharing Welsh with her pupils. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm very proud. I never thought I'd win," said the primary school teacher. The accolade goes to someone who has shown dedication and progress to the Welsh language. Although Lucy lives and works in north Wales, she did not feel that she fitted in speaking Welsh. She said: "Winning this means the world to me. I speak with an English accent and I didn't speak Welsh. "People didn't understand why I was learning Welsh but I'm so glad I did." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She enrolled on courses and incorporated more Welsh in the school where she works. She also established a Welsh discussion group in Llangollen, Denbighshire, where she now lives. The group attracts new learners and others who want to reconnect with the Celtic language. For Lucy, the learning will continue, and as a jewellery designer in her spare time, she hopes to give lessons on this subject in Welsh. More than 150,000 people are expected to attend the National Eisteddfod this week, with 6,000 competitors showcasing the best Welsh language art, music, drama and literature. It is held in north and south Wales on alternate years and it's the first time since 2011 that the eisteddfod has been held in the area. By Courtney Rozen WASHINGTON (Reuters) -New Yorks senior senator on Wednesday blasted the Trump administrations plan to cut security funding for New York City, calling the decision irresponsible and dangerous. The Federal Emergency Management Agency posted a notice of New York's reduced grant online on Friday, just days after a gunman killed four people inside a Manhattan skyscraper. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who represents New York, asked FEMA to reverse a $64-million cut to the citys federal security funding, first reported by Reuters on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Donald Trump treats NY like his personal punching bag in an attempt to settle political scores and failing to release NYs critical anti-terrorism funds is stooping to a new low, he said in a statement. The cut is part of the Trump administrations transformation of FEMA, the federal agency charged with responding to disasters. The agency also distributes security funding to states and densely populated cities to respond to acts of terrorism and other catastrophic events, according to its website. The Department of Homeland Security, FEMAs parent agency, said in a statement it is encouraging cities to tap a separate pool of funding to cover security needs, known as the State Homeland Security Program. FEMA is also slashing New Yorks funding from that program by 38% year-on-year, according to an August 1 notice. FEMA said in July it would not cut it, but reversed course. FEMA did not immediately respond to a request for comment about the change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FEMA also cut urban security funding for Washington, D.C., San Francisco, and Los Angeles, according to the August 1 notice. Washington saw the largest cut year-on-year at 44%. The Trump administration is also requiring states to spend part of their federal security funding on arresting migrants. In New York City, Mayor Eric Adams is committed to securing every federal dollar that New Yorkers deserve, his spokesperson Liz Garcia said in a statement. The city spends the funding over several years, adding that the mayors office recently used part of its 2020 money, she said. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, a Democrat from New York, said in a statement she would ask Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem about the funding cuts, adding that it is possible the agency is risking New Yorkers safety as a political power move. (Reporting by Courtney RozenEditing by Rod Nickel) For the first time, researchers have directly linked microplastics to malignant changes in lung cells associated with cancer, according to a media release from the Medical University of Vienna. What's happening? It's been established that microplastics have detrimental effects on lung health, inducing inflammation, oxidative stress, and impaired lung function. However, scientists at the MedUni Vienna have made an important discovery linking microplastics to lung cancer. Their study, published in the Journal of Hazardous Materials, examined the interaction of polystyrene micro- and nanoplastics with various lung cells. Polystyrene is a common plastic often used in its foam form for take-out containers or food packaging, as seen in the meat aisle of many grocery stores. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The scientists found that after exposure to microplastic particles, healthy lung cells showed "increased cell migration, DNA damage, oxidative stress and the activation of signalling pathways that promote cell growth and survival all processes that are considered early indicators of cancer development," per the university release. "The data now available provide initial indications that healthy lung cells, in particular, react in a way that gives cause for concern," said Balazs Dome, the co-study leader. Why are microplastics important? Microplastics are harmful to human health, having been linked to liver fibrosis, lipid buildup, hormone disruption, and now lung cancer. The effects may be slow and invisible, but studies suggest the long-term impact of microplastics can be severe. Plastic and the microplastic particles that it decomposes into don't just harm humans; they also affect innocent wildlife that often have no way to defend themselves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fish and other marine life are getting caught in abandoned fishing gear and other plastic waste that often seal their fates, causing them to suffer from injury, starvation, and death. Birds and other wildlife have been found eating plastic waste in search of food, accumulating plastic buildup in their bodies that can lead to underdevelopment, illness, and death. What's being done about microplastics? Microplastics seem to have invaded almost every corner of the planet, and it seems accurate, given how much plastic is integrated into modern life. Even for those who are conscious buyers, plastic can still manage to sneak into aspects of their lives. Fortunately, scientists are working hard to develop innovative solutions to tackle microplastics. Recently, scientists discovered a promising blood filtration method similar to dialysis that would be able to filter out microplastics from the body, reducing their potential impact on human health. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To stop microplastics from entering the body through water sources or the water supply, Cleaner Seas Group developed a home water filter, Indi, that can hook up to household washers and filter out microplastics from laundry water. 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. A recent study revealed that while koalas spend only about 1% of their lives on the ground, they're more likely to die during that time. What's happening? According to the Society for Experimental Biology, which posted its findings on Phys.org, populations of this unique species are declining rapidly, likely due to habitat loss. Researchers in Australia fitted wild koalas with special collars containing GPS trackers and speed-measuring devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The collars monitored each animal's location every five minutes, except during ground travel, which was monitored in five-second bursts. Speed was checked to determine what type of movement a koala was engaged in, such as walking, climbing, and sitting. "Koalas are mostly tree-dwelling, but due to extensive land clearing, they're increasingly forced to travel on the ground, which puts them at serious risk of injury and death," said research team member Gabriella Sparkes, a Ph.D. student from the University of Queensland, per the article on Phys.org. "I wanted to better understand what koalas do during these ground movements." The study confirmed what researchers already knew: Koalas spend most of their time in trees, sleeping up to 20 hours per day. "What surprised us was how infrequently and briefly they use the ground just 2-3 times per night, averaging around 10 minutes in total, or less than 1% of their day," said Sparkes. Why are koalas dying and why does it matter? Previous research has shown 66% of koala deaths happen in the limited amount of time they're on the ground. Another study found that the majority of those ground deaths were due to dog attacks or vehicle collisions. The same study determined that habitat loss due to human development was an underlying cause. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, Australia is facing a housing crisis and attempting to address a shortage of homes. However, the high demand has resulted in poor planning, leading to urban sprawl in metropolitan areas. This increases the chances of humans interacting with species that should be left alone, like koalas. The state of koala populations in Australia reflects the impacts of deforestation and human encroachment on delicate ecosystems. While koalas themselves offer limited benefits to humans directly, their survival is key to protecting other species that do have direct benefits. 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 koala habitat loss? The koala is recognized by the Australian government as endangered, but the Australian Koala Foundation is campaigning for stronger laws to protect the species' habitat. The government says it is addressing urban sprawl. Lawmakers have created a National Urban Policy, aiming to create more liveable, equitable, productive, sustainable, and resilient urban areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Experts recommend that average people should not touch koalas. Instead, if a koala is spotted in a human-developed environment, wildlife services should be called to transport the animal to a safe area. 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. In late July, a team of researchers set out on the Mississippi River near La Crosse to lay a new kind of trap for invasive carp. The researchers hope it will prove to be another tool to fight the nuisance fish, multiple species of which have been making their way upriver for decades. But it might sound counterintuitive at first. They're going to feed them. Scientists from the U.S. Geological Survey and Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources assemble monitoring equipment in July 2025 on automatic feeders that will float in the Mississippi River to bait invasive carp. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), and the Wisconsin and Minnesota Departments of Natural Resources are working together to try baiting silver and bighead carp with their favorite food a pelletized form of nutrient-rich algae. Then, when the fish have formed a habit of visiting the floating feeder, the scientists will send out commercial fishers to catch them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Could invasive carp show up in the Wisconsin River? Middle schoolers learn to test for them. In high densities, invasive carp can wreak havoc on native fish populations in rivers and lakes because they outcompete other fish for food and space. They are also believed to degrade water quality, which can hurt sensitive organisms like freshwater mussels. Silver carp famously jump out of the water when spooked, startling boaters and skiers. Though invasive carp are plentiful further downriver, they're not as common yet around La Crosse a good thing, but it means they're hard to find. That's why researchers are hoping to get them to gather at the feeders so more can be rounded up at once. "At this point we don't have an abundance that's causing problems," said Grace Loppnow, invasive fish consultant for the Minnesota DNR. "We're trying to keep it that way." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loppnow; Kristina Pechacek, a fisheries biologist for the Wisconsin DNR; and Jake Faulkner, a USGS fish biologist, were on the team installing feeders in the river the last week of July. The feeders will dispense between four and six pounds of food for the carp four times a day, and commercial fishers contracted by the Minnesota DNR will fish the surrounding area Aug. 4-8, Sept. 2-5 and Sept. 30 to Oct. 3. Researchers will take data from the carp, like their length, weight and age, which can be determined by examining the fish's inner ear. Then they'll donate their catch to places like the Minnesota Zoo and the state's raptor center, which can use it as animal feed. More: Cuts to agencies that study, safeguard Mississippi River have to stop, advocates say Since the feeders are located on the Wisconsin side of the river, Wisconsin DNR staff will manage on-the-ground logistics, Pechacek said. They're also hoping to use the opportunity to study other types of river fish that might get swept up in the carp nets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invasive carp were first imported to the southeastern U.S. in the 1970s to control weeds in aquaculture farms. They escaped into the Mississippi River. Silver carp, grass carp and bighead carp have been documented in the upper river system, including in western Wisconsin tributaries like the Black and Chippewa rivers. Individual invasive carp have been caught as far upstream as the Twin Cities metro area, and Midwest states are spending big to keep them out of the Great Lakes. More: Silver carp, harmful to fish and water, detected in western Wisconsin's Chippewa and Black rivers Scientists have worked for decades to find ways to control invasive carp populations, installing barriers that deter the fish with sounds and bubbles, using special nets to snag fish that jump out of the water, tagging and tracking them to monitor movements, and herding them to specific locations with remote-controlled kayaks. Some even say people should eat them to get them out of the water en masse. But the fish have proved difficult to manage. That's especially true in the La Crosse region, where the Mississippi is wide and they can find more places to hide. In colder months, Loppnow said, carp are sluggish and travel in packs, making them easier to round up. That's not the case in summer and fall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Baiting invasive carp is a relatively new weapon in USGS's arsenal, Faulkner said. A study by his colleagues on baiting grass carp in the river between Iowa and Illinois just ended, but results aren't yet publicly available. Still, it could be a promising way to collect more information about the fish in the river near Wisconsin. The public is asked not to moor to or stand on the feeders. Madeline Heim covers health and the environment for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Contact her at 920-996-7266 or mheim@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Scientists feed invasive carp in Mississippi River near La Crosse FIRST ON FOX: The federal government is stepping into the future and embracing artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, across its agencies, which proponents say will streamline productivity while solidifying President Donald Trump's pledge to keep the U.S. in the driver's seat of the cutting-edge technology, Fox News Digital exclusively learned. The U.S. General Services Administration announced Wednesday that OpenAI's ChatGPT Enterprise is now available to all federal agencies to incorporate into their workflow at a $1 per agency cost, the GSA told Fox Digital. The deal with OpenAI, the tech company behind ChatGPT, is part of GSA's OneGov Strategy that aims to modernize "how the federal government purchases goods and services" under the Trump administration. "The use of this tool has been deployed and tested with responsible policy makers, with responsible legal folks," GSA Federal Acquisition Service Commissioner Josh Gruenbaum told Fox News Digital of integrating AI into the federal government. "It's not just auto-piloting and saying, go machine and we just respond. It's automation, it's ease of processes, but it's also thinking about the typical waste, fraud and abuse that we're also focused on with this administration." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ChatGPT is a wildly popular AI chatbot that can hold conversational discussions, provide research accompanied by citations, automate routine tasks such as data entry or file processing, summarize books or lengthy files, and even assist with brainstorming project ideas or problem-solving tasks. Details Of Trump's Highly Anticipated Ai Plan Revealed By White House Ahead Of Major Speech President Donald Trump displays a signed executive order during the "Winning the AI Race" summit in July. Artificial intelligence has been one of Trump's top priorities this administration. "Open AI just announced the ChatGPT has over 700 million weekly users, so the amount of commercial adoption is quite astounding," OpenAI's Joseph Larson told Fox Digital Tuesday of the partnership. "What we didn't want to see was a gap between the tools available for artificial intelligence to the federal workforce, a gap between what is available in the private sector or available to the public. So with this GSA partnership, what the administration is doing, which we believe to be in line with the AI action plan, is to make ChatGPT Enterprise, which is the most advanced AI tools available to the entire federal government will now be available to all agencies of the federal government at the nominal cost of $1 per agency." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Openai Unleashes Chatgpt Agent For Truly Autonomous Ai Tasks How federal agencies employ the technology will likely range from department to department, with employees offered access "to a new government user community and tailored introductory training resources" as well as "custom training platforms and guided learning, either directly or through partner-led sessions" to best fit their needs. "One of the best ways to make sure AI works for everyone is to put it in the hands of the people serving our country," OpenAI CEO Sam Altman said of the partnership in a Wednesday press release. "Were proud to partner with the General Services Administration, delivering on President Trumps AI Action Plan, to make ChatGPT available across the federal government, helping public servants deliver for the American people." The Trump administration rolled ut its AI Action Plan in July after Trump ordered the federal government in January to develop a plan of action for artificial intelligence in order to "solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The AI Action Plan includes a three-pillar approach focused on American workers, free speech and protecting U.S.-built technologies. OpenAI has partnered with GSA to roll out ChatGPT access to all federal agencies. "We want to center America's workers, and make sure they benefit from AI," AI and crypto czar David Sacks told the media in July of the AI plan. "The second is that we believe that AI systems should be free of ideological bias and not be designed to pursue socially engineered agendas," Sacks said. "And so we have a number of proposals there on how to make sure that AI remains truth-seeking and trustworthy. And then the third principle that cuts across the pillars is that we believe we have to prevent our advanced technologies from being misused or stolen by malicious actors. And we also have to monitor for emerging and unforeseen risks from AI." China Is Exploiting Our Government's Tech Weakness. We Need A Rapid Reboot Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruenbaum told Fox Digital that when the GSA reviewed the administration's AI action plan, it jumped at rolling out "widespread adoption" for the government to help answer Trump's call for the U.S. to stay on top of the artificial intelligence race on the global stage. The federal government is stepping into the future and embracing artificial intelligence, specifically ChatGPT, across its agencies, which proponents say will streamline productivity while solidifying President Donald Trump's pledge to keep the U.S. in the driver's seat of the cutting-edge technology. "Where we see ourselves playing, obviously, is through a lot of the Federal Acquisition Service, which is the largest procurement arm in the federal government," he said. "And as we kind of examined the President's AI action plan, heard the call to action of, Hey, this is a race, and we are going to win this race. From our perspective, all that meant, synonymously, was widespread adoption. Those were the words, quite frankly, that the OpenAI team used to us in our very first call. And their call to action was, we need to get this into the hands of as many federal workers as possible. We at the GSA took that extremely seriously." Openai Chief Declares Love For Us While Lamenting Democratic Party's Radical Turn Against 'Techno-capitalism' "Everything's kind of leading to the place of having us poised for this AI revolution," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has notched massive wins in the artificial intelligence race, which has pitted the U.S. against China to develop the most high-tech artificial intelligence systems, including Oracle and OpenAI announcing in July that the companies will further develop the Stargate project, which is an effort to launch large data centers in the U.S. The two companies' most recent announcement promises an additional 4.5 gigawatts of Stargate data center capacity, a move expected to create more than 100,000 jobs across operations, construction, and indirect roles such as manufacturing and local services. The Stargate project includes a commitment from OpenAI, Oracle, SoftBank and MGX to invest $500 billion in U.S.-based artificial intelligence infrastructure throughout the next four years. Original article source: SCOOP: Trump admin, OpenAI partner to unleash artificial intelligence on federal government Police in Boston are investigating a crash on Wednesday afternoon that left a person riding a scooter with life-threatening injuries. Officers responding to the area of Humboldt Avenue and Seaver Street in the citys Roxbury neighborhood shortly before 1:15 p.m. found a scooter and a motor vehicle that had been involved in a crash, according to the Boston Police Department. The scooter rider, whose name hasnt been released, was rushed to a local hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It wasnt clear if the other driver involved remained at the scene. Video showed the area roped off with yellow police tape as investigators collected evidence and photographed the wreckage. Boston police noted that homicide detectives were called to the scene to assist with the investigation. There were no additional details immediately available. Boston 25 News has a crew at the scene and is working to learn more about the crash. Boston Police say scooter rider has life-threatening injuries after being struck by car at Humboldt and Seaver Streets in Roxbury. It happened hours after pedestrian hit by e-bike in Copley Square #Boston25 pic.twitter.com/a2f5je7g05 Drew Karedes (@DrewKaredes) August 6, 2025 This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW (NewsNation) Police in Minnesota have ramped up their search for a 12-year-old girl who went missing this past weekend, reports said. Victoria Jackson was last seen Saturday evening wearing a tan Rugrats shirt, blue jeans and red and black shoes, according to police. Jackson is 5 feet, 1 inch tall and wears a black insulin pump. Victoria might be acting erratically or not in able body at this point; she might be in a diabetic crisis, said Danielle Matthias, Jacksons aunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tourist disappears from beach in Greece while husband was asleep The Minneapolis Police Department sent out a phone alert for residents to help with any information about Jacksons whereabouts. In addition, officers also set up a command center at Minnehaha Park, where Jacksons family says some of her belongings were found. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. An active search is underway in Abington for a suspect accused of fleeing from officers following a pursuit. Police say the suspect is a heavy-set Caucasian man with long hair wearing a black helmet and a dark-colored short sleeve shirt. According to investigators, the suspect fled on foot in the area of Linwood Street near Ladyslipper Lane and Old Country Way after a police chase. The facts and circumstances leading up to that chase are unknown at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Multiple officers are canvassing the area and K-9 units and drones have been deployed. Police are asking area residents not to approach the suspect and to call 911 immediately if you see him. The investigation remains ongoing. The Brief The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office is searching for a missing 18-year-old. Deputies said Giovanni Pelletier, 18, was vacationing with family in Englewood when he went missing on Friday. The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has joined the investigation into Pelletier's disappearance. ENGLEWOOD, Fla. - The search continues for a missing 18-year-old who was last seen in Manatee County, according to the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Giovanni Pelletier, 18, has been missing since early Friday. READ: Remains found in Ocala Forest believed to be missing Lake County man What we know The Charlotte County Sheriff's Office said Pelletier was on vacation with family in Englewood last week. Deputies said he left with several people around 1:30 a.m. on Friday to visit other family in Brevard County. The Tampa Bay area seach group, "We Are The Essentials," said Pelletier was visiting Florida from North Carolina. "He was picked up by his cousin and two of the cousin's friends," Shelley Croft of We Are The Essentials said. "There were three individuals that came down from the Mims area to pick him up in Englewood at his grandparents' house." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Virginia woman missing since 2012 believed to be living in Metro Detroit The sheriff's office said Pelletier was headed north on I-75 with his cousins. They reportedly told deputies that he suddenly started acting erratically, then got out of the car and walked away near SR-70 in Manatee County. "This family is desperate for answers," Croft said. Croft said Pelletier's mom told them that she got a text from him about 20 minutes after he had been picked up. "The text message said, Help me, Mom," Croft said. "And he has not been seen or heard from again." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement READ:3 cats, including 1 dead, found abandoned in crate in Manatee County: One of the most heartbreaking cases It's not clear what happened after Pelletier's cousins reportedly told deputies that he had walked away. "Giovanni had Find my iPhone on his phone, so his mom was able to track that backpack for miles," Croft said. Croft said Pelletier's mom tracked his backpack to the side of I-75 near SR-70. "We Are The Essentials" is asking anyone who was in the area of I-75 early Friday, from Charlotte County to Manatee County, to check dash camera and security camera footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our goal here is to find Giovanni," Croft said. MORE: Suspected DUI drivers dog dies after vehicle slams into utility pole in Weeki Wachee: HCSO What's next The Brevard County Sheriff's Office has joined the investigation. A search for Pelletier was underway in Brevard County on Monday. If you have any information about Pelletier's whereabouts, you're asked to contact the Charlotte County Sheriff's Office or your local agency. The sheriff's office said it's been flooded with tips, so it's asking people to report tips to their local agency first, so they can be verified. The Source The information in this story was gathered by FOX 13's Kylie Jones. (FOX40.COM) The Sacramento County Sheriffs Office is asking for the publics help to locate an at-risk missing woman who has not been seen in nearly a week. Video Above: What should you do if someone you love goes missing? Koy Kouang Saechao, 53, is described as being 4 feet 11 inches tall, weighing 100 pounds, with black hair and brown eyes. She was last seen wearing a black shirt and gray pants near her home in Antelope on July 31, according to SCSO. Koy Kouang Saechao, 53, was reported missing from Sacramento County and last seen on July 31, 2025. Additionally, Saechao reportedly has a traumatic brain injury that causes memory loss. Anyone with information on her whereabouts can contact the sheriffs office at 916-874-5115. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40 News. EXCLUSIVE: Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, who is running for governor, is calling for the recall of Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano as he faces mounting scrutiny over a string of controversial incidents, including a recent situation in which Fairfax County released a man who went on to allegedly attempt a kidnapping just three days later. "Why is this man still in office? It is time for somebody to do a recall based on a dereliction of duty, and it can be done. If I were to keep telling you how many cases that this man, Steve Descano, has allowed to let go, doesn't honor ICE detainers, puts murderers back in the community, et cetera, et cetera, it's like, what are we doing?" the Republican told Fox News Digital in an interview. "He is the one who is not protecting the citizens of Fairfax County. And the problem is, these criminals they don't just stay in Fairfax. They come all the way through Virginia and do their mayhem when he, one man, had the opportunity to do the right thing and keep Virginians safe," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Man Freed From Jail 3 Days Before Alleged Toddler Abduction In Virginia, Youngkin Says Winsome Earle-Sears, Republican gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, center, during a campaign event at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna, Virginia, US, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. The Democratic commonwealths attorney is under investigation by Gov. Glenn Youngkin following the viral attempted kidnapping case at Fair Oaks Mall, which is just one of many instances where Descano has released high-profile criminals back into the community. The outlet reported that the suspect in the attempted kidnapping case, Andres Caceres Jaldin, had over 30 previous run-ins with the law in the county. Read On The Fox News App Virginia Sheriffs Rip Dem Challenger's 'Criminals First' Agenda In Fiery Endorsement Of Jason Miyares Virginia Attorney General Jason Miyares (right), a Republican, slammed Fairfax County Commonwealths Attorney Steve Descano (left), alleging that he has been lenient on illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes. The commonwealth's attorney is even becoming a topic in Searss race against Rep. Abigail Spanberger in the bid to become the next governor. Descano faced two past unsuccessful recall efforts in 2021. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Abigail, it is time for you to come forward and make a decision. Do you support Steve Descano or do you support a recall?" Sears said. Descanos campaign, along with several other campaigns, made a $1,000 contribution to Spanbergers gubernatorial bid in March, according to vendor records on the Virginia Public Access Project website. Click Here For More Immigration Coverage Last year, Descano faced calls to resign from Attorney General Jason Miyares, a Republican, after Navarette Romero, a rape suspect whos an illegal immigrant, was released back into the community in prior arrests, according to Wjla. In addition, Fox News Digital reported in May that Guatemalan national Wilmer Osmany Ramos-Giron, an illegal immigrant, was arrested by ICE following a plea deal from the county. He faced numerous felony charges in January, including abduction by force, assault on a family member, and felony strangulation causing injury to a woman, but he only spent two months at a detention center in Fairfax County before the arrest by federal authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sears noted that immigration, and crime tied with it, has also played a major role in her campaign, given the major policy shifts from President Joe Biden to the Trump administration. Virginia Democrats Choose Nominee To Challenge Gop Attorney General Jason Miyares Former President Joe Biden poses with then-Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., as he departs after delivering the State of the Union address in March 2024. "So, as a result of being able to work with President Trump, we've been able to find 500-plus criminally illegal immigrants here in Virginia [...] We found Tren de Aragua here. We have found other international gangs here in Virginia," she said. After Youngkin called for an investigation after it had become known that attempted kidnapping suspect was released in Fairfax County days before the incident, Miyares said his "office will examine the facts and report to the people of Fairfax why [Commonwealths Attorney] Descanos refusal to prosecute criminals has been allowed to endanger the public." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News Digital reached out to the Spanberger campaign, Descano, and the Fairfax County Sheriffs Office. Original article source: Sears demands recall of Fairfax prosecutor after attempted kidnapping case This story was originally published on MyNorthwest.com A 40-year-old Seattle resident was sentenced to 18 months in prison Monday for threatening to kill his probation officer and lying during an attempt to purchase a firearm, the Department of Justice (DOJ) confirmed. Filmore Doyoon Kim attempted to purchase a firearm on February 13, 2025, days after emailing a series of threats to his Washington State Department of Corrections Probation Officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The threats that he sent included threatening that he could get a gun, and then the last threat was, I will live up to this promise, Assistant United States Attorney Todd Greenberg said. Seattle man sentenced to 18 months in prison The DOJ mentioned that Kim has a history of making death threats and violently attacking a neighbor. The 18-month sentence is the largest amount of jail time for the offenses committed. The crime is extremely serious repeatedly threatening the life of a corrections officer and continuing to threaten others with violence. You are a danger to the public, U.S. District Judge Lauren King said. Kim had previously been sentenced to 15 months in prison for burglary in 2022, according to records filed in the case. Kim broke into a neighbors apartment and beat the neighbor until he was unconscious. Kim assaulted him in front of the mans 4-year-old child and left a note written in blood threatening to kill him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim also had harassment convictions for threatening to kill apartment managers and others in different residences. While Kim was on probation for the burglary, he sent threatening emails to his probation officer, claiming he would kill him. Following the threats, Kim went to a federally licensed firearms store and attempted to purchase a handgun. Kim lied on the form needed to purchase a firearm, claiming he had not been convicted of a crime. A background check for Kim revealed his prior conviction, and the store refused to sell him the gun. Law enforcement was also alerted. Kims offense conduct was extremely serious. He intentionally subverted the background check laws designed to keep guns away from dangerous people like himself, Greenberg wrote to the court. The larger context of Kims attempted firearm purchase immediately after threatening to kill his supervising CCO and declaring, Dont forget I can buy gun makes his offense conduct even more concerning. In addition to the 18-month sentencing, King ordered Kim to be put on supervised release for three years following his prison term. Contributing: James Lynch, KIRO Newsradio Follow Jason Sutich on X. Send news tips here. Seattle police arrested a 33-year-old man Tuesday after he allegedly threatened to kill people with a knife following a bizarre and disturbing incident inside a Capitol Hill Trader Joes, according to a statement from the Seattle Police Department. The incident began around 2:15 p.m. on August 5, when officers responded to reports of a man using racial slurs and threatening security guards with a knife. According to police, store security said the man had been caught in the act of humping a refrigerator and allegedly attempted to do the same to a customer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When confronted by security, the suspect became agitated, kicked over a flower display, and began throwing apples. Police said the man then pulled out a knife and threatened to kill everyone in the store. Officers arrived quickly and arrested the man without further incident. He was booked into King County Jail for felony harassment. Police noted the suspect is a registered sex offender. FORT SMITH, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Sebastian County Sheriffs Office has released an update regarding two of its deputies who were stabbed by a convicted murderer in May. The department said in a social media post on Wednesday morning that Deputy Jacob Mar and Lt. Brandon McCaslin have recovered from their injuries and returned to work. (Courtesy: Sebastian County Sheriffs Office) Fort Smith police looking for Towson Avenue burglary suspect Mar and McCaslin were stabbed by John Anthony Cole on May 9 at the Sebastian County Detention Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cole was already serving a sentence in Arizona for murder and was awaiting trial at the time of the incident for a 2021 murder in Fort Smith. He was sentenced to 200 years in the Arkansas Department of Corrections for the Fort Smith murder and two stabbings on May 30. SCSO previously said Lt. McCaslin and Deputy Mar were conducting a regularly scheduled check on Cole when the attack happened. The department says Cole immediately attacked the two officers with a shank. Both deputies fought back and were able to eventually subdue Cole. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KNWA FOX24. CHARLOTTE (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Authorities have made a second arrest in connection with the April shooting of a 23-year-old man who was killed just outside a Charlotte bar that has since had its alcohol permits suspended following a string of 911 calls and after-hours violations. On Tuesday, August 5, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police arrested 20-year-old Noel Alexander Vasquez Mercado for the death of Javier Lee Martinez Hernandez. Hes now facing a first-degree murder charge. This is the second arrest in the case. Queen City News is tracking CRIME in your area >> Latest stories here The first suspect, identified as Jefry Edgardo Gonzalez Artica, 22, was taken into custody in late June out of state, in Louisiana, with the help of federal and local law enforcement. He is also facing a first-degree murder charge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The shooting happened on April 13 outside Mi Cabana, a bar located along Eastway Drive in northeast Charlotte. Officers responded to an assault call around 6 a.m. and found Hernandez with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. A troubled history The bar where the shooting happened, Mi Cabana, had already drawn heavy attention from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police. Months after the deadly shooting, the North Carolina Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Commission suspended its alcohol permits indefinitely. Authorities said since July 2023, there had been 28 police calls to the location, including robberies, assaults, weapon violations, and the murder of Hernandez. Gaston County eight-month-old recovering after overdose, parents charged Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators found that alcohol was still being served at Mi Cabana well past legal hours, even up to 4 a.m. on the morning Hernandez was killed. Red plastic cups on-site tested positive for alcohol, and video surveillance backed up the timeline, police said. The bars manager allegedly admitted to knowing the laws but continuing to serve alcohol after 2 a.m. because, in her words, she makes more money selling after hours. CMPD described Mi Cabana as a drain on law enforcement resources, noting that officers were required to bring backup when responding to calls at the property due to its history. MORE FROM QCNEWS.COM Crime & Public Safety Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Two sections of the U.S Constitution detailing habeas corpus protections and the rights and limitations of state governments have disappeared from the official congressional website, Constitution Annotated. Sections 9 and 10 of Article 1 of the nations foundational document no longer appear on constitution.congress.gov. On the website, only eight of the 10 sections of Article 1 are now visible. Article 1, Section 9, contains language that prohibits citizens from facing unlawful detention. The section states that habeas corpus cannot be suspended in cases of rebellion or invasion when public safety requires it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habeas corpus allows people to challenge the legality of their detention or imprisonment before a judge. Article 1, Section 9, also contains language that forbids bills of attainder. Bills of attainder are laws directed against a specific person or group of people, making them automatically guilty of crimes, without a judicial trial. Article 1, Section 10, limits the individual powers of states, reading that no state is allowed to enter into a treaty with a foreign nation. It also states that states are not allowed to pass bills of attainder. Section 10 also contains language that prohibits states, except with the approval of Congress, from collecting taxes on imports or exports, building an army or keeping warships during times of peace, or engaging in war unless invaded or in imminent danger. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is unclear what happened to the sections on the U.S. Government website. A White House spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment from the tech website TechCrunch. The changes were made in the past month, according to the Wayback Machine, which shows the full original text was still on Congresss website as of July 17, TechCrunch reported. The top of the webpage has a red banner reading: The Constitution Annotated website is currently experiencing data issues. We are working to resolve this issue and regret the inconvenience. To change any part of the Constitution, an amendment must be approved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Article 5 of the Constitution states that amending the document requires the proposal of an amendment and the ratification of an amendment. The most common way to propose an amendment is to have two-thirds of the House and Senate approve the proposal. After the amendment is proposed, three-fourths of the countrys state legislatures (38 state legislatures in the case of the 50 states) must approve it. More on Politics Read the original article on MassLive. Tropical Storm Dexter could come close to becoming the Atlantic season's first hurricane, if it survives its battle with wind shear and dry air. Time is running out as the storm moves farther into the northern Atlantic, away from the U.S. The fourth tropical storm of the Atlantic hurricane season, Dexter strengthened slightly overnight and is expected to continue strengthening over the next 48 hours. Winds could reach 70 mph within the next 48 hours, just 4 mph short of attaining hurricane status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track all active storms Weather alerts via text: Sign up to get updates about current storms and weather events by location Dexter could bring increased surf and a moderate risk for rip currents to Florida and the Atlantic coast as it continues to move farther into the Atlantic. Historically, the fourth named storm in the Atlantic develops Aug. 15, with the first hurricane developing Aug. 11. The last three storms in the Atlantic have formed ahead of historical averages. Spaghetti models for Tropical Storm Dexter. See expected path Special note about spaghetti models: Spaghetti model illustrations include an array of forecast tools and models, and not all are created equal. The Hurricane Center uses only the top four or five highest performing models to help make its forecasts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Track Tropical Storm Dexter Will Dexter become Atlantic season's first hurricane? Dexter is strengthening and could get close to hurricane strength over the next 48 hours, with maximum sustained winds reaching 70 mph. Some models do show Dexter reaching hurricane strength. Will Tropical Storm Dexter become Atlantic season's first hurricane? See NOAA's forecast Wind shear and dry air are impacting Dexter as it moves farther from the U.S. into the northern Atlantic, according to the National Hurricane Center. Track active Atlantic storms and disturbances This auto-updated graphic shows a map of all active storms in the Atlantic basin. Can't see the graphic? Open in a new browser. See NWS weather radar of storms across Florida, southeastern US Latest weather watches and warnings issued in Florida Excessive rainfall forecast across Florida Stay informed. Get weather alerts via text What's next? We will update our tropical weather coverage daily. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download your local site's app to ensure you're always connected to the news. And look for our special subscription offers here. This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Tropical Storm Dexter spaghetti models, tracker map Pulitzer-prize winning Watergate reporter Bob Woodward says President Trumps attacks on the free press are pathetic, responding to Trumps efforts to use lawsuits and federal power to shape or censor coverage. Woodward also responds to journalists departing The Washington Post amidst clashes over coverage in the Trump era, in this interview with MSNBCs Ari Melber. (Subscribe to Aris YouTube now: http://youtube.com/arimelber) ORWIGSBURG, SCHUYLKILL COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A Schuylkill County community got a chance to see local officers in a whole new light while getting to see the new community police station. Outside the Orwigsburg Police Department, neighbors gathered to enjoy games, food, and fun activities. Kids explored police vehicles, met officers, and played games. The goal: to help the community connect with those who serve them, beyond emergencies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Habitat for Humanity brings back piece of Poconos history This event also marked a big step forward, with a ribbon-cutting for a newly renovated police station on North Warren Street. Officials say the updated building will help officers better serve residents and strengthen bonds for years to come. We wanna work closely with the youth so that they see police officers as somebody they can go to as friends and mentors. National Night Out is just another avenue for that, Orwigsburg Police Chief Vince McDonald told 28/22 News. I like how they keep the community safe, Kensley Witmier from Schuylkill Haven said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Organizers say they hope events like this continue to grow and keep the community and officers connected for years ahead. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. DENVER (KDVR) Several residents have reported the smell of smoke and hazy skies in the Denver metro area as wildfires burn along the Western Slope, more than 200 miles away. Wildfires have been burning across Colorado for about a month. A round of wildfires sparked in mid-July in parts of western Colorado, causing wildfires to rip through tens of thousands of acres of land. More wildfires have also recently broken out in northwest Colorado. What to know about the 3 wildfires burning in northwest Colorado Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While one of the closest active wildfires to Denver is the Elk Fire near Meeker, over 200 miles from the city, locals around the metro are still seeing the effects. Wildfire smoke in JeffCo (Courtesy Jeffcom 911) Sunset in Steamboat Springs on August 5, 2025. Evergreen Fire/ Rescue said on Tuesday night that neighbors may smell smoke from the valleys and several people had already reported it, but this is from smoke drifting east from the wildfires in western Colorado. Meanwhile, Jeffcom 911 said on Wednesday that there is significant haze in the mountains from the wildfires outside of Jefferson and Clear Creek counties, and people should only call 911 for pillars of smoke or flames. Lethal removal of wolf postponed due to Rio Blanco County wildfires Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Areas outside of the metro are also seeing smoke. In Steamboat Springs, smoky skies were reported on Tuesday night for the fires in Rio Blanco County. Air quality alerts are also in place in several areas, including western Boulder, Clear Creek, Gilpin, western Larimer, Eagle and Garfield counties due to wildfire smoke. So far, the Elk Fire has burned 8,304 acres, the South Rim Fire has burned 4,232 acres, the Turner Gulch Fire has burned 22,860 acres and the Lee Fire has burned 22,497 acres. There are several more in Colorado. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LINCOLN COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) A missing Lincoln County woman has been found safe. Officials say Sheila Alice Smith, 61, was last seen heading to a house party in Denver. She was last heard from on August 2, around 4 p.m., saying she was waiting for a ride home. On August 8, officials announced that Smith had been found and is safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. The Brief Sen. Ashley Moody and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon held a news conference in Tampa on Wednesday. The pair, along with U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, talked about the impact of the "One Big Beautiful Bill" when it comes to expanding school choice. Moody also responded to critics who worry that private scholarships could impact future funding for traditional public schools. TAMPA, Fla. - Sen. Ashley Moody and U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon highlighted what they call "school choice expansion wins" at a news conference in Tampa on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moody and McMahon, along with Republican U.S. Rep. Laurel Lee, talked on Wednesday about how the "One Big Beautiful Bill" will impact education in Florida and across the country. The backstory The bill, signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4, includes a dollar-for-dollar tax credit (up to $1,700) for donations to nonprofits that provide private school scholarships. The legislation also expands 529 Plans, which are tax-advantaged investment accounts designed to help families save for education expenses. Additionally, the One Big Beautiful Bill includes a federal school voucher program, using the federal tax code to offer vouchers that can be used to attend private schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS: Florida school voucher program makes private schools more accessible for families What they're saying During Wednesdays news conference at Brooks DeBartolo High School, Moody said she has long been an advocate for school choice. "More families will now be in the drivers seat when it comes to choosing the education that works best for their children," Moody said. Moody also said Florida is currently the only state that allows for universal school choice, while 37 states allow for school choice in some form. McMahon, who was confirmed as Education Secretary earlier this year after Trump took office, highlighted Florida as a model for other states to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Florida is on the front line of our mission to return education back to the states, where it does belong," McMahon said. "In multiple different metrics, Florida has ranked number-one for education." Pictured: U.S. Department of Education Secretary Linda McMahon speaks at a news conference in Tampa on Aug. 6, 2025. Dig deeper Moody responded Wednesday to concerns from critics who say private scholarships could impact future funding for traditional public schools. "This scholarship program is funded by donations, not federal funds," Moody said. "So it is all private donations, and there's no end to this program, so we can keep building upon and improving this program." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Moody also said public schools are still an important part of the education system, saying she attended public schools growing up. "We must still support public schools," Moody said. "They are a big part of the communities in which we live, they're the fabric of many communities, and we will keep supporting them." The Source This story was written with information from a news conference in Tampa, Florida, on August 6, 2025, with additional details from the Internal Revenue Service and the Senate Committee on Finance. Sen. Ted Cruz is once again leading the charge to defend classrooms across America, introducing legislation aimed at rooting out hidden influences from foreign countries, especially the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). The Transparency in Reporting of Adversarial Contributions to Education (TRACE) Act, co-sponsored by Senator Cynthia Lummis (R-WY), is asking school districts to disclose any financial connections, personnel ties, or curriculum sourced from foreign governments. The bill would also ensure that parents are notified and given access to review any foreign-funded educational content being taught in public schools across America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Chinese Communist Party spends vast resources to control what Americans see, hear, and ultimately think. Our foreign adversaries are actively targeting American educational institutions, and the TRACE Act will help protect our classrooms from foreign influence by providing parents with the transparency they deserve. I urge my colleagues to pass this legislation without delay, Cruz said in a recent statement detailing the legislation. The legislation is Cruzs latest move to counter what he and others have called a coordinated effort by the CCP to infiltrate the U.S., including its public schools. The bill follows a 2023 investigation by the watchdog group Defending Education, which exposed troubling ties between Americas school districts and CCP-linked organizations like Confucius Institutes. As previously reported by The Dallas Express, two Chinese nationals tied to the CCP were arrested earlier this year for smuggling a dangerous fungus into the U.S. One of the suspects was working at the University of Michigan in a science lab, and the other was working in an academic institution in China. No updates have been provided, as of the time of publication, as to why the duo was researching the highly dangerous fungus, or why it was smuggled into the U.S. in the first place. However, the arrests were a stark reminder of the CCPs continuing infiltration into the country. According to Cruz, the TRACE Act isnt just about global politics; its about protecting children and national security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Co-sponsor Sen. Lummis agreed, warning that CCP influence is no longer just a concern for higher education or the tech sector; its now reaching into classrooms meant to teach American values. The Chinese Communist Party has spread its influence across American life, targeting our farmland, technology, and even school systems. Parents deserve peace of mind knowing their children are learning American values, not propaganda from our foreign adversaries. This legislation prioritizes transparency while protecting our children from harmful foreign agendas, Lumis said. The House companion bill was introduced by Rep. Aaron Bean (R-FL), who described American schools as a target in a global ideological war. Its crucial we parents understand the potential impact of foreign influence on our childrens classrooms and take concrete steps to prevent foreign nations from reaching Americas youth, Bean said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the TRACE Act, schools would be required to: Disclose and allow parental review of the curriculum developed with any foreign funding Notify parents of any foreign contracts or donations Report the number of employees being paid or supported by foreign countries The legislation has earned support from a collection of policy groups, including Parents Defending Education Action and Heritage Action. Alfonso Aguilar, a director at PDE Action, said the bill is extremely needed. A 2023 investigation uncovered CCP influence in numerous public schools and school districts across the nationThe TRACE Act would ensure that parents have a full and continuous accounting of Chinas meddling in their childrens education, Aguilar added. Sen. John Hoffman speaks as Melissa Hortman honored at national conference originally appeared on Bring Me The News. The politically motivated assassination of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman was a topic of discussion as lawmakers from across the country gathered for an annual conference. During the National Conference on State Legislatures (NCSL) Legislative Summit in Boston on Monday, state Sen. John Hoffman gave his most extensive public remarks since surviving an attempted assassination by the same gunman accused of killing Hortman and her husband, Mark, on June 14. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing his colleagues at the event by video, Hoffman said: "I want to speak candidly about something we all feel: the creeping erosion of public trust. Not just in institutions, but in each other. In this climate, we must recommit ourselves to governance over grievance, to service over self, and to action over anger." Hoffman implored his fellow legislators to focus on governing what they were elected to do and working to find common ground across the aisle. "What happened in Minnesota on June 14 was awful and tragic and will impact me and my family forever," he said. "But, as a Minnesotan and as an American, I do know this: we can't let the evil of the night win and we must redouble our efforts and reclaim the reason we are all public servants. "We can listen, we can extend understanding, even in disagreement," Hoffman continued. "We can compromise; not because it's easy, but because the people we serve deserve more than constant stalemate built on partisan egos. They deserve solutions." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Minnesota Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy (DFL-St. Paul) and Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth (R-Cold Spring) also paid tribute to Hortman during the summit on Monday. Some of their comments echoed Hoffman's, with both Murphy and Demuth encouraging colleagues to be more civil in their discourse. "Ive heard many suggest that in response to the evil that visited us, we should turn down the vitriol in our rhetoric," Murphy said. "I think a lot of America would appreciate that. I know Melissa would." Murphy added, But as public leaders we need to go deeper to understand how persistent, dehumanizing narratives and conspiracy theories in public discourse are serving movements and fueling the radicalization of individuals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance Boelter faces multiple state and federal charges, including murder and stalking, in the killing of the Hortmans and the shooting of Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. According to authorities, Boelter visited the homes of other Democratic state lawmakers before he was intercepted by police at the Hortmans' home in Brooklyn Park, and he had a long list of other potential targets. Demuth told the crowd that Hortman showed her "a different way to lead," by showing respect "even across deep ideological divides." In our grief, I hope everyone in political leadership moving forward everyone elected to serve their communities in any way will commit to a better kind of politics, rooted in respect and modeled by my friend Melissa Hortman, Demuth said. Watch Hoffman's full speech: This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared. Washington Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn on Wednesday announced a bid for Tennessee governor, pledging to make the state "America's conservative leader for this generation and the next." "Trump is back, America is blessed and Tennessee better than ever," Blackburn said in a video announcement Wednesday. "Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way. And that's why I am announcing my candidacy for governor." Blackburn came to the Senate in 2019, after representing Tennessee in the House since 2003. Her 2018 Senate bid gained added national attention when Taylor Swift, who had previously stayed out of politics, criticized Blackburn's voting record and endorsed her opponent. But Blackburn went on to win the race, becoming the first woman to represent Tennessee in the Senate, and easily won reelection to a second term in November. Sen. Marsha Blackburn walks through the U.S.Capitol Building June 16, 2025 in Washington, DC. / Credit: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images If elected, Blackburn would become the first woman to serve as Tennessee governor. The 73-year-old has touted her background as a staunch conservative and an ally of President Trump, lauding the president in her campaign announcement for making "historic strides in Making America Great Again" in his return to the White House, while adding that "he's going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home." "I'm running to serve as Tennessee's next governor to ensure Tennessee is America's conservative leader," Blackburn said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her bid to replace term-limited Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, Blackburn will face off in the primary against Rep. John Rose, a Tennessee Republican who announced a bid for the governors' mansion in March. Blackburn's announcement marks the latest governor bid from a U.S. senator, as a number of lawmakers have expressed interest in leaving Washington to lead their home states in recent months. Democratic Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado announced in April that he's running for governor, and GOP Sen. Tommy Tuberville of Alabama announced bid for governor in May. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Last-minute negotiations taking place as Trump's tariff deadline closes in A bipartisan group of U.S. senators has introduced legislation to shield Americas public shipyards from federal hiring freezes and mass layoffs as the Trump administration has sought to shrink the federal civilian workforce. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., along with Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Angus King, I-Maine, announced on Aug. 5 the Protecting Public Naval Shipyards, or PSNY, Act, which would exempt certain jobs at public shipyards from workforce reductions. Our shipyard workforce represents an essential component of our national defense and preparedness they should have never been subjected to this administrations ill-considered hiring freezes, Shaheen said in a release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bill seeks to exempt Americas four public shipyards: Norfolk Naval Shipyard in Virginia, Portsmouth Naval Shipyard in Maine, Puget Sound Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Washington state and Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard and Intermediate Maintenance Facility in Hawaii. In doing so, the release said, the bill ensures that the maintenance and overhaul of Americas nuclear-powered submarine fleet continues uninterrupted. The bill lists a host of civilian positions to be excluded from workforce reductions and hiring freezes, including welders, mechanics and positions supporting nuclear maintenance and refueling, among others. The bill also eliminates a hiring cap for these positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Navy budget seeks to boost modernization of fleet, shipyards Currently, the Navy can only hire 1,550 external personnel across all naval institutions each month, and the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard alone needs 550 new personnel every year to keep up with submarine fleet maintenance, according to Shaheens office. Shaheen, a senior member of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee and co-chair of the U.S. Senate Navy Caucus, and Collins wrote a letter to the Navy in February requesting that Portsmouth Naval Shipyard be insulated from the Office of Personnel Managements deferred resignation initiative for federal employees. The program, known as the Fork in the Road, began Jan. 28 with an email to federal workers outlining four new pillars for the federal workforce. One of those pillars called for a reduced workforce. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shaheen and Collins argued in their letter that cutting down the size of the shipbuilding workforce would threaten national security by increasing the amount of time submarine maintenance would take. The Defense Department responded by agreeing to exempt the shipyard workforce from the Pentagon hiring freeze, which was outlined in a memo. But Shaheens office claimed in its Tuesday release that there are issues with the implementation of the exemption. On April 17, Shaheen, Collins and King visited Portsmouth Naval Shipyard with Navy Secretary John Phelan his first time visiting a public shipyard since his confirmation. During the visit, the senators raised concerns with Phelan about the hiring freeze, according to a release from Shaheens office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Less than a month later, on May 13, the senators sent a letter to the Office of Personnel Management, asking for the processing of almost 150 personnel whod received job offers for the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard and had already been approved by Phelan, but who werent working yet. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth pledged to speed up the onboarding process at his first appearance in front of the U.S. Senate Armed Services Committee on June 18. But Sheehans office said the Office of Personnel Management has slowed that process, raising concerns about retaining workers facing lengthy hiring times. Welding school graduates and recent college graduates arent likely to wait months to be onboarded and will instead take jobs elsewhere, Shaheens office told Military Times. CASCADE TOWNSHIP, Mich. (WOOD) U.S. Rep. Haley Stevens visited a motorcycle plant in metro Grand Rapids Tuesday, part of what she is billing as a Made in Michigan Tour amid her U.S. Senate campaign. Stevens, D-Birmingham, is meeting with manufacturers, and workers around the state this month. On Tuesday, she learned how Buell Motorcycles makes its bikes sourcing as many components as possible from the United States. I see this as a made in Michigan moment and we need a champion in the United States Senate who understands the driver of our economy, Stevens said. The fact that, yes, we make things from food products to next-generation motorbikes to, of course, our automobile industry and a whole heck of a lot other high-tech and craftsmanship-type products. So Im geeked to be here at Buell motors today. Ive been absolutely blown away by what Ive seen. This is really some of the best in business and of course its made in Michigan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lakes a priority for Sen. Peters before retirement Stevens is seeking the seat that will be vacated because Sen. Gary Peters, D-Bloomfield Township, is not running for reelection next year. Other Democrats also running include state Sen. Mallory McMorrow of Royal Oak, former gubernatorial candidate Abdul El-Sayed of Ann Arbor and former Michigan House Speaker Joe Tate of Detroit. Mike Rogers, a former congressman, is running for the Republican nomination he also ran for U.S. Senate in 2024 and lost in a close race to Sen. Elissa Slotkin, D-Holly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-Ill.) questioned the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) over recent airplane evacuations in a Tuesday letter. In her letter, Duckworth referenced three recent evacuation incidents, all previously noted by the FAA, and stated, fortunately, for all three incidents, professional and highly trained flight crews were able to guide all passengers to safety with minimal injuries. While FAA has yet to disclose how long any of the referenced passenger evacuations took, these incidents once again raise serious questions about FAAs 90 second evacuation standard as well as FAAs assumptions about how evacuations occur in real world conditions (such as the assumption every passenger will comply with instructions to deplane without carry-on bags), the Illinois senator added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Duckworths letter follows a few notable aviation incidents in the last year that have rattled Americans and raised questions about air safety, including a deadly crash between an American Airlines flight and an Army helicopter close to Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport that left no survivors. We will respond directly to Sen. Duckworth, the FAA said in an email to The Hill on Tuesday. Concerning evacuations: Safety is our top priority. Thats why the FAAs message to passengers is simple: if you have to evacuate, leave your bags behind and follow crew instructions. Duckworth also pressed the FAA to provide detailed responses to questions about the three previously mentioned incidents, like the length of time needed to evacuate all passengers and crew and the number of passengers that exited with carry-on bags. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) Republican U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn announced on Wednesday that she will run for governor of Tennessee. Its official! Im running for Governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next, Blackburn posted to social media. Have breaking news come to you: Subscribe to News 2 email alerts In a press release announcing her campaign, Blackburn voiced her intention to support President Donald Trump as a strong conservative governor. In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, hes going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home. Im running to serve as Tennessees next governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader. Im ready to deliver the kind of conservative leadership that will ensure our state is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next, and I would be honored to have your support. Sen. Marsha Blackburn Blackburn joins Tennessee Congressman John Rose (TN-06), who announced his plan to run for the open seat in February. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com Gov. Bill Lee was sworn in as the 50th governor of Tennessee in 2019. Lee, who cannot run again due to term limits, has yet to make any endorsements for his future successor. The Tennessee Republican primary will take place Aug. 6, 2026, and the Tennessee gubernatorial election is scheduled to take place on Nov. 3, 2026. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. AUBURN, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) Mike Richmond, a member of the healthcare workers union 1199 SEIU, was studying to work in the medical field while juggling school, work and raising a son with autism. Richmond said Medicaid is what helped his family keep it all together. Not only did he get the assistance he needed, but I was able to start working in a great health care job, Richmond said. Currently, he is on track to earn a BSN, and his son is thriving, driving and paying for his health insurance now. He credits that progress to the care Medicaid made possible for his family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Richmonds story is one of many, according to Sen. Chuck Schumer, who visited Auburn Community Hospital to push for a new bill that would undo what he calls devastating healthcare cuts recently passed. My bill is simple, Schumer said. What I am doing is introducing legislation that will repeal all Trumps healthcare cuts and permanently extend the ACA [Affordable Care Act] premium tax credits. Schumer is pushing back against the Big Beautiful Bill, which includes a significant Medicaid cut. He warns that unless lawmakers reverse course, more than 32,000 people in Central New York could lose coverage and hospitals could lose millions in funding. Sen. Schumer says that it will impact everyone, even those who do not rely on Medicaid, explaining that if health insurance companies do not receive money from Medicaid or ACA, theyre going to raise your premium even if you dont get any of that. It could be five, six, eight hundred dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schumers bill would restore Medicaid funding and extend ACA premium tax credits that are set to expire at the end of the year. Without action in Congress, the senator believes healthcare costs could rise across the board, especially for those buying their own insurance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. A new partnership between Sentara Health and Virginia Wesleyan University to provide health education courses will begin in 2026. According to a Wednesday announcement from the school and health system, the partnership starts Jan. 1. Dr. Angela Taylor, president of Sentara College of Health Sciences, said both entities have the goal to prepare the healthcare workforce of the future, and the transition will continue that legacy. In June, the institutions signed a letter of agreement to create the partnership, which will be called the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We look forward to working closely with Virginia Wesleyan University to create new opportunities for students, expand access to in-demand programs and continue meeting the growing healthcare workforce needs of our communities, Taylor said in a statement. Specifically, all current students will complete their programs and courses of study under the previous Sentara College of Health Sciences through the summer of next year. Starting with the fall semester of 2026, enrolled students will receive their credentials under the Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University. This is pending approval from the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges, a regional educational accreditor recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Students currently enrolled will not have any changes to out-of-pocket costs for their degrees. According to Sentara, there are about 500 students enrolled at the college and about 70 faculty members, and the institutions said they were committed to reducing the effects on students and faculty. Graduation timelines will not change, and courses of study for current students will continue under the new Sentara College of Health Sciences of Virginia Wesleyan University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In April, Sentara Health paused new admissions into degree-granting programs at the Sentara College of Health Sciences after announcing it would realign the schools academic model. Under the new partnership, the existing Sentara education campus and facilities will continue to operate, and all programs will eventually transition to the VWU campus. We are proud to build on our strong relationship with Sentara as we take this important next step forward, said Scott Miller, president of Virginia Wesleyan University. Integrating Sentara College into Virginia Wesleyans academic community will create exciting new opportunities for students and strengthen health sciences education across our region. Prospective students looking to enroll in health courses at the Sentara College of Health Sciences are encouraged to reach out to Virginia Wesleyan Universitys enrollment office for the most up-to-date information about admissions. Eliza Noe, eliza.noe@virginiamedia.com Paul Weller won't be going to the Oasis Live '24 tour because he doesn't like "big gigs". Paul Weller won't be going to see Oasis on their reunion tour The Jam star - who is good friends with Oasis star Noel Gallagher - has confessed he won't be going to any of the reunited band's concerts this year because he isn't a fan of stadium shows and prefers to see bands perform in more intimate venues. During an interview with Jo Whiley on BBC Radio 2, Weller explained: "Ive not been to see them [Oasis], no ... "Im not a big fan of big gigs, I said to Noel, a few weeks or months ago: 'Are you going to do any warm-ups? which he wasnt, but, Id go and see something like that in a smaller venue, but I just dont like big gigs. It doesnt matter who it was, really." He added: "Inevitably, it doesnt matter too much where youre sitting unless youre right in the front row, you just end up watching the screens. It kind of spoils a bit for me because I want to see whoever is playing or singing, and I want to be able to see them." Weller, 67, went on to insist he's pleased for his pal Noel because the Oasis reunion has proved to be a "big cultural moment". He said: "You know how its going to go for him, its going to be mad. I said to him that its going to be a cultural moment because the amount of people I speak to just out on the street, not necessarily who youd think would be an Oasis fan, but they are all going to it, and its a big cultural moment, I think that will be remembered forever ... "Theres probably not too many bands like them [Oasis] at the moment, yknow, kind of guitar music. I cant think of any, not from the UK anyway, maybe Fontaines DC is different and people like that. So, I think its definitely a younger audience who missed out on that 90s thing." The Oasis Live '25 Tour started in the UK in Cardiff with shows on July 4 and 5 before heading to the band's hometown of Manchester for five gigs at Heaton Park between July 11 and 16 After concluding the UK and Ireland leg - with gigs in London, Edinburgh and Dublin - Oasis will take the shows to North America, South Korea, Japan, Australia and South America, where the tour will conclude in Sao Paulo, Brazil on November 25. SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) Bosnias electoral authorities on Wednesday stripped separatist Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik from his position as president of the Serb entity in Bosnia, following an appeals court verdict that sentences him to one year in jail and six years ban on all political activities. The Central Electoral Commission said that Dodik has the right to appeal, with an early presidential election to be held 90 days after the decision. The last Bosnian Serb presidential vote was held in 2022. Dodiks lawyers have announced that they will seek a temporary measure postponing the implementation of the verdict, and announced an appeal to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The appeals court in Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed Friday an earlier court ruling that sentenced the pro-Russia Bosnian Serb leader to one year in prison and handed a six-year ban on political activity. As a result, his mandate as Bosnian Serb president was revoked. Dodik rejected the court ruling and added that he will continue to act as Bosnian Serb president as long as he has the support of the Bosnian Serb parliament. He also received support from populist Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic as well as Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban. The Bosnian Serb government said it does not accept the court ruling because it is unconstitutional and politically motivated. In any case, we cant put him behind bars, thats impossible," the speaker of the Bosnian Serb parliament, Nenad Stevandic, said. "We can't ban him from political activity. What he did till now, he will be doing from now on as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The European Union said last week that the verdict is binding and must be respected. Bosnia is a candidate for EU membership but has been told by Brussels to strengthen the rule of law. Dodiks separatist and pro-Russian activities stalled Bosnias progress toward EU membership. Dodik has repeatedly called for the separation of the Serb-run half of Bosnia to join Serbia, prompting the former U.S. administration to impose sanctions against him and his allies. Dodik was also accused of corruption and pro-Russia policies. Dodiks separatist threats have stoked fears in Bosnia, where a 1992-95 war erupted when the countrys Serbs rebelled against independence from the former Yugoslavia and moved to form a ministate with the aim of uniting it with Serbia. About 100,000 people were killed and millions were displaced. The U.S.-sponsored Dayton Accords ended the war and created two regions in Bosnia, Republika Srpska and the Bosniak-Croat Federation, which were given wide autonomy but kept some joint institutions, including the army, top judiciary and tax administration. Bosnia also has a rotating three-member presidency made up of Bosniak, Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dodik has repeatedly clashed with the top international envoy overseeing the peace, Christian Schmidt, and declared his decisions illegal in Republika Srpska. The Dayton peace agreement envisages that the high representative can impose decisions and change laws in the country. Associated Press writer Dusan Stojanovic contributed from Belgrade, Serbia. Blank birth certificate has been stamped with baby's footprints. It sits on a table with a pen, ready to be filled in. (Stock photo by John Carleton/Getty Images) COLUMBIA After at least three South Carolina school districts denied paid parental leave to mothers of stillborn infants, a state legislator is asking the attorney general to clarify the law. A 2023 state law that guarantees teachers at least six weeks of paid parental leave after giving birth should include stillbirths, said Rep. Neal Collins, the laws main sponsor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Easley Republican didnt specifically consider stillbirths when writing the law. But they should be included, since the law says only that a person must give birth to qualify for leave, he said. Collins told the SC Daily Gazette on Wednesday he personally knows of three cases of districts denying leave. But he declined to specify which or give details about the parents, saying he didnt want to add to their grief. In two of those cases, the district eventually reversed course and granted the leave. But one required the woman to draw from her vacation instead, he said. 20250804174855_001 Shocked by the denials, Collins asked Attorney General Alan Wilson for an official opinion as to whether stillbirths qualify under existing law. The 2023 law extended to K-12 public school employees the same paid parental leave given a year earlier to employees of state agencies and colleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both laws provide six weeks of paid leave for employees who give birth or become parents by adopting a child under 18. The spouse who doesnt give birth or in the case of adoption, the parent whos not the primary care provider can take two weeks off with pay. According to Collins letter, the districts denied parental leave to women who had experienced complications following their stillbirths, including side effects from epidurals that made them unable to walk or drive. Because of that, the parents would be unable to return to work anyway, he wrote in Mondays letter to Wilson. While not legally binding, Wilsons opinion could help clear up the apparent confusion, Collins said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Regardless of how Wilsons office interprets the law, Collins intends to introduce a bill in the legislative session that resumes in January making it crystal clear that parents of stillbirths qualify for parental leave. He said he wants to avoid any future denials. Im shaking my head in disbelief that we need to clarify this, Collins said. Even one case in which a parent is denied leave is too many, said Patrick Kelly, a lobbyist for the Palmetto State Teachers Association. Its not only out of line with the spirit of the law, its inhumane to tell a woman, Im sorry, but your birth doesnt rise to the level of other births in order to receive benefits, Kelly said. Its infuriating. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paid parental leave is meant to give parents time to go home and adjust to their new lives with a baby. In the case of a stillbirth, parents still need that time to adjust to their new reality, as well as the medical realities of giving birth, said Dena Crews, president of The South Carolina Education Association. To have a stillbirth and not have that honored is like a double slap in the face, being asked to come back to work, Crews said. I can only imagine the hurt for those parents on top of all this. Districts must hire a substitute to take over for teachers who are on parental leave. But that cost is relatively low, especially considering the district must hire a substitute teacher regardless of the type of leave a parent is using for their time off, Kelly said. The benefits of a treating a teacher well far outweighs the cost of paying for parental leave, said Kelly, who also teaches advanced government at Blythewood High School. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following a stillbirth, a woman must both recover from any medical complications as well as grieve her child. Denying her the time to do so tells the teacher the district is unwilling to support her, while also creating a ripple effect in morale for other employees, Kelly said. If I heard my coworker went through this devastating experience and my district wasnt willing to spend a few dollars to support her while she grieves and recovers, I would be quickly looking for another district, Kelly said. Its basic humanity, he added. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) Residents across Utah have raised concerns in public hearings after multiple school districts have proposed raising their property taxes and increasing property tax revenue. The Tooele County School District (TSD), Alpine School District (ASD), and Granite School District (GSD) all held public hearings on August 5th, 2025, to propose increases in property taxes, raising concern amongst their residents. Alpine School Districts School Board members voted to approve the property tax increases shortly following the meeting. Box Elder School District is also holding a public hearing next week to discuss a proposed tax increase. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details on each school districts public hearing are available below. Alpine School District Alpine School District held a public hearing on increased property taxes and then voted to approve that increase. The average household, with a market value of $520,000, will see an increase of $28.6 per year. The tax increase should generate approximately $22 million in additional revenue. ASD residents voted last November to split Alpine School District up into three new school districts, which will occur in 2027. School Board Vice President Stacey Bateman voted in favor of the increased property taxes and believes the revenue will be essential for those new school districts. We have the opportunity now to do something that gives each new school board a strong starting position, instead of them needing to raise taxes sharply in two years, said Bateman. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the public hearing, some residents argued that the new property taxes would be essential to supporting programs in the new districts. Other residents argued that property increases within ASD were becoming habitual and pushing financial burdens on residents. Residents can find more information about this property tax increase here. Granite School District Granite School District (GSD) held a public hearing on August 5, 2025, at 7:30 p.m. in order to discuss increase property taxes that would give GSD an additional $17,798,520 for the 2025-2026 school year. The increased revenue would come from increased property taxes. On $565,000 residences, property taxes would increase from $1,151.33 to $1,257.61, or an additional $106.28 per year. For the median business, valued at $565,000, property taxes would increase from $2,093.33 to $2,286.56, or $193.23 per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under this proposed budget, property tax revenue would make up 38.33% of all governmental funding for GSD. Granite has outlined several priorities in their 2025-2026 budget plan, which includes step and lane advancements for educators and other District employees, cost-of-living adjustments for each District employee, [and] adjustments to the district formula for allocating full-time educators to grades K-2. Granite School District proposed 2025-2026 budget allocation. Courtesy: Granite School District Opponents of the tax increase raised concerns about declining enrollment rates, low literacy rates, and ineffective spending priorities. Those who supported the tax increase argued that the revenue was necessary and should go to support teachers and low-income families. They also said that the increase could provide enrichment and improved conditions for students and teachers. Individuals can find more information about GSDs budget here. Tooele County School District Tooele County School District held a heated Truth in Taxation public hearing in which they discussed decisions proposed in a June budget hearing. In that budget hearing, they proposed increasing property tax revenues. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under the proposed increase, property tax on a $475,000 residence would increase from $1,139.31 to $1,423.55 each year, amounting to $284.24. Property tax on $475,000 businesses would increase by $516.80 each year, from $2,071.48 to $2,588.28. As a result of those tax increases, TCSD would receive an additional $9,250,573 and would increase its budgeted revenue by 8.06% above last years. During the meeting, residents were very outspoken about the proposed tax increase. Some spoke out on their concerns about low literacy and proficiency rates, while others addressed concerns on the financial burden they faced due to increased taxes. Additionally, residents raised concerns about Tooele County School Districts poor audit results and called for more effective budgeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One commentator called for the resignation of two school board members and made comment on ones title of Doctor. The school board member called those comments very disrespectful, and the public hearing then deteriorated into a shouting match. That individual, Steve Garrett, told ABC4.com, We have families that are worried about paying for groceries and these kinds of expenses just being passed down to them. We cant pay more money unless, at the very least, we need some people to resign. The public hearing went on for several hours, with over a dozen individuals speaking out against the proposed tax increase. More information on Tooele County School Districts proposed budget increases can be found here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McKenzie Diaz and Nicholas Rewey contributed to this story. 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. A battle between Texas Republicans and California Democrats to augment their political party's advantage in the U.S. House has led politicians in various states to consider ways they, too, could leverage partisan power to rack up more victories in the 2026 congressional elections. President Donald Trumps call for Texas to redraw its congressional maps to better ensure Republicans retain control of the House led to a counteroffensive in California, where Democratic Gov. Gavin Newsom and state lawmakers are doing the same thing. Such redistricting typically occurs once a decade, immediately after a census. But in some states, there is no prohibition on a mid-cycle map makeover. The U.S. Supreme Court also has said there is no federal prohibition on political gerrymandering, in which districts are intentionally drawn to one party's advantage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The redistricting efforts could play a role in determining control of the U.S. House and, with it, the prospects for Trump's policy goals in the latter half of his term. Here is a rundown of what states are doing. Texas Democrats walked out, but Republicans prevailed Democratic state House members left Texas for two weeks to scuttle a special session on redistricting by preventing a quorum needed to do business. But after that session ended, Republican Gov. Greg Abbott quickly called another one and Democrats returned, satisfied that they had made their point and that California was proceeding with a counter plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republicans currently hold 25 of the 38 congressional seats in Texas. A revised map passed Wednesday by the state House is intended to give Republicans a shot at picking up five additional seats in next year's elections. California Democrats seek to counter Texas Democrats already hold 43 of the 52 congressional seats in California. But similar to Texas, a revised map passed Thursday by the state Legislature is aimed at giving Democrats a chance to gain five additional seats in the 2026 elections. Unlike Texas, California has an independent citizens' commission that handles redistricting after the census each decade, so any changes to the commission's map would need to win approval from voters. Democrats plan to hold a referendum on their revised map in a November special election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Republicans take steps toward redistricting Like in Texas, Trump is also pushing Missouri Republicans to redraw the state's U.S. House seats. A document obtained by The Associated Press shows the state Senate has received a $46,000 invoice for software licenses and staff training for redistricting. While Republican Gov. Mike Kehoe hasn't officially announced a special session, Republican House Majority Leader Alex Riley told the AP it is pretty likely to happen. Riley added that he has had discussions with White House staff about it. Republicans hold six of Missouris eight congressional seats. The party could target a Democratic-held district in Kansas City to pick up another seat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Louisiana Republicans looking at times for a special session Louisiana lawmakers are being told to keep their calendars open between Oct. 23 and Nov. 13. The U.S. Supreme Court is scheduled to hear arguments Oct. 15 over a challenge to the state's congressional map. Republican state Rep. Gerald Beau Beaullieu, who chairs a House committee that oversees redistricting, told the AP on Thursday that the idea is to have lawmakers available to come back to work in case the Supreme Court issues a ruling quickly. Republicans currently hold four of Louisiana's six congressional seats. Ohio must redraw its maps before the 2026 midterms Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Because of the way its current districts were enacted, the state constitution requires Republican-led Ohio to adopt new House maps before the 2026 elections. Ohio Democrats are bracing for Republicans to try to expand their 10-5 congressional majority when they meet later this year to redraw maps. Democrats dont have much power to stop it. But we will fight, we will organize, we will make noise at every step of the process, Ohio Democratic Party Chair Kathleen Clyde said Thursday. New York Democrats try to change state law New York, similar to California, has an independent commission that redraws districts after every census. But state Democrats have introduced legislation to allow mid-decade redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul has said that if Texas proceeds, we must do the same. But the soonest new maps could be in place would be for the 2028 elections. That is because the proposal would require an amendment to the state constitution, a change that would have to pass the Legislature twice and be approved by voters. Maryland Democrats promise a response to Texas Maryland House Majority Leader David Moon, a Democrat, says he will sponsor legislation to trigger redistricting if Texas or any other state holds redistricting ahead of the census. Florida's governor hints at support for redistricting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican state House Speaker Daniel Perez said his chamber will take up redistricting this year through a special committee. Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis has told the public to stay tuned and has reiterated his support for the state joining the redistricting fray. Indianas governor spoke with the vice president Vice President JD Vance said he spoke with Republican Gov. Mike Braun as the redistricting melee intensified, but both politicians remained mum about the discussions. Braun, who would have to call a special session to draw new maps, has said he expects a broad conversation with legislative leaders on the moves constitutionality and said no commitments have been made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican U.S. representatives from Indiana currently outnumber Democrats 7-2. Kansas Republicans havent ruled out redistricting Republican state Senate President Ty Masterson didnt rule out trying to redraw the states four congressional districts, one of which is held by the state's sole Democratic House representative. The Legislature's GOP supermajority could do so early next year, which would put the new lines in place before the June 1 candidate filing deadline. Wisconsin Democrats take a different tack While Republicans control the Legislature, Democrats turned to the courts to try to force a redrawing of congressional districts before the 2026 midterms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two lawsuits were filed in July after the liberal-controlled Wisconsin Supreme Court without explanation previously declined to hear challenges directly. ____ Associated Press writers Sara Cline in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Anthony Izaguirre in Albany, New York; Scott Bauer in Madison, Wisconsin; Isabella Volmert in Lansing, Michigan; and Brian Witte in Annapolis, Maryland, contributed to this report. The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing oversees and inspects Iowa's nursing homes. (Photo illustration via Getty Images; logo courtesy of the Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing) An Iowa nursing home has been fined $325 for failing to protect residents of the home from abuse in the form of recurring sexual advances made by a female resident. According to state inspection reports, the staff at the Bethany Life care center in Story City entered a female residents room on the afternoon of April 20, 2025, and found the woman lying in bed with her pants and underwear around her knees and a male resident of the home lying on top of her with his pants around his knees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The staff separated the residents, and the nurse completed a head-to-toe assessment of the female resident. According to inspectors, a review of records at the home indicated the woman had a history of being overly friendly, and was at times inappropriate, with men in her unit. The inspectors reported the woman had previously tried to get a male resident to go into her room with her, and that she constantly tried touching a male residents thigh/leg Other residents told (the woman) to leave them alone due to her constantly trying to help them or ask them the same questions over and over. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The Iowa Department of Inspections, Appeals and Licensing imposed a $500 fine for resident abuse, which was later reduced to $325 due to the home opting not to appeal the penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Inspectors last cited Bethany Life for resident abuse in March 2024, after a worker at the home allegedly told a resident, Trust me, you dont want to piss me off, and yelled at the resident, Shut up! Shut up! Shut the f up! According to the inspectors report, there may have been video of the incident at one time, but the administrator indicated to them that the video coverage in the facility is deleted at the end of each day. Inspectors also found that the home failed to thoroughly investigate an April 2023 report that a worker in the home had offered sexual favors to a resident. Other Iowa care facilities recently cited for abuse include: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Corning Specialty Care This home was cited for failing to properly inform the state of the verbal abuse of a resident by a staff member in February 2025. According to inspectors, a certified nurse aide told state inspectors in May that she heard a female CNA at the home tell a male resident, You did this to yourself, so you can get yourself up and clean yourself up. A licensed practical nurse also reported hearing the comment and told inspectors the resident was left crying. A third worker reported she had seen the accused CNA on many occasions tell the resident that he was a grown-a man and that he needed to wipe your own a. A fourth employee of the home corroborated that claim, adding that she had assumed other staffers had reported the aides conduct. A fifth worker reported that on one occasion she heard the accused aide tell the man, Im not going to clean your a. If youre going home, you need to do it yourself. Salem Lutheran Home, Elk Horn This facility was cited for failing to properly investigate and report the alleged abuse of a resident. A resident of the home told inspectors in June 2025 that a few months earlier, a female CNA at the home had left her sitting on a bedpan for five hours with her call-light placed out of reach. The woman also reported that on one occasion the worker was acting drunk and being disrespectful to her throwing a pile of blankets in her lap and telling her to pick the one that she wanted. The woman told inspectors she didnt report the incidents to management because she feared the CNA was friends with the director of nursing. According to inspectors, the homes administration was aware of the incident involving the bedpan and acknowledged that no report of the matter had been sent to the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stacyville Community Nursing Home This facility was cited for failing to properly investigate and report the alleged abuse of a resident. In June, a resident of the home told inspectors someone at the facility had stolen his money. He allegedly told inspectors that $250 to $400 in cash was discovered to be missing from his room more than a month ago, and another $57 appeared to have been taken within the past week. Although the resident had reported the two suspected thefts to management, the facility didnt report either incident to the state, inspectors alleged. Chapters Living, Council Bluffs This facility was cited for failing to properly report the alleged abuse of a resident. A resident of the home had reported that a CNA had come to her room during the night and then spilled the contents of her bedpan onto the bed. According to inspectors, the worker at first denied spilling the bedpan, rudely informed the resident she was on her call-light too much, tossed the residents call-light out of reach, and then left the resident in soiled bedding before later returning to change the sheets. According to the inspectors, the homes administrator later admitted the call-light had been placed out of the residents reach, but said that was inadvertent. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SAN FRANCISCO - San Francisco laid out the welcome mat over the weekend with the Grateful Dead and Company concert series launching the first of three major summer music events. "I think over the three days we brought nearly 170,000 people into the park," Phil Ginsburg, General Manager of the San Francisco Recreation and Park Department, said. Expanded footprint What we know The city agreed to allow the producer Another Planet to expand its concert offerings beyond the Outside Lands music festival in Golden Gate Park, now in its 17th year. This year, Another Planet was allowed to hold music events the weeks before and after Outside Lands with the Dead and Company event August 2-3 and a Zach Bryan concert on August 15. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're really grateful to our neighbors in the Sunset and Richmond and appreciative of them for putting up with the inconvenience," Ginsburg said. Complaints Over the past 17 years, residents in the Richmond and Sunset districts just north and south of Golden Gate Park have had complaints about noise, traffic, rideshares, trash, parking and blocked driveways. "I had to get them towed. That was unfortunate, not something I wanted to do, but it was difficult to get our cars out," Arun Seetharam, a resident in the Richmond district, said. Another Planet established a dedicated hotline for complaints. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city says this past weekend, there was an average of about 20 calls a day about sound, eight calls a day about parking, and four calls a day about illegal vendors. Improvements Residents say this past weekend was much better than in past years. "I'm okay with it. I haven't had any driveway problems or anything like that. It's been smooth for me," Tris Thomson, a San Francisco resident who lives near the park, said. "I think Outside Lands will bring the most amount of traffic, but up til now, not too bad to be honest, which is surprising," Danny McElmury, a Sunset District resident, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some residents suggest the city alternate road closures through the summer, to alleviate some of the inconvenience to residents along heavily traveled streets. "Maybe alternating it so that not one area gets all the traffic or 50,000 people traipsing through their front door at 10 'clock at night," Seetharam said. Economic impact The foot traffic is good for business. Seetharam's daughter, a high-school student opened a lemonade stand with her sister. "It was pretty busy. We set up a lemonade stand originally in the early afternoon and we got a few people, but we decided to come back out with cookies at 10pm when everybody was coming out, and that sold way better. We did $70 an hour," Amiya Seetharam said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I hope it will have an economic impact that will get us more money and keep property taxes level and things like that," Thomson said. Ginsburg says the economic payoff for the city has been great. "We are projecting as much as $175 million in economic impact to the city," Ginsburg said. Outside Lands runs from Friday through Sunday, with about 120 musical acts including Tyler the Creator, Doja Cat, and Beck. Residents just hope people will be respectful as they leave the concerts. (NewsNation) Military officials said a 28-year-old Army sergeant allegedly shot and wounded five fellow soldiers Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Georgia before being tackled and arrested by other service members. Sgt. Quornelius Samentrio Radford, an automated logistics specialist with the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team, opened fire on his coworkers at his workplace on the base shortly before 11 a.m. ET, according to Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division. All five victims were transported to Memorial Health Hospital under Georgia State Police escort and are in stable condition, expected to make full recoveries, Lubas said. The families of all victims have been notified. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to NewsNation affiliate WSAV, Radford has been transported to Liberty County Jail. At least 5 soldiers shot at Fort Stewart Sgt. Quornelius Radford allegedly shot 5 soldiers An army official told NewsNation that Radford is from Jacksonville, Florida, and joined as an automated logistics specialist in January 2018. Radford allegedly used a personal handgun rather than a military-issued weapon in the attack, officials said. Fellow soldiers in the area quickly subdued the shooter, and he was taken into custody without further incident. He was not previously deployed to combat, NewsNation learned. Military officials said they were not aware of any previous behavioral issues with Radford, though records show he had been arrested locally for driving under the influence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials declined to speculate on a motive, citing the ongoing investigation. Radford was assigned to a sustainment unit on the base and allegedly shot soldiers who were his coworkers, according to military officials. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., is leading a Senate Democratic request for a Washington, D.C., think tank to come up with a report on the impact of Republican-led cuts to Medicaid and changes to the Affordable Care Act in the big beautiful bill President Donald Trump signed last month. Shaheen seeks think tank analysis on Trump budget bill's impact U.S. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, D-N.H., led a team of Democratic senators asking for a think tanks analysis on President Trumps big beautiful bill and its impact on those getting health care coverage through Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute (NHFPI), a non-partisan budget watchdog group, issued its own report on the new law, concluding 20,000 residents could lose Medicaid due to federal work requirements and warning that cuts in state provider tax schemes could cost the state more than $133 million in lost revenue. Shaheen is a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee and the ranking Democrat on the subcommittee dealing with budgets for the Departments of Justice, Commerce and science-related federal programs. Senate Democrats joining Shaheen in the letter to the Georgetown University Center on Health Insurance Reform were Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer of New York and Sens. Ron Wyden of Oregon, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Mark Warner of Virginia. We are deeply concerned about the impacts of actions that Trump and Republicans have taken, including finalizing rules that will ensnare Americans in needless red tape, diminish benefits, increase copayments, and stand-up verification hurdles in their reconciliation bill, all while refusing to extend tax credits that lower families premiums, the senators wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House issued its own analysis concluding that this budget balancing measure has unleashed an unprecedented economic boom with many of the nations top employers confirming plans to expand or invest more in production due to tax cut provisions in the measure. Thanks to the landmark bills tax reforms including full expensing for new domestic factories, capital investments, and R&D, along with the largest tax cut in history and numerous other pro-growth provisions companies nationwide are reporting enhanced cash flow, accelerated job-creating investments, and increased business, the White House communications office said in a statement. Shaheen was a champion for the ACA under former President Barack Obama and the tax credit that helped millions of Americans afford health insurance. Republican critics maintain the ACA failed to keep its promises that all Americans could keep their own doctor and that the law would result in health care costs decreasing over time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump during his first term supported U.S. House votes on more than 40 occasions to repeal all or part of the ACA. NHFPI issues report on Trump's bill impact on tax cuts, Medicaid, Food Stamps This graph from the New Hampshire Fiscal Policy Institute, in a report it issued this week, shows the breakdown of those on the state-federal Medicaid health insurance confirming the majority getting these benefits are children. The first bill Shaheen introduced this year with Sen. Baldwin and U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood, D-Illinois, was to permanently extend the enhanced tax credits for Marketplace coverage that came with the ACA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Health insurers have submitted public rate filings that often include double-digit increases, demonstrating that the combination of these policy choices contributes to insurer uncertainty, Shaheen and her fellow senators wrote. What this data does not directly address is how insurer action will translate to health plan costs and insurance plan availability for the 24 million working Americans who buy their insurance through the ACA Marketplaces, including nearly 3 million small business owners, almost 5 million near retirees (ages 50+), and over one million children. The NHFPI is the first analysis in New Hampshire of impacts from whats also known as the Reconciliation Act, with many provisions not dealing with Medicaid until 2028. In New Hampshire, an estimated 20,000 people, or about 35 percent of Medicaid Expansion enrollees under these projections, will lose coverage due to the work requirement, according to the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, the report said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2015, then-Gov. Maggie Hassan signed bipartisan legislation for New Hampshire to expand Medicaid coverage to as many as 60,000 low-income adults. The law Hassan signed has this expansion going away six months after Congress ever reduces its 90% reimbursement commitment to the states for Medicaid coverage extended to these individuals. This study estimates Medicaid spending should drop more than $2 billion in New Hampshire over the next decade and warned the state budget will get hit hard by the provision that over time will reduce from 6% to 3.5% the provider taxes that New Hampshire has used for three decades to leverage bonus, federal reimbursements. These changes will unfold in the next several years and could shift over time, but the consequences for New Hampshire are clear: more costs shifted to the state, fewer resources for those with the greatest need, and difficult decisions ahead for policymakers, said Phil Sletten, lead author of the analysis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report also analyzed who benefits from the Trump tax cuts and the impact on other federal programs, including food assistance and tax credits for renewable energy projects. klandigan@unionleader.com SHANNON COUNTY, Mo. The Shannon County Sheriffs Office (SCSO) and the Shannon County Commission saw their major issue come to an end in court last week. Shannon County Sheriff Steven Hogan filed a restraining order against the Shannon County Commission in June after the Commission announced that they would terminate almost the entire SCSO staff because Hogan went 75% over the fiscal year budget by June. The judgement from the July 29 court setting says that the Commissions actions to terminate the SCSO staff constituted a meeting, but the County Clerk posted no such notice of the meeting. Thus, the Commissions terminations of SCSO staff are voided. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Shannon County Sheriff alleges orchestrated campaign of harassment and smear tactics, threats to life Additionally, the court found that the voided actions are irrelevant, as the Commission does not have the authority to terminate the existing staff in the first case, pursuant to Missouri case law. The restraining order is now dissolved, per the judgement. Hogan published a press release on Facebook earlier today and said the courts judgement is not just a legal victory it is a resounding defense of democracy, transparency, and the rule of law. Let this be a warning: No one is above the law, Hogan said. Not even the County Commission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hogan said the judgement doesnt even scratch the surface, and theres much more to come. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. NEED TO KNOW Kate Price suspected for much of her life that her father violated her as a girl when she was growing up in Pennsylvania But only as an adult, after therapy and after working with a local reporter, did she uncover the extent of what she endured Now a sex trafficking expert and advocate, she wants to effect change When Kate Price was 6 years old, in the summer of 1976, her father, Kenneth, used a pocket knife to carve an X into the soft underside of her left forearm spitting out a warning as he did so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You are mine, she remembers him telling her. You will always be mine. Not long after, Price and a friend snuck into his pickup truck. Plagued by terrifying, fragmentary feelings as much nightmare as memory she was on a quest for answers. She suspected her father was doing things to her. Violating things. She just couldnt remember what they were. There was one detail that stuck with her, though, something she'd heard her dad say on his radio: Chicken Plucker, a nickname for another man whom Price recalled Kenneth talking to all the time. So she picked up the radio microphone and took a breath. Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price (right) and her sister, Kari Kate Price (right) and her sister, Kari Breaker, breaker one-niner, she said, trying to sound like her father. Im looking for Chicken Plucker. She waited, heart pounding, beside her friend. Then a voice crackled through: This is Chicken Plucker. He sounded even older than Kenneth. Price and her friend gasped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Just saying his name, hearing him answer, that changed me, she tells PEOPLE now. It proved I wasnt imagining it. Whatever was happening to me was real. That was the day the search for her truth began. Almost five decades later, that search is finished: Price this week published a searing new memoir, This Happened to Me, that traces the years it took for her to uncover what her father had really done to her as a young girl and the life she built as an adult. The thing is my case is textbook. Theres nothing unique about what happened to me ... truly, Price says. Just like the Jeffrey Epstein case, it fits the classic definition of child sex trafficking. Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price as a girl Kate Price as a girl Looking for Answers Price grew up in the '70s and '80s in the working-class river town of Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. She was never far from violence: At 8, she watched her father, an electrician at an area children's hospital, rip a bedroom door off its hinges and grab her older sister, Kari, by the throat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Price was only stopped from fleeing by her mother, Carolyn, who pulled her back with a whisper: What will the neighbors think? Carolyn, who worked at the same hospital as Kenneth, operating a keypunch machine, died in November 1993. Price says she never intervened in the abuse in the family paralyzed, Price believes, by the fear of losing her children and her husband's rage. (Only later did the couple divorce.) But Carolyn also wanted better for her kids and pushed Price to seek more for herself. By 1990, Price was studying environmental education at Lesley College outside Boston, traveling to India and working summers in Colorado. 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 she entered young adulthood, Price also began to look inward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 17, a high school counselor had urged her to seek therapy after she broke down over her traumatic childhood. I really didnt know what was wrong with me, Price recalls. She could barely stop crying and sometimes struggled to breathe. Determined to get help, she paid for therapy sessions with money from part-time jobs as a lifeguard and at a bridal shop. Her mom never knew. Still, her past eluded her beyond the feeling that something really, truly bad had happened to her. According to Price, the memories began when she was 6, the same year her father cut the "X" into her arm. She describes them as dark, horrific flashes she couldnt explain but couldn't forget. She tried to keep them at a distance. Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price in the classroom Kate Price in the classroom Then, one snowy night in 1998, Price found herself alone in her apartment in Cambridge, Massachusetts, crying until her eyes swelled shut. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She'd recently seen the movie Bastard Out of Carolina, about a young girl who endures intense physical and sexual abuse from her stepfather. Watching it triggered a memory of being in her own fathers pickup, on a fishing trip, and the harm she started to realize she had buried for decades. More scenes played out in her mind: of flannel shirts, whiskey, the sting of a syringe in her arm and her dad's hands as well as the faces of dozens and dozens and dozens of men. With my eyes open, I saw a hundred trucker men who had raped me," she says now. Panic set in. Price called her therapist, who told her, Go to the infirmary. Now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She hailed a cabbie and told him on their drive, steady-eyed, If you hadnt been there, I wouldve killed myself. A nurse greeted her with warm milk and clean sheets. It was the most taken care of she'd ever felt. The next day, she met with trauma psychiatrist Dr. Bessel van der Kolk. Known for his research into post-traumatic stress disorder and a then-emerging therapy called EMDR, he helped guide Price back through her own memories, with more clarity. (Their session would later be included in van der Kolks bestseller The Body Keeps the Score, without Price's name.) Therapy helped, but much remained unclear. As an adult, Price made sex trafficking her professional expertise. She also began speaking about her experience with her father, which caught the attention of a local reporter. For over a decade, Price investigated her past with the help of The Boston Globe's Janelle Nanos, who eventually profiled her and her journey to the truth in 2022. In an interview with Nanos, a family friend corroborated an account of the abuse, saying Price's mother had told her about it years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Price hadnt imagined it. The scars, physical and otherwise, were real. [My dad] used to tell me, 'You make me do bad things,' she says. Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price in her youth during horrifying times of allegedly being abused by her family members. Kate Price in her youth during horrifying times of allegedly being abused by her family members. Looking back, Price says her abuse lasted six years from when she was 6 to 12. It started in an old garage; the smell of a particular brand of beer still triggers flashbacks. She believes she was drugged which, coupled with her trauma, had long made her recollections slippery, almost subliminal. But she remembers being lifted from bed in the middle of the night, carried outside, lowered into a pit wrapped in a canvas blanket soaked in motor oil and booze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Price also says Kenneth trafficked her to as many as 100 truckers at rest stops along I-80 in Pennsylvania, to gain access to other children and make money. Price says the abuse didnt stop there: Her maternal grandfather, also named Kenneth and also now dead, assaulted her at age 6, in his basement, while she was wearing her Easter dress. As bad as you might imagine it was I went through it, she says. I experienced repeated child rape. I had no frame of reference for how horrific it really was. But it was bone-chilling, devastating and deeply traumatic." Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price in her childhood home in rural Pennsylvania. Kate Price in her childhood home in rural Pennsylvania. Gallery Books A Final Farewell Price's father was never charged. Federal officials investigated at one point but he denied any wrongdoing. He and Price's mom have both died. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No one wouldve believed me. He was charming. But I believe he's a sociopath and narcissist," Price says. "People thought he was a great guy. ... If my family believed me, theyd have to reconcile they were duped for decades. The Globe article and Price's memoir provide the fullest public account yet of what happened to her. Price did confront Kenneth once. In 1999, she wrote to the children's hospital where he was working to warn them about what she said he was capable of. Days later, according to her, they confirmed steps had been taken to protect patients. That validation gave her the courage to do what therapy couldnt simulate: call him. Shed practiced it in EMDR, but her blood still ran cold and her hands still shook as the phone rang what her trauma psychiatrist called the bodys way of telling the truth. So Dad, you know how you apologized that time a couple of years ago for being a bad father? she told Kenneth, adding, What about admitting and apologizing for hitting me ... sexually abusing me? Dad, you raped me. A lot. No, no, no, he insisted screaming his dismissal. Dad, this happened, Price told him. You know this happened." Kenneth told her to never call again. That was the last time they spoke. Courtesy of Kate Price From left: Kate Price and her husband, Chris From left: Kate Price and her husband, Chris Some 26 years later, on April 20 Easter Sunday Price had recently finished her book and was getting ready for a Lucy Dacus show in Boston when her husband, Globe sportswriter Chris, handed her his phone. No words, just a website: her fathers obituary. Price called her sister, Kari. They waited for grief. It never came. Kenneth, the man who terrorized them, was dead. They werent named in the obituary. We felt nothing, Price says. But I was grateful. One [because], Id never have to worry about feeling or being hunted by him again. Two, I finished the book while he was alive. That matters, because it's the truth. 'I Don't Hate My Father' As a survivor and scholar fighting to end family-controlled commercial sexual exploitation worldwide, Price knows how intergenerational trauma fed her exploitation. As a mother herself, the ache remains that her parents never broke the cycle. I dont hate my father, she says. In a way, she's indifferent. Hes been gone from my life for so long, he barely registers," Price says. "So many parents hurt their kids, and we have a difficult time reconciling that. But its the truth. Her hope? That her book and advocacy can educate and, over time, effect change. Courtesy of Kate Price Kate Price Kate Price She's an associate research scientist at the Wellesley Centers for Women; a senior research scholar with the Global Association of Human Trafficking Scholars; and an advisor to the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and the Global Platform for Child Exploitation Policy. She is also leading the first national study on familial child sex trafficking and the commercial sexual exploitation of children. "Im grateful for the work I do and for my family," she says. Grateful, yes, and lucky: "Im lucky to be alive, to fight this. But perpetrators, mostly traffickers, keep thriving while victims get blamed, forgotten, sometimes lost to suicide. This cycle parents hurting their kids still plays out every day. Thats reality." This Happened to Me is available now. Read the original article on People WARREN, Ohio (WKBN)- Firefighters responded to a Warren motel after a shed caught fire behind the building Wednesday morning. Crews were called to the 3000 block of Parkman Road in Warren around 5 a.m. Firefighters did not say whether or not anyone was hurt. Firefighters did not say what caused the fire. Firefighters said that lots of carpet was inside, making the fire tough to put out. The State Fire Marshal will be called on Thursday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kyle Wills and Andrew Peterson contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield participates in a debate with candidates for mayor of Detroit during the third day of the Mackinac Policy Conference at the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island, Mich., on May 29, 2025. (Photo by Andrew Roth/Michigan Advance) Detroit City Council President Mary Sheffield and Pastor Solomon Kinloch Jr. will move on to the Detroit mayoral general election in November after securing the top two spots among nine candidates in Tuesdays primary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Associated Press called Sheffield as the top vote-getter before 10 p.m., with Kinloch placing second. Sheffield polled more than 50% of the overall vote, while Kinloch pulled in just over 17%. Former City Councilwoman Saunteel Jenkins came in third place with 16%. Sheffield, who would be the first woman and first Black woman to be Detroits mayor if elected in November, was exuberant as she addressed her supporters at a campaign victory party. Detroit, we made this moment together, Sheffield said. We climbed it together, and Detroit, I believe our best days are ahead of us. The victory tonight is not mine, it is ours. It belongs to every little boy and girl in this city who was told to dream small. It belongs to every neighborhood in this city that has felt left behind. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement James Craig, the citys former police chief and the only Republican in the race, came in fifth place after Todd Perkins. Craig ran for governor in the 2022 Republican primary, but was unable to make the ballot due to a rash of signature petition fraud that affected several candidates and kept them from competing. Current Detroit Mayor Mike Duggan, a former Democrat, did not seek reelection to a fourth term and is instead seeking the governorship in 2026 as an independent candidate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) An inmate at the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility was found dead on Aug. 1, El Paso County Sheriff Oscar Ugarte said. At about 4:20 p.m. on Aug. 1, detention officers at the Downtown jail were conducting a routine check on inmates when they observed 34-year-old Jonathan Rizzo unresponsive in his cell, Ugarte said in a written statement released on Tuesday, Aug. 5. As required by law, the Texas Commission on Jail Standards was notified. The El Paso County Sheriffs Office Major Crimes Unit and the Texas Rangers are conducting a full investigation into the incident, Ugarte said. Preliminary findings suggest the cause of death was natural; however, the investigation remains ongoing, Ugarte said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A search of jail records shows and the Sheriffs Office confirms that Rizzo was facing a charge of possession of a controlled substance, two charges of credit or debit card abuse and possession of less than 2 ounces of marijuana. Our priority is the safety and well-being of everyone in our custody. We are committed to full transparency and accountability and will ensure this case is thoroughly investigated in accordance with state law and departmental policy, Ugarte 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 KTSM 9 News. WEBSTER PARISH, La. (KTAL/KMSS) Webster Parish Sheriff Jason Parker has been chosen for a role no sheriff from the parish has ever held. Parker will serve as the Sergeant-at-Arms on the Executive Board of the Louisiana Sheriffs Association, according to a social media post from the Webster Parish Sheriffs Office. Its the first time a Webster Parish Sheriff has been selected to serve in a leadership capacity on the LSA. The sheriffs office says Parker was unanimously elected by his fellow Louisiana sheriffs for the role at their annual conference which wrapped up on July 31 in Destin, Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I thank my fellow sheriffs for their confidence and pledge to work along side each of them in addressing the ongoing needs and challenges that face our offices, Parker said. The sheriffs office says Parkers election will likely clear the way for him to one day become the LSA President. They say traditionally, board members progress through each officer position on the board over the course of four years. The social media post says that in his role, Parker will assist in advising the LSA board on matters ranging from budgeting and equipment needs to operational and legislative concerns. Its an honor to serve this statewide organization, but its also a great opportunity for our parish, he said. This role brings greater recognition to Webster Parish and ensures that the voices of north Louisiana are heard when critical issues are being discussed in Baton Rouge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTALnews.com. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) A 20-year-old parolee was arrested on Sunday, Aug. 3, after physically assaulting a person, according to the El Paso County Sheriffs Office (EPCSO). Carlos Salinas III, 20, who is currently on parole for a previous murder conviction, was charged with assault causing bodily injury under a $20,000 bond. He was then booked into the El Paso County Downtown Detention Facility, according to EPCSO. Shortly before 9:30 p.m. on Aug. 3, deputies responded to the 100 block of Nonap Drive about an assault in progress. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement EPCSO said that upon arrival, deputies made contact with the victim, who reported being physically assaulted by Salinas. A short time later, deputies located Salinas at the 12700 block of Pellicano Drive and took him into custody without incident, according to EPCSO. EPCSO said that due to a parole violation, Salinas remains in custody under a parole detainer. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. WASHINGTON - Ocean vessels lost more than 500 shipping containers at sea in 2024, which was more than double the number lost during the previous year, according to a newly released report by the World Shipping Council. While the figure marks a significant rise from the record-low 221 containers lost in 2023, the amount remains well below the 10-year annual average of 1,274. The WSC attributes much of the increase to the ongoing conflict and security threats across the Middle East and Red Sea region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These conditions are said to have forced a shift in shipping routes, causing vessels to reroute around the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa - a region notorious for its extreme weather. Marine traffic around the Cape surged by 191% compared to recent years, as vessels from the Middle East, Asia and Australia diverted to avoid the conflict zone. The South African Maritime Safety Authority reported that at least 200 of the 576 containers lost in 2024 happened in the treacherous seas where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans converge. According to NOAA, the meeting of warm waters and frigid Antarctic currents, combined with frequent storm systems, contribute to the regions volatile ocean conditions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Florida's Struggling Citrus Industry Pins Hopes On State Funding Amid Historic Drop In Production Levels Despite the recent rise in losses, WSC emphasized that the numbers of lost containers remain remarkably low when compared to global shipping rates of around 250 million containers transported globally every year. "This years report confirms that the vast majority of containers are transported safely across the oceans. Still, even one container lost is one too many," said Joe Kramek, president and CEO of the World Shipping Council. "Despite continued loss-prevention efforts by the industry, the re-routing of transits away from the Red Sea and around the Cape of Good Hope to keep global commerce moving has ocean carriers navigating one of the worlds most challenging routes, as highlighted in this report." The estimated 576 containers lost in 2024 represents less than 0.0002% of all containers moved annually across the worlds five major oceans. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement WSC officials noted that while container loss figures increased this year, the industry continues to implement safety reforms and improved shipping practices, which have likely resulted in a decrease of lost containers. What Season Do Fruits And Vegetables Grow In It remains unclear whether an upcoming mandatory reporting requirement, set to begin in 2026, will impact loss figures. Under new regulations adopted by the International Maritime Organization, all container losses at sea must be reported to the organization. Additionally, the industry is preparing to implement increased safety measures aimed at better identifying hazardous cargo. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WSC says dangerous and undeclared goods can spark ship fires, leading to damaged property and even the complete loss of a vessel. Original article source: Shipping industry reports more than 500 containers lost at sea during past year At least five soldiers were wounded after an Army sergeant who was recently arrested allegedly opened fire Wednesday at Fort Stewart in Georgia. The suspect has been identified as 28-year-old Quornelius Radford, a U.S. Army active-duty automated logistics sergeant from Jacksonville, Florida, who was assigned to the installation. Army officials said Radford allegedly used a personal handgun in the shooting, and was tackled by other soldiers before being taken into custody. He had not deployed to combat. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "These soldiers, without a doubt, prevented further casualties," Brig. Gen. John Lubas, 3rd Infantry Division and Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield commander, wrote in a statement. "Right now, our primary focus is on supporting the family members of the five victims and the Soldiers of the Spartan Brigade." Montana Manhunt Expands For Ex-soldier Suspect Seen With Stolen Survival Gear After Bar Massacre Though the Army said Radford did not have any prior disciplinary or behavioral issues, court records show he was arrested in Liberty County on May 18, and charged with driving under the influence and failure to obey traffic control devices. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Army officials said the charges were unknown to Radford's chain of command. Radford is currently being interviewed by Army investigators and is being held in pre-trial confinement. A motive has not yet been released. President Donald Trump weighed in during a news conference Wednesday afternoon, noting the perpetrator will be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." "The Army Criminal Investigation Division is on site to ensure that the perpetrator of this atrocity, which is exactly what it is, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law," Trump said. "The entire nation is praying for the victims and their families, and hopefully they'll fully recover. We can put this chapter behind, but we're not going to forget what happened. We're going to take very good care of this. This person that did this horrible person." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth echoed the president's sentiment in a statement on X. "Today, a cowardly shooting at Fort Stewart left five brave Soldiers wounded. Praise God they are all in stable condition," Hegseth wrote in a post. "Our prayers are with them, their families, and the entire Fort Stewart community in the aftermath of this attack. We owe profound gratitude to the law enforcement heroes who charged into danger. Swift justice will be brought to the perpetrator and anyone else found to be involved." The soldiers were shot in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team (ABCT) area, the U.S. Army confirmed in a social media post. Law enforcement was dispatched at 10:56 a.m. ET, and Radford was apprehended at 11:35 a.m. Emergency medical personnel treated the wounded soldiers on-site at 11:09 a.m. before moving them to Winn Army Community Hospital, according to Fort Stewart. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three out of the five service members required surgery, but all are in stable condition and expected to recover, Army officials said. Their identities have not yet been released. The installation was locked down less than 10 minutes after the shooting was reported, and officials lifted the lockdown of the main cantonment area at 12:10 p.m. An all-clear was given for Fort Stewart, Wright Army Airfield and Evans Army Airfield just before 2 p.m. There is no active threat to the community. The Fbi in Atlanta confirmed on social media that it was coordinating with the Army Criminal Investigation Division. FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino later posted to X saying FBI personnel were responding to the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also confirmed she was briefed. The military installation is about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Georgia, and covers nearly 280,000 acres. Fort Stewart provides support and services to approximately 15,000 active-duty soldiers, 16,000 family members of active-duty service members, and thousands of military retirees and contractors. Active Shooter Report Prompts Massive Police Response In Midtown Manhattan Business District Army Brig. Gen. John Lubas speaks during a news conference after an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart in Hinesville, Ga., Wednesday. Army Secretary Dan Driscoll said in a social media post his team is in contact with the installation. "We are praying for the five Soldiers who were shot this morning at Ft. Stewart," Driscoll wrote in the post. "The suspect is in custody and an investigation is ongoing. My team remains in close contact with Ft. Stewart and is ready to assist with anything they need." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Brian Kemp shared on X that his office is also in close contact with law enforcement on the ground. "Marty, the girls, and I are saddened by todays tragedy at Ft. Stewart," Kemp wrote. "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same." Five soldiers were injured in a shooting at Fort Stewart in Georgia. Several People Injured In Shooting Incident At Georgia Shopping Mall: Police Republican Rep. Rick Allen, R-Ga., and Buddy Carter, R-Ga., offered their prayers to the victims and thanked first responders for their assistance. "Robin and I join the Governor and all Georgians in praying for the victims, their loved ones, and all the brave men and women stationed at Fort Stewart," Allen wrote in an X post. "We are grateful for the law enforcement officers and first responders on the ground who have responded to this tragedy swiftly." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats Sen. Raphael Warnock and Rep. Sanford Bishop Jr. also shared their support. "Im heartbroken to see the news of an active shooter incident at Fort Stewart today," Warnock wrote in an X post. "Im monitoring the situation closely and join all of Georgia as we pray for the safety of our service members, staff, and their families." Liberty County Public Safety Communications referred Fox News Digital to Fort Stewart. Original article source: Army soldiers tackle sergeant accused of opening fire at Fort Stewart; 5 wounded Significant parts of the Constitution were quietly removed from the Congress website but have since been restored. Multiple outlets reported Wednesday Sections 9 and 10, and a large chunk of Section 8, had vanished from the websites annotated version. Section 8 discusses the powers the Constitution gives Congress and Section 9 discusses the powers it denies to the legislative body. Section 10 discusses the powers the Constitution denies to the states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Notably, Section 9 mentions the Writ of Habeas Corpus, which protects Americans from unlawful detention. Significant parts of the Constitution were quietly removed from the Congress website but have since been restored (National Archives) The Privilege of the Writ of Habeas Corpus shall not be suspended, unless when in Cases of Rebellion or Invasion the public Safety may require it, the Constitution reads. In May, White House deputy chief of staff for policy Stephen Miller told reporters the Trump administration is looking at suspending the writ of habeas corpus for migrants under claims of an invasion. The missing text sparked an online frenzy with Reddit users questioning what happened. They must think that removing those portions from their own site changes the constitution, one Reddit user from the military subreddit r/Military wrote Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One Reddit user suggested: Somebody kicked a plug out of a Congress.gov server (edit; not literally, but somebody who was updating congress.gov messed up) or somebody deliberately f***ed up. This isn't a server problem- this is deliberate, another replied. The Library of Congress said the missing text was an accident. It has been brought to our attention that some sections of Article 1 are missing from the Constitution Annotated...website. Weve learned that this is due to a coding error. We have been working to correct this and expect it to be resolved soon, the library wrote on X at around 11 a.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not give The Independent a comment when asked about the coding error. The Library of Congress said the missing sections were a 'coding error' (Kayla Bartkowski/Getty Images) No matter the intentions behind the sections removal, the incident raises serious transparency concerns, MediasTouch News wrote in an article. The temporary glitch did not affect the validity of the laws removed from the online version of the Constitution. The Library of Congress posted shortly after 3 p.m. the missing sections had been restored. Upkeep of Constitution Annotated and other digital resources is a critical part of the Librarys mission, and we appreciate the feedback that alerted us to the error and allowed us to fix it, the library wrote. MARSHALL COUNTY, Ala. (WHNT) A single-vehicle crash has caused all lanes on AL-79 to temporarily close on Wednesday morning. The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency said that the single-vehicle crash that happened around 12:30 a.m. has caused all lanes on Alabama 79 near Cox Gap Road to close for an undetermined amount of time. Troopers with the Alabama Law Enforcement Agencys (ALEA) Highway Patrol Division are continuing to monitor the incident. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News 19 we continue to provide updates as more information becomes available. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com. SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) After multiple weather delays, Siouxland Habitat for Humanity has moved a student-built home to its final location. Construction manager for Siouxland Habitat for Humanity, Brian Miller, said the team met up at about 7:30 a.m. to begin the move from the Harry Hopkins Campus to where it is being installed at the corner of Wright Avenue and Bryan Street in Riverside. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its the DNC Moving Company, and I think there are about five or six guys over there that are involved, said Miller. We (also) have the police, MidAmerican, and Spark Light. Miller said planning has been ongoing for months, with the homes future residents expected to move in soon. Were probably looking at two or three months on that if everything works well. We still need to build a garage in place, some work in the basement, said Miller. There will be some bedrooms in the basement as well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Executive Director of Siouxland Habitat for Humanity Shayla Becker said homes are built to fit the family and never exceed 1,200 square feet. This family, I believe, is going to be a four-bedroom house, Becker said. Juniors and seniors in the Sioux City Career Academy built the home. Its the second home the students have built for hands-on experience in the trade and part of a partnership between the school district and Siouxland Habitat for Humanity. Miller said that Its really a great partnership with Habitat and the schools. Those kids do a great job, and I personally love to see the fact that theyre teaching kids trade in schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Siouxland Habitat provides materials to construct homes for Humanity, and the labor is done free by the students. In total, including the move and other charges, the home is estimated to cost around $125,000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. Six in 10 young people fear they could become victims of violence in their communities, a new study has found. The poll of 1,338 adults aged 18 to 30 revealed that 61 per cent were concerned about violent crime where they lived, irrespective of their political allegiance. Sixty-seven per cent of both Labour and Reform UK voters said they feared becoming victims of violence in their areas. The Adam Smith Institute, which commissioned the research, said the findings were a wake-up call about a generation that feels increasingly unsafe in their own homes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) show that the number of violent offences reported to police has increased over the past decade, although the ONS says this is largely the result of better recording of crime by police. Knife crime has also risen since the Covid pandemic to near record levels, with younger people disproportionately more likely to be victims. The British crime survey, which measures peoples actual experience of crime, shows that violence has steadily declined over the past decade by 36 per cent, to some 1.1 million incidents of violence with or without injury. However, this has not changed young peoples perception of violent crime as having increased. Violent crime, from knife attacks to robberies, is no longer seen as an isolated issue affecting certain parts of the country; it is a pervasive threat that cuts across ethnic and political lines, said the Adam Smith Institute. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For many, the perception that crime is rising and that public safety is deteriorating is only reinforced by the governments failure to tackle these issues effectively. When young people across the political spectrum agree on the same fear, its clear that Britains public safety crisis can no longer be ignored. Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, says we live in a country where violent criminals and sex offenders receive shockingly short sentences - Tolga Akmen/Shuterstock Nigel Farage, the Reform UK leader, said: Successive Labour and Conservative governments have run down our criminal justice system and left Britons to pay the price. We now live in a country where violent criminals and sex offenders receive shockingly short sentences, while ordinary citizens are prosecuted for social media posts. Only Reform UK will invest in our police force, enforce zero-tolerance policing and restore proper justice, where the punishment truly fits the crime. Chris Philp, the shadow home secretary, said: Young people often bear the brunt of some crime types, such as knife crime and phone snatches. Crime has gone up under Labour and Labour has cut police numbers, with more cuts coming this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Labour wont properly back tactics like stop and search which are proven to make streets safer. And in London, Labour mayor Sadiq Khan has completely lost control of crime, is presiding over crashing declines in police numbers and is shutting police stations. Labour is letting young people and everyone down on crime. Knife crime in London, in particular, is a concern among Britons, regardless of their political views - Jamie Lorriman Emma Schubart, the data and insights manager at the Adam Smith Institute, said: Our findings should be a wake-up call for anyone still in denial about the state of public safety in the UK. When 61 per cent of young Britons, across all backgrounds and political affiliations, are genuinely afraid of violent crime in their communities, we have a serious problem. And the numbers dont lie: knife crime is soaring, robberies are up, and violent crime is no longer just an urban issue, its everywhere. The fact that this crisis is being ignored or dismissed by politicians, particularly those who prefer to label concerned citizens as far-Right, only adds fuel to the fire. People are fed up. This is a generation living in fear, and its time for the Government to stop playing political games and take action. Enough is enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Home Office spokesman said: No one should live in fear of being a victim of violent crime. We are determined to make our streets safer, using every tool available to prevent harm and bring offenders to justice. We are investing in frontline policing, expanding Violence Reduction Units, and supporting early intervention programmes that steer young people away from crime. Through targeted enforcement and community-led prevention, we are working to build safer streets and protect communities across the UK. This will be further supported by an extra 13,000 neighbourhood officers across England and Wales by the end of this Parliament and providing the police with a 1.2bn increase in funding this year. 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. BELGRADE (Reuters) -Slovenia on Wednesday introduced a ban on imports of goods produced in Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories and approved an additional aid package for Palestinians in Gaza, the government said in a statement. "The government today banned the import of goods originating from settlements in the occupied territories, including a ban on circumventing the ban on these imports," the statement on the government website said. The statement did not specify whether the ban refers to all goods produced in the territories or just Israeli goods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government also instructed the competent ministries to consider banning the export of goods from Slovenia intended for these Israeli-occupied settlements. "Israeli government's actions, including the construction of illegal settlements, expropriations, the forced displacement of the Palestinian population, the destruction of their homes...constitute serious and repeated violations of international humanitarian law," Prime Minister Robert Golob said in statement quoted by the STA news agency. "These actions not only threaten the lives and dignity of the Palestinian population, but also the foundations of the international order." The news agency said the volume of goods affected is extremely low at under 2,000 euros ($2,327.60) in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most of the international community considers the settlements illegal. The Israeli government deems settlements legal under its own laws, while some so-called "outposts" are illegal but often tolerated and sometimes later legalised. The government also said on Wednesday it would provide material assistance in the form of food and blankets, estimated to be worth up to 879,490 euros, to the Palestinians affected by the war between Israel and the militant group Hamas in Gaza. Slovenia recognised a Palestinian state in June last year, following Spain, Ireland and Norway. It last week imposed an embargo on exports, imports and the transit of arms to Israel, two weeks after it declared Israeli ministers persona non grata. (1 = 0.8596 euros) ($1 = 0.8593 euros) (Reporting by Ivana Sekularac; Editing by Sharon Singleton) SMITH COUNTY, Texas (KETK) The Smith County Commissioners Court has called a special meeting for Friday morning to discuss the 2026 fiscal year budget and tax rates. Shelby County Sheriffs Office seeks publics help to find missing woman During Tuesdays regular meeting, the court discussed the proposed tax rate and scheduled public hearings. Officials also took a vote to set the proposed tax rate and unanimously voted to keep it the same as last year, which is 0.364231 cents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the meeting, public hearings to discuss the proposed tax rates and 2026 budget have been scheduled for 9:30 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. on Sept. 2. Smith County Judge Neal Franklin spoke about how he is opposed to increasing the tax rate.I dont want to increase that tax rate. We have a lot of residents in the same fix as our employees, Franklin said. Franklin would like to see a three percent cost-of-living raise for county employees this year and stated that departments have been working to cut costs where they can. You can now stream KETK and FOX51 News live 24/7 on your smart TV with KETK+, our brand-new app! No antenna, cable, or satellite neededwatch for free, anytime. Just download it on your Roku, Apple TV, or Fire TV and start streaming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KETK.com | FOX51.com. BOSTON (SHNS) Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority CEO Jeffery Patterson was navigating a convention center maze Tuesday morning when he asked someone to help him find the room set to host a panel titled Soaring Rents. Oh, Patterson recalled his guide saying, My rents soaring, too. Thats the thing about the issue that were dealing with: Not only is it bipartisan, [but also] it really affects everyone, Patterson recounted later at the aforementioned panel discussion. Its not just a Cuyahoga or a Cleveland issue. No matter what part of the country youre in, there are these types of challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pattersons brief conversation proved to be a fitting table-setter for the event in which he soon participated. Rising rents continue to create strain in most of the nation, not just in coastal metropolises that tend to have higher shares of tenants, according to research presented during Tuesdays panel as part of the National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit. The number of rental households that are cost-burdened or pay more than 30% of their income on rent and utilities reached a record high of 22.6 million in 2023, Harvard University Joint Center for Housing Studies Senior Research Associate Whitney Airgood-Obrycki said. Thats about a 10% increase over 2019, the last full year before the COVID-19 pandemic. Roughly half of all American renters now pay at least 30% of their income toward housing, Airgood-Obrycki said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, construction of multi-family residential property has begun to slow after some of the highest completion numbers in the last 40 years nationally, Airgood-Obrycki said. Some states, including conference host Massachusetts, have struggled to generate enough new housing to support growing populations and slow quickly swelling costs. Bob Pinnegar, CEO of the National Apartment Association, said the nation needs 4.3 million more units of housing created by 2035 just to keep the current supply and demand in balance where it is. We need far more than that to actually solve the problem, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Airgood-Obrycki said rising costs for construction, maintenance and insurance complicate development efforts and, as a result, can drive up rents. Materials are up, labor is up, land is up, she said. In addition, its more difficult to build now than it might have used to be. There are complex floor plans and more difficult parcels at times. Theres greater permitting review and regulation to also deal with, and that adds time to the process as well. Some tenant advocates tend to pin the blame for rising rents on landlords. Pinnegar argued, however, that rental properties are not a very high-margin industry. The latest study that we had released shows that seven cents of every dollar thats paid in rent is profit, he said, describing a host of other expenses that property owners need to cover including mortgages, taxes and skyrocketing insurance costs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked how high rental costs impact both tenants and landlords in Ohio, Patterson replied, Were hearing all the same things: Its pretty rough. The numbers are higher and continue to get greater, he said. I think the other part of that is its not just that youre looking at your rent and thats the only thing you have to worry about. Theres an erosion on so many other aspects of peoples lives, [so] that even if youre making the same money, youre losing because those other things that youre relying on have been cut or are being modified or not as available. Airgood-Obrycki joked that her organization is sometimes known as the Joint Center for Doom and Gloom, because our story is usually pretty bleak. But the silver lining here, for all of you especially, is that states do have options to address these housing challenges, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While elected officials in states have taken different approaches, Airgood-Obrycki said she sees a lot of momentum across the country to embrace regulatory reforms and policy action aimed at spurring new production or reducing costs for renters. Montana approved a whole package of reforms, she said. New Hampshire passed its own suite. Massachusetts banned landlords from passing broker fees on to renters. If you look at a timeline of the last five years and the programs that states have tried to rapidly stand up, the types of zoning reforms that states have rapidly undertaken, and the ways that theyre thinking about housing holistically as part of a larger system that is what is really exciting to me, she said. Were all at a point where we say, This is such a level of problem that we need to solve this across the country in as many ways as we can, and were going to use every tool available to do 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 WWLP. LONOKE COUNTY, Ark. A major solar energy project proposed for Lonoke and Pulaski counties promises a transformative shift from farmland to clean energy infrastructure, but not without raising questions and concerns from local residents. At the center of a public hearing held near Keo today was the Downstream Solar Project, a 300-megawatt solar farm proposed by Invenergy, a Chicago-based renewable energy developer with more than 50 solar projects across the U.S. The project would convert roughly 6,000 acres of farmland into solar infrastructure capable of powering over 70,000 homes, or twice the needs of North Little Rock. The solar tax credit is ending: What that means for homeowners Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Invenergy says the total value of the project could reach $600 million, and that over its 50-year lifespan, it would generate $7.5 million in tax revenue for Lonoke County and $20 million for schools in Pulaski County. The company is seeking a 65% abatement on personal property taxes, which would reduce its tax bill but still produce what it says is a net gain for the community. We believe this is a positive project that will bring long-term benefits to the region, said Eve Shanahan, a Senior Analyst with Invenergys Renewable Development team. Weve partnered voluntarily with landowners and followed all environmental regulations, including wetland studies and stormwater planning. While the financial figures are substantial, residents and local officials voiced concerns about the long-term implications of converting agricultural land into energy infrastructure. Keo Mayor Stephanie White said she is still evaluating the projects overall value to her city, which has just 300 acres participating. She has proposed a community benefits agreement, including potential investment in municipal broadband and a tech hub, but negotiations are ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were looking at an additional $1,200 per year into the city coffers, White said. Thats not nothing, but its also not transformative for Keo unless we see more direct investment. University of Arkansas System and Scenic Hill Solar partner for states largest solar project Other concerns raised during the nearly three-hour hearing included property values, as some residents questioned whether nearby land values could decline. Along with the environmental impact of the project. Although Invenergy assured residents no wetlands will be disturbed, some attendees worried about wildlife disruption and runoff. As well as overall transparency behind the project as several residents said they felt Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement left out of the early stages of development, despite Invenergys claim it has been working publicly on the project since 2019. Under Arkansas law, the decision to grant the tax abatement falls solely to Lonoke County Judge Doug Irwin, who chaired the hearing. While he expressed cautious optimism, he made it clear no decision would be made at the meeting. I think this is a positive project at this point, Judge Irwin said. But I havent made any final decisions. My job is to make the best decision for the people of Lonoke County. Judge Irwin also emphasized that the county bears no financial liability if the project were to fail. Invenergy has pledged to post decommissioning bonds to restore the land if the solar farm is dismantled. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Downstream Solar Project has already received a conditional use permit from the City of Keo as of July 28, and construction is expected to begin in spring 2026, lasting roughly two years. Invenergy said the project will generate 300 MW of power, enough for 70,000 homes; create 300 construction jobs and three permanent positions, use roughly 3,000 of the 6,000 acres for panel installation and said the project will include fencing, stormwater and vegetation management and sound mitigation A second public hearing will be held for Pulaski County residents on August 7 at 10 a.m. at the Pulaski County Administration Building. With Arkansas seeing increased demand for solar energy, this would be Invenergys third major project in the state, following the Walnut Bend Solar Center in Lee County and Chalk Bluff Solar Project in St. Francis County, the latter expected to be completed by mid-2027. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement China dominates solar. Trump tariffs target China. For US solar industry, that means higher costs Whether the Downstream Solar Project proceeds hinges on Judge Irwins decision and potential agreements with both Lonoke County and the City of Keo. For now, Invenergy insists it remains committed to collaboration. Every landowner involved voluntarily entered into agreements, said Shanahan. If someone said no, we respected that and moved on. As Arkansas continues its transition to renewable energy, Shanahan said projects like this one underscore the balance between environmental progress, economic opportunity and the rural communities that lie at the heart of that change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK. TOPEKA (KSNT) Sole Reason, a Topeka-based non-profit, is expanding its operations to Manhattan to further help kids in need. Since 2016, Sole Reason has provided nearly 9,500 pairs of shoes to kids in need in the Topeka community. Located in the old Lundgren Elementary school in north Topeka, the non-profit is looking to give kids the opportunity to tie their shoes in other counties as well. There was a need beyond the Topeka community that he [CEO Jerry Hudgins] felt Sole Reason could meet, Public Relations Specialist for Sole Reason India Yarborough said. And, so, thats really where this expansion is coming from. Its just looking at the good community nearby and saying, you know what, there are kids who need us just as much in Manhattan as they do in Topeka, and so if we can do something to provide some new sneakers to kids in need there, lets do it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Friday, the non-profit hosted an exclusive launch event with the Boys & Girls Club in Manhattan, where they gave out 100 pairs of shoes to kids in the little apple. Yarborough says this comes at a perfect time with the school year right around the corner, as it gives kids the confidence they need and helps them focus on learning rather than a pair of shoes that might not fit. I know it sounds simple, going back to school to just be able to get your kids a pair of shoes, but not every family can do that, Yarborough said. So, this is really important for Sole Reason to be able to really launch and expand at this point in time to make sure some of those kids in the Manhattan community have those sneakers right before the school year starts. For more information about Sole Reason and how you can get a new pair of shoes, 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 KSNT 27 News. SEVIER COUNTY, Utah (ABC4) A human foot found along the shore of Fish Lake in Sevier County has been confirmed as belonging to a man who went missing in September 1997. According to a press release from the Sevier County Sheriffs Office, David White, from Washington, Utah, went missing in September 1997. He had plans to go fishing with friends and rented a hotel room near Fish Lake. The plans fell through, and White ended up going fishing alone. PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Human foot found in shoe along Fish Lake shoreline may belong to man missing since 1997 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whites boat was found on Fish Lake, but nobody was aboard. A shoe and a hat were the only things found of White, and indicated that he had fallen into the water. There were no witnesses at the time, and a five-day search turned up no leads. Whites disappearance remained unsolved for 28 years. On May 16, 2025, a man and his dog were walking along the shore of Fish Lake when the dog brought a shoe to its owner. The owner noticed that there appeared to be a bone in the shoe and contacted authorities. Detectives responded and conducted a search the following morning, but did not locate any additional evidence. The Utah Medical Examiners Office confirmed that the shoe contained a foot, and began working on identifying the remains. The boot was identified as a brand only made in 1996 for one year, helping detectives pinpoint when the foot may have been from. To find out whether the foot belonged to White, the Utah Medical Examiners Office collected DNA from the foot and submitted it alongside DNA collected from Whites daughter to Bode Cellmark Forensics. The press release says the DNA returned as a 99.9994% certainty that there was a paternal parent-child relation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This case has been on the mind of every one of the SAR members who were involved in the search 28 years ago. It is good to finally have some closure for the family and the searchers, Sevier County Sheriff Nathan J. Curtis is quoted in the press release. The Sevier County Sheriffs Office extended thanks to those who worked to search for White over the past 28 years, as well as the Utah Department of Public Safety Dive Team, Utah State Parks and Recreation, and all of the search and rescue teams who participated. We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the Sevier County Sheriffs Office, SARs, Detective Sgt Pearson, Detective Sgt Larsen, Sheriff Curtis, and Gary [Moulton] from Fishlake Lodge for their incredible support and tireless efforts. We are also deeply grateful to the individual and his dog who found the shoe without them, we would not be where we are today. Stefanie Bennett, Whites daughter, is quoted in the press release. Trevor Myers contributed to this report. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. US President Donald Trump wants to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin soon to discuss an end to the war in Ukraine, dpa learned on Wednesday from German government sources following a conversation between the US president and European leaders including Chancellor Friedrich Merz. The New York Times also reported on the plans. The US newspaper reported, citing two people familiar with the plan, that Trump intends to meet with Putin in person as early as next week. A three-way meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky would take place shortly afterwards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement US broadcaster CNN said "Trump says he intends to meet Putin and Zelensky as early as next week," citing a source from a European government. The news comes just a few days before a deadline set by Trump for a Ukraine ceasefire and follows talks in Moscow on Wednesday between Putin and US special envoy Steve Witkoff. Putin and Witkoff met for about three hours at the Kremlin. Moscow called the talks "useful and constructive," according to Russian state news agency TASS. Trump said that that the meeting was "highly productive" and "great progress" was made. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US president said he briefed some of Washington's European allies afterwards. According to Ukrainian reports, Trump informed Zelensky about the results of the negotiations in Moscow. "I spoke with President Trump. This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow," Zelensky posted on X. According to Zelensky, unnamed "European leaders" were also on the phone call. No details of the content were released. Following years of limited contact between Washington and Moscow due to the war launched by Putin against Ukraine, Witkoff has now visited Russia five times this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war. Angered by continued attacks on Ukrainian civilians, Trump later shortened the timeline, moving the deadline to this Friday. Trump has threatened a harsh wave of sanctions if Moscow fails to comply, including "secondary tariffs" against countries that buy Russian energy, to choke off the Kremlin's war funding. It was in this context that Trump announced on Wednesday he was increasing tariffs on India to 50% over its purchases of Russian oil. The rate is set to go into effect in 21 days. It is unclear how far Trump - who has often boasted of his strong personal rapport with Putin - is prepared to escalate should his Friday ultimatum be ignored. Large numbers of vulnerable HIV patients in South Africa are feared to have dropped off medication, in what campaigners warn could be a harbinger of rising infections and deaths after American aid cuts. Specialist clinics for high risk groups such as sex workers closed overnight when the United States halted its extensive funding for South Africas anti-HIV programme. The clinics handed out antiretroviral therapy (ART) to suppress HIV in people infected with the virus, and also anti-HIV medicine to stop the uninfected from catching it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patients have now been told to get supplies from normal government clinics, but one provisional audit of the switchover in Cape Town has suggested the great majority may have dropped out instead. The pattern is likely to have been repeated elsewhere. These high risk communities including sex workers, drug users, the homeless and trans people may now act as an early bellwether for the impact of cuts to the United States Presidents Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar). The 20-year-old scheme has been in turmoil since January, when Donald Trumps administration halted or trimmed many of its programmes as part of wider cuts to foreign aid. The scheme funded swathes of Africas HIV response in particular, and was responsible for 17 per cent of South Africas HIV budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some 13 per cent of South Africas population of about 62 million carry the HIV virus that causes Aids. Vulnerable groups served by the specialist clinics had been some of the hardest to reach and most difficult to keep on treatment during the four-decade campaign against HIV. Yet with hefty US funding, HIV rates and deaths had fallen sharply across Africa in the past two decades and countries were aiming towards ending the HIV public health emergency. Health experts fear that could now reverse and the United Nations has estimated global Aids-related deaths could jump from six million to 10 million in the next five years unless funding is reinstated. Marginalised groups who had been on ARV therapy to rebuild their immune systems are thought to be at high risk from falling sick again - Siphiwe Sibeko/REUTERS In South Africa, marginalised groups who had been on ARV therapy to rebuild their immune systems are thought to be at high risk from falling sick again as they drop off medication. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once they default on the medication, their virus levels will rise again, weakening their immune systems once more and making them vulnerable to infections like tuberculosis. It also raises the chances they will pass on the virus. One Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute mobile clinic for sex workers in Cape Town funded by Pepfar was delivering medicine to an estimated 1,400 people when it closed with immediate effect in January. The local government says everyone is now free to collect their medication from normal clinics. But a survey by a campaign group which tracked down 400 of the people who had been taking medication from the clinic found only 10 of them had successfully made the switch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emily Craven, director of the Sex Worker Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), which carried out the survey, said local and national government appeared to be in denial . SWEAT is now trying to undertake a more rigorous count of those who have dropped out, but she said potentially the numbers of missing were huge. She said: At both national and provincial level, we are kind of getting a sense of Crisis? What crisis? And its very frustrating to try to persuade people that there is a crisis that needs to be dealt with. They make you feel like you dont belong People have struggled to get referral notes to switch to government clinics, because the specialist clinics closed with just a days notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Similar Cape Town clinics for trans people and for men who have sex with men also closed in January with almost no notice. Western Cape provincial government estimates 4,000 people were directly affected by the closures. These individuals have been referred to their nearest public health facilities, said Mireille Wenger, health minister, in late June. As clients come from different geographic areas, referrals have been distributed across multiple facilities to maintain access and continuity of care. Public health facilities have continued to provide uninterrupted HIV and TB services. Campaigners say that integrating everyone into the public system should ultimately be the best solution, and ideally specialist clinics should not be needed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yet they warn that though South Africas public health system is much better placed than many African nations, currently the system cannot cope and drives away marginalised groups. Sex workers, drug users and the homeless also say they can face discrimination, mockery and even violence when they go to government clinics, so they do not bother. Ivy Mentor, a 42-year-old homeless, trans drug user, told the Telegraph she was sometimes thrown out by hospital security staff. She said: You cant go to clinics because they make you feel like you dont belong. I got arrested, I got beaten, they chase you away like a dog. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security just didnt want to allow me in because they say I am homeless and I was looking for a place to stay. Carol Lennon, a nurse at Cape Towns LGTB Triangle Project, said it was a struggle to keep some of those she worked with on medication. Some had chaotic lives, used drugs, were homeless, and lost their possessions when they were moved on by the police. But she said under the previous Wits mobile clinics she had seen more people regularly take their medicine. She said: They were actually going to people where they live on the street and they were giving them their monthly meds. That was being managed extremely well. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During that time, that is the best I have ever seen our clients. They were on their meds, service was great, no complaints, I saw peoples weights coming up, I saw they were getting healthier. She said of more than 100 people she worked with at the Triangle Project all had told her they had stayed on their medication in the past six months, though she only had their word for it. That had involved a huge amount of time shepherding people through the system, taking them to appointments, and funding their transport to government clinics. She said she was trying to drum into everyone that they had no choice but to go to government clinics now, but the project was also trying to resolve disputes when they faced hostility or discrimination. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She said: Obviously there are still people that dont want to go into a government clinic, but we have made it quite clear to each patient that those clinics are gone. Protect yourself and your family by learning more about Global Health Security Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more. HORRY COUNTY, S.C. (WBTW) South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson on Wednesday ruled the 2023 road rage killing of Scott Spivey in Horry County by a North Myrtle Beach businessman was self-defense. Wilson made his finding public in a news release, saying the states stand your ground law was applicable after a thorough review of the investigative file provided by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division. Spivey, 33, of Tabor City, died in a Sept. 9 shooting along Camp Swamp Road in the Loris area. He was involved in an altercation with Kenneth Williams and Weldon Boyd, owner of the popular Buoys on the Boulevard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal analysis of this case was reviewed by multiple career prosecutors within the Office of the Attorney General, who all reached the same conclusion, Wilson said. We have continued to review all information and evidence provided to us by law enforcement, including eyewitness statements, toxicology reports, video evidence, and forensic analysis. Our analysis has remained the same. Boyd did not immediately respond to a voicemail on Wednesday. Spiveys sister Jennifer Foley told News13 Wednesday shes heartbroken and does not believe Wilson or his team, reviewed all of the new evidence. She adds her family did not know the AGs office was reviewing it for the second time until Wilson told the media. I dont want my family to be political collateral for anyone, Foley said. I think that we have been through enough with what public agencies have done to us so far. And heres another example of a public agency using us as political gain or a political grenade at someone else. And thats not fair to my family. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The men were traveling on Highway 9 just before 6 p.m. when an unknown altercation took place between himself, Boyd and Williams. Spivey was in a black Chevrolet Silverado pickup, while the other men were in a white Dodge Ram pulling a trailer. Police found Spivey dead in his front seat hunched over his center console with a handgun just underneath his hand, the report shows. Local authorities would conclude that Spivey provoked the men and it was ruled just hours after the shooting, Boyd acted in self-defense. However, about a week later, 15th Circuit Solicitor Jimmy Richardson asked the South Carolina Attorney Generals Office to review the shooting after Boyd posted a thank you message on Facebook shortly after the shooting. The South Carolina Attorney Generals Office in April 2024 declined to prosecute Boyd due to insufficient evidence. Spiveys family two months later sued Boyd. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But a trove of evidence handed over Foley as part of a civil wrongful death suit would turn the case on its head over claims of a botched investigation and friendly ties between Boyd and law enforcement. Wilson and Mace are among five Republicans vying to replace Gov. Henry McMaster next year. The attorney issued his findings less than an hour before Maces appearance at a Myrtle Beach restaurant. Its very unfortunate that Alan Wilson is attempting to use this case for his own political gain, Foleys attorney Mark Tinsley told News13. Mace has called Wilson soft on crime, using his decision on Spivey as the latest example. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement News13 informed Maces campaign of Wilsons opinion before asking Mace about her thoughts during a news conference. I have a lot to say about what the attorney general did today and the BS, Mace said. The attorney general is afraid to fight crime. He wont prosecute murder, he wont prosecute rape, he wont prosecute human trafficking. he wont prosecute pedophiles. In an emotional 11-minute address to the Horry County Council on May 6, Foley asked Gov. Henry McMaster to appoint a special prosecutor who would review not only the details of what happened on Camp Swamp Road, but the police departments actions in its wake. A majority of the Grand Strands legislative delegation backed her request in a letter to McMaster. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We will continue to advocate for Scotts case to be reopened with a thorough investigation by an honest prosecutor who is willing to examine all of the evidence, Foley said. Horry County Councilman Danny Hardee on Tuesday also urged state Attorney General Alan Wilson to act. I dont know what the AG needs, Hardee said. I dont know if he needs you to get on your knees and beg, hug his neck or whatever but my opinion is if the AG doesnt give you an answer or direction, Id highly advise him not to politic in Horry County. News13 spoke to McMaster on May 7 at the ONEflight Myrtle Beach Classic tournament and asked him about SLEDs role in the case and whether the case has been mishandled. The agency is currently investigating possible misconduct in HCPD, but not Spiveys death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think it certainly raises a lot of questions that need to be answered, he said. People are, people are very interested. Its a frightful situation, a mans dead, and the circumstances, according to the news articles, raise a lot of questions. But thats why we have good law enforcement, and SLED is as good a state law enforcement division as any in the country, probably better. Foley said the stand your ground hearing will still be heard by a judge hopefully soon and it will be the final say. News13 also reached out to Governor Henry McMasters office and Lt. Governor Pamela Evettes campaign. Both had no comment. * * * Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Adam Benson joined the News13 digital team in January 2024. He is a veteran South Carolina reporter with previous stops at the Greenwood Index-Journal, Post & Courier and The Sun News in Myrtle Beach. Adam is a Boston native and University of Utah graduate. Follow Adam on X, formerly Twitter, at @AdamNewshound12. See more of his work here. * * * Adrianna Lawrence is a multimedia journalist at News13. Adrianna is originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia, and joined the News13 team in June 2023 after graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in May 2023. Keep up with Adrianna on Instagram, Facebook, and X, formerly Twitter. You can also read more of her work here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. A South Carolina state representative has been suspended after being accused of sharing child sexual abuse material with a nurse in Oklahoma. According to reports from the Herald, R.J. May and the nurse exchanged messages through Kik. ALSO READ:Former Idaho lawmaker sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping a legislative intern In those messages, they were asking each other for specific types of videos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, the Lexington County Republican sent more than 50 files to the nurse last year. May was ultimately charged with 10 counts of distributing child sexual abuse materials. The nurse is also facing federal charges. VIDEO: Former Idaho lawmaker sentenced to 20 years in prison for raping intern ROCKFORD, Ill. (WTVO) Rockford Police arrested a suspected South Carolina drug dealer on Tuesday night. According to law enforcement, officers with the Specialized Community Oriented Policing Enforcement (SCOPE) team were able to stop a suspect vehicle near 15th Avenue and S. 5th Street around 9:45 p.m. Police said a K-9 was brought in to sniff out more than 8 grams of crack cocaine. The suspect, Troy Boddie, 60, of Clemson, South Carolina, was arrested on charges of Possession with Intent to Deliver a Controlled Substance and various traffic offenses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was booked into the Winnebago County Jail pending the outcome of a pretrial detention hearing. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to MyStateline | WTVO News, Weather and Sports. SEOUL, Aug. 6 (UPI) -- South Korea completed removing loudspeakers that had been installed along the DMZ to blast anti-Pyongyang messages across the border, military officials said Wednesday. Around 20 speakers were completely dismantled by Tuesday afternoon, officials said. The military began the project on Monday, calling it a "practical measure that will help ease tensions between the South and the North." In June, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung ordered the suspension of the broadcasts, which included news, K-pop music, and information about democracy and life in South Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Seoul had resumed the Cold War-style propaganda campaign one year earlier in response to a series of provocations by North Korea that included floating thousands of trash-filled balloons across the border. The North countered by broadcasting bizarre noises such as metallic screeching and animal sounds, disturbing residents in areas near the DMZ. Pyongyang quieted its own speakers after the initial suspension but has not yet appeared to take corresponding action to remove them. As of Tuesday, there were "no movements by the North Korean military to dismantle their loudspeakers," Joint Chiefs of Staff spokesman Col. Lee Sung-jun said at a press briefing. President Lee has made an effort to improve inter-Korean relations since taking office in June. In addition to the loudspeaker suspension, his administration has also cracked down on activists floating balloons carrying anti-Pyongyang leaflets across the border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Seoul repatriated six North Koreans who drifted into southern waters on wooden boats and announced plans to return the remains of another North Korean national found near the maritime border. Pyongyang did not respond to the repatriation plan by a deadline on Tuesday afternoon, South Korea's Unification Ministry said. Local government officials will conduct "a respectful funeral in accordance with procedures for handling unclaimed bodies," the ministry said. North Korea has rebuffed Seoul's attempts at rapprochement so far. Last week, Kim Yo Jong -- the influential sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong Un -- said Pyongyang had "no interest" in responding to efforts by the Lee administration to thaw relations, citing Seoul's "blind trust" in military ties with the United States. The allies are scheduled to hold their annual large-scale Ulchi Freedom Shield joint military exercise this month. Pyongyang frequently condemns the joint drills as rehearsals for an invasion. SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea will offer visa-free entry to tourist groups from China, for a temporary period from September 29 through June 2026, to boost foreign tourism ahead of an Asia-Pacific summit, the government said on Wednesday. The visa-free offer was first announced in March after China's decision last November to offer a visa exemption to South Koreans and foreign visitors from other countries. It also comes amid expectations that ties between the two countries will improve under the new South Korean administration of liberal President Lee Jae Myung. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The decision to introduce the measure ahead of a Chinese holiday period in early October will help boost the domestic economy amid a recovery in foreign visits, the tourism ministry said, after a meeting to discuss measures to revitalise tourism ahead of the Asia-Pacific summit. South Korea will host a summit of leaders from 21 economies for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum from October 31 to November 1 in the southeastern city of Gyeongju, a gathering where Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald Trump might hold separate talks. Shares of South Korean department stores, casinos, hotels and beauty product makers rallied on hopes of a boost from Chinese demand. Hyundai Department Store shares jumped 7.1%, Hotel Shilla rose 4.8%, casino operator Paradise climbed 2.9% and Hankook Cosmetics surged 9.9%. (Reporting by Jihoon LeeEditing by Ed Davies) By Jack Kim SEOUL (Reuters) -South Korea's former first lady Kim Keon Hee apologised on Wednesday and called herself "a nobody" as she appeared for questioning by investigators on a string of corruption charges that plagued her husband's term before it ended abruptly. Kim and ex-President Yoon Suk Yeol are under separate investigations by special prosecutors appointed after he was impeached and then removed from office for briefly declaring martial law. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim has been the subject of numerous high-profile scandals, some dating back more than 15 years, which overshadowed Yoon's turbulent presidency and inflicted political damage on him and his conservative party. "I am truly sorry that a nobody like myself has caused concern for everyone in the country," Kim said as she entered the office of the special prosecutor. She did not answer reporters' questions about the charges against her. After nearly 11 hours, Kim left the prosecutors' office without responding to reporters asking for comment. The questioning "was progressing smoothly thanks to the special prosecutors' consideration", her lawyers said in a text message, but did not provide further details. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kim's lawyers have denied the allegations against her and said news reports about some of the gifts she allegedly received were groundless speculation. South Korea has a long history of investigations into alleged wrongdoing by high-profile figures including former presidents and family-owned conglomerate leaders. Many have made similar expressions of remorse that are not necessarily considered an admission of guilt. Yoon, a career prosecutor who rose to the head of the powerful service before entering politics, was a senior investigator for an earlier special prosecutor's team that jailed former President Park Geun-hye for corruption in 2017. Kim faces a long list of charges including stock fraud, bribery and illegal influence peddling that have implicated big business owners, religious figures and a political power broker. The charges are punishable by years in prison. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before Yoon's election in 2022 and under intense political pressure even from his own party, Kim stood before cameras to apologise for falsifying her academic records and promised to behave as a responsible spouse of a national leader. TUMULTUOUS TERM Allegations of wrongdoing did not fade as Yoon narrowly won the presidency and served a tumultuous term marred by a bitter row with the main opposition party which had control of parliament and kept up pressure on the first family to come clean on Kim's personal scandals. When hidden camera footage appeared to show Kim accepting a Christian Dior bag as a gift, Yoon refused to say it may have been illegal or inappropriate. After a review, the state prosecutors' office decided not to charge her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Yoon was ousted and with the appointment of special prosecutors, the probe against Kim intensified, reopening a case of stock fraud dating back to 2009 which had been previously closed by state prosecutors for insufficient cause. The charges against her include whether she broke the law by wearing a luxury Van Cleef pendant reportedly priced more than 60 million won ($43,200) on the first couple's trip to the NATO summit in 2022. The item was not listed in the Yoons' financial disclosure as required by law, according to the charge. She is also accused of receiving two Chanel bags together valued at 20 million won and a diamond necklace from a religious group as a bribe in return for influence favourable to business interests it was pursuing. An artwork valued at several million dollars and tens of thousands of dollars in cash seized by the special prosecutor's team are also linked to her, according to media reports that have extensively covered her travails. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon is on trial on insurrection charges facing up to life imprisonment or the death penalty for his failed attempt to impose military rule in December that plunged the country into a political crisis and a power vacuum that lasted six months. Yoon has described the special prosecutor's probe against him as a political witch hunt and since being jailed on July 10 over the risk he will try to tamper with evidence, has refused to cooperate with the investigation or attend the insurrection trial. ($1 = 1,389.1000 won) (Reporting by Jack Kim, Ju-min Park; Editing by Lincoln Feast and Alison Williams) WORCESTER, Mass. (WWLP) The chief lieutenant of a Southbridge-based drug trafficking organization was sentenced to prison on Tuesday for cocaine and fentanyl distribution. Charging documents state that investigators identified 44-year-old Ismael Maysonet of Southbridge as the chief lieutenant of a drug trafficking organization (DTO) from around August 2021 through August 2022. Maysonet distributed fentanyl and cocaine to drug dealers and retail customers, often trafficking drugs through U.S. Mail. Two women arrested at Maynard Spa following prostitution investigation Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DTO was found to obtain large quantities of cocaine from Puerto Rico through mailed packages, as well as fentanyl mailed to recipients in Florida and other locations. In his role, Maysonet would reportedly receive packages of narcotics from Puerto Rico, negotiate with suppliers, bring fentanyl and drug proceeds to and from customers and suppliers, and package fentanyl for shipment to the DTO leaders home in Florida. Charging documents further stated that when a package of cocaine was seized by law enforcement during the investigation, Maysonet spoke to postal workers on the street and at the post office regarding the packages location. Throughout this investigation, law enforcement recovered approximately nine kilograms of cocaine from packages sent through the mail, as well as 800 grams of fentanyl from multiple members of the DTO. Maysonet was responsible for distributing over 700 grams of fentanyl and three kilograms of cocaine. Maysonet was charged alongside 21 other co-conspirators in September 2022. In February 2025, he was convicted of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with the intent to distribute 500 grams or more of cocaine and fentanyl and possession with intent to distribute 40 grams or more of fentanyl. During his trial, he also threatened a federal witness in open court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Maysonet was sentenced in federal court in Worcester to 15 years in prison, followed by five years of supervised release. In June, the leaders of the DTO, Jonathan Pizarro Gonzalez and Isaac Gonzalez, were sentenced to 10 years and 15 years in prison, respectively. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Authorities are warning that there may be additional victims after a foster mother was arrested on suspicion of child abuse in Hesperia on Tuesday. Investigators from the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department Crimes Against Children Detail (CAC) assisted deputies after receiving reports in February that a 7-year-old foster child was being abused in Hesperia. The child had been placed in the foster care home of Mayra Alvarez De Giron by Los Angeles County Children and Family Services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 63-year-old foster mother was later identified as a suspect in the case, the Sheriffs Department stated in a news release. No further details about the abuse or Alvarez De Girons role in it were provided. She was charged with felony child abuse on Friday, and an arrest warrant was issued, the Sheriffs Department stated. Mayra Alvarez De Giron is seen in an image provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriffs Department. Alvarez De Giron was arrested on the 8300 block of Sweet Water Avenue on Tuesday and booked at the High Desert Detention Center without bail. Detectives believe there may be additional victims from previous foster care placements and are releasing Alvarez De Girons photograph, the Sheriffs Department stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anyone with information about the case was encouraged to contact Detective Wendy Winegar at 909-890-4904. Callers wishing to remain anonymous may call the We-Tip Hotline at 1-800-782-7463. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. A Southern California man was arrested in connection with the cold case murder of two brothers that occurred 19 years ago. Richard Ferris, 50, of Moreno Valley, was taken into custody on Aug. 1 by Riverside County sheriffs deputies. He is accused of murdering Louie Granado, 24, and Glenn Granado, 34, on Jan. 29, 2006. Deputies responded to reports of a shooting near Pepper Court and John F. Kennedy Drive in Moreno Valley shortly before 2 a.m. The brothers were found shot to death inside their vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No gunman was located. Several years into the investigation, homicide detectives identified Ferris as a suspect, but there was not enough evidence to charge him at the time and the case went cold. In April 2025, investigators reopened the case after identifying additional information. Several months later, there was enough evidence collected and deputies arrested Ferris in Boyle Heights. Richard Ferris, 50, of Moreno Valley, is seen in a booking photo from the Riverside County Sheriffs Office. He was booked into the Robert Presley Detention Center for murder. No further details, including a motive or how the suspect and victims were known to each other, were released. Anyone with information on the case can call Investigator Dan Brown or Investigator Dario Hernandez of the Central Homicide Unit at 951-955-2777. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA. The Mayor of Menifee, California, is taking time away from office, but not for a typical reason. Mayor Ricky Estrada took to Instagram to inform his constituents that, in addition to being their mayor, he is also a teacher and an Air Force Reservist. Now, Estrada has been called into action. It is important that I inform you that I have been called to serve our country abroad. I have been activated by the U.S. Air Force and will serve a 6-month deployment that is expected to start this October, he said on Instagram. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Estrada will continue to serve the community. Upon his deployment, Mayor Pro Tempore Bob Karwin will assume Estradas duties. Tens of thousands of students return to school in Anaheim on Wednesday Once his deployment ends, Estrada said he looks forward to continuing all the great momentum [the] city has accomplished. Many in the comments section of the post were quick to commend Estrada for his bravery and service to the country. Estrada did not disclose where he was being deployed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. BERLIN (AP) A motorist was clocked driving at more than 320 kph (199 mph) on the Autobahn west of Berlin, a record high at more than 124 mph above the speed limit, German police said. The speedster, who was not identified, was caught while racing along the A2 highway near Burg on July 28. The driver was handed a fine of 900 euros ($1,043), stripped of two points from his drivers license and banned from driving for three months, the Magdeburg police office said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A roadside radar stand, known as an Enforcement Trailer, caught the motorist in a routine check. A reading from its display showed the highest record speed of 321 kph, police said. Germany's famed Autobahn motorways have captured fascination and interest around the world for their lack of speeding limits. German authorities and driving clubs have argued over the years about whether the policy should continue. Limitless speeds arent universal on the Autobahn, though, as parts of the motorway are subject to speed limits. The section of the motorway where the record-breaking driver was caught has a limit of 120 kph (74.5 mph). EXCLUSIVE: Indiana will be getting their own version of Alligator Alcatraz in Florida with 1,000 beds. The "Speedway Slammer" will be located at the Miami Correctional Center in Miami County, which is in between Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. The name is a nod to Indiana's racing culture, such as the annual Indianapolis 500. "We are proud to work with President Trump and Secretary Noem as they remove the worst of the worst with this innovative partnership," Indiana Gov. Mike Braun said in a statement on Tuesday. "Indiana is taking a comprehensive and collaborative approach to combating illegal immigration and will continue to lead the way among states." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Red States Consider Alligator Alcatraz Spinoffs As Wh Urges Them To Follow Desantis Lead: 'Lots Of Bears' Sen. Mike Braun speaks during a Republican Indiana gubernatorial candidate forum in Carmel, Indiana, on Jan. 25, 2024. Braun has been endorsed by former president Donald Trump for Indiana's governorship. The funds are sourced from a reconciliation bill signed by President Donald Trump last month, dubbed the "one big, beautiful bill." According to DHS, it provided the funding for the 287(g) program, which fosters collaboration between Immigration and Customs Enforcement and local governments, in addition to 80,000 ICE detention beds. Read On The Fox News App "COMING SOON to Indiana: The Speedway Slammer. Today, were announcing a new partnership with the state of Indiana to expand detention bed space by 1,000 beds," Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement. "Thanks to Governor Braun for his partnership to help remove the worst of the worst out of our country. If you are in America illegally, you could find yourself in Indianas Speedway Slammer. Avoid arrest and self deport now using the CBP Home App." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Says Only Way Out Of Alligator Alcatraz Is Deportation US President Donald Trump tours a migrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," located at the site of the Dade-Collier Training and Transition Airport in Ochopee, Florida on July 1, 2025. The Trump administration has continued deportation operations as it encourages people who are in the country illegally, but do not have an additional criminal record, to self-deport. The administration is offering $1,000 and free travel out of the country if people exit on their own, which opens up the door for the individual to return legally, according to DHS. Click Here For More Immigration Coverage Alligator Alcatraz opened this summer under the purview of federal officials and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, and its meant to be a stopping point before individuals in the country illegally are deported. The facility used state funds at first, but will also get money from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. It can hold 2,000 people but is expected to hold 4,000 in the future, and deportation flights already started at the end of last month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm pleased to report that those flights out of Alligator Alcatraz by DHS have begun. The cadence is increasing. We've already had a number of flights, in the last few days, we've had hundreds of illegals [that] have been removed from here," DeSantis said at the time. Self-deport Or End Up In 'Alligator Alcatraz,' Noem Warns Migrants During Trump Visit Demonstrators hold signs as they protest the construction of an immigrant detention center, dubbed "Alligator Alcatraz," in the Everglades near Ochopee, Florida, on June 28, 2025. The facility was a defunct airport in the Everglades, and a second center is likely to be built in Florida, according to WJHL. Sunshine State leaders faced scrutiny from both left-wing immigration and environmental activists due to its location and purpose. "Building a bare-bones tented detention center on hot tarmac in the middle of the Everglades and exposing imprisoned immigrants to the elements is a cruel and absurd proposal," Melissa Abdo, PhD, National Parks Conservation Association Sun Coast Regional Director, said in a July 1 statement in opposition to the facility. "The Everglades intense heat, humidity, and storms can be hazardous without proper precautions. This facilitys remote, harsh nature could leave people in very real danger, especially as Floridas heat index skyrockets and hurricane season escalates." Original article source: 'Speedway Slammer' is red state's answer to 'Alligator Alcatraz' detention facility A Spirit Airlines pilot has been arrested and pulled from future flights for allegedly stalking two minors. Dominic Armando Cipolla, 40, is charged with two counts of stalking including a felony count for allegedly stalking someone under the age of 14. According to a criminal complaint, Cipolla targeted children born in 2008 and 2013 with conduct that would cause a reasonable person or their family to fear for their safety. The complaint does not provide details of the alleged conduct, other than it took place "on or about" August 5, 2024. "We are aware of a matter involving a Pilot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which was unrelated to the performance of their job duties," a Spirit Airlines spokesperson said in a statement to FOX Business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Pilot was removed from duty pending our investigation into the matter, and we arranged for another Pilot to operate the flight," the statement concluded. 3,200 Boeing Workers Go On Strike In 2 States Dominic Cipollo, right, a Spirit Airlines pilot, was arrested and charged with intentional stalking of a minor under the age of 14, John County Sheriff's Office online records show. Cipolla was booked and released on Aug. 2. The day prior, the Kansas City, Missouri resident was in the arrest records of the Canadian County Sheriff's Office in El Reno, Oklahoma. Read On The Fox Business App Passengers Removed From Plane, Arrested For Alleged Vodka-induced Drunk And Disruptive Behavior Empty boarding areas are seen at Louis Armstrong International Airport on May 15, 2020 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Dominic Cipolla was arrested at the airport back in July. Cipolla was originally arrested on July 17 at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport after being accused of stalking two minors in Olathe, Kansas, records obtained by The Guardian said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Click Here To Read More On Fox Business He was released on a $12,500 bond. His next court date is Aug. 12, according to Johnson County District Court online records. "Dominic Cipolla is a two-time combat veteran with not so much as a speeding ticket on his record," attorney Brandan Davies, who is representing Cipolla, said in a statement to FOX Business. "Mr. Cipolla denies the allegations against him and asks that the media allow the court process to take place," Davies said. Original article source: Spirit Airlines pilot arrested at airport on child stalking charges NEED TO KNOW A Spirit Airlines pilot has been charged with intentionally stalking two children Dominic A. Cipolla was "removed from duty" after his arrest at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport, a Spirit spokesperson tells PEOPLE Cipolla was released from custody on Aug. 2 after posting a $12,500 bond, records show A Spirit Airlines pilot was "removed from duty" after he was arrested at an airport on allegations he stalked two children, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dominic A. Cipolla has been charged with two counts of intentional stalking against minors, according to a complaint filed on July 11 in Johnson County Court in Kansas and obtained by PEOPLE. The complaint does not share the exact ages of the two minor victims but says one of them is under the age of 14. It further states that the alleged incidents took place in August 2024 but doesn't share specific details about the allegations. Cipolla, 40, of Kansas City, Mo., was arrested at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport in New Orleans on July 17, authorities said, according to The Guardian and Fox News. Nicolas Economou/NurPhoto via Getty Spirit Airlines plane Spirit Airlines plane 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. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement shared with PEOPLE on Wednesday, Aug. 6, a Spirit spokesperson said, "We are aware of a matter involving a Pilot at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY), which was unrelated to the performance of their job duties. The Pilot was removed from duty pending our investigation into the matter, and we arranged for another Pilot to operate the flight." Cipolla was released from custody on Aug. 2 after posting a $12,500 bond, online court records show. It's unclear if he has entered a plea and PEOPLE could not reach his attorney, Brandan Davies, for comment. Davies previously told The Guardian, "Mr. Cipolla denies the allegations against him and asks that the media allow the court process to take place." His next court appearance is scheduled for Aug. 12. Read the original article on People SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Four suspects were arrested and four illegal firearms were seized by Springfield officers after being called to a fight involving a gun. The Springfield Police Department issued a news release on Wednesday stating that officers were called at approximately 2:15 a.m. on Saturday, July 26, to the 500 block of Worthington Street for a reported gun incident. Police received information that there was a fight, and two suspects had guns. Arrest warrant issued for Hadley woman who unleashed bees on deputies Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Upon arrival, officers observed the suspects who matched their description near the intersection of Taylor Street and Fairbanks Place in a vehicle. Officers detained four people who were in the vehicle during the investigation. Officers seized four firearms, including a ghost gun capable of holding 31 rounds of ammunition, and a bundle (10 bags) of heroin from inside the vehicle. As a result, the suspects aged 17, 19, 19, and 26, were arrested and charged with various firearm offenses. Four firearms seized after gun call reported on Worthington Street in Springfield (Springfield Police Department) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tyrease Arzola (26) of Springfield is charged with: Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm during the Commission of a Felony Making a Firearm without a Serial Number Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Improper Storage of a Firearm (Three Counts) Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Possession of a Class A Drug Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm near a Minor Jordan Arkins (19) of Springfield is charged with: Making a Firearm without a Serial Number Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Improper Storage of a Firearm Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Possession of a Class A Drug Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm near a Minor Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ezier Santiago (19) of Springfield is charged with: Possession of a Large Capacity Firearm Possession of a Class A Drug Making a Firearm without a Serial Number Improper Storage of a Firearm Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm Possession of Ammunition without an FID Card Improper Storage of a Large Capacity Firearm near a Minor Carrying a Firearm without a License (Three Counts) The identity and charges of the 17-year-old boy cannot be released by Springfield Police due to his age. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. GREENE COUNTY, Mo. A married couple are suing a midwife based out of Lafayette County for wrongful death after their baby died in early February. The petition filed in Greene County Circuit Court today says Kalynn and Codey Webb the parents of Jonah Webb, deceased are suing Sarah Alley, a certified professional midwife. Alley contracted with the Webbs to provide Kalynn with prenatal and midwifery care around July of 2024, with Kalynns estimated due date to be on Jan. 11, 2025. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Jan. 23, Kalynn had an ultrasound, and Alley told Kalynn that she was able to interpret the ultrasound and that a radiologist was not needed. Alley told Kalynn she suggested they keep waiting for Kalynn to go into labor naturally, rather than induce labor. By Jan. 27, Kalynn was at an estimated gestational age of 42.2 weeks. The petition says that on and before Jan. 27, Alley knew or should have known that it was highly probable Jonah would be a very large baby at 42.2 weeks and that it would create significant risks of shoulder dystocia or fetal compromise for him to be delivered at home in the hands of a midwife. Additionally, Alley knew or should have known that a caesarean section could be needed, which she could not perform if it were required. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The petition says the standard of care required that on and after Jan. 23 if not sooner that Alley transfer care to a physician. She did not tell Kalynn that a significant risk existed of a baby with macrosomia, or that it would be dangerous to attempt an at-home delivery at 42.5 weeks gestation. She reassured the Webbs she could safely perform a home birth of Jonah. Webb experienced a spontaneous rupture of membranes and went into labor at around 6 a.m. on Jan. 30. At around 8:30 p.m. that day, after over 12 hours of labor, it did not seem like progress was being made in Jonahs delivery. Alley and the Webbs had a discussion about a possible transfer to the hospital, but Alley did not tell them that she thought any risk existed for Jonah to be delivered at home, saying: I think you can still have the baby here, the petition alleges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Alley noted that Jonahs head was delivered at 10:25 p.m., but his body did not further progress down the birth canal as his shoulder became stuck in whats known as a shoulder dystocia. At 10:11 p.m., a 911 emergency request was made for an ambulance. An ambulance was dispatched to the scene and arrived at 10:25 p.m. Jonah was delivered by Alley at around 10:17 p.m. after a 12-minute shoulder dystocia. He was born lifeless, and Alley began performing CPR. First responders arrived and transported Jonah to the hospital, where he was immediately intubated. By the time Jonah was intubated and his heart rate was brought to normal range, hed suffered a catastrophic anoxic brain injury. His brain injuries left his brain so damaged that he could not sustain life. Jonah died on Feb. 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The suit alleges Alley did the following: Alley did not adequately and correctly assess the estimated fetal weight. She did not assure that appropriate assessment and testing for gestational diabetes occurred. She did not warn the Webbs of the risk of home birth for this baby. She did not transfer care to a physician and hospital in a timely manner She did not provide timely maneuvers when a shoulder dystocia occurred. She did not provide appropriate CPR when Jonah was born with a heart rate under 60 and in respiratory arrest. The second count of the petition also says Kalynn suffered injuries from the birth, including perineal tearing and lacerations involving perineal muscle, which caused and continues to cause significant nerve and muscular pain. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR - OzarksFirst.com. SPRINGFIELD Police arrested four people and seized four firearms over the weekend after responding to reports of a fight between armed men in the Metro Center area. Tyrease Arzola, 26, Jordan Arkins, 19, Ezier Santiago, 19, and a 17-year-old juvenile, all of Springfield, face a variety of weapons and drug charges including making a firearm without a serial number, carrying a loaded firearm without a license and possession of ammunition without a permit, said Ryan Walsh, police spokesman. The juveniles name and charges are not being released because of his age, Walsh said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police initially responded to reports of a fight between at least two armed people early Saturday morning on Worthington Street. Arriving officers spotted a vehicle with four males in it who matched the description of the suspects and stopped the car at the intersection of Taylor Street and Fairbanks Place, Walsh said. Among the weapons found in the car was a large-capacity manufactured gun known as a ghost gun and three other handguns. A bundle of 10 bags of heroin was also found in the search, Walsh said. more news from Western Massachusetts Read the original article on MassLive. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) A Springfield man was arrested and faces multiple charges following a traffic stop last Thursday. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh said that on Thursday, July 31, officers were in the area of School Street and High Street when they saw a vehicle run a red light while speeding in the rain. When investigating further, police found that the vehicles registration had been revoked. Two teenagers arrested following illegal firearm investigation in Springfield Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The officers conducted a traffic stop on the 0-100 block of Maple Street. When speaking with the driver, later identified as 28-year-old Luis Ortiz of Springfield, it was discovered that he did not have a license. Police then searched the car and found a loaded firearm. Courtesy of the Springfield Police Department. Ortiz was arrested and charged with: Carrying a Loaded Firearm without a License Carrying a Firearm without a License Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended License Operating a Motor Vehicle with a Suspended Registration Uninsured Motor Vehicle Courtesy of the Springfield Police Department. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. This story was written by Terry Schrimscher for the Trussville Tribune. SPRINGVILLE, Ala. (TRIBUNE) The Springville City Council reconsidered two votes from the July 21 meeting during the meeting on Monday night, August 4. In the July session, the council voted against changing two positions to full time, which resulted in one employee resignation. I know we addressed this last meeting but I want to give you another opportunity, said Mayor Dave Thomas. Our department heads and employees have already shown us where the money is in this budget. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thomas explained that the part time Parks and Recreation position that was proposed to move to full time is now going to be vacant as the employee resigned when the council voted against the change. The standard operating procedure for this council has always been, or seemingly always been, lets just add more to our employees plates until it becomes so much that things fall through the cracks or are missed or fall off the plate, Thomas said. It just seems like were missing the forest for the trees, he added. Tesla opens service center in Alabama Let me ask you this because this is a general objection we often hear, Thomas continued as he addressed concerns from some of the council members. You dont feel like were ready yet. Well, at what point do you feel we would be ready? You dont have an idea, a target, a projection, a goal? If we reach this goal, youll feel comfortable and ready or is it just a vague, almost invisible, moving target that we just cant? All Im getting is were not ready, he continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, according to the numbers, were ready. According to the resignation, were past ready, he said. In a voice vote, the council approved the job change to full time 5-3. Council members Vinson, Hennings and Reaves voted against. Council members Toles, Phillips, Walker and Parker joined Mayor Thomas in voting to approve the change. The council then addressed the change in the job description for Lucy Cleaver to a full time Education Coordinator from a hybrid role with Parks and Recreation. The measure passed 6-2 with Hennings and Reaves against. In Springville, the mayor gets a full vote along with the council. Reaction on social media during the meeting was largely positive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The council also approved $700 for Daughters of the American Revolution to clean cemetery headstones. The meeting ended with the council moving to executive session. The next meeting of the Springville City Council will be held at 6 p.m. on August 18 with a work session at 5:30 p.m. prior to the meeting. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. In the shadow of luxury apartment buildings under construction on the shores of the reservoir, Maniru Umar dips his oar into the water, pushing his shallow, wooden canoe forward through thick reeds. Out of a mix of pride and necessity, Umar and his fellow fishermen in Nigeria's rapidly expanding capital still do things the old-fashioned way, two-men crews working in a deft balancing act as they throw out nets over the side. "I grew up fishing with my father," said Umar, 20. "As long as I'm still fishing, I'll teach my son how to fish as well." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Across Africa's most populous nation, city living isn't easy. Despite vibrant tech, oil and finance sectors, Nigeria's graft-plagued economy has long struggled to provide enough jobs for its more than 200 million-strong population. As the country rapidly urbanises, passing down their craft has become both a cultural lifeline and economic lifeline for Abuja's fishermen. "We only focus on primary and secondary school," said Kabir Suleiman, chairman of the fishermen's village, a settlement of one-room shacks tucked on the rocky shore of Jabi Lake, around 10 minutes drive from downtown Abuja. Sending children to university is seen as a waste, he said, in a country where graduates often trickle back into the informal sector anyway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the World Bank, Nigeria only tipped into a majority-urban population in 2019 -- a marker the United States passed about a century ago. On the whole, only sub-Saharan Africa and south Asia have yet to tip from majority rural to majority urban -- and into the drastically different economy that shift brings. "Nigeria could do a better job of utilising the intellectual, the physical, the behavioural strength of its young and urbanising population," said Ikemesit Effiong, a partner at SBM Intelligence, a Lagos-based consultancy, noting more than half the country is under the age of 30. Nigeria's urban poor are increasingly made up of people moving from the countryside, he said -- but due to lacklustre public service delivery, they're often unable to access the fruits of urbanisation, from paved roads to clinics and schools. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - Evicted for luxury housing - The 200 or so fishermen's relationship with Abuja's growth has been mixed. There are far more people to sell fish to in the capital than in the countryside. The city is also safe from "bandits", armed kidnapping gangs that rove the rural hinterlands. It was urbanisation that brought them here in the first place: the government built the Jabi reservoir dam in 1981. Fishermen from the countryside soon followed. But regular check-ins from the agriculture ministry have been replaced by the government selling off plots of land for development, Suleiman said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nigeria's staggering economic inequality looms over them as luxury housing goes up just feet away from their settlement, which has been displaced twice in three years. Construction workers have at times cleared paddies and other vegetation -- key fish habitats, Umar said. But he also wondered if the growing population of fishermen is leaving less fish to catch. Modern boats dot the lake, rented out by revellers keen for a cruise. In recent weeks, the fishermen say, surveyors have come to the village, saying it too is being sought by property developers. Next door is a new restaurant, gated off from the settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Above the entrance gate is a sign: Fisherman Village, Jabi Lake Resort. The actual Jabi fishermen, meanwhile, have their sights set on self-preservation, no matter what. "This is our job," Suleiman said. "This is our business, this is the business our fathers have been doing, our parents have been doing." nro/sn/cw Hemp-derived THC beverages like these Mighty Kind THC seltzers can be found at Total Wine and other large liquor stores throughout Missouri (photo submitted). A final vote on a St. Louis County bill to regulate intoxicating hemp products stalled out Tuesday night after about a dozen business owners and lobbyists opposed it at the county council meeting. The bills sponsor, St. Louis County Councilwoman Lisa Clancy, told The Independent on Wednesday morning that she plans on revisiting the bills language and will hold a public hearing no later than the end of September. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I dont know what the final version looks like yet, Clancy said, but I think that theres a sincere appetite from enough members on the council that recognize theres some problems that need to be addressed with this industry and some of the products on the market. In January, Clancy proposed a bill to prohibit products like beverages and edibles that are often labeled as hemp-derived Delta-9 or Delta-8 from being sold outside of marijuana dispensaries. If enacted, the bill would effectively ban those products in Missouris largest county. The countys health department would be tasked with enforcement, including seizing and destroying the products. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brian Riegel, owner of two Missouri intoxicating-hemp companies, said Tuesday that he encourages the council to regulate the products but not ban them. We can maybe use this platform to encourage the state to regulate this in the proper manner, rather than outlaw it, Riegel said. This is going to drive a black market bigger than weve ever seen because its already here. For the past three years, Missouri lawmakers have attempted to pass legislation that would put hemp-derived THC products under the same regulatory framework as marijuana. The proposals were met by fierce opposition, particularly from associations representing convenience stores, hemp companies and veterans. This past spring, Republican state Sen. Nick Schroer of Defiance offered a proposal that carved out an exception for low-dose THC beverages, which have been sold in Missouris bars and liquor stores for seven years. It still required things like high-dose gummies, THCA flower and vapes to only be sold in marijuana dispensaries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schroers bill was filibustered by state Sen. Karla May and other St. Louis Democratic senators, who argued that it would create a monopoly for the marijuana industry and harm small businesses. Hemp naturally has very little THC, the intoxicating component mostly associated with marijuana. But that potency can be increased with some science. While marijuana products must be sold in dispensaries and be grown and manufactured in state-regulated facilities, intoxicating hemp products have been completely unregulated by any governmental agency since 2018 when Congress passed a Farm Bill that legalized hemp. The St. Louis City NAACP submitted a letter to the council stating that its members stand in solidarity with May as she opposed legislation that had the same language as Clancys. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While we recognize efforts to promote public safety, we are gravely concerned that this bill will disproportionately impact small, often minority-owned businessesvape shops, convenience stores, and independent retailersthat have legally entered the hemp market under the protections of the federal 2018 Farm Bill, the NAACP letter states. When Clancy held the bill from going to a vote Tuesday night, she said the goal is to protect public health. But she said she understands theres still some discussions that need to happen. She told The Independent last month that shes most concerned about the edibles that look like candy and are sold in places children can access. Her bill doesnt ban non-intoxicating products, like CBD seltzers or lotions, she said. Several people testified Tuesday that Clancys bill would put companies out of business. Clancy told The Independent Wednesday those allegations are unfounded. We dont have data to support that, she said. A lot of these companies, what theyre not saying is that theyve existed long before the 2018 Farm Bill. The Brief A 16-year-old girl was seriously injured in a stabbing near the Roosevelt Red Line station in the South Loop Tuesday night. Police say the teen had been arguing with someone before the attack. She was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital, and no arrests have been made as Area Three detectives investigate. CHICAGO - A 16-year-old girl was stabbed and seriously wounded Tuesday night near a CTA Red Line station in the South Loop. What we know Police found the teen with several stab wounds to the body just before 10 p.m. in the 1100 block of South State Street near the Roosevelt Red Line station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The victim was taken to Northwestern Memorial Hospital where she was listed in serious condition, police said. Preliminary investigation, the teen was arguing with someone prior to the stabbing. Police said no arrests have been made. Area Three detectives are investigating. The Source The information in this report came from the Chicago Police Department. PROVIDENCE Swimming safety advocate Ray Rickman has what some might consider a good problem. Enrollment in the free swimming lessons program at his Stages of Freedom organization spiked in July after The Providence Journal and WPRI interviewed Rickman for stories on the dangers of drowning and the importance of swimming lessons. "July was wild," Rickman said. Unfortunately, Rickman's nonprofit agency didn't see a corresponding increase in donations. Ray Rickman at the Eastside YMCA pool in Providence, one of the local YMCA pools that Stages of Freedom partners with for swim classes. Photographed on July 14, 2025. In July, 290 kids were signed up for swimming lessons with Stages of Freedom, "the largest ever" in a single month, according to Rickman. The kids started lessons Aug. 2 at YMCAs all over Rhode Island, as well as Seekonk, Massachusetts, but Stages of Freedom is left owing those YMCAs thousands of dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To provide lessons, Stages of Freedom partners with local YMCAs, enrolling children into their programs and covering the cost. Stages of Freedom has provided lessons for about 5,000 children and teenagers over the past decade. As part of the organization's agreement with the YMCAs, Stages of Freedom is supposed to pay for the lessons at the beginning of the month, before the children start their classes. Stages of Freedom couldn't make good on all of its bills. The agency owes those YMCAs $23,000 after paying $7,000. How many people drown in Rhode Island? Between 2020 and 2024, 80 people died from accidental drowning in Rhode Island, an average of 16 per year, according to the state Department of Health. Rickman and Robb Dimmick started Stages of Freedom a decade ago to teach Black children how to swim. The impetus came from the heartbreak of a mother who'd turned to Rickman, a former state representative, for help after her son drowned. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stages of Freedom set out to teach Black children, because they have a higher drowning rate than White children, but Hispanic youths now make up nearly 50% of the children in the organization's classes. Rickman says the Stages of Freedom will provide lessons for any low-income child in Rhode Island. Ray Rickman at the Eastside YMCA pool in Providence, RI, one of the local YMCA pools that Stages of Freedom partners with for swim classes. Photographed on July 14, 2025. In the wake of two drownings on the same day, we're looking at the challenges to keeping people safe and the improvements that could be made to swimming safety. Ray Rickman, a former state representative, has run a program for a decade that a decade that teaches young Black children to swim. At his Detroit high school, Rickman had to pass a swimming test to graduate. He wishes that were the case in Rhode Island. He estimates 36,000 low-income children in Rhode Island need to learn how to swim. Getting them lessons can be difficult for several reasons, including a lack of money, no access to pools and indifference. The news stories in July helped increase enrollment and spread the word to "thousands and thousands of people," Rickman said. "We would be bringing in 4,000 kids a year if we did that all the time." Stages of Freedom does have an endowment of $500,000, but Rickman said the agency can only borrow from it. He's 75 years old and says he wants the endowment to produce income for Stages of Freedom years down the road, after he's no longer working there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, he plans to raise the funds to pay the YMCAs. He was happy when interviewed on Tuesday morning. He'd just gotten off the phone with a supporter who pledged $2,000. He said, "I'm dancing in my living room." Rickman's goal is $1,000 a day. He said, "I will raise the money." This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Stages of Freedom enrollment is way up but donations haven't kept up (KRON) Stanford University one of the most prestigious universities in the U.S. is laying off 363 employees by Sept. 30, according to a WARN Act notice recently filed with the California Employment Development Department. The layoffs are part of $140 million in cuts to the schools general fund for the upcoming year, which Stanford announced at the end of June. A budget and staffing update sent out by the university on July 31 blames federal policy changes for the sudden layoffs. This is the product of a challenging fiscal environment shaped in large part by federal policy changes affecting higher education, Stanfords budget update reads. Over the last few days, many schools and units at Stanford have made staff reductions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tech sector hit hard as AI job cuts accelerate, report finds A view of the Stanford University campus in Palo Alto, Calif. (Photo by David Madison/Getty Images) Stanford said that it is providing support resources and layoff benefits to eligible employees. Nonetheless, these are difficult actions that affect valued colleagues and friends who have made important contributions to Stanford, the university said. Outside Lands festivalgoers urged to take public transportation The San Francisco Chronicle reports that President Donald Trumps Big Beautiful Bill, which was signed into law on the Fourth of July, increased Stanfords endowment tax from 1.4% to 21% costing the university an estimated $750 million per year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4. Stanford Universitys independent student newspaper on Wednesday filed a lawsuit against two Trump administration officials, claiming some of its writers in the U.S. on student visas have self-censored to avoid being targeted for deportation. The Stanford Daily and two anonymous plaintiffs, who have published commentary online but are not employed by the newspaper, claim Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noems immigration enforcement moves against outspoken students have chilled their speech. Secretary Rubio and the Trump administrations war against noncitizens freedom of speech is intended to send an unmistakable message: Watch what you say, or you could be next, the complaint reads. Message received. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The student newspaper said its writers present on student visas have declined assignments tied to Israels war in Gaza, including coverage of campus protests, worried that reporting on the conflict could endanger their legal status. Some writers have sought removal of previous articles about the conflict, as well. The two plaintiffs have self-censored over concerns they could be deported for expression deemed anti-American or anti-Israel by the government, the complaint reads. One of the plaintiffs, listed as Jane Doe, has published pro-Palestinian and anti-Israel commentary and is named on Canary Mission, an anonymously run, pro-Israel website that the administration has used to find students to target for deportation. She has since ceased sharing her opinions on the war. The other plaintiff, whom the complaint lists as John Doe, attended a pro-Palestine protest at his university after Palestinian militant group Hamass Oct. 7, 2023, attack, and published commentary against Israel. Though he initially self-censored by withholding publication of a study related to Gaza, he has since resumed his journalism and advocacy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither plaintiff has a criminal record and both are in the country lawfully, according to the complaint. Theres real fear on campus and it reaches into the newsroom, Greta Reich, the editor-in-chief of The Stanford Daily, said in a statement published online. The Daily is losing the voices of a significant portion of our student population, she added. The plaintiffs point to two provisions of the Immigration and Nationality Act that allow Rubio to render the students deportable, asserting they are unconstitutional as applied to protected speech. The first lets the secretary of State initiate deportation proceedings against noncitizens for protected speech if they personally determine the speech compromises a compelling foreign policy interest. The second lets the secretary revoke a noncitizens visa at any time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Amendment cements Americas promise that the government may not subject a speaker to disfavored treatment because those in power do not like his or her message, the complaint reads. And when a federal statute collides with First Amendment rights, the Constitution prevails. In a statement, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin called the lawsuit baseless and political. DHS doesnt arrest people based on protected speech, so the plaintiffs premise is incorrect, McLaughlin said. DHS takes its role in removing threats to the public and our communities seriously, and the idea that enforcing federal law in that regard constitutes some kind of prior restraint on speech is laughable. McLaughlin added that there is no room in the U.S. for the rest of the worlds terrorist sympathizers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, she said. Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-American and anti-Semitic violence and terrorism think again. A senior State Department official said the agency does not comment on ongoing litigation but pointed to Rubios past statements on the obligations of visa holders and other noncitizens to comply with U.S. law. Rubio said in March the visa revocations are not about free speech. No one has a right to a student visa or green card, he said, and if noncitizens support Hamas or rile up anti-Semitism on campuses, were going to kick you out. If you told us thats what you intended to do when you came to America, we would have never let you in, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lawsuit echoes testimony presented in a bench trial over the Trump administrations crackdown on pro-Palestinian campus activists, which ended last month. Several university associations challenged a policy that has led to arrests and efforts to deport foreign-born students and faculty members at colleges across the country. U.S. District Judge William Young, an appointee of former President Reagan, has not yet ruled in that case but must determine whether the administration unlawfully singled out campus activists critical of Israels war in Gaza. The Stanford Daily is represented by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) and local counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The First Amendment bars the government from punishing protected speech period, FIRE Legal Director Will Creeley said in a statement. In our free country, you shouldnt have to show your papers to speak your mind. Updated at 1:34 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Stanford University said on Tuesday it has laid off over 360 employees, citing budget constraints that it attributed to the federal funding policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. The Trump administration has threatened to cut federal funds for universities over pro-Palestinian protests against U.S. ally Israel's war in Gaza, climate initiatives, transgender policies and diversity, equity and inclusion programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Stanford is in the process of making budget reductions," a university spokesperson said in emailed statement in response to media reports on the layoffs. "Last week, many schools and units made staff workforce reductions. In total, 363 layoffs occurred." The Californian university said in June it had made a $140 million reduction in the general funds budget for the upcoming year due to "a challenging fiscal environment shaped in large part by federal policy changes affecting higher education." Last week, the Trump administration froze more than $330 million in funding for the University of California, Los Angeles, after alleging the university failed to prevent a hostile environment for Jewish and Israeli students since campus protests erupted after the start of Israel's war in Gaza. The Los Angeles Times reported on Tuesday that UCLA leaders were preparing to negotiate with the Trump administration over the freeze. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The government has recently settled its probes with Columbia University, which agreed to pay over $220 million, and Brown University, which said it will pay $50 million. Both institutions accepted certain demands made by the government. Talks to settle with Harvard University remain ongoing. Rights advocates have raised concerns about academic freedom and free speech over the government's actions. The Trump administration alleges universities allowed antisemitism during pro-Palestinian campus protests. Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the government wrongly equates their criticism of Israel's military assault in Gaza and its occupation of Palestinian territories with antisemitism, and advocacy for Palestinian rights with support for extremism. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Washington, editing by Ross Colvin and Lincoln Feast.) STANTON, Texas (KMID/KPEJ) The Martin County Convent hosted its Wild West Market Tuesday evening, where community members gathered around to shop at booths and enjoy activities for the kids. The Convent holds this farmers market every first and third Tuesday of every month. As a way to have fun and interact for adults and parents, each event has its particular theme. This is only our third year, Regenia Hunt, Executive Director for the Martin County Convent, said. We keep getting bigger and bigger, and we enjoy that. Its a very family-friendly event. When we were renovating the grounds, our mission statement was to be able to create a space for the community can come together. Weve felt like weve done that, and these events help the community come together. And the closer the community is, the better we all get along and the happier we all are. The theme for Tuesday was the Wild West, where kids could make their badges, and a best-dressed cowboy/cowgirl competition took place. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Yourbasin. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) State leaders agree a fix is needed to address the continued backlogs at North Carolina DMVs. But at the same time, theres disagreement on what the solution should be. On Monday, State Auditor Dave Boliek released a report that proposed several changes, including a recommendation to separate the DMV from the Department of Transportation. Wed ask that policymakers consider establishing the DMV as an autonomous agency or authority with direct control over its budget, he told reporters. State Auditor Dave Boliek addresses reporters on his proposed changes to fix the NC DMV backlog issue. In an interview with Queen City News on Wednesday, DMV officials acknowledged the backlog continues to be a problem. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its mostly driven by the surge in population growth. So over the last couple of decades, weve added 2.5 million people. The number of employees that work in the DMV offices has not kept up with that demand, said Marty Homan, communications manager for the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles. But both the DMV and the Governors office argue that a total restructuring is far too drastic, that there is already a plan in place to increase staffing, and, in turn, reduce wait times. We dont think the times right now to have that discussion. Weve got plenty to work on. Weve got new employees to hire, to improve services now and so we want to keep our eye on the ball and doing those things, added Homan. The spokesperson for the Governor added that a restructuring would be costly and time-consuming, and distract from our shared goal of fixing the most critical issues at the DMV. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DMV plans to open four new locations and hire an additional 97 employees over two years once the Governor signs the recently signed mini-budget into law. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. JASPER COUNTY, S.C. (WSAV) Questions about money, hiring and the role of a former superintendent led to a hearing today that changed the future of the Jasper County School System, now being taken over by the state of South Carolina. All those in favor, signify by saying I, said South Carolina School Board Chair, Rita Allison. The rest of the board members motioned I. Any oppose? said Allison, with no board members responding, Likewise. Motion carries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over an hour of private discussions and a sweeping vote from the South Carolina School Board now puts the students attending Jasper County schools in the hands of the state. Beaufort County teacher vacancy levels lowest in years The Department of Education took every possible step to mitigate the financial concerns before seeking this measure, said Ashely Storey, the outside council for the South Carolina Department of Education. The decision comes after the South Carolina Inspector Generals Office filed a report on the Jasper County School District and now former superintendent Rechel Anderson, PhD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators pointed out possible fraudulent activity by Anderson, as well as findings that she and the school district were delinquent or didnt file several yearly mandated state audits. Backpacks and back pains: What parents need to know We trusted the superintendent and CFO to give us accurate information. They did not, said Tom Balliet, a Jasper County School Board member in attendance today. Another board member added on, Its not that some of the board members didnt reach out for help in this situation. We did. We were calling for help because we were desperate. Jasper School Board Chair Joyce Gerald sent a letter asking that the board be saved from the takeover. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many board members showed up to the meeting, pleading to the state board for Jasper Countys board not to be dissolved. There is also some concern about whether or not the school districts board was aware of some of this misconduct and whether it failed to report it to the appropriate law enforcement officials before it came in to investigate at the county recently, said Storey. And in any kind of conclusion, the board members did not act when they know they knew that there were violations of their own policy. In the end, the South Carolina School Board declared Jasper County School Districts in a state of emergency. They are taking full control of the county and dissolving the Jasper County School Board entirely. The Jasper County board has 10 days to appeal this decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, there has been no word on what, if any, changes the state plans to make to the district immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSAV-TV. President Donald Trump suggested the FBI may get involved in bringing a group of Texas Democrats back to their home state. They may have to, Trump said at a White House executive order signing event Tuesday, when he was asked whether the federal law enforcement agency should help locate and arrest the state lawmakers at the center of a political standoff over a Republican redistricting plan. A lot of people are demanding they come back. The controversial redistricting plan, backed by Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and the Trump Administration, would redraw the congressional district map to give Republicans about five more U.S. House seats, which could significantly boost the GOPs chances of maintaining its slim majority after the 2026 midterm elections. But Democrats in the state legislature have criticized the effort and are resorting to a quorum-busting method of moving to blue states like Illinois and New York to try to stall votes on the plan. Abbott ordered the fleeing lawmakers arrest on civil warrants, directed investigations into whether there have been state law violations, and sought to oust the lawmakers from their state legislative seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the threats, the Democratic lawmakers appear unfazed. In response to Abbott, the Democratic caucus in the state House issued a succinct statement: Come and take it. Trump is not alone in calling for the FBIs involvement: Texas senior U.S. Senator, John Cornyn, urged the agency, in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel on Tuesday, to take any appropriate steps to aid in Texas state law enforcement efforts to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state. Its unclear whether the FBI will intervene, and the agency declined to comment. The FBIs website, however, states that the agency does not supervise or take over investigations of state and local law enforcement agencies, as its primary mandate is to look into federal crimes and enforce federal laws. State warrants can only be enforced by state troopers, but the FBI may assist local law enforcement in locating fugitives. What legal repercussions might the Democrats face? The act of denying quorum dates back centuries in the Texas legislature. States have their own means of acting upon quorum-breaking in the legislative chambers, and Texas House Rules Manual states that all absentees for whom no sufficient excuse is made may, by order of a majority of those present, be sent for and arrested, wherever they may be found, by the sergeant-at-arms or an officer appointed by the sergeant-at-arms for that purpose, and their attendance shall be secured and retained. The state Supreme Court in 2021 upheld that rule, giving the House the power to arrest absent members to establish a quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Monday, the Texas House voted to arrest the Democratic lawmakers who fled the state, enabling the state legislatures sergeant-at-arms and the Texas Department of Public Safety to conduct these arrests. Abbott said the arrest order will remain in effect until all missing Democrat House members are accounted for and brought to the Texas Capitol. But many have downplayed the arrest warrant, because the lawmakers are no longer in Texas territory. They like to talk a big game, U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, a Democrat representing Texas 30th congressional district, told ABC News on Monday. You have a lot of intelligent attorneys that actually serve in the Texas House. And so they know that theres nothing that [Abbott] can do outside of the Texas jurisdiction to bring them in. Chad Dunn, a Texas election and voting rights lawyer, told election news outlet Democracy Docket that a warrant issued by the Texas House is not effective out of the state unless another state chooses to domesticate it and enforce it under that states laws. The Texas Democratic lawmakers, however, have fled to sympathetic Democratic-led states. Were very happy to host these heroes, said Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker. This is not breaking the law, this is a legitimate process that has been used before, said New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Aug. 4. Abbott, however, has alleged that several absentee Texas House Democrats have solicited or received funds to evade conducting legislative business and casting votes. Abbott said that these lawmakers may have violated bribery laws under the Texas Penal Code, which assigns a second-degree felony charge to one who offers or confers a benefit on any public servant or voter to influence him, and the public servant receiving or soliciting the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State representative Jolanda Jones, who is in New York, said at the Aug. 4 briefing with Hochul: There is no felony in the Texas Penal Code for what [Abbott] says, so respectfully hes making up some sh-t, OK? Hes trying to get sound bites. And he has no legal mechanism hes putting up smoke and mirrors. The Texas Democrats who fled the state are likely to face a $500 daily fine for each day they are absent without leave. The Republican-led state government approved the fine, which must be paid personally and not from office funds or political fundraising, in 2023 after Democratic lawmakers fled for three weeks in 2021 to break quorum on a state election law overhaul. As for whether the lawmakers could actually be booted from their office and replaced by Abbott, Abbott referred to a 2021 opinion by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton that asserts Texas law allows for a legislators seat to be considered vacant if a court determines that they forfeited their office by abandonment. Paxton said Tuesday that starting Friday, a deadline set by Republican Speaker of the Texas House Dustin Burrows, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable. Paxton said he would seek a court order declaring the Democrats to have abandoned their offices. If you don't show up for work, he said in a statement, you get fired. Contact us at letters@time.com. When Pan decided to leave his homeland in early 2023, he did so with a conviction that his future no longer belonged there. As he headed to America, he dreamed of a freer society, a fairer economy, and a life lived with dignity things he said he could never claim in China, where his home had been forcibly demolished by the local government to make way for real estate development. To chase that dream, he embarked on a journey of thousands of miles from China to Ecuador in 2023, from which point he trekked jungles as part of his long route. About two months later, he finally made it to the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pan, a soft-spoken man in his late 50s from a small village in Jiangxi province in eastern China, is one of tens of thousands of Chinese nationals who have made the same journey in recent years. Known colloquially as zou xian ke, or "those who walked the line", they represent a new wave of migration driven by authoritarian tightening at home and the belief sometimes naive, often desperate that the US still offers a fair shot at a better life. Their reasons for exodus varied, but their experiences once on American soil follow certain trends: many have ended up isolated by language, burdened by debt and surviving on gig work as they wait for their asylum claims to crawl through an overwhelming immigration system. Some remain hopeful. Others are unravelling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And all of them, now, are living in the long shadow of President Donald Trump's political return - during which the poor US-China relations of recent years have soured even further. Fatman Ding Plaza, sitting in the centre of Monterey Park, a city outside of Los Angeles, is the "ground zero" of Chinese migrants who came to the US [BBC] 'Hard work here brings hope' Pan is one of several Chinese migrants who I first met two years ago. Like many of the group who he travelled with, he now works in a Chinese restaurant, even though back home, he prided himself on his farming know-how. In America, those skills don't translate, since the soil conditions are different and he doesn't speak English. Past lives hold little currency. For a while after arriving, Pan wandered from city to city, sleeping on borrowed couches or bunking with fellow migrants. Eventually, he landed in Barstow, California, a dusty industrial town. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His life today is penned within a tight radius. He cooks and sometimes waits tables at a restaurant during the day, video-calls his wife and children in China at night, and repeats the routine the next day. He lives in a room attached to the kitchen. To outsiders, and even to his family back home, Pan's life might seem unbearably monotonous. But to him, it's defined not by what's lacking, but by what's no longer present. No land seizures. No meddling officials. No fear of arbitrary punishment. "My family doesn't understand," he said with a half-smile. "They ask why I left a comfortable life behind. But here, even if it's simple, it's mine. It's free." Pan's sense of freedom is quiet but stubborn. Two years ago, in a cramped hotel room in Quito, Ecuador, he told me on the eve of his journey that even if he died en route, it would be worth it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He still says the same. "All of this," he repeated, "is worth it." Like many newcomers, Pan doesn't have any meaningful social circle the mounting language and cultural difference challenges confine his life to interactions with fellow migrants. Occasionally, he travels to Los Angeles to join protests outside the Chinese consulate. He admits that is partly to strengthen his asylum claim by establishing a public record of political dissent. But it is also because, after decades of silence, he can. On 4 June, the anniversary of the Tiananmen Square massacre a date scrubbed from China's public memory by the authorities he stood again outside the consulate chanting anti-Chinese Communist Party slogans. That day, among the familiar crowd, he spotted James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A young man in his early 30s who hailed from western China, James had travelled with Pan from Ecuador through the Darien Gap and up to the US border. But if Pan's story is one of quiet stoicism, James's is more kinetic, more restless. After his release from a US immigration detention centre, James bounced between cash gigs in Monterey Park, a Chinese-majority suburb east of Los Angeles. He ultimately bought a cargo van, drove out to Palm Springs, and made the car both his livelihood and his home. The van is cluttered with sleeping bags, gas canisters, and a portable charger - that's all he needs to be content with his life. During the day, he delivers food around the city; at night, he parks outside a 24-hour gym and sleeps with the windows open. James was always a hustler in China. But after Covid tanked the economy and political crackdowns left little room to breathe, he decided to leave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "At least your hard work here brings hope, but back in China, you could work over ten hours a day and see no future," James told me. James, from China's western Qinghai province, is now a delivery driver in Palm Springs, California [BBC] 'America is becoming another China' Yet hope alone isn't enough. For nearly all the newcomers, including James and Pan who are by and large content with their life in the US, Trump's political return has brought back a gnawing sense of instability. The wave of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids across southern California, Trump's continuous push to deport undocumented immigrants, and rising US-China tensions including a battle over trade tariffs, have all deepened a climate of paranoia. As I was re-connecting with the migrants who I first met in 2023, clashes between protesters and the government police forces were unfolding in downtown Los Angeles over recent ICE raids. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The raids were part of the president's aim to enact the "biggest deportation operation" in US history - a pledge that helped him to win the White House again last year. A CBS News/YouGov poll conducted in early June found 54% of Americans saying they approved of his deportation policy. The administration says its raids have primarily targeted people with criminal records, although critics say innocent people have been caught up in the drive - sparking anxiety among migrants. Nearly all of the migrants I reconnected with now hold what's called an Employment Authorisation Document (EAD) that allows them to legally work in the US, but they have not been granted official asylum status. In Trump's expansive ICE raid campaign, people who hold exactly the same status as these migrants have been arrested. But what's the driving the fear is a sense of unknowing - of if and when these raids will reach the Chinese community, or when the next downturn of China-US relations could be. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Between the two Trump presidencies, US-China relations hardly improved when Joe Biden served in the White House. The Democrat kept earlier Trump tariffs in place, and tensions rose as Beijing escalated its rhetoric over the status of US ally Taiwan. For some, all the unease has prompted a question that many Chinese migrants have quietly begun to ask themselves: is America worth it? Kevin, a man in his thirties from China's Fujian province, didn't think so. Like Pan and James, Kevin journeyed through Latin America to reach the US. But the American dream he once believed in now feels like a mirage. When I asked him how settled he was in California's San Gabriel Valley, where he lives with his wife and their newborn son, he referred to the ICE raids in LA and answered: "Everything feels uncertain. So no, I don't feel settled." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kevin's disillusionment runs deep. "America, to me, feels like it's becoming another China," he said. "A Darwinian society." "If I had known what it would really be like, I might not have come," he continued. Caught in a pincer For a long time, what bound all these migrants was the journey they shared on that treacherous road. But now, that binding has an extra layer: the emotional undercurrent they now swim against two years after they arrived in the US. It is the creeping realisation that their place in America is precarious, that the country they bet everything on might not have space for them after all. The zouxian wave was driven by desperation but also by an almost childlike faith in the American idea: that this country, for all its flaws, still offered a shot at dignity. A delivery job. A sliver of land. A bed behind a restaurant where no one came knocking at night. Now, with Trump portraying China as national security threat, warning of "infiltration," and promising sweeping crackdowns on many things China-related, even those modest hopes feel more under siege than ever. The effect is clear. This new wave of Chinese migrants many of them still awaiting asylum now feel themselves caught in a pincer: mistrusted by Americans, unwanted by Beijing, and sometimes suspended in legal limbo. Pan, for one, is bracing for the worst. "The future here doesn't feel as certain anymore," he said, standing outside the restaurant in Barstow, watching the freeway traffic blur past. "I'm worried I might not be allowed to stay. And if I go back to China" He trailed off. For a moment, he said nothing. Then he looked at me, steady, calm, resigned. "That thought," he said, "is unbearable." It was the same look I remembered from that hotel room in Quito, two years and a world ago: worry flickering behind tired eyes, but beneath it, a core of absolute resolve. No matter what happens, Pan told me, he's staying. Aug. 5WASHINGTON Rep. Elise M. Stefanik has formally asked the U.S. government to pay the people who work at the federal prison in Ray Brook more. In a letter to the federal Office of Personnel Management, Stefanik, R-Schuylerville, asked officials to consider a bump in the "locality pay rate" for the federal employees who staff FCI Ray Brook, a medium-security federal prison in Essex County with about 850 incarcerated people. Under federal job rules, most federal prisons located in rural areas are paid at a similar or identical locality pay rate, which is meant to adjust pay scales across similar jobs based on local costs of living and other factors. Some FCIs in urban regions are given higher rates, reflecting the higher costs of living in their areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In her letter, Stefanik argued that New York as a whole has become unaffordable, and that FCI Ray Brook should be given a higher pay rating as a result. Stefanik put the blame squarely on Gov. Kathleen C. Hochul, a Democrat. Stefanik is considering challenging Hochul for the governor's office next year. "New York has experienced a significant increase in housing prices, property taxes, energy costs and other basic living expenses under the Hochul administration," Stefanik wrote. "Despite these increases, the federal locality pay rate for the area has remained stagnant. The rest of the United States locality payrate currently applies to FCI Ray Brook. However, New York suffers proportionally worse than the rest of the United States due to the failed Governor Kathy Hochul." Stefanik then said that this puts an "enormous financial burden" on all law enforcement officers in the state, who she said have been "under constant attack" from Hochul and the state's leading Democrats. "I respectfully request that OPM conduct a thorough review of the current cost of living data for the FCI Ray Brook area and strongly consider revising its locality pay schedule to more accurately reflect the financial realities on the ground," she said, before thanking the office and the Trump administration for their "continued commitment to supporting our nations federal employees." Stefano Famiglietti, the Democratic candidate for Rhode Island Senate District 4, votes at Whelan Elementary School on Mineral Spring Avenue in North Providence for the special election Tuesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (Photo by Michael Salerno/Rhode Island Current) Democrat Stefano Famiglietti, a lawyer and North Providence Town Councilor, will represent Rhode Island Senate District 4 for the next 15 months after winning a special election Tuesday. Famiglietti bested Republican candidate Alexander Asermely by a 66-percentage point margin, with 83% of votes as of 8:24 p.m, according to preliminary, unofficial results published by the Rhode Island Board of Elections. Republican Alexander Asermely received 16% of votes. Mail ballots returned Tuesday have not yet been counted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Famiglietti, 33, rang in his victory with family and friends at the Knights of Columbus hall on Douglas Avenue in North Providence. In a phone interview, the North Providence native attributed his win to his deep roots in the community and strong bench of support, including from the family of his predecessor, the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. Thats always the key for every elected official, Famiglietti said. If you do the work and you are involved and you truly represent the community, thats the results you get. Ruggerio held the seat for 40 years beginning in 1984 until his death on April 21, triggering a special election for the district spanning North Providence and part of Providence. Five candidates four Democrats and one Republican vied for the open spot, with Famiglietti sweeping the four-way Democratic primary in July. Asermely, 39, also a lawyer and North Providence native, was the sole Republican and a first-time candidate. He did not respond to multiple inquiries for comment, though he posted photos throughout the day on his campaign Facebook page showing him with supporters at polling places. A Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asermely called Famiglietti to concede at 8:45 p.m., Famiglietti said in a text message. The first step in his celebration? Probably getting something to eat because I havent eaten a lot today, he said. Senate President Valarie Lawson, Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and Majority Whip David Tikoian issued a joint statement congratulating Famiglietti Tuesday night. His deep roots in the community and clear understanding of the priorities of District 4 have resonated with voters, and his commitment to public service is a strong reflection of the values exemplified by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, they said. As he prepares to take on this new role in the Rhode Island Senate, we look forward to working alongside him to strengthen our communities and ensure Rhode Island remains a great place to live and work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His election to the Senate now triggers a special election for his seat on the North Providence Council, which he has held since 2018. Dates for the Town Council special election have not been set. Famiglietti will serve the remainder of Ruggerios term, though 2026, with a $20,391.97 annual salary for the part-time job. His priorities include increasing state aid to his district and other measures to offset tax burdens on district residents. He works as a personal injury lawyer with his own practice in Providence. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) North Providence Town Councilman Stefano Famiglietti has won in the special election to replace the late Senate President Dominick Ruggerio, according to unofficial results released by the R.I. Board of Elections. Famiglietti ran against Republican Alex Asermely for Senate District 4, which contains parts of North Providence and Providence. The special election was called after Ruggerio, who had held the seat since 1985, died in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday night, Famiglietti leads his opponent by a wide margin. Famiglietti told 12 News that Asermely called him to concede the race. Shortly after polls closed, Senate leadership out out a statement congratulating Famiglietti. Congratulations to Senator-elect Stefano Famiglietti on his successful campaign and well-earned victory in the election, Senate President Val Lawson, Majority Leader Frank Ciccone and Majority Whip David Tikoian said in a joint statement. His deep roots in the community and clear understanding of the priorities of District 4 have resonated with voters, and his commitment to public service is a strong reflection of the values exemplified by Senate President Dominick Ruggerio. As he prepares to take on this new role in the Rhode Island Senate, we look forward to working alongside him to strengthen our communities and ensure Rhode Island remains a great place to live and work, they continued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In that same statement, Famiglietti said hes extremely humbled to have been elected. I am grateful for the opportunity to work on the state level to support the citizens of District 4, Famiglietti said. Just as when I was on the North Providence Town Council, my door will always be open and I will never forget that I am in the Senate to work on behalf of the people of North Providence and Providence. I want to thank everyone who has supported me throughout this campaign, first and foremost my wife, Samantha, Famiglietti continued. I am grateful to the dozens of supporters who took time to volunteer on my behalf, canvassing the district, making phone calls, and talking with our neighbors. READ MORE: Special election dates set for Ruggerios Senate seat Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Famiglietti, a 33-year-old attorney, has been on the North Providence Town Council since first being elected in 2018. Asermely, 39, was the first Republican to run for the seat since 2008. (He was recruited to run by R.I. Young Republicans Chairman Ken Naylor.) Before Tuesdays general election, Famiglietti defeated three other Democrats in a July primary. ALSO READ: Stefano Famiglietti wins Democratic primary for RI Senate District 4 Famiglietti had support from North Providence elected officials, the Rhode Island AFL-CIO and Senate leadership. He also enjoyed a huge financial advantage over his opponent, reporting $36,000 on hand in his most recent campaign finance report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Famigliettis victory now sets up another special election since hell be giving up his District 2 Town Council seat. Potential candidates for that race include Manny Taveras, who lost in the Democratic Senate primary to Famiglietti, and Nick Feola, a realtor who also volunteered for the senator-elects campaign. Its unclear when that election will be held. A date hasnt been set yet for Famiglietti to be sworn into office. Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. The News GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. Haley Stevens is campaigning for Senate in the same mode thats won her four terms in the House: No time for red-versus-blue partisanship, and lots of wide-eyed ardor for skilled labor. Helloooooooooooo! she said as she rushed into a Teamsters hall on Tuesday morning. This is awesome! She zipped around the room greeting union members: Its like duck-duck-goose! She found her seat at their roundtable and slapped it. I brought my notepad, because Ive got to bring all this back to Washington! National Democrats not-so-secretly want Stevens to defeat her three rivals for the nomination, favoring her over candidates who are far more critical of DC-based party leaders and of US military aid to Israel. But during a cycle when even President Donald Trump has grown more critical of the war in Gaza, its not clear that Democrats are trending in Stevens direction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the partys first seriously contested Michigan Senate primary since 1994, physician Abdul El-Sayed is reintroducing himself after a gubernatorial run as an unapologetic pro-Gaza, pro-Medicare-for-All progressive. State senator Mallory McMorrow is running as a pragmatic outsider who wants to flush the partys DC leadership. Both out-fundraised Stevens after entering the race. Both are also operating on the assumption that pro-Israel groups, which in 2022 helped Stevens beat a Democrat with more critical views of the Israeli government, will help her again. They are trying to make that a problem for her. If DC comes in and spends a lot of money to dictate what happens in this primary, I think Democrats are going to lose, said El-Sayed, who entered the race with the support of Sen. Bernie Sanders. Im not surprised that they would go with somebody like Haley Stevens. I think thats discounting just how complicated our state is. Know More Perhaps most surprisingly, Democrats battle here is not about generational change. Every candidate was born in the 1980s; Stevens or McMorrow, if elected, would become the youngest female senator. (A fourth candidate, former state House Speaker Joe Tate, is just 44, but he entered the race with little money or support after a Detroit mayoral bid fizzled.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There has been a bigger focus on electability, a concept that Democrats are more confused about after their 2024 nightmare. No candidate is re-litigating last year, but McMorrow and El-Sayed are running as outsiders ready to shake up a party that MAGA Republicans have rolled right over. Their argument against Washington experience as an asset comes as ex-Rep. Mike Rogers largely locks up the Republican nomination, getting a Trump endorsement after he defied expectations and nearly beat Sen. Elissa Slotkin last year. Weve seen a deep frustration with people feeling like the party is making a choice for them instead of the voters, McMorrow said in an interview. If were going to hit the Republicans for doing it, for Trump clearing the field for Rogers, weve got to let this play out on our side. The party, for Stevens primary foes, is represented by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumers campaign machinery, as well as AIPAC and pro-Israel groups. McMorrow and El-Sayed both supported two Senate resolutions last week that would have cut off aid to Israel, pointing to the need for more humanitarian aid allowed into Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an interview, Stevens said that she would have opposed the resolutions: We need a lasting ceasefire. We need long term peace for the Palestinian people and the people of Israel. We need to see Hamas surrender and the hostages come home. She did not support an effort to recognize a Palestinian state and declined to address whether that would hurt her in the Michigan Arab-American communities that swung to Trump last year. Im not here to play pundit, but I am here to talk about Michigans future and advocate for Michigans middle class, Stevens said. Im an incredibly transparent lawmaker, and Im not running away from my record in terms of the war in the Middle East. It needs to come to an end. Her rivals believe that the Democratic base wants a different answer, and that the statewide math gets tougher if the partys nominee does not break from a resolute pro-Israel stance. El-Sayed, who would be the first Muslim senator, suggested as much on Saturday, at a picnic hosted by Democrats in Troy, in Stevens district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Number One, anybody whos not going to vote for me because my name is Abdul is not voting for anyone else whos a Democrat, El-Sayed said. Everybody needs to understand that, all right? Number Two: There are a lot of people, a lot of people, who might just vote for me because my name is Abdul. Slotkin aligned against Stevens on the Israeli arms sales resolutions, complicating the issue in the primary. The first-term senator has also championed legislation that would ban corporations from forming PACs, underscoring that she never took and will never take corporate PAC money. El-Sayed and McMorrow supported that same bill and now agree on corporate PAC donations; El-Sayed never took any in his 2018 bid, while McMorrow has foresworn it going forward. Stevens has not waved off corporate PAC money and was less enthusiastic about Slotkins bill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I certainly support comprehensive campaign finance reform, and the legislation that I voted for in the past, in the House, I plan to support in the United States Senate, Stevens said. I actually think its much more wide ranging than just one narrow set of PACs. Its a lot of the dark money and things that dont have transparency in them that need to be overhauled. Davids view There are three clear theories of what will work in Michigan next year, embraced by each of the leading Democratic candidates. Stevens has been telling the same story for eight years: She is the daughter of small business owners from the Detroit suburbs who will work with anyone to create jobs and doesnt like ideological distractions. She doesnt engage in thumbsucking over the branding or future of the party. She doesnt deliver zingers on podcasts or give rousing speeches. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement (The exception, a floor speech praising pandemic first responders that she shouted over the presiding officer to finish, pops up when Republicans or Israel critics want to attack her.) El-Sayeds theory is that the winning strategies of Sanders have never gotten a chance to breathe in Michigan. He holds well-advertised town halls outside the states Arab American communities to demonstrate that hes not a factional candidate, excoriating corporate power and the creaky old Democratic establishment. He calls whats happening in Gaza genocide and knows that the likely primary electorate agrees even if thats not its top issue. The McMorrow theory is that there is a larger lane between El-Sayed and Stevens. She offers a break from DC, corporate PACs, and automatic Israel support, without all of El-Sayeds progressive stances. She also has her own middle-class Michigan story, but it starts when she moved to the state in her 20s. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So how much will primary voters, one year from now, want a break from their Democratic leadership? How much will they care about Gaza and funding for Israel? McMorrow and El-Sayed hold a sturdy position now, when polls show even Democratic voters with record-low levels of esteem for the party. Stevens, on the other hand, is running as the sort of sleeves-rolled-up Democrat that Michigans historically sent to the Senate. Shes betting against long-term change that would break that old model apart. Room for Disagreement The Rogers campaign declined to comment about the Democratic primary, but Adrian Hemond, a Democratic strategist in the state, said that Stevens was the strongest candidate with the most tested approach. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She has actually had to raise real money before and run in a competitive general election before, he said. (Like McMorrow, Stevens flipped a Republican seat in 2018, then was re-drawn into a safe seat with a fellow Democrat.) Mallory McMorrow is much better known in Washington, DC, than she is in Michigan. El-Sayeds clarity on Gaza did appeal to a bloc of voters, but Hemond doubted it would be definitive. Even most primary voters, who are the most politically engaged people, dont care about foreign policy, said Hemond. Hell, half the time when American troops are getting shot at overseas, they dont care about foreign policy. Notable Police officers routinely face stressful and even traumatic situations, but widespread stigma still prevents many of them from seeking out mental health help, according to a new study by a North Dakota State University researcher. The study surveyed about 100 officers with the Fargo Police Department and found 60% "somewhat to strongly agreed" that most officers wouldn't tell a colleague if they were experiencing mental health problems. Nearly 75% expressed some level of agreement that most officers wouldn't disclose their mental health status to a supervisor. "Officers choosing not to seek help for mental illness is often driven by the fear that they will be perceived as weak, unreliable or unable to effectively carry out their duties at work," wrote Carol Archbold, the studys author. "There is also concern that seeking mental health support could negatively impact career advancement for officers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Related: DCI rules Sioux Falls Police justified in officer-involved shooting That finding is not unique to Fargo, according to Archbold, as other studies of police departments across the country have yielded similar results. Nationwide, more than 1,200 public safety personnel died by suicide from 2016 to 2022, according to a 2024 report by First H.E.L.P. and CNA Corporation. Here's what else the study learned about Fargo police officers' perception of mental illness and the stigma that can be associated with it. Most officers expect discrimination after disclosing a mental illness The survey included a series of questions about how officers believe they or their colleagues would be treated at work if they disclosed a mental illness. Here's how the officers responded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More than half agreed that most officers would expect to be discriminated against at work if they disclosed a mental illness, and 40% also agreed that most supervisors wouldn't consider promoting an officer who has had a mental illness. However, 64% did not agree with the statement that most officers wouldn't accept a colleague who has had a mental illness as their partner, and 76% disagreed with the statement that most police officers believe that a colleague who has had a mental illness is not trustworthy. Nearly two-thirds agreed that most officers would not want a supervisor who has had a mental illness. Fargo offers resources for officers, but only a limited number use them The survey also included questions about officers' beliefs about seeking professional help for mental health problems. Here's how the officers responded. Just over half agreed that most officers believe being treated for a mental illness is a sign of personal weakness, and that most police officers would not seek professional help if they were experiencing mental health issues. The Fargo Police Department offers a range of mental health-related services and programs, but, based on the survey responses, it appears only a limited number of officers are using them. This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Stigma still keeps police from reporting mental struggles, study finds ST. LOUIS Communities throughout the St. Louis Metro Area gathered in honor of National Night Out, which seeks to foster relationships between the community and law enforcement. Specifically within FOX s viewing area, regional law enforcement teamed up with local organizations to offer resources to the public such as food, haircuts and school suppliesjust in time for school this semester. Children also had the chance to partake in fun activities, which included bounce houses and face-paintings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Its a chance to educate the community on crime and being safe and also get a kickstart for students, making sure that they have the school supplies that they need, said Lt. Michael Davis with the University City Police Department. We just hope that everyone has a good time and its a great way to bring the community together. FOX 2 spoke with organizers and police at the National Night Out gatherings throughout Illinois and Missouri. All organizers share similar goals, which are to strengthen ties between the community and the police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It gives a chance for a lot of the young kids and a lot of the guys that have questions or kind of a fear of police to learn that law enforcement is not bad, said Chief Kendall Perry with the East St. Louis Police Department. It is good for everybody. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. (NewsNation) The 2023 Titan submersible disaster that killed five people on the way to the Titanic was preventable, the U.S. Coast Guard said in a report Tuesday. Physicist Dr Michael Guillen wholeheartedly concurs. Guillen, who is also a journalist, joined Elizabeth Vargas Reports on Tuesday to discuss the Coast Guards report and the culpability of OceanGate CEO Stockton Rush. He capitalized on peoples fascination with the Titanic, but he did so in a very dangerous way, by overselling (the submersibles) safety and by playing footloose with its maintenance, Guillen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was a man after fame and fortune He cared very little about the safety of the passengers, Guillen added. Cincinnati residents say viral beating symptom of bigger issues Rush was among the five who died. The other victims were Paul-Henri Nargeolet, Hamish Harding, Shahzada Dawood and his son, Suleman Dawood. The Coast Guards Marine Board of Investigation found OceanGate, which owned Titan, had safety procedures that were critically flawed, noting that the core of the failures inside the company came down to glaring disparities between their safety protocols and actual practices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This was not a whoopsie. This was preventable, this was foreseeable, this was a tragedy, Guillen added. After the implosion, Washington state-based OceanGate suspended its operations. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. (FOX40.COM) The City of Sacramento is continuing to pursue the I Street Bridge Replacement Project, setting plans for funding and an approximate construction start date of Spring 2026. The new bridge will have wider lanes to accompodate buses and emergency vehciles as well as 6 foot wide bike lanes and a 12-foot wide shared use path. The lower deck of the bridge will remain in place for rail service but the new upper deck will serve transit, Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The existing bridge will remain in place and the upper deck will be converted for bicycles and pedestrian use. The lower deck of the current bridge will also remain in use for rail service. The city said the new bridge is part of its plan to meet the need for more river crossings. This is not just a bridgeits a once-in-a-generation investment in connectivity, safety, and opportunity for both cities, said Assistant City Manager Ryan Moore. Were deeply grateful to all of our local, regional, state and federal partners who continue to work alongside us to bring this vision to life. The replacement for the 114-year-old bridge is estimated to cost $300 million, of which Caltrans has committed $250 million from federal Highway Bridge Program funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The city is working alongside California Transportation Commission and the City of West Sacramento on other funding for the project. The city estimates that the new I Street Bridge will take approximately four years to complete. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. STRONGSVILLE, Ohio (WJW) An emergency city council meeting was held in Strongsville Tuesday night to discuss the future of the citys emergency dispatch center. Its a challenge many cities are currently facing as the move towards more centralized larger dispatch centers gains momentum across Ohio and Cuyahoga County. The city announced on July 30, 2025, their intent to transfer emergency dispatching services from the Southwest Emergency Dispatch Center (SWEDC) in Strongsville to Chagrin Valley Regional Dispatch (CVRD) in Bedford. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I-Team: Police chief speaks out on chaos at Cleveland Heights City Hall During the meeting, city leaders including the mayor, finance director, police chief, fire chief, safety director and head of IT, all said the move was necessary after SWEDC lost several communities. It used to serve seven communities, but Olmsted Falls and Olmsted Township left SWEDC for another center at the beginning of the year and now Berea announced that they are also leaving. At the meeting, the city said trying to run the center alone would cost about $2 million, but the transfer to CVRD would save them around $800,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Technology is changing on us every day and the cost of technology continues to increase, so in order to deliver the safety, we have to have the technology and training and we can do better as a group of 37 than we can as four, said Mayor Thomas Perciak. But there are many questions. Some dispatchers said they just learned of the proposed transfer in a letter last Wednesday. They said they were given only 60 days to decide whether or not to make the move to CVRD. At the meeting, Councilwoman Ann Roff asked administrators if that could be extended until some important questions are answered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I just think its very important for us that our safety forces are taken care of from the beginning, which is that first call that comes in to the end and a time delay could put everyones life in jeopardy, said Roff. The city is still considering a few options, including footing the bill to keep the center in Strongsville. They also said an effort was underway to maintain all current dispatchers and create a Strongsville division within CVRD, and that the employees would also receive a pay raise. But there were other concerns over benefits and long-term effects on public safety. Especially not knowing if the dispatchers are going to know the area, said former dispatcher and concerned citizen Zsuzsanna Bedocs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Family-friendly TSA lanes debut at several US airports: How do they work? In a publicly released statement, Fire Chief Jack Draves said, We anticipate SWEDC dispatchers taking positions with CVRD and most likely they will remain operating out of our current center for the next 18 months while CVRD constructs a new dispatch center in Bedford, OH. There will be more information in the coming days, weeks, and months as we approach the transition date. The city also plans to keep its dispatch center fully functional just in case the move to CVRD doesnt work out. The next step is to get feedback from the public ahead of and during the next city council meeting scheduled for Sept. 2 before council votes on the issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. MANHEIM TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WHTM) Pennsylvania students with disabilities are getting paid for real work experience this summer. Its a part of the MY Work program through the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation. The program helps around 500 high school students with disabilities get paid work experiences at 100 sites across the Commonwealth. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now abc27 Evening Newsletter One of those sites is Overlook Park in Manheim Township, where Governor Josh Shapiro visited students and supervisors there on Tuesday. The students are doing landscaping and maintenance projects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People often underestimate what people with disabilities are capable of, but were different here in Pennsylvania because we know that people with disabilities bring unique strengths to the work they do, Shapiro said. MY Work was first piloted in 2016, providing work experience for 50 high school students in Allegheny County. It has since grown, and the goal is to get students with disabilities jobs after graduation. Lebanon Farmers Market spotlights family of junior market vendors Students also learn independent living skills, effective communication skills, how to manage a paycheck, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27. COLLEGE PARK, Md. (DC News Now) The University of Maryland (UMD) agreed to pay $100,000 to resolve a lawsuit filed by student group Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a historic victory for the organization, according to multiple officials on Wednesday. SJPs suit stems from the universitys ban on students vigil for Gaza, which was planned for Oct. 7, 2024 marking one year since Hamas attacked Israel, igniting the ongoing war in Gaza. UMD ultimately banned all student-organized events from taking place on campus that day out of an abundance of caution, according to university president Darryll J. Pines at the time. Instead, he said only university-sponsored events that promote reflection would be allowed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Judge rules to allow Palestinian student group to host vigil on Oct. 7 at the University of Maryland Upon Piness announcement, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Palestine Legal sued UMD on Sept. 17 of that year on behalf of SJP. On Oct. 1, 2024, a Maryland judge ruled in favor of the student group, finding that the university could not shut down the vigil. In response to our lawsuit, the University of Maryland claimed it was forced to cancel all events on October 7 due to racist threats from pro-Israel individuals, who declared they would organize a KKK rally and come to campus armed if SJPs vigil proceeded. In its ruling, the court found that University could not bow to threats by shutting down UMD SJPs event, Palestine Legal said in a post on social media after the universitys settlement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite the judge ruling in favor of the students, their lawsuit came to its eventual conclusion nearly a year later, with UMD agreeing to settle the case out of court. RELATED COVERAGE: One year later: University of Maryland student groups mark one year since October 7 with vigils CAIR and Palestine Legal announced the university agreed to pay $100,000 the highest financial penalty ever imposed on a U.S. university for violating pro-Palestinian students free speech rights, the attorneys noted. From Gaza to the DMV, the occupation and its allies try to erase Palestine, but we resist. As the occupation starves millions in Gaza with U.S. backing, UMD remains complicit in repression, SJP wrote in a post on social media, in part. While the university remains complicit in genocide, weve forced them to pay. Now we turn their tainted dollars into defiance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group said it would spend the settlement money on organizing and supporting its movement. After the settlement was announced, UMD released the following statement: UMD Students for Justice in Palestine (UMD SJP) and the University of Maryland announce the litigation in federal court has been mutually resolved through a settlement agreement with no admission of liability by the University. Further information about this case, including Judge Peter J. Messittes October 1, 2024, memorandum opinion granting UMD SJPs motion for a preliminary injunction, can be found here and here. UMD SJP is a registered University student organization in good standing which has had more than 100 events on campus since October 7, 2023, for which it consistently followed the Universitys policies and procedures governing such events. The University reiterates its support for the First Amendment and particularly making campus space available for individuals and groups of all viewpoints to share their opinions pursuant to its Guidelines for Expressive Activities and the First Amendment. The University takes very seriously its responsibilities for the safety and security of all University students and other members of its community. University of Maryland Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Scientists at the Chinese Academy of Sciences created a new study that revealed when the body truly starts aging and when an "inflection point" begins that speeds up the aging process The scientists studied proteins in tissue taken from about 70 people ages 14 to 68 and published their data July 25 in the journal Cell. "Proteins are the cornerstone of life. However, the proteomic blueprint of aging across human tissues remains uncharted. Here, we present a comprehensive proteomic and histological analysis of 516 samples from 13 human tissues spanning five decades," the scientists said in a statement. Dr. Thomas Blackwell, associate dean for graduate medical education and professor of medicine at the University of Texas Medical Branch, told USA Today that these proteins give scientists a window of when the aging process may begin on a cellular level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proteins are created in a factory using instructions from messenger RNA, he said. A sign of aging is when the cells ability to make proteins correctly and efficiently starts to break down. When Does Aging Reach its 'Inflection Point'? The scientists shared their data in a "dynamic atlas" that "reveals widespread transcriptome-proteome decoupling and proteostasis decline, characterized by amyloid accumulation." They developed "tissue-specific proteomic age clocks and characterized organ-level aging trajectories" that revealed an aging inflection around 50 years old. The researchers found that organs aged at different rates with the spleen, aorta (the bodys main artery) and adrenal gland (responsible for producing hormones) showing signs of aging at around 30. They determined that aging starts to accelerate from 45 to 55 years old after looking at tissues taken from the heart, liver, pancreas, spleen, lung, skin and muscles. The aorta was found to have the biggest changes in protein levels from 45 to 55. What the New Study Means Neville Sanjana, associate professor of biology, neuroscience and physiology at New York University, told USA Today that the study's findings could have greater implications of future research into chronic conditions that accelerate aging. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is just a beautiful roadmap that gives us an initial overview of organ aging, he said. ...To me, thats exciting. This kind of data generation is so powerful for folks who want to do things like bioengineering and creating new kinds of therapies to restore healthy aging. Blackwell, meanwhile, suggested people have the chance to change their aging trajectory, "but the window is short." Starting at 45 to 50, you could gain as much as 10 years of healthy life and this study just shows the truth of that at a cellular level, he claimed. Related: Southwest Airlines Announces Change on All Flights Starting August 13 New Study Reveals When The Body Actually Starts Aging. It's Sooner Than You Think first appeared on Men's Journal on Aug 4, 2025 (Jim Cooke / Los Angeles Times; photo via Getty Images) Fraudulent scientific research is now being produced and published on a large scale, with some unethical researchers colluding with unethical editors to attain the prestige that comes with publication, according to a new study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences. Large groups of editors and authors appear to have cooperated in what it called "the tide of fraudulent science." Among their efforts, the researchers who conducted the study obtained about 47,000 retracted articles. They collected reports of the same image used in multiple publications. They compiled 33,000 papers of suspicious origin. Making use of the fact that editors' names are public at some science publishers, they looked at whether some editors handled disproportionate numbers of problematic scientific papers, ones that were later retracted or noted negatively by other scientists. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the journal PLOS One, they were able to link 30.2% of the retracted articles to 45 editors. Of these editors, 25 had their own papers retracted. The 45 editors represented 0.25% of the total number of editors at the journal. David Knutson, head of communications for PLOS, in a statement said that it, like other publishers, has seen an increase in paper mill and peer review integrity cases since 2021. With respect to editors, he said, "once concerning editorial behavior is detected, all articles they handled previously or are currently handling are pulled into our investigations." Researchers also found clusters of articles accepted in less than a month, often involving the same editors and authors. They found cases where people submitted papers and those papers got accepted extremely fast, and when you looked at the editors, they were just sending them to each other, said Luis Amaral, a systems biologist at Northwestern University and senior author of the study. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are people who believe that there is widespread fraud, said Reese Richardson, a postdoctoral researcher in the Amaral Lab at Northwestern and lead author of the study. What this paper does is give a method and a starting point and the data to show that this is actually happening, and that the current mechanisms are not equipped to stop it. The studys findings confirm the suspicions of many researchers, including Elisabeth Bik, a microbiologist and independent scientific integrity consultant who has spent years identifying fraudulent research. In one case, she found 125 papers that reused parts of the same image. It was the same photo, but different crops of the same image," she said. "They didnt generate the photos themselves. They got the photos from a third party a broker, a paper mill. Researchers have been using the term "paper mill" to describe organizations that sell mass-produced low quality and fabricated research articles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many of these fraudulent papers, Bik added, seem to come from doctors or researchers in countries where promotions are tied to publication metrics. They see it as an investment, she explained, where a couple of thousand dollars gets them a paper, and a fast track up the promotional ladder. This institutional pressure is especially common in India and China, where promotions, medical licensing or graduation are linked by policy to publication counts, several experts said. In a survey of medical residents in China three years ago, 47% admitted to buying and selling papers, letting other people write papers, or writing papers for others. When the study authors analyzed an archive of articles from a business offering services to "research professionals who are desperate" for publication, they found 26% of the authors were from India. Although the "publish or perish" culture is also common in the U.S., it manifests more in expectations around prestige, funding and tenure, rather than fixed quotas. India and China are the world's most populous nations and both are scientific powerhouses. The paper notes that science fraud can happen anywhere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The accumulation of fake literature has turned some scientific fields RNA biology, for example into what Richardson called an academic "minefield," making it difficult for researchers to identify which studies are reliable. Some fraudulent studies have even made it into meta-analyses that shape the way doctors treat patients. They found evidence that this field of research has been targeted by bad actors. Experts say growing awareness of fraud could feed broader skepticism of science, especially if institutional action doesn't keep up. The more polluted the record becomes, the harder it is to clean up, and the harder it is to rebuild trust inside and outside the scientific community, said Stephanie Kinnan, a longtime member of the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE). The scientific community has tools to fight back. It fines and excludes researchers and universities. Journals retract articles. Aggregators can sideline problematic journals. But the authors of the paper found the amount of "research" from suspected paper mills has been doubling roughly every 1 years. The actions are not keeping up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For Amaral, and many other scientists, the implications are deeply personal. I dreamed of being a scientist since I was 12, he said. Seeing the thing that I've dreamt of being a part of, that I cherish, being potentially destroyed is really enraging. All research is built on previous research, Amaral explained. That collapses without trust. "This is the great fear that the entire scientific enterprise that gave us vaccines, that gave us medicine for cancer, that gave us X-ray machines, computer scanning devices would just disappear, he said. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. CAIRO (Reuters) - The United Arab Emirates has banned Sudanese planes from landing at its airports, Sudan's state news agency quoted its Civil Aviation Authority as saying on Wednesday, in the latest sign of tension between the two countries. The UAE also barred a Sudanese airliner from taking off from Abu Dhabi airport, the Sudanese authority said. Sudan's authority voiced surprise at the reported decision and said it was following up with airlines to reprogramme reservations for passengers arriving in and departing from the Gulf country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abu Dhabi authorities did not immediately comment on the Sudanese statement. Sudan cut diplomatic relations with the UAE in May, saying the Gulf nation was aiding the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces with supplies of advanced weaponry in the country's devastating civil war that broke out in April 2023. The UAE has repeatedly denied such charges. (Reporting by Jaidaa Taha, Nafisa Eltahir and Yomna Ehab; editing by Gareth Jones and Mark Heinrich) NEILLSVILLE, Wis. (WLAX/WEUX) During this summer, Western Wisconsin has been blanketed with road construction projects. Multiple counties have major, minor, rural, and urban roadways either completely shut down or partially closed. That has prompted those counties to issue reminders for motorists to pay attention to their surroundings and remember the rules of the road. The Clark County Sheriffs Office recently cited 5 separate people for driving across a bridge that is currently under construction at Highway M and Rock Creek Road. The sheriffs office says driving on that bridge could not only cause damage or delay the projects completion, but also place everyone involved (drivers, passengers, and construction workers) at risk. There is also a resurfacing project starting in Lake Hallie. Governor Evers recently approved a $1.72 million contract to resurface a section of County OO between Business 53, north of Melby Street, and the Business 53/Highway 124/County OO intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Construction will start on Monday, August 11th, but preliminary work has already started. The Department of Transportation will be holding an informational meeting at the Lake Hallie Municipal Building on Thursday, August 7th, at 6 pm. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX2548 & WIProud. Pipework and valve wheels at a gas storage facility. (Photo by Oliver Bunic/Bloomberg Creative-Getty Images) Summit Carbon Solutions has a new CEO, Joe Griffin, who authored letters this week to signed and unsigned landowners along the carbon pipeline project route. Two versions of the letter, one dated Aug. 4 and the other dated Aug. 5, noted the company would be announcing several updates that would open new markets and create greater opportunities for the region. The letters also note Summit has a new senior leadership team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The version addressed to landowners along the route who have not signed an easement agreement said they should expect a revised Right of Way proposal in the coming weeks. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The letter said the revised proposals would reflect Summits commitment to offering terms that better support landowners and their long-term interests. The other version was addressed to landowners who had already signed easements and instead thanked them for their trust in the company and its project to build a carbon sequestration line across Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Summit has already signed easement agreements more than 1,320 Iowa landowners along the route, according to the company. Griffin wrote in the letter he wanted to set the tone for a fresh chapter for Summit. In addition to Griffins replacement of former CEO Lee Blank, the letter notes Summit has a new senior leadership team that is focused on partnership and respect. This team has constructed and/or operated more than 4,700 miles of pipelines, but what Im most proud of is that we did it safely, working closely with landowners, communities, and emergency responders to ensure the safety of all, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin said he has spent his career in energy infrastructure though it is unclear what company the new CEO was with formerly. Im the kind of person whos not afraid to get out in the fields and help alongside the farmers, someone who understands that this project is about more than pipes and technology its about people, land, and communities, Griffin wrote in the letters. Former Summit CEO Lee Blank could not be reached for comment. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE An anti-carbon pipeline sign is set up along a road near Canton. (Makenzie Huber/South Dakota Searchlight) Summit Carbon Solutions has a new CEO, Joe Griffin, who authored letters this week to signed and unsigned Iowa landowners along the carbon pipeline project route. Two versions of the letter, one dated Aug. 4 and the other dated Aug. 5, noted the company would be announcing several updates that would open new markets and create greater opportunities for the region. The letters also note Summit has a new senior leadership team. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The version addressed to landowners along the route who have not signed an easement agreement said they should expect a revised Right of Way proposal in the coming weeks. The letter said the revised proposals would reflect Summits commitment to offering terms that better support landowners and their long-term interests. The other version was addressed to landowners who had already signed easements and instead thanked them for their trust in the company. Its proposed carbon sequestration pipeline in Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska and the Dakotas would carry carbon dioxide captured from dozens of ethanol plants to an underground sequestration site in North Dakota. In South Dakota, the project has been rejected twice for a permit by the states Public Utilities Commission, and the Legislature and governor passed a law earlier this year banning the use of eminent domain to obtain land access for carbon pipelines. The new law was a response to activism by pipeline opponents concerned about property rights and potentially deadly leaks of carbon dioxide plumes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Summit has already signed easement agreements with thousands of landowners along the route, according to the company. Griffin wrote in the letter he wanted to set the tone for a fresh chapter for Summit. In addition to Griffins replacement of former CEO Lee Blank, the letter notes Summit has a new senior leadership team that is focused on partnership and respect. This team has constructed and/or operated more than 4,700 miles of pipelines, but what Im most proud of is that we did it safely, working closely with landowners, communities, and emergency responders to ensure the safety of all, Griffin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Griffin said he has spent his career in energy infrastructure though it is unclear what company the new CEO was with formerly. Im the kind of person whos not afraid to get out in the fields and help alongside the farmers, someone who understands that this project is about more than pipes and technology its about people, land, and communities, Griffin wrote in the letters. Former Summit CEO Lee Blank could not be reached for comment. The staff of South Dakota Searchlight contributed to this report. Iowa Capital Dispatch is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@iowacapitaldispatch.com. SUNSET, Utah (ABC4) A man in Sunset was arrested after he allegedly set fire to a police patrol car in an attempt to get the attention of law enforcement. Chad Randal Livingston, 46, reportedly called 911 after he ran out of lighter fluid and set the police car on fire. He was then safely taken into custody and booked on third-degree felony charges of arson and property damage. Investigators say Livingston walked to the Sunset City Office Building on Tuesday, Aug. 5, found the patrol car and doused it the lighter fluid before lighting it on fire. Police estimate the fire caused up to $5,000 in damages to the vehicle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When speaking with investigators, Livingston allegedly said he wanted to make a change and referenced that he was upset with people using his name. Livingston allegedly admitted to knowing what he was doing was wrong, but he wanted to get the attention of law enforcement and felt lighting the patrol vehicle on fire was the best way to do it. Livingston also allegedly admitted to being the one to call 911 after starting the fire. According to court documents, Livingston said he had run out of lighter fluid and it was an emergency. Livingston has been ordered to be held on a $10,000 bail, pending a pretrial hearing. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. Video above: This Nexstar Media video explains whether buying organic food is worth the price. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A growing superfood franchise, known for its craft-your-own acai bowls, is opening a new location in Carmel Mountain Ranch this week. According to a representative with Everbowl, the company is continuing its mission to bring healthy, accessible food options to communities across San Diego County with a brand new storefront. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Located at 11975 Carmel Mountain Rd., the new shop officially opens to the public on Friday, Aug. 8, offering a full menu on customizable bowls made with nutrient-rich bases like acai, pitaya, and blue majic, topped with fresh fruits and superfood add-ons. Whats happening at Petco Park this August: Padres baseball, concerts & more Everbowl has made authenticity and direct sourcing a core part of its identity, with the company supporting the communities that produce its key ingredients. In fact, the acai used by the franchise is sourced directly from the Amazon. In addition to its bowls, the Carmel Mountain Ranch store will offer Everbowls newer menu items, such as Sips, a line of refreshing beverages, and Toast, a warm and hearty menu extension. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Before the grand opening, Everbowl will host a friends and family preview event on Thursday, Aug. 7 from 4-7 p.m., giving local residents an exclusive first taste of its menu. After that, the Carmel Mountain Ranch store will be open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Founded in 2016 by San Diego native and entrepreneur Jeff Fenster, Everbowl has grown to over 100 locations nationwide, including several across Southern California. Its philosophy is simple: make healthy eating easy, enjoyable, and accessible. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Dean Cain, who starred as the Man of Steel in the ABC TV series Lois and Clark: The New Adventures of Superman (1993-97), has announced that he has joined ICE to support President Donald Trumps illegal immigration crackdown. Cain, 59, took to social media on Tuesday to announce the news to his followers in a video post that played like a one-man recruitment drive. The actor opened by telling his followers: For those who dont know, I am a sworn law enforcement officer, as well as being a filmmaker, and I felt it was important to join with our first responders to help secure the safety of all Americans, not just talk about it. So I joined up. Dean Cain starred as Superman on TV in the 1990s but is these days better known for his MAGA activism (Getty) He continued: Heres your opportunity to join ICE. You can earn lots of great benefits and pay. Since President Trump took office, ICE has arrested hundreds of thousands of criminals including terrorists, rapists, murderers, pedophiles, MS-13 gang members, drug traffickers, you name it very dangerous people who are no longer on the streets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cain then reeled off a list of perks recruits could enjoy: You can defend your homeland and get great benefits like a $50,000 signing bonus, think about that, student loan repayment (legally), enhanced retirement benefits and special for those in field operations and law enforcement roles. You also dont need an undergraduate degree, you can get to work right away. So iIf you want to help save America, ICE is arresting the worst of the worst and removing them from America's streets. I like that. I voted for that. They need your help, we need your help, to protect our homeland for families. Join today if its something that tickles your fancy because we can use you. Cains video comes a week after Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a press release telling Americans: Your country is calling you to serve at ICE. Your country needs dedicated men and women of ICE to get the worst of the worst criminals out of our country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a defining moment in our nation's history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland. The actors enthusiastic endorsement of that message attracted some responses on X, including several pointing out that the maximum age for signing up is 37, more than two decades younger than Cain himself. However, that restriction appears to have since been lifted. Federal agents guard an ICE detention center in downtown Los Angeles oin June (Getty) One user told the actor, Superman himself would be disappointed in you, Dean. Cain replied simply: Not a chance. The actor remains closely associated with the iconic superhero and recently applauded the White House for putting out a meme of President Trump wearing the signature red cape and tights, a post that also attracted plenty of derision from responders, pointing out that Superman himself is an immigrant to Earth. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A staunch MAGA conservative in other respects, Cain holds surprisingly progressive views regarding the man from Krypton, recently nominating Michael B Jordan to be the first Black incarnation of the character and praising James Gunns new blockbuster despite Fox News commentators slamming it as superwoke for carrying pro-migrant themes. Cain is a regular guest on Fox and is so devoted to Trumps cause that, in 2019, he appeared opposite original Buffy the Vampire Slayer star Kristy Swanson in the spoof play FBI Lovebirds: Undercovers, offering dramatic readings of the infamous text messages exchanged between agents Peter Strozk and Lisa Page, which Politico described as Hamilton for the Make America Great Again crowd. BURLINGTON, Vt (ABC22/FOX44) August is national breastfeeding month. Data from a recently released survey shows that while slow progress is being made, parents continue to face barriers when breastfeeding in public spaces especially when it comes to breastfeeding. Vermont-based company Mamava in partnership with Medela released findings from there 2025 State of Breastfeeding Survey. Similar to years past, data shows that pumping is a key part of the routine for most parents, many of whom have full or part time jobs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, only 44% of those surveyed felt supported in the workplace. That support coming in the form of easy access to private spaces and the tools necessary to do it. Mamava CEO Christine Dodson also notes that the Pump Act a law requiring employers to provide break time and a space for lactation that isnt a bathroom has been in effect for about two years now. Yet only 55% if those surveyed even knew it existed. We believe that relates to a lack of communication on the employers part, Dodson says. If you take a break from nursing your baby, there are all kinds of medical things that are going to happen that will be very uncomfortable. Eventually, your milk supply dries upso you cant just wait you need to pump to keep your supply going. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Going forward, Dodson highlights the need for more lactation support infrastructure in public and workplace spaces like designated rooms or free-standing pods. You can find the full report 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 ABC22 & FOX44. NORTH AUGUSTA, S.C. (WJBF) Susan Rhodes, a woman who went missing in North Augusta last month, has been located, the North Augusta Department of Public Safety confirmed on Tuesday. North Augusta Public Safety said it received a call at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Aug. 5 that Rhodes was back at her residence. Officers responded to the location and confirmed that she was there. Police said that shortly after, Rhodes began suffering from an unknown medical condition. EMS was called and she was transported to a local hospital to be evaluated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement posted to Facebook on Aug. 5, officials said thanked everyone who had been involved in the search. Your support and vigilance played a vital role in helping bring this situation to a safe conclusion, the statement reads in part. Rhodes was declared missing after a vehicle crash on June 11, leading to a widespread search across the area. According to police, the investigation is still ongoing. This is a developing story. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJBF. A Milwaukee man charged in the beating death of a 70-year-old man during a home invasion burglary will get the chance to make his case before a jury. An arrest warrant was issued for Isiah Terrell Taylor shortly after the body of Jerry Rhodes was discovered in Rhodes' retirement community home on April 25. Taylor, 34, was captured three months later in Eugene, Oregon, and appeared in a Milwaukee courtroom on Aug. 5 before Court Commissioner Susan Roth for a preliminary hearing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taylor is charged with felony murder battery and burglary/committing a battery on a person in connection with Rhodes' killing. Roth heard testimony from a Milwaukee police detective, and later found there was probable cause that a felony had been committed, likely by Taylor. She bound the case over for trial. Isiah Taylor appears in a preliminary hearing in a Milwaukee County Court on Aug. 5, 2025. Here's what prosecutors say happened the day Jerry Rhodes was killed It was just after midnight when Milwaukee police were called to a unit at the Plymouth Apartments, a retirement community near Ninth Street and Galena Avenue. The officers arrived to find a man on the floor, unresponsive and without a pulse, Milwaukee police Detective Jose Flores testified at the hearing. It was Rhodes. He had been severely beaten. Multiple blunt force trauma was the preliminary cause of death, according to a May 1 criminal complaint in the case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His nephew, who was inside the residence at the time, told police a television and phone were taken. The nephew had fallen asleep on the couch and was awakened by a man holding a pistol. A woman also was in the home; the nephew believed she also had a gun by the way she was holding her waist, according to the complaint. "Dont move! Dont even think about it!" the man told the nephew, the document says. At which point, the man began striking his uncle. He then stomped on Rhodes while he was on the floor, according to the document. The woman told the attacker to stop, then the pair left the home with a television and a cellphone, the complaint states. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Maxwell Anderson gets life in Sade Robinson's killing, won't be eligible for parole Police used technology to come up with a suspect Flores testified video recovered from the apartment complex shortly before the attack showed a white Nissan pull up on the street in front of where the killing took place. The video showed a man and woman walking toward an apartment and minutes later leaving with a large television. Flores said police also retrieved video from a Milwaukee County Transit System bus. It had a camera that recorded footage of the Nissan, along with "distinctive damage" on its front passenger panel and rear bumper, as the bus passed by the complex, he testified. Flores testified Taylor made several phone calls to a woman in Waukesha who also is the owner of the Nissan. Police went to the woman's home and spotted the car, as well as the missing television. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Flores said the woman told investigators Taylor borrowed the vehicle on April 24 and had not returned by the time she went to bed. The woman said she found the television in a spare bedroom. She identified Taylor from surveillance video from the scene of the homicide. Flores said police collected cellphone tower data that showed Taylor and Rhodes' phones were in the same vicinity at the time of the killing. More: Second security guard charged in D'Vontaye Mitchell's death pleads guilty. What happens now? Milwaukee's homicide numbers are creeping upward Rhodes' death was one of the 89 homicides that have been reported in Milwaukee in 2025 as of Aug. 3, the most updated figure provided by the Milwaukee Police Department. At the same point a year ago, there were 83 homicides, paving the way to 132 homicides for all of 2024. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also this year, a total of 1,136 burglaries have been reported to Milwaukee police, compared with 1,168 during the same period in 2024. What is next for Isiah Taylor? Taylor was arraigned and pleaded not guilty to all the charges through his attorney, Stephen Sargent. He remained in the Milwaukee County Jail on Aug. 5 after failing to post the $200,000 bail set for his release. He is expected to return to court Sept. 4 for a scheduling hearing. Here's how you can help Anyone with any information in this case is asked to contact Milwaukee Police at 414-935-7360 or to remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers at 414-224-Tips or P3 Tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: MPD: A TV, cellphone were taken during deadly April 25 home invasion In June, U. S. Attorney Hayden P. OByrne announced criminal charges against 37 defendants including a 41-year-old man who faces charges in Scott County, Iowa in connection with alleged schemes to unlawfully distribute controlled substances and defraud federal health care programs including Medicare and Medicaid, according to a news release from the U. S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Florida. (Jacquez Tullis (Scott County Jail) In the case of United States v. Jacquez Dion Tullis, 41, of Tamarac, Florida; Taneka Nakia Pace, 49, of Miami, Florida; and Junaque Nicole Tullis, a/k/a Juanaque Tullis, 44, of Coral Springs, Florida, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, aggravated identity theft, and wire fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud financial institutions out of about $1,780,000 through the submission of fraudulent credit applications for cosmetic surgery and other medical services that were never provided. As alleged in the indictment, the defendants created six cosmetic surgery clinics and then submitted applications on behalf of those clinics to become approved merchants with financial institutions with lending programs that provided lines of credit to individuals seeking funding for out-of-pocket medical care, treatments, and services not covered by insurance. The defendants then used the personal identifying information of individuals without their authorization or consent to submit credit applications to those financial institutions on behalf of those individuals, falsely certifying that the clinics would provide cosmetic surgery and related medical care to them. In fact, the clinics never provided any such medical care, nor did the individuals on whose behalf the clinics submitted credit applications need or want any such treatments, according to the U. S. Attorneys Office Southern District of Florida. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The defendants are also charged with individual counts of wire fraud for submitting fraudulent loan applications on behalf of the clinics and another business to the Small Business Administration for small business loans designed to provide emergency financial assistance to businesses suffering from the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. FBI Miami investigated the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Will J. Rosenzweig is prosecuting it. Assistant U.S. Attorney Sandra Demirci is handling asset forfeiture. The charges were filed in the federal court and are part of the Department of Justices 2025 National Health Care Fraud Takedown. The Takedown was led and coordinated by the Health Care Fraud Unit of the Department of Justice Criminal Divisions Fraud Section and its core partners from U.S. Attorneys Offices, the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General (HHS-OIG), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA). The cases were investigated by agents from HHS-OIG, FBI, DEA, and other federal and state law enforcement agencies. The cases are being prosecuted by Health Care Fraud Strike Force teams from the Criminal Divisions Fraud Section, 50 U.S. Attorneys Offices nationwide, and 12 State Attorneys General Offices. A Scott County Court case continues Earlier this year, a Florida man was in the Scott County Jail after Davenport Police say he deposited fraudulent U.S. Savings Bonds at three Davenport credit unions, Scott County arrest affidavits say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Scott County criminal complaint, officers responded to Family Credit Union, 1530 W. 53rd St. on Jan. 29 at about 12:41 p.m. After an investigation, officers learned that the defendant, identified as Jacquez Tullis, 40 of Tamarac, Fla., deposited nine fraudulent $1,000 United States Savings Bonds at three different Family Credit Union locations. Tullis is accused of depositing three fraudulent bonds at the branch at 1530 W 53rd Street on Jan. 27. On Jan. 29, he allegedly deposited three fraudulent bonds at the Family Credit Union, 1400 Rockingham Road. On Jan. 29, he deposited three fraudulent bonds at the branch at 4402 W. Locust St. The bonds returned as Bond not Found in the verification system by the bank. The bonds were unevenly cut, had blurred ink in the print and were printed on different paper when compared with a legitimate United States Savings Bond at the bank. Tullis is accused of withdrawing a total of $16,660 from his account from the fraudulent bond deposits. This created a permanent loss for Family Credit Union of $16,660, according to arrest affidavits. Tullis was arrested and charged with nine counts of felony forgery financial institution and one felony count of first-degree theft, Scott County arrest affidavits show. Scott County Court documents show that Tullis, by his attorney, has applied to continue a status review hearing. In support of that, Tullis says he is scheduled for a criminal matter in the Federal District Court for the Southern District of Florida for trial at the end of this month. Tullis asks that the status review hearing be continued to Sept 2. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHBF - OurQuadCities.com. Last Friday, at approximately 10:30 a.m., a man walked into a bar in the small Montana town of Anaconda, and opened fire on the bartender and patrons inside. He killed four people before fleeing the scene. The suspect, Michael Paul Brown, still remains at large and the search for him has now stretched into its fifth day. Our Montana law enforcement officers have been unrelenting in their pursuit, working around the clock to bring this suspect, Michael Brown, to justice for his heinous acts, Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte said at a press conference on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since Friday, a helicopter from the Helena battalion of the National Guard has flown for nearly 20 hours searching for signs and ferrying personnel in the remote area of the mountains where Brown is suspected to be hiding out, the governor said. To help pay for the effort, Gianforte signed an executive order releasing funds and resources to aid in the search for the suspect. He did so after receiving a request from the Anaconda-Deer Lodge County police, and the money will help cover the cost of overtime and to continue the manhunt. Anaconda-Deer Lodge County Attorney Morgan Smith addressed the fact that the community of Anaconda and now an increasing national audience want more information. Smith said that 38 different local and state agencies, with hundreds of personnel, are coordinating with each other to assist in the search. However, details for the public, she explained, are still limited at this time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We ask that you remain patient and know that the investigation is ongoing, Smith said. When the dust settles, we will answer all the questions that we are able to. Where is Anaconda? The town of Anaconda is about an hour and fifteen minutes southwest of Helena. It has a small tight-knit community of 9,000 people. Multiple media outlets have since reported on how impactful the tragic events are for the small, mountain town. The four victims who were killed are all residents. They were later identified as Daniel Edwin Baillie, 59; Nancy Lauretta Kelley, 64; David Allen Leach, 70, and Tony Wayne Palm, 74. Kelley was working behind the bar at The Owl Bar when Brown walked in. At a vigil the following Sunday, the owner, Dan Gwerder, told the Montana Free Press that, Its gonna be a long healing process for a lot of people. How is the suspect still missing? Anaconda is walled in by rugged mountains, and is adjacent to the largest national forest in the state, Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. In addition to that one, not far from the town are at least two additional national forests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The mountainous terrain is the type of environment that would be easy to hide in, especially for people from the area like Brown, who grew up in Anaconda. Brown is also a former U.S. soldier, who was deployed in Iraq from 2004-2005, and spent several years in the National Guard following his return. Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen said at the press conference that the suspect was 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. The initial reward of $7,500 offered for any information that leads to Browns arrest or capture has since been revised. At the press conference, Knudsen said that the Montana Department of Justice increased the offering to $10,000. This is our top focus in the entire state of Montana is making sure this community is safe, Knudsen said. The Brief A Palmetto man is accused of driving to St. Petersburg and peering into womens windows. William Michael Copher, 49, is also accused of pleasuring himself, delivering a package of sex toys and leaving notes. He has been arrested on four counts of stalking and four counts of voyeurism involving five different women. ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. - Police in St. Petersburg believe a man accused of stalking five different women may have more victims. The backstory According to the St. Petersburg Police Department, William Michael Copher, 49, drove from his home in Palmetto to St. Petersburg to stand outside victims' bedroom windows and peer inside. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In at least two cases, detectives say he was seen masturbating. He also delivered a package of sex toys to one victim and left notes, according to SPPD. READ: Florida to further restrict purchases using SNAP benefits. Here's what will change The police department received the first complaint on June 30. Courtesy: Pinellas County Sheriff's Office Dig deeper Over the next few weeks, detectives connected various incidents and received additional tips that led them to investigate Copher. He has been arrested on four counts of stalking and four counts of voyeurism involving five different women. READ: Florida teen killed, driver caught hiding in chicken coop after fiery high-speed crash on I-75: FHP What you can do If you believe you have been victimized by Copher, contact the St. Petersburg Police Department. The Source This story was written with information provided by the St. Petersburg Police Department. A no trespassing sign outside of Northwest ICE Processing Center, also known as Northwest Detention Center. (Photo by Grace Deng/Washington State Standard) Seven potential cases of tuberculosis have been reported at the federal immigrant detention center in Tacoma, state health officials said Tuesday. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Wednesday morning disputed that the disease was present at the facility and said that the reports stem from one individual who refused a tuberculosis test, and six other detainees who were exposed to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But an attorney for a man detained at the site said his client was treated for tuberculosis at a hospital in Tacoma last month. Washington Department of Health officials said they dont believe the serious and highly contagious bacterial infection has been transmitted within the detention center, and no one has tested positive for infectious tuberculosis, which can spread between people. None of the seven patients have known connections to one another, according to a spokesperson for the department. The state only receives information if people start treatment for presumptive tuberculosis or when lab reports are positive for the potentially fatal lung infection. The facility is only required to report known or suspected cases of Tb disease to DOH, so we do not have information about the total number of detainees or the total number of people tested for Tb, spokesperson John Doyle said in an email Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to questions about tuberculosis cases at the Northwest ICE Processing Center, an ICE spokesperson said, This false claim needs to stop. A detainee entered the facility, refused a tuberculosis test, and as a result, is required to be medically isolated until medical staff is certain he is not infectious, they said in an email on Wednesday. Six other aliens entered the facility at the same time and were also cohorted as an extra precaution. An alien has the right to refuse medical care, and ICE has the right to ensure the alien does not potentially spread a disease if they begin showing symptoms, the ICE spokesperson added. The potential infections, first reported by KING 5, add to heightened scrutiny about conditions at the Northwest ICE Processing Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The facility, run by the Florida-based GEO Group, has already raised concerns among advocates who worry overcrowding could exacerbate medical issues and restrict access to care as President Donald Trump implements his hard-line immigration agenda. And for years, the site has faced allegations of detainee mistreatment, abuse, and neglect. People held there have long demanded access to improved medical care. Multiple detainees suspected of having tuberculosis were among the roughly three dozen transferred from ICE custody to a prison in Alaska this summer, according to the American Civil Liberties Unions chapter in Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ICE told the detainees upon their return to Washington at the end of June that they were exposed to tuberculosis while in Alaska, according to the ACLU. Theyd been moved due to a lack of space at the Tacoma site, officials said at the time. A transferred detainee with tuberculosis was reportedly hospitalized in Tacoma. The persons attorney discovered the hospitalization after his client missed two scheduled video appointments from the detention center. The attorney found his client by calling Tacoma-area hospitals. Our client was diagnosed with tuberculosis and placed on RIPE treatment on the Fourth of July, said Sean Quirk, with the law firm Kellogg, Hansen, Todd, Figel & Frederick. RIPE refers to the first-line Tb treatment of rifampin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide, ethambutol. His TB treatment started four days after his return from Alaska where he had been held at the Anchorage Correctional Complex on June 30. While Tacoma General Hospital found that he didnt exhibit signs of active tuberculosis, he remains on RIPE treatment and has been informed by medical staff at the Northwest ICE Processing Center that he needs to remain so for approximately six months, Quirk added. An NWIPC x-ray apparently showed spots on his lungs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quirk said his client is now doing okay and receiving care. Attorneys from the ACLU in Alaska say two ICE detainees told them they had tested positive for non-contagious latent tuberculosis. The ACLU questioned whether the Alaska correctional facility conducted appropriate medical screenings when the detainees arrived in early June. In May, the organization sued the Alaska Department of Corrections over allegations of inadequate medical care. Immigrant advocacy organization La Resistencia started receiving concerned calls from detainees about sick people in the Tacoma detention center early last week, said Rufina Reyes, the groups director. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are really worried about this because of all the people inside, Reyes said. They dont have any care inside. ICE and GEO have maintained the center follows federal standards and have expressed their commitment to respecting the rights of detainees. Two detainees reportedly died at the facility last year, one of natural causes after years in solitary confinement, and another who was suffering from fentanyl withdrawal. State lawmakers have sought greater transparency at the for-profit detention center, but those efforts have landed in court amid challenges from The GEO Group. A new state law passed this year aims to allow the state Department of Health to inspect the facility. The law, which took effect in May, also tasks the agency with setting new state standards on medical care and sanitation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The detention center has continued to refuse to let state health inspectors inside, Doyle said. We are hopeful that the federal courts will soon clarify the Departments authority, allowing us to conduct investigations that promote transparency and protect the health and well-being of everyone inside the facility, he added. The 1,575-bed detention center was holding just under 1,500 people, as of July 21, according to Detention Reports, a new tool developed by researchers analyzing ICE data in hopes of better reflecting the total detained population. Since Trump retook office and prioritized a campaign of mass deportation, the total number of detainees at the facility has grown. But the latest total was down from more than 1,500 in the previous count. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The average length of stay was just over two months, according to Detention Reports. This story has been updated with comments from ICE and an attorney representing a detainee at the Northwest ICE Processing Center. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX STANSTEAD, Quebec (ABC22/FOX44) Three people accused of human smuggling were intercepted, with about 50 foreign nationals entering Canada Sunday, August 3. The Canada Border Services Agency says that authorities found the group near Stanstead. Everyone was arrested and later brought to the Highway 55 border crossing. All of this occurred over the boarder from Derby, Vermont this weekend. The three people accused of smuggling, identified as Ogulcan Mersin, Dogan Alakus and Firat Yuksek, are expected to appear in court today, August 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The dozens of foreign nationals will be subject to immigration examinations, according to the CBSA. Those that wish to claim asylum will receive an independent assessment of the eligibility of their claim. CBSA says that most asylum seekers were transferred to the their refugee processing center in Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. A former police constable who admitted sharing details of arrests and bodycam footage in a personal WhatsApp group has been given a suspended prison sentence. Charlotte Nelson, 25, had previously admitted three offences after she recorded footage during an incident in Lowestoft where a vulnerable young adult was being restrained in hospital. She was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court to 12 months in jail, suspended for two years, and given a 25-day rehabilitation order and 150 hours of unpaid work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nelson resigned from Suffolk Police last September. Earlier this year, she was barred from serving as an officer after admitting to a disciplinary panel that her actions amounted to gross misconduct. She recorded the footage on her mobile phone and then shared it on WhatsApp without consent. The criminal charges she admitted related to misconduct and the access and use of data. Nelson was sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court [George King/BBC] Deputy Chief Constable Rob Jones said he recognised "how much it undermines public confidence in policing when someone abuses the trust placed in them as a police officer in this way". He added: "Suffolk Police take great care with people's personal information, and pride in the standards we uphold in serving the public. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Charlotte Nelson is barred from ever serving as a police officer again." Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. More on this story Related internet links Switzerland's president held last-gasp talks Wednesday with the US secretary of state after rushing to Washington to avert a surprise steep hike in tariffs -- but her chances of meeting Donald Trump were unclear. The Alpine country faces a 39-percent duty on many of its exports to the United States come Thursday, one of the highest levels among dozens of economies due to be hit by President Trump's upcoming tranche of tariffs. President Karin Keller-Sutter said she and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio -- who does not oversee tariff policy -- had "discussed bilateral cooperation between Switzerland and the US, and the tariff situation, and international issues." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US State Department spokeswoman said the talks included "the importance of a fair and balanced trade relationship that benefits the American people." Keller-Sutter and Economy Minister Guy Parmelin hurried to Washington after an emergency meeting of the Swiss government on Monday. The White House told AFP that there was, for now, no meeting planned with Trump, who threatened in April to slap a 31-percent tariff on Swiss goods. Trump blindsided the country last week when Washington released an updated list of tariff levels for dozens of US trading partners, due to take effect Thursday, showing the Swiss duty would be raised to 39 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is significantly higher than the 15-percent level faced by economies like the European Union, Japan and South Korea. On Tuesday, Trump told CNBC in an interview that he "did something with Switzerland the other day" and spoke to Keller-Sutter, although he referred to her mistakenly as "their prime minister." "The woman was nice, but she didn't want to listen," he added. It remains unclear if the Swiss delegation, which includes business leaders, will meet with US economic officials during the trip. The Swiss embassy said no press conference was planned, adding the president's visit "demonstrates Switzerland's clear commitment to reaching a positive, forward-looking agreement." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Keller-Sutter told German television that her talks with Rubio were friendly and open. The wave of US tariffs taking effect Thursday does not cover sectors that are being separately targeted by US investigations such as pharmaceuticals, a key sector for Switzerland. But Trump signaled that fresh duties on pharmaceutical imports could be announced within the week, starting at a low level before potentially surging as high as 250 percent. bys-bgs/mlm By John Revill and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON/ZURICH (Reuters) -Swiss President Karin Keller-Sutter left Washington empty-handed on Wednesday after a hastily arranged trip to avert a crippling 39% tariff on the country's exports to the United States, its biggest market, three sources familiar with the matter said. Keller-Sutter said she had a "very good meeting" with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but one of the sources said she did not meet with U.S. President Donald Trump or any of his top trade officials. The Swiss president had been seeking a tariff rate of 10%, which U.S. officials rejected, the source said, adding that most countries are facing much higher tariff rates and reducing the U.S. trade deficit remained Trump's goal. Washington is potentially seeking more energy and defense exports to Switzerland, according to a Swiss source familiar with the discussions. In return, the Swiss are looking for lower duties on goods sold into the U.S., a leading buyer of Swiss watches, machinery and chocolate. Trump announced a tariff rate of 31% for Switzerland in April as part of a broad push to reorder global trade, but increased the threatened tariff to 39% last week. "We had a very good meeting today. We had a very friendly and open exchange," Keller-Sutter told reporters after the meeting at the State Department in Washington. She did not answer a question about what further offers Switzerland would make. The higher tariff is due to take effect on Thursday. On social media, Keller-Sutter later wrote that she and Rubio had discussed bilateral cooperation, the tariff situation and international issues. The Swiss delegation was preparing to leave Washington without a deal on Wednesday, a source close to the Swiss delegation said, with the country's cabinet due to hold a meeting on Thursday or Friday. "We came over with the intention of presenting new ideas to the American administration to resolve the tariffs matter, which we have done," the source said. "We are ready for negotiations to continue." Switzerland was stunned by Trump's decision last week to apply the steep rate - among the highest announced since he launched his global trade reset - which threatens to inflict major damage on its export-orientated economy. Keller-Sutter and Business Minister Guy Parmelin flew to Washington on Tuesday for last-minute negotiations aimed at reducing the tariffs before they go into effect on Thursday. Additional talks are possible, even after the higher rate takes effect, the first source said. If youre lucky enough to have missed it, heres the skinny on the Sydney Sweeney news cycle from hell: American Eagle put out an ad starring the actress that features a jeans/genes double entendre (Genes are passed down from parents to offspring, she says in the ad. My jeans are blue.). Cue an online freakout from people arguing that the ad is a Nazi/white supremacist/eugenicist dogwhistle. As far as Im aware, not a single elected Democrat has chimed in on the scandal but it doesnt matter. Weve now entered week two of the ad permeating the coverage over on Fox News. President Trump has weighed in supportively, cheering that Sweeney is a registered Republican. This warped, moronic, and dense liberal thinking is a big reason why Americans voted the way they did in 2024, tweeted White House spokesperson Steven Cheung in response to criticism of the ad. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typical leftist dishonesty acting like conservatives started this fight and how petty we are to be commenting on a woman in a jeans ad. Now what got us here again? right-wing commentator Megyn Kelly sniped in a spat with Pod Save Americas Jon Favreau. He responded: How we got here: a few random posters claimed the Sweeney ad is Nazi propaganda and then the White House and ultimately the President weighed in. Name a Democratic politician who complained about the ad. This is a dynamic endemic to our politics, a perfect crystallization of a problem that dogs Democrats in every culture war controversy. My shorthand for it goes: The left and the right are clashing over x. The left is an Oberlin sophomore and the right is the governor of Texas. In order to balance out the extremism of the Republican Party, the media and Republicans themselves need an equally extremist figure on the left. As they rarely get that from elected Democrats, theyll often content themselves with people vaguely leftist, even if they arent part of the formal Democratic Party, much less wield any influence over it. College kids are one of the favored stand-ins in this equation, since its fairly easy to catch a 19-year-old saying something dumb or histrionic, and comparable power isnt a necessary prerequisite. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sydney Sweeney debate is this dynamic in a microcosm: The supposed leftists here, as Favreau points out, are random social media users. Their combatant on the right is the President of the United States. Actual Democrats absenting themselves from this argument doesnt matter. Fox News and Trump can squeeze days and days of content out of covering the deranged Democrats who hate beautiful women because of so many years of more respectable commentators conflating institutional Democrats with anyone ostensibly of the woke left. Since Democrats could never police the messaging of everyone with a liberal worldview, the right will never lack an eyeroll-inducing left-wing posterchild to prop up and gleefully attack. Kate Riga Texas Dem Arrest Warrants Become Fodder For Cornyn-Paxton Campaigns Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) took the matter of whether federal law enforcement will get involved in Texas Republican officials efforts to arrest elected Democrats for fleeing the state into his own hands on Tuesday. In a letter to the FBI, Cornyn urged FBI Director Kash Patel to help locate and arrest Texas Dems who fled the state to delay a vote on Republicans midcycle redistricting gambit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was the biggest news of the day on the Texas Dems front that is, until Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he would pursue court rulings against the Texas Dems who fled to deny the GOP a quorum if they didnt return by Friday. He said he would pursue rulings ensuring that their seats are declared vacant. While it remains an open question whether the Trump administration will involve itself in Texas Republican officials civil warrants for the arrest of Texas Democrats and whether such a maneuver would be legal in the first place its important to look at the events unfolding today through the lens of Cornyns reelection. Paxton has mounted an aggressive challenge against Cornyn and is popular among Texas Republican voters. Both are hoping for an endorsement from President Trump, too. Cornyn sent his letter to FBI Director Kash Patel just a day after Paxton admitted in a podcast interview that it might not be too realistic to act immediately on Gov. Abbotts threats, which have included declaring Texas Dems seats vacant and charging those who fled the state with felony bribery charges. As I noted yesterday: Wed have to go through a court process, and wed have to file that maybe in districts that are not friendly to Republicans, Paxton said in a Monday interview with Benny Johnson. So its a challenge because every district would be different. Wed have to go sue in every legislators home district. Cornyn and his campaign posted tweets Tuesday morning attacking Paxton for saying the arrests and vacancy declarations might be difficult to carry out just before Cornyn released his letter to the FBI. Hours later, Paxton announced hed get the courts involved in declaring the Dem seats vacant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nicole Lafond Dems Big Choice The deadline to fund the government for the next fiscal year is rapidly approaching. Following the lengthy August recess, lawmakers on Capitol Hill will only have a few weeks to find a way to fund the government. With the filibuster in place, the Senate GOP will need Democratic votes to avert a government shutdown. As we outlined in a new piece published today, Senate Democrats will have to make a decision soon that could set up an internal fight similar to what played out earlier this year when Democrats ultimately helped Republicans pass a bill to keep the government open. Senate Democrats can decide that they will strike a deal with Republicans despite the White Houses ongoing assault on the legislative branch and its power of the purse. Dems would likely ask for assurances that the executive branch will spend money how Congress appropriates it to support the regular appropriations process though its likely too late for that or some form of a continuing resolution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In those cases at least a group of Democrats would be giving the Republicans the votes they need to avoid a government shutdown since any legislation to fund the government requires 60 votes. Democrats can also choose to stand up to the ongoing impoundment by the Trump administration and follow a recent urging from Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) refusing to vote for any legislation unless the White House guarantees that funds will be distributed as appropriated and congressional Republicans will stand up to the executives attempt at overreach. Emine Yucel In Case You Missed It NEW from Hunter Walker: There Is an Information Blackout at Floridas Alligator Alcatraz Migrant Detention Camp Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Catch up on the latest here: Cornyn Asks FBI to Help Arrest Texas Dems Who Fled to Delay GOPs Midcycle Redistricting How Anti-Abortion and Anti-Trans Bills Are Impacted by Texas Democrats Fleeing the State A Big, Upcoming Fight Could See Dems Demand Congress Take Back Its Power Successful Businessman Trump Mobilizes Business Economists Against Him Yesterdays Most Read Story Trump Breaks His Campaign Promise to Fund IVF What We Are Reading A Federal Judge Blocked Trumps Plans to Zero Out Funds for a Popular Disaster Aid Program Hate crimes hit second largest record in 2024: FBI E.P.A. Moves to Cancel $7 Billion in Grants for Solar Energy CAIRO (Reuters) -Syria signed 12 investment deals worth $14 billion on Wednesday in a ceremony attended by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, including infrastructure, transportation and real estate projects aimed at reviving the war-damaged economy. The agreements included a $4 billion deal for building a new airport in Damascus signed with Qatar's UCC holding, and a $2 billion deal to establish a subway in the Syrian capital with the UAE's national investment corporation. Other major developments include the $2 billion Damascus Towers project signed with Italy-based UBAKO. In July, Syria signed $6.4 billion of investments with Saudi Arabia as it seeks to rebuild after a 14-year civil war. (Reporting by Ahmed Elimam and Ahmed Tolba; Editing by Kirsten Donovan) A new form of therapy can help people with lower back pain to live a more active life, research has found. Treatment options for chronic back pain have long been limited and offer only small to moderate benefits that do not last a long time. Now, experts believe they have found a novel approach to helping sufferers with a talking therapy that is focused on educating and improving activity levels, according to a study published in the Lancet Rheumatology journal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A trial involving more than 1,000 people with lower back pain found that a new form of therapy, called Cognitive Functional Therapy (CFT), improved participants quality of life and reduced the disabling effect of back pain. The researchers, led by experts at Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia, found that CFT was more effective than the usual care given to back-pain sufferers and the benefits lasted for three years after treatment when the study ended. Typically, psychotherapists use various forms of established talking therapies to help people with mental health conditions such as anxiety or depression, or other emotional issues, from tackling stress to breaking bad habits. But there is also now increasing evidence that it may be able to help people overcome pain or reduce their experience of it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For some people, lower back pain is a one-off event that gets better with time, but for others it can become chronic and cause long-term issues, affecting their mental and physical health. Most treatments for the condition have small to moderate effects that do not last for a long period of time, the experts said. The new study focused on CFT a type of psychotherapy to address the causal mechanisms of chronic lower back pain and help to change the way people think about and respond to pain. Of the 1,000 patients from Australia, a third were given usual care, a third were given CFT and the final third were given CFT plus another technique known as biofeedback, which tries to teach a person to control automatic body functions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement People who received usual care were given what their GP surgery recommended or what they chose from their local services, which can include a combination of pain medication, self-management tips, and being encouraged to resume activities as soon as possible, including work. Those receiving CFT had seven treatment sessions over 12 weeks, plus a booster session at 26 weeks, which last between 30 and 60 minutes. Some 300 people with an average age of 48 continued the study to the three-year follow-up point, split between each of the three groups. The main measure of the study was to assess peoples activity levels at different intervals. Sustained effects Researchers found that CFT, also combined with biofeedback, were both more effective than usual care in reducing activity limitation caused by lower back pain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The improvements in activity levels among those who had undertaken the therapy grew over the first year and were still intact after three years, when the study ended. There were no significant differences among patients who did and did not use biofeedback techniques, prompting researchers to say the use of biofeedback did not add to effectiveness. The researchers, led by Professor Mark Hancock of Macquarie University, said: Treatment sessions of CFT produced sustained effects at three years for people with chronic disabling low back pain. These long-term effects are novel and provide the opportunity to markedly reduce the effect of chronic back pain if the intervention can be widely implemented. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They added: CFT is the first treatment for chronic disabling low back pain with good evidence of large, long-term effects on disability. It offers a high-value, low-risk intervention with long-term benefits for patients with persistent, disabling low back pain. 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 lot of things happened. Here are some of the things. This is TPMs Morning Memo. Sign up for the email version. This Could Be Roe all Over Again Some of Trumps judicial nominees have refused in confirmation hearings to acknowledge that the Supreme Courts 2015 decision in Obergefell v. Hodges, striking down state bans on same-sex marriage as unconstitutional, was correctly decided. According to an analysis by JP Collins at the legal website Balls and Strikes, Eric Tung, who Trump nominated to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, said only, the Supreme Court granted such a right. William Mercer, a nominee to the U.S. District Court for the District of Montana, said Obergefell is binding precedent, but declined to grade the Supreme Court. As Collins points out, these verbal gymnastics to avoid saying the case was correctly decided mirror those of Trumps first term Supreme Court nominees who said Roe v. Wade was precedent but would not say it was correctly decided and then voted to overturn it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One might say marriage equality is different from abortion. Obergefell is just 10 years old, and Roe was decades old. But the most important feature that both decisions share is the enmity of the Christian right, and its determination to overturn them, no matter how many years or decades it takes. Even before the court decided Obergefell in 2015, the Christian right was already planning to treat it just like Roe. The Supreme Courts 1973 decision, they argued, was not the end of the abortion issue but rather the beginning. They used money, media, political might, religion, and relentless organizing to use abortion to drive politics and shape the judiciary. Their plans for Obergefell and LGBTQ rights are no different. The New Big Law In this New York Times story about the Washington Litigation Group, one of several new law firms formed to challenge hundreds of lawless Trump administration actions and policies, we learn that one of the members of the firms steering committee, Peter Keisler, was a founder of the Federalist Society and a former George W. Bush DOJ official. Weve just never before seen this kind of systematic effort by a government to use all possible levers of government power against perceived opponents, Keisler told the Times about the need for the new firm. Keislers background and his trajectory from Federalist Society founder to Trump critic is actually even more interesting than the story reveals. Bush had nominated Keisler to the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit in 2006, but he was never confirmed (the filibuster was still in place for judicial nominations, and then Democrats retook the Senate). Democrats resisted putting Keisler on D.C. appellate court, often a steppingstone to the Supreme Court, in part because the Bush administration reportedly saw Keisler, a former clerk to Justice Anthony Kennedy and Judge Robert Bork, as potential high court material. Some very intriguing alternative history right there. Whitehouse Keeps Attention on D.C. Circuit Stay of Boasberg Contempt Proceedings Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) has written to Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts, raising questions about why a three-judge panel on the D.C. Circuit has maintained an administrative stay on contempt proceedings initiated by the district courts chief judge, James Boasberg, in the case challenging the administrations disappearance of Venezuelan detainees to the CECOT prison in El Salvador. The stay remained in place as Senate Republicans confirmed top Justice Department official Emil Bove, who had, according to a whistleblower report, urged line attorneys to say fuck you to district court orders. If a court of the United States was used to stall contempt proceedings, in order to create a window for Senate confirmation of an individual central to those contempt proceedingsit would be a significant blow to the independence and integrity of the Judicial Branch, Whitehouse wrote. Trump Administration Takes Its Transphobia Global At the United Nations, U.S. delegates have repeatedly condemned gender ideology or reinforced the administrations support for language that recognizes women are biologically female and men are biologically male since Trump took office in January, ProPublica reports. It is part of a broader pattern of Trump officials attacking transgender rights internationally, even to the point of objecting to the use of the word gender. ICE to Target Gen Z With Employment Recruitment Blitz Immigration and Customs Enforcement is seeking to contract with an advertising firm to help it dominate social media with a recruitment blitz aimed at Gen Z, with a goal of hiring more than 14,000 people to work for the agency, according to 404 Media. One LLC Gets $231 Million in Federal Funds to Run Secretive ICE Facility in Texas The El Paso Times has aerial photographs of the non-public construction of a new 5,000-bed ICE immigrant detention facility under construction at Fort Bliss in Texas. Acquisition Logistics LLC, a Virginia company, was awarded a $231,878,229 firm-fixed-price contract to establish and operate the facility, the newspaper reports. In other (lack of) transparency news, in Florida, TPMs Hunter Walker finds that contract and other public documents relating to the Alligator Alcatraz prison have vanished, possibly illegally. And in other grotesque ICE prison camp news, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem yesterday announced an Alligator Alcatraz look-alike in Indiana the Speedway Slammer. RFK, Jr. Axes Government Support for Medical Marvel The Health and Human Services Secretary has taken direct aim at health and humans by cancelling $500 million in federal contracts to develop vaccines using mRNA technology like the vaccines against COVID-19 and vaccines in development to combat bird flu and other respiratory viruses. Maxwell Transfer to Club Fed a Travesty of Justice, Says Former Prison Official Former Bureau of Prisons officials are angry about the transfer of convicted Jeffrey Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell to a minimum security camp in Texas. To relocate a sex offender serving 20 years to a country club setting is offensive to victims and others serving similar crimes, Robert Hood, a former Bureau of Prisons chief of internal affairs, told NBC News. Comer Subpoenas Clintons As expected, House Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) has issued subpoenas in the Epstein saga, notably to Hillary and Bill Clinton, and former FBI directors James Comey and Robert Mueller part of the MAGA effort to deflect attention from Trumps connections to Epstein and to blame Democrats for, well, everything. Notably, Axios notes, Alex Acosta, the former federal prosecutor who negotiated the 2008 sweetheart plea deal for Epstein in Florida and later became Labor Secretary in Trumps first administration, is not on the subpoena list. He is, however, on Newsmaxs board of directors. TACOs for Meteorologists The Office of Personnel Management has authorized the rehiring of 450 meteorologists, hydrologists, and radar technicians who were axed from the National Weather Service by the Department of Government Efficiency. Do you like Morning Memo? Let us know! Lordy, there are tapes. In the latest turn of the immortal scandal over Jeffrey Epstein, CNN first reported Tuesday that Donald Trumps administration has recorded conversations with Epsteins convicted sex trafficker accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell and is working on a transcript, which it may even release. The revelation about Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanches conversations with Maxwell last month is certain to renew demands for transparency from sectors of the presidents base that first whipped the Epstein storm into overdrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And it comes as senior administration officials plan to meet at Vice President JD Vances residence for dinner Wednesday to discuss how to better handle the Epstein case, CNNs team reported. Taking a step back, its an extraordinary use of an administrations power for a top Justice Department official to spend two days talking to someone convicted of grooming, abusing and trafficking young girls for a figure as reviled as Epstein. The idea that officials would then consider releasing an account of the meeting to brazenly help a president escape a political scandal raises ethical, legal and political questions that reflect the unfathomable times in Trumps second term. But its hard to see how releasing a transcript of the interview with Maxwell could end up making people less interested in the intrigue which would be the ostensible purpose of the exercise. More likely, such a move would risk repeating the damaging cycle that has plunged the White House ever deeper into a political morass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Every time the administration takes a step designed to quell the scandal, all it succeeds in doing is raising expectations and brewing new conspiracy theories among MAGA activists obsessed with the case while widening public exposure to an episode that has blotted out the presidents summer winning streak. Three senior administration officials told CNN that discussions are taking place about releasing the transcript of Maxwells interviews with Blanche in Florida two weeks ago. That was before she was moved, without explanation, to a less draconian prison in Texas a step that itself launched new speculation and suggestions that Trump was misusing presidential power to advance his personal interests. A final decision on next steps on a transcript has not been made, one of the officials said. But this news came on a day when the Epstein question broke the surface in Washington again just when the White House hoped it was fading. News came Tuesday that the House Oversight Committee had issued a dozen subpoenas to the Justice Department and high-profile Democratic and Republican figures for files and information related to Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And in the latest step of a complex dance with the administration, Maxwells lawyers warned against the release of sealed grand jury transcripts about the Epstein case. They said the move one way the DOJ is seeking to appease demands for transparency from the Trump base would prejudice her due process interests as she petitions the Supreme Court to take up her appeal. Jeffrey Epstein is dead. Ghislaine Maxwell is not, Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, wrote to the judge in a filing. The aphorism is factual. But Epsteins poisoned influence on politics has never been so alive, six years after he was found dead by suicide in his cell while awaiting trial on a catalogue of horrific charges of abusing young women and girls. Many of those victims on Tuesday questioned the motives of the Trump administration in its dealings with Maxwell and said that indications that she was being legitimized had traumatized them all over again. They told the judge in the grand jury documents case that survivors supported transparency but said the safety, privacy and dignity of victims must be protected. Why a Maxwell transcript might make the scandal even worse Theres been intense speculation about the past friendship between Epstein and Trump, both New York and Florida celebrities, in the 1990s and the early 2000s, before the future president threw the disgraced financier out of his Mar-a-Lago club. Epstein stole his employees, Trump told reporters last week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres no evidence that Trump did anything legally wrong during his friendship with Epstein, and he has never been charged with any crimes related to their connection. This undated trial evidence image obtained December 8, 2021, from the US District Court for the Southern District of New York, shows Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein in Queen's log cabin at Balmoral. - US District Court for the Southern District of New York The president, however, keeps refocusing attention on Epsteins case by refusing to rule out a pardon or commutation for Maxwell. Trump instead keeps noting that he has the power to ease the plight of someone who has a huge incentive to help him. Im allowed to do it, but nobodys asked me to do it. I know nothing about it. I dont know anything about the case, but I know I have the right to do it, Trump said in an interview with Newsmax, a conservative outlet, last week. It is unclear what Blanche and Maxwell spoke about. But the point of releasing a transcript might be to show Epstein knew multiple famous people and not just Trump. This might defuse concerns about the presidents past relationship with him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But such a release might also be unfair to people who came across Epstein but who committed no crimes. There would be issues with Maxwells credibility as a witness, given the nature of the conviction for which she is serving a 20-year prison sentence. People would ask what she got in return for her cooperation. Already, survivors of Epsteins abuse and the family of Virginia Giuffre, one of his most well-know victims, who took her life this year, have warned there should be no leniency. Trump insisted, as he answered a question from CNNs Kaitlan Collins on Tuesday, that he knew nothing about the contents of Blanches talks with Maxwell. So, I know this. I didnt discuss it with him, but anything he talked about with her, or the fact that he did that not unusual, number one, and most importantly, is something that would be totally above board, the president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it is highly unusual for a deputy attorney general to meet with an imprisoned inmate convicted of child sex trafficking as a related scandal swirls around the president who appointed him. And Blanche is Trumps former personal lawyer. And in any case, any notion that a transcript would end the Epstein drama feels far-fetched. The document would need to be heavily redacted to avoid revealing sensitive details like the names of victims. But this would surely fuel fringe intriguers who argue that the government is involved in a massive cover-up. Its the nature of conspiracy theories that efforts to squelch them only spark new tributaries of unhinged speculation. This has already happened. Previous disclosures by Attorney General Pam Bondi of documents and details in the case only conjured claims of a deep state plot to hide the truth when the release fell far short of her promises to MAGA activists. House Oversight ensures this drama will run and run The House Oversight Committees subpoena to the Justice Department calls for the provision to Congress of any Epstein files in its possession, with victims names redacted. The GOP-led panel also wants communications between former Biden administration officials and the Justice Department related to the case. Departments of Justice often resist releasing sensitive documents to Congress: They often leak. But Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna, who serves on the House Oversight Committee, told CNNs Jake Tapper on Tuesday the House would reinforce the demand for action in September, when Khanna is hoping for a vote on his bipartisan bill demanding the full release of information. I think soon you are going to see many victims speaking out themselves about how this is important for them, in terms of disclosure in terms of transparency, Khanna said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican-led panel additionally subpoenaed 10 individuals for closed-door depositions between August and mid-October. Those are: former Attorneys General Merrick Garland, William Barr, Jeff Sessions, Loretta Lynch, Eric Holder and Alberto Gonzales; former FBI Director James Comey; former special counsel and FBI Director Robert Mueller III; former Secretary of State and first lady Hillary Clinton; and former President Bill Clinton. But there are huge omissions on the list of subpoenas that raise doubts about whether its really seeking full transparency. Like Trump, who was mentioned multiple times in the Epstein files, and his first-term Labor Secretary Alex Acosta, who handed Epstein a sweetheart plea deal in 2008. There are also no victims people who have often been ignored in the current political uproar on the subpoena list. Ryan Goodman, a New York University law professor, said the omission of Trump from the subpoenas was very glaring, since a subpoena sent to former President Bill Clinton said Clinton could have information regarding Epstein that may be relevant to the investigation. The same is true of Trump. It only stands to reason that if you are looking around for the people that would provide information for the investigation, he (Trump) would be pretty close to the top of that list, Goodman told CNNs Erin Burnett. The subpoenas likely mean months of negotiations and legal battles about the timing and scope of testimony. So the Epstein saga is here to stay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The inclusion of the names of high-profile Democrats and past Republican officials may be an attempt to spare Trump from being the only person tainted by association with Epstein. Maxwells legal conundrum The warning by Maxwells lawyers that grand jury testimony should not be released potentially puts their client in opposition to the Justice Department at a time when she has strong incentives to help the administration. The DOJ went to court to ask for the release of grand jury transcripts about Epstein and Maxwell, hoping to placate the MAGA base. The testimony, however, is thought to be only a fraction of investigative material the DOJ is holding. Some observers question whether officials really want grand jury documents released or whether they petitioned the judge only to create political cover. CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig explained that Maxwells lawyers are protecting her interests in the event that Supreme Court accepts her appeal. Her lawyer would not want this grand jury material out there for the public, he told CNNs Kasie Hunt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Taken together, Tuesdays developments mean Epstein drama will go on. And the history of tapes in American scandals from Watergate onward create evocative echoes. Audio and questions about its release, redaction and editing have been inseparable from lore about cover-ups and chicanery in Washington politics. Thats why amid a previous scandal Comey replied, when asked whether there were recordings of his conversations with Trump: Lordy, I hope there are tapes. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Taxi driver says he feared for his life when passenger carjacked him A Gwinnett County taxi driver said he was carjacked by a passenger who pulled a gun on him during what started out as a routine pickup Thursday night. The suspect, identified as Marleni Morgado, stole the taxi drivers car after he fled to a QuikTrip on Jimmy Carter Boulevard, authorities said. I was so scared, the taxi driver, who asked to remain anonymous for safety reasons, told Channel 2 Gwinnett County Bureau Chief Matt Johnson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The taxi driver said he picked up Morgado at the Doraville MARTA Station. He said when he attempted to change the route to avoid traffic, Morgado threatened him with a gun, demanding he continue driving. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The driver said he feared for his life and ran into a nearby QuikTrip to escape, at which point Morgado moved to the front seat and drove off with the vehicle. Im very concerned for my other drivers, the victim added, warning others to be vigilant of suspicious passenger behavior. Norcross police said Morgado stole the taxi drivers car after he fled to the QuikTrip. Gwinnett County Police later tracked her down on Steve Reynolds Boulevard the same night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Morgado is currently held in Gwinnett County Jail without bond and faces charges of robbery and kidnapping. TRENDING STORIES: [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] The Oklahoma State Department of Education confirmed it is no longer seeking to add a "teacher effectiveness" measurement to its evaluations of public schools' performance. (Photo by Kyle Phillips/For Oklahoma Voice) OKLAHOMA CITY The Oklahoma State Department of Education said it no longer plans to grade schools based on teacher effectiveness, a proposal that has drawn bipartisan opposition from lawmakers. A spokesperson for the agency, Quinton Hitchcock, confirmed to Oklahoma Voice the Education Department is not going to add teacher effectiveness data to the Oklahoma School Report Cards, which evaluate and assign letter grades to every public schools performance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency initially suggested it as a replacement for chronic absenteeism, which the state Legislature recently removed from public school evaluations. The department is still accepting public comment on the proposal through Friday. It has not yet announced whether it will suggest another metric instead of teacher effectiveness. Under the agencys initial proposal, teacher effectiveness would have been worth 10 points on a schools report card, the same amount that absenteeism rates counted. It would have measured the percentage of students taught by teachers who are fully certified in their subject area, the percentage of students learning from teachers with three or more years of experience, and a composite score of job performance, like teacher attendance, professional learning completion and annual evaluations. Both Republican and Democratic state lawmakers said the idea could punish public schools for having to hire inexperienced emergency-certified teachers as a result of Oklahomas educator shortage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, was the House author of Senate Bill 711, which removed chronic absenteeism from the report cards. He said he wouldnt have supported the legislation if it included a teacher effectiveness grade. I wouldnt have written the bill that way, Johns said. I wouldnt have carried the bill if it had had that in there. Rep. Ronny Johns, R-Ada, speaks during a House Education Oversight Committee meeting March 5 at the state Capitol in Oklahoma City. (Photo by Nuria Martinez-Keel/Oklahoma Voice) Johns said its good the Education Department is now withdrawing the proposal, but he objected to the agency attempting to add a new metric to the school report cards after the bill was signed into law. Doing so would bypass the Legislature, he said. I still think theyre overstepping if they add anything to it, Johns said. If they gather that (teacher effectiveness) data, thats going to be some useful data, in my opinion. Its going to be good data to have, but schools shouldnt be graded on whatever that data shows. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rep. Ellen Pogemiller, D-Oklahoma City, also welcomed the Education Department keeping teacher effectiveness out of the school report cards. Pogemiller was a co-author of the bill that removed the chronic absenteeism indicator, which she and other lawmakers said unfairly held schools accountable for whether parents made sure their children attended school. The Legislature has already established the standards for the report card, and any future change should be made in consultation with legislators, educators and school administrators, she said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE BUCHAREST, Romania (AP) Tudor Lakatos is fighting discrimination against the Roma people, one Elvis Presley song at a time. Decked out in a rhinestone shirt and oversized sunglasses, with his black hair slicked back into a 1950s-style quiff, Lakatos swivels his hips and belts out his own idiosyncratic versions of hits like Blue Suede Shoes at venues throughout Romania. But dont call him an Elvis impersonator. Lakatos prefers to say that he channels the King of rock n rolls global appeal to break down stereotypes about the Roma and provide a positive role model for Roma children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I never wanted to get on stage, I didnt think about it, Lakatos, 58, said after a recent gig at a restaurant in the capital, Bucharest. I only wanted one thing to make friends with Romanians, to stop being called a Gypsy, he added, using an often derided term for people belonging to the Roma ethnic group. The Roma, an ethnic group that traces its roots to South Asia, have been persecuted across eastern Europe for centuries and are still associated with high rates of poverty, unemployment and crime. They account for about 7% of the population of Romania, where a fifth say they have faced discrimination in the past year, according to a recent survey by the European Union. Lakatos quest to change that began in the early 1980s when he was an art student and Romania was ruled by the hard-line communist regime of Nicolae Ceausescu. At a time when anti-Roma discrimination was mainstream, Lakatos found that singing Elvis songs was a way to connect with ethnic Romanian students while rock music was a symbol of rebellion against the oppressive government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Four decades later, hes added a new audience. A school teacher for the past 25 years, Lakatos uses his music to show his students that they can aspire to something more than the dirt roads and horse driven carts of their village in northwestern Romania. The adjective Gypsy is used everywhere as a substitute for insult, Lakatos said. We older people have gotten used to it, we can swallow it, we grew up with it. I have said many times, Call us what you want, dinosaur and brontosaurus, but at least join hands with us to educate the next generation.' But Lakatos still crisscrosses the country to perform at venues large and small. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On a hot summer evening, that journey took Lakatos to Terasa Florilor in Bucharest, a neighborhood joint whose owner takes pride in offering live music by local artists who perform on a stage made of wooden beams painted in vivid colors. The audience included those who came for the show and others attracted by the sausages, pork roast and Moldavian meatballs on the menu. A few danced and others took selfies as they enjoyed Lakatos trademark Rock n Rom show, a mix of Elvis songs delivered in the Romani language, Romanian and English. The eclectic mix of languages can sometimes lead to surprises because there isnt always a literal translation for Elvis 1950s American English. For example, Dont step on my blue suede shoes doesnt make sense to many of the children he teaches because they are so poor, Lakatos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his version, the lyric Elvis made famous becomes simply dont step on my bare feet. Its a message that Elvis born in a two-room house in Tupelo, Mississippi, during the Great Depression probably would have understood. CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, Ohio (WJW) The Cleveland Heights Police Chief spoke out exclusively to the FOX 8 I-Team to set the record straight and tell the truth about dysfunction, chaos at city hall. Chief Chris Britton sat down with the I-Team after the Cleveland Heights mayor was critical of the police department and the way officers handled situations involving his wife. Hoban teacher facing sex charges involving students Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief said, The mayor stepped over the line on this. Im not going to allow anybody, even the mayor, to criticize me, the department or the community. By him making those statements, its his attempt to distract everyone from the real truth. Click on the video above to see more. Earlier, Chief Britton released a four-page statement concerning the matter. On Thursday, July 31, Cleveland Heights Mayor Kahlil Seren held a press conference in the council chamber at city hall, where he spoke for more than an hour, addressing an incident involving his wife, Natalie McDaniel, and which Cleveland Heights police officers responded to, the statement said. I tried to attend this press conference, but the mayor barred me from the room, keeping me from directly hearing and responding to what he had to say. With me out of the room, he proceeded to disparage me, the Cleveland Heights police force, and our entire community. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief said he watched the press conference online and felt it was necessary to address what he says are false accusations, claims and characterizations made by the Mayor. Mayor Khalil Seren held an hour-long press conference last week to discuss the way officers handled an issue with his wife, who was accused of trespassing into a home. The Mayor said his wife was looking for a contractor at the house to ask about flooring. Body found inside trunk of suspicious vehicle: Lorain police He said she knocked on the door, and then when the door opened, she reached in to close it. He said she never walked inside the house. He said officers detained her for a couple of hours and took her cell phone as part of the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Security video from the home shows Natalie McDaniel outside in the yard of the home taking pictures of a sign that reads Vote Yes Sept. 9, RECALL SEREN. A Cleveland Heights Police report states the homeowner called police to report a woman he did not know had just walked into his home. The homeowner provided a video that shows McDaniel walking onto the front porch. The report further states that the video also shows her reaching for the front door handle from approximately three feet away, then disappears from the camera frame. The report adds that she was out of the frame of the camera for 17 seconds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Since the matter involves the mayors wife, the police department asked for an outside investigation. The Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office is now investigating. There are so many things wrong with what Mayor Seren had to say that it is hard to know where to begin, the chiefs statement reads. Wanted sex offender leads officers on 100-mph chase: police The chief added that many of the mayors statements at the press conference are flat out false and self-serving and not in the best interests of the city, and they need to be called out as such. It should also be noted that Mayor Seren also serves as the safety director for the city. This position effectively places him in a leadership role in connection with the police department. For him to say that he has lost confidence in the police administration is astonishing, because for more than three years, he has overseen the police department, along with myself. During that time, he has never revealed any of these claimed concerns to me or to any other ranking member of the department, the chiefs statement reads. During the press conference, Mayor Seren told the press that he was concerned about a troubling pattern of behavior within the police department, and he indicates that there is something deeply wrong with this community, and a cultural problem within the division of police. I strongly disagree. The only troubling pattern of behavior I see is the behavior of Mayor Seren and his wife, which has unfortunately plagued our city with controversy for months. This latest incident with his wife is just another one to add to the list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The chief also mentioned another recent incident involving the mayor and his wife. For example, on December 6, 2024, in an incident that has been highly publicized, Sergeant Jason Moze was filling in as security at City Halls front desk when he experienced Ms. McDaniels erratic and explosive behavior firsthand. When Sgt. Moze was unable to answer Ms. McDaniels questions to her satisfaction, she proceeded to engage in turbulent and alarming and aggressive behavior in a public place. Instead of addressing his wifes behavior or trying to mediate the situation, Mayor Seren responded by throwing Sgt. Moze under the bus, instructing the law department to pursue felony charges against him for illegal wiretapping because his body camera was activated during the incident. Let me be clear: Sgt. Mozes use of his body camera at the time and place in question was consistent with relevant police policy and procedure. In the same situation, I would have done the same thing. He followed the procedure and did nothing wrong. But in return for doing his job, he had his name publicly dragged through the mud, most notably by the mayor, the statement reads. Fast forward to April of this year, when we received a report from law department staff, after discovering that Mayor Serens laptop was left in the law departments conference room, during a time when an interview was scheduled, of an employee who had filed a human resources complaint about the mayors wifes presence and her behavior at City Hall. It appeared that the laptop was surreptitiously placed and intended to record the private investigative activity in the room. Having CHPD investigate this allegation would have been a very obvious conflict of interest, so I contacted other outside law enforcement agencies and the matter was ultimately referred to the Cuyahoga County Prosecutors Office, where it is now being reviewed. The I-Team has filed requests for the police body camera video of the December 6 incident, but the city has refused to release it. We filed a complaint in the Ohio Court of Claims asking for the video and that case is still pending. Neighbor performs CPR, saves local familys choking dog Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Mayors response to the investigation into his wifes recent behavior reveals his true colors, the chief wrote. Instead of treating Cleveland Heights police officers like the dedicated public servants they are, Mayor Seren implied that Iand CHPD as a wholeare racially biased. There is absolutely no factual basis for any such claim. Again, it is merely an attempt to distract and deflect. The Chief added that no one in the Department is perfect, but they strive to be. I am proud of each and every member of this department who comes to work each and every day and provides an exceptional level of service, the chief stated. I wear my badge with pride and dignity. The mayors attempt to publicly denigrate CHPD officerssome by name only reflects HIS true nature. It says nothing about the Cleveland Heights Police Department or any individual member. The police chief added he is grateful for the support and direction he has received from the Cleveland Heights law department. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW. Jessie Wallace rejected the idea of Zoe Slater being recast because she felt EastEnders fans would be "completely conned". Jessie Wallace did not want Zoe Slater to be recast The 53-year-old actress declared she "wouldn't be able to give my best performance" as Zoe's mum Kat Moon if Michelle Ryan's alter ego had been replaced by another performer in the hit BBC One soap. However, EastEnders' Executive Producer Ben Wadey, 31, managed to convince Michelle, 41, to reprise her character, and she made a Walford comeback in an episode aired on June 16 - her first since June 2005. Jessie told the new issue of Radio Times magazine: "I said to Ben: 'It has to be Michelle. It won't feel right if Zoe is recast.' "I wouldn't be able to give my best performance. The audience would feel completely conned." Michelle - whose character left Walford for Ibiza, Spain, in 2005 to distance herself from the murder of Den Watts (Leslie Grantham), which was committed by Chrissie Watts (Tracy-Ann Oberman) - had been asked to return to EastEnders in the past, but the timing was not right until now. She explained: "In the past, the timing just wasn't right. I didn't feel a need to do it and, for me, there always has to be a need. "This time, I surprised myself with how open I was to it." Michelle - who joined the soap in 2000 - left EastEnders in 2005, aged 21, because she felt "done at five years", and Michelle decided to "jump" onto other projects instead of "doing the same sorts of storylines". Zoe returned to screens in June, but it was short-lived because she fled to Barcelona, Catalonia, Spain, as she admitted to being in trouble to Alfie Moon (Shane Richie) and Stacey Slater (Lacey Turner). Kat does not know her husband Alfie travelled to Spain to try and bring her daughter Zoe home to Albert Square, lying to Kat about travelling to Australia due to his returning cancer in the process. On Alfie's return to Walford, he told Stacey that Zoe remained missing, whilst Kat called her spouse the "biggest liar in Walford". However, Zoe is returning to Albert Square in the summer, where she will be reunited with her mum, Kat. Speaking about working with Jessie again after 20 years, Michelle said: "Jessie is one of the best actresses I've ever worked with. "The rapport we have and our friendship off screen as well, it all just feeds into that mother-daughter bond. "On set, it's like having someone in your corner all the time and always knowing that I'll be fine. "I can just talk to Jessie. We have a shorthand, and we have a similar kind of view on the characters and their journey." The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. A few years ago, my father died suddenly of a heart attack. The days that followed were harrowing. My mother, brother, and I wailed endlessly in my childhood home; I felt an exquisite sorrow, one Id never known before. But a strange thing happened three days after he died. I was scrolling Instagram, looking at other, happier people. Suddenly, the house was silent. No one was crying. I looked up and realized that all three of us were on our phones, blue screens lighting up our faces, all of our feelings set on pause. Ive worked in tech for most of my life, and I know all of the facts: Phones are addictive; they can have the same impact on the brain as gambling; the internet is rewiring our attention span and pleasure centers. But I never grasped exactly how powerful technology was until the phones swallowed up my familys grief. And I cant lieit was nice, for a moment, to stop the feeling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tech industry can be easy to hatethe erratic CEOs, the biased algorithms, the environmental damage. But beneath all of that is a gigantic, diverse workforce of people who found themselves working in the fieldinstead of in journalism, education, artbecause they needed salaries and health care. You might similarly roll your eyes at the tech novel, which is frequently characterized by a sad main character working for a hot start-up or a mega-tech company, making decent money but largely alienated from society as they build a nefarious app. (See Josh Riedels Please Report Your Bug Here or Claire Stanfords Happy for You. And yes, I even wrote one myself.) But the tech novel matters because technology has changed peoples emotional and social lives. Scrolling is a seemingly infinite distraction: We might feel sad today, but we can just click through our phones until tomorrow. Scientists attribute the fact that Americans are spending more time alone partly to a rise in digital-technology usage. The tech novel could be the key to how we examine these shifts. [Read: What the gig economy does to a human] In Moderation, Elaine Castillos sardonic new novel, Girlie Delmundo, the daughter of Filipino immigrants, works as a content moderator at a major tech company. Girlies father is dead, and she needs the job because her mother is about to default on the mortgage for a house she bought just before the subprime-mortgage crisis. Castillo boils that moment in history down to a few paragraphs that are at once informative and blistering. At one point, she writes: It was the age of rhinestones, the age of velour, the age of shock and awe, the age of that most rhinestone, most veloured, most shocking and awesome of all things: the adjustable rate mortgage. During her job interview, Girlie is shown a video of a girl pleasuring a man. She flags it as child-sexual-abuse material and is asked to validate her decision to an interview panel: The socks feature an illustration of a main character from the animated Disney film Frozen, Girlie says. Judging from the scale of the TV remote control next to her leg, I would estimate a girls size three or four. She gets the job. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Girlie joins a team of content moderators who are mostly women of color, swiping through terrifying scenes at the companys offices in Las Vegas for enough money to keep their families afloat. Soon enough, shes the companys expert on child-sexual-abuse material, a grim honor. But for readers, the brutality of Girlies work chronicles is offset by her personalityshes got machismo, smarts, swagger. Shes the kind of woman who goes to a flashy big-budget work event, eats the sustainable caviar, and steals the mother-of-pearl spoon because nobody said she couldnt. Castillo makes clear, though, that Girlies cool wit is a mask that helps her cope with the horrors she sees at work. Nothing appears to faze this woman; when she walks past a man on the street whom shes sure shes flagged as a child abuser, she has a moment of panic, then stoically brushes it off. As the narrator puts it: No one was better than a content moderator at dissociation. But even masters of dissociation eventually begin to crack. Girlie is soon offered a promotion with a salary she cant turn down. Her job is to find and eject anyone in a virtual-reality experience who is abusing the systemand users keep finding new, weird ways to do that. One of her targets is a child-trafficking ring; another is the alarming number of people trying to have cybersex on the platform. Moderations VR takes users back in time to places such as the St. Louis Worlds Fair and the Villa Borghese, avoiding the cliches of future-focused Tron-like programs. Castillos language when describing these virtual realities is transportive. When Girlie stands next to a co-worker at the virtual Trevi Fountain, Castillo describes the pair looking at the sky, pink as a lip; at the creamy marble body of Oceanus upon his chariot. At his two horses, one wild, one tame; at the calm green waters, glowing with wishes. She made me feel like I was in Rome too. Along with Girlies new job comes a new boss, a man who is smart and handsome enough to overwhelm Girlie with feelings shed rather not have. Its a classic will-they-wont-they, but Girlies love interest is just as withdrawn and work-focused as she is, which makes a potentially predictable storyline into something fresh. [Read: What does the literature of the working class look like?] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As the novel progresses, Girlies grief and painfrom the inhumane content shes viewed and the personal losses shes enduredrupture into the narrative in slight, devastating moments. Still, Girlie refuses to be weak. I dont bleed on other people, she tells a doctor who runs therapy sessions for the companys moderators, after she has a sudden moment of vulnerability. I make a point of it. Im not sure Ive ever read such a perfect rendering of a woman suppressing everything inside of her to earn a paycheck, to keep going, to get the job done. But of course, Girlie is trying to pull off a tightrope act, and her storys conclusion is inevitable. Her blossoming love for her boss, in particular, cant be denied forever. Eventually, slowly, a chain of tender moments between them builds to a cinematic resolution. A novel is, at its best, a mirror for the mess of the human experience and all the feelings of love, despair, fear, longing, and grief that come with it. Moderation is that, and it is also a mirror for the modern world, a place where we hide from ourselves in numerous new ways: social media, situationships, video games, virtual reality. Girlie embodies that repression, and as the glossy surface of her character cracks, we catch glimpses of what lies beneath. Most days, often with the help of one or more of those distractions, I try to forget that my father is dead. And Im good at this, almost an expert. But sometimes, when I walk my dog on a sunny day, it hits me: my dads laugh, his smell, the way he called me Pookie for some stupid reason. And Ill find myself on the sidewalk, in the sunshine, sobbing for himall of the pain and beauty of it coming down on me at once, and feeling what an honor and a terror it is to be alive now, without my dad. Moderation is, at its core, a book about the moment when everything weve been repressing comes back to the surface. You can hide from yourself for only so long: until the workday ends, until your favorite show is over, until the feed runs out of content, until the digital tide recedes and all that is left is your broken, beautiful life. Article originally published at The Atlantic NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) An 18-year-old faces felony charges after allegedly carjacking a woman outside of a store in the Bordeaux neighborhood of Nashville. According to police documents, on Aug. 4 around 6 p.m., a woman called authorities to report that she was robbed of her rental car outside of Dollar General in the 3700 block of Clarksville Pike. CRIME TRACKER | Read the latest crime-related reports from across Middle Tennessee Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman said she was putting groceries into her vehicle when she was approached by an armed man later identified as Peytein Brown who held her at gunpoint while demanding money and her car keys. The woman said she handed him $38 in cash and called out for help, at which point the suspect pushed her aside and got into her vehicle. Investigators tracked the car to Ashland City, where it was found in a fast food restaurant parking lot along Monroe Place. Brown was found at the scene and identified by his clothing in video footage from the carjacking. Read todays top stories on wkrn.com The victim positively identified Brown, and he was arrested by Ashland City Police. He was transferred to Metro Police custody and booked into jail on a felony carjacking charge. His bond is set at $85,000. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. NEED TO KNOW Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr., 13, went missing while skateboarding in Goose Creek Lake, Mo., on Sunday, July 28 After surviving for days, he was found alive at the bottom of a ravine and transported to a hospital His mother, Stephanie Neely, tells PEOPLE he is in critical condition after suffering "severe head trauma including several brain bleeds" A 13-year-old boy was found alive at the bottom of a ravine after surviving for days without food or water. Since then, his mom hasn't left his side as he remains hospitalized in critical condition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. went missing on Sunday, July 27, after he was last seen skateboarding in Goose Creek Lake, the unincorporated community in Missouri about an hour outside of St. Louis, according to the St. Francois County Sheriffs Office. Speaking with PEOPLE, his mother, Stephanie Neely, claims that she contacted police right away, but that detectives thought he was a "runaway" and didn't immediately launch a search for him. Instead, she says her sister, Brittney Van Volkenburg, a volunteer firefighter, was the one to reach out to the fire department and "formulate a search team" for the first two nights. "We had volunteers bring in their drones, and offers of dogs," Neely says. "We never stopped looking for him." courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. and his brothers Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. and his brothers Things changed on Wednesday, July 30 the day Dakota was eventually found when his brother discovered his skateboard a half a mile from their home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After calling detectives again, the mom says officers requested help from the county's K-9 unit, but the dogs "refused to enter" the ravine, she says. Fortunately, the Farmington Correctional Center (FCC) K-9 unit was able to deploy their bloodhound named Darrell. Once Darrell caught the scent, the dog was able to locate Dakota in 21 minutes. courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. The teen was found alive at the bottom of the ravine in approximately one foot of water in a wet weather creek, 540 yards from his skateboard, with a 240-foot elevation change, local police wrote in their news release. The St. Francois County Sheriffs Office did not immediately respond to PEOPLEs request for additional comment. courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Dakota was then airlifted to a St. Louis hospital, where he was placed in a medically induced coma with a brain bleed, his mom tells PEOPLE. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neely says that the shaded area that Cody was lying under helped protect "him from the direct sun." She also says that because he was found "partially in the water, it did allow his body temperature to stay cooler, and helped him absorb some of the water to keep him partially hydrated." courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. and his brothers Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. and his brothers But as she told local NBC affiliate KSDK, the water caused him to contract "a lot of infectious bacteria," which led him to develop pneumonia, and she said that being submerged for so long is why "he has such severe wounds on his back." 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 then, I have been at the hospital, by his bedside in PICU watching him fight for his life in critical condition," Neely tells PEOPLE. "There is no leg injury, but severe head trauma, including several brain bleeds. Right now he is on a lot of mechanical support, and will be for quite some time." courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Neely confirms that as of Wednesday, Aug. 6, Cody is still in critical condition and his "kidneys are starting to weaken." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are actively fighting to try and get him stable, but all the cards are stacking against him," she says. "He is still not breathing on his own, and we have found another fracture on his skull, creating a massive soft spot on the right side of his head." Neely has since created a Facebook group to provide updates for the larger community, titled "Dakota Strong," while her sister made a GoFundMe to help with the familys unexpected medical bills. courtesy Stephanie Neely Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. Dakota "Cody" Trenkle Jr. "There is still no real progress in his recovery. This is going to be a long, slow, uphill battle," she wrote in an update earlier this week. "Cody will make some progress for a few hours, but then he will decline rapidly, and it will take his team several hours to get him stable-ish again." "So, for now, we do our best to keep him as comfortable as possible. and help his body keep fighting," she wrote. Read the original article on People MYRTLE BEACH, S.C. (WBTW) Temperatures are cooler this morning and fall-ish for parts of the Pee Dee. Temperatures are in the mid and upper-60s inland and low-70s at the coast. Temperatures are 4-7 degrees lower than yesterday. A few spotty showers at the coast this morning, but like yesterday, most of the activity and rain will fall in the afternoon. Temperatures remain mild for early August in the mid-80s, and temperatures stay in the mid-80s for the rest of the week. Rainier weather is expected to continue for the rest of the week as well. Friday will see scattered showers and a few storms from an area of low pressure, which has a medium chance of developing, more details below. No day this week will be perfectly dry; rain is expected to be scattered today through the weekend. Temperatures will gradually warm back to normal in the upper-80s and low-90s early next week. Tropical update Out in the tropics, Tropical Storm Dexter formed off the stalled front on Sunday. Dexter has winds of 40 mph and is expected to remain a weaker storm as it heads northeast into the North Atlantic and away from the continental U.S. There are two other areas of interest. A tropical wave off of Africa will be traveling across the Atlantic for the next seven-plus days. This is not something that requires our immediate attention, but please be aware that it is out there. As of now, the 7-day trend has a curve northeast and out to sea once in the central Atlantic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A named storm is possible, but organization will be slow and is not likely to occur this week. The next name on the list is Erin. The seven-day likelihood of development is 50%. A closer area of interest has a 40% chance of developing (the one expected to bring more rain on Friday). It is to our southeast and is expected to move west, then northwest, possibly brushing central North Carolina (Outer Banks). As of now, both the GFS and European models keep it just offshore and then tracking northeast, similar to Dexter. Regardless of whether it is tropical or just an area of low pressure, it will bring rain to our area, primarily on Friday. The five-day rainfall totals will be 2 to 4 inches (this includes any rainfall accumulated with afternoon showers and storms today and tomorrow). Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBTW. Sen. Ferrell Haile, a Gallatin Republican, says he sees no need to change a law criminalizing threats of violence, although opponents say the law has been misapplied.(Photo: John Partipilo/Tennessee Lookout) Tennessee lawmakers who led efforts to quell mass school violence say no change is needed in a state law that led to punishment of numerous students, even for ill-advised pranks. Democratic Rep. Bo Mitchell of Nashville and Sen. Ferrell Haile of Gallatin defended the measure lawmakers passed in 2023 making it a felony instead of a misdemeanor to threaten violence at a school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mitchell, who is running for election to Tennessees 7th Congressional District, said he pushed for stricter punishment against school threats two years ago at the request of Republican House Speaker Cameron Sexton when police converged on his sons Nashville high school in response to a threat. The bipartisan bill, which was carried in the Senate by former Republican Sen. Jon Lundberg of Briston, passed by a wide margin. Mitchell acknowledged that law enforcement and school administrators might have been overzealous after the Covenant shooting law enforcement but had no choice except to take similar threats seriously because of the trauma they cause children. A lot of it is prosecutorial discretion, Mitchell said. A prosecutor knows whether its a credible threat or not and if theyre charging someone who shouldnt be charged because they have some type of disability. Mitchell, though, said he felt the measure was necessary in the wake of the Covenant School shooting where six people were killed, including three 9-year-olds, as well as multiple other mass threats that were disrupting schools. Haile, who tried to pass restrictions in a special session after the Covenant shooting, told the Lookout the process for handling threats is supposed to begin with teachers and work its way through administrators before a student is charged. He also raised questions about the veracity of reports detailing student arrests and whether law enforcement went too far in charging young people who posted pranks and jokes on social media. He did not give specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It starts with discretion of the teacher, the administrator, the principal. It escalates up, Haile said. There may be some times it gets past where it should be. But overall, I think weve got a good bill, and its working the way we want it to. Multiple students, though, have been arrested in the wake of Tennessees legislature passing restrictions against threats of mass violence at schools or posting them on social media, even if theyre meant as a joke or misunderstood by administrators and law enforcement. ProPublica, a Pulitzer Prize-winning newsroom, reported recently about a group of South Greene Middle School cheerleaders who got into trouble for filming a TikTok video in which they pretended to fall down and play dead in a classroom when one of the girls ordered them to put up their hands. The Greene County Sheriffs Department charged all 16 with disorderly conduct in connection with making and posting the video. Critics of the law say police are overreacting by charging students and forcing them into the juvenile justice system. Some education officials say its better to counsel students about the dangers of playing jokes because of the widespread availability of social media, according to the ProPublica report. In addition to the cheerleading incident, ProPublic reported a 16-year-old in Middle Tennessee was charged with making a threat of mass violence after he shared a video put together with artificial intelligence. The teen was expelled in spite of the schools admission that the video was a private joke, ProPublica reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The news outlet also reported that a Nashville 12-year-old was expelled after being arrested for sharing screenshots of threatening texts on Instagram, thinking he was warning others because he wanted to be heroic. Tennessee lawmakers four years ago passed legislation making it a misdemeanor to make a threat of mass violence toward a school, then made it a zero-tolerance offense in all public schools, with a mandatory one-year expulsion. Stung by the mass shooting incident at The Covenant School, lawmakers started looking to toughen laws during a special session but made few concrete moves. Efforts to push gun restrictions failed, and the legislature wound up approving the Mitchell-Lundberg bill the next year. When Haile started pushing his bill in 2023, he cited the Covenant shooting and the 2020 Christmas Day bombing in downtown Nashville as evidence a new law was necessary. Haile, though, said he didnt expect children to be charged for simply mouthing off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advocates for special needs or disabled students opposed that measure, saying those students could be punished severely for doing something they didnt realize was wrong. Mitchells law, which does not apply to some people with mental or intellectual disabilities, passed two days short of the one-year anniversary of The Covenant School shooting. Democratic Rep. Gloria Johnson of Nashville, a retired special education teacher, said she opposed legislation that failed to exempt all special needs or disabled students who might make threats without understanding the consequences. I think its a problem. I think the bill is bad. It doesnt take into account a lot of things. Its got a lot of unintended consequences, Johnson said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hailes bill, which was sponsored in the House by Rep. Mark Cochran, a Monroe County Republican, created two new felony offenses: one for recklessly making a threat of mass violence against two or more individuals and another more serious felony if that threat is directed toward a school, college, church, concert, government office or spaces in which 250 or more people are gathered. Cochran reportedly started hearing complaints about the measure this year and discussed making changes that would require the act to be intentional before any charges could be levied. A measure proposed by Gov. Bill Lee this year, HB1314 by House Majority Leader William Lamberth of Portland and SB1296 by Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson of Franklin passed this year with bipartisan support and included the words intentionally engaging in conduct to carry out a threat, such as gathering weapons, ammunition, body armor, vehicles or materials used to make a weapon of mass destruction. It took effect July 1, criminalizing doxing, or putting other peoples names and addresses on social media, and increased penalties for mass threats that must be legitimate and capable of causing death or injury to four or more people. It applies to schools, government buildings, churches and public events. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Republican U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee announced she is running for governor after more than six years in the upper chamber. Current Gov. Bill Lee, a Republican who has held the post since early 2019, is prevented from running for re-election in 2026 due to term limits. Blackburn isn't the only federal lawmaker eyeing the job U.S. Rep. John Rose, R-Tenn., launched a gubernatorial bid earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "In his first six months, President Trump has made historic strides in Making America Great Again, but as he sends power back to the states, hes going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home. Im running to serve as Tennessees next governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader," Blackburn said in a statement. Sen. Blackburn Calls Out Gaslighting Comey, Fbi For Clinton Probe Blackburn, who has served in the U.S. Senate since early 2019, won re-election to a second six-year term back in November 2024. Read On The Fox News App Tennessee state Rep. Lee Reeves, a Republican, issued a full-throated endorsement of Blackburn for governor, declaring in a post on X that she "has always been Tennessees conservative warrior" and "is the tip of the spear in the fight against the Left in our state, fighting alongside President @realDonaldTrump." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican Dooley Jumps Into Georgia's Senate Race While Touting Support For Trump And Taking Aim At Ossoff GOP state Rep. Jason Zachary described Blackburn as "A proven, conservative leader!" and noted that he supports her for governor. Blackburn signaled earlier this year that she planned to run. "I am strongly looking at it," she had told the Tennessee Journal, according to The Tennessean. "I intend to run. I will win, and we'll make certain that Tennessee is the most conservative state in the country." Congressman's Speech Goes Viral After His Son Makes Silly Faces In The Background Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Republican primary in the Volunteer State will take place exactly one year from today, on Aug. 6, 2026, with the general election being held on Nov. 3, 2026. Original article source: Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn launches campaign for governor Tennessee State University has appointed Dwayne Tucker as its next full-time president. The TSU board of trustees made the appointment Aug. 5. Tucker has served as the school's interim president since December 2024 amid financial turmoil and leadership changes that began in April 2024. His leadership through continued uncertainty and turbulent times with dignity, grace under fire, and a strong resolve to put students first made him the obvious choice," TSU board Chair Dakasha Winton said of Tucker in an Aug. 5 press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: TSU: Tucker promises new financial plan as TN urges him to sell property, cut more staff Tucker also released a statement thanking the Board of Trustees, students, faculty, staff and university alumni for their support. My focus remains on putting TSU on a path to sustainability. With the help of our State legislators, the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, the Tennessee Board of Regents, and other supporters, we will extend the legacy of TSU," he said in the university's release. As Tucker took the helm of the historically Black Nashville college, he laid out an ambitious five-year plan to regain finanically stability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He reallocated $96 million from the $250 million in funds the state gave TSU in 2022, which was earmarked for infrastructure projects. Instead, the money will be used over three years to enhance university operations. As students head back to TSU for the fall semester beginning Aug. 18, the school increased tuition by 6% in a 6-1 vote by board trustees during a meeting on June 13. Prior to his appointment at TSU, Tucker was the CEO of LEAD Public Schools, a group of charter schools in Metro Nashville. He also brings a business background to TSU. This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Dwayne Tucker bumped from interim to permanent TSU president U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, pictured at the 2025 Tennessee Ag Day on the Hill. (Photo: John Partipilo) U.S. Sen. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee is entering the governors race, confirming what has been expected in political circles for months. Its official! Im running for governor to ensure Tennessee is Americas conservative leader for this generation and the next, Blackburn said in a Wednesday morning post on X, formerly Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Blackburns decision to run for Tennessees top political job is no surprise. Shes been leaning toward the candidacy for more than a year as Gov. Bill Lee nears the end of his second four-year term. The former state House and state Senate member from Williamson County who also served in the U.S. House will square off with U.S. Rep. John Rose, potentially pitting suburban and rural voters against each other. Rose held his campaign kickoff at the Wilson County Fairgrounds earlier this year, an event heavily attended by Tennessee farmers. (WBRE/WYOU) A letter sent to employees reveals the intent to sign with Tenor Health Foundation for the sale of three major Commonwealth Health Facilities in Scranton and Wilkes-Barre. According to the letter sent by Commonwealth Health to employees, the sale includes three major Commonwealth Health facilities Regional Hospital of Scranton, Moses Taylor Hospital in Scranton, and Wilkes-Barre General Hospital in Wilkes-Barre. This would include all of their related sites of care. Tomi Galin, Executive Vice President for Community Health Systems, parent company of Commonwealth Health, said in a statement: A letter of intent was signed last week and we hope it will result in a productive and positive step forward that preserves the healthcare services provided by Commonwealth Health. Tomi Galin Never miss breaking news sign up for breaking news alerts on the 28/22news app. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The letter states that the transaction was originally intended to include only the Scranton facilities, but it will now also include the Wilkes-Barre facilities. CEO Radha A. Savitala stated the following to 28/22 News regarding the sale: Tenor Health Foundation is pleased to announce that it entered into a letter of intent to acquire the Commonwealth Health facilities from Community Health Systems. We look forward to working with the communities served by these facilities. Radha A. Savitala, CEO Tenor Health Foundation aims to turn around financially challenged hospitals and take the steps necessary to enhance unique health niches. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. LONDON, Ky. (FOX 56) London Mayor Randall Weddles job could be in jeopardy after a fiery city council meeting, when the council sought to bring 14 charges against him. This process could cost Weddle his seat in office. RELATED: The council voted to adopt a resolution that could impeach the mayor in a public meeting on Monday night. 14 charges were presented, including misuse of the city police department, violating proper procedure in dismissing members of the London Housing Authority, and harassing city employees. (London City Council) And a lot of it really just kind of comes down to statutory violations, abuse of office, theres the allegation he doesnt live in the city of London as well, said TJ Roberts, an associate attorney with Chris Wiest Attorney at Law, PLLC Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although there was some confusion, the resolution ultimately passed five to one, moving the process to the next phase, a public hearing. But Roberts said it would take a unanimous vote to remove Weddle from office. Evidence will be reviewed, witnesses will be questioned, and the City council will come up with a determination at that point, said Roberts. Theres no facts to back up anything that theyre stating, but were going to let the process play out, said Weddle. Were going to let the attorneys do what they do best and just see where that goes. He said the actions of certain council members are simply a case of what he calls petty politics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why are you trying to create so much chaos in a time that our community is already hurting? If Weddle is removed, he does have the right to appeal the decision according to the law. If they think its going to end in their council chambers, its not, said Mayor Weddle. Well take it to the circuit court, the appellate court, the Kentucky Supreme Court, the United States Supreme Court. Councilman Anthony Ortega called for the mayors immediate resignation on Tuesday afternoon. I have a sworn duty to protect the citizens of our community, to be a responsible steward of their tax dollars and to ensure that the laws of the Commonwealth of Kentucky are upheld. This is no longer just a matter of disagreement with the City Council. The Mayor has shown an inability to work with virtually any entity that does not allow him complete control including the County government, the Housing Authority, the Ethics Board, and more. Since taking office just two years ago, he is now on the verge of appointing his third City Clerk and fourth City Police Chief. This level of turnover speaks volumes about the instability and dysfunction that has plagued his administration. At our meeting last night, the Mayor intentionally refused to maintain order, enabling chaos as a tactic to derail the process aimed at holding him accountable for violations of the law. It has now been almost eight months since the killing of Doug Harless and yet we still have no answers no transparency, no accountability from the Mayor and no leadership to address what happened or who is responsible. The Mayors disregard for the law is alarming. He behaves as though the Kentucky Revised Statutes are merely suggestions and not the law of the land. Because of the clear and repeated violations outlined last night, the ongoing turmoil and the constant negative attention brought upon our city by his actions, I am officially calling for the resignation of the Mayor, effective immediately. Enough is enough. London deserves better. Councilman Anthony Ortega However, the mayor told FOX 56 that there is no truth to the councils allegations. Theres none of them that are factual. Theres none of them. Theres no facts to back up anything that theyre stating. So, were going to let the process play out. Let the attorneys do what they do best, and just see where that goes, Weddle said. LATEST KENTUCKY NEWS: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for the complainants told FOX 56 that a hearing has been scheduled for Aug. 20, where a vote to impeach will occur. It would take a unanimous vote to remove Weddle from office. His mayoral term is up in 2026. This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 56 News 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 FOX 56 News. Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Tuesday announced he will ask a court to declare the seats of the absent Democratic lawmakers vacant after they fled the Lone Star State in an effort to prevent majority Republicans from adopting controversial congressional maps that critics have derided as a power grab. Legislative Democrats over the weekend left Texas for Democratic-strongholds, such as New York and Illinois, to deny Republicans the minimum number of lawmakers necessary to pass legislation, and to prevent passage of congressional maps, supported by President Donald Trump, that would reportedly lock in five GOP seats to the U.S. House of Representatives in the run up to next year's midterm elections. Critics of the maps have described them as seeking to increase Republican seats in the House through racial gerrymandering that reduces the voting power of people of color in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Republicans have, in turn, accused the Democrats of neglecting their responsibilities as state legislators by fleeing. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered their arrest and has threatened to investigate any Democrat who solicits funds to support their effort. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows, a Republican, has given the Democrats until Friday to return to the House. Paxton on Tuesday said he will seek "aggressive legal action" against any who are not present at that time to remove them from office. "Democrats have abandoned their offices by fleeing Texas, and a failure to respond to a call of the House constitutes a dereliction of their duty as elected officials," Paxton said in a statement. "Starting Friday, any rogue lawmakers refusing to return to the House will be held accountable for vacating their office. The people of Texas elected lawmakers, not jet-setting runaways looking for headlines." Democrats have come out in support of their Texas colleagues, who say they stand together to protect voting rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a press conference Tuesday in Illinois, the state's Democratic lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, said they were "facing the voting rights fight of our lifetime." "Donald Trump and Texas Republicans are staging a blatant attempt to rig the next election," she said, while accusing them of diverting their attention from those suffering the effects of last month's fatal flooding to "further rigging the system to their own advantage. And there's no line they won't cross." The Democrats broadly described their actions as a bold stand against the Republicans' power grab that targets the voting power of Latino and Black voters. "This is not the Democratic Party of your grandfather, which would bring a pencil the the knife fight," Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said. "This is a new Democratic Party. We're bringing a knife to a knife fight." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Former President Barack Obama even posted to X about the situation, stating: "Republicans in Texas are trying to gerrymander district lines to unfairly win five seats in next year's midterm elections. This is a power grab that undermines our democracy." Abbott also announced Tuesday that he has filed an emergency petition asking the Texas Superior Court to remove Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu over his failure to return to the state's House by the previous Sunday deadline. Wu responded by chastising the governor for seeking to redraw the congressional lines while holding onto disaster relief for the families of the 137 Texans who died in last month's floods. "My purpose has been clear from that start: to serve my constituents and fight for what's right, no matter the cost," Wu said in a statement. "You will find that my commitment to the people of Texas is unbreakable." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a surprising move late Tuesday, Paxton filed his own petition with the Texas Supreme Court, stating that Abbott does not have the authority to file the writ of quo warranto, asserting that responsibility falls to him. He has asked the court not to dismiss the case until Burrows' Friday deadline so he can consider filing a writ of quo warranto of his own. Texas Democrats stand to be fined nearly $400,000 for fleeing the state in a gambit to stop Republican-led redistricting. And should they stay away during potential successive legislative sessions this year, theyd face more than $3.2 million in penalties. Those figures, which POLITICO calculated based on the fewest lawmakers needed to break quorum, the anticipated length of their out-of-state trips and the $500-per-day fine theyre incurring, reveal how much pain Democrats are willing to sustain in order to thwart President Donald Trumps push to remap Texas to create five more Republican seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its also an early indication of how bitter this burgeoning feud is becoming as states across the country consider mid-decade redistricting pushes in a contest over control of the House next year. Under Texas House rules, each lawmaker is fined $500 per day for missing official business without permission. To break quorum, at least 51 Democrats must be absent, meaning at minimum they will be charged a combined $25,500 per day. On Monday, 57 Democrats skipped session after flying to blue states, bringing the penalties to $28,500 although it was unclear how many absences were due to the gerrymandering protest. Should Democrats refuse to return for the length of the entire special legislative session, which will end on Aug. 19, they could rack up fines totaling at least $382,500. And if Republican Gov. Greg Abbott chooses to call additional special sessions to pass the redrawn map at Trumps request and Democrats remain out of state in defiance those fines will pile up. If they hold out until Texas Dec. 8 candidate filing deadline, the penalties would exceed $3.2 million. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But the fleeing lawmakers said they were not deterred by the fines, nor by Abbotts threats to arrest them or vacate their offices. We'll deal with the consequences later, said Texas Rep. John Bucy, who joined his colleagues in decamping to Illinois Sunday. That's not the important thing right now. It's stopping Donald Trump from stealing the congressional map and winning the midterm elections through cheating. This marks the first test of whether Republicans in the legislature chose to impose fines on fellow members. Texas lawmakers added the daily fines to the House rules in 2023 to punish future quorum-breakers after Democrats fled the state in opposition to GOP voting restrictions in 2021. Texas Democrats believe the fines may be an empty threat and are doubtful Republicans have the authority to order them to pay. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is a house rule, said Andrew Cates, a campaign finance lawyer in Texas. This is not a law. How the hell are they going to collect it? How are they going to enforce it? Its unclear exactly who will pay the fines, and state law prevents the lawmakers from using campaign cash to foot the bill. Texas Democrats think they found a loophole around the rule, though they did not provide any specificity. In the leadup to the walkout, national Democrats promised to help their Texas counterparts with financial support. Powered by the People, a political group founded by former Rep. Beto ORourke (D-Texas), is one of the top funders paying for expenses incurred by the members, according to the Texas Tribune. Texas Majority PAC, a George Soros-linked group devoted to electing Democrats, has also been working on gathering donors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anything we [as members of Congress] can do legally, we are absolutely going to do it, Rep. Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas) said from Illinois Monday. She said Democrats sought guidance on fundraising for the effort. When were soliciting, were trying to make sure that were complying with federal laws, she added. As soon as we get the full clarification, were going to do whatever we can to support them as long as we function within the law. Abbott has said any lawmaker who takes money to pay their fines could be charged with bribery, a second-degree felony in Texas. That threat seems to rest on an aggressive reading of Texas public bribery statute. State law makes it a felony to accept political contributions as part of an express agreement to take or withhold official actions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the law also says such a contribution only amounts to a crime if the lawmakers decision would not have been taken or withheld but for the benefit. That may be hard to prove when lawmakers had signaled for weeks that they were considering this mass exodus as a last resort to block Texas redistricting measure. And thats not the only hurdle Abbott would need to clear: The law mandates direct evidence of such a purportedly corrupt agreement not just circumstantial proof. That means Texas prosecutors would need some kind of eyewitness testimony, written or electronic communications or other form of clear proof that the Democrats only agreed to break quorum because of the promise of a financial benefit. If high-dollar donors cant pay the bills, the fines will stack up fast for lawmakers, who only make $7,200 per year for their legislative work, which is often conducted in addition to another career. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rising costs underscore the risk Democrats are taking. They are not only navigating the difficult economics, but there are political vulnerabilities, too. While their goal is to stymie the Trump-backed congressional map, they are also halting the legislatures other work in the session, including potential relief efforts after last month's devastating floods. Other Democrats have quickly capitalized on the Texans who left the state for their own fundraising efforts. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez (D-N.Y.) and ORourke both sent fundraising emails split with Powered by People praising the lawmakers for decamping. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee is also fundraising off the effort, sending an email signed by Crockett, who participated in the 2021 walkout as a state lawmaker. Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows called out the price Democrats will have to pay during a speech from the dais on Monday. To be absolutely clear, leaving the state does not stop this house from doing its work, it only delays it, and every day this chamber is unable to act, the cost grows, Burrows said. If you choose to continue down this road, you should know there will be consequences. Shia Kapos and Kyle Cheney contributed to this report. A group of Texas Democrats who fled the state to prevent Republicans from gerrymandering ahead of next years midterm elections were forced to evacuate their hotel in Chicago on Wednesday due to a bomb threat they blamed on rhetoric from Texas Republicans and President Donald Trump. This morning there was a bomb threat at our hotel. We were evacuated and everyone is safe, Texas state Rep. John Bucey III wrote in a post online. This is what happens when Republican state leaders publicly call for us to be hunted down. Texas Democrats wont be intimidated. As a former human trafficking prosecutor, Ive faced threats before, but never from the Governor or President Trump, added Texas state Rep. Ann Johnson. [Texas Attorney General Ken] Paxton told his supporters to hunt us downbut we wont be silenced. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Republicans, at the urging of Trump, are planning to secure five more seats in Congress through an off-schedule redrawing of the electoral map in the Lone Star State. The controversial move would help the GOP retain control of the House next year amid worries in the party about their unpopular electoral agenda of slashing Medicaid and tax cuts for the wealthy. Democratic members of the Texas legislature refused to show up for the special session, however, denying Republicans the required quorum to push through the new maps. The Democrats traveled to the blue state of Illinois this week instead, meeting with state officials who are pondering similar redistricting efforts to offset the likely GOP gains in Texas. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a potential 2028 presidential contender who met with the Texas Democrats on Tuesday before vowing to fight cheater Trump, said the bomb threat would be investigated by local authorities. I am aware of reports that threats were made against Texas elected officials in our state. Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable, Pritzker said Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas Democrats are facing daily fines for refusing to show up to the states legislative session, and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) is attempting to remove them from their jobs. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas), meanwhile, is calling on the Federal Bureau of Investigation to get involved and help bring the Democrats back to Texas. This is the lead-up to authoritarianism, that this is what despots and dictators do around the world, Texas House Democratic Caucus chair Rep. Gene Wu said Tuesday during an interview on MSNBC. We have fought wars against people like this. We have sacrificed lives to free people from dictators like this who do these kind of things, who use the legal process, use law enforcement to go hunt down their enemies, hunt down people who disagree with them, and use any means necessary to silence them. Republicans, meanwhile, argue that they are simply entitled to more congressional seats in Texas and potentially other red states, like Indiana and Missouri. We are a red state, we deserve more representation, Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick told Fox News. Related... CHICAGO The Texas Democrats staying in a Chicago suburb to protest a controversial redistricting map in their state said Wednesday that they are facing threats against their group. The St. Charles Police Department, which oversees the jurisdiction where they are staying, confirmed a potential bomb threat was made. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor [JB] Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety, caucus leadership said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The St. Charles Police Department said the threat came in at about 7:15 a.m. Central time. St. Charles Police Department responded to a report of a potential bomb threat at the Q-Center hotel and convention complex in St. Charles, the citys police department said in a statement, and local police and the Kane County Sheriffs Office bomb squad conducted a thorough search and no device was found. In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation, police said. The guests and staff were allowed to return after police gave clearance to do so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Texas statehouse Democrats are in Illinois after leaving their state en masse Sunday in an attempt to prevent a quorum in the Texas state Legislature and thus stop a vote on a controversial Republican-drawn congressional map that would give as many as five more U.S. House seats to the GOP in the 2026 midterms. The group postponed a planned press conference with Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) after reports of the threat. Texas state House Democrats who left their state to prevent Republicans from passing a new congressional district map were forced to evacuate their hotel after a bomb threat, but officials say everyone is safe. The St. Charles Police Department in Illinois said officers responded to a report of a bomb threat at about 7:15 a.m. CDT Wednesday at a hotel where the Democrats were staying. The departments officers, along with those from the fire department and the Kane County Sheriffs Office, conducted a thorough search and did not find any device, according to a release. The release said 400 people were evacuated as bomb squad units conducted their search, and everyone has been able to return to the hotel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker (D) said hes aware of the threats and instructed the Illinois State Police to ensure that public safety is maintained. Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable, he said in a post on the social platform X. A group of Texas state House Democratic leaders Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu, Mexican American Legislative Caucus Chair Ramon Romero and Legislative Black Caucus Chair Barbara Gervin-Hawkins said in a statement that a threat was made on Wednesday morning against the members, but everyone is safe. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred, they said. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state police told The Hill that it has been in touch with local law enforcement and is coordinating with its local partners. The threat comes as Texas remains in a standoff over the Republican-led plan to redraw the states congressional district lines to add up to five more GOP-held seats in the 2026 midterms. State House Democrats left Texas on Sunday to go to a few other states, including Illinois, to deny the body a quorum and prevent it from being able to conduct business. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has ordered the members arrest, arguing they have violated their oath of office by refusing to attend the special legislative session he called to address the redistricting plan. President Trump suggested the FBI may get involved to help Texas return the state legislators, and Sen. John Cornyn (R) sent FBI Director Kash Patel a letter requesting that the agency does so. State Rep. Ann Johnson (D), a member of the group who traveled to Illinois, said the threat is what happens as a result of reckless rhetoric, pointing to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxtons (R) vow to hunt down those who left. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the Attorney General tells people to hunt us down, its not just politics its a threat to our safety, she said. Ive had my life threatened before as a chief human trafficking prosecutor. I never expected those threats would come from the Governor or my colleagues in the Legislature. She pledged that she and her colleagues wont be intimidated and will remain united and committed to representing their constituents who elected them to their offices. State Rep. John Bucy (D), another member, said this type of discourse emboldens bad actors and encourages violence. Its unacceptable and needs to end, he said. But let me be clear: Texas Democrats are not deterred we are determined. We will push through the threats and the noise to keep fighting for our constituents, our democracy, and our country. This is a fight worth having. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Updated at 1:22 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. The Brief Texas House Democrats have broken quorum to block a vote on a new congressional redistricting map that would favor Republicans. In response to a deadly July 4th flood, Republicans have filed bills for emergency communications and campground safety, which cannot be voted on without a quorum. It is currently unknown when Democrats will return, and the timeline for these bills to be considered is stalled. Now that Texas House Democrats have broken quorum, Republicans have filed multiple bills in response to the deadly 4th of July flood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Action cannot be taken on any bill that makes it out of committee until Democrats return. What we know Texas Democrats have successfully broken quorum in the house, for a second day, in an attempt to stall a vote on the proposed congressional redistricting map. While the house did not have a quorum to conduct business, the disaster preparedness and flooding committee did. What they're saying "There will be other bills, ideas are being crafted as we speak," said Texas Rep. Ken King, who serves as Chairman of the State Affairs Committee. More than 130 people died in the July 4th disaster. Dozens were children at Camp Mystic, a summer camp in Kerr County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Democrats protest redistricting, Republicans are contending that they are stalling other legislation. Despite Republicans filing priority legislation on a flood response on Monday. Dig deeper Of the five bills being considered on Tuesday, House Bill 18 would provide funding for the operation of emergency communication systems. "Some of our camps were wholly unprepared for any flooding event," said Texas Rep. Drew Darby. House Bill 19, written by Rep. Darby, would require flood disaster plans for campgrounds. "If the division determines a plan is insufficient, because it will likely fail during an emergency, the campground has 90 days to make revisions and re-submit the plan," said Rep. Darby. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another bill would require more training for certain first responders. One common theme is timely notification with the addition of warning sirens in flood-prone areas. The other side A Democratic State Representative out of El Paso, Joe Moody, did not break quorum and attended the hearing. He thinks Gov. Abbott has the power to do some of these things through executive action. "I think the committee is doing everything they can do but if there are tasks here that can be done during executive action. Like we saw during COVID, that was done by the governor and the governor alone," said Texas Rep. Joe Moody. What's next Its unclear if the bills will be voted out today. If they are, nothing can happen on the house floor until a quorum is met. The Source Information in this article was provided by FOX 4's Steven Dial. WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) Texas Democrats said they received threats after leaving the state to prevent Texas Republicans from re-drawing the states congressional districts. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred, said the Texas House Democratic Caucus in a statement. Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said hes aware of threats to Texas Republicans in Illinois. Several Texas Republican House members fled to Illinois to avoid a vote on proposed maps to change the Texas Congressional districts before the 2026 elections. The Texas State Legislature, without all Democrats, didnt have a quorum to pass legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump asked Texas lawmakers to change the maps to give Republicans five more seats in the U.S. House of Representatives. Political scientists call it gerrymandering, when lawmakers change the lines on congressional districts to their advantage. Theyre going to have a hard time defending all the seats, which means, theyre saying, instead of defending all of them, can we go find more of them, said George Washington University Political Science Professor Casey Burgat. Governor Gavin Newsom (D-Calif.) said, if Texas moves forward with plans to re-draw congressional districts, hell ask voters to change Californias maps, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats said theyll also try to change the maps in New York, New Jersey, Maryland and Illinois. New Yorks state rules likely prevent it from changing the maps in a partisan way. Illinois is already considered one of the most gerrymandered states in favor of Democrats. Vice President JD Vance is trying to push Ohio and Indiana to reconsider their maps. Republicans have suggested they may try in Florida and Missouri, too. Having a redistricting war break out across the country probably is not in anyones interest, said Rep. Kevin Kiley (R-Calif.), one of the U.S. House members from California whos seat could be at risk if California changes its districts. Kiley is sponsoring a bill to bar states from changing their maps before a new census is taken. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Burgat said states usually wait until the census, every 10 years, to redraw the map. Both parties are guilty of it, but now it has crept in as a very brazen, if not explicit technique to just benefit one party over the other, Burgat said. Texas issued arrest warrants for the Democrats who left the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | DC, Virginia, Maryland News, Weather, Traffic, Sports Live. The standoff over a redistricting bill in Texas continues to spill over into Illinois, as Texas Democratic lawmakers keep their hideout going here and in other Democrat-led states in an effort to block a vote on new congressional maps in Texas. Meanwhile, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a frequent vocal critic of President Donald Trump and his administration, made an appearance Tuesday night on The Late Show With Stephen Colbert. Read more: Latest Chicago news and headlines Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Pritzker said its time to fight fire with fire and that the Texas Democrats, whove been in Illinois since Sunday, are not heading back home anytime soon. Donald Trumps trying to steal five seats from the people, frankly, of the country, not just the people of Texas, and disenfranchise people, Pritzker said on the show. The great heroes of the Texas House Democratic Caucus decided the only thing they could do in order to stop it was leave Texas. And where did they decide to come to? The safe haven of the state of Illinois, where were going to protect them and take care of them. At the request of Trump, Texas Republicans hope to gain an edge in five Democratic districts in an effort to protect their partys narrow U.S. House majority. Republicans currently hold 25 of the states 38 seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least 50 Texas Democrats have left the state to prevent the chamber from reaching a quorum. On Tuesday, their absence successfully blocked Republicans from moving forward with their plan to redraw their states congressional districts. Texas House Democrats are putting their lives on hold and their livelihoods at risk, because they dont want to live in a country where the president rigs elections, Pritzker said earlier this week. READ MORE: Texas Democrats arrive in Illinois to block vote back home on redrawn House maps sought by Trump Abbott files lawsuit to remove Wu Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has now filed a lawsuit with the Supreme Court to remove the states House Democratic Caucus Chair, Gene Wu, from office. Wu is one of the Texas lawmakers currently staying in Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbott is calling Wu the ringleader of the group that fled Texas, and the lawsuit says lawmakers abandoned their office, justifying their removal. Wu responded with a statement Wednesday, saying, in part: This office does not belong to Greg Abbott, and it does not belong to me. It belongs to the people of House District 137, who elected me. I took an oath to the constitution, not a politicians agenda, and I will not be the one to break that oath. Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant. When that governor holds disaster relief for 137 dead Texans (from the recent flooding) and their families hostage, my moral duty is to sound the alarm by any means necessary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To Governor Abbott: You have failed the people of Texas, and you are using the courts to punish those who refused to fail with you. Additionally, police are investigating a threat made Wednesday morning against Texas Democrats staying in the suburbs. The Texas House Democratic Caucus released a statement Wednesday: This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. In the meantime, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows has urged the lawmakers to come back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DPS is actively working to compel their attendance after I signed their civil arrest warrants, Burrows said. Although the lawmakers fleeing the state have delayed the vote twice now, Burrows believes the Texas House will eventually approve the new maps. READ MORE: Redistricting battle intensifies as Texas Democrats extend Illinois stay to block vote While our work may be delayed, whether its tomorrow or next week, the House will complete its required duties, he said. Tuesday morning, on cable TV, Trump said his party is entitled to five more seats, claiming some blue states are gerrymandered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You notice they go to Illinois for safety, but thats all gerrymandered. Californias gerrymandered, Trump said. Embracing the fight, Pritzker welcomed the lawmakers to Illinois. On Tuesday, Pritzker, Illinois Lt. Governor Juliana Stratton and Ken Martin, chairman of the Democratic National Committee, embraced the Texas legislators. What Republicans are trying to do in Texas is a model for other red states to lie, cheat and steal their way to victory, Martin said. READ MORE: Texas Democrats face $500 daily fines: What to know The Texas Democrats face $500 daily fines for holding up the state legislature, and the Texas House issued arrest warrants for the absent lawmakers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some officials, including Trump, have questioned whether the FBI should get involved. Pritzker again denied that hes footing the bill for the Democrats hiding in Illinois. The lawmakers say they have plenty of people willing to fund their fight. Mayor Brandon Johnson has also commented on the showdown over Texas congressional maps. While he supports what Illinois is doing to shelter Texas Democrats, the mayor took a subtle swipe at Springfield lawmakers for what he says is a lack of support for underprivileged areas in Chicago. As much as I appreciate Illinois helping out people from Texas, Johnson said, before pausing and stating, The South Side and the West Side could use that same level of energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGN-TV. Texas Democrats staying in Illinois after fleeing the state in opposition of Republican-led redistricting effort were evacuated from their hotel over a bomb threat, local law enforcement said on Wednesday. The St. Charles Police Department said they responded to a report of a bomb threat at the Q Center hotel outside Chicago. No device was found, authorities said. "St. Charles Police and Fire departments and the Kane County Sheriff's Office bomb squad conducted a thorough search and no device was found. In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation," the department said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Texas redistricting: What's at stake as Republicans aim to pick up 5 House seats According to authorities, all guests and staff were able to return safely to the premises and the investigation is ongoing. Several Texas Democrats released statements on the threat and said they won't be deterred from trying to block the new congressional map that would heavily favor Republicans. WLS - PHOTO: The Q Center hotel in St. Charles, Illinois evacuated over report of a bomb threat on August, 6, 2025. "Early this morning, a bomb threat forced us to evacuate our hotel. Thankfully, no one was harmed. But this is the kind of danger that comes from reckless rhetoric. When the Attorney General tells people to 'hunt us down,' it's not just politics -- it's a threat to our safety," state Rep. Ann Johnson said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We've been threatened by the Governor, the Attorney General, and our colleagues in the House," state Rep. John Bucy said in a statement. "This harmful discourse emboldens bad actors and encourages violence. It's unacceptable and needs to end." Bucy added that Texas Democrats are "determined" still. "We will push through the threats and the noise to keep fighting for our constituents, our democracy, and our country. This is a fight worth having," Bucy said. Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Rep. Gene Wu and state Reps. Ramon Romero and Barbara Gervin Hawkins said in a statement that their cohort in Illinois is safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety." A spokesperson for Gov. Abbott said that Abbott condemns violence or threats of violence "without reservation" but pushed back against Democrats' claims that his calls for them to return to Texas have been inflammatory. "First and foremost, violence -- or even the threat of it -- is unacceptable and the Governor condemns it without reservation. But to suggest that calling on Democrats to return to Texas and do their jobs is somehow 'inflammatory' is absurd," Andrew Mahaleris, a spokesperson for Abbott, told ABC News. WLS - PHOTO: The Q Center hotel in St. Charles, Illinois evacuated over report of a bomb threat on August, 6, 2025. Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, who has been a vocal supporter of Texas Democrats, said in a social media post that he was aware of the reported threats made against Texas officials in the state and that he's been in touch with state police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable," Pritzker wrote on X. MORE: Texas Republicans fail again to advance redistricting effort amid Democrat absences The redistricting fight continues to escalate after dozens of Texas House Democrats fled the state on Sunday to prevent Republicans from moving to enact the new election map, which could impact which party controls the U.S. House after the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, has ordered the Texas Department of Safety to find and arrest the Democrats who fled the state, an order which will remain in effect until they are "accounted for and brought back" to Austin. Abbott also appealed to the state Supreme Court on Tuesday evening to remove Rep. Wu, a top Texas Democrat, from office. ABC News' Oren Oppenheim and Alexandra Hutzler contributed to this report. (NewsNation) Two Democratic Texas lawmakers were evacuated from a hotel outside of Chicago on Wednesday morning after an apparent bomb threat. In response to the threat, 400 people were immediately evacuated and the area was secured as bomb squad units conducted their investigation, the St. Charles Police Department said in a statement. Texas state Reps. John Bucy of Austin and Ann Johnson of Houston fled to Illinois in protest of the Republican-backed redistricting map plans. Many Texas House Democrats left the state Sunday to prevent a vote on the newly drawn maps. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred, caucus leaders said in a statement. What is the Hatch Act? Why Jack Smith is under investigation This is what happens when Republican state leaders publicly call for us to be hunted down. Texas Democrats wont be intimidated, Bucy said in a statement on X. The bomb threat follows comments from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other Republican leaders. Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately. We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law, he said in a statement on X. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, also sent a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel requesting help to locate or arrest potential lawbreakers who have fled the state. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. The Electoral Affairs Commission for the Legislative Assembly Election (CAEAL) yesterday announced that it will display two mock-up polling stations for this years direct and indirect elections. The commission urges young local people to participate in the try out voting to enhance their understanding of the electoral process and boost civic engagement. According to Seng Ioi Man, the president of CAEAL, the mock-up polling stations will be established at the Tap Seac Multisport Pavilion and Macau Forum, doubling the number of locations available for this type of display compared to previous elections. The opening dates are tentatively set from September 6 to 12, extending the display period from five to seven days, including Saturday and Sunday. Interactive elements will enhance visitors understanding of polling station operations and the Legislative Assembly (AL) elections. Seng pointed out that elections are a vital component of civic education, highlighting the importance of these polling stations. He added that they help familiarize voters with the electoral process and play a significant role in promoting civic awareness. Establishing mock-up polling stations is a cherished tradition that allows voters to engage with the election process ahead of time. They provide an opportunity for young people and citizens who are not yet eligible to vote to participate. Each session introduces new voters who may have never cast a ballot before, while seasoned voters can revisit their experiences after many years. Additionally, newly registered voters can become comfortable with the voting process, the official said. The CAEAL announced its commitment to encouraging more schools to organize student visits to the venues through the Education and Youth Development Bureau. Seng stated that By visiting the mock-up polling stations, young people can equip themselves to participate in the upcoming Legislative Assembly elections. Seng emphasized the CAEAL is also encouraging those visually impaired or blind to visit these stations, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the special templates designed to assist them in the voting day. Voting notification letters are on the way The CAEAL announced at a press briefing following yesterdays closed-door meeting that it is now entering the next phase of the election procedures. During this phase, the distribution schedule for voting notification letters will be based on voter registration addresses as of May 31 of this year, with distribution set to begin mid-month. These letters will include important information provided via QR codes, such as each voters designated polling location. Voters can also inquire about their polling stations through various channels, including their Macao One Account, the Legislative Assemblys election website, and 50 self-service kiosks situated in Macau, Hengqin, and four cities across the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macau Greater Bay Area, namely Guangzhou, Zhuhai, Zhongshan, and Jiangmen. No new illegality cases reported The CAEAL reported that, as of last week, the number of cases reported involving alleged illegal campaigning had reached 18, with no new cases reported since then. It reminded the public that, per the election law, public entities, including public schools, must maintain neutrality. This means that public entities or public-school staff members are prohibited from engaging in campaigning or vote-seeking activities during working hours or at their workplaces. While the relevant law does not specify regulations for private schools, these institutions may conduct election campaign activities based on their own circumstances. Seng urged all public or private schools to uphold the principle of fairness and handle these matters impartially. He noted that it is essential to assess whether election campaign activities during school opening ceremonies fall within the designated election campaign period. Like this: Like Loading... (NewsNation) The fight over a proposed redistricting in Texas has spread as Texas Democrats fled the state to prevent a vote on a new map that would give Republicans an advantage in the 2026 midterm election. Texas Democratic Chair Kendall Scudder joined NewsNation and addressed allegations that Democrats have abandoned their duties. Its silly and kind of rich to hear these Republicans complain about people leaving when just not too long ago, [House Speaker] Mike Johnson had all of the Republicans leave Washington so they wouldnt have to vote on releasing the Epstein files, he said. So its a procedural mechanism thats used regularly, and were here to use it, and its our legal right to do that as a party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Dems vow to continue fight against redistricting Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has ordered the civil arrest of the absent Democrats, and Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas, said he would like to see the FBI involved in making them return to the state. There is no grounds for the FBI to get involved whenever legislators arent attending votes. I mean, thats absolutely silly, Scudder said. Theyre just trying to drum up as much controversy here as they can to keep their base happy. The reality is, this is the last tool that the Democrats in Texas have, and were planning on using it. Scudder also said it was time for the Democrats to stand up and fight against what they have called a threat to democracy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im sick and tired of the Democrats just taking punches and not throwing them. This is an opportunity that we have to fight back, and we intend to do it, he said. Trump threatens pharmaceutical tariffs of up to 250 percent Blue states have suggested they will do their own redistricting if Texas goes ahead with the plan. Some of those states are already gerrymandered to benefit Democrats. Scudder rejected accusations of hypocrisy and noted that in 2001, there was a bill in Congress to create federal, nonpartisan redistricting committees to draw fair maps for the entire nation. Every Democrat voted in favor of it, every Republican voted against it. If Democrats had their way, we would have fair districts across the entire country, Sudder 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 NewsNation. tition with the Texas Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after Wu and other Democrats left the state to delay Republican efforts to redraw congressional district lines. The lawsuit from Abbott, a Republican, argues that Wu, the Texas House Democratic Caucus chair, violated the state Constitution and that his absence amounted to abandoning office. Texas Governor Greg Abbott has said he is taking legal action to remove from office dozens of Democrats who have fled the state to block a plan to redraw electoral boundaries. He filed a lawsuit with the Texas Supreme Court seeking to fire Democratic legislator, Gene Wu, whom he called the "ringleader" of a plot to "hijack" state government. While the filing focuses on Wu, Abbott said in a statement that the departure of more than 50 Democrats would "constitute abandonment of their office, justifying their removal". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The redrawn congressional map would create five more Republican-leaning seats in the US House of Representatives in Washington DC, where Republicans hold a slim majority. Gerrymandering redrawing electoral boundaries to favour a political party has been a practice of both Democrats and Republicans nationwide over the years. But typically, states undergo redistricting every 10 years, when voting maps are redrawn to account for population changes noted in the US census. Texas last re-drew its congressional lines in 2021, just after the 2020 census, and wouldn't typically change those lines again until the next population count in five years. "Texas House Democrats abandoned their duty to Texans, and there must be consequences," the governor said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At least two-thirds of the 150-member state legislative body in Texas must be present to proceed with the vote. The quorum became unreachable after the Democratic lawmakers fled the state at the weekend. "The court's decision will determine if only one third of the Legislature can dictate the outcome for 100% of Texans," the lawsuit says. It argues: "Most people who repeatedly fail to show up for work get fired. Public servants must be held to the same standard." The filing asks the state's highest court to grant a rarely used writ of quo warranto to oust Wu from his office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quo warranto is a court action used to resolve a dispute over whether a specific person has the legal right to hold public office. The lawsuit came a day after the Republican governor ordered that the absent Democrats be arrested and returned to the statehouse so a vote on redistricting can go ahead. At a White House event on Tuesday, President Donald Trump said the FBI "may have to" help Texas authorities in locating and arresting the lawmakers. "I know they want them back, not only the attorney general ... the governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So, a lot of people are demanding they come back," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Wu, who is chairman of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, told the Texas Tribune that denying a quorum was "not an abandonment of my office", but "a fulfillment of my oath". He accused Abbott of seeking to "silence my dissent by removing a duly-elected official from office", and argued "my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant". The lawsuit asks the Republican-dominated Texas Supreme Court to issue its ruling by 17:00 local time on Thursday one day before the House session is scheduled to resume. All nine justices on the Texas Supreme Court are Republican, and the chief justice was formerly Abbott's general counsel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who is pursuing a separate action to have the Democrats' seats declared "vacant", said on Monday the legal process would possibly be long and drawn-out. Paxton told conservative podcaster Benny Johnson that to remove the lawmakers, separate lawsuits would need to be filed against each one in their individual counties. "We'd have to go through a court process, and we'd have to file that maybe in districts that are not friendly to Republicans," Paxton said. "So it's a challenge because every district would be different." Democrats have defended their decision to break quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking to BBC News from Chicago, Texas Democrat Ana-Maria Rodriguez Ramos said: "We have to use every tool at our disposal... to continue to protect our democracy." Trump has urged on Texas Republicans in the redistricting process. He told CNBC on Tuesday: "I got the highest vote [last year] in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats." Now Democrats nationwide are threatening to up the ante with tit-for-tat tactics, although they face legal hurdles. Democrats in California want to reshape their own district maps and shed five Republican seats, although voters would have to approve such a plan. Democrats in Wisconsin filed lawsuits last month seeking to redistrict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York's Democratic Governor wants to redistrict, too, but doing so would require an amendment to the state constitution. Republican governors in Florida and Missouri have expressed willingness to redistrict congressional seats in those states. Ohio Republicans will draw a new map that could wrest away at least two Democratic seats before next year's midterm elections. Since Sunday, Texas Democratic legislators have been embroiled in a face-off against state Republicans and Gov. Greg Abbott. The governor has threatened to oust and replace the representatives for leaving the state to prevent redrawing Texas congressional maps. But this is not the first time lawmakers have fled the Texas State Capitol to avoid voting on a measure they disagreed with, breaking quorum by depriving the statehouse of enough legislators to conduct business. Theyve been doing it since 1870 more than 150 years ago. Texas state lawmakers last broke quorum in 2021 when Democratic house representatives fled Texas to prevent measures restricting voting options. The measures eventually passed after internal Democratic fissures led to enough representatives returning to form a quorum. Jacquelyn Martin/AP - PHOTO: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott speaks during a roundtable discussion with President Donald Trump, first responders and local officials at Hill Country Youth Event Center in Kerrville, Texas, during a tour to observe flood damage, Friday, July 11, 2025. MORE: Texas Republicans fail again to advance redistricting effort amid Democrat absences Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legislators first stalled the election bill during the regular session through a last-minute walkout. After Abbot called a special session, 57 Democrats fled to Washington, D.C., prompting Republicans to enact a call of the House," a procedure which mandates legislators attendance at the statehouse and allows the sergeant-at-arms to arrest members within Texas and bring them there. When one state representative, Philip Cortez, briefly returned to Austin in late July before rejoining the other quorum-breakers out of state, then-House Speaker Dade Phelan signed a civil warrant for his arrest. By that time, however, Cortez was outside of Texas law enforcements jurisdiction. Democrats ran out the clock on the first special session but were not able to keep members from returning to Texas after Abbott called a second. While a state district judge issued a temporary restraining order to prevent Abbott and Phelan from arresting the Democrats, the Texas Supreme Court quickly temporarily blocked that order, allowing Phelan to sign warrants for the 52 remaining absent Democrats. Law enforcement did not actually arrest or detain any of the legislators. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawmakers began to trickle back to the state capital, citing various personal and legislative concerns, such as the looming redistricting process that required maps to be approved before November that year. Eventually, the House reached quorum, ending the 38-day walkout and allowing the bill to pass. Brandon Bell/Getty Images - PHOTO: The Texas Capitol is seen on August 04, 2025 in Austin, Texas. MORE: Video Texas' redistricting battle explained State Rep. James Talarico posted on X at the time that he had come back to "clean up Greg Abbotts latest messes from COVID to ERCOT [the Electric Reliability Council of Texas]. Some Democrats who remained in Washington were displeased. U.S. Rep. Jasmine Crockett, then a state representative, accused the legislators who returned of trying to please the Governor and His OPPRESSIVE Agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beyond the financial cost, lawmakers faced few consequences once they returned to the state, besides then-speaker Phelan stripping state Rep. Joe Moody of his title of speaker pro tempore Current House. Speaker Dustin Burrows reappointed Moody in 2025. Democrats in 2021 did not face the $500-a-day fine, a penalty only implemented in 2023 in an effort to dissuade future quorum breaks. The Texas Tribune reported that Democrats spent around $10,000 a day on lodging and food during the walkout, paid by the House Democratic Caucus, additional fundraising around the quorum break, and out of lawmakers pockets. Powered by People, backed by former U.S. Rep and Texas Senate and gubernatorial candidate Beto ORourke, gave $600,000 to support their stay in D.C. -- the group is also funding the current walkout, according to the Houston Chronicle. Some 55 Democratic House members also fled the state in 2003 to prevent another Republican redistricting effort. They returned to Texas after waiting out one special session. When then-Gov. Rick Perry called a second special session, 11 Democratic senators left to break quorum again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Texas governor orders police to find and arrest Democrats who fled over redistricting Eventually, then-Sen. John Whitmire was the single Democrat who returned to form a quorum. The redistricting plan passed during a third special session. Whitmire said he returned due to a fear that the two-thirds quorum requirement would not hold during a second session, the need to address other political priorities and the lack of a resolution in sight. State law enforcement searched for the Democrats. University of Houston political science professor Brandon Rottinghaus told ABC News the FAA tracked planes that were suspected of taking Democrats out of the state, and no formal punishments were levied once they returned. Eric Gay/AP - PHOTO: Texas state Rep. James Talarico speaks during a rally to protest against redistricting hearings at the Texas Capitol, July 24, 2025, in Austin, Texas. MORE: Video Texas House fails to reach quorum as Democratic lawmakers leave state Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times reported at the time that then-Republican House Speaker Tom Craddick asked Texas Rangers to find and bring back the missing Democrats, but they did not have the authority to do so since the legislators were in Oklahoma. In 1979, 12 Democratic senators fled the state and successfully prevented Republicans from shifting the date of the presidential primary in Texas to allegedly benefit former Texas Gov. John Connally. Republicans used a call of the house, and then-Lt. Gov. William Hobby Jr. threatened to remove the absent legislators from office, the Washington Post reported at the time. The Texas Tribune reported that Hobby ordered Texas Rangers and state troopers to find the Democratic lawmakers without success. No senators were arrested, Rottinghaus said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The senators eventually all returned willingly after Hobby had agreed not to put the measure shifting the primary date to a vote again or arrest any of the legislators. The first instance of quorum-breaking in Texas took place in 1870, when 13 legislators withdrew from the Senate but remained in the state, according to the Texas State Historical Association. They opposed legislation from the 15 Radical Republican members of the Senate. The Senate undertook a call of the house, which led to the arrest of nine of the 13 legislators. The remaining four were necessary for quorum, which then allowed for the passage of the Radical Republicans legislation. CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) Efforts by Texas lawmakers to redraw congressional maps further in their favor has placed a renewed focus on gerrymandering, the drawing and redrawing of electoral districts to benefit a single party. The practice is not isolated to Texas. Thats what we have in North Carolina, said Bob Phillips with Common Cause NC, a group advocating for fair, nonpartisan maps. Most of the legislative, most of the congressional districts, we already know whos going to win because the way the lines are drawn, and actually thats the way it is in much of the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A power grab by NC Republicans becomes a referendum on democracy in the states Despite North Carolina being classified as a purple state, gerrymandering by state Republicans gave the GOP a 10-4 control of congressional seats and only one seat short of a total supermajority in Raleigh. As Philips points out, it is a strategy that has been used by both parties. When the Democrats were in control, they never supported redistricting reform. When they lost control, then they are jumping all over it, said Phillips. Democrats have tried multiple times in recent years to pass legislation that would allow voters to decide how districts are drawn, by lawmakers or a nonpartisan commission. One of the authors of the latest bills, Buncombe County State Rep. Lindsey Prather, acknowledged her party has a history of gerrymandering. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Im well aware of the fact that Democrats gerrymandered in the past here in North Carolina. They did. And there are Democrats that are gerrymandering in other states right now across the country, said Prather. But she argued that it doesnt eliminate the need for new maps. No reelection campaign for Democratic after North Carolina GOP redrew U.S. House map We are a purple state, and our voters support nonpartisan state and our voters support nonpartisan, independent redistricting which is why this bill that we wrote would put it to the ballot, Prather added. Outside the legislature, former N.C. Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr has taken legal action. Hes asking the State Court of Appeals to order maps be fairly drawn, creating districts that are compact and connected, not based on voting patterns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you dont have fair elections then democracy fails, said Orr. It Is Orrs hope this renewed attention caused by the controversy in Texas will convince both the public and those in power that change is essential. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News. Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick (R) defended GOP redistricting efforts, saying Republicans deserve more seats in Congress because the Lone Star State is a red state. In an interview on Fox Newss Hannity Tuesday evening, Patrick slammed Democrats for fleeing the state in a bid to block passage of a new Congressional map that would give Republicans five pickup opportunities in the House during the 2026 midterms, and he accused Democrats of losing touch with their voters. I challenge them: Come back and do the right thing. Dont run and hide because youve lost touch with the voters, Patrick told host Sean Hannity in the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their problem are not redistricting lines, he continued. Their problem, Sean, is theyve lost the minds of their voters, who are moving toward the Republican Party all over the country. Were a red state. We deserve more representation, he added. After a Texas House committee advanced the updated congressional lines during their special session last week, Democrats left the state to deny Republicans a quorum, or the minimum number of lawmakers needed to conduct business. In response, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has called for the Democrats arrest and has ordered the Texas Rangers to launch a probe into the lawmakers for possible bribery and other violations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Patrick pledged to push forward with the redistricting process in the Texas Senate, where members still have a quorum, and vowed to pass the new maps whatever it takes. Were going to pass out redistricting next week, Patrick said, referring to the states upper chamber. Were going to pass out our agenda. Were going to move it forward and, working with the Speaker. Were either going to do it now. Were going to do it in later August. Were going to do it in September. Were going to do it in October, he continued. Whatever it takes, Sean, whatever it takes, were going to get it done. Theres nothing they can do to stop us. Sen. John Cornyn (R-Texas) has also pressed the FBI to intervene and force the Democrats to return to vote. The suggestion was also floated by President Trump, who told reporters on Tuesday that Republicans are entitled to the five House seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The federal prison camp in central Texas that Ghislaine Maxwell was transferred to last week has increased security measures in response to her arrival, according to a senior law enforcement official. Attributing the enhanced security to Maxwells presence, the official could not say whether there have been any direct threats to her, other inmates or Federal Prison Camp Bryan itself. Members of the federal Bureau of Prisons Special Operations Response Team have been positioned outside the front entrance to FPC Bryan since the weekend to check IDs and wave people through, two current employees told NBC News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said its an unfamiliar sight at the all-women, minimum-security camp where staff members and visitors can generally enter the grounds without going through rigorous security protocol. The camp, which houses about 635 prisoners in a residential neighborhood, has wrought-iron fencing out front, as well as chain-link fencing with razor wire around the perimeter. Ghislaine Maxwell has been transferred from a federal prison in Florida to Federal Prison Camp Bryan in central Texas. (Suzanne Gamboa / NBC News) The security measures are not like ones at the penitentiary or medium [security], an employee, who asked not to be named for fear of job reprisal, told NBC News last week. Members of the special operations team are highly trained to respond to disturbances and security breaches at federal prisons and are deputized by the U.S. Marshals Service. They were deployed to anti-police brutality protests during the first Trump administration and, most recently, helped in the response to the deadly July 4 flooding in Texas Hill Country. A BOP spokesperson said the agency does not "discuss specific security procedures" when asked about the increased security at FPC Bryan and whether it is connected to Maxwell, who was transferred from a low-security facility in Tallahassee, Florida, to FPC Bryan overnight Friday. Cars enter the Federal Prison Camp Bryan on Wednesday. (David J. Phillip / AP) Maxwells attorney, David Oscar Markus, didnt immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday. Markus has also not responded to previous questions about Maxwells safety and details surrounding her transfer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell, 63, is serving a 20-year prison sentence for her role in recruiting and trafficking minors for sex as a co-conspirator and confidant to wealthy financier Jeffrey Epstein. In 2019, Epstein killed himself in a New York City jail cell as he was facing charges of sex trafficking and conspiracy. But his case has come under renewed scrutiny in recent weeks after the Trump administration decided not to release all federal files related to Epstein, prompting outcry from parts of Trumps base who have fueled conspiracies and pushed unfounded narratives surrounding Epsteins death. Maxwell, too, returned to the spotlight when it was revealed that Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche met with her last month for nine hours over two days in a federal courthouse in Tallahassee. A source familiar with the matter told NBC News on Tuesday that the Trump administration is considering releasing a transcript from the interview. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it remains unclear why Maxwell, just days after the meeting with the Justice Departments second-in-command, was transferred to FPC Bryan, where, employees say, inmates are granted more freedoms in dormitory-style housing in which their rooms arent locked and they can roam outdoor and recreational spaces. Trump told reporters Tuesday that he was unaware that Maxwell had been moved to the Texas camp until after it occurred and that transfers like Maxwells were common. But the BOPs own policy indicates Maxwell should be ineligible to be housed at a minimum-security prison camp because she is a convicted sex offender. A sex offender must be in at least a low-level security prison like the one Maxwell was housed in previously, unless a waiver is granted by the administrator of the BOPs Designation and Sentence Computation Center. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwells presence at FPC Bryan has stoked outrage among some current and former BOP employees who question why she would be placed there given her sex offense charges and the level of security she would require. The majority of inmates at the camp are serving time for nonviolent offenses and white-collar crimes. The family of Epstein abuse survivor Virginia Giuffre, joined by Epstein and Maxwell accusers Annie and Maria Farmer, have also criticized Maxwells move. They said in a statement that she should never be shown any leniency as a convicted sex offender. Charles Lockett, a former federal prison warden who spent 31 years with the BOP, said he would have never approved the transfer of such a high-profile inmate to a place like FPC Bryan. Lockett said hed be especially concerned about the safety risks posed to Maxwell, as well as those who work there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They dont have the manpower there to deal with such people, and they dont have the hardened structure, said Lockett, who oversaw the Florida prison where Boston gangster James Whitey Bulger was held before his doomed transfer to a facility in West Virginia. I just find it unbelievable. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com The Brief Abbott files petition to state Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu over quorum break Speaker Burrows issues Friday deadline for quorum-breaking Democrats to come back Paxton says he will also file legal action against quorum-breaking Democrats AUSTIN, Texas - The political stakes have gotten higher on day two of the Texas Democrat walkout in response to congressional redistricting efforts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gov. Greg Abbott has filed a petition to the state Supreme Court requesting the removal of Texas House Democratic Caucus chair Gene Wu (D-Houston). That filing capped off another day of political positioning and repositioning. The quorum break is about Republican efforts to redraw congressional lines. President Trump urged the controversial re-write, believing it could help secure up to five extra GOP-controlled seats in Congress. Day two of quorum break The latest A handful of Democrats were in the Texas House on Tuesday, but not enough; 94 members registered as present Tuesday, just a few short of what is needed to make a quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement House Speaker Dustin Burrow reminded members that on Monday, he signed civil arrest warrants for those absent and set a Friday deadline for the quorum-breaking Democrats to return. Speaker Burrows spoke to FOX 7 Austin about the extreme measures now in play: "i know everyone is committed to basically using whatever tools are in the toolbox to getting things done. What I am focused on right now is using the powers of the Texas Speaker which to put a call on the house. We have signed civil arrest warrants. We're working with DPS. I intend to make quorum. We were close today. We were close today. I would like to make quorum on Friday and we pass these historic things that all Texans, all Texans want," he said. Ken Paxton to file legal action; Abbott files suit On Tuesday afternoon, Attorney General Ken Paxton announced he will file legal action to remove from office those who miss the Speaker's deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reportedly, Paxton has said the legal action would probably have to be filed in local district courts, taking time and running the risk of finding an unfriendly judge. However, Abbott's petition would bypass a local court hearing and take the matter straight to the state Supreme Court, which is dominated by Republicans. Theres no guarantee that the Texas Supreme Court will immediately side with the governor and remove state Rep. Wu because of a previous ruling. READ MORE In 2021, the state Supreme Court upheld the authority of statehouse leaders to compel AWOL members back to the Chamber, but that ruling also apparently recognized the ability for minority members to break quorum. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The legal fight could drag on for weeks, but Speaker Burrows remains optimistic that there is still time to take up big issues like flood response and hemp products. "I believe we will make quorum, we will address those and it needs to happen sooner than later," said Speaker Burrows. Texas Dems respond to bribery accusations On Tuesday morning, several Texas Democrats were still in Chicago digging in. During a media briefing, state Rep. Wu dismissed accusations that donations to help pay their $500-a-day fine is a form of bribery. "Im curious about the obsession with how it's being funded. My phone and the phones of every member here have been blowing up nonstop from constituents, from people that I've met like five years ago, from people around the country somehow got my number, texting me, We support you. How can we help?" said Wu. Pushback on Democrats for Illinois trip Democrats are also facing pushback for the run to Chicago, as Illinois recently did its own redistricting, which eliminated Republican districts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Rep. Janie Lopez (R-San Benito) spoke on this, saying: "That state has, what, 17 Democrat congressional seats and three Republican congressional seats? Come on. You know, here, what we're doing is we're redistricting 37 out of 38 seats. And the five major ones that are being redistricted are actually in support of minorities. The Hispanic population, four out of the five, are actually supposed to help the minority vote so that they can have their voice heard." What's next With the clock ticking down on Speaker Burrows deadline, state Rep. Mano DeAyala (R-Houston) offered this long-distance message: "Colleagues, friends, come home. We miss you. Come back. Let's get this work done. There's a whole lot of work that's left to do. And much of it I know you guys are excited about. Come home, let's get work done and serve our constituents." If seats are eventually vacated, that could allow an attendance re-calculation and lower the number needed for a quorum. It happened earlier this special session in the Texas Senate when Kelly Hancock left for the comptroller's office. The Source Information in this report comes from reporting/interviews by FOX 7 Austin's chief political reporter Rudy Koski. Texas state Rep. Jolanda Jones apologized on Tuesday for comparing Democrats fleeing the state over redistricting to the Holocaust. Jones was one of several Texas House Democrats who left the state on Monday to avoid a vote on Republicans' new proposed congressional district map, which would potentially secure five new GOP U.S. House seats in next year's midterm elections. They claim the redistricting will disenfranchise minority voters. Speaking to former CNN host Don Lemon from an "undisclosed location" in New York, Jones emphasized the importance of standing up against such "racist" actions to avoid the same mistakes that led to the Holocaust. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beto Encourages Democrats To Fight 'Fire With Fire' In Texas Redistricting Battle Democratic Texas State Rep. Jolanda Jones later apologized for her comments in a statement to Fox News Digital. "We better have the courage to stand up, otherwise we will fall for anything," she said. "And in this country, we will be defeated, deported. I mean, we will lose all of our rights. And if you think it can't happen, it can." "And I will liken this to the Holocaust," Jones continued, "People are like, Well, how did the Holocaust happen? How was somebody in a position to kill all them people? Well, good people remain silent or good people didn't realize that what happens to them can very soon happen to me or somebody I love. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "And so, even if you made it, man, you have an obligation to help people who can't because, God forbid, they end up targeting you and your family." In a statement to Fox News Digital on Tuesday, Jones apologized for her comments and retracted her comparisons to the Holocaust. "I made a statement on The Don Lemon Show comparing Trump's attempt to disenfranchise Black and Brown people to the Holocaust. That was a mistake, and I apologize for it. Trump is coming for my community, and I get emotional about it and make strong statements. But that was going too far, and I retract that comparison," the statement read. Texas Dems Ripped For 'Cartoonishly Dumb' Strategy To Flee To Blue State Notorious For Gerrymandering A large group of Democratic Texas lawmakers left the state on Monday so a quorum could not be reached during a special session called to redistrict the state. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, criticized Jones' original comments. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Fleeing Texas House Democrats continue to beclown themselves through this desperate, anti-democratic stunt. Unlike these radicals, Governor Abbott refuses to abandon Texans. If the House Democrats who deserted Texans were serious about delivering results, they would come back to the Texas Capitol and do the job voters elected them to do," Mahaleris told Fox News Digital. Fox News Digital also reached out to the Texas Democratic Party for comment. In the interview with Lemon, Jones also dismissed the argument made by Texas Republicans that she and other Democrats will need to return to the state eventually, remarking she "aint got to do nothing but die." "[T]he point is, I will stay gone as long as I need to stay gone. And I hope that my colleagues feel as convicted as I do. That right now, you know, I always wondered what I would have done would I've been walking onthe Edmund Pettus Bridge. Would I have been willing to walk for over a year with the Montgomery bus boycott. And you know what? Now is our civil rights moment, people," Jones said. Gov. Greg Abbott, R-Texas, is threatening state Democrat lawmakers with expulsion after many of them fled the state in an attempt to halt GOP efforts in the state to enact a new congressional districting map. After several Democrats failed to return to the Texas State Capitol on Monday afternoon, Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows announced he would sign arrest warrants against any absent Democrat lawmakers if authorized by a vote of the chamber. Abbott then swiftly called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the "delinquent Texas House Democrats." Abbott has also threatened to expel the Texas House Democrats for leaving the state. Original article source: Texas state Democrat apologizes for comparing GOP redistricting plan to the Holocaust Democratic state legislators from Texas were evacuated from their suburban Chicago hotel Wednesday morning following a threat at the property, and a news conference set to feature Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin was canceled. Later in the morning, Gov. JB Pritzker authorized Illinois State Police to become involved in protecting the lawmakers. "I am aware of reports that threats were made against Texas elected officials in our state. Threats of violence will be investigated and those responsible will be held accountable," Pritzker said on X. "I have instructed @ILStatePolice to ensure we maintain public safety." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Durbin was to join the Illinois Democratic voices who have rallied behind the Texas Democrats, who traveled to the state in an effort to block the passage of a new Republican-drawn congressional map. Because the members are absent, the Texas state House does not have a quorum to move forward with legislation. The public announcement system inside the hotel issued an evacuation directive around 7:15 a.m. local time, and lawmakers and staff rushed outside, according to one of the people inside. This morning, a threat was made against the safety of the members of the Texas House Democratic Caucus, three Texas state House Democrats said in a statement. We are safe, we are secure, and we are undeterred and unintimidated. We are grateful for Governor Pritzker, local, and state law enforcement for their quick action to ensure our safety. In an interview, state Rep. John Bucy said that the legislators and other guests spent about two hours outside the hotel Wednesday morning and that they're "going to continue fight to this fight for voting rights." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement About 400 people in all were evacuated, according to the St. Charles Police Department. The Kane County bomb squad was asked to assist, and police said no device was found during a search. The investigation continues, according to police. The Democratic legislators left Texas for Chicago, Boston and Albany, New York, on Sunday, after the Texas state Legislature began a special session aimed at, among other things, drawing a new congressional map giving Republicans a path to a five-seat gain in the 2026 midterm elections. Republicans are protecting a narrow three-seat majority in the chamber ahead of the midterms. Bucy said the Democratic legislators do not plan to return to Texas anytime soon. "Look, weve made a commitment to kill this special session," he said. " This article was originally published on NBCNews.com Chief Executive (CE) Sam Hou Fai announced that the government will further review its commitment to developing the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone in Hengqin. This includes staffing allocation, joint development between Macau and Hengqin, and regulatory alignment. Sam made his remarks earlier this week during the second working meeting of the leading group to promote the construction of the Cooperation Zone. Sam called on all departments to review upcoming tasks related to the Cooperation Zone and advance key projects, including the new University of Macau campus, a regional technology transfer and commercialization center for tertiary education institutions, and a sub-center for traditional Chinese medicine. Like this: Like Loading... WASHINGTON (AP) The Voting Rights Act of 1965 was follow-up legislation to the Civil Rights Act passed a year earlier. In a break from tradition, then-President Lyndon Johnson went to Capitol Hill to sign the bill rather than hold a signing ceremony at the White House. His daughter Luci Baines Johnson told The Associated Press in a 2023 interview that he did it to honor the courage of members who had supported the legislation even though it could cost them their seats in Congress. What did the Voting Rights Act do? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were several elements to the law, but it primarily ended the discriminatory practices against Black voters that were prevalent in many states, including poll taxes and literacy tests that allowed those voters to be turned away. The law also established a process known as preclearance, which required that all or parts of 15 states with a history of discriminatory practices in voting get federal approval before making changes to the way they hold elections. What did voter suppression look like before the law was enacted? The 15th Amendment was ratified in 1870 and barred states from preventing people from voting on the basis of race, color or a previous condition of servitude. Despite the amendment, several Southern states were able to enact literacy tests on Black citizens that were not required of white citizens who had either voted or were descendants of voters from before the ratification of the 14th Amendment. That tactic was known as the grandfather clause and worked to exclude Black voters. Black citizens also were excluded in some states from participating in party primaries. Poll taxes, or fees for voting, were a barrier, and lynching and other forms of violence served to intimidate would-be Black voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What fueled the passage of the Voting Rights Act? Civil rights activists were holding a series of marches and protests in Alabama in 1965 when a pastor was arrested in the town of Marion. Afraid he would be lynched, his supporters planned a night protest march to the jail from a nearby church. They were met by police. A church deacon, Jimmie Lee Jackson, was fatally shot in the ensuing melee. The Southern Christian Leadership Conference and local leaders considered taking Jackson's body from Marion to Montgomery. Instead, he was buried near Marion and plans were made to stage a march from Selma, 30 miles (48 kilometers) away and a more logical staging area. In what became known as Bloody Sunday, on March 7, 1965, hundreds of marchers were met by state troopers, who attacked them on the Edmund Pettus Bridge. Footage of the violence shocked the country and provided momentum for the landmark federal law. When did the voting rights protections begin to erode? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2013, the Supreme Court issued a 5-4 decision known as Shelby v. Holder that removed the preclearance requirement in the law. Within hours, states began announcing changes to their laws that began restricting voting rights. That accelerated in Republican-controlled states after President Donald Trump began falsely claiming his loss for reelection in 2020 was due to widespread fraud. Where are we now? The Supreme Court is deciding whether to hear a case out of North Dakota in which the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals has held that private individuals and entities cannot file voting rights challenges. This is how the vast majority of such cases have been brought. The court has said that only the U.S. attorney general can file those cases. Two other 8th Circuit panels have made similar rulings. Other circuits have ruled that there is a right of private action for such challenges. Separately, the Supreme Court is waiting to be briefed by attorneys in a Louisiana case that centers on whether a congressional district drawn to benefit Black voters is constitutional. At issue is Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which requires political maps to include districts where minority populations preferred candidates can win elections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There also are ongoing actions at the state level as well as an executive order by Trump and congressional legislation that would require documented proof of citizenship to register to vote. ___ Follow the AP's coverage of voting rights at https://apnews.com/hub/voting-rights. A third suspect has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of a man in St. Petersburgs Campbell Park neighborhood last week. Authorities on Tuesday arrested 31-year-old Dnerius Patrick McCullough in Riverview on first-degree murder and kidnapping charges. St. Petersburg police say McCullough kidnapped and shot Reginald L. Booth on July 29 with the help of two other men. Officers responded shortly after 9 p.m. that day to a shooting call in the 1200 block of Ninth Avenue South and found Booth suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Booth, 39, was taken to Orlando Health Bayfront Hospital in St. Petersburg, where he died. Police said in a news release Wednesday that investigators believe McCullough is the suspect who shot Booth. An arrest affidavit for Booth was not immediately available. Police on Saturday arrested the other two suspects, Larrion Boyd, 18, of St. Petersburg, and Keshaun Lamb, 19, of Largo, on charges of first-degree felony murder and armed kidnapping. The three suspects wore masks and scouted the area before chasing Booth down the street at gunpoint and taking unspecified items from him, according to Boyd and Lambs arrest affidavits. The suspects brought Booth to Boyds car, where McCullough shot him, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement McCullough was arrested at a home in the 7000 block of Grand Elm Drive with the help of the U.S. Marshals Service, according to police and booking records. He was being held Wednesday in Hillsboroughs Falkenburg Road Jail awaiting transfer to Pinellas County. Boyd and Lamb were being held Wednesday without bond in the Pinellas County Jail. About 9,200 households in Granada Hills and Porter Ranch were dealing with a water service outage on Wednesday after the Los Angeles Department of Water Power announced that emergency repairs were underway at a pump station. The problem arose on Tuesday afternoon. The DWP said that as crews were making repairs of a leak at a pump station that connects to a 10-million-gallon tank, a valve controlling the flow of water failed to open. As a result, the water flowing from the tank into the pipes serving the area was cut off, the department said in a written statement. Crews are on site and are working as quickly and safely as possible to perform repairs to the valve." DWP workers Eddy Ochoa, left, and Alex Reyman distribute bottled water at Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park as vehicles line up Wednesday afternoon. (Al Seib/For The Times) Read more: Decades ago, L.A. was ordered to take less water to save Mono Lake. But the city remains far from a key goal Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The agency said it was coordinating with the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California to resupply the tank and requested support from a company that provides high-capacity pumps. A temporary fix through the contractor working with DWP could restore water service in the next 24 to 48 hours, said Janisse Quinones, the general manager of DWP, at a news conference Wednesday evening. But the permanent repairs to the valve which is 24 feet underground are "very complex," and could take through the weekend, Quinones said. On Wednesday morning, as DWP worked to make the permanent repairs, staff discovered two oil pipelines, a gas line, and large boulders that complicated their excavation efforts, Quinones said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Because of the complexity ... the permanent repairs to the pipeline could extend over the weekend," Quinones said. The DWP announced the problem Tuesday night and said customers should urgently conserve water, but that high water demand coupled with the restricted water flow left the tank drained by about 7 a.m. Wednesday. The DWP said the affected area in the San Fernando Valley extends from Rinaldi Street in the south, to Balboa Boulevard to the east and De Soto Avenue in the west. Crews checked for utility lines as they worked to repair water lines near San Fernando Road and Balboa Boulevard in Sylmar Wednesday morning. (Al Seib/For The Times) L.A. Mayor Karen Bass said that, while repairs are underway, we are making drinking water, showers and other resources available for Angelenos who may have been impacted by the outage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially as we face rising temperatures, the LADWP and other City departments are mobilizing resources to ensure that Angelenos stay safe and hydrated, Bass said in a written statement. For residents who still had some water flowing from taps, L.A. and state water officials strongly advised people in the area to only use boiled tap water or bottled water for drinking and cooking until further notice. The DWP issued an unsafe water alert saying that customers should bring tap water to a boil for one minute and then let it cool before using it for drinking or cooking, as well as for brushing teeth or making ice cubes. The department said it will inform the public when tests show that water is safe to drink and boiling is no longer needed. "We estimate that the boil water issue may take up to one week to resolve; however, extra time may be needed due to the complex nature of the pressure restoration and valve repair," the department said in the notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The DWP said it was providing bottled water to customers at three locations in the Granada Hills and Porter Ranch area from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.: Holleigh Bernson Memorial Park, 20500 Sesnon Blvd., Northridge OMelveny Park, 17300 Sesnon Blvd., Granada Hills The intersection of Tampa Avenue and Sesnon Boulevard on the border of Northridge and Porter Ranch The department said the safety of customers and the community is "our top priority as we work quickly to make repairs and resupply water. The city has handed out more than 11,000 cases of free water, Mayor Bass said at a news conference Wednesday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Newsom's plan to give water agencies more leeway in meeting rules moves forward The city has cooling centers with restrooms available at Recreation and Parks facilities as well as local libraries . City officials said the L.A. Fire Department deployed water tankers and crews to the area, and that the Emergency Operations Center was activated as officials monitored the situation. The city said residents and businesses that depend on water for medical needs, such as dialysis clinics and senior centers, were being contacted to ensure there were plans for dealing with the situation, and that L.A.'s departments of Transportation and Aging were coordinating transportation for elderly residents to the bottled water distribution sites. DWP Crews in Porter Ranch pumped water into the distribution system to help with water demand Wednesday. (Al Seib/For The Times) Crews have begun digging to access the valve 20 feet underground, the DWP said, and the repairs are expected to continue through the weekend. (The DWP is providing updates on its website.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abbey Ronquillo, president of the Granada Hills South Neighborhood Council, said she learned about the pending water outage in an email Tuesday night from the DWP, but she would have liked to see earlier and more specific communication from the agency via text and email to customers in the area. I don't think that we were well informed, Ronquillo said. It's unfortunate there was not enough warning for our community. "I would have wished that DWP would have given an earlier message to the community, more widespread, where you didn't really have to dig deep in order to find this information," Ronquillo said, "because a lot of homes will be impacted negatively from not having water, of course, especially in the summer months." Christy Holland, DWPs community initiatives manager, said the department contacted all customers in the area who had signed up for text or email alerts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DWP sent out 3,400 notifications by email and text about 9 p.m. Tuesday with all the information that was available at that time, Holland said. That was followed Wednesday morning with an area-wide text alert through the citys NotifyLA emergency alert system, Holland said. She said customers can sign up for texts or emails online or by calling (800) DIAL-DWP. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. WASHINGTON (DC News Now) Three law enforcement and first responder dogs in the DMV are in the semi-finals for an award. The American Humane Society has nominated Tiller, Peyton and Bubba for the Hero Dog Award. Peyton and Bubba are both with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), while Tiller is a facility dog with the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) Police Department. Tiller Tiller is a 4-year-old Labrador retriever and golden retriever mix who has been working with MWAAs police department since 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the airports, he doesnt sniff out drugs or bombs he instead provides comfort to first responders, applying pressure to help relieve stress. After the deadly January plane crash over the Potomac River, Tiller was there to do his job and support responders staying at the scene for days on end, recovering remains and the wreckage from the river. Meet Tiller: The airport facility dog helping DCA, IAD first responders through hard days Tiller is one way, or one tool, to help to cope in the moment, in days and weeks following, trying to help normalize the way we feel about a particular incident. Sometimes no words need to be said. Just a couple of moments, or a couple of minutes, with Tiller can go a long way, Tillers handler, MWAA Police Lt. Timothy Blayman, told DC News Now in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a post on the X platform, Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport said that Tiller sparks joy everywhere he goes! Woman caught with 59 pounds of marijuana at Dulles International Airport, officers say Peyton Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department In Peytons bio on the American Humane Societys website, he is described as a dog who tirelessly ensures the citys safety with unwavering focus. Peyton also has boundless energy and can take on a significant amount of work across the D.C. region to help ensure our Capital is protected. Known for his intelligence and friendly nature, Peyton is beloved by all who meet him, the description said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The American Humane Society said that during a security sweep, Peyton stayed focused and determined, ensuring many individuals safety. Beyond his lifesaving work, his joyful spirit and gentle nature remind everyone he meets that even the toughest jobs can be carried out with heart, the description reads. Bubba Courtesy of the Metropolitan Police Department Bubba is a tracking dog with MPD, and he exemplifies exceptional service and community dedication. He spends his days finding both missing people and fugitives as well as participating in community events. His gentle nature, unwavering commitment and heroic spirit make him an invaluable partner and a beloved protector within the community, his description stated. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bubba participates in search and rescue calls, using his nose to help officers track individuals across long distances and difficult terrain. His unwavering focus and determination in these critical moments shows the heart of a true hero, always ready to serve and protect, the American Humane Societys website states. You can vote for Tiller, Peyton or Bubba and see other finalists on the American Humane Societys website. You can vote one time each day. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Three Albanian men have been convicted of operating a cannabis factory at a derelict shopping centre in North Ayrshire. Elton Skenderi, 30, Gjovalin Toma, 31, and Eduard Daja, 39, pleaded guilty after thousands of plants were seized at the former Irvine Forum in September 2024. The High Court in Glasgow heard the cannabis was valued at somewhere between 611,600 and 1,834,800. Judge Lord Mulholland told the men to expect lengthy jail terms when they are sentenced next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The judge said they had come to Scotland "to receive the benefits available from living here" and repaid that with "criminality on an industrial scale". The court heard the cannabis factory had been set up in shuttered units at the disused former shopping precinct. Police were tipped off by Scottish Power who had concerns about "energy use" at the site. The court heard a total of 3,058 cannabis plants were seized. Skenderi and Toma were detained that night after trying to run from police. They were said to be "reeking" of cannabis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Daja was caught the next day after being spotted leaving a fire exit at the shopping centre. He claimed to have been sleeping in the building. Fingerprint and forensic evidence linked Skenderi and Daja to the crime scene. Deported from the UK Daja was previously sentenced to eight months for a similar offence at Leeds Crown Court in May 2023. He was served with a deportation order and was sent back to the Albanian capital of Tirana in July 2023 but later returned to the UK. Toma also had a previous conviction for growing cannabis, having been sentenced to 14 months in Leeds in 2022. He was ordered to be sent back to Albania at the time, but went on to claim asylum and his case remains live. Skenderi - like the other two - had no ties to the UK. All three men were remanded in custody with sentencing deferred for reports. Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) faces a difficult test in rallying GOP colleagues to change the Senates rules to speed up the confirmation of approximately 140 Trump nominees. Changing the Senates procedural rules with a simple-majority vote is sometimes called the nuclear option because its viewed as an extreme tactic. In this case, many Republicans are ready to go nuclear because they think Democrats are unfairly holding up a number of lower-level, noncontroversial nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democrats have refused to confirm a single civilian Trump appointee by voice vote or unanimous consent during his first six-and-a-half months in office. But Thune still needs to sell a handful of members on the change, including Sens. Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) and Susan Collins (R-Maine), who arent yet on board with a proposal to weaken individual senators ability to hold up nominees. A senior Senate Republican strategist said senators are going to be reluctant to give up their power to place holds on executive branch nominees, a power that GOP senators employed to gain leverage over the Biden administration. Theres a core group of people that are wary of setting new precedents or changing anything thats going to affect them when the shoes on the other foot. I dont think its a slam dunk, the strategist said of Republican senators who are worried about diminishing their own authority if they return to minority-party status. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Anytime you make these changes, it can have lasting impact on how the Senate operates moving forward, the source added. Then-Sen. JD Vance (R-Ohio) placed a hold on all of former President Bidens Justice Department nominees in 2023 to protest the Biden administrations indictment of President Trump on criminal charges. Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) put a sweeping hold on all of Bidens military promotions to protest the use of taxpayer dollars at the Defense Department to pay for service members travel across state lines to receive medical services, including abortion services. Thune can only afford three defections from within his conference. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillis last week ruled out going nuclear over the stalled nominees. I just generally dont go nuclear, he said. We can do the work. Weve come up with some bipartisan strategies for changing the rules, he added, arguing Republicans and Democrats could work together to make the Senate more efficient at confirming nominees without trampling on the rights of the minority party. If we do this, then that means the new bar for rules is a simple majority, he said of the prospect of Senate Republicans changing the rules with 51 votes instead of the 67 votes required under regular order to change the chambers rules. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tillis also poured cold water on the idea of allowing Trump to make recess appointments, something Senate conservatives have floated as an option to clear the backlog of stalled nominees. Tillis, who opposed Ed Martin, Trumps initial nominee to serve as U.S. attorney for the District of Columbia, said he would want to put guardrails on recent appointments. Asked whether he could support opening the door to recess appointments, Tillis replied: Not if it lays the groundwork for an Ed Martin. Republican senators left town pledging to take up rules reform when they return to Washington after Labor Day. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were trying to break the logjam, Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-Okla.) said on Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo. We put them on notice and said, Were not going to play games with you anymore. Now youre forcing us to change Senate rules, said Mullin, a deputy Senate GOP whip. So, soon as we get back from August, were going to be working on rules change. When we get back, were going to have to implement that rules change. Thune and his leadership team will need to focus on Tillis, Collins and Murkowski, along with other potential wild cards such as former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.). McConnell earlier this year voted against some of Trumps controversial nominees, including Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Collins told reporters she wants to review precisely what rule changes the Senate GOP leadership team has in mind. We clearly have a huge problem with bipartisan nominees requiring roll call votes, but I want to see what the exact proposals are, she said. Murkowski has favored preserving senators rights and prerogatives from the ever-expanding powers of the White House and executive branch. The Alaska senator has voiced her frustration about spending hours of Senate floor time churning through lower-level nominees. But shes drawn a line at allowing Trump to make recess appointments. No, we do our job here. Weve got plenty of time to address it, were working through it, she said of the backlog of Trump nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked about changing the Senate rules with a simple-majority vote, Murkowski expressed her desire to instead find a bipartisan solution that would not blow up relations with Democrats. Theres a good conversation thats going on, its actually a bipartisan conversation, about how we can be more efficient, she said. We just voted on the general counsel of the Department of [Agriculture]. Theres a better way to do this. Murkowski, a senior appropriator, wants to work with Democrats to pass the regular spending bills for fiscal 2026, bills that need 60 votes to pass on the Senate floor. Triggering the nuclear option to fast-track lower-level, noncontroversial nominees would likely scuttle the chances of reaching a bipartisan spending deal before the Sept. 30 deadline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Senate Republican aide said GOP senators are still in the discussion phase of a potential rules change. No ones presented a clear option. Right now, theyre still discussing a suite of options, the source said. GOP senators have discussed a rules change that would allow Thune to advance lower-level nominees in groups, perhaps in blocs of three or five or more. Another option would be to eliminate the time-consuming cloture vote, which takes place to limit debate before proceeding to a final confirmation vote. A third option would be to collapse the mandatory two hours of debate time that must take place between the procedural vote to invoke cloture and the final confirmation vote. That could save two hours of floor time per district court-level and sub-Cabinet-level nominees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Cass County Democrats will host their annual Cass Blue Honors Dinner on Saturday, September 20. This years keynote speaker is J.D. Ford, District 29 Indiana state senator. Elected in 2018, Senator Ford is an advocate for working families, public education and affordable healthcare, according to his profile. The event will also feature both live and silent auction items. Catering will be provided by Parettas Italian Ristorante. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Individual tickets are $50 and sponsorship opportunities are available. The event will be held at the Crum Family Farm, 427 E. CR 1050 S., in Galveston. Registration begins at 5 p.m. followed by dinner at 5:45. For more information or to purchase tickets, contact Vicki Byrd at vicki.byrd@comcast.net or visit https://secure. actblue.com/donate/cbh25. CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) Its officially August, and soon students will be heading back to school. The school year is slowly creeping up on us, and local shoppers have taken notice. Back-to-school shopping isnt just a drag for kids who want their summer to last forever, but it can also be stressful for parents. In recent years, shopping for school supplies has only gotten busier. While to some it may seem early to begin back-to-school shopping, the National Retail Federation says that 67% of shoppers have already started looking for school supplies as early as July. While that is the majority, has school shopping started for everyone? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nope, no, it hasnt, said parent Debbie Kolodziej. Weve got our lists piled and ready, and were going to do a combo platter of Amazon, Target, and Dollar Store. Tax-free weekend in MA: Save 6.25 percent on retail purchases Kolodziej has a nine-year-old and two seven-year-old twins shes shopping for. The process isnt much easier for college student Grace Talbot. Theres a lot to get, theres a lot of places you have to go, Talbot said. Theres not always what youre looking for, its expensive. The NRF expects the 2025 back-to-school shopping campaign to include almost $40 billion in spending for K-12 students, and over $88 billion for college students. It also stated that people spend the most money on electronics during this time, but there are other items that are important to families too, such as backpacks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They gotta be happy with their backpacks, Kolodziej said. Its part of their outfit every day, so you gotta make sure that theyre happy. To help you get the right backpack and other supplies like pencils and notebooks, the NRF recommends keeping your eyes peeled for deals. Conveniently, this weekend is tax-free weekend in Massachusetts. For those who havent started school shopping yet, the countdown is on, as many schools have their first day exactly three weeks from Wednesday. To make this season easier, Paid for Grades has created a list of tips for things that parents can do now to help their kids adjust to the new year. Sketch out a morning routine One of the most challenging changes that happens when school starts is getting kids up in the morning and out the door before the bus arrives or before drop-off. Start getting your kids up now to help them adjust their sleep schedule. For older kids, get them an alarm clock and ask them to create their morning routine to encourage them to take ownership of this routine. Dont skip breakfast Make sure that your kids get a well-rounded meal before school. These meals should include protein, grains, and vitamins. Something such as toast, scrambled eggs, and a banana could do the trick. Having breakfast in the morning gets their brains going and prepares them for a morning of learning. Pick outfits out the night before Nothing causes panic than a kid who cant find their favorite shoes. Make sure that your kids pick out their outfits before they go to bed and place them somewhere they wont miss. It also gets them excited for the first day of school. Pack lunches after picking outfits Save time in the morning by preparing their lunch the night before. If you know what tomorrows outfit will be, you can apply the same thing to packing lunch. Make sure its labeled if you have multiple children, and, along with breakfast, make sure its a nutritious lunch to get them through the day. Start having lunch during summer break A way to get your kids in school mode is to set their lunches for the same time every day. Find out what time your kid will be having lunch during school, and make that their lunchtime during the summer. This will help them prepare for their first week back and also improve their memory retention. Limit TV time during the summer To start building good homework habits, try limiting TV or video game time during the summer. To help with this, try telling your kid to spend the time they would have been watching TV to learn one new thing a day. Ask them to give a report back on what they learned over dinner. Set bedtimes & wake-up times before school starts Bedtimes are really hard to enforce during the summer, but to help prepare your kids for the first week of school, have them go to bed earlier each night before the first day of school. Waking up for school is another problem. Start waking them up earlier each day as well to help the transition from summer to school. Dont wait till the last minute Stores are full of everything you need right now. Do not wait till the last minute to go shopping because it will most likely be slim pickings. You can even buy supplies and clothes online and have them shipped to your door. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. The streets around Stoner Park in Sawtelle are often filled with families on their way to the park, nearby day care and surrounding schools. Jonathan Hale, a local resident, believed the area was lacking a key safety feature: designated crosswalks. Hale recently took it upon himself to make a fix that he believed the city had overlooked when he purchased about $200 worth of paint and recruited neighbors to paint crosswalks around the park over several weekends. Its not the first time Angelenos have taken matters into their own hands to try to improve street safety by painting crosswalks at dangerous intersections. Many get frustrated by how long it takes for the city to respond to requests through 311 and just do the job themselves. Sometimes the city removes the paint stripes; sometimes it moves to make them permanent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Sawtelle, Los Angeles' Department of Transportation removed the unsanctioned DIY project about two months after the first stripe was painted, prompting an outcry among community members. The city added permanent crosswalks around Stoner Park after residents' DIY efforts were removed. The Transportation Department said crosswalks needed to comply with accessibility requirements before permanent installation. Then last week, the mayors office announced that the crosswalks would be painted after all before curb ramps and sidewalk improvements were made. Stoner Park is a key community anchor a place where neighbors gather, kids play, and local events bring people together. When we talk about where L.A. comes together, its places like Stoner Park, Councilmember Traci Park, who represents the area and urged the city to add crosswalks around the park, said in a statement. Thats why its so important to prioritize pedestrian safety and make sure everyone can get around safely. City officials did not respond to questions about whether its actions ignored state and federal guidelines. And although the Transportation Department said that no requests for crosswalks had previously been made at the location near Stoner Park, the mayors office said that the Bureau of Engineering had received "multiple sidewalk accessibility requests surrounding Stoner Park between 2017-2018." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The City makes thousands of critical infrastructure improvements and upgrades each year," spokesperson Clara Karger said. City agencies often have pointed to funding constraints as a reason for delays, but the mayors office did not respond to questions about the total cost for this project, which eventually will include the installation of curb ramps and sidewalk improvements. We will continue doing all we can to keep Angelenos safe that includes pedestrians and park-goers, Mayor Karen Bass said in a statement about the announcement. Members of Crosswalks Collective LA paint a crosswalk at the intersection of 4th and New Hampshire in Koreatown where Nadir Gavarrete, a 9-year-old boy, was killed while riding an e-scooter in a hit and run. Signs used to control traffic are placed on the ground near the painting operation where members of Crosswalks Collective LA paint a crosswalk at the intersection of 4th and New Hampshire in Koreatown where Nadir Gavarrete, a 9 year old boy, was killed while riding an e-scooter in a hit and run Thursday night, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA . A member of Crosswalks Collective LA unloads a road closure barricade to paint a crosswalk at the intersection of 4th and New Hampshire in Koreatown where Nadir Gavarrete, a 9 year old boy, was killed while riding an e-scooter in a hit and run Thursday night, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA . A member of Crosswalk Collective LA mixes paint at a crosswalk at the intersection of 4th and New Hampshire in Koreatown where Nadir Gavarrete, a 9 year old boy, was killed while riding an e-scooter in a hit and run Thursday night, on Saturday, Aug. 2, 2025 in Los Angeles, CA . The decision raises questions about how infrastructure updates are prioritized by the city, which has struggled to keep up with a backlog of requests for street improvements amid ongoing concerns over traffic safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) primarily uses our annual resurfacing program to determine the locations of access ramps that we design and install; we do not work off a request-based system, said Dan Halden, the bureau's acting director of external relations. He said the budget for this fiscal year includes the installation of approximately 300 access ramps across the city. Hale, who moved to Los Angeles about a year ago from the San Francisco Bay Area, was pleasantly surprised to learn that the crosswalks would be restored after his initial efforts had been erased. If the city was struggling to improve residents safety, he questioned the pushback to citizens own efforts. We don't need years of studies to tell us that there should be crosswalks and slow streets by a park and schools and day cares those are just obvious things, said Hale, 25. If you stand on any one of these corners for long, you'll see kids running around and you'll see close calls I figured that the crosswalk was something that benefited people and didn't hurt anybody. A man crosses a crosswalk painted by residents near Stoner Park in the Sawtelle area of Los Angeles on Aug. 2, 2025. The citys 10-year-old Vision Zero plan to eliminate traffic-related deaths has not come to fruition in Los Angeles. A recent audit found significant failures in the program. And the budget strains on the citys Transportation Department and the Bureau of Street Services could further delay goals around street safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We have, per capita, some of the most dangerous streets in the country to walk around, said Michael Schneider of Streets for All. I think this [DIY effort] is a reaction to that and a reaction to a local government not taking action. Schneider said that the slowdown can in part be attributed to the citys understanding of accessibility guidance, which appears to differ in interpretation even among city agencies. *** Last week in Koreatown, a 9-year-old boy was fatally hit by a car while crossing the street on an electric scooter at 4th Street and New Hampshire Avenue. Concerns over the safety of that intersection previously prompted discussion for the installation of a roundabout. LADOT solicited feedback from the community in 2021, but nothing has been constructed. A crosswalk memorial painted by Crosswalk Collective LA is at 4th Street and New Hampshire Avenue in Koreatown. Griselda Paxtor lights a candle at a vigil at the intersection in Koreatown where Nadir Gavarrete was killed. The Crosswalk Collective LA a safety advocacy group whose tagline is We paint crosswalks. The city of Los Angeles doesnt keep us safe so we keep us safe gathered in Koreatown Saturday morning to paint crosswalks at the intersection. The group purchased the stencils that were used at Stoner Park and served as inspiration for Hale, but was not involved in his efforts in Sawtelle. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That evening, residents gathered for a candlelight vigil to honor the young boy who died. One of the newly painted crosswalk stripes at the intersection had not been filled in. Instead, there was an inscription in the center: En Memoria De Nadir Gavarrete. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. MOUNT PLEASANT, S.C. (WCBD) Tolers Cove, a neighborhood in between Mount Pleasant and Sullivans Island, has become a dangerous intersection for drivers and bicyclists, according to residents. Residents are asking for more safety measures to be added around their neighborhood, as they are one of the few along the Ben Sawyer Boulevard bike path. They told News 2 there are blind spots and bicyclists coming down the Ben Sawyer Bridge at high speeds. Well, about a week and a half ago, I saw an accident coming out of Tolers Cove when a bike came really quickly down the bike path from Sullivans Island and then a car was slowly pulling out and a woman ended up flat on her back unconscious in the road, Marie-Louise Ramsdale, a Tolers Cove resident, said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ramsdale wasnt the only one who saw the crash, as several of her neighbors witnessed it too and spoke during the public comment period during the towns Aug. 4 meeting. She said there are numerous incidents like these that have happened since shes lived in Tolers Cove. David Quick, a Mount Pleasant resident and avid cyclist, said it is a dangerous area during the towns transportation meeting. Its a design flaw and it is also a driver caution flaw. The bike lane kind of curves too close to Tolers Cove, said Quick. The town previously added some safety measures including a new stop sign, a high visibility crosswalk, a new stop bar, and removed some vegetation. However, after recently hearing concerns from the residents, town leaders are working on a solution. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think anything that slows down the bicyclists coming off the bridge is important. Whether thats rumble strips, whether thats a cautious sign, whethers that a stop sign. All of those are important ones, Mike Tinkey, council member of Mount Pleasant, said. Moving the pathway a little further out where you come out. So, the bikers are further away from the drivers as theyre coming out is an important area. While it is a neighborhood, residents are also concerned about those going to the Tolers Cove Marina, contractors, and delivery drivers as they may not be as familiar with the area. Ramsdale has been advocating for this issue for over a year and hopes to see a solution soon, before anyone gets seriously hurt. Multiple times a week we frequently see bikers coming down very quickly. No matter how cautious we are, its quite frankly impossible to see them coming at all times, Ramsdale said. Were very worried, all of us who live in the neighborhood, about a future fatality there. Town officials said the South Carolina Department of Transportation is working on this project, and will give an update during Mount Pleasants transportation meeting next month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WCBD News 2. The University of Macau (UM) held a joint meeting of the University Assembly and University Council for the 2024/2025 academic year, led by Chief Executive (CE), Sam Hou Fai. In the meeting, Sam outlined the key expectations for UM, including leading in developing the Macau-Hengqin international education town, strengthening international cooperation, and aligning with national educational strategies. UM is the first higher education institution to establish a campus in the Guangdong-Macao Intensive Cooperation Zone and has the university talent, skills, and expertise to contribute to the regions educational and economic development. Like this: Like Loading... TONTITOWN, Ark. (KNWA/KFTA) The Tontitown Grape Festival is underway through Saturday, carrying on 126 years of heritage and culture in the process. The first-ever festival was a celebration for the Italian American settlers in Tontitown, who had a picnic in honor of a successful grape harvest after years of hardship. Now, more than a century later, the grape festival has evolved to incorporate carnival rides and crowning a Queen Concordia, while holding true to its Italian American roots. My great, great grandfather was one of the original settlers, and they had this perseverance, Kara Jo Engle, a longtime Tontitown Grape Festival attendee, said. Still today, to put on this festival, it takes a lot of perseverance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Farm cant sell at Tontitown Grape Festival after hailstorm damage The grape festivals website states it took about 25 years for the festival to expand, bringing in crowds from beyond Tontitowns families. Engle said about 100 people attended the first festival before ballooning into the expected 10,000 attendees today. Around that time, it began incorporating Holy Mass, booths, carnival games, dancing and Italian food, the website states. In 1932, the festival became a three-day event with a Queen Concordia election happening for the first time, according to the website. Engle said by the 1940s, the election of a queen a title Engle has earned herself became a yearly tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Engle said people, food and tradition are all things Italians love and defining pillars of the grape festival every year. On the food front, aside from the festivals namesake, it is known for its world-famous 3,500-pound hand-crafted spaghetti dinner. Italians like to feed people, first and foremost, Engle said. It started as the ladies making pasta to feed the people, and now its truly an iconic dish here in Tontitown. You cant get fried chicken and spaghetti just anywhere, so you can get it here in Tontitown. Engle said shes only missed one Tontitown Grape Festival while she was pregnant with her daughter and said she was jealous seeing all the photos of everyone enjoying the time. However, Engle said there was a motivating factor that year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I hope one day that my girls can get to do that (Queen Concordia) race, too, Engle said. Knowing that I had a baby girl on the way and knowing that she was going to experience this, it kept me going, and I definitely shed some tears that 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 KNWA FOX24. Trump to put additional 25% import taxes on India, bringing combined tariffs to 50% WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday to place an additional 25% tariff on India for its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the combined tariffs imposed by the United States on its ally to 50%. The tariffs would go into effect 21 days after the signing of the order, meaning that both India and Russia might have time to negotiate with the administration on the import taxes. Trump's moves could scramble the economic trajectory of India, which until recently was seen as an alternative to China by American companies looking to relocate their manufacturing. China also buys oil from Russia, but it was not included in the order signed by the Republican president. NEED TO KNOW A helicopter crash in Ghana on Wednesday, Aug. 6, killed eight, including top government officials The Ghana Armed Forces first announced that the Z9 helicopter had dropped off radar, before later confirming that all aboard were dead The group, which included the country's minister of defense and minister of environment, science and technology, was traveling to the Ashanti region to investigate illegal mining Top Ghanaian government officials and service personnel were killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Julius Debrah, the governments chief of staff, announced the news in a televised press conference, hours after a social media post from Ghana's armed forces said that a Z9 helicopter traveling from the capital city of Accra to the Ashanti region had gone off the radar. I have the unpleasant duty, suddenly, to announce a national tragedy involving the crash of a military helicopter this morning, Debrah said. A cause of the crash has not yet been announced. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf Parliament of Ghana/Facebook Ghanaian Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah was one of eight people killed in the Aug. 6 crash Ghanaian Defense Minister Edward Omane Boamah was one of eight people killed in the Aug. 6 crash All eight passengers aboard the helicopter were confirmed dead, including Edward Omane Boamah, the minister of defense, and Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, the minister of environment, science and technology. The group was on an official trip to investigate illegal mining in the Ashanti region and encourage responsible practices, The New York Times reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other passengers included Alhaji Muniru Mohammed, the acting deputy national security coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, the vice chair of the National Democratic Congress political party; Samuel Aboagye, the deputy director general of Ghanas disaster relief agency; as well as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manaen Twum Ampadu and Sgt. Ernest Addo Mensah. "We extend condolences to the bereaved families," the Ghana Armed Forces said in their statement confirming the tragedy. "Our hearts are heavy!" read another tribute post. "You served our nation and the colours gallantly. Rest In Peace!" Additionally, Debrah commanded that all flags in Ghana be flown at half-staff until further notice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crash comes just days after new details were released in the investigation into the January 29 collision between a Black Hawk helicopter and a passenger plane that killed 67 people near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Washington, D.C. Investigators from the National Transportation Safety Board said on Wednesday, July 30, that some of the Army helicopter's altimeter readers, which help pilots understand how high an aircraft is flying, were inaccurate. 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 chopper was well above the 200-foot limit at the time of the collision, although it's unclear if the pilot and crew were aware of that. Investigators think that they likely believed they were flying lower than they really were. The investigation is ongoing into the decisions and malfunctions that contributed to the United States' deadliest aviation crash since November 2001. Read the original article on People Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar on Tuesday called for more pressure to be put on Hamas to release the remaining hostages, ahead of a UN Security Council meeting in New York. "Our hostages are still being starved and tortured by Hamas and Islamic Jihad in the dungeons of Gaza," Saar said. "I came here to put the issue of the hostages front and centre on world stage. They cannot be forgotten." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He described the conditions seen on recent videos released by Hamas of some of the hostages as "satanic." "The world saw their terrible condition, bones standing out in their skin like living skeletons." He accused the Islamist groups of using starvation and torture "as part of a deliberate and well planned sadistic propaganda campaign." Referring to the mounting criticism of Israel over the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, the minister claimed his country was "facilitating huge amounts of aid." While Israel began allowing more aid into the embattled Palestinian territory over a week ago following a months-long near-total blockade, aid organizations have warned that the supplies reaching malnourished Gazans is nowhere near enough. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Hamas is responsible for beginning this war by invading Israel and committing the October 7 atrocities," Saar continued. "Hamas is also responsible for the continuation of this war by still refusing to release our hostages and lay down its arms. The international pressure must be on Hamas. Anything else only prolongs this war." Israel had requested the meeting of the most powerful UN body. Brother of hostage makes emotional appearance During the session, the brother of one of the hostages recently shown in a Hamas propaganda video made an emotional appearance. Ilay David shared how his 24-year-old brother, Evyatar, was shown being forced to dig his own grave in the footage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement David said he had not been able to bring himself to watch the video since it was released. "My father cannot sleep and my mother has not stopped crying," he told the Council. Sympathy for hostages, criticism of Israel's war conduct The UN's assistant secretary general for Europe, Central Asia and the Americas, Miroslav Jenca, condemned the treatment of the hostages and reiterated the United Nations' call for their unconditional release. At the same time, he highlighted the severe humanitarian crisis affecting more than 2 million people in the Gaza Strip, citing Israel's blockade and ongoing military operations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A large majority of representatives on the Security Council expressed sympathy for the Israeli hostages, but several also criticized Israel's conduct in the war, which has resulted in tens of thousands of civilian deaths. Multiple diplomats called on Israel to end the war and lift the blockade on Gaza. On October 7, 2023, Hamas and other Islamists abducted more than 250 people from Israel. About 1,200 people were killed in the massacre. The attack and the hostage-taking triggered the Gaza war. During the nearly 22 months of war, more than 60,000 people in Gaza have been killed, according to Hamas-controlled Palestinian sources. Newly released top secret government records have revealed shocking swarms of UFOs at an Ohio military base with close ties to the mysterious Roswell compound, where the first downed spacecraft is infamously reported to have crashed! The government was forced to release documents and video of two separate assaults by unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs) at the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Greene County in December. According to the disturbing documents, the Air Force determined that the waves of unidentified objects were so serious, it halted flight operations, alerted local law enforcement agencies, and utilized thermal imaging cameras to pinpoint the location and identity of the mysterious UFOs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The objects appeared to be lights moving as a group, but too high up to get an accurate assessment of what they looked like, one officer at Wright-Patterson reported to the Daily Mail. Another officer spotted an unknown aircraft descending toward the base, getting within 500 feet of landing before it suddenly ascended and disappeared. One patrol confirmed the officers sighting, adding that the unidentified flying object just vanished after approaching the bases runway. Secret government files reveal that debris from the infamous 1947 UFO crash at Roswell, N.M., was allegedly flown to Wright-Patterson to be studied by a secret government group dubbed the Majestic 12, comprising top scientists, intelligence officers and military brass. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CIA files have detailed how the group conducted projects intended to communicate with aliens and reverse engineer downed alien spacecraft for military use. The base was also home to the Air Forces Project Blue Book, which conducted investigations into 12,618 UFO sightings, with 701 still classified as unidentified, according to records found in the National Archives. As Globe readers know, military pilots have reported hundreds of close encounters with UFOs in recent years, but the powers that be at the Pentagon have refused to acknowledge their alien origins even though the objects can perform airborne feats impossible for our most modern aircraft. Insiders say these sightings have occurred with frightening regularity around conflict zones and military installations almost as though the UFOs are scouting humans combat ability in preparation for an invasion! These unidentified craft keep popping up over war zones around the earth, and thats a phenomenon that gives me pause, says one concerned military source. Photo by MOSAB SHAWER/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images Topshelf Recordsthe label behind Ratboys, Ekko Astral, Parannoul, Mal Devisa, and morehas launched a donation initiative to help aid efforts in Gaza. Every month for the next five months, the label will match donations of up to $1,000 to the Sameer Project, an aid project run by diasporic Palestinian people, which is presently working to distribute food, water, and tents in South Gaza. Donations can be made through a pay-what-you-can system on Topshelfs website. In announcing the campaign, Topshelf wrote: Israels genocide in Gaza has reached its next tipping point, with final stage famine now on the rise (a reality confirmed by the UN-backed IPC who recently issued a warning calling it the worst-case scenario of famine). This famine is man-made, made possible by support from the US government, among many other nations who remain unwilling to halt their funding and denial of Israels war crimes. Although we are a small entity with modest funds, we still believe that every voice matters in this fight. It is our collective humanity and responsibility towards one another that binds us, especially as musicians and artists. For how can we call ourselves artists if we sit silently as an entire people are eradicated in our name? What we are willing to overlook now will redefine the state of our world globally and at home, as the imperial war machine is at the base of all problems we bear witness to, including climate, poverty, failing infrastructure, failing standards of education... you name it. Palestinian Liberation == Collective Liberation. The label also called on its music industry peers to show solidarity with Palestine and take up the fight for their freedom wherever possible. Other fundraising for Gaza include Brian Eno, who last week announced a major benefit concert with an undisclosed lineup at Londons Wembley Arena. Several artists and labels have come together to release benefit records and compilations for Gaza. Graphic by Chris Panicker Cease-Fire Now: 16 Benefit Compilations for Palestine Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Artists and labels around the world are protesting the war in Gaza by calling for action and donations, from Spain to Palestine to Jordan; from the New York DIY scene to the Italian avant-garde. Originally Appeared on Pitchfork A town built by industry adjusts to life as the liquefied natural gas capital of Canada For the past few months, the buzz in the small coastal community of Kitimat, B.C., has been all about the flares. LNG Canada, the newly completed gas liquefaction and export plant, began firing up its smokestack last fall, lighting the skies with a flame that got as tall as 90 metres at one point. Thats roughly the equivalent of four 18-wheeler trucks, stacked end-to-end on top of each other. It could be seen from more than 50 kilometres away, The Narwhal reports. When they first started the flaring, myself, my boy, and even my cats were affected by it, Dustin Gaucher, a Haisla cultural researcher and educator, said on a phone call in early July. Gaucher lives more than a dozen kilometres up the hill from the industrial site, which was built on the Kitimat River estuary on Haisla Nation lands. It sounded like a rocket ship going off all night and it smelled like my grandfathers [boats] diesel engine, when that black burn-off initially comes out but it smelled like that for about two days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The flame burns off natural gas, which is mostly composed of methane. According to LNG Canada, the largest flares are an expected part of getting the factory online. Now that production has started, the intensity of the noise and smell from the flare has abated but the plants impacts are just beginning. Right now, I cant really smell it, Gaucher said. I just came to my front door again, and Im looking at it, and theres lots of black coming out of there. Those particulates are floating right over our river and we have the salmon running into it thats whats concerning to me. Aerial view of the LNG carrier GasLog Glasgow at the Canada site in Kitimat, B.C. June 28, 2026. - Courtesy of LNG Canada On June 30, LNG Canada successfully filled the belly of a 300-metre long ship with liquefied natural gas (LNG). It was the first of an estimated 170 ships it will fill and send overseas every year for now. This is the projects first phase. A second, which would double production, was previously approved by the B.C. government and is pending a final investment decision. Kitimat has been an industrial hub since it was settled in the 1950s to serve as a company town to Alcan, an aluminum smelter now owned and operated by international mining giant Rio Tinto, which was powered by the newly built Kemano generating station. About 700 kilometres north of Vancouver, the town has seen its share of industries come and go: a methanol plant and a pulp mill both brought an influx of jobs before shuttering their doors in 2005 and 2010, respectively, leaving the town in an economic slump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement LNG Canada a joint venture including some of the largest and wealthiest fossil fuel companies in the world represents a massive industrial investment in the community. Including the Coastal GasLink pipeline, which supplies the facility and other upstream operations, the value of the project is estimated at $40 billion. Some in the community see it as a much-needed resurgence. Its been a long journey to get here, to have the plant up and running were very happy that it is done, District of Kitimat mayor Phil Germuth told The Narwhal. We can now say that we are the LNG capital of Canada. Haisla leadership celebrates LNG Canada For Germuth, a lifelong Kitimat resident and third-term mayor, launching Canadas nascent LNG export industry from Kitimat is clearly a point of pride. Back in 1956, National Geographic described the Alcan and Kemano project as the most expensive project ever attempted by private industry here in Canada, he said. Fast forward just over 70 years and we were able to attract LNG Canada, which is the largest private sector investment in Canadian history. Its quite something for a small town of just over 9,000 people to have two projects like that in its lifetime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Geographic article, in which the reporter complains about a $3.25 taxi fare and waxes poetic about the scenery milky-green water followed the long, winding, U-shaped bathtubs scoured out of the mountains by Ice Age glaciers outlined the engineering audacity of the Alcan project, which included reversing the flow of the Nechako River through a 16-kilometre tunnel bored into a mountain. The article doesnt cover the forcible removal and displacement of the Cheslatta, Saikuz and Stellaten First Nations, all of which continue to be impacted by the smelters operations. Nor did it discuss the generational impacts on the Haisla, only mentioning the nation in a brief aside: A few years ago the only humans here were Kit-a-maat Indians, the People of the Falling Snow. Cimauca (Kitamaat Village) is a reserve currently home to around 700 members of the Haisla Nation. The village sits directly opposite Alcan on the eastern shoreline of Douglas Channel. Haisla Nation Chief Councillor Crystal Smith said the industry consortium behind LNG Canada was unlike so many others in that they chose to build a relationship first before even considering building a project. They focused on understanding what mattered first and foremost to Haisla Nation, and to Indigenous communities in the region, she said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Haisla, in addition to signing agreements with LNG Canada, which include direct financial benefits as well as employment and contract opportunities, are also majority shareholders of another project in Kitimat called Cedar LNG, which is currently under construction. When LNG Canada announced it had successfully sent its first cargo last month, Prime Minister Mark Carney lauded the milestone and celebrated the involvement of the Haisla in the new project. Canada is exporting its energy to reliable partners, diversifying trade and reducing global emissions all in partnership with Indigenous Peoples, he said in a statement published by the consortium. (Carneys claim about reducing global emissions is a subject of debate.) Germuth previously told The Narwhal one of the best things to come from LNG Canada was strengthening the relationship between the settler community in Kitimat and Haisla leadership. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The political relationship between the District of Kitimat and the Haisla Nation Council, it wasnt there, it was terrible, he said at the time. LNG Canada came in and they would bring us into the same meeting. Thats all it really took, was the two councils just hanging out together, getting to know each other at a project that we both support and that were both going to be greatly benefiting from. Now, hes hopeful the consortium will move ahead with the second phase. Teresa Waddington, a vice-president with LNG Canada, told The Narwhal the five corporations Shell, Petronas, Korea Gas, Mitsubishi and PetroChina that make up the consortium are in discussions about the potential expansion. A phase-two final investment decision will take into account factors such as overall competitiveness, affordability, pace, future [greenhouse gas] emissions and stakeholder needs, she said in an emailed statement. We see an opportunity to build on our early phase-one successes and the benefits its already providing First Nations, communities, British Columbians and Canadians. Built by industry: Kitimat mayor says residents are willing to live with the flare Gaucher, who emphasized hes not against industrial projects, said hes still worried about potential health impacts from the LNG plants operations including impacts on wildlife. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What is this doing to the wolf pack that usually lives down around that area? Whats going on with the moose and the deer? We have lynx around here, we have cougars around here how are they being affected by it? Emissions from flaring are permitted and monitored by the BC Energy Regulator. At the Kitimat site, they include carbon monoxide, nitrous oxides, fine particulate matter, sulphur dioxide and carbon dioxide, according to LNG Canada. Melissa Lem, a family doctor and president of Canadian Physicians for the Environment, said its important to remember LNG Canada does not operate in isolation all of the gas it liquefies for export at the Kitimat facility is extracted from underground reserves, mostly by fracking, which also has consequences for community health. Fracking and LNG production accelerate climate change and release harmful pollutants including benzene, toluene, formaldehyde, and particulate matter linked with asthma, heart disease, birth defects, and childhood leukemia, she said in a statement. Communities near fracking operations in northeastern B.C. are already experiencing these impacts, with higher rates of adverse pregnancy outcomes and respiratory diseases. Indigenous communities are disproportionately affected, with studies showing elevated levels of fracking-related chemicals in household air, water, and the bodies of pregnant women compared to unexposed populations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kitimat, in part because of its long history of exposure to potentially harmful emissions, has an abundance of data on air quality, with six active monitoring stations recording publicly available information daily. LNG Canada did not directly answer questions about potential impacts to wildlife, referring The Narwhal instead to its website. Germuth admitted residents were concerned about the flaring when it was at its loudest and brightest, but said most people hes talked to are relieved the project is finally operating. Being a town that was built by industry, people understand that every once in a while, youre going to have to put up with something to get the bigger goal in the end, he said. Lucy McRae, a member of local environmental group Douglas Channel Watch, said LNG Canada has done a good job of engaging with the community over the years and addressing concerns when they arose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yesterday, we were in an all-day meeting with LNG Canada as we do every three months, she wrote in an email in late June. She said several local organizations are involved in the quarterly meetings, including conservationists, hunters and fishers, community health groups and more. We talk about many topics to do with the project, including environment and social issues, she said, adding that industry representatives at the meeting provide extensive and all-encompassing updates and LNG Canada brings in the people who can and do answer our questions and address our concerns. McRae said she does not support the expansion of fossil fuels, but at the same time, I understand how desperate many Canadians feel in creating jobs under any circumstances. I dont feel that I have experienced any ill effects from the project, and truthfully speaking it has been good for the community, she said. This story was produced by The Narwhal and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Marriott has broken ground on a new hotel at I-70 and U.S. 41 (Third Street) in Terre Haute. Spearhead Construction began construction last week on TownePlace Suites by Marriott, a 96-room extended-stay hotel. Construction began last week and is expected to last 14 months. The developers say this hotel will serve as a hub for out-of-town visitors attending local events, business travelers, and families visiting the area. The four-story, 59,000-square-foot project is a partnership between developer Nick Patel, partner with Transcend Group LLC, and Spearhead Construction, the latter of which is leading the build. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project is expected to employ over 100 local construction workers throughout the duration of the build. This project represents real momentum for our local economy and a long-term investment in Terre Hautes future, said Bill Hann, president of Spearhead Construction. ... As a local company, we take pride in building with our community in mind using local talent, local trades and a commitment to craftsmanship that reflects who we are. The partnership says hotel will expand Terre Hautes lodging capacity and support the regions ability to host conventions, tournaments and multi-day events. With the addition of TownePlace Suites, Terre Haute will surpass 2,000 hotel rooms available in the community, the group said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group noted tourism already plays a vital role in the local economy, with $303.9 million spent in Vigo County each year by visitors, according to the Indiana Tourism Economic Contribution Report. I chose to build in Terre Haute because I believe in this community and its potential, said Nick Patel, partner at Transcend Group LLC. The project represents Patels first ground-up hotel build, "a milestone he intentionally chose to bring to Terre Haute." With new developments like this one, we continue building a Terre Haute that is open for business and welcoming to visitors, Hann added. Spearheads project team includes project manager Brad Horn and site superintendent Todd Burgess. Local officials in Brookline and Newton are urging the public to stay away from bodies of water where a blue-green algae bloom known as cyanobacteria has been found. The Brookline Reservoir now has the toxic algae, and over in Newton, Crystal Lake is now closed for swimming until further notice after cyanobacteria was detected there. No one humans or pets should have contact with the water, Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said in a statement on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do not swim in Crystal Lake. Do not swallow water from Crystal Lake. Do not boat in Crystal Lake. Keep animals away from Crystal Lake, the city said in its statement. If accidental water contact occurs, rinse off immediately. In Brookline, effective immediately, access to the Brookline Reservoir is restricted until further notice, town officials said in a statement on Wednesday. These blooms can produce toxins that may pose health risks to both people and pets, town officials said. Access to the water will remain restricted until two consecutive weekly water samples confirm that algae levels are below the states safety threshold, officials said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The toxic algae bloom known as cyanobacteria has also been found in six ponds in Plymouth, officials said. The public is strongly advised to: Avoid contact with the water and areas with visible algae, including the shoreline. Keep pets away from the water no swimming or drinking. Refrain from fishing. Rinse off immediately if contact with the water occurs. The current algae bloom may cause the Reservoir water to appear cloudy or discolored, often with a blue-green tint. Algae blooms may resemble pea soup or look similar to spilled paint in water, officials said. These visual signs indicate the potential presence of harmful toxins and should be avoided. A toxic algae bloom is shown. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) Blue-green algae exposure can cause skin, eye, or respiratory irritation in humans and gastrointestinal symptoms if ingested. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ingesting a significant amount of blue-green algae can lead to liver or neurological damage, officials said. Young children may be especially vulnerable. In pets particularly dogs ingesting contaminated water or algae can be harmful and, in some cases, potentially fatal, officials said. Even if dogs do not consume the water, they can become seriously ill from licking contaminated fur, officials said. Symptoms may include vomiting, drooling, staggering or seizures. Anyone experiencing symptoms after contact should consult a healthcare provider or veterinarian immediately. The Brookline Public Health Department, in collaboration with the Parks and Open Space Division, will continue to monitor the Reservoir for visible signs of algae. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs will be posted at all Reservoir entry points, officials said. In Newton, Crystal Lake will be closely monitored and will reopen when state and local public health officials have determined the water is safe. Officials are urging the public to seek medical attention if you or your pet experience nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or fever after swimming recently in Crystal Lake. The Crystal Lake Park will stay open normal hours for visitors to picnic, play and enjoy the lake from the shore, officials said. Crystal Lake swim lessons will be credited on a pro-rated basis. Season passes for the lake will be honored at Gath Pool for the remainder of the swim season. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For questions, contact Parks and Recreation staff at Crystal Lake at 617-552-7124. For updates, visit the citys website or call the Newton Health and Human Services Department at 617-796-1420. In Brookline, regular updates will be provided on the towns website and the public health departments website. For more information, call the Brookline Public Health Department at 617-730-2300. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW This morning, a line of thunderstorms has been moving through the I-90 and I-80 corridors. So far, the storms have remained sub-severe, and that trend is likely to continue as they track into northwest Missouri and northeast Kansas. However, severe thunderstorms are still possible, with small hail and gusty, damaging winds. The western portion of this line is expected to move into St. Joseph by lunchtime, while the eastern portion will track toward north-central Missouri. Afternoon highs are still expected to reach the upper 80s, though cooler temperatures are possible depending on morning showers and cloud cover. Tonight, overnight lows will fall into the low 70s. A 20-30% chance for scattered showers and thunderstorms returns during the overnight hours and into early Thursday morning. These should move out by mid-morning, leaving dry conditions for the rest of the day. Despite the early showers, highs will still climb into the low 90s Thursday afternoon. Friday will be the hottest day of the week, with highs in the mid-90s. Combined with humidity, it will feel even warmer, as heat index values could reach the upper 90s. It will also be breezy, with sustained south winds between 10 and 15 mph and gusts up to 30 mph. China has officially broken ground on what is set to become the worlds largest hydroelectric power project, located in the Tibet Autonomous Region. The multibillion-yuan initiative costing an estimated 1.2 trillion yuan ($167 billion) is designed to generate electricity for Chinas coastal economic hubs while strengthening Beijings grip on the remote and politically sensitive region. According to Chinese state media, the project will consist of five massive hydroelectric dams built along the Yarlung Tsangpo River, which originates in the Tibetan Plateau and flows through India and Bangladesh before reaching the Bay of Bengal. Once completed, the combined power generation capacity of the dams is expected to triple that of Chinas current largest facility the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei province providing electricity for up to 300 million people annually. The ceremonial launch took place on July 19, with Premier Li Qiang in attendance a signal of the projects strategic significance. The newly established state-owned China Yajiang Group will oversee construction and operations. Chinese analysts expect the project to boost demand for steel, cement and high-capacity energy infrastructure, potentially injecting long-term momentum into the domestic economy as construction stretches into the 2030s. Xinhua News Agency reports that electricity from the dams will be transmitted to major coastal regions including Shanghai and Guangdong aiding Chinas broader efforts to reduce its reliance on coal. In 2024, fossil fuels still accounted for over 60% of Chinas electricity mix. The Tibetan hydropower initiative is therefore seen as central to President Xi Jinpings carbon reduction commitments peaking emissions by 2030 and reaching carbon neutrality before 2060. As noted by Nikkei News, this ambitious water project could also have geopolitical ramifications. Experts warn that damming the Yarlung Tsangpo known as the Brahmaputra downstream may heighten tensions with India and Bangladesh, who rely on the rivers flow for agriculture and water security. Nevertheless, Beijing appears intent on pushing forward. During a 2021 visit to Tibet, Xi Jinping personally emphasized the importance of the rivers strategic development. The presence of Li Qiang at the groundbreaking aligns the Tibet dam megaproject with two earlier state-driven hydraulic endeavors: the Three Gorges Dam (launched in 1994) and the SouthtoNorth Water Diversion Project (begun in 2002) marking this as Chinas third major water-related national infrastructure campaign. Economically, the project serves dual purposes. It contributes to Chinas energy transition while also embedding Tibet more tightly into the national economy. Currently, Beijing funds around two-thirds of the Tibetan Autonomous Regions general budget. By exporting electricity to wealthier provinces, Tibet is expected to generate its own revenue stream. Additionally, a rail line under construction between Lhasa and Chengdu is anticipated to increase tourism and commerce in the region. Coinciding with the 25th anniversary of the China Western Development strategy which aims to close the wealth gap between coastal and inland regions the hydropower project also serves a political function. Analysts cited by Nikkei News suggest that deepening economic integration is part of Beijings broader strategy to reinforce political stability and control in Tibet. Like this: Like Loading... BOSTON (SHNS) Higher education is at a crossroads as questions about affordability, business model sustainability, an incoming demographic cliff and return on investment plague the sector and states seek to improve student access and institutional follow-through. Higher ed is having an existential moment. Theres a huge number of forces that are impacting what has been a driver of our economy, our democracy, our social fabric, for since, really, almost the founding of the country, Timothy Knowles, president of the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, said Tuesday at the National Conference of State Legislatures annual summit. Carnegie and the American Council on Education introduced a new college and university classification system in April that reconfigured the decades-old Basic Classification system used to rank institutions. Under the new system, 479 institutions reached an opportunity designation due to the new Institutional Classification and Student Access and Earnings Classification, which are meant to recognize a broader swath of colleges and universities for their access levels and economic outcomes for students, and not just completion or graduation rates. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The change comes as higher education institutions are seeing a shift in the age and background of individuals entering their classrooms, Massachusetts Higher Education Commissioner Noe Ortega said. The question then becomes, how do you rethink some of the norms that are driving higher education? Ortega said. It is on us to determine, can we change the [college] completion conversation to make it to where there are other ways that people might still be able to exit and earn a livable wage? And that answer comes in things like non-degree certificates, credentials things that might even be stackable over the long run. Rethinking traditional metrics, like the 120 credit hours required to obtain a four-year bachelors degree, is top of mind in states including Massachusetts, whose Board of Higher Education is moving ahead with steps to allow public and private colleges and universities to offer sub-120 credit hour, three-year bachelors degrees. Higher education has been addicted to inputs. The organization Im responsible for is partially responsible for this literally, in 1906, the Carnegie Foundation said a four-year college degree should be 120 credits. And today its 120 credits, Carnegies Knowles said. And everything weve learned from neuroscientists, cognitive psychologists about how people learn has emerged, and yet we havent changed this basic, basic architecture. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Knowles urged the sector and corresponding policy to move from inputs to outcomes. Despite challenges to higher education over the last century, people of every background have steadily increased their high school and college graduation rates, in part because higher education has prioritized access and support for groups like first generation and low-income students, Smith College President Sarah Willie-LeBreton said. Questions about investing in liberal arts colleges like Smith must be met with a multidimensional understanding of value, Willie-LeBreton said, to ensure that the public and policymakers understand that every college including liberal arts colleges, community colleges and research institutions has its own distinct mission, population and purpose. In Utah, Western Governors University a private, online institution has chosen to focus on maintaining high accessibility, leaning into regional partnerships for things like apprenticeships, and making it easier for people to transition into work-based learning programs, according K.L. Allen, the universitys regional vice president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you start holding schools accountable for the outcomes, whether thats looking at, what does the equity look like? What is the accountability? How do we ensure that people actually graduate and [are placed] in jobs? Allen said, results can counteract doubts about return on investment. I think we are now moving away from an era where the narrative was about access for all, to ensuring that all those who did take us up on that promise to participate in post-secondary education are made successful, Ortega said. It doesnt end the all-access era per se it builds on it to really think about how were going to not just get them in but get them through. Students graduating from college face a difficult job market, as the unemployment rate for degree holders aged 22 to 27 has reached one of its highest levels in more than a decade, excluding the period during the COVID-19 pandemic. In recent years, a damaging narrative has taken hold, one that questions the relevance of college or dismisses its value. And Im sure that many of you are hearing from constituents that the promise of college feels uncertain, Willie-LeBreton said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This can feel like a breach of trust, but lets not mistake short-term turbulence for long-term failure, she continued. The problem isnt the degree, its the timing and the broader economy in which students are graduating. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Private rail companies have been accused of trying to frustrate Labours plan for state-run trains by deluging the Government with bids to run their own side services. A Whitehall source complained that applications to run extra trains during schedule gaps had ballooned since the start of last year, and particularly since ministers outlined their plans for nationalisation. The source claimed the requests looked borderline vexatious because of the low likelihood they would succeed, adding: They know we cant approve them, because theres no capacity. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It comes after a string of so-called open access bids were submitted by companies including Sir Richard Bransons Virgin, FirstGroup and Arriva. Under open access rules, private firms can apply to run trains during gaps in rail schedules for a fee. Applications are considered by the independent Office of Rail and Road (ORR). Between 2014 and 2023 there were 13 open access applications by private firms. Since January 2024, however, there have been another 13 including five since Labour announced its nationalisation plans. Under Heidi Alexander, the Transport Secretary, officials have lobbied heavily for the ORR to refuse or partially refuse the applications, arguing they will worsen delays on the already-busy east and west coast main lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In submissions to the ORR, the Department for Transport has also claimed private trains will drain fare revenue from state-run trains while failing to contribute the same amount to track upkeep resulting in a net cost to taxpayers. In 2023-24, open access operators contributed just 0.3pc of annual rail infrastructure costs while accounting for more than 1.5pc of passenger miles travelled. A government insider said: Open access operators can open up new markets and increase choice for passengers. But the system we inherited means they can also take revenue from government-contracted services while not paying a fair amount towards the maintenance of taxpayer-funded infrastructure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, supporters of open access argue that private services which receive no direct state subsidy and run at their own risk help to lift all boats by forcing other services to compete for passengers. Currently they only account for 1pc of passenger rail journeys. An analysis of official statistics by the Centre for Policy Studies found that intercity trains running on routes without competitors were more expensive, require larger subsidies, generate lower passenger satisfaction and have been less successful in getting their finances and passengers back since the pandemic. That has triggered concerns that Labours plan for a state-run railway under new quango Great British Railways (GBR) will lead to poorer standards for the travelling public in the long run. In the past month, the ORR has rejected Sir Richards attempt to launch Virgin Trains between London and a range of major cities via the west coast mainline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It also blocked proposals from FirstGroup and Wrexham, Shropshire & Midlands Railway (WSMR). On the east coast mainline, the regulator approved and partially approved an expansion of existing services by operators including FirstGroup, Hull Trains and Arriva, although it blocked plans for a new service between London and Sheffield. The Rail Delivery Group, which represents private rail operators, declined to comment. But one source at a rail company disputed government claims that the main lines were too busy. They questioned whether so-called firebreaks built into schedules extra time scheduled on either side of services to prevent knock-on delays if they run late could be reduced if trains were run more efficiently overall. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A DfT spokesman said: Decisions on open access applications are a matter for the Office of Rail and Road. Were supportive of open access services where they encourage growth and improve connectivity, but this should not be at the expense of network performance or the taxpayer. 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. SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) When demolition began last December, Tre Ministries had big plans for a now-empty lot along Minnesota Avenue. The original proposal included a parking garage and a five-story building. Tuesday, the Sioux Falls zoning commission learned those plans have changed. Its something that they can make work and their investors and the people that are donating money can get behind this concept a little more than spending quite a bit more to try and do the mixed-use concepts, Jason Bieber, senior planner for the City of Sioux Falls, said. Fosness tapped for latest open seat in S.D. House Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The parking garage, originally approved by the zoning commission, became too costly. In order to downsize the number of parking spaces, the building also needed to be changed. They kind of downsized it to a two-story office and then a retail portion in the northwest corner, Bieber said. Its important to note, though, that everything thats in the historic district thats along Dakota Avenue, thats all exactly the same as it was approved a year ago, so that wont change. Along Dakota Avenue will be three-story apartments, like the original plan. In a drawing from last year, you can see where the parking garage was going to be located, between the five-story building and the apartments. Construction on the new, smaller project wont begin until next year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Itll go to planning commission this week and then city council approval. And then its really whatever their timeline is to get the construction building plans all made and ready to go, and then submit to us and then were usually about two months to get a building permit, said Bieber. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The City of Portland is taking steps to prepare for the invasive emerald ash borer despite no confirmation of it yet in Multnomah County. Alaska Air crew sues Boeing for door plug incident The bug has already been spotted in Washington County, and along the border of Clackamas and Marion counties. Officials say it is only a matter of time before EABs come to Portland. But Wyatt Williams, Invasive Species Specialist with the Oregon Department of Forestry, said that time may be sooner than we think. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Emerald ash borer is very hard to detect early, he said. So theres a pretty good chance that its in Portland right now that we just havent detected it based on the proximity of our known populations to Portland. Williams said in some counties across the country, EABs destroyed 95% of the ash trees, and we can expect that in Oregon. Before they are officially spotted, Portland officials are getting to work treating ash trees with chemicals to keep the trees healthy and prevent infestation. Our technicians go out and they drill tiny holes, and then the tree can uptake it through its vascular system, and it moves the chemical through that way, Anya Moucha with Portland Urban Forestry said. The main damage to the tree is done by the animal that supports larva which feeds on the inner bark of the tree. And so this way, when you inject the chemical into the tree, the larva eating the chemical that way. Moucha said ash trees make up about 1% of Portlands urban canopy. While that may not sound like a lot, the city is concerned about the big impact EABs could have. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What we dont want is for all of those trees to get infested, get sick and die all at the same time, because then we would lose a lot of trees all at once, which is a big burden to deal with, Moucha said. Removals, replacement. We lose a lot of valuable shade and of course the cultural impact of those trees as well. Accused serial killer indicted on 4th murder For those with ash trees on their property, Moucha said you can treat the trees yourself or even make a plan to remove and replace the tree. Moucha said the citys urban forestry division offers free removal permits. If you are not a property owner, you can still help. Something as simple as not moving firewood can make a difference. Especially during this busy summer season when were all out camping, Moucha said. Try to get your firewood as locally to where youre going to burn it as possible. Thatll help prevent the movement of the beetle around and then if you see an unhealthy ash tree on your neighborhood walk, you can report it to the Oregon Invasive Species Hotline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those can be reported 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 KOIN.com. If your neighbor's tree is growing into your yard, you may be tempted to take matters into your own hands. Good news: in Wisconsin, you're allowed to trim branches, roots or other vegetation from your neighbor's yard if it crosses into your property as long as you do so within reason and without harming the tree, according to Kali Murray, property law professor at Marquette University. "That is, you can cut off the branch, but not the entire tree," said Murray. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If your neighbor lets a tree grow out of control, you have the right to take reasonable steps to fix the problem yourself, Murray said. But before you start snipping, she recommends you reach out to your neighbor first. "I always advise folks to write a letter or an email explaining their actions before taking action," she said. Additional tips for Milwaukee residents Not sure where your property line is? Check the Milwaukee County Plat of Survey Search online. If you're unable to locate the survey of your property online, you can request a copy from the Milwaukee Development Center by calling 414-286-8207. Something else to know: Milwaukee ordinances prohibit trees, shrubs, flowers or any other plants from blocking traffic signals or streetlights. These can result in a fine of $5 to $25 per violation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If you spot overhanging branches and other vegetation that's blocking public spaces not just your yard you can report it to the city's Forestry Services by calling 414-286-2489, or by filing a complaint online at milwaukee.gov/Click4Action. Quinn Clark is a Public Investigator reporter for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. She can be emailed at QClark@gannettcom. Questions or tips? Contact Public Investigator Government corruption. Corporate wrongdoing. Consumer complaints. Medical scams. Public Investigator is a new initiative of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and its sister newsrooms across Wisconsin. Our team wants to hear your tips, chase the leads and uncover the truth. We'll investigate anywhere in Wisconsin. Send your tips to watchdog@journalsentinel.com or call 414-319-9061. You can also submit tips at jsonline.com/tips. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Can I trim neighbor's tree if it's in my yard? Who is responsible? SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) After a cooler than normal start to summer, temperatures are finally heating up as we get the month of August started. High pressure to our east will be strengthening and expending west from New Mexico to Southern California and, as a result, will bump afternoon temperatures five to 10 degrees above average. Much of San Diego County under heat advisory later this week. Heres where Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Heat advisories go into effect Wednesday for the valleys and mountains, which will feel max temperatures 90 to 100 degrees with an extreme heat warning bringing temperatures up to 118 degrees to the desert communities. Thursday seems like it will be the hottest day of the week with beaches feeling close to 80 degrees, mid-90s for the valleys and mountains, and around 115 degrees for Borrego Springs. We are keeping an eye on Indio, Palm Springs, Thermal and Borrego Springs to tie or potentially break daily temperature records during this heat wave. Since we have not felt summer heat like this in a while, there is a bit of an increased heat risk, especially for East County residents. Most areas except the immediate coast will be categorized as having a moderate heat risk with deserts leveled up to a dangerous heat risk level. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Make sure you are drinking plenty of fluids, wearing light and loose-fit clothing, exercising earlier or later in the day to avoid peak hot temperatures, and avoiding long periods of direct sun exposure. A few coastal clouds will develop each evening, but will be patchy in coverage and look to clear pretty quickly in the morning hours. In addition, smoke from the Gifford Fire burning in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties continues to drift into our air so expect hazy conditions the next few days. Air IQ has valleys and some costal locations at a moderate air quality readings. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Brief Triple shooting in Southeast D.C. leaves one dead, two hurt. Separate shooting kills man in Northwest. Family suspects mistaken identity; no arrests yet. WASHINGTON - Two deadly shootings are under investigation in D.C. - one in the southeast leaving several others hurt, and the other a possible case of mistaken identity in the northwest. Southeast homicide Authorities say a man was killed, and two others were hospitalized following a triple shooting late Tuesday night. The shooting occurred just after 11:20 p.m. in the 1800 block of U Street. Officers responding to the scene found two men and one woman with gunshot wounds. What we know One of the men was pronounced dead at the scene. The other man and the woman were conscious and taken to the hospital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Roads in the area were closed as police investigated. No suspects or motives have been identified. Northwest investigation On Monday, a 38-year-old man was fatally shot in the northwest, police said. The shooting was reported in the 1300 block of Otis Place, where witnesses said three men in a dark-colored sedan pulled into a back alley and fired at least 47 rounds. The victim, identified as Cordarall Allen Horne, was struck at least twice. Relatives told FOX 5 that several bullets struck the walls of the familys home. The family said Horne was from North Carolina and believed he may have been shot by mistake. No arrests have been made in either case. Both investigations are ongoing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, President Donald Trump once again threatened to take federal control of the District of Columbia in a lengthy Truth Social post after a famed former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) employee was allegedly beaten in the nation's capital. READ MORE: Trump threatens to take federal control of DC after ex-DOGE employee Edward Coristine attacked The Source Information in this article comes from The Metropolitan Police Department. ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) The Rochester Police Department has arrested a suspect in the non-fatal shooting of three people on State Street. Yesterday, the United States Marshals Service, the New York State Police, and the Rochester Police Departments Violence Prevention Section arrested 35-year-old Tyrese Beard in a traffic stop on North Clinton Avenue. He was transported to the Monroe County Jail and is currently being held without bail. On July 20th, a 43-year-old man and a 40-year-old woman arrived at Strong Hospital with gunshot wounds to their lower bodies. Later, a 47-year-old man arrived at Rochester General Hospital with a gunshot to the upper body. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators say the incident occurred during an after-hours type party near the 500 block of State Street. There was an argument when Beard allegedly pulled out a handgun and fired multiple shots, hitting three victims. When RPD went to the scene to investigate the report of someone being shot, they found evidence of gunfire but no victims. Beard is charged with three counts of attempted murder, three counts of assault in the first degree, criminal possession of a weapon in the second degree, and criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to RochesterFirst. Tropical Storm Dexter stays out to sea as 2 other tropical disturbances under watch The tropics remain active as Tropical Storm Dexter continues to churn in the northern Atlantic. Channel 9 meteorologists are also monitoring two other tropical disturbances that are working to become organized systems. Computer models show Dexter will become post-tropical by Wednesday or Thursday. Dexter is not expected to make landfall or have any major impact anywhere in the Atlantic, providing some relief to coastal areas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, a tropical wave off the coast of Africa is being monitored as it shifts westward. Environmental conditions are favorable for it to develop into a tropical depression later this week or into the weekend. This wave is expected to remain in the central Atlantic, away from land, minimizing potential threats. Closer to home, a tropical wave off the coast of Georgia is producing scattered showers and thunderstorms. A more defined low is expected to develop in the next day or two, with conditions favorable for it to become a tropical depression. Fortunately for Florida, this disturbance is projected to move north or northeast by the weekend, following a similar path to Dexter. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MIAMI (AP) Tropical Storm Ivo formed Wednesday in the eastern Pacific Ocean and was expected to bring rain and rough surf to parts of Mexico's southwest coast, forecasters said. Ivo had maximum sustained winds of 40 mph (65 kph) and was centered about 195 miles (310 kilometers) south-southeast of Acapulco, according to the National Hurricane Center based in Miami. Forecasters said Ivo is expected to be near hurricane strength by the end of the week as it spends a few days moving offshore, and generally parallel to the coast, before turning west away from land. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No coastal watches or warnings were in effect as Ivo moves west-northwest at 22 mph (35 kph). But large ocean swells kicked up by Ivo could cause life-threatening surf and rip currents, the hurricane center said. The storm also threatened flash flooding and was expected to dump 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 centimeters) of rain with isolated totals of up to 6 inches (15 centimeters) in spots around parts of the Mexican states of Guerrero, Michoacan and southwestern portions of Oaxaca through Saturday. Ivo was the second tropical storm in the eastern Pacific, joining Tropical Storm Henriette. On Wednesday, Henriette had maximum sustained winds of 50 mph (85 kph) and was located 1,555 miles (2,505 kilometers) east of Hilo, Hawaii, and moving west. Little change in strength was expected over the next 48 hours, the hurricane center said. In the Atlantic, Dexter remained a tropical storm but was forecast to become a powerful extra-tropical cyclone as it moves over open water. On Wednesday afternoon, Dexter was centered about 490 miles (790 kilometers) south-southwest of Newfoundland, Canada, and moving to the east-northeast at 16 mph (26 kph) far from land. Australia said yesterday it accepted a Japanese companys bid for a lucrative and hotly contested contract to build Australian warships, expected to be worth 10 billion Australian dollars ($6.5 billion). Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Mogami-class frigate won the deal over rival Germanys MEKO A-200 from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems. Japans government lobbied heavily for the deal after missing out on Australias submarines contract to a French company in 2016. This is clearly the biggest defense industry agreement that will ever have been struck between Japan and Australia, Defense Minister Richard Marles told reporters when he announced the deal yesterday. In fact, its really one of the biggest defense exports that Japan has ever engaged in. The fleet of 11 naval vessels will replace Australias ageing fleet of ANZAC-class ships. Three of the frigates will be built in Japan, with the first scheduled to be operational Australia in 2030, and the remaining eight due for construction in Australia. Australian news outlets reported that the German companys bid had emphasized their vessels cheaper price and their greater experience building ships abroad. But Pat Conroy, Australias Minister for Defense Industry, said the Mogami-class frigate was a clear winner when assessed by cost, capability and meeting our schedule of delivery. The vessels have a range of up to 10,000 nautical miles (18,520 kilometers) and 32 vertical launch cells capable of launching long-range missiles. The frigates can operate with a crew of 90, compared to the 170 needed to operate the ANZAC-class ships. Mitsubishis win was a boon for Japans defense industry, which has not built naval vessels abroad before. Japan, whose only treaty ally is the United States, considers Australia a semi-ally and has increasingly sought to deepen bilateral military cooperation amid ongoing regional tensions in the disputed South China Sea. We welcome the decision by the Australian government as a major step to further elevate Japans national security cooperation with Australia, which is our special strategic partner, Japans Defense Minister Gen Nakatani said Tuesday. Nakatani said co-developing the frigate will allow the two countries to train and operate with the same equipment and further improve operability and efficiency. Japan set up a joint taskforce of government and industry in an effort to win the bid. Australian officials said work on a binding commercial contract with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and the government of Japan would now begin, with a finalized agreement expected in 2026. They did not say how much each ship would cost or confirm a total figure for the package, citing ongoing negotiations. But Conroy said the government had allowed AU$10 billion for the project over the next 10 years. It forms part of the AU$55 billion that Australia has budgeted for the navys entire surface combatant fleet during the same period. CHARLOTTE GRAHAM-McLAY, WELLINGTON, MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... KANSAS CITY, Mo. A bad crash at an infamous bridge in the citys Old Northeast neighborhood leaves a driver injured. The drivers family calls his survival a miracle. The trucker was released from a metro hospital on Tuesday, after an eight-day stay to treat a string of injuries tied to last Mondays crash. Olathe mayors son killed in South Dakota motorcycle crash Those who know and love truck driver Clint Tuccitto say he drives his big work truck every day under the Independence Avenue Bridge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Monday mornings crash stemmed from something causing him to collide with the bridges concrete support. Kansas City police gave FOX4 a report on Wednesday that said an arm that is used to load dumpsters onto the truck wasnt properly stowed and was sticking up above the cab. The arm collided with the bridge, causing Tuccitto to lose control of the truck. Tuccitto is believed to be one of the only drivers to suffer serious injuries from a crash there. Its dangerous and something needs to be fixed, Mikylah Tuccitto, Clints daughter, said on Tuesday. Mikylah Tuccitto and her mother, Kristina, said Clints work truck always clears the 12-foot railroad tunnel without a problem. They arent sure why this incident was an exception. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tuccittos hospital stay included two days in ICU, and treatment for eight broken bones, including six ribs and a collapsed lung. Photos the family shared with FOX4 show heavy damage to the drivers side of the truck. The Independence Avenue Bridge has been the downfall of many truck drivers in recent years. Its a spot thats proven to be dangerous for some drivers. Many realize at the last minute that their trucks are too tall. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Theyre still saying he cant read, or he didnt see the signs, or he didnt care, or he doesnt know how to drive. He should have his license taken away. None of thats true, Kristina Tuccitto said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last February, Kansas City Public Works crews installed a series of yellow plastic indicators. Theyre placed near the bridge entries to warn drivers if their trucks wont fit. Officials with both Kansas City Police and Fire tell FOX4 theyve seen fewer crashes at that location as a result. Just looking at the pictures, it was a miracle, Mikylah Tuccitto said. I also knew he was alive by a miracle, so to say, but before then, my mind kept going to the worst things that could possibly happen. The Tuccitto Family said they dont appreciate that jokes are made about trucks smashing into the bridge over the years. Theyre thankful Clint is alive, but they want more done. Kristina Tuccitto said the family is considering hiring an attorney for possible litigation. Victim recovering at home after stabbing at Shawnee restaurant Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, FOX4 reached out to Kansas City Public works, seeking statistics on the warning devices and success theyve produced, and received those figures on Wednesday. 2016 -10 2017 5 2018 16 2019 9 2020 14 2021 15 2022 17 2023 14 2024 5 2025 3 (including crash referenced here) Members of Kansas Citys Historic Northeast Neighborhood have organized this GoFundMe fundraiser to help the Tuccittos with their growing medical expenses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Delivery drones could soon take to the skies in full force, following a landmark proposed rule by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). The long-anticipated rule is aimed at allowing drones to operate beyond the visual line of sight (BVLOS) a move designed to counter Chinas dominance in unmanned aviation. Currently, operators must obtain individual FAA waivers only 657 issued so far to fly drones beyond where they can physically see them, hampered by months of delay and bureaucratic setbacks. "Because of that complication, I don't think we saw the innovation that we should have in America," said Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy on Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our new rule will reform outdated regulations that were holding innovators back," the secretary claimed. "Thanks to President Trump, America not China will lead the way in this exciting new technology." Rules Keeping Drones On Leash Could Loosen With Deregulation Proposal From Congress This regulatory shift comes amid growing concern that the U.S. drone industry lags behind a Chinese sector dominated by firms like DJI, which controls as much as 90 percent of the global commercial drone market. Read On The Fox News App Critics have warned that investment and development have drifted to China while American rules hold drones grounded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "From search and rescue and public safety to package delivery, this is a big win for every industry and institution that would benefit from the expanded use of drones," Rep. Jen Kiggans, R-Va., who led the effort to expand commercial drone use in Congress, told Fox News Digital. "Our society isn't ever going to go backwards. Drone use is a reality." America's Skies Are Wide Open To National Security Threats, Drone Expert Warns: 'We Have No Awareness' President Donald Trump issued executive orders in June 2025 instructing the FAA to expedite BVLOS rulemaking and directing federal agencies to favor American-made drones while tightening oversight of Chinese-made models. Despite strong momentum, the FAA has a history of missed deadlines. Industry groups and lawmakers note that the NPRM has already been delayed past the congressional deadline initiated by the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024, which called for a proposed rule within four months of enactment and a final rule within 20 months. Industry experts have warned that further delays threaten billions in economic opportunity for Americas drone sector. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They say it has delayed large-scale implementation of drones to perform tasks like inspecting powerlines and pipelines or carting medical supplies between facilities. The new rule launches a formal public comment period, expected to last about 60 days. Government agencies, drone manufacturers, and public safety partners will review the draft and submit feedback. After review, FAA aims to finalize the BVLOS rule by early 2026, though that timeline depends on the volume of comments and the remaining regulatory work. It comes at a time when the public remains spooked by commercial flight mishaps. But the new rule would require such drones to be built with collision-avoidance technology that can sense and stay away from aircraft and fly at an altitude of 400 feet or lower. Original article source: Trump admin cuts red tape on commercial drones to compete with China's dominance of the market Rwanda has agreed to take in illegal immigrants deported from the United States amid the Trump administration's plans to send deportees to third countries. Under the agreement, the country will take up to 250 deportees from the U.S., with "the ability to approve each individual proposed for resettlement," Rwandan government spokesperson Yolande Makolo told The Associated Press. Dhs Announces 'Third Country Deportation Flight' Landed In Southern Africa's Eswatini President Donald Trump listens as Rwanda's Foreign Minister Olivier Nduhungirehe speaks during an event with Congo's Foreign Minister Therese Kayikwamba Wagner on June 27 in the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, as Vice President JD Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, watch. A State Department official told Fox News Digital that the U.S. works with Rwanda on a range of "mutual priorities" and that ongoing engagements with other governments is "vital to deterring illegal and mass migration and securing our borders." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rwanda would be the third country to take in illegal immigrants from the U.S. Last month, the Trump administration sent 13 men it described as dangerous criminals who were in the U.S. illegally to South Sudan and Eswatini in Africa after their native countries refused to take them back. Read On The Fox News App The U.S. has said it is seeking more agreements with African nations. "The United States is constantly engaged in diplomatic conversations with foreign nations who are willing to assist us in removing the illegal aliens that Joe Biden allowed to infiltrate American communities," a White House official told Fox News Digital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement European Nation Agrees To 'Temporarily' Host Deported Immigrants From Us Amid Trump Push Rwanda's President Paul Kagame arrives at the Seoul airport in Seongnam, South Korea, for the 2024 South Korea-Africa Summit which will be held on June 4-5, at the Seoul airport in Seongnam, South Korea. In addition to Rwanda, the U.S. has also deported hundreds of Venezuelans and others to Costa Rica, Panama and El Salvador. In early July, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Trump administration, allowing it to deport certain migrants to countries other than their homeland. In 2022, Rwanda struck a deal with the United Kingdom to accept migrants who arrived there to claim asylum. The deal was scrapped once Britain's Labour government took over. Criticis of the deal voiced concerns regarding Rwanda's human rights record and the possible dangers for refugees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In addition, Britains Supreme Court ruled in 2023 that the deal was unlawful because Rwanda was not a safe third country for migrants. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump admin strikes new deportation deal with Rwanda to get illegal aliens off American soil MEXICO CITY (AP) The Trump administration said El Salvador President Nayib Bukele should not be lumped together with leaders in other countries it considers dictatorships after his party and allies discarded presidential term limits. Bukele posted the statement of U.S. support on X Tuesday. On Wednesday, the U.S. State Department said in a statement to The Associated Press that the constitutional change axing term limits in the Central American country was made by a democratically elected Congress and that it is up to them to decide how their country should be governed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We reject the comparison of El Salvadors democratically based and constitutionally sound legislative process with illegitimate dictatorial regimes elsewhere in our region, the statement said. The speedy approval of indefinite presidential terms last week generated warnings from watchdogs and El Salvador's beleaguered opposition that it spelled the end of the country's democracy. The Congress also approved extending presidential terms from five to six years. Its unfortunate to see the US government is defending efforts to establish an autocracy in El Salvador. This undermines the credibility of the State Departments criticism to other authoritarian governments and dictatorships in the region, said Juan Pappier, Americas deputy director for Human Rights Watch. El Salvador's archbishop Jose Luis Escobar Alas joined those expressing concern on Wednesday and called on lawmakers to reconsider approving the overhaul without consulting the Salvadoran people, which was crucial for the legitimacy of the constitutional reform. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The populist leader and his New Ideas party have spent years consolidating power, weakening checks and balances as they placed loyalists on the highest courts, undercut government watchdogs and pursued political opponents and critics. Bukele remains wildly popular, largely because his all-out pursuit of the country's once-powerful street gangs has brought security, though critics argue at the cost of due process. Bukele defended the constitutional changes last week, writing on X that many European nations allow indefinite reelection but when a small, poor country like El Salvador tries to do the same, suddenly its the end of democracy. Critics have said that is a false comparison, as those nations have stronger democratic institutions to serve as a check on executive power. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Increasingly though, those critics are leaving the country out of fear of arrest. Watchdogs say an escalating crackdown on dissent is underway by Bukele, who has been emboldened by his alliance with U.S. President Donald Trump. After initially being critical of Bukele, the Biden administration also remained largely silent over human rights violations and concentration of power in El Salvador as the country helped slow migration north. But as Trump has reshaped American democracy, Bukele's critics say that lack of U.S. pressure and praise from Trump officials has offered the Salvadoran leader an opening to more rapidly consolidate power. In just a span of months, Bukele's government has detained some of it's most vocal critics, violently repressed a peaceful protest, and passed a foreign agents law similar to those used by governments in Russia, Venezuela, Nicaragua and Belarus to silence dissent by exerting pressure on organizations that rely on overseas funding. More than 100 human rights activists, academics, journalists and lawyers have fled El Salvador in recent months, saying they were forced to chose between exile or prison. The Trump administrations launch of a grand jury probe into Obama-era officials marks an escalation in its use of the justice system to go after political adversaries, amid mounting pressure to release files related to the disgraced financier Jeffrey Epstein. Its the first sign the Justice Department is acting on criminal referrals made by Trump intelligence officials, after Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard accused officials of a treasonous conspiracy related to Russian interference in the 2016 election. The documents released by her office, however, do not appear to back that claim, instead largely showing officials discussing what they acknowledged shortly after the election that Russia was never able to manipulate vote totals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nonetheless, the White House broke with the practice of maintaining secrecy around grand jury proceedings, confirming the probe in pointing to the compelling case outlined by Gabbard, which they argue exposed clear and blatant weaponization by corrupt intelligence officials acting at the behest of the Democrat Party and likely former President Obama. The White House further argues the Obama officials worked to sabotage the Trump administration. It doesnt get more serious than this. This is a criminal conspiracy. The evidence is clear theres a criminal conspiracy here and nobody is above the law, Mike Davis, an ally of President Trump who runs the Article III Project, said on Fox News. The administrations attempts to focus attention on the Russia findings come as Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi face pressure, including from many Republicans, to release more information related to the prosecution of Epstein. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among the possible targets are former CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, who in a joint op-ed blasted the accusations against them as patently false while falsely minimizing Russias 2016 efforts. Every serious review has substantiated the intelligence communitys fundamental conclusion that the Russians conducted an influence campaign intended to help Mr. Trump win the 2016 election, the two wrote. Contrary to the Trump administrations wild and baseless claims, there was no mention of collusion between the Trump campaign and the Russians in the assessment, they added. CIA Director John Ratcliffe said beyond Clapper and Brennan, he also made referrals for former FBI Director James Comey and Hillary Clinton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Critics argue that launching a grand jury probe is yet another instance of Trump weaponizing the government against his political foes. He has previously revoked security details from those he disagrees with, targeted universities that do not align with his administrations policies and gone after law firms with ties to Democrats. And over the weekend, the Office of the Special Counsel acknowledged a probe into former special counsel Jack Smith. The court action quickly prompted criticism that the Trump administration was abusing the Justice Department. Trump the hunted has indeed become the hunter facts and law, be damned. These folks are using the court of law to shape the court of public opinion. Theyre also making a mockery of grand jury secrecy rules, which are in part designed to protect uncharged individuals, Anthony Coley, who served as a spokesperson for the Obama Justice Department, wrote on the social platform X. The probe comes after Bondi announced the creation of a Strike Force to investigate claims related to the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not clear where the grand jury has been empaneled a detail that could matter in the Democrat-heavy jury pool of Washington, D.C., which might be skeptical of claims of wrongdoing in an election Trump won. Its also not clear what conduct it might be exploring. Republicans have, at turns, accused intelligence officials of lying to Congress in the prior reviews of Russias interference in the 2016 election and the intelligence communitys response. But the documents supplied by Gabbard which accuse leaders of suppression of intelligence largely show figures like Clapper discussing how Russia was not able to manipulate the vote even as the adversary tried to sow chaos in the 2016 election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard also released a previously classified House Intelligence Committee Republican assessment that called into question whether Russian President Vladimir Putin wanted to help Trump win; however, all assessments found the country was seeking to impact the election. Trump on Tuesday denied that he had any involvement in the Justice Departments decision to open a grand jury investigation, though he has not hidden his approval of the move. Pam is doing a great job, Trump said on CNBC of Bondi. I have nothing to do with it. I will tell you this, they deserve it. I was happy to hear it. Davis, from the Article III Project, argued those being investigated could face potential perjury charges related to their previous testimony about Russian interference in the 2016 election. He also pointed to potential conspiracy charges, arguing that the alleged ongoing cover-up would mean that the statute of limitations has not expired. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would say to these lawfare Democrats, lawyer up, Davis said on Fox News. Because justice is definitely coming. Some lawmakers have said any eventual charges could actually be fruitful in fighting the claims forwarded by Gabbard and others. The reason I want her to bring charges is that there is not a court in the United States that will do anything other than to laugh hysterically over the bulls that Tulsi Gabbard is peddling right now, Rep. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee, told The Hill last month when Gabbard first began releasing documents. Theyre not dumping documents. Theyre making up lies, Himes added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The issue of Russian interference in the 2016 election has been a fixation of Trumps for roughly eight years, as he has repeatedly claimed he was the victim of spying and politically motivated probes into Russias influence campaigns. Gabbards findings, and the decision to launch a grand jury investigation, also carry political ramifications for the White House. Some Democrats, including a spokesperson for Obama, have dismissed the Russia claims as an attempt at distracting from the Epstein controversy. The real politicization is the calculated distortion of intelligence by administration officials, notably Mr. Trumps directors of national intelligence and the C.I.A., positions that should be apolitical, Brennan and Clapper wrote in their op-ed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We find it deeply regrettable that the administration continues to perpetuate the fictitious narrative that Russia did not interfere in the 2016 election. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Trump administration has released a new list of so-called sanctuary jurisdictions that federal officials allege are obstructing the enforcement of immigration laws, and this time, Monroe County is not on the list. The U.S. Department of Justice, which published the new list Tuesday, Aug. 5, did not immediately reply to an email that inquired about why Monroe County was removed from the list. The U.S. Department of Homeland Security, which had published the previous list in May, referred questions to the DOJ. The Monroe County Courthouse on Friday, May 23, 2025. It also was unclear whether Monroe Countys removal from the list of offending jurisdictions was prompted by any local action. Two of the three county commissioners could not be reached immediately to say whether the county had taken any action to placate state or federal authorities. The city of Bloomington referred questions to the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third commissioner, Jody Madeira, said via email, I'm not aware of negotiations with state or local authorities to be removed from the list. Reaction at first designation: Monroe County leaders dismiss Trump admin's 'sanctuary' designation as 'political theater' In May, Monroe County was the only government in the state of Indiana named on the DHS list of sanctuary jurisdictions. The agency released the list after President Donald J. Trump, in an executive order in April, had criticized some state and local officials for engaging in a lawless insurrection against the supremacy of federal law. At the time, DHS said it "demands that these jurisdictions immediately review and revise their policies to align with federal immigration laws and renew their obligation to protect American citizens, not dangerous illegal aliens. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Monroe Countys designation as a sanctuary jurisdiction came after Monroe County Sheriff Ruben Marte for months had been fighting a lawsuit filed against him and the sheriffs department by Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita, who has claimed the sheriffs Immigration and Citizenship Status policy violates state law. Marte has defended his policy, saying his office takes seriously our obligation to enforce the laws while respecting everyones constitutional rights. County leaders earlier this summer dismissed the sanctuary designation as xenophobic political theater, but the Trump administration also threatened to withhold federal funding from jurisdictions that failed to comply with federal demands. Monroe County received more than $6 million in federal funds in 2024 to help pay for local programs and services including in public health, road infrastructure such as bridges, the airport, criminal justice and the Youth Services Bureau. Construction crews work on the Fullerton Pike extension on Tuesday, July 15, 2025. Federal funds helped pay for the project. The DHS list from May included jurisdictions from nearly every state. It listed seven cities in Illinois, including Evanston, Urbana and Chicago as well as all but six of the states 102 counties. Indiana's other neighbors Kentucky, Ohio and Michigan also had multiple jurisdictions on the list, including Louisville, Cincinnati and Ann Arbor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, shortly after being published online, the list disappeared, with the DHS website displaying a Page Not Found error though DHS said via email the list would be updated regularly. The DOJ on Tuesday published an updated, much shorter list that included only four counties across the country: Baltimore County, Maryland; Cook County, Illinois: and San Diego and San Francisco counties in California. DOJ said it had filed several lawsuits against sanctuary jurisdictions seeking to compel compliance with federal law, including one against New York City on July 24th. Recently, the Mayor of Louisville agreed to revoke their sanctuary policies following a letter from the Justice Department threatening legal action. Louisville, Cincinnati and Ann Arbor do not appear on the new list. It does, however, include the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the DOJ release from Tuesday, Attorney General Pam Bondi said, Sanctuary policies impede law enforcement and put American citizens at risk by design. The Department of Justice will continue bringing litigation against sanctuary jurisdictions and work closely with the Department of Homeland Security to eradicate these harmful policies around the country. Boris Ladwig can be reached at bladwig@heraldt.com. This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Trump administration releases new 'sanctuary' jurisdictions list. SEATTLE (AP) The Trump administration on Wednesday canceled a major wind farm development in Idaho, a project approved late in former President Joe Biden's term that had drawn criticism for its proximity to a historic site where Japanese Americans were incarcerated during World War II. The Bureau of Land Management in December signed off on a scaled-down plan for the Lava Ridge Wind Project northeast of Twin Falls, with 241 wind turbines instead of 400. But the development had been on hold since the first day of President Donald Trump's second term, when he issued an executive order halting the permitting of wind power projects across the country and telling the Interior Department to review the Lava Ridge decision. By reversing the Biden administrations thoughtless approval of the Lava Ridge Wind Project, we are protecting tens of thousands of acres from harmful wind policy while shielding the interests of rural Idaho communities," Interior Secretary Doug Burgum said in a statement. "This decisive action defends the American taxpayer, safeguards our land, and averts what would have been one of the largest, most irresponsible wind projects in the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The project, five years in the works, faced opposition from local residents concerned about the height of the turbines up to 660 feet (201 meters), or more than twice the height of the Statue of Liberty. It also drew concerns it would spoil views from the Minidoka National Historic Site, where thousands of Japanese Americans were imprisoned during World War II. Under the plan, the closest turbine to the historic site would have been 9 miles (14 kilometers) away. Robyn Achilles, executive director of the nonprofit Friends of Minidoka, said in a text message her organization was reviewing the announcement. We must protect Minidoka from future development, so we continue to seek long term protections for the BLM land in Minidoka's cultural viewshed, Achilles wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Interior Department's statement rescinding Lava Ridge's approval did not mention Minidoka. A spokeswoman for the company that proposed the development, Magic Valley Energy, did not immediately return messages seeking comment. The Bureau of Land Management said when it approved the project that it could power up to 500,000 homes and that its decision reflected "a careful balance of clean energy development with the protection of natural, cultural, and socioeconomic resources on this historically significant landscape. Onshore wind is one of the cheapest sources of electricity generation. New wind farms cost less to build and operate than new natural gas plants on average in most regions of the United States, even without tax credits. The Trump administration and congressional Republicans have targeted wind and solar projects as expensive and unreliable while taking steps to support the burning of fossil fuels, which is dangerously heating the planet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Renewable energies such as wind and solar provide an intermittent supply of electricity when it is windy or sunny. Increasingly, batteries are getting paired with solar and wind projects to allow renewables to replace fossil fuels like oil, gas and coal, while keeping a steady flow of power when sources such as wind and solar are not producing. The tax-and-spending legislation signed by Trump last month phases out tax credits and other subsidies for clean energy, and an executive order issued by Trump a few days later further restricts subsidies for what he calls the Green New Scam. Since then, Burgum has issued a series of memos targeting wind and solar power, including a July 17 memo that requires his personal approval of all solar and wind energy projects on federal lands and waters. The order authorizes Burgum to conduct elevated review of activities ranging from leases to rights of way, construction and operational plans, grants and biological opinions. The restrictions on clean-energy projects are aimed at ending preferential treatment for unreliable, subsidy-dependent wind and solar energy, the Interior Department said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Late last month, Burgum canceled plans to use millions of acres of federal waters for new offshore wind development. And earlier this week, he issued a new secretarial order requiring that Interior agencies evaluating new wind and solar consider capacity density, or how much area the projects cover. Commercial-scale solar and wind projects typically require a much greater amount of land and water than other energy sources such as oil and natural gas. This isnt oversight," said Jason Grumet, CEO of the American Clean Power Association, which represents the renewable industry. "Its obstruction that will needlessly harm the fastest growing sources of electric power. ___ Matthew Daly in Washington and Jennifer McDermott in Providence, Rhode Island, contributed. A 19-year-old man known as Big Balls who played a key role in the DOGE initiative to shrink the size of government was assaulted over the weekend in Washington, according to city police. Edward Coristine, who still works for the government, was assaulted by approximately 10 juveniles near Dupont Circle about 3 a.m. Sunday, according to a police report obtained by POLITICO. Police arrested two 15-year olds as they attempted to flee the scene. A black iPhone 16 valued at $1,000 was also reported stolen during the incident, according to the report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Donald Trump posted a photo on his social media platform showing a shirtless Coristine with what appeared to be blood spattered on his face, body and pants. He called for a change in the law so that the juveniles who attacked him could be charged as adults. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime, he wrote. Coristine told the officers the assailants approached him outside his vehicle while he was with a woman identified in the report as his significant other and made a comment about taking it, according to the report. He told officers that he got the other person into the vehicle just before he was attacked. A fellow DOGE staffer, Marko Elez, took the photo of the bloodied Coristine after the attack. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Coristine, who now works for the Social Security Administration, has held key roles in DOGEs efforts, including its move to dismantle the U.S. Agency for International Development. He also worked within the Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency and Transportation Security Administration, helping on initiatives, including Gold Cards. Elon Musk, the former head of DOGE, claimed on X that a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC, and that A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. Trump has repeatedly pushed to federalize the nations capital following the surge in crime that occurred during the Covid pandemic, which has since cooled down. The White House declined to comment, instead referring POLITICO to the U.S. attorneys office for the District of Columbia. A spokesperson for the office did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Coristine did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Thousands of immigrants who have legally lived and worked in the United States for years have assumed they would be protected against their removal from the country after their cases were frozen. But the Trump administration is stripping immigrants of their legal status and reopening removal proceedings as the Department of Homeland Security expands its mass deportation machine. Homeland Security isnt even checking to see whether these immigrants targeted for deportation are even alive, let alone legally protected from removal, according to California immigration attorneys speaking to The Los Angeles Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An immigration judge had closed removal proceedings against construction worker Helario Romero Arciniega, who was severely beaten with a metal sprinkler head and qualified for a special visa for victims of crime. Earlier this year, the government reopened removal proceedings against him. He died in January, according to the LA County Coroner's Office. The Trump administration is reviving previously frozen removal proceedings against thousands of immigrants, including cases that were closed more than a decade ago (AFP via Getty Images) They dont do their homework, immigration attorney Patricia Corrales told the newspaper. Theyre very negligent in the manner in which theyre handling these motions to re-calendar. Corrales, a former Immigration and Naturalization Service and Homeland Security attorney, told The Independent that the governments recent motions to recalendar removal proceedings that were administratively closed and not active are boilerplate motions and DHS doesn't do their homework and are lazy or negligent in the information they provide to the court. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement My client was in removal proceedings before he passed away. He was alive when his removal proceedings were administratively closed, she added. DHS filed a motion to recalendar on July 10 and failed to mention an important detail, she told The Independent. So, DHS was negligent in failing to even do some basic research to determine whether my client was alive or moved or anything, she said. In another case, Adan Rico, a new father studying to be an HVAC technician, said he had no idea the government restarted deportation proceedings against him. His original lawyer had died, and if it wasnt for his daughter calling, I would have never found out my case was reopened, Rico told The LA Times. The Department of Homeland Security never sent me anything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement from Homeland Security assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Donald Trumps administration is once again implementing the rule of law and accused former President Joe Biden of indefinitely delaying cases that left criminals stay in the country illegally. Now, President Trump and Secretary Noem are following the law and resuming these illegal aliens' removal proceedings and ensuring their cases are heard by a judge, she said in a statement shared with The Independent. Rico, however, is among immigrants with removal protections under Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, which doesnt come up for renewal until 2027, according to Corrales. The Trump administration has effectively de-legalized more than 1 million immigrants since January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Thousands of people who are following immigration law including those showing up for their court-ordered Immigration and Customs Enforcement check-ins, immigration court hearings and U.S. Customs and Immigration Services appointments have become easy targets for arrests. Unlike federal district courts, immigration court judges operate under the direction of the attorney generals office. When immigrants have appeared for their hearings, Homeland Security attorneys have moved for the cases to be dismissed, while the Executive Office for Immigration Review at the Department of Justice has issued guidance to judges to grant those motions on the spot. Those quick dismissals mean immigrants can then be subject to removal, leading to scenes of masked ICE agents dragging people out of courtrooms across the country. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those arrests have been condemned by immigrants rights groups and attorneys as a corruption of the courts, transforming them from forums of justice into cogs in a mass deportation apparatus, American Immigration Lawyers Association president Kelli Stump said earlier this year. The expansion of expedited removal strips more people of their right to a hearing before a judge as our laws promise, she added. The quick closures of immigration cases has led to scenes of masked ICE agents arresting people moments after their hearings (Getty Images) In April, Sirce E. Owen, acting director of the Executive Office for Immigration Review, issued a memo calling the suspension of removal proceedings de facto amnesty program with benefits because immigrants can still have authorization and deportation protections. Owen stated that, as of April, roughly 379,000 cases were still administratively closed in immigration courts, adding to the systems backlog of 4 million cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the Executive Office for Immigration Review confirmed to The Independent that immigration courts must first receive the underlying initial motion before accepting a response to that motion. Immigration attorney Edgardo Quintanilla told The LA Times that he has received 40 cases, some dating back to the 2010s. There is always the fear that they may be arrested when they go to the court, he said. With everything going on, it is a reasonable fear. Mariela Caravetta told the newspaper that roughly 30 clients have been targeted with new motions from the government reopening their cases in the last month, some of which have been frozen for a decade. By law, she has only 10 days to reply, forcing her to try to track down clients who have since moved. People arent getting due process, Caravetta said. Its very unfair to the client because these cases have been sleeping for 10 years. The Trump administration is walking back plans to withhold disaster aid from cities and states that are not friendly to Israel. On Monday, Reuters reported that states and cities that boycott Israeli companies could be denied grants from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Under the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) FY 2025 Standard Terms and Conditions released in April, federal aid applicants are prohibited from engaging in "a discriminatory prohibited boycott," including "cutting commercial relations, or otherwise limiting commercial relations specifically with Israeli companies or with companies doing business in or with Israel." DHS, which houses FEMA, removed language pertaining to Israel from its terms and conditions on Monday. A Reuters review of 11 agency grant notices estimated that the original language would have affected at least $1.9 billion in FEMA aid. The New York Times reports that policy could have prevented "wildfire response funding from flowing to cities like Richmond, Calif., where the city voted last year to divest from companies doing business in Israel." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "There is NO FEMA requirement tied to Israel in any current [Notice of Funding Opportunity]. No states have lost funding and no new conditions have been imposed. FEMA grants remain governed by existing law and policy and not political litmus tests," the agency said in a statement on X. "DHS will enforce all anti-discrimination laws and policies, including as it relates to the [boycott, divestment, and sanctions] movement, which is expressly grounded in antisemitism. Those who engage in racial discrimination should not receive a single dollar of federal funding." Whether or not the Trump administration blocks FEMA aid to anti-Israel localities and states, the incident is far from the first time the agency has faced scrutiny. In addition to its well-documented failures in responding to Hurricane Katrina, the agency recently targeted supporters of President Donald Trump in the wake of Hurricane Milton in 2024. "A FEMA supervisor told workers in a message to 'avoid homes advertising Trump' as they canvassed Lake Placid, Florida to identify residents who could qualify for federal aid," reported the Daily Wire. As a result of this order, at least 20 homes were skipped over and not given the opportunity to qualify for FEMA assistance, according to the Daily Wire. In response to the politicization of Hurricane Milton and alleged failures in responding to Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina, Trump said he would abolish FEMA, a position he has since walked back. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Still, the president might better serve the public by reconsidering his position on the matter. As Reason's Editor in Chief Katherine Mangu-Ward writes, "FEMA has given Americans every reason to believe it is highly politicized, a poor steward of federal resources, bad at establishing priorities, and often unable to communicate clearly to people in distress." FEMA's latest controversy proves this point yet again. The solution is fewer government agencies that can be weaponizednot more. The post Trump Administration Walks Back Plan To Withhold $1.9 Billion in FEMA Aid to Anti-Israel States and Cities appeared first on Reason.com. The Macao Government Tourism Office (MGTO) and POP MART jointly present the cultural tourism project POP MART MACAO CITYWALK, which will take place from June 6 to September 21. MGTO informed in a statement that during the first two phases (June 6 to July 26), 850,000 users entered the lucky draw by making qualifying purchases via six e-wallets, generating a total transaction value of MOP1.6 billion. Preliminary statistics indicate that the event attracted approximately 343,000 visitors to the installations across the four community districts and the vicinity of POP STATION. The participation count for the consumption lucky draw reached MOP1.28 million. POP MART MACAO CITYWALK features a consumption lucky draw spanning four phases. In the first two phases, over 25,000 individuals took photos at installations to share on social media in exchange for limited-edition postcards. The POP STATION in the Ritz Building at Senado Square served about 183,000 visitors in total. MGTO also said the event garnered nearly 68 million online impressions from a diverse marketing campaign. Installations featuring popular characters like Baby Molly, CRYBABY, DIMOO, and LABUBU are set up at Calcada da Igreja de Sao Lazaro, Camoes Square, St. Augustines Square, and Vila da Taipa Historical Center Archway. MGTO has launched this campaign to attract visitors worldwide, spotlighting the event on social media platforms such as WeChat, Weibo, Douyin, Xiaohongshu, TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram, as well as POP MARTs official channels. Promotions are widely conducted by mainland Key Opinion Leaders (KOLs) through live streams and various posts. As of July 26, close to 270 related posts and videos have been released. Times Reporter Like this: Like Loading... The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) said on Tuesday that it will start winding down mRNA vaccine development efforts under a federal health agency focused on developing medical countermeasures to address public health emergencies. mRNA vaccines have been credited by public health experts with saving millions of lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, and many infectious disease experts have stressed that years of research have shown the shots are both safe and effective. But HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., a prominent vaccine skeptic, claimed in a statement accompanying HHSs announcement that data show these vaccines fail to protect effectively against upper respiratory infections like COVID and flu. The move, which HHS said comes after a comprehensive review of mRNA-related investments initiated during the COVID-19 public health emergency, will involve canceling and de-scoping various contracts under the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA). The wind-down will impact 22 projects that come out to a total of nearly $500 million, according to HHSs press release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were shifting that funding toward safer, broader vaccine platforms that remain effective even as viruses mutate, Kennedy said. Kennedy has faced widespread criticism from public health experts over the years for spreading medical disinformation, including about vaccines. His nomination by President Donald Trump in November to lead HHS sparked outcry from the science and medical communities, but he was ultimately confirmed to the role in February. Read More: Measles Cases Are at a 33-Year High. Experts Warn Other Diseases Could Follow Tuesdays announcement marks HHSs latest move under Kennedys leadership to significantly change the countrys immunization policy. In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said that it will stop recommending annual COVID-19 vaccines for children and most adults. In June, Kennedy said that he would be retiring all 17 members of a committee that provides recommendations on vaccines to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Kennedy appointed new members to the committee, and last month, HHS adopted a controversial recommendation from the panel to remove the preservative thimerosal from flu vaccines, despite extensive research showing it to be safe in the small amounts included in some shots. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement HHS said on Tuesday that some final-stage contracts will be allowed to run their course to preserve prior taxpayer investment, but that no new mRNA-based projects will be initiated. The agency said that other uses of mRNA technology within the department are not impacted by the move. It also said that BARDA will shift its focus to platforms with stronger safety records and transparent clinical and manufacturing data practices, adding that "technologies that were funded during the emergency phase but failed to meet current scientific standards will be phased out in favor of evidence-based, ethically grounded solutions - like whole-virus vaccines and novel platforms. Contact us at letters@time.com. An Invenergy visualization shows what the Grain Belt Express transmission line would look line running across a farmer's land. The U.S. Department of Energy pulled a federal loan guarantee that was in place for the 800-mile transmission line. (Invenergy) TOPEKA The U.S. Department of Energy yanked a $5 billion loan from the company building the Grain Belt Express, saying the project is unlikely to meet conditions required for the loan guarantee. A Kansas activist said the setback is a direct shot at green energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Grain Belt Express was originally designed for wind and solar, said Dorothy Barnett, executive director of Climate + Energy Project. I dont know how pulling the loan guarantee can be seen as anything but an attempt to stop wind and solar. Im hopeful Invenergy will be able to move ahead despite this setback. The Grain Belt Express, an 800-mile, 5,000-megawatt transmission line that will cross Kansas, Missouri, Illinois and Indiana, has received approval for construction from each states energy regulators. In Kansas, that process began 14 years ago in front of the Kansas Corporation Commission. Chicago-based Invenergy, the countrys largest privately owned green energy company, is building the project. A company spokesperson said the project is open to private financing after losing the federal loan. The company was disappointed in the Department of Energy decision but the representative said that a privately financed Grain Belt Express transmission superhighway will advance President Trumps agenda of American energy and technology dominance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The company did not respond to a question about whether private financing has already been secured or is in the process of being raised. The Grain Belt Express has been billed as a way to move wind energy, specifically from Kansas wind farms, to Indiana and Illinois. Although the line can carry energy from all sources, it was designed to reach areas where transmission infrastructure is sparse so that power generating stations could easily connect and transport energy. In Kansas, that would facilitate moving energy from wind farms, KCC testimony indicated. The Grain Belt Express has faced multiple challenges since it first went before Kansas regulators for approval, including removal from a federal program in December 2024 billed as supporting power transmission in areas with little infrastructure. It also faces criticism over landowners rights, as Invenergy has worked for the past decade to purchase property for the lines. Missouri Republican Sen. Josh Hawley was pivotal in ending the loan guarantee, pressuring President Donald Trump and the Department of Energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hawley accused the Biden administration of rushing through loan approvals without proper vetting of projects and castigated Energy Secretary Chris Wright in a letter June 25 for not cancelling the Grain Belt Express loan. Grain Belt Express said Hawleys attempts to cancel the loan were bizarre in a post on X. Hawley had posted on the social media site that he spoke with Trump about stopping the Green Belt Express scam. This is bizarre, the company wrote July 10. Senator Hawley is attempting to kill the largest transmission infrastructure project in U.S. history, which is already approved by all four states and is aligned with the Presidents energy dominance agenda. Senator Hawley is trying to deprive Americans of billions of dollars in energy cost savings, thousands of jobs, and grid reliability and national security, all in an era of exponentially growing electricity demand. WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn, one of President Donald Trump's staunchest allies in Congress, on Wednesday launched a run for governor of Tennessee in 2026, becoming the third sitting senator to launch a gubernatorial bid this year. Blackburn, who has served in the Senate and House of Representatives for more than two decades, will seek the Republican nomination for governor against U.S. Representative John Rose, 60, who is also the state's former agriculture commissioner. Blackburn and Rose are vying for the chance to succeed Republican Governor Bill Lee, who will leave office after reaching the state's two-term limit. A slate of Democratic candidates includes Memphis city council member Jerri Green. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 73-year-old Blackburn's announcement follows similar decisions by Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama and Democratic Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado to seek the governorship of their respective states. She was elected as the state's first woman U.S. senator in 2018 and won reelection to the Senate last year over Democrat Gloria Johnson by nearly 29 points. A politician who has aligned herself with the MAGA and Tea Party movements, Blackburn pledged in a one-minute, 39-second video to pursue a conservative economic agenda that would also oppose abortion and "define our boys and girls the way God made them." "We'll make Tennessee America's No. 1 job-creating, energy-producing powerhouse, deliver a world-class education for our children by empowering parents, not the deep state, and whether it takes planes, trains or starships, we'll deport illegal aliens," Blackburn said in the video, which showed Trump half a dozen times. (Reporting by David Morgan; Editing by Scott Malone and Sharon Singleton) President Donald Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance at an event to establish a task force for the 2028 Olympic Games in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building in Washington, D.C., on August 5, 2025. Credit - Win McNameeGetty Images President Donald Trump may be looking at Vice President J.D. Vance to take the reins of his Make America Great Again movement in the future. Well, I think most likely, Trump said when asked if Vance was MAGAs heir-apparent at a White House event on Tuesday. In all fairness, hes the Vice President. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He also suggested that Marco Rubiowho currently serves as the Secretary of State, acting National Security Adviser, and acting Archivist of the U.S.could join Vance on a future Republican ticket as somebody that maybe would get together with J.D. in some form. But he stopped short of endorsing any specific candidate for 2028. Its the closest Trump has come to explicitly backing Vance for a future presidential run. When he was asked in February if he viewed Vance as his successor, Trump said, No, but hes very capable. Trump said at the time that it was too early to think about 2028. I also think we have incredible people, some of the people on the stage right here, Trump said Tuesday, while he stood near Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and Attorney General Pam Bondi, among others. So its too early, obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job, and he would be probably favored at this point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump had previously named Vance and Rubio as potential successors in May. Trumps latest comment comes after Rubio said last month that Vance would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that. Rubio, who ran for President in 2016, downplayed his own presidential ambitions in an interview with Fox News, saying that he was focused on his current role as Secretary of State and would be satisfied if that was the apex of his public service career. Still, he added, you never know what the future holds; you never rule things out. It also comes after Trump said Tuesday on CNBC that he would probably not run again for President. The President and his allies have floated the idea of a third term on several occasions. Doing so is barred by the Constitutions 22nd Amendment, but Trump has repeatedly teased that there are methods he could employ to get around that. Contact us at letters@time.com. Donald Trump declared Russia an extraordinary threat to the United States on Wednesday as he rolled out his first sanctions over Vladimir Putins refusal to stop the war in Ukraine. The US president said that he would hit India with an additional 25 per cent trade tariff over its purchase of Russian oil, an important source of income for the Kremlin. Later reports also claimed Mr Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The so-called secondary tariff, which brings the total levy against India to 50 per cent, was announced in an executive order signed hours after envoy Steve Witkoff, Mr Trumps top envoy, met Putin in the Kremlin for showdown talks. Mr Trump gave Putin until Friday to agree to a ceasefire or face tariffs on Russias main trading partners. I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine, Mr Trump said after Mr Witkoffs meeting. It is not clear what the additional information is but a top Russian presidential aide said after the talks in Moscow that Russia had conveyed signals to the American side on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US president said this information meant that Moscow posed an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, who spoke to Mr Trump and European leaders including Sir Keir Starmer on a joint call after the Moscow talks, said that Russia now appeared more inclined to agreeing a ceasefire. Vladimir Putin greets Donald Trumps envoy Steve Witkoff at the Kremlin - Garville Grigorov/Getty But in a significant sign of progress, The New York Times reported on Wednesday night that Mr Trump could meet Putin as soon as next week. A one-on-one meeting between the two leaders would then be followed by three-way talks involving Mr Zelensky, the newspaper reported, citing two sources familiar with the plan. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukraine has long pushed for a direct meeting between Mr Zelensky and Putin, though the Kremlin has resisted, insisting progress must first be made during ceasefire talks. Meanwhile, a senior Trump administration official said after Mr Witkoffs meeting in Moscow that secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday. The official said: The meeting with Russia and special envoy Witkoff went well. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday. Mr Trump said on social media that the meeting in Moscow was highly productive, however, a sign that a deal is still possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The language is a significant shift in tone from earlier this year, when Mr Trump went out of his way to placate Putin in order to coax him to the negotiating table. I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, Mr Trump added. Mr Trump had suggested that Mr Witkoffs meeting with Putin would determine any decision for the US president to follow through on threats to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. India and China are among the countries buying the most Russian crude oil, which analysts say provides key revenues for Putin to fuel his war machine in Ukraine. Despite Mr Trumps warm personal ties with Narendra Modi, relations between the countries have soured - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters Reducing these revenue streams would make it harder for the Russian president to deliver his maximalist war aims in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US could also move to ramp up sanctions against Russias so-called shadow fleet, which it uses to deliver oil to New Delhi and Beijing. Mr Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow on Wednesday for the fifth time, in what were considered crunch talks ahead of potential tariffs and sanctions. Russian officials had hoped to head off the economically crippling measures by offering a partial air truce by halting missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities. But this fell short of Mr Trumps demand for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, which would be used to pave the way for talks over a permanent peace. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A top Russian presidential aide had described the talks as useful and constructive. Russia had conveyed signals to the American side on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from Trump, Yuri Ushakov told reporters after talks wrapped up. He claimed that Mr Trump had yet to be briefed on the talks, which he claimed focused on the crisis in Ukraine and strategic US-Russia cooperation. But the US president announced his executive order with the first economic measures in an attempt to end the war. It comes after four European countries promised to buy $1bn in US weapons for Ukraine as part of a scheme set up by Mr Trump and Mark Rutte, Natos secretary-general. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump appears to be rowing in behind Kyivs cause after growing frustrated with Putins refusal to come to the negotiating table in a serious manner. Ushakov described the discussion between Putin and Mr Witkoff as an exchange of signals between Moscow and Washington, without elaborating on the content. Putin has previously tabled unrealistic demands, such as an end to Western military aid to Kyiv or Ukraines withdrawal from regions partially occupied by Russian forces, as the price for any ceasefire. Mr Trumps use of the term extraordinary threat is notable. At the start of his second term, the president was known to have blocked a series of international statements due to be signed by the US if they blamed Russia for the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was thought by his team that this would prevent a deal being brokered with Putin to stop the fighting. But in recent weeks, Mr Trump has given his blessing to a number of statements attributing the war to Russia, as well as criticising Putins war machine in his first warning that India would be targeted with tariffs. India said the tariffs were extremely unfortunate. The foreign affairs ministry said: We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. 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 US will impose an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods in 21 days, citing the country's continued oil purchases from Russia, under an executive order signed by President Donald Trump on Wednesday. Trump imposed an initial 25% tariff on goods from India last week, set to come into force on Thursday, as he sharply criticized New Delhi for its military and energy ties with Russia. With both rounds in place, total tariffs on Indian goods would reach 50% by the end of the month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, with the latest levy not due to take effect for three weeks, India still potentially has time to try to defuse tensions. In the past, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has urged Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to end reliance on cheap Russian oil and halt defence-sector purchases from Moscow, saying such steps would help bring an end to the war. The latest tariff hike comes ahead of a deadline set by Trump for Russia to agree to a ceasefire or peace deal in its war with Ukraine, now in its fourth year. After initially appearing to take a favourable stance toward Russia, Trump has threatened to impose sanctions on Moscow's trading partners if the Kremlin does not relent by Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement By imposing additional tariffs on Russian trading partners like India, the US president aims to further weaken the country's war machine, mainly funded by sales from natural resources including gas and oil. In June, India was the second largest buyer of Russian fossil fuels after China, with purchases totalling the equivalent of $5.2 billion. According to energy experts from independent research organization CREA, crude oil accounted for 80% of the sales. India receives Russian oil and other energy supplies at significant discounts, below the global market value. Trump's latest trade move came as his special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian observers said Witkoff had just left the capital when the tariffs announcement dropped. The talks, which lasted three hours, apparently did not yield any results. It has always been seen as unlikely that Putin will succumb to Trump's deadline and agree to a ceasefire, as the Kremlin continues to insist on demands considered untenable for Ukraine, including the surrender of Russian-occupied territories. (NewsNation) Special envoy Steve Witkoff was in Moscow on Wednesday to hold critical talks with President Vladimir Putin, as time runs out on President Donald Trumps deadline to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. If Russia fails to reach a ceasefire by Friday, the White House has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties targeting countries buying Russian oil. The White House did not immediately provide details of the meeting, but it marked Wiktoffs fifth visit to Moscow this year and was perhaps the most critical. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, Zelenskyy discuss path to ending war with Russia Russia strikes Ukraine power grid, gas facilities Growing increasingly frustrated with Putin, Trump has urged Russia for months to scale back strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine. Despite those calls, Russian attacks have intensified. Overnight Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational center in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, in a social media post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia also struck the Ukrainian power grid and heating gas facilities, Zelenskyy said, as Ukraine makes preparations for winter. HHS ends millions in federal funding for vaccines Trump threatens sanctions on Russian oil The Trump administration has warned that without progress by Friday, it will impose severe economic sanctions, including possible secondary tariffs targeting countries that continue to trade with Russia. The president is not happy with Mr. Putin and Russia, but he remains committed to diplomatic solutions, said State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce. Weve also seen a remark, perhaps a reflection of possible secondary sanctions regarding the sale of oil, countries that are buying Russian oil, and that has been openly discussed by the president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kremlin acknowledged the tension, as spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told the Russian TASS state news agency, There is, of course, inertia in this process. It takes time for efforts to bring bilateral relations back onto a normal track. However, in Ukraine, few are hopeful the meeting will lead to real change. Many believe Russia has no real interest in lasting peace. The Associated Press contributed to this report. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. White House special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday ahead of President Donald Trumps' Friday deadline for Moscow to make peace with Ukraine or face severe sanctions. According to a senior administration official, the meeting "went well" but secondary sanctions are still expected to be deployed against Moscow this week. "The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday," the senior administration official said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite no tangible progress toward a ceasefire, the expectation is that talks between Russian and American officials will continue through the day and potentially up until Friday's deadline, two U.S. officials familiar with the matter said. MORE: Ukraine urges Trump admin to 'strangle' Russian economy amid nuclear tensions President Trump, on social media, suggested the meeting between Witkoff and Putin was "highly productive." "Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he spoke with Witkoff after the meeting. "Ambassador Witkoff is on his way back now," Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. "I just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago. We'll have some other discussions throughout the day and then hopefully there will be something else to announce here real soon. Maybe positive, maybe not." Asked about sanctions against Moscow, Rubio said, "We'll have more to say about that later on today." Gavriil Grigorov/POOL/AFP via Getty Images - PHOTO: In this pool photograph distributed by the Russian state agency Sputnik, Russia's President Vladimir Putin greets U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff prior to their talks in Moscow on Aug. 6, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with Trump and European leaders after the Witkoff-Putin meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly," Zelenskyy said in a post on X. "Ukraine will definitely defend its independence. We all need a lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it itself started. Thank you to everyone who stands with Ukraine," Zelenskyy added. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff ended after around three hours, according to Russian state media. Yuri Ushakov, a top aide to Putin, told reporters that the meeting was "a very useful and constructive conversation," in comments reported by Russia's Tass state news agency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Russia ramps up grinding summer offensive as Ukraine seeks US battlefield aid The two main topics discussed were "the Ukrainian crisis" and "the prospect of possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia," Ushakov said. "On our part, in particular on the Ukrainian issue, some signals were transmitted," Ushakov said. "The corresponding signals were received from President Trump. Now the situation is such that our president has complete information -- that is, our signals, the signals from President Trump -- and the results of these conversations have not yet been reported to Trump." "Therefore, I would refrain from more detailed comments," Ushakov said. "Let's see when Witkoff will be able to report to Trump about the conversation that took place today. After that, obviously, we will be able to add my comments to something more substantial." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff was met on his arrival in Moscow by Kirill Dmitriev -- the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund -- at the capital's Vnukovo Airport, according to state media agencies Tass and Interfax. Yulia Morozova/Reuters - PHOTO: A motorcade, reportedly transporting U.S. President Donald Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff, leaves Vnukovo Airport in Moscow, Russia, on August 6, 2025. The visit is Witkoff's fifth to Moscow since Trump took office, with the special envoy at the forefront of White House efforts to end Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022. Tass reported that Witkoff and Dmitriev walked in the Zaryadye Park in central Moscow before Witkoff's convoy traveled to the Kremlin. Last month, Trump said he would impose additional economic measures -- including secondary sanctions on Russian fossil fuel export customers, the largest of which are India and China -- if Putin failed to agree to a ceasefire by Aug. 8. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement MORE: Trump sets Putin new Ukraine ceasefire deadline, says he's 'disappointed' in Moscow Trump cited Russia's continued drone and missile strikes on Ukraine when issuing his ultimatum to the Kremlin, which was initially set at 50 days but later shortened to only 10 days. In July, Russia set a new monthly record for long-range attacks on Ukraine, per data from the Ukrainian air force, firing 6,443 drones and missiles into the country. On Wednesday, Trump hit India with an additional 25% tariff -- bringing the total to 50% -- over its purchases of Russian oil. ABC News' Joe Simonetti, Yuriy Zaliznyak and Ellie Kaufman contributed to this report. The alleged assault of a Trump Administration staffer known as Big Balls has prompted the President to threaten a federal takeover of Washington, D.C., to address what he labeled the districts totally out of control crime problem. Donald Trump posted on his Truth Social platform on Tuesday a photo of a bloodied, shirtless Edward Coristine, one of the young engineers hired by Elon Musks Department of Government Efficiency earlier this year, claiming that he was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. The large-testicles-nicknamed 19-year-old, who reportedly used to provide tech support to a cybercrime ring, became a special employee of the Social Security Administration in May. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Marko Elez, a fellow former DOGE staffer who resigned from the government amid controversy over racist social media posts before being quickly rehired, said he took the photo of Coristine. Two teens arrested According to a police report obtained by TIME, Coristine was allegedly assaulted by a group of approximately 10 juveniles early Sunday morning. According to the report, Coristine was with his significant other Emily Bryant near their car when he saw the suspects approach and make a comment about taking the vehicle. Coristine reportedly pushed Bryant into the car before being beaten by the suspects. When officers patrolling the area approached, the report says, the suspects fled by foot, and two were caught and positively identified by the victims. The Metropolitan Police Department announced Tuesday that the two apprehended suspects were a 15-year-old male and a 15-year-old female, both of Hyattsville, Md. They were arrested and charged with unarmed carjacking. In Trumps post about the incident, he complained that minors ought to be prosecuted and locked up as adults. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16-years-old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, he said, but its going to happen now! Trump calls for federalization Trump used the incident to renew his calls for the federalization of D.C., warning: If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago, then this incredible young man, and so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of Violent Crime. If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Musk, the Presidents one-time ally turned opponent, also posted about the incident, agreeing with Trumps assessment: It is time to federalize DC. Crime in D.C. Republican leaders have long used incidents of violence in D.C. to paint an example of Democratic strongholds suffering from crime. (D.C.s population is overwhelmingly Democratic and it has supported the Democratic ticket in every presidential election since 1964, after the 23rd Amendment allowed D.C. to participate in presidential elections.) In 2023, D.C. recorded 274 homicides, the most since 1997. Carjackings also doubled that year. But latest D.C. police statistics show that crime has been on the decline. Year-to-date violent crime, as of Aug. 5, is down 26% compared to the year before, and the 2024 figure dropped 35% from 2023. The Home Rule Act In a Cabinet meeting at the White House in July, Trump said: We have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to. We could run D.C. I mean, were ... looking at D.C. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Any attempt to federalize the national capital, however, would require the suspension or repeal of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act of 1973. Washington, D.C., was established through a political compromise as a federal district in 1790. It used to be governed directly by Congress and federal appointees, but in 1973, Congress passed the Home Rule Act after the districts residents pushed for control of their own affairs. The Act established an elected local government including a mayor and a 13-member council that would oversee the districts affairs. But according to the act, Congress still reserves the right, at any time, to exercise its constitutional authority as legislature for the District. Some Republican lawmakers have pushed to repeal the Home Rule Act, decrying Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowsers supposed incompetence. In February, Trump threw himself behind those efforts, saying while aboard Air Force One, I think we should take over Washington, D.C.make it safe. People are getting killed, people are being hurt. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump could test the strength of the Republican Partys slim House and Senate majorities by trying to repeal or suspend the Home Rule Act. But for now, the President and his allies have resorted to other methods to exert some semblance of control over D.C. In March, he issued an Executive Order establishing the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force, an interagency panel that would coordinate with local officials to boost law enforcement and further beautify the district. The same month, Congress also docked the districts budget by $1.1 billion. For 50 years, D.C. home rule could count on stout defense from the White House and majority support in Congress, wrote former Washington Post opinion contributor Colbert I. King in February. Even in the worst-case scenario of a D.C. home rule repeal bill passing the House, a Senate filibuster would surely have prevented its final passage. But political dynamics have changed, King wrote. The guardrails are gone. Deploying the National Guard On Wednesday, Trump continued to criticize D.C., focusing on crime and lack of cleanliness. We have a capital that is very unsafe, and were going to do something about it, he said, telling reporters at the White House that he is considering taking over the D.C. police and mobilizing the National Guard. Were going to beautify the citywere going to make it beautiful, he said. And that includes bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly, too. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump appeared to reference Coristine, saying: We just almost lost a young man, a beautiful handsome guy that got the hell knocked out of him. The President also said his lawyers are already studying the Home Rule Act. We have to run D.C., he said. This has to be the best run place in the country, not the worst run place in the country. While federal troops are barred from participating in civilian law enforcement under the Posse Comitatus Act (PCA) of 1878, the National Guard has been mobilized in the U.S. to respond to natural disasters and maintain order during large-scale protests or riots, such as during the summer of 2020 after the death of George Floyd. But while state National Guards are supposed to be in the command and control of their respective governorswhich became an issue after Trump mobilized the National Guard in California earlier this year, which is being challenged in courtthe D.C. National Guard is the only National Guard unit that reports to the President directly. In practice, legal scholar Elizabeth Goitein wrote for the Washington-based think tank Center for a New American Security in May, it means the president may use the D.C. National Guard for law enforcement without having to invoke the Insurrection Act or any other PCA exception. Contact us at letters@time.com. Aug. 5 (UPI) -- Washington, D.C., would become a federal district and prosecute teens as adults if crime in the nation's capital does not recede soon, President Donald Trump said on Tuesday. Youths and gangs in the capital are randomly targeting people for violent crimes due to a lack of law enforcement, Trump said in a Truth Social post. "Crime in Washington, D.C., is totally out of control," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Local 'youths' and gang members ... are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming and shooting innocent citizens," he added, "at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released." He said local youths do not fear law enforcement "because they know nothing ever happens to them." Trump's post includes a photo of a young male who is bloodied and sitting on what appears to be an asphalt parking lot. "The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by thugs," Trump said. "Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the world to see." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said the federal government would have no choice but to take control of the capital and "put criminals on notice." "Perhaps it should have been done a long time ago," Trump added, "and then this incredible young man, with so many others, would not have had to go through the horrors of violent crime." Trump did not reference the recent shooting deaths of a House intern or two Israel Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. Despite such shooting deaths and other crimes in the nation's capital, local police reported a 35% reduction in crime in 2024, which set a 30-year low, The Hill reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So far this year, reported crimes in Washington, D.C., are lower than in 2024, which would establish a new 30-year low if the trend continues. Trump and Washington, D.C., Mayor Muriel Bowser have met several times since the Nov. 5 election. The president has said he and the mayor have an amicable relationship, and in a March 28 executive order, created the D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force. That task force includes representatives from several federal agencies and federal law enforcement, who are tasked with cleaning up the city by working with local officials. Such efforts are to include removing homeless encampments, supporting law enforcement, removing threats to public safety and streamlining the process for residents to obtain concealed carry permits for firearms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Parks, monuments, structures, roadways and buildings are to be beautified by being restored and graffiti removed from commonly visited local areas, according to the executive order. The Washington, D.C., mayor's office did not respond to a UPI request for comment on Tuesday. Renowned historian Hsu Cho-yun, professor emeritus of history and sociology at the University of Pittsburgh, passed away at 95 on Monday (yesterday, Macau time) in Pittsburgh, the United States, multiple sources said. Over the past decades, Hsu, who received training in both China and the US and specialized in ancient Chinese social and cultural history, has influenced generations of scholars and lay readers from home and abroad, particularly with his studies of early Chinese periods such as the Western Zhou (c.11th century-771 BC), Qin (221-206 BC) and Han (206 BC-AD 220) dynasties. Hsu was born into a family of literati in Xiamen, Fujian province, in September 1930, and raised in Jiangnan, which encompasses the southern regions in the lower reaches of the Yangtze River. He moved to Taiwan with his family in 1948. After graduating from Taiwan University, he went to the University of Chicago and graduated with a PhD in humanities in 1962. He arrived in Pittsburgh in 1970, and one year later, he achieved the status of full professor at the University of Pittsburgh. Throughout his career, he taught and lectured at higher education institutions including Duke University, Taiwan University and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, apart from the University of Pittsburgh, where he worked for 30 years on the faculty. The historians representative academic works include Western Chou Civilizations and Han Agriculture: The Formation of Early Chinese Agrarian Economy (206 BC-AD 220), apart from a body of influential works, such as China: A New Cultural History, which bridge the gap between scholarship and public knowledge. In his later years, Hsu dedicated himself to summarizing, revising and expanding upon his scholarly works and observations, further enriching his insights and creating a prolific output in publications. In collaboration with the WeChat public account Xinshixiang, his last livestreaming show took place on June 23. Born with physical disability and having experienced the Chinese Peoples War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1931-45) in his childhood, Hsu lived an arduous yet fruitful life. He once said: I was always a bystander because I couldnt move freely or play with other children, which had a lot to do with my lifelong commitment to studies in history. Historians are bystanders. David Der-wei Wang, a professor of Chinese literature at Harvard University, wrote in an article in 2023 recalling his friendship with Hsu that their discussions in recent years, mostly held over the phone, spanned a variety of academic topics and frequently focused on the situations on both sides of the Taiwan Strait. Hsu once quoted Song Dynasty (960-1279) poet Lu You in the cultural show Thirteen Talks, But what grieves me is not to have seen our land united. With tears in his eye, he added that people of his generation, who experienced the war, could not get over the pain and stop this regret, and that he had planned to be buried next to his parents in his hometown in Wuxi, Jiangsu province. Writer Xu Zhiyuan, the host of the show, told China Daily that he was already a reader of Hsus works as a university student. He helped me reconfirm the importance of historical spirit and humanistic consciousness and will constantly guide me in a rapidly changing era, Xu said. MDT/China Daily Like this: Like Loading... Washington President Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25% tariff on goods from India because it continues to buy oil from Russia. The announcement by the president comes just a week after he said he would be slapping a 25% tariff on imports from India, as well as an unspecified "penalty," because of its purchases of Russian military equipment and energy. The additional tariff are set to take effect in 21 days, according to the directive. The latest action brings the total duties imposed on Indian products to 50%. Mr. Trump criticized India then as having tariffs that are "far too high" and "the most strenuous and obnoxious non-monetary trade barriers of any country." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president has sought to target countries doing business with Russia as part of his efforts to pressure the Kremlin to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Steve Witkoff, Mr. Trump's special envoy, in Moscow on Wednesday, according to the Kremlin. Mr. Trump has given Putin until Friday to agree to a ceasefire with Ukraine or face "severe tariffs" and other economic penalties. Tariffs are a signature piece of the president's trade agenda, and Mr. Trump has used the levies as a way to force U.S. trading partners to the table to negotiate trade agreements. The president announced last week higher duties against more than 60 countries ahead of a Friday deadline for them to cut trade deals with his administration. Those tariffs are set to take effect this week. The U.S. had a $45.8 billion trade deficit with India last year, an increase of 5.9% over 2023, according to data from the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr. Trump met with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the White House earlier this year and said that the U.S. would be boosting military sales to India. He also said he and Modi reached a deal on oil and gas that would make the U.S. India's leading supplier. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Neil deGrasse Tyson weighs in on plans for a moon-based nuclear reactor US President Donald Trump has issued an executive order hitting India with an additional 25% tariff over its purchases of Russian oil. That will raise the total tariff on Indian imports to the United States to 50% - among the highest rates imposed by the US. The new rate will come into effect in 21 days, so on 27 August, according to the executive order. A response from India's foreign ministry on Wednesday said Delhi had already made clear its stance on imports from Russia, and reiterated that the tariff is "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the brief statement read. "India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," it added. The US president had earlier warned he would raise levies, saying India doesn't "care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine". On Wednesday, the White House said in a statement that the "Russian Federation's actions in Ukraine pose an ongoing threat to US national security and foreign policy, necessitating stronger measures to address the national emergency". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It said India's imports of Russian oil undermine US efforts to counter Russia's activities in Ukraine. It added that the US will determine which other countries import oil from Russia, and will "recommend further actions to the President as needed". Oil and gas are Russia's biggest exports, and Moscow's biggest customers include China, India and Turkey. Russia is now the biggest seller of oil to India, accounting for more than 35% of India's overall supplies, according to global commodities data platform Kpler. Trade data shared with the Reuters news agency showed that India bought about 1.75 million barrels a day of Russian oil in the first six month of this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking later at an event in the White House, Trump took a question from the BBC on the subject and said the tariff on India was just the start - "You're going to see a lot more, so much secondary sanctions," he said. The threatened tariff hike follows meetings on Wednesday by Trump's top envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow, aimed at securing peace between Russia and Ukraine. The additional tariff would mean a steep 50% duty on key Indian exports like textiles, gems and jewellery, auto parts, and seafood, hitting major job-creating sectors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Electronics, including iPhones, and pharma remain exempt for now. Delhi has previously called Trump's threat to raise tariffs over its purchase of oil from Russia "unjustified and unreasonable". In an earlier statement, a spokesperson for India's foreign ministry said the US had encouraged India to import Russian gas at the start of the conflict, "for strengthening global energy markets stability". He said India "began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict". The latest threatened tariff demonstrates Trump's willingness to impose sanctions related to the war in Ukraine even against nations that the US considers to be important allies or trading partners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This could be a warning that other countries could feel a real bite if Trump ramps up those kind of sanctions once Friday's deadline passes, when the US president has threatened new sanctions on Russia and to place 100% tariffs on countries that purchase its oil. This would not be the first time the Trump administration has imposed secondary tariffs, which are also in place to punish buyers of Venezuelan oil. India has previously criticised the US - its largest trading partner - for introducing the levies, when the US itself is still doing trade with Russia. Last year, the US traded goods worth an estimated $3.5bn (2.6bn) with Russia, despite tough sanctions and tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi have in the past referred to each other as friends and, during Trump's first term, attended political rallies in each others' countries. But that has not stopped Trump from hitting India with the levies, suggesting diverging interests between New Delhi and Washington. The Federation of India Exports Organisations has called the decision to impose additional tariffs "extremely shocking", adding that it will hit 55% of India's exports to America. The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, and could cut US-bound exports by 4050%, according to the Global Trade Research Initiative (GTRI), a Delhi-based think tank. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "India should remain calm, avoid retaliation for at least six months, and recognise that meaningful trade negotiations with the US cannot proceed under threats or mistrust," former Indian trade official and head of GTRI, Ajay Srivastava, said. With additional analysis from BBC North America correspondent Anthony Zurcher. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan will meet with United States President Donald Trump and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in Washington this week, the Armenian government said. The trilateral meeting with Trump and Aliyev will be aimed at promoting peace, prosperity, and economic cooperation in the region, the government said in a statement posted on Telegram on Wednesday. Pashinyan, who is travelling to Washington on August 7 to 8, will hold also hold a bilateral meeting with Trump, the statement said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A US official had earlier said Trump would host the leaders and that there was a possibility a framework for a peace agreement could be announced at Fridays meeting in Washington, DC. The leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan met in Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates, for peace talks last month, but no breakthrough in the decades-old conflict was announced. [Al Jazeera] The two South Caucasus countries have been in conflict with each other since the late 1980s, when Nagorno-Karabakh broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. The region, which was claimed by both Azerbaijan and Armenia after the fall of the Russian Empire in 1917, had a mostly ethnic Armenian population at the time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijan recaptured Nagorno-Karabakh in September 2023, prompting almost all of the territorys 100,000 Armenians to flee to Armenia. Armenia has accused Azerbaijan of erasing all traces of the presence of ethnic Armenians in the contested territory, in a case before the International Court of Justice (ICJ). The case stems from the 2020 war over Nagorno-Karabakh, which left more than 6,600 people dead, one of three full-scale wars that the two countries have fought over the region. The United Nationss top court has ordered Azerbaijan to allow ethnic Armenians who fled Nagorno-Karabakh to return. Azerbaijan says it is committed to ensuring all residents safety and security, regardless of national or ethnic origin, and that it has not forced ethnic Armenians, who are mostly Christian, to leave the Karabakh region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijan, whose inhabitants are mostly Muslim, links its historical identity to the territory, too, and has accused the Armenians of driving out Azeris who lived near the region in the 1990s. The meeting in Abu Dhabi last month between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev came after the two countries finalised a draft peace deal in March. The two leaders agreed to continue bilateral negotiations and confidence-building measures between the two countries, but no more concrete steps were outlined in the final statement from the talks. Ceasefire violations along the heavily militarised 1,000km (620-mile) shared Armenia-Azerbaijan border surged soon after the draft deal was announced in March, but later diminished. U.S. President Donald Trump will host Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the White House in a bid to advance a long-delayed peace deal between the two countries, the Washington Post reported on Aug. 6. The meeting, expected to take place on Aug. 8, comes as part of Trump's broader push to assert the U.S. role in resolving global conflicts. According to the Armenian government, Pashinyan will visit Washington on Aug. 7 and 8 to attend a trilateral meeting with Trump and Aliyev. The talks are aimed at promoting "peace, prosperity, and economic cooperation in the region," Yerevan said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A source told the Washington Post that a peace agreement between the two countries might be announced as a result of the meeting. Armenia and Azerbaijan have remained at odds since gaining independence from the Soviet Union over 30 years ago, with repeated outbreaks of violence over the disputed Nagorno-Karabakh region, de jure Azerbaijani territory that was de facto ruled by ethnic Armenian authorities. In 2020 and again in 2023, Azerbaijan launched military operations that culminated in full control over the territory, prompting nearly all of the 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee. Both sides announced a draft peace agreement in March, though a final signing date has remained elusive. In July, leaders from both countries held talks in the United Arab Emirates, but no breakthrough was reached. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The talks in Washington mark a significant diplomatic moment for Trump, who has touted his ability to end wars and negotiate peace deals. On July 29, he claimed he had already "stopped about five wars," without naming them. After Russia did not move to prevent the 2023 Azerbaijani offensive despite the presence of its peacekeepers, Armenia has moved to deepen ties with Western nations and other international partners. Yerevan's shift in foreign policy has increasingly brought it into Washington's orbit, while also heightening tensions with Moscow. Read also: Humanitarian crisis in Kherson escalates but Russian river crossing remains unrealistic Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. By Steve Holland (Reuters) - U.S. President Donald Trump will host the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan for peace talks at the White House on Friday, a U.S. official told Reuters. The official said it was possible that the framework for a peace agreement could be announced at Friday's meeting. The Washington Post was first to report on the talks. The two countries, both of which won independence from the Soviet Union in 1991, have been at loggerheads since the late 1980s when Nagorno-Karabakh - an Azerbaijani region that had a mostly ethnic-Armenian population - broke away from Azerbaijan with support from Armenia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Azerbaijan retook Karabakh in 2023, prompting 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee to Armenia. In March, the two sides said they had agreed on the text of a draft peace agreement, but progress since then has been sporadic and slow. The countries' leaders met in July in Abu Dhabi for talks. (Reporting by Steve Holland, additional reporting by Costas Pitas and Christian Martinez, editing by Ross Colvin and Lincoln Feast) Donald Trump told allies that he planned to meet Vladimir Putin next week, followed by a three-way meeting that would include Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president. The announcement has raised hopes that an end to the conflict could be in sight after more than three years of intense fighting. After speaking by phone to the American president, Mr Zelensky said he believed Russia was now more inclined to a ceasefire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The positive signs came during a day of intense diplomatic activity. Mr Trumps special envoy met the Russian president in Moscow for three hours. At the same time, Mr Trump intensified pressure on Putin with fresh sanctions and declared Russia to be an extraordinary threat to the United States. Mr Trump said he would hit India with a further 25 per cent trade tariff over its purchase of Russian oil, a vital source of income for the Kremlin. In a call with European leaders, Mr Trump set out his plan to meet with Putin as soon as next week, according to The New York Times. The first meeting would include only Putin and Mr Trump, followed by sessions with Mr Zelensky, and would not include any of their European counterparts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The White House did not immediately respond to a request for more information about the meeting plans. My special envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian president Vladimir Putin, he posted on Truth Social. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European allies. Speaking in the Oval Office later in the day, Mr Trump played down the idea that Putin had suddenly signalled he was ready to make concessions. I dont call it a breakthrough, he said. I mean, weve been working on this a long time. He offered no further details about when or where a meeting with Putin could take place other than to say it could happen soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that more secondary sanctions on countries doing trade with Russia could follow and did not rule out the idea that China could be included. Its only been eight hours so lets see what happens over the next sanctions. Youre going to see a lot more, he said. Vladimir Putin meets with Steve Witkoff, Donald Trumps special envoy, in Moscow on Wednesday - Gavriil Grigorov/REUTERS US Secretary of State Marco Rubio told Fox Business late on Wednesday that more had to be done to reach an agreement between the parties. Today was a good day, but we got a lot of work ahead, he said. Theres still many impediments to overcome, and we hope to do that over the next few days and hours. Earlier, a senior administration official said secondary sanctions were still set to be imposed on countries trading with Russia on Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting with Russia and special envoy Witkoff went well, said the official. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday. For his part, Mr Zelensky sounded an optimistic note. It seems that Russia is now more inclined to a ceasefire, the pressure on them is working, he said. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in detail, neither us nor the United States. Wednesday brought a hectic slew of developments as Mr Trump continues to push for an unconditional, 30-day ceasefire, which would then pave the way for talks to establish a permanent peace deal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Mr Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow, Mr Trump issued an executive order imposing tariffs on India and toughening his rhetoric on the threat from Moscow. I have received additional information from various senior officials on, among other things, the actions of the government of the Russian Federation with respect to the situation in Ukraine, Mr Trump said. After considering this additional information, among other things, I find that the actions and policies of the government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States. The language marked a significant shift from earlier this year, when Mr Trump went out of his way to placate Putin in order to coax him to the negotiating table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear what the additional information is and White House officials did not respond to requests for more details. I determine that it is necessary and appropriate to impose an additional ad valorem duty on imports of articles of India, which is directly or indirectly importing Russian Federation oil, Mr Trump added in the executive order. Mr Trump had suggested that Mr Witkoffs meeting with Putin their fifth would determine any decision for the US president to follow through on threats to impose tariffs on countries buying Russian energy. Karoline Leavitt, Mr Trumps press secretary, said in a statement: As President Trump said earlier today on Truth Social, great progress was made during Special Envoy Witkoffs meeting with President Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end. India and China are among the countries buying the most Russian crude oil, which analysts say provides key revenues for Putin to fuel his war machine in Ukraine. A top Russian presidential aide described the talks as useful and constructive. Russia had conveyed signals to the American side on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from Trump, Yuri Ushakov told reporters after talks wrapped up. 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. During his first term, President Trump struck up an exuberant bromance with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, holding joint rallies in Texas and India and calling Modi one of Americas greatest, most devoted, and most loyal friends. While Modi was among the first heads of state to visit the White House in Trumps second term, the U.S.-India relationship has soured amid the presidents trade war and push for peace in Ukraine. The president in recent days has publicly fumed over Indias trade imbalance with the United States and its economic ties with Russia, threatening to substantially raise a 25 percent tariff rate set to take effect in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tensions are straining a partnership that both Republicans and Democrats view as essential in challenging China. I dont think that he wants to spoil his relationship with Modi, Derek Grossman, professor of international relations at the University of Southern California, said of Trump. Again, he is personalistic, and if he feels like Modi is a great guy, a great friend, as he said, why ruin that? Well, theres got to be a reason to, and thats that the U.S. is being undermined in its policies by India. Trump has singled out India as a particularly egregious trade foe amid his global trade war, citing a trade deficit of about $46 billion. India is also the second-largest importer of Russian oil after China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What people dont like to say about India theyre the highest tariff nation. They have the highest tariff of anybody. We do very, very little business with India because their tariffs are so high, Trump said Tuesday. So we settled on 25 percent, but I think Im going to raise that very substantially over the next 24 hours, because theyre buying Russian oil. Theyre fueling the war machine, and if theyre going to do that, then Im not going to be very happy. Those remarks, echoed in a series of Truth Social posts in the days since, marked a stark change in tone. During Trumps first term, the two demonstrated a personal warmth and exchanged boisterous rallies a Howdy Modi rally in Texas in 2019 that drew a reported 50,000 people, and a 2020 Namaste Trump rally in India that drew an estimated 100,000 people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hints of Trumps frustration were dropped during Modis visit in February, when Trump said it was only fair that the U.S. match Indias tariffs on American exports. But the visit was largely friendly, with the two leaders launching an initiative to boost cooperation around military, commerce and technology. While Democratic lawmakers have raised concerns about human rights issues in India the nonprofit Freedom House has tracked democratic backsliding and rates the country as only partly free theres a growing bipartisan consensus that India provides one of the best partnerships for countering Chinas economic, diplomatic and military might. The Biden administration and the first Trump administration, for that matter looked at India and thought, having India on our side, so to speak, can be very helpful toward countering China throughout the Indo-Pacific, Grossman said. Theres a problem with that: The biggest problem is India is still multialigned. They are not really going to do too much for us in the Indo-Pacific unless it directly impacts their national interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A pillar of Indias foreign policy is its strategic autonomy, a right to have relations with any nation, unbound by decisions from other multilateral groupings. India has also chafed at Trumps efforts to claim credit for mediating a ceasefire with Pakistan after clashes in May. Modi reportedly conveyed to Trump during a call in June that the U.S. played no role in halting the fighting. Pakistan, on the other hand, has nominated Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize, and Trump welcomed Pakistan army chief Asim Munir to the White House in June. Grossman said the disagreement around the India-Pakistan ceasefire is likely fueling personalistic baggage between Trump and Modi. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president hasnt said exactly how much tariffs will increase on India, but he called out the country Monday for buying Russian oil and selling it on the Open Market for big profits. He previously had vowed to hit India with a penalty for buying military equipment and energy from Russia amid the war in Ukraine. Indias Ministry of External Affairs criticized the U.S. and European Union on Tuesday as targeting the country for buying Russian oil when New Delhi was encouraged by the Biden administration to import Russian oil as other global supplies were diverted to Europe. Indias imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation, the ministrys statement continued, also criticizing a double standard of carve-outs on Russian trade with the U.S. and Europe despite the war in Ukraine. Trumps focus on India as fueling Russias war in Ukraine is a relatively new development, coming as trade talks between Washington and New Delhi have faltered. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Top administration officials, including Trump, have insisted for months that a deal with India was pending. Vice President Vance traveled to India in April and, at the time, said there was progress on trade talks. But some four months later, no deal has materialized. India is laying out red lines protecting the countrys agriculture and dairy sectors, an Indian government source told Reuters. New Delhi is committed to blocking imports of dairy products due to religiously based opposition to animal feed in these products. Trump also appears to be using India in a bid to gain leverage on Russia, putting an Aug. 8 deadline on Moscow to reach a peace deal or face secondary tariffs on its trading partners. While the Senate has called for a 500 percent tariff on countries that buy Russian oil, Trump has said he could impose a 100 percent tariff on nations that do business with Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, one of Trumps closest and most influential advisers, summarized all of the administrations problems with India in an interview with Fox News on Sunday. India portrays itself as being one of our closest friends in the world, but they dont accept our products, they impose massive tariffs on us, we also know they engage in a lot of cheating on immigration policies that is very harmful to American workers and, again, we see the purchasing of oil, he said. Aman Thakker, vice president at the Asia Group, said a draft trade deal originally imposed around a 13 percent to 15 percent tariff on India, with India reducing tariffs across the board for most sectors in the U.S., except on certain agricultural products. He expects officials from the National Security Council to travel to India next week to continue talks on a deal, suggesting the door isnt closed to negotiations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think this is, in my view, the president playing hardball with India trying to get a bigger deal than what was presented, he said. The president, this is sort of his way now to say, Well, I can secure a better deal than what the trade negotiators have been able to hammer out, and Im going to use as much leverage as I can to make that deal happen.' Thakker argued its an open question as to whether India would back down on purchasing Russian oil. I still think that there is a possibility about both sides engaging and finding a solution. Theyve done it before across administrations and including the last time President Trump was in the White House, he said. But it will really depend, I think, on how the next couple of days and weeks play out. If the president announces a higher tariff rate that will raise the temperature in an unproductive way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. The Trump administration is turning its attention to Indiana as Republicans look for other red states to follow Texass lead in the building redistricting battle. Vice President Vance is visiting Indianapolis on Thursday to meet with Gov. Mike Braun (R) amid chatter about potential midcycle redistricting in the Hoosier State. Braun has said there are no commitments at the moment, but left the door open for the matter to come up at the meeting. The visit suggests Indiana could be one of the next states on the GOPs list to move forward with redrawing congressional maps, though its unclear whether Indiana Republicans have the appetite for it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They are completely rewriting the implied rule book, Pete Seat, a GOP strategist and former communications director for the Indiana Republican Party, said of the redistricting push. Its a Pandoras box, because if you do it in Texas, you do it here, you do it in some other red states. Whats going to happen in the blue states? Theyre going to respond in kind. And then you have a redistricting arms race, and I dont know where that ends, Seat said. Vances visit to Indianapolis comes amid escalating drama over a proposed redraw in Texas, where a plan backed by President Trump could net Republicans five House seats in next years high-stakes midterms. Texas Democrats fled the state over the weekend, breaking quorum in a last-ditch bid to stall the state Legislature from moving forward with the redistricting effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, the developments in the Lone Star State have had a domino effect across the country. In calling for the Texas changes last month, Trump floated that there could be some other states on the table. The Trump administrations political allies were quietly exploring options in Indiana late last month, Punchbowl News reported. And the IndyStar reported Wednesday that Vance was expected to talk to state leaders about a potential redraw. Brauns office confirmed to The Hill that the governor is set for a private meeting with Vance on Thursday to discuss a number of topics, without specifying whether redistricting is on that agenda. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vances team also said the vice president will discuss a variety of issues with Braun and state officials while in town to headline a Republican National Committee fundraiser, according to a statement obtained by NewsNation, The Hills sister network. At the end of the day, its up to Braun and the state Legislature. But Im sure [redistricting] is going to be touched upon, because its a situation where you would be, if the opportunity presents itself based on the law, on the data, etc., then youd be foolish not to try to take advantage of it, said GOP strategist Ford OConnell, a former Trump White House and campaign surrogate. Asked on Tuesday whether hed call for a special session if the vice president asked him to do so for redistricting, the Indiana governor told reporters that whatever we discuss there, and if that topic comes up, its exploratory. So theres been no commitments made other than, I think theyre going to come into every state thats got the possibility of that happening, and obviously you can see in Texas how thats eventuated, Braun said, according to WXIN, a NewsNation affiliate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To change the maps, Braun would need to call a special session of the state General Assembly, where Republicans boast a supermajority and theyd have to act quickly to make it happen before the midterms. My guess, if I had to guess, would be that JD Vance would try to sort of take the governors temperature on the likelihood of a special session being called, said Steven Webster, a political science professor at Indiana University in Bloomington. OConnell argued that it would be wise for Vance and Braun to have a conversation about the options, because if the shoe was on the other foot, the Democrats would be having that conversation if they hadnt already eaten up all the Republican seats. Republicans hold seven of the states nine congressional seats, but some think the GOP could get at least one more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That seems kind of like a small thing. But on the other hand, when the balance of power is often so tight in Washington, I think theres probably value in getting any seats that you possibly could if youre a political party, Webster said. Redrawn Indiana lines would likely squeeze Rep. Frank Mrvan (D-Ind.) in the northwest, while Rep. Andre Carson (D-Ind.) may be somewhat safer in his district around Indianapolis. It is no surprise that some believe redistricting is the only option to cling to power when they know the American people are rejecting the damage done by the House Republican Majority, Mrvan said in a statement on potential Indiana redistricting, arguing it would be reprehensible to call the General Assembly in for a special session on the matter. Other Indiana Democrats have pushed back strongly against the possibility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sending the Vice President here to beg for another Congressional seat is beyond absurd, Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian said in a statement. State Rep. Matt Pierce said in a statement from the state House Democratic caucus that Trump and Vance are desperate if they think that having seven of the nine seats in Indiana held by Republicans is not enough. Whether Vance ultimately raises the matter during his visit or not, it remains unclear whether Indiana Republicans would want to pursue it. We know that redistricting is expensive. And we had just done this back in 2021, said Carly Schmitt, a political science professor at Indiana State University, pointing to redistricting efforts after the 2020 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If were thinking about the need to shore up more Republican [power] either at the state level or the congressional level, its already happened. Indiana has an A grade in the Gerrymandering Projects report card for its latest round of congressional redistricting, while Texas has an F grade. My sense is there will be and is hesitation regarding this idea. Because Republicans in this state take great pride in how we redistrict, Seat said. Youre not hearing a lot of excitement for this idea that the way you have seen and heard it in Texas. But Indiana isnt the only sign that the Trump administration is looking for redistricting opportunities beyond the Lone Star State. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Missouri Republicans have signaled openness to redistricting after the state House Speaker pro tem reportedly got a call from the White House last month, according to the Missouri Independent. Ohio is set to redistrict because of state requirements, and Florida Republicans have also floated a redraw in Texass stead. Meanwhile, Democrats are looking to counter would-be GOP gains by weighing redistricting in blue strongholds, including New York and California. The Golden States Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) has said hes moving forward with a plan to put redistricting before voters this fall, contingent on what happens in Texas. The talk of tit-for-tat redistricting and the potential for other states to get involved threatens to roil next years midterms, as Republicans defend their slim 219-212 majority in the House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I mean, it could very well end with the exact same margin that we have now, Seat said. If Texas moves forward, prompting California and other states to do the same, he added, I think its just going to be a tit for tat until every single deadline hits. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Donlad Trump intends to meet in person with President Vladimir Putin of Russia as soon as next week, Fox News has learned. Trump then plans to follow shortly afterward with a meeting between himself, Putin and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of Ukraine. News of the expected meeting came hours after U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff had a "highly productive" meeting with Putin on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump Says He Will Meet With Putin, Zelenskyy 'If Necessary' Amid Negotiations To End War President Donald Trump is expected to meet in person with Russia's Vladimir Putin, possibly next week. "Great progress was made!" Trump wrote on Truth Social. "Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Thank you for your attention to this matter!" During their discussion, Putin told Witkoff that he wanted to meet with Trump, who said he would agree if the meeting is tied to a peace deal. Read On The Fox News App "As President Trump said earlier today on Truth Social, great progress was made during Special Envoy Witkoffs meeting with President Putin," said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. "The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke with Trump on Wednesday alongside other European leaders. Trump, After Skipping Russia-ukraine Peace Talks, Wants To Meet Putin As Soon As We Can Set It Up Pictured are Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly," he said. "European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support. We discussed what was spelled out in Moscow," he added. "Ukraine will definitely defend its independence. We all need a lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it itself started." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has promised to help end the war between Russia and Ukraine. In mid-July, Trump promised to enforce "very severe" tariffs on Russia if Putin does not enter into a deal with Zelenskyy within 50 days . He then pushed the date up to within 10 days of July 29, forcing the new deadline for Friday. On Tuesday, Trump walked back the 100% tariff threat amid tough trade talks with India and China. "We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of time," he added in response to questions from reporters. "We have a meeting with RussiaWe're going to see what happens." Fox News Digital's Caitlin McFall contributed to this report. Original article source: Trump open to meet Putin face-to-face next week followed by three-way talks with Ukraine's Zelenskyy Editor's note: This article has been updated to include additional details. U.S. President Donald Trump plans to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week and intends to hold a trilateral meeting with President Volodymyr Zelensky and Putin shortly after, the New York Times (NYT) reported on Aug. 6. Earlier in the day, U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin as Trump's Aug. 8 deadline for Russia to reach a ceasefire with Ukraine looms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fox News reported that Putin told Witkoff about his intention to meet with Trump at some point in the near future. In a phone call following the talks in Moscow, Trump told European leaders that he plans to meet with Putin and Zelensky without any other representatives from the continent, two sources familiar with the matter said. The European officials Trump spoke with over the phone appeared to accept Trump's decision not to involve more leaders in the process, one of the sources said. CNN reported that Trump has instructed his team to accelerate planning for both the one-on-one meeting with Putin and the proposed trilateral summit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such talks would mark the first direct negotiations between the three leaders since the start of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Trump and Zelensky held a phone call following Witkoff's visit to Moscow. U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, U.S. Vice President JD Vance, U.S. State Secretary Marco Rubio, and Witkoff joined the conversation, the NYT reported. In his public remarks following the call, Trump appeared uncommitted on a timeline for the potential meeting, adding, "there's a good chance that there will be a meeting very soon." When asked by reporters whether he believed the U.S. was close to reaching a ceasefire deal with Russia, Trump replied: "Well, look, I don't want to say. I've been disappointed before with this one." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Months earlier, U.S. attempts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia failed. Kyiv and Moscow later held three rounds of direct peace talks in Istanbul, which were largely inconclusive. In the direct talks, Ukraine and Russia agreed to several prisoner exchanges, but progress toward a ceasefire was not made amid Russian maximalist demands. Trump has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on Russia's trading partners if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire by Aug. 8. The measure could impose tariffs of up to 100% on countries that purchase Russian oil. The U.S. leader has already imposed a 50% tariff on India for its continued purchase of Russian oil, raising the measure from an initial 25% announced on July 31. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trump pressures Russia to reach a ceasefire, the Kremlin is weighing a limited "air truce" involving a pause in drone and missile strikes if Ukraine agrees to do the same, Bloomberg reported on Aug. 5, citing undisclosed sources familiar with the matter. Read also: Ukraine war latest: Great progress was made! Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. A man charged with importing drugs to Indonesia faces up to 15 years in prison under the countrys tough drug laws in a trial that began yesterday on the tourist island of Bali. William Wallace Molyneaux V, a U.S. citizen, was arrested May 23 after he allegedly collected a package containing illegal drugs at a post office near Kuta beach, a popular tourist spot. Prosecutor I Made Dipa Umbara said the arrest followed a tip that Molyneaux received a suspicious package by mail from London. Balis Narcotic Agency seized the package and investigators reported they found 99 Adderall pills in seven silver medicine boxes containing 1.86 grams of amphetamine. The 27-year-old resident of Brooksville, Florida, told authorities that he was addicted to amphetamines because he has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD. Molyneaux told authorities he bought Adderall online from the dark web and paid the equivalent of $250 in Monero, a cryptocurrency, while on vacation in Bali, Umbara said. ADHD medications, such as Adderall, consist of amphetamines and are therefore illegal in Indonesia, no exceptions, Umbara told the Denpasar District Court. Molyneaux faces multiple charges including importing drugs, which carries a maximum penalty of 15 years in prison and a fine up to 10 billion rupiah ($609,980). A court document showed Molyneaux was transferred from a detention center to a rehabilitation center in Bali on July 9 after Molyneauxs U.S. doctor provided a written statement saying he suffers ADHD and needs treatment. The panel of three judges adjourned the trial until Aug. 12, when the court will hear witness testimony. Indonesias strict drug laws include possible execution by a firing squad for convicted traffickers. About 530 people are on death row in Indonesia, mostly for drug-related crimes, including 96 foreigners, according to Ministry of Immigration and Corrections data. Indonesias most recent executions of an Indonesian citizen and three foreigners were carried out in July 2016. MDT/AP Like this: Like Loading... President Donald Trump said Wednesday he plans to meet with Vladimir Putin as soon as next week in a fresh bid to broker a peace deal with Ukraine after U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff held a highly productive meeting with the Russian president. Trump hailed the meeting as having made great progress, but he didnt elaborate. A Kremlin spokesman said the meeting lasted three hours and was useful and constructive. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, Trump posted on his social media site. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Trump wants this brutal war to end, added White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. Trump told European allies about his plans to meet with Putin and his hopes to broker a three-man meeting between the two of them and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, several American and European media outlets reported. A face-to-face meeting between Putin and Zelenskyy could amount to a crucial crossroads in the war that Putin launched against neighboring Ukraine more than three years ago. In announcing his plans, Trump didnt mention his looming Friday deadline for Putin to start talking peace with Kyiv, raising obvious questions about whether the threat is still hanging over the Kremlin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump last week set a stricter deadline of 10 or 12 days for Putin to wind down the war against Ukraine or start peace negotiations, threatening severe tariffs and other economic penalties against Russia and its economic partners if it refuses. Zelenskyy, who also spoke with Trump on Wednesday, said Putins agreement to meet could suggest that pressure from Trump is working, though he warned that the wily Kremlin leader could be raising hopes for peace as a negotiating tactic without any intention of agreeing to end the conflict. The main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details, Zelenskyy said in his nightly address to the Ukrainian people. Moscow had so far shrugged off Trumps deadline as empty bluster, noting he has given numerous previous ultimatums on various issues that turned out to be toothless threats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia believes it has the upper hand on the battlefield, at least in the short and medium term, giving it little reason to agree to even a brief ceasefire. Its troops have made modest advances along the long front line in Ukraines eastern Donbas region and ousted Ukrainian troops from a sliver of a Russian border territory that they had previously seized. Russia has also increasingly mounted deadly missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian civilian targets. Earlier on Wednesday, Witkoff took a morning stroll in Moscow with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic cooperation, which was captured in footage aired by a Russian news agency. Dmitriev played a key role in three rounds of direct talks between delegations from Russia and Ukraine, as well as discussions between Russian and U.S. officials, but the negotiations made no progress on ending the three-year war. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has recently flip-flopped to a much harsher stance on Russia after seeing Putin for months spurn his demands for concessions. Still, Trump has shown himself to be unwilling to take a firm stance of defending Ukraine and sticking to it, giving Putin an incentive to wait out any threats. The new deadline and threat to impose secondary sanctions on nations that buy Russian energy, like India, China and Turkey, are particularly problematic because those economic powerhouses have no control over Russias stance on Ukraine. Theyre unlikely to cut economic ties with Moscow in response to such U.S. demands, especially when Trump himself was cozying up to Putin just a few weeks ago. The White House announced it is tacking on a new 25% tariff on products imported from India, raising the total tax to 50%, which suggests it doesnt consider Putin has met the deadline. By Andrea Shalal and Jasper Ward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump could meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin as early as next week their first meeting since Trump's return to office in January a White House official said on Wednesday. The official said a location for the possible meeting had yet to be determined. Separately, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the Russian leader expressed a desire to meet Trump. She said Trump was open to meeting both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times, which was first to report the possible meeting, said Trump would hold a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskiy after meeting the Russian leader. A source familiar with the discussions said Trump told European leaders that he would meet Putin. Earlier on Wednesday, Trump acknowledged having spoken with European leaders after what Trump called a "highly productive" meeting his special envoy Steve Witkoff had with Putin in Russia. While noting that great progress was made during the meeting, Trump wrote on Truth Social: "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come." Trump, who promised to end Russia's three-year-old war in Ukraine on "Day One" of his second term, has since returning to office in January had several phone calls with Putin and met with Zelenskiy at the White House in February and on the sidelines of Pope Francis' funeral in April. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In recent weeks, Trump has voiced increasing frustration with Moscow over a lack of progress towards ending the conflict and has set a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to peace in Ukraine or face new sanctions. (Reporting by Jasper Ward and Andrea Shalal; Editing by Deepa Babington and Howard Goller) US President Donald Trump intends to meet with Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin next week and then hold a trilateral meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Source: The New York Times Details: Two people familiar with the plan told The New York Times that Trump intends to meet with Putin in person next week and shortly after plans to hold a trilateral meeting with Putin and Zelenskyy. An NYT source said that Trump shared his plans during a phone call with European leaders and Zelenskyy on Wednesday. European leaders will not attend these meetings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times noted that it is unclear whether Putin and Zelenskyy have agreed to Trumps plan, but Zelenskyy participated in the call. UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, as well as US Vice President JD Vance, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trumps Special Envoy Steve Witkoff also joined the call. Background: On Wednesday 6 August, US President Donald Trump's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff held a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin which lasted about three hours. Trump said that Witkoffs meeting with Putin was "productive". The Kremlin stated that during the meeting between Putin and Witkoff, there was an exchange of "certain signals" regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! US President Donald Trump's administration is considering imposing new economic sanctions on Russia's "shadow fleet" of oil tankers if Kremlin ruler Vladimir Putin does not agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by 8 August. Source: Financial Times, citing several well-informed sources within the White House Details: The sources reported that Trump's administration is weighing up further sanctions against Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" a group of ageing tankers used by the Kremlin to transport oil in defiance of Western sanctions. These measures could become the first example of fresh US sanctions against Moscow following Trump's return to the White House. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Financial Times said the new sanctions are being seen as the first step in a strategy to ramp up pressure on the Kremlin. Trump, who had previously held off from taking a hard line, has now issued an ultimatum to Putin: either agree to a peace deal by Friday or face harsh sanctions. Quote: "Under the terms of the sanctions regime, Western-linked companies are prohibited from buying seaborne oil priced above a G7 price cap fixed at US$60 a barrel for crude. The shadow fleet has allowed Russia to ship oil above the cap mainly to China and India. In early 2024, Biden administration officials were surprised to realise that listing individual ships rather than their owners or managers proved to be effective, with buyers of Russian oil reluctant to deal with vessels that had been named. The EU and UK took up the practice as a result." Details: The Kremlin has ignored several deadlines set by Trump to reach a ceasefire and has significantly ramped up attacks on Ukraine in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump is said to be increasingly frustrated with Putin's position. Sources within the administration said Moscow will pay a heavy price if it does not come to the negotiating table. White House officials said that Steve Witkoff, Trump's Special Envoy for the Middle East, would arrive in Moscow for talks on Wednesday and the next steps would depend on the outcome of his visit. "It depends on what Witkoff brings back. If Witkoff comes back empty-handed, with absolutely nothing, Trump is going to go ballistic," a source close to the administration said. "The president has been clear that there will be biting sanctions if Putin does not agree to end the war," White House Deputy Press Secretary Anna Kelly said. Background: Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Donald Trump has attacked plans to recruit more female pilots, saying passengers will be put in danger because women may not be up to the job. On Wednesday, the White House accused a United Nations gender equality initiative which aims to get more females into the aviation industry of overlooking men who are better qualified and risking passenger safety. The programme, which is run by the UNs International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), has existed since 2017 with the aim of recruiting more women into an industry where about 94pc of pilots, 85pc of engineers and 80pc of air traffic controllers are male. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, the US said it would no longer fund the scheme and demanded that ICAO change its name from the Gender Equality Programme to the Empowerment Programme for Women. The White House also wants ICAO to promote women based solely on their skills, performance and hard work, and to focus its attention on the needs and perspectives of women. It marks another broadside from the US president against diversity policies in aviation. He previously suggested that such initiatives may have played a role in Januarys fatal collision between a passenger jet and an army helicopter flown by a female captain, Rebecca Lobach, who died in the crash. An investigation by the National Transportation Safety Board into the incident found the helicopter was getting faulty altitude data, causing it to fly too high. No pilot error has so far been established. The full findings are expected in 2026. Mr Trump has also reversed a ban on the use of the word airmen in pilot safety bulletins, instructing the Federal Aviation Administration to reintroduce the term notice to airmen. It had been outlawed under Joe Biden and replaced with notice to air missions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The latest attack on the UN initiative was revealed in a working paper ahead of a triennial gathering of senior industry regulators scheduled to begin next month. While acknowledging that the aviation industry faced a shortage of skilled professionals amid continued growth in air travel, it said: We do not support programmes that grant preferences based on sex or other characteristics. Hiring for these critical jobs, upon which the lives of millions of passengers depend every day, must be based solely on ensuring the safety and security of airline passengers. The submission, ahead of ICAOs meeting in Montreal next month, also said that the organisation should avoid focusing on radical causes such as diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI), and gender ideology. The document also warned against the use of the term gender to replace biological categories with an ever-shifting concept of self-assessed gender identity, to the detriment of women. Instead, the agency should use clear and accurate language that recognises women are biologically female and men are biologically male, it said. The ICAO was created by 52 countries in 1944 after the US called a convention in Chicago to establish international standards for aviation. It declined to comment. Research published last week by the University of Waterloo in Ontario, Canada, suggested that female pilots may outperform their male counterparts in high-pressure situations. Naila Ayala, from the university, said tests conducted on a simulator showed women made fewer flight control errors when stress levels increased. 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. President Trump on Wednesday announced he would increase tariffs on India by 25 percent over its purchases of Russian oil, bringing the total tariffs he has imposed on New Delhi to 50 percent. Trump signed an executive order making the tariff increase official, though it does not go into effect for another three weeks. The 25 percent increase is on top of a 25 percent reciprocal tariff Trump announced on India last week, which is set to take effect Thursday. Trump earlier this week threatened to increase tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil, arguing it was fueling Moscows war efforts in Ukraine. But the president had not specified how high a tariff he would impose. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre buying Russian oil, theyre fueling the war machine. And if theyre going to do that, then Im not going to be happy, Trump said of India during a Tuesday interview with CNBC. India on Monday pushed back on Trumps threat of heightened tariffs, asserting that its purchases of Russian oil was a necessity to keep costs stable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement. Trump campaigned on a pledge to end the war in Ukraine but has been unable to do so. He has in recent weeks grown increasingly frustrated with Russian President Vladimir Putin amid ongoing Russian drone strikes in Ukrainian cities. Trump is expected to impose additional sanctions on Russia in the coming days. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Democratic Sens. Elizabeth Warren (Mass.) and Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.) published a report Wednesday condemning President Trump for delaying sanctions on Russia amid the ongoing war with Ukraine. Trump promised while on the campaign trail to resolve the dispute between the two nations quickly, but peace talks thus far have not been fruitful. Six months later, our allies and adversaries are waiting to see whether President Trump will follow through on belated and continued threats to act against Russias ongoing aggression, Warren and Shaheen wrote. They are waiting to see whether his Administrations actions will be sustained and targeted in a way that focuses costs on Russia and its enablers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the next steps may be uncertain, the Trump Administrations pattern of inaction over the past six months is clear, the duo continued. The American people should understand the extent of the Presidents reluctance to use his broad authorities to help end Russias war. The president last month threatened to increase sanctions on Russia and buyers of Russian oil and gas if a ceasefire was not reached in the conflict thats lasted more than three years. As President Trump said earlier today on TRUTH Social, great progress was made during Special Envoy Witkoffs meeting with President Putin, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement sent to The Hill. The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end, she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Warren and Shaheen slammed Trump for backing out of basic sanctions and export control actions upon his return to the Oval Office, accusing him of signaling a lack of commitment after urging Group of Seven leaders to reduce Russias sanctions and declining a G7 proposal that planned to crack down on Russian oil exports. According to data analyzed by Senate Democratic staffers, the Trump administration did not execute a single Russia rollout in the first six months of his second term, dropping to zero from a minimum of 16 sets of action in prior six-month periods. Before taking office, senior Trump Administration officials had forcefully argued that the Biden Administration should have enacted stronger restrictions on Russian oil exports, a major Kremlin revenue source, the analysis reads. More than half a year into the Presidents term, however, the new Administration has failed to ramp up sanctions against Russian oil targets even as experts point out that there is now greater scope for sanctions to drive down Russian oil revenue without significant adverse impacts on global or U.S. energy prices. The Trump Administration has left the European Union and the United Kingdom to forge ahead with more forward-leaning actions against Russian oil, it adds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russian leaders have balked at the idea of harsher sanctions from Trump and have continued to launch strikes against Ukraine. Trump issued a theatrical ultimatum to the Kremlin. The world shuddered, expecting the consequences, Dmitry Medvedev, deputy chair of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, wrote in a post on the social platform X after Trump threatened severe tariffs. Belligerent Europe was disappointed. Russia didnt care, Medvedev, who also previously served as president and prime minister of Russia, added. Republican lawmakers have considered imposing economic restrictions on the Kremlin but have left the decision to the president, who in recent months has said his ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin could help resolve the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think hes going to be very careful about what he does, Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) said when asked by The Hill if Trump can be trusted to impose costs on Putin. 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. Putin has largely refused to entertain a ceasefire unless portions of Ukraine are turned over to Russia, a measure Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has rejected. Instead of direct economic assaults on Russia, Trump said Wednesday he would increase tariff prices on India, a major trading partner for Moscow, by 25 percent. Special envoy Steve Witkoff also met with Putin on Wednesday, two days before sanctions are set to go into effect. Warren and Shaheen pressed the Trump administration to do more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Administration should be marshaling a united front, making clear to Russia that our global coalition will only unlock access to our major economies and financial centers once we, including the European Union and its member states, see that Russia has committed credibly to a just peace that preserves Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, and its ability to defend itself, they wrote. But aside from breaking with our G7 partners in refusing to identify Russia as an aggressor, the Trump Administration has reportedly offered broad sanctions relief, among other concessions, without directly involving partners that have also imposed unprecedented sanctions and export controls, the duo continued. The Democrats added, This only benefits the Kremlin, which is eager to divide the United States and Europe. This story was updated at 4:51 p.m. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trump on Tuesday called for the District of Columbia to change its laws to allow for teenagers 14 and older to be prosecuted as adults and face lengthy prison sentences. Trump shared on Truth Social a graphic image of a bloodied individual, along with a lengthy message railing against violent crime in Washington, which has decreased in recent years. Trump blamed the citys crime on local youths, who he said were not fearful of consequences. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! Trump posted. The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see, Trump added. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Multiple reports later identified the individual who Trump had highlighted as Edward Coristine, a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer known as Big Balls. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC, Elon Musk, who headed DOGE efforts while working in government, posted on X. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the district shows violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has repeatedly threatened to take control of Washington throughout his second term and has spoken at length about his desire to rid the city of crime and the homeless population. The president has met multiple times with D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser since the 2024 election, and Trump has said the two get along well. The mayors office did not immediately respond to a request for comment about Trumps latest post on social media. Updated at 9:39 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. President Trump said Tuesday that he didnt know about Jeffrey Epstein associate Ghislaine Maxwells recent prison transfer before it happened. Were you aware of and did you personally approve the prison transfer for Ghislaine Maxwell that your Justice Department Trump was asked by CNNs Kaitlan Collins. I didnt know about it at all, nope. I read about it just like you did, the president cut in, adding later that the transfer was not a very uncommon thing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Maxwell was quietly moved from a federal prison in Florida to one in Texas, a Bureau of Prisons official told The Hill last week. Ghislaine Maxwell is in the custody of the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) at the Federal Prison Camp (FPC) Bryan in Bryan, Texas, Benjamin OCone said in an email to The Hill. In recent weeks, the Trump administration has been facing intense backlash over how it has handled information related to Epstein, the convicted sex offender who died in 2019. The backlash has come from both MAGA faithful and left-wing progressives. Maxwell, who was convicted of sex trafficking and is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence, has recently been appealing her case to the Supreme Court and spoke with Justice Department officials regarding her knowledge of Epsteins crimes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Victims of Epstein questioned the Trump administrations motives for looking to unseal grand jury testimony in letters to the court unveiled Monday. The victims said they were writing to U.S. District Judge Richard Berman to speak up for themselves as well as other victims, implying they were not being sufficiently considered in the governments effort to make the papers public. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Investing.com -- U.S. President Donald Trump announced Wednesday afternoon that his Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, held what he described as a "highly productive meeting" with Russian President Vladimir Putin regarding the ongoing Ukraine war. "Great progress was made!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, adding that he subsequently updated European allies about the discussion. The president emphasized a shared consensus among all parties involved that "this War must come to a close," and indicated that efforts toward that goal would continue "in the days and weeks to come." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This diplomatic engagement follows Trumps recent escalation of economic pressure on Russia to participate in peace negotiations. As part of this strategy, the administration has imposed higher tariffs on India, specifically targeting their imports of Russian oil. The White House has not yet released additional details about what specific progress was made during the meeting between Witkoff and Putin or what potential peace terms might be under consideration Related articles Trump says envoy Witkoff had productive meeting with Putin Victoria's Secret Exposed: The Warning Sign Behind the Stock's 52% Collapse Clients buying into summer rally, bracing for later pullback, says BofA's Hartnett Texas Gov. Greg Abbott taunted Democrats as the feud over the state's redistricting push escalates and counterparts from blue states threaten to engage in similar moves elsewhere in the U.S. Speaking to Fox News' Sean Hannity, Abbott claimed threats from New York and California governors Kathy Hochul and Gavin Newsom are a "bunch of crazy bluster." "Democrats are freaking out because they are realizing Texas has the authority to redistrict and we'll do so in a way that's going to lead to these additional seats that will vote Republican and they will be serving in Congress in the next session. Democrats are engaging in rhetoric but I don't think they have the capability of living up to it and doing anything about it," he added. Hannity: Whats your response to Governor Hochul we're at war over the redistricting push that is going on in Texas? Abbott: I don't think Democrats have the capability of living up to it and doing anything about it pic.twitter.com/zew4Ynr1VL Acyn (@Acyn) August 5, 2025 The governor ordered on Monday the arrest of Democratic lawmakers who left the state to block Republicans' effort to vote on the redistricting push. State House lawmakers passed a motion allowing the Speaker of the House to issue civil warrants for the arrest of those who did not attend the session on Monday. The order directs the state's Department of Public Safety to "locate, arrest, and return to the House chamber any member who has abandoned their duty to Texans." Democrats who left the state went to Illinois, New York and Boston. Gov. Kathy Hochul said on Monday that the redistricting initiative mean that Republicans and Democrats are "at war." Speaking to lawmakers who fled to the state to prevent the session from taking place, Hochul said "you are on the right side of history, and you're not alone." "History will judge us based on how we respond to this moment. Here in New York we won't stand on the sidelines. This is a war. We are at war. And that's why the gloves are off and I say, bring it on," Hochul added. Hochul has also warned she is ready to redistrict the state if Texas indeed moves forward. "I won't sit by while Donald Trump and Texas Republicans try to steal our nation's future," she said in a social media publication. She had already conveyed such a message the week prior, saying "all's fair in love and war." "We are following the rules. We do redistricting every 10 years, but if there are other states that are violating the rules and trying to give themselves an advantage, all I say is I'll look at it closely with Hakeem Jeffries," she added then. California Gov. Gavin Newsom also warned he will look into such measures. Originally published on Latin Times President Trump on Tuesday said the FBI may have to get involved to bring back the Texas Democrats who left the state to stop Republicans from advancing their new congressional map. Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R) sent a letter earlier Tuesday to FBI Director Kash Patel, urging his agency to intervene and take any appropriate steps to help law enforcement find or arrest the lawmakers who left the state. Well, they may have to. They may have to, Trump said when asked whether the FBI should get involved. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added, No, I know they want them back, not only the attorney general, the governor wants them back. If you look, I mean, the governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So, a lot of people are demanding they come back. The Democrats move to flee has denied the state House a quorum and prevented it from being able to conduct business in the special legislative session that Gov. Greg Abbott (R) called. Abbott ordered their arrests Monday after the state House was unable to conduct business, arguing they violated their oath of office. You cant just sit it out, you have to go back. You have to fight it out. Thats what elections are all about, Trump said. He also said its a bad look that the Texas Democrats left for other states like Illinois and New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well, I think theyve abandoned the state, nobodys seen anything like it. Even though theyve done it twice before, Trump said. And, in a certain way, it almost looks like theyve abandoned the state, it looks very bad. Trump was referencing the fact that this isnt the first time Texas Democrats have turned to this strategy. They fled the state in 2003 to stop a redistricting plan and in 2021 to stop a voting bill. Trump earlier on Tuesday said Republicans are entitled to pick up five additional House seats in Texas. The president had put pressure on Texas to redraw lines and boost GOP numbers, leading to Abbott calling a quorum break in the middle of a 30-day special session. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. (Reuters) -President Donald Trump said on Wednesday that U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff made "great progress" in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, and Trump updated some of Washington's European allies after the meeting. "My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Trump said in a post on Truth Social. "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," he added. (Reporting by Bhargav Acharya and Ismail Shakil; Editing by Ryan Patrick Jones) By Jeff Mason and Andrea Shalal WASHINGTON (Reuters) -President Donald Trump on Wednesday said he may use the National Guard to police the streets of Washington, D.C., and a White House official said federal law enforcement would increase its presence in the city this week. The threat - and the move to follow through on it - is the latest step by Trump and his administration toward taking over running the city that serves as the seat of the U.S. government. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have a capital that's very unsafe," Trump told reporters at the White House. "We have to run D.C. This has to be the best-run place in the country." A White House official told Reuters that operational details about the increased federal presence were still being finalized. CNN reported that officers from the FBI, National Guard, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as well as agents from the Department of Homeland Security would be involved starting Thursday. White House spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the city had been "plagued by petty and violent crime for far too long" and Trump was committed to making it safe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump, who has threatened a federal takeover of the city multiple times, escalated those threats after a young staffer who was part of Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency was assaulted over the weekend. Musk, the billionaire former adviser to Trump who once spearheaded the DOGE effort, said the man was beaten and received a concussion. "It is time to federalize DC," he wrote. Asked if he was considering taking over the D.C. police, Trump responded affirmatively. "We just almost lost a young man, beautiful handsome guy that got the hell knocked out of him," Trump said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president posted a picture of the victim, Edward Coristine, known by the nickname "Big Balls," on social media, with blood on his face, arms, torso and legs. "We're going to beautify the city. We're going to make it beautiful. And what a shame, the rate of crime, the rate of muggings, killings and everything else. We're not going to let it. And that includes bringing in the National Guard, maybe very quickly, too," Trump said. A spokesperson for D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser declined to comment. Violent crime in the first seven months of 2025 was down by 26% in D.C. compared to last year while overall crime was down about 7%, according to records on the police department's website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overall crime was down 15% in 2024, compared to 2023, the website showed. Trump has long complained about crime in the city. He signed an executive order in March aimed at increasing law enforcement in Washington. The District of Columbia was established in 1790 with land from neighboring Virginia and Maryland. Congress has control of its budget, but resident voters elect a mayor and city council, under a law known as the Home Rule Act. For Trump to take over the city, Congress likely would have to pass a law revoking that act, which Trump would have to sign. The president said on Wednesday that lawyers were already looking at overturning the Home Rule Act. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal and Jeff Mason; additional reporting by Nandita Bose and Kanishka Singh; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Diane Craft and Saad Sayeed) US President Donald Trump has announced a meeting between the United States and Russia for Wednesday. "We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow," Trump told reporters on Tuesday. "We're going to see what happens." The meeting is set to take place just days ahead of a deadline Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. The US president did not provide further details, including who would attend the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Trump had said he planned to send his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Russia in the middle of the week. The Kremlin has said a meeting with President Vladimir Putin is possible. Trump has said he intends to impose sanctions if the deadline - set to expire on Friday - passes without result. The measures are intended to target countries that buy Russian oil and gas in order to restrict Moscow's ability to finance its war in neighbouring Ukraine. The US president had already announced on Monday his intention to raise tariffs on India due to its continued trade with Moscow. He did not specify the exact tariff rate. Earlier on Tuesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he held a "productive conversation" with Trump, noting they had discussed sanctions against Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Their economy continues to decline, and that's exactly why Moscow is so sensitive to this prospect and President Trump's resolve," he wrote on X. Zelensky said he had also briefed Trump on the current situation on the ground, noting Trump was "fully informed" about Russian strikes on Kiev and other cities and communities. US President Donald Trump has announced a meeting between the United States and Russia for Wednesday. "We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow," Trump told reporters on Tuesday. "We're going to see what happens." The meeting is set to take place just days ahead of a deadline Trump has given Russian President Vladimir Putin to reach a ceasefire in the war in Ukraine. The US president did not provide further details, including who would attend the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Sunday, Trump had said he planned to send his special envoy, Steve Witkoff, to Russia in the middle of the week. Trump has said he intends to impose sanctions if the deadline - set to expire on Friday - passes without result. The measures are intended to target countries that buy Russian oil and gas in order to restrict Moscow's ability to finance its war in neighbouring Ukraine. The US president had already announced on Monday his intention to raise tariffs on India due to its continued trade with Moscow. He did not specify the exact tariff rate. Put aside your take on his politics and the fact that he sent asylum-seekers to a foreign prison where they were reportedly tortured and raped: Given what we know about President Donald J. Trump, does he seem like the sort of man who would spend millions of dollars in his own money for the benefit of someone who is not himself? That was the premise of a White House announcement last week claiming that the president and other patriot donors would be financing the full, approximately $200 million cost of a gaudy, gold-tinged pseudo-classical addition to his current residence in Washington, DC. With renderings that look an awful lot like a wing at Mar-a-Lago, the so-called White House Ballroom would be a 90,000-square-foot party venue located where the small, heavily changed, and reconstructed East Wing currently sits, suggesting that historical preservation is not top of mind. The project will begin in September 2025 and it is expected to be completed long before the end of President Trumps term, the White House said, a seeming attempt to assuage concern that the addition signals any intent by one, 79-year-old man to use the space for years to come after Jan. 20, 2029 while in the process reaffirming who this addition is actually for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Selected to design the addition was McCrery Architects, led by a Catholic University professor known for his stylish bow-ties, James McCrery, who, in a statement, praised Trump for trusting him to help bring this beautiful and necessary renovation to The Peoples House. McCrery, who in the past donated to a right-wing super PAC, would indeed appear to have the same design sensibilities as the billionaire who selected him, with the peoples event space set to have a neoclassical interior with coffered ceiling, Corinthian-style columns, and gold detailing throughout, per a write-up from ArchDaily. Like the jumbo-jet from Qatar, then, this addition is for Donald Trump. Indeed, that unconditional gift from a Gulf State dictatorship is a clue, perhaps, as to how all this plays out. As The New York Times reported last month, that free Boeing 747 requires a costly, lengthy and classified overhaul if it is ever to be used as Air Force One which may explain a $934 million transfer from the Pentagons top-secret black budget. Once said to be free, this donation will turn out to cost almost a billion dollars in taxpayer money. And it would be a remarkable feat were this work on the public dime to be completed fast enough for it to be used for long as a mobile, airborne White House; experts told NPR it would take years to bring up to spec of an Air Force One. And whenever it is completed, this publicly funded work will ultimately become the private, personal property of Donald Trump via his presently nonexistent presidential library. Lets revisit that White House expansion, then: Could a massive new addition to the presidents Washington home one that, like his new plane, is required to meet standards far higher than typical private construction be completely designed and constructed in the next 3.5 years? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No, not really. You dont see one of those projects go that fast, Jonathan Jarvis, former head of the National Park Service, told the Times. Thats because, as much as it looks like an addition to a Trump-branded property, it is not. Its the White House it has to survive a terrorist attack, he said. That leaves us with a couple of ugly possibilities. Possibly the least-bad: That the job is rushed, historical preservation disregarded and the American people get to see Donald Trump throw parties for a few months after another taxpayer-funded black budget is drained to cover the security and the inevitable cost overruns incurred by tariff-enhanced construction costs. Again, though: Given what we know about the man, is the current president the sort of guy who would simply want to bequeath a gold-trimmed event space to his successor to spend my money for the country, as he asserted from the roof of the White House briefing room on Tuesday? Provided that elections are free and fair, that could well be a Democrat. That raises a darker possibility: That, like that Qatari jet, this project is intended for the benefit of only one man, and not as a self-funded gift to Gavin Newsom, JB Pritzer or even JD Vance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2020, Trump called for canceling an election he was on track to lose, and when he didnt win he tried to remain in power, urging a mob of his supporters to march on the U.S. Capitol. Now, flexing every authoritarian muscle and with no one around him to say no, I dont think so, his Department of Justice is indicting opposition politicians on bogus charges; demanding states from California to New York hand over their voters rolls with a stated aim of purging them for election integrity; deploying soldiers on the streets of American cities; and trying to strip newborn babies of citizenship guaranteed by a Constitution that he once called for terminating so he could be illegally installed in power. Start your day with essential news from Salon. Sign up for our free morning newsletter, Crash Course. Id like to run, Trump told CNBC on Tuesday when asked about campaigning for a third term in 2028, saying only that he would probably not attempt something explicitly prohibited by the 22nd Amendment; at the same time, he has never said he wont, while his own website is already hawking the campaign merch. The effort to turn the White House into another Trump property, in appearance if not yet deed, is but another signal from an unsubtle autocrat of what he intends to do in the years to come. Whether he can, even in a democracy as degraded as the one that allowed him to return to power, is one thing, but another is for certain: this is one man who is not likely to easily hand back the powers and event spaces of the American presidency. The post Trump is sending a dark signal with his White House expansion appeared first on Salon.com. (WHTM) Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at expanding the countrys military operations in Gaza. This comes after former Israeli army and intelligence chiefs pushed for an end of the nearly two-year long war in the Middle East. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now This Week in Pennsylvania I think it is fair to say that Im praying for the return of the hostages and praying to make sure that these kids get fed in Gaza, Shapiro said during a stop in Lancaster County on Tuesday. It is awful what is happening in Gaza, and we all have a responsibility to be there for those children. I thought it was also quite abhorrent what Prime Minister Netanyahu said roughly a week or so ago, when he said there is no starvation in Gaza. He is wrong. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu also hinted at plans on expanding Israels military operations across the entire Gaza strip, including places where hostages could be. This could put those hostages at further risk. President Trump said the U.S. is working to get more food to the people of Gaza, having approved $60 million of aid. I know Israel is going to help us with that in terms of distribution and also money, Trump shared. When President Trump was asked on Tuesday whether he supports this reoccupation of Gaza he simply said, I really, I really cant say. Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel. Shapiro expressed different feelings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel says Hamas is starving hostages; Security Council members say Israel is starving Palestinians My hope is these hostages come home immediately that the war ends, these children be fed, Shapiro added. And I think the United States of America has a moral obligation to see to it that they get the aid that they need. Shapiro is also calling on the U.S. government in an effort to increase aid being sent to the Middle East. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Last week was a grim reckoning for U.S.-India relations. On July 30, U.S. President Donald Trump unilaterally announced that despite the two sides being close to a new trade deal, he would only decrease the tariff rate he had threatened to apply to Indian imports back in April from 26 percent to 25 percent. To add insult to injury, Trump threatened to slap New Delhi with a 100 percent tariff penalty if it continues to import cheap Russian oil amid Washingtons attempts to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to end his invasion of Ukraine. Trump further insulted New Delhi by wondering aloud on his Truth Social account whether India might one day purchase oil from archrival Pakistan that the U.S., of all countries, would help extract. In yet another offensive remark to New Delhis ears, Trump said, I dont care what India does with Russia. They can take their dead economies down together, for all I care. Most recently, on Aug. 5, Trump proclaimed that if India does not stop fueling the Russian war machine, he would very substantially raise sanctions on India over the next 24 hours. The Indian government swiftly and strongly pushed back. In a speech on Aug. 2, Prime Minister Narendra Modi argued, though without mentioning the U.S., that India, like all countries, would look out for its own interests. Modi further endorsed the Make in India movement, encouraging buyers to avoid other national brands. And although India has been increasing the volume of energy it imports from the U.S. since Trump returned to the White House, Indian officials privately confirmed that New Delhi would not halt purchases of Russian oil altogether. Rather, price, grade of crude, inventories, logistics, and other economic factors would remain paramount drivers of New Delhis decision-making calculus. And on Aug. 4, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs summed up the situation by saying that, from its perspective the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement From one perspective, this bilateral mess is quite surprising. After all, up until recently, the U.S.-India strategic partnership had reached unprecedented heights. In February, when Modi became just the fourth foreign leader to visit the White House since Trumps return in January, Trump referred to him as a great friend, and the two reviewed a long list of areas in which India and the U.S. engage in deep and substantive policy cooperation. To get more in-depth news and expert analysis on global affairs from WPR, sign up for our free Daily Review newsletter. But from another perspective, the relationship had already been on a downward turn in recent months, and the tariff spat is simply the latest example of a troubled relationship that could unravel even more if not properly addressed by both New Delhi and Washington. Frictions in the U.S.-India strategic partnership had been growing since even before Modis warm visit. For example, in early February, reports surfaced that the U.S. had deported 104 Indian migrants back to India in shackles, enraging domestic opinion there and causing headaches for Modi. On April 2, Trumps initial tariff announcements included a 26 percent rate for India, making it one of 57 nations hit with levies above the universal baseline of 10 percent imposed on nearly every country. Trump caused more economic heartburn in New Delhi by criticizing Apples decision to manufacture approximately 20 percent of its iPhones in India, potentially threatening roughly 200,000 manufacturing jobs there. The current imbroglio over trade and the threat of sanctions to stop New Delhi from importing cheap Russian oil is just the latest in a series of irritants to U.S.-India ties. But it might be more damaging. Then in May came the outbreak of war between India and Pakistanand, more importantly for U.S.-India ties, Trumps responses to it. New Delhi launched Operation Sindoor to retaliate against what the Modi government called terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan, which it blamed for carrying out the April 22 terrorist attack at Pahalgam in Indian-controlled Kashmir. When the two sides agreed to a ceasefire after trading airstrikes for four days, Trump immediately took credit for brokering it, a claim he has since repeated publicly on many occasions but which New Delhi categorically rejects. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump also volunteered to mediate New Delhi and Islamabads dispute over Kashmir, which has been the cause of hostilities on multiple occasions over the past several decades. In doing so, whether wittingly or unwittingly, he adopted Islamabads longstanding approach to the issue, as Pakistan has always sought international mediation efforts on Kashmir, while India has argued that it is a matter that must be resolved bilaterally. Additionally, Trump has treated what is an extremely sensitive, nuanced and core dispute between the two nuclear-armed powers in a flippant manner, saying shortly after the ceasefire, Maybe we could even get them together a little bit where they go out and have a nice dinner together. Wouldnt that be nice? The Trump administration added insult to injury in the aftermath of the fighting in May by bolstering ties with Pakistan, which India characterizes as a terrorist state. In an appearance before the Senate Armed Services Committee in early June, the current commander of U.S. Central Command, Gen. Michael Kurilla, called Pakistan a phenomenal partner in the counter-terrorism world, causing displeasure in New Delhi. A week later, Trump sat down for a private two-hour lunch at the White House with the chief of staff of the Pakistani military, Field Marshal Asim Munir, who functions as a shadow leader in Islamabad. Although there was no photo op or readout from the meeting, it was seen as a clear indication that the U.S. and Pakistan are in the process of resetting their strategic partnership. Trump later remarked, I love Pakistan, while Islamabad announced it had formally nominated Trump for the Nobel Peace Prizesomething he has coveted for many yearsfor his alleged role in brokering the May ceasefire. All of this is to say that the current imbroglio over trade and the threat of sanctions to stop New Delhi from importing cheap Russian oil, which Trump repeated earlier this week, is just the latest in a series of irritants to U.S.-India ties. But it might be more damaging. If the 25 percent tariff sticks, the impact on Indias economy could be severe. Among other effects, reduced access to the U.S. market would curb Indian exports, with implications for the agricultural sector in particular as well as for the value of the rupee. A sustained trade war with the U.S. could also spell greater political risk for Modi, who has already been criticized by both the left and right for his governments extremely close ties to Washington as he seemingly drifts away from New Delhis longstanding policy of non-alignment. Tensions with the U.S. over Pakistan and trade could therefore have an impact on New Delhis foreign policy orientation, as well. In recent months, India has been exploring a reset in its relations with China, which could intensify if the U.S. proves to be an unreliable strategic partner moving forward. Bilateral ties with Beijing bottomed out in June 2020, when Chinese military forces launched a limited border incursion into the Indian-controlled Galwan Valley in the Himalayas, resulting in a skirmish that killed dozens of Indian soldiers and an undisclosed number of Chinese forces. However, following years of negotiations, in October 2024, China finally withdrew from the last of its military encampments in the region, setting the stage for improved India-China ties. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most recently, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Beijing-hosted foreign ministers meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, or SCO. And last month, Russiaa longstanding partner of Indias, particularly with regard to arms sales and energyproposed reviving the Russia-India-China cooperative mechanism. While New Delhi has denied that there has been any progress on this front, it is indisputable that India is now more open to better ties with China than at any time since 2020. However, it is important to note that for India, all of these outcomes are suboptimal, as New Delhi would strongly prefer to get back to business as usual in its bilateral relations with the United States. That would entail Trump walking back his bombastic rhetoric and essentially returning to the India policy of his first presidential administration from 2017 to 2021, when ties flourished, especially between Trump and Modi. But as the past six months have made clear, Trumps second administration is very different from his first oneon multiple fronts. For one thing, the second Trump administration is far more realist and imperial in its foreign policy, treating both friends and foes alike, with virtually no understanding or care about the history or special nature of any particular bilateral relationship or security alliance. In other words, India is now just another country to the U.S., rather than a fellow democracy, the worlds fifth-largest economy and an integral part of Washingtons Indo-Pacific Strategy designed to counter China across the region. The second Trump administration also doesnt seem to consider or care about the potential negative consequences of trade tariffs on other parts of the relationship with India. For example, the Trump administrations objectives for the U.S.-China relationship remain uncertain and confused. On one hand, Trump slapped 130 percent tariffs on Chinese imports, though those were suspended while the two sides negotiate a trade deal. On the other, Trump clearly wants to have a better relationship with Xi himself, even if Beijing remains Washingtons most significant geostrategic foe. Trump invited Xi to his inauguration, though Xi declined, and he has publicly expressed his desire to visit China to meet with Xi later this year. As a result, New Delhi cannot exclude from its own calculations an improved U.S.-China relationship, which could leave India out in the cold if India does not also hedge with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps reset with Pakistan is also driven by pragmatic concerns, designed to achieve cooperation on what can be thought of as the new three Cs in the bilateral relationship: counterterrorism, cryptocurrency and critical minerals. This compares to Washingtons traditional approach to Islamabad, which focused on the old three Cs of counterterrorism, counterproliferation and China. Even so, New Delhi will be offended by Washingtons renewed strategic partnership with its longtime adversary, which was already an irritant when the U.S. war in Afghanistan made closer ties with Islamabad a strategic necessity. As a result, it will likely look to other options, such as deepening and expanding ties with Russia, to balance against these U.S. policies. Indeed, Moscow has already pledged to help New Delhi resist Washingtons unlawful unilateral actions and counter its neocolonial agenda. Additionally, the international context of the U.S.-India partnership have clearly changed since the first Trump administration, most prominently with Russias all-out invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Since then, India has been mostly passive in its response to the war, trying to avoid taking sides in the conflict to continue benefiting from discounted Russian oil, even though doing so has undermined U.S.-led diplomacy and sanctions. Trump may have been fine with this had he made progress with Russia on peace talks, as he promised to do while campaigning for the 2024 U.S. presidential election. But in recent weeks, Trump has had a change of heart on Putin, who he now believes has not been negotiating in good faith. Trump therefore wants to put the screws to Moscow, and as part of this approach, he may be willing to penalize any country, to include India, that indirectly supports the Kremlins war machine. Up until now, India has been quiet and patient in dealing with its increasingly unpredictable strategic partner in Washington. But given the high stakes, especially on the economic front, this is unlikely to last much longer. The U.S. should realize that it is needlessly pushing a geostrategically important friend away, just as the threat from China rises, and at a time when the world would benefit from less chaos, not more. Unfortunately, however, none of these concerns seem to matter to Trump, which means we are likely to see further deterioration in U.S.-India ties moving forward, with wide-ranging implications beyond. Derek Grossman is professor of political science and international relations at the University of Southern California, and founder and chief analyst of Indo-Pacific Solutions, LLC. He was previously at RAND and served as daily intelligence briefer to the U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Asian and Pacific security affairs. The post Trump Is Single-Handedly Torpedoing the U.S.-India Partnership appeared first on World Politics Review. Secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil were meant to be the bunker buster in Washingtons sanctions armoury, a weapon so devastating it would cripple Moscows economy. Yet by appearing to punish India alone, Donald Trump risks squandering its impact. He may end up with the worst of all worlds: dropping a bomb too small to do significant damage to Russia while alienating a vital ally and counterweight to China. After months of resolutely refusing to punish Russia, the US president has changed tack. Convinced that Vladimir Putin has no interest in ending the war in Ukraine, Mr Trump has concluded that targeting Russias energy sector which generates a third of government revenue is the key pressure point. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If energy goes down, Putin is going to stop killing people, he said this week. India has undeniably helped prop up the Kremlins war machine, buying 42bn of Russian oil last year. But other nations have also helped fund Putins invasion. China buys more than India, while Turkey, Brazil, the United Arab Emirates and even some European Union states are significant consumers. It is possible that Mr Trump may widen his net in the coming days. He has given Putin until Friday to agree to a ceasefire or face consequences. Until now, Russia has faced a 10 per cent tariff, the lowest level Mr Trump applies. That figure is almost certain to rise, but with bilateral trade at 3.9bn last year, such a move will barely trouble the Kremlin. Activists in India burn effigies of Mr Modi and Mr Trump - Debajyoti Chakraborty/Middle East Images via AFP More direct sanctions on Russias banks or its shadow tanker fleet could follow, but these too seem unlikely to force a change of course. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secondary tariffs on countries buying Russian oil could, in theory, bite harder. Yet, by singling out India with a 25 per cent penalty, the weapon has been fired half-cocked. Analysts speculate that Mr Trump may extend the measures to other countries. If that is his intent, it is curious he would shame India rather than wait 48 hours to announce a broader policy. The strategy risks misfiring. Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, has endured repeated humiliations from a man he once called a friend. Yet in recent months Mr Trump has imposed higher tariffs on India than on most of its Asian competitors and caused anguish by courting Pakistan, which is closely aligned with China. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With public anger in India growing over Washingtons perceived high-handedness, Mr Modi would find it politically tricky to halt all Russian oil purchases, even if he wished to. Given the importance of the US market for Indian exports, he may have to find a fudge. Any concession, however, will come at a cost. Analysts say India is now likely to edge closer to China and Russia, weakening one of Washingtons most valuable relationships in Asia. Even if India reduces imports, it is unclear whether losing a single buyer even one as important as Delhi will seriously dent Russias war economy. A policy that leaves Putin undeterred while estranging India is hardly a triumph of statecraft though final judgment must wait until Mr Trump reveals the rest of his plan. 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. President Donald Trump told European leaders Wednesday he intends to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in person and later hold a trilateral with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy suggesting Trump still sees a possibility of ending the conflict through diplomacy. A German official told POLITICO that the U.S. president informed European leaders of this plan during a Wednesday call following a meeting between Putin and Trump envoy in Moscow. On this call were German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Zelenskyy, and other leaders. The official was granted anonymity to discuss the contents of the high-level phone call between Trump and European counterparts. No U.S. president has met with Putin since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, though Trump has held several phone calls with the Russian leader since taking office. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New York Times previously reported on the plan for the meeting, which the Times said will occur as soon as next week. The German official did not provide any details on the timing of the planned meetings. The White House has not confirmed such a proposal was outlined with the European leaders. Earlier Wednesday, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said Trump remained open to the prospect of meeting with Putin, but declined to say whether such a proposal was outlined in the phone call. At a White House event Wednesday, Trump said that "there's's a really good prospect that" there will be a meeting with Zelenskyy and Putin. But he disagreed with the suggestion that it amounted to a "breakthrough." Secretary of State Marco Rubio added in an interview with Fox Business on Wednesday that "an opportunity will present itself very soon for the president to meet both with Vladimir Putin and with President Zelenskyy at some point here, hopefully in the near future." Rubio however added that "a lot has to happen before that can occur." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier Wednesday, Trump described that three-hour meeting between special envoy Steve Witkoff and Putin at the Kremlin as "highly productive," but did not provide further details. Its unclear what the planned meeting with Putin means for Trumps Friday deadline for imposing sanctions against countries who purchase Russian energy which he has said he will do to punish Moscow if it doesnt make more progress towards a peaceful end to the war in Ukraine. Earlier Wednesday, a senior administration official, granted anonymity to speak freely about the administration's decision-making process, said that it was "still expected" Trump would honor the Friday deadline. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump pledged to end the war in Ukraine on day one of his second presidency. But Russia has stymied peace talks, infuriating both Ukrainian and American negotiators by continuing to conduct airstrikes on civilian targets in Ukraine. Trump threatened in July to impose hefty new sanctions and secondary measures to punish the Russian economy, targeting oil sales that have allowed it to stay economically afloat despite becoming a global economic pariah since the invasion. Felicia Schwartz contributed to this report. After championing Vladimir Putin indefatigably for months, Donald Trump is poised this week to punish Russias invasion of Ukraine for the first time. But it is India, not Russia, that appears likely to bear the brunt. Facing a self-imposed deadline shortened from 50 to 12 days the US president has until Friday to unveil measures aimed at forcing Putin to consider a ceasefire. With bipartisan support in Congress for tough sanctions, Mr Trump has threatened to throttle Russias war economy by imposing 100 per cent tariffs on any country buying its oil. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Such a move would have a significant impact, said Timothy Ash, associate fellow at Chatham House, the international affairs think tank: Russias exports would slow to a trickle. Its fiscal revenues would stop almost completely. We would see major runs on banks and the currency come under severe pressure. Focus on Moscows oil exports But, Mr Ash added, while the impact on Moscow would be severe, it would also unleash turmoil on world markets, send oil prices sky-rocketing and chill the global economy. So outlandish did the threat seem that investors initially dismissed it as bluster from a president long open about his warm relations with Putin. But in recent days, he has begun shaping a more modest sanctions package targeting states whose purchases of Russian oil help fund the war. So far his focus has been selective. He has avoided threatening China Russias biggest energy customer and Turkey, the third largest. Instead, he has singled out India, the second-largest buyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last week, Mr Trump raised tariffs on Indian goods to 25 per cent, above the rate applied to Asian competitors, and promised an additional penalty for Delhis oil purchases from Russia. Theyre fuelling the war machine, and if theyre going to do that, then Im not happy, he told CNBC on Tuesday, saying he would unveil the new tariff within 24 hours. Indias role in sustaining Russias economy is clear. Before the 2022 invasion, Russian oil accounted for just 0.2 per cent of Indias imports; today it is 45 percent around two million barrels a day bringing Moscow 41bn in revenue last year, according to Delhis Global Trade Research Initiative. Even so, China buys more 47 per cent of Russias oil, compared with Indias 37 per cent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trumps circumspection as far as Beijing is concerned probably reflects geopolitical caution: Washington and Beijing only recently stabilised relations after a damaging trade war and Mr Trump is hoping to stage a triumphant summit with Xi Jinping, the Chinese president, before the end of the year. That he feels freer to confront India suggests ulterior motives. Despite the presidents warm personal ties with Narendra Modi, Indias prime minister, US relations with the country he leads have soured. Trade negotiations have stalled, frustrating Mr Trump. He was also reportedly incensed when Pakistan, not India, praised his mediation and even nominated him for a Nobel Peace Prize after the India-Pakistan clashes in May. Mr Modi, by contrast, played down Mr Trumps role and has paid the price for his perceived ingratitude. In June, Mr Trump invited Asim Munir, Pakistans powerful army chief, to lunch at the White House, pledged to improve relations with Indias chief enemy and announced plans to help develop its oil reserves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scepticism over Mr Trumps sudden concern about Indian oil imports is heightened by his previous reluctance to impose new sanctions on Russia or even uphold the old ones. Enforcement of existing restrictions has significantly weakened since he returned to the White House, critics say. Not only did he decline to appoint a new head of the State Departments Office of Sanctions Co-ordination, he has also proved reluctant to co-ordinate with the EU on sanctions enforcement, European officials complain. He feels played and hes angry Front companies helping Moscow evade restrictions have proliferated, critics say a claim the White House denies. Some analysts believe Mr Trump has had a genuine change of heart, after concluding that only meaningful pressure on Putin who believes he has the battlefield advantage will bring him to the negotiating table. With some experts warning a Russian victory is no longer unthinkable, the president seems determined to act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Charles Kupchan, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, a prominent US think tank, said: I think Trump has come around to the realisation that convincing Putin to back away from his maximalist war aims will take more than nice conversations. I think in many respects youre looking at an American president who feels played by Putin, and hes angry. And now that he has pivoted, he does not want to go down in history as the American president who lost Ukraine. It is doubtful that focusing on India alone will work, particularly as Mr Modi shows no sign of yielding. Mr Trump insists that secondary tariffs could cut Russian oil revenues enough to force Putin to rethink his strategy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US president said last week: If energy goes down enough, Putin is going to stop killing people. If you get energy down, another $10 a barrel, hes going to have no choice because his economy stinks. But experts warned that tariffs and sanctions alone might not be enough, certainly if they were imposed on India alone. As Mr Kupchan noted: Increasing economic pressure is necessary, but its only one plank of a set of policies. The more important element is getting arms to Ukraine and helping it build its own military-industrial base. I dont think we can strangle the Russian economy. Ultimately, Ukraine needs the capability to stop Putin. 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. President Donald Trump expressed support for Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Winsome Earle-Sears, acknowledging that she is in the middle of a "tough race" against an opponent who is "not very good." "Yeah, I would. I mean, I would," Trump told reporters when asked about endorsing Earle-Sears. "I think probably, yeah, shes got a tough race. She shouldnt, she shouldnt, because the candidate shes running against is not very good, but I think shes got a tough race." However, he did not go so far as to give Earle-Sears his "complete and total" endorsement, as he has done with some candidates. President Donald Trump said he "would" endorse Virginia Republican gubernatorial candidate Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears, but did not actually give her the stamp of approval. Potential Youngkin Successor Focused On Message In Tough Race To Keep Swing-state 'Red' Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has already backed Jack Ciattarelli in New Jersey and Vivek Ramaswamy in Ohio. Polling out of Virginia may explain Trump's apparent reservations. A recent Virginia Commonwealth Poll from July has Sears at 37% and Spanberger at 49%. Meanwhile, Youngkin's approval rating sits at 49%, nine points higher than Trump's numbers in the same poll. Read On The Fox News App Democrat Abigial Spanberger, right, is running against Virginia Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears, a Republican, left, in the state's governor's race this year. Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Abigail Spanberger Releases First Ad, Slams 'Political Nonsense' On Aug. 1, in a CNN interview, Earle-Sears seemingly struggled to give an answer as to why Trump had not endorsed her yet. The lieutenant governor said that she had met with the president but repeatedly refused to detail what they had spoken about. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earle-Sears, who currently serves as Virginias lieutenant governor and is poised to become the nations first Black female governor, is facing an uphill battle against former Rep. Abigail Spanberger. Despite serving alongside popular Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, Earle-Sears is struggling to close the gap and overtake her opponent. Winsome Earle-Sears, Republican gubernatorial candidate for Virginia, center, during a campaign event at the Vienna Volunteer Fire Department in Vienna, Virginia, on Tuesday, July 1, 2025. Earle-Sears will face off with former Representative Abigail Spanberger this November, giving the state its first female governor. Earle-Sears is trailing Spanberger not only in the polls but also in fundraising. While Earle-Sears has yet to release her Q2 numbers, in Q1 she raised $3.1M, whereas Spanberger raked in more than double at $6.7M. In Q2, Spanberger raised $10.7M, according to her campaign. Original article source: Trump voices support for GOP gubernatorial candidate, admits she has 'tough race' The Atlantic Daily, a newsletter that guides you through the biggest stories of the day, helps you discover new ideas, and recommends the best in culture. Sign up for it here. President Donald Trump recently released his plan for the United States to win the global race for AI dominance. The document has some good ideas about expanding domestic infrastructure, encouraging other countries to adopt American AI models, and imposing export controls on advanced semiconductor chips. But over the past few months, Trump has undermined his own goals and ceded much of Americas leverage to foreign powers. By setting the U.S. back in the AI race, he has created a host of strategic vulnerabilities that will bedevil future presidents. This backsliding is the result of a rapid ideological shift within the administration, which two men in particular have spurred: David Sacks, Trumps tech-billionaire AI czar, and Jensen Huang, the CEO of Nvidia and one of Americas most powerful executives in the industry. To trace their growing influence on Trump, consider Nvidias H20 chip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In late 2023, Nvidia designed the H20 chip specifically for the Chinese marketa legal workaround to export controls that President Joe Biden had imposed. Nearly a year before the H20 was brought to market, OpenAI released a transformative large language model called o1, which employs the same kind of complex reasoning that the H20 chips were built to power. Practically overnight, the chips handed Beijing a significant competitive advantage. Biden was planning to outlaw their export to China but left office before he could. In April, Trump enacted the ban himself. Around this time, the balance of power in the Trump administration began to tilt toward Sacks, who saw the H20 ban as counterproductive, both strategically and economically. He gradually gained a bureaucratic advantage: The right-wing provocateur Laura Loomer persuaded Trump to fire David Feith, an ideological opponent of Sacks who ran a directorate at the National Security Council focused on technology. The NSC itself was weakened and hollowed out. And, earlier this summer, the administration gutted the State Departments tech envoy office, which had supported export controls. [Read: Donald Trump is fairy-godmothering AI] Then, last month, Trump met with Huang in the White House. By this point, support within the administration for export controls had considerably softened, thanks in part to Sacks. Trump decided to lift the restrictions on the H20 chips, allowing their sale to China. Some observers assumed that the reversal was part of a trade deal and expected Beijing to offer some concession in return. But China insisted that Trump had made the decision unilaterally. Indeed, one day after Trumps announcement, the country imposed new export controls on electric-vehicle batteries. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In effect, the U.S. gave away leverage to China and got nothing back. But Sacks and Huang have defended the decision. They have argued that the sale of H20 chips in China would make the country dependent on American chips rather than encourage Chinese companies such as Huawei to develop their own. As Sacks put it, We can deprive Huawei of having this giant market share in China that they can then use to scale up and compete globally. He credited Huang for making the case publicly for competing in China, and there are a lot of merits to the argument. (Left unmentioned was Huangs obvious profit motive of selling his companys chips in one of the worlds biggest markets.) Their case is predicated on an unproven assumption: that China would otherwise be able to produce enough chips to compete internationally. In June, though, a senior Trump-administration official testified to Congress that Huawei would be able to produce only 200,000 chips this yearnot enough to meet domestic demand, let alone keep pace with America. Thats not for lack of trying. Beijing has spent about $150 billion since 2014 to expand its chip-making capacity. But it still cant make enough to equip a data center capable of training the most advanced AI models. The quality of Chinas chips also lagged behind that of Nvidias. Instead of hindering China, Trumps H20 reversal bailed it out. The country already had a largely superior electrical grid compared with Americas, and is likely to be able to construct data centers more quickly. Its crucial shortcoming was computing power, which requires lots and lots of advanced chips. Now, thanks to the Trump administration, China is getting them. Democrats rebuked the decision, and so did many Republicans. Late last month, 20 national-security expertsincluding Feith; Matt Pottinger, Trumps former deputy national security adviser; and several conservatives sympathetic to Trumpsent a letter to the administration calling the H20 reversal a strategic misstep that endangers the United States economic and military edge in artificial intelligence. Steve Bannon, Trumps former strategist, was less restrained in his critique. American companies spent decades being made fools of, getting duped by the Chinese Communist Party transferring the crown jewels of our technology. For that they got nothing, Bannon told the Financial Times. Unbelievably, the government is poised to make the same humiliating mistake, at the behest of companies that want to drive their own profits with zero concerns for the nations security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The H20 decision was not an isolated case. In May, Trump announced deals with the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia to build some of the worlds most advanced AI data centers on their soil. Some will be owned and run by American companies; others will be owned by local AI firmsGroup 42 in the UAE and Humain in Saudi Arabia. Crucially, Trump also rescinded the Biden administrations diffusion rule, which sought to limit the export of advanced AI chips and models. The move cleared the way for the UAE to import hundreds of thousands of Nvidias chips. Saudi Arabia is set to deploy a smaller number of Nvidia chips, but it has ambitions to expand its capacity. Unlike Trump, Biden seemed to understand that compute, the processing power needed to train advanced AI, is a scarce strategic asset that should be concentrated in the United States or its most trusted allies. The Biden administration also recognized that China might use its close ties to countries such as the UAE to access advanced chips. Even worse, China could acquire the model weights of advanced AIthe parameters that dictate how a model operates, like neurons in the brain that decide how to respond to different signals. If bad actors get their hands on a models weights, they can reconstruct them for their own purposes. [Read: A disaster for American innovation] Speaking in Saudi Arabia in May, Sacks acknowledged the importance of preventing chips from reaching countries of concern. But he suggested that this would be easy to accomplish. All one would have to do, Sacks said, is send someone to a data center and count the server racks to make sure that the chips are still there. It was a convenient dismissal. Counting hundreds of thousands of chips is no simple task, and regimes in the Middle East could decide to give China remote access to their chips. Sacks also did not mention the concern about model weights, which may prove to be an even greater vulnerability. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are some signs that the Trump administration may be doubting its own decision. In June, Reuters reported that the UAE deal is far from resolved, according to five sources briefed on the project, because of outstanding questions related to security and enforcement. Four of the sources said U.S. officials remain cautious about the UAEs close relationship with China. There is an even more significant concern, though. Building what may be the worlds most important complex of data centers in the UAEand, perhaps later, in Saudi Arabiameans placing some of Americas most important strategic assets in the worlds most geopolitically volatile region, within range of Iranian drones and missiles. For the Gulf states, these risks only sweeten the deal. If the U.S. senses that its vital infrastructure is in danger, it will be more likely to rush to their defense. (Indeed, Saudi Arabia has even proposed giving the centers the protected status of U.S. embassies, and the UAE could follow suit.) In this way, the data centers would offer a silicon shield for the Middle East nations, as well as grant them significant leverage in their relations with both America and China. Moreover, the deal threatens to pull the U.S. further into the region, at a time when successive administrations have tried to focus on the Indo-Pacific. If AI becomes nearly as powerful as some of its inventors believe it will, the data centers it relies on must be built in America, where the government can better ensure that basic safety and national-security concerns are taken into account. Diverting massive quantities of advanced chips to subsidized data centers in the Middle East could make that functionally impossible. There just arent enough chips to go around. Trumps H20 reversal and Middle East deals could be just the beginning. The Financial Times recently reported that the Trump administration had frozen restrictions on technology exports to China to avoid hurting trade talks with Beijing and help President Donald Trump secure a meeting with President Xi Jinping this year. On a visit to China last month, Huang said, I hope to get more advanced chips into China than the H20. Beijing is pushing to ease more restrictions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administrations AI plan is a sophisticated document with some sound aims, but the administrations recent actions have cut against them and made winning the AI race much harder. Providing China with advanced chips and prioritizing next-generation data centers in the Middle East over ones built in America could have enormous negative consequences, ones that subsequent administrations may not be able to reverse. Article originally published at The Atlantic President Trump is weighing a meeting in the coming weeks with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as he presses for an end to the war in Ukraine. Trump raised the idea of meeting with the two leaders during a call with European allies on Wednesday, a source confirmed to The Hill. It was not immediately clear when or where the meeting might happen, or if it had been agreed to by all parties. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said Russia had expressed an interest in meeting with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As President Trump said earlier today on TRUTH Social, great progress was made during Special Envoy Witkoffs meeting with President Putin, Leavitt said in a statement. The Russians expressed their desire to meet with President Trump, and the President is open to meeting with both President Putin and President Zelensky. President Trump wants this brutal war to end. The New York Times first reported Trump was aiming to meet with Putin and Zelensky as soon as next week. The outlet reported Trump told European leaders the meeting would involve only Trump, Putin and Zelensky, though it was not clear whether Putin or Zelensky had agreed to participate. Steve Witkoff, the presidents special envoy for peace missions, met earlier Wednesday with Putin in Russia. Trump posted on Truth Social it was a highly productive meeting. Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies, Trump posted. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelensky posted on the social platform X earlier Wednesday that hed spoken with Trump following Witkoffs meetings in Russia. Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end, Zelensky posted. And it must be done honestly. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support. We discussed what was spelled out in Moscow. Trump has met in person with Zelensky multiple times during his second term, including an infamous White House conversation that devolved into chaos after Trump and Vice President Vance suggested the Ukrainian leader had not been appropriately grateful for U.S. support. Trump has also spoken with Putin on the phone multiple times and has indicated an openness to meeting in person with the Russian leader. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump campaigned on a pledge to end the war in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, a time frame he later claimed was sarcastic. But he has in recent weeks expressed mounting frustration with Putin as Russia continues to hammer Ukrainian cities with drone strikes. The Trump administration is set to impose additional sanctions on Russia later this week, and the White House on Wednesday announced it would double tariffs on India over its continued purchase of Russian oil, which it said was fueling Moscows war machine. A German government spokesperson told The Hill that during the call, which included Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Trump updated participants about the status of the talks with Russia. NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte and other European leaders joined the call with Trump and Zelensky, a NATO spokesperson confirmed to The Hill. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We continue to do all we can to support a just and lasting peace in Ukraine, spokesperson Allison Hart told The Hill. Filip Timotija contributed. Updated at 4:30 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. The Trump administration is considering new sanctions on Russias so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers should President Vladimir Putin fail to agree to a ceasefire in Ukraine by Aug. 8, people familiar with White House discussions told the Financial Times (FT). If enacted, the measures would represent the first U.S. sanctions targeting Moscow since Donald Trump returned to the presidency in January. Officials say the fleet consisting largely of aging tankers with opaque ownership structures has been central to Russias ability to bypass Western oil price caps and continue financing its war in Ukraine. The "shadow fleet" operates by concealing ownership, avoiding Western maritime services, and transporting crude to buyers such as China and India at prices above the G7s $60-a-barrel cap. Sanctioning these vessels directly has proven effective in the past, with buyers unwilling to use blacklisted ships. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two sources told the FT that sanctions on the fleet are seen within the administration as a straightforward way to increase economic pressure on Russia. A third source confirmed the measure is among several options under consideration. The Biden administration previously sanctioned 213 tankers, while the EU has listed more than 400 vessels in recent months. Analysts say that targeting ships rather than their owners sharply reduced their operational capacity. FT analysis of Kpler data showed that 115 sanctioned crude carriers shipped an average of 48 million barrels of Russian oil per month before designation, compared with just 13 million barrels after. Trump, who has so far avoided imposing new sanctions to keep space for potential peace talks, has become increasingly frustrated with Putins refusal to halt the war. People close to the administration said the Kremlin has ignored multiple U.S. deadlines and recently escalated attacks on Ukraine. During a Tuesday call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump discussed possible sanctions. We talked about sanctions against Russia, Zelensky said. Their economy continues to fall and that is why Moscow is so attentive to this prospect This can change a lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president on Monday also announced higher tariffs on India, a major buyer of Russian crude, saying: They dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian war machine. Trumps special envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due in Moscow this week, with the Kremlin describing the visit as important, substantive and very useful. The White House is expected to decide on possible measures once Witkoff returns. If Witkoff comes back empty-handed, with absolutely nothing, Trump is going to go ballistic, one source said. White House deputy press secretary Anna Kelly reiterated: The president has been clear that there will be biting sanctions if Putin does not agree to end the war. We will not get ahead of the president on specifics. Additional measures under review include stricter enforcement of existing sanctions, adopting the EUs upcoming dynamic floating oil price cap, and secondary sanctions on foreign banks or refineries involved in Russian oil trade. A bipartisan bill from Senators Lindsey Graham and Richard Blumenthal proposing tariffs of up to 500% on buyers of Russian energy is also gaining support, with Trump saying he is very strongly considering backing it though some analysts doubt such tariffs could be effectively maintained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Humanitarian crisis in Kherson escalates but Russian river crossing remains unrealistic Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. WASHINGTON (AP) Although President Donald Trump has not directly said he thinks JD Vance should be the heir to his Make America Great Again base of support, he acknowledged this week that his vice president is probably the favorite to succeed him at this point. But even as he promoted Vance, Trump also made sure to mention Secretary of State Marco Rubio, telling reporters at the White House on Tuesday that his administration's top diplomat is somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form on a future political ticket. The remarks reflect the massive influence the Republican president currently has over his party. They also serve to promote two of Trump's top advisers without telegraphing the president's singular preference for a successor. Not definitively anointing Vance, or any other Republican, keeps those hoping to succeed Trump vying for his favor, both inside his administration and in the wider Republican field of possible contenders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its early for the 2028 presidential field to begin forming, and other contenders will ultimately emerge. A challenge for anyone wading into the race, even with strong Trump connections, will be staying in the president's good graces for the duration. Speaking with reporters following an executive order signing at the White House, Trump was asked if Vance were the heir apparent to MAGA. I think most likely, in all fairness, hes the vice president," Trump said. "I think Marco is also somebody that maybe would get together with JD in some form. ... Its too early obviously, to talk about it, but certainly hes doing a great job and he would be, probably favored at this point. When Trump selected the then-39-year-old Vance over other more established Republicans including Rubio as his running mate last year, many theorized that Trump was planning for the future of his political movement, angling for a vice president who could carry MAGA forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vance has embraced the role at every turn, doing the president's bidding on everything from his relationship with Ukraine to the fight over records related to the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking scandal. Trump, meanwhile, has not hesitated to give Vance high-visibility assignments. As the White House promotes mid-decade redistricting efforts in Texas and acknowledges it would like the notion to expand to other states Vance is expected Thursday to discuss redrawing district lines with Gov. Mike Braun during a trip to Indiana. While there, Vance will also headline a fundraiser for the Republican National Committee, which he serves as treasurer. In June he traveled to Los Angeles to tour a multiagency Federal Joint Operations Center and a mobile command center amid clashes between protesters and police and outbreaks of vandalism and looting following immigration raids across Southern California. And earlier this year, Vance was in swing congressional districts in his role as lead cheerleader for Trumps signature tax cut and spending law, an assortment of conservative priorities that Republicans dubbed the One Big, Beautiful Bill. He also lobbied senators on Capitol Hill, working to swing GOP holdouts to support the legislation, and in July cast a tie-breaking vote to get the measure passed in the Senate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He's also taken on a robust role related to foreign policy, holding meetings of his own with world leaders, including Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a trip to New Delhi, and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Rubio, who has described Vance as among his closest friends in politics, said on Fox News Channel on Sunday that he felt Vance "would be a great nominee if he decides he wants to do that. Other Republicans mentioned as possible 2028 contenders are already making the rounds of early-voting states. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin speaks at a GOP fundraiser in South Carolina this weekend, and Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders headlines an event in that state later this month. Both have taken pains to curry the president's favor. Not every Republican contender has gone that route. Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, who lost the 2016 nomination to Trump, has been visiting early-voting states, too, but he voted against the president's signature legislative measure. And Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp who has long harbored ambitions to run for president but has a complicated history with Trump recently said he was sitting out of a Senate race in his state, a decision telegraphed by some as an indication Kemp might be eyeing the 2028 White House race. ___ Kinnard can be reached at http://x.com/MegKinnardAP (NewsNation) President Trumps administration might have thought that dealing with Russia would be a way to distract from the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein investigation. But on Tuesday, the GOP put its leaders right back in the muck of the saga. This latest development has Epsteins former lawyer Alan Dershowitz and former New Hampshire Gov. Chris Sununu agreeing that at some point, all the information is going to come out. Asked on CUOMO why Trump hasnt forced the release of the files, Dershowitz said, Hes wrong. I dont know why he isnt leading the campaign to put things out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I know whats in the files. Theres nothing in there incriminating in any way, as far as I know, about Donald Trump. Possible Maxwell pardon revictimizing to Epstein survivors: Attorney The House GOP announced it was issuing subpoenas to many of Trumps enemies, including former President Bill Clinton and Hilary Clinton, as well as James Comey and Merrick Garland, concerning the files. Speaking of Clinton, Dershowitz believes he has no part in the files. He recalled being at the home of Caroline Kennedy with Clinton when the latter spoke with Epstein. I can testify that Bill Clinton knew Jeffrey Epstein. Knew him well enough to have a 15-minute call, way before any of these allegations came out, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But theres nothing in the file to suggest he did anything wrong, whether he was ever on the island, that he ever had anything or did anything improper. But, everybody wants to point fingers. Epsteins ex, Ghislaine Maxwell, doesnt want grand jury transcripts released Dershowitz insisted that Epstein had no client list. He feels the investigation wont go away until the government goes in front of the three judges who sealed the material of the unreleased files. Thats where the details are, thats where the accusations are, he said. Sununu added that the Epstein investigation isnt going to conclude anytime soon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unless we are going to bury it like the Kennedy files or something like that, and thats not going to happen, said Sununu. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NewsNation. WASHINGTON (AP) President Donald Trump could meet in person with Russian President Vladimir Putin as soon as next week as he seeks to broker an end to the Russia-Ukraine war, a White House official said Wednesday. The official cautioned that a meeting has not been scheduled yet and no location has been determined. The official was not authorized to speak publicly and spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity to discuss internal plans. The White House said Trump was also open to a meeting with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A meeting between Putin and Trump would be their first since Trump returned to office this year. It would be a significant milestone in the 3-year-old war, though theres no promise such a meeting would lead to the end of the fighting since Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on their demands. Trump, appearing before reporters later at the White House, didnt answer questions about a potential location for a meeting but when asked about a summit with Putin and Zelenskyy, said theres a very good prospect that they will meet. The president declined to predict how close he was to reaching a deal to end the fighting, saying, Ive been disappointed before with this one. Rubio lowers expectations for a meeting Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was asked in an interview on Fox Business about a potential Trump-Putin meeting, said a lot has to happen before that can occur. Rubio said the U.S. would be having talks with its European allies and the Ukrainians over the next few days. He said Trump meeting directly with the leaders of Russia and Ukraine would help close an agreement, but said, Weve got to get close enough to that point so that a meeting like that will be productive and worth doing. Today was a good day, but weve got a lot of work ahead," he said. "Theres still many impediments to overcome. News of a potential meeting with Putin, which was first reported by The New York Times, came hours after Trumps special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Putin in Moscow. Trump had posted earlier on Truth Social that Witkoff had a highly productive meeting with Putin in which great progress was made. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy has been willing to meet face-to-face with Putin to end the conflict, but Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea. Trump has met with Zelenskyy several times this year, including a contentious February meeting in Washington. Though he has not yet met with Putin this year, Trump met with him five times during his first term. Trump said earlier Wednesday that he had updated Americas allies in Europe and that they would work toward an end to the war in the days and weeks to come. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that the Russians had expressed their desire to meet with Trump. The Kremlin has not yet commented on any potential meetings with Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoff met with Putin days before the White Houses deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or potentially face severe economic penalties that could also hit countries buying its oil. The meeting between Putin and Witkoff lasted about three hours, the Kremlin said. Putins foreign affairs adviser Yuri Ushakov said Putin and Witkoff had a useful and constructive conversation that focused on the Ukrainian crisis and, in a nod toward improving relations between Washington and Moscow, prospects for possible development of strategic cooperation" between the United States and Russia. The threat of US sanctions Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Wednesday, the same White House official said the U.S. was still expected to impose secondary sanctions against Russia on Friday, after a 10-day deadline that Trump imposed is to expire. The White House has not yet released details about the sanctions. Washington has threatened severe tariffs and other economic penalties if the killing doesnt stop. Trump also has threatened to slap tariffs on nations that buy Russian oil, which could increase import taxes dramatically on China and India. He said Tuesday he hadn't publicly committed to any particular tariff rate, and indicated that his decision could depend on an outcome of the meeting with Putin. Trump has expressed increasing frustration with Putin over Russias escalating strikes on civilian areas of Ukraine, intended to erode morale and public appetite for the war. The intensified attacks have occurred even as Trump has urged the Russian leader in recent months to relent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Zelenskyy said Wednesday evening that he and Trump spoke on the phone after Witkoff met with Putin. He said European leaders also participated in the conversation, and we discussed what was said in Moscow. It seems that Russia is now more inclined to agree to a ceasefire," Zelenskyy said, adding that the pressure on Moscow "is working," without elaborating. Zelenskyy stressed it was important to make sure Russia does not "deceive us or the United States when it comes to the details of a potential agreement. Kyiv proposes that Ukraine and its allies soon talk to determine our position, our common position, and our common view. The fighting grinds on Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, Russian forces hit a recreational center in Ukraines southern Zaporizhzhia region, killing two people and injuring 12, including two children, regional Gov. Ivan Fedorov said Wednesday. Russian forces launched at least four strikes on the area and initially attacked with powerful glide bombs. There is zero military sense in this strike. Only cruelty to intimidate, Zelenskyy said in a post on Telegram. Russia also struck the Ukrainian power grid and facilities for heating and cooking gas, Zelenskyy said, as Ukraine makes preparations for winter. Western analysts and Ukrainian officials say Putin is stalling for time and avoiding serious negotiations while Russian forces push to capture more Ukraine land. A Russian offensive that started in the spring and is expected to continue through the fall is advancing faster than last year's push but is making only slow and costly gains and has been unable to take any major cities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The situation on the front line is critical for Ukrainian forces but defenses are not about to collapse, analysts say. Risks of more pressure Stepping up diplomatic and economic pressure on the Kremlin risks stoking international tensions amid worsening Russia-U.S. relations. Putin has given no hint that he might be ready to make concessions. Instead, the Russian leader and senior Kremlin officials have talked up the countrys military strength. Putin announced last week that Russias new hypersonic missile, which he says cannot be intercepted by current NATO air defense systems, has entered service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia announced Tuesday that it no longer regards itself as bound by a self-imposed moratorium on the deployment of nuclear-capable intermediate range missiles, a warning that potentially sets the stage for a new arms race. Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, meantime, warned that the Ukraine war could bring Russia and the U.S. into armed conflict. Trump responded to that by ordering the repositioning of two U.S. nuclear submarines. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov on Monday welcomed Witkoff's visit. We consider (talks with Witkoff) important, substantive and very useful," he said. Trump initially gave Moscow a 50-day deadline, but later moved up his ultimatum as the Kremlin continued to bomb Ukrainian cities. ___ Follow the APs coverage of the war in Ukraine at https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine. US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to meet in the "coming days", the Kremlin has said. It follows Trump saying there was a "good chance" he could meet his Russian and Ukrainian counterparts together in person "very soon" to discuss ending the war in Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated support for that idea, while Putin said he was not against meeting Zelensky but he was "very far" from it happening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump's deadline for Russia to agree a ceasefire in Ukraine or face more sweeping sanctions is due to expire on Friday. A meeting between Trump and Putin would follow US envoy Steve Witkoff holding talks with the Russian president on Wednesday. Witkoff has travelled to Moscow four times previously, visits followed by optimism from Trump but ultimately no major breakthrough in peace talks. Speaking on Thursday, Putin said the United Arab Emirates could host his meeting with Trump, potentially as early as next week. He said he was "very far" from a meeting with Zelensky because "conditions" had not been met and there was "still a long haul ahead for creation of such conditions". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Putin said he would only meet Zelensky during a final phase of negotiations. Kyiv and its Western partners reject Moscow's demands for ending the war. Zelensky indicated his support for a summit, acknowledging that various formats of meetings had been discussed - "two bilateral and one trilateral" - and added that Europe "must be a participant" in any talks. He wrote on X: "Ukraine is not afraid of meetings and expects the same brave approach from the Russian side." When asked at a White House briefing on Wednesday night whether Zelensky and Putin had agreed to a three-way summit, Trump had said there was a "very good prospect". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last month, Trump admitted to the BBC that after all four of Witkoff's previous visits, Putin had disappointed him after talks had initially led to optimism. The US President is now striking a more cautious tone, telling reporters on Wednesday: "I don't call it a breakthrough...we have been working at this for a long time. There are thousands of young people dying... I'm here to get the thing over with." On Wednesday, the Kremlin released a vague statement about Witkoff's visit, calling the discussions "constructive" and noting that both sides had exchanged "signals". Zelensky meanwhile said he had spoken to Trump about Witkoff's visit, with European leaders also on the call. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ukrainian president has been warning that Russia would only make serious moves towards peace if it began to run out of money. Images shared by Russian outlets showed Putin and Witkoff - who have met several times previously - smiling and shaking hands in a gilded hall at the Kremlin [GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/EPA/Shutterstock] Expectations are muted for a settlement by Friday - when Trump's deadline expires - and Russia has continued its large-scale air attacks on Ukraine despite the US threat of sanctions. As pressure builds, Trump on Wednesday signed an executive order imposing a 25% tariff on Indian imports over its continued purchase of Russian oil. Before taking office in January, Trump said he would be able to end the war between Russia and Ukraine in a day. The conflict has raged on and his rhetoric towards Moscow has since hardened. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Three rounds of talks between Ukraine and Russia in Istanbul have failed to bring the war closer to an end, three-and-a-half years after Moscow launched its full-invasion. Moscow's military and political preconditions for peace remain unacceptable to Kyiv and to its Western partners. Russian demands include Ukraine becoming a neutral state, dramatically reducing its military and abandoning its Nato aspirations. It also wants Ukrainian military withdrawal from its four partly occupied regions in the south-east, and the demobilisation of its soldiers. Russia also demands international recognition of Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions, as well as the annexed Crimea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other conditions include a ban on Ukraine's membership in any military alliances, a limit on the size of the Ukrainian army, Russian as an official language, and the lifting of international sanctions on Russia. The Kremlin has also repeatedly turned down Kyiv's requests for a meeting between Zelensky and Putin. Meanwhile, the US approved $200m (150m) in additional military aid to Ukraine on Tuesday, including support for drone production. Donald Trump's sudden concern about starving Palestinians was a major shift for the US president, who had previously ignored the endless cries for help from aid groups. So what changed? In his words, it was images of emaciated children in Gaza that Trump saw on television -- his main window into the world that has long shaped his political and diplomatic decision-making. Trump made clear his affection for the small screen in late July when asked if he agreed with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, a major US ally, that there was no famine in Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Based on television, I would say not particularly, because those children look very hungry," said Trump, a former reality TV star. "That's real starvation stuff. I see it, and you can't fake that." Since then, the 79-year-old has repeated that aid must be brought to people living in the war-ravaged Palestinian territory, though he has stopped of any major diplomatic moves. "Trump has a reputation for not reading anything, including the briefing papers that his aides prepare for him, and for always believing that he knows better than his staff or anyone else does," said Dan Kennedy, a journalist professor at Northeastern University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "So it's not surprising that he would be affected by images on television, especially since he is known to spend a lot of time watching TV." - 'I watch the shows' - Trump has attended 22 intelligence briefings since taking office in January, according to an AFP tally, despite several reports having revealed that he lacks interest in written reports. However, his love for television is well-documented -- even when it comes to major decisions. In 2015, before he first entered the White House, the billionaire told a journalist asking how he educates himself on military strategy: "Well, I watch the shows." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And a New York Times report recounted how Trump spent several hours a day in his first term glued to the television, mainly watching Fox News -- his favorite channel -- but also CNN, NBC and ABC news channels. His second term has been little changed, despite Trump leading an election campaign that deployed social media and podcasts. "Trump is a product of his generation," Kennedy said. "He's not sitting around looking at TikTok." - 'Great television' - The Republican, who hosted 14 seasons of "The Apprentice" television series, knows better than most how images can be weaponized for political point-scoring. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was gleeful after his shocking clash with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the White House in February, which saw the pair rowing in front of the world's press. "This is going to be great television," Trump said. And in May he gave a similar public dressing down to South African leader Cyril Ramaphosa when he sat in the Oval Office for what turned into a diplomatic ambush. Trump hijacked the meeting by playing a video montage -- one littered with inaccuracies -- that purported to prove claims of a "genocide" against white farmers in South Africa. aue/bjt/sla WASHINGTON (AP) China, the adversary. China, the friend? These days, maybe a bit of both. From easing export controls to reportedly blocking the Taiwanese president's plans to travel through the United States, President Donald Trump is raising eyebrows in Washington that he might offer concessions that could hurt U.S. interests in his quest to meet, and reach a deal with, the Chinese leader. There is no firm plan for Trump to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping. But it's widely believed that the men must meet in person, likely in the fall, for the two governments to ink a trade deal, and some are worried that Xi is leveraging Donald Trump's desire for more giveaways. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The summit mismatch is real. Theres a clear gap between Trumps eagerness for a face-to-face with Xi and Beijings reluctance to engage," said Craig Singleton, senior director of the China program at the Washington-based think tank Foundation for Defense of Democracies. There are concerns that Trump may throttle back on export controls or investment curbs to preserve summit prospects, Singleton said, warning the risk isn't just in giving away too much but also "in letting Beijing set the tempo. China-U.S. relations have pinballed often since Washington established relations with communist-led Beijing in 1979. They've hit highs and lows the latter in the aftermath of the 1989 massacre of pro-democracy protesters in Tiananmen Square, after a 2001 incident involving a U.S. spy plane, during the COVID pandemic and right now. Both countries have struggled to understand each other, which has sometimes gotten in the way of deeper partnerships. And this time around, there's a wild card: the anything-might-happen second presidency of Trump. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disputes often accompany potential US-China leader meetings Efforts by a U.S. president to meet the head of the authoritarian Chinese government have often met with partisan outcries which happened when former President Joe Biden hosted Xi in California in 2023. But Trump's case is peculiar, partly because he is willing to break with conventional political restraints to make deals and partly because his own party has grown hawkish towards China over national security. With President Trump, everything seems to be open for negotiation, and there are few if any red lines, said Gabriel Wildau, managing director of the global consultancy Teneo. The hawks worry that if Trump gets into a room with Xi, he will agree to extraordinary concessions, especially if he believes that a big, beautiful deal is within reach. While most Republican lawmakers have not voiced their concerns openly, Democrats are vocal in their opposition. "President Trump is giving away the farm to Xi just so he can save face and reach a nonsensical trade deal with Beijing that will hurt American families economically," said Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Tuesday, Kush Desai, a White House spokesman, said the Trump administration has not wavered and will never waver in safeguarding our national and economic security to put America first. The administration continues to have productive conversations with China to address longstanding unfair trade practices, Desai said, adding that export controls on cutting-edge technology and many tariffs remain in place. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, after his latest round of trade negotiations with the Chinese in July, told CNBC that the team was very careful to keep trade and national security separate. And Secretary of State Marco Rubio, appearing on Fox News Radio, said the U.S. remains as committed as ever to our partners ... in places like Taiwan but also spoke of the strategic need to keep trade ties with China steady. In the end, we have two big, the two largest economies in the world, Rubio said. An all-out trade conflict between the U.S. and China, I think the U.S. would benefit from it in some ways, but the world would be hurt by it." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's worry over Taiwan Taiwan is concerned that the self-governing island could be trade-able when Trump seeks a deal with Beijing, said Jason Hsu, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute and a former legislator in Taiwan. Our concern is that, will any of the trade deals lead to concession on political support for Taiwan?" Hsu said, citing the case last month where the White House allegedly blocked a request for Taiwanese President Lai Ching-te to transit through the United States. The U.S. maintains unofficial ties with Taiwan and has always allowed such transits in the past. Experts are worried that the Trump administration is setting a bad precedent, and Democrats have seized on it to criticize Trump. Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, the top Democrat on the House Select Committee on China, called the move both a sharp break from precedent and another example of the Trump administration caving to China in hopes of reaching a trade deal." He said the policy decision sends a dangerous signal that Taiwans democracy is negotiable. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hsu said Taiwan fears that Trump could be coerced or compelled to support the one-China principle, as espoused by Beijing, that acknowledges Beijing's sovereignty claim over the island. There are also concerns that Trump might utter anything in support of unification." That was a request Beijing raised with the Biden administration, though it failed to get a positive response. Now, it's upon Taiwan to persuade Trump to think of the island as an economic partner rather than something that he can trade when he negotiates with China, Hsu said, suggesting that Taiwan step up defense commitments, increase energy procurement, open its market to U.S. companies and invest more in the U.S. But Sun Yun, director of the China program at the Stimson Center, said Trump is bound by the Taiwan Relations Act, a domestic law that obligates the U.S. to maintain an unofficial relationship with the island and provides it with sufficient hardware to deter any invasion by China. He can dial the (U.S.-Taiwan) relationship up and down," Sun said, "but he cant remove the relationship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Export controls have been instituted, to mixed results In April, the White House, citing national security, announced it would restrict sales of Nvidias H20 computer chips to China. The ban was lifted about three months later, when the two governments had climbed down from sky-high tariffs and harsh trade restrictions. The decision upset both Republican and Democratic lawmakers. Rep. John Moolenaar, a Michigan Republican who chairs the House Select Committee on China, wrote to Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to stress that the U.S. cannot let the Chinese Communist Party use American chips to train AI models that will power its military, censor its people, and undercut American innovation. In Stockholm, Bessent pushed back at the concern that national security might be compromised. We are very diligent, Bessent said, adding there's an interagency process that involves the National Security Council and the Defense Department for decisions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There's nothing that's being exchanged for anything, Bessent said. Addressing H20 chips specifically, Bessent said they are well down" Nvidia's "technology chips stack. U.S. companies are banned from selling their most advanced chips to China. That might not be persuasive enough. Teneo's Wildau said China hawks are most worried that the H20 decision could be the beginning of a series of moves to roll back export controls from the Biden era, which were once considered permanent and non-negotiable. TALLAHASSEE, Fla. State Sen. Joe Gruters, who already has President Donald Trumps endorsement, is on a glide path to become the next chair of the Republican National Committee. Michael Whatley, the current RNC chair, is stepping down to run for the North Carolina U.S. Senate seat currently held by retiring GOP Sen. Thom Tillis. The deadline for those seeking to succeed Whatley came and went on Tuesday and Gruters will run for the job unopposed. The formal vote will occur on Aug. 22 at the RNC summer meeting in Atlanta. Gruters, a Sarasota Republican who is currently the RNC treasurer, has been a long-time ally of Trump and is friends with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, who was honored this past weekend by the Republican Party of Florida at its big annual dinner and fundraiser in Orlando. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gruters had been on a 2026 collision course with Blaise Ingoglia, a staunch supporter of Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis. Gruters was planning to run for chief financial officer, a statewide elected position even though Ingoglia was recently appointed to the job by DeSantis. The job had come open after Jimmy Patronis resigned to run for the congressional seat that had be held by former Rep. Matt Gaetz. Patronis won that seat in a special election earlier this year. Ingoglia was sworn into his new job last month and just days after two top Trump advisers announced they were going to help Gruters campaign against him. Then just days later Whatley said he was going to run for Senate. Trump endorsed Whatley and simultaneously backed Gruters to take over as RNC chair. Fortunately, I have somebody who will do a wonderful job as the Chairman of the RNC, he wrote in a social media post. His name is, Joe Gruters, and he will have my Complete and Total Endorsement. Last Friday Trump repeated his support of Gruters in another social media post where he called him a MAGA warrior, who has been with us from the very beginning. Trump said that Gruters had helped us deliver massive and historic Victories across the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As RNC Treasurer, Joe has been a Fierce Advocate for our Movement, and fought tirelessly to ensure a highly functioning, fiscally responsible, and financially successful RNC, Trump wrote. He will be a wonderful Chairman! Gruters, 48, is an accountant and former chair of the Republican Party of Florida who has spent nine years in the Florida Legislature, including the past seven in the state Senate. He has had notable clashes with DeSantis and backed Trump over DeSantis when the governor mounted his unsuccessful run for president during the 2024 election cycle. DeSantis just last month castigated Gruters and contended he was out of step with conservatives, noting his support of an immigration bill that DeSantis vetoed as well as his support for a constitutional amendment that would have legalized recreational marijuana in the state. (Trump backed that amendment as well.) Joe Gruters has taken major positions that are totally contrary from what our voter base wants to do, DeSantis said during his press conference where he announced he was appointing Ingoglia. So if George Washington rose from the dead and came back and tapped me on the shoulder and said, Will you appoint Joe Gruters CFO? My response would be no. I cant do that without betraying the voters that elected me to lead this state in a conservative direction. Gruters was already term-limited in the state Senate and state Rep. James Buchanan, the son of Rep. Vern Buchanan. is already running for Gruters seat. It is not clear if Gruters intends to resign his state Senate seat early after he is formally chosen as RNC chair. A spokesperson for Gruters said Tuesday there would be no decision on that until after the RNC election. The Brief The mayor of Tucker says he's fed up with a group of burglars targeting local businesses around Main Street. At least seven businesses have been broken into by a group that includes kids as young as 12 years old, the mayor said. The city is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for any information that helps identify the "mastermind" behind the crimes. TUCKER, Ga. - The mayor of Tucker is sounding the alarm after a series of recent business break-ins in the city. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For the second time in a month, a crew of burglars broke into three downtown Tucker shops. Mayor Frank Auman says he's fed up. What we know The most recent break-in happened on Monday night along the city's Main Street corridor. While authorities did not name where the break-ins happened, they said three businesses were burglarized. These criminal actions come less than a month after authorities say four businesses were hit by the same group around the same area. The businesses were Ford's BBQ, Nicky's Undefeated, Village Burger and Yes Events Space -- all located around Main Street. They were broken into just around 5 a.m. Tuesday, according to DeKalb police. Broken glass found near one of the restaurants targeted by the group. (FOX 5) Auman called the group of burglars "very intentional," saying they usually start the night by stealing a car, then heading to the stores that they've already designated as targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The group will then break the glass of the store and go right to the cash register. In most cases, they leave within 30 seconds. Auman said that an adult was the one driving the car but children "as young as 12" were involved in the break-ins. "These children are specifically sought for their age because they are too young to be seriously prosecuted," he said. Surveillance footage of one of the break-ins in Tucker. (City of Tucker) Dig deeper Several other businesses around Tucker have been broken into or stolen from in the past year. In June, 63-year-old Terrence Tamplin stole cash from Matthews Cafeteria in Tucker, according to DeKalb police. In January, Nicky's Undefeated and Corner Cup Coffee were also targeted. What they're saying Auman had a strong message for the thieves. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We will identify you. We will find you and apprehend you," he said. "We will make your lives miserable, including prosecuting you and seeing that you're put in jail for as long as the law will allow." What's next The mayor is offering a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person behind the crimes committed on Monday. Auman also says the city will continue to add security in public areas, including cameras, lights, and motion detectors. The Source Information for this article came from a press conference held by Tucker Mayor Frank Auman and previous FOX 5 reporting. Rowan-Cabarrus Community College is offering two tuition-free Fire Protection Technology courses starting Oct. 20, aimed at enhancing the skills of North Carolinas emergency services workforce, The Independent Tribune reported. ALSO READ: CPCC plans first responder training facility in Matthews The courses, Managing the Fire Services and Emergency Operations Center Management, are designed to support the professional development of first responders and are part of the colleges Emergency Management and Fire Protection Technology associate degree programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These programs provide essential training for the people who keep our communities safe, said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus Community College. The initiative reflects Rowan-Cabarrus Community Colleges commitment to removing barriers and providing opportunities for first responders to grow in their careers. By offering these tuition-free courses, the college aims to ensure that first responders have access to education that helps them serve with confidence. The courses will be available during the second eight-week session of the fall semester and are open to affiliated first responders in North Carolina. For more information or to register, visit RCCC. VIDEO: 2-alarm fire destroys daycare under construction near Cabarrus-Mecklenburg County line Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbards stupendous evidence that former President Barack Obama masterminded the Trump-Russia investigation boils down to a single word choice. Gabbard was pressed to explain her theorywhich has been roundly condemned as a thinly veiled distraction from the Trump administrations Epstein files scandalduring an interview with Fox Newss Laura Ingraham Tuesday. You said there was irrefutable evidence that Obama was the mastermind of this intelligence manipulation and the perpetuation of the Russia hoax. What is that irrefutable evidence for our viewers tonight? asked Ingraham. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard, in turn, directed Foxs audience to her offices website, which hosts heavily redacted versions of her report. And those who go in and read this will see how President Obama directed that a National Security Council meeting be called to talk about Russia, that the report that came out of that meeting was filled with tasks that were delivered by James Clappers assistant to [FBI Director] John Brennan and to other elements of the intelligence community, Gabbard said. And very specifically, they were tasked to create an intelligence assessment that detailed how Moscow tried to influence the electionnot if, but how, she said. INGRAHAM: You said there was irrefutable evidence that Obama was the mastermind of this intelligence manipulation and the perpetuation of the Russia hoax. What is that irrefutable evidence? TULSI GABBARD: *makes clear she's got nothing* pic.twitter.com/0OXgvHmLX5 Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) August 5, 2025 But that differentiation doesnt mean very much within the larger context of the Russia investigation, which establishedvia a Republican-led House investigation as well as a bipartisan Senate investigation fronted by nowSecretary of State Marco Rubiothat Russia had worked to intervene in the 2016 election. So having a president inquire how that occurred, rather than if it occurred, makes sense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In MAGA world, however, the difference is apparently treasonous. Several of Donald Trumps allies have called for investigations as to whether the forty-fourth president committed treason by looking into Russian influence in the 2016 election. Other efforts to reframe what Trump has deemed a hoax have also proven to be duds. Last week, a declassified report intended to add fuel to a debunked theory that Hillary Clinton cooked up the Trump-Russia connection actually revealed that a critical document to the plot was the likely invention of Russian spies, undermining the administrations revisionary campaign. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard told a New York Post podcaster that she believes aliens could possibly be real. Speaking on the New York Posts "Pod Force One," Gabbard answered "yes" when pressed about whether she believes in the possibility of extraterrestrial life, according to the outlet. A former Democratic presidential candidate turned Republican, Gabbard leads President Donald Trumps intelligence community and serves as his principal advisor on intelligence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Asked on Miranda Devines Pod Force One podcast whether "there could be aliens," Gabbard started answering by saying, "I have my own views and opinions" and "in this role, I have to be careful with what I share." Military Jet's Mysterious Collision Raises Questions About Advanced Ufos In Us Airspace: 'Been Here All Along' Pressed further on whether she believes in the possibility of extraterrestrials and UFOs, she answered "yes." Read On The Fox News App The outlet reported that Gabbard noted she was not prepared to talk further on the issue, she said her team will be transparent with the public when the time comes, saying, "Were continuing to look for the truth and share that truth with the American people." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard also mentioned that she still has "a lot of questions" about the mysterious flurry of drone sightings over New Jersey late last year. At the time U.S. national security officials in the Biden administration sought to dispel concerns about the sightings, with one FBI official describing the nationwide uneasiness as "a slight overreaction." Over 60 Ufo Sightings Reported Whizzing Across State In First Half Of 2025, National Tracking Group Says Recording of a UFO flying by the USS Omaha off the coast of San Diego in July 2019 and then vanishing into the ocean without a splash or crash debris. "I still have a lot of questions around that," Gabbard said, adding, "Ive heard what the public official line is." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I just personally still have a lot of questions that are unanswered, because it wasnt just New Jersey. It was happening in different parts of the country," she told the podcast host. The DNI did, however, say "theres a lot of classified information" in the U.S. intelligence community about the suspected Chinese spy balloon that was spotted flying over several states in 2023. Pentagon Says There's No Verifiable Evidence Of Extraterrestrial Technology, Beings Or Activity The suspected Chinese spy balloon drifts to the ocean after being shot down off the coast in Surfside Beach, South Carolina, U.S. February 4, 2023. After allowing the balloon to fly over much of the U.S. for about a week, former President Joe Biden eventually ordered it shot down over South Carolina. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gabbard declined to tell the host more about the intelligence communitys information on the balloon. Original article source: Tulsi Gabbard tells podcaster aliens may be real: 'We're continuing to look for the truth' People go to the "Gateway to Hell" gas crater in the middle of the Turkmenistan desert expecting an angry cauldron but are now coming away unimpressed. Once a giant uncontrollable pit of red flames and glowing red embers, the 70-metre (230 feet) wide hole is now just a charred cauldron with only a few pockets of small fires. After letting it burn for 50 years, authorities in the reclusive Central Asian state have finally moved to put out the fire, which spews huge quantities of methane into the atmosphere. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm a little disappointed," said Irina, 35, who travelled five hours north from the capital Ashgabat to get to see what she thought would be an inferno in the Karakum desert. "On the internet we saw impressive pictures of burning flames. Now we realise they were old photos and videos. The reality is different," she told AFP. Reducing the fire is an important step for Turkmenistan's climate ambitions. The world's biggest methane emitter through gas leaks, according to the International Energy Agency, it has committed to cutting greenhouse gas emissions. But putting out the fire means killing off the Darvaza gas crater as the country's top tourist attraction. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several nearby wells have been drilled to reduce the flow of gas. "Whereas before a huge glow from the blaze was visible from several kilometres away, hence the name 'Gateway to Hell', today only a faint source of combustion remains," Irina Luryeva, a director at state-owned energy company Turkmengaz, told a conference in June. - 'Risking your life' - The road from Ashgabat to the crater is covered with cracks and potholes, making the journey for would-be tourists treacherous. "You have to swerve round the potholes and sand dunes, risking your life," driver Aman, 28, told AFP at a gas station on the way. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The desert covers some 80 percent of the country and sees temperatures soar to more than 50C in summer and plunge to minus 20C in the winter. It is also home to vast natural resources, with Turkmenistan estimated to have the world's fourth largest gas reserves. It was Soviet scientists, exploring the region's potential, who set the crater on fire after they accidentally drilled into an underground pocket of gas in 1971. "There was a danger of poisoning the local population and farm animals, so the geologists decided to set it on fire, hoping that it would soon burn out," said Turkmen geologist Anatoly Bushmakin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "However, the crater is still burning," he added. Under long-time president, now 'father-of-the-nation', Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, Turkmenistan had flipped between wanting to tame the crater or use it to boost tourism to the isolated country. In 2022, Berdymukhamedov finally ordered it be extinguished completely -- citing both environmental and economic concerns. It "has a negative impact on both the environment and the health of people living nearby," he said. "Valuable natural resources are being lost, the export of which could generate significant profits and be used to improve the well-being of our people," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement - 'Lost income' - Turkmenistan has also signed up to the Global Methane Pledge, which aims for a 30-percent global reduction in methane emissions by 2030. But not everybody is on board with the plan. Locals that relied on the the draw of the pit's spectacular appearance for their income are worried. "If Darvaza stops burning completely, many tourist companies will lose income," said Ovez Muradov, 43, who works in a tour agency in Ashgabat. The Gateway to Hell was one of the only tourist attractions in Turkmenistan, one of the most closed and repressive countries in the world, according to rights groups. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The country sees hardly any foreign visitors, though leaders have talked up the prospects of boosting numbers. Muradov said extinguishing the fire would douse those ambitions. "I'm no expert, but I don't think the extinguished crater will have much impact on the environment, but the tourism industry will lose a significant chunk of income." bur/tw Two teenagers were arrested in connection to the attempted carjacking of a former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer known as Big Balls. Authorities said the 15-year-old suspects, who were charged with unarmed carjacking, were among several teens who allegedly approached the victim, Edward Coristine, and a woman police identified as his significant other near a car around 3 a.m. EDT Sunday in Washingtons Logan Circle neighborhood. The group allegedly made comments about taking the car, before Coristine pushed his significant other into the vehicle for safety and prepared to confront the group, according to police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Law enforcement officials said Coristine turned to face the teenagers, and several of them attacked him until police patrolling the area intervened. The group fled on foot when police approached, authorities said. Coristine, a 19-year-old software engineer, was among the most visible figures associated with President Trumps DOGE effort, aimed at slashing government spending and eliminating waste in the federal bureaucracy. Tech billionaire Elon Musk, who was the chief adviser of DOGE before his special employee period lapsed last May, confirmed the attack on a post on the social platform X, which he owns. A few days ago, a gang of about a dozen young men tried to assault a woman in her car at night in DC, Musk said in the post. A @Doge team member saw what was happening, ran to defend her and was severely beaten to the point of concussion, but he saved her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack has given new fuel to the president, who has frequently threatened to take control of the nations capital throughout his second term. Trump on Tuesday called for the District of Columbia to change its laws to allow for teenagers 14 and older to be prosecuted as adults and face lengthy prison sentences. He shared on Truth Social a graphic image of the bloodied former DOGE employee, but did not name Coristine, and included a lengthy message attacking violent crime in Washington. Trump blamed the citys crime on local youths, who he said were not fearful of consequences. They are not afraid of Law Enforcement because they know nothing ever happens to them, but its going to happen now! the president wrote. The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these minors as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14. The most recent victim was beaten mercilessly by local thugs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Washington, D.C., must be safe, clean, and beautiful for all Americans and, importantly, for the World to see, Trump added. If D.C. doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City, and run this City how it should be run, and put criminals on notice that theyre not going to get away with it anymore. Crime in D.C. was down 35 percent in 2024 from the previous year, marking a 30-year low. Data from the district show violent crime is also down so far in 2025 compared with the previous year. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. GREENWOOD, S.C. (WSPA) The Greenwood Police Department is asking for help in locating two dogs after the car they were in was stolen at a local grocery store. On July 31, officers said a grey jeep was stolen from the Piggly Wiggly parking lot on Main Street. The vehicle was recovered about 15 minutes later near Janet Street off of Foundry Road. The police department said that two dogs, both belonging to the vehicles owner, were inside at the time. Both dogs are reported to still be missing. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A picture of the suspect is attached below. The Greenwood Police Department says that you recognize the suspect or have any information about the whereabouts of the dogs, to contact the department immediately. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSPA 7NEWS. When three men were convicted for the 2015 murder of a Kentucky mother of five this summer, her loved ones wept with relief. But Crystal Rogers body has never been found, and other mysteries continue to loom large over the case that has tormented a small town and intrigued true crime sleuths for more than a decade. A number of critical questions are still unanswered: How was she murdered? What role did Rogers boyfriend, who was just convicted of her murder as a principal or accomplice, play in her death? Where are her remains? Who killed her father, Tommy Ballard, just 16 months after Rogers went missing? And was Ballards fatal shooting related to evidence he found during his relentless pursuit of justice for his daughter? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to recently unsealed court documents and explosive allegations by prosecutors at trial, some answers might finally be coming. Rogers disappearance FBI Crystal Rogers in an undated photo (FBI) Related: Gavin Newsom Is Going Viral For Shutting Down JD Vance With One Single Map Rogers, 35, had been dating Brooks Houck, a successful property developer, for about three years when she disappeared on the night of July 3, 2015. They lived together in Bardstown, Kentucky once dubbed the Most Beautiful Small Town in America and shared a then-2-year-old son, the youngest of Rogers five children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On that Friday evening, Houck, now 43, said the couple hung out at his familys 245-acre farm with their son and returned home together later that night. Houck was the last person to see her alive, authorities said at the time. But when asked to provide a timeline for that night and the rest of the weekend, Houck responded with vague answers or said he didnt remember specific events, according to police interviews played during his trial. Houck told police he last saw Rogers after they returned home at about 11:30 p.m. on July 3. He claimed she was playing games on her phone before he went to bed. However, a digital forensics experts testimony at trial contradicted his account. Rogers phone lost power and shut off at 9:23 p.m. that night, the expert said. It briefly powered on again at 11:57 p.m., before being manually shut down 30 seconds later. It was not turned on again for three days, when investigators rebooted it themselves. Subscribe to our true crime newsletter, Suspicious Circumstances, to get true crime deep dives delivered straight to your inbox every week. Sign up here. Houck said he woke up on the morning of July 4 with their toddler, Eli, beside him in bed, with no sign of Rogers. He told authorities he called and texted her a few times, but he wasnt worried when she didnt respond because he assumed she had gone to her cousins house to cool down, which she had done before when the couple argued. However, he previously hadnt mentioned having a disagreement with Rogers the night she disappeared. According to his phone records, he didnt text the cousin until Sunday asking if Rogers was with her. She responded that she hadnt heard from Rogers that weekend at all. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rogers family became increasingly alarmed when she didnt respond to their calls or texts, including those from her children. On Sunday, July 5, during a chance encounter at a gas station, Rogers mother Sherry Ballard asked Houck where her daughter was. When he said he hadnt seen her since Friday night, she drove to the sheriff's department and filed a missing persons report. That same day, Rogers Chevy Impala was found abandoned on the side of a nearby highway. Her keys were in the ignition and her phone and purse were in the car, but Rogers was nowhere to be found. Authorities and Rogers family members conducted massive searches in the area without finding any other clues about what might have happened to Crystal. As the months passed, her father went out every day looking for her, handing out missing flyers and hanging signs wherever he could. Residents couldnt miss Tommy Ballard, who wore T-shirts adorned with his daughters picture and drove a truck plastered with her missing signs. Houck, who continues to deny any involvement in Rogers disappearance, never participated in a search in all the years his girlfriend was missing. Instead, in a televised interview with Nancy Grace on July 9, 2015, he claimed to be working behind the scenes with the sheriffs office. But just the day before, he had walked out of a police interview after receiving a shocking phone call and never cooperated with investigators again. That call from his brother, then a Bardstown police officer seemed to indicate, prosecutors alleged, that Brooks Houck did not act alone. The prime suspect Warren County Jail Brooks Houck in a mugshot taken ahead of his trial in June 2025 Related: "My Generation Will Never Forgive You": 25 Of The Very Best And Very True Political Tweets From The Last Week Prosecutors said Houcks accounts to police, Rogers family and others, and on the Nancy Grace show, were inconsistent and contradictory starting with his account of a low-key evening on July 3. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In fact, it was a stark contrast to the plans Rogers shared with friends and family that day. Her longtime friend Kristina Holley testified that Rogers turned down her invitation to get pizza with the kids because Houck had wanted to spend a romantic evening alone with her. Amanda Greenwell, Rogers cousin, told the court about a similar conversation she had with her that day at the local Walmart the last time, prosecutors said, she was seen alive. She said she and Brooks were going on a surprise date. She didn't know what they were doing or where they were going," Greenwell testified. She was very excited. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, prosecutors claimed, he took her to the Houck family farm, where she was ultimately murdered. The surprise date was Crystals surprise ending, the lead prosecutor reportedly told jurors in his closing argument. Motive for murder Court documents unsealed on July 15 shed new light on what prosecutors believe was Houcks motive for killing his girlfriend. Although he told police he was faithful to Rogers and the couple were happy together, witnesses claim he shared that their relationship was rocky and that hed slept with another woman just a month before Rogers disappeared. According to witness statements, he also said he didnt want to share custody or pay child support if they broke up. (After his trial, Brooks Houcks sister, Rhonda McIlvoy, 38, filed a petition seeking full custody of Houck and Rogers son Eli, who has lived with her since 2023.) Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Investigators didnt spend much time speaking with Houck directly. Days after Rogers vanished, his interview with a detective at the sheriffs office which authorities later learned Houck had been secretly recording was abruptly cut short. He answered a phone call from his brother, Bardstown police officer Nick Houck, who advised him to leave. (The police chief later fired Nick Houck for allegedly interfering with the investigation, lying to authorities and failing a polygraph test.) Houck, who told Nancy Grace he was 100% innocent, has continued to deny any wrongdoing. But authorities, Rogers family and the Bardstown community were suspicious from the start that he was involved in Rogers disappearance. Even after he was named as a suspect in October 2015 by the Nelson County sheriff who said at the time that he believed Rogers was dead no charges were filed against him. For more than eight years, Houck remained free and had full custody of the son he had shared with Rogers (an arrangement the Ballards unsuccessfully fought in court). But in September 2023, the FBI, which had been coordinating with state and local law enforcement agencies on the case, announced that Houck had finally been arrested. He was charged with murder and tampering with evidence and pleaded not guilty. His bail was set at a whopping $10 million, which a judge later refused to lower. The court proceedings in this case have been complex and confusing, with long tentacles to other potential crimes and suspects. Houck was tried alongside Joseph Lawson, the son of his former employee, so prosecutors could demonstrate that the men worked together to commit the crime. However, Josephs father, Steven Lawson, was tried separately (and convicted) weeks before them, because a judge ruled that his wildly inconsistent and ever-evolving grand jury testimony in 2023 would prejudice his son and Houcks case.Steven Lawson was largely convicted based on his testimony before a grand jury and on the stand in his trial this May that he had coordinated with his son and Brooks Houck to move Rogers car. According to prosecutors, Lawson told a grand jury in 2023 that Houck, who had previously hired him for construction projects, promised him more work if he helped move the car on the night of July 3, 2015 which prosecutors said was evidence of premeditation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors in the Houck-Lawson trial alleged that Joseph Lawson not only knew Rogers had been killed but was involved in disposing of her body in a gruesome way. Charlie Girdley, a former employee of Houcks, testified that Joseph Lawson told him that no one would ever find Rogers body because he planned to pull her teeth and let the hogs do the rest. Lawson also mentioned moving her body with a skid steer (a type of loader often used in construction for digging or moving heavy equipment), Girdley said. Prosecutors said Lawson used Rogers own car keys to move her sedan the night she disappeared and Girdleys testimony directly connected the keys to Houck. Girdley testified he was picking up his weeks pay from his boss on July 3 when he saw Houck hand over Rogers keys to Joseph Lawson. He claimed Lawson told him that he was going to make some repairs on the car. Instead, prosecutors said, Joseph Lawson abandoned the car on the highway, where his father picked him up. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lawsons defense attorneys pointed out that Girdleys hearsay accounts had repeatedly changed in numerous interviews with police and he was an unreliable witness. No physical evidence DNA or fingerprints was found linking either of the Lawsons to Rogers car, the defense noted. A widening conspiracy While prosecutors called Brooks Houck the leader of a conspiracy to kill his girlfriend and cover up the crime in a recently unsealed document, and focused on Joseph and Steven Lawson as co-conspirators, they believed there was more to the story. They also named brother Nick Houck and their mother, Rosemary Houck, as unindicted co-conspirators. Neither has been charged with a crime, and prosecutors have not indicated whether they plan to pursue charges against them. They did, however, play a role in the prosecutions narrative of what really happened to Crystal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shay McAlister, a dogged local journalist who has covered the case for years, including in the podcast Bardstown, highlighted passages of newly released court documents in which prosecutors allege that Rosemary Houck was involved in a plan to kill Rogers well before her disappearance. Contractor worker Danny Singleton, a longtime employee of Brooks Houck's, testified that Rosemary asked him whether he knew someone who could get rid of Crystal. She openly expressed her contempt for her sons girlfriend, he said, according to prosecutors. Another witness told a grand jury that with Rogers gone, Rosemary Houck said her son with Brooks would now be raised right. Prosecutors also suggested that Rosemary had been using a burner phone in the weeks before and after Rogers disappearance. Investigators who obtained Rosemarys phone through a search warrant said it showed no activity between June 16 and Aug. 4, 2015. During this period, they concluded, she must have been using a different phone one they never obtained or found records of. In addition, investigators found several recording devices hidden in Rosemary Houcks closet. They allegedly contained secret recordings prosecutors said Houck family members made during grand jury proceedings which Brooks sister admitted she had done when she testified at his trial as well as private conversations between them that prosecutors said in court documents are further evidence of the conspiracy. Now, awaiting sentencing from his jail cell, Houck has been accused by Rogers mother and adult children of working with his family to prevent them from recovering financial damages in a wrongful death lawsuit they filed against him after his arrest in 2023. An attorney for the Ballard family said in a court filing that recorded jail conversations between Houck and his brother, mother, sister and current girlfriend show that he had been working with them to liquidate his assets before the civil lawsuit proceeds. A judge issued a temporary injunction on July 25 barring him from selling property owned by him and his businesses, pending a hearing in October. According to court filings, he owns more than 80 properties with a tax-assessed value of $8.5 million. But Crystal Rogers disappearance isnt the only shocking tragedy the Ballard family has had to endure. Another suspicious killing in the family FBI Tommy Ballard in an undated photo Related: Pete Buttigieg Has A Name For What Trump Does When He's Desperate, And It's Spot On On the morning of Nov. 19, 2016, Sherry Ballard, already overwhelmed by grief and anxiety over what happened to her daughter, received a phone call from her terrified grandson. Rogers son, Trenton, told his Memaw that he had just seen his grandfather, Tommy Ballard, get shot as they were preparing for a hunting trip. She called 911 and rushed to the scene on their family property, but her husband was already dead. He had been killed instantly by a single shot to the chest. According to her grandson, he and Ballard, 54, had just arrived and were still getting organized for the hunt by Ballards truck near the Bluegrass Highway, the same road where Rogers car had been found abandoned when the shot was fired. Police initially described Ballards death as a hunting accident, but the FBI would later rule it a homicide. While Tommy Ballards killing remains unsolved, authorities began drawing connections between his death and the murder of his daughter. During the Houck-Lawson trial last month, an IRS detective who was brought in to investigate a possible financial motive in Rogers murder testified that Tommy Ballard had posted a tip on Facebook in April 2016 about a white Buick sedan that might be connected to Rogers disappearance. Two coon hunters testified they had contacted police after spotting a white Buick LeSabre parked on an access road in a property adjacent to the Houcks family farm late on the night Rogers disappeared. The men found it strange, they testified, to see a clean car out there so late on a rainy night. After Ballards social media posting, authorities learned that Anna Whitesides Houcks grandmother owned a white Buick LeSabre. But when investigators arrived at her home with a search warrant, they learned that the car had been sold to a dealership by Whiteside and Brooks police officer brother Nick four days after Ballard posted about the car on Facebook. In a deposition played during the Houck-Lawson trial, a search-and-rescue dog handler testified that his cadaver dog detected human remains in the trunk area of the Buick when it was finally searched. But investigators found no other evidence that Rogers had been in the car. Prosecutors noted that investigators found only Whitesides fingerprints when they searched the Buick, despite Nick Houck having driven the car to the dealership. During a 2023 court hearing, the special prosecutor publicly drew a link between Rogers and Ballards murders. He also made a shocking allegation: that the gun used to kill Tommy Ballard may have been owned by Nick Houck. A brothers loyalty Bardstown Police Department Nick Houck before he was fired by the Bardstown Police Department Authorities said they tested a rifle that they had purchased from Nick Houck, who sold it using a fake name. It was the same caliber as the firearm used to kill Ballard and matched four out of the five criteria that would prove it had fired the fatal bullet, the special prosecutor told a judge in 2023. (The special prosecutor has also been assigned to a third unsolved case in Bardstown: the fatal shooting of Bardstown Police Officer Jason Ellis in an apparent ambush in May 2013. Ellis family has said they believe that all three killings are connected.) During police interviews and before a grand jury in 2023, Nick Houck could not provide a detailed timeline of his activity the night Rogers disappeared and in the days afterward. Amber Bowman, Nick Houck's ex-live-in girlfriend, testified that she called him 15 times between July 3 and 4. When he returned the morning of July 4, he didnt explain where hed been. A digital forensics expert testified that he was unable to analyze Nick Houck's phone data because it was off from July 2 at 11 p.m. until July 4 at 1:47 p.m. According to Brooks Houcks defense attorneys, Nick had a reasonable explanation for turning off his phone: he had been arguing with Bowman. If you look from a sinister view, you will get a sinister answer, defense attorney Steve Schroering told jurors in his opening statement on June 25. By labeling Nick Houck and his mother as unindicted co-conspirators in Rogers murder and drawing a connection between him and Ballards killing prosecutors seem to be viewing Nick Houcks actions through a sinister lens. Whether they plan to charge him or other family members with any crimes remains to be seen. It took less than four hours of deliberation on the afternoon of July 8 for the Houck-Lawson jury to deliver its verdicts. Houck was convicted of murder as a principal or accomplice to the crime and complicity to tampering with physical evidence; the jury recommended a life sentence with an additional five years for the evidence tampering charge. The jury found Joseph Lawson guilty of conspiracy to murder and evidence tampering and recommended a sentence of 25 years. The mens official sentencing is scheduled for Aug. 21. Previously, a jury found Steven Lawson guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and tampering with physical evidence; on Aug. 6, he was sentenced to 17 years in prison. Days after his conviction, Joseph Lawson filed a motion requesting that the judge toss the jurys guilty verdict or grant him a new trial. Like his father, he argued, he should have been tried separately from Houck. Steven Lawson had previously appealed his conviction as well, claiming that the jurors were confused about the murder conspiracy charge because they did not receive adequate instructions. But Crystal Rogers supporters and loved ones believe justice has been served. Related: People Cannot Believe Donald Trump Made This "Super Creepy" And "Homophobic" Comment About Pete Buttigieg Team Crystal Bardstown Main Street Bardstown residents line the street to show their support of Crystal Rogers and her family; the Nelson County Courthouse in Bardstown was lit in pink in honor of Rogers on July 8, 2025 Ten years ago, Tommy Ballard created Team Crystal, a group of Bardstown community members dedicated to finding his daughter. On July 8, they lined the streets in a sea of pink Rogers favorite color to celebrate the verdicts and welcome Sherry Ballard home from the trial in Bowling Green. In a Facebook post after the verdicts, Sherry Ballard said attending the last trial were some of the hardest days of my life," but Team Crystal and the town have been the pillars that kept me supported. "[W]hen I came back to Bardstown I was so overwhelmed by the support that I received, Ballard wrote. I cant say thank you enough to everyone in this community that stood by me and supported me through all these years. Team Crystal said their support will continue until Rogers is found and her fathers killer is caught. Investigators and the Ballard family are now focusing on their search for Tommys killer. Authorities have conducted extensive searches for Rogers in the years since her disappearance, including at least four at the Houcks family farm, property belonging to Whitesides and two by Nick Houck, and a Bardstown subdivision that included property being built by Brooks Houck. So far, none of the searches have found anything of evidentiary value. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $10,000 for information regarding his death, and the Ballard family has increased its own reward to $50,000. We hope in the near future there will be other co-conspirators charged, Team Crystal wrote in a Facebook post the day the verdicts were read. "Crystal & Tommy we felt your presence. We never gave up and we will NEVER give up. Tommy was the driving force and lost his life for Crystal. May God lead us to Crystal and see Justice for Tommy.Don't forget to sign up for the Suspicious Circumstances newsletter, our inside guide to the biggest unsolved mysteries, white-collar scandals, and grim cases of today. Click here to subscribe. Also in In the News: Trump's ICE Director Reportedly Made A Statement So Horrifying That People Are Calling It "The Most Insanely Depraved Thing" They've Ever Heard Also in In the News: 5 Absolutely Horrifying Ways Republicans Are Explaining Why They're Fine With People Losing Healthcare 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 Read it on BuzzFeed.com Ghana's ministers of defence and environment and six other people have died when a military helicopter crashed in the central Ashanti region. Defence Minister Edward Omane Boamah and Environment, Science and Technology Minister Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed, 50, were killed in the crash, which Chief of Staff Julius Debrah described as a "national tragedy". The Z9 helicopter, carrying three crew and five passengers, came down in a dense forest as it was flying from the capital, Accra, to the town of Obuasi for an event to tackle illegal mining. There were no survivors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The eight bodies have been retrieved from the wreckage and transported to Accra in coffins draped in the Ghanaian flag. A solemn ceremony was held at the Air Force Base to receive them. Plans to bury the Muslims among the deceased on Thursday have been postponed pending full identification of the bodies. The government has yet to announce the funeral arrangements. What caused the crash? The authorities have not confirmed the cause of the crash but the Ghanaian military said investigations had been launched. Ghana's meteorological agency had forecast unusually cold weather for August, with recent rains and light showers causing foggy conditions in many forest areas. Local farmers near the crash site reported morning fog as the helicopter flew overhead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One eyewitness told the BBC the helicopter was flying at an "unusually low altitude" and the weather was bad. He said he heard the sound of the helicopter passing by, followed by a "loud sound" and then a "bang". "That's when I realised that the helicopter had exploded. So I hurried to the place to see if I could find survivors," he said. The farmer said when he got to the scene there was "no-one to be rescued". This is the most deadly of three separate emergency incidents involving Ghana Air Force helicopters in recent years. In 2020, a Ghana Air Force Harbin Z-9 helicopter made an emergency landing near Tamale Airport, and last year, another Ghana Air Force helicopter made an emergency landing at Bonsukrom in Ghana's Western Region. Three days of national mourning Many Ghanaians are shocked by the news and still struggling to come to terms with the news. Images purportedly showing the charred remains of the helicopter have been circulating on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President John Dramani Mahama has suspended all his scheduled activities for the rest of the week and declared three days of mourning starting from Thursday. The government, through the president's chief of staff, directed the country's flags to fly at half-mast. He also extended condolences to "the servicemen who died in service to the country," on behalf of President Mahama and the government. Ghana's Deputy National Security Coordinator and former Agriculture Minister Alhaji Muniru Mohammed was also among the dead, along with Samuel Sarpong, Vice-Chairman of the governing National Democratic Congress party. The crew members were named as Squadron Leader Peter Bafemi Anala, Flying Officer Manin Twum-Ampadu, and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement President Mahama was feeling "down, down emotionally", Education Minister Haruna Iddrisu was cited as saying by news agency AFP. Who was Edward Omane Boamah? Boamah served under Mahama's previous government as communications minister and before that he was minister of environment. As defence minster he tackled jihadist activity that was brewing in the northern border in Burkina Faso. In 2022, a France-based NGO, Promediation, said its research showed that jihadist groups had recruited between 200 and 300 young Ghanaians. Violence in the area has also been on the rise, with concerns that jihadists may be trying to exploit communal in-fighting between rival communities in northern Ghana. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Boamah's book A Peaceful Man In An African Democracy, about former president John Atta Mills, was due to come out later in the year. Who was Ibrahim Murtala Muhammed? Muhammed was at the forefront of the battle against illegal gold mining, which has wrecked the environment and contaminated rivers and lakes. Protests against the practice, known locally as Galamsey, peaked during Mahama's run for the presidency last year. More about Ghana from the BBC: [Getty Images/BBC] Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica BBC Africa podcasts Aug. 6Two Hearts Pregnancy Center hosted a ribbon cutting and grand opening on Friday for their new Ironton location. Sandy Bellamy, executive director for the center, said the new location, at 1726 S. 3rd St., replaces one that was in Coal Grove for 21 years. Bellamy said that building was sold and they needed to move. "The Lord blessed us with this building," she said, noting that they moved from Coal grove on June 5 and, two months later, were open in Ironton. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bellamy said the center, which also has a main location in Ironton, is a "ministry for women in unplanned pregnancy situations." "We offer counseling and parenting classes," she said. "As well as grief classes." She said clients can also earn "Baby Bucks" through their programs, which can be used to purchase needed items from the "Bundle of Joy Room." Two Hearts Pregnancy Center is open from 9 a.m. 4:30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. For more information, visit www.twoheartspcc.org. Two suspects involved in the shooting of an off-duty U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer in New York City last month have been formally indicted on additional charges, officials announced Wednesday. At a press conference, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg and New York City Mayor Eric Adams outlined the new state-level charges filed against Miguel Francisco Mora Nunez and Christhian Aybar-Berroa. New Charges Announced Mora, believed to be the gunman, is now charged with one count each of attempted murder in the first and second degrees. Both men face additional charges, including assault, attempted robbery, robbery, and criminal possession of a weapon. They are expected to be arraigned later this month. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DA Bragg praised the officer for his bravery and quick response despite being off duty. Two Illegal Immigrants Charged In Nyc Shooting Of Off-duty Cbp Officer Read On The Fox News App "This officer showed true bravery and quick action, even while off-duty," Bragg said. "We will not tolerate violence against law enforcement or innocent New Yorkers." Bragg described the shooting as part of a "violent robbery spree" planned in advance via text messages, noting that the suspects had allegedly stolen a womans phone earlier that same night. "These individuals posed a serious threat and showed no concern for the safety of others in our city," said Mayor Adams. "Their capture is a direct result of collaboration between federal authorities, the NYPD, and the District Attorneys office." The Shooting Incident According to police, the off-duty CBP officer was sitting on the rocks near the Little Red Lighthouse at Fort Washington Park, under the George Washington Bridge, shortly before midnight on July 19, when the suspects approached on a moped. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "One of the men got off the scooter, displayed a firearm, and confronted the officer and his friend who were simply enjoying a summer evening," Adams said. Second Suspect Arrested In Cbp Officer Shooting Has Lengthy Criminal Past, Dhs Says Officials announced that the suspects, who are illegal immigrants, have been indicted for the attempted murder of an off-duty CBP officer in NYC in July. The officer was shot in the face and forearm, but returned fire, striking one of the suspects. Despite serious injuries, the officer survived and is expected to make a full recovery. Federal Charges & Immigration Status The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) previously confirmed that both suspects were illegal immigrants and had prior criminal records. They are also linked to ongoing investigations, according to the NYPD. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ricky Patel, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) in New York, said the attack amounted to a threat against the broader law enforcement community. "When these individuals targeted one of our ownknowingly or notthey targeted all of us," Patel said. "We are committed to pursuing justice alongside our law enforcement partners." Noem Blames 'Sanctuary' Policies For Migrant Accused Of Shooting Off-duty Cbp Officer "Miguel Mora and Cristhian Aybar juggled with fate, and lost, when they set out on their alleged robbery spree last month," Patel added. "These suspects showed no regard for human life or the rule of law. Their choices changed not only their lives, but the life of a federal officer who was simply enjoying a summer night." Broader Investigations Multiple sources within U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement told Fox News that the men involved in the shooting and attempted robbery are believed to be the same men caught on video in an armed robbery of a business in Leominster, Massachusetts, in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sources said in that incident during which a store owner reportedly was bound with duct tape and held at gunpoint two firearms were stolen. Political Reactions Following the incident, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and former Border Patrol official Tom Homan visited the injured officer in the hospital. Both emphasized the need for stricter immigration enforcement and criticized sanctuary policies. "Sanctuary cities are sanctuaries for criminals. President Trump is not going to tolerate it," Homan said. President Donald Trump also addressed the incident on social media, writing that "an incredible CBP Officer was shot in the face by an Illegal Alien Monster freed into the Country under Joe Biden." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The CBP Officer bravely fought off his attacker, despite his wounds, demonstrating enormous Skill and Courage," Trump wrote. Adams, when previously asked about Noems remarks, distanced himself from federal immigration policy saying, "I have nothing to do with the rules that are put in place. I just carry out the rules." Collaboration Praised Adams concluded by commending the swift coordination between law enforcement agencies. "Thanks to the courageous actions of the wounded officer and our partners across agencies, two violent criminals are now off the streets," he said. Fox News' Greg Norman contributed to this report. Original article source: Two illegal immigrant suspects indicted on attempted murder charges in CBP officer shooting case in NYC PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) Every year, Enjoy Illinois honors businesses from the state whose uniquely Illinoisan style and creativity set our locally made goods apart. This year, two central Illinois businesses were given the honor. Tuesday morning, Discover Peoria presented both Tres Rojas Winery and Sarah Beths Homemade Dips with Illinois Made Makers awards given out by the Illinois Office of Tourism. JD Dalfonso, president and CEO of Discover Peoria, shared the importance of the award to the state and to central Illinois. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its really to highlight the stories and businesses in Illinois that are local that make and source products here in Illinois, Dalfonso said. Sophias Kitchen sees surge in demand, seeks more volunteers Tres Rojas Winery Lisa Barry, who co-owns Tres Rojas with her husband Bob, gave her initial reaction to being given the high honor. I am overwhelmed with feelings right now because we have worked so very hard to make this happen, Barry said. To be recognized today, we just hope [it] furthers peoples awareness of us and that we do produce a great quality wine that people can enjoy, depending on what it is that they prefer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lisa and Bob started making wine in 2015, and started to take home awards at the amateur level. In 2016, the two started to make their wine professionally. After pursuing nearly 40 different locations, they finally found one that would provide a venue and tasting room to serve their wine to the public. The city of Washington worked with the two of them to purchase 51 acres of land on Cruger Road, which they have operated on for around six years. Sarah Beths Homemade Dips Sarah Masters and her husband Timmy own and operate Sarah Beths Homemade Dips, and its been a business 20 years in the making. Masters shared what the feeling was like to be given the award. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its an amazing honor, Masters said. We are among so many wonderful makers, small businesses in this area, and so to be recognized as being a maker, doing great things is an honor. We are happy to represent our region and tell our story, but also draw people into other products. Located in Hanna City, the husband and wife-run business sells a variety of dips, spreads and snacks. It evolved from what Sarah calls a hobby of sorts into what they now do every day. The two formed Sarah Beths Homemade Dips, LLC eight years ago, and currently operate their business on Farmington Road, along with pop-ups at the Peoria Riverfront Market. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There were 20 different Illinois businesses honored this year; seven were located outside of Chicago. Since the awards started in 2016, 277 small businesses have been recognized. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Correction: The Manhattan district attorneys office charged the two suspects on Wednesday. A previous version of this article contained incorrect information. The Manhattan district attorneys office indicted two men Wednesday following their alleged role in the shooting of an off-duty Border Patrol agent last month. Miguel Mora, 21, and Christian Aybar, 22 are accused of shooting the agent July 19 in Fort Washington Park, New York. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The district attorneys office accused Mora of shooting the agent and striking him twice, once in the face and once on the hand and wrist. It says the two men previously were involved in the robbery of a 39-year-old woman in the area. Even while off-duty on a summer night, this officer quickly leapt into action in an act of bravery, District Attorney Alvin Bragg said in the Wednesday release. We are committed to the safety of law enforcement officers in Manhattan, as demonstrated by this in-depth investigation and todays serious charges, he added. Mora is charged with attempted murder in the first and second degree in the New York State Supreme Court, while he and Aybar face charges for robbery and criminal possession of a weapon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment adds to federal charges unveiled against the duo last month. The two allegedly planned the robbery spree in advance of the incident, according to authorities. Miguel Mora and Cristhian Aybar juggled with fate, and lost, when they set out on their alleged robbery spree last month. Throughout much of their time in the U.S., and as culminated with the events of July 19, they disrespected the sanctity of life and the American rule of law, said Ricky J. Patel, special agent in charge for Homeland Security Investigations New York. In the process, they changed the course of their own lives, and tragically, that of an innocent, unsuspecting off-duty CBP officer, he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities said Mora illegally immigrated from the Dominican Republic and could face up to 15 years in prison; Aybar, who also came to the country illegally, could face 7.5 years. Updated: 8:58 p.m. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. Two more German citizens have been able to leave the largely destroyed Gaza Strip, the Foreign Office in Berlin said on Wednesday. They were accompanied by two close family members and are travelling by bus through Israel and the West Bank to Jordan, from where a scheduled flight to Germany is planned, a spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said. The departure was coordinated closely with Israeli authorities. The four are being provided consular support by German foreign missions in Ramallah and Amman, the spokeswoman said. "The safety of German nationals is our top priority," she added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Der Spiegel news magazine reported that the four individuals are part of a group of Western foreigners whose departure was approved by Israeli authorities. The group includes a low double-digit number of people, including individuals from Belgium, France, Italy, Sweden, Australia and Japan, the magazine said. Germans still held by Hamas Among the remaining hostages in the coastal strip held by Hamas are at least seven people with German citizenship. It is believed that at least 20 of the total 50 hostages are still alive. The German government continues to work tirelessly to secure their release, the spokeswoman said. "The government is making every effort to ensure that the Germans who have been held hostage by Hamas since October 7, 2023, are freed." Few other Germans remain in Gaza This marks the sixth departure of German nationals and their close family members from Gaza this year, according to dpa information. Since the beginning of the year, the German government has facilitated the departure of nearly 100 Germans and their family members from Gaza. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Currently, only a small single-digit number of Germans remain in Gaza who have not yet been able to leave. The German mission in Ramallah remains in contact with them. All family members without German citizenship had to undergo the usual visa process, including a security check. This process also involved a review by German security authorities and approval from the relevant immigration office in Germany. Upon their arrival in Germany, the individuals will undergo another security check by the authorities. SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) Two 16-year-old boys were arrested in connection with possessing a loaded firearm in Springfield last week. Springfield Police Spokesperson Ryan Walsh stated in a news release that, over the past several months, the Springfield Police Firearms Investigation Unit (FIU) has been involved in an investigation into illegal firearms, specifically targeting a 16-year-old boy. Springfield gun call leads to 4 arrests, weapons and heroin seized Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Last Wednesday, July 30, police received information that the suspect and another 16-year-old boy allegedly had a firearm. Detectives were granted a search warrant for an apartment on the 200 block of Dickinson Street, and at approximately 9:10 p.m., police searched the residence. During the search, the two 16-year-old suspects were detained, as well as two women who were later released. Six children ranging from two to 14 years old were also observed inside the home. Courtesy of the Springfield Police Department. Springfield police seized a loaded firearm inside the 16-year-olds bedroom, and both juvenile suspects were arrested. Due to the suspects ages, their names and specific charges will not be released. Local News Headlines WWLP-22News, an NBC affiliate, began broadcasting in March 1953 to provide local news, network, syndicated, and local programming to western Massachusetts. Watch the 22News Digital Edition weekdays at 4 p.m. on WWLP.com. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WWLP. Police arrested two women in connection with running a brothel at a spa in Maynard Tuesday morning, according to police. Malden resident Jianping Wu, 68, and Flushing, New York, resident Meiying Cheng, 57, have each been charged with one count of keeping a house of prostitution, inducing prostitution on premises, deriving support from prostitution and engaging in sexual conduct for a fee, Maynard police said in a press release. Maynard police executed a search warrant at Asian Spa on Main Street Tuesday morning following a weekslong investigation into possible prostitution activity at the business, police said. The U.S. Department of Homeland Securitys Human Trafficking Unit and Massachusetts State Police aided in the investigation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During the search, police seized cell phones, cash, checks, account information, ledgers and other evidence all of which indicated that organized prostitution was taking place at the spa, police said. Officers arrested Cheng and Wu as they executed the search warrant, and both are set to be arraigned Wednesday in Concord District Court. Our department heard from community members who had concerns about the activity that was occurring at this business, and we heard those concerns and investigated, Maynard Police Chief Christopher Troiano said in the release. ... I want to credit our officers and detectives here in Maynard, and thank the people of Maynard for the information they provided us. The Maynard community that we are a part of will not tolerate this type of activity. No further information has been released. More local crime stories Read the original article on MassLive. CHAMPAIGN, Ill. (WCIA) The University Group a leasing company at the University of Illinois sent an email to future residents Friday telling them their move-in dates at a new building will be moved back to after the start of the school year. The email said power issues are causing a construction delay. The UGroup added students will not be able to move into their units until Sept. 23 at the latest. U of I likely using temporary housing for second year in a row Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The C-U Tenant Union said the University Group is providing three choices as alternative accommodations for students in the meantime. The first is a day-by-day rent credit. If your rent is 1,000 dollars a month, theyll give you 1/30 of that per day, which is not enough to pay for a hotel, Tony Allegretti, director of Student Legal Services at the U of I, said. Other options for students include temporarily leasing another UGroup apartment until people can move in or terminating the lease completely and seeking new accommodations for the upcoming school year. The landlord is breaching the terms of the lease by not providing you the apartment, Allegretti said. If its a higher cost you can seek the difference in damages or the difference in rent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Illinois needs to increase housing output, U of I professor says Allegretti added that the last two options might be challenging, as most apartments are already leased by this point in the summer; something students agree with. I dont think they will have too many choices and I believe they will pay a much higher rent, Zhixuan Jin, a university senior, 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. Bidding will soon begin on one of the world's largest yachts, seized three years ago by U.S. authorities who say it was owned by a sanctioned Russian billionaire. The 348-foot Amadea was seized in Fiji in 2022 by the Justice Department. The agency said U.S. dollars and financial institutions were used to pay for maintenance on the luxury vessel, despite sanctions against its purported owner, gold mining billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. File: The super yacht Amadea passes San Diego as it comes into the San Diego Bay Monday, June 27, 2022, seen from Coronado, Calif. The $325 million superyacht seized by the United States from a sanctioned Russian oligarch arrived in San Diego Bay on Monday. / Credit: Gregory Bull / AP Florida contractors National Maritime Services and Fraser Yachts will administer the auction of the seized vessel, worth more than $300 million. But not just anyone can submit a sealed bid for the Sept. 10 drawing. Bidders must have at least $500 million in net worth and be willing to put down a $10 million deposit for the luxury ship, which features a helipad, an ornate pool, heated floors, a "cinema setup," jet skis and jet packs among other amenities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Amadea was seized as part of the Justice Department's "Operation KleptoCapture," a task force that aimed to punish sanctioned Russian oligarchs for the country's invasion of Ukraine. The task force was disbanded soon after President Trump took office this year. A holding company tied to the vessel claims it's not owned by Kerimov. The company and its lawyers say it's owned by another, non-sanctioned Russian, named Eduard Khudainatov. That claim has been rejected by the Justice Department. An FBI agent said in a 2022 court filing that Khudainatov, an oil executive, does not have nearly enough money to own the Amadea. The agent referred to Khudainatov as "a second-tier oligarch (at best)" and a "straw man" for sanctioned Russian elites. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an affidavit filed in Fiji, the agent said he had interviewed "numerous members of the yacht brokerage community" to learn about the yacht's "concealed" ownership "behind nested shell companies." A second ship tied to Khudainatov, the Scheherazade, estimated to be worth up to $700 million, was seized by Italy in 2022. It remains impounded. A lawyer for Khudaintov warned would-be bidders against buying the ship. "We doubt it will attract any rational buyer at fair market price, because ownership can, and will, be challenged in courts outside the United States, exposing purchasers to years of costly, uncertain litigation," Adam Ford said in a statement to CBS News. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Khudaintov is appealing a recent court decision mandating the ship's forfeiture. "If our appeal succeeds, the government must repay the vessel's full value," Ford said. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Former FBI official on Fort Stewart shooting The catastrophic implosion of the Titan submersible in June 2023 was a preventable tragedy, according to the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Board of Investigation (MBI). A scathing report from the Coast Guard investigators has determined that OceanGate Expeditions, the company that owned and operated the deep-sea vessel, did not follow protocols for safety, testing, and maintenance, resulting in the death of five people on board. More from Robb Report Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Titan imploded in the Atlantic Ocean at a depth of about 3,500 meters (11,482 feet) as the submersible was descending to the wreck of the Titanic. The passengers included Stockton Rush, 61, cofounder of OceanGate; Hamish Harding, 58, an adventurer and owner of Action Aviation; Paul Henri Nargeoloet, 77, a veteran Titanic explorer from France; British-Pakistani businessman Shahzada Dawood, 48; and his son Suleman, 19. The U.S. Coast Guard launched an investigation into the causes of the disaster in August 2023, with the two-year inquiry informing the 335-page report. The primary causal factor for the implosion was Oceangates failure to follow established engineering protocols for safety and testing, according to the report. It states the firms safety culture and operational practices were critically flawed, with glaring disparities between their written safety protocols and their actual practices. The investigation found that OceanGate continued to use Titan even after a series of incidents compromised the integrity of the hull and other critical components without properly assessing or inspecting the craft. It imploded 90 minutes into the dive because the carbon-fiber hull suffered a catastrophic loss of structural integrity, the report reads. Carbon fiber has not been used on this type of deep-diving sub before and is considered to be unreliable under pressure due to delamination. The crew died instantly, facing nearly 5,000 pounds per square inch of water pressure, per the report. Other contributing factors cited in the report include a toxic workplace culture at OceanGate, an inadequate domestic and international regulatory framework for submersible operations and vessels of novel design, and an ineffective whistleblower process under the Seamans Protection Act. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This marine casualty and the loss of five lives was preventable, Jason Neubauer, the chair of the Coast Guard Marine Board, said in a statement. The two-year investigation has identified multiple contributing factors that led to this tragedy, providing valuable lessons learned to prevent a future occurrence. MBIs report is currently being reviewed by the commandant of the Coast Guard, after which the commandant will confirm any actions to be pursued. There is a need for stronger oversight and clear options for operators who are exploring new concepts outside of the existing regulatory framework, Neubauer said. I am optimistic the ROIs findings and recommendations will help improve awareness of the risks and the importance of proper oversight while still providing a pathway for innovation. Best of Robb Report Sign up for RobbReports's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Click here to read the full article. Federal authorities in the United States revealed Tuesday that they will not seek the death penalty against three reputed Mexican drug cartel leaders, including an alleged former partner of the infamous "El Chapo" and the man accused of orchestrating the killing of a Drug Enforcement Administration agent. Court filings showed decisions handed down in the trio of prosecutions, all being held in Brooklyn, N.Y. The cases involve drug and conspiracy charges against Ismael "El Mayo" Zambada, 75, charged with running a powerful faction of Mexico's Sinaloa cartel; Rafael Caro Quintero, 72, who allegedly masterminded the DEA agent's torture and murder in 1985; and Vicente Carrillo Fuentes, 62, also known as El Viceroy, who is under indictment as the ex-boss of the Juarez cartel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prosecutors from the Eastern District of New York filed a letter in each case "to inform the Court and the defense that the Attorney General has authorized and directed this Office not to seek the death penalty." The decision comes despite calls by President Trump use capital punishment against drug traffickers and the U.S. government ratcheting up pressure against Mexico to dismantle organized crime groups and to stanch the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs across the border. Read more: What's it like to defend a Mexican cartel boss? Reputed drug lords seek lawyers in U.S. A White House spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It's rare for the death penalty to be in play against high-level Mexican cartel figures. Mexico long ago abolished capital punishment and typically extradites its citizens on the condition that they are spared death. In Zambada's case, the standard restrictions did not apply because he was not extradited. Zambada was brought to the U.S. in July 2024 by a son of his longtime associate, Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Zambada alleges he was ambushed and kidnapped in Sinaloa by Joaquin Guzman Lopez, who forced him onto an airplane bound for a small airport outside El Paso. Zambada has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him and remains jailed in Brooklyn while his case proceeds. A court filing in June said prosecutors and the defense had "discussed the potential for a resolution short of trial," suggesting plea negotiations are underway. We're going to be asking [that] everyone who sells drugs, gets caught selling drugs, to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts President Trump in 2022 Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Frank Perez, the lawyer representing Zambada, issued a statement Tuesday to The Times that said: "We welcome the governments decision not to pursue the death penalty against our client. This marks an important step toward achieving a fair and just resolution." Federal authorities announced in May that Guzman Lopez, 39, an accused leader of the Sinaloa cartel faction known as "Los Chapitos," would also not face the death penalty. He faces an array of drug smuggling and conspiracy charges in a case pending before the federal court in Chicago. Another son of El Chapo, Ovidio Guzman Lopez, 35, pleaded guilty to drug trafficking, money laundering and firearms charges last month in Chicago. Court filings show he has agreed to cooperate with U.S. authorities in other investigations. Caro Quintero and Carrillo Fuentes were two of the biggest names among a group of 29 men handed over by Mexico to the U.S. in February. The unusual mass transfer was conducted outside the typical extradition process, which left open the possibility of the death penalty. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reputed to be a founding member of Mexico's powerful Guadalajara cartel in the 1980s, Caro Quintero is allegedly responsible for the brutal slaying of DEA agent Enrique "Kiki" Camarena 40 years ago. The killing, portrayed on the Netflix show "Narcos: Mexico" and recounted in many books and documentaries, led to a fierce response by U.S. authorities, but Caro Quintero managed to elude justice for decades. Getting him on U.S. soil was portrayed as a major victory by Trump administration officials. Read more: Son of El Chapo pleads guilty in U.S. drug trafficking case Derek Maltz, the DEA chief in February, said in a statement that Caro Quintero had "unleashed violence, destruction, and death across the United States and Mexico, has spent four decades atop DEAs most wanted fugitives list." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Carrillo Fuentes is perhaps best known as the younger brother of another Mexican drug trafficker, Amado Carrillo Fuentes, the legendary "Lord of the Skies," who died in 1997. Once close to El Chapo, El Mayo and other Sinaloa cartel leaders, the younger Carrillo Funtes split off to form his own cartel in the city of Juarez, triggering years of bloody cartel warfare. Kenneth J. Montgomery, the lawyer for Carrillo Fuentes, said Tuesday that his client was "extremely grateful" for the government's decision to not seek the death penalty. "I thought it was the right decision," he said. "In a civilized society, I don't think the death penalty should ever be an option." Trump has been an ardent supporter of capital punishment. In January, he signed an order that directs the attorney general to take all necessary and lawful action to ensure that states have enough lethal injection drugs to carry out executions. The executive order directed the attorney general to pursue the death penalty in cases that involve the killing of law enforcement officers, among other factors. For years, Trump has loudly called for executing convicted drug traffickers. He reiterated the call for executions again in 2022 when announcing his intent to run again for president. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We're going to be asking [for] everyone who sells drugs, gets caught selling drugs, to receive the death penalty for their heinous acts," Trump said. Read more: The secretive life and stunning downfall of Sinaloa cartel boss 'El Mayo' Zambada Atty. Gen. Pam Bondi lifted a moratorium on federal executions in February, reversing a policy that began under the Biden administration. In April, Bondi announced intentions to seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione, the man charged with assassinating a UnitedHealthcare executive in New York City. Bonnie Klapper, a former federal narcotics prosecutor in the Eastern District of New York, reacted with surprise upon learning that the Trump administration had decided to not pursue capital cases against the accused kingpins, particularly Caro Quintero. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Klapper, who is now a defense attorney, speculated that Mexico is strongly opposed to executions of its citizens and officials may have exerted diplomatic pressure to spare the lives of the three men, perhaps offering to send more kingpins in the future. "While my initial reaction is one of shock given this administration's embrace of the death penalty, perhaps theres conversations taking place behind the scenes in which Mexico has said, 'If you want more of these, you cant ask to kill any of our citizens.'" Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. URBANA, Ill. (WCIA) A graduate student at the University of Illinois pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing a police officer during a pro-Palestine protest on campus last year. Court records show that Arthur Paganini reached a plea deal with prosecutors in June and on Wednesday, exactly one year after he was first charged, the plea was made before Judge Randy Rosenbaum. Paganini pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor of obstruction, while a felony count of mob action was dismissed. Rosenbaum then sentenced him to a year of conditional discharge and 100 hours of community service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The plea deal Paganini took is identical to the deals taken by almost every other defendant charged in connection with the demonstration at Alma Mater on April 26, 2024. On that date, pro-Palestine protestors pitched tents and resisted law enforcement and university staff who, saying they were following campus policy, tried to take the tents down. Champaign woman accused of obstructing officer during pro-Palestine protest pleads guilty With Paganinis plea and sentencing, the cases against all but one defendant have been resolved, with six plea deals, one conviction by a judge and one dismissal. The sentences imposed against those who pleaded guilty or who were found guilty are largely identical to Paganinis conditional discharge and community service. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A spokesperson for the University of Illinois confirmed to WCIA last year that Paganini was a graduate student enrolled at the university when the protest occurred. Another spokesperson told us on Wednesday that Paganini was still enrolled at the university during the 2024-25 school year but as of now has not enrolled for the fall 2025 semester. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. As the U.S. grapples with a swell of measles cases the largest number recorded in a single year in more than three decades the University of Michigan Health Sparrow announced its hospital lab is the first in the state to develop its own test for the highly contagious virus. The Lansing-based hospital now can get measles test results within about a day from its in-house lab, said Jon Baker, director of laboratories at U-M Health-Sparrow. "We do think that we'll see more cases of measles," Baker said. "So that's one of the reasons why we felt it was important to have this test available." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of July 31, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported 27 confirmed cases of measles in the state. Nationally, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported 1,333 confirmed cases this year in 40 states and 29 outbreaks as of July 30 the most since 1992. Measles is a vaccine-preventable disease that can cause serious illness, long-term disability and death in people of all ages. The best way to avoid measles infection is to get vaccinated, health officials say. Yet immunization rates have fallen in Michigan and across the country in recent years, driving outbreaks. Michigan's quarterly Immunization Report Card shows that just 79% of toddlers statewide have gotten at least one dose of the measles, mumps, rubella vaccine. However, 95% of the population must be immune to measles to prevent outbreaks either through vaccination or through prior infection, according to the CDC. More: What are the symptoms of measles? And other answers to common questions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Born between 1957-1989? You may not be protected from measles outbreak The measles polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test that U-M Health Sparrow's laboratory scientists created is similar to what was used during the coronavirus pandemic, Baker said. Here's how it works: Secretions from deep inside the nose are taken from a patient using a swab. Samples of those secretions are then used, in the process the lab's scientists created, to "amplify the target DNA or RNA that allows us to detect very small amounts, particularly viruses," Baker said. "And, so, it's an effective, fast test. It's very sensitive. The University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing uses the Roche cobas 5800 System to process DNA and RNA in samples taken from patients. It is the first hospital laboratory in Michigan to develop measles PCR testing capability using this system. "Up until now, the test was available only through the state health department's laboratory. The state laboratory has been running the tests on weekdays and occasionally on the weekends. But that process required pre-approval by the state epidemiology office." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On average, U-M Sparrow was sending roughly three to five measles test samples each week to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services Bureau of Laboratories for processing, he said, adding that "most of them were negative." Now that Sparrow has its own testing capability, Baker said it should improve the turnaround time at least a little bit. Jon Baker, director of laboratories at the University of Michigan Health-Sparrow in Lansing. "We want to make sure that suspected cases of measles can be detected early, so that early quarantine and intervention can happen and it can control the spread of measles," he said. The speedy identification of cases can affect whether a person is eligible for post-exposure treatments, too, which can limit the severity of the disease and sometimes prevent illness altogether. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If fewer than 72 hours have passed since initial exposure to someone with the virus, a person may be eligible for a dose of the MMR vaccine. People who are within six days of exposure to the virus may be able to be treated with immunoglobulin, the CDC reports. "People that have been exposed will need to be tested as part of that protocol," Baker said, "and that can be a particular advantage to vulnerable individuals that may have been exposed to measles. So, rapid testing is important." Anyone with measles symptoms should call ahead to their doctor before visiting a clinic or hospital, Baker said, because "measles is an extraordinarily contagious disease, so we want to avoid bringing people into waiting rooms." Measles can spread through the air when a person with an infection breathes, coughs or sneezes. Those viral particles can remain in the air for as long as two hours after a person leaves, infecting others. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Testing can be done at the curbside, Baker said, to reduce the risk of exposing others. "We have always seen it as one of our primary objectives to make sure that we're on the cutting edge, and particularly in terms of accessibility," Baker said, "which is why we came up with the test for COVID. We came up with the one for mpox. It's one of the reasons why we were early developers of the test for candida auris, which is a big problem in long-term care. "Measles is not going to go away, and we are going to see future outbreaks. This is part of how we can make sure that we are prepared for that." Contact Kristen Shamus: kshamus@freepress.com. Subscribe to the Free Press. This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: As measles cases climb, this Michigan hospital made its own tests U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany speaks to voters on Jan. 27 at a listening session on the campus of UW-Eau Claire Barron County. (Henry Redman | Wisconsin Examiner) U.S. Rep. Tom Tiffany painted a rosy picture of how the budget reconciliation law recently signed by President Donald Trump will affect Wisconsinites and pushed for state and federal policies that encourage the growth of extractive industries in the state during a telephone town hall hosted by the right-wing organization Americans for Prosperity on Tuesday evening. Tuesdays event struck a far different tone from the in-person town hall hosted by U.S. Rep. Bryan Steil last week and the tour of in-person listening sessions Tiffany made across his northern Wisconsin district in the early weeks of the second Trump administration in January. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At Steils event, in the much more politically mixed 1st Congressional District in southern Wisconsin, he faced a hostile crowd. And at one of Tiffanys events in January, the crowd was made up of a mix of supporters and opponents worried about what the first weeks of Trumps term meant for the countrys direction. But on Tuesday, all six questions Tiffany took came from people who expressed broad support for the Trump administration and the policies in the One Big Beautiful Bill passed by congressional Republicans and signed by Trump. Tiffany has been flirting with running for governor next year. He recently told the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel hed make a decision about entering the Republican primary by the end of September. During the phone call, the moderator, Americans for Prosperity-Wisconsins Megan Novak, noted that she was seeing a lot of questions in the queue about Medicaid but instead of letting a constituent ask the question, Novak asked if Tiffany could clear up some of the information about what the bill actually does related to Medicaid to help protect it for the most vulnerable members of our society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Medicaid provisions in the law are among the most controversial. In an effort to cut federal spending and partially fund the cost of expanding the tax cuts passed by Republicans in 2017 during Trumps first term, the law imposes strict work requirements on people seeking to qualify for Medicaid coverage. The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office has estimated that the law will cause 10 million people to lose health care coverage. Tiffany said he doesnt believe the estimates and added that only people without legal documentation to be in the U.S. and lazy people will lose coverage. Lets say theres a 30-year-old young man sitting on his couch each day collecting $50,000 in benefits from you, the taxpayer, Tiffany said. Should you pay for their health care? I say no, and I think most people agree with that, that we should not, as taxpayers, be paying for someones health care when theyre able bodied and they can work. There is no evidence that a large subset of 30-year-old Americans who are not working are enrolled in Medicaid. Research has shown that many Medicaid enrolled adults work for low wages at small companies and in industries with low rates of employer-provided insurance coverage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his opening remarks, Tiffany said that the provisions of the Republican reconciliation package that will most benefit Wisconsinites are those that increase spending on air traffic controllers, codify a number of Trumps executive orders and increase mineral drilling and logging in Wisconsin and across the country. Throughout his career as a state legislator and member of Congress, Tiffany has been a major supporter of extractive industries. Several times during the town hall, he said the country and Wisconsin had to do more to use natural resources while deriding energy from sources such as solar and wind. In an answer about passing policies to bring energy costs down, Tiffany said Wisconsin had to stop sidelining baseload power from sources such as coal and oil. He said that the country has devoted too much effort trying to move to intermittent power sources like solar and wind and complained that China is selling wind turbines to Americans while continuing to build coal plants. China has continued to build coal-burning power plants and remains the worlds largest emitter of greenhouse gases, however it is also the biggest installer of green energy technology. Last month, the country installed 100 solar panels every second, the Guardian reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe you have to be able to utilize your natural resources to be prosperous, he said. You know, whether its forestry, mining, oil, gas, and, of course, agriculture. And I would say to you, tourism, also and if we get rid of that red tape, we are going to be able to see more businesses created, especially in these regions where we get to utilize our natural resources. With the largely friendly lines of questioning, tight controls that prevented constituents from speaking and the relatively short 40-minute duration, Tiffany was under far less pressure than other Republicans at recent town halls, giving him room to promise that were going to do more stuff around these lines as the budget reconciliation package and to compare its provisions to those passed under President Ronald Reagan in the 1980s. I think much like the 1980s when we saw the seminal changes that President Reagan led with the Reagan Revolution, I think youre going to see the same thing as a result of the One Big, Beautiful bill,' Tiffany said. This is going to kick off a decade, a decade of prosperity if we continue to move in the direction of free markets and free people. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX The United States is warning people traveling to China about chikungunya, a virus that spreads to humans through mosquito bites. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has issued a Level 2 travel notice for people traveling to the country, urging them to "practice enhanced precautions." The notice, issued last week, says the chikungunya outbreak is in Guangdong Province, with most cases reported in the city of Foshan. In recent weeks, the region near Hong Kong has reported more than 7,000 cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "You can protect yourself by preventing mosquito bites, which includes using insect repellent; wearing long-sleeved shirts and pants; and staying in places with air conditioning or that have screens on the windows and doors," the CDC says. The chikungunya virus was first identified in Africa in the early 1950s, and the CDC has issued travel notices about it for multiple countries currently including Bolivia, Kenya, Madagascar and Sri Lanka. / Credit: CBS News The virus causes a disease of the same name with symptoms including severe joint aches, fever and fatigue, which typically start three to seven days following a bite by an infected mosquito, the CDC says. "Most people get better within a week; however, some can have severe joint pain for months to years following acute illness," the agency says, noting death is rare. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Those most at risk for severe illness are newborns who are infected around the time they're born, as well as adults 65 and older and people with conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Pregnant women are urged to reconsider traveling to impacted areas, as the virus can be passed to a baby before birth. "The symptoms of chikungunya are similar to those of dengue and Zika, making chikungunya easy to misdiagnose and making it more difficult for countries to accurately determine the number of people infected," according to the World Health Organization. While the CDC notes there is no specific treatment, vaccines are available and recommended for people planning to visit an area with an outbreak of chikungunya. Health officials in China have ordered mass measures to combat the virus, which is flourishing after once-a-century rainfall in southern China. Measures range from clouds of disinfectant to potential fines for people who don't disperse standing water that accumulates in items like flower pots. A sanitation worker sprays insecticide to prevent the spread of chikungunya on Aug. 3, 2025, in Dongguan, Guangdong Province of China. / Credit: VCG/VCG via Getty Images Beijing has learned strict, fast containment lessons fighting SARS in 2003 and COVID-19 since 2019. Doctors have forced patients to stay in hospitals for seven days to stop further spread. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The current situation is preventable, treatable and controllable," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Former FBI official on Fort Stewart shooting Detail of a man holding up an Honor 20 Pro smartphone with the Uber transport app visible on screen, while taxis queue in the background, on June 4, 2019. - Credit: Olly Curtis/Future/Getty Images Uber customers reported a significantly higher number of alleged sexual assaults or instances of sexual harassment than the company publicly disclosed for a recent six-year period, and executives at the ride-sharing app pulled back on plans for a women-matching safety program after Donald Trumps election, according to a new report. Between 2017 and 2022, a total of 400,181 Uber trips ended with reports of sexual assault or sexual misconduct in the U.S., The New York Times said Wednesday, calling the problem far more pervasive than previously reported. Citing sealed court records, the newspaper said that on average, Uber received a report of disturbing sexual conduct once every eight minutes during the period. More from Rolling Stone Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Previously, Uber disclosed 12,522 instances of sexual assault between 2017 and 2022, with the number appearing to trend lower over time. Uber said its tally was based on the five most serious categories it tracked. The company did not include misconduct such as masturbation or threats of sexual violence. According to The Times, Uber executives were aware of the serious problem and greenlit a pilot program in the U.S. last fall that could match female passengers with female drivers for added safety. Then, just days after Trumps election last November, the company decided to throttle the plan. This is not the right environment to launch, and we want to take a beat to assess our timing, an internal document reportedly said. Uber was concerned about culture wars and political blowback, the internal communications alleged. The company also worried about gender discrimination and other lawsuits, which Uber estimated could cost more than $100 million, the report said. Last month, Uber finally announced its plans to begin a test of the women-matching option in Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Detroit. A company spokeswoman said the programs delay was part of an effort to build a reliable service and digest new cultural norms, The Times reported. No single safety feature or policy is going to prevent unpredictable incidents from happening on Uber, or in our world, Hannah Nilles, Ubers director of safety in the Americas, said in a statement to The Times. She said the company already offers a range of other safety features, including GPS tracking, an emergency button that calls 911, and optional in-app audio recording. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement posted Wednesday on Ubers website, Nilles said the 400,000 reports were unaudited, meaning they included false reports submitted with the goal of getting a refund. She added that the vast majority were non-physical in nature, involving behavior such as unwanted flirting, comments about someones appearance, staring, or inappropriate language. She also called the reports extremely rare. During that same time period, 6.3 billion Uber trips took place in the United States, meaning all of the reports amounted to just 0.006% of total trips. The most serious reports were even rarer, at 0.00002%, or 1 in 5 million, of all trips, she said Some inside Uber have advocated for cameras in cars too, but the technology is not mandatory, in part because the company is protective of its hands-off business model that classifies drivers as independent contractors rather than employees, the report said. Uber has resisted any movement toward designating its drivers as employees because it would then have to provide costly benefits such as sick leave, minimum wage, and overtime. One 2016 company presentation obtained by The Times revealed that cameras were known to be a valuable deterrent. A world without A/V, the presentation said, leaves gaps in our safety ecosystem. According to an internal Uber investigation obtained by The Times, many of the apps touted safety features were in place but failed to protect a Houston woman who reported a December 2023 rape by her driver. The woman reportedly said she was intoxicated when she was picked up, and she later woke to find herself in a motel with the driver assaulting her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The internal company probe found that the womans ride started at 8:53 p.m. the previous evening, with her destination being a house about 22 minutes away. When the trip diverted to other locations shortly after 9 p.m., Uber sent the woman automated notifications and a robocall, but she didnt respond. The trip remained active near a Motel 6 for hours with no other action taken. After the woman reported the incident, Uber banned the driver. He reportedly had received two previous accusations of sexual misconduct for inappropriate comments. Are our actions (or lack of actions) defensible? the internal report asked, according to The Times. Ubers decision to only report its five most serious categories of sexual misconduct was because the company found the five to be the most reliable, Nilles told The Times. She added that the company considered including day and time trends, but it wanted to avoid unwittingly encouraging customers to drive drunk, walk unsafely, or be stranded. According to other internal communications, the decision to restrict information in the companys first major safety report caused an internal revolt. Tracey Breeden, who helmed womens safety at Uber at the time, reportedly refused to take part in the public relations blitz for the initial report. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is an ethical and social responsibility of companies to lead with openness and honesty, publicly sharing risks and trends of harm connected to their products and platforms, Breeden told The Times in a statement. She said companies in general make choices about strengthening consumer trust while also reducing harm. With their technology, statistically relevant data, research, and information they capture from millions of users, harm and sexual violence [are] more predictable and preventable than ever before, she said. Many in the ride-share industry say the numbers of people impacted are low. I say, if you want millions to believe you care, you have to show them you genuinely care about the one. Back in 2018, Uber announced it was ending forced arbitration agreements related to claims of sexual misconduct. The company celebrated the move as a way to increase accountability. It has since led to thousands of lawsuits in federal and state courts from passengers who claim they were sexually assaulted or harassed by Uber drivers. Best of Rolling Stone Sign up for RollingStone's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. In a key win for immigrant rights organizations, a California Court of Appeal ruled that the University of California has not provided sufficient legal grounds to justify its "discriminatory policy" barring the hiring of undocumented students from on-campus jobs. A UCLA alumnus and a lecturer filed a lawsuit in October arguing that the UC system's hiring policy violates state law because it discriminates against students based on their immigration status. Plaintiffs said that, without access to campus jobs, many undocumented students struggle to meet tuition costs and cover basic needs such as housing and food. These students are often forced into the underground economy and miss out on career-advancing opportunities such as research assistant positions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys representing the UC system argued that its policy is justified because hiring undocumented students could run afoul of a federal law that bans the hiring of people without legal status and may provoke retaliation from the federal government. A three-judge panel, however, ruled that the system's policy violates California's Fair Employment and Housing Act and that fear of federal litigation is not sufficient grounds to uphold it. "The University does not assert that it relied on the requirements of a federal statute or regulation in deciding to not to amend its policy only on the risks associated with adopting a policy that the federal government might consider unlawful," states the ruling. "Accordingly, we conclude that the University abused its discretion by relying on an improper justification for continued application of its facially discriminatory policy." The panel stopped short of ruling that UC must overturn its policy; rather, it ordered that the university system reconsider the policy based on proper legal criteria. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Newsom quashed bill. Now lawsuit aims to open UC jobs to undocumented students Attorneys representing the plaintiffs consider the ruling a victory and are calling on UC to open jobs to undocumented students. The courts powerful opinion rejects the UCs attempt to justify its policy discriminating against undocumented students. It is wrong both morally and legally to bar our states most talented students from access to crucial educational employment opportunities based on their immigration status," said Ahilan Arulanantham, co-director of UCLA's Center for Immigration Law and Policy, in a statement. "We call on the UC to comply with state law and treat all its students equally, regardless of immigration status. The UC system said it is reviewing the court's ruling but has not commented on whether it will change its hiring policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To the extent its compliant with the law, the University continues to believe undocumented students deserve the same opportunities as our other students," said UC spokesperson Stett Holbrook in a statement. University officials have previously expressed fear that changing the system's hiring policy could result in civil fines, criminal penalties and the potential loss of billions of dollars in federal funding. Last week, the Trump administration announced it was freezing hundreds of millions of dollars in federal research funding to UCLA, citing concerns over antisemitism and the university's handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Read more: UCLA will negotiate with Trump over $339 million in medical and science grant freezes Tuesday's court ruling comes after a years-long push to open campus jobs to students lacking documentation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The debate over whether it is legal to do so revolves around the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986, which bars the hiring of people without legal status. The plaintiffs in the lawsuit argue that this federal law does not apply to government employers such as the UC system. Attorneys representing UC did not argue that the IRCA applies to public universities but said that the federal government might believe it does. In Tuesday's ruling, the three-judge panel noted that UC had the option to file a lawsuit against the federal government to secure a court ruling on whether the university system is subject to the IRCA. Under the Obama-era Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy better known as DACA undocumented youth who were brought to the United States as children could get work permits. The UC system does allow the hiring of undocumented students with work authorization. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Newsom vetoes 2nd bill to help undocumented immigrants, this one about hiring UC, CSU students President Trump, however, terminated the DACA program in 2017, and although courts have challenged that decision, the program is no longer accepting new applicants. There are now around 64,300 undocumented college students who are not eligible for DACA in California and, therefore, not eligible for work authorization or campus jobs. "As someone who was undocumented and a UC lecturer, I know firsthand the transformative power of on-campus work opportunities," said plaintiff Iliana G. Perez in a statement on the court ruling. "UC must now act with urgency to dismantle exclusionary policies and ensure all students, regardless of immigration status, can fully participate in their education, contribute to their campuses, and shape Californias future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students and faculty began advocating for the UC system to open jobs to all students regardless of their immigration status in 2022. The UC regents established a working group to consider change its hiring policy in 2023, but the group suspended its work due to fear that doing so would violate the IRCA. A year later, the California Legislature passed the Opportunity for All Act, requiring state public universities to open up employment to all students, but Newsom vetoed the bill, citing legal concerns over the IRCA. This prompted the plaintiffs to file their lawsuit in October seeking a writ of mandate requiring the UC system to consider undocumented students for on-campus jobs. A court initially denied this request, but the plaintiffs appealed the decision to the California Supreme Court, which then ordered the state Court of Appeal to rule on the merits of the case. The Court of Appeal heard oral arguments in May and issued its ruling Tuesday. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. The University of California, Los Angeles, announced Wednesday the Trump administration has frozen $584 million in research funds after the federal government launched an investigation into antisemitism at the institution earlier this year. Currently, a total of approximately $584 million in extramural award funding is suspended and at risk, said Julio Frenk, chancellor of the university, in a letter that went out to the community. If these funds remain suspended, it will be devastating for UCLA and for Americans across the nation. James Milliken, president of the University of California system, said the cuts would be a death knell to the work of the institution, with the funding pause mostly targeting research areas that receive funding from the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Energy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These cuts do nothing to address antisemitism, Milliken said. Moreover, the extensive work that UCLA and the entire University of California have taken to combat antisemitism has apparently been ignored. The institutions goal is to get the funding restored, working with the Trump administration toward a deal. We are doing everything we can to protect the interests of faculty, students and staff and to defend our values and principles, Frenk said. The UC Board of Regents and the UC Office of the President are providing counsel as we actively evaluate our best course of action. The investigation from the Trump administration came after UCLA entered a $6 million settlement over antisemitism on campus and the universitys handling of pro-Palestinian protests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another deal on the horizon is likely to make higher education nervous as Columbia University and Brown University made numerous concessions in their agreement with the Trump administration, such as big payouts and commitments to how their admissions and hiring will operate. The Trump administration is still in talks with Harvard University to strike a deal with more than $3 billion pulled from its institution. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill. UCLA is at risk of losing more than half a billion dollars in federal research funds as the Trump administration continues to pressure the school to address allegations of antisemitism on campus. The $584 million dollars in frozen funds that UCLA officials announced Wednesday is the first official tally of what is at stake for the school. The sum is far more than what was initially estimated when the Department of Justice announced last week it was investigating the school for violations of civil rights laws stemming from allegations it has failed to protect Jewish students and faculty from antisemitism. In a school-wide letter sent Wednesday morning and shared with POLITICO, UCLA Chancellor Julio Frenk confirmed the grant money, which is meant to fund hundreds of research projects in a wide array of fields, is suspended and at risk. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If these funds remain suspended, he wrote, it will be devastating for UCLA and for Americans across the nation. James Milliken, who recently took over as president of the University of California system, remained tight-lipped about how defiant or conciliatory a posture UC officials plan to take in upcoming talks with Justice officials over the governments allegations. In a statement, Milliken reiterated that the school had agreed to engage in dialogue with the federal administration. Our immediate goal, he went on, is to see the $584 million in suspended and at-risk federal funding restored to the university as soon as possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Milliken did push back somewhat against the threat to cut research funding and the idea that UCLA has allowed antisemitism to fester unchecked on campus. These cuts do nothing to address antisemitism. Moreover, the extensive work that UCLA and the entire University of California have taken to combat antisemitism has apparently been ignored, he wrote. Frenk also remained non-committal, saying in his letter that We are doing everything we can to protect the interests of faculty, students and staff and to defend our values and principles as we actively evaluate our best course of action. Looming over the schools strategy going forward are the fates of other high-profile universities the Trump administration has targeted with similar cases in the wake of tumultuous student protests last year over Israels war against Hamas. Columbia University, which faced the loss of $400 million in research grants, opted to negotiate with the administration, eventually agreeing to pay $200 million and make some changes to oversight. Brown University recently took a similar path, agreeing to pay $50 million, while Harvard University, which at first forcefully rebuked the governments claims, has yet to resolve its case. UCLA came into the Trump administrations crosshairs after the university agreed last week to a $6.5 million settlement in a lawsuit with Jewish students and a professor, who alleged that the university did not do enough to protect them from harassment and discrimination by pro-Palestinian protesters last year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On the same day, the Department of Justice announced its allegations against the school with Attorney General Pam Bondi threatening that DOJ will force UCLA to pay a heavy price for putting Jewish Americans at risk and continue our ongoing investigations into other campuses in the UC system. In an earlier statement, Frenk, whose father was Jewish and fled Nazi Germany, said, Antisemitism has no place on our campus, nor does any form of discrimination. He added, We recognize that we can improve, and I am committed to doing so. Through the beginning of his second term, President Donald Trump and his administration officials have used the power of the federal government to target his perceived critics and enemies. In addition to going after major universities, the administration has launched investigations into former government officials from past administrations and attacked law firms that have represented clients the president dislikes. For the first time since revealing last week that the Trump administration began freezing its federal research funding, the University of California, Los Angeles has put a number on how much is at stake. And its far bigger than previously thought. Currently, a total of approximately $584 million in extramural award funding is suspended and at risk, Chancellor Julio Frenk wrote Wednesday to the university community. If these funds remain suspended, it will be devastating for UCLA and for Americans across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The extent of UCLAs financial challenge comes as the Trump administration citing a wish to quell what it describes as rampant antisemitism on US campuses has inked deals with several prominent universities, including Columbia, which agreed to give the White House relevant data on hiring and admissions, strengthen oversight of international students and have an independent monitor oversee the agreement. While UCLA and the Trump administration previously declined to give a specific figure publicly for the amount of federal research money frozen, it was greater than $300 million, documents given to the Los Angeles Times on Friday showed. Frenks acknowledgment of the size of the funding freeze comes two days after a town hall with faculty and staff to discuss the financial threat that the university says drew more than 3,000 attendees. We are doing everything we can to protect the interests of faculty, students and staff and to defend our values and principles, Frenk wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement UCLAs grants were suspended by agencies including the National Science Foundation, the Department of Energy and the National Institutes of Health. We will not fund institutions that promote antisemitism, a spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services told CNN last week. We will use every tool we have to ensure institutions follow the law. UCLA in March launched its own Initiative to Combat Antisemitism and last week settled a lawsuit that accused the university of letting Jewish students get targeted and harassed during 2024 pro-Palestinian protests on campus. Still, the university continues to be the target of an antisemitism investigation by the Department of Justice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jewish and Israeli students at UCLA were subjected to severe, pervasive, and objectively offensive harassment that created a hostile environment by members of the encampment, said a notice from the Civil Rights Division, asking for a voluntary resolution with the school. Both Columbia and Brown universities recently signed settlements with the Trump administration to restore federal grants blocked over similar claims, restoring hundreds of millions of dollars to those institutions. Harvard, which saw more than $2 billion in government funds frozen this year, is battling the Trump administration in court. The nations oldest and wealthiest university awaits a judges decision on whether the White House should be forced to release the money while also reportedly discussing its own settlement options. UCLA is keeping its options open for how to respond to the loss of funding, Frenk said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UC Board of Regents and the UC Office of the President are providing counsel as we actively evaluate our best course of action, the chancellor said. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com The Trump administration has suspended $584 million in federal grants for the University of California, Los Angeles, nearly double the amount that was previously thought, the schools chancellor announced Wednesday. UCLA is the first public university whose federal grants have been targeted by the administration over allegations of civil rights violations related to antisemitism and affirmative action. The Trump administration has frozen or paused federal funding over similar allegations against private colleges. If these funds remain suspended, it will be devastating for UCLA and for Americans across the nation, Chancellor Julio Frenk said Wednesday in a statement, noting the groundbreaking research that has come out of the university. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The departments affected rely on funding from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health and the Department of Energy, Frenk said. The U.S. Department of Education did not immediately respond to an email from The Associated Press requesting comment. The Trump administration recently announced the U.S. Department of Justices Civil Rights Division found UCLA violated the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 by acting with deliberate indifference in creating a hostile educational environment for Jewish and Israeli students. The announcement came as UCLA reached a $6 million settlement with three Jewish students and a Jewish professor who sued the university, arguing it violated their civil rights by allowing pro-Palestinian protesters in 2024 to block their access to classes and other areas on campus. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university has said that it is committed to campus safety and inclusivity and will continue to implement recommendations. The new UC president, James B. Milliken, said in a statement Wednesday that it has agreed to talks with the administration over the allegations against UCLA. "These cuts do nothing to address antisemitism," Milliken said. Moreover, the extensive work that UCLA and the entire University of California have taken to combat antisemitism has apparently been ignored. Milliken said the cuts would be a death knell for innovative work that saves lives, grows our economy, and fortifies our national security. It is in our countrys best interest that funding be restored. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As part of the lawsuit settlement, UCLA said it will contribute $2.3 million to eight organizations that combat antisemitism and support the university's Jewish community. It also has created an Office of Campus and Community Safety, instituting new policies to manage protests on campus. Frenk, whose Jewish father and grandparents fled Nazi Germany to Mexico and whose wife is the daughter of a Holocaust survivor, launched an initiative to combat antisemitism and anti-Israeli bias. Last month, Columbia University agreed to pay $200 million as part of a settlement to resolve investigations into the governments allegations that the school violated federal antidiscrimination laws. The agreement also restores more than $400 million in research grants. The Trump administration plans to use its deal with Columbia as a template for other universities, with financial penalties that are now seen as an expectation. _____ This story corrects that Columbia agreed to pay $200 million last month and not last week. The University of Hawaii has set another record for external funding for the fourth consecutive year despite ongoing concerns that UH remains at risk of losing more federal research grants. Until the upcoming federal fiscal year begins Sept. 30, UH officials are cautiously celebrating the $734 million they expect to receive from outside sources, notably over 90 % from the federal government. UH President Wendy Hensel today plans to join Gov. Josh Green and members of Hawaiis congressional delegation at the UH Cancer Center to mark UHs extramural funding record that was spared deeper cuts after they were successfully challenged in mainland courtsand even by red state Republicans in Congress whose universities also rely on federal funding, Hensel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She expects the Trump administration to keep proposing cuts to universities that, since this month already, have seen UH lose 66 federal grants valued at more than $89 million, Hensel said. Weve seen some changes to bring them back by legislators who recognize the value of some of the things that have been terminated, like biomedical research and other important things that were never about political issues, Hensel said. Theres no doubt there will be significant impacts next year. Theres no good news. Just less bad news. For today, at least, Hensel and her administrators will celebrate UHs newest funding record, which represents a jump of $118.3 millionor 19.2 %over last years previous extramural funding record of $615.7 million. Hawaii officials were especially concerned about losing millions in federal funding this year after President Donald Trump took back the White House in January and immediately began issuing executive orders to eliminate federal spending for any programs aimed at DEIdiversity, equity and inclusionand made nationwide efforts to purge the federal workforce, including eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other federal agencies that UH relies on remain under the threat of deeper cuts, like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and NASA, said Vassilis Syrmos, UH Manoas interim provost who oversees federal relations for the UH System. This is an unbelievable achievement for UH, Syrmos said. On the other hand, I dont know what comes next. We have to look forward to predictions of what is going to happen. Its not particularly rosy. Like untold university officials, researchers and professors across the country, S. Lani Parka UH cancer epidemiologist and co-leader in the Cancer Centers population sciences in the Pacific programworried that her federal grants were at risk because of their focus on individual ethnic groups in Hawaii. Park looks at disparities research on different cancer rates and risks among various ethnicities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park said the work has set a lot of standards, not just in our state but in our nation. Some of Parks research focuses on underserved populations that she worried would make it a target to lose federal funding. But we havent lost funding, she said. None of my grants have been terminated. Other funding for UH research includes $1.56 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work at UH Manoa to study and understand the experiences of residents, first responders and others involved in the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. The UH Cancer Center also received $792, 000 from the American Cancer Society to help Native Hawaiian men understand their risk of prostate and other urinary cancers and address social barriers, such as a lack of transportation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The John A. Burns School of Medicine received $551, 767 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support research on indigenous addiction and pain management treatment outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Still, Park joins Hensel and Syrmos in their concern about how long the flow of federal dollars will last. I dont want to spin it that were out of the water, she said. At the same time, Park also enjoyed the moment of another funding record for UH. This, she said, is a testament to how great UH is. UH funding$570.4 million : External funding for the University of Hawaii at Manoa$98.7 million : Funding for the UH System$31.3 million : Funding for UHs seven community colleges$23.9 million : UH Hilo$9.7 million : UH West Oahu Source : University of Hawaii LONDON (AP) British regulators criticized on Wednesday both sides in a dispute over the future of a charity founded by Prince Harry and Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, for allowing the issue to be played out in public and damaging the organizations reputation. The Charity Commission for England and Wales went on to say that it found no evidence of widespread bullying or misogyny at Sentebale, which provides support for young people living with HIV in Botswana and Lesotho. The commission opened a review of Sentebales governance in April after the two princes stepped down as patrons and a group of trustees, saying the relationship between the board and its chair, Sophie Chandauka, was beyond repair. Chandauka later accused Harry of orchestrating a campaign of bullying and harassment to try to force her out. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Disagreements over the organizations future surfaced in 2023 after the then-board of trustees sought to roll out a new fundraising strategy in the United States, the commission said. The dispute between Chandauka, other trustees and Harry was first reported to the commission in February 2025. Those tensions became public in March, when Harry announced he was stepping down as patron to support the trustees who had resigned. In his role as patron, the prince used his star power to promote and raise funds for Sentebale. Sentebales problems played out in the public eye, enabling a damaging dispute to harm the charitys reputation, risk overshadowing its many achievements, and jeopardizing the charitys ability to deliver for the very beneficiaries it was created to serve, commission CEO David Holdsworth said in a statement released Wednesday. Harry's spokesman attacked the commission's decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The report falls troublingly short in many regards, primarily the fact that the consequences of the current chairs actions will not be borne by her but by the children who rely on Sentebales support, Harry's spokesman said in a statement. Harry will now look at alternative ways to help young people in Botswana and Lesotho, the spokesman said. Chandauka welcomed the report, saying it confirmed the governance issues she raised earlier this year. The unexpected adverse media campaign that was launched by those who resigned on 24 March 2025 has caused incalculable damage and offers a glimpse of the unacceptable behaviors displayed in private, she said in a statement. Harry and Seeiso founded Sentebale in 2006 to honor their late mothers The UKs advertising regulator Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has banned two "socially irresponsible" Zara adverts for depicting models considered unhealthily thin. The fast fashion retailers ads, released in May, featured one model wearing an oversized white shirt with her protruding collarbone emphasised by the shirts design and another model in a short white dress whose gaunt appearance was accentuated by the design. The ASA ruled that these images were irresponsible and ordered Zara not to use them again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the watchdog, a shadow effect was used to make one of the model's legs appear "noticeably thin". They added that the position of the model's upper arms and elbow joints made her body look "out of proportion". Protruding collarbone and "gaunt" appearance - Zara Zara confirmed that it had amended the product listings after receiving the complaint and removed the images. The retailer then released a statement saying that both of the models had medical certification proving they were in good health, and that none of the images had been modified, beyond minor lighting and colouring edits. Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A Zara UK spokesman said: We note the ASAs decision following an individual complaint regarding two images on our website which we removed when the ASA made us aware. The statement added: We are committed to responsible content and follow stringent guidelines and controls in the selection and photographing of models, as well as in the selection of images. The ASA also investigated two other Zara advertisements, but neither of them ended up being banned. The ASA ruled that these images were irresponsible - Zara Related Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been wider calls for brands to ensure responsible and diverse representation. The ASA's decision further highlights ever-growing scrutiny regarding the portrayal of body image in fashion advertising, and follows a similar ruling against high street retailer Marks & Spencer last month, which saw an online ad banned after clothing and camera angle made the model look unhealthily thin. Additionally, UK retailer Next also had an ad which was banned earlier this year. The ASA said that the advert for blue skinny jeans was irresponsible, as it emphasised the thinness of the model's legs using camera angles. Next said it disagreed with the decision and said the model, while slim, had a "healthy and toned physique". By Nancy Lapid (Reuters) -Researchers at the University of Edinburgh said on Wednesday they have discovered differences in the DNA of people with chronic fatigue syndrome that should help dispel the notion that the debilitating condition is psychological or driven by laziness. Their study found eight areas of genetic code that are different in people with myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS) than in healthy volunteers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The finding provides the first robust evidence that genes contribute to a person's chance of developing the disease, the researchers said in a statement. The key features of the condition include worsening of fatigue, pain and brain fog after even minor physical or mental activity. Very little has been known about the causes of ME/CFS, and there is no diagnostic test or cure. The condition is believed to affect around 67 million people worldwide, the researchers said. The DecodeME study analyzed DNA samples from 15,579 people who reported having chronic fatigue on a questionnaire and 259,909 people without it, all of European descent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gene variants that were more common in people reporting ME/CFS were linked to the immune and nervous systems, according to a report of the study that has not yet been peer-reviewed. At least two of the gene regions relate to how the body responds to infection, which aligns with reports that the symptoms often start after an infectious illness, the researchers said. Another gene region has previously been identified in people with chronic pain, another common symptom of the condition. The findings align with decades of patients reporting on their experiences, researcher Andy Devereux-Cooke said in a statement, adding that they "should prove game changing in the ME/CFS research field. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement These results will not mean that a test or cure will be developed straight away, but they will lead to a greater understanding," he said. Scientists who were not involved in the study said using volunteers who self-reported chronic fatigue syndrome rather than restricting participation to those with a diagnosis from a medical professional somewhat weakened its conclusions. They called for larger studies to replicate the results. Substantial work will be necessary to translate these findings into new treatments," said Dr. Jackie Cliff, who studies infection and immunity in ME/CFS at Brunel University of London. "This will take considerable investment in academia and by industry. (Reporting by Nancy Lapid; Editing by Bill Berkrot) Britain's advertising regulator on Wednesday banned two adverts by Spanish clothing group Zara for featuring models that appeared "unhealthily thin", calling the images "irresponsible". The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said it took action after it received a complaint about the ads, which were listed on Zara's website in May. One image showed a model with "protruding" collarbones, with her pose and styling making her appear "very slim". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another featured a model who looked "slightly gaunt" owing to a slicked-back hairstyle and that the lighting and clothing made her appear "noticeably thin", the ASA said. The watchdog ruled the ads breached social responsibility rules and must not appear again in the same form. Zara told the ASA that the models were medically certified as healthy, in line with British guidelines. It also assured that only minor lighting and colouring edits were made on the images. The ads were removed after the ASA made the company aware of the complaint, Zara said in a statement. It added that Zara "follow stringent guidelines and controls in the selection and photographing of models". Earlier this year, the ASA banned similar ads from British retailers Next and Marks & Spencer. ajb/bcp/lth By Dan Peleschuk KYIV (Reuters) -Ukraine's government on Wednesday appointed a new economic security chief after weeks of delay as part of a campaign to strengthen governance, fulfilling a key condition for Kyiv to continue receiving critical wartime support from Western lenders. Stamping out graft and tightening a clunky bureaucracy are critical to Ukraine's bid for membership in the European Union and its defence against a Russian invasion now in its fourth year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said Oleksandr Tsyvinsky, a former anti-corruption investigator, was appointed to lead the Economic Security Bureau after "proper checks" that included a successful polygraph test. Ukraine's previous government had come under fire last month for failing to appoint Tsyvinsky, who was unanimously backed by an international selection committee, over security concerns. Watchdogs had cast doubt on that explanation. Svyrydenko said on X: "There are no reservations regarding his candidacy." The European Commission had earlier urged Kyiv to speed up the appointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following her appointment last month, Svyrydenko said her government would prioritise cutting red tape and protecting entrepreneurs, including by cracking down on excessive pressure on businesses by law enforcement. "It is important that economic relations in Ukraine are not distorted by shadowy schemes and that business can count on respect and cooperation from the state," she said. (Reporting by Dan PeleschukEditing by Bernadette Baum) Andrii Nadzhos, Deputy Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine, has announced that Ukraine will begin search and exhumation works in Poland in September. Source: Nadzhos in an interview with Ukrinform, as reported by European Pravda Details: Nadzhos said that the works were planned to start in the village of Jureczkowa. "We plan to carry out a preparatory visit in mid-August and begin the excavations in September. We want to complete them before the rainy season starts," Nadzhos said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that Poland has allowed Ukraine to carry out such works on 13 sites, while Ukraine has allowed Poland to do the same on 4 in return. Background: In early June, a Polish-Ukrainian team launched exhumation works in Lviv to rebury Polish soldiers who were killed at the beginning of World War II. In June, Ukraines Ministry of Culture announced that it had granted Poland permission to conduct exhumation works at the site of the former village of Zboiska, now within the city limits of Lviv. Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski recently stated that exhumation efforts would soon begin at this site and at one other location. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine marked its National Day at EXPO 2025 in Osaka on Tuesday 5 August. The event was dedicated to expressing gratitude to partners and allies who support Ukraine and share its values. Source: the team of the Ukrainian pavilion at EXPO 2025, as reported by Ukrainska Pravda.Kultura Details: The event was organised by more than 15 participating countries of the international exhibition. The team continued the core message of Ukraines pavilion, Not For Sale, which highlights the values of Ukrainian society. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Five new exhibits were added to the collection of "items not for sale" titled Imported Goods. These exhibits pay tribute to cultural figures and activists from Japan, the United Kingdom, Germany and Canada who have expressed solidarity with Ukraine. Mariana Klochko presents The Ode of Gratitude Photo: Ukrainian pavilion team The Ode of Gratitude a musical composition created especially for Ukraines National Day in collaboration with the creative agency Bickerstaff.734 was performed at the event. It was presented by musician, producer and composer Mariana Klochko. The music layers the sounds of allied countries, "creating a shared voice of solidarity". The Ukrainian band ONUKA also performed at the event. ONUKAs performance Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian pavilion team "For us, EXPO 2025 is a space where we can speak about the war, but we do not let it define our identity. Our Ode of Gratitude is our way of saying thank you to those who didnt leave us alone. And in our pavilion, we are the storytellers of the society of the future," said Tetiana Berezhna, Acting Minister of Culture and Strategic Communications of Ukraine and Ukraines Commissioner General at EXPO 2025. Ukraines National Day at EXPO 2025 began with an official opening ceremony attended by over 500 guests. Ukraine received greetings from top-level Japanese officials Yuichiro Koga, State Minister of the Cabinet Office of Japan and Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan; Eisuke Mori, Head of the JapanUkraine Parliamentary Friendship League; Koji Haneda, Commissioner General of EXPO 2025 in Japan; and others. Guests of the Ukrainian pavilion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian pavilion team The NGO Osvitoriia organised a panel discussion titled Ukraine Unbreakable Classrooms in the Czech pavilion. The event focused on the resilience of education during wartime and international support for Ukraines education system. The discussion was accompanied by excerpts from the documentary Timestamp directed by Kateryna Hornostai. After the event, the Ukrainian band KAZKA performed for the guests. The Romanian pavilion hosted an immersive exhibition titled Home Beyond the Dawn, curated by art critic Natalia Matsenko. The exhibition brings together works by more than 30 contemporary Ukrainian artists and explores the transformation of the concept of "home" in the context of war. The Romanian pavilion lit up in Ukrainian colours Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian pavilion team Additionally, the Belgian pavilion initiated panel discussions dedicated to art and its role in the modern world, which brought together Ukrainian female artists who shared their personal experiences. The official reception marking the conclusion of Ukraines National Day featured a menu specially developed by Ukrainian chef Yevhen Klopotenko. In a gesture of solidarity, partner pavilions lit up their facades in the colours of the Ukrainian flag and raised blue-and-yellow flags. Ukraines Not For Sale pavilion will remain open until 13 October. Guests are heading towards the Ukrainian pavilion Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Photo: Ukrainian pavilion team About EXPO 2025 The official opening of EXPO 2025 in Osaka took place on Sunday 13 April under the main theme Designing Future Society for Our Lives. More than 160 countries and organisations are taking part in the event, showcasing their own achievements in innovation. Japan has provided Ukraine with a free space to participate in the exhibition. The Expo will run until 13 October 2025. The World Expo is a symbol of industrialisation and an open platform for demonstrating technical and technological achievements. The first Expo was held in the Crystal Palace in London in 1851 under the name The Great Exhibition of the Works of Industry of All Nations. It was the first international forum to assess the outcomes of the Industrial Revolution. The excitement surrounding the event was so great that over six million people visited it during its six-month run. Since then, World Expos have been held every few years in major industrial cities around the world. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukraine is preparing to begin exhumations in September of the remains of Ukrainians buried in Poland, Deputy Culture Minister Andrii Nadzhos told Ukrinform in an interview published on Aug. 6. The move follows a December 2024 exchange of potential exhumation sites between Ukraine and Poland. Exhumation is a sore spot in Ukrainian-Polish relations, particularly surrounding the Volyn massacres between 1943-1945, during which the Ukrainian Insurgent Army killed tens of thousands of Poles. Thousands of Ukrainians were killed by Polish militants in retaliation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The first exhumation on Ukrainian soil since 2017 began in April in the former village of Puzhnyky, Ternopil Oblast, marking what officials on both sides called a breakthrough after years of a de facto moratorium. The ban was imposed by Ukraine following acts of vandalism targeting Ukrainian memorials in Poland. During the exchange late last year, Poland suggested over 13 locations for exhumations, while Ukraine provided four. Work is currently underway at Zboiska cemetery in Lviv, where the remains of Polish soldiers killed during the early stages of World War II are being exhumed for reburial. According to Nadzhos, the first exhumations of Ukrainian remains in Poland will begin in the village of Yurechkova following a preparatory visit scheduled for mid-August. The excavation is expected to start before the autumn rains. Nadzhos said Ukraine is trying to lower political tension by conducting joint search operations and respecting Polish concerns. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While defense and diplomatic cooperation between Ukraine and Poland has intensified since Russia's full-scale invasion, historical disputes continue to complicate Ukraine's aspirations for European integration. Polish leaders have at times suggested that Kyiv's EU path could be slowed unless further progress is made on resolving these issues. Read also: Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Key developments on Aug. 6: 'Great progress was made!' Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trump's sanctions deadline looms Trump signs order imposing additional 25% tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil ties to pressure Moscow into peace deal Zelensky, Trump hold call following Witkoff Moscow visit Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian railway hub in Rostov Oblast for second night Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow on Aug. 6 for high-level talks as Trump's deadline for a Ukraine deal draws near. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The meeting concluded after roughly three hours, state news agency TASS reported with reference to the Kremlin, without providing details on the discussion. The Russian leadership requested the meeting with Witkoff as it hoped to avoid new sanctions that Trump threatened to impose by Aug. 8 unless Moscow agreed to end the hostilities, undisclosed sources told CNN. Witkoff's plane landed at the Vnukovo Airport in Moscow earlier in the day, marking his fifth official visit to Russia during the full-scale war. After his talks with Putin, Witkoff left the Kremlin for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, RBK-Ukraine reported. Before his audience with the Russian leader, the envoy met with Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, who was previously tasked with facilitating dialogue with the Trump administration, Russian pro-government media outlet RBC reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Dialogue will prevail," Dmitriev commented on the meeting between Witkoff and Putin, according to Russian media. Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation as "useful and constructive," saying it focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and prospects of a possible "strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia." Read also: Zelenskys trust rating drops to 58% after anti-corruption agencies scandal Trump signs order imposing additional 25% tariff on Indian imports over Russian oil ties to pressure Moscow into peace deal U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Aug. 6 imposing a 25% tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's continued purchase of Russian oil, the White House said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The move targets Russian oil sales that fuel Moscow's war economy and opens the door to similar tariffs on other countries that continue buying Russian oil, the White House said in a press release. The previous 25% tariff, announced on July 31 and effective from Aug. 1, was also imposed in response to India's continued purchases of Russian energy and arms during the ongoing war in Ukraine. The new order, which takes effect in 21 days, states that India's ongoing direct or indirect import of Russian crude poses an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to U.S. national security and foreign policy. The imposed tariffs aim to pressure Russia "toward a resolution that ends the conflict and saves lives". "Articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 percent," the order reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The tariff will apply to goods imported for sale or use or withdrawn from warehouses after the deadline, with limited exceptions for goods already in transit. "President Trump has been transparent that the Russian Federation would not be facing these actions if they were to 'get a deal where people stop getting killed,'" the press release says. According to the order, the move builds on previous executive actions, including a 2022 ban on imports of Russian oil and petroleum products. That order expanded an earlier national emergency declared in 2021 related to harmful foreign activities by the Russian government. Read also: President Trump has all the cards to stop Russias war against Ukraine. Now, he needs to use them Zelensky, Trump hold call following Witkoff Moscow visit President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call along with European leaders following a trip to Moscow by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelensky said on Aug. 6. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow," Zelensky wrote on X. He said European leaders also joined the call. "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly," Zelensky added. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was one of the European leaders who joined the call, according to Sky News. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Witkoff on Aug. 6 for around three hours, according to Russian state media TASS. The Kremlin did not disclose the contents of the meeting, but unnamed sources told CNN that Moscow had requested the talks in hopes of avoiding additional U.S. sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump earlier warned that unless Russia agreed to halt hostilities in Ukraine by Aug. 8, Washington would move forward with secondary tariffs, targeting countries that purchase Russian oil. Read also: Russian troops arrive in Belarus ahead of massive Zapad-2025 drills Ukrainian drones reportedly strike Russian railway hub in Rostov Oblast for second night Ukrainian drones targeted the Tatsinskaya railway station in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on Aug. 6, striking the hub for the second night in a row, Russian independent media outlet Astra reported. The station, located roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Ukraine's border, serves as a logistics hub for Russian military operations. It is used to transport oil base products and load grain from a nearby elevator. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Loud explosions began around 1 a.m. local time, with residents of the Tatsinsky district reporting between five to seven blasts following the sound of drones overhead, according to the pro-government Telegram channel Shot. Astra reported that a fire broke out at the crash site near the station, where freight tanks were present. Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar said air defenses repelled attacks in four districts. In one area, damage to power lines left nearly 200 residents of 87 homes without electricity. Slyusar added that three families in the village of Tatsinskaya were evacuated due to a grass fire near their house. No casualties were reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 51 drones were shot down overnight across four Russian regions and occupied Crimea, including 16 over Rostov Oblast. Note from the author: Ukraine War Latest is put together by the Kyiv Independent news desk team, who keep you informed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you value our work and want to ensure we have the resources to continue, join the Kyiv Independent community. Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Western nations have imposed far-reaching sanctions on the aggressor, in a bid to stymy its war effort. But on the ground here in Ukraine, these sanctions seem to have limited impact. Just outside Kharkiv, at a secret location, lies a collection of twisted metal remnants from attacks in and around the city. It's a scrapyard of savagery - the remains of many of the Russian bombs, rockets, missiles and drones used to hit in and around Kharkiv over the past three and a half years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This is the material evidence with which we, as prosecutors, will prove the guilt of Russia in committing war crimes," Dymtro Chubenko of the Kharkiv Region Prosecutor's Office tells me. Every piece of rocket and drone here has been carefully collected and analysed. Dmytro shows me one of the latest editions a Russian version of Iran's Shaheed drone. Russia has recently been firing hundreds of these Kamikaze drones at Ukraine's towns and cities. They're relatively cheap to make, he tells me about $20,000 (15,000) each. He points to the nearby carcass of a Russian cruise missile. He says these cost millions. But these weapons are not fully Russian-made - they contain "many components from western nations," Dmytro says. "It's possible [for Russia] to circumvent sanctions, but doing nothing is not an option either," he adds. Russia is launching hundreds of its own version of the Shahed drone at Ukraine [Lee Durant/BBC] Donald Trump appears to have lost patience with President Vladimir Putin. After early efforts at rapprochement between the US and Russia, the US president has now threatened to boost sanctions on the Kremlin unless Russia agrees to a ceasefire in Ukraine by this Friday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump has said secondary sanctions will also come into force that day, affecting any country trading with Russia. He has already imposed an additional 25% tariff on India for buying Russian oil. US envoy Steve Witkoff met Putin in Moscow on Wednesday for talks ahead of the looming deadline. So, if President Trump chooses to impose more sanctions on the Kremlin, would it be enough to force Russia to change course in this war? Dymtro believes hitting Russian oil and gas exports could have a significant economic impact. "We will not be able to stop it with a snap of our fingers, but we need to do it, we need to act," he says. There is hope that President Trump might act. Kharkiv, just 30 kilometres from the Russian border, has borne the brunt of many strikes throughout the war. Thousands of buildings have been damaged or destroyed. Throughout the region almost 3,000 civilians have been killed, 97 of them children. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police Colonel Serhii Bolvinov shows me the burnt-out shell of the police headquarters he used to work in. A Russian strike in 2022 killed three of his officers as well as six civilians. He points to the gaping hole in the wall where the missiles entered. Russian tactics, he says, haven't changed. "Russia tries to hit and kill as many civilians as they can." Investigators test DNA to identify casualties of Russian strikes [Lee Durant/BBC] Colonel Bolvinov's job is to investigate every single civilian death. He's leaving no stone unturned. He has 1,000 men and women working for him, now dispersed in basement offices right across the city. They're carrying out painstaking forensic work to build a criminal case against those responsible. Photographs of Russian military officers who've been tied to specific attacks are plastered across the wall the wanted. In another building, crime scene investigators carry out DNA tests to identify the latest casualties Ukrainian civilians killed in a Russian rocket attack as they queued up to collect water. Colonel Bolvinov shows me footage from strike - unrecognisable charred bodies lie on the ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's hard to do this work, but it's very important work for future justice for us, for the Ukrainian people," he says. He shows me a three-dimensional computer image of a mass grave in Izium where more than 400 bodies were discovered. "Some of the cases leave a scar on all of us, and we will never forget this trauma," he says. Colonel Bolvinov says he wants to see an end to this war. He hopes President Trump's increasing pressure on President Putin will work. But the police chief doesn't want peace at any price. "Peace without justice, is not really peace," he says. Even if a ceasefire can be agreed, it still won't address the wounds of most Ukrainian people. Police Colonel Serhii Bolvinov says Ukraine can't have peace without justice [Lee Durant/BBC] At a cemetery outside Kharkiv is another reminder of the cost of the war: the ever-growing ranks of dead Ukrainian soldiers. Each grave is marked by the blue and gold of the national flag. The silence here is only broken by the sound of them flapping in the wind. Nearby, in the civilian section of the cemetery, a mother and her family are placing flowers on their daughter's grave. Sofia was just 14 years old when a Russian glide bomb took her life last year. She was sitting on a park bench in Kharkiv, enjoying the warm summer afternoon with a friend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I ask her mother Yulia if President Trump's increasing pressure on Russia can bring any comfort, but she's not optimistic. "These conversations have already been going on too long," she tells me. "But so far there are no results Hope is fading." A civilian has been shot dead by a Russian serviceman as he was walking along a road carrying a suitcase in an attempt to evacuate from a dangerous area in Donetsk Oblast. Ukrainian prosecutors have launched an investigation into yet another war crime committed by Russian forces. Source: Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office; Office of the Prosecutor General Details: Prosecutors discovered a video on a Telegram channel showing a civilian attempting to evacuate from the village of Udachne in Donetsk Oblasts Pokrovsk district. The man was walking along the roadside, carrying a suitcase in which he had packed his few remaining personal belongings. A Russian soldier hiding in a makeshift position inside a destroyed building opened targeted fire with an automatic weapon and killed the man in cold blood. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The case has been entered into the Unified Register of Pre-Trial Investigations under Article 438.2 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (war crime resulting in death). Investigators from the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) are conducting a pre-trial inquiry under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk Oblast Prosecutors Office. Urgent investigative actions are underway to establish all the circumstances of the incident and identify the Russian military personnel involved. The prosecutors noted that this is the third documented case this year of Russian troops executing civilians in Donetsk Oblast. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Ukrainian drones targeted the Tatsinskaya railway station in Russia's Rostov Oblast overnight on Aug. 6, striking the hub for the second night in a row, Russian independent media outlet Astra reported. The station, located roughly 100 kilometers (62 miles) from Ukraine's border, serves as a logistics hub for Russian military operations. It is used to transport oil base products and load grain from a nearby elevator. Loud explosions began around 1 a.m. local time, with residents of the Tatsinsky district reporting between five to seven blasts following the sound of drones overhead, according to the pro-government Telegram channel Shot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Astra reported that a fire broke out at the crash site near the station, where freight tanks were present. 0:00 / 1 Rostov Oblast Governor Yuri Slyusar said air defenses repelled attacks in four districts. In one area, damage to power lines left nearly 200 residents of 87 homes without electricity. Slyusar added that three families in the village of Tatsinskaya were evacuated due to a grass fire near their house. No casualties were reported. Russia's Defense Ministry claimed that 51 drones were shot down overnight across four Russian regions and occupied Crimea, including 16 over Rostov Oblast. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rostov Oblast, bordering Ukraine and the Sea of Azov, remains a critical transit corridor for Russian military logistics. Ukraine has repeatedly targeted infrastructure in the region to degrade Moscow's supply chains and war capabilities. Drones also struck the same railway station on Aug. 5. Kyiv has not officially commented on either attack. Read also: Food shortage is coming experts warn Russias war on inflation risks Soviet-style economy collapse Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Since the second half of June, Russia has significantly intensified the deportation of Ukrainian citizens across the border with Georgia, causing a humanitarian crisis in the buffer zone of the Dariali border crossing point, with some Ukrainians declaring a hunger strike. Source: the press service of the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported this to journalists, as reported by European Pravda Details: The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry reported that thanks to measures taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in conjunction with the competent authorities of Ukraine, 44 Ukrainian citizens have been successfully evacuated from the buffer zone on the Russian-Georgian border since the end of June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, Russia has continued to deport a larger number of people, which may indicate a deliberate Russian operation, the Ukrainian agency noted. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that there are currently 96 Ukrainian citizens in the buffer zone of the checkpoint. "Our state is ready to take its people directly, rather than via Georgia and Moldova. As of now, we note that the Russian Federation is ignoring this request, which also indicates Moscow's desire to deliberately create a humanitarian crisis on the Russian-Georgian border," the Ukrainian foreign ministry emphasised. On Wednesday 5 August, the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia received a message from five Ukrainian citizens who were deported from the Russian Federation and are temporarily detained at the Dariali checkpoint stating that they had begun an indefinite hunger strike and demanding that they be allowed to cross the Georgian border. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other citizens at this checkpoint are also joining the hunger strike. Upon receiving information about the start of the hunger strike, consuls from the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia travelled to the border to meet with the Ukrainian citizens at the checkpoint and requested Georgia to grant them immediate and unhindered access. The consuls are in constant contact with the Ukrainian citizens at the Dariali checkpoint, including those who have gone on hunger strike. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs noted that most of the Ukrainian citizens deported by the Russian Federation to the border with Georgia are people who have previously been brought to criminal responsibility. Among them are both those who served sentences in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine and were forcibly transferred to the territory of the Russian Federation, as well as Ukrainian citizens who were in the territory of the Russian Federation and were convicted of crimes committed there. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In order to resolve the humanitarian aspects of the stay of Ukrainians in the buffer zone of the Georgian border, the Ukrainian Embassy in Georgia is actively working with the Georgian side, involving the International Committee of the Red Cross, the UNHCR and the International Organisation for Migration in Georgia in this process. Background: Human rights initiatives and the media occasionally write about the problem of deported prisoners, citizens of Ukraine, who are stuck on the border between the Russian Federation and Georgia. Former prisoners and human rights activists themselves say that they had to wait for a decision on repatriation in harsh conditions without access to adequate medical care and food and without sufficient sleeping arrangements. At the end of June, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs commented that it was aware of the problem of these Ukrainian citizens and was working to bring them back. Recently, the Georgian Ministry of Internal Affairs reported that the process of bringing Ukrainian prisoners back to Ukraine after they ended up in Russia and were then deported by Moscow is proceeding gradually, but it is not easy due to the status of these individuals and the need for numerous approvals. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! (WHNT) United Launch Alliance has announced plans for the first national security launch of its Vulcan Rocket as part of a Space Force mission scheduled for next week. In a post on social media, ULA announced plans to launch a Vulcan rocket carrying the U.S. Space Force-106 mission for the United States Space Forces Space Systems Command on Tuesday, Aug. 12. Father and son killed in Huntsville house fire Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ULA said the launch will be the first national security space launch aboard the Vulcan rocket. According to ULA, the rocket will deploy USSF-106 directly to geosynchronous orbit using the Centaur V upper stage. ULA continues to be a steadfast partner to the Space Force, fulfilling the rigorous, unique requirements needed to launch tremendous capabilities into space for national defense and the protection of our nations allies around the world, The company said. ULA said the launch is set to take place from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, pending final range approval. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. DAKAR, Senegal (AP) Rwanda-backed rebels killed at least 319 people over the past month in eastern Congo, the U.N. human rights chief said Wednesday, describing the toll as one of the largest documented in such attacks since the M23 rebels resurfaced in 2022. Citing firsthand accounts, U.N. human rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement that the rebels, backed by members of the Rwandan Defense Force, targeted four villages in North Kivu provinces Rutshuru territory between July 9 and July 21. The continuing violence could threaten Qatar-led efforts to get Congo and the rebels to sign a permanent peace deal by the goal of Aug. 18. One of the deal's conditions is the protection of civilians and safe return of millions of people displaced by the conflict. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There was no immediate comment from M23 or the Rwandan government. The M23 early this year seized two key cities in eastern Congo in a major escalation, with the help of neighboring Rwandan forces. Congo has long been wracked by deadly conflict in its mineral-rich east, with more than 100 armed groups. The two sides on July 19 signed a declaration of principles in Qatar to end the fighting and commit to a comprehensive peace agreement that would include the restoration of state authorities in key eastern cities controlled by the insurgents. The new U.N. statement said deadly attacks occurred in the days following that signing. I am appalled by the attacks on civilians by the M23 and other armed groups" despite the declaration, the U.N. human rights chief said, calling for an immediate end to attacks on civilians. Union County family sues American Airlines over flight attendant who hid camera in bathroom After a former American Airlines flight attendant was sentenced to federal prison for illegally recording passengers in an airplane lavatory, a family is filing a new lawsuit, saying the airline didnt do enough to prevent the issue. A Union County familys attorney spoke with Channel 9s Hunter Saenz and said the young girl has been scarred by the incident, now suffering from depression, anxiety, and much more. Estes Carter Thompson was caught recording a young girl on a flight to Charlotte back in 2023, and the FBI found evidence that it had happened on multiple flights. Evidence showed that he would tape a smartphone in the lavatory to record passengers, including an 11-year-old girl, using the bathroom. The family in Union County just filed a federal lawsuit against AA after the incident during a trip to Disney World in August of 2023. MORE PAST COVERAGE: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Their attorney said the case came to light after another victim flew from Charlotte to Boston in September of 2023 and spotted the hidden iPhone. During the FBIs investigation, they found other victims in Thompsons iCloud account. FBI agents then knocked on the door of the Union County family and showed the childs mother pictures that Thompson had taken of her daughters private parts on board the plane. The familys attorney said American Airlines should have known Thompson was a risk to minors because they argue his coworkers had made complaints to the airline about his conduct before this happened. In March, Thompson pleaded guilty to attempted sexual exploitation of children... And possession of child pornography. In that plea deal, he admitted to filming five girls in total, including the victim from Union County. Hes currently serving an 18-and-a-half-year prison sentence. AA was also sued by the family of the girl who found the iPhone. The airline settled that lawsuit earlier this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement American Airlines released a statement regarding the incident saying: Americans core mission is to care for people and the foundation of that is the safety and security of our customers and team. We are reviewing the complaint, and we take the allegations involving a former team member very seriously. If you suspect someone of child sexual abuse material, or you are a victim of child sexual abuse material, help is available. Click here for resources available to you. (VIDEO: Airplane part found in North Carolina driveway) The Union County Board of Education approved a new cellphone policy during Tuesdays night meeting. The vote passed, 8-1. Some board members expressed that this was not a board decision, but rather what is required now under state law. READ MORE: Gov. Stein signs bill to restrict student use of cellphones in class In July, Gov. Josh Stein signed House Bill 959 into law, which will restrict the use of cellphones by students in North Carolina classrooms during instructional time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The new law mandates that school districts develop policies by Jan. 1, 2026, to ensure that students turn off their cellphones, tablets, and gaming devices during class. Exceptions to this rule can be made if a teacher deems the devices necessary for learning or in case of emergencies. Union County Public Schools new policy for Use of Cell Phones and Wireless Communication Devices, states students can face disciplinary consequences for unauthorized use of wireless communication devices. First offense: Confiscate item and return to the student at the end of the academic day and notify parent. If use of the electronic device results in violation of other behavioral rule, including but not limited to school-based rules, further discipline may be applied. Second and subsequent offenses: Confiscate item and return only to parents. Parent conference required and may include one day of in-school suspension, after school detention, or Saturday School. Additionally, the student may be prohibited from bringing the item to school for the remainder of the school year, except as authorized in writing by the principal. School board members said they wanted to take up this issue before the start of the school year. VIDEO: Gov. Stein signs bill to restrict student use of cellphones in class Starbucks workers have rallied to unionize in individual stores across the country in recent years. Last summer, a store in downtown Clearwater was among those who joined Starbucks Workers United, the worker-led national union. Local employees involved in the effort say its been a constant fight ever since. In July, five employees at the Clearwater store participated in a demonstration aimed at publicly airing grievances with Starbucks management. They demanded hiring more people and guaranteed break time. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The effort to unionize at the Seattle-based coffee chains stores began in Buffalo, N.Y., in 2021 when workers upset about short staffing, low wages and harassment formed Starbucks Workers United, according to their website. More than 600 stores have joined since. Four of the 200-plus stores across Tampa Bay belong to the union three on Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa and the one at 433 Cleveland St. in Clearwater. Employees who are hired at a store represented by the union are not required to join, said Michelle Eisen, a union spokesperson. Instead of covering employees directly, Starbucks Workers United represents individual stores. Raven Schvartz, a former employee at the Clearwater store, said baristas voted six-to-one in favor of unionizing last August. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It was really frustrating seeing just how hard not only just management, but corporate decisions were affecting everyone, and I just wanted to help my co-workers, said Senga Turner, who works at the store. Turner said an employee who helped unionize the store was fired for tardiness. In a statement, Starbucks said no employee had ever been or will ever be disciplined or fired for engaging in lawful union activity. The formation of Starbucks Workers United and a related lawsuit heard by the U.S. Supreme Court in 2022 marked a turning point for the labor movement in America, said John Logan, the director of labor and employment studies at San Francisco State University. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The success of the Starbucks union inspired organizing campaigns at other companies including Trader Joes and Amazon, he said. But four years after the union formed it has not been able to negotiate a collective bargaining agreement with Starbucks. Even without a contract Eisen, who worked at the first union Starbucks in Buffalo, said the union has made progress. After the union demanded that the corporation implement credit card tipping, that feature was rolled out in all stores, she said. The only way to hold the company accountable is to stand together and voice our concerns and then have those concerns met in the form of a first contract, Eisen said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Starbucks and the union have been locked in contract negotiations for more than a year. Recently, the union rejected a version of the contract that would have guaranteed 2% salary increases every year, according to Reuters. The protest in Clearwater was described as a March on the Boss, where workers publicly confront management with grievances. A barista leaned over a counter in the store and announced to customers that they would be beginning their demonstration. Employees spoke out about working conditions. They said the store didnt have enough staff, and as a result they were unable to take breaks. We are committed, we are capable, and we take pride in the work we do. However, the current system is not sustainable, said Pete Vo, who began working at the Clearwater store in February. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vo helped organize a demonstration earlier in the year. He said he was frustrated that the July event was focused on the same issues without much change or resolution. Mary Ann Klein was in the store at the time of the demonstration. She said shes been a regular customer since 2020. She said the store is frequently understaffed. Sometimes in the mornings there are only two people, Klein said. I feel bad for them. The relationship between the Labour Party and the trade unions has, for more than a hundred years, been a symbiotic one. The unions created and funded the party in order to gain working class representation in Parliament, and in return the party promoted the unions priorities of improved working conditions and industrial democracy. Of course, the relationship was never as straightforward as that, with tensions frequently developing between the two, especially when Labour was in Government. As Labour evolved into New Labour under Tony Blair, that relationship became even more strained, a fact that Ed Miliband took advantage of when he ran for the party leadership in 2010. Tacking fundamentally to the Left, he won enough support from individual trade union members thanks to the endorsement of the larger unions leaderships to offset the support his older brother David enjoyed from Labour MPs and ordinary party members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We all know what happened next. But even if Miliband the Younger had managed to make it to Downing Street at the 2015 general election, his personal political priorities would quickly have led to irreconcilable differences with the union barons who had gifted him the party leadership. Miliband, with his carefully nurtured reputation as a champion of the environment, would certainly have wanted to pursue a programme of consigning old and polluting industries to the history books. These would be replaced, via some unspecified osmosis, by new and better-paid jobs in the green energy sector. It may be happening a decade later than he had hoped, but that remains Milibands ambition today, and the conflict between the Energy Secretary and the trade unions could yet provide a fault line that threatens to undermine not just Milibands platform, but the entire relationship between the party and the trade union movement. Not that the unions oppose the creation of new jobs or Milibands stated ambition to create 650,000 new jobs as part of the decarbonisation of the economy. But ambitions and targets, especially when they involve suspiciously round numbers, dont put bread on the table. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jobs actual, well-paid, skilled jobs are being lost now. Those 650,000 new ones had better hurry up and be created before the unions lose all patience and faith in Miliband and this Government. The suspicion, of course, is that Miliband talks a good game about a bright, carbon-free future that is part of his job, after all but that removing more traditional jobs is far easier than the creation of those repeatedly-promised new ones. Reducing Britains already tiny (in relative terms) contribution to global emissions has been a central plank of Government policy for years, even before Miliband, with his evangelical approach to climate change, got his feet back under the cabinet table. His obstinate refusal to countenance new drilling licences in the North Sea in order to slow down the loss of jobs there has enraged some of the Brothers and Sisters. Milibands net zero transition will be measured in redundancies among oil and gas workers, General Secretary of the GMB Union Gary Smith warned earlier this year. That was a serious shot across the Governments bows from one of the biggest paymasters of the Labour Party and a union that did more than most to make Miliband leader 15 years ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that sentiment is unlikely to be restricted to the GMB: other large unions, including Unite, the countrys second largest, has a great deal to lose in terms of members and membership fees as the decline of the oil and gas industry continues with the Energy Secretarys apparent encouragement. All of which is why there is now backbench unrest from MPs who want Miliband to spearhead a new effort to repair relations with the unions. In the past, union resources and manpower could be relied upon by the party to help out at elections and when funding gaps for campaigns emerged. Such allyship is now strained for a number of reasons, but Milibands industrial strategy, one whose consequences could be a severe net loss in jobs and union members, is one that pierces the heart of the relationship between party and trade union movement. If, far from securing and creating new jobs, the Government is actively destroying them without guaranteeing their replacement within a set timescale, then what exactly did the unions create the Labour Party for in the first place? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And if the man whom the unions made party leader in 2010 is seen by them as the bete noir threatening their members livelihoods, can that relationship be saved while he remains in post? 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. Unique consignment boutique opening in Uptown this weekend originally appeared on Bring Me The News. Uptown is getting a new consignment shop. Shop My Closet, a resale and consignment boutique, will open its doors on Aug. 9 inside the Seven Points Mall at Lake Street and Hennepin Avenue in Minneapolis. The concept is a little different than the typical vintage clothing hub. Founder Marsha Magdalene will rent "closets" where resellers can place curated collections of accessories and clothing. Additionally, sellers are able to control their pricing and curation of what goes into the closet. Shop My ClosetCourtesy of Shop My Closet New closets will pop up each week, building an "ever-evolving experience that centers community, creativity, and conscious consumerism," per the announcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are incredibly excited to bring Shop My Closet to Minneapolis and to be a part of Uptown's resurgence," Magdalene says in a statement. "Our vision is to create a vibrant community hub where shoppers can discover amazing, one-of-a-kind finds while supporting local entrepreneurs and promoting sustainable fashion practices. Every week brings a fresh selection of styles, from vintage gems to modern statement pieces, making each visit an exciting experience." The clothing shop hopes to offer shoppers an evolving and distinctive vintage shopping experience, while sellers benefit from the staffing, marketing, and operations the store provides. Shop My Closet's grand opening will take place in Suite #1150 at Seven Points Mall on Aug. 9 with a ribbon cutting at 4 p.m. and retail hours until 8 p.m. Afterwards, it will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday, and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. The store will be closed on Mondays. Related: Spirit Halloween announces the 19 locations it will open in Minnesota this fall This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Aug 5, 2025, where it first appeared. The University of Hawaii has set another record for external funding for the fourth consecutive year despite ongoing concerns that UH remains at risk of losing more federal research grants. Until the upcoming federal fiscal year begins Sept. 30, UH officials are cautiously celebrating the $734 million they expect to receive from outside sources, notably over 90 % from the federal government. UH President Wendy Hensel today plans to join Gov. Josh Green and members of Hawaiis congressional delegation at the UH Cancer Center to mark UHs extramural funding record that was spared deeper cuts after they were successfully challenged in mainland courtsand even by red state Republicans in Congress whose universities also rely on federal funding, Hensel said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She expects the Trump administration to keep proposing cuts to universities that, since this month already, have seen UH lose 66 federal grants valued at more than $89 million, Hensel said. Weve seen some changes to bring them back by legislators who recognize the value of some of the things that have been terminated, like biomedical research and other important things that were never about political issues, Hensel said. Theres no doubt there will be significant impacts next year. Theres no good news. Just less bad news. For today, at least, Hensel and her administrators will celebrate UHs newest funding record, which represents a jump of $118.3 millionor 19.2 %over last years previous extramural funding record of $615.7 million. Hawaii officials were especially concerned about losing millions in federal funding this year after President Donald Trump took back the White House in January and immediately began issuing executive orders to eliminate federal spending for any programs aimed at DEIdiversity, equity and inclusionand made nationwide efforts to purge the federal workforce, including eliminating the U.S. Department of Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Other federal agencies that UH relies on remain under the threat of deeper cuts, like the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health and NASA, said Vassilis Syrmos, UH Manoas interim provost who oversees federal relations for the UH System. This is an unbelievable achievement for UH, Syrmos said. On the other hand, I dont know what comes next. We have to look forward to predictions of what is going to happen. Its not particularly rosy. Like untold university officials, researchers and professors across the country, S. Lani Parka UH cancer epidemiologist and co-leader in the Cancer Centers population sciences in the Pacific programworried that her federal grants were at risk because of their focus on individual ethnic groups in Hawaii. Park looks at disparities research on different cancer rates and risks among various ethnicities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Park said the work has set a lot of standards, not just in our state but in our nation. Some of Parks research focuses on underserved populations that she worried would make it a target to lose federal funding. But we havent lost funding, she said. None of my grants have been terminated. Other funding for UH research includes $1.56 million from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health at UH Manoa to study and understand the experiences of residents, first responders and others involved in the Aug. 8, 2023, Maui wildfires. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The UH Cancer Center also received $792, 000 from the American Cancer Society to help Native Hawaiian men understand their risk of prostate and other urinary cancers and address social barriers, such as a lack of transportation. The John A. Burns School of Medicine received $551, 767 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to support research on indigenous addiction and pain management treatment outcomes for Native Hawaiians. Still, Park joins Hensel and Syrmos in their concern about how long the flow of federal dollars will last. I dont want to spin it that were out of the water, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, Park also enjoyed the moment of another funding record for UH. This, she said, is a testament to how great UH is. UH funding$570.4 million : External funding for the University of Hawaii at Manoa$98.7 million : Funding for the UH System$31.3 million : Funding for UHs seven community colleges$23.9 million : UH Hilo$9.7 million : UH West Oahu Source : University of Hawaii Correction : This story has been update to include the current name of the Thompson School of Social Work & Public Health. The University of Utah announced plans Tuesday to cut more than 80 courses and programs ranging in academic fields from modern dance to mining engineering as part of the strategic reinvestment process mandated by the Utah Legislature. The Board of Trustees at the states flagship university approved the list of programs expected to be discontinued, pending approval by the Utah System of Higher Education and Utah lawmakers, according to a university release. Earlier this year, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox signed into law House Bill 265 the divisive strategic reinvestment legislation requiring the states eight public colleges and universities to reallocate millions to programs determined to be of highest value. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The University of Utah is being asked to absorb the largest HB265 reallocation burden: More than $19.5 million. The state-imposed reallocation/reinvestment plans will occur over a three-year period. At least 30% of the reallocated dollars must be deployed by each school in fiscal year 2026. At least 70% in 2027. And 100% in 2028. The finalized list of course/programs cuts at the University of Utah reflects HB265s impact over a wide range of academic fields. Proposed programs destined for the chopping block include graduate degrees, certificates, and undergraduate degree majors and minors. Included in the discontinued list are a masters degree in educational psychology, a doctoral degree in theater, a bachelors degree in German teaching, a masters diploma in marketing, a doctoral degree in experimental pathology, and a public administration certificate. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The university started the reallocation process by analyzing enrollment and graduation numbers for each of the courses and programs. This data-informed analysis started with programs that have had little to no recent enrollment or degree conferrals, according to the university. These decisions reflect careful consideration and consultation with college, school and departmental leadership, Provost Mitzi Montoya wrote in a July 9 memo to academic leaders. We recognize the weight of these decisions and the importance of shared governance in managing this process with transparency and integrity. Thank you for your continued partnership in advancing the mission of the university and supporting a bold, student-centered approach to academic reinvestment. Last May, the university submitted phase one of its reinvestment plan to the Utah System of Higher Education. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement University leaders have emphasized that the changes required under the bill are not happening in isolation, but as part of a broader transformation already underway through Impact 2030, according to the University of Utah. The phased approach is designed to ensure thoughtful implementation that strengthens the universitys momentum toward long-term goals while aligning with HB265s priorities to improve completion rates and strengthen workforce readiness, noted the release. In a report to school trustees, University of Utah Academic Senate President Richard Preiss saluted senior leadership for undertaking this arduous, time-sensitive task the right way using data analytics tools that were put into place in anticipation of this scenario, collaborating with deans and department chairs to generate targeted cuts from the ground up, and trusting the shared governance process, even under unforgiving deadlines, to perform oversight and thereby build campus-wide consensus. Preiss concluded his report, noting: We recognize that there will be further, more painful rounds of cuts and restructurings, but we hope this can serve as a precedent and model. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, University of Utah students enrolled in sunset-proposed programs will receive support with clear, timely pathways to degree completion (so-called teach out plans), Montoya wrote. Some students may be referred to academically appropriate alternatives. Why 2025 is proving a historic year for the 175-year-old institution Tuesdays course/program cut announcement is the latest chapter in a historic and sometimes painful year for the University of Utah which is commemorating its 175th anniversary. In February, Manish Parashar was appointed the University of Utahs inaugural chief artificial intelligence officer, who was hired to navigate the university through its various AI initiatives. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Then in March, the school announced it was exploring alternative sites for the storied Jon M. Huntsman Center. Relocating the 56-year-old arena is part of a larger discussion of what the University of Utah will look like in the future as it transitions from a traditionally commuter campus to more of a residential destination campus, while enhancing its college town magic. University of Utah President Taylor Randall announced in April that the school will award credit hours for students with off-campus service experience including returned missionaries. Military vets and students who participated in service-oriented programs such as the Peace Corps would also be eligible. And last month, the university reported that the Trump administrations proposal to significantly cut medical research funding at American colleges could cost the school $110 million annually while severely impacting the schools ability to fulfill its research endeavors. Rice-Eccles Stadium on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City is pictured on Monday, January 15, 2024. (Photo by Spenser Heaps for Utah News Dispatch) Amid the state-imposed higher education reallocations process, the University of Utah is planning to cut over 80 inactive courses and programs, with the College of Humanities taking the biggest hit within the list. As part of a 2025 law, public universities and colleges in the state have to make cuts of 10% of their budget for courses, aiming to weed out inefficient programs. Those funds would be set aside in a special account that would later be used to expand high-demand course offerings. Institutions already showed initial plans to the Utah Board of Higher Education in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, with tight deadlines, and several steps along the way of final approval, some details havent been finalized. The University of Utah Board of Trustees agreed on a list of course cuts that include several Middle East studies post-graduate programs and other world languages courses. Other cuts encompass some mining engineering certificates and science teaching programs. These decisions reflect careful consideration and consultation with college, school and departmental leadership, University of Utah Provost Mitzi Montoya said in a July 9 memo to academic leaders. The states flagship university reached the decision after conducting a data-informed analysis of academic programs, Montoya said. That study began with courses that have had little to no recent enrollment or degree conferrals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students currently enrolled in the programs will have support with clear, timely pathways to degree completion or can transition to other academic alternatives, Montoya said in the memo. The schools Academic Senate also agreed on the cuts, citing that the programs had between 0 and 1 total students graduating over the last eight years, commending the university leaders for using data analytics to inform their decisions. We recognize that there will be further, more painful rounds of cuts and restructurings, but we hope this can serve as a precedent and a model, Richard Preiss, president of the Academic Senate, wrote in a report to the board of trustees. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE LAS VEGAS (KLAS) A research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas claims its latest discovery could eventually lead to curing pancreatic cancer and diabetes. Its a new era, where people can hope to find some cure, lead researcher Chandra Bhattacharya said. This delivery system can go directly to the pancreas, which was previously not accessible. Their technology is the first to allow doctors to treat the pancreas directly through the veins. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can target the pancreas, we can send the drugs to the pancreas directly, reduce the off-target effects, and cure the disease, Bhattacharya said. Pancreatic cancer is typically considered incurable. According to the American Cancer Society, there have been 480 pancreatic cancer deaths this year in Nevada. A research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas claims its latest discovery could eventually lead to curing pancreatic cancer and diabetes. (KLAS) A research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas claims its latest discovery could eventually lead to curing pancreatic cancer and diabetes. (KLAS) A research team at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas claims its latest discovery could eventually lead to curing pancreatic cancer and diabetes. (KLAS) According to the lead researcher, this discovery has been years in the making. Bhattacharyas work is inspired by her late grandmother, who had cancer. She had a very hard couple of years, Bhattacharya explained. I hope this can help people and bring families together, and nobody has to bear this loss anymore. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Meanwhile, one of the UNLV graduate researchers on the study, Ivan Isaac, also has personal ties to the field of research; his father has diabetes. Isaac said he wasnt expecting to be part of such a big medical breakthrough. We just thought that it was going to be something really small. We did not expect it was going to be so huge, Isaac said. Pretty unbelievable actually. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (KRQE) Nearly a decade in the works, construction is almost done on one of New Mexicos most advanced hospital facilities, with the University of New Mexico Hospital saying its Critical Care Tower is almost ready to open. The Critical Care Tower is one of the states biggest construction projects, and last Friday, UNMH got the green light to start furnishing the building and getting staff ready for a fall opening. The way that the tower was designed is for us to be able to provide the highest efficiency the highest quality of care, said Mike Chicarelli, Chief Operating Officer, UNMH. Its a state-of-the-art building that UNMH hopes will deliver a lot more. The new Critical Care Tower at Lomas Blvd. and Yale Blvd. has eight levels plus a helicopter pad. And now as of August first, crews are getting ready to move equipment in. To begin loading the building, and that will include things like non-fixed equipment, supplies, and materials, some of the smaller equipment, those sorts of things, said Chicarelli. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The hospital said its now furnishing the Critical Care Tower with everything from trash cans to MRI and CT scanners. Theyre also starting to bring staff in to familiarize them with the new layout, before taking patients in October. There are going to be emergencies, and we need to be able to move through the building in the most efficient way possible, and we need our staff providers and learners to have a deep understanding on how to get through those spaces efficiently and quickly, said Chicarelli. Albuquerque Fire Rescue, the Albuquerque Police Department, and the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office are also in the process of touring the tower for emergencies. Six of the buildings eight floors are expected to open in October, while the top two floors will be left for future expansion. They hope it helps keep New Mexicans from having to leave the state for hospital care. And were excited because this tower is going to help us in that mission and help us to be able to deliver that care here, keep more people in New Mexico, and add more capacity to an already constrained healthcare system, said Chicarelli. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With a bigger space, UNMH said it will hire more medical staff for the new tower. Theyve made some hires but are still looking to fill 400 positions. UNMH said the Critical Care Tower is an $842-million project. The first patients are expected on October 5. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. Originally appeared on E! Online John Ramsey was shaving on the morning of Dec. 26, 1996, when he heard his wife scream. Patsy Ramsey was headed to the kitchen to put the coffee on, but instead found pieces of paper lying at the bottom of the staircase in their Boulder, Colo., home. "Mr. Ramsey, Listen carefully!" began the letter which ultimately alerted Patsy to the fact that her 6-year-old daughter JonBenet Ramsey was not asleep in her bedas her mother assumed she was at 5:45 a.m. on the day after Christmas. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At 5:52 a.m., Patsy called 911 to report that JonBenet, who would have turned 35 on Aug. 6, had been kidnapped and there was a ransom note. "It was just unbelievable," John, now 81, said in Netflix's 2024 docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey. He recalled feeling "this horrible in-your-gut trauma," comparing it to when a child wanders out of her parent's sight for a minute at the mall. Only he never saw his child alive again. More from E! Online Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Instead, John found JonBenet's body almost eight hours later in what used to be an old coal room in the basement. John recalled in the series ripping off a piece of duct tape that was covering his daughter's mouth and carrying her directly upstairs, where officers checked for a pulse and swiftly informed him that she was dead. She had been strangled with a cord used as a garrote, according to the autopsy report, and her skull was fractured from blunt head trauma. Microscopic fibers from a wooden paintbrush handle found on her body indicated she had been sexually assaulted with the item, retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson, one of the first investigators on the scene that day, recalled in the series. Paula Woodward, an investigative reporter for KUSA Denver who covered the JonBenet case, recalled being told that a group of investigators had gathered at the Boulder Police Department that morning. And, when word came in that JonBenet had been found dead, Woodward said she was told that one of the investigators "hissed in kind of an undertone and a whisper to another one, 'I knew it, they killed their daughter.'" Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that pretty much set the tone for the police investigation into JonBenet's death, according to John, journalists and several law enforcement veterans who participated in the three-part series, the latest addition to the ever-growing canon of morbid work dedicated to unpacking what really happened to the child. Netflix John and Patsy, who died of ovarian cancer in 2006 at the age of 49, were never arrested or charged in connection with their daughter's death, but they remained under a cloud of suspicion for years. Which, in Patsy's case, was for the rest of her life. "We could have the killer arrested, convicted, in prison," John reflected in the series, "and there'd still be 5 to 10 percent of the population that thinks we're guilty." In the Netflix series, directed by Joe Berlinger, John details the ways the copsand subsequently the media and the court of public opinionseized on him and his wife as villains and never let go of that theory. But he also remains hopeful that JonBenet's murder will be solved, alleging that there's evidence in police custody that still hasn't been subjected to the most modern DNA analysis methods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA testing over the years has so far only resulted in clearing several persons of interest who were questioned in connection with the case. Boulder PD said in a Nov. 9 statement on the county government's website that they will not be commenting on any specifics of the Ramsey case "because this is an ongoing and active investigation." Police Chief Steve Redfearn called the killing of JonBent an "unspeakable crime" that has never left their hearts. We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved," he said in a statement. "This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Added Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, "The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories. Our office has successfully prosecuted other cold case homicides and many murder cases. "In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder." If those who've been saying the DNA "isn't as valuable or significant as we think" are taken at face value, "then we've been ruling people out for the wrong reasons," JonBenet's older half-brother John Andrew Ramsey, one of John's three kids from his first marriage, said in the series. "Everybody should be back on the table...You have to go deeper, you have to sort the DNA we have today and make more sense of it." John said in the series that "the whole purpose of engaging with the media was to put pressure on the police," he explained. "We're not going away. I'm going to be hammering on you till I die if you don't find this creature that did this to our daughter." Douglas Keister/Corbis via Getty Images In November 2024, Boulder Police Chief Steve Redfearn called the killing of JonBenet an "unspeakable crime" that has never left their hearts. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We are committed to following up on every lead and we are continuing to work with DNA experts and our law enforcement partners around the country until this tragic case is solved," he said in a statement. "This investigation will always be a priority for the Boulder Police Department." Added Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty, "The murder of JonBenet Ramsey is a terrible tragedy and sparked years of unanswered questions and theories. Our office has successfully prosecuted other cold case homicides and many murder cases. In every one of those cases, it was the evidence that proved the defendant(s) guilty. Whether it is DNA or other evidence, more is needed to solve this murder." In a subsequent video statement responding to the Netflix series, Redfearn said that authorities welcomed media coverage and documentaries in the chance they generated new leads, but that police had to be mindful about the information they shared with the public, as the Ramsey case is an active investigation. "What I can tell you though," the chief said, "is we have thoroughly investigated multiple people as suspects throughout the years and we continue to be open-minded about what occurred as we investigate the tips that come in to detectives." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But in the meantime this 28-year-old case grows ever colder. According to Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey, here is how the initial investigation went off course: A Contaminated Scene After Patsy Ramsey called 911 at 5:52 a.m. on Dec. 26, 1996, to report that her daughter JonBenet Ramsey had been kidnapped, she and husband John Ramsey also reached out to a number of their friends, who came right over to support the couple. In turn, in addition to responding officers, there were people milling around the Ramseys' 5,000-square-foot home all day before John found JonBenet's body in the basement shortly after 1:30 p.m. "I should have removed all those people from the scene, that was a crime scene mistake," retired Boulder Police Detective Bob Whitson recalled in the Netflix docuseries Cold Case: Who Killed JonBenet Ramsey. "But, at the time, it looked like a legitimate kidnapping. So, I thought, Well, these are the support system for the Ramseys, and I let 'em stay." Not knowing she was dead when he found her, John said in the series he at first tried to untie the cord that bound her hands. The knots were too tight, he said, but he did remove a piece of duct tape that was covering her mouth and tossed it onto a blanket that had been with the body. He then carried her upstairs, which, according to investigators, ensured that the evidence collected from her body, the pajamas she was wearing, the tape, etc., was contaminated. "There may have been some evidence on the duct tape if that wasn't removed," Whitson said in the series. Two Faulty Searches Police who responded to Patsy's 911 call searched the three upper levels of the Ramseys' home, and the basement, but it wasn't until a detective suggested that John do another sweep of the house nearly eight hours later that her body was found in a part of the basement that used to be a coal room. "One of the cops did not open the door where JonBenet was lying," Fox News' Carol McKinley, who covered the case at the time, said in the Netflix series. "Major mistake, and I believe he lives with that to this day." Retired Boulder PD Commander John San Agustin noted in the series, "You never have someone outside of law enforcement doing a search." However, when John looked in the coal room, he said, "Her body was right there in front of me." JonBenet Ramsey's Pageant History In a pre-Toddlers and Tiaras world, the media incredulously spotlighted JonBenet's participation in children's beauty pageants, with most of the commentary being of the what-sort-of-mother-lets-her-child-parade-around-like-that variety. Having competed and performed at local events since she was 4, there were myriad photos of JonBenet wearing a full face of makeup and videos that became Rorschach tests for critics of the Ramseys who were looking for signs of sexual abuse or other trauma behind the child's precocious poise. And people who claimed to have diagnosed as much had no qualms saying it on TV, the Netflix series including a clip from Geraldo in which a woman identified as a "well-known expert in child abuse" described one of JonBenet's performances as masturbatory. (Host Geraldo Rivera was staging a mock trial on his show, during which a six-person "jury" found Patsy liable for her daughter's death. "I went to bed for about two days," she said in the 1998 documentary The Ramseys vs. The Media, "because I just was mortified.") Reflecting on his enthusiastic coverage of the case, Rivera told the Chicago Tribune in 2006, "Everyone I came in contact with was talking about the Ramsey case, whether it was my nanny or the people in the neighborhood or the guy that takes care of my koi pond." Even his mom wanted the details, he added, so "when it gets to that level, you know it has an interest thats almost universal." The pageant commentary painted the Ramseys as "delinquent parents," recalled Paula Woodward, an investigative reporter for KUSA Denver who covered the case from the beginning. She interviewed JonBenet's pediatrician at the time, the journalist said, "He told me, no, she's never had any sexual abuse in her life. He would have lost his medical license if he ever lied about that." In a 1997 interview, the doctor said there was "never any hint whatsoever of sexual abuse. I didn't see any hint of emotional abuse, or physical abuse. She was a very much-loved child." But, as seen on tabloid covers shown in the series, there was plenty of speculation that the child may have been abused in lieu of evidence to allege that she really was. "Let me address it very directly: I did not kill my daughter JonBenet," John told reporters during a May 1, 1997, news conference. "There have been innuendos that she had been or was sexually molested. I can tell you that those were the most hurtful innuendos to us as a family. They are totally false. JonBenet and I had a very close relationship. I will miss her dearly the rest of my life." Added Patsy, "I'm appalled that anyone would think that John or I would be involved in such a hideous, heinous crime. But let me assure you that I did not kill JonBenet and did not have anything to do with it. I loved that child with the whole of my heart and soul." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ramseys' Questionable Silence JonBenet was laid to rest in Atlanta next to her half-sister Beth Ramsey (one of John's three grown children from his first marriage, she died in a car accident in 1992) on Dec. 31, 1996. By then, the family had a spokesperson releasing statements to the media and had hired a lawyer. Which, at the time, "smelled a little funny," Fox News' McKinley said in the series. "And we were like, 'What is going on?'" John said in the series, however, that their attorneys had advised them to be careful about anything they said or did. "But we gave the police everything they asked for," John said. "Blood samples, DNA samples, whatever they asked for. Records, all our credit card [records], anything they asked for, we gave it to them." Meanwhile, he added, "I would've been happy to die, quite frankly, to relieve the pain." But with the media filling in the blanks so long as the Ramseys remained silent, soon enough friends in Boulder advised them to grant an interview ASAP, John recalled. So he and Patsy sat down with CNN on Jan. 1, 1997. "There is a killer on the loose," Patsy memorably said at the time. "I don't know who it is, I don't know if it's a he or a she. But if I were a resident of Boulder, I would tell my friends to keep your babies close to you. There's someone out there." Following the Ramseys' interview, then-Boulder Mayor Leslie Durgin said on TV that there was no visible sign of forced entry at the Ramsey residence and the cops were saying, based on where JonBenet's body was found, that "someone had to know the house. So, there isn't a crazed killer on the loose wandering the streets of Boulder." Listening to Durgin, "You would assume that she had information from the police that led her to feel comfortable saying that," recalled KMGH Denver investigative reporter Julie Hayden in the Netflix series, explaining why authorities' behavior in those early days also contributed to the cloud of suspicion growing around John and Patsy. The "implication from that clearly would be that it was somebody connected with the family." Accusations That the Ramseys' Grieving Was Staged Journalist McKinley recalled in the series thinking that the Ramseys made "an orchestrated appearance" at a Jan. 5, 1997, memorial for their daughter in Boulder. "It didn't seem sincere to me and it was almost like a performance," she added, singling out Patsy's big black sunglasses and all-black attire as a particularly notable touch. John barely remembered that day "'cause we were in shock, frankly," he said in the series, but any accusation that aspects of it were staged was "absolutely false." Information Run Amok Local media were getting a lot of information from law enforcement sources, often crediting just one source if that's all they could get, several journalists noted in the series. And not all of it was factual. Charlie Brennan of the Rocky Mountain News admitted getting it wrong when he reported for the paper that John, a licensed pilot, had flown JonBenet's coffin to Atlanta in his own plane. "That was inaccurate," he said in the Netflix series. "It came from a source that I thoroughly trusted and had given me other solid information. That information was wrong, my source was wrong in that case, and that was a mistake." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DNA Results Go Unreported The Colorado Bureau of Investigation's report stating that unidentified male DNA found on JonBenet's underwear and under her fingernails did not match her father or her then-10-year-old brother Burke Ramsey came back on Jan. 15, 1997. But police didn't share the findings right awaynot even with prosecutors. Police "were told that in January," John said in the series. "They kept that secret from the media and from the District Attorney for months." Stranger still, investigative reporter Woodward observed in the series, was that the info didn't leak to the media. "DNA results often leak in murder cases," she said, "yet when the one piece of evidence that clears them, or at least clears their DNA, comes back, there's not a leak about it." But, Woodward noted, early in the investiation there was "massive police leaking that Patsy Ramsey had written the ransom note." (The theory was duly reported on; multiple handwriting experts determined her writing and the letter did not match, retired Det. Whitson recalled in the series.) "They kept that secret," John said of the DNA findings, "because it conflicted with their conclusion that we were the killers." Police vs. Prosecutors Boulder Police Det. Steve Thomas took over leading the investigation into JonBenet's death in early 1997 and he zeroed in on her parents. In his 2000 book, JonBenet: Inside the Ramsey Murder Investigation, he detailed his theory that Patsy killed her daughter in a rage after the 6-year-old wet the bed, staged the scene in the basement and wrote the ransom note. He also said this to Patsy and John's faces on an episode of CNN's Larry King Live. They vehemently pushed back, Patsy ultimately saying, "God knows [what happened], and the truth is going to prevail." (The Ramseys filed an $80 million defamation lawsuit against Thomas and his publisher in 2001; it was settled for an undisclosed sum.) In the Netflix series, John said that Steve's theory "didn't pass the sanity test." "Patsy had just recovered from stage 4 ovarian cancer," John said. "She was grateful to be alive. Do you think that her child wetting her bed would be a big deal? No. She was happy to be alive and to have some more time with her children." Steve Thomas resigned from the case in protest in August 1998, accusing the district attorney's office of mishandling the Ramsey case. In a 2004 interview, Boulder County District Attorney Alex Hunter reflected on "a split" between his office and Boulder PD, noting, "Some Boulder Police people thought they knew who did it. And some of my people were convinced that it was an intruder that did it." The Ramseys' New Champion In 1997, the DA's office brought in retired detective Lou Smit to consult on the case. Smit died in 2010, but he detailed in video and audio diaries sampled in the Netflix series why he believed the Ramseys were innocent. There was "no motive, no evidence of bad character," he said in a 1998 recording, per the series. "There is evidence of an intruder. I say this over and over and over again. Nobody wants to listen." So when prosecutors opted to take their case against the Ramseys to the grand jury in September 1998, Smit tendered his resignation from the case. "He would have no part in trying to convict an innocent couple," Colorado Springs Police Department Investigations Commander Kurt Pillar, who considered Smit a mentor, said in the Netflix series. "That's how strongly he felt about this case." John recalled in the series, "We fully expected and were prepared to be indicted. 'Cause they were saying, 'You can indict a ham sandwich in front a grand jury,' it's a one-sided argument." More than a year later, District Attorney Hunter announced on Oct. 13, 1999, that his office didn't have the evidence to file charges against the Ramseysor anyoneat that time. He did not share the grand jury's recommendation with the public. "I feel at peace and to some extent proud of the fact that I weathered the storm and did the right thing," Hunter said in 2004, "based on the evidence." In 2008, his successor Mary Lacy publicly exonerated John, Patsy and Burke, citing the results of new touch DNA analysis. "To the extent that we may have contributed in any way to the public perception that you might have been involved in this crime, I am deeply sorry," the DA wrote in a letter to John, per NBC News. It wasn't until 2013 that the indictment was unsealed, revealing that the grand jury chose to indict John and Patsy on two counts each of child abuse resulting in death. Per the Denver Post, the document didn't accuse them of killing their daughter, but rather of permitting her to be placed in a dangerous situation that led to her death and of assisting a person who "committed and was suspected of the crime of murder in the first degree and child abuse resulting in death." "We didn't know who did what," a member of the grand jury told the Boulder Daily Camera in January 2013. "But we felt the adults in the house may have done something that they certainly could have prevented, or they could have helped her, and they didn't." After the 1999 indictment was revealed, Boulder Police Chief Mark Beckner said in a statement that it proved "the investigation pursued by the Boulder Police Department was, in fact, based on the information and evidence available." "There are no new leads," the statement continued. "While we believe at this point it is unlikely there will ever be a prosecution, the Boulder Police Department still holds out some hope that one day the district attorney and the Boulder Police Department will be able to put together a case worthy of presenting to a jury." The Ramseys' attorney Lin Wood said in 2013, per the Post, that the grand jury's decision in 1999 was "based on incomplete evidence." Its subject to the impression that criminal charges were warranted against the Ramseys," he said. "A full examination of the evidence unquestionably exonerates the Ramseys. This is inflicting a terrible miscarriage of justice." (Originally published Nov. 25, 2024, at 5 a.m. PT) The Kentucky Supreme Court hears oral arguments in a case between the Jefferson County Public Schools board and the Attorney General's Office over possible special legislation, Aug. 14, 2024. (Kentucky Lantern photo by McKenna Horsley) LEXINGTON Kentucky Supreme Court justices once again heard arguments in a case that could upend laws around special legislation governing specific cities and entities within the state. The lawsuit, initially filed by the board of Jefferson County Public Schools, takes aim at a 2022 law that at present applies only to JCPS, the states largest school district. The law shifts power from the elected school board to the appointed superintendent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Attorneys for the board and the Kentucky attorney generals office, which is representing the Republican-controlled legislature that passed the law, presented oral arguments again on Wednesday. The hearing was held in Lexington as the court meets around the state while the Capitol in Frankfort undergoes years-long renovations. A lawyer from Attorney General Russell Colemans office said a blockbuster decision to declare the law unconstitutional could have broad implications, such as undoing the laws that allow merged city-county governments in Lexington and Louisville. Just such a lawsuit was filed on Monday by a long-time critic of the Jefferson County schools. It challenges the constitutionality of Louisvilles Metro Government, formed in 2003 after voters approved the merger. If the Supreme Court strikes down the law pertaining to the school board, the attorney generals office argued in a press release before the hearing that the next logical step could be to declare the Jefferson County/Louisville merger unconstitutional. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An attorney for the school board dismissed as fiction any fears about the legality of merged governments. He warned that if the law is allowed to stand, state lawmakers could come up with imaginary, clever ways to write legislation that affects only one local government entity. Rehearing the case The case is back before the Supreme Court because the courts makeup changed. After Justice Pamela Goodwine was elected to the court last year, taking the spot of former Chief Justice Laurance VanMeter, the states high court agreed to rehear the case. In December, the court narrowly voted to uphold the 2022 state law by a 4-3 vote, but vacated the ruling in April after voting 4-3 to rehear the case. Initially affirming the majority decision were Justices Shea Nickell, Robert Conley, current Chief Justice Debra and VanMeter. Those dissenting were Justices Angela McCormick Bisig, Michelle Keller and Kelly Thompson. Goodwine joined the dissenting justices in the call to rehear the case. In earlier rulings a Jefferson Circuit judge and the Kentucky Court of Appeals both found the 2022 law unconstitutional. The lower court judges said the law violates Kentuckys Constitution by singling out one school district for special legislation. Justice Michelle M. Keller, right, and Justice Pamela Goodwine behind the bench of the Kentucky Supreme Court in the Capitol in Frankfort, April 18, 2025. (Photo by Mark Cornelison/Administrative Office of the Courts) If there was a problem that was specifically germane to the administration of public education, why would it not apply statewide, as opposed to simply applying in Jefferson County? Thats where I have a problem, Goodwine asked a lawyer defending the law during the Wednesday hearing. If the problems that the legislature saw were so necessary to fix in Jefferson County relating to public education why then arent those problems consistent in every county where theres a school board, where theres a superintendent, where there is public education? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Matthew Kuhn, solicitor general in the state attorney generals office, answered that JCPS as the largest school district in the state is different from the rest in size and complexity and geography compared to other districts. If this court adopts a rule that prohibits a class of one law, youre going to handcuff the General Assembly from addressing problems that are specific only to parts of Kentucky, Kuhn said. David Tachau, an attorney representing the school board, told the court if it allows the law to stand as written, youre going to have special legislation come back big time. The Kentucky Constitution has two sections that address special legislation. Section 59 bars the General Assembly from enacting laws that would apply to only a single locale or entity. It specifically prohibits local or special acts concerning the management of common schools. Section 60 prevents the legislature from enacting any special or local act by exempting a local entity from the operation of a general act. Kuhn had argued that ruling against the General Assembly could imperil current laws that are in effect, such as ones about license and income taxes in Louisville and another that allows Lexingtons government to purchase developmental rights to farmland. Kuhn said Lexington currently has such rights to nearly 300 farms at present. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Tachau said that was fiction because another section of the state Constitution says the General Assembly may create classifications of cities. The whole notion that the sky is going to fall if this court declares Senate Bill 1 unconstitutional is fiction, and its a complete red herring, Tachau said. Speaking to reporters after the court recessed, Tachau said he did not think justices found that terribly persuasive and added that the legislature has a lot of flexibility under the section of the constitution he previously referred to. As for the possibility of opening up more special legislation under the courts previous decision, Tachau said the General Assembly would be permitted to come up with imaginary, clever ways that someday, somehow, another person, locale, entity, could fit in a class as described in legislation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think that members of the dissent in December were very concerned about that, and depending on how they deal with that, if they really grab onto this idea that you can imagine anything, I think that could be a problem going forward, he added. Kuhn told reporters that the outcome of the case could be a blockbuster decision if the 2022 law is declared unconstitutional. I think the justices are seriously considering the implications of this, he said. There are a lot of statutes in the KRS (Kentucky Revised Statutes) that could be imperiled, laws that apply in class of ones like Fayette County and Jefferson County. And I think the court really appreciated the potential implications. Nickell wrote the majority opinion for the now-vacated ruling, which said the 2022 law could stand. As written, the legislation would change the relationship between school boards and superintendents only in a county school district with a consolidated local government, a description that fits only the states largest school district, which has been the target of criticism by Republicans. Backed by GOP lawmakers, the legislation would make a host of administrative and academic changes, including provisions directed at the management of JCPS. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bisig penned a strong dissenting opinion and predicted the General Assembly would be able to evade the constitutional bans on special legislation, as it is more than capable of concocting clever open classes that in effect are likely only ever to reach a single individual, object or locale. Whats at stake Whatever the court now decides could impact the new lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of merged local governments in the state, such as Louisville Metro Government and the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government. Louisville real estate executive David Nicklies filed the lawsuit in Jefferson County Circuit Court before the court heard arguments Wednesday. Nicklies has been a long-time critic of the Jefferson County Public Schools and the Jefferson County Teachers Association, a local teachers union, reports Louisville Public Media. He has raised and contributed money to try to defeat school board candidates and to pay for ads criticizing the teachers union. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whats at stake isnt just one policy. Its the legal foundation of how Kentuckys largest cities operate, said Nicklies in a press release, which also noted that Justice Goodwine received support from teachers unions in her successful race last year for the Supreme Court. Kentucky House Republican Whip Rep. Jason Nemes, a Louisville lawmaker who voted for the 2022 law, wrote an op-ed for the Louisville Courier Journal earlier this week saying that the courts next ruling will not only determine the future of Jefferson Countys schools but could also unravel critical local policies that benefit urban, suburban and rural communities. Attorney General Coleman in his press release said he would defend the state laws allowing the local government mergers. The press release highlighted the lawsuit, saying that if JCPS is successful at the states high court, the next logical step could be to declare the Jefferson County / Louisville merger unconstitutional. If the Supreme Court pulls at this thread and overturns the education law, this story could end with the unraveling of the merger and 20 years of Metro Government, Coleman said. That would be wrong on the law and wrong for moms and dads who just want to keep their kids safe, healthy and learning. Manufacturer of the Philippines best condiments and sauces successfully achieved a high-impact digital transformation with delaware Philippines NutriAsia, the manufacturer of the Philippines best condiments and sauces, has successfully migrated its core SAP system to the cloud with RISE with SAP, a comprehensive transformation journey to help enterprises transition to cloud ERP and unlock the full potential of SAP Business Suite. 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To ensure the seamless integration of critical systems during the migration, delaware Philippines needed to safeguard the companys existing processes and reporting functionalities, while implementing rigorous validation procedures to ensure system integrity. It also provided comprehensive training for the NutriAsia teams which facilitated the smooth transition to the upgraded platforms. This project is a showcase of the strength of our collaboration with NutriAsia. Our combined efforts have enabled a successful migration to a cloud-based infrastructure, laying the foundation for operational excellence and paving the way for future innovation. While underscoring NutriAsias commitment to harnessing cutting-edge technology to drive operational efficiency and business agility, our partnership also sets a benchmark for transformative IT solutions in the FMCG industry, said Rosette Carrao, Partner and Managing Director of delaware Philippines. Senior Vice President for Customer Success of delaware Philippines Simone Pigason expressed her enthusiasm, stating, This partnership marked a significant milestone in NutriAsias digital transformation journey, and we are proud to have been chosen as their system integrator for this cloud migration. It reinforces our commitment to the Food and Beverage industry. As a trusted SAP partner with a strong focus on the food and beverage sector, delaware Philippines remains dedicated to delivering solutions that address industry-specific challenges while enabling sustained innovation and growth. This collaboration confirms the companys commitment to empowering businesses like NutriAsia with the tools and expertise required to thrive in a dynamic market. To learn more about delaware Philippines solutions and services, visit their website at https://www.delaware.pro/en-ph. A back-to-school giveaway gathering in Ellis County took a violent turn over the weekend, leaving three adults hospitalized after gunfire broke out during the event. The shooting took place during the early Sunday morning hours at 830 Batchelor Road in Red Oak. Advertised on a flyer as a family-friendly back-to-school supply drive, the day had promised giveaways, games, music, and food. However, around 1:30 a.m., deputies from the Ellis County Sheriffs Office responded to multiple calls reporting a shooting, detailed in a recent Facebook post from the department. When law enforcement arrived, they found three adult victims suffering from gunshot wounds. All were transported to local hospitals, and as of Tuesday morning, one victim remains in intensive care. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities say the event, advertised as the Kountry Mob Paper Trailride Extravaganza, drew attendees from all across Texas, many of whom were not Ellis County residents. While the event allegedly began as a community-focused effort, the lack of any official management or oversight raised some red flags. The flyer for the event listed a $20-$25 charge for an entrance fee, and advertised cash giveaways for crunkest group, or group with the most members on horseback. The event also advertised that seven DJs and an MC would be lined up to play music throughout the day, initially scheduled to kick off at noon. According to Sheriff Brad Norman, the gathering did not have the required permit under the Texas Health and Safety Code, which requires approval for large public events meeting certain attendance thresholds. We take public safety seriously, especially when it comes to large, unregulated events that draw crowds from outside our county, Sheriff Norman said. These gatherings create unnecessary risks for our community and strain local emergency services. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ellis County Sheriffs Office has not announced any arrests in connection with the shooting and continues to investigate the incident as of the time of publication. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact the sheriffs office at (972) 937-6060 or leave an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers of Ellis County at (972) 937-PAYS (7297). UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres established a regional development centre for Central Asia and Afghanistan on Sunday, signing an agreement with Kazakhstan to coordinate sustainable development efforts across the landlocked region. The centre represents the opening of a new chapter for the region and for our collective journey towards the sustainable development goals, Guterres said in his speech during his visit to Almaty. And it holds great potential for showing how the strong bonds among the regions leaders can translate into deeper economic integration, for the benefit of all people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev noted that the establishment of the centre sends a strong message to the international community, highlighting Central Asias growing significance as a key player on the global stage. The centre will act as a catalyst for coordinated action to strengthen the resilience and dynamism of our economies, develop regional innovation and deepen cooperation, he said, adding that it should complement the ongoing work the UN conducts in the region. The centre, which was mandated by the UN General Assembly in March, will bring together local and international stakeholders to address key issues like climate change, gender inequality and youth unemployment. Guterres visit to Kazakhstan comes on the eve of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in Turkmenistan, which both he and President Tokayev are to attend. Afghanistans engagement A notable aspect of the agreement is the inclusion of Afghanistan in the scope of the centres work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The people of Afghanistan continue to face immense hardship from entrenched poverty and mass displacement to earthquakes, climate shocks, and a fragile humanitarian landscape, Guterres said. He noted that the centre will collaborate with regional and international partners to assist Afghanistan in achieving sustainable development, prioritising human rights while fostering economic independence, peace, and dignity. Tokayev, in turn, noted that peace and long-term development in Afghanistan are a guarantee of regional security. Kazakhstan remains committed to supporting the Afghan people through humanitarian aid, educational projects, trade development and food security initiatives," the Kazakhstan president said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Trade between our countries is growing steadily. We are convinced that peace and development in Afghanistan must go hand in hand, he emphasised. Related Last month, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that expressed concern over the country's deteriorating humanitarian, economic and human rights crises, calling for international support for the people of Afghanistan. In a statement, it noted that 2025 humanitarian needs and response plan for Afghanistan which seeks $2.4 billion to assist nearly 17 million people is only 22% funded. It is possible that the new regional centre will focus on facilitating this work through intraregional cooperation. The Brief The Upper Darby School District will buy the shuttered Delaware County Memorial Hospital for $600,000. The district plans to make it a part of the high school campus. UPPER DARBY TWP., Pa. - After years of planning, the Upper Darby School District says they are purchasing the shuttered Delaware County Memorial Hospital, which is right next to the high school, for $600,000. What we know If everything goes as planned, Superintendent Dr. Daniel McGarry says closing is on August 13th. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I know there are a lot of mixed feelings. We would have loved for it to remain a hospital," said Dr. McGarry. "If anyone were to take over this property, I feel we were the best to have done so." Its the first sale since the for-profit owner of Crozer Health, Prospect Medical Holdings, announced the closure of the health system, and shut the doors of its two remaining hospitals in Delaware County earlier this year. "It was a great hospital, great people worked there, but they need to have a practical solution about filling that space right there and seems sad to waste a building," said Jamie Chowdhury, a Delaware County resident. "I think it will be a good use of the space." Dr. McGarry says they are almost certain they will have to knock down the building, but will still explore that opportunity again before doing so. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A long-term goal is to build a building that could be used as a swing space as they update their other facilities, then turn it into an off-branch campus for Upper Darby High School. What they're saying "Ultimately wed like to make it an off-shoot branch part of the high school campus as a STEAM type of facility, alleviating some of the overcrowding in the high school and providing different educational opportunities to high school students," he says. "Were securing this for a long-term plan, were not going to be able to afford right now to go out and do all of this." Dr. McGarry says its too early to say what any of the costs would entail after the purchase, or how that could impact taxpayers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While its not healthcare, Dr. Monica Taylor, chair of the Delaware County Council, says if the building was going to sit abandoned, they are very happy the school district was able to step in. "Upper Darby is a very densely populated location, so theres not much available in terms of property," she said. "So, I think this is a win for the community." The sale agreement came after Prospect filed a motion to abandon Delaware County Memorial and Taylor Hospital properties. Dr. Taylor says in bankruptcy court this week, an attorney for Prospect claimed that a potential buyer toured Taylor Hospital. She says they are still waiting to see how things will shake out in terms of the funding that Prospect still owes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a way for them to get out of some of that, but there is still a process through the bankruptcy that well see if any of it is able to come back to the county, the municipality, the school district," she said Dr. Taylor says bidders have come forward for Crozer Chester Medical Center and Springfield Hospital, but Prospect has not moved forward yet. "We are holding out hope for healthcare in the other locations," she said. FOX 29 reached out to an attorney for Prospect Medical Holdings. We will bring you their response when we receive it. In two weeks, students from the Upper Saint Clair School District will head back to class, and this year, there are new rules when it comes to cell phones and other electronics. Some fear the changes are not enough. It does not seem to be consistent with research or best practices on how to go about creating a phone-free environment thats beneficial for kids learning and kids social skills, Katie Talarico-Ramirez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Talarico-Ramirez and Dr. Nick Flower are co-founders of the parent-led advocacy group USC Unplugged. As a clinical psychologist, I see this all the time in my practice, are the negative and harmful effects that this constant availability of devices has done to consciousness and the mental health of our young people and our adults, Flower said. Which is why he and others are behind a strong push to get Personal Electronic Devices, or PEDs, out of the classroom. On Monday, the Upper Saint Clair school board rolled out its new administration regulation to the existing policy regarding electronic devices, which the district says will provide consistency across all grades. Kindergarten through 6th graders arent allowed to use cell phones in school, and if a smartwatch is used, it must be in do-not-disturb mode. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The devices, even if theyre on do not disturb, thats still a huge problem because research shows that even if a device is on do not disturb, its still causing cognitive distraction, Flower said. 7th-8th grade students can bring the electronics to school but have to silence their phones and leave them in a locker unless given the go-ahead by a teacher. 9-10th graders are allowed to use their PEDs during study and lunch and the same goes for 11-12th graders. The policy gives teachers the final authorization for most usage. Its also putting a huge burden on our teachers to police these devices throughout the school day, Talarico-Ramirez said. Those with USC unplugged say theyve been fighting for a bell-to-bell no device policy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Phones are securely away from the first bell of the school day to the last bell of the school day, Talarico-Ramirez said. Currently, 17 states plus D.C. have the bell-to-bell policy. The goal is to get it here. Parents say theyre glad the district is acknowledging the impact these devices have, but say theyre going to continue to push for a bell-to-bell policy. Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW SYRACUSE, N.Y. (WSYR-TV) The most detail yet about Upstate University Hospitals plans for a new emergency department have been posted within the states request for contractors to bid on the project. The request asks for companies to bid on both designing and constructing the facility, referred to as a hospital annex. The expansion will house the hospitals new emergency department, intensive care unit, burn unit, surgery suite with operating rooms, and more. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The additional space will include a sterile processing department, medical imaging, catheterization, and radiology. The plan calls for up to four of the campuss existing buildings within the same block to possibly be demolished: Clark Tower, Jacobson Hall, the building housing the Bioethics department, and the Campus Activities Building. Each impacted building is designed for medical student use or university administration. The block is across East Adams Street from the current emergency department. The annex would be physically connected to the existing hospital. In an interview with NewsChannel 9s Newsmakers in March, Upstate Hospital leaders said the new emergency department will be four times larger than the current 35-bed facility. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sometimes well have 120 patients in our ED, said Upstate Hospital CEO Dr. Robert Corona at the time. Construction is estimated to cost up to $330 million, according to the bid listing. The New York State budget allocated $450 million for the entire project. The available budget will determine the buildings final square footage and programmatic elements, which may result in a smaller footprint than previously outlined, the listing said. The current emergency department, built underneath Upstate Golisano Childrens Hospital, will become a pediatric-only emergency facility. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WSYR. US defense tech company Anduril is beefing up its relationship with Taiwan by opening a local office and selling it AI-powered attack drones, the company said in a release Tuesday. The announcement comes as tensions between the island and China escalate and fears mount over a potential invasion. As threats to Taiwan grow, so do the risks to regional security and global prosperity, the company said. Ensuring Taiwan can defend itself with asymmetric, combat-effective capabilities is critical to American interests. A chart showing Taiwans military expenditure from 2010 to 2024. By opening a Taiwan office and partnering with local entities, Anduril says it hopes to tap into the areas engineering talent and world-class research. With lofty ambitions to manufacture 180,000 drones annually by 2028, Taiwan is also working to jumpstart its domestic industry, but with little success so far, Wired reported. Taiwans chipmaking prowess is of strategic importance to the US and its AI ambitions, even as Trump attempts to shift semiconductor manufacturing back to the US and pledges to slap tariffs on chips. That makes Chinese pressure on the island also a threat to Americas technological edge over China. HUNTSVILLE, Ala. The U.S. Army is about three months away from releasing its air and missile defense strategy for 2040, Lt. Gen. Sean Gainey, commander of the services Space and Missile Defense Command, said Tuesday at the Space and Missile Defense Symposium. One year ago, at the same conference in Huntsville, Alabama, Gainey announced that a strategy was in the works to address a variety of new and emerging complex threats and would roll that document out in October 2025. We are taking stock of lessons learned from the field, the increased options that artificial intelligence and advanced technology present and we are getting back to the basics, remembering mass has a quantity of its own, Gainey said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The war in Ukraine and fighting in the Middle East have painted stark pictures of the challenges the Army will face when it comes to air and missile defense going forward. The Army is planning to grow its air and missile defense capability by 30% over the next eight years, according to Gainey. The last time the service released an air and missile defense strategy was in 2018, which was focused on the 2028 time period. That strategy centered on structure and force organization. Now, the new strategy must address rising battlefield challenges observed in real conflict and take into account the development of President Donald Trumps Golden Dome, a missile defense shield for the homeland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The strategy, Gainey said, takes into account fundamental changes in how the Army will fight in combat, such as combining lethal and nonlethal capabilities, the integration of offensive and defensive fires, human-machine integration and the incorporation of artificial intelligence. The advent of the Integrated Battle Command System, or IBCS, which is designed to connect any sensor to any shooter on the battlefield, will be in every formation, tying together disaggregated capability across the terrain for defense, and create pockets of areas of defensive priority where it is needed the most, Gainey said. Additionally, the new strategy focuses on prioritizing smart missile defeat, Gainey said, which is the ability to get after the missile threat before it even leaves the ground. Leveraging missile defeat introduces a whole new element into the calculus, he said, because it addresses the mass challenge faced in modern warfare as threats come in larger and larger salvos. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We can no longer look at it the same interceptor on interceptor, he noted. Missile defeat is one of the big areas inside of that strategy that were really pushing across the department. One of the key technology focus areas is incorporating artificial intelligence to address operator overload. Officials have said AI will be an important aspect of homeland missile defense, particularly for Golden Dome, because defending large swaths of territory will require more than what manpower and systems alone can handle. The Army sees growing involvement in homeland missile defense beyond managing the current Ground-based Midcourse Defense system. Space and Missile Defense Command already provides a defense to the homeland, and as we move forward, we see this command taking a larger role in the defense of the homeland, Gainey said. By Andrew Goudsward (Reuters) -A U.S. Army soldier was arrested on Wednesday for allegedly seeking to pass sensitive information about American battle tanks to the Russian government, according to the U.S. Justice Department. Taylor Adam Lee, 22, an active-duty soldier stationed at Fort Bliss in Texas, is facing two federal charges accusing him of attempting to transmit national defense information and export controlled technical data without a license, according to court documents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Todays arrest is a message to anyone thinking about betraying the U.S. especially service members who have sworn to protect our homeland. The FBI and our partners will do everything in our power to protect Americans and safeguard classified information, Assistant Director Roman Rozhavsky of the FBIs Counterintelligence Division said in a statement. Lee has not yet entered a plea on the charges, which were filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas. Attorney information for Lee was not immediately available. Prosecutors accused Lee, who holds a top-secret security clearance, of attempting to share information on the operation and vulnerabilities of the M1A2 Abrams, the main U.S. battle tank, with the Russian government in exchange for Russian citizenship. Last month, Lee shared an SD card that contained documents and information about the tank and other U.S. military operations with someone he believed to be a Russian intelligence officer. The documents contained technical data Lee was not authorized to provide and some were marked Controlled Unclassified Information, according to prosecutors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Soldiers who violate their oath and become insider threats will absolutely be caught and brought to justice, and we will continue to protect Army personnel and safeguard equipment, said Brigadier General Sean Stinchon, the commanding general of Army Counterintelligence Command. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Stephen Coates) In a tunnel 40 feet beneath the surface of the Greenland ice sheet, a Geiger counter screamed. It was 1964, the height of the Cold War. U.S. soldiers in the tunnel, 800 miles from the North Pole, were dismantling the Armys first portable nuclear reactor. Commanding Officer Joseph Franklin grabbed the radiation detector, ordered his men out and did a quick survey before retreating from the reactor. He had spent about two minutes exposed to a radiation field he estimated at 2,000 rads per hour, enough to make a person ill. When he came home from Greenland, the Army sent Franklin to the Bethesda Naval Hospital. There, he set off a whole body radiation counter designed to assess victims of nuclear accidents. Franklin was radioactive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Army called the reactor portable, even at 330 tons, because it was built from pieces that each fit in a C-130 cargo plane. It was powering Camp Century, one of the militarys most unusual bases. The Camp Century tunnels started as trenches cut into the ice. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Camp Century was a series of tunnels built into the Greenland ice sheet and used for both military research and scientific projects. The military boasted that the nuclear reactor there, known as the PM-2A, needed just 44 pounds of uranium to replace a million or more gallons of diesel fuel. Heat from the reactor ran lights and equipment and allowed the 200 or so men at the camp as many hot showers as they wanted in that brutally cold environment. The PM-2A was the third child in a family of eight Army reactors, several of them experiments in portable nuclear power. A few were misfits. PM-3A, nicknamed Nukey Poo, was installed at the Navy base at Antarcticas McMurdo Sound. It made a nuclear mess in the Antarctic, with 438 malfunctions in 10 years including a cracked and leaking containment vessel. SL-1, a stationary low-power nuclear reactor in Idaho, blew up during refueling, killing three men. SM-1 still sits 12 miles from the White House at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. It cost US$2 million to build and is expected to cost $68 million to clean up. The only truly mobile reactor, the ML-1, never really worked. The Army abandoned its truck-mounted portable reactor program in 1965. This is the ML-1. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Nearly 60 years after the PM-2A was installed and the ML-1 project abandoned, the U.S. military is exploring portable land-based nuclear reactors again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In May 2021, the Pentagon requested $60 million for Project Pele. Its goal: Design and build, within five years, a small, truck-mounted portable nuclear reactor that could be flown to remote locations and war zones. It would be able to be powered up and down for transport within a few days. The Navy has a long and mostly successful history of mobile nuclear power. The first two nuclear submarines, the Nautilus and the Skate, visited the North Pole in 1958, just before Camp Century was built. Two other nuclear submarines sank in the 1960s their reactors sit quietly on the Atlantic Ocean floor along with two plutonium-containing nuclear torpedos. Portable reactors on land pose different challenges any problems are not under thousands of feet of ocean water. Those in favor of mobile nuclear power for the battlefield claim it will provide nearly unlimited, low-carbon energy without the need for vulnerable supply convoys. Others argue that the costs and risks outweigh the benefits. There are also concerns about nuclear proliferation if mobile reactors are able to avoid international inspection. A leaking reactor on the Greenland ice sheet The PM-2A was built in 18 months. It arrived at Thule Air Force Base in Greenland in July 1960 and was dragged 138 miles across the ice sheet in pieces and then assembled at Camp Century. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When the reactor went critical for the first time in October, the engineers turned it off immediately because the PM-2A leaked neutrons, which can harm people. The Army fashioned lead shields and built walls of 55-gallon drums filled with ice and sawdust trying to protect the operators from radiation. The PM-2A ran for two years, making fossil fuel-free power and heat and far more neutrons than was safe. Those stray neutrons caused trouble. Steel pipes and the reactor vessel grew increasingly radioactive over time, as did traces of sodium in the snow. Cooling water leaking from the reactor contained dozens of radioactive isotopes potentially exposing personnel to radiation and leaving a legacy in the ice. When the reactor was dismantled for shipping, its metal pipes shed radioactive dust. Bulldozed snow that was once bathed in neutrons from the reactor released radioactive flakes of ice. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Franklin must have ingested some of the radioactive isotopes that the leaking neutrons made. In 2002, he had a cancerous prostate and kidney removed. By 2015, the cancer spread to his lungs and bones. He died of kidney cancer on March 8, 2017, as a retired, revered and decorated major general. Joseph Franklin (right) with pieces of the decommissioned PM-2A reactor at Thule Air Base. U.S. Army Photograph, from Franklin Family, Dignity Memorial Camp Centurys radioactive legacy Camp Century was shut down in 1967. During its eight-year life, scientists had used the base to drill down through the ice sheet and extract an ice core that my colleagues and I are still using today to reveal secrets of the ice sheets ancient past. Camp Century, its ice core and climate change are the focus of a book I am now writing. The PM-2A was found to be highly radioactive and was buried in an Idaho nuclear waste dump. Army hot waste dumping records indicate it left radioactive cooling water buried in a sump in the Greenland ice sheet. When scientists studying Camp Century in 2016 suggested that the warming climate now melting Greenlands ice could expose the camp and its waste, including lead, fuel oil, PCBs and possibly radiation, by 2100, relations between the U.S, Denmark and Greenland grew tense. Who would be responsible for the cleanup and any environmental damage? Portable nuclear reactors today There are major differences between nuclear power production in the 1960s and today. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Pele reactors fuel will be sealed in pellets the size of poppy seeds, and it will be air-cooled so theres no radioactive coolant to dispose of. Being able to produce energy with fewer greenhouse emissions is a positive in a warming world. The U.S. militarys liquid fuel use is close to all of Portugals or Perus. Not having to supply remote bases with as much fuel can also help protect lives in dangerous locations. But, the U.S. still has no coherent national strategy for nuclear waste disposal, and critics are asking what happens if Pele falls into enemy hands. Researchers at the Nuclear Regulatory Commission and the National Academy of Sciences have previously questioned the risks of nuclear reactors being attacked by terrorists. As proposals for portable reactors undergo review over the coming months, these and other concerns will be drawing attention. The U.S. militarys first attempts at land-based portable nuclear reactors didnt work out well in terms of environmental contamination, cost, human health and international relations. That history is worth remembering as the military considers new mobile reactors. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement [Get our best science, health and technology stories. Sign up for The Conversations science newsletter.] This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and trustworthy analysis to help you make sense of our complex world. It was written by: Paul Bierman, University of Vermont Read more: Paul Bierman receives funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation A luxury superyacht seized from a sanctioned Russian billionaire will be sold at auction next month, with sealed bids due Sept. 10, according to the official auction site. The Amadea yacht, valued at more than $300 million, was seized from sanctioned Russian billionaire Suleiman Kerimov, who has close ties to the Kremlin, in April 2022 in the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The auction represents one of the largest and most valuable sales of Russian oligarch assets seized under Western sanctions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 106-meter (348-foot) Amadea, built by German shipyard Lurssen in 2017, features a helipad, pool, jacuzzi, gym, spa, beauty salon, and eight staterooms. The vessel spans six decks and can accommodate up to 22 guests and 36 crew members. According to the auction's official site, the yacht is currently berthed in San Diego, California, and will be sold "as is, where is" to the highest bidder. A U.S. District Court in New York ordered the yacht forfeited in March 2025, and the U.S. Marshals Service authorized its sale in July. The auction is being administered by National Maritime Services in collaboration with Fraser Yachts, the official site reads. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under auction rules, bidders must submit a $10 million deposit and provide required documents by Sept. 5. The winning bidder must pay an additional $10 million within 10 days of being notified, then the full remaining amount within 28 days. The previous owner, Suleiman Kerimov, who built his fortune through stakes in Russian gold producer Polyus, has an estimated net worth of $10.7 billion, according to Forbes. The businessman was sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury in 2014 and 2018 over Russia's activities in Ukraine and Syria. The oligarch, who has close ties to Russian President Vladimir Putin, represents one of the primary targets of Western efforts to seize Russian assets following the invasion of Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement U.S. prosecutors filed a civil forfeiture lawsuit against the Amadea in October 2023, alleging Kerimov purchased the yacht through shell companies in 2021. Previously, in July 2022, the Treasury Department blocked a Delaware-based company called Heritage Trust, worth over $1 billion and linked to Kerimov. Officials said it was used to funnel money into the U.S. through front companies and European foundations. Read also: Witkoff meets Putin in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. The day after a destructive fire, the owners of a bed-and-breakfast in Old Fort are processing their loss and trying to decide what to do next. On Thursday afternoon, a thunderstorm came through Old Fort, a town which is still rebuilding after it was hit by Hurricane Helene 10 months ago. Thursdays storm brought lightning over the small town. During the storm, a bolt of lightning struck the Mountain Appalachian Inn bed-and-breakfast, located at 38 W. Main St. in Old Fort. The lightning set the house on fire. The bed-and-breakfast is in a historic wood-frame Victorian-style house built in the 1880s. It was heavily damaged in the fire. The owners of the inn and house are Chuck and Becky Aldridge. The pair have operated the bed-and-breakfast in their home since the late 1980s, Chuck Aldridge said. When lightning hit the home, the Aldridges were at the Arrowhead Gallery & Studios at 77 Catawba Ave. in Old Fort. Chuck Aldridge is the operations manager for the new location of the Arrowhead Gallery & Studios while his wife, Becky, is the president of the Arrowhead Artists & Artisans League. Chuck Aldridge said he, his wife and others heard the lightning strike while at the gallery and did not think much about it. Firefighters and emergency personnel from all over the area quickly responded to the blaze and worked to put it out, but the old wooden house burned quickly. After the fire, Chuck and Becky Aldridge released a statement on Facebook. As many of you know, our house was destroyed tonight by fire most likely caused by a lightning strike, the statement said. Our hearts are heavy but we have so much to be grateful for our safety, amazing firefighters and emergency personnel who battled the blaze, friends and family from this amazing downtown we call home and beyond Old Fort who reached out with a hug, offers of food, shelter, clothing and money. Once again we have experienced the best of humanity. We are stunned, exhausted, but so incredibly blessed! The couple has faced trials before. They endured the effects from Hurricane Helene. Like so many others in Old Fort, they have had to rebuild their lives. The Arrowhead Gallery was flooded at its previous building during the hurricane. Several feet of water got into that building and caused extensive damage. The Aldridges and other leaders of the gallery and studio worked for months to rebuild and reopen at a new location. A few years before that, Chuck faced health problems but he has since rebounded. The storm on Thursday resulted in the destruction of their home and livelihood. Chuck Aldridge said he and his wife are grateful they are safe and were not harmed by the lightning or the resulting fire. It could have been bad, he said. Chuck Aldridge said he and his wife are trying to determine what happened to his daughters dog Finn. The dog was at the house and as of Friday at noon, he has not yet been found, he said. Finn weighs around 30 pounds, has on a pink collar with his name on it, and has an underbite, according to a Facebook post. On Friday, the day after the fire, the Aldridges were at the Arrowhead Gallery in an emotional meeting with friends and neighbors who were there to offer help and support. The couple had just bought clothes to replace some of the ones lost. He said the outpouring of help for him and his wife is like the outpouring of help when Hurricane Helene happened. An outpouring of help was there for us, he said. So many people want to help. We will stay with my son near Old Fort. I want to be close and stay with him so I can figure out what the next step is. The couple is still processing what has happened and taking it one step at a time. Shes like me, said Chuck Aldridge of his wife. Shes waiting for the next step. Chuck said he always thought of himself as the caretaker of the historic house that became their home. Now, people in Old Fort, McDowell County and the surrounding area are coming forward to care for Chuck and Becky Aldridge. WASHINGTON (AP) The United States is auctioning off the $325 million yacht Amadea, its first sale of a seized Russian luxury ship since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine. The auction, which closes Sept. 10, comes as President Donald Trump seeks to increase pressure on Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war. The U.S. has said its working with allies to put pressure on Russian oligarchs, some of whom are close to Putin and have had their yachts seized, to try to compel him to stop the war. The 348-foot-long (106-meter-long) yacht, seized three years ago and currently docked in San Diego, was custom built by the German company Lurssen in 2017. Designed by Francois Zuretti, the yacht features an interior with extensive marble work, eight state rooms, a beauty salon, a spa, a gym, a helipad, a swimming pool and an elevator. It accommodates 16 guests and 36 crew members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Determining the real ownership of the Amadea has been an issue of contention because of an opaque trail of trusts and shell companies. The yacht is registered in the Cayman Islands and is owned by Millemarin Investments Ltd., also based in the Cayman Islands. The U.S. contends that Suleiman Kerimov, an economist and former Russian politician, who was sanctioned by the U.S. in 2018 for alleged money laundering, owns the yacht. Meanwhile, Eduard Khudainatov, a former chairman and chief executive of the state-controlled Russian oil and gas company Rosneft, who has not been sanctioned, claims to own it. U.S. prosecutors say Khudainatov is a straw owner of the yacht, intended to conceal the yachts true owner, Kerimov. Litigation over the true ownership of the yacht is ongoing. A representative of Khudainatov said in an emailed statement Wednesday that the planned sale of the yacht is improper and premature since Khudainatov is appealing a forfeiture ruling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We doubt it will attract any rational buyer at fair market price, because ownership can, and will, be challenged in courts outside the United States, exposing purchasers to years of costly, uncertain litigation, said the representative, Adam Ford. The yacht has been virtually untouched since the National Maritime Services took custody of it in 2022. To submit a sealed bid on it, bidders must put in a 10 million euro deposit, the equivalent of roughly $11.6 million, to be considered. Ford said Khudainatov would go after any proceeds from the sale of the yacht, estimated to be worth $325 million. Should the government press ahead simply to staunch the mounting costs it is imposing on the American taxpayer, we will pursue the sale proceeds, and any shortfall from fair market value, once we prevail in court," Ford said. A U.S. aid package for Ukraine signed into law in May 2024 gave the U.S. the ability to seize Russian state assets located in the U.S. and use them for the benefit of Kyiv, which was attacked by Russia in February 2022. By Andrew Goudsward WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. on Wednesday brought federal hate crime charges against the suspect accused of gunning down two Israeli embassy staffers outside a museum in Washington in May, alleging he targeted them because they were Israelis, court papers showed. The nine-count indictment returned against Elias Rodriguez, 31, accuses him of carrying out a hate crime resulting in death motivated by the "actual and perceived national origin of any person." Rodriguez also faces charges of first-degree murder and murder of a foreign official. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The indictment also includes special findings that would make Rodriguez eligible for the death penalty if convicted. Rodriguez was accused of fatally shooting Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, who were about to be engaged to be married. They were leaving a May 21 event for young professionals and diplomats at the Capital Jewish Museum and hosted by the American Jewish Committee, an advocacy group that fights antisemitism and supports Israel, when they were killed. Rodriguez told police at the scene: I did it for Palestine. I did it for Gaza, according to a criminal complaint. Witnesses recounted hearing him chant "Free Palestine" after he was taken into custody. He has not yet entered a plea to the prior charges, which also include causing death with a firearm and discharging a firearm in a crime of violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The killings in downtown Washington were widely condemned as an act of antisemitism and shook Jewish communities around the world. Jeanine Pirro, the top federal prosecutor in Washington said in May that the shooting would be investigated as a hate crime and the charges could carry the death penalty. The indictment by a federal grand jury comes ahead of a scheduled court appearance in Rodriguezs case on Friday. It alleges Rodriguez had a history of violent rhetoric online against Israelis, including a plea to "vaporize every Israeli 18 and above." Before the shooting, he scheduled a social media post to publish later that night with a document arguing that perpetrators and abettors of Israel's military actions in Gaza had "forfeited their humanity," according to the indictment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodriguez, who was born and raised in Chicago, flew to the Washington area from Chicago the day before the shooting. He was seen pacing outside the museum, little more than a mile (1.6 km) from the White House, shortly before the shooting, police said. Surveillance video footage showed Rodriguez firing about 20 rounds at Lischinsky and Milgrim, then leaning over them to fire several more rounds after they fell to the ground and after Milgrim tried to crawl away and sat up, according to an FBI affidavit in the criminal complaint. The gunman paused to reload, then resumed firing, it said. He then tossed away his gun, retreated into the museum and was arrested there after calling attention to himself as the suspect, pulling out a red Palestinian-style keffiyeh scarf and declaring that he "did it," the affidavit said. (Reporting by Andrew Goudsward; Editing by Scott Malone) The US cities where furniture manufacturing still thrives For much of the 20th century, American homes were furnished by factories scattered across the Midwest and South. House of Leon explains that while globalization pushed much of that manufacturing overseas, several U.S. cities remain synonymous with furniture productiondriven by a blend of history, craftsmanship, and industrial know-how. High Point, North Carolina: The Unrivaled Leader No city has embraced its furniture legacy quite like High Point, North Carolina, long branded the Furniture Capital of the World. For over a century, the city has been the epicenter of American furniture design and manufacturing. At its peak in the mid-20th century, an estimated 60% of all U.S.-made furniture was produced within 125 miles of High Point, a staggering statistic that underscores its dominance. Today, the biannual High Point Marketthe world's largest home furnishings trade showdraws over 70,000 designers, retailers, and buyers from around the globe, filling 11 million square feet of showroom space. Despite increased imports, High Point and its neighboring towns like Thomasville and Lexington remain central players in U.S. furniture production, particularly in wood and upholstered furnishings. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Source: Architectural Digest, Southern Living, High Point Market Authority Grand Rapids, Michigan: The Home of Office Furniture While High Point leads in residential furniture, Grand Rapids, Michiganaptly nicknamed Furniture Cityhas become the headquarters for some of the biggest names in commercial and office furniture. Brands like Steelcase, Herman Miller, Haworth, and American Seating all call the region home, producing the desks and chairs that fill corporate offices worldwide. The citys furniture roots date back to the 1800s when Scandinavian immigrants established woodworking shops in the region. Today, Grand Rapids remains one of the worlds largest hubs for high-end office furnishings, according to the Grand Rapids Historical Society and Steelcase Company History. Chicago: A Hidden Giant Chicago may be better known for its architecture than its manufacturing, but the metro area is home to nearly 300 furniture manufacturers, making it one of the largest hubs in the country. Companies in and around the Windy City produce everything from commercial fixtures to residential pieces, benefiting from the citys historic transportation networks and skilled labor force. Gardner, Massachusetts: A Legacy of Craftsmanship On a smaller scale, Gardner, Massachusetts, once known as the Chair City of the World, still holds a place in Americas furniture heritage. By 1910, Gardners factories were producing an estimated 4 million chairs a year, a staggering output for a town of its size. Though modern production has waned, the legacy of craftsmanship remains part of the towns DNA. Why These Cities Persist While low-cost imports from Asia have decimated much of Americas manufacturing base, these cities continue to thrive thanks to: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Deep-rooted industry clusters that support skilled labor, suppliers, and logistics. Proximity to major U.S. markets, reducing lead times compared to overseas shipping. A growing demand for custom, sustainable, and American-made furniture, particularly in the high-end market. The Bigger Picture: State Leaders At the state level, North Carolina still leads in total furniture manufacturing facilities, followed by California, Texas, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, and Pennsylvania. Smaller states like Indiana and Wisconsin punch above their weight in specialty production. The Future of American Furniture Manufacturing Even as global supply chains evolve, these American cities show that furniture manufacturing is far from dead. Instead, it's becoming more specialized, design-driven, and increasingly responsive to consumer demand for sustainability and quality. High Point may no longer produce the majority of Americas furniture, but twice a year, the world still comes knocking. This story was produced by House of Leon and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. WILKES-BARRE, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) A ceremony was held on Wednesday to honor new American citizens living in Luzerne County. Wilkes-Barre Mayor George Brown hosted the event, inviting 40 new citizens into the city council chambers to welcome them and say thank you. The ceremony is organized by Danny Lugo, owner of Quisqueyana Multiservice. Lugo came from the Dominican Republic before becoming an American citizen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luzerne County manager discusses public services and challenges She partnered with the city to her office on Scott Street to work with the Latino community to help them gain their citizenship. This is a great step. Its like a milestone for everyone to become a US citizen. This is a great country, and this is like the maximum that we can reach becoming a citizen of one of the best countries in the world. So we celebrate every one of you, Lugo explained. Lugo is planning to expand into Scranton to help immigrants living there become American citizens as well. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to 28/22 News. Tourists and business travelers from Zambia and Malawi must pay a deposit of up to $15,000 when seeking a US visa, the State Department has announced, in a move likened to a visa ban for the African nations, which rank among the worlds poorest. Payment of the visa bond, which aims to rein in visa overstays, does not guarantee visa issuance, the notice posted on Tuesday warned, stating that the fee would be reimbursed if certain conditions are met. The bond will be canceled and the bond money will be automatically returned in the following circumstances: The visa holder departs from the United States on or before the date to which he or she is authorized to remain in the United States; or the visa holder does not travel to the United States before the expiration of the visa; or the visa holder applies for and is denied admission at the U.S. port of entry. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Trump administration has aggressively clamped down on immigration and continues to tighten requirements for securing US visas. The visa bond follows the planned introduction of a $250 visa integrity fee that foreign visitors are required to pay, separate from their visa costs. The fee is also reimbursable if travelers comply with their visa conditions. The visa bonds target visitors from countries identified as having high visa overstay rates, where screening and vetting information is deemed deficient, or offering citizenship by investment, if the alien obtained citizenship with no residency requirement, a separate notice published in the Federal Register stated. Why are Malawi and Zambia singled out? Malawi, a country in Southeastern Africa, and its neighbor, Zambia, are the only nations slapped with the visa bond that starts August 20 for a 12-month pilot period. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Neither country has the highest visa overstay rates in the world or even in Africa, according to Homeland Securitys last published data. And neither was included among countries the US banned or imposed partial travel restrictions on in June for visa overstays or posing security risks. In an email to CNN Wednesday, a State Department spokesperson would not clarify why other countries, which had higher visa overstay rates, did not face the same measure. According to the Department of Homeland Securitys most recent data, in addition to operational and other considerations, nationals of these countries who traveled to the United States on nonimmigrant visas exceeded their authorized period of admission at high rates, elevated overstay rates generally suggest a greater likelihood that nationals from these countries may fail to depart the United States as required or otherwise not comply with U.S. immigration laws, the statement said. Human rights lawyer, Habiba Osman, who heads Malawis Human Rights Commission, told CNN that the imposition of the visa bond was unfair and a serious financial burden for genuine travelers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The bond is inhumane for a country like Malawi, added Osman, who makes frequent trips to the US. This move is punishing those who travel in good faith. Malawian authorities are yet to publicly comment on the matter. Zambias foreign minister, Mulambo Haimbe, told CNN he would speak after internal consultation. Travel to the US could get harder in the coming months for many African nations. Seven from the continent were banned two months ago, and three others were partially restricted. A mooted expansion of the travel restrictions would halt travel to the US for swathes of West Africa if implemented. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Russian President Vladimir Putin held a roughly three-hour meeting in Moscow with US special envoy Steve Witkoff, the Russian state news agency TASS reported, citing the Kremlin. No details of Wednesday's meeting were initially disclosed. Kremlin photos showed that Putin's foreign policy adviser, Yuri Ushakov, also took part in the talks. In July, US President Donald Trump gave Moscow a 50-day deadline to end the war in Ukraine. The timeline was then shortened to this Friday. Trump has threatened a new wave of sanctions if Russia fails to comply, including on countries that purchase Russian oil and gas, like India. New Delhi, India When Donald Trump returned to the White House in January, many Indian analysts celebrated, arguing that his bonhomie with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi would shield the country from the chaos that the United States president could unleash. The two leaders had effectively campaigned for each other previously, attending joint rallies. They have repeatedly described each other as friends and, in February, Modi was among the first world leaders to visit Trump in the White House. But six months later, a sobering reality has hit New Delhi. Trump first punished it with a 25 percent tariff on imports in late July and then, on Wednesday, he doubled that to 50 percent because of Indias oil purchases from Russia, as he tries to force Moscow into accepting a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, an official spokesperson for the Indian government responded to the announcement of the additional 25 percent tariff. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India, the spokesperson said. It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests. An India-US trade deal remains elusive, and bilateral relations are on a slippery slope, according to some experts. US-India relations are at the lowest point in decades, Biswajit Dhar, a trade economist who has worked on several Indian trade deals, told Al Jazeera. Dozens of other countries, including neighbours India has tense ties with, such as Pakistan and Bangladesh, are facing lower tariffs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Addressing a public rally on Saturday, Modi took a defiant stance against Trumps tariff assaults. The world economy is going through many apprehensions. There is an atmosphere of instability, Modi said. Now, whatever we buy, there should be only one scale: we will buy those things which have been made by the sweat of an Indian, he added. Modis comments come as Indian officials reportedly reject stopping the buying of Russian crude. Trump has blamed Indias buying of Russian oil for helping finance Moscows war on Ukraine. They [Indians] dont care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine, Trump said Monday. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So, how did we get here? What are the growing points of discord between India and the US? And could India give up on Russian oil to save its relationship with the US? What are the friction points in US-India relations? Modi and Trump might speak highly of each other, but there are a growing number of areas where India and the US are at odds, ranging from trade agreements to strategic alignment. No trade deal Trade has long been a sticking point in US-India relations, even as strategic and defence ties have deepened. The US has consistently pushed for greater market access, lower tariffs and stronger protections, especially for its tech, pharmaceutical and agricultural exports. India, on the other hand, has resisted what it sees as disproportionate pressure to open up its economy in ways that may harm its domestic industries and small farmers. Yet, before Trump, the two countries managed this economic relationship, despite its imbalance: India sold twice as much to the US as the US sold to India. The US wanted access to Indias growing markets, and India needed to export to the US, so keeping ties afloat was important to both. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Trump first announced tariffs on almost all trading partners on April 1, Indian and US officials began talks to stitch together a trade deal. But disagreements over e-commerce regulation, digital data flows and price controls on medical devices have reportedly stalled progress. Indian officials were frantically chasing the August 1 deadline set by Trump to avoid tariffs. But despite occasional breakthroughs, like India cutting tariffs on some US goods, the two countries have not yet concluded a full bilateral trade deal. With negotiations still under way, New Delhi now faces 25 percent tariffs on its exports to the US, and Trump has threatened unspecified additional penalties tied to Indias energy and arms purchases from Russia. This is a pressure tactic by Trump, said Anil Trigunayat, a former Indian diplomat who has served as Indias trade commissioner in New York. Unlike others, India has not given in to what the Americans want because we have to protect our MSMEs and agriculture, he added, using the acronym for micro, small, and medium enterprises. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Almost half of Indias population depends on agriculture for its livelihood, making the issue politically sensitive for every Indian government. Everybody is playing hardball on both sides, and its necessary to arrive at a mutually beneficial solution, Trigunayat told Al Jazeera. US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi shake hands during a news conference in the East Room of the White House, on February 13, 2025, in Washington, DC, the US [Alex Brandon/AP] Indias close ties with Russia As Trumps frustrations with Russia mount over stalled peace talks to end the war in Ukraine, the US president has been looking for more ways to corner Moscow. Indias longstanding relationship with Russia has emerged as a key target for Washington. While the US views India as a key partner in countering Chinas rise in the Asia Pacific, it has grown increasingly uneasy with New Delhis continued defence and energy ties with Moscow, analysts say. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a time when the West has shunned Russian President Vladimir Putin, who also faces an arrest warrant from the International Criminal Court related to the war in Ukraine, Modi visited Russia twice last year. In July 2024, Putin conferred upon Modi the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the FirstCalled, Russias highest civilian honour. Russia remains one of Indias largest arms suppliers, and their cooperation spans critical technologies, including missile systems and nuclear reactors. And after Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India ramped up imports of discounted Russian crude oil. Kashmir ceasefire After an attack by gunmen in Indian-administered Kashmirs Pahalgam resort town on April 22, in which 26 civilians were killed, India and Pakistan engaged in their most expansive military conflict in decades. As the South Asian nuclear-armed rivals traded missile and drone attacks in May, Trump said he intervened and told both countries to agree to a ceasefire, or there would be no trade. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Fellas, come on. Lets make a deal. Lets do some trading. Lets not trade nuclear missiles. Lets trade the things that you make so beautifully, Trump said a few days later in Riyadh. I used trade to a large extent to do [the ceasefire]. And it all stopped, he added. In India, which has long held the position that all disputes with Pakistan must be settled bilaterally, with no third-party mediation, Trumps claim that he engineered the May 10 ceasefire that stopped the fighting has sparked criticism of Modi from the opposition. Modis government has insisted that the truce was brought about bilaterally, that Modi did not speak to Trump during the conflict, and that contrary to the US presidents claims trade was never discussed as a factor in negotiating the ceasefire. But Trump has doubled down on his claim, mentioning more than 30 times that he brokered peace. Growing US-Pakistan ties After the ceasefire between India and Pakistan in May, Trump hosted Pakistans army chief, Asim Munir, at the White House. Never before had a US president hosted a Pakistani military boss who was not also the head of state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That meeting underscored a growing warmth between Washington and Islamabad after years of tense ties, with US military officials crediting Pakistan with helping them capture wanted terrorists. The government of Pakistan also officially endorsed Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize for recognition of his decisive diplomatic intervention and pivotal leadership during the recent India-Pakistan crisis. A day after meeting Munir, Trump called Modi a fantastic man, but added that Munir was extremely influential in bringing about the ceasefire. I love Pakistan, Trump said, and repeated: I stopped the war between Pakistan and India. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Trump targeted India in his latest tariff assault, he took to his Truth Social platform to reveal that he had concluded a deal with Pakistan, in which they would work together on developing oil reserves. Who knows, maybe theyll be selling Oil to India some day! he wrote. Later, the US imposed a 19 percent tariff on imports from Pakistan, which Islamabad hailed as balanced and forward-looking. Big Tech hiring, deportation Days before Modi visited Trump in February, visuals emerged of Indian citizens in the US, shackled in chains, parading towards a US military aircraft, prompting anger in India over the treatment of its nationals. Returnees, immigrants without documents to stay in the US, described being chained throughout the flight to India, unable to move for nearly 40 hours. Like trade, the issue of deportation has been at the centre of Trumps re-election campaign. And it is not just undocumented migrants. After assuming the presidency, Trumps administration has also come under pressure from the presidents Make America Great Again (MAGA) base to crack down on H1B work visas, nearly 72 percent of which go to Indians. Last month, speaking at an artificial intelligence summit in Washington, DC, Trump singled out tech giants like Google, Microsoft and Apple for hiring workers from India. Trump declared, The days of hiring workers in India are over, and urged companies to prioritise jobs for Americans and disconnect from outsourcing models tied to India and China. Russian President Vladimir Putin awards Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the Order of St Andrew the Apostle the First-Called, at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, on July 9, 2024 [Evgenia Novozhenina/Reuters] Whats the latest spark in US-India tensions? Russias war on Ukraine has emerged as the latest trigger, as Trump tried to push Putin into accepting a ceasefire. On Monday, Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform that India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. Earlier, Stephen Miller, the deputy chief of staff at the White House and one of the US presidents most influential aides, linked Indias buying of Russian crude to financing Moscows war in Ukraine. What [Trump] said very clearly is that it is not acceptable for India to continue financing this war by purchasing the oil from Russia, said Miller. People will be shocked to learn that India is basically tied with China in purchasing Russian oil. Thats an astonishing fact, Miller told Fox Newss Sunday Morning Futures. India imports nearly 2 million barrels of crude oil per day from Russia, making it the second-largest purchaser of Russian oil after China. Russia also tops the list of Indias arms suppliers. How has India reacted to Trump? On Monday, Indias Ministry of External Affairs responded sharply, calling the USs targeting of New Delhi over the buying of Russian oil unjustified and unreasonable. It accused the West of double standards, pointing out how Europe traded more with Russia in 2024 than India did, and how the US continues to import chemicals and fertilisers from Russia. It also said that the US has actively encouraged it to buy Russian oil, so that global crude prices would stay under control while the West could reduce its dependence on Russian energy. India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security, the statement concluded. Will India stop buying Russian oil to please Trump? That is very unlikely, experts say. India has historically since independence from Britain in 1947 cherished its strategic autonomy, including during the Cold War, when it stayed non-aligned. Since the end of the Cold War, it has deepened strategic and military ties with the US while maintaining its traditional friendship with Russia. Trump is trying to wean India off its strategic autonomy policy by going after its ties with Russia and membership in BRICS, Michael Kugelman, director of the South Asia Institute at the Wilson Center in Washington, DC, told Al Jazeera, referring to the Trumps threats of higher tariffs against members of the bloc that includes several leading nations of the Global South. But Delhi is not about to jettison this policy in the face of Trumps pressure. On the contrary, I expect it to double down. Late on Tuesday, Indias National Security Adviser Ajit Doval landed in Moscow. Minister of External Affairs S Jaishankar is expected to visit Russia later this month. And New Delhi has confirmed that Putin will be visiting India later this year, for the first time since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. In recent weeks, India has also indicated that it is open to reviving a trilateral grouping including Russia and China, the Wests two big rivals. Can the US or Europe give up their strategic autonomy? asked Jayati Ghosh, economics professor at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. India has more people than both of them put together. It is absurd to even think that India can give up that, she told Al Jazeera. Russian President Vladimir Putin, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Chinese President Xi Jinping hold a meeting on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Osaka on June 28, 2019 [Mikhail Klimentyev/Sputnik/ AFP] What does this mean for future of US-India relationship? Echoing Dhar, the economist, Kugelman said that US-India relations have sunk to their lowest level during the last two decades of strategic partnership, which began taking shape in the early years of the 21st century. Non-alignment with foreign governments remains a critical component of Indias foreign policy, said Kugelman, adding that he expects that to continue. And because India maintained this balance after Russias invasion of Ukraine, Trump is penalising [New Delhi] for trying to maintain the balance [between US and Russia], he said. [Thats] something that the Biden administration never did, he added, referring to the previous administration of US President Joe Biden. Trigunayat, the former diplomat, said that strategic autonomy for India is more important now than ever. India, with the worlds largest population, has its own approach to strategic autonomy thats in the DNA of Indian foreign policy. In the longer run, Kugelman said that New Delhi will hope that Trumps ire will eventually blow over a likely case if Russia agrees to stop fighting in Ukraine. In that sense, India may look to redouble efforts to press Putin to end the war, said Kugelman, because for now, Trump appears to be taking out his frustration with Putin on India. Alec Luhn, an American environmental journalist who went missing while hiking on a Norwegian glacier, was found alive and appeared to be in good condition, officials said Wednesday. The person who has been missing since Monday evening has been found alive near Folgefonna, the Norwegian Red Cross said in a statement shared on social media. He was located by helicopter crew and has now been transported for medical treatment. Luhn, 38, had been missing for nearly a week after embarking on a solo backpacking trip on July 31 in Folgefonna a wilderness park in southwestern Norway that is home to the countrys third-largest glacier. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Wisconsin native, who now lives in London with his wife, Veronika Silchenko, had left for the park from the town of Odda, on the northeast edge of Folgefonna, for what was expected to be a four-day hike. On Monday, Silchenko reported her husband missing after he failed to board his flight home. Search-and-rescue teams including a large group of volunteers, specialized climbing teams and drones had been trying to locate Luhn for two days, but their efforts were hampered by difficult terrain, poor visibility, rain, and high water levels. The weather improved early Wednesday, and Luhn was found shortly after 11:30 a.m., local time, according to the Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Luhn, an experienced hiker, was found conscious after nearly a week in the wilderness. According to his wife, he injured his leg but was in good condition. I think its a miracle, Silchenko told CBS News. Its the best day of my life. A US climate journalist who went missing for nearly a week on a solo hiking trip in Norway has been found alive, his family has confirmed. Alec Luhn, 38, vanished during a trek on a glacier in Folgefonna National Park in the country's southwest. His wife, Veronika Silchenko, told CBS News, the BBC's US partner, that he sustained a leg injury but was otherwise in good health. "I think it's a miracle," Ms Silchenko said. "It's the best day of my life." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Luhn, who has worked for multiple news outlets, set off on his hike from the town of Odda in southwestern Norway on 31 July. He did not show up for his scheduled return flight home on Monday, prompting Ms Silchenko to alert authorities. Ms Silchenko said she was grateful for the Norwegian rescue team for finding her husband, and was waiting to speak to a doctor about the extent of his injury. No further details about his rescue have been released. She previously described Mr Luhn as an experienced outdoorsman who had camped in in difficult weather conditions. "Alec is basically obsessed with the Arctic," Ms Silchenko told CBS News. "He loves glaciers and snow, and he loves explorers." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a climate journalist, Mr Luhn has travelled extensively to document glaciers that are rapidly shrinking because of the effects of global warming. "He's trying his best to go to the coldest countries," she said. He has previously reported for numerous outlets, including the BBC, The Atlantic, National Geographic, The New York Times, Scientific American, Time magazine, and CBS. Last year, he wrote for the BBC about Canada's "zombie" fires, which burn year round and are believed to be exacerbated by climate change. By Luc Cohen NEW YORK (Reuters) -A U.S. jury deadlocked on Wednesday on money laundering and sanctions evasion charges against the founder of Tornado Cash, a firm that makes cryptocurrency transactions harder to track. The jury in Manhattan federal court could not reach a verdict on charges Roman Storm conspired to launder the proceeds of hacks, including by a sanctioned North Korean government-backed group. But the jury found him guilty of the less serious charge of conspiracy to operate an unlicensed money transmitting business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He faces up to five years in prison when he is sentenced by U.S. District Judge Katherine Failla at a later date. The money laundering and sanctions evasion conspiracy charges each carried possible 20-year sentences. Storm was arrested in 2023 on charges that the so-called mixer he founded helped hide more than $1 billion, including hundreds of millions of dollars for Pyongyang-backed hacking group Lazarus Group, which is blacklisted by the U.S. Treasury over its alleged financial support of North Korea. Storm, 36, had pleaded not guilty to all three felony charges he faced. Prosecutors told Failla they would inform her at a later date of whether they intend to re-try Storm on the money laundering and sanctions charges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a statement after the verdict, Manhattan U.S. Attorney Jay Clayton said, "Criminals who use new technology to commit age old crimes, including hiding dirty money, undermine the public trust." Storm may ask Failla to toss the conviction for unlicensed money transmitting, or appeal the conviction after he is sentenced. "We are grateful the jury did not convict Roman for violating sanctions or laundering money," Brian Klein, a lawyer for Storm, said in a statement after the verdict. Klein said he expected Storm to be vindicated on the unlicensed money transmission count as well, which he said faced "serious legal issues." In his closing argument on July 30 after a two-week trial in Manhattan federal court, defense lawyer David Patton said even though Tornado Cash's privacy tools may have been useful to criminals, Storm's intent was not to help conceal illicit funds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Roman very much did not want hackers and scammers to use Tornado Cash," Patton said. Prosecutor Benjamin Gianforti said Storm had been informed multiple times between 2020 and 2022 that Tornado Cash was helping criminals hide dirty money, but kept running the business out of greed. "The real money wasn't in protecting privacy for regular folks, it was in providing privacy for big-time crypto criminals," Gianforti said. Tornado Cash had itself been sanctioned by the U.S. Treasury under then-President Joe Biden's Democratic administration over its alleged support of North Korea. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Treasury lifted those sanctions in March, two months into Republican President Donald Trump's administration, saying it had reviewed legal and policy issues raised by the sanctions within "evolving technology and legal environments." (Reporting by Luc Cohen in New York; Editing by Daniel Wallis and Stephen Coates) President Donald Trump is reportedly set to propose for the U.S. to play a leading role in funding the reconstruction of Gaza but with one major condition: that Hamas leaves power in the enclave. The development was confirmed on Tuesday by Israeli outlet Channel 12 reporter Amit Segal, who said the goal is creating public pressure from the Gazan population. He added that Qatar is the main opponent of the initiative, as it supports pursuing reconstruction without forcing the group to lay down its arms. Donald Trump is planning to give a speech in which he proposes the rehabilitation of Gaza under American leadership and with significant US funding on the condition that Hamas is no longer in power. The rationale: To create public pressure on Hamas from within the Gazan Amit Segal (@AmitSegal) August 5, 2025 Speculation about the future of Gaza abounds as the Israeli government appears to move towards fully occupying the enclave. The cabinet is expected to make a final decision on the matter. The plan could even be pursued against the wishes of Army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir. "If this does not suit you, then you should resign," government officials told the general, according to the Jerusalem Post. 49 hostages are still in Gaza, including 27 the Israeli military says are dead. Several local outlets have confirmed the decision to occupy the enclave, escalating the conflict even further. The development comes after negotiations to achieve a ceasefire collapsed yet again in July. Reuters noted that U.S. Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff said last Saturday that he was working with the Israeli government on a plan to effectively end the war in the enclave. The outlet quoted another senior Israeli official who said that after the meeting "an understanding was emerging between Washington and Israel" on a need to shift from a partial deal to one that would "release all the hostages, disarm Hamas, and demilitarize the Gaza Strip." The first areas to be annexed would be those in the buffer zone, followed by some in the northern part close to the cities of Sderot and Ashkelon. It would continue progressively until the whole strip is annexed. It is not clear what would happen to the two million Palestinians living in Gaza. The Netanyahu government could move forward despite warnings from almost 20 former senior security officials, who on Sunday issued a joint video calling for the war to end. They argued that Israel has lost more than it won and that the fighting has continued for political reasons rather than military ones. Originally published on Latin Times Rwanda has signed a new agreement with the United States to receive up to 250 migrants, reinforcing its reputation as a sanctuary for displaced populations. Government spokesperson Yolande Makolo highlighted Rwandas historic experience with displacement and its enduring commitment to reintegration and rehabilitation. Speaking to Rwanda TV on Tuesday, August 5, she confirmed that the country would retain the authority to vet each case individually. Those accepted will receive healthcare, workforce training, and housing support as they begin new lives in one of Africas fastest-growing economies. This latest pact builds on Rwandas track record of providing refuge to migrants and asylum seekers, particularly through its collaboration with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). Between September 2019 and April 2025, Rwanda received 2,760 refugees evacuated from Libya via the Emergency Transit Mechanism. Most were from conflict-affected countries including Eritrea, Somalia, Sudan, and South Sudan. Over 2,100 of them have since been resettled in third countries. Rwandas approach continues to garner international attention for its proactive and structured support of vulnerable populations. By Benjamin Mejias (Reuters) -The U.S. Treasury Department on Wednesday announced sanctions on assets of four individuals whom it linked to Mexico-based Cartel del Noreste, including the popular hip-hop artist El Makabelico. Treasury said the sanctions target three "high-ranking members" of Cartel del Noreste (Northeast Cartel), which splintered off from Los Zetas, as well as a "prominent associate" of the group, Ricardo Hernandez, a 34-year-old musician known as El Makabelico who has millions of followers on social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Treasury said El Makabelico's concerts and events are used to launder money on behalf of the organization, "with 50 percent of his royalties from streaming platforms going directly to the group." A YouTube spokesperson said in a statement that the platform had "terminated channels associated with the sanctions announced" by the Treasury Department. "YouTube is committed to compliance with applicable U.S. sanctions laws," the statement said. A Spotify spokesperson said the company was reviewing the decision and would comply with its legal obligations. Apple did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DEL Records, which Hernandez lists as his label on social media, did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Treasury identified the three other individuals as Abdon Rodriguez, Antonio Romero and Francisco Esqueda. Washington said the sanctioned individuals have played a critical role in the cartel's activities, including drug trafficking, extortion and money laundering. The Treasury said it had also sanctioned two "high-ranking members" of the cartel in May. The cartel was among those that President Donald Trump's administration in February designated as global terrorist organizations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Treasury Department will continue to be relentless in its effort to put America First by targeting terrorist drug cartels. These cartels poison Americans with fentanyl and conduct human smuggling operations along our southwest border," said U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The Cartel del Noreste is considered one of Mexico's most violent drug trafficking organizations and wields significant influence along the U.S.-Mexico border, particularly at Laredo, Texas, the Treasury said. (Reporting by Benjamin Mejias Valencia; Editing by Rod Nickel, Leslie Adler and Hugh Lawson) By Kanishka Singh WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States has begun talks with the Cook Islands for research on seabed mineral exploration and development, the U.S. State Department said on Tuesday. The Cook Islands lie halfway between New Zealand and Hawaii and are made up of 15 islands and atolls. Western nations that traditionally held sway in the Pacific Islands have become increasingly concerned about China's plans to increase influence after Beijing signed defense, trade and financial deals with Pacific countries in recent years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The Government of the United States of America has begun discussions with the Government of the Cook Islands to support the research necessary to inform seabed exploration and responsible development within the Cook Islands' Exclusive Economic Zone," the State Department said in a statement. U.S.-linked firms "sit at the forefront" of deep seabed mineral research and exploration in the Cook Islands, it said. In June, New Zealand suspended millions of dollars in budget funding to the Cook Islands after its prime minister signed partnership agreements with China without consulting Wellington. Those agreements committed them to deepening cooperation in seabed mining as well as education, the economy, infrastructure, fisheries and disaster management. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On Wednesday, New Zealand's foreign ministry said it was aware of the new arrangement with the U.S. and respected "the rights and responsibilities of states to manage their mineral resources". The Cook Islands were within New Zealand's borders from 1901. In 1965, the country became self-governing but in free association with New Zealand. The constitutional ties require the two countries to consult on security, defense and foreign policy. (Reporting by Kanishka Singh and Ismail Shakil; Additional reporting by Christine Chen; Editing by Ross Colvin, Christopher Cushing and Lincoln Feast.) U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and Sen. Lisa Murkowskii, R-Alaska, listen to a question asked at a news conference held Tuesday at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium headquarters in Anchorage. At the event, which was part of Kennedy's itinerary during his Alaska trip, the secretary made several claims about vaccines that are disputed by medical experts. (Photo by Yereth Rosen/Alaska Beacon) U.S. Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr., in an Anchorage news conference, justified his decision to cancel about $500 million in federal funding for mRNA vaccine development by claiming that the vaccine developed to fight COVID-19 actually prolonged the pandemic. The mRNA vaccines, you know from COVID, dont work, he said, contradicting medical experts, at the news conference, held Tuesday at the Alaska Native Tribal Health Consortium headquarters in Anchorage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kennedy pointed to the COVID-19 virus mutating, to which the vaccine was ineffective. But that led to the development of adapted vaccines to target variants like the Omicron virus, beginning in 2022, that were shown to be effective in preventing infection and severe disease. Vaccines work by prompting the bodys natural immune response to fight infection. Kennedy repeated his questionable claims casting doubt on the science of vaccines, and said the Trump administration is putting major funding toward the National Institute of Health to develop a universal vaccine. Were going to fund that money. Were going to shift that money to develop universe vaccines that are much better technology, much safer, he said Tuesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a social media post, the president of the American Medical Association criticized the cancellation and countered Kennedys claims. COVID-19 vaccines using mRNA technology helped save countless lives during the pandemic. We urge the Administration to continue vital research to improve mRNA vaccines, not throw the baby out with the bathwater by effectively preventing research from moving forward, Dr. Bobby Mukkamala, the organizations president, said in a post on X. An estimated 2.5 million lives were saved by COVID-19 vaccines globally from 2020 to 2024, according to a study by the Journal of American Medical Association, and 15 million life-years saved. Scientists whose work led to development of the mRNA vaccine for COVID-19 won a Nobel Prize in 2023. Also at the Anchorage news conference, Kennedy reiterated his more general criticism of vaccines administered to children. He falsely claimed they are untested and that the department plans to now do randomized testing to check their safety, although all vaccines have already been tested before federal approval. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The current vaccine schedule is exempt from safety testing, and so none of the vaccines, with the exception of the COVID vaccine, has been tested against an inert placebo. That means that we dont know the risk profiles for those products. And people need to know that, and doctors need to know it, he said. Without such testing, it is unknown whether the vaccines cause more harm than good, he said. COVID vaccines have to go through three phases of clinical trials, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to make sure they are safe and effective, especially against severe illness, hospitalization and death. So for the first time, we are now going to do real randomized trials on vaccines. Never happened before, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Scientists have raised concerns around the ethics of placebo testing for vaccines, as there is risk of harm for those that go without treatment. The American Medical Associations Code of Medical Ethics states that where there are accepted interventions, the use of a placebo requires thoughtful ethical justification. Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, who also spoke at the press conference, defended vaccines and repeated some earlier criticism of Kennedys decision to fire members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, or ACIP. I am a strong believer that vaccines save lives, she said. Parents and patients should have quality, unbiased scientific backing for vaccines, she said. I think this is where the advisory boards that provide for recommendations for the vaccines are important and that the credibility of those boards is really held intact. And so I have been critical of the fact that the ACIP board was basically terminated, and a new group of individuals was installed, because I feel that that challenges the credibility of the advisory board itself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Murkowksi tempered her criticism at Tuesdays news conference by saying Kennedy had the right to seek new information on vaccine safety. I dont fault the secretary for wanting to ensure that there is a more rigorous testing process for vaccines, although I do believe that we have many vaccines that have been in place for years, if not decades, that have clearly demonstrated that efficacy over a period of time, she said. National medical organizations, including the American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics, have had stronger criticism of Kennedys ACIP actions. In an Aug. 1 statement, eight organizations blasted Kennedys decision to exclude them from the vaccine advisory committee. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For decades, liaisons from our organizations have reviewed published and unpublished data and literature related to vaccine efficacy, effectiveness, and safety and provided unbiased input for ACIPs consideration. To remove our deep medical expertise from this vital and once transparent process is irresponsible, dangerous to our nations health, and will further undermine public and clinician trust in vaccines, said the statement. The visit to ANTHC, including the news conference, was part of Kennedys itinerary during an Alaska trip that includes travel to Fairbanks, to rural areas and to the Kenai Peninsula. Native leaders elsewhere the nation have said that Kennedys policy decisions are disproportionately hurting tribal communities. Mechanical engineer Christy Williams strikes outside of her employer, Boeing aerospace company, in Berkeley, Mo. She joined 3,200 other union members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers who went on strike at midnight on Sunday to get better wages and retirement plans (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). BERKELEY Christy Williams stood outside the Boeing facility in St. Louis for hours on Tuesday next to her handwritten sign declaring: We arent building toasters! For the last three years, Williams and her son have helped build F-15 fighter jets at Boeing in the St. Louis area something she called her lifes dream. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were putting our bodies at risk with the physical and strenuous (work), and on top of all the chemicals and other just the dirty air that were in there breathing, said Williams, an assembly mechanic. We signed on for this because we wanted to build the best fighter jet in the world. On Monday, Williams walked out from her job alongside 3,200 workers at Boeings three facilities in St. Louis, St. Charles and Mascoutah, Ill., after her fellow members of the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers voted Sunday to reject a four-year labor agreement. According to a union statement announcing the strike, its members assemble and maintain advanced aircraft and weapons systems, including the F-15, F/A-18, and cutting-edge missile and defense technologies. Chad Stevenson, a plant chairman for the union at the St. Louis facility, said the companys offer was rejected because it wouldnt equally benefit the longtime workers who endured pay freezes when the companys contracts were lean over the last several years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our members took concessions to help this company and continued to produce the same amount and the same quality of work, said Stevenson, who works as an assembly mechanic. So really it was over eight years, top-scale wasnt raised. And were ready for them to make a competitive, fair offer in these negotiations and take it back before membership and let them decide again. The company issued a statement in response to the strike, stating that the employees rejected an offer that featured 40% average wage growth and resolved their primary issue on alternative work schedules. We are prepared for a strike and have fully implemented our contingency plan to ensure our non-striking workforce can continue supporting our customers, said Dan Gillian, Boeing Air Dominance vice president, general manager and senior St. Louis site executive. Williams called the 40% number a farce because it was nearly impossible to meet the criteria to earn it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If everybody was going to get 40%, we would already be on the floor, she said. Just quit playing with the math, give us something fair and let us get back to work. The companys rejected offer included a 20% wage increase over four years and $5,000 ratification bonuses. However, top-scale wage earners wouldnt see that same increase, Stevenson said. According to a fact sheet Boeing posted regarding the labor agreement, entry-level workers making $34.25 per hour could potentially go from making $71,240 to $108,222 annually after the four-year contract. For max rate employees, the growth would go from $95,326 to $110,718 after four years, according to a fact sheet. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Stevenson said the numbers on the entry-level fact sheet didnt add up, and the pay progression to get to top-scale pay is much slower than other Boeing sites and other aerospace manufacturers. He explained that in some cases, it takes 20 years to reach top-scale pay, and union members become highly skilled and versatile well before that time. The union is looking to decrease the amount of time, he said, which is called auto progression. They act like maybe St Louis is less important, in their opinion, he said, but it is just important to this company. Its their hub for the defense sector, and its also a matter of national security. We build the aircraft and munitions that defend this country with several of our products. Missouri Democratic state Rep. Doug Clemens of St. Ann spoke with Boeing employees on strike on Aug. 5 outside of company facility in Berkeley (Rebecca Rivas/Missouri Independent). Democratic state Rep. Doug Clemens, who represents a district that partially includes St. Louis Lambert International Airport, visited with the workers on the picket line on Tuesday afternoon. He told them that his father worked for McDonnell Douglas, which was a major aerospace manufacturing corporation and defense contractor headquartered in St. Louis and was later acquired by Boeing in 1997. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His father retired shortly after Boeing took over, he said, and the first thing the company did was cut health-care benefits to retirees. As far as the strike goes, its high time to have a strike, Clemens said. Its high time that Boeing is put in its place when it comes to supporting its own workers. This story was edited at 9:24 a.m. to clarify Christy Williams job title. HATTIESBURG, Miss. (WHLT) The University of Southern Mississippi (USM) will welcome students back to campus in the coming weeks. The university will host several upcoming events in August for students. Monday, August 11 The Pride of Mississippi Marching Band + Dixie Darlings Rehearsal Hattiesburg Fire Department Cool Down the Band 10:00 a.m., Pride Field Tuesday, August 12 Freshman/Transfer Move-in 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, August 13 Freshman/Transfer Move-in 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Thursday, August 14 GEWW Welcome Ceremony 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., Reed Green Coliseum Friday, August 15 Painting of the Eagle Walk 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Saturday, August 16 Fanfest 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., The Rock Monday, August 18 First Day of Classes Thursday, August 21 Student Organization Fair 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., Thad Cochran Center and Union Lobbies Friday, August 22 Pride Preview 6:00 p.m., Southern Station in Spirit Par Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily News Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJTV. SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4) One of the founding members of the Utah Debate Commission (UDC) has announced his departure from the organization, alleging that it is under attack from the GOP-controlled Utah state legislature. Since the legislature now seeks to become involved (in debates), thanks to efforts of our former governor and current Republican legislative leaders, the UDC is under attack, wrote founding UDC member Richard Davis in a letter to 24 of his fellow board members on Monday announcing his departure. Obviously, now the Republican officials will have the power to determine the venues, the questions, the moderators, the thresholds for participation, and so on. So, it makes sense to them to take charge. It is a travesty for Utah voters, Davis wrote. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But multiple current and former board members who spoke to ABC4 say that behind the scenes, the decade-old organization that has executed Utahs federal and statewide general election debates, and more recently primary ones, has faced a messy history of being disorganized, excluding a Republican from its board, and accusations of being biased against the states dominant party. Davis departure also comes as the groups future, and the future of debates in Utah, is somewhat uncertain after the legislature decided not to fund the UDC anymore, instead giving $600,000 to the University of Utah and the Hinckley Institute of Politics to join with Utah Valley Universitys Herbert Institute for Public Policy, run by Governor Gary Herbert, to establish a statewide non-partisan debate organization. I knew partisanship would rear its ugly head, although I did not anticipate how much that would occur as well in Utah, wrote Davis. I knew it would take vigilance to resist the governing partys effort to co-opt the UDC, he added. Former Governor Gary Herbert denied that he or Republicans were trying to usurp control of the UDC in any way; rather, he said, that his idea was that if the legislature wanted a better debate organizing system, then they should fund it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rather than control it, theyre trying to make sure its fair, said Herbret. The goal that Richard has to make it fair is the same, and theyll fund it, he said. A BYU Political Science Professor, Davis also founded the United Utah Party and has been openly critical of Republicans, including in his 2022 Deseret News Op-ed, where he first accused them of trying to strip away independence from the commission. Davis told ABC4, and he outlines in his email, that the UDC fallout with Republicans escalated that year, after the decision to participate in primary debates and the Republican Partys backlash, which led to its refusal to have its candidates participate. I think a lot of the folks in the state were following the lead of their national counterparts who were saying dont participate in (the Commission on Presidential Debates), debates where you have supposed, what they considered supposed non-partisan settings because their board includes Democrats, Davis told ABC4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Republicans have alleged biases too, citing some of the moderators chosen by the commission. Like, in 2022, when Congressman Burgess Owens skipped his general election debate, citing a racist cartoon from the Salt Lake Tribune, whose editor, Lauren Gustus, was the moderator. Since 2014, the Utah Debate Commission has proudly provided Utahns with fair, independent, and nonpartisan candidate debates, said current GOP Co-Chair Becky Edwards via a statement. The commission has also faced criticism over its polling methods, which have allowed several third-party candidates to qualify for the stage despite the political reality that they likely wouldnt have a chance of winning in Utah. Davis maintains that the threshold was meant to balance fairness for voters outside the two-party system while weeding out non-serious contenders, and that he was in no way trying to unfairly benefit his third party. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This threshold was set in 2013 or 2014, long before there was a United Utah Party, Davis said. And when I did become involved with the UUP, I stepped away from UDC. Board rejects Republican Chief of Staff With those issues as the backdrop, in 2024, the board members who spoke to ABC 4 say Mark Thomas, the Utah Senates Chief of Staff, had been asked several times by another founding member, Democrat Scott Howell who resigned in March after serving for 12 years, to join the board because of his experience in Utah elections and relationship with the legislature. Thomas was hesitant at first because of 2022, but ultimately agreed and began attending board subcommittee meetings. With approval from the boards executive committee, Thomas, a Republican, was then brought forward for a vote of ratification. But the board ultimately chose not to ratify Thomas, but did approve former Governor Gary Herbert in the same meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Davis took issue with Thomass ability to be independent because he was appointed by Senate President Stuart Adams (R-Layton). But Thomass actual role is Chief of Staff for the entire Senate, Democrats included, just as Adams is the President over the entire Senate. It wasnt that he was Republican, it was that he was a state government employee who was working directly for politicians, Davis said, citing a board bylaw that prohibited politicians from being on the board. Rumors then started swirling among board members that Howell had offered Thomas a spot on the board in exchange for legislative funding. I never, ever, even once made reference to anything like help us get an appropriation and well give you a seat on the board,' Howell said emphatically. Never. Ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I felt bad about the situation that Thomas had been misinformed that he was already on the board, Davis said. But the experience left a sour taste for other board members who felt Thomas was treated poorly, made to wait on Zoom for 40 minutes while Davis and others debated his eligibility. Some also believed that Thomas wasnt let in because he was too conservative, and there was a double standard of allowing public university employees funded by the legislature, and other members with ties to politicians, but not Thomas. Future of the Utah Debate Commission The following legislative session, in 2025, the legislature stripped UDC of its funding in favor of the two universities, which did not even submit a formal appropriations request for the money. And despite the criteria for appointees to serve on the future debate committee not being outlined anywhere in state law, Herbert maintains that the Herbert and Hinckley Institutes will be able to create a non-partisan system. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Our goal is to make sure theres a fair and balanced debate commission to make sure theyre run professionally without bias, he said. Davis believes the legislature gave the funding to the universities to dismantle UDC. (The legislature) is expecting that well just fold and that their version, because its got to be well funded by the legislature, will just be the prominent debate organization in the state, Davis said. With the state funding of the UDC now gone and the new system not yet created, Davis urged the media coalitions to take over running the UDC for federal and statewide races. The media is the one organization left of the group that is truly independent, Davis said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His outlook on the UDCs fate, however, was grim. Davis believes that the universities that have now been funded by the legislature will be controlled by the GOP purse strings. With no money, Im not sure that theres a future there, which is very sad for me. Edwards says the UDC will continue its mission of elevating political discourse and empowering voters, though presumably theyll have to find private donors. Edwards said they are moving toward debates in 2026. The Utah Debate Commission continues its work and is actively preparing for the 2026 elections. We believe Utahns deserve fair and substantive debates, and we are proud to serve that public interest. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Editors note: ABC4 is a member of the Utah Debate Commission with two company representatives on the board. The information for this story did not come from them. 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. As Utah and the West remain in the grip of summer with unrelenting heat and little measurable moisture, wildfires continue to rage and numerous Western states are scrambling to keep up. While there are homes and lives to be saved, the additional effects on once pristine landscapes, and the very real consequences of burn scars and resulting flooding can be secondary concerns. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox issued an executive order to put in place emergency provisions, calling on all resources to help in the fight to quell the blazes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As of Tuesday, 721 wildfires had burned through 141,000 acres in the Beehive State. Stage 2 fire restrictions were enacted for the entire state beginning Friday, including prohibitions on open campfires, tracer rounds, fireworks and smoking except in an enclosed building, trailer or vehicle, or at a recreation site. Nationally, the preparedness level has been raised to Stage 4, with wildfire activity increasing across the country. The Monroe Canyon fire The Monroe Canyon fire continues to burn and has moved into the area above Glenwood near Richfield on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News A sign points to the Monroe Canyon fire Incident Command Post on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News A helicopter drops water on a hot spot as the Monroe Canyon fire continues on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Remnants of the Monroe Canyon fire near Koosharem on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A helipoter makes a drop on the Monroe Canyon fire on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News The Monroe Canyon fire Incident Command Post on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News One of numerous roads are blocked as the Monroe Canyon fire continues on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Layers of smoke move in and out of the mountains around the Monroe Canyon fire on Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox toured the fire that has charred 63,353 acres as of Tuesday and is only 13% contained. Temperatures were in the high 60s overnight Monday into Tuesday, presenting challenges for the more than 1,300 personnel battling this blaze. Temperatures were expected in the high 80s, with winds gusting up to 37 mph or higher disastrous in the fight to keep the fire under control. The fight is complicated by steep and twisty gulches. The fire burning near Richfield in the south-central portion of the state is the largest in the state, and is presenting stubborn challenges. The fire started July 13 due to an undetermined cause and has destroyed several homes. It is so large it can be seen from the International Space Station. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cox said the cost of fighting fires in Utah so far this year has easily eclipsed more than $1 million and more expenses are anticipated as the fire season is far from over and crews will have to spend considerable time, effort and money to mop up the aftermath. Officials are already seeing the impacts to forested lands in Utah and other states when it comes to wildlife habitat. Eventually, erosion will become a growing nightmare. They fear it is only going to get worse, with the impacts surpassing what was witnessed last season and it is only August. I always tell everyone no one can do wildfires by themselves, said Jamie Barnes, director of the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands, adding that cooperation is key among the U.S. Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the division, which she oversees. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That cooperation is key if the fight is to be won. The France Canyon fire has charred more than 34,000 acres southeast of Hatch, Garfield County, but is 100% contained. The Grand Canyon (Dragon Bravo) fire Smoke rises from the Dragon Bravo Fire at the Grand Canyon as seen from Mather Point near Grand Canyon Village, Ariz., Monday, July 28, 2025. | Jon Gambrell The Dragon Bravo Fire is now the largest burning wildfire in the United States, closing the north rim of the Grand Canyon in Arizona, charring more than 126,000 acres and destroying 70 structures. It tore through the historic Grand Canyon Lodge and North Rim Visitor Center. As of Monday, it was only a little more than 10% contained. Unfortunately, weve seen human-caused wildfires this year, and unfortunately we have seen big human-caused wildfires, Barnes said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Grand Canyon fire, while not in Utah, is going to cause severe economic effects to surrounding areas such as Kane County because of its draw as a tourist attraction. A tiny fire near Tibble Fork Reservoir in Utah County forced an evacuation and shut down a campground. While burning in a heavily forested area, it was quickly contained but not before it shut down access to American Fork Canyon. California is burning, too An air tanker drops retardant on the Gifford Fire burning on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Los Padres National Forest, Calif. | Noah Berger In the Golden State, there have been more than 350,000 emergency responses, 4,759 wildfires, some 218,000 acres burned, 31 fatalities and 16,333 structures destroyed. The Gifford Fire has scorched in excess of 70,000 acres and remained out of control Tuesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One motorist was injured after being overcome with flames and at least several other people reported injuries. More than 800 structures north of Los Angeles are threatened and evacuations remain in effect. The fire forced the Diablo Canyon nuclear power plant to reduce power on one of its units to 46% due to its proximity to transmission lines in San Luis Obispo County, PG&E spokesperson Carina Corral told The San Luis Obispo Tribune in an email. Operators elected to reduce power to support grid reliability and reduce potential risks to the transmission system, Corral said. The other unit is operating at full power and there is no impact to plant safety, she added. Ten San Luis Obispo County zones were under evacuation orders while 12 were under evacuation warnings. Firefighters battle the Gifford Fire burning on Monday, Aug. 4, 2025, in Los Padres National Forest, Calif. | Noah Berger Across the West One need only look at a map of the United States to see the tragedy unfolding for people, homes, wildlife, water supplies and more. Fires are burning in New Mexico, Arizona, Montana, Idaho, Wyoming and even Alaska. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Due to the severity of this wildfire season in Utah, it may be that additional funding is required to counter the effects of what have played out this summer. Some of that money may be necessary to tackle wildfire rehabilitation efforts, especially as it relates to treatment of burn scars and to help mitigate debris flows. As bad as this year seems, the Utah Division of Forestry, Fire and State Lands said 2020 was worse. That year, 328,250 acres were burned. As of Sept. 7 that year, there were 1,275 wildfires with one ignition every day since April 18. The Canal Fire burned through 78,000 acres and overall, at that time, 225,010 acres burned, according to the Utah Department of Natural Resources. EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) As the University of Texas at El Paso prepares to kick off the fall semester on August 25, students are reminded of a requirement: the Meningitis vaccination. The vaccine is mandatory for students under the age of 22 who plan to attend classes on campus this semester. To help students and parents navigate this requirement, Ivan Luna, Director of Immunize El Paso, joined KTSM 9 News on Wednesday during the noon to talk about what students need to do to get vaccinated. Luna plans to explain how students can access the vaccine, where they can get it, and why its crucial for their health. Meningitis is a serious illness that primarily affects the brain and spinal cord. The infection can lead to severe complications, including brain damage, hearing loss, or even death, according to the Mayo Clinic. Luna will also discuss how the Meningitis virus spreads and the symptoms students should be aware of. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement August is Immunization Awareness Month, making it the perfect time to also highlight other essential vaccines for college students. Luna will outline which vaccines are recommended for those in the college-age group and provide details on the potential benefits and side effects. For additional information on the Meningitis vaccine, other immunizations available for students, and where to get vaccinated, visit ImmunizeElPaso.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News. The Trump administration's biomedical research cuts have affected a number of projects at Dartmouth. (Photo provided by Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center) This year, Dr. Steven Bernstein, a researcher at Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center, was planning to study the health of farm workers, particularly in the dairy industry in northern New Hampshire and Vermont. The idea, he said in an interview with the Bulletin, was to develop and test some interventions to improve what we call the social determinants of health: their ability to access fresh food, their transportation, physical activity, exercise, etc. This is a group that has a pretty tough life in a lot of ways. They work really hard, and most of them come from Central America. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The National Institutes of Health, an arm of the federal government and the worlds largest funder of biomedical research, had made a call for this type of research specifically. Now, the NIH, under President Donald Trump, has reversed course, putting the brakes on Bernsteins and other projects. Bernstein said he applied for funding for the project last year. While it wasnt accepted, he and his collaborators had the option to resubmit. But before that happened, the NIH eliminated that pool of funding because it was deemed to be related to DEI diversity, equity, and inclusion. Bernstein, who was working with other researchers at the University of Vermont, said for that reason along with concerns that the Trump administrations stance and actions on immigration would make it difficult to work with a group largely made up of migrants the project has halted. He said it wouldve cost roughly $3 million over five years. Theres been tremendous anxiety and unease and fear among all of us, Bernstein said. Particularly for our younger investigators, the people whose careers are in their early phases. That early funding, those first grants, are critical for what they want to do, and so its been a rather stressful time. In addition to doing his own research, Bernstein leads all of DHMCs research efforts as chief research officer. He said the number of grants at DHMC that have been canceled or denied as a result of the cuts has been modest, but the Trump administrations broader attack on biomedical research nationwide has had a big impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Among other research institutions in New Hampshire, the University of New Hampshire receives some funding from NIH, but not enough to be affected by the cuts, UNH Director of Public Relations Tania DeLuzuriaga told the Bulletin via email. Since January, the Trump administration has targeted biomedical research in a number of ways. Its rejected thousands of grants ostensibly about DEI-related topics. In the early days of Trumps second presidency, the NIH capped indirect costs for research at 15%, though that cut has been paused by courts while appeals are litigated. Last week, a memo from the Office of Management and Budget appeared to instruct the NIH to halt all new research grants, though the OMB subsequently walked that back publicly after it was reported in the press. Additionally, press reports suggest billions of dollars in grants that were expected to be doled out are being delayed. Trump has also asked Congress to cut the NIHs budget by 40%, or $18 billion, though its unclear if Congress will get on board. At DHMC, Bernstein said affected projects fall into four buckets: The first bucket is grants that have already been awarded but were terminated by the federal government. With these grants, the federal government has decided it wont give anymore funding to the project as expected. At Dartmouth College, which is affiliated with DHMC, at least three federal grants have been canceled, according to Bernstein and an online database called Grant Witness compiled by a group of concerned researchers. One of the grants was to fund research on circadian rhythms and another a study on treatment for opioid addiction. A third funded a mentorship program for students from underrepresented backgrounds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The second bucket is grants that havent been terminated, but NIH hasnt given them notice that next years funding is being awarded. He explained that for multi-year NIH grants, researchers are required to submit an annual report updating NIH on their work and if theyre hitting milestones. He said its usually a relatively routine process, but thats not the case anymore; it is now routine for months to go by before you get your notice of award for your next year of funding. He said DHMC has been fronting the money for these projects with the expectation it will be reimbursed when the NIH provides the funding, but this can create financial constraints on the institution and also great anxiety among the investigators. Theyre in a bit of a limbo, he said. We think theyll continue but, man, its taking months and months to find out. The third bucket is grants that are never submitted because the funding opportunities for them were eliminated. This is the bucket Bernsteins research on farm workers fell into. The fourth is not really a category per se but its possible that people arent really sure if this is what they want to do with their careers, Bernstein said. Ive had a number of conversations with really smart young people, mid-career people, who are thinking of leaving a career in research. So the potential loss of regeneration of scientific talent is real. And for those of us who are a little more senior in our careers or hold positions of leadership, this is utterly terrifying, because this 80-year project to build the American biomedical research enterprise into the envy of the world is at real risk of generational damage. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He said a good example of this is the MOSAIC program, which created a set of funding opportunities for young biomedical scientists from underrepresented backgrounds. Bernstein said a researcher from DHMC and another from Dartmouth College were planning to submit funding requests through this program before it was eliminated. Three other DHMC projects, all led by the same young researcher at the hospitals Department of Community and Family Medicine, have also been affected by cuts, Bernstein said. The projects were set to examine northern New Englands lack of a primary care physician network, the effects of climate change on people in the region, and long COVID. The pilot grants were eliminated, and Bernstein said they dont know why. The researcher was able to find funding elsewhere though, he said. The total budgetary impact of the three projects together is just under $100,000, Bernstein said. We care about the potential loss of the grant dollars, direct dollars and indirect dollars, but we also care deeply, again, about the science thats potentially lost and the careers of these investigators, Bernstein said. These are just good people doing good work. They just want to improve human health. And that science really doesnt have a political agenda, and the scientific community, in many ways, is sort of apolitical actually, and we tend to view the research we do as apolitical. Historical support for NIH and biomedical research in general has enjoyed broad, bipartisan support, so I think a lot of us were unprepared for whats happening, and so weve had to sort of rethink how we approach our advocacy for the scientific enterprise. The White House did not respond to the Bulletins request for comment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Even with the cuts, Dartmouth College and DHMC have avoided the more severe attacks that Trump has leveled against other Ivy League institutions. Of the eight Ivy League colleges and universities, Dartmouths president, Sian Leah Beilock, was the only leader not to sign a letter which was signed by over 600 other colleges and universities condemning the federal cuts. The New Yorker called Dartmouth the Ivy Leagues Switzerland for its neutrality. Bernstein said Dartmouth has been receiving lots of very qualified applications from researchers leaving institutions that have faced more stringent cuts. In a way, its an opportune moment for Dartmouth and Dartmouth Hitchcock to recruit scientific talent, he said. On the other hand, its extraordinarily distressing to ponder the circumstances that led to that. Veterans Affairs leaders on Wednesday announced plans to terminate nearly all of its collective bargaining contracts with federal unions, upending employment agreements for hundreds of thousands of department workers. The move affects members of the American Federation of Government Employees, the AFL-CIO (AFGE), the National Association of Government Employees (NAGE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), the National Nurses Organizing Committee/National Nurses United (NNOC/NNU) and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU). AFGE alone represents about 300,000 employees working for VA. About 80% of the departments roughly 450,000-person staff are union members. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Department officials said the move was made to make it easier for VA leaders to promote high-performing employees, hold poor performers accountable, and improve benefits and services to Americas veterans. In a statement, VA Secretary Doug Collins attacked the unions as inefficient and harmful to veterans care. Too often, unions that represent VA employees fight against the best interests of veterans while protecting and rewarding bad workers, Collins said. Were making sure VA resources and employees are singularly focused on the job we were sent here to do: providing top-notch care and service to those who wore the uniform. Nurses rally in DC, call for immediate hiring of VA medical staff Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Members of President Donald Trumps administration have fought with union officials for months. In April, VA stopped withholding union dues from most employee paychecks, citing an executive order excluding some federal agencies from labor-management relations programs. Wednesdays move does not impact unions representing 4,000 VA police officers, firefighters and security guards. Officials said the executive order does not apply to those positions. Union leaders for months have protested against proposed cuts at VA and other federal agencies, arguing the smaller staffs will hurt delivery of benefits and health care. Theyve also accused Collins of working to privatize VA services by sending more money for medical appointments into civilian hospitals and medical offices, rather than VA clinics. The unions have also filed numerous lawsuits against the presidents proposed changes to the federal bureaucracy. On Monday, a federal appeals court paused a preliminary injunction that had blocked department heads from making changes to collective bargaining agreements, allowing Wednesdays contract terminations to move ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At the time, AFGE National President Everett Kelley called the ruling a setback for fundamental rights in America and promised continued opposition to Trumps proposals. In a statement after Wednesdays announcement, Kelley criticized Collins for attacking VA workers rights. [The] decision to rip up the negotiated union contract for majority of its workforce is another clear example of retaliation against AFGE members for speaking out against the illegal, anti-worker, and anti-veteran policies of this administration, he said. We dont apologize for protecting veteran healthcare and will continue to fight for our members and the veterans they care for. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials from National Nurses United accused the Trump adminstration of waging class warfare against working people of America and similarly promised continued legal challenges. This president has made it clear he has no respect for the Constitution, but we believe strongly that our right to join together to collectively bargain is constitutionally protected, the group said in a statement. It cannot be swept away through an overreach of an executive order based on spurious claims. VA officials said that in addition to eliminating unneeded restrictions on hiring and firing policies, breaking union contracts will free up more than 187,000 square feet of office space currently being used by group representatives. At the start of 2025, federal unions represented more than 1.3 million government workers across a host of agencies. On Tuesday, August 5, 2025, South Africas Department of International Relations and Cooperation (DIRCO) has expressed serious concern over the deportation of convicted criminals by the United States to neighbouring Eswatini, citing potential risks to national security. While acknowledging Eswatinis sovereign right to make such decisions, DIRCO warned that the arrival of individuals convicted of serious crimesincluding murder and sexual assaultcould have adverse implications for South Africa, given the countries close geographical ties. The concerns come amid reports that more deportations are planned by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Although Eswatini and the United States have pledged to work with the International Organisation for Migration to facilitate the return of the deportees to their countries of origin, DIRCO noted that these countries are unlikely to accept them. The uncertainty surrounding the final destinations of these individuals has fuelled anxiety in South Africa over potential cross-border security and immigration challenges. SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) The City of Winters has issued an apology to water customers and provided updates after a citywide water outage prompted a boil water notice that is expected to last multiple days. What happened? The City of Winters initial report came through a social media post published at 8:54 a.m. on Aug. 5, in which it said that customers west of Main Street to the city limits may experience little to no water pressure due to a valve repair. The City said it would provide updates when the valve was repaired. The City then issued a water service outage advisory at 1:37 p.m., stating that water customers across the city would have little to no pressure due to the valve repairs. Then, in a statement posted at 2:35 p.m., it reported that water service was restored and that a boil water notice was to follow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The boil water notice would come at 2:55 p.m. In the notice, the City said that, due to a water valve replacement, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has required the City of Winters public water system to notify all customers to boil their water prior to consumption. San Angelo property taxes likely to increase for coliseum renovation The City said public officials would notify customers when the water is safe for drinking or other human consumption purposes. It also stated that the public water system will issue a notice to customers that rescinds the boil water notice once the boil water notice is no longer in effect. City Administrator Nate Smith would provide an update at 10:50 a.m. on Aug. 6, stating that crews are working to flush lines, take samples, and get them sent for testing. He said the City is hopeful that we can get the notice lifted by the weekend. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Smith also apologized to the Winters community on behalf of the City in the update. We learned some lessons yesterday, and we will do better next time, Smith said. Apologies and preparations In an interview with a Concho Valley Homepage reporter, Smith stated that the outage began after crews attempted to repair a valve at the intersection of State Street and Church Street that had been leaking for quite some time. We tried to do everything we could to replace the valve, to fix it, and the only way we could reduce water pressure was to shut down water supply coming from our water towers, Smith said. Smith said it will take about 24 to 48 hours for the City to receive an all-clear from water testing labs that would allow the boil water notice to be lifted. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It takes at least 24 hours for those labs to come back to us because theres a specific type of test, and it takes to do that test, Smith said. Once we get the OK then, we can lift the boil water notice. Smith clarified that the Citys apology in the Aug. 6 update is for a delay in communication between the governing body and its citizens as the water outage unfolded. Crockett County looking for possible car burglar We did inform some residents it could happen, but when the water started turning off, we should have got that notification out sooner to everybody, Smith said. We learned from that. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The valves age is the leading cause of the disruptions, according to Smith. Their time-worn state has produced problems in the past. We went through an outage like this about a couple of years ago, and people were out of water for almost three days, Smith said. Smith shared that the City is working toward enacting plans to repair several valves and water mains throughout Winters during 2026, an initiative that has received millions of dollars in funding from the Texas Water Development Board. This keeps happening because the water valves we have around the city theyre so old that they dont work, Smith said. Thats why we received money from the Water Development Board, to help us fix these issues, so that way were not having to cut off water to the entire city again. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ConchoValleyHomepage.com. A dinner planned for Wednesday night at Vice President JD Vances residence was seen as an opportunity for Trump administration officials to realign amid the ongoing Jeffrey Epstein scandal, according to four people familiar with the situation. That included a potential chance for Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, who had been at odds over the response, to clear the air. The meeting appeared to have been moved or rescheduled Wednesday night. Some officials who were expected to attend the meeting, including Vance and Attorney General Pam Bondi, were spotted leaving the White House on Wednesday evening. Administration officials told CNN earlier in the day that there were discussions about moving, canceling or rescheduling the meeting amid intense media scrutiny. Participants were told that the meeting was being shifted and canceled at various points throughout the day following CNNs original reporting that the meeting was happening, a source familiar with the planning said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bondi and Patels tense relationship was thrown into the spotlight last month after a contentious White House meeting with chief of staff Susie Wiles over the handling of the Epstein case. That meeting also prompted questions about FBI Deputy Director Dan Bonginos future with the administration. In the hours and days after the blowup, Vance tried to smooth over the conflict, fielding calls from Bondi, Patel and Bongino in between rides with his family at Disneyland. The vice president achieved his mission, one person familiar told CNN, and Bongino went back to work the next Monday though three administration officials said they believe he will likely eventually leave his post and return to hosting his podcast once the Epstein blowback subsides. Vance was expected to reprise his peacemaker role again Wednesday. Sources told CNN the dinner would be a good opportunity to realign. Its a way to get everyone together in an informal, low-stakes situation, one source briefed on the dinner told CNN. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN previously reported that Wiles, Bondi, Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche were expected to gather at Vances residence Wednesday evening as the administration weighs whether to publish an audio recording and transcript of Blanches recent conversation with Epstein accomplice Ghislaine Maxwell. From left: White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Vice President JD Vance, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche. - Getty Images/AP The administrations handling of the Epstein case, as well as the need to craft a unified response, was expected to be a main focus of the dinner. Vances office denied such a meeting was taking place. As weve said publicly, there was never a supposed meeting scheduled at the Vice Presidents residence to discuss Epstein Strategy. Any reporting to the contrary is false, William Martin, Vances communications director, said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement During an unrelated Oval Office event Wednesday afternoon, Vance himself said Were not meeting to talk about the Epstein situation. The Justice Department declined to comment, deferring to the vice presidents office. The FBI did not immediately respond to a request for comment. The Bondi-Patel-Bongino feud The planned group sitdown comes after Patel had been traveling for several weeks, opening field offices in New Zealand and Australia. Some officials said they believe this could be the ideal time for a reset, as the White House seeks to reclaim the narrative around the Epstein case and present a unified front after weeks on the defensive. Months before the Department of Justice released a memo on the Epstein case that contradicted many of the conspiracy theories surrounding the investigation, tension was already quietly building between the FBI and Department of Justice, multiple sources told CNN. FBI leadership griped behind closed doors that Bondi was spending more time on Fox News talking about the Epstein files than actually reviewing them, despite the agency having delivered the files to her office weeks prior, those sources said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FBI officials cringed when Bondi indicated in a Fox News interview in February that the Epstein client list was sitting on her desk, those sources added, as it had already been determined that there was no official client list that would be released. And when the memo which contradicted many of the conspiracy theories circulating in far-right circles about Epstein was finally released, it was Patel and Bongino who bore the brunt from the MAGA right, after theyd repeatedly promised full transparency. During the meeting with Wiles last month, Bondi, Patel and Bongino clashed over the handling of the investigation and Bongino was accused of leaking negative stories about Bondi. The deputy director denied the allegations and stormed out of the meeting, later telling Patel and others that he might not return to his post. This headline and story have been updated with additional developments. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Vice President JD Vance will head to Indiana Thursday to meet with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and headline a Republican National Convention event, Fox News Digital learned, and is expected to discuss a broad range of topics with local Republicans, including potential redistricting efforts in the Hoosier State. "Vice President Vance will visit Indianapolis on Thursday, where he will be headlining an RNC fundraiser," Vance communications director William Martin told Fox News Digital ahead of the trip. "He will also meet with Governor Braun and other state officials to discuss a variety of issues." Indiana is a Republican stronghold, with the GOP controlling the office of the governor and both chambers of the state legislature. Republicans control seven of the nine House seats, with Republicans floating a redistricting effort that could benefit the party and drive out at least one of the blue seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braun told the media Tuesday from the Indiana Statehouse that there have been no commitments made regarding potential redistricting efforts in the state. Other states are in the midst of their own redistricting effort, most notably Texas, which was marred with controversy when dozens of state Democrats fled the state to prevent the quorum needed to vote on new congressional maps. Watch: Trump Says Fbi 'May Have To' Help Texas Round Up Awol Dem Lawmakers "Whatever we discuss there, if that topic comes up, is exploratory," he told the media when asked whether he would call a special session to redistrict the state ahead of the 2026 midterms, Politico reported. "So theres been no commitments made other than that." Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Folks raising the most Cain about it are the ones that have gerrymandered their own states, where it looks like maybe the tentacles of an octopus," he added. "Well see what happens." Indiana redistricts every 10 years based on new Census data. The Hoosier state previously updated its congressional district lines in 2020. State laws appear murky whether Indiana lawmakers could legal redistrict ahead of scheduling. A 1995 nonbinding opinion from the state attorney general's office could not redistrict mid-cycle, the Indiana Capital Chronicle reported. Democrats' Chair Vows To Fight 'Tooth And Nail' To Stop Trump, Republicans, In Redistricting Battle Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Braun continued in his comments to the media on Tuesday that potentially redistricting outside the 10-year cycle is "not going to be a calm process" if such an effort is endeavored. The Republican Party has launched a broader national effort to keep control of its razor-thin House majority in the midterms, when the party that holds control of the White House typically faces an uphill battle to retain and secure seats. Sen. Mike Braun (R-IN) speaks at the U.S. Capitol on March 6, 2024, in Washington. President Donald Trump has encouraged the redistricting, including remarking on Tuesday that efforts to redistrict in Texas could lead to the GOP picking up five seats. "In California, its all gerrymandered," Trump said during an interview with CNBC Tuesday. "And we have an opportunity in Texas to pick up five seats. We have a really good governor, and we have good people in Texas. And I won Texas. I got the highest vote in the history of Texas, as you probably know, and we are entitled to five more seats." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dozens of Texas Democrats fled the Lone Star state over the weekend, ahead of Monday, when the Republican-dominated state legislature was set to vote on the new redistricting maps. The Texas House of Representatives cannot proceed with legislative activity without a quorum. A quorum was not reached on Monday or Tuesday. Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows signed arrest warrants for the absent Democrats Monday, following the state House approving of such warrants and Gov. Greg Abbott calling on the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the "delinquent Texas House Democrats." None of the absent Texas Democrats had been arrested as of Wednesday afternoon. Republican Texas Sen. John Cornyn called on the FBI on Tuesday to investigate "potential CRIMINAL acts, including bribery, and to hold legislators accountable who have fled the state in a shameful attempt to stall the legislative process in the Texas House." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Democratic governors, such as Illinois' JB Pritzker and New York's Kathy Hochul, have since opened their proverbial doors to the Texas Democrats who fled the Lone Star State. "I'm going to do everything I can to make sure that they're welcome here, that they have the ability to stay as long as they need to and want to," Pritzker said on Sunday as the lawmakers left Texas for Illinois. Conservatives and other critics have lambasted the Democrats' political stunt, including arguing the Democratic Party has long leveraged gerrymandering to benefit its party. "The idea that Texas Democrats would flee to Illinois, a state where Dems have abused gerrymandering to comical levels, is perfection," Tom Bevan, the RealClearPolitics co-founder and president, wrote on X this week. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "To protest partisan gerrymandering Texas Democrats are fleeing toIllinois," Republican Missouri Senator Eric Scmitt wrote on X. "You cant make this up." Fox News Digital's Paul Steinhauser, Cameron Cawthorne and Alexandra Koch contributed to this report. Original article source: Vance heads to red state as redistricting efforts heat up in Texas, nationwide PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) The man who was shot and killed by a Clark County deputy in late July has been identified, officials announced Wednesday. Branden Michael Whitcomb, 36, of Vancouver, died from gunshot wounds to the head, neck and torso, according to the county medical examiner. 18 year old accused of assaulting woman, 82, behind Tigard Public Library On July 30, authorities said a deputy fired shots at Whitcomb near Main Street and East 19th Street in Downtown Vancouver. Despite providing first aid, he was declared dead at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to the Clark County Sheriffs Office, deputies had gotten a call just after 10:40 p.m. from a person saying their son was going to kill them. The caller said the son had broken in through the front door of their home, was high on meth and had been drinking. PGE customers could face another rate hike in 2026 While deputies responded to the scene, the caller reported that the suspect had left the home on a bicycle, and within minutes, a Vancouver police officer said he was spotted with a gun. Washingtons Office of Independent Investigation is looking at evidence and surveillance video to find out what led to the mans death. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deputy who shot Whitcomb was identified by the sheriffs office as Deputy Michael Gonzalez. He has been with the Clark County office since 2021 and currently serves as a K9 handler. The body-worn and in-car cameras are also expected to be released at a later date. Stay with KOIN 6 News as this story develops. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) Nine months after Vancouver voters struck down a proposition to increase police funding, city leaders have voted to send another public safety levy to the November ballot. Vancouver City Council unanimously approved Proposition 5, which could hike the local property tax levy by 15 cents for every $1,000 of assessed value, on Monday. If approved by voters in the upcoming election, the increase is expected to generate another $5.6 million for public safety services annually for six years starting in 2026. Eradicate these harmful policies: DOJ names Portland and Oregon on new sanctuary list Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The levy would also help the Vancouver Police Department pay for new equipment and vehicles, and hire up to 13 officers. Vancouver continues to grow, and with that growth comes new demands on our officers, VPD Chief Troy Price said in a statement. Proposition 5 is a direct response to those demands. Last Novembers Proposition 4, which was rejected by 52.33% of voters, would have funded up to 80 new officers and 36 non-sworn positions. It also would have increased the property tax levy by 41 cents, generating another $15.5 million for VPD in its first year alone. One of the things that we learned in really surveying the community after Proposition 4 failed was that there were a lot of things thrown in there, and different items of it really gave people pause for whether or not they wanted to approve it or not, Vancouver City Manager Lon Pluckhahn said during Mondays meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While Pluckhahn listed the amount of the proposed hike as one point of contention for voters, another was the 5% increase that would have gone into effect annually through 2030. The decision to include a single-year increase in the new proposition was one of several changes recommended by the Police Advisory Committee. Accused serial killer Jesse Lee Calhoun indicted on fourth murder, officials give update on case The newly-proposed levy is just one aspect of Vancouvers three-part strategy for investing in public safety, according to the city manager. Officials also plan to utilize the .1% sales tax that went into effect statewide in late July, and to apply for a grant administered by the Washington State Criminal Justice Training Commission. Vancouvers upcoming general election is slated for Tuesday, Nov. 4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com. A three-vehicle crash on American Greeting Card Road Friday resulted in one fatality, multiple injuries and the arrest of one driver on a vehicular homicide charge that is now set to be heard by a Laurel County grand jury. Probable cause was found Tuesday in Laurel District Court to send the case against 55-year-old Kimberly Hedrick of London to the grand jury. According to a release from the Laurel County Sheriffs Office, the crash occurred around 12 midnight Friday morning, approximately 11 miles south of London. A Chevrolet Tahoe driven by Hedrick, was traveling southbound when it crossed the centerline striking a northbound Chevrolet Aveo head on and critically injuring its driver, Benita Vickers, 55, of Corbin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Tahoe then collided with a Hyundai SUV and went airborne, landing on a guardrail. The Aveo and Hyundai came to rest blocking the roadway. LCSO stated that Vickers was transported to Baptist Health Corbin and pronounced dead shortly after arrival by Whitley County Coroner Andy Croley. A male passenger in her vehicle was also injured and taken to BRMC. Hedrick was taken to Saint Joseph London for treatment of minor injuries. Deputies noted the odor of alcohol and slurred speech, and Hedrick was charged with vehicular homicide while under the influence and lodged in the Laurel County Correctional Center. At press time, she remained at LCCC in lieu of a $50,000 bond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The driver of the Hyundai identified as David N. Wynn, 39, of London fled the scene, according to LCSO. Investigators say he is wanted on an outstanding warrant. Two female passengers in the SUV were taken to BRMC. Authorities are actively seeking information on Wynns whereabouts at this time. Anyone with information on Wynn are asked to contact the Laurel Sheriffs Office at 606-864-6600, or personal message the sheriffs office on their facebook page at Laurel County Sheriffs Office, or email to g.acciardo@laurelcounty sheriff.gov. Information received will be strictly confidential. Sheriffs accident reconstructionist Detective Brad Mink is leading the investigation. Assisting on the investigation for the Laurel County Sheriffs office were Detective Sergeant Taylor McDaniel, Detective Tommy Houston, Lieutenant Brett Reeves, Shift Sgt. Robert Reed, Deputy Jared Hale, and interdiction unit Justin Taylor. Other agencies assisting included London- Laurel County 911 Center, LondonLaurel County Rescue Squad, Ambulance Inc. of Laurel County, and West Knox Fire and Rescue. A Venezuelan national living illegally in the United States will serve time in federal prison after pleading guilty to resisting arrest of a federal officer, the U.S. Attorney said. Edward Antonio Reyes Calderon, 23, was sentenced to five months in prison, Acting U.S. Sara Miron Bloom said in a statement on Wednesday. On Feb. 13, Reyes Calderon struggled with Immigration and Customs Enforcement Deportation Officers for several minutes while they tried to handcuff him, Bloom said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An officer deployed pepper spray to gain control of him. Two of the officers suffered minor injuries, Bloom said. Reyes Calderon remains in custody awaiting deportation proceedings. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW The Venice Film Festival has confirmed it was the victim of a cyberattack that compromised the personal data of accredited participants for this years event, including members of the press. In a notification sent to those affected, including journalists at The Hollywood Reporter, festival organizers said the attack occurred on July 7 when unknown individuals accessed and copied documents stored on the Venice festival servers, exposing data such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, mailing addresses, and, for attendees who can claim back VAT on their accreditation fees, tax codes. More from The Hollywood Reporter Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Venice said its IT team intervened promptly, isolating the affected systems and securing them. The competent authorities were immediately informed, and restoration operations were initiated. Those concerned about the safety of their data or wanting further information are requested to contact the festivals data protection officer at: privacy@labiennale.org. This isnt the first cyberattack to hit a major European festival. In 2022, the Cannes Film Festivals online ticketing system was overloaded by what the festival said were bots trying to flood the system. The Venice festival said the database affected by the hack did not involve organizational data for the 2025 festival and would not impact accreditation payments for this years fest, nor the booking or ticketing systems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 82nd Venice Film Festival runs August 27 to September 9. Best of The Hollywood Reporter Sign up for THR's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. CATLIN, Ill. (WCIA) Tuesday night, residents in one Vermilion County village continued to sound off against a proposed solar farm. The Village of Catlin is a part of a proposed 1,400-acre plot for renewable energy. Some residents feel it will hurt the village more than it will help. A friendly donation made its way to Danville There wasnt any plan on the agenda to review the details, but people who live next to the land where the panels would go say theyre trying to be proactive in pushing back before this project has a chance to even move forward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We found out about a proposed solar farm back in May, said Catlin resident Tonya Hill. Hill and her husband said they saw it in their local paper. Their house is right next to the field where she said the panels would be placed. We immediately began researching and asking questions, Hill said. And she didnt like the answers she heard. Concerns are the environmental issues and then our wildlife, Hill said. You cant see them right now, but if you were driving through here in the winter, you would probably see 25 to 50 deer at any time. Hill is worried that the habitat they currently enjoy will all be gone, and she anticipates this affecting the surrounding homes ability to draw water. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Lifesaving grant in Vermilion Co. advocates to prevent, end abuse Theres about 12 houses, Hill said. Were all on wells and our waterways will be affected. She said if the project is built, there will be less runoff from rain, which would limit what their well collects. All of these factors have led Hill to try and fight against the solar farm, even before it gets going. Weve been going to the township meetings, village meetings, Vermilion County Board meetings, just trying to get as much information as we can about what we can do to stop this, Hill said. Hill said shes hoping the village will uphold a zoning ordinance that would allow them to control whats built up to a mile and a half outside of city limits something theyve used in the past. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Back in 1974, a group of Catlin individuals got together and banded together and kept Apex Coal Company from coming here, Hill said. If the village adheres to their 1.5 set back, then this is a done deal. WCIA reached out to Earthrise, the company who is over the project, and has not heard back from them at this time. We will share updates as we learn more. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. MONTPELIER, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) The state of Vermont last week provided information to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) about people receiving food aid through a federal program information that some Vermont officials warned could be used for persecution and surveillance, while the governors office said their decision was based on reality not rhetoric. In May, the USDA told states that they would be required to send information on participants in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), including dates of birth, social security numbers, and information the state used to determine if they were eligible for benefits. The USDA followed up that notice with a second one last month setting a deadline of July 30. Vermont joins lawsuit over DOGE access to government payment system Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The USDA notices came after a March executive order by President Donald Trump decreeing that federal officials have unrestricted access to information from federally-funded state programs, which include SNAP. The order writes that its purpose is the elimination of waste, fraud, and abuse. Vermont Treasurer Mike Pieciak on Tuesday criticized the states compliance with the USDA notice, writing that Vermonters who rely on SNAP will now need to worry about persecution and surveillance from the Trump Administration because they chose to trust the state government to protect their data Vermont elected leaders must stand up to protect the most vulnerable. Multiple organizations in Vermont have since commented on this decision. Hunger Free Vermont Executive Director Anore Horton wrote in a statement that We all pay for SNAP with our tax dollars, and we all have a right to use it when we cant afford enough food without our data being compromised. End Homelessness Vermont Executive Director Brenda Siegel says this decision erodes the trust and safety of our fellow Vermonters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Vermont treasury returns $9.9 million in forgotten investments, uncashed checks However, the governors office said they were following established law. When there is clear evidence of harm to Vermonters, the Scott Administration will continue to push back against such decisions and requests this is not one of those moments. The governors office cited the 2018 Farm Bill, which was supported by Vermonts congressional delegation at the time. That bill includes a provision to share SNAP data nationally for the sole purpose of verifying that participants are not receiving benefits in more than one state. Scott vetoes Vermont hotel-motel shelter bill Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement New York attorney general Letitia James sued last week over the demand for SNAP data, joining other states in calling the notice a pretext for trying to weaponize the SNAP program against immigrant communities. The USDA notices do not explicitly mention a request for immigration status information, but a USDA document outlining the use of state data mentions that it may be used to conduct immigration status checks. We cannot live in chaos for the next three and a half years, wrote Amanda Wheeler, the governors press secretary. Vermont will continue to evaluate all requests and actions by the federal administration based on reality not rhetoric. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. Sudans Ministry of Health has confirmed on Tuesday, 5 August, that at least 21 new cholera-related deaths and 2,345 fresh infections within the past week, bringing the total death toll to 2,408 among 96,681 cases since the outbreak began in August 2024. The epicentre of the outbreak remains Tawila in North Darfur State, where the health infrastructure has been severely weakened. This escalation further compounds the humanitarian crisis in a nation already crippled by conflict and displacement. The United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) has raised urgent alarms, revealing that more than 640,000 children under five are acutely vulnerable to violence, hunger, and cholera in North Darfur alone. Since April 2023, Sudan has been engulfed in brutal fighting between the Sudanese army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), leading to widespread devastation. While the UN and local authorities continue to assess the crisis, academic estimates from US institutions place the conflict-related death toll at approximately 130,000. Watch video footage of two people travelling on I-670 in motorized wheelchairs above, obtained from the Ohio Department of Transportation through a public records request. COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) An incident involving two individuals traveling on Interstate 670 in motorized wheelchairs recently turned the heads of Columbus drivers. On July 30, just before 3 p.m., a 911 caller alerted the Franklin County Sheriffs Office of the incident. Once units with the sheriffs office arrived at the scene, they found two people in motorized wheelchairs traveling on the side of I-670 westbound near Stelzer Road. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ohio State president said university upholds academic freedom, but faculty disagree Its not every day that you see somebody in a wheelchair going down the berm of a freeway, Franklin County Sheriffs Office Chief Deputy Jim Gilbert said. (Photo courtesy/Ohio Department of Transportation) The 911 caller originally reported a crash involving a wheelchair and a vehicle, but when law enforcement arrived, the two individuals said they were not injured or involved in any crash. A lot of times, law enforcement will respond on calls to service and youre responding to something that youre advised of, but when you get there, its totally something different, Gilbert said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Gilbert said when deputies asked the motorized wheelchair users what they were doing, they simply claimed they were going that way and pointed ahead. Law enforcement then escorted the two individuals off the highway, according to Gilbert. My contact with them was very limited other than to tell them they cant be out on the freeway, I dont even know how you got out here, Gilbert said. It was more about getting them safely off the freeway as opposed to taking any kind of enforcement action. New rules set for teen drivers While deputies gave the pair a warning, Gilbert said Ohio law does prohibit people from riding certain mobility devices including motorized wheelchairs, electric bikes, lawnmowers and animal-drawn vehicles on the highway. Breaking this rule is generally a minor misdemeanor that results in a traffic ticket, rather than an arrestable offense. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement However, Gilbert said the July incident was a very dangerous situation, not only for the people on the motorized wheelchairs, but for other drivers on the highway. Were real big on distracted driving and making sure that people are paying attention to whats in front of them, and if youre seeing a motorized wheelchair down the berm, youre distracted by that and youre now focusing on what youre seeing and/or looking in your rearview mirror, he said. It can cause you to have an accident. Gilbert praised the Ohio Department of Transportations camera system, stating footage like the video of the motorized wheelchairs on I-670 helps law enforcement educate the public about highway dangers and driving safety. Owners unveil plan to keep Chillicothe toxic plume underground Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I cant say enough about how impactful it is to have the ODOT camera crews giving us updated information, Gilbert said. As we get dispatched on crashes out on the Interstate, those cameras are very pivotal to not only educating the public, but also providing us in real-time updated information as cars are responding to situations out on the freeway. In another incident in April, one of ODOTs cameras on I-71 southbound captured a vehicle coming to a complete stop in the middle lane after appearing to miss its intended exit, causing a multi-vehicle collision. The video helped police officers find and charge the driver who started the chain-reaction crash, and the footage helped exonerate another driver whom police originally cited. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. MCKINLEY COUNTY, N.M. (KRQE) Even with no money left to run her office, the McKinley County District Attorney said shes still not giving up control. Bernadine Martin held a news conference on Tuesday to plead her case. She said she is one week away from running out of money to pay employees, and she already cant pay her offices internet bills or gas cards. Previous Coverage: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She made her plea to the community for help, but the people who showed up told her to help herself. Community members didnt hold back in their first opportunity to speak directly to their district attorney since the state defunded her office on July 1. The money is no longer here. Yet you keep crying about, well, it wasnt my fault. Really look into yourself. You are very mean. You are very spiteful. That is why a lot of the assistant DAs no longer work for you. They quit because you do not work with people well, said a speaker. Thats the reason why KRQE News 13 has been told Bernadine Martin has zero assistant prosecutors, and without them, its been on her and only her to move criminal cases through the courts. The state, sheriff, and community say thats led to criminals not being held accountable, victims not getting justice for several years. We are not missing deadlines. We are prosecuting cases are moving, said Attorney Johanna Cox. She is one of two contract attorneys Martin hired to help with prosecutions. Cox is also representing Martin in her second legal battle to regain control of her funding. So, she sat next to the DA throughout the press conference. Cox added the community is misinformed about how the office is running, So just because you may not like, you know, if her car is painted red and you dont like red or her cars painted blue and you dont like blue, doesnt mean it doesnt operate and run just fine. It is working just fine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crowd wasnt pleased that Cox kept speaking for their elected public official. Community member: Quit shuffling it off to this lady over here. We need you to answer our questions. Martin: Ask me a question. After months of KRQE Investigative Reporter Ann Pierret trying to speak with DA Martin, and her choosing to shut the door on Pierret or calling security instead, this was also our first time to get questions answered. So Pierret asked about the hostile work environment former and current employees have described. Ann Pierret: Theyve said that you belittle them. Martin: Thats not true. Pierret: That youre nasty to them. Martin: Its not hostile. And no one has filed complaints. We have a personnel policy where they have the opportunity to file there. Ill tell you none of that that you heard is going on, its not. So what does Martin think is behind the decision to defund her office? Look at the factors. We are a Native American county. Predominantly Native American. A Native American DA. How does my funding get pulled at the 11th hour, and nobody seems to care? Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The state didnt get rid of Martins funding, but the governor gave it to the San Juan County DA to dish out. Martin believes thats unconstitutional and filed suit, refusing to let her fellow DA take financial control of her office. The people here did not elect him to come and run this office. Im elected. I can run the office. We have run the office. Weve been successful. And we can function. We just need access to the money that was intended for this office that was taken away from us at the 11th hour, said Martin. The two district attorneys will meet with a mediator on Monday. If that doesnt go well, the states Board of Finance will hold a special meeting to discuss emergency funding for the McKinley County District Attorneys Office. Only the attorney general or the governor can remove a district attorney. The Attorney Generals Office is investigating whether Martin should be removed. That investigation was made at the governors request. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRQE NEWS 13 - Breaking News, Albuquerque News, New Mexico News, Weather, and Videos. A veteran Chicago police officer with a history of financial trouble has been indicted on federal bank fraud charges alleging he lied on loan paperwork tied to the purchase of three properties in 2019. LeAnthony Brown, 49, was charged in the eight-page indictment made public Wednesday with five counts of mortgage fraud and making false statements to a financial institution. The charges allege that in February and March of 2019, Brown fraudulently obtained mortgage loans from two financial institutions totaling about $290,000 by lying about his assets, including a construction company he owns called Fathers, Brothers and Sons Inc. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In loan applications for two of the properties, Brown submitted fraudulent statements for a personal bank account that misstated how much he had in his real bank account, the indictment stated. The banks in turn gave Brown loans in the amounts of $60,450 and $57,850. While the charges do not state where the properties were located, county land records show the mortgages were approved for two adjacent single-family homes in the 1200 block of West 79th Street in Chicagos Auburn Gresham neighborhood. A month later, Brown submitted similarly fraudulent paperwork to secure a $169,000 loan for a third property, identified as Property C, by claiming he had more than $60,000 in cash in his checking account and his construction company had more than $600,000, the indictment stated. It was not clear from public records where that property was located. Brown, who joined the Chicago Police Department in 1998, is assigned to the Deering District on the South Side. but detailed to a unit that handles nonemergency calls, according to a department spokesperson. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement His lawyer, Brandon Brown, could not immediately be reached for comment. County and other online records show Brown has a history of financial troubles, including multiple lawsuits by creditors, including a $61,000 civil judgment entered against him last year. In June, a bank foreclosed on Browns longtime home on South Wabash Avenue after he failed to make mortgage payments, the records show. Hes also faced discipline with the Chicago Police Department. Records show he was suspended for 25 days last year after a warrant was issued for his arrest over a civil contempt of court order in Cook County. Details of that order were not immediately available. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Brown was also among a handful of officers sued over the controversial death of Heriberto Godinez, who died in custody in 2015 after police responded to calls of a disturbance on the Southwest Side. Video from the scene showed one of the responding officers putting his foot on the handcuffed suspects neck. Brown testified in a sworn deposition that when he arrived at the scene, he saw Godinez flailing away and resisting arrest, and he stepped in to help carry him to a police wagon. The Cook County medical examiners office found Godinez died of cocaine and alcohol poisoning, with physical stress from his being restrained listed as a significant contributing factor. The wrongful death lawsuit filed by Godinezs sister later settled for $1.2 million. jmeisner@chicagotribune.com As Vice President JD Vance heads to Indianapolis Thursday to discuss redistricting with Gov. Mike Braun, U.S. Rep. Frank Mrvan said potential redistricting of Indianas First Congressional District would silence the voices of his constituents. The Trump administration has recognized that their harmful policies to benefit wealthy elites at the expense of working families are wildly unpopular, Mrvan, D-Highland, said in a statement issued Tuesday night. Braun told reporters Tuesday that Vance will visit Indianapolis Thursday to discuss many topics, including possible redistricting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whatever we discuss there, and if that topic comes up, its exploratory, Braun said. Theres been no commitments made. House Speaker Todd Huston, R-Fishers, and Senate President Pro Tem Rodric Bray, R-Martinsville, did not respond to requests for comment about a potential special session to address redistricting. Redistricting occurs every 10 years following the release of census data. But the Trump administration has been pressuring states, most notably Texas, to redistrict ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Texas Democrats on Monday prevented their states House of Representatives from moving forward with a special session to vote on a redrawn Congressional map. After the Democrats left the state, the Republican-dominated House was unable to establish the quorum of lawmakers required to do business. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has made threats about removing members who are absent from their seats. Democrats counter that Abbott is using smoke and mirrors to assert legal authority he does not have. The Texas House quickly issued civil arrest warrants for absent Democrats and Abbott ordered state troopers to help find and arrest them, but lawmakers physically outside Texas are beyond the jurisdiction of state authorities. Indiana has nine Congressional districts, with seven districts represented by Republicans and two represented by Democrats. Of the two Democratic seats, the First Congressional District seat which Mrvan has held since 2021 is a realistic target for redistricting because its a larger district compared to the Seventh District, which encompasses Indianapolis, said Julia Vaughn, the executive director of Common Cause Indiana, a grassroots, nonpartisan organization with active independent redistricting commission campaigns in the state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The target would be on Northwest Indiana, but I think the Congress people representing those districts that border the First Congressional District will be very nervous because theyll have to take Republican voters from their districts and put them in the First, Vaughn said. But Vaughn said redistricting the First District poses the risk of racial gerrymandering, which is the illegal packing of communities of color to preordain election outcomes. If racial gerrymandering were to occur, it would face legal action, she said. Aaron Dusso, an associate professor of political science at Indiana University Indianapolis, said if the Seventh District was considered for redistricting, legislators could use the pizza method, which would slice Democratic portions of Marion County into Republican districts to break up Democratic support. The First Congressional District remains Indianas most competitive seat. In 2022, Mrvan won nearly 53% of the vote against Republican Jennifer-Ruth Green. In 2024, Mrvan saw a small increase in the number of votes to just over 53% when he won against Republican Randy Niemeyer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Indiana, Article 4, Section 5 of the states constitution states that the General Assembly elected during the year in which a federal decennial census is taken shall fix by law the number of Senators and Representatives and apportion them among districts according to the number of inhabitants in each district, as revealed by that federal decennial census. The territory in each district shall be contiguous. Mrvan said the Trump administrations only hope to maintain control in Congress is to force the state legislature to violate the Indiana Constitution and undergo a mid-decade redistricting. It is no surprise that some believe redistricting is the only option to cling to power when they know the American people are rejecting the damage done by the House Republican Majority, Mrvan said. For example, Mrvan said the reconciliation law hurts healthcare providers and limits healthcare coverage all to fund massive tax cuts for the wealthiest individuals and special interests. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be reprehensible to call in the Indiana General Assembly for a special session on redistricting, Mrvan said. The legislature should be focused on issues that impact Hoosiers, he said, like restoring state funds for local police departments. In states where redistricting is controlled by state legislatures, like in Indiana, its common for the majority party to engage in gerrymandering, which is when Congressional and state legislative maps are drawn in a way to benefit the majority party, Dusso said. Dusso said he was surprised to hear that Vance is coming to Indiana to talk about redistricting because Indiana is already gerrymandered in Republicans favor, with Democrats packed into two Congressional districts and the remaining seven in safe Republican districts. There is a danger involved in this, too, because youre going to have to put Democratic voters, solidly Democratic voters, into a lot of different Congressional districts. If you have a swing election coming here in 2026, you could end up losing some of these districts, which you wouldve won easily, but then you monkeyed around with these districts, Dusso said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With California officials signaling they will pursue redistricting as well, Dusso said Democrats there have more options for creating new seats because California has an independent commission in charge of redistricting. Republican-led states are heavily gerrymandered, Dusso said, so its likely national leaders are looking at Texas to create a new seat because its a large state. But Indiana, Dusso said, is already gerrymandered in Republicans favor. State Rep. Mike Andrade, D-Munster, joined Texas Democrats in Boston on Wednesday to show his colleagues support and call attention to gerrymandering. Although I am in Boston standing with Texas Democrats, this fight has now reached our doorstep, Andrade said. This is pure gerrymandering disguised as redistricting. It is a blatant power grab from the national level that has trickled down into Indiana and Hoosiers dont want it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Andrade said redrawing Indianas Congressional maps would take away voters voices. This will take power away from the people, Andrade said. Instead of voters choosing their representatives, the party in power will choose its voters. That was never how our democracy was intended to work. Indiana shouldnt enter the national fight over redistricting Congressional seats, Vaughn said. Governor Braun doesnt work for the White House. He doesnt work for JD Vance. He works for Hoosiers, and I have not heard one single Hoosier say, Lets go back and revisit redistricting, Vaughn said. akukulka@post-trib.com Video above: This Nexstar Media video explains what to do if you witness a crime. SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) A man who was shot dead inside of a San Diego bar over the weekend has been identified by authorities. According to San Diego Police Department, the violence unfolded shortly before 5:30 p.m. on Sunday when officers responded to reports of shots fired at a Gaslamp Quarter establishment, located at 701 Sixth Ave. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once on scene, police found a man, 37-year-old Bryan Tyner, being detained by several people outside the building. The group identified him as the suspect of a shooting. Heat wave prompts emergency trail closures in San Diegos backcountry Meanwhile, a victim was located on the ground in a third-floor hallway area suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Despite life-saving efforts, that individual, now identified as 46-year-old Antwan Bluthenthal (also known as Antwan Blu), died from his injuries. The suspect was taken into custody on suspicion of murder. The circumstances leading up to the shooting remain under investigation. At this point, it has been determined that both the victim and suspect visited the Cielo Rooftop Lounge on the fifth floor, which is accessed via an elevator on the third floor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police also mentioned that the third floor houses a comedy club, which was reportedly closed at the time of the shooting. Another bar, Mr. Tempo, is located on the first floor and also has access to the elevator. Anyone with information regarding this shooting is encouraged to call the Homicide Unit at 619-531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego & KUSI News. The Brief Cordarall Horne was shot and killed innorthwest D.C. Police say 47 rounds were fired; three suspects fled. His family believes it was a tragic case of mistaken identity. WASHINGTON - D.C. police are investigating a shooting in Northwest that left a 38-year-old man dead Monday night, with the victims family convinced it was a case of mistaken identity. The victim, identified as Cordarall Allen Horne, was shot around 10 p.m. in the 1300 block of Otis Place. Witnesses said three men arrived in a dark-colored sedan, entered the alley behind the home, and opened fire. At least 47 rounds were identified by police. Horne was struck multiple times and died on the back porch. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement FOX 5's Shomari Stone spoke exclusively with grieving relatives inside the home, where bullet holes pierced walls and a stove. A car in the driveway was also damaged. Hornes family said he was a father, grandfather, and a kind-hearted man from North Carolina. His sister believes he was targeted by mistake. "We're not from here. He's not from here. I can almost guarantee whoever did this doesn't even know who he is," his sister said. Police are asking anyone with information to contact D.C. police or submit tips anonymously. The Source Information in this article comes from The Metropolitan Police Department. SHAWNEE, Kan. The victim of last weeks stabbing at a Shawnee, Kansas restaurant is now home from the hospital. Reilly Sweeney, 30, was badly hurt during the attack on Thursday, July 31, at his familys restaurant, Haywards Pit Bar B Que, near West 75th Street and Nieman Road. Shawnee police K-9 stabbed while assisting with standoff call His father, Eric Sweeney said Reilly is now home and recovering but has a long road ahead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reilly was released from the hospital less than three days after he was stabbed at the restaurant. He is now recovering from the attack that left him with more than 40 stitches, a punctured lung and staples in his head. Eric Sweeney claims the suspect entered the restaurants bathroom and refused to leave. Investigators have identified the suspect as Maikol Valdes, who now faces a first-degree attempted murder charge. Eric said Valdes came out and stabbed Reilly multiple times. Many in the community are still processing what happened and rallying around the family. We love him and support him and we support him all the way and get well soon, customer Nancy Nash said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV Valdes is being held in the Johnson County Jail on a $1 million bond. Hes due back in court this October in Jackson County for a separate criminal trial. In that case, Valdes is accused of assaulting a Saint Lukes Hospital employee in July 2024. A meal train was created for Reilly and his wife. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Violent crime declined by 4.5 percent in 2024, according to an FBI report released Tuesday. The 2024 drop in violent crime follows a 3 percent drop the year before and continues a general downward trend seen since levels peaked during COVID. The latest data also shows a year-over-year decrease across all other major crime categories. The FBI report shows murder and nonnegligent manslaughter declined by 14.9 percent in 2024, compared with the previous year; rapes declined by 5.2 percent; aggravated assault declined by 3 percent; and robbery declined by 8.9 percent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reported hate crimes decreased by 1.5 percent in 2024, compared with the year before. Brian Levin the founder of the Center for the Study of Hate and Extremism and professor emeritus at California State University, San Bernardino told The Associated Press that, despite the decline in hate crimes, last year still recorded the second highest levels in the 30 years that the center has collected data. The report shows violent crime occurred on average every 25.9 seconds in 2024, while a murder occurred on average every 31.1 minutes and a rape occurred every 4.1 minutes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. PEORIA, Ill. (WMBD) An arrest of a homeless man on Monday became viral on TikTok as local community members spoke out against the incident. The arrest was made on War Memorial Drive at the intersection with Glen Hollow. A bystander decided to record the incident, where it showed the three groups, Peoria police, Peoria County Animal Protection Services, a man and his dog were at a standoff for three minutes. After a short period, the man tried to runaway across the busy intersection. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Police in the video chased the man and got him on the ground. Bystander Chantal Kellog said she heard a taser go off. When the man was tackled, the dog ran away. The news station got in contact with PCAPS, who said they were called to the area by police in case the dog ran off. PCAPS confirmed they were not after the dog. With that, we assume police were at the scene to talk to the homeless man. Peoria police have not responded for a comment, so it is uncertain why they were there. All we know is that an arrest was made, and shortly after the man was put to the ground, he was taken away in an ambulance. According to jail records, the man was released from jail on Tuesday. A local community member was able to find the dog, and according to Kellog, the dog has returned back to the man. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Well continue to update you when we receive more information. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. Virginia NAACP President Cozy Bailey speaking to a crowd in front of the Shenandoah County Circuit Court on June 11, 2024. (Photo by Nathaniel Cline/Virginia Mercury) The Virginia Court of Appeals determined Tuesday that the Virginia NAACPs yearslong challenge to Gov. Glenn Youngkin over access to records concerning his administrations changes to voting rights restorations can move forward. Because a previous ruling by a Richmond judge that sided with the governor never addressed the attorneys fees that had been part of NAACPs lawsuit, the appellate court has decided the case is not closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We dismiss the premature appeal without prejudice and remand the matter to the trial court to consider the attorney fee issue, the courts judges wrote in a filing Tuesday. The Mercury asked the civil rights group to comment on Tuesdays ruling and their next steps concerning the case but did not hear back by press time. Case background The Virginia Conference of the NAACP had originally filed a Freedom of Information Act request to the governors office seeking further details about how it handles restoration of voting rights to people with felony convictions who have completed their sentences. In Virginia, people with these convictions permanently lose their right to vote unless a governor pardons them or they petition a governor to restore the right. Previous governors both Republican and Democratic had worked to streamline the process and make it automatic upon completion of a prison sentence. The process quietly reverted to a petition-based one under the Youngkin administration, with fewer petitions granted than previous governors and unclear criteria for what would yield a yes or no from his administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The lack of transparency in the restoration process is why Virginias NAACP filed its original records request. Acting in what former Youngkin spokeswoman Macaulay Porter called good faith, the administration had released a document to the organization that provided some insights. The document suggested that completion of probation or repayment of fines might be a factor in Youngkins approval. Further details were not disclosed. The tidbits of information Youngkins administration decided to share had tipped off NAACP about the existence of a database repository for restoration petitions, which their lawyers had argued should have been viewable to their client. The district judges previous ruling supported Youngkins withholding under an exemption the state code dubs working papers. These are documents and materials prepared for a governors deliberative use which governors can withhold from Freedom of Information Act requests. Several rejected applicants who spoke with the Mercury last year expressed frustration that they could not participate in the presidential and local elections that were happening and none of them knew why theyd been denied. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some had also been part of a copy-and-paste rejection letter that was shared in a mass email that was inadvertently sent without blind carbon copying and showed all the recipients email addresses, which was forwarded to the Mercury. This triggered a thread of conversations between ex-felons around the state who bonded over their frustrations and shared calls to action. The issue appeared to impact would-be voters of varying political persuasions. One person on the thread said they identified as a Republican and wanted to be able to vote for Earle-Sears this year, but their application was rejected. Screenshot of a mass email thread between rejected applicants whod petitioned Gov. Glenn Youngkin for their voting rights to be restored in 2024. Another person included on the email, Newport News resident Justin Brown, said in an interview last fall, Once I started talking with everyone else and seeing that this is a pattern of this administration, I wanted to raise some alarm bells. He shared his insights with state lawmakers as they began work on an in-progress constitutional amendment to enshrine restoration of rights to those with completed sentences in the states constitution. It passed this year and must do so next year before appearing on statewide ballots for final approval or rejection by all voters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the meantime, Democratic Attorney General candidate Jay Jones is celebrating the continuation of the once-defeated case and framing it as a victory over the governor and his opponent, current Attorney General Jason Miyares. This is an incredible victory for all Virginians, who are one step closer to gaining the transparency they deserve in our governments critical decision-making processes that determine our fundamental civil rights, Jones said in a statement. Jones, who had also been legal counsel on the case before campaigning for his statewide bid, said that he appreciates the NAACPs efforts to shed light on what our government is doing behind closed doors. As Youngkin prepares to vacate his role as Virginias governor, state lawmakers are in the process of advancing the bill that could allow restorations to occur as long as someone has completed their sentence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The proposed constitutional amendment has advanced with bipartisan support, though not without reservation from some GOP lawmakers, and must pass through them again next year. If voters statewide choose not to accept it, the next governor could continue to uphold Youngkins voter restoration process or make changes. Unlike her signatures expressing opposition to other advancing constitutional amendments, Earle-Sears has not indicated a position on the restoration of voting rights amendment. Spanberger has stated support for all three amendments and that she will prioritize restoring rights to eligible people as governor if the amendment fails. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Ballot counting began on Tuesday, 5 August, following the conclusion of Egypts two-day Senate elections, with polling stations closing promptly at 9 pm on the final day. The vote, held on 45 August across 8,286 stations, was monitored by 9,500 judgesincluding 2,500 womento ensure transparency. Approximately 68 million eligible Egyptians participated, following earlier voting by expatriates on 12 August at 136 polling sites in 117 countries. The expatriate ballots have now entered the counting phase, with local committees forwarding results via diplomatic channels to the central electoral authority. The National Elections Authority is scheduled to announce first-round results on 12 August. If no candidate or list achieves an outright majority, a runoff will be held for expatriates on 2526 August and for domestic voters on 2728 August. Final certified results are expected by 4 September. According to the National Elections Authority, 428 candidates are vying for individual seats in the 2025 Senate elections, including 186 independents and 242 affiliated with political parties. NEED TO KNOW Ghislaine Maxwell's attorneys have asked for immunity in exchange for testimony The family of Virginia Giuffre, one of Maxwell's and Jeffrey Epstein's most prominent accusers, has said they are against any leniency for Maxwell Giuffre died by suicide in April The brother and sister-in-law of Virginia Giuffre, who was one of the most prominent accusers of Jeffrey Epstein, appeared on CBS Mornings after it was reported Ghislaine Maxwell was requesting clemency from the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN previously reported a letter sent by Maxwell's attorney that requested immunity in exchange for testimony in front of the U.S. House Oversight Committee, while also asking President Donald Trump for clemency. Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence after she was convicted of sex trafficking, though the Bureau of Prisons recently confirmed that she was transferred to a minimum-security facility in Texas. Ghislaine Maxwell was an active participant and a ringleader in the abuse carried out by convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, Virginia Giuffres sister-in-law tells Gayle King. Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, was one of Maxwell and Epsteins most vocal accusers. Sky pic.twitter.com/7xtDmA7NQm CBS Mornings (@CBSMornings) August 6, 2025 Giuffre, who died by suicide in April, previously told CBS that Maxwell is "vicious" and called her "worse than Epstein." Speaking to Gayle King on Wednesday, Aug. 6, Giuffre's brother Sky Roberts and his wife, Amanda Roberts, said they were against any clemency for Maxwell. Neil Rasmus/Patrick McMullan via Getty Jeffrey Epstein Jeffrey Epstein Survivors are saying no. No to leniency, no to a pardon," Roberts said, addressing the Trump administration. "Will you silence them again? Jimi Celeste/Patrick McMullan via Getty Ghislaine Maxwell Both Sky and Amanda said they'd be eager to testify in front of Congress on Giuffre's behalf. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In July, Maxwell spoke with Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, and she has since been subpoenaed to testify in front of Congress. However, she said she would assert her Fifth Amendment rights unless granted immunity from prosecution. Trump has not said he would grant Maxwell clemency, though Sky Roberts expressed dismay that she was moved to a lower-security prison. "I think it makes you question if there are any backdoor deals going on," Roberts told King. "For her to be moved to a minimum-security prison ... it's highly convenient that after she had these conversations with various members of the administration that there's now being some sort of preferential treatment going on." Read the original article on People From left: Indiana Gov. Mike Braun and Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith appear at a rally in Greenwood on Oct. 26, 2024. (Casey Smith/Indiana Capital Chronicle) Indiana Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith, who is is six months into a convention-arranged political marriage with Indiana Gov. Mike Braun, is complying with certain executive orders because he wants to not because he has to. The interpretation comes after Beckwiths Statehouse executive office has been repeatedly closed to the public during business hours in recent weeks, even though Braun directed state agencies to return full-time employees to in-person work by July 1. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Both offices agree that agencies Beckwith oversees the Indiana State Department of Agriculture and the Office of Community and Rural Affairs are bound by the order. But the lieutenant governor himself is among just six separately selected statewide officeholders detailed in Indianas constitution. Beckwith is the second in command in the executive branch but also presides over the Indiana Senate. This means that some employees under the lieutenant governors authority could have to follow executive orders while others wouldnt. Beckwith Spokesman James Kehoe maintains that Beckwiths office has chosen to follow the in-office order, including his executive and business teams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beckwith believes in the spirit of the order, so the office is voluntarily complying, Kehoe wrote. He cited two Statehouse attorneys who both gave us the legal opinion that the office isnt bound by the directive. Brauns office indicated separately elected and nominated officials can opt into certain executive orders. We are setting a policy and we are leading, Brauns General Counsel Patrick Price said. And you know, if other state elected officials want to follow the governors lead, we welcome them to do that. From left: Susan Beckwith, Lieutenant Governor-elect Micah Beckwith, Maureen Braun and Governor-elect Mike Braun in Indianapolis on Nov. 5, 2024. (Whitney Downard/Indiana Capital Chronicle) The running mates began their new roles in January. Their partnership has included disagreements over policy and public remarks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Republican delegates narrowly selected Beckwith as the GOP nominee for lieutenant governor in a surprising vote at a party convention last June, rebuffing Brauns handpicked choice for the role. Potential for split goes back decades Representatives for the two leaders had slightly differing explanations for whether executive orders do or dont apply. Brauns office pointed to a chapter of Indiana Code about the states civil service system, which specifically exempts the governor, lieutenant governor and four other statewide elected officials from such personnel requirements. If youre separately elected or separately nominated, your accountability is to the voters, not the governor, Price said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Budget-related orders would still apply to everyone, however. Beckwiths office indicated it uses a case-by-case approach. Need to get in touch? Have a news tip? CONTACT US Since all Executive Orders are different, youd need to ask about each specifically for me to address this, Kehoe said. He confirmed the office has sought an opinion essentially, legal advice from the Office of Attorney General, but we have not heard back. Indianas governor and lieutenant governor have run on the same ticket since the 1976 elections, when a constitutional amendment went into effect. Until then, the two were separately elected. Voters approved the change in a 56%-44% referendum two years prior. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Proponents argued the amendment would boost cooperation between the states two top officeholders because theyd at least belong to the same party, according to a 1974 edition of the Nappanee Advance-News. Opponents held that the dual ticket would limit voter options and reduce the lieutenant governor to a rubber stamp of the governors perspective. Paul Helmke, a professor at Indiana University Bloomingtons School of Public and Environmental Affairs, said its likely the first time weve had that kind of conflict since the amendment took effect. Helmke served three terms as the Republican mayor of Fort Wayne, leaving office in 2000. He led the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence for five years and joined IUs faculty in 2013. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyve always been a team, he said of the two roles. But this one, I mean, we knew was going to be different, just going back to the convention. Party insiders pick the lieutenant governor nominee in at springtime conventions. They typically but dont always fall in line with the preference of the gubernatorial nominee, who is chosen by primary election voters. That difference in selection mechanisms is why theres always been a potential for a split between the two, Helmke said. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX NEOSHO, Mo. Voters in Neosho and Newton County rejected use-tax proposals in their respective jurisdictions Tuesday. Neosho residents rejected the plan, known as Proposition A, by a vote of 584 to 223, with more than 72% voting no. Newton County residents rejected their plan, also known as Proposition A, by a vote of 1,665 to 846, with more than 66% voting no. A use tax is a tax placed on purchases online from companies that do not have a physical presence in Missouri. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rates would have been the same as the existing sales taxes in those areas, 1.65% in Newton County and 3% in the city limits of Neosho. The state of Missouri already charges a use tax on purchases at 4.225%, the same as the state sales tax. Joplin residents in Newton County have been paying a use tax rate of 3.125% since 2023. Voters approved it in the November 2022 election. The county use tax would have been used mostly to fund moving sheriffs deputies and other county employees to the Missouri Local Government Employees Retirement System, or LAGERS, which offers better retirement benefits for county employees than the current system, known as the County Employee Retirement Fund. This was the second time in two years that Neosho voters rejected a use tax. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They shot down a use tax in April 2025 by a vote of 570 to 603. At that time, Neosho City Manager David Kennedy had estimated the tax would bring in $300,000 to $400,000 annually based on state estimates, and the revenue was to be used to build a water park to replace Neoshos aging swimming pool. This time, the city proposed using the money, if passed, toward improved salaries and benefits for police officers and firefighters and to make improvements to roads and bridges. KANSAS CITY, Mo. The results are in, and voters have selected two candidates to move on to the November general election and vie for the position of Kansas City, Kansas, mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Rose Mulvany Henry and Christal Watson were chosen out of six candidates to replace Mayor Tyrone Garner, who announced back in November 2024 that he would not be running for reelection. Who are the candidates? Christal Watson Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Watson currently serves as Executive Director of the Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools Foundation for Excellence. Before dedicating her time to the education system, she was the chief of staff to KCK Mayor David Alvey and CEO of the Heartland Chamber of Commerce. Her campaign centers around creating a future that works for every resident, business and family. She plans to do this by tackling four core areas that she believes will lay the foundation for long-term prosperity in the county: community, housing, workforce and infrastructure. Your Local Election Headquarters: Candidates, races and results on FOX4 Rose Mulvany Henry Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mulvany Henry is an executive and attorney and has served as an elected member of the Kansas City, Kansas, Board of Public Utilities, At-Large Position 3 since 2019. She has over three decades of executive and legal experience spanning corporate, regulatory and entrepreneurial environments. Her campaign largely centers around economic development and investment into both large and small businesses, repairing aging infrastructure and tackling the countys revenue crisis. Mulvany Henry also hopes to restore trust between the Unified Government and its workers, residents in the county, business owners and investors. Download WDAF+ for Roku, Fire TV, Apple TV The general election is on Nov. 4, where Mulvany Henry and Watson will face off for the position of KCK Mayor and CEO of the Unified Government of Wyandotte County. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports. Opening a new restaurant is always a risk, but this one even more so: Its a scorching summer in the Arizona desert, meat prices are up and the economy is unpredictable. Im a little nervous, owner Ray Flores tells a visitor to his new project on Tucsons northern edge. Are you a gambler? Charro Steak North is almost ready: The bar is stocked, the supplies delivered and the new team hired. For that last part, Flores gives President Donald Trump and the Republican Congress some credit, specifically for their sweeping new policy bill, which among many other changes temporarily eliminates taxes on tipped wages and overtime for many workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We had a really robust hiring fair, Flores said in an interview. Lots of applicants. Way more than we have had in previous hiring fairs. A lot of quality applicants. A little higher quality, it seems, than in the past four or five years. . I do believe that those messages of some kind of tax relief created some of this. The steakhouse is in Arizonas 6th Congressional District, one of the top battlegrounds as Republicans try to hold their tiny House majority in next years midterm elections. GOP Rep. Juan Ciscomani is the incumbent, and Flores has supported him in the past. Ciscomani voted for the policy bill, championed by Trump, that includes the changes Flores believes might help his new restaurant launch. But Flores isnt ready to commit to backing the districts GOP incumbent again in 2026. Right now, we are in the middle of the off-season, Flores said. Its probably a question that needs to be asked a year from today. "All Over the Map" voter Ray Flores shows CNN's John King around Charro Steak North opening in Tucson this month. - CNN Flores is an independent and a late decider. And he worries Ciscomani is perhaps more concerned with his own standing in Washington and with Trump than he is about his evenly divided district here in southern Arizona. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Unfortunately, once you are elected, that is the treadmill that you are on, Flores said. You get nothing done anymore because you are just trying to get reelected or get your party elected. I always felt that he was somebody for our community. I hope that still remains the case. Our visit was part of our All Over the Map project; Flores was among the more than 100 voters we visited repeatedly in battleground states last year to track the 2024 campaign through the eyes and experiences of everyday Americans. Now, our goal is to track public sentiment about the president and his agenda heading into the 2026 midterm elections. This most recent Arizona visit was to get some first impressions of the GOP agenda package, marketed by Trump and his Republican allies as their big, beautiful bill. For a restauranteur like Flores, the bills impact on the economy will be the greatest test. So his acknowledgment that the GOP measure likely helped him find a better staff for Charro Steak North could potentially work in Ciscomanis favor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But Flores also finds a lot not to like in the new measure. I dont know if we are big enough for it to help us, said Flores, whose company runs more than a dozen restaurants now. Theyve got their work cut out to make sure this pays off. Im concerned that businesses are all being lumped (in with) these billionaires, and thats not the case. Flores said the GOP agenda bill does nothing to help back-of-house restaurant workers cooks and dishwashers and others who dont get tips. And it did nothing to solve what Flores considers a problem for the hospitality industry: wildly disparate state laws setting minimum wages for tipped versus other categories of workers. Downtown Tucson, Arizona. - CNN I would like to see more from (Ciscomani) and their team focusing on small business, Flores said. I wish they would talk to operators more than they do now. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The economic impact is one metric to track here as we count down the 15 months to the midterm vote. Latino voter sentiment is another. The district is 25% Hispanic, and Republicans hope to build on the partys recent gains with Latino voters. Trump, for example, won 37% of the Latino vote in Arizona in 2020. He narrowly lost the state. In 2024, Trumps share of Arizona Latino voters jumped to 44%. He won the 6th District and the state on his way back to the White House. We will get a glimpse of Latino voter sentiment next month, when there is a special election in the neighboring 7th Congressional District. It is overwhelmingly Democratic and 60% Hispanic. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A third midterm test for the Republican agenda bill, here and in other battleground districts, is the impact of big changes to social safety net programs. Democrats are already framing those changes as mean-spirited, accusing Republicans of hurting the poor to help pay for tax and other benefits that mainly benefit the more affluent. Those coming changes are the source of constant conversation at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, which serves both the 6th and the 7th congressional districts. Demand is already up, said Claudio Rodriguez, the food banks vice president for policy and advocacy. We have a lot of newcomers. The food bank served 171,000 people last year. It projects that number will climb close to 200,000 in 2025. Many of the people it serves come several times a year, if not every month. The food bank had 900,000 total visits last year and projects surpassing 1.2 million visits this year. Volunteers work the supply line packing boxes of food at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona. - CNN Those increases come despite the fact that, to date, the impact of Trump administration changes on the food bank has been relatively modest. Rodriguez said a partner agency recently lost federal funding for a lunch program. During a tour of the food warehouse he paused at an area stacked with fresh produce, including a pallet of boxed tomatoes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I believe these are from Mexico, Rodriguez said. That is going to change soon with the tariffs and all that. So were going to see less produce come in. Rodriguez predicted some additional cuts or changes when the next fiscal year begins on October 1. But the biggest impact on the working families who depend on the food bank are still down the road a bit. Popular GOP agenda items such as the temporary elimination of taxes on tips took effect immediately. But the more politically risky policy changes such as new work requirements for Medicaid and eligibility and changes that could result in people losing food assistance dont begin to kick in until 2027. It creates a challenge for the food banks administrative staff. New applicants for help are briefed on the coming changes, so they know that their eligibility for food assistance or medical coverage could be affected as more of the new GOP policies take effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Whether it is cuts to Medicaid, cuts to SNAP, maybe cuts to the resources that are in the Farm Bill, we have to adjust, Rodriguez said. So we know there is going to be a change. We just dont know what the impact is going to look like. That many of the provisions kick in at different times over the next several years is a challenge when the food bank tries to make projections about how many people it might find itself serving or how much private money it might need to raise to offset lost federal funds. Claudio Rodriguez, vice president for policy and advocacy at the Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona, sorts donated cans with CNN's John King. - CNN That same drawn-out implementation schedule could also make it more difficult for Democrats to gain political advantage. Some things are going to roll out after the midterms, which is a very nice play for some folks to wait until after that, Rodriguez said. All we can do is prepare and make sure that our community is being served. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We first met Rodriguez before the 2024 election, in his other work as an organizer for a progressive organization. The food bank is a nonprofit that does not take sides in elections, so Rodriguez is careful when on the clock there. He would not, for example, say whether be believes Ciscomani deserves another term. For some people, he did what he had to do, Rodriguez said. For others, they were disappointed. Rodriguez did share an email to the GOP congressman, written on behalf of the food bank, urging him to vote no on the big GOP agenda bill because of its social safety net cuts. Ciscomani ultimately rejected the idea that the measure would hurt working families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He believes that it wont, that hes attacking the fraud, the abuse, the scam, Rodriguez said. When we come here every day on the line, we dont really see any of that. And if it is one or two people that do do that, why punish the rest? Why punish the seniors? Why punish the kids, the veterans? For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) Facing a sea of state troopers, Charles Mauldin was near the front line of voting rights marchers who strode across the now-infamous Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama, on March 7, 1965. The violence that awaited them shocked the nation and galvanized support for the passage of the U.S. Voting Rights Act a few months later. Wednesday marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark legislation becoming law. Those at the epicenter of the fight for voting rights for Black Americans recalled their memories of the struggle, and expressed fear that those hard-won rights are being eroded. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bloody Sunday in Alabama, 1965 Mauldin was 17 when he joined the ill-fated Bloody Sunday march. John Lewis, who became a longtime Georgia congressman, and Hosea Williams were the first pair of marchers. Mauldin was in the third pair. We had gotten past being afraid at that point. What was happening in Selma and to us was so unjust that we were determined to fight it regardless of the consequences, Mauldin, now 77, said. The head of the state troopers told them that they were in an illegal gathering and had two minutes to disperse. Williams asked for a moment to pray, Mauldin recalled. Immediately, state troopers in gas masks and helmets, as well as deputies and men on horseback, attacked the marchers men, women, children. They lashed out with billy clubs and tear gas, with stomping horse hooves and cattle prods. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A cause worth dying for Richard Smiley, then 16, was also among the marchers. He stashed candy in his pockets so he would have something to eat in case they went to jail. As they approached the bridge, he saw about 100 white men on horseback. The only qualification they needed was to hate Blacks, Smiley said. Our knees were knocking. We didnt know whether we were going to get killed. We were afraid but we werent going to let fear stop us, Smiley, 76, recalled. At that point we wouldve gave up our life for the right to vote. Thats just how important it was. Selma in 1965 was a very poor city and a racist city," he said. He said there were some white people in the town that supported our cause, but they couldnt stand up because of what would happen to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Echoes of the past The Voting Rights Act led to sweeping change across the American South as discriminatory voting practices were dismantled and Black voter turnout surged. Democratic President Lyndon Johnson called the act a triumph for freedom as huge as any victory won on any battlefield, when he signed it on Aug. 6, 1965. However, both Mauldin and Smiley see echoes of the past in the current political climate. While not as extreme as the policies of the Jim Crow South, Mauldin said there are attacks on the rights of Black and brown voters. The same struggle we had 61 years ago is the same struggle we had today, Mauldin said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some states have enacted laws that make it harder not easier to vote, with voter ID requirements, limits to mail voting and other changes. President Donald Trump and Republican-led states have pushed sweeping rollbacks of diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives with Trump declaring he ended the tyranny of such programs. The Justice Department, once focused on protecting access to voting, is taking steps to investigate alleged voter fraud and noncitizen voting. The department is joining Alabama in opposing a request to require the state to get future congressional maps precleared for use, calling it a dramatic intrusion on principles of federalism. A long, unfinished struggle The fight for voting rights was a long struggle, as is the struggle to maintain those rights, said Hank Sanders, a former state senator who helped organize the annual Bloody Sunday commemoration in Selma. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Two weeks after Bloody Sunday, the Rev. Martin Luther King led marchers out on the walk to Montgomery, Alabama, to continue the fight for voting rights. Sanders was among the thousands who completed the last legs of the march and listened as Kings famous words How long, not long thundered down over the crowd. That was a very powerful moment because I left there convinced that it wouldnt be long before people would have the full voting rights, Sanders, 82, recalled. He said the reality it would be a longer fight set in the next year when a slate of Black candidates lost in an overwhelmingly Black county The Voting Rights Act for decades required that states with a history of discrimination including many in the South get federal approval before changing the way they hold elections. The requirement of preclearance effectively went away in 2013 when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled, in a case arising from Alabama, that the provision determining which states are covered was outdated and unconstitutional. That led to a flood of legislation in states impacting voting, Sanders said. It's no longer a shower, t's a storm, Sanders said. I never thought that 50 years later, wed still be fighting, Sanders said, not just to expand voting right but to be able to maintain some of the rights that we had already obtained. Sixty years ago today, a landmark piece of voting rights legislation was signed into law a policy that has aimed to course-correct Americas wobbled experiment of representative democracy. The Voting Rights Act of 1965, signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson on August 6 of that year, effectively prohibited racial discrimination in voting and required federal oversight to ensure its implementation. Before then, Americans were routinely denied access to the ballot box based on the color of their skin, despite such practices being prohibited for nearly a century. But people in power still threatened Black and Brown residents including women of color who had been excluded from the promise of The 19th Amendment in 1920 with poll taxes, literacy tests and violence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would take decades of protest, organized in part by Black women and culminating in brutal public violence, to get Congress to take action. But the promise of the now seminal Voting Rights Act is at risk as Americans mark this milestone anniversary. The Supreme Court has struck down key aspects of the law and is poised to further challenge its provisions around race. It has also made it harder to challenge racialized voting maps. President Donald Trump, who spread disinformation about his 2020 election loss to incite violence at the Capitol, is now attempting to overhaul how elections are run in the United States in part by demanding proof of citizenship a policy that could disproportionately impact women and transgender people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This comes as the attorney general guts the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division that helped enforce the federal laws that protect the right to vote and seeks sensitive state voter records. The 19th continues to report on the fight for voting rights through the lens of everyday people the women-led election workforce, the freedom fighters still around today, the queer and trans activists, and the local organizers. Theyre all still seeking equal access to the ballot box on behalf of their communities and that work isnt going away soon. All liberations are connected: Marisa Richmond on fighting for voting rights on multiple fronts Marisa Richmonds formative memories are of an America under Jim Crow. She thinks back to a Hardees fast food restaurant in Nashville, Tennessee, a dollar clutched in her 6-year-old fingers, where no one would serve her. She remembers giving in and going outside to her mother, who sighed deeply with frustration. Marisa Richmond She recalls the road trip to Dallas to see her maternal grandparents when her mother, who was light-skinned, rented a hotel room for the family, and she and the others had to sneak in under cover of darkness. Richmond was not allowed to leave even to get a Coca-Cola that night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Civil Rights Act of 1964 substantially gutted discriminatory Jim Crow laws. But the Voting Rights Act of 1965 dealt the final blow to them. Richmond, 66, who hails from Nashville, would go with her parents to vote. She grew up to teach history and womens and gender studies at Middle Tennessee State University. And she made it her lifes work to empower people like herself Black and transgender to exercise their rights at the ballot box. In 2008, Richmond became the first African-American transgender person to serve as a delegate to the Democratic National Convention. She served for years as the president and lobbyist for the Tennessee Transgender Political Coalition and was the first trans person to win an election in Tennessee when she won a spot on the Davidson County Democratic Party Executive Committee. For her, the fight for voting rights for Black Americans and trans Americans is one in the same. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I think all liberations are connected, she said. First, there are some of us who have multiple identities, but the fight for equality is not isolated to one group in particular. You know, were all in it together. Today, she is retired and busier than ever. She fought voter ID requirements in her home state last year. And she continues to fight disenfranchisement nationally today. The right to vote is foundational to our democracy: Danielle Lang on the overlooked impact of the SAVE Act on trans voting rights Danielle Lang is answering what feels like an obvious question posed on this 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act: Why is it important that all people have the right to vote? Lang is the senior director of voting rights at Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that fights for access to the polls. Danielle Lang The right to vote is foundational to our democracy, she said. And our democracy is foundational to our freedoms more generally, to order our lives as a community, to try to find shared values and govern ourselves according to those shared values, rather than live under the tyranny of elites and under authoritarian regime. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The question of who will be able to vote in coming elections, however, is not obvious. In April, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 22, the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility Act, also known as the SAVE Act. Its now before the Senate. The bill has been highly controversial because it forces voters to prove citizenship through documentation like a birth certificate. Opponents of the measure point out that millions of married women dont have birth certificates that reflect their legal last names. Less attention has been paid to transgender Americans, an already disenfranchised minority who could see hundreds of thousands turned away from the ballot box if the SAVE Act becomes law. According to the Williams Institute at the UCLA School of Law, there were approximately 1.3 million transgender adults living in the United States as of 2022. Of those, around 30 percent will seek name changes, according to the nonprofit Center for Transgender Equality. Of those who do, 18 percent will succeed in updating their birth certificates to reflect their lived names. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The result is that 319,800 transgender people who are legally barred from making those updates are likely to be stricken from the voter rolls if the SAVE Act passes. Transgender people already face steep barriers in making it to the polls. Nearly a quarter (24 percent) reported in 2022 that they were not interested in elections or involved in politics, and 19 percent said they felt their vote would not make a difference. Sixty years ago, the country recognized that it was not living up to its ideals and passed landmark legislation that was about stripping away barriers to voting, Lang said. And the SAVE legislation would do exactly the opposite. These spaces are meant for you: Alejandra Gomez on the grassroots work of building our democracy Alejandra Gomezs introduction to organizing came in 2006, in the lead-up to Arizonas referendum on Proposition 300, which banned colleges and universities from giving in-state tuition or state-funded financial aid to students who couldnt prove U.S. citizenship or legal residency. The daughter of immigrant parents fought to oppose the measure. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the midst of that campaign, a fellow organizer told her that she has a voice, and that it matters. Since that moment, I have not been able to look back, Gomez told The 19th. Alejandra Gomez Gomez, 43, is the executive director of Living United for Change in Arizona (LUCHA), a political advocacy group representing the interests of working-class Arizonans. The membership-led organization has worked to significantly expand Latinx political representation and access to the ballot. And its grassroots organizing is credited with helping Democrats clinch statewide victories in the state, particularly by helping turn out low-propensity voters and voters of color. Gomez is reflecting on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act by leaning on the legislations vision to inspire the work that the current political moment demands. The law, Gomez said, was forged through fire with the goal of creating a democracy for all. Now more than ever, the democratic experiment of building the multiracial democracy that we know that we can be feels mission critical, Gomez said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Right now, the most important work Gomez and LUCHA are engaged in is called deep organizing. That is, Gomez said, going into neighborhoods and building what were calling barrio teams neighborhood teams and inviting our community into a conversation about their vision for Arizona and the power that they want to wield inside of their democracy. It doesnt take seasoned organizers to do this work, Gomez said. Pull together your neighbors and start with a conversation about how you feel as a community, Gomez said. Then together maybe go to a school board meeting or attend a zoning meeting, a city council meeting, and just begin to understand that these spaces are meant for you to be in. Recommitment and not nostalgia: Celina Stewart on reclaiming the promise of the Voting Rights Act The League of Women Voters believes that if 8.5 million people just 3.5 percent of eligible voters engage in nonviolent protest, they have the power to fight an anti-democratic administration. Celina Stewart That statistic is whats driving the organizations Unite and Rise 8.5: An Initiative to Defend Democracy a movement of advocacy, civic education and community engagement. The initiative launched in May, as the league saw an increase in attacks on democracy after President Donald Trumps inauguration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement While the program is new, the League of Women Voters fight for democracy is not, as a grassroots voter protection and expansion organization founded in 1920. From protesting discriminatory voting laws to challenging gerrymandering, protecting the essence of the 1965 act has always been a generational win for the league. Democracy is not self-executing; people have to defend it and be willing to act. This is about visibility, accountability and disruption to injustice thats being attempted, said Celina Stewart, the CEO of the League of Women Voters. The initiative is rooted in a study by the Carr-Ryan Center for Human Rights that identified the 8.5 million-person figure. The league is calling for people to vote, call lawmakers and donate to democracy-defending organizations as ways to be civically engaged. With current and pressing attacks on voting across the country and on the Voting Rights Act, Stewart feels that this anniversary demands courage: Were not commemorating a relic, were continuing a fight that continues to be relevant today. This should be a time of recommitment and not nostalgia, because of whats happening in this country. Congress has failed to restore the Voting Rights Act for over a decade and as people, I think were done waiting. The Unite and Rise 8.5 campaign is definitely a way for us to reclaim that promise, Stewart said. The post The Voting Rights Act turns 60 but its promise is still under threat appeared first on The 19th. News that represents you, in your inbox every weekday. Subscribe to our free, daily newsletter. WATERBURY, Vt. (ABC22/FOX44) About 72 primary care practices across Vermont are being recognized by the states health department for achieving high vaccination rates. The Vermont Health Department says that practices are honored with wither gold or silver levels, which is entirely based on rates of immunization coverage. Practices can also be honored in child, teen, adult and other categories. A full list of award recipients can be found here: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement lsid-iz-provider-recipients-listDownload The state of Vermont offers an immunization program which aims to ensure vaccines are accessible and safely administered so that community health can improve. Low-cost vaccines are provided and offered to those at age 19 through 64. Now more than ever, we want to recognize the importance of this work in our communities and the professionals who are leading the way to keep Vermonters healthy, said Vermont Immunization Program Manager Merideth Plumpton. Interim Health Commissioner Julie Arel said that the department shares our thanks and congratulations with the many hardworking practices recognized this year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC22 & FOX44. United Launch Alliances Vulcan rocket is scheduled to fly its first military space launch next week. Pending range approval, the mission is slated to lift off Aug. 12 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, carrying Space Force satellites destined for geosynchronous orbit, about 22,000 miles above Earth. The milestone is a long time coming for ULA, the Defense Departments longtime launch provider, which started developing its Vulcan rocket in 2014. The vehicle which is replacing the companys legacy workhorse, Atlas V flew two demonstration missions last year and achieved its required military certification from the Space Force in March. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ULA and SpaceX are the only companies with rockets certified to fly National Security Space Launch (NSSL) missions. For years, prior to the certification of SpaceXs Falcon 9 rocket, ULA was the sole provider of military launch services. In 2020, SpaceX won a 40% share of those missions slated to fly between fiscal years 2022 and 2027 with ULA maintaining the remaining 60%. In April, the Space Force awarded SpaceX, ULA and national security launch newcomer Blue Origin a combined $13.5 billion for missions that will fly between fiscal years 2027 and 2032. Under the deal, SpaceX will receive $5.9 billion to fly 28 missions, ULA $5.3 billion to launch 19 and Blue Origin $2.3 billion to conduct seven. The Space Force mission set to fly on the rocket next week, USSF-106, was originally set to launch in 2022. After being rescheduled as a Vulcan mission in 2023, the satellites have been grounded for two years as the rocket faced delays. The mission includes an experimental spacecraft built by L3Harris called Navigation Technology Satellite-3, or NTS-3, that will demonstrate capabilities to augment the Space Forces GPS constellation or support a future program. That effort, led by the Air Force Research Laboratory in partnership with Space Systems Command, will test technologies like steerable beams to provide regional coverage, a reprogrammable payload that can receive upgrades in orbit and protections against signal jamming. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Once NTS-3 is in orbit, AFRL will experiment with those capabilities over a one-year period, exploring how new satellite configurations could strengthen the Space Forces positioning, navigation and timing, or PNT, capabilities. That could mean integrating new capabilities onto the Space Forces GPS IIIF satellites, which are built by Lockheed Martin, and approaching initial production. The service may also funnel relevant technology into other positioning, navigation and timing programs, including an effort called Resilient GPS, which is meant to augment the larger constellation with a fleet of small, lightweight, lower-cost satellites. NTS-3 is the Air Force Research Laboratorys first major PNT demonstration in nearly a half century. The last NTS satellite flew in 1977 and proved out capabilities that ended up being integral to the GPS program. North Carolinas largest school system has rejected a parents request to remove the book The Kite Runner from its high school English curriculum. The Kite Runner is an award-winning but frequently challenged historical novel by Khaled Hosseini set in war-torn Afghanistan that discusses topics such as rape and suicide. Last week, a Wake County school board panel voted 3-0 to uphold a district committees recommendation to continue using the book as required reading for 10th-graders. Taura Waller, the parent who filed the book challenge, said she was disappointed in the boards decision. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I would hope that if they keep it in the curriculum that theyd add an addendum or something where its required the students have resources and support to go along with that book because it does have perverse language, gang rape and suicide, Waller said in an interview Monday with The News & Observer. Kids arent getting the resources to help them in a structured environment. Wake did not respond Monday to The N&Os request for a copy of the letter it sent to Waller explaining the panels decision. School board chair Chris Heagarty, who was a member of the panel, did not return a voicemail Monday from The N&O. Why is The Kite Runner challenged? The book follows the journey of Amir, a young boy from Kabul, and is set against the tumultuous background of Afghanistans history, from the fall of the monarchy through the rise of the Taliban regime, according to Britannica. A scene involving the rape of a boy who is Amirs friend has often been cited in book challenges. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Kite Runner was the 11th most challenged book in the 2010s, according to the American Library Association, and the eighth most banned book in schools in the 2023-24 school year, according to PEN America. Children should not have to read about rape as part of their curriculum, Waller wrote in her book challenge. This could affect their mental health. As an adult, I dont even read or watch things with rape in it to protect my mental health. But Hosseini, the books author, said in a March interview with Minnesota Public Radio News that banning his book betrays students instead of protecting them. It robs our children and our students of something vital that we owe them as their parents and their instructors, which is the chance to broaden their human community, to foster empathy, to teach them to challenge their own preconceived ideas and to maybe take a step toward becoming a fuller and wiser version of their authentic selves, Hosseini said in the interview. The Kite Runner is part of Wakes curriculum The Kite Runner is one of the books Wake County uses in English 2, a course focusing on world literature typically taken by high school sophomores. Wake considers the book to be a core instructional resource. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Panther Creek High School in Cary offered a different reading assignment after Waller complained about her son having read the rape scene last spring in his English 2 Honors class. She turned down the offer and instead filed a book challenge that could have led to The Kite Runner being removed from all Wake high schools. In June, Wake Countys Central Instructional Materials Committee voted 9-1 against the book challenge. The committee consists of parents, teachers, administrators and principals. With proper communication as well as guidance and support from educators, The Kite Runner can be an impactful text for students, Rachel Huber-Jones, a committee member and senior administrator for secondary social studies, said at the time. While it may not be for all students, removing it for all students seems heavy-handed and removes opportunities to learn for untold numbers of students. The committee didnt recommend new restrictions on the book. But district staff said theyd make changes in the future such as letting parents know that they can request alternative assignments to the book. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Waller appealed the committees decision. School board chair Chris Heagarty and board members Christina Gordon and Lindsay Mahaffey upheld the committees decision on July 31. The board has historically sided with the Central Instructional Materials Committee. Previously, the board upheld the committees decisions to allow individual schools to keep books such as Out of Darkness and Lawn Boy in school libraries. Im going to respect the boards decision, Waller said. Im praying for the kids because theres so much going on around the world. 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: ESIST. A laparoscopic training box was used as the training environment where the student learned how to place a bulldog clamp on the renal artery prior to a partial nephrectomy. The kidney phantom was created in the lab. Android Presentation Managersee text. AR headset is described as an XR headset in the text. AR, augmented reality; DNN, deep neural network; ESIST, educational system for instructorless surgical training; HUD, heads-up display; XR, extended reality. Credit: Journal of Medical Extended Reality (2025). DOI:10.1177/29941520251361898 Mount Sinai researchers have demonstrated the effectiveness of teaching surgical trainees a difficult procedure using artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms and an extended-reality headset without the presence of an instructor. All of the 17 trainees in the study achieved surgical success. The novel study, published in Journal of Medical Extended Reality, drew highly favorable reviews from student participants who tested the deep learning model. The results carry significant implications for future training of residents and surgeons, as well as for the even broader field of autonomous learning within medicine. "For the first time, we created an AI model linked to an extended-reality headset to prove that a critical step in a kidney cancer procedure could be done with 99.9% accuracy," said Nelson Stone, MD, Clinical Professor of Urology, Radiation Oncology, and Oncological Sciences at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and corresponding author of the study. "We believe our study offers early proof that AI programs that substitute for proctors who teach resident physicians, can reduce training costs and ultimately improve the quality, efficiency, and standardization of that instruction." Surgical training of residents has traditionally required the presence of a teaching proctor alongside the student physician in the operating room, which can result in inconsistent skills acquisition. Dr. Stone and his team, which included researchers from the Department of Neurosurgery at the University of Rochester Medical Center in upstate New York, explored an alternative training system using AI programs they developed, including ESIST (educational system for instructionless surgical training). This model coupled deep learning methodology with a custom-designed extended-reality headset worn by the 17 participants to stream surgical instructions and video content before their eyes, while allowing their hands to remain free to practice the intricate procedure. The operation simulated a partial nephrectomy procedure designed to remove a cancerous portion of a kidney, including placing a clamp on the renal artery. For this replication, researchers created a "phantom" kidney from 3D printed casts of an anonymized patient's computerized tomography (CT) scans. The casts were filled with water-based polymers and assembled to create a partial nephrectomy model with kidney tumors. While students practiced, the system's sophisticated first-person camera continuously monitored their training, providing real-time feedback and projecting corrective prompts as part of its skills assessment capability. "Above all, our study proved that a complex procedure like a partial nephrectomy could be effectively taught to surgical trainees using a simulated model, without the presence of an instructor," noted Dr. Stone. "This finding addresses an urgent need resulting from the shortage of trainers and supervisors to educate physicians on new medical devices and techniques, and from the severe time constraints on attending physicians to train residents pursuing surgical careers." Another major advantage of advanced teaching technology, added Dr. Stone, is that it allows future surgeons to become proficient in procedures outside the operating room, thus helping to reduce the risk of surgical errors. "From the patient's point of view, we hope this study will provide reassurance that the technology can be leveraged to greatly improve surgical proficiency, while reducing surgical errors," said Dr. Stone. The next step for Mount Sinai researchers is to use the AI algorithm technology they developed to build more complex synthetic cadaver models to train students in entire procedures, rather than just one component, as reported in the study. The team was encouraged by a survey it conducted after the training, which found that 100% of the participants believed the program had great educational value. "Our investigation suggests that AI systems could indeed play an important complementary role in shaping the future of surgical education in this country," asserts Dr. Stone. "The public should be reassured that the pathway to autonomous learning we investigated in this small study could eventually lead to significant cost savings and improved patient outcomes and, importantly, to the cultivation of a highly skilled new generation of surgeons." More information: Jonathan J. Stone et al, Autonomous Educational System for Surgical Training Utilizing Deep Learning Combined with Extended Reality, Journal of Medical Extended Reality (2025). DOI: 10.1177/29941520251361898, www.liebertpub.com/doi/10.1177/29941520251361898 Waves pound a beach and structure between Depoe Bay and Boiler Bay on the Oregon Coast. (Erica Harris/Oregon State University) Oregon state Rep. Paul Evans, D-Monmouth, has been introducing legislation to modernize the states emergency preparedness and response processes for years. He called the states tsunami warnings last week to residents on the Oregon Coast raised due to strong currents and unpredictable waves as a result of a massive earthquake off the coast of Russia a good warmup. No one was injured, and the Oregon Department of Emergency Management called the warning off within 24 hours. But, Evans said, it also highlighted the ways in which Oregon is behind other states in providing quality information quickly to everyone in a potential disaster impact zone, and when it comes to training volunteers to respond to them. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement We just have a lot more to do because ultimately, even as were working to improve, federal capacity is being cut, Evans said. President Donald Trump in June said the Federal Emergency Management Agency could be eliminated by December. Were going to be on our own for a longer period of time, and we need to be prepared for that, Evans said. Oregonians on the coast who signed up for the states emergency notification system, OR-Alert, got a text to stay away from beaches, harbors and marinas. City and county police, firefighters and other officials warned people on the ground in coastal communities to stay inland. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sign up for emergency alerts here. But the states text alerts only went to people who subscribed to them, rather than anyone with a cell phone within the potentially impacted areas. And there werent any texts following the initial warning that provided more information about a timeline for potential impact, how high waves could be and what to do if waves were carrying large objects onto shores as they crashed. Tsunamis can occur more than 20 hours after initial waves, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. The state also lacks the volunteers and emergency responders to take care of multiple disasters at once, Evans said. Had we had a major tsunami, we would have been stretched beyond our capacity, because were currently also fighting wildfires, and the number of responders has gone down over the years, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response, hell bring a three-pronged, $300 million disaster preparedness package to the state Legislature in early 2026. First, it would create six to seven new emergency responder training facilities over the next decade, to train volunteers to respond to different kinds of disasters across the state, such as wildfires, ice storms, floods and, of course, tsunamis. Second, it would create a Disaster Recovery Authority housed in the governors office to direct the states response and coordinate state agencies after any emergency both in the short and long term, including hiring more people and coordinating federal and private aid. Its a similar function given to Utahs lieutenant governor, who leads an Emergency Management Administration Council. The Emergency Management Administration Council was created to provide advice and coordination for state and local government agencies on government emergency prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery actions and activities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The third prong of the package would create a program that grants state funding to local emergency authorities across the state to help them pay for specific needs based on specific types of disasters theyre most likely to face. More training There is no standardized, multi-disciplinary disaster training ground for first responders and volunteers in Oregon, Evans said, just academies focused on a single discipline at the local level. In some states, such as Florida, every volunteer firefighter is trained and graduates from a state-run program. Evans, a 20-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force and Oregon Air National Guard and a former volunteer firefighter, said the state is having trouble maintaining its current forces of volunteer firefighters and emergency responders in part because trainings are hard to find and schedule when theyre offered piecemeal at local agencies. Hed like to see monthly trainings available at multiple facilities statewide across disciplines so more people can participate. When the Department of Public Safety Standards and Training was established in 2001, it was supposed to be a hub for smaller facilities established across the state. But those smaller training sites never got built, Evans said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The package hell propose is an amalgamation of several bills that Evans has tried to pass before. In the most recent Legislative session, he sponsored House Bill 2858, to create the statewide preparedness training facilities, and House Bill 2770, which would have created the Disaster Recovery Authority in the governors office. Both bills failed to advance out of legislative committees. Were going to try to approach the 2026 session as if thats the last stand, Evans said. If anybody wants anything out of me, were going to be working on this. He said the state has made progress modernizing in small ways over the last several years. In 2017, the Legislature created an equipment sharing and grant program called SPIRE, where the state buys rescue boats, all-terrain vehicles and other emergency equipment that local agencies can use, but that the state retains ownership of and can retrieve when needed. In 2022, the state made the Oregon Department of Emergency Management a stand alone agency with its own funding separate from the State Police and the Military Department, where it used to be housed. In 2023, the Oregon Department of the State Fire Marshal also became a standalone agency, whereas before it had played a supporting role in the Oregon State Police. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Legislature recently provided the emergency management department enough money so that it could run a 24-hour operation center, which will begin operating in July, Evans said. He hopes this improves the quality and speed of notifications and updates people statewide receive in a disaster. Evans called all of this a first step. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX A surge of flood water tore through a mountainous village in northern India Tuesday, leaving at least four people dead and dozens missing, officials said. Dramatic video from the Himalayan village of Dharali, Uttarakhand state, shows the wall of water, mud and debris tearing down the mountainside and through the village, destroying the homes and businesses in its path. The flooding occurred around 1:45 p.m. local time, according to District Magistrate Prashant Arya in the city of Uttarkashi. At least four people were confirmed killed, Arya said. There are a lot of guest houses, restaurants and hotels there, because of which we immediately requested the army to aid rescue operations, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over 50 people were missing and 40 to 50 homes have been washed away, deputy inspector general of the National Disaster Response Force, Mohsen Shahedi, said Tuesday evening. Nine army personnel are still unaccounted for as of Tuesday evening, with a nearby army camp also hit by a mudslide, according to Lt. Col. Manish Shrivastava, a defense spokesperson in Uttarakhand. Rescue efforts continued Wednesday, amid rising water levels due to incessant rains, with additional army units as well as tracker dogs, drones and earthmoving equipment deployed, Shrivastava added. Military personnel have rescued around 190 people so far, Pushkar Singh Dhami, chief minister of Uttarakhnad, said in an update Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added that rescue efforts had been hampered by mudslides. The entire Dharali has been completely hit by the disaster, and after yesterdays incident, people told us that mudslides happened once, twice, six times The entire connecting road has been completely affected by landslides at many places. Dhami continued, Carrying out rescue operations and reoperationalizing facilities is extremely challenging because the weather keeps deteriorating. In an update on X Wednesday, Uttarkashi police said that eight locals, two Nepali citizens and nine soldiers have been confirmed missing as of Wednesday and one dead body has been recovered. Possible cloudburst event Uttarkashi District Magistrate Arya suggested the flood that devastated Dharali was set off by a sudden bout of heavy rain, also called a cloudburst. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theres a river there and because of the cloudburst, a lot of water came suddenly, Arya said. Cloudbursts can cause extreme rainfall in localized areas and they typically lead to flash flooding. They occur in the foothills of the Himalayas and are triggered in part by the topography which also makes the flooding more dangerous. The India Meteorological Department defines a cloudburst as having a rainfall rate over 100 mm (4 inches) per hour. Cloudbursts can cause extreme damage and destruction as huge amounts of water are funneled through the mountains and valleys and into villages in a short period of time. CNN has not confirmed this flooding was caused by a cloudburst. There are other possible causes of an event like this, including glacial lake outbursts, dam failures or sudden releases of water from upstream. Glacial lake outbursts occur when natural ice dams weaken as they melt and collapse, sending sudden, unexpected torrents of water down steep terrain. They are most likely to occur at this time of year. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Indias Meteorological Department had its highest level of warning in place for extremely heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand. Some portions of the state, which is especially prone to flooding, received as much as 300 mm (12 inches) in the 24 hours through Tuesday morning. India receives the majority of its annual rainfall during the Southwest Monsoon, which lasts from June through September. Agriculture and livelihoods depend on the heavy summer storms, but the storms can also bring such torrential downpours and flooding that the infrastructure in the region cant handle. Environmentalists have also long warned that rampant development in the Himalayan state is an ecological catastrophe waiting to happen. While floods are common in the region during monsoon season, scientists say the climate crisis has exacerbated extreme weather events and made them more deadly. Shahedi, from the National Disaster Response Force, said Tuesdays could be replay of a devastating glacier melt that happened several years ago in the same state. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In 2021, dozens died in Uttarakhands Chamoli district after part of a Himalayan glacier fell into a river, sending a devastating avalanche of water, dust and rocks down a mountain gorge, and crashing though a dam. CNNs Jennifer Hauser and Esha Mitra contributed to this report. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com Days after joining the exodus from the Washington Post by accepting the papers buyout offer to journalists who didnt want to take part in its reinvention journey, Glenn Kessler revealed that the Posts publisher once asked him what they should do to appeal more to Fox News viewers. Kessler, who spent nearly three decades with the Washington Post and was the publications fact-checker since 2011, took to Substack Wednesday to explain why he decided to leave the paper. And like many of the veteran columnists and reporters who have ditched the Post recently, he pointed to the shifting editorial policies implemented by billionaire owner Jeff Bezos and the papers beleaguered CEO and publisher, Will Lewis. But now, working at The Post feels like being on the Titanic after it struck an iceberg drifting aimlessly as it sank, with not enough lifeboats for everyone, Kessler wrote. The Carpathia (i.e., Bezos) appears too far away and too distracted to help. And the captain is shouting commands that the solution is a different ship. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Beginning with Bezos decision to block the editorial boards presidential endorsement of Democrat Kamala Harris, the newspaper has been bleeding talent (and losing subscriptions) for months. It only grew worse in February when the owner who had been currying favor with Donald Trump since before the election mandated that the opinion section pivot to defending personal liberties and the free market. That move to make the opinion section libertarian, if not outright conservative, which Trump himself celebrated, resulted in the editorial pages top editor announcing his resignation. Other columnists would soon follow, citing the significant shift in the opinion sections mission while accusing the paper of killing their attempts to write about the directive. Washington Post publisher Will Lewis supposedly asked now-former Post fact-checker Glenn Kessler what the paper should do to appeal to Fox News viewers. (TWP) Bezos and Lewis would eventually bring on Economist correspondent Adam ONeal to helm the opinion page, who introduced himself to staffers with a somewhat cringe-inducing video and pledged to make the section unapologetically patriotic and optimistic about the future of this country. At the same time, the paper started offering a voluntary separation program to opinion employees. This was followed by another buyout offer to news staffers with over a decade of service, along with those on the video and copy desks. Lewis, however, seemed to open the floodgates last month when he sent out a memo describing the transformation of the papers opinion pages as a reinvention journey for the organization as a whole. Saying that those who do not feel aligned with that plan should reflect on that, Lewis essentially gave his staff an ultimatum. And many of them answered by taking the buyout, including Kessler. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his Substack post, Kessler reflected on a meeting he had with Lewis shortly after Bezos had made him the publisher of the Post last year. During the April 2024 sitdown, in which Kessler was looking to pitch his idea about the paper bringing back an ombudsman, he claimed that Lewis had other things on his mind. During our discussion, he asked me: What should The Post do to appeal more to Fox News viewers? Kessler noted, adding that Lewis continued to circle back to the topic. I used to cover diplomacy so I knew how to keep a poker face even as the hair on the back of my neck prickled. We have to remain true to our journalistic principles, I said. We have to tell the truth. I paused, and added, They may not like that, because it would conflict with what theyve been hearing. Kessler stated. Im not sure he appreciated that answer, because he asked me the same question two more times, he continued. Each time, I gave the same response, though I added that exclusive, compelling articles were the best way to attract readers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kessler pointed out that they never did discuss his proposal to bring back an ombudsman, asserting that Lewis instead asked him to send a follow-up email. I wasnt sure what was odder the Fox News questions or the fact that the publisher could spend an hour just shooting the breeze with a reporter, Kessler observed. Shouldnt he be busy? In the end, Kessler stated, Lewis would become largely an absentee newsroom leader after he came under renewed fire for his actions leading the British tabloids owned by Rupert Murdoch, the Fox News founder. After pushing out executive editor Sally Buzbee, Lewis attempted to replace her with his friend Robert Winnett, who withdrew following his own controversy. Lewis, meanwhile, would essentially go into hiding at that point while also delivering an edict that the Post would no longer cover itself which came on the heels of the papers reporters investigating the allegations that he helped cover up Murdochs phone-hacking scandal in the U.K. Kessler noted that a second meeting with Lewis never happened. Lewis has essentially been in hiding for more than a year following investigations into his scandal-plagued tenure helming Rupert Murdochs British tabloids. (ELLIOTT ODONOVAN PHOTOGRAPHY LLC) Still, the question about Fox News gnawed at me. I admire many Fox News reporters, but the networks main impact comes from its opinionated, late-night conservative hosts who wholeheartedly support Republicans, he added. The implication was that The Post website might need to lean right. I told my two immediate editors about my conversation with Lewis; they have since left The Post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kessler also stated that when he decided to take the voluntary buyout, he told executive editor Matt Murray hed be willing to stick around for two months to help keep The Fact Checker afloat until a new author took over. However, his proposal was apparently met with deaf ears. To me, the episode demonstrated that there is no vision, no game plan, and no commitment to build on existing traffic, Kessler wrote. Instead, the buyouts have removed some of The Posts biggest traffic generators and I dont see a strategy to replace what has been lost. Lewis invested time and resources in creating what he called a third newsroom his one big idea but the effort was abruptly dropped last month, and the manager who had led it also took the buyout. He also insisted that the exodus would have been greater if it werent for simple economics. I do not know a single person who left The Post because they did not embrace the organizations reinvention as it was a chimera, Kessler said. Many more Post veterans would have taken the buyout if they could but they couldnt line up an equivalent job fast enough, or they were in that uncomfortable age zone of 56 to 64, where Medicare is not available and a potential employer might conclude you dont have many productive years left. In the Oct. 7 aftermath, a silent epidemic emerges. The ICA is fighting for awareness and those at risk When the missiles stopped and the headlines moved on, the shaking didnt. Not for the survivors of the Nova music festival. Not for the soldiers who saw things no one should. And not for the families who welcomed home partners, siblings, or children who looked the same, but werent. After the Hamas mega-attack on Oct. 7, 2023, a quieter struggle emerged that remained unseen by the media. It seeped into everyday spaces like bedrooms, classrooms, and offices, settled into medicine cabinets and liquor bottles. It appeared as a form of coping, functioning, or simply getting through the day. However, as the Israel Center on Addiction (ICA) cautions, merely getting by can often be the first step toward breaking down. RONI ROKAH, Head of Clinical Division, ICA (credit: Eli Dasa) People didnt start using more in October or November because it felt good, says Roni Rokah, a social worker and couples therapist who heads ICAs clinical division. They started because they couldnt bear the unbearable. Trauma leaves traces, addiction follows Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rokah has dedicated her career to working with families, couples, and now entire communities, helping them recover from trauma. The ICA, where she leads the treatment division, was founded in 2018 with a mission to transform how Israel understands and handles addiction. She says that the mission has become even more urgent. After the attack, we saw a sharp rise in PTSD symptoms, Rokah explains. The government invested heavily in trauma response and that was necessary. It was the immediate crisis. But what people didnt see, or didnt want to see, was how many were self-medicating. Sleep aids, cannabis, alcohol, anti-anxiety pills. Substances that, in those first frightening weeks, gave a sense of control. A way to sleep. A way to forget. A way to turn off the images looping behind the eyes. But the thing is, she adds, when one pill becomes two, when a glass of wine becomes a bottle, when a joint at night turns into one in the morning what started as a coping mechanism turns into a dependency. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And its not just individuals who are realizing this. Rokah recalls offering a workshop on substance use to resilience centers just a month after the attacks. The response? They told me, Were not there yet. People need to get back to basic functioning first. Now those same centers are reaching out to her again. Not just for assistance, but for answers. Two years in, Rokah says shes seeing the long-lasting effects of trauma and the growing impact of how people have tried to survive it. The war will end, but the habit remains, she says, echoing a slogan that has gained traction in ICAs work. Were meeting people now whove been using for nearly two years. They cant go to work. Their marriages are strained. Theyre still functioning on the outside, but inside, theyre lost. Among the hardest hit are young adults, especially those aged 18 to 26. One in three in that age group is at high risk for problematic use, Rokah states. And for those dealing with PTSD, its one in two. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She doesnt need to look far to understand why. This is the same generation that was stuck at home during COVID, isolated and anxious. Then they were drafted. Then they went to Nova and never came home the same. Some of them literally went from dancing in the desert to reserve duty within a week. The combination is devastating youth, trauma, access, and silence. That mindset guides everything ICA does: harm reduction, education, and training first responders, from school counselors to family doctors, to recognize the signs. Even abroad, Rokah cant help but ask questions. I was in India this summer, and everywhere I went, I asked young Israelis what they were using, she says. And what struck me most was how little they knew. No one had taught them how to stay safe. Not just about what they were using, but when, and why. The goal isnt abstinence, she says. Its awareness. We dont say, Dont use. We say, Lets understand what youre doing, and help you make safer choices. Rokah uses a simple metaphor to describe the crisis: a bucket with a hole in the bottom. You can talk all day about mental health, about treating depression and anxiety, but if the bottom of the bucket is leaking, nothing holds, she says. That hole is substance use. Until we address it, nothing will stick. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What ICA is calling for isnt a minor change. Its a comprehensive national strategy, including education, prevention, treatment, and policy. Were one nonprofit, Rokah says. Were doing a lot. But its not enough. The ministries need to collaborate. There needs to be a coordinated response. And urgent. This isnt going away. More soldiers will return. More trauma will surface. We are not at the end of this crisis; were in the middle of it. Ultimately, Rokahs message is heartbreakingly simple. Open your eyes, she urges. These arent bad people. Theyre not weak. Theyre suffering. And they need help. No one chooses addiction. But healing isnt optional either not when silence, shame, and a system that still perceives addiction as something other than what it truly is: a public health crisis. A human one. Theres no mental health without talking about substance use, Rokah states. And theres no health without mental health. Her voice softens. We need to stop being afraid to face this head-on. Because whats at stake isnt just recovery; its peoples lives. This article was written in cooperation with the Israel Center on Addiction. More than half of a mental health ward's staff were absent on the day a teenager who should have been under constant supervision was left alone, an inquest heard. Ruth Szymankiewicz was being treated at Huntercombe Hospital, in Berkshire, when she was able to shut herself in her bedroom for 15 minutes on 12 February 2022. The member of staff responsible for watching the 14-year-old left her alone as she sat in the ward's lounge. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She went to her room, self-harmed and was found later. She died at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford two days later. The staff member, known as Ebo Acheampong, had used false identity documents, was hired under a false name and had never worked in a hospital before. Ellesha Brannigan, who was a clinical team leader on Ruth's Thames ward, said Mr Acheampong had been working on another ward, but was asked to join it because staff were so stretched. "We were severely short-staffed - we were missing at least half of our staff on this day," Ms Brannigan said, adding they "really struggled" to cover the whole ward. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We needed the ward below us to send staff to us for us to be able to take breaks - breaks wouldn't have been possible otherwise," she said. She said inadequate staffing levels were a problem "for a long time". The hospital, which has since shut down, was rated inadequate and later requires improvement in two separate inspections by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in 2021. The hospital, near Maidenhead, has since closed [Google] A jury at Buckinghamshire Coroner's Court in Beaconsfield was shown CCTV footage of the moment Mr Acheampong left Ruth unsupervised. She had been put on a "level three" observation plan after earlier incidents of self-harm and had to be kept within eyesight at all times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Ruth is very aware that she is being left on her own," coroner Ian Wade KC told the inquest. "Whichever way one looks at it, there has been an egregious breach of level three observation." The inadequate staffing levels on Thames ward were flagged to management that night by both Ms Brannigan and a colleague, the inquest heard. Mr Acheampong never returned to work at the hospital following the incident and fled the UK for Ghana. The inquest continues. You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. More on this story Early results from the Primary Election on Tuesday show some close races-- with Seattle being a hot one. Seattle mayor As of the first returns, incumbent Bruce Harrell is trailing challenger Katie Wilson by nearly 1,300 votes. Both have such a lead that they will appear on the November ballot. Harrell has said that he was to continue working on public safety, and will continue work on addressing housing affordability and issues faced by small business owners. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He has been endorsed by Gov. Bob Ferguson, Attorney General Nick Brown and three former Democratic governors, among others. Wilson is the founder and Executive Director of the Transit Riders Union. She studied physics and philosophy at Oxford University before moving to Seattle in 2004. Since moving to Seattle, Wilson has led campaigns to raise the minimum wage and win stronger renter protections across Seattle, Kenmore, Kirkland, Redmond, Burien, SeaTac, Shoreline, Tukwila, and unincorporated King County. Her platform includes tackling skyrocketing living costs, homelessness, public safety, and Trumps cruel and chaotic attacks, she said. Seattle City Council There are three Seattle City Council seats up for grabs, but eyes are on the Council 9 at-large position. This means the seat represents the entire city, not a specific district. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sara Nelson currently holds the seat and is running for re-election. She is also the city council president. Challenger Dionne Foster leads Nelson by 13,735 votes. Foster so far is leading with 53.69% of the vote compared to Nelsons 39.10%. Both will end up on the ballot in November. King County Executive Tuesdays primary elections in King County will include a position that hasnt been on the ballot for more than a decade. Seven candidates are vying for King County Executive, one of the highest-ranking elected offices in the county, which guides policy and budget. It will mark the first time since 2009 that the County Executive position is on the ballot. Current CEO of Sound Transit, Dow Constantine, held the King County Executive seat for fifteen years before stepping down on March 27 to become the public transit companys chief executive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In early results on Election Night, Girmay Zahilay has a lead with 103,471 votes, or 40.39%. Trailing him is Claudia Balducci, with 77,590 votes, or 30.28%. Its likely both will appear on the November ballot. Derek Chartrand, the candidate with the third most votes, trails Balducci by 45,505 votes so far. Zahllay is a former attorney who currently serves as the Chair of the King County Council and sits on the Sound Transit board. Balducci is the former mayor of Bellevue and currently serves on the King County Council. A former ambassador to the US who quit after calling Donald Trumps administration inept in leaked private emails has said he was proved right. Lord Darroch resigned in 2019 after confidential cables criticising the US presidents government were leaked to the media. The long-serving diplomat described Mr Trumps administration as dysfunctional, inept and divided in a series of emails from 2017. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mr Trump responded by calling Lord Darroch a very stupid guy triggering a diplomatic row which eventually forced the British ambassador to step down from the post. Lord Darroch doubled down on his comments at an Edinburgh Fringe show on Tuesday, arguing that the subsequent chaos of Mr Trumps premiership proved he was right. Lord Darroch is interviewed by LBC presenter Iain Dale at the Edinburgh Fringe - Rich Dyson He told Iain Dales All Talk show: If youre going to crash and burn on the basis of one piece of reporting that youve done, leaking, please God, make it a piece of reporting where all the predictions are right. I would say, if you read back that letter that was leaked, that was written after six months of Donald Trump and had a number of predictions about how the rest of his term would run, then youd struggle to find anything that didnt turn out the way I had predicted it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement So if thats the way to go out, its better than the opposite. Lord Darroch added that he had already decided to retire when the row broke out. I was six months off finishing anyway and I had had an extraordinary, lucky career, he said. In an interview with BBC Newsnight in 2020, Lord Darroch said he knew his position was untenable when the emails became public but defended taking his plain-speaking approach. I never regret the terms in which Id reported, the former national security adviser said. I spent 40 years in the Foreign Office writing in these terms and people hitherto had thought it a strength and an asset. There is nothing unusual in reporting in clear and direct terms. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Speaking at Fringe, he added that it had in fact been Lord Cameron, who appointed him to the post in January 2016, who requested that he write in a more frank manner. He recalled the former prime minister saying: Im fed up of reading all these letters to ambassadors which say, on the one hand, on the other hand, which are written in code. What you have to do is tell it like it is. Be clear and call out what youre seeing. That letter, which was trying to give an accurate summary of how Trumps first six months had gone, was in part a response to Cameron saying tell it like it is. Dont write in code, said Lord Darroch. 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. Aug. 6 (UPI) -- Firefighters in Florida rushed to a canal in Fort Lauderdale to rescue a dog who ended up in the water and wasn't able to find a way out. Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue responded to a 911 call Tuesday morning about a dog stranded in a canal in the Sweeting Park area, near Northwest 23rd Avenue. "I'm sure a few minutes before we got there, she was probably on the brink of drowning," firefighter Mason McConchie told WSVN-TV. "Glad we didn't have to see that." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Firefighters ventured out into the water to bring the canine back to dry land. "It's just the right thing to do. We had to get this dog out of the water," a firefighter told WPLG-TV. "I took my shoes off to go grab her." The dog was scanned for a microchip and officials were able to get in touch with the dog's former owner. Officials learned she had been adopted in 2018, but was rehomed a few months later when the family relocated to St. Cloud. Fire Rescue officials said the original owner decided to make the three-hour drive to Fort Lauderdale to retrieve the dog. WATCH: Florida trooper spins out kidnapping suspect in wrong-way interstate pursuit Troopers said a man accused of kidnapping a woman was stopped while driving the wrong way on an interstate in Hillsborough County. The Florida Highway Patrol released dash-cam video showing a state trooper using a PIT maneuver to stop the driver. The dash-cam footage captures the tense moments as the trooper forces a vehicle to turn sideways abruptly, bringing it to a stop. See more in the video above. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. MAMMOTH SPRINGS, Wyo. A man was recently caught on camera coming dangerously close to a bison as he taunted the animal in Yellowstone National Park. The incident occurred on July 24, when park visitor Brittney Matthews shot a video of the man and the bison. In the video, the man can be seen walking toward the male bison, or bull, from behind. The man approaches the bison. The bull then turns and starts walking toward the man, who slowly backs up and then stretches his arms out. The man taunts the bison. "Is he calling him out?" someone can be heard saying off-camera. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yellowstone Tourist Gored After Approaching Bison The man remains at his spot, watching the bull, until the animal begins walking toward him once again. The man steps away, walking backward. The bull approaches the man. He then appears to have a standoff with the animal, before it begins moving toward him, forcing him to turn and slowly walk away. Standoff with the bison. As he walks toward other park visitors, who kept their distance from the bison, he could be heard speaking to another individual off-camera about his close encounter. "It was really close, man," he says. "I think it liked me, actually." Man Gored By Bison At Yellowstone National Park In the lower right corner of the frame, the man can be seen talking about how close he was to the bull. The video captures the second time the man walked down to the bison, according to Matthews. She said he had previously walked down to the animal to taunt it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "When he didnt get the reaction he wanted from the bison, he walked back up the hill, then decided to try again," she told Storyful. How To Watch Fox Weather The incident comes after several involving park visitors standing too closely to bison in Yellowstone. Just this year, a New Jersey man was gored by a bison after he and a group of visitors came too close to a bison in June, and a Florida was also injured by a bison in May. Last year, a bison gored an 83-year-old woman from South Carolina after she came too close to the animal. One month prior to the incident, a video of a tourist standing too closely to a bison as she took a selfie went viral. She was not injured by the animal. Woman takes selfie with bison on May 20, 2023 in Yellowstone National Park. The NPS cautions park visitors from approaching wildlife, especially bison. According to the NPS, bison have injured more people in Yellowstone than any other animal. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement They said bison are unpredictable and provided the following guidelines for park visitors: Always stand at least 25 yards away from bison, as they can run three times faster than humans. Give bison space when they are near a campsite, trail, boardwalk, parking lot or in a developed area. If need be, turn around and go the other way to avoid interacting with a wild animal in close proximity. Approaching bison threatens them, and they may respond by bluff charging, head bobbing, pawing, bellowing or snorting. These are warning signs that you are too close and that a charge is imminent. Do not stand your ground. Immediately walk or run away from the animal. Spray bear spray as you are moving away if the animal follows you. Bison can be aggressive and are capable of running up to 30 mph, according to the NPS. Female bison can weigh up to 1,000 lbs, while males can weigh up to 2,000 lbs. Original article source: Watch: Man taunts, moves dangerously close to bison in Yellowstone National Park 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: Jack Botting, Yale University Non-antibiotic drugs can alter the microbiome and increase the risk of gut infections in surprising ways, a new Nature study shows. Antibiotics taken to treat an infection also kill some of the good bacteria that live in our body. When that happens, the microbiomeall of the microorganisms, including bacteria and fungi, that live in our bodyloses colonization resistance, or the ability of good microbes to prevent harmful ones from taking over. Growing evidence shows that non-antibiotic drugs can disrupt the microbiome as well. However, it has been unclear which of these disruptions might be readily tolerated and which disruptions increase the risk of health complications. In the new study, Yale School of Medicine (YSM) researchers identified several common prescription, non-antibiotic drugs that altered the gut microbiome, and discovered that at least one of these drugs triggers mice to produce anti-microbial agents that target their own gut microbes. The findings suggest the microbiome could influence why some people respond well to drugs, while others don't. And it could be a target for improving drug responses in individuals. Using GI infection as a clue When Aman Kumar, Ph.D., and Andrew Goodman, Ph.D. set out to explore how non-antibiotic drugs impact the microbiome, they faced a problem: Many existing studies that followed participants and their microbiomes over time were too small to capture disruptions caused by drugs, while larger studies following more participants over decades seldom looked at the microbiome at all. However, the researchers believed that large-scale studies may still contain clues, even if they didn't measure microbiomes directly. Individuals with disrupted microbiomes are at increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) infection because decreased colonization resistance makes it more difficult for gut microbes to fight off pathogens. They hypothesized that identifying prescription drugs associated with an increased risk of GI infection could help them pinpoint which were disrupting the microbiome. Through collaboration with epidemiologists, the researchers analyzed over a decade's worth of medical records and pharmacy claims data from 1 million anonymous individuals enrolled in universal health insurance in Montreal, Canada to determine the incidence of GI infections. "We found prescription drugs that increased people's risk of infections to the same degree that antibiotics would," says Goodman, C.N.H. Long Professor of Microbial Pathogenesis, chair of microbial pathogenesis at YSM, director of the Microbial Sciences Institute at Yale West Campus, and the study's principal investigator. Based on their findings, the researchers selected 21 drugs for further study. Digoxin alters the microbiome in a surprising way To explore how these prescription drugs impacted the microbiome, the researchers treated mice with each drug and analyzed fecal samples collected from the mice before the first dose and after the final dose. The researchers found about half of the drugs were associated with changes in microbiome composition. And fourcongestive heart failure medication digoxin, anti-seizure and anti-anxiety drug clonazepam, stomach acid-reducer pantoprazole, and anti-psychotic medication quetiapinewere associated with an increased risk of infection following pathogen exposure. The effect of digoxin on infection risk is transmissible through the microbiome. Credit: Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09273-8 Because digoxin was associated with the most significant microbiome changes, the team chose to study this drug even further. They found that rather than directly targeting gut microbes, digoxin instead triggered a biological pathway that caused mice to release antimicrobial proteins into the small intestine. Interestingly, these antimicrobial proteins only targeted specific microbes. "Among the hundreds and hundreds of microbial species in the gut, there's a very small number that are actually affected," says Goodman. "But even though the number of species is small, the impact of losing them is enormous." Before the administration of digoxin, he explains, there are various species of gut microbes that keep the immune system on alert in case a pathogen arrives. When digoxin-induced antimicrobial proteins eliminate those species, the host loses this "alert status" and is no longer prepared to fight off infections. "And because of that, the gut becomes suitable for a pathogen like Salmonella to grow in that niche and expand, causing infection," says Kumar, a postdoctoral associate at YSM and the study's first author. Mouse and human gut microbes look different. So, the researchers also repeated their experiments in mice carrying human microbiomes and found similar results. Further exploring the microbiome Millions of people in the United States take prescription drugs. While the study's findings don't mean that patients need to toss their medications, researchers have more work to do to understand the consequences of these drugs more fully on the microbiome. Kumar says he hopes to use similar methodology to explore how drugs might be impacting other microbiome-related diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease and colon cancer. "Our study provides a new, innovative framework to study drug-induced microbiome disruption," Kumar says. "The gut microbiome and GI diseases are closely linked, and if these connections were understood, it would open new doors for identifying who is at risk and possible therapeutic interventions." In addition, even while taking the exact same medication, people's experiences can drastically differ. One person might benefit from one drug, while another with the same disease has no relief. A certain drug might trigger a range of side effects in one person, but none in someone else. "Our overall hypothesis is that in some of these cases, differences in people's gut microbiomes could contribute to these different responses to drugs," says Goodman. In future research, the researchers will explore if they can use people's microbiomes to predict who is at the greatest risk of infection while taking drugs like digoxin. "I think there's a possibility for interventions in the future where you could alter a person's microbiome so that they would no longer have these risks associated with a drug that would benefit their health," Goodman adds. Finally, the study has highlighted the value of existing epidemiological cohorts, even when they do not contain data directly on the microbiome. "There are all of these cohorts that have looked at populations all over the world of different ages and lifestyles," says Goodman. "The opportunity to revisit those with an eye for indicators of microbiome disruption opens up a whole new field for us." More information: Aman Kumar et al, Identification of medicationmicrobiome interactions that affect gut infection, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09273-8 Journal information: Nature Texas Senate Democrats spoke Wednesday morning on their efforts to fight redistricting across the country that they argue are attempts to rig congressional maps ahead of the 2026 midterms. The group, who were joined by other Democratic lawmakers, fled to Massachusetts, Illinois and New York earlier this week to avoid voting on a new GOP-proposed map in the Lone Star State. Republicans are looking to pick up at least five House seats in next years election, which President Trump said they are entitled to. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Democrats latest remarks also came on the 60th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. The press conference in Boston was scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.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. President Donald Trump said Tuesday evening that the FBI "may have to" round up a group of Democratic lawmakers who fled Texas to avoid voting on the states proposed redistricting map. This comes as Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and several Texas leaders, including Attorney General Ken Paxton, have demanded that the 50 Democratic members of the state legislature who fled the state return or face consequences. The Democrats fled the state in an effort to deny Republicans the necessary two-thirds quorum required to vote on the redistricting map, which would likely give the GOP an edge in elections and potentially add five House seats to the Texas Republican congressional delegation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement National Democrats have praised the stunt. During a press conference on Sunday, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, a leading Democratic figure, shared his support for the Texas Democrats, describing their departure as a "righteous act of courage," while claiming Republicans want to silence "millions of voices, especially Black and Latino voters." Fbi Urged To Locate Or Arrest Texas Democrats Who Fled State To Stall Redistricting Vote Abbott said the lawmakers commitment to voting as elected state officials is a duty and is "not optional." The governor also said a legislator determined to have "forfeited his or her office due to abandonment" can be removed from office under the Texas Constitution, thereby creating a vacancy, which the governor can "swiftly fill" under Article III, Section 13. Read On The Fox News App Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Democrats failed to meet Abbott's 4 p.m. CT Monday deadline to return, Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows announced he would sign arrest warrants against any absent Democrat lawmakers if authorized by a vote of the chamber. Shortly thereafter, the House did approve the warrants and Abbott then swiftly called on the Texas Department of Public Safety to arrest the "delinquent Texas House Democrats." The attorney general has stated that the lawmakers "should be found and arrested no matter where they go." Trump weighed in on the political intrigue Tuesday at the White House when he was asked by a reporter, "Do you want the federal government and the FBI to help locate and arrest these Texas Democrats who have left the state?" 'All-out War': Fleeing Texas Dems Side With Newsom As Redistricting Standoff Continues: 'Fire With Fire' Texas House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Wu speaks at a press event in Illinois after he and dozens of fellow lawmakers fled Texas to block a redistricting vote, Aug. 3, 2025. The president responded that it is a bad look for Democrats to "abandon" the state rather than fight it out in the legislature. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Well, I think they've abandoned the state," he said. "Nobody's seen anything like it, even though they've done it twice before. And, in a certain way, it almost looks like they've abandoned the state. Looks very bad." Pressed further on whether the FBI should get involved, Trump answered, "Well, they may have to." "They may have to," he repeated. "No, I know they want them back. Not only the attorney general, the governor wants them back. If you look, I mean the governor of Texas is demanding they come back. So, a lot of people are demanding they come back. You can't just sit it out. You have to go back. You have to fight it out. That's what elections are all about." Butter Knife To A Gunfight': Democratic Lawmaker Rips His Party's Strategy In Redistricting Battle A view of the Texas State Capitol in Austin as the GOP-led redistricting session continues without dozens of absent House Democrats. Asked by Fox News Channel's Peter Doocy whether he thought Texas redistricting plans were worth risking blue states similarly retaliating, Trump answered, "They'll do it anyway." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Why, if we stop over there, they would have done it anyway," he said. "Look, a lot of these states, you know, I watched this morning as Democrats are complaining and they're complaining from states where they've done it, like in Illinois, like in Massachusetts." "The Democrats have done it long before we started. They've done it all over the place. They did it in New York. They did it in a lot of different states," Trump went on. California Gov. Gavin Newsom's 'Hyper-partisan' Map Is 'Uniquely Corrupt,' Gop Lawmaker Argues Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said lawmakers who fled the state may be removed from office and may also be liable to felony charges. The president went on to praise Texas redistricting plans, saying, "There's tremendous support for it." He also praised Abbott, saying the future of the plans depends on him. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Texas is a place that's done very well with a free enterprise kind of an attitude, with the exact opposite of what's happening in New York with a communist mayor. And they know what they're doing. And they're doing the right thing," he said. "So, we'll see what happens. We have a wonderful governor in Texas. He feels strongly about it. It's going to be up to him." Original article source: WATCH: Trump says FBI 'may have to' help Texas round up AWOL Dem lawmakers WATERBURY, Conn. (WTNH) Police departments across the country hosted National Night Out on Tuesday, and one Connecticut city in particular took this time to focus on combating crime and connecting with the community. Its great to just be one-on-one and be proactive and work on relationships and work on communication with community members, Waterbury Police Chief Fernando Spagnolo said. As opposed to reacting to a terrible incident that may have happened. National Night Out events happening across Connecticut: LIST Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like many police chiefs around the country, Spagnolo spent the evening connecting with his city. Look, its important to understand what the communitys needs are and what is impacting the community, Spagnolo said. In a city Waterburys size, or any urban area here in the state of Connecticut, there is a variety of reasons why certain sections of the community or city are impacted. It is an opportunity, Spagnolo said. The department has been making a point of getting out into the city with pop-up events and making the most of chances like Tuesdays night out. More proactive events like this where we can get out, enjoy a beautiful night like this in Waterbury, Spagnolo said. Have a bite to eat, have some great conversation It really builds strong bonds. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But is it working? The departments crime statistics show that there have been 210 auto thefts this year, whereas there were 469 in 2024 by early August. In 2025, there were 111 burglaries, compared to 142 at this time in 2024. Shots fired and robberies are also down, while seized firearms are up from last year, crime statistics show. We need more people to come together, Waterbury local Fernando Ramos said. It only takes one person to start a movement; it takes a village to really push something forward. National Night Out enhances the relationship between neighbors and law enforcement while bringing back a true sense of community, according to their website and overall mission. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its actually very heartwarming to know that the authorities in the community are becoming very active and making themself aware to the kids and making the kids feel safe also, Destiny Selph said. Selph, a mother of a two-year-old, has a vested interest in the citys future. There is hope for restoration in this community, Selph said. There is going to be a new turning of a page. Its not always going to be like this in Waterbury. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Aug. 6WATERTOWN The Watertown City School District Board of Education is moving forward with a controversial universal pre-K plan as presented during the district's budget process. The board voted on Tuesday to designate eight community-based organizations, CBOs, to be partners with the district. It is then the superintendent and the district's administrative team that will allocate the students. The district is looking to reallocate some of its UPK slots from community-based organizations and bring them in-house into the school district. Previously, the district had contracted all of its UPK programs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After Tuesday's meeting, Superintendent Larry C. Schmiegel said the district will be using five of the classrooms previously used for UPK for its in-house programs. The issue, which came up when the Board of Education passed the district's budget in May, has drawn the attention of Assemblyman Scott A. Gray, R-Watertown. In a news release, Gray said that Jefferson County is in "crisis when it comes to child care access," as 72% of the county is classified as a child care desert. Gray argues that removing the UPK slots from the community-based organizations would reduce available care, destabilize full-day services, and make it more difficult for families to get the support they need. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We need to build a plan that preserves community capacity, avoids future taxpayer liabilities and ensures equitable access to care," Gray said in the news release. "That starts with listening to families and providers and building trust through true community participation." Board member Rande S. Richardson was one of two "no" votes on the resolution. He says it's about the process the district followed to get to this point. "We have decades of amazing service from our community partners and whenever we had an opportunity to talk to them, and Lori (Converse, fellow board member) were in a room with all of them, really all they were asking us to do is include them in the process like we would with any partner," Richardson said. "I realize we're way into the process, almost too late, but I just can't get behind it. It's not who I am, it's not who we are...I'm sad that we got to this point where we are today." Converse said that "it's been a rough couple months." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Community is huge for me, too. This school is as well, and this was one of those situations where they didn't collide the way I would like them to," she said. Newly elected board president John A. Cain said it comes down to physical space, which he says the district does not have because of obligations to other students, contracts and programs. "If we had the physical space, we'd be happy to share it with all our CBOs," he said. "It's not just we are going to vote on this resolution and walk away from it. We very much intend to be partners with our community partners to try to continue to find spaces that are appropriate for our pre-K programs to use." Anthony Doldo, a Jefferson County legislator who serves on the Community Action Planning Council board, heavily criticized the decision during the meeting on Tuesday. The council is one of the district's CBOs. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Larry, I'm sorry, but you were not clear with this community," he said, addressing the district superintendent. "This could've been worked out a long time ago before we even got to this point. We would've scrounged and found space, if need be, but not at the last minute ... I hope that things change. They need to change because these children in this community are the ones that are going to suffer." He said that Community Action Planning Council members were willing and tried to talk with school administrators but never heard back. Schmiegel said any change in the request for proposals process would start it over. He says he and the district have been advocating at the state level for more funding, which UPK providers say hasn't been increased in a decade. "We will continue researching that and advocating," he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Schmiegel said CBOs should also be advocating for more funding at the state level. Cain, newly elected board vice president Culley Gosier, and members Melanie Stano and Tina Fluno voted yes while Richardson and Converse voted no. Former board president Jason Harrington abstained from the vote, saying he serves on the board of one of the CBOs. The Board of Education passed a resolution allowing for Schmiegel to look at using building spaces involved in a capital improvement project as a "swing space" and to see if they can use the space for pre-K. "I don't think we got this one entirely right, that's obvious," Cain said. "All we can do is take our licks from the community, which I'm sure we will, and we are, and we will try to learn our lesson and get it better next time." Schmiegel said that if the resolution did not pass Tuesday night, it would have been tabled and UPK would not start in September for any of the CBOs. WEBER CITY, Va. (WJHL) The Weber City Police Department took part in the countrywide National Night Out event, which aims to connect law enforcement workers with their communities. Tuesdays event marks the police departments second year hosting a National Night Out, which featured local vendors, a food court, bounce houses, backpack/school supply giveaways and more. City leaders want Buffalo Mountain to be TN Natural Area Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weber City Chief Harding and Lieutenant Jones took pies to the face for a good cause: fundraising for ten children battling cancer diagnoses in Scott County. We want to make sure that people know who we are, Chief Donald Harding III said. You know, were not just out here writing tickets and arresting people. We want to show the community who we are. Were people too. We like to have fun. We like to hang out. We like to eat food like the food trucks down here. We like to just have a good time. A special appearance also took place by an impersonator of The Andy Griffith Shows Ernest T. Bass. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) If you need a ride to the Tomato Art Fest in Five Points on Saturday, one free option will be a WeGo bus. According to Metro Councilman Clay Capp, who represents the Five Points neighborhood and most of East Nashville, WeGo will offer free rides to the festival along the #4 Shelby route. Neighborhood News: Stories impacting your community | Read More The offer applies only to the second day of the festival, Saturday, Aug. 9. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 22nd Tomato Art Fest will take to the streets of Five Points in East Nashville Friday afternoon and Saturday to celebrate the versatility of the official state fruit of Tennessee. VIDEO | Countdown to Tomato Art Fest in East Nashville Music, art, a parade, artisan crafts, contests and more will take place during the two-day festival. For more information, visit Tomato Art Fest online. Do you have news happening in your neighborhood? Let us know by sending an email to neighborhoodnews@wkrn.com. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2. "If DC doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City," Trump said. US President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that the federal government could take control of Washington if the local government "doesn't get its act together," with his comments coming in a Truth Social post complaining about crime in the US capital. "Crime in Washington, DC, is totally out of control. Local youths and gang members, some only 14, 15, and 16 years old, are randomly attacking, mugging, maiming, and shooting innocent Citizens, at the same time knowing that they will be almost immediately released, Trump said in his post. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He urged that "The Law in DC must be changed to prosecute these 'minors' as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14." "If DC doesnt get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City," Trump added. He further stressed, "If this continues, I am going to exert my powers, and FEDERALIZE this City. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!" Trump suggests takeover of NYC and Washington In July, Trump also suggested a government takeover of both New York City and Washington, ABC News reported. US President Donald Trump gestures as he speaks during a meeting with British Prime Minister Keir Starmer (not pictured) at Trump Turnberry golf club in Turnberry, Scotland on July 28, 2025. (credit: CHRISTOPHER FURLONG/POOL VIA REUTERS) The US president made the statements during a meeting of his Cabinet at the White House, where he was asked about NYC's upcoming mayoral election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump bashed Zohran Mamdani, who won the Democratic mayoral primary in June, stating that if a communist gets elected to run New York, it can never be the same. But we have tremendous power at the White House to run places when we have to," ABC News quoted Addressing Washington, Trump said, "We could run DC. We're looking at DC. We don't want crime in DC. We want the city to run well." "We would run it so good, it would be run so proper, we'd get the best person to run it," he added, "And we know the crime would be down to a minimum, would be much less. And, you know, we're thinking about doing it, to be honest with you." Earlier in February, Trump similarly threw his support behind calls for a federal government takeover of Washington, saying the local government was "not doing the job" on crime and homelessness. "We should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawlessly beautiful. And I think we should take over Washington, DC Make it safe," said Trump, who has made similar calls in the past. Economist Tyler Cowen said college students were unprepared for an AI-disrupted job market. He warned that schools are teaching "counterproductive" skills as AI reshapes the world of work. Cowen said this could leave young people feeling they "do not fit into this world." Colleges aren't preparing their students to join a labor market being transformed by AI, and the consequences may be psychological as much as economic, a leading economist has said. Tyler Cowen, a professor at George Mason University, said that universities were "producing a generation of students who will go out on the labor market and be quite unprepared for what they're expected to do." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Students are being taught in ways that were "counterproductive, even," he said, in a conversation with podcaster Azeem Azhar that aired Tuesday. He said studying at college was "the time to do it," referring to learning to work with AI. Cowen didn't name specific academic disciplines, but his comments come amid a debate about how AI could reshape the type of knowledge work that college students expect to do after graduation. As generative AI tools become embedded across white-collar industries, proficiency with these systems is fast becoming a baseline expectation. Cowen said he didn't think AI would destroy jobs, but would reshape hiring practices, career trajectories, and productivity standards. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Cowen said new graduates may struggle to get hired, and warned that the damage may run deeper than lost wages. "The output will be lower, but I think many of the highest costs will be psychological people feeling they do not fit into this world," he said. "And they'll be somewhat correct." A disruptive force in education Cowen's warning joins a growing chorus of concern that elite institutions and traditional curricula are not changing fast enough to keep up with rapid technological change. Open AI's VP of education, Leah Belsky, said on the company's podcast last week that college graduates need to know "how to use AI in their daily life" and should be taught to use it "in ways that will expand critical thinking and expand creativity." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Google DeepMind research scientist Stefania Druga told Business Insider in May that if AI can complete a student's assignment, teachers need to change it. "If an AI can solve a test, it's the wrong test," she said. Druga, who helps design AI education platforms for children, said young people were using it to shortcut learning entirely, rather than being taught to use it as a tool for co-creation. Educators are adopting diverging strategies: some are doubling down on analog tools like handwritten essays and oral exams to preserve academic integrity, while others are embracing AI to build more personalized, harder-to-game assessments. Read the original article on Business Insider Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. TAYLORSVILLE, Utah (ABC4) A West Jordan man has been arrested and charged after inappropriately touching several women, breaking windows at an apartment complex, and then trying to take an officers gun while hospitalized. Ethan Samuel Doutt, 19, has been charged with one count of disarming a police officer, two counts of assault by a prisoner, four counts of sexual battery, one count of failure to stop at the command of a law officer, and one count of propelling a bodily substance. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, on July 30, 2025, a Taylorsville Police officer was approached by a woman who reported that a stranger had groped her inappropriately. While searching for the suspect, two more women approached and said they had also been touched inappropriately by a stranger. While investigating, the officer was contacted by his police department, and they stated that a suspect matching the strangers description later identified as Doutt had been arrested for vandalism at an apartment complex in the area. READ NEXT: Price man charged with murder for allegedly shooting, killing son during argument At the apartment complex, police were contacted after Doutt allegedly broke several apartment windows with a fire extinguisher, then went to the parking lot and smashed car windows. When police arrived, they located the damage to the windows, and a broken rear windshield on a truck in the parking lot. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When Doutt saw the officers arrive, he allegedly began running away, though a construction site. Police officers managed to take him into custody while he was attempting to climb a chain-link fence on the lot. Doutt began hitting his head against the window while in the police vehicle, and was transported to the hospital, according to court documents. While at the hospital, he attempted to leave the hospital bed. An officer grabbed his arm to stop him, and Doutt allegedly scratched the officer and spat on him. After injuring the officer, Doutt was able to break free from his grip and tried to grab another officers pistol and remove it from the holster. That officer removed Doutts hand from the pistol and secured him to the hospital bed. Doutt is currently being held at the Salt Lake County Jail on a no-bail warrant. Latest headlines: Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah. West Nile virus found in mosquito in New Bedford West Nile virus has been found in a mosquito in New Bedford. According to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health, the sample was found in the area of Oak Grove Cemetery The states local risk level for West Nile remains low. The Bristol County Mosquito Project will conduct additional ground-spraying early Thursday morning. Ground spraying also occurs weekly from early June through September and targets parks and other locations that host large public events. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Weekly sprayings occur every Thursday during the summer between 2 a.m. and sunrise, in locations around Buttonwood Park, Brooklawn Park, Fort Taber, Hazelwood Park, Riverside Park, Clasky Common Park, Ashley Park, Wings Court, Custom House Square, and other parts of Downtown. Residents near targeted areas are told to close their windows in the evenings prior to spraying, before going to bed. West Nile virus is a mosquito-carried virus that can cause illness ranging from a mild fever to a more serious disease. It is most commonly spread to people through the bite of an infected mosquito. Positive mosquito samples for West Nile are not uncommon in the summer months and have been found in cities and towns across the state in recent weeks. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials recommend using mosquito repellent between dusk and dawn, wearing long sleeves and long pants from dusk to dawn, and using mosquito netting on baby carriages and playpens to prevent mosquito bites. This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available. Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts. Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The bird flu virus that has been spreading among dairy cows may travel through the air and wastewater at farms, not just from milking equipment, a new study finds. Researchers say this could put cows and workers at greater risk, even when no one appears sick. "There is no one way" this virus spreads, lead author Seema Lakdawala, a virus expert at Emory University in Atlanta, told The New York Times. The study, which should be regarded as preliminary because it has not yet been peer-reviewed, looked at 14 dairy farms in California, where bird flu was reported in late 2024 and early 2025. Scientists collected samples from the air, milking machines, wastewater and cows. They found live virus in the air of milking parlors or enclosed areas where cows are milked. They also found traces of the virus in the breath of infected cows, in contaminated water and on milking equipment. "There's tons of aerosols being generated during the process of milking," Lakdawala explained. Experts previously thought the virus, also known as H5N1, spread mostly from dirty equipment or human contact. But this study and others show that may not explain all cases. Lakdawala's team found cows with no visible symptoms who were still infected, meaning the virus may be spreading silently through herds. So far, the bird flu virus has reached more than 1,000 herds in 17 states, including many in California, data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows. It's also infected dozens of people in the U.S., causing numerous hospitalizations and one death. The virus seems to concentrate in cow's milk, especially that from sick animals. That milk becomes thick and yellow, according to the study. Because milking machines are used quickly on many cows, they can carry the virus from one animal to the next. But in some studies, cows exposed only to infected equipment didn't always get sick. The new research suggests that tiny droplets of milk in the air might be yet another way the virus spreads. Some farmworkers may have gotten infected when milk splashed into their eyes or faces, researchers said. Cats that drank contaminated milk have also gotten very sick, and many died. Experts say these milking rooms are often hot and humid, so many workers tend to avoid wearing masks. But even face shields can help reduce the risk of getting sick, Lakdawala told The Times. "We're going to have more human infections perpetually," she added. "It could create something that is going to be quite dangerous in a few years," Lakdawala added. So far, most infected Americans haven't become seriously ill. That may be because many people have some protection from past flu viruses, including H1N1. Still, young children and people with weak immune systems may be more vulnerable to severe illness, said Troy Sutton, a flu expert at Pennsylvania State University. Other experts say more attention may be needed this fall, when bird migration begins again and the risk of spread grows. Findings from the California study were posted Aug. 2 on the preprint server bioRxiv. More information: A.J. Campbell et al, Surveillance on California dairy farms reveals multiple sources of H5N1 transmission, bioRxiv (2025). DOI: 10.1101/2025.07.31.666798 The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on bird flu. Journal information: bioRxiv 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved. The Michelin Guide has officially stripped West Palm Beach restaurant Konro of its lone Michelin star months after police arrested its chef-owner, Jacob Bickelhaupt, on domestic-violence charges that have since been upgraded to attempted second-degree murder. The French tire company has scrubbed the restaurant from its website along with its guide entry, a decision that marks the first time Palm Beach County has earned and then lost a Michelin star. Its unclear whether the restaurant will reopen; while its website is down, its social media pages remain online. In an email response to the South Florida Sun Sentinel on Tuesday, the Michelin Guide stated it had removed Konros star because the restaurant has closed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The team keeps the selections up to date and given the restaurant has closed, it has been removed from the selection, said Carly Grieff, a Michelin spokesperson. Michelins statement seems to differ from its original response in June, when it told the Sun Sentinel that while it firmly condemns all acts of violence, aggression and harassment, it took no action following the chefs arrest, arguing that MICHELIN Stars are annual distinctions and therefore our Inspectors revisit the restaurants annually. Bickelhaupt, 41, remains in Palm Beach County jail as of Wednesday, according to inmate records, and faces charges of attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment following his June 2 arrest over an alleged assault at his home that investigators say lasted roughly two hours. Bickelhaupt has pleaded not guilty to all charges. The Palm Beach County Public Defenders Office, which represents him, told the Sun Sentinel in a brief phone call on Tuesday that it does not comment on open cases. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to Palm Beach County court records, Bickelhaupts next hearing is scheduled for Sept. 8. Timeline: What happened to Bickelhaupt and Konro? Bickelhaupts acclaimed 10-seat chef counter Konro closed in June, nearly two years after it debuted in Flamingo Park Market on the edge of downtown West Palm Beach. The sit-down was so named for the Japanese charcoal grill used in many courses, which included Japanese A5 Wagyu steak, edible floral arrangements of microgreens and crackling chicken-skin cones filled with foie gras and cloudberry jam. On June 2, almost two months after winning Konros and by extension Palm Beach Countys first Michelin star, Bickelhaupt was arrested on charges of aggravated battery causing bodily harm or disability and battery causing bodily harm. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The attack began when the victim, a woman who worked with Bickelhaupt, approached him asleep on the couch in the early-morning hours to persuade him to come back to bed, according to a probable cause affidavit. An argument ensued and Bickelhaupt allegedly followed her into the bedroom and started punching her in the face and kicking her, and kept on attacking even as she crawled away. The victim managed to escape and take a rideshare to Palm Beach International Airport to return to Denver, where she had grown up. However, she suffered a seizure, collapsed at the ticket counter and paramedics rushed her to St. Marys Medical Center, according to an arrest report. Had she gotten on the flight, doctors later told her family, she would probably have died. They caught her in the nick of time, the victims sister told the Sun Sentinel. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The woman initially told Palm Beach County Sheriffs deputies that she had been in a car accident. But medical staff told deputies that the womans injuries two blackened eyes, facial swelling, bruising from shoulders to wrists, a subdural hematoma requiring emergency surgery werent consistent with a car accident. Related Articles Eventually, the victim gave a sworn statement to police identifying Bickelhaupt as the man who attacked her for two hours as she tried to escape. When officers visited her home later, they found blood splatter in multiple rooms, on bedding, walls and furniture, according to the arrest report. Following Bickelhaupts June 3 court appearance, a judge declared him indigent and granted him a public defender, setting his bond at $90,000 along with a no-contact order with the victim. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Palm Beach State Attorneys Office later filed additional felony witness-tampering charges against Bickelhaupt, accusing him of violating the no-contact order by calling the woman on two occasions. (These charges were later downgraded to a misdemeanor: violating pre-trial release conditions.) Then, on June 11, felony battery charges were upgraded to attempted second-degree murder and false imprisonment. The victims condition was not immediately available, as hospitals do not give out information on domestic violence victims. Voicemails and text messages left with the victim on Tuesday were not returned. A pattern of behavior In a 2022 profile of Konro, Bickelhaupt told the Sun Sentinel he had moved to West Palm Beach that June along with his wife with two equally ambitious goals: rebuilding his life and earning more Michelin stars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At his acclaimed Chicago restaurant 42 Grams, Bickelhaupt had climbed the pinnacle of the culinary world, picking up two Michelin stars in 2014, 2015 and 2016. He also won Food & Wines Best Chef in 2015 and received James Beard Award semifinalist nods in 2016 and 2017. But then those laurels, along with his reputation, slipped away in an act of violence that touched off years of controversy. Documents filed in Cook County Circuit Court describe a June 4, 2017, attack by Bickelhaupt against his then-ex-wife, Alexa Welsh, in which he grabbed her hair and threw (her) to ground, then struck victim in head with [a sparkling water] bottle, causing injury. The attack resulted in lacerations requiring staples, according to Eater Chicago. She stepped toward me, and I reacted, he says in 86ed, a 2021 documentary he self-financed and promoted through Konros official website. I dont remember hitting her over the head with a bottle like that. I hurt her bad and I freaked out I asked [an employee] to call 911 and left in a panic back to my apartment. I had a bunch of beer and whiskey at home and was going to kill myself. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 42 Grams permanently closed the next day, and police charged Bickelhaupt with a simple battery. He pleaded guilty. The Internet backlash was swift. Just go away and realize Michelin is never gonna give wife beater ANY MORE STARS, one commenter wrote on social media. Someone needs to beat the s out of Jacob publicly, another wrote. What I did was a very situational, passionate, alcoholic long story, he recounted to the Sun Sentinel in October 2022. It was horrible, and it never should have happened, and what I did was 100% wrong. And thats why Im trying to make amends to all that stuff. Im going to live with what I did forever. I punish myself more than anyone else can punish me, I promise you that. Reached through social media this past June, his ex-wife told the Sun Sentinel she wasnt surprised to hear he was accused of harming someone else. Violence is a cycle. How does the saying go? Welsh said. Those who do not learn history I sent [the victim] a message of support. I hope shes able to make a full recovery. Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah (ABC4) A man living in West Valley City has been charged after allegedly leasing his apartment to women who were using it for prostitution. Jeimer Jesus Villalobos, 22, was charged today with exploitation of prostitution, a third-degree felony, and aiding prostitution, a Class A misdemeanor. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to court documents, a detective with the West Valley City Police Department (WVCPD) observed a woman posting ads for the solicitation of sexual services in Salt Lake County on March 7, 2025. The detective sent a text to the phone number provided and asked about prices. Someone texted back with the number, informing the detective of the prices. The detective asked where he could go to meet for the sexual services, and the address of an apartment in West Valley City was provided. Through the apartment buildings manager, the detective learned that Villalobos lived in the apartment. Woman charged in connection with massage studio that offered illicit services, documents say A few weeks later, on March 25, the detective found an ad for a different woman, also offering sexual services. He texted the phone number and was provided the same address in West Valley City as a meeting place. At that time, Villalobos was evicted from the apartment complex. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The WVCPD detective observed that the same ads were being posted, this time at a different address. A search warrant was served on the new address, and officers located Villalobos inside. He allegedly stated that he was leasing the first apartment to women whom he knew were using it for prostitution, and that they were paying him to live there. Villalobos also told police that he sometimes assisted in transporting the women, according to court documents. He was arrested and booked into the Salt Lake County Jail in April, but was later 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. WESTERLY, R.I. (WPRI) An osprey has been given a second lease on life thanks to the Westerly Police Department. Officers were called to Post Road near Shore Road Monday evening for reports of an injured bird, according to a social media post shared by the police department Tuesday. Police said the osprey spent some time at the Westerly Police Department before being picked up by a Rhode Island Environmental Police officer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The osprey has since been brought to the local wildlife rehabilitation center for treatment. The birds condition is unknown at this time. Ospreys are migratory hawks that primarily feed on fish, according to the R.I. Department of Environmental Management. (Courtesy: Westerly Police Department). (Courtesy: Westerly Police Department). Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on WPRI.com or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WPRI.com. A man driving a Penske truck pulled up to day laborers at the Home Depot and told them he was looking for workers, recalled one day laborer. The workers gathered around, just as more than half a dozen Border Patrol agents jumped out the back. Many of the people scattered, but 16 were arrested in the operation. After weeks of relative quiet, the immigration raid on a Home Depot in Westlake early Wednesday morning revived fears of widespread sweeps in Los Angeles as U.S. Border Patrol Sector Chief Greg Bovino warned, "We're not leaving." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Bovino, who has led operations since they began in June, referred to the raid as "Operation Trojan Horse." Immigrant advocates and city leaders had hoped such sweeps had stopped with a federal judge's order, affirmed by a U.S. 9th Circuit Court of Appeals panel, that immigration officials cannot racially profile people or use roving patrols to target immigrants. We are all trying to look into ... exactly what happened, said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass. But from the video and from the stills, it looks like the exact same thing that we were seeing before." In her temporary restraining order, U.S. District Judge Maame Ewusi-Mensah Frimpong had ruled that using a person's race, language, job or location as a probable cause to detain them violated the 4th Amendment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "For those who thought Immigration enforcement had stopped in Southern California, think again," acting U.S. Atty. Bill Essayli posted on X shortly after the raid. "The enforcement of federal law is not negotiable and there are no sanctuaries from the reach of the federal government." Department of Homeland Security officials released a short statement saying the operation led to "the arrest of 16 illegal aliens from Guatemala, Mexico, Honduras, and Nicaragua," and did not answer questions. They told a Fox News reporter that "MS-13 has a chokehold on this area." However, agents appeared to arrest only day laborers and street vendors, who are often extorted by the gangs. When a reporter told Bass at a news conference that Border Patrol said it was targeting gang members, she replied sarcastically. "Yeah, and you can see that when somebody is sitting at a Home Depot." Bass said later she wants City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto's office to determine whether the tactics used by federal agents during the Home Depot operation violated the restraining order. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Just being a Home Depot day laborer, to me, is not probable cause," she said. "So the question I would have is, what were they possibly observing at Home Depot? They were observing people looking for a job for one day." The Border Patrol changed one aspect of its approach. Instead of arriving in unmarked Ford and Chevy SUVs, agents showed up in vans that could be easily mistaken for those driven by workers, and the Penske truck, often used by people moving who need extra help. At least one van had a straw hat and orange construction vest sitting on the dashboard. Read more: 9th Circuit keeps freeze on Southern California ICE patrols A day laborer, who identified himself as Cesar, said around 6:45 a.m. the Penske truck pulled up to laborers who had gathered in the parking lot. The driver told them in Spanish he was looking for workers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Several of the men gathered around the truck and then someone, it was unclear who, rolled up the back of the truck, Cesar recounted. Masked agents, one wearing a cowboy hat, jumped out and started chasing people. People scattered. "This is the worst feeling ever," said Cesar, who has been going to the home improvement store to pick up work for several years. Video on social media captured the moment the back of the rental truck opened. When Penske Truck Rental was asked about it, the company said it was looking into it. "The company was not made aware that its trucks would be used in todays operation and did not authorize this," said Penske spokesman Randolph P. Ryerson. "Penske will reach out to DHS and reinforce its policy to avoid improper use of its vehicles in the future." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He added: "Penske strictly prohibits the transportation of people in the cargo area of its vehicles under any circumstances." Read more: Majority of people arrested in L.A. immigration raids had no criminal history Anna Cho, a member of the advocacy group LA Tenants Union, was setting up a booth at the Home Depot for renters in the dense, low-income Latino neighborhood to get information about their legal rights. Lately, she said, the group has become a de facto recorder of enforcement activity. It was really chaotic, she said. There was a lot of yelling. There was running, and when I went outside, the immigration officers were grabbing people. It was very indiscriminate. Some were resisting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In a video shown to The Times, two white sprinter vans and the yellow Penske truck arrive at the parking lot. One of the vans can be seen blocking the Home Depot driveway on Union Avenue, in a move to apparently stop vehicles from driving out of the lot. The other van parks near a sidewalk where street vendors sell food. In another video, masked men in Border Patrol uniforms can be seen leading a woman in an apron away from the folding table where she sold food and drinks. She was handcuffed and loaded into the van. A member of Tenants Union can be heard asking, Do you have a warrant? None of the agents responded. It was so fast. It happened in a matter of 10 minutes, said Xochilt Soza, a mover who picks up work at the Home Depot. She saw several white vans drive into the lot, along with the Penske truck, and about 20 to 30 agents fan out of the vehicles. Agents arrested Angel, a man whom she knew for years and who was also looking for work. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its so sad, she said, shaking her head in disbelief. "I am not well," said another worker, who did not want to give his name. He said he was devastated by the raids but that he wasnt going to leave the parking lot, because he still needed the work. One worker who escaped was still shaken by the experience an hour later. He identified himself as Raul and said he saw at least eight people get arrested. "That's one of their cars," he said pointing to a silver Toyota sedan. The Home Depot had been one of the scenes of the first raids in June that kicked off more than a month of operations in Southern California in which civil rights lawyers say federal agents indiscriminately arrested immigrants. The raids gutted businesses, spread fear and tore apart families. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement On July 11, Judge Frimpong temporarily blocked federal agents from using racial profiling to carry out indiscriminate arrests after the ACLU, Public Counsel, other groups and private attorneys sued over the practices, saying the region had been "under siege." Department of Justice attorneys argued the order hindered them from carrying out federal immigration enforcement, but the 9th Circuit upheld the order. City Councilmember Eunisses Hernandez, who represents the area, called Wednesday's operation "yet another attack on our judicial system by the Trump Administration" and said it was a "clear violation of the temporary restraining order." "Using a rental truck to round up people like cargo is a disgusting reflection of this administrations total disregard for human life and the rule of law," Hernandez said in a statement. "It is clear that Angelenos my constituents are being racially profiled and hunted for political points." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement ACLU attorney Mohammad Tajsar said the organization is reviewing reports of recent raids. The evidence available so far raises serious concerns that the federal government may be in violation of the federal judge's July temporary restraining order," he said. "We encourage community members to reach out if they have any specific information about these incidents and we will continue to evaluate the evidence and alert the court at the appropriate juncture of any further unlawful actions. This week, a federal judge approved a court settlement barring Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from identifying as state or local law enforcement and from engaging in ruses misrepresenting their governmental identity or purpose, according to the ACLU. That settlement applies specifically to ICE. For the last weeks since the restraining order kicked in, Bovino has shared photos of arrests of undocumented immigrants, stating that some had active arrest warrants. With others, he referenced a lengthy criminal history, marking the arrests as more targeted than they had been prior. But organizers say similar operations to the Wednesday raid have unfolded in recent days and have sparked concerns about violations of the restraining order. On social media, people shared a video from Saturday of Border Patrol agents seemingly raiding a Lakewood Car Wash and taking at least two people into custody. Another operation unfolded Monday at a Home Depot in Hollywood that was the site of a massive raid in June. Maegan Ortiz, the executive director of the nonprofit group Instituto de Educacion Popular del Sur de California, known as IDEPSCA, said it began receiving word about an immigration operation at the Home Depot in Hollywood around 6:50 a.m. She said at least two people were arrested. Ortiz said Border Patrol agents "seem to be making the same rounds again." "They're hitting the same places they hit Round 1, if you will, and they're trying new tactics," she said. She said they're pretending to be employers and luring people "as if they're street vendors themselves." "What does this mean for the TRO [temporary restraining order]? There's a lot of anxiety both from workers and from organizational staff," she said. Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week. This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times. Whatcom County voters outside of Bellingham appear to have approved a property tax increase for the countys library system in Tuesdays primary election. Preliminary results show the measure garnered support from 55.6% of voters. A simple majority is required for the levys passage. Elections officials will update results daily in the afternoon until all votes are counted. Library officials told The Herald they were anticipating an operating deficit of more than $1 million next year without the levy. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The levy will raise the effective property tax rate from its current 26 cents per $1,000 of assessed valuation to 42 cents, a level that voters approved in a 2009 levy when library officials last asked for a tax increase. Whatcom County libraries arent part of any government agency. The library system is its own taxing district and is governed by an independent board. Its 2025 budget is $14.2 million. Facing higher costs and operating deficit, Whatcom library seeks tax hike Whatcom County Council District 3 Preliminary results also show Whatcom County Council District 3 incumbent Tyler Byrd of Sudden Valley likely will not advance to the general election. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 3 encompasses rural areas north, east and south of Bellingham. Byrd is seeking a third consecutive term. It includes the cities of Everson, Nooksack and Sumas, along with the foothill communities of Kendall, Maple Falls and Glacier, the South Fork Valley communities of Acme, Clipper and Van Zandt, and Geneva and Sudden Valley east of Bellingham. District 3 is one of five County Council districts. There are also two at-large members on the seven-member council. The County Council makes laws, appoints members of advisory committees and controls the purse through its budget authority. All County Council races are nonpartisan. Only registered voters in District 3 were able to vote in this race. Under Washington states primary rules, the two candidates with the most votes will advance to the Nov. 4 general election. Jessica Rienstra of Nooksack, a psychiatric nurse practitioner, received the most support with 4,088 votes (48.7%), while Kyle Christensen finished second with 1,959 votes (23.3%). Byrd received 1,743 votes (20.8%). Daniel Probst of Acme received 579 votes (6.9%). Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Primary election: Crowded field vying for Whatcom County Council District 3 seat Whatcom County Council District 2 The primary election for the open Whatcom County Council District 2 seat, which covers northern Bellingham, including Columbia, Silver Beach and other neighborhoods, is between three challengers. Its current council representative, Todd Donovan, opted not to run for a third consecutive term. Elizabeth Boyle of Bellingham drew 4,409 votes (55%) for a commanding primary election victory. Boyle will face either Maya Morales or Mike Cullum in the general election. Just one vote separates Morales and Cullum for second place after initial results released Tuesday night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement District 2 is one of five County Council districts. Its current council representative, Todd Donovan, is not running for a third consecutive term. There are also two at-large members on the seven-member council. Primary election: Three candidates seeking open seat on Whatcom County Council Port of Bellingham Port of Bellingham Commission District 2 incumbent Ken Bell received more than 60% of votes in a three-way primary. Bell will face business owner Carly James in the November general election. James finished second in the race with 4384 votes (34.2%), while comedian and LGBTQ supporter Kaylin Bosley received 587 votes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There are three non-partisan Port Commissioner positions that each represent a different district in Whatcom County. Commissioners serve four-year terms. Primary election: Newcomers looking to replace Port of Bellingham commissioner Looking for something else? Visit our Live Election Results page for all Whatcom County and statewide tallies from Tuesdays primary. WhatsApp has taken down 6.8 million accounts linked to scammers targeting people around the world in the first half of this year, its parent company Meta says. Many were tied to scam centres run by organised criminals in South East Asia, who often used forced labour in their operations, according to the social media giant. Meta made the announcement as WhatsApp rolled out new anti-scam measures to alert users to potential fraudulent activity, such as a user being added to a group chat by someone not in their contacts list. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The crackdown targets an increasingly common tactic in which criminals hijack WhatsApp accounts or add users to group chats promoting fake investment schemes and other scams. Meta said WhatsApp "proactively detected and took down accounts before scam centres were able to operationalise them." In one case, WhatsApp worked with Meta and ChatGPT-developer OpenAI to disrupt scams linked to a Cambodian criminal group that offered cash for likes on social media posts to promote a fake rent-a-scooter pyramid scheme. It said scammers had used ChatGPT to create the instructions issued to potential victims. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Typically, fraudsters would first contact potential targets with a text message before moving the conversation to social media or private messaging apps, said Meta. These scams were usually completed on payment or cryptocurrency platforms, it added. "There is always a catch and it should be a red flag for everyone: you have to pay upfront to get promised returns or earnings." UK consumer rights organisation Which? welcomed the announcement, but said: "Meta must do much more to stop these criminals across all its platforms." Consumer law expert Lisa Webb added: "Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp users are being inundated with fraudulent ads for everything from fake investment opportunities to dodgy products and non-existent job offers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Meta needs to ensure that scams are prevented from ever appearing on its platforms in the first place." "Meta needs to ensure that scams are prevented from ever appearing on its platforms in the first place. Ofcom must now take action to enforce the parts of the Online Safety Act already in effect, and to issue robust rules governing fraudulent paid-for ads, so that tech firms are forced to take full responsibility for the content on their sites." Scam centres that cheat people out of billions of dollars are known to operate from South East Asian countries like Myanmar, Cambodia and Thailand. These centres are also known to recruit people who are then forced to carry out the scams. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Authorities in the region have urged people to be wary of potential fraud and use anti-scam measures such as WhatsApp's two-step verification feature to help protect their accounts from being hijacked. In Singapore, for example, users have also been told by police to be wary of any unusual requests they receive on messaging apps. [BBC] Get our flagship newsletter with all the headlines you need to start the day. Sign up here. The Brief The U.S. Constitution mandates states draw congressional lines, after each census, to reflect population changes. Texas Republicans offer, among their arguments, that redistricting is necessary because the state has added roughly 2 million residents since the last census. Specific guideline determine how congressional districts can be drawn. President Trump's demand that Texas congressional lines be redrawn to find more Republican seats notwithstanding, the mid-decade exercise is unorthodox but legal. Guidelines for Redistricting The backstory It's the U.S. Constitution that mandates states draw congressional lines, after each census, to reflect population changes. One of the arguments offered by Texas Republicans is that about 2 million more people have moved to the state since the last census, so it's appropriate to redraw the lines. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement To get there, there are some specific guidelines. First, districts have to represent roughly equal populations so that each member of Congress represents the same number of people. It's the legal concept of 'One person, one vote'. Like squeezing a balloon, if a district gets smaller in one place, it's got to get bigger somewhere else, so that it stays equal. Voting Rights Act Considerations That's where the Voting Rights Act, and judicial precedent, come into play, which is the point of contention for much of the arguing today. Passed in 1965, the relevant part is 'Section 2', which stipulates district lines can't disenfranchise minority populations, which are identified by race, color, or certain languages. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Texas, it's the Black and Hispanic communities most at risk and entitled to a so-called 'majority-minority' district if it's big enough, in a defined area, and in danger of being racially overruled at the ballot box. Legal Challenges and Partisan Strategies That's where Texas Republicans have to start, to survive a legal challenge, while still trying to solidify districts they believe will lock-in victories. Some legal experts, though, believe it will open the door for any number of states to follow suit, to focus on their own partisan advantage. What they're saying "I think that's the danger of this redistricting plan in Texas, that it will prompt other states to take a look at their maps and try to think, you know, is there a way that we can wring-out more partisan advantage from the geography of the state," says University of Houston Assistant Professor of Law, David Froomkin, who believes the new, proposed Congressional districts would result in additional Republican seats. The Source Interviews, the Texas Tribune, Wall Street Journal Its been a whirlwind: Dismissed Brevard County teacher speaks out A teacher from Brevard County who made headlines last school year is speaking out for the first time. Melissa Calhoun was dismissed from her job for calling a student by their preferred name without the parents consent. Its been a whirlwind, but Ive really tried to focus on, you know, the highs, said Calhoun, who used to teach at Satellite High School. Calhoun came under fire from the district last school year after calling a student by their preferred name. On July 30, she appeared before the states Education Practices Commission. The panel decided Calhoun could keep her teaching certification. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Channel 9 caught up with the teacher after she found out she wont be hired back by Brevard Public Schools, at least not for the next year. BPS superintendent, Dr. Mark Rendell, announced the decision in a statement, saying in part, I believe it is appropriate that the full term of that probation be completed before any consideration of employment. It all started when Calhoun addressed one of her students by their preferred name, something that, according to a new Florida law, requires parental consent. Calhoun came under fire from the district last school year after calling a student by their preferred name. Did you ever fear you wouldnt be able to teach again? Channel 9s Geovany Dias asked Calhoun. Of course, yes, she replied. This is something that is serious, and I never want to get in the way of a parent and their child. Its always my goal to work in coordination with my parents. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her dismissal caused community commotion, with parents and students speaking out repeatedly in hopes of helping the teacher keep her job. It was heartening to see. I had many former and current parents reach out to me, and former students reach out to me, and just offer their support, and that mattered greatly, Calhoun said. Calhoun came under fire from the district last school year after calling a student by their preferred name. Over the course of the months of back-and-forth with the school district, and later with the Department of Education, Calhoun said she still wanted to make sure her students continued to succeed in their academic journey. Ultimately, I knew that I had to serve my students. So, they had that AP test coming up, and you know, theres college credit attached to that. I wanted to ensure they were successful, she said. I had 10th Grade tests coming up as well, and thats a graduation requirement. Despite my fears, I wanted to ensure that I was serving my students. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Calhoun will be on a one-year probationary period with the district. Additionally, she will have to pay a $750 fee to the Department of Education and take a college-level ethics class. Dias asked, If you could send a message to your students, what would you say? I really want them to just understand the value of their education and to hopefully impart some life lesson of resiliency to them and to also let them know that Im so deeply proud of them, Calhoun tearfully replied. My hope is to be back in a classroom, to be educating students. Thats my calling. Calhoun came under fire from the district last school year after calling a student by their preferred name. Calhoun, who has been a teacher for more than 10 years, is also a former Satellite High School student. Her one-year probation clock under the district will start ticking once she begins her next teaching job. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live. US President Donald Trumps administration plans to announce secondary sanctions against Russia on Friday 8 August. Source: Reuters, citing an unnamed White House official, as reported by European Pravda Details: The US official said that the meeting between US special envoy Steve Witkoff and Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday "went well". "The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trumps ten-day deadline for Russia to agree to a ceasefire and end its war against Ukraine expires on Friday 8 August. Background: The Kremlin stated that during the meeting between Putin and Witkoff, there was an exchange of "certain signals" regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war. In recent weeks, Donald Trump has stepped up his criticism of Russia. He said that lowering energy prices could influence Putin and force him to end the war in Ukraine. On 6 August, the US also announced an additional 25% tariff on India over its purchases of Russian oil. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! The Trump Administration has axed a controversial program introduced by Elon Musk during his time serving as the lead of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) has announced that federal employees will no longer be required to send a 5 things email at the end of each working week, during which they were expected to summarize their work and list five things they accomplished. "We communicated with agency HR leads that OPM was no longer going to manage the five things process nor utilize it internally, said OPM Director Scott Kupor in a statement the White House shared with TIME on Wednesday morning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At OPM, we believe that managers are accountable to staying informed about what their team members are working on and have many other existing tools to do so. OPM has been responsible for implementing Musks email requirement since its introduction in February, but the now-axed program has long been the subject of contention across various federal agencies and high-ranking officials. It was not enforced across the board. Muskwho announced he was stepping down from his DOGE role in late May, before engaging in a public feud with his one-time ally, President Donald Trumpwas tasked with slashing federal spending, gutting numerous federal agencies, and introducing efficient workflow methods. Heres a look at the 5 things email instruction and the backlash that ensued. When did Elon Musk introduce the workflow-efficiency emails? Tesla CEO and X owner Musk announced his email requirement in February, via social media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement All federal employees will shortly receive an email requesting to understand what they got done last week, said Musk on X, saying that the instruction was consistent with Trumps directive. Musk added that failure to respond will be taken as a resignation, however this threat to jobs was notably absent from the instruction email that was sent to federal employees. The emailwhich boasted the subject line What did you do last week?was sent from the OPM to workers in a number of government departments, including the FBI, the State Department, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Environmental Protection Agency, the Veterans Affairs Department, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). Please reply to this email with approx. 5 bullets of what you accomplished this week and cc your manager, the email sent on Feb. 22 reportedly read, telling employees to respond by midnight on the approaching Monday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Days later, after much backlash, Musk gave employees a second chance to send their emails if they did not send a list of five accomplishments the first time round. Read More: Elon Musk Draws Ire Telling Federal Employees to Justify Their Jobs Over Email or Resign How did federal employees, lawmakers, and others respond? Some agencies ordered employees to comply with the instruction, in part, but to send the email to their first-line supervisors instead. The Department of Commerce reportedly issued a notice to its workforce in line with this, saying: "In compliance with that email, please ensure you provide 5 bullet points relating to your activities last week. However, other departments said that there was no requirement to respond. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There is no HHS expectation that HHS employees respond to OPM and there is no impact to your employment with the agency if you choose not to respond, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) employees were told, according to a note obtained by the Washington Post. The Department of Defense also advised its workforce to pause any response to the OPM. The Department of Defense is responsible for reviewing the performance of its personnel and it will conduct any review in accordance with its own precludes," read an official statement. FBI Director Kash Patel told FBI employees in an email to pause any responses to Musks directive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI, through the Office of the Director, is in charge of all our review processes, and will conduct reviews in accordance with FBI procedures, the message from Patel reportedly read. Meanwhile, lawmakers across party aisles spoke out against the initiative. Speaking on CBS' Face the Nation shortly after the initial email was sent out, Utah Republican Sen. John Curtis said: "If I could say one thing to Elon Musk, it's please put a dose of compassion in this. These are real people, real lives, mortgages. It's a false narrative to say we have to cut and we have to be cruel to do it." Appearing on the same show, Maryland Democrat Sen. Chris Van Hollen said: There's no article in the Constitution that gives Elon Musk that authority. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Others were more in favour of the move. Republican Rep. Mike Lawler of New York said on ABCs This Week: Theres no question, as the Department of Government Efficiency moves ahead, what they are seeking to do is ensure that every agency and department is effectively and efficiently doing their job. The task at hand for Elon Musk and DOGE, at the direction of President Trump, is to find efficiencies and savings, and make sure that our federal workforce is doing their jobs. Elsewhere, Everett Kelley, president of the American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE), released a statement against the initiative. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is cruel and disrespectful to hundreds of thousands of veterans who are wearing their second uniform in the civil service to be forced to justify their job duties to this out-of-touch, privileged, unelected billionaire, Kelley said. Read More: Musk Reignites Row Over Trump's 'Big, Beautiful Bill' as Senate Republicans Advance It: 'Utterly Insane and Destructive' How did Musk and Trump react to the controversy? In response to the lack of enforcement from some federal agencies, Musk appeared frustrated. Musk said that the email responses should take less than 5 mins and that many good responses from employees had already been received just one day after his instruction was sent out. These are the people who should be considered for promotion, he argued. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The email request was utterly trivial, as the standard for passing the test was to type some words and press send! Yet so many failed even that inane test, urged on in some cases by their managers, he continued, venting on X. Have you ever witnessed such incompetence and contempt for how your taxes are being spent? Musk asked his American followers. The former DOGE head responded to comments from House Speaker Mike Johnson, who said it was not unreasonable for public servants to justify their work. Just applying the same standards to public vs private workforce. Fair rules for all, said Musk. Trump staunchly defended Musks push for work-efficiency emails, calling the move genius. He argued that some federal employees on the payroll were not replying because they dont even exist. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The President also said that departments that did not comply with the email instruction did so in a friendly manner, including the FBI where employees were working on confidential items. They dont mean that in any way combatively with Elon. Theyre just saying there are some people that you dont want to really have them tell you what theyre working on [the] last week, he said. Contact us at letters@time.com. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: In this photo released by Xinhua News Agency, residents wade through debris along a flood-hit street after waters from a river overwhelmed towns following days of heavy rain, in Huaiji County, south China's Guangdong Province on June 19, 2025. Credit: Deng Hua/Xinhua via AP, File Chinese authorities are using nets, spraying insecticide and even deploying drones to fight the mosquito-borne chikungunya virus, which has infected thousands of people. Authorities had reported more than 7,000 cases of the virus as of Wednesday, mostly in the southern Chinese manufacturing hub of Foshan, some 170 kilometers (105 miles) from Hong Kong. The number of new cases appears to be dropping slowly, according to authorities. It appears to be the largest chikungunya outbreak ever documented in China, according to Cesar Lopez-Camacho of the University of Oxford. The virus is transmitted by infected mosquitoes and can cause fever and joint pain. "What makes this event notable is that chikungunya has never been established in mainland China before," Lopez-Camacho said in a statement. "This suggests that most of the population had no preexisting immunity, making it easier for the virus to spread quickly." Chinese state television has shown workers spraying insecticide around city streets, residential areas, construction sites and other areas where people may come into contact with mosquitoes. Workers sprayed some places before entering office buildings. Unusually heavy rains and high temperatures have worsened the crisis in China, and authorities are using drones to try to find standing water, where mosquitoes lay eggs. Residents walk past a residential entrance gate displaying a slogan urging mosquito control, in Guangzhou, south China's Guangdong Province, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. The slogan reads "Let's work together to clear stagnant water and eliminate mosquito breeding". Credit: Chinatopix via AP Authorities also have threatened to fine people who don't empty water from outdoor receptacles. Residents can be subject to fines of up to 10,000 yuan ($1,400) and have their electricity cut off. Because of the virus, the U.S. has issued a travel advisory suggesting that Americans take extra precautions when visiting China's Guangdong province, where Foshan is located, as well as Bolivia and some island nations in the Indian Ocean. Since the 2003 SARS outbreak, China has used strict measures to fight the spread of viruses, including hard-line tactics during the COVID-19 pandemic. This time, patients are being forced to stay in hospital in Foshan for at least one week and authorities briefly enforced a two-week home quarantine, which was dropped because the disease cannot be transmitted between people. Reports also have emerged of attempts to stop the spread of chikungunya with fish that eat mosquito larvae and even larger mosquitoes to eat the insects carrying the virus. Officials have held meetings and adopted protocols at the national level in a sign of China's determination to eliminate the outbreak and avoid public and international criticism. 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission. By Andrea Shalal and Doina Chiacu WASHINGTON (Reuters) -U.S. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said his special envoy Steve Witkoff had made "great progress" in his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, as Washington continued its preparations to impose secondary sanctions on Friday. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said he had briefed some European allies about Witkoff's meeting with Putin, which was focused on ending the 3-1/2-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump added, without providing further details. A White House official said earlier that the meeting had gone well, and Moscow was eager to continue engaging with the United States. The official said secondary sanctions that Trump has threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. No details were provided. Witkoff met Putin for around three hours on a last-minute mission to seek a breakthrough in the war. Trump has threatened sanctions on Moscow and secondary sanctions on countries that buy its oil if no moves are made to end the war in Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump took a key step in that direction on Wednesday when he imposed an additional 25% tariff on imports from India, citing New Delhi's continued imports of Russian oil. No similar order was signed for China, which also imports Russian oil. The new measure raises tariffs on some Indian goods to as high as 50% among the steepest faced by any U.S. trading partner. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent last week warned Chinese officials that continued purchases of sanctioned Russian oil would lead to big tariffs due to legislation in Congress. The U.S. and China have been engaged in discussions about trade and tariffs, with an eye to extending a 90-day tariff truce that is due to expire on August 12, when their bilateral tariffs shoot back up to triple-digit figures. (Reporting by Andrea Shalal, Editing by Franklin Paul and Daniel Wallis) COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) A fugitive wanted for a Whitehall homicide that occurred two months ago was arrested Wednesday morning. According to U.S. Marshals Service, the Southern Ohio Fugitive Apprehension Strike Team arrested David Walker III, who is wanted in June 6 murder of 35-year-old Corey Divers. On June 6, police arrived at Players Family Billiards on East Main Street and found Divers suffering from a gunshot wound at 11:50 p.m. How data centers contribute to spiking electric costs in central Ohio Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The following day Whitehall police charged Walker with murder but had not yet had him in custody. It was reported that Walker and Divers were involved in a physical altercation before the shooting. The Columbus Division of the strike team located Walker Wednesday morning near Bethel Road and Sawmill Road in west Columbus. He was arrested without incident and was taken to Franklin County Jail, where he will await an arraignment hearing in municipal court. Anyone with additional information on the shooting is asked to call Detective McKittrick at 614-237-6333 ext. 1263. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV. The Brief Approximately 15,472,999 acres have burned this year, more than doubling the 10-year average. A total of 3,582 wildfires have been reported. CHICAGO - An Air Quality Alert is in effect until midnight Wednesday night for the following counties: McHenry, Lake (IL), Kane, DuPage, Cook, Kendall, Grundy, Will, Lake (IN), Porter, Newton, and Jasper. The 2025 fire season in Canada has been quite active thus far, and the reason why might be a little hazy. Let's go over why! Chicago ended July with the worst air quality world wide, and the first week of August has not provided as much of a relief as hoped for. Dig deeper The red pixels are indicative of what are known as "hotspots." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Through a collaborative effort between NOAA and NASA, infrared satellites are able to identify heat sources. The map is then filtered for known industrial fires, so that only vegetative wildfires appear as a hotspot. Approximately 15,472,999 acres have burned this year, more than doubling the 10-year average. During the summer months, a common weather pattern often sets up across the continental United States. This pattern typically includes a high-pressure system (anticyclone) aloft over the central U.S., while a low-pressure system forms just to the north, where cool air from Canada clashes with warmer air from the United States. While this setup can lead to stormy weather near the low, it also creates stronger northerly wind flow into the Great Lakes region. When wildfire activity increases across Canada, this wind pattern can transport smoke southward into areas like Chicago. Once it arrives, the smoke may linger near the surface, especially due to the Urban Heat Island Effect. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Urban Heat Island Effect occurs in cities with extensive concrete, asphalt, and buildings, which absorb and retain more heat than natural surfaces like forests or fields. Think of it like wearing a dark T-shirt on a sunny day, It absorbs more sunlight and feels hotter compared to a lighter one. In this analogy, Chicago behaves like a dark T-shirt, heating up faster than surrounding rural areas. As the city's surface warms, it heats the air above it, causing that air to rise. This rising motion can pull in smoke-laden air from the north, bringing it down to the surface. (College of DuPage Visible Satellite) As the city's surface warms, it heats the air above it, causing that air to rise. This rising motion can pull in smoke-laden air from the north, bringing it down to the surface. This process, combined with stagnant summer weather, helps explain why Chicago is especially prone to poor air quality and frequent Air Quality Alerts during wildfire season. Last week, Ghislaine Maxwell, the convicted coconspirator of deceased billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, was quietly transferred from a federal penitentiary in Florida to a minimum-security prison camp after sitting down for an interview with President Donald Trump's former defense lawyer, now a deputy attorney general at the Justice Department. Maxwell's transfer raised eyebrows not only because it appeared to be part of an obvious quid pro quo between a rather infamous public figure and a president trying to downplay his connections to Epstein, but because it's practically unheard of for a federal inmate with Maxwell's record to get transferred to a minimum-security camp after serving only a fraction of their sentence. The Federal Bureau of Prisons (BOP) has a classification system to determine custody levels, and Maxwell's status as a sex offender would normally make her ineligible for minimum security. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A jury convicted Maxwell in 2021 of conspiracy to entice minors to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport minors to participate in illegal sex acts, transporting a minor to participate in illegal sex acts, sex trafficking conspiracy, and sex trafficking of a minor. She was sentenced to 20 years in federal prison. According to the BOP's publicly available policies, any offender convicted of a sex offense must be housed in at least a low-security facility unless that public safety factor has been waived. But such a waiver would be extraordinarily unusual, and it would have to be approved by the administrator of the BOP's Designation and Sentence Computation Center. Multiple former BOP officials say they've never seen anything like it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Paul Gibson retired from the BOP after 36 years and is currently the chief operating officer for the Prison Education and Reform Alliance, a nonprofit group working to improve conditions in the federal prison system. "I did a lot of classification in case management. I was a case management coordinator, camp administrator, and then associate warden," Gibson says. "During that time, I've never seen them waive a sex offense public safety factor for a transfer to a minimum-security camp." Likewise, Vito Maraviglia, a retired federal prison special investigative agent, said in an interview with NBC News that he couldn't recall an instance in which a sex offender was moved to a prison camp in his 27 years at the BOP. Other types of waivers are more common. Gibson says offenders sentenced to life in prison are automatically classified as high-security inmates, but if they adjust well, they're often waived down to medium security. But that only happens after ten or more years in a high-security penitentiary. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Robert Hood, a former Bureau of Prisons chief of internal affairs, said in an email to NBC News that Maxwell's transfer was a "travesty of justice." "To relocate a sex offender serving 20 years to a country club setting is offensive to victims and others serving similar crimes," Hood wrote. The BOP's minimum-security camps, often referred to by tabloids as "Club Fed," are as nice as it gets in federal prison. They don't have perimeter fences, and inmates are sometimes allowed outside for jobs and community service projects. As such, the camps are limited to the BOP's lowest-risk inmatestypically white-collar criminals and first-time nonviolent offenders with short sentences, or those nearing the end of their sentences who've maintained clean disciplinary records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For example, Federal Prison Camp Bryan, the camp in Texas where Maxwell was transferred, currently houses former The Real Housewives star Jen Shah and disgraced Theranos founder Elizabeth Holmes. The BOP policy specifically says that public safety factors "are applied to inmates who are not appropriate for placement at an institution which would permit inmate access to the community (i.e., MINIMUM security)." The Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment on why Maxwell was approved for a transfer. However, a spokesperson for the agency told USA TODAY, while declining to comment specifically on Maxwell's case, that the "BOP designates individuals to institutions based on several factors." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Those factors include the level of security and supervision the inmate requires, any medical or programming needs, separation, and security measures to ensure the individual's protection, and other considerations, including proximity to an individual's release residence," the spokesperson continued. "The same criteria apply when making decisions for both initial designations and redesignations for transfer to a new facility." It's understandable why Maxwell would want out of her previous location, Federal Correctional Institution (FCI) Tallahassee, a low-security women's prison in Florida. In 2023, the Justice Department Office of Inspector General performed an unannounced inspection of FCI Tallahassee and found moldy, bug-infested food and leaking roofs. That same year, The Appeal reported rampant sexual abuse at the prison. Maxwell, like every other incarcerated person, has the right under the Eighth Amendment of the Constitution to adequate living conditions and freedom from brutality. But she is not entitled to special treatment offered to no one else, solely because of her political utility to Trump. The family of Virginia Giuffre, an Epstein victim who committed suicide in April, released a statement to USA TODAY, cosigned by two other victims of Maxwell and Epstein, denouncing the transfer. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It is with horror and outrage that we object to the preferential treatment convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell has received," the statement said. "Ghislaine Maxwell is a sexual predator who physically assaulted minor children on multiple occasions, and she should never be shown any leniency." The post Why Ghislaine Maxwell's Transfer to a Minimum-Security Prison Camp Stinks appeared first on Reason.com. Sudans 27-month civil war is being compounded by a hunger crisis affecting the vulnerable, especially the people trapped in North Darfurs capital, el-Fasher. Despite numerous pleas for help from the people within, aid agencies say they have been denied access to el-Fasher. As a result, some 740,000 people are deteriorating from hunger, according to the African Centre for Justice and Peace Studies. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In December 2024, global hunger monitor the Integrated Food Security Phase Classification, declared a famine in Zamzam and Abu Shouk camps two camps housing hundreds of thousands of displaced people in North Darfur and warned that it could spread to el-Fasher by May. So, how did things get so bad in el-Fasher? Heres what you need to know: What is happening in el-Fasher? In April 2024, the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) imposed a siege on el-Fasher, angered when local armed groups declared allegiance to the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF). The RSF, which has been fighting SAF since April 2023, locked down all the ways in and out of the city, tightening its siege in the last months as it gradually closed in. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Local journalists, the United Nations and relief groups say the price of food is surging, leaving most people unable to afford staples such as sorghum and wheat. The UN says food costs about four times more in el-Fasher than the rest of the country, while local journalist Mohamed Zakaria told Al Jazeera the markets are often bare. In addition, he said, communal kitchens, which played a pivotal role in feeding civilians across the country, have shut down due to food shortages brought on by the siege. Who is trapped in el-Fasher? People originally from el-Fasher and generations of displaced people who sought refuge in North Darfur over the last 20 years are trapped in the capital. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Some first came to the city to escape the government-backed nomadic Arab Janjaweed militias during the first Darfur war in 2003. Many of these armed groups are now fighting as part of the RSF. Others fled to North Darfur to escape the RSF as it swept through the other four states of the sprawling region: South, East, West and Central Darfur. Most recently, in April, families fled to el-Fasher after the RSF invaded the nearby Zamzam camp, which sheltered more than half a million people. In March, the United Nations Childrens Fund (UNICEF) said that about half of the people trapped in and around el-Fasher were children. Sudanese children, who fled from the internally displaced peoples (IDP) Zamzam camp, rest while on their way to the Tawila camp amid the conflict between Sudans army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), in North Darfur, Sudan, on April 23, 2025 [Marwan Mohamed/EPA-EFE] What and who caused the crisis? There is a hunger crisis across Sudan, mainly caused by the continuing civil war and the use of starvation as a weapon of war, according to Al Jazeeras previous reporting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In el-Fasher, the catastrophic hunger is due to the RSFs siege as it tries to capture the city, which would give it control over the entire strategic region of Darfur. If it succeeds, Sudan could potentially be partitioned, with RSF rule over the western and southern regions while the SAF controls the centre, north and east. The SAF has mostly relied on sedentary non Arab armed groups, which it fought during the first Darfur war, to repel repeated RSF attacks since the siege began. These armed groups are collectively known as the Joint Forces, and despite holding el-Fasher so far, they are losing ground. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The SAF has flown some aerial bombardment missions over the el-Fasher region, but no campaign has been launched to liberate the city. How are people surviving? At this point, many have turned to animal fodder. They are eating fodder known locally as ambaz, which is made from the residue of pressed oilseeds like peanuts, sesame and sunflower seeds. People are now grinding these pellets up to make a slurry that can keep them alive. Zakaria added that people are trying to grow some food in their huts to survive, but its not enough to sustain them. Children are the most vulnerable to starvation. Has anyone managed to escape? Over the last 15 months, many people have managed to escape. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ignoring calls to allow aid agencies to reach civilians, the RSF instead opened a humanitarian corridor to Tawila, a town some 40km (24.8 miles) away. Thousands of people have gone to Tawila, where a major cholera outbreak is threatening the lives of already malnourished children. However, some aid agencies have been able to help people there. Despite the health crisis, those who made it to Tawila consider themselves lucky compared with those who were captured and killed by the RSF when they tried to escape el-Fasher. Young men are often accused of fighting for army-aligned armed groups, which happened on August 2, when the RSF killed 14 people and injured many others in a village along the route out of el-Fasher, according to the Emergency Lawyers, a local monitor. Is it getting worse? Daily, it seems. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the first six months of this year, 239 children in el-Fasher died of hunger, according to the Sudanese Doctors Network. That number could mushroom if aid doesnt reach people in the besieged city soon, warn UN agencies. The World Food Programme (WFP) has said in a statement that it has been unable to send aid trucks into the city due to the siege, and warned that thousands of people face starvation. In a video of an elderly woman from el-Fasher shared on TikTok, which Al Jazeeras Sanad agency has verified, she pleaded for the army to open a corridor so aid could reach people trapped in the besieged city. All of you and your families are outside [el-Fasher], and none of you are starving like this, she said. With tears rolling down her face, Divya Bhen, 40, sits quietly in a corner of her two-room rented flat along with other family members as they mourn the death of her elder son, who worked in the diamond city of Surat, in India. When her daughter tries to comfort her, Divya points towards the bed and says in a shattered voice, This is where the diamond market compelled my beloved son to take his life. The sole breadwinner of the family, Keval, 22, who dropped out of school at a young age to take responsibility for his family, ended his life in June this year after losing his job at a unit where he polished and cut diamonds. A family photograph of a young Keval (right) with his siblings and parents hangs on the wall of their rented home in Surat - Shoaib Mir Holding Kevals photograph in her lap, his mother says, He gave his teenage years to the diamond industry and was a responsible son, caring for us like a father. People his age would roam around, but he would work every day to keep the family going. I would have preferred a life in poverty with him still here, but the recession in the diamond industry led him to kill himself. Like all the other workers who killed themselves, he just couldnt handle the pressure. He took this extreme step, leaving us all in pain and agony for ever. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In the past three years, more than 100 diamond workers have taken their lives, according to the Diamond Workers Union of Gujarat (DWUG); 55 of them in the past year. Surat, also known as Diamond City, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is responsible for processing 90 per cent of the worlds diamonds. The gems are one of Indias top export sectors and the city has 5,000 units, employing more than 800,000 workers. For diamond polishers, the job entails 12-hour days, usually beginning at 8am, and the workspaces are congested and humid, with men working shoulder to shoulder with tireless precision. Over time, the unrelenting polishing, grinding, buffing and inspecting becomes almost mechanical. Surat, in the western Indian state of Gujarat, is responsible for processing 90 per cent of the worlds diamonds - Pitcha Dangprasith/Getty Using small spinning wheels coated with diamond dust, workers transform rough, uncut stones into glittering, high-value gems. During the process, they continuously inspect each facet using magnifying loupes to ensure accuracy and symmetry. Once polished, the diamonds are sorted, certified, and shipped off to global markets. Historically, many have ended up in the supply chains of some of the worlds biggest luxury brands set into engagement rings, high-end watches and fine jewellery sold across Europe, the US, the Middle East and East Asia. But over the past few years, Surat has felt the impact of the war between Russia and Ukraine. Russia is the worlds largest supplier of rough diamonds, but its invasion of Ukraine in 2022 led to a ban on Russian diamonds by the European Union and G7 countries. Later extended to diamonds processed in third-party countries, the sanction has drastically interrupted the supply of rough diamonds to India, halted around a third of Indias diamond income and left thousands of workers without jobs. Orders from overseas decreased, and some factories that once swarmed with workers were deserted. Loss of hope Kevals family did everything possible to save his life. As soon as they found out he had taken poison, the family borrowed around 400,000 rupees (3,500), and his mother sold the only valuable possession the family had a gold chain she had inherited from her parents to admit him to a private hospital that would provide the best possible medical attention. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It didnt work. Sitting among the mourners in their rented accommodation, Divya says, When I saw my son lying on the floor spitting blood, my husband and I took him to the nearby government hospital, where doctors didnt see any hope of survival. But we didnt want to give up, so we borrowed money and even sold my gold chain to save my son. But in the end, we brought his lifeless body home, and now we are in debt. Kevals younger brother, Keshav, 15, wanted to be an engineer, but he now plans to drop out of school and look for a job in the diamond industry that took his brother away. There are not many other opportunities. My father cant work due to health issues, so I have to step into my brothers shoes and get us out of debt, which could take decades. We dont have any other avenue here. My last and only hope is to find a job in diamonds. Unprivileged people like us cant look for any job we like only whats out there and for me, its only diamonds, said Keshav, as he arranges a garland around his brothers photograph. Keshav sits in front of his brother Kevals photograph alongside their mother, Divya, as the family mourns - Shoaib Mir After his brothers death, he says, no one from the factory visited them to offer condolences, and there was no compensation forthcoming. Financially, we are drained, as everything we had is gone. We couldnt say a proper goodbye to my brother, as for the last rites we had to borrow 20,000 rupees [170], and still didnt have enough money to complete all the rituals of our tradition. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Over the past year, more than 50,000 workers have lost their jobs in Surat, according to the DWUG. Indias export of cut and polished diamonds dropped to its lowest level in nearly two decades in 2024-25, partly due to Russian sanctions. With the prices of rough diamonds soaring due to a decrease in supply, factory owners in Surat are making difficult decisions to stay afloat - Shoaib Mir With the prices of rough diamonds soaring due to a decrease in supply, it is challenging for manufacturers to stay afloat. Factory owners in Surat are making difficult decisions by axing the workforce or closing down altogether. Rising pressure from the US and China Sitting in his air-conditioned office, closely watching workers through a two-way mirror between his office and the rest of the workshop, factory owner Ramesh is planning to reduce his workforce further in the coming months. For us as well, the situation is pretty bad, as it is for the workers. My hands are tied, and I will soon have to make further lay-offs or go bankrupt. Our business is beset by new problems all the time, he says. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Another dilemma they face is that the demand from the worlds biggest diamond markets, the US and China, is declining because of competition from less expensive lab-grown diamonds. They accounted for 1 per cent of diamond sales in 2015, but by 2024, that figure rose to 20 per cent. A decade ago, synthetic diamonds were 10 per cent cheaper than natural diamonds, but today they are 80-90 per cent cheaper than their natural counterparts. Over the last year, more than 50,000 workers have lost their jobs in Surat, according to the DWUG - Shoaib Mir India accounts for nine out of 10 rough diamonds processed globally. Gems and jewellery are the countrys third-largest exports to the US, worth $32 billion in the fiscal year 2023-24. Ramesh, who has been in the industry for more than four decades, fears that the latest 25 per cent tariffs on imports imposed by Donald Trump will completely paralyse the diamond industry in India. The United States is our biggest market; if that too is gone, we are doomed. We are not taking on new orders because of this uncertainty, and just hoping that the government will sort it out soon with the US. If not, the market will collapse, and there will be no choice left but to shut down our factories. India accounts for nine out of 10 rough diamonds processed globally - Shoaib Mir We already had problems, but now tariffs are the final nail in the coffin for us. The next few months are crucial to find out the full impact of the tariffs; all we can do is pray for a miracle to save this industry, said Ramesh. A crisis of dignity and silence Every day on his way to work, Basant, 35, visits the temple to pay his obedience. He prays for mental stability and prosperity of the diamond industry in Surat. Basant has been cutting and polishing the gems since he was a teenager, but he has never witnessed this level of redundancy. Hoping to give his children the best possible education, he hasnt taken a day off in the past year, despite being severely ill a few months ago. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This job is my familys survival, and I cant afford to lose it at any cost. I didnt take time off when I was ill, because jobs are scarce and the factory owners know that thousands out there are desperate and willing to work for even less than the scraps were paid. You fall sick and you lose the days pay. If you complain, youre replaced thats how the industry has been working over the last few years. Our fellow workers have ended their lives due to joblessness, and I dont want to be one of them. Since the recession, we work like robots without a complaint, for fear of being thrown out. Basant, 35, has been cutting and polishing the gems since he was a teenager, but he has never witnessed this level of redundancy - Shoaib Mir At one oclock, Basant, drenched in sweat, leaves for a short tea break, along with his fellow workers, and while leafing through a local newspaper, he reads about the news of another workers attempted suicide. The city was a dream for thousands like me, now it feels jinxed, as every day we hear about workers attempting to end their lives, and it has become the new normal. My children dont sleep until I return home from work, and during the day, my wife calls me multiple times to check if everything is OK because they are afraid for my life. Its not just the workers impacted by the sanctions, but their families are also suffering mentally, said Basant, sipping tea. Most of the diamond workers who took their own lives were under immense financial and emotional strain. For them, it wasnt just about losing a job they were the backbone of their families. That loss stripped them of their sense of purpose and identity. Shame is a major factor. In these close-knit communities, not being able to provide is seen not just as hardship but as a personal and moral failure. Theres a deep cultural weight around honour and responsibility. And once one suicide happens, tragically, it can influence others creating a devastating chain of events, especially in places where mental health support is almost non-existent. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This isnt just economic despair; its a crisis of dignity and silence. Some people described it as a shared grief something that hangs heavy over entire neighbourhoods. Exploited to the core Last year, the DWUG launched a 24/7 SOS helpline to provide some emotional and financial relief to the workers as the rise in suicides became apparent. Since its start, the helpline has received thousands of distress calls. For Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of the DWUG, responding to SOS calls is now a significant part of his everyday life. I rarely spend time with my family, as I am mostly on the phone consoling workers crying for help, night and day. Initially, I used to keep a count of calls. Now I dont, as its getting scary seeing the number growing with each passing day workers trying or thinking of putting an end to their lives. What were seeing in the news is just the tip of the iceberg, says Tank, while checking his phone. In the close-knit communities, not being able to provide is seen not just as hardship, but as a personal and moral failure (workers at a factory in Surat pictured) - Shoaib Mir He is worried that if conditions dont improve soon, the helpline wont be able to save lives. I have been able to bring hundreds of people back from committing suicide at times with financial support, or just a few words of hope. (The money comes from the union and sometimes Tank also makes small contributions from his own pocket.) But it cant be the long-term solution, as with sanctions in place, its the responsibility of the government to mend the situation, as we can only provide temporary relief and minimal financial support. The magnitude of the crisis has grown, and I now receive many calls from workers families who are under extreme pressure and distress. According to Indias National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) data, between 2018 and 2022, India witnessed a 44 per cent rise in suicide linked to mental health. Another report, in 2021, shows that 72 per cent of those who die by suicide are men. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In March this year, diamond workers in Surat went on a two-day strike demanding a 30 per cent rise in their wages. There was no direct outcome, but soon after that, in May, government officials in Surat met with different diamond industry shareholders to announce a special assistance package for the industry, including school fees, help with electricity bills and paying the interest on bank loans. Not a single member from DWUG was invited to the meeting, even though they have been consistently raising the issues faced by diamond workers since the crisis unfolded. Workers have no education about their rights, hence they are exploited to the core, says Bhavesh Tank, vice-president of the DWUG (a group of workers inside a Surat workshop pictured) - Shoaib Mir This aid will have no impact in reality, says Bhavesh Tank. The majority of diamond workers are not registered, because factories employ them on an informal basis, so proving their employment will be impossible; hence, there will be no financial aid for them. Also, the assistance provided to small units will not relieve the workers as they will not increase wages or decrease working hours, he explains. He believes if the government wants to help, they should involve workers as well. They dont know the situation on the ground and by keeping us at bay, it shows they are not serious about wanting to help. Workers have no education about their rights, hence they are exploited to the core, making them vulnerable to lay-offs, low wages and abuse from the industry. Many of them are unaware of the existence of health insurance and workplace safety, says Tank, soaked in rain from head to toe as he rushes off to meet a diamond worker in distress. Covered with the blood of hundreds On the outskirts of Surat, Jayanti Tank, 64, reads out the loan repayment notice to his wife, taken out to pay for their house. The couple lost their 28-year-old son, Nikunj, their only child, who was a diamond worker, last year in August when he killed himself, leaving behind ailing parents and a two-year-old daughter. Diamond worker Nikunj Jayanti, 28, took his own life last year leaving behind his two-year-old daughter (pictured next to his late grandmother on a wall in his family home) Our son was working hard to repay the money to the bank, but lost his job and couldnt find another one. I could see the depression and hopelessness in his eyes, but I never imagined he would end his life. First the city took our son, now we will lose the only roof over our heads. The diamonds people are covered with the blood of hundreds like my son, said Jayanti. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nikunjs mother, Mukhta, has rarely left her house since her son died. As she makes dinner for her husband, she says, The world ended when my son took his life. Its just my body which is alive; the rest of my soul died long ago. The reason behind his death is nothing to do with us. Its so unfair. 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. GREEN BANK, W.Va. (WBOY) For the first time ever, residents are allowed to use certain wireless internet in the highly restrictive West Virginia Radio Quiet Zone near the Green Bank Observatory. Since it was built in 1956, the observatory, which houses the largest fully steerable radio telescope in the world, has been located in both the National Radio Quiet Zone, which spans several counties in West Virginia and Virginia, and the West Virginia Radio Quiet Zone, which includes a 10-mile radius around the Green Bank Observatory. National Radio Quiet Zone map (Green Bank Observatory) West Virginia Radio Quiet Zone map (Green Bank Observatory) According to a press release, Wi-Fi radio frequencies can disrupt the frequencies that the telescope reads. Although the use of Wi-Fi routers can disrupt the telescope, the observatory said the quiet zones have not stopped people from installing routers View from the top of the Green Bank Telescope (GBT) (WBOY image) Many people who were doing the right thing by not using Wi-Fi were left without access, while others who were illegally using routers did whatever they wanted, Anthony Remijan, director of the NSF GBO, explained in the release. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Now, instead of limiting the use of all Wi-Fi routers, the Green Bank Observatory is encouraging everyone in the WVRQZ to operate at the same frequency2.4GHz. This will allow residents, businesses and schools in the quiet zone to have Wi-Fi while also preventing multiple radio frequencies from being interfered with. EXCLUSIVE: An up close look at the Green Bank Telescope Updating our policy and permitting Wi-Fi at 2.4 GHz in the WVRAZ allows us to be realistic about whats happening around the Observatory, and clearly define what areas of Radio Frequency Interference our staff should be focused on, Chris De Pree, head of the National Radio Astronomy Observatorys Spectrum Management Department, said in the release. A view of the NSF Green Bank Telescope from the playground of the Green Bank Elementary and Middle School. (Green Bank Observatory) Melissa Jordan, principal at Green Bank Elementary and Middle School, which was the only school in the areaand possibly the countrythat still didnt have Wi-Fi, said that the change is very positive for the school. Our students now have the same equal opportunities as the others in the county. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For information on how to make sure your Wi-Fi router is operating at 2.4 GHz, click here. Green Bank officials will also be giving out informational handouts and holding presentations in Green Bank and the surrounding communities in the next few months. The observatory said it is still working with certain satellite phone and internet providers to develop systems that will keep those signals away from the telescope. Another area that residents are concerned for is first responder and emergency services communication. Last year, a number of counties in the NRQZ in both West Virginia and Virginia expressed concern with the lack of options to meet those needs. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WBOY.com. A view of the Wicomico County government building in Salisbury. (Photo by Bryan P. Sears/Maryland Matters) The Wicomico County Circuit Court determined last year that Tavon Tull had been erroneously charged with sexually abusing a 21-month-old child in 2019 and spent more than 2,100 days in prison for a crime he didnt commit. To make up for the mistake, state officials are expected to vote Wednesday to pay Tull more than $570,000 as compensation for the nearly six years he spent behind bars. But the state wont be picking up the tab alone. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement For for the first time, a county will have to pay half of the cost of the compensation for a man it wrongfully convicted. If the Board of Public Works agrees to pay Tull $573,412.35, as expected, Wicomico County will be on the hook for $286,706 of that. The requirement that a county government pick up part of the tab was one of several cost sharing measures approved by lawmakers this year to help the state close a $3 billion budget shortfall. County officials are not thrilled with the new requirement. This was a really weird item for county governments to try and bake into their county budget, said Michael Sanderson, executive director of the Maryland Association of Counties. Maryland Association of Counties Executive Director Michael Sanderson. Photo by Bryan P. Sears. The payments follow funding formulas established in the Walter Lomax Act, a 2021 law named for a man who was wrongfully convicted of murder and spent nearly four decades in prison. Under the law, compensation for proven or pardoned wrongful incarceration is determined by the length of time served and the states median income. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State officials have already paid out three other wrongful conviction cases since the start of 2025 totaling more than $6.5 million so far, according to Board of Public Works staff. While local officials and states attorneys agree its important to correct the mistakes when a court system wrongfully charges an individual, there are worries that some counties will struggle with their new share of those costs. This is a kind of an interesting test case, because this wont sink any jurisdiction, Sanderson said of the Tull payment. But what if it were a million? Occasionally there are these big settlements for people who have been incarcerated for multiple years. If this were a million dollars to a jurisdiction like Wicomico that would put that county immediately into a fiscal crisis, he said. They have less ability than other jurisdictions to just pop a big check out of thin air. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement At a Board of Public Works meeting last month, state officials unanimously approved the payment of nearly $3 million to James Langhorne. He was exonerated in February in the 1996 death of Lawrence Jones in Baltimore City, after serving 27 years for the crime he did not commit. But Langhornes case was settled before the new requirement for counties to pick up part of the compensation costs for wrongful convictions. The language was included in the Budget Reconciliation and Financing Act of 2025. Baltimore City did not have to contribute to his compensation. In 2019, Tull was sentenced to serve 20 years for the second-degree rape of a child less than 2 years old. Later evidence and discussion with medical experts strongly suggested Tulls innocence and that the child may have had a medical condition that was mistaken for signs of sexual abuse in the initial case. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After an additional investigation, Wicomico County States Attorney Jamie Dykes filed for a motion to vacate Tulls conviction in 2024. Its important to know that were committed to getting it right, Dykes said Tuesday. Its unfortunate that we did not get it right the first time around Its our job to protect the innocent, thats what prosecutors do. Sanderson admits that Tulls compensation wont break the bank, but its difficult for local governments to account for those costs when creating their annual budgets. This is a weird circumstance where someday this might blow up your budget but we probably wont know when or how much or where it lands, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Most time, when the state wants to shift costs onto counties, they do it in a definite way We dont like that, but there is at least some certainty to it. You can budget that dollar amount, Sanderson said. Here its the reverse for most years in most counties, this is going to be zero. It would be irresponsible for Wicomico to say, Lets hold a million dollars in the back of our budget in case this happens. MACo legislative director Kevin Kinnally said in a commentary Tuesday that the BRFA language puts an unfair and unsustainable burden on counties. In Maryland, county governments do not prosecute, convict, or exonerate anyone, Kinnally wrote. They play no role in determining wrongful incarceration settlements. Yet a new law forces them to pay the bill anyway. He said the Board of Public Works approved $4.4 million in compensation in fiscal 2024, and noted that if the new cost-sharing formula had applied, counties would have absorbed $2.2 million of that cost. The State sets the rules, makes the decisions, and controls the process, Kinnally wrote. Counties just get the invoice. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE SEOUL, South Korea (AP) The wife of South Koreas ousted former President Yoon Suk Yeol appeared for questioning by a special prosecutor Wednesday, as investigators expanded a probe into suspicions of stock manipulation, bribery, and interference in party nominations. The investigation into Kim Keon Hee is one of three separate special prosecutor probes launched under Seouls new liberal government targeting the presidency of Yoon, who was removed from office in April and rearrested last month over his brief imposition of martial law in December. The conservative's abrupt and poorly planned power grab on Dec. 3 came during a seemingly routine standoff with the liberals, whom he described as anti-state forces abusing their legislative majority to obstruct his agenda. Some political opponents have questioned whether Yoon's actions were at least partly motivated by growing allegations against his wife, which hurt his approval ratings and gave political ammunition to his rivals. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I apologize for causing concern to the people, even though I am someone insignificant, Kim told reporters as she arrived for questioning. She added that she would sincerely cooperate with the investigation, before walking away without responding to specific questions about the allegations. The team of investigators led by Special Prosecutor Min Joong-ki said Kim was questioned for about seven hours until Wednesday afternoon, but they didnt specify whether she will be summoned again. Investigators said they haven't decided whether they would seek her arrest. Through a heavy police presence, dozens of Yoons supporters gathered outside the special prosecutors office in downtown Seoul, waving South Korean and U.S. flags and banners in light rain. Yoon, who was sent back to prison last month and faces a high-stakes trial on rebellion and other charges, resisted an attempt by investigators last week to compel him for questioning over his wife. Investigators said he took off his prison uniform and laid down on the floor of his cell in his underwear before they gave up executing the warrant to detain him. They plan to negotiate with Yoons lawyers to arrange a possible questioning. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Yoon and Kim have faced suspicions of exerting undue influence over the conservative People Power Party to nominate a specific candidate for a 2022 parliamentary by-election, allegedly at the request of Myung Tae-kyun, an election broker and founder of a polling agency who conducted free opinion surveys for Yoon before he became president. Kim is separately linked to multiple corruption allegations, including claims that she received a necklace and other gifts through a fortuneteller acting as an intermediary for a Unification Church official seeking business favors, as well as possible involvement in a stock price manipulation scheme. While in office, Yoon repeatedly dismissed calls to investigate his wife, denouncing them as baseless political attacks. Yoons martial law decree lasted only hours, after a quorum of lawmakers managed to break through a blockade of heavily armed soldiers and voted to revoke the measure. He was impeached by lawmakers on Dec. 14 and was formally removed from office by the Constitutional Court in April. Shortly after winning the early presidential election in June, new liberal President Lee Jae Myung approved legislation to launch sweeping special investigations into Yoons martial law debacle, the allegations against his wife, and the 2023 drowning death of a marine during a flood rescue operation, an incident Lees Democratic Party claims Yoons government tried to cover up. Yoon had been released from prison in March after the Seoul Central District Court overturned his January arrest, but the same court approved his new arrest in July, accepting a special prosecutors claim that he poses a risk of destroying evidence. Californian authorities have issued warnings after trappers once again reported finding wild pigs with bright blue flesh. The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it had received reports of the bizarre occurrence in March, and that the phenomenon is a sign that the animals have been poisoned. Its wild, Dan Burton, owner of Urban Trapping Wildlife Control, who first reported the oddly coloured flesh, told The Los Angeles Times. Im not talking about a little blue Im talking about neon blue, blueberry blue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A statement issued by the CDFW last week said that wild pigs in the Monterey County area had been exposed to pesticide bait containing the anticoagulant rodenticide Diphacinone, a poison that prevents blood from clotting and causes internal bleeding in rodents, ultimately killing them. Blue tissue and flesh can be a sign of rodenticide ingestion, which can occur by eating bait which often contain dye to identify them as poison or other animals that have ingested the substance, the department said. Californian authorities have issued warnings after trappers again reported finding wild pigs with bright blue flesh. Another instance of the phenomenon was reported in 2015 by Imgur user GlendilTEK (GlendilTEK/imgur) However, such blue discoloration may not always be present even in contaminated flesh. Hunters should be aware that the meat of game animals, such as wild pig, deer, bear and geese, might be contaminated if that game animal has been exposed to rodenticides, said CDFW Pesticide Investigations Coordinator Dr. Ryan Bourbour. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Rodenticide exposure can be a concern for non-target wildlife in areas where applications occur in close proximity to wildlife habitat. Blue tissue and flesh can be a sign of rodenticide ingestion, which can occur by eating bait which often contains dye to identify them as poison or other animals that have ingested the substance, according to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (GlendilTEK/imgur) A 2018 study of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in game animals across California found anticoagulant rodenticide residue in just over 8 percent of the wild pig tissue samples collected largely from animals that were frequenting agricultural or residential areas where rodenticides are commonly/more likely to be utilized (GlendilTEK/imgur) The emergence of blue pigs in California is not the first occurrence of the phenomenon. In September 2015, Imugur user GlendilTEK posted a series of images online titled The Weird Pig which were ultimately found to also have been poisoned with rodenticide. In addition, a 2018 study of anticoagulant rodenticide exposure in game animals across California found anticoagulant rodenticide residue in just over 8 percent of the wild pig tissue samples collected largely from animals that were frequenting agricultural or residential areas where rodenticides are commonly/more likely to be utilized. The same study found that 83 percent of the bear tissue samples contained the poison. 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: Professor Ollie Jay in the Climate Chamber of the Thermal Ergonomics Laboratory. Credit: University of Sydney When the human body overheats, the consequences can be deadly. Heat stroke, heart attacks, kidney failure, and worsening of existing conditions like cardiovascular and respiratory diseases are just some of the ways extreme heat can push the body past its limits. Now, leading experts from the University of Sydney are calling for a radical rethink in how governments and policymakers tackle the effects of heat waves, focusing on cooling people, not just lowering the air temperature. It's been estimated that during the European summers of 2022 and 2023, more than 100,000 people died as a consequence of heat waves. This is only expected to get worse, with heat-related deaths projected to rise by almost four-fold by 2050 if global temperatures reach 2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels. In a commissioned commentary article in Nature, Professor Ollie Jay and Dr. Federico Tartarini from the Heat and Health Research Center argue that heat adaptation could be vastly enhanced by taking a physiology-based approach that focuses on hot people rather than hot weather. Professor Jay said, "Heat can kill. A person is ultimately harmed by hot weather because their body either overheats, or their body cannot cope with the heat strain. How hot a person becomes is not just determined by temperature; it also depends on three other key environmental factors: radiation, humidity and wind speed. "People's physiology also plays a key part, with those affected by heart or kidney diseases more at risk to different types of extreme heat. Physiological models already exist that allow us to predict how hot different types of people become when exposed to extreme heat. We are therefore calling for a physiology-first approach to predicting when and how to act to protect people from extreme heat." To help people understand their individual risk, Professor Jay and Dr. Tartarini are piloting HeatWatch, a tool which allows users to create personal profiles by submitting their age, related health conditions, medications, access to air conditioning and other factors which may impact their susceptibility to prolonged and extreme heat. It then provides a seven-day forecast of heat-health risk and gives evidence-based cooling advice tailored to each profile. HeatWatch has been developed with a number of organizations and communities in Sydney, with plans now to work with culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including Indigenous communities, across Australia. But Professor Jay and Dr. Tartarini do not want to stop with Australia: they aim to roll out a global approach to managing heat stress. Dr. Tartarini said, "The impacts of climate change are global. We want to develop a tool that could be used by public health organizations, governments, and policymakers around the world to better anticipate where and when certain groups will face an elevated risk of health stress. "Our approach could be deployed worldwide. We are already in discussions about conducting pilot studies in Delhi, Indiaan area where heat stress risk is rapidly increasing. Professor Jay and Dr. Tartarini also say that taking a physiology-first approach will open more sustainable ways of adapting to the heat. Professor Jay said, "Because most people think that to cool a person you must cool the air, many efforts to increase heat resilience have so far either been very carbon intensive, like air conditioningwhich isn't available or affordable to many parts of societyor have focused on the wrong opportunities, such as shading the ground from direct sunlight in an attempt to lower air temperature. "Unless a person is lying on the ground, that doesn't necessarily capture how ground shade affects people." "But strategies that modify other features of the environment can still be effective and far less carbon intensive. Our research is showing great results for cooling the body by moving the air with fans, placing water on the skin, or by directly shading people from the sun. "We can also minimize the heat our bodies produce by making physical work more efficient, and by altering our activity patterns to avoid the heat of the day." More information: Ollie Jay et al, To save lives in heatwaves, focus on how human bodies work, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/d41586-025-02461-6 Journal information: Nature Wildfire smoke sparks health concerns for Las Vegas valley residents, pets LAS VEGAS (KLAS) Smoke and haze continue to filter in and out of Southern Nevada this summer as nearby wildfires burn in California, Arizona, and Utah. Ive noticed the difference in the air quality, Bryanna White said. I have family in Oregon, and I know theyve been getting it there as well, the smoke from those fires. Clark County issues air quality alert due to wildfire smoke Wildfire smoke can make the air feel even drier, which makes it harder to be outside, White explained. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ive noticed Ive had a cough these past few days thats persistent, and Ive been drinking a lot more liquids and water, White said. Meteorologist Morgan Stessman at the National Weather Service in Las Vegas is tracking the forecast. We had smoke from the Gifford fire, sort of northwest of Santa Barbara, Stessman said. We had a new fire start yesterday down by Big Bear, the Gold fire, which is not as big, but thats what were keeping an eye out on for how much smoke is going to come from that and move here later this afternoon and evening. Chief Medical Officer Dr. Neil Gokal from Optum Nevada said certain individuals are more at risk for prolonged exposure to these types of pollutants. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Especially individuals with underlying conditions such as asthma or COPD and those with diabetes and heart disease or chronic kidney disease, and individual populations like women who are pregnant, elderly, and certainly children as well, Dr. Gokal said. Wildfire smoke is not just impacting people, Amber Woods said; pets are susceptible too. You can smell it in the air, and my dog didnt want to come outside, Woods said. It seems like the first thing in the morning were okay, but then later on in the day she wont come out, and it could be the heat too, but I noticed it more when it started getting smokey, she had no interest, and even in the park as well. Dr. Gokal advises you to keep an eye on air quality, stay inside if needed, and take action if your symptoms get worse. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement If theyre noticing coughing that wont go away, difficulty breathing, worsening or shortness of breath, because many times this could come on rather quickly, Dr. Gokal 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 KLAS. Nearly 2,000 French firefighters are battling to contain a fast-moving blaze that has burnt through an area bigger than Paris and killed an elderly woman. The fire has now burned through 16,000 hectares in the southern Aude region, but authorities say its advance has slowed significantly. The fire is progressing much more slowly than yesterday, and all the firefighters are actively engaged in trying to contain it, Christian Pouget, the Aude prefect, told CNN affiliate BFMTV. The fires perimeter stretches 90 kilometers (60 miles), so you can imagine the scale of resources needed to manage all of this. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Officials say the massive mobilization, combined with calmer overnight weather no wind and cooler temperatures has helped slow the fires advance. It is the countrys biggest of the year so far, local officials said Wednesday, who confirmed there has been one fatality. We mourn the death of an elderly woman in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, who apparently did not want to leave her home, Remi Recio, a regional official, told CNN affiliate BFMTV. The blaze, which broke out Tuesday afternoon near Ribaute in the Aude department, has also injured two civilians and seven firefighters, Recio added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The minister for ecological transition, Agnes Pannier-Runacher, said on RTL radio Thursday that three people reported missing by their families had now been found. This is a catastrophe of unprecedented proportions, said French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou, who traveled to the Aude region on Wednesday afternoon along with Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau. Bayrou stressed at a press conference that the event is linked to climate change and drought. More than 2,100 firefighters and 500 vehicles have been deployed to the scene, according to a press release from the Aude prefecture. The gendarmerie and army are also providing logistical support. Smoke from wildfires is seen from Banyuls-sur-Mer, France, on Tuesday. - Olivier Chassignole/AFP via Getty Images Fire retardant is dropped over a wildfire near Fontjoncouse, France, on Wednesday. - Lionel Bonaventure/AFP via Getty Images The Ministry of Ecological Transition said in a press release that the fire illustrates the scale of the consequences of climate change and it alone represents the equivalent of all the hectares burned in 2019, 2020, 2021, and 2024, respectively, and double that in 2023. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Twenty-five homes were affected, it said, and dozens of vehicles burned, adding that drought conditions were accelerating the fires spread. A firefighter briefing Bayrou and Retailleau on Wednesday said that within one hour, the fire had burned more than 1,500 hectares a speed never seen before in living memory. After that, the blaze consumed around 1,000 hectares every hour, the firefighter added. Christophe Magny, head of the Aude region fire brigade, told BFMTV that extreme weather conditions combining low humidity (25%), wind at more than 30km/h and temperatures around 35 degree celsius, created ideal conditions for the fire to spread. French President Emmanuel Macron said on X Wednesday morning that the wildfire in Aude is progressing, and in this ordeal, everyone must exercise the utmost caution and follow the authorities instructions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Aerial operations resumed Wednesday morning with four Canadair water bombers, a heavy-lift helicopter capable of carrying four tons of water, and four DASH aircraft assisting ground crews. This is a disaster of unprecedented scale, firefighter spokesman Eric Brocardi told RTL radio on Wednesday. The very provisional material toll indicates approximately thirty vehicles burned out and 25 homes affected by the flames. 2,500 homes are currently without power, said the Aude prefecture in a press release Wednesday. The fire remains very active and weather conditions will still be adverse on August 6. Its a catastrophe Firefighters work at the scene of a wildfire near Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, France, on Wednesday. - Securite Civile via Reuters Renate Koot, a Dutch tourist vacationing in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, fled the area with her partner, Reuters reported. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement One moment we were on the phone with our children thinking, Look, a fire!. The next, we had to jump in the car and leave, while praying for protection. We didnt take anything with us and just left, she said. Were okay. Miraculously. Its unbelievable. Its a catastrophe, said Issa Medina, a Spanish national who was with her family in Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse. Officials and experts warned the wind could change direction which will complicate efforts to fight the wildfire. The Mediterraneans hot and dry summers make the region especially vulnerable to wildfires, scientists say. Once ignited, fires in the region can escalate quickly due to abundant dry vegetation and powerful winds, making them difficult to contain. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement With climate change, the risk of having wildfires is expected to increase during the summer, but also to extend into the autumn and spring, and to spread toward the southwest, the center, and the north of France, said Serge Zaka, a climate and agriculture analyst told Reuters. Europe is the worlds fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service. For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com BRISTOL, Tenn. (WJHL) Amateur photographers have until Sept. 15 to submit photos of Steele Creek Park for a chance to win prizes. The annual Wildlife Weekend Photography Contest began accepting submissions on Tuesday, according to the City of Bristol, Tennessee. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Outdoors Appalachia Entered photos should capture the parks natural beauty or its wildlife. All photos must be taken at Steele Creek Park to be eligible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Friends of Steele Creek Park will award prizes to winners in adult and youth categories. Winners will be chosen by a panel of professional photographers from the area. The panel will be looking for creativity, general interest and technical merits of the photos, according to a news release from the city. Each entry will be displayed online, and prints of the winners will be displayed at the parks nature center for a year after the contest. The winners will be announced on Oct. 10 after a keynote presentation officially starts Wildlife Weekend. To see the full contest rules and find instructions on submitting entries, click here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement 2025 marks the 19th year of the photo contest and the 28th year of the Wildlife Weekend event. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WJHL | Tri-Cities News & Weather. In the wake of Winooski Superintendent Wilmer Chavarria being detained when returning from a trip to visit family in Nicaragua, Vermont leaders and advocates are telling citizens, naturalized or not, to stay vigilant. His temporary detainment comes at a time of nationwide immigration crackdowns that has included Vermonters. Chavarria, who was born in Nicaragua and was there on a trip to visit family, accompanied by his U.S.-born husband, found himself detained at customs at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston July 21 when returning. Chavarria has been a U.S. citizen since 2018 and said he has made the trip countless times with no issue. Chavarria said he had all the valid travel documents and a Global Entry pass, which after an initial background check, allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Wilmer Chavarria has been the superintendent of Winooski School District since July 2023. Chavarria said he was escorted to a small, windowless room where he was questioned about his citizenship, marriage, profession and what he had done while out of the country. He was also pressed to share passwords to his electronic devices. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He was released after almost five hours, during which his husband, Cyrus Dudgeon, was uninformed about where he was, or how long he would be held, and without an explanation for why he was detained. Chavarria has since received an email revoking his Global Entry pass, with no clear explanation given. Chavarria is not the only Vermonter detained by ICE This incident is not an isolated one for Vermont immigrants. Eight dairy farm workers were detained April 21, with some having been deported since then. Then June 14, a prominent activist for Migrant Justice and his 18-year-old stepdaughter were arrested by U.S. Border Patrol agents. Chavarria's situation is likely to make other Vermont residents wary. He is a reflection of the 800-student district he leads. Winooski is the most ethnically diverse city in all of Vermont, with 14.3% of the population being foreign-born, according to the 2023 census. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The 1.4-square-mile city is home to over 8,100 people. Winooskis foreign-born population whether naturalized or not is more than 1.5 times the rate in Chittenden County, and more than double the rate in Vermont. Winooski as a sanctuary jurisdiction Chavarria has recognized his district's diversity and the potential fear that students and families may be feeling. In February 2025, Chavarria wrote a proposition to declare the Winooski School District as a sanctuary school. It was the first district in the state to pass a policy that aims to protect students and families by restricting immigration agents from access to school property and prohibits staff from collaborating with agents. Chavarria said he and the district stand behind that original intention, even as federal changes may make it more difficult. Winooski School District building as seen on Feb. 14, 2025. In April, the Vermont Education Department requested the districts sign a U.S. Department of Education certification stating that the districts werent using "illegal DEI practices." Chavarria spoke out against that request, and the state education department subsequently backed off. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Chavarria said the district has been getting near daily inquiries regarding executive orders and other immigration-related concerns. Chavarria said the Winooski School District will abide by its existing policies designed to protect, respect and value the dignity of each and every single one of our students. Many other Vermont cities and the state in its entirety have been identified by Homeland Security as sanctuary jurisdictions, including Burlington. Protecting student and staff information As a superintendent, Chavarria said his first concern is the safety of his students and staff. He was traveling with his personal and work devices, which were all taken during the detainment. He said agents demanded access to the electronic devices. Chavarria gave permission for them to search his personal devices but stood firm on not allowing them to search his district-issued phone and computer, which hosts student and staff information. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Although the information is protected under federal law, the agents pressed him, and he eventually allowed them access to the devices after they promised to not open the confidential information. Whether that promise was kept, Chavarria has no way of knowing. A statement from the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol said electronic searches are rare, and that the agency follows strict policies and directives when it comes to searching electronic media. Vermont leaders and organizations are speaking out in support of Chavarria and migrant residents Moving beyond Chavarria's detainment and looking forward, the Winooski School District and many Vermont agencies and organizations are standing firm in their support for Vermont residents, naturalized or not. The Winooski School Board has called for a full investigation, stating that no one especially not a U.S. citizen should face such treatment at the hands of their government. The Vermont Progressive Party issued a statement joining the school board in this endeavor, calling upon state leaders, specifically Gov. Phil Scott, to investigate the detention and interrogation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A few days after Chavarria returned to Vermont, the Vermont Agency of Education issued a statement recognizing the profound impact that the detention had on the Winooski School District community, as well as refugee and immigrant communities across Vermont. Secretary of Education Zoie Saunders said the agency stands with the Winooski School District in reaffirming our commitment to ensuring our schools are free from discrimination and that we give every child the opportunity to fulfill their potential, engage deeply with the issues of our time, contribute positively to their communities, and, in doing so, shape a more just future." Burlington Mayor Emma Mulvaney-Stanak has spoken definitively about being a sanctuary city, stating in February that "the city stands firm in its commitment to protecting the rights of all residents, regardless of background or immigration status." She said that the Burlington Police Department "in no way participated" in any ICE raids per the city's Fair and Impartial Policing policy, which makes clear that Burlington police officers will not enforce civil immigration laws. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Vermont Asylum Assistance Project (VAAP), an organization that provides legal services and technical assistance to Vermont non-citizens by raising awareness of and access to immigration legal help and support, has called the detainment "cloaked administrative discrimination in the language of 'national security,' legitimizing actions that would otherwise be unlawful." VAAP Executive Director Jill Martin Diaz said that this "moment of heightened awareness must spur us to push for meaningful, lasting change: Rigorous congressional oversight, transparent rulemaking and robust legal representation for everyone facing federal detention or removal proceedings." Sydney P. Hakes is the Burlington city reporter. Contact her at SHakes@gannett.com. This article originally appeared on Burlington Free Press: Winooski VT school superintendent detained after trip to Nicaragua MADISON, Wis. (AP) An 18-year-old inmate who pleaded guilty to charges related to the death of a guard at a Wisconsin juvenile prison was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison. Rian Nyblom pleaded guilty in April to two counts of being a party to the crime of battery by a prisoner. As part of a plea deal, the original charge of felony murder with special circumstances was reduced. An additional charge of battery by a prisoner was dismissed. Cory Proulx, 49, was a guard at the Lincoln Hills-Copper Lakes juvenile prison when he was punched multiple times by a 16-year-old inmate, fell and hit his head on the pavement in June 2024. He died a day later. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement According to prosecutors, the 16-year-old inmate was upset at a female guard whom he felt was abusing her power. He threw a cup of what he thought was soap at her and repeatedly punched her. The inmate then ran into the courtyard and Proulx followed to stop him. The complaint said the 16-year-old then punched Proulx multiple times, causing him to fall to the ground and hit his head on the pavement. Nyblom told investigators that he knew the 16-year-old was upset with the female guard and wanted to splash her with conditioner and then start punching her, according to a criminal complaint. Nyblom said about 15 minutes before the fighting began he got extra soap and conditioner from guards and secretly gave it to the 16-year-old, the complaint alleged. Nyblom said that he didnt see the 16-year-old punch the female guard but he watched as the boy punched Proulx and Proulx hit his head, according to the complaint. Nybloms attorney, Joseph L. Bauer, didnt immediately respond to a voicemail seeking comment following the sentencing Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Nyblom was sentenced to five years in prison, minus 405 days already served, by Lincoln County Circuit Judge Galen Bayne-Allison. He was relocated from the juvenile prison to the Lincoln County Jail last year. Nyblom was sent to Lincoln Hills a month before Proulx was killed after being charged with criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct, both misdemeanors. He pleaded no contest to both charges in May and was found guilty. The other inmate, who is now 17-years-old, faces one count of first-degree reckless homicide and two counts of battery by prisoners. He pleaded not guilty by reason of mental disease or defect and a trial is set to begin in February. He has been charged as an adult but The Associated Press is not naming him because his attorneys could seek to move the case back into juvenile court, where proceedings are secret. University of Wisconsin-Madison alum and journalist Alec Luhn, who went missing while hiking in a Norwegian national park, has been found alive, the Red Cross confirmed. "I think it's a miracle. I'm so grateful to all the people who were involved in the rescue," said Luhn's wife, Viktoria Silchenko, who told Norwegian newspaper Verdens Gang she is traveling to Norway on Aug. 7 to see him. "It's the best day of my life." Luhn, who hails from Stoughton, was found by a rescue helicopter just north of a glacier called Nedre Buarbreen at about 11:30 a.m. Norwegian time (4:30 a.m. central time in the United States) on rocky terrain, wearing a red jacket and waving for help. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The rescue was made in an area that search teams had attempted to reach the day before, but were hindered by severe weather conditions. "The conditions have been very challenging, with difficult terrain, poor visibility, a lot of rain and high water levels," said Stig Hope, a Red Cross volunteer and head of the operations leadership team at Folgefonna. A rescuer and a doctor were sent down from the helicopter to retrieve him. "He has been found, conscious, and taken by helicopter to the Haukeland hospital. We are very happy, Hardanger police chief ystein Torsnes said after the rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Response leader Svein Buer said Luhn was found with some injuries to his legs and feet, and police described him as seriously, but not critically injured. He was transported to Haukeland Hospital. Luhn's brother, Brian, posted on Facebook that Luhn had a broken femur. The rescue was the first sign of life for Luhn since July 31, when he left for the solo hike in southwestern Norway. Silchenko said she wasn't worried about not having contact with Luhn, but when he missed his return flight to the U.K. she alerted authorities. Since then, over 50 people across various organizations including the Red Cross, local police and an alpine rescue group began the extensive search efforts. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Missing Wisconsin journalist Alec Luhn found alive with leg injury Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, an international franchise based in Kuwait, is opening its first Wisconsin location in Oak Creek. From smoothies to traditional coffee shop drink offerings, sandwiches to pancakes, crepes, and waffles, Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe has a large menu. Ever try a croffle? Franchisee Hasan Abuasi described it as a croissant with the texture and shape of a waffle; it's used to make sandwiches. The menu on the company website lists everything from a Nutella custard croffle to blueberry or strawberry cream cheese options. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Abuasi, an Oak Creek resident, was visiting the cafes Chicago area location and admitted the menu was a bit overwhelming, but also very attractive. Why? Its a one-stop shop for every consumer base, Abuasi said, noting large groups with varying tastes can all come to Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe and nobody has to sacrifice. Something else attractive, according to Abuasi, are the signature drinks such as the Red Rocket (raspberry syrup, vanilla ice cream and rocket ice with candy), the Harmony (vanilla ice cream with strawberry and mango juice) or the Aquarium (7-Up with peach and passion ice base, mango juice and raspberries), to name a few. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Theyre picture-worthy and they taste good at the same time, he said. Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe is opening its first Wisconsin location at 140 E. Rawson Ave., Suite 108 in Oak Creek. The franchise offers numerous signature drinks. Abuasi, who also operates Crave Cookies in Greendale, said he is both a coffee shop person and a sweets person who also appreciates healthy juices, so this was a perfect fit. He liked the idea of combining a traditional coffee cafe with classic chocolatier offerings and a juice bar offered all day. Specifically, all day means 7 a.m. to either 11 p.m. or midnight once the cafe opens at 140 E. Rawson Ave., Suite 108 in Oak Creek hopefully at the end of August. Abuasi said he plans to test the hours to see whats doable and if theres demand. He said he wants to offer a place where people can hang out, study and relax, even late at night. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A lot of times things close very early, he said. I wish we had things open a little later. From the menu to the hours, Abuasi hopes to offer the area something special. I see Oak Creek as an up-and-coming suburb with a lot of potential, Abuasi said of his decision to open in the city he calls home. The availability around here has always been the same cookie-cutter, same type of franchises. I wanted something unique and different. Abuasi said he is searching for more potential Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe locations, possibly in Kenosha or Madison, but wants to get the Oak Creek location up and running first to gauge demand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hes also thinking about bringing Crave Cookies to Oak Creek in the future. Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner. This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Bora Bora Smoothie Cafe, the first in Wisconsin, to open in Oak Creek U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow for three hours as President Trumps shortened ceasefire deadline with Ukraine approaches and new sanctions loom. Witkoff was met at the Vnukovo International Airport by Putins envoy for investment and economic cooperation Kirill Dmitriev. After the huddle with Putin, which is Witkoffs fifth since joining the administration, Dmitriev said on the social media platform X that constructive U.S.-Russia dialogue continues and is critical for global security and peace. Our side has forwarded some signals, in particular on the Ukrainian issue, and corresponding signals were received from President Trump, Putins foreign policy aide Yury Ushakov added in a statement to Russian media after the meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoffs meeting with Russian officials went well. The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States. The secondary sanctions are still expected to be implemented on Friday, A senior Trump official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told The Hill. Trump, in a post on Truth Social, said his special envoy had a highly productive meeting with the Russian leader. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come, he wrote. The presidents timeline, which he cut down from 50 days, is set to expire Friday, with the president warning Russia could face additional tariffs and sanctions if it does not reach a ceasefire with Ukraine. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Witkoffs previous meetings with the Kremlin leader have lasted multiple hours and helped chart a path for Americans who were jailed in Russia to be released, but they have not led to an ending to the nearly three-and-a-half-year war in Eastern Europe. The president has expressed increased frustration with Putin in recent weeks as progress toward a peace deal has stalled. Trump has also warned other nations, including India, of increased tariffs for buying Russian goods. Both India and China are major buyers of Russian oil, which has helped keep the Kremlins economy above water. After Witkoffs meeting with Putin, Trump signed an executive order, raising tariffs on India by 25 percent over Russian oil purchases. When asked about the tariff threat on Tuesday, Trump told reporters, Well see what happens after Witkoffs meeting with Putin. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Were going to see what happens, the president said. Well make that determination at that time. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Wednesday that Witkoff is on his way back to the U.S. and that the two diplomats spoke over the phone about the meeting. Well have some other discussions throughout the day, and then hopefully therell be some announcements here fairly soon, Rubio said. Maybe positive, maybe not. Well see. Russian military attacks on Ukraine have continued despite Trumps calls, with the military striking, at times, civilian areas. The Russian military struck a recreational center in the Zaporizhzhia region overnight, according to Ukrainian officials. At least two people have been confirmed dead, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Wednesday morning on X, adding that Russia attacked a gas facility in Novosilske and a power grid in the Dnipro region. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement No matter what the Kremlin says, they will only genuinely seek to end the war once they feel adequate pressure, wrote Zelensky, who spoke with Trump on the phone Tuesday. And right now, it is very important to strengthen all the levers in the arsenal of the United States, Europe, and the G7 so that a ceasefire truly comes into effect immediately. Trump said last week that he moved two nuclear submarines closer to Russias coast in response to escalating rhetoric from former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev. Updated at 1:12 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. President Donald Trump on Wednesday said the meeting between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Russian President Vladimir Putin was "highly productive," though it failed to advance a ceasefire agreement in Ukraine. "My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin," Trump said on Truth Social before adding that "great progress was made." "Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," he added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The president did not detail what progress was made, but in a comment to Fox News Digital from a senior administration official, the meeting was describing as having "went well." Witkoff Scrambles For Peace Deal With Russia As Sanctions Loom Targeting India, China "The Russians are eager to continue engaging with the United States," the official noted, though they also confirmed that the promised secondary sanctions Trump threatened to levy against nations who trade with Putin are "still expected to be implemented on Friday." Read On The Fox News App Russian President Vladimir Putin (L) meets with US President's Special Envoy Steve Witkoff (R) at Kremlin Palace in Moscow, Russia on August 6, 2025. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that he spoke with Trump on Wednesday alongside other European leaders and said, "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support. We discussed what was spelled out in Moscow," he added. "Ukraine will definitely defend its independence. We all need a lasting and reliable peace. "Russia must end the war that it itself started," Zelenskyy said. Trump Officials Visit Gaza Aid Sites As International Community Pressures Israel Few details have emerged from the three-hour meeting with Russian foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov also having described the meeting as "useful and constructive." Ushakov said Putin "received some signals from Trump" and "sent some signals," but he did not elaborate on any specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The advisor also told reporters that Putin and Witkoff had discussed developing the "strategic partnership" between the U.S. and Russia but did not elaborate how. The comment came after Witkoff was spotted earlier in the day taking a walk near the Kremlin with Kirill Dmitriev, the Russian presidents envoy for investment and economic cooperation. Witkoff and Putin met shortly before noon in Moscow, according to the timestamp released by the Kremlin which accompanied an image of Putin and Witkoff smiling and shaking hands as Ushakov looked on. Witkoffs team did not respond to Fox News Digitals questions on what the envoy was hoping to accomplish in his meeting with Putin, though some reporting this week suggested he may look to secure a moratorium on air strikes. A police officer at the site of a Russian air strike that hit a residential building in Kyiv, Ukraine, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. Witkoff traveled to Moscow in a last-ditch effort to get Putin to capitulate to Trumps and Western calls for an end to the war, though the Kremlin chief was not expected to make great concessions in ending his war ambitions ahead of the trip. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In mid-July, while seated next to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, Trump promised to enforce "very severe" tariffs on Russia if Putin does not enter into a deal with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within 50 days. "Tariffs at about 100%, you'd call them secondary tariffs," he had said, implying that nations who trade with Russia will see 100% tariffs slapped on them when trading with the U.S. He then pushed the date up to within 10 days of July 29, forcing the new deadline for Friday. But on Tuesday Trump walked back his 100% tariff threat amid tough trade talks with India and China, and said, "I never said a percentage." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of time," he added in response to questions from reporters. "We have a meeting with RussiaWe're going to see what happens. President Donald Trump, right, and Mark Rutte, secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), shake hands during a meeting in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, D.C., on Monday, July 14, 2025. "We'll make that determination at that time," he added. The tariffs would most drastically target China and India, which are the largest purchasers of Russian oil, though high tariffs on those nations, both of which are major traders with the U.S., would also mean higher prices for the American consumer. Original article source: Trump hails 'highly productive' talks with Putin despite no ceasefire, 'secondary tariffs' still on Editor's note: This is a developing story and is being updated. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, in Moscow on Aug. 6 for high-level talks as Trump's deadline for a Ukraine deal draws near. The meeting concluded after roughly three hours, state news agency TASS reported with reference to the Kremlin, without providing details on the discussion. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Russian leadership requested the meeting with Witkoff as it hoped to avoid new sanctions that Trump threatened to impose by Aug. 8 unless Moscow agreed to end the hostilities, undisclosed sources told CNN. Witkoff's plane landed at the Vnukovo Airport in Moscow earlier in the day, marking his fifth official visit to Russia during the full-scale war. After his talks with Putin, Witkoff left the Kremlin for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, RBK-Ukraine reported. Before his audience with the Russian leader, the envoy met with Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund, who was previously tasked with facilitating dialogue with the Trump administration, Russian pro-government media outlet RBC reported. "Dialogue will prevail," Dmitriev commented on the meeting between Witkoff and Putin, according to Russian media. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin's aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation as "useful and constructive," saying it focused on the Russia-Ukraine war and prospects of a possible "strategic cooperation between the U.S. and Russia." "Regarding the Ukraine issue, some signals have been sent out from our side. Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump," Ushakov told journalists, adding that the U.S. president is yet to be informed about the results of the meeting. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Aug. 6 that he hopes to make announcements later in the day on whether new sanctions against Russia will proceed this week. Rubio told reporters he had spoken with Witkoff, and plans further discussions. "Maybe positive, maybe not," Rubio said, acccording to Reuters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump described the meeting between Witkoff and Putin as "highly productive." "Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this war must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," the U.S. president wrote on Truth Social on Aug. 6. Trump has warned that unless a deal is reached, the U.S. will impose secondary tariffs on Russia, targeting countries buying the country's oil, such as India or China. Trumps special envoy Witkoff has arrived in Moscow for talks with Russian officials, according to Russian media. He was met by Kirill Dmitriev, one of Russias key negotiators with the US. Meanwhile, the White House says Trump will make a statement closer to midnight. pic.twitter.com/T6hrRbrvfh NOELREPORTS (@NOELreports) August 6, 2025 The Trump administration is also considering new sanctions on Russia's so-called "shadow fleet" of oil tankers should Putin fail to agree to a ceasefire, people familiar with White House discussions told the Financial Times. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Putin has repeatedly rejected a ceasefire and continued to push maximalist demands, including seizing the entirety of the partially-occupied Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson oblasts. Speaking ahead of Witkoff's arrival in Moscow, Trump said he would wait for the negotiations to conclude before deciding on the sanctions. The U.S. president has increasingly voiced frustration with Russia as it continues to reject a peace deal and intensifies strikes against Ukraine. "We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We're going to see what happens," Trump said at the White House. Witkoff, a former real estate broker with no prior diplomatic experience, has faced criticism for taking positions seen as favorable to Russia. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read also: Last chance Witkoff effort in Russia unlikely to change Trumps course, analysts say Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. 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: Training exercise. Credit: Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) A new study conducted across five U.K. air ambulance services has revealed significant variation in calcium levels among trauma patients receiving pre-hospital blood transfusionshighlighting a critical opportunity to provide more tailored care for patients. The study was led by the Pre-Hospital Trainee Operated Research Network (PHOTON) in collaboration with Air Ambulance Charity Kent Surrey Sussex (KSS) The Air Ambulance Service, Essex & Herts Air Ambulance, Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance, and Hampshire & Isle of Wight Air Ambulance. It evaluated 58 trauma patients who received pre-hospital blood transfusions between February and April 2024. The study, published in the Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine, found that fewer than half of trauma patients had normal calcium levels upon arrival at hospital. Both low (hypocalcemia) and high (hypercalcemia) calcium levels were common and associated with poorer outcomes, yet current pre-hospital protocols often rely on fixed-dose calcium replacement without real-time monitoring. The research paves the way for future work to explore how calcium levels in pre-hospital patients are managed at the scene or during their transfer to hospital. Key findings 43% of patients were hypocalcemic and 22% hypercalcemic on arriving at hospital. Only 35% had normal calcium levels despite receiving calcium replacement. Patients who received more blood products were more likely to have abnormal calcium levels. There was wide variation in calcium dosing and timing across services. Pre-hospital point-of-care testing (POCT) for ionized calcium (iCa) was not used by any participating service at the time of the study. Implications for patient care The research underscores the urgent need for precision trauma care in the pre-hospital setting. By introducing POCT for calcium levels on board air ambulances, clinicians could tailor calcium replacement to each patient's needspotentially reducing the risk of complications such as cardiac dysfunction, coagulopathy, and increased mortality. Commenting on the research, Dr. Chris Simpson of the Research and Innovation Team at KSS said, "This collaborative study across five air ambulances adds important evidence to the field of blood transfusion research. We found that major trauma patients receiving pre-hospital blood product transfusions showed a wide range of ionized calcium levels when measured in hospital, suggesting that existing standard operating procedures may not be adequate. "Our findings make way for future work to explore whether empiric pre-hospital calcium supplementation or targeted calcium replacement is more appropriate for these patients. Targeted calcium replacement could potentially be supported by point-of-care devices in the pre-hospital setting, allowing us to treat patients according to their actual calcium measurements either at the scene or during transfer to the hospital." The study demonstrates the feasibility of collecting detailed pre- and in-hospital data across multiple air ambulance services. It paves the way for future research and the development of evidence-based guidelines for calcium management in trauma care. Air ambulance services such as KSS continue to explore the integration of POCT devices into their clinical workflows, particularly for longer missions where early intervention can make a lifesaving difference. More information: Anna Forbes et al, Pre-hospital blood product transfusion and calcium management in the United Kingdom: a multicentre service evaluation, Scandinavian Journal of Trauma, Resuscitation and Emergency Medicine (2025). DOI: 10.1186/s13049-025-01446-8 SPRINGFIELD A judge has issued an arrest warrant for a woman who directed a torrent of bees at deputy sheriffs during an eviction on Oct. 12, 2022. Rebecca Rorie Woods was set to report for trial Tuesday both as a defendant and to represent herself in court. The trial date had been delayed numerous times. Woods, of Hadley, had filed dozens and dozens of motions many of which maligned the lawyers and judges involved in the case since the start of the prosecution. She argued on her own behalf at several hearings. But when the day of reckoning came, Woods was nowhere to be found and had not contacted the court. Prosecutors and witnesses ready to testify waited three hours for Woods to arrive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Later in the afternoon, a judge issued a no bail arrest warrant, meaning Woods will be held once they locate her and bring her to court. Woods was not in custody by late afternoon Tuesday, according to law enforcement officials. The 57-year-old former beekeeper has argued in court that she is being persecuted for an act of civil disobedience and for her rage over the mortgage industry and court system. On Tuesday afternoon, Hampden District Attorney Anthony D. Gulluni confirmed the arrest warrant was issued. While she remains innocent until proven guilty, the accusations against her are very serious, and we will be prepared to present the evidence that she endangered many employees of the Sheriffs Department who were merely doing their jobs, Gulluni said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement She may have delayed justice, but it wont be denied, he added. A call to Woods cell phone was not returned. Woods, who was known to oppose eviction proceedings, arrived at the $1 million home of Alton King Jr. at 49 Memery Lane in Longmeadow shortly after sheriffs arrived. Although she argues in court filings she brought her honeybees to enjoy the flower beds at Kings house, she quickly began advancing on the deputies with the hives, witnesses said. One employee required a trip to a hospital in an ambulance after being stung multiple times. If convicted by a jury, Woods could serve two years in jail. Read the original article on MassLive. The woman found dead onboard a boat in Montauk on Tuesday was identified by authorities as a beloved local designer from Manhattan who spent her summers working on the East End. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra was found unconscious on a vessel docked at the Montauk Yacht Club at approximately 12 a.m., according to Suffolk County police. Martha Nolan-OSlatarra, 33, was identified as the woman found on the boat. Instagram / @marthanolan The 33-year-old, who went by Martha Nolan professionally and in social circles, was pronounced dead at the scene by first responders. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her cause of death is still under investigation and will be determined by the Suffolk County Medical Examiners Office. Members of the Montauk Yacht Club, including some captains, heard screaming from the docks late Monday, one club member told The Post. Another anonymous member of the yacht club remembered Nolan fondly. Nolans body was discovered onboard a docked boat on Tuesday. Dennis A. Clark Members of the ritzy yacht club claim they heard screaming the night before Nolans body was found. Dennis A. Clark She was well known in the community. She was very friendly. Always smiling, the person said, adding, Theres going to be a lot of conversation out of this. Here is the latest on the dead body found on a Montauk Yacht Club boat Nolan was a marketing consultant, entrepreneur, and founder of fashion brand East x East, according to her LinkedIn. The yacht clubs clientele has included some of the nations most gilded figures, including JP Morgan, Vincent Astor, Harold Vanderbilt and Charles Lindbergh, according to its website. NY Post Design The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad is investigating. Dennis A. Clark Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Ireland native moved to the US at the age of 26 and started launching pop-ups with her summerwear brand East x East in the Hamptons in 2023, she told the Irish Independent in a profile last year. Montauk residents told The Post that Nolan had a reputation for being incredibly kind and was always equipped with a bright smile. Nolan was a designer based in Manhattan. martha-nolan/TikTok She spent her summers working on the East End. martha-nolan/TikTok Just last month the businesswoman celebrated a pop-up shop at Montauks exclusive spa, the Gurneys Resort. Goals Achieved, she captioned in a July 1 post on TikTok that showed off her swim-, eye-, and resort wear at the club. Members of the Montauk Yacht Club, including some captains, heard screaming from the docks late Monday. Facebook / Martha Nolan Crime scene investigators remained at the Montauk Yacht Club late into the night with a van from the Suffolk County Crime Laboratory and a command post parked past 9 p.m. Tuesday. The Suffolk County Police Homicide Squad is investigating the incident, according to the release. Editors note: The above video aired in a previous newscast. CHINATOWN, Manhattan (PIX11) A woman in a stolen rental car was driving over 100 mph when she allegedly hit and killed a bicyclist and a woman sitting on a bench near the Manhattan Bridge last month, prosecutors said Wednesday. Autumn Romero, 23, and Kennedy Lecraft, 22, were indicted on a slew of charges for their roles in the fatal crash that killed Kevin Cruickshank and May Kwok on July 19, according to authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Autumn Romero and Kennedy Lecraft allegedly took a stolen car on a drunken, reckless joyride through Manhattan. Because of their actions, two families are now left grieving the loss of their loved ones, said NYPD Commissioner Jessica S. Tisch. Romero was allegedly speeding over 100 mph in a stolen rental over the Manhattan Bridge before she hit the victims near Bowery and Canal at around 7 a.m., according to court records. More Local News Cruickshank was riding his bike on the sidewalk and Kwok was sitting on a bench when they were struck by the Chevy Malibu. Both suffered devastating injuries and died at the scene. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero then crashed into an NYPD van, flinging it across the intersection, prosecutors said. After the crash, the women tried to get to the trunk of the car before allegedly leaving the scene as emergency personnel arrived. They were nabbed near Elizabeth and Hester streets after bystanders alerted cops. Investigators found a bottle of alcohol and two guns with ammunition in a shoebox inside the car, authorities said. Safety on our streets is an essential component of public safety, and we will hold people who commit harm with their vehicles accountable. My heart goes out to the loved ones of Ms. Kwok and Mr. Cruickshank, and my office will pursue justice for them, Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Romero, 23, of Staten Island, was indicted on charges of murder, manslaughter, vehicular manslaughter, aggravated vehicular homicide, criminal possession of a weapon, criminal possession of stolen property, and leaving the scene of incident without reporting, prosecutors said. Lecraft, who was a passenger, was indicted on charges of criminal possession of a weapon, criminal Possession of stolen property and unauthorized use of a vehicle. The defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges during a court appearance Wednesday. Mira Wassef is a digital reporter who has covered news and sports in the NYC area for more than a decade. She has been with PIX11 News for two years. See more of her work here. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PIX11. NEED TO KNOW Police said a woman was found unresponsive with her head trapped in the deposit mechanism of a donation bin in Lodi, Calif., on Aug 5. The victim was later pronounced dead at a hospital after she was rescued from the bin Authorities are seeking the public's help with information about the incident Authorities are investigating the death of a woman whose head was reportedly stuck in a donation box in Lodi, Calif. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In an email to PEOPLE, the Lodi Police Department said it was notified on Tuesday, Aug. 5, at about 6:10 p.m. local time that a person was found trapped in the bin near Elm Street and Ham Lane. Authorities said that the woman was found unresponsive with her head trapped in the deposit mechanism of the box, NBC affiliate KCRA, ABC affiliate KGTV and CBS affiliate KOVR earlier reported. With the intervention of the Lodi Fire Department, authorities were able to access the box and free the unidentified woman. The victim was transported to a hospital where she was pronounced dead, police said. The woman is believed to be between 35 and 45 years old, said authorities. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Lodi Police Department encouraged anyone with information related to the incident to contact authorities. It is currently unclear how the woman became stuck in the bin. https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf A similar incident occurred this past June when police officers in Plantation, Fla. were summoned to a donation bin on the 8300 block of West Federated Roadway, after someone reported a person stuck inside of it, according to the Plantation Police Department (PPD). When the officers arrived at the roadside box a large, pink container labeled clothes & shoes donation center in all capital letters, per footage shared by CBS Miami they realized the person was dead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The deceased was found partially stuck in the donation box, the PPD said. The PPD said at the time, it looks like this incident is an accident, but our detective bureau is conducting a full investigation. And in March of this year, the body of a woman was found in a burning clothing donation bin in upstate New York. The victim was identified by the Glens Falls Police Department as Michelle McFarren, 43, according to ABC affiliate WTEN, NBC affiliate WNYT and the Albany Times Union. Police officers noticed the bin catching on fire in Glens Falls in the early morning hours of Thursday, March 6, per WNYT. A deceased person was discovered after the fire department arrived to put out the blaze. 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. In a letter to the Glens Falls community, Mayor Bill Collins said that McFarren may have used the clothing bin as a shelter from the cold and rain. Read the original article on People MEMPHIS, Tenn. The Helena-West Helena Police Department is trying to figure out what happened to a woman found unconscious and bleeding along Highway 49 two weeks ago. According to police, just before midnight on July 22, a 911 dispatcher was on his way to work when he spotted Louise Perry lying on her side in the northbound lanes of 49 near Old Little Rock Road. The dispatcher called for help. When officers arrived on the scene, they said Perry had shallow breathing and was bleeding from an injury to her shoulder and her left hand. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Perry was transported to a local hospital, but due to her injuries, was later airlifted to the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis, where she is still listed in critical condition. Courtesy: Sally Mills Murder suspect Austin Drummond in custody after weeklong manhunt in TN Sally Mills said her sister was treated for a brain bleed and broken bones all over her body. She has rib fractures, shoulder fractures, elbows, and ankles, said Mills. She had hip surgery because she had a broken pelvis. Mills said she talked to her sister over the phone hours before she was found along the highway. She said her sister told her to call the police because there were some men on her porch threatening her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills said when police got to her sisters Helena-West Helena home, the men on the front porch were already gone. Mills said her sister was either thrown from a moving vehicle or was the victim of a hit and run, and is asking for the publics help in finding the person or persons responsible. There were some other people threatening her, too, some, I do not know. So, I am asking all witnesses in Helena-West Helena. Even if there are people they know who did it, they will come forward and tell the local Helena-West Helena Police Department the information, said Mills. Im praying and hoping someone will come forward. Mills has been by her sisters bedside for nearly two weeks and expressed gratitude for the dispatcher who found her. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mills said her sister is having a hard time talking and hasnt been able to tell her what happened. Helena-West Helena detectives said the incident is still under investigation. Woman arrested in MS after explosive device found in package If you have any information that can help investigators, call Crime Stoppers at (406) 443-2000. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. Russian forces attacked Dnipropetrovsk Oblast with FPV drones and guided aerial bombs on 6 August, killing four and injuring six civilians. Source: Serhii Lysak, Head of Dnipropetrovsk Oblast Military Administration Quote: "Throughout the day, Dnipropetrovsk Oblast suffered nearly seventy attacks. The aggressor terrorised three districts. The Nikopol district was hit the hardest. Russian forces mainly used FPV drones for strikes there. Artillery was also fired. The city of Nikopol and the Myrove, Marhanets and Pokrovske hromadas came under attack. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories ed.] Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sadly, a 65-year-old woman was killed. My condolences to her family and loved ones. Two other women, aged 78 and 76, were injured and taken to hospital." The aftermath of the Russian attack Photo: Serhii Lysak Details: Ten houses and three outbuildings were damaged. Several fires broke out. The Russians used guided aerial bombs and drones to strike the Synelnykove district. The Mezhova and Pokrovske hromadas were targeted. Four buses and seven houses were damaged, two of which caught fire. Russian forces also struck the Zelenodolsk hromada of the Kryvyi Rih district with a drone. Update: Later, Lysak reported that another two men and a woman had been killed in Nikopol as a result of Russian shelling. Four people were injured, and a car was destroyed. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! NEED TO KNOW Video footage captured the rescue of a woman who was trapped in the small chimney of a municipal building at a San Fernando, Calif., park on Aug. 5 A rope system was used in the operation to pull the woman from the chimney, where she was trapped about three feet deep The reason and circumstances that led the woman to get stuck in the chimney are currently unknown Firefighters rescued a woman who became stuck three feet in a chimney at a park in San Fernando, Calif., authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The incident occurred Tuesday evening, Aug. 5, when responders from the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) were summoned to the 200 block of North Park Avenue. There, a woman was trapped in the chimney of a municipal building at the City of San Fernando Recreation Center, according to NBC affiliate KNBC, ABC affiliate KABC and CBS affiliate KCAL. In a news update, the LAFD described the unidentified woman as approximately 30 years old, and said she had been found about three feet (36 inches) deep within a small chimney. Conscious and alert, she has been physically stabilized as LAFD Firefighters specially trained, equipped and certified in urban search and rescue have arrived at the scene to complete the rescue, the department said in its update. Video footage shared by the local news outlets show emergency responders using a rope system to pull the woman out of the chimney. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf The LAFD issued another update, stating that the woman was taken to an area hospital in fair condition. She was not affiliated with the location or involved in official business, the department said. The reason and circumstances that led the woman to get stuck in the chimney are currently unknown. The LAFD deferred questions about the womans identity to the San Fernando Police Department. PEOPLE contacted the LAFD and the San Fernando Police Department for additional information about the incident on Wednesday, Aug. 6. Witnesses recalled the womans behavior at the time of her predicament. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Israel Olivas told KABC that the woman appeared to be "dancing" on the roof before the incident. "I come around again and I see her hands waving out the chimney," Olivas said. "She's just screaming, 'Help! Help! Help!' " 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. Jose River, another witness, told KNBC, "It was kind of interesting how she ended up there. She was joking, but then she ended up stuck there; she couldnt get out. You could tell that after a while, it was serious." The LAFD noted there was no structural damage involved during the incident. Read the original article on People Mylie Biggs, daughter of Rep. Andy Biggs (R-Ariz.), is running for a seat in the Arizona state legislature despite once having opined that a womans rightful place is in the home, the Phoenix New Times reported Wednesday. It was not some throwaway, long-ago remark Mylie Biggs allowed the words I dont know if females should be in office to escape her mouth in a podcast episode released exactly one year ago, on Aug. 6, 2024. The New Times appeared to have gone back to investigate Biggs public commentary after she announced her candidacy on X in late June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Like her father, she is running as a Republican. I am Mylie Biggs. I am running for State Senate in LD 14. And Im grateful to run with great conservatives, Representatives Hendrix and Powell! Ronald Reagan said, Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the pic.twitter.com/oaDrYiyoj6 Mylie Biggs (@MylieBiggs) June 21, 2025 Biggs made her remarks about female politicians during an appearance on The Matty McCurdy Program, which bills itself as a place for real conversations about life. Honestly, I dont know if I would vote for any female. I dont know if females should be in office, she said with a laugh. Biggs got on the topic after referring to then-Vice President Kamala Harris as a DEI hire and saying that the only woman she would vote for would be right-wing commentator Candace Owens. Then Biggs doubled down. I dont think women should hold office, in general. Like, its a mans position. Thats my stance. I think women should, you know, run the home, she said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Her male companions offered no objection. Theres so many videos on even TikTok where so many girls are waking up and are like, whoever fought for my right to work, like, I hate them, Biggs said. I hate a 9-to-5 schedule, she went on. Like, I get home and I dont want to do anything else. Women arent built for this. I just want to be a wife. I just want to be a mom. Im not trying to be sexist in any way, she added, after earlier stating that a woman in high public office would likely not garner respect from leaders of countries in the Middle East. The problem, Biggs asserted, is that modern feminism has transformed incredibly in the past few years. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It started with the right to vote in 1920 and went rampant from there, she claimed. Biggs has not yet publicly addressed the New Times story. She did not immediately reply to a request for comment from HuffPost. When she announced her intent to run on X, Biggs included a quote from former President Ronald Reagan about liberty and personal freedom: It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our childrens children what it was once like in the United States where men were free. My parents taught me to love my country, the Constitution, and to value my freedoms, Biggs wrote. Ive watched so many good people in my life serve this country in the military and in public office. I too seek to serve. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The New Times reported that Biggs has filed paperwork signaling her intent to run but missed a campaign finance deadline. Rep. Andy Biggs once occupied a similar state Senate seat to the one his daughter now seeks, representing a swath of Maricopa County which was central to President Donald Trumps attempt to overturn the results of the 2020 election. The elder Biggs has been a staunch supporter of Trump, going so far as to defend the presidents supporters riot on Jan. 6, 2021, and to use his vote to shield Trump from the release of investigative material related to sex offender Jeffrey Epstein. Read more at the Phoenix New Times. Related... Law enforcement agencies across Georgia are looking for a woman accused of forging checks. [DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks] The Troup County Sheriffs Office is actively searching for Angel Magana, also known as Angel Galloway, who is wanted for forgery in multiple jurisdictions around Troup County. Magana is accused of writing a forged check and is currently evading law enforcement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Troup County officials said her last known address is in Carroll County, and she is believed to have connections to Florida. Investigators have released a photo of Magana and the vehicle she was using at the time of the incident. TRENDING STORIES: Authorities are urging anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward. Anyone with information is encouraged to contact Inv. Corey Spivey at the Troup County Sheriffs Office at 706-883-1616 Ext. 7081 or reach out to Crime Stoppers at 706-812-1000. [SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter] SIOUX CITY, Iowa (KCAU) Tuesday evening, the Woodbury County Board of Supervisors held its third and final public hearing to amend the zoning ordinance to include nuclear energy facilities. The supervisors voted four to zero to change the ordinance so nuclear facilities and nuclear waste storage are allowed as conditional uses under certain specific zoning districts. Story continues below Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Despite many in the community urging the board to vote against the measure and support alternative energy solutions like wind and solar. You are saying on your agenda that you have already determined youre going to adopt this without listening to anyones concerns, and I dont think thats right. You should listen to people, said concerned resident Joann Sadler. Another concerned resident, Gerald Iverson, said, And if you decide to advance this plan, even if its just zoning, we plan to leave the area permanently. And we will urge others to do the same. A few residents did support the changes, saying the county was in a tough position. The ordinance changes also expand the public notification radius from 500 feet to 10 miles. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to SiouxlandProud | Sioux City, IA | News, Weather, and Sports. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: A VR simulator of neurosurgery. Credit: The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful new tool in training and education, including in the field of neurosurgery. Yet a new study suggests that AI tutoring provides better results when paired with human instruction. Researchers at the Neurosurgical Simulation and Artificial Intelligence Learning Center at The Neuro (Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital) of McGill University are studying how AI and virtual reality (VR) can improve the training and performance of brain surgeons. The study was published in the journal JAMA Surgery. They simulate brain surgeries using VR, monitor students' performance using AI and provide continuous verbal feedback on how students can improve performance and prevent errors. Previous research has shown that an intelligent tutoring system powered by AI developed at the Center outperformed expert human teachers, but these instructors were not provided with trainee AI performance data. In their most recent study, the researchers recruited 87 medical students from four Quebec medical schools and divided them into three groups: one trained with AI-only verbal feedback, one with expert instructor feedback, and one with expert feedback informed by real-time AI performance data. The team recorded the students' performance, including how well and how quickly their surgical skills improved while undergoing the different types of training. They found that students receiving AI-augmented, personalized feedback from a human instructor outperformed both other groups in surgical performance and skill transfer. This group also demonstrated significantly better risk management for bleeding and tissue injurytwo critical measures of surgical expertise. The study suggests that while intelligent tutoring systems can provide standardized, data-driven assessments, the integration of human expertise enhances engagement and ensures that feedback is contextualized and adaptive. "Our findings underscore the importance of human input in AI-driven surgical education," said lead study author Bianca Giglio. "When expert instructors used AI performance data to deliver tailored, real-time feedback, trainees learned faster and transferred their skills more effectively." While this study was specific to neurosurgical training, its findings could carry over to other professions where students must acquire highly technical and complex skills in high-pressure environments. "AI is not replacing educatorsit's empowering them," added senior author Dr. Rolando Del Maestro, a neurosurgeon and current Director of the Center, "by merging AI's analytical power with the critical guidance of experienced instructors, we are moving closer to creating the 'Intelligent Operating Room' of the future, capable of assessing and training learners while minimizing errors during human surgical procedures." More information: Artificial intelligence augmented human instruction and surgical simulation performance, JAMA Surgery (2025). jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/ 1/jamasurg.2025.2564 Journal information: JAMA Surgery EL PASO, Ill. (WMBD) Woodford County Coroner Tim Ruestman is running to be State Representative. Tim Reustman said he will seek the Republican nomination for State Representative in Illinois 105th District. This follows the recent decision by current Representative Dennis Tipsword not to seek reelection. Woodford County Sheriff Matt Smith to retire, endorses Chief Deputy Tipsword Reustman said he has served as Woodford County Coroner for over three decades. He also said he brings a record of integrity, public service, and deep-rooted community values to the race. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I have dedicated much of my life to serving the people of Woodford County, and Im ready to take that experience and commitment to Springfield, said Ruestman. With Representative Dennis Tipsword not seeking reelection, I believe our district needs a steady, local voice in Springfieldsomeone who understands the needs of our rural communities, supports law enforcement, and defends conservative values. The 105th District includes parts of Woodford, McLean, Livingston, Tazewell, Marshall, Putnam, LaSalle and Bureau counties. Rusetmas said his priorities will include protecting farmland, promoting small business growth, ensuring fiscal responsibility and keeping communities safe through strong public safety support. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to CIProud.com. In his address, Sa'ar criticized the UN's lack of response after the release of the videos from Hamas and the PIJ of hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar stated that Hamas and its propaganda machine have turned the world upside down at a United Nations Security Council meeting on the situation in the Middle East on Tuesday. A huge part of the international media is both ignoring the truth and buying its lies, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In his speech, Sa'ar emphasized that the UNSC and the global community must finally condemn Hamas and hold the terrorist group accountable for its crimes. He also criticized the UN's lack of response after the release of videos from Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ) showing hostages Evyatar David and Rom Braslavski. "Do you know what the UN Secretary-General Guterres tweeted after the horrific photos of Evyatar and Rom were released? Not a word! Deafening silence!" he said. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar speaks during a stakeout before attending a Security Council meeting at UN headquarters in New York City, U.S., August 5, 2025. (credit: REUTERS/EDUARDO MUNOZ) Yet we also see his endless and obsessive tweets against Israel, time and again," Sa'ar noted. The foreign minister said that he read TheNew York Times after the video of David was released on Friday evening. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I looked but could not find Evyatar on the front page, Sa'ar said, holding up a copy of the newspaper. And then, I couldnt find his picture in any of the papers. I call on the international media: put Evyatar and Rom front and center. Is this not newsworthy? he asked. We are witnessing the anti-Israel agenda of so much of the global media; they shift the responsibility of the kidnappers and rapists to the attacked country. They shift the blame from the terrorists to the victims." He then addressed the rise of psychotic antisemitism around the world, flamed by modern blood libels. Sa'ar stated that Jews are hunted around the world, simply because they are Jews. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But it is not the only war on earth, he said. But it is the only case [where] people are hunted everywhere because of their nationality. Hostage deal assassinated by those who support Palestinian state Prior to the UNSC meeting, Saar said in a statement at the UN that those who continue to back a Palestinian state have "directly assassinated the hostage deal and ceasefire." "They gave Hamas free gifts, he said. "Let me be clear: These countries prolonged the war." A woman whose brother died in the Air India crash and then received the wrong body says it has "added trauma" to her family. Fiongal Greenlaw-Meek, 39, and his husband Jamie, 45, were among the 242 people on board the flight which crashed on 12 June soon after taking off for London Gatwick from Ahmedabad. His sister Arwen Greenlaw told BBC Newsnight her family was seeking dignity and closure as well as accountability for those who mislabelled her brother's remains. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Foreign Office said it continues to support families affected by the Air India crash with "dedicated caseworkers", adding that the "formal identification of bodies is a matter for the Indian authorities". Ms Greenlaw, from Cambridge, told the BBC she wanted "dignity" for her brother and "closure for the family". "If that is not possible - because the worst case scenario is that he has been cremated as somebody else - then we need to know that in order to move on," she added. "Somebody mislabelled remains - that has added trauma." She said it appeared there was a "lack of forensic protocols" at the scene of the crash, and the site was "not closed for 48 hours". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It just can't happen again," she said. "I think the whole family were and still are in complete disbelief because it is things that happen on the news and to other people. It was shocking and is confusing." There were 230 passengers and 12 crew on the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner, including 169 Indian nationals, 53 Britons, seven Portuguese nationals and one Canadian. Many people living in a residential neighbourhood near Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport where the jet came down were also killed, taking the number of confirmed casualties to at least 270. This included a number of medical students staying in the area. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A preliminary investigative 15-page report published last month said fuel to the engines of the plane cut off just seconds after take-off. Circumstances around how or why that happened remain unclear. The report said in recovered cockpit voice recordings, one of the pilots can be heard asking "why did you cut off?" - to which the other pilot replied he "did not do so". A final report into the crash is expected in 12 months. In the days after the fatal crash, Ms Greenlaw said their mother flew out to India as part of the formal identification process. "By her own words it was a chaotic scene," Ms Greenlaw recalled. "She went straight to the hospital to give a blood sample, we were told it would be up to 72 hours to get a positive identification - and that was about right. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She returned from India with what she thought were her son's remains. It has been the equivalent of losing him twice. "Mum had seen the situation there, smelt the smells, seen the sights, seen the crash site. I think for her that made it more real to be able to see that." Arwen Greenlaw said her family are feeling "up and down" [BBC] Ms Greenlaw explained when the casket was returned it was tested and found to be "the remains of two different people". As a result, a coroner in London decided to carry out further tests and the family were able to get some DNA from Fiongal's headphones that proved the remains were not his. "I would say we go up and down with feelings," Ms Greenlaw said when asked how the family are feeling. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We are not naive, we understand it must have been a horrendous situation and my heart goes out to those who did the clear up - but we know Finn's remains were found. "At that point you would expect the remains to come home. If he had not been matched we could get our heads around that." Investigators are still trying to establish the cause of the crash [EPA] Mr Greenlaw-Meeks founded The Wellness Foundry in Ramsgate, in Kent, in 2018 with his husband joining as a managing director five years later. They had also been due to be hosting workshops at Ramsgate Pride event in June. Moments before boarding the Air India flight, the pair posted a video to social media on their last night in the country, where Mr Greenlaw-Meeks reflected on a "magical experience". Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "They were amazing," Ms Greenlaw said. "Two parts of the one soul. They lived together, they married and they died together. They were two halves of one." The Foreign Office told the BBC it is continuing to liaise with the Gujarati government and the Indian government on behalf of the Inner West London Senior Coroner to support the coronial process. "We understand that this is an extremely distressing time for the families, and our thoughts remain with them," a Foreign Office spokesperson said. "Foreign Office staff continue to support the families and loved ones in line with our consular remit. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "We have allocated dedicated caseworkers to each family who wish to have one." Fiongal and Jamie Greenlaw-Meek shared this video to their Instagram page [Instagram] Ms Greenlaw's comments come days after a separate memorial service was held on Sunday in Wembley to remember two other victims who died on the flight - Ashok and Shobhana Patel. Their son Miten Patel told the BBC last month that he had discovered "other remains" were in his mother's casket when her body was returned to the UK. Doctors had to re-identify Mr Patel's mother's remains and his family were also able to recover his father's ring, which he was wearing when the plane crashed. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement India's foreign ministry previously said: "In the wake of the tragic crash, the concerned authorities had carried out identification of victims as per established protocols and technical requirements. "All mortal remains were handled with utmost professionalism and with due regard for the dignity of the deceased. "We are continuing to work with the UK authorities on addressing any concerns related to this issue." This story was originally posted on MyNorthwest.com Its one of the scariest situations you can have behind the wheel: facing down a wrong-way driver. Our state is tied for the worst in the nation for wrong-way crash fatalities, but new technology is being used to reverse the stats. Wrong-way drivers are responsible for about 4% of all traffic fatalities across the U.S. In Washington, that number is 8%, twice the national average. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been 57 fatal wrong-way crashes in Washington since 2020. There have been more than 400 crashes involving wrong-way drivers, and there have been more than 8,000 reports of wrong-way drivers in those five years. What can you do to prevent wrong-way driving? The Washington Department of Transportation is looking to stop those drivers as they enter a road in the wrong direction, and it is going high-tech to do it. Crews have installed new wrong-way detection systems on the ramps at 10 locations in the state. Four are along State Route 18. Four are on I-5 ramps in the southern part of the state. Another two on I-5 in Thurston County. When a driver enters the ramp in the wrong direction at those ten locations, a series of sensors and cameras begin to go off. It uses a series of cameras, sensors, and even radar to detect if a vehicle is going the wrong way on a ramp, Sarah Hannon-Nein, spokesperson for WSDOT, said. It immediately alerts our traffic management center, who then works really closely with law enforcement, to let them know we have a car headed the wrong way on a freeway. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The message boards over the freeway will also alert other drivers to the potential danger. WSDOT has also installed more than a thousand new wrong-way signs and added LED lighting to them. We also implemented or installed LED lights around those signs, so if you are going the wrong way on a ramp, those signs are going to light up and flash at you, Hannon-Nein said. The state has also installed pavement markings at 108 ramps around the state. They are arrows in the pavement that point in the proper direction of travel, Hannon-Nein said. When you are going the wrong way, those arrows are going to light up at you. The state used recent crash data to determine where to install the improvements. This is part of $2 million set aside by the legislature to attack this issue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And as you might guess, impairment is the top cause for wrong-way driving. Technology alone isnt enough. Real safety starts with smart choices behind the wheel, Hannon-Nein said. Just a reminder to stay alert, drive sober, and help us reduce the 8% of fatal crashes that are caused by wrong-way driving. Chris Sullivan is a traffic reporter for KIRO Newsradio. Read more of his stories here. Follow KIRO Newsradio traffic on X. A new law went into effect in July that repeals a more than 100-year-old state code that mandated that medical professionals treat newborns eyes with an ointment meant to prevent pink eye or potentially blindness. (Diane Macdonald /Stockbyte/Getty Image) A new West Virginia law overturns a long-standing mandate that medical professionals treat newborns eyes with an ointment meant to prevent pink eye or potentially blindness if the baby comes into contact with bacteria or a sexually transmitted disease in the birthing canal. The bill repealing the more than 100-year-old state code about the ointment went into effect in July without Gov. Patrick Morrisey signing it. The governors office didnt return a request for comment by deadline about why Morrisey didnt approve the Republican-sponsored bill. Del. Evan Worrell, R-Cabell Del. Evan Worrell, who chairs the House Committee on Health, sponsored House Bill 3444. He said the prior code criminalized health care providers if they did not apply eye ointment, and up until last month, it had been a misdemeanor crime if the medical provider didnt apply a topical solution on a newborns eyes. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement This is still the standard of care and will remain so without this law, said Worrell, R-Cabell. The legislation overwhelmingly passed the House of Delegates in April just one Republican voted against it but narrowly made it through the Senate with an 18 to 15 vote in the GOP-heavy group. Think about just how tragic it could be if a child goes blind by something that they contracted during birth that could have easily been avoided, said Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Ohio, who voted against the bill. Newborns receive erythromycin eye ointment shortly after birth to prevent medical pink eye in the first month of life, and it has been the recommended standard of care for decades. It prevents a pink eye infection from gonorrhea or other diseases that spread between sexual partners. If its not treated, newborn pink eye from gonorrhea can cause blindness or life-threatening meningitis. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, who is a physician, stressed that women including mothers with limited sexual partners could contract a sexually transmitted disease without showing symptoms, and it could endanger a newborn in the birth canal. Dr. Lisa Costello Dr. Lisa Costello, a pediatrician and chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on State Government Affairs, also said that this is still the standard of care and continues to be offered in hospitals and birthing centers across the state. I just attended the delivery a couple hours ago. I watched the erythromycin be placed on the childs eyes, Costello said. We in organizations, like the West Virginia State Medical Association, have advocated against codifying standards of practice when possible, because if they change and you dont update the code, then you can actually sometimes fall out of what the standards of care are. She added, This is something that I think were going to have to continue to monitor and see its impact. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Education will be key, Costello said, to make sure that parents understand the risks of opting out of ointment for their newborn. Sen. Tom Takubo, R-Kanawha, speaks on the Senate floor during a discussion of House Bill 3444 on April 10, 2025. (Will Price | West Virginia Legislative Photography) The past code also required a county official to investigate that newborns were receiving erythromycin eye ointment then provide their findings to the state health officer. This law wasnt followed and is outdated and just needed repealed, Worrell said. Sen. Ryan Weld, R-Brooke Weld said no one raised concerns to lawmakers about any issues with the use of the ointment on newborns. I just wasnt certain why we were going backwards? he questioned. Takubo voted against the measure. It just sets a poor principle, in my opinion, he said. Theres so many things we should be focusing on [and] spending time on, and it seems like more and more each session, we just spend time on things that are not only not helpful, but could be harmful. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement He unsuccessfully tried to amend the bill to require a physician, midwife or others assisting in a birth to immediately administer the ointment on a newborns eyes. We have some that want a more natural way of doing things despite the same or about drinking raw, unpasteurized milk and anti-vaccine, all that, he said. So, my concern was, basically, that when you have home births theyll opt not to do the treatment. Like others, Takubo said he suspected the standard of care in using the ointment wouldnt change. He assumed most parents would still choose to have their newborn receive erythromycin eye ointment. He said providers will be in charge of educating parents on the benefits of the ointment. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Somebody will really have to make an effort to opt out, I think, Takubo said. Costello encourages parents to speak with their medical provider about the use of erythromycin eye ointment to avoid misinformation about the drug. I always agree that we can do more education, because there is so much information out there that it can be a challenge for parents, particularly new ones, she said. Unfortunately, some of it, many times, is not accurate or true, and thats why its important to have that discussion with your health care provider. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE Large parts of Dresden's Old Town were evacuated on Wednesday as experts sought to defuse an unexploded World War II bomb found during clearance work for a collapsed bridge. Some 17,000 people were asked to leave their homes in the eastern German city, authorities said. The affected area includes the famous Frauenkirche, a church that was rebuilt brick-for-brick after being destroyed in the war, as well as several hotels. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Carola Bridge, one of Dresden's main Elbe river crossings, partly collapsed in the middle of the night in September 2024. Employees of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Saxony leave the site after successfully defusing a World War II bomb that was found during the clean-up of the Carola Bridge the day before on August 6, 2025, in Saxony, Dresden. / Credit: Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images The entire structure is due to be demolished by October. Around 80 years after the war, Germany remains littered with unexploded ordnance, often uncovered during construction work. Over 20,000 people were evacuated from central Cologne in June after three unexploded U.S. bombs from World War II were found, the biggest such operation in the city since the end of the war. City authorities said that the discovered unexploded ordnances were two American 20-ton bombs and one American 10-ton bomb, each with impact fuses. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The heart of the city was left deserted, with a hospital, two old people's homes, nine schools and a TV studio evacuated. The bomb found in Dresden was British-made and weighs 250 kilograms, according to city authorities. A shuttle bus from Dresden's public transport company (DVB) is available for citizens during an evacuation of the city center after a World War II bomb was found on Aug. 6, 2025 in Dresden. / Credit: Robert Michael/picture alliance via Getty Images Bombs from World War II have been discovered on battlefields and cities around the world where fighting took place, often decades after the war ended. In March, a World War II bomb was found near the tracks of Paris' Gare du Nord station. In February, more than 170 bombs were found near a children's playground in northern England. And in October 2024, a World War II bomb exploded at a Japanese airport. Sneak peek: The Strange Shooting of Alex Pennig Quadruple murder suspect captured in Tennessee, officials confirm Early details on Fort Stewart shooting in Georgia, at least five soldiers shot CHEYENNE A $2.4 million grant was awarded to the state of Wyoming on Tuesday for the purpose of supporting mental health in law enforcement services across the state. The gift, awarded by the Helmsley Charitable Trust, will provide funding for police and sheriff departments to offer 24/7 virtual crisis care calls. This means that if a law enforcement officer deems a situation to be a mental health emergency, they will virtually connect the person to a mental health professional. This pilot project will give law enforcement a tool while in the field to help get people experiencing a crisis a live connection with mental health professionals exactly when it's needed, said Gov. Mark Gordon. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A similar program has already been rolling out in parts of Wyoming, including in Green River and Sweetwater County. Green River Police Chief Shaun Sturlaugson detailed what things have looked like since his department began virtual crisis care in June. He said it not only provided assistance for people in crisis, but kept officers safer as well. Sturlaugson recounted one incident where it was deemed too dangerous to meet with an individual face-to-face so the officers turned to the virtual crisis care. The officers made contact with the individual by telephone and connected them with a health care professional. In the end, it was resolved peacefully. It was resolved in a way that left everybody feeling like something good had taken place and actually solved the problem, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement John Grossnickle is the sheriff of Sweetwater County. He said he is excited to expand the program in his county, the eighth-largest in the nation by area. He said it can sometimes take hours for officers to respond to calls on the other side of the county, and this program may help ease that burden. Those moments are heavy, but someone's life is on the line. We don't get do overs. We have to get it right, and we have to get it right, right now, he said. Mental health calls arent rare anymore. They're daily, and they don't wait for office hours either. We've invested in crisis intervention. "We train our deputies well, and they care deeply, but even the best trained deputy isn't a clinician. That's where virtual crisis care has the potential to change everything. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Walter Panzirer, a trustee of the Helmsley Charitable Trust, said this kind of program is designed to thrive in rural areas. It has been deployed in two other states, Nevada and South Dakota, where he said it has been a success, saying more than 80% of encounters result in the person staying in place with plans for local follow-up care. Additionally, Panzirer said that law enforcement in South Dakota saw a 50% decrease in recall rates from the same household. He said he knows this isnt the one blanket solution for mental health issues in Wyoming, but just another helpful tool in the toolbox that he hopes to continue to fund in other states across the nation. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Kelsie Young, the clinical director for High Country Behavioral Health, shared this sentiment, saying there has been no tangible way for law enforcement to quickly and seamlessly access and connect people in crisis to mental health services in communities. This collaboration strengthens the safety net for our rural communities. It ensures that fewer people fall through the cracks, that help is available when it's needed most, and that local providers like us can stay connected with our neighbors and walk alongside them in their journey, along with us, she said. This collaboration between law enforcement and behavioral health professionals in Wyoming has been a point of discussion for quite some time, as the burden for care of mentally ill inmates often falls to sheriff's offices as the state psychiatric hospital is often full. To be proactive, the Laramie County Sheriffs Office opened the states first pod of jail cells focused on corrections for mentally ill inmates, who may need more mental care than behavioral corrections. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The office spent around $700,000 on opening the facility and Laramie County Sheriff Brian Kozak said at the time of opening he hopes to seek reimbursement from the state for his offices efforts to address mental health concerns. On Tuesday, when the award was announced, Gordon said that issue is a separate conversation to be discussed by the Wyoming Legislature to decide what role the state should play in supporting mental health. I think it is important that the people of Wyoming let their legislators know how critical it is to be able to have these kinds of services, he said. He added that his hope is this kind of program will meet people earlier on in the process, before potential incarceration, ultimately saving taxpayer dollars. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Allen Thompson, executive director of the Wyoming Association of Sheriffs and Chiefs of Police, echoed this view. Over the long term, this investment on the front end, from the Helmsley Charitable Trust, will give us the opportunity to compile the data and look at the efforts and build out the infrastructure so that when we need ongoing funding in two-and-a-half years, we have a playbook for that, he said. Donald Trump continues to ratchet up the pressure on Russia, in advance of a new deadline for Vladimir Putin to agree to a ceasefire by the end of this week. The US is now imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on India, as punishment for buying Russian oil. Trump has directly responded to dark warnings of nuclear war from former Russian president Dmitry Medvedev, repositioning two nuclear submarines to counter the threat. Trumps envoy, Steve Witkoff, was again in Moscow on Wednesday for talks with the Kremlin, and now the US and Russian presidents could meet as early as next week. In other words, Trump is testing various tools to bring peace to Ukraine. Will any of them work? We shall soon find out. But there are now strong indications that his Art of the Deal with Russia could be derailed by China. What the president and his advisers perhaps havent factored into their Russia strategy is that China believes it is a winner from the war in Ukraine and is therefore highly motivated to continue its military assistance to Moscow. Just as the US and Europe are engaged in a proxy conflict with Russia by supplying military hardware and funding to Ukraine in order to weaken the Russian military and economy, as former US defence secretary Lloyd Austin admitted in 2022 China is waging its own proxy war against the US by propping up Moscow. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Having abstained from sending fully-assembled weapon systems to Russia, to avoid Washingtons ire, Beijing has been supplying Russia with dual use technology used to manufacture military hardware all while maintaining a thin veil of deniability. These critical components include microelectronics, optics for tanks, satellite sensors, navigation equipment and the like and are sold by China to Russia overtly through state-owned enterprises or covertly via front companies, ostensibly for civilian use. In reality, they enhance Russias combat capabilities, enabling Moscow to fight a protracted war of attrition in Ukraine. China is waging its own proxy war against the US by propping up Moscow - Pool Reurers Of particular importance is Chinas role as an enabler of Russias drone warfare campaign, a combat tactic that has been the hallmark of the war in Ukraine. Russia is believed to import millions of dollars worth of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) from China each year, in addition to producing UAVs jointly with Chinese firms inside Russia. Intelligence assessments suggest that Russia established a secret UAV factory in China through IEMZ Kupol, a subsidiary of Russian state-owned arms company Almaz-Antey, where engineers developed and flight-tested a new model of a long-range combat drone called Garpiya-3 (G3). Helping to fuel the Russian wartime economy, China (along with India) has been a top importer of Russian oil, having accounted for 47 per cent of Russias crude oil exports in June 2025. Much of Russias oil exports are transported by a shadow fleet of unmarked tankers in order to bypass the sanctions regime. Last week, Beijing rebuffed US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessents threat of a 100 per cent tariff if it continues this practice. Further aligning itself with Moscow against the US, China has set out to increase gas imports from Russia, while cutting liquefied natural gas purchases from the US. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Why is China so invested in assisting Russias fight against Ukraine? Beijings rationale can be illustrated by the following Chinese allegory. As two tigers are fighting ferociously in the valley, a sage monkey is sitting on top of the mountain, looking down and waiting to see how it will end. Beijing sees itself as the wise monkey, waiting patiently as Moscow and Washington erode their respective combat arsenals. Indeed, although China and Russia publicly portray themselves as allies, having declared a no limits partnership in 2022, they are in fact strategic opponents, linked in an opportunistic relationship aimed at achieving the common goal of limiting US and Western geopolitical dominance. China and Russia have had multiple border clashes during their turbulent history and to this day maintain a territorial dispute in Russias Far East. Demographically declining, Russia views decades-long migration of Chinese citizens into its Far East region as a grave threat. Putin warned as far back as 2000 that if Russia did not undertake the real effort to develop its Far East in the short term, then a few decades from now its Russian population will mostly be speaking Japanese, Chinese, and Korean. China is incentivised to prolong the conflict in Ukraine by its desire to reduce the US weapons stockpile, which has already been depleted to dangerous levels as a result of US assistance to Ukraine and to Israel. China sees the erosion of American combat readiness as crucial in preventing the US from intervening in Chinas future invasion of Taiwan, which some US military commanders assess as probable around 2027. For Beijing, fulfilling its One China grand plan by 2049 by securing control over Taiwan is likely to take priority over maintaining a transactional relationship and avoiding a trade war with Washington. Thus far, Russia has largely brushed off President Trumps various manoeuvres. Beijing, meanwhile, has been conducting joint Chinese-Russian naval exercises in the Sea of Japan. The signal from Moscow and Beijing to Washington is clear peace in Ukraine is counter to both of their agendas. Rebekah Koffler is a strategic military intelligence analyst, formerly with the US Defense Intelligence Agency. She is the author of Putins Playbook, Regnery 2021. Her next book Trumps Playbook will be published later this year. Rebekahs podcast Trumps Playbook is running on her channel Censored But Not Silenced and is available on most social media platforms @Rebekah0132 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. Rep. Yassamin Ansari has spent her freshman year in Congress making national headlines. Ansari, one of two new Arizonans to join the House of Representatives, just finished her first year on Capitol Hill representing Arizona's 3rd Congressional District. The progressive, who is the daughter of Iranian refugees, found herself trying to rein in the Trump administrations aggressive deportation maneuvers, sometimes netting American citizens and legal residents. She traveled to El Salvador, where she unsuccessfully tried to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man who was deported as part of President Donald Trump's mass deportation efforts. Closer to home, Ansari tried twice to visit prisoners at a detention center in Eloy, but ICE officials canceled her visit. Advertisement Advertisement At the same time, shes thinking about the future of her political party, from who will run for president in 2028 to who is signing up new voters. She was elected as the Democratic Freshman Class president and recently hosted the Won't Back Down rally in Phoenix as Democrats strive to find a message that will resonate with voters amid flagging confidence in the party. Among new projects in Washington, she has continued her advocacy on climate change awareness, a subject that dates back to her job as a climate advisor to former California Gov. Jerry Brown. She introduced multiple bills to the Congress floor regarding federal help for extreme heat relief. This week on The Gaggle, a politics podcast by The Arizona Republic and azcentral.com, hosts Ron Hansen and Mary Jo Pitzl are joined by Rep. Ansari to break down her first year in Congress and her attempts to work across the aisle. Listen to the episode The best way to listen is to subscribe to The Gaggle on your favorite podcast app, but you can also stream the full episode below. Advertisement Advertisement Note: The Gaggle is intended to be heard. But we also offer an AI transcript of the episode script. There may be slight deviations from the podcast audio. Listen to The Gaggle : Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher Have a question or comment about Arizona politics? You can share your thoughts with us at 602-444-0804 or via email here. Reach the producer Amanda Luberto at aluberto@gannett.com. Follow her on X, formerly Twitter @amandaluberto and on Bluesky @amandaluberto. Catch up on previous Gaggle episodes here: This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Yassamin Ansari shares about her first year in Congress The woman found dead on a docked boat at a ritzy Hamptons yacht club has been identified as 33-year-old local designer Martha Nolan-OSlatarra. Nolan-OSlatarra was found dead at the Montauk Yacht Club in Long Island, New York, on Tuesday after a man called 911 around midnight to report an "unconscious" woman on a boat, the Suffolk County Police Department said in a news release. Good Samaritans attempted to perform CPR, but she was pronounced dead by first responders. A preliminary investigation and examination were inconclusive regarding Nolan-OSlatarra's cause of death, authorities said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement An autopsy "did not show evidence of violence," police said in an update Wednesday. Her final cause of death is pending further examination. The Montauk Yacht club in Montauk, N.Y., on Tuesday. (MediaPunch via AP) Suffolk County Police said homicide detectives are investigating the death. Nolan-OSlatarra, who lived in Manhattan, was the founder of the clothing brand East x East, according to her social media accounts. She was also the director of operations for K IV Capital Management in New York. Neither company returned a request for comment on Wednesday. In an interview last year with the Irish Independent, Nolan-OSlatarra talked about leaving home in Ireland to follow her ambitions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Carlow is a small town. I was the small town girl who needed to get out to achieve her big dreams," she said. "I always knew I wanted to be successful, that I was money-driven, business-driven and that fashion is a tough industry and it would be a slow road." According to the newspaper, she studied commerce at the University College Dublin and graduated with a masters degree in digital marketing from Smurfit Business School. Montauk Yacht Club spans 16 acres on Lake Montauk. A spokesperson said the club was "saddened to learn of the incident that took place" and is cooperating with law enforcement. This article was originally published on NBCNews.com 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: Triheptanoin as an anaplerotic agent feeding into the TCA cycle. This schematic illustrates triheptanoin metabolism and its anaplerotic role in the TCA cycle. Triheptanoin, a triglyceride of heptanoate, replenishes the tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle via acetyl CoA and propionyl-CoA which is converted to succinyl-CoA. Credit: eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105840 A liquid fat medicine has shown significant promise in reversing major health complications of rare degenerative disease Ataxia-telangiectasia (A-T). Scientists from The University of Queensland and Wesley Medical Research found that a liquid fat supplement, triheptanoin, can reverse mitochondrial dysfunction and cell death in A-T patients. Professor Dave Coman at UQ's Children's Health Queensland Clinical Unit said findings from a 1-year clinical trial mark a "huge jump forward" in treatment and improved quality of life. The study is published in the journal eBioMedicine. "It's a cruel disease across the spectrum, and there's currently no cure or approved treatment," he said. "However, our study has shown real improvements in quality of life with participants able to feed themselves and avoid choking on food, which is a big issue, particularly for adults. "Their language improved so their intelligibility, volume of voice, the amount they talk and interact with people increased. "Their fatigue levels improved remarkablykids were able to participate in school, do therapies in the afternoon and participate in family life." A-T is a genetic neurodegenerative condition often described as the worst parts of cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy, cystic fibrosiswith patients facing a 25% lifetime cancer risk. Children appear healthy at birth, but balance and coordination decline at about age 2, with most needing a wheelchair by their teenage years. Despite near normal cognition, the loss of functional skills leaves teenagers and adults dependent on others for everyday tasks. Mitochondria produce energy within cells to power biological function, but patients with A-T rely on another way to make energy called glycolysisand if glycolysis is less efficient, patient cells are more susceptible to stress. "Mitochondria act like a spark plug for powering your cells and in A-T, for whatever reason, they're not functioning efficiently," Professor Coman said. "With triheptanoinlike a carwe're hot-wiring it to make it work." "It's not a cure but prior to this we had nothing and all we could offer families was kindness and palliative care." Professor Coman said the prevalence of A-T varies around the world and is estimated to affect 1 in 100,000300,000 people in Australia. Recruitment in the clinical trial was offered to all known A-T Australian patients, with 31 people enrolled from age 437 years. Emeritus Professor Martin Lavin from UQ's Center for Clinical Research said the clinical trial showed triheptanoin improved mitochondrial function, targeting a core contributor to disease progression. "We also found that using triheptanoin and a form of vitamin B3 called nicotinamide riboside reduced cell death in patients' cells, suggesting a dual treatment for patients," Professor Lavin said. The study further identified two key biomarkersneurofilament light chain and interferon gene signaturewhich could be useful for monitoring disease progression and treatment for the disorder. "The disease is rare until it affects somebody you love," Professor Coman said. "There are things we can learn from this disease that are also translatable to more common disorders." The next step in the research is an international clinical trial exploring the effectiveness of triheptanoin and nicotinamide riboside as a joint treatment in collaboration with UQ's partners in the Netherlands and Norway. The trial also involved UQ's Child Health Research Center and Australian Institute of Bioengineering and Nanotechnology alongside multiple institutes across Australia. More information: Matthew Lynch et al, Phase 2a/b randomised placebo-controlled dose-escalation trial of triheptanoin for ataxia-telangiectasia: treating mitochondrial dysfunction with anaplerosis, eBioMedicine (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2025.105840 Journal information: EBioMedicine BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) New York State lawmakers are responding as Democratic lawmakers in Texas are facing civil arrest warrants for fleeing the state to block a vote that could redraw the states electoral map in favor of Republicans. The proposed congressional map is expected to grant Republicans an advantage in five additional districts, shifting the political balance in the state. Many of these Texas lawmakers have stated that they will remain out of state until the special legislative session concludes, asserting that they are defending the integrity of American voting rights. President Donald Trump has weighed in on the matter, supporting the GOPs stance and saying Republicans deserve five more congressional seats. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul has also commented on the ongoing redistricting debate in Texas. Hochul suggested that New York could be next to modify its redistricting laws. Speaking at a state capital news conference on Tuesday, the governor strongly defended Texas Democrats actions, condemning the Republican push to redraw electoral maps as creating a war against the political opposition. This will have implications not just in Texas, but for our entire nation and its future, Hochul said. On Monday, six Texas Democrats fled to Albany to block the Texan Republican effort. These lawmakers have labeled the Republican push as a dangerous power grab, with Hochul saying, Republicans know theyll lose the elections, but to subvert the will of the people, theyre hell-bent on rigging the system. Currently, Republicans hold a narrow advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives with 219 seats compared to the Democrats 212. With four upcoming vacancies, a shift in control is still possible. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shawn Donahue, a political science professor at the University at Buffalo, noted that the situation in Texas is unusual. There was no court that threw out these district lines in Texas, and in fact, Republicans had actually been the ones that had drawn the districts for 2022 and 2024, Donahue said. Like Texas, New York lawmakers have the power to redraw both state and congressional districts every 10 years following the decennial census. Hochul has raised the possibility of initiating redistricting sooner, which has sparked reactions from state lawmakers across the aisle. Democratic Congressman Tim Kennedy spoke out against Republican efforts in Texas, calling it fighting fire with fire. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Its not allowing the people of Texas to take away the representation here in New York, he said. However, Republican Congressman Nick Langworthy strongly disagreed. She cant do that before the midterm elections. Thats all political posturing, Langworthy said. I dont believe the voters of New York will stand for it. They stopped her last time she tried to meddle with these affairs. Kennedy, however, continues to argue that the Republican strategy in Texas is part of a larger, troubling trend. A total attack on democracy, he said. What Republicans are doing midway through this decade is theyre trying to change the lines to benefit the politicians rather than the people. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In response to the ongoing debate, an amendment to the New York State Constitution has been introduced. The amendment would allow mid-decade congressional redistricting, but only if other states first make similar changes to their maps. Donahue said the amendment process is, a fairly straightforward process to amend the Constitution in New York. Its just not a quick process. You have to have two separately elected state legislatures approve identical language for a constitutional amendment that would eventually go to the voters. If the amendment passes, the earliest it could take effect would be for the 2028 elections. Latest Local News Dillon Morello is a reporter from Pittsburgh who has been part of the News 4 team since September of 2023. See more of his work here and follow him on Twitter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to News 4 Buffalo. Taking ones daughter for her first bra fitting is so excruciating that when that time came for my third daughter, I outsourced this rite of passage to her older sister. Show me a girl who is not self-conscious about her body at that age and I will show you a liar. It doesnt matter how open you have been as a parent, it is all, as the kids say, awks. Usually, the bustling no-nonsense ladies of John Lewis or M&S take over and thank god for that. For the terminally shy, online purchases come to the rescue. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement There have been a few occasions where I have asked for help in a store while my eldest curled up in embarrassment beside me. But a sales assistant has never approached us, nevermind a big unit in the shape of a 6ft 2in transgender woman, aka a biological man, as happened recently to a mother and daughter in M&S. The mother, who complained, said her daughter freaked out. M&S have apologised. But really, what are they playing at? Of course, trans people can be employed in the store. But sticking them in the lingerie section? What could possibly go wrong? This is a company, after all, that apologised for and withdrew an ad that said: First bras for fearless young things. Note the dehumanising use of the word things it is as if the words girls must be erased to satisfy the needs of some poor boys who identify as the opposite sex. M&S have yet more form on this. For years it has proclaimed itself as an inclusive retailer allowing men who identify as women into its changing rooms. They claim their changing rooms are secure and private. But why should women even have to think about this? Why this insane tussle over our rights to privacy and safety given this is what most of the public want, and more to the point, what most of its female customers want? The drive from corporates, brand consultants and strung-out ad execs high on their own supply of loopy-loo ideas of diversity is producing a culture that is strangely dated and irrelevant. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement What on earth, for instance, was that super-queer Jaguar ad, which featured a range of interesting-looking androgynous models but no actual car about? Do potential Jag owners want to create exuberant, delete ordinary and live vivid? Do they even understand what this nonsense means? We are not in Kansas any more. The gender cult has peaked. This has come about through a number of cases, tribunals and reviews culminating in the Supreme Court Equality Act ruling, which clarified the law by explaining that gender identity does not trump biology. Just as importantly though, as more light has been shone on this subject (often by women objecting to having our boundaries violated), public attitudes have shifted hugely in the last five years. The most recent YouGov survey shows that over-25s do not want men in womens spaces, understand that there is a clash with womens rights at times and do not support the use of puberty blockers. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement I also suspect that many people, when questioned about the rights of transwomen to be in female spaces, clearly did not understand that most were in fact, fully intact men who have not transitioned beyond some poorly applied slap. We are currently living through a moment in which several of our politicians and much of our culture is not up to speed on this another worrying sign of just how out of touch they are. Gender-critical views are not some aberration beloved only by middle-aged hags: they have, in fact, become the majority view. The more informed people have become on this subject, the more they have rejected cult thinking. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The outlier position is now to welcome biological men into womens refuges (would-be Green leader Zack Polanski) or into womens prisons (Nigel Farage, who ended up doing a U-turn on that view 24 hours later). The case for medicalisation and sterilisation of children we can leave to the likes of deranged fanatics like Jolyon Maugham and Dr Helen Webberley. Sadly, the cultural establishment also joins those holding out against reality, with writers, academics, novelists, artists and TV types being the most blinkered of all. It turns out that they are mostly gutless authoritarians. The Edinburgh International Book Festival will not platform any of our excellent gender critical writers, such as Jenny Lindsay (author of Hounded, about the witch-hunt of women by trans activists) or the contributors to the best-selling set of essays The Women Who Wouldnt Wheesht: Voices from the Front-Line of Scotlands Battle for Womens Rights. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The festival is operating with basically a No Debate policy. Its star turn is, of course, Nicola Sturgeon who was brought down partly by her gender lunacy. The festival organisers prefer to stay in their comfort zone untroubled, it would appear, by law or public opinion. These folk are far too genteel to espouse book burning but they dont need to. Their cultural negligence and denial suffices. In their bubble of faux radicalism, their views (any bloke can be a woman!) have no consequences in the real world. Oh but they do. They have consequences in small ways men offering teenage girls help with bras and in big ways, when women lose careers and credibility for stating the truth. Just last month, at Londons Pride rally, we again saw demonstrations on our streets, where signs saying Kill Terfs and threats of violence to women were paraded. Make no mistake, these people are sore losers in every way. This is why we remain keen to protect our spaces and our daughters. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Shame on any business that does not see this. We dont buy what you are selling, from fuzzy thinking to beginner bras. Time to grow up. 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. BURLESON COUNTY, Texas (FOX 44) A young pilot in a glider made an emergency landing off County Road 132 in Burleson County on Tuesday. The Sheriffs Office says 17-year-old Quest Hipps made the landing around 3 p.m. Hipps is a member of the Lakeland Aero Club in Florida who was participating in a cross-country race in the Brazos Valley. (Courtesy: Burleson County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Burleson County Sheriffs Office) (Courtesy: Burleson County Sheriffs Office) While Hipps made his route and checkpoint, he ended up just a little too low and could not regain altitude. Luckily, he is trained and drilled for just such occasions and was able to safely land the aircraft without injury or damage. Hipps immediately dialed 9-1-1 and deputies found him and assisted his crew in making contact to load the aircraft. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The Sheriffs Office says hopefully there are smooth skies ahead for these guys and safe travels to everyone else! Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KWKT - FOX 44. CONEY ISLAND, Brooklyn (PIX11) A young sea turtle named Elton made a swift and inspiring return to the wild waters off Coney Island Wednesday, marking an encouraging moment for sea turtle conservation efforts. The endangered Kemps ridley turtle was found cold-stunned on a Massachusetts beach in December 2024 and has since undergone rehabilitation thanks to dedicated partnerships and community support. More Local News Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Leighann Clayton, Director of the Wildlife Conservation Societys New York Aquarium on Coney Island, spoke about the significance of the event, saying, We will see Elton go back into the ocean, which is always an exciting moment. Clayton explained that cold-stunninga condition where turtles fail to migrate south before the water coolsis now a common challenge on the East Coast. Elton, estimated to be between two and five years old, was cared for and rehabilitated by the Atlantic Marine Conservation Society (AMSEAS) on Long Island. Clayton highlighted the extensive network of organizations involved: We have a very large sea turtle stranding network because we do all of the stranding work under specific license from the federal government. Theres a large network of folks that come together to provide homes and rehab spaces for animals when they need it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State Robert A. DiGiovanni, Jr., founder and chief scientist of AMSEAS, shared that Elton is the 91st sea turtle their team has released since starting rehabilitation efforts in 2020, filling a vital role when other facilities reduced operations during the pandemic. Thats 91 more endangered species swimming around the ocean today, he noted. Onshore, campers and spectators held signs saying Good Luck Elton and expressed excitement as they witnessed the turtles release. Christina Huang, a discovery guide leader at the New York Aquarium who grew up near the seaside, reflected, This was a great experience here at the New York Aquarium. Like I grew up here like on the seaside. I only live a few stops away from here, and its just such a unique experience. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As Elton disappeared into the Atlantic waves, Clayton reflected on the broader impact of this release. When we rescue, rehabilitate, and release an animal back into its habitat, we really are feeling that theres a chance that individual animal could be contributing to stabilization of the entire population. For more information visit, Atlantic Marine Conservation Society. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. The Republican State Leadership Committee PAC and the Republican Attorneys General Association teamed up with Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkins (R) Secure Your Vote initiative to launch a seven-figure investment to turn out voters on Wednesday ahead of the states off-year elections in November. The investment will include direct mail, digital outreach, and grassroots efforts to support incumbent state Attorney General Jason Miyares (R) and Republicans running in House of Delegates races. We simply cant afford to fall behind before Election Day thats why Im excited to have such committed partners joining us in this critical effort. For the entire GOP ticket, Secure Your Vote Virginia is the key to winning not just in 2025, but for the long haul, Youngkin said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Many Virginia Republicans argue that Miyares is the strongest part of the Republican ticket. However, polls show Virginias Republican ticket trailing Democrats. A poll released last month by the Wilder School of Government and Public Affairs at Virginia Commonwealth University, showed former Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D) leading state Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears (R) 49 percent to 37 percent among registered voters in the state. In the lieutenant governors race, state Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D) leads conservative talk show host John Reid 46 percent to 36 percent, while in the attorney general race, former state Del. Jay Jones (D) leads Miyares 47 percent to 38 percent. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. 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. LIBERTY TWP., Ohio (WKBN) A Youngstown man is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to attempted kidnapping. Anthony M. Jackson, 35, entered the guilty plea on Wednesday. He will undergo a background investigation before sentencing in Trumbull County Court of Common Pleas, according to a news release from the Trumbull County Prosecutors Office. In September 2024, Jackson was accused of pushing a woman he knew into the back seat of a vehicle and driving around the Youngstown area, ending up at a hotel near Belmont Avenue in Liberty Township. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Jackson then allowed the woman out of the car to go to the bathroom, according to prosecutors, and this is when she went into the hotel and called police. At sentencing, Jackson will be declared a violent offender, and he must register in a national database for 10 years, according to the release. Attempted kidnapping is a second-degree felony. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (WKBN) A trip to pick up a child early Wednesday afternoon at a Shirley Road home resulted in shots fired, two people being taken to the hospital, and those same two people facing felonious assault charges. Because the people being charged are also listed as victims, their names were redacted from a city police report of the incident that happened about 12:15 p.m. in the 3000 block of Shirley Road. Their names, however, may be revealed later when the charges are officially filed in municipal court. So far, the charges have not appeared in online court records. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Reports said police were called to the home for gunfire, and when they arrived, they found one man at the corner of Shirley Road and East Boston Avenue bleeding from the head and face. Across the street, a black BMW with two bullet holes in it had crashed into the side of a home. There were also two empty shell casings next to the car, reports said. The mans child was in a car seat in the car but was not injured, reports said. Another man was at the home who was taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center for what was listed as severe injuries to his lower body from being hit by a car. He was later listed in stable condition, reports said. The man who was on the street corner told police he came to the home to pick up his daughter when a man at the home fired a gun at him, so he hit the man with his car, which continued into the house. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement That man was also taken to St. Elizabeth Health Center to be treated for his injuries, reports said. A woman at the home told police the man came to pick up his daughter, put her in his car, then argued with the other man who was sitting in a Jeep in the back drive. The two threw punches before the man in the Jeep hit the other man with the gun, cutting him. That man ran back to his car, and the man in the Jeep followed, firing two shots at his car, reports said, before the man in the Jeep was run over by the BMW. The driver of the BMW then ran away to the street corner, where he was found by police. Officers also found several live rounds of ammunition in the street and two cell phones on the corner, which were taken as evidence. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It is not clear when the men will be arraigned. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKBN.com. The Brief Two men, including the father of an unborn child, are facing murder charges for the death of 16-year-old Zariah Dodd, who was found shot in a Phoenix park. Zariah was a runaway from a group home, and her death has raised concerns about the oversight and safety protocols of group homes in Arizona. Advocates are calling for stricter rules for group homes as dozens of children in state custody are currently listed as missing or runaways. PHOENIX - Sixteen-year-old Zariah Dodd walked out of a group home one month ago. Loved ones say she had been through about 20 different homes, moving to the last one back in April due to her pregnancy. According to the Arizona Department of Child Safety, there are dozens of children like Dodd, who have run away from a group home. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "It's another story that could have been prevented. Group home negligence here in Arizona is a crisis," said Olivia Lemorrocco, a spokesperson for Phillips Law Group. The firm is not associated with Dodds case, but represents many families who believe their loved ones have been neglected in group homes across Arizona. Zariah Finley Dodd The backstory The 16-year-old was reported as a runaway by Sunshine Residential in Surprise just after midnight on July 5, about four hours after leaving the group home. "Our stance here is we investigate everything that we can. What has this group home done to prevent something like this from happening? Did they follow all the policies to make sure safety procedures were being followed?" Lemorrocco said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Dodd, who was 22 weeks pregnant, was found shot in the head at Marivue Park in Phoenix on the morning of July 5. 36-year-old Jurrell Davis, the father of Dodds unborn child, and 18-year-old Jechri James-Gillett each face two counts of premeditated first-degree murder. Davis is also accused of sexual misconduct with a minor. Jurrell Davis, the father of Dodds unborn child, and Jechri James-Gillett More on the Zariah Dodd case: What they're saying Lemorrocco says underage girls living in group homes are vulnerable targets. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement When asked about solutions, Lemorrocco said, "The solution is simple. We need better oversight. We need better rules. We need stricter boundaries for people who own and operate group homes." As of July 29, 115 children in DCS custody are listed as missing, abducted or runaways. 66 of those children specifically ran away from a group home placement. Rhonda Dequier, founder of Missing in America Network, says that kids in these situations are simply harder to find. "Once those teens, once those youth, even if they choose to walk away from their homes, even if they're in a great home, and they choose to walk away, they're no longer safe. Once they step out the door," Dequier said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement DCS policy requires group homes to immediately notify the agency when a child runs away, but a specific timeframe to report is not disclosed. A spokesperson says congregate contracts have clearer language defining when a child is considered a runaway or missing, as well as expected reporting practices. Once a child is reported missing to DCS using a hotline, the Missing, Abducted and Runaway Children unit, known as "MARC," assists law enforcement in gathering information and providing contacts to try to locate them. Within 24 hours of receiving information that a child has run away, DCS must make sure that the childs parents, attorney, guardian, caregiver, and court-appointed special advocate or tribe must be notified of the disappearance. That information also goes into the National Crime Information Center and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children no later than 24 hours after the child is reported missing. In the case of Zariah Dodd, her caregiver was emailed on the morning of July 5, within that timeframe. But by that time, she was already dead. By Alasdair Pal SYDNEY (Reuters) -New Zealand's air force said on Wednesday it had evacuated three people from a United States research base in Antarctica, in what it said was a high-risk operation in freezing temperatures and perpetual darkness. One person requiring urgent medical care and two others needing medical attention were taken on the rescue flight from the McMurdo Station on Tuesday, the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) said in a statement. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The aircraft landed in the New Zealand city of Christchurch on Wednesday morning. The statement gave no details of the medical emergency or nationalities. Andy Scott, a New Zealand Air Commodore, said the extreme cold and landing on a runway of ice in the dark make mid-winter flights to Antarctica one of the most challenging air crews can perform. "(It is) an extremely challenging environment to fly in on night vision goggles due to the extreme weather conditions, which are highly changeable at this time of year and makes accurate forecasting a challenge," he said. Temperatures at the McMurdo Station fell as low as -24 Celsius (-11 Fahrenheit) on Tuesday, hampering the 20 hour mission that took place in the complete darkness of the Antarctic winter. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The U.S. Charge d'Affaires for New Zealand Melissa Sweeney said the evacuation had been carried out "flawlessly". "We are so very grateful. Our Kiwi partners didnt hesitate to undertake this mission in one of the most unforgiving environments on Earth. Their skill and readiness are truly world-class," she said. RNZAF carried out similar rescues in 2021 and 2024. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Michael Perry) By Pavel Polityuk KYIV (Reuters) -Russia has struck a gas pumping station in Ukraine's southern Odesa region used in a scheme to import LNG from the U.S. and Azerbaijan, undermining preparations for winter, Ukrainian officials said on Wednesday. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said the gas infrastructure had been attacked in the village of Novosilske on the border with Romania, where the Orlovka interconnector, through which Ukraine receives gas via the Transbalkan route, is located. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "This was a deliberate blow to our preparations for the heating season, absolutely cynical, like every Russian blow to the energy sector," Zelenskiy said on Telegram. Reuters could not independently confirm details of the attack. Russia's TASS news agency quoted the Russian defence ministry as confirming the attack on Ukraine's gas transport system. Ukraine has faced a serious gas shortage since a series of devastating Russian missile strikes this year, which significantly reduced domestic production. Ukraine's energy ministry said in a statement that the attacked station was used as part of a route connecting Greek LNG terminals with Ukrainian gas storage facilities via the Transbalkan gas pipeline. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It noted that it had already been used to deliver LNG from the United States and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas. "This is a Russian strike purely against civilian infrastructure, deliberately targeting the energy sector and, at the same time, relations with Azerbaijan, the United States and partners in Europe, as well as the normal lives of Ukrainians and all Europeans," the ministry said. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev will meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington this week. Russia has repeatedly denied targeting civilians since launching its full-scale invasion of Ukraine more than three years ago, but says infrastructure such as energy systems are legitimate targets because they help Ukraine's war effort. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Earlier on Wednesday, the governor of the southern Odesa region reported an attack on the main gas pipeline. Ukrainian energy officials did not say whether gas would continue to be pumped via the interconnector. Kyiv says 0.4 million cubic metres of gas was scheduled to be pumped through Orlovka on Wednesday. Last month, Ukraine pumped a small test volume of Azerbaijani gas through the Transbalkan route for the first time and announced plans to significantly increase gas imports from Azerbaijan's SOCAR energy firm. Kyiv has called the route "extremely important", as it provides access to liquefied gas from Greek and Turkish LNG terminals, Azerbaijani and Romanian pipeline gas and, potentially, to Bulgarian offshore gas. (Reporting by Pavel Polityuk, additional reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Toby Chopra and Alex Richardson) 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: Lucien Wanda from Pexels Plastics are everywherethey're even in you right nowand are making many of us sick. Now, global negotiators are fighting over whether that matters. As 180 countries meet in Geneva to seek agreement on a global treaty on plastic pollution, a landmark review published in medical journal The Lancet has made the stakes clear. Plastics, the evidence shows, are a threat to human healthfrom womb to grave. They're linked to miscarriages, birth defects, heart disease and cancer. Plastics are harming people at every stage of the plastics lifecyclefrom initial oil extraction to the production and use of plastic products, and their eventual disposal via landfill, incinerator or just being left in the environment. Yet the possibility of a strong, health-centered treaty hangs in the balance. Campaigners, scientists and health care groups are pushing for strong measures to cap production and ban hazardous chemicals. But petrochemical producers and industry lobbyists are pushing backarguing, against mounting evidence, that plastics are essential to saving lives. The UN meeting in Geneva is the culmination of several years of negotiating. In theory, delegates will agree on a global treaty by August 15. The current draft text, which will be the basis for these negotiations, contains provisional elements which could make a real difference. These include cutting plastic production (Article 6), banning plastic products and chemicals that are hazardous to humans or the environment (Article 3), and a section dedicated to protecting human health (Article 19). But some negotiators oppose these elements, and there is a risk they will be watered down or scrapped entirely in the final treaty. The so-called Like-Minded Group of countriesmany of whose members are petrochemical producers including Saudi Arabia, China, Iran, and Russiahas led the opposition to a health-centered treaty. They have done so by arguing that plastics are in fact essential for protecting health, due to the role of single-use plastic in modern medicine. For example, Kuwait's submission to the previous negotiating round in Busan, South Korea, last year called concerns about plastic "not inclusive," and cited medical devices as proof that plastic saves lives. Saudi Arabia has opposed the inclusion of a dedicated article on health, arguing that this would divert the treaty away from its core purpose of managing plastic waste. Since almost all plastic is made from oil or gas, these petrostates have a clear incentive to maintain the status quo of plastic production and dependency. No wonder they want to focus on managing waste, rather than making less in the first place. Plastics industry lobbyists have also been accused of "infiltrating" the negotiations and wielding outsized influence. They too have pushed the narrative that plastics are essential for human healthfor example, with posters displayed in Busan which claimed "plastics save lives." These lobby groups are pushing for health care plastics to be exempted from the treaty entirely, which would provide a significant loophole for plastic producers. As evidence grows of the ways plastics are harming humans, claims they are necessary to safeguard our health are looking increasingly far-fetched. Of course, plastics are everywhere in modern health care. But in most cases, and especially with single-use plastics, they can and should be replaced with a less harmful alternative. Civil society groups, scientists and health care professionals are building momentum for a strong health-centered treaty. The international nongovernmental organization Health Care Without Harm has coordinated an open letter rejecting exemptions for the health sector. Signed by 65 organizations representing 48 million health workers across 88 countries, it calls for a treaty that tackles the full plastics lifecycleand says cutting unnecessary plastic in health care is both possible and necessary to protect patients. The Scientists' Coalition, made up of independent experts, has been instrumental in bringing evidence of plastics' health effects into the debate, while groups like the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives have been pushing for the treaty to recognize that plastics, and especially their disposal, affect marginalized populations hardest. They argue that justice for the most affected people and places should be at the heart of the treaty. The global plastics treaty is an unprecedented opportunity to take decisive, coordinated action to tackle one of the planet's biggest threats. At stake in Geneva is whether health will stay at the heart of this treatyor be sacrificed under pressure from industry and petrostates. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. By Yuliia Dysa KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday that Russia seemed "more inclined" to a ceasefire, but details of a potential deal are of great significance and neither Ukraine nor the U.S. should be deceived by Moscow. President Donald Trump said his special envoy Steve Witkoff's meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Wednesday delivered "great progress," but Trump gave no specifics. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Following the meeting, Zelenskiy had a call with Trump, joined by European allies. "Ukraine will definitely defend its independence. We all need a lasting and reliable peace. Russia must end the war that it itself started," Zelenskiy said on X. Trump, who has signalled frustration with Putin in recent weeks and has given the Russian president until Friday to make peace with Ukraine or face tougher sanctions, hailed Witkoff's visit as highly productive. But a White House official said the secondary sanctions that Trump has threatened against countries doing business with Russia were still expected to be implemented on Friday. An executive order introducing additional 25% tariffs on India for Russian oil imports was signed on Wednesday. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "The pressure on (Russia) works. But the main thing is that they do not deceive us in the details neither us nor the U.S.," Zelenskiy said. Ukraine has repeatedly called for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. Russia, which now controls about a fifth of Ukrainian territory and proceeds with its advances on the eastern front, rejected the idea. National security advisers from Ukraine and allied nations were to meet soon to work out a "joint stance", Zelenskiy added. (Reporting by Yuliia Dysa; Editing by Leslie Adler) Editor's note: This story was updated to include the information about British Prime Minister Keir Starmer joining the call between President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump. President Volodymyr Zelensky and U.S. President Donald Trump held a phone call along with European leaders following a trip to Moscow by Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff, Zelensky said on Aug. 6. "This conversation happened after President Trump's representative, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow," Zelensky wrote on X. He said European leaders also joined the call. "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly," Zelensky added. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement British Prime Minister Keir Starmer was one of the European leaders who joined the call, according to Sky News. Russian President Vladimir Putin met with Witkoff on Aug. 6 for around three hours, according to Russian state media TASS. The Kremlin did not disclose the contents of the meeting, but unnamed sources told CNN that Moscow had requested the talks in hopes of avoiding additional U.S. sanctions. Trump earlier warned that unless Russia agreed to halt hostilities in Ukraine by Aug. 8, Washington would move forward with secondary tariffs, targeting countries that purchase Russian oil. Before his meeting with Putin, Witkoff held talks with Kirill Dmitriev, head of Russia's sovereign wealth fund and a figure previously involved in back-channel diplomacy with the Trump administration. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement After the Kremlin meeting, Witkoff proceeded to the U.S. Embassy in Moscow, RBK-Ukraine reported. Putin's foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov described the conversation with Witkoff as "useful and constructive," noting that it covered the war in Ukraine and prospects for "strategic cooperation" between Washington and Moscow. "Some signals have been sent out from our side," Ushakov said. "Corresponding signals were also received from President Trump." The White House is expected to impose new sanctions on Russia by Aug. 8, an undisclosed source told Reuters after the meeting between Witkoff and Putin was over. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Trump later said that the meeting between Witkoff and Putin was "highly productive." "Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump said. Read also: Putin, Witkoff conclude meeting in Moscow as Trumps sanctions deadline looms Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on his way back from visiting brigades in Sumy Oblast, has held a conversation with US President Donald Trump and European leaders regarding US envoy Steve Witkoffs visit to Moscow. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter) Quote: "Our joint position with our partners is absolutely clear the war must end. And it must be done honestly. European leaders were on the call, and I am grateful to each of them for their support." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: Zelenskyy said the leaders discussed "what was spelled out in Moscow". Background: On Wednesday 6 August, US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff held a meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin in the Kremlin, which lasted about three hours. Trump said that Witkoffs meeting with Putin was "productive". The Kremlin stated that during the meeting between Putin and Witkoff, there was an exchange of "certain signals" regarding the Russo-Ukrainian war. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has visited the command post of the 225th Separate Assault Regiment in Sumy Oblast the unit that was first to enter Russias Kursk Oblast last year. Source: Zelenskyy on X (Twitter); Oleksandr Syrskyi, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, on Facebook Details: The president said that soldiers of the 225th regiment were the first to enter Kursk Oblast last year. They significantly increased Ukraines prisoner exchange pool. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Zelenskyy: "I spoke with the commanders. There were reports on the liberation of the villages of Andriivka and Kindrativka in Sumy Oblast, Russian attempts to counterattack and our next steps toward liberating Ukrainian territory." Details: The discussion also covered the units needs, supplies, training of recruits and instructors. The regiment commander asked the president to expand the unit to brigade level. Zelenskyy promised to discuss this issue with the commander-in-chief. Zelenskyy visiting the command post PHOTO: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE The president thanked the troops for the results of the Kursk operation, rewarded soldiers and honoured the fallen. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Quote from Zelenskyy: "We will always be grateful for your service to Ukraine. And we will always honour the memory of all those who gave their lives for our country." Zelenskyy visiting the command post PHOTO: OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT OF UKRAINE Details: Syrskyi said that some units of Ukraines defence forces remain on Russian territory, including in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast. Quote from Syrskyi: "Ukrainian forces maintain a presence in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast, holding back part of the Russian offensive grouping. Same as a year ago, we are acting. We strike the enemy, hold the lines to preserve Ukraine and win a just peace." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Read more: Six months in Kursk: the problems facing Ukraine's defence forces Background: In July, at a meeting of the Staff of the Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Syrskyi emphasised the restoration of positions and regaining the territories in Russias Kursk and Belgorod oblasts in order to restrain the Russians on the border with Ukraine. At a press meeting on 21 June, to which Ukrainska Pravda journalists were not invited, Syrskyi said that Ukrainian forces control about 90 sq km in the Glushkovsky district of Kursk Oblast. At the same meeting, Syrskyi also stated that Ukrainian forces will not stay locked in a defence-in-depth strategy but will instead combine defensive operations with offensive actions. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Public trust in Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has dropped from 65% in June to 58%, according to the latest poll conducted by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology (KIIS). Source: KIIS survey, launched the day after the Ukrainian parliament voted on controversial bill No. 12414 concerning the independence of Ukraines anti-corruption bodies Quote: "When analysing the dynamics of trust in the context of events surrounding Law No. 12414, it should be taken into account that we already observed a downward trend in early June, so perhaps by 22 July 2025, trust was already below 65%. That is, not all of the decrease in trust (7 percentage points) can be attributed to the adoption of Law No. 12414. However, this event undoubtedly had an impact, since some respondents indicated this vote as the reason for distrust in the President." How much do you trust or distrust Volodymyr Zelenskyy? KIIS survey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Details: According to the poll, 35% of respondents said they do not trust the president an increase from 30% in early June. Trust in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the regional dimension KIIS survey KIIS survey The sociologists report that the trust-distrust balance has dropped from +35% in early June to +23% in early August. However, current trust levels remain higher than the lowest point during the full-scale war, recorded in December 2024. Trust in President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in terms of age KIIS survey KIIS survey The sharpest decline in trust compared to early June 2025 was observed in Ukraine's west, where support fell from 73% to 55%. While the country's west previously had the highest trust in the president, that is no longer the case current figures now align with other regions. And for what specific reasons do you not trust Volodymyr Zelenskyy? (open question) % among those who do not trust Volodymyr Zelenskyy, top answers KIIS survey KIIS survey Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In Ukraine's centre, the trust level remained unchanged at 63%. In the country's south and east, the decrease was milder: from 61% to 55% in the south, and from 61% to 54% in the east. Despite the downward trend, the majority in all regions continue to trust the president, and the overall trust-distrust balance remains positive nationwide. The most notable decline was among respondents under 30 years old, where trust dropped from 74% in early summer to 59% a 15-percentage-point decrease. Quote from Anton Hrushetskyi, KIIS Executive Director: "President V. Zelenskyy, despite the rather large-scale protests and the violent reaction in the media, retains a fairly high level of trust (and legitimacy) among the Ukrainian public. Perhaps this was facilitated by the rapid response to the protests and the prompt submission of a new law to the parliament. However, the persistent downward trend is a worrying signal that requires attention and thoughtful decisions from the authorities." More details: Zelenskyy's lowest trust rating was recorded in February 2022 (37%) and again in December 2024 (52%). Methodology: The KIIS Omnibus survey was conducted between 23 July and 4 August 2025 via telephone interviews in all government-controlled regions of Ukraine. A total of 1,022 respondents aged 18 and older were surveyed. Residents of temporarily occupied territories were not included in the sample. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Under normal conditions, the statistical margin of error for this sample (with a 95% confidence level and a design effect of 1.3) does not exceed 4.1% for figures close to 50%, 3.5% for figures close to 25%, 2.5% for figures close to 10%, 1.8% for figures close to 5%. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon! Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani would not commit to keeping NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch in his administration if elected, even as he praised her crime record. The Democratic socialist refused to say if hed retain the popular top cop and also defended his previous silence on slain cops at National Night Out, an annual police-community bond-building event, on Tuesday evening. I have great appreciation of the swift and decisive action Commissioner Tisch took to root out corruption and the upper echelons of the NYPD and the way in which she has presided over in department that has seen crime continue to lower across the city, Mamdani told reporters at the event. Mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani praised NYPD Commissioner Jessica Tisch for her crime record, but wouldnt commit to keeping her in his administration if elected during a National Night Out event Tuesday. William C Lopez/New York Post Im appreciative of the work thats been done and still think that its too early for me to make those commitments as I run for the general election, he said at the event, where he made remarks alongside Attorney General Letitia James. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Mamdanis statements come as new NYPD statistics revealed shootings so far this year plunged to the lowest level on record under Tischs leadership. The Big Apple saw 412 shooting incidents, with 489 victims, during the first seven months of 2025, according to the data released by the police department this week. Both are records that comfortably shatter the previous lows for shootings 426 and shooting victims 522 respectively, set over the same time frame in 2017 and 2018, cops said. The Democratic mayoral primary winner also defended himself against Mayor Eric Adams criticism that hes only attended cop funerals while making a run for City Hall and has otherwise blown off NYPD burials during his years as a state lawmaker. Mamdani with Attorney General Letitia James and Brad Lander participating in National Night Out at Grand Army Plaza with officers from the 78th Precinct in Brooklyn. William C Lopez/New York Post The Democratic socialist refused to say if hed retain the popular top cop and also defended his previous silence on slain cops at National Night Out. William C Lopez/New York Post Mamdani, 33, served more than four years in the state Assembly before his surprise Democratic primary win against former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in June. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a state legislator, my focus has been on the tragedies and the triumphs of my district that Ive represented, of Astoria and Long Island City, Mamdani told reporters, not directly acknowledging the no-shows. The Ugandan-born lefty paid his respects to relatives of NYPD cop Didarul Islam last week, after the four-year department veteran was gunned down in a mass shooting inside a Park Avenue office building. Mamdanis statements come as new NYPD statistics revealed that shootings so far this year have plunged to the lowest level on record under Tischs leadership. Stephen Yang The Democratic mayoral primary winner also defended himself against Mayor Adams criticism that hes only attended cop funerals while making a run for City Hall. REUTERS But Mamdani was a no-show and didnt say a peep after a half dozen of New Yorks Finest died during his tenure in Albany after they were gunned down in the line of duty, records reviewed by The Post show. As I run for citywide office and seek to represent this entire city, my focus is on extending that to every single borough of this city and over the course of this campaign, to see the horrific mass shooting that took the lives of four New Yorkers, including Detective Islam, Mamdani said. And I pray and hope that there will be no further shootings of police officers or murders over the course of this campaign or over the course of the time that I seek to be the mayor of this city, he said. Democratic mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani who has faced heat lately over years-old social media posts critical of the police came face-to-face with an audience of NYPD officers Tuesday night and told them he would, if elected, spare them the responsibility of responding to most mental health calls. We must stop asking them to respond to nearly every single failure of the social safety net, Mamdani said at Brooklyns Grand Army Plaza as a contingent of cops from the nearby 78th Precinct flanked him for an annual National Night Out event. We must stop making it impossible for them to do their jobs by asking them to do every other job we can think of. Mamdani, a socialist who defeated Andrew Cuomo in last months Democratic mayoral primary, was referring to his proposal to launch the Department of Community Safety, an agency that would be tasked with responding to calls about individuals experiencing mental health crises. Currently, police officers handle many such calls, but Mamdani argues that puts too big of a burden on them, and the new agency would allow them to instead focus on crime fighting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Also in his remarks, Mamdani thanked officers, saying he gained a renewed appreciation for their service after last weeks mass shooting in Midtown, which left four New Yorkers dead, including NYPD Officer Didarul Islam. I learned in the lesson from Detective Didarul Islams life the sacrifice and the service that so many officers extend to this city each and every day, no matter which precinct that they belong to, he said. Most officers at the event maintained a distance from Mamdani as he arrived, but didnt openly voice displeasure with him. Two cops the commanding captain of the 78th Precinct and an officer of Bangladeshi descent approached Mamdani to shake hands and take pictures with him. Mamdani told reporters afterward the officer thanked him for his public response to the killing of Islam, who was originally from Bangladesh. Mamdanis engagement with the police comes as Cuomo and Mayor Adams, who are both running as independents against him in Novembers general election, have seized on 2020 social media messages he posted that called for the defunding of the NYPD and referred to the department as a racist and anti-queer entity posing a major threat to public safety. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement As a mayoral candidate, Mamdani has distanced himself from his 2020 tweets, saying he no longer supports defunding the NYPD and that he wants to keep the departments headcount flat while relieving cops of mental health duties. Still, several NYPD union heads, most of whom are backing Adams for reelection, have bristled at his past posts, saying they fear the stances reflect his true feelings about police. Asked by the Daily News if hes worried it would be difficult to work with such union leaders as mayor, Mamdani said he looks forward to engaging in dialogue with them, but also affirmed there must be a new approach to public safety policy in the city. It is incumbent upon each and every one of us to lay out a vision that does more than trot out the same ideas weve heard time and time again, he said. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement State Attorney General Letitia James, who joined Mamdani at the Grand Army Plaza event and is supporting his mayoral bid, suggested he still needs to do some work to ensure NYPD officers trust him. To that end, she proposed hosting a meeting between Mamdani and NYPD leaders at Manhattans Riverside Church. I think its necessary because we need to bring this city together and heal, and I think the best place to do it is at Riverside Church because great leaders, Mandela as well as Dr. King, all spoke there, she told The News. Five soldiers were shot and wounded on Wednesday at a U.S. Army base in Georgia by a fellow soldier in a workplace shooting that prompted a lockdown, officials there say. In a post on its Facebook page, Fort Stewart Hunter Army Airfield said the shooting occurred in the 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team area shortly before 11 a.m. local time. The alleged shooter was identified as Quornelius Radford, a 28-year-old automated logistics sergeant from Jacksonville, Fla., assigned to the 2nd Brigade Combat Team. Radford joined the Army in January 2018 and has no deployments, according to the Associated Press. This booking photo provided by the Liberty County Sheriffs Office shows Sgt. Quornelius Radford, who is accused of shooting multiple soldiers at Fort Stewart, Ga., on Wednesday. (Liberty County Sheriffs Office via AP) At a press conference on Wednesday afternoon, Brig. Gen. John Lubas, commander of the 3rd Infantry Division, said Radford was quickly "subdued" by fellow soldiers before law enforcement arrived. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Soldiers in the area that witnessed the shooting immediately, and without hesitation, tackled the soldier, subdued him and allowed law enforcement to then take him into custody," Lubas said. "These soldiers without a doubt prevented further casualties." All five of the wounded were transported to the hospital in stable condition, Lubas said. Three of the soldiers required surgery, and all are expected to recover. Lubas said that Radford used a personal handgun, not a military-issued weapon, and that the incident remains under investigation. According to Lubas, the shooting occurred at Radford's place of work and involved his coworkers, but he would not speculate on a motive. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement CNN reported that Radford had a disagreement with one of his coworkers the day before the shooting. On Wednesday, Radford "followed that coworker to a maintenance area and shot him in the chest before shooting four others," the report said, citing an unnamed law enforcement official briefed on the case. Its unclear what the disagreement was about. In an earlier alert announcing the lockdown, Fort Stewart said multiple casualties" had been reported in what was described as "an active shooter incident." Gates to the base were closed for several hours, and some schools in the area were briefly placed on lockdown. Fort Stewart, which is located about 40 miles southwest of Savannah, Ga., is home to about 10,000 people, including soldiers, family members and civilian employees, who live there, according to its website. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The FBI in Atlanta said on X that its office in Savannah was aware of the incident and "coordinating with Army Criminal Investigation Division for any assistance that might be needed." President Trump was briefed on the shooting, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said. Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on X that he was "in close contact with law enforcement on the ground," adding that his family was "saddened by todays tragedy." "We are keeping the victims, their families, and all those who answer the call to serve in our hearts and prayers, and we ask that Georgians everywhere do the same," Kemp said. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: When patients overdose on a combination of opioids and medetomidine, providing naloxone can help individuals start breathing again but does not reverse the sedation caused by the medetomidine. Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain The Trump administration is escalating its push against what has become a key part of the way states, localities and communities respond to the overdose epidemic: harm reduction. A public health approach aimed at mitigating the negative health effects associated with drug use, harm reduction aims to prevent overdoses and infectious disease transmission. Methods can involve the use of opioid overdose reversal medications such as naloxone, providing sterile needles to limit the transmission of infectious diseases, test strips that detect fentanyl in drugs, and "safe consumption sites," where people can use drugs under supervision in case they need intervention. In the past week, the administration began removing educational materials related to harm reduction from government websites. President Donald Trump last month issued an executive order targeting homeless people, railing against "harm reduction" and "safe consumption" efforts. And the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration told states last week that harm reduction is used to "advocate for policies that are incompatible with federal laws and inconsistent with this administration's policies." Drug policy advocates say this pattern could cede ground on progress in reducing overdose deaths, particularly among people who are homeless. "It's deeply disturbing that we are moving backwards, and we're finally in a time where the country is seeing rates decrease from overdose deaths," said Carla Sofronski, executive director of the PA Harm Reduction Network, a Pennsylvania organization that advocates and provides education about harm reduction. "Now we're pulling back from the same models that supported the decrease in deaths." At least 76,298 people died from drug overdoses in the 12-month period ending February 2025the lowest number since March 2020, according to preliminary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data published in July. The changes come at an already uncertain time for addiction policy advocates, after the administration in March clawed back $11 billion in funding that included addiction services funds, and with Congress facing multiple deadlines to maintain existing resources. Lawmakers have until Sept. 30 to extend funds for the Community Health Center Fund and renew a pilot program for some Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. Despite the president's order calling on both programs to support homeless individuals, lawmakers haven't introduced legislation to renew either. Additionally, portions of the wide-ranging 2018 bipartisan opioid law, known as the Support Act, have already lapsed. Trump's executive order alarmed harm reduction advocates by directing the Department of Health and Human Services to not fund "programs that fail to achieve adequate outcomes, including so-called 'harm reduction' or 'safe consumption' efforts that only facilitate illegal drug use and its attendant harm." While not law, the order directs agencies to take regulatory action. There are only a few safe consumption sites in the United States. Their goal is to limit the spread of infectious diseases and minimize lethal outcomes while serving as a bridge to connect users with other resources. Federal law already restricts federal funding of some harm reduction practices, including the cost of needles used at syringe exchanges. But a shift in messaging from the government could have a chilling effect on state and local governments, which handle much of the U.S. opioid response. "I think having messages like this come out of the White House makes it harder for people in communities to do this work, whether because of funding or because of what the public is hearing," said Chrissie Juliano, executive director of the Big Cities Health Coalition, which represents urban local health departments. The order didn't specify which harm reduction methods the administration opposes, but a White House official told CQ Roll Call that the administration will continue to support, and even expand, access to naloxone, which reverses opioid overdoses. But the official said there was a line between naloxone and other harm reduction techniques, including syringe exchanges, which the administration says support illicit drug use. Agency work The Trump administration tried to dismantle SAMHSA, the agency focused on behavioral health grantmaking, and reorganize some of its programs under the new Administration for a Healthy America. Those plans are on pause because of litigation, but in the meantime, SAMHSA has removed from its website a version of its overdose prevention toolkit that included sections on harm reduction and a separate "harm reduction framework"both of which inform of emergency response measures. In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent to states last week, Art Kleinschmidt, principal deputy assistant secretary at SAMHSA, said he doesn't consider naloxone a harm reduction method and, as such, it would continue to be funded by the government. Kleinschmidt said test kits and other services can also be funded through grants. But the letter stated that federal funding can't be used to "purchase pipes or other supplies for safer smoking kits or syringes or needles used to inject illicit drugs" or "any other supplies to promote or facilitate drug use." "Moving forward, SAMHSA funds will no longer be used to support poorly defined so-called 'harm reduction' activities; rather, SAMHSA is providing guidance to state agency leadership and to grantees through new award terms and conditions that provide clarity on what supplies and services previously defined under the umbrella of harm reduction can be supported with SAMHSA funding," Kleinschmidt wrote. Senior officials during Trump's first term showed a more nuanced take on harm reduction. Then-HHS Secretary Alex Azar supported syringe exchanges as a way to reduce the spread of infectious diseases like HIV. But the Justice Department during Trump's first term threatened localities that were considering safe consumption sites for injectable drugs. The Biden administration leaned in on harm reduction, releasing the first "harm reduction framework." Skepticism Kleinschmidt, whom Trump picked as principal deputy assistant secretary at SAMHSA, has said that harm reduction approaches "are only exacerbating the problem" and that he would focus more on treatment than on reducing harm from drug use. "There seems to be a great misunderstanding between enabling and helping," Kleinschmidt said in a podcast last year. "The more you're sort of funding and feeding the addiction, you're going to get more addiction. They're almost intentionally breeding dependency," he said, referring to government employees working on addiction issues. "I sometimes have a hard time coming to any other conclusion." Mike Stuart, Trump's pick for HHS general counsel, sponsored legislation during his time in the West Virginia state Senate that would restrict methadone clinics and ban syringe programs. During Stuart's nomination hearing, Sen. Maggie Hassan, D-N.H., noted that the measure "would have effectively ended the use of methadone to treat opioid addiction" in the state. "I understand that there are bad actors in the methadone clinic space, to be sure, but do you think Secretary Kennedy is wrong to support medication-assisted treatment like methadone?" she asked. Stuart replied that one of the bills targeted clinics that didn't offer "wraparound" services such as counseling or health care. The push away from harm reduction isn't surprising. Several Republican lawmakers criticized a $30 million harm reduction grant program, funded through a 2021 COVID-19 relief law. Then-Sen. Marco Rubio, R-Fla., pushed to include a ban on using federal funds to "distribute pipes or cylindrical objects intended to be used to smoke or inhale illegal scheduled substances" in the fiscal 2023 omnibus spending law. 2025 CQ-Roll Call, Inc., All Rights Reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Alexander Henry Runnels appears Monday, Oct. 9, 2023, via Zoom in Yakima County Superior Court. In July 2025, a Yakima County prosecutor dropped charges of hit-and-run causing injury and driving under the influence against Runnels. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain At the Two Spirit Conference in northern Nevada in June, Native Americans gathered in support of the LGBTQ+ community amid federal and state rollbacks of transgender protections and gender-affirming health care. "I want people to not kill themselves for who they are," said organizer Myk Mendez, a trans and two-spirit citizen of the Fort Hall Shoshone-Bannock Tribes in Idaho. "I want people to love their lives and grow old to tell their stories." "Two-spirit" is used by Native Americans to describe a distinct gender outside of male or female. The conference in Elko reflects how some tribal citizens are supporting their LGBTQ+ community members as President Donald Trump rolls back protections and policies. In March, the National Indian Health Board, which represents and advocates for federally recognized Native American and Alaska Native tribes, passed a resolution declaring tribal sovereignty over issues affecting the Native American community's health, including access to gender-affirming care. The resolution calls on the federal government to preserve and expand programs that support the health and well-being of two-spirit and LGBTQ+ Native Americans. Tribes and tribal organizations are navigating how to uphold their sovereignty without jeopardizing the relationships and resources that support their communities, said Jessica Leston, the owner of the Raven Collective, a Native public health consulting group, and a member of the Ketchikan Indian Community. In January, Trump signed an executive order recognizing only two sexesmale and femaleand another to terminate diversity, equity, and inclusion programs within the federal government. An Indian Health Service website describing two-spirit people was removed this year but restored following a court order. The page now has a disclaimer at the top that declares any information on it "promoting gender ideology" is "disconnected from the immutable biological reality that there are two sexes, male and female." Two-spirit is not a sexual orientation but refers to people of a "culturally and spiritually distinct gender exclusively recognized by Native American Nations," according to a definition created by two-spirit elders in 2021. According to two-spirit leaders, people who did not fit into the Western binary of male and female have lived in their communities since before colonization. Already, tribal citizens and leaders say some people have had trouble accessing gender-affirming care in recent months, with some community members being denied hormone treatments or having their medications delayed, even in places where gender-affirming care remains legal. Panic has spread, and tribal citizens have considered leaving the country. "There is a chilling effect," said Itai Jeffries, who is trans, nonbinary, and two-spirit, of the Occaneechi people from North Carolina, and a consultant for the Raven Collective. Mendez said he requested hormone treatment at his local Indian Health Service clinic at the end of June and was told by his provider that the facility has had trouble receiving the treatment for patients. Lenny Hayes, a two-spirit citizen of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate in South Dakota, said the Indian Health Service clinic on the reservation also isn't dispensing hormone treatment, though it is legal for people 18 and older. Hayes is the owner and operator of Tate Topa Consulting and provides educational training on two-spirit and LGBTQ+ Native Americans and Alaska Natives. The National Congress of American Indians passed a resolution in 2015 to encourage the creation of policies to protect two-spirit and LGBTQ+ communities. And the organization adopted a resolution in 2021 to support providing gender-affirming care in Indian Health Service, tribal, and urban facilities. The National Indian Health Board's resolution cites homophobia and transphobia as contributing to higher rates of truancy, incarceration, self-harm, attempted suicide, and suicide among two-spirit young people. The board also lists health disparities among the broader Native LGBTQ+ population, including increased risks of anxiety, depression, and suicide. Two-spirit and LGBTQ+ Native American and Alaska Native young people are particularly vulnerable to depression, suicidality, and sexual exploitation. In Minnesota, a 2019 state survey found that two-spirit and LGBTQ+ Native American and Alaska Native students had the highest rates of those aged 1519 who responded "yes" to having traded sex or sexual activity for money, food, drugs, alcohol, or shelter. Tribal leaders are also concerned that Medicaid cuts recently approved in Trump's budget law will undercut efforts to expand testing and treatment for HIV infection in Native American communities. The rates of HIV diagnosis among Native American and Alaska Native gay and bisexual men increased 11% from 2018 to 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Despite this increase, Native American and Alaska Native gay and bisexual men are among the groups with the least access to HIV tests outside of health care settings, such as community-based organizations, mobile testing units, and shelters. As tribes respond to state and federal regulations of two-spirit and LGBTQ+ people, organizations and communities are focused on providing information and resources to protect those in Indian Country, even from the president. "He will never, ever wipe out our identity, no matter what he does," Hayes said. 2025 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. Bigg Boss 19 will begin with 15 contestants, with 3 wild card entries expected later, taking the total to 18 participants. Several names of participants are already circulating. Popular TV actor Gaurav Khanna, who plays Anuj in Anupamaa, has been officially confirmed for the show. The Undertaker whose real name is Mark William Calaway is a retired professional wrestler from the United States and is globally recognized as one of the greatest to ever step into the ring. The Jammu and Kashmir administration has banned the books, citing concerns that they glorify terrorism, distort historical facts and undermine national security narratives. Seema Haider Pakistan: Seema Sachin's family has put up posters outside the house, appealing to the media and common people not to disturb them. At the same time, apart from the media, a huge crowd of people around are also gathering to see Seema Sachin. All 28 tourists from Kerala that were reported missing after the Uttarakhand cloudburst in Uttarkashi have been found safe. Rescue operations are still underway in the affected areas to assist others and restore access. They are placed in Group B alongside Bangladesh and Sri Lanka. According to Mubariz, a two-week preparation camp will take place before the squad heads to the UAE for a tri-nation series involving Pakistan and the host nation. Afghanistan reached till semis of World T20 2024. A state employee is suing Gov. Greg Gianforte and others, including the state agency that employs him, claiming that his state representative was recently unconstitutionally appointed to lead the Department of Commerce. Jordan Williams, an employee for the states IT system housed in the Department of Administration, is a resident of former Clancy Republican Rep. Marta Bertoglios legislative district. She was appointed by Gianforte to head the Montana Department of Commerce in mid-June and resigned as a state lawmaker. Bertoglio is one of a handful of sitting legislators to receive a high-profile appointment from Gianforte over his two terms. The claim that appointing legislators to state agencies is unconstitutional has long been a talking point often pushed by Democrats but complaints have not made it past social media or coverage from the press until now. A complaint filed Wednesday by Williams attorney, Rylee Sommers-Flanagan, alleged that because Bertoglios term as a representative in the Legislature was ongoing when she took the job, the appointment violates a disqualification clause of the Montana Constitution that states: No member of the legislature shall, during the term for which he shall have been elected, be appointed to any civil office under the state. Gianforte's general counsel denies that the provision is being violated. The suit asks a judge to remove Bertoglio from her post and for the Department of Administration to stop paying her and issuing her benefits. She makes $68.19 an hour, according to a state website, which works out to nearly $142,000 a year. The purpose of the disqualification provision is unambiguous. It prohibits corrupt use of the appointment power, stopping a governor from bribing, inducing, or otherwise interfering with legislators votes, the complaint reads. Unconstitutional gubernatorial appointments send the message that part-time citizen legislatorswho in 2025 made a salary of $128.86 per daymight win a six-figure golden ticket to an appointed state civil office, if they promote a governors political interests over the needs of their own constituents. Though Bertoglio is the only gubernatorial appointee party to the suit, there were a number of legislators appointed to a job by Gianforte during their elected term. Before Bertoglio, the Department of Commerce was led by Paul Green, who was appointed in Jan. 2024 while he was still serving his first term in the Legislature. Bob Brown, the current lottery director, and Jimmy Patelis, a member of the Montana Board of Pardons and Parole, also received their nods from Gianforte when they were in the middle of their legislative terms. Ryan Osmundson, the director of the Governors Office of Budget and Program Planning, was appointed to the position by Gianforte in 2021 during his second term in the state Senate. Questions of the constitutionality also arose then. The fact that it's been a pattern, and the pattern itself is one of the biggest problems, said Sommers-Flanagan, who served as former Democratic Gov. Steve Bullocks deputy chief legal counsel. It creates a reward structure for legislators." Sommers-Flanagan said the court filing did not include Green, Patelis or Brown as parties to the suit because their legislative terms are up. Before the lawsuit was filed, Sommers-Flanagan sent a letter on behalf of Williams to the governor and the attorney general asking them to remove Bertoglio from her new job. Both offices responded with their own letters, declining to do so. The governors office did not answer multiple questions from the Montana State News Bureau about the claims made in the suit, but instead sent the letter that the governor's attorney sent to Sommers-Flanagan last month. In the letter, Gianforte's general counsel Anita Milanovich wrote that because the director of the Department of Commerce acts at the order of the governor, the disqualification clause does not apply, citing a 1927 court decision that found there were five prongs that needed to be met in order for a position to be a civil office one of which she argued was not met. The Attorney Generals Office also did not answer multiple questions and forwarded their response letter instead. Your demand lacks any legal merit, Solicitor General Christian Corrigan wrote in the letter to Sommers-Flanagan, arguing in part that the constitutional text and common sense shows that if a member resigns their legislative seat, the disqualification clause does not apply. Corrigan also pointed to when former Missoula Democratic Rep. Cynthia Wolken was selected to be deputy director of the Department of Corrections, which occurred under Bullocks administration. Was the appointment of Senator Wolken to the deputy role intended to circumvent the delegates concerns about corruption? Given your position as Deputy Chief Legal Counsel for former Governor Bullock, perhaps you can shed some light on what advice was rendered to the chief executive, Corrigan wrote. History didnt begin on January 4, 2021. Neither Bertoglio, the Department of Commerce, nor the Department of Administration responded to requests for comment. Cries of unconstitutionality began shortly after Gianforte first took office in 2021, when he selected Patelis for the Board of Pardons and Parole. But a few months before Patelis received the official appointment that year, he emailed nonpartisan attorneys with the Legislative Services Division asking if it would be permissible to accept an appointment to the Board of Pardons and Parole while he was serving his term if he resigned his legislative role. Staff attorney Jaret Coles wrote back to Patelis that the Montana Constitution would prohibit a Legislator from resigning from the Legislature to become a member of the Board of Pardons and Parole, though he added his opinions were not binding nor enforceable. Both the plain language of the Constitutional provision and the Constitutional Convention transcripts seem to prevent a member of the Legislature from taking any civil office during the length of the term, regardless of whether the member resigns, Coles continued in his email. Patelis ultimately received the appointment from Gianforte and accepted it. Accra, Ghana (PANA) - Eight people, including two ministers of state, died on Wednesday in a helicopter crash in the Ashanti Region, in what the Chief of Staff, Mr Julius Debrah, has described as a national tragedy A man in an amphibious off-road vehicle stirred up more than stream sediment this week after driving down several miles of the Blackfoot River as part of a crew spraying for noxious weeds. Anglers and other locals expressed outrage after videos began circulating Monday of the SHERP all-terrain vehicle chewing through the cherished trout stream, which recently underwent "hoot owl" fishing restrictions to protect heat-stressed fish. "I've got people storming in here and going, 'What the hell?'" said Kathy Shoendoerfer, who co-owns the Blackfoot Angler fly shop in Ovando. "There's just no way to think that this could do any good to the environment at all." She referred to multiple cell phone videos showing the black ATV driving the entirety of an 8.5-mile stretch of the river, from the North Fork confluence down to the Scotty Brown Bridge. One, which Shoendoerfer posted on social media, showed the vehicle churning up water as it cruised down the center of the river. "A whole lot of people saw, and my biggest fear is people are going to think, 'Oh, we can now take recreational vehicles in the river,'" she said. That's definitely not the case, according to Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks. In a statement following media inquiries Tuesday, Region 2 spokesperson Vivica Crowser said the agency's law enforcement division verified the videos, which she said showed "a weed control coordinator contracted by Powell County." "Our regional and state staff had numerous inquiries from the public regarding the work being done," she wrote. "Once our fisheries staff was made aware of the video, and after further investigation, they reached out to Powell County to immediately stop the use of a vehicle driving in the river." FWP staff determined those actions would have required a special permit, known as a Montana Stream Protection Act 124 permit, which Powell County lacked. It requires special permission from FWP for any project "that may affect the beds or banks of any stream in Montana," according to the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation. "Actions like these seen in the video can have a negative impact on habitat and the fishery of the Blackfoot River both of which are already experiencing difficult conditions this summer," the FWP statement continued. "Simply put, operating a motor vehicle impacting Montana's stream bed should not happen without a permit whether its along the Blackfoot or any stream across the state." The agency is continuing to investigate, and Crowser said she's unsure whether any legal action will be taken. Phone calls to Powell County's Noxious Weed coordinator, Karen Laitala, were not returned Tuesday, though she replied to emailed questions with a copy of the FWP statement. She did not respond to follow-up questions. Weed-control crews typically use a raft if they need to access property along the river, according to Shoendoerfer. Another video making the rounds on social media was posted Monday by a Missoula County-based fly fishing guide, and showed the vehicle driving through what the narrator described as a spot near the River Junction area where bull trout congregate. Bull trout are a federally protected species under the Endangered Species Act. It's illegal for anglers to keep bull trout if they catch them, and numerous state and federal policies aim to conserve their habitat and boost struggling populations. While trout aren't yet spawning, FWP Region 2 Fisheries Manager Pat Saffell noted "it's a sensitive time of year" for the fish. "They are staging and they do tend to get concentrated in cold water areas," Saffell said. "So we are concerned that they are congregated and they are highly adapted to cold water, so that concentration becomes higher when theyre looking for that cold water refuge." Like many other trout streams across the state, the entirety of the Blackfoot was recently placed under "hoot owl" restrictions due to high water temperatures that place the cold-water fish at greater risk of dying. Starting last weekend, no fishing is allowed on the river from 2 p.m. through midnight, to avoid stressing trout when water temperatures are at their highest. Saffell noted that in certain instances, driving across a river is legal to access property, but that's typically restricted to specific fords. "It's not outlandish by any means, but usually that's a very confined spot," he said. "And many considerations are given to where that's chosen." Crowser referred questions about the scope of the noxious weed project and whether it was taking place on private or public property to Powell County. Calls to members of Powell County's noxious weed board, the North Powell Conservation District and the county's MSU agricultural extension office were not returned Tuesday. TURKMENISTAN, Aug 6: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli has invited President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedow to visit Nepal. During a meeting held between the two leaders on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC), Prime Minister Oli invited the President to visit Nepal next year. Giving a brief response to media persons of both countries after the meeting, Prime Minister Oli said that discussions were held on issues including bilateral interests, cooperation and collaboration and further strengthening the relations between the two countries. Related story PM Oli leaves for Turkmenistan to attend UN conference on landl... On the occasion, Oli praised the development achieved by Turkmenistan in a short period of time and also shared about Nepal being upgraded to a developing country by 2026. During the meeting, Prime Minister Oli thanked President Berdimuhamedov for the grand hosting of the UN conference on Landlocked Developing Countries in the city of Awaza. Prime Minister Oli is also scheduled to meet with heads of state and government of other countries on Wednesday. KATHMANDU, Aug 4: Prime Minister KP Sharma Oli left for Turkmenistan on Sunday night, leading a Nepali delegation to attend the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries. Deputy Prime Minister and Urban Development Minister Prakashman Singh, Home Minister Ramesh Lekhak, Foreign Minister Dr Arzu Rana Deuba and Minister for Culture, Tourism and Civil Aviation Badri Prasad Pandey saw off the PM at the VVIP Lounge of Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA). The Chief Secretary of the government, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) and chiefs of other security bodies were also present on the occasion. On the occasion, PM Oli was accorded a guard of honour by the Nepal Army at TIA. Related story PM Oli meets AIIB Prez on sidelines of UN conference in Turkmen... According to the Foreign Ministry, PM Oli is visiting Turkmenistan at the official invitation of President of Turkmenistan, Serdar Berdimuhamedow, and UN General-Secretary Antonio Guterres. The conference is scheduled to take place in the City of Awaza there on August 5-8. During the conference, PM Oli is scheduled to address the programme as Chair of the Global Coordination Bureau of Least Developed Countries. Similarly, the Prime Minister would co-chair one of the high-level roundtable meetings and also deliver remarks at various programmes. On the sidelines of the conference, PM Oli will hold bilateral talks with heads of the delegation from various countries, as well as high-level office-bearers of the UN and other international organisations. PM Oli is accompanied by his spouse Radhika Shakya, Chief Advisor Bishnu Prasad Rimal, Federal Parliament Member Surya Bahadur Thapa Kshetree, Foreign Secretary Amrit Bahadur Rai and senior government officials. PM Oli is scheduled to return home on August 8. Altogether 32 Landlocked Developing Countries from Asia, Europe, Africa and South America would attend the conference where discussions on direct sea access, hurdles facing the landlocked nations and benefits to be taken from the world markets are expected. The landlocked developing countries, lacking direct sea access, face hurdles in trade, connectivity, and development and without coastal ports, they rely on transit nations, causing higher trade costs and delays, the UN observes. According to the Foreign Ministry, the conference is expected to discuss the issues of capacity building of the landlocked developing countries. The second UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries was held in Vienna, Austria, in 2014 and the first one in Almaty, Kazakhstan, in 2003. ODM youth activist Kasmuel McOure has explained former Prime Minister Raila Odingas proposed framework for conducting the upcoming national conclave. Speaking during a local radio interview on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, McOure said the opposition leader wants the process to begin at the grassroots level, with delegates drawn from all 47 counties. According to McOure, Raila has emphasized the need for balanced representation, insisting that half of the participants must be young people, while the other half should consist of older generations. Raila has specified how he wants the conclave to happen and its dialogue process, McOure said. I am in for it, and I am campaigning for it. He says the conclave must have representatives from all 47 countries; they organise at grassroots levels, but 50 per cent of the participants must be youth, and 50 per cent are of other generations. They need to sit down, come up with resolutions, and we make it into a national process. He stated that Raila Odingas approach aims to offer a chance for every Kenyan to be heard, even for those in remote areas such as Marsabit, where they might not be able to access national forums. The idea, McOure continued, is to gather suggestions from across the nation and mix them into one national discourse with diverse opinions and grassroots solutions. McOure also pushed back against the belief that Kenya has had multiple national dialogues. In his view, the country has only had one true and effective national dialogue the process that led to the 2010 Constitution and the Grand Coalition Government. He noted that while other forums have been labeled as national dialogues, most lacked the political will to implement their outcomes, rendering them ineffective. Kasmuel McOure stressed that Kenya has reached a tipping point, one that calls for another moment of national transformation, similar to the lead-up to the 2010 Constitution. He acknowledged that the Constitution remains solid on paper but argued that its weak implementation continues to hold back the country. According to him, a renewed national dialogue could reignite the same spirit of reform that birthed Kenyas current legal framework. We have a very good constitution, but its not being implemented, McOure said. He dismissed claims that the call for dialogue is a ploy to create a new political position for Raila Odinga. McOure, who is close to the ODM leader, insisted that Raila has no interest in political seats at this stage of his career. We are not here to say we want to have dialogue to have a position for Raila Odinga; what position does he need now? And I can say this because I spent a lot of time with him; he does not need anything from it, McOure stated. He concluded by saying that he was fully behind the new national conclave proposal and that this one is distinct from the previous attempts. It is distinct, he argued, in that it has broad grassroots support and the political blessing of one of Kenyas strongest leaders. Media personality Joyce Gituro has publicly apologized after facing backlash for her comment on a post announcing the suspension of Nairobi Baptist Churchs Senior Pastor, Rev. Munengi Mulandi, over allegations of misconduct. Gituro admitted she spoke out without fully understanding the gravity of the situation. She initially assumed the matter was an internal church issue and responded out of concern for what appeared to be public humiliation. Upon learning the full context, she retracted her statement and deleted the comment. I shared a comment yesterday, unaware of the full and serious nature of the pastors suspension. I assumed it was an internal disciplinary matter and reacted to what seemed like public shaming. Once I learned the truth, I deleted the post, she explained. The former radio host also expressed genuine remorse for her swift reaction and reaffirmed her stand against abuse in all forms. Let me be clear: I stand firmly against all forms of abuse, especially as a mother and a Christian. I stand with the victims. I totally regret my fast reaction to that story, she added. Before taking down her comment, Gituro had questioned the churchs decision to make the suspension public, suggesting that it could damage the pastors reputation. Why put it on social media? Youre damaging a brother even more, she had written. The Nairobi Baptist Church issued the statement on August 3, declaring that its Elders Council not only suspended Rev. Mulandi but also revoked his ordination upon analyzing his conduct. The church also announced an independent investigation to determine the nature and magnitude of the alleged abuse. While the church has not released specific details, its authorities have appealed to members to remain prayerful and united as they navigate todays crisis. New York, US (PANA) - As conditions in the Occupied Palestinian Territory and Israel continue to deteriorate, a senior UN official upheld the need for a political solution to the crisis in Gaza that can lead to a lasting peace between the two peoples A woman entangled in a high-profile paternity and property dispute with former Machakos Senator Johnson Muthama now faces forgery charges at the Milimani Law Courts. Nina Maria Wanjiku, Muthamas estranged partner, allegedly forged a birth certificate on January 28, 1998, in Nairobi. According to the prosecution, she created the document certificate number 300868 with the intent to deceive, falsely presenting it as an official birth certificate issued by the Civil Registrar in Thika. Wanjiku also faces a second charge of forgery of a document. Detectives allege that she forged the doctored birth certificate at the Nairobi Immigration Office on May 21, 1998, and presented it as authentic. Appearing before Magistrate Ben Mark Ekhubi on Friday, Nina Maria Wanjiku claimed that the forgery case is being weaponized against her in a longstanding matrimonial property battle with Muthama, currently before the High Court. Wanjiku voiced her frustration with the police, saying she has been forced to travel from her home in Mtwapa, Mombasa, more than 800 kilometers away, to Nairobi to record statements multiple times. The complainant is using the justice system to frustrate me, she told the court. She added that the constant police summons have drained her financially and disrupted her day-to-day life. Wanjiku further alleged that during her arrest, officers coercively took her to Nairobi with her seven-year-old grandson. She said her court cases with Muthama have taken more than a decade and wondered why she was arrested by the authorities when she has always been cooperative with police investigations. Wanjiku entered a not-guilty plea to the charges and was released on a cash bail of KSh 50,000. The court also ordered her to give two contact persons as part of the bail conditions. Muthama is listed as the first prosecution witness in the case. The U.S. Embassy in Nairobi has urged Kenyans applying for American visas to be fully forthcoming about their use of social media when applying for the application forms. In a statement on Monday, August 4, the embassy warned that not disclosing social media details could lead to automatic visa denial and even render an applicant ineligible for consideration for any visa in the future. Did you know that omitting social media information could lead to visa denial and ineligibility for future visas? the statement posed. The embassy clarified that beginning 2019, applicants for immigrant and nonimmigrant visas are required to submit their social media identifiers. The move is part of a broader vetting system used by the U.S. government as a means of enhancing national security. Since 2019, the United States has required visa applicants to provide social media identifiers on immigrant and nonimmigrant visa application forms, the embassy reiterated. We use all available information in our visa screening and vetting to identify applicants who are inadmissible to the United States, including those who pose a threat to U.S. national security. In an earlier directive issued on Friday, July 25, the embassy introduced stricter guidelines for applicants. All candidates for U.S. visas must now list all social media handles or usernames theyve used over the past five years. This is a mandatory part of the DS-160 visa application form, which includes tourist, student, and other nonimmigrant visa categories. Applicants are also expected to make sure that what they provide is correct and complete before they sign and submit their application. Visa applicants are required to list all social media usernames or handles of every platform they have used over the past five years, the embassy stated. Applicants certify that the information in their visa application is true and correct before they sign and submit. Businesses looking to hire students and alumni of SIU will connect at the Fall 2025 Job and Internship Fair on Sept. 16 at the Student Center. (Photo by Russell Bailey) Businesses, students and alumni welcome at SIUs Fall Job and Internship Fair by Christi Mathis CARBONDALE, Ill. Southern Illinois University Carbondales upcoming job fair will feature well over 115 businesses in search of top talent, with more still welcome, and the universitys students and alumni are invited to attend to pursue countless opportunities. The Fall 2025 Job and Internship Fair is set for 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 16 in the Student Center ballrooms. The universitys Career Development Center is hosting the fair and encouraging all who are interested to get involved. Additional businesses welcome Its not too late for businesses and other prospective employers to register for this semesters fair. Sign up online. Early bird registration is available through Aug. 15 for $375. After that date, the price goes up to $400. Businesses may still register the day of the event for $450. There are discounted rates for nonprofit organizations, government agencies and new employers. (SIU departments can register for free.) All employers registering at least a week in advance of the event will be featured in the handout students receive. Students, alumni wanted Undergraduate and graduate students from all academic programs are invited to attend, as are alumni. Admission is free for current students and SIU graduates. There are just a couple of requirements. All who attend are asked to dress professionally and bring multiple copies of their resumes. Resources and help available The Career Development Center offers a variety of services and activities to assist students in their search for a job or internship. Free professional headshots will be available from 9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. the day of the event across from the bookstore in the Student Center. Other assistance includes: Access to the professional clothing closet, where students can obtain one full professional outfit per semester for free. A walk-up resume critique event from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sept. 9 at the north end of the Student Centers first floor. Participants must bring a printed copy of their resume to receive on-the-spot feedback from the centers staff. JC Penney Suit-up Event, an online program where students can purchase professional clothes at a discounted price from Aug. 23 to Nov. 2 with the discount code available by texting SIU to 67292. More information Student volunteers are needed too. Students can sign up online and earn volunteer hours. For additional details about the Fall 2025 Job and Internship Fair, contact the Career Development Center at 618-453-2391 or careerdevelopment@siu.edu. Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - During times of conflict or instability, the media can deepen divides and incite violence by spreading propaganda and false information, framing stories in a biased manner, and depicting opponents as evil or less than human Former Barrington Village President Karen Darch (center) celebrates receiving the 2025 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award with former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar (left) and John Shaw, director of SIU Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. (Photo provided) Former Barrington Village President Darch receives 2025 Simon-Edgar Award CARBONDALE, Ill. Karen Darch, the former village president of Barrington, Illinois, was selected as the recipient of the 2025 Paul Simon-Jim Edgar Statesmanship Award for her three decades of practical, problem-solving and visionary leadership. Darch served as the village president of Barrington, a northwest suburb of Chicago, from 2005 to 2025, following a decade of service as a village trustee. Former Illinois Gov. Jim Edgar and John Shaw, director of Southern Illinois University Carbondales Paul Simon Public Policy Institute, announced Darchs selection today (Aug. 5) at the annual dinner of the Edgar Fellows program in Champaign. Its important to recognize that energetic and positive leadership is being demonstrated every day in cities and towns in Illinois. While much attention is focused on the battles unfolding in Washington, we should appreciate that good things are happening in our communities where leaders are working with engaged citizens to solve problems and build for the future, Edgar said. President Darchs public service has been important and inspiring. She developed a vision of her community and then worked diligently over three decades to make Barrington stronger and more vibrant. Shaw added that Darch fostered economic development, public safety and community spirit in Barrington. She was a strong and reliable leader for more than 30 years in civic organizations, schools and in public service. During her tenure as village president, Darch: Contributed to the development of a comprehensive plan for Barrington. Helped establish Barringtons White House as a cultural and community hub. Supported the redevelopment of village center, village hall and the public safety facility. Worked to secure home rule status for the village. Launched and advocated for more than 15 years for a major U.S. Route 14 underpass project. Served as president of the Illinois Municipal League. Served on the boards of directors of the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning, Northwest Municipal Conference and Metropolitan Mayors Caucus. In a recent interview, Darchs advice for future leaders was to focus on the big picture, know what to preserve and what to change, and always act with civility, patience and purpose. Darch and her husband, Doug, have six grown children. The annual Simon-Edgar Statesmanship Award honors an elected state or local government official in Illinois who has demonstrated a pattern of public service marked by vision, courage, compassion, effectiveness, civility and bipartisanship. The award highlights exemplary leadership across the state, inspiring current and future public servants to uphold the best traditions of Illinois governance. The Simon-Edgar Award was established in 2021 by Edgar, the 38th governor of Illinois, and Shaw, director of the Paul Simon Public Policy Institute. SIU Carbondale again earns national honors for assisting transfer students by Pete Rosenbery CARBONDALE, Ill. For a third consecutive year, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is receiving honors for its commitment as one of the nations top transfer-friendly institutions by an academic honors society for associate-degree granting colleges and universities. SIU Carbondale is among 251 public and private colleges and universities listed on Phi Theta Kappa Honor Societys 2025 Transfer Honor Roll, which recognizes excellence in the development and support of dynamic and innovative pathways for community college transfer students. SIU Carbondale is one of 21 public and private colleges and universities in Illinois on the list. Wendell Williams, vice chancellor for enrollment management, said the honor bestowed on the top 25% highest-rated colleges reflects SIUs commitment to student success and engagement, a pillar of the Imagine 2030 strategic plan. Three years in a row is a great accomplishment, Williams said. As an institution in this region of the country, being named to this honor roll carries special significance. Its a recognition of our dedication to serving Southern Illinois, the state of Illinois and the surrounding states. Williams noted that SIU Carbondale does everything it can to eliminate barriers, save students time and money, and provide seamless pathways to an affordable, high-quality bachelors degree at a premier doctoral university. SIU Carbondale is included on the Carnegie Classification of Institutions for Higher Educations lists as Research 1: Very High Spending and Doctorate Production and Opportunity Colleges and Universities Higher Access, Higher Earnings. Earning both designations places SIU Carbondale in rare company only 21 institutions, or less than 1% are both R1 and Opportunity. Josi Rawls, associate director for transfer relations in SIU Carbondales undergraduate admissions, noted that more than 1,200 transfer students enrolled in fall 2024, the most in more than five years. SIU Carbondale remains committed to helping transfer students pursue their educational goals, she said. Data shows this population achieves success at a higher-than-average rate, and Phi Theta Kappa members are among the best and brightest transfer students, Rawls said. We are proud to be named as one of the top transfer destinations in the country with this PTK Honor Roll recognition. As a newly named R1 research institution, with a commitment to access and opportunity, SIU Carbondale offers transfer students the unique chance to be a part of something big, Rawls said. Our continuous work to establish transfer credit pathways, expand scholarship opportunities and offer flexible modalities for transfer students will keep SIU Carbondale on the forefront of innovation in this field. The honor roll is determined by 40 key metrics related to the support and success of transfer students, including college cost and financial aid, campus life, admission practices and bachelors degree completion, according to the organization. The father of the suspect in the Madison School shooting was ordered to stand trial for providing the assailant with the guns that were used in the incident that killed two people. The defendant was identified as 43-year-old Jeffrey Rupnow, whose attorney is arguing that he could not be held responsible for his daughter's actions on the day of the shooting or the fact that he was the one who bought the guns she used in the attack. Father of School Shooter Stands Trial Rupnow appeared for his preliminary hearing in Dane County Circuit Court on July 24 wearing a black suit. He is charged with two felony counts of intent to sell a dangerous weapon to a person under 18 and one felony count of contributing to the delinquency of a child. The defendant's attorney, Lisa Goldman, argued that Rupnow did not physically hand his 15-year-old daughter, Natalie Rupnow, the guns that were used in the Dec. 16, 2024, shooting. This is the reason she claims makes her client not liable for the freshman's actions of taking them to Abundant Life Christian School, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Read more: Defendants in 2022 Hazlehurst Gang Shooting of Teenager Convicted and Sentenced The attorney said that the state's argument against Rupnow presumes that by telling his daughter the gun safe combination, he gave her a weapon. However, she argued that this was not what the law says about the definition of give. Despite this and other arguments, Dane County Court Commissioner John Rome still found sufficient evidence to move Rupnow's case to trial. The defendant's attorney said that at the time of the shooting, her client was at work on the west side of Madison. Giving His Daughter Guns While the two guns that were used in the shooting were legally purchased in Rupnow's name, he told investigators that he gave them to his daughter as gifts. While the teenage girl brought both handguns to her school, she only used one to perform the crime, WPR reported. The case stems from the teenage girl open firing at Abundant Life Christian School last year, killing teacher Erin Michelle West and 14-year-old student Rubi Vergara. She also injured six other people before eventually killing herself by shooting her own head. At the time, investigators recovered a 9 mm Glock handgun from the room where the suspect died as well as a .22-caliber Sig Sauer pistol from a bag that she was carrying. It also had three magazines that were loaded with .22 ammunition and a 50-round box of 9 mm ammunition, as per PBS Wisconsin. In a significant move aimed at further facilitating trade in Indian Rupees, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has simplified the procedure for opening Special Rupee Vostro Accounts (SRVAs). As per the revised guidelines issued on Tuesday by the Central Bank, Authorised Dealer (AD) banks will no longer be required to seek prior approval from the central bank for opening SRVAs of correspondent foreign banks. The RBI said the latest step was taken following a review of the earlier process, which mandated prior approval from the central bank for the opening of SRVA. "Based on a review of the procedure involved in opening of the SRVA, it has been decided to do away with the need for seeking RBI approval for opening of SRVA. AD banks can now open SRVAs of correspondent banks without referring to the Reserve Bank of India," the RBI stated in an official release. With the revised norms, AD banks have now been empowered to independently open SRVAs, which will significantly expedite the setting up of such accounts and operationalisation of rupee-based trade settlements. "The above change in procedure will considerably quicken the process for opening of SRVAs," said RBI This is part of RBI's broader push to internationalise the Indian Rupee and reduce dependence on hard currencies like the US dollar in bilateral trade settlements. The SRVA mechanism was first introduced in July 2022 for invoicing and settlement of exports and imports in Indian Rupees through a July 11, 2022, notification which noted,"In order to promote growth of global trade with emphasis on exports from India and to support the increasing interest of global trading community in INR, it has been decided to put in place an additional arrangement for invoicing, payment, and settlement of exports / imports in INR. Before putting in place this mechanism, AD banks shall require prior approval from the Foreign Exchange Department of Reserve Bank of India, Central Office at Mumbai." However, the central bank has reiterated that while the approval requirement has been done away with, banks must continue to adhere to all existing norms and due diligence procedures in line with the Foreign Exchange Management Act (FEMA) and KYC standards. (ANI) VMPL Bangalore (Karnataka) [India], August 6: In a market dominated by global labels and celebrity-endorsed products, one Indian company has quietly emerged as the hidden powerhouse behind baby hygiene: Novel Tissues Pvt. Ltd. Founded in 2016, Novel has built its reputation not through marketing noise, but through consistent product performance -- creating dermatologist-tested baby wipes trusted by Indian parents, pediatricians, and hospitals alike. With ISO and GMP-certified manufacturing units in Mysuru and Manesar, Novel now operates one of the largest and most efficient hygiene manufacturing ecosystems in India. From Goat Milk to 99% Pure Water -- A Full Range for Every Baby's Skin Novel is the pioneer behind India's first Goat Milk Baby Wipes, but their innovation doesn't stop there. With a deep commitment to skin safety and affordability, the brand offers a complete range designed to meet different skincare needs: * Aloe Vera with Chamomile Baby Wipes Infused with soothing botanicals for daily use. Gentle, hydrating, and mom-approved. * Goat Milk Baby Wipes India's first! Deeply nourishing and uniquely formulated for delicate skin. * 99% Pure Water Wipes Fragrance-free and ultra-pure -- ideal for newborns and babies with extra-sensitive skin. All Novel wipes are: * Paraben-free * Alcohol-free * pH-balanced * Dermatologically tested * Suitable for all skin types Made in India. Loved by Parents Nationwide. Novel's fully in-house production model ensures total control over every step -- from raw material sourcing to final sealing. This results in products that are hygienic, reliable, and consistent in quality. "Each wipe is more than just a product -- it's a promise of safety and trust," -- A.B. Doddamani, Director, Novel Tissues Pvt. Ltd. Built on foundations of research, innovation, and affordability, Novel has become a household essential not only in metro cities but also in Tier 2 and Tier 3 towns across India. The Baby Wipes Trusted by Millions Novel's wipes are sold under its own brand and also power OEM/private label partnerships with leading baby brands and marketplaces. Why Parents Are Making the Switch: * 4.5+ star ratings on Amazon, Flipkart, and Meesho * Gold & Premium Seller on major platforms * Customer Satisfaction Awards (2015, 2018, 2021, 2023) * Over 2 million packs sold every month * 1.2+ million repeat online buyers Yet, many don't realize: the wipes they already love might be made by Novel. Think You Haven't Tried Novel Yet? Think Again. If you're searching for: * The best baby wipes in India * Wipes with aloe vera, goat milk, or 99% pure water * Affordable, Made in India hygiene products for your baby ...then you're already searching for Novel Tissues. * Shop Now:noveltissues.com * Explore Our Baby Care Range: View Products * Follow Us on Instagram: @novel_tissue Media Contact: Novel Tissues Pvt. Ltd. * Email: partner@noveltissues.com * Phone: 9845398453 * Website: https://www.noveltissues.com (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by VMPL. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) A Philippines-India CEO Roundtable was held on Wednesday here in the national capital, where businesses from both sides participated to discuss bilateral trade. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and MoS External Affairs Pabitra Margherita also participated in the roundtable. Philippines President Ferdinand R. Marcos, on a five-day state visit to India, was also part of the meeting. "Discussions focused on promoting bilateral trade, boosting investments, and enhancing the Ease of Doing Business. We also emphasised on key sectors of collaboration, including health, pharma, IT, science & innovation, education, and agriculture," Piyush Goyal wrote on X after the roundtable. India and the Philippines on Tuesday decided to elevate their ties to a Strategic Partnership with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr agreeing for expeditious conclusion of the negotiations of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) between India and the Philippines for further promotion of mutual trade. The two countries agreed to enhance defence cooperation, with President Marcos thanking PM Modi for cooperation in the area of defence industry and export of platforms, including the BrahMos. The Diplomatic Relationship between the two countries was established in November 1949. Both countries are now celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Diplomatic relations. Economic and commercial engagement is an important aspect of the India-Philippines bilateral relationship. Bilateral trade between India and the Philippines reached 3.5 billion USD in 2023-24. There is a notable presence of Indian companies in the Philippines, in the areas of IT and ITES, health-care and pharmaceuticals, textiles, infrastructure, FMCG, chemicals, automobiles, agriculture, among others. India is the largest exporter of pharmaceuticals to the Philippines. Pharma exports from India to the Philippines have grown from 290 million USD in 2020- 21 to USD 460 million in 2024-25. For greater mobility between, both countries have eased visa norms. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday announced that India will be offering free e-visas to Filipino tourists, in a reciprocal move following the Philippines' decision to grant visa-free entry to Indian nationals. The Philippines has made visa-free entry possible for Indian tourists for up to 14 days. The Ministry of External Affairs later announced direct flights from Delhi to Manila, expected to commence operations from October 1 this year, in a significant step towards enhancing regional connectivity between India and the Philippines. (ANI) India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], August 6: Aptech Visa has reaffirmed its leadership in the immigration industry with a bold, client-first approach to securing Australia PR from India. As the Australian Government continues to favour skilled migration, 2025 is poised to be the most immigration-friendly year in a decade. With Australia PR now more accessible, efficient, and rewarding, Indian professionals across sectors are seeing a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and Aptech Visa is helping them seize it. "People don't fail to get Australia PR because they're unskilled--they fail because no one showed them the right roadmap. That's where we come in." -- Monika Thapak, Aptech Visa 2025 Migration Alert: Australia Welcomes 195,000 New PR Applicants The Australian government has confirmed 195,000 PR spots for 2025, with over 110,000 of those reserved for skilled professionals and their families--a golden opportunity for Indian talent. Whether you're a software engineer, nurse, teacher, engineer, or even a skilled tradesperson, Australia PR opens the door to: * Free school education for your kids * Medicare for your entire family * 100% work rights for both you and your spouse * Social security and Centrelink support * Citizenship eligibility in just 4 years With the Australian Government planning to welcome new immigrants in 2025, there has never been a better time to apply for Australia PR from India. With Indian professionals facing rising competition and saturation at home, Australia PR from India has become the escape route to success and peace of mind. 2025 Policy Changes: What's New for Australia PR from India? The Department of Home Affairs has revamped the system to make the Australian PR even more practical: * EOI Invitations Every 30 Days - Faster selection rounds. * New Regional Areas Open for PR - Think Cairns, Ballarat, and Orange * STEM & Healthcare Jobs Prioritised * Spouse Skills Count More Than Ever * Assessments Now Valid for 5 Years These updates are giving serious leverage to well-prepared Indian applicants, especially those guided by professionals like Aptech Visa. The Ultimate 3 PR Pathways/Routes for Indian Applicants in 2025 1. Subclass 189 (Skilled Independent Visa) - No employer or state sponsorship/support required 2. Subclass 190 (State Nominated) - Fast-track PR with nomination from an Australian state 3. Subclass 491 (Regional Provisional) - Work in high-growth zones with 15 extra points "Australia PR from India isn't just a dream anymore. It's a well-mapped path--walk it with an Aptech Visa." Timeline for PR Approval in 2025 * Skill Assessment - 1 to 3 weeks * EOI to Invitation - 2 to 3 months * Visa Grant - 4 to 5 months Total Time: 7-11 Months with Aptech Visa's expert process. Why Aptech Visa Is the Smartest Choice for Australia PR from India Aptech Visa isn't just another agency. We're your immigration partner, driven by real results, human insights, and a promise to turn complexity into clarity. With over 1,200+ approved Australia PR cases from India, our expertise is unmatched. Our support includes: * Personalised Profile Review * Skill Assessment Guidance * Strategic EOI Filing * Accurate Document Compilation * Error-Free Application Processing * Post-Visa Transition Support Real People. Real Results. Real Stories. Our clients are working in Melbourne, teaching in Sydney, running IT firms in Perth, and building families in Adelaide--all because they chose Aptech Visa to make their Australia PR dream come true. 1. "Aptech helped me get PR even after a previous rejection. I'm now working in Brisbane as a Data Analyst with full rights. I tell everyone--Don't try this alone." https://youtu.be/gljoB6c-RZ8 upload this video here -- Jasdeep Singh, PR Approval 2 "I applied for Australia PR from India with Aptech. They handled everything--EOI, skill assessment, visa filing--and now I'm living in Brisbane with my family." -- Kavita J., PR holder, 2025 Watch more success stories, click here Final Word: Your Australia PR from India Starts Now--Or Never This is not a trend. It's a movement. Australia PR is your chance at global recognition, better pay, a secure future, and an unmatched quality of life. "This year, you'll either regret waiting or honour your PR grant & celebrate your victory. Make the call that changes everything." Let's Make It Happen--Together -- Team Aptech Visa From profile analysis to post-landing support, Aptech Visa is your one-stop solution for Australian PR. Contact our Australia visa consultant at +91-928 928 9006 / 928 928 9007 or write an email at info@aptechvisa.com or Book a Free Consultation: Click Here / www.aptechvisa.com Australia PR from India? One Name. One Choice. Aptech Visa. Your future, our strategy. Let's make it real--together. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Visakhapatnam (Andhra Pradesh) [India], August 6: Steel Exchange India Limited (NSE: INE503B01021, BSE: 534748), one of the leading integrated steel manufacturers in South India and a trusted name in TMT rebars under the brand 'SIMHADRI TMT', has announced a strategic non-binding collaboration with Vizag Profiles Logistics Pvt. Ltd. (VPL) and Hind Terminals Pvt. Ltd. (HTPL) to explore the development of a General Cargo Terminal (GCT) and a Multi-Modal Logistics Park (MMLP) in Visakhapatnam. This collaboration marks a significant step toward unlocking cargo movement potential across both inland and coastal routes. The parties intend to jointly evaluate and pursue opportunities related to: -Operation of container trains from the proposed General Cargo Terminal (GCT) -Coastal shipping of cargo using domestic barges and containers -Rail-based inland transport for steel and general cargo -Development of end-to-end multimodal logistics services The proposed initiatives will bring together the strengths of all three entities: -SEIL's developing GCT rail siding, -VPL's established regional logistics infrastructure, and -HTPL's expertise in port-linked cargo operations. Together, the partners aim to improve logistics efficiency, reduce transit times, and enable scalable cargo handling solutions in and around Visakhapatnam. This agreement reflects a shared vision to build integrated logistics infrastructure that caters to both captive and third-party cargo movement. While non-binding in nature, the collaboration sets the foundation for detailed feasibility studies, pilot operations, and potential future commercial partnerships. For Steel Exchange India, the initiative is expected to significantly enhance supply chain efficiency, unlock value from its logistics assets, and support the long-term competitiveness of its core steel business. Commenting on the development Mr. Suresh Kumar Bandi, Joint Managing Director, Steel Exchange India Limited said, "This collaboration is a strategic step forward in our efforts to expand beyond steel manufacturing and strengthen our presence in infrastructure and logistics. With Vizag's growing role as a logistics hub, aligning our GCT project with the capabilities of VPL and HTPL presents a strong opportunity to enable efficient, multimodal cargo movement. We are confident this initiative will significantly enhance operational efficiency and contribute meaningfully to our long-term growth plans." (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by PNN. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Paytm Money, a wholly-owned subsidiary of One97 Communications Limited (OCL) and a wealth-tech platform, has partnered with JioBlackRock Asset Management to offer easy access to its five Index Fund New Fund Offers (NFOs), directly through the Paytm Money app. As a Direct Mutual Fund platform, Paytm Money offers zero commission on mutual fund investments, along with no hidden charges and zero cost on account opening. Following the successful debut of JioBlackRock's initial NFOs, which saw robust retail participation with over 7,000 successful transactions on the Paytm app, 45 per cent of these transactions were through SIPs. The new NFO opened on August 5, 2025 and will close on August 12, 2025. Investors can access Jio BlackRock Asset Management's five mutual fund schemes directly through the Paytm Money app: JioBlackRock Nifty 50 Index Fund; JioBlackRock Nifty Next 50 Index Fund; JioBlackRock Nifty Midcap 150 Index Fund; JioBlackRock Nifty Smallcap 250 Index Fund; and JioBlackRock Nifty 8-13 Yr G-Sec Index Fund. Index funds offer a simplified investment approach by providing exposure to the broader market without the need to select individual securities. Designed to track benchmark indices, they aim to deliver market returns with minimal costs and maximum diversification. Paytm Money continues to make investing more accessible by offering Statement of Account (SOA)-based mutual fund access, which offers users greater flexibility and control over their investments. Paytm Money offers a simple onboarding process, easy access to fund information and a fully digital investment journey, making it convenient for investors to explore, evaluate, and invest in mutual fund NFOs, all from their smartphone. The platform enables retail investors to invest in top-performing mutual funds with ease, helping them build disciplined financial habits with low entry thresholds. Backed by the combined expertise of BlackRock and Jio Financial Services, they aim to deliver global-quality investment strategies customised for Indian investors. These funds are also supported by Aladdin, BlackRock's industry-leading investment and risk management platform, which enables fund managers to make data-driven decisions, monitor thousands of risk factors, and manage portfolios with a high level of precision and transparency. A Paytm Money spokesperson said, "We are excited to partner with JioBlackRock Asset Management to bring their latest Index Fund NFOs to our platform. These funds represent a powerful combination of global investing expertise and cost-efficient passive strategies, perfect for long-term investors as well as those just starting their financial journey. With our fully digital and zero-commission platform, we continue to empower users to invest with transparency, ease, and confidence." A Jio BlackRock Asset Management spokesperson said, "We are pleased to make our index fund NFOs available on Paytm Money, a platform that aligns with our goal of expanding access to quality investment solutions across India. These funds offer investors a simple and low-cost way to participate in India's growth through diversified market exposure." (ANI) India PR Distribution New Delhi [India], August 6: CityHelpBook.com is a Made-in-India platform that asks you to help, not hype. It's the world's first "Help Engine", available in 150,000+ cities across 250 countries. A place where people post when they need real help--and heroes like you respond. On CityHelpBook.com, you'll find: * Posts from families searching for missing people* Urgent blood requests during emergencies. (https://cityhelpbook.com/event/detail/81)* Disaster updates and real-time rescue help.* Unemployed youth looking for a chance for job.* People helping the poor, disabled, and elderly.* Animal rescue cases.* Asking help in any city in world and helping hands will come.* Posts from people battling destress conditions.* Cleanliness drive or plantation drive organizing in your city. You won't find influencers here. You'll find impact-makers. This is True Desh Bhakti Desh bhakti is not one-day flag hoisting. It's not sending WhatsApp forwards on 15th August. Desh bhakti is saving the life of someone from your own city. So ask yourself: Will you be patriotic for a day or responsible every day? Done by Just ONE Person in 1.5 Months Here's the most shocking part. All the help achieved so far on CityHelpBook.com was done by just one person in only 45 days. * 5 missing people reunited with families* Blood given to those fighting for life* Support during the Ahmedabad Plane Crash* Animals rescued and returned home* Poor people connected with food and help* Jobs offered to the unemployed* Mental health support shared Now imagine... * What if 100 people joined? * What if your whole city used it? * What if India used it? * What if the whole world used it? Some of the advanced Features That Save Lives Advanced Search - Reuniting Missing Persons Globally Every time someone goes missing, the biggest challenge is cross-city and cross-country communication. But CityHelpBook.com solves this with a unique Advanced Search system. When you post about a missing person, their details (like name, age range, gender, city, country, physical traits, last seen) get saved into a searchable global database. Now, if someone finds an unidentified person anywhere in the world, they can use filters like: * Age gap* Gender* City/State/Country* Name (even partial)* Physical details (optional)* Language they speak This makes it easier to match found people with missing person records, increasing the chances of a reunion--even if they're thousands of kilometres apart. Instead of depending only on police or luck, we now have a global, citizen-powered search tool. Compatible Blood Group Matching - Real-Time Help, Real-Life Impact During emergencies, time is everything. And not every donor is a match. But CityHelpBook.com makes it easier to instantly find compatible blood donors in your city. When someone posts a blood request: * The platform shows only compatible blood groups* Automatically filters donors in the same city* Shows active users who may respond faster This eliminates confusion, delays, and repeated posting. It also educates users on which blood types can donate to whom, increasing chances of successful donation and saving lives faster. In a country where thousands die due to blood shortage, this system can be the difference between life and death. Your Internet Can Be a Weapon for Good We've built tools that save lives. But they only work if people use them. So let's raise not just awareness--but action. Let's replace vulgarity with values. Let's raise not just "stars" but saviors. Let this Independence Day mark a digital freedom movement--freedom from useless scrolling, and a commitment to daily digital seva. Why Is No One Talking About This? Because helping others is not viral. Because there's no nudity. No filters. No clickbait. Just raw truth and human emotion. But do you want your kids to grow up thinking likes are more important than lives? Or do you want them to grow up knowing that helping someone in need is the highest form of patriotism? This 15th August: Make a Choice That Matters Don't just wave a flag. Be the flag. Take a real pledge: "I will help people around me. I will respond to posts. I will not let my internet be wasted on nonsense when someone near me is crying for help." That's true patriotism. That's digital desh bhakti. How to Join the Movement 1. Go to www.CityHelpBook.com 2. Follow your city 3. See who needs help 4. Offer help or just share their post 5. Or post your own help request 6. Earn Thanks Votes. 7. Request your friend circle to join this too. This platform does not care about beauty, caste, followers, or fame. It only cares if you have the heart to help one more person today. Conclusion: The Future Is in Your Hands We all want a better world. We all complain when disasters happen. But complaints don't change anything. Actions do. This Independence Day, make your freedom count. Don't be the person who scrolls past pain. Be the person who stops to solve it. Let's stop creating influencers. Let's start creating protectors. CityHelpBook.com -- The Social Network That Saves Lives. (ADVERTORIAL DISCLAIMER: The above press release has been provided by India PR Distribution. ANI will not be responsible in any way for the content of the same) Chinese culture talent competition held for Nepali students Xinhua) 09:10, August 06, 2025 Contestants perform during the 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Aug. 5, 2025. The 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students was held here on Tuesday. Nearly 300 contestants demonstrated their talents through 10 Chinese songs and 10 Chinese modern and classic dances, drawing a frequent outburst of cheers and applause from the audience. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua) KATHMANDU, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- The 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students was held here on Tuesday. Nearly 300 contestants demonstrated their talents through 10 Chinese songs and 10 Chinese modern and classic dances, drawing a frequent outburst of cheers and applause from the audience. "Every word you speak, every character you write, or every cultural element that you're going to perform here today is a step toward building bridges between our two nations," said Badal Pradhan, principal of the Learning Realm International School in Nepal. "May this event inspire you all to continue exploring the history of the Chinese language and culture," Pradhan told the primary and secondary school students present for the competition, jointly organized by the Chinese embassy in Nepal and the Volunteers' Home for International Chinese Language Education in Nepal. A contestant performs during the 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Aug. 5, 2025. The 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students was held here on Tuesday. Nearly 300 contestants demonstrated their talents through 10 Chinese songs and 10 Chinese modern and classic dances, drawing a frequent outburst of cheers and applause from the audience. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua) A contestant performs during the 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Aug. 5, 2025. The 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students was held here on Tuesday. Nearly 300 contestants demonstrated their talents through 10 Chinese songs and 10 Chinese modern and classic dances, drawing a frequent outburst of cheers and applause from the audience. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua) Contestants perform during the 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students in Kathmandu, Nepal, on Aug. 5, 2025. The 11th Chinese culture talent competition for Nepali students was held here on Tuesday. Nearly 300 contestants demonstrated their talents through 10 Chinese songs and 10 Chinese modern and classic dances, drawing a frequent outburst of cheers and applause from the audience. (Photo by Sulav Shrestha/Xinhua) (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) A 14-year-old Florida boy turned himself in to authorities after fatally shooting both of his parents, leaving the community stunned and asking questions. Clay County Sheriff Michelle Cook said that the suspect, teenager Trevor Lee, got into an argument with his parents, 44-year-old David Lee and 45-year-old Brandi Lee, shortly before shooting them. Teen Turns Himself In After Fatally Shooting Parents The relatives, friends, and neighbors of the victims knew the couple and their son as a typical family. One resident, Kyree Bemon, said, "They were the best or one of the best families I knew. They were funny, and they treated me well. They told me they loved me like a son, and they treated me as such." Bemon added that he went to the Lee family's home nearly every week to hang out with the shooter, who was his best friend. He was seen on Monday afternoon praying in front of the house where the shooting of the couple occurred, according to First Coast News. Read more: Chattanooga School Reunion Cut Short by Shooting That Injured Several Attendees Cook said that the 14-year-old suspect apparently got into an argument with the two victims on Sunday night. Police officials added that Lee called 911 and surrendered at a nearby church after fatally shooting his parents. Bemon also noted that the last time he spoke with his best friend was around midnight, which was six hours before police responded to the shooting. He said that the suspect said he loved him and only called to say goodnight. Mental Health Issues Cook added that they will be looking into Lee's mental health background and history in school as part of the investigative process. Authorities also believe that the gun that the teenage shooter used in the incident belonged to his parents, Click Orlando reported. When Lee called 911, he said that they could find his parents' bodies at the house and revealed that he had just walked a mile to a church. He then said that he would be waiting for deputies to arrive so that they could take him into custody. The tragic incident raises more questions about gun access, adolescent mental health, and family intervention. The shooting also underscores broader national concerns regarding youth violence and the relative availability of firearms in homes. Police have been talking with Lee to find out where the firearm was stored, how he got access to it, and how he had knowledge about it. Cook added that there was no one else inside the home when the shooting occurred and that there is currently no danger to the public, as per Newsweek. Shortly after US President Donald Trump announced an additional 25% tariff on India, the Ministry of External affairs in its statement pointed out that India was being unfairly targeted for oil imports from Russia while countries like China and Turkey continued to do the same. In its statement the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA added. The MEA's clear indication is towards countries like China and Turkey that continue to source large percentage of crude oil or oil products from Russia. According to data by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air for June 2025, China has bought 47% of Russia's crude exports, followed by India (38%), the EU (6%), and Turkiye (6%). Turkiye, is the largest buyer of oil products and has purchased 26% of Russia's oil product exports, followed by China (13%) and Brazil (12%). The EU was the largest buyer LNG from Russia purchasing 51% of LNG exports from the country, followed by China (21%) and Japan (18%). The EU was also the largest buyer of Russia's pipeline gas, purchasing 37% of it, followed by China (30%) and Turkiye (27%). The data shows that India is justified in pushing its case of being unfairly targeted by the US Government in its latest tariff order. On Wednesday, the US Government slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump, hours after he mentioned raising tariffs on India, said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25 per cent "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. "They're fuelling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump told CNBC in an interview, as cited by Reuters.According to the report, he added that the main sticking point with India was that its tariffs were too high but did not provide a new tariff rate. On Monday, Trump had announced that the United States will "substantially raise" the tariff on India for buying large amounts of Russian oil. He claimed that much of this oil is being sold in the open market for huge profits. Trump wrote on Truth Social, "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" (ANI) 'Extraction 3' is surely in works, confirmed actor Chris Hemsworth. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Chris Hemsworth opened up about his upcoming projects, including the third installent of Extraction and Limitless: Live Better Now. "[Tyler Rake is] getting restless. We, the creative team, are putting together some different ideas and creative ventures of where we could take the whole place and the [third] film," Hemsworth shared. "But the intention is to certainly make another one. I don't know exactly when, but yeah, it'll be coming," he added. Released in 2020, the action thriller 'Extraction', directed by Sam Hargrave, was based on the graphic novel Ciudad by Ande Parks. Hemsworth stars as an Australian black ops mercenary who takes on a mission to save an Indian drug lord's kidnapped son in Dhaka, Bangladesh, but the mission goes awry when he is double-crossed. A sequel, Extraction 2 was released in 2023, with the main cast returning. Meanwhile. he is gearing up for the release of 'Limitless: Live Better Now' returns on August 15 with three new episodes, the first of which, "Brain Power," gives Hemsworth the unenviable task of learning the drums in just two months so he can perform live with Ed Sheeran in front of 70,000 people. The second episode, "Pain," has Hemsworth confront the root of his chronic back pain by training with Special Forces in South Korea. And the three-part capper, "Risk," finds Hemsworth climbing up a 600-foot dam in the Swiss Alps, which took the place of another exploit that had him surfing a 40-foot wave. Understandably, Disney and Marvel brass put the kibosh on his attempt to impersonate Patrick Swayze's Point Break character, Bodhi. (ANI) Sara took to Instagram and wrote, "My heart goes out to everyone impacted by the incident in Uttarakhand. Praying for safety, strength and healing for all (sic)." In another post, she provided emergency contact numbers to support ongoing relief operations. "Uttarkashi District Emergency Operation Centre has issued the following emergency numbers: 01374222126, 01374222722, 9456556431," read the message. Actor Sonu Sood also expressed his concern over the tragedy. "Heartbroken by the devastating floods & cloudburst in Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand. Prayers for every life affected. It's time the nation comes together -- while the govt does its part, we as individuals must stand up for every soul who lost a home, a living, a life," Sonu wrote on X. "What's happening in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand is heartbreaking," Bhumi Pednekar wrote on her social media post. Actor Adivi Sesh took to X and reacted to the incident, writing, "Praying for #Uttarakhand. Heartbreaking visuals." On Tuesday, the cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi district, sweeping away homes, shops and roads. Several people are feared missing. Two cloudburst incidents were reported, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, resulting in widespread destruction. Dharali bore the brunt of the damage. The region also experienced mudslides and further flash flooding. Due to the cloudburst, the road at Bhatwadi on the Uttarkashi-Harsil route has been completely washed out. The road towards Harsil remained blocked through the night. Dharali, the location where the cloudburst caused significant damage, is approximately 50 kilometres from the site. (ANI) His airport appearance was quite captivating as he nailed the salt-and-pepper look, donning an oversized grey sweatshirt that he paired with a grey hoodie and flowy pants. Akshay's comfortable yet stylish outfit perfectly blends casual streetwear and subtle statement elements. The black beanie and tinted sunglasses added a cool, understated edge to his relaxed airport look. Akshay also happily posed for the shutterbugs and briefly interacted with them in Marathi. Meanwhile, on the work front, in the coming months, Akshay will be seen in Priyadarshan's Bhooth Bangla. Bhooth Bangla is produced by Shobha Kapoor and Ektaa R. Kapoor's Balaji Telefilms, along with Akshay Kumar's production house, Cape of Good Films. The film is slated for a theatrical release on April 2, 2026. He also has 'Haiwaan' in the pipeline with Saif Ali Khan. The film will be directed by Priyadarshan. The shooting for 'Haiwaan' is expected to commence in August, and the makers are eyeing a grand release in 2026. Saif and Akshay were last seen together in Vijay Krishna Acharya's directorial 'Tashan', which came out in 2008. (ANI) Raksha Bandhan, also known as Rakhi, commemorates the connection of love and friendship between siblings. No matter how much you fight with your sibling, the purest bond you'll ever have with someone, without any filters, is with your sibling. The festival of Raksha Bandhan, which usually falls in August, is observed on the last day of the month of Shravan. The markets are decorated to their fullest with people thronging to buy rakhis and gifts for their siblings. Things are no different in Bollywood, where B-town superstars often set major sibling goals as they celebrate the special day in all its glory. As the country is all set to celebrate this beautiful bond between brothers and sisters, let us take a look at some of our favourite Bollywood siblings. Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan Sara Ali Khan and Ibrahim Ali Khan are among the most popular siblings of Bollywood. They share a close bond of friendship and are often seen setting major sibling goals. Whether it's their heartwarming social media photos or appearances at star-studded parties, the brother-sister duo never fails to steal the limelight with their strong camaraderie. Sara has always supported her brother and stood by his side amid the criticism surrounding his film Nadaaniyan. Suhana Khan and Aryan Khan Shah Rukh Khan's children, Suhana Khan and Aryan Khan, share a special bond. They both have an unshakeable bond marked by intense love, understanding, and support. Their friendship exemplifies the actual essence of siblinghood, from sharing happy memories to providing unwavering support during difficult times. They also have a very loving and caring bond with little brother AbRam. Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor Even though for many years Raksha Bandhan was about celebrating the love between brothers and sisters, the bond between sisters can be equally special and full of warmth, as B-town's Bebo and Lola, aka Kareena Kapoor Khan and Karisma Kapoor. They both stand for each other like strong pillars. This year has been challenging for both of them. Kareena's husband and actor Saif Ali Khan was attacked on January 16 when the accused, Shehzad, allegedly attempting a robbery, broke into his Bandra residence. During the incident, Khan was severely injured, suffering damage to his thoracic spine and other body parts. Actor Karisma Kapoor also suffered an emotional setback with the demise of her ex-husband and industrialist Sunjay Kapur. The businessman died after he suffered a heart attack while playing polo in London, United Kingdom, on June 12. Since then, Kareena Kapoor Khan and Saif Ali Khan have been making sure to be with Karisma and her children, Samaira and Kiaan. Janhvi Kapoor and Khushi Kapoor Born to actress Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor, the Kapoor sisters are setting major sibling goals. From their photoshoots to hanging out together, they have time and again proved that they have got each other's backs. Abhishek Bachchan and Shweta Bachchan Born to legendary actors Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bachchan, the siblings share an adorable bond that often delights their followers. Another adorable brother-sister bond is between the Pataudi siblings, Soha Ali Khan and Saif Ali Khan, who share many similarities in addition to their love for acting. With their phenomenal acting skills and their stylish photoshoots, Huma and Saqib also share major sibling goals. (ANI) Mamata Banerjee also visited Ramakrishna Math, Kamarpukur, and laid the foundation stone for the guest house, bhog ghar, and parking centre. "I also announced the formation of the Joyrambati-Kamarpukur Development Board, with a corpus of 10 crore to continue the ongoing developmental work. It was a poignant reminder of the timeless teachings of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahansa, Maa Sarada Devi, and Swami Vivekananda that continue to inspire and guide us.," she said in a post on X. "Later, I visited a flood relief camp in Arambagh, where I had the honour of serving meals in the community kitchen and offering comfort to those affected. From there, I travelled to Ghatal, which is reeling under devastating floods caused by incessant rainfall and the unilateral release of an unprecedented 51,000 lakh cubic metres of water by DVC," the post added. I ensured that rescue and relief operations are being carried out swiftly. Despite the financial blockade imposed by the Central Government, I assured the people that our Maa, Mati, Manush Sarkar remains committed to their well-being. The Ghatal Master Plan, worth 1,500 crore, is being undertaken, with 500 crore already allocated for the current financial year," the TMC supremo added. https://x.com/MamataOfficial/status/1952753992821264627 This is the fourth time a flood has occurred in Ghatal this year. Earlier on July 14, three people, including a 7-year-old school girl, lost their lives in severe flooding in parts of Ghatal due to heavy rainfall in West Bengal's Paschim Medinipur district. (ANI) Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) Working President KT Rama Rao on Tuesday raised concerns over the ongoing voter list revision exercise, particularly in Bihar, during a meeting with the Election Commission in the national capital. Speaking to reporters after the meeting, KTR said he had a detailed discussion with the Chief Election Commissioner regarding what he called a "serious intensive revision" of electoral rolls. He expressed apprehension over what he described as the "opaqueness" of the process and urged the poll panel to ensure greater transparency. He said, "We met the Election commissioner and his two election commissioners. We voiced our concerns regarding serious intensive revision happening in Bihar and to happen in the rest of the country. We have expressed our concerns over the opaqueness of the process followed." KTR added, "The Election Commissioner has said that they are following the due process. We have requested him to follow a more transparent process by engaging and evolving." On Tuesday, The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) formally submitted a detailed representation to the Election Commission of India (ECI), urging the constitutional body to address critical concerns affecting electoral integrity and a level playing field, the party said in a release. BRS party delegation, headed by Party Working President KT Rama Rao, met the Election Commission on Tuesday in New Delhi upon the Commission's invitation for an interaction. Rajya Sabha members KR Suresh Reddy, Vaddiraju Ravichandra, former MP B Vinod Kumar, and senior leaders Balka Suman and RS Praveen Kumar were part of the delegation. The representation, submitted to the Chief Election Commissioner, highlights four major issues: The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls underway in Bihar, the party's call for a return to paper ballots, the "repeated misuse of identical free symbols that dilute the party's identity", and "non-action" on past representations regarding violations of the Model Code of Conduct (MCC). BRS has voiced serious apprehensions over the "untimely and targeted nature" of the ongoing SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. The party termed the SIR exercise "unwarranted, particularly with elections on the horizon", and cautioned that it could "lead to large-scale voter deletions, especially among migrant and disadvantaged communities". BRS party observed that the "disenfranchisement of migrant labour, who move across states for economic survival, is deeply concerning. Documents like Aadhaar and Voter ID must suffice for voter eligibility". BRS has called for a "withdrawal" of the current SIR in Bihar, the institution of biannual, scientific, and transparent revision processes, the formation of booth-level all-party committees to verify deletions or modifications, and the prominent public display of voter rolls at regular intervals. The party warned that hasty revisions driven by unverified media narratives and partisan representations could undermine the universal franchise and the legitimacy of the voters' list. The party also expressed its concerns over the continued use of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs), citing growing public distrust and international precedents. "The BRS Party would like to voice its serious concern about suspicions over the usage of Electronic Voting Machines. Several media report to this effect have surfaced over the last few years. Many political parties, activists and voters have also expressed their concerns about the usage of EVMs," the BRS mentioned in its letter. The BRS party reminded that the world's oldest democracy, the US, and mature democracies like the UK, Japan, and Germany do not use EVMs for national elections. Quoting the German Constitutional Court's 2009 judgment, the party emphasised the need for ordinary citizens to verify crucial steps of the election process without specialist knowledge. The BRS urged the ECI to consider reinstating paper ballots, starting with the upcoming Bihar Assembly Elections in November 2025, to restore public confidence in the democratic process. The party once again highlighted the persistent "misuse" of free symbols that closely resemble its reserved election symbol - the Car. In particular, the party flagged eight free symbols - Camera, Chapati Roller, Dolli, Road Roller, Soap Dish, Television, Sewing Machine, and Ship - which, when displayed in small sizes on EVMs and ballot papers, are indistinguishable from the Car symbol, especially for illiterate and elderly voters. BRS said that in several past elections, including the 2019 Bhongir Lok Sabha election, "the confusion caused by these symbols led to an abnormal diversion of votes meant for the BRS, helping rival or independent candidates." The party demanded the immediate withdrawal of these eight free symbols, permanent safeguards to protect the visual identity of State Recognised Parties, particularly in states where they are dominant players, and institutional parity in the protection offered to National and State parties alike. BRS also expressed disappointment over the lack of timely action on its earlier representations during the 2023 Assembly and 2024 Lok Sabha elections. These included abusive and derogatory statements by leaders of rival parties, disparities in the Commission's response to complaints filed by BRS versus those filed against it, and inaction on Model Code of Conduct violations, including misuse of social media, hate speech, and politicisation of government events. The party appealed for an urgent re-evaluation of all pending representations and sought assurance of impartial treatment from the ECI. "We believe that the strength of Indian democracy lies in ensuring equal electoral opportunity to all recognised political parties. As a State Recognised Party that has played a pivotal role in the formation and governance of Telangana, we seek the institutional protection and fairness constitutionally due to us," the BRS noted. (ANI) West Bengal Assembly Leader of Opposition Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that his convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar district, and claimed the situation was grave enough that he might not have survived had he not been travelling in a bulletproof vehicle. He alleged that the attackers were "Bangladeshi Muslims" and described them as "arrogant." "I was in a bulletproof car, else you would have seen me in the postmortem house. The situation was very bad. They even broke the glass of bulletproof car. All of them are Bangladeshi Muslims, arrogant," Adhikari told reporters. Adhikari's reaction comes after his convoy of was allegedly attacked in Cooch Behar on Tuesday while he was on his way to meet the Superintendent of Police. Speaking to reporters, Adhikari said, "The Court had granted permission for the LoP and five MLAs to meet the SP. During our arrival, and later in Khagarabari, my convoy was attacked under the leadership of Udayan Guha (TMC leader), a state minister, and in the presence of police. I was with Nishith Pramanik in his bulletproof car, which was completely damaged in an attempt to kill me. Udayan Guha is solely responsible for this, and SP Dyutiman Bhattacharya has helped him in this... They brought in Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslims to attack us. After Bihar, SIR will be done in West Bengal too... I will see Udayan Guha and Dyutiman Bhattacharya in Court." He further alleged that democracy had "collapsed" in West Bengal. "They brought in the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslims to attack us. They were brought to Khagarabari. In Bihar, SIR was conducted, and they came to know that it would be done in West Bengal, so I was attacked. Cooch Behar is located near the Bangladesh border, and I raised my voice to remove the intruders, so I was attacked," he added. (ANI) The Enforcement Directorate (ED), while opposing a plea of alleged middleman Christian Michel James seeking release in the VVIP chopper deal case, stated that besides other offences, his extradition was sought for trial in the Money laundering case also. The ED filed a reply on Tuesday opposing the plea pending before the court of Special Judge Sanjay Jindal at Rouse Avenue court. The ED said that the plea is "misleading" and "devoid of any merits." It deserves to be dismissed. It is also stated that Article 17 of the 'Extradition Treaty' with the UAE not only permits trial for offences in respect of which extradition of an accused person is sought, but also for the offences connected. The reply of ED also mentioned that the reading of the judgement of September 2, 2018, passed by the Dubai Supreme Court, would show that besides other offences, Michele's extradition was also sought in respect of the offence of money laundering. The agency also stated that James was arrested in the money laundering case on December 22, 2018. The period of maximum punishment of 7 years has not expired yet. In this scenario, the provision of section 436A providing a release does not apply to the accused. On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had argued that Christian Michel James cannot be and should not be released without pleading guilty after framing of charges, he is an accused in. British National James seeking release from custody on the ground that he has spent a period in custody equivalent to a maximum punishment of 7 years. He is on bail in both the CBI and ED's Money laundering case, but still in custody due to non-filing of bail bond. He has to surrender his passport to the court, which has already expired. James was extradited to India on December 4, 2018 and was arrested by the CBI. Thereafter, he was arrested by the ED in the money laundering case. Special CBI Judge Sanjay Jindal heard the arguments on the application moved by Christian Michel James. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) Senior Advocate DP Singh, along with Manu Mishra, had argued that James shouldn't be granted release from jail just because he has undergone a period of 7 years in custody. It was further argued by the CBI's counsel that framing of charges has to take place. In case, even if, charges under section 467 (Forgery) IPC, not framed against him, he cannot be released without pleading guilty. Section 476 IPC has maximum punishment upto life imprisonment. "Only then can my lords say that his sentence is now over. Otherwise, he has to approach a constitutional court," the CBI counsel had submitted. On the other hand, advocate Aljo K Joseph, counsel for the accused, had argued that he was entitled to be released under the provisions of Section 436A of the CrPC. Special Public Prosecutor (SPP) NK Matta, who appeared for the ED. He submitted that the condition of extradition doesn't apply to the case of the Enforcement Directorate (ED) as he was arrested subsequently to the arrest by the CBI. SPP Matta also submitted that remission can be considered only after punishment. The seven years of punishment have not been completed in the ED's case. The court will continue to hear submissions on Wednesday also. (ANI) A top operative of the banned extremist outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), identified as Martin Kerketta, was killed in an encounter with police in Gumla district on Tuesday night, said an official. According to a Gumla, Superintendent of Police (SP) statement, "A top operative of the banned extremist outfit People's Liberation Front of India (PLFI), identified as Martin Kerketta, was killed in an encounter with police last night. He was carrying a reward of Rs 15 lakhs declared against him. Police teams received information about his presence in the Kamdara area." "When the police reached there, he, along with other aides, opened fire at the police teams. In retaliation, he was killed. A pistol has been recovered from his possession," said the police. A police official said that an operation is currently underway. Meanwhile, on July 26, the Gumla Police and Jharkhand Jaguar forces successfully eliminated three extremists affiliated with the banned outfit Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad (JJMP) in Gumla district. The encounter occurred on Saturday after police received specific information about the movement of the extremist group. District police and Jharkhand Jaguar forces launched a joint operation based on the intelligence input, leading to a fierce encounter with the extremists. Three JJMP extremists were killed in the encounter, and their identification is currently underway. Security forces recovered an AK-47 and two INSAS rifles from the encounter site. A search operation is currently underway to apprehend any other extremists who may have escaped. IG Operation, Michael Raj S said, "In an encounter with the extremist outfit JJMP (Jharkhand Jan Mukti Parishad), three extremists have been killed. Their identification is being done. Weapons, including one AK-47, were recovered. Police received specific information regarding the movement of this group; accordingly, a joint operation involving district police and the Jharkhand Jaguar was launched, and an encounter ensued. Search operation is underway." (ANI) 21SEEDS set the standard in flavored tequila when it burst on the scene in 2019, delivering flavor-packed tequila infusions that proved that there was room to innovate and disrupt the tequila industry with bold flavors, infused with the juice of real fruit. Designed to elevate cocktail hour with easy-to-mix libations, specifically margaritas, the 21SEEDS' award-winning portfolio of flavor-forward tequilas includes Cucumber Jalapeno, Grapefruit Hibiscus, and Valencia Orange - each a celebration of bold flavor. "'Flavor, For Real' is more than a tagline - it's an unapologetic declaration of what sets 21SEEDS apart," said Megan Green, Brand Manager of 21SEEDS. "We infuse our tequila with the juice of real fruit, and that commitment to realness is at the heart of who we are. As the category evolves, it is the opportune time to boldly reintroduce ourselves and our award-winning flavors that make easy, delicious, high-quality cocktails like the ever-popular margarita." 21SEEDS Infused Tequila is a super-premium blanco tequila, crafted and bottled in Mexico through meticulous double distillation and cold filtering. 21Seeds is produced at the renowned distillery Casa Maestri, creating a flavor forward, infused, smooth-sipping tequila. The result is a flavor-packed tequila that can help you mix a margarita in under 60 seconds, because a delicious 21SEEDS cocktail brings you effortless flavor without the fuss of extra mixers, muddling and ingredients. To bring "Flavor, For Real" to life, 21SEEDS collaborated with GALE to create a bold visual world and platform which will live across all assets, activations, imagery, and videos that deliver an expressive celebration of flavor. The flavor-forward content reflects the vibrancy and beloved taste of 21SEEDS' liquid. 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Valencia Orange x Orange 1.5 oz 21SEEDS Valencia Orange 4 oz Orange poppi Squeeze of lime Salt the rim Sunshine in a glass, where bright Valencia Orange 21SEEDS meets bubbly orange Poppi for a citrus-forward Poppi-Seed Sparkling Margarita that's light, juicy, and endlessly refreshing. Grapefruit Hibiscus x Strawberry Lemon 1.5 oz 21SEEDS Grapefruit Hibiscus 4 oz Strawberry Lemon poppi Squeeze of lime Salt the rim A tart and floral bouquet of grapefruit and hibiscus comes alive in this bold, balanced Poppi-Seed Sparkling Margarita with Strawberry Lemon Poppi adding a vibrant sparkle to every sip. For more information about 21SEEDS Infused Tequila, its full range of flavors, and where to find them, please visit 21SEEDS.com . 21SEEDS encourages all 21+ consumers to enjoy their easy-to-mix cocktails responsibly. About 21SEEDS Infused Tequila 21SEEDS Infused Tequila was founded in 2019 by visionary female entrepreneurs Kat Hantas, Nicole Hantas-Emanuel, and Sarika Singh. 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For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com . Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice. Celebrating life, every day, everywhere. PRESS CONTACTS Factory PR [email protected] SOURCE 21SEEDS WANT YOUR COMPANY'S NEWS FEATURED ON PRNEWSWIRE.COM? 440k+ Newsrooms & Influencers 9k+ Digital Media Outlets 270k+ Journalists Opted In GET STARTED Congress MP Hibi Eden on Wednesday submitted a notice for an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha seeking a discussion on the recent appointment of a judge to the Bombay High Court. In his notice, Eden raised concerns that the new judge previously worked as a spokesperson for a major political party, which has sparked questions about the judge's impartiality and independence. "That this House do adjourn its business to discuss a definite matter of urgent public importance, namely the appointment of a judge to the Bombay High Court, who previously served as a spokesperson for a major political party, raising concerns about the judge's impartiality and independence," the notice read. Eden, in his submission to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, stated that the appointment could undermine the integrity of the judiciary and erode public trust in the legal system. He emphasised the need for an urgent discussion on this matter because it is important for maintaining the judiciary's fairness and independence. Eden urged the Speaker to allow this motion so that Parliament can debate the issue thoroughly. "Immediate discussion is necessary to address concerns and ensure that the judiciary maintains its integrity and independence. In conclusion, the appointment of a judge with a political background to the Bombay High Court raises serious concerns about the judiciary's independence and impartiality. It is essential to discuss this matter urgently in the Lok Sabha to ensure that the judiciary maintains its integrity and continues to inspire public trust," the notice further stated. Earlier on Monday, Eden had also moved an Adjournment Motion in the Lok Sabha to discuss the arrest of two Kerala-based Catholic nuns and a tribal youth in Chhattisgarh on charges of human trafficking. Giving the notice to the Secretary General of Lok Sabha, Eden wrote, "To discuss the arrest of two Catholic nuns and a tribal youth. The victims have now lodged a complaint against Bajrang Dal activists, necessitating a thorough investigation. Given the gravity and implications for communal harmony, I request the House to adjourn its business to discuss this matter." (ANI) According to the police official, the murder occurred between 3:30 and 4:00 PM on Tuesday, when the son, Goldy alias Ravi, chased his father with a knife following an argument over the property, but was killed amidst the scuffle. ADCP Crime Rajesh Dandotiya told ANI, "A murder case came to light between 3:30 and 4:00 PM. A boy named Goldy, alias Ravi, from Ambikapuri Colony, started demanding his share in the property from his father. An argument ensued. Then the father said that he (deceased Ravi) took out a knife and chased him...in the scuffle, Ravi died." A team of police officers rushed to the spot, and an investigation is underway. "The family informed the police station. The team is at the spot, and an investigation is underway," the police officer said. Further details in the case are awaited. (ANI) The Indian Army refuted the social media posts and reports claiming a ceasefire violation in Jammu and Kashmir's Poonch region and stated that there has been no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control (LoC). In a statement issued on Tuesday, the Indian Army said, "There have been some media and social media reports regarding ceasefire violations in the Poonch region. It is clarified that there has been no ceasefire violation along the Line of Control." The false claim made rounds on social media on the Article 370 abrogation day on August 5. Meanwhile, on the abrogation day, the security forces continued their operation in the Akhal Devsar area of South Kashmir's Kulgam district for the fifth consecutive day. So far, one terrorist has been neutralised in the operation. On Saturday, security forces neutralised one terrorist during a gunfight that continued overnight in the Akhal area of south Kashmir's Kulgam district, Chinar Corps said. The joint operation was carried out by the Indian Army, Jammu and Kashmir police, CRPF, and the Special Operations Group (SOG). In a post on X, Chinar Corps of the Indian Army said, "OP AKHAL, Kulgam. Intermittent and intense firefight 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. Operation continues," post added on X. In an earlier operation by the Indian Army's White Knight Corps in the Poonch sector on July 30, two terror operatives were neutralised while attempting to infiltrate across the LoC. In its post, the White Knight Corps said, " Operation Shivashakti. In a successful anti-infiltration operation, alert troops of the Indian Army eliminated two terrorists attempting to infiltrate across the Line of Control. Swift action and accurate firepower thwarted the nefarious designs. Three weapons have been recovered. Synergistic and synchronised intelligence inputs from own intelligence units and JK Police led to a successful operation." (ANI) West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that through the special intensive revision (SIR) exercise of the Election Commission, a veiled attempt is being made to disenfranchise genuine voters and implement the National Register of Citizens through the backdoor. "Through the Special Intensive Revision exercise, a veiled attempt is being made to disenfranchise genuine voters and implement NRC through the backdoor. We will not tolerate this. We will resist every injustice. And we will stand by the people, now and always," Banerjee said in a post on X. The BJP has demanded an SIR of electoral rolls in the State, alleging nearly one crore Rohingya immigrants, Bangladeshi Muslim voters, deceased voters, duplicate entries, and fake voters in the rolls. "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," the leader of Opposition in the State Assembly and BJP leader Suvendu Adhikari said on Saturday. The Opposition INDIA bloc parties are critical of the SIR, arguing that the exercise would disenfranchise large sections of society, especially from the vulunarable communities. The Parliament has seen continuous disruptions, with the Opposition members protesting over the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar. On Tuesday, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh blamed the Centre for the deadlock in Parliament over the opposition's demand for a debate on SIR in poll-bound Bihar. "It is the responsibility of the Government to run the House. We extend our cooperation. But the responsibility for consensus doesn't fall on the Opposition; it is the responsibility of the ruling side, the government...Call the leaders of all parties and talk to them. Our demand is clear. We have given the Speaker in writing that the discussion should be held and the House should be run. We, too want to pass the Bills...We had been saying from day 1 that we want a discussion on two issues - Operation Sindoor and SIR, vote theft and the election process. Why are they running away from this issue (SIR)? Why are they not conducting a discussion on this?," he asked while talking to ANI. (ANI) Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking urgent discussion on alleged large-scale deletions and irregularities in the electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. In a notice to the Lok Sabha Secretary-General, Tagore claimed that more than 12 per cent of voters have been removed, and wrong names have been added. "That this House do adjourn to take up discussion on the large-scale deletion of names from electoral rolls under the ongoing Statewide Intensive Revision (SIR), particularly in Bihar, where over 12% of voters have been removed and unjustified inclusions have also been reported," the notice read. Tagore stated that this raises serious questions about the fairness and transparency of the voter list revision process, warning that these mistakes affect people's fundamental right to vote and damage trust in India's democracy. He urged the Lok Sabha to urgently discuss this important issue to protect citizens' rights. A day earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had accused the BJP-led government of running away from debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying that people elect representatives to the Parliament and the electoral process should be discussed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Talking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh blamed the government for the deadlock in Parliament over the opposition's demand for a debate on SIR in poll-bound Bihar. "It is the responsibility of the Government to run the House. We extend our cooperation. But the responsibility for consensus doesn't fall on the Opposition, it is the responsibility of the ruling side, the government...Call the leaders of all parties and talk to them. Our demand is clear. We have given the Speaker in writing that the discussion should be held and the House should be run. We too want to pass the Bills...We had been saying from day 1 that we want a discussion on two issues - Operation Sindoor and SIR, vote theft and the election process. Why are they running away from this issue (SIR), why are they not conducting a discussion on this?," he asked. Opposition parties have been forcing the adjournment of the two Houses of Parliament over their demand for debate on the SIR in Bihar. (ANI) The meeting of the Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) Bloc floor leaders is set to be held at 10 am today in the Rajya Sabha Leader of Opposition (LoP) office in Parliament to chalk out the strategy for the floor of the house. The ongoing monsoon session of Parliament has witnessed constant adjournments amid opposition protests. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked a political row, with the opposition INDIA bloc alleging that the revision process could lead to the deletion of a large number of voters. Both Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha have witnessed repeated adjournments over the opposition's insistence on a discussion on the SIR exercise in poll-bound Bihar. Congress MP KC Venugopal on Monday said, "We are protesting against SIR inside and outside Parliament. The Election Commission is systematically targeting the democratic values of this country. We expected neutrality from the Election Commission, but they are not doing so. The names of many voters have been excluded from the list in Bihar. How can a fair democracy run like this? We are going to reveal the serious malpractices of the Election Commission in Bengaluru on August 5". The Congress MP further said, "The INDIA bloc leaders are set to meet on August 7 in the national capital amid their demands to hold a Parliamentary discussion on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections". "There will be a get-together on August 7 in Delhi. INDIA alliance leaders will be there," Venugopal told ANI. The INDIA bloc members will be meeting over dinner at Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi's residence on August 7, sources said on Sunday. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju had said last week that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules, but there cannot be a discussion on Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, the Election Commission of India. "I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per the rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time..." Rijiju told ANI. On Friday, ECI released the draft electoral rolls for Bihar, following the completion of the Enumeration Phase under the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) 2025. It said the public has one month to submit claims and objections, assuring that "no name will be removed from the draft voter list without a stated reason". (ANI) Doubling down on her claim of harassment of Bengali-speaking migrants in the BJP-ruled States, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) notices are being issued to legitimate Indian citizens simply because they are from her State. "It is deeply unfortunate that a deliberate, systematic attempt is now being made to criminalise our language. Questions are being raised on whether Bengali is even a language," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. "Bengali-speakers are being hounded, hunted, and humiliated in BJP-ruled states. NRC notices are being issued to legitimate Indian citizens simply because they are from Bengal. They seem to have forgotten that without Bengali, there would be no National Anthem or National Song," she said. Trinamool Congress has been conducting protest marches in West Bengal against the alleged targeting of migrants in the BJP-ruled States. The first such marches were conducted across the State on July 27, after Mamata Banerjee had called for protests every weekend until the next year's Assembly polls at a Martyrs' Day rally on July 21. On Sunday, Banerjee 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 had 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!!" After this, the BJP hit back at her, suggesting that she be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting linguistic conflict. BJP leader Amit Malviya argued that her reaction to the entire issue was "misplaced and dangerously inflammatory", while adding that Delhi Police's letter does not describe Bangla as a 'Bangladeshi' language. "Mamata Banerjee's reaction to Delhi Police referring to the language used by infiltrators as 'Bangladeshi' is not just misplaced, it is dangerously inflammatory. Nowhere in the Delhi Police letter is Bangla or Bengali described as a 'Bangladeshi' language. To claim otherwise and call upon Bengalis to rise against the Centre is deeply irresponsible. Mamata Banerjee should be held accountable--perhaps even under the National Security Act--for inciting linguistic conflict," Malviya had posted on X. "The official language of Bangladesh is not only phonologically different, but also includes dialects like Sylheti that are nearly incomprehensible to Indian Bengalis," Malviya had said. (ANI) Authorities have successfully retrieved a truck stuck on the Gambhira bridge in Gujarat's Anand district, weeks after the bridge collapsed on July 9, claiming over twenty lives. The challenging operation was executed by a specialised marine emergency team, working under close supervision as the compromised structural integrity of the bridge was affected. Speaking to reporters on Tuesday, Anand Collector Praveen Choudhary said, "After the Gambhira Bridge accident, a truck was stuck here for a long time. It was a very challenging task to retrieve it as there were other constraints as well. No load could be used on the bridge. The structural integrity of the bridge was already affected. So the government contacted the Vishwakarma Group of Porbandar, Gujarat, MERC (Marine Emergency Response Centre)." "It is one of the finest with the best experts in marine salvaging in the whole of India. Their skilled team of 50-60 people stayed here on the Gambhira Bridge for the last five days...As soon as the testing was successful, they retrieved the truck," he said. On Tuesday, Chaudhary stated that the operation posed significant challenges due to the complex engineering and safety aspects involved. He added, "It was difficult to rescue the truck. Complex engineering and safety aspects were involved...Now the entire truck rescue operation is being carried out by the Vishwakarma Group of Porbandar. The team will use the main hydraulic stand jack and four pulling trucks.". He further stated that the setup to rescue the truck is almost complete, and authorities are prioritising safety and ensuring no lapses occur in the process. "A team of 50-60 people from the Vishwakarma group from Porbandar are working. Their priority is safety, as the operation has to be done from 900 meters away. It is expected that the truck will be rescued in the coming 2-3 days", the Collector added. A section of the Gambhira bridge, which connects Vadodara and Anand, collapsed into the Mahisagar river on July 9, killing 20 and injuring several others. Following the incident, Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel ordered a high-level inquiry into the recent bridge collapse incident. (ANI) Congress MP Randeep Surjewala on Wednesday gave a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, to hold a special discussion over 'the integrity of electoral processes.' Surjewala said there are serious concerns about the exclusion of vulnerable communities from the voter lists. He called for more transparency, safeguards, and fair procedures to protect the rights of these groups. He requested that the House pause regular activities, such as Zero Hour and Question Hour, today to focus on this important issue. "That this House suspend Zero Hour and the relevant rules pertaining to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss concerns about the integrity of the electoral processes. The House must deliberate on serious concerns about the exclusion of already precarious communities from the electoral rolls in the absence of adequate safeguards, transparency, and due process in their implementation," the notice read. A day earlier, Congress leader Jairam Ramesh had accused the BJP-led government of running away from debate on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, saying that people elect representatives to the Parliament and the electoral process should be discussed in Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha. Talking to ANI, Jairam Ramesh blamed the government for the deadlock in Parliament over opposition's demand for a debate on SIR in poll-bound Bihar. "It is the responsibility of the Government to run the House. We extend our cooperation. But the responsibility for consensus doesn't fall on the Opposition, it is the responsibility of the ruling side, the government...Call the leaders of all parties and talk to them. Our demand is clear. We have given the Speaker in writing that the discussion should be held and the House should be run. We too want to pass the Bills...We had been saying from day 1 that we want a discussion on two issues - Operation Sindoor and SIR, vote theft and the election process. Why are they running away from this issue (SIR), why are they not conducting a discussion on this?," he asked. (ANI) Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday gave a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha to hold a discussion on serious concerns related to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Chowdhury warned that this revision could lead to millions of people, especially migrant workers, students, and poor communities, being unfairly removed from the voter lists because of strict documentation rules. She pointed out that around 65 lakh voters in Bihar have already been left off the list. "This exercise poses a significant risk of disenfranchising millions, especially migrant workers, students, and economically vulnerable groups, who face insurmountable challenges in meeting the stringent documentation requirements. As of now, an alarming 65 lakh voters from Bihar are reportedly off the list. Despite public questioning, this exercise is set to be carried out as a nationwide effort," the notice reads. She expressed fears that the process lacks transparency and fairness, and some see it as a hidden citizenship test. This could harm vulnerable groups, particularly in rural, border, and migrant-heavy areas, by threatening their constitutional right to vote. Earlier in the day, Congress MP Randeep Surjewala gave a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha under Rule 267, to hold a special discussion on 'the integrity of electoral processes.' Surjewala said there are serious concerns about the exclusion of vulnerable communities from the voter lists. He called for more transparency, safeguards, and fair procedures to protect the rights of these groups. He requested that the House pause regular activities, such as Zero Hour and Question Hour, today to focus on this important issue. "That this House suspend Zero Hour and the relevant rules pertaining to Question Hour and other businesses of the day to discuss concerns about the integrity of the electoral processes. The House must deliberate on serious concerns about the exclusion of already precarious communities from the electoral rolls in the absence of adequate safeguards, transparency, and due process in their implementation," the notice read. (ANI) WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM), the trade association for the home appliance industry, today filed a First Amendment lawsuit in the United States District Court for Colorado to stop Colorado's newly-enacted law mandating a warning label on gas stoves, Colorado House Bill 25-1161. AHAM's lawsuit is seeking an emergency injunction to prevent the implementation of Colorado's new law taking effect on August 6, 2025, and shows the law violates the First Amendment by singling out gas stoves, and compelling retailers and manufacturers to warn consumers of alleged "health risks" and "health impacts" that have not been proven. According to the lawsuit, the overwhelming majority of available health research shows there is no association between gas stoves and adverse health outcomes, andmost criticallywhen evaluated collectively, fails to demonstrate causation. Indeed, the vast majority of studies conclude that the potential health risks of cooking with gas are no different than cooking with electricity. Because the alleged health risks from using gas stoves are not supported by scientific consensus, the law violates the First Amendment's protection against compelled speech. Absent the injunction AHAM seeks in its lawsuit, Colorado's new law would force retailers and manufacturers to stigmatize their own products by presenting consumers with biased and misleading information promoting only a minority scientific position. AHAM's lawsuit thus seeks to protect consumers from receiving biased and misleading information concerning these unproven health hazards. If allowed to stand, Colorado's law would set a dangerous precedent for compelled speech in consumer labeling, opening the door to other product labeling requirements that are not supported by scientific consensus and sowing further consumer confusion. Kelly Mariotti, President and CEO of AHAM said, "We strongly support science-based practices that protect consumers. What we are opposing is a state government compelling private companies to communicate a message that lacks scientific consensus. The First Amendment protects not only the right to speakbut also the right not to speak, particularly in a way that is misleading. If the labeling requirement remains in place, Coloradans may be persuaded to make decisions based on incomplete and unproven information." No study has found that gas stoves cause respiratory health issues. The United States Government Accountability Office recently surveyed the available scientific evidence regarding potential links between gas stoves and respiratory health and concluded, "there is no consensus." Imposing a mandatory warning based on unsettled science misleads consumers, stigmatizes safe products, and undermines the principles of free speech and fair commerce. AHAM remains committed to providing consumers with accurate, unbiased, science-based information and education to enhance the safe and proper use of home appliances. Mariotti added, "AHAM is a leader in coordinating stakeholders, including government regulators, standards organizations, manufacturers, and other experts across a range of fields, to drive product innovation and improve the safety and efficiency of the appliances Americans use every day in their homes. Colorado's new labeling requirement is a misguided effort to address unproven hazards. Requiring retailers and manufacturers to present inaccurate and incomplete information is likely to lead to consumer confusion, questions and unintended consequences. For these reasons, AHAM had to take a stand to protect consumers through this lawsuit." The Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) is the trade association representing manufacturers of major, portable and floor care home appliances and suppliers to the industry. AHAM is headquartered in Washington, D.C. and maintains an office in Ottawa. AHAM is the single voice providing the home appliance industry and its customers leadership, advocacy and a forum for action developing and implementing credible solutions for public policy, standards and business decisions. You can visit AHAM's web site at https://www.aham.org. SOURCE Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood described the 'Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees), Bill, 2025' as a historic moment, stating that the people of Delhi are happy with the bill, which has been introduced for their benefit. Speaking to ANI on the Education Bill, Delhi Minister Sood on Tuesday said, "The people are happy. It has been brought for their benefit. They (parents) can now attend the meetings where the fees of a school are determined. It is a historic moment." The Bill was tabled on the first day of the Monsoon session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly, which commenced on Monday and will continue until August 8. However, the session may be extended depending on the exigencies of legislative business. On Monday, while tabling the Education Bill, 2025, in the Delhi Assembly, Cabinet Minister Sood stated that the legislation seeks to end the commercialisation of education and take action against those exploiting it for profit. "Education is not a thing to be sold. This bill aims to halt the commercialisation of education. We are bringing the bill to take action against those mafias who are selling education..." Sood said while tabling the bill. The proposed law aims to regulate the arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the national capital, providing relief to lakhs of students and their families. This bill was initially scheduled to be presented during the special session proposed on May 13-14, but the session could not be held. Earlier on 16th April, show-cause notices were served to 10 schools regarding the arbitrary fee hike and to those schools that had not submitted their audit reports. The present Delhi government has already collected audited reports from 600 schools. The Delhi Legislative Assembly is set to convene on Wednesday at 2:00 p.m. to take up a range of issues, including the consideration of the Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025, and a short-duration discussion on alleged financial irregularities in a government scholarship scheme. (ANI) Congress workers, led by Telangana Chief Minister Revanth Reddy, along with state ministers, MLAs, and Corporation Chairmen, will stage a protest at Jantar Mantar in Delhi today over the 42% OBC reservation in Telangana's local bodies. Congress MP Chamala Kiran Kumar Reddy stated that the Congress workers would hold a protest at Jantar Mantar over the 42% OBC reservation in Telangana state local bodies. "Today, MPs of the INDIA alliance have invited everyone to come to protest at Jantar Mantar. Later, we are waiting for the appointment with the President tomorrow to meet her and explain the situation, what we have done in regard to the caste census, how we came to the conclusion of 42% which our leader Rahul Gandhi has promised during Bharat Jodo Yatra," he said. He further stated that the Telangana government conducted an OBC caste census, based on which a bill was passed in the state assembly to provide 42% reservation in the political system, education, and employment. The ordinance, approved in cabinet meetings, is currently awaiting the Governor's approval for submission to the President. "The state of Telangana, under the leadership of CM Revanth Reddy and also the ministers, MLAs and Corporation Chairmen, has come to Delhi. They are protesting at the Jantar Mantar in regard to the OBC Caste Census, which was done by the Telangana government, later decided to give 42% reservation in the political system and also in education and employment. This bill was passed in the Assembly. Later, it was also passed through the cabinet meetings and sent to the Governor. The ordinance is with the governor for the approval of the President," he added. Earlier on Monday, Congress MP Mallu Ravi moved an adjournment motion in Lok Sabha, seeking discussion on the 42 per cent OBC reservation in local bodies in Telangana. Ravi said that the Telangana government passed the reservation after a "scientific" caste census, but the Bill is pending the President's assent. "Our CM, whole cabinet, MLAs and MLCs are coming to Delhi to sit for a dharna at Jantar Mantar, putting some pressure on the Government of India to get the clearance from the President of India for these two Bills," Ravi told ANI. The Telangana OBC Reservation Bill aims to increase the quota for OBCs in local body elections to 42%, reflecting the demographic strength and longstanding demand of backwards communities in the state. Meanwhile, Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) MLC K Kavitha on Monday launched a 72-hour hunger strike at Dharna Chowk in Hyderabad, demanding urgent clearance of the Telangana OBC Reservation Bill that gives 42% quota for Backwards Classes (BC) in government jobs, educational institutions, and local body elections. Speaking to ANI ahead of her hunger strike, Kavitha accused both the Congress and the BJP of "playing with the destinies of OBCs of Telangana." "We have started our hunger strike for 72 hours demanding that the Telangana OBC Bill, guaranteeing 42% reservations for the OBCs, which is pending with the President, should immediately be given assent. Alternatively, there is also an ordinance pending at the Governor's level; we demand that it be passed immediately. Both Congress and BJP are playing with the destinies of OBCs of Telangana..." she said. (ANI) Ahead of the INDIA bloc meeting on August 7 at Rahul Gandhi's residence, Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut on Wednesday said that the agendas include Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "lies," Operation Sindoor and the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the voter list in Bihar. Addressing the reporters in the national capital, Sanjay Raut said, "There are many agendas, including the current situation in the country, Modi's lies, Pahalgam attack, Operation Sindoor and Bihar SIR." On Monday, Congress MP KC Venugopal confirmed the reports regarding the INDIA bloc meeting, and said, "The INDIA bloc leaders are set to meet on August 7 in the national capital amid their demands to hold a Parliamentary discussion on the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) exercise in Bihar ahead of the upcoming assembly elections". "There will be a get-together on August 7 in Delhi. INDIA alliance leaders will be there," Venugopal told ANI. Sanjay Raut said that party chief Uddhav Thackeray has been invited and will attend the meeting. Raut said, "On 7th August, there is a meeting of the INDIA bloc. Rahul Gandhi has extended an invitation for it. He has personally called up everyone and extended an invitation." Raut added that Thackeray will reach Delhi on August 6 and will be there till the 8th. "Uddhav Thackeray will come to Delhi on 6th August for the meeting on 7th. He will be in Delhi till 8th August. He will attend the meeting and meet everyone. He will also visit our new party office at the Parliament premises. We will try to meet the tall leaders in Delhi", he added further. While Shiv Sena (UBT) MP Sanjay Raut has been questioning the Centre over the Pahalgam attack, BJP MLA Ram Kadam hit back and said, "Will one believe the women who lost their Sindoor or the leaders of Shiv Sena sitting (UBT) in an air-conditioned room who don't know anything? The mothers and sisters explained with grief how the terrorists killed the victims... It feels like Uddhav Thackeray has given a script to his members. They should keep national interest before the party." (ANI) Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami arrived at the Joshiyada helipad in Uttarkashi. The Chief Minister is assessing the areas affected by the recent cloub-burst. The Uttarakhand CM surveyed an ongoing high-intensity rescue operation involving the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF, and local residents, where 130 people have already been saved. Despite challenges from damaged roads and a bridge, the Dehradun Disaster Operations Station is working round-the-clock to ensure safety. CM Dhami expressed gratitude for PM Modi's continued support and oversight. "All our agencies, including the Indian Army, ITBP, SDRF, NDRF and locals, are doing the rescue work. 130 people were rescued yesterday. A search and rescue operation is underway. Due to damage to the roads and a bridge, it has become difficult to reach the spot. The Disaster Operations Station in Dehradun is working 24 hours to provide all possible assistance. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely. I want to thank PM Modi for providing every possible assistance. PM Modi took the details of the rescue operation today as well...," he said. "10 DSP, 3 SP and around 160 police officials are engaged in carrying out rescue operations... Helicopters of the Indian Army are also ready. As soon as the weather improves, the helicopters will be used for rescue operations. Food packets, a team of doctors have been prepared. The work to restore electricity is also underway. Mobile network is not available in Dharali as of now. We are trying to reach the people. We are putting in efforts to rescue everyone safely," the CM added. Meanwhile, rescue and clearance operations are in full swing after a cloudburst triggered flash floods and landslides in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi district, blocking several stretches of the Uttarkashi-Harsil road. Heavy machinery, including JCBs, has been deployed to clear debris and restore connectivity in the affected areas. A team from the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) has also been deployed at the site of the incident. Due to the cloudburst, the road at Bhatwadi on the Uttarkashi-Harsil route has been completely washed out. The road towards Harsil remained blocked through the night. Dharali, the location where the cloudburst caused significant damage, is approximately 50 kilometres from the site. On Tuesday, the cloudburst triggered flash floods in Uttarkashi district, sweeping away homes, shops and roads. Several people are feared missing. Two cloudburst incidents were reported, one in Dharali and another in the Sukhi Top area, resulting in widespread destruction. Dharali bore the brunt of the damage. The region also experienced mudslides and further flash flooding. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued warnings for heavy rainfall across Uttarakhand, particularly in the hill districts. Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke to Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to take stock of the situation. "I express my condolences to the people affected by this tragedy in Dharali, Uttarkashi. Along with this, I pray for the well-being of all the victims. I have spoken to Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami and obtained information about the situation," PM Modi posted on X on Tuesday. Union Home Minister Amit Shah also assured all necessary Central assistance and directed the deployment of NDRF and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) teams. Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also extended support and spoke to CM Dhami over the phone. (ANI) Opposition parties on Wednesday intensified their protest in the Parliament against the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar, accusing the Centre of evading accountability. Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra questioned the government's reluctance to hold a debate, stating that the Opposition was "only asking for a discussion" and that the issue could be "easily resolved" if the ruling party was willing. Speaking to ANI, Priyanka Gandhi said, "Have they become so weak? They are neither able to run the Parliament nor respond to Trump...We are only asking for a discussion. It is easy for them to resolve this..." Soon after the Lok Sabha convened for the day, the House witnessed loud protests from the Opposition benches. Within two minutes, the session was adjourned till noon, with MPs continuing their protest outside. DMK MP Kanimozhi also voiced concern over the government's refusal to entertain a discussion. "We want a discussion about it in Parliament, but they are not allowing it. It is not that one cannot discuss election reforms in Parliament. We have to, as it is important for democracy," Kanimozhi said during the protest. Congress leader Gaurav Gogoi questioned the Centre's reluctance to clarify its position. "The government should tell what it is afraid of. If there is no discussion in Parliament on the electoral process, where will it take place? The government should tell the truth," he added. Congress MP Praniti Shinde remarked, "We want a discussion on SIR. But the BJP is not ready for discussion." Meanwhile, on Friday, Union Minister Kiren Rijiju clarified that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per rules, but there cannot be a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) as it is a process undertaken by a constitutional body, the Election Commission of India. "I want to clarify that the government is ready to hold discussions on any issue as per the rules. There cannot be a discussion on SIR because it is a process undertaken by a Constitutional body, and it is not happening for the first time..." Rijiju told ANI. The Election Commission of India (ECI) said that political parties had filed zero claims or objections since the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar on August 1, up until 6th August (9 AM). However, there are 3,659 claims and objections received directly from the electors with respect to the draft roll, said the ECI in a daily bulletin on the ongoing special intensive revision of electoral roll (SIR) in Bihar. Forms received from New electors on attaining 18 years of age or above are 19,186. As per the rules, the claims & objections are to be disposed of by the concerned Electoral Registration Officer/ Assistant Electoral Registration Officer (ERO/AERO) after the expiry of 7 days. As per SIR orders, no name can be deleted from the draft list published on 1st August 2025, without passing a speaking order by the ERO/AERO after conducting an enquiry and after giving a fair and reasonable opportunity. The Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar has sparked a political row, with the opposition INDIA bloc alleging that the revision process could lead to the deletion of a large number of voters. They have been protesting in the Parliament, demanding a discussion over the Bihar SIR, since the start of this year's Monsoon Session. (ANI) Trinamool Congress MPs carried out a protest in the Parliament premises on Wednesday over the alleged insult to Bengal. They held placards that read "Stop Insulting Bengal". They also held portraits of national icons from Bengal, including Rabindranath Tagore and Subhas Chandra Bose Trinamool Congress has been conducting protest marches in West Bengal against the alleged targeting of migrants in the BJP-ruled States. The first such marches were conducted across the State on July 27, after Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had called for protests every weekend until the next year's Assembly polls at a Martyrs' Day rally on July 21. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has alleged that the National Register of Citizens (NRC) notices are being issued to legitimate Indian citizens simply because they are from her State. "It is deeply unfortunate that a deliberate, systematic attempt is now being made to criminalise our language. Questions are being raised on whether Bengali is even a language," the Chief Minister said in a post on X. "Bengali-speakers are being hounded, hunted, and humiliated in BJP-ruled states. NRC notices are being issued to legitimate Indian citizens simply because they are from Bengal. They seem to have forgotten that without Bengali, there would be no National Anthem or National Song," she said. Earlier, Banerjee 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 had 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!!" After this, the BJP hit back at her, suggesting that she be booked under the National Security Act (NSA) for allegedly inciting linguistic conflict. BJP leader Amit Malviya argued that her reaction to the entire issue was "misplaced and dangerously inflammatory", while adding that Delhi Police's letter does not describe Bangla as a 'Bangladeshi' language. (ANI) The sudden death of industrialist Sunjay Kapur on June 12, 2025, at Windsor's Guards Polo Club has been medically ruled a natural death. However, the case has taken a contentious turn amid an ongoing corporate and inheritance dispute within the Sona Comstar family. Sunjay Kapur's mother, Rani Kapur, has formally approached UK authorities demanding a criminal investigation, citing "mysterious circumstances." According to sources familiar with the official postmortem report, Sunjay Kapur died of cardiac-related natural causes. The autopsy found a markedly enlarged heart with thickened left ventricular walls. Signs of mild coronary artery disease, while there was no contributive past medical history. Medical experts concluded the cause of death as Left Ventricular Hypertrophy and Ischaemic Heart Disease. In a clinical opinion accompanying the report, doctors stated that even mild coronary narrowing could impair blood flow to the heart, especially in the presence of left ventricular hypertrophy, raising the risk of arrhythmia or sudden cardiac death. There were no signs of external trauma, poisoning, or foul play, sources said. Recently, Rani Kapur, mother of Sunjay Kapur, has filed a formal criminal complaint with authorities in the United Kingdom, seeking a full-fledged probe into her son's death. She claims there are "unexplained circumstances" that merit legal scrutiny. "This is not just a family tragedy--it is a matter of unanswered questions," a source close to the family told this publication. "The UK police have been asked to examine all angles." Adding a layer of international complexity, sources confirm that U.S. authorities are monitoring developments, as Sunjay Kapur was a U.S. citizen. In her first public appearance since Sunjay's passing, Rani Kapur gave a tearful interview to ANI, saying, I still don't know what happened to my son. I am old now. I need closure before I go." She described the early years of Sona Comstar, a company she co-founded with her late husband, as "built with care, sacrifice, and love," asserting her continuing emotional and moral stake in its future, despite the company's claims that she had no involvement post-2019. "I am here to remind the world that our family's legacy must not be lost. It must be passed on, as my husband always wanted it to be," she said. Soon after her statement, Sona BLW Precision Forgings Ltd, the group's listed company, issued a sharp regulatory rebuttal through the Bombay Stock Exchange, dismissing her claims as "baseless and legally untenable." The company insisted that Rani Kapur holds no position and exerts no authority in any of its operational or governance matters. However, sources close to the Kapur matriarch say otherwise. Before going public, she reportedly sent a letter to the board alleging that she was coerced into signing legal documents behind locked doors shortly after her son's death, an episode she described as "highly suspicious." She further alleged that her bank accounts were frozen, leaving her financially dependent. She was denied access to company proceedings. Her request to postpone the Annual General Meeting was ignored In response, Sona Comstar has issued a legal notice to Rani Kapur, accusing her of spreading "false, malicious, and damaging" statements. The company strongly denied allegations of coercion, mismanagement, and financial manipulation, calling them "unsubstantiated and defamatory." Rani Kapur, citing her age and fragile health, has announced that she will refrain from making further public comments. "My legal team will take the necessary steps. I just want justice for my son and for the company we built," she said. (ANI) Following US President Donald Trump's tariff threat to India, Congress MP Imran Masood on Wednesday said India should respond strongly. Masood questioned why India is being threatened when other countries like America and Britain also buy oil. He called on Prime Minister Modi to take a firm stand against the threats. Speaking to ANI, Imran Masood said, "Does America not buy oil, does Britain not buy oil? Have you considered India so weak that you keep threatening us all the time? You are also giving concessions to China, but you will threaten India... We should take a firm stand. PM Modi should respond to this with strength." Earlier, US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) stated that he had no knowledge that the United States imports Russian Chemicals and fertilisers. The rebuttal came after India claimed that the US continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. When asked by the ANI about US Imports of Russian chemicals and fertilizers during a press conference at the White House, Trump said, "I don't know anything about it. We will have to check." The comment came a day after the US President announced that the United States would "substantially raise" tariffs on India over its purchase of Russian oil. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" Trump had said in a post on Truth Social on Monday. The US President's statement was strongly rejected by India, with the Ministry of External Affairs calling the targeting of India "unjustified and unreasonable." In a detailed response, India said its imports from Russia were based on market needs and energy security, especially after Western nations diverted traditional supplies to Europe following the Ukraine conflict. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday granted an interim stay on legal proceedings against YouTuber Elvish Yadav in connection with a rave party case, where snake venom and other illegal drugs were allegedly supplied and consumed. A bench of Justices M M Sundresh and Joymalya Bagchi issued notice to the respondents, including the Uttar Pradesh government and complainant Gaurav Gupta, seeking their response to Yadav's plea. Yadav had approached the Supreme Court seeking quashing of the chargesheet filed against him and the summons issued in the case. Earlier in May, the Allahabad High Court had dismissed his plea, observing that the allegations warranted a thorough legal examination as multiple FIRs had been registered in the matter. Today, the counsel appearing for Yadav informed the top court that his client has challenged the Allahabad High Court's decision denying him relief. The top court ordered an interim stay of legal proceedings against Yadav and issued a notice to the respondents in the matter. For reference, Elvish Yadav has been chargesheeted under Sections 9, 39, 48A, 49, 50 and 51 of Wildlife Protection Act and Sections 284, 289 and 120B of IPC and Sections 8, 22, 29, 30 and 32 of NDPS Act in the FIR lodged at Police Station Sector-49, Noida, District Gautam Buddh Nagar. A summons order has also been issued by the First Additional Chief Judicial Magistrate, Gautam Buddh Nagar. Yadav challenged the chargesheet and the proceedings on the ground that the informant was not a competent person to lodge an FIR under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. It is pleaded that no snake, narcotic or psychotropic substance has been recovered from the applicant. Further, it was pleaded that, "It is a well-known fact that the applicant is an influential person and appears on several reality shows on television, and inevitably, the involvement of the applicant in the instant FIR attracted great attention from the media. Consequently, influenced by the aforesaid attention, the police officers attempted to make the case more sensitive by invoking Sections 27 and 27A of the NDPS Act immediately after arresting the applicant. (ANI) Former AIADMK MLA VR Karthik Thondaiman on Wednesday joined the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) in presence of Chief Minister MK Stalin. Karthik Thondaiman reasoned that AIADMK is "not on right path" and accused his former party of "encouraging religious propaganda". "AIADMK is not on right path. I have different of opinion how AIADMK functioning. It have started to encourage religious propaganda," Thondaiman said after joining DMK. Along with CM Stalin, Thondaiman was welcomed into the party in the presence of DMK Principal Secretary KN Nehru, Organising Secretary R.S. Bharathi, Minister S Ragupathy and party spokesperson TKS Elangovan, according to a release. This marks a significant addition to the DMK's strength in the Pudukkottai region ahead of the state assembly election in 2026. Earlier CM Stalin met with Marumalarchi Dravida Munetra Kazhagam chief Vaiko to assure that the alliance against BJP and AIADMK remains strong. After meeting with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister MK Stalin, Vaiko said that his party was in support of the DMK-led alliance in the State. He also asserted that Hindutva forces, including Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP), would never be allowed to establish their hold in Tamil Nadu. "We are with the alliance. In the soil of Periyar and Anna, we will never allow the Hindutva forces- RSS and BJP in Tamil Nadu. We will fight till the end," Vaiko told ANI. "There won't be any coalition government. Tamil Nadu will neither opt for nor accept it. There will be an absolute majority for the DMK in the ensuing assembly elections. DMK will win on its own absolute majority." Earlier, DMK spokesperson TKS Elangovan trained guns on Tamil Nadu assembly Leader of Opposition (LoP) Edappadi K Palaniswami (EPS), labelling him as the "slave of the BJP". Reacting to the exit of expelled All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) leader and former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister O Panneerselvam (OPS) from the NDA alliance, Elangovan said that EPS wants to protect himself and his family and thinks that his leadership position would be "weakened" if people like OPS remain in the party. "The BJP must have thought that because EPS is with them, he would not accept OPS or something like that. When the Prime Minister came, he did not meet OPS, which may also be the reason. He doesn't want them to come back to AIADMK. He believes that if these people return, his leadership position will be weakened. EPS is not a leader; he is now a slave of the BJP," the DMK leader told ANI. One of the largest solar-plus-storage installations in the U.S., the landmark Eland project will generate 7% of Los Angeles's electricity and deliver homegrown, reliable power to more than 266,000 homes annually MOJAVE, Calif. and SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Arevon Energy, Inc., a leading American energy developer, owner, and operator, hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate the completion of the company's Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project, which is now fully operational. Arevon's two-phase Eland project, sited near Mojave in Kern County, is one of the nation's largest solar-plus-storage facilities, with total capital costs of more than $2 billion. Combined, the Eland 1 & 2 projects will be able to power more than 266,000 homes annually, and overall, can provide 7% of the total electricity requirements for the city of Los Angeles. Arevon developed and will own and operate the Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project, which has a total nameplate capacity of 758 megawatts (MWdc) of solar paired with 300 MW/1,200 megawatt hours of energy storage. Eland 1 reached commercial operation at the end of 2024, and Eland 2 recently commenced full operation together, the two phases comprise 1.36 million solar panels and 172 lithium iron phosphate batteries (LFP). The batteries, which were manufactured locally in Lathrop, California, efficiently and quickly discharge power during times of peak demand, strengthening California's energy security, especially in the face of extreme heat, brownouts, and blackouts. LFP battery technology also offers enhanced safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries. In commercial use since 2019, LFP batteries have had no reported fire incidents, making them the reliable and secure choice for utility-scale storage. Cumulatively, Eland 1 & 2 generated approximately 1,000 jobs to construct the facility, and the project is expected to disburse more than $36 million in local government payments throughout its lifetime, which can support schools, public services, and necessary infrastructure enhancements. Public officials, utility representatives, community leaders, and local stakeholders gathered to mark the project's operations at an on-site ribbon-cutting ceremony. Sharing remarks at the event were Mayor Karen Bass, City of Los Angeles; Trelynd Bradley, Deputy Director for Innovation and Emerging Technologies at the California Governor's Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz); Janisse Quinones, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Engineer at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP); Daniel E. Garcia, Executive Director at Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA); Scott Mellon, General Manager at Glendale Water and Power (GWP); Chris Hannan, President at the State Building and Construction Trades Council of California; Lorelei Oviatt, AICP, Director at Kern County Planning and Natural Resources, and Justin Johnson, Chief Operating Officer at Arevon. Kevin Smith, Chief Executive Officer at Arevon, served as the event's master of ceremonies. California is on track to achieve 100% clean energy by 2035, with 57% of the state's electricity already coming from renewable resources. Arevon's Eland project further advances California's renewable energy goals, particularly as the state works to phase out other technologies. "We are building a greener Los Angeles. The Eland Solar-plus-Storage Project alone will generate enough power to serve more than 266,000 homes in Los Angeles and push the city's clean energy share above 60 percent, a major milestone in L.A.'s transition to being powered by 100% clean energy by 2035," Mayor Bass said. "This is L.A.'s clean energy future I want to thank LADWP, Arevon, and all of the partners who made this occasion possible." "Bringing Eland Solar-plus-Storage online is a defining achievement for Arevon. Not only is Eland the largest project in our portfolio, but it also delivers reliable and affordable energy at scale and reflects our team's leadership in advancing California's renewables-forward future," Smith said. "Strong collaboration among the project's landowners and community members as well as our power offtake and financing partners was essential in getting us to this moment. We are pleased to deliver homegrown, stable, and secure power to Los Angelenos and contribute to the state's renewable energy goals all the while supporting local communities and investing in long-term sustainability." The energy generated and stored by Eland is under long-term agreements with SCPPA, who delivers it to its members, LADWP and GWP. "This celebration marks a critical step toward LADWP's accelerated goal of 100% clean energy by 2035," Quinones said. "The Eland project represents what we need to achieve this objective scale, energy storage, reliability, and innovation while demonstrating what is possible when public and private sectors partner to benefit our city and the environment." "Eland is a game-changer for Glendale. It's not just about clean energy it's about building a smarter, more resilient power grid that meets the moment. With cutting-edge solar and storage in one of the biggest projects of its kind, we're locking in affordable, 100% carbon-free energy for our community and setting the pace for what a modern utility should look like," Mellon said. "The Eland project exemplifies what's possible when public power agencies and innovative private partners work together to deliver transformative energy solutions. This milestone is not just about megawatts, it's about building a more sustainable, reliable future for the communities and members we serve," Garcia said. To date and this is just the beginning Arevon has contributed to several community-centered initiatives in the Eland Solar-plus-Storage project area. As the long-term owner and operator of the project, Arevon is committed to continuing its support for local programs throughout the life of the project. In partnership with the Safe Haven Kid's League of California City, Arevon has helped provide food security, school supplies, infant care items, and workforce reentry programs. The company also supports the I Love California City Economic Development Group, funding infrastructure upgrades and clean-up events for Balsitis Park to promote outdoor activities and community well-being. Arevon is a nationwide renewable energy developer and a leader in California with more than 3.7 gigawatts in operation, representing more than $5 billion in capital investments. The company recently issued other announcements celebrating achievements at several of its California projects, including the start of operations at its Peregrine Energy Storage Project, its Eland 1 Solar-plus-Storage Project, its Vikings Solar-plus-Storage Project, and its Condor Energy Storage Project. Arevon also announced construction proceedings at its Nighthawk Energy Storage Project and executed offtake agreements for its Cormorant Energy Storage Project and its Avocet Energy Storage Project. Condor Energy Storage in Grand Terrace received the North America Storage Deal of the Year Award, and Vikings Solar-plus-Storage in Imperial County was the recipient of IJGlobal's Renewables Deal of the Year Energy Storage Award. About Arevon Energy, Inc. Arevon is a U.S. energy leader committed to powering America with affordable, reliable, and secure homegrown energy. Headquartered in Scottsdale, Arizona, and with a regional office in New York City, the company's experienced and dedicated staff develops, finances, builds, owns, and operates renewable energy projects nationwide. With a strong track record in utility-scale solar and energy storage, Arevon is a trusted partner to utilities and businesses seeking cost-effective, sustainable energy solutions. By prioritizing American manufacturing and domestic energy production, the company invests in U.S. jobs, strengthens local economies, and advances the country's energy independence. Arevon owns and operates more than 5.3 gigawatts (GW) of solar and energy storage projects across 17 states, representing more than $10 billion in capital investment, and is constructing approximately 1 GW of new capacity. The company also partnered with local utilities to develop and build 480 megawatts of solar energy, ensuring each project was successfully integrated into their communities. Within the last two years, Arevon has completed more than $3.8 billion in project financings and closed on a $600 million corporate revolver to fund continued company growth. With a 9 GW development portfolio and continued investment in new projects, Arevon is solidifying its role as a leader in powering an American energy future. For more information, visit arevonenergy.com. About Southern California Public Power Authority Southern California Public Power Authority (SCPPA) is a Joint Powers Authority, created in 1980, for the purpose of providing joint planning, financing, construction, and operation of transmission and generation projects. Comprised of eleven municipal utilities and one irrigation district, SCPPA's Members serve more than 5 million Californians (2 million customers) across a service area of 9,000 square miles. SCPPA's Members supply 16% of California's power. SOURCE Arevon Congress MP Karti Chidambaram said on Wednesday that India should not take US President Donald Trump seriously when he makes impulsive statements on tariffs. Instead, the country should engage in sober and calm trade negotiations with the US, he added. "The more he (Donald Trump) makes these impulsive statements, the less serious we should take him. We should stick to our guns and engage in sober and calm negotiations. Even if it is long-drawn, we should come to some conclusion, which is in our economic and security interest," Karti Chidambaram told ANI. Amid the ongoing tensions over tariffs, US President Donald Trump on Monday announced that the United States will "substantially raise" the tariff on India for buying large amounts of Russian oil. He claimed that much of this oil is being sold in the open market for huge profits. Trump wrote on Truth Social, "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" Congress MP and Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on Prime Minister Modi for being unable to stand up to President Donald Trump because of a US investigation into the Adani group. In a post on X, Rahul Gandhi wrote, "India, please understand: The reason PM Modi cannot stand up to President Trump despite his repeated threats is the ongoing U.S. investigation into Adani." "One threat is to expose the financial links between Modi, AA, and Russian oil deals. Modi's hands are tied," the post reads. Meanwhile, India has defended its sovereign right to conduct energy policy based on national interest. "You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements, that we look at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation. We are not aware of any specifics," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week, answering queries on Trump's announcement of a penalty for purchasing Russian oil. (ANI) The Delhi High court on Wednesday heard submissions on behalf of Baramulla MP Abdul Rashid Sheikh, alias Engineer Rashid, who is praying for modification of the order imposing a condition to bear expenses to attend the parliament in custody. It was submitted by senior counsel on behalf of Rashid that he is unable to represent the people of his constituency due to this condition imposed on him. Engineer Rashid is seeking modification on the March 25 order imposing a condition to deposit Rs. 4 Lakh as expenses for travelling etc. The division bench comprising justices Vivek Chaudhary and Anup Jairam Bhambhani listed the matter for further hearing on August 12. Senior advocate N. Hariharan, along with advocate Vikhyat Oberoi appeared for Engineer Rashid. They submitted that he is seeking modification of the order regarding the expenses. Justice Chaudhary said that you are seeking a review of earlier order. The Court asked the counsel Tell us whether it is maintainable for modification or in review?? Can we hear or you to go before the bigger bench. Senior Hariharan said that I'm not challenging the merit of the order. I just want modification of the cost imposed. I am not challenging the order; I am not seeking review of the court. I am just seeking a modification, senior counsel submitted. Senior counsel Siddharth Luthra appeared for NIA and submitted that the order passed by the court was a consent order. The senior counsel for Engineer Rashid submitted that the interim bail was argued. We agreed for custody parole, not the cost of travelling. He was granted parole without a cost earlier. He was asked to pay the expenses from the third time. Earlier he was allowed to attend the parliament without paying any cost. The bench said that whenever the custody parole is granted, the expenses are borne by the person who got relief. The bench said that we referred to the supreme court order in Tahir Husain case. Stated has computed some expense. How can this be justifiable before us? On the last hearing, another bench has asked the counsel for Rashid to press the modification application before the concerned bench that had passed the order on March 25. (ANI) Lok Sabha MP from Daman and Diu, Patel Umeshbhai Babubhai, expressed disappointment over the repeated disruptions in Parliament, stating that the ongoing tussle between the ruling party and the opposition is hampering the House's functioning. "It is unfortunate that the House is not functioning. It is sad that due to the fight between the ruling side and the opposition, this is happening. Due to this, I could not raise any important issues. Even today, the Lok Sabha functioned for 1.5 minutes. I demand that the government withhold MPs' salaries if Parliament fails to function. The public's hard-earned money is being misused." Earlier today, several Members of Parliament from the INDIA bloc, including Congress leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, staged a protest in the Parliament House complex on Wednesday, voicing strong opposition to the Election Commission's voter roll revision in Bihar. The protesting members, including Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, held a banner which read, "The SIR: Demand discussion not deletion!". While speaking to ANI, Congress MP Priyanka Gandhi Vadra said, "Have they become so weak? They are neither able to run the Parliament nor respond to Trump... We are only asking for a discussion. It is easy for them to resolve this." Meanwhile, the All India Trinamool Congress (TMC) MPs also hold a protest in the Parliament premises with placards in their hands that read "Stop Insulting Bengal" Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Wednesday gave a Suspension of Business notice in the Rajya Sabha to hold a discussion on serious concerns related to the Election Commission's Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. Additionally, Congress MP Manickam Tagore on Wednesday moved an adjournment motion notice in the Lok Sabha seeking urgent discussion on alleged large-scale deletions and irregularities in the electoral rolls during the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in Bihar. (ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday quashed the recent Madras High Court order restraining the DMK-led Tamil Nadu government from using the names and photographs of current and former chief ministers in advertisements for state welfare schemes. A bench of Chief Justice of India BR Gavai, Justices K Vinod Chandran and NV Anjaria imposed a fine of Rs 10 lakh on AIADMK Member of Parliament, C Ve Shanmugam, who had filed the initial plea in the Madras High Court. It asked the Tamil Nadu government to use the amount in a state scheme for the welfare of the underprivileged. The top court also dismissed the writ petition pending before the High Court. "Time and again, we have observed that political battles should be settled before the electoral roll and courts should not be used for this," said CJI Gavai. The order of the top court came on a plea filed by the Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) party and the Tamil Nadu Government against the High Court order. The High Court in its interim order had restrained the use of the name and photograph of any living individual, photographs of former Chief Ministers and ideological leaders, or the display of any party insignia for government welfare schemes. The top court also criticised the conduct of AIADMK MP Shanmugam in singling out only the scheme of the TN government in his challenge when such schemes in the names of leaders were common across the country. Senior advocates Mukul Rohatgi and P Wilson, appearing for DMK and Abhishek Manu Singhvi representing the state government, told the bench that during the term of AIADMK, several schemes were carried out in the name of leaders. The bench observed, "The planting of schemes in the name of political leaders is a phenomenon which is followed across the country. When such schemes are floated in the name of all leaders of political parties, we do not appreciate the anxiety of the petitioner to choose only one political party and one political leader. If the petitioner was so concerned about the misuse of political funds, the petitioner could have made a challenge to all such schemes. However, singling out only one political leader shows the intentions of the petitioner." On July 31, the Madras High Court had restrained the Tamil Nadu government from using the name of any living personality in the nomenclature of new or re-branded public schemes to be introduced in the future. It had also prohibited the use of portraits of any former Chief Minister/ideological leaders or Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK) insignia/emblem/flag in the advertisements issued for popularising those schemes. AIADMK MP Shanmugam had approached the High Court seeking directions to restrain the state from naming welfare schemes after living political personalities or using their photos, as well as party logos or symbols in promotional materials. He had challenged the naming and promotion of the state's public outreach initiative titled 'Ungaludan Stalin'. He contended that a new scheme was being launched using the current Chief Minister's name, images of ideological leaders, and the ruling party's (DMK's) symbols, in violation of Supreme Court guidelines and the 2014 Government Advertisement (Content Regulation) Guidelines. The High Court in its interim order had observed that, according to the Supreme Court's earlier judgement, publishing the photograph of the current Chief Minister is permitted. It, however, said that using images of ideological leaders or former Chief Ministers is prima facie contrary to the court's directives. (ANI) The troops of the 4 Rashtriya Rifles have launched continuous and aggressive patrolling operations across high-altitude meadows and vulnerable forested areas to thwart any potential threat. With the nation preparing to celebrate its 79th Independence Day, the Army has adopted a zero-tolerance approach toward any attempt to disrupt peace and security in the region. The patrolling teams, equipped with advanced surveillance gear and supported by intelligence inputs, are maintaining a tight grip on sensitive zones to eliminate any possibility of infiltration or subversive activity. The Indian Army's presence has been visibly strengthened around key locations, including routes leading to remote hamlets and strategic heights, as part of proactive domination and area sanitisation drills. Furthermore, this year's celebration will mark the 12th consecutive time Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the nation from the Red Fort on Independence Day, making him the third Prime Minister after Jawaharlal Nehru and Indira Gandhi to achieve this milestone. (ANI) The Rouse Avenue court on Wednesday reserved order on the prayer of Christian Michel James for his release from custody on the ground that he has completed the maximum punishment of 7 years. The court has listed the matter for September 10. Special judge Sanjay Jindal reserved the order after hearing submissions by counsel for Christian Michel James and the CBI. During the court asked Christian Michel James, Why he is not furnishing the bail bond. James said that there should not be an onerous condition upon him when he has completed the maximum sentence of 7 years. On the point of bail bond, he said that he is not the same person he was three years before. He said his mother has passed away, his wife is not with him. Earlier, his business was running more or less. On the court query, it was informed that he had not been registered with the FRRO. His counsel submitted that he is staying in India without a visa. He may be arrested by the agencies once he comes out of jail. His passport was stamped with an entry. There was no visa stamp on the passport. The court asked CBI about the status of registration with FRRO. It was informed that the FRRO was informed. James's counsel said that information and registration are two different things. It was the duty of the investigation officer to get the registration completed. His counsel also submitted that, as per the extradition decree, section 467 can not be invoked against James. For this purpose, the CBI needs to seek permission from the extradition authorities in Dubai. It was further submitted by the counsel that earlier, it was submitted before the Supreme Court by the CBI that they had written to the authorities to get the permission. Advocate Aljo K Joseph submitted that it is clearly written in the decree, but CBI has not produced the decree before the court. His counsel submitted that James's passport has expired, he is waiting for the renewed passport, and the filing process has been completed. The court said that the condition of depositing the passport was diluted by the High Court in the money laundering case. The counsel for James submitted that the condition is there in the CBI case. The court may modify the condition. At this juncture, the counsel for the CBI, Manu Mishra, submitted that no application in this regard has been moved by the accused. The counsel for James further submitted that for the period during which he is not permitted to step out of India, it is the responsibility of the British High Commission to provide him with accommodation. Apart from it, he can apply for Indian citizenship or for permanent residency, the counsel suggested. On Tuesday, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), while opposing a plea of James seeking release in the VVIP chopper deal case, had stated that besides other offences, his extradition was sought for trial in the Money laundering case also. The ED filed a reply on Tuesday opposing the plea pending before the court. The ED said that the submissions on plea are "misleading" and "devoid of any merits." It was also stated by the ED that Article 17 of the 'Extradition Treaty' with the UAE not only permits trial for offences in respect of which extradition of an accused person is sought, but also for the offences connected. The reply of ED also mentioned that the reading of the judgement of September 2, 2018, passed by the Dubai Supreme Court, would show that, besides other offences, Michele's extradition was also sought in respect of the offence of money laundering. The agency also stated that James was arrested in the money laundering case on December 22, 2018. The period of maximum punishment of 7 years has not expired yet. In this scenario, the provision of section 436A providing a release does not apply to the accused. On Monday, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) had argued that Christian Michel James can not be and should not be released without pleading guilty after framing charges. He is an accused in the case where he can be punished with life imprisonment. British National James seeking release from custody on the ground that he has spent a period in custody equivalent to a maximum punishment of 7 years. He is on bail in both the CBI and ED's Money laundering case, but still in custody due to non-filing of bail bond. He has to surrender his passport to the court, which has already expired. James was extradited to India on December 4, 2018 and was arrested by the CBI. Thereafter, he was arrested by the ED in the money laundering case. (ANI) Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, on behalf of the Opposition parties, has reiterated the demand for discussing the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) in poll-pound Bihar in the Rajya Sabha. Writing to the Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh on Wednesday, Kharge said that the issue is of "paramount concern to crores of voters, especially those belonging to the weaker sections of society." The RS LoP also highlighted how the previous rulings by the Upper House's Chairman allow the house to discuss "everything under the planet, with one restriction." Sharing excerpts from his letter to the Deputy Chairman on X, Kharge wrote, "The Special Intensive Review of the electoral rolls is being undertaken by the Election Commission of India first in Bihar and to be taken up in West Bengal, Assam and other States. Opposition MPs have been repeatedly asking for an urgent discussion in the House right from the first day of the current session." "I, therefore, on my own behalf and on behalf of the Opposition parties in Rajya Sabha, am writing to request you to immediately allow a discussion on this issue that is of paramount concern to crores of voters, especially those belonging to the weaker sections of the society," his letter added. Urging the Dy Chairman to uphold the previous rulings of the Upper House's Chairman, Kharge wrote, "On July 21, 2023, the then Chairman of Rajya Sabha had given a ruling that 'This House is entitled to discuss everything under the planet with one restriction'." As Kharge called for continuing that tradition, his letter added, "You will undoubtedly appreciate that the Chair is a continuing entity. You yourself have quoted rulings given by the Chair over the past many years in support of some of your decisions. It is clear from this ruling of the Chair that the Rajya Sabha is entitiled to discuss the issue of revision of electoral rolls, which is of fundamental importance is our democracy." The "one restriction" on discussion, which Kharge mentioned, was regarding the discussing the conduct of any Supreme Court or High Court judge, except upon a motion for presenting an address to President praying for the removal of the judge. Earlier on Wednesday, while addressing the press conference, Kharge said that the Opposition is demanding discussion to flag "irregularities in the voter list and vote theft." "We want a discussion on the Special Intensive Revision exercise. Everyone has been continuously asking the Speaker, Chairman and the Government in a very calm manner that our votes should not be stolen. We want that we get a break to discuss this and the irregularities in the voter list and the theft of votes," he said. Kharge emphasised that the Opposition wants to highlight the "mistakes" in the SIR process and offer suggestions in the interest of the country. Discussions in Rajya Sabha are governed by Rules of Procedure and conduct of Business in the Council of States and Directions by the Chairman, Rajya Sabha under the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business. Also Article 121 of the Constitution states, "No discussion shall take place in Parliament with respect to the conduct of any Judge of the Supreme Court or of a High Court in the discharge of his duties except upon a motion for presenting an address to the President praying for the removal of the Judge as hereinafter provided." Meanwhile, the INDIA bloc and other Opposition parties have been raising the issue of the ongoing Bihar SIR both in and out of the Parliament since the commencement of the session on July 21. Opposition MPs have been repeatedly demanding a discussion, raising slogans and placards in both the houses, which has also led to repeated adjournments. Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla has also met with Opposition parties two times to discuss the possible avenues of resolving the "deadlock" in the house, urging Opposition parties to let the house function. (ANI) The Delhi government has launched the 'Swachhata Portal' as part of the 'Delhi ko Kude Se Azaadi' campaign, a month-long cleanliness drive aimed at making Delhi one of the cleanest cities globally. Delhi's Urban Development Minister Ashish Sood announced on Wednesday that under the "Delhi ko Kude Se Azaadi" cleanliness campaign, which runs from August 1 to August 31, the Urban Development Department has launched the "Swachhata Portal," said a release from the Office of the Minister of Education and Urban Development, Delhi. On this portal, any institution, government office, or Resident Welfare Association (RWA) can upload before-and-after photographs of cleanliness activities carried out in their respective areas. As per the release, Sood appealed to the people of Delhi to participate in this cleanliness campaign being run by the Delhi Government and cooperate in making Delhi a cleaner, better, and more livable city. He emphasized that Delhi is not only the national capital but also a reflection of the country. If we wish to realize the vision of a developed India, the first step must be to make a metropolis like Delhi clean, eco-friendly, and appealing. This requires collective effort and participation from all citizens. The Urban Development Minister further stated that as part of the cleanliness campaign, the Urban Development Department is organizing a competition for RWAs. Any Resident Welfare Association can participate by uploading photos of the cleanliness work carried out by them. Departments/institutions/organizations/associations/RWAs must first register themselves on the Swachhata Portal (https://swachhata.delhi.gov.in), as per the release. They are required to upload photographs taken before and after the cleanliness drives. Evaluation officials will examine the uploaded photos and will also conduct on-site inspections to assess the actual situation before awarding marks. According to the official statement, explaining the process of participation, Shri Sood informed that anyone can go to the Swachhata Portal (https://swachhata.delhi.gov.in), register their institution or RWA for the cleanliness competition, and upload the before-and-after photos of their cleanliness activities. The Minister informed that for the purpose of evaluation in the RWA competition, a committee will be constituted under the DM in each revenue division. This committee will inspect the cleanliness efforts of the participating RWAs. As per the release, thre prizes will be awarded as follows: First Prize - Rs 25 lakh, Second Prize - Rs 15 lakh, and Third Prize - Rs 10 lakh. The Delhi's minister also mentioned that the prize money won by RWAs will be used for developmental works in their societies and colonies. Sood added that the Department of Education in Delhi has identified 4,000 locations that require priority-based cleaning, and cleanliness work at these locations has already commenced. He urged that, in the spirit of "Each One, Clean One," every citizen of Delhi should contribute their shramdan to this campaign. Their efforts will not only make Delhi visibly cleaner but will also help in realizing the vision of a healthy and green Delhi. Additionally, he appealed to all citizens to actively participate in awareness campaigns like tree plantation during the monsoon season to help make Delhi a green city, as per the release. (ANI) The meeting focused on strengthening collaboration between Gujarat and NTPC in areas such as renewable energy, green hydrogen, nuclear and pumped storage, aligning with Gujarat's leadership in green energy under the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Sarit Maheshwari, CEO of NTPC Green Energy Limited -- a subsidiary of NTPC -- along with other senior officials, attended the meeting, as per the release. A day earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the expo in an event graced by Health Minister Rushikesh Patel. He also visited several stalls at the exhibition. According to the release, Pharma and Labtech Expo-2025 began in Gandhinagar, offering a dedicated platform for India's small and medium-scale manufacturers in pharma machinery, engineering, pharmaceutical formulations, and lab technology. The 20th edition of Pharma and Labtech Expo features concurrent events- the Contract Manufacturing Expo and the Raw and Packaging Material Expo. These segments complement the pharmaceutical products, machinery, and equipment sector, enhancing the overall value for industry visitors. The exhibition highlights key areas such as pharmaceutical machinery and equipment manufacturing, pharmaceutical packaging, laboratory and analytical instruments, pharmaceutical formulations, cosmetics, nutraceuticals, and APIs. (ANI) The Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha, Rahul Gandhi, paid last respects to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik in Delhi. Former Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot on Wednesday also paid tributes to former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik following his demise and said that the latter always raised his voice for farmers. "Satyapal Malik always raised his voice for the farmers and in the national interest. May his soul rest in peace," Ashok Gehlot told reporters. Former Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satyapal Malik passed away in the national capital on Tuesday after a prolonged illness. It was during his tenure that Article 370 was abrogated by the Central government, converting the former state into three Union Territories. Inspired by the socialist ideology of Dr Ram Manohar Lohia, Satyapal Malik entered politics in 1965-66. His leadership qualities were evident early on, as he served as the President of the Meerut College Students' Union in 1966-67 and later as the President of the Students' Union of the then Meerut University (now Chaudhary Charan Singh University) in 1968-69. He made his legislative debut in 1974, winning the Baghpat Assembly seat on the ticket of the Bharatiya Kranti Dal and was appointed the party's Chief Whip in the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly. His growing stature within the political landscape led to his appointment as the All-India General Secretary of the newly formed Lok Dal in 1975. In 1980, he was nominated to the Rajya Sabha from Lok Dal. In recognition of his long-standing contribution to public life, he was appointed the Governor of Bihar in 2017. A year later, on August 23, 2018, he took oath as the Governor of Jammu and Kashmir. Throughout his political career, he has held various significant posts, including Member of the Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly (1974-77), Member of Parliament in both the Rajya Sabha (1980-84, 1986-89) and Lok Sabha (1989-91), and Union Minister of State for Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism from April to November 1990. He also served as a member of the Panel of Chairmen in the Rajya Sabha and the Panel of Speakers in the Lok Sabha during his tenure. (ANI) Armitron Donates 50 Watches to Girls Inc. Staff Who Inspire Confidence, Courage, and Success Among Young Women NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- In celebration of its 50th anniversary in 2025, Armitron (https://www.armitron.com/), the beloved American watch brand known for timeless style and purpose-driven values, is proud to announce the donation of 50 watches to Girls Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to inspiring all girls to be strong, smart, and bold. Girls Inc. As part of Armitron's year-long initiative to support organizations aligned with its core pillarskindness, wellness, sustainability, and women's empowermentthis donation highlights Girls Inc.'s vital role in building brighter futures by supporting girls in developing the skills they need to thrive. "Girls Inc. is shaping the next generation of fearless female leaders, and we're honored to support their mission," said Bobbie Weichselbaum, CEO of E. Gluck Corporation. "These watches are more than just accessoriesthey're a symbol of empowerment, a boost of confidence, and a reminder that every girl's time is now." Serving girls across the U.S. and Canada, Girls Inc. equips participants with life skills, leadership tools, and a supportive network to help them thrive academically, socially, and emotionally. "This meaningful gift from Armitron reminds staff that the time they spend supporting girls in reaching their fullest potential is invaluable," said Tiffany Trotter, Chief People & Culture Officer. "We're grateful for partners who champion our mission and celebrate our staff and the success of girls." The donation is part of Armitron's 50th-anniversary "Gives Back" campaign, through which the brand is donating 50 watches each month in 2025 to organizations making a difference in communities nationwide. Contact: Gabriella Avedissian [email protected] Armitron Marketing 718.482.2700 x Ext.1335 SOURCE Armitron The Delhi Police have solved the case of the gold chain snatching of Tamil Nadu MP R Sudha in Chanakyapuri, arresting one accused person, officials said on Wednesday. The stolen item has been recovered too. After the Delhi Police posted about the case being solved on X, Congress MP from Tamil Nadu, R Sudha expressed gratitude for the arrest of the accused, but also hoped that the "common man gets the same treatment." "The case of snatching of chain of Hon'ble Member of Parliament has been solved. The accused has been arrested and the chain has been recovered. More details shall be shared in due course," Delhi Police posted on X. Reacting to the update, the MP told ANI outside Parliament, "I am happy and thank Delhi Police, especially DCP, Commissioner. This is not a one case, there are so many pending cases like this. The police arrested the accused. I hope every common man gets the same treatment, same action." On August 4, when MP R Sudha, along with another MP Rajathi were walking near Gates 3 and 4 of the Polish Embassy, a man wearing a full helmet, riding a two-wheeler, approached them from the opposite direction and snatched the gold chain before fleeing the spot. The Parliamentarian had written to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, recounting the attack which took place between 6:15 am and 6:20 a.m on Monday. Earlier on Monday, the Congress MP, while recounting her chain-snatching incident, alleged that there is no safety for women in this country. She slammed the Delhi government, saying that the incident happened when a woman was serving as the Chief Minister. "I am still in shock. There is no safety for women in this country. I am thinking about the common women, where will they go? A woman CM is ruling this state. Where is the safety and security? Had he slit my neck, I would have died on spot," the MP told ANI. On the same day, party leader Priyanka Gandhi Vadra also expressed surprise over the incident. The incident had sparked concern over safety lapses in the capital city, especially given the area's reputation for being secure due to the presence of several embassies and VIP residences. (ANI) The Centre has taken steps to repair the Kamalpur-Khowai National Highway in Tripura, following the intervention of Chief Minister Manik Saha. The highway, which is in poor condition, 12 km crucial alternative road in the state. CM Saha had written to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, on May 10, highlighting the need for renovation. A delegation from the Central Road Research Institute (CRRI) inspected the road from June 23 to June 27 and is expected to submit a detailed report by August 15. As per the instructions of the Union Minister, the Managing Director of NHIDCL, Dr Krishna Kumar, will visit the state on August 10 to review the construction and repair work of various National Highways. CM Saha has repeatedly drawn the attention of the Union Ministry to the urgent need for renovation and has personally discussed the matter with the Union Minister. He has also personally discussed the matter several times over the phone with the Union Minister. Additionally, the Chief Minister has directed the Secretary of the Public Works Department, Kiran Gitte, to pay special attention to this issue and to take necessary steps in coordination with the central authorities. Earlier, on July 21, in a proactive effort to review ongoing urban development initiatives, Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha visited multiple areas across Agartala City, engaging directly with local residents, many of whom had supported him electorally to listen to their day-to-day concerns and gather suggestions firsthand. Speaking to ANI during the visit, CM Saha said, "I came here two months ago with all key stakeholders, including the Municipal Mayor. Today, I returned to follow up on the progress. Work is ongoing on the city's drainage system, and beautification efforts are in full swing." Highlighting the importance of on-ground inspections, the Chief Minister added, "There are major drains in Agartala, including the Kalapani drain, which stretches about 2.5 kilometres and even reaches into Bangladesh. We conducted an extensive inspection for nearly two hours today. It is not acceptable that ministers or MLAs stop visiting project sites once elected, we must lead from the front." CM Saha informed that between January and July 2025, developmental projects worth around Rs 600 crore have been launched in Tripura, covering foundation works and various infrastructure initiatives. He stressed that the government's focus is not confined to Agartala alone."Our goal is inclusive development across Tripura. We are working with full dedication and speed to ensure that every corner of the state witnesses tangible progress," Tripura CM added. (ANI) In a post on X, Kanak Vardhan said, "Had the honour of meeting Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi ji in New Delhi. A moment of profound gratitude, reflection, and shared commitment to building a Viksit Bharat with Odisha's unique spirit and contributions at its heart." https://x.com/KVSinghDeo1/status/1953033938076668219 He also presented sacred Mahaprasad from Shri Jagannath Dham--a symbol of unity, humility, and divine grace. "Presented sacred Mahaprasad from Shri Jagannath Dham--a symbol of unity, humility, and divine grace. It carries the blessings of millions of devotees and the timeless legacy of our land. May Mahaprabhu Jagannath continue to guide our collective journey towards an empowered, inclusive, and culturally enriched India," the post later added. Last month, Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the national capital and discussed the ongoing developmental activities, future strategies, and coordination between the centre and the state. "Today, I had the privilege of meeting the Prime Minister Narendra Modi. I am grateful for his inspiration and unwavering support for Odisha's development," the Odisha CM posted on X.(ANI) The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to file its response by August 9 on a fresh application of an NGO seeking disclosure of data of 65 lakh voters who were not included in the Bihar draft electoral roll after Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for an NGO, mentioned the matter before the apex court, saying no specific information has been given on who is dead and who has permanently migrated out. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh asked the counsel for the Election Commission to furnish the details of deleted voters, the data which has been shared with the political parties, and give a copy to the NGO. The Election Commission said all requisite information had been given to political parties. The bench told Bhushan that the reason for deletion would come in the subsequent time, as it is now only a draft list. However, Bhushan said that some political parties have been given a list of deleted voters, but they have not further clarified whether the voter is dead or has migrated. "We will see every voter likely to be affected and get the required information. You (ECI) file a reply by Saturday and let Mr Bhushan look at it, and then we can see what is disclosed and what is not disclosed," Justice Kant said. Association For Democratic Reforms, the NGO, which has challenged the June 24 order of the poll panel directing the SIR of electoral rolls in Bihar, now sought direction from the ECI to publish the names of around 65 lakh deleted voters with a mention whether they are dead, permanently migrated or not considered for any other reason. Bhushan claimed that 75 per cent of voters, who have filled the enumeration form, have not furnished any supporting documents mentioned in the list of 11 documents, and their names were included on the recommendation of the Booth Level Officer (BLO) of the Election Commission. The apex court said it is starting the hearing on a batch of petitions challenging the June 24 order of the poll panel on August 12, and the NGO can make these averments on that day. "The application seeks direction for the ECI to publish a full and final assembly constituency and part/booth wise list of names and details of approx 65 lakh electors whose Enumeration Forms were not submitted along with reasons for non-submission (death, permanently shifted, duplicate, untraceable etc.)," the application stated. It further sought direction "to direct the ECI to publish an assembly constituency and part/booth wise list of electors on the Draft Electoral Rolls published on August 1, 2025, whose Enumeration Forms have been marked "not recommended by the BLOs"." The top court has fixed the hearing on August 12 and 13 of a batch of pleas challenging the Election Commission of India's move to conduct SIR of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar. The petitions challenging the ECI decision were filed by RJD MP Manoj Jha, ADR, PUCL, activist Yogendra Yadav, Trinamool MP Mahua Moitra, and former Bihar MLA Mujahid Alam. The petitions sought direction to quash the ECI's June 24 directive that requires large sections of voters in Bihar to submit proof of citizenship to remain on the electoral rolls. ADR, in its petition, has submitted that the ECI order imposes fresh documentation requirements and shifts the burden of proof from the state to the citizen. The petition also raised concerns over the exclusion of widely held documents like Aadhaar and ration cards, stating that this would disproportionately affect the poor and marginalised voters, especially in rural Bihar. (ANI) Trinamool Congress (TMC) MP Shatrughan Sinha on Wednesday claimed that the Central government has conspired to conduct Special Intensive Revision in Bihar as it fears the rising popularity of RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav. Speaking to ANI, TMC MP Sinha said, "Parliament will not function because it is the demand of the country, and SIR is a conspiracy of the government. The Election Commission of India has changed the goalpost. Names of 65 lakh voters have been removed from the voters' list...Given the popularity of West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Tejashwi Yadav, the conspiracy of SIR is being done...The government does not want Parliament to function because they do not want to answer many questions." The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked the Election Commission to file its response by August 9 on a fresh application of an NGO seeking disclosure of data of 65 lakh voters who were not included in the Bihar draft electoral roll after Special Intensive Revision (SIR). Advocate Prashant Bhushan, appearing for an NGO, mentioned the matter before the apex court, saying no specific information has been given on who is dead and who has permanently migrated out. A bench of Justices Surya Kant, Ujjal Bhuyan and N Kotiswar Singh asked the counsel for the Election Commission to furnish the details of deleted voters, the data which has been shared with the political parties, and give a copy to the NGO. The Election Commission said all requisite information had been given to political parties. Meanwhile, the poll panel said a day earlier that zero claims or objections had been filed by political parties since the publication of the draft electoral rolls in Bihar on August 1, up until 6th August (9 AM). Bihar Assembly elections are expected to be held later this year, in October or November; however, the Election Commission of India (ECI) has not announced an official date. While the NDA, consisting of the BJP, JD(U), and LJP, will once again be looking to continue their stint in Bihar, the INDIA bloc, consisting of the RJD, Congress, and left parties, will be looking to unseat Nitish Kumar. In the current Bihar Assembly of 243 members, the National Democratic Alliance (NDA) consists of 131 members, with the BJP having 80 MLAs, JD(U)-45, HAM(S)-4, with the support of 2 Independent Candidates. The Opposition's INDIA Bloc comprises 111 members, with the RJD leading with 77 MLAs, followed by Congress with 19, CPI(ML) with 11, CPI(M) with 2, and CPI with 2. (ANI) The accused, identified as Maksad Ahmad Bin Rehmat Ullakhan, Izar Pasha Bin Nurullah Pasha, and Hamid Tabrez Bin Qasim Ali, were arrested on July 28 after a thorough investigation. The accused set fire to several two-wheelers and cycles parked on Kaliyamma Speed B No 4th Street, Halasur, damaging 10 two-wheelers and seven cycles. The accused also damaged a car and a vegetable shop stand by setting them on fire using petrol. The police investigation revealed that the accused, Mansood Ahmed, had a personal vendetta against local individuals, Pahad and Sarfuddin, who are currently in jail for a murder case. These individuals had previously assaulted Ahmed, and in a drunken state, he conspired with the other accused to commit the vandalism as an act of revenge. (ANI) The bridge on the Vishwamitri River, Vadodara district, Gujarat, has been completed for the Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train project. This is the seventeenth river bridge completed out of the planned 21 river bridges in Gujarat for the project, the Ministry of Railways said on Wednesday. Spanning 80 meters, this bridge is located adjacent to the Vadodara-Surat main line of Western Railways. The bridge comprises three piers, one of which is positioned in the river stream and the other two on the banks of the river (one on each side). Passing through the urban landscape of Vadodara, this bridge serves as a critical infrastructure component in the Vadodara district. Vadodara is one of the busiest urban centres, and constructing a bridge passing through the city required exceptional planning, coordination with Vadodara Municipal Corporation and other local authorities. The Bullet Train alignment crosses/meanders the Vishwamitri river at 9 different locations in and around Vadodara. In addition to the main river bridge, three out of the remaining eight crossings have already been completed, while construction work is currently underway at other crossings. Salient features of the river bridge are: Length: 80 meters, consists of two spans of 40 meters each, constructed through SBS (Span by Span) method, height of pier - 26 to 29.5 m, consists of three circular piers of 5.5 m diameter, each pier is laid on 12 piles of 1.8 m diameter and length up to 53 m, this river is around 3 km from Vadodara Bullet Train station, other river bridge completed in Vadodara district is on Dhadhar River (120 m). Mumbai-Ahmedabad Bullet Train corridor features 25 river bridges, out of which 21 are in Gujarat and 4 in Maharashtra. Out of the 21 river bridges planned in Gujarat, 17 have been completed on rivers viz. Par (Valsad district), Purna (Navsari district), Mindhola (Navsari district), Ambika (Navsari district), Auranga (Valsad district), Venganiya (Navsari district), Mohar (Kheda district), Dhadhar (Vadodara district), Kolak (Valsad district), Vatrak (Kheda district), Kaveri (Navsari district), Kharera (Navsari district), Meshwa (Kheda district), Kim (Surat district), Darotha (Valsad district), Daman Ganga (Valsad district) and Vishwamitri (Vadodara district). ((ANI) As many as 11 injured army personnel have been airlifted to the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Hospital located in Matli area of Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand, said police on Wednesday. A devastating cloudburst in Uttarkashi district has triggered massive flash floods and landslides, causing widespread destruction in Dharali, Sukhi Top and Harsil areas. In a social media post on X, the Uttarkashi Police wrote, "Harshil, Dharali relief and rescue operations for disaster-affected people are ongoing continuously. 11 injured army personnel have been airlifted to I.T.B.P. Matli." https://x.com/uttarkashipol/status/1953041323222553003?s=48 Meanwhile, two injured civilians were safely transported from Dharali to the ITBP Hospital Matli, said the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The social media post on X reads, "Through the joint efforts of SDRF and ITBP, two injured individuals were safely transported from Dharali to ITBP Hospital Matli via the Matli helipad. SDRF is always ready for relief and service in disasters." https://x.com/uksdrf/status/1953026949569487096 The Indian Army has launched a swift and coordinated Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation in the wake of a devastating cloudburst near Dharali, close to Harsil in Uttarakhand. The region is currently cut off from both north and south due to multiple road breaches and a collapsed bridge. According to a statement from the Indian Army, over 225 Army personnel, including infantry and engineering teams, are on the ground for search, rescue, and relief tasks. Combat engineers have reached Dharali to aid in clearing debris and restoring mobility. As of 3 pm, 7 teams of the Indian Army are operating with Reeco Radar near Tekla while search and rescue dogs are deployed at Harsil; more are en route from Remount and Veterinary Centres. As per the Indian Army, the military helipad at Harsil is operational. Three civil helicopters launched from Sahastradhara in coordination with SDRF have successfully landed at Bhatwari and Harsil for casualty evacuation and relief material delivery. Chinook, Mi-17, ALH helicopters are on standby at Jolly Grant, Chandigarh, and Sarsawa for troop and material airlift - awaiting tasking clearance. As of 3 pm, there are three confirmed fatalities while over 50 persons are reportedly missing (as per the Civil Administration). According to the statement, a total of 9 personnel are also missing, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and 8 jawans. In a significant infrastructural damage, key road stretches near Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani have been washed away, severely affecting movement. The civil helipad at Dharali remains non-functional due to a mudslide. (ANI) Delhi Minister and BJP leader Parvesh Verma on Wednesday visited the British-era "phansi-ghar" and accused the former Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of completely distorting such a significant history. The British-era "phansi-ghar" was opened by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, located in the Delhi Assembly premises. While speaking to media persons, Verma said, "When this building was being constructed, this place was an elevator... Arvind Kejriwal has completely distorted such a significant history... Today, during the assembly session, all the facts were presented..." The minister further said that the photos, maps, and documents they have received prove that there were no gallows in the "phansi-ghar". "There was only an elevator used to move goods up and down. We will remove this gallows from here and present the true form and reality of this place..." he told reporters. Meanwhile, Delhi Minister Ashish Sood also reacted to allegations that the "phansi-ghar" was only an elevator used to move goods, saying, "This is a very saddening matter. AAP has played with our emotions. AAP takes political advantage in the name of our martyrs. This is condemnable..." A day earlier, the Delhi Legislative Assembly House witnessed uproar over the issue of 'Phansi Ghar'. Speaker Vijendra Gupta, Ministers and the ruling party MLAs dismissed the claim, citing archives and official documents, while the opposition accused them of erasing symbols of the freedom struggle. Speaker of the Delhi Assembly clarified that the so-called 'Phansi Ghar' (execution house) inaugurated by the previous government was a misrepresented Tiffin Room with an old goods lift. According to archival records, the space was used for daily administrative functions, not for executions. "The previous government had formally inaugurated what they termed a 'Phansi Ghar' inside the Delhi Assembly. However, archival records clearly show that this was, in fact, a Tiffin Room with an old lift used for transporting goods, not a site of execution. It is unfortunate that a space once used for daily administrative functions was misrepresented as a place of capital punishment," said the Speaker in the Assembly. (ANI) During his visit to New Delhi, Shinde affirmed that Shiv Sena remains one of the oldest and most trusted allies of the NDA. Shri Shinde, accompanied by all Shiv Sena MPs, called on Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. Following the meeting, he addressed the media and highlighted key developments. "Amit Shah ji has become the longest-serving Home Minister in the history of India, completing an uninterrupted term of 2,258 days. We met him to convey our heartfelt congratulations," Shinde said. He lauded Home Minister Shah's decisive leadership, stating, "From abrogating Article 370--fulfilling the dream of Hindu Hriday Samrat Balasaheb Thackeray--to leading 'Operation Mahadev' against terrorism and effectively curbing Naxalism, Shri Amit Shah has shown unwavering commitment and visionary leadership. From cooperative development to national security, his contribution has been exemplary." Shinde reiterated the historic bond between Shiv Sena and the BJP. "Our alliance predates even the formation of the NDA. This enduring partnership has now completed 25 years." He noted that Dr. Shrikant Shinde, MP, attended the NDA parliamentary party meeting held on Tuesday. On the political front, he affirmed, "Just as the Mahayuti won the Assembly elections with the people's mandate, we will also contest the upcoming local self-government elections together under the Mahayuti banner." Regarding the issue of the elephant Madhuri, Shinde stated, "The state government, along with Vantara, will be filing a review petition in the Supreme Court. We fully respect the sentiments of the people on this issue." Shinde also took a subtle dig at the opposition, "Parliament is in session, and we are here to meet our MPs openly and transparently. Unlike others, we are not operating in secrecy." (ANI) Rewards Members Score this Fresh-Baked Deal to Fuel School Mornings with Ease DENVER, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- As families prepare for a new school year, Einstein Bros. Bagels is making its iconic fresh-baked bagel box even easier on the wallet with an exclusive deal for rewards members. From August 6 to September 2, new and existing Einstein Bros. Rewards members will receive a $10 Baker's Dozen & Shmear box. Promo Details: Baker's Dozen Bagels & Shmear Who: New & current Einstein Bros. Rewards members New & current Einstein Bros. Rewards members What: $10 Baker's Dozen & Shmear box (13 bagels, plus 2 cream cheese shmear tubs), reward valid when ordering online or in the app (one-time use) Baker's Dozen & Shmear box (13 bagels, plus 2 cream cheese shmear tubs), reward valid when ordering online or in the app (one-time use) When: August 6 through September 2, 2025 "We know the back-to-school season can be hectic and expensive as families return to their routines. 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All Baker's Dozens come with a complimentary stay-fresh bag to ensure guests enjoy soft, fresh bagels for days. To take advantage of the back-to-school $10 Baker's Dozen & Shmear and other exclusive offers, guests should join Einstein Bros. Rewards by downloading the Einstein Bros. Bagels app or visiting EinsteinBros.com/rewards/ . Once guests join, they earn reward points with every visit and enjoy even more bagel benefits. For more information about Einstein Bros. and to see the full menu, visit einsteinbros.com, or for the latest updates and promotions, follow Einstein Bros. Bagels on social. Einstein Bros. Bagels locations here . Media Kit here . About Einstein Bros. Bagels Einstein Bros. Bagels is a neighborhood bakery known for endless combinations of fresh-baked bagels and premium double-whipped cream cheese. Also serving a variety of breakfast sandwiches, lunch sandwiches, coffee, espresso, sweets and catering, Einstein Bros. Bagels has more than 700 locations throughout the United States. Einstein Bros. Bagels is part of Panera Brands, one of the nation's largest fast-casual restaurant companies, comprised of Panera Bread, Caribou Coffee and Einstein Bros. Bagels. To learn more, visit www.einsteinbros.com . SOURCE Einstein Bros. Bagels In the wake of a cloudburst in the Dharali region of Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand, the Maharashtra Government has launched a mission-level response to ensure the safety and safe return of stranded tourists from the state. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar has taken steps by reaching out to Uttarakhand's Finance Secretary Dilip Jawalkar and Inspector General of Police (Law & Order) Nilesh Bharne, urging immediate assistance for Maharashtra-based tourists. "Our foremost priority is to ensure that every tourist returns home safely and their families are assured of their well-being," said Pawar. He appealed to the families of the stranded to avoid panicking. Among the stranded are 51 tourists, including 11 from the Nanded district and 40 from other parts of Maharashtra. The State Government is in continuous contact with the tourists and is actively coordinating with Uttarakhand authorities to provide all necessary assistance. Efforts are being made through Maharashtra Sadan in New Delhi to relocate the stranded individuals to safer locations and facilitate their return to Maharashtra at the earliest. Pawar also informed that district administrations across Maharashtra have been alerted and instructed to act as required in this situation. Several helpline numbers for assistance have also been issued. Maharashtra State Emergency Operations Centre - Contact for information: 93215 87143 / 022-22027990 / 022-22794229 Uttarakhand State Emergency Operations Centre - Contact: 0135-2710334 / 82188 67005 Meanwhile, the Indian Army has launched a swift and coordinated Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) operation in the wake of a devastating cloudburst near Dharali, close to Harsil in Uttarakhand. The region is currently cut off from both north and south due to multiple road breaches and a collapsed bridge. According to a statement from the Indian Army, over 225 Army personnel, including infantry and engineering teams, are on the ground for search, rescue, and relief tasks. Combat engineers have reached Dharali to aid in clearing debris and restoring mobility. As of 3 pm, there are three confirmed fatalities, while over 50 persons are reportedly missing (as per the Civil Administration). According to the statement, a total of 9 personnel are also missing, including one Junior Commissioned Officer (JCO) and eight jawans. In a significant infrastructural damage, key road stretches near Bartwari, Linchigad, and Gangrani have been washed away, severely affecting movement. The civil helipad at Dharali remains non-functional due to a mudslide. Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that around 190 people have been rescued from the Dharali area, following a devastating cloudburst that triggered massive flash floods and landslides in the area. (ANI) Minister of State for Civil Aviation Murlidhar Mohol informed the Rajya Sabha that there have been six engine shutdown incidents and three May Day calls reported from January to July 2025. Notably, one of these May Day calls was from the ill-fated Ahmedabad-London Gatwick flight that crashed on June 12, resulting in 260 fatalities. The other two May Day calls were reported by Air India Express and IndiGo. Answering a question raised by MP Rajeev Shukla on August 5 (Tuesday), the Union Minister mentioned that from January to July 2025, there were six incidents of engine shutdown and three incidents of May Day calls. The breakdown of these incidents is as follows: Indigo had two engine shutdown incidents and 1 May Day call, Spice Jet had two engine shutdown incidents, Air India had one engine shutdown incident and 1 May Day call (related to the recent AI-171 accident), Air India Express had 1 May Day call, and Alliance Air had one engine shutdown incident. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) has a structured surveillance and audit framework in place to monitor and regulate airlines, including regular audits and inspections. If any violations are found, DGCA takes enforcement action as per its policy, the union minister said in his reply.Rajya Sabha MP Rajeev Shukla had asked the Union MoS whether the government has a record of mid-flight engine failures, and may day calls. Additionally, he had asked if any measures were taken to avoid such incidents in the future. Meanwhile, on July 26, Air India released Rs 25 lakh in interim compensation payments to the families of 147 of the 229 passengers who lost their lives in the tragic crash of Air India Flight 171 on June 12, including to the families of 19 who were killed at the accident site. The interim payment of Rs 25 lakh per family was initiated over a month ago to support the immediate financial needs of the bereaved. These payments will be adjusted against the final compensation to be determined later. In a statement, Air India reaffirmed its commitment to the victims and their loved ones: "Air India stands in solidarity with the families and those affected by the AI171 accident. We continue to mourn their loss and remain fully committed to providing support during this difficult time." Additionally, the airline noted that documentation for 52 more families has been verified, with interim compensation to be disbursed to them progressively. The Tata Group has also registered 'The AI-171 Memorial and Welfare Trust', dedicated to the victims of the unfortunate accident. The Trust has pledged an ex-gratia payment of Rs 1 crore in respect of each of the deceased, and support for rebuilding the B.J. Medical College Hostel infrastructure, which was damaged in the accident, as per the statement. (ANI) The father of RG Kar Medical College rape and murder victim arrived in Delhi on Wednesday expecting speedy justice for his deceased daughter. He expressed his disappointment with the CBI and Kolkata Police over the investigation and alleged that the Health Secretary was involved in the crime, and demanded his arrest. He said, "We have come to Delhi with hope. It has been a year now, and we have been roaming around for justice. We will try to put pressure on CBI. We will try to meet the CBI Director tomorrow. If we meet Union Home Minister Amit Shah, then he can persuade the CBI to do the task more efficiently. CBI and Kolkata Police have given the wrong perspective to the people. Our fight is to provide a safe environment for women in society. In the last one year CBI could not bring out any facts." He further alleged that such cases frequently occur in every college in the state, and earlier, this incident took place in a law college. "The Bengal government is doing everything to stay in power by paying money and taking votes. They have no concern for the public. CM Mamata Banerjee keeps telling lies. Our IO in CBI lies about everything. At least 30 to 40 people are involved in this. The person who is involved in destroying the evidence, which we have seen with our own eyes but the CBI is turning a blind eye to, it is not doing anything. Whatever CBI should have done, it is not doing. We want justice. Whatever is happening in society, West Bengal will end with justice. The health secretary is connected to the crime and he should be arrested," he added. The RG Kar Medical College rape and murder incident occurred on August 9, 2024, when a 31-year-old female postgraduate trainee doctor was found dead in a seminar room on campus. The case led to widespread protests and outrage across the country, with many demanding justice for the victim. The investigation into the incident was transferred to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after the Calcutta High Court expressed dissatisfaction with the police's handling of the case. The CBI has since arrested several individuals, including the main accused, Sanjay Roy, who has been convicted. The top court was hearing a suo motu case in the rape and murder of the trainee doctor, which took place at the RG Kar Medical College and Hospital. Senior Advocate Karuna Nundy represented the parents of the victims. (ANI). The Delhi Assembly witnessed heated scenes for the second consecutive day on Wednesday as a debate over the 'phansi ghar' spiralled into political accusations and disruptions. BJP MLA Gajendra Yadav triggered a storm by accusing Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal of 'distorting history' and controversially likening him to Babur, Aurangzeb, and Qutb-ud-din Aibak. Leader of Opposition Atishi countered the attack by advising BJP legislators to read the works of their own ideological icon, Vinayak Damodar Savarkar. As the discussion on the "phansi ghar" continued, Minister Kapil Mishra accused Kejriwal of corruption, prompting strong objections from Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MLAs, who responded with anti-BJP slogans. Amid the uproar, Speaker Vijender Gupta ordered the marshalling out of LoP Atishi along with four other AAP legislators. Speaking to the mediapersons outside the House, Atishi criticised the BJP for politicising a sensitive historical issue and deflecting from real governance concerns. "If you truly want a debate on the 'phansi ghar', form a committee that includes historians and archaeologists. The idea that the British would acknowledge executing Indians openly is absurd - they used secret execution sites across the country," she said. Atishi also invoked Savarkar's writings, noting that he had described how the British hanged Indians not only in jails but also in offices, schools, and even East India Company buildings. "The BJP should read Savarkar's own words before trying to whitewash British atrocities," she added. She further alleged that the BJP was using the "phansi ghar" issue to divert attention from pressing civic problems in the capital. "I submitted a notice under Rule 55 to discuss Delhi's worsening law and order situation. We also raised concerns about slum demolitions, waterlogging, and rising school fees, but none of these were taken up. Instead, AAP legislators are thrown out for raising people's issues," Atishi said. "The Assembly exists to solve Delhi's problems, not to waste time on politically charged, historically inaccurate debates with no expert input," she added. The British-era "phansi-ghar" was opened by the previous Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government, located in the Delhi Assembly premises. (ANI) Punjab Education Minister and MLA from Sri Anandpur Sahib, Harjot Singh Bains, appeared before the Sri Akal Takht Sahib on Wednesday and was declared 'tankhaiya' (guilty of religious misconduct) over controversial decision concerning an event held in Srinagar to commemorate the 350th martyrdom anniversary of Guru Tegh Bahadur. The government-sponsored event, organised by the Punjab Language Department at Tagore Hall on July 24, drew criticism from Sikh clergy after dance performances were included, violating Sikh maryada (religious code of conduct). Responding to global complaints, Akal Takht summoned Bains to appear before the highest temporal seat of Sikhism. In a post on X, Bains acknowledged the violation and expressed remorse, stating that he humbly accepted the religious punishment assigned to him by the five Sikh High Priests. He called Akal Takht "throne of eternal authority" established by Guru Hargobind Sahib and emphasized that every human is fallible, but a true Sikh must seek redemption in the Guru's court. As part of the religious sentence, Bains was ordered to undertake a barefoot pilgrimage to Gurdwara Guru Ke Mahal in Amritsar, the birthplace of Guru Tegh Bahadur, followed by visits to Gurdwara Sahib Patshahi Nauvin in Valla and Baba Bakala Sahib. At each location, he offered prayers and sought divine wisdom to serve the community with sincerity and integrity. He has also been instructed to perform voluntary services including jodiyan di seva (shoe cleaning) at Sri Anandpur Sahib for two days, after which he will sponsor a deg (community food offering) worth 1100 and offer an ardas (prayer of forgiveness). During the gathering led by Akal Takht officiating Jathedar Giani Kuldeep Singh Gargaj, the Sikh high priests discussed concerns raised by Sikh political and religious groups regarding individuals falsely claiming the support of the Akal Takht for political gains. Referring to a directive issued on December 2, 2024, which urged unity among the Akali factions, the clergy expressed disappointment at the lack of compliance and clarified that any group unwilling to follow the path of unity might proceed independently but must refrain from misleading the Sikh Sangat (community) with false assertions of support from the Takht. Emphasizing that Sri Akal Takht belongs to the entire Sikh community and stands for the protection of Sikh identity and dignity, the clergy called upon all Panthic and Akali organisations to unite on critical issues including the safeguarding of Punjab's land and resources, the preservation of Sikh values, and the growing influence of modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, which may pose threats to Sikh history, traditions, and Gurbani. The Punjab Government has been urged to improve infrastructure around key historical gurdwaras associated with Guru Tegh Bahadur, particularly those located in Amritsar and Baba Bakala Sahib. The Akal Takht has recommended establishment of educational and healthcare institutions in the Guru's memory, following precedents set during earlier centennial commemorations. (ANI) Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Anand Dubey on Wednesday questioned the bond between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the United States slapped an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports. "Donald Trump is repeatedly imposing tariffs on India, as he knows that India will not bow down to him. This is the new India, we will purchase oil from whoever we want. What kind of friend is Donald Trump to PM Modi?" Dubey told ANI. US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. Terming the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday declared that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added."We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. (ANI) YSR Congress Party (YSRCP) MLC Chandrasekhar Reddy on Wednesday criticised the TDP government in Andhra Pradesh, alleging a complete failure of law and order in the state. He claimed that people are now afraid to step outside due to the prevailing situation. Reddy alleged that Scheduled Caste (SC) loans are being sanctioned only to TDP sympathisers, highlighting a potential misuse of power and discrimination against those not affiliated with the ruling party. The MLC claimed that admissions to Nellore's VR High School were granted only to those recommended by TDP leaders, and students from areas where Municipal Administration and Urban Development (MAUD) Minister Ponguru Narayana received more votes were given preference. This alleged bias has raised concerns about the fairness and transparency of the education system. Reddy pointed out that VR High School lacks sufficient teachers to accommodate the 1,063 students admitted, which could compromise the quality of education. Speaking to ANI, Chandrasekhar Reddy said, "There is a complete failure of law and order in the state. People are now afraid to even step outside. SC loans are being sanctioned only to TDP sympathisers. Admissions to Nellore's VR High School were given only to those recommended by TDP leaders. We have never seen such a situation before. Admissions were granted in VR High School only to people from areas where Minister Narayana received more votes, and only to those who voted for the TDP...There are not enough teachers in VR High School to accommodate the 1,063 students admitted. Minister Narayana is destroying the education system." Earlier, Former Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister and YSRCP President YS Jagan Mohan Reddy 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. Taking to the social media platform 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. "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," the YSRCP chief said. (ANI) The Kinnar-Kailash Yatra in the Tribal District of Himachal Pradesh, Kinnaur, has been temporarily suspended following heavy rains, landslides, and damage to key bridges and trekking paths, the district administration confirmed on Wednesday. The decision comes after one pilgrim died, another went missing, and over 1,196 pilgrims were rescued in a multi-agency operation involving the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and local authorities. "The Kinnaur Kailash Yatra has been suspended with immediate effect due to damage at multiple points on the route, posing a serious risk to pilgrims' safety," said Deputy Commissioner Amit Kumar Sharma. He said one pilgrim, Rajib Kundu (45) from West Bengal, was found dead near Parvati Kund, and his body has been sent to Rekong Peo for postmortem. Another pilgrim slipped into a gorge and is still missing. "We have successfully rescued 1,196 pilgrims stranded at various points," Sharma said. "On August 5, a total of 413 pilgrims were rescued by ITBP, NDRF, and the Kinnaur Trekking Association from Kangrang Nala in Tangling village," Sharma informed. "On August 6, another 553 pilgrims were rescued from the same route," he added. "An additional 230 pilgrims were brought back safely via the longer and more difficult Purwani route on August 6," he said. "The rescue efforts began at 6:30 PM on August 5 and continued non-stop until 2:45 AM on August 6. Over 100 more pilgrims returned via the Kangrang route during the daytime today," he added. Due to the washing away of bridges at Tanglippi and Kangrang Nallah and the high risk of landslides, Sharma said that "most of the trekking path has become dangerously slippery or unstable, and further movement is not advisable." He said. "Registration for the Kinnaur Kailash Yatra has been suspended until further notice," he added. He also informed that the remaining pilgrims will be guided back through the Purbani route, although it is tougher, longer, and less frequently used. "Our priority remains the safety of all pilgrims and personnel involved," DC Sharma said. (ANI) Parents of school students met Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta and Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood on Wednesday, thanking them for the School Education (Fee Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2025. On Delhi School Education (Fee Regulation and Transparency) Bill, 2025, Jahanvi Kaur, a parent whose child is enrolled in a school in Delhi, said, "No minister has ever had such a commendable performance. The fact that this bill was passed is a very wonderful thing. We were afraid to ask the school why the fees keep increasing because we were afraid that some staff member could do something to our child. I hope that the future of our students will be even brighter." Education Minister Ashish Sood on Monday tabled the "Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025" in the Delhi Assembly, stating that the legislation seeks to end commercialisation of education and take action against those exploiting it for profit. The proposed law aims to regulate the arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the national capital, providing relief to lakhs of students and their families. The proposed law aims to regulate the arbitrary fee hikes by private schools in the national capital, providing relief to lakhs of students and their families. "Education is not a thing to be sold. This bill aims to halt the commercialisation of education. We are bringing the bill to take action against those mafias who are selling education..." Sood said while tabling the bill. The Bill was tabled on the first day of the Monsoon session of the Eighth Legislative Assembly, which commenced on Monday and will continue until August 8. However, the session may be extended depending on the exigencies of legislative business. In a separate statement, the Delhi Education Minister said, "Today, I have come here with a permanent solution to the problems faced by millions of parents and children in Delhi, and to a legacy issue that has been ignored for decades." Sood stated that education is "a sacred duty -- a duty we must fulfil for the progress and prosperity of our motherland." He emphasised that the aim of education should not be 'earning', but rather 'learning' and nation-building. "This bill is a small effort on our part to honour Dr. Mukherjee's vision and to ensure that education does not become a burden on the people of India, but instead becomes a path leading them to a better future," he said. (ANI) Former Karnataka Chief Minister and MP Basavaraj Bommai has urged Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari to treat the Karwar-Ilkal National Highway, which falls under the Haveri-Gadag Lok Sabha constituency, as a special case and to prepare the Detailed Project Report (DPR) at the earliest and commence work soon. Meeting Union Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi, Bommai submitted that a route of about 318 km--starting from Karwar and passing through Kaiga, Mundgod, Savanur, Gadag, and Gajendragad to reach Ilkal--has already received in-principle approval for upgradation to a National Highway. The DPR for the project has been submitted, and land acquisition has been decided upon. He pointed out that since the road has been earmarked for upgradation to a National Highway, its current condition--owing to poor maintenance by the state government--has become unfit for vehicular movement. On the other hand, as the project has not yet received formal approval, the National Highways Authority has not been able to undertake any work. Therefore, he requested that this be considered a special case and that the road be immediately upgraded to National Highway status and work be commenced without delay. In addition, he appealed for the development of other CRF roads in the region that are currently in such poor condition that they are unfit for travel. Drawing from his own experience, Bommai urged Nitin Gadkari to treat the matter as a special case and take the necessary action. (ANI) DELRAY BEACH, Fla., Aug 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- The global Biopharmaceutical CDMO Market, valued at US$20.51 billion in 2024 stood at US$22.40 billion in 2025 and is projected to advance at a resilient CAGR of 8.8% from 2025 to 2030, culminating in a forecasted valuation of US$34.15 billion by the end of the period. This represents a strong CAGR of 8.8% from 2025 to 2030. The growth is primarily driven by the rising demand for outsourcing services and an increasing need for biologics and biosimilars. However, challenges related to intellectual property rights are anticipated to pose barriers to market growth. Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=163964739 Browse in-depth TOC on "Biopharmaceutical CDMO Market" 422 - Tables 57 - Figures 380 - Pages By Service, the global biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market is divided into four main service categories: manufacturing, formulation & fill-finish, packaging & labeling, and other services. The formulation & fill-finish segment accounts for the second-largest share of the market due to the rising demand for precision in biologics production, which is crucial for the safety, stability, and efficacy of therapeutic products. As the complexity of biologics increases, the demand for specialized services like formulation development, aseptic filling, and packaging is growing. Contract manufacturing organizations (CMOs) are investing in advanced facilities and technologies to meet this demand, while stringent regulatory requirements and the rise of personalized treatments further enhance the need for these services. This segment is expected to continue its growth and play a key role in delivering innovative treatments to patients. By Scale of Operation, the commercial operations segment is rapidly growing within the global biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market, driven by the rising demand for large-scale manufacturing services. The increasing complexity of biologics and advanced therapies necessitates sophisticated facilities and expertise for a smooth transition from clinical trials to commercial production. As approvals for biologics multiply, biopharmaceutical companies turn to CMOs for specialized equipment, state-of-the-art facilities, and trained staff, ensuring compliance with regulatory standards and consistent product quality. Outsourcing allows pharmaceutical firms to concentrate on research, development, and marketing while accessing efficient and flexible manufacturing. Furthermore, advancements in manufacturing technologies and the rise of personalized medicine are fueling this growth, making commercial contract manufacturing essential for the successful global commercialization of complex biopharmaceutical products. By geography, the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market is divided into six regions: North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East, and Africa. North America leads the market due to its strong pharmaceutical and biotech industries. Recent growth is driven by rising demand for biologics, outsourcing trends, and the region's advanced manufacturing capabilities. North America's robust regulatory environment and support for research and development have created an ideal setting for contract manufacturing, making it a preferred choice for global biopharmaceutical firms. The presence of skilled professionals and enhanced infrastructure further solidifies its position as a key hub in the industry. Request Sample Pages : https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=163964739 The key players in the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market include Lonza (Switzerland), Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc. (US), WuXi Biologics (China), Catalent, Inc. (US), Samsung Biologics (South Korea), Boehringer Ingelheim International GmbH (Germany), FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation (Japan), AbbVie, Inc. (US), Eurofins Scientific (Luxembourg), GenScript Biotech Corporation (US), AGC Inc. (Japan), Merck KGaA (Germany), JSR Corporation (Japan), IDT Biologika (Germany), Ajinomoto Bio-Pharma (Japan), Agilent Technologies, Inc. (US), and Asahi Kasei Corporation (Japan). Lonza (Switzerland): Lonza (Switzerland) has solidified its position as a leading player in the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market. The company offers a comprehensive range of services, including the manufacturing of biologic drug substances and products and cGMP manufacturing for cell & gene therapies. Lonza's strong market presence is supported by a wide service portfolio, advanced production facilities, a broad global reach, and continuous investments to expand its manufacturing capabilities. In February 2023, Lonza upgraded its bioconjugation facility in Visp, Switzerland, increasing its capacity to support the development and production of preclinical, clinical, and commercial bioconjugates and antibody-drug conjugates. This enhancement further reinforces Lonza's market leadership and service offerings. WuXi Biologics (China) WuXi Biologics (China) is a leading player in the biopharmaceutical contract manufacturing market, providing a comprehensive range of services and maintaining a strong presence in developing countries. Its extensive expertise and service offerings have allowed the company to capture a significant market share and establish itself as a trusted partner in biopharmaceutical manufacturing. Additionally, the company focuses on inorganic growth strategies, such as acquisitions and collaborations, to enhance its capabilities and expand its global footprint. For example, in June 2025, WuXi Biologics announced the construction of a new microbial drug product (DP) manufacturing facility in the Wenjiang district of Chengdu, which will have a drug substance (DS) manufacturing capacity of 60,000 liters. For more information, Inquire Now! Related Reports: Fill Finish Manufacturing Market Vaccines Market Monoclonal Antibody Therapeutics Market Pharmaceutical Contract Manufacturing Market Drug Discovery Services Market Get access to the latest updates on Biopharmaceutical CDMO Companies and Biopharmaceutical CDMO Market Size About MarketsandMarkets: MarketsandMarkets has been recognized as one of America's Best Management Consulting Firms by Forbes, as per their recent report. MarketsandMarkets is a blue ocean alternative in growth consulting and program management, leveraging a man-machine offering to drive supernormal growth for progressive organizations in the B2B space. With the widest lens on emerging technologies, we are proficient in co-creating supernormal growth for clients across the globe. Today, 80% of Fortune 2000 companies rely on MarketsandMarkets, and 90 of the top 100 companies in each sector trust us to accelerate their revenue growth. 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Contact: Mr. Rohan Salgarkar MarketsandMarkets INC. 1615 South Congress Ave. Suite 103, Delray Beach, FL 33445 USA: +1-888-600-6441 Email: [email protected] Visit Our Website: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/ Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1868219/MarketsandMarkets_Logo.jpg SOURCE MarketsandMarkets A 33-year-old homemaker, Selva Brindha from Kattur in Tiruchirappalli district, has donated 300.17 litres of breast milk over a span of 22 months and helped in saving the lives of thousands of premature and sick newborn babies. She has earned a spot in both the India Book of Records and the Asia Book of Records for being the record breast milk donor in India. While speaking to ANI, Selva Brindha said, "I have donated 300 litres of breast milk. I received entries in the India Book of Records and Asia Book of Records for donating the maximum amount of breast milk by an individual in India." "When my second child was born, she was admitted to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit) for 3 to 4 days due to neonatal jaundice. At that time, I was asked to pump my breast milk and feed my child. Excess milk was given to other NICU babies with my permission... At that time, I decided to donate breast milk," she told ANI. She also requested that all new mothers donate breast milk and said, "Many preterm babies are admitted to the NICU due to health issues... Breast milk donation plays a vital role at this time..." She started her donation journey with the help of the Amirtham Foundation, a group that supported her initiative and made it possible to reach neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the state. (ANI) The Indian Medical Association (IMA) in Haryana on Wednesday decided to suspend Ayushman Bharat health services in the state citing non-payment of dues to private hospitals. In an official statement, the IMA Haryana mentioned that a meeting was held between ACS Sudhir Rajpal and officials of Ayushman Bharat Haryana High Authority. From IMA side, it was attended by President Dr MP Jain, IPP Dr Ajay Mahajan, Elected President Dr Suneela Soni, Secretary Dr Dheer K Soni and Ayushman Committee President Dr Suresh Arora. The IMA was informed that around Rs 245 crore have been received by the Ayushman Bharat Haryana High Authority, out of which Rs 175 crore is Haryana government's share and Rs 70 crore is the Central government's share as budget for this quarter. However, it was also told that around Rs 490 crore arrears to private hospitals is still pending. "They have started distributing it on FIFO mode from yesterday (August 5). He (ACS Sudhir Rajpal) informed that at present about Rs 490 crore is due to private hospitals. When we (IMA Haryana) told him that this amount was insufficient, he said that he would place a demand for supplementary budget in the monsoon session of Haryana Vidhan Sabha on August 22. He could not tell how much budget he would ask for or accept," the Haryana IMA said in a statement. The IMA has also reiterated the signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and has demanded interest penalty, however it was said that the interest cannot be paid. Earlier on August 2, around 650-700 private hospitals in Haryana are set to withdraw from the Ayushman Bharat scheme starting August 7 due to pending dues of over 500 crore. The Indian Medical Association (IMA) Haryana claimed that despite multiple assurances from government officials, payments continue to be delayed, with some hospitals experiencing delays of up to 4-5 months. Speaking to ANI, Dr Ashok Mahajan, who was the Former President of Haryana IMA, said, " IMA Haryana does not want to withdraw Ayushman services; it is being forced to! Hospitals have bills running into crores and are unable to pay their doctors, staff and vendors. They are forced to take this step to prevent further losses. They seem to be funding this government scheme; SHA pays late, and deductions are made without any reason." Over 1.2 crore people in Haryana are enrolled in the scheme, including low-income families and senior citizens. The withdrawal of private hospitals may lead to difficulties in accessing healthcare services, putting additional pressure on government hospitals. The Haryana government has earlier assured that the process of releasing funds has begun, and they are hopeful of resolving the issue within a week. However, hospitals remain sceptical, citing unfulfilled assurances from previous meetings with government officials. The Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) is a flagship scheme of the government. It provides health cover of Rs 5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation to around 55 crore beneficiaries belonging to 12.37 crore families belonging to the economically weaker 40 per cent population of the country. The Economic Survey 2024-25 highlights the impact of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) in reducing Out-of-Pocket Expenditure (OOPE) through increased social security and primary health spending, with recorded savings over Rs. 1.25 lakh crore. The report also states that Government-supported insurance schemes like AB PM-JAY, Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY), and state-specific programs contribute 2.63 per cent to healthcare financing and the rise in government health spending has significantly reduced financial hardship for households. (ANI) Congress' Thiruvananthapuram MP Shashi Tharoor has brought attention to how air pollution is a grave public health crisis and an environmental emergency, which "transcends economic, social, and political divides," while addressing a high-level roundtable on Clean Air and Public Health: Advancing Collective Action, at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi. The roundtable, organised on Tuesday, hosted by Tharoor and convened by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) and AirQualityAsia (AQA), is the seventh such roundtable hosted by the Congress MP since 2017. According to an official statement from the MP's office, the round table brings together India's leading air quality experts, policymakers, health professionals, and civil society actors to deliberate on scalable, cross-sectoral solutions to reduce air pollution and improve public health across Indian cities, towns, and villages. Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Statistics and Programme Implementation also attended the event, along with multiple other leaders. "Air pollution transcends economic, social, and political divides--it is both a grave public health crisis and an environmental emergency. It demands not just our best ideas, but our collective courage and concerted action across sectors and states," Tharoor said. During his opening address, Tharoor mentioned how over 70 per cent of the people, around 98 crore people are breathing sub optimal air, and called for the Centre and states to work together to solve the crisis. "The evidence is stark. Nearly 70 per cent of our population--around 980 million people--are breathing air that fails to meet even our own national standards (as of 2023). Delhi may have recorded its cleanest July in a decade, but just last winter, it suffered its worst air quality in four years. The central government and states must work together, alongside experts, industry, civil society, and citizens, to align our efforts and implement scalable solutions--from clean transport to cleaner fuels. If we can sustain this momentum, we can turn the aspiration for clean air into a lasting reality," he said. Meanwhile, MoS Inderjit Singh, said in his inaugural address, "Clean air is a national imperative that needed to be addressed yesterday. Platforms like this bring together sharper minds and practical ideas that can help us in government take tangible steps forward. I look forward to the insights from today's discussion contributing to initiatives like the National Clean Air Programme and beyond." Arunabha Ghosh, Founder-CEO of CEEW and member of Commission for Air Quality management (CAQM) also mentioned how air pollution is a "liability" while clean air is an economic asset. "Air pollution is a liability, but clean air is an economic asset. It improves worker productivity, educational outcomes, talent attraction to our cities, and even foreign investment. The more we see clean air as an economic driver--not just an environmental goal--the faster we can bring in the full force of government, industry, and civil society. This isn't just about regulators or ministries--it's about all of us. We must bridge the gap between being economic agents by day and citizens by night. Clean air must become a shared, national priority," she said. The roundtable was co-chaired by Arunabha Ghosh (Founder-CEO of CEEW & Member, CAQM) and Soumya Swaminathan (Chairperson of the MS Swaminathan Research Foundation). Other participants were illustrious experts from CAQM, World Resources Institute, INDICC Associates, ITDP South Asia, IRADe, World Bank, UNEP, NIPFP, and Global Health Strategies, among others. Swaminathan, during her address highlighted the health problems associated with air pollution. "Air pollution is the number one health risk in India today--linked not just to asthma and lung disease but also to diabetes, heart attacks, dementia, and poor brain development in children. The health ministry faces the consequences, but the responsibility lies across all ministries. Clean air must be seen not as a cost but as a public good and an investment in the health of current and future generations," she said. Kumar Bajpayee, Member Secretary of CAQM said, "We've been able to scientifically decode the key sources of pollution in Delhi--transport and construction are major contributors. We're now targeting each sector with data-backed interventions, from cutting tailpipe emissions to improving walkable infrastructure and access to public transport. But this is not just about Delhi. The entire Indo-Gangetic Plain must move forward--because when it comes to air quality, we simply cannot afford to go back." The statement from Tharoor's office also mentioned how India's air pollution crisis is not limited to a few megacities. Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) is now the single largest health risk in the country, contributing to millions of premature deaths and lost years of healthy life. Research shows that investments in clean air deliver remarkable returns: every Rs 1 invested could yield INR 30 in economic and health benefits. Reducing air pollution would boost productivity, extend life expectancy, improve learning outcomes, lower healthcare costs, and benefit India's economy by as much as 3 per cent of its GDP or USD 95 billion annually. According to the statement, the roundtable brought together Members of Parliament representing diverse states. Participating MPs included Priyanka Chaturvedi, Sudhanshu Trivedi, Sasmit Patra, and Vivek Krishna Tankha (Rajya Sabha); Shashank Mani Tripathi and Jagdambika Pal (Uttar Pradesh); CN Manjunath (Karnataka); Arvind Ganpat Sawant (Maharashtra); Lavu Sri Krishna Devarayalu (Andhra Pradesh); PP Chaudhary (Rajasthan); Naveen Jindal (Haryana); and Vikramjit Singh Sahney (Punjab). Air pollution is not limited to one geography--it is a nationwide crisis requiring a unified response and collective action. (ANI) Congress leader KC Venugopal attacked the Centre on Wednesday over the ongoing Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in poll-bound Bihar, alleging that the government is "running away from discussion" in Parliament. "They are not even allowing to pick the word SIR, why? Election Commission introduced the system, but they are running away from a discussion on SIR. Why? What do they want to hide? People of India would like to why SIR is happening, what is the necessity? Our thing is very clear, Supreme Court has told them to include Aadhar, election ID card, but they are not listening to Supreme Court also. This is a clear cut hidden agenda to cut targeted votes," Venugopal told ANI. "India is witnessing a horrible exercise by the Election Commission of India, to cut targeted voters, which are the downtrodden, marginalised, poor people and their right to vote is under question by the SIR. Opposition MPs will march to the Election Commission of India to seek answers from them," he added. In a show of unity against the ongoing electoral roll revision, Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance (INDIA) parties and Arvind Kejriwal-led Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), has planned a joint march to the Election Commission of India's office in Ashoka road on August 11. Venugopal said opposition parties are seeking discussion but BJP-led NDA does not want to have a discussion. Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju said in Lok Sabha that the government is ready to hold a debate on any and every topic. However, any discussion Parliament has to be in accordance with constitutional provisions and also in accordance with rules as prescribed in the Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha. "On the issue of SIR, we all know that the matter is under consideration of the Supreme Court and, as such, it is sub judice. Under Rule 186 (viii), any matter can be discussed in the House only if it does not relate to a matter which is under adjudication by a court of law in the Country. Besides, a member of the House, as per rule 352 (i), is not allowed to refer to any matter of fact on which a judicial decision is pending. The matter, which the opposition is trying to raise is clearly sub judice and so discussion on this issue cannot be held in the House," he said. "I would like to submit that the issue relates to the functions and responsibilities entrusted to the Election Commission of India which it is an autonomous body. In the past, it has been clearly established in this House itself that matters falling under the domain of the Election Commission of India cannot be discussed in the House," he added. He said under Rule 352 (v) of Rules of Procedure and Conduct of Business in Lok Sabha says that it 3 is not permitted to reflect upon the conduct of persons in high authority in general discussions. The Rules are quite clear. "The House cannot have a discussion on the working of an autonomous body like the Election Commission. Do the opposition Members want to disregard the established rules of the House and constitutional provisions?," he asked. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) on Wednesday launched a scathing attack on the Delhi government on Wednesday, terming the school fee regulation bill as "anti-parent and pro-management." The opposition party in the assembly has proposed four key amendments to safeguard parents' rights. Senior AAP leader and Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the Delhi Assembly, Atishi, shared that AAP has submitted proposals mandating school audits, elected parent representation, easier complaint thresholds, and the right to challenge committee decisions in court. The Assembly LoP said BJP MLAs must now prove through their votes whether they stand with Delhi's parents or with private school profiteers, according to an official statement. Addressing a press conference alongside AAP Sanjeev Jha and MLA Kuldeep Kumar, Atishi stated, "The BJP-led Delhi government has brought a bill to regulate private school fees -- a bill that has been in discussion since April. That month, there was chaos across Delhi. Private schools were arbitrarily hiking fees, throwing children out of classrooms, locking them up in libraries." Highlighting the parents protesting against the hike in sweltering heat, the Delhi LoP stated, "Parents were standing outside schools in 40-degree heat, protesting. At the time, the BJP government said they would bring a bill. The bill was cleared by the Cabinet in April. But April passed, then May, June, July -- and only in August has this bill been tabled in the Assembly. Why this four-month delay?" She further slammed the BJP-led government for not consulting with the stakeholders properly, alleging that for four months, the bill was kept hidden. "This bill saw no consultation -- not with any educationists, not with legal experts, and certainly not with parents. Parents kept asking to give their input, to at least be shown the draft -- but for four months, the bill was hidden. Why? Because this bill is not for the parents of children studying in private schools. It is only for the benefit of private school owners." Referring to a revealing statement by a BJP MLA, she asserted, "This truth was openly admitted in the Assembly by BJP MLA Raj Kumar Bhatia, who said that this bill will give schools the opportunity to raise fees." Claiming to have "uncovered BJP's true intention, she further pointed out the specific sections in the bills. "An amendment pertains to Section 5, which exposes the BJP's true motives. The moment the BJP formed government, schools began hiking fees one after another, in an unrestrained manner. Parents were immediately asked to pay these inflated fees. We kept demanding a freeze -- that no school be allowed to charge more than 2024-25 levels. But the BJP did not act." She added, "Section 5, Subsection 1, Proviso 2 of the draft bill states: 'For the academic year 2025-26, the fees being charged by schools with effect from 1st April 2025 shall be deemed to be the proposed fee under this Act.' This means the arbitrary hikes already imposed by private schools are being legalised through this bill -- parents will now be forced to pay the same." Meanwhile AAP's Sanjeev Jha also called out the bill for being unconstitutional. "Article 13 of the Constitution and the Keshavananda Bharati judgment have held that judicial review is part of the basic structure. That means if we go to court, this bill won't survive. But the BJP is trying to eliminate even the possibility of court intervention. They are attacking the power of judicial review, turning this law into a worthless piece of paper," he said. Meanwhile, Delhi Education Minister Ashish Sood has described the bill as a historic moment, stating that the people of Delhi are happy with the bill, which has been introduced for their benefit. Speaking to ANI on the Education Bill, Delhi Minister Sood on Tuesday said, "The people are happy. It has been brought for their benefit. They (parents) can now attend the meetings where the fees of a school are determined. It is a historic moment." Earlier on 16th April, show-cause notices were served to 10 schools regarding the arbitrary fee hike and to those schools that had not submitted their audit reports. The present Delhi government has already collected audited reports from 600 schools. (ANI) Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) MP Ashok Kumar Mittal on Wednesday strongly criticised United States President Donald Trump's announcement of a 25% additional tariff on Indian products, calling it "illogical" and accusing Washington, DC, of applying "double standards" in its trade policies. Mittal defended India's purchase of oil from Russia and questioned the legitimacy of US criticism. Mittal said, "Yes, we are purchasing oil from Russia. Who is he to stop us? He himself is purchasing uranium, certain critical metals from Russia. His allies, European countries, are purchasing oil from Russia. China is purchasing oil from Russia...You can't have double standards, double policies. He will have to withdraw his illogical orders, illogical tariffs." Mittal asserted that Indian industry is "competent enough" and will find "alternative ways to sell the products." He said, "The US has imposed a 50% total tariff on Indian products. Of course, this will hurt the Indian industry in the short term. But our entrepreneurs, our businessmen, our industrialists are competent enough, strong enough. They will find alternative ways to sell the products." He suggested that the current situation could also open up new avenues for the Indian economy. "We may increase consumption in India, we are 1.4 billion populations and we can find some more markets. Rather, it may give us opportunities. Indian economy is growing 6 to 8 % per year, and its effect on GDP will be maximum 0.2, meaning nothing as per our growth, and we will easily absorb this deficiency in our growth and find other ways." His reaction comes after, US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India.According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States.After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency." Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated. India has termed the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable." Ministry of External Affairs said New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added. We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. (ANI) the Ministry of Textiles will celebrate India's vibrant handloom sector on the occasion of the 11th National Handloom Day on Thursday. According to a release from the Ministry of Textiles, President, Droupadi Murmu, will grace the occasion as the Chief Guest. The Textile Minister Giriraj Singh, Union Minister of State for External Affairs & Textiles, Pabitra Margherita, Neelam Shami Rao, Secretary (Textiles) and M Beena, Development Commissioner (Handlooms) will be attending the function. Besides them, foreign buyers, eminent personalities, exporters, Senior Government Officers, etc., will attend the above function. Approximately 650 weavers from across the country will be attending the function. The Ministry will present the Sant Kabir Handloom Award and the National Handloom Awards to recognise exceptional contributions in handloom weaving and innovation. The Sant Kabir Award, considered the highest honour in the sector, includes a cash prize of Rs 3.5 lakh, a gold coin (mounted), tamrapatra (plaque), shawl, and certificate of recognition. The National Handloom Award carries a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh, along with a tamrapatra, shawl, and certificate, and aims to honour craftsmanship, dedication, and creativity in the sector. Among this year's awardees are six women weavers, one receiving the prestigious Sant Kabir Award and five the National Handloom Awards, as well as one Divyang weaver recognised for their contribution. The event will also feature an exclusive exhibition showcasing award-winning weaves, the unveiling of a coffee table book by NIFT Mumbai, and a facilitation desk on various government schemes for the handloom sector. According to the release, the Handloom sector continues to be a pillar of India's rural economy and cultural identity. Employing over 35 lakh people, with more than 70% of them women, the sector is a beacon of sustainable development, women empowerment, and eco-friendly production. The Swadeshi Movement launched on 7th August 1905 had encouraged indigenous industries and, in particular, handloom weavers. In 2015, Government declared the 7th of August as the National Handloom Day, commemorating the momentous occasion. The first National Handloom Day was celebrated on 7th August 2015 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Chennai. On this day, the handloom weaving community was honoured, underlining the contribution of this sector in India's socio-economic development. National Handloom Day is a celebration of the skilled hands and creative spirit that make Indian handlooms a timeless legacy. (ANI) BJP leaders and workers on Wednesday held a 'slipper protest' in Howrah, West Bengal, to register their anger over the alleged attack on the convoy of Leader of the Opposition Suvendu Adhikari in Cooch Behar. The protesters, carrying slippers in hand, marched to the local police station, accusing the Bengal Police of inaction and bias under the Mamata Banerjee-led government. BJP leader Pramod Singh, speaking at the protest, said, "Bengal police is Mamata Banerjee's 'hawai chappal'. They kept standing there silently while the Rohingyas and Bangladeshi Muslims kept on creating a ruckus. That is why we are taking slippers with us to the police station, because we want to show them these slippers as a mirror". Meanwhile, reacting to the alleged attack BJP leader Ashok Dinda on Wednesday termed the arrests made so far as "an eyewash" and blamed Trinamool Congress (TMC) leaders for orchestrating the violence. Speaking to ANI in Kolkata, Dinda accused TMC MLA Udayan Guha of leading the mob that targeted Adhikari's convoy and alleged that the police had deliberately refrained from arresting him. He said, "The seven people who have been arrested are just an eyewash. This is a complete failure of the police administration. Udayan Guha, who is an MLA, was leading it; he has not been arrested yet. The police do not have the courage, even the SP there does not have the courage because Udayan Guha is Mamata's special man... All these are TMC people and Rohingyas. Some people have been brought from Bangladesh..." The protest comes a day after Suvendu Adhikari's convoy was reportedly attacked in Cooch Behar. Adhikari on Tuesday alleged that his convoy was attacked in Cooch Behar district, and claimed the situation was grave enough that he might not have survived had he not been travelling in a bulletproof vehicle. (ANI) Three Pakistani Army personnel, including a major, were killed and three others seriously injured in a roadside bomb blast in Balochistan's Nushki district on Tuesday night, The Balochistan Post (TBP) reported. The Baloch Liberation Army (BLA) has claimed responsibility for the attack. According to the report, the incident occurred around 8:00 pm (local time) when a bulletproof military vehicle was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED) in the Gargina area of Nushki. The soldiers killed in the attack have been identified as Major Rizwan, Naib Subedar Ameen, and Lance Naik Younis. Three other personnel sustained serious injuries in the explosion, according to The Balochistan Post. In a statement issued after the incident, BLA spokesperson Jeeyand Baloch said that the group had carried out an "intelligence-based operation" in the area. He claimed that a remote-controlled IED was used to target Pak Major Rizwan's convoy, based on input from the group's intelligence wing, "ZIRAB." "The Baloch Liberation Army claims full responsibility for this attack," the spokesperson said in the statement, as per The Balochistan Post. The Pakistan Army has not released an official response so far. This latest attack is part of a series of high-profile operations against Pakistani security forces in Balochistan. Since mid-July, at least four military officers of major rank have been killed in separate incidents, according to The Balochistan Post. In Awaran district, Major Syed Rabnawaz Tariq was killed in an ambush claimed by the Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF). In Quetta, Major Anwar Kakar died in a magnetic bomb explosion near Jabal-e-Noor, which was claimed by the BLA's Special Tactical Operations Squad (STOS). In another operation in Mastung, Major Zaid Saleem was killed during prolonged clashes between BLA fighters and Pakistani forces. Observers told The Balochistan Post that the consistent targeting of senior military officers indicates that Baloch armed groups have increased both their operational and intelligence capabilities. They also said the pattern of attacks is aimed at creating psychological pressure on the Pakistani military. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Tuesday (local time) stated that they will see what happens over the next fairly short period of time and he has never said a percentage. The remarks were made during a press conference at the White House, originally called to discuss the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. When asked about imposing a 100% tariff on countries buying Russian energy, Trump said, "I never said a percentage, but we'll be doing quite a bit of that. We'll see what happens over the next fairly short period of time... We have a meeting with Russia tomorrow. We're going to see what happens..." Meanwhile, former US Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley has taken a dig at US President Donald Trump for his announcements about substantially hiking tariffs over oil imports from Russia, saying he had given "China a pass" and cautioned him against burning "a relationship with a strong ally like India". Haley said in a post on X that China is an adversary of the United States and "number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil," has been given a 90-day tariff pause by the Trump Administration. "India should not be buying oil from Russia. But China, an adversary and the number one buyer of Russian and Iranian oil, got a 90-day tariff pause. Don't give China a pass and burn a relationship with a strong ally like India," she said. Haley was the last of Trump's major rivals to drop out of the Republican primary contest in Presidential candidate race last year. Trump on Tuesday said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25% "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, according to Reuters. "They're fueling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump told CNBC in an interview, Reuters reported. According to the report, he added that the main sticking point with India was that its tariffs were too high but did not provide a new tariff rate. Trump had said on Monday that the United States will "substantially raise" the tariff paid by India for buying "massive amounts of Russian Oil", stating that much of the oil purchased from Moscow is being sold in the open market "for big profits". Trump's announcement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, came days after he announced a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on India and an unspecified penalty for importing oil from Russia. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" the US President said in the post. (ANI) HONG KONG, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Cathay Pacific today announced the Hong Kong-based carrier is ordering 14 more 777-9 passenger jets, bringing its order book to 35 of the world's largest twin-engine airplane. Designed to reduce fuel use and emissions on average by 20% and noise by 40% compared to the airplanes it replaces, the 777-9 will enable Cathay Pacific to efficiently meet growing air travel demand across key global markets. A Cathay Pacific 777-9 is depicted here (Boeing image). "We plan to expand and renew our fleet with the additional 777-9 aircraft, enabling us to continue our rich history of connecting the world with our Hong Kong hub," said Ronald Lam, Cathay Group Chief Executive Officer. "Cathay Pacific aims to further strengthen our ongoing partnership with Boeing and leverage the world-class features of the new 777-9 as we strive to become the world's best premium airline." Cathay Pacific has grown its global network with the Boeing 777 family over the past 30 years. The addition of the latest model, the 777-9, will further reduce the airline's operating costs as it modernizes its fleet and expands passenger and cargo operations on long- and ultra long-haul routes. "We are proud to support Cathay Pacific's continued leadership as one of the world's top airlines, and introduce the 777-9 as their future flagship airplane," said Brad McMullen, Boeing senior vice president of Commercial Sales and Marketing. "This latest order demonstrates the value of the 777-9 and further strengthens the airline's tradition of delivering superb comfort, convenience and connectivity to passengers for years to come." With a range of 7,295 nautical miles (13,510 km), the 777-9 will allow Cathay Pacific to connect passengers directly between Hong Kong and its global long-haul destinations. Customers around the world have ordered more than 550 777X airplanes, sustaining thousands of jobs at Boeing's Everett, Wash., site and across the supply chain. A leading global aerospace company and top U.S. exporter, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. Our U.S. and global workforce and supplier base drive innovation, economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing is committed to fostering a culture based on our core values of safety, quality and integrity. Contact Kevin Yoo International Sales Communications [email protected] Boeing Media Relations [email protected] SOURCE Boeing External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met German Member of Parliament Jurgen Hardt in New Delhi and discussed growing bilateral ties and recent global developments. In a post on X, Jaishankar wrote, "Always nice to catch up with German MP @juergenhardt. Discussed our bilateral cooperation and global developments." https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1952717314169712641 According to MEA, Germany is one of India's most valued partners in Europe. The two countries share a strong strategic partnership, which has grown steadily over the decades since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1951. In March 2021, both sides marked 70 years of diplomatic ties. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz have held regular meetings, both bilaterally and on the sidelines of key global summits. In fact, they have met six times in the last two years. Their latest meeting took place during the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy in June 2024, where they reviewed ongoing cooperation. Prior to that, the two leaders met at the G20 Summit in New Delhi in September 2023 and also during the G7 Summit in Hiroshima in May 2023. Chancellor Scholz had also paid a standalone State visit to India in February 2023, a first by a German Chancellor since the launch of the Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) format. India and Germany held their 6th IGC in Berlin in May 2022, co-chaired by PM Modi and Chancellor Scholz. Several agreements were signed in the fields of clean energy, health, agroecology, skill development, mobility, and more. A major outcome was the Joint Declaration of Intent on the Green and Sustainable Development Partnership (GSDP), as per MEA. Separately, EAM Jaishankar also met Slovenia's Ambassador to India, Mateja Vodeb Ghosh, for a farewell call. https://x.com/DrSJaishankar/status/1952717143365107720 In a message on X, he said, "Pleased to receive Ambassador Mateja Vodeb Ghosh of Slovenia this evening for a farewell call. Appreciate her contributions towards building stronger ties. Wish her the best for future endeavors." (ANI) Union Health Minister and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda on Tuesday met with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., in New Delhi as part of the BJP's outreach programme, 'Know BJP'. https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1952731806031077875 Sharing details of the interaction, Nadda posted on X, "During our discussion, I briefed him on how the world's largest political party functions, including its ideology, organisational structure and outreach. We exchanged valuable insights to strengthen party-to-party ties. We also had a detailed discussion on how to enhance cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to continued cooperation and mutual progress." The meeting came on the sidelines of Marcos Jr.'s five-day state visit to India. Calling it one of the "most productive and constructive" visits he has ever had, the Philippines President said it reflected the "enduring closeness" between the two countries. Speaking at a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Marcos Jr. said, "It has been one of my most productive and constructive visits that I have ever had, and I attribute this to the enduring closeness between the Philippines and India." Earlier on Tuesday, India and the Philippines agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Marcos Jr. also pushed for the early conclusion of the Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) to boost mutual trade. Defence cooperation was a key focus, with the Philippines' President thanking PM Modi for support in the defence sector, including the export of BrahMos missile systems. In a joint statement, the two countries raised concern over the situation in the South China Sea, indirectly referring to China. They called for peace, stability and respect for international law in the region. Earlier on Monday, Marcos Jr. met External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar to kick off his five-day official visit to India. He also held wide-ranging talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House. Speaking at Rashtrapati Bhavan forecourt, the visiting Philippines President also remarked, "Indo-Pacific is the correct evolution of Asia Pacific," describing his visit as a reaffirmation of the alliance between India and the Philippines. This is the first official visit to India by a President of the Philippines since Marcos Jr. assumed office in 2022. He is accompanied by First Lady Louise Araneta Marcos and a high-level delegation, including several Cabinet ministers. The Philippines' President is visiting India from August 4-8. (ANI) Taiwan's Ministry of National Defence detected 16 Chinese military aircraft, six Chinese naval vessels and one official ship operating around its territorial waters as of 6 am (local time) on Wednesday. Of the 16 sorties, eight crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and eastern ADIZ (Air Defence Identification Zone). In a post on X, the MND said, "16 sorties of PLA aircraft, 6 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 16 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1952897409975021589 Earlier on Tuesday, 12 sorties of PLA aircraft, five PLAN vessels and one official ship were operating around its territory. MND wrote on X, "12 sorties of PLA aircraft, 5 PLAN vessels and 1 official ship operating around Taiwan were detected up until 6 a.m. (UTC+8) today. 8 out of 12 sorties crossed the median line and entered Taiwan's northern and eastern ADIZ. We have monitored the situation and responded." https://x.com/MoNDefense/status/1952535027947909178 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) Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the Philippines Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr jointly launched commemorative postal stamps to mark the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between India and the Philippines. Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Official Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on Tuesday said that the commemorative stamps reflect the strong bond of friendship between the two nations. In a post on X, Jaiswal wrote, "Celebrating 75th anniversary of establishment of diplomatic ties between India & Philippines. PM Narendra Modi and President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr jointly unveiled the commemorative Postal Stamps, themed on National Flowers of India & Philippines, i.e the Lotus & the Sampaguita respectively; reflecting the close cultural connections and long-lasting friendship between India & the Philippines." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1952685801621291357 As part of the Bharatiya Janata Party's (BJP) international outreach programme 'Know BJP', Union Health Minister and BJP National President Jagat Prakash Nadda also met President Marcos Jr in New Delhi. In a post on X, Nadda stated, "Met with the President of the Republic of the Philippines, H.E. Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr., in New Delhi today as part of our 'Know BJP' initiative. During our discussion, I briefed him on how the world's largest political party functions, including its ideology, organisational structure and outreach. We exchanged valuable insights to strengthen party-to-party ties. We also had a detailed discussion on how to enhance cooperation in the healthcare sector. Looking forward to continued cooperation and mutual progress." https://x.com/JPNadda/status/1952731806031077875 The meeting took place on the sidelines of Marcos Jr's five-day state visit to India. Speaking at a banquet hosted by President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan, Marcos Jr described the trip as one of the most "productive and constructive" visits he has undertaken and attributed its success to the enduring closeness between the two countries. "It has been one of my most productive and constructive visits that I have ever had, and I attribute this to the enduring closeness between the Philippines and India," he said. (ANI) US President Donald Trump has once again reiterated his claim that he stopped the escalation of the recent India-Pakistan conflict after the Pahalgam terror attack, stating he "stopped five wars in the last five months", including one between the two nations. Trump made this statement within just 20 days of repeating his previous claim that the US helped broker a ceasefire between India and Pakistan. He made these remarks during a press conference at the White House, originally called to discuss the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Trump stated that he is working to end the ongoing conflict, which he refers to as "Biden's war". "This is Biden's war, and we're working very hard to get us out. I stopped five wars in the last five months, actually, and I'd like this to be the sixth, frankly," he said. He further claimed that he had successfully prevented conflicts between nations, including India and Pakistan. "The other ones I stopped with in a matter of days, almost every one of them, including India and Pakistan. And I could go over the whole list, but you know the list as well as I do," he stated. In July, Trump made the same remarks during his meeting with the Secretary General of NATO, Mark Rutte. "We have been very successful in settling wars, India, Pakistan... India, by the way, Pakistan would have been a nuclear war within another week, the way that was going. It was going very badly," Trump stated. He pointed to his strategy of using trade as leverage, stating, "We did that through trade. I said, we are not going to talk to you about trade, unless you get this thing settled, and they did." Trump has repeatedly claimed credit for stopping hostilities between India and Pakistan after New Delhi's effective response to Islamabad's aggression following precision strikes on terror infrastructure. However, India refuted the claims made by the US President, reiterating its policy that India and Pakistan bilaterally address any matter related to the Union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. Meanwhile, Trump recently announced a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on India and an unspecified penalty for importing oil from Russia. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" the US President said in the post. Hours after he mentioned raising tariffs on India, Trump on Tuesday said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25 per cent "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. "They're fueling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Reuters reported, citing Trump's CNBC interview. (ANI) US Attorney Michael DiGiacomo has announced that an Indian national, Swapnil Ramesh Tejale (34), was arrested and charged with possession of a 'forged alien resident card'. The charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years imprisonment and a fine of USD 2,50,000, according to a statement issued by the US Attorney's Office, Western District of New York. Assistant US Attorney Michael J Smith, who is handling the case, stated that according to the complaint, on July 10, 2025, the Niagara Falls Border Patrol Station received a request from the Niagara Falls Police Department to help identify three individuals that they had encountered during a traffic stop, the statement said on July 21. Agents arrived at the scene and questioned the three individuals as to their citizenship. Tejale presented a Lawful Permanent Resident Card but voluntarily admitted that the card was fictitious. It was determined that Tejale was illegally present in the United States without any immigration documents that would allow him to remain in the country lawfully. After Tejale was taken into custody, agents located a Social Security Card in his name. Record checks verified that the Social Security Card was also fictitious. This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative that marshals the full resources of the Department of Justice to repel the invasion of illegal immigration, achieve the total elimination of cartels and transnational criminal organisations (TCOs), and protect our communities from the perpetrators of violent crime. The complaint was filed as a result of an investigation by the US Border Patrol Niagara Falls Station, under the supervision of Patrol Agent in Charge Brady Waikal, as per the statement. In a related case, an Indian national residing in Santa Rosa, California, was sentenced on March 5 to six months in prison by a US District Court in Seattle. He was convicted of Conspiracy to Bring in and Transport Certain Aliens for Profit following an investigation by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and US Border Patrol, according to a separate statement issued by ICE. (ANI) Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said that he will not call US President Donald Trump to negotiate with him. Silva said that Trump is not interested in negotiation. "I'm not going to call Trump to negotiate anything, because he doesn't want to talk. But rest assured, I will call Trump to invite him to come to the COP, because I want to know what he thinks about the climate issue. I'll have the courtesy to call him. I'll call him, Xi Jinping, I'll call Prime Minister Modi, I'll call. I just won't call Putin, because Putin can't travel right now. But I will call many Presidents," he said. https://x.com/RT_com/status/1952790234724483472 The statement comes as Trump said that he would impose a 50 per cent tariff on Brazilian goods. Trump on July 30 signed executive actions on Wednesday imposing a 50% tariff on Brazil, a 50% tariff on certain copper products and suspending a tax perk for all countries that allowed cheap packages to fly into the US duty-free, as per CNN. Earlier in the month of July, Trump in a letter threatened the hefty tariff if Brazil did not end its trial against right-wing former president, Jair Bolsonaro. He accused the Brazilian government of "serious human rights abuses that have undermined the rule of law in Brazil," as per CNN. The new tariff on Brazil appeared to be spurred by non-economic matters, as per CNN. Bolsonaro bragged about his closeness with Trump. He is facing trial for allegedly attempting to stage a coup against Lula. Trump has publicly objected to that proceeding, and his order alleged Bolsonaro's prosecution was "politically motivated." "The Order finds that the Government of Brazil's politically motivated persecution, intimidation, harassment, censorship, and prosecution of former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro and thousands of his supporters are serious human rights abuses that have undermined the rule of law in Brazil," the order read, as quoted by CNN. (ANI) Tel Aviv [Israel], August 6 (ANI/TPS): Judea and Samaria found in the Palestinian Authority territories 30 stolen vehicles and heavy equipment of the type used in agriculture and construction. The police confiscated the items and said they would be returned to their rightful owners. The operation was conducted under the direction of the district commander, Superintendent Moshe Pintsi, as part of what the Judea and Samaria District Police said is its "uncompromising fight against the phenomenon of vehicle theft." (ANI/TPS) Sweden, Norway, and Denmark have pledged a combined USD 500 million to a NATO program supplying advanced US weapons, including Patriot missiles, to Ukraine, Khaama Press reported. The aid follows a proposal initially supported by US President Donald Trump, in which the US would provide the weapons while European allies cover the cost, as per Khaama Press. Sweden is contributing USD 275 million, Norway USD 146 million, and Denmark USD 90 million. The funds will be transferred to NATO immediately to ensure the rapid delivery of weapons to Ukrainian forces. Defence ministers from Norway and Denmark stressed the urgency of the situation. "Speed is vital," said Denmark's minister. Norway echoed this, emphasizing that Ukraine needs the equipment "as soon as possible," as quoted by Khaama Press. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy welcomed the move, calling it a "new foundation for European security" and a deterrent to further Russian aggression. The new NATO initiative, known as the "Ukraine Defense Capability Coalition," also includes Canada and other European nations. The Netherlands was the first country to join, pledging EUR500 million earlier this week. This support reflects increasing European commitment to help Ukraine defend itself as the war with Russia, now in its third year, continues to escalate. Zelenskyy on Tuesday said he had a "productive conversation" with US President Donald Trump, with the main focus on ending the war with Russia and coordinating positions between Kyiv and Washington. Zelenskyy said the two leaders discussed achieving a "just and lasting peace" and expressed appreciation for Trump's efforts to help end the conflict. "It is truly a must to stop the killing as soon as possible, and we fully support this. Many months could have already passed without war, had Russia not been prolonging it," Zelenskyy said in a statement shared on X. https://x.com/ZelenskyyUa/status/1952738801010303372 Zelenskyy added that both sides exchanged assessments of the battlefield, particularly the rising number of Russian strikes on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. He said President Trump was "fully informed" about the current situation and Moscow's intensified assaults. (ANI) A devastating accident occurred near Ahmedabad Town on Tuesday when a speeding bus plummeted into a pond, claiming the lives of two passengers and injuring 13 others, Dawn reported. The bus was en route from Gujranwala to Zafarwal when the driver reportedly lost control of the vehicle, which overturned and fell into a roadside pond. Several passengers, including women and children, were trapped inside the submerged vehicle. Rescue 1122 teams, led by District Emergency Officer Engineer Muhammad Aurangzeb, sprang into action, rushing to the scene to launch a rescue operation. The rescuers worked tirelessly to retrieve the bodies of two passengers, Sohaib (30) and Sadia Bibi (38), while the injured were pulled out and administered first aid before being transferred to a hospital. The injured passengers, including Zarqa (13), Ali Raza (23), Fatima (5), and others. Eyewitnesses Tufail and Nasir Hussain attributed the accident to the high speed of the bus and the poor condition of the road, as per Dawn. According to Rescue 1122 sources, the condition of two of the injured passengers is said to be critical. In a separate incident, a woman died and eight other members of a family were injured when a speeding motorcycle-rickshaw crashed into a parked trailer at Sheikhupura. Rana Haroon Ali, spokesperson for Rescue 1122, Sheikhupura, said that a speeding rickshaw, going to Lahore from Farooqabad, rammed into a trailer parked in front of City Centre, Kot Abdul Malik on Lahore Road. He said that on being called, a rescue team immediately reached the spot and started operation. He said a woman, identified as Parveen Bibi (55), died on the spot, while eight other members of her family were injured in the accident. According to Dawn, the unidentified rickshaw driver fled the scene after the accident. The Rescue 1122 medical team provided first aid to the injured and shifted them to the government hospital, while the body of the woman was handed over to the local police. (ANI) With a legacy dating back to 1955, Choice Hotels Canada has played a pivotal role in the company's international growth. The acquisition marks a significant milestone in Choice's 70- year history in Canada and positions the company for accelerated growth. "This milestone reflects our confidence in the Canadian market and the exceptional capabilities and legacy of success of our local team," expressed Patrick Pacious, President & CEO of Choice Hotels International. "By consolidating operations in Canada and expanding Choice Hotels Canada's owner success system from the current 8 hotel brands to our full portfolio of 22 brands, we are opening doors to remarkable opportunities for our franchisees and guests, while paving the way for accelerated growth across Canada." The transaction, completed in July 2025, was valued at approximately $112 million and was funded through available cash and the company's existing credit facility. Management expects the total Choice Hotels Canada business to generate approximately $23 million of fee revenue and $18 million in EBITDA for full-year 2025.1 As of June 30, 2025, Choice Hotels' Canadian portfolio included 350 hotels and 30,000 rooms, with more than 2,500 rooms in the pipeline including its first Cambria Hotel, four Radisson hotels, and more than 20 Comfort, Quality, and Ascend Collection hotels.2 Canada is a highly attractive hospitality market, with projected average annual growth expected to exceed 5% through 2030, reaching over $50 billion. With a strong foundation of over 9 million existing Choice customers and a robust network of franchisees, Choice Hotels aims to expand its market share across all 22 brands. Brian Leon, CEO of Choice Hotels Canada and an 18-year company veteran, will continue to lead the Canadian operations. InnVest Hotels, the largest franchisee of Choice Hotels in Canada will remain a key partner, owning and operating 50 Comfort hotels nationwide. "This is an exciting moment for Choice Hotels Canada and our franchisees," added Brian Leon, Toronto-based CEO of Choice Hotels Canada. "With the full backing of Choice Hotels International, we are well-positioned to deliver even greater value to our franchisees and guests as we write the next chapter of our success story." Global Expansion This investment accelerates Choice Hotels' continued growth outside of the United States. In Q2 2025, the company grew its net international rooms portfolio by 5% to over 140,000 rooms since June 30, 2024, driven by a 15% increase in openings. Major developments year-to-date include strengthening the company's presence in Brazil by extending a master franchise agreement for over 10,000 rooms with Atlantica Hospitality International by 20 years, nearly tripling the room count in France through a direct franchise agreement with Zenitude Hotel-Residences, and signing strategic agreements with SSAW Hotels & Resorts in China, including a distribution agreement which is expected to add over 9,500 rooms in 2025 and a master franchising agreement, which is expected to add approximately 10,000 rooms over the next five years. About Choice Hotels Choice Hotels International, Inc. (NYSE: CHH), is one of the largest lodging franchisors in the world, with nearly 7,500 hotels, representing nearly 650,000 rooms, in 46 countries and territories. A wide-ranging portfolio of 22 brands that includes full-service upper upscale, midscale, extended stay, and economy properties enables Choice Hotels to meet travelers' needs in more places and for more occasions while driving more value for franchise owners and shareholders. The award-winning Choice Privileges rewards program and co-brand credit card options provide members with a fast and easy way to earn reward nights and personalized perks. For more information, visit www.choicehotels.com. ___________________________ 1 The fee revenues of $23 million exclude reimbursable revenues from franchised properties. The July 2, 2025 exchange rate of 0.734 was used to convert the purchase price, fee revenues, and EBITDA from Canadian dollars to US dollars. 2 Of the 30,000 rooms, 26,000 were part of the Choice Hotels Canada joint venture. SOURCE Choice Hotels International, Inc. The hunger crisis in Afghanistan is spiralling out of control, with the World Food Programme (WFP) warning that the situation is deteriorating by the day, Tolo News reported. The economic crisis, successive droughts, and the forced return of thousands of Afghan migrants have put immense pressure on the country's limited resources, exacerbating the plight of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and returnees from neighbouring countries. In its latest report, this UN-affiliated agency stated that women, children, and returnees from neighbouring countries are the most vulnerable groups in this crisis. According to Ziauddin Safi, WFP communications officer, the agency requires nearly USD 540 million to carry out its programs aimed at reaching the most vulnerable Afghans across the country over the next six months. "For the next six months, the World Food Programme in Afghanistan needs nearly 540 million US dollars to carry out its programs aimed at reaching the most vulnerable Afghans across the country," Ziauddin Safi, the WFP communications officer, said. However, some economic experts believe that for long-term economic growth, investment in infrastructure projects is essential, as per Tolo News. Mir Shaker Yaqubi, an economic affairs expert, notes that aid becomes effective only when it takes on a developmental shape and positively impacts development, welfare, and economic comfort. "These aids are humanitarian and prevent a serious crisis, but they cannot in any way be considered as a fundamental solution to Afghanistan's economic problems," he said. Another economic expert, Sayed Masood, shares a similar perspective, but with a different emphasis. He believes that Afghanistan's crisis is not primarily economic but rather political. "We have the facts and elements necessary to grow and organise the economy," he said. "In reality, Afghanistan's crisis is a political one, especially with the current global and regional engagement, which is preventing developmental projects from moving forward." The Ministry of Economy also considers the continuation of aid from international relief organisations to be beneficial to the country under current conditions. Abdul Latif Nazari, Deputy Minister of Economy, said: "Humanitarian aid is a serious and essential need under the current circumstances, particularly with the return of migrants from neighbouring countries. Therefore, our request is that international aid organisations and the global community continue their humanitarian and emergency assistance to the people of Afghanistan." Previously, the United Nations had requested over two billion dollars to provide aid to approximately 23 million people in Afghanistan. (ANI) India hosted senior physicians and policymakers from BIMSTEC countries at the National Cancer Grid (NCG) annual meeting held from August 2-3 in Mumbai, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). In a post on X, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said, "India hosted senior physicians and policy makers from BIMSTEC countries in the National Cancer Grid annual meeting held from 2-3 August 2025 in Mumbai. The initiative will help our BIMSTEC partners build their capacities in the critical area of cancer care, with the expertise & skills developed in India." https://x.com/MEAIndia/status/1952995551546609910 The latest engagement was built on last year's interaction, when India hosted senior cancer physicians and policymakers from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries at the National Cancer Grid's annual meeting from November 6 to 8, 2024, at Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai. The NCG was a collaborative network that included over 360 cancer centres, research institutes, patient groups, and professional societies in India, along with 15 other countries. According to a press statement by the External Affairs Ministry (MEA) on Wednesday, the meeting was aimed at introducing participants to the NCG's activities and providing a first-hand experience of cancer control practices. The agenda covered several NCG initiatives and featured brainstorming sessions to discuss future projects. Key topics included participation in Virtual Tumour Boards, workforce development, support for cancer registries, and the twinning of cancer centres across regions. "The event sought to familiarise participants with various activities of the NCG and to gain first-hand experience of cancer control. The meeting had a diverse agenda, highlighting several NCG initiatives and included brainstorming sessions focusing on future initiatives. During the meeting, several collaborative initiatives were discussed, including participation in Virtual Tumor Boards, capacity building for workforce development, assistance with cancer registries, and twinning of cancer centres," the MEA stated. The initiative was expected to enhance BIMSTEC cooperation in health by expanding the reach of cancer control activities in the region, thereby strengthening the broader BIMSTEC partnership. BIMSTEC, or the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation, is a regional organisation comprising seven member countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Thailand. These nations are located in South Asia and Southeast Asia, with a focus on the Bay of Bengal region. (ANI) Deputy Defence Minister Colonel General Aleksandr Fomin held a meeting with Vinay Kumar, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of India to the Russian Federation, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. The Russian Defence Ministry said the sides discussed topical issues of bilateral cooperation in the defence sphere and confirmed the focus on further strengthening the specialised cooperation in the form of a particularly privileged strategic partnership. It added that the meeting took place in a warm and friendly atmosphere which is traditional for the Russian-Indian relations. Building on this spirit, Russia on Tuesday emphasised that sovereign nations have the right to choose their trade partners and determine the terms of economic cooperation based on their interests, TASS reported. Commenting on the US' threats regarding India, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists, "We believe that sovereign countries must have and do have the right to choose their trade partners, the partners in trade and economic cooperation, on their own and independently determine those modes of trade and economic cooperation that suit the interests of a country in question." US President Donald Trump on Tuesday said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25% "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. Soon after, India said that "the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable". A statement by the Ministry of External Affairs said the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. The spokesperson said India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the Ukraine conflict and that the very nations criticising India are themselves engaged in trade with Russia. "Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," the statement said. India has, earlier too, defended its sovereign right to conduct energy policy based on national interest, stating that energy purchases are guided by market dynamics and prevailing global conditions. (ANI) At least 71 people, over half of them children, have died and another 86 have been injured in rain-related incidents across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) since the start of the monsoon season in late June, Dawn reported, citing the KP Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA). Monsoon rains, which fall across the region from June to September every year, continue to lash many parts of the country. Dawn reported that, since late June, the rains have wreaked havoc across KP, triggering deadly floods, landslides and displacement, particularly in vulnerable, poorly drained or densely populated areas. According to the latest PDMA data, the total death toll from rain-related incidents this monsoon season stands at 71, including 40 children, 17 men and 14 women, Dawn reported. Swat district recorded the highest number of deaths, at 22, during heavy rains, with most fatalities caused by floods, landslides and infrastructure collapse. On June 27, 17 people, mostly tourists, went missing after unprecedented flash floods struck areas of Swat and Malakand divisions. Dawn reported that 12 bodies were recovered, four people were rescued, and the body of one person remains missing, according to PDMA. The delay in rescue efforts sparked outrage across the country. The PDMA report stated that on July 21, a woman died after drowning in a nullah, while two children were swept away and reported dead. The same day, three children died after the roof of their house collapsed in the Bahrain tehsil of Swat. District-wise, the death toll currently stands at: Swat (22), Buner (4), Malakand (5), Charsadda (3), Upper Dir (3), Torghar (2), Mansehra (3), Hangu (2), Khyber (3), Abbottabad (5), Shangla (2), Bajaur (3), Lower Kohistan (2), Lakki Marwat (3), Battagram (2). Karak, Haripur, Upper Kohistan, Nowshera and Kohat recorded one death each, Dawn reported. The PDMA also estimated that 86 people have been injured in rain-related incidents, including 38 men, 15 women and 33 children. A total of 358 houses have been damaged, 54 of them completely destroyed. Swat recorded the highest number of destroyed houses at 63, followed by 38 in Karak and 22 in Buner. The number of cattle that perished as a result of the rains stood at 142. Meanwhile, PDMA has issued a rainfall alert for KP, forecasting isolated rainfall and thunderstorms over the next 12 to 24 hours in several parts of the province, including Chitral, Dir, Swat, Kalam, Mansehra, Battagram, Abbottabad, Haripur, Swabi, Mardan, Nowshera, Peshawar, Charsadda, Kohat, Lakki Marwat, Parachinar, Bannu and Dera Ismail Khan. In a statement issued on Sunday, PDMA directed district administrations and other relevant organisations to remain on high alert as the Pakistan Meteorological Department forecast more intermittent to heavy rains, wind, and thunderstorms across KP from August 4 to 7, Dawn reported. (ANI) US President Donald Trump's trusted foreign envoy, Steve Witkoff, met Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Wednesday in what CNN described as a last-ditch effort to avert new sanctions Trump has threatened to impose this week. According to CNN, Witkoff landed in Moscow on Wednesday morning and was greeted at the airport by Russia's investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev. Later, Kremlin video showed him shaking hands with Putin ahead of their meeting. Whether Putin can convince Witkoff -- and, by extension, Trump -- that he is willing to end Russia's war in Ukraine remains uncertain, CNN reported. Trump has expressed doubts over Putin's intentions and appears wary of being strung along by a leader he now openly distrusts. Trump said a day before Witkoff's meeting that he would decide on sanctions after the talks conclude. "We're going to see what happens," he said at the White House. "We'll make that determination at that time." The meeting took place amid heightened tensions. Since Witkoff's last visit in April, Russia has resisted US-led peace efforts and intensified missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv. A day ahead of Witkoff's arrival, Trump spoke by phone with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss possible sanctions on Moscow. In a social media post, Zelensky said the sanctions could "change a lot" for Russia's economy. He also confirmed discussions on increased US weapons support for Ukraine, funded by NATO allies -- a policy Trump approved last month. Trump has set a Friday deadline for Russia to agree to a peace deal or face new measures, including sanctions on its economy and on buyers of its energy products. "There'll be sanctions, but they seem to be pretty good at avoiding sanctions," Trump told CNBC. "You know, they're wily characters, and they're pretty good at avoiding sanctions. So we'll see what happens." CNN reported that Trump has also ordered the repositioning of two US nuclear submarines, which some European officials view as a show of force ahead of Witkoff's talks. However, it remains unclear if the move has been carried out. If Moscow fails to meet the deadline, Trump has threatened "secondary tariffs" on countries buying Russian energy -- a step that could impact major customers like China and India. "They're fueling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump said. Witkoff's visit marks his first trip to Russia in months. Earlier this year, concerns were raised in Washington about his diplomatic inexperience, particularly after he met Putin without a US translator present. After his last meeting with Putin, Witkoff told CNN that the Russian leader "sees the opportunity for the first time in decades" to recalibrate US-Russia relations. Months later, however, the war continues and relations remain strained. (ANI) China has expressed strong reservations regarding the recent joint naval exercise conducted by India and the Philippines in the South China Sea, emphasising that territorial and maritime disputes should be resolved solely by the countries directly involved. In a statement issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lin Jian, the ministry further expressed that there should not be any "third-party" involvement in the region. "Disputes over territory and maritime rights and interests should be settled through negotiation and consultation by countries directly concerned, and no third party is in any position to interfere in that," Jian said in a statement on X on Wednesday. The statement was a veiled reference to India's recent joint naval exercise with the Philippines, where three Indian Naval Ships, INS Delhi, INS Shakti and INS Kiltan of the Eastern Fleet, took part for operational deployment in Southeast Asia. The exercise was led by Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Susheel Menon. On Tuesday, India reiterated its steadfast position on the South China Sea, asserting its support for freedom of navigation, overflight, and legitimate commerce through the region, which it views as part of the "global commons", noting that the stance is rooted in international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). During a special press briefing on the occasion of the state visit of the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr, to India, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) stated that India has a long-standing interest in peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific, underscoring that any disputes in the region should be resolved peacefully, without the threat or use of force, and through legal and diplomatic means. MEA Secretary (East), Periasamy Kumaran, highlighted that discussions on the Code of Conduct (CoC) in the South China Sea should be effective, substantive, and inclusive of the interests of all stakeholders, including those not party to the negotiations. "Our position on the South China Sea is clear and consistent. We consider the South China Sea as a part of the global commons, and we support freedom of navigation, overflight in the region and legitimate commerce through the waters of the South China Sea. India has an abiding interest in peace and stability in the region, and our position is based on the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982," Kumaran stated. "India also believes that any difference between the parties concerned should be resolved peacefully by respecting the legal and diplomatic processes and without resorting to the threat or use of force. We have also said that the discussions on the code of conduct that come out of these discussions should be effective and substantive, and it should also take into account the interests of the parties, which are not part of the COC negotiations. The PM himself had said in his joint statement that 'We support the freedom of navigation based on international law'; that broadly sums up our policy there," he added. This remark came following a statement by the Spokesperson of China's People's Liberation Army's Southern Theatre Command calling out the Philippines for organising "joint patrols" with "external countries", noting that these exercises undermine regional peace and stability. "The Philippines has been rallying an external country to interfere in the South China Sea by organising so-called 'joint patrols', which undermine regional peace and stability. PLA Southern Theatre Command's forces remain on high alert, resolutely defending national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests," the Spokesperson said. (ANI) On August 1, five prominent Uyghur organizations, including the Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU), the Uyghur Human Rights Project (UHRP), the Uyghur American Association (UAA), the Uyghur Academy, and the Center for Uyghur Studies (CUS), were represented at a press conference in Washington, D.C., where they welcomed the introduction of the bipartisan, bicameral Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act (UGASA), as reported by Campaign for Uyghurs (CFU). This significant legislation, introduced by Senator Dan Sullivan, who chairs the Congressional Executive Commission on China (CECC), alongside CECC Co-Chair Congressman Chris Smith and Congressman Tom Suozzi, Co-Chairs of the Bi-Partisan Congressional Uyghur Caucus, and Senator Jeff Merkley, a CECC Commissioner, enhances U.S. capabilities to address the ongoing genocide and crimes against humanity committed by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) against Uyghurs and other Turkic populations. Congressman John Moolenaar, who chairs the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, also co-sponsored the bill, according to the release by Campaign for Uyghurs. UGASA imposes sanctions on individuals and organisations involved in forced labour, mass surveillance, and forced organ harvesting. It prohibits the U.S. government from acquiring goods associated with Uyghur forced labour, mandates regular public reporting on atrocities, provides support for survivors, and calls for accountability regarding the missing and detained relatives of Uyghur Americans. Furthermore, the bill enhances oversight of U.S. companies and institutions that could be complicit in repression through investments or technology transfers. The press conference featured Piero Tozzi, senior staff to Rep. Chris Smith and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, and Tejkaran Kaur Bains, senior staff to Rep. Tom Suozzi, Co-Chairs of the Congressional Uyghur Caucus. It underscored the strong and united backing for UGASA, the Uyghur diaspora, and the Uyghur people facing genocide, as highlighted by the CFU release. "This legislation compels the U.S. to seek answers from Beijing and place a priority on reuniting Americans with their missing or detained family members. This holds significant meaning for me and thousands of Uyghur Americans as our relatives continue to endure wrongful detention and imprisonment at the hands of the CCP," stated Rushan Abbas, Executive Director of CFU. "UGASA represents a crucial step toward holding accountable those responsible for the ongoing Uyghur genocide," she added, as quoted in the release. Campaign for Uyghurs calls on the House and Senate to promptly pass the Uyghur Genocide Accountability and Sanctions Act. (ANI) Pakistan has missed out on three of its five major fiscal conditions set by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) for the second review of its USD 7 billion bailout package, The Express Tribune reported. According to The Express Tribune, the shortfall is attributed to provinces failing to generate the expected cash surpluses and the federal government falling short of tax collection targets. However, the Pakistani government expects that it would face minimal obstacles during its next month's review talks for the release of the next USD 1 billion tranche. A fiscal operations summary from the Pakistani Ministry of Finance revealed that the provinces were unable to save the targeted PKR 1.2 trillion in the last fiscal year, ending in June, due to a sharp rise in provincial expenditures, The Express Tribune reported. Similarly, Pakistan's Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) missed two key targets: collecting total revenues of PKR 12.3 trillion and PKR 50 billion from retailers under the Tajir Dost Scheme. The only silver lining in all the fallout is its primary budget surplus target of PKR 2.4 trillion, which was achieved alongside total revenues collected by the four provinces, The Express Tribune reported. This marks the second consecutive year of a primary surplus and the highest in 24 years, which has surpassed the IMF expectations, The Express Tribune reported. The Pakistani federal government has put the whole blame for the setbacks on provincial overspending while stating that it had maintained fiscal discipline. The overall fiscal deficit declined to 5.4 per cent of GDP (PKR 6.2 trillion), below the original target of 5.9 per cent, which is still not that significant, considering the economic crisis that the country is facing currently. While the government has maintained relative fiscal stability, official data shows that net revenues were still PKR 1.2 trillion short of covering interest payments and defence expenditures, with additional spending financed through borrowing, The Express Tribune reported. The federal government reported a primary surplus of PKR 2.7 trillion (2.4 per cent of GDP), exceeding the IMF target. Provinces collectively generated a cash surplus of PKR 921 billion, missing the IMF target by PKR 280 billion. Punjab recorded a surplus of PKR 348 billion, Sindh PKR 283 billion, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa PKR 176 billion, and Balochistan PKR 113 billion, though each province reported statistical discrepancies due to additional or off-budget expenditures, The Express Tribune reported. Provincial tax collections totalled PKR 979 billion, exceeding IMF targets by PKR 58 billion. At the same time, the FBR fell short of its overall revenue target of PKR 12.32 trillion and collected negligible amounts under the Tajir Dost Scheme. Non-tax revenues, particularly from petroleum levies, totalled over PKR 5.6 trillion, with petroleum levy collections reaching PKR 1.22 trillion after recent rate hikes. On the expenditure side, the federal government spent PKR 17.1 trillion, with current expenditures at PKR 15.8 trillion, up 15 per cent from the previous year, largely due to higher interest payments and defence spending. Interest costs rose to PKR 8.9 trillion, and defence spending reached PKR 2.2 trillion. After distributing PKR 6.9 trillion to provinces, federal net income stood at PKR 9.9 trillion, falling short of covering interest and defence outlays by PKR 1.2 trillion, The Express Tribune reported. The Finance Ministry attributed success in maintaining primary current expenditures within limits to lower subsidy releases, which were only 49 per cent of the allocated target. Federal development spending (PSDP) rose to PKR 1.05 trillion, a 43 per cent increase over the previous fiscal year. Overall, while Pakistan fell short on three key IMF conditions, the government's fiscal management and achievement of a primary surplus provide a measure of stability ahead of the upcoming review. The IMF has set about 50 conditions under the $7 billion bailout package; some of those are monitored on a quarterly and annual basis and are linked with the approval of the loan tranches. (ANI) Thousands gathered in Hiroshima on Wednesday to mark the 80th anniversary of the world's first wartime use of a nuclear bomb, as survivors, officials and representatives from 120 countries and territories renewed calls for global disarmament, Al Jazeera reported. On August 6, 1945, the United States dropped a uranium bomb, codenamed Little Boy, over the western Japanese city, killing roughly 78,000 people instantly. Tens of thousands more died by the end of the year from burns and radiation exposure. Three days later, Nagasaki was hit with a plutonium bomb, leading to Japan's surrender on August 15 and the end of World War II. At Hiroshima's Peace Memorial Park, located almost directly beneath the detonation site, delegates from a record number of international countries and regions attended the annual memorial. Reporting from the park, Al Jazeera's Fadi Salameh said, "The ceremony procedure is almost the same throughout the years I've been covering it. It starts at eight o'clock with the children and people offering flowers and then water to represent helping the victims who survived the atomic bombing at that time. Then at exactly 8:15... a moment of silence. After that, the mayor of Hiroshima reads out the declaration of peace in which they call for the abolition of nuclear weapons around the world." School children from across Japan read the "Promise of Peace," delivering statements of hope and remembrance. The ceremony also featured a message from the representative of UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, urging global peace, Al Jazeera reported. Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui warned of "the dangers of rising global militarism," criticising leaders who insist nuclear weapons are essential for national security. "Among the world's political leaders, there is a growing belief that possessing nuclear weapons is unavoidable in order to protect their own countries," he said, adding that the United States and Russia still hold 90 percent of the world's nuclear warheads. "This situation not only nullifies the lessons the international community has learned from the tragic history of the past, but also seriously undermines the frameworks that have been built for peace-building. To all the leaders around the world: please visit Hiroshima and witness for yourselves the reality of the atomic bombing." Survivors of the bombings, known as hibakusha, once faced discrimination due to unfounded fears of disease and genetic effects. Their numbers have now fallen below 100,000 for the first time. Japan maintains its commitment to nuclear disarmament but remains outside the UN treaty banning nuclear weapons, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI) Kmart Australia is facing a lawsuit in the Federal Court from a Uyghur group based in Australia that alleges the retail chain may be obtaining products from factories associated with forced labour camps in China's Xinjiang region, according to an ABC News report. The Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women's Association (AUTWA), led by president Ramila Chanisheff, is seeking court orders for Kmart to produce evidence substantiating its public claims of functioning as a "sustainable" and "ethical" retailer free from slavery or forced labour. This case will examine whether Kmart has engaged in misleading or deceptive practices under consumer law regarding the ethical nature of its products, particularly concerning its widely advertised "ethical sourcing code." Unlike the United States, which has prohibited imports from Xinjiang since 2021 due to credible allegations of forced labour involving Uyghur Muslims and other minority groups, Australia does not currently restrict such imports. AUTWA, through its legal representatives at Maurice Blackburn, claims to have cross-referenced Kmart's supplier list with "numerous credible reports" and identified at least two garment suppliers supposedly tied to the use of Uyghur forced labour, as reported by ABC News. Kmart has refuted the allegations, expressing its "disappointment" that AUTWA has pursued legal action after the company had been in dialogue with the group's attorneys for more than a year. A spokesperson for Kmart stated that the retailer has "provided extensive details of our Ethical Sourcing Program" and had extended invitations to AUTWA to meet "multiple times" to address its concerns. "For over 15 years, we have had an Ethical Sourcing Program in place that assists us in identifying and mitigating modern slavery risks, including forced labour, within our operations and supply chains," the spokesperson added. Suppliers are surveilled via site visits, audits, and investigations when complaints arise, and Kmart claims to be the pioneering Australian retailer to publicly share its factory list online, as cited in the ABC News report. Human rights organisations and the United Nations have accused China of perpetrating crimes against humanity and potentially genocide against Uyghurs and other predominantly Muslim ethnic groups in Xinjiang, allegations that Beijing has consistently denied. Freya Dinshaw from the Human Rights Law Centre remarked that warnings regarding forced labour risks in China's garment industry have been raised "for a long time," emphasising that 85 per cent of China's cotton is cultivated in Xinjiang. She further noted that Australian retailers "have been on notice" regarding these dangers, according to the ABC News report. This case also highlights concerns about the shortcomings in Australia's Modern Slavery Act. Enacted in 2018, the law mandates that large companies report on modern slavery risks but does not require them to take action against those risks. A review conducted by the Federal Government in 2023 found a 25 per cent non-compliance rate among companies and a lack of effective enforcement measures. Critics, including Professor Justine Nolan of the Australian Human Rights Institute, contend that the proposed reforms still fall short as they do not address the "root causes" nor establish a requirement to take action. According to the Minderoo Foundation's Walk Free initiative, Australia imports $27 billion worth of goods each year that are potentially produced with forced labour. Chanisheff stated that if Kmart can demonstrate it has no connections to forced labour, AUTWA would be satisfied. However, if such connections are validated, she urged the retailer to sever ties with implicated suppliers: "You can obtain your cotton from other sources," as quoted by an ABC News report. (ANI) ECI Recognized for Outstanding Innovation and Impact for Channel Partners in 2024 NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ECI has been named the recipient of the Telarus Best New Supplier 2024 at the 2025 Telarus Partner Summit, held in Anaheim, California. This distinguished honor recognizes ECI's exceptional contributions to the Telarus partner community through transformative technology, strategic collaboration, and unmatched partner enablement throughout 2024. ECI stood out among a competitive field for its ability to consistently deliver a security-first technology stack, frictionless go-to-market support, and a partner-first sales culture in the Telarus ecosystem and provide preferred solutions to a large community of technology advisors. "This award is a reflection of the deep collaboration between our team and the Telarus partner community," said Jeff Schmidt, Chief Executive Officer of ECI. "From day one, we built our channel program to empower partners with the tools, support, and service excellence they need to win. We're incredibly honored to be recognized as Best New Supplier and remain committed to driving shared success across the channel." ECI's Channel Partner Program delivers: AI-powered cybersecurity and managed IT solutions Hands-on co-selling support from Channel Managers and Sales Engineers Ready-to-use marketing and enablement tools Transparent deal registration and rewarding SPIFFs Partner Success Teams focused on long-term growth "We're honored to celebrate suppliers like ECI whose commitment to innovation, education, and true partnership has helped raise the bar across the entire channel," said Christie Hamberis, VP of Supplier Management at Telarus. "Their efforts in 2024 played a key role in empowering our technology advisors to win more business and deliver greater value to customers. We applaud their achievements and the incredible impact of all our 2024 award winners." Click here to learn more about the Telarus award winners. About ECI ECI is the leading provider of cloud services, cybersecurity, and digital transformation for alternative investment services organizations across the globe. With its unmatched platform of solutions, ECI provides assured business acceleration through technology, partnering with clients to drive innovation. More than 1,000 customers worldwide with over $3 trillion of assets under management put their trust in ECI. About Telarus Telarus is a leading global technology services distributor with a singular focus on accelerating partner success. For over 20 years, Telarus has provided comprehensive services, solutions, and tools to support our partner community as they pursue their business objectives. To learn more or become a partner, go to www.telarus.com/become-a-partner. ECI Media Contact: Jen Falasca, Head of Marketing [email protected] | 617.217.3330 SOURCE ECI Bosnia's electoral authorities have removed separatist Serb leader Milorad Dodik from his post as president of the Serb entity in Bosnia, following a court ruling that sentenced him to one year in jail and banned him from all political activities for six years, Al Jazeera reported. The decision by the Central Electoral Commission (CEC) comes after an appeals court in Bosnia and Herzegovina on Friday upheld the Sarajevo court verdict in February against Dodik for failing to comply with rulings by the international envoy overseeing Bosnia's 1995 peace accords, following war there in the early nineties, according to Al Jazeera. CEC member Suad Arnautovic told reporters that the law mandates the removal of any elected official sentenced to more than six months in prison. "The commission's decision against Milorad Dodik will take effect after an appeals period expires," Arnautovic said, adding that an early election for president of Bosnia's autonomous Serb Republic, 'Republika Srpska', would then be called within 90 days. Dodik's lawyers have said they will take the case to the Constitutional Court of Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Surrender and giving up do not exist. Surrender is not an option," Dodik wrote on X, pledging to continue his duties as president, Al Jazeera reported. He has also rejected the court ruling, insisting he will remain in office as long as he has the support of the Bosnian Serb parliament. The Bosnian Serb government said it does not accept the court decision, calling it "unconstitutional and politically motivated." Dodik has received backing from Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic and Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban, Al Jazeera noted. Meanwhile, the European Union said last week that "the verdict is binding and must be respected." Bosnia is a candidate for EU membership, but Dodik's separatist and pro-Russian stance has hindered progress towards accession. Al Jazeera reported that Dodik has repeatedly called for the Serb entity to separate and join Serbia, prompting previous US sanctions against him and his allies. His threats have raised fears in Bosnia, particularly among Bosniaks, given the history of the 1992-1995 war in which about 100,000 people were killed and millions displaced. The US-brokered Dayton Accords ended that conflict, establishing two largely autonomous regions -- Republika Srpska and the Bosniak-Croat Federation -- with shared national institutions, including the army, judiciary and tax administration. Bosnia also has a rotating three-member presidency representing Bosniaks, Bosnian Serbs and Bosnian Croats. Dodik has long clashed with Christian Schmidt, the top international envoy overseeing the peace agreement, and has declared Schmidt's decisions illegal in Republika Srpska, according to Al Jazeera. (ANI) According to Khaama Press, WFP announced on Wednesday that the contribution from Indonesia will support school feeding initiatives in Afghanistan for a three-month period, benefiting both girls and boys in primary schools. In a statement on social media platform X, WFP said the funding will enable the purchase of more than 1,200 metric tons of protein- and vitamin-fortified biscuits to be distributed among students. These biscuits, served as nutritious snacks, are aimed at improving children's health, concentration, and learning capacity. "This contribution ensures that schoolchildren across Afghanistan receive the nutrition they need for a brighter future," said Rina Setiawati, Director of International Development Cooperation at Indonesia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as quoted by Khaama Press. The WFP Deputy Country Director in Afghanistan highlighted that for many children, "This snack is often their only nutritious meal of the day, providing essential energy for learning and growth," Khaama Press reported. The programme targets areas with chronic food insecurity, high malnutrition rates, and low school enrollment, where nutritional support can also encourage attendance, according to Khaama Press. Afghanistan is facing one of the world's most severe hunger crises. WFP estimates that in 2025, 3.5 million children under the age of five and 1.2 million pregnant and breastfeeding mothers will suffer from malnutrition. While Indonesia's contribution will help address malnutrition and support education, WFP warned that funding shortages remain a major obstacle to sustaining and expanding these life-saving programmes, Khaama Press reported. This contribution marks a vital step in supporting Afghan children's health and education, but sustained international aid remains crucial to breaking the cycle of hunger and ensuring a brighter future. (ANI) The UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR) has raised concerns over Pakistan's intention to forcibly return Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards. On July 31, Pakistan confirmed that Afghan refugees would be repatriated under its ongoing 'Illegal Foreigners Repatriation Plan'. Over the past days, UNHCR has received reports of arrests and detention of Afghans across the country, including PoR cardholders, the UN body said. The Pakistan government announced that the formal repatriation and deportation of over 1.3 million Afghan refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) cards will begin on September 1, Dawn reported. This decision comes after the interior ministry declared that PoR cardholders, who were previously allowed to reside in Pakistan without visas, became unlawful residents once their cards expired on June 30. "Given that those holding PoR cards have been recognised as refugees for decades, their forced return is contrary to Pakistan's long-standing humanitarian approach to this group and would constitute a violation of the principle of non-refoulement," the UNHCR said in a statement. "UNHCR remains particularly concerned about women and girls forced to return to a country where their human rights are at risk, as well as other groups who might be endangered." We call on the authorities to ensure that any return of Afghans to Afghanistan is voluntary, safe and dignified," it said. The agency also called on Pakistan to ensure that any repatriation is voluntary, safe, and dignified. UNHCR has also reported recent arrests and detentions of Afghans across the country, including individuals with PoR cards. The UNHCR has been advocating for an extension of PoR card validity and welcomed Pakistan's decision to grant an additional one-month "grace period". It urged the Pakistani government to exempt Afghans with ongoing protection needs from involuntary return and to allow legal stay for those with medical needs, pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages. "UNHCR has continued to seek an extension of the validity of PoR cards and welcomes the additional one-month "grace period" that Pakistan has granted. UNHCR strongly urges the Government of Pakistan to apply measures to exempt Afghans with continued international protection needs from involuntary return. We also appeal to Pakistan's established goodwill to allow legal stay for Afghans with medical needs, those currently pursuing higher education, or in mixed marriages. UNHCR has expressed its readiness to support the Government to establish the necessary mechanisms," the statement read. The agency highlighted that large-scale returns from neighbouring countries this year have strained basic services, housing, and livelihoods in Afghanistan, worsening the humanitarian crisis which started after the Taliban seized control of the country back in 2021 after the collapse of the US-backed Afghan government following the withdrawal of US and ally forces. As per UNHCR, so far over 2.1 million Afghans have returned or been forced to return to Afghanistan this year, including 352,000 from Pakistan. (ANI) US President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order on Wednesday imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India in response to New Delhi's purchase of Russian oil. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. "Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated. "This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order," the order added. Earlier on Tuesday, Trump, hours after he mentioned raising tariffs on India, said he would increase the tariff charged on imports from India from the current rate of 25 per cent "very substantially" over the next 24 hours due to New Delhi's continued purchases of Russian oil, Reuters reported. "They're fuelling the war machine, and if they're going to do that, then I'm not going to be happy," Trump told CNBC in an interview, as cited by Reuters. According to the report, he added that the main sticking point with India was that its tariffs were too high but did not provide a new tariff rate. Trump had said on Monday that the United States will "substantially raise" the tariff paid by India for buying "massive amounts of Russian Oil", stating that much of the oil purchased from Moscow is being sold in the open market "for big profits". Trump's announcement, made on his social media platform Truth Social, came days after he announced a 25 per cent reciprocal tariff on India and an unspecified penalty for importing oil from Russia. "India is not only buying massive amounts of Russian Oil, they are then, for much of the Oil purchased, selling it on the Open Market for big profits. They don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine. Because of this, I will be substantially raising the Tariff paid by India to the USA. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!" the US President said in the post. Soon after the US President's remark, India said that "the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable". A statement by the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs said that the government will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security. The spokesperson said that India has been targeted by the United States and the European Union for importing oil from Russia after the commencement of the Ukraine conflict. "In fact, India began importing from Russia because traditional supplies were diverted to Europe after the outbreak of the conflict. The United States at that time actively encouraged such imports by India for strengthening global energy markets stability. India's imports are meant to ensure predictable and affordable energy costs to the Indian consumer. They are a necessity compelled by global market situation. However, it is revealing that the very nations criticizing India are themselves indulging in trade with Russia. Unlike our case, such trade is not even a vital national compulsion," the statement noted. MEA spokesperson said that the European Union in 2024 had a bilateral trade of Euro 67.5 billion in goods with Russia. In addition, it had trade in services estimated at Euro 17.2 billion in 2023."This is significantly more than India's total trade with Russia that year or subsequently. European imports of LNG in 2024 reached a record 16.5 million tonnes, surpassing the last record of 15.21 million tonnes in 2022. "The spokesperson said that Europe-Russia trade includes not just energy, but also fertilisers, mining products, chemicals, iron and steel and machinery and transport equipment. "Where the United States is concerned, it continues to import from Russia uranium hexafluoride for its nuclear industry, palladium for its EV industry, fertilisers, as well as chemicals. In this background, the targeting of India is unjustified and unreasonable. Like any major economy, India will take all necessary measures to safeguard its national interests and economic security," the statement said. India has, earlier too, defended its sovereign right to conduct energy policy based on national interest. The government had clarified that market dynamics and national interests guide India's energy purchases. "You are aware of our broad approach to energy sourcing requirements, which looks at what is available in the market and the prevailing global situation. We are not aware of any specifics," MEA Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said last week, answering queries on Trump's announcement of a penalty for purchasing Russian oil. Answering another query, Jaiswal said India's relations with any country are based on their own merit and shouldn't be viewed through the lens of third countries."Our ties with any country stand on their merit and 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," he added. Answering a query on Friday, Trump indicated that if India stops buying Russian, it will be a good step. Trump announced the imposition of 25 per cent tariffs on Indian goods and a penalty for importing Russian oil in the last week of July, even as there were hopes of an interim India-US trade that would have otherwise helped avoid elevated tariffs. There are apprehensions that global crude prices could jump to USD 200 a barrel if India were to stop buying Russian oil, which will severely harm consumers. (ANI) With the expulsion of thousands of Afghan migrants from Iran, many claim they had worked for years in sectors such as agriculture, construction, and technical professions, Tolo News reported. Abdul Rahim, who worked in agriculture in Iran for four years, said that if employment opportunities are available in Afghanistan, he can support his six-member family with his skills. "We have now returned to our own country. We used to work in agriculture there. If an opportunity arises here in the agricultural sector, I would be happy because I have skills in this field," he told Tolo News. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) announced that from the beginning of 2025 to August 1, more than 2.1 million Afghans have been deported from Iran and Pakistan. According to the report, from April 1 to the end of July alone, 1.4 million people were deported from Iran and over 303,000 from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Part of the report stated: "Since 1 April as of July 30, 1.4 million Afghans returned from Iran and 303,300 from Pakistan to Afghanistan. Over 2.1 million Afghans from Iran and Pakistan have returned in 2025. Despite high protection and basic needs, the Afghanistan situation is critically underfunded, receiving only 24 per cent of the required $478 million for this year." Another deported migrant told Tolo News, "If the work we did in Iran was available in our own country, we would never go to Iran. The Iranian government and people mistreated us. We rented houses there, and they would not pay us our wages." Abdul Jabbar, another deportee, said, "We have become old men, and there is no more work for us. Job opportunities should be created for the youth so they don't become migrants." Meanwhile, the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs has announced that a special system has been created to identify and register migrants' skills, and so far, more than 110,000 deported migrants from neighbouring countries have been registered. Samiullah Ebrahimi, spokesperson for the ministry, told Tolo News, "A system has been created to register their skills. So far, more than 110,000 migrants have been registered in this system who have experience and expertise in fields such as education. This list is shared with government and private institutions to provide employment opportunities according to their qualifications." Previously, deported migrants from Iran and Pakistan had also expressed concern about their difficult conditions, saying they live in harsh situations due to lack of shelter, unemployment, and basic services, Tolo News reported. (ANI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday met with a delegation of young political leaders from Nepal, underscoring the deep-rooted people-to-people linkages and close cooperation between the two nations. Jaishankar expressed his pleasure at the engagement, stating, "Pleased to interact with a delegation of young political leaders from Nepal on a visit to India. Discussed our close cooperation and deep people-to-people linkages," in a post on X. On Tuesday, the Nepal Embassy in India welcomed the delegation of political leaders. "The Embassy welcomed the visiting delegation of Hon. Members of Parliament and leaders of political parties and held an interaction with them," the embassy stated in a post on X. The delegation is part of the third cohort of the Observer Research Foundation's (ORF) 'Nepal Young Leaders' programme. The delegation will be in India from August 4 to August 12. The India-Nepal relationship has witnessed steady growth over the past two decades, advancing across key pillars of bilateral cooperation. Both countries are now focused on strengthening mutual convergences to fully harness opportunities in trade, investment, people-to-people exchanges, and energy collaboration. Regular high-level engagements and a shared resolve to not allow occasional differences to derail progress have further reinforced this momentum. According to ORF, the initiative aims to provide a platform for emerging Nepalese leaders to gain insights into India's ongoing transformations, engage with Indian policymakers and civil society, and expand their networks. This initiative is expected to further strengthen ties between the peoples and governments of both nations, while enhancing the delegates' understanding of India's economy, society, and polity. "As the India-Nepal relationship has witnessed steady growth over the past two decades, advancing across key pillars of bilateral cooperation. In line with this vision of deepening cooperation, the initiative aims to provide a platform for emerging Nepal leaders to gain insights into India's ongoing transformations, engage with Indian policymakers and civil society, and expand their networks." ORF stated in a post on X. (ANI) President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr. of the Philippines, on a state visit to India from August 4-8, on Wednesday expressed sympathy for the victims of the Uttarakhand flash floods and reaffirmed the centuries-old friendship between the two nations. "The Philippines is on the cusp of upper-middle income status attainable as early as next year. India, of course, can be proud of its spectacular rise under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and the intellectual gravitas, innate talent, and industry of the Indian people rising to become the world's fourth-largest economy, and the country wielding enormous global influence as an emerging middle power," Marcos said. He said, "First Lady and I are elated visiting this country. As President, it is an honour to visit the largest democracy," while extending condolences, he said, "Allow me to express my deepest sympathy to the Indian Nation, especially to those bereaved who lost loved ones in the flash floods in Uttarakhand yesterday." Over the past two days, the Philippines' President said that he paid his respects to Mahatma Gandhi, "father of the nation, whose powerful ideas continue to resonate with the world over and continue to guide our lives." Highlighting his meetings with the Indian leadership, Marcos said, "I had insightful discussions with your President and, of course, with Prime Minister Modi and other eminent officials. We expressed support and solidarity in confronting terrorism and our grief over innocent lives lost to this scourge." He added, "We discussed our cooperation in defense and security, and more importantly, we explored with the capital civilian businesses the path towards mutual growth and new opportunities between the Philippines and India." Calling it a fitting way to conclude the visit, he noted, "This opportunity to share further reflections is the most fitting way to conclude this visit on the centuries-old and enduring friendship of the Philippines and the Indian people, the state of our Indo-Pacific region, and its complex challenges and uncertainties against which we must, as nations and as partners, propel forward." Marcos stressed that both nations remain "bastions of democracy" and are now "amongst the most ascendant economies," adding, "The Philippines is likewise determined to be a force for good." (ANI) Nepal's Minister for Law, Justice, and Parliamentary Affairs, Ajay Kumar Chaurasiya, on Wednesday assured lawmakers that no bill, including those relating to polygamy, will be presented in Parliament. Addressing the parliamentary session, the law minister emphasised that bills promoting polygamy, which negatively impact social values and norms, will not be tabled. "I want to express my commitment that no bill which adversely affects society or contradicts social values and norms, such as polygamy, will be tabled in this esteemed House," Chaurasiya said. The minister also expressed concern over public confusion and outrage caused by speculative interpretations circulating in the media and on social networks. "Various interpretations based on assumptions in certain media outlets and social media regarding proposals aimed at addressing some challenges in the implementation of the Criminal Code and other statutes have created misunderstanding and anger among the general public," he said. Chaurasiya clarified that the bill was published while the draft was still under consideration at the Cabinet's Bill Committee. Lawmakers had raised concerns over these premature reports, drawing the ministry's attention. The recently proposed amendment to Section 175 of Nepal's Criminal Code, intended to exempt polygamous unions from being automatically void if the second partner becomes pregnant or gives birth, has sparked significant legal, ethical, and constitutional concerns. While the amendment claims to protect women and children involved in extra-marital relationships, critics argue it legitimises deception, violates the first spouse's legal rights, and risks reintroducing polygamy, a practice Nepal has worked hard to criminalise. Section 175 of the Criminal Code currently prohibits anyone from entering a second marriage while the first marital relationship remains valid. Enforced from Bhadra 1, 2075 (August 17, 2018), it upholds monogamous marriage and ensures that individuals are not harmed by clandestine parallel familial arrangements. A second marriage under these circumstances is void ab initio and subject to criminal sanctions, including imprisonment of one to five years and fines ranging from NPR 10,000 to 50,000. The law functions not only as a legal prohibition but also as a normative signal that Nepal, as a constitutional republic committed to gender equality and personal dignity, does not tolerate polygamy. The proposed amendment, however, seeks to create a loophole. The draft, promised by the law minister not to be presented, suggests that if a married person, regardless of gender, impregnates another individual outside their existing marriage, the new relationship may not be rendered void. While the intention is to uphold the rights of the child and prevent abandonment, critics note that children are already protected under Nepali law, and there is no justification for linking that protection to recognition of a bigamous relationship as valid. The draft bill has drawn criticism from the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), which urged the government to engage in meaningful consultations with stakeholders. Issuing a press statement on Wednesday, NHRC Spokesperson Tikaram Pokharel said, "The issue of polygamy is not only a matter of criminal law but also a serious human rights concern." The commission warned that hasty or unexamined changes could indirectly encourage polygamy, with long-term repercussions on families and society. "Any amendment related to human rights must be approached with caution and broad consensus," the statement read. Laws with widespread social implications require careful consideration beyond legal technicalities. The NHRC suggested studying legal practices in other democratic nations and aligning any amendments with Nepal's commitments under international human rights treaties. The commission called on the government to ensure extensive stakeholder consultation and to take the commission's input into account when drafting or proposing legislation affecting the public. (ANI) Terming the United States' move to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday declared that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added. "We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. This came after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. "Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated. "This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order," the order added. (ANI) United States special envoy Steve Witkoff held "useful and constructive" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or face economic penalties, Al Jazeera reported. Witkoff met Putin for about three hours on Wednesday in an effort to break the deadlock in the more than three-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged "signals" on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, but declined to give further details until Witkoff had reported back to US President Donald Trump. Russian presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev, who earlier greeted Witkoff and walked with him in a park, posted on social media: "Dialogue will prevail," Al Jazeera reported. Trump has warned that he would impose sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine before Friday. While the White House has not specified the measures it might take, Trump has previously threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia's trade partners, including India and China. Shortly after the meeting, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods from India over its purchase of Russian oil. The order stated that the "actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Al Jazeera reported. When asked on Monday what Witkoff's message to Moscow would be, and whether there was anything Russia could do to avoid sanctions, Trump told reporters, "Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed." Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomatic experience before joining Trump's team in January, has held several lengthy meetings with Putin. Critics have portrayed him as ill-equipped for such sensitive tasks, according to Al Jazeera. Three previous rounds of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul have failed to achieve progress. Putin, who has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, said on Friday that he wants peace but that his demands for ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year offensive remain unchanged. Moscow has called for Ukraine to cede more territory and renounce Western support, including NATO membership. Kyiv is calling for an immediate ceasefire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week urged allies to push for "regime change" in Moscow, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) National park in northeast China fosters big cat comeback, awareness Xinhua) 09:25, August 06, 2025 CHANGCHUN, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- Kneeling on the damp earth in Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park, Chen Ya'nan, an ecology student from Beijing's Renmin University of China, carefully examined fresh wildlife tracks. For six intense days, Chen, along with 13 classmates and teachers, immersed themselves not just in the forest, but in China's ambitious vision to save these big cats. "The national park system shows its unique power in protecting biodiversity," Chen said, surrounded by vast wilderness near the city of Hunchun in northeast China's Jilin Province. "It's clear that policy support and technology are vital pillars. I want to bridge innovation and community action in my future work." Established in October 2021, this 14,100-square-km wildlife sanctuary, which spans Jilin and Heilongjiang provinces, is yielding dramatic results. The park now shelters around 70 wild Siberian tigers and about 80 Amur leopards. ENGAGING THE NATION In Heilongjiang's Dongning, a 2,781-square-km section of the park accounting for nearly 20 percent of its total area, technology and human commitment converge. A dense network of 420 real-time transmission cameras and 236 infrared cameras has documented 136 tiger sightings and 336 leopard sightings since 2021, even identifying five cubs among 12 resident Amur leopards. For Xu Chunmei, a member of the local women's patrol team, this extensive monitoring represents more than data. It's tangible proof of the profound changes brought by systematic protection mechanisms to these mountains and forests she knows intimately, Xu said. According to the national park, the umbrella effect of protecting the apex predators also extends to 884 species of higher plants and 397 vertebrate species, ranging from rare sables to endangered Oriental storks. An "animal regulation, plant renewal, soil restoration" cycle is taking root. Protection, however, is only half the equation. "Since the park's founding, we've actively explored diverse paths for public engagement and nature education," said Chen Xiaocai, head of the park administration's comprehensive office. "We aim to steadily raise national awareness." This mission pulses through places like the Hunchun Nature Science Pavilion, where visitors, especially summer crowds of children, explore lifelike dioramas and rare animal specimens. The real draw, however, is technology. An electronic sand table showcases the park's "sky-ground-space integrated monitoring system," a network of infrared cameras, satellites and drones beaming real-time wildlife footage. "This tech protects animals and warns communities when wildlife nears villages," said a museum docent, Jing Xinyuan. Wu Yu, a fifth grader from north China's Tianjin Municipality, was captivated. "It's like a monitor for pets, but instead for wild animals! Protecting tigers protects nature," Wu said. SHARED HABITAT HARMONY Successful tiger and leopard conservation efforts bring joy, but also produce complex challenges. Over 10,000 residents still live within park boundaries -- navigating the shift from "humans advancing, tigers retreating" to coexistence. "National parks should be demonstration zones for human-nature harmony," said Xie Yi, a professor at Beijing Forestry University. "Balancing protection and development is critical." Innovative solutions are emerging. Smart early-warning systems help prevent human-wildlife encounters, while compensating farmers for crop damage now involves revised government policies plus commercial insurance schemes. Most transformative is the economic transition -- residents are moving away from practices such as forest farming and grazing. Villages now cultivate specialties like fungus, blueberries and black hoof mushrooms. In the case of Changrong Village in Jilin, annual fungus production reaches 3.5 million bags. The "one household, one ranger" policy also provides additional income, having employed 7,874 members of local households as ecological rangers in 2024, up from 7,530 in 2023. "Protecting the forest and guiding visitors earns me 10,000 yuan (around 1,400 U.S. dollars) yearly," said Zhang Yongjun, 53, one of the rangers. Formerly wary residents are increasingly joining the conservation cause. "The core of balancing protection and development globally is people-centered," said Hua Ning, director of China Conservation Project, which supports community projects within the park. As tiger and leopard footprints grow more numerous and local communities find sustainable livelihoods, China's vast experiment in national park-led conservation is demonstrating that saving a species truly takes a nation, said Chen Xiaocai. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) Deal worth up to $885 million based on achievement of certain regulatory and screening guideline milestones Final module for the first version of Freenome's colorectal cancer test has been submitted to FDA; approval and commercial launch anticipated in 2026 Availability of real-world patient and multimodal molecular data will feed AI/ML models to improve Freenome's platform BRISBANE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Freenome, a biotechnology company pioneering an early cancer detection platform, today announced an exclusive license agreement with Exact Sciences to advance the commercialization of its colorectal (CRC) blood-based screening test,* including the U.S. commercial rights and the underlying technology. Freenome retains the rights for its CRC blood test when it is ordered in combination with additional cancer screening tests, including for lung and more than 10 other initial cancer indications the company is pursuing. Exact Sciences will accelerate market adoption of the CRC blood test by leveraging its commercial infrastructure to streamline access to nearly 400 health systems with EMR integration; more than 865 in-network payers; more than 260,000 ordering physicians; and relationships with millions of patients who have been prescribed a Cologuard test. Freenome will initially lead test processing, analysis and return of results while continuing to work with healthcare organizations to identify patients who are eligible for multiple tests. "We are excited to enter into this agreement with Exact Sciences, which represents a pivotal moment in our mission to detect cancer in its earliest, most treatable stages," said Aaron Elliott, Ph.D., chief executive officer of Freenome. "With this agreement, our CRC blood test which we believe is best in class, if approved will be available much sooner to millions of patients. Additionally, Freenome will be able to augment our commercial reach and integration into primary care workflows, as we advance the development of our multiomic early cancer detection platform with the additional capital." "This agreement in blood-based cancer screening accelerates our ability to bring new solutions to market," said Kevin Conroy, chairman and chief executive officer of Exact Sciences Corp. "As an additional option to Cologuard Plus, this enhances our reach to unscreened patients. By integrating with our ExactNexus technology platform and commercial infrastructure, we're positioned to scale quickly and drive meaningful impact." The terms include: an upfront payment of $75 million; $200 million in milestone payments associated with FDA first-line approval of the CRC blood test and a future test version; $500 million if the test is rated as an A or B test in the United States Preventive Services Taskforce (USPSTF) guidelines; royalties on test sales (expected to ramp to 10% once gross margins hit certain targets); $20 million in funding for joint R&D development expenses leveraging the technology for three years; and an equity investment of $50 million. Freenome will also have access to all multimodal data from patients to power future AI/ML models across multiple cancer indications. "Population-level CRC screening is the gateway for our broader vision of personalized early cancer detection and, ultimately, disease detection beyond cancer," said Riley Ennis, Freenome's co-founder and chief product officer. "This partnership gives us the commercial scale and real-world data we need to improve our existing tests and accelerate development of the 10-plus other cancer types in our pipeline, and then expand from there." CRC Screening Test Performance In U.S.-census-adjusted data from Freenome's pivotal PREEMPT CRC Study involving 48,995 average-risk adults, the company's CRC screening test detected 81.1% of CRC including 63.5% at stage 1 and 13.7% of advanced precancerous lesions (APL), with a specificity of 90.4%.1 As part of its test versioning strategy, Freenome has undertaken a comprehensive upgrade of the assay, automation and algorithm to develop an improved version of its CRC test. In a head-to-head study of the two versions on a primarily prospectively collected independent cohort, this "next-generation" version has shown even stronger performance in CRC and APL detection. The study included an average-risk, pre-colonoscopy arm to mirror the intended use population of PREEMPT CRC. Detailed data will be presented at an upcoming scientific meeting. Freenome is in active discussions with the FDA and plans to submit a supplemental premarket approval application for the next-generation test, following the approval of the first version. CRC is the world's second deadliest cancer, with more than 50,000 deaths per year in the U.S. alone.2,3 When CRC is detected early, the survival rate is over 90%, yet more than 40% of screening-eligible adults are not up to date with current screening guidelines.4 The availability of less invasive, more accessible screening options such as blood-based tests has been shown to increase screening rates.5 Freenome and Early Cancer Detection To pursue its vision of personalized early cancer detection, Freenome developed a multiomics platform that analyzes genomic, epigenomic, and proteomic biomarkers and applies AI/ML-based models to detect cancer-specific signals in the bloodstream, including those derived from circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA). The company's CRC screening blood test was built on this platform and identifies specific methylation signatures in ctDNA at single-base resolution. Beyond CRC R&D and progressing its lung cancer laboratory-developed test toward an anticipated launch in 2026, Freenome will focus on developing its "personalized cancer early detection" program. The company's goal is to create a common lab platform with custom panels and classifiers to offer multiple tests to an individual, based on risk profiles and guideline eligibility. Targeting high-, elevated-, and average-risk populations based on the unmet need allows the tests to be optimized for higher sensitivity at clinically acceptable specificity. About Freenome Freenome is breaking barriers to early cancer detection with a suite of blood-based tests built on its multiomics platform. The company recognizes that no single technology can identify every cancer due to the disease's inherent heterogeneity. Freenome's multimodal approach combines molecular biology and assays with computational biology, machine learning and multiple data types to tune into cancer's subtlest cues, even at the earliest stages of the disease. With the convenience of a standard blood draw, Freenome aims to empower everyone to access recommended cancer screenings. The company is partnering with healthcare organizations and population health decision-makers to integrate its technology and software platform, making cancer detection easier and more accessible. Freenome is headquartered in Brisbane, California. Find out more at www.freenome.com and visit us on LinkedIn . *Freenome's colorectal cancer blood-based screening test is referred to as "SimpleScreen CRC Colorectal Cancer screening blood test" in the company's Premarket Approval Application to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. References Shaukat A, Burke CA, Chan AT, et al. Clinical validation of a circulating tumor DNAbased blood test to screen for colorectal cancer. JAMA. 2025;334(1):56-63. doi:10.1001/jama.2025.7515 National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results Program. Cancer stat facts: common cancer sites. Accessed Aug. 6, 2025 . https://seer.cancer.gov/statfacts/html/common.html World Health Organization. Cancer. Published Feb. 3, 2025 . Accessed Aug. 6, 2025 . https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/cancer Survival rates for colorectal cancer. American Cancer Society. Accessed Aug. 6, 2025 . https://www.cancer.org/cancer/types/colon-rectal-cancer/detection-diagnosis-staging/survival-rates.html Liang PS, Zaman A, Kaminsky A, et al. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2023 Apr 8 ;21(11):29512957.e2. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2023.03.036 SOURCE Freenome Holdings, Inc. The Global Trade Research Institute (GTRI) on Wednesday called the United States' decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on Indian imports "hypocritical", highlighting Washington's selective approach towards its allies and China when it comes to their trade relations with Moscow. This came after Washington announced the additional levy, which adds to an existing 25 per cent tariff, raising the total duty on Indian goods to 50 per cent, effective from August 27. The GTRI, in its statement, stated that the US had overlooked Russia's trade with the European Union and China, noting selective enforcement on India, exposing Washington's hypocrisy. According to the data given by GTRI, China purchased USD 62.6 billion of Russian oil in 2024, surpassing India's USD 52.7 billion, yet Beijing faces no punitive tariffs. The think tank pointed out that the US avoids targeting China due to its leverage over critical materials such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, which are vital for the US defence and technology industries. It also noted that the US has turned a blind eye to the EU's USD 39.1 billion imports from Russia in 2024, including USD 25.2 billion in oil, while the US itself purchased USD 3.3 billion in strategic materials from Russia. "GTRI calls the US action hypocritical. In 2024, China bought $62.6 billion of Russian oil--more than India's $52.7 billion--yet faces no such penalties. Washington avoids targeting Beijing because of China's leverage over critical materials such as gallium, germanium, rare earths, and graphite, vital for US defence and technology," the statement read. "The U.S. has also overlooked its allies' trade with Russia: the EU imported $39.1 billion of Russian goods last year, including $25.2 billion in oil, while the U.S. itself purchased $3.3 billion in strategic materials from Russia," it added. It stated that this selective targeting not only threatens India's USD 86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, but also raises questions about the credibility of US trade policy, as the move is expected to potentially reduce Indian exports to the US by 40 per cent to 50 per cent. "The move places India among the most heavily taxed US trading partners, far above rivals such as China, Vietnam, and Bangladesh, and threatens most of India's $86.5 billion in annual exports to the US, from textiles to machinery... The tariffs are expected to make Indian goods far costlier in the US, with a cut of US-bound exports by 40-50%," the statement read. The GTRI recommended that India should remain cautious, avoid immediate retaliation for at least six months, and continue strategic engagement with Russia, China, and other global trade partners. It also noted that abandoning Russian oil purchases solely to appease Washington would not prevent future trade threats. "India could think of not buying Russian oil if economically viable, but should not abandon Russian oil purchases simply to satisfy Washington. The US may find a new pretext to tax India again. India should remain calm, avoid retaliation for at least six months, and recognise that meaningful trade negotiations with the US cannot proceed under threats or mistrust. US action will push India to reconsider its strategic alignment, deepening ties with Russia, China, and many other countries," the statement read. (ANI) Marking the fourth anniversary of the Taliban's takeover, HRW said that despite extensive documentation of the group's abuses -- including bans on girls' education, extreme restrictions on women, suppression of dissent, and arbitrary arrests of journalists -- "no meaningful accountability mechanism has been established," according to Khaama Press. The organisation urged the UN Human Rights Council to "urgently create an independent international body to monitor, document, and investigate human rights violations committed under Taliban rule." HRW also called on the European Union to include a proposal for such a mechanism in its upcoming annual resolution to the Council, stressing the urgency of an international response. Khaama Press quoted HRW as warning that "global inaction has emboldened the Taliban to enforce misogynistic, violent, and authoritarian policies without facing consequences," which has contributed to Afghanistan's deepening humanitarian catastrophe. Since August 2021, the Taliban have intensified their crackdown on women, journalists, and political critics, reversing years of progress in human rights and civil liberties, HRW said. The organisation also noted that the forced deportation of nearly 1.9 million Afghan migrants from Iran and Pakistan, combined with sharp declines in international humanitarian aid, has significantly worsened the crisis. "Continued passivity by the global community risks legitimizing Taliban rule and its abuses," HRW stressed, urging "immediate and coordinated international efforts to hold the Taliban accountable," Khaama Press reported. Without a comprehensive accountability framework, HRW warned, "Afghanistan's human rights situation will continue to deteriorate, leaving millions vulnerable and silencing those who seek justice." Human Rights Watch warned that without urgent global action, Afghanistan's crisis will deepen, leaving millions at risk and silencing those fighting for justice. (ANI) Foreign affairs expert Subhash Goyal has criticised US President Donald Trump's decision to impose an additional 25 per cent tariff on India over its purchase of Russian oil, warning that the move will damage trade ties and hurt both Indian and American consumers. "Look, India and Russia have a very old relationship. And Russia is a trusted friend of ours. If we're importing oil from Russia, the reason for that is that we have to look at our oil security in our agriculture sector and transport sector. And it is not that we are doing it only through Russia, but we are doing it from 10-15 countries. And the European Union is also doing it through Russia in a large number, but all the sanctions are being imposed on India," Goyal told ANI. "So, I don't understand what the strategy is, but this will cause a lot of loss to our exports. Our exports are more than $100 billion, and our exports will be reduced by at least $30-40 billion. And the sectors like electronics or steel, which already account for 50% of our exports, will not be affected so much. Or if they are excluding pharmaceuticals, then it will not be affected so much. But still, our neighbouring countries like Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Vietnam will be subject to 10% tariffs. Singapore also has a 10% tariff. So, either our exporters will have to route through there. And more than us, the American industry and the American consumers will be more affected," he added. Goyal stressed that the US depends significantly on Indian goods and services, including in the technology sector. "Because, look, today there are medicines and other things which a lot of industry depends on Indian goods. Our software industry, all their technology, at this time, 30-50% are of Indian origin. Whether it is Microsoft, Google, Apple, or any big company, they have a lot of software development and manufacturing units in India. So, what will happen with this is that America is pushing India towards Russia and China," he said. Highlighting the geopolitical implications, he added, "Because, in Asia-Pacific, India was a partner of America, which was a balance, which was reducing China's influence in Asia-Pacific. So, India was countering it. So, for so many years, American diplomacy has increased relations with India, joint military exercises have taken place. So, all those things will go on the back burner. And I think that American consumers will start protesting." Citing the impact on tourism and bilateral relations, Goyal said, "Because, look, now the tourists in America -- first the tourists from Canada used to come. First they upset Canada, so the tourists from Canada stopped coming. They upset Europe a lot, so the tourists from the European Union stopped coming. And because of the war in Europe, the condition of America is a bit worse. So, the tourists from India will also stop coming. Because India's visa is waiting for a year. And Indian tourists will also go there, because businessmen combine tourism and business." On the trade front, he said, "And if there is no business in America, they say that necessity is the mother of invention. So, we will have to find new markets. There are markets in South America, Africa, Japan, Australia, Asian countries. And we will have to increase our trade with China and Russia. So, we have just signed a favourable trade agreement with the UK. So, I think this geopolitical situation is changing the world. And in this, India will definitely lose exports. But more than us, America and America's goodwill are losing." He added, "Look, there will be a short-term difference in tariffs. But in the long term, our products are good. We will get more markets. And there are more than 200 countries in the world. America is only one country. Okay, America's economy is our largest importer, but this does not mean that we will be completely dependent on America." Criticising Washington's trade policy, Goyal said, "America is kicking its feet because America's influence in the world is decreasing with tariffs. Now, in retaliation, we will also impose tariffs on American products. So, this is a trade war. Trump is starting tariffs all over the world. And this is not good for international trade and peace in the world. So, I pray to God that good sense will prevail. And now, there is going to be a delegation from America for trade negotiations. And I hope that in those trade negotiations, mutually beneficial tariffs will be decided." Echoing criticism of the move, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Wednesday termed the United States' decision to impose additional tariffs on India over its oil imports from Russia as "unfair, unjustified and unreasonable," asserting that New Delhi will take "all actions necessary to protect its national interests." In an official statement, the MEA said, "The United States has in recent days targeted India's oil imports from Russia. We have already made clear our position on these issues, including the fact that our imports are based on market factors and done with the overall objective of ensuring the energy security of 1.4 billion people of India." "It is therefore extremely unfortunate that the US should choose to impose additional tariffs on India for actions that several other countries are also taking in their own national interest," the statement added. "We reiterate that these actions are unfair, unjustified and unreasonable. India will take all actions necessary to protect its national interests," the MEA stressed. This came after US President Donald Trump on Wednesday signed an Executive Order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on imports from India. According to the order issued by the White House, Trump cited matters of national security and foreign policy concerns, as well as other relevant trade laws, for the increase, claiming that India's imports of Russian oil, directly or indirectly, pose an "unusual and extraordinary threat" to the United States. After the order, the total tariff on Indian goods will be 50 per cent. While the initial duty becomes effective on August 7, the additional levy will come into effect after 21 days and will be imposed on all Indian goods imported into the US, except for goods already in transit or those meeting specific exemptions. The Executive Order also allows for modifications based on changing circumstances, including potential retaliation by other countries or steps taken by Russia or India to address the national emergency. "Accordingly, and as consistent with applicable law, articles of India imported into the customs territory of the United States shall be subject to an additional ad valorem rate of duty of 25 per cent," the order stated. "This rate of duty shall be effective with respect to goods entered for consumption, or withdrawn from warehouse for consumption, on or after 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order, except for goods that (1) were loaded onto a vessel at the port of loading and in transit on the final mode of transit prior to entry into the United States before 12:01 a.m. eastern daylight time 21 days after the date of this order," the order added. (ANI) US President Donald Trump on Wednesday said "great progress" was made during a meeting between his Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow in an effort to to reach a peace deal with Ukraine. "My Special Envoy, Steve Witkoff, just had a highly productive meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Great progress was made! Afterwards, I updated some of our European Allies. Everyone agrees this War must come to a close, and we will work towards that in the days and weeks to come," Trump posted on Truth Social. https://truthsocial.com/@realDonaldTrump/posts/114982898525988419 United States special envoy Steve Witkoff held "useful and constructive" talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow, days before the White House's deadline for Russia to reach a peace deal with Ukraine or face economic penalties, Al Jazeera reported. Witkoff met Putin for about three hours on Wednesday in an effort to break the deadlock in the more than three-year war that began with Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, according to Al Jazeera. Kremlin foreign policy aide Yuri Ushakov said the two sides had exchanged "signals" on the Ukraine issue and discussed the possibility of developing strategic cooperation between Moscow and Washington, but declined to give further details until Witkoff had reported back to US President Donald Trump. Russian presidential special representative Kirill Dmitriev, who earlier greeted Witkoff and walked with him in a park, posted on social media: "Dialogue will prevail," Al Jazeera reported. Trump has warned that he would impose sanctions on Russia if Moscow does not agree to a ceasefire in its war on Ukraine before Friday. While the White House has not specified the measures it might take, Trump has previously threatened "secondary tariffs" against Russia's trade partners, including India and China. Shortly after the meeting, Trump signed an executive order imposing an additional 25 per cent tariff on goods from India over its purchase of Russian oil. The order stated that the "actions and policies of the Government of the Russian Federation continue to pose an unusual and extraordinary threat to the national security and foreign policy of the United States," Al Jazeera reported. When asked on Monday what Witkoff's message to Moscow would be, and whether there was anything Russia could do to avoid sanctions, Trump told reporters, "Yeah, get a deal where people stop getting killed." Witkoff, a real estate billionaire with no prior diplomatic experience before joining Trump's team in January, has held several lengthy meetings with Putin. Critics have portrayed him as ill-equipped for such sensitive tasks, according to Al Jazeera. Three previous rounds of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul have failed to achieve progress. Putin, who has consistently rejected calls for a ceasefire, said on Friday that he wants peace but that his demands for ending the nearly three-and-a-half-year offensive remain unchanged. Moscow has called for Ukraine to cede more territory and renounce Western support, including NATO membership. Kyiv is calling for an immediate ceasefire, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last week urged allies to push for "regime change" in Moscow, Al Jazeera reported. (ANI) The Legal Strategy Behind Offshore Identity Transformation for Safety and Reinvention **VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 30, 2025**In the age of digital footprints and international surveillance, whistleblowers remain among the most vulnerable individuals in society. Many find themselves trapped between truth-telling and personal safety, often abandoned by the very institutions they try to protect. But for one high-level financial whistleblower, the solution didnt come from government-run protection programsit came from a legal offshore identity transformation. This is the story of how one individual avoided professional retaliation, legal harassment, and personal danger through the strategic use of offshore identities, aided by Amicus International Consulting. His case is not unique. In 2025, whistleblowers are increasingly turning to lawful offshore structures to reclaim their safety and autonomy. This press release outlines how these systems work and why they offer an ethical and effective alternative to traditional witness protection schemes. The Background: A Whistleblower With a Target on His Back The whistleblower in question was a senior compliance officer at a multinational banking institution operating across Europe, Asia, and Latin America. In early 2023, he uncovered an internal scheme involving unreported transactions, nominee shell companies, and politically exposed persons using the bank to move illicit funds. Despite following internal protocols and submitting his findings to the banks legal department, he was met with resistance, isolation, and threats. After external regulators launched an investigationpartly based on his disclosureshe was suspended and soon found himself the target of internal audits, character defamation, and covert surveillance. He feared for his safety and was warned that the individuals he exposed had political ties capable of issuing false charges or Interpol notices. Government witness protection was not available, as no criminal prosecution had formally commenced. He was on his own. The Decision to Seek Offshore Identity Protection Amicus International Consulting was contacted after a referral from a European journalist who had previously relocated using a similar legal framework. The whistleblower made one thing clear: he did not want to disappear illegally. He wanted a legal, safe, and internationally recognized identity that would allow him to live in peace, work anonymously, and protect his family. After thorough due diligence and risk assessment, Amicus outlined a legal identity transformation strategy that included: Second citizenship via a recognized Investment program A legal name change in a jurisdiction that permits international documentation A new passport, ID number, and tax registration under the new identity An offshore holding company for consulting income Residency in a non-extradition country Digital footprint suppression and personal security consulting Step One: Acquiring a Second Citizenship The whistleblower chose Dominicas Citizenship-by-Investment (CBI) program for its speed, discretion, and cost-effectiveness. After completing due diligence, he made a $100,000 contribution to Dominicas Economic Diversification Fund. Within 75 days, he received a new passport, a Naturalization certificate, and legal status under a new name. Because Dominica permits name changes at the time of Naturalization, his new identity was codified at the moment of his second citizenship approval. Step Two: Legal Name Change and Document Synchronization Amicus coordinated a secondary name change process in Argentina, which offers legal recognition of personal identity updates. This step was essential to align all new documentationincluding drivers licenses, offshore bank accounts, and digital credentialsunder a singular, unified legal persona. All documents were authenticated through apostille and notary protocols to ensure international recognition, by the Hague Convention. Step Three: Residency Relocation in Southeast Asia To establish a legal home base, Amicus assisted the whistleblower in securing a retirement-based residency permit in Southeast Asia, a jurisdiction that does not honor politically motivated extradition requests. The new residency card and national ID allowed him to rent property, sign contracts, and live openly without drawing suspicion. He now enjoys visa-free access to more than 140 countries using his Dominica passport, avoiding biometric systems previously tied to his original name and identity. Step Four: Offshore Company Formation and Banking To preserve income streams and create a new professional identity, Amicus set up a Belize-based consulting firm owned by a Nevis trust. This company now holds intellectual property and receives payments for compliance advisory work provided under its new identity. Bank accounts were opened in Mauritius and the UAE under the new name, supported by notarized documentation and FATCA/CRS declarations. All banking procedures were fully AML/KYC compliant, ensuring no breach of international financial regulations. Step Five: Digital Identity Erasure and Replacement A complete digital erasure campaign was launched using international privacy laws, including the European Unions Right to be Forgotten. Web archives, search results, and former social profiles were de-indexed or anonymized. New social and professional profiles were created using the updated identity, allowing him to interact with clients and colleagues without linking to past headlines or risk factors. VPN use, private hosting services, and metadata controls were deployed to reinforce online anonymity. Case Study Results: A Life Rebuilt Legally and Safely Today, the whistleblower resides in a quiet Asian community, operating an international compliance firm under his offshore identity. He continues to work with regulators on anti-corruption programs as a private consultant and has rebuilt his family life in peace. He remains legally invisible to the forces that once threatened himnot by vanishing into illegality, but by stepping into a legally created, globally recognized new persona. Why This Matters in 2025 Whistleblowers are increasingly exposed to retaliation not only from the organizations they report to, but from their governments, third-party enablers, and even the public. While whistleblower protections exist on paper, enforcement is weak, and digital exposure is nearly impossible to control through traditional legal means. Offshore identity solutions, when done legally and transparently, offer the only real path to rebuilding after disclosure. Legal Frameworks That Make It Possible Offshore identity transformations are supported by international law, including: Universal Declaration of Human Rights , Article 12: protection against interference with privacy International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights , Article 17: right to personal security and legal recognition Hague Convention , granting states the right to issue nationality and civil documents GDPR and national privacy laws that permit the erasure of specific personal data These frameworks uphold the right of individuals to seek protection through legitimate meanseven when their governments fail to act. How Amicus International Ensures Legality and Compliance Amicus does not work with fugitives, tax evaders, or clients with active criminal warrants. Every applicant undergoes deep due diligence screening, source-of-funds verification, and strategic consultation to ensure compliance with: FATF guidelines Anti-Money Laundering (AML) directives International KYC standards Local identity change and citizenship laws Our goal is not evasionit is protection. Why This Model Is Growing In 2025, whistleblowers, journalists, private investigators, and compliance professionals face unprecedented threats. Whether exposing state corruption, organized crime, or systemic abuse, these individuals need protection mechanisms that work across borders. Government programs offer limited shelter. Offshore identity serviceswhen done legallyprovide permanent solutions. Conclusion: Offshore Identity Is the Legal Lifeline for Modern Whistleblowers In a world that punishes truth-tellers and rewards silence, offshore identity strategies represent a form of justice: a legal means to reclaim life, privacy, and security. Through second citizenships, legal name changes, offshore structures, and digital disconnection, whistleblowers can step out of harms waywithout stepping outside the law. Amicus International Consulting continues to lead the field in structured, lawful identity transformation, helping individuals not disappearbut rebuild. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@amicusint.ca Website: www.amicusint.ca How Second Passports and Offshore Documentation Enable Discreet Global Mobility in 2025 **VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 30, 2025**As global surveillance increases and geopolitical tensions rise, the demand for anonymous but legal travel is surging. In response, offshore identity strategies are emerging as a lawful and effective solution for individuals seeking privacy, safety, and control over their movements. By securing second citizenships, offshore residency, and legal identity transformations, travelers can now move across borders discreetlywithout attracting unwanted attention or compromising compliance. Contrary to popular misconception, anonymous travel does not mean illegal travel. Through the proper use of second passports, legal name changes, and internationally recognized documentation, high-net-worth individuals, whistleblowers, digital nomads, and privacy-conscious professionals are navigating the world lawfully under alternative legal identities. Amicus International Consulting, a leader in discreet identity restructuring, outlines how legal anonymity in travel is not only possible in 2025it is protected under international law. The Rise of Travel Surveillance in the Post-Pandemic World Since the COVID-19 pandemic, biometric controls, electronic travel authorizations, and AI-powered border screening have become the global standard. From facial recognition at airports to mandatory vaccine registries and shared intelligence databases, travelers are now subject to more invasive scrutiny than ever before. In the Schengen Area, the ETIAS system cross-checks all travelers against multiple international watchlists. In the United States, biometric entry/exit logs are shared with foreign agencies. For many, this level of oversight presents an existential threatespecially for those escaping political persecution, reputational destruction, or digital surveillance. Case Study: Entrepreneur Rebuilds Mobility With a Second Passport A European entrepreneur under attack by political rivals was placed on a no-fly list after unfounded accusations linked to a high-profile investigation. He was never charged but remained grounded. Through Amicus International, he acquired Saint Kitts and Nevis citizenship via a $150,000 contribution and traveled to Dubai using his new passport. This travel was entirely legal, and because the new identity was not tied to the original allegations, he passed all screenings. What Is an Offshore Identity and How Does It Apply to Travel? An offshore identity refers to a legally recognized personal identitycreated through documentation issued by a country other than the individuals place of birth. This can include: Second passports issued through citizenship-by-investment (CBI) Residency ID cards granted through Golden Visa or economic migration programs Legal name changes are conducted in countries where documentation can be reissued internationally Tax IDs and drivers licenses created under a new nationality or residency Traveling on a second passport is not a form of deceptionit is an internationally accepted and fully legal practice. Dual nationals are permitted to choose which passport they use at a given border, depending on visa requirements, safety concerns, or privacy preferences. International Law Supports Legal Identity Use in Travel Several key principles protect travel under an offshore identity: State Sovereignty : Countries have the sovereign right to determine and issue their own citizenship and identity documents under the Hague Convention on Nationality . Recognition of Documents : Most nations accept foreign passports under the Hague Apostille Convention and bilateral agreements. Right to Freedom of Movement : Protected under Article 12 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights . Privacy Rights : Travelers have a legal expectation that personal information not be arbitrarily exposed, as outlined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights . Provided documentation is authentic and not obtained fraudulently, it is illegal for authorities to interfere with travel under a secondary nationality. Case Study: Journalist Avoids Threats Using Legal Identity Transition Both government and private actors threatened an investigative reporter from the Middle East who published exposes on corruption. She acquired Dominica citizenship and changed her name through court filings in South America. Her new passport and ID allowed her to travel throughout Europe and Latin America without triggering red flags in Interpols database. She now operates a freelance press agency from Lisbon. Anonymous but Legal: Structuring Travel for Maximum Privacy For clients wishing to travel without exposure, Amicus International structures fully legal strategies that ensure both mobility and discretion. Key steps include: Legal Name Change : This can occur during the citizenship application process or as a standalone judicial procedure in jurisdictions such as Argentina, Belize, or Uruguay. Second Citizenship : Through CBI programs in Saint Lucia, Antigua and Barbuda, Dominica, or Vanuatutypically granted within 60 to 120 days. New Passport : Issued by the new state, bearing the updated name and allowing global travel without association to the original identity. Residency Permits : Optional legal residency in countries such as Portugal, Paraguay, or Panama adds long-term travel benefits and alternative home base access. Digital Dissociation : Removal of identifying metadata, VPN use, social media reset, and de-indexing of search results to ensure complete separation from the original persona. Border Strategy Planning : Identifying routes, airports, and jurisdictions that recognize offshore documentation without additional scrutiny. Case Study: Former Government Employee Avoids Travel Restrictions A former South Asian intelligence official, now a private security consultant, was subjected to administrative controls limiting his international travel. Amicus assisted in his relocation by acquiring Vanuatu citizenship and securing residency in Georgia. Today, he travels to Southeast Asia, Africa, and the Caribbean without drawing attentionunder full compliance with all international travel laws. How Second Passports Are Changing Global Mobility Second passports are legal and increasingly essential in 2025. They offer: Visa-free access to more than 140 countries, depending on jurisdiction Alternative exit options during political unrest or travel bans Business travel freedom when the original nationality limits banking or work permits Family safety through relocation to more secure or stable regions Reduced border scrutiny for names no longer tied to watchlists or media coverage Each passport is issued under constitutional and statutory authority and is fully compliant with ICAO (International Civil Aviation Organization) standards for international air travel. Best Jurisdictions for Offshore Travel Identities in 2025 Dominica Fast-track passport processing; recognized by over 130 countries Saint Kitts and Nevis Strong banking partnerships and visa-free travel to the EU and U.K. Antigua and Barbuda Family-friendly CBI options and diplomatic agreements Malta EU citizenship with Schengen travel rights; longer process but high global standing Vanuatu Ultra-fast application processing; remote interview options and discreet documentation Paraguay Popular for digital nomads; residency grants identity cards with minimal taxation Case Study: Digital Nomad Builds Travel Freedom With Second Passport A Canadian software developer facing banking discrimination due to previous crypto activity used Amicus to obtain Saint Lucia citizenship. He then built a Singapore-registered company and opened private accounts in Liechtenstein under his new identity. With clean documents, he now travels regularly between Europe and Asia on a legal passport, avoiding detainment or questioning that once followed him through every border. Ethical and Legal Use of Offshore Travel Identities Amicus International does not support illegal activities or travel designed to evade justice, taxes, or court orders. Every identity solution is built upon: Verified client background checks Compliance with AML/KYC regulations Transparent declarations to governments where required Valid documentation sourced through official channels only Legal anonymity is not about deception. Its about the right to live freely, travel safely, and protect ones life trajectory when traditional systems no longer serve or protect. Conclusion: Offshore Identity Is the Legal Future of Privacy-Conscious Travel In a world where every airport is wired, every document scanned, and every movement logged, the right to travel freelyand privatelyis under threat. Offshore identities, when lawfully obtained and carefully structured, offer a path forward for those seeking freedom without compromise. Traveling under an offshore identity is not an escape from responsibilityit is a return to personal sovereignty. Amicus International Consulting ensures each client travels legally, safely, and discreetly, no matter where their future takes them. Contact Information Phone: +1 (604) 200-5402 Email: info@amicusint.ca Website: www.amicusint.ca ESTERO, Fla., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- G.O.A.T. Paddle has officially severed all business ties with Zach Higginson, who is no longer associated with the company in any professional or representative capacity. Effective immediately, Mr. Higginson is not authorized to act on behalf of G.O.A.T. Paddle in any form, including product sales, marketing activities, business partnerships, or brand representation. Any such activity conducted under the G.O.A.T. Paddle name by Mr. Higginson should be considered unauthorized and will be treated accordingly. G.O.A.T. Paddle is a high-performance pickleball brand dedicated to crafting elite gear for athletes who play to win. Combining innovative engineering with a relentless commitment to quality, G.O.A.T. Paddle empowers players to dominate both recreational and competitive courts. Further, the Instagram page and profile found at https://www.instagram.com/g.o.a.t.paddle/ is not an official or authorized G.O.A.T. Paddle social media account. G.O.A.T Paddle is taking active steps to remove this unauthorized social media account from the Internet. G.O.A.T. Paddle upholds a strict code of ethics and is committed to maintaining transparency, trust, and excellence in all operations and communications. We urge customers, vendors, and partners to exercise caution and report any misrepresentation to [email protected]. For further inquiries or confirmation of legitimate G.O.A.T. Paddle contacts, please visit: www.goatpaddle.com About G.O.A.T. Paddle G.O.A.T. Paddle is a high-performance pickleball brand dedicated to crafting elite gear for athletes who play to win. Combining innovative engineering with a relentless commitment to quality, G.O.A.T. Paddle empowers players to dominate both recreational and competitive courts. Media Contact: G.O.A.T. Paddle Media (239) 823.6085 [email protected] SOURCE G.O.A.T. Paddle The Spanish government has praised Mauritania for its decisive measures in curbing irregular migration flows to Spain, particularly to the Canary Islands. Spanish authorities highlighted a 32.5% drop in maritime arrivals between January and July 2025 compared to the same period last yeara reduction not seen since early 2023. This progress follows intensified security initiatives by Mauritanian authorities, supported by a broader European Union partnership formalized in a March 2025 declaration, which committed financial and logistical aid to Mauritania. Article 5 of the agreement established joint migration management measures, credited with slashing illegal migration via the Mauritanian route by 46.1% by August 2025. Enhanced coordination between Mauritanian forces, the Spanish Guardia Civil, and EU maritime surveillance systems, including Frontexs Seahorse and Atlantis programs, has been instrumental in these outcomes. However, while Madrid and Brussels celebrate the success, several human rights organizations have raised alarms over the potential human cost of this cooperation. Critics argue that the outsourcing of border controls to African nations like Mauritania risks fueling abuses against migrants in transit, as security-focused crackdowns can lead to violations of fundamental rights. NGOs are urging a recalibration of migration policies to reconcile legitimate border security interests with the protection of migrants dignity and rights, warning that current strategies may prioritize deterrence at the expense of humanitarian obligations. Humanitarian aid sent by Morocco under the direct orders of King Mohammed VI has arrived in Gaza and is currently being distributed to displaced populations across the region, according to Mohamed Salem Cherkaoui, Director of the Rabat-based Bayt Mal Al-Qods Al-Sharif Agency. The shipment, totaling 180 tons, includes essential food supplies, medical equipment, and infant formula. It was dispatched as part of Moroccos ongoing support for Palestinians affected by the collapse of healthcare infrastructure and widespread food insecurity. The aid is intended to assist those suffering from hunger, malnutrition, and disease, particularly infants, children, women, and the elderly, Cherkaoui said in an interview with Le360. Cherkaoui emphasized that Morocco is among the few countries to deliver aid directly via land routes, ensuring safer and more dignified access for recipients. This approach avoids the risks associated with air drops, which have tragically resulted in casualties, he noted. The aid has been distributed in camps located in Khan Younis (south), Deir al-Balah (central Gaza), and Nusseirat, Al-Bureij, and Al-Maghazi. Additional shipments are expected to reach northern Gaza in the coming days. This is part of a sustained humanitarian effort, Cherkaoui added, referencing major operations carried out in October 2023, March 2024, and June 2024. He described the initiative as a genuine act of international solidarity, warmly received by the Palestinian people. Beyond emergency relief, Morocco has also invested in long-term infrastructure projects in Gaza. These include the King Hassan II College in Maghraqa, funded personally by King Mohammed VI with a $7 million contributionand the Crescent Hospital in Tel al-Hawa, which remains operational despite ongoing conflict. This support continues without slogans or political posturing thanks to Moroccan diplomacy, Bayt Mal Al-Qods Al-Sharif Agency, and the personal initiatives of HM the King, Cherkaoui said. Northern Nigeria is facing a spiraling food and security crisis, with aid agencies warning that drastic funding cuts and rising hunger could push desperate populations into the arms of jihadist groups like Boko Haram. The United Nations calls the situation unprecedented, with over 31 million Nigerians facing acute food insecurity and 5 million children suffering from severe malnutrition. The crisis is especially dire in Borno State, where more than one million people are at risk of hunger. Years of jihadist violence have forced millions from farmlands, now largely abandoned. Funding cuts have devastated relief efforts. The immediate and most brutal effect will be on child nutrition, said Chi Lael, World Food Programs (WFP) head of communications. The UN organization, unable to meet a $130 million appeal, shut down 150 malnutrition clinics, cutting off treatment for 300,000 children. WFPs emergency food stocks have been completely exhausted, halting aid for 1.4 million people. With agriculture crippled, rural communities like Gurnowa remain deserted under the threat of violence. Anyone who goes to the farm risks being kidnapped, said displaced farmer Shaafa Usman. Most villagers no longer go because they cant afford ransom. Experts warn that this vacuum is ripe for jihadist exploitation. It will be much easier for militants to lure youths to join them and spiral insecurity across the whole region, said Trust Mlambo of WFP. Samuel Malik of Good Governance Africa think tank added that systemic neglect and insecurity not just aid cuts are the deeper causes. As stability crumbles, observers fear hunger could reverse hard-won gains against extremism across the region. Sudans government has accused the United Arab Emirates (UAE) of recruiting and financing foreign mercenaries including Colombians and fighters from unnamed African countries to support the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces (RSF) in its ongoing civil war against the Sudanese Armed Forces. In a statement Monday (4 August), Sudans foreign ministry said it possesses irrefutable evidence of the UAEs involvement in deploying hundreds of thousands of mercenaries. It also warned that this unprecedented phenomenon poses a serious threat to peace and security in the region and across the continent. However, the ministry offered no specifics or named countries allegedly involved. The UAE swiftly denied the accusations, calling them baseless and claiming they were intended to distract from peace efforts. The Emirati Foreign Ministry said the claims undermine efforts to achieve a transitional process based on the Sudanese peoples aspirations. Footage allegedly retrieved from a deceased fighters phone shows Spanish-speaking men, which Sudans military says confirms the presence of Colombian mercenaries around El Fasher. Colombia has previously expressed regret over its nationals involvement, promising repatriation. The war, which began in April 2023, has killed over 40,000, displaced 12 million, and pushed millions to the brink of famine. Both the RSF and Sudanese army have been accused of atrocities, including ethnic cleansing and sexual violence. Tensions between Sudan and the UAE have escalated amid earlier claims of Emirati arms shipments to RSF claims the UAE has repeatedly denied. Morocco has reaffirmed strong commitment to supporting African landlocked countries, especially those of the Sahel. Morocco has made cooperation with landlocked countries, particularly in Africa, a strategic priority, said Moroccan Minister of Transport & Logistics Abdessamad Kayouh in an address made Tuesday at the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, convening in Awaza, Turkmenistan August 5-8. In a spirit of solidarity, the Kingdom continues, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, to provide concrete support to landlocked African countries through South-South and triangular development projects, contributing to improving living conditions in these countries and strengthening their development capacities, said the Moroccan official. He cited in this regard several initiatives, including the royal initiative offering Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean. This move is expected to transform the economies of these countries, enhance the regional integration and speed up development for shared peace and stability. Moroccos Sahel Atlantic initiative is part of the Royal vision for a united and prosperous Africa, added the official, noting that it is also a great opportunity to integrate these countries into global value chains, opening up new prospects for growth and human, social, and economic development for Africa. Morocco lauds the adoption of the new Awaza Action Plan for 2024-2034 period, which reflects a collective commitment to strengthening landlocked developing countries international cooperation in connectivity, energy transition, and economic flexibility. Participants at this UN conference are discussing several topics focusing on sustainable infrastructure, strengthening connectivity, and promoting unfettered transit systems for landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). These countries are suffering from limited access to seaports, inadequate road & rail networks and poor digital connectivity. Transport corridors and multimodal transport systems is essential for improving trade and reducing costs. Digital infrastructure and energy connectivity are also discussed at the conference, with emphasis on addressing the digital divide and ensuring access to affordable and sustainable energy. Regional cooperation and international partnerships are also deemed as crucial to overcoming these infrastructural barriers. U.S. senior advisor for Africa Massad Boulos has quelled Algerias speculations about a possible change in the United States position on the Sahara, leaving the Algerian junta in shock and awe as their margin of maneuver is considerably reducing. In an interview with Algerian newspaper El Watan, Boulos said he discussed the Sahara issue with top Algerian leaders including President Abdelmajid Tebboune and foreign minister Attaf. He delivered them the message of U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington recognizes Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara and fully supports the Moroccan autonomy plan as the only realistic solution to the regional dispute. The interview was published just two days after President Trump sent a letter to King Mohammed VI, reaffirming U.S. recognition of Moroccos sovereignty over the Sahara and endorsing the autonomy initiative as the foundation for any future settlement. Boulos also cited the recent statements made by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who had called on the parties to the Sahara conflict to engage in negotiations based exclusively on the Moroccan proposal. The remarks have dispelled any ambiguity and misperception on U.S. recognition of the Moroccanness of the Sahara. Boulos statements were like a sledgehammer blow for the Algerian junta which remains trapped in a Cold War-era ideology, detached from reality and incapable of offering anything other than a blind support for a separatist group whose days are numbered. While Algerian diplomacy continues to suffer setbacks on the international scene and the countrys state propaganda tries desperately to breathe life into a lost cause, it is from Algiers itself that Washington has reaffirmed its strong backing to Moroccos territorial integrity and commitment to its strategic partnership with the North Kingdom. The crystal-clear American supportive stand has put more pressure on the Algerian regime which was hoping to shape American influence through deceit and propaganda. But the message delivered by Boulos has sent shockwaves across the entire apparatus of the Algerian regime. The Algerian bill enabling foreign investors to own up to 80 pc in mining projects, Tebbounes meeting with Chevron & ExxonMobil delegation, and Boulos talks in Algiers on cooperation in hydrocarbons, mining, renewables, hydrogen fueled speculations overblown by local news platforms. By leveraging business opportunities, the Algerian rulers assumed that they could cut a deal with the Americans to the detriment of Morocco, a longstanding friend, strategic ally and partner of the United States. But the delusional Algerian regime was wrong and showed a poor judgment. The Trump Administration responded by reiterating the United States recognition of the Moroccan Sahara and backing of the Autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty as the ONLY solution this long-decades conflict. The United States, penholder of the UN Security Council resolutions on Sahara, UK and France (three of the five permanent members of the SC) are now pushing for the closure of this issue before it reaches its 50th anniversary next November. There is currently an unprecedented UN Security Council alignment. China is very likely to support Morocco, while Russia is expected to abstain from voting due to its disagreements with Algiers over Ukraine and Sahel. Furthermore, no superpower and European country is stepping in to save the Algeria-backed Polisario militia from being designated by the U.S. Congress a terrorist organization. For his part, UN Sahara envoy Staffan de Mistura is now calling on the Security Council to support the Moroccan autonomy plan as the ONLY realistic solution to the Sahara conflict. Now, it is up to Algeria and Polisario militias to the take the Moroccan offer gaining international momentum and backing before it is too late! Early Childhood Education Franchise Opens in Branchburg-Somerville, Brings Well-Rounded Program to the Community BRANCHBURG-SOMERVILLE, N.J., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Celebree School, a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs, will open its newest school on Aug. 11 in Branchburg-Somerville. Located at 1005 US-202, the new school will provide a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children while adhering to New Jersey's early education standards. Celebree School in Branchburg-Somerville is owned and operated by Jalpesh Chokshi, a local entrepreneur and father of two who left a career in finance in 2012 to follow his passion for small business. While running local Mexican restaurants, he was inspired by his own children's daycare experience to focus on early education and make a lasting impact in the community. "I didn't just want to build a businessI wanted to build something meaningful for my family and the community," Chokshi said. "Celebree is a place where children grow, families feel supported, and community ties are strengthened." Chokshi will own and operate the location with the support of his wife, Dhruti, a Clinical Scientist and current PTO President at a local school. The couple is committed to giving back to the community through meaningful partnerships. For every child enrolled, the school will make donations to nonprofit organizations such as Make-A-Wish and the Ronald McDonald House of Southern New Jersey. In addition, Celebree School is exploring a partnership with Somerset Pediatric Hospital to further support children and families in the area. Local residents may also see Celebree School featured on kids' menus, activity mats, and other fun, family-friendly items as part of its community engagement efforts. The new school opens on Aug. 11 with an official ribbon-cutting ceremony hosted by the local chamber of commerce on Aug. 18. The early childhood education center will serve infants through preschool-age children and bring more than 25 new jobs to the community. Celebree School lives by its promise to Grow People Big and Small, and was founded on the belief that success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and a connection that extends beyond the classroom to address the needs of the whole child and the whole family. Each Celebree School is a village made up of parents, children, and educators while providing curriculum-based care that prepares your child for kindergarten and beyond. With a 30-plus-year history of providing superior early childhood education, Celebree School delivers a stable, secure learning environment that helps children develop a lifelong love of learning. Programs are available for children six weeks to 12 years old with unique curriculums designed to develop positive social skills and values while allowing children to learn about their world through age-appropriate play, projects, and activities. Care is available part time or full time and parents are allowed to drop in and visit at any time. "We're honored to continue to help brilliant entrepreneurs like Jalpesh Chokshi actualize their business goals and have them join our Celebree School family," said Richard Huffman, Founder and CEO of Celebree School. "As we continue to expand our brand's footprint through franchising, it's more important than ever that we partner with local community leaders who have a passion for early childhood education. The opening of Jalpesh's school brings me immense pride and joy. I know he is the perfect franchisee to drive our mission forward." Celebree School Branchburg-Somerville is open Monday Friday 6:30 a.m. 6:30 p.m. For more information on Celebree School in Branchburg-Somerville, please visit https://www.celebree.com/branchburg-nj/ or call (908) 420-1692. About Celebree School Founded in 1994, Celebree School is a leader in early childhood education that provides infant and toddler care, preschool, before and aftercare, and summer camp programs. With a mission to Grow People Big and Small, Celebree School believes success in early childhood development is equal parts curriculum and connection. Each school employs a customized program that addresses the physical, social, emotional, and academic needs of children and follows applicable state guidelines. In 2019, Celebree School launched its franchise offering. In 2024, Celebree School's founder, Richard Huffman, launched a new parent company called Huffman Family Brands, merging Celebree affiliated concepts under one multi-brand company structure. Learn more about how we grow confident children who are prepared for school and life at Celebree.com. Connect with us on Facebook , Instagram , and LinkedIn. Media Contact: Allie Shust, Fishman Public Relations (773) 849-3506, or [email protected] SOURCE Celebree School Morocco was elected Tuesday Vice-President of the 3rd UN Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries, taking place in Awaza, Turkmenistan August 5 to 8. Moroccos election, in the person of Permanent Representative to the UN Omar Hilale, is an international recognition of the important role played by Morocco to enable landlocked countries access to the sea for their economic development, international trade and connectivity. The Royal initiative offering Atlantic Ocean access to Sahel countries is evidence of Moroccos commitment to strengthen the resilience of landlocked developing countries. Without access to the global marketplace and deprived of the means to develop adequate transport and logistics infrastructure, landlocked developing countries are facing major challenges in achieving the sustainable development goals. The Turkmenistan conference is an opportunity for landlocked developing countries to build partnerships to unleash their great economic development potential. The event will discuss innovative solutions, strategic partnerships, and increased investment to help them address their economic and development challenges. By supporting these countries, the international community contributes to building more equitable and prosperous future for all. Panama has formally reaffirmed its support for Moroccos autonomy plan for the Sahara, aligning itself with a growing number of nations backing Rabats proposal as the only realistic solution to the long-standing territorial dispute. The announcement, made by Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martinez-Acha during Moroccos Throne Day celebrations, is seen as a significant diplomatic development. It comes as Panama assumes its role as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 20252026 term. Martinez-Acha described Moroccos autonomy proposal, first presented in 2007, as the only serious and credible alternative to resolving the conflict. His remarks follow Panamas 2024 decision to sever ties with the self-proclaimed Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, signaling a clear shift in policy. Panamas support echoes a broader diplomatic trend, with several Latin American countriesincluding Chile, Colombia, and the Dominican Republicalso distancing themselves from the Polisario Front and strengthening ties with Morocco. This regional shift is partly driven by strategic interest in Moroccos role as a gateway to Africa and its growing geopolitical clout. According to diplomatic sources, nearly 70% of UN Security Council members now view Moroccos autonomy initiative as the most viable path forward. Observers note that this undermines any renewed push for a referendum, which many consider outdated and unfeasible. Rabat is strategically leveraging this momentum to consolidate its international backing within multilateral institutions. The timing of Panamas declarationon a symbolic national dayfurther amplifies its political weight. The endorsement also aligns with King Mohammed VIs foreign policy doctrine, which views support for the autonomy plan as a litmus test for Moroccos strategic partnerships. As the international consensus continues to tilt in Moroccos favor, 2025 could mark a turning point in the Sahara dossier. Fresh light has been shone on an interview that claims Nintendo of America once suggested Pokemon's beloved mascot Pikachu should look like "a kind of a tabby cat with huge breasts." https://bit.ly/4lc1fJb [image or embed] IGN (@ign.com) August 6, 2025 at 9:46 AM - For years, thereve been rumors that when Pokemon was going to be localized for the West, Nintendo USA suggested that Pikachu have boobs. When someone posted this on reddits TIL sub, users pointed out that the word in question,, can mean breasts or pecs.- Japanese site Game*Spark dug up an interview of Pokemon Company CEO Tsunekazu Ishihara from the Gold and Silver era 25 years ago that seems to confirm they were in fact boobs: I wont show those illustrations to anyone as long as I live, but they kind of looked like the characters from the Cats musical. So, for example, Pikachu was changed into a character shaped like a kind of a tabby cat with huge breasts. The interviewer clarified, like those girls who do Pikachu cosplays at anime conventions. And Ishihara replied, Yes, exactly, they presented that kind of design to us for real. I thought it was interesting, in a sense of appreciating such cultural differences. However, I didnt want to compete in the [overseas] market with that kind of thing. - However, former Nintendo president Satoru Iwata said in 2008 that they were presented with a jacked Pikachu, being told that pokemon should look stronger and scarier. So its possible they were presented with multiple drawings of Pikachu with boobs and muscles, but we will never see them because theyre an abomination.SOURCES: 1 The Vaca Muerta shale play, discovered in Argentina, contains an estimated 16 billion barrels of recoverable shale oil and 308 trillion cubic feet of shale gas, making it one of the top five unconventional hydrocarbon formations globally. The discovery of the massive Vaca Muerta shale play was a game changer for the economically troubled South American nation of Argentina. The country, which with 2024 gross domestic product of $632 billion ranks as the second largest economy in South America and third largest in the broader region of Latin America, is rapidly becoming one of the regions leading hydrocarbon producers. The latest data from Argentinas Ministry of Economy shows shale oil production hit an all-time high for June 2025, although overall petroleum output dipped lower. Meanwhile, all important natural gas output registered a new high for June 2025, with stronger-than-expected conventional field production bolstering overall output after a decline in shale gas volumes. Argentinas hydrocarbon output continues to expand at a solid clip, despite the countrys numerous economic and social challenges. This is due to the tremendous hydrocarbon potential of the 8.6-million-acre Vaca Muerta shale formation, located in the Neuquen Basin. The geological body, despite being discovered in 1927, did not have its hydrocarbon potential fully evaluated until 2011 when it was determined the formation contains an estimated 16 billion barrels of recoverable shale oil along with 308 trillion cubic feet of shale gas. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). Those gargantuan numbers make the Vaca Muerta one of the top five unconventional hydrocarbon formations globally, with it containing the worlds fourth-largest shale oil and second-largest shale gas resources. Indeed, the geological body is now being compared to the prolific world-class U.S. Permian Shale, underscoring its considerable potential. The successful exploitation of the Vaca Muerta will not only be a silver bullet for Argentinas crisis-prone economy but will also make the country a leading South American oil and natural gas producer. Official government data shows Argentina lifted an average of 771,888 barrels of crude oil per day during June 2025, more than 62% weighted to shale oil the largest proportion reported yet. Source: Argentina Ministry of Economy. Argentinas June 2025 oil output is 3.32% higher month over month and a whopping 16.79% greater than the same period a year earlier. As a result, the countrys petroleum production once again exceeded Colombia, making Argentina Latin Americas fourth-largest oil producer. Source: Argentina Ministry of Economy and Colombia National Hydrocarbons Agency. Argentinas natural gas output is also growing at a solid clip it driven by the exploitation of the Vaca Muerta. For June 2025, natural gas production hit an all-time high of 5.6 billion cubic feet per day, which was a notable 7.5% increase compared to a month prior and 7.59% higher year over year. Source: Argentina Ministry of Economy. Remarkably, that record output was achieved despite a sharp decline in shale gas production, which fell by 13.31% month over month and 14.44% year over year to just under 2.5 billion cubic feet per day for June 2025. As a consequence, shale gas accounted for only 52% of all natural gas lifted, representing a significant reduction from previous months, when it exceeded 60% since the start of 2024. Impressively, Argentina reported strong production numbers despite the rig count falling. According to industry consultancy Baker Hughes, at the end of June 2025, there were 42 active rigs (30 oil and 12 gas) compared to 50 rigs (38 oil and 12 gas) a year earlier. This indicates the operational efficiency of shale oil and gas operations in the Vaca Muerta is improving, with overall hydrocarbon output rising despite a drop in the number of active rigs. It also underscores the improved performance of aging mature conventional oil and gas fields in the provinces of Rio Negro, La Pampa, and Mendoza. Those trends bode well for further growth, even if industry investment flattens out, which is a risk because of Argentinas fragile economy, despite Mileis strong fiscal reforms, and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty impacting oil prices. For these reasons, Argentinas Neuquen Basin, where Vaca Muerta is located, is now the countrys largest hydrocarbon-producing sedimentary province and is responsible for nearly all the production growth experienced over the last decade. For June 2025, 72% of all oil and 73.5% of natural gas produced in Argentina were lifted in the Neuquen basin while for the first six months, the geological formation pumped 71% of all oil and natural gas pumped during that period. Consequently, Neuquen is now Argentinas leading hydrocarbon-producing province. Output will keep expanding with $9 billion of petroleum investment expected in Neuquen during 2025 alone, most of which will be directed to the Vaca Muerta. National oil company YPF, the largest hydrocarbon producer in the Vaca Muerta and Argentina, is responsible for most of that investment and subsequent production growth. The company will inject up to $5.2 billion into its portfolio in 2025, with approximately two-thirds, or $3.6 billion, of that capital allocated to upstream assets. This forms part of YPFs nearly $36 billion investment plan for 2025 to 2030. Argentinas national oil company anticipates that net shale oil production will reach 470,000 barrels per day by 2030. This is nearly four times greater than the 122,000 barrels per day lifted by YPF during 2024 and three times more than the 172,000 barrels per day extracted for the first six months of 2025. Argentinas hydrocarbon output is expected to rise further over the coming months as additional key infrastructure, notably transport and storage facilities, comes online. Significant infrastructure upgrades in Argentinas oil patch are responsible for the Vaca Muertas notable uptick in hydrocarbon production since the 2020 COVID-19 pandemic. The August 2023 completion of the 900 million cubic feet per day Perito Moreno gas pipeline, along with its related pressurization facilities, boosted takeaway capacity, allowing drillers to increase production. This facility is being expanded, which upon completion in 2027 will lift daily transportation capacity to 1.4 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day. Another important piece of infrastructure currently under construction is the 550,000-barrel-per-day Vaca Muerta Sur Oil Pipeline. This facility will connect the Loma Campana field in Neuquen Province to an export facility being built at the port of Punta Colorada in Rio Negro Province. Upon completion, the pipeline will substantially increase takeaway capacity, thereby allowing hydrocarbon output to expand further. Pampa Energy, the Vaca Muertas eleventh-largest shale oil producer, invested $426 million to build a hydrocarbon treatment plant at the Rincon de Aranda field in Neuquen province. This is part of a $1.5 billion investment plan that will allow Pampa to scale up operations at the Rincon de Aranda field, which is pumping around 3,103 barrels of shale oil and 1.2 million cubic feet of shale gas per day. Those events demonstrate the feverish rate at which critical infrastructure is being built out so production will expand at a solid clip. The Vaca Muerta shale continues to exceed all expectations, with the formation on track to become a recognized world-class asset for producing unconventional oil and natural gas. As additional critical infrastructure comes online and Argentinas economy stabilizes, because of President Javier Mileis strong pro-business reforms, foreign investment in the Vaca Muerta will rise, driving further development and production growth. The appeal of the shale formation is boosted by its low operating overheads, with lifting costs of around $5 per barrel, and Buenos Aires commitment to attracting investment by easing regulation, with capital controls to be removed in early 2026. For these reasons, Argentinas oil production is on track to exceed one million barrels per day by 2030, cementing its place as South Americas third-largest oil producer. By Matthew Smith for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Hungary's continued economic entanglement with Russia's nuclear sector, particularly through the Paks power plant, and its plea against a Russian energy ban highlight a complex geopolitical balancing act between its EU membership and Russia's influence. Hungary, despite its deep historical ties and current dependence on Russian energy for a significant portion of its needs, is exploring new collaborations with the United States, exemplified by a letter of intent to construct US-designed small modular reactors. Last month, the European Union (EU) pledged to buy $750 billion worth of energy from the United States in an apparent win for Donald Trump. Experts, however, have argued that the plan is a tall order at best, and impossible and delusional and at worst. But even if the EU doesnt manage to buy $250 billion in oil, gas, and nuclear from the United States each year of President Trumps term, the deal could still go a long way toward weaning Europe off of Russian energy sources. "We still have too much Russian LNG that is coming through the back door ... to our European Union," says Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, which serves as the EUs executive branch. "We want to absolutely get rid of Russian fossil fuels, and therefore it is much welcome to purchase the more affordable and better LNG from the United States," she said. Russia is also a central player in global nuclear energy supply chains. Nearly one-fifth of all nuclear power plants in the world are either in Russia or are Russian-built. The Kremlins dominance in global nuclear fuel supply chains, enrichment services, and lines of funding for new nuclear facilities has served as a lifeline for Russias economy as the West has ramped up sanctions over the course of President Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine. But increased trade with the United States, particularly in the form of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), could undercut Russias presence in Europes nuclear sector. Just last week, Hungarys nuclear energy development firm Hunatom and private Polish developer Synthos Green Energy signed a letter of intent to back the construction of as many as ten BWRX-300 SMRs. This model is designed by GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy, headquartered in Wilmington, North Carolina. This could signal a major geopolitical turning point, as Hungary has deep ties with Russian energy. At present, Russia provides 75 percent of Hungarys natural gas, between 60 and 80 percent of its oil (60-80 percent), and 100 percent of its nuclear fuel. Diversifying Hungarys energy imports would therefore be a major pivot point for energy sanctions on Russia and for the EUs continued cleaving from the Kremlin. This civil nuclear cooperation agreement might signal a policy shift, suggesting Hungary is looking away from Russia and toward the EU and United States, reports the Atlantic Council. Nuclear energy agreements set up a one-hundred-year relationship between the countries involved, assuming ten years for project construction, eighty years for the life of the reactor, and another ten years for decommissioning. On the other hand, Hungary is still economically intertwined with Russias nuclear sector via its Paks nuclear power plant, which provides almost half (45 percent) of all of Hungarys electricity. And Hungary has no plans to phase out the Russian technologies at Paks rather, it plans to upgrade them, with Trumps blessing. Plus, Russia will likely continue to supply nuclear fuel to Europe, as the United States is not a major producer of uranium, and relies heavily on imports for its own supply. Whats more, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban pleaded with the EU just last month to reconsider a Russian energy ban in the context of increased conflict in Iran, arguing that it would cause an untenable rise in energy prices for Hungarians. "This is a serious threat. Therefore, we must remove in Brussels the regulations and bans on Russian energy," Orban said. "We have enough problems given the negative impact of the Iran-Israel war on energy prices." Despite a changing energy landscape, its clear that Hungary is not ready to cut ties with Russia. Hungarys apparent intention to continue its dependence on Russian technologies may indicate that it is merely hedging its bets and walking a fine line between its EU membership on the one hand, and Russias influence on the other, reports the Atlantic Council. One SMR, or even ten SMRs, using technology from the United States will not come close to Paks level of production but it does signal a new openness to collaboration between the Hungarian and U.S. governments, from both sides. By Haley Zaremba for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Oil prices were moving higher again early on Wednesday morning, recovering from oversupply fears that had driven them to five-month lows. The most recent rebound was driven by Trumps escalating trade offensive against India over its continued imports of Russian crude. At the time of writing, Brent crude futures had risen to $68.10 per barrel and WTI had climbed to $65.59. This modest rebound highlights the uncertainty of markets over whether Trump will follow through on his threats of further tariffs and if those tariffs would have a tangible impact on oil markets. In his latest salvo, Trump threatened to impose additional tariffs on Indian goods within 24 hours, targeting New Delhis energy ties with Moscow, which he claims are helping fund the war in Ukraine. India, which imports roughly 80% of its crude requirements, has rejected the criticism as unjustified and signaled no imminent change in its energy strategy. We will protect our economic interests, an Indian official stated, underscoring New Delhis commitment to diversification and affordability in its energy mix. This latest standoff adds to the growing uncertainty around global energy flows. ING commodity strategists warned that while the market might cope with a potential reduction in Indian purchases of Russian crude, the bigger risk is if other buyers also start to shun Russian oil. China - the other major buyer of Russia's crude - could also face tariffs from the U.S. If India and China reduce Russian imports, it would squeeze available global supply just as the market braces for additional barrels from OPEC+. The oil producers alliance, which includes Russia, announced on Sunday it would raise output by 547,000 barrels per day starting in September, ending earlier production cuts that had propped up prices for much of the past two years. This increase in supply, combined with weak economic signals from the U.S. and China, triggered the recent four-day oil price slide. A flurry of economic indicatorsfrom manufacturing slowdowns to sluggish consumer spendinghas raised concerns about global demand, just as more oil is set to hit the market in the second half of 2025. It wasnt all bullish news on Tuesday, however, with the API reporting that U.S. crude inventories fell by 4.2 million barrels last week, significantly more than the 600,000-barrel draw expected by analysts. This surprise inventory reduction suggests resilient domestic demand, which could provide a floor for prices in the near term. Analysts will be watching todays EIA report closely to see if it confirms the APIs estimate. In the meantime, market volatility is likely to remain elevated. Nomura Securities economist Yuki Takashima noted that while the threat of tighter U.S. sanctions may buoy prices temporarily, much depends on Indias actual response. If Indias imports remain steady, WTI is likely to stay within the $60$70 range for the rest of the month, Takashima said. As it stands, oil markets are on track for a surplus later this year and well into 2026, but that could change dramatically if Trump is able to take a significant portion of Russian oil off the market. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Germany is looking to reduce energy bills for end consumers by scrapping a fee on natural gas that was introduced during the peak of the energy crisis in 2022. The German government on Wednesday backed a bill to abolish the so-called gas storage levy, which was intended to cover the higher cost of gas supply after Russian deliveries via pipeline to Germany ended. All consumers of gas, including households, have had to pay an additional levy, which goes to support Germanys gas importing companies that were struggling with a lack of Russian gas and sky-high prices of non-Russian alternatives in 2022 and early 2023. The levy, however, raised energy bills for households and businesses. Back in 2022, Marcel Fratzscher, president of DIW, the German Institute for Economic Research, told Dusseldorfs Rheinischen Post newspaper that German households should prepare for at least tripled costs of heating on gas. The levy should be accompanied by a relief package for lower-income households, otherwise the new charge could lead to a social catastrophe, Fratzscher added. The German government is now ready to ditch the gas levy and estimates that the move would mean a total of $3.9 billion (3.4 billion euros) in savings on energy bills, or up to $70 per household per year. Meanwhile, 70% of Germanys gas storage capacity was booked by companies as early as at the beginning of July, giving Europes biggest economy more breathing room to fill storage sites ahead of the winter. This year, the EU eased the rules and allowed more flexible targets for natural gas storage refills in the bloc in a move aimed at preventing price spikes. The greater flexibility came in response to the fears of several large gas-consuming nations in Europe that they would have to either subsidize storage filling when its uneconomical or miss the targets. By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Germanys latest offshore wind auction without government subsidies failed to attract a single bid on Wednesday, alarming the local offshore wind sector, which is calling for a fundamental redesign of Germanys renewable energy auctions. The Federal Network Agencys auction for 10.1 gigawatt (GW) offshore wind farms in the German part of the North Sea ended with no investor submitting a bid for any of the two proposed sites, the Federal Association for Offshore Wind Energy, BWO, said. The auction flop signals that offshore wind power developers are wary of taking on riskier, zero-subsidy projects amid rising costs and supply chain issues. BWO sees the failed auction as an alarming signal and calls on the German government to fundamentally reform the auction design, the association said. The current auction design forces developers to bear risks beyond their control without any protection, said BWOs managing director Stefan Thimm. The result sends a clear message: The German offshore wind market is currently not attractive to investors. The federal government is thus missing the opportunity for significant value creation and employment in Germany and Europe, Thimm added. Germany urgently needs to revamp the auction design and help eliminate bottlenecks in the supply chain, such as barriers to port expansions and modernization, the executive noted. The federal government must finally pave the way for a reliable CfD [contract for difference] system alongside long-term electricity supply contracts. Contracts for Difference lead to a reduction in electricity generation costs of up to 30 percent the basis for competitive electricity prices, Thimm said. Without this reform, further auctions could fail and with them the energy transition. Last month, industry associations warned that Germanys offshore wind power installations stagnated in the first half of 2025, with 9.2 GW as of June 30, the same as at end-2024. Globally, the offshore wind industry continues to face significant headwinds relating to supply chain, regulatory, and macroeconomic developments. Orsted, the worlds biggest offshore wind project developer, in May warned of a continued challenging environment for the industry. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com The Founder of RenDanHeYi model engages with ZeroDX Award Winners in Europe QINGDAO, China, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Zhang Ruimin, Founder of Haier and Chairman Emeritus of the Haier Group Board of Directors, led a series of high-level engagements in Italy and San Marino from 28 to 30 July as part of the European leg of the Zero Distance Excellence Journey. Through a series of transformation workshops centered on the RenDanHeYi modela management philosophy pioneered by Zhang that empowers individuals and dismantles traditional hierarchieshe held in-depth discussions with senior executives from leading European companies, exploring how organizational innovation can unlock both human potential and business value. Jointly launched by the Business Ecosystem Alliance and the Haier Model Institute, the tour was supported by the RenDanHeYi Italy Research Center. The journey began at Var Group in Milan, followed by visits to Gummy Industries in Brescia and ASA Group in San Marinothree companies actively exploring the implementation of the RenDanHeYi model in the European context. In San Marino, Zhang was received by the country's two Captains Regent, Denise Bronzetti and Italo Righi, and was awarded the prestigious Order of Saint Agatha. The honor recognizes his outstanding contributions to human-centric management philosophy and global organizational innovation. A Blueprint for Organizational Evolution in the Digital Age First introduced by Zhang in 2005, RenDanHeYi is based on the principles of "self-driven individuals, self-organized teams, and self-evolving ecosystems", the model dismantles traditional hierarchies, empowers individuals, and prioritizes user value. During the tour, Zhang emphasized that the RenDanHeYi philosophy is deeply aligned with the humanistic ideals, underscoring that the core purpose of any organization should be to unleash individual potential and uphold human dignity and value. The tour also brought together prominent scholars, including Bill Fischer, Professor Emeritus of Innovation Management at IMD Lausanne; Stuart Crainer, co-founder of Thinkers50, a global ranking of top business and management thinkers; Umberto Lago, Associate Professor at the University of Bologna; and Annika Steiber, Director of the RenDanHeYi Silicon Valley Research Centre. European Companies Adopting the RenDanHeYi Model Var Group : A digital services provider with annual revenues exceeding 800 million and operations in 15 countries. In 2024, with support from the RenDanHeYi Italy Research Centre, the company adopted a "platform + microenterprise" model, breaking down silos created by acquisitions and forming market-driven clusters now managing over 450 million in revenue. CEO Francesca Moriani noted that the model significantly enhanced employee engagement and repositioned Var Group as a strategic innovation partner. : A digital services provider with annual revenues exceeding 800 million and operations in 15 countries. In 2024, with support from the RenDanHeYi Italy Research Centre, the company adopted a "platform + microenterprise" model, breaking down silos created by acquisitions and forming market-driven clusters now managing over 450 million in revenue. CEO noted that the model significantly enhanced employee engagement and repositioned Var Group as a strategic innovation partner. Gummy Industries : A mid-sized Italian digital marketing firm that began its RenDanHeYi transformation in 2022. Within six months, it returned to profitability by establishing eight microenterprisesreferred to as "kitchens"and launching a shared resource platform known as the "Farmers' Market". The number of new product launches in the past year equaled the total from the previous seven years. Co-founder and CEO Fabrizio Martire credited the model with fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit across the organization. : A mid-sized Italian digital marketing firm that began its RenDanHeYi transformation in 2022. Within six months, it returned to profitability by establishing eight microenterprisesreferred to as "kitchens"and launching a shared resource platform known as the "Farmers' Market". The number of new product launches in the past year equaled the total from the previous seven years. Co-founder and CEO credited the model with fostering innovation and entrepreneurial spirit across the organization. ASA Group: A 65-year-old family-owned metal packaging company based in San Marino . In 2024, ASA implemented microenterprise reforms, with its digital printing unit generating 420,000 in service revenue and 200,000 in patent licensing income through external collaborations. CEO Francesco Amati described RenDanHeYi as a bold model for placing human values at the heart of corporate transformation. Stuart Crainer, co-founder of Thinkers50, remarked that these companies are building a global community rooted in the principles of zero distance and the RenDanHeYi model. He called on more organizations to join this movement and co-create the future of organizational ecosystems. In San Marino, Captains Regent Denise Bronzetti expressed appreciation for Zhang's vision, noting that his philosophy offers a powerful lens through which to reimagine a world where every individual is empowered to realize their value and embrace entrepreneurial potential. About Zhang Ruimin Zhang Ruimin is the Founder of Haier Group and the architect of the RenDanHeYi model. From 1984 to 2021, he served as Haier's CEO and Chairman, transforming the company from a regional refrigerator factory into a global leader in IoT ecosystems. He now serves as Chairman Emeritus, focusing on the evolution of management thought. Zhang is widely regarded as a global thought leader on organizational design and post-bureaucratic enterprise models. In 2023, he received the Thinkers50 Lifetime Achievement Award, the only Chinese entrepreneur ever to be so honored. His vision of organizations as ecosystemsnot empirescontinues to shape new approaches to innovation, sustainability, and user-centered design worldwide. He has shared this philosophy through engagements at Harvard Business School, the Wharton School, and the World Economic Forum. About Haier Group Founded in 1984, Haier Group is a leading global provider of better life and digital transformation solutions. Based on the purpose of "More Creation, More Possibilities", the company is committed to co-create infinite possibilities for a better life with users, and to co-create infinite possibilities for industrial development with the ecosystem partners. In 2024, the company reported revenue of RMB 401.6 billion (approximately Euro 47.5 billion) and operates in nearly 200 countries with a workforce of over 130,000 employees. Haier is the parent company of seven major global appliance brands, including Candy, GE Appliances and Fisher & Paykel. It has been ranked the No. 1 Major Appliances Brand by Euromonitor for 16 consecutive years, and listed in the Kantar BrandZ Top 100 Global Brands for seven years in a row. The company is recognized for its leadership in Smart Living Ecosystem, Comprehensive Health Industry Ecosystem, and Digital Economy Industry Ecosystem. Info: https://corporate.haier-europe.com/ Crude oil exports from Iraqs semi-autonomous region of Kurdistan to a Turkish Mediterranean port will resume either on Wednesday or Thursday, the federal Iraqi Oil Minister, Hayan Abdul Ghani, told state news agency INA today. Abdul Ghani was visiting the Kirkuk province in Kurdistan, where he confirmed to the Iraqi News Agency (INA) that the export resumption after a two-year halt is imminent. The federal government in Baghdad and the regional Kurdish government in Erbil have been squabbling for more than two years over who should be responsible for the oil exports and the subsequent revenue distribution. The federal authorities say Baghdad should have sole discretion in handling oil exports and oil revenues. Oil exports from Kurdistan have now been halted for nearly two and a half years, after they were shut in in March 2023 due to a dispute over who should authorize the Kurdish exports. Despite some breakthroughs in negotiations in recent months, the disagreements have continued. Before the halt to exports, oil supply from Kurdistan averaged more than 400,000 barrels per day (bpd). The federal government and Kurdistan have reached an agreement and the semi-autonomous region will begin handing over crude output to Iraqs state marketing firm SOMO for export, minister Abdul Ghani said today. We will resume oil exports via the Turkish Ceyhan pipeline today or tomorrow, with an initial phase of exporting 80,000 barrels per day, following the agreement with the Kurdistan Region, INA quoted the minister as saying. However, four industry sources with knowledge of the matter told Reuters on Wednesday that there was no sign that the Iraq-Turkey pipeline would resume exports imminently. Iraq has said exports were to resume in the middle of July, but then a wave of drone attacks on oilfields in Kurdistan forced companies to shut in production and plans for the pipeline restart were delayed. By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order enacting an additional 25% tariff on Indian goods, explicitly targeting Indias ongoing imports of Russian crude oil. This order increases the total tariff rate on Indian exports to the United States to 50%, the highest level for any country under current U.S. policy. According to the executive order (effective 21 days after signing, beginning at 12:01 a.m. ET), duties will apply to goods entered for consumption or withdrawn from warehouses on or after that time. In an accompanying White House statement, which represents Washingtons latest change of heart vis-a-vis Russia versus Ukraine, the administration claimed that Russias actions in Ukraine pose an ongoing threat to U.S. national security and foreign policy, and that Indias oil imports undermine U.S. efforts to counter Russias harmful activities. Trump had earlier opined that the powers in New Delhi don't care how many people in Ukraine are being killed by the Russian War Machine, making the new tariffs a response to energy-related trade linked to the conflict. Indias Foreign Ministry swiftly condemned the order. Spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal called the measures unjustified and unreasonable, noting that India turned to Russian crude only after traditional suppliers diverted barrels to Europe during the 2022 conflict. The ministry reiterated that global energy markets stability had required flexibility. Analysts warn the higher duties may further strain Indian exports, especially in labor-intensive sectors like textiles, gems, electronics, and petrochemicals, collectively valued at up to $64 billion annually. That could lead to slower GDP growth and investment hesitancy. Meanwhile, the U.S. has signed a new energy and trade cooperation deal with Pakistan, signaling another jab at India earlier this week. In remarks made during the announcement, Trump praised Pakistans untapped oil reserves and suggested that maybe theyll be selling oil to India someday. By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com More Top Reads From Oilprice.com Honda and the Honda USA Foundation contribute over $16.5 million during annual programmatic funding cycle This year's funding supports 223 programs across five key corporate social responsibility pillars: Education, Environment, Mobility, Traffic Safety, and Community Contributions reinforce Honda's long-term commitment to empower local communities through initiatives that align with the company's vision to help people fulfill their life's potential TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Honda and the Honda USA Foundation today announced more than $16.5 million in charitable giving to 223 individual programs led by nonprofit organizations and schools across the country that align with Honda core values and the company's deep commitment to driving meaningful change. The contributions are part of the annual funding cycle for charitable giving, focusing on programmatic support for national and local organizations that serve communities where Honda associates live and work, and are expected to positively impact more than 35 million individuals. In 2025, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation contributed over $16.5 million to support programs across the U.S. that align with Honda's five CSR pillars: Education, Environment, Mobility, Traffic Safety, and Community. Honda corporate social responsibility (CSR) activity is guided by five strategic pillars: Education, Environment, Mobility, Traffic Safety, and Community, each representing a key area where Honda aims to drive meaningful societal change. "Honda charitable giving efforts are rooted in powering dreams and improving lives in the communities where we live and work," said Bobbie Trittschuh, charitable giving manager for Honda and executive director for the Honda USA Foundation. "Through these contributions, we're proud to support programming creating long-term, sustainable impact in key areas that align with Honda core values." Honda and the Honda USA Foundation's support for these initiatives expands access to education, reduces environmental impact, enhances mobility for all, advances traffic safety, and uplifts local communities. Several notable programs were funded this year, including those featured below. Education To inspire the next generation of leaders and cultivate a future-ready workforce, Honda supports programs that build skills in design, engineering, production, and information technology. This funding is estimated to provide millions of hours of education and training to hundreds of thousands of individuals in local communities. Through these partnerships, Honda is helping young people discover pathways to success. TechPoint Youth brings hands-on STEM activities to girls, underrepresented communities, and students from low-income backgrounds. Funding from Honda will allow TechPoint to serve schools in counties near the Honda Indiana Auto Plant and will be used to create new robotics teams, outreach, and recruitment. brings hands-on STEM activities to girls, underrepresented communities, and students from low-income backgrounds. Funding from Honda will allow TechPoint to serve schools in counties near the Honda Indiana Auto Plant and will be used to create new robotics teams, outreach, and recruitment. West Central Ohio Career Network supports initiatives that connect students and schools to industry experts, encouraging students to explore the world of manufacturing. Funds received will be used to provide resources that help inspire the next generation through job shadowing and internships. supports initiatives that connect students and schools to industry experts, encouraging students to explore the world of manufacturing. Funds received will be used to provide resources that help inspire the next generation through job shadowing and internships. The Alabama Institute for Deaf and Blind (AIDB), a longstanding Honda partner, provides education, rehabilitation, and support services for individuals who are Deaf, Blind, DeafBlind, or multi-disabled. Honda support will allow AIDB to enhance its modern manufacturing program, empowering its students to pursue careers in industry and entrepreneurship, and educate tens of thousands of students in high-demand fields such as artificial intelligence, data analytics, and electric vehicle technology. Environment Toward its ambitious goals of decarbonization, clean energy, and resource circulation to reduce the environmental impact of its products and business operations, Honda supports habitat preservation, clean energy workforce development, and community-based sustainability efforts. Honda support helps reduce and prevent hundreds of thousands of metric tons of CO emissions, generate millions of kilowatt hours of clean energy, and conserve vital resources such as water and compostable materials, improving the quality of life for local communities across the country. The Nature Conservancy is a global leader in environmental conservation. With a relationship that spans nearly thirty years, the current funding from Honda will support critical habitat preservation and resilience projects to protect the planet. is a global leader in environmental conservation. With a relationship that spans nearly thirty years, the current funding from Honda will support critical habitat preservation and resilience projects to protect the planet. GRID Alternatives Greater Los Angeles is a leading voice in low-income solar policy and the nation's largest nonprofit solar installer. Funding from Honda will support a 13-week Installation Basics Training program, which engages young people in green career opportunities within the solar industry. Mobility Honda believes that mobility should be accessible to all, and the Honda USA Foundation supports programs that empower all people to fulfill their life's potential, remove barriers, and expand access and opportunities to individuals with disabilities. This year's awardees will positively impact tens of thousands of individuals annually through more than thousands of mobility modifications, therapeutic and adaptive services, and comprehensive care support services. These programs aim to enhance the joy and freedom of mobility, regardless of physical or developmental challenges. Camp Twin Lakes in Georgia provides experiences for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Through the Honda USA Foundation's support of fully adaptive and medically supportive camp activities, children gain essential skills to navigate daily challenges more independently, while also fostering wellness, belonging, self-acceptance, and confidence. in provides experiences for children with serious illnesses and disabilities. Through the Honda Foundation's support of fully adaptive and medically supportive camp activities, children gain essential skills to navigate daily challenges more independently, while also fostering wellness, belonging, self-acceptance, and confidence. Riverwood Therapeutic Riding Center in North Carolina provides equine-assisted therapy. The Honda USA Foundation grant will support activities that help improve balance, coordination, motor development, self-confidence and executive function development for individuals with developmental disabilities and mental health diagnoses. Traffic Safety Building on its global "Safety for Everyone" philosophy and ambitious vision of zero traffic collision fatalities involving Honda and Acura vehicles, Honda supports programs that promote safe driving, biking, and pedestrian practices. Programs funded by Honda are expected to deliver tens of millions of hours of safety education, distribute hundreds of thousands of safety products, and reach millions more through public awareness campaigns. Safe Kids Worldwide is a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injuries through research, education, and advocacy. Funding from Honda will support key programming in teen driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety, equipping thousands of individuals with life-saving knowledge and safety devices. is a global nonprofit dedicated to preventing childhood injuries through research, education, and advocacy. Funding from Honda will support key programming in teen driver, pedestrian and bicycle safety, equipping thousands of individuals with life-saving knowledge and safety devices. The Texas A&M Foundation Teens in the Driver Seat program is a peer-to-peer traffic safety initiative that empowers young people and promotes safe driving habits, aiming to reduce teen crashes and improve roadway safety. Honda support will help educate thousands of young drivers. Community Honda believes in empowering communities across America and supports programs that address critical needs. These programs are expected to support social services, disaster preparedness and response, and food security, and provide proactive and strategic opportunities for Honda associates to engage in local communities. United Way supports health advancements and opportunities for youth, as well as financial stability programs. Funds from Honda will help local chapters across five states expand access to this programming. supports health advancements and opportunities for youth, as well as financial stability programs. Funds from Honda will help local chapters across five states expand access to this programming. Impact Alamance partners with local non-profit organizations in Alamance County, North Carolina , to fund equipment needed to provide essential services. This contribution will significantly enhance the support extended to local communities. partners with local non-profit organizations in , to fund equipment needed to provide essential services. This contribution will significantly enhance the support extended to local communities. Mid-Ohio Foodbank annually serves more than half a million hungry neighbors across 20 Ohio counties. Funding from Honda will strengthen Mid-Ohio Food Collective's (MOFC) food acquisition and distribution strategy, enabling the organization to provide more fresh food and nonperishable options to local communities. Currently, MOFC provides approximately 80 million pounds of food and groceries to families in need. The full list of 2025 funded programs is available here. The next Honda and Honda USA Foundation annual funding cycle will open on September 1, 2025, for eligible nonprofit organizations and schools to request programmatic funding support for 2026. To learn more, visit https://csr.honda.com/community/honda-giving/. About Honda Corporate Social Responsibility and the Honda USA Foundation For more than 65 years in the U.S., Honda has been committed to making positive contributions to the communities where its associates live and work. The company's mission is to create products and services that help people fulfill their life's potential, while conducting business in a sustainable manner and fostering an inclusive workplace. Advancing its corporate social responsibility, Honda and the Honda USA Foundation support this direction through giving focused on education, the environment, mobility, traffic safety, and community. Learn more at http://csr.honda.com/. SOURCE Honda 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: U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C. Credit: Barbara Johnston/University of Notre Dame Each election cycle, thousands of candidates vie for seats in the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate. Until now, there has been no comprehensive, publicly available resource cataloging what those candidates say about who they are or what they stand for. A new open-access database called CampaignView, created by researchers at the University of Notre Dame, offers researchers, journalists and educators a powerful tool to understand congressional elections. The details are published in the journal Scientific Data. Developed by Rachel Porter, the Notre Dame du Lac Assistant Professor in Notre Dame's Department of Political Science, the database project began in 2017 and has captured tens of thousands of campaign platform points and biographical narratives from congressional campaign websites over the past eight years. "Information is the bedrock of democratic accountability, yet the vast majority of congressional candidates leave little trace in our political record," said Porter, who is also a faculty fellow with the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society. "CampaignView is designed to fill that gap." The database contains the biographies of more than 5,000 major-party candidates who ran for the U.S. House of Representatives between 2018 and 2022. Representing nearly 87% of all ballot-eligible contenders across both primary and general elections, CampaignView offers an unprecedented lens into how candidates communicate their campaign priorities and shape party identity. Beyond the election cycle, data on candidate campaign messages can signal the future legislative agendas of electoral candidates and offer researchers valuable insights into evaluating key components of democracy. While the database has clear academic value, its utility extends far beyond political science. Journalists covering campaigns, advocacy organizations researching candidate alignment and citizens seeking to better understand their choices at the ballot box all stand to benefit from the database's usability. CampaignView hosts links to candidate bios, campaign platforms and election metadata, providing comprehensive, publicly available information about who the candidates are and what they stand for. Credit: University of Notre Dame Rather than relying on archived websites, many of which provide only incomplete or inconsistently preserved records, the CampaignView data was built by collecting campaign materials in real time, just before each state's primary election, to ensure that the messages of candidates were accurately captured as they were delivered to voters during each election cycle. To build the database, Porter worked with Colin Case, assistant professor of political science at the University of Iowa, and Sarah Treul, professor of political science at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, to identify major-party candidates, manually collecting biographical and policy content from candidate campaign websites through extensive searches and follow-ups before each primary. Using a standardized system, a team of undergraduate student annotators categorized more than 40,000 policy statements by topic and paired each candidate with additional information such as party affiliation, incumbency status and election outcomes. After each election cycle, information on each candidate's primary election vote share was also collected from the State Election Offices. 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. Through the platform's design, users can search by candidate name, party, year or district, and filter by policy area or platform text. One of CampaignView's most significant contributions is its focus on primary electionsthe stage at which most congressional races are now effectively decided. "With the decline of competitive general elections, understanding candidate behavior during the primaries is essential," Porter said. "This is where messaging strategies are most revealing, and where the ideological direction of each party is shaped." The database is also well-suited to examine issues of political polarization, agenda-setting and strategic self-presentationtopics at the heart of contemporary political science, media studies and public discourse. The CampaignView platform is designed to allow users to search by candidate name, party, year or district, and filter by policy area or platform text. Credit: University of Notre Dame "Within certain topics, CampaignView can indicate substantial partisan differences across several years," Porter explained. "Democrats consistently emphasize 'Energy and Environment,' 'Health Care' and 'Social Welfare,' whereas Republicans discuss 'Immigration' and 'Government Operations' more frequently." Porter also pointed out that some key search topics exhibit notable changes within parties from one election cycle to the next. For example, prior to 2022, Democrats were roughly 25 percentage points more likely than Republicans to discuss the topic of educationa gap that narrowed significantly to about five percentage points in 2022. Trends in discussions of health care reveal a different pattern, however. In 2020, Democrats were 23 percentage points more likely to discuss health care in their campaigns compared to Republicans; and by 2022, the gap had widened to more than 40 percentage points. Data from the 2024 election is in the final phase of processing, and plans are already being made to include the 2026 elections and beyond. Additional features of CampaignView may explore partisan language trends, gender differences in candidate messaging or how campaign rhetoric predicts legislative priorities once candidates enter office. The team also hopes to leverage artificial intelligence to automate the system so that users can acquire real-time information about candidates during the election cycle. "Information is critical to a well-functioning democracyand the University of Notre Dame is leading the way in research committed to upholding this essential pillar of democratic society," Porter said. "Right now, we see CampaignView as a valuable resource for scholars and journalists to access information about candidates. In the future, we hope it can become just as valuable for voters." The development of the CampaignView data platform was supported by the Lucy Family Institute for Data & Society at the University of Notre Dame. The database is hosted on Harvard Dataverse and available in multiple formats for easy integration with statistical software. More information: Rachel Porter et al, CampaignView, a database of policy platforms and biographical narratives for congressional candidates, Scientific Data (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41597-025-05491-x Journal information: Scientific Data This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain As artificial intelligence (AI) tools like ChatGPT become part of our everyday lives, from providing general information to helping with homework, one legal expert is raising a red flag: Are these tools quietly narrowing the way we see the world? In a new article published in the Indiana Law Journal, Prof. Michal Shur-Ofry from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem and a Visiting Faculty Fellow at the NYU Information Law Institute, warns that the tendency of our most advanced AI systems to produce generic, mainstream content could come at a cost. "If everyone is getting the same kind of mainstream answers from AI, it may limit the variety of voices, narratives, and cultures we're exposed to," Prof. Shur-Ofry explains. "Over time, this can narrow our own world of thinkable-thoughts." The article explores how large language models (LLMs), the AI systems that generate text, tend to respond with the most popular content, even when asked questions that have multiple possible answers. One example in the study involved asking ChatGPT about important figures of the 19th century. The answers, which included figures like Lincoln, Darwin, and Queen Victoria, were plausiblebut often predictable, Anglo-centric and repetitive. Likewise, when asked to name the best television series, the model's answers centered around a short-tail of Anglo-American hits, leaving out the rich world of series that are not in English. The reason is the way the models are built: they learn from massive amounts of digital datasets that are mostly in English, and rely on statistical frequency to generate their answers. This means that the most common names, narratives, and perspectives will surface again and again in the outputs they generate. While this might make AI responses helpful, it also means that less common information, including cultures of small communities that are not based on the English language, will often be left out. And because the outputs of LLMs become training materials for future generations of LLMs, in time the "universe" these models project to us will become increasingly concentrated. According to Prof. Shur-Ofry, this can have serious consequences. It can reduce cultural diversity, undermine social tolerance, harm democratic discourse, and adversely affect collective memorythe way communities remember their shared past. So what's the solution? Prof. Shur-Ofry proposes a new legal and ethical principle in AI governance: multiplicity. This means AI systems should be designed to expose users or at least alert them to the existence of different options, content, and narratives, not just one "most popular" answer. She also stresses the need for AI literacy, so that everyone will have a basic understanding of how LLMs work and why their outputs are likely to lean toward the popular and mainstream. This, she says, will "encourage people to ask follow-up questions, compare answers, and think critically about the information they're receiving. It will help them see AI not as a single source of truth but as a tool and 'push back' to extract information that reflects the richness of human experience." The article suggests two practical steps to bring this idea to life: Build multiplicity into AI tools: for example, through a feature that allows users to easily raise the models' "temperature"a parameter that increases the diversity of generated content, or by clearly notifying users that other possible answers exist. Cultivate an ecosystem that supports a variety of AI systems, so users can easily get a "second opinion" by consulting different platforms. In a follow-on collaboration with Dr. Yonatan Belinkov and Adir Rahamim from the Technion's Computer Science department, and Bar Horowitz-Amsalem from the Hebrew University, Shur-Ofry and her collaborators are attempting to implement these ideas, and present straightforward ways to increase the output diversity of LLMs. "If we want AI to serve society, not just efficiency, we have to make room for complexity, nuance and diversity," she says. "That's what multiplicity is about, protecting the full spectrum of human experience in an AI-driven world." More information: Michal Shur-Ofry, Multiplicity as an AI Governance Principle, Indiana Law Journal (2025). www.repository.law.indiana.edu/ilj/vol100/iss4/6/ Follow-on: Michal Shur-Ofry et al, Growing a Tail: Increasing Output Diversity in Large Language Models, arXiv (2024). DOI: 10.48550/arxiv.2411.02989 Journal information: arXiv This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Stone tools were excavated from Calio, Sulawesi, and dated to over 1.04 million years ago. The scale bars are 10 mm. Credit: M.W. Moore/University of New England Findings made by Griffith University researchers show that early hominins made a major deep-sea crossing to reach the Indonesian island of Sulawesi much earlier than previously established, based on the discovery of stone tools dating to at least 1.04 million years ago at the Early Pleistocene (or "Ice Age") site of Calio. Budianto Hakim from the National Research and Innovation Agency of Indonesia (BRIN) and Professor Adam Brumm from the Australian Research Center for Human Evolution at Griffith University led the study, "Hominins on Sulawesi during the Early Pleistocene," published in Nature. A field team led by Hakim excavated a total of seven stone artifacts from the sedimentary layers of a sandstone outcrop in a modern corn field at the southern Sulawesi location. In the Early Pleistocene, this would have been the site of hominin tool-making and other activities such as hunting, in the vicinity of a river channel. The Calio artifacts consist of small, sharp-edged fragments of stones (flakes) that the early human tool-makers struck from larger pebbles that had most likely been obtained from nearby riverbeds. The Griffith-led team used paleomagnetic dating of the sandstone itself and direct-dating of an excavated pig fossil, to confirm an age of at least 1.04 million years for the artifacts. Previously, Professor Brumm's team had revealed evidence for hominin occupation in this archipelago, known as Wallacea, from at least 1.02 million years ago, based on the presence of stone tools at Wolo Sege on the island of Flores, and by around 194 thousand years ago at Talepu on Sulawesi. Stone tools from Calio, Sulawesi. Credit: M W Moore The island of Luzon in the Philippines, to the north of Wallacea, had also yielded evidence of hominins from around 700,000 years ago. "This discovery adds to our understanding of the movement of extinct humans across the Wallace Line, a transitional zone beyond which unique and often quite peculiar animal species evolved in isolation," Professor Brumm said. "It's a significant piece of the puzzle, but the Calio site has yet to yield any hominin fossils; so while we now know there were tool-makers on Sulawesi a million years ago, their identity remains a mystery." The original discovery of Homo floresiensis (the "hobbit") and subsequent 700,000-year-old fossils of a similar small-bodied hominin on Flores, also led by Professor Brumm's team, suggested that it could have been Homo erectus that breached the formidable marine barrier between mainland Southeast Asia to inhabit this small Wallacean island, and, over hundreds of thousands of years, underwent island dwarfism. Professor Brumm said his team's recent find on Sulawesi has led him to wonder what might have happened to Homo erectus on an island more than 12 times the size of Flores. "Sulawesi is a wild cardit's like a mini-continent in itself," he said. "If hominins were cut off on this huge and ecologically rich island for a million years, would they have undergone the same evolutionary changes as the Flores hobbits? Or would something totally different have happened?" More information: Hominins on Sulawesi during the Early Pleistocene, Nature (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-025-09348-6 , www.nature.com/articles/s41586-025-09348-6 Journal information: Nature This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain The world entered its nuclear epoch 80 years ago on August 6, 1945. The US dropped an atomic bomb on the Japanese city of Hiroshima, killing between 70,000 and 140,000 civilians by the end of that year. A stark reminder of this immense destructive power came recently. On August 1, US president Donald Trump announced the redeployment of two submarinespresumably Ohio-class subs carrying ballistic missilesin response to what he called "highly provocative statements" by Russia's former president Dmitry Medvedev. It may have been empty posturing by Trump. But one Ohio-class submarine (the US Navy has 14 in its fleet) carries approximately 90 warheads, each with destructive power many times greater than the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and, three days later, Nagasaki. As the world remembers the devastation wrought by these bombings, the threat of nuclear conflict remains a persistent threat to humanity. Frisch-Peierls memorandum For many years it was believed that building an atomic weapon was not feasible given the amount of uranium-235 required for a bomb. This assumption changed in March 1940 when two refugee physicistsRudolf Peierls and Otto Frisch, who both worked at the University of Birminghamproduced in secret what became known as the Frisch-Peierls memorandum. Their memorandum showed that a powerful atomic bomb could be built using only a small amount of uranium-235. What drove Frisch and Peierls was fear that Nazi Germany might build the bomb first. They wrote: "If one works on the assumption that Germany is, or will be, in the possession of this weapon The most effective reply would be a counter-threat with a similar bomb. It would obviously be too late to start production when such a bomb is known to be in the hands of Germany, and the matter seems, therefore, very urgent." The Frisch-Peierls memorandum was submitted to the British government as a warning. Prime Minister Winston Churchill heeded the message, establishing the Maud committee a month later to investigate the military potential of atomic energy. It reported in secret in July 1941, urging production of a bomb and Britain's cooperation with the US in this endeavor. In a now-famous line, the committee said: "No nation would care to risk being caught without a weapon of such decisive possibilities." The demonstration of what the atomic bomb was capable of at Hiroshima, and then at Nagasaki, spurred others to follow the committee's logic. The Soviet Union, fearing a US atomic monopoly, tested its first bomb in 1949. Britain joined the nuclear club in 1952, followed by France in 1960 and China in 1964. 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. It is widely accepted that Israel had developed nuclear capability by the early 1970s, though it has maintained a position of ambiguity. India and Pakistan became declared nuclear powers in 1998 and North Korea followed in 2006. While factors such as national ambition and status played a role in proliferation, a key driving force was fear, fear of adversaries achieving a lasting strategic advantage and, in the case of North Korea, an external attack. Fear's centrality to the nuclear story is not only in relation to its role as a driver of proliferation. Nuclear fear has also been a key source of restraint. The most dramatic manifestation of this was the October 1962 Cuban missile crisis. As I have argued elsewhere, shared fear of nuclear catastrophe led the then US president, John F. Kennedy, and his Soviet counterpart Nikita Khrushchev to develop empathy and trust. This was a key factor in the peaceful resolution of the crisis. However, nuclear fearand the deterrence it makes possibleis a fragile basis on which to safeguard humanity's future. The world may have avoided the use of nuclear weapons since August 1945 through a combination of prudent statecraft and good luck. But how long is it before some combination of bad luck and reckless risk-taking leads to the use of nuclear weapons once again? Russian nuclear saber-rattling over Ukraine and the May 2025 conflict between India and Pakistan, unleashing military force between two nuclear-armed states, are warnings that the ever-present threat of nuclear weapons still hangs over humanity. In the cold war's climate of deep distrust and nuclear fear, the US and Soviet Union at least had some shared guardrails and channels of communication. Arms control agreements agreed after the Cuban missile crisis limited superpower competition through the 1960s and 1970s. They continued to restrain US-Soviet competition in the early 1980s. Nowadays, however, arms control has all but collapsed while reliable and trusted channels of communication between major nuclear adversaries are virtually non-existent. The prospects for regulating the nuclear arms competition between Russia, the US and China are bleak. Replacing fear with trust To mark the 80th anniversary of the advent of the nuclear epoch, the Nobel Laureate Assemblya gathering of Nobel laureates and nuclear experts at the University of Chicagowarned in its 2025 Declaration for the Prevention of Nuclear War that: "Ultimately, security cannot be built on fear." If the bomb was born out of fear, then ensuring it is never used again requires replacing fear with trust. Ten years into the nuclear epoch, Albert Einstein and philosopher Bertrand Russell issued a manifesto signed by 11 signatories. It was created principally as a trust-building project between the east and west. The manifesto concluded: "We appeal as human beings to human beings: remember your humanity, and forget the rest. If you can do so, the way lies open to a new paradise; if you cannot, there lies before you the risk of universal death." We now face the same choice the manifesto laid bare. One path leads to annihilation, the other to survival through a recognition of our common humanity. Japan gives expression to that common humanity every August when Hiroshima and Nagasaki hold their peace memorial ceremonies. Remembering the victims and those who continue to suffer from the effects of the atomic bombings, these memorials look to a future where nuclear weapons no longer exist. The nuclear bomb may have been born in fear. But only the building of trust, which may spring from that fear, can ensure it is never used again. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Justin Hamil, a doctoral student in nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at U-M, tests the alignment of a custom brace on top of a sacrificial sample before testing the RAFM steel under the dual ion beam. Credit: Brenda Ahearn, Michigan Engineering A new class of advanced steels needs more fine-tuning before use in system components for fusion energya more sustainable alternative to fission that combines two light atoms rather than splitting one heavy atom. The alloy, a type of reduced activation ferritic/martensitic or RAFM steel, contains billions of nanoscale particles of titanium carbide meant to absorb radiation and trap helium produced by fusion within a single component. When subjected to radiation damage and helium concentrations representative of fusion, the titanium-carbide precipitates initially helped trap helium but later dissolved under high damage levels. After dissolving, the alloy swelled as it was no longer able to disperse and trap helium, which could compromise fusion energy system components. The first-of-its-kind systematic investigation led by University of Michigan engineers was published in Acta Materialia and the Journal of Nuclear Materials in a series of three papers. "These results represent some of the highest fidelity results on radiation tolerance of fusion-relevant steels and will guide alloy development and refinement of radiation effects models for years to come," said Kevin Field, a professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences and U-M and senior author of the studies. A technology on the horizon Thus far, large-scale fusion systems have only been demonstrated in a handful of state-of-the-art national labs worldwide, including Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California. While fusion energy has garnered a great deal of interest, the technology is not yet ready for small-scale power plants. Over 90 nuclear fission reactors currently operate in the US to provide a stable source of carbon-free energy, but researchers are looking to fusion energy as a more sustainable alternative. While fission typically relies on finite uranium resources, fusion could operate using hydrogen isotopes harvested from plentiful sources such as seawater. Fusion energy also comes with increased safety benefits as it produces helium and short-lived radioactive waste that is easier to dispose of than long-lived radioactive waste from fission. Further, if a fusion energy system fails, the reaction simply extinguishes without the risk of a nuclear meltdown. The drawback is that fusion energy systems must reach 100 million degrees Celsiusfar hotter than the surface of the sunat the core of the reaction and allow other components such as those that use RAFM steel to reach up to 600 C. In addition to radiation and extreme heat, the neutrons generated from a fusion reaction can interact with materials and create helium within them. In high concentrations, helium can cause materials within the system to swell and warp. Developing a material able to withstand these extreme conditions is a critical step toward building a capacity for a clean energy source. Kevin Field, professor of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences, and Ethan Polselli, a doctoral student in the same department, work together in the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory, where the dual ion beam tests were conducted. Credit: Brenda Ahearn, Michigan Engineering Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. A new way to test fusion materials Up to this point, most experiments have only been able to test a material's radiation or helium resistance in isolation. In a more comprehensive approach, the researchers used a particle accelerator to simultaneously bombard steel samples with one iron ion beamwhich inflicts radiation damageand one helium ion beam, more accurately simulating fusion energy conditions. Researchers can finely adjust radiation damage levels (one to 100 displacements per atom, or dpa), helium concentrations (10 to 25 atomic parts per million produced per dpa) and temperatures (from 300 to 600 C) to better understand dose-dependent material behaviors. "The level of control and detail in these experiments brings us significantly closer to simulating in-reactor conditions. This capability is essential as we push forward in discovering and optimizing materials to enable the future deployment of nuclear fusion power," said T.M. Kelsy Green, a doctoral graduate of nuclear engineering and radiological sciences at U-M, current senior materials engineer at Antares and lead author of the three studies. Specifically, the research team tested a new class of iron-chromium steel (Fe-9Cr) called castable nanostructured alloy #9, or CNA9 for short, a new generation of RAFM alloy engineered by the Oak Ridge National Laboratory fusion materials team that can hold a high density of titanium-carbide precipitates. After exposure to the dual ion beams, samples were closely examined using state-of-the-art electron microscopy to characterize titanium-carbide precipitates and helium bubbles on the nanoscale. The titanium-carbide particles trapped some helium as bubbles on their surface, with the highest success around 500 C. Despite the partial success, the helium not captured formed bubbles in the bulk steel, causing the alloy to expand by 2% at the highest radiation levels. Further, titanium-carbide precipitates showed some stability at higher temperatures (500600 C) and lower radiation levels (less than 15 dpa), but completely dissolved at higher damage levels (50 to 100 dpa) regardless of temperature. Results suggest the current alloy design would reduce radiation-resistance properties early in the fusion reactor's operational lifetime. "The results on the high radiation doses (>15 dpa) were surprising, as we expected at the highest temperatures evaluated that the titanium-carbide precipitates would still be stable, but clearly this was not the case," said Field. Moving forward, the researchers suggest adjusting the steel by increasing the density of titanium-carbide precipitates by 1,000 times to more effectively prevent swelling and performing more ion beam tests at different rates to better simulate fusion energy environments. "The preferential binding between TiC nanoprecipitates and helium atoms observed in this series of studies highlights the beneficial role of TiC in the newly developed CNA steels. Furthermore, the dissolution of TiC precipitates under high irradiation doses provides valuable guidance for future development efforts, emphasizing the need for more stable TiC precipitates in CNA steel design," said Ying Yang, a research staff member at Oak Ridge National Laboratory and contributing author of the studies. Materials were studied at the Michigan Ion Beam Laboratory and the Michigan Center for Materials Characterization with the work performed by the NOME lab. More information: T.M. Kelsy Green et al, MX precipitate behavior in an irradiated advanced Fe-9Cr steel: Helium sequestration and cavity swelling performance, Journal of Nuclear Materials (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.jnucmat.2025.155727 T.M. Kelsy Green et al, MX precipitate behavior in an irradiated advanced Fe-9Cr steel: Helium effects on phase stability, Acta Materialia (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121202 T.M. Kelsy Green et al, MX precipitate behavior in an irradiated advanced Fe-9Cr steel: Self-ion irradiation effects on phase stability, Acta Materialia (2025). DOI: 10.1016/j.actamat.2025.121203 Journal information: Acta Materialia This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: the EU's original organic label. Below: two modifications made by the research team to clarify the message. The study shows that this significantly increases the clarity of the label's message. Credit: EU/STRENGTH2FOOD/Gregor Hubl/University of Bonn To positively influence purchase decisions, sustainability labels must convey a clear signal rather than remain abstract. Using the EU's "Green Leaf" organic logo as an example, researchers from the universities of Bonn, Newcastle (UK) and Corvinus (Hungary) demonstrate that simple design tweaks reduce consumers' uncertainty, bolster their trust in the products, and thus increase their willingness to buy. The twostudy-paper appears in the journal Agribusiness and is already available online. Labels for sustainable foodssuch as organic, fairtrade or animalwelfare certificationsare meant to assure consumers that products meet specific social and environmental standards. "Many labels fail to do so because they either don't attract attention, aren't clear enough, or even cause confusion," says Prof. Dr. Monika Hartmann, head of the Department of Agricultural and Food Market Research at the University of Bonn. One case in point is the EU's organic logo, known as the "Green Leaf." Introduced in 2010 to create a unified European market for certified organic products, it is mandatory unlike national organic labels. Yet a 2024 survey found that only 56% of EU citizens recognize the EU organic labeland just 45% know it signifies compliance with EU organic standards. Study in seven countries: Do design changes clarify the message? Together researchers from the Universities of Bonn, Newcastle and Corvinus tested whether minor design changes could strengthen the label's message and effect. They added "BIO" or "ECO" (depending on language) inside the green, starbordered leaf, and in a second variant also appended "EUcertified." Three groupswith a total of 9,500 respondents across seven EU countriessaw either the original logo or one of the modified versions. Participants rated each logo for clarity, trustworthiness, and usefulness in making an informed choice. The result: in every country, both modified labels were judged clearer, more understandable, more trustworthy, and more helpful than the original logo. "Interestingly, adding "EUcertified' had no extra effect," says Hartmann. "Apparently, the original logo mainly lacks the unmistakable signal that it denotes organic." Study in Germany: What drives these perceptions? In a second study of about 500 German participants, the researchers investigated the mechanisms behind the enhanced appeal of the modified labels. They asked additional questions about clarity, uncertainty, trust, and behavioral intentions. "We showed that signal clarity rose dramatically," explains Hartmann, who is also a member of the University of Bonn's Transdisciplinary Research Area (TRA) Sustainable Futures. "Almost 90% of respondents clearly identified the logo augmented with "BIO' or "ECO' as an organic markversus under 70% for the original EU logo." The new label also significantly reduced uncertainty and increased trust. There was no direct significant effect of label modification on purchase intention; however, the results reveal a significant indirect effect, mediated by reduced uncertainty and increased trust. A loweffort, highimpact intervention From these findings, the researchers conclude that labels for sustainably produced goods must be clearly recognizable to aid consumer decisionmaking. If they are not, modifying a label to enhance its clarity offers a comparatively simple and costeffective way to encourage sustainable purchasing. More information: Monika Hartmann et al, Enhancing Sustainability Label Effectiveness Through Logo Design Modification: An Analysis of the EU Green Leaf Logo, Agribusiness (2025). DOI: 10.1002/agr.70013 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This photo provided by the Securite Civile shows firefighters battling a wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border, southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Securite Civile via AP France's biggest wildfire this summer was spreading quickly Wednesday in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border after leaving one person dead, authorities said. The fire had burned an area larger than Paris. French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou deplored a "disaster on an unprecedented scale" in the region. Over 2,100 firefighters and several water bomber aircraft battled the blaze that broke out Tuesday afternoon in the village of Ribaute in the Aude region, a rural, wooded area that is home to wineries. The fire, which has burned 13,000 hectares (32,000 acres), remained "very active" on Wednesday, the local administration said in a statement. The weather was hot, dry and windy, making it difficult for firefighters to contain the blaze. Interior Minister Bruno Retailleau said the military will reinforce efforts starting from Thursday, with several dozens of soldiers to be deployed. One person died in their home, and at least 13 others were injured, including 11 firefighters, local authorities said. One person who was initially described as missing has been located and is safe. Jacques Piraux, mayor of the village of Jonquieres, said all residents have been evacuated. "It's a scene of sadness and desolation," he told broadcaster BFM TV after he visited Wednesday morning. "It looks like a lunar landscape, everything is burned. More than half or three-quarters of the village has burned down. It's hellish." This photo provided by the Securite Civile shows an aerial view of the wildfire in a Mediterranean region near the Spanish border, southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Securite Civile via AP Residents and tourists in nearby areas were requested to remain in their homes unless told to evacuate. Two campsites were evacuated as a precaution. The prime minister met Wednesday afternoon with firefighters and residents at Saint-Laurent-de-la-Cabrerisse, where the fire service's command post has been set up. He said he came to express "national solidarity." The area's economy is relying on winery and tourism and "both sectors are affected," he stressed. Bayrou said an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fire. The environment ministry said the Aude region has been experiencing a drought this month, with water use restrictions in place. Lack of rainfall in recent months "played a major role in the spreading of the fire, since the vegetation is very dry," the statement said. This photo provided by the Securite Civile shows the wildfire in the Corbieres massif, southern France, Tuesday, Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Securite Civile via AP This photo provided by the regional prefecture shows a water bomber dropping liquid on a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border, Tuesday Aug. 5, 2025. Credit: Sandrine Verdun/SDIS11 via AP Cars drive past a fast-moving wildfire in a Mediterranean region of France near the Spanish border is pictured Tuesday Aug.5, 2025. Credit: Richard Capoulade/UGC via AP Southern Europe has seen multiple large fires this summer. Scientists warn that climate change is exacerbating the frequency and intensity of heat and dryness, making the region more vulnerable to wildfires. Last month, a wildfire that reached the southern port of Marseille, France's second-largest city, left around 300 people injured. Europe is the world's fastest-warming continent, with temperatures increasing at twice the speed of the global average since the 1980s, according to the European Union's Copernicus Climate Change Service. 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: A bunch of microrobots scurrying around at the Institute of Theoretical Physics II of the Heinrich Heine University of Dusseldorf. Credit: Heinrich-Heine University Duesseldorf How can a horde of active robots be automatically brought to a standstill? By arresting their dynamics in a self-sustained way. This phenomenon was discovered by physicists at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf (HHU) and La Sapienza University in Rome. The threshold principle of static friction with the ground plays a decisive role here: it removes the kinetic energy of two robots after a mutual collision so efficiently that they can no longer set themselves in motion. The researchers describe in the journal Nature Communications that this fundamental effect can also be used to construct controllable moving robot systems. Friction creates heat, as anyone knows who has rubbed their hands together in winter weather. And friction costs energy. Road friction on vehicle tires, for example, will cause a moving car to steadily slow down unless the accelerator is used. Two solid bodies, one on top of the other, will not move, even if slightly tilted, because static friction holds them together. Only when a critical tipping angle is reached will the top one slide off, once the friction has been overcome by the force of gravity. Physicists refer to this as "dry" static friction (there being no lubricant), also known as Coulomb friction. The effect of Coulomb friction on motion is important in many application scenarios. With shaken grains supposed to flow out of a silo, for example, the driving force or "activity" is not constant, but rather fluctuating. This leads to a complicated stop-and-go movement, as one particle moves until slowed down by an unfavorable fluctuation and is then brought to a standstill by static friction, only to start moving again when the next favorable fluctuation occurs. In physics, a particle at rest is said to be "cold" while a particle in motion is "hot." Static friction thus ultimately causes the cooling of active particles. The steady-state motion of N = 180 active granular particles (vibrobots) with diameter d = 15 mm that are confined with a plate of diameter D = 300 mm. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62626-9 In collaboration with Professor Dr. Lorenzo Caprini of Rome, a group of physicists led by Professor Dr. Hartmut Lowen of the Institute of Theoretical Physics II at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf studied the behavior of many such active objects. In a demonstration experiment, hundreds of 3D-printed mini-robots scurried about, driven by a vertically vibrating plate. In moving around, the swarm robots continuously collided with each other. Given high density and low driving force near the threshold, static friction takes hold during collisions, repeatedly causing the colliding particles (robots) to stop moving. In time, this leads to the formation of clusters of robots that are no longer moving, i.e., "cold." Professor Lowen states, "Interestingly, with large clusters that dynamically change, a mixed configuration emerges in which cold areas coexist with hot ones. In equilibrium this is impossible, since such temperature differences would immediately cancel each other out through collisions." Self-sustained frictional cooling. Credit: Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62626-9 This behavior is induced by an interplay of the competing forces of activity and Coulomb friction. In extensive computer simulations conducted at Heinrich Heine University Dusseldorf, which faithfully modeled the experiment, study lead author Dr. Alexander Antonov found similar behavior in evidence as long as a threshold behavior is the underlying principle. "We have achieved what many theoretical physicists dream ofto understand the physical mechanism behind an experimental phenomenon and subsequently reproduce it in numerical computer simulations." Corresponding study author Professor Caprini believes there is potential for future applications, stating, "The key point is that no outside intervention is required to cool the system. Instead, the robots cool themselves down by colliding." Professor Lowen observes, "This unexpected cooling effect could be used in the future to automatically control entire armies of robots, or the collective behavior of bulk materials, without external intervention." More information: Alexander P. Antonov et al, Self-sustained frictional cooling in active matter, Nature Communications (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-025-62626-9 Journal information: Nature Communications This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain What turns a democratically elected leader into an authoritarian? The process is rarely abrupt. It unfolds gradually and is often justified as a necessary reform. It is framed as what the people wanted. All this makes it difficult for citizens to recognize what is happening until it's too late. Consider Viktor Orban's transformation in Hungary. Once celebrated as a liberal democrat who challenged communist rule, Orban now controls 90% of the Hungarian media and has systematically packed the country's constitutional court. His trajectory is now widely recognized as a textbook case of democratic backsliding. Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdogan was initially praised for showing that democracy and Islamic governance could coexist. In early reforms, he lifted millions from poverty by challenging Turkey's secular establishmenta feat that required exceptional confidence and a bold vision. Now, a decade on, Erdogan has turned Turkey into what political scientists call a competitive authoritarian regime. In the US, Donald Trump rose to power promising to "drain the swamp." In Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro campaigned as an anti-corruption crusader who would restore the country's moral foundations. Both have since weaponized democratic institutions to consolidate their own power. Part of this shift is a psychological process we term the hubris arc. This sees a visionary leader become increasingly myopic once in office. Their early successes bolster their belief in their transformative capabilities, which gradually diminishes their capacity for self-criticism. The visionary stage typically coincides with systemic failure. When established institutions prove inadequate for addressing public grievances, it provides fertile ground for leaders with exceptional self-confidence to emerge. These outsiders succeed precisely because they possess the psychological conviction that they can challenge entrenched systems and mobilize mass support through bold, unconventional approaches. Such leaders excel at crafting compelling narratives that enable them to transform public frustration into electoral momentum. They offer simplified solutions to complex problems, providing certainty where establishment politicians offer only incrementalism and compromise. Losing perspective But as visionary capacity increases, so too does myopia. Seeing a singular path with exceptional clarity necessitates narrowing one's perceptual field. These leaders initially succeed because their heightened focus cuts through the paralysis of nuanced thinking. But they quickly reach an inflection point where they face a fundamental choice: accept institutional constraints as necessary feedback mechanisms or redefine them as obstacles to their vision. Those who maintain a productive vision actively build systems for honest feedback. They allow formal channels for dissent to continue and construct diverse advisory teams. Where strong democratic institutions endureindependent media, empowered legislatures, autonomous courtsleaders must continue negotiating and compromising. This tends to keep their confidence grounded. Some leaders successfully work within these constraints, which proves that the descent into myopia is actually more a reflection of institutional weakness than psychological destiny. Where institutions lack strength or leaders resist self-discipline, electoral success may embolden rather than restrain authoritarian tendencies. As leaders become increasingly convinced of their transformative vision, their ability to perceive alternatives diminishes. This psychological narrowing manifests in predictable behaviors, notably eliminating dissenting voices. With every election victory, Orban has replaced independent-minded allies with loyalists. Trump's first presidency featured constant turnover among advisers who challenged him. His second is populated by people who can be trusted to toe the line. 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. Myopic decline follows when hubris reaches saturation. Once leaders systematically eliminate feedback mechanisms, they lose all capacity for self-correction. As their ability to process contradictory information deteriorates, they may increasingly conflate personal power with national interest. This conflation appears most pronounced in cases where leaders have systematically weakened independent media and judicial oversight. When leaders achieve complete institutional capture, this self-conception becomes institutionalized. Orban's declaration, "We have replaced a shipwrecked liberal democracy with a 21st-century Christian democracy," reveals how personal vision becomes indistinguishable from national transformation. Institutional capture occurs through different methods but serves similar purposes. Orban's control of the media and courts means he has created parallel institutions that exist solely to validate his vision. Erdogan used emergency powers after a 2016 coup attempt to instigate mass purges. In both cases, motivated reasoning becomes institutionalized: leaders come to control the institutions that usually determine what information is legitimate and enable forms of dissent. The endpoint is a transformation in which opposition becomes an existential threat to the nation. When Orban positions himself as defender of "illiberal democracy" against EU values, or when Erdogan arrests his rivals, they frame dissent as treason. Opposition is a threat not just to their power but to the nation's essence. Maximum vision has produced maximum blindness. Institutions have been redesigned to perpetuate rather than puncture the delusion. Resisting the decline The robustness of democratic institutions is decisive in determining whether hubristic tendencies can be contained within democratic bounds or whether they culminate in authoritarian consolidation. Hungary and Turkey display a more linear model of democratic erosion. Both Orban and Erdogan leveraged initial electoral mandates to systematically capture state institutions. Their hubris evolved from a tool for challenging establishments into a self-reinforcing system in which the regime's vast sway over state institutions eliminated feedback mechanisms. Bolsonaro's slide toward authoritarianismdenying COVID science, attacking electoral systems, attempting to overturn his 2022 defeattriggered immediate institutional pushback. Unlike Hungary or Turkey, where courts and civil society gradually bent to executive pressure, Brazilian institutions held firm. Bolsonaro's trajectory from populist outsider to authoritarian to electoral defeat and institutional rejection suggests that robust federal structures and an independent judiciary can function as circuit breakers. They can prevent permanent democratic capture. The American experience presents a third model: democratic resilience under stress. Unlike Hungary and Turkey, where institutional capture succeeded, Trump's first presidency tested whether these patterns could emerge in a system with deeper democratic roots and stronger institutional checks. While his efforts to pressure state election officials and weaponize federal agencies followed recognizable authoritarian scripts, American institutions proved more resistant than their Hungarian or Turkish counterparts. Courts blocked key initiatives, state officials refused to "find votes," and congressional oversight continued despite partisan pressures. Yet even this institutional resistance came under severe strain, suggesting that democratic durability may depend more on specific design features and timing than general democratic culture. The Trump stress test has revealed vulnerabilities. The erosion of democratic normswhen parties prioritize loyalty over constitutional obligationscreates openings for future exploitation. l The second Trump term could systematically target the weaknesses identified during his first: expanded emergency powers, strategic appointments to undermine the administrative state, and novel statutory interpretations to bypass Congress. The critical question is whether American institutions retain sufficient strength to again disrupt Trump's trajectory. The hubris arc appears inherent in populist psychology, underscoring why constitutional constraints and institutional checks are indispensable. Democracies survive not by finding perfect leaders but by constraining imperfect ones. This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- ING Americas announced the expansion of its Transaction Services business in the region, including key leadership appointments, to assist clients in navigating the current complexities of treasury, liquidity management and managing working capital in today's global environment. The expansion of local support in New York is being driven by client demand in addition to treasury centers increasing and becoming more complex across all operations from daily payments, managing working capital in different currencies, to intricate trade-finance operations. The Transaction Services Team reports to Tibor Bartels, Managing Director and head of Transaction Services Americas, and the new hires were effective June 1st. This marks the beginning of a larger expansion to the team, to be completed over the next 18 to 24 months. "Delivering senior counsel to our clients and providing them with relevant tailored solutions in the markets they operate in is our priority," said Bartels. "We continue to expand our team in the U.S. to include unique perspectives on financial operations across regions. This will better equip ING to help guide clients through new impacts to their financial operations and lead treasurers through an increasing interconnected global environment." Recent appointments include: Lise Gjertsen joins as head of the Transaction Services sales team. She brings a wealth of industry knowledge from various financial institutions, most recently at CitiBank with experience from the transaction services markets in Oslo, London and New York. Zlatina Hristova joins as Director of Transaction Services Sales and will be an added strategic resource for the team and the regional strategy. Hristova comes to the U.S. team after more than 18 years with ING, most recently as Head of Transaction Services in Bulgaria. Pascal ter Haak takes on a new role as Director, overseeing the expansion of client services that will allow multinational companies to centralize their cash positions, have streamlined visibility and control over global cash positions and facilitate efficient liquidity management without necessitating changes to existing local banking arrangements. Previously, Pascal served as Director of Transaction Services Americas for more than 7 years. He began his career at BMG's Head Office in Amsterdam, where he had various roles over a period of 15 years. Nadine Ghandour was appointed head of Working Capital Solutions for the region. The Working Capital Solutions group provides structuring and advisory services to large corporates looking to manage and unlock liquidity. This includes receivables financing, securitization structures, supply chain finance as well as inventory-linked solutions. Nadine will be responsible for the growth of the franchise in the region. Prior to joining ING, Nadine spent 10 years in the trade finance franchise of BNP Paribas across Europe, Brazil and the U.S. Laurence Amar joins as head of Product Management and will lead the initiative to develop payments and cash management capabilities in the region. Laurence has been active in the New York area and worked with various financial institutions and joined ING from Santander in June. About the Transaction Services Team The Transaction Services team provides working capital and liquidity management structures, receivable finance and supply chain finance advisory services and traditional trade services, to clients in Asia, Europe and the U.S. It allows clients to tap into liquidity and optimize cash flow through tailored structures that fund receivables, payables and inventory across regions. About ING Americas ING Americas is the brand name of ING's wholesale business in the Americas region, and a part of ING Group N.V. ("ING"). ING is a global financial institution with a strong European base, offering banking services through its operating company ING Bank. The purpose of ING Bank is: empowering people to stay a step ahead in life and in business. ING Bank's more than 60,000 employees offer retail and wholesale banking services to customers in over 40 countries. ING Group shares are listed on the exchanges of Amsterdam (INGA NA, INGA.AS), Brussels and on the New York Stock Exchange (ADRs: ING US, ING.N). ING aims to put sustainability at the heart of what we do. Our policies and actions are assessed by independent research and ratings providers, which give updates on them annually. ING's ESG rating by MSCI was reconfirmed by MSCI as 'AA' in August 2024 for the fifth year. As of December 2023, in Sustainalytics' view, ING's management of ESG material risk is 'Strong'. Our current ESG Risk Rating, is 17.2 (Low Risk). ING Group shares are also included in major sustainability and ESG index products of leading providers including Euronext, STOXX, Morningstar and FTSE Russell. Press enquiries: Melissa Kanter [email protected] + 646 424 7021 SOURCE ING Americas This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: This image shows the Acheron Fossae region of Mars in wider context. The area outlined by the larger white box indicates the area imaged by the High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC) aboard ESAs Mars Express orbiter on 24 October 2024 (orbit 26273), while the smaller white box within shows the part of the surface featured in new images released in July 2025. The martian volcano Olympus Mons can be seen as a prominent feature to the bottom-right. Credit: NASA/MGS/MOLA Science Team In its latest postcard from Mars, the European Space Agency's Mars Express returns to Acheron Fossae: a dramatic network of chasms carved into the surface of the red planet. In April, we highlighted the eastern end of the Acheron Fossae region of Marsan amazingly diverse mix of rugged and smooth terrain covered in ancient ditches, craters, and solidified lavaas seen by Mars Express's High Resolution Stereo Camera (HRSC). Today we head back to show the region's western edge, where the features are equally diverse: deep cracks, valleys, and meandering channels sculpted and filled by slow-moving flows of ice and rock. Demonstrating just how intriguing these features are, one of the earliest image releases from HRSC also explored Acheron Fossae, all the way back in April 2004just months after Mars Express began investigating the planet. Broken ground Acheron Fossae is an extensive system of deep, fault-like cracks (known as fossae), with alternating chunks of raised and lowered ground (a "horst and graben" pattern, with "horst" referring to a raised block of ground formed in this way, and "graben" a lowered one). This pattern can be seen most clearly in the prominent channels slicing vertically through the frame just right of center. Mars Express views Acheron Fossaes western fringes. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin Likely dating back over 3.7 billion years to when Mars was most geologically active, such a pattern was created as hot material rose upwards beneath the Martian crust. This upwelling of molten rock stretched and pulled the surface apart, creating kilometer-deep cracks and valleyssome of which are many hundreds of kilometers long. What lies beneath Once created, these valleys continue to transform. As shown clearly in the generated bird's-eye view, the valley floors are relatively smooth, marked by gently weaving lines reminiscent of a flowing river. Rather than water, these valleys have been filled by a slow, viscous flow of ice-rich rock, a lot like the rock glaciers we see here on Earth. This view was generated from the digital terrain model and the nadir and colour channels of the High Resolution Stereo Camera on ESAs Mars Express. It shows a birds-eye view of Acheron Fossae, an extensive system of rifts and valleys on Mars. The valley floors are relatively smooth, having been filled by a slow, viscous flow of ice-rich rock, a lot like the rock glaciers we see here on Earth. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin Rock glaciers are very sensitive to changes in climate, and so act as good markers for how a planet's environment has changed over time. Here, they indicate that this region of Mars has experienced alternating periods of cool and warm, freeze and thaw. These temperature fluctuations are driven by the tilt of Mars's rotational axis; unlike Earth, which sticks at a reasonably steady and moderate tilt due to the stabilizing influence of our large moon, Mars's tilt varies dramatically over time. This leads to alternating warm spells and ice ages, periodically letting ice creep near to the planet's equator before shrinking back to its poles. While Earth and Mars both experience tilt fluctuations in this way, the variations are far bigger on Mars. Mars's tilt has swung between 15 and 45 degrees in the last 10 million years, while Earth's has varied between 22 and 24.5 degrees. These regular shiftsknown as Milankovitch cyclesplay an important role in our planet's climate, but their effects are more subtle than those on Mars. 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. Left behind To the right of frame the fossae transition into flat, dark lowland plains, with a knobbly strip of raised mounds and rocky hills in between. These are the remains of what was once a continuous rock layer; over time, flows of ice and rock have worn away the ground here, leaving behind rounded hills (knobs) and flat-topped plateaus (mesas) interspersed with narrow, meandering channels. This transitionfrom fossae through knobs and mesas to lowland plainis seen especially clearly in the associated topographical image of this region, where red and yellow tones (indicating higher ground) melt into light and darker blues (indicating lower elevations). Topography of Acheron Fossaes western edge. Credit: ESA/DLR/FU Berlin Another patch of smooth ground can be seen to the left. This plain lies next to the largest volcano in the solar system, Olympus Mons, which lies about 1,200 km out of frame to the south (left). This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: CC0 Public Domain Experts are calling for a global effort to identify "positive tipping points" to accelerate the green transitionand have devised a method to find them. A tipping point is a threshold where a small change can trigger a significant, often irreversible, transformation. With climate change becoming increasingly damaging and dangerous, positive tipping points in human societies and economies can spark rapid reductions in emissions and other environmental harm. Positive tipping points are already happeningwith solar power and electric vehicles rapidly displacing fossil-fueled alternativesbut many more are needed to ensure a thriving, sustainable future. "The global economy is decarbonizing at least five times too slowly to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to well below 2C," said Professor Tim Lenton, from the Global Systems Institute at the University of Exeter. "The challenge now is to identify potential positive tipping points, and the actions that can bring them forwardwhile avoiding wishful thinking about their existence, or oversimplification of their nature, drivers and impacts." A paper by an international team of researchers sets out a methodology for identifying positive tipping points, assessing their proximity, identifying the factors that can influence them, and the actions that can trigger them. The paper, published in the journal Sustainability Science, is titled "A method to identify positive tipping points to accelerate low-carbon transitions and actions to trigger them." This includes looking for evidence that a system, or a similar system, has "tipped" in the past. Another factor is whether there is potential for "self-propelling uptake" of zero- or low-carbon behaviors, products and/or technologies. For example, as more people buy electric cars, the performance, price and infrastructure improvemaking it easier for others to follow, and thereby accelerating the transition. "We know positive tipping can happen in sectors such as power and road transport, and we think the UK is close to a tipping point in the uptake of heat pumps," said Dr. Steve Smith, also from Exeter's Global Systems Institute. "In other sectors there is little sign of approaching tipping points and in a few, such as nuclear power and concrete production, we should not expect there to be tipping points at all." Dr. Smith highlighted the potential for beneficial change that may seem unlikely before it happenssuch as the banning of smoking in public places in the UK. "Other transformationssuch as a major shift away from meat consumptionmight also be more likely than they appear," he said. "With supportive policies, meat-free options becoming cheaper and better, and social influence (behavior spreading through the population), we could see a major impact on meat consumptionand potentially a tipping point with benefits for climate and health." The team's methodology aims to establish a common framework for finding positive tipping pointsand they invite fellow researchers to help refine it, and practitioners to apply it. Professor Frank Geels, from the Manchester Institute of Innovation Research at the University of Manchester, added, "The increased understanding of positive tipping points and improved methods for investigating them are important because they provide empirically validated templates for accelerated net-zero transitions. "These offer crucial antidotes to the doom and gloom that seems to permeate climate mitigation debates in policy and mass media." More information: A method to identify positive tipping points to accelerate low-carbon transitions and actions to trigger them, Sustainability Science (2025). DOI: 10.1007/s11625-025-01704-9 Journal information: Sustainability Science This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: From left, NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 members Kirill Peskov of Roscosmos, NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi share a light moment during a group portrait inside the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module. Credit: NASA NASA's SpaceX Crew-10 mission with agency astronauts Anne McClain and Nichole Ayers, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi, and Roscosmos cosmonaut Kirill Peskov is preparing to return to Earth in early August after a long-duration mission aboard the International Space Station. During their stay, McClain, Ayers, and Onishi completed dozens of experiments and technology demonstrations, helping push the boundaries of scientific discovery aboard the orbiting laboratory. Here's a look at some scientific milestones accomplished during the Crew-10 mission: Orbital effects on plants Credit: NASA The canisters floating in the cupola of the International Space Station contain wild-type and genetically-modified thale cress plants for the Rhodium Plant LIFE experiment. The investigation studies how radiation and gravity environments at different orbital altitudes affect plant growth by comparing Crew-10 data with plants flown aboard the Polaris Dawn mission, which flew deeper into space. Studies have shown microgravity affects growth rates, and a better understanding of the mechanisms behind this could improve plant growth techniques in space and on Earth. Solar spacewalk Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Anne McClain conducts a spacewalk to upgrade the International Space Station's power generation systems, which include main solar arrays like the one visible behind her. McClain is installing hardware to support an IROSA (International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Array), a type of array that is more compact and produces more power than the station's original ones. The IROSAs were first demonstrated aboard the orbiting laboratory in June 2017, and eight have been installed to augment the power available for scientific research and other activities. Microalgae on the menu Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers uses the International Space Station's Space Automated Bioproduct Laboratory to process samples for SOPHONSTER, a study of microgravity's effects on the protein yield of microalgae. These organisms are highly nutritious, producing amino acids, fatty acids, B vitamins, iron, and fiber. The microalgae could provide sustainable meat and dairy alternatives during long-duration space missions. It also could be used to make biofuels and bioactive compounds in medicines in space and on Earth. Looking down on lightning Credit: NASA The International Space Station orbits more than 250 miles above Earth, giving astronauts a unique view of their home planet, where they can photograph familiar places and interesting phenomena. While passing over a stormy night, NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers captured this image of simultaneous lightning at the top of two thunderstorms. Scientists use instruments installed on the space station to study lightning and other weather conditions in Earth's upper atmosphere. This research helps protect communication systems and aircraft while improving atmospheric models and weather predictions. 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. Testing the tips of DNA Credit: NASA In this time-lapse video, JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi and NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers harvest samples for the APEX-12 investigation, which examines how space radiation affects telomere activity in thale cress plants. Telomeres, which are repetitive DNA sequences that protect the ends of chromosomes, become shorter each time a cell divides and indicate cell aging. The APEX-12 investigation could clarify the role of telomeres in aging and diseases and help scientists equip plants and other organisms for the stress of long-duration spaceflight. Microscopic motion Credit: NASA A fluorescent microscope, known as ELVIS, captures the motion of microscopic algae and bacteria in 3D, a new capability aboard the International Space Station. The technology could be helpful in various applications in space and on Earth, such as monitoring water quality and detecting potentially infectious organisms. NASA astronaut Anne McClain prepares bacterial samples for viewing with the microscope. How cells sense gravity Credit: NASA Individual cells in our bodies can respond to the effects of gravity, but how they do this is largely unknown. The Cell Gravisensing investigation is an effort to observe the mechanism that enables cells to sense gravity and could lead to therapies to treat muscle and bone conditions, like muscle atrophy during long-duration spaceflight and osteoporosis on Earth. JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi processes research samples in the International Space Station's Kibo laboratory module. Water works Credit: NASA NASA astronauts Nichole Ayers and Anne McClain work on installing hardware for the International Space Station's Exploration Potable Water Dispenser. Scientists are evaluating the device's water sanitization and microbial growth reduction technology. The dispenser provides room temperature and hot water for crew consumption and food preparation. This technology could be adopted for future exploration missions. Free-flying camera Credit: NASA Astronaut Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) monitors the JEM Internal Ball Camera 2 as it floats through the International Space Station. The free-flying, rechargeable camera provides a visual field outside the other cameras installed aboard the space station. JAXA is testing the robot's ability to capture video and imagery of scientific experiments and other activities, which could free up crew time for research and other duties. Two rings to pin them all Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers sets up the space station's Ring Sheared Drop device, which uses surface tension to pin a drop of liquid between two rings. The device makes it possible to study liquid proteins without a solid container, eliminating interactions between the solutions and container walls that can affect results. The Ring Sheared Drop-IBP-2 experiment studies the behavior of protein fluids in microgravity and tests predictive computer models. Better models could help advance manufacturing processes in space and on Earth for next-generation medicines to treat cancers and other diseases. Crystallization research Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Anne McClain swaps out hardware in the International Space Station's Advanced Space Experiment Processor-4, which enables physical science and crystallization research. A current investigation uses the processor to demonstrate technology that may be able to produce medications during deep space missions and improve pharmaceutical manufacturing on Earth. Monitoring astronaut health Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Anne McClain helps JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Takuya Onishi collect a sample of his blood. Analysis of blood samples is one tool NASA uses to continuously monitor crew health, including cardiovascular and immune system functions, bone and muscle mass changes, nutritional and metabolic status, and mental well-being. Crew members aboard the International Space Station also participate in various ongoing studies to better understand how different body systems adapt to weightlessness. Catching a corona NASA/KASI/INAF/CODEX This animated, color-coded heat map shows temperature changes in the sun's outer atmosphere, or corona, over several days, with red indicating hotter regions and purple showing cooler ones. Scientists can observe these changes thanks to the International Space Station's CODEX, which collected data during the Crew-10 mission. The instrument uses a coronagraph to block out sunlight and reveal details in the sun's corona. Data from this investigation could help scientists understand the energy source of the solar wind, a flow of charged particles from the sun that constantly bombards Earth. Expanding in-space crystallization Credit: NASA Astronaut Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) services the International Space Station's Advanced Space Experiment Processor-4 in preparation for ADSEP-Industrial Crystallization Cassette. This investigation tests new hardware that scales up research and could enable in-space production of pharmaceuticals and other materials for commercial space applications. Sowing seeds in space Credit: NASA NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers prepares mixture tubes containing samples for Nanoracks Module-9 Swiss Chard. This student-designed experiment examines whether the size, shape, color, and nutritional content of Swiss chard seeds germinated in space differ from those grown on Earth. The International Space Station hosts ongoing plant research as a source of food and other benefits, including contributing to astronaut well-being, for future long-duration missions. Protecting astronaut vision Credit: NASA Spaceflight can cause changes to eye structure and vision, so crew members monitor eye health throughout their missions. Astronaut Takuya Onishi of JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency), assisted by NASA astronaut Nichole Ayers, conducts an eye exam aboard the International Space Station using optical coherence tomography. This technology uses reflected light to produce 3D images of the retina, nerve fibers, and other eye structures and layers. Provided by NASA 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: Chihuahuas made up 35.4% of cases that visited the veterinary hospital with respiratory distress. Credit: Osaka Metropolitan University Respiratory disorders in dogs can quickly become critical and are reported to be the second leading cause of cardiac arrest in canines. Therefore, it is necessary to take appropriate measures according to each patient's condition. This, however, requires rapid and accurate disease severity assessments. In human medicine, scoring systems that incorporate physical examinations and blood test results with respiratory function assessments exist, and enable more accurate severity assessments. In contrast, there are only a few reports on severity assessments that use tests other than respiratory function evaluations in veterinary medicine. Further, these evaluations' usability remains unclear. A research group led by Associate Professor Toshiyuki Tanaka and Dr. Muryo Miki at Osaka Metropolitan University's Graduate School of Veterinary Medicine explored factors associated with the prognosis of respiratory disorders in dogs. The study is published in PLOS One. The team examined medical records that included general physical examinations and blood test results of 133 dogs who visited an emergency veterinary hospital with respiratory disorders. A statistical analysis of 105 survivors and 28 non-survivors revealed significant differences in heart rate, body temperature, white blood count (WBC), glucose, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), lactate, and, most significantly, phosphate. Similar to human prognoses, non-survivor test results that showed elevated levels of phosphate indicated poor outcomes. "As far as we know, this study is the first to report that phosphate may be a prognostic indicator in canine respiratory disorders. In addition, the indicators suggested by this study are generally easy to measure and therefore are widely applicable in various facilities," stated Dr. Miki. Professor Tanaka added, "Since this survey covers a broad range of diseases classified as respiratory disorders, we believe that it is necessary to conduct surveys targeting individual diseases. We will also continue to investigate the reasons for the increase in phosphate." More information: Muryo Miki et al, Predictive value of physical and blood examination findings for short-term mortality in dogs with respiratory disorders, PLOS One (2025). DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0328797 Journal information: PLoS ONE 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: Maps of Toronto sex work arrest counts by census tract for first years of policies. Credit: Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice (2025). DOI: 10.1177/10439862251341182 A new study from the University of Toronto Mississauga reveals that sex work arrests in Toronto have dropped by 99.6% since the early 1990s, even as Canadian laws have grown more restrictive. Drawing on police data and census information, the researchers found that remaining arrests are disproportionately concentrated in the city's most socioeconomically disadvantaged neighborhoods. They say the findings add a new dimension to ongoing policy debates, pointing to a gap between Canada's increasingly strict sex work laws and their selective enforcement. "The change from the 1990s is shocking," said Chris M. Smith, an associate professor in UTM's department of sociology and lead author of the article published in the Journal of Contemporary Justice. Analyzing nearly three decades of police records, Smith and her team found that sex workrelated arrests peaked at nearly 2,800 in 1992 and fell to just 11 by 2020. The researchers used census information to map those arrests across 579 tracts, tracking how enforcement patterns varied across neighborhoods over time. "The numbers don't show us where all the sex work happened, but rather when and where police directed their attention," said Smith, adding that police data didn't specify whether arrests involved workers or clients. Across the study period, arrests were more likely in areas with markers of socioeconomic disadvantage, including higher poverty, unemployment and lower education levels. "They were likely concentrated on street-based sex workers in Toronto's poorer neighborhoods, not the indoor sex industry with wealthier clients and workers," Smith said, noting that Toronto Police Services didn't contribute to the analysis. The study situated these findings within Canada's shifting legal landscape. Selling sex has never technically been illegal, but there have long been laws targeting the trade. In 1985, the Criminal Code was updated to formally outlaw several activities related to sex work, including "communication for the purposes of prostitution," which accounted for the vast majority of arrests. Sex workers' rights organizations launched a constitutional challenge of these provisions in 2007 in what became known as the Bedford case. The Supreme Court ruled in their favor in 2013, striking down key sections of the code. "We found the lowest count of sex work arrests everjust sixin the year following the decision," said Smith. That same year, Prime Minister Stephen Harper's Conservative government passed Bill C-36, criminalizing the purchase of sex but not its sale and banning the advertisement of sexual services. Under this new legal regime, arrests stayed low in Torontoand the pattern of disproportionate policing in disadvantaged neighborhoods persisted, the study showed. Smith said the research raises questions about why these rarely enforced laws remain in place while sex workers lack sufficient protections. "There's a mismatch between these stricter laws and the arrest numbers," said Smith. "Still, for sex workers the risk of arrest with this law on the books is very high and significantly affects their work and their safety." In recent years, sex workers' rights groups have advocated for decriminalization, which they argue would promote harm reduction by improving working conditions and legal protections. "Decriminalizing sex work would benefit marginalized workers and clients in poorer neighborhoods who are especially affected by existing laws," said Smith. "It could make Canada a model of harm reduction." Smith conducted the study with Sharon Oselin of the University of California, Riverside, and Northwestern University's Taylor Domingos, a U of T graduate. The research is part of a broader project comparing sex work, drug dealing and gambling in Toronto and Chicago for an upcoming book. More information: Chris M. Smith et al, Legal Changes and the Decline of Sex Work Arrests in Toronto Neighborhoods, 19922020, Journal of Contemporary Criminal Justice (2025). DOI: 10.1177/10439862251341182 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 New research by the University of South Australia finds a silver lining to the struggling media landscape in the face of the digital age, revealing that social media is enhancing the diversity of news the community receives. The study, published in the journal Media International Australia, found that Australian news is more diverse on social media, as the traditional media landscapeparticularly quality local journalismhas become increasingly unsustainable. Social media is the most popular way for Australians to find and consume news, with over 16 million active Australian users on the Facebook app alone. The study, led by UniSA lecturer Cameron McTernan, examined more than 86,000 Facebook posts from Australian print, digital and TV newsrooms from 2010 to 2022. "The study found that news shared on Facebook is much more diverse than news shared by traditional media, with many different news sources and voices," McTernan says. "In the first few years sampled, the three leading news pages on Facebook were ABC News, 9News and news.com.au, however, newer entrants like Daily Mail Australia and Sky News have since become highly popular." The majority of posts over the course of the study were shared by newspaper pages (56%); digital news platforms (37%) and TV (7%). Content shared by print and digital pages was overwhelmingly local, whereas TV had a strong metropolitan focus. TV and digital posts also had a stronger national focus. "While Australia has long seen a decline in newsrooms and concentration in ownership, the results of this study show the potential for new entrants to succeed on a distributed access platform like Facebook." McTernan, who specializes in social media, political communication and media industries, says social media platforms have become a double-edged sword for the news economy. "While social media can provide better discoverability of news, it also competes with traditional outlets for revenue. The two competing industries are struggling to find a cooperative path forward, and ultimately that hurts newsrooms a lot more than tech firms, and ultimately, it hurts all of us," he says. "Exposing the community to more diverse news sources benefits tolerance, encourages people to challenge biases and ultimately informs better decision-making and a more inclusive world. A viable media industry is also vital for supporting the economy and fulfilling a crucial role in democratic societiesincluding through its own contributions on social media." Big tech companies and traditional news outlets face ongoing tensions, particularly with Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, declining to pay for news in Australia. The company is set to stop paying publishers for content when current deals under Australia's News Media Bargaining Code expire. The Australian government announced a News Bargaining Incentive designed to encourage Meta and other platforms to contribute to the sustainability of the country's news media, with a public consultation process expected to begin soon. McTernan says while this move shows governments are supporting newsrooms, there has been a lack of quality data into the diversity of news content on digital platforms. "The goal of my research was to understand whether Australian news on Facebook is truly diverse or dominated by a few big companies. We already knew that Australia has one of the most concentrated media markets in the world, so it was important to understand the scale, scope and structure of its social media news market, to help inform conversations and negotiations in this complex space." More information: Cameron McTernan, Australian news diversity on Facebook: An empirical study using engagement metrics and concentration analysis, Media International Australia (2025). DOI: 10.1177/1329878X251354988 This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain Dan Burton has trapped hundreds of wild pigs for clients of his wildlife control company in Salinas, but even he was startled when he cut one of them open and found blue meat inside. "I'm not talking about a little blue," said Burton, owner of Urban Trapping Wildlife Control. "I'm talking about neon blue, blueberry blue." Burton immediately knew what the problem was and relayed the disturbing discovery to Monterey County officials and the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. The agency is now warning trappers and hunters to keep an eye out for possibly contaminated wildlife in the area, and not to consume the tainted meat, over concerns the blue meat is a sign that the animal may have consumed poison. "It's just wild," Burton said. The startling find of wild pigs with bright blue tissue in Monterey County suggests the wild animals have been exposed to the anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone, a popular poison used by farmers and agriculture companies to control the population of rats, mice, squirrels and other small animals, according to a statement from the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. "Hunters should be aware that the meat of game animals, such as wild pig, deer, bear and geese, might be contaminated if that game animal has been exposed to rodenticides," said Ryan Bourbor, pesticide investigations coordinator with the California Department of Fish and Wildlife. Officials are urging hunters not to consume any meat from an animal with signs of the blue pigmentation in their meat or fat, and to report the find to officials. Predators and people who eat animals that were poisoned by diphacinone can suffer "secondary exposure" to the poison because the substance can remain for a time in the organs and tissue of the poisoned animal. "Generally, more than one feeding is needed to receive a toxic dose," according to a 2023 study, but people and animals that consume the substance can start feeling the effects of the poison, including signs of lethargy. Another study published in 2011 found that cooking meat tainted with diphacinone had little effect on the concentration of the poison, and recommended that "consumption of pig meat obtained from areas with active rodent control programs should be avoided." The California Department of Fish and Wildlife said it became aware of the wild pigs' exposure to rat poison in March, when a trapper in Monterey County reported finding several wild pigs with blue muscle and fat. The animals were tested by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's Wildlife Health Lab and found the animals had anticoagulant rodenticide diphacinone in the stomach and liver, according to a statement from the agency. Rodenticide baits are often dyed so they can be identified as poison, and the unusual blue-colored muscle is a sign that the animal may have eaten the poison, or eaten an animal that had been exposed to the poison. Officials also warn that the blue coloring may not always be present in animals that have been exposed. The rodenticide can pose a problem for farmers and agriculture companies that use it to control animals that can destroy or damage crops, but they end up poisoning other wild animals as well, Bourbor said. Discover the latest in science, tech, and space with over 100,000 subscribers who rely on Phys.org for daily insights. Sign up for our free newsletter and get updates on breakthroughs, innovations, and research that matterdaily or weekly. Burton said his company discovered the affected animals when it was hired by an agriculture firm in late February and March to trap wild pigs that were going into the firm's fields. His company traps the pigs and then euthanizes them according to state law, he said. He usually donates the carcass and meat of the pigs to low-income families. But in this case, the pigs were found with bright blue meat and fat when they were opened up. "I thought, OK, that's weird," Burton said. Burton said he investigated to try to figure out how the pigs' meat had become tainted and found that the animals appeared to be targeting squirrel bait stations in the field, which were being used to control the squirrel population. "These pigs were seeking (the bait traps) out," Burton said. "I saw them trying to flip it over, breaking them, trying to get access to the poison." The pigs that were consuming the poisoned bait were not immediately dying because they were consuming bait meant to kill much smaller animals, Burton said. The pigs, which Burton said weighed between 100 and 200 pounds, appeared to be acting normally even though their tissue was visibly affected by the poison. The poison is also not fast-acting even for small animals, which can stay alive for several days before the poison takes effect, he said. The pigs were submitted for testing and found to have been exposed to the poison over an extended period of time. Meanwhile, the firm that hired Burton's company pulled the squirrel traps off the field, Burton said, out of concern that it was drawing in groups of the pigs. "Our concern is we're seeing multiple animals doing it," Burton said. Diphacinone, the substance found in the pigs, is mostly prohibited across California, unless it is used by a certified vector control technician, government agency, or at agricultural sites, according to the California Department of Pesticide Regulation. The prohibition became effective in 2024 as part of a law aimed at protecting wildlife from exposure to the poison. According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, a 2018 study found that about 8.3% of wild pigs tested had traces of anticoagulant rodenticide residue. Burton said his main concern was that young hunters might not be aware of the signs to look for when hunting the pigs. The CDFW asks that anyone who comes across an animal with the blue fat or tissue to contact the agency at whlab@wildlife.ca.gov or (916) 358-2790. 2025 Los Angeles Times. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC. NEW YORK, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of BellRing Brands, Inc. ("BellRing" or the "Company") (NYSE: BRBR). Such investors are advised to contact Danielle Peyton at [email protected] or 646-581-9980, ext. 7980. The investigation concerns whether BellRing and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices. [Click here for information about joining the class action] On May 6, 2025, during its second quarter 2025 earnings call, BellRing revealed that certain customers were now choosing to "optimize" their inventories by lowering "their weeks of supply on hand." As a result, BellRing disclosed that this would slow sales growth in the third quarter to "low-single-digits." On this news, BellRing's stock price fell $14.88 per share, or 18.97%, to close at $63.55 on May 6, 2025. Then, on August 4, 2025, BellRing issued a press release reporting its financial results for the third quarter of 2025. Among other items, BellRing reported a 71.4% drop in unadjusted net earnings to $0.16 per share. The Company also narrowed its 2025 net sales outlook to a range of $2.28 billion to $2.32 billion, down from prior guidance of $2.26 billion to $2.34 billion. On this news, BellRing's stock price fell $17.46 per share, or 32.55%, to close at $36.18 per share on August 5, 2025. The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, London, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com . Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes. CONTACT: Danielle Peyton Pomerantz LLP [email protected] 646-581-9980 ext. 7980 SOURCE Pomerantz LLP KANSAS CITY, Mo., Aug. 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Kansas City Life Insurance Company recorded a net loss of $28.1 million or $2.90 per share in the second quarter of 2025 compared to net income of $4.7 million or $0.49 per share in the second quarter of 2024. The primary factor in the decrease in net income in the second quarter of 2025 was the establishment of a legal settlement accrual of $35.5 million, net of tax, related to a potential settlement of class action lawsuits. Excluding this legal settlement accrual, net income would have been $7.5 million or $0.77 per share in the second quarter of 2025. After excluding the legal settlement accrual, the improvement over the second quarter of 2024 included higher investment revenues and lower policyholder benefits, partially offset by a decline in insurance revenues. We recorded a net loss of $26.2 million or $2.71 per share in the first six months of 2025 compared to net income of $6.3 million or $0.65 per share in the first six months of 2024. The primary factor in the decrease in net income in the first six months of 2025 was the establishment of a legal settlement accrual, as mentioned above. Excluding this legal settlement accrual, net income would have been $9.3 million or $0.96 per share in the first six months of 2025. After excluding the legal settlement accrual, the increase over the first six months of 2024 was primarily due to lower policyholder benefits. Partially offsetting this were decreases in insurance revenues and investment revenues. Kansas City Life Insurance Company (OTCQX: KCLI) was established in 1895 and is based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Company's primary business is providing financial protection through the sale of life insurance and annuities. The Company operates in 49 states and the District of Columbia. For more information, please visit www.kclife.com. Kansas City Life Insurance Company Condensed Consolidated Income Statement (amounts in thousands, except share data) Quarter Ended June 30 Six Months Ended June 30 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenues $ 122,299 $ 122,512 $ 241,274 $ 249,820 Net income (loss) $ (28,073) $ 4,735 $ (26,197) $ 6,289 Net income (loss) per share, basic and diluted $ (2.90) $ 0.49 $ (2.71) $ 0.65 Dividends paid $ 0.14 $ 0.14 $ 0.28 $ 0.28 Average number of shares outstanding 9,683,414 9,683,414 9,683,414 9,683,414 SOURCE Kansas City Life Insurance Company IRVINE, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Karma Automotive and High Jewelry Maison Repossi, an LVMH company, are proud to announce a series of exclusive cohosted events during California's famed Monterey Car Week. Bringing together the two distinctive brands, this partnership is a natural synergy, rooted in a shared commitment to craftsmanship, bold design, and attention to exquisite detailvalues that define both houses and their approach to contemporary luxury. Together, Repossi and Karma Automotive will create immersive experiences that celebrate the intersection of art, technology, and craftsmanshipfor those who appreciate the future shaped by hands that honor tradition. On Thursday, August 14, the brands will cohost an intimate client reception in Carmel Valley highlighted by a specially curated selection of Repossi high jewelry creations. On Sunday, August 17, at Karma Automotive's private hospitality suite overlooking the automotive artistry of the 74th Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the brands will collaborate once more. Repossi, known for redefining high jewelry with architectural precision and artistic audacity, finds a compelling counterpart in Karma Automotive, whose ultra-luxury hybrid and electric vehicles embody innovation and design-forward thinking. Both brands cater to modern visionariesthose who seek not only beauty and performance but meaning and legacy in what they choose to wear or drive. This collaboration is further underscored by a personal connection: Repossi's founder, Costantino Repossi, once designed for Fiat, offering a historical link between the world of high jewelry and the automotive industry. Today, that spirit of bold experimentation lives on in both Repossi's sculptural creations and Karma's sleek, sustainable vehicles. Like Karma, Repossi stands at the intersection of opposites, where innovation meets artistry, performance embraces luxury, and timeless heritage is reimagined through radical design. True avant-garde emerges only when conventions are defied and expectations redefined. About Karma Automotive Karma Automotive is America's only full-line ultra-luxury vehicle manufacturer, and a pioneer of EREV (Extended-Range Electric) vehicles which it manufactures at its Karma Innovation and Customization Center (KICC) in Moreno Valley, CA. Its Executive, Product Development, and Design headquarters are located in nearby Irvine, CA. The Karma portfolio embodies California's spirit of innovation and entrepreneurial boldness, reflected by the signature Comet Line which is the central hallmark of Karma's new design language. Sales of the 3rd Generation Karma Revero sport sedan, the world's first luxury Hybrid EREV, are now underway in the USA and EU, offering luxury balanced with conscientiousness delivered without compromise. Sales of Revero's ultra-exclusive, performance-tuned stablemate, Karma Invictus, are also now underway, to be followed by the Gyesera Hybrid EREV four-seater in Q4 2025, and the Amaris coupe in Q4 2026. The Karma Kaveya super-coupe, with up to 1,000HP and butterfly-doors, will arrive in 2027, and the Karma Ivara GT-UV will arrive in 2028: both are EVs which will incorporate SDVA (Software-Defined Vehicle Architecture) developed with the world's leading technology companies. Further, Karma Automotive will provide Tier 1's and Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) with business-to-business SDVA solutions, as it does today with Karma Connect, its proprietary Vehicle Data Management and Over-the-Air services platform, which presently provides services to the world's second largest OEM. Karma Automotive's dealer network spans North America, Europe, South America and the Middle East. ( www.karmaautomotive.com ) About Repossi Repossi, the Place Vendome jewelry Maison perpetuates the eponymous family's creative legacy that has spanned over three generations. The Maison's family jewelry tradition is inherited from the origins of the House, founded in Turin in 1957 by Costantino Repossi, who, after studying industrial design and discovering a strong taste for the Art Deco movement, opened his first boutique. The story continued when his son Alberto garnered Repossi an international reputation when he settled in Monte Carlo in the late 1970s and became the official jeweler of the Monegasque crown. From the glamour of Monaco in the 1980s to the elegance of the Parisian avant-garde when the Maison established itself on Place Vendome in 1986, Repossi anchors itself in its time and continues to renew itself, constantly offering a new incarnation of jewelry creativity. Gaia Repossi has since regenerated the Maison once again after taking the helm. The Repossi studio has continued to reinvent traditional jewelry codes, blending primitive inspirations with modern art and architecture to create bold designs intended to be worn as "Art a Porter". Renowned today as at the vanguard of the Place Vendome, its iconic collections play on subtle contrasts such as fullness and emptiness, as seen in Serti sur Vide, recognizable by its floating diamonds, Antifer with sharp peaks and angles, or Berbere, repetition of minimalist lines. Repossi's timeless creations with their bold and architectural lines push the boundaries of traditional craftsmanship techniques and position the Maison as the most avant-garde jewelry house on Place Vendome. Media Contact: Joe Richardson, (917) 716-6617 [email protected] SOURCE Karma Automotive Another hit to Tulum tourism: Airline announces cancellation at Tulum International to land at Cancun instead Tulum, Q.R. Lufthansa subsidiary Discover Airlines is making a change to its 2025-2026 winter travel schedule. Rather than land its German flight at Tulum International as planned, the airline says they will land at Cancun International instead. Discover Airlines says they will switch from landing at Tulum International to landing at Cancun for the 2025-2026 winter season. Discover Airlines will discontinue service to Tulum Airport (TQO) altogether, including their newly planned route for 2025-2026. The airport has a lot of potential, but its a combination of many factors. For now, were focused on Cancun, they said. Discover Airlines first landed at Tulum International in December of 2024 with a direct flight from Frankfurt (FRA). Less than a year later, the airline says they will continue flying into the Mexican Caribbean, but landing only at Cancun International. The air operator said the change was made in response to the desire of many tour operators to better connect Bavaria with the Caribbean. While they are ditching Tulum, they are increasing flights into Cancun. Discover says they will offer direct flights into Cancun International on Sundays, Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for that same winter schedule. However, during the Christmas season, there will be an additional flight on Thursdays. A water arch greeted the first Discover Airlines flight that landed at Tulum International in December of 2024. According to Germanys Touristik Aktuell, the Tulum airport received mixed reviews from German tour operators that included issues with expensive on-site handling and limited ground transportation due to the limited availability of operators and buses. Transfer times were also listed as a problem since they were not reduced as hoped, as there is no bypass around Tulum. The airline says these have lead to a slow demand for the route. German tour operators had mixed reviews operating out of the Tulum International Airport. Discover Airlines is the third to cancel routes into Tulum International this year. In May, Air Canada announced a scale back of its flights into Tulum. The airline, which was set to resume its Ottawa to Tulum and Quebec City to Tulum routes, canceled the planned seasonal service. As of July 1, Copa airlines stopped their flights into Tulum and rerouted to Cancun International where they have been landing 25 years. Tulum has reported a significant drop in tourism this year due to several factors that range from sargassum on beaches to overly expensive tour fees to enter parks and other public sights. Merchants in the archaeological zone of Tulum have called the 2025 summer vacation period worst than the pandemic due to a lack of visitors. Government of Mexico presents Strategic Plan to save Pemex Mexico City, Mexico President Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo has presented the 2025-2035 Strategic Plan for Petroleos Mexicanos (Pemex). She says the plan represents a step forward in rescuing the company. Starting in 2027, the company will have sufficient revenue to pay its debt and have a budget for investments she reported Tuesday. We are all very happy. The Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Energy, Pemex and the President because we have managed to build a vision for the future of Pemex with a thorough review of the numbers, from production to Pemexs accounting figures from 2025 to 2035. It is a strategic vision of Pemex, the company of the people of Mexico, for the present and the future of Mexico, she said during The Peoples Morning Press Conference. Sheinbaum reported that Pemexs Strategic Plan aims to reduce Petroleos Mexicanos debt, produce 1.8 million barrels of oil per day and increase petrochemical and gas production. Pemex CEO Victor Rodriguez Padilla emphasized that the 2025-2035 Strategic Plan guarantees Pemexs economic viability in the short, medium and long term under the principles of sovereignty, security, sustainability and energy justice, through 13 actions: Consolidate crude oil production, export surpluses and replenish reserves: Two large fields in the Gulf of Mexico will be developed, and fields with the potential to reach the target of 1.8 million barrels per day will be reactivated. Expand natural gas production by taking advantage of resources in the south and north of the country. Increase production of gasoline, diesel, jet fuel and other refined products: a process is proposed to obtain 80% of these products, and construction of the coking plants in Tula and Salina Cruz is being completed. Expand the supply of petrochemicals and fertilizers: the Cosoleacaque, Morelos, Cangrejera, Independencia and Escolin complexes are being rebuilt, production of urea, ammonia and other petrochemicals will be increased and the transition from regular refineries to petrochemical refineries will occur. Expand the gas pipeline network with the construction of three new ones that connect to some Wellness Hubs, mainly in Coatzacoalcos II. Logistics services to third parties, taking advantage of Pemexs smaller fleet. Build cogeneration plants in Tula, Salina Cruz, Cangrejera and Nuevo Pemex to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase the efficiency of thermal generation processes. Improve product marketing. Market energy sources other than hydrocarbons, such as solar, wind, geothermal, hydrogen and biofuels. Lithium production from oil brines: five fields are viable for industrial use. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 14% and providing greater support to communities so that Pemex is closer to the people. Reduction of administrative expenses. Strengthen the financial position. Energy Secretary Luz Elena Gonzalez Escobar emphasized that Pemex is assuming, as it has done for 87 years, its historic responsibility and demonstrating that energy sovereignty is at the heart of the current transformation. The Secretary of Finance and Public Credit, Edgar Amador Zamora, detailed Pemexs Comprehensive Capitalization and Financing Strategy, which consists of a series of efforts and operations between 2025 and 2026 with the goal of no longer requiring support from the Ministry of Finance and Public Credit by 2027. These are: Quintana Roo sees significant advancement in identification of deceased missing persons Riviera Maya, Q.R. Nearly 200 deceased missing persons have identified in one week after the state joined the national identification program. The State Attorney General (FGE) of Quintana Roo joined the program in late July. In the first few days, 17 bodies were claimed by family members. However, a week later, FGE head Raciel Lopez Salazar says 191 bodies in morgues across the state have been identified. Of those, 82 have been returned to their families. Lopez Salazar said progress in returning unclaimed bodies to families is the result of the use of new technology implemented in coordination with national and international organizations. These bodies were finally able to be returned to their families who for years lived with the uncertainty of not knowing the whereabouts of their loved ones, said Lopez Salazar. In July 2024, the Prosecutors Office signed an agreement with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) within the framework of the search for missing persons, which allowed for the acquisition of five specialized scanners for fingerprint identification. Thanks to this equipment, 456 fingerprint cards were sent to the National Electoral Institute (INE), which returned a positive match for 191 bodies. We couldnt have achieved this even with the best search operations, said Lopez Salazar. The FGE Office has created a microsite on its website where families can review the deceased persons who have been identified through the fingerprint system. He reported that while a majority of the deceased are from Mexico, one recently claimed person was of Italian nationality. They were also identified through the new identification program and returned to their family. According to Lopez Salazar, at its peak, the Quintana Roo morgues (Semefos) held up to 800 unidentified bodies, a figure that reflects the severity of the forensic backlog that has accumulated over the years. At the start of the identification program there were 456 unclaimed bodies in morgues across the state. Quintana Roo is the eighth state to join the national identification program. Second Cancun Transit officer arrested for extortion of Italian tourist Cancun, Q.R. Another now-former Cancun Transit officer has been arrested for his participation in the extortion of an Italian tourist. The 41 year old former officer is facing charges for his alleged participation in the extortion of the male tourist in March of this year. Daniel Omar N is the second officer of three alleged involved to be arrested. In March of 2025, a man and his girlfriend were stopped by Cancun Transit officers while driving in the city center. Once stopped, the officers are alleged to have given the male driver a choice of a payment or arrest on allegations of a traffic violation. The tourist, identified as Andrea N, paid the money on a credit card which came to nearly 50,000 pesos at the then-exchange rate. Upon return to his home country, he filed a legal complaint against the officers with the help of the Italian Consulate. The second arrest in the March extortion case was announced Monday by the State Attorney General Raciel Lopez Salazar. In May, now-former officer Ricardo N was arrested for his alleged involvement in the same extortion case. Local authorities continue their search for the third officer involved. "KFISH Cooking Show & Promotion Booth" Wraps Up Successfully at the Hawaii Korean Festival SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On Saturday, August 2, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Korea Fisheries Association, successfully hosted the KFISH Cooking Show and Promotion Booth at the Hawaii Korean Festival, held at the Honolulu Civic Center. The event was organized to promote KFISH, the Korean government-certified seafood export brand. KFISH Shines in Hawaii: Korean Seafood Receives Enthusiastic Response from Local Visitors (PRNewsfoto/Korea Fisheries Association) This program was designed to showcase the premium and trendy image of Korean seafood in a way that feels familiar and approachable to Hawaiian consumers. The event aimed to raise awareness of Korean seafood in both Hawaii and the U.S., and to introduce the quality and diversity of KFISH-certified products to local audiences. Despite being a one-day event, the KFISH Cooking Show and Promotion Booth drew approximately 45,000 visitors, reflecting the high level of local interest in Korean seafood. The promotion booth featured top Korean seafood export items such as gim (seaweed), abalone, fish roe, and fish cakeall of which have been gaining popularity in the global market. Each product was showcased alongside its manufacturer, enabling visitors to quickly understand the export potential and variety of KFISH products. To further engage visitors, the booth included interactive programs such as SNS events, a photo zone, and tasting events, which boosted interest in the products and helped create a positive image of the KFISH brand. These activities were well received by a wide range of attendees, from children to families. One of the highlights was the four tasting sessions, which featured easy-to-make dishes using KFISH products, including Gim Bugak with Tuna Mayo and Canned Abalone with Local Sauces. These menu items, praised for both their flavor and practicality, effectively conveyed the appeal of Korean seafood and sparked strong interest from local consumers, with many asking where they could purchase the products. The most popular program was the KFISH Cooking Show, which featured world-renowned chef Andre Rush. He performed a live cooking demonstration of his original recipe, Gim Bugak Abalone Tacos, using KFISH-certified products. Following the demo, 100 servings of the dish were offered to visitors, receiving enthusiastic responses from the audience. The program earned praise not only from general consumers but also from culinary professionals. Jeon Jae soo, Minister of Oceans and Fisheries, who led the event, remarked: "KFISH is no longer just about seafoodit's becoming a premium brand that represents safety and health. We will continue to carry out various initiatives in the U.S. and Hawaii to promote the excellence and potential of KFISH." KFISH is Korea's official government-certified seafood export brand. It is awarded only to products that pass strict screening procedures, thorough quality control, and a systematic evaluation process. SOURCE Korea Fisheries Association China to continue playing constructive role for turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations: FM spokesperson Xinhua) 09:34, August 06, 2025 BEIJING, Aug. 5 (Xinhua) -- China will continue to support ASEAN in promoting talks for peace and play a constructive role in its own way for the turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations, foreign ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said Tuesday. It is reported that from Aug. 4 to 7, the General Border Committee (GBC) meeting between Cambodia and Thailand is being held in Malaysia, and China is invited to attend an extraordinary session of the GBC meeting on Aug. 7. In response to a media query, Guo said that since the informal consultation among China, Cambodia and Thailand was successfully held on July 30, there has been no fighting along the Cambodia-Thailand border, the situation on the ground has been deescalating, and the ceasefire has been gradually implemented by Cambodia and Thailand. Guo said that under the active coordination of Malaysia, the rotating chair of ASEAN, the two countries are holding the GBC meeting to have multi-tiered communication through a variety of avenues on developing a detailed mechanism for ceasefire monitoring, which is conducive to an effective and sustained end of the fighting. "China commends and welcomes that." According to the will of Cambodia and Thailand, China has actively maintained close communication with the two countries, Malaysia and other regional countries, cemented the ceasefire, promoted communication and dialogue, and helped deescalate the situation, noted Guo. "China will continue to support ASEAN in promoting talks for peace, uphold a just and fair position, and play a constructive role in its own way for the turnaround of Cambodia-Thailand relations," Guo said. (Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Liang Jun) C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945 TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife's Board of Directors today announced quarterly shareholders' dividends on the following non-cumulative preferred shares of Manulife Financial Corporation, payable on or after September 19, 2025 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 20, 2025: Class A Shares Series 2 - $0.29063 per share per share Class A Shares Series 3 - $0.28125 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 3 - $0.14675 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 4 - $0.255458 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 9 - $0.373625 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 11 - $0.384938 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 13 - $0.396875 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 15 - $0.360938 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 17 - $0.346375 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 19 - $0.323063 per share per share Class 1 Shares Series 25 - $0.371375 per share About Manulife Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com. Media Contact: Fiona McLean Manulife 437-441-7491 [email protected] Investor Relations: Derek Theobalds Manulife 416-254-1774 [email protected] SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation Care and Feeding is Slates parenting advice column. Have a question for Care and Feeding? Submit it here or post it in the Slate Parenting Facebook group. Dear Care and Feeding, Im recently married and looking forward to having children within the next year or so. The problem is, so many of my friendsincluding the women whom I consider my bestiesare vehement about not having kids. This would be fine with mehey, its their choice!except they frequently make comments about finding children disgusting or repulsive. For example, when some neighborhood kids rang my friends doorbell to raise money for a school club, she was annoyed and referred to them as brats. This type of thing is typical with them. They know I want children, but these comments have started to make me feel pretty bad. What do I do? Do I need to find new friends? All My Friends Are Child-free Dear AMFAC, Ive found it increasingly common to hear women complain about children or straight-out say they dont like them at all. I have a theory about this. You see, kids are incredibly challenging people to manage, something we all know firsthand as ex-children ourselves. And the vast majority of us grew up in homes where the mother was the parent who did most of the child carework that is often thankless, uncompensated, and misunderstood. Knowing this, I think its surprising that so many of us do choose to become mothers at all. Its fine for your friends not to want kids. But its pretty wack that they cant temper their loathing for children enough to be kind to the sole member of the crew who is eagerly anticipating motherhood. Even if your buddies decide to get on board with your pregnancy, and perhaps yours alone, you absolutely should begin to seek out new friends who share your interest in starting a family. That isnt to say that you need to cut off your child-free peepsbut moms need mom friends (at least a few) who can provide support that others simply cannot. Youll need to talk about the body changes and the night feedings and the school search with people who have more to add than, Yuck, could never be me! Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Youll also need to talk about stuff that has nothing to do with your kids and maintain parts of your life that dont revolve around them. Be sure to nurture those relationships with your existing pals as best you can. You may be surprised and find that the loudest kid-hater is the one who falls most deeply in love with your little one and becomes the best play-aunt ever. Best wishes to you! Dear Care and Feeding, My 10-year-old son Tommy recently got into trouble at school for making racist comments. He has been struggling with making friends and tries very hard to fit in with the popular crowd. Tommy has had quite a few run-ins with authority figures at his school by being sarcastic or saying shocking things to impress his friends. The latest phone call I received from the school centers around a racist comment he made to a young girl on the school bus. I am horrified. At home, Tommy is a sweet, thoughtful boy. At school, he is getting a reputation as a bully and now a racist. Im at a loss on where this behavior is coming from and Im at a loss on how to approach it. Help! Not My Boy Advertisement Advertisement Dear NMB, Without intervention, its likely that Tommy will soon forget the bus incident. Id bet the young lady involved will remember it for the rest of her life. How have conversations about racism gone with Tommy? Have you given him a comprehensive explanation about how it works, who is harmed most by it, and who typically benefits? Or have you simply told him that everyone is should be treated with respect, no matter what they look like? That common approach is categorically insufficient. Its telling a kid that the N-word is simply a really bad curse word, like the B-word or the F-word, and expecting that to be reason enough for them to think against using it. Advertisement Its time for Tommy to get a real education about racism before he causes his classmates, and perhaps himself, some real harm. The bigotry could be his attempt at fitting in, or it could be his way of standing outbut it could also be a worldview that he has developed over the years and will require some serious deprogramming. I know this behavior at school runs counter to what youve observed at home, but just because Tommy may understand the consequences of using racist language in front of his parents doesnt mean hes only using it to make friends at school. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement You can also address his desperation to fit in while taking this on; there are countless examples throughout history of white (Im going to assume here that hes white, but this approach could work with any child) kids who have chosen to align themselves with racist peers instead of standing up and doing what was right. There are also those who made names for themselves by having the bravery to rise above the crowd and speak up against hatred. Ask him to consider who he wants to be in the world and why. Youre gonna need to put some time in at the library, on Amazon, at local museums. This may need to be a whole family project, especially if Tommy has siblings. If white families are not extremely proactive about raising anti-racist kids, the result will be generation after generation of racist adults. This isnt something you can assume will just go away when he makes a few friends, nor can you leave it to the diversity of childrens TV programming and the internet to just make him woke without having to put in real work. This is no small undertaking, but its also not that hard either. You just have to be ready to be uncomfortable, and to make him uncomfortable. Advertisement Advertisement If you missed Tuesdays Care and Feeding column, read it here. Discuss this column in the Slate Parenting Facebook group! Dear Care and Feeding, Im a 30-year-old trans man. I transitioned as a teenager, long before my 10-year-old brother Ronald was born, so he has only known me as his big brother. My older sister and I encouraged our dad and stepmother to speak to him about this at an appropriate time, but they didnt. Ronald recently stumbled upon my birth name and old photos of me when looking at some family memorabilia (which I have asked to be whisked away or trashed, to no avail). Dad and stepmom didnt handle this wellfirst attempting to lie to him, then telling him he had to talk to me directly, and eventually coming up with something close enough to the truth. Ive seen my little brother once since then, and in a quiet moment to ourselves, I told him that if he wanted to talk any more about what hed recently learned, we could do so at any time. He simply said OK and we continued with our Nerf gun fight. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Do I need to do anything else here? Im fine with not talking about this again, and also fine answering any questions my brother might have. Im going to treat his parents as nonfactors in this; how they handled this issue is pretty consistent with their slapdash parenting style overall, so if there is anything that Ronald needs to hear, it would likely have to come from me. What to do? Oh Brother Dear OB, In theory, you can totally engage with Ronald as you always have and hope that at some point, hell start a conversation that would allow you to share with him what you think he should know in order to understand trans identity and your transition in particular. Advertisement However, theres a good chance he may never feel comfortable or compelled to start that dialogue. I do not think that you or any other trans person should feel that it is your duty to demystify or explain your experiences, or your humanity, to cis people. However, this isnt a random stranger or a colleague or a potential partnerits your baby brother. Someone who is not just a dear relative, but a child who is still getting a great deal of his education on how to understand the world around him from his parentsand youve been clear how useful theyll be on a subject that you are uniquely qualified to discuss. I think you see where I am going with this. Advertisement Advertisement Again, you shouldnt feel pressured to have the trans identity talk with Ronald, but you may want to consider that you are the probably the best person in his life to do so. He has always loved you as his older brother, so it may be quite easy for him to wrap his brain around the idea that people arent always born with the physicality that matches who they are inside; after all, hes been looking at living proof of that all his life. Maybe he grasped that quickly, and thats why he didnt feel the need to talk about it with you further. However, Ronald may have some questions that he cant get answered at home; he may also find in you, if you are willing, a person who can talk to him about his own gender expression or sexual orientation. There very well may be trans or gender nonconforming children in his peer circle who may benefit from having an empathetic, understanding friend who learned about gender identity from his wise older brother. Advertisement Advertisement You have a responsibility to protect your peace and make space for conversations as they seem healthy and productive for you. But as Ronalds much older brother, you also have a responsibility to help him make sense of the world around him. It seems there is an answer here, but ultimately, this is your call. Good luck to you both. Advertisement Advertisement Dear Care and Feeding, I am a father of two boys, ages 9 and 5. Instead giving them a traditional allowance, I wrote a little app for their shared tablet that tracks redeemable points. They get points for doing chores, doing well in educational games, school performance, etc. They can trade them in for money for toys, candy, and other special treats. This worked great for quite some time. About a week ago, I went on a road trip and came back to my eldest son having about triple the number of points he had when I left. Long story short: He figured out what program I use to edit the app and, thanks to YouTube coding videos, figured out how to award himself points. He has been punished for cheating, but in truth, I am thrilled. He showed incredible drive and ingenuity, and I want to encourage these traits in him. How do I go about praising the good (self-teaching, dedication, learning a new skill) without also rewarding the bad (cheating, hacking)? Stanley Jobson Sr. (Apparently) Advertisement Dear Mr. Jobson, That is one of the most impressive kid scams I have ever heard! This is a great opportunity to talk about why what he did was wrong, and what the impact of those actions, aside from his punishment, has been. You took the time to create something that had meaning for him and his little brother, and he disregarded that meaning by attempting to cheat the system. How did that make you feel inside? Hurt? Sad? Disappointed? Kids need to hear about it when they stir these emotions in their parents. Theres no need for an extended guilt trip, but he should come to understand that parents dont get upset when kids do mischievous things simply because mischief has occurred. Advertisement Advertisement Theres also a conversation to be had about the value of work. The system is designed in part to help him appreciate what it takes to earn something, and his little stunt ran afoul of that. As you make him aware of just how and why his actions were wrong, you can also make a point to explain how impressive his hacking was and how valuable that skill can be for doing the right thing in the future. You should encourage him to learn more about coding and consider finding ways to help him to continue honing those talents. Good luck, you are gonna need it! Hopefully he is the next Stanley Jobson and will make you wealthy one day. Jamilah More Advice From Slate Im almost 33, and my boyfriend of about eight years finally is ready to marry me. Im getting older and have been told medically that I have fertility issues, so the sooner the better for me to have a chance of having kids. I love him, enjoy his company, and have spent years with him. He doesnt mistreat me, but he isnt affectionate or compassionate. So when is it settling? Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. The war in Gaza, now nearly two years old, is said to be at a crossroads, but is it really? Israel has recently achieved major geopolitical victories in the region, having pummeled Irans nuclear sites and air defenses, all but destroyed the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon, witnessed the downfall of Assads regime in Syria, and decimated Hamas military in Gaza itself. Under a different leader, this new strength might have paved the way for a durable ceasefire in Gaza, possibly a grand bargain with Saudi Arabia (and other regional powers that hadnt already signed on to the Abraham Accords), and a restoration of Israels standing in the rest of the world. But under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel keeps fightingnot only bombing civilian targets but shooting Gazan Palestinians while theyre lined up at food banks, many of them visibly starving, to the point that even several friends of Israel are charging its government with genocide (a word that many of them had resisted and, in some cases, rebutted until recently). And Hamas keeps fighting as well; its leaders have never cared about the fate of Gazan civilians, and Israels criminally excessive use of force is playing into their hands. A recent article in the New York Times reported the many times Netanyahu has deliberately prolonged the war and evaded opportunities for peace in order to protect his own political power. Far-right-wing factions in his coalition government threatened to resign if he so much as considered a serious prolonged ceasefire; this would have sparked new elections, which he might have lost, which in turn would leave him vulnerable to pending criminal charges of corruption. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement But this is an incomplete explanation for the continued fighting. The fact is, Israel and Hamas have vital interests in this war, and the peace proposals offered by eachwhether or not sincerelyhave threatened the interests of the other. At various points in the war, Netanyahu offered or ceded to ceasefires and exchanges of Israeli hostages for Palestinian prisonersbut he always insisted on Israels right to resume the fighting after all the hostages were freed. Hamas leaders have insisted that any such ceasefire be permanent; otherwise, they feared (correctly) that Israel would intensify its military campaign after the last hostage was released. Another conflict of interest: Israel insists (quite rightly) that Hamas must disarm and be stripped of all political power as part of any peace plan; Hamas (understandably) wants to retain power. These interests are both rational and irreconcilable, meaning that the war is likely to continue, unless one side is defeated or both sides are pressured to stop fighting. Netanyahu and his advisers want to see Hamas defeated; Hamas leaders hope that Israels brutality will build international support for boycotts and other forms of pressure against Israel. Advertisement Yes, Netanyahus desire to press on is, in part, political and personal. But Ethan Bronner, Jerusalem bureau chief for Bloomberg News (and one of the most experienced American reporters in the Middle East), says its a mistake to place the blame entirely on the prime minister. Bronner writes that not just Netanyahu but Israels entire government believes deep in its bones that if it does not destroy and eliminate Hamas as a ruling military force in Gaza, that it will have failed its people. This is seen as an existential challenge. Advertisement The shock of Hamas invasion on Oct. 7, 2023an assault across Israels border that killed about 1,200 Jews, more than had been killed in a single day since the Holocaustcontinues to traumatize many Israelis. As a percentage of the countrys population, it would be as if 45,000 Americans had been slaughtered in one fell swoop. Moreover, the killings were committed by an empowered militia that had vowed, as part of its charter, to kill or expel all Jews. The fact that Israels retaliation, even in the early stages of the war, triggered massive protests in the Westagainst not Hamas but Israelonly stiffened many Israelis sense of isolation and determination to fight on, outside opinion be damned. Advertisement Advertisement Yet, at some point, the pangs of Oct. 7even the memories of the Holocaust and the slogan Never Again, which legitimized the creation of Israel as a Jewish state back in 1948cannot continue to justify Israels infliction of destruction in Gaza: the deaths of an estimated 60,000 Palestinians, 18,500 of them children, and the utter razing of so many homes, schools, hospitals, and other civilian structures. Yes, Hamas had appropriated many of these structures for its own use, but the level of wanton devastation has far surpassed the normal, often unavoidable levels of collateral damage inflicted in other military campaigns. Advertisement Advertisement In his magisterial book Righteous Victims: A History of the ZionistArab Conflict, 18812001 (the vast span of that subtitle is chilling!), Israeli historian Benny Morris details the many massacres that have occurred over all those decades. The thing worth noting here is that these massacresand Morris applies the word to acts of aggression and vengeance committed by both sides in their warsresulted in the killing of dozens or hundreds of civilians. At their worst, in the Israeli-Palestinian conflicts in southern Lebanon, about 1,200 civilians were killed over the course of 15 years. Advertisement In other words, the current war in Gaza has seen an unprecedented level of savagery. Yes, Hamas started it, but the Israel Defense Forces have upped it fiftyfold. And now, with credible, thoroughly documented reports of famine, including many instances of Israeli troops shooting unarmed Palestinians as they line up at aid stations to receive food and medicine, the rationales or excuses for the IDFs brutality are untenable. Even President Donald Trump, who has prodded Netanyahu to finish the war by whatever means necessary, has noticed the real starvation of Gazan childrenhes seen it on television; you cant fake that, he saysthough it remains to be seen whether hell do anything about it. (Asked Tuesday whether Israel should reoccupy Gaza, a step reportedly favored by Netanyahu, Trump replied, Thats going to be pretty much up to Israel.) Advertisement Advertisement Still, Bloombergs Bronner thinks there may be something of a turning point in all this. Up till now, many Israelis could ignore the destruction their army has inflicted because TV news networks, as a matter of policy, havent shown it. Now, though, these stations have started to air footage of the situation in Gazaand many Israelis are stunned. There has always been some domestic pressure to end the war, if just to bring home the remaining hostages who were taken Oct. 7. (Only about 20 are still thought to be alive.) Now the pressure may be growing. Advertisement Just how much, though, is hard to gauge. Polls show that a majority of Israelis want the war to end and the hostages returned. However, polls also show that a majority want Hamas to be completely destroyed or expelled. If the two outcomes are incompatibleif Hamas cant be destroyed without intensifying the war and probably dooming the remaining hostagesits hard to know which outcome Israelis would prefer or sacrifice. Another finding of Morris history is that all the ArabIsraeli wars, at least since 1948, have ended as a result of outside coercionAmerican pressure on Israel, Soviet pressure on the Arab states (during the Cold War), or U.N. pressure on both. The United States still has the means to press Israel; it provides much of its arms and intelligence, and now that Israel no longer faces the same threat it once did from Iran and its neighboring proxies, Washington could impose an arms embargo without endangering Israels security. A growing number of Democrats and Republicans in Congress, as well as a growing percentage of the U.S. population, favor tightening the screws. But Trump doesnt, at least not yet, and the GOP-controlled Congress seems eager to follow his lead. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Hamas has depended on Iran and Qatar for arms and other forms of aid. Iran is pretty much out of the picture, but Qatar could apply more pressure; it has done so, to the extent that it has compelled Hamas to take part in ceasefire negotiations (and, briefly, a couple of ceasefires). But its leverage seems limited as well. One intriguing development: Last week, the 22-member Arab League publicly declared that there should not be a Palestinian state unless Hamas first disarms. This statement came just days after the leaders of Germany, France, and Britain expressed their support for a Palestinian state, as a means of forcing Israel to end (or at least tone down) the war. The Arab leaderswho have never cared for Hamas (or any other radical Palestinian organization) but who also, for domestic political reasons, cant avidly disavow the group as long as theyre getting pummeled by Israeli bombsseemed to be telling the Europeans: Dont take this business of a Palestinian state too literally. If a Palestinian state were actually set up tomorrow, Hamas, even in its weakened condition, would be the only organization strong enough to be in charge; and the Arab League is saying, Be careful what you wish for. Advertisement Netanyahu could have been more adroit at playing the Arab and Palestinian powers off one another, and in this sense his political self-interest has damaged the security and reputation of his country. For some time, the Saudis have signaled a willingness to strike a grand bargain with Israel, including formal diplomatic recognitionif Israel agreed, in principle, to resume negotiations toward a two-state solution to the long-standing Israel-Palestinian conflict. Related From Slate Why Trump Is Failing on Ukraine, Gaza, and Iran Read More By objective measures, this should be a no-brainer, an outright win-win, for an Israeli prime minister: Israel gets the benefits of Saudi recognition (an achievement that would have enormous influence throughout the Arab and Muslim world) without allowing the actual creation of a Palestinian state. For many years before Oct. 7, Israel pretended to negotiate with Palestinian emissaries just to placate foreign allies, especially the U.S. But now Netanyahu refuses even to pay lip service to the idea of negotiations, because if he did so, his right-wing coalition partners would quit the government, new elections would be held, and he might lose. Advertisement Advertisement There was a moment, maybe a month ago, when Netanyahu was riding high. Hezbollahs leadership had been killed or severely injured by small bombs planted in cellphones and walkie-talkies; Irans nuclear facilities were blown up by Israeli and U.S. bombs, and its nuclear program, though not obliterated (as Trump initially claimed), was seriously set back, perhaps by years. The attack on Iran was overwhelmingly supported by the Israeli people; they lifted tangible threats that were either immediate (in the case of Hezbollah) or not quite tangible but existential (Irans nuclear program). Advertisement Advertisement Netanyahu had a moment when he could have scuttled the pressure from his right-wing partners, formed a new government, taken real steps to end the war in Gaza, made a bold overture to the Saudi royal family (who were eager to accept such a move), and used all of these moves to reset relations with once friendly but increasingly disenchanted political parties in Europe and the United States. Advertisement He didnt do any of this, and the only plausible reason is that he didnt want to. Netanyahu isnt just kowtowing to the right wing or protecting his political power; he believes the things he says about the need to wipe out Hamas, and according to Bronner and other reporters, many if not most Israeli Jews believe those things too. At least for now, as long as the notion of living side by side with Palestinians seems suicidal to them, the idea of a two-state solution is untenable. It may be that Israels own ultraviolence against Palestiniansin Gaza and, increasingly, the West Bankis responsible for their hatred toward Israel, but that doesnt negate the problem or point to a plausible process toward peace. Which leads back to the question: What can we do about it? Its unclear, but that doesnt mean we shouldnt try. Outside pressure has been the way these wars have been stopped in the past. Trump does have good relations with Netanyahu and with many Arab leaders. It would be nice if he had some experienced diplomats to exploit those relations to good ends. This essay was reprinted from Brian Beutlers site Off Message. Subscribe here. Most Democrats dont know how to fight culture wars, let alone win them. Their instinct when confronted with a culture-war provocation is to either change the topic or disengage altogether. But the social web is still bursting with reminders that, for a brief moment, just about a year ago, they almost figured it out. The evidence is in this picture, and the millions of variations that have been generated since. The baby-faced J.D. Vance memes that float across your screens, and that may have prompted customs officials to detain and remove a Norwegian tourist earlier this year, have origins in this Twitter thread, which included the prompt For every 100 likes I will turn JD Vance into a progressively apple cheeked baby. J.D. Vance Babyface evolved into canonical form after the politicians debate with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz but became ubiquitous only after Vance ambushed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in the Oval Office, demanding he thank the United States for past military aid. With a bit of comedic license, thank you became pwease and tank you, and a meme was born. Why did internet jokers think to transform Vance into a giant baby? Its hard to peer inside their minds, but just a couple of months before baby J.D. was born, grown-up J.D. had become the object of a crude satire, in which hed supposedly (not actually) confessed to a sexual fetish for sofa cushions. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement And that gag had its origins in something real: a successful but fleeting Democratic effort, brought mainstream by Walz, to depict right-wing Republicans and their social and cultural fixations as weird. It turned out Vance had left a lengthy trail of bizarre, officious comments about, well, a lot of things, but particularly female fertility and childlessness. He referred to childless women as a bunch of cat ladies who are miserable at their own lives and the choices that theyve made. During the weird boomlet, all of progressivism became hyper-attuned to the bizarre conduct of the professional right. It made an impression on one of the most popular people in the world, who signed her HarrisWalz endorsement Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady. And it fed fleeting but intensive mainstream scrutiny of rightist views on abortion and female subservience. I say fleeting because Democrats quickly spooked. That August, Kamala Harris pollster Geoff Garin reportedly advised the candidate to stop saying Were not going back, because it didnt look to the future, and advised Walz to lay off all the weird talktoo negative. Advertisement The duo briefly resisted Garins advice, but by the next month theyd been tamed. Benefit of the Douthat Vances snipe at cat ladies wasnt Swifts introduction to right-wing weirdness. It was more like a capstone. Advertisement One right-wing reactionary daydreamed that if Swift were to marry and procreate with her partner Travis Kelcea tight end for the Kansas City Chiefsit would prefigure the greatest spike in weddings in American history, as mimetic desire [grips] the hearts and minds of millions of millennial women, yielding a tsunami of heterosexual romantic happy endings and, thus, a baby boom. In November 2023, the Vance-aligned New York Times columnist Ross Douthat half-endorsed the fantasy, writing, It would be delightful, for them and for us, if the burgeoning SwiftKelce courtship went the distance, giving us a celebrity wedding and perhaps a royal baby. Advertisement Other rightists, offended by Swifts basic decency, and Kelces pro-vaccine advocacy, took aim at the couple. They theorized that the relationship was an act, part of a put-up job that would culminate in a joint anti-Trump presidential endorsement. They even mused conspiratorially that Kelces all-star performance and the Chiefs victory in that years Super Bowl were rigged. This stuff, too, was incredibly weird. Its weird to be paranoid or to feign paranoia as part of an elaborate performance to manipulate rubes. Harboring concerns, even religiously inflected ones, about the population of the country is one thing; opining on what other peoples reproductive organs owe the world is back-away-slowly cringe. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement A more mission-oriented progressive media apparatus, with help from elected Democrats, would have homed in on all of these interventions. On Douthat and the tradcon movement and their deep ties to Vance, and on how the pseudo-Darwinistic tech right embraced their ideas, infusing them with delusions about the gift of high-IQ semen. In September 2024, Elon Musk offered to impregnate Swift with perhaps his 100th offspring. But by then the weird wave had crested. You can thank the pollsters. Churchill to Die On Advertisement Advertisement Theres more to the right and its weirdness than its fixation on other peoples sex lives. Theres the overlapping world of incels, and the world of fascists and groypers and neo-Nazis, which overlaps with that. Turning these people into stand-ins for elected Republicans, and making Republicans answer for them, isnt beyond the capability of Democrats and progressives. Their failure to do it is mostly a matter of missing conviction. The necessary elementsnitpicking, performance of angermake them feel icky, and in any case they assume in advance that their efforts would fail or backfire. Related From Slate The Nations Most Influential Obama Bros Have Taken a Surprising New Stance Read More They need fewer pollsters reinforcing these instincts and more critics telling them to get over themselves. Twenty years ago, I watched Republicans and Fox News transform the leftist professor Ward Churchill into a stand-in for the Democratic Party. It was a formative political moment for me. Churchill had called the financial professionals and Pentagon officials who died on 9/11 little Eichmanns for their complicity with U.S. imperialism. Republicans got wind of this and pounced. It didnt matter to them that leftists like Churchill hated Democrats, and Democrats defensive votes for the Iraq war didnt provide them any cover from right-wing ascriptions of guilt by false association. Republicans had a template, and they deployed it. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement In contrast to Churchill, Vance and Douthat and Musk and Nick Fuentes and Peter Thiel and Stephen Miller arent small fish, and they arent fake Republicans. Theyre the real deal. Miller may, at an operational level, be the most powerful person in the world. Todays GOP is chockablock with actual little Eichmanns like him. But Democrats practically never gesture to them and their dead-eyed, shiver-inducing antics, except occasionally to accuse the party of hypocrisy when Republicans pretend to stand against antisemitism. To end where we began, they dont know how to fight culture wars, let alone win them, so they change topic or disengage altogether. This imbalance explains why the politicians whove mentioned or alluded to Sydney Sweeney this past week are all salivating Republicans, but their weird, public horniness comes at no political risk, while Democrats, in stunned silence, lose another culture war. Democrats can upend this pitiful dynamic whenever they want. But first they have to stop listening to people like Geoff Garin. Sign up for the Slatest to get the most insightful analysis, criticism, and advice out there, delivered to your inbox daily. What would it take for you to kill a long-held dream in the most cynical way possible? For Democrats, its the prospect of two more years of an unchecked Donald Trump. The president is pushing a plan this summer that would tilt the all-important 2026 midterm elections in Republicans favor. Specifically, hes ordering Texas Republicans to redraw the states congressional maps to tip five more House seats to the GOP. This is an emergency for Democrats, and for democracy. The House is narrowly divided, and Republicans adding five relatively easy wins would go a long way toward Trump keeping Congress under his thumb for the duration of his presidencysinking Democrats hopes of slowing Trumps far-right romp. Democrats early response has been to fight in Texas, trying increasingly desperate gambits to stop Republicans from redrawing the states maps. But while they may succeed in delaying the move, the most likely outcome, in a conservative state where Republicans control basically everything, is that the GOP will get its way. Democrats more promising avenue is to fight back outside of Texas, using their control of states such as California, New York, and Illinois to redraw the maps in their favor. The wheels to do so are already turning, but the moves are complicated and come at a steep cost. For years, a constellation of Democratic-leaning government reform groups and well-meaning lawmakers have attempted to make the drawing of congressional maps either bipartisan or nonpartisan. The goal was to draw the maps that honestly reflect the states voting populations, rather than using the redistricting process as a perpetual effort to cement ones own power. But if Democrats in blue states mirror Texas Republicansengaging in fiat overhauls of state law with an obvious political goaltheyre effectively giving up on those reforms for generations. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Democrats have a choice: They can abandon their principles in the hopes of preventing Trump from continuing to run rampantor they can keep their principles intact and congratulate themselves on a morally pristine loss in 2026. And when you frame it like that, its not really a choice at all. Abha Khanna, a partner at the Elias Law Group with litigation experience in voting rights and redistricting, broke it down for me: The idea that we can do [redistricting] in a nonpartisan or even a bipartisan manner is over. So What Are Democrats Going to Do? For now, the maelstrom is centered in Texas. What Trump is requesting is exceptional: States usually redraw their maps once a decade, updating them to reflect demographic changes. But Trump wants lawmakers, for partisan reasons, to do a mid-cycle restructure to help him hold on to the House. In response, Democratic state lawmakers have fled the state, trying to deny Republicansled by Gov. Greg Abbottthe quorum they need to redraw the maps. Some of them have taken refuge in Illinois, where Gov. J.B. Pritzker is vowing to protect them even as Abbott threatens to remove them from office (although his options are actually far more limited than Abbott is projecting). Advertisement Advertisement Ultimately, Democrats plan is a stall tactic, meant to garner national attention on a GOP power grab. In the long run, Republicans control big majorities in both chambers of the Texas Legislature, and it seems almost certain that theyll find a way to get these new maps drawn. So Democrats actual hope for keeping a balance of seats lies in other states. In California, the state most likely to throw the biggest redistricting counterpunch if Texas Republicans are successful, Gov. Gavin Newsom said he would likely call a special session to redraw his states maps. Advertisement That wouldnt be easy: Californias districts are drawn by an independent redistricting commission, the result of previous good government reforms. For California to make a retaliatory change, the state Legislature would need to first approve a measure to change the districts, then a special election would be held in November to make the changes. The timeline for this would be tight. California lawmakers come back from their summer recess in the middle of August, meaning they would have just about a month to debate and vote on the ballot language and the new maps. (And lets be real, American legislative bodies rarely, if ever, move quicklyparticularly when Democrats are involved.) Newsom, in the bizarre Democratic tradition of giving Republicans the benefit of the doubt, said earlier this week that he would make sure lawmakers would set a trigger so that the new ballot measure would only happen if Texas moved ahead with its change. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement It would be really expensive. It would probably be litigated on the front end because youd have to submit something to the AG, get a title and summary, that whole thing would be litigated, and then youd have to run a campaign to pass it, a keyed-in California Democratic strategist told me. The strategist added that such a race would turn into a national fracas, with GOP megadonors pouring money into defeating Democrats efforts. Elsewhere, other Democratic governors say theyve had enough. New York Gov. Kathy Hochul on Monday said the states independent redistricting commission should be disbanded. Im tired of fighting this fight with my hand tied behind my back. With all due respect to the good government groups, politics is a political process, she said at a press conference. But I cannot ignore that the playing field has changed dramatically, and shame on us if we ignore that fact and cling tight to the vestiges of the past. That era is overDonald Trump eliminated it forever. Advertisement Advertisement Disbanding the redistricting commission would be a first step toward letting Democrats redraw the states maps in their favor, but subsequent stepsincluding an amendment to the state Constitutionmean Hochuls state cannot get new maps ready in time for 2026. Advertisement Hochuls sentiment, however, is quickly becoming Democratic consensus, as the party comes to terms with the idea that a fair map is a naive response to a president hell-bent on grabbing as much power as he can. Likely 2028 presidential candidates like former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg set up a live instagram discussion for Monday to talk about how Democrats could fight back. The Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is urging that all options should be on the table. At a meeting of Democratic governors over the weekend in Madison, Wisconsin, a number of them vocally backed Newsoms efforts to do whatever he could to counter Republicans maps. Advertisement Even among donors theres movement. The National Democratic Redistricting Committee will host an August fundraiser on Marthas Vineyard featuring former President Barack Obama, former Attorney General Eric Holder, and House Speaker Emeritus Nancy Pelosi, a person involved confirmed to me. The funds raised from that event will be used to support Texas Democrats fighting Republicans redistricting efforts. How Does This End? Not well! Texas Republicans grab for more seats effectively fired the starting pistol for a new era of ultra-partisan redistricting. And its a race in which Democrats are at a disadvantage. Republicans dominate more states than Democrats do. In 23 states, Republicans have a trifectacontrol of the governors mansion and both chambers of the legislature. Democrats have only 15 such trifectas, while the other 12 states are run by divided governments. And so if every state abandons any pretense of good government reform and just goes all out to maximize its partisan advantage, Republicans are more likely to come out on top. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Signs of the arms race keep popping up: Vice President J.D. Vance is reportedly considering a trip to Indiana this week to see if Republicans there can redraw the maps to tip another seat or two toward the GOP. Still, its unclear what choice Democrats have: Its not as if promising to play nice will get Republicans to do the same. And given Trumps airtight control of the GOP, its unlikely that any red state would resist his call to skew the maps further in their favor. But while the long-run consequences might be bad, so are the long-run consequences of an additional two years of an unfettered DJT. As Holder, Obamas attorney general, told the New York Times: If you give Donald Trump unchecked power for two years beyond 2026, given what theyve done in six months, I just wonder what kind of shape will the nation be in come Jan. 20, 2029. Japan's Naomi Osaka defeated 10th seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine to reach the semi-finals of the WTA Canadian Open, where she will face Danish 16th seed Clara Tauson (Minas Panagiotakis) Four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka advanced to the semi-finals of the WTA Canadian Open on Tuesday with a comprhensive 6-2, 6-2 triumph over 10th seed Elina Svitolina. Osaka, chasing her first WTA Tour-level title since the 2021 Australian Open, needed only 68 minutes to dispatch the Ukraine star and book a Wednesday semi-final with Danish 16th seed Clara Tauson, who stunned reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys 6-1, 6-4. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "I'm just having a lot of fun playing. I'm glad to be here," Osaka said. "I think I'll be seeded in the US Open because I won my match. That was a really good goal for me. I'm just really excited." Tauson dedicated her victory to her late grandfather, who died on Sunday as the Dane was dispatching Polish second seed Iga Swiatek, who won her sixth Grand Slam title last month at Wimbledon. "Two days ago, my grandfather unfortunately passed away so I really wanted to win for him today," a tearful Tauson said after beating US sixth seed Keys. "I was told the day after I beat Iga so I really wanted to come out and show my best tennis for him. Hopefully he's watching." Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement The US Open hardcourt tuneup in Montreal is the first event where Tauson has beaten two top-10 foes, with Swiatek and Keys exiting at her hand. Tauson dominated the opening set and took full advantage of Keys giving up a break on a double fault to open the second. The Dane won 12 of 19 points on her second serves and kept Keys at bay most of the night. Keys joined a scrap heap of Montreal seeds, with the top five seeds and seven of the top 10 seeds ousted before the quarter-finals. Tauson, 22, seeks her fourth career WTA title after the 2021 Lyon and Luxenbourg Opens and this year's Auckland Open, where Osaka retired after winning the first set of the final in their only WTA meeting. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "She's really tough," Osaka said of Tauson. "I played her in Auckland this year. I had to stop halfway because I was injured. So I'm really excited that I'm healthy." - First title as a mom? - Osaka seeks her eighth WTA-level title, and her first since a maternity leave comeback last year. She last won a WTA-level title below the Grand Slams at the 2019 China Open. Osaka broke for a 3-1 edge in the opening set and exchanged breaks in the last three games to capture the set after 38 minutes, then cruised through the second set, taking the triumph when Svitolina hit a forehand wide. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement Tauson is one win away from her second WTA 1000 final, having lost the first in February at Dubai to Mirra Andreeva. The Dane dominated Keys in the first set, breaking in the fourth and sixth games, and Keys double faulted away another break to begin the second set. Tauson held from there to win, never facing a break point in the second set before holding at love in the last game to end matters after 70 minutes. Elena Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, and 18-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko will meet in Wednesday's other semi-final. Rybakina won their only prior meeting 6-3, 7-5 last month in the second round at Washington. js/jgc https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/80-years-after-hiroshima-time-for-truth-and-accountability-1122560302.html 80 Years After Hiroshima: Time For Truth and Accountability 80 Years After Hiroshima: Time For Truth and Accountability Sputnik International The US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki werent militarily necessarythey were a demonstration: a test of power, a message to the world and a geopolitical gambit targeting the USSR, explains Emanuel Pastreich, President of the Asia Institute. 2025-08-06T09:58+0000 2025-08-06T09:58+0000 2025-08-06T09:58+0000 world hiroshima nagasaki us nuclear weapons us nuclear weapons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/06/1122560145_31:0:1624:896_1920x0_80_0_0_287b0d7f38e4deca5000777f27d7060c.jpg 80 years later the US still refuses to apologize, clinging to nuclear dominance as a rickety crutch. Instead of disarmament, they have modernized those weapons, spending trillions while science and ethics decay. The deeper tragedy? The birth of a secretive, war-addicted systemone that sacrifices humanity for profit and power. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/japanese-prime-minister-fails-to-mention-us-as-country-responsible-for-hiroshima-bombing-1122557694.html hiroshima nagasaki Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Emanuel Pastreich, President of the Asia Institute Sputnik International Emanuel Pastreich, President of the Asia Institute 2025-08-06T09:58+0000 true PT7M59S 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us atomic bombings of hiroshima and nagasaki, militarily necessary, truth and accountability https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/gagauz-parliament-speaker-calls-gutsuls-arrest-signal-of-intimidation-of-people-1122563722.html Gagauz Parliament Speaker Calls Gutsul's Arrest Signal of Intimidation of People Gagauz Parliament Speaker Calls Gutsul's Arrest Signal of Intimidation of People Sputnik International The arrest of the head of Moldova's autonomous region of Gagauzia, Yevgenia Gutsul, is an attempt by Chisinau to intimidate those who disagree with the policies of the ruling party, the chairman of the People's Assembly of Gagauzia, Dmitry Konstantinov, said on Wednesday. 2025-08-06T16:00+0000 2025-08-06T16:00+0000 2025-08-06T16:00+0000 world moldova gagauzia chisinau arrest opposition political opposition https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/11/1121882981_0:0:2263:1273_1920x0_80_0_0_b25c594efef4641e32607dbbf09ae7bb.jpg "The views of many Gagauzians do not coincide with the views and position of the central authorities. In this way, they [the authorities] decided to show all our people in the autonomy, the residents of the Republic of Moldova as a whole, every resident, that they do not take into account the opinion of the people. They began to intimidate and started with the head of Gagauzia, with the highest position in our region," Konstantinov said. Every resident of the autonomy now expects similar actions from the central authorities in relation to those who disagree with official policy, Konstantinov added. An extraordinary session of the Gagauz parliament is being held in connection with the verdict issued to Gutsul. The session is being attended by members of the autonomy's parliament and representatives of the executive committee. Following the session, a declaration is planned to be adopted, reflecting the position on the current situation in the region. The Moldovan government has been criticized for cracking down on the opposition and arbitrarily arresting its leaders. Gutsul was detained at the Chisinau airport in March on charges of financing the Sor party, violating campaign funding 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.On Tuesday, Natalia Bayram, Gutsul's lawyer, told Sputnik that Gutsul was sentenced to seven years in prison by a district court in Chisinau and taken into custody immediately upon her guilty verdict on charges of financing the banned Sor party. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250805/russian-upper-house-chief-slams-gutsuls-7-year-sentence-as-political-repression-1122556583.html moldova gagauzia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International gagauz parliament speaker, intimidation of people, disagree with the policies of the ruling party https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/hungarys-szijjarto-calls-eu-colleagues-narrative-around-ukraine-aid-big-lie-1122563019.html Hungary's Top Diplomat Hits Out at EU Colleagues 'Big Lie' Narrative on Ukraine Aid Hungary's Top Diplomat Hits Out at EU Colleagues 'Big Lie' Narrative on Ukraine Aid Sputnik International Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto on Wednesday called out the "big lie" of fellow top diplomats of EU member states when they are trying to portray the assistance to Ukraine as a moral obligation, claiming that Kiev is allegedly defending their countries from Russia. 2025-08-06T14:08+0000 2025-08-06T14:08+0000 2025-08-06T14:26+0000 world peter szijjarto viktor orban ukraine hungary kiev european union (eu) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e8/05/15/1118568059_0:0:3072:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_3b5f51564726f68a86491cffdf91b933.jpg "We have been hearing for three and a half years that Ukrainians are defending Europe, but this is a big lie. Ukrainians do not defend us because no one attacked us ... They [EU foreign ministers] are trying to create a sense of guilt, in which we are supposed to perceive the need to support Ukraine as some kind of our spiritual duty. But this is not true, Ukraine does not defend us," Szijjarto told Hungarian podcast Harcosok Oraja (Warriors' Hour). Every meeting of EU foreign ministers starts with a speech by the top Ukrainian diplomat, who lists his demands and complains that European supplies of money and weapons are insufficient and too slow, Szijjarto said. Szijjarto added that he personally, at such moments, mentally calculated how many hundreds of billions of euros in money, weapons and "who knows what else" has Brussels already sent to Ukraine, and how they had destroyed the European economy and competitiveness, but even that does not seem to be enough. In December 2024, Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said that the EU and the US had spent a combined 310 billion euros ($360 billion) on Ukraine, which he called a "horrific" sum that would have "worked miracles" if invested in the European economy. Instead, the money "went down the drain," he said, warning the West that it is making a grave mistake in Ukraine that will come at a high price. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250728/hungary-ukraine-relations-very-bad--szijjarto-1122500448.html ukraine hungary kiev Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International hungary's szijjarto, diplomats of eu member states, assistance to ukraine, moral obligation, kiev is allegedly defending their countries from russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/kremlin-hails-malaysia-as-reliable-partner-ahead-of-putinsultan-ibrahim-talks-1122560587.html Kremlin Hails Malaysia as Reliable Partner Ahead of PutinSultan Ibrahim Talks Kremlin Hails Malaysia as Reliable Partner Ahead of PutinSultan Ibrahim Talks Sputnik International Malaysia is a reliable partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region, according to materials for the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim released by the Kremlin on Wednesday. 2025-08-06T10:03+0000 2025-08-06T10:03+0000 2025-08-06T10:03+0000 world vladimir putin malaysia russia asean cooperation https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/06/1122560426_0:0:3208:1805_1920x0_80_0_0_705ff0b55961176e0aed9ac8bab3cdc1.jpg "Malaysia is a reliable, time-tested partner of Russia in the Asia-Pacific region, an authoritative member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and one of the leaders of the Muslim world," the materials read. Russia and Malaysia are set to boost trade and economic cooperation, the materials read. According to the materials, Russian exports are based on chemical products, rubber, metals and metal products, vehicles, mineral products, foodstuffs and agricultural raw materials, while imports include machinery and equipment, vehicles, food and agricultural products. Sultan Ibrahim arrived in Russia on a state visit on Tuesday and is expected to hold talks with Putin later on Wednesday. During the visit that will last until August 10, the Malaysian supreme leader is also expected to meet with Rustam Minnikhanov, head of the Republic of Tatarstan and visit the Kazan Helicopter plant. The king is the first Malaysian monarch to come to Russia on a state visit since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1967. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250805/malaysian-kings-visit-to-russia-may-boost-high-tech-cooperation--expert-1122553944.html malaysia russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International malaysia is a reliable partner of russia, russian president vladimir putin, russian president vladimir putin and malaysian king sultan ibrahim DID YOU ACQUIRE SECURITIES OF TREVALI MINING CORPORATION BETWEEN OCTOBER 9, 2020 AND AUGUST 15, 2022, INCLUSIVE? A SETTLEMENT APPROVED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS. YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION. VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - KND Complex Litigation announces the final approval of the settlement in a securities class action brought on behalf of a class of shareholders of Trevali Mining Corporation ("Trevali"), in relation to the proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver Registry, No. VLC-S-S-228113 ("Securities Class Action") and No. S-226670 ("CCAA Proceedings"). The Settlement provides for payment of $2.8 million in full and final resolution of the claims of the class members, and provides for full and final releases for the benefit of Trevali and certain of its former directors who were named Defendants in the Securities Class Action. The Settlement is not an admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault on the part of the Defendants, all of whom have denied, and continue to deny, the allegations against them. To apply for compensation, eligible class members must complete and submit a Claim Form by 11:59 p.m. Vancouver (Pacific) time by December 4, 2025. Please visit the website of the Claims Administrator at http://trevalisettlement.com/ for further details and instructions, and to submit a Claim Form. The Claims Administrator in relation to this Settlement in Concilia, and it may be contacted by phone at 1-888-343-9770 or by email at [email protected]. Inquiries concerning the settlement administration and claims process must be solely directed to the Claims Administrator. The Toronto-based law firm of KND Complex Litigation is Class Counsel. KND Complex Litigation has significant experience representing investors and consumers in securities class actions and complex litigation in multiple jurisdictions in Canada. Class Counsel may be contacted at c/o Sage Nematollahi, [email protected]. SOURCE KND Complex Litigation https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/nuclear-risks-growing-80-years-since-hiroshima-bombing-but-disarmament-possible--expert-1122561133.html Nuclear Risks Growing 80 Years Since Hiroshima Bombing, But Disarmament Possible Expert Nuclear Risks Growing 80 Years Since Hiroshima Bombing, But Disarmament Possible Expert Sputnik International The international community is dealing with the growing nuclear risks 80 years after US bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, but nuclear disarmament remains possible, Arms Control Association Executive Director Daryl Kimball told RIA Novosti. 2025-08-06T10:13+0000 2025-08-06T10:13+0000 2025-08-06T10:13+0000 analysis hiroshima nagasaki arms control association (aca) us nuclear nuclear weapons https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/107660/40/1076604073_0:0:1281:721_1920x0_80_0_0_2e0094bce1b790f9532f967ffd1a17d9.jpg "Today, as we observe the 80th commemorations of the first nuclear test detonation and the US atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, nuclear risks are growing once again. Nuclear disarmament is possible and necessary," Kimball said. The past eight decades showed that no one can win in a nuclear conflict, but the human civilization remains precariously tethered to the existence of nuclear weapons and the threat they might be used again, he added. He warned that a major nuclear conflict would kill and injure hundreds of millions of people in the first hours and days, and many more would die afterwards. In August 1945, US pilots dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The Hiroshima blast killed 140,000 of the city's 350,000 population, with Nagasaki losing 74,000. Overwhelmingly, civilian victims are commemorated annually during the August 6 and 9 memorial ceremonies. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/80-years-after-hiroshima-time-for-truth-and-accountability-1122560302.html hiroshima nagasaki Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International nuclear risks, hiroshima bombing, us bombings of hiroshima and nagasaki, arms control association executive director https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/putin-and-us-envoy-witkoff-discuss-ukraine-and-future-strategic-cooperation-1122562572.html Putin and US Envoy Witkoff Discuss Ukraine and Future Strategic Cooperation Putin and US Envoy Witkoff Discuss Ukraine and Future Strategic Cooperation Sputnik International Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff have discussed the Ukrainian crisis at a meeting on Wednesday, as well as prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia, Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said. 2025-08-06T12:56+0000 2025-08-06T12:56+0000 2025-08-06T12:56+0000 world russia steve witkoff yuri ushakov vladimir putin kremlin ukraine us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/06/1122562400_0:70:1344:826_1920x0_80_0_0_e04ae144ef034b95ac3ece4231a3be5c.jpg "As for the topics covered, then, first of all, of course, it is the Ukrainian crisis. And the second topic is the prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia," Ushakov told reporters. Russia has transmitted signals on Ukrainian issue during the meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff, as well as received corresponding signals from US President Donald Trump, Ushakov said."The current situation is that our president has complete information, that is, our signals, signals from President Trump. And Trump has not yet been informed about the results of this meeting. Therefore, I would refrain from making more detailed comments. Let us see when Witkoff will be able to report on the conversation that took place today to Trump. After that, obviously, we will be able to supplement my comments with something more significant," Ushakov said.The conversation between Putin and Witkoff was useful and constructive, Ushakov said. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/putin-holding-meeting-with-us-special-envoy-witkoff-in-moscow-1122559206.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International putin and us envoy witkoff, ukraine and future strategic cooperation, ukrainian crisis, strategic cooperation between the united states and russia https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/rubio-confirms-call-with-witkoff-after-kremlin-meeting-updates-to-come-1122563614.html Rubio Confirms Call With Witkoff After Kremlin Meeting, Updates to Come Rubio Confirms Call With Witkoff After Kremlin Meeting, Updates to Come Sputnik International US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that he has just discussed with Special Envoy for the Middle East Steve Witkoff his trip to Moscow and added that there will be some "maybe positive, maybe not" announcements on the matter later in the day. 2025-08-06T15:58+0000 2025-08-06T15:58+0000 2025-08-06T15:58+0000 world marco rubio steve witkoff russia ukraine kremlin us https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/04/18/1121921224_0:0:3071:1728_1920x0_80_0_0_1c9a2645c3cc46f1c2affc71116b2e20.jpg "We will have more to say about that later on today ... Ambassador Witkoff is on his way back now. Just got off the phone with him a few minutes ago. We will have another discussion throughout the day, and hopefully there will be some announcements. Maybe positive, maybe not. We will see," Rubio told reporters ahead of his meeting with Serbian Foreign Minister Marko Djuric when asked if the US still plans to impose sanctions against Russia if a Ukraine ceasefire is not reached by Friday.Earlier in the day, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Witkoff in the Kremlin. Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov said that they discussed the Ukrainian crisis and prospects for the possible development of strategic cooperation between the United States and Russia. During the meeting, Russia transmitted signals on the Ukrainian issue and received corresponding signals from the US, he added. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/putin-and-us-envoy-witkoff-discuss-ukraine-and-future-strategic-cooperation-1122562572.html russia ukraine Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International kremlin meeting, us secretary of state marco rubio, witkoff his trip to moscow https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/russia-malaysia-maintain-close-positions-on-many-global-regional-issues---kremlin-1122558969.html Russia, Malaysia Maintain Close Positions on Many Global, Regional Issues - Kremlin Russia, Malaysia Maintain Close Positions on Many Global, Regional Issues - Kremlin Sputnik International Russia and Malaysia maintain close positions on many global and regional issues, according to materials for he meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Malaysian King Sultan Ibrahim released by the Kremlin on Wednesday. 2025-08-06T07:45+0000 2025-08-06T07:45+0000 2025-08-06T07:45+0000 world asean malaysia russia cooperation kremlin https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/06/1122558808_0:160:3073:1889_1920x0_80_0_0_3e95c5c6719c0c28173e7e8fac9767bd.jpg "The two states, which hold similar or coinciding positions on many pressing issues on the global and regional agenda, are effectively interacting at the UN and in other multilateral formats," the materials read. Russia and Malaysia also consider BRICS as a platform for coordinating interests of the world's majority countries and an effective mechanism for multilateral cooperation, the materials read. "Dialogue with ASEAN is one of the priorities of Russian policy in the Asia-Pacific region. Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN in 2025 has contributed to the intensification of interaction within the framework of Russia's strategic partnership with the association," the materials read. https://sputnikglobe.com/20250805/malaysian-kings-visit-to-russia-may-boost-high-tech-cooperation--expert-1122553944.html malaysia russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russia and malaysia, russian president vladimir putin, malaysian king sultan ibrahim https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/russian-chinese-navy-conduct-joint-artillery-drills---pacific-fleet-1122560848.html Russian, Chinese Navy Conduct Joint Artillery Drills - Pacific Fleet Russian, Chinese Navy Conduct Joint Artillery Drills - Pacific Fleet Sputnik International Ships of the Russian navy together with ships of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) navy conducted artillery firing exercises during the final phase of the Russian-Chinese Maritime Interaction 2025 drills, the Russian Pacific Fleet has said. 2025-08-06T10:09+0000 2025-08-06T10:09+0000 2025-08-06T10:09+0000 military russia china russian pacific fleet chinese people's liberation army (pla) drills military drills joint drills naval drills https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e6/09/02/1100301757_0:3:1939:1093_1920x0_80_0_0_c0987c976f2e8ae45b62bea63a25c386.jpg "During the final part of the Russian-Chinese Maritime Interaction 2025 drills, the Russian navy, represented by the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs and the corvette Gromkiy, together with the PLA Navy, represented by the Shaoxing and Urumqi ships, practiced conducting artillery combat against simulated enemy ships and searching for an 'enemy' submarine in the Sea of Japan waters," the Russian navy said. The Russian Pacific Fleet added that naval personnel from both countries also practiced organizing joint defense against attacks by unmanned boats and drones. The navy said that during the final stage of the exercise, the Russian navy and the PLA navy carried out measures to search for and destroy an "enemy" submarine. The Russian-Chinese Maritime Interaction 2025 drills were held from August 1-5. For the first time in the exercise's history, a joint shore-based headquarters was established to coordinate all actions of the participating ships. https://sputnikglobe.com/20241014/russian-and-chinese-warships-perform-firing-drills-in-pacific-ocean-1120540277.html russia china Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International russian, chinese navy, chinese people's liberation army, russian-chinese maritime interaction https://sputnikglobe.com/20250806/us-special-envoy-witkoff-arrives-in-russia-1122558198.html US Special Envoy Witkoff Arrives in Russia US Special Envoy Witkoff Arrives in Russia Sputnik International US Special Envoy Steven Whitcoff has arrived in Moscow, where he was welcomed by Kirill Dmitriev, the head of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) and Special Representative of the Russian President for Economic Cooperation with Foreign Countries. 2025-08-06T07:37+0000 2025-08-06T07:37+0000 2025-08-06T07:41+0000 world steve witkoff kirill dmitriev donald trump russia us zaryadye park russian direct investment fund (rdif) https://cdn1.img.sputnikglobe.com/img/07e9/08/06/1122558369_0:0:845:475_1920x0_80_0_0_f00c781bf7657995f44b1fb7635d80d5.jpg Steve Witkoff and Kirill Dmitriev took a walk through Moscow's Zaryadye Park on Wednesday morning."They strolled through Zaryadye," the source said.Dmitriev and Witkoff were in high spirits, chatting amiably, a Sputnik correspondent reported.This is his fifth visit to Russia in 2025.On Sunday, US President Donald Trump said that Witkoff may visit Russia on August 6 or August 7. On Tuesday, State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce confirmed the visit and said that while Trump is "clearly unhappy" with Russia, he "remains committed to diplomatic solutions." https://sputnikglobe.com/20250804/potential-putin-witkoff-meeting-on-kremlins-agenda-this-week-1122550104.html russia Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 2025 Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 News en_EN Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 1920 1080 true 1920 1440 true 1920 1920 true Sputnik International feedback@sputniknews.com +74956456601 MIA Rossiya Segodnya 252 60 Sputnik International us special envoy witkoff, arrived in moscow, kirill dmitriev The $300,000 USD Carl Milstein Memorial Pace (Grade 2) this Saturday, Aug. 9 at MGM Northfield Park will feature competitors from all over North America. But for one of the horses racing, his trainer would love to make it a first for his state. Hailing from The First State known as Delaware, Primo Maschio ("Primo" meaning first) has pointed to the Milstein since winning the $150,685 Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund final at Harrington Raceway on July 17. We were hoping we were hoping to get an invitation after his win at Harrington," said trainer Kevin Lare. "He did it so easily and we are excited to be part of the race on Saturday. Owner Forrest Bartlett, who owned 1986 U.S. Horse of the Year Forrest Skipper, purchased Primo Maschio after he and Lare watched him in a mini-series at Ocean Downs at the start of his two-year-old season. Once they found out he was Delaware eligible, the connections were very interested. He raced very well at Ocean Downs and we were impressed with what we saw," said Lare. "We reached out to Michael Hall, who had him at the time, and Forrest purchased him. The purchase has taken his connections on a ride they wont soon forget. In his first start in the new barn, Primo Maschio romped to a 13-3/4-length victory against Maryland-sired horses at Ocean Downs. Following another powerful victory against the conditioned company at Harrington, it was time to see what exactly they had from their talented gelding. After winning the eliminations for the Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund eliminations, he cruised to a 2-1/2-length win in the six-figure final. The connections gave their prized gelding a month off before the next round of Breeders Fund races at Dover Downs and after just missing two weeks in a row, the son of Badlands Hanover and Primadonna turned it on in the final, winning by four lengths in 1:53.4. Coming back as a three-year-old, Primo Maschio continued to mature, reeling off three straight victories in a Breeders Fund late-closing series at Dover before shipping to Plainridge Park for a try against Grand Circuit company in the $138,889 Paul Revere Pace. Luck was not on Primo Maschios side that afternoon. Leaving the gate, he grabbed a shoe and almost made a break. Driver Walter Case Jr. helped the pacer compose himself but he couldnt find position on the rail, so Case drove on with Primo Maschio before a testing :26.2 first quarter. Heading to the half, Primo Maschio was passed by rivals and entering the backstretch got mired in traffic trouble. Had he not grabbed a shoe at the start, I think we would have had a different outcome at Plainridge, said Lare of the third-place result. He raced very good up there, considering all of the circumstances, we were happy with his effort. Primo Maschio got some time off and returned to his winning ways in the first two Delaware Standardbred Breeders Fund eliminations at Harrington, and after winning the Open Handicap at Ocean Downs in a lifetime best 1:51.3, it was on to the final at Harrington. Again, he proved to easily be the best in the field. After taking the lead, he took no prisoners setting quick fractions and cruising to a 2-1/4-length victory in 1:53.1. Entering Saturdays Carl Milstein Memorial, the connections of Primo Maschio are glad to have a little luck on their side as they compete against Grand Circuit company again. Having drawn the rail, I think that gives us a huge advantage. We just need a little racing luck to be on our side. If the talented gelding crosses the line first on Saturday, Lare will not only be excited for all of the connections, but for The First State as well. Winning the Milstein would be a great feather in Primo Maschios cap, but not just for him, it would say a lot about Delaware-bred horses being able to compete at the top level. (With files from Northfield Park) WASHINGTON, Aug. 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) has released its 20232024 Impact Report, Made by History. Made for this Moment. The publication captures two pivotal years of transformation across the community development finance industry and within OFN's network of more than 475 community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which work to expand opportunities across America. "OFN is committed to a future where all people and communities across the United States thrive powered by the strength and impact of community finance investment," said OFN President and CEO Harold Pettigrew. "This report reflects OFN's impact in leading and supporting CDFIs across America, and it shows what is possible when a network of mission-driven financial institutions acts with shared vision and values. CDFIs are financial first responders in times of crisis, serve as a proven model for creating economic opportunity, and play a key part in the nation's financial system. As our nation continues to navigate economic uncertainty, one truth has become increasingly clear, CDFIs don't just serve communities, they serve the country." Community-focused financial institutions are essential to building more vibrant local economies across rural, urban, and Native communities. With $124 billion in cumulative financing, 3.4 million jobs created or maintained, and more than 1 million small businesses supported, through 2023, CDFIs are a proven model for creating opportunity in America. Among the report's highlights: $254 million in loans and grants deployed through OFN's Financing Fund since 2020, catalyzing local investment through small and emerging CDFIs; in loans and grants deployed through OFN's Financing Fund since 2020, catalyzing local investment through small and emerging CDFIs; $173 million issued through the federal Bond Guarantee Program in 2024 the largest bond in OFN's history; issued through the federal Bond Guarantee Program in 2024 the largest bond in OFN's history; More than 210 meetings with policymakers on Capitol Hill to shape policies that allow CDFIs to succeed at scale; on Capitol Hill to shape policies that allow CDFIs to succeed at scale; More than 41,000 professionals engaged through OFN programs, events, and services, including the sold-out 40th Annual Conference and first-ever Research Symposium; through OFN programs, events, and services, including the sold-out 40th Annual Conference and first-ever Research Symposium; Strategic investments in innovation, talent development, and infrastructure through initiatives like the CDFI Innovation Initiative and the Career Meets Purpose program to support the CDFI workforce. As the nation's leading CDFI intermediary, OFN mobilizes capital, capacity-building tools, training, and insights; and advances policy solutions to strengthen and scale CDFIs nationwide, expanding economic opportunity and supporting locally driven solutions in communities historically left out of mainstream finance. This year's report also celebrates 40 years of OFN's growth and leadership in the industry. It previews the grounding pillars for the future of community development finance, which will chart the path for growth, grounded in opportunity, innovation, and national impact. The full report is available at ofn.org/impact. Opportunity Finance Network (OFN) is the nation's leading network and intermediary focused on community development investment, managing more than $1 billion in total assets and a membership of more than 475 community development financial institutions (CDFIs), which includes community development loan funds, credit unions, green banks, banks, minority depository institutions, and venture capital funds. Our network of CDFIs works to ensure communities left behind by mainstream finance have access to affordable, responsible financial products and services, with a deep focus on serving rural, urban, and Native communities across the United States. OFN is a trusted investment partner to the public, private, and philanthropic sectors foundations, corporations, banks, government agencies, and others and, for more than 40 years, has helped partners invest in communities to catalyze change and create economic opportunities for all. Since its founding in 1986, OFN members have originated $124 billion in cumulative financing, helping to create or maintain nearly 3.4 million jobs, start or expand more than 1 million businesses and microenterprises, and support the development or rehabilitation of more than 3 million housing units and more than 15,000 community facility projects. SOURCE Opportunity Finance Network BEIJING (Reuters) -Nvidia has published a blog post reiterating that its chips did not have backdoors or kill switches and appealed to U.S. policymakers to forgo such ideas saying it would be a "gift" to hackers and hostile actors. The blog post, which was published on Tuesday in both English and Chinese, comes a week after the Chinese government summoned the U.S. artificial intelligence (AI) chip giant to a meeting saying it was concerned by a U.S. proposal for advanced chips sold abroad to be equipped with tracking and positioning functions. The White House and both houses of U.S. Congress have proposed the idea of requiring U.S. chip firms to include location verification technology with their chips to prevent them from being diverted to countries where U.S. export laws ban sales. The separate bills and White House recommendation have not become a formal rule, and no technical requirements have been established. Advertisement Advertisement Advertisement "Embedding backdoors and kill switches into chips would be a gift to hackers and hostile actors. It would undermine global digital infrastructure and fracture trust in U.S. technology," Nvidia said. It had said last week its products have no backdoors that would allow remote access or control. A backdoor refers to a hidden method of bypassing normal authentication or security controls. Nvidia emphasized that "there is no such thing as a 'good' secret backdoor - only dangerous vulnerabilities that need to be eliminated." (Reporting by Liam Mo and Brenda Goh; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan) 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: Integrated crude hydrogen separation, storage, and transport enabled by a reversible GBL/BDO cycle with inverse Al 2 O 3 /Cu catalyst. Precise catalytic control enables integrated separation, storage, and transport of industrial crude hydrogen. A reversible GBL/BDO liquid organic hydrogen carrier cycle, driven by an impurity-tolerant inverse Al 2 O 3 /Cu catalyst, upgrades waste hydrogen into high-purity fuel. Credit: Yifeng Zhu's Group / Advanced Institute for Future Energy, Department of Chemistry, Fudan University. Hydrogen (H 2 ) is an Earth-abundant molecule that is widely used in industrial settings and could soon contribute to the clean generation and storage of electricity. Most notably, it can be used to generate electricity in fuel cells, which could in turn power heavy-duty vehicles or serve as back-up energy systems. Despite its potential for various real-world applications, hydrogen is often expensive to produce, store and safely transport to desired locations. Moreover, before it can be used, it typically needs to be purified, as hydrogen produced industrially is typically mixed with other gases, such as carbon monoxide (CO), carbon dioxide (CO), nitrogen (N) and light hydrocarbons. Researchers at Fudan University and other institutes in China recently devised a new strategy to separate hydrogen from impurities at low temperatures, while also enabling its safe storage and transportation. Their proposed method, outlined in a paper published in Nature Energy, relies on a reversible chemical reaction between two organic compounds that act as hydrogen carriers, enabling the reversible absorption and release of hydrogen. "One of our key inspirations was a pressing industrial challenge in China, where highly developed process industries generate vast amounts of crude and byproduct hydrogen," Prof. Yifeng Zhu, senior author of the paper, told Tech Xplore. "Much of this hydrogen-rich gas, often containing over 50 vol.% impurities such as CO, CO, and hydrocarbons, gets burned because conventional recovery technologies like pressure swing adsorption and membranes are prohibitively costly and energy-intensive. At the same time, the deployment of green hydrogen and the necessary supporting infrastructure remains slow worldwide due to technological immaturity and high costs." The main objective of this recent study by Prof. Zhu and his colleagues was to devise a scalable approach to facilitate the widespread use of clean hydrogen by simplifying its separation from other gases, as well as its storage and transport. The strategy they proposed relies on a low-cost catalytic cycle, which involves the reversible interconversion of the compounds -butyrolactone (GBL) and 1,4-butanediol (BDO). "Using crude hydrogen feeds with over 50 vol.% impurities, GBL is hydrogenated to BDO at 170 oC, achieving >99.2% H 2 -to-BDO selectivity while suppressing side reactions," said Prof. Zhu. "The hydrogen-rich BDO can then be safely stored and transported using existing liquid fuel infrastructure. Upon demand, catalytic dehydrogenation regenerates GBL and releases high-purity hydrogen (>99.998%), free of CO x impurities." Essentially, the researchers used an inexpensive copper-based catalyst to capture hydrogen from impure industrial gas streams and store it in BDO, a cheap and safe oil-like liquid. Notably, this liquid can be transported using the same tanks, pipelines and trucks that are currently used to transport other fuels. When it reaches its destination, the hydrogen stored in the liquid can be easily released with high purity. "A key advantage of our strategy is that both the catalyst and the liquid organic hydrogen carriers or LOHC (GBL/BDO) are abundant and inexpensive," explained Prof. Zhu. "Moreover, hydrogen capture and storage occur in a single step, simplifying the overall system. Our approach is safe and scalable, as the liquid carrier can be handled at ambient conditions using existing fuel infrastructure. The system can operate with gas feeds containing over 50% CO and CO without catalyst deactivation, which is a major hurdle for conventional catalysts (<2 vol. % for state-of-the-art catalysts)." The new strategy for separating, storing and transporting hydrogen devised by the researchers is both easy to deploy and scalable, as it relies on low-cost products and is compatible with existing infrastructure. In the future, it could aid the production of high-purity hydrogen and contribute to its widespread use within the global energy sector. "Our cheap catalytic cycle can directly upgrade waste and crude hydrogen resources that are often flared or vented into the valuable, high-purity H 2 ," said Prof. Zhu. "Our approach bypasses expensive purification steps and utilizes existing fuel infrastructure, offering a scalable pathway to boost global hydrogen utilization in the near term. Enabled by the precise activation of molecules (H 2 versus CO x ) over the novel inverse Al 2 O 3 /Cu catalyst, this work also demonstrates how fundamental advances in catalytic science can directly translate into impactful, real-world solutions that drive the clean energy transition." The recent work by Prof. Zhu and his colleagues at Fudan University could soon inspire the development of similar catalytic approaches to simplify the production and distribution of high-purity hydrogen. The researchers are currently working with various industrial partners to test and scale up their technology, with a keen focus on validating the long-term stability of the catalyst they employed and optimizing the efficiency of their approach. "Concurrently, we are also exploring other hydrogen carrier systems and process designs to expand the range of hydrogen sources and end-use scenarios, from industrial waste streams to decentralized hydrogen storage and renewable energy integration," added Prof. Zhu. Written for you by our author Ingrid Fadelli, edited by Gaby Clark, and fact-checked and reviewed by Robert Eganthis article is the result of careful human work. We rely on readers like you to keep independent science journalism alive. If this reporting matters to you, please consider a donation (especially monthly). You'll get an ad-free account as a thank-you. More information: Yue Chen et al, A catalytic cycle that enables crude hydrogen separation, storage and transportation, Nature Energy (2025). DOI: 10.1038/s41560-025-01806-9 Journal information: Nature Energy 2025 Science X Network This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: The bridge over Italy's Strait of Messina would have a suspended span of 3.3 kilometers (2.05 miles) -- a world record. Italy's government on Wednesday approved a controversial 13.5-billion-euro ($15.6-billion) project to build what would be the world's longest suspension bridge connecting the island of Sicily to the mainland. Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's coalition hailed the state-funded project as an economic boost for the impoverished south of Italyonly for critics to warn that it risks turning into a financial black hole. Italian politicians have for decades debated a bridge over the Strait of Messina, a narrow strip of water between the island of Sicily and the region of Calabria, at the toe of Italy's boot. But ministers say Wednesday's approval by a government committee, CIPESS, is the furthest the project has ever gotten. Advocates say the bridge, due for completion by 2032, is at the cutting edge of engineering, able to withstand high winds and earthquakes in a region that lies across two tectonic plates. It has been designed with two railway lines in the middle and three lanes of traffic on either side, with a suspended span of 3.3 kilometers (2.05 miles)a world recordstretching between two 400-meter (1,300 feet) high towers. Deputy Prime Minister Matteo Salvini, who is also responsible for transport and infrastructure, told reporters work could begin as soon as September or October. He said the bridge and the associated new roads, railways and stations would act as a "development accelerator" for impoverished Sicily and Calabria, boosting economic growth and creating tens of thousands of jobs, many of them skilled. Yet the project has sparked local protests over the environmental impact and the cost, with critics saying the money could be better spent elsewhere. Nicola Fratoianni, an MP of the Greens and Left Alliance, slammed a "mega-project that will divert a huge amount of public resources" and "risks turning into a gigantic black hole". The Italian Court of Auditors has criticized the extent of debt-laden state's investment in this one project in its assessment of the 2024 budget. The center-left Democratic Party warned that the project "tramples environmental, safety and European normsand common sense". The public prosecutor of Messina also recently warned of the risk that organized crime would benefit from the project. Salvini on Wednesday insisted the government would do everything to prevent mafia infiltration. NATO spending The longest suspended bridge in the world is currently the 1915 Canakkale Bridge in Turkey, which has a main span of 2.023 kilometers (1.257 miles) between its towers and opened in 2022. Many believe that Italy's ambitious project will never actually materialize, pointing to a long history of public works announced, financed, yet never completed in Italy. The project has had several false starts, with the first plans drawn up more than 50 years ago. Eurolink, a consortium led by Italian group Webuild, won the tender in 2006 only for the government to cancel it after the eurozone debt crisis. The consortium remains the contractor on the revived project. This time, Rome may have an added incentive to press aheadby classifying the cost of the bridge as defense spending. Italy has agreed along with other NATO allies to massively increase its defense expenditure to 5% of GDP, at the demand of US President Donald Trump. Of this, 1.5% can be spent on "defense-related" areas such as cybersecurity and infrastructureand Rome is hoping the Messina bridge will qualify, particularly as Sicily hosts a NATO base. Currently the only way to cross the Messina Strait is by ferry, taking at least an hour by car and two on the trainwhere individual carriages are loaded onto the ferrybut the bridge aims to cut journey times to 10 and 15 minutes, respectively. Meloni insisted Wednesday it was a "demonstration of Italy's willpower and technical expertise" that would "form the backbone of a faster and more modern nation". 2025 AFP This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Andrej Pustogow (left) and Fabian Garmroudi (right) next to an exhibit of a quantum computer at the APS Global Physics Summit in Anaheim, California, USA. While both are investigating new quantum materials that could be used in quantum computers, in turn quantum computing would be extremely helpful for materials science. Credit: Vienna University of Technology New applications often require new materials. Quite often, materials are needed that do not occur naturally or have very specific properties. In order to find suitable materials for pioneering technologies, it is often not enough to follow the trial-and-error principle and systematically work through the periodic table. This applies particularly to the search for suitable thermoelectric materials that convert heat into electricity and are therefore of interest for a wide range of applications. An international research team led by Andrej Pustogow from the Functional and Magnetic Materials research division of TU Wien has now succeeded in predicting new materials for generating "green energy" using an automated computer protocol. Following that, the team synthesized the materials in the laboratory and tested them for application. The research team published its results in the journal Science Advances. Knowledge is limitedcomputing power too From school to university studies (in natural sciences or engineering), much of what is taught is state-of-the-art technology. However, this knowledge is limited, and textbooks only reflect the state of knowledge at the time of publication. This can lead to a long search for materials with specific properties in the wrong place. "In the field of thermoelectricity, for example, Abram Ioffe suggested in the 1930s that semiconducting materials should be researched for this application, as metals were not suitable," explains Fabian Garmroudi, first author of the study. Pustogow adds, "After almost 100 years of intensive research on semiconductors, which still has not led to widespread applications, a new idea was needed that goes beyond textbook knowledge." In recent years (nickel-gold alloys, traffic jam of electrons), the team has already demonstrated that certain metals can be a promising alternative for thermoelectric applications. Even though the newly discovered materials were not found by pure luck, the researchers have now launched a large-scale search through the periodic table to identify a larger number of candidates for widespread/broad applications. Despite the incredible computing power of supercomputers such as the Austrian Scientific Cluster (ASC), the more than 100 elements are too many for a blind search through the periodic table, as the computing time for combinations of just a few dozen types of atoms would exceed the age of the universe. "Our recipe here was," says Pustogow, "to determine the relevant material properties using automated calculations in a well-defined part of the periodic table." Starting point for the search for new materials determined The researchers selected the transition metals iron, cobalt, and nickel as their starting point. Their compounds with all other elements were calculated using a supercomputer. "For nickel alone, these include compounds such as nickel-lithium (Ni-Li), nickel-beryllium (Ni-Be), nickel-boron (Ni-B), nickel-carbon (Ni-C), and so onall the way to nickel-lanthanum (Ni-La), which ultimately led us to the particularly promising intermetallic compounds nickel-tin (Ni 3 Sn) and nickel-germanium (Ni 3 Ge)," explains Pustogow. The material with the best predicted properties was the compound of nickel and tin. "This also occurs as a natural mineral, nisnite, in Earth's crust and is formed under high pressure and high temperatures. However, the material is difficult to produce under normal conditions in the laboratory, which is why we focused our experiments on Ni 3 Ge," adds Fabian Garmroudi. Samples of nickel and germanium ultimately demonstrated excellent thermoelectric properties in the laboratory, as predicted by the computer protocol. Designing materials for a specific purpose In materials science, the following procedure is often used: various elements are melted together in the laboratory and samples are produced, the quality of which is assessed before measurements are finally taken on the material. Thanks to their computer simulations, the team was able to achieve the same result with minimal material and time expenditure. "The fact that we have found technologically relevant properties in a simple material consisting of two types of atoms is very promising. This gives us hope that our methodextended to more complex systems consisting of, for example, three types of atomswill identify many more interesting materials," says Fabian Garmroudi. New materials are not only being designed on computers by university researchers; tech companies such as Google and Microsoft are also pursuing this approach. They are making use of the vast amounts of theoretical and experimental data that have been collected in recent years and compiled in databases. Artificial intelligence can ultimately be used to identify connections that are not obvious to humans. This makes it possible to predict new materials with desired properties. However, even today, the best results are still achieved with human intuition and creativitysupported by the computing power of computers. More information: Fabian Garmroudi et al, Energy filteringinduced ultrahigh thermoelectric power factors in Ni 3 Ge, Science Advances (2025). DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adv7113 Journal information: Science Advances ROCKLIN, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Origis Energy, one of America's leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms, and Pioneer Community Energy (Pioneer), a not-for-profit electricity provider headquartered in Rocklin, California, announced the signing of a 20-year agreement for the Chalan Solar + Storage project in Lost Hills, Kern County, California. Origis Energy will develop, construct and operate the 65 MWac Solar + 25 MW (100 MWh) battery energy storage system facility, selling the power to Pioneer to help fuel its growth. Chalan is slated for commercial operation in 2026. "Our partnership with Origis Energy comes at a very opportune time. As Pioneer plans to expand our service territory into 13 new territories, this agreement ensures that we can provide clean energy and increased storage that helps meet renewable energy and sustainability targets while meeting the load requirements for our new customers," said Vice Chair of Pioneer's Board of Directors and Rocklin City Councilmember Greg Janda. "We are pleased to partner with Pioneer and we look forward to delivering them solar and storage solutions as they execute on their expansion plans. For Origis, this partnership also represents an important step forward in our mission and strategy to deliver cost-effective electricity to customers across the U.S." said Vikas Anand, Chief Executive Officer of Origis Energy. For additional information, visit www.pioneercommunityenergy.org or https://origisenergy.com. ABOUT ORIGIS ENERGY Origis Energy is accelerating the transition to a carbon-free future by Reimagining Zero. As one of America's leading renewable energy and decarbonization solution platforms, the company continues to expand and reimagine its contribution to the world's net-zero goals. Origis Energy puts customers first to deploy a wide range of sustainable solutions for grid power generation, performance optimization, and long-term operation of solar and energy storage plants across the U.S. Learn more at OrigisEnergy.com. ABOUT PIONEER COMMUNITY ENERGY With an A- issuer credit rating from S&P Global, Pioneer is a community-owned, not-for-profit electricity provider serving unincorporated Placer and El Dorado counties and the incorporated areas of Auburn, Colfax, Grass Valley, Lincoln, Loomis, Nevada City, Placerville, and Rocklin. Pioneer serves a population of nearly one million with nearly 175,000 residential and commercial meters and powers the communities it serves with competitive rates, exceptional local service, and a choice in energy options. SOURCE Origis Energy Dr. Alberto Banuet has been on the frontlines of the fight against the New World screwworm and he knows the challenge faced by both the United States and Mexico in the fight to stop the spread of the parasite that attacks healthy tissue in mammals and occasionally birds. Banuet brought his knowledge of the New World screwworm to the 71st annual Texas A&M Beef Cattle Short Course this week, taking part in a panel discussion on the screwworm in Rudder Theater on Monday afternoon and then presenting on the screwworm in a smaller setting in Rudder Tower. On both occasions, Banuet stressed that communication and formulating a plan was the best way to eradicate the screwworm as was done in the United States in 1966 and in Mexico in 1991. Screwworm is a problem that both countries will have to work together on just as they did in the past, he said. The [United States Department of Agriculture] does not have a plan, they have a policy. Its kind of in the air, Banuet said during the panel discussion. The last time we had a perfectly detailed plan. Lets go back to the [plan] we had 30 years ago that worked fine. What we really need is to get on the USDAs back and say show us your plan or pay the plan, and if you dont have one now lets go back to the one [from 30 years ago]. Texas A&M graduate Brooke Rollins is the Secretary of Agriculture. Banuet has ranches in the Mexican states of Tabasco and Yucatan down on that countrys southern border with Guatemala and Belize. He has served as secretary of agriculture in the state of Tabasco twice as well as the secretary for economic development of Tabasco and the federal delegate of the secretary of agriculture and water resources in Yucatan. This current outbreak of the Screwworm began a few years ago in Panama where the parasite was never completely eradicated. It has moved up through Central America and now into Mexico. Its moving into the northern half of Mexico where there has been cattle trading on both sides of the border for many years. That trading has been slowed as the United States tries to keep the screwworm from crossing into herds north of the border. On June 30, it was announced that the border would be reopened gradually but when the screwworm was allegedly found in a calf 185 miles north of Mexico City and 370 miles south of the border the United States halted the importation of cattle from Mexico. Screwworm will not come in through the cattle that go through the border [legally] from the people that produce cattle. They are professionals and they are under the USDA guidelines and they have relationships with American cattle people, Banuet said. That cattle comes in, has been sprayed, dipped injected. Those will not be the cattle that bring the worm in. Closing the border for Mexican cattle is not a good idea. Every day that goes by $4.36 billion stops going into Mexico and that makes the cattle industry [in Mexico] suffer more and the meat more expensive. Its not if the screwworm will return to the United States, but when, Banuet says, but ranchers and politicians can be proactive to stop the screwworm at the border before it gets too far into the country. That was the consensus as well during a discussion by T.R. Lansford, the Texas assistant state veterinarian and deputy executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission, who spoke on the states efforts to keep the screwworm from reaching Texas. One of the big challenges with this situation is we have about 60 years worth of we didnt have to know about this because it was eradicated and we werent going to have to deal with it again, Lansford said during his presentation. Screwworms are different from other blowflies in that they go after living tissue. Other maggots will eat the old dead tissue and leave the live tissue whereas the screwworm isnt doing that, so these wounds can expand into very serious wounds. Lansford also provided the theater full of ranchers and cattlemen with information on what to look for in screwworm infections and what to do if an animal is infected. The most important thing Lansford stressed was not to move the animal too much to prevent the spread of the screwworm and to let the state know immediately. This is a foreign animal pest in the United States so if you see something then we have to go through a foreign animal disease investigation. We need to go through the process to confirm whether it is New World screwworm or not, Lansford said. We have an 800 number that is a 24/7 veterinarian on call and we will talk you through the situation whether its screwworms or blisters in the mouth. If you think you have an infestation, maggots in a wound please dont move the animal, it potentially spreads those maggots in other locations. Following Lansfords presentation a panel discussion was held. Ron Gill of Texas A&M served as moderator with Texas rancher Jim McAdams, Texas A&M professor emeritus Joe Paschal and Banuet serving as the panel. The panel discussed the history of the screwworm and their experiences with it. McAdams spoke of going with his father and grandfather along their ranch in Madison and Grimes counties and finding cattle who were being attacked by the screwworm. They would occasionally take me out with them checking for screwworms and I remember by the time I was a teenager screwworms were playing out, McAdams said. I admired the cowboys and the dogs and the horses. Those days made awful good cowboys and horses and dogs. Wed always go off in pairs and thered be a really good cowboy who if he found screwworms hed be the one to cut [the livestock] out and doctor him and somebody like me would hand him the smear and the stick. Paschal spoke on his experiences dealing with occasional popups of the screwworm while he was with Texas A&M and on why he invited Banuet to be part of the screwworm discussion. I asked Doc [Banuet] to come up because he is in the throes of what we hope will not happen here but could easily happen again if were not proactive, Paschal said. We have to have a plan at our place. The state has to be prepared because we have trading partners, and the federal government has to be prepared. Thats why were here today talking about it. Following his presentation on Tuesday, Banuet was asked by a member of the audience how long he thought it might be before the screwworm reached the Brazos Valley at its current speed. Banuet said it could be four to six months before the first sightings in the area. Premier Indoor Pickleball Club Drives Growth, Announces New Locations, and Enhances Franchisee Support to Finish 2025 Strong MIAMI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- PickleRage, one of America's fastest-growing indoor pickleball clubs, is building on powerful momentum from the first half of 2025 as it accelerates into the second half of the year. The brand has made significant progress by expanding its franchise network, entering new markets, strengthening community partnerships, and investing in its corporate team. Throughout this growth, PickleRage has remained committed to its mission of creating high-quality spaces to play, connect, and grow the sport of pickleball. Photo by PickleRage (PRNewsfoto/PickleRage) Club Growth and Market Expansion The year began with the grand opening of PickleRage at Glen Burnie in Maryland, followed by the launch of a new location in Mobile, Alabama. The West Bloomfield, Michigan club also reached its one-year anniversary this July, marking an early example of strong local engagement and staying power. Looking ahead, PickleRage is on track to open at least five additional clubs before the end of 2025. These openings are driven by 17 new franchise agreements, which include: Centerville, OH ( November 2025 ) ( ) Portage, MI ( December 2025 ) ( ) New Rochelle, NY ( November 2025 ) ( ) Union County, NJ (October/ November 2025 ) (October/ ) North Charleston, SC (corporate-owned, November 2025 ) New territories are also in development across Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Maryland, Texas, Indiana, New Hampshire, Nevada, and New Jersey. With seven new states added this year, PickleRage expects to be operating in 13 states by year-end. The brand's national footprint continues to grow alongside strong demand from franchisees. "Demand is soaring from both players and entrepreneurs who see the opportunity to be part of something special," said David Smith, COO at PickleRage. "Seventeen new markets in six months is just the beginning. We're building real nationwide momentum, and our franchise partners are helping bring the PickleRage experience to more communities across the country." Community-First, Purpose-Driven Impact From Alabama to Michigan, PickleRage clubs are embedding themselves in local communities, not just as places to play, but as partners in purpose. PickleRage clubs have made a tangible difference in their local markets through high-impact events and partnerships: Stronger Leadership, Smarter Support, Bolder Marketing To match the pace of expansion, PickleRage invested in key leadership hires in 2025: Michelle Sudovich - Franchise Development Manager - Franchise Development Manager Sydney James - Franchise Marketing Manager - Franchise Marketing Manager Chris Martignetti - Real Estate and Construction Project Manager These additions bring deep expertise in franchise growth, localized marketing, and multi-site construction management, ensuring franchisees receive robust support from concept through club opening. "As we scale, we're not just opening more clubs, we're building a connected, energized network of players, franchisees, and fans," continued Smith. "This is about more than growth. It's about creating a movement that prioritizes play, connection, and community. We're able to achieve that goal through the incredible partners we've brought on board, and we're committed to supporting them every step of the way as we continue to grow together." Looking Ahead As PickleRage moves into the second half of the year, the brand is sharpening its focus on club performance, local engagement, and franchisee successkey pillars driving its long-term impact on the sport and beyond. Its expanding partnership with the Johnson family continues to strengthen PickleRage's credibility and growing presence within the pickleball community. The team is excited to spend the remainder of 2025 building alongside its current franchise partners and welcoming new, passionate entrepreneurs to help shape the future of pickleball. For more information on franchising with PickleRage, please visit https://picklerage.com/. Disclaimer: This information is not intended as an offer to sell a franchise. It is for information purposes only. We will not offer you a franchise until we have complied with disclosure and registration requirements in your jurisdiction. Contact PickleRage Franchise LLC, to request a copy of our FDD. RESIDENTS OF NEW YORK: This advertisement is not an offering. An offering can only be made by a prospectus filed first with the Department of Law of the State of New York. Such filing does not constitute approval by the New York Department of Law. An offer to sell a franchise can only be made through delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document. About PickleRage Founded in 2023, PickleRage is one of America's fastest growing indoor pickleball clubs that gives novice & advanced players alike a place to play and connect. PickleRage was founded by a group of pickleball enthusiasts who saw a need for dedicated indoor facilities where players could enjoy the sport year-round. Recognizing the sport's rapid growth and community spirit, they set out to create the ultimate indoor pickleball experience. PickleRage offers a dynamic environment for both novice and advanced players to play, connect, and enjoy the sport. For more information on franchising with PickleRage, please visit https://picklerage.com. SOURCE PickleRage You've Paid for Tutoring. Here's How to Make Sure It Works. Decades of research have found that tutoring can substantially improve student achievement. The most effective programs defined as "high-impact tutoring" show impacts as large as a year of learning. Yet despite school districts investing upwards of $7.5 billion on tutoring between 2021 and 2024, and arguments for the effectiveness of tutoring as an intervention, results from the 2024 National Assessment of Educational Progress showed little overall change in students' reading skills and only small upticks in math compared to 2022. And while small-scale, randomized controlled trials have consistently found sizable benefits of tutoring on student learning, broader studies examining tutoring implemented under real-world conditions at scale have found much smaller and often null effects. The latest findings from a national study conducted by the University of Chicago and MDRC bring this challenge into a new light. During the 2023-24 school year, researchers examined in-person, virtual, and computer-assisted high-impact tutoring in eight large U.S. school districts, reaching over 17,000 students. Impacts were smaller than earlier meta-analyses, ranging from .06 to .09 standard deviations on standardized test scores the equivalent of one to two months of learning. Upon deeper review, however, these findings leave room for optimism. First, researchers found that lower-cost virtual tutoring models approximately $1,200/student were just as impactful as in-person models at $2,000/student, suggesting that tutoring can be less expensive without sacrificing impact. Second, these findings highlight what's possible when students receivetutoring that comes closer to the definition of "high-impact." For example, the effect of tutoring was largest about 3.5 months of learning in a New Mexico district where students received more than 2,000 minutes of tutoring per year. Across all districts in the study, this amount most closely aligned with the recommendations for implementing a high-impact model. The takeaway? As districts and states nationwide invest in tutoring, it remains one of the best tools in our educational toolkit, yielding positive impacts on student learning at scale. But to maximize return on investment, both financially and academically, we must focus on improving implementation. Here are five questions schools and districts should ask. 1) Does this program fit the requirements of "high-impact tutoring"? RED BANK, N.J., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Relief Mental Health is proud to announce that David Krasnov, PMHNPBC has joined its awardwinning Red Bank team in New Jersey. Krasnov is a board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner who provides medication management for children (age 7+), adolescents, and adults struggling with depression, anxiety and other issuesoffering both in-person care at the Red Bank clinic and virtual appointments throughout New Jersey. He also administers SPRAVATO (esketamine) treatment for adults with treatment-resistant depression or depression with suicidal thoughts. Medication management is the ongoing supervision of psychiatric medications to help patients achieve optimal mental health outcomes. This includes selecting appropriate medications, monitoring their effectiveness and side effects, adjusting dosages as needed, and ensuring coordination with other treatments. Under Krosnov's care, medication management is personalized to each individual's history and goalssupporting safe, effective, and evidencebased pharmacotherapy. SPRAVATO (esketamine) is an FDAapproved nasal spray used for treatmentresistant depression or depression accompanied by suicidal thoughts. It acts rapidlyoften relieving symptoms within hours to daysby targeting glutamate neurotransmission and promoting synaptic plasticity. Administered under medical supervision in Relief's certified clinical setting, SPRAVATO works differently than traditional antidepressants and is a powerful option for those who haven't responded to other forms of mental health treatment. Krasnov prioritizes an empathetic, stigmafree environment. He listens deeply to each patient and collaborates on individualized treatment plans. When appropriate, he incorporates other Relief services such as transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) and therapy to ensure comprehensive care. Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS) is a noninvasive, drugfree treatment using targeted magnetic pulses to stimulate brain regions involved in mood regulation. Relief Mental Health utilizes BrainsWay Deep TMS, the most advanced and effective technology available. FDA approved for depression, OCD, anxious depression, late life depression and smoking cessation, Deep TMS is a safe and well tolerated option. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, produces no systemic side effects, and allows patients to return to their normal activities immediately afterward. Talk Therapy: Licensed therapists provide evidencebased psychotherapy modalities to support emotional and psychological wellbeing. When combined, therapy, medication and SPRAVATO or TMS can yield stronger and more sustainable outcomes. Relief Mental Health has earned the BusinessRate BEST of 2024 Award for Mental Health Services in Red Bank, a testament to its dedication to excellence, patient satisfaction, and comprehensive mental health care. Krasnov holds a Master of Science in nursing from Fairleigh Dickinson University in New Jersey, a Bachelor of Science in nursing and a Bachelor of Arts in Cell Biology & Neuroscience from Rutgers University. He is boardcertified by the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Krasnov has immediate availability for appointments. Patients interested in starting care with Krasnov can call 855.205.4764 or complete an online appointment request. About Relief Mental Health Relief Mental Health is a leading outpatient provider of transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), SPRAVATO (esketamine), IV ketamine, psychiatry, and therapy, for the treatment of depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anxiety and other diagnoses. Founded in January 2020 and dedicated to delivering expedited care, Relief aims to create a new standard for mental health care, offering a continuum of innovative therapeutic interventions and responding to evolving patient needs. For more information, visit reliefmh.com. CONTACT: Melanie Eilers Chief Marketing Officer [email protected] SOURCE Relief Mental Health THE week saw 18,038,406 shares traded on the First Tier Market, an increase of 636.87% on the previous weeks total of 2,447,969 shares crossing the floor. The value of the shares traded was up 272.12% to $76,633,818.45 from the previous weeks value of $20,593,956.82. Massy Holdings Ltd (MASSY) was the volume leader for the week with 96.77% of the market activity or 17,455,994 shares traded, followed by Angostura Holdings Ltd (AHL) with 0.99% of the market activity or 177,759 shares traded. SIXTY-YEAR-OLD David Greeves died after he attempted to save his home which caught fire whil INDIA is saying in no uncertain terms that it is independent in the fullest sense of the wor Focus Group Research Reveals How Industry Leaders Are Balancing Digital Transformation with Human-Centered Claims Management CHICAGO, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rising Medical Solutions today announced the release of its 12th annual Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study Report. The newly published study examines how claims organizations are successfully navigating the challenge of implementing digital transformation while maintaining the human elements essential to optimal outcomes. Based on comprehensive, first-person focus group research conducted with claims and medical management executives, the latest annual report provides real-world strategies that high-performing organizations are using to deploy artificial intelligence (AI) to enhance human performance and strategic productivity while simultaneously investing in human judgment and emotional intelligence that technology cannot replicate. "The workers' compensation industry faces a pivotal challenge: how to harness AI's potential without sacrificing empathy or outcomes," said Rachel Fikes, Chief Experience Officer and Study Program Director at Rising Medical Solutions. "Our research reveals that successful organizations aren't choosing between technology and human connectionthey're strategically combining both to create better experiences for injured workers while improving operational efficiency and job satisfaction." Key Research Focus Areas Conducted late last year, the 2024 study concentrates on three industry challenges identified by executive participants as most critical to investigate during the focus group research exercise: Administrative & Regulatory Compliance Burden: With 46% of claims professionals spending 30-40% or more of their time on routine tasks, the research identifies how AI and automation can reduce this burden while freeing professionals to focus on higher-value, human-centered work. Industry Transformation through Technology & Customer Engagement: The study reveals strategies organizations are using to leverage customer-facing technologies from other industriessuch as banking, retail, and auto insuranceto rapidly advance technology ecosystems and create personalized digital experiences for injured workers. Talent Skills Gap & Attracting New Workforce Entrants: With demand for claims professionals at a 13-year high, the research explores how organizations are expanding recruitment pools, enhancing training programs that upskill claims staff in both emotional intelligence and the use of AI, and creating cultures that embrace innovation instead of resisting it. Real-World Solutions for the Future The resulting 2024 Report identifies practical use cases and actionable strategies that organizations should consider prioritizing in the next one to three years to drive competitive advantage. The report cites that organizations fully embracing AI see twice the measurable benefits compared to others, including increased productivity and profitability. However, the study emphasizes that successful digital transformation must start with understanding customer and frontline user needs rather than leading with technology. "Claims professionals bring irreplaceable expertise and compassion that technology should work to strengthen, not eliminate," noted Fikes. "Our research shows that organizations achieving the best outcomes are those that use AI to handle repetitive tasks while empowering their people to build stronger relationships with injured workers." Continuing its tradition of industry contribution, the 2024 Study Report is available to all stakeholders at no cost. Interested parties can request the 2024 Report here . About the Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study The Workers' Compensation Benchmarking Study is a national research program examining the complex forces impacting claims management in workers' compensation today. The study's mission is to advance claims management in the industry by providing both quantitative and qualitative data. Through survey research with claims leaders and practitioners nationwide, the program generates actionable intelligence for claims organizations to evaluate priorities, challenges, and strategies amongst their peers. Conceived and directed by Rising Medical Solutions, the ongoing program is a collaboration of industry executives representing diverse organizational perspectives, including the Study's Principal Researcher and Advisory Council: Denise Zoe Algire, Director of Health | Albertsons Companies Marcos Iglesias MD, VP, Chief Medical Director | AF Group Paul Kearney , Chief Claims Officer | AF Group , Chief Claims Officer | AF Group Robert Biltz, Vice President, Claims | AmTrust Financial Services Tyrone Spears , Chief, Workers' Compensation Division | City of Los Angeles , Chief, Workers' Compensation Division | Kelli Chapman , Vice President, Claims | Eastern Alliance Insurance Group , Vice President, Claims | Eastern Alliance Insurance Group Thomas Stark , Regional Vice President, Commercial Lines | Encova Insurance , Regional Vice President, Commercial Lines | Encova Insurance Daniel Conley, Partner, Senior Vice President, Director of Claims | FutureComp Helen Weber , Assistant Vice President, Head of Medical Strategy | The Hanover Insurance Group , Assistant Vice President, Head of Medical Strategy | The Hanover Insurance Group Adam Seidner, MD, Chief Medical Officer | The Hartford Victoria Kennedy, Vice President, Workers' Compensation | Linea Solutions Jaclyn Tiger , Senior Director, Claims, Workers' Compensation | Markel , Senior Director, Claims, Workers' Compensation | Markel Jennifer Barth, Vice President, Chief Legal & Claims Officer | MEM Stacy Foote, Vice President, Claims | The MEMIC Group Michele Lewis , Medical Services Director | Montana State Fund , Medical Services Director | Montana State Fund Molly Flanagan, Assistant Vice President, Workers' Compensation Claims | Nationwide Shannon DelGuercio, Director, Workers' Compensation | Publix Super Markets Brigitte Hamilton , Vice President of Claims | SAIF , Vice President of Claims | SAIF Sarah Grace, RN , Managing Director, Workers' Compensation Product Medical Innovation & Strategy | Travelers , Managing Director, Workers' Compensation Product Medical Innovation & Strategy | Travelers Brian Trick , Senior Director, Employee Health & Claim Services | Wegmans Food Markets About Rising Medical Solutions | We Make Lives Better. Rising Medical Solutions is a national managed care firm that provides medical cost containment and medical care management services to the workers' compensation, auto, liability, and group health markets. Rising's mission is to "make lives better," by taking the pain out of the healthcare experience for those providing, receiving, and paying for medical care. Media Contact: Rachel Fikes, [email protected] SOURCE Rising Medical Solutions LLC Breast augmentation is still one of the most sought-after cosmetic surgeries in the U.S. However, many women are put off by the idea of long recovery times and discomfort following the procedure. Dr. Martin Benjamin wants to change that. Being a board-certified plastic surgeon who has dual training, he introduces women to rapid recovery breast augmentation: a contemporary approach that keeps the patient in mind. Known as a Top Doctor by Castle Connolly, a leading healthcare research organization, Dr. Benjamin has gained recognition across the country. His practice is recognized for using advanced techniques, providing personalized care, and having an eye for detail. He shares here his experience on how to make breast augmentation easier and smarter. A Smarter Surgical Experience Rapid recovery breast augmentation offers an innovative approach to the surgical experience by focusing on comfort, efficiency, and attentive care. It is designed to get downtime down to zero while maintaining effects. It focuses on accuracy, minimizing trauma, and viewing pain management as a unified approach rather than separate tasks. Dr. Benjamin prefers not to start with a scalpel. Instead, he makes sure the whole breast area muscle and tissue included is numb so there is very little pain or swelling. When fewer incisions are made, there may be less swelling. This can help patients feel ready to do light activities sooner possibly within just a few days of surgery. Many patients can get back to their usual routines quicker than traditional methods would allow, Dr. Benjamin reports. The procedure has been improved for efficiency. The patient's well-being and safety remain the top priorities. This surgery is conducted with precision and accuracy and with the latest implant placement technique. Some patients report feeling well enough to resume light, easy activities within several weeks. Most women report that they feel pressure but no discomfortand get back to their schedules soon and with assurance. The Beauty of Customization No two patients are alike and neither are their procedures. At his practice in Scottsdale, Dr. Benjamin utilizes Vectra 3D imaging technology for consultations. This technology allows patients to preview potential results on a digital model of their own body and compare implant profiles such as moderate plus, full, high, or extra high to see how each would look in proportion to their frame. For those who want more than just a basic breast augmentation, Dr. Benjamin also does additional lift procedures. By lifting sagging tissue, he can create better symmetry and overall improve position during the same operation. Dr. Benjamin sums it up this way: The idea is to make things look right not only from a body proportion standpoint but also so that whatever someone chooses fits into their life. Why Rapid Recovery Matters Today, patients want results that look great but don't require a major break from their normal activities. That's where rapid recovery breast augmentation comes in. Most women are up and about taking care of themselves within a day. What many patients are saying after their procedure is truly remarkable. They get back to work, fun activities, and hanging out with friends faster than they ever expected. However, recovery still matters. You still need to heal properly, stresses Dr. Benjamin. To help with that, he and his team provide detailed written instructions for aftercare, see patients regularly once the operation has taken place, and can arrange for check-up consultations. Recovery should be empowering, not a process you go through alone, he says. We'll be there every step of the way. Expertise Backed by Excellence Dr. Benjamin has impressive credentials to match his impressive results. He completed residencies in both general surgery and plastic surgery and conducted early research on cancer epigenetics at MD Anderson Cancer Center. These experiences have provided him with a strong medical background. In addition to his scientific knowledge, Dr. Benjamin also has an artistic sensibility something that is necessary if one wants their work to both look good and make sense visually speaking. Others have recognized Dr. Benjamin's commitment to excellence as well. Castle Connolly was so impressed with his work that the company bestowed honors upon him. He has become known as a top-notch physician and leader within Arizona. Such awards from these respected organizations only serve to underscore this fact. Breast Augmentation, Reimagined Rapid recovery breast augmentation is fundamentally patient-centered. It's not just about getting larger breasts. Today, you can also have them refined while reducing scar tissue and improving healing time all with a more personalized experience from consultation through post-care. This philosophy guides Dr. Benjamin. For him, every surgery offers a chance not only to enhance appearance but to boost self-assurance and well-being, too. So patients no longer have to choose between impressive results and comfort. About Dr. Martin Benjamin Dr. Martin Benjamin, MD, FACS, is a board-certified plastic surgeon who practices in Scottsdale, Arizona. His areas of expertise include facial rejuvenation, body contouring, and breast augmentation. Patients can expect refined outcomes that enhance their natural appearance and align with their objectives. Whether visiting for a facelift or liposuction, they are treated with utmost respect for personal aesthetic boundaries. Dr. Benjamin has more than 10 years of experience performing surgery but constantly seeks ways to make procedures safer and better tailored to each patient. This content is provided for informational purposes only by the contributor and is not a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Please consult your healthcare provider for medical advice. Any views, thoughts or opinions in this contributor content belong solely to the contributor and do not represent the views of Lee Enterprises. Lee Enterprises newsroom and editorial were not involved in the creation of this content. As global conflicts intensify, a missile made in Tucson has landed Raytheon a $3.5 billion contract from the Department of Defense. The contract is for the companys advanced medium-range air-to-air missiles (AMRAAM) production for the U.S. Air Force and Navy, as well as foreign military. DOD said foreign military sales are to Denmark, Belgium, Japan, Netherlands, Canada, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Spain, Poland, Sweden, Taiwan, Lithuania, United Kingdom, Australia, Switzerland, Ukraine, Israel and Kuwait. The Tucson work is expected to be complete in 2031. AMRAAM continues to give allied forces a decisive edge in combat, said Sam Deneke, president of Air & Space Defense Systems at Raytheon. This award underscores the critical role that the fifth-generation AMRAAM plays in maintaining air superiority and will ensure service members have the advanced technology needed to stay ahead of adversary threats. The contract represents Raytheons largest order, and its AMRAAM is currently in service with 44 countries. Incumbent Tucson City Councilmember Kevin Dahl declared victory Tuesday night over his challenger, Sadie Shaw, in a tight Democratic primary race in Ward 3. Dahl had 2,993 votes to Shaw's 2,855, a 138-vote margin. Election officials were done counting ballots for the night, but citywide, 1,777 votes still need to be counted, city spokesman Andy Squire said. It wasn't clear how many of those are from Democrats in Ward 3. The outstanding ballots won't be counted until Monday, after their signatures are verified, Squire said. The winner of the Democratic primary will face Republican Janet "JL" Wittenbraker in the Nov. 4 general election. Dahl said his 3% margin over Shaw so far was enough for him to declare a primary victory that will be confirmed. My fellow candidate for Ward 3 did a pretty good job campaigning, and it's pretty close, but it's not too close to call. It's just a close call, he said. (The margin) means that every vote does count, and every door knock counts, every phone call made. It's a strange time, and it's a time that Democrats have to rise to the opportunity and the challenge that we're facing, Dahl said. You hear it and see it in the news, read it in the news every day. We need to be the voice of democracy. We need to be the voice of justice. We need to protect the environment. We need to talk about climate change. Shaw, a Tucson Unified School District board member, said Wednesday that Dahl's victory speech was "absolutely" premature given the amount of outstanding votes. "We're super close ... if I was him, if things were turned around and I was up 138 votes, I would not have made a victory speech. But you know, he's confident enough to do that, so we'll what happens," she said. "I'm very pleased with how much support we've gotten thus far. With almost 2,000 and maybe 600 (votes) or more in my ward left to be counted, I think it's just too close to call and we're hopeful that we're going to close that margin. "Whatever happens I'm just so grateful for all the support that I received," she said. Dahl, a longtime conservationist who led the environmentalist groups Tucson Audubon Society and Native Seeds/SEARCH, is seeking a second term after first taking office in 2021. Prior to being elected, he served as the Arizona senior program manager at the National Parks Conservation Association. His focus on the council since being elected has been in the environmental and conservation vein. Shaw, who grew up in the Sugar Hill neighborhood of Ward 3, was elected to the TUSD Governing Board in 2020 and won a second term there last November. She also currently serves on the Tucson Juneteenth Festival Board and is the public art and community design administrator for the Arts Foundation for Tucson and Southern Arizona. Ward 3, which encompasses midtown and the northwest boundaries of the city, is a Democratic stronghold by a nearly three-to-one margin. As of Monday, there are 20,635 registered Democrats and 7,949 registered Republicans in the midtown ward, according to the Pima County Recorder's Office. The second-largest voting block, 16,757, are independent voters. OKLAHOMA CITY, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SandRidge Energy, Inc. (the "Company" or "SandRidge") (NYSE: SD) today announced financial and operational results for the three and six-month periods ended June 30, 2025. Recent Highlights On August 5, 2025 , the Board declared a $0.12 per share dividend, an increase of 9%, of the Company's common stock, payable on September 29, 2025 to shareholders of record on September 22, 2025 . Shareholders may elect to receive cash or additional shares of common stock through the Company's newly authorized Dividend Reinvestment Plan , the Board declared a per share dividend, an increase of 9%, of the Company's common stock, payable on to shareholders of record on . Shareholders may elect to receive cash or additional shares of common stock through the Company's newly authorized Dividend Reinvestment Plan As of June 30, 2025 , the Company had $104.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash , the Company had of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash Production averaged 17.8 MBoe per day during the second quarter, an increase of 19% on a Boe basis versus the same period in 2024. Oil production increased 46% and total revenues increased 33% during the quarter versus the same period in 2024, driven by production from our Cherokee acquisition and operated development program During the quarter, the first well of the Company's ongoing one-rig Cherokee development program was turned to sales with a peak 30-day initial production ("IP") rate of approximately 2,300 gross Boe per day (~49% oil) Second quarter net income of $19.6 million , or $0.53 per basic share. Adjusted net income (1) of $12.2 million , or $0.33 per basic share , or per basic share. Adjusted net income of , or per basic share Adjusted EBITDA (1) of $22.8 million for the three-month period ended June 30, 2025 of for the three-month period ended Adjusted G&A(1) of $2.4 million , or $1.48 per Boe for the three-month period ended June 30, 2025 , a 20% reduction on a Boe basis from the same period in 2024 Financial Results & Update Profitability Dollars in thousands (except per share data) 2Q25 1Q25 Change vs 1Q25 2Q24 Change vs 2Q24 Net income $ 19,558 $ 13,049 $ 6,509 $ 8,794 $ 10,764 Net Income per share $ 0.53 $ 0.35 $ 0.18 $ 0.24 $ 0.29 Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,850 $ 20,331 $ 2,519 $ 11,412 $ 11,438 Adjusted net income(1) $ 12,236 $ 14,534 $ (2,298) $ 6,353 $ 5,883 Adjusted net income per share(1) $ 0.33 $ 0.39 $ (0.06) $ 0.17 $ 0.16 Adjusted operating cash flow(1) $ 25,561 $ 26,346 $ (785) $ 15,384 $ 10,177 Adjusted EBITDA(1) $ 22,822 $ 25,491 $ (2,669) $ 12,934 $ 9,888 Free cash flow(1) $ 9,813 $ 13,595 $ (3,782) $ 8,967 $ 846 Operational Results & Update Production, Revenue & Realized Prices 2Q25 1Q25 Change vs 1Q25 2Q24 Change vs 2Q24 Production MBoe 1,619 1,607 12 1,363 256 MBoed 17.8 17.9 (0.1) 15.0 2.8 Oil as percentage of production 17 % 17 % % 14 % 3 % Natural gas as percentage of production 49 % 49 % % 54 % (5) % NGLs as percentage of production 34 % 34 % % 32 % 2 % Revenues Oil, natural gas and NGL revenues $34,531 $42,604 $(8,073) $25,977 $8,554 Oil as percentage of revenues 49 % 44 % 5 % 57 % (8) % Natural gas as percentage of revenues 25 % 30 % (5) % 11 % 14 % NGLs as percentage of revenues 26 % 26 % % 32 % (6) % Realized Prices Realized oil price per barrel $62.80 $69.88 $(7.08) $79.54 $(16.74) Realized natural gas price per Mcf $1.82 $2.69 $(0.87) $0.66 $1.16 Realized NGL price per barrel $16.10 $20.07 $(3.97) $18.99 $(2.89) Realized price per Boe $21.33 $26.51 $(5.18) $19.06 $2.27 Production, Revenues and Realized Prices Boe and oil production for the second quarter increased by approximately 19% and 46%, respectively, versus the same period in 2024, contributing to increased revenues year-over-year. Second quarter production levels were relatively flat versus the first quarter of 2025 with production from the first well in the Company's operated drilling program only contributing to a portion of second quarter volumes. While revenues and realized prices were improved in the first half of 2025 versus the first half of 2024, reductions in West Texas Intermediate ("WTI") and Henry Hub ("HH") benchmarks throughout the first half of 2025 resulted in lower commodity realizations and revenues quarter-over-quarter. Operating Costs During the second quarter and first half of 2025, lease operating expense ("LOE") was $6.6 million and $17.5 million or $4.05 and $5.42 per Boe, respectively. Lease operating expenses improved versus the second quarter in 2024 primarily due to a $2.1 million one-time non-cash adjustment of an operating accrual dating back to the Company's emergence from Bankruptcy, as well as continued efficient operations and increased sales volumes associated with our Cherokee acquisition in 2024 and ongoing development program. The Company continues to focus on its operating costs and on safely maximizing the value of its asset base through prudent expenditure programs, cost management efforts, and continuous pursuit of efficiency in the field. Liquidity & Capital Structure As of June 30, 2025, the Company had $104.2 million of cash and cash equivalents, including restricted cash, deposited with multiple, well-capitalized financial institutions. The Company has no outstanding term or revolving debt obligations. Dividend Program Dollars in thousands Total 2Q25 1Q25 2024 2023 Special dividends(2) $ 130,206 $ $ $ 55,868 $ 74,338 Quarterly dividends(2) $ 32,009 $ 4,066 $ 4,077 $ 16,426 $ 7,440 Total dividends(2) $ 162,215 $ 4,066 $ 4,077 $ 72,294 $ 81,778 Total 2Q25 1Q25 2024 2023 Special dividends per share $ 3.50 $ $ $ 1.50 $ 2.00 Quarterly dividends per share $ 0.86 $ 0.11 $ 0.11 $ 0.44 $ 0.20 Total dividends per share $ 4.36 $ 0.11 $ 0.11 $ 1.94 $ 2.20 On August 5, 2025, the Board declared a $0.12 per share dividend, an increase of 9%, of the Company's common stock, payable on September 29, 2025 to shareholders of record on September 22, 2025. Shareholders may elect to receive cash or additional shares of common stock through the Company's newly authorized Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Share Repurchases The Company continues to opportunistically repurchase shares under its 10b5-1 program. During the six months ended June 30, 2025, the Company repurchased 0.5 million shares for $6.0 million at an average price of $10.89 per share. Of the $75 million repurchase authorization, $69 million remained outstanding. Outlook We remain committed to growing the value of our asset base in a safe, responsible and efficient manner, while prudently allocating capital to high-return, growth projects. Currently, these projects include: (1) One-rig development in the Cherokee Shale Play (2) Evaluation of accretive merger and acquisition opportunities, with consideration of our strong balance sheet and commitment to our capital return program (3) Production Optimization program through artificial lift conversions to more efficient and cost-effective systems and high-graded recompletions and (4) A leasing program that will bolster future development and extend development in our Cherokee assets. Our leaseholds are approximately 95% held by production, which cost-effectively maintains our development option over a reasonable tenor. We will continue to monitor forward-looking commodity prices, project results, costs, impacts of tariffs and other factors that could influence returns and cash flows, and will adjust our program accordingly, to include curtailment of capital activity and wells, if needed, or conversely, well reactivations in higher commodity price environments. These and other factors, including reasonable reinvestment rates, maintaining our cash flows and prioritizing our regular-way dividend, will continue to shape our development decisions for the remainder of the year and beyond. Environmental, Social, & Governance ("ESG") SandRidge maintains its Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") commitment to harvesting the Company's resources in a safe and environmentally conscious manner, to include no routine flaring of produced natural gas, transporting nearly all of our produced water via pipeline instead of truck, and powering nearly all our well sites with electricity, mitigating the need for less efficient power sources. Via a 24-hour manned operations center and dedicated personnel trained in the use of infrared leak detection and other specialized equipment, the Company continually monitors our asset base for potential emissions and continually works to optimize efficiency through initiatives such as proactive artificial lift upgrades that reduce SandRidge's electric power consumption. Additionally, SandRidge maintains an emphasis on the safety and training of our workforce with a demonstrable safety track record integral to our culture. The Company has personnel dedicated to the close monitoring of our safety standards and daily operations. Conference Call Information The Company will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at 1:00 pm CT. The conference call can be accessed by registering online in advance at https://registrations.events/direct/Q4I231503.6267774588438875e+24 at which time registrants will receive dial-in information as well as a conference ID. At the time of the call, participants will dial in using the participant number and conference ID provided upon registration. The Company's latest presentation is available on the Company's website at investors.sandridgeenergy.com. A live audio webcast of the conference call will also be available via SandRidge's website, investors.sandridgeenergy.com, under Presentation & Events. The webcast will be archived for replay on the Company's website for at least 30 days. Contact Information Investor Relations SandRidge Energy, Inc. 1 E. Sheridan Ave. Suite 500 Oklahoma City, OK 73104 [email protected] About SandRidge Energy, Inc. SandRidge Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SD) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the production, development, and acquisition of oil and gas properties. Its primary area of operation is the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Further information can be found at sandridgeenergy.com. -Tables to Follow- (1) See "Non-GAAP Financial Measures" section at the end of this press release for non-GAAP financial measures definitions. (2) Includes dividends payable on unvested restricted stock awards. Operational and Financial Statistics Information regarding the Company's production, pricing, costs and earnings is presented below (unaudited): Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Production - Total Oil (MBbl) 270 185 540 393 Natural Gas (MMcf) 4,801 4,443 9,520 9,250 NGL (MBbl) 548 437 1,099 804 Oil equivalent (MBoe) 1,619 1,363 3,226 2,739 Daily production (MBoed) 17.8 15.0 17.8 15.0 Average price per unit Realized oil price per barrel - as reported $ 62.80 $ 79.54 $ 66.34 $ 77.18 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel 1.33 0.68 Net realized price per barrel $ 64.13 $ 79.54 $ 67.02 $ 77.18 Realized natural gas price per Mcf - as reported $ 1.82 $ 0.66 $ 2.25 $ 0.97 Realized impact of derivatives per Mcf 0.23 0.11 Net realized price per Mcf $ 2.05 $ 0.66 $ 2.36 $ 0.97 Realized NGL price per barrel - as reported $ 16.10 $ 18.99 $ 18.09 $ 21.11 Realized impact of derivatives per barrel 0.08 (0.12) Net realized price per barrel $ 16.18 $ 18.99 $ 17.97 $ 21.11 Realized price per Boe - as reported $ 21.33 $ 19.06 $ 23.91 $ 20.54 Net realized price per Boe - including impact of derivatives $ 22.25 $ 19.06 $ 24.32 $ 20.54 Average cost per Boe Lease operating $ 4.05 $ 6.41 $ 5.42 $ 7.17 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes $ 1.33 $ 1.35 $ 1.63 $ 1.36 Depletion (1) $ 5.12 $ 3.19 $ 5.18 $ 3.08 Earnings per share Earnings per share applicable to common stockholders Basic $ 0.53 $ 0.24 $ 0.88 $ 0.54 Diluted $ 0.53 $ 0.24 $ 0.88 $ 0.54 Adjusted net income per share available to common stockholders Basic $ 0.33 $ 0.17 $ 0.73 $ 0.40 Diluted $ 0.33 $ 0.17 $ 0.73 $ 0.40 Weighted average number of shares outstanding (in thousands) Basic 36,661 37,083 36,850 37,063 Diluted 36,677 37,158 36,884 37,108 (1) Includes accretion of asset retirement obligation. Capital Expenditures The table below presents actual results of the Company's capital expenditures for the six months ended June 30, 2025 (unaudited): Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 (In thousands) Drilling, completion, and capital workovers $ 24,533 Leasehold and geophysical 3,151 Capital expenditures (on an accrual basis) $ 27,684 (excluding acquisitions and plugging and abandonment) Derivatives The below details the Company's hedging positions as of June 30, 2025: Period Index Daily Volume Weighted Average Price Oil (Bbl) Fixed Price Swaps July 2025 - December 2025 NYMEX WTI 500 $71.60 January 2026 - June 2026 NYMEX WTI 300 $68.67 Producer Costless Collars July 2025 - December 2025 NYMEX WTI 675 $61.57 Put / $78.02 Call Natural Gas (MMBtu) Fixed Price Swaps July 2025 - December 2025 NYMEX Henry Hub 8,500 $4.17 January 2026 - December 2026 NYMEX Henry Hub 4,500 $4.09 Producer Costless Collars July 2025 - December 2025 NYMEX Henry Hub 20,500 $3.79 Put / $7.08Call January 2026 - December 2026 NYMEX Henry Hub 4,500 $3.35 Put / $5.35 Call NGL (Bbl) Fixed Price Swaps July 2025 - December 2025 Mont Belvieu OPIS - C3+(1) 300 $39.69 July 2025 - December 2025 Mont Belvieu OPIS - Ethane(2) 325 $11.76 ____________________ (1) Excludes ethane (2) Ethane only Capitalization The Company's capital structure as of June 30, 2025 and December 31, 2024 is presented below: June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 (In thousands) Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 104,199 $ 99,511 Long-term debt $ $ Total debt Stockholders' equity Common stock 37 37 Additional paid-in capital 987,484 1,000,455 Accumulated deficit (507,354) (539,961) Total SandRidge Energy, Inc. stockholders' equity 480,167 460,531 Total capitalization $ 480,167 $ 460,531 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Income Statements (Unaudited) (In thousands, except per share amounts) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 Revenues Oil, natural gas and NGL $ 34,531 $ 25,977 $ 77,135 $ 56,260 Total revenues 34,531 25,977 77,135 56,260 Expenses Lease operating expenses 6,556 8,738 17,473 19,630 Production, ad valorem, and other taxes 2,158 1,841 5,257 3,737 Depreciation and depletion oil and natural gas 8,290 4,350 16,706 8,426 Depreciation and amortization other 1,612 1,664 3,215 3,342 General and administrative 3,028 3,050 6,881 6,382 Restructuring expenses 412 81 452 81 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (6,059) (3,572) Other operating (income) expense, net 33 24 Total expenses 15,997 19,757 46,412 41,622 Income from operations 18,534 6,220 30,723 14,638 Other income (expense) Interest income (expense), net 1,027 2,491 1,887 5,189 Other income (expense), net (3) 83 (3) 92 Total other income (expense) 1,024 2,574 1,884 5,281 Income (loss) before income taxes 19,558 8,794 32,607 19,919 Income tax (benefit) expense Net income (loss) $ 19,558 $ 8,794 $ 32,607 $ 19,919 Net income (loss) per share Basic $ 0.53 $ 0.24 $ 0.88 $ 0.54 Diluted $ 0.53 $ 0.24 $ 0.88 $ 0.54 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding Basic 36,661 37,083 36,850 37,063 Diluted 36,677 37,158 36,884 37,108 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) (In thousands) June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 102,816 $ 98,128 Restricted cash 1,383 1,383 Accounts receivable, net 23,574 23,878 Derivative contracts 2,964 114 Prepaid expenses 3,410 3,370 Other current assets 1,960 780 Total current assets 136,107 127,653 Oil and natural gas properties, using full cost method of accounting Proved 1,712,530 1,689,807 Unproved 29,916 23,504 Less: accumulated depreciation, depletion and impairment (1,429,357) (1,415,110) 313,089 298,201 Other property, plant and equipment, net 78,266 80,689 Derivative contracts 86 Other assets 2,010 2,081 Deferred tax assets, net of valuation allowance 72,801 72,801 Total assets $ 602,273 $ 581,511 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 49,418 $ 50,625 Asset retirement obligations 9,014 9,131 Other current liabilities 811 839 Total current liabilities 59,243 60,595 Derivative contracts 511 Asset retirement obligations 61,644 59,449 Other long-term obligations 708 936 Total liabilities 122,106 120,980 Stockholders' Equity Common stock, $0.001 par value; 250,000 shares authorized; 36,752 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2025 and 37,203 issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 37 37 Additional paid-in capital 987,484 1,000,455 Accumulated deficit (507,354) (539,961) Total stockholders' equity 480,167 460,531 Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $ 602,273 $ 581,511 SandRidge Energy, Inc. and Subsidiaries Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) (In thousands) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES Net income $ 32,607 $ 19,919 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities Depreciation, depletion, and amortization 19,921 11,768 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (3,572) Settlement gains (losses) on derivative contracts 1,319 Stock-based compensation 1,370 1,072 Other 262 80 Changes in operating assets and liabilities (8,726) (5,746) Net cash provided by operating activities 43,181 27,093 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment (22,011) (3,575) Acquisition of assets (4,427) (2,103) Purchase of other property and equipment (562) (12) Sales tax refund on completion costs 2,800 Proceeds from sale of assets 455 571 Net cash used in investing activities (23,745) (5,119) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES Dividends paid to shareholders (8,191) (64,003) Reduction of financing lease liability (406) (396) Repurchases of common stock (5,927) Tax withholdings paid in exchange for shares withheld on employee vested stock awards (224) (227) Net cash used in financing activities (14,748) (64,626) NET (DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH 4,688 (42,652) CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, beginning of year 99,511 253,944 CASH, CASH EQUIVALENTS and RESTRICTED CASH, end of period $ 104,199 $ 211,292 Supplemental Disclosure of Cash Flow Information Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized $ (66) $ (64) Supplemental Disclosure of Noncash Investing and Financing Activities Capital expenditures for property, plant and equipment in accounts payables and accrued expenses $ 6,852 $ 641 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for financing lease obligations $ 229 $ 230 Inventory material transfers to oil and natural gas properties $ 3 $ 71 Asset retirement obligation capitalized $ 38 $ Asset retirement obligation removed due to divestiture $ (288) $ Accrued excise tax on repurchases of common stock $ 47 $ Change in dividends payable $ 48 $ (65) Non-GAAP Financial Measures This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP measures are not alternatives to GAAP measures, and you should not consider these non-GAAP measures in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Below is additional disclosure regarding each of the non-GAAP measures used in this press release, including reconciliations to their most directly comparable GAAP measure. Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted Operating Cash Flow The Company defines adjusted operating cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities before changes in operating assets and liabilities as shown in the following table. Adjusted operating cash flow is a supplemental financial measure used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, rating agencies and others who follow the industry as an indicator of the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities or incur new debt. The Company also uses this measure because operating cash flow relates to the timing of cash receipts and disbursements that the Company may not control and may not relate to the period in which the operating activities occurred. Further, adjusted operating cash flow allows the Company to compare its operating performance and return on capital with those of other companies without regard to financing methods and capital structure. This measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,850 $ 11,412 $ 43,181 $ 27,093 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 2,711 3,972 8,726 5,746 Adjusted operating cash flow $ 25,561 $ 15,384 $ 51,907 $ 32,839 Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow The Company defines free cash flow as net cash provided by operating activities plus net cash (used in) provided by investing activities less the cash flow impact of acquisitions and divestitures. Free cash flow is a supplemental financial measure used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, rating agencies and others who follow the industry as an indicator of the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities or incur new debt. This measure should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for net cash provided by operating or investing activities prepared in accordance with GAAP. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,850 $ 11,412 $ 43,181 $ 27,093 Net cash used in investing activities (14,490) (4,015) (23,745) (5,119) Acquisition of assets 1,859 2,103 4,427 2,103 Proceeds from sale of assets (406) (533) (455) (571) Free cash flow $ 9,813 $ 8,967 $ 23,408 $ 23,506 Reconciliation of Net Income to EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA The Company defines EBITDA as net income before income tax (benefit) expense, interest expense, depreciation and amortization - other and depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas. Adjusted EBITDA, as presented herein, is EBITDA excluding items that management believes affect the comparability of operating results such as items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Adjusted EBITDA is presented because management believes it provides useful additional information used by the Company's management and by securities analysts, investors, lenders, ratings agencies and others who follow the industry for analysis of the Company's financial and operating performance on a recurring basis and the Company's ability to internally fund exploration and development activities or incur new debt. In addition, management believes that adjusted EBITDA is widely used by professional research analysts and others in the valuation, comparison and investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas industry. The Company's adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands) Net Income $ 19,558 $ 8,794 $ 32,607 $ 19,919 Adjusted for Depreciation and depletion - oil and natural gas 8,290 4,350 16,706 8,426 Depreciation and amortization - other 1,612 1,664 3,215 3,342 Interest expense 38 31 61 64 EBITDA 29,498 14,839 52,589 31,751 Stock-based compensation 720 536 1,370 1,072 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (6,059) (3,572) Settlement gains (losses) on derivative contracts 1,478 1,319 Restructuring expenses 412 81 452 81 Interest income (1,065) (2,522) (1,948) (5,253) Other (2,162) (1,897) Adjusted EBITDA $ 22,822 $ 12,934 $ 48,313 $ 27,651 Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 2025 2024 (In thousands) Net cash provided by operating activities $ 22,850 $ 11,412 $ 43,181 $ 27,093 Changes in operating assets and liabilities 2,711 3,972 8,726 5,746 Interest expense 38 31 61 64 Interest income (1,065) (2,522) (1,948) (5,253) Other (1,712) 41 (1,707) 1 Adjusted EBITDA $ 22,822 $ 12,934 $ 48,313 $ 27,651 Reconciliation of Net Income Available to Common Stockholders to Adjusted Net Income Available to Common Stockholders The Company defines adjusted net income as net income excluding items that management believes affect the comparability of operating results and are typically excluded from published estimates by the investment community, including items whose timing and/or amount cannot be reasonably estimated or are non-recurring, as shown in the following tables. Management uses the supplemental measure of adjusted net income as an indicator of the Company's operational trends and performance relative to other oil and natural gas companies and believes it is more comparable to earnings estimates provided by securities analysts. Adjusted net income is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for net income available to common stockholders. Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 $ $/Diluted Share $ $/Diluted Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net income available to common stockholders $ 19,558 $ 0.53 $ 8,794 $ 0.24 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (6,059) (0.17) Settlement gains (losses) on derivative contracts 1,478 0.04 Restructuring expenses 412 0.01 81 Interest income (1,065) (0.03) (2,522) (0.07) Other (2,088) (0.05) Adjusted net income available to common stockholders $ 12,236 $ 0.33 $ 6,353 $ 0.17 Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 36,661 36,677 37,083 37,158 Total adjusted net income per share $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.17 $ 0.17 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 $ $/Diluted Share $ $/Diluted Share (In thousands, except per share amounts) Net income available to common stockholders $ 32,607 $ 0.88 $ 19,919 $ 0.54 (Gain) loss on derivative contracts (3,572) (0.09) Settlement gains (losses) on derivative contracts 1,319 0.04 Restructuring expenses 452 0.01 81 Interest income (1,948) (0.05) (5,253) (0.14) Other (2,088) (0.06) Adjusted net income available to common stockholders $ 26,770 $ 0.73 $ 14,747 $ 0.40 Basic Diluted Basic Diluted Weighted average number of common shares outstanding 36,850 36,884 37,063 37,108 Total adjusted net income per share $ 0.73 $ 0.73 $ 0.40 $ 0.40 Reconciliation of General and Administrative to Adjusted G&A The Company reports and provides guidance on Adjusted G&A per Boe because it believes this measure is commonly used by management, analysts and investors as an indicator of cost management and operating efficiency on a comparable basis from period to period and to compare and make investment recommendations of companies in the oil and gas industry. This non-GAAP measure allows for the analysis of general and administrative spend without regard to stock-based compensation programs and other non-recurring cash items, if any, which can vary significantly between companies. Adjusted G&A per Boe is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP and should not be considered a substitute for general and administrative expense per Boe. Therefore, the Company's Adjusted G&A per Boe may not be comparable to other companies' similarly titled measures. The Company defines adjusted G&A as general and administrative expense adjusted for certain non-cash stock-based compensation and other non-recurring items, if any, as shown in the following tables: Three Months Ended June 30, 2025 Three Months Ended June 30, 2024 $ $/Boe $ $/Boe (In thousands, except per Boe amounts) General and administrative $ 3,028 $ 1.87 $ 3,050 $ 2.24 Stock-based compensation (720) (0.44) (536) (0.39) Other 74 0.05 Adjusted G&A $ 2,382 $ 1.48 $ 2,514 $ 1.85 Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 Six Months Ended June 30, 2024 $ $/Boe $ $/Boe (In thousands, except per Boe amounts) General and administrative $ 6,881 $ 2.13 $ 6,382 $ 2.33 Stock-based compensation (1,370) (0.42) (1,072) (0.39) Other (191) (0.06) Adjusted G&A $ 5,320 $ 1.65 $ 5,310 $ 1.94 Cautionary Note to Investors - This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance and reflect SandRidge's current beliefs and expectations regarding future events and operating performance. The forward-looking statements include projections and estimates of the Company's corporate strategies, anticipated financial impacts of acquisitions, future operations, development plans and appraisal programs, drilling inventory and locations, estimated oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids production, price realizations and differentials, hedging program, projected operating, general and administrative and other costs, projected capital expenditures, tax rates, efficiency and cost reduction initiative outcomes, liquidity and capital structure and the Company's unaudited proved developed PV-10 reserve value of its Mid-Continent assets. We have based these forward-looking statements on our current expectations and assumptions and analyses made by us in light of our experience and our perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances. However, whether actual results and developments will conform with our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including the Company's ability to execute, integrate and realize the benefits of acquisitions, and the performance of the acquired interests, the volatility of oil and natural gas prices, our success in discovering, estimating, developing and replacing oil and natural gas reserves, actual decline curves and the actual effect of adding compression to natural gas wells, the availability and terms of capital, the ability of counterparties to transactions with us to meet their obligations, our timely execution of hedge transactions, credit conditions of global capital markets, changes in economic conditions, the amount and timing of future development costs, the availability and demand for alternative energy sources, regulatory changes, including those related to carbon dioxide and greenhouse gas emissions, and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. We refer you to the discussion of risk factors in Part I, Item 1A - "Risk Factors" of our Annual Report on Form 10-K and in comparable "Risk Factor" sections of our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed after such form 10-K. All of the forward-looking statements made in this press release are qualified by these cautionary statements. The actual results or developments anticipated may not be realized or, even if substantially realized, they may not have the expected consequences to or effects on our Company or our business or operations. Such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, including annual guidance, except as required by law. SandRidge Energy, Inc. (NYSE: SD) is an independent oil and gas company engaged in the production, development, and acquisition of oil and gas properties. Its primary area of operation is the Mid-Continent region in Oklahoma, Texas, and Kansas. Further information can be found at sandridgeenergy.com. SOURCE SANDRIDGE ENERGY, INC. Auditions: Outback Truckers Male and female truckies wanted for next season of 7mate series. Outback Truckers own Steve Graham is calling for more truckies -male and female- to join the 7mate series. If you reckon youve got what it takes to tame the outback and keep Australia movin, then maybe its time you joined us on Outback Truckers. Were looking for more tough-as-nails truckies who can take on the wildest roads and heaviest loads Australia can throw at them, say producers. If your rigs got character, your UHFs permanently stuck on channel banter, and youve got a yarn or two about outback trucking we want You for Season 12 of Outback Truckers. Send an email to [email protected] Season 11 will premiere later this month on 7mate. Australian Story: Aug 11 Australian Story visits the Nadesalingam family in Bioela, six years after an immigration raid. They were once the most famous refugee family in Australia. But where are they now? Australian Story visits the Nadesalingams in Bioela, six years after an immigration raid. When the Nadesalingams were removed at dawn from their home in Biloela in 2018 and put in immigration detention, a group of locals launched a campaign to bring them back. For the next four years, the Tamil family captured the nations attention as they were moved from one detention centre to another, fought countless legal battles and staved off multiple deportations attempts. A novice band of campaigners from the small central Queensland town was up against a federal government determined to take a hard line on immigration. It looked like an unwinnable campaign for, for such a long time, says Simone Cameron, one of the #HometoBilo campaigners. I thought, Oh, we are no match for this government. It was an unforgettable and long campaign, says Priya. When I think now how hard they worked for our family, I get very emotional. We first told their story in 2021, when the family was in community detention in Perth. Since then, the campaign achieved its goal and Priya, Nades and their two daughters Kopika and Tharnicaa were allowed to return to Biloela. It was an unforgettable moment. I felt like crying, Nades tells Australian Story. I felt like I was reborn and had come to Biloela in my next life. We revisit the family to hear how they survived the uncertainty and scrutiny of those four years, how life is now and their hopes for their childrens future. The mayor of Biloela, Nev Ferrier, is sure that despite the heartache, the campaign has put his town on the map. People know where Biloela is now, he says. Its changed the town. Its put us out there. It makes us feel proud. Producer: Lisa McGregor. 8pm Monday August 11 on ABC. Great Australian Road Trips: Aug 7 Steph Tisdell takes Claudia Karvan along the scenic Great Barrier Reef drive from Cairns to Cape Tribulation, Qld. This week on Great Australian Road Trips Steph Tisdell takes Claudia Karvan to Far North Queensland along the scenic Great Barrier Reef drive from Cairns to World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation. Steph takes Claudia to her Country on an iconic road trip through Far North Queensland from the Atherton Tablelands to the Daintree Rainforest. On this road trip, Steph takes Claudia to Far North Queensland along the scenic Great Barrier Reef drive from Cairns to World Heritage-listed Cape Tribulation. They start their drive through the Atherton Tablelands to Lake Barrine. This is Yidinji Country, which is Stephs Country, and an incredibly special place. Steph introduces Claudia to her mob Uncle Laurence and Cousin Leanne, and pays her respects to her Elders, including two ancient Kowrie trees. After a cruise on the lake and a dip to cool off, our hosts head to Kuranda, a hippy market tucked into a clifftop rainforest, where they meet some locals and partake in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony. Back on the road, Claudia, and Steph pass through lush sugar cane country, making a detour to meet Peter Verri, a third-generation cane farmer whose family came over from Italy in the 1920s. It is then on to a spectacular stretch of road: the iconic Great Barrier Reef Drive, which takes them from the Coral Coast all the way to the Daintree Rainforest but not before a trip across the croc-infested Daintree River on the cable ferry! There is nothing like experiencing the rainforest from up above the canopy. Steph and Claudia make their way to the Daintree Rainforest observatory, a field station nestled at the base of Mount Sorrow. Despite her fear of heights, Steph joins her travel companion on a memorable adventure up the 47-metre-high 5 observation crane. And wow, does the view make it worth it. What a way to end this tropical road trip. 7:30pm Thursday on SBS. Seven News: promo Seven unveils a new brand campaign, "Connecting You." 7News has launched a new brand campaign: Connecting You, which features emotional reflections from news anchors and senior correspondents across Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, Perth and regional Queensland. Appearing in the promos are faces including Mark Ferguson, Angela Cox, Michael Usher, Chris Reason, Peter Mitchell, Rebecca Maddern, Jane Bunn, Mike Amor, Rosanna Mangiarelli, Will Goodings, Susannah Carr, Rick Ardon, Max Futcher, Sarah Greenhalgh, Mark Riley and Hugh Whitfeld. Sevens Network Director of News and Current Affairs, Ray Kuka, said: More than a tagline, Connecting You is a promise. It positions 7News as the essential link between people and what matters most news that affects their families, their communities and their futures. Our journalists live and work in the communities they report on. Connecting You honours that deep local connection, while reinforcing the national strength of a brand trusted by millions. At a time when trust, relevance and clarity matter more than ever, Connecting You reflects not just the service 7News provides but why it matters. The truth has never mattered more, and nothing beats the detail and credibility that comes from our reporters in the thick of it. Not making calls from behind a desk or guessing from an internet search out there, front and centre, connecting viewers with the facts and the pictures. Whether reporting from the field or delivering the days headlines, our journalists represent the connection 7News has built with viewers over decades locally, statewide and nationally. Network anchor Michael Usher said: If we dont connect with anyone watching our news or interviews, we havent done our jobs properly. Connecting You is so simple but so important letting you know what it means, why its important, why we should care is all part of the most fundamental reason we do what we do. Chief Reporter Chris Reason said: Ive travelled hundreds of thousands of kilometres around the world on assignment for 7News, connecting Australians with the global issues that matter most. We strive to put Australians right there on the scene whether its the frontline of conflict or the front row of major events. We want Australians to feel like they are witnessing these moments for themselves, through Australian eyes. We take the risk, so you can take the journey. Adelaides Rosanna Mangiarelli said: At 7News, we stand for community and connection. Everything we do is for all Australians. We give them a voice, weve got their backs, and were here to inform, support, and make life a little easier. From the heartbreak and the hope, its a rollercoaster we ride together. Were a team thats committed, and above all, a team that truly cares. Melbournes Peter Mitchell said: In all the decades Ive been associated with 7News, our priority has really never changed. We are here to keep our local community informed about what is going on around them. That is the essence of news. That is our bread and butter. Around the clock, we never underestimate the importance of delivering the news that matters. Sevens market-leading news and current affairs programs built their audiences in the first half of 2025: 7NEWS is Australias most-watched nightly news, up 2% year-on-year. National monthly reach 8.2 million. National audience per night 1.3 million. Sunrise is the #1 breakfast program, and up 7% year-on-year. National monthly reach 4.6 million. National audience 416,000. Weekend Sunrise is also #1 at breakfast and up 6% year on year. National monthly reach 3.5 million. National audience 405,000. #1 weekend breakfast program. The Morning Show is #1 in the mornings and up 11% year on year. National monthly reach 3.4 million. National audience 262,000. In regional Australia, 7NEWS has one of the highest rated 6.00pm bulletins in the country, with an average total TV audience of almost 440,000 this year. Source: VOZ 5.0. Total TV audience based on con7 CYTD to 24 June 2025, unless specified otherwise. Shares based on 6am to midnight CYTD to 26 June unless specified otherwise. Ranking based on total TV reach unless specified otherwise. This post updates. Sami Ahmad, TwoCircles.net Patna: Four districts of Bihars Seemanchal region (Kishanganj, Katihar, Purnea and Araria) have reported an above-average percentage of name deletions in the draft voter list released on August 1. This follows the completion of the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of the electoral rolls across the state. Support TwoCircles The total number of voters in these four districts, as per the Election Commission of India (ECI), stood at 78,11,890 as of June 24, 2025. The newly released draft list shows a removal of 7,61,914 names, bringing the current total to 70,49,976 voters. The deletion date, therefore, amounts to a 9.75%, which is 1.44% higher than the states average of 8.31%. These districts have long faced scrutiny, given their high concentration of Muslim voters and their socio-economic vulnerabilities. During the SIR, suspicions and rumours circulated about the presence of infiltrators who are often attributed to unnamed sources within the ECI. However, the commission has not confirmed a single case of illegal foreign immigration in these areas till date. Bihar had a total of 7,89,69,844 registered voters as of June 24, this year. The draft list shows that 65,64,075 names have been removed (a reduction of 8.31%). The ECI attributes these deletions to three reasons: individuals confirmed as deceased, those who have permanently relocated or were unavailable during enumeration and duplicate entries appearing in multiple voter lists. Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly, Tejashwi Yadav, who belongs to the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) has raised concerns about this process. He questioned the ECIs methodology and transparency in a public statement, asking what evidence or documents were collected to verify the status of the 65 lakh voters declared deceased, migrated or absent. What is the basis for the Election Commission claiming that 36 lakh voters have been transferred or are temporarily migrated? he asked on social media. He further accused the ECI of removing names without prior notice, targeting specific communities and undermining democratic integrity. The percentage of removals varied from one district to another. In many districts, the rate aligned closely with population data, while others showed deviations. Smaller districts generally reported lower removal rates. Kishanganj, the district with the highest Muslim population in the state (67%), had 1,231,910 registered voters as on January 24. Following the SIR, 1,45,668 names were removed, making the deletion rate to stand at 11.82%. The new draft list puts the total number of voters at 1,086,242. This is the second-highest removal rate in the Seemanchal region. Congress Dr Mohammad Jawaid represents the constituency in the Lok Sabha (Lower House of Parliament). Purnia has recorded the highest removal in Seemanchal at 12.08%. On June 24, there were 2,268,431 registered voters. After the removal of 2,73,920 names, the voter count fell down to 19,94,511. The districts Lok Sabha representative is Rajesh Ranjan, also known as Pappu Yadav, who won as an independent candidate with support of the Congress. In Katihar, represented by veteran Congress leader Tariq Anwar, the voter list has undergone a deletion rate of 8.27%. The district had 22,29,063 voters. The draft list now includes 20,44,809 names after the removal of 1,84,254 voters. This rate is in line with the state average. Araria reported the lowest removal rate in Seemanchal at 7.59%. With 20,82,486 voters on June 24, 1,58,072 names have since been removed. This Lok Sabha constituency is represented by Pradeep Kumar Singh of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The 9.75% deletion rate in Seemanchal stands out against the state average and has led to broader questions. The ECI data highlights that Purnia and Kishanganj are especially impacted, while Araria appears more stable in terms of voter retention. Given Kishanganjs demographics and socio-economic conditions, the high deletion rate here requires thorough examination to maintain public trust in the revision process. CPI (ML) State Secretary Kunal expressed concerns about the transparency of the SIR process. He said there are growing fears that names of poor individuals have been disproportionately removed. We have such reports from many places, he said, demanding that the ECI publish the list of all 65 lakh voters declared dead, permanently displaced or untraceable. While Seemanchal stands out, several other districts across Bihar have also undergone substantial voter list changes. In Patna, which has the highest voter population in the state (50,47,194 as of June 24), 3,95,500 names have been removed. However, the removal rate in the state capital remains below the state average at 7.84%. Madhubani recorded the second-highest overall removal rate at 10.44%. The district had 33,76,790 voters before the revision, and 3,52,545 names have now been deleted. Similarly, East Champaran had 36,89,848 registered voters, of which 3,16,793 were removed. This marks a removal rate of 8.59%, aligning more closely with the states average despite its higher population. Muzaffarpur saw a removal of 2,82,845 names out of 34,86,215 voters, marking an 8.11% rate. In Samastipur, 2,83,955 names were removed from a total of 31,45,370 voters, resulting in a 9.03% deletion rate. Saran reported a removal rate of 8.27%, with 2,73,223 names deleted from its 31,34,108 registered voters. Darbhanga had 30,00,167 voters and saw 2,03,315 deletions, a reduction of 6.78%. Bhagalpur recorded a 10.19% removal rate, with 2,44,612 names deleted from its 24,00,414 voters. In Nalanda, the home district of Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, the removal rate is 5.98%, one of the lowest in the state. There were 23,16,081 voters before the SIR, and 1,38,505 names have now been removed. Gaya, the home district of Union Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, had 31,47,156 voters. The SIR resulted in the deletion of 2,45,663 names, giving it a removal rate of 7.80%. Sheikhpura, the states smallest district, recorded the lowest number of deletions both in absolute terms and percentage, with 26,256 names removed (5.1%). The highest percentage of deletions across Bihar was recorded in Gopalganj. Here, 3,10,363 names were removed from a total of 20,55,845 voters, amounting to a 15% removal rate. Mohammed Ramees, TwoCircles.net Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala): Bitra Island, the smallest in the Lakshadweep archipelago, is home to fewer than 300 people. Once a place where islanders spoke about their tranquil life, it is gripped by fear and uncertainty. Fishermen work in silence, the women repairing fishing nets glance nervously toward the horizon and even the laughter of children seems muted by an unspoken anxiety. Why? Support TwoCircles The community fears losing their ancestral home following a government notification, which declared that the island would be taken over for defense purposes. The residents allege that the decision is part of a pattern of new regulations introduced by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led government. Many see it as a direct threat to their way of life. A good portion of Lakshadweeps land has already been claimed under the Pandaram land category, a classification that gives the government legal control. On Thinnakkara Island, a Gujarat-based company has begun constructing a Tent City, despite the entire region being ecologically fragile and subject to strict restrictions against heavy construction. Opposing the move, Lakshadweep Member of Parliament Adv. Hamdullah Sayeed says, The administration is undertaking these measures without any consultation with either the indigenous residents or their elected representatives, particularly at a time when local panchayats in the islands are not functional. Such unilateral actions undermine the democratic system and infringe upon the constitutional rights guaranteed to citizens. He emphasises the availability of alternatives, pointing out that land has already been acquired on other islands for defense needs. Land required for defense purposes has already been acquired by the government in several islands of Lakshadweep. Targeting Bitra, which has had a permanent population for decades, without considering any of these alternatives, is completely unacceptable, he says. Bitra resident Shameer talks about growing distress within the community. What we know is only the notification. Lakshadweep land is ours, and there is no pandaram land here. We have already given up land on two sides for the Coast Guard and Navy. What is left is the land of the people, and they want it entirely. We may have to move wherever they say, and they may compensate the losses with money. But how do they compensate for our emotions? he asks. His voice breaks as he speaks about the islands legacy. It is the soil where our forefathers are buried and where we have lived. There are many uninhabited islands. We do not know why they want only the inhabited one. Sometimes, they may do the same with other islands, he says. P. Misbahudheen, president of the Lakshadweep Students Association, describes the situation as deeply troubling. This is a grave and dangerous national issue, but unlike Kerala, we do not have the kind of media that can report and debate it seriously. The government sees it as an easy walk for them, he says. Under his leadership, the students union is organising awareness programmes to draw national attention to the issue. According to Misbahudheen, discontent is spreading across the islands. People are afraid of the hidden dangers this move carries. First, they came and took over uninhabited islands that belonged to islanders. They burned coconut trees, destroyed agricultural land and barred us from entering our own land, he says. He remembers how land classified as Pandaram was then seized allegedly without consultation or community consent. Earlier, even when the government acquired land, it was done with compensation. There was some regard for the community. But now, even mosques have been destroyed. They are targetting land that is entirely owned by citizens. They are doing it under the garb of defence, he alleges. He questions the true motive behind these actions. Even if they claim it is for defence, what they really want is to expel people from all the islands. Take Bitra for instance. It is one of the most peaceful islands, with very few people, almost no vehicles and beautiful lagoons. It is hard to believe that this is not really about tourism, he says. Hussnul Jamhar, a former Indian Army soldier and island resident, adds his voice to the chorus of concern. We never say that there should not be any defense mechanism. I welcome the decision to build an Army base in Lakshadweep, but we question the logic of displacing people from their homes when it is more suitable to build the base on an island that has no human habitation, he says. He points out several nearby islands that are vacant and suitable for such purposes. Close to Bitra, there are two islands, Cheriyapani and Valiyapani, along with Perumalpara, which is situated close to them. All three of these islands are uninhabited, with broad and shallow lagoons, he says. The governments move to claim pandaram land has already rendered around 60 percent of inhabited land in Lakshadweep disputed. Islanders are urging that vacant and uninhabited islands be used for any defense projects to avoid uprooting communities that have lived in harmony with the land for generations. In addition to the threat of eviction, islanders are also facing a wave of online alleged misinformation. Several right-wing social media accounts and individuals are portraying the tribal Muslim population of Lakshadweep in alleged bad light, spreading hate and Islamophobic narratives. We are gravely concerned that the BJP is attempting to divert this issue. Local TV news channels are baselessly portraying the islandsrs as terrorists and extremists, simply because they are Muslims. We have seen many vulgar comments, even comparing Lakshadweep to Kashmir and calling for the displacement of our entire community from our homes, alleges Jamhar, who is also a Left-leaning political activist. He believes there is a larger agenda behind these tactics. All of the movements going on in Lakshadweep are aimed at serving the need of corporate houses. The communal comments and approaches are only tools that they use in order to get the consensus to help a certain group, he alleges. His appeals for recognition and justice. We are the people who always stand by our country. We have immense love and respect for the country. But what will we do if the politicians belittle us? They are eyeing the lagoons, and they want the soil of this heaven. It is tourism and money. They are using the attack on Muslims as a garb for their corporate benefits, he says. The Lakshadweep administration was contacted for an official comment regarding the notification and the reasons behind choosing Bitra Island for defense meeds. However, no response had been received at the time of publishing this report. Volunteer-Driven OASIS, Headquartered in Orcutt, California, Marks Anniversary with Celebration, Expansion Plans That Will Greatly Increase Its Service Capacity ORCUTT, Calif., Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Northern Santa Barbara County-based, volunteer-driven nonprofit center OASIS (Orcutt Area Seniors in Service) is celebrating its 40th anniversary this August 23 from 12-4pm with a 40th birthday party. Invitees include Supervisor Bob Nelson, Mayor Alice Patino, Senator Salud Carbajal and Assemblymember Gregg Hart. The party will have a luau theme and will take place in the Orcutt Hills at Newlove Picnic Grounds (formerly Union Oil Picnic Grounds). The Oasis Senior Center in Orcutt, CA "OASIS has become a lively health and wellness destination for thousands of local seniors ages 50 and older throughout our community," said Michelle Southwick, OASIS Center Executive Director. "We are also marking our 40th year by holding an August 9 fundraising concert. Something else to look forward to is our March 2026 St. Patrick's themed fundraiser repledging our continued dedication to the local community." This August 9, OASIS will host its 5th annual fundraising concert at Presqu'ile Winery that will feature The Tepusquet Tornadoes, food trucks and an anticipated crowd of 400. The celebration will continue on March 14, 2026, when OASIS will host a St. Patrick's Day non-traditional gala featuring casino games and plenty of Irish shenanigans at the nearby Santa Maria Fairpark. During its 40th year in existence, OASIS expects to also celebrate the groundbreaking for a new 14000 square foot building, an increase from its current 4000 square foot facility that will offer improved services for seniors' health and lifestyle including safer, ADA-accessible recreational facilities, a more technologically advanced computer lab and increased capacity for large gatherings. The new facilities for OASIS will also include grounds for classes and activities in and surrounding the building, plus walking and biking trails. Participation in OASIS's programs is membership-based: $35 for an individual or $60 for two in the same household. OASIS features over 50 unique opportunities a month for health and wellness, including aerobics instruction, ceramics, investment group and much more. There will be an even greater variety of programs for seniors following the groundbreaking, more creative arts and outdoor yoga classes being just a few. About OASIS OASIS is a [501(c)(3)] community lifeline for Northern Santa Barbara County seniors. Each year we deliver enriching programs, resource navigation, and social connection that help older adults remain engaged, independent, and safe. At OASIS, we believe growing older should mean growing in communitynot growing isolated. We create welcoming spaces, meaningful programs, and practical supports that help local seniors stay active, informed, and connected. Our team also works across agencies to strengthen the safety net for older adults, preventing the loneliness, neglect, and abuse that too often go unseen. Whether you're a senior, caregiver, volunteer, or neighbor, there's a place for you here. Visit www.oasisorcutt.org . Media Contact: Frank Tortorici, (908) 875-8908, [email protected] SOURCE Oasis MIAMI, Aug. 6, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- SPHERE Investments, a Miami-based real estate investment firm with over $1 billion in assets across 15 states and Europe, and Propel(x), a premier alternative-investments platform backed by institutions such as Franklin Templeton and leading Silicon Valley venture-capital firms, today announced the launch of Real by Propel(x), a strategic partnership to offer accredited investors exclusive access to institutional-grade healthcare real estate opportunities. This collaboration combines SPHERE's data-driven expertise in healthcare infrastructure with Propel(x)'s seamless digital platform, enabling accredited investors to access high-quality real estate opportunities managed by top-performing asset managers. This Partnership Launches with Two Great Opportunities: Boynton Beach Outpatient Facility A high-performing health facility targeting a projected IRR of 11.8%16.7%, a 1.82.2 equity multiple, and a 3-year hold period. SPHERE Healthcare Value Fund A $50 million value-based care fund targeting a 20% IRR and 7.5%+ annual yield over a 36-month hold period. "Propel(x) is committed to unlocking the power of private markets for our community of accredited investors," said Swati, CEO of Propel(x). "By partnering with SPHERE Investments, we're delivering vetted, institutional-quality healthcare real estate opportunities that align strong financial returns with meaningful community impact." With a track record of delivering IRRs exceeding 20%, SPHERE leverages proprietary analytics, real estate and public-health expertise to identify and optimize resilient assets. Propel(x), having facilitated over 250 vetted offerings, provides the technology and distribution network to streamline access, subscription, and reporting for private-market deals. "This partnership exemplifies our mission to channel capital into real assets that strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve patient outcomes," said Didier Choukroun, Founder and CEO of SPHERE Investments. "Together with Propel(x), we're expanding our reach, allowing more investors to participate in high-growth healthcare real estate strategies underpinned by rigorous analysis and disciplined execution." Investors interested in learning more about these opportunities can visit: www.propelx.com/real-estate/ About Propel(x) Propel(x) is a leading alternative-investments platform that connects accredited investors with differentiated private-market offerings. Learn more at www.propelx.com. About SPHERE Investments Headquartered in Miami with a European presence, SPHERE (Strategic Public Health Equities and Real Estate) is a pioneering force at the intersection of public health equities and real estate investment. For more information, visit www.sphereinvestments.com. Media Contacts: [email protected] [email protected] SOURCE SPHERE Investments This initiative is a collaboration between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Department of Overseas Labour Management, with software development and coordination led by ABeam Consulting Vietnam, a leading strategic and technology consulting firm. The DOLAB-JICA application serves as a digital tool enabling Vietnamese workers to access clear, verified job postings from Japanese companies approved by the Department of Overseas Labour Management. Users can view essential job details such as company names, job categories, responsibilities, contract duration, salary, allowances, and all costs prior to departure. Yosuke Kobayashi, chief representative of JICA Vietnam, said, "We are striving to change the paradigm of labour migration by empowering prospective workers through the power of digital transformation. Moving forward, we plan to expand the project's impact beyond Vietnam, in partnership with the International Labour Organisation and the Japan Platform for Migrant Workers Towards Responsible and Inclusive Society, to ensure that all workers coming to Japan are effectively protected. The project began in August 2023 with the completion of the basic design phase. Phase two, which focused on launching the web platform and mobile app, started in April 2024. By April 2025, the platform had achieved over 27,000 site visits, 956 job postings updated, 230 app downloads from Google Play and App Store, 159 worker accounts created, and training conducted for 263 service providers on platform usage and system operations Ryohei Oda, managing director of ABeam Consulting Vietnam, stated, At ABeam Consulting Vietnam, were proud to contribute to a project that reflects our long-term commitment to social transformation. We believe in the power of technology not just to grow businesses, but also to create social value and empower individuals. The DOLAB-JICA project is a key part of ABeams social transformation strategy in Vietnam, leveraging technology to improve social wellbeing, enhance transparency, and protect citizens' rights. In the first seven months of 2025, Vietnam attracted almost $24.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI), up 27 per cent on-year, according to the Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance. Although newly registered capital dipped, the overall increase was driven by strong rises in both adjusted capital and capital contributions. The period saw more than 2,250 new projects licensed with total pledged capital exceeding $10 billion up over 15 per cent on-year in number but down a little more than 11 per cent in value. The processing and manufacturing industry attracted the most new capital, with just over $5.6 billion, accounting for nearly 56 per cent of the total. Real estate followed with around $2.4 billion, or roughly 24 per cent, while all other sectors combined brought in just over $2 billion, making up about 21 per cent. Among the 74 countries and territories investing in Vietnam over the first seven months of 2025, Singapore led the pack with just over $2.8 billion, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of newly registered FDI. China came next with almost $2.3 billion, around 23 per cent, followed by Sweden with approximately $1 billion, or 10 per cent. Japan contributed just under $870 million, close to 9 per cent, while Taiwan and Hong Kong each invested over $700 million about 7 per cent each. The Virgin Islands rounded out the list with just over $300 million, roughly 3 per cent. The adjusted capital for 920 ongoing projects reached nearly $10 billion, almost doubling from the same period last year. Total newly and additionally registered capital in processing and manufacturing amounted to just over $12.1 billion, making up around 61 per cent of the total. Real estate followed with close to $5 billion, or 25 per cent, while the remaining sectors attracted almost $3 billion, accounting for roughly 15 per cent. There were 1,982 cases of capital contributions and share purchases worth nearly $4.1 billion, marking a 61 per cent rise on-year. Among these, 836 deals added around $1.5 billion to enterprise charter capital, while 1,146 transactions worth about $2.6 billion did not. By industry, foreign investors poured around $1.6 billion into processing and manufacturing, making up just under 40 per cent of the total. Professional activities and science and technology received about $827 million, accounting for 20 per cent, while the remaining sectors drew in approximately $1.65 billion, making up 40 per cent. Disbursed FDI in the first seven months reached around $13.6 billion, up 8.4 per cent on-year the highest level for the period in the past five years. Multinationals signal strong intentions The commitments of numerous corporations to expand their investments in Vietnam are the fruitful results of the governments efforts to broaden investment opportunities while actively supporting investors. Vietnam tightens FDI approvals with inspection regulations on outdated technology From 2025, outdated technology is no longer be tolerated in investment projects, compelling foreign-invested enterprises in Vietnam to meet higher standards in environmental and technological compliance. Manufacturing sector bounces back to growth in July The Vietnamese manufacturing sector returned to growth in July as new orders supported a faster rise in production.